The Visitor Magazine Issue 377 April 2015

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Your local independent monthly journal  01963 351256 www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Issue 377 April 2015

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ILLInG A VACAnT seat on a parish council might seem a mundane topic for a novel, but in the hands of a writer as skilled as J K Rowling it becomes a gripping exposé of attitudes, relationships and social pretensions in the small town of Pagford. The three-part dramatisation of her best-selling book ‘The Casual Vacancy’ attracted millions of viewers to BBC1 on recent Sunday evenings to engross themselves in her depiction of English small-town life.

The screening was timely. A lot of vacancies on town and parish councils must be filled at elections on Thursday 7th May, but if past experience is anything to go by, there will be no elections for many in Visitorland because insufficient candidates will put themselves forward to fill all the vacant seats. Which is sad for democracy because local councils are the least bureaucratic and the cheapest kind of local authority in the UK, and most work hard for their communities and run their services very effectively.

Sad, too, because local councils have many powers if they wish to use them. Some choose to be no more than the eyes and ears of local people, alerting the appropriate authorities when work needs doing to roads, verges, drains etc, and commenting on planning applications and the proposals and policies of other authorities. Others provide a wide range of services including leisure facilities, museums, tourist information centres and town centre closed-circuit television systems.

All can take responsibility for common land and closed churchyards, and provide and maintain village greens, burial grounds, halls, allotments and recreational facilities if they so wish. It is up to local councillors to decide which powers their local residents want them to use and are prepared to pay the cost of using.

Someone has got to do it, and we have always relied on public-spirited people to give their time and talents at no charge – and most bear little resemblance to Pagford residents. Often they are the same people

who serve on the village hall committee or church council, who are active in the Women’s Institute or tennis club, who lend a hand when footpaths need clearing or the war memorial needs cleaning, who collect door-to-door for charities. Whether they are from long-established local families or are newcomers to the town or village, they are the unsung stalwarts who get things done while the rest of us claim we are too busy leading our own lives.

Local councils need people from all walks of life and backgrounds, of all ages, with different ideas and beliefs, if they are to really represent their local community.

Could you find the time to be one of them?

To find out more about the work of your local council and what’s involved in standing for election, have a word with your parish or town clerk now, as nominations close at noon on 10th April.

NN.

Advertising Deadlines

May Issue published Thursday 23rd April Deadline Friday 10th April

NOTE TO ADVERTISERS Advertisements are accepted subject to our standard terms and conditions as printed on our rate card, available upon request. We cannot guarantee any specific page or position, but will always do our best to comply with clients’ wishes.

ARTWORK Artwork & design by our production department and photographs taken by our photographers are the copyright of The Visitor Ltd.

Clients or agencies supplying artwork or images should send uncompressed TIFs, JPEGs or PDFs, 300 dpi minimum if actual size, or at a higher resolution if smaller than size required, along with a hard copy print-out.

For advertisement sizes see our Rate Card.

The views expressed in articles & letters contributed to this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

PO Box 1, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7BG

Ltd.

Tel: (01963) 351256, 351998 Fax: (01963) 350552 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk facebook.com/thevisitormagazine twitter.com/thevisitormag

Proprietor, Accounts & Subscriptions Helen Dunion Production Manager Jeff Farrow

Advertisement Manager & Features Editor Michelle Trulock © The Visitor Ltd. 2015

(Items marked ©GT are the copyright of Geoff Thompson)

CONTENTS

Our FRONT COVER is almost entirely due to fancy footwear

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED - 64 ANTIQUES & COLLECTING - 8 BUSINESS - 42 COMPETITION for EASTER - 13 CREWKERNE - 9 CROSSWORD - 66 GARDENING BONANZA - 55 GLASTONBURY - 26 HOUSE & HOME - 31 LEISURE & TRAVEL - Let’s Go Out & About - 17 LETTERS - 5 LOOKING GOOD & FEELING FINE ... a new look for spring - 21 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES - 6 MOTORING - 40 MUSIC for the MONTH - 20 NATIONAL PET MONTH - 14 NOTICE BOARD - 42 PAPERCHASE - 63 PHONE-A-FIRM - 64 PUBS - 49 SHERBORNE - 43 STREET - 28 TEA for TWO - 16 THEY SAY - 52 WINE & DINE - 53 Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR April 2015 3

ANDREW BARCLAY T R AD I T I ONAL FA MI LY BU TC H ER S 45 High Street, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9JU Tel: 01963 34880

OUR MEAT IS NATURALLY REARED AND SOURCED FROM THE WEST COUNTRY

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BEEF from Local West Country Farms LAMB from Sam Stables and Richard Reed FREE RANGE PORK from Somerset FREE RANGE CHICKEN & DUCK from Creedy Carver

✿ SPRING SAVERS ✿

Free Range Bone-in Pork Chops BUY THREE, GET ONE FREE

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Chicken Breasts

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Orders now being taken for Easter Poultry and New Season’s Spring Lamb

 ORDER EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT  SPECIAL OFFERS ALWAYS AVAILABLE

Large selection of Local Cheeses including

AWARD WINNING MONTGOMERY MATURE CHEDDAR & KEEN’S CHEDDAR ORDERS TAKEN FOR OUR MEAT AT NORTH CADBURY VILLAGE STORES

Wadman’s World Famous Cream ... from their Jersey Herd

ANNAMMA’S CUISINE

Homemade Authentic Southern Indian Curry Sauces made locally by a delightful Indian Lady

FREE RANGE EGGS

DAILY DELIVERIES TO THE SURROUNDING AREA

4 THE VISITOR April 2015

Letters to the Editor

Putting Service Above Self

Sir, As President-elect of the Rotary Club of Ilminster I was delighted to have the opportunity to join 40 eager Rotarians from across District 1200, (which covers Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire) at The Shrubbery Hotel this month to look at ways in which membership can be increased.

Of all of the 26 Rotary Districts in the UK only two increased their membership last year, and District 1200 had the outstanding distinction of increasing its membership by 20, which is no mean feat in this day and age. nowadays, because we are all so busy with our lives, working to pay off mortgages and other bills or spending precious time with family, there seems to be little left to join and participate in voluntary organisations. Those of us who are able to do so certainly reap the benefits of fellowship, in addition to being able to take on leadership responsibility. Perhaps most importantly we can contribute in a meaningful way to the communities in which we live. It is no surprise that the Rotary motto is ‘service above self’.

As with other organisations, such as Lions and Round Table, falling membership is a real problem, and overturning this trend and recruiting new members is something of a challenge. In most cases once someone sees the many benefits of Rotary they stick with it. In Ilminster alone we have a large number of members who have been with the club since its inception 44 years ago, testament to its value. However, one size does not fit all, and although clubs operate within certain constraints to maintain the high standards associated with Rotary, we have a lot of autonomy about how we do things. In Ilminster this last year we have focused on increased community involvement and have organised many events and activities, supporting a wide range of

The Visitor can be read online:

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projects. These have included some things we have been doing for many years, such as Year 11 interviews at Wadham School, an annual Youth Speaks competition and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards programme, in addition to a technology tournament, providing support with reading at Greenfylde, hosting charity coffee mornings and many more; the list is endless.

Yes, our age profile is, shall we say, at the higher end of the demographic scale, but it is these older members that are the backbone of what we do. What we now need to do though is to diversify, recruiting younger members and those from other backgrounds, though in doing so we must also nurture them. It is only by doing this that we will continue as a vibrant organisation.

I first joined Rotary 15 years ago, after being asked to speak at one of their meetings, and battled my way through to becoming their first female member; now almost a third of our members are women, and we tend to be a little younger.

To encourage increased membership, and to remain relevant, Rotary acknowledges that it needs to be innovative and flexible in the way it operates. At a national level we are investing heavily in actively seeking growth opportunities to support local clubs in a variety of ways; looking at different types of membership

and the setting up of e-clubs. This is all very exciting stuff and demonstrates that as we celebrate our 110th year in 2015, we are not standing still but are moving with the times.

On a personal level, in addition to providing a fantastic opportunity to do something good for my local community, as a Rotarian I have had the opportunity to meet with other Rotarians across the world on my

travels. So far, in addition to visiting other clubs in the UK I have visited ones in the Czech Republic, France, Morocco, India, Malta and Portugal. It’s a great way meet up with people who all share that common aim of putting others before oneself.

Linda Piggott-Vijeh 3 Rectory Court Vicarage Hill Combe St. nicholas TA20 3nE

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 12.30pm, or by appointment

Morley House, Market Place, SOMERTON, Somerset, TA11 7LX • www.awruleandson.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2015 5

Dispatches

that no doubt will be known by many.

Their 20th annual concert is being held on 25th April at 7.30pm and will be a great celebration of songs from the musicals, pop charts and some traditional male voice songs.

Cary Comedians Carnival Club would like to thank all their supporters - they achieved 25 cups in 2014. The club won the Somerset County Championship Comic Cup for the first time since 2001, winning six out of the seven carnivals they entered. It's only the third time the club has won the cup in its 34 year history. Of the seven Wessex Grand Prix circuit local carnivals entered, the club won all the comic classes, came third overall in the Wessex Champions Cup, and Reserve Champions at Mere.

The club welcomes new members, joining a carnival club is a great experience, new skills can be learned as float building goes on all year and new friends are made. Being part of a carnival 'family' is confidence building as well as being very sociable with all the events to attend and take part in. Contact the club through their website, Facebook page or

Residents of Curry Rivel celebrated the construction of an extension to the entrance lobby of The Robert Sewers Village Hall and enhancements to the kitchen and bar area at an opening ceremony on 5th March A grant from South Somerset District Council helped contribute towards the cost of the extension.

The hall was built in 1935 using a legacy from local resident Robert Sewers. Following a public meeting in 2011, residents were surveyed to establish how they would like the hall to progress and from these results a three stage business plan to improve the facilities at the hall was created.

The project to extend the entrance area and to enhance the kitchen and bar area saw funds secured from SSDC, Curry Rivel Parish Council, Awards for All, local organisations and from the Village Halls own funds.

Mentioned in

A Successful Year for Cary Comedians

£8,000 Community Grant for Curry Rivel Village Hall

It’s fun to be part of a winning team! Cary Comedians Carnival Club welcomes new members. Interested? Contact them through their website: www.carycomedians. co.uk Photo: Viviane Horne.

Twitter. Meetings are held at the White Hart Castle Cary. A bingo is held monthly (not July or August), pig racing (wooden pigs!) is planned and scrap metal is welcomed for fund-raising.

Cheddar Male Choir

Once a year, Cheddar Male Choir celebrates a year’s work for charities and good causes by putting on their Annual Concert.

This year’s concert, being in the 20th year of formation, is being held in St Andrews Church in

Cheddar. The concert will help to raise funds to keep the choir ca rry i ng o n ra i s i ng m o ne y .

Cheddar Male Choir helps others raise money by singing around 12 concerts per year and they have assisted charities such as The Children’s Hospice South West; Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance; Freewheelers Blood Bikers; Draycott Defibrillator and numerous others.

This year they will be joined by the local U3A ladies choir and will perform together one number

Tel: 01963 33370 | Higher Holton, nr Wincanton BA9 8EA info@elliscombehouse.co.uk | www.elliscombehouse.co.uk

6 THE VISITOR April 2015

Mentioned in

Dispatches

Alice in Wonderland themed activities for Chilton Cantelo School

Prep and pre-Prep pupils of Chilton Cantelo School celebrated World Book Day dressed as their favourite book characters, before spending the morning working in class groups on a wide variety of tasks, from writing adaptations of the story to recording audio books, preparing tea parties and making 'Mad Hats'.

In the afternoon each class performed and shared the work that they had done with the rest of the Prep and Pre-Prep departments before participating in a live video stream event, in which famous authors shared some of their writing secrets!

Heritage Lottery Fund

The Octagon Theatre has received £36,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for an exciting new project, The Octagon Archive, which will aim to generate an archive for The Octagon Theatre and it’s antecedents following the venue celebrating its 40th Anniversary.

Over its 40 year history there has never been an archive of the venues that preceded The Octagon Theatre or of its professional and amateur entertainment history. The project will create such an archive through the making of oral history recordings, the research and assembly of photographs, films and documents, as well as special performances from local groups. All of these elements will be drawn together into a celebratory show and exhibition at the theatre in 2016.

More information will be available from the Box Office on 01935 422884 or via the website: www.octagon-theatre.co.uk in due course.

Queen Camel Tuesday Group

The Tuesday Group meets in the Queen Camel Memorial Hall on the first Tuesday of each month, at 10am. The variety of the meetings and the companionship one gets on a monthly basis for a very modest subscription makes belonging to the Tuesday Group a joy.

If you want any more information about their activities, please call Pat Champion on 01963 32264 or Marion Chapman on 01963 220741.

Castle Cary Museum

Castle Cary Museum opens for the 2015 Season on the 1st April. new Exhibitions will include an update of the World War 1 items and 50 years of Castle Cary Choir.

Visit them on the 1st Floor of the Market House and see all their Exhibitions, which include a ‘walk back in time’ in their Agricultural Room.

The Museum is open Monday to Friday 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm; Saturdays 10.30am to 12.30pm. (Open Bank Holidays). Entry is free.

The Museum is run by a group of hard-working volunteers and they are always looking for new volunteers to join the team. If you think you could help for 2 hours a week, contact Ann Brittain, Chirman, on 01963 350680.

thousands of pounds for charities and churches. This concert, supporting St Margaret’s Hospice, will feature some of their favourites of the last 50 years and include something for everyone, from sacred music to popular songs and from musicals to fun pieces.

Tickets £15 and £10 available from Sherborne Tourist Information Centre on 01935 815341 or by calling 01963 350498.

The Fine Food Company sponsors Wincanton Town Football Club

The Fine Food Company in Wincanton are once again sponsoring the Wincanton Town Football Club away kit as well as the reserve team’s home kit and the Under 18s kit.

Chris Ricketts, Managing Director of the Company said, ‘We are thrilled to be sponsoring our local football team, and as a keen football fan myself, I think that it’s very important that companies like ours support our local football team, so they have the appropriate funds to enable them to be as successful as they can’.

The club is affiliated to The Somerset Football Association and currently has 50 players signed on for the 2014/15 season with teams playing in three leagues. This season, the first team are looking to improve on last season’s creditable fourth place finish and they have high hopes for the new under 18 team who will be playing their games in the Somerset Floodlight League Division South.

Castle Cary Choir

The Castle Cary Choir are celebrating their 50th year with a Gala Concert at Sherborne Abbey on Saturday 30th May at 7.30pm with special guest Jonathan Ansell (2004 ‘X factor’ finalist with G4). During those 50 years the choir has performed hundreds of concerts and raised

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THE VISITOR April 2015 7

Antiques, Vintage & Collecting

Somerset Train Collection Set to Steam away in Auction

A local enthusiast's model train collection is to be sold by Lawrences Auctioneers of Crewkerne.

It was assembled by a Crewkerne man over several decades and the collection has been consigned for sale by his family.

It includes over 50 boxed locomotives by Hornby and Bachmann, mostly in mint condition. Also included are several hundred railway books, photographs, railway timetables, kits and other items.

The collection includes a cast iron locomotive number plate, a rare survivor from the age of

Above, a pair of 19th century Polychrome decorative Balinese diety figures. Pictured in advert below,16th century (1580) Spanish type Morion Helmet, probably northern Italian. Ex-private collection, wonderful colour and patination with pear stalk finial, both available from Quillon House Antiques, Bruton.

Quillon House Antiques

16 H IGH S TREET , B RUTON  01749 812269

 17 th / 18 th C. Oak and Country Furniture  Arms & Armoury  Equestrian Paintings  Valuations Undertaken  Antiques Purchased

16th Century Helmet 1580 Spanish Type Morion Helmet

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm

PASTIMES of Sherborne

We pay TOP PRICES for OLD TOYS any condition Trains • Cars • Lorries • Soldiers • Etc. Britains * Dinky * Corgi * Hornby Meccano * Tri-ang * Etc. Shop Open Mornings 9.30am – 1pm, Monday – Saturday

Tel: 01935 816072 • Mob: 07527 074343 HOME VISITS BY ARRANGEMENT

3 Westbury, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3EH

Hazy-Maes Auctions Auctions and House Clearance Services

AUCTIONS HELD FORTNIGHTLY ON A SATURDAY Viewing all day on Friday prior, 9.30am – 6.30pm

FORTHCOMING AUCTIONS

Saturday 28th March, Saturday 11th and 25th April from 12noon

1 Bancombe Court, Somerton Business Park, Somerton, TA11 6SB Tel: 01458 274615 • Mobile: 07709 038620 Visit our website: www.hazymaesauctions.co.uk

8 THE VISITOR April 2015

steam trains and likely to be very sought after by collectors. This plate was originally from a 61XX Prairie Tank Locomotive, which was built in Swindon in 1931 and withdrawn in 1964. The plates from this locomotive have never appeared in auction before.

Lawrences Auctioneer Simon Jones said, 'This is a fascinating collection, with items to suit most enthusiasts. Trains continue to be extremely popular in auction.

With the extensive Internet access that our sales attract, we get bids from across the world.'

The Trains will be sold in Lawrences Spring Collectors Sale on Friday 22 May, with estimates ranging from £50 – £500.

Likely to be highly sought after by collectors at Lawrences Spring Collectors Sale, this cast iron locomotive number plate, a rare survivor from the age of steam trains.

Pictured is proprietor Jo Paine of Milly’s in Crewkerne, an antiques and vintage shop full to overflowing with interesting items for avid collectors and browsers.

Tinhouse Home & Garden Antiques Furniture • Vintage • Retro • Gardenalia • Pots Birdbaths • Sundials • Statues • Sculptures ITEMS BOUGHT & SOLD – CASH PAID – CAN COLLECT Open 10.30am ‘til 4.30pm, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday Other times by appointment

Tel: 01458 241298 • Mobile: 07971 244441 Sutton Road, South Hill, SOMERTON, TA11 7JG www.tinhousehomeandgarden.co.uk • tinhousehomeandgarden@outlook.com

CREWKERNE ~ a business focus THE TOWN OF CREWKERNE is an interesting place to visit, whether it’s for business reasons, to enjoy the architecture, planning some retail therapy or just browsing the many specialist shops. And when it comes to antiques and collectables - the choice is immense.

Antiques Bazaar

Friendly welcome. Great ambience. Warm premises.

Period music. Interesting displays. Wide range. Good value.

Coffee shop.

Just a few features of Antiques Bazaar - the destination for those hunting antiques, vintage, furniture, jewellery and just the unusual. Over 90 traders at one level site. Wheelchair friendly.

Kids and dogs welcome. Open 7 days a week. Home baked cakes and hot snacks. Plant centre.

Free parking. Free wi-fi.

Why not put a visit to Antiques Bazaar on YOUR ‘must do’ list?

Regency Care & Mobility have a wide range of mobility scooters, rise and recline chairs, beds and living aids.

Call in and discuss your personal requirements.

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Tel: 01460 271172 THE VISITOR April 2015 9

CREWKERNE ~ a business focus Auto Enrolment is the government’s scheme requiring all employers to set a pension scheme in to which their employees must be enrolled. You may have received a letter from The Pensions Regulator (TPA) asking you to nominate a contact for them to deal with.

You cannot afford to ignore this request – see the penalties below.

HM Revenue & Customs are already imposing these on employers who do not get it right!

What is your Staging Date?

The Staging Date is the date by which you must have a) A pension scheme in place; b) Assessed all your employees to see if they are eligible to be included in the scheme; and c) Given all your employees details of the scheme so that they make an informed decision as to whether they

wish to opt out.

There is no time to lose as the likelihood is that it will take at least three months, if not longer, to set up a scheme.

Eligibility of employees

There are different categories of employee, dependent on age and level of pay. As an employer you must enrol those employees who are eligible in to the pension scheme – you have no option! It is up to the employee to advise the Pension Provider that they wish to opt out.

With the initial penalty for noncompliance starting at a fixed £400 and escalating daily, ignoring auto enrolment can be an expensive matter.

If you need help to set up and administer your auto enrolment scheme, call Simon Bachrach or Steve Curtis on 01460 279000.

Milly’s

Milly’s in the George Precinct, Crewkerne offers an eclectic mix of antique and vintage items.

Milly’s opened just prior to Christmas and is owned, and run

by Jo Paine who has twenty years experience in the antique business.

Penalty for getting it wrong

There are some very serious penalties for: a) not having a scheme in place by your staging date; b) not enrolling employees who are entitled to be enrolled; c) Missing pension payment deadlines; d) Advising or coercing your employees to opt out; and e) Many other administrative errors.

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This stylish woodburner is just one of many available from R. A. Wicks of Merriott near Crewkerne. A well-established family business offering the complete service from sales to installation - covering the Visitor area.

WOODBURNERS 15% discount

OFF FIREVIEW STOVES during April

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info@chalmersaccountants.co.uk Offices at Yeovil, Crewkerne & Langport 01460 279000 10 THE VISITOR April 2015

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R.A. WICKS Ltd.

Clapper Hay, Church Street, MERRIOTT, nr. CREWKERNE, TA16 5PR  01460 74612 visit our website www.wicksheating.co.uk

CREWKERNE ~ a business focus Ladies - if you are looking for vintage accessories look no further – there is a wonderful range of jewellery, stylish bags, compacts and gloves to choose from!

Art Deco and colourful Murano glass, Russian ceramic figurines and framed prints on all manner of subjects can be found, together with a collection of fountain pens and Royal Worcester ceramics, plus much more!!

The stock is constantly changing so do call in – open Tuesday to Saturday 10 till 4.30pm. Conveniently situated near to the car park.

Lawrences Auctioneers

An evocative Great Western Railway poster is to be sold by Lawrences Auctioneers of Crewkerne.

Consigned for sale by a Somerset client, this vintage poster depicts the Pack Horse Bridge at Allerford (near Minehead) in Somerset. The poster was designed by Frank Sherwin (1896-1986), a watercolour artist who is best known for his railway posters promoting travel to holiday destinations around Britain.

The poster was printed by Stafford & Co Ltd of netherfield, and has remained in very good condition.

Lawrences Auctioneer Simon Jones said, ‘Vintage Railway posters are always very popular in auction. This one has a Somerset connection, it should attract keen interest from enthusiasts and collectors. We have a large selection of railwayana

in this sale including model trains, books and many other items relating to railway history.

The poster will be included in Lawrences Spring Collectors Sale, on Friday 22 May and is expected to make up to £500. See our Antiques page for more information.

Bluebird and Buttercup

Have you discovered Bluebird and Buttercup yet? Situated in the George Shopping Precinct in Crewkerne, the shop is full of unusual and quirky gifts. Many items are made in and around Crewkerne, as well as over the border into Dorset and Devon, meaning that many gifts are ‘one

A FACE WORTH A FORTUNE

Studio of Sir Thomas Lawrence – Portrait of the 5th Earl of Carlisle

BOUGHT FOR £131,000 Who may be hiding in your attic?

Full Team of Specialists Home Visits without Charge

See our sales and read our news at www.lawrences.co.uk We have SOLD 50,000+ LOTS in 12 months This vintage poster depicting the Pack Horse Bridge at Allerford is in the Lawrences Spring Collectors Sale in May and is sure to evoke a lot of interest.

 01460 73041

enquiries@lawrences.co.uk South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset, TA18 8AB

THE VISITOR April 2015 11

CREWKERNE ~ a business focus offs’. Where UK sourced is not an option, then Fairtrade is always available.

There is traditional cotton nightwear for children from Powell Craft in Cornwall, as well as beautiful textiles and ceramics from Sophie Allport plus for the gardener, the new Sophie Conran range from Burgon and Ball.

Wonderful toiletries from Di Palamo in delightful fragrances such as wild fig and grape, and exclusive to Bluebird and Buttercup is a luxury capsule collection of organic facial oils from Orchard View Naturals that are made in Somerset and which has great reviews in the national Press.

Lampshades, cushions, scarves, handbags, brooches, original textile art and much more - do call in. There is always something different to see!!

Jazziez of Crewkerne with their smart new signs! Jazziez can supply all kinds of personalised clothing and merchandise, making them ideal for skittle team shirts, football clubs, school sweatshirts, business uniforms, promotional items and more. And you can order any quantity, from a single item upwards.

Say you saw it in The Visitor

GORGEOUS GIFTS FOR ALL Showcasing Local Designers and Artists Inspiration for Home & Garden Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm

Bluebird and Buttercup No. 4, The George Shopping Centre CREWKERNE, TA18 7LU Tel: 01460 77728 www.bluebirdandbuttercup.co.uk

Under New Ownership ...

CREWKERNE ANTIQUES & VINTAGE CENTRE UNITS available to rent

... with 20 Dealers & 30 Display Cabinets Jewellery, Silver, Glass, Rocking Horses, China and an Extensive Range of Furniture ✿ GARDEN NOW OPEN ✿ Statues – Patio Sets – Benches – And More!

ANTIQUES BOUGHT & SOLD Open: Monday – Saturday 9.30am - 4.30pm

16 MARKET STREET • CREWKERNE Tel: 01460 77111

12 THE VISITOR April 2015

Crewkerne Antiques Centre is under new ownership and will now be known as the Crewkerne Antiques & Vintage Centre.

Pictured is Julia Henry (partner).

CREWKERNE Crewkerne Antiques & Vintage Centre

Crewkerne is a small market town full of antique, vintage and quirky little shops offering a wide range of unusual items to suit every purse. The new Crewkerne Antiques and Vintage Centre, (formally The Crewkerne Antiques Centre) is now under new management. It already houses 20 traders dealing in quality antique furniture and collectables plus a huge yard at the back selling antique garden furniture, sculptures, large stone planters, and so much more.

Some cabinets and trading pitches are still available to seasoned traders. Just contact the centre on 01460 77111 for information. Crewkerne also has a large Antiques Bazaar, Harts Antiques and the ever popular Vintage Market on West street. This hidden gem is an

Aladdin’s cave of vintage bargains with a great retro clothing department upstairs. Easy parking - stress free shopping. Well worth a visit!!

COMPETITION Enter our EASTER competition to win this HAMPER!

Robert Frith Optometrists

Easter brings the latest eye care technology to Robert Frith Optometrists in Crewkerne. The practice has invested in an Optical Coherence Tomographer, a machine that allows the optician to see exactly what is happening under the retina as well as on the surface during an eye examination.

This enables better diagnosis and monitoring of eye conditions including age related macular degeneration and glaucoma. For a small fee, the OCT scan can be performed on virtually all patients in addition to an eye examination.

Call the practice on 01460 72964 for further details or to book an eye test.

Just answer the following questions:

1. In which year did the Queen distribute Maundy Money in Wells Cathedral?

2. On what date will Good Friday fall in 2016?

3. What date was Easter Sunday in 2013?

Answers by email to: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

via our website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk/contact or by post to: The Visitor Easter Competition P.O.Box 1 Castle Cary Somerset, BA7 7BG

The Visitor can be read online … www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Entries to arrive by Tuesday 7th April – please remember to include your name, address and phone number. The first correct entry to be picked out of the hat after the closing date will win the Hamper.

THE VISITOR April 2015 13

National Pet Month

THE AIM of national Pet Month is to promote responsible pet ownership and make people aware of the benefits pets bring to individuals, or indeed whole households. Increasing public awareness of services available from professionals who work with animals is another of the aims together with raising awareness of the role, value and contribution

to society of working companion animals. national Pet Month is a registered charity, unique in bringing together animal welfare charities, professional bodies, pet businesses, schools, youth groups and pet lovers, with the common goal of improving the welfare of pets. For more information visit www.nationalpetmonth. org.uk

HOME FROM HOME FOR YOUR DOG

Let your Dog come and stay with us when you go on holiday, for a day, a week, or longer Dog friendly family home, constant attention & supervision Space available for exercise and long walks REFERENCES AVAILABLE

For more details please call Connie Card

01963 240650

Home from Home

If you are away on holiday having a good time you want to know that your family pooch is in safe hands at home and having a good time too!

Home from Home for dogs is aptly named – situated a few miles from Castle Cary, Home from Home offers excellent accommodation for your pet – living in the house as part of the family whilst also having plenty of fresh air and exercise in large secure grounds outside. Owned and run by Connie Card you can leave your dogs knowing that they will be well looked after. Any length of stay is available from

1st April – 4th May 2015

just a half day through to weeks.

References are available, Home from Home is fully insured, vet approved and licensed through SSDC. Telephone 01963 240650.

PetWood

PET FOOD SUPPLIES For Dogs, Cats, Small Animals, Fish Aviary, Wild Birds & Poultry, Exotic Pets Toys, Hutches & Accessories Competitive Prices - Delivery Available

Little Wings Incorporating ...

LICENSED PET SHOP Bird & Small Animal Sales

 01935 825868

www.petwood-martock.co.uk Unit 5, North Street Great Western Road, Martock Free Parking Outside

DOG HOLIDAYS

in my own home

 Country walks twice a day  Very experienced with all breeds

 Your dog will be treated like my own

Contact Pauline Tel: 01935 823809 Mob: 07943 604092

Brunel Pet Centre 5a Brunel Shopping Precinct

SOMERTON

• Many Brands of Dog and Cat Food Stocked • Small Animal Food & Treats • Toys and Accessories • Wild Bird Food - well priced • Friendly Service • Orders Welcome

 01458 274980

14 THE VISITOR April 2015

The Brunel Pet Centre, Somerton where you can find a wide range of food and accessories for your pet.

National Pet Month

Petwood & Little Wings

Petwood on north Street Martock has all you need for your family pet – with a comprehensive range of feeds from leading makes such as Burns, Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved. Pet accessories, leads, health products, chews and toys can all be found. Little Wings Licensed Pet Shop can be found on the first floor at Petwood, proprietor Louise Clarke has been breeding birds for over 15 years. Lovebirds, budgies, canaries, Chinese Painted quail and finches are amongst the birds at Little Wings.

Louise has caused quite a stir with her hand-reared lovebirds with customers travelling from all over the country to buy the super cuddly tame youngsters (see her facebook page). Fantastic reviews.

The lovebirds are currently fed every two hours which is proving quite an attraction.

Being hand-reared the birds are very tame and can be handled easily when fully grown. Expert advice is on hand. Open 9.30am

- 5pm daily and on Little Wings Facebook page.

Local vets are first in Somerset to use innovative pain relief technology

The Delaware Veterinary Group have always been strong advocates of preventative health care for their clients pets, but sometimes no amount of preventative care can avoid conditions or ailments arising that may leave our pets in pain.

With continued investment in staff and equipment in an effort to exceed their client’s expectations, the Delaware Veterinary Group have recently invested in a ground-breaking technology referred to as a ‘therapeutic laser’.

Small Animal and Equine partners Roger Lewis and Steve Wildman realised the potential in expanding the range of services offered from the Castle Cary practice with this state of the art piece of equipment, with the

treatment being delivered by the trained veterinary nursing team, either at the practice or at the stable yard. Roger Lewis says ‘The ‘K-Laser’ offers a drug and surgery free approach in aiding the treatment of painful inflammation conditions such as arthritis or soft tissue injuries, as well as promoting rapid wound healing when used before and after surgery. Treatments last 3 to 8 minutes per site and require no anaesthesia. Your pet will be very comfortable as this laser produces only a soothing warmth in the inflamed tissue. Laser Therapy for chronic conditions can require 5 or 6 treatments

1st April – 4th May 2015

initially to get your pet to a very comfortable situation. Booster treatments are then required every 3 to 4 weeks to maintain the reduced pain and improved mobility.’

Steve Wildman adds ‘The ‘KLaser’ can offer a tailored laser therapy treatment plan for each animal, depending on the species, size and condition and it is fully portable enabling the nurses and vets to use it away from the practice’. Please contact the practice on 01963 350307 / info@delaware vets.co.uk / www.delaware vets.co.uk with your questions or to arrange a demonstration.

Whether you are looking for a pet shampoo or a flea collar - Isabelle at Crossroads Pet Supplies on the A30 between Sherborne and Yeovil is sure have it!

Dog tired of high prices?

CROSSROADS PET SUPPLIES VISIT

SUPPLIERS OF

• Pet Foods • Bird & Pigeon Seeds • Full range of Toys, Hutches, Accessories

... all at competitive prices Ample FREE PARKING outside the Door Find us at Forward Garage on the main A30 between Sherborne & Yeovil

A ‘Manokwari Blue’ green tree python. As juveniles they are either yellow or red, then change colour as they mature.

Available from Repxotics, Shepton Mallet

Somerset’s leading retailer of reptiles & amphibians

Tortoises • Snakes • Lizards Frogs • Spiders • Invertebrates OPEN ON SUNDAYS 10am – 4pm Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am – 5pm Closed Mondays Extensive Range of Cold Water & Tropical Fish + Accessories

Repxotics, 17 Town Street SHEPTON MALLET BA4 5BE

www.repxotics.co.uk

Telephone 01749 938082

Tel: 01935 411859 .

Dedicated to excellence in animal care for over 100 years

Small Animal, Farm & Equine

★ 24 Hour Emergency Service provided by our own staff ★ and Healthy Pet & Healthy Horse Schemes available CASTLE CARY  01963 350307 YEOVIL  01935 474690 info@delawarevets.co.uk • www.delawarevets.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2015 15

TEA FOR TWO

Sturminster House Tea Rooms

With the better weather on the way Sturminster House Tea Rooms have now opened up their courtyard – which is a real suntrap in which to enjoy your refreshments. There are delicious homemade cakes such as spiced apple cake, coffee and walnut and lemon meringue cake. The cream

Sturminster House Tea Rooms & Restaurant

Courtyard Open Every Friday ...

Steak Night

Only £12 to include a Free Drink Bookings Only

Market Place STURMINSTER NEWTON Tel: 01258 471808

teas are always very popular and for a special occasion why not treat yourself to a High Tea (24hrs notice required) four types of sandwiches, four types of savouries, scones, cakes and chocolate for just £10. Gift Vouchers available.

A gluten free and a vegetarian menu have now been introduced.

Whether you are looking for a light lunch, afternoon tea or a delicious steak Sturminster House Tea Rooms is just the place. Visit Groupon for discount coupons.

- at -

For Coffees, Teas, Toasted Sandwiches, Locally Made Cakes & Pastries Open Tuesday – Sunday 10.30am – 4pm OPEN EASTER MONDAY

Woodford Lane • Keward • Wells Andy & Clare Waller

LICENSED CAFE “Delicious food in relaxing surroundings” Open Monday to Saturday, 9am ‘til 5pm Sunday Morning, 10am ‘til 1pm 105 Cheapside • LANGPORT • TA10 9PW  01458 250635 email: andy@artteazen.co.uk www.artteazen.co.uk @artteazen

To be redeemed only at the BUTTERCROSS TEAROOMS Market Place Somerton

Valid until 31st October 2015 - VM

16 THE VISITOR April 2015

It’s always a delight to look around garden centres at this time of year with the new season plants arriving. At Brownes Garden Centre near Wells you

Located in Langport at the heart of the Somerset Levels, Art Tea Zen is a cafe full of charm and character. Its colourful, comfortable interior is the ideal place to meet friends for a chat or to chill out with a newspaper.

It serves great coffee and a variety of teas. Lunch can be enjoyed with a glass of wine, a beer or cider or a selection of cold drinks.

THE COFFEE SHOP Brownes Garden Centre

BUY 1 CREAM TEA AND GET THE 2nd FREE

Brownes Coffee Shop

can sit and ponder your purchases over a coffee. The coffee shop set in the grounds offers a full range of freshly brewed coffees including latte and cappuccino, plus teas and fruit infusions. Light meals such as toasted sandwiches and delicious locally made pastries and cakes ... flapjacks and brownies, sponges and scones ... await you at Brownes, and of course, a warm welcome.

Art Tea Zen

Relax and enjoy a visit to ...

artteazen

All meals, cakes and biscuits are homemade. The menu is constantly changing and provides a great selection from vegetarian or gluten free options through to steak sandwiches for the carnivorous.

THE BUTTERCROSS TEAROOMS

Market Place, Somerton (01458) 273168

Homemade Cakes & Scones Morning Coffee, Cream Teas Lunch Served 12 – 3pm Open: Mon – Sat 9 – 5pm

Enjoy afternoon tea in the relaxed surroundings of the Living Pretty Tea Rooms, Curry Rivel.

St. George’s Day Supper Club Thursday 23rd April 2015 from 7pm

A Traditional English Feast served with a Retro Twist Enjoy an evening of nostalgia sampling delicious homemade dishes taking you back in time Complimentary Arrival Cocktail: Harvey Wallbanger, Snowball or a Martini 3 Courses & Coffee – £25 per person Deposit & Pre-Order Required

Somerset Afternoon Cream Tea For Two – £20

Delicious Finger Sandwiches Homemade Cakes, Scones and Clotted Cream All served on a Vintage Style Cake Stand with China Teacups and Saucers

kate@livingpretty.co.uk • www.livingpretty.co.uk THE OLD BAKERY • HIGH STREET CURRY RIVEL • SOMERSET • TA10 0ES Tel: 01458 253357

The Motorhome Show Shepton Mallet 10th – 12th April

AS THE SHOW SEASOn fast approaches, it’ll soon be time for the sixth April Motorhome Show, being held at the Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet in Somerset, BA4 6Qn from the 10th – 12th April and featuring all the latest Motorhomes from the leading manufacturers.

Visitors will be able to see a whole raft of new 2015 models as they wander through the exhibition, which has a new, all outdoor layout this year. In addition to the exhibition itself, many clubs choose the show as the venue for their first rally of the new Year. A good chance to catch up with old friends and discuss what's new. For those staying the long weekend there are two party nights with a live cabaret-style entertainment on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Friday night is a night with The Beached Boys, the UK's number one Beach Boys tribute band, performing all the hits, plus a bonus set of hits from the 60's & 70's.

The Motorhome Show at Shepton Mallet - a chance to meet up with like-minded friends and acquaintances.

Saturday night is ladies night, featuring the fabulous Miss Vintage, a highly entertaining tribute to the classic jazz divas of yesteryear and today. Followed by the Dusty Springfield and 60's show. Songs from the iconic artist plus many other female vocalists that made the Sixties FAB! Day entry costs are £5 per adult in advance online from www.seetickets.com (£7.50 on the

day). Day car parking is free and children accompanied by parents also come in free. The show opens at 9.30am and closes at 5pm.

Those who wish to stay for the weekend can book on 020 8302 6150 or pay on the gate when they arrive and visit the show as often as they like and go to the free evening entertainment.

From Thursday onwards the cost is £45 and from Friday onwards

it's just £40. It's a great show with great deals. For more information visit www.TheMotorhome Show.com

Milborne Port Opera

This year Milborne Port Opera is staging a new work by MPO member neil Edwards, a talented writer, composer and arranger. Spring Fate is his third play to be put on at Milborne

THE VISITOR April 2015 17

Port. It is comedy musical theatre from the Edwardian age at its best. Lovely music, great choral singing and some stunning solo songs from an award-winning company. It will also be very funny. Think a spying mystery set to music in Downton Abbey, with some Allo Allo and Carry on humour thrown in.

The story is irrelevant (almost), but it concerns a gaggle of foreign spies masquerading as guests or performers at a grand country house party, trying to steal British state secrets from the aristocratic owners. Will they get away with it? Can the empire be

Drayton Street Fair

Saturday 5 September 2015 11.00am – 4.00pm Craft & Local Produce * Stalls Wanted * 50p Entry FREE PARKING 01458 251687 (day/evening) For further details th

saved? Great characters, great music from an 11-piece band, and a lot of laughs.

The show is being staged straight after Easter, April 8-11th at 7.30pm in Milborne Port Village Hall. Tickets £10.00.

Concession tickets, £8.00 on the Wednesday from Milborne Port Post Office, Wayne's, and from the MPO box office -07926 983585. Also boxoffice@milborne portopera.co.uk The Half Moon, Horsington is organising a party to see the show on Thursday 9th April. If you would like to be included, contact Andrew or Philippa Tarling.

Transport provided.

collecting fragments of life forms on my travels. It is a constant journey; persistently scrutinising, learning, interpreting and then re-interpreting. A truly organic process.' Based in Somerset,

John Leach Gallery

A new exhibition by Julia Manning, Printmaking on the Edge, can be viewed at the John Leach Gallery at Muchelney Pottery, nr Langport TA10 0DW from 23 March - 9 June 2015.

Julia Manning returns with a brand new exhibition of her original prints. From nests on the island of Skokholm, colours and textures found in the local Blue

17 St James Street South Petherton Somerset TA13 5BS 01460 241166

7th YARLINGTON FRINGE Friday 1st May – Sunday 3rd May

A Festival of Art, Music, Drama, Dancing & Beer “Top family entertainment in a bucolic setting” Talks  Demonstrations  Workshops Childrens Entertainment  Varied Live Music All Day All events are free and funded solely by our food & drinks sales

www.yarlington-somerset.co.uk Jane / Dave 01963 440660

18 THE VISITOR April 2015

Lias quarry to the vegetation at home in her garden - Julia continues to discover inspiration all around. 'I am always surveying and examining the natural milieu around me and

‘My September Garden’ by Julia Manning, whose new exhibition at the John Leach Gallery, Muchelney can be viewed until 9th June.

Julia's studio is tucked away in a corner of her courtyard - a creative and energetic space where her ideas come to life.

In 2012 Julia joined force with four other artists to form the PInE FERODA collective (Julia Manning RE, Merlyn Chesterman RE, Ian Phillips, Rod nelson and Judith Westcott).

Working together in Hartland (north Devon) the group produce large scale, dramatic woodblock prints inspired by the extraordinary coast of north Devon. With five artists working together a tremendous creative force is unleashed - a palpable energy is generated and a shared goal for creating something that is beautifully crafted is plainly evident. This exhibition will feature all five pieces produced

by Pine Feroda to date.

All prints will be for sale and there will be an extensive range of Julia's greeting cards available.

Yandles Woodworking Show

Yandles have announced the lineup of demonstrators for its forthcoming show on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th of April. Mick

Hanbury, Tracey Owen and Mary Ashton will be amongst the Turners alongside Rod Page and new to Yandles, Keith Fenton.

Gary Orange will be demonstrating chainsaw carving, Loxtonwood Craft demonstrating side axe and adze planking, Lyme Regis boat builders showing off their skills and the Japanese Tool Group will once again be demonstrating along with Ben Crowe and his guitar making. As always, there will be an excellent display of stick making, marquetry, carving, (this year they have a new carver, Sarah Goss taking part) plus furniture restoration and chair making alongside the displays that Exeter Woodcarvers, West Country Wood Carvers and Martock Wood Turners put on.

The show is now one of Britain’s longest running woodworking shows and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the UK and Europe. Taking place in a traditional Sawmill, which was founded over 150 years ago, makes the Show unique and as you would imagine from a Timber Company offers the best

Fun for all the family!

GO-KARTS for all ages

“Buddy”

Prices from £99

Ideal for the garden and all terrain Get out and about Suitable for ages 3+ up to adults

John Deere BFR-AF

“Buzzy”

... see our range

BenJohnson

Ben Johnson 17d Wincombe Business Park Shaftesbury, SP7 9QJ Tel: 01747 851021 www.benjohnsonmowers.com

SPRING WOODWORKING SHOW

Friday 10 th April: 10am – 5pm Saturday 11th April: 10am – 4pm

A fantastic day out!

 It has one of the largest number of woodworking related trade stands to be found at a UK woodworking show  It caters for both amateur and professional users

 We offer the best selection of planks and blanks to be found at such events  There is a great line-up of top demonstrations

 Our woodworking and hobbies shops will be holding a sale

 Arts and crafts demonstrations and sale to entertain the non-woodworkers!  Craft gallery and refreshment marquee  Its FREE both to enter and park

Check out our website www.yandles.co.uk for further details

Yandle & Sons Ltd. Hurst Works, Martock, TA12 6JU Tel: 01935 822207

THE VISITOR April 2015 19

selections of timber to be found at a UK based Woodworking Show.

Joining the Demonstrators will be many of the woodworking industries manufacturers, including Record Power, Brimarc, Sorby and Triton. All will be demonstrating their products and offering special show prices.

As always, all timber from their Self-Selection Centre will be discounted, there will be lots of show bargains, a sale in the Hobby shop, plus demonstrations and a Refreshment marquee and the outstanding 303 Gallery to look around. Hobbies & Crafts are holding taster sessions in

their Marquee from Water Colour Techniques to decoupage, Dorset button making, bead charm bracelets and wet felting. Call the Hobby Shop for more information and to book a space on: 01935 822207 or check out the Website: www.yandles.co.uk Free entry and parking makes it an event not to be missed.

Kingsbury May Festival – May the 4th Bee with you

Emphasising their importance to the economy of South Somerset BEES will be the theme of this year’s Kingsbury May Festival; expect to see them everywhere.

The festival follows its now-

So, you think you know your pop music, do you?

traditional format running from 11am to around 5pm on the May Day Bank Holiday and includes all the traditional elements – Maypole dancing, Green Man, Morris Dancers; children’s games and entertainments; stalls selling arts, crafts, plants, food and drink; willow workshops, sales and displays; music from local brass band, choirs, and folk-rock musicians; rural games and

demonstrations; dog show and classic vehicle exhibitions and large ‘beehives’ in the two main fields featuring bee-keepers, information, honey and beeswax, and bee poems by local children.

Plenty of car parking at only £4 per car, set your Satnav to TA12 6AT. For more information go to kingsburymayfestival.co.uk or check the festival Facebook page.

All aboard! Enjoy a fun day out at the Gartell Light Railway on Easter Monday.

By John Osborne • Answers can be found on page 63

1. Which of the former Beatles said ‘Got My Mind Set on You’?

2. ‘Gloria Estefan and the ...’?

3. Lyric: ‘With Your Long blonde hair and your eyes of blue’ commences which Bowie song?

4. Australian soft-rock band ‘Air Supply’ once declared they were ‘All Out of ...’ What?

5. ‘Lean on Me’ and ‘For America’ were mid-80’s hits for whom?

6. Name the band from Oz who correctly said they were from ‘Down Under’.

7. James Bay is declaring right now that he must ‘Hold Back the ...’ What?

MU IC M NTH O R S O F THE

8. Who were the duo who had a bit of a thing about ‘Cecilia’?

9. In 1977 ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ was the only hit for which trio?

10. ‘Polly Styrene’ was the lead singer with which punk band?

Bonus Question Name the year that the band in Q4 was a hit.

Question Impossible ‘Leave the Tender Moment Alone’ A hit for Billy Joel which featured the harmonica skills of whom?

Great Quotes in Music (76) “Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die”.

20 THE VISITOR April 2015

March 27th Mutter Slater Band - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 28th Alex Archer - Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi 29th Us (3.30pm) - Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon

April 3rd 3rd 4th 5th 10th 11th 17th 24th 24th 26th

AN ADVERT

Flatland Boogie Band - Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon IN THE Extracter - Fleur de Lis, Stoke Sub Hamdon PUB PAGES Headland - White Hart, Sherborne ENSURES Road Hogs - Fleur de Lis, Stoke Sub Hamdon A FREE Copperhead - Fleur de Lis, Stoke Sub Hamdon MENTION Tom & The Clementynes - Rose & Crown, Longburton Skinful - Fleur de Lis, Stoke Sub Hamdon HERE! The New Beats - Rose & Crown, Longburton Real Deal - Fleur de Lis, Stoke Sub Hamdon Peter Millson acoustic guitar (3.30pm) - Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon

Looking Good – a new look for spring

Preview of Wincanton and Langport

If you are attending a wedding this spring a visit to Preview is a must.

In addition to their Ronald Joyce collection the Tina Taylor range offers a less formal alternative pretty floral shift dresses teamed with contrasting jackets for under £200. The figure flattering Izabella range too is proving popular.

Don't forget Preview also stocks

a range of stylish separates - new labels include Peruzzi from Italy, Choise from Denmark and Saskia from Denmark.

Pretty cardigans with lace trims, easy to wear tunics with floaty chiffon hems, shirts with contrasting cuffs ... many of the tops have interesting details that cannot be found on the High Street - so if you are looking for something stylish, visit Preview.

Scissor Happy of Wincanton

Scissor Happy of Wincanton offer hairstyling for all the family at sensible prices. Proprietor Suzanne Biddiscombe has over 21 years experience in the hairdressing industry and together with her team, Kelly and Jacky, offer a professional and friendly service.

With the changes in the seasons why not have a fresh new look for your hair? Perhaps a new style or a perm to give a touch of curl?

Senior citizens rates are available every day. Why not book your appointment now?

The Dress Circle Dress Agency

QUALITY FASHION ITEMS WANTED TO SELL ON A COMMISSION BASIS Wedding hats, wedding outfits, cruise wear and good quality casual wear and accessories, accepted every day ...

10am - 4pm Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm Saturday

For large quantities collections can be arranged

4 Brunel Shopping Centre Somerton TA11 7PY  01458 273485

~~~~~~~~~~~~

10 Church Street, Wincanton

HAIR STYLING FOR ALL THE FAMILY * L’Oreal Products used in the Salon * Deep Conditioning Treatments * Gift Vouchers available

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SCISSOR HAPPY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Telephone: 01963 31270

Simply Stunning ... our

Spring Wedding Collection ... for the complete outfit

fashion boutique & designer room

Market Place • Wincanton  01963 31676

Spring Wedding? This attractive dress and jacket from designer Tina Taylor is ideal and comes in a choice of blue, green, soft pink or fuchsia. Available from Preview of Wincanton for around £200 complete. Matching accessories available.

Shopping Parade • Langport  01458 252010

“Bringing the West End to the West Country”

THE VISITOR April 2015 21

Looking Good – a new look for spring

Celebrating 3 years at Grace Haine Eye Care Ltd – Stalbridge

Grace Haine Eye Care Ltd of Stalbridge, recently celebrated their third successful year of trading – with an open day and refreshments. To mark the occasion the representative from Mexx introduced an exciting new collection of designer frames to the practice.

The new range of lightweight frames come in a wide range of colours – orange, green, blue, purple and more – there really is something to suit everyone – and every occasion. Frames are now very much a fashion accessory!! With looking good in mind the practice are now stocking a range of French eye cosmetics called ‘Eyecare’ which are suitable for those wearing contact lenses or have sensitive eyes. Grace Haine Eye Care offer comprehensive eye care for all the family.

The practice will shortly be able to offer a screening service in conjunction with the Dorset

Diabetic Clinic using a retinal screening camera to monitor the health of the back of the eye, as part of a referral programme or as part of a regular eye health test.

Telephone: 01963 362775

Exciting new collections of designer frames N OW Styles to suit everyone ...

 Spectacles

 Complete Price Sunglasses

 Contact Lenses

 Eye Care Make-Up

Eye care for the whole family ...  NHS & Private Examination

 Dry Eye Clinic

 Diabetic Screening coming soon  1 Skye House, Ring Street STALBRIDGE, Dorset, DT10 2LZ

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday to Friday 9.00am – 5.30pm Saturday 9.00am – 1.00pm • Monday Closed 22 THE VISITOR April 2015

alleviate the problem – often suffered by contact lens wearers and computer users.

For friendly and professional eye care – call Grace Haine Eye Care Ltd.

Celebrating 3 years of trading - Grace Haine Eye Care in Stalbridge.

Grace Haine Eye Care IN

The practice is already one of a handful of practices that offers a Dry Eye Clinic, a simple painfree assessment of the degree of eye dryness you may be suffering from and the right drops to

Looking Good

Oxford Mill - Castle Cary

New at Oxford Mill this season is Cornish brand Seasalt. The collection is inspired by the beautiful village of Fowey. With unique prints in a range of colours including lemon peel, estuary blue, salt and breton red, you can create a new, up to date look. Denim is a key trend this season, so watch out for the 'little denim dress’ ... a must for your

wardrobe! Also more great looks from Armor Lux, Joules and Braintree, all easy to mix and match for the perfect outfit.

New for men this season, polo shirts, cotton knitwear and chinos from Joules, Jack Russell, Olymp and Meyer, with underwear from Jockey.

Oxford Mill ... perfect Spring dressing for both women and men.

Be bold this summer with the mix and match selection of deep indigo blues and soft floral prints. Azure Blue Dress from Braintree - natural and ethical fashion. Available from Maya’s of Langport.

Why not call in and see their complete range, or visit their website.

Your Partner In Fashion

SPRING COLLECTION NOW IN

Hanover House Cheapside, Langport Somerset, TA10 9PW 01458 254014 www.maya-boutique.co.uk

Now Stocking ...

THE VISITOR April 2015 23

Looking Good – a new look for spring

Another Little World

The Caudalie story began in 1993 when two college sweethearts, Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, were working at her family vineyard in Bordeaux and met Dr. Vercauteren, the world's leading

expert on grapevine polyphenols.

The professor revealed the extraordinary antioxidant powers of unused parts of the grape and vine, inspiring the couple to create the world's leading vinotherapy skincare line. Caudalie uses (and

have patentened) stabilized grape seed polyphenols in skincare and steers clear of parabens, phenoxyethanol, mineral oils, and artificial colorings to protect your skin and the environment.

Balancing science and nature

with luxury, Caudalie is always on the cutting edge of antioxidant technology.

Caudalie is stocked at Another Little World in Yeovil who offer a free skin consultation to ensure the correct products are used.

A free skin consultation for clients wishing to use Caudalie cosmetics is available at Another Little World in Yeovil.

Another Little World Natural Beauty Experience

CACI · Gel Nails · Glo Mineral Make-Up Waxing · Holistic Massage · And More Weddings a Speciality Stockist of

At The Emporium - 39 Princes Street Yeovil - Somerset - BA20 1EG 01935 350008 - www.anotherlittleworld.co.uk Find us on

Forever Fashion Vintage Bridal Boutique Are you looking for a Prom Dress or Evening Wear that is Unique?

We have a wonderful selection of Vintage Dresses for all occasions (pre-war to 1980s) in stock Superb range of Evening Bags, Jewellery and Accessories Mens Suit Hire

For the Bride: Wedding Dresses (pre-war to 1980s) Veils  Headpieces  Jewellery  Lingerie Shoes  Vintage Furs  Capes (made to order) — Browsers Welcome —

Forever Fashion

Church Street, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9AF (opposite church and car park)

Tel: 01963 34308 foreverfashion1987@gmail.com Visit our website: www.forever-fashion.co.uk 24 THE VISITOR April 2015

Soft pink silk dress - ideal for special occasions - such as a prom or cocktail party. For unique ladies fashions visit Forever Fashion, Wincanton.

GENTS & BOYS HAIRDRESSING ~ at ~

The Barber’s Shop WINCANTON Memorial Hall Mondays 1.00pm – 5.30pm Thursdays 9.00am – 5.30pm Saturdays 8.00am – 12noon MILBORNE PORT Town Hall *Wednesdays 10.00am – 6.00pm * Please note new time

SPARKFORD Village Hall Fridays 12.45pm – 5.45pm Lance Wells & Mike Baker State Registered ~ or ~

★ PHONE for a HOME VISIT ★ 01935 814074 or ...

07767 027798 (mobile)

Looking Good – a new look for spring

Family Health with

Jenna Evans

Making the Most of Your Medicines - Part Five

THIS MONTH we’re going to be taking a look at one of the most widely prescribed classes of drugs - antibiotics. I expect most of you at one time or another have been on a course of antibiotics and maybe some of you also had some unfortunate side effects. Common problems include digestive upsets such as bloating, IBS type symptoms, nausea, heartburn, diarrhoea, as well as urinary tract flare ups and yeast infections.

The big problem with antibiotics is that they destroy the good bacteria in our guts. This can lead to the symptoms outlined above and many other problems. This is why people are now choosing to supplement their beneficial bacteria when taking these medicines. The ‘friendly’ bacteria in our guts are essential to our wellbeing. The more we learn about these fascinating little creatures, the more we come to value their presence in the ecosystem of the human body. They play a great role in our immunity, aid digestion and nutrient absorption - even helping manufacture certain vitamins.

They may even help our mood via their role in the production of neurotransmitters. So the last thing we want to do is decimate these critters and that’s where a good friendly bacteria supplement

comes into play. If you pop into your local health food shop you will find several varieties, some of which are specifically designed for use during antibiotic treatment. There are others for issues such as urinary tract

infections, IBS and even cholesterol management. These bacteria should be taken during treatment - a few hours apart from the antibiotics - as well as for at least 2 weeks after. It is also worth bearing in mind that

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THE VISITOR April 2015 25

Looking Good other classes of drugs such as HRT, acid blockers and antivirals may also inhibit our friendly bacteria.

It’s not just our gut troops that can suffer whilst taking antibiotics. Because of their inherent role in absorption of nutrients, the B vitamins, Co Enzyme Q10, Vitamins A, C & D, and a whole host of minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium may suffer too. Good bacteria are also involved in the manufacture of Vitamin K and Biotin so these two nutrients can particularly suffer. Deficiency symptoms for biotin include brittle nails, thinning hair and scaly skin whereas vitamin K is involved in blood clotting. So I would add a good multi-vitamin and mineral to a supplement plan while taking antibiotics.

Over the last few years there

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has been an increasing awareness of the damage that over prescribing antibiotics can cause.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are now a real problem and although moves are afoot to reduce heavy prescribing, it still seems that an awful lot of self-limiting conditions such as coughs and colds (which, by the way, are probably viral and therefore immune to antibiotics!) are being treated by these drugs.

Naturally, antibiotics can be life savers when used in a sensible manner for potentially lifethreatening conditions. The worry is that when we really need them they may not be effective anymore because of their over-use. It is also really important to only use the antibiotics that have been prescribed for you for that matter, don’t go sharing any prescribed medicines with your friends! This is because certain antibiotics may not be suitable with some health conditions, during pregnancy, or when taking other medications.

Always read your patient information leaflet and ask your GP or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If you have an infection that’s not life threatening and want to look into alternatives or would like to know more about the nutrient interactions with any medicine you may be taking, pop into your local health food store for further advice.

Join me for more on drugnutrient interactions next month!

Jenna Evans ©2015.

Jenna is a Holistic Health Coach and creator of bespoke beauty products. She can be found on Facebook at ‘Alchemical Beauty UK’.

Jenna is also a multi-award winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil. To make an appointment, please pop in or call 01935 428791 for details. Ceres can provide food intolerance testing by appointment.

Find Ceres on Facebook as ‘Ceres Natural Foods Ltd’. Always check with a health professional before making any dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle or starting a new supplement, especially with any existing health conditions.

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26 THE VISITOR April 2015

In store at HASKINS - SHEPTON MALLET

Glastonbury

A SURE SIGN that Glastonbury’s town centre is thriving is the small number of empty shops.

The latest vacancy figure of around five per cent has remained the same since 2010, consistently far below the national average of 12.5%. And a stroll through the town reveals the reason – the multitude of interesting specialist shops, some catering for ‘alternative’ lifestyles; some full of arts, crafts and clothing from the local area and from overseas; some selling organic produce and healthy foods; all sitting comfortably alongside conventional High Street stores, along with an abundance of cafés, restaurants and pubs offering a wide choice of fare ranging from organic wholefoods and the strictly vegetarian to chicken-and-chips and traditional afternoon teas.

And they’re not confined to the High Street. Browse round Abbey Mews, the Assembly Rooms yard, Northload Street, Benedict Street and the Gauntlet Arcade and you’ll come across more shops too numerous to name.

The town centre also boasts more than its fair share of beautiful old buildings surrounding the peaceful green lung of the Abbey grounds, and nothing can diminish the pleasure of seeing some of Glastonbury’s finest. In previous articles I’ve written about St John’s Church, The Tribunal and the Georgian Town Hall, and for this article I’ve taken a closer look at the George and Pilgrims on the High Street.

Built around 1470, it is reputedly one of the best-preserved surviving medieval inns in England, but in reality it is a rebuilding of an earlier inn that stood on the site – the churchwarden’s records of 1439 include the rent paid by the inn’s tenant. Responsible for the rebuilding was the Abbot of Glastonbury, John Selwood, who needed to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims, scholars and other visitors to the Abbey. One of the carved shields above the entrance is said to be the arms of the Abbey; the others are the Cross of St George and, in the centre, the arms of King Edward IV.

The Gauntlet Arcade next to the ancient Tourist Information Centre is home to more of Glastonbury’s many shops.

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Glastonbury

the George and Pilgrims for a meal or a drink to soak up the atmosphere of this splendid old building.

Nowadays most tourists visit Glastonbury to see the Abbey ruins or climb the Tor. There are few sights more stunning than those across Somerset from the top of Glastonbury Tor. Many people are attracted by its reputed spiritual and cosmic forces or by its historical and archaeological significance.

Others, like me, simply enjoy the fresh air, the exercise and the views, but the 17th century poet and playwright John Dryden must have had Glastonbury in mind when he wrote ‘Sweet is pleasure after pain’. My thought exactly when I eventually reach St Michael’s church on the top of the Tor. The panoramic views and mystical atmosphere are well worth the steep climb, but there’s no denying it’s painful work.

Towering 525 feet above the

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The Abbey grounds are probably the most visited attraction in the town, and the Visitor Centre at the entrance tells the story of the Abbey, its authenticated history and its enduring legends. A great help in understanding the ruins in the grounds is a model of the Abbey as it might have looked in 1539 immediately before its destruction during the Reformation. The only complete building of the Abbey that has survived is the Abbot’s Kitchen which was used by weavers in the 16th century and as a Quaker Meeting House in the 17th century. The Abbey and its 36 acres of parkland are open daily from 9.30am until 6.00pm, and further details and admission charges can be found on www.glastonburyabbey.com. For information about other places to see and things to do in and around Glastonbury, call into the Tourist Information Centre in The Tribunal, a 15th century former merchant’s shop on the High Street just a few doors up the road from the George and Pilgrims.

Roger Richards.

The Abbey grounds are probably the most visited attraction in Glastonbury, and the Visitor Centre at the entrance explains their history.

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The ornately-carved frontage, rising to three storeys, is topped with a battlement parapet with a small octagonal turret at each end.

Inside is some fine medieval woodwork including beams decorated with carved angels, along with the uneven floors and low doors and ceilings characteristic of such an old building. Later additions at the back of the building include a fine 18th century dining room. Beneath the inn a cellar and passageway reach out below the street and legend has it that this was the start of a secret tunnel to the Abbey, but this will never be proved as much of the old passage collapsed many years ago.

As an indication of what it must have been like, Somerset historian Robert Dunning quotes the inn’s host in 1677 as saying the passage ‘is low for that one can crawl only along on one’s knees but there are benches or little narrow places for to put a man’s elbow upon to ease the knees’. I recommend a visit to

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The George & Pilgrims on the High Street is reputedly one of the best-preserved surviving medieval inns in England.

levels that were once a watery wilderness, it is easy to see why it was settled as far back as the Dark Ages, if not earlier, and to believe the legend that it was once the stronghold of Melwas, King of Somerset.

While you’re in this part of the town don’t miss the Chalice Well and Gardens. The well, one of the oldest continuously-used holy wells in the British Isles, is steeped in legend linking it to the chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper, reputedly brought to Glastonbury and buried here by Joseph of Arimathea. It’s set amidst gardens in the vale between Chalice Hill and the Tor, with the entrance at the junction of Wellhouse Lane and Chilkwell Street, and is open daily from 10.00am till 6.00pm. There is no car parking on Wellhouse Lane near the foot of the Tor, but the bus service from the town centre to the Tor footpath recommences at the beginning of April and runs daily until the end of September.

It leaves every half-hour from 9.30am until 7.00pm from the car park on Magdalene Street by the Abbey and returns from the Tor 15 minutes later.

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THE VISITOR April 2015 27

STREET

The Shoe Museum

The Shoe Museum houses hundreds of historic shoes and also tells the story of Clarks. There are Roman and medieval shoes and beautiful Georgian and Victorian shoes as well. Every school holiday the Museum puts on family events including craft activities and trails which highlight the collection. There are also temporary exhibitions and this year to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Desert Boot the Museum is collaborating with the Museum of Bath at Work to put on an exhibition telling the story of this iconic boot.

Mendip Mobility

Mendip Mobility have been successfully trading in Street for 8 years. They offer a wide range of mobility aids from scooters through to walking sticks.

They have a comprehensive range of scooters from a portable power chair through to a 8mph high clearance Pride Epic.

There are always competitve prices available, currently a lightweight scooter which can be transported in the boot of a car is just £795, saving around £200 on rrp, and rise and recline chairs start from just £495.

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28 THE VISITOR April 2015

Proprietors: Janet & Ken Burgess

4 Bayliss Centre, High Street, STREET Telephone: 01458 447950

STREET

Why not call in and see for yourself and have a test drive if you require a scooter? The staff will be pleased to advise and there is free parking outside the door.

Floorcraft

If you are looking for a new carpet or new flooring look no further than Floorcraft of Street. A family run business with 29 years experience you can be sure of personal and friendly service plus an excellent choice - and all at sensible prices.

The popular Karndean flooring is available at Floorcraft. This versatile flooring is hard wearing and is available in a wide range of designs to suit any room in the house. There is always a selection of rugs in stock to choose from.

Call in today - find them in the Bayliss Centre with free parking outside the door.

The Two Brewers

The Two Brewers is a traditional family-orientated pub where a comprehensive homecooked menu

is available lunchtimes and evenings - everything from snacks through to a three course meal.

They have a wide selection of real ales both regular and guest ales. There are three ensuite letting rooms and attractive beer gardens.

A friendly and inviting inn they are free from music and electronic gaming machines so you can be sure of dining in peace.

The Two Brewers is mentioned in the Quiet Pint, Good Food Guide, and Good Beer guide.

Comfort and style for swollen feet

Do you have swollen feet? Do you struggle to find stylish footwear that fits? Cosyfeet can help. They offer a much roomier fitting than the wide-fitting footwear you’ll find on the high street.

Combining the latest trends with expert shoe-making, their footwear offers you style as well as blissful comfort. They also have a range of extra roomy socks and hosiery.

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THE VISITOR April 2015 29

STREET

     

BRIGHT’S

Bright’s, where antiques & collectables are bought and sold in Farm Road, Street.

Antiques & Collectables Bought & Sold

Gold, Silver, Coins & Collectables Bought and Sold Jewellery Repairs  Jewellery Alterations Jewellery Cleaning and Polishing Clock Repairs  Watch Batteries £5 Watch Straps from £3.95 (Leather)

Street. Their friendly, experienced staff are on hand to offer advice and ensure you leave with the product that’s right for you. The custom-built shop is bright and welcoming with wheelchair access, toilets and plenty of free parking.

For more information visit www.cosyfeet.com or call 01458 447275.

Jaywalk Guitars

Jaywalk Guitars is Somerset's premier guitar shop. With well over 300 guitars of all types in stock, they offer quality products to suit beginners all the way up to professionals. A fantastic range including Fender, Martin, Gretsch, Tanglewood, Blackstar, Ibanez and many more top brands attracts people from across the county and beyond. The shop on the High Street in Street also stocks amplifiers, pickups, accessories, a good selection of ukuleles and also includes a demo

room to try out instruments. All this backed up by expert knowledge and advice from gigging musicians makes Jaywalk Guitars the goto destination for all your guitar needs.

Street Cellular

Street Cellular are one of few independent mobile phone specialists. Established for over 24 years you can be sure that they have expert knowledge and experience.

In addition to selling a wide range of mobile phones, both new and used, they also repair them together with iPhones and iPads - normally with a same day turn around - whatever the problem, from unlocking to liquid damage.

There is an excellent choice of tablets and they are now stocking smart watches.

For those trying to cut down or quit smoking e-cigarettes and accessories are now also available from Street Cellular.

Watch Repairs  Watch Glass Replacement

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MOBILE PHONE SPECIALISTS

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30 THE VISITOR April 2015

 01458 898952 • Turn by William Hill - opposite Living Homes

‘Green’ advice for consumers renovating, retro-fitting or specifying their homes

1. Remember - the Government promises to reduce Co2 levels by 2050; its ‘Zero Carbon Buildings Policy’ requires all new homes from 2016 to mitigate all carbon

House & Home

emissions produced on-site as a result of energy use. This includes space heating and cooling, hot water and fixed lighting. New-build specifiers must ensure that any carbon produced from energy use must be balanced by carbon savings elsewhere.

2. The construction and maintenance of housing generates over a quarter of UK carbon emissions; energy-saving features make houses cheaper to

run, and are a good investment financially, socially and environmentally. Look out for products such as solar windows that can be made lighter or

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Embroidery Engineering Services

This luxurious pocket sprung mattress is covered in a bamboo yarn available in various sizes including zip and link. A double mattress is £330.

A full range of beds are also available. A 2-drawer storage double divan is £499 and a 4-drawer is £550. Visit Fit & Furnish in the centre of Yeovil, just down from Marks & Spencer - free parking ouside the door.

Suppliers of Computerised Embroidery Machines

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THE VISITOR April 2015 31

darker; draught excluders and insulation products to reduce heating requirements; energy saving light-bulbs; home energy monitors that track your energy

House & Home

usage, for a reality-check; gadgets like eco-kettles and energy-saving toasters, and standby gadgets to save energy and cash.

3. Get smart! Most objects that are powered by electricity and connected to the internet have the potential to communicate with one another via a smart-phone. Check

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out the latest raft of phone apps such as ‘Mythermotouch’, which allows multiple users to control numerous underfloor heating units remotely, without a router; it can be calibrated to work with floor sensors from many different thermostat manufacturers.

4. It’s easy to assume that electric underfloor heating is an expensive luxury. But with the industry’s current push for green ways of thinking, modern energy alternatives such as electric underfloor heating systems are becoming a reality for many people.

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Reader Mrs Y from Dorchester won the February Prize of a Mammoth Performance Supersoft Mattress worth over £2000, from The Bed Specialist in Yeovil. Don’t forget to call in to their showroom at Huish to enter their Reader Offer for April. Look for the Free Prize Draw box in store.

In-toto Kitchens

Colin Ashley and his wife, Lorna, have recently taken over the reins at In-toto Kitchens in Yeovil.

Colin spent the previous 12 years working for a local engineering company, having also spent time in the events industry and being a time served auto-electrician.

Lorna is a full time school teacher and will initially be playing a 'back bench' role. It was apparent

from the outset that running Intoto would be too much for one person and Hayley Grinter came highly recommended.

Hayley worked in the motor trade for many years, firstly as an administrator and then becoming a Sales Executive.

However, after returning to work from maternity leave, Colin's offer to join him and his new venture was an opportunity she didn't want to pass. Hayley is bringing her skills and friendly approach to help people bring to life the realisation of their dream kitchen.

Carpet to suit all tastes & budgets

Visit our new showroom to see our extensive range of flooring

■ Carpets ■ Vinyls ■ Naturals ■ Woods ■ Laminates ■ Tiles Also in store MMS SoftWincanton Furnishings ■ Blinds ■ Roll Stock ... vinyls & carpets now available

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5. Why consider electric underfloor heating? Older heating systems can provide uneven or inadequate heat that encourages damp, and can damage the fabric of the property. There are also obvious cost savings to the billpayer and health benefits to the occupants when modern heating systems are used, reducing low temperatures and damp conditions. Other benefits include the complete lack of dirt when compared to a coal fire, and the additional space gained by having an underfloor system.

Retrofitters and specifiers make 2015 the Year Of Green!

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THE VISITOR April 2015 33

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AP Kitchen Solutions FOR YOUR NEW KITCHEN

Britannia Stoves

Britannia stoves help to make the kitchen the centre of the home, bringing families together through inspirational cooking.

Britannia quality extends across the home to support every aspsct of modern day living with elegance and dependability.

While styles change over the years their standards do not.

They believe in design you can see, craftsmanship you can feel and reliability you can count on.

Their latest collection embodies these values in appliances packed with features, designed to impress and built to last.

The Britannia Range consists of four product families, the Delphi, the Fleet, the Q Line, and the Wyre, offering different styles, features and benefits to suit the requirements of all cooking enthusiasts. With width sizes ranging from 90cm to 120cm and colours to tone or contrast with your kitchen décor, a Britannia range cooker is the perfect choice.

The Delphi

Oakwood Illusions faux wood Venetians, prices from £76, 42cm wide x 60cm deep.

The Illusions range of wood Venetian blinds from Hillarys may look just like wood but they are actually made from flame retardant, moisture resistant and easy to wipe clean PVC, making them ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.

Roll up

The Delphi perfectly encapsulates Britannia qua;ity and innovation.

Sleek, modern looks and professional standard features represent cutting-edge design, yet their flagship model retains a reliability and ease of use to make the centre of any home for years to come.

The Fleet

On the outside, the curved windows and matt finish of the Fleet suggest a traditional style that would be right at home in a country kitchen. However, look inside to the professional functionality of such features as heavy duty shelves, telescopic runners and soft close drawers it’s clear to see that the Fleet has everything the modern kitchen demands.

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Atlantic Blue roller blind with brushed silver eyelets, prices from £94, 61cm wide x 76cm deep.

Choose a fabric which is Teflon coated and mould resistant as this could almost act as a shower screen across a window in a wet room. All window dressings are made to measure and prices include measuring and fitting. Call 0800 916 6516 or visit hillarys.co.uk for more information.

A nine-function oven offers all the versatility that a modern family could want, while the clean lines and the stainless steel or gloss black finish adds a touch of contemporary style to every kitchen. The wide range of cooking options ensures that a full family roast or a delicate soufflé can be tackled with ease.

The Wyre

Solid doors and a matt finish give the Wyre a timeless, vintage appeal. It’s a cooker that’s perfect for entertaining, with a built-in rotisserie for succulent roasting and dual high power wok burners on the gas hob option for making sure there’s plenty to go round.

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Jeremy Hill of Homemaker in Shaftesbury where there is a clearance sale on Range cookers. The Britannia Delphi 110 XG currently has £700 off the normal asking price. Choose from over 12 Ranges in the sale for immediate delivery.

Genuine reductions on 100s of appliances

5 & 6 Bancombe Court, Bancombe Road Trading Estate, Somerton, TA11 6SB

Tel: 01458 272699

steve@chameleonbk.co.uk • www.chameleonbk.co.uk AMPLE FREE PARKING

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS Cookers, ranges, fridge freezers, washing machines & more!

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Longmead Industrial Estate, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8PL • 01747 851476 • myhomemaker.co.uk • Est 1994

THE VISITOR April 2015 35

House & Home

The new Rayburn 300 & 700 series ... now available from Sandpits Heating Centre, Curry Rivel.

The Rayburn 700 Series

and central heating 700 Series range cooker. Offering outstanding performance with ultimate flexibility, the Rayburn 700 Series delivers exceptional cast iron range cooking, hot baths and a cosy home.

Rayburn 700 models have a very generous cast iron hotplate with space for 8 saucepans. Cooks will also love the main oven (a full 16% larger than other smaller Rayburn models), with its unrivalled four heat zones, which mean it is perfect for grilling, roasting, baking and simmering.

Plus it has a 34 litre capacity

lower oven that produces an even, radiant heat at approximately half the temperature of the main oven - ideal for casseroles, steamed root vegetables and puddings. Advanced digital controls also allow you to programme your cooker to come on automatically when you are out, so it is always ready when you need it.

The Rayburn 700 is capable of heating up to 20 radiators and is compatible with all modern heating systems. Its intelligent Eco-mode setting encourages fuel efficiency and energy savings and

Introducing the beautifully designed British made cooking

Stock Rolls & Remnants Stocked ● Carpets and Flooring ● Natural Flooring inc. Sisal & Seagrass ● Vinyls and Laminates ● Mats / Runners Made-to-Measure ● Solid & Engineered Wood ● Domestic and Commercial Free Estimates  Professional Fitting Available

Showrooms: Evercreech Junction Shepton Mallet, BA4 6NA

Tel: 01749 831578

On the main A371 between Shepton Mallet & Castle Cary

www.mobile-sandblasting

This colourful artwork will cheer up any home, by local artist Rebecca Stidson whose work features many local attractions such as Ham Hill. Available from Martock Gallery, Martock.

Pictured is ‘Burrow Hill’ by Rebecca Stidson, a hand-finished giclee print. Limited edition of 50, £95 framed.

Fused Glass Coasters £9 each made by

Sally Kent

‘BURROW HILL’ ... and other scenes

Prints ★ Paintings ★ Bronzes ★ Mirrors ★ Framing Passport Photographs ★ Prints to Canvas

Martock Gallery Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.00, Saturday 9.30 - 4.30

Water Street • Martock • Tel: (01935) 823254 • www.martockgallery.com

FROM CONCEPTION TO COMPLETION With over 30 years of building experience — NO HIDDEN EXTRAS —

All works completed by our experienced and reliable team

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All aspects of Building & Maintenance All Insurance Works Undertaken

Contact us for a free estimate

(01935) 823346

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it also benefits from two fully automatic burners that allow you to control hot water and heating independently from the cooker.

Plus with ‘A’ rated condensing boiler models available, the Rayburn 700 Series offers you a truly flexible and efficient solution to all your cooking and heating requirements.

See more at: www.rayburnweb.co.uk/products/rayburn-700-s eries#sthash.idU1Q4bk.dpuf

ASK AN EXPERT

Q 1. I would like to have some wallpaper in my home but I do not have the first idea of how to put it up. Can

House & Home

I do it myself or should I employee a professional Painter & Decorator,and if so what should I expect to pay?

A. When it comes to wallpaper the choice is endless as we have seen a large increase over the past five years of new papers coming to the market.

My advice is always use the best quality wallpaper; papers that cost less than £35 per roll generally are of a much poorer standard. This is because the manufacturing process is done on a larger scale resulting in the manufacturers using less expensive base wallpaper and cheaper man made chemicals for the finished colour.

However, our South West paint and wallpaper manufacturer Farrow & Ball, use natural earth pigments in their paints which are also used to make their wallpaper.

This manufacturer draws its inspiration from old archives and historic properties throughout the UK and Europe and, more recently, historic designs from Asia are proving to be very popular.

These wallpapers are very easy to hang so you do not need to use

In celebration of our beautiful countryside and its wonderful wildlife, flora and fauna, these British designed fabrics are just a few of the hundreds of new fabrics that have just arrived for Spring 2015, at Hanson’s Fabrics & Crafts in Sturminster Newton.

City Decorating Supplies

QUALITY PAINT & WALLPAPER

No. 1 The Old Chapel Union Street WELLS BA5 2PU 01749 677299

■ Superb choices of colours and finishes

■ Farrow & Ball main stockists

■ Mylands of London main stockists ■ Platinum Little Greene stockists tinting the full range from stock ■ Paint mixed on the premises – any quantity or finish

■ Specialist decorating materials

■ Expert advice on products for restoration & conservation work ■ Extensive wall paper library

Open: Monday – Friday 9am – 6pm Saturday 9am – 4pm NEXT TO CAR PARK

FREE ENTRY to our

EASTER PRIZE DRAW WITH THIS ADVERT

Visit City Decorating Supplies in Wells, spend £20 and enter the Easter Prize Draw. Lots of prizes to be won!

Visit us this Easter ... Open Good Friday

THE VISITOR April 2015 37

a professional. If you would like to have a go yourself then the more expensive the wallpaper, the easier it is to hang. Although, if you can afford up to £200 per day for the professionals to do it then let someone else take the strain!

Remember, if you only need one or two rolls of wallpaper then have a go yourself as you will be pleasantly surprised how easy it is.

At City Decorating Supplies help with quantities of wallpaper required is available. There is a large range of modern and traditional papers to browse along with matching paint colours to

House & Home

really tie in your scheme.

Most important thing when you order your wallpaper is the paste.

The reason for this is all wallpaper manufacturers use a varied selection of base lining papers to print their patterned wallpaper on to and using the incorrect paste can cause the wallpaper to shrink or expand or even crease. At City Decorating supplies they stock one of the largest collections of wallpaper pastes in the country, so you'll certainly find what you need!

They stock everything from ready mixed paste to your traditional powder paste. Ready

Bryan G. Paulley Ltd Domestic / Commercial Installations / Replacements

Plastic / Metal Tanks • Temporary Tanks Leaking Tanks • Tank Cleaning / Moving / Disposal Above or Below Ground Tanks

Tel: 01963 363870 • Mob: 07836 502683 office@halletsfarm.fsnet.co.uk • www.bgp-oiltanks.co.uk When it comes to kitchen equipment - you are spoilt for choice at Harts of Stur.

mix is available in six different types; to guarantee the best finish always use the correct adhesive.

Another new item to the market is insulated lining paper.

This is made in various sizes and thickness and insulates your walls to lower heat loss in winter and cool you down in summer.

Again the full range is kept on the shelf in Wells and can be

38 THE VISITOR April 2015

delivered to your door if you are unable to collect. All tools such as brushes and smoothers are also available.

On the other hand, if you're taking off wallpaper, City Decorating Supplies also keep wallpaper scorers and a special product that eats away all the enzymes in the paste making removal of old wood chip and Anaglypta wallpaper so much easier.

This product is crucial if you're going to paint the walls rather than wallpaper. You will need to wash the walls down with dif and this neutralises the walls prior to repainting. If you don't do this the paint will crack and not stick to the wall surface.

Remember, we have special paperhanging scissors and knives that are manufactured in Japan so they keep a very sharp edge and do not blunt like most other manufacturers products sold in the UK. Help and advice from Mike Tucker can be given on any project no matter how big or small and all products mentioned can be collected or sent direct to your door if required so email: citydecoratingsupplies @gmail.com

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Harts of Stur

Station Road, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1BD

01258 472420 www.hartsofstur.com Open Monday to Friday 8am – 5.30pm. Saturday 8am – 4.30pm. Closed Sundays & Bank Holidays

e Country Department Store ...

THE VISITOR April 2015 39

3 Years of Growth for the UK’s New Car Market!

THINKING of buying a new car?

With the 2015 registration ‘on the road’ since 2nd March, it’s good to know that the motor trade is thriving. February is traditionally one of the quietest months, ahead of a number plate change, but 2015 saw the 36th consecutive month of growth for the new car market. The UK’s first three straight years of increases and a record growth period. The UK car market’s sustained expansion is the longest ever seen, beating the previous record of 26 months set in the late 1980s.

76,958 cars were registered in February with Fleet buyers responsible for a large proportion of the demand. Business cars outpaced the private market reflecting the increased business confidence across the UK. Bouncing back from the recession consumer demand has been driven by exciting new products and attractive finance deals.

Buying a new car gives you the benefit of the latest advances in safety and security, comfort, performance and fuel efficiency and you'll be able to get just the specification you want.

New cars come with a comprehensive, manufacturerbacked warranty, and you won't have to worry about an MOT test for three years. There may also be special offers on servicing packages but there are pitfalls to be avoided. Hidden extras can bring nasty surprises, and rapid initial depreciation means that buying new does come at a price.

The Visitor

CAN BE READ ONLINE: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

MOTOR ING

2015 Mini Cooper 5 door, good to look at and economical to run. Prices from £14,535.

A New Honda Jazz for 2015

Set to arrive in the UK in Summer 2015, the thirdgeneration Jazz features bold yet sophisticated exterior and interior design, with unrivalled interior space and versatility. Occupants will benefit from increased refinement, advanced safety and infotainment technologies, as well as a highly efficient and dynamic driving experience.

The 2015 Jazz will be fitted with a new powerful and efficient 1.3-litre petrol engine from Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series. A refined ride is allied to more responsive and engaging handling, thanks to a new, more rigid and lighter chassis and re-engineered suspension.

The Advanced Driver Assist System package, which employs a camera and mid-range radar, underpins a comprehensive suite of new advanced safety technologies introduced across Honda’s new product line-up

during 2015. Available as an option on the entry-level model, and available as standard on all other grades, the Advanced Driver Assist System includes Intelligent Speed Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition system, and Highbeam Support System.

Whilst the newcomer retains the classic Jazz silhouette, it exhibits distinctive contemporary styling including a powerful new face and strong lines. The use of Honda’s cleverly packaged new global B-segment chassis means that the latest Jazz is even bigger on the inside. The company’s

Magic Seats® system ensures the interior offers unmatched versatility as well as class-leading space, with a range of configurations for carrying cargo and passengers.

High-quality soft-touch materials; thoughtful interior design; seven-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash, Honda Connect is a new in-car infotainment system that offers Internet browsing and access to real-time news, traffic and weather and numerous Internet music stations. The new Jazz feels and sounds peerlessly sophisticated, with reassuringly composed and refined dynamics.

Set to arrive in the UK this summer, the new Honda Jazz.

Westover Garage Ltd.

The Willows Business Park, Westover Trading Estate, Langport, TA10 9RB

Tel: 01458 252252 NEW MOT TESTING CENTRE

40 THE VISITOR April 2015

Class 7 Commercial Vehicles • Class 4 Cars & Light Vans • Class 1 & 2 Motorcycles Appointment Basis Only • Re-tests FREE of Charge (within 10 days) Car Service & Car Sales — all makes and models FREE Collection & Delivery plus Loan Car Large selection of Tyres in stock at competitive prices

VINTAGE Motor Cycling

I START THIS MONTH with my photograph. It shows a delighted Martyn Pattemore standing next to his Sunbeam S8. Martyn lives in Somerset and has recently joined the VMCC after reading these articles. His interest was rekindled and he went out and found the Sunbeam and negotiated the purchase. He then joined the club, and after a little maintenance, he was able to join us on the Winter Run held at Dorchester on the 1st March. He thoroughly enjoyed his first organised ride and was pleased with his new mount. I hope he now has many more years of happy motorcycling ahead of him.

Perhaps you might be encouraged to join and follow his lead.

The Somerset Section of the VMCC is a very active bunch and over many years they have raised a great deal of money for various charities. At their AGM in February they again did likewise and a regular benefactor from their efforts has been the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance. This year they were given £2,000 and since the year

MOTOR ING

2000 they have received around £24,500. This is a very worthwhile cause and one close to the hearts of all motorcyclists.

A super effort by this group and they are to be congratulated. I still wonder though why this essential service should have charitable status and have to raise all its own funds. Surely this vital, and lifesaving service, should be fully funded from central government.

Spring is now here, mother nature is bringing green shoots to our trees and hedgerows, as the temperature slowly rises. I love the springtime when plants show their fresh green colours.

With spring comes an abundance of riding events and club activities. During April the Somerset Section has a guest speaker at its club night on the 2nd, and this is followed on the 18/19th with their Cheddar Weekend. Next from the 25th to the 28th they have the Twin Dragon Run, which is an exploration of the hinterland of the Welsh Mountains. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section also has a speaker for its club night on the 13th and on the 19th will be their first riding event of the year, the Hinton St Mary Run. This event is open to pre 1931 machines only, but other interested parties are welcome to come and have a look. The Dorset Section start proceedings with their Lunch Meet at West Stour on the 1st. Club night on the 8th will be a guest speaker. On the 25th the Breakfast Meet takes us back to West Stour and lastly on the 26th will be the Bluebell Run which starts from the Halsey Arms at Pulham. The Wells and Westlands Classic Motorcycle Clubs also have many events throughout the month. You can check their websites or ring 01935-872528 for details on any of the above events.

In past articles I have mentioned the resurgence of several old British marques, such as Brough Superior and Matchless. Now the once popular

GLIDEROL GARAGE DOORS

All garage doors are different, so as a roller door specialist, (I don’t replace windows, etc.) I can survey, quote and install to your requirements and make the most of your garage opening, as generally no frame is necessary. With the option of automated operation with remote control, a top quality garage door need only be a phone call away.

G.H. SALES. Tel: 01935 891414

make of Francis Barnett has risen from the ashes. Francis Barnett, more popularly known as Fanny B, always made lightweight machines which were usually finished in a dark lustrous green colour. Always a small volume producer they were eventually swallowed up by larger makers before coming part of the AMC conglomerate. Well now Francis Barnett are back, again making small capacity machines, and again using the very attractive green finish. They are making two models, a standard type of road going machine and a trail style machine. Both are powered by a Chinese made 125cc four stroke engine which has been very closely copied from a Japanese Suzuki design. They look jolly useful machines able to provide cheap transport which I would think the market craves for. I wish them all the best with this venture and am sure other marques will reappear as time goes by. I also see new models of MG cars appearing in the newspapers, and have even seen two or three on the road, how

good would it be to see British makes do well in the market place once more, even if the parent companies are not British owned.

Next a date for your diaries and that is Saturday 4th July. On this day the Blackmore Vale Lions are organizing an event at Henstridge Airfield and it is called the Blackmore Vale Revival. There will be all manner of things going on including displays of aircraft, old cars, old motorcycles, model air display and children's entertainment and even a Teddy Bear Parachute Jump. There will be trade stalls and rural crafts, plenty of refreshments plus a beer tent.

Something of interest for the whole family so it should be a good day out, and of course local charities will be the beneficiaries.

Now, if your Teddy Bear is fearless and loves a challenge then bring him along to accompany my own Teddy. I have not broken the news of this event to him yet, and he may take some persuading, but I will tell him it's all in a good cause.

Rodney Hann.

They say it’s difficult to find a

GOOD GARAGE

River Parrett Langport

so here is a map to help you ...

Westover Trading Estate

L MC

Curry Rivel

A378

Servicing & Repairs on All Makes of Car Citroën and Peugeot Specialists

Collection & Delivery Service • Courtesy Car Available Full Electronic Diagnostics

Pre -M.O.T. Preparation Work Undertaken NEED A CAR WASH OR A VACUUM?

Our Car Washes & Car Vacuum are the most powerful for miles!

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Batteries ★ Tyres ★ Exhausts

Open Monday – Friday 8am – 5.30pm • Saturday Appointments Only

LANGPORT MOTOR COMPANY Prop. Richard White

WESTOVER TRADING ESTATE LANGPORT, SOMERSET, TA10 9RB

Tel: 01458 251100 • Email: langportmotors@btconnect.com

THE VISITOR April 2015 41

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

Robert Stone & Co.

Chartered Accountants & Tax Advisers in Ilminster answers questions from small businesses in Somerset Q1. In the February newsletter you said holiday pay was not a contractual right. I don't understand how that can be the case. Please explain.

Robert Stone replies:

New regulations came into force from 8 January 2015 which indicates that employees can't take a claim to a civil court for breach of contract if their employer fails to pay amounts of holiday pay on the basis of an entitlement under the Working Time regulations. The new regulations indicate that the right to holiday pay is a separate statutory right not contractual right. However, if the amount of holiday pay is stipulated in the employee's employment contract, and that amount is not paid, the employee may be able to claim breach of contract.

MAX FOOTE Associates Ltd

Chartered Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors 26 Lower Woodcock Street Castle Cary BA7 7BH Tel: 01963 351052

Business and limited company accounts, self assessment tax returns, VAT, Payroll, Book-keeping and Training Personal and professional service

The newly installed LAMY pen display at Midwest the Stationers of Sherborne, premier stockists.

Donna Sharam pictured with the limited edition Copper Orange pen - Neon Lime arriving shortly.

Q2. My company uses the flat rate VAT scheme, so we don't reclaim VAT on the things we buy. When I set up the company it bought some office furniture for £1,500. I am now moving to new offices and selling the old furniture. Must the company charge VAT on the sale of the furniture even though it didn't reclaim VAT when it purchased the items?

Robert Stone replies:

Any sales the company makes, including selling on surplus assets, must carry VAT as the company is VAT-registered.

There are different rules when selling land or buildings. The fact that the company didn't reclaim VAT when it purchased the assets is irrelevant.

Q3. I run a pub which has a cash machine (ATM) inside.

I've just received an extra business rates bill from the local authority in respect of

SOMERTON Over 100 Shops & Businesses

Visit our Business Directory

www.somerton.co.uk 42 THE VISITOR April 2015

the cash machine for £3,600!

They haven't charged a separate bill for the ATM before now. Is there anything I can do?

Robert Stone replies:

You can appeal against the business property valuation, including the treatment of the ATM as a separate property. Do this by contacting the national Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

If you can't agree a reduction in the property's rateable value you can take your case to a Valuation Tribunal. But don't delay, as if you succeed in getting a reduction in the rates due, you will only get a refund for periods from 2010 to 2015, if your appeal was made by 31 March 2015.

Urgent Request from Red Berry Recruitment Donations of Easter Eggs Wanted Please

This year the Shepton Mallet and Yeovil Office of Red Berry Recruitment have decided to collect Easter Egg donations for The Lords Larder in Yeovil.

The Lord’s Larder objective is the relief of hardship and poverty in the areas of Somerset, North and West Dorset. Your donations will be added to food parcels and will be given to local families and children.

Red Berry will be delivering the eggs to the charity at the end of March so please hurry if you would like to donate.

Eggs can be taken to either Red Berry office:

First Floor, 28 High Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AN, or 16c, Hendford, Yeovil, BA20 1TE. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

April Notice Board MARTOCK

Martock Church (TA12 6JL), 30th April at 7.30pm, Concert by Parnham Voices, a superb Chamber Choir from Beaminster with a 250-strong repertoire.

They have performed 60 concerts around Dorset & Somerset to great acclaim. Tickets £7 on door or £6 from 01935 822706 or hckmlewis@talktalk.net

SHERBORNE

Sherborne Sunday Market, 29th March, 11am - 4pm, Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne.

Celebrating Dorset food, drink and craft.

ADVERTISE YOUR MAY EVENT HERE!

A listing under our Notice Board costs just £5 for 20 words send details of What? When?

Where? to The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BG. All entries to be pre-paid. Extra words 30p each. Deadline for our May issue, Friday 10th April.

RECENTLY I spent an afternoon in the Castleton Day Surgery Unit at Sherborne’s hospital. The staff were, without exception, charming, helpful and efficient – even the man who was to wield the needle and the knife – and I couldn’t help thinking how lucky the town is to have such a pleasant medical facility.

What also charmed me was the building itself. The Yeatman Hospital started life as a symmetrical building with its prominent central bay, complete with oriel window above the door, flanked on both sides by large two-storey wings.

Built at a cost of £2,000 as a memorial to the Reverend Harry Farr Yeatman of Stock Gaylard House around eight miles south-east of the town, construction started in 1864, the foundation stone being laid

by Mrs Wingfield Digby of Sherborne Castle. The hospital was brought into use on 19th March 1866 and has been enlarged on several occasions

SHERBORNE

20th century additions and extensions conceal the original 19th century core of The Yeatman Hospital but it remains a pleasing architectural jumble.

THE VISITOR April 2015 43

Stunning new bedroom ranges

SHERBORNE

Choose from a wide range of colours and designs ... including ‘painted’ and gloss wood finishes

This old postcard, probably dating from around 1900, shows Sherborne’s hospital as originally built.

STYLISH AND SPACE SAVING

Full planning, design and installation

Visit our Showrooms and discuss your personal requirements Contact Ashley Helyar at: Simply Bathrooms & Bedrooms The Old Bakery Half Moon Street SHERBORNE, DT9 3LN (Through the Archway by Half Moon Inn)

Tel: 01935 817111

www.SimplyBathAndBed.co.uk info@SimplyBathAndBed.co.uk 44 THE VISITOR April 2015

since then by the addition of extra wings and an entrance porch, effectively concealing most of the original, but it remains a pleasing jumble of architecture on peaceful Hospital Lane close to The Green. Less attractive is the thought that when an outbreak of plague struck the town in 1645, huts on the land now occupied by the hospital were set aside to isolate sufferers, with those who died being buried on the site.

If you enjoy piecing together the history of a place from what can be seen of its streets and buildings you will not be

disappointed by an exploration of this part of Sherborne. The Green is alongside Greenhill, for centuries part of the main coach road from London to Exeter and nowadays the busy A30, and here stood three of the town’s coaching inns – the Angel, the Antelope and the New Inn. The former Angel Inn, looking west across The Green, had been a busy coaching inn since the 1750s, with a service on alternate days to London and another running between Bath and Weymouth. It still bears a sign above the door stating that it was ‘Licensed to let post horses’ despite having

Greenhill and The Green would have looked and sounded very different in the days when horse-drawn coaches converged on The Antelope (left, by the traffic lights) and The Angel, two former coaching inns now in residential use.

BREWERS GARAGE LTD AIR CONDITIONING • DIAGNOSTICS TYRES • MOT SERVICING • REPAIRS Telephone

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Western Ways Yard Bristol Road, SHERBORNE, Dorset DT9 4HR

SHERBORNE

closed by 1865. Then, for many years, it was used by Sherborne School as a boarding house before being converted into luxury apartments.

Across the road, the former Antelope Hotel was built in 1748 when it replaced the former Horseshoes hostelry that stood on the site. In addition to its bars, parlours and 18 bedrooms it provided a yard and stabling for 40 horses, a coach-house and an adjacent pasture. It was the last survivor

of the three coaching inns, being closed and converted into eight luxury dwellings within the last ten years. The first of the coaching inns to close was the New Inn, new in the 1480s when it was built, which stood on the North side of Greenhill facing The Green. In the 1750s it boasted stabling for 50 horses but by 1800 it had become the depot of a wagon proprietor and was eventually demolished in 1842. It’s not hard to imagine what this part of Sherborne

KITCHENS AND HOUSE RENOVATIONS We project manage from start to finish!

UR MS O T O I VIS OWRO SH

Stylish kitchens to suit you

■ Contemporary or traditional ■ Wide choice of finishes including – high gloss, wood and painted ■ Free planning ■ Free design service Malcolm Helyar Proprietor

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New Kitchen? House Renovation?

We project manage from start to finish!

■ Plan and design ■ Undertake the construction work ■ Install and fit units / appliances ■ Electrics ■ Plumbing ■ Plastering ■ Complete on time – to a high standard The Gate Tower entrance provides tantalising glimpses of some of Sherborne School’s oldest buildings.

Sherborne Shoe Repairs ★ Shoe Repairs ★ Key Cutting ... while you wait

★ Luggage ★ Dry Cleaning Agents

2 Swan Yard Sherborne Tel: 01935 817978

O OU L INT C AL

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TOD A

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SHERBORNE KITCHENS & HOUSE RENOVATIONS

The Old Bakery, Half Moon Street SHERBORNE, DT9 3LN Through the archway next to the Half Moon Hotel

Tel: 01935 817111

Email: sales@sherbornekitchens.com www.sherbornekitchens.com THE VISITOR April 2015 45

must have looked and sounded like in the latter half of the 18th century when horse-drawn coaches converged on the inns round The Green.

It’s just a short stroll from here, down Hospital Lane, to the complex of buildings that form the core of Sherborne School, the noted independent boys school founded as a free grammar school by a Royal Charter of King Edward VI in 1550. The recently-released film ‘The Imitation Game’ starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the wartime codebreaker Alan Turing has generated widespread interest in the school he attended and where some of the location shooting took place. Originally the school was housed within the monastery precincts adjacent to the Abbey but in 1606 a new schoolroom was built in Jacobean style behind the Abbey, and although some of the former monastic buildings remain in use by the school they can scarcely be seen from the road – only glimpsed through the entrance below the Gate Tower which dates from 1923.

The main expansion of the

SHERBORNE

The rank of small cottages facing the Abbey grounds blends well with the adjacent 15th century almshouse.

school started after 1850 when the Reverend Hugo Daniel Harper was appointed headmaster and instituted an ambitious building programme including School House and the Headmaster’s House (1860) and the Big School (1879), the building on your left as you

walk towards the Abbey. It was designed in Gothic style but following damage by an air raid in 1940 it was rebuilt in a less austere style. A 20th century building on the opposite side of the road is the Carrington Building, opened in 1910 as science laboratories and an art

Undeterred by the cold March wind the shoppers flock to Cheap Street.

46 THE VISITOR April 2015

school. Indeed, many of the buildings on both sides of Hospital Lane and on adjacent Abbey Road are part of the school, and in many cases the nameplate will tell you what role they play.

Beyond the school the rank of small cottages facing the Abbey grounds displays a very different sort of architecture yet blends well with relatively modern school buildings to the north and the 15th century almshouse to the south. It’s all part of Sherborne’s rich mix of styles and periods that makes it so appealing to anyone who enjoys snooping around country towns.

With Spring upon us it’s the ideal time to explore the town, indulge in a spot of windowshopping, sample the many tea shops, cafés and pubs and see for yourself why Sherborne attracts so many visitors from far and wide every year. The Tourist Information Centre on Digby Road opposite the Abbey can provide the details of enough local art exhibitions, concerts and events to fill the diary. The numerous colourful stalls of Sherborne market fill the bottom of Cheap Street every Thursday and Saturday from 8.00am until 4.00pm and a farmers market is there on the third Friday of each month from 9.00am until 1.00pm.

There always seems to be plenty happening in the shops, the schools, the pubs, the

churches and the halls, and the two castles re-open to visitors at the beginning of April – for opening days, times and entry charges at the ‘old‘ castle phone the custodian on 01935 812730, and for the ‘new’ castle call the Digby Estate office on 01935 813182. Don’t miss the everpopular Sherborne Castle Country Fair, this year on 25th May. Roger Richards.

SHERBORNE

Amateur Players of Sherborne

Amateur Players of Sherborne’s spring production features three plays from Noel Coward’s ten one-act play cycle titled Tonight at 8.30 to be performed in the Digby Hall, from Thursday 23 to Saturday 25 April at 7.30 pm.

The plays showcase Coward's talents as a playwright and his trademark panache for sparkling, sophisticated, witty dialogue. There is a little something for everyone to enjoy with themes ranging from high farce to doomed romance spanning the full range of Coward’s writing.

Hands Across the Sea concerns a socialite whose drawing room is a revolving door of old and new friends and thus a natural set-up for a case of mistaken identities.

In Still Life after a chance meeting of a housewife and a married physician in a railwaystation buffet, they embark on an affair, subsequently immortalised on screen as Brief Encounter.

A lovingly cynical tribute to the music hall, Red Peppers features a performing couple whose onstage choreography and off-stage marriage leave something to be desired.

Tickets: £8, students £5, group bookings 10+ £7.50 available early April from Marsh’s, Cheap Street, and The Abbey Shop, Abbey Close.

Sherborne Chamber of Trade and Commerce

Representatives of Sherborne Chamber of Trade and Commerce met for the first time on Tuesday 3rd March with the Quantum Group, the new owners of the Sherborne Hotel site.

Kate Greatrix, the Head of Community Engagement for

Numerous colourful stalls of Sherborne market fill the bottom of Cheap Street every Thursday and Saturday from 8am until 4pm.

the Group outlined proposals for the site for which it is hoped that a full planning application could be made as early as the end of this year.

‘There will definitely be a beverage and food outlet and a Boutique Hotel although it will not be a large hotel as some have speculated’ says Ms

Stationery, Cards and Gift Wrap



EX-DISPLAY MODELS of TVs ... at greatly reduced prices (whilst stocks last)

EXCITING NEW range now arriving!

Call in and see the latest models

ON-THE-PREMISES WORKSHOP

Office Equipment & Furniture Printer Inks and Toners Competitive Prices

FREE Local Delivery

LAMY PEN PREMIER PARTNER including limited edition ...

Copper Orange & New Neon Lime

Also Stockists of ...

Sheaffer & Parker Pens Filofax & Collins Organisers Call at our shop ...

21 Cheap Street, Sherborne Tel: 01935 814225 or visit our website ...

www.midwest-office.co.uk



Prop. Simon Beard in the Workshop

Repairs on all makes and models of TV, HiFi and Audio equipment on-the-premises by our experienced engineers

 DO CALL IN 

SALES – SERVICE – REPAIR Greenhill, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 4EW  01935 813451

“Where the customer comes first”

THE VISITOR April 2015 47

INVESTING IN PROPERTY? Things you might not have considered

By Judy Hayter

Chartered Legal Executive in the Property Department at Battens Solicitors

WITH MORTGAGE RATES at their lowest in decades, many people will be deciding that now is the right time to buy a new property, whether it is their first home, the next step on the ladder or as a buy-to-let investment.

Others could be deciding to remortgage to release equity or fund home improvements.

Whilst you know that you need to get a good conveyancing lawyer to help you with the purchase or remortgage you may not have considered how best to avoid potential legal complications and protect your new investment.

Investing in property

With mortgage rates so low, you may be considering remortgaging to invest in a buy-to-let property, fund home improvements or help family members onto the property ladder. If so, it is important to get good legal advice early in the process to avoid unexpected complications. A bit of time spent sorting out legal matters now can help you avoid potential costly mistakes.

For example, if you are purchasing an investment property you should be aware that there are additional legal requirements that need to be adhered to, not just during the purchase stage but also as a landlord.

If you are planning a new extension planning permission may be required and it is essential to ensure the correct procedures are followed.

Likewise, if you are considering releasing capital to gift to your children there could be inheritance tax implications.

Protecting your asset

Purchasing property is the biggest investment most of us will make.

To get on the property ladder, you may be considering making the purchase with a partner or friend; or you may be lucky enough to have parents or a family member gift you the money. If you are, there are three important documents which you should consider to protect your new investment.

The first is a Declaration of Trust. It will ensure that if the property is sold you receive your fair share of the sale proceeds if you will make unequal contributions to the purchase price, mortgage or upkeep payments.

A Co-habitation Agreement on the other hand, could detail which of you stays in the house should you decide to go your separate ways, how any improvements to the property are agreed upon and paid for, as well as how day-to-day living expenses are to be divided.

Buying a property is an ideal time to make a Will or review your current arrangements. This document will detail who will inherit your share in the house if you died. You might not know that when purchasing with your partner, depending on how you own the house, they might not automatically get your share. Wills are also particularly useful when dealing with complex family arrangements for example; you can give a second spouse the right to occupy the family home, whilst protecting the capital for children of an earlier marriage.

Once you have found your ideal property or are ready to remortgage, I can not only help you through the legal process but can also provide guidance on protecting your assets and avoiding potential costly legal complications.

So give me a call on 01935 811312 or email me at judy.hayter@battens.co.uk BATTENS ARE HOLDING THE FOLLOWING LEGAL CLINICS Veronica Room, The Balsam Centre WINCANTON, on Tuesdays 31st March & 14th April The Shambles, Market House, CASTLE CARY, on Tuesdays 7th April & 21st April

To book an appointment please call 01963 834477

www.battens.co.uk

48 THE VISITOR April 2015

Offices in Sherborne, Yeovil, Dorchester & Weymouth

 01935 814811

SHERBORNE

Greatrix. She said that there would also be assisted care living properties but the density of the units have yet to be finalised.

Andrew Maddock, Chairman of the Chamber welcomed the opportunity to have open discussions as there has been considerable speculation as to the future of the site. ‘We can now feel more positive about the project. The devil is of course in the detail but Quantum already know they cannot afford to underestimate the force of opposition that the town has already shown it can harness’.

Mr Maddock feels that the proposals will offer employment and other business opportunities for Sherborne, although he expressed concern for the future of the existing staff having to leave the Hotel in May. The Quantum Group have confirmed that they plan to raze the existing buildings to the ground - time scales on this will be available in the next few weeks - and will leave the site vacant until new building work can commence.

‘The new owners must ensure the levelled site is not vulnerable to unlawful trespassers or fly-tippers’ says President of the Chamber, Sally-Ann Kodurand. ‘The gateway to Sherborne must be protected from becoming an unsightly dumping ground’.

Ms Kodurand says that the Chamber will seek assurances as to how Quantum plan to secure the site until its redevelopment.

Tourism Forum on behalf of Sherborne Town Council they are being seen as very useful additional material for businesses in the Town and those in the surrounding area who rely on tourism.

Janet Schofield from Sherborne TIC, commented, ‘Sherborne has so much to offer visitors whether they are coming to see the Town for its excellent independent shops, or are interested in Sherborne’s heritage and its historic castles and architecture. The photographs in the videos really show Sherborne at its best and we want to encourage businesses to use this free marketing tool to help promote their businesses and showcase the Town to their customers.’

The videos have been produced by award winning photographer Josie Elias, with a musical accompaniment from classical guitarist Samantha Muir - who will also be performing at the Sherborne Abbey Festival in May 2015; beautifully produced and comprising a number of evocative images of Sherborne, each video takes a different theme: The Seasons, Events and Discover Sherborne.

Businesses can download the videos by contacting the Sherborne Tourism Forum care of the Secretary S.Westlotorn@ sherborne-tc.gov.uk

New Sherborne Videos Launched to coincide with release of Hollywood Film

Sherborne has launched three new videos to support the marketing of the Town and to help businesses make the most of the publicity and attention that is likely to come from the release of Hollywood film Far from the Madding Crowd (due for release on 1 May 2015), which was partly filmed in and around Sherborne.

The videos are available to local businesses for use on their own websites and across social media channels like Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Commissioned by Sherborne

Sherborne Old Castle, courtesy of English Heritage.

The

Pub Pages

B EER & S KI TTL ES P. A. BAXTER

THE END OF YET another skittle season looms and the summer league beckons, and for the first time for a very long time we decided to enter a team in the Yeovil Summer League.

This means yet another evening taken up with the beautiful game, although we decided to jib out from entering the numerous knock-out competitions that are prevalent this time of year. It also made me wonder if I should be directing energies toward some 'proper outdoor' summer pub

games. Yes, should I continue with my quest to get the West Country (and Dorset in particular) playing the Best Outdoor Summer Game There Is (Bat and Trap obviously) or do I try introducing a new game to see if it catches on?

With your curiosity aroused, I continue ...

At the risk of making you all jealous (again) I reiterate on the fact we took a holiday to the States for a couple weeks last year. Now I could bore you with more stories of the wonderful craft beers we experienced but ... not this time. What I will tell you is that we came across a fascinating and indeed fun game named 'Corn Hole' and no, I'd never heard of it either. To say the equipment is simple and easy

LIVE MUSIC from

‘Headland’ on Saturday 4th April from 9pm at the ...

White Hart Sherborne

Call: 01935 817668 for more information

Lamb & Lark Russell & Diane welcome you to the

Limington nr. Ilchester • BA22 8EG Tel: 01935 840368 Sunday 29th March: Quiz

Night in aid of Air Ambulance Good Friday: Special Fresh Fish Board BOOK NOW for Easter Sunday Carvery Closed Easter Monday Thursday 16th April: Curry Night Choice of 4 – 5 Curries

“Just wait ‘til your father gets home on parole!”

The

Lord Nelson

Rectory Lane Norton Sub Hamdon

Mark, Helen and staff welcome you to ‘The Nelson’

GOOD FOOD - GOOD BEER - GREAT ATMOSPHERE Friday 3rd April: Flatland Boogie Band Sunday 5th April: D.J. Roy’s Disco

Sunday 12th April: Quiz Night Set by Chiselborough Team

Sunday 26th April: Peter Millson Acoustic Guitarist – 3.30pm

Monday to Friday – Two Course Lunch £8

Tuesday & Wednesday – Steak Night – Two Steaks ... and a Bottle of Wine £30 COURTYARD  BEER GARDEN AT REAR AMPLE PARKING OPEN ALL DAY FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

The

Tel: 01935 881473 www.thelordnelson.biz

Wyndham Arms Lin & Rob wish you a Happy Easter

KINGSBURY EPISCOPI nr. MARTOCK SOMERSET TA12 6AT

A delightful country inn ... open all day - every day

Delicious Homecooked Food Served Lunchtimes and Evenings

 Traditional Sunday Roasts: choice of meats 

... help yourself £10.95

— SKIT TLE TEAMS —

Every Tuesday and Wednesday Evening ...Winter Warmer Suppers Homemade Pies, Liver and Bacon, Cottage Pie, etc. from £5.95 Friday Night Fish ‘n’ Chips from £5.95 Sunday Carvery Choice of Meats Carvery £8.95 • Under 3 yrs £3.25 • 3 – 10 yrs £5.95

 FREE WiFi  No Charge for Cash Back   No Minimum Card Spend 

Wednesday 22nd April: Two

Steaks and a Bottle of Wine £21 Sunday 26th April: Quiz Night in aid of St. Margaret’s Hospice

South West Private Hire Mini Bus Want to dine with us but don’t want to drive?

WE CAN COLLECT & RETURN YOU! Reasonable Rates • Parties 2 – 8 people • Also Private Hire Local or Long Distance • Airport Runs, Stations etc.

Business Accounts Welcome

Hog Roast Available For Functions ... also Outside Bars

Visit our website for full details: www.lambandlark.co.uk

FUNCTION ROOM • WEDDINGS & PRIVATE PARTIES WELCOME FAMILIES WELCOME • ENCLOSED BEER GARDEN

Want a change of venue next season?

Why not try out our newly refurbished alley?

Top skittle food and all real ales £3 pint

— LIVE MUSIC — Saturday 28th March Alex Archer

Tel: 01935 823239

Please visit us on our website: www.wyndhamarms.com to see full menu details

THE VISITOR April 2015 49

The

Pub Pages

to make would be an understatement and in the vastness that is the USA we were amazed that the game is played (in what appears to be identical rules) at such distance.

Indeed, we were at the Nantahala pub/brewery at Bryson City North Carolina, where it was played indoors, and a week later we saw it on the waterfront at Savannah, Georgia, a distance of some 350+ miles, or to put it another way, the same distance as Dorchester to Carlisle! I certainly need to research the game on a larger scale myself,

Say you saw it in The Visitor

ROSE & CROWN ~ The ~

but please allow me to expand a little, and whilst I now am sure, gentle reader that you wish to Google the game, here is a very brief résumé. Teams of two hurl what we would call 'bean-bags' at a hole in a small table like structure whilst the other side do the same and attempt to prevent the other side scoring. That's it! Like all great games, it's easy to play and difficult to master, and whilst we did not have the opportunity to play a game or join in a tournament (of which there are often many I am assured) one can see the potential for the expansion of this great pub game in this country. I state this particularly as it can be played outdoors (recommended for the summer) or if the dreaded English weather strikes, it can be moved to the skittle alley or even the bar if the pub is long enough! You'll note I use the word 'expansion'. That's because it is indeed already here, and I thoroughly recommend that you investigate via the internet, and the many videos on Youtube as well as other sites with 'how to play' instructions - I'm sure you will be impressed. Drop me a line via the Visitor offices or at

Longburton • Nr. Sherborne • DT9 5PD

5th April - Easter Sunday Lunch with Skittles & Darts Competitions 12.30 - 2.00pm ... and our Easter Egg Hunt for our younger guests 2.00pm - 4.00pm DIARY DATE

18th May - Tom Clements launches his New Album ...

“Roots, Morals and Other Life Choices”.

Pete Robson kicks off the evening with his solo performance to warm up the crowd at 9.00pm. Tom and his Band will then be playing from 10.00pm. Tom will be joined by Sean McGregor, Jack Shaughnessy and Adam Colwell for this night of brilliant, original music!

BAND NIGHTS

11th April - Tom and the Clementynes 24th April - The New Beats 1st May - Headland 29th May - The Link (All our band nights start at 9.00pm) For more information please visit

www.roseandcrownlongburton.co.uk or call 01963 210202

50 THE VISITOR April 2015

Vinny shows himself up ...again !!!

skittlealley@hotmail.com Amongst the reasons that pubs are closing with continuing rapidity is of concern to many. Every month the Campaign for Real Ale in their official organ spend column inches on the latest successes or otherwise, the successes, it would appear, being mainly where locals have bought a pub, and I wish them all well.

Government has also been petitioned on the subject - again with varying degrees of success.

I received a long-winded nonanswer from a politician - or rather his side-kick - on all the fantastic work they were doing to protect this bastion of old England. (Well that's what the implication was anyway). With the decimation of the heavy industries once a part of Old England, the true 'working class' man we see from the mines and steel works in times

past simply no longer exist in our society, so a few pints of mild and bitter on the way home to replace all that sweat just isn't going to happen anymore. Society has changed even our lunch-time habits, I certainly recall going out with the work colleagues at least once a week, but the drink drive laws alone are enough to put a stop to the majority of these, along with the fact that a staggering 40% of us don't leave our desks for lunch now according to statistics I read recently. My visits to offices would certainly seem to bear this out. So much for technology setting us free; it seems we really have become its slave! Furthermore there is, for those of us who can get away at lunch-times (and I particularly think of the evergrowing number of post-60 year olds) a greater choice of places

The MUDDLED

MAN

Your hosts, Mick, Jean and Garry welcome you to

Lower Street, West Chinnock A charming country inn serving home cooked fayre lunchtime & evening

JOIN US OVER EASTER

SUNDAY LUNCH £7.95 - choice of roast Larger parties catered for

FRESH FISH Day Friday

... with home-made beer batter

STEAK SPECIAL - Two 8oz Rump Steaks £16.50 GOOD BEER GUIDE

Sunday to Thursday

DAILY SPECIALS • REAL ALE • SKITTLE ALLEY BEER GARDENS • ACCOMMODATION

Tel: 01935 881235

The

Pub Pages

to eat. Just look at the growth in garden centres for a start recently meeting up with a colleague at one conveniently sited I was amazed at the number of 'Silver Brigade' tucking into some very wholesome looking food. I note that Wetherspoons continue to open new establishments and despite their on-off relationship with CAMRA, I have never had a bad pint in one of their establishments (although a couple of their outlets I have found to be less than desirable) and the food is cheap and cheerful but still good value.

Their in-house magazine available free from their pubs

is full of self-praise, understandably, but again, 'Spoons does bring good beer to the masses as well as the fizzy stuff. Where does the future of the pub lie? It's a question I seem to pose every month, an answer to which I feel is still a distant dream.

Going back to summer in pubs, the game that continues to expand slowly and surely is of course 'Boule' or Pétanque to give it the proper name. There are many clubs around and not necessarily in pubs, but the grounds of a pub or in the car park is a great place to play.

Anyone who has travelled in France will undoubtedly have seen this played, as it appears the Frenchmen will use any excuse to play it whenever and wherever there is a halfsuitable piece of land free! Our own sets are from France and recognised as suitable for international competition, but were purchased when the game was nothing like so popular as it is now. Hence there are numerous outlets for sets, not the least of which is the internet of course. Our son-in-

The CATASH INN North Cadbury • BA22 7DH

SENIOR CITIZEN LUNCHTIME SPECIALS Tuesday – Saturday 12noon – 2pm, 2 Courses – £6.95 Tuesday is PIE NIGHT 6pm – 9pm – £6.50

Wednesday is CURRY NIGHT 6pm – 9pm – £6.50 SUNDAY LUNCH 12noon – 2pm – £7.95

Large Beer Gardens

 North Cadbury 01963 441531 Skittle Alley

ROYAL OAK Chris & Jill welcome you to the ...

Over Stratton, South Petherton Tel: 01460 240906

A Charming Country Inn

Enjoy delicious home-cooked food in the relaxed atmosphere of this country inn

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY SPECIAL

SURF, TURF, SWINE and WINE NIGHT

TWO Rump Steaks ... or TWO Beer Battered Haddock ... or TWO Gammon Steaks, or ANY TWO with a Carafe of Wine £22.50 per couple booking advised

Wines Dinner 27th March Introducing Babylonstoren Wines from South Africa 5 Courses and Wine £45

Easter Sunday Classic Roast Dinner The perfect family occasion

Friday 8th May Robyn Austin Performs Bach’s Movements 1 – 3 for Cello 3 Course Dinner plus Wines £50 Check out our ...

Wincanton Racecourse Deals Steak Night Every Monday Ribeye, Pork Loin, or Salmon with Salad and Fries for only £10 per head

Simple Supper Every Tuesday Delicious 2 Course Set Menu for only £10 per head

★ TRADITIONAL SUNDAY ROAST ★ £8.95 Main • £6.75 Smaller Appetite bookings essential to avoid disappointment

THE VISITOR April 2015 51

They Say

That with retirement from full time employment now firmly in his sights, Yeovil’s John Cornick and Rams Skittle Team superstar, thinks that being a professional in the sports world could well be an option.

That a chicken has been named Ping-Pong after laying a perfectly spherical egg - which was auctioned for charity on Red Nose Day.

That when Rob Smith of Yeovil’s Fit & Furnish and his golfing buddies hit Minehead, it looked like the cast from Saturday Night Fever.

That in the next ‘Ask the Expert’ contribution by Dave Hoddinott, Mr John Brunsden of Yeovil would like to know how to paint a door - correctly.

That when wearing your Next top is not so good, when sitting next to your Next top.

That a certain Chiselborough gentleman, after visiting a car accessories shop, came out shining.

That its good luck to Simon Beard of Godden & Curtis, Sherborne who will be attempting to break the Yeovil to Weymouth Cycling record in May.

That Charles ‘Butter Fingers’ Hanson brings real meaning to Break Even on BBC’s Bargain Hunt - and he’s one of the experts.

That when it comes to charity collections for Marie Curie Cancer Care, it was merely a case of crossing the border in a colourful way for Gillingham’s Mrs Taylor, that did the trick.

That good luck wishes go to Ed Pratt of Curry Rivel who recently set off to unicycle around the world in aid of the charity School in a Bag.

That congratulations go to Milborne Port Opera for being nominated for four categories in the Somerset Fellowship of Drama annual awards and for taking the coveted award for Show Stopper.

That for the benefit of some of our March Crossworders - it’s nativety with an ‘i’; Bathesda with an ‘e’ and labels not lables.

That peace was shattered for some on Wednesday 18th March in North Cadbury, however, normal service was resumed.

That Somerton's Duncan Gordon knows that the best way to use a waiting room - is to kick off your shoes - and wait - and wait - and wait. The end result being no waiting!

52 THE VISITOR April 2015

Pete Lambden & Staff welcome you to .....

168 Hendford Hill YEOVIL

“Every now and then I get a little bit nervous That the best of all the years have gone by”

FIRST PERSON to tell me the song above gets a free drink! Last month John Penny from Bradford Abbas was first to tell me it was ‘Hotel California’ by The Eagles  .

This month saw yours truly celebrate 13 years here at the helm of what I consider to be one of the best pubs in town. It’s been a hell of a journey with many changes on the way to where we are now. We had a great night to celebrate in the company of a lot of great regulars and the fabulous Mr D’Arcy.

Hopefully we can carry on being the local hub but as I have warned before The Pubcos have got a lot to answer for and the demise of The Great British Pub is almost solely down to them.

On a lighter note, I took a stroll down to what used to be our neighbouring pub The Yew Tree.

And what a fantastic surprise I had in store! The new owners have completely transformed the premises from top to bottom. It will soon reopen as a day nursery which makes a nice change from it being a Tesco or Co-Op. Congratulations and good luck to Paul and Dave.

T h i s m o n t h E m m a P e a rc e celebrated her 30th birthday here at The Quick. Some good friends, a bit of music, nice bit of food, and a few beers made for a great party.

Phil Thornton came here on the 20th. He brought along a few friends had some great music, little bit of nosh, and a few drinks to celebrate his 65th Birthday and he can now look forward to a well-earned retirement. Well done Phil!

This month on Easter Sunday we have Livewired live in the pub.

It’s a FREE GIG and there is no work on Monday so get your face in the place. On the 24th of the month we have Dub Liberator live in the bar, and on the 28th April we have Marcus our resident Medium who is going to entertain us with An Evening with Spirit. It’s a 7pm start so get along and see what it’s all about.

And finally: I met Bonnie Tyler the other day and she accepted an invitation to go for coffee ... she wouldn’t do Costa or Starbucks, though – I think she’s Holding out for a Nero.  TOOT TOOT!!!

BOOKINGS

 01935 424721

The

Pub

AROUND THE

H O U S E S

Pages

law keeps a set in his car 'just in case' and a few months back during that dreadful lull between a wedding and the reception when things really get going, we had a few games in the hotel grounds. The result was ... I now keep ours neatly tucked away under the car seat too. Well, one has to, just in case!

Why do I bang on so much about these fascinating games? The simple answer is that they are so much in harmony with our great English establishment - the pub. In my humble opinion they can help to keep pubs open if passing trade or food is perhaps not particularly that pubs' forte.

Who knows, the pub that remains open because of one or more of these fabulous pastimes could be your local, and that is important to you, isn't it?

Well it is, isn't it ...?

Say you saw it in The Visitor

Home-Made Food Served 7 Days a Week Food Now Served All Day Saturday & Sunday

IN STREET ... The Two Brewers pride themselves on their friendly cosmopolitan staff and welcome their latest member who hails from Spain ... the recent re-opening of the newly refurbished Castlebrook Inn at Compton Dundon was very well received ... always a warm welcome at The Market Bar in Somerton from Duncan, Avril and Fiona - not forgetting of course a good meal ... and at The Natterjack Inn, Evercreech Junction remember there is excellent accommodation if you’re out and about over the holidays.

Shuffling on to Shepton Montague we suggest you make a diary date for a delicious dinner, accompanied by a cello, on the 8th May at The Montague Inn ... seafood lovers will be pleased to know the renowned Lobster Weekend is being held at the end of the month at Truffles Brasserie, Bruton, early booking advised ... plenty of fun for the kids over the holidays at The Hunters Lodge, Leigh Common with pygmy goats, miniature horses and more! ... and in Wincanton, Andrew Riverstone will be performing at The Dolphin Hotel on the 11th April.

Limping on to Longburton where kids will have great fun with an Easter Egg Hunt at The Rose & Crown ... due to popular demand an extra date

Real Ales - Garden Skittle Alley

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB Serving Sensibly Priced Food & Drink

Dinnington, Nr. Hinton St. George • Tel 01460 52397

MAY BANK HOLIDAY

Promote your Holiday events HERE! May Issue Published Thursday 23rd April Early Deadline Friday 10th April

Call 01963 351256 • info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

The

Pub Pages

has been added for the showing of the film Imitation at The Queens Arms, Corton Denham, Wednesday 22nd April ... live music at The White Hart in Sherborne this month ... and new skittle, pool, and darts teams are welcome at The Catash Inn, North Cadbury where some kitchen help is required.

Bumbling on to Barrington we find the Barrington wild boar sausages a favourite on

the menu at The Barrington Boar ... free wifi at The Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi ... 12th April is Quiz night at The Royal Oak Over Stratton, all welcome ... a Greek cuisine evening is featured this month at The New Farm Restaurant ... the lovely Cat Head Inn, Chiselborough still awaits a buyer ... we understand from The Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon that a good time was had by all the Nellie golfers in Portugal, and the passport of the unique Will Tate was safe ... at The Muddled Man, West Chinnock we learn the football team is doing well ... and finally new landlady Helen, together with Michaela, Neil and Jack look forward to welcoming customers old and new to the new look Fleur de Lis, Stoke Sub Hamdon where there is a new chef and new menu.

Fleur de Lis

Wine & Dine

Happy Easter!

EASTER SIGNALS the end of Lent and is a time when many of us, having abstained from some of life’s little luxuries, such as chocolate or wine, will want to relish the opportunity to indulge in the yummy treat that chocolate eggs provide on Easter Sunday. We may also want to spoil ourselves, after a period of self-denial, with a glass or two of wine to go with.

The question is what to do, if like me, you love both chocolate and wine, and want to enjoy them together?

Matching wine with chocolate can be tricky, posing something of a challenge when searching for the perfect match. However, all is not lost as there are some interesting combinations that can certainly be a match made in heaven, but do be sure to steer well clear of dry wines.

When making your selection it is worth making the effort to seek out a pairing that ‘complements’ rather than trying find a suitable ‘contrast’,

as this can prove to be difficult to achieve.

In the case of the chocolate, although many of us are perfectly happy with a straightforward branded milk chocolate egg, the real treat for connoisseurs comes when we receive the gift of a beautifully decorated, upmarket chocolate egg, the darker the better.

Consider the key characteristics – note the aroma, listen to the snap when you break it and check the shine and glossiness.

Before tasting, it is also worth paying similar attention to the wine.

The best advice is to match lighter, more elegant flavoured chocolates with lighter-bodied wines, whilst stronger tasting,

Under New Management

NEW CHEF ... Exciting New Menu Saturday Two Steaks + Bottle of Wine ... only £22.50 Sunday Roasts (booking essential) Live Music every Friday  Excellent B&B

West Street, Stoke Sub Hamdon  01935 822510

Market Bar & Bistro Avril, Duncan & Fiona welcome you to the ...

Market Place, Somerton

Open Daily for Lunch & Dinner (closed Sunday evening) Traditional Sunday Roast plus Menu Choice

Mid Week Lunch

2 Course £9.80 — Monday to Friday

Tel: 01458 272468

Truffles BRASSERIE

95 High Street, Bruton, BA10 0AR

OPEN EASTER SUNDAY 5th April Set Menu – £18.95  Under 12s – £9.50

LOBSTER WEEKEND

Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April Early booking advised See website for full menu

Afternoon Tea & Patisserie served daily (not Monday)

Bookings call: 01749 812180 or email: trufflesbruton@gmail.com www.trufflesbrasserie.com

THE VISITOR April 2015 53

more full flavoured chocolate can stand up well to a more fullbodied wine.

Wine & Dine

A demi-sec Blanquette de Limoux, from the Languedoc region of South West France (£8 for 75cl. 12% abv) provides a cheap and cheerful fizz for those with an eye on the budget. It is made using Mauzac grapes, using the

Farm Shops & Local Produce

‘traditional champagne method’ but offers great value for money. Although strictly speaking demi-sec means half dry, is actually a sweet wine, but this sparkler has a dry apply acidity that helps to make this match less cloying than some others. It goes lovely with hollow chocolate eggs, but do beware that it can clash with rich sweet fillings.

If your preference is for a sweet and sticky filling to your chocolate, then Quady Elysium Black Muscat 2013 (£9.99 for 3.75cl. 15% abv) is one of the few wines that will rise to the challenge. It is also one of just a handful of wines that will go well with a chocolate pudding.

Worth a try, especially if your top chocolate choice happens to be an incredibly sweet white chocolate, is Moscato d’Asti (£8 for 75cl.

Tender, new season rhubarb – delicious in crumbles, or in pies, or on its own!

54 THE VISITOR April 2015

5.5% abv). This semi-sweet lightly sparkling wine from the Piedmont region of Italy, is made from Moscato Bianco grapes. Fresh, with a lovely floral character, it detracts nicely from the cloying character of the chocolate, and its low level of alcohol means you can start to imbibe early and continue to enjoy it all day long.

Also worth considering is the really luscious Pedro Ximenez sherry (£7.99 for 50cl. 18% abv), a classic fortified wine that makes a great pairing with milk chocolate.

Many wine lovers consider that port, another very popular fortified wine, is an agreeable match for dark chocolate. Here I’d be happy to recommend Taylor’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port (£22 for 75cl. 20% abv), which is an especially good combination, or Warre’s medalwinning Late Bottled Vintage Port (£18.49 for 75cl. 20%abv).

If you like your chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% and above) then one of the fullbodied Barrossa Valley Shiraz wines from Australia, with their intense flavours of dark fruits and spicy black pepper, will stand up well to the intense bitter flavour of the chocolate.

Whatever your choice, the general rule is that the wine should be as sweet as, or even a little more so, than the chocolate.

LP-V.

‘We must all do our bit for charity the ice bucket challenge’

GARDENING MONTHLY

by Richard Cumming Orchard Park

Spring has sprung!

THE EQUINOX is behind us!

The daylight hours begin to exceed the night and we can look forward to some great growing weather! Everyone writes of the joys of spring but it is truly

undeniable, spring is such a relief after the winter months.

It’s a rebirth, start again time, another chance to get it right!

Our weather is predictably unpredictable: it could be good or it might be awful but you

have to travel in hope. There is so much going on now with plant growth: early flowering shrubs such as Chaenomeles, Forsythia, Viburnums, fruit trees and bushes that will produce flowers before leaves, then bulbs and early flowering perennials taking advantage of the space as yet unoccupied by greedy overblown summer flowering plants. These spring flowerers

are something special, they really have to try hard to attract the early insects if they want to get their pollen spread about.

Then the later flowering plants need to make growth; wellrested shoots now set about making growth and claiming their piece of the garden.

Something different to see every day makes spring the most exciting of seasons.

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Now is the time to start planting! Seed potatoes, onion sets and much more can be found at Harts Garden Supplies of Sturminster Newton.

THE VISITOR April 2015 55

Plant of the Month

Blossom is the predominant theme this month. The Camellias are mostly over leaving the stage clear for gloriously showy Rhododendrons and Azaleas. If it’s an evergreen you are after, Pieris, dwarf Rhododendrons and evergreen Azaleas are particularly easy to manage if grown in good ericaceous compost and given the appropriate feed.

Perfect for pots and containers, these will flower year after year

with only a small amount of basic attention. Potted dwarf Rhodo’s are perfect for people who have to move house frequently, as well as making an impressive gift – unlike a bouquet of flowers, they last for years! They’re also great if your outside space is restricted to a patio or even a doorstep.

The name comes from ancient Greek meaning ‘Rose Tree’, the rhododendron family includes Azaleas and has both evergreen and deciduous forms. They

prefer shady conditions and are pretty tough and trouble free.

Rhododendrons want acidic soil and sheltered conditions, growing best in areas with high rainfall, but compact hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas make really good container plants. There are even dwarf alpine forms that look fantastic planted in rock gardens or pots.

Locally we have some fantastic opportunities to see rhododendrons and azaleas in bloom, NT Stourhead Gardens and Chiff-Chaffs at Bourton both have stunning plantings but in different ways. Both gardens use taller, bigger varieties than most of us can

accommodate and their soils are well suited to these acid-loving plants. Which is where we came in as plant hunters and breeders have over the years, collected species and developed varieties that can be accommodated in smaller spaces, and adapted to the way we live. So check out your local garden centre or nursery, see the beautiful colour ranges available, select from thousands of lovely pots, get the right compost and feed, then enjoy! If you feel uncertain of any of this ask for advice. Most of us that deal with plants are only too happy to talk about what we have and how best to grow them.

The subtly fragrant Rhododendron 'King George'. See a fine display of Rhododendrons at Orchard Park Garden Centre.

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56 THE VISITOR April 2015

NOW is the time to perk up your paths and dress up your driveways!

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We can deliver to your area inc. Castle Cary, Bruton, Sherborne, Wincanton etc.

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Jobs for the Month

There is an intensity about gardening in April; always a lot to do and not enough time to do it in and then there are the distractions with so much to take pleasure just watching. The extra daylight hours are welcome as they do allow you to relax in the garden after work or school!

[Encouragement here for young gardeners!] But what first?

Lawns need attention early in the season if they are to look any good. Mine is full of moss and the actual grass is looking a bit thin.

My plan is to use a mosskiller now, either liquid or lawn sand, let the moss die back and rake it out. If the grass has grown much give it a close cut first so you can get to the moss, and box-off the clippings. Once the moss is out, if there is a lot of bare soil then rake to loosen and create a seed bed. Sow at about 35g per sq m, rake over lightly and firm in.

Water if the soil is dry and germination should take place within 10 to 14 days depending on soil temperature.

A lawn that is not too bad will benefit from a complete lawn treatment such as Evergreen Complete which will kill the moss, kill the weeds and feed it!

It is a good investment which should last most of the summer; you might have to feed a little later on depending on how close you cut the lawn and how much hard use it gets.

With all the pruning out of the way, feeding and mulching climbers, roses and other shrubs and perennial plants is vital if you want them to perform well this year. Slow release feeds are best, and the magic mulch can be anything from well-rotted garden compost or manure, to bought in compost or bark chippings.

Roses may show early signs of black spot so keep a treatment handy – the choice is not great but both Rose Clear and Multirose 2 are both good and will knock any early greenfly problems on the head at the same time. Then get the sprayer out – fungicide treatment is almost unavoidable if you want to keep the plants

Whatever type of gate you require for your garden, Sparkford Timber Buildings & Gates can help. See their advert inside the front cover.

Approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

free from disease. If you grow without chemicals, then the really important thing is to keep the soil in good heart with plenty of good organic matter and bonemeal or seaweed meal as a supplement.

Check all trees and shrubs – including roses – are firm in the ground. The high winds of the past month may have caused windrock and the damage to the roots can mean a plant will suddenly fail later in the summer.

We didn’t get much in the way of deep penetrating frost this winter so the indications are that slugs could be a real challenge this year so your precious seedlings could soon disappear.

The choice is slug traps filled with beer [what a way to go!] barriers such as copper or wool pellets that dissuade slugs from approaching or slug killers that will solve the problem on a more permanent basis.

The grow-your-own veg is really worthwhile and you can start from either seeds or seedlings. The garden centre now offers young vegetable plants that are ready to plant out as well as the fantastic range of seeds in packets that excite the eye with visions of perfect produce.

Vegetable gardens do need to be prepared, forked over to remove the tough perennial weeds and

kill the fresh weed seedlings.

Manure and lime should have been added over winter, but it’s not too late if you have good composted organic matter available. Best not to do this in seed beds as you can attract the slugs, but fine where you are planting out potatoes, onion sets or transplanting vegetable plants or sowing larger seeds such as peas and beans.

Herbaceous borders will be showing growth, so make sure that you have plant supports ready for taller growing varieties.

Grow-through supports such as the large metal circles or cut hazel twigs, need to be in place before the plant grows through!

Other systems such as the curved wire frames, link stakes, or canes can be used as needed.

Fruit trees and bushes will be in blossom – and vulnerable to late frost – if they are small enough to cover with fleece then it could make the difference between crop and no crop.

Hanging baskets and containers – you can start to plant in April but it is usually far too risky to set them outside – wait until the risk of frost is past.

Worth bearing in mind – early planted tubs etc. will mature early and later planted will still be going strong in late August when the others have expired. All

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THE VISITOR April 2015 57

containers need to be watered.

Rain water is best but can be an unreliable supply if we get a drought. Tap water is mostly hard – meaning it contains a large amount of Calcium carbonate. So to keep ericaceous plants growing well in pots etc. it is important to add a special ericaceous liquid feed, and dose it with sequestered iron at least

twice during the year. Lastly – once the plant is established, top dress with appropriate fertiliser [specialist Azalea/Rhodo feed or even Rose Fertiliser] in spring to encourage growth and in late summer to encourage flower buds for the following spring.

You will probably need to top up the compost as well.

For an eclectic selection of gardenalia visit Tinhouse Home & Garden, Sutton Road, Somerton, TA11 7JG. See their advert in the Antiques section on page 8.

Meanwhile, back in the shrubbery, prepare to prune the early flowering plants (Forsythia and the like) as soon as they have finished flowering so that the new growth has time to form and produce new flower buds for next spring.

Helping gardeners stay green and grow more

Green-fingered gardeners heading out this spring to their flower beds or veg patches – or staying in for their window boxes – can find strong support from Somerset Waste Partnership.

Make your own nutritious compost from grass cuttings, dead flowers, vegetable peelings etc.

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G EANIN T H C L inting etc.

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As well as garden waste collections and taking garden waste at all recycling sites, SWP has great offers on compost bins as it backs home composting with simple tips and expert advice.

Those with space and a little know-how can turn grass cuttings and dead flowers, plus some waste foods, into nutritious free plant food and soil conditioner.

Home composting is easy, cheap and very green, whether building your own multi-bay stalls or purchasing bespoke Dalek compost bins through SWP’s special bargain offers.

SWP advises composting with garden waste, certain foods, and scrunched up paper and card to allow air to circulate and help create a balance of carbon and nitrogen.

Among the foods that can be added to a compost heap are fruit and veg peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds and eggs shells.

For those new to composting, Somerset’s network of Compost Champions offer free advice. For your local advisor, contact the Carymoor Environmental Trust at www.carymoor.org.uk.

For full details of the new garden waste collection subscriptions, composting bin bargain offers, Compost Champions, and advice on composting, visit: www.somerset waste.gov.uk.

The GrowQube®

There’s an easy and virtually foolproof new way to grow tomatoes which, in trials,

Martin Hurt and his dog Shreddie welcome you to Plantworld at Milton On Stour near Gillingham.

Here you will find a host of plants and shrubs to fill your garden with colour.

A full range of garden requisites is also stocked. Open 7 days a week.

produced over 50% more fruit per plant than a conventional growing bag and required less watering and feeding.

The new Growing Success GrowQube® single tomato planter is designed to bring tried and tested professional growing techniques to new or reluctant gardeners so that they can enjoy at least as good a harvest as experts can grow – without their knowhow.

The GrowQube®, at 24 x 24 x 24cm, is a deep container which allows plant roots to develop fully for greater strength and more efficient moisture and nutrient uptake.

PLANT WORLD For the best plants!

For all your gardening needs

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Milton On Stour, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 5QA Tel: 01747 824015

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3 Year Warranty on all Cub Cadet Mowers Ride-On Mowers from ... £1,299 Pedestrian Mowers from ... £219

Garden Tools

Unit 2, Beardly Batch Depot, Cannards Grave SHEPTON MALLET, BA4 4NB Tel: 01749 343881 • www.moggsofwells.co.uk SALES – SERVICE – REPAIR THE VISITOR April 2015 59

fruit per plant than a standard growing bag, both outdoors and under glass. *Trial results published in Gardening Which? in April 1993.

Reed & Russell / Superplants of Wincanton

A trial by Gardening Which?* found that, when growing tomatoes in a growing bag, each plant yielded on average, 2.3kg of fruit whereas equivalent plants grown in 12-15 litre pots in the same compost yielded 3.5kg. The pot-grown plants were also found to be easier to water and less prone to blossom end rot. This research influenced the design of the GrowQube®which, in prelaunch testing on over 300 tomato plants, produced over 50% more

Superplants is a local landscaping company that offers clients a comprehensive service which includes interior, exterior and artificial planting schemes, trees and plants for events and even decorated Christmas trees for the festive season.

The company provides office plants on a sale or rental basis across the south west, the south and in London, all with a regular maintenance service … which includes free replacement plants should they fail.

Large trees, Bay trees and plants can be hired for weddings, exhibitions and events, and artificial plants and natural stem faux trees are available from the company’s web site on a mail order basis.

Superplants offers an exterior grounds maintenance service for corporate clients across the region and provides comprehensive landscaping schemes, sedum roof and wild flower installations.

For more information please call 01963 348420 or visit www.superplants.co.uk

Thorngrove Garden Centre Gillingham

Thorngrove Garden Centre is renowned for its quality homeproduced bedding and hanging baskets, but did you know that they also produce a vast range of hardy plants, including many unusual varieties of shrubs?

Their growing areas are all open to the public and keen gardeners will find many gems among the shrub beds and polytunnels, such as Fatsia Spiders Web, pictured.

The new season’s fruit, roses

and ornamental trees are all ready to plant now and their herbaceous perennial collection is one of the largest in the area.

Early perennials such as Dicentra and Brunnera are flowering now, others such as foxgloves and iris won’t be long.’

Somerset National Gardens Scheme Annual Garden Owners’ Lunch

The annual Somerset National Gardens Scheme (NGS) garden owners’ lunch was held at North

This Fatsia is just one of many interesting plants at Thorngrove Garden Centre, Gillingham.

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Tel: 01458 272964 Mob: 07854 106599 Email: richscriven27@gmail.com

60 THE VISITOR April 2015

Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4RE

Turn into Broad Robin off B3081, continue past Mellowes Residential Home: Thorngrove is next on right

 01747 822242 Email: thorngrove.staff@scope.org.uk

Hanging basket orders now being taken for new or refills, or book a place on our ever-popular hanging basket workshops ... ring for details Explore our vast glasshouses, filling daily with glorious home-grown bedding & vegetable plants

 Trees & Planters AVAILABLE TO HIRE for Weddings and Special Events 

Thorngrove Garden Centre was set up by SCOPE, a national disability charity, whose vision is a world where disabled people have the same opportunities to fulfil their life ambitions as non-disabled people. By purchasing goods and services from Thorngrove you are supporting Scope's work in our local community. Thank you.

OPEN: MONDAY – SUNDAY 9.00 - 5.00

Curry Village Hall on February 25th and was generously sponsored for the second year by Almondsbury Garden Centre.

Eighty four people enjoyed the happy occasion including NGS garden owners, the NGS Somerset volunteer team members and a number of invited visitors.

Visitors who were warmly welcomed were Richard Truscott (Almondsbury Garden Centre), Dave Durdon (Mayor of Taunton) and his wife, Zoe Li and Karina Joseph (Somerset Art Works), Alan Fellows (Marie Curie Cancer Care) and Elna Broe (NGS Head Office).

Lucy Hetherington, the Somerset NGS County Organiser, thanked the garden owners for welcoming so many visitors into their gardens to raise money for charity. She said that without loyal garden owners there would be no National Gardens Scheme.

2014 was a record breaking year in Somerset raising £72,000 (up 11%) for the beneficiary charities that include Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Looking forward to 2015 there will be 92 gardens opening in Somerset including 10 new ones that have never opened before.

Some gardens have opened for many years for the NGS in

Suppliers of quality lawn turf Full ground preparation and laying service available

Somerset and five have qualified this year for long service awards.

Barrington Court was presented

by Taunton Mayor Dave Durdon with an 80 year award and Hestercombe Gardens with a 20

Crown Thinning and Reduction Dead and Dangerous Trees Removed New Trees Supplied and Planted Tree Stumps Removed Approved Contractor to Somerset County Council and Local Councils

Phone B. P. MONTGOMERY for a FREE Estimate Tel: 01963 240532 Mobile: 07970 397248 Email: brutontreecare@hotmail.com

The NGS appreciates the support from all its opening gardens but is always looking to find new gardens of interest, quality and character to add to the nearly 4000 open every year

Upstairs at Lee Holmes Garden Machinery in Somerton you will find a wide range of Atco ride-on mowers.

Proving popular in the range is the GT 38H mulching model with side discharge, fitted with a Briggs and Stratton motor. It comes with a 5 year guarantee. Normally £1,499, special price £1,299.

Ride-on mowers LARGE or small ... we have them all!

Rider 27M Compact Lawn Rider

Telephone Somerton 01458 272091 Mobile 07850 310998

TREE SURGERY SPECIALISTS

year award. The other award gardens: Sutton Hosey Manor (30 year), Cothay Manor (20 year) and Orchard Wyndham (10 year) were not free to attend the lunch to receive their awards.

£ 1299

GT 48H Twin Lawn Tractor

Suitable for gardens 48-inch twin blade, of up to 7½ acres. timed, cutter deck.

Briggs & Stratton Briggs & Stratton engine. engine.

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LEE HOLMES Garden Machinery

15 Cary Court, Bancombe Business Park, SOMERTON Tel: 01458 274261 • www.gardenmachineryrus.co.uk THE VISITOR April 2015 61

in England and Wales. In 2014, the NGS gave £2.5 million to the cancer, caring and gardening charities that it supports. If you think you would like to open your garden and raise funds, why not discuss the possibility with Somerset County Organiser Lucy Hetherington, lucyhetherington @btinternet.com NGS gardens are open and welcoming visitors from now until October. The opening season has been extended this year by the NGS joining with Somerset Art Works (SAW) to open selected gardens on 9th to 11th October for the Somerset Art Weeks Festival.

NGS Garden of the Month April

Saturday 18th - Barrington Court, Barrington, nr Ilminster, TA19 0NQ, 10.30am - 5pm. £12 (child £6). Plants, refreshments,

wheelchair access, coaches.

Sunday 26th - Wayford Manor, Crewkerne, TA18 8QG, 2pm 5pm. £5 (child £2.50). Homemade teas, plants, dogs allowed.

To find out more about gardens to visit outside of Visitorland just pick up a yellow Somerset NGS booklet at your local garden centre, library or Tourist Information Centre or visit the NGS website www.ngs.org.uk

The Cub Cadet Z Force SZ-48 from Ben Johnson

This ride-on mower has the manoeuvrability of a zero-turn rider, maximum operator visibility and the accuracy of a front mount deck.

This front cut mower is fitted with a premium, professional grade, 22hp Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin engine offering excellent

power and performance, exceptionally smooth and quiet operation and reliability for a longer life. Designed for professional gardeners and landowners, the Cub Cadet Z Force S48 has a heavy-duty, fabricated 48” deck with the versatility to mow around fences and trees and the easy-to-see front mount deck maximises mowing accuracy in corners and under low obstacles.

The all-wheel directional zeroturn manoeuvrability and a low centre gravity and wide wheelbase allow the machine to glide over uneven ground and still cut a completely straight line across hills and slopes. The innovative Synchro Steer technology steering wheel controls both the large pnuematic front wheels and the independently controlled back wheels for improved control,

stability and better results. Tough terrain and steep hills are no problem with this added traction and contrrol.

The adjustable high-back seat complete with arms rests provides superior support and comfort.

Wonderful plants to hire for special occasions from Superplants of Wincanton.

Football pitch or pocket handkerchief ... we have a mower to suit your needs

NEW

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Briggs & Stratton engine.

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62 THE VISITOR April 2015

Self-propelled Briggs & Stratton engine.

Mulch plug can be set to discharge, collect, or mulch.

£379

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Due to expansion we are looking for a new member of staff to join our workshop team.

Ideally experienced in all aspects of garden machinery repair.

Would also consider an apprentice.

Please call or email for further details. sales@benjohnsonmowers.com

Ben Johnson, 17d Wincombe Business Park SHAFTESBURY, SP7 9QJ Tel: 01747 851021 • www.benjohnsonmowers.com

the end bit...

PAPERCHASE

YOU MIGHT RECALL that in last month’s column I noted that the article that filled the ‘Your food and drink’ double page spread in the Your Weekend supplement to the 12th February issue of the Western Gazette had already appeared in the previous Saturday’s Western Daily Press West Country Life supplement – same words, same photos, same recipes. To my surprise the same thing happened in the next four consecutive weeks’ issues, so it seems that the Western Gazette is content to regularly pad out its pages with second-hand material.

Mind you, it’s two-way traffic.

A news item in the 5th March issue of the Gazette concerned an intriguing collection of more than 500 projector slides found in the loft above two homes in Tintinhull, family photos of people and places, some of them from pre-war years. The finders are keen to return them to the family’s descendents but have been unable to trace them. The 10th March issue of the Western Daily Press carried the same story as part of its weekly ‘West Country Times’ feature, expanding it to fill an entire page but not by adding anything new to the story.

Although the text was unchanged one of the photos was enlarged to fill more than one-third of the page. I sometimes wonder for how much longer it will be worth buying both papers.

Solution to March

Sudoku

Last autumn I noted that the Gazette had padded out the property supplement in its 11th September issue with a ‘5 things to know before installing solar panels’ feature stating that ‘the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive is expected to come into force during 2011’ and ‘the details are not yet available’. I recalled that the paper had used this filler several times in 2012 and 2013 and expressed surprise that nobody had bothered to read and update the copy before going to print. Believe it or not, the feature appeared yet again in the 5th March issue, still unaltered, still referring to the expectations of 2011. It seems that some members of the paper’s staff can’t shake off their slipshod ways.

A reader kindly sent me an intriguing cutting from the 23rd January issue of the Blackmore Vale Magazine. The article concerned the ins and outs of obtaining a mortgage to buy a property to let and the mortgage fees that would be charged, and concluded with this piece of advice. ‘Before signing up for a loan you need to’. Need to what, I wonder. Being cut off in midsentence we shall never know – perhaps whoever put the page together wanted to keep it a secret for himself.

A couple of months ago I commented on the news, broken on Christmas Eve, that Western Daily Press editor Ian Mean was to retire in February after just nine months in the post. I wondered how long it would take to recruit his successor given that it took the publishers, the Local World group, more than six months to

ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ

appoint a replacement for Fanny Charles after she left the Blackmore Vale Magazine in June 2013, and the answer came at the end of February.

It’s an internal appointment – Rob Stokes, deputy editor of the Bristol Post since 2006 and a journalist on the paper for many years before that. He took up his new role on 9th March and is quoted as saying ‘I’ve known this paper since I was a schoolboy and am really looking forward to working with the excellent team of people who produce it’. A sub-editor on that ‘excellent team’ marred Mr Mean’s final week with a

headline in the 5th March issue stating that ‘Beer goggles effect the sober’. The verb in the sentence isn’t ‘goggle’, it’s ‘affect’, and every selfrespecting sub should know when something affects the effect.

In last month’s column I mentioned headlines and howlers that find their way into them sometimes. The latest example, shown below, comes from the 12th March issue of the Western Gazette and has, I hope, generated some embarrassment in the paper’s editorial offices.

Chronicler.

Sudoku

by

T. M.

Fill in the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers 1 to 9.

on page 20

1. George Harrison

2. ‘Miami Sound Machine’ 3. ‘Sorrow’ 4. ‘Love’

5. ‘Red Box’

6. ‘Men at Work’ 7. ‘River’

8. Simon and Garfunkel

9. Emerson, Lake and Palmer 10. ‘X-Ray Spex’

Bonus Question 1980

Question Impossible ‘Toots’ Thielemans, Belgian jazz musician, born Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor, 29 April 1922.

THE VISITOR April 2015 63

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Wanted

Storage

POSTCARDS, pop memorabilia, coins, badges, old toys, games, and anything military. Tel: Clive 01749 675456.

PASSPORTS - passports - passports - also studio sittings and weddings. Any time to suit you. Easy parking. Tel: Graham Cox, Photographer, 01458 223769.

STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles. Lock-up garages to let. Tel: Sparkford Storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692.

T.V. Rental

T.V. RENTAL - long or short term, domestic & commercial, up to 50-inch plasma. H. R. Hodge. Tel: 01460 240645.

For Sale

STIGA Pro-Diesel Ride-On Mower, 125 cutting deck, excellent condition, serviced. £2,500. Tel: 01458 272637 or 07785 767802.

Personal

LADY 64, vegetarian, likes meditation, cinema, animals, walking. Seeks male or female for friendship and socialising.

Box No. 6.

64 THE VISITOR April 2015

DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, salvage, bygones and collectables.

Daves Tools - Tel: 01935 428975

ALL SPORTS PROGRAMMES and books, memorabilia and ephemera – especially football. Large collections welcome. Cash paid. Tel: Clive 01749 675456.

GUNS WANTED for cash. Any size, any condition, make or model. By registered firearms dealer. Tel: 07970 742471.

Mobile Bars / Catering

HARRY’S MOBILE BARS, all occasions, weddings, parties, etc. Tel: 01747 825553 harry@bars4u.plus.com www.harrysmobilebars.co.uk

Dog Holidays

HOLIDAY FOR YOUR DOG. Let your dog stay with us when you are away. 24-hour attention and long walks. Fully licensed and insured. Vet approved. References available. Tel: 01963 240650.

Say you saw it in The Visitor

Services

GOOD POTATOES

Takeaway Bags of Coal • Calor Gas Car & Van Rental Competitive Prices

Anchor Hill Service Station WINCANTON 01963 32609

Maintenance & Repairs

U CAN’T I CAN PAUL CHEDZOY Property & Garden Maintenance

Decorating, Gardening, Building and General D.I.Y.

 01935 472669

... or

07884 345511

email: ucantican07@aol.com

Trading for over 7 years CUSTOMER REFERENCES AVAILABLE

• • • • •

• • • •

SERVICES

Exterior and interior decorating Gutters cleared and cleaned High level painting and cleaning Conservatories washed down Removal of disused sky dishes and cabling Repointing of stone and brickwork Patios cleaned Many other jobs undertaken No V.A.T. competitive rates for seniors

Contact JAMES CADE on 01963 34272 or 07967 307179

Early Deadline for May Issue

Friday 10th April

Denture Repairs

DENTURE REPAIRS

While You Wait Collection & Delivery Denture Advice Mr. C. Dunn

Registered Dental Technician

01749 812585

www.dunndental.co.uk

TV Aerials

DAVE PARMITER AERIALS TV AERIAL SERVICE SATELLITE / VIDEO SYSTEMS CCTV SYSTEMS - PERSONAL SERVICE

Tel: YEOVIL (01935) 422088 or mobile 07850 405433 NO CALL-OUT CHARGE

Framing

SCENES

Artist Materials & Gallery

« Picture framing « Restoration « Large selection of prints & paintings « Greeting Card Blanks High St. Gillingham Tel 01747 824050 www.scenes-online.co.uk

PHONE - a - FIRM • PHONE - a - FIRM

Transport & Storage

The key to all your storage needs!

Electrical Contractors

Fully Insured Storage at Highly Competitive Rates Call us today for a quote!

01963 440045 www.sparkfordstorage.com

• Open 7 Days a Week • 20 Years Established Family Business

• Modern Burglar-Alarmed Warehouses • Professional & Reliable Service • Removals To and From Storage • Self Store with Easy Access • Cubicle and Crate Storage • Friendly, Helpful Staff

Plumbing & Heating

High Street, Sparkford, nr. Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7QJ Tel: 01963 440045 / 440526 / 440692

Roofing

PARKS

ROOFING LTD.

SLATING & TILING SPECIALISTS

Specialists in period and listed properties

Leadwork Chimneys Fascias Gutters Flat Roofs

26 Stembridge, nr. Kingsbury, Martock TA12 6BN Telephone: 01460 240229 • Mobile: 07917 411961

Tel: 01747 861479 Mob: 07561 120828 For all your roofing requirements

Flat Roofing • Tiling • Slating GRP Roofing All New Work Fully Guaranteed

For further information & estimates contact Allan Carey

01963 33528 / 07885 723915 Email: allancarey541@hotmail.com

Bourton Roofing Co. Slate  Tiling  Flat Roofing.

UPVC Fascias  Guttering FREE EST I MAT ES

 01747 840064

... or 07866 296453 Email: info@bourtonroofing.co.uk

Communications

34 White Road, MERE, Nr. Warminster Wiltshire, BA12 6EX

Email: mead208@btinternet.com

Domestic Cleaning

Amanda Chedzoy Domestic Cleaning Services  Experienced  Trustworthy  Reliable  References Available

Tel: 01935 472669 Mobile: 07990 041322

Fire & Security Alarms

Clock Repairs

CLOCK REPAIRS Antique and Modern Clock Repairs.

Free pick up and delivery 40 years experience

Tel (01935) 477582

WESTLINE COMMUNICATIONS

Business Telecom Specialist For All Your Telecom Needs For free, friendly & professional advice call ...

John Penny on 07976 967349 www.westlinecoms.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2015 65

PHONE - a - FIRM

Prize Crossword No. 342 Set by Frank Butler

Building

Dave Hoddinott FULLY QUALIFIED BUILDER - ESTABLISHED 1973

• Renovations & Extensions • Roofing + Carpentry • Plumbing & Heating • Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiling • Painting & Decorating FRIENDLY and RELIABLE SERVICE • Electrical Contracting

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG – to arrive by Friday 10th April.

Correct entries are placed in a hat and the winner is the first name drawn. The prize is a £10 voucher to spend with any one advertiser in this issue of The Visitor.

Please do not forget to state your choice of advertiser and your name and address.

1

24 hour emergency call out • email: hoddaz@hotmail.com

Removals

Decorating

IRS Decorations Internal & External Painting



For a friendly & professional removal service  HOUSE CLEARANCES  European & Worldwide Shipping Available

01458 741725 07740 298343 www.midsomersetremovals.co.uk

City & Guilds Qualified Priced Work or Day Work from ... £80 per day Taking Bookings for External Work All Materials at Cost Free Estimate and OAP Discounts

Tel: 01935 849274 07782 353713

Domestic Appliances

Pe

PREMIER ELECTRICS Est. 34 yrs COVERING THE SOUTH LOCALLY

Kitchen Appliance Sales & Repairs

Ø Repairs to all leading brands of Kitchen appliances Ø 12 months guarantee on all repairs Ø Diagnostic work charged unless work undertaken Ø 24 hour service Ø OAP discounts

TELEPHONE: 01935 609300 / 01747 470212 / 01460 220660 / 01458 298212 For your nearest technician

Taylors Domestic

Appliances Ltd. Sales & Repairs for Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Cookers, Tumble Driers etc.

Ridge View, Penmore Road Sandford Orcas DT9 4SE

Professional repairs by qualified engineer on most makes of appliances.

01963 220366 Email: info@tda.uk.com

Covering the areas between Wincanton Castle Cary, Sparkford, Sherborne and Yeovil

66 THE VISITOR April 2015

Oven Cleaning Mister Oven Independent Oven Cleaning Specialist Ovens - Hobs - Agas etc

Tel: 01935 475065 Mob: 07752 695264 www.misteroven.co.uk

Clean Ovens Domestic Ltd Independent Oven Cleaners AGAS • RANGES • OVENS HOBS • EXTRACTORS Tel: 0800 7076629 Mobile: 07563 693145

www.cleanovendomestics.co.uk

3

4

5

7

6

8 9

10

11

Competitive Prices ✳ No VAT ✳ No job too big or too small

 01963 440256 / 07974 844682

2

12

13

15 18

16

14

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19

20 22

24

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27 28

29

30

31

32

Across 7.

8.

10.

11.

12.

13.

16.

18.

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22.

24.

26.

29.

30.

31.

32.

Sober, a dab resorting to model foundation. [9] Seaman at the edge nearly running over. [5] Short pair in sink with foreign article to scatter. [8] He who inherits has taken iron with small cow. [6] Two articles about concerning space. [4] Gaped about fruit (not first go!) and came into sight. [8] Small beer in Cheshire town. [4] Bits of lace around sheep may be sweet. [7] Enlarge changes for officer. [7] Some clot established a trial!

[4] A distress call (about the finest) keeps fire away. [8] Cheer up boy scouts at first: The youngsters are here! [4] At last, sees how to go up steps and dives quickly down. [6] Sort out cracked nut and fish. [8] Shaggy psychic hides traveller.

[5] Stops meeting after poor surge is arranged. [9]

9.

14.

15.

17.

19.

21.

23.

25.

27.

28.

First carve joint with piece of fried potato. [4] Online clothes hangers seen in shop, e.g. stationer’s. [4] Raised roads show reason for directions. [9] Part of final total is a singer. [4] Eh? Eaten by a louse in a pub?

[8] React oddly with tee and the rest. [8] Yea, rust the components as river enters the sea. [7] First time request for a job. [4] Gin rising in a mountain is harmless. [6] Very fast lot of ships. [5]

Solution to Crossword 341

Down 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Stingers used to be writer’s afterthought. [5] Elder with no rise organised. [6] Reserve item of luggage in the library. [8] Seal ran about football team. [7] Broken beat about rising acid to resign. [8] For me, a tipple to be mixed for the organ-builder. [4-5]

THE WINNER of our March Crossword was Mr. K. H. Callow of Leek, Staffordshire, who chose to spend the £10 voucher at The Royal Oak, Over Stratton.