Domestic and contract flooring specialists 34 Princes Street, Yeovil, BA20 1EQ Tel: 01935 478100 walterwallyeovil@hotmail.co.uk
Conduit The
www.theconduitmagazine.co.uk
Issue 203 January 2018
WHAT’S INSIDE: HAVE YOU A EUROPEAN TWIN?
SHORT STORY – A JOURNEY
MAC OR PC? FANCY A BODY CHANGE?
WORDSEARCH
COMPETITION HOW TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE!
Coming soon to a venue near you!
‘Grow Your Own and Seed Potato’ days
15th-20th JAN 2018 at 7.45pm SWAN THEATRE the Swan
Theatre Company presents
“A NON-MURDER WHODUNNIT”
WHISTLEBLOWER By Adrian Harding
Full Listing at:
www.potato-days.net TICKETS ON SALE FROM 26th DEC 2017 Adults: £12 Seniors & Students: £11 To order on-line please visit
The Walled Garden, East Pennard, Somerset BA4 6TP
www.pennardplants.com
www.swan-theatre.co.uk
Email: swantheatreboxoffice@gmail.com or tel:
07500 376 031
The Swan Theatre,138 Park Street, Yeovil BA20 1QT. Reg. Charity 292763 An amateur production by arrangement with Samuel French
Serving Bruton, Castle Cary, Sherborne, Somerton, Wincanton, Yeovil & surrounding Villages To Advertise in this MagazineRemember Call 01935 424724 or Email: info@theconduitmagazine.co.uk to tell advertisers you saw it in The Conduit Magazine! 1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 1
07/12/2017 09:56
Bright, modern and stylish or warm, elegant & traditional. We have the kitchen you have always wanted...
Whether you need a new kitchen or just new doors we can design a unique kitchen to suit your budget.
www.apkitchens.co.uk
• New Kitchens • Replacement Doors • Granite And Quartz Worksurfaces • No Obligation Quotations • Full Installation and Project Management
Further Enquiries: 01935 849559 AP Kitchen Solutions, Northover, Ilchester, BA22 8LD 2
To advertise – 01935 424724 • email: info@theconduitmagazine.co.uk • www.theconduitmagazine.co.uk
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 2
07/12/2017 09:56
What’s On
Due to space restrictions if any event is already fully booked we no longer include them in our calendar.
DECEMBER Now-7 Jan ‘Cinderella’ pantomime, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, 7.30pm 23 Coffee Morning, Community Hall, Bruton, 10.00am-12.00 noon* Santa Specials, Yeovil Railway Junction, Stoford, 11.00am3.00pm 26 Boxing Day Quiz, White Hart, Yetminster, 7.00pm 27 Marsh’s Sale starts, Sherborne and Sturminster Newton 28 ‘Hardy and the Monuments’ concert, White Hart, Yetminster, 4.00pm-6.00pm 29 Steam Train Day – Mince Pie Special, Yeovil Railway Junction, Stoford, 10.30am4.00pm Ben Waters, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 8.00pm 30 Coffee Morning for St Mary’s Church, Community Hall, Bruton, 10.00am-12.00 noon* ‘Weird and Wonderful Winter’, Wincanton Library, 10.30am12.00 noon* Country and Western Dance Club host Ben Thompson, Davis Hall, West Camel, 7.30pm 31 ‘Jigs for Gigs’ concert, David Hall, South Petherton, 8.15pm New Years Eve Beach Party and BBQ, White Hart, Yetminster JANUARY 1 Annual New Year’s Day walk, Mitre Inn, Sandford Orcas, 10.30am
Dorset Italian Want to learn or improve your Italian?
Now you can in Gillingham and Sherborne with local 10 week courses starting w/c 8th January 2018
Gillingham
• Upper Intermediate Tues 9th 6.30pm £100 • Pre-Intermediate Tues 9th 8pm £100 • Intermediate Thurs 11th 6.30pm £100 • False Beginners Thurs 11th 8pm £100 Sherborne • Complete Beginners’ Mon 8th 9.30am £75 For more details please contact Jo Harvey on Mobile: 07811781484 joharvey@dorset-italian.co.uk
www.dorset-italian.co.uk
Lessons also available in Blandford, Teffont and Bridgewater
3
‘Dunkirk’ film, The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham, 7.30pm 5 Monthly Market, Market Place, Somerton,10.00am-2.00pm ‘The Bowie Experience’, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 7.30pm ‘Teasing the Cat’ performance, Warehouse Theatre, Ilminster, 7.30pm Members Evening and Quiz, Holy Trinity Church, Yeovil, 7.30pm Petherton Picture Show, David Hall, South Petherton, 8.00pm 6 The Pet Experience Dog Training Classes starts, Sherborne Produce Market, Market House, Ilminster, 8.30am-12.30pm Coffee Morning, Holy Trinity Church, Yeovil, 10.30am-12.00 noon 6-7 Steve Elliott’s seven half marathons, Huish Park, Yeovil, 3.45pm 6 ‘The Queen’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard’ talk, Digby Hall, Sheborne, 2.30pm Twinning Association ‘Rejuvenated Epiphany Party’, Memorial Church Hall, Sherborne, 7.00pm 8 Dorset Italian courses begin, Sherborne, 9.30am West Country Embroiderers workshop, Digby Hall, Sherborne, 9.30am-3.30pm Probus Club talk with Ian Williamson, Yeovil Court Hotel, 12.00 noon ‘Looking at Limekilns’ talk, Langport Library, 7.30pm ‘Dunkirk’ film, Odcombe Village Hall, 7.30pm 9 ‘A Trip Through the Panama Canal’ talk, Henstridge Village Hall, 2.30pm ‘Fungi: The Good The Bad and the Ugly’ talk, Parish Rooms, Somerton, 7.30pm ‘Othello’ film screening, Westlands Entertainment Venue. Yeovil, 8.00pm Dorset Italian courses begin, Community Development Building, Chantry Car Park, Gillingham, 6.30pm & 8.00pm 10 General Sale, Lawrence’s Auction House, Crewkerne, 9.30am ‘Paterson’ film, Yeovil College, 7.30pm 10-21 Mar Creative Writing Course starts with Emma Craigie, Market House, Castle Cary, 6.00pm ‘My Cousin Rachel’ film, Digby Church Hall, Sherborne, 7.30pm
*Free admission to all events marked with an asterisk
From the Editor
New Year is often a time for reflection as well as looking forward to what the year ahead has in store. For many 2017 was a bit of a bumpy ride and who knows what future historians will make of it all. One of the points about studying history is to learn from other’s mistakes. But history also shows this rarely happens, and like Sisyphus we just go on rolling that ball up the hill. Sometimes personal challenges can seem just as daunting and the New Year is often the time when we decide to “do something” about it, whether it be losing weight, improving fitness or acknowledging you have the confidence to do whatever you want to – see two of our columns on these very subjects. Also new this month is a column that helps to unravel the mysteries of computers and while you are turning yours on and off again, have a read of our short story and be thankful you weren’t living 100 years ago and making A Journey you would never forget. Happy New Year!
The
Conduit Magazine
Remous Ltd Wyvern Buildings, North St Sherborne DT9 5EP
01935 424724 info@theconduitmagazine.co.uk
Editor - Jane Adkins
Assistant Editor - Lauren Hill
FEBRUARY DEADLINES
News and Articles: FRIDAY 12TH JAN Advertisements: MONDAY 15TH JAN
© The publisher is The Conduit Magazine Limited. The layout, format, design and all other aspects of this magazine are an original idea and therefore copyright of the publisher. No part of the contents may be reproduced in whole or in part without prior permission in writing. Whilst every care is taken in compiling the contents of this magazine, the proprietor assumes no responsibility for mistakes and omissions. The views of our contributors is not necessarily the view of the publisher.
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 3
07/12/2017 09:56
FEBRUARY ADVERT DEADLINE: 15.1.18 11
12
Dorset Italian courses begins, Community Development Building, Chantry Car Park, Gillingham, 6.30pm & 8.00pm ‘The Garden Centre Year’ talk, Digby Hall, Sherborne, 2.30pm ‘How to Prepare Vegetables’ talk, Seavington Village Hall, 7.30pm Paul Jones and Dave Kelly, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 8.00pm ‘Jethro’, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 7.30pm
ALADDIN
DAVIS HALL, WEST CAMEL
Friday 19th January, 7.30pm & Saturday 20th January, 2.00pm & 7.30pm Adults £7, under 18 £5, Family £20 Tickets from Sue Agland on 01935 850302
‘I, Daniel Blake’ film, Wadham School, Crewkerne, 7.30pm ‘The Transports’, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, 7.30pm ‘The Eagle Huntress’ film, Commemoration Hall, West Coker, 7.45pm Mike Denham, Ilminster Arts Centre, 8.00pm 12-22 Mar Arts Link Parkinson’s Dance, Tinney’s Lane, Youth Centre. Sherborne, 2.30pm-4.00pm* 13 Coffee Morning, Memorial Hall, Wincanton, 10.00am Farmer’s Market, Moorlands Shopping Precinct, 10.00am1.00pm ‘Reclaimed’ performance, David Hall, South Petherton, 7.30pm
MY COUSIN RACHEL Wednesday 10 January 7.30pm 12a Digby Church Hall, Digby Road £6 in advance from Sherborne Tourist Information Centre, or on the door if available
www.sherborneartslink.org.uk Reg Charity no 1007680
‘Lost in Paris’ film, Parish Hall, Martock, 7.30pm ‘Swinging at The Cotton Club’, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 7.30pm 15 The John & Patricia McKenzie Collection of Vesta Cases sale, Lawrence’s Auction House, Crewkerne, 9.30am ‘Growing Vegetables My Way’ talk, South Petherton Village Hall, 7.30pm 15-20 ‘Whistleblower’ performance, Swan Theatre, Yeovil, 7.45pm 16 Fine Art Sale of Silver & Vertu, Lawrence’s Auction House, Crewkerne, 9.30am ‘Messenger or Missile’ talk, Caryford Hall, Castle Cary, 10.30am ‘The Real History of Parnham’ talk, Beaminster Museum, 2.30pm Ian Williamson talk, Holy Trinity Church, Yeovil, 2.30pm ‘Victoria and Abdul’ film, The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham, 7.30pm ‘Julieta’ talk, Yeovil College, 7.30pm 17 General Sale & Decorative Antiques Sale, Lawrence’s Auction House, Crewkerne, 9.30am 18 Artisan and Craft Market, Market Square, South Petherton, 9.00am4.00pm Jewellery, 19th/20th Century Design & Ceramics sale, Lawrence’s Auction House, Crewkerne, 9.30am
CATS presents
Oh! What a Lovely War To commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War.
14 - 17 February 2018
7:30pm at Ansford Academy, Castle Cary Tickets £10, available from January 2018 – online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/cats or from ‘Needful Things’ in Castle Cary
19
‘Snow White’ pantomime, Charlton Horethorne Village Hall, 7.30pm Ian Williamson talk, West Chinnock Village Hall, 7.30pm ‘Hampstead’ film, Ditcheat Village Hall, 7.30pm Health Walk, Shopping Precinct, Martock, 9.30am* Pictures, Furniture, Clocks & Rugs sale, Lawrence’s Auction House, Crewkerne, 9.30am Pictures, Prints, Books, Beswick, Automobilia & Antiques auction, Charterhouse Auctioneers, Long Street, Sherborne, 10.00am ‘The Searchers’, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 7.30pm ‘Voodoo VaudEvil’, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, 7.30pm ‘Aladdin’ performance, Davis Hall, West Camel, 7.30pm ‘Flying Folk’, Ilminster Arts Centre, 8.00pm Petherton Picture Show, David Hall, South Petherton, 8.00pm
The Mitre Inn
Sandford Orcas
Nr Sherborne, DT9 4RU
01963 220271 FREEHOUSE
Allen & Cheryl welcome you with a cosy bar & great food. Wed to Fri - Senior Citizens 2 course lunch £9.50 Sunday Roast - £9.75 (£8.75 for smaller portion) £6.25 children 2 En-suite double rooms now available
RESTAURANT SCHEME
Tuesday - Saturday 11.30 - 2.30, 7.00 - 11.00 Sunday 12.00 - 3.00, 7.00 - 10.30 (Monday drinks only 7.00 - 11.00)
www.MitreInn.co.uk
4
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 4
07/12/2017 09:56
20
Table Top Sale, Whitelackington Village Hall, 10.00am1.00pm ‘Aladdin’ performance, Davis Hall, West Camel, 2.00pm & 7.30pm Michael Portillo talk, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 2.30pm Wassail Ceremony, Catash Inn, North Cadbury, 6.00pm* Songbird’s concert, North Cadbury Village Hall, 7.30pm Gardening Association Lunch, Methodist School Room, Castle Cary, 7.30pm Elkie Brooks, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, 7.30pm Steve Knightley, David Hall, South Petherton, 8.00pm 21 13th Annual Somerset Potato Day, Caryford Hall, Castle Cary, 10.30am-1.30pm* 22 Horticultural AGM, Community Hall, Bruton, 7.30pm Simpsons Seeds talk, Parish Rooms, Somerton, 7.30pm
23
‘The Roman Army in Somerset’ talk, Martock Primary School, 7.30pm 23-27 ‘Beauty and the Beast’ pantomime, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, 7.30pm 24 General Sale, Lawrence’s Auction House, Crewkerne, 9.30am ‘Muchelney Abbey From the Normans to Dissolution’ talk,
25
26
Methodist Church Hall, South Petherton, 7.30pm Simpson Millar Legal Surgery, The Old Barn, Yeovil, 11.30am-1.30pm ‘Jane Austen’ talk, Caryford Hall, Castle Cary, 2.30pm ‘Think of England’ performance, Sandford Orcas Village Hall, 7.30pm Quiz with Fish and Chip supper, Digby Memorial Hall, Sherborne, 7.30pm ‘Why Our Geological Heritage Matters’ talk, Parish Hall, Ilminster, 7.30pm
27
28 29
30
‘The Power of Three’, Ilminster Arts Centre, 8.00pm ‘Megson’ concert, David Hall, South Petherton, 8.00pm ‘Woodfalls Band Music from Stage and Screen’, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 7.30pm Swan Lake ballet, The Lighthouse, Poole, 12.35pm Burns Night, The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham, 7.30pm Acoustic Night, David Hall, South Petherton, 7.30pm Antiques, Collectables, Silver, Jewellery, Fine Art, Ceramics & Vintage Items auction, Lyme Bay Auctions, Seaton, East Devon, 10.00am ‘New Jersey Night’, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, 7.30pm ‘The Awful Story of the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685’ talk, Beaminster Museum, 2.30pm Ian Williamson talk, Old Vicarage Care Home & Village Hall, Leigh
Ed Byrne, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, 8.00pm 31 General Sale, Lawrence’s Auction House, Crewkerne, 9.30am Coffee Morning, David Hall, South Petherton, 10.00am12.00 noon* ‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’ film, The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham, 7.30pm Quiz Night, Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil, 8.00pm Sherborne Young Musician application deadline JANUARY EXHIBITIONS* Now-24 Dec ‘Impress’, ACE Arts, Somerton, 9.30am-4.30pm 2-30 Jan Open Prizewinners exhibition, Ilminster Arts Centre, 9.30am-4.30pm 22 Jan-10 Feb ‘A Sense of Place’ exhibition, Ilminster Arts Centre, 9.30am-4.30pm
5
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 5
07/12/2017 09:56
Travel
Heather Muir - Manager Yeovil Branch Miles Morgan Travel
New Year – New Adventures! do with our fantastic teams across the region, and has definitely been reflected in our Yeovil branch too. I feel as though we currently have our strongest team ever both in terms of numbers, and experience. Our current Yeovil team is very well-travelled and together, there aren’t many destinations across Firstly, we hope you had a the globe which haven’t been wonderful Christmas and we wish explored. Don’t forget, we have you the very best for the New Year. two in-branch Aussie Specialists January is an exciting time as who have been trained by Tourism we enter the New Year and look Australia in London and can help forward to the new adventures it advise you with your query. brings. For us, 2017 brought us Looking forward to 2018, we’re many wonderful celebrations which excited to bring you eight fully we hope will be emulated in 2018. escorted cruises with Fred. Olsen Firstly, we’re incredibly proud of our Cruise Lines. Exclusive to us, each amazing team not only in Yeovil but cruise will be headed by one of across the South West and South our Cruise Escorts who will look Wales as together, we achieved the after you every step of the way. award for The Best Travel Agent for Better yet, when you book one of 2017 yet again, one of the highest our escorted cruises you’ll get free accolades in the travel industry return transport from our Yeovil and for a second consecutive year. branch to the port. Not only this, we are delighted to Our first in-branch event of 2018 have also been awarded The Best will be held on 27th February Travel Agent in the South West and between 11am-4pm and will South Wales for escorted touring feature a representative from Saga by the Association of Tourism and Holidays. We anticipate this event Adventure (ATAS). to be hugely popular so we’d Our development as a company highly recommend registering over the past year has got a lot to your interest early to avoid disappointment. And, if you decide to book your holiday or cruise with Saga on the day or within seven days of the event, you’ll also receive a free case of wine! We’re also excited to • Voted ‘The Best Travel Agent’ announce the launch of two Travel Talk brochures in 2017 for the South West for January 2018, one • Majority of customers rating of which will focus on their experience with us as 5* on Feefo holidays, the other, cruises including ocean and river. • Full financial protection Both editions will be filled with inspiring holiday ideas and exclusive offers so please don’t hesitate to pop in branch and pick up a copy. We wish you a happy, Heather and the team would like to wish all of their customers healthy and prosperous a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you during January New Year and look Phone lines open until 10pm forward to welcoming you 01935 428488 2 Borough Arcade, High Street soon. www.milesmorgantravel.co.uk
Don’t bury the turkey! Christmas is Somerset’s most wasteful time, when tonnes of materials that should be recycled – including thousands of turkey carcasses – get buried in landfill, residents have been warned. Faced with their family’s festive mess, many fill endless black plastic sacks, but Somerset Waste Partnership says five simple “hacks” will prevent costly and wasteful rubbish mountains: • Get it gone now: declutter and tidy each room before Christmas, take all recycling and rubbish to a recycling site, and donate anything good to a charity shop, or regift it. • Eat the freezer: save money and make space for all that Christmas food, and then for leftovers. Check lovefoodhatewaste.com for tips on menus, portions and shopping. • Wish lists, insist: make every gift wanted. Buy better, from high quality that lasts to digital, home-made and
experiences. Or give the best of all: time and skills to help with tasks. • Decorate with love and nature: not plastic tat. Use garden greenery, and compost it later, and get children to make decorations with things recycled, from old cards to pine cones. • Recycle like a pro: check what goes where at somersetwaste. gov.uk. Dodge missed pickups by not putting out too much at once, or take it all, and your tree, to a recycling site. Apart from the usual closures on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, all recycling sites will be on the standard schedules. All open at 8am; save time by going early. With no rubbish or recycling collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day, all pick-ups will be two days later in the first festive week, and one day later in the second. Visit www.somersetwaste.gov.uk for more info.
Trust Your Local Travel Specialists in Yeovil to find your perfect holiday
Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1RX
6
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 6
07/12/2017 09:56
Village By Lauren Hill
News
Petherton Picture Show
Petherton Co-op customers have raised money for a new PPS screen. Customers of the Co-op in South Petherton have raised £1,376.52 towards a new screen for Petherton Picture Show (PPS) and the photo shows PPS chairman Cliff Keating receiving a giantsize cheque from the shop manager and staff. Petherton Picture Show screens two films a month at The David Hall performing arts centre in South Petherton, which is a two-minute walk from the Co-op. Mr Keating - who is also vicechairman of Petherton Arts Trust, which owns and runs The David Hall – explained that a new screen will cost about £2,000. Further donations have been made by patrons of Petherton Picture Show so the existing damaged screen will be replaced in the very near future. “On behalf of the PPS committee, I would like to thank everyone involved for their generosity,” said Mr Keating. “We know that Petherton Picture Show is a key element of The David Hall’s programme and now we can plan ahead without worrying about further damage to the existing screen.” Details of future PPS films can be found at www. pethertonpictureshow.com and in The David Hall’s printed programme.
BEAMINSTER On Tuesday 16 January from 2.30pm there is a talk called ‘The Real History of Parnham’ with Brian Earl who will give an outline of the fascinating history of this famous house. Entry £2.50. On Tuesday 30 from 2.30pm there is another talk ‘The Awful Story of the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685’ with Bruce Upton talking about the causes and consequences of this rebellion. Entry £2.50. All events at the Museum. CHARLTON HORETHORNE From Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 January at the Village Hall at 7.30pm the Amateur Pantomime Society presents ‘Snow White’. Saturday matinee at 2.00pm. Licensed bar and refreshments available. Thursday ticket prices are Adults £6, Children £2 and other performances are Adults £7, Children £3, available from the Village Shop or at chapspantomime@gmail.com CORTON DENHAM On Sunday 31 December at 7.30pm The Queen’s Arms have a New Years Eve Party with magic themed party with magicians and DJ. There will be a six course dinner. Tickets £75. There are three Film Nights at The Queens Arms this month. On Wednesday 3 January at 7.30pm see ‘Dunkirk’. On Wednesday 17 at 7.30pm see ‘Victoria and Abdul’. On Wednesday 31 see ‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’. Main Meal (Chefs Choice), Vegetarian alternative available, 125ml glass of house red or white, pint of local ale or for drivers a glass of coke or lemonade. £15 per person. Pre booking essential. (See ‘Movies Around the Towns and Villages’) On Sunday 28 at 7.30pm the Queens Arms host a Burns Night. Four course dinner. Tickets £35. Limited availability. DITCHEAT On Thursday 18 January at 7.30pm at the Village Hall the new season of
If you have been diagnosed with an Asbestos illness you may wish to speak with one of our Specialist Solicitors. You may have been exposed to asbestos dust decades ago and you will not even know this as the dust comprises of invisible microscopic fibres. If you have been diagnosed with or have lost a loved one from:
ASSOCIATION OF PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
Helen has specialist Asbestos Disease Accreditation and would urge people to always look out for this when instructing a specialist solicitor as these cases are highly sensitive and need to be dealt with quickly, compassionately and in accordance with a strict protocol.
Accredited Asbestos Disease Specialist
Please contact Helen Grady on Freephone 0808 129 3320 or drop into see us at our legal surgeries at: The Old Barn, Old Barn Way, Yeovil, BA20 2NX. Free Parking & Disabled Access. on Thursday 25 January between 11.30 a.m to 1.30 pm for a free consultation Call Jill Callen for information on 01935 473 284
films begins with ‘Hampstead’. Licensed bar and tea and coffee available. Tickets £6 available from the Farm Shop or on the door. For more information phone 01749 860396. (See ‘Movies Around the Towns and Villages’) GILLINGHAM Would you like to improve or learn Italian? On Tuesday 9 January at 6.30pm at the Community Development Building, corner of Chantry Car Park, the Upper Intermediate 10 week course begins from Dorset Italian. Then later on Tuesday 9 at 8.00pm the Pre-Intermediate 10 week course starts. On Thursday 11 at 6.30pm the 10 week Intermediate course begins. Then afterwards also on Thursday 11 at 8.00pm it is the start of the 10 week course for False Beginners. All lessons are taught by Jo Harvey who has been teaching Italian for the past four years and wrote the courses herself who has been changing and adapting depending on the type of class. There is a break for half term and each lesson is 90 minutes long. All courses £100. All course materials are provided, but it is advised to bring an A4 ring binder and notepad, a pen and an Italian-English dictionary.
For more information phone Jo on 07811 781484. For detailed information about each course, to decide which level is for you or see other locations courses are held visit www.dorset-italian.co.uk HENSTRIDGE On Tuesday 9 January from 2.30pm at the Village Hall the U3A have their AGM and a talk called ‘A Trip Through the Panama Canal’ with Mike Bolton. Visitors £2.50. Refreshments included. LEIGH On Tuesday 30 January at the Old Vicarage Care Home and then later at the Village Hall Ian Williamson will be talking.
Abbey Bookshop Cheap Street Sherborne Wide selection of Magazines, Periodicals and DVDs in stock. New Naxos Classical CDs
Have your daily paper delivered. Ask in store for details.
01935 812367 7
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 7
07/12/2017 09:56
Raising money on behalf of St Margaret’s Hospice. LONG SUTTON On Saturday 6 January from 10.30am to 12.00 noon at the Holy Trinity Church there is a Coffee Morning in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice.
School the History Group have a talk called ‘The Roman Army in Somerset’ with John Smith. A localised and modern day account of what they got up to around here. Visitors £3. Annual membership £10. For more information phone 01935 822202.
MARTOCK On Saturday 13 January from 10.00am to 1.00pm at the Moorlands Shopping Precinct go to the Farmer’s Market. For a table phone 01935 822202. On Saturday 13 at 7.30pm at the Parish Hall see the film ‘Lost in Paris’. Replete with the amazing antics and intricately choreographed slapstick that has come to define Abel and Gordon’s work. This is a wondrously fun and hectic tale of peculiar people finding love while lost in the City of Lights. Tickets £5.50 in advance from Martock News, Moorlands Precinct and Martock Gallery or £6 on the door. Refreshments available. For more information phone 01935 826457. On Friday 19 at 9.30am from the Shopping Precinct there is a free Health Walk. Walks are friendly and about 45 minutes long and are led by trained volunteers at a pace suitable to the group. Everyone welcome. On Tuesday 23 from 7.30pm at the Primary
NORTH CADBURY On Saturday 20 January from 6.00pm from The Catash Inn the Brue Valley Rotary Club have a free Wassail Ceremony. They will visit a nearby Orchard where there will be a traditional Wassail ceremony with a Wassail Queen. Bring anything along that makes a noise to scare away the bad spirits. The Wyvern Jubilee Morris Dancers will be entertaining. There will also be a raffle. Free mulled cider and apple juice provided along with bacon baps. There is also the option of a two course meal for £12 at the Catash Inn (pre booking required on 01963 441531). All profits to charity. Also on Saturday 20 from 7.30pm at the Village Hall Take Art presents ‘Songbirds’. Experience the soaring talent of Kate Dimbleby, the singing daughter of Britain’s great broadcasting family, as she weaves a powerful, soulful a capella with real life stories collected from all corners of the
world. This highly acclaimed show has been going down a storm and is not to be missed. Tickets Adults £10, Children/Students £5 available from the North Cadbury Stores, 01963 440705 or visit www.takeart.org ODCOMBE On Monday 8 January at 7.30pm at the Village Hall it is Movie Night and the film showing is ‘Dunkirk’. Tickets £5 from 07934 737104 or £6 on the door. (See ‘Movies Around the Town and Villages’) SANDFORD ORCAS On Sunday 1 January at 10.30am meeting at the Mitre Inn it is the Annual New Year’s Day walk with Gareth Lewis and Claire Arnold. This year’s walk is about five miles to Poyntington and back. Lunch will be available at The Mitre from 1.00pm. Please place orders for food before the walk starts. All welcome, including dogs. For more information phone 01963 220784. On Friday 26 from 7.30pm at the Village Hall ArtsReach presents ‘Think of England’. In a charming 1940s theatrical show, it is the summer of 1943 and Bett and Vera travel the country hosting tea dances for RAF fighter pilots stationed nearby. What the locals do not know is that the dance is a cover for the girls’ real purpose - to send
SALE
the men off to fight and die having experienced all of life’s pleasures. Tickets Adults £10, under 18’s £6 and families £25 available from the Mitre Inn, 01963 220749, 01963 220208 or on the door. SEAVINGTON On Thursday 11 January from 7.30pm at the Village Hall the Gardening Club have a talk called ‘How To Prepare Vegetables’ by Claire Hart. There is also the Flower of the Month competition. Coffee and tea available. Visitors £2 on the door. Enquiries on 01460 929605. SOUTH PETHERTON On Friday 5 January at 8.00pm the Petherton Picture Show presents their next film. Tickets £5. On Monday 15 from 7.30pm at the Village Hall there is a talk called ‘Growing Vegetables My Way’ with allotment holder and ex farmer John Studley. Visitors £2, annual subscription £6. On Thursday 18 from 9.00am to 4.00pm at the Market Square it is the monthly Artisan and Craft Market. To book a stall call 07966 658966. On Friday 19 at 8.00pm the Petherton Picture Show presents their next film. Tickets £5. On Wednesday 24 at the Methodist Church Hall at 7.30pm the Local History Society hosts a talk on ‘Muchelney Abbey – From
STARTS WEDS 27 December th
34 Market Place Sturminster Newton Tel: 01258 472564 8
Marsh’s www.EBMarsh.com
59 Cheap Street Sherborne Tel: 01935 389665
To advertise – 01935 424724 • email: info@theconduitmagazine.co.uk • www.theconduitmagazine.co.uk
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 8
07/12/2017 09:56
the Normans to the Dissolution’. Visitors £3 on the door. On Sunday 28 from 7.30pm at the David Hall it is Acoustic Night. On Wednesday 31 from 10.00am to 12.00 noon at the David Hall there is a Coffee Morning. Free entry. All events, unless stated, are at The David Hall. WEST CAMEL On Friday 19 at 7.30pm and Saturday 20 January from 2.00pm and 7.30pm at the Davis Hall the Little Barn Theatre Group presents Aladdin . Tickets adults £7, under 18 s £5, family £20 available from 01935 850305. WEST CHINNOCK On Thursday 18 January at the Village Hall at 7.30pm the WI have a talk with Ian Williamson. Raising money on behalf of St Margaret’s Hospice. WEST COKER On Friday 12 January at the Commemoration Hall from 7.45pm Cinema for All presents ‘The Eagle Huntress’. Tells the story of Aisholpan, a nomadic 13 year old Kazakh girl from the Altai Mountains. She wants to train her own eagle – but this tradition has always been the province of male children. With the help of her father, Aisholpan is determined to succeed and break with the traditions of 12 generations of her family. Enchanting, uplifting and heartwarming. Wine, beers, cider and soft drinks available at a cost. Tickets £5 from Marilyn on 01935 863176 or on the door. (See ‘Movies Around the Towns and Villages’) WHITELACKINGTON On Saturday 20 January from 10.00am to 1.00pm at the Village Hall there is a table top sale. Refreshments available. YETMINSTER On Tuesday 26 December from 7.00pm at the White Hart there is a Boxing Day Quiz. Normal format but with all things seasonal. Entry £5, includes snack meal. Teams of six. Booking essential. On Sunday 28 December from 4.00pm to 6.00pm at the White Hart there will be live music with ‘Hardy and the Monuments’. Playing classic songs from across the years. With songs from artists including The Rolling Stones, BB King, David Bowie, Tom Robinson, Eric Clapton, the Stray Cats and John Lee Hooker. On Sunday 31 December at the White Hart there is a News Years’ Eve Beach Party and BBQ. Put
your best beach party outfit on - a prize for the best dressed! No booked needed. MOVIES AROUND THE VILLAGES AND TOWNS DUNKIRK (PG) World War II thriller about the evacuation of Allied troops from the French city of Dunkirk before Nazi forces can take hold. It portrays the evacuation from three perspectives: land, sea, and air. It has little dialogue as director, Christopher Nolan, sought to create suspense instead from cinematography and music. Starring Tom Hardy. (Showing at Odcombe) GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (PG) A rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children’s author A. A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie the Pooh. Along with his mother Daphne and his nanny Olive, Christopher Robin and his family are swept up in the international success of the books; the enchanting tales bringing hope and comfort to England after the First World War. But with the eyes of the world on Christopher Robin, what will the cost be to the family? Starring Domhnall Gleeson and Margot Robbie. (Showing at Corton Denham) HAMPSTEAD (12A) Emily is an American widow who lives in a converted mansion beside Hampstead Heath. Living on the Heath itself, in a hut he has built himself is Donald, a scruffy hermit who just wants to be left alone. Emily’s snobbish friends, led by Fiona call him The Tramp. The local council want him gone so that the land can be developed. They send threatening letters which he tears up. But Emily is drawn to his predicament and gradually a relationship develops… Starring Diane Keaton, Brendan Gleeson and Lesley Manville. (Showing at Ditcheat) I, DANIEL BLAKE (15) A 59 year old carpenter recovering from a heart attack befriends a single mother and her two kids as they navigate their way through the impersonal, Kafkaesque benefits system. With equal amounts of humor, warmth and despair, the journey is heartfelt and emotional until the end. (Showing at Crewkerne)
MY COUSIN RACHEL (12A) Philip, an orphan, was taken in and brought up by his cousin Ambrose, a Devon landowner he loves like a father. At a time, Ambrose, who has been advised by his physician a warmer climate, leaves for Tuscany. There he meets and marry Rachel, a half-Italian cousin of his. After an idyllic outset, the situation deteriorates. Shortly before his death, Ambrose manages to alert Philip: his wife is killing him slowly. Willing to sort out the truth, Philip goes to Ambrose’s place but he does not find Rachel, who has gone away. Instead he meets Rainaldi, her friend and lawyer, who does not inspire him with confidence. He returns to his estate, persuaded that Rachel is evil and is the direct cause of Ambrose’s death. Some time later, Rachel announces her coming. Determined to welcome her coolly, he is stunned to discover a woman not only beautiful but elegant, intelligent and sensitive. (Showing at Sherborne) THE EAGLE HUNTRESS (PG) This spellbinding documentary follows Aisholpan, a 13-year-old nomadic Mongolian girl who is fighting to become the first
female eagle hunter in twelve generations of her Kazakh family. Through breathtaking aerial cinematography and intimate verite footage, the film captures her personal journey while also addressing universal themes like female empowerment, the natural world, coming of age and the onset of modernity. (Showing at West Coker) VICTORIA AND ABDUL (PG) The extraordinary true story of an unexpected friendship in the later years of Queen Victoria’s remarkable rule. When Abdul Karim, a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, he is surprised to find favor with the Queen herself. As the Queen questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance with a loyalty to one another that her household and inner circle all attempt to destroy. As the friendship deepens, the Queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes and joyfully reclaims her humanity. Starring Judi Dench. (Showing at Corton Denham)
ba G
FR
e Pl s i or e of ase n gi o or p a de res n r t en an to ile o t qu th y al is v ba t a ify o t nd fo uch h r t er ro hi a s t t om of im fe e r
EE
Bathing a problem – try a walk in shower
Wet rooms • Walk in showers • Walk in baths Waterproof wall panelling • Product & installation guarantee Slip resistant safety flooring • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets Established family business • Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms
Call now to arrange a FREE survey and quote 01823 729564 Visit our showroom at Blackdown Garden Centre, A38 West Buckland, Nr Wellington TA21 9HY
To advertise – 01935 424724 • email: info@theconduitmagazine.co.uk • www.theconduitmagazine.co.uk 1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 9
9
07/12/2017 09:56
Legal Matters
Save on Bills
by Louise Gidley, Battens Solicitors
Divorced women lose out on £5 billion a year in pension payments A survey, commissioned by Scottish Widows, has found that women are losing out on £5 billion per year, by not considering pensions during financial proceedings following a divorce. According to the survey of over 5,000 adults, 71% of couples do not discuss pension sharing when divorcing and, due to the gender pay gap, maternity leave and career breaks, women are disproportionately disadvantaged. 48% of women surveyed did not know what happens to pensions on financial settlement and only 9% of participants said they would fight for a fair share of their ex-spouse’s pension provision, despite the average married couple’s retirement fund totalling £132,000. Nigel Shepherd, Chairman of Resolution, the family lawyers organisation, said: “Pension sharing was introduced almost two decades ago, but it is clear that all too often in a divorce pensions are still not being taken into account properly or at all…The problem has been made very much worse by the fact that so few people are now entitled to legal aid and are having to negotiate the minefield of financial issues on divorce without even basic legal advice. This is storing up real problems down the line, in particular for women.” On divorce, a pension is often a person’s most valuable asset (or second most valuable after the former matrimonial home), so it should be a major consideration in financial proceedings. As a result of amendments to the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, there are three possible ways of dealing with pension rights on divorce: The traditional approach of off-setting, which means that the ex-spouse is allocated a proportion of the matrimonial assets equivalent to the
01935 846000
approximate value of the pension benefits they have lost due to the divorce. Pension attachment orders which mean that certain payments under a pension are paid to the ex-spouse rather than the member of the pension scheme. However, due to a number of practical problems, few pension attachment orders have been made. Pension sharing orders which enable the Court to split pension rights at the time of the divorce. A certain percentage of the member’s pension rights are transferred into the ex-spouse’s own pension arrangement. The reduction to the transferor’s pension fund is known as the ‘pension debit’ and the increase to the transferee’s fund is known as the ‘pension credit’. Each party has immediate control over their own pension provision. Many people will feel that they have enabled their spouse to contribute more towards their retirement fund, by supporting their spouse’s career or by going without during the marriage. The ex-spouse should therefore be entitled to a fair share of the pension pot. It is tempting to simply look at how much money you will receive straight away, following divorce, but it is also important to consider future financial provision. Proper investment in legal advice could result in a fairer division of assets and a larger settlement figure, including financial security on retirement. For more information or advice contact our Head of Family, Louise Gidley on 01935 846058 or louise.gidley@battens.co.uk
www.battens.co.uk
OFFICES IN SHERBORNE, YEOVIL, DORCHESTER and WEYMOUTH 10
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 10
by Edward Covill, Ten Go
Make it a bumper year for savings! How about making a New Year’s Resolution to save a £1,000 on your current bills? Don’t let the Christmas spend give you a hangover in January! We have suggested a few ways to save even more money. Many will have incurred debts over the Christmas holidays. If you can, avoid using a credit card and not paying off the balance. Try to get a loan from your Credit Union. A local one is Wyvern Credit Union of High East Street Dorchester, who although being very helpful, do need to ensure that you can repay. As an alternative, try The Business Lending Exchange. They lend against the security of your assets and accept tenants, householders and businesses as customers. Rates are reasonable and a decision is given within one hour; Tel 01223 836 905. Alternatively contact us and we may even be able to get a cash-back of about 3% Many tenants have to use prepayment meters. They have been charged up to £900 for installation. OFGEM say that the maximum should be £150. If anyone has been overcharged, they should consult OFGEM at 9 Milbank SW1 3GE. Businesses have been slow to take advantage of legislation that allows them to change water supplier. Average savings of around 10% are regularly found on bills. For good measure a free audit can be obtained. Call or email us for the necessary forms of authority to find the best deal for you. According to HMRC, Only about half of those eligible for Marriage Tax Allowance are claiming the £230 available per annum. This allowance can be claimed by married couples or civil partners providing one partner is paying basic income tax and the other earns£11,500 or less. The allowance was introduced in 2015. If you pay bills by credit card, you may be charged 2.5% extra. Amongst those making this charge are West Dorset District Council, DVLA, and Admiral and Swanton Insurance companies. However, if you use a debit card, the charges do not apply. Swanton do say that they are in the process of removing these charges. Home insurance policies are often unnecessarily expensive. To maximise savings, establish exactly what your needs are. Then improve security ensuring you have five lever locks and keys to windows. The cost of these is often paid for immediately by having a lower premium. You are then in a position to get the best quote. When you have this, go to sites such as Quid co and Topcashback who will give you a bonus for using their services, sometimes as much as £80. As usual, call from 5am or email covill.tengo@btopenworld.com
About
Somerset Care Somerset Care is an awardwinning, not-for-profit company with over 25 years’ experience of supporting people to live independently. Within its residential and nursing homes, there’s a welcoming ‘home from home’ environment, whether you are looking for day care, respite care or a longer term move to a home. Its Willows service is described as a flexible, new approach to care and support, with customer-led packages built around the individual and what will best meet their needs. Time is allocated according to a
person’s needs and adjusted as necessary. Rather than charging by the hour, a range of unique packages is tailored around goals and wishes. Under the name ‘Realise’, it supports adults with learning disabilities and complex needs, offering support with hobbies, employment and education as well as personal care. The Realise service supports people living in their own homes and in shared housing or a supporting living scheme. If you would like more information, visit www.somersetcare.co.uk or telephone 0800 988 4337.
07/12/2017 09:56
Somerset Care has care homes throughout Somerset. For details of your nearest homes, please call: 0800 9884 337. www.somersetcare.co.uk
Cooksons Court, Yeovil
Cary Brook, Castle Cary
Carrington House, Wincanton
My Willows team got me out and about again The Willows personalised care service is designed to be fully flexible to fit around our customers’ lifestyles. With our dedicated local team, you choose the times that suit you. Live your life the way you want to. Call: 0800 0902 363
Try us for free claim your 1 hour now T&Cs apply
www.mywillows.org.uk To advertise – 01935 424724 • email: info@theconduitmagazine.co.uk • www.theconduitmagazine.co.uk 1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 11
11
07/12/2017 09:56
Sherborne Twinning Association celebrates 35 years! Sherborne and Granville Flags
12
When we heard the Sherborne Twinning Association had just celebrated its 35th anniversary, we decided to find out more about this fascinating organisation. With Brexit looming on the horizon many have wondered whether the twinning associations which have spawned all over the country will continue to thrive. Undoubtedly most people take a cursory glance at the signs they see by the roadside announcing such and such a town is “twinned” with somewhere (occasionally) unpronounceable! But what does being “twinned” really mean? According to the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR): Twinning is the expression of a European unity and identity built from the grass roots. It is perhaps the most visible form of European co-operation, with thousands of towns and villages proudly declaring, as you enter their territory, which partner communities they are twinned with. One of the founders of the CEMR, Jean Bareth, outlined the primary values which twinning represents: friendship, co-operation and mutual awareness between the peoples of Europe. After the Second World War the concept of twinning was useful as a way to promote mutual understanding and cross-border projects of mutual benefit. For example, Coventry twinned with Stalingrad and later with Dresden as an act of peace and reconciliation, all three cities having been heavily bombed during the war. And so it was that Sherborne twinned with Granville in 1982 and celebrated 35 years of signing the Charter in 2017. But why Granville – which for those who may not know is situated in the North Western part of France in the region of Normandy? Chair of the Sherborne Twinning Association Bob Walden explains, “Originally it was planned to twin in France with a “Breton
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 12
Bishopric” but all the suitable small towns had been partnered by UK towns by 1982. Granville was the only town left which had no ties to the UK. Tony Watts, the then Tourist Officer for Sherborne, thought Granville would be suitable, and so it has proven to be. Founder members include Jeremy and Katherine Barker, Pepys & Pat Lordon, and Mike & Dora Morton.” The Association now boasts around 120 members but is keen to double that number in the next few years. It is a non-profit making organisation and membership is free with no annual subscription. But what, we wondered, does being a member of Sherborne Twinning Association actually involve? Bob was delighted to elaborate as he plays a key role in organising a programme of fascinating trips. “We take it in turns to visit each other’s towns on alternate years and our members stay with the actual families so giving us the opportunity to soak up French culture and make true friendships.” However the members enjoy more than the occasional sojourn to France as Bob, who is the group’s designated mini bus driver, plans a variety of interesting trips throughout the year. Bob, who for some of his life lived and worked in South Africa as well as working as an engineer at Plessey in the UK before he retired, is now determined to raise awareness
of the Sherborne Twinning Association and the many benefits it brings to the community. He is planning to set up regular coffee mornings in 2018 and will also be targeting younger people by reaching out to schools in the area. He told us, the Twinning Association is keen to sponsor a cup that will ensure the Town’s young people continue to feel part of Europe. He and committee member Susan Vincent also have a packed programme of events and visits planned for 2018, kicking off with the Epiphany Dinner on 6 January. The event is one that has been revived from earlier decades and the Association wants to hear from people who attended earlier Epiphany dinner/dances in Sherborne so it can compile a short history of the event both in Sherborne and from its earliest celebrations in the UK. Other events planned for next year include a visit to the Cathedral in Hereford – trips generally cost around £15 per head plus the cost of lunch (although members can bring sandwiches!). And, if this has whetted your appetite for some European travel, Sherborne is also twinned with La Hulpe, near Brussels in Belgium. If you want to find out more about Sherborne Twinning Association, contact Susan Vincent, email: susanvincent11@yahoo.co.uk or Tel: M:07824 514080.
Wills of Sherborne
PlumbinG & Heating ltD
Welding - Diagnostics - Air Condition Tyres - Brakes - Exhausts - Clutches
01963 251221 MOT’s £35
AIR CONDITIONING £35 Sherborne Road, Milborne Port, Nr Sherborne, DT9 5AU
www.crackmoregarage.com
Local & Reliable Plumber Gas safe registered, fully insured
New Build Renovations Gas boiler installations Bathroom installations LPG Vented and Unvented Cyclinder Installation Free quotes - competitive prices Email: wills.plumbing@hotmail.co.uk Telephone Malcolm: 07885 420609
07/12/2017 09:56
A JOURNEY…. by Sue Cameron
A palpable air of excitement mixed with apprehension hung over the mustering point. We had come from all over the country and were meeting friends we met at various events. But somehow we knew that this one was different. There was a bit of twittering, joking and joshing as we boarded the ferry, but once we got underway most of us became quiet, wondering how things would be at the other end. I didn’t enjoy the rolling of the boat and tried to sleep, hoping to shut out the unpleasant sensation in my innards. Luckily the crossing wasn’t too long and equilibrium was restored as soon as we got onto dry land again. We were sorted out and despatched in different directions, some on foot, some to trains and some, me included, in the luxury of converted London buses. A cheery cockney voice shouted to our driver: “You’ll get to the Front soon, but first you have to go to eat apples!” Was this to keep the doctor away, I wondered, as we lurched into motion? I got my answer when, after about 15 miles, we turned into a huge camp: an officer greeted us. “Welcome to Etaples! We’ll do a bit of training here before you go into action.” There wasn’t an apple tree in sight… We spent our time in the loathsome, smelly little town learning how to cope with the unrelenting discomfort and airlessness we would endure when we were moved forward
towards the Front-lines. I was to be a Messenger. Brave boys, called Runners, many of them recruited from Welsh regiments because they had been down mines before, brought messages from the front-line and through the cold, damp, chalk tunnels: we did the next lap above ground. They wore white armbands to show that they weren’t deserters as they ran against the direction of troop movements in the confined space. This helped us to recognise them and our adrenalin always began to flow as we waited to find out who would be chosen to take the messages on. One day a couple of them were saying how lucky they were, paid six times the standard pay as an incentive to sign up for this vital but dangerous and unhealthy work. I heard some officers later saying that the life expectancy of those blighters was four days, so they weren’t exactly a drain on army coffers. After a particularly bad few days, when the evening roll call revealed that only 68 men out of the 700 who had gone over the top in the morning had returned, our General decided to suggest to HQ that our strategy should be altered. I was one of three messengers selected to take an urgent message back to England. We each had a different destination but would set off together. Strangely
enough we didn’t dwell on the dangers we would inevitably experience but swelled with pride at being entrusted with important messages as we waited impatiently to get on our way. It was a bright moonlit evening and as we set off I revelled in the fresh, balmy air, until the sound of gunfire reminded me that we were at war and it was imperative that my message should get delivered. We kept together and soon got our bearings, picked up the main road going west, and before the bridge over to Le Touquet turned right and followed the A16 to the sea. We knew that the enemy knew about us and would try to intercept us to get the messages we were carrying. We managed to dodge their fire successfully until we reached the coast. Here the attacks became fiercer. One of my friends was killed; the other escaped unharmed. I was shot in the shoulder and leg but was determined to keep going. We had to separate now and head for our particular destinations. We knew that telephones and other forms of communication were unsafe: so much depended on us getting through. I switched onto auto-pilot and battled on as I had been trained to do. I got through the pain
barrier and willed myself to keep going in spite of my injuries and increasing fatigue. I got to the stage when I felt as if I was in the sort of dream when, as hard as you try, you can’t move any faster. I didn’t seem to be making any progress. I knew where I was supposed to get to but felt I was going to fail. The distances between landmarks seemed interminable. I had to keep trying. Eventually I recognised the contours and smells of the county in which our journey had begun. Limp and exhausted we struggled in to MI5’s ‘special hush-hush station’ at Milborne St Andrew in deepest Dorset. We were relieved and delighted to be home: mission accomplished, messages delivered. I received much praise and was thoroughly spoiled until I was strong enough to be fitted with a wooden leg. It upset my balance a bit but I persevered until my natural instincts kicked in and I was ready to fly again. Inspired by a piece in The Telegraph, which revealed MI5 had what an internal document from the time called a “special hushhush air station” at Milborne St Andrew, near Dorchester, where 1,000 messenger carrier pigeons were kept.
WIN £10 IN OUR WORDSEARCH PUZZLE
When there’s nothing on the TV I always find myself watching The Big Bang Theory, so that’s what the Wordsearch is this month. Just find the hidden words in the grid below, ring each word until you have found all of them and when you have completed the puzzle send it to: The Conduit Magazine, Wyvern Buildings, North St, Sherborne DT9 5EP. The lucky winner receives a £10 cheque. The closing date is: Monday 15th January. Good luck. PHYSICS LEONARD BAZINGA NEBRASKA PASADENA BIG BANG SCIENCE RAJESH PENNY THEORY WOLOWITZ STUART HOWARD AMY OCD CALTECH SPACE SCIENTIST Name:__________________________________________________________ Tel :_________________________Email:______________________________ Address:_________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 13
If you would like to know who has won our Wordsearch Puzzles see our website.
13
07/12/2017 09:56
Town News
By Lauren Hill
SHERBORNE’S WINNING AWARDS! Sherborne punched above its weight as tourism businesses scooped double Gold & Silver at Dorset Tourism Awards 2017 Sherborne received confirmation of its tourism “wow” factor with three Sherborne tourism businesses and organisations receiving two Golds and Silver from the Dorset Tourism Awards. The Awards follow hot on the heels of Sherborne’s success in another national ceremony when it scooped a Silver Gilt Award in the RHS Britain in Bloom competition. The organisers of the Sherborne Abbey Festival, headed up by John and Jacqui Baker, were absolutely thrilled to win Gold for Tourism Event of the Year. John commented, “Sherborne Abbey Festival has won Gold in the 2017 Dorset Tourism Awards, jointly awarded Best Event/Festival of the Year. This is a huge achievement and we held our own against very tough competition. Judges deemed our Festival to be ‘Just beautiful’ and we couldn’t agree with them more.” The Sherborne Abbey Festival held at the beginning of May is a volunteer-led event that grows in popularity every year and will be held in 2018 between 4 – 8 May. Against some stiff competition, country house hotel The Grange at Oborne walked away with the Gold award for Best Small Hotel for the second time in three years, having won Silver in 2016 and Gold in 2015. Also freshly branded Seasons Restaurant at the elegant, Georgian Eastbury Hotel in the heart of Sherborne received Silver in the Best Restaurant category. Janet Schofield, Chair of Sherborne Tourism Forum, said, “We are delighted so many of Sherborne’s tourism businesses have been recognised by these Awards, particularly given the strong competition from the whole of Dorset; they really demonstrate how this town punches above its weight.”
14
SHERBORNE TWINNING ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
EPIPHANY PARTY Saturday, 6 JANUARY 2018
Doors Open 7.00 – Carriages at 11.00 pm Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne
LIVE BAND – THE DROVERS Tickets: £12.50
Available from Sherborne Tourist Office Digby Road, Sherborne Tel 815341 Raffle prizes kindly donated by Sherborne Traders
BRUTON Every Thursday at 11.00am starting by the Museum there is a 40 minute Health Walk. Generally flat with a mixture of pavement and fields in dry weather. For more details call Bryan Pearson on 01749 938191. Every Saturday morning between 10.00am and 12.00 noon at the Community Hall there is a coffee morning to raise funds for local charities. There are hot drinks and refreshments served as well as cakes, books, bric-a-brac and a raffle. For more details call 01749 812074. On Monday 22 January from 7.30pm at the Community Hall the Horticultural Society have their AGM followed by a talk. CASTLE CARY Starting on Wednesday 10 January until Wednesday 21 March from 6.00pm at the Market House there is a Creative Writing course with Emma Craigie. Costs £100. On Tuesday 16 January from 10.30am at Caryford Hall the Arts Society have an illustrated lecture called ‘Messenger or Missile’ – Angels with glad tidings, doom, gloom or perdition. Entry £6. For more information phone 01963 350132. On Saturday 20 at the Methodist School Room the Gardening Association have a New Year lunch. For more information phone 01963 240837. On Sunday 21 from 10.30am to 1.30pm at Caryford Hall it is the 13th Annual Somerset Potato Day. In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Free entry. Refreshments available. On Friday 26 from 2.30pm at Caryford Hall the U3A have a talk on Jane Austen with Jane Crozier. Do not forget to book your tickets early for CATS’ next production in February called ‘Oh! What A Lovely War’. Tickets available from January from Needful Things or visit www. thelittleboxoffice.com/cats CREWKERNE Every Tuesday at the Sports Centre from 6.00pm to 7.00pm join in at the weekly Walking Netball sessions. For all ages and abilities. All sessions contain a gentle warm up. No need to book. First session free then £3.50 per session. Every Wednesday it is the Crewkerne Market now extended until 2.00pm in the effort to help rejuvenate the market and attract both traders and shoppers. For more information contact Laura Gowers on 01460 74001. On Friday 12 January at Wadham School from 7.30pm the Film Club presents ‘I, Daniel Blake’. A heart attack
leaves widowed carpenter Daniel unable to work and reliant on welfare. Ken Loach tackles the human cost of a bureaucratic benefit systems in this hard hitting story. Admission for the year is £25. For more information contact 01935 822656. ILMINSTER On Friday 5 January at the Warehouse Theatre at 7.30pm there is a Twelfth Night Celebration with ‘Teasing the Cat’. Tickets £10, Children £5 available from Harriman’s. On Saturday 6 at the Market House from 8.30am to 12.30pm go along to the monthly Produce Market. Local groups and producers sell their goods locally and support the projects that are in need of support. If you are interested in having a stall at £5 contact Emma Jane at 01460 298090. On Friday 26 at 7.30pm at the Parish Hall the Somerset Wildlife Trust has a talk called ‘Why Our Geological Heritage Matters’ with Sam Scriven of Jurassic Coast Trust. Lurking behind the soil, plants and wildlife that help sustain our living landscapes lie deeper and older stories and processes that exert profound control over our surroundings. Elemental forces of rocks and weather shape our view of the world, nourish our communities and offer vital lessons of Earth’s systems. Non members £3, children and students £1. LANGPORT On Monday 8 January from 7.30pm at the Library the History Society have a talk called ‘Looking at Limekilns’ with speaker Peter Stanier. Non members £2. For more information phone 01458 273471. SHERBORNE On Saturday 6 January from 2.30pm at the Digby Hall the Blackmore Vale and Yeovil National Trust Association presents a talk called ‘The Queen’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard’ by Shaun McCormack. He will entertain with a descriptive talk on how he became a Yeoman, what it entailed and how the Queen’s Bodyguard came into existence. Non members £5. Tea and biscuits available. For more information phone 01935 425383. On Saturday 6 at the Memorial Church Hall from 7.00pm the Sherborne Twinning Association have their Rejuvenated Epiphany Party. The Drovers will be performing with music from the 60’s. Bring your own bottle, soft drinks and wine available.
To advertise – 01935 424724 • email: info@theconduitmagazine.co.uk • www.theconduitmagazine.co.uk
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 14
07/12/2017 09:56
Free initial consultation
A personal and friendly approach to business that will work for you www.chalmersaccountants.co.uk info@chalmersaccountants.co.uk Offices at Yeovil, Crewkerne & Langport 01460 279000 Raffle with prizes donated Sherborne Traders. Tickets £12.50, includes hot supper and a glass of wine, from the Sherborne TIC. Proceeds to help Sherborne Projects. For more information phone 01963 251081. From Monday 8 at 9.30am Dorset Italian begins its Complete Beginners 10 week course. Course is £75. All lessons are taught by Jo Harvey who has been teaching Italian for the past four years and wrote the courses herself who has been changing and adapting depending on the type of class. There is a break for half term and each lesson is 90 minutes long. All course materials are provided, but it is advised to bring an A4 ring binder and notepad, a pen and an Italian-English dictionary. For more information phone Jo on 07811 781484. For detailed information about the course or to find other locations courses are held visit www. dorset-italian.co.uk On Monday 8 from 9.30am to 3.30pm at the Digby Hall the West Country Embroiderers have a workshop. Working on unfinished projects and inspiration day. £15 in advance. New members welcome. For details call Ann on 01963 34696. On Wednesday 10 from 7.30pm at the Digby Church Hall ArtsLink Flicks see ‘My Cousin Rachel’. A young Englishman plots revenge against his late cousin’s mysterious, beautiful widow, believing her responsible for his death. Based on a novel by Daphne du Maurier. Tickets £6 from Sherborne TIC on 01935 815341 or on the door. Pre film supper for £12. (See ‘Movies Around the Towns and Villages’) On Thursday 11 from 2.30pm at the Digby Hall the Gardeners Association have a visit from Castle Gardens with The Garden Centre Year . Visitors £2. From Thursday 12 January to Thursday 22 March from 2.30pm to 4.00pm at Tinney’s Lane Youth Centre ArtsLink host a Parkinson’s Dance. A fun, supportive, specialist class with movement specifically designed for those with Parkinson’s, followed by a cup of tea and social time. Free admission. For more information phone 01935 815899. On Friday 26 at 7.30pm at Digby Memorial Hall there is a Fish and Chip Supper. Hosted by the mayor, this is a special Quiz Night fundraiser whilst having tasty fish and chips. Come as a team of up to six or can be put into a team on the night. Tickets £10, includes Fish and Chips from Pisces in Sherborne, available from Midwest Office Supplies, Cheap Street. Gluten free options available. Wine and soft
PLUMBING, HEATING, SERVICING, MAINTENANCE, INSTALLATION, REPAIRS FOR GAS, LPG & OIL,
BOILER SERVICING FROM £50 JAMES STEPHENS - 24 HOUR CALL OUT
01458 273984 or 07517 186404 jhsboilerrepairs@hotmail.co.uk
drinks available for a donation. Fabulous raffle prizes to be won. In aid of The Friends of Yeatman Hospital and the Rendezvous. On Sunday 28 leaving Sherborne at 12.35pm ArtsLink have a trip to the Swan Lake ballet at The Lighthouse in Poole for the 2.30pm performance. Performed by St Petersburg Classical ballet. Tickets £56 from 01935 815899. On Wednesday 31 the applications close for Sherborne Young Musician. If you live in Sherborne or go to school in the area. For more information visit www.sherbornemusic.org or contact 07825 152251. SOMERTON On Friday 5 January from 10.00am to 2.00pm at the Market Place go along to the monthly Market. Plenty of stalls including meat, plants, homemade soaps and candles, wool art craft, Dorset pies, preserves, Italian cheeses, bespoke catering and more. For more details email marketonatsomerton@ gmail.com On Tuesday 9 from 7.30pm at the Parish Rooms the Somerset Wildlife Trust has a talk called ‘Fungi: The Good The Bad and The Ugly’. Everything you wanted to know about fungi and more. Non members £3. On Monday 22 from 7.30pm at the Parish Rooms the Green Gardeners have a talk from Simpsons Seeds and bringing samples of their chilli sauces and seeds to purchase. Refreshments available. Visitors £3. On Thursday 25 from 7.30pm at the Parish Rooms the History Society have a talk called ‘Toleration and Turmoil’ with Janet Few. Guests £2. For more information on 01458 273859. WINCANTON On Saturday 30 December from 10.30am to 12.00 noon there is a ‘Weird and Wonderful Winter’ children’s activity and craft session at Wincanton Library. Entry free, but register at the library desk or at winlib@ somerset.gov.uk On Saturday 13 January from 10.00am at the Memorial Hall there is a Coffee Morning. Raffle, books and cakes. Tea, coffee and biscuits available. YEOVIL Whist Drive every Saturday at the Holy Trinity Church Hall at 7.30pm. Enquiries 01935 862325. From now to Sunday 7 January at the Octagon Theatre their Christmas pantomime is ‘Cinderella’. Tickets £13.50. On Friday 29 December at Yeovil Junction between 10.30am to 4.00pm is a
Steam Train Day – Mince Pie Special. There will also be model railway, art gallery displays and historical railway exhibits. Admission Adults £7, Children £3.50, under 5’s free. Free mince pie with every cup or coffee! On Friday 5 January at 7.30pm at the Holy Trinity Church the Yeovil Archaeological and Local History Society have a Members Evening with a quiz and various talks and light refreshments. All welcome. Non members £2. From Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 at 3.45pm from Huish Park and ending at the Quedam Shopping Centre Yeovil Half Marathon Race Director Steve Elliott will be run seven half marathons in 24 hours. A full route will be released. Raising money for Yeovil Hospital Charity and School in a Bag. Donations can be made online at http://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/StephenElliott12 On Monday 8 at Yeovil Court Hotel at 12.00 noon The Probus Club have a talk with Ian Williamson. Raising money on behalf of St Margaret’s Hospice. On Wednesday 10 at Yeovil College from 7.30pm Yeovil Cinematheque Film Society presents ‘Paterson’. Jim Jarmusch conjures up a sublime film from the triumphs and setbacks of daily life in Paterson, New Jersey. Recommended for lovers of dogs, cupcakes and poetry. Annual membership £30. Guests £5. For more information phone 01935 421905. From Monday 15 to Saturday 20 at 7.45pm the Swan Theatre Company in Yeovil presents ‘Whistleblower’. Tickets available from 26 December. The first night is a St Margaret’s Hospice Charity Night. Coffee and bar and raffle prizes. Fundraising goes to the Southern India Trek for Hospice in 2019. (See ‘Arts’) On Wednesday 17 at the Holy Trinity Church at 2.30pm there is a talk with Ian Williamson. Raising money on behalf of St Margaret’s Hospice. On Wednesday 17 at Yeovil College from 7.30pm Yeovil Cinematheque Film Society presents ‘Julieta’. Enthralling meditation on the mechanics of memory, grief and alienation. Based on short stories by Nobel Prize Winner Alice Munro. Annual membership £30. Guests £5. For more information phone 01935 421905. On Wednesday 31 January at Westland’s Entertainment Venue from 8.00pm there is a Quiz Night. Bar, raffle and prizes. For more information phone 01963 34662.
To advertise – 01935 424724 • email: info@theconduitmagazine.co.uk • www.theconduitmagazine.co.uk 1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 15
15
07/12/2017 09:56
Health & Wellbeing by Niki Cassar
Make your New Year Resolution to be the best you can be! Endless research shows that New Year’s resolutions don’t last. Feeling guilty after having eaten or drunk or spent too much, we seek solace in the idea of ‘turning over a new leaf’ and making a resolution, such as giving up smoking, starting a diet or going to the gym regularly. Your subconscious knows that you’re not going to enjoy going without things that (briefly) give you pleasure, or getting up an hour earlier in the dark to go to the health club, so it will do everything it can to put you off. You may start off well, and actually feel good for a week or two, but almost certainly your good intentions will start to wear thin and you’ll find excuses to avoid continuing. Now, as well as feeling guilty because of your unhealthy habits, you’ll also start feeling guilty about not keeping to your New Year’s resolution. That makes twice the guilt, and you’re still only a few weeks into the New Year! Rather than make resolutions you will almost certainly not stick with, why not make an agreement with yourself that 2018 is going to be the year when you will consistently celebrate being the best that you can be, and remind yourself on a daily basis that you always do your best and your best is good enough. From our earliest years, many of us have been conditioned to believe that we aren’t as good, bright or clever as others, so we develop a belief system that includes this untrue information, which is played over and over again in the background by our subconscious, rather like an automatic programme set on repeat mode. As a result, although we may present ourselves to the world as confident and happy, we’re aware of that programme running inside our heads, and so we act it out without realising we’re doing so. The truth is that there is nothing wrong with you and there never was. So please repeat after me, loud and clear….. I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, I’m confident enough, I’m attractive enough, I’m loveable enough; I’m everything enough I need to be to do everything I came into this world to do. There is nothing wrong with me! I always do my best, and my best is always good enough for me! Tell yourself this often enough, and you may well find that you no longer need to distract yourself by eating or drinking or spending too much, as these positive and truthful words begin to overwrite that outof-date information, and new programmes start running. As you start to like, even love, yourself more, so you’ll be wanting to take better care of yourself and your body, and long walks or trips to the gym will seem like a pleasure. And if you find yourself still struggling with just about any issue that is bothering you, please give me a call for a free, confidential chat on 01963 371 695. Mention the Conduit and I’ll give you a £15 discount off your first hypnotherapy session with me. Happy New Year!
Fashion & More by Thelma Drabik, Melbury Gallery
Treat Yourself at
through movement, music and theatre. They will take Rashid Johnson’s exhibition as their starting point. It is available to young people aged 11 – 16 years. All work culminates into a public performance on Thursday 24th August. This is a subsidised event and tickets are £140 for the full course. We ask that all participants are delivered to the gallery and picked up by a responsible adult, please let us know if you wish your child to travel to and from the gallery on their own. Children should bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks as necessary. Enquiries contact Debbie Hillyerd at debbie@hauserwirth.com
berets and strings of onions for a fundraising evening. Taking its inspiration from across the Channel this friendly and informal fundraiser will feature a delicious three course meal of French cuisine and wine, accompanied by homegrown live entertainment, music and hilarity. The organisers are even promising ‘a bit of oh la la’ as well, and if past fundraisers are anything to go by, this alone should be enough to merit the ticket price. There is no need to speak or even understand French either! Profits from the evening which is organised and hosted by volunteers - go towards supporting Ilminster Arts Centre, which is a registered charity that receives no outside funding. Tickets £15 available from the Arts Centre or by ringing the Box Office on 01460 54973. Book a table and fill it with friends, or if you are Me are just someorofinthe brands coming ‘solo’ a pair, the you so you inArts our Centre sale, so will why seat not treat can enjoy a friendly sociable yourself? evening - meet up with old We don’t like wishing the time friends, and maybe away of course, but wemake are some new ones too!about Spring already thinking 2018, getting ready for some beautiful collections from your & ALSO SEE Village News favourite looking Aroundbrands The and Towns forward to lighter and warmer & Villages days ahead. We don’t want to give too much away about what we have planned but you can be sure that there will be some stunning styles and colours – Melbury is about colour after all - so pop in and visit. Huge thanks to all our wonderful customers, and all of us at Melbury Gallery wish you a very happy and peaceful 2018!
Melbury
On Friday 18th August at 5.00pm at Hauser and Wirth in Bruton there is an Exhibition Tour. Join them for a tour of Rashid Johnson’s ‘Stranger’ led by Hauser & Wirth Somerset’s Before the last bits of leftover Head of Education, Debbie Hillyerd. Thebeen walking tour turkey have eaten, and the willfew lead guests Quality through the have remaining Street galleries and Cloister Courtyard gone (probably just the orange whilst discussing creams left now),significant Melbury Gallery works in theforward exhibition. Rashid is looking to our fantastic Johnson employs a wide range sale of winter clothing, which of materials and to and starts in both ourimages Sherborne explore themes of at art10am history, Dorchester shops on literature, philosophy, and 27 December, with reductions personal and clothing culturalfrom identity. on selected top His exhibition at Hauser designers, and a brilliant bargain & Wirth Somerset unfolds rail!!! throughout the entire gallery, There’s still time to grab yourself with a combination of painting, a fantastic outfit for that New sculpture, installation, and Year’s party, or the Newduring Year’s drawing, all completed the beach, hisDay twoblustery month walk longon residency with our Free gorgeous outfits galore! in Bruton. entry, booking OSKA, Sahara, Out of Xile, required. Grizas, Masai, Adini, Nomads, Danes and Lily & OnThought, SaturdayTwo 19th August
at 7.30pm at the Ilminster Arts Centre there is a French Night Fundraiser. Ilminster Half Moon Street, Sherborne Arts Centre’s enterprising South Street, Dorchester Arcade, 10-11 volunteers willTudor be donning their
MELBURY GALLERY www.melburygallery.co.uk
16
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 16
07/12/2017 09:56
WESTREE COMPANY est. 1975 CARING FOR YOUR GARDEN & MORE
• Tree Surgery - pruning, reductions, felling & planting • Tree Stump Removal • Hedges - pruning, shaping, planting & laying • Landscaping - soft & hard • Fencing - all types supplied & fitted • Timber Garden Sheds, Stables & Field Shelters, Garages & Workshops 01963 362615 • Logs enquiries@westreecompany.co.uk
Talking Potatoes
It’s that time of the year when thoughts turn to that delicious, warming, and most versatile of vegetables, the humble potato! The Conduit was intrigued by the aptly named “Somerset Potato Day” and decided to find out more from Chris Smith at Pennard Plants. Chris explained: “Some years ago, 14 in fact, we started ‘Somerset Potato Day’ to offer the gardeners in the local area a wider choice of seed potatoes to grow. Back then I think we were offering around 30 varieties, this has now expanded to nearer 100, being offered to gardeners throughout Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and as far afield as Oxford (new event for 2108) and London. “These we run in conjunction with Garden Clubs and Allotment Associations but the ‘Somerset Potato Day’ we still run on our own, with free admission, at Caryford Hall in Castle Cary. Not only do we offer seed potatoes but also our range of heritage and heirloom seeds, onion sets, shallots, fruit trees and bushes and more. The seed potatoes are sold ‘by the tuber’ enabling the gardener to try lots of varieties or buy just a few for a pot rather than having to buy packs which often contain more than is needed. “Where do all the potatoes come from? Well, we scour the growers
www.westreecompany.co.uk
early in the season to find the varieties we want. Seed potatoes must be certified as free from diseases and thus are mainly grown in Scotland although we do have a few varieties from England, Northern Ireland and France. In Scotland there is a ‘bank’ of varieties held by SASA, (Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture), they have around 800 varieties. Of these around 200 are grown as ‘seed’ potatoes. These have to be registered on a EU register in order for them to be propagated and sold (what will happen after Brexit!) and some only in very small quantities. “In stores and farm shops you will only find a very limited choice from these 200 varieties as some produce only small crops which are not viable for the commercial grower but as many of these have great flavours and cooking qualities they are well worth growing in the home garden. Varieties such as ‘Epicure’, the Ayrshire Potato, a floury but delicious first early, ‘Shetland Black’, the Crofter’s Potato, black skinned and very tasty when steamed, ‘Golden Wonder’, (nothing to do with the crisps), a long storage variety with a russet skin and fabulous taste for roasties. These are just three from our collection. “Potato varieties all have individual flavours and textures, some can be waxy (for boiling and salads), some floury (for roasties and mash), some have coloured flesh if you like red or purple mash or chips. “Potatoes are also classified by season, First Early take 10-12 weeks to produce a crop, Second Early take 14-16 weeks and Maincrop 18-24 weeks. All varieties should be planted end March, beginning of April, they just take longer to grow and mature dependant on the type, First Earlies produce the smallest crop but are ready first and are you ‘new potatoes’, whereas Maincrop take much longer but produce a much larger crop, these are the ones to store for winter use. “All the varieties we will have for 2018 are listed at www.pennardplants.com, all our events at www.potato-days.net, take a look or come to Caryford Hall, Castle Cary on Sunday 28th January between 10.30am - and 1.30pm to ‘talk potatoes’.”
Gardening
by Mike Burks Managing Director of The Gardens Group
Sowing the Seeds of Hope!
The weather may appear to be uninspiring at this time of year but there is actually plenty that can be done to get ready for spring, which will be with us before we know it. Preparations may include tidying out the shed or cleaning down the greenhouse, washing the glass inside and out for the best light transmission and getting rid of any pests and fungal diseases. It can also involve selecting seeds for sowing for the coming year, as there is the biggest range of seeds available during this time. We stock a wide variety of brands including; Mr Fothergill, Thompson and Morgan, Sutton’s, Unwin’s, Kings and a specialist Italian selection too. There is a huge movement for growing your own food at the moment, as we’ve seen vegetable seed sales increase in recent years. There are many reasons for this trend; firstly, a desire to know our food’s journey and how it has been treated; secondly the reduction of food miles; thirdly, home grown food always tastes better, but ultimately I guess we love the challenge of growing vegetables because it’s such good fun. Plant breeders have always made a huge effort to develop varieties of vegetables suited to the modern garden, with many people growing their plants in pots on the patio, mini vegetables are becoming very popular. You will also find many varieties listed as being naturally pest or disease resistant, which assist greatly should you be trying to limit the use of chemicals or even get rid of them completely from your regime. The biggest selection of potato seeds is also available in January and even though they don’t need to be planted until much later, it’s a great time to choose them and get ahead. If you are growing them in a pot on the patio, then select varieties that will crop quickly such as Rocket or perhaps a more delicate salad variety like Charlotte. It’s best to select a large pot, around 18 inches width and depth, or better still, a tailor-made potato planter and then plant three tubers halfway down in a good quality multi compost. They’ll need to be kept well-watered once they start to grow and regularly fed with Phostrogen or Miracle Gro but the results can be great and depending on both the variety and time of year, the tubers will be clean and easy to harvest after perhaps 12 to 15 weeks. Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group
Free Christmas tree collection service
The Gardens Group is offering customers who buy their Christmas trees from Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil, Castle Gardens in Sherborne and Poundbury Gardens near Dorchester a free Christmas tree collection service throughout January. With the local councils no longer offering this service, The Gardens Group wants to make sure people have an option to recycle their trees and stop them ending up on landfill. Collected Christmas trees will be shredded for compost and mulch and will eventually be used for soil improvement projects around the local area. Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, explains: “There is nothing quite like a real Christmas tree, but we need to make sure that they have a minimal impact on the environment, so we want our customers to be reassured that we’ll dispose of their Christmas trees in an environmentally friendly way, which will in fact help with our gardening and wildlife projects in the future.” Free Christmas tree collection vouchers can be picked up in each garden centre from the end of November onwards. 17
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 17
07/12/2017 09:56
Property, Home & Interiors
Discover the extensive range of designer paints & fabrics. Curtains, blinds, upholstery, wallpaper including Farrow & Ball, Romo and Colefax & Fowler. Professional & friendly design and making service. 10d, W incombe Business Park, Shaftesbury, SP7 9QJ
Tel: 01747 850150 www.comptonsmith.co.uk
Trends for 2018
Opulent puddled curtains; Colefax and Fowler fabrics available from Compton Smith Classic Interiors.
The New Year brings an opportunity to re-invigorate your home. We asked the professionals at Compton Smith Classic Interiors to share some of their forecasts for this year’s home trends for paint, fabrics, wallpapers and window dressings. • Jewel paint colours such as ‘Lazuli’, inspired by lighter hues of Lapis Lazuli, ‘Koi Carp’ and ‘Poison’, a deep Verdigris, are all new for Spring 2018. These vibrant paint colours from Zoffany have a regal quality to them and are available in a variety of beautiful velvety paint finishes. Try sample pots of the new shades; now available from Compton Smith. • Touches of luxury: Luxurious silks and velvets will remain popular into the New Year. ‘Simple plain fabrics can be
Luxurious velvet upholstery fabrics combined with classic country stripes; Colefax and Fowler fabrics available from Compton Smith Classic interiors
transformed into unique and luxurious window dressings by adding pom-poms and braids,’ suggests Emily at Compton Smith. Wallpapers with a subtle shimmer are another successful way of adding that opulent feel to your décor. • Eco and recycled products. The eco credentials of products are a growing concern when decorating. Compton Smith suggest Earthborn ‘Claypaint’ for an eco-friendly alternative to a standard emulsion. Earthborn paint is free from oil, acrylic and vinyl, it’s very low odour making it good for your home as well as the planet. • Romantic sheers and voiles. These delicate, feminine fabrics are the perfect foil to the industrial grey colour palette which grew in popularity last
year. Sheer fabrics not only create a wonderful gauzy effect at the window by filtering light; they are also practical for helping to reduce sun damage to furniture. Compton Smith offer a large range of all kinds of designer fabrics including stunning embroidered sheers and rustic open weaves. Visit Compton Smith in Shaftesbury for designer paints, fabrics, wallpaper, ironmongery, upholstery and made to measure curtains and blinds. Compton Smith Classic Interiors, 10d Wincombe Business Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9QJ. Call 01747 850150. Email: info@comptonsmith.co.uk. www.comptonsmith.co.uk.
18
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 18
07/12/2017 09:56
ART VISUAL ART From now to Sunday 24 December ACE Arts in Somerton hosts a new exhibition called ‘Impress’. Showcasing the best of printmaking in Somerset. From Tuesday 2 to Saturday 20 January at the Ilminster Arts Centre it is the Open Prizewinners’ Exhibition. This exhibition has the reputation of being a barometer of talent in Somerset and the local region and features a wide range of subjects, from carefully observed still life to colourful abstract landscapes. There is an equally broad scope of media on show too, including wood turned vessels, delicately nuanced drawings and prints, along with vibrant watercolours and oils. Taking park in the exhibition are Leo Davey, the West Somerset based artist and illustrator who won first prize, and the joint second prize winners - painter and printmaker Marie Blake and Philip Winstone, a self-taught abstract impressionist painter whose work is inspired by the Dorset coast. Also returning to the Arts Centre is Liz Kent, a skilled wood turner who was a joint winner of the 3D prize, and Jenny Barron, a Watchet based artist whose realistic still life paintings in watercolour scooped the Visitors’ Choice Award. From Monday 22 January until Saturday 10 February the Ilminster Arts Centre host ‘A Sense of Place’ exhibition. This show brings together an intriguing line-up of artists who take their primary inspiration from landscapes both rural and urban. Working across a range of media - including watercolours, oils, textiles, photography and sculpture - these artists each have their own way of capturing and conveying light, topography
BY RACHEL MOWBRAY
and a sense of place. From the Somerset Levels to Venetian lagoon, from the African plains to London’s theatreland, this exhibition is all about the power of perception, and its creative impact. MUSIC On Friday 29 December from 8.00pm at the Exchange in Sturminster Newton see one of the UK’s supreme boogie piano players Ben Waters. Tickets £15. On Sunday 31 at the David Hall in South Petherton from 8.15pm bring in 2018 with Ceilidh and Jigs for Gigs. Tickets £17 in advance only and includes light supper. On Friday 5 January from 7.30pm at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton see the ‘Bowie Experience’. A must see for all David Bowie fans, the latest production promises an unforgettable journey of sound and vision, featuring all the hits from A to Ziggy. Bowie Experience continues to amaze audiences with an astounding attention to detail, bringing the golden years of David Bowie to theatres across the globe. Tickets £20. On Thursday 11 from 8.00pm at the Exchange in Sturminster Newton see Paul Jones and Dave Kelly. Paul is a presenter on BBC Radio 1 R&B show and a thrilling singer and harmonica maestro. Dave is said to be Europe s leading Bluesman and has played with many legends. Tickets £22. On Friday 12 from 8.00pm at Ilminster Arts Centre pianist, Mike Denham returns. The format of the evening is Mike’s usual ‘speakeasy’ mix of vintage tunes, interspersed with entertaining stories and
repartee. Mike Denham is a brilliant pianist with a profound and enduring love of early jazz, whose trademark repartee is studded with amusing and informative anecdotes about the world of jazz. Mike’s repertoire ranges across American jazz from the early 20th century ragtime through to 50’s Rock and Roll. Joining Mike for this journey back in jazz time is Enrico Tomasso, the UKs best known jazz trumpeter. Tickets £14.
On Saturday 20 from 7.30pm at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil see Elkie Brooks. It could be a particularly emotional rendition of one of her ballads, a powerhouse blues vocal or one of her trademark impossibly long notes that leaves the audience mesmerised. Elkie will be performing her biggest hits including ‘Pearl’s A Singer’, ‘Lilac Wine’, ‘Fool (If You think It’s Over)’ and ‘Don’t Cry Out Loud’. Tickets £29.
On Friday 19 from 7.30pm at the Exchange in Sturminster Newton see ‘The Searchers’. With such classic hits as ‘Sweets for My Sweet’, ‘Needles and Pins’, ‘Don’t Throw Your Love Away’, ‘Sugar and Spice’ and ‘When You Walk In The Room’, they have contributed enormously in establishing the UK as the world’s leading nation in the music industry. They still have great appeal to audiences of all ages. They tour the globe as much today as they have done throughout a fantastic career spanning five decades. Their special ‘solo’ concert is a highly entertaining show and is combined with anecdotes and reminiscences, this fully self-contained concert includes all their famous hits, plus many album recordings, B-sides and a selection of other collector and well-known favourites. Tickets £20.
On Saturday 20 from 8.00pm at the David Hall in South Petherton see Steve Knightley on his ‘Songs and Stories’ tour. He invites his audience on a musical journey, charting the winding roads of his unrivalled career. The Show of Hands front man showcases a setlist including classic gems such as ‘Cousin Jack’, ‘AIG’ and ‘Country Life’ with his inimitable passion and flair. A rare glimpse into the personal playlist of a songwriting legend, Knightley also pays tribute to some of his influences along the way, from Dylan to Radiohead. Tickets £19.
On Friday 19 from 8.00pm at the Ilminster Arts Centre go along to ‘Flying Folk’ for another instalment of top West Country folk music. The line up includes Louise Jordan as well as The Good Ol’ Boys, a duo made up of Simon Durrant and Rob Mear who perform old time folk country and acoustic music. MC Jemima Farey will also sing and perform as a piano and guitar duo with Andrew Gilham. Tickets £10.
On Friday 26 from 8.00pm at the Ilminster Arts Centre see ‘The Power of Three’. Led by award-winning jazz pianist Craig Milverton, ‘Tricotism’ features Nigel Price on guitar and Sandy Suchodolski on bass. While the group takes its name from Oscar Pettiford’s 1956 composition of the same name, it takes its musical lead from another Oscar, the legendary Oscar Peterson and his best selling 1970s trio. Craig and friends will be playing the same sort of melodious, jazz in much the same style, showcasing their superb musicianship and skilful interactive playing. The evening promises a treat in store for Somerset’s jazz fans – advance booking strongly recommended. Tickets £16. 19
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 19
07/12/2017 09:57
ALSO SEE VILLAGE NEWS & ABOUT TH
written by Paul Hendy and produced by Evolution. Tickets £13.50.
On Friday 26 at the David Hall in South Petherton from 8.00pm see ‘Megson’. Four times nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and double winners of the Spiral Earth Awards, Stu and Debbie Hanna draw heavily on their Teesside heritage to create a truly unique brand of Folk music. This husband and wife duo brings an infectious mix of heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and driving rhythmic guitars. Debs is on vocals, whistle, piano and accordion and Stu is on guitar, mandola and banjo. They have gained fame on the British Folk scene not only for their arresting and intelligent song
www.sherborneartslink.org.uk
Art for All Evening and day classes One day workshops, Trips Family art sessions Creative wellbeing
Spring 2018 booking now
Full programme on website
01935 815899
Your link to art and culture Registered Charity no. 1007680
20
Funded by WDDC and Big Lottery
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 20
writing but also for their exquisite musicianship and Northern humour. Tickets £16. On Saturday 27 from 7.30pm at the Exchange in Sturminster Newton see the ‘Woodfalls Band’ present ‘Music from Stage and Screen’. Tickets £9. On Monday 29 from 7.30pm at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil see ‘New Jersey Nights’. A spectacular celebration of the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and takes the audience on a nostalgic musical journey through the career of one of the biggest selling groups of all time. From the back street studio in New Jersey where it all began, this vibrant production includes all of The Four Seasons’ greatest hits including ‘Sherry’, ‘Rag Doll’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘Walk Like A Man’ and many more. The production features an award winning cast of singers, dancers and a rocking on stage band. Tickets £21.50. PERFORMANCE From Friday 8 December to Sunday 7 January from 7.30pm do not miss the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil showing their Christmas family pantomime ‘Cinderella’. Once again, the show will be
On Friday 12 January from 7.30pm at the Exchange in Sturminster Newton ‘Jethro’ is back after popular demand. Armed with nothing more than a microphone and delivered to you in a warm Cornish accent, Jethro has the rare ability to paint hilarious pictures in the mind of his audience. Tickets £20. On Friday 12 from 7.30pm at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil see ‘The Transports’. It tells the incredible tale of a family destroyed by poverty and crime, but resurrected by exile to the new colony in Australia. With fresh script and musical arrangement, this famous show re emerges within a modern context of mass migration. The stellar line up for this exciting new production includes The Young’uns, Faustus, Nancy Kerr, Rachael McShane, Greg Russell and Matthew Crampton. Features musical arrangements by Paul Sartin of Bellowhead and Faustus. Two time BBC Folk Award Winners The Young’uns bring their trademark live dynamism. Further musical excellence comes from Nancy Kerr, Bellowhead’s Rachael McShane, Faustus’ Benji Kirkpatrick and Saul Rose and Greg Russell. Storyteller Matthew Crampton has created
fresh narration for the show, amplifying its central tale into a broader exploration of exile and migration. Mass migration is a defining dilemma of today. This is not just a great music experience, but a sharp reminder of folk music’s power in portraying the way the world actually works. Tickets £20.50. On Saturday 13 from 7.30pm at the Exchange in Sturminster Newton see ‘Swinging at The Cotton Club’. Action packed show show celebrating the music, dance, and songs of the Cotton Club, New York City’s legendary nightclub of the 1920s and ‘30s. Performances by Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Fats Waller would have had the club swinging, whilst dancers such as Bojangles Robinson and the Nicholas Brothers lit-up the stage with their breath-taking routines. In this show, the exciting dance and music of the Cotton Club is recreated by the fabulous The Lindy Hop Dance Company, the world’s premier jazz dance company and Harry Strutter’s Hot Rhythm Orchestra featuring vocalist Marlene Hill and compere/vocalist Megs Etherington. Tickets £19. On Saturday 13 from 7.30pm at the David Hall in South Petherton Somerset’s Wassail Theatre Company presents ‘Reclaimed’. It
07/12/2017 09:57
UT THE TOWNS FOR MORE MUSIC & FILMS
had been an ordinary January day. That is until an extraordinary thing happened: the water came, and it did not go away. The community had been told to evacuate their homes and meet at the highest, safest point: the village hall. What happens when a community is in crisis? When tragedy is moments away and when your loved ones are nowhere to be seen, who do you turn to for help? The show places the audience in the heart of a fictional village under siege and brings the 2013/2014 flooding crisis to life in a story inspired by true events. Tickets £10. From Monday 15 to Saturday 20 at 7.45pm the Swan Theatre Company in Yeovil presents ‘Whistleblower’. A present day affair set in a corporate world where personal values conflict with the possibility of serious financial gain, and where individuals find that they question themselves and each other. A UK defense company is finalising a tender to win a contract from a threatened African Republic. If the contract cannot be secured then the company may go bankrupt! The management team has decided that it has to win the business. But the deal can only be finalised by the making of an illegal payment to the key decision maker. How does the company ensure that it wins the business it needs to survive? Can it hide a breach of the international business code of ethics? And when an insider ‘blows the whistle’ to the Serious Fraud Office, what other secrets will be revealed? A ‘whodunit’ without a murder, this is a story of trust and mistrust, a story about when it is right to be honest and when it is necessary to deceive. It is the writing debut of Adrian
Harding, who has been involved with the local theatre community in Yeovil and Sherborne for 32 years. Tickets £12. On Friday 19 from 7.30pm at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil see ‘Voodoo VaudEvil’. This spectacular show features an amazing amalgamation of bizarre and fantastic circus acts all woven into a sensational shock/horror story – taking the show to a whole new level. It is driven by a mostly original soundscape and performed with a forked tongue firmly in each cheek. This show is not for the faint hearted. Tickets £19. From Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 at 7.30pm at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil Yeovil Amateur Pantomime Society presents ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Enter the little French town of Morts Ennuyeux where inventor Maurice, his beautiful daughter Belle and a whole host of colourful characters are and where he stumbles across the castle of The Beast, the once handsome Prince Dacey, now magically transformed by the Enchantress for not giving her shelter from the storm. Can Maurice and Belle save him from forever being this terrible monster? Fancy dress and audience participation is encouraged. Tuesday and Wednesday tickets £13, other performance tickets £16. On Tuesday 30 from 8.00pm at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil see comedian Ed Byrne. He will be performing his spoiler alert stand up show. Tickets £25.
FILMS On Tuesday 9 January at Westland’s Entertainment Centre in Yeovil at 8.00pm there is a screening of ‘Othello’. This is Iqbal Khan’s acclaimed 2015 production of Shakespeare’s Othello which was for the RSC. Othello is the greatest general of his age. A fearsome warrior and revered defender of Venice against its enemies. But he is also an outsider whose victories have created enemies of his own, men driven by jealousy and prejudice to destroy him. As they plot in the shadows, Othello realises too late that the greatest danger lies not in the hatred of others, but his own fragile and destructive pride. Tickets £14. OTHER On Saturday 20 January from 2.30pm at the Exchange in Sturminster Newton see Michael Portillo talk about his journey. It took him 10 years to get a seat in the Commons and then rise in power and esteem to a point where he was a favoured leader of his party and possible future PM. A track record like that suggests to many, a privileged friend of the rich and famous. But since leaving the House a decade ago Michael has endeared himself to many with his obvious respect for solid workmanship and creative energy, as found in our great Victorian railways, and the daily toil of the working man. A historian at heart he has used a Victorian railway guide to take millions of viewers on a historical voyage of discovery throughout the UK, Ireland, Europe and the USA. Tickets £17.50.
NEW! WWW.THECONDUITMAGAZINE.CO.UK VISIT THE CONDUIT’S BRAND NEW WEBSITE CONTAINING ALL THE EVENTS LISTINGS PLUS THE LATEST NEWS. TO INCLUDE YOUR BUSINESS IN OUR LOCAL DIRECTORY OR TO REACH OUR DEDICATED READERSHIP WITH AN ONLINE AD, CONTACT US: INFO@THECONDUITMAGAZINE.CO.UK OR CALL: 01935 424724 21
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 21
07/12/2017 09:57
Antiques & Collectables This section covers local sales, auctions, antiques fairs and events in the area with advice from dealers and experts on different topics. If you are interested in this and have some items to sell or run an antique or restoration business then do contact us for our next issue. At the time of going to press some of the sales and auctions were not yet announced for January 2018.
Auctions, Fairs and Sales Lyme Bay Auctions in Seaton, East Devon is worth a visit on Monday, 29 January at 10am; head to Saleroom One where there will be an auction of Antiques, Collectables, Silver, Jewellery, Fine Art, Ceramics and Vintage Items. Viewing days: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays prior to each sale from 10.00am – 5.00pm and also the morning of sale from 9.00am. Live online bidding is available. Further information is available from 01297 22453. Lawrences Auction house in Crewkerne has General Sales on Wednesdays on 10, 17, 24 and 31 January. All sales start at 9.30am and viewing is from the Tuesday before the sale from 9am to 7pm. On 15 January there is the Final Part of the sale of The John & Patricia McKenzie Collection of Vesta Cases and on the following day, 16 January, there is a Fine Art Sale of Silver & Vertu. On 17 January there is a Decorative Antiques sale and on 18 January another Fine Art Sale which this time will specialise in Jewellery, 19th/20th Century Design & Ceramics. On the 19 January there is a Fine Art Sale for those interested in Pictures, Furniture, and Clocks & Rugs. For more information call 01460 73041. Charterhouse Auctioneers based in Long Street, Sherborne has a Pictures, Prints, Books, Beswick, Automobilia & Antiques Auction on 19 January. See the story about the art market that appears opposite this listing. Viewing is on Wednesday 17 January, 10 am to 6 pm and Thursday 18 January, 10 am to 5 pm during sale week. Further details are available from 01935 812277.
TOP PRICES PAID FOR OLD TOYS - any condition
Trains, cars and lorries, soldiers, etc Britains, Dinky, Corgi, Hornby, Meccano, Tri-ang, etc
01935 816072 (07527 074343) Pastimes of Sherborne, 3 Westbury (in front of the Abbey)
CLOCK REPAIRS ANTIQUE AND MODERN CLOCK REPAIRS
Long Case Clocks a speciality Free pick up and delivery 40 years experience
01935 477582
We are always keen to buy antique silver and old Sheffield plate at current prices Please telephone or call into the shop 38 CHEAP STREET, SHERBORNE DORSET DT9 3PX
01935 816828
enquiries@henrywillis.co.uk
www.henrywillis.co.uk
William Meadows, one of a pair, £1,500-£2,500
Pictures, Prints, Books & Maps – 15th January Classic & Vintage Motorcycles – 4th February Classic & Vintage Cars – 11th February We are accepting items for these auctions
Further items may be delivered to the salerooms or contact Richard Bromell for a home visit
The Long Street Salerooms Sherborne DT9 3BS 01935 812277 www.charterhouse-auction.com 22
REMEMBER TO TELL ADVERTISERS YOU SAW IT IN THE CONDUIT MAGAZINE!
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 22
07/12/2017 09:57
s Nicolas Condy Peter Brook
Jackie Spurrier
Richard Bromell from Charterhouse takes a look at the future art market…. As an auctioneer I am often asked by people what to buy. Sadly not having a crystal ball that can look into the future and predict what will happen means that whatever I say must be taken with the proverbial pinch of salt. Needless to say, if I did have a crystal ball, I would have no doubt invested in Bitcoin, Google and Facebook years ago and now feel smug about my investments but without it didn’t!
on the wall. Painted in his typical style in the early to mid-19th century, it features a rustic kitchen interior with an old woman by the range, with a younger woman and her child at the kitchen table. Here the boy is tucking into a bowl of soup whilst the woman looking at the painter. This was just the sort of painting which was highly sought after before artists like Peter Brook and Jackie Spurrier started to paint, but moving forward to 2017, this picture is today estimated at £600 - £1,000. For advice on buying and selling at auction, whether a classic and vintage car, motorcycle or a complete house contents, contact Richard Bromell at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne 01935 812277 to arrange a home visit or email Richard with items for valuation at info@charterhouse-auction.com
However, as we all know, markets can change. Having been in auctioneering for 32 years I have seen the rise and fall of several markets, but perhaps one of the most interesting markets to follow is the art market. Recently, Christie’s sold by auction the Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci for $450,000,000 to great applause. It was a masterclass in marketing – the painting went on a worldwide tour, but to me the most interesting point was they entered the picture not into an Old Masters picture auction, but a Modern and Contemporary painting sale. It shows how you can hang the old and the new perfectly and if this is the look you like, then you might want to take a peek at our 19 January picture auction. Many of our pictures are on a more modest budget to that of the $450 million da Vinci, but that is not to say the pictures are not loved any less. We do like to have a good selection of paintings and regularly sell pictures in the £50 to £100,000 bracket at our auctions.
KITCHENS & CARPENTRY
Kitchens • Wardrobes • Doors • Flooring
Skirting • Decking • General Carpentry • Property Refurbishment Phone: 01935 815839 • Mobile: 07514590711 Email: manbuilduk@gmail.com • Website: www.manbuildltd.co.uk
IAN CROSSLAND
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Included in the January auction we have a collection of modern and contemporary pictures from a collector who recently downsized the property and now no longer has enough wall space. Animals feature in the collection, with my favourite painting entitled “High up” by Peter Brook and depicts a quizzical looking sheep peering through a gap in a dry stone wall in a snowy landscape. Purchased from Agnews in London, this charming picture is estimated at £1,000 - £2,000.
Tel: 01935 411813 Mob: 07811 070 498
If you are more of a cattle collector then a large acrylic on canvas painting by local Somerset artist Jackie Spurrier might tick the box. She paints cows, cows, and more cows and the characterful cow going under the Charterhouse hammer is entitled “Emily” and estimated at £100- £200. However, if this is all too new and modern for you then a 19th century oil painting by another West Country artist – Nicolas Condy – might fill a gap
07761 175424/01935 808052
• Interior and exterior decorating • Carpentry and small cabinet work • Restoration of timber windows • Making/restoring leaded windows • Hanging doors • Fitting fences and gates • Exterior lime mortaring With over 20 years’ experience for a friendly reliable service please give me a call
23
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 23
07/12/2017 09:57
White Helmets are a White Glove Sale
At the auction, the team from The Royal Signals were on hand to help, talk to prospective buyers and have their photographs taken standing next to their trusty Triumphs. Just before the auction started, Sergeant Mike Arnold, who was the team leader for the White Helmets, stood up on the rostrum to make a short speech.
The Charterhouse November auction included six of the last Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team, more commonly known as The White Helmets, Triumph motorcycles along with some spares, which sold for over £73,000.
Bidding was fast and furious with collectors in the packed out saleroom, a row of telephone bidders and live internet bidders all trying to buy a piece of history.
“A white glove sale is where all the lots going under the hammer sell,” commented Richard Bromell. “There was huge pre-auction interest from ex-servicemen, motorcycle enthusiasts and private clients who just wanted to come and have a look at the motorcycles one last time.”
However, it was one successful buyer which put a smile on everyone’s face as the hammer came down as he had been part of the display team and bought his motorcycle back to keep forever, albeit for a hefty £10,000.
The White Helmets at full throttle
Andy from the Royal Signals with his trusty Triumph he bought back at the Charterhouse auction for £10,000
One of the Triumph motorcycles from the White Helmets
The team from the White Helmets (Sgt Mike Arnold centre) at the Charterhouse auction next to their motorcycles
24
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 24
07/12/2017 09:57
Sport by Gary Shackle, Sherborne Sports Centre Manager
• Trade, Commercial and Domestic Waste disposal • All sizes of skips, 2-40 cubic yard, roll ons, compactors and enclosed containers • Wait & load service
• Waste transfer facilities and self-tip • Hazardous waste disposal and advice • Fast delivery & collection
For a prompt & professional service call on
01935 412211
or visit our website www.yphwaste.co.uk email: info@yphwaste.co.uk
yph waste management ltd. lufton park, artillery road, yeovil, somerset ba22 8rp An Abbey Manor Group Company
Yenstone Walling Dry Stone Walling and Landscaping All types of stone walling undertaken www.yenstonewalling.co.uk
01963 371123 Patrick Houchen - DSWA member
FEBRUARY ADVERT DEADLINE: 15.1.18
Transform your body in six weeks! Are you unhappy with your weight? Would you like to get back into fitness but struggle with self-motivation? If so, our 6 week ‘body transformation’ course is right for you. This 6 week course offers 4 personalised training sessions every week plus nutritional advice, weigh-ins, meal plans and 10 free swim/fitness classes thrown in as well. There are only ever four clients on each course, so you are guaranteed one to one attention and committed training from the instructor (Ellie). The course consists of a variety of workouts including HIIT circuits, aqua, swimming, cardiovascular training and much more. In 2017 we ran two courses; both of which have been hugely successful and were beyond our expectations. During the last course our clients achieved a total weight loss of 33lbs, 12” off the waistline and 11” off the hips. So not only did they drop their body fat but they had huge gains on their lean muscle as well. One client described it as “An achievement I am massively proud of. It has totally changed my life” We will be running courses throughout the New Year so if you are interested in getting involved email Ellie at ehall@sherborne.org Make 2018 the year you change your life!
25
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 25
07/12/2017 09:57
Food and Drink by The Stag’s Head Inn
At The Stags Head Inn, the beginning of January 2018 sees us seven months into our new (ad)venture. In fact our current new strapline is Happy New Year, Happy New Experiences at The Stags Head Inn and with this in mind we have looked at the predicted new food and drink trends for 2018. We already more than tick the boxes on several of them.* RISE OF LOCAL There is a growing consumer demand for fresh and local produce. People are really beginning to care how fresh their food is, wanting to know where it comes from, and wanting it to be sourced as locally as possible, minimising food miles and maximising freshness and nutritional value. Consumers value restaurants that source their ingredients locally and can therefore gain an understanding of how it was grown or raised. When eating out, they want to eat quality foods to which minimal processes have been applied, to produce fresh natural appetising dishes. At the Stags Head Inn we source everything that we can as locally as possible. We are fortunate to have a bounty of food produced on our doorstep, from the highest quality meat, butter, cream eggs, cider, apple juice, beers, gins and of course fantastic cheeses including the fantastically-named Yarlington Blue and not forgetting the Yarlington Lavender that has been used to flavour our white chocolate creme brulee. ROOT TO LEAF There is an increased focus on the ways food waste can be limited. As a result, in 2018 expect to see an increase in the number of dishes which seek to make use of every part of the ingredients being used. A good chef will always look to do this, using vegetables as the base for all stocks and sauces as we do at The Stags Head. And of course in many households there is always the case for a bubble and squeak supper on Mondays, to use up the Sunday Roast leftovers (And I have used broccoli and cauliflower stalks in stir-frys, curries and casseroles since I can remember!) THE SOBER SCENE There’s an increased interest in improving our health and 26
technology is changing the way we socialise. This has meant that a growing number of people, particularly those aged 16 to 24, are shunning alcohol altogether. As a result, drinks brands have had to up their game when it comes to alcohol-free offerings and mixologists are giving the same level of craft to their ‘mocktails’ as they do their cocktails. It is expected that the range of low and 0% ABV wines and beers will grow in 2018, along with alcohol free spirits such as Seedlip making an entrance onto the sober scene. As a rural destination pub, there will always be a designated driver in each party of our visitors, and we endeavour to provide interesting nonalcoholic drinks for those together with people who prefer not to drink alcohol at all. During 2018 we plan to focus on using several varieties of locally produced apple juice as a base for a series of these nonalcoholic drinks. BRIGHTLY COLOURED FOOD It has long been considered that the mind is fed first when looking at the plate - if the food presented is attractive and colourful, then the dish will in itself be more appetising and enjoyable overall. Look out for a particularly interesting brightly coloured purple yam on sale during this year called Ube (pronounced ooo-bay!). We love showcasing our food on Instagram and Facebook and get a buzz for showing all the vibrant colours on the plate. PLANT-BASED DINING As the popularity in plantbased diets shows no signs of stopping, 2018 will see an increasing number of vegan dishes on menus. As accessibility to vegetarian and vegan foods has grown, so has the number of vegans in the UK rising 350% in the past 10 years. People are embracing “Veganuary” during the month of January, to prove to themselves that they are able to eat healthily on a vegan diet. We receive an increasing number of requests for vegan dishes, which we are happy and able to provide as all stocks are created from scratch. Our chef also produces some amazingly delicious vegetarian options that non-vegetarians will often choose! * extracts from an original article by The Global Group
NEW YEAR TREAT OFFER Choose any 3 treatments for just £48! Discovery Facial (25min) Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage (25min) Manicure or Pedicure Eyelash & Eyebrow Tint with Eyebrow Shape *treatments to be taken in one appointment * offer runs throughout January 2018 Call the salon for more details.
See our website for a full list of treatments
To advertise – 01935 424724 • email: info@theconduitmagazine.co.uk • www.theconduitmagazine.co.uk
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 26
07/12/2017 09:57
Dog Training
Pet Health Matt Saunders BVetMed MRCVS is a Director at the
We asked Sarah Easterbrook from The Pet Experience to tell us about her dog training business Sarah says, “The Pet Experience Training & Behaviour business is dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership through expert training and behaviour counselling. Having worked with all types and dispositions of animals for over 20 years I have developed a real passion for animal welfare and a sound understanding of their nature and requirements. “As well as my qualifications as a dog trainer and pet behaviourist, my vast experience has taught me that no pet is beyond help. So, whatever your problem, we can certainly resolve it. Whether it’s basic dog training you need or more in depth behaviour counselling I can provide a dedicated service to fulfill the specific needs of you and your pet.” Group Dog Training classes run at the weekends in Weymouth, Sherborne and Bridport, with classes ranging from Puppy/Novice level through to Intermediate and Advanced levels. All one-toone training and/or behaviour sessions take place in the home of the pet owner in order to deal with more specific, individual issues. Sarah will also travel across Dorset, Somerset and beyond to come and help dogs and their owners. Please visit the website for more information, prices and customer feedback or contact Sarah by phone or email and she will be happy to help.
The Pet Experience Training & Behaviour LTD
Sarah Easterbrook CoPAS GoDT Master Trainer IACP Member
Quali ed and experienced Dog Trainer and Pet Behaviourist
Dog & Puppy Training: Group classes or 1-to-1 Behaviour Counselling: Dogs, Cats & Parrots
Next DOG TRAINING CLASSES in Sherborne start on Saturday 6th January 2018
From Puppy to Advanced levels
Computer Doc or • Software/Hardware Fault Diagnostics NO CAL
L OUT CHARG E
• On-site Computer Problems Solved • Internet/Broadband Installation • New Computers Built to Order • Wireless Internet • Virus Removal
17 Sherborne Road, Yeovil, BA21 4HD Tel: 01935 411226 enquiries@computerdoctor-online.co.uk www.computerdoctor-online.co.uk
PC & Mac solutions
For all your I.T. solutions
Phone now on: 07769 705 807 Or e-mail: sarah@thepetexperience.co.uk www.the-pet-experience.co.uk
An Open House Newton-Clarke Partnership with surgeries in Yeovil and Sherborne
On Sunday the 19 May, we opened our doors to you, allowing pet owners to take a guided tour of our new Yeovil surgery, seeing behind the scenes and experiencing a day in the life of their pet at our vets.
I think it’s fair to say the day was a huge success. We saw plenty of people and their pets, many familiar and also some new faces. Our nurses had put together demonstrations in the laboratory showing what we can test in house from blood to parasites. They also displayed our digital x-ray machines and provided talks on dentistry.
on certain medications, could delay the onset of heart failure by on average 14 months; a long time in any dog’s life. Wilbur has been stable on medication for nearly two years and continues to do well. We can do a similar ultrasound assessment of large breed dogs with Preclinical Dilated Cardiomyopathy again diagnosing them before they develop clinical signs of heart disease. More information on these studies and illnesses is available in the blog section of our website where there are many articles which have been written by both myself and Mark over the years.
One of our Vets discussed how anaesthesia and surgery works in our practice for your pets and I presented an ultrasound demonstration on a little cavalier named Wilbur with heart disease. This allowed me to show the problems Wilbur has, how we diagnosed him and what medications we have used to successfully stabilize him. I have scanned him many times before and he just falls asleep every time. The question every group asked was “is he asleep or have you sedated him?” My 4yr old son even asked if he was still alive!
At our Open Day complimentary teas, coffees and cakes were provided courtesy of The Little Box of Delights Mobile Catering. These proved very popular! We’d like to thank everyone that attended and appreciate the warm feedback and many thank you cards we received. If you missed our open day and would like to see behind the scenes, please don’t hesitate to ask and we can make arrangements. I suppose now though, we need to start planning our next event!
We diagnosed Wilbur as having Preclinical Mitral Valve Disease, meaning he has a leaky valve causing his heart to enlarge but he has yet to show signs of heart disease. A recent study called the EPIC trial showed that diagnosing these dogs and starting them
Many of you will read this article either just before or just after Christmas in which case I would like to wish you all and your pets on behalf of NewtonClarke Veterinary Surgeons, a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
www.newtonclarkevet.com
REMEMBER TO TELL ADVERTISERS YOU SAW IT IN THE CONDUIT MAGAZINE! 1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 27
27
07/12/2017 09:57
Computing by Jimmy Flynn, Milborne Port Computers
Mac or PC – That is the question! Welcome to my monthly ramblings here at The Conduit. A question I am often asked is, “Should I get a Mac to replace my PC? My children tell me it’ll better”. Hopefully I can help you to make this momentous decision. The Apple Mac (short for Macintosh) and PC (short for Personal Computer) are both computers that will eventually take you to the same destination. They can both do e-mail, internet, word processing, spreadsheets, photos, video and they come in both laptop and desktop versions. In short, it’s a bit like the choice between Ford and Vauxhall motor cars however, whilst they both achieve the same end, they do it in slightly different ways and with different programs. Changing from PC to Mac would require a certain amount of re-learning of your computer skills. The mouse only has one type of click; not a left and a right as with a PC. To close a window on a PC it’s the red X in the top right corner; on a Mac it’s the top left corner – got the idea? Macs have always been considered the “professional’s choice”, where reliability and being the right tool for the job was important. PCs have always been generalist, home & office machines capable of doing everything, but not always with quite the same flair. Today they are both pretty good, but both have unique benefits, but both equally have their annoyances. If you want to use Sage Accounts don’t buy a Mac!
Cost is also worth a mention as the Mac is probably double (or more) the cost of the PC – so why? If you do a raw comparison of the memory, hard disk and processor then they’re pretty much the same, but once you start comparing all the things that most PCs don’t have, backlit keyboards, rigid aluminum bodies, the extra-long battery life, magsafe power connectors and thunderbolt interfaces, then you start to see all the refinements you’re paying for. Furthermore the operating system is pretty bug-free and virtually virus resistant. Perhaps I should change my previous analogy … not Ford vs. Vauxhall, but Ford vs. Jaguar! The PC is universal, functional, cheap and everybody knows what to do with them. In 2013 less than 10% of computers were Mac, although this gap has been narrowing at an increasing rate and by the end of 2017 I would expect it to be more like 80% PC to 20% Mac. There is no right or wrong; just horses for courses, whatever takes your fancy. We help people every day to make the choice, and then live with that decision or indeed, change again. Beware of the sharp-suited salesman in the big stores, they’re not really interested in what is best for you, just how much commission they’ll earn on the sale. Take good impartial, independent advice and then … the choice is yours! As always, if you need help with this or any other related technology, you know where to come!
01963 250788 Covering South Somerset & North Dorset
office@mpfix.co.uk
Small Business Support
Networks & Cabling
New PCs & Laptops
Wireless Networks
Repairs & Upgrades
Broadband Setup
Virus Removal
Disaster Recovery
The Weighbridge • High Street • Milborne Port • DT9 5DG www.mpfix.co.uk
Recruitment The end of December is traditionally a time for feasting and relaxing. Reviewing the year past and the new year ahead. It is a great time for reflection and to spark some ideas and inspiration – an essential part to any forward planning, be that for your life in general, your career, or your business. The famous saying, “If you are failing to plan then you are planning to fail”, is born out in many peoples lives. Those with a clearly defined vision of their career path are certainly going to be more successful in achieving their goals – when compared to someone with no goals! Similarly, business planning involves securing the, “Right People in the Right Seats”, which means that companies need to find people with the personality and values that align with the company as a whole and then match the skills and potential of those people into the job roles and the work that needs to be done. If you are applying for a job, it is worth considering if the company is right for you, in addition to simply matching your skills and experience to the job description. By taking the time to search for a company that is the right one for your personal brand, there is more opportunity for a natural fit, enabling you to feel more comfortable and achieve more, amongst like-minded people. Similarly, if you are an employer, it could help to take the time to measure the personality traits of your existing teams or high performing individuals, so that you know what to look for when the time comes to replace those people or grow the business by adding additional employees. Companies such as www.cognisess.com provide an opportunity to manage and monitor your existing teams and can provide a scorecard, to match new people to either the requirements of the role, matching to a person who is known to be good at that job, or a combination of both. It makes sense, just as you would go back to a favourite recipe for the most delicious Christmas cake, mince pies, or the most flavoursome roast potatoes…..why not take the time to record the recipe for your perfect new member of staff, tweaking the process until you get it just right….so that you can repeat it again and again as and when you want to. A good recruitment company will help you with your plans – be that your individual career plan, or helping your business to plan for the future. Whether you are an employer, or an employee, have a wonderful Christmas and when the hustle and bustle subsides, take some time to reflect and create some exciting plans for the year ahead.
28
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 28
07/12/2017 09:57
Pub Gigs Around Town All Music Gigs are FREE entry unless mentioned.
December 23 26 29 30 31
‘One Tree Hill’, Acoustic, Ilminster Town Football Club, 8.00pm ‘Loose Connections’, Various Covers, Henstridge Golf Club, 9.00pm ‘Daytona’, Rock, The Bell Inn, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Danny Adams’, Original Acoustic & Covers, The Old Barn Club, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Elijah Wolf’, Original Acoustic & Covers, The Rose and Crown, Martock, 9.00pm ‘Nevertheless’, Rock Covers, White Hart, Sherborne, 9.30pm ‘Powercut’, Acoustic/Electric/Pop, Stoke Sub Hamdon Working Mens Club, 9.30pm John De Barra, Covers 60’s-present, The King William Inn, Crewkerne, 2.00pm ‘Silverback’, Rock, The Royal Oak, Ilminster, 9.00pm ‘Soulville Express’, Soul Funk/Disco, The Arrow, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Loose Rock’, The Bell Inn, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘One Tree Hill’, Acoustic, The Old Barn Club, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Bad Edukation’, Classic Rock, Half Moon Inn, Stoke Sub Hamdon, 9.30pm Wendy J Bassett, 50’s-70’s, Somerton Sports Club, 9.00pm ‘D-State’, Covers 70’s-presents, Yeovil Labour Club, 9.00pm ‘Livewired’, Rock Covers, The Bell Inn, Yeovil, 9.00pm Phil Kelly, The Royal Oak, Crewkernem 9.00pm Chris Banderas, Classic Rock, The King William Inn, Crewkerne, 9.00pm ‘Loose Connections’, Various Covers, Bird In Hand, Henstridge, 9.00pm ‘Shockwave’, Rock/Pop, Catash Inn, North Cadbury, 9.30pm
January 6 6 13 14 20 20 20 20 26 27 27 27 27
‘Named and Shamed’, Pop/Rock, White Hart, Sherborne, 9.00pm ‘Powercut’, Acoustic/Electric/Rock/Pop, The Mermaid Hotel, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Silverback’, Rock Covers, The Bell Inn, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Wrecking Ball’, Country Rock, The Foresters Arms, East Coker, 3.30pm ‘Loose Connections’, various covers, White Hart, Sherborne, 9.00pm ‘Four Men on the Job’, Rock Covers & Originals, The Westminster, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Utter Chaos’, Various Covers, The Bell Inn, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Chill’, 60’s-90’s covers, The Old Barn Club, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Grungebob’, Acoustic Pop, The Old Pound Inn, Langport, 8.30pm ‘Silverback’, Rock Covers, The Westminster, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Powercut’, Acoustic/Electric/Rock/Pop, The Bell Inn, Yeovil, 9.00pm ‘Unknown Identity’, Covers & Originals, The Old Barn Club, Yeovil, 9.15pm ‘K’fuffle’, Rock/Pop, Working Mens Club, Stoke Sub Hamdon, 9.30pm
History by George Tatham
Not to be equalled in the World!
At SHERBORNE FAIR
On Monday & Tuesday, the 16th & 17th October WILL BE EXHIBITED The whole of
POLITO’S
TRAVELLING MENAGERIE
FROM EXETER ‘CHANGE, LONDON. The above advertisement appeared on the front page of the Dorchester and Sherborne Journal, dated 13 October 1815. The owners of travelling menageries timed their arrival to coincide with local fairs, ensuring large crowds, and the above dates mark Sherborne’s Michaelmas or Pack Monday Fair. England’s maritime and imperial expansion in the 18th century contributed to the import of and trade in exotic wildlife and the development of travelling menageries. Gilbert Pidcock established a menagerie at the Exeter ‘Change, in the Strand London, in 1793, where he overwintered his animals before travelling to fairs in London and the provinces. Artists, such as Landseer, visited to draw the animals from life and Lord Byron records in his diary a visit in November 1813, noting that the ‘hippopotamus’ (tapir) reminded him of Lord Liverpool. The founder of Polito’s Menagerie was Stephen Polito, born in Italy in 1763/64. He became a naturalised Englishman, developing a ‘menagerie of wild beasts’ which in 1792 he took to Bartholomew Fair. As his enterprise expanded his travelling menagerie became a familiar sight at Bartholomew and other fairs and sources indicate that by 1811 he had two menageries travelling simultaneously in different parts of Britain and Ireland (notably, Donnybrook Fair, Dublin). On Pidcock’s death in 1810, Polito bought the Exeter ‘Change although he died at Manchester on 18 April 1814. Sarah, his wife, briefly succeeded him before she
died on 28 July 1814. The Exeter ‘Change was sold to menagerist Edward Cross while John Polito, Stephen’s half-brother, continued with the travelling menagerie, bringing it to the West Country in 1815 for visits to Sherborne, Weymouth, Plymouth, Exeter and Shaftesbury Fairs. The advertisement lists the following animals and bird that would be on view: a nilgai (the largest Asian antelope), a zebra, a lion and lioness, a tiger from Bengal, a spotted hyaena, leopards, a jaguar from Amboyna (an island off Indonesia), an African porcupine, a lynx, a European wolf, an ursine sloth from India, male and female kangaroos, an emu from Van Dieman’s Land, a pelican, an adjutant stork, a black swan, a condor and other birds. It was an impressive collection, demonstrating the far reaches of the international trade in fauna, enlightenment curiosity and the public’s fascination with the exotic and the dangerous. Admittance to the collection: Ladies and Gentlemen 2/-, others 1/- and to feeding time at 9pm 2/6. The newspaper records a well-attended fair, with the active presence of the ‘lightfingered gentry.’ Later in the week, at Weymouth, her Royal Highness (Charlotte-Sophia, wife of George III), after sea bathing, inspected the menagerie together with ‘the principal nobility in the town.’ Animal welfare issues and public safety were becoming a growing concern at this time (London Zoo was founded in 1828) and can equally be applied to today’s ‘hobby zoos’ and animal trafficking. 29
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 29
07/12/2017 09:57
Financial Planning by Mark Salter, Financial Planner Most of us will start the year with some New Year’s resolutions. I’m sure that getting healthier by going to the gym is probably highest on most people’s lists but financial goals are also a popular choice. Whether it’s saving for something important, reducing credit card debt or being more careful about what we spend. But how many of us will be thinking longer term and setting up a plan for the future? Do you ever find yourself thinking about what you would like to do with the little time you have left on this planet? Will you have enough money to enjoy your future? Could you afford to help your family financially when they need it most? A financial plan can certainly help answer these questions or show you how they could be achieved. Embarking on a financial plan is like sailing around the world. The voyage won’t always go to plan and there’ll be rough seas, but those who are prepared, flexible, patient and well-advised greatly increase the odds of reaching their destinations. A mistake many inexperienced sailors make is not having a plan at all. They embark without a clear sense of their destination. And once they do decide, they often find themselves lost at sea in the wrong boat with inadequate provisions. Likewise, in planning an investment journey, you need to decide on your goal. A first step might be to consider whether the goal is realistic and achievable. For instance, while you may long to buy a holiday home in a warmer climate, you may not be prepared to sacrifice your needs today to satisfy that distant desire. Once you are set on a realistic destination, you need to ensure you have the right tools to get you there. Is everything you’ve acquired fit for purpose? Have you planned for multiple contingencies? What degree of “bad weather” can your plan withstand along the way? Key to a successful voyage is a good navigator. A trusted financial planner is like that, regularly taking coordinates and making adjustments, if necessary. If your circumstances change, the planner may suggest you re-plot your course. As with the weather at sea, markets can be unpredictable. A sudden squall can whip up waves of volatility, tides can shift and strong currents can threaten to blow you off course. Like a seasoned sailor, an experienced planner will work with the conditions. Once the storm passes, you can pick up speed again. Just as a sturdy vessel will help you withstand most conditions at sea, a well-diversified portfolio of savings and investments can act as a bulwark against the sometimes tempestuous conditions in markets. Circumnavigating the globe is not exciting every day. Patience is required with local customs and paperwork as you pull into different ports. Likewise, a lack of attention to costs and taxes are the enemy of many people’s finances. Distractions can also send investors, like sailors, off course. In the face of “hot” investment trends, it takes discipline not to veer from your chosen plan. Like the sirens of Greek mythology, media pundits can also be diverting, tempting you to change tack and act on news that is already priced in to markets. A lack of flexibility is another impediment to a successful investment journey. If it doesn’t look like you’ll make your destination in time, you may have to extend your voyage, or take a different route to get there or even moderate your goal. The important point is that you become comfortable with the idea that uncertainty is inherent to the investment journey, just as it is with any sea voyage. That is why preparation and planning are so critical. While you can’t control every outcome, you can be prepared for the range of possibilities and understand that you have clear choices if things don’t go according to plan. If you can’t live with the volatility, you can change your plan. If the goal looks unachievable, you can lower your sights. If it doesn’t look like you’ll arrive on time, you can extend your journey. Of course, not everyone’s journey is the same. Neither is everyone’s destination. We take different routes to different places and we meet a range of challenges and opportunities along the way. But for all of us, it’s critical that we are prepared for our journeys in the right vessel, that we keep our destinations in mind, that we stick with the plans, and that we have a trusted navigator to chart our courses and keep us on target.
Sherborne Reach Out It’s a shocking statistic that one million older people go for a month without speaking to anyone, and half of all older people consider the television as their main form of company. Age UK Dorchester offers a FREE ‘Reach Out’ service, which provides volunteers for older people who have become lonely and isolated, and which can occur for a variety of reasons such as bereavement, ill health, or loss of confidence. Volunteers play a key role in helping to re-establish social contacts, either by accompanying them to a local activity, or visiting them for a cup of tea and a chat. They can help people to find out about activities, groups and clubs in their area and to go along with them until they feel confident enough to do things by themselves. Age UK Dorchester is seeking potential volunteers in the Sherborne area; and they should enjoy meeting people, be a good listener and have about an hour a week to spare. If you would like to know more about the ‘Reach Out’ service in the Sherborne area or to volunteer for Age UK Dorchester in Sherborne, please contact: Cecilia Keedle Isack on 07890 561958 or email: ckeedle_ isack@ageukdorchester.onmicrosoft.com
The Life Story Project “We all have a story to tell. Taking time to remember, reflect and record our life stories and memories creates an extraordinary gift for the people we care about”, says Kate Schneider, director of The Life Story Project. Based in Somerset and covering the South West, The Life Story Project offers time and support to individuals, families and groups who wish to capture and keep safe stories, memories, photos, music, poems, and other memorabilia. “Each project is unique – planned in partnership with each person, family, or group to ensure that it reflects the things that most matter to them, in their own words.” “Many people think that no-one would be interested in their life story, yet with a little support and gentle questioning their story emerges.” Kate transcribes people’s stories and memories using different media including recordings, books and booklets, albums, scrapbooks, DVDs, CDs and memory boxes. People have written letters to loved ones, to be saved for the future; told their life story in their own words and illustrated it with photos; recorded favourite stories and poems for their grandchildren; and recorded the ‘tracks of their years’ or ‘Desert Island Discs’, saying why the music is important to them. “Often people have involved their family members, their children and grandchildren in creating personal and treasured gifts. It has been an enjoyable and positive process.” They celebrate milestones - from births to graduations, marriages, anniversaries, retirement, and memorials. The Life Story Project offers people time to reflect on the past, present and future. It enables people to make sense of their lives, celebrating and saving memories, thoughts, and messages for people who are dear to them. To find out more, or to contact Kate go to www.thelifestoryproject.co.uk (mob: 07568 179834).
30
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 30
07/12/2017 09:57
Bargain Corner Hunters Harrods Christmas Bears Years 2006, 2007, 2008 available Original labels still attached As new £10 each Tel: 01963 33160
Bedroom blanket box. Light solid pine. 4 ft long, height 17”, depth 16”. Ideal for bottom of bed £45.00 Delonghi Double Convector Heater. 22” high, 31” wide. As new £35.00 Small Convector Heater, 2 ft wide 17” high £10.00 Medium black holiday suitcase. Two compartments £10.00 Drain rods with 12 attachments in bag. Unused £5.00 Tel: 01963 210756
Motorola cordless phones, 2 handsets with answer facility. Includes batteries £20.00 Tel: 01935 473645
Books: A Companion To The British Countryside £10.00 Steam On The Road through two centuries by David Burgess Wise £5.00 Steam Trains Of The World by Colin Garratt £10.00 Tel: 01935 475451 Beko Gas Cooker (G584) Silver with glass top. 36” high x 19.5” wide x 24” deep. Really good condition £85.00 ono Brand new black Hotter shoes size 4 ½ (£50.00 new) £25.00 Tel: 01935 815667
GUNS WANTED FOR CASH Any size, any condition, make or model We collect in any area By Registered Firearms Dealer
DAYS OUT & HOLIDAYS with TAYLORS
DAYS OUT 2018 Cardiff Shopper
Tiverton Horse Drawn Barge
Saturday 14th April Adult £21.00, Club £19.00
Saturday 28th April Adult £32.00, Club £30.00
Crab Fest - Salcombe
Lynton & Lynmouth
Sunday 6th May Adult £22.00, Club £20.00
Sunday13th May Adult £21.00, Club £19.00
Compton Acres & Poole Sunday 27th May Adult £23.50, Club £21.50
HOLIDAYS 2018 Diana Exhibition, Kensington & Afternoon Tea 11th - 12th May 2 Days, £185.00
Harry Potter Weekend
14th - 15th July
2 Days, £155.00
Why not join our Travel Club? For just £5.00 a year you become eligible for a range of offers and promotions including discount prices on our Day Trips! To join our mailing list for our 2018 brochure call our office now! 01935 423177 | www.taylorscoachtravel.co.uk
07970 742471
Dorset Water Centre Ltd
Incorporating Water-wise of Sherborne The Rising Sun Chinese takeaway offer delicious traditional Chinese cuisine freshly cooked to order for collection or delivery*. Using the very finest ingredients and setting the highest of standards. Please visit our website for our full menu. We look forward to seeing you.
Seasons Greetings to all our Customers!
Monday – Thursday Tuesday Friday – Saturday Sunday
5.00 pm – 10.00 pm CLOSED 5.00 pm – 10.30 pm 5.30 pm – 10.00 pm
61 Princes Street, Yeovil, BA20 1EE • Tel. 01935 476184 www.therisingsunyeovil.co.uk
* Conditions apply for delivery service
for all your Water Softening needs • Block & tablet salt • Service & repairs • Kinetico dealer • 37 years experience Grove Trading Estate Dorchester DT1 1ST
01305 265548
www.dorset-water.co.uk 31
1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 31
07/12/2017 09:57
Bellissima WE HAVE MOVED AND ARE NOW NEXT TO WAITROSE 17 Cheap Street, Sherborne 01935 813812 jane@bellissimalingerie.com bellissimalingerie.com 1434_Shelleys-Conduit Mag 0118-FINAL.indd 32
07/12/2017 09:57