DECEMBER 2018 | FREE
A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR
BAND OF BROTHERS
(and sisters, friends, cousins, nephews...) with The Sherborne Town Band
sherbornetimes.co.uk
WELCOME
W
inter’s familiar sting takes hold. Sitting here with only a sleeping dog for warmth, my curled toes and typing fingers concur – ‘Oh, for a log burner.’ Ruddy cheeks and running noses, ruddy queues and running late, Christmas is upon us once more. The young inhabitants of our house fizz with excitement, rehearsing carols, writing lists and rejoicing in even the smallest patch of ice on the ground. Visions of Argos catalogues dance in my head, remembering my own folded corners of well-thumbed toy sections. Relatives plan the who, where and whens and time is made for mulled cider with friends. And so to December. Never one to take things for granted, as we approach our 11th year, I’d like to take a moment to thank you all for your continuing support. This humble endeavour is nothing without our contributors, advertisers and you, our readers. Our bijou team work incredibly hard bringing the Sherborne Times to life each month and to know it is well-received makes the long hours worthwhile. Fittingly, The Sherborne Town Band play us out for 2018. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without them. Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Glen Cheyne, Editor glen@homegrown-media.co.uk @sherbornetimes @sherborne_times
Cover image styling Anna Vines @annavines_gardendesign annavinesgardens.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS Editorial and creative direction Glen Cheyne Design Andy Gerrard @round_studio Sub editors Jay Armstrong @jayarmstrong_ Elaine Taylor Photography Katharine Davies @Katharine_KDP Feature writer Jo Denbury @jo_denbury Editorial assistant Helen Brown Illustrations Elizabeth Watson @DandybirdDesign Print Pureprint Distribution team David Elsmore David and Susan Joby Christine Knott Sarah Morgan Mary and Roger Napper Alfie Neville-Jones Mark and Miranda Pender Claire Pilley Geoff Wood
Frances Aylen MA (Oxon) BSc (Hons) OST The London Road Clinic @56londonroad 56londonroad.co.uk Simon Barber Evolver Magazine @SimonEvolver evolver.org.uk Laurence Belbin laurencebelbin.com Rebecca Beresford Mogers Drewett Solicitors @mogersdrewett md-solicitors.co.uk David Birley davidpfbirley@hotmail.co.uk Elisabeth Bletsoe Sherborne Museum @SherborneMuseum sherbornemuseum.co.uk Richard Bromell ASFAV Charterhouse Auctioneers and Valuers @CharterhouseAV charterhouse-auction.com Bill Brown Jenny Campbell Sherborne Scribblers Cindy Chant Sherborne Walks @sherbornewalks sherbornewalks.co.uk Graham Church Gillian M Constable DWT Sherborne Group @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk David Copp Rebecca de Pelet Sherborne School @SherborneSchool sherborne.org
81 Cheap Street Sherborne Dorset DT9 3BA
Jenny Dickinson Dear to Me Studio, Fine Stationery @DearToMeStudio deartome.co.uk
01935 315556 @sherbornetimes glen@homegrown-media.co.uk helen@homegrown-media.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk
Yvonne Fawbert Sherborne Preparatory School @Sherborneprep sherborneprep.org
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 | December 2018
Jimmy Flynn Milborne Port Computers @MPortComputers computing-mp.co.uk Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.) CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS Fort Financial Planning ffp.org.uk Kyla Foster-Shaw The Gardens Group @TheGardensGroup thegardeneronline.co.uk
Craig Hardaker Communifit communifit.co.uk Andy Hastie Cinematheque cinematheque.org.uk Sarah Hitch The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms @SanctuaryDorset thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk Colin Lambert colinlambert.co.uk Lucy Lewis Dorset Mind @DorsetMind dorsetmind.uk Susannah Lynn Dorset Wildlife Trust @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk Sasha Matkevich The Green Restaurant @greensherborne greenrestaurant.co.uk Millie Neville-Jones Suzy Newton Partners in Design partners-in-design.co.uk Mark Newton-Clarke MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Newton Clarke Veterinary Partnership @swanhousevet newtonclarkevet.com Kitty Oakshott Upstairs Downstairs Interiors @updowninteriors updowninteriors.co.uk Simon Partridge SPFit @spfitsherborne spfit-sherborne.co.uk Mike Riley Riley’s Cycles @rileyscycles rileyscycles.co.uk Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom Glencairn House Clinic glencairnhouse.co.uk doctortwrobinson.com Karyn Sparks VE Magazine vintagexplorer.co.uk Paul Stickland Black Shed Flowers @NaughtyDinosaur blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk Jonathan Stones Sherborne Literary Society @SherborneLitSoc sherborneliterarysociety.com Val Stones @valstones bakerval.com
Paul Gammage & Anita Light EweMove Sherborne @ewemoveyeovil ewemove.com
John Walsh Friars Moor Vets friarsmoorvets.co.uk
Revd Duncan Goldie Cheap Street United Church cheapstreetchurch.co.uk
Lily Whitmarsh
James Hall The Rusty Pig Company therustypigcompany.co.uk
Andy Waring
Wayne Winstone Winstone’s Books @winstonebooks winstonebooks.co.uk
74 8
What’s On
DECEMBER 2018 74 SHERBORNE TOWN BAND
128 Directory
22 Shopping Guide
82 Food & Drink
130 Folk Tales
26 Wild Dorset
94 Animal Care
132 Short Story
30 Family
100 Cycling
135 Literature Review
42 Art
102 Body & Mind
138 Community
44 History
114 Legal
139 Out and About
50 Antiques
116 Property
140 Pause for Thought
52 Interiors
125 Finance
141 Crossword
66 Gardening
126 Tech
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 5
The new Audi A1 Sportback.
Register your interest at yeovilaudi.co.uk or call 01935 574981.
Yeovil Audi. Look No Further. Yeovil Audi Houndstone Business Park, Mead Avenue, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8RT
01935 574981
yeovilaudi.co.uk
ď‚ ď‚‚
Images are shown for illustration purposes only. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Audi A1 Sportback: Urban 47.1-48.7 (6.0-5.8), Extra Urban 65.7-68.9 (4.3-4.1), Combined 57.6-58.9 (4.9-4.8). CO2 emissions: 111-108g/km. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Optional wheels may affect emissions and fuel consumption figures.
A1 Sportback SE
A1 Sportback Sport
A1 Sportback S line
• 15" ‘5-arm’ design alloy wheels
In addition to SE, the Sport
In addition to Sport, the S line
• LED headlights with LED rear lights
trim highlights include:
trim highlights include:
• 10.25" digital cockpit
• 17" alloy wheels
• MMI Radio Plus with 8.8" touch screen
• LED headlights
• Sport suspension
• Audi smartphone interface
• 16" alloy wheels
• S line exterior styling pack
• Audi pre sense front
• S line roof spoiler
• Rear parking sensors
• LED interior lighting pack
Mead Ave
Yeovil Audi
Av e
Lu ft on W ay
ve Western A
Houndstone Business Park
M ea d
and dynamic rear indicators
Houndstone Retail Park
n Way Stourto
@elizabethwatsonillustrations 8 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
DECEMBER 2018 Listings
Saturday 1st 9am-11am
____________________________
Folke Church presents Big Butty
Mondays 2pm-3.30pm
Christmas Breakfast
‘Feel Better with a Book’ group
Alweston Village Hall. Raffle, preserves,
Sherborne Library, Hound St. Shared
reading aloud with a small and friendly
shops and stalls, street entertainment,
Santa’s grotto, carols in the Abbey. 4pm parade and lighting the tree.
____________________________
children’s activities, wood-turning
Sunday 2nd 10am-4pm
display. Food Bank donations welcomed
Paul Newman -
____________________________
Pop-up Art Studio
____________________________
Saturday 1st - Sunday 9th
Last Monday of month 5pm-6pm
10am-4.30pm daily
81 Cheap Street (above Abbey
Bookchat
Sherborne Christmas
Sherborne Library, Hound St.
Tree Festival
____________________________
Christmas trees decorated by local
group. Free. 01935 812683
Brides). Signed limited edition prints for Christmas, original artwork
and greetings cards. 07715 528441
A lively book discussion group
Cheap Street Church, DT9 3BJ. 40
First Thursday of
groups and organisations.
Tuesday 4th
____________________________
Sherborne Historical Society
Netwalking
Saturday 1st 10am-4pm
Talk: Sherborne - The Last 160
From Sherborne Barbers, Cheap St. Free
Artslink Workshop
Years in Photographs
walk and talk with other small business
owners and entrepreneurs. FB: Netwalk
Digby Hall, Hound St. Linocut printing,
Digby Hall, Hound Street,
Sherborne Instagram: yourtimecoaching
suitable for all abilities. £54 or £49
Friends. Bookings: 01935 815899 info@
sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk
each month 9.30am
Twitter @yt_coaching
____________________________
sherborneartslink.org.uk
paulnewmanartist.com
____________________________
DT9 3AA. Non-members £5. ____________________________
____________________________
Wednesday 5th
First Thursday of each month
Saturday 1st 2.30pm
3.30pm and 6.45pm
2pm-3.30pm
Blackmore Vale and Yeovil
Beautiful British Books
“My Time” Carers’ Support Group
NT Association presents The
The Shielings, The Avenue, DT9 3AJ.
Yeovilton Military Wives Choir
Digby Hall, Hound Street. The
a chat. 01935 601499 or 01935 816321
£10 Winstone Books, 01747 824645
Fridays 2pm from Waitrose
story of fine bindings in Britain.
Advice, relaxed atmosphere, coffee and
Digby Hall, Hound Street
____________________________
BVYNTassoc.wordpress.com
Wednesday 5th - Saturday 8th
____________________________
Grease
Sherborne Health Walks
Saturday 1st 7.30pm
Free, friendly walk around Sherborne.
Sherborne Chamber Choir -
Gryphon School, Bristol Road, DT9
____________________________
Sherborne Abbey. Tickets from TIC
07825 691508
I Sing of a Maiden
Friday 30th November - 22nd
01935 815341 sherbornechamberchoir.org.uk
December Tues-Sat 9.30am-5pm
theartssocietysherborne.org.uk 01935 474626 ____________________________
4EQ. Tickets: £10 (child £5) from
Gryphon or Sherborne TIC: 01935
815341 gryphon.dorset.sch.uk/news-events
____________________________
____________________________
Thursdays 6th and
Christmas Exhibition
Sunday 2nd 8.30am-10am
13th 10.15am-12pm
The Jerram Gallery, Half Moon Street,
Christmas Sweater 5km
Local Vocals - Community-based
DT9 3LN. New work by 15 artists.
Acapella Choir
01935 815261 jerramgallery.com
Sherborne. Run in Christmas outfits for
____________________________
#getsandyhome. Tickets £15 + booking fee sherbornesweater.eventbrite.co.uk
Digby Memorial Hall. Worldwide
facebook.com/sherbornesweater
popular/traditional songs. No musical knowledge/audition required.
Until Saturday 22nd Cards for Good Causes
____________________________
lesley@whatfish.plus.com
Sherborne TIC, Digby Rd.
Sunday 2nd 10am-4pm Sherborne Festive Shopping Day
Thursday 6th 7.30pm-9pm
____________________________
Sherborne Abbey, DT9 3LQ. Festive
An Evening with Lalage Snow
Charity Christmas cards. 01935 815341
____________________________
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 9
WHAT'S ON Castle Gardens, New Road, DT9 5NR.
Sherborne Abbey, DT9 3LQ. Music and
Gardens. Info: 01935 814633
Sherborne Town Band, The Gryphon
Photography from her latest book, War
____________________________ Thursday 6th -
Please share your recommendations and contacts via FaceBook @sherborneparents
Saturday 8th 7.30pm Evita – Sherborne
readings from Sherborne Abbey Choir,
School and Sherborne Young Singers. Free with retiring collection for St Margaret’s Hospice and Weldmar Hospice.
____________________________
Joint Schools’ Musical
Wednesday 12th 7.30pm
Sherborne School Big School Room
Sherborne Artslink Flicks:
____________________________
The Leisure Seeker
Friday 7th 1.45pm-2.25pm
Memorial Hall, Digby Road, DT9 3NL
Sherborne Music School: Christmas Tree Concert Cheap Street Church, DT9 3BJ.
£6 from Sherborne TIC 01935 815341 sherborneartslink.org.uk
____________________________
Free admission.
Thursday 13th 2pm
____________________________
Sherborne Museum Winter Talk -
_________________________
Friday 7th 7pm
‘A Tale of Three Buildings’
Every Friday 9.30am-11am
On Angel Wings
Bishops Caundle
St James the Great, Longburton.
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road,
Toddler Group All Saints Primary School. Pot Doodles visiting.
_________________________
Christmas story interspersed with carols.
Tickets £10, children free 01963 210561. In aid of church facilities
DT9 3NL. By Barry Brock. Tea and
cake. £5 non-members. 01935 812252 sherbornemuseum.co.uk
____________________________
____________________________
Thursday 13th 2.30pm
Monday 10th 1pm-3pm
Friday 7th 7.30pm
Sherborne and District
Attachment Parenting
The Neville Dickie Trio
Gardeners’ Association - ‘New
UK Sherborne
Cheap Street Church. Tickets £10 TIC
Tricks for Old Gardeners’ plus
charity event
Digby Hall, Hound St, DT9 3AA. With
Saturdays 15th and
Friday 7th - Sunday 9th
____________________________
22nd 10am-11am
Open Weekend: Inside No.11
Friday 14th
Bounce Sherborne
Friday 10am – 8pm (mulled wine from
Charterhouse Collector’s Auction
11am–3pm. The Old Yarn Mills,
DT9 3BS. Medals, coins, stamps,
West End Hall. Shared indoor picnic and Christmas craft
_________________________
West End Hall, DT9 6AU.
Christmas-themed classes - routines, games, prizes. 4 yrs+. £5 per child.
Refreshments for adults. Bookable online bouncefitbody.com
01935 815341. Christmas Tree Festival
Christmas party
____________________________
Katherine Crouch. Info: 01935 389375
5pm). Saturday 10am–6pm. Sunday
Charterhouse, Long Street Salerooms,
Westbury, DT9 3RQ. 01935 814995
clocks and other items. 01935 812277
molecula.co.uk
____________________________
info@charterhouse-auction.com
____________________________
_________________________
Sunday 9th 5pm
Friday 14th 7pm
Sunday 16th 1pm-3pm
Carol Concert
The 4th Rendezvous Quiz with
Mini First Aid
Sherborne School Chapel. In aid
Fish and Chip Supper
01935 812249
DT9 3NL. Tickets: The Rendezvous
Digby Memorial Hall. £20 per
person. Multi-award-winning first
aid classes for parents, grandparents
of Singing for Syrians. Tickets £10.
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road,
____________________________
or Sherborne TIC 01935 814496,
and carers. sue@minifirstaid.co.uk,
Monday 10th 7.30pm
_________________________
The Abbey’s Gift to the Town
dorset.minifirstaid.co.uk
10 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Christmas Concert:
office@therendezvous.org.uk
____________________________ Saturday 15th 7pm
DECEMBER 2018 From Bach to Bing! St Andrew’s Church, Yetminster DT9 6HL. Wine and mince pies, in aid of
church funds. Tickets: TIC 01935 815341 ____________________________
Digby Hall, Hound St, DT9 3AA.
Lunchtime Hatha Yoga
Sherborne TIC misshopesprings.com
abilities welcome. £5. No need to book.
Tickets £15 from eventbrite.co.uk and
Digby Memorial Hall. All levels and
____________________________
hello@yogasherborne.co.uk or 07817 624081 ____________________________
Saturday 15th Doors 7pm
Planning ahead
Start 8pm
____________________________
Lunchtime relaxation
Otherside Presents:
Tuesday 1st January 2pm
and meditation
Duke Garwood
New Year’s Day Walk with
Church Studio, Haydon DT9 5JB.
Blue Badge Guide Cindy
Digby Memorial Hall. £5. No need
wheezy broke-down blues”. Tickets £10
No need to book! £8, 01935 815341
“London’s leading exponent of the
From Sherborne Abbey porch.
other-side.eventbrite.co.uk
____________________________
____________________________ Sunday 16th 3pm Sherborne Town Band Christmas Sing-A-Long!
Workshops and classes
Wednesdays 1.10pm-2pm
to book. hello@yogasherborne.co.uk or 07817 624081
____________________________ Thursdays 2.30pm-4pm ArtsLink Parkinson’s Dance Tinney’s Lane Youth Centre, Sherborne. Class with movements designed for
those experiencing the symptoms of
Cheap St. Church, DT9 3BJ. Also with
____________________________
Parkinson’s and social time. Free -
Community Choir. Tickets from TIC,
Yoga with Emma
____________________________
Thornford. Info: emmayogateacher@gmail.
Thursdays 7pm-9.30pm
____________________________
No 1 Wheelwright Studios, Thornford
Sherborne Youth Band and Sherborne
Mondays-Thursdays
07784 900955 or sherbornetownband.co.uk
Venues - Sherborne, Milborne Port,
Sunday 16th - Tuesday 18th
com or emmareesyoga.com
Art Club@Thornford for Adults
Society - Sleeping Beauty
Mondays 9.30am-10.30am
Digby Hall, Hound St, DT9 3AA.
Yoga Flow
DT9 6QE. With Ali Cockrean. £15 per
____________________________
class 07983 100445 justbyoga@outlook.com
Sherborne Amateur Pantomime
Tickets £9, TIC 01935 815341
Chetnole Village Hall. £6 per drop-in
Wednesday 19th
____________________________
donations welcome. 01935 815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk
____________________________
session (tuition only) or £20 (materials inc). 07742 888302, alicockrean@gmail. com or alicockrean.co.uk
____________________________
Friends of Yeatman Hospital
Mondays 10.30am-12pm
Wednesday 5th
Giant Raffle Draw
Yoga with Gemma
Loose and Lively Watercolour
Tickets £1 on sale all December -
Longburton Village Hall. 07812 593314
Florals Workshop
Festive Shopping Day. Time TBC -
____________________________
DT9 6QE. With Martin Thompson
Sainsbury’s, TIC and GTH stand at
or gemski81@hotmail.com
Wheelwright Studios, Thornford
friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk
Mondays 7pm-8pm
____________________________
Kunda Dance
MA (RCA). Info: 07742 888302
Wednesday 19th 7pm
Yetminster Sports Club. Booking essential
alicockrean.co.uk
____________________________
- Bev 07983 100445 justbyoga@outlook.com
Thursday 13th 10.30am-12.30pm
____________________________
and 1.30pm-3.30pm
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road,
Wednesdays 9am-10am
Christmas Wreath Making
DT9 3NL. Tickets £3 from Winstone’s
Yoga Flow
@ Leweston
Books 01935 816128
____________________________
Another Little World, Corton Denham.
Leweston School, DT9 6EN. With
Thursday 20th 7.30pm
Booking essential - Bev 07983 100445 justbyoga@outlook.com
inc. mince pie and tea. Places limited
Talk with Stephen Moss: The Wren
Miss Hope Brings Christmas Agogo!
____________________________ Wednesdays 12.10pm-1pm
Emma Dixon from River Cottage. £40 01963 211011
____________________________ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 11
WHAT'S ON Division 1. Terrace Playing Fields, DT9
Friday 14th 7pm-9pm
Saturdays 8th, 22nd and 29th
Free Festive Drinks and Nibbles
8.30am (trade) 9.30am (public)
Social Evening
until 4pm
The Slipped Stitch, 1 Cheap Street.
Chasty Cottage Antiques
Portishead (H)
01935 508249, theslippedstitch.co.uk
and Collectables Fair
Saturday 8th
____________________________
Corsham (A)
Sunday 30th 10am-4pm
Digby Hall, Hound Street.
Entrance £1. 01963 370986
Saturday 15th
____________________________
Longwell Green Sports (A)
Sound Voice Playshop
Saturday 15th
Wednesday 26th
2pm-4pm Crystal and Tibetan
Sherborne Handmade
Wincanton (A)
Singing Bowl Soundbath
Art and Craft Fair
Saturday 29th
Oborne Village Hall, Oborne DT9 4LA.
Digby Hall, Hound St, DT9 3AA.
Keynsham (H)
live.com centreforpuresound.org
____________________________
10am-12.30pm Angels of
£12 per session 01935 389655 ahiahel@
____________________________
Fairs and markets ____________________________
Free. Info: 01458 223124
5NS sherbornetownfc.com. 3pm start Saturday 1st
____________________________
Saturday 29th 10am-4pm PBFA Book Fair Memorial Hall, Digby Rd. £1 admission. 01935 850210 pbfa.org/book-fairs/ sherborne/5638
____________________________
Sport
Sherborne RFC
____________________________
First XV Southern Counties South.
Sundays 9am Digby Etape Cycling Club Ride From Riley’s Cycles. 20-30 miles,
The Terrace Playing Fields, DT9 5NS sherbornerfc.rfu.club. 2.30pm start Saturday 1st
average 12-15 mph. Drop bar road
Corsham (A)
Sherborne Cycling Club or 07443 490442
Devizes (H)
bike recommended. FB Digby Etape
Saturday 8th
____________________________
Saturday 15th
____________________________
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Dorchester (A)
Thursdays 9am-11.30am
7.30pm–8.30pm
Saturday 29th
Country Market
Mixed Touch Rugby
North Dorset (H)
Church Hall, Digby Road
Sherborne School floodlit astroturf,
____________________________
Every third Friday 9am-1pm
welcome. £2 per session, first four sessions
Thursdays and Saturdays Pannier Market The Parade
____________________________ Farmers’ Market Cheap Street
Ottery Lane DT9 6EE. Novices very free. sherbornetouch.org 07887 800803
____________________________
To include your event in our FREE listings please email details – date/
____________________________
time/title/venue/description/price/
Saturday 1st - Sunday 2nd
contact (in approx 20 words) – by
10am-4pm
the 5th of each preceding month to
Sherborne Annual Christmas
gemma@homegrown-media.co.uk
Craft and Gift Fair Memorial Hall, Digby Rd. 01749 677049 westcountrycraftfairs.co.uk
____________________________ 12 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Due to the volume of events received
Sherborne Town FC
we are regrettably unable to
First XI Toolstation Western League
acknowledge or include them all.
DUKE GARWOOD
SATURDAY 15TH DECEMBER Doors 7pm, Start 8pm
“Duke Garwood’s music has an otherworldly, heady quality suggesting sun-baked desert days, croc-skin boots and a Chevrolet gently rolling along empty highways” The Guardian Tickets £10 in advance from www.other-side.eventbrite.co.uk CHURCH STUDIO HAYDON DORSET DT9 5JB
A series of talks, live performances and screenings + food and drink of an interesting ilk In association with
Take a peak at ArtsLink:
We inspire, educate and support • Art education programmes • Art history talks & lectures • Family Activities • Targeted wellbeing sessions • Films shown monthly in Sherborne
01935 815899
www.sherborneartslink.org.uk
Sherborne ArtsLink Ltd. The Manor House, Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JG Your link to art, culture and wellbeing Company no. 2471382. Registered charity no. 1007680
TAYLORS COACH TRAVEL – DAY EXCURSIONS & HOLIDAYS After several successful years, Taylors have made the decision to take a break from day excursions and holidays, and therefore will not be offering a programme for 2019. We have visited some fantastic UK venues and European holiday destinations with you and we thank you for your loyal support. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone that has travelled with us over the years, a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year for 2019! The Elliott family – Taylors Coach Travel
14 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Emily Wood & Paul Hendy for Evolution Pantomimes in association with The Octagon Theatre
TAKE A MAGIC CARPET RIDE WITH AL ADDIN THIS CHRISTMAS!
‘LIVE THEATRE AT ITS MOST EXQUISITE’ WHAT’S ON SOMERSET
£14 FROM
‘GENUINELY AWESOME!’ SOMERSET LIVE
Sponsored by:
7 DEC 2018 - 6 JAN 2019 Box Office: 01935 422884 octagon-theatre.co.uk Hendford | Yeovil | Somerset | BA20 1UX
Christmas Party Tribute Nights COME AND JOIN US FOR A FANTASTIC NIGHT OUT
Dinner, Disco and Entertainment £45 per person Why not stay the night and enjoy our spa facilities? Room & breakfast £85 per room
FREDDIE MERCURY Friday 14th December
DAVID BOWIE Saturday 15th December
BLUES BROTHERS Friday 21st December
DIANA ROSS
An evening with
IAN BOTHAM & GEOFF MILLER Friday 18th January TICKETS FROM £50
1/2 price for under 16’s
MEET & GREET £75
Grab your chance to meet the legend. Photo, signature and meet opportunity VIP / Corporate tables available - ask for details Memorabilia Auction Evenings MC - Mr. Paul Booth Two course meal included in the ticket price followed by Ian & Geoff’s after dinner speech
Saturday 22nd December
TICKET BOX OFFICE
01935 483430
George Albert Hotel Wardon Hill, Evershot, Nr. Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9PW Tel: 01935 483430 • www.gahotel.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 15
Reviews on Cinderella 2017/18
TIC
KETS
PREVIEW In association with
BSO Symphonic Brass Thursday 13th December
Gillingham School Theatre, Gillingham, SP8 4QR. 7.30pm. £10/£6. 01747 833844 artsreach.co.uk Friday 14th December
Village Hall, Chetnole, DT9 6NU. 7.30pm. £10/£6. 01935 873555 artsreach.co.uk BSO Brass present an evening of musical delights, taking you on a journey through
exquisite pieces of classical music by Bach and Byrd, to jazz classics such as Oh When the Saints and Just a Closer Walk. The quintet of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
musicians will herald in the autumn season with stunning majesty and groove. Touring Dorset with Artsreach, the county’s touring arts charity. evolver.org.uk
16 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
ARTIST AT WORK No. 2: Bird Sculpture, Graham Church driftwood and metal, £175 In an ungainly ruse to adorn our walls and delight our screen-worn eyes, each month we invite a local artist to exhibit work in our offices and tell their story on these pages. This month, we meet woodworker Graham Church.
I
come from a line of traditional woodworkers and now create sculptures and paintings using offcuts and objects found mostly when combing the beaches. My materials might be strips of rusting metal, old cans or twisted wood, in fact anything that once found, felt and inspected reveal their potential. I have been recycling since before the universal symbol for it was designed and see beauty in ordinary, discarded dayto-day objects. I can’t help collecting what others might see as junk. In my little workshop I can bring these things to life, often in an entirely new form. I have more ideas than I have time in the day. Mostly
a little off-centre, my work is unpredictable and simple, which I think might be part of its charm. The hand-cut, metal bird sculpture shown here is one of the works currently on view at the Sherborne Times offices on Cheap Street. It is inspired by the swallows that dive through the landscape near my home each summer. Graham’s work is available to view at his workshop in Holnest, 4 miles south of Sherborne. Please contact him on 01963 210579. Graham will also be exhibiting at the Sherborne Festive Shopping Day on Sunday 2nd December. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 17
Film
ON FILM
T
Andy Hastie, Cinematheque
he months seem to race past and this year is ending so soon. Cinematheque doesn’t hang about though and heads straight into January with two films at Yeovil’s Swan Theatre. On 2nd January we show Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck (pictured) and, on the 23rd, Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs. These two independent auteurs, both from academic backgrounds, are making some of the most entertaining films to come out of America these days. Both directors have a similar approach to their work, with a very distinct visual style, creating films that feel like selfcontained worlds with slow-motion walking shots and cars that appear to drift rather than drive. By deliberately limiting the colour palette to neutral tones, their films become ‘otherworldly’. As well, their protagonists are mostly social outsiders, at odds with norms in society. Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck follows the overlapping stories of two deaf children, both desperately unhappy and seeking a better life. One is set in 1927, the other in 1977. The 1977 boy is searching for his missing father; the 1927 girl is a mysterious actress from silent films. The two narratives, although separated by time and with one in colour and the other in black and white, both eventually arrive at the Manhattan Museum of Natural 18 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
History. A clever storyline effortlessly brings a satisfying finale, having explored themes of family, art, science and curiosity in a charming film. Wes Anderson’s films are usually fast-paced, character-driven comedies intercut with melancholic elements. He has the knack of taking serious dialogue and making it funny. Isle of Dogs is a stop-motion puppet animation set in a futuristic Japan as if it were filmed in the 1960s! The mayor of Megasaki City falsely blames all their perceived ills on the city’s dog population and demands their exile (sound familiar anyone? It’s meant to!) to an offshore rubbish dump. Look out for sly visual gags (just like the Aardman films) and hilarious minor characters. Anderson’s absurdist comedy can land serious political points but still be ridiculous at the same time. A perfect film for fans of dogs or rubbish dumps! Two great films for the start of the new year, so make a note. Don’t forget the two films mentioned last month which are coming up in December: Lost in Paris on the 5th and 400 Blows (absolutely not to be missed) on the 19th. All details are on the Cinematheque website. cinematheque.org.uk swan-theatre.co.uk
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A FESTIVE GATHERING Jenny Dickinson, Dear to Me Studio Christmas. Brought to you in style with a little help from our friends… deartomestudio.com 22 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 23
Wild Shopping Choose a gift for a nature lover in your life. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop
DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST
CHristmas at tHE tOY BarN
Toys & Games sTockinG Fillers play equipmenT parTies
The
Toy Barn
01935 815040 toy-barn.co.uk 24 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Sherborne
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Wild Dorset
FASCINATING FUNGI Susannah Lynn, Volunteer, Dorset Wildlife Trust
F
ungi don’t fit into the plant or animal kingdoms but are in a category of their own. The fungi kingdom is a large group of organisms that includes yeasts, moulds and, of course, mushrooms. Found everywhere - in the soil, in water, on and within plants, and even in the human body - fungi are essential to life on earth and they have a fascinating biology. Fungi play an important role within our ecosystems, helping to recycle nutrients from dead or decaying organic matter and releasing carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus into the soil and the atmosphere. Without fungi, these recycling activities would be seriously reduced and we would have a lot more decaying material around our feet. They are important directly as food for us, with many edible mushroom species grown and harvested for sale and some mushrooms and truffles considered as delicacies. While mushrooms aren’t a large proportion of what we eat day to day, fungi are also widely used in the production of many other foods and drinks such as cheese, beer, wine and bread. Fungi are also vitally important for the good growth of most plants and crops. In 1885, German biologist Albert Bernard Frank coined the word ‘mycorrhiza’ to describe this symbiotic relationship in which fungus grows around plant roots. This gives the plants greater access to water and minerals such as phosphorus and nitrogen and even increases their immunity. In exchange, the plant provides carbohydrates and other nutrients to the fungi. Dorset Wildlife Trust manages many nature reserves to support and benefit all kinds of wildlife, including fungi. In West Dorset, Kingcombe Meadows and Powerstock are some of the best places in England to find fungi species, many of them rare and all of them beautiful. The huge variation in geology and plant life at Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve ensures a variety of habitats which allows for a larger variety of fungus species than one would expect in a few hundred acres. The Kingcombe Centre’s 2019 programme of events is now live; it includes courses on fungi so you can learn more about this fascinating subject. Visit their website for more information and to book.
FUNGI FACT • Pilobolus crystallinus (also known as hat-thrower or dung canon fungus) is the fastest accelerating organism in the world. Its spores accelerate from 0-20mph in 2 millionths of a second, pulling up to an astonishing 20,000G. That’s over 6,000 times stronger than the g-force astronauts endure during take-off!
kingcombe.org.uk dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
26 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Image: Nick Tomlinson sherbornetimes.co.uk | 27
Wild Dorset
Image: Gillian M Constable
SHERBORNE DWT
T
Gillian M Constable, Dorset Wildlife Trust Sherborne Group Committee Member
here is no Sherborne group meeting in December but already we have the programme for 2019. It is the usual mixture of topics and we have tried to find something for all tastes. Our first three talks in 2019 are ‘Wildlife of a Working Forest’, ‘Farming & Wildlife - Compatible or Not?’ and ‘Treasures of Dorset’. We hope to see you at the meetings; more details will be in the appropriate edition of Sherborne Times. We also plan a group field trip to Brownsea Island early in the year. DWT has organised two events for members: the Brownsea Cruises (December and February), contact DWT for more information. The DWT calendar for 2019 is ‘Wild Birds of Dorset’ and it displays some wonderful pictures of Dorset birds taken by Paul Williams who took the superb pictures of the barn owls at Lorton Meadows in 2017. Appropriately the February picture is of a waxwing; I wonder if this year I shall manage to see my first Dorset waxwing? One year I just missed a party of them in Poole. How about adopting a seahorse or red squirrel as a Christmas present for a junior member of the family? These are available from 28 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
the DWT website shop, which also has a selection of Christmas cards and gifts. Yesterday Surrey Wildlife Trust made the sad announcement that thousands of diseased ash trees are to be felled due to fears of the trees falling on people. The trees have succumbed to the disease ‘chalara’ which makes them more susceptible to honey fungus and more prone to fall. Any outing in our area reveals hundreds of stately ash trees; how sad it will be when DWT has to make the same announcement. On a more positive note the majestic Wyndham’s Oak at Silton starred in Saturday’s The Times ‘UK’s most beautiful trees’ list. I discovered the tree some years back when I had a tree project from a photography group and have been one of its fans ever since. It is believed to be at least 1000 years old. It remains for me to wish you much happiness over Christmas and all the best for 2019. Do take a walk and look for evidence of the coming spring. Walking in nature is one of the wonders of life. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
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Email: peterhardingwm@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.peterhardingwm.co.uk 40 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8JG | 9 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PU 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. Peter HardingWealth Management is a trading name of Peter Harding Practice Ltd. H2SJP30113 09/18
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30 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
encouraging
happy,
enthusiastic and
independent children
For more information or to arrange a visit please contact the Registrar, Charlotte Carty
01935 810911 or registrar@sherborneprep.org Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3NY
Fo u
nd Kin 11 at i g s + B Av on S rut a i l ch o n ab o l le ar sh
ip
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You are invited to join us for our
Spring Open Mornings Saturday 2nd & Friday 8th February 2019 For further information, call Admissions on 01963 442 606
Please come and see us...
Co-educational boarding and day prep school, ages 2½ - 13, in beautiful Somerset 01963 442 606 | www.hazlegrove.co.uk | admissions@hazlegrove.co.uk | Sparkford, Somerset, BA22 7JA sherbornetimes.co.uk | 31
UNEARTHED FREDDIE GRAHAM, AGED 18, Sherborne School
I
f you have attended any of the free concerts given by the prodigiously talented musicians at Sherborne School, you will doubtless have heard the dulcet tones of Freddie Graham on the saxophone. Clarity of tone, ingenuity in improvisation and a real connection with the audience mark him out as a performer of quality. Aficionados of the Friday Lunchtime Concert series in Cheap Street Church will have heard him perform solo, in groups and lately in the Freddie Graham Quartet. Further afield, he has performed in Chelsea and on overseas tours with the Swing Band, including the Caribbean last July. Some musicians stand out from the crowd. Post-grade 8 on the saxophone, Freddie gained his ATCL at the age of sixteen and sits the LTCL Diploma exams this December. He has distinctions on the piano and in singing and plays a key role in the school’s celebrated Chamber Choir; his voice has been heard in Bath, Salisbury, Winchester and Oxford. He has also creates film music. Working hard towards three A-levels and a university place and playing rugby to a high level at school, as well as being a prefect, Freddie offers a wide array of talents to the waiting world. sherborne.org
OLIVIA WAY, AGED 13, Sherborne Prep
Olivia is an impressive young sportswoman who appreciates the importance of breadth and multi-sports, and who always relishes a challenge. Through her experiences at The Prep, at club level and latterly within the representative sporting pathways, she is developing an impressive sporting CV with county selections in netball and hockey and appearances at two national finals. Although fiercely competitive, dynamic and keen to improve, Livvy is a humble, sensitive soul who avoids the limelight. She is completely selfless, always putting the team and her friends first. When asked what she really enjoys about her sporting endeavours, her answer was positive and inclusive: ‘I love playing sport and competing with my friends. That’s the best type of fun. At the Prep I can play hockey, netball, cricket and rounders, run for the athletics team and swim in galas, and all for the same team!’ With these attributes, on and off the pitches, Livvy has a very bright future ahead. It is clear that she grasps the opportunities presented to her and will continue to challenge herself, always giving her best. She will undoubtedly contribute enormously to any team and any sport she chooses in the years to come. sherborneprep.org >
32 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Freddie Graham
Ethan Moody Olivia Way Perdi Digby Maddie Austin sherbornetimes.co.uk | 33
ETHAN MOODY, AGED 16, Gryphon Sixth Form
Ethan has been windsurfing for several years, culminating in his success in September when he became the National U20 Windsurf Champion in the RS:X class - the Olympic class! His busy training schedule consists of two 3-hour windsurfing sessions each weekend and five aerobic and strength sessions each week. This dedication has enabled him to compete at multiple international competitions including the World Championships in Sardinia (2015), Lake Garda (2016), and Spain (2017), and the European Championships in Poland (2016) and France (2017 and 2018). His best results to date have been coming 9th at the U15 World Championships in 2016 and, of course, winning the national championship this year. Says Ethan, ‘I love the surreal feeling of flying on the water that you get with windsurfing, and all of the amazing places I travel to for competitions’. On top of his training regime Ethan is studying for A levels in Maths, Physics and PE. He also manages to squeeze in cycling as a hobby to help with his training and enjoys playing basketball. He hopes eventually to become a professional windsurfer and has set his sights on competing at the Olympics in the future. gryphon.dorset.sch.uk
PERDI DIGBY, AGED 15, Sherborne Girls
Perdi began riding at an early age, joining the Pony Club and moving on to eventing aged 11. When her pony, Kayleigh’s Star, came along, Perdi changed disciplines to concentrate on show-jumping. Over the last three years the pair have progressed through the levels and now compete on the international circuit alongside the best ponies and pony riders in Europe. In June Perdi competed for Team GB at a Nation’s Cup competition in the Netherlands, where the British Team won silver. Following on from this, Perdi and Star were selected for the Pony European Championships, the pinnacle of this sport where the best ponies and
34 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
riders from Europe compete over four days. Great Britain won team Gold and were crowned European Champions 2018. In September Perdi and Star went to Belgium as part of Team GB for the Youth Nations Cup Final while in October she took part in the Horse of The Year Show in Birmingham before travelling to Lyon for the Pony World Cup Trophy. November saw her back in Belgium and this month she will be at the Olympia Horse Show in London. Sadly, December brings to an end her career in ponies but she hopes to continue her success when she moves on to horses certainly a name to watch out for in the future. sherborne.com
MADDIE AUSTIN, AGED 16, Leweston
‘I hadn’t planned to take anything computer-related at GCSE or A Level,’ Maddie recalls as she looks back at where her passion for computing began. Maddie’s first glimpse into the computing world came when she started Computer Science lessons in Year 9. Finding she not only enjoyed the subject but also was good at it Maddie took it to GCSE level, advancing her knowledge and skills further in Year 11 with work experience for a company in London. Maddie observed people working in different divisions of the business but became fascinated with the Technical Security department. This inspired her to pursue a career in Computer Science, specifically as a ‘good hacker’, testing companies’ security procedures. There are relatively few women in the technology industry, a factor which played a pivotal role in Maddie’s choice. Maddie is the first Leweston student to study A Level Computer Science, making her a trailblazer nationally as only 12% of the A Level Computer Science entries in 2018 were female. Loretta ChristeyClover, Head of IT at Leweston, says, ‘Maddie is a pioneering, logic-orientated, inspiring female with a true passion for computing. We cannot wait to watch her excel in her career as a good hacker!’ leweston.co.uk
Family
Children’s Book Review Wayne Winstone, Winstone’s Books
How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T Smith (Pan Macmillan, 2018) £14.99 Sherborne Times Reader Offer price of £13.99 at Winstone’s Books
I
recently went to a trade conference and one of the speakers was Alex T Smith; he gave a riveting talk full of enthusiasm about how he came to write and illustrate his new book, How Winston Delivered Christmas. The story is based on his own childhood experiences with wonderful illustrations throughout. Little mouse Winston stars in a perfect Christmas adventure. Even for a mouse he’s small, but Winston’s got a big heart and when he finds a lost letter for Father Christmas he’s determined to see it delivered. His expedition is full of challenges but along the way he’s helped by some equally warm-hearted and generous animals, including a
'Independent Bookseller of the Year 2016’ 8 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PX www.winstonebooks.co.uk Tel: 01935 816 128
beautiful white cat and a rat who ‘works’ at the famous Fortesque’s department store. Winston’s good deed is rewarded and the little mouse finds a warm bed and a new family for Christmas. The book is divided into 24½ chapters – one a day for 1st – 24th December plus a treat for Christmas morning! Interspersed with festive craft activities, there can’t be a better book to set readers up for Christmas. Alex T Smith’s illustrations are gorgeous – big, busy and dramatic scenes but always with our little hero centre stage. winstonebooks.co.uk
Stocking up for Christmas
Family
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE CHRISTMAS IN SHERBORNE
I
Millie Neville-Jones
t’s time to pop on the bobble hats, turn the Christmas playlist to full volume, grab a box of Quality Street and, of course, a mince pie from one of the many excellent bakeries in Sherborne. Oh yes! It is December and the festivities are in full swing. Soon, everyone will be returning from University, breaking up for the Christmas holidays, finishing work and turning on their ‘out of office’ response. This means lots of Christmas shopping, entertaining and wrapping presents. At Christmas, Sherborne is alive with festivities: the Festive Shopping Day, Castle Gardens’ Christmas display, Christmas Fayres, and many, many carol services and nativities. For the young people in Sherborne, it is a time when the town becomes more vibrant. It’s all about meeting up with friends you haven’t seen since September for a drink in one of the coffee shops (many of the cafés in Sherborne have seasonal drinks so watch out for those!), wandering around the Christmas display at Castle Gardens, walking down Christmas tree-lined Cheap Street (very Instagramworthy) and desperately trying to find last-minute presents on a budget – perhaps slightly harder in Sherborne! Or, for some of us, it’s a time to say, ‘See you in the New Year’ as we travel far and wide back home. We all know the feeling of being cooped up for too long in the house with all of the family. Perhaps you’ve been forced out of the house for a long walk? Why not prolong the small talk and hearing about distant relatives and take a short car journey down to the seaside? West Bay, Lyme Regis and Studland have some amazing walks, all of which are guaranteed to blow away the cobwebs and burn off some of those mince pies. 36 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Some of the schools in Sherborne are getting involved with Operation Christmas Child, which sends shoe boxes full of gifts to children living in troubled communities. Sherborne is a generous community so keep a thought in mind for those who are not so fortunate and support Christmas charities such as Crisis at Christmas and Shelter. There is so much to do in and around Sherborne during the run up to Christmas and plenty for everyone to get involved with. Let’s make Christmas 2018 in Sherborne the best yet! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
THE APPRENTICE
L
Lily Whitmarsh
ike many students I was encouraged to apply for university, even though it had never really appealed to me. Initially I applied to study Creative Events Management and, later, a foundation degree in Art and Design. Fortunately, I realised that it wasn’t a good idea to commit to three years of study when I was unsure what I wanted to do professionally. Realistically, I doubted I would actually complete a degree course. I studied Textiles, Business and English Language at school, and had an interest in marketing and PR so, after I’d finished my A-level exams, I applied for a Marketing Apprenticeship at Honeybuns Bakery. Choosing an apprenticeship meant not having any student debt, getting paid while gaining a qualification and acquiring lots of experience. With all this on offer, why commit to three years at university? For my course - Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Marketing - I was allocated 6 hours paid study time a
OPEN DOORS 31 January 10.00 22 March 14.00 week; I studied at home on a Thursday to complete my assignments and worked 8½ hours a day the rest of the time at Honeybuns. I attended lectures every 6 weeks, met regularly with my assessor and had 3-way reviews with the college and Honeybuns to ensure that my role was providing me with enough experience to complete the qualification. My responsibilities include managing the social media, digital marketing campaigns and competitions as well as assisting with trade shows, PR, sales and events. Juggling a full-time job, study and social life helped me to blossom not only personally but also professionally, providing valuable experience and opportunities and enabling me to build relationships with professionals within industry. People often assume that apprenticeships aren’t as valuable, or taken as seriously, as a university degree. However, dependent on the industry, it is not always essential to have a degree to get a job - having experience in the workplace is often more sought after by potential employers. Having completed my apprenticeship, I am now looking to develop my creative skills within a larger organisation where I can work collaboratively as part of a bigger team and have input to a greater range of projects. As well as my qualification, my apprenticeship has allowed me to gain experience within marketing and PR, enhanced my customer service strengths and commercial awareness, and developed my interpersonal skills. I believe this will give me an advantage over those who may not have been exposed to real-life business scenarios. Having input and involvement in Honeybuns has influenced my decision to pursue a career in marketing and I have chosen to further my studies by taking a CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing, something I was encouraged to do having finished the 2-year Level 3 Certificate in under a year. As a highly motivated, conscientious individual with a strong eye for detail, I thrive on the fast pace and high level of accuracy required in this industry. Working in marketing allows me to be creative while following a specific strategy and producing detailed material to help the business achieve its objectives. I hope that everything I have gained through my apprenticeship experience will make me a desirable candidate for potential employers.
We are determined A Co-educational Diamond Model School Flexi, weekly and full boarding Daily buses across Dorset and Somerset
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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 37
Family
WHY TEACH MUSIC?
I
Yvonne Fawbert, Director of Music, Sherborne Prep School
was fortunate enough to have the most amazing music teachers who inspired and encouraged selfexpression yet instilled the need for discipline and commitment. Those strong foundations opened up the pathway that I chose to follow as a music teacher, a career that I remain as passionate about now as I was in the early days. Teaching any subject is hugely rewarding, but why do I teach music? Because it encompasses so much of a child’s learning experience and development as an individual. The benefits of learning a musical instrument and being part of an ensemble or choir are enormous. We only have to look at the elements of music to see how they integrate with all manner of subjects across the curriculum. Pitch, dynamics and texture explore frequencies, intensities and volume changes, melody and harmony simultaneously with the most exact control of time. Even the conductor’s score is a frequency chart. When you add in the considerations of timbre and tempo, it is no wonder that some regard music as a science, relying on physics to understand sound and speed. Music is maths. It is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions and children are encouraged to do this instantaneously, solving the problems in their minds, akin to mental arithmetic but with no sign of calculators to assist them. From a humanities approach, music brings together cultures and traditions. The notation is a highly developed code which is understood by musicians all over the world; the musical terms are mostly in Italian, German or French, enhancing linguistic skills and the ability to crack codes. It truly is a universal language. Across the globe, music reflects the environment and times of its creation, whether that be political, religious or cultural movements. It can be nationalistic, revolutionary and often highly emotive. For those of us who have played a musical instrument, we know that it requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lip, cheek and facial muscles, in addition to extraordinary control of 38 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
the diaphragm, back, stomach, abdomen and chest muscles. It is an undeniably physical discipline, demanding fitness, skill and stamina. It is also an excellent means of developing resilience as it requires perseverance, self-discipline, commitment and determination. Music is all of these things but, most of all, music is art. Music draws on all these technically dry techniques and uses them to express emotion, humanism and feeling. With cutbacks being made in creative subjects in schools across the country, it seems to me that the
people who make the cuts have little or no concept of the value of music, art and drama. Children who study music are exposed to so many areas of academic subjects and these cross-curricular opportunities are not often highlighted or promoted. However, at Sherborne Prep, we now have 4 choirs for different age groups and an auditioned chamber choir. The majority of children sing in one of these choirs. We have 13 instrumental ensembles including an orchestra, brass, flute, saxophone, guitar, percussion and cello ensemble. We have instrumental trios and even a Dixieland band. With the very musical Heidi Berry at the helm of the Pre-Prep,
the little ones all sing, many play recorders and Heidi also runs Mini Maestros, a junior string orchestra. It is wonderful to work in a school that not only recognises but also celebrates the cross-curricular benefits of music. Why do I teach music? To me, it’s obvious. In teaching music to children, or indeed any age group, we create beauty, we become sensitive, we embrace humanity and hopefully bring more love, compassion, joy and gentleness into our lives and the lives of those around us. That is why I teach music and I love it! sherborneprep.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 39
Family
THE OLD STORY
Rebecca de Pelet, Head of English, Sherborne School
40 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
S
ome years ago, I attended a book launch in a London church whose name I have now forgotten. The publisher, Canongate, was laying on a PR event for its latest product: Pocket Canons, The Words of the Wise (now sadly out of print). The church was bristling with journos waiting for the unlikely combination of writers such as Nick Cave and Doris Lessing to speak. They were all assembled to read from the short introduction each had written to a particular book from the King James Bible. Faith was not the focus of the evening nor indeed of the books. Instead, awareness of the importance of the King James Bible as literature had drawn this group of writers together. Of course, thanks to the determination and suffering of Tyndale, the West has long had an intimate relationship with the narratives, structures, imagery and cadences of this rich, ancient collection of writings. But as attitudes to faith have changed, so too has the readership of the Bible. After the readings, the floor was opened for questions. Most were respectful of the concept behind the book but, towards the end of the session, I became aware of some heckling from the back of the church. Eventually the muttering turned into shouts and then, ‘What’s the point of celebrating the King James Bible? It’s outdated, irrelevant and frankly offensive to our multi-cultural society!’ The well-known writers at the front shuffled their feet uncomfortably. Except for one: Doris Lessing, the tiny, fiery octogenarian who would go on to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, stepped forward from the rest, lowered the microphone to her mouth and replied, in a tone only just bordering on the polite, ‘Because anyone who thinks such study has no value is clearly stupid.’ As Christmas approaches, I often think about what the narratives of its celebration mean to people. My favourite seasonal poem, Journey of the Magi by T.S. Eliot, is given even greater depth should you recognise ‘the three trees on the low sky’ observed by the journeying Magi and the ‘Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver’ with its echoes of Judas’ betrayal and the bargaining for Christ’s clothes at the foot of the cross. Without the allusions to Christ’s death, the speaker’s uneasiness, ‘were we lead all that way for
Birth or Death?’ just doesn’t make sense. Of course, this could be seen as some kind of intellectual one up(wo) manship on my part, but my interest lies instead in wondering what happens when no-one hears these once common nuances. Our Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, describes the Bible as an ‘essential piece of cultural luggage' and universities are worrying about so-called biblical illiteracy; talk of introducing courses on Christian imagery (and Greek mythology – don’t get me started) in order that Humanities students can get up to speed, is gaining pace. I remember coming to the close of Woolf ’s To the Lighthouse with an A level class and facing complete silence in response to my question about the nature of the central character’s climactic thought in the penultimate paragraph of the novel: ‘It is finished’. Inevitably, when told these are Christ’s final words, pupils ask whether Woolf was religious, an ugly and unhelpful word for the most part, which rather misses the point. For surely the point is that Woolf knew that, by employing this particular sentence, she was tapping into a collective, cultural memory, whilst simultaneously subverting it with (amongst other elements) the fact that her own story’s heroine is just that, female. Without hearing that biblical echo, her writing is much the less. Robert Macfarlane has done his bit recently for rescuing those words expunged by the Oxford Junior Dictionary (OJD) in 2007; words such as bluebell, conker and kingfisher are resurrected in his wonderful book The Lost Words. Indeed in 2015, an open letter to the OJD. was co-signed by, amongst many others, the writers Margaret Atwood and Michael Morpurgo on behalf of the charity Action for Conservation, which works to enable ‘disadvantaged and socially excluded children’. I believe similarly, that everyone should have the best access to the best writing and if that takes the publication of a ‘Lost Biblical Symbols and Narratives’, then maybe someone should write one, albeit with a catchier title. As we return to the old story this Christmas, we can do so knowing that we are both refreshing our cultural memory and enriching our reading. sherborne.org
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 41
Art
I
like other people’s places of work — as long as they have the feeling of sound craftsmanship and skill. I think it is the workshop environment and the notion of things being made. I recently called into the workshop of John Dyke, the violin man at Compton Court in Sherborne. The items of a craftsman littered the work bench. Sections of violins, double basses etc. propped up or hung from the ceiling made it a must for me to draw. At the time John was restringing a bow, carefully selecting single strands of horse hair, making sure each and every one was damage free before fitting them into the bow he’d just repaired. There was so much to draw I had to be selective. I didn’t want to make it over-complicated but equally I wanted to reflect the busyness and the clutter and to show the part-finished jobs. Tools and pots of glue lay everywhere, items used to restore life into instruments, which to me seemed past their best, so that they may be played again. As I was drawing, John finished the bow and tested it out on a violin by playing a jaunty ditty. We had cups of tea and a natter but most of the time was spent in a companionable working silence. I did a few drawings over the course of the day, some quite quickly. My aim was not to be too ‘tight’ but to capture the feeling and atmosphere of John’s workshop. I’m sure I will go back again sometime. Once is not enough. The second drawing was done at a ploughing match at Mudford. A fantastic collection of old tractors caught my eye along with three teams of heavy horses. I had a go at drawing both modes of ploughing during my visit. The horses I knew would be continually on the move even when not pulling the plough but, despite that, I did manage to get some sketches done. I thought I would have time to draw the tractors when the ploughman stopped to measure the furrows but they were soon back in the seat and on the move. I’ve several part-done and a few like the one shown here. I don’t mind having to draw quickly as it concentrates the mind in getting the main points down. I spent a very enjoyable few hours watching the sod being turned in wonderfully straight lines by enthusiasts using old methods, skills which it seems are becoming less important as driverless tractors can plough larger areas faster, all controlled by GPS. However, they don’t see the nest of the lapwing or hear the skylark. There is always a trade off ! Laurence will be on Digby Road for Festive Shopping Day on the 2nd December, showing Paintings and Cards laurencebelbin.com
42 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 43
History OBJECT OF THE MONTH
THE MUMMER’S TAMBOURINE Elisabeth Bletsoe, Curator
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his tambourine was donated by Pauline Chant in 2009; it belonged to her grandfather, Albert Lambert, who was born at Goathill in 1885 and who later lived in Newland as a groundskeeper. It consists of a wooden, steam-bent shell 23cm in diameter, across one side of which is stretched a parchment made from animal skin and held in place by brass tacks. There are four pairs of brass zills pinned into open slots in the shell and the outer rim has been hand-painted in red. An accompanying note from the donor suggests Albert last played the tambourine in 1911 with the Sherborne Mummers. At present, we have no evidence that Sherborne had an organised mummers group - such gatherings were often rural, community-driven and spontaneous. There are references in the local papers from the late 1800s, however, to mummers being vividly present at the town’s parades and festival occasions such as May Day, Bonfire Night and, of course, Christmas - days often set aside for the lords of misrule and abbots of unreason. The name has its roots in Early High German vermummen - to wrap up, disguise, to mask one’s face. Masks were worn both to conceal the everyday personality and to reveal hidden attributes; identity was removed which also protected the wearer from recognition by evil forces as well as breaking down individual and social barriers. Mumming was early associated with mediaeval troupes of itinerant actors and musicians and could be rowdy, subversive and highly alcoholic. The traditional Mummers’ Play, which arguably hints at pre-Christian ideas of solstice and renewal, was not formulated in 44 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
writing until the mid1700s and reached its height of popularity in the 19th century. Mumming otherwise took the form of house-visits where the inhabitants were challenged to guess the mask-wearers’ true personae; hospitality and money were then given to the unexpected guests lest ill-luck should follow. The give-and-take success of this folk tradition relied on the assumption of familiarity underneath the disguise and was thus a means of anchoring all the participants not only to the history of their community but also, most importantly, to each other. At times of social unrest, however, disguise could enable violence and public nuisance, especially at Christmas where access to the upper echelons was facilitated and anonymity could enable redress of long-standing grievances. Music was an integral part of such festivities and the simple, portable tambourine and fife were usual accompaniments. The tambourine originated in the Middle East, possibly in a religious context, and was introduced to Europe in mediaeval times where contemporary iconography portrays it being played across the spectrum from angels to street-jugglers. It has long been associated with shamanistic practice and traditional folk music. Sherborne Museum is closed from 13th December and throughout January. We would like to thank all our visitors, supporters and members and wish them a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. sherbornemuseum.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
History
SHERBORNE’S LOST ROADS & TRACKS Cindy Chant, Sherborne Blue Badge Guide
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ell, Sir Walter is sadly no more and I am at a crossroads, considering what or whom to write about now. I’ve decided to write about what I enjoy and what I enjoy researching in the hope that it will give Sherborne Times readers pleasure and prove interesting too. I have long been curious about road history and fascinated by the old and sometimes lost tracks and drove roads that once abounded in the beautiful countryside surrounding Sherborne. Where did they lead? What has happened to them? Why have they mostly disappeared? It is difficult to find much history about them and puzzling that little has been written or documented. My interest has two objectives: to tell the story of the many green lanes around the Sherborne area and, more importantly, to encourage people to explore some of these old trackways, some of which may already be familiar. If you have an interest in old tracks and some local knowledge, you may be able to help me leave a richer legacy for younger readers. I shall approach this exciting subject in chronological order, starting with pre-historic tracks and working my way through to the turnpike roads, before moving on to my favourite part of this subject - the stage coaching era which I shall cover in some detail. Sherborne became a hub for the stage coaches… but more on that in later articles. Although relatively few people needed to travel, it was important for the country’s economy that people and produce moved around when required and there were only two alternatives: travel by boat on rivers and the sea, or on tracks with pack horses and wagons. The pre-historic settlers made trackways all over this chalk soil and those many miles of trackways led to the Bronze Age early traders. During the Roman occupation, the Romans built their roads initially for military purposes but many of them were later used for the successive invasions of the Anglo Saxons, the Danes, and finally the Normans. 46 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
The Romans left us in the 5th century and for the following 1000 years their existing road network remained in use; many roads are still used today, as are most of the inter-village tracks of Saxon times. These tracks continued to be used throughout the following centuries by the monastic and mediaeval traders with pack horses, and then by the drovers with their cattle from Wales and the west country, until the new turnpike roads of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries introduced new routes between the important towns of this area. The arrival of the Black Death in 1348 reduced the population by about 40%. There followed a long, slow recovery and it was not until the Tudor period, around 1485, that growth started again. In early mediaeval times there were a large amount of trade at the many local markets and the great fairs. The best known of these fairs is Woodbury Fair, its market charter dating
back to 1232; it is held over five days every year among the ancient earthworks on Woodbury Hill just outside Bere Regis. This meant a huge amount of movement on the old tracks. Of course, it was the great age of pilgrimages too and, especially in this area, there was constant movement between Glastonbury, Shaftesbury Nunnery, Sherborne Monastery, the great Cerne Abbas Monastery, Abbotsbury and Binden too. Great landowners were also constantly moving between their estates. Then after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, came the rise of a new aristocracy who were rather like the nouveau riche of today and who had absolute power or private ownership. As most roads and tracks previously went to the monasteries, now they were diverted away from those big estates - the beginning of the ‘Private, Keep Out’ instruction. However, most of the mediaeval routes between the principal mediaeval towns remain
in use today. Some are much changed, such as the route between Dorchester and Sherborne via Middlemarsh. It has deteriorated by later land enclosures and the route can be followed by minor lanes and paths into Sherborne. More details on that adventurous route are for a further article. Well, that is the outline of this new series of articles. Careful study of maps of this area will reveal bits of old abandoned roads, or green lanes, and it is fascinating to discover their routes. Next month, I will give more detail of our local tracks and lost tracks that were once important but are now abandoned - a fantastic opportunity to examine and to enjoy some old ways on foot. Christmas cards for good causes are now on sale at Sherborne TIC. sherbornewalks.co.uk @SherborneTIC sherbornetimes.co.uk | 47
History
A CHRISTMAS OF CONTRASTS Bill Brown
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n Christmas Day I often think of two very contrasting and extraordinary Christmases experienced by my father, Ralph, in the Great War. Like many others he pretended to be older than he was when he volunteered with five of his brothers. After spells of defending the coast of Lincolnshire with a rifle (and on bicycle!) and enduring months of hell in the trenches of France, in late October 1916 he found himself on a train, a snowstorm raging outside and no idea where he and his comrades were being sent. His diary reads, ‘My word, didn’t we feel the cold all packed into those cattle trucks... we had enough bully and biscuits to last us for three days’. Still not having the slightest idea where they were going, they boarded what looked like a river steamer at Marseilles. ‘For three days we were in a terrible storm
48 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
and I thought our little vessel was about to turn turtle,’ his diary reads. Three weeks later they arrived safely at Salonika (present-day Thessaloniki) in eastern Greece. Their role was to defend the northern mountainous border of Greece against the Germans and Bulgars. When they arrived high in the mountains they found new, white tents had been made ready for them. His diary again: ‘So on Christmas Day 1916 we had to cart water up the hill to mud-wash our tents to make them look the same colour as the ground. Our Christmas dinner was not really sufficient to satisfy hungry men. We had not been there long enough for the cooks to make a field kitchen, so they fixed strands of barbed wire between metal stakes, wired some turkeys on and lit a big fire underneath. During the afternoon Tom, Charlie and I had a ‘chat out’ – in other words we hunted through our shirts for lice – we were all in an awful state with them. For tea we had two biscuits (Huntley & Palmers) and jam. The biscuits were as hard as iron but we had to make the most of it. It got dark early and with no lights we couldn’t even have a read. Fortunately, word went round that there was to be a rum issue. Of course, that was very acceptable! So back to bed once more amongst the lice – my blanket, my only covering, was full of them, but I slept alright’. Apart from some air raids and local skirmishes little happened on this front and those who served there became known as the ‘gardeners of Salonika’. Meanwhile back in Britain the war was dragging on: in order to boost morale, General Allenby was given orders to drive the Turks out of Palestine and capture Jerusalem ‘as a Christmas present’. In June 1917, Ralph boarded a boat in Salonika and set sail for Egypt where a large army was being assembled. There was even time for sightseeing: my father is in the centre of the photo. General Allenby turned out to be one of the few outstanding commanders of the war. He was loved and respected by his troops and welcomed as a hero by the Palestinians for having freed them from the yoke of the Ottoman rule. Like many other soldiers, I know my father was deeply moved by his experiences in the Holy Land. He was there at the capture of places such as Beersheba and Bethlehem as well as the main prize, Jerusalem - all places he had been taught about at school and in church. He was intensely proud of the fact that his battalion was selected to line the route when General Allenby walked into Jerusalem in humility rather than entering in a great show of force. The British had their morale-boosting Christmas present. For Ralph and his comrades there was an extra Christmas present. As they were camped outside Jerusalem, a group of white-robed horsemen appeared over the horizon. It was none other than the legendry ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and his men – the rock stars of the age! They rode past the tents to the cheers of thousands of troops. Later, it was back to France: there was the final failed German assault and suddenly the Great War was over. Ralph was one of the very lucky ones. He had left home as a boy and returned as a man who had had some extraordinary experiences. He had only one injury: a fellow soldier was brandishing a knife at an attacking Turkish aircraft and sliced off the extreme tip of my father’s nose!
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 49
Antiques
Louis Panormo Spanish guitar, £1,000-2,000 in the Charterhouse auction Friday 14th December
GREAT EXPECTATIONS Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers
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hen I was a child, a friend of my grandmother’s had a violin. It was an old violin - but I guess everything is old to a 6-year-old boy. Although I cannot remember her name, I suppose she would have been in her 70’s, which was ancient to me then, although not so today! 50 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
As a family, we would religiously watch the Antiques Roadshow and Going for a Song on the television. It was a black and white TV with only 2 channels, unlike today’s monster colour screens with surround-cinemasound and hundreds of channels to choose from. Rather amusingly, although I have not been asked to appear
on Antiques Roadshow, I have appeared a few times on Going for a Song as an expert, which my children watched when they were about 6 years old too! In those days, I was grateful to watch any television as viewing time was limited by my parents. There would be gasps and laughter at the items and their value, and the word Stradivarius would occasionally crop up. As a young boy, I was convinced I would come across a Stradivarius violin in a junk shop or at a jumble sale, and then I did. The violin was the one owned by the little old lady who was a friend of my grandmother, and it had a label saying it was a Stradivarius. I was convinced I had made a major international discovery which surely should be featured on Blue Peter - I might even get a Blue Peter badge for my good work. I also knew that it would be worth a fortune - I did not mind or care how much. I was astounded the old lady had not seen the label before but, of course, she had, and it was not a Stradivarius but a German copy of one. Today, a violin, made by the great Antonio Stradivari coming to auction will be worth many millions of pounds. A German copy of a Stradivarius, some 100
years old, could be worth just a few hundreds of pounds. Clearly there is a moral to this. Just because something has a label on it doesn’t mean the label is telling the truth. So, moving forward several decades, I was pleased to see a Spanish guitar come in for our 14th December auction. The first thing I noticed was the wonderful ‘coffin’-shaped wooden carrying case, always much nicer to see than a modern soft case. These old cases, with their battle scars from travelling around the globe, often have nice old instruments too. Although I have never bothered to learn the guitar (I played the trumpet, which made plenty of noise rather than music!), it does not mean I do not appreciate them. The guitar had a wonderful feel and balance to it. Condition was good and, yes, it had a label. Not a Stradivarius one but a Panormo one. This time, the label is correct to the instrument. Made by Louis Panormo in 1824, this beautiful guitar might not be worth millions but it is at least worth thousands of pounds when it goes under the hammer! charterhouse-auction.com
CHARTERHOUSE Auctioneers & Valuers We are now accepting entries for our forthcoming auctions: Collector’s Items, Antiques & Interiors Friday 14th December Maps, Pictures & Books Thursday 17th January Beswick, Automobilia & Antiques Friday 18th January Classic & Vintage Motorcycles Sunday 3rd February Classic & Vintage Cars Sunday 10th February
Huge collection of maps 17th January
Contact Richard Bromell for advice and to arrange a home visit The Long Street Salerooms Sherborne DT9 3BS 01935 812277 www.charterhouse-auction.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 51
@elizabethwatsonillustrations 52 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
O r a n g e ri e s • Conser vat o r ies • Wind o w s • D o o r s
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Interiors
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Kitty Oakshott, Upstairs, Downstairs Interiors
T
artan has an ancient history, having been woven for thousands of years: the earliest known tartan in Scotland can be traced to the 3rd or 4th century AD. Early tartans were simple checks of perhaps only two or three colours, woven with wool by local weavers. The colours were made from natural dyes available in that area - from dye-producing plants, roots, berries or trees. These simple checks or tartans were worn by the people of the region where they were made and, as such, became the area or clan tartan. Tartans are now made in many different fabrics but wool is still very popular. It is a classic design of which we will never tire. Stylish and cosy, lived-in and homely, it gives warmth and character to a room as well as being a great way to add colour and pattern. There are lots of traditional designs and colours available as well as more modern ones, with many fabric companies now producing contemporary colours to update the classic tartan. 54 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Once a design used more for hunting lodges, golf clubs and ski chalets, tartan is now really back on trend and can be used remarkably well in urban properties as well as period ones. There are many ways to use tartan in interiors: as fabric for curtains and blinds, wallpaper, throws, lampshades, and even carpet! Tartans look great together; co-ordinate a chair with curtains or a footstool in a variety of other checks to complement each other without being too matching. Layer up with plaid throws or cushions – mix designs freely in the same colour palette for a fun and striking look. Wool tartan is tough and very hard-wearing whilst also being naturally fire-retardant. It is therefore an excellent choice for upholstery, whether for chairs, sofas, footstools or headboards. Wool is like a spring – it has a natural crimp which allows it to keep its shape. This coiled structure means it is very resilient against becoming flat, so upholstery can withstand a lot of use while retaining
CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION 14 ARTISTS’ WORK FOR SALE 1st – 22nd December
Brin Edwards Waxwings with Guelder Rose and Blackthorn
colour and form. Wool is naturally anti-static, so resists clinging onto lint, dirt and dust, keeping it cleaner for longer. Wool is also perfect for allergy sufferers, as it is resistant to bacteria, mould and mildew which can trigger allergic reactions. A naturally hypo-allergenic fabric, its microscopic pores create an adverse environment for the dust mites which can cause asthma attacks. Another benefit of wool is its eco-friendliness. It is a natural product, and its production uses significantly less energy and produces far fewer carbon emissions than the manufacture of synthetic fabrics. It is also naturally biodegradable when the time comes to update it, not that you will want to! Settle down in a snuggly wool tartan chair and say cheers to the Highlands with a glass of Scottish whisky! Merry Christmas! updowninteriors.co.uk
Bryan Hanlon
Redcurrants and Egg
www.jerramgallery.com THE JERRAM GALLERY Half Moon Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3LN 01935 815261 info@jerramgallery.com Tuesday – Saturday sherbornetimes.co.uk | 55
56 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
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Interiors
LOOKING BACK TO MOVE FORWARD
THE STORY OF VERY BRITISH FABRIC DESIGNERS AND PRINTERS Suzy Newton, Partners in Design
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aunched by past directors of Farrow and Ball, fabric brand Fermoie has experienced a fascinating journey that stems from an original approach to colour and print. Martin Ephson and Tom Helme, directors of Farrow and Ball 1992-2006, are pioneers of presenting paint and wallpaper in a tempting array of colour families. Tom Helme is known as one of the leading colour experts in the UK, having gained a wealth of knowledge from his 20 years as colour consultant with the National Trust. During that time, he came across Farrow and Ball and decided to buy it with Martin Ephson; together they grew it into the company we know today. In 2012, having sold Farrow and Ball, they turned their focus to fabrics with an emphasis on bringing back the enjoyment of the printing process. Fermoie design and print all their fabrics in their own studio and factory in Wiltshire, printing with traditional rotary screens to give a lightness of touch and richness of texture to all their printing. The process to make a printed fabric appear as if it is woven entailed research into historical documents and a journey to India to source a machine last bought by a UK company over 25 years ago. The manufacturers of the machines worked alongside the Fermoie team to achieve the delicate tone and ‘soft impression’ on the surface of the fabrics. Colour still lives at the heart of what Fermoie do. After screen prints are made, the lengthy process of trialling colours begins - it’s not just a matter of producing a colour which is beautiful in its own right, it’s about producing a series of colours within colour families that will sit well together in any combination. The results make the decision-making a lot easier for the customer. Fermoie has colours that make it very difficult for anyone to combine them badly or to clash them, so the customer has a good chance of getting it right every time! In controlling the design and manufacturing process Fermoie are able not only to ensure a beautiful product but also to provide an outstanding service. They place great emphasis on sourcing as much of their raw materials as possible within the UK – their pigments, cottons and unions. Printing to order has a lead time of just 5 days from order to shipping. This is a truly artisanal product with huge charm and relaxed elegance. As well as a huge range of unique fabrics offered by the metre and printed on natural cottons and linens with natural pigments, Fermoie have created a broad range of lampshades and cushions, all made with their own fabric and all manufactured in the UK. Fermoie sells worldwide and has showrooms in Pimlico and Marlborough. Partners in Design are delighted to be showcasing Fermoie’s wonderful array of fabric hangers and lampshades in their Sherborne showroom. partners-in-design.co.uk
58 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 59
Showrooms: 4 Cheap Street Sherborne DT9 3PX Tel: 01935 508 100
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For more information visit our website or come down to the showroom. Unit 1a > South Western Business Pk > Sherborne > Dorset > DT9 3PS T: 01935 816 168 > sales@billbutterswindows.co.uk > www.billbutterswindows.co.uk
Interiors
ECLECTIC LIVING Karyn Sparks, Editor, VE Magazine
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hankfully, the interiors world is undergoing a revolution. Design fans are screaming out for individuality and rebelling against mass production, and interior enthusiasts are craving to be surrounded by objects with provenance and heritage regardless of period. It’s called ‘Eclectic Living’ and it’s about breaking all the rules, mixing up interior trends and combining your favourite objects to create a look that is very personal. It’s a mix of antiques, mid-century and vintage glamour held together with contemporary undertones. It’s a style that comes about when you’ve got an ‘eye’ for the best but your taste just won’t be pigeon-holed - a subject I’ve been writing about for over 18 years for my own publication. For me, buying, selling and writing about items across the board with heritage has always been high up the list, and I love that everything I’m surrounded by has a story to tell. Eclectic living places modern art among midcentury modern; Art Deco with Edwardian; tribal with taxidermy; folk art with apothecary jars; and sumptuous soft leather with amazing patinated wood – think Sherlock Holmes meets James Bond! I also really enjoy being part of a community where the passion for buying quality items that will stand the test of time is thriving – what could be more sustainable than an item that was built to last being reused over-and-over again? 62 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
The style of course doesn’t have to be brimming with objects and colour. For a calm, eclectic bedroom space, for example, choose a neutral paint colour such as a warm grey. This pairs really well with gold accessories, adding a regal quality and air of sophistication in whichever space they grace. No matter what the period, layer objects that have the same accent colour: an antique starburst mirror, brass candlesticks converted into bedside lamps, a bold abstract painting in an old gold frame, a cut-glass and brass basket chandelier, a mustard coloured vintage Welsh blanket and a pair of luxurious ‘70s gold satin brocade curtains. Don’t dismiss ‘brown furniture’ - dark oak, mahogany and textured walnut can really add new depth to a room. A Victorian chest of drawers is not only a solid storage solution, it adds a luxurious feel; these pieces can also sit surprisingly well in the same room as a 1960s Ladderax shelving system and a 1930s leather and chrome dressing table chair. Add some of your most precious belongings and you’ve created a stylish, sumptuous, eclectic and, above all, individual room. Forget cutting edge – cut your own edge! Unit 10 and 11 The Old Yarn Mills is home to VE Magazine, Molecula modern design and artist Victoria Young Jamieson. vintagexplorer.co.uk, molecula.co.uk, victoriayj.co.uk
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v In
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Inside No.
20TH CENTURY DESIGN, LIGHTING, FURNITURE, ART AND DECORATIVE ITEMS
Discover what’s inside No 11 at our Open Weekend:
Friday 7th - Sunday 9th December Friday: 10am-8pm (join us for a glass of mulled wine from 5pm) Saturday: 10am-6pm, Sunday: 11am-3pm
Unit 11, The Old Yarn Mills, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3RQ Tel: 01935 814995 / 07810 000097 Also open by appointment
KITCHENS & FURNITURE HANDCRAFTED IN SOMERSET
The Old Yard, Logge Farm, West Street, South Petherton TA13 5DJ
T: 01460 241261 www.eternalkitchens.co.uk
GARDEN ANGELS
Heavenly Maintained Winter Gardens This is the perfect time of year to deal with those small gardening jobs – pruning fruit trees, hedges, roses and shrubs, cleaning and repairing gutters, cleaning, re-pointing and sealing patios, repairing wooden structures‌ The list goes on. Fortunately Garden Angels are on hand to brave the cold and take care of every little thing. If it needs doing, we can do it! Get in touch and let us show you what heavenly things we can do for your garden.
64 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
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C H R I S T M A S AT C A S T L E G A R D E N S CHRISTMAS TREES
in-store throughout December until Christmas Eve. Best quality trees in a wide range of varieties, with regular fresh deliveries. FREE DELIVERY WITHIN 25 MILES
VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS
Tuesday 18 – Friday 21 December: 2pm –7pm Saturday 22 December: 10am - 1pm and 2pm – 5pm Sunday 23 December: 10am - 1pm and 2pm – 4.30pm
THE WALLED GARDEN RESTAURANT EXTENDED OPENING OFFER Two Courses £12 (Children £8) Served Monday 17 – Friday 21 December, 4.30pm – 7pm. Call 01935 814345 to pre-book
SHOP WITH US THIS DECEMBER AND PICK UP A 50% OFF PLANT VOUCHER FOR JANUARY
EXTENDED OPENING HOURS UNTIL 7PM Monday 17 – Friday 21 December CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS Christmas Eve: 9am – 5pm | Christmas Day & Boxing Day: closed 27 – 29 December: 9am – 6pm | 30 Dec: 10am – 4.30pm | New Year’s Eve: 9am – 6pm | New Year’s Day: 10am – 4.30pm
Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NR.
AGGREGATES - COMPOSTS - BARKS - MULCHES Locally Supplied Lawn & Landscape Products and Services 01935 850388
www.sherborneturf.co.uk
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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 67
Gardening
HOUSEPLANTS
Kyla Foster-Shaw, Houseplant Manager, Castle Gardens
F
or the past 20 years or so houseplants have been slightly neglected within the average home: a poor supermarket orchid drooping on a windowsill or a ficus with one lonely leaf relegated to a corner. Thankfully this is no longer the case, as houseplants are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. With the seemingly unstoppable rise of social media, houseplants have been catapulted back into the mainstream. Loft-style homes are filled with trailing, climbing and sprawling foliage plants, while décor is being pared back in celebration of the leaf, whether crinkled, glossy or split. Rather than being something to fill a corner, whole walls and ceilings are being turned into shrines to our trendy foliole friends. What’s not to love? Alongside their undeniable aesthetic, being in an environment with plants is proven to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and anxiety whilst also combating toxins in the air. So, while there’s not much going on in the garden, they can add a liberal splash of green to any room. Foliage plants currently reign supreme and what a variety there is available to us, with more than just a spectrum of green to be enjoyed. Tricolour tradescantia offer shocking purple hues and are the perfect size for a shelf, while calathea triostar is unabashedly sizeable and extravagant with red streaks along its leaves. If you’re looking for something petite and elegant then a syngonium is a gem, offering an arrow-shaped leaf in a blush pink ombre - it’s truly understated. For low maintenance, look no further than the zamioculcas or ‘ZZ’ plant with gorgeous glossy, architectural leaves. It can certainly hold its own as a statement plant; the new growth appears as a shock of lime against the inky main plant. For even more presence it recently became available in ‘raven’, a dramatic, almost black, leaf and stem. It can cope in most light situations and any level of humidity and, as an added bonus, it’s virtually impossible to kill so is the ideal choice for the forgetful waterer or first-timer. 68 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
You can fill every inch of your home with plants but, for the average budding houseplant-lover, one to three is the perfect number to get you started. This will give you enough time to spend on your plants, getting to know their individual characteristics and needs without being overstretched and missing some tell-tale signs of unhappiness. The most common problem with any houseplant is the issue of watering: too little will starve the plant and too much will lead to a soggy mess. I recommend researching the natural conditions of the plant and trying to replicate these at home, so for cacti and succulents they’ll need to be dry over the winter
periods whereas philodendron will need to be kept moist and misted regularly. Most plants will give you a visual hint early on, for example, yellowing tips to the leaves are a sure indicator of overwatering whereas yellow edges to the leaves are a sign that the plant needs more water. Yellowing edges can also be a sign that you need more humidity around the plant and this can be combated with regular misting. Any grey mould patches on the leaves are a sign that conditions are too moist and the plant needs to be moved to a drier area. It can be tempting to keep moving an unhappy plant around to find the ‘best spot’ but this should be avoided to give the plant time to
settle and acclimatise to its new surroundings. Give a new plant at least two to three weeks in a spot before any drastic moves. Ultimately, any houseplant, be it foliage or flowering, will add great benefit to your home and a happy plant will reward your efforts with new growth, providing an ever-changing element to your interior. With some care and attention, a small collection can quickly grow through plantlets, leaf-cutting and splitting into an impressive family of plants, and you can marvel as your fingers turn a lovely shade of green! thegardeneronline.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 69
Gardening
DIARY OF A FIRST TIME FLOWER FARMER Paul Stickland, Black Shed Flowers
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t’s a challenge to find any flowers to pick on the flower farm at the moment. One of the very few is pretty little scabiosa ochroleuca, which hasn’t been without a cloud of flowers since early spring. A close relative of our equally beautiful native wild scabious, it’s also one of the very first plants that I ever bought and I’ve had it with me in every garden since. Very easy from seed, modest in size and requirements but beloved by bees and butterflies, it has graced countless bouquets and arrangements all season long. Some species have a much shorter season of flower, for instance the tulips which are all tucked up in their winter beds now. They have to be planted once the weather has cooled down to minimise the risk of tulip fire, which can decimate a crop. They were planted in November in long trenches and very close together, virtually shoulder to shoulder. This seems a little counterintuitive but all the energy that they need to grow and flower is already stored inside each bulb. This close proximity means that we can grow a huge number of tulips in a remarkably small space. We had the most wonderful success with them last year and we hope to build on that this year. There’s little point in growing the common varieties that you see in the supermarkets; we simply can’t beat the factory-farmed prices of the Dutch growers. What we like to grow are the specialist varieties: the exquisite parrots with their weird combinations of colours and eccentric forms - white, violet and black; or the tulip estella rijnveld, marbled and flecked with spectacular red and white. Our favourite last year was white lizard, an incredible blend of white and ivory with a flame of the most delicate lilac. They simply flew out of the field to grace those early spring wedding tables and bouquets. Then there are the highly sought-after doubles such as la belle epoque, a very subtle blend of blush and
70 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
beiges, ideal for brides or just as a ravishing and very long-lasting table display. We don’t avoid the singles entirely, there are so many amazing shades available: the ever-popular apricot beauty, subtle menton, or the smouldering brown sugar. Meantime we’ve been pre-sprouting, planting and nurturing our gorgeous anemones and ranunculus. Pre-sprouting involves soaking the dried and wizened corms and claws in water for 24 hours to plump them up. Our anemones have been carefully bred to produce long, strong stems in the most gorgeous colours: whites with a blue eye, pale pastels in shades of lilac, pink and grey, along with the darker blues, reds and violets. The ranunculus, the rarified and exotic cousin of our humble buttercup, now come in a delectable range of pastels and picotee forms. These varieties are simply not available to the amateur gardener; they have to be imported in bulk from Israel and France by the thousand. With a little luck we’ll see the first of these beauties in very early spring. If we had a greenhouse or a bigger polytunnel we would probably have both in flower for Christmas. Perhaps next year? For this Christmas and in keeping with our local ethos, we’re selling some very special Dorset nordman Christmas trees, grown just a few miles down the road. We’ve turned our grain silo HQ into a magical and very colourful fairyland full of the dried flowers and grasses grown on our field in the heat of the summer. It was an amazing year for them and having a silo is the ideal place to dry and display them. The resurgence of interest in dried flowers has taken us slightly by surprise and it’s something we’ll be growing a lot more of in 2019. Along with everything else! blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk instagram.com/paulstickland_
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 71
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SHERBORNE TOWN BAND Words Jo Denbury Photography Katharine Davies
I
n Sherborne’s Pageant Gardens the fallen leaves are crisp underfoot and there’s a pinch of winter in the air. Despite the chill, people are congregating - perching on benches or sitting on rugs and popup chairs, picnics and thermos flasks at the ready – waiting for the band. The first notes of a striking march fill the air and a couple hurry along the path, deckchairs under arms, eager to take their place in the gathering crowd. I bump into a friend who has come straight from the station. ‘I stepped off the train and heard the music,’ she whispers, her eyes agog. ‘It just made me so happy.’ As the poet Elizabeth Bishop said: ’There is a magic made of melody.’ Brass bands have been used by the military for centuries to instil bravery and, in the more recent past, have been maintained by many different British institutions, their sturdy music fuelling a triumphant self-confidence. Employers encouraged ‘banding’ as a positive leisure time activity; for the workers the band became a badge of class solidarity. The 1996 film Brassed Off starring Ewan McGregor; recalls how, when a Yorkshire town’s coal pit closed, with subsequent dire consequences, the band played on. >
74 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
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76 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Here in Sherborne, we may be far from the pits but this traditional music form is alive, well and attracting a new generation of musicians. With a nod from conductor Paul Slater and a bright call from the cornet, Sherborne’s Town Band begin. Personally, I love being part of something that gives so much back,’ says Andrea Rogers, who is the band’s secretary as well as a horn and cornet player. She performs twice a week, playing many different genres of music. ‘Christmas isn’t Christmas without playing Jingle Bells 100 times,’ she laughs. ‘We have some amazing players and working as a support for the youth band means I get to watch children who have previously never played a note, progress and improve.’ Andrea’s family is very much steeped in the band’s history. Her grandfather is Les Derrick, now in his nineties, who was one of the founder members. In 1961 the ‘Old Boys’ of the Sherborne Boys’ Brigade gathered together to put on a concert to celebrate the retirement of the Boys Brigade’s Bandmaster of the time, Charlie Parsons. They borrowed instruments, performed the concert and had so much fun that they decided to start a band there and then. The family tradition continues with Ian and Joe Miles, both cornet players and relatives of another founder member, Geoff Noake. The principal horn player, Kirsty Blencowe, is a teacher at Abbey Primary
School and related to two other founders, Harry and Fred Bown. Julie Bartle and her brother, Ian, are both grandchildren of the band’s first chairman, Colin Cosh. Up until recently Les Derrick played cornet in the ‘youth band’ and his sons, John and Alan, continue the family’s association - John on the Tuba and Alan playing the B Flat Bass. Les’ eight-year-old great grandson, Gilligan, has just started playing the cornet in the brass session, although at times can be found climbing trees while waiting for the band to start. Gilligan has only been playing for five weeks but his enthusiasm is palpable. ‘The best bit,’ he says, ‘is playing games at practice when you cover the valves and guess the notes.’ Beyond the family ties, Sherborne Town Band attracts a wide variety of people from different backgrounds. Says Andrea, ‘We have all sorts of people who play, from carpenters, nurses, engineers to teachers and retirees to students. That’s what I love about this band: the accessibility, variety and friendship. Andrea. We come together for the love of music and for the enjoyment of performing. Sometimes the rehearsals are serious when we are working towards a competition but otherwise it’s two hours of fun spent learning new pieces.’ She laughs. ‘It also takes dedication and understanding from our neighbours, who have to put up with all our practising!’ The band actively competes in local competitions > sherbornetimes.co.uk | 77
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and some of the players have competed at European level. ‘It’s a hobby for life and one you can take with you wherever you go,’ adds Andrea. 'Learning an instrument has given me opportunities to travel to Canada with an orchestra and Germany and Holland with the town band.' She tells me that most people are never far away from a brass band – there are over 1,000 of them across Britain, some competition bands, some concert bands. ‘There used to be more but nowadays music and its relevance in the community seems to be devalued in schools,’ Andrea continues, ‘and if children don’t learn to play then the bands will disappear.’ Members of the Sherborne Town Band feel extremely lucky to have public support and a good relationship with the local town council. As a registered charity they are, however, always looking for ways to fund the youth band. There is no doubting the player’s enthusiasm – smiling between breaths, they are clearly in their element. The audience, young and old, show their appreciation as curious passersby join the happy throng and Sherborne glows in the light of polished brass.
Sherborne Town Band December Concerts
sherbornetownband.co.uk
____________________________________________
____________________________________________ Sunday 2nd, 11am - 12pm Festive Shopping Day Cheap Street
____________________________________________ Sunday 9th, 2.45 pm - 4pm Mason’s Carol Service Sherborne Abbey, Half Moon Street
____________________________________________ Sunday 9th, 6.30pm - 7.30pm Christmas Tree Festival Carol Concert Cheap Street Church, Cheap Street
____________________________________________ Monday 10th 7.30pm - 9.30pm Sherborne Christmas Sherborne Abbey, Half Moon Street
____________________________________________ Sunday 16th December 3pm Town Band Christmas Concert Cheap Street Church, Cheap Street
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 81
@elizabethwatsonillustrations
FROM FIELD TO CHRISTMAS
TABLE
Order our homegrown Tamworth ham, sausages, sausagemeat and bacon The finest quality and flavour for your Christmas table!
See more at www.therustypigcompany.co.uk. A wide selection of Tamworth meats and meat boxes. Please email or phone us with your individual requirements. Also now taking bookings for our amazing Tamworth Hog roasts, you have never had crackling like it!! The Rusty Pig Company, Sandford Orcas, Sherborne 82 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Tables now available for Christmas Day Lunch and our New Year’s Eve “Tasting Menu” Gala Dinner
DINE FINELY IN SHERBORNE EXCEPTIONAL FOOD AND SERVICE “The service was faultless and the food was excellent. The pasta was the freshest and tastiest I have eaten anywhere in the world, and the attention to detail was worthy of a 5* London restaurant“ Reviewer on
The Eastbury Hotel and Seasons 2 AA Rosette Restaurant are family owned by the de Savary family Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3BY: Tel: 01935 813131: www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk
Food and Drink
THE CAKE WHISPERER Val Stones
CHRISTMAS CAKE GINGERBREAD VILLAGE
Image: Katharine Davies 84 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
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love a rich fruit cake for Christmas so here I’ve taken last month’s Easy Fruit Cake recipe and sprinkled it with some festive magic. Now you can turn your deliciously ordinary fruit cake into a winter wonderland complete with gingerbread village! What you will need
23cm deep loose-bottom cake tin, lined with greased greaseproof paper Cake turntable Piece of string that is the circumference of the cake Ruler to measure the depth of the cake Cake board, at least 28cm diameter Smoothing paddle Disposable piping bags A little icing sugar to sift over the cake 2 or 3 baking sheets, baking parchment or silicon sheets Gingerbread moulds (cakedecoratingcompany.co.uk) or you could make templates of houses and cut out your own Additional ingredients
Method
1 Set the oven for 170C fan, 200C, 400F, gas 6 2 Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, mixed spice, cinnamon and nutmeg into a bowl. 3 Cut the butter into small pieces and rub it into the flour until it disappears, stir in the brown sugar. 4 Place the syrup and egg in a bowl and beat until combined. 5 Stir the syrup mixture into the flour mixture and, using a knife, pull it together to make a dough. 6 Place the dough onto a lightly-floured surface and knead until smooth. 7 Wrap in cling film and allow to rest for 15 minutes. 8 Lightly flour the work surface and roll the dough out to the thickness of a pound coin. 9 Using flour cutters of your own choice, cut out shapes and place them onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper or silicon sheets. 10 Once the gingerbread houses are cold, they can be decorated.
Half a jar of apricot jam, sieved with 4 teaspoons hot water Cornflour for rolling out 500g block of ready-made marzipan 500g block of white ready-made fondant icing Lightly beaten egg white
Tip 1: Lightly dusting the moulds before pressing in the gingerbread dough helps them to drop out more easily. Tip 2: If the buildings bulge slightly when they come out of the oven immediately cut the bulges off as you can do this more easily when the biscuits are still warm and soft.
For the fruit cake
For the royal icing
Make double the quantity of the Easy Fruit Cake recipe given in November’s Sherborne Times.You may wish to leave a week between baking the cake and almond pasting. To make the cake more 'boozy' now would be a good time to 'feed' the cake with either brandy or whisky. Pierce the top of the cake with a skewer making holes evenly around the cake, then, with a small spoon, pour a little alcohol into each hole and allow to soak in.
350g icing sugar 2 small free-range egg whites 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon glycerine
For the gingerbread houses
350g plain flour plus extra for rolling (this can be replaced with gluten-free plain flour or coconut flour) 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon mixed spice 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg 124g butter 175g light soft brown sugar 1 free range egg 4 tablespoons golden syrup (weight 100g)
1 Sieve the icing sugar. 2 In a large bowl, using an electric hand-mixer, whisk the egg whites until frothy. 3 Add the icing sugar a teaspoon at a time then add the lemon juice and glycerine. Continue to mix until it is white and holding in peaks. To assemble the cake
1 Place the cake board on the cake turntable. Put a tablespoon of royal icing on the middle of the cake board to hold the cake in place. 2 Place the cake centrally on the board and shuffle the cake from side to side to ensure it is anchored. 3 Dust the work surface with cornflour. 4 Roll out a third of the marzipan for the top of the cake (cut around the cake tin base to get a good fit). > sherbornetimes.co.uk | 85
15 Using a smoothing paddle with quick light movements, smooth the top and sides to ensure they are as level as possible. Decorating the Gingerbread Houses
5 Brush the top of the cake with apricot jam and, using the rolling pin, lift the marzipan and place it on the cake. Using the rolling pin vertically, roll it round against the cake to ensure the cake top fits neatly. 6 Dust the work surface with more cornflour. 7 Make a long sausage with the remaining almond paste, a little longer than your piece of string. Using the rolling pin, roll flat to the depth of the cake (measure the depth with a ruler). 8 Use the ruler to cut a straight line along the almond paste and mark along the length of the paste, the depth of the cake. Use the ruler to cut and create the paste that will form the side of the cake. 9 Brush the sides of the cake with apricot jam. 10 Lightly brush the almond paste with cornflour and roll it up loosely. Place one end of the roll on the cake and unroll the paste around the cake. Using the rolling pin, neaten up the sides - you can hide any imperfections with the gingerbread pieces when you put them on. A few days can be left to allow the almond paste to become firm. 11 Clean the work surface so as not to spoil your white icing top. 12 Dust the work surface with cornflour and roll out the fondant icing to cover the top, sides and cake board. 13 With a pastry brush, lightly brush the cake with egg white. 14 Using the rolling pin, lift the icing and place centrally over the cake. With your hand, smooth the top of the cake and gently smooth down the sides (it is a bit tricky but the fondant is easily moulded to fit), then mould across the cake board. 86 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
1 Using the royal icing, set ⅓ aside and cover with a damp tea towel. 2 Add one teaspoon of water at a time to the remaining icing until it becomes looser and the consistency to pipe. 3 Place the icing in a piping bag and snip off the end to give a small piping hole. Cut away the small piece of excess plastic from the end of the bag as this hinders your piping. 4 Pipe details onto the houses and add some snowflakes. Let the icing dry completely before adding the houses to the cake (overnight would be good). Tip 1: Put a bag clip about 10cm from the end of the icing bag so that the icing doesn’t squidge out the top as you pipe. Tip 2: Watch a YouTube video on icing to help you with the piping. To complete
1 Place a little royal icing on the back of the biscuits and place around the cake. 2 On the top of the cake, place a circle of icing at least 1cm deep and arrange 3-4 buildings in the “snow”. 3 Lastly sift a light sprinkling of icing sugar over the cake to resemble a gentle snow storm. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year. Val’s new recipe book is available now from bakerval.com and Instagram @valcake.walks
Kafe Fontana
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19 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PU @OliversSherbs Olivers-Coffee-House 01935 815005 oliverscoffeehouse.co.uk
The Three Wishes
78 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3BJ 01935 817777 thethreewishes.co.uk
Free delivery in Sherborne call 01935 481010
Farming the same land for 300 years
ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN Home-grown Christmas Meats and Gift Hampers
CAFE NOW OPEN Tues-Sun for breakfast, lunch, cakes...
Linley Farm, Charlton Musgrove, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 8HD info@kimbersfarmshop.co.uk
Telephone: 01963 33177 kimbersfarmshop.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 87
Food & Drink
THE NAUGHTY FORTY The Life of a Rare Breed Pig Farmer James Hull, The Rusty Pig Company
88 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
S
ince last month we have been busy with farrowing: five sows and gilts have farrowed, bringing nearly 50 more piglets into the Rusty Pig herd. Before farrowing, the sows are separated from the main breeding herd and given a farrowing ark each; these are smaller arks more suitable for giving birth in. The sow will pull all the available straw into a nest and become quite restless. Then, generally but not always in the night, they will farrow. We normally farrow several together, although each has her own ark. They are quite organised and will separate from the others and pick their own favourite ark to move into. The new piglets change so quickly. Day one they are tiny, slightly see-through and very hungry. By day two they have filled out and feed and sleep most of the time, sleeping in a big pile and constantly trying to get to the middle for the most warmth. If they survive to day three without being squashed, they are generally good and will stay alive unless struck down by illness. We always move the pig arks between farrowing to a fresh area to try and limit any chance of disease carry-over. We do tend to lose more through being squashed than if they farrow inside in a farrowing crate but unfortunately there is very little we can do to prevent this happening. By days four and five they have pretty much doubled in size from birth and have a nice chunky feel to them. They are lively and can run quite easily. At 7 days old, literally to the day, they will venture to the door of the pig ark, their safe, cosy home, and, if it’s not too cold, they may pop out for a quick look around. By now they are fast, like slippery eels, and scream loudly if caught, although they are actually quite difficult to catch - they will escape through the tiniest gap and be off before anyone notices! This is probably the last chance to catch them without having to pen them up much more securely. Generally, at this point, there are a few choice words exchanged and the job in hand has to be abandoned as they are very canny and won’t be caught again so easily. This leads me to our naughty pigs! This is a group of 40 Tamworth’s born in May - and which have been naughty ever since. It all started with the piglets getting under the electric fence when they were about two weeks old and going off to explore pastures new. This is fine when they are tiny as they run back to their mothers in a flash when scared and don’t cause any damage. I should have put a stop to this free-spirited roaming then but instead I ignored their wandering until they were weaned. I moved them all to a new paddock and that’s when the problems started. Under the fences they went, not once
but every five minutes, not one but forty, like a plague of locusts. They didn’t necessarily go under the fences but through them, squeaking as they got a shock, but they didn’t care; they had decided that the shock was worth it for the freedom beyond. We added another strand of wire to the fence, and then another, until the gap between the wires was only 100mm, but still they went through. It turned into a battle of wills: half of them decided that now the odds were too high they would stay in, but the hardcore group were unstoppable. In the evenings three of them would turn up at the farm, then run back as fast as a pig can run, straight through the fences, pulling them down in the process. More choice words were exchanged! We are now 6 months in and there is at least another 4 months until they are ready to be turned into choice bacon and sausages. We have moved them several times and they are now in a maximum-security paddock with fencing stakes every 2 metres. We have to race to their pen every day and feed them first otherwise, en masse, they break the fence down and mingle with the wellbehaved pigs next to them. If the fence has to be turned off, we have to work at break-neck speed otherwise they will notice and be through in an instant. Our whole feeding and working regime is based around the naughty pigs, so 4 months to go and counting. Generally, all the other pigs respect the fence and stay where they are put. So why do we have a breed like the Tamworth’s, that are so closely linked to wild boar, so difficult to contain and which have a wild streak that can be quite frightening when they want to escape? Well, there are several reasons: they are beautiful, they are very photogenic, they are certainly characters, but the main reason is that they taste exceptionally good! The other exciting event that has happened at our farm in the last month has been getting electricity! Charlotte and I have gone with completely green energy, no mains for us. The novelty of being able to turn a light switch on and not have the hum of our diesel generator in the background, or, worse still, no hum of the generator and no light coming on, is not lost on us. We take it in turns to switch the lights on and we can see exactly when the sun is charging our batteries and bringing in more energy than we are using. It was a big decision for us to go green and not connect to the mains but we think we made the right decision. We look forward to more lights being turned on over the next few dark winter months. therustypigcompany.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 89
Food and Drink
LADIES LEADING THE WAY WITH CHAMPAGNE David Copp
T
he first lady of champagne, La Veuve Cliquot, the widow of Francois, became famous for introducing a number of improvements to champagne, the most important of which was the method of keeping the wine clear and bright in the bottle. Up to that time secondary fermentation in bottle, which creates all those lovely bubbles, also left a deposit which made the wine seem cloudy. The widow’s outstanding contribution to the development of champagne was recognised by her male successors who named their top marque La Grande Dame, still one of the world’s finest champagnes. Veuve Cliquot, with its distinctive orange label, now rivals Moet & Chandon as one of the universally most popular brands of champagne. In the United States Veuve Cliquot is enjoying phenomenal success as a result of the publication of a small, slim book entitled French Women Don’t Get Fat. 90 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Written by French-born Mireille Guilliano, the President and CEO of Veuve Cliquot Inc., the American distributors of the brand, it lets women into the secret of how to enjoy good food - including buttered croissants, foie gras and rich cheeses - without putting on weight. Many top restaurateurs have invited her to demonstrate her message by preparing menus from her recipes that, naturally, are all accompanied by Veuve Cliquot champagne. But what type of champagne do women actually prefer? Most of the great Champagne houses have traditionally made quite masculine wines from a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. Pinot noir is the black grape that makes the greatest red Burgundy wine. In Champagne, however, the juice is separated from the grape skin soon after pressing so that it remains white. Now many houses also make a blanc de blanc from white grapes only. Generally speaking, these wines have more floral aromas, are delicate in taste and have a
certain finesse that ladies seem to appreciate. On a recent visit to Champagne I spoke to another widow who has been remarkably successful in taking her family business to new heights after the sudden death of her husband. Carol Duval-Leroy attributes the progress of her company to understanding what different people want from champagne. ‘Because champagne is a celebratory wine, people expect something special, so we focused on producing a range of top-quality wines from white grapes. Since women are increasingly important purchasers of champagne - for weddings, receptions, dinner parties and birthday presents - we named our top vintage wine Cuvee Femme de Champagne, and were delighted when it won two gold medals in international competition. ‘Women also like pink Champagne so we introduced Lady Rose, a salmon pink wine made from top-quality grapes,’ Madame Duval Leroy said as she
poured a glass of this appealing wine for me to taste. I liked the roundness and suppleness of the wine: it was refined and elegant. On the same visit I tasted Amour de Deutz, another top Champagne made from 100% chardonnay grapes. Straw yellow with an aroma of white flowers, the wine had a lovely soft mousse. It is a true ‘tête de cuvee’ cream of the blend - only made in the very best years when the grapes have reached full ripeness. The wine was conceived as a result of the loving marriage between William Geldermann and Marie Deutz, the sister of the founder of the company. A beautiful sculpture in the courtyard of the Deutz offices is a constant reminder that love is in the air in Champagne. I also enjoyed the Ruinart blanc de blancs, another delicate wine with glorious floral aromas of white peaches. Women have contributed a great deal to the success of the great Champagne houses. Their gift of appreciating aromas and flavours of these the most delicate of wines has helped produce outstanding vintage wines which are often quite expensive but which make a very handsome gift for special occasions. Gentlemen, if you really want to please your ladies, look out for these wonderful wines which are usually beautifully packaged. I have written recently about my admiration for English sparkling wines (and our own Dorset champions from Furleigh Estate) and recommend them for your consideration alongside Champagne, as well as the delights of the better sparkling wines of the Loire from Saumur. Special bottles of wine always make Christmas memorable and it is worthwhile giving thought to what would be the most fitting match with your Christmas turkey. Personally, I will be looking for a rich, generous chardonnay but, as always with wine, the most important consideration is what you and your family enjoy. It is worth bearing in mind when making your choice that the side trimmings have to be taken into account as well as the poultry itself. Cranberry sauce does not go easily with some red wines. A full-bodied white Burgundy from Montrachet, Meursault or Margaret River would be perfect. But great chardonnay is made in Tasmania (Freycinet) South Africa (Bouchard Finlayson) Mendoza, and Limari in Chile. If you are decided on red, you may like to consider a good Beaujolais Cru such as Brouilly or Julienas, a shiraz from South Africa or a zinfandel from California. Whatever you choose, I wish you a very happy Christmas. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 91
Food and Drink
SEARED TUNA LOIN SALAD WITH CLOVES, STAR ANISE & GINGER Sasha Matkevich, Head Chef and Owner, The Green with Jack Smith, Junior Sous Chef
Ingredients
500g tuna loin 25g black sesame seeds 25g sesame seeds 2 cloves 2 star anise 10ml olive oil Dressing
150g fresh ginger 2 tbsp clear honey 75ml balsamic vinegar 3 tbsp soy sauce ¾ tbsp sea salt 450ml olive oil Salad
3 pak choi ¼ red cabbage 2 spring onions 1 lime (zested and juiced) 2 tbsp of quality sesame oil Cornish sea salt and black pepper For the vegetable salad
1 Thinly slice the pak choi, red cabbage and spring onion into a large bowl of iced water (this will take the bitter edge off the vegetables and will keep it wonderfully crispy until you are ready to use it). 92 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
For the dressing
2 Peel the ginger and grate it. Press it through a sieve with the back of a spoon to release the juice (about two tablespoons). 3 In a mixing bowl combine the ginger juice, honey, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and salt. Whisk in the olive oil gradually, so it emulsifies and has a saucelike appearance. For the tuna
Image: Clint Randall
T
una is a vulnerable to overfishing and with some species now threatened, this wonderful fish should be regarded as a treat. This salad makes an ideal special lunch or light dinner. If you're able to buy best quality tuna loin it will work beautifully with the balsamic and ginger marinade. Serves 6
4 Liquidise the star anise and cloves in a spice grinder for a few seconds. Combine with black and white sesame seeds on a large roasting tray. 5 Cut the tuna loin into 3-inch strips and roll them in the roasting tray, covering them with an even layer of spiced sesame seeds. 6 Use a large frying pan and 10ml of olive oil to gently sear the tuna on each side, just enough to make the white sesame seeds look golden. Cool down and then slice the tuna into ½ inch medallions. To assemble
7 Remove the pak choi, red cabbage and spring onions from the iced water and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Place in a large mixing bowl and dress the salad with lime juice, zest, sesame oil, sea salt and black pepper to taste. 8 Pile the salad into the centre of each serving plate, arrange the ginger marinade attractively around it then place the tuna slices on top. Sprinkle with sea salt and spoon a little more dressing onto each plate. Serve at once. greenrestaurant.co.uk
Gift Shop &Tea Room OPEN 2-5PM EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 17TH OCTOBER UNTIL 19TH DECEMBER
www.newtonhousegin.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 93
Animal Care
SANTA CLAWS
Mark Newton-Clarke, MA VetMB PhD MRCVS, Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons
I
was planning to write a cat-centred piece for this month’s Sherborne Times but then realised that this is going to be the Christmas edition. As it’s 17C outside today it’s hardly surprising many of us still have autumn in our minds rather than Christmas, even though the clocks went back recently. So, how do I get cats into Christmas? The first thing that came to mind was an event that happened in my front room several years ago. We had two kittens at the time, Tommy and Rosie, and two young children. Not sure who needed more supervision! Anyway, the excitement of a real tree appearing in the house, decorated with chocolates and lots of shiny things, 94 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
seemed to trigger near hysteria in all the junior members of the household. A contest developed between the four of them to see who could wreck the decorations in the shortest time. Well, the kittens won by climbing up the tree, presumably in an effort to replace the fairy at the top who clearly did little to justify her superior position. I entered the room just in time to see two wide-eyed kittens clinging on to the rapidly falling tree, which then crashed into the hearth. I made sure guy-ropes were added along with a heavier base when the tree was reinstated. In this case there were only a few broken baubles to clear up but it would have been very different if there had been a fire in the grate at the time!
"The excitement of a real tree appearing in the house seemed to trigger near hysteria in all the junior members of the household."
Short cold days and long nights mean many domestic cats prefer to be curled up somewhere warm. Their normal sedentary habits often go to the next level in winter and consequently we encounter fewer injuries. Probably the safest place for us all is in bed. It’s all so different for dogs. The countryside is full of pheasants to be chased and in gardens a novel source of food starts appearing in the form of delicious fat balls and seed. My dogs look almost horrified when they see the birds stealing what they consider their personal snacks. And then along comes Christmas. My goodness, can you imagine the smells as homes are stocked with delicious treats for the forthcoming celebrations. The poor canine suffers the combination of an insatiable appetite and the most sensitive nose on the planet, able to detect edibles through layers of wrapping. So take heed: if you are in the habit of placing presents under the Christmas tree, remove anything of interest to your pet. Maybe allow some controlled access to the gifts and, if they pass the sniff-test with indifference, possibly leave them in place but pack anything else away until opening time. It’s traditional for me to remind everyone about dried fruit being potentially toxic to dogs, along with chocolate (although cocoa powder is the worst) and bits of string or tinsel that seem to exercise a perpetual attraction for some dogs. Our advice is to act immediately if you think there’s been an illegal ingestion. It’s relatively easy to empty the stomach but the intestine is much less accessible. That’s all I’m going to say about the Christmas humbugs! I may well be on the receiving end this year as the Newton-Clarke house is going to be full on Christmas Day: two young excitable black Labradors, two terriers, a cat, three University students and four ‘responsible’ adults. With some forward planning and a checklist, we are hoping the day goes like a smooth, surgical procedure! Another, much larger, operation is planned for Swan House in 2019. If our plans come to fruition, the new year will see the ugly duckling of our surgery morph into its namesake. The renovation may require a short period of closure but we will keep everyone informed of our timetable - details on our website in due course. It just remains for all of us at Swan House to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful 2019 and to thank all our clients for their support. newtonclarkevet.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 95
Animal Care
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FARM VET
F
John Walsh, Friars Moor Vets
armers in the UK will generally calve their cows at three different times of the year, falling under one of these systems: a block calving herd, where the cows calve over a period of 12 weeks in the spring or autumn, or a herd that calves all year round. Fertility is of such importance to the farmers and their profitability that I, along with 2 other vets in the practice, completed a 2-year Masters degree in bovine reproduction at Liverpool University. We received lectures in the latest reproduction research and undertook our own research projects, which added to the body of knowledge for other farm vets in the industry. We now have a high level of expertise in the practice and we can help our clients achieve the best fertility results. During November many of our autumn-calving herds were starting to get ready to breed cows for the next year. It is essential that a cow has a calf every year to keep producing milk and to produce the offspring that will become the replacement dairy or beef cows of the future. A large majority of my time is spent on routine fertility visits, helping to get these cows pregnant in a timely fashion after calving. These visits involve checking cows after calving to ensure they are in good health, thereby giving them the best chance of becoming pregnant again. This involves a rectal examination, which may sound messy but is the only way to get the ultrasound scanner near to the uterus and ovaries in order to achieve the best possible image. The latest ultrasound scanners are equivalent to, but more portable versions of, the ones used in hospitals to scan pregnant women. In fact, they are so portable we can even see the screen through a pair of ‘scifi’-looking LED goggles, giving us a picture right in front of our eyes. These ultrasound images allow us to see details on the ovaries, so we can make a diagnosis of any fertility problem and give the required treatment at the same time. The images are so clear that we can diagnose pregnancy from 30 days of gestation and can even see if the cows are carrying twins. Cows with twins tend to have much bigger energy demands and farmers use this information to ensure these cows receive some extra TLC around calving, which then ensures they are in the best health for the next season. These visits also encompass assessment of other vital areas of farm management — we work closely with the farm team, their nutritionists, and other support staff back at the practice to continually monitor any management changes put in place to ensure the farmers are achieving their goals. At the practice we assign two main vets to every farm that has a routine fertility visit. This teamwork ensures the farmer has continuity; they will always see one of these vets at a routine fertility visit. The team at Friars Moor would like to wish everyone season’s greetings and all the best for the New Year! friarsmoorvets.co.uk
96 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 97
DECEMBER 2018 | FREE
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Pet, Equine & Farm Animals
• Operating theatres • Digital x-ray • Nurse clinics • Separate dog and cat wards • Laboratory Kingston House Veterinary Clinic Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3DB
Grove Dene Veterinary Clinic The Forum, Abbey Manor Park, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 3TL
Tel: 01935 813288 (24 hours) Email: sherborne@kingstonvets.co.uk
Tel: 01935 421177 (24 hours) Email: yeovil@kingstonvets.co.uk
Mon-Fri 9.00-10.30, 16.30-18.00 Sat 9.00-10.30
Mon-Fri 8.30-12.00, 14.00-18.30 Sat 9.00-12.00
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Free registration appointment for new clients when accompanied by this advertisement 98 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Veterinary services for livestock & pets in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire We now have a new collection point for livestock medicines and supplies at Pearce Seeds, Rosedown Farm, Sherborne. Please call the office on 01258 472314 for all enquiries
www.friarsmoorvets.co.uk
Available Monday-Friday 8-6pm Saturday 8-12pm • Luxury grooming facilities • Heated kennels • OAP dog house stays (call for information) • Doggy play/exercise compound • CRB checked and fully insured • Doggy first aid (accredited CPD) • City & Guilds Level 3 qualified in dog grooming & dog behaviour • Day packages available • Dental hygiene and teeth cleaning • Puppy health checks
Sherborne Surgery Swan House Lower Acreman Street 01935 816228
Yeovil Surgery 142 Preston Road 01935 474415
www.newtonclarkevet.com
Contact Sue 07920 044 930 sue@countrystyledoggrooming.co.uk www.countrystyledoggrooming.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 99
Cycling
AUTUMN OFF-ROADING Mike Riley, Riley’s Cycles
A
n incidental thing I enjoy about cycling is chatting with other riders and learning interesting facts about our surroundings and people’s interests. Sometimes, to escape from traffic, I venture out on off-road routes with cycling chum Ken; as a long-term cyclist he is experienced and well organised and also our pace is similar. Ken plans routes for use with a cycling computer and has a backup Bartholomew’s cloth map. I had a guide, so what could go wrong! With Ken being a historian, I can be confident he will have some nuggets of information about our route or cycling to share. Our previous routes have been Wareham Forest Sika Trail, Sturminster Trailway and Upton Park and the Castleman Trail, all of which require driving to. 100 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Last week, to avoid driving, we tried riding Dorset Council’s guide No 2: ‘Sherborne to Nether Compton’ (available from the Tourist Information Office). We headed out of town from Riley’s Cycles, going via Ken’s house near the library, along Newland and down Greenhill to join the short cycle lane on the A30. To aid cyclists turning right at Marston Road traffic lights, there is a box painted on the road with a bike symbol; cyclists can proceed along the cycle lane and move across using the box when the lights are red to position themselves for turning right safely. This relies on motorists understanding they should stop before the box; the driver of the estate car which had stopped on the box clearly did not! Eventually, I crossed and caught Ken by the junction with Coombe where we turned right to follow NCN
cycle route 26 towards Sandford Orcas. After about 1.5 miles, there is a crossroads where the right turn goes to the golf course. We turned left on Coombe Lane track and had a short stiff climb rewarded by views towards Batcombe. Some fields along here are smooth, green grass and I suspect they are cultivated turf. A bit further on we crossed the B3148 Marston road to Checcombe Lane, still a track. The word Combe or Coombe appears in many of the names here; it means a short valley or hollow and much of the route follows contours riding along splendid unspoilt valleys. I will not give details of the whole route because the guide mostly does this adequately. We rolled on downhill, picking our way carefully through trees on a pebbled path covered in autumn leaves. Ken
pointed out that the stones indicated this was once an important route for transporting goods using pack animals. It was a type of surface used before tarmac, and probably intended for travel by foot rather than wheeled transport. Once tarmac came along, routes unsuited to it were largely abandoned and became bridleways. We joined the quiet road to Nether Compton where I spotted a hawk gliding above the valley, then rode through the picturesque village. At the Griffins Head we took a left turn and went off road again on a pleasant track by Trent Brook heading towards Mill farm. We detoured into Trent village to the Rose and Crown for a coffee and, as if on cue, landlord Michael Rust (the subject of an earlier article) greeted us and told us of his cycling holiday in breezy Fuerteventura. The route back was a bit less straightforward. Part 5 of the guide, ‘go straight ahead at a gate and straight up a field to a gate’ produces 2 options. If ‘straight up a field’ is construed as going across a field uphill, you can turn right after entering the gate and be compliant, but wrong. In so doing I rode over a hawthorn branch causing a puncture to compound the inconvenience. After mending the puncture, we reassessed our route to get back on track and returned along the Monarch Way to cross Checcombe Lane which we had passed along earlier. At this point we were a bit more cautious about directions, so asked for confirmation from a helpful pair taking several dogs for a walk. The continuation of the Monarch Way at this point is known as Trent Path Lane. After this, from section 6, the guide is a bit out of date due to the new housing development north of the A30 but, if you keep going south, you end up on Horsecastles. Don’t be confused that the pub formerly known as Skippers is now the Teddy Rowe. We were fortunate the route was generally dry and not overgrown and the weather unseasonably mild and clear so we could enjoy the views. The first ride was probably the last week of autumn before the tracks became muddy. We repeated the ride this week to take photos and review the section where we went wrong and, sure enough, the paths were much muddier, so we adapted the route to stay more on tarmac. I had taken my own advice and put sealant in my tyres and had no repeat of the puncture. At the confusing field gate we took the correct option to go directly ahead after passing through the gate. The autumn colours of the trees were more vibrant and it was uplifting enjoying the foliage and the landscape. rileyscycles.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 101
@elizabethwatsonillustrations
Salon on the
New Ownership
Green
We are excited to announce the new ownership of Cyril Gallie’s Hair shop, Yeovil. Helen O’Sullivan, owner of the luxury hair and beauty salon, Salon on the Square located in Beaminster, is going into partnership with long standing hair stylist, Nici Pickett. Nici has dreamed of having her own hair salon since she was a little girl, following in her great grandparent’s footsteps. With Cyril’s retirement, Helen and Nici will be re-branding to become a Kevin Murphy session salon focusing on having a natural ethical and environmentally friendly salon experience. We welcome both existing n and new clients to join us and wish Cyril a very happy retirement. Follow our progress at www.salononthegreen.co.uk. 01935 477838 | www.salononthegreen.co.uk 102 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Helen & Nici x
Body and Mind
SEASON TO SPARKLE Sarah Hitch, The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms
N
ow that December has finally arrived, we’re gearing up for a jam-packed social calendar. A few simple beauty tricks can do wonders for your skin and yourself during a hectic festive period and lessen the effects of a party-hopping lifestyle. Increased opportunities for champagne and cocktails in overheated venues can take a toll on skin. Hydration is key. Aim to increase your intake of water and reduce caffeine and fizzy drinks when you can as they act as a mild diuretic, parching your body and skin. Sleep is also one of the most important factors for slowing ageing and will help you stay one step ahead of the festive game. Post-party skin that hasn’t benefitted from a good night’s sleep often looks puffy, dull and lifeless. Your skin may also crave extra attention from some hard-working reparative products – and thankfully they are out there! Night-time is the perfect opportunity to use more intensive skincare products such as hydrating oils, serums or conditioning masks. If you can make time, applying a hydrating and conditioning face mask for ten minutes the day before an event will work wonders. Your skin should look and feel visibly plumped, refined, dewy and ready to absorb a serum and nourishing moisturiser. Create skin that looks hydrated by applying a facial primer to illuminate and brighten your face before applying your make-up base. Secure your make–up in place with a good quality powder and then add the glamour. If there is ever a time to have a bit of fun with
your make-up, it’s the party season. Gold, silver and bronze are festive season stalwarts because they go with anything and lift your look from standard to sublime. Add hints of your fun side by including eye shadows and eye liners containing some sparkle into your usual evening make-up. This creates a seasonal statement rather than an all-out ‘Christmas Fairy’ effect! You don’t need to fall victim to the tacky Christmastime manicure – unless you want to of course! Whether it’s a richly-coloured jewel tone, a shimmery gold polish, or a bold red as bright as Rudolph’s nose, your festive manicure needs to be finished in a high shine gloss. A professional gel polish application should last you a couple of weeks or more and give you that continual glossy shine. Choose a colour that will see you through several events and tone with your planned outfits to avoid wardrobe chaos and colour clashes. Glitter polishes are difficult to remove so a shimmer or chrome finish might be less frustrating for a quick, outfit-coordinating colour change. Toes are ignored by many during the winter months but I think Christmas is the ideal opportunity to show them some love. Whether you kick your shoes off at a party or your slippers off in front of the fire, glistening toenails will make you smile. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2019 - let the festive fun begin! thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 103
Body and Mind
WINTER WELLBEING Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind
W
inter is associated with festive food, cheery Christmas carols and happy families snuggled up around a board game or the television. However, this is not the same for everyone; winter can be a challenging time for some. The days are colder, wetter and darker. Seasonal festivities can be fun but can also cause stress and anxiety. Feelings of isolation and loneliness may be heightened. It’s known that the Samaritans support more people around Christmas and New Year than any other time. Some call these feelings the ‘winter blues’, although the medical term for this is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It affects approximately 2 million people in the UK, across all ages including children. Research suggests the leading cause of SAD is the reduced sunlight: less sunlight results in greater feelings of lethargy and depressive symptoms. Staying mentally well is just as important as keeping physically well through the winter months so here is some advice to help you keep mentally healthy this winter. Firstly, stay in touch with any professionals working 104 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
with you on your mental wellbeing and keep emergency contact details handy. If things begin to feel difficult, talk to someone and seek help quickly. If you DO have a crisis, most importantly, talk to someone. Secondly, these few weeks are not a good time to be stopping or reducing medication without the right advice – stick to what you have been advised to do or talk to a professional if something is bothering you about your medicines. Self-care
It’s important to take additional care of yourself during the cold, winter months. This includes being honest if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Whilst it is beneficial to socialise, don’t feel pressured to take part in every available social event unless you want to. Put aside time to do something you really want to do, not just what you are expected to enjoy. In addition, try to avoid comparing your holidays to those on social media and TV. Don’t compare your unfiltered life to the filtered lives of others.
Sleep
Sleep deprivation can worsen mental health. Ensure you get regular, sufficient sleep. If you struggle with this, establishing a bedtime routine can help you relax before bed. It is also beneficial to get plenty of daylight during the day and destress with exercise or meditation.
Abbey Brides
Connect
Although it’s tempting to hibernate during winter, try to maintain and develop social connections. Book in social meet-ups every month with friends and family or join a club or support group. If you are feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone about it. If you are worried about Christmas Day, tell someone who will be there so you have a support system. Exercise
It’s harder to feel motivated when it’s cold and wet. However, even small steps can make a difference to your wellbeing. This can include using the stairs or joining a group activity. Activity is associated with higher levels of serotonin which regulates mood. Why not get active with our campaign RED January and help encourage others about the importance of exercise to improve your wellbeing. dorsetmind.uk/red
Beautiful bridal gowns & dream dresses 81 Cheap Street, Sherborne Contact Alison 01935 321375 | 07890 708552 abbey.brides@virgin.net www.abbeybrides.co.uk @AbbeyBrides
Other ‘happy’ activities
Learning, taking notice and giving have all been linked with improved mental health. You could use the winter months to give them a go. Try volunteering for a charity, joining a winter class, developing a skill or reading new books. Help your elderly neighbour by getting his shopping when it snows and see how it makes you feel. These are just a few of the many ways you can learn, give or take notice this winter. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the emergency services. For other crisis situations, speak to your GP or a mental health professional. If you need to talk to someone, call the Samaritans free of charge on 116 123. Dorset Mind runs a Wellbeing Support Group in Sherborne on the first and third Tuesday of the month; contact them on 01202 551660 for more information or visit their website. dorsetmind.uk @DorsetMindOfficial @DorsetMind @DorsetMind
LONDON ROAD CLINIC Health Clinic • Acupuncture • Osteopathy • Counselling • Physiotherapy • EMDR Therapy • Shiatsu
• Podiatry and Chiropody • Manual Lymphatic Drainage • Soft Tissue Therapy, Sports & Remedial Massage Therapy • Hopi Ear Candle Therapy
Tel: 01963 251860
www.56londonroad.co.uk Email: info@56londonroad.co.uk 56 London Road, Milborne Port, Sherborne DT9 5DW Free Parking and Wheelchair access sherbornetimes.co.uk | 105
Body & Mind
SWING WHEN YOU ARE WINNING Simon Partridge Bsc (Sports Science), Personal Trainer, SPFit
L
ast month, I wrote about building leg power by ‘jumping’ and having a bit of fun in the process. This month we’re looking at kettlebells which have become increasingly popular over recent years, even seeing the rise of kettlebell classes. There is also a specific Kettlebell Sport - the best way to describe it is ‘endurance weightlifting’. Its two main disciplines are the biathlon, which comprises two separate events, the jerk and the snatch, and the long-cycle, which is clean and jerk. Let’s focus on the kettlebell swing and the benefits you will get from doing it. The swing is the sneakiest total-body strength and cardio exercise ever. It is easy to get addicted to this piece of equipment and this exercise. If you’ve never done it before, you’re probably wondering why there’s so much hype around this classic kettlebell exercise; well, there’s a reason why it’s held in such high esteem. The kettlebell swing is superb at quickly getting the heart rate up. It’s an incredible, total-body movement that builds strength whilst also requiring power, speed and balance. The swing mainly targets the muscles of the core, including hips, glutes and hamstrings and the upper body, including shoulders and lats. The actual movement translates to a more fit and powerful body. Kettlebell training can increase aerobic capacity, improve dynamic balance and dramatically increase core strength. While most strength training guidelines advise beginners to start light and then progress, starting too light can often be detrimental because you may use your arms to muscle up the movement rather than the muscles listed above and so miss out on the key benefits. Once you’ve mastered the basic swing, try a one-handed 106 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
swing. As you are only using one side of your body, you must keep tension in your core at the top of the swing to stay balanced. The one-handed swing is slightly more difficult because you’re being challenged to control the entire movement with one side. How to do a Kettlebell Swing
1 Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and a kettlebell on the floor in front of your toes. Hinging at the hips, keeping a neutral spine (no rounding your back), bend down and grab the kettlebell handle with both hands. 2 Initiate the swing, inhale and swing the kettlebell back between your legs. 3 Powering through the hips, exhale and quickly stand up and swing the kettlebell forward up to eye level. At the top of the movement, the core and glutes should visibly contract. 4 Drive the kettlebell back down and up underneath you and repeat. When you’re done, pause slightly at the bottom of the swing and place the kettlebell back on the ground in front of you. Try repeating for 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds. Try 1 - 5 sets. Whether you use the kettlebells to improve strength and power or cardiovascular fitness, you will be amazed by the effect it will have on your workouts. So, go on, have some fun, and really be creative with your workout programme design. spfit-sherborne.co.uk
THE FAR REACHING BENEFITS OF OSTEOPATHY
W
Frances Aylen MA (Oxon), BSC Hons OST, 56 London Road Clinic
henever I’m asked to write a piece about my practice of osteopathy I find it hard to choose an area to focus on, as we see such a wide range of problems in day-to-day practice. On any given day osteopaths can see patients of many different ages who vary in their presentations and expectations. Often patients report similar symptoms but the causes, and therefore the treatment, are completely different, as is their prognosis. (I have changed and merged details in the examples below to preserve patient confidentiality.) For example, hip and low back pain occurring from an undiagnosed foetal joint fusion or minor spina bifida can suddenly become painful in ones 40s when flexibility and muscle tone may have deteriorated a little. Working on the surrounding tissues to facilitate flexibility whilst monitoring any changes to nerves and muscle function over time works in the short- to medium-term, however what is most important for the patient is working out a long-term fitness and flexibility plan for them. Patients in their late 80s and even 90s come for monthly treatments for acute muscle spasm around hip joints because of significant wear and tear. These patients know that the underlying cause cannot be fixed and that they cannot have replacements, however treatment maintains movement and soft tissue quality and helps them to endure the pain better. Another patient might be experiencing similar symptoms but actually have torn the outer part of a disc; they are likely to heal within three months (depending on the depth of tear and whether nerves have been affected by subsequent inflammatory processes). A mother and baby might present after a difficult labour where the baby got stuck and was hard to push out. She might have significant pelvic floor trauma, pain over her coccyx and sacrum, low back pain or pain around the epidural mark or over a c-section scar had that been the outcome. She may also be complaining of pins and needles in her hands at night and a stiff neck and sore mid-thoracic spine, which gets worse when she feeds
the baby. The baby might have a neck that only likes to rotate to one direction as a result of this labour and therefore prefers to feed on one side and lie facing the same direction, leading to moulding over time. It might have stiff shoulders and cry when it is being dressed. For both mother and baby these painful symptoms may lead to a failure to thrive and also get in the way of bonding properly due to exhaustion and tearful nights on both parts. Gentle massage, gentle realignment and advice can make a huge difference to their healing and relationship. Often people present with symptoms that are not as straightforward as they appear. A persistent pain in the right shoulder with no reduced movement can actually be referred pain from a gall bladder problem. They both come from the same embryological tissue and therefore share the same nerve pathways. A good case history would probably have also detected some abdominal discomfort, bloating and problems with digestion and bowel habit which would help with the diagnosis of possible gall stones. A primary school child attended with neck pain and headaches after falling out of bed. They wanted to compete in a diving competition the next day and wondered if massage would help. On further questioning the fall was from a top bunk and the level of spasm and pain in the neck indicated that there might be an undiagnosed fracture present. A subsequent X-ray showed that the top cervical vertebra was fractured. The competition might well have proved fatal had they gone to it and competed without seeing anyone. As you can read, a day in the life of an osteopath can be very varied and interesting and not just about back pain. Frances Aylen qualified from the British School of Osteopathy in 1999. She also is qualified in Western acupuncture and has trained extensively as a Cranial Osteopath. Frances works at The London Road Clinic in Milborne Port on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 56londonroad.co.uk
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 107
Body & Mind
INVESTING IN YOUR HEALTH
Image: Stuart Brill
Craig Hardaker BSc (Hons), Communifit
W
ith Christmas looming, it is fair to say that many of us will invest a lot of time, money and energy into making the festive season special. However, not only at Christmas but also throughout the year, do we invest enough of our time, money and energy into maintaining and improving our health? By investing in our health now, we may avoid having to invest in healthcare later. Being proactive not reactive in relation to our health is key – don’t wait for a medical condition to happen before doing something about it. A lot of medical conditions can be prevented by people adopting a more proactive approach. Modern life is often busy and full of pressure and this makes it even more important that we remember to invest time, money and energy into our health. 108 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Time
As days become ever more packed with work and family commitments, this leads to the inevitable and often cited question, ‘When can I possibly find the time to exercise?’ This certainly seems to be a problem for many of my clients. However, a greater effort needs to be made as health will soon decline if time is not put aside for exercise and relaxation. Ideally, we should exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes for five days each week. Dedicating this amount of time and ensuring that other events do not eat into it is key. Without determination, I can guarantee something will always interfere! It is worth sacrificing other activities to free up more time towards fitness. According to The Telegraph, an adult spends an average of 24 hours a week on their mobile phone
and 3 hours a day watching TV. Sacrificing just a small amount of that time could prove very beneficial to our health. Working long hours can also be a restraint to exercise, however the fitter we are the more likely it is to enhance our working performance. In some cases, the same amount of work can be completed in less time.
Community Classes, in Community Halls, for Everyone
CLASSES
Money
It is all too easy to buy a coffee and cake, an alcoholic beverage or grab a sandwich on the go without thinking about the cost. If we were to add up the total cost of these, quite often unnecessary, items over a month, we would most likely surprise ourselves. Not only is it damaging our pockets but, most likely, due to the type of food we often buy, also our health! Compare this total cost to what you spend on your health each month. One question to ask yourself is whether some of these costs could be diverted towards your health? What is more important, that fourth coffee of the day or a 45-minute exercise class improving your physical and mental well-being? Energy
For many people, a lot of energy is spent rushing around after children, doing housework and undertaking other time-consuming activities! This may get to the point where we are so low on energy, the last thing we want to do is use more energy and exercise our bodies! We may even become too tired, or feel we have insufficient time, to cook, so we order a takeaway instead. Eating the correct food can make us more energised. Eating plenty of vitamins, minerals and proteins and getting a healthy balanced diet not only improves health but increases energy. Too many comfort foods consumed as part of our diet, such as an excessive carbohydrate intake, can make us easily fatigued. Conversely, the fitter and stronger we are, the less tired we are likely to become. It is difficult, but nevertheless essential, to reflect on whether you are investing enough time on maintaining and improving your health. It is most definitely worth doing, as is subsequently making positive changes in relation to lifestyle in order to improve your physical and mental wellbeing. Enjoy Christmas and resolve to make 2019 the year you invest in your health! communifit.co.uk
£5 for 1 hour and £4 for 45 min classes
Chair Yoga
All the benefits of traditional Yoga, but without the need to get up and down from the floor! Fantastic for anyone looking to gain upper arm strength and core stability, whilst building a calmer mind and stronger body. Perfect for lower body rehab. Tuesdays 13.30pm at West End Hall. 1 hour.
Stand & Strengthen
Same objectives as sit & strengthen, but you are standing! Targets all major muscle groups. You must be able to stand for the whole duration. Wednesday 3.15pm at the West End Hall . 45 mins. Friday 1.30pm at Tinneys Lane Youth Club . 45 mins.
Don’t Lose It, Move It!
An active circuit-based class improving muscle strength, aerobic fitness & core stability. Be proactive, not reactive, towards your health & fitness! Suitable for all ages. Wednesday 4.15pm at the West End Hall . 45 mins. Friday 2.30pm at Tinneys Lane Youth Club . 45 mins.
Sit and Strengthen
A chair-based exercise class aiming to increase your strength, flexibility, joint mobility, balance & functional independence - all while having fun! Wednesday 2.15pm at the West End Hall . 45 mins. Thursdays 14.30pm at Digby Memorial Church Hall. 1 hour. Friday 12.15pm at Tinneys Lane Youth Club . 45 mins.
Plus classes in Yeovil, Yetminster and surrounding area. Prepare for a launch of new classes in 2019! Pay as you go
@communifit
Booking not required. For more information call 07791 308 773 or email info@communifit.co.uk communifit
communi_fit
communifit.co.uk
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 109
Body & Mind
HEART HEALTH
T
Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom GP & Complementary Practitioner
here are a number of health measures we should adopt to achieve best heart health. We have to look after the coronary arteries that supply oxygen to the heart muscle and keep it beating. Healthy coronaries are wide and elastic; furred-up, atherosclerotic coronaries are narrow and prone to blockage, resulting in heart muscle pain (angina), heart attack and worse… RIP. You must look at your diet. Try to reduce your saturated fat intake – dairy products mostly. Cook with olive oil, a mono-unsaturated fat which will increase your HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol. Avoid the partially hydrogenated ‘funny’ unsaturated fats in processed food – these have been shown to be associated with inflammation and abnormal changes in cell membranes. Try to increase your cardio-protective omega 3 ‘essential’ fatty acids by eating oily fish twice weekly or taking fish oil supplements – the Eskimos live on fatty fish and have extremely low rates of heart disease. While you are looking at your diet, reduce sugar and high glycaemic-load carbohydrates. These will increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and ‘metabolic syndrome’, and will also increase your weight. Statistics clearly demonstrate that being overweight reduces your life-span due to heart disease caused by excess strain on the heart as well as furring-up of the coronaries. Weight control is achieved by dietary restraint (smaller table plate) as well as exercise on a regular basis. Exercise is a very important factor for maintaining a healthy heart. Join the local gym, start swimming, sign up for your local Park Run on Saturday mornings, get cycling or running – treadmill or fresh air (my
110 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
preferred!). These are all highly accessible, rewarding and invigorating ways to get physical. Try to follow the British Heart Foundation recommendation of 20 minutes exercise 5 times per week. A mixture of these aerobic exercises as well as anaerobic ‘resistance’ exercises are recommended to maintain muscle mass. The other obvious heart-protective measure is kicking your smoking habit. ‘Smoke Stop’ and nicotine replacement is available from your GP, pharmacies and online. E-cigarettes have been shown to reduce the craving whilst addressing the behavioural or ‘something to hold’ aspects of smoking. Perhaps use it to kick the habit and then discontinue as studies have shown that long-term vaping increases the prevalence of heart attacks. No article on heart health would be complete without the mention of stress! Studies clearly demonstrate a correlation between stress and heart disease. But how to de-stress?! Firstly, identify your stressor - think about work-life balance. Is there anything you can change? Do you get time-out? Structure protected time into your working week, take up Pilates, yoga or, you guessed it, exercise! The effectiveness of these as stress-relievers is backed up by many studies. Or why not take up that much-talked-about hobby, join a book club, bridge circle or art class? Learn to meditate or read a self-help book – there are lots out there. Choose your de-stress strategy for mind, body and soul. And so to conclude, take your heart health seriously. You only have one heart. doctorTWRobinson.com
GIFT YOURSELF BETTER HEARING THIS CHRISTMAS
YOU?
IS THIS
OH, HOW I’D LOVE TO... Hear the Christmas carols more clearly Join in the family chat around the table Share in the Christmas cracker jokes Turn down the volume on the TV Have a happier HEARING holiday!
LET US HELP...
DECEMBER OFFER: We have a genuine launch offer price on the latest Zerena 9 hearing aids from Bernafon with a FREE accessory worth up to £300 OR extended interest-free terms (50% deposit required, subject to T&Cs) FREE initial consultation BLOCKED EARS?
TRY MICROSUCTION
t: 01935 815647 - JUST £40 FOR ONE EAR / £60 FOR BOTH
Girlings Complete Hearing Service | 4 Swan Yard | Sherborne DT9 3AX
www.girlinghearingaids.co.uk
@girlingshearing
Brister&Son Independent Family Funeral Directors
When your family suffers the loss of a loved one, we are here to support, guide and reassure you – every step of the way Call Daniel on 01935 812647 100 Lenthay Road, Sherborne DT9 6AG Email: daniel@wsbrister.com www.wsbrister.com
A J Wakely& Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons – 24 Hour Service –
Private Chapels of Rest Website www.ajwakely.com
Independent Family Directors and Monumental Mason 33 SparrowFuneral Road, Yeovil BA21 4BT Tel: 01935 479913 16 Newland, Sherborne, DorsetService DT9 3JQ -Tel: 01935 816817 - 24 Hour Please contact Clive Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance.
Private Chapels of Rest
Website.www.ajwakely.com
112 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
While being ideal for long-term residential needs, the home also maintains a respite service and offers day care to the surrounding communities. Carers are committed to understanding personal needs and adhering to a tailored approach. A number of activities are organised to support personal interests and physical health, and residents have access to information technology while enjoying home-cooked meals. The Old Vicarage Care Home has won over 30 national and regional awards over the last few years for their commitment to care of the elderly to back-up their reputation as one of the leading care homes in Dorset.
At The Old Vicarage we offer...
The Old Vicarage, Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 6HL Tel: 01935 873033 Visit our website for a full map to the home
HealthcareHomes
www.healthcarehomes.co.uk
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Palliative Care Day Care Respite Care Convalescent Care Own GP if required Own Furniture if required Pets by arrangement Near Public Transport Stairlift Minibus or other transport Wheelchair access Gardens for residents Phone Point in own room/Mobile Television point in own room Residents Internet Access
Together we respect, with compassion we care, through
commitment we achieve
Legal
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING Rebecca Beresford, Partner, Private Client at Mogers Drewett
C
hristmas time is a great time of year to consider making a financial gift to a loved one. It’s also a good time to think about a longer-term giving strategy as part of your estate planning, particularly if your estate is likely to exceed the Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold on your death. There are many ways to give to family members – whether it be cash, premium bonds or contributing towards Junior ISAs. It is therefore vital that you stay on top of the latest legislation so you know the best way to steward your money. For example, in the 2018 Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced a relaxation of the rules around gifting premium bonds to allow people other than grandparents and parents to invest on behalf of children. Also, from March 2019, the minimum investment in premium bonds has been lowered from £100 to £25 and the Junior ISA investment limit has been raised to £4,368 per year. Good-to-know exemptions
If you plan to make substantial financial gifts to individuals, in most circumstances you need to survive for more than seven years for the value to fall outside of your estate for Inheritance Tax. For smaller gifts, there are a number of useful exemptions to the seven-year rule. In any year, you are allowed to give away up to £3,000. In addition, you can carry forward all or part of the previous year’s unused allowance to the next tax year so you could give a maximum of £6,000 in a tax year. It is fine to 114 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
give gifts of up to £250 to any individual and provided you don’t give them more than that in total in the tax year, then this doesn’t use up your £3,000 annual allowance. You can also make gifts to celebrate a marriage or civil partnership - the amount you can give ranges from £5,000 from each parent to a child to £1,000 to a friend. Another useful exemption allows you to make regular gifts out of surplus income. For people with high income levels, this can prove to be a very useful exemption. Good record-keeping is key to claiming this exemption, so it would be sensible to seek advice if you think your estate may qualify. Establishing a trust
It may be that you would like to make more substantial transfers as part of your overall estate planning. If this is the case, establishing a trust could be a good way forward. There are many different types of trust but, for lifetime giving, a discretionary trust is a popular and flexible option. In these, the settlor (the person who created the trust) will name beneficiaries and trustees (these could be family members or professional trustees, or a combination of both) who will manage the trust assets and decide when, if or how the potential beneficiaries will benefit. Estate planning helps identify effective and tax efficient ways to pass assets on to loved ones. So this Christmas, why not consider your longer-term giving strategy? mogersdrewett.com
EXPERT LAWYERS ON YOUR SIDE, AT YOUR SIDE. Forward-thinking legal advice on your doorstep Sherborne | Bath | Wells | Frome mogersdrewett.com | 01935 813 691
@elizabethwatsonillustrations 116 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Independent Letting Agent representing town and country property throughout Somerset and Dorset Lettings & Property Management
5 Tilton Court, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL T: 01935 816209 E: info@stockwoodlettings.co.uk
Thornford
Lovely period cottage, three receptions, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, modern kitchen, workshop, double garage and workshop, enclosed garden.
£1400pcm
Ryme Intrinseca
Stunning barn conversion in peaceful location surround by open country, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, large open plan living/kitchen, garden and parking.
£POA
Beaminster
Family home, close to centre, modern kitchen, dining room, snug, drawing room, study, three double bedrooms, dressing room, three bathrooms, double garage, gardens, parking.
£1,900pcm
www.stockwoodlettings.co.uk
Property
MARKET UPDATE
P
Luke Pender-Cudlip, Partner and Office Head Knight Frank Estate Agents, Sherborne
rime property prices in Dorset and South Somerset rose by 0.7% between July and September 2018 and have climbed 2.2% over the last 12 months, Knight Frank data shows. Price growth has eased over the past two years, in line with a wider trend seen across the UK. Prime markets, in particular, have had to adjust to higher rates of stamp duty as well as political uncertainty. Despite this, annual sales volumes above ÂŁ500,000 reached a 20-year high in 2017 and remain at a level above long-term averages. Activity has been supported by the current low interest rate environment as well as robust demand from needs-driven buyers such as those moving to the area for schooling. Despite economic and political uncertainties, there are 10 fundamentals that continue to underpin the demand for property in Dorset and Somerset. 1 Excellent schools which draw a constant flow of new family house buyers. 2 Good railway links to London and easy access to local airports and ports. 3 Beautiful countryside with many areas designated AONB. 4 A wide choice of property including cottages, houses, farms and estates. 5 A large differential in ÂŁ per square foot compared with London and the home counties. 6 A popular destination for people to retire to from all round the country. 7 A low interest rate environment. 8 An increase in weekly commuting/work from home days. 9 A great variety of sport and leisure pursuits. 10 Most buyers purchase with a medium- to long-term view on the market. If the above combine with a benign Brexit outcome, we will expect a very busy 2019 market. Dorset and South Somerset Key Stats (at Q1 2018) Annual prime price change
2.2%
Property Type
Quarterly prime price change to Q3 2018
0.7%
Property Age
Bungalow
17%
Pre 1900
28%
Flat
13%
1900-1939
8%
Terraced
23%
1945-1972
23%
Semi-Detached
20%
1973-1999
28%
Detached
27%
2000-Present
12%
knightfrank.co.uk/sherborne
118 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Move
Knight Frank sells homes of all sizes, from contemporary apartments to country cottages and family homes, throughout Dorset and Somerset. Let us surprise you.
We’d love to help you. Please call 01935 590023 knightfrank.co.uk
Connecting people & property, perfectly.
Property
AN EXPENSIVE AND KNOTTY PROBLEM
J
Paul Gammage and Anita Light, Ewemove Sherborne
apanese knotweed is a problem. The Environment Agency describes Japanese knotweed as ‘indisputably the UK’s most aggressive, destructive and invasive plant.’ It spreads rapidly and can push up through asphalt, cracks in concrete, driveways, cavity walls and drains in its quest for light and water. The Property Reporter recently revealed that it has, ‘wiped as much as £20 billion off the current value of the property market in the UK.’ It is estimated that 4-5% of the UK’s houses are currently affected, directly or indirectly (e.g. neighbouring an affected property), and it can reduce the value of a property by 10%. Knotweed can also have a drastic effect on property sales, with lenders refusing to lend and sales falling through. It affects buyers and sellers alike, so what is the law in respect of knotweed and what can you do to protect yourself ? Identifying Japanese Knotweed
The Government’s website provides help with identifying knotweed and, if you suspect you may be affected, you can download a helpful document with photos and descriptions prepared by the Non-Native Species Organisation. They describe it as a, ‘Tall, herbaceous perennial with bamboo-like stems. Often grows into dense thickets. Characteristic leaves and stems, persistence of last year’s dead canes and distinctive rhizome (underground root-like stems) enable yearround identification.’ It has a white feathery flower. What must you do if you have it?
There is no legal requirement to eradicate or control knotweed if it is growing on your property, however: • It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to plant or cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild. • If you allow it to spread, legal proceedings could be brought against you. • If you are selling your property, you have an obligation to disclose the presence of knotweed during pre-
120 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
contract enquiries made by solicitors. You should check your garden if you are planning on selling and, if you are affected by knotweed, you will need to provide a management plan backed by a transferable guarantee for its eradication. You will need specialist help with this. • A lender’s valuation surveyor will identify knotweed and, if it hasn’t been previously disclosed, this normally results in a “NOT TO LEND” recommendation. How do you dispose of it?
Knotweed is very hard to remove by hand or eradicate with chemicals. I recommend you get specialist help as quickly as possible. The treatment plan will, most likely, take several years to fulfill. Japanese knotweed must be safely disposed of at an appropriately licensed landfill site and there are regulations to comply with and documents to complete in order to do so. Specialist Japanese knotweed contractors must be registered waste carriers to safely remove the weed from a site, so check first before employing their services. Professional removal
Specialist companies offer Japanese knotweed removal and can report on risk for mortgage purposes with suggested treatment plans and insurance-backed guarantees where required. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has worked with the Property Care Association (PCA) to establish the PCA Invasive Weed Control Group (IWCG) trade body for Japanese knotweed specialists, which provides a register of consultants and contractors. Protection
Home-owners can protect themselves by purchasing a specialist Japanese knotweed indemnity policy. These usually start at less than £100 and cover homeowners for the cost of treatment, repairs, legal costs arising from third party claims and any diminution of the property’s value, should knotweed arise. ewemove.com/estate-agents/sherborne
F I N D O U T W H AT YO U R H O M E IS WORTH Use Our FREE Instant Online Valuation Tool If you’re thinking of selling your home our Hometrack valuation report is a great starting point to find out what your home might be worth or what you could rent it out for. It’s free and available on our website - they’re used by 16 of the top 20 UK lenders!
This report normally costs £19.95 and includes ALL recent house sales near you.
Get your FREE online valuation report at: www.EweMove.com/Sherborne Or Call 24/7: 01935 350 350 EweMove respects any existing sole agency agreement already in place with another agent.
BRYAN C. COOPER LTD TRADITIONAL BUILDERS - Since 1968 -
A family run Sherborne business established for over 45 years Renovations, Extensions and Alterations, Patios, Boundary Walls and Fencing _________
Purpose-made Joinery, Internal and External Decorations, Bathrooms and Kitchens _________
Wall and Floor Tiling, Repairs and Maintenance, Roofing and Fibreglass Systems
96 Newland, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3DT Email: bccooperltd@btconnect.com Web: bryancooperbuilders.co.uk
Tel: 01935 814946
Nazareth Lodge Residential Care Home, Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Rated ‘OUTSTANDING’ by the Care Quality Commission in our last two inspections Nazareth Lodge is a charming residential care home situated in a quiet backwater of Sturminster Newton yet within easy reach of this vibrant market town. Winter is now with us and the darker evenings have drawn in. Time perhaps to plan ahead? If you want to experience top quality care for yourself, or have peace of mind regarding a loved one, then why not come and see us. Only 2% of care homes have achieved an “Outstanding” rating in the UK making us incredibly proud to have retained the rating again this year. As well as permanent residency, we can also provide respite, convalescence and palliative care.
AWARD WINNING HOME Winners of numerous awards including the highest accolade of Platinum status for “End of Life Care”
For further information: Tel: 01258 472511 Email: care@nazareth-lodge.co.uk www.nazareth-lodge.co.uk 122 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Spend Christmas in your new Bovis Home and receive
£3,000 towards your Christmas festivities We’re adding to the excitement this Christmas by offering you £3,000 worth of John Lewis Vouchers for you to spend on your dream Christmas in your brand new Bovis Home.
Available for a limited time only on selected plots, don’t miss out
bovishomes.co.uk Photographs shows a typical Bovis Homes interior. Available on selected plots only and subject to completion on or before 19th December 2018. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or purchase assistance scheme. Vouchers will be issued on completion. For further details please see your development specific sales advisor.
Mildenhall Sherborne DT9 6BP Open daily 10am to 5pm
01935 578004
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
FFP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Telephone: 01935 813322 Email: info@ffp.org.uk Website: www.ffp.org.uk
AHEAD IN THE CLOUD Our real-time cloud accounting solutions present you with a full picture of your financial position 24/7, allowing you to proactively plan and respond ahead of tax deadlines. For a fresh take on your accounts, speak to Hunts
T: 01935 815008 E: info@huntsaccountants.co.uk W: huntsaccountants.co.uk @Hunts_Sherborne The Old Pump House, Oborne Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3RX
124 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
Finance
WHAT IS YOUR BENCHMARK? Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.) CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS, Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, Fort Financial Planning ‘How you invest your money should be closely aligned with your lifetime goals and circumstances.’ We can all agree with that statement but we can’t always pull it off. When investing, it is simply too easy to get sucked into the hype of trying to outperform the markets. There are a few reasons for this. Prudent long-term investing can be boring
The rates of return we see about indexes such as the FTSE 100 or the S&P 500 in newspaper charts and on TV all assume a ‘buy and hold’ approach. In other words, you buy into the index on the 1st and keep it until the 31st of the period in question, often keeping the product for many years. However, all around you, friends, family, magazines, TV shows, websites, newspapers and more are telling you: • ‘You can outperform!’ • ‘This time it will be different!’ • ‘You don’t have to save all that money if you get the portfolio to work harder for you!’ • ‘There are much better strategies than asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing!’ • ‘You should be trying to beat the market, to select the stocks or funds with the highest return, to time your entrances and exits from markets, to move from asset classes and sectors of the market in a very active way!’ As Nick Murray (author of Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth), says, ‘This is madness, but it’s a very seductive kind of madness. The critical issue is that ‘outperformance’ isn’t a financial goal. An income you don’t outlive in a three-decade retirement full of dignity and independence, that’s a financial goal.’
The news gives us overly simplistic information
Our clients have globally-diversified portfolios, owning different types of bond funds, large, small and international stock funds, commercial real estate, and cash. On the daily news, however, the financial media usually only reports on the performance of a couple of indexes, maybe the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500. Investors naturally want to compare their portfolio performance to others and to what they hear on the news but, since the stocks in those reported indexes would only be a small part of a globally-diversified portfolio, they don’t give us the real information we need. Even though we understand that point intellectually, we can still get caught up in the whirlpool of trying to outperform the markets and ask, ‘Why didn’t my portfolio earn as much as the FTSE 100 did?’ The more accurate comparison would be to look at just the large company UK stock portion of the portfolio and compare that to the FTSE 100. The most important benchmark
Rather than being sucked into this whirlpool of noise around outperformance, turn your attention to the really important benchmark: are you on track to achieve (and maintain) the lifestyle you want in retirement? Finding the right balance between spending and saving will give you more confidence about your financial plan than chasing investment returns, and it is also more within your control. ffp.org.uk
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 125
Tech
I
’m sure that many of you think that a cookie is an American, flour-based, baked food product; if you are British it would be called a biscuit and you’d be dunking it in your tea! However, in web speak, a cookie is little bit of text stored on your computer by a website that records what pages you’ve visited etc., so that when you come back again it knows what you’ve already looked at. So what’s wrong with that, and what’s all the fuss about? Years ago, before we were bothered by security, cookies also used to store other things such as usernames, passwords and credit card details. If your computer became infected with a virus, that information could be gathered and sent to the bad guys! Happily, this doesn’t happen any more, but the cookie information does get used by web advertisers to bring up ads that are relevant to pages you have recently visited. Just try searching for a stairlift and see how you get bombarded by stairlift advert for days afterwards. You can turn cookies off in your browser, but many websites require them or they may not work as expected; secondly you can use software to clean up cookies from your computer but this is a double-edged sword as you will see from what follows about T&Cs and Privacy Policies. A few years ago we saw the advent of ‘we must protect the poor unsuspecting public at all costs’. If a 126 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
website uses cookies, it is required to have a disclaimer that pops up on your computer and to which you must agree. Now, here’s the catch. When you click the ‘Agree’ button, it saves a cookie on your computer so that it will know for next time. If you clear all your cookies, the next time you go to that website it will ask you to agree again! The same is true for the Terms & Conditions which tell you what you’ve let yourself in for if you visit that particular website (in 10,000 closely typed words). And the same is true for the ubiquitous Privacy Policy, which tells you that they promise not to share your details elsewhere and that they will use your browsing history to bombard you with advertising! So that’s it… Hobson’s Choice! You either agree to all the cookies etc. or go and live in a cave (with Christmas coming up soon, I may just do that!). Whatever your standpoint, there is nothing sinister about all this stuff, nobody is interested in your personal browsing; they just have to tick some boxes and harvest some marketing data. As always, if in doubt or if you need help, you know where to come! Coming up next month: Navigating the January sales on-line computing-mp.co.uk
J. Biskup
Property Maintenance Ltd
TO-DO LIST ✓ Kitchen & bathroom installation ✓ Tiling ✓ Flooring ✓ Wallpaper removal ✓ Painting and decorating ✓ Plastering
✓ Wall repairs ✓ Roof repairs ✓ Loft insulation ✓ Carpentry ✓ Window renovation ✓ PVC guttering and facia boards
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T: 07885 420609 E: wills.plumbing@hotmail.co.uk 128 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 129
FOLK TALES with Colin Lambert
PETER PETERS
Old Codger, Gin & Tonic, Caustic Soda and an Anchor Windlass
O
ld codger is used affectionately to refer to an eccentric but amusing old man. I first met Peter as he climbed into an ambulance, lights flashing, saying something about gin & tonic and caustic soda. I next met Peter whilst very stressed. Sheila and I were moving our yacht from London to Weymouth and the anchor windlass was kaput. Even worse, I had 50m of chain and the anchor sitting on the seabed. The yard confirmed it was unrepairable and quoted me £2,500 + VAT for a new one. Peter was passing, looked in my boot and said, ‘That looks interesting, what is it?’ Please be patient; it is the festive season. Born in April 1928 in Birmingham, Peter moved to Macclesfield aged eight, then back to Birmingham’s King Edwards School for A levels. In Peter’s words, ‘I was a bit of a wimp at school but I got a distinction in Chemistry and Physics though.’ National service changed all that and Peter became a bit of a rebel. He was court-marshalled for leaving his laboratory (full of explosives) and ‘popping out for lunch.’ They liked him though and after some ‘stern words’ he spent the next three years in bomb disposal. ‘Bomb disposal, like in the BBC Bodyguard series?’ ‘Not quite, but I did know a lot about fuzes, No.208 being a favourite.’ ‘A favourite fuze?’ ‘Oh yes, the 208 was safe to handle, unlike others.’ ‘After the army?’ ‘Birmingham University to study Chemistry. Trouble was, I partied a lot and only just scraped a pass. My first job was at Bakelite.’ ‘Bakelite, what’s that?’ ‘A method of making soluble products of phenol and formaldehyde into hard, insoluble, synthetic plastic. Named Bakelite after its inventor. I learned a lot but with a poor degree, advancement was difficult.’ ‘And?’ ‘I moved to London and did a second degree in Physics. Partied too much and again only scraped a pass. Then a job with The Metal Window Federation 130 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
specialising in corrosion and structures.’ ‘Caustic soda’s good for corrosion, isn’t it? Sorry Peter, I interrupted you.’ ‘By 30 I’d met Connie and her son Terry. We married and lived in Surrey. Life was good until Connie died aged 36. A few weeks later Terry married and left home, just as I was made redundant with a mortgage to pay. A year later my neighbour invited me to meet his sister, Pat, and her two children. We married and had a daughter, Jane. My next job was a bridge engineer with Buckinghamshire Council which lasted until I retired, when we purchased this house, number 808, as my retirement home.’ ‘There are only three houses in your terrace, how can you be number 808?’ ‘Portman Estate owned all this land so just gave each house the next number. Sadly, Pat died of cancer, three years later, in the Yeatman. There were 20 of us by her bedside…’ We sit in silence for a while. ‘And for breakfast Peter?’ ‘I used to love bacon, eggs, chips and beans. Still do, but All-Bran and fruit are easier on my delicate insides.’ ‘Delicate Peter?’ ‘Yes, being a chemist, I love mixing potions for household jobs. Caustic soda is great for cleaning ovens. On the Saturday afternoon in question I couldn’t find a beaker so mixed some in a glass tumbler. Before starting, I finished my gin & tonic, also in a glass tumbler.’ ‘The flashing lights and ambulance?’ ‘I tried to drive at first but then dialled 999. Rushed to Yeovil A&E, collapsed on the way. A hole drilled into my throat, 10 days in an enforced coma and 14 more days fed by a drip. Then three years of dilatation and a somewhat changed diet.’ ‘And you have a new mate?’ ‘Penny and I met in the late ‘90s, picking blackberries. We meet up for walks, dinner and adventures. I like my own space, but we do have fun together.’ ‘You still do bits of work?’ ‘Yes, I’m a consultant lighting inspector for West
Image: Katharine Davies
Dorset and have just retired from being the village hall surveyor. I have two workshops at home and still build the odd machine for making fishing hooks, to help my stepsons’ business.’ ‘How about an anchor windlass?’ The windlass is delivered to Peter’s workshop. Over the next two weeks I hear grinding noises and banging. Peter strips the lot, re-engineers bearings out of Bakelite and sends the motor for servicing before reassembling the windlass.
Three weeks later, windlass back onboard and power on. Creak, groan and wow! Five minutes later chain and anchor firmly stowed on deck. Peter, you are a star and a very clever one. Thank you for sharing your story with Folk Tales. Have a wonderful December. PS. During this festive season, please check what’s in your glass before you down it in one. colinlambert.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 131
Short Story
THE DAK BUNGALOW Jenny Campbell, Sherborne Scribblers
132 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
T
he old dak bungalow lay well back from the road between Srinagar and Gulmarg. Dak means post or mail and, in the days of the British Raj, such bungalows were rest-houses for government officers en route to various parts of the country. A stranger would not even have known it was there, but Mr Maidhari, our driver and houseboat owner, was Kashmiri born and bred. ‘Is good place to stop for picnic,’ he said, making a sharp left turn and driving through ancient wrought iron gates into the most idyllic spot, high above the Vale of Kashmir. It was mid-September and still hot as we stepped out of the old, black ambassador car which Mr Maidhari had parked in the shade of a large chinar tree. Yet I shivered slightly in the sparkling air and drew my thin shawl a little tighter round my shoulders. In another month or so, the first of the winter snows would fall and I could imagine how beautiful they would look, resting in drifts of white along the branches of deodar cedars that encircled the lawns. Judging by the number of wicker hampers being removed from the boot of the car, it would be some time before lunch was ready. So, while husband and ten-year-old daughter flopped onto the grass and chatted to our host, I wandered up to the bungalow which looked for all the world like an old drill hall. According to Mr Maidhari, it was occasionally used as a hunting lodge by politicians from Delhi. Peering through the dusty windows in their paint-flaking frames, I therefore expected to see furnishings that reflected such eminence, but there was little more than a bookcase and a couple of 1930s club chairs in one room and a single wooden bed and side-table in another. Perhaps, as in days of yore, the visiting bigwigs from Delhi brought their own luxuries and servants with them? I glanced back at the car to see how our picnic was progressing; the hampers were still being unpacked so I wandered round to the back of the bungalow where, at some time or other, a former resident had obviously tried to recreate a little corner of Surrey or the Cotswolds in the now neglected and overgrown garden. The faintest scent of honeysuckle hung in the air, scarlet poppies shouted their presence and gentler, pink dog-roses rambled over brambles and other fruit bushes: raspberry, blackcurrant and thorny gooseberry. Any formal paths had long since vanished but, on walking further into the garden, small clusters of half-hidden forget-me-nots peeped shyly up as if begging me to stay. Curious to see what other treasures lay in wait, I carried on for little more than a minute when, suddenly, and for no logical reason, I felt compelled to stop and retrace my steps. Though quite alone in the garden, it was not as if a sudden rustle of the bushes had given me cause for concern; but no birds sang and the overwhelming silence made me feel uneasy. Hurrying now, I returned to the front of the bungalow, relieved to hear the chatter of familiar voices in the sun and see Mrs Maidhari’s splendid picnic spread out on a large and colourful tablecloth on the lawn. After the last morsels of chicken, local cheese, spicy lamb koftas, fruit cake and luscious plums had been eaten, Jim took out and began to light his faithful, wee pipe. We had now been joined by a couple of Kashmiri gentlemen sitting a little further away, puffing contentedly on their hookahs. And, on seeing Jim’s pipe, the men pointed to their own and beckoned him over for a smoke, an invitation which, one has to say, my husband did not hesitate to accept! This pleasant interlude over, we helped Mr Maidhari to pack up the car and then were soon on our way again up to the Highland Hotel in Gulmarg. Often, in later years, I would remember that day at the dak bungalow and think of the succession of young men, fresh out from England, who had stayed there. For them, especially in winter, it must have been a dark and isolated outpost of empire. Rudyard Kipling once wrote of such places that, ‘many men have died mad there.’ Was that why, on turning round for a last glimpse of the garden, I fancied I heard a scream rising into the empty sky and echoing down, down, down into the Vale of Kashmir thousands of feet below?
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We are delighted to have sold Sherborne House
Literature
LITERARY REVIEW Jonathan Stones, Sherborne Literary Society
Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (Sphere, 2018) £20.00 hardback
J
Sherborne Times Reader Offer price of £19.00 from Winstone’s Books
.K. Rowling’s latest instalment in this the fourth incarnation of her Cormoran Strike series of crime thrillers under her pseudonym of Robert Galbraith (apparently at least seven such volumes are promised) will have been eagerly awaited by the many fans of both the books and the TV series which sprang from them. Those who followed Rowling through the Harry Potter series will have experienced the gradual bulking up of those volumes and the same thing has happened here; at 647 pages this is a big read and it is arguable that its substantial length isn’t entirely justified. During the middle section the pace of the narrative slows as the complex plot seems to be hurrying along in no particular direction. However, those readers who enjoy the almost obsessive experience of becoming totally immersed in Rowling’s eventful story-telling will probably dismiss such reservations as a mere quibble. For those who are not already aware of this series, a short character sketch may be helpful. Strike is an ex-soldier who lost a leg in Afghanistan and has set up a cash-starved private detective agency in shabby quarters in London, assisted by his secretary and now partner in the business, Robin Ellacott. Whereas Strike is an overweight bear of a man with a no-nonsense style who likes a beer and a smoke, Robin is described as looking like a pre-Raphaelite angel; following the constrained sexual dance which they perform round each other is one of the many enjoyable aspects of the Galbraith series. The story begins with a prologue which looks back
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to the end of Career of Evil, the previous Galbraith outing, with the wedding of Robin Ellacott to the worthless accountant Matthew Cunliffe. The wedding ends with Robin immediately regretting her marriage to such a shallow individual and, given the courageous independence which she displays in her detective work, it’s a little difficult to understand her appeasement of him in the first place. The action then springs forward to 2012, and London is buzzing with the excitement of its Olympic summer. Into this comes first a troubled young man, Billy Knight, with a strange, almost surrealistic, tale of once witnessing a murder as a child, followed by a government minister who seeks Strike’s help in digging up information on two men who he says are blackmailing him, one of whom, Jimmy Knight, is the older, and aggressively Marxist brother of the tormented Billy. Rowling is especially good at skewering both the venal self-seeking of the minister’s privileged family and parliamentary milieu and the equally repellent classwarriors who inhabit Jimmy’s demi-monde. As the plot unspools it becomes multi-directional and I suspect that readers may occasionally find it hard to follow all the intricate twists and turns in the narrative, but will do so in the confident expectation that, as happens here, these will all be knitted together in a satisfactorily juicy and thrilling denouement. sherborne.literarysociety.com winstonebooks.co.uk
Talk & Book Signing with Naturalist Stephen Moss
Wednesday 19th December, 7pm Discover Stephen’s wonderful new book The Wren Tickets £3
Literature
Image: Phillip Kent
LITERARY REVIEW Andy Waring
The Bells of Sherborne Abbey: The Heaviest Ring of Eight in the World by Peter Soole, Katherine Barker (48 pages, illustrated) ÂŁ4.50
T
his month we see the launch of a brand-new book which details the story of the Sherborne Abbey bells and the generations of bellringers who have kept them ringing. One of the glories of the town of Sherborne is, of course, our magnificent Abbey church and its celebrated peal of bells. Few things could evoke the spirit of the traditions of England more than the sound of those bells ringing out over the town on Sundays and special occasions. Their origin and how they came to be rung is for most, though, a complete mystery. This new publication, a collaboration between Sherborne ringer, Peter Soole, and historian, Katherine Barker, tells the story of the bells from their earliest origins 136 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
right through to the modern day. In early mediaeval times, bells served to punctuate the monastic day by calling the monks to their religious observations. This would certainly have been the case at Sherborne; we know there were bells in the Abbey thanks to a contemporary report describing how they came crashing down to the ground in the great fire of 1437. The oldest of the Abbey bells dates from before this time, having been cast sometime around 1400. Following Henry VIII’s reformation and the dissolution of the Abbey monastic community, the town bought the Abbey church to be used as its parish church. It is from this date that ordinary people were brought in to ring the bells. Ringing back then would
have been relatively simple but the enthusiasm which its proponents brought to what became known as ‘the exercise’ ensured its rapid development. The largest bell in the tower weighs over two tons (46 hundredweight or 2,300 kg) and is reputed to have been a gift from Cardinal Wolsey. Its distinctive, deep tone can easily be identified among the others when the bells are rung. Queen Elizabeth I was reputed to be a fan of the ringing of church bells and issued a proclamation forbidding their sale, thereby ensuring that we are still able to enjoy them to this day. In 1600 the bells were rung to welcome Walter Ralegh to the town, as well as being rung for other notable dignitaries of the period. The great bell was rung (at 4 o’clock in the morning) to declare the beginning of the Pack Monday market, a tradition which was, incidentally, reinstituted this year, although the time was set at a more town-friendly 10am! Up until the middle of the nineteenth century the bells were rung from the floor of the church but, in 1858, along with other reconstruction work, a new
ringing chamber was built above the fan vaulting of the crossing. Much of this work had been made necessary by the weight of the swinging bells threatening to cause the tower to collapse. Two more bells were added at this time bringing the total number to eight, a development which led to an enthusiastic growth in what was then called ‘scientific’ ringing. However, the additional weight of these extra bells led to further structural problems which were finally solved in the 1880s with some serious rebuilding and engineering work which can still be seen inside the tower to this day. The Bells of Sherborne Abbey contains an abundance of interesting facts covering this little-known area of traditional life and is full of historical photos and illustrations. It will be of interest to anyone who enjoys Sherborne life and traditions. The book will be launched at Winstone’s on Sunday 2nd December as part of the Sherborne Festive Shopping Day celebrations, where you can meet the authors. It will be available to purchase from Winstone’s, The Abbey Shop & Bookstall, Sherborne Museum and the Tourist Information Office. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 137
Community
IS VOLUNTEERING ON YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION LIST?
I
Samaritans Yeovil, Sherborne & District
f it is, and you need a bit of help deciding which direction to take, Samaritans is an organisation you should consider for your shortlist – at least according to three local volunteers with Samaritans Yeovil, Sherborne & District, Lily, Simon and Jacky. Lily chose Samaritans largely because it suited her needs. ‘It was New Year that precipitated the original thought. It sounds selfish, and I am a little bit selfish (who isn’t?), but, whilst I really wanted to volunteer, the organisation I chose had to fulfil my needs too. So, I made myself a list: • I had to believe in the work of the organisation • The hours had to be flexible - I only wanted to commit to one morning/afternoon/evening per week • I wanted proper training (no being thrown in at the deep end for me) • I wanted something that wouldn’t impact on my normal life by tying me up in other people’s lives - I wanted something I could control • I wanted to be able to learn new skills while building on existing skills • I wanted to work with nice people and make new friends • I wanted to feel good about what I was doing (this is probably the most important one). ‘I’ve been with the branch for more than two years, and not one of my long lists of requirements has remained unmet, nor have I been disappointed or let down. I do a shift on Christmas Day; this Christmas will be my third in a row. Some people find Christmas a really difficult time - they can feel isolated, lonely, even desperate, and have no-one to turn to. So, they turn to us. ‘Selfishly (again) it gives me a warm feeling, giving up my time on a day that’s traditionally about families and festivities. I feel like it’s my Christmas gift to the world. And I feel really good about it. I can see myself volunteering until I finally retire, then I’ll volunteer some more, perhaps getting involved in some of Samaritans’ outreach work in schools, prison and A & E.’ Simon, a self-confessed ‘very ordinary bloke’ who enjoys going to the rugby, playing the occasional round of golf and indulging in a few pints now and then, was seduced by Samaritans at the training stage. ‘The Samaritans’ training is the most thorough and intense I have ever encountered. It’s tough but immensely rewarding. It also fits to your own pace of learning and you never feel under pressure. What astounded me most was my own ability to find an inner resource I had no idea was there. Jacky, who has been with Samaritans for eight years, thrives on the community aspect. ‘Samaritans in Yeovil are an amazing mixed bunch of people. All ages are here. You will make great friends and you can get involved in lots of different Samaritan projects if you want to. To sum up, being a Samaritan is a totally rewarding job. Humbling. A real privilege.’ Could you volunteer with Samaritans? Why not join us at our information evenings which take place at 7pm on the first Wednesday of every month at 25 The Park, Yeovil, BA20 1DG. To find out more, call our information line on 01935 414015, email us at recruitment@yeovilsamaritans.org.uk or visit our website. samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-yeovil-sherborne-and-district.
138 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
OUT AND ABOUT
C
David Birley
hristmas is a joyous time, especially for those of us lucky enough to live in Sherborne, as there is so much going on. The first Sunday, December 2nd, is our Festive Shopping Day, an event which brings people in from far and wide and where there is always an excellent selection of interesting things to buy. The town band will be playing and the Abbey 104 stage will be hosting choral performances from our schools and community. Our shops always have great window displays, as indeed they do for Remembrance Day, and a leisurely stroll down Cheap Street and the adjoining streets is always interesting. While walking in the town do visit the Cheap Street church and see their sponsored trees; it is such an interesting and imaginative idea. This year will be the event’s fourteenth year and I hope there will be even more than last year’s forty-three trees. Further afield, Castle Gardens has their Christmas grotto which has great ideas for presents and is fun for all the family. Christmas is, of course, a family time and we are fortunate in having a railway station with good rail connections. If you are kept waiting due to engineering works or some other delay, why not have a hot drink or snack at the excellent Station Café? You might even find yourself sitting at the same table at which Prince Harry enjoyed breakfast! Sherborne is often thought of as a wealthy town but the food banks in our supermarkets tell a different story, so please remember those less fortunate. Our town is also home to quite a few elderly people, some of whom may be on their own, so why not include them in part of your festive gathering? There is also a lovely Christmas Day lunch for those on their own, organised by Sherborne Churches Together. If you, or someone you know, would either like to attend the lunch or volunteer to help please ring the Parish Office on 01935 812452. When I was the Mayor it was my privilege to visit our care homes, talk to the residents and see what a great time they were having. I also visited the Yeatman and met those who had been unable to be at home for the festivities. Sherborne Town Band has, for many years, given up part of Boxing Day to entertain the residents and staff at the Yeatman. Well played the band! The Abbey is, of course, rightly at the heart of our seasonal celebrations. We are exceptionally fortunate to have not only an excellent vicar but also an excellent director of music. Eric Woods, Paul Ellis and their teams do such a great job and it is not surprising that the carol service together with the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services see a packed Abbey. Rosie, my four-legged blonde friend, would like to remind you to think of animals at this time. They too enjoy treats but winter can be a harsh time especially for birds, so do put some seeds out for them. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year for our town.
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 139
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT
D
Revd Duncan Goldie, Cheap Street United Church
ecember can either fill you with joy and anticipation at the celebration of Christmas or fill you with dread at all that you have to do and buy to celebrate that special day. If you are struggling to make ends meet it may feel like one more thing you could do without, especially if you have children and know that their hopes and expectations for the presents they would like to receive are not going to be met. December is also an important time for the shops and businesses of Sherborne in terms of sales and income - without a good Christmas, in commercial terms, Sherborne would not have all the shops it currently has and in which we like to shop. One of the recurring items on the national news has been the closing of unprofitable stores by the big chains in order to survive - with some failing to do so. December or Advent is an important time for Christians as it is meant to be a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. It is a time when we look back to the promises that God made to send his son into our world, that were recorded in various parts of the Old Testament in the Bible, and look forward to what God has promised us for the future through his son Jesus. We might, in the middle of our Christmas preparation, be a little envious of the people who were part of the first Christmas as there seems to have been very little special preparation for the big day of Jesus’ birth. Any preparations that Mary and Joseph had made for the birth of Jesus would have changed when they had to journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for the Roman taxation survey. King Herod and the Jewish religious authorities were taken by surprise when the only people who had made any special preparations were the wise men or astrologers from Babylon, who turned up in Jerusalem asking where the Christ child was to be born. As we know, Herod soon recovered and did his best to eliminate Jesus, as he wanted no rival king to himself, and the Jewish religious authorities, while knowing where people could have found the new-born Christ, chose not to act on the news. The shepherds in the fields below Bethlehem, looking after the sheep, were also taken by surprise when an angel gave them the news of Jesus’ birth but, without any advance preparation, they were prepared and ready to meet the new-born Christ. Christmas and the birth of Jesus is meant to be good news for everyone and, to quote one carol, to bring joy to the world. Not just to our shops and business but to everyone, including those who do not have enough money to live on which, in the original Christmas story, would have included Mary and Joseph. To celebrate Christmas we do not need to spend more than we can afford. We can have the traditions and routines that help us prepare for Christmas, such as the putting up of the Advent calendars and the Christmas decorations (even if the decorations are the same ones we put up every year), we can get together and spend time with friends and family and, in doing so, give thanks for the good things that God has given us, especially the birth of God’s son. cheapstreetchurch.co.uk
140 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
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NOVEMBER SOLUTIONS
ACROSS 1. Increases; sums up (4) 3. Relating to courts of law (8) 9. Very odd (7) 10. Speed music is played at (5) 11. Gets less difficult (5) 12. Multiplies a number by itself (7) 13. Make worse (6) 15. One's environment (6) 17. Part of a gun (7) 18. Barely sufficient (5) 20. Exceed (5) 21. Long stiff cat hair (7) 22. Calmly (8) 23. Effigy (4)
DOWN 1. Shortened forms of words (13) 2. Slumbers (5) 4. Ukrainian port (6) 5. Eager (12) 6. Japanese warriors (7) 7. Dealing with different societies (5-8) 8. Scolding (8-4) 14. Computer peripheral (7) 16. Gardening tool (6) 19. Raised a question (5)
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 141
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR from
SHERBORNE TIMES
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142 | Sherborne Times | December 2018
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