OCTOBER 2016 | FREE
A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR
FENCES YET TO MEND Back on the farm with The Countrymen’s Club
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk
Come all jolly fellows who delight in being mellow Attend unto me I beseech you For a pint when it’s quiet, come boys let us try it For thinking will drive a man crazy I have lawns, I have bowers, I have fields, I have flowers And the lark is my daily alarmer So jolly boys now, here’s God speed the plough Long life and success to the farmer Come sit at my table, all those who are able And I’ll hear not one word of complaining For the tinkling of glasses all music surpasses And I long to see bottles a-draining For here I am king, I can laugh, drink and sing And let no man approach as a stranger Just show me the ass who refuses a glass And I’ll treat him to hay in a manger Let the wealthy and great roll in splendour and state, I envy them not, I declare it For I eat my own ham, my own chickens and lamb And I shear my own fleece and I wear it Were it not for my seeding you’d have but poor feeding I’m sure you would all starve without me But I am content when I've paid me rent And I’m happy when friends are about me. Anon
CONTRIBUTORS Editorial and creative direction Glen Cheyne
Richard Bromell ASFAV Charterhouse Auctioneers and Valuers @CharterhouseAV charterhouse-auction.com
Rhys Horsman Oxley Sports Centre @OxleySports oxleysc.com
Design Andy Gerrard
Tony Browne Sherborne International Film Festival @SHIFFSherborne shiff.org.uk
Colin Lambert colinlambert.co.uk
Sub-editor Julia Chadwick Photography Katharine Davies
Mike Burks The Gardens Group @TheGardensGroup thegardeneronline.co.uk
Feature writer Jo Denbury
Sue Cameron Sherborne Scribblers
Print Pureprint
Gillian M Constable DWT Sherborne Group @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Distribution team Maggie Belly Christine Knott Sarah Morgan Roger & Mary Napper Claire Pilley Judith Rust Geoff Wood Contact 01935 814803 07957 496193 @sherbornetimes editor@sherbornetimes.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk
Sherborne Times is printed on Edixion Offset, an FSC® and EU Ecolabel certified paper. It goes without saying that once thoroughly well read, this magazine is easily recycled and we actively encourage you to do so. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither Sherborne Times nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Sherborne Times does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without prior permission from Sherborne Times. Additional photography: contributor’s own, Shutterstock and iStock 4 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
David Copp Jenny Dickinson Dear to Me, Fine Stationery @DearToMeStudio deartome.co.uk Giles Dick-Read Reads Coffee Roasters @reads_coffee readscoffee.co.uk Jimmy Flynn Milborne Port Computers @MPortComputers computing-mp.co.uk Nick Folland Sherborne Prep @Sherborneprep sherborneprep.org Andrew Fort Fort Financial Planning ffp.org.uk
Jeremy Le Sueur 4 Shires Asset Management 4-shires.com Mark Lewis FRICS FNAVA Symonds & Sampson @symsam symondsandsampson.co.uk Helen Lickerish The Sherborne Rooms thesherbornerooms.com Sasha Matkevich The Green Restaurant @greensherborne greenrestaurant.co.uk Luke Mouland Kith and Kin Research @lukemouland kithandkinresearch.co.uk Kitty Oakshott Upstairs Downstairs Interiors @updowninteriors updowninteriors.co.uk Lisa Osman All Hallows AGA Approved Cookery School @cooksandmakers allhallowsfarmhouse.co.uk Ian Pollard 56 London Road Clinic @56londonroad 56londonroad.co.uk
Milly Furby The Slipped Stitch @ThSlippedStitch theslippedstitch.co.uk
Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom Glencairn House Clinic glencairnhouse.co.uk doctortwrobinson.com
Paul Gammage & Anita Light EweMove Sherborne @ewemoveyeovil ewemove.com
Jane Somper Goldhill Organics @GoldhillOrganic goldhillorganics.co.uk
John Gaye Sherborne Literary Society sherborneliterarysociety.com
Sally Welbourn Dorset Wildlife Trust @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Peter Henshaw & Mike Riley Riley’s Cycles @rileyscycles rileyscycles.co.uk @DCNSherborne dcn.org.uk Sarah Hitch The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms @SanctuaryDorset thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk
Wayne Winstone & Helen Stickland Winstone’s Books @winstonebooks winstonebooks.co.uk Canon Eric Woods Sherborne Abbey @SherborneAbbey sherborneabbey.com
40 6
What’s On
12 Sherborne International Film Festival
14 Unearthed 16 Shopping Guide 18 Wild Dorset 22 Robin Hague 26 Family
OCTOBER 2016 30 Knitting Pattern
58 Body & Mind
32 Friends of Holnest Church
74 Property
34 Antiques
80 Finance
36 Interiors
84 Tech
37 Gardening
86 Folk Tales
40 THE COUNTRYMEN’S CLUB
88 Literature
50 Food & Drink
95 Crossword
60 Cycle Sherborne
98 The History of Pack Monday
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 5
WHAT'S ON Listings ____________________________ Tuesdays and Fridays Tour in the Abbey 10:30am every Tuesday and 2:30pm
every Friday. Free (donations welcome).
soft & hot drinks available. £4 donation.
Monday 10th 9:30pm-3:30pm
storytelling, games or any other form of
Sherborne District
Email: Music@BearCatCollective.co.uk
the second Monday of each month at the
A monthly evening of music, poetry, art,
West Country Embroiderers -
shared entertainment we can all enjoy.
Meetings with optional workshops on
____________________________
Digby Hall, Hound Street. £15 booked
Sherborne Abbey. 01935 812452
Saturday 8th 10:30am-1pm
____________________________
SDFHS Photographic
Saturday 1st
Project Open Day
Beginning Watercolours
Somerset & Dorset Family History
Wednesday 12th 7:30pm
Sherborne. We are setting up a
Florence Foster Jenkins
of named people from Somerset &
Sherborne. £6 from Sherborne TIC
with James Budden Artslink class, for information 01935 815899 or sherborneartslink.org.uk
____________________________ Saturday 1st 2:30pm Talk: The Coaching Age Digby Hall, Hound St, Sherborne
Roger Marsh will give an illustrated
in advance. New members welcome. Details from Ann 01963 34696
____________________________
Society, The Parade, Cheap St,
ArtsLink Flicks:
searchable database of photographs
Memorial Hall, Digby Road,
Dorset. Locals are invited to bring
sherborneartslink.org.uk
photographs to the centre so that they
____________________________
can be scanned and inputted by our
Wednesday 12th
team. Free. 01935 389611 sdfhs.org
and 26th 7am-9am
____________________________
Early Bird Business Exchange
Somerset. He will examine turnpike and
Saturday 8th 10:30am-2pm
Castle Gardens, Sherborne. Fortnightly
coaching inns, the conveyance of people
Coffee, tea, cakes, light lunches, stalls,
____________________________
find! In aid of Medicins sans Frontieres
talk covering North Dorset and South
other roads, the routes the coaches used,
Cheap Street Church Hall
and the post.
raffle - do come and see what you can
Friday 7th 1:30pm Lunchtime Recital: Brass
(doctors working across borders)
meetings to exchange ideas, leads and
knowledge. A vibrant and welcoming group. sherbornebusinessexchange.co.uk or contact info@sherbornebusinessexchange.co.uk
____________________________
____________________________
Wednesday 12th October -
Free recital by the Sherborne School
Saturday 8th 7:30pm
Wednesday 9th November 7pm-9pm
students. Cheap Street Church, Sherborne
Mozart Requiem By Candlelight
Essential Family History
____________________________ Friday 7th 11:30am-1pm
Sherborne Abbey. With the National Symphony Orchestra. Feat. Handel,
Somerset & Dorset Family History
Vivaldi, Moroconi. In aid of local parishes
Sherborne. A 5 week evening course,
Sherborne Abbey event Deepest Dorset A free lunch-time event introducing the new book that celebrates what is special
needing support. Tickets from Sherborne TIC. £18-£20. Info: 01963 220581
____________________________
about Dorset; speakers include Valerie
Saturday 8th 8pm-11pm
contributors, and Fanny Charles, co-
Social Club, Bradford Abbas. Oktober
wine provided by the Friends of Sherborne
Society, The Parade, Cheap Street,
with Ted Udall, for those starting out on their family history or anyone wanting a refresher course. Members £30 for 5
sessions. Non-members £35. Prebook:
Singleton and Tim Laycock, two of the
Sherborne Town Band
author/editor with Gay Pirrie-Weir; with
Fest evening. bradfordabbasclub.co.uk
Wednesday 12th - Sunday 16th
____________________________
Sherborne Literary Festival
Abbey, and nibbles by the Eastbury Hotel.
Saturday 8th 7:30pm
____________________________
The New Scorpion Band
A wide variety of speakers including
Friday 7th 7pm
Milborne Port Village Hall, Springfield
Holwell Variety Performance Night Holwell Village Hall, DT9 5LL. Live
music, SwapShop, B.Y.O. booze. Snacks, 6 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Road, Milborne Port DT9 5RE
Tickets £12.50. Call 01963 251028 ticketsource.co.uk/date/FGIHII
____________________________
01935 389611 sdfhs.org/events/sdfhs-events
Terry Waite, Pam Ayres, Susie Dent,
Harry Parker, Artemis Cooper, Santa Montefiore + more! Tickets and
programme from Sherborne TIC. sherborneliterarysociety.com
OCTOBER 2016 Antiques, Newlands) £10
Sunday 16th
Mike Balfour
Janice Booth
11:30am, Digby Hall £10
6pm, The Courtyard
2pm, Raleigh Hall £7.50
2pm, Digby Hall £10
Harry Parker
4pm, Raleigh Hall £7.50
Wednesday 12th Tim Moore Peter Hennessy & James Jinks
(Macintosh Antiques, Newlands) £10 7pm, Digby Hall £10
JS Law
4:30pm, Digby Hall £10
____________________________
Wolfgang Grulke
(See Wolgangs’s feature on page 88) Pam Ayres
6pm, MBE Digby Hall £20
Elizabeth Buchan
4:30pm, Digby Hall (Small Hall) £10 Joshua Levine
Thursday 13th 2:30pm
7pm. Digby Hall £10
Sherborne & District
____________________________
Gardeners’ Association Talk
Thursday 13th
Digby Hall, Hound St, Sherborne. 01935 813679
Noel (Razor) Smith 11:30am, Digby Hall £10
____________________________
Artemis Cooper
Thursday 13th doors open 7pm,
2pm, Digby Hall £10
concert starts at 7:30pm
Rebecca MacKenzie
Sunset Café Stompers
with John Holliday
Jazz Evening
4:30pm, Digby Hall £10
Leigh Village Hall, DT9 6HL.
7pm, Sherborne Abbey £15
of the Yeatman Hospital and Leigh
Drinks and nibbles. In aid of Friends
Terry Waite CBE
____________________________ Friday 14th
Saturday 15th
Sarah Morris (daughter of the
Santa Montefiore
late Sue Lloyd-Roberts CBE)
11:30am, Digby Hall £10
11:30am, Digby Hall £10
Tom Fort
Ferdinand Mount 2pm, Digby Hall £10 Sophie Kinsella
4:30pm, Digby Hall £10 5pm, The Courtyard (Macintosh
01258 475137 Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1FH
www.stur-exchange.co.uk
Sherborne or Elizabeth 01935 873846 elizabethturnbull70@btinternet.com
____________________________ Friday 14th 6:30pm
Gill Meller
Talk: Alistair Bunkall
4:30pm, Digby Hall £10
on North Korea
7pm Digby Hall £15
DT2 9NF. Alistair is the Defence
____________________________
A history of architecture in 100 buildings
From the ancient Egyptian pyramids to the soaring skyscrapers of Manhattan, renowned architectural historian Dan Cruickshank explores the most inspirational and characterful world buildings. Thursday 27th October, 7:30pm Tickets £12.50
Frampton Village Hall, Frampton Correspondent for Sky News and one
of the country’s leading broadcasters on
Dan Cruickshank Box Office:
Bridge Stores, Leigh, Winstone’s,
2pm, Digby Hall £10
Susie Dent
Lucinda Hawksley
Village Hall. Tickets £12 from
Roachford
Andrew’s sound may have changed from the soul/rock fusion of debut hits ‘Cuddly Toy’ and ‘Family Man’ to more contemporary soul and R’n’B, but the quality has remained as consistently high as ever. Friday 4th November, 8pm Tickets £15
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 7
WHAT'S ON security and foreign affairs. The talk is in
9:30am-5pm Monday - Saturday
Milborne Port Village Hall. Local food
recent trip to the world’s most secretive
Richard Pikesley
include a glass of wine and canapés.
Sherborne. All gallery stock can be viewed
(doors open 12:30pm)
aid of Barnardo's and will focus on his
Exhibition of New Work by
state, North Korea. Tickets: £15 to
Jerram Gallery, Half Moon Street,
Sunday 23rd 1pm-3pm
Info: Susie Harland 07887 560724.
online: jerramgallery.com 01935 815261
Samaritans Fun and Free
____________________________
Open Singing Session
Saturday 15th - Sunday 30th
Friday 21st 7:30pm
Dorset Food Fortnight 2016
Kali Theatre – My Big
Digby Hall, Sherborne, with a local singing
Various locations in Dorset. A celebration of
Fat Cowpat Wedding
up a brochure from your nearest TIC, local
£9, £6 u18s. A fast-moving comedy
Sunday 23rd 3pm
of mishaps and misunderstandings with
From Sherborne TIC, Digby Road. 1½-2
dance for all to enjoy. This is a fun, light-
£5 for a thousand years of history about
____________________________
and film. £8. 01963 32525
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coach, for all of us who sing in the car! Plus gift stalls, tombola and refreshments.
local, seasonal and fresh Dorset food. Pick
Yetminster Jubilee Hall. 01935 873719.
pub, café or farm shop. dorsetaonb.org.uk
drama about a mixed-race wedding, full
Sherborne Town Walk
plenty of neat twists and a disco/Bhangra
hrs with Blue Badge Guide Cindy. Only
____________________________ Sunday 16th September - Friday 7th October Monday - Saturday 9:30am-5pm Exhibition of New Work by NEAC Artists Jerram Gallery, Half Moon Street,
Sherborne. All gallery stock can be viewed online: jerramgallery.com 01935 815261
hearted exploration of relationships across
the divides of rural/urban, race and gender. Enjoy authentic lentil or beef curry by Pure Punjabi at Sixpenny Handley booking is essential artsreach.co.uk
____________________________
____________________________
this beautiful ancient town. No booking
required, chinwag with your guide over a drink afterwards. For more information 01935 815341 Keep up to date with sherbornewalks.wordpress.com
____________________________
____________________________
Saturday 22nd 2pm-4:30pm
Tuesday 25th
Monday 17th early - late
Talk: Where did they go,
Life Painting with
Pack Monday Fair
and how did they get there?
Susan R Hughes
Throughout the central streets of
Somerset & Dorset Family History
Artslink class, for information 01935
fair on the Terraces.
In two talks Ted Udall will discuss, and
____________________________
Sherborne. Annual fair and weekend fun ____________________________
Society, The Parade, Cheap St, Sherborne.
815899 or sherborneartslink.org.uk
attempt to answer, both questions about
Thursday 27th 7:30am - 9am
the country. Price: £10, SDFHS Members
Commerce Business Breakfast
____________________________
With guest speaker Stuart Skepelhorn
why and how our ancestors moved around
Sherborne Chamber of Trade &
£8. 01935 389611 sdfhs.org
The Butterfly House, Castle Gardens.
and photographer Becky Williamson.
Saturday 22nd 9am-11am
of communications agency Lolly. An
____________________________
Alweston Village Hall. A community
Wednesday 19th 7:30pm Natural History of the Isle of Islay Memorial Hall, Digby Rd, Sherborne.
Dorset Wildlife Trust Talk by naturalist 01305 264620
Community Big Butty Breakfast
Friday 21st 7:30pm
event organised by Folke Church. Cards,
Sunset Café Stompers Cheap Street Church, Sherborne. Jazz concert with guest vocalist Hamish
preserves, cakes and children’s activity
table. Food bank collection for anyone
informal opportunity to catch up with
fellow professionals over a hearty breakfast. £10 members, £12 non-members. Tickets available from sherbornechamber.org.uk
____________________________
wishing to contribute. A free child’s butty
Thursday 27th 10am-12noon
breakfast! (Applies to children up to 10.)
Arts Buffet
815565 raymond1@btinternet.com
Sunday 23rd doors open 7pm
____________________________
Screen Bites Film Festival:
Get messy and creative at the art and
Friday 21st - Friday 11th November
‘East Side Sushi’
Maxwell, in aid of Friends of the
Rendezvouz. £10 (inc. refreshments) from Sherborne TIC and on the door. 01935
8 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
breakfast with the purchase of an adult
and 1:30pm-3:30pm
____________________________
Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne. craft workshop for under 12s and their families. 01935 815899
OCTOBER 2016 Thursday 27th - Sunday 30th
8:00 – 10:00pm
Saturday on the Parade
Sherborne International
(See our International Film
____________________________
Film Festival Powell Theatre, Abbey Road, Sherborne. Sherborne’s annual celebration of
Festival feature on page 12)
Country Market Thursday mornings 9:15am-11:15am Church Hall, Digby Road
language films showing over three days.
Workshops and Classes
Thursday 27th
____________________________
each month 9am-1pm
Official Opening
The Slipped Stitch
7:45pm
Saturday 8th 10am-3pm
Cheap Street
La Grande Vadrouille
Beginners' spinning workshop
Saturday Antiques & Flea Market
Wednesday 12th 6:30pm-9pm
Every fourth Saturday every month
Learn how to knit socks
(exc. April and December), 9am-4pm
Amigurumi crochet with Holly
____________________________
international film. 10 acclaimed foreign Tickets at Sherborne TIC. shiff.org.uk
1966 – France PG
8:00 – 10:00pm ____________________________ Friday 28th Tangerines
Wednesday 12th 6:30pm-8:30pm
____________________________ Farmers’ Market Every third Friday in
____________________________
Church Hall, Digby Road
Saturday 15th October 10am-1pm
Monthly Table Top Sale
2013 – Estonia/Georgia 15
Needle-felted Christmas gnomes
and SwapShop
Throughout half term
Saturday 3rd 10am-1pm
Palio
Children’s workshops
Holwell Village Hall, DT9 5LL. Used
Needle-felted reindeers with
books, CDs, DVDs, bric-a-brac and toys.
2:15 – 3:45pm
2015 – UK/Italy 12 5:00 – 6:30pm
The Kite Runner 2007 – USA/China 12A 8:00 – 10:10pm
____________________________ Saturday 29th Rabbit-Proof Fence 2002 Australia PG 2:30
Lemon Tree
Saturday 29th - 10am-4pm Blackdogandgingercat
Knit and Natter runs every Tuesday and Thursday 10am-12pm and on the last
items, produce & crafts, clothes, cookware, Sellers: £5 per table, set up from 9am. samantha-jane-@hotmail.co.uk
____________________________
Saturday of the month 2pm-4pm, plus
Chasty Cottage Antiques Fair
classes. The Julian, Cheap St, Sherborne.
9:30am (public) to 4pm
theslippedstitch.co.uk
Up to 35 stands, homemade food and
crochet, knitting, and needle-felting
Saturday 3rd 8:30am (trade)
Call 01935 508249 or visit us to book
Digby Hall, Hound St, Sherborne.
____________________________
refreshments available at coffee shop
2008 Israel/Germany/France PG
Thursdays 2pm-3:30pm
5:00 – 6:50pm
Sherborne Activity Club
The Well-Digger’s Daughter
Come along and join us for a variety
Book Fair
and indoor games, £2.50 per week,
Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne,
Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9
antiquarian books (also magazines,
2011 France PG
8:15 – 10:10pm ____________________________ Sunday 30th Rams 2015 – Iceland 15 2:30 – 4:10pm Whale Rider
within the fair. Entrance £1. 01963 370986 ____________________________
of activities including quizzes, curling
Saturday 15th 9:30am-4pm
light refreshments included. Raleigh
DT9 3NL. New, second-hand &
3NL 01202 722211 or 07467 955864 clubpoole@brendoncare.org.uk
____________________________
2002 New Zealand PG
Fairs and Markets
5:00 – 6:45pm
____________________________
Life Is Beautiful
Pannier Market
1997 Italy PG
Every Thursday and
prints, postcards & ephemera). 01803
613356 colinbakerbooks@btinternet.com ____________________________ Vintage Market Saturday 22nd 8:30am-3:30pm Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, DT9 3NL. 30+ sellers. 07809 387594
____________________________ www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 9
WHAT'S ON Christmas Craft and Gift Market
Gainsborough Park, The Terrace Playing
____________________________
pitchero.com/clubs/sherbornerfc
Clevedon Town v
Fields, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NS
Saturday 1st
____________________________
Sherborne Town (A)
Saturday 8th 3pm
____________________________
Sherborne v Wimborne (H)
Saturday 8th
____________________________
____________________________
Bridlington v
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Saturday 22nd 3pm
Sherborne Town (A)
7:30pm–8:30pm
Frome v Sherborne (A)
____________________________
Mixed Touch Rugby
____________________________
Tuesday 18th (LP Cup)
Sherborne School Floodlit Astroturf, Ottery
Saturday 29th 3pm
Cribbs Friends v
Sherborne v Trowbridge (H)
Sherborne Town (A)
£2 per session, first four sessions free. For
____________________________
____________________________
or call Jimmy on 07887 800803
Sherborne Town FC
Saturday 29th 10am-4pm Memorial Hall, Digby Rd, Sherborne.
Lots of Christmas gifts! 01749 677049
Sport
Lane. DT9 6EE. Novices very welcome.
more details go to www.sherbornetouch.org ____________________________
Sherborne RFC ____________________________ 1st IV, Southern Counties South Division
Saturday 22nd Cadbury Heath v
____________________________
Sherborne Town (A)
1st IV, Toolstation Western
____________________________
League Premier Division
Saturday 29th
Raleigh Grove, Terrace Playing Fields,
Sherborne Town v
sherbornetownfc.com
____________________________
Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NS
Bristol Manor Farm (H)
DAYS OUT & HOLIDAYS with TAYLORS COACH TRAVEL Days Out
Holidays
____________________________
____________________________
Tavistock Goose Fair
German Christmas Market
Wednesday 12th October
25th - 28th November
£17.50, Club £15.50
4 Days £345
Billy Elliot at the Bristol Hippodrome
Newquay Tinsel & Turkey
Thursday 27th October
12th - 16th December
£67, Club £65
5 Days £335
Autumn Mystery Drive & Lunch
Winter Warmer
Sunday 30th October
12th - 16th December
£33.50, Club £31.50
5 Days £325
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
The Shard & London Shopper Saturday 6th November
2016 Day Trips & Excursions brochure available now.
£47, Club £45
To join our mailing list for our 2017 brochure call the office now!
____________________________
10 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
01935 423177 | www.taylorscoachtravel.co.uk
Move Faster. Sell with Knight Frank.
Our understanding of the ever-changing market enables us to price your property accurately, so you can rely on Knight Frank to get you moving.
15 Cheap Street Sherborne Dorset DT9 3PU 01935 590030 @KFSherborne sherborne@knightfrank.com
KnightFrank.co.uk/Sherborne
2016 SHERBORNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Tony Browne
27th - 30th October
T
his year’s celebration of the best in world cinema at the eighth annual Sherborne International Film Festival features ten highly rated, award-winning foreign language films – both recent releases and classics. Broadly based but with a European bias this year, the film selection includes excursions to the Near and Far East and the Antipodes. The 17 hours of screen time touch on a number of areas of conflict and intrigue, but with many lighter moments of romance and comedy to be enjoyed. Showings will take place in the Powell Theatre, Abbey Road in Sherborne and all films have English subtitles. Thursday 27th October
The festival opens with a cava and canapé reception at Vida Comida and is followed by the classic French comedy La Grande Vadrouille (PG). This is one of the greatest comic achievements of French cinema and is 50 years old this year. A downed British aircrew and two reluctant French patriots endeavour to avoid the Nazis and blunder their way to freedom. Friday 28th October
The first film on Friday is Tangerines (15). Estonian fruit farmers remain behind in Georgia amid the 1990 civil war to harvest their crop. As they become embroiled in the war, the tragic story of their continued presence is gradually revealed. The second film of the day is Palio (12), a thrilling docudrama of the famous horse race in Siena. The evening film is The Kite Runner (12A). Amir returns to Afghanistan, his homeland, driven by guilt to make amends to his friend Hassan for his boyhood treachery.
12 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Saturday 29th October
Rabbit-Proof Fence (PG) opens the day’s programme. In 1931 Australia, three Aboriginal girls escape after being plucked from their homes on a government-backed programme and set off on a 1,500 mile trek leading them back home. The midafternoon film is Lemon Tree (PG). A Palestinian widow defends her lemon-tree field when a new Israeli Defence Minister moves in next door and threatens to tear her lemon grove down. A French film, The Well-Digger’s Daughter (PG) follows in the evening. A well-digger feels torn between honour and love for his daughter when she gets into trouble with the wealthy son of a shopkeeper. Sunday 30th October
Rams (15) is the first film of the day. A tragicomedy set in a remote Icelandic farming valley, where two estranged brothers have to come together to save what is most precious to them – their sheep. Whale Rider (PG), from New Zealand, is a contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfil her destiny. The festival concludes with the marvellous Life Is Beautiful (PG). A romance, drama and comedy, it tells the story of a loveable Italian-Jewish waiter, who helps his son survive the horrors of Auschwitz. This film will lift your spirits and capture your hearts. The Sherborne International Film Festival is organised by the Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles and sponsored by Peter Harding Wealth Management for the benefit of the local community and in aid of two International Rotary charities. Full details and showtimes can be found at shiff.org.uk
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 13
UNEARTHED JORDAN TURNER, AGED 16
L
ast year’s ‘Future Farmer’ of care farm Future Roots was 16-year-old Jordan Turner, of Sherborne. The Gryphon School student won the accolade despite no previous experience of working on a farm and wowed both staff and his peers with his great all-round attitude to learning and team work, showing he was willing to undertake all tasks – no matter what the conditions. The Future Farmers initiative aims to provide an accredited qualification for 14 to 21-year-olds who might have an interest in farming, but who find school challenging. Jordan himself is dyslexic, yet he managed to achieve his City & Guilds Level 1 qualification in land-based operations and was the first student in 10 years to gain a second award in year two. “I would never have known I wanted to work in farming if I hadn’t had this opportunity,” he says. Following his great success on the programme, Jordan has been awarded an apprenticeship working on one of the five Tizzards’ dairy farms. This year will give him the experience needed to decide where he wants to specialise, but his mother is hoping it won’t be in cows. “She isn’t a great fan of the dairy farm smell indoors – but I was drawn to working with the cattle during my time at Rylands Farm.” “I always found school work difficult,” he continues. “But, if you’re willing to work hard and have the right attitude towards others, these sorts of opportunities can take you far.” Future Roots at Rylands Farm, Holnest provides the opportunity for people to utilise a rural environment to enhance their well being and reach their potential. futureroots.net
KATHARINE DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY Portrait, lifestyle, PR and editorial commissions 07808 400083 info@katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk www.katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk
14 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
T H E S A N C T UA RY BEAUTY ROOMS
OCTOBER
OFFonERS
i a l n l i t r b TWO
f a a c i a i c l s g . . . o l a m der AUTUMN AROMATHERAPY FACIAL - £45: USING DERMALOGICA’S NEW PHYTO REPLENISH OIL & PROFESSIONAL BLENDED AROMO OILS Includes cleansing, exfoliation, massage of arms face and scalp, and a facial masque. NEW! DERMALOGICA ION-ACTIVE POWER TREATMENT - £55: TARGETS THE 4 MOST CHALLENGING SKIN CONCERNS - AGEING, DEHYDRATION, HYPERPIGMENTATION & ADULT ACNE. Using massage & thermal activity, potent ingredients are driven far ther and faster into the skin. THE SANCTUARY BEAUTY ROOMS, 8A CHEAP STREET, SHERBORNE, TEL: 01935 815085
W W W. T H E S A N C T U A RY S H E R B O R N E . C O . U K
Culinary Concepts mussel eaters, £29.95, Almondburys
Locally handmade walnut board, £40, timbermillers.co.uk. Granary loaf, The Bakery Café
Hay-bale seating (also suitable for feeding and bedding your animals of course), colehay.co.uk
BUMPER CROP
Jenny Dickinson – of boutique stationery brand Dear to Me Studio – keeps us fed and warm in style this autumn, with the help of some local suppliers. deartomestudio.com 16 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Green Toys dumper truck, £15.99, The Toy Barn Cup mushrooms, E Brettell Fruit & Veg
Mini colander, £4.99, Abbey Décor Little Windsor quail's eggs, £2.50, Parsons
Alain Payne children's breeks, £69, country-catalogue.co.uk
Wooden vintage rabbit, £28, Upstairs Downstairs Interiors Carrots, E Brettell Fruit & Veg at Sherborne Pannier Market www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 17
Wild Dorset
HISTORIC HEDGES Sally Welbourn, Dorset Wildlife Trust
18 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
F
or some of us, hedgerows might be considered an unremarkable and normal part of Dorset’s landscape. However, hedges create an amazing patchwork of wildlife habitat and colour, vital to the survival of many of the species we love in the county. Practically, hedgerows can be used as a barrier to prevent livestock from escaping, or can form boundaries between parishes – but they can also reveal secrets to the past. The ancient hedgerows at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s (DWT) Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve in west Dorset, for example, are associated with old routeways and green lanes. Thus, we can understand how people moved through the landscape and moved their animals hundreds of years ago. These hedges have remained because they’ve never been farmed intensively. For wildlife, hedgerows house nectar-rich blossom in the spring, insects buzz around in the dense thickets in summer and red berries abound in autumn, providing wildlife with a rich larder during the colder months. Hedgerows are often a mix of shrub and tree species such as hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, ash and oak, interwoven with climbers like traveller’s joy and honeysuckle. In Kingcombe’s hedgerows, we often see badgers making their setts underneath them. They are also home to dormice and other small animals such as woodmice, while birds such as sparrowhawks hunt along them. We are lucky to have these hedgerows in Dorset. Since World War II, the UK’s ancient hedgerows have dramatically declined, often removed to make way for development and increase field sizes. Many have been left in poor condition following the use of fertilisers and pesticides in intensive farming, or a decline in traditional management techniques needed to create them in the first place. At this time of year, hedges on many of DWT’s nature reserves look particularly stunning, adorning the landscape with a tapestry of warm orange and red colours. The hedges are full of berries and, as the leaves start to die back, nature is revealed in the form of goldfinches, fieldfares and redwings enjoying the delights of the hedgerows in Dorset.
HEDGEROW FACTS: • By the 1990s, 121,000km of hedgerows had been lost across the UK. • In the UK, there are currently about 450,000km of hedgerow remaining. • Of these, about 190,000km are thought to be ancient or species-rich. • Hedgerows are so good for wildlife that 130 UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority species are associated with them.
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 19
Wild Dorset
SHERBORNE DWT
Gillian M. Constable, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Sherborne Group Committee
T
he October meeting of Sherborne’s Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT), held on Wednesday 19th at 7.30pm in Digby Memorial Hall, takes us to the Isle of Islay with naturalist and photographer Becky Williamson. Islay is the southernmost isle of the Inner Hebrides and Becky lived there for some years. During this time she walked the island’s 130 miles of coast before publishing the book Islay’s Coastline: A Photographic Tour of The Coast of Islay. She has also photographed each of its 743 grid squares. She says the time there led her to appreciate the natural beauty of our world and its fragility. Her talk is entitled ‘The Natural History of the Isle of Islay.’ Each week there seems to be a press report concerning the reduced numbers of birds, bees, butterflies and, recently, even dragonflies. The website of the Dorset branch of Butterfly Conservation lists all records submitted and general observations. On 31st August there was an appeal entitled, ‘Can you find a peacock?’ For eight days, not a single record of a peacock butterfly had been submitted and there was 20 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
some concern as to what was happening (since 5th September, four singleton records have been received). This observation was consistent with our own. We had felt concerned about the lack of colourful butterflies in the garden. Some years it has been difficult to get a tally of the peacocks, red admirals and small tortoiseshells on the buddleias, for example, and this year it has been very different, as we have had difficulty spotting even one. The summer edition of DWT’s magazine has some first recordings for their reserves. I was interested to see that the devils finger fungus has been seen for the first time at the Loscombe Nature Reserve. Personally, I have only seen it once, in western France. Initially I thought it was some red plastic but closer investigation revealed the most amazing fungus. It is a relative of the Stinkhorn and, hence, rather smelly, but has bright-red fingers. It is a native of Australia and New Zealand and was first seen in UK in Cornwall in 1946. Perhaps a trip to Loscombe is necessary. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
RICHARD PIKESLEY 22nd October – 9th November
12 - 16 October 2016 Over 20 speakers at this year’s event including... Terry Waite CBE
Harry Parker
Pam Ayres MBE
Susie Dent
and many more... Main Sponsors
P PETER HARDING WEALT WEALTH TH MANAGEMENT MAN MANAGEMENT Principal Principall PPar Partner artner Practice Practice of St. James’s James’’s Place Wealth Wealth Mana Management aggement Established in 1993 Established 940Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset, 01935 855554 315315 Street, eet, Shaftesbury, Sherborne Tel: el: el 01747 High Street, Str Shaftesb ur,y,Dor Dorset, Dorset, set,DT9 SP7 3PY 8JG Tel: TTel: W eb: b www.peterhardingwm.co.uk www .uk 9 Cheap Street, Street, Web: Sherborne, Sherbor new.peterhardingwm.co ,.peterhardingwm.co Dor Dorset, set, DT9 3PY Tel: T el: el 01935 315315 W For full details and tickets go to:
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TOY BOATS
OIL
THE JERRAM GALLERY Half Moon Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3LN
01935 815261 info@jerramgallery.com Monday - Saturday
www.jerramgallery.com
DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 21
ROBIN HAGUE Words Jo Denbury Photography Katharine Davies
22 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
R
obin James Hague begins his day with a cocktail. That is, a cocktail consisting of kale, beetroot, avocado, maybe some coconut water and what he calls ‘a green sludge,’ otherwise known as spirulina. “Basically, whatever is in my fridge at that moment,” he smiles. “It’s as important to consider what you put inside your body, as what you do to the outside.” Clearly it is working – Robin is a man bursting
with energy. I watch in admiration as he happily bounds upstairs to inspect the new colour studio in his eponymous Cheap Street salon, holds a conversation on his mobile while giving instructions to one of his team and discusses ideas on a wave of hair extensions that have just arrived. Robin was inspired to become a hairdresser at the age of 15. “I just knew what I wanted to do from the start,”
he tells me. Originally from Nottingham, Robin’s family moved to Montacute when he was a child and, as soon as he could, he joined a salon in Yeovil. Before long he began his own enterprise and, in 1999, Robin moved into the space where his Sherborne salon is today. When he brought Aveda to the West Country 14 years ago, organic products were viewed with suspicion and largely side-lined in favour of big, commercial companies. Undeterred, Robin developed a successful chain built around quality and creativity. The salon has carried the Aveda brand ever since and its ethical and natural approach to beauty and hair is synonymous with Robin’s own approach to wellbeing. He is very conscious that the market is competitive and that it is vital to keep himself abreast of what is new. “As soon as you are complacent, you are finished,” Robin says. “I like picking up on people’s moods and what they are thinking. Now, post-Brexit and the Olympics, I sense everyone is ready for the next big thing – which, in the salon, will be colour.” But hair colour is not the only vibrant silk scarf up Robin’s shirtsleeve. His salon has just become the first in the UK to stock Lumity, a supplement said to aid healthier skin, better sleep and lift the brain fug so many of us suffer. The anti-ageing wonder-pill has been in the press frequently of late, since the supermodel Yasmin Le Bon – who recently turned 50 – endorsed it as one of her beauty secrets. “I am a bad sleeper,” says Robin. “I am like an iPhone battery and only drop off when I am down to 2%, but after five hours I am awake again.” So when his wife Lucie discovered Lumity, he decided to give it a go himself. “I found I slept for longer – and it was a better-quality sleep, so I felt more energised in the day,” he confides. Just as a great haircut leaves you feeling fantastic, so, Robin hopes, will Lumity. So, now that there is nothing stopping Robin, does he ever relax? “Now that I run three salons, much of my time is taken up with management and I rarely cut hair. By the end of the day, I need something to do with my hands – and I find cooking very soothing.” If you wonder what the mid-week meal is likely to be at the Hague household, the answer is broccoli. “I love Yotam Ottolenghi recipes,” waxes Robin. “The one where you simply add chilli, garlic and good olive oil to char-grilled broccoli and almonds is fantastic.” See? It’s all starts with the inside, out. www.robin-james.co.uk www.lumitylife.co.uk www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 23
OL
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Thornford Primary School
L E W E STO N S HERBO RN E
High quality affordable education
Open Morning Friday 14th October, 9.15am – 12.00pm
For more information or to arrange a private visit please contact the Headteacher, Mrs Neela Brooking on 01935 872706 or email office@thornford.dorset.sch.uk Boot Lane, Thornford, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6QY www.thornford.dorset.sch.uk
NEW SENIOR SCHOOL FEES
£4950
Beautiful toys & gifts Organic baby & children’s clothing Traditional children’s shoes
Open 9-5 Monday to Saturday 41 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PU Call 01935 816111 | natasha@gingerandpickle.co.uk
www.gingerandpickle.co.uk 24 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Termly day fee from September 2017
To find out more… Please come and visit us on our
Open Morning Friday 7 October or contact us: admissions@leweston.dorset.sch.uk LEWESTON SCHOOL . SHERBORNE www.leweston.co.uk . T: 01963 211 010
‘Gaudere Et Bene Facere Rejoice And Do Well
SURROGACY & FERTILITY LAW, A HELPING HAND. Deciding to start a family is central to many people’s lives. Whatever your circumstances expert legal advice from us will empower you to make informed decisions and give you options on your route to parenthood. • Surrogacy • Donor Agreements & Co-parenting • Fertility Treatment Law • Adoption ANNE-MARIE HAMER SOLICITOR
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Family
NEVER TOO LATE
T
Nick Folland, Headmaster, Sherborne Preparatory School
he Summer Olympics and, more recently, the Paralympics filled many of us with huge admiration for the grit, determination, perseverance and skills of the many athletes involved. Perhaps the most inspiring moment for me was watching Nick Skelton win gold in the individual showjumping and, at the age of 58, leaping into the record books as the oldest 26 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Olympic gold-medallist. Skelton broke his neck in two places in 2000 but, 16 years later, achieved the dream of a lifetime – despite so many setbacks along the way. Patience, as your parents and teachers might tell you, is a virtue – but some people have to wait longer than others for success to come. I thought I might share with you a few gems from other walks of life.
• Colonel Harland David Sanders first franchised KFC in 1952, at the tender age of 62. • In stark contrast to the renowned precocious talent of composers such as Mozart, Austrian-born Anton Bruckner did not write his first symphony until he was 41. • The legendary fashion designer Vivienne Westwood had her break in the fashion world at the age of 35. • Kenneth Grahame’s children’s classic, ‘The Wind in the Willows,’ was turned down by almost every publisher it was sent to. The book was first read in 1908, when he was 49. • Paul Cezanne, now considered one of the fathers of modern art, had never painted before the age of 20. He didn’t achieve his first one-man exhibition until 1894, when he was 56. • Thomas Edison’s mind often wandered and his teacher was overheard calling him “addled.” He later went on to invent the electric lightbulb. • Richard Adams’s first novel, the bestseller ‘Watership Down,’ was published when he was in his fifties. • Even Alan Turing did not generally excel at Sherborne (although his ability in mathematics was recognised). Yet he went on to break the Enigma Code and to devise what we know today as the Internet.
"Perhaps we should be setting an example to the younger generation, regardless of our age"
We set great store at school by those who are appointed as a prefect, a head girl, a lead part in a play, or a sports captain, or someone who is awarded a scholarship to senior school. Some of these high-achieving pupils will go to do exciting things as adults. However, life does not run in straight lines and early recognition does not always precede success or fame in adult life. If we were to try and plot it, I suspect that there would be very little correlation between an individual’s achievements or successes in adulthood compared with their school days. Our duty as educators must be to equip and encourage our children to want to give of their best, to persevere, to explore and think for themselves and to keep working towards their dreams and their ambitions. Who are we, as teachers or as parents and grandparents, to guess what they might go on to achieve in their twenties, forties or sixties? In fact, perhaps we should also be setting an example to the younger generation, regardless of our age, by daring to pick up a paintbrush or pursue some other latent passion. Who knows where it might lead us? sherborneprep.org www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 27
Family
CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW
Wayne Winstone & Helen Stickland, Winstone’s Books, Independent Bookseller of the Year 2016
The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots, by Beatrix Potter, illustrated by Quentin Blake , £12.99 (published by Frederick Warne) Exclusive Sherborne Times reader price of £11.99 at Winstone’s Books
B
eatrix Potter wrote The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots in 1914, but never found time to draw the characters, as she did for her other, universally adored children’s books. Over a century later, the brilliant Quentin Blake was asked to illustrate the story. So it is that, 150 years since her birth, we have this wonderfully funny tale to crown the celebrations. “A serious, well-behaved young cat, who leads a daring double life defeating vile villains.” When Miss Kitty sneaks out to go hunting in her beautiful boots, she gets herself into all sorts of scrapes.
28 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
But on this particular night she meets the foxiest hunter of them all – Mr Tod! This utterly entertaining story is filled with mistaken identities, scurrilous scoundrels – and even an appearance from Peter Rabbit. Told with Beatrix Potter’s trademark dry humour and wry observations, this brilliant adventure is sure to become as popular as her classic tales and is illustrated by the best-loved Quentin Blake. winstonebooks.co.uk
H azlegrove P re -P reP We want your children to have the education you may wish you could have had yourself... Mornings in the classroom are all about learning core academic skills with inspiring teachers. Afternoons are packed full of fun activities developing creativity and co-ordination, led by specialist teachers.
Come and see for yourselves at one of our
Open Mornings
on Saturday 8, Tuesday 11 and Saturday 15 October at 11am
Good foundations are everything... For more information call Sarah-Jane on 01963 442606
Hazlegrove, Sparkford BA22 7JA
THE
FABRIC BARN
Interior fabrics with fantastic savings! www.thefabricbarn.co.uk • Call: 01935 851025 www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 29
Pattern
You will need:
32/34in – 5 balls Ella Rae Superwash 4.5mm needles Stitch holder For larger sizes, pick up a pattern in The Slipped Stitch Back
Cast on 96sts Pattern: R1-4: *K4, P4, rep from * to end of row R5-8: *P4, K4, rep from * to end of row Dec 1st at each end of next and every following 6th row until 90sts. Continue in pattern until back measures 29cm ending ws row. Inc 1st each end of next and every 6th row until 94sts. Pattern 4 rows ending with ws row. Armholes
Cast off 3sts at beginning of next 2 rows (88sts) Dec 1st at each end of next and following 3rd row until 84sts, then on every following 4th row until 74sts. Continue without shaping until armhole measures 18cm ending ws row. Work 25sts, turn. Work on these 25sts only *Dec 1st on neck edge of next and every alt row until 17sts. Pattern 1 row. Cast off in pattern. * Slip centre 24sts to stitch holder. Rejoin yarn to remaining 25sts. Repeat from *to *. Right Front
AUTUMN JACKET Millie Furby, The Slipped Stitch
Knit yourself this fetching autumn jacket and when the weather turns colder you’ll be ready for it!
30 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Cast on 44sts. Pattern: R1 & 3: *K4, P4, rep from * to last 4, k4 R2 & 4:*P4, K4, rep from * to last 4, p4 R5 &7: as Row 2 R6 & 8: as row 1 Dec 1st at beginning of next and every 6th row until 41sts. Work until front measures 29cm. Ws row. **Inc 1st at end of next and every 6th row until 43sts. Work 4 rows. Armholes
Cast off 3sts at beg of next row (40sts) Dec 1st at armhole edge of next and every alt row until 33sts. Continue without shaping until
armhole measures 13cm ending on neck edge. Dec 1st on neck edge of next and every row until 23sts. Dec 1st on next and every alt row until 17sts. Continue without shaping until armhole is the same length as back armholes. WS row. Cast off in pattern. ***
Upstairs Downstairs Interiors
Left front
Cast on 44sts, work in pattern for 8 rows. Dec 1st at end of next and every following 6th row until 41sts. Work until front measures 29cm ending on shaped side edge. Work from ** to **. Sleeves - both alike
CO 52sts. Work in pattern until measures 6.5cm ending ws row. Inc 1st each end of next and every 12th row until 64sts. Continue without shaping for 3 rows. Ending ws row. Cast off 2st at each end of next 2 rows (60sts). Dec 1st at each end of next and every alt row until 12sts. Cast off. Join shoulder seams. Neckband
With RS facing, pick up and knit 24 from front right, 10 right back, 24 on stitch holder, 10 left back, 24 front left (92sts). Work in 4x4 rib for 4 rows. Cast off in rib.
bespoke curtains. blinds. upholstery. loose covers. fabrics. free estimates The Old School Rooms, Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3BS Tel: 01935 813 831 Email: info@updowninteriors.co.uk www.updowninteriors.co.uk
DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS
Left Button Band
Cast on 8sts. Knit until measures 36cm. Cast off. Right Button Band
Buttonhole: R1: K2, Cast off 3, K2 R2: K3, Cast on 3, K2 Cast on 8sts. Work as left placing button holes at 9cm, 18cm and 27cm points. Cast off. Sew in sleeves, sleeve seams and side seams. Sew button bands 4.5cm from top and bottom of fronts. Sew on buttons. Blocking is essential. theslippedstitch.co.uk
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FRIENDS OF HOLNEST CHURCH Luke Mouland, genealogist, probate researcher and writer
D
edicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the church at Holnest is a small but attractive building, mainly dating to the 14th and 15th centuries. Mostly left untouched by the Victorian restorers, it contains a number of interesting features, including a fine Jacobean pulpit, rare examples of Georgian box pews with candle sconces above, and an original medieval barrel-vaulted roof. However, owing to its situation the church has always suffered from long-standing problems with damp, occasional localised flooding and structural issues. When the Rev. Robert Cooper Fugard arrived in the parish in 1913, he found tarpaulins tied to the roof to keep out the rain. Ten years later, the local newspaper reported that the building was “fast becoming derelict” and had been “unused for some considerable time.” The tower walls were crumbling and the bells out of use; the ground about the walls was “thick with brambles and undergrowth.” Fundraising attempts in the 1920s attracted the patronage of some notable figures – but, although some repairs were made, insufficient money was raised to tackle the interior. Holnest was made redundant in July 1939 and all attempts at repairs were brought to a halt. In 1957, the Council for the Care of Churches put forward a proposal partly to demolish the building, leaving the chancel to become a “tidy ruin” in which occasional services and funerals could be held. These suggestions were met with fervent opposition from Miss Marion Belita Debenham (1896-1985), of Glanvilles Wootton, and Miss Charlotte Gwenllian Mary Morgan (18951981), of Holnest. As members of the Parochial Church 32 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Council, the ladies launched a petition which attracted national interest and much coverage in the local media. Their efforts also attracted the attention of the Friends of Friendless Churches, who campaigned for the restoration of Holnest church and helped to finance some of the repairs. In particular, they focused on the medieval barrel-vaulted roof in the aisle, which one contemporary architect had likened to the trussing in the cloisters of Chichester cathedral. The church was finally reopened for worship in October 1968 and in the 1970s two 19thcentury chiming bells were hung in the tower at the expense of Miss Marjorie Delahaize Ouvry (1892-1984). As a unique and important part of our local and national heritage, this Grade I-listed building should be cherished and preserved, not only for ourselves but for future generations. A dedicated group of friends, who are passionate about Holnest church and its history, have now formed a charity to help conserve and maintain its fabric and foster public interest. Our official launch will be held at the church on Saturday 15th October at 7pm and will feature a candlelit concert from The Wandering Winds. If you would like to join the friends and attend their launch, please contact Luke Mouland by email at friendsofholnest@ gmail.com or telephone 07760 261 056 for further details. Booking is required as places are limited. In the meantime, a membership application form can be downloaded from their website at friendsofholnestchurch.wordpress.com www.kithandkinresearch.co.uk
The Joinery Works, Alweston Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5HS Tel: 01963 23219 Fax: 01963 23053 Email: info@fcuffandsons.co.uk
www.fcuffandsons.co.uk
DESIGNERS AND MAKERS OF BEAUTIFUL FINE BESPOKE JOINERY SINCE 1897
Antiques
THE BESWICK COLLECTORS Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers
I
n the property market, it is But it can get more complicated. all about location, location, Beswick produced an immensely location. But in my world popular range of Beatrix Potter of auctioneering, it is condition, figures. This run of charming condition, condition. little figures have been perennial The slightest chip to an item can favourites for people of all ages. often reduce the value substantially Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck, – and never more so than with Benjamin Bunny and Mrs collectors of Beswick. Tiggywinkle have been produced in We hold a regular specialist all sizes, but what collectors really auction of Beswick, mostly down to like to amass are the same models the enthusiasm of ceramics expert with an example of each backstamp. Naomi Grabham. Naomi comes from This stamp indicates when the piece Rare Beswick Duchess, £500-800 a Somerset farming family and, as was made and, with over 20 different collectors of Beswick, they not only types, some collectors will want to have an eye for breeding cattle, but also one for detail. have as many figures as there are backstamp options. Beswick started production of ceramics in 1894, with As mentioned at the start of this, condition can play jugs, bowls, tea sets and other domestic wares. In the 1950s, huge role in the value of a Beswick figure, as can the however, they started producing a wide range of cattle, numbers produced – it’s the classic supply-and-demand birds, horses, cats, dogs and other animals. To appeal situation. Looking at Benjamin Bunny, he has been to buyers such as Naomi’s grandparents, the models produced in various forms and with various backstamps produced had to be realistic. Many were ‘breed-approved,’ from 1948-2000 and we see him at all our Beswick with the head, neck, shoulders, hind quarters and other auctions in one shape or form. But there is one Beswick body parts all in perfect scale to the full-size animal. Beatrix Potter figure we rarely see – and this is Duchess. Collectors today – like my good friend Steve B in Duchess is the black Pomeranian dog holding a Yetminster, who has a particular fondness for felines bunch of flowers from The Pie and the Patty-Pan, which – not only have the choice of collecting an animal of a Beswick produced in relatively small numbers 1958-1967. particular breed and in a particular pose, but also in a Today they are hotly contested – we even have a Duchess particular colour. So, for Steve, this means a Persian cat, estimated at £500-800 in our two-day auction on 20th & in seated position and looking up, can be collected in 21st October of Beswick, pictures, antiques and interiors. nine different colour options. These include black, white, But, sadly, no ‘ginger swiss roll’ Persian cat for Steve! various shades of grey and ‘ginger swiss roll’ – I promise I’m not making this up! charterhouse-auction.com
34 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
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Interiors
FIFTY SHADES OF AUTUMN Kitty Oakshott, Upstairs Downstairs Interiors
I
love this time of the year, don’t you? There’s an autumnal nip in the air that clears away the mugginess we have suffered. Walking gives a refreshing tingle to the skin as we enjoy the rich colours of tree and shrub, a golden sun highlighting the many different reds of the falling leaves that crunch like cornflakes beneath our feet. It’s time to think about bringing some of those gorgeous colours – the tomato and rusty red, the deeper plum, the copper and the burnt orange – into your home and introducing a warmth ready for winter. If you are following current trends then you might be looking for deep blues, sapphires and indigos, partnered with deeper greys and silver for harmony. These look wonderful in a modern interior, especially with textured fabrics. Get the look with a sumptuous throw or dramatic lamp and shade. This may be the time to get rid of a chair or sofa – one that you have kept because it belonged to your granny, although it is now looking rather shabby and, to be honest, is not that comfortable. Before you start trailing round the shops, why don’t you consider having one made? There are huge 36 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
advantages if you do that, because it can be made to the size and shape you want and covered in a fabric you have chosen. Think about it: if you are petite – and so many sofas are too high off the ground for shorter legs – you can have the sofa made to house you comfortably. Likewise, if you are tall with long legs, then the seat can be made longer to accommodate your enviable limbs. Not only this, but your new sofa or chair can be designed to fit your room, so that it doesn’t look too big or out of place – and maybe snuggle into an awkward corner instead. In other words, you can, quite easily, have a sofa created especially for you - and an added benefit is that it can be made locally. Could this be an idea for a rather special Christmas present? It is worth remembering that time is getting on and soon we will all be frantically busy with Christmas preparations. As long as your living room is cosy and warm, then at the end of an exhausting day you can collapse on your (new?) sofa for a relaxing evening – and everything will fall nicely into place. updowninteriors.co.uk
Gardening
IN THE GARDEN with Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group
FORWARD THINKING
J
ust when you thought it was time to relax in the garden, I am going to suggest a number of jobs which, if carried out now, will make life a whole lot simpler come spring. The control of moss in a traditional lawn is best tackled before winter sets in and the state of your lawn will depend on the approach. For one in good shape, the use of an autumn fertiliser with added moss killer will strengthen the grass blades and root structure. The product reduces the chances of moss invading the lawn, which usually occurs when weather conditions are tough for grass, but perfect for moss. If the lawn is struggling somewhat, then a more complex strategy may be required. This would include a moss killer to begin with, followed by scarifying the lawn. This is frightening to see as the dead moss and old grass gets ripped out, making the scene look a whole lot worse than it did before you started. If drainage is an issue then spiking at this stage, followed by the spreading of a soil or soil-and-peat alternative, will fill the holes from the spiking and also provide an extra depth of topsoil in which the grass can flourish. Oversowing with grass seed followed by a feed a few weeks later will help improve the lawn considerably and will give it a good start in the spring. Less hard work is the planting of shrubs, trees and fruit, to name but a few. All of these will establish because the soil is warm and moist, so root growth will take place before the cold of the winter and, come spring, the plants will be much more able to look
after themselves. It is also the best time for planting traditional bedding plants, such as wallflowers and sweet williams. These need planting now as young plants, so they can flower in the garden next spring. It’s a long way from instant gardening but by far the best value method of creating that wonderful splash of colour. For an even better spring display, October or November are the perfect months to under-plant tulips. There is some pruning to be done to shrubs such as mallows and buddleia, as these flower on the growth they make each year, so need to be hard-pruned before next spring. However, pruning too hard before a tough winter will leave them exposed to the weather, so I would advise that a tidy-up is the best bet once they have finished flowering; this should be followed up by harder pruning in early spring. Clearing up debris from below plants like roses and apples can also help with the health of plants in the following year. Fungal spores from diseases including Black Spot and Scab overwinter on the debris below the plants, so getting rid of old leaves and pruning from the immediate area will help reduce problems when spring arrives. One thing to remember, though, is not to be too eager to tidy up the garden. The seed heads of herbaceous plants and grasses are not only wonderful food sources for insects, birds and small mammals but are also a great framework for the autumn mist and, later, give the winter frosts something to work on. thegardeneronline.co.uk www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 37
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THE COUNTRYMEN’S CLUB Words Jo Denbury Photography Katharine Davies
Within 12 months of his retirement, Julie Plumley's father – a dairy farmer of 56 years – was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Julie searched in vain for day centres that could satisfy his longing for field and sky. And so, unable to find suitable care for her father, she founded The Countrymen’s Club
T
here’s just been a Waitrose delivery at Rylands Farm. Not the kind you would usually expect, but of scraps intended for pigs, who can be heard squealing with anticipatory delight. Several men, most of them in their seventies, are bent over the waste food, chopping it up for its impatient porcine recipients. Meanwhile, in the barn, the soldering iron has been set up to make signage for the upcoming Holnest Country Fayre. There is banter and merriment as the men get on with the work in hand. It may feel more like a youth club than a day centre but, in fact, all of these men come here because they have developed a degenerative disease. Rather than give up their rural lives altogether, they have chosen to pull on their boots once or twice a week and come here, to Future Roots at Rylands Farm. >
40 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 41
The project aims to help vulnerable or isolated people of all ages, or those who are struggling with transitions in their lives. Its founder, Julie Plumley, was brought up on a farm herself and felt that the environment could be beneficial to many. “To start with, we opened as a care farm for young people with special needs. When my father, who had been a dairy farmer, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s we looked for somewhere for him to go. At every day centre they were all shut in – that didn’t suit Dad, because he had spent his life outdoors,” she says. “Dad wanted a place where you could feel the weather and the changing of the seasons – he wasn’t interested in sitting indoors, playing bingo. When I spoke to the mental health teams about this, they said there was nowhere for people like that to go. So I set about forming The Countrymen’s Club,” she continues. Despite her farming background, Julie trained and 42 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
“We had 95 Holstein Fresians and I knew every one by name"
spent 25 years as a social worker. The Countrymen’s Club is run along the lines of the ‘Resilience’ care base model, encouraging a sense of self and identity, through achievement and belonging. “My job is to make them feel valued again,” she explains. “If you have Parkinson’s disease and have lost the use of your legs, you still have your knowledge and experience. All of these men have something that they can share with our young people here.” One man, Bill, has been coming for the last few months. After suffering a stroke, he spent nearly a year in hospital and geriatric care. He is now able to get about on his mobility scooter. “I have always worked in the outdoors,” he says. “I was in the building trade for a while, then I moved down to Maiden Newton where I kept sheep and bees. I had 10 hives at one point. But the countryside here doesn’t have the flora it used to have that is needed for bees. Now Dorset has large fields of
maize. Suburbia is a better place for them,” he explains. Bill’s passion is still for his two springer spaniels, which he used to work on shoots across the county. “I was out stalking when I had my stroke,” he tells me. “I was lucky. I felt funny and was able to ring on my mobile for help, but if I had been further down in the valley I wouldn’t have had a signal.” Bill clearly misses getting out with the dogs, but he enjoys coming to The Countrymen’s Club. “It gives me something to look forward to and different people to chat to. What would I do if I didn’t come here?” Better still, the physical nature of the club has helped with his recovery and already his left side is responding far better through use. As Julie puts it, “The NHS will fund a gym membership for certain medical needs, so perhaps there could be a way of finding funding for more people to attend this club – and even open more across the UK.” > www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 43
John
Geoff
Tony
Mike
44 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Bill www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 45
Alan 46 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Dave
John
For the moment, members are obliged to self-fund their attendance at the Countrymen’s Club and, for people like Bill who live too far away to be picked up by the club’s minibus, are reliant on lifts from family members. This is also the case for Geoff, who had to give up his driving licence following his diagnosis with a rare form of dementia. Not only does it mean rural living becomes almost impossible, but he’s also restricted from using machinery and driving tractors. ‘That was the hardest part,’ he says. Rylands have a two-seater tractor at the farm so, after a risk assessment, he is able once again to drive across the land and fields, something that has meant so much to him over the years. Up until the end of last year, Geoff was still in dairying and contract farming close to Fifehead Magdalen. “I used to get up every day at 5.30,” he says. “We had 95 Holstein Fresians and I knew every one by name. But dairying is hard. We tried going into bottling for a while and ran a milk round, but you are only as good as your roundsman and it is hard to get a reliable one.” Geoff is a fourth-generation Dorset farmer. Born in Shaftesbury, he spent 26 years in Stour Provost and another 25 in Fifehead. He was obviously fond of his herd. “Some you needed to get out of the way of,” he smiles, “and there was a pecking order of who would go into the milkshed first. We even had one as a pet – Penny. She was a lovely cow, so sweet-natured the children could ride her. But she had to go with all the rest when we gave up. I miss them like hell.” This is why his wife, Rose, drives him to The Countrymen’s Club every Friday. “I come for camaraderie and the cows,” he says. His bond and skill with the animals is evident as he gently ushers the heavy Charalais cattle across the yard by tickling them at the backs of their bellies. The animals are reluctant to go, but his quiet, persuasive gestures encourages the heifers to move on. Much has been written about the importance and preventative value of sensory stimulation for sufferers of degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, as well as isolated aging communities in rural areas. In many ways Julie is a pioneer, who has taken a new approach to geriatric care. As Geoff says, “We now have a freedom we didn’t have with cows, because you always had to work and milk them twice a day, no matter what. We’d often miss a family party because of that.” He smiles and walks to over to the barn to see where else he can lend a hand. futureroots.net www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 47
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www.thehelyararms.com 48 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
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COFFEE BREAK Kafe Fontana
Oliver’s Coffee House
Old School Gallery
The Pear Tree
82 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3BJ 01935 812180 kafefontana @kafefontana www.kafefontana.co.uk
Boyle’s Old School, High Street, Yetminster, DT9 6LF 01935 872761 www.yetminstergallery.co.uk
19 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PU 01935 815005 Olivers-Coffee-House @OliversSherbs www.oliverscoffeehouse.co.uk
4 Half Moon Street, Sherborne, DT9 3LN 01935 812828 @peartreedeli www.peartreedeli.co.uk
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 49
Food & Drink
I GOOD AND PROPER Giles Dick-Read, Reads Coffee Roasters
50 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
f you’ve noticed the Reads van passing, you may have spotted that we proudly report to be ‘Coffee Roasters & Tea Merchants.’ Now I can’t, in all honesty, claim that we plough the high seas shipping cargo-loads of tea back to Sherborne from around the globe, but we do very much like a good cuppa. Coffee has its place – best with, or after, breakfast for me. I’ll drink a couple of cups in the morning and usually one after lunch, but my day starts and ends with a good and proper brew of loose-leaf tea. Tea is extraordinary. A simple leaf that goes from plant to cup with really not much done to it in between. Its history alone is fascinating – many books cover that – but just think of all those world-changing decisions that have been made, or inventions created, after a long night
Katharine Davies/Comins Tea House
with nothing but a brew or two for company. In fact, I’m drinking one as I write! Coffee is altogether more complex, a challenge in many ways. That is reflected in its image as a working drink, helping you churn through the day – whereas tea is more about its refreshing, almost life-giving, qualities. There are a myriad of types and origins of tea and an increasingly diverse range of ways to brew it – even tea capsules for Nespresso machines are now on the scene, at a price. However, to me, the best way to make it remains the most straight-forward: simply to take good loose-leaf tea, plonk it in a warmed pot, add boiling water… and wait. The old adage of one spoon per cup and one for the pot works well, but it’s still surprising what can go wrong. A cold pot will take the water off
the boil, preventing complete extraction – although here’s a tip, green teas brew best at 80C. On the other hand, all too often the brew isn’t left to steep for long enough and ends up tasting of very little. A good stir at the beginning of the process speeds things up, ditto shortly before you pour. I’ll bet you already have a pot or two, but don’t use it as often as you should, having been lured by the convenience of bags – so here are a few reasons why you should take those pots off the mantelpiece and give them a whirl. Firstly, loose tea is not expensive. A little bit goes a long way and it keeps for ages. Secondly, whatever anyone says, you get a better brew from loose leaves as they can be their proper size, not compacted to the size of dust particles by the cost and space restrictions of a bag. Think of those little leaves, let them do their stuff and give them time to brew! The design of teapots also takes care of the scummy layer of lime-scale you usually get when making tea in a mug, particularly in hard-water areas like ours. As the tea spout feeds from the bottom of the pot, any scum gets left inside and you get a lovely clean brew. Nothing to taste but the tea, no paper or plastic mesh to spoil the flavour and, what’s more, when you pour your brew through a little, easy-to-come-by strainer, you’ll feel a sense of total satisfaction… “I made that!” Lastly, there’s no unnatural waste that, incidentally, you may have just paid a small fortune for. ‘Biodegradeable’ mesh temples teabags may claim to be, but over how long? Used leaves are easily sorted by swilling them through the top of the pot into a large sieve before they go straight on to the compost. There you go, you’ve only been out of bed for five minutes and you’ve already created a minor miracle. Brilliant! So, I hope I may have bumped off some of your excuses for not drinking a proper brew. Give it a go, you’ll be surprised at the world that will open up in front of you. We at Reads stock a range of no-nonsense, good-quality day-to-day loose leaf teas, and a range of herbal infusions, but if you want the full tea experience and are ready to learn from a pair of serious experts, take a trip to meet Rob or Michelle at Comins Tea House in Sturminster Newton and Bath, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! Reads roast regularly and stock practical paraphernalia for the coffee aficionado. We also stock a range of highquality loose teas. For further info go to readscoffee.co.uk or call us on 01935 481010 www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 51
Food & Drink
WHAT TO EAT NOW
OCTOBER Lisa Osman, All Hallows, AGA-approved School for Cooks & Makers
I
t does not seem possible that we moved to our farmhouse home three years ago this month. My to-do list is fastidiously crossed through every time I complete a task, but the chores keep mounting. I have been known to write a job down for the pure pleasure of running a cross through the line, as it has already been completed.
Despite the things that we must do, my heart leads me either outside to the garden or to cook beside the AGA. I am easily distracted. Now that autumn is truly upon us, I just yearn to pick, cook and feed even more. Then, as soon as everyone is replete, I hear myself saying, “What can I cook you for supper?” Then I head out to the garden with my basket under my arm.
SEASONAL TREATS FOR OCTOBER Bullace plums
If you stumble across a bullace or wild damson, keep it a secret. This divine fruit is one of my very favourites and perfect for making jelly, ice-cream or for flavouring gin. Similar in size to a greengage, they are dark purple and perfectly rounded. The taste is quite sour, so they are best cooked, rather than eaten raw. If you are so inclined I would urge you to invest a few hours to seek them out, then absorb yourself in the pleasure of making an almost forgotten recipe of ‘bullace cheese,’ which will pair beautifully with game. Egremont russet, cox’s orange pippin and bramley’s seedling apples
The British apple season is in full swing and the varieties have such charming names. How can you not fall in love with them for that reason alone? Visit a farmers’ market or, later in the month, attend an ‘Apple Day’ and talk to the growers about their particular varieties and juice blends. They will be happy to share cooking tips and advice on the best variety for your recipe. Even better, seek out a pressing event to make your own juice. My favourite apple is
52 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
an egremont russet, as it holds its shape perfectly for a tarte tatin – but is also delicious served alongside a cheese board. Pheasant
The pheasant season begins on the 1st October. At this time the birds are relatively young and are best for roasting, while later in the season – when they have had the chance to roam further from their pens and are more developed – they are better served slow-cooked in a rich gravy. Another option is to remove the legs for confit and keep the breasts to be braised on a bed of root vegetables. In Dorset we are blessed with an excellent array of traditional butchers and most of these sell game. For the energetic – with or without a well-trained dog – you can always make friends with your local gamekeeper, who may be glad of your help to join the beating line on a shoot day. Here you will be rewarded with lots of fresh air, exercise and a brace or two of birds for you to prepare at home. allhallowsfarmhouse.co.uk
OVEN-CASSEROLED HEN PHEASANT BREAST with dry-cured bacon, apple and Somerset brandy – to serve four Ingredients:
4 plump pheasant breasts 8 slices of dry-cured streaky bacon 5tbsp Somerset brandy 225ml double cream, or a combination of cream and homemade chicken stock 25g unsalted butter 2 British dessert apples – such as egremont russet, peeled, cored and sliced Seasoning – freshly ground black pepper; no salt, as the bacon should be salty enough, but check at the end of cooking time
2
3 4
5
You will need:
Casserole dish with tight-fitting lid or foil. Pan suitable to sear breasts. Cook in the baking (bottom-right) oven of a four-oven AGA, or the roasting (top) oven of a two-oven AGA. For conventional cooking, preheat oven to 180°C, 350 F or Gas Mark 4. Method:
1 Remove any rind from the bacon and, using the back of a knife, stretch the bacon rashers and wrap each
6
7
breast with a rasher to encase each one completely. Secure with a cocktail stick if necessary. Preheat a frying pan and, once hot, sear each breast individually, allowing to brown. Remove the cocktail sticks. Transfer to a casserole dish, cover and place in the oven. Cook for approximately fifteen to twenty minutes. Check that they are done. Transfer the pheasant breasts to a serving platter, allow to rest and keep warm, covered with foil and on the warming plate, or on a protected lid of your two-oven AGA. Remove any fat from the pan and deglaze the hot casserole dish on your boiling plate or hob with the apple brandy. Add the cream (or cream and stock), reduce by boiling and thicken the sauce. I find the floor of the roasting oven ideal to reduce sauces. Check for seasoning. While the boiling plate lid is still up, sauté the apple in a tablespoon of olive oil and a knob of butter, using a small pan. Keep warm. Finally, carve the cooked and rested pheasant breasts on the diagonal, pour over the sauce and garnish with the apple.
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 53
Food & Drink
ROAST MALLARD WITH HONEY AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR Sasha Matkevich, Head chef and owner, The Green with Jack Smith, Apprentice chef Traditional roasted game cooked the Italian way, a popular option for Sunday roast 3
Ingredients
300g Maris Piper potatoes 4 mallards, oven-ready Salt and white pepper 4tbsp olive oil 5 garlic cloves, crushed 2 sprigs of thyme 50g butter 2tbsp rosemary
2tbsp balsamic vinegar 4tbsp honey 200ml duck jus 100g celeriac, diced 100g courgette, diced 100g broccoli florets 100g spring onion 100g carrots, diced
4
Method
1 Pre-heat the oven to 200C 2 Season the outside of the mallards with salt and white pepper. Heat 2tbsp olive oil in a roasting pan, add the mallards and brown on all sides for 5 minutes. Transfer the birds to the oven and cook for a further 10-15 minutes, depending on their size. After 7 minutes add 25g butter, 3 garlic cloves and the rosemary sprigs to the pan. This cooking time will leave the breasts pink and tender, but the legs 54 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
5
6
will need another 10 minutes, so remove them and return to the oven separately. The legs can be served on the side. Remove the birds from the pan, cover and set aside to rest. Skim the fat from the roasting pan and return it to the heat to make the sauce. Add the balsamic vinegar and honey and heat to reduce the liquid by half. Add the jus and reduce again by two thirds, then whisk in the remaining butter to finish. Meanwhile, blanch the potatoes in boiling salted water, drain and place in a roasting pan with 1tbsp olive oil, reserved duck fat, 2 cloves garlic and 2 sprigs of thyme. Cook in the oven for 15 minutes until golden. Prepare a bowl of iced water, blanch the vegetables in boiling salted water for 2 minutes, then drain and refresh in the iced water. Heat 1tbsp olive oil in the pan and sautĂŠ the vegetables for 2-3 minutes. Serve the birds on a large, warmed dish with the vegetables on the side, along with the sauce in a small jug.
greenrestaurant.co.uk
CELERIAC AND FENNEL SOUP Jane Somper, Goldhill Organics Make the most of our aniseed fennel and new season celeriac with this deliciously soothing autumn soup. Perfect for when the the evenings take a turn for the chilly! Serves 4 Ingredients
1 smallish celeriac, diced 2-3 medium fennel bulbs, diced 1 small onion, sliced 1 tbs olive oil Knob of butter 500ml of veggie stock 4 big spoons of crème fraiche or soured cream (optional) Seasoning Method
1 Gently heat the butter and oil in a saucepan. When hot, add the onion and cook for a few minutes until softened.
2 Add the diced celeriac and fennel, ensuring they get a good coating of the liquid. Cover the pan and allow to sweat for 8-10 minutes until they start to soften (checking to make sure they’re not catching the pan). 3 Add the stock and seasoning, increase the heat and allow the liquid to bubble, then turn down to simmer for 12-15 minutes, until all vegetables are sufficiently soft. 4 Blend the mixture either in a food processor or use a hand blender until the vegetables are completely smooth and creamy. Add more stock if it is a bit too thick (though we like it that way), top with a big dollop of crème fraiche or soured cream, sprinkle with black pepper, don your favourite autumn jumper and enjoy! goldhillorganics.co.uk www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 55
Food & Drink
CABERNET SAUVIGNON David Copp
C
abernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely planted red grapes for three good reasons: it adapts easily to most soils in warm, sunny climates; it is a thick-skinned grape which yields concentrated fruit, well-balanced with acids and tannins; and its natural affinity to oak helps to soothe the tannins, give prominence to fruit flavours and mature in flavour and complexity over 20-30 years or more. However, the variety ripens late and performs best in warm climates. It has been particularly successful in Bordeaux – where it was first seriously developed – in the upper Napa Valley in California and in Western and Southern Australia. Since my wine education began in the Médoc – where it is the most favoured variety of the grands crus wines – I tend to follow the weather forecasts for Bordeaux in September. This is because I know that growers, assuming the flowering and fruiting have gone well, will be assessing the optimum moment of ripeness for the vintage. The moment occurs when skins, as well as the fruit and even the pips inside them, are fully ripe. The flesh of the fruit provides fruit and sugars, the skin provides colour and the compounds that make wine interesting and ripe pips do not have unhelpful oils. Maturation in carefully chosen oak barrels not only helps develop the fruit flavours, but also tames the stronger acids and tannins. It is the latter that allow the wine to age gracefully over a long period of time. However, it is rare to find straight Cabernet Sauvignon in the Médoc, simply because the growers have found that they can increase the subtlety and interest in their wines by blending Cabernet Sauvignon with small quantities of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a little Petit Verdot. Nevertheless, Cabernet Sauvignon remains the predominant variety in the great growths and it is clearly 56 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
happy in the well-drained, stony soils of the Médoc and Graves. When the English philosopher and wine enthusiast John Locke visited Chateau Haut-Brion in 1637, he noted that the vineyard was “a rise of ground with gravel… scarce fit to grow anything.” What Locke did not know was that the gravel mounds (washed down from the Massif Central at the end of the Ice Age) covered alternating layers of marl, clay, sand and limestone. It is these subsoils that encourage vine roots to dig deep for the water and nutrients that will give expression to the fruit the vines bear. Over the last 50 years or so, growers in other parts of the world have been looking for similar combinations of soil and climate to produce outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon wines – such as those made in the Napa Valley in California. In the famous Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976, when the best Californian Cabernets were tasted blind against the greatest Bordeaux wines,
Autumn in the Napa Valley
California came out top. The most successful growing areas are around Rutherford and Stags Leap, producing luscious, opulent wines – largely because the grapes ripen in south-facing vineyards under clear skies and bright sunshine. In Australia, Scots fruit farmer John Riddoch found ideal conditions for growing fruit – including grapes – in a long, thin plot of land with red earth, around Coonawarra in Southern Australia. In Western Australia John Gladstones, an agricultural official, suggested that Cabernet would do well in the soils of the valley running north from the small settlement at Margaret River. They have produced some of the finest cabernets I have ever tasted. There are now several other sites producing worldclass Cabernet Sauvignon. The Maipo Valley, south of Santiago in Chile, has the right combination of soils, climate and conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, as has
Mendoza, across the Andes in Argentina. Mendoza is famous for its signature grape Malbec, but I suspect that its Cabernet Sauvignons will also be rather special. The main reason for my optimism is the bright sunlight and diurnal temperature variation, which combine to enhance the fruit flavours with softer tannins. In Europe, Maremma Toscana around Bolgheri has proved to be an exceptional site, discovered by accident. Marchese Incisa Della Rocchetta liked Cabernet so much that he planted some in his wife’s stony vineyard at San Guido, three miles west of Bolgheri. His nephew, Piero Antinori, thought it was sensational and planted his own vineyards. Now Sassicaia, Bolgheri and Maremma are established appellations. The point is that Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful grape for subtle, complex, richly flavoured wines that improve with age – and are worth patiently cellaring.
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 57
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58 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
BARBER SHOP For those who know the difference
SHERBORNE’S BARBER SINCE 1992 Three highly skilled, professional barbers with over 80 years collective experience
Cut Back & Sides Crew Cut Shampoo & Cut Concessions
£15 Beard Trim £5 £45 £14 Shave £13 Colour from £24 £29 Under 11’s £13 for over 65’s Mon - Wed
Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday - Friday 8am - 6pm Saturday 8am - 3pm Booking recommended
01935 815501 6a Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PX /jps_barber_shop
CYCLE SHERBORNE
S
Peter Henshaw, Dorset Cyclists Network Mike Riley, Riley’s Cycles
ome people will be hanging their bike up in the garage around now to gather dust until spring. But, with modern clothing, lights and protective gear, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t ride right through winter into the new year. Whether you want to carry on commuting or get out on some weekend rides, there’s plenty of good-quality kit out there that will keep you dry and highly visible. I’ve had some brilliant rides on crisp, clear winter days – and it beats hibernating on the sofa. Honestly, it does.
60 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Lights
Remember when cycle lights were heavy, expensive things that had all the power of a glowworm? Bulbs that blew. ‘Ever-ready’ batteries that never were. Happily, all of that has been consigned to the dustbin of history by LED lights. These little beauties are far lighter than the old bulbs, use less battery power and the brightest ones turn night into day. We now have a huge choice, from tiny emergency lights which strap on the handlebars and seatpost, to stateof-the-art jobs with 1000 lumens and a dip switch. The law hasn’t changed, so you still need to show a white light to the front and red at the rear (plus reflector), but flashing lights are fine. Cheap lighting sets (front and rear with mountings) start at around £15, but if you’re commuting it’s worth spending more on quality. Most of these lights run on batteries that can all be recharged, so they’re better for the planet and a lot cheaper in the long run. Some pricier lights have a USB port for charging via a computer, or come with their own plug-in charger. Of course, you can forget all of this charging business by opting for a dynamo. If you can afford one, go for a hub dynamo, which will pay for itself – eventually. Clothing
I don’t know about you, but I hate getting wet. Fortunately, you don’t need to wear a billowing cagoule to stay dry. A jacket needs to be breathable as well as waterproof, with specific cycle features like a tall collar, long tail and a good fit. Softshell jackets are a good choice for winter as the outer layer is made
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roup rides with Digby Etape CC give me a chance to understand what cyclists need and stock what is required for our customers. I have mudguards fitted on my road bike as a courtesy to other riders, because I found following riders without them along a stretch where cattle or the muck spreader have been can leave you smelling like a farmyard. Recently, riding in a thunderstorm, mudguards protected my bike, the riders behind me and my feet from the flood water. On the club evening ride last night, we were delayed a little by a puncture and finished the ride in the dark. The difference between the lights fitted on bikes was very
of softer more flexible material, so they tend to be warmer. However cold the day, keeping the torso warm tends not to be a problem – but hands, feet and head will all need protection. How much you will need varies from person to person, but decent gloves and thick socks are a good start. If you wear a helmet, there should be room for a skull cap underneath it – if you don’t, it’s on with a beanie, which has the advantage of keeping your ears warm. Mudguards
Your bike plays a part in all this, at least in the wet. Fitting a pair of mudguards will drastically reduce the amount of spray that lands on you, or the bike for that matter. Buy some with as much wheel coverage as possible, because the more there is, the more effective they are. You can now get quick-release mudguards so it doesn’t matter if your bike doesn’t have mountings, but do check that there’s enough clearance around between tyre, frame and brake calipers. If you just want to keep the worst of the spray off your road bike, thinner guards are available. Mountain bikes definitely lose a bit of their macho cool if fitted with mudguards, but it’s worth it if you don’t want that tell-tale muddy stripe up your back. Simple add-ons like the Crud Catcher won’t give full protection, but are better than nothing. So there you go – riding in winter doesn’t have to be wet, cold and miserable. You’ll keep your fitness up and gain respect from all and sundry as an AYR – allyear-rounder. PH
noticeable, as some are ‘be seen’ and others ‘show-the-way’ types. Lights are so small now that many riders carry both types, so they have a back-up and are made safer. Commuters may have up to three lights – on their helmet, behind the seat and in another position – to comply with the law and maximise visibility. I carry a small, packable jacket in my jersey pocket in case it gets cool or there is a shower and will be investing in arm warmers for the winter to extend my summer clothing use. MR rileyscycles.co.uk dcn.org.uk www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 61
Body & Mind
RESISTANCE V. CARDIO Rhys Horsman, Senior Fitness Instructor, Oxley Sports Centre
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here is a very common misconception around exercise that if you want to lose weight, then you must engage in long-distance running and avoid all forms of resistance training completely. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Running may well make you lose weight but, to really transform your body, resistance training is a necessity. In a perfect world we would all do a mixture of cardio and resistance training. Realistically, if you had to choose just one due to time restraints, then picking up the weights and ditching running is the way forward. The main reasons for this are the increased calorie burn, hormone release and metabolism lift that you can get from lifting weights. You may burn more calories in a 60-minute run than you would in 60 minutes of lifting weights, but you won’t get the same post-workout benefits from both. Running, for instance, will release the hormone cortisol, which is the primary hormone leading to fat accumulation around the abdominal region as well as promoting a loss of lean muscle mass. Resistance training, on the other hand, can lead to the release of multiple hormones – including the growth hormone which leads to increased muscle building and fat loss. In simple terms, running can actually lead to an increase in body fat and a loss of muscle, whereas resistance training can lead to building muscle and burning fat from the body. The metabolism lift from resistance training is so large that, even up to 36 hours 62 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
after your resistance workout, you can be burning 10 extra calories an hour. This may not sound like a huge increase but – factored over 36 hours – that is a big lift in calorie burn from just doing a resistance workout over a long-distance run. When it comes to weights, many women will shy away, simply because they believe that doing weights causes them to develop rippling muscles that may give a more masculine look. This is an unfortunate misconception, because the fact of the matter is that the female body does not have enough testosterone to develop a great amount of muscle naturally. What lifting heavy weights will do, though, is raise the metabolic rate, promote greater fat-burning and help give more definition when body fat is lost. The effects on the body through resistance training aren’t just restricted to losing weight and looking good. The effects on the inside of the body are just as impressive and important. It’s been proven that weight training can lead to greater bone health and also protect against further reductions in bone mineral density in those already diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia. This applies to all ages so, no matter how old you are, it’s never too late to start reaping the rewards of resistance training. Oxley Sports Centre can offer personalised programmes for both beginners and experienced gym goers alike. For those who want closer guidance, a range of personal trainers are available to guide you through your workouts. See www.oxleysc.com for details.
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Body & Mind
NAILING IT Sarah Hitch, The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms
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s autumn casts its spell of misty mornings and dew-covered cobwebs, our eyes are drawn to the changing palette of the landscape and we reflect on our own seasonal appearance. In general, autumn fashions in make-up and nails lean on the richer, darker side of the colour spectrum, with emphasis on longevity of wear and hints at the winter party season ahead. While colour choices generally become more sophisticated and less summeryplayful, there’s something for everyone with the colours coming through in nails for this autumn/winter – be they the classics, or the on-trend must-haves. Nail colour is an easy way for a woman to express her individuality. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big impact. It can affect a girl’s mood, and change the feel of any outfit.With the huge popularity of long-wearing gel polish, of course you can choose your desired shade that works with your whole wardrobe, and run with it. But you could also experiment with weekly wears of polish that reflect your mood and social diary. Crimson reds turn heads, while mellow pumpkin shades bring warmth, changing through to coppers and yummy chocolate. Curry yellow was the strong flavour on the autumn catwalks, as was slate blue, but fashion’s hottest shade this season is green. Green shades are lush, grassy and olive, and will flow through into your wardrobe essentials. Green tones also run through to make-up (but thankfully only on eyes!) And here several glistening tones are blended. Black eyeliner features heavily – literally – or deep-shadowed gothic eyes in rich browns 64 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
and plum shades with pared-back nude lips. Lips are only worn in cool sheer nude or super-dark blackcurrant. So, since most of us aren’t strutting up and down the catwalk most days, what can we take from the trends and make work in our real lives, on the streets of Sherborne?! Well, it’s the old adage of play up the eyes and pare down the mouth, or vice versa. So if you maximise your lashes with volume and length and use liner to create smoky doe eyes, then do nude lips. Alternatively, keep the eyes at only black mascara and captivate with dark lips, using a deep plum if blackcurrant is too bold. As far as skin goes, the natural dewy look is celebrated, and can be enhanced with iridescent and illuminating products such as finishing powders or primers, but we must remember not to neglect what’s underneath it all! Moving into the winter months, this time of year is renowned for its changeable nature,and it’s no wonder that our poor complexions take the brunt of these seasonal disruptions. Central heating literally leeches the moisture from the air, leading to dry skin, dehydration, chapping and sensitivity. Putting a humidifier or a small bowl of water in the room you spend the most time in can help dehydration and protect the natural lipid layer of your skin. Applying products containing natural plant oils such as argan oil, seaweed, rosehip seed and rose oil has also been proven to help hydrate and replenish the barrier. Protect, repair and nourish your skin with advanced skin care at home or a professional skincare treatment for a perfect party make-up canvas. thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk
‘OFF-SEASON’ RECOVERY
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Ian Pollard, Soft Tissue, Sports & Remedial Massage Therapist LSSM / ISRM; Running Coach UKA CiRF, 56 London Road Clinic
he benefits of soft-tissue therapy, sports and remedial massage to enhance sporting performance and recovery from injury – or non-sporting but similarly demanding leisure and domestic activity – are well documented. Best used as maintenance to relieve the aches and pains of sporting overload or general lifestyle fatigue, all too often it tends to be a last resort once the damage has been done! Used as maintenance, it has a vital role to play in facilitating rest and recovery, be that on a regular basis or at the end of a longer period of activity. For the past few years I’ve worked the final weekend in September at Hever Castle in Kent, on the Castle Triathlon Series season end triathlon event. Lasting two whole days, it is billed by the organisers as the UK’s second biggest triathlon, with over 7,000 competitors, and also the world’s largest children’s triathlon, with over 1,600 8-15 year olds – and the grand finale of the UK triathlon season. My point is that the move into autumn marks the end of the season, ushering in an ‘off-season’ from a particular sport or activity. This allows a well-earned break for some rest and recuperation, the chance for the body to recover, or to take up a different activity over the winter months ahead. The off-season may well be due to natural, climatic or ground conditions but, importantly, there is an overwhelming need for a break to avoid burn-out, boredom and stagnation. In turn, the break allows the opportunity to come back fresh next time. Although many hardy souls may continue all year round (the golf course is always open; and we can run whatever the weather) allowing time for a recovery period of reduced activity applies as much to the year as a whole as it does to a daily or weekly programme. It underlines the importance of listening to your body throughout the year, taking stock of seasonal fatigue and managing it through maintenance, rest and recovery. A
break also provides the opportunity for reflection on the season as a whole and to make some mental notes for improvement the following year. That may be to develop certain aspects of your game, through conditioning or acquiring new skills. Or perhaps it is time for a more calculated view of the future, to easing off a bit and turning to more appropriate challenges instead! And what of ‘Age-groupers, Masters or Veteran’ categories of competition and participation, as rest and recovery will have a different emphasis appropriate to age? What was possible in our 20s, 30s and 40s will not replicate as time marches on into our 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. With each passing decade the need to adjust to a lower loading of activity accelerates. With established fitness in-built through time, sporting performance and leisure pursuits can be maintained through quality rather than quantity of activity, especially when seen in agerelated terms. That includes, allowing more time between sessions for rest and recovery; making allowances for age in monitoring recovery needs; and maintaining strength and flexibility rather than volume of activity. If basic movement skills relate to agility, balance and coordination, maintaining flexibility and range of movement become increasingly significant factors with time. Soft-tissue therapy, sports and remedial massage is appropriate for treating many musculoskeletal conditions, however acquired. More than just sports massage, it safely assesses minor and chronic injuries, applies a range of advanced massage techniques to treat them and offers practical advice on rehabilitation through postural, movement and performance improvement. Used regularly or as required, it can help prepare you for enjoyable, rewarding and hopefully injury-free activity, treat existing conditions and promote rest and recovery from past exertions. 56londonroad.co.uk/sportsmassage/ www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 65
Body & Mind
FED UP WITH FEELING ANXIOUS OR LOW?
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Helen Lickerish, EMDR and Trauma Therapist, The Sherborne Rooms
e all have our bad days, but what do you do if most days are bad days? You might feel constantly worried or generally anxious for no particular reason that you can think of. Perhaps you are feeling full of self-doubt and self-criticism and wish that you had a ‘normal’ amount of self-confidence. Difficult and negative emotions can really pull us down, making life feel like extremely hard work, with very little joy or uplifting moments. Friends and family may not understand and you might feel – or even be told – that there is something wrong with you, adding to your sense of unhappiness and distress. Let me reassure you that this situation is common; there is nothing ‘wrong’ with you. From time to time we all have voices in our heads that go on and on at us like critical monkeys taking charge of our mind, when we didn’t actually invite them in. Our thoughts and beliefs begin to accumulate from an extraordinarily young age and often the most pernicious ones have come from somewhere in childhood. As we are not actively aware of this process when we are little, our anxious, scared and selfdenigrating beliefs and patterns of thinking become entrenched in us long before we realise what has happened. Let’s face it – they are not what we would choose for ourselves. Now, as adults or older teenagers, we are only too aware that we wake up every morning – or in the middle of the night – feeling scared or worried. Or perhaps we know that we overreact to particular situations, yet we don’t know why or how to stop it. All we want is to feel normal. How can we help ourselves? The first thing is to realise that this is a normal part of being a human being and it is not that we have done something wrong or stupid. Anxiety, fear and worry are a natural response that, in the past, actually helped us to
66 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
survive and stay ‘safe’ in difficult situations. They aren’t helping us anymore, but now that we know that, we can decide to take charge of and responsibility for our own feelings and actions. In so doing, we can begin a journey of self-discovery and make changes. Many people seek help to take this journey. There are plenty of great books and websites that offer an enormous amount of wisdom and information. However, having a trained, experienced and compassionate professional can make a big difference. This not only gives us the sense that we are no longer on our own with it, but we are offered feedback, affirmation and a fresh perspective on aspects of our thinking, abilities and beliefs that may otherwise remain hidden to us. Counselling, trauma therapy and a specialist therapy called eye movement, desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) are all locally available methods that can help you in this process. EMDR helps the mind and body rid itself of trapped, traumatic memories that may be holding you in states of physical anxiety. With time, commitment and a safe and experienced person to work with, we can begin to learn and explore what is going on in our internal world. We can work towards finding ways to rid ourselves of old beliefs and replace them with more helpful ones, learn how to avoid the usual thoughts and situational pitfalls that trigger us into an emotional downward spiral and begin to take control of our emotional life. This opens up a whole new way of relating to ourselves and others in the world and allows us opportunities for a greater sense of happiness. Trauma therapy and EMDR sessions are available with Helen at The Sherborne Rooms, 56 Cheap Street. If you would like to chat about whether this might be of help to you, please give Helen a call on 01747 825288 or 07966 002 927, visit fullstoptherapy.co.uk or email helen@fullstoptherapy.co.uk.
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Body & Mind
ALLERGY TESTING
Dr Tim Robinson, MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom, GP & Complementary Practitioner
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n allergy is an immune reaction to a substance eaten, breathed in or touched that results in a variety of medical conditions. These range from loose motions, bloating and vomiting, hayfever and catarrh with a runny nose, sneezing and wheezing to skin irritation with eczema or hives. If you suffer from any of these conditions it is natural to ask, “Is it something that I have eaten?” Often people discover for themselves the thing that they are reacting to by simple trial and error – elimination of the culprit will prevent symptoms from developing. Unfortunately it is often more complicated than that, as patients are usually allergic to a number of unrelated substances. Surveys have shown that, on average, someone with a food allergy will react to between three to five different foods. The logical answer is to be tested and there are a number of ways to do this – but which one do you choose? Many of the so-called allergy tests on offer to the general public have been shown to be both inaccurate and inconsistent. Among these are Vega testing, which purports to test up to 3500 different compounds in about three minutes, and Kinesiology, in which the patient holds a test material in one hand and the practitioner tests strength in the other arm. Hair analysis, while useful for the detection mineral deficiencies and the presence of toxic heavy metals, cannot pinpoint an allergy, while finger-prick IgG
68 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
testing measures antibody levels – but not the antibody involved with allergic reactions! The only allergy tests that are reliable, reproducible, scientific and validated are Skin Prick Testing and allergy antibody (IgE) blood tests. Skin Prick Testing provides precise and immediate results. After taking a detailed account of the problem from the patient, the practitioner chooses a number of test samples that are most likely to be causing the allergic reaction. A droplet of the sample is placed on the forearm and a fine lancet is gently applied to it. If you are allergic to the sample you will develop a raised, itchy lump like a stinging nettle rash. Allergy antibody (IgE) blood testing is useful when you can’t stop taking antihistamine tablets or you have extensive eczema. This can be arranged through your GP or through a private laboratory, but it is expensive and results can take up to two weeks to come back. Allergy testing is helpful for a number of reasons. You can discover whether your symptoms are due to an allergy or not. If the allergy test is positive it identifies the true trigger factor, which can be avoided. If the test is negative, allergy can be ruled out and the situation is clarified. Just beware of which test you choose – not all of them are quite what they say they are. doctortwrobinson.com glencairnhouse.co.uk
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70 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
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Set in its own secluded, beautifully landscaped gardens, woodland and meadow, and with stunning views overlooking the Dorset countryside, it’s hard to resist the charms of the Old Vicarage. As soon as you step through the front door of this charming country house, you’ll discover an oasis of comfort, warmth, calm and relaxation. Our highly trained staff ensure that everything - from the mouth-watering food and drink and the stylishly cosy bedrooms to the wide range of activities - will make the Old Vicarage truly a home from home. We have been recognised by the Cinnamon Trust as being one of the best pet friendly care homes in the country.
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It has been a very busy few weeks for Symonds & Sampson In the past 8 weeks we have agreed over 100 new sales! Is it because of our innovative advertising, or the fact we are on Zoopla, Primelocation and Rightmove exposing properties to the widest possible number of buyers? Besides those, it is undoubtedly a result of tireless work by our experienced sales teams.
Perhaps it is time you asked Symonds & Sampson to sell your property? 72 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
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Property
THE NATURE OF RESERVES Mark Lewis FRICS FNAVA, Partner, Symonds & Sampson
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here has been some soul searching by property auctioneers – following guidance from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) – about reserve prices. Our profession now has some clarity. At Symonds & Sampson, we have acted for many of our clients and their families for generations and a mutual respect has developed. Many of them used to say to us, “I’ll leave the reserve to you, just do your best and get me the top price.” This trust brings its own pressure, as it becomes quite a burden and responsibility to achieve what we hope is an acceptable price. We now always ensure that the client confirms the reserve in writing, with their signature. One of my vendors, Bill Rose, recently took umbrage, however, and suggested that I did not trust his word. So I told him a story. My father was an auctioneer and, in the late 1970s, had some land to sell by auction. The sales were held on livestock market day, so he would have been meeting and greeting farmers from 7am, auctioned the dairy cows and finished cattle during the morning, then gone home at about 1pm to change out of his market clothes, bathe and put on his best suit. This ritual allowed him mentally to leave the fast selling of livestock and calm him for the sedate pace of the property auction room. He had seen the seller of the land in the morning, who enquired what the land would sell for. My father replied that he hoped for £45,000 and the farmer, who was ‘financially embarrassed’ after a breakdown, told him that would be most satisfactory. At 3pm I sat proudly next to my father on the rostrum ready to record the bids – for school holidays never allowed me the opportunity to be idle. When the lot came before the audience he said, “Now, the land at Whitchurch Canonicorum, twenty acres of good, fertile, pasture within a ring fence with mains water and lane frontage. Land rarely comes for sale in the village so you have a great chance to increase your holding. Who would like to start the bidding?”
74 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
My father’s auctioneering style was then to say nothing so that there was complete silence in the room. Apart from raising the tension for dramatic effect, many found this so uncomfortable that an offer would invariably occur. “How about thirty thousand?” said a farmer at the back of the room. Our client, sitting in the front row, immediately turned his head to see who was bidding. “Sounds like a good place to start, but a bad place to finish,” said my father. “We will rise in two thousand-pound increments.” Another farmer duly bid and the price rose steadily. Every time there was a new bid our client twisted around to see who was bidding and then stared at the auctioneer, shaking his head. The hammer fell at £46,000 and our client promptly stood up and dashed out of the room. After the auction I was chatting about the prices with my father and the solicitors, when our client ran into the room clutching two bottles of Pomagne, which he placed on the rostrum. He was breathless but managed to say, “Mr Lewis, Mr Lewis, how can I ever thank you?” My father modestly observed that he hoped it would have made more. “Only one thousand pounds above the reserve,” said he. The client started as he registered what the auctioneer had said, then he repeated slowly, “Forty-five thousand… Forty-five thousand. Yes, of course.” He picked up the two bottles and muttered, “It was just that I thought you told me this morning four to five thousand.” Then he slowly walked out. When I finished telling the story, Bill Rose was smiling. “I always love that story,” he said. I was embarrassed, thinking I must have told him before. “No, I’ve never heard it from you,” he replied. “But it has gone down in our family’s folklore because your father’s client was my grandfather.” He then took my pen and signed the reserve form. symondsandsampson.co.uk
TOP-20 EXCUSES FOR NOT PAYING THE RENT
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Anita Light and Paul Gammage, EweMove Sherborne
thought we’d lighten the mood this month. So often I find myself penning this off the back of a legislative change and, let’s face it, there have been quite a few of those in the past 18 months. I was chatting the other day with some colleagues about our managed properties and how things have changed over the years and we started exchanging stories from past experiences. Let’s just take a moment to marvel at some of the more imaginative, extraordinary and downright bizarre reasons my colleagues and I have heard for not paying the rent on time. 1 My dog ate your standing-order form. 2 I was on the way to the bank but crashed my lorry. Now I’m having to wait for the police to come and breathalyse me. 3 It was my daughter’s birthday and she had to go and see Robbie Williams. 4 I put £650 cash through your letterbox, didn’t you get it? 5 I couldn’t pay this month because the bank burned down. (Subsequently found to be true!) 6 My gran has cancer. (Subsequently found not to be true!) 7 I’ve just found out that I have a highly infectious disease. 8 The dog ate my bank card. 9 One tenant claimed her son was in a critical condition in hospital after a motorbike accident and that she was at his bedside 24/7. She even maintained that he died and that she had to organise his funeral. Needless to say, her son was alive and well. 10 Why would my rent bounce? My Sky went through OK. 11 Roadworks have stopped people coming into my shop so I can’t pay this week. 12 Another tenant claimed her aunt had put the rent into the paying-in machine of the wrong bank the day before. 13 I cannot pay my rent today because when I was on my way to work, a man was running for the bus, collapsed and died. So I haven’t been able to make it to get the money. But I will pay tomorrow.
14 I was very stupid and took a loan out and forgot I had to pay it back so it takes all the money out of my account. Sorry about this – it’s not my fault – wbut I’ll give you the rent when it’s paid off. 15 I have a guarantor! Why do I need to pay rent? 16 We had one tenant who said their mother had died. Tragic, but she had used this excuse once before. 17 I’m going on holiday so can’t pay the rent. 18 I need the money for Christmas presents. 19 I needed to use the rent money for transport costs to get my husband to hospital. 20 I totally forgot and now I’ve bought my bus pass! Of course there is a serious point here. No landlord really wants an excuse for the late payment of rent. It does sometimes happen – and often there are genuine reasons. We would always advocate discussing these with your tenant and working out a plan with them to get through what is most likely a short-term cash-flow issue. Better that than go through the pain of eviction and readvertising, risking void periods. While it’s easy to laugh – and sometimes you have to – late payment of rent can be a real issue for many landlords – particularly when it’s consistently late and not just a one-off issue. Prevention is better than cure, so here are our tips: • Make sure your letting agent has a rigorous tenant vetting process. • Insist on a home-owning guarantor, normally a family member, to indemnify you fully from any liability. • Credit-check the tenant and their guarantor. • Ensure payment is taken by direct debit. • Seek references from their employer and their current landlord. • Last but not least, ask your letting agent to visit the tenant in their own home. This has to be the clearest indicator of how they live and how they will treat your most prized asset. Hopefully all of the above will help you sleep at night. If not, marvel at those 20 reasons again. ewemove.com/sherborne www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 75
Hi, we’re Anita and Paul Branch Directors of EweMove Sherborne Your Local Property Expert
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I have experience of buying & selling properties & how stressful it often is. On this occasion however, I have been lucky in discovering ‘EweMove’ who take the stress out of it by providing a brilliant service. I feel like they are working solely for me. Paul & Anita at EweMove in Sherborne are constantly in contact with us keeping us up to date with everything. They are professional in what they do, yet put me at ease so I feel confident to ask them anything that I am unsure about. From initially contacting them online I feel we have had their constant attention. Whereas other more traditional agents are either unavailable or slow to respond. The photos, description & overall presentation of our house sale have been superb. I feel that this has been a significant factor in securing us a buyer within hours of being marketed. I can’t recommend Paul & Anita at EweMove highly enough.
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Want to know what your home is really worth? We offer a free, no obligation valuation service. There’s no hard sell and it only takes 20 minutes. Given the recent property price increases we have witnessed across the county, this is a perfect opportunity for you to understand the value of your home should you wish to sell, or are simply interested in what your home is worth.
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Lopen, South Petherton: 01460 243100 Child Okeford, Dorset: 01258 861100 Priorswood, Taunton: 01823 323575
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Big enough to cope small enough to care With 8 offices in the West Country and over 40 nationally, including 8 in London, we combine expert local knowledge with comprehensive national coverage. For sales and valuation advice please contact your nearest office. Bridport 01308 423 133
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People Property Places
Discretionary Fund Management and Stockbroking services As individual as you are
PETER HARDING WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Principal Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management Established 1993
40 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8JG Tel: 01747 855554 9 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3PY Tel: 01935 315315 Web: www.peterhardingwm.co.uk
THE VALUE OF INVESTMENTS CAN GO DOWN IN VALUE AS WELL AS UP, SO YOU COULD GET BACK LESS THAN YOU INVEST. The Partner Practice represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner Practice’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Rowan Dartington is part of the St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group. Rowan Dartington & Co. Ltd. Is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England & Wales No. 2752304 at Colston Tower, Colston Street, Bristol BS1 4RD. TWK71_07/16
Finance
HELICOPTER MONEY
C
Jeremy Le Sueur, 4 Shires Asset Management
onventional monetary policy has almost been completely abandoned in the past few years by most developed economies as a result of their desire to kick-start the economies of the world after the financial crisis of 2007-8. For some economies like Japan, even more radical policies have been mooted as a result of the continuing lack of inflation, and it is possible that they might use one of the ‘last resort’ measures, Helicopter Money. Helicopter Money was a phrase coined by the monetarist Milton Friedman to describe a policy of cash injections direct to consumers or governments by central banks, offset by bond purchases to keep interest rates low. This direct funding of government deficits or consumption has been considered in Japan, but has not yet been enacted. In effect the government is printing money at the central bank and using it to pay for houses,
pensions and other expenditure. This ought to devalue a currency through the creation of inflation but the stimulation of the economy should offset this. This deliberately inflationary course of action would probably not apply to the UK where imported inflation is certainly on the rise. The US is raising rates, and Europe’s economy is growing strongly as it usually does at the end of an economic boom. So Helicopter Money concerns are overstated in my opinion, but potentially it may be used in Japan (where money printing is the norm) in the hope of ending this current period of deflation that has plagued Japan. So far the Japanese central bank governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, has resisted the rotor blades, but he may not be able to much longer. 4-shires.com
Earning enough on your investments? We offer experienced, personalised investment management for private clients We are experts at managing income portfolios We keep the costs of owning financial assets down to enhance returns We offer our clients superior financial planning Contact us today for your free portfolio review and see how we can help you improve returns Call Jeremy Le Sueur on 01935 813380 or email info@4-shires.com www.4-shires.com
Expert Asset Management
21 The Old Yarn Mills, Westbury, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3RQ 4 Shires Asset Management is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The value of investments and the income you get from them may fall as well as rise, and there is no certainty that you will get back the amount of your original investment.
80 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
A LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE ON SHORT-TERM VOLATILITY Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.) CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS, Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, Fort Financial Planning
E
very now and then, unexpected events can take people by surprise. That happened recently with the UK’s EU referendum and it caused a flurry of activity across world markets. Short-term volatility can make investing in shares uncomfortable, but that discomfort comes with the territory and it’s important to keep it in perspective. We manage your assets to an investment strategy that is designed to achieve your financial goals. Where those goals are longer term, we use stocks and bonds to provide the growth required to achieve a positive return, above inflation. The value of shares can rise and fall from day to day, month to month and even from year to year. But, over time, they
have provided a higher return than many other comparable assets. It is clear that recent volatility is not unprecedented. While uncertainty can make investing uncomfortable, world stock markets are still capable of delivering a positive return in the long term - since 1988, £1 invested has grown to £10.841. The message is: stick to the plan, even during times of uncertainty. It sounds simple, but requires selfdiscipline and a belief in the power of markets that we can help you achieve. And with that discipline comes the ability to take surprises in your stride. www.ffp.org.uk
For a fresh take on your accounts, speak to Hunts. Your Life, Your Money, Your Future
Trusted, professional, fee based advice We live in a complex world. At FFP we aim to remove complexity, replacing it with simplicity and clarity so that our clients can enjoy their lives without worry Telephone: 01935 813322 Email: info@ffp.org.uk Website: www.ffp.org.uk
FFP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
T: 01935 815008 E: info@huntsaccountants.co.uk W: huntsaccountants.co.uk @Hunts_Sherborne The Old Pump House, Oborne Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3RX www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 81
Gas and oil appliance servicing, repair and installation plus all aspects of general plumbing Local, friendly, qualified and accredited professional
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A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR
To advertise please contact advertising@sherbornetimes.co.uk | 01935 814803 | 07957 496193 www.sherbornetimes.co.uk 82 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
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Tech
I
’m not talking about you, my ageing reader – I’m talking about your computer, printer, screen or laptop! I’m often asked, “My computer is slow, is it too old?” The answer is invariably the same: it’s too old when you wake up one morning and say to yourself, “It’s time for a change!” However, there are several considerations… Your PC is still running at the same speed at it did when it was new, but several things are conspiring to make it appear slower. All those updates are bigger than the bits they replace, so are making your PC do more work. File sizes get bigger for both internet pages and pictures as the Internet gets faster, but your PC is still the same so it appears to be slower. Your PC may also have more software on it that you have installed since it was new. Much of this may be running in the background, thus slowing it down. Strangely, one thing you wouldn’t consider is “you.” As you get used to your PC, you begin to anticipate what it’s going to do next and therefore you appear to be waiting for it. The longer it goes on, the slower it seems. But it’s not! You’re just anticipating. Lastly, on an older computer of three years or more, the hard disk bearings may be wearing, causing it to operate less efficiently. The longer this goes on over the years, the worse it will get. Other equipment like screens, keyboards, mice and 84 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
printers just go on working until they die and there is no need to change them or replace them unless they fail or become temperamental. So you’ll see that there really is no time at which your computer is too old. If it works for you and you are happy with it, then just carry on. If you are frustrated by it and it’s causing you stress, change it – it doesn’t cost a fortune these days, with a fair laptop at about £350 and a new desktop somewhat less than that. Everything is transferrable; you just have to bite the bullet and do it! There are, however, some steps you can take to make sure that your computer is working at its best: • Uninstall any unwanted software that may be cluttering up your system • Re-start it regularly if you generally keep it running all the time • Consider upgrading your hard disk to a new-style solid-state one • Consider increasing the amount of memory in your PC All of the above can help if your machine really is slow and, as always, if you need help you know where to come! Coming Up Next Month… Myths & Legends www.computing-mp.co.uk
Helyar Arms @HelyarArms Thank you @sherbornetimes. Great to see our advert in the latest issue #mondaymotivation?
The Gallery @ClerkenwellArt Love our advert in this month's @sherbornetimes & looking forward to our launch of @SAW_Somerset here this Fri 6pm!
Elizabeth Dowler @ElizabethDowler The @sherbornetimes landed on my desk this morning. Great to see my colleague @AnneMarieHamer1 discussing #surrogacy in the SW #familylaw
Philippa O'Grady @pogswims @OxleySports @whopper41 @sherbornetimes @TheChiappas great article - love #swimming
So lovely to know our story has reached so many people :) thanks Glen! Sherborne Times @sherbornetimes @JSmithwoodwork Our June digital edition featuring your good selves achieved 37,661 impressions in 1 month :o)
Winstone Books @winstonebooks
Richard Bramble @richardbramble Look out for the September issue of @sherbornetimes where Richard will be talking about #kingfishers
J Smith Woodwork @JSmithwoodwork
September Cover Stars Fiamma (L) and Bea (R)
Lindsay Punch @stylistmum Lindsay All the best to @TheChiappas for the launch. I've just pre-ordered. Thank you to @sherbornetimes for featuring it
Lisa at All Hallows @cooksandmakers Our latest feature and seasonal recipe, thanks to those lovely people at the @sherbornetimesallhallowsfarmhouse. co.uk/sherborne-times-what-to-eat-inseptember/ …
issuu.com/sherbornetimes… The lovely book, 'Baby at the Table' is here in the shop, on the table! @sherbornetimes @toybarndorset @DailyDORSET
Mogers Drewett @mogersdrewett We are loving this month's @sherbornetimes and page 26 features our very own @AnneMarieHamer1 Read it now
Dorset Veg Boxes @GoldhillOrganic You will find your lovely copy of @sherbornetimes in your boxes this week issuu.com/sherbornetimes…
FOLK TALES with Colin Lambert
CRAIG HARDAKER
S
ince I started drinking less alcohol, I’ve been dreaming more. The first dream was eighteen months ago. I’m on a dance floor. My heart rate’s 155 bpm, I’m sweating profusely, my chest is pounding and knees are screaming; yet the vibration running through my body is insisting I push on. I dance on into a sea of dreams. Slowly, but surely, my body screams until I sink to the floor gasping, for air in a sea of sweat. I knew it was only a dream, but I decided to see my doctor and tell him the truth – not the version I normally give him for more pain killers. (Two knee operations, one on my shoulder and a dodgy Achilles means there is always an excuse to numb one’s pain.) The doctor smiled, handed me a sheet of paper with ‘West Dorset Exercise Referral Form’ an the top and said, “Hand it to Craig, at Sherborne Sports Centre.” So who is Craig? Be patient, please. Craig Hardaker’s first memories are of being surrounded by Russian, African and Chinese children at Sherborne International School, where his dad was a resident housemaster. Passionate about football and captain of the first eleven at The Gryphon (attacking midfield), he secured a place at the University of Southampton on a sports and business degree. But plain sailing it was not to be – the wind left his sails and he dropped out. However, sport was still his passion. He found a trainee 86 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
instructor position at Sherborne Sports Centre and concluded his degree at The Open University. Ten years later, here he is, talking me through his schedule over an americano in the Hub. One of the highlights of his week? “My Move To Improve class at Riverside Nursing Home,” he says. “We stretch, move, sing and tell jokes as well. It really has doubled the strength and mobility of many residents. We do similar ones at Hillbrook Grange and Eastbury Nursing Home, too.” Craig is also in charge of assessing all those in possession of a West Dorset Exercise Referral Form, like mine, and devising their programme. So there I was, sitting in front of Craig, with my form on the table. He took my blood pressure (140/80) and handed me another with a list of things to do – stretch, bicycle, run on a moving thing, leap about on a cross trainer (couldn’t do five minutes) and then manipulate machines that hurt my muscles. The gym package worked out at the cost of a pint per session – plus all form-holders get a free drink at Craig’s social meet in the Hub on Tuesday afternoons. Needless to say, I went for it. The first week hurt a lot, the next week was a bit better and, after a month, the soreness eased – a bit like pre-season rugby training. It was hard work – and it still
is – but, finally, I overcame the pain and stiffness and discovered a whole new world. Last week I had the second dream. I’m on a dance floor. My heart rate is 155 bpm, I’m sweating profusely and my chest is pounding… the vibration running through my body… I dance on into a sea of dreams. Slowly, but surely, my heart rate drops to 140bpm as a second wind kicks in. I’m a bird flying over oceans and I feel a warm glow surging through my body. I continue for over an hour (blood pressure 130/70) and the side effects last for hours, days,
or even longer. I think I may still be dreaming. Next time you see your doctor, why not ask for a different prescription – a West Dorset Exercise Referral Form to take to Craig. I, for one, haven’t looked back. Come and join Colin on alternate Tuesdays at Sherborne Sports Centre for an Ecstasy Dance Class; referral members come for free. You can listen to Colin’s full interview with Craig live on Abbey 104.7 fm or Abbey104.com on Sunday 9th October at 11am. www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 87
Literature
SHERBORNE LITERARY FESTIVAL PREVIEW John Gaye, Sherborne Literary Society
WOLFGANG GRULKE
S
ome months ago when we were starting to put together a list of potential speakers for the Sherborne Literary Festival (12-16 October), one of the team suggested Wolfgang Grulke, who had a new book coming out in the autumn. Upon asking about the subject matter, I was told it was about a mollusc called nautilus. When I expressed my doubts about the appeal of such a book to our audience, I was completely swamped by the support from the team for its author. Now that I have met Wolfgang, seen the book and had the amazing privilege of a tour of his museum, I am in no doubt that his talk will be one of the highlights of the festival. Nautilus is no simple mollusc. Living in the deep Indo-Pacific ocean, it is one of the planet’s oldest surviving species, having been around for over 500 million years. Neither is Wolfgang your average academic studying a single species. His new book Nautilus, reflects his enthusiasm for the past, his fascination with art imitating nature and, above all, his incredible knowledge of the subject – not to mention his skill in communicating that knowledge. Wolfgang Grulke started his working life with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in South Africa. Due to share-holder pressure concerning apartheid, IBM were forced to sell off their interests in South Africa and Wolfgang was part of the team that created an employee buy-out of the company. After the ‘Rainbow Revolution,’ his company was sold back to IBM at a significant profit. After 25 years in the computer industry, Wolfgang
88 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
applied his experience into the discipline of understanding the future, advising top executives of major companies where to focus their efforts for future success. He is a world-renowned speaker on the subject and chairman emeritus of FutureWorld International, a global think-tank which he created. But, throughout his career, Wolfgang has become totally fascinated by the past and in understanding the millions of years that stretch behind us. He has travelled extensively in pursuit of this knowledge, both above ground and below the seas. He continues to explore and seek out previously unknown species in obscure parts of the world. His collection of ammonites and nautiluses, together with other amazing fossils, is regarded as one of the world’s premier collections – and certainly more exciting than anything I have seen in the Natural History Museum. Sir David Attenborough summed up his thoughts very neatly on seeing the collection: “I am – truly – lost for words.” So, despite my initial misgivings about a talk on molluscs, I am now convinced that we are in for a very special treat when Wolfgang speaks at the festival. I am also making space on my coffee table for what is a very special book. Wolfgang Grulke will be talking about his new book Nautilus on Sunday 16th October at 4pm in the Raleigh Hall, Digby Road. Tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre or from sherborneliterarysociety.com
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 89
Literature
INTRODUCING DEEPEST DORSET – “ENGLAND’S TUSCANY” Dorset is a beautiful and fascinating county – but how well do you know it?
F
rom the Jurassic Coast to the golden stones of Sherborne, from Thomas Hardy to Dorset Blue Vinny cheese, there are people and places that are loved by locals and attract numerous visitors. In a new book, Deepest Dorset, journalists Fanny Charles and Gay Pirrie-Weir invite readers to delve deeper and discover some more of what makes Dorset special. Some aspects, like castles and famous gardens, will be familiar, some less so – such as Britain’s oldest postbox in use, or the only pub that crosses a county boundary. All, however, add up to a portrait of a county that one interviewee describes as “England’s Tuscany.” Deepest Dorset, published by Deepest Books, includes some of the voices of Dorset in the 21st century – native men and women, incomers who have made the county their home, celebrities, artists, landowners, poets, chefs, fishermen and even politicians, the people of Dorset going about their lives but all cherishing this beautiful county. They include broadcasters Valerie Singleton and Kate Adie, Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and the vicar of Sherborne, the Rev Canon Eric Woods. The book, a full-colour hardback, includes photographic essays by Katharine Davies, whose work is familiar to Sherborne Times readers. These range from traditional craftspeople – a farrier, thatcher and others – to the sculptor and collage artist Marzia Colonna, whose statue of St Aldhelm stands in the south aisle of Sherborne Abbey. Deepest Dorset is raising money for four Dorset-based charities, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, Dorset Community Foundation, Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The book will be on sale at Sherborne Abbey shop, priced at £20, or available by telephone from 01963 32525 and online at deepestbooks.co.uk. 90 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Katharine Davies
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 91
Short Story
THE GARDEN WAS OVERGROWN NOW
A
Sue Cameron
t the beginning of that first term after the Reopening we spent a good deal of time, particularly on Sundays when we were not allowed to do much except go to Chapel, write home, wash our socks and read ‘suitable’ books, exploring the extensive grounds. One sunny Sunday after Chapel our ‘group’ decided to go up towards Daws Hill. Of course the gardens hadn’t been tended for years and were overgrown and wild; but the heady scent of some old roses drew us on. Although they
92 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
were strangled by brambles and ivy they seemed amazingly healthy. Before the War the girls had had small gardens where they could grow what they wanted to and, on an impulse, we thought that if we cleared some space where the roses were flourishing the ground might be fertile enough for us to grow some vegetables which we could eat to supplement our terrible school food. This was such a wonderful thought that we immediately started to untangle as much of the undergrowth as we could so that we could examine the earth and decide if our plan was feasible. Many of the dead stalks came away easily and we soon had a bare-ish patch stretching almost to the slope behind. It was then that we noticed what looked like a door. Curiosity got the better of us and we had to see whether it would open. No problem: the door had been protected from the elements and opened easily, revealing a sort of foyer with In/Out boards on the wall and lists of names. We didn’t think the light switches would work but tried them anyhow. Miraculously the room was immediately flooded with light and it was then that we saw a tunnel which looked as if it ran down under the hill. Of course we couldn’t resist. We decided to explore as far as the light reached and set off, gingerly at first and then more bravely, as every switch we touched lit up another stretch of well-made tunnel. Eventually, quite deep underground we came to a vast room with other rooms off it. There was a telephone exchange with about 950 lines on it in one smallish room. Another room housed massive air control machinery, with funnels and fans for bringing in fresh, and extracting foul, air. There were also pressure and temperature controls and an index like a directory showing how to contact all the accommodation and offices such as the Intelligence Room, kitchens, cafeterias, ablution blocks, Weather Room, Chiefs-of-Staff Rooms etc. The huge room was the Operations Room. One wall was covered by an enormous map of Europe and a large blackboard divided into sections labelled objectives, pilots, plane numbers, dates, result. The first date was 17/8/42. There were still names and details on the board and pins marking aeroplane positions on the map. This must have been the Bunker which was the nerve-centre from which all the US Army Eighth Bomber Command raids from the UK were planned and controlled. Just before we left we noticed on another wall names and American addresses. I took down one of them and when we got back to the House we wrote to him for fun, telling him about finding the Bunker. When we returned to School the following term, lo and behold, there was a parcel addressed to me containing a large box of Hershey bars and a long letter telling us about our correspondent’s time in our School, and the significant part that that had played in achieving victory in Europe.
www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 93
Literature
LITERARY REVIEW John Gaye, Sherborne Literary Society
The War on Women And the Brave Ones Who Fight Back by Sue Lloyd-Roberts CBE (Simon and Schuster) £16.99 Exclusive reader offer price of £15.99 at Winstone’s Books
T
he late Sue Lloyd-Roberts was one of the bravest and most intrepid television journalists of recent times. Sadly she died in 2015 – leaving this book almost completed. It has been finished by her daughter, Sarah Morris, who will be talking about it at the Sherborne Literary Festival on Friday 14th October at 11.30am. The War On Women documents some of the very worst atrocities inflicted on women that she witnessed during her 43-year career travelling the globe. In order to write it, Lloyd-Roberts frequently took considerable risks to investigate and record activities that people did not wish to be known by the wider world. The book is partly an autobiography of an incredible life but, in the telling of her story, it documents a whole litany of horrors and inequalities inflicted on women. It takes us from the now well-known inhumanities shown by the Catholic church in Ireland to young girls unlucky to have been born out of wedlock; through sextrafficking in Russia; female genital mutilation in various countries including the UK; right up to the use of rape as a weapon of war in both Bosnia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the telling of these tales, Sue gives a voice to those few women brave enough to speak out about the atrocities. Although a few of the events outlined are now historic, much of what is recorded is very much current affairs. The war in DR Congo continues and, although we rarely hear about it in the press, it is one of the most brutal wars that has ever been. Nearly seven million 94 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
people have died since the war began in 1996 and, during that time, it is estimated that about eight million women have been raped. It is too easy to shrug that off as happening in a remote – albeit huge – corner of Africa about which we know very little. But it also happened very recently much closer to home – about a two-hour flight from London, in fact, in Bosnia in 1994. This prose pulls no punches and Sue does not let the UK off the hook. The gender pay gap, inequality of opportunity and male domination of some unions are all well described. Her daughter Sarah, who followed her mother’s example in becoming a BBC journalist, completed the final chapter of Sue’s book, providing chapter and verse to demonstrate those inequalities. But Sarah also makes the point that both she and her brother never felt abandoned or underprivileged as a result of having a working mother. The book provides her with the opportunity to say how proud they both are of all that their mother achieved, while providing a wonderfully happy home for her family. Lyse Doucet, BBC chief international correspondent, provides the concluding chapter of the book and, in doing so, outlines much of what Sue achieved through her work. It is a very fitting conclusion to an excellent, hard-hitting book. Sarah Morris will be appearing at the Sherborne Literary Festival on Friday 14th October, 11.30am Digby Hall. See www.sherborneliterarysociety.com for further details
SUDOKU
Fill the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 section contain all numbers between 1 and 9 SEPTEMBER SOLUTIONS
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Neck warmer (5)
1. Walking in a leisurely way (9)
4. Canopies (7)
2. Learning institution (7)
7. Borders (5)
3. Italian sports car (7)
8. Unyielding (8)
4. Pertaining to vinegar (6)
9. Tones (anag) (5)
5. Chemical element with
11. Humorous verse (8)
symbol I (6)
15. Moved forwards (8)
6. Large waterbirds (5)
17. Look at fixedly (5)
10. Officially registered name (9)
19. Recreational area
12. Legal practitioners (7)
for children (8) 20. Express one's opinion (5) 21. Very great (7) 22. Go stealthily or furtively (5)
13. Miserly person (7) 14. Depression from a meteor impact (6) 16. Erase (6) 18. Milky fluid found in some plants (5) www.sherbornetimes.co.uk | 95
DESIGNER Bespoke & Ready to Wear Chinese Coin Hemp Jackets now back in stock Find us in Half Moon Street, Sherborne, opposite the Abbey
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Extensive range of wool
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Buttons, ribbons & crafty bits
Yarn, haberdashery and workshops Tel: 01935 508249
1 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3PT
Home Selection Service and Budget flooring available Carpets ~ Naturals ~ Vinyls ~ Contract Flooring Tel: 01963 441276 Mobile: 07855 743796
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See website for workshops
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Therapy & Addiction Services
Keeping your family and business safe Contact us on paul.pcelectricals@gmail.com or 07974 155624 for a free quote www.pcelectricals-dorset.co.uk
A VERY SPECIAL VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY Become a SAMARITAN and you become part of a superb local team that offers emotional support 24/7 Find out more about our exceptional training programme and the chance to make a real difference at a PROSPECTIVE VOLUNTEER INFORMATION SESSION on the FIRST TUESDAY of EACH MONTH at 7pm. These are held at our centre (address below) We are keen to hear from anyone over 18 with time in the evenings and weekends. Call 01935 414015 and let us know when you are coming or email recruitment@yeovilsamaritans.org.uk Yeovil Samaritans, 25 The Park, Yeovil • www.samaritans.org You could change someone’s life – maybe your own
96 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
Suppliers and Manufacturers of quality Signage, Graphics and Embroidered Workwear
T: 01935 816767
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PACK MONDAY
Canon Eric Woods, Vicar of Sherborne
S
herborne used to have at least five annual fairs. One I wish still existed was the St Swithin’s Fair, as all the profits went to the vicar! It was granted by King Henry I and probably held on what are now Newland Gardens. Sadly, it died out in 1888. The revenues from the other four originally went to the Bishop, though in 1564 Bishop Jewell started a trust to receive the profits for the benefit of the town. The largest was St Thomas’s Fair, which lasted for six days in early July, around one of the ancient feast days of the apostle. It was granted by King Henry III and held on The Green, at the top of Cheap Street, and was known locally as either the ‘Green Fair’ or the ‘Gooseberry Fair.’ The only fair to have survived is, of course, that of Pack Monday. It is still held on the first Monday after the old date of Michaelmas, 11 October. So, this year, the fair takes place on 17 October. In 1591 Queen Elizabeth I appointed her chaplain John Coldwell to be Bishop of Salisbury on condition he leased her the manor of Sherborne for 99 years. She bestowed it upon one of her current favourites, Walter Raleigh and, ever since, it is the castle – not the Church – which has controlled the fair. (By the way, I can’t help wondering why the manor and castles didn’t revert to the Bishop in 1690. Is it too late to claim them back? Answers on a postcard, please!) There are a number of differing accounts of the fair’s origins. I prefer the old tradition – that it began at the completion of the great 15th century ‘makeover’ of the Abbey in around
98 | Sherborne Times | October 2016
1490, when all the workmen ‘packed up’ their tools and marched around the town under the leadership of their foreman, Teddy Roe, making a great din. But Joseph Fowler in his Mediaeval Sherborne suggests that ‘pack’ is possibly a corruption of ‘pact’. Michaelmas Fairs marked the beginning of the new agricultural year, following the harvest, and were the traditional places for farmers to engage, or make ‘pacts’ with new farm hands. Remember Gabriel Oak in Thomas Hardy’s Far From The Madding Crowd, standing ‘for hire’ in Casterbridge Market? An 1826 account gives a colourful picture of the fair, as a ‘mart for the sale of horses, cows, fat and lean oxen, sheep, lambs, and pigs, cloth, earthenware, onions, wall and hazel nuts, apples, fruit trees, and the usual nick-nacks for children, toys, ginger-bread, sweetmeats, sugar plums etc, with drapery, hats, bonnets, caps, ribands, etc. for the country belles, of whom, when the weather is favourable, a great number is drawn together from the neighbouring villages.’ The enjoyment didn’t finish until late when, at the inns, ‘where the lads and lasses so disposed, on the light fantastic toe, assisted by the merry scraping of the fiddle, finish the fun, frolic, and pastime of Pack Monday fair.’ Well, sadly the livestock market has gone and a lot of the traditional fun, but Pack Monday is still a day full of life and colour. I wish all this year’s traders every success and, for everyone, a safe and happy day. sherborneabbey.com
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