Arkadia THE VERY BEST OF DORSET IN ONE FREE LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE January/February 2014
The Spice of Life We relax a while in the ‘herb house’
Northern Skies
A bright star in our orbit
Positive in Poundbury 1
Dorset grows in style
arkadia magazine
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EDITOR’S
LETTER
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s we fondly wave farewell to 2013, the year of Arkadia’s ‘birth’, we now charge our glasses and toast 2014. It’s a very cool time for Dorset’s businesses right now and we have seen so many remarkable new local food and drink producers cropping up at the farmer’s markets, food fairs and local craft stalls. Watching the many new budding artisans taking tentative steps into the arena and the continued success of our diverse local outlets makes us all so thrilled here as we go into a new year. Arkadia is also going from strength to strength within our community and we would love to thank you all for the support you have given us, helping to keep the flag raised for Dorset. We are all truly embracing the ‘buy local’ ethos and it is with great delight that we bring you our first edition for 2014. In this edition we take a look at the exclusive spa and herb house of Lime Wood Hotel, we look at local talent with South West Artwork on page 8 and, on Page 10, Stephen Banks takes us on a night time trek in Dorset’s darkest hours. We also visit the new and expanding ‘eco town’ that is Poundbury; a case of ‘not passing the Duchy on the left hand side’ but stopping and taking a moment to really appreciate this new town in our midst. We also go deep and get dirty with Dorset’s syndicates, finding out why the stalking and shooting brigades in our county are becoming so popular, both as sport and as leisure pastimes. With big guns and bigger appetites we try out clay pigeon and pheasant shooting. Us and guns… who’d of thought!
Big thanks for 2013 and 2014!! Kate Cox, Gail Taplin – awesome, thanks to a wonderful human being! Sammy Baxter, Gilded Teapot gang, Number 36 – David Rosier @ Berties, Ally Hanham and gang, Joni Clowery for her intrepid reporting as usual! – Elaine & Ben @ the National Trust, Kris Dutson for his time, effort and talent, the kind people of Poundbury for opening your arms to us all, Bugad Bikes, Katharine @ DFAD , Lindsay & Gemma, Lloyd (Great barman) Justin Frampton (Great shot) Lime Wood (Great time!!) Charlotte Cobb – awesome lady! Katherine Davies, Sue & Mark @ Dorset Hut, what a place and what a lovely pair! If I have forgotten anyone 4 then I do apologise. .. Xmas was heavy! arkadia magazine
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Culture The lead shots Artisan stained glass creativity
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Starry Eyed Night time is the right time in Dorset
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A view from a building Looking at the inside point of view from this historic stables
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Rachel Sargent The quality of life and light in Dorset
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Local All the signs are there Dorset AONB keeping a finger firmly in the past
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Poundbury perceptions A Prince’s playground or a paradise found?
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Cartridges and confusion We send our intrepid reporter out with live ammo!
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‘I am ‘Spa-Tan’ We take a closer look at Lime Woods ‘Herb House’
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Property Pages Adrian Dowding
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Parkers Property
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Kemp & Co
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Food & Drink for Love! Pie eyed Only if you’re ‘game’
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Lloyd’s Love Potions James Brown and bearded ladies on the bar please!
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contact arkadia Editorial info@arkadiamags Advertising sales@arkadiamags.co.uk Design designed@arkadiamags.co.uk Web arkadiamags.co.uk @arkadiamags
Features Editor Robin Savill MD Danny Nash Graphic Designer Milly McCulloch
ROSE TINTED SPECTACLE
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Window through time
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tained glass has a venerable artisan tradition - think of the glorious windows of the great medieval cathedrals of Europe and the artistic and engineering skills required to execute them. We spoke to Blandford based artisan Neil McCain about bringing a fresh approach to this traditional craft form. “I design and make my glass panels to fit in with modern life – they’re decorative and striking and make a big impact. I take account of the light they will receive, how they fit with their surroundings and so on before adding in my own style. And by using traditional techniques the finished panels have a classic look to them.” He became interested in the medium from an historical aspect when he studied Design History at college, although it would take him nearly twenty years before he would start working as a stained glass artist himself. From his garret studio in Blandford he has developed a contemporary, masculine style. “Coloured glass works so well with the varying phases of daylight,” Neil explains. “It’s almost as if it’s alive. I work closely with my clients to decide on a design, using the natural colours and textures of the glass to tell the story and letting the changing moods of daylight add drama to the tale.”
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Portra i t of a Stree t Artist
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imes are changing. Graffiti and street art is slowly making its way off the streets and into our homes, business spaces and galleries. Some may argue that we have the international fame of the likes of Banksy and other high profile street artists to thank for bringing this skilled medium into the public consciousness, as a recognised and respected art form. The south west has certainly produced a number of great street artists - including Banksy! Among a variety of emerging artists, illustrators and photographers, South West Artwork (SWA), a non-profit art agency based in Weymouth, currently represents six skilled street artists. SWA has been working with them to create a number of commissions and exhibitions of their work around the south west region. One making a name for himself recently is Dorset based Krishna Malla. Originating from Cornwall, Krishna, a skilled graphic designer and illustrator, has worked with the likes of the BBC, Channel 4, Red Bull and popular cider brand, Rekorderlig, to name but a few. However, the area Krishna is best known for is his skill in producing large-scale murals and street art for a variety of clients, creative projects and festivals. SWA recently commissioned Krishna to create 3 feature walls for Bournemouth University’s newly refurbished student Halls of Residence, Cranborne House. Each wall had a colour theme relating to a wing of the building - green, blue
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and red. Krishna had also cleverly woven representations of Bournemouth and the surrounding area into the designs. The Students’ Union considered the move brave and was delighted to see ‘street style’ art represented in their accommodation block. Krishna on his own work: “Style and humour play a defining role in most of my artwork. If it holds your attention enough to make you smile or think, I’m doing my job OK.” Krishna worked on a collaborative piece at a recent exhibition produced by SWA at Poole Lighthouse, Urban vs. Rural – The Next Generation. It was a mural, featuring a collaboration of five street artists and illustrators, covering the full width of the main gallery. When he is not busy creating new work, designing a new logo and icons for the likes of DJ Charles, Krishna also offers lectures on The History of Graffiti and Street Art, and recently presented this with a live demonstration at Brunel University. Watch out for his new promotional film, The Portrait of a Street Artist, directed by React Films. It documents most of the large images he painted in 2013 and has an approved soundtrack from renowned DJ Vadim. Krishna is currently available for largescale mural work as well as workshops and lectures on Graffiti and Street Art. To find out more about South West Artwork visit www.southwest-artwork.co.uk
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Images from a ‘Northern’ star.
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aving seen Stephen Banks’ work in the region of West Dorset, we decided to ask the man himself to tell us, in his own words, how it all developed. Stephen gives us a short outline of his enthusiasm and his projects, which have given him a great name locally. “Having moved down to Bridport from Liverpool around 3 years ago, I started photographing the night skies above the town in my spare time. Throughout the autumn of 2011 my passion for capturing the night sky grew, culminating in the Bridport by Night time-lapse project (http://youtu. be/cbjeXWMNZ5s), which has had, to date, over 24,000 views on YouTube. Then, in the summer of 2012, I made ‘Dorset by Night’ for the Spirit of Bridport Festival of Culture. After that, I put time-lapse to bed and started focusing on single still images. Upgrading my camera from a ‘crop-frame’ smaller image sensor to a ‘full-frame’ larger image sensor, meaning much clearer aspect and quality from the night sky . This summer,
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during the clearest nights, I roamed around the iconic Dorset landmarks of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, capturing my best images to date. It’s important for me to merge the familiar landscapes with the cosmos, hence showing Dorset in a completely new light to many. We have some amazing dark skies and I want to show them off to the world. Accolades this year include one of my Durdle Door images being used in the centre-page spread of The Guardian newspaper, as well as featuring on the front cover of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year Collection 2 book, featuring in the Trinity House 2014 Calendar with my shot of Portland Bill and a different image of Durdle Door appearing on the front cover of Digital Photographer Magazine. Next year I hope to get more and better images of the night sky during the summer, when the Milky Way is most visible.” Stephen’s current exhibition at the Ann Day Café runs well into 2014 and features huge prints on aluminium, all of which are available to purchase.
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Words by Danny Nash Images by Kris Dutson
The stables and the estate continue to have racing connections, but these days the racing is more likely to be done on 2 legs, than on 4. The estate hosts a variety of events, including the Grand Shaftesbury Run, which raises funds for the Wings for Life charity. This event includes a half marathon around the ‘beech belt’, which was originally created in the late 18th century as a tree-lined trail for horse and carriage drives. In 2004, horses gave way to horsepower as Steve Harris and wife Brenda moved their long-established engineering company, Harris Motorsport to the old racing stables. Having completely restored the building to make it a wonderful place to be, for both staff and customers alike, the stables became a well-equipped machine shop and workshop, complete with rolling road facilities. These days the stables are home to Bugad Bikes who specialise in classic motorbikes. The stable block provides the perfect setting for these beautiful machines; mechanical steeds from the golden age of the motorcycle, cared for by experienced in-house mechanics who understand the individual quirks of these older bikes from the likes of Enfield, Matchless and AJS. Experts at breathing new life into nonrunners, they also supply classic parts and fabricate custom exhaust systems on-site. This variety of specialised skills allows them to draw-in clients, new and old, to this special building that has been home to many a riding machine. It would seem that the stables are, quite rightly, housing thoroughbreds once more!
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s anyone who takes an interest in architecture knows, most buildings of historic interest have a fascinating tale to tell. We spend an enormous amount of time driving around Dorset, engaging with our target audience, and it was on one of these drives, over to the Cranborne Estate, that I first noticed a beautiful house, set back in the trees on the B3081 heading out of Sixpenny Handley. Intrigued by the house and the painting of a classic motorbike on a hoarding outside, I headed up the track and discovered, what turned out to be, Lady Shaftesbury’s old racing stables. The stables, set on the outskirts of the estate that the family still owns, were gifted to Lady Shaftesbury along with a 4-storey Victorian home which once housed the trainers and steeplechasers. This building really has seen it all. As the First World War turned estate workers into soldiers, part of the main house became a makeshift hospital and the stables fell quiet as most of the horses were commandeered. During this time, the 9th Earl, also Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, chose to serve as a Private in the Home Guard. Rather bizarrely, one of his superior officers, Captain Carter, was also his head gamekeeper. After a string of tragedies, including the murder of the 10th Earl, closely followed by the sudden death of the 11th , the family settled back into the main house where the new, 12th, Earl of Shaftesbury, Nick Ashley-Cooper, began returning the site to its former glory. 13
arkadia magazine
Bully for us A
day in Bridport wouldn’t be complete without popping into The Bull Hotel for lunch or dinner. We stopped off for a quick bite and discovered the wonderful world of this vibrant and quirky multifaceted Hotel. With a restaurant, bar and speciality diner, it really does have it all and it does it all in style with a relaxed ‘rustic eclectic’ atmosphere. The Bull is the perfect place to spend a wonderful afternoon, evening or even a chilled out weekend spoiling yourself in this beautiful part of the world. From the menu, we chose the hot smoked salmon and dill croquettes, served with a crème fraiche, cucumber and lemon dip; fresh and light, the fishy dishy left me craving for more. As I’m in The ‘Bull’, bavette steak was the obvious choice and, having never tried the ‘skirt’ cut, I was grateful when the restaurant manageress recommended I try this medium rare. The béarnaise sauce topped this cut of meat off nicely, adding a wonderfully aromatic infusion to my main course. My wife enjoyed a fabulous beef bourguignon with chunky bites of pancetta laced through the comforting, herby dish. After the main course we were so stuffed that I even side-stepped the ice nougat glacé, served with a salt caramel sauce! Head Chef George Marsh, the man at the helm, does all the bread and cake baking in-house and crafts a daily offering that showcases the quality of Dorset’s local produce and fresh fish in a cleverly designed menu to tempt all palettes . We leave with smiles and satisfied nods to the helpful staff at this former 16th century coaching inn, which has been lovingly restored by owners Richard and Nikki Cooper. With an invite to come back for cocktails, with Lloyd at the Venner Bar, we will be booking the babysitters in very soon! For more info or to book, call The Bull Hotel 34 East Street, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3LF Telephone: 01308 422878 For all general email enquiries: info@thebullhotel.co.uk
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LOOK WHO’S STALKING We get the inside knowledge on this native sport by Ian Watson
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e have mixed feelings on ‘blood sports’ in Dorset. Deer hunting is an emotive subject but according to welfare charity, The British Deer Society (BDS), Britain’s deer population does need managing. That population is rather cosmopolitan; there are 6 species of deer in the UK, but only red deer and roe deer are truly indigenous. Fallow deer are said to be courtesy of the Normans and 3 Asian species, Reeve’s muntjac, Chinese water deer and Sika have all followed in more recent times. We’re focussing on all aspects of country life in 2014 so we thought we’d track down our resident specialist, Ian Watson, and find out exactly what a deer stalker needs to consider when heading out, in search of deer. “Deer stalking is not just about going out and shooting the first deer you see,” explains Ian. “There are rules and seasons in place to protect the deer by allowing them to breed in peace and bring up their young until they reach an independent age.” “When you begin stalking, it’s good to join an organisation like the British Deer Society,” says Ian. The BDS offers advice and training as well as providing assistance with things like insurance. “Insurance is open to nonprofessional stalkers earning no more than £5000 per annum but we hope that, with correct training and safety always in mind, we will never need to use it,” says Ian. Preparation is everything and clothing is particularly important. “It’s essential to keep warm, dry and comfortable and clothes should be of a suitable material that’s not noisy, to avoid announcing your presence,” says Ian. “A deer’s hearing and eyesight are excellent so a suitable camouflage pattern 18
is also important. A hat is a must, with a wide brim to disguise the shape of your head and you should buy decent gloves that fit your trigger finger.” Decent binoculars are also essential. “7×42 is a good size,” says Ian. “Aim for waterproof, fog-proof and filled with the right gasses and they’ll give excellent clarity at low light. You’ll also need a small knife, folding or fixed, and the better the quality the longer it will hold its edge. Only carry the knife when you are actually stalking. Never carry a knife in a public place.” “After five years, or if mentored, restrictions on your certificate can be lifted, meaning you can have an open ticket,” Ian continues. “This means you can shoot on land with permission from the owner or the person that holds the shooting rights. You must be aware of boundaries at all times - if you cross onto someone else’s ground you could be charged with armed trespass.” Ian is very keen to pass on advice, especially when it comes to safety. “Safety is paramount,” he says. “If your ground is flat, install high seats so you aim down when shooting. Ensure that you always have a back stop and never shoot at the skyline. If you do and you miss your target, that bullet will travel for three miles. Only when you’re on your ground do you load your rifle and you must always be aware of deer, livestock, people and buildings.” Ian concludes with one last piece of advice. “When you’ve selected a deer that is suitable and at a distance you’re comfortable with and nothing else is around it and it is standing square onto you, then you can take the shot. If not - LEAVE IT; there will be other days!”
‘Are you
Game’ Pie Stay in and get the Valentine’s mood set with some home cooking from the ‘Baking Birds’ Lizzie & Becky Filling: 1kg diced mixed game 500g sausage meat Few sprigs of thyme ½ tsp ground white pepper 2 good pinches ground nutmeg Salt 2 tablespoons cranberry relish (or similar) Pastry: 200g lard 220g water 575g flour 1 tsp salt 1 beaten egg 1 x 20cm cake tin (loose bottomed tin) Jelly: You can boil pigs trotters with herbs and onion or we often use the jelly that comes off roasted turkey or chicken legs.
Butter and flour the cake tin and place in the fridge. Mix the meats, herbs, spices and seasoning, making sure that the game and sausage meat is well combined. To make the pastry, place the lard and water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Once the water and lard is boiling, tip it straight into the flour and mix well with a wooden spoon until the pastry comes together. Leave to cool for about 10 minutes, until cool enough to handle. Don’t let it cool completely though as it needs to be warm to work it in to the tin. Set the oven at 200˚C/gas mark 6. Take one quarter of the pastry and roll it into a lid shape, big enough to cover the top of the tin. Loosely form the larger piece of pastry so that it will fit in the base of the tin (it will be very thick). Then push the dough up the sides of the tin with your hands - we tend to flatten the base and then push the pastry to the edges of the tin and then work it up the
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sides. It will spread quite easily and it may slide down the side of the tin so be prepared to keep moving it up the sides - it will stick. You want to make sure there are no holes in the pastry otherwise the jelly will fall out! Place the filling in the pastry-lined tin and press it down. Brush the edges of the pastry in the tin with beaten egg and carefully place the lid on top. Press or crimp the edges to seal the pastry. Poke a hole in the lid and place the pie on a baking tray. Bake for 30 minutes and then lower the heat to 180˚C/gas mark 4 and bake for a further 90 minutes, until the pastry is a pale gold colour. You can then brush with the beaten egg and return to the oven for 30 minutes. When the pie is out of the oven, place a funnel in the hole and fill with the jelly (you may need to warm it through to make it liquid if it has set). Leave to cool and refrigerate overnight. The next day slice and serve with chutney.
arkadia magazine
Tax-efficient Charitable Giving After the commercialisation and excesses of the festive season, you may be resolving to support those in need or a particular charity on a more regular basis. There are various ways in which you can give to charity tax efficiently, which also allows the charities to receive more income. The charities will gain more from your gift if you donate through a designated scheme, such as payroll giving or Gift Aid.
Gift Aid Gift Aid can be used by anyone to make regular or one-off donations. For UK taxpayers the charity can then reclaim the basic rate tax (20% for 2013-14) on the donation, whilst higher and additional rate taxpayers can reclaim an additional relief through their personal tax return at their marginal rate. As a taxpayer you just have to declare to the charity that you are a UK taxpayer so that they can reclaim the tax. You must pay at least as much tax in the tax year concerned as the charity are reclaiming from your donation. It is important to keep a record of your gift aid donations for your self assessment tax return. There are limits on the value of a benefit you can receive in consequence of making the gift and still allow the gift to qualify for gift aid. For donations in excess of £10,000, the limit on the value of benefits that can be received is 5% of the donation, with an overall limit of £2,500.
Give As You Earn This is the best way for employees to make regular tax efficient donations. The donation is deducted from your gross salary and paid to any charity of your choosing. This reduces the pay on which you are taxed, but it does not reduce your national insurance charge. For a basic rate tax payer the gift reduces your tax bill by 20% (2013-14) of the amount gifted and at their marginal rate for a higher or additional rate taxpayer.
You can also use a Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) account. Under this scheme you pay a minimum of £10 per month from your gross pay into your CAF Account from where you can then make tax-free donations when you wish to. You are issued with cheques that can also be used on the internet and in collection tins. You can set up joint funds with colleagues for Give As You Earn contributions and for larger contributions you can contribute to a CAF Charitable Trust. The simplest way to set up a Give As You Earn scheme is to do so directly through your employer. You can make donations by both Gift Aid and Give As You Earn, but you only get tax relief once on each donation.
Other Donations You can give shares and other UK registered assets to charity and claim tax relief. By signing share certificates over to a charity, you can claim back any stamp duty paid. On your self-assessment return you can claim for tax-relief on the gift against your income. Donations of property or land to charity also attract full income tax relief at your marginal tax rate. Gifts made to UK charities are also free of inheritance tax (IHT) and capital gains tax on the increase in value of when you gift it compared to the acquisition cost. From 6 April 2012, if you leave 10% of your estate to charity the tax due may be paid at a reduced rate of 36% instead of 40%. When filling in your Self Assessment tax return you can also instruct HMRC to send some or all of any tax rebate that is due direct to the charity of your choice.
For more information and to organise your free initial consultation, please contact Peter Lashmar on 01590 688838, email office@lashmars.co.uk or visit www.lashmars.co.uk, where you can also sign up for our free monthly eNewsletter, full of tax advice and reminders.
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Seasonal Sensations A home from home awaits at La Fosse – and what a home by Rebecca Perl
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ocated in the heart of Cranborne village, La Fosse has been around for some time. Six years ago Emmanuelle and chef husband Mark took over, reducing the size of the restaurant and creating six en-suite bedrooms. They must be doing something right, as we found ourselves in the midst of a decent sized crowd when we visited one chilly mid-week evening. We receive the warmest of welcomes and, with a glass of wine, start our evening on a comfy sofa by the wood-burner, surrounded by brass artefacts, an unusual wooden chess board and a solitaire set. There’s also plenty of books, including guides to local cycle and walking routes. I love a place where the books are for looking at, rather than just for decorative purposes. If you could bottle the atmosphere at La Fosse – those magic ingredients that make people feel content, relaxed and at home before they even start with the food – it would make a lot 22
of struggling restaurateurs very happy. Two minutes in, we love it already. The dining area is smart and stylish, in an eclectic way. There is something of interest everywhere you turn, from bold print wallpaper and vibrant landscapes to beautiful hand-blown glass tumblers. We get stuck into homemade caraway and rye bread, whilst admiring the effort that has gone into the menu’s comprehensive suppliers list. The passion for fresh, seasonal, free-range and local produce is plain to see. Everything is sourced from within 52 miles and much of it within a stone’s throw. The herbs and much of the fruit comes from their own allotment and the veg from the walled garden at nearby Wimborne St. Giles. The menu is reassuringly short and sweet; there’s nothing more suspect than a place with a menu the size of War and Peace. That said, it doesn’t make our decision any easier; we want ALL five starters and ALL five mains.
I go for the Capricorn goat’s cheese and pesto tart and my husband has Chesil Beach smoked crevettes with lemon. Both are immaculately presented and taste every bit as good as they look. Even the accompanying leaves are amazing and peppery. We’re only on the first course and I’m worried I’m going to run out of hyperboles! Onto the mains; I have the flakiest smoked haddock, bubble and squeak and mustard jus. My husband chooses poached loin of hare with chorizo, pumpkin puree and champ potato. The hare comes from the Cranborne Estate, just across the street (as does all their game, pigeon and duck eggs), which explains why it is so melt-in-the-mouth tender. Even the chorizo comes from Dorset. The food is not fussy, but when you have outstanding local ingredients and a talented chef, you really don’t need gimmicks. Despite the six sweet offerings, there’s no real contest for dessert. How can we
say no to the award-winning ‘Best Dorset Cheeseboard’? When chef Mark delivers the slate and talks us through the 11 British offerings, it’s clear that he knows a thing or two about cheese. In fact, he has just hot-footed it back from judging at the World Cheese Awards at the NEC Birmingham. We particularly enjoy the creamy, soft white cheese from Chalke Valley Cheese, just across the field in Cranborne, and the Parmesan-like Old Winchester from Lyburn Farm in Salisbury. Who am I kidding though, we enjoy them all. We polish off the delicate accompaniments – walnuts, pistachios, apple, carrot, peppers, dates, mango, bread, oatcakes and a quince and ale jelly – with gusto too. Oh, and a glass of port? Why not? The perfect end to an absolutely flawless meal; service and atmosphere included. Same time next week?
A move to the country D
orset is fast becoming the relocation destination of choice. With relatively easy commuting links to London, many people find they can now mix the country lifestyle with city jobs. But what does that mean for families with children? The days when children were packed off to boarding school in the country seem to be dwindling. Parents are instead determinedly seeking out a lifestyle away from the socially-pressurised, hot-housing London schools with their waiting lists and cat-walk school runs. Suddenly, the idea of allowing children the freedom to remain children for longer seems far more appealing. With its abundance of independent boarding schools, parents are spoilt for choice for excellent, nationally-recognised school in Dorset. But for some, the idea of sending a child to boarding
school seems completely unnatural, so is there still a demand for boarding schools in modern society? Alison Tremewan, Headmistress at Knighton House School, a day and boarding school in Durweston, near Blandford, is convinced that our modern lifestyle means there is a thriving market for day and boarding options: “Parents who work away or whose business commitments often take them overseas are finding that flexi boarding is a perfect solution when juggling the demands of travel or business commitments, with home life. “Our flexi boarding option, where children may stay a couple of nights at school but go home at weekends, is becoming increasingly popular.” As a parent, knowing that you can speedily and conveniently make arrangements so that your child’s school routine remains uninterrupted is an
Knighton House is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 7-13 with a co-ed Pre-Prep school including a nursery which takes children from 3 to 7.
www.knightonhouse.dorset.sch.uk follow them on Twitter: @RedDungarees. arkadia magazine
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increasingly valuable service boarding schools offer and reduces the hassle - and the guilt - one often feels! The fact that the children thoroughly enjoy the occasional ‘sleep over’ at school is a bonus. The structure of a typical boarding school day also provides the opportunity to build in time for extra activities, so that at Knighton House girls are out riding ponies, having piano lessons or in the Drama Studio studying for LAMDA qualifications – all without having to leave the school grounds, which means parents don’t have the job of ferrying children about – bliss! Alison concluded: “So, before you dismiss boarding schools as an out-dated, old-fashioned idea – think again! Take a look, pay a visit, see how our girls are supported and nurtured through the crucial developmental stages of their lives … you may just be surprised by what you find!” Footnote - Alison Tremewan is Headmistress at Knighton House School, Durweston near Blandford.
Day and boarding for girls aged 7-13
Pre-prep for girls and boys aged 3-7
Knighton House School Excellent scholarship results • “Girl heaven” - Tatler School Guide 2013
• in 30 acres of glorious Dorset countryside • SetEncouraging and individuality • Where theindependence outdoors is part of learning •
Open Day Sat 15th March 2014 10.30am-12.30pm For more information Tel: 01258 452065 www.knightonhouse.dorset.sch.uk Knighton House School, Durweston, Dorset DT11 0PY
Do you know the locations of these fingerpost roundels? See www.dorsetaonb.org.uk for answers
arkadia magazine
Return of the old names...
N
ot all that long ago, every traditional Dorset black and white fingerpost boasted a cast iron roundel which told you where in the county you were. However, pure neglect, theft and vandalism have robbed us of a great number of these historic features and with them, have disappeared wonderfully evocative old names like Three Gauinea Bridge, Shearing’s Cross, Bonfire Hill, Cuckoo Lane and Amen Corner. How these names tax our imagination! Did the bridge cost the princely sum of 3 guineas to repair in the distant past? Where was Bonfire Hill? No one will ask questions in the future about the derivation of these names - part of our local distinctiveness - because they will be lost along with the fingerposts and their iconic roundels. These seemingly inconsequential losses are eroding the richness and diversity of our daily lives. We should be celebrating the things that are special to us, not letting them disappear. Losing roundels was the first step on this downward spiral and now, fingerposts themselves are in decline. The last two decades have produced a great number 26
of inappropriate repairs, ill-considered new versions and the loss of many of our traditional fingerposts. They will be replaced with modern, unsympathetic directional signs by the local authority unless, as Dorset people, we respond to this assault on our heritage and very special distinctiveness of our county by looking after them. So what can we do to ensure that they are conserved and continue to make an important contribution to our Dorset distinctiveness, now and into the future? Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is leading a countywide project to restore them and has been working with residents, community groups and businesses to help them refurbish our special fingerposts to ensure that they are conserved now and into the future. The project uses high quality, locally sourced traditional materials and skills and includes the replacement of those very important roundels, so that we don’t lose those wonderful old names. To find out more about the project and how to get involved contact Sue Mitchell at: info@dorsetaonb.org.uk
Kick Start 2014 with Comins Tea Our recommendation Matcha Green Tea
Kick start your 2014 and set your new years resolutions over a bowl of rich, energising Comins Matcha green tea - a finely milled Japanese tea whisked to a froth. We personally source our fine teas from across the world and the highest quality Matcha green tea is exclusively grown and produced in the rolling hills of Uji, near the ancient city of Kyoto. Japanese tea culture, such as the tea ceremony, was developed in Kyoto and this is one of the reasons the techniques of growing highest grade Matcha intensively accumulated in the Uji region. At Comins Tea House we take great pride in sharing the provenance and stories behind our teas and the trips we have taken to source them. We believe that a better understanding of each tea and a few simple tips of how to prepare each tea can greatly enhance the flavour and experience. Matcha is the ceremonial tea of Japan and the Japanese tea ceremony centres on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha. Great care is taken in the preparation of the leaves - before picking, steaming and drying the leaves used for Matcha production are shaded for twenty to thirty days. This is done using a canopy called a “Tana” and requires skill and great care to achieve the correct result. This shading creates more Theanine, which increases sweetness and creates a more mellow taste. The dried leaves are then ground to a powder with a traditional stone mortar and pestle, called a Hikiusu. At the Tea House we invite you to sit and relax while we prepare your Matcha for you at the table. The froth created by the whisking is silky and the taste rich yet mellow.
This tea recommendation is from Comins Tea House | Bridge Street Sturminster Newton | Dorset | DT10 1BZ 27
Visit the Tea House or buy online at arkadia magazine www.cominsteahouse.co.uk
Husband and wife team Ian & Ginette Stanley introduce us to their exciting new retail business‌.
Cherryade Lifestyle Store has arrived in Poundbury!
arkadia magazine
We are showcasing an eclectic range of fun and funky homeware, quirky and original gift ideas, jewellery collections with originality and bold design, cards and paper goods to excite those with a stationery crush, and loveable toys and accessories for children. Products from cool British designers such as Nancy & Betty Studio and Anorak sit alongside cult Danish interior companies Rice and House Doctor to conjoin in a melting pot of fabness! We offer an alternative to mainstream chain store shopping, so those searching for individuality will be delighted! At the heart of Cherryade is a passion for design and colour. The shop is a visual celebration of that. We believe it inspires happiness! We are housed in a particularly wonderful building next to the The Buttermarket alongside other independent boutiques. High ceilings and huge arched windows provide customers with space and light to happily browse and soak up some Cherryade spirit! So do pay us a visit, have a mooch and a wander. We look forward to seeing your lovely faces!
Cherryade Ltd
180 Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3BN 01305 266400 www.cherryadestore.com hello@cherryadestore.co.uk @CherryadeStore facebook.com/CherryadeStore
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Photos by Kris Dutson Words by Dan Nash
A
s I wander around the town on a cold foggy morning, the architecture of this relatively new site comes alive. I expect to see dark silhouettes¬ jumping from roof to roof, the melodic tapping of chimney sweeps drumming their feet on the roof tops. The place has a certain mystical, magical presence that is hard to find in the hustle and bustle of everyday towns and villages in our now rapidly filling county. It is nearly twenty years since a muchdiscussed ‘urban extension’ to Dorchester first began to take shape. That new development was Poundbury. In this time, it has become a thriving community and has really started to make a name for itself. What was a ground-breaking project, is now seen as the new model for town planning. Architects and planners from all over the world come to see how it works, and it has inspired similar developments in other parts of the UK and much further afield. Many new visitors are surprised to learn that the development is still only half
30
complete. At the moment, it is home to around 2,000 people, but that figure will ultimately reach 5,000. Poundbury is built on Duchy of Cornwall land and the Prince of Wales was involved in the planning from the start. The guiding principles reflect his belief that new urban building should be on a human scale, fostering a sense of community and pride in the immediate environment. Buildings should have a traditional look, with design taking its cue from the existing architecture of Dorset. Though it was conceived as an extension to Dorchester, it has also developed into a rounded community within itself, with facilities ranging from doctors and dentists to a cycle shop, garden centre, cafes and clothes shops. Poundbury was always intended to be a place where people could work as well as live. There are now well over 100 shops and small businesses, as well as a few larger concerns such as Dorset Cereals and the luxury chocolate producer House of Dorchester.
At least half a dozen Estate Agents have set up in Poundbury, including Kemps and Parkers, and rapidly-growing online agents, Meyers. A stylish cafe, shop and Art Gallery called “Gallery On The Square” were launched two years ago by David and Stephanie Murdock located on Queen Mother Square. The square is currently on the Northern edge of the development, but when Poundbury is completed it will be at the centre. David Murdock said, “In the very early days, Poundbury did have a different feel to it because there just weren’t many people around, but now it is really starting to come into its own. It is easy for people to just drop in. People who live on Poundbury can simply walk to the cafes and shops and anyone driving here can park without any fuss. We had expected that our customers would all be fairly local, but we have
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people who regularly call in from places like Sherborne, Poole and Wimborne. Poundbury seems to be attracting people from a wider area. That effect is only likely to increase, as Poundbury has more and more to it. It is a good place to be.” And we agree entirely. The ‘Poundbury effect’ is growing. On first visit, the lack of traffic lights, stop signs or raised pathways makes you very aware of your surroundings... but after a short time here, you start to take particular note of small architectural features, the nod to Victorian times, the balance of the past, the present and the renewable future... we appear to have fallen in love with the place and it’s people. Pop in... It could be a “proper day out and no mistake”! “What did I tell ya? There’s the whole world at your feet. And who gets to see it? But the birds, the stars and the chimney sweeps.” Bert – Mary Poppins
arkadia magazine
www.boostoyshop.co.uk - 01305 261132 - 8 Buttermarket, Poundbury DT13AZ
A GORGEOUS RANGE OF CHILDREN’S TOYS & GIFTS
Craft & Produce Market 1st Saturday of the month 9-1.30pm
The Exchange Sturminster Newton
We’ve got something for everyone Visit us at 171 Bridport Road Poundbury l Dorchester We are open 9:30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday
The Fayre Exchange Craft and Produce Market runs on the first Saturday of the month from 9—1.30pm, from 1st February onwards. We aim to bring you a wide selection of individual and unique arts, crafts and local food stalls www.thefayreexchangesturminstersmonthlymarket.com
yard.co.uk
The Sherborne Clinic Non-surgical procedures by former Harley Street specialist Alison West
Medical Micropigmentation Areola restoration, scar camouflage and vitiligo camouflage
Thread Vein Removal Revolutionary new treatment! Non-surgical, non-laser
Ultra-Sculpt Facials Tighten your jaw line and redefine your cheek bones
Deluxe Ultra-Sculpt Lipo for Body
Lose inches, tighten and tone without going to the gym
Semi-Permanent Make Up
Hair-stroke eyebrows and subtle eyeliner for the discerning
The Sherborne Clinic 01935 816565 Priestlands Lane, Sherborne, DT9 4HL www.thesherborneclinic.com
By Danny Nash
W
hen you live in the countryside as I do and like me, retain that inner child, the prospect of shooting a gun and not having to skin anything afterwards, is one you don’t turn down, especially when the man behind the gun is local legend and ‘go-to guy’ for a lot of our County shooting parties, the capable and incredibly knowledgeable Justin Frampton. Justin has been shooting game for as long as he can recall and is the Owner of the thriving gunsmiths ‘Conyers’ in the handsome town of Blandford Forum,. This remarkable site was originally established in 1886 as a garage, before it turned to servicing the local field sports enthusiasts. Gunsmithing, servicing and repairing were partnered with coarse, sea and fly fishing, to provide the perfect High Street retreat for the sportsman in search of advice or accessories. With the vast knowledge come the specialist services, so, here I was for the first time in my life, with a double barrelled firearm of lethal capacity under my arm, being given solemn safety advice on ‘clay pigeon shooting’, a sport which relies on highly experienced professionals like Justin to keep guys like me from blowing my (or anyone else’s) foot off!
And so it is, with nervous trepidation, I watch as the discs of clay and pitch spiral across my vision. With the appropriate stance and the correct grip, I stand relaxed with one knee slightly bent, and track the flying saucer as it arcs upwards through the sky, BOOM! Direct hit! Second barrel BOOM! Direct hit! This is so much fun, and I can do it! I reload and get my balance, ‘PULL’; another little grey dot comes across my vision. Trigger-happy, I fire, completely missing. Second cartridge is the one, tracking and firing - another complete fail. This is harder than it looks. I had briefly thought Jason Bourne had nothing on me..... Turns out I’m a lucky beginner! Once I settle, breathe and ‘follow the trace’ of the clay pigeon, I find my feet. The key is relaxing and finding the distance. The spread of shot is around 4 feet but the discs whizz by at some pace. This is an adrenaline filled hobby and one that is completely addictive. After just 15 minutes and maybe 25 cartridges spent on the floor around me, I’m demanding to know how much I can get a gun for, what it’ll take to get me here again and why, oh why, haven’t I tried this sport before!
Conyers • Est. 1886 •
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3 West St Town Centre Blandford Forum DT11 7AW 01258 452307 www.shootingsouthwest.com
A STAGGERINGLY GOOD I-DEER!
Deer antlers are unique! After allowing the wild male to impress and fight for his females, the antlers simply drop off every spring. Deer are the only mammals to regenerate hard bone structure, a complete new set within 8 months, year after year! Totally sustainable, although obviously seasonal! John Palmer-Snellin’s Dorset family business, Staglers (Stag Antlers!), are turning wonderful red deer antlers, into delicious chews which dogs are finding instinctively brilliant. John sources top quality antlers, handles production and cuts the best chews, exacting work! His wife, Sandra, comes home from Farmer Palmers Farm Park and puts her Staglers hat on to support him and grow the business. The husband and wife team have found the demand for their deer antler dog chews quite astonishing.
Owners love Staglers, watching their dog’s passionate satisfaction, ticks all the boxes – Nutritious, natural and odourless to humans, Staglers are a pure quality, unprocessed, delight. They last longer than other dog chews, do not splinter and contain minerals. John explained: “We went from initial concept to first sale within 10 weeks! The website launch in June 2013 opened up the national market. A cold call to Pets Corner resulted in an working relationship which has helped us develop ourselves to supply more than 75 of their stores. Staglers are now available throughout the Country but as nature intended, antlers may be in short supply around March & April as we wait for new “stock” to drop off. The brand is yet another success story from Dorset. Accomplished with the help and support of their friends!
www.staglers.co.uk John Palmer-Snellin retired from Dorset Police in 2012 having spent many years as the force’s Wildlife Officer. From the catalyst of picking up a deer antler in the spring of 2013 he has created a rural countryside business, which boasts clients from dog trainers, dog feed manufacturers and Crufts clients the Pets Corner contract. NB No deer were harmed in the making of this business!
SURPRISED!
PHEASANTLY
Forget ‘Bridget Jones’ I’m slowly becoming Indiana Jones! by Joni Clowery
I
was brought up in the city and, despite living in Dorset for ten years, don’t even own a pair of wellies! Imagine my excitement then, when I heard that I would be taking part in my first pheasant shoot. After announcing it on Facebook, it turned out that most of my friends are well versed in the sport. They kept that quiet! I didn’t let this dampen my excitement as I scraped together some decent ‘outdoor attire’, deciding against the deer stalker hat that I’d seen in a local store, for fear of looking too much like Elmer Fudd chasing Bugs Bunny! The day arrived and I pulled into the farm, somewhere outside Shillingstone, nervously joining the crowd of ‘guns’ and ‘beaters’. As we enjoyed tea and bacon butties (always a sign of a great day ahead) it became clear that everyone knew each other. It was soon explained that this was a family affair, rather than a syndicate or corporate shoot. I hoped I wouldn’t stick out too much in my jeans and not-so-waterproof boots as I admired the array of shooting gear. I loved the tweed, the tasselled yellow socks, the
pheasant print ties and, yes, there was even a deer stalker hat! And the guy was rocking it! Damn! After a safety briefing from our enigmatic host, we took a glass of ginger wine (each glass numbered on the bottom - a traditional method of allocating your starting peg) before piling into Land Rovers, bound for the first drive. A gentleman enquired after my ear defenders. Despite knowing that guns make a loud noise, I hadn’t even thought about ear defenders. Thankfully someone had a spare pair. We discussed the etiquette of shooting and I learned that they always retrieve injured birds (known as runners) and that all birds shot are taken home by people on the shoot, so there is no waste. I also heard that some shoots attract people from all over the world, who often arrive by helicopter! As exciting as it sounded, I was glad that my introduction to shooting was a smaller, friendly occasion. I discovered that some families had been involved for generations and was shown a beautiful pocket watch that one man’s
great grandfather had been given, when he retired, by the family he was gamekeeper for. The job, like the watch, had been passed down through the generations. I shadowed someone different on each of the five drives, in locations that varied from lush valleys and fiery autumn woods to hilltops with beautiful Dorset views. Some of the party had been shooting all their lives, whilst for others it had been part of the transition from city to country life. It was clear that everyone had a genuine love for the sport and that the camaraderie was almost as important as the shooting itself. It was the perfect day out with friends walking, off-roading in the Land Rover and not forgetting the refreshment stops, where I discovered my new favourite winter warmer - a Whiskey Mac! Even though I had a gun for one of the drives, I didn’t feel like I’d taken enough in
to have a proper go at hitting something. This didn’t stop me enjoying the day though. Everyone was so friendly and I even got my hands on that deer stalker for an hour or so! As the last drive drew to a close, we returned to the farm, our boots soaked with evening dew, to find a roast dinner being cooked for everyone! The day left me feeling that this was an ethical and positive way to eat game; more sustainable and offering a connection with the food that you just don’t get when buying a mass produced, shrink-wrapped bird. It had been a thoroughly entertaining and educational experience and I was incredibly grateful that I had been allowed to join such a close-knit group and that they had so willingly tolerated my cluelessness! It makes me wonder what else I am missing out on in our beautiful county!
A dash of
Lime
...add Sparkling Water and a sprig of Herbs to make your day complete.
W
hen the call comes in from a PR agent stating there’s an interested party wishing to place an advertorial, we’re all left excited and enthralled that Lime Wood, a boutique Country House Hotel, set in the heart of the New Forest National Park, wants us to pay them a visit! Set just outside Lyndhurst, we’re told we have a fabulous day for two, so, as intrepid reporters desperate to experience the Herb House and one of their Luxury Spa Days with treatments, lunch AND use of their Award Winning facilities, it is with a huge grin and a skip in my step, I find myself packing a bag, eager to experience the ‘best 5 star treatment’ that is on offer locally. A rare chance for some quality time to kick back and relax in style..... a tough life I‘m sure you’ll agree. Arriving at this beautiful hotel is as much a part of the day as the food and Spa. The magnificent drive spirals up to the stunning Regency country house whose exterior, an architectural feat in itself, was originally a 13th Century hunting lodge. It is of striking construction, oozing a magic that has evolved over years and one that has given the property a unique character, Unspoilt by the additionally constructed hotel accommodation, the site includes a further 11 suites and two guest rooms, with amazing architecture by Charles Morris, whose previous work includes the Orchard Room at Highgrove, the whole works sympathetically together. Most packages on offer at the Spa come with a specific treatment or two, but our hosts were more than happy to tailor a spa day to suit us. For me, the perfect order
of the day was the full deep tissue Bamford De-Stress Massage, with a choice of Bamford aromatherapy oils, quoted on the website as ‘guaranteed to bring you into a wonderfully relaxed state of mind and body’. Well, as a newbie to massage, I enter with more than a little trepidation. As anybody who knows me would tell you, ‘relaxed mind and body’ is not one of my key attributes! After an hour in the safe hands of my masseuse, I was left feeling on top of the world. I finished my morning off with a slowpaced wander from steam rooms to bubbling hot pools to massaging hydro equipment and even at one point, found myself running across the cold patio of the outdoor garden to the heated dip-pool Jacuzzi... bliss. With the Day Pass comes lunch in the ‘Raw & Cured “bar with a “Raw Board” or a “Raw & Cured Set”. This all sounds delightful and incredibly healthy.... what a stylish way to start the New Year. The food is incredible, with complimentary coffees and Indian teas available all day too. You certainly don’t feel
the rush to get back into the water. My lunch was a fabulous mezze of olives, beautifully pungent Winchester cheeses and locally sourced cold meats. With artisan breads made on site, this small ‘contemporary’ diner leaves you with a freshly invigorated palette and happily conscious of the fact you taste local produce presented at its best. If there is ever an occasion that you find yourself needing some well-earned pampering, or for that matter, you just fancy some refined healthy dining, then I thoroughly advocate this hotel and its adjoining services of sheer indulgence. The Spa is open to guests, members and non-guests daily. Apart from all other times, it will especially make the perfect place to take appreciated loved ones on Valentines Day...... the benefits of the wonderful relaxation and treatments working their effects for some days after..... a warm, welcoming Hotel, that, when leaving caused a yearning in our warmed bones, for a return visit, soon.
arkadia magazine
CAITLIN PALMER NEW WORK BY VANESSA BOWMAN, JO MARCH & CAITLIN PALMER The Jerram Gallery, Half Moon Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3LN 1st - 19th March 2014 www.jerramgallery.com
C
aitlin Palmer is a rising star and one to be watched for her very talented interpretations of seascapes. Caitlin was brought up in a seafaring family and feels passionate about painting sea scenes. Her mother grew up on the west coast of Canada and her grandfather used to love exploring and sailing along this beautiful coastline, in particular the Queen Charlotte Islands. For this forthcoming exhibition at The Jerram Gallery from 1-19 March 2014 (www. jerramgallery.com) Caitlin has drawn inspiration from the south coast of England and from a recent trip to her family in Canada. She finds that the Canadian landscape has a special colour to it compared with England and she is naturally inspired by its uniqueness. In England, she has spent all her life living along the south coast (born in Dorchester in 1987) and she loves finding odd little coves or landmarks to paint as she feels like they are forgotten. Caitlin uses a layering technique to create her paintings and always starts off by painting numerous area of block colour on the canvas. She uses mixed media and incorporates acrylic paint, oil bar, oil pastel and pencil. Caitlin has already had one very successful first show at The Jerram Gallery in 2012 when it was almost a sell-out on the preview day. In 2013 alone Caitlin has had a number of exciting private commissions and she was particularly honoured when, in January 2013, the Royal Navy commissioned her to paint three seascapes and a painting as the leaving present for the Commodore.
Conyers
3 West St Town Centre Blandford Forum DT11 7AW 01258 452307 www.shootingsouthwest.com
• Est. 1886 •
Gunsmiths, country outfitters & angling supplies
Expert local knowledge and advice • Justin J Frampton R.F.D. 13D •
New/secondhand shot/air guns, rifles and repairs, game, course, sea angling equipment
Agnes and Vera www.agnesandvera.co.uk 01258 475333 | agnesandvera@btconnect.com
Now available at
15 Market Cross, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1AS Mon - Fri | 9am – 5pm Sat | 9am – 4pm
28A West Street, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 1JS
Where will you go in yours?
Arkadia Valentines ♥ day cocktails ♥ ‘Courtesy of Lloyd Brown, a total perfectionist when it comes to cocktails’, we are going to have a regular ‘cocktail hour’ for our audience that likes to mix things up a little, Lloyd is the legend of the local ‘The Venner Bar’, tucked away behind a 16th century ballroom on the second floor of the Hotel , Open Wednesday to Saturday 5 till late serving daily creations and specials alongside an array of rums, so enjoy the drinks and lets raise a toast to loved ones!
James Brown
Bearded Lady
If you really want to look good this Valentines you don’t want to be holding some disco drink with umbrellas, instead a proper Old Fashioned style drink straight out of the ‘Mad Men’ era full of booze and flavour. This drink was designed to taste like Old Jamaica chocolate with Appleton Estate 12 year old as the base we accentuate the dark chocolate notes with Mozart liqueur and stir in Pedro Ximenez for a bold raisin flavour. Add all the ingredients below to a glass filled with ice and stir for 45 seconds before pouring over a glass filled with fresh ice. Finally cute a small circle from the orange skin, hold it between your thumb and forefinger and hold a flame just in front of the skin, wait till it bubbles and then squeeze, the orange will flame and the oils will cover the drink. A strong but approachable drink bursting with flavour and perfect for that night cap.
If your looking for a sexy spirit then its hard to beat St Germain, a beautifully floral Elderflower liqueur with lychee and pear notes, they call it bartenders ketchup because it goes with everything.
40ml Appleton Estate 12 year old 10ml Kings Ginger liqueur 10ml Mozart Dark chocolate liqueur 10ml Pedro Ximenez flamed orange zest
arkadia magazine
The Laphroaig add’s a smoky background and imitates an aged taste to the cocktail, Allington Hill is a fantastic apple juice from Bridport and pairs amazingly with lemon juice. Add the below ingredients to a shaker filled with ice and shake hard before fine straining into a chilled Martini glass, garnish with a cheeky wink and a shot of tequila. 50ml St Germain 25ml Allington Hill Apple juice 15ml lemon juice barspoon of Laphroaig 10 year old
Unique Dream Cakes R BIRTHDAYS R WEDDINGS R ANNIVERSARIES R CHRISTENINGS R NOVELTY
f
making07891 dreams a reality 266020 www.uniquedreamcakes.com
Valentine Tea & Cakes
at Blandford and Sturminster stores ‘Eat Your Heart Out’ Come along and enjoy a romantic afternoon in our cosy bistros on the
14th & 15th February and you can claim a free gift for the ladies Tickets on sale now £19.95 per couple, £9.95 each Bookings are necessary
01258 471808 • 01258 450268 info@minsturs.co.uk • minsturs.co.uk
The Light &The Land Rachel Sargent explains how these two vital elements inspire her work. Images & Interview - Katharine Davies What makes Dorset special to you?
You talk about the quality of light a lot?
I was born and brought up in Dorset and then moved to London when I started Art College. It felt liberating and exciting living the city life but I missed the stillness and the space the countryside gives you and the opportunities to experience nature and the elements in a more profound way. I started walking around Clapham Common pretending it was the country but I wasn’t fooling it or me! It needn’t have been Dorset necessarily but I do love the feel of timelessness and remoteness it has in places.
What fascinates me is how you can walk along the same length of hill, for instance, day after day and year after year, and it never looks or feels quite the same because of the way the light changes. It is this changing quality of light against the permanence of the landscape that is central to my work. The emerging and fading light at the start and end of the day can often be the most dramatic so I like walking at these times especially.
Where else do you find inspiration? What are you expressing through your work? I like to read about other people’s experience of the natural world and I enjoy nature poetry as it can create a lot of visual imagery. Apart from the landscape the other thing that drives me to paint is the sheer love of paint, surfaces, colours and textures. In some ways I could happily be an abstract art-ist. I love looking at surfaces that are a combination of random colours and textures like rusting metal, peeling paint, posters pasted on top of each other that are torn revealing colours and shapes underneath.
I think my work is my way of trying to rekindle the feeling I have when I am out walking. Being aware of my natural surroundings is when I feel most myself. It gives me a chance to evaluate life and the universe and put things into a better perspective. My painting is an affirmation of what is important to me and a way of saying “ Hey….have you seen this? Have you seen the way the light bounces off the wet land after a thunderstorm or how the wind creates moving patterns of shadows in the woods…?” arkadia magazine
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Tell me about your recent lino prints - they seem quite different from your paintings? I have always loved the quality and energy of line you can get in a lino print but have only recently started to explore the medium. I like the way it makes you evaluate what the basic elements are in a landscape. Paring down the visual information into a stylized form needed for a lino cut keeps it simple and unfussy. I then like to print them onto painted backgrounds so not one print is ever quite the same as another.
Does teaching come easily to you? I was persuaded to start running workshops about 5 years ago. They are very relaxed and informal and I provide a space and environment where the students feel able to experiment and explore their ideas. It is always interesting how everybody comes up with so many varied and exciting results. I’m very happy to teach those who feel they haven’t much experience as it is great to see them sur-prise themselves with what they can do.
Which artist’s work do you most admire and why? What are the three things you couldn’t be without in your studio? The three things I would struggle to be without would be my Earl Grey tea bags, a big tin of brilliant white emulsion paint (so many uses) and my bird feeder just outside the studio window so I can watch the mass of sparrows and starlings that to and fro.
I have always loved the work of Paul Klee …all those beautiful subtle colours, simple shapes and multi layered surfaces. He was a great one for letting his art emerge in a rather organic way…scraping, priming, dabbing, spraying until something presented itself. He believed the job of a painter was to convey a sense of reality beyond appearances.
Sturminster Newton
Jan / Feb ‘14 Comedy @ The Exchange Saturday 18th January 7:30pm Tickets £5 Adults Only! Compere & 6 comedians! Raising funds for Wessex Cancer Trust and The Exchange.
Miracle Theatre presents; ‘Tin - a Work in Progress Screening’ Saturday 24th January 7:30pm Tickets £8, £5 u18s Artsreach bring Miracle Theatre’s ‘Tin’ to The Exchange for a special screening.
Arena Theatre presents; ‘The Bible; The Complete Word of God’ Saturday 1st February 7:30pm Tickets £10, £8 u18s 3 performers will cover over 2000 years of history in just over 90 minutes!
Cinema Blue Jasmine Sunday 19th January 7pm Tickets £4.50 Certificate 12A
Captain Phillips Sunday 23rd February 7pm Tickets £4.50 Certificate 12A
www.stur-exchange.co.uk
SNADS presents; ‘Peter Pan - The Pantomime’ Weds 12th Feb - Sat 15th Feb 7:30pm & 2:30 Sat. mat. Tickets £5 (Weds only), £8, £7 child/OAP, £25 family of 4 (no family tickets weds.)
Bragatanga Saturday 22nd February 7:30pm Tickets £10 A four-piece band that create an exotic and vibrant mix of world folk music.
Community Community Open Day Saturday 18th January 10:30am - 1pm Free Entry & Free Tea / Coffee Your chance to have a tour of The Exchange and see the groups that are based in The Exchange. You might be lucky enough to have a dance!
Quiz Night
Cafe
Fancy a brew? Did you know The Exchange has its own Cafe which is open to the public all day? We have a wide range of hot and cold drinks and snacks available at the most reasonable prices! So why not pop in one day and enjoy a drink while browsing the art gallery too?
Sunday 19th January 7pm Teams of 6 £2 per head inc. nibbles Fundraising for a new ticketing system for The Exchange.
Volunteers
Here at The Exchange we are very lucky to have a dedicated team of Volunteers who help with the day-to-day running of the building (and who quite frankly keep The Exchange open!) However... We need more volunteers! Do you think you’ve got what it takes? Then pop in for more information and an application pack - we’d love to hear from you! And, of course, there are perks to the job!...
Box Office: 01258 475137
Adrian Dowding Town & Country 8-10 Bridge Street Fordingbridge SP6 1AH
Tel no: 01425 655333 Email: post@adriandowding.co.uk Web: www.adriandowding.co.uk
Buddle Cottage, a fine detached family home enjoys a stunning position in the New Forest Park on the edge of Gorley Common the Avon Valley. The property was built in 1934 and was extended in1997 and again in 1999 with further alterations including the installation of cavity wall insulation, to create what is now a comfortable family home with well arranged accommodation in a sought after New Forest location. The well arranged accommodation comprises - Hall, cloaks/WC, sitting room with south, west & east aspect, dining room, family room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, master bedroom with ensuite bathroom with shower, 3 further bedrooms, family bathrooms & separate shower room. The property is heated by an oil fired central heating system with an open fireplace in the sitting room & wood burning stove in the study/family room. Externally there is a double open bay garage. The grounds extend to about 0.30 acre with extensive westerly views across the Avon Valley from the rear garden. North Gorley is one of a cluster of picturesque villages lying within the western escarpment conservation area of the New Forest. The village has a public house, tea rooms/ restaurant, with the local parish church at nearby Hyde where there is also a farm shop and Hyde Primary School, a feeder school to the Burgate Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre at Fordingbridge. The town provides a number of excellent facilities including a variety of specialist shops, several banks, a building society, public library and churches of various denominations. The medical centre is located close to the central car park. There are a number of private schools within a short distance with Forres Sandle Manor in Fordingbridge, Moyles Court near Ringwood and Salisbury where there are boys’ & girls’ grammar schools. Buddle Cottage Gorley Common Price: £815,000
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arkadia magazine
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