MAY 2019 | FREE
A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR
SCHOOL'S OUT with Stuart & Tessa Casely of Gore Farm Education
sherbornetimes.co.uk
WELCOME
S
itting here barefoot on the edge of summer, I write this to the chatter and clatter of al fresco diners. Mouthwatering smells float through our open windows, passers-by are sporting shorts and Sherborne is bathed in sunlight. And so to May. Sherborne Abbey Festival returns for its 20th anniversary season with performances and events across town, the Castle Country Fair promises its annual smorgasbord of family merriment and we welcome the inaugural, highly anticipated TEDx event. Across this month’s pages we meet artists, conservationists, teachers, historians, auctioneers, architects, interior designers, gardeners, farmers, vets, bakers, chefs, writers, adventurers, therapists, and local characters young and old. Katharine and Jo meanwhile visit Gore Farm with the Reception pupils of Trent Young’s CE Primary School. Here, with the invaluable support of the Ernest Cook Trust, Stuart and Tessa Casely offer children an engaging first-hand education in farming, agriculture and biodiversity. Have a wonderful month. Glen Cheyne, Editor glen@homegrown-media.co.uk @sherbornetimes
CONTRIBUTORS Adam Anstey
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 Viki Mee Sarah Morgan Mary and Roger Napper Alfie Neville-Jones Mark and Miranda Pender Claire Pilley
Juliana Atyeo Simon Barber Evolver Magazine @SimonEvolver evolver.org.uk Keith Bawden Leweston School @LewestonSchool leweston.co.uk Ann-Marie Bax Dip MCFHP MAFHP Wriggly Feet wrigglyfeet.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 Mike Burks The Gardens Group @TheGardensGroup thegardensgroup.co.uk Cindy Chant Sherborne Walks @sherbornewalks sherbornewalks.co.uk Jane Chapman chapmanandwarnes.com Ali Cockrean @AliCockrean alicockrean.co.uk Gillian M Constable DWT Sherborne Group @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk David Copp
2 Bretts Yard Abbey Corner Sherborne Dorset DT9 3NL 01935 315556 @sherbornetimes info@homegrown-media.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk Sherborne Times is printed on an FSCÂŽ 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.
4 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Rebecca de Pelet Sherborne School @SherborneSchool sherborne.org Jenny Dickinson Dear to Me Studio, Fine Stationery @DearToMeStudio deartome.co.uk Melanie Fermor Dorset Wildlife Trust @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk 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 Jean Fox Sherborne Literary Society @SherborneLitSoc sherborneliterarysociety.com
Jan Garner Sherborne Scribblers Craig Hardaker BSc (Hons) Communifit @communifit communifit.co.uk Andy Hastie Cinematheque cinematheque.org.uk Sarah Hitch The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms @SanctuaryDorset thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk James Hull The Rusty Pig Company @TheRustyPigCompany therustypigcompany.co.uk Colin Lambert colinlambert.co.uk Jenna Larcombe Mogers Drewett Solicitors @mogersdrewett md-solicitors.co.uk Lucy Lewis Dorset Mind @DorsetMind dorsetmind.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 Shelby Pontin BSc MRCVS Kingston Vets @TheKingstonVets kingstonvets.co.uk Richard Pyman Sherborne Preparatory School @Sherborneprep sherborneprep.org Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom Glencairn House Clinic glencairnhouse.co.uk doctortwrobinson.com Paul Stickland Black Shed Flowers @NaughtyDinosaur blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk Val Stones @valstones bakerval.com Reverend Diane Tregale The Gryphon School gryphon.dorset.sch.uk
72
MAY 2019
8
What’s On
52 Interiors
118 Tech
8
What’s On
64 Gardening
120 Directory
24 Shopping Guide
72 GORE FARM
122 Folk Tales
26 Wild Dorset
80 Food & Drink
124 Out and About
30 Family
90 Animal Care
126 Short Story
40 Art
94 Cycling
128 Literature
42 History
96 Body & Mind
137 Crossword
46 Antiques
108 Property & Legal
130 Pause for Thought
50 Architecture
116 Finance
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 5
Just when you thought the RS range couldn’t get any sportier. Introducing the Audi RS3 and TTRS Sport Editions. RS3 Audi Sport Edition •
19" alloys
•
RS Sport exhaust system
•
Black styling pack
•
Black door mirrors
•
Super sport seats
•
Carbon inlays
•
Panoramic glass sunroof
Find out more: call 01935 574981 or visit yeovilaudi.co.uk Official WLTP fuel consumption figures for the Audi RS3 & TTRS range in mpg (l/100km) from: Combined: 33.2 (8.5) – 35.3 (8.0). NEDC equivalent CO2 emissions: 195 – 181g/km. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real-life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO2 figures (known as WLTP). The CO2 figures shown however, are based on a calculation designed to be equivalent to the outgoing (NEDC) test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. For more information, please see audi.co.uk/wltp. Data correct at 27 March 2019. Figures quoted are for a range of configurations and are subject to change due to ongoing approvals/changes. Please consult us for further information. Cars shown features optional equipment. Images for illustrative purposes only.
TTRS Audi Sport Edition •
20" 7-spoke rotor alloys
•
RS Sport exhaust system
•
Black styling pack
•
Black door mirrors
•
Carbon inlays
Mead Ave
Yeovil Audi
Yeovil Audi. Look No Further.
n Way Stourto
Av e M ea d
Lu ft on W ay
e Western Av
Houndstone Business Park
Houndstone Retail Park
on Rd 01935 574981 Prest8RT Luft Yeovil Audi Houndstone Business Park, Mead Avenue, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 yeovilaudi.co.uk o n Way
ASDA
@elizabethwatsonillustrations
Listings
walk. £8 cindyatsherbornewalks@gmail.com
Free, friendly walk around Sherborne.
Mondays 2pm-3.30pm
Thursdays 1.30pm-2.30pm
____________________________
‘Feel Better with a Book’ group
The Sherborne Library Scribes
Wednesday 1st 3pm & 7pm
Sherborne Library, Hound St. Shared
Library writing group for sharing
‘Not Just a Pile of Old Stones’
group. Free. 01935 812683
____________________________
theartssocietysherborne.org.uk 01935 474626
____________________________
reading aloud with a small & friendly
____________________________
07825 691508
& discussion
Digby Hall, Hound St. Visitors £7,
____________________________
First Thursday of each
____________________________
Last Monday of month 5pm-6pm
month 9.30am
Thursday 2nd
Bookchat
Netwalking
Small Business Event - Speakers,
Sherborne Library, Hound St.
From Sherborne Barbers, Cheap St.
Networking & Support
____________________________
business owners & entrepreneurs.
Centre. hello@yourtimecoaching.com
A lively book discussion group
1st & 3rd Tuesdays 6pm-8pm Dorset Mind - Sherborne
Free walk & talk with other small
Tinney's Lane Youth & Community
FB: Netwalk Sherborne
____________________________
____________________________
Thursday 2nd 6pm
Wellbeing Group
First Thursday of each
Sherborne Business Book Group
Costa Coffee, Cheap Street. £3 incl. a
month 2pm-3.30pm
Vineyards, Digby Road. Be More Pirate
west-dorset-support-groups/
The Shielings, The Avenue, DT9 3AJ.
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10.30am
or 01935 816321
Thursday 2nd 7pm
____________________________
Talk & Signing with Claire Fuller
Fridays 2pm from Waitrose
Winstones Bookshop, Cheap St. Wine &
free drink. dorsetmind.uk/services-courses/
“My Time” Carers’ Support Group
____________________________
Advice, coffee & chat. 01935 601499
Explore Historic Sherborne From Sherborne TIC, Digby Rd. With Blue Badge Guide Cindy, 1.5-2 hour 8 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Sherborne Health Walks
by Sam Conniff Allende. Booking: judith@blueskyuk.com
____________________________
nibbles. £2 from Winstones. 01935 816128
MAY 2019 Village Hall, Bradford Abbas, DT9 6RF.
____________________________
Saturday 11th 11.30am
Friday 3rd - Tuesday 7th
Fosters & Lord Digby Schools
Sherborne Abbey Festival
Founders Day Service
Music from international performers
Castleton Church, DT9 3SA.
Wednesday 15th 2.30pm
01935 815341 sherborneabbeyfestival.org
External judge. sbacameraclub.co.uk
____________________________
philipolbear@aol.com
W.I. Talk - Collecting
____________________________
Mother of Pearl
(See our preview series on page 20)
Saturday 11th 2pm-3pm
____________________________
Talk with Crime Author
Catholic Church Hall, Westbury.
Saturday 4th 2pm & 7pm
Clare Donoghue
All England Theatre Festival -
Sherborne Library, Hound St
Wednesday 15th 7.30pm
____________________________
Sherborne Group DWT Talk &
Digby Hall, Hound St.
Saturday 11th 2.30pm–4.30pm
Display - Sharandys Birds of Prey
fmwelt@btinternet.com 01626 775140
ArtsLink Art Demo/Talk: A Blank
____________________________
Canvas by Diane Summer
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd.
Saturday 4th 2.30pm
Raleigh Hall, Digby Rd. £8 TIC 01935
& local schools. Programmes & tickets
Quarter Finals
Families Divided by War:
By Francis Watson. Visitors £4
____________________________
Wine & nibbles. £2.50
____________________________
815341 sherborneartslink.org.uk
Thursday 16th 11am
____________________________
TV Chef Lesley Waters
Islanders in WWII
Sunday 12th 11am-4.30pm
demonstrates ‘Summer Recipes’
Raleigh Hall, Digby Rd. £3 (non-
Minterne Gardens Spring Fair
Charlton Horethorne Village Hall.
sdfhsmembership@outlook.com
of the RNLI & St Andrew’s Church
The Strange Fate of Channel
members £5). Pay at the door
Minterne Magna, DT2 7AU. In aid
____________________________
minterne.co.uk
Wednesday 8th 7am
Learn & sample! £25 01963 220249 charltonhorethorne.com
____________________________
____________________________
Thursday 16th 6.30pm
DWT Dawn Chorus Walk
Sunday 12th 11.30am-3.30pm
Sherborne & District Dementia
Jerards, Sandford Orcas. Proceeds to
Sherborne Waterwheel Open Day
Action Alliance AGM
DWT Conservation. Tickets in advance 01963 220202
Audio visual presentations.
Beddington Lecture Theatre,
____________________________
Entry by donation. sswc.co.uk Facebook: Sherborne Steam
sherborneddaa@gmail.com
Wednesday 8th 7.30pm
____________________________
Sherborne Girls School. Open to all, ____________________________
Sherborne ArtsLink Flicks –
Sunday 12th 7pm
Friday 17th 7pm
Green Book
Sherborne Community
Sherborne Literary Society -
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd. £6
Orchestra Concert
Churchill’s Abandoned Prisoners
TIC, pre-film supper £12 (please book). 01935 815341 sherborneartslink.org.uk
Digby Hall, Hound St
Raleigh Hall. By Rupert Wieloch.
____________________________
Free - sales of programmes & donations to Marie Curie
Winstone’s & TIC
Thursday 9th 7.30pm
____________________________
£5 (inc. wine & canapés) from
____________________________
Sherborne & District Gardeners'
Monday 13th 9.30am-3.30pm
Friday 17th 7.30pm
Association AGM plus Brigit
West Country Embroiderers
Comptons Community
Strawbridge: Bumble Bees
presents Texture in Textiles -
Choir Concert
Digby Hall, Hound St
Inspired by the Sea
Nether Compton Village Hall. £10 incl
Friday 10th 7.30pm
____________________________
____________________________
Digby Hall, Hound St. 01963 34696
glass of wine/canapes 01935 812922. Proceeds to St Margaret's Hospice.
Modou Ndiaye & Band
Tuesday 14th
Buckland Newton Village Hall.
Sherborne Bradford
Saturday 18th 10.30am-12.30pm
Abbas Camera Club
Oxfam Coffee Morning
____________________________
Best of Year Competition
Raleigh Hall, Digby Rd
01300 345455, artsreach.co.uk
____________________________
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 9
WHAT'S ON Thursday 9th 9.25am - 5.45pm TEDxSherborne | Fit for the Future Sherborne Girls Arts Centre SESSION ONE
Adam Stones How Cycling Can Transform Places
____________________________ SESSION FOUR ____________________________
____________________________
TED Talk
Rory MacLean
Tom Payne
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie:
What Can One Person Do?
Interlude #4
Foodbank Excerpt From ‘I, Daniel Blake’
Being Grown Up About Growing Old Jocasta Cox
The Danger of a Single Story
Being The Fix-It Generation
Rendezvous Music & Video Performance
Masculinity Needs a Reboot
Parallel Lives
Inter-School Drama
SESSION THREE
Stella Mortarotti
____________________________
How to Make Education a Community Affair
Interlude #5
SESSION TWO
Susan Elderkin
Kierhan Ellis Interlude #1
____________________________ ____________________________ Interlude #2
Julie Plumley
____________________________
The Miss Fits
Reading as a Radical Act Joshua Shortman
Interlude #6
Andrew Grundell
Better Together: Why Community Matters in Mental Health Chloe Dick
Don’t Walk On By
Laurence Hayward Why Young People Are Disengaged From Politics, Why It Matters and What We Do About It
____________________________ Audience tickets are sold out but you can
Cheer Up Luv
Is Democracy Fit For The Future?
Inter-School Poetry
The Magnificence of Marginality
____________________________
Sherborne Science Café -
Saturday 18th 10.30am-12pm
'Simple Mathematical Questions
Plant Sale
We Don't Know The Answer To'
Saturday 25th 7pm-9pm
Tulip Tree House, Dene Close,
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd.
Author Event - 'Arthur's Garden’
if wet). Refreshments, cake stall, raffle
____________________________
Rhodes. Tickets £5 from Winstone's
Interlude #3
Longburton, DT9 5LU (St James Church
Benjamin Wild
follow the day’s events free online via our
Livestream feed. Register at tedxsherborne. com/watch-tedxsherborne-live-for-free/
Sherborne Library, Hound St
____________________________
tinyurl.com/sciencecafesherborne
Castle Gardens, New Rd. With Pam
____________________________
Wednesday 22nd 7.30pm
Sunday 19th
Yeovilton Military Wives Choir
01935 816128
Canter on Your Own Horse
All Saints' Church Poyntington. Tickets
Monday 27th - Friday 31st
or 01963 220980
Castle Gardens, New Rd. Pot up your
01747 852693
Thursday 23rd 7.15pm
____________________________
____________________________
Sherborne Floral Group
Tuesday 28th 12.30pm
Monday 20th 10am-12pm
Demonstration
Arts Society Sherborne
Coffee Morning
Catholic Church Hall, DT9 3EL. By Katie
Celebration Summer Lunch
____________________________
____________________________
for Combat Stress Wincanton Racecourse, BA9 8BJ.
wincantonracecoursecanter@hotmail.com
Methodist Church Hall, Cheap St.
____________________________
£12pp (inc. a drink) from 01963 220759
Marguerite Potting
____________________________
own daisy plant to grow at home.
Baxter ‘Joy of Flowers’ 01935 813316
Leweston School, DT9 6EN. 01963 33194
including souvenir, book, cake & plant stalls.
Friday 24th 2pm-3pm
Tuesday 28th
____________________________
Dementia Friends Information
Sherborne Bradford
Wednesday 22nd 7.30pm
Session
Abbas Camera Club
Fundraiser for Sherborne Museum
10 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
WHAT'S ON ____________________________ 1st Saturday of the
Please share your recommendations and contacts via FaceBook @sherborneparents
____________________________
month 10.30am-12pm
1st Tuesday of the
Sticky Church
month 10am-12.45pm
Cheap Street Church Hall. Free group
Sherborne Sling Clinic Doodles Play Cafe, 1 Abbey Rd, DT9 3LE. Booking essential.
for playgroup & primary age children, 01963 251747
____________________________
kizzy@babywearingsouthwest.co.uk
Thursday 30th 10.30am-11.30am
____________________________
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
term-time 9.30am
Fridays 9.30am-11am
(bring your favourite teddy)
Nether Compton
Bishops Caundle Toddler Group
Baby & Toddler Group
All Saints School, Bishops Caundle
Sherborne Library, Hound St. Stories,
____________________________ Every Tuesday during
Village Hall
____________________________
songs & activities. For children of all ages
____________________________
____________________________
Fridays 10am-12pm
Thursday 30th 11am-2pm
Every Tuesday 10am-11.30am
Edible Messy Play
Hold an Owl Day -
Sherborne Breastfeeding Group
St Pauls Church, Sherborne. £3.50 per
Blackmore Vale Owls
____________________________
____________________________
Children’s Centre, Tinneys Lane
session. FB @ediblemessyplay
Sherborne Museum. Free, £5 to hold an owl
Outdoor photoshoot around Bradford
____________________________
____________________________
Thursdays 2.30pm-4pm
Abbas. Village Hall, Bradford Abbas,
Wednesday 5th June 6pm
ArtsLink Parkinson’s Dance
DT9 6RF. sbacameraclub.co.uk
Sherborne Chamber
____________________________
of Trade AGM
Tinney’s Lane Youth Centre.
Sunday 31st - Friday 21st June
The Digby Hall, Digby Rd.
9.30am-5.30pm (Tues-Sat) Exhibition of New Work The Jerram Gallery, Half Moon St.
Emma Brownjohn, Dee Nickerson & Richard Sorrell
____________________________
Planning ahead
Drinks & nibbles afterwards
____________________________
Workshops & classes
____________________________ Tuesdays 2pm-5pm Watercolour Classes Thursdays 7pm-9.30pm Art Club@Thornford for Adults Fridays 7pm -9.30pm 10am-1pm Acrylic Classes
Tuesdays 9.30am-10.30am
No 1 Wheelwright Studios,
Nordic Walking
Saturday 1st June 7.30pm
Starting from Milborne Port Village
St Peter's Church, Stourton Caundle
01935 815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk
____________________________
____________________________ Sunset Café Stompers Jazz Band
Free - donations welcome.
Hall Car Park. Booking essential 07779
Thornford DT9 6QE. 07742 888302,
alicockrean@gmail.com or alicockrean.co.uk
____________________________
620843 landwalks@gmail.com
Sunday 19th 1.30pm-4.30pm
____________________________
Sherborne Folk Band Workshop
____________________________
Tuesdays 10am–12pm
2nd June 10am-1pm
ArtsLink Fizz! Art for Memory
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd.
Children’s Illustration Workshop
Wingfield Room, Digby Hall, Sherborne
£12 01963 362692 terry@barleyclose.co.uk
For 8-12 year olds. FREE (booking
essential). The Old Cow Shed Studio, Manor Farm, Glanvilles Wootton,
DT9 5PZ. theoldcowshedstudio.co.uk 12 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
DT9 3AA. Free art class for people with
All levels & acoustic instruments.
07527 508277 sherbornefolkband.org
____________________________
early stage memory loss. 01935 815899
Sunday 26th 10am-4pm
____________________________
Angels of Sound Voice Playshop
sherborneartslink.org.uk
10am-12.30pm
THE DORSET OPERA
MMXIX
Country House opera with internationally-renowned soloists, a full orchestra and a chorus of 70 Marquee bar | Posh Picnics | Formal Dining Giuseppe Verdi
NABUCCO
23, 27 July at 19:00 | Matinée 25 July at 14:00 Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Gaetano Donizetti
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
24, 25 July at 19:00 | Matinée 27 July at 14:00 Sung in Italian with English surtitles
OPERA GALA CONCERT Friday 26 July at 19:00
Box Office: 01202 499199 Online Booking: dorsetopera.com The Coade Theatre Bryanston Blandford Forum
WHAT'S ON 2pm-4pm
Every third Friday 9am-1pm
Fair & Rare Breeds Show
Crystal & Tibetan Bowl Soundbath
Farmers’ Market
Oborne Village Hall DT9 4LA.
Cheap Street
Sherborne Castle, DT9 5NR. 01935
____________________________
Saturday 4th 10am-4pm
£12 per session centreforpuresound.org
Yoga
____________________________
815341 sherbornecountryfair.com
____________________________
Sherborne May Day Craft Fair
Sport
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd
____________________________
Free. West Country Fairs 01749 677049
Sundays 9am (from Abbey gates)
____________________________
& Wednesdays 6pm (from Riley’s)
Hatha Yoga
Sunday 5th 9am-12pm
Digby Etape Cycling Club Rides
Sherborne venues. hello@yogasherborne.
(8am sellers £5 per car)
SherborneCyclingClub
____________________________
Sherborne Terraces, DT9 5NS. 50p
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Yeatman. No dogs. 07790 863518
Mixed Touch Rugby
____________________________
Ottery Lane DT9 6EE. Novices very
____________________________ Sundays
co.uk FB @yogasherborne
Car Boot Sale
Mondays-Thursdays
entrance, in aid of The Friends of the
7.30pm–8.30pm
elizabethturnbull70@btinternet.com
Sherborne School floodlit astroturf,
____________________________
Mondays 6th & 27th 8am
Mondays 10.30am-12pm
Alweston Car Boot Sale
welcome. sherbornetouch.org 07887 800803
Yoga with Gemma
Village Hall
Compton House Cricket Club
or gemski81@hotmail.com
Thursday 16th 9.30am-4pm
____________________________
Sherborne Book Fair
satnav). comptonhousecricketclub.co.uk. 1st XI
Mondays & Wednesdays
Digby Rd. Free
11th Marnhull (A)
____________________________
18th Broadstone 2nds (H)
Yetminster, Chetnole & Corton Denham.
Saturday 18th -
25th Shillingstone (A)
07983 100445 justbyoga@outlook.com
Sunday 19th 11am-5pm
____________________________
____________________________
Health, Wellbeing & Spirit Fayre
Sherborne Cricket Club
Tuesday evenings &
Digby Hall, Hound St. Workshops
The Terraces. Dorchester Road. sherborne.
Sue 07818 531877
4th Christchurch (A)
Yoga with Emma Sherborne, Milborne Port & Thornford.
emmayogateacher@gmail.com emmareesyoga.com
Longburton Village Hall. 07812 593314
Just Breathe Yoga
Friday mornings Iyengar Yoga Digby Church Hall, Digby Rd.
____________________________
& demonstrations, refreshments. £1
____________________________
____________________________ Over Compton. DT9 4QU (DT9 4RB 4th Portland RT (H)
play-cricket.com. 1st XI 1pm start
____________________________
11th Poole (H)
With experienced teacher Anna Finch.
Saturday 25th 8.30am (trade)
18th Dorchester (A)
9.30am (public) until 4pm
25th Shroton (H)
____________________________
Chasty Cottage Antiques
____________________________
01935 389357
Fairs & markets
& Collectables Fair Digby Hall, Hound St. Entrance £1,
To include your event in our FREE
01963 370986
listings please email details – date/
____________________________
time/title/venue/description/price/
Pannier Market
Saturday 25th 9.30am-3.30pm
contact (in approx 20 words) – by
The Parade
Sherborne Vintage Market
the 5th of each preceding month to gemma@homegrown-media.co.uk
Thursdays 9am-11.30am
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd. 07809 387594
____________________________
Due to the volume of events received
Monday 27th 10am-6pm
we are regrettably unable to
Sherborne Castle Country
acknowledge or include them all.
____________________________ Thursdays & Saturdays
____________________________ Country Market Church Hall, Digby Road
____________________________ 14 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Film
ON FILM
A
Andy Hastie, Cinematheque
t Cinematheque we always know that Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s films are going to be appreciated and so had no hesitation in choosing his latest film, Shoplifters, for our current season. The winner of the Palme D’or, the top prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Shoplifters takes place in present day Tokyo, in a setting we don’t often see, and tells the story of a poor family living a hand-to-mouth existence, supplementing their income by petty theft from shops. On one such mission they come across a little girl, cold, hungry and bruised, and decide to take her home with them to their loving extended family. She fits in quickly and is soon learning the shoplifting tricks of the others, however the authorities begin investigating her disappearance. Kore-eda, over the course of his career, returns constantly to the subject of family, and Shoplifters presents a starkly realistic depiction of marginalised lives that exist in the grey area between crime drama and family story. His message seems to be that, if society arranged itself for the happiness of its citizens,
one’s family would be something one chose and not an accident of birth. It is love, not blood, that defines a family. ‘It’s an eerily moving film, gently unravelling the knotty puzzle of a family in which nothing is quite what it seems.’ (Mark Kermode, The Observer). A thoughtful, compelling film, Shoplifters is showing at the Swan Theatre in Yeovil on Wednesday 12th June. Come along as a guest to see what Cinematheque is all about. It would be good to see you. Don’t forget the wonderful Spanish thriller, Everybody Knows, showing on Wednesday 29th May. All details are on the website. cinematheque.org.uk swan_theatre.co.uk ____________________________________________ Wednesday 12th June 7.30pm Shoplifters (2018) 15 Cinematheque, The Swan Theatre, 138 Park Street, Yeovil,
Somerset BA20 1QT. 01963 251323, info@cinematheque.org.uk
____________________________________________ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 15
Bloody Brilliant Women
Pam Rhodes
Saturday May 25th, 7- 9pm Castle Gardens
Victoria Hislop
Thursday, 27th June, 1-2.30pm Cheap Street Church
Tickets £5, available in store
Cathy Newman interviewed by Kate Adie Saturday, 29th June 2-3.30pm Cheap Street Church
8 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PX www.winstonebooks.co.uk Tel: 01935 816 128
Elementum Gallery South St, Sherborne
A N I L L U S T R AT E D J O U R N A L O F N AT U R E W R I T I N G
Opening Weekend ‘It is an absolutely extraordinary text: a book, not a journal, really.’ –11th May– Robert Macfarlane
elementumgallery.co.uk 16 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
ARTIST’S IMPRESSION
The Paddock Project will be a world class arts centre in the centre of Sherborne, supporting our community and artists, raising the profile of Sherborne as a tourist destination and significantly contributing to the economy of the town. On March 21st our planning application was heard by the Planning Committee of West Dorset District Council. We were delighted that the Planning Officer had recommended it for approval but the decision was made to defer the application to a future meeting.
an inspiring future for sherborne
We have been overwhelmed by the public support for this project, made possible by a once in a lifetime philanthropic gift. We are confident our application will be approved and will continue to work as hard as we can to deliver this incredible opportunity for Sherborne and Dorset.
Find out more and register for regular updates at thepaddockproject.org
Contact us at info@thepaddockproject.org
PREVIEW In association with
MEGSON Three times nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and double winners of the
Spiral Earth Awards, Megson draw heavily on their Teesside heritage to create a truly unique brand of folk music.
The husband and wife duo bring an infectious mix of heavenly vocals, lush
harmonies and driving rhythmic guitars. Comprising Debs Hanna (vocals, whistle,
piano accordion) and Stu Hanna (guitar, mandola, banjo) Megson have gained fame
on the British folk scene, not only for their arresting and intelligent songwriting, but for their exquisite musicianship and humour. evolver.org.uk
___________________________________________________________ Friday 10th May, 7.30pm Megson Dorchester Arts, The Corn Exchange, High East Street, Dorchester DT1 1HF. ÂŁ15/ÂŁ13. 01305 266926 dorchesterarts.org.uk
___________________________________________________________ 18 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
ARTIST AT WORK No.7: Jane Chapman, War of the Worlds at Sherborne Abbey Reduction Linocut, 30cm x 30cm
I
am a commercial artist, always working to a brief in my day job. I have been illustrating children’s books for almost 25 years, focussing mainly on anthropomorphic North American mammals, and always in acrylic paint. As a result, I really enjoy setting my own projects and exploring other themes and media. I recently set up a printmaking studio at home. I have been using drypoint for a while, exhibiting at Dorset Art Weeks (DAW) last year, but embraced reduction linocuts again last autumn. War of the Worlds at Sherborne Abbey melds Mike Trim’s 1978 album cover aliens with the abbey. A reduction linocut is a laborious method where the block is carved, inked and printed multiple times until the image is created. Print runs are small because the lino becomes more unstable as more and more is removed. The images cannot be reproduced because the printing block is literally destroyed in the process. I hadn’t produced a linocut for twenty-five years before
last year. Now I am very keen to amass a body of work around sci-fi in our locality. I am always excited to see familiar places in a different context, being invested more heavily in the art if I know the location personally. War of the Worlds at Sherborne Abbey is available in a limited edition of 5, price £300. chapmanandwarnes.com
____________________________________________ Saturday 1st - Sunday 9th June, weekdays 10am - 4pm, weekends 10am - 6pm A Different Light The Old Cow Shed Studio, Manor Farm, Glanvilles Wootton,
Dorset DT9 5PZ. An exhibition featuring prints, paintings and jewellery by six local artists: Liz Bath, Anne-Louise Bellis, Jane Chapman, Mags Maxwell, Emma Munday and Noah Warnes. theoldcowshedstudio.co.uk
____________________________________________ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 19
Image: BBC
SHERBORNE ABBEY FESTIVAL PREVIEW Friday 3rd - Tuesday 7th May Two quite different performances are taking place at Sherborne Girls’ exciting, new, state-of-the-art Arts Centre. Fresh from BBC Radio 3’s Breakfast Show, Sherborne Abbey Festival welcomes Petroc Trelawny as narrator in A Pity of War, while Ana Laura Manero, pianist and Head of Keyboard at Sherborne Girls’, captivates with The Birth of Romantic Piano Music, a tale of two souls. PETROC TRELAWNY
Petroc Trelawny is one of the best-known voices in classical music, currently most famous for presenting the breakfast programme each weekday morning on BBC Radio 3. A proud Cornishman, Trelawny is the youngest of five brothers. He grew up in Helston, went to the local comprehensive school and, following the death of his mother when he was just 12 years old, was brought up by his Army Officer father (to whom he attributes his radio voice, which isn’t at all Cornish-sounding). In a recent interview with the Radio Times he said of 20 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
his mother, ‘She was a very keen musician and church organist. She would take me off to hear chamber concerts and the seeds were sown.’ After going straight from school into a radio career (at Plymouth Sound and Radio Devon), Trelawny spent a year in Hong Kong working for the British Forces Broadcasting Services before returning to the UK and joining Classic FM. He was hired, aged just 27, by BBC Radio 3 and recently celebrated 20 years on the network. He writes for newspapers and magazines, including The London Evening Standard and The Spectator, and is President of the Lennox Berkeley Society, Luton Music and the Three Spires Singers. He is also trustee of BZAM, a charity supporting the work of the Zimbabwe Academy of Music in Bulawayo. Host of the final of Eurovision Young Musicians 2018 at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh alongside Josie D’Arby, Trelawny was recently announced as the host for the Eurovision Choir of the Year 2019 at the Partille Arena
in Gothenburg, Sweden on 3rd August. It is therefore fitting that his Sherborne Abbey Festival debut will be at Sherborne’s newest centre of excellence for young people’s performance, at Sherborne Girls’ new Arts Centre. A Pity of War, on Monday 6th May at 2pm, is a concert of music and words inspired by the First World War, works that reveal the very essence of the courage and humanity that triumphed over the worst possible conditions of war. The programme features music by Debussy, Janácek and Elgar, with narration from poems and letters written by Wilfred Owen, interspersed by three violin sonatas composed around the time of the war. Petroc takes the part of narrator accompanied by Martin Roscoe on piano and Matthew Trusler on violin. Poignantly, the concert is dedicated to Gunner John Thomas Baker RA, killed on 5th September 1918 at Savy, Northern France. He was the great-grand-uncle of the festival’s Artistic Director, John Baker. A unique occasion, with tickets at £20 each. ANA LAURA MANERO
A musician of considerable emotional intensity, the Cuban/Venezuelan pianist Ana Laura Manero is a passionate performer. As well as developing her professional performing career as a soloist and chamber musician, she has been Head of Keyboard at Sherborne Girls’ for the past ten years. Ana Laura started to play the piano at the early age of five in her home country of Cuba, being taught during her formative years by Professors Teresita Junco, Elena Salámova and Igor Lavrov. She has also participated in masterclasses given by world-renowned pianists such as Georges Pludemacher, Barry Douglas, Joseph Banowetz and Frank Fernandez. She graduated in 2006 from the Royal College of Music then, in July 2008, completed her masters degree in Advanced Performance with Distinction at the same institution, under the musical guidance of Professor John Blakely. As a chamber musician, Ana Laura enjoys an active performance schedule with her husband, cellist Arturo Serna. Their ensemble, Duo Teresa Carreño, champions music from the American continent as well as masterpieces of the standard repertoire. Together they have performed extensively in England, Europe and Venezuela. She is a prize-winner of many national and international piano competitions and, as a soloist and chamber musician, has played at venues including St. James’ Piccadilly, Steinway Hall, Banco Mara Auditorium, Humboldt Association and Teatro Teresa Carreño.
Ana Laura’s concert on Tuesday 7th May at 11am offers a superb programme. Piano sonatas by Beethoven will frame the programme; the ‘Pathetique’ and the ‘Moonlight’ are undoubtedly two of his most famous and beautiful examples of the transformation of the classical piano sonata in the Romantic period. Two works by young Schumann, at the prime of his life as a man and as a composer, will shape the rest of the programme for what promises to be a very exciting recital. Tickets are £10 each. For more information on the festival’s programme of 30 events, with around 70% free entry, visit the website or call into Sherborne Tourist Information Centre. sherborneabbeyfestival.org
____________________________________________ Monday 6th May 2pm The Pity of War: Narrator Petroc Trelawny Sherborne Girls Arts Centre. Tickets: £20
____________________________________________ Tuesday 7th May 11am Ana Laura Manero: The Birth of Romantic Piano Music, a tale of two souls Sherborne Girls Arts Centre. Tickets: £10
____________________________________________ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 21
LEWESTON SUMMER FEST Keith Bawden, Commercial and Events Manager, Leweston School
T
he inaugural Leweston Summer Fest will take place in the grounds of Leweston School on Saturday 22nd June. Organised by Leweston Enterprises, the commercial and events arm of Leweston School, supported by Abbey 104 and Ashgrove Kitchens and sponsored by The Eastbury Hotel, the festival will be a celebration of food, drink and music. There will also be the opportunity to camp, for those who wish to. There will be an eclectic mix of food concessions from the region and further afield, ranging from delicious, locally-made cakes to flavoursome Persian food supplied by Leyli Joon & Co from Cardiff. The festival bar will be serving ales and beers from Devon brewery PowderKeg, cider from Longburton-based Twisted Cider and locally made Viper Gin. The bar will also feature two summer cocktails and, of course, prosecco. Live cookery demos, sponsored by The Eastbury Hotel, will take place in the food marquee – chefs will include MasterChef winner Shelina Permalloo, Great British Bake Off winner Edd Kimber and The Eastbury Hotel’s own Matthew Street. The whole demo tent is being hosted by fellow MasterChef winner Mat Follas who will be grilling the chefs for tips and ideas. The kid’s zone will be packed with fun and energetic activities for everyone, including the big kids. For those 22 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
who like creepy crawlies, BugFest will be showcasing all manner of wonderful creatures from hissing cockroaches to tarantulas to scorpions. Put your circus skills to the test and channel your inner plate spinner or, for the highly energetic, jump on the Rodeo Bull, try to beat Total Wipe Out or have a go on the Bungee Run. There are many amazing musicians lined up for the day: Velvet & Stone (described as ‘haunting’ by Clare Balding), Our Atlantic Roots (bluegrass roots and southern vibes), Jamie Yost (blending folk, alt-pop and Americana), Sound of the Sirens (renowned for their harmonies and blend of country pop), Wildwood Kin (mellow Anglo/American sound) and CoCo and the Butterfields. Closing the show will be the highly talented Eliza and the Bear (high energy indie-pop). The festival will offer a memorable weekend; we look forward to seeing you there.
____________________________________________ Saturday 22nd June 12pm - Late Leweston Summer Fest Leweston School, Sherborne DT9 6EN.
Tickets available from lewestonenterprises.co.uk/summer-fest
____________________________________________
@EventsLeweston @lewestonevents
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 23
Shopping Guide
Thomas Hardy pocket books, Chapter House Books from £5
Winnie-the-Pooh’s Baby Book, Ginger & Pickle £12.99
A Farmer’s Diary, Winstone’s £14.99
Jolly Jester Book of Fun, Chapter House Books £3
Motoring & Hiking map, Chapter House Books £5
The Legends of Holly Tree, Chapter House Books £15
BOOK CLUB
Jenny Dickinson, Dear to Me Studio With such an active literary community here in Sherborne it's no surprise that the shelves of our shops are heavy with books, from the rare to the latest releases. deartomestudio.com 24 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Sidney, Stella and the Moon, Ginger & Pickle £12.99
Where Did They Go? Ginger & Pickle £10.99
Marion Deuchar’s Colour, Circus £20
More by Rankin Circus £84
Women of Dorset, Chapter House Books £4
Bloody Brilliant Women, Winstone’s £8.99
Thomas Hardy a Pictorial Guide, Chapter House Books £5 sherbornetimes.co.uk | 25
Wild Dorset
HOVERFLY HEROES Melanie Fermor, Dorset Wildlife Trust
W
e’ve probably all heard about the importance of bees for pollinating plants. These vital fuzzy flyers have received a lot of press in recent years but how many of us are aware of the hard work going on by our resident hoverflies? Imagine yourself lying in a meadow with the summer sun shining above and the hum of insects all around. The understated murmur of the hoverfly is part of the soundtrack to any British summer and the seemingly gravity-defying stillness of their flight is an endless source of fascination for children. Like the bees, these insects carry out essential pollination as pollen from one flower rubs onto their bodies when they feed on nectar and then rubs off inside the next flower visited, thus fertilising the plant and enabling it to produce fruit or seeds. Without these busy pollinators, our harvests would be in big trouble. Sadly, also like the bees, hoverflies are suffering from lack of habitat. Hoverflies love to live in wildflower habitats and we have lost 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 1930s. Thanks to habitat conservation efforts, Dorset is still a great place to see hoverflies. Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserves, such as Kingcombe Meadows and Fontmell Down to name but two, are fantastic places to take in the warmer season’s buzz. 26 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Image: Hamish Murray
Hoverflies come in a surprising array of shapes and colours and have some quirky habits to boot. The Heineken fly has an astonishingly long snout, which it uses not to dip in to your beer but to reach down into tubular flowers to suck up the nectar hidden inside. The impressively chunky hornet mimic hoverfly is 2cm long and has evolved to look like a hornet in order to keep it safe from predators. It can be distinguished by its larger eyes. This summer keep an eye out for these handsome garden visitors - and why not plant some pollinatorfriendly plants to get them buzzing in your garden? 220 species of hoverfly have been recorded in Dorset, making it one of the best places in Britain to see them! The vollucella bombylans hoverfly is one of the best bumblebee mimics and looks just like a bee at first glance. Sign up online to our Get Dorset Buzzing campaign, download a pack with wall planner, pollinator information book and collect your free wildflower seeds from one of our visitor centres in Dorset. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Friendly Gardening Competition. You can enter the competition if your garden is big or small. Entries close 31st May. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wfgc dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/gdb-signup
HUTS TO HUNKER DOWN IN plankbridge.com 01300 348414
Get Dorset Buzzing
Join our buzzing community by helping pollinators in your garden. Sign up for your FREE pack today: wtru.st/gdb3
Photos © Cat Bolado, Ken Dolbear, MBE, Tony Bates MBE & Katharine Davies.
SHERBORNE TIMES ADVERT half page April 2019.indd 1
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 2714:30 06/03/2019
Wild Dorset
Image: Sharandys
SHERBORNE DWT
O
Gillian M. Constable, Dorset Wildlife Trust Sherborne Group Committee Member
ur final indoor meeting before the summer break will possibly have us ducking in our seats and moving about for close-up views. Sharandys Birds of Prey, based in Chard, are attending the meeting to speak on The World of Raptors and 5 of their majestic birds of prey will also be making the journey to Sherborne. The meeting will be held in Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, on Wednesday 15th May and doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. As always non-members of DWT are most welcome. When Sharandys last visited, one bird swept silently about the hall and some members of the audience had the pleasure of holding one of the mighty beasts. Sharandys also care for incapacitated birds of prey; on the day I looked at their website they were reporting the progress of an underweight tawny owl. If you find a sick or injured bird of prey, contact Sharandys and they will arrange collection of the patient. 28 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Shortly after the talk we have our second field meeting of 2019. On Friday 24th May, from 2.15pm, we are visiting Travellers Rest Farm near Durweston. It is farmed by Dougal Hosford who has a particular interest in conservation. He is said to use his hedges as wildlife corridors and manages them in different ways, with some being trimmed biennially and some even triennially to suit the feeding/nesting of different species. Each autumn as I see our hedges being battered almost to death, I feel no surprise about the lack of birds when so much of their winter stores and protection have been destroyed. Dougal also has received awards for work with barn owls and lapwings. If you would like to join the visiting group, you can sign the list at the next meeting or contact the group secretary on 01935 814779. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
THE SEARCH FOR INCOME
Many of us invest to generate an income. But in a world of lower investment returns, how do you create the right long-term plan that balances your income needs with the risks you are prepared to take? The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested. For more information about investing for income, contact:
PETER HARDING WEALTH MANAGEMENT Principal Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management Email: peterhardingwm@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.peterhardingwm.co.uk 40 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8JG 9 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PU
Tel: 01747 855554 Tel: 01935 315315
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 Harding Wealth Management is a trading name of Peter Harding Practice Ltd. H2SJP25277 03/17
@elizabethwatsonillustrations
“It’s Uplifting” Tatler Schools Guide 2019
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
www.sherborneprep.org 30 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Do you have a spare room in your home? Are you caring, nurturing and supportive?
Become a Host Family for an international pupil at a local boarding school Attractive daily rates Occasional weekend and half terms only Contact Imogen to find out more on imogen@pippasguardians.co.uk or call 01684 252757
OPEN DOORS 6 May 10.00 12 June 10.00
www.pippasguardians.co.uk
R
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Thornford Primary School
We are creative A Co-educational Diamond Model School Flexi, weekly and full boarding Daily buses across Dorset and Somerset
Reception places available for September 2019 For more information or to arrange a private visit please contact the Headteacher, Mrs Neela Brooking on 01935 872706 or email office@thornford.dorset.sch.uk Ofsted “Outstanding”, SIAMS “Outstanding” School Games Gold Award
01963 211015 www.leweston.co.uk
Boot Lane, Thornford, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6QY www.thornford.dorset.sch.uk
NURSERY
PREP
SENIOR
SIXTH FORM
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 31
UNEARTHED Jack Clothier, Aged 13
The Gryphon School
J
ack has been a keen dancer since he was four years old, when his mother took him to a children’s ballet class. Though Jack loved dance, ballet wasn’t the style for him and so he took up street dancing, which he has been practising ever since. Jack’s talent has shone through and he works hard, practising between 4 and 6 hours every week. He trains twice a week at The Octagon Theatre in Yeovil and, on Saturdays, travels to Bournemouth to dance with Dance For All (DFA). He regularly competes both individually and in team competitions through the United Dance Organisation (UDO) and reached the semi-finals of the British Championships last year. He has qualified for the Six Nations and the European Championships previously but his most exciting competition to date is coming up in August, when he will compete at the World Championships in Blackpool. He not only qualified individually but also as part of a duo and with his dance crew, meaning he will be competing in three sections over the four-day competition. There are many aspects of street dance but body-popping and locking are Jack’s favourite styles. Despite his young age, Jack already sees his future career being in the dance industry. As well as continuing to dance competitively, he would like to become a dance teacher or even a judge like his idol Keiron Lai, who appeared on the TV series The Greatest Dancer. Roll on Blackpool! gryphon.dorset.sch.uk
KATHARINE DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY Portrait, lifestyle, PR and editorial commissions 07808 400083 info@katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk www.katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk
32 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Family
Children’s Book Review by Ethan, aged 10
The Umbrella Mouse by Anna Fargher, illustrated by Sam Usher, RRP £6.99 (Macmillan Children’s Books 2019) Ages 9-12
T
Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £5.99 from Winstone’s Books
he Umbrella Mouse is set in London and Germany during World War II. Pip is a small mouse who is orphaned when the umbrella shop where she and her family live is bombed. Pip sets out with one of the shop's umbrellas and joins a group of very brave animals called Noah’s Ark. They all have interesting back stories and are secretly helping to try and bring the war to an end. The animals want to prevent more lives being lost and
return to their homes. Pip is very courageous and dreams of finding her only remaining family. She meets a lot of different animals, all with unique abilities and personalities. She is good at working out which animals are the bad guys and which are good. The Umbrella Mouse is a very good book with lots of ups and downs. I was constantly sitting up in my chair with my heart thudding in my chest. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 33
Family
NO GLASTO TICKETS? NO PROBLEM! COUNTRY LIVING
I
Millie Neville-Jones
t’s that time of year again - getting ready for the festival season. Planning which festivals to go to, trying to organise a group of friends, making sure everyone has bought a ticket and then working out how you’re going to get there! Or, to get tickets for Glastonbury, having every laptop, tablet and phone in your house out and ready and all of the people you’re planning to go with in a huge group chat; everyone messaging, ‘Have you got through?’, ‘Where are you in the line?’ Once, in the attempt to get tickets, I walked out to one of the fields in our village which has great 4G signal - still unsuccessful. It can be a huge build-up only to find out on Twitter that they have sold out. It can seem like the end of the world as Glastonbury is made out to be the festival to go to. However, it is not the only festival in Somerset/ Dorset. There are so many more festivals where you can get covered in mud, queue for ages for the toilet, discover hidden literary/crafty/musical gems and have an incredibly memorable time with friends and family in a field. It turns out that there is an abundance of exciting festivals in and around Dorset ranging from music and literature to food and drink and agriculture - there is even a hat festival! Here is a list of smaller festivals around Dorset. • Larmer Tree Festival: 18th - 21st July 2019. A feelgood festival for all the family. • Melplash Show: 22nd August 2019. The Showground
34 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
at West Bay hosts one of the best agricultural shows by the sea, packed with traditional events and local food and drink. • Bournemouth Air Festival: 29th August – 1st September 2019. Award-winning free air show including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Red Arrows and pyrotechnic night flying. • Lyme Regis Folk Festival: 30th August – 1st September 2019. Featuring more than 30 acts, this is a beautiful, chilled festival by the sea. • Bridport Hat Festival: 7th September 2019. Don your best headgear for this quirky festival with lots of hat-themed events and their famous mass hat photo-op at Bucky Doo Square at 1pm. • Isle of Purbeck Walking Festival: 13th – 15th September 2019. Guided themed walks including fossils, art, trains, abandoned villages and dinosaur footprints. • Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival: 14th - 15th September 2019. The most scrumptious array of food and drink in the South West. With such a selection of quirky and eclectic festivals in the summer in and around Dorset, there is no excuse not to let your hair down and have a funky, fun time. There is a festival to suit everyone, all promising to be positive, enriching and memorable. It’s time to break out the festival-worthy clothes, the face glitter and the bumbags. Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather - just unsuitable clothes!
MENS SPRING SUMMER 2019
THE CIRCUS II THECIRCUSBOUTIQUE.COM 9:30 AM TO 5:00 PM 01935 816551 30 CHEAP STREET, SHERBORNE, DORSET DT9 3PU.
Family
‘SUNT LACRIMAE RERUM’* BUT VIRGIL CAN HELP…
Richard Pyman, Year 8 Tutor, Sherborne Prep
I
t is challenging sometimes, as parent or teacher, to present global events through a happy lens, hard to see the light among the insincerities of world politics and the misery of civil wars, hard to turn away from the swords of Damocles of nuclear conflict or environmental disaster. We all wish to be glad, but gladness can seem in short supply across the world. In such a context, it is more important than ever, surely, to accentuate the positive, to hold fast to that which is good, and to do all in our power to help children to see the beauty and opportunity lying ahead of them. In an environment like Sherborne, we have many blessings; it is easy to encourage and support in the spring sunshine in the shadow of the Abbey. For me, as for so many, values and loves were influenced by parents and teachers; an outdoor life and sport. However, what I recall most vividly from the years at the end of preparatory and the whole of senior school was literature, and classical literature in particular. My teaching hero was the gold standard: he was unimaginably well-read and brought a joy to every text, every day but, more than that, he was the most humane and compassionate person one could ever meet. When I came away from the commercial world and re-trained in London as a Classics teacher a few years ago, he inspired me again, so many years on, and now, a midget to such a giant of old, I seek in a small way to carry forward some of what he so brilliantly instilled. Latin offers students everything. They may have the satisfaction of puzzling out the syntax, winning the game of chess, and then applying that to reading Virgil and Horace. If the pluperfect passive is not for them, the stories of the Trojan War and the Foundation of Rome may be, and they resonate as powerfully as ever today. It 36 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
remains a superb fusion of the almost-Mathematical with the emotional and spiritual. And it thrives here in Sherborne, as one would expect. My first Saturday morning the September before last, I raced into my form room to retrieve my sports kit and found the wonderful Mr BB teaching Homer to young and old alike. Mr Payne is a world authority on Ovid; Mr Brooke is quoted several times in the Oxford Classical Dictionary, no less. I
Image: Elzbieta Sekowska/Shutterstock
could go on. Suffice to say that it is a privilege to try to inspire new generations of Classicists with such wisdom in the town. To return to where I began, Virgil’s Georgics are, to simplify unforgivably, a call to return to the proper life of the land after endless civil wars, to turn the straight swords of warfare to curved sickles and scythes. He bemoans the carrying on of ‘tot bella per orbem’, ‘so many wars throughout the world’ and proposes some
penitence and agricultural labour. And is that not an admirable message for us? In the face of the horrors in the world that we cannot change, may we celebrate the opportunity to work and the many beauties we do have, and encourage the next generation to embrace them. *famously untranslatable… ‘the world is full of tears’ sherborneprep.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 37
Family
THE ORIGIN OF THINGS Rebecca de Pelet, Head of English, Sherborne School
O
ne of the often-underrated joys of being a teacher is that you meet clever, interesting people: pupils obviously, parents too, but also other teachers. I have made friendships at Sherborne School which are amongst my strongest. One such teacher left a few years’ ago and I miss the way he used to pop his head round the door at the start and finish of most days, just to check if things were tickety boo. Amongst his many strengths as a schoolmaster was his ability to create tasks for boys which made them better writers and also taught them something important about 38 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
the world. One of my favourites concerns etymology. The exercise begins by presenting the origin of our town’s name: Scireburnan means ‘(place on) the clear stream’ from the Saxon scir ‘clear’ and burna ‘stream’. Pupils are asked to look up both the definition and derivation of ten words including boycott and quisling (if you’re interested, they derive from the names of Captain Charles Boycott, an Irish land agent, and Major Vidkun Quisling who ruled Norway during the Second World War on behalf of the German occupying forces). Pupils are then challenged to make links between their
Image: Gerdzhikov/iStock
answers and it always works a treat. ‘Clout’ it turns out is from the Old English clut meaning a piece of cloth for mending, a patch. And, of course, it forms part of one of our oldest proverbs which warns us to ‘Ne’er cast a clout ‘till May be out.’ Opinion differs as to whether the warning refers to when the month of May comes to a close or when the Hawthorn, or May Tree, stops flowering, but it is nonetheless a guide which is used by many countries including the French for April (which makes sense) and the Spanish for May (which doesn’t).
The weather often makes an appearance in the teaching of literature in the form of pathetic fallacy. Boys are quick to grasp that something wicked this way comes when the thin trees in the garden were lashing themselves along the railing as Mr. Utterson hurries to check if his beleaguered friend Dr. Jekyll is safe. They are well-versed in thunder and lightning preceding various forms of horror on screen and thus the notion of a literary device which sees the setting reflect a character’s emotional state is therefore accessible to them. Less so is the etymology of the phrase. For today’s pupils, ‘pathetic’ is a derogatory term and ‘fallacy’, one which has no echo at all. Should they explore the technique’s etymology and discover that the former term derives from the Greek pathetikos meaning sensitive and that the latter has its roots in the Latin fallere, to deceive, they might be forgiven for still being at a loss. And this is because its usage has changed. John Ruskin, in his third volume of Modern Painters, published in 1856, used the term as a criticism of those works of art which created extraordinary, or false appearances due to the viewer being under the influence of emotion or contemplative fancy. A bad thing then. He was determined to flag up any untrue quality in a work of art, insisting that a particular crocus was not gold but saffron in colour for example. Over time however, the description has become non-pejorative, indeed pretty much neutral, adrift from its birthplace. Whilst changes in use are to be welcomed as well as decried, it’s nonetheless important to know the origin of things. Knowing about the naming of where we live, or why we once wore a clout or how the definition of pathetic fallacy has changed matters. The teacher I mentioned at the start had an endearing habit of standing to watch and listen to the swifts when they returned each summer. Their annual calls remind me of him still. Birds are at their nosiest just now and every year the return of the dawn chorus brings me back to life and alleviates my increasing fear that we are heading for destruction. Cormac McCarthy’s increasingly prescient, post-apocalyptic novel The Road, presents a land devoid of birds, and one which cannot name such creatures either, for the world is shrinking down about a raw core of parsible entities…The sacred idiom shorn of its reference and so of its reality. Knowing a word’s past is a way of protecting its future. Conserving our language and its proverbs is sacred work. sherborne.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 39
Art
Rockpool Acrylic on paper
THE ART OF SKETCHING
G
Ali Cockrean, Artist
etting out in the fresh air and exploring our wonderful Dorset countryside and coast is one of the absolute joys of longer, warmer days. And for those with a penchant for art, slipping a pad of paper, a stick of charcoal and a few paints in a pocket is an extra bonus on a country ramble. When you talk about ‘sketching’ many people assume this means pencil drawing, however many artists turn to charcoal, ink or paint in order to create this visual shorthand. Sketches should be quick and simple. They should be minimal, without fussy detail. They should be gestural and raw. They should record ‘a moment in time’. The beauty of a good sketch is as much about the energy of the mark-making as the final image. There is a delicious urgency to capturing the essence of something while the light plays on it in a certain way or before its characteristics change forever. Historically, sketches have formed the visual equivalent of a notebook. Artists would annotate these preliminary works and use them as inspiration for a more polished final painting. However, it is often far more revealing and intriguing to delve into the artist’s sketchbook as sketches expose the workings of the artist’s mind, their inspiration and how their ideas develop. Sketches should be impulsive, the marks intuitive and unique to the artist creating them. Many budding artists are a little embarrassed to sit and sketch in public, however the marks made are so personal to their own 40 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
interpretation of what they’re seeing that nobody else is ever in a position to judge. The visual appeal of sketches is also pretty universal. I remember hearing a delightful story about a lady artist who was on a cruise. Every time the ship docked in a new port she would sightsee and record her visit by creating sketches as she went. This activity soon became known among her fellow passengers, who asked to see her work each evening over dinner. When she returned home, she calculated that she had paid for her entire cruise selling her sketches onboard! If sketching in public feels like a step too far, start by sketching objects around your home and flowers in the garden. Set yourself a time limit - I think 10 minutes is about right - to ensure you work quickly and only record the essential information. Charcoal is a great medium to use as you can rub out and adjust as you go without becoming too detailed. Personally, I love to sketch landscapes. I work in a variety of media, depending on what appeals to me that particular day. If I’m going out walking, I only take the minimum of equipment but I do often work with more than one medium at a time. Charcoal and watercolour or ink and watercolour are my current favourites. There are a few examples here. None of these took more than a few minutes to complete, so get out there and give it a go! alicockrean.co.uk
Cloud Charcoal and watercolour on paper
View of Hambledon Hill Ink and watercolour on paper
Rain on Distant Hills Watercolour on Bockingford paper
Dorset Lane Charcoal and watercolour on paper sherbornetimes.co.uk | 41
History OBJECT OF THE MONTH
THE LACE BOBBINS Elisabeth Bletsoe, Curator, Sherborne Museum
A
mong the many fine examples of lace held at the museum, including hairpin, Carrickmacross, coralline point, Richelieu cut-work and Schiffli or chemical lace, there are also the bobbin laces such as the Buckingham and Bedfordshire varieties. This is a form of weaving in which only the tops of the warp threads are anchored while being weighted at the bottom, allowing them to move in relation to each other to create the possibility of a huge range of different weaves and densities. It is worked on a special lace pillow as a base, with bobbins to both store and weight the threads and pins to guide them into their correct patterns. These lace bobbins are composed of bone, brass wire and glass ‘spangles’ and made on a treadle lathe to create the turned grooves above and below the collar and at the tail end. They also display patterns made from drilled holes which are stained with a mixture of pigment and gum Arabic, a technique known as piqué. The larger bobbin is 10.3cm long with a 15mm neck; the spangles are threaded on the brass wire and consist of eight paired beads in a mixture of round, bugle and square cut with one jet button fashioned into a rose. The smaller, 9.3cm with an 11mm neck, has eleven beads, the central one being large, round and amber-coloured. Spangles were introduced to prevent the bobbin rolling off the pillow on which the lace was made; sometimes they were roughened to increase their surface purchase and evidence of this can be seen on some of the beads on our bobbins. Cut glass beads were expensive and often lace-makers 42 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
would buy necklaces at country fairs and dismantle them to customise, which was much cheaper. Frequently the spangles would convey a symbolic meaning; the jet rose button and inclusion of other black beads might, for example, indicate bereavement or mourning. The shafts of both bobbins display the name ‘JOHN’ pricked out and stained red, perhaps the name of the lace-maker, or of a sweetheart or husband. The series of piqué dots on the other side which are arranged in particular patterns were also a form of code which were indicative of a family death, marital status, engagement, refusal, and the like. Furthermore, the colour of the pigments used, in our case black and red, often identified the maker. Tantalisingly, so far our researches have not yet unearthed the symbolic meaning, however the size of the bobbins and the presence of spangles appear to categorise them as the East Midlands type. They are aesthetically pleasing and feel warm to the touch, while their mystery adds to their very human appeal. Their donor was a Mary Louisa Ollett, née Holloway (b. 1889), originally from Camberwell, who seems to have retired to Dorchester with her husband, a former lecturer at Bristol University. Mary donated several bone items to the museum, such as fruit knives and a selection of C19th spoons and was possibly a hobby collector. The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10.30am – 4.30pm. Free admission, donations welcome. sherbornemuseum.co.uk
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History
UP THE BRISTOL ROAD
T
Cindy Chant
his month I want to explore that very ancient route leading north from The Green which, long ago, was always known as the Bath Road but which today we call the Bristol Road. In medieval times, Sherborne developed as a small village which lay on the lower slopes of the hillside north of the River Yeo. The town grew up on a river terrace that overlays the local limestone, known as Sherborne stone. Sherborne is built upon the upper beds of the inferior Oolite stone and the junction of these two beds lies somewhere a little north of the Abbey Church. I found it an enormous struggle to make a start on writing about the Bristol Road - the first mile or two leading north out of Sherborne is not exactly inspiring! However, there is something that is geologically of great and various interest about it, but more of this later. 44 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
The road peels off from the Green near to what was the Antelope Hotel. In 1748, this was an important coaching inn with stabling for 40 horses. Today this has all become smart apartments. At the junction with the traffic lights there is a wide green space to the left with some public seating. On this junction there used to be a row of thatched cottages, one of which was the ‘Terminus Inn’, popularly called ‘The Hole in the Wall’ – all sadly demolished in 1950. The red brick building next to this empty space used to be a glove factory. Gloving was an old industry in Sherborne, also in Milborne Port and in Yeovil, all three being recorded in Tudor times. Our road continues to gently climb north, past the entrance to Kings Road on the right, which had been ear-marked for the new railway line coming from Milborne Port through to Yeovil. In 1848, William Digby
unexpectedly died and his son, George, gave his permission to the railway company to alter the track through his Sherborne Park, thus creating the present route. Continuing its gentle climb north, the Bristol Road reaches ‘The Great Quarry’ that provided the stone for many of Sherborne’s buildings. Today called Quire Quarry, this site houses a bed of limestone called ‘inferior Oolite’, not because it is of an inferior quality, for Sherborne building stone is famous everywhere, but due to the rubbly nature of the stone. Nowadays the quarry is disused; it has been taken over by the Dorset Wildlife Trust and allowed to revert to nature. It has become a haven for wildlife with many butterflies, wild flowers and song birds. – well worth a visit. In front of this quarry is a public house previously known as ‘The Mermaid’ but now renamed ‘The Carpenters Arms’. Further up the road but on the opposite side is the Gryphon School, educating over 1600 senior children. Just behind the school is a small hillock and a clump of beech trees known as ‘Bedford’s Camp’. In 1642, during the English Civil War, the Marquis of Hertford and 600 men were holding the Old Castle for the King. About 7000 Roundhead soldiers and at least 700 horsemen camped here laying siege to the Old Castle, and for 16 days continued to shoot canon from Bedford’s Camp, causing the ruin that we see today. About another mile along the road, still climbing and travelling north, the road forks. A red signpost marks the parting of the ways. To the left is the route that follows through to Corton Denham, the Corton Gap and the Cadbury’s. Continuing straight ahead the road will soon bring one into Charlton Horethorne and Wincanton. There are many standard white signposts in Dorset but only four red posts, as I have mentioned in a previous article. This red post is regularly maintained in its bright red colour by Dorset County Council. This area could be the site of a gallows or gibbet. When asked, locals all say that the red posts were on land that has seen ‘sinister happenings.’ Along the road towards Charlton Horethorne and looking to the right, stretched out before your eyes is the view of the Poyntington and Oborne Valley. This so inspired Joseph Fowler that, in 1936, he wrote, ‘There is no scenery more beautiful in Sherborne than that of the Poyntington and Oborne Valley, and none that is more interesting geologically.’ So think of that when next time you are passing along this ancient route. Next month, I will start with my very own favourite old route out of Sherborne: south to Dorchester.
Free home visits specialist Neil Grenyer will be in the sherborne area on Thursday 30th May to value your antiques
CURTIS, WILLIAM The Botanical Magazine 1787-1993 BoUGht For £15,600
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Antiques
HOW DID YOU START COLLECTING?
I
Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers
realised, only very recently, that my house resembles our salerooms in Long Street. Not in an architectural way but in what it contains within its four walls. No great surprise you might think, as those of you who follow my jottings here every month will be aware of my passion for what I do. However, it was something of a surprise for me. I thought many people lived like I do but the reality is that most do not. Having worked in auctioneering since 1985 I have managed to accumulate many auction rejects over the decades. Mrs B occasionally points out there is no use at home for a three-legged chair and, being the good husband that I am, I take in what she has to say only to forget it shortly afterwards. However, I do like living in house which is ‘full’. I use speech marks here as I can generally find a spot in which to put a new purchase, although I do freely admit there is little wall space to hang pictures on and minimalism is not a word to be spoken at home. So, what gets other collectors collecting when they do not work in a saleroom environment to tempt them? More often than not, they can pin it down to a particular moment in time. Recently I was asked to visit a client near Poole. I had visited him a couple of times before and thought he would be having another sort out, but I was wrong. This time he was looking to have a clear out. The clear out was of his collection of Mason’s Patent Ironstone China. He has been an avid collector of Mason’s pottery for decades, amassing many items from this distinctive British pottery. Pieces were acquired in all shapes and sizes from jugs to jardinière stands and from plates to pots. Several hundred items were collected and put on display in his dining room in cabinets, on dressers, in drawers and even hung on the walls. As my Mother would say, it was a dusting nightmare, there was so much of it! After some discussion with his wife, he decided to sell the entire collection, with the exception of one plate. The plate itself is quite unremarkable when compared with some of the fine and rare pieces he had accumulated but it told the story of why he collected Mason’s Patent Ironstone China. He decided to keep this one plate because it was the first piece of Mason’s he saw and handled. Back in the 1950’s he was helping a family member volunteering in a shelter. As a young lad he was dispatched to work in the kitchen for general duties but, most especially, to do the washing up. Working through a pile of dirty plates, there was one decorated with a pattern which he fell in love with, a Mason’s Patent Ironstone China plate, and it was this that got him started collecting Mason’s. I can quite understand why he wishes to keep this one item from his collection. It has been with him for the past 65 years or so. He also recognises we are just custodians of what we amass, acquire and collect, and decided now is the time to let others enjoy the pottery from his collection. I wonder whether it will inspire new collectors to collect this classic pottery. The collection of Mason’s Ironstone will be sold in Charterhouse’s two-day auction on 16th & 17th May. charterhouse-auction.com
46 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
A Mason’s Patent Ironstone China jug from the collection sherbornetimes.co.uk | 47
CHARTERHOUSE Au ctioneers & Valu ers We are now accepting entries for our forthcoming auctions: Silver, Jewellery & Watches Thursday 17th May Beswick, Wine, Port & Whisky Friday 18th May Classic & Vintage Motorcycles Saturday 1st June Medals, Militaria, Coins & Stamps Thursday 20th June Model Cars, Trains, Dolls, other Toys & Collector’s Items Friday 21st June Classic & Vintage Cars Sunday 23rd June
Norton International 30M ÂŁ18,000-22,000
Contact Richard Bromell for advice and to arrange a home visit The Long Street Salerooms Sherborne DT9 3BS 01935 812277 www.charterhouse-auction.com
Crafting quality timber buildings and gates since 1912 Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7LH Tel: (01963) 440414 | Email: info@sparkford.com | @sparkfordtimber | www.sparkford.com 48 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
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Architecture
CREATIVITY
IT ONLY HAPPENS AT THE CONCEPT STAGE, RIGHT? Andy Foster, Director, Raise Architects Image: Diignat/Shutterstock
P
opular culture tends to rely on a few stereotypical images of architects. There is the architect as hero and master of everything and everyone in his domain (it’s usually a man). There is the lone genius, sketching away late at night under the light of a single desk lamp. Then there is the client-architect, meetings taking place over a restaurant meal at which an amazing edifice is cooked up on a paper napkin. These images tend to reinforce the idea that the 50 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
creative part of any project happens right at the beginning. Architects can be guilty of perpetuating this myth when they present their ‘early’ free-hand concept sketch as the thing that led inevitably to the final solution. Spoiler alert: the reason these sketches seem to perfectly capture the design is because they’re often produced after the design has been developed! It is true that architects are excited by the prospect of a new project and a design that is yet to emerge.
It is also true that, occasionally, the chosen solution emerges very quickly, leading to the conclusion that the architect must therefore be brilliant, as opposed to just plain lucky. However, most projects are a complex mix of interactions between the aspirations of the personalities involved, the brief, the context of the site or existing building and a range of external influences that are particular to the project. This often means that the development of a design takes place over an extended period and involves many more people than those popular images would have you believe. There will also be a host of unforeseen obstacles and setbacks that will need to be overcome as the design process unfolds. In reality, opportunities for creativity exist throughout a project. Here are four short accounts of some everyday recent examples. Planning officer’s design idea
A planning officer confirmed that they were happy in principle with a proposed new house design but felt some tweaks should be made to the roof. They suggested that a certain gabled roof should become a hipped roof. The design was relatively simple and we felt that the various gables provided the design with some understated elegance. It would have been very easy to be dismissive of the officer’s suggestion but we drew it and we thought about it. We still didn’t want to adopt their hipped solution but it led to us having ideas about other improvements. We responded with drawings of the planning officer’s idea and also our preferred improvements that their idea had led us to. They agreed with us. You could call this negotiation but I would argue that all successful negotiations involve some creativity. Speeding up a tender process
As a result of delays through planning, there was not enough time left to complete the technical design of a project and competitively tender it before the client’s preferred start-on-site date, so we agreed to tender the project based on 80% of the information with stated omissions. While the project was out to tender, we carried on working to complete the documentation and then negotiated the cost of the omissions with the preferred builder while they were still in a competitive situation. You could call this expediency but I would argue that successfully amending a standard process involving numerous other people involves some creativity.
Staircase price
We designed a contemporary staircase with steel stringers, oak-faced open treads and frameless glass balustrades. The prices from specialist staircase companies were in the region of £15,000, which was way over budget, so we re-designed it such that each of the components could be supplied and installed separately. The steel was from a local fabricator, the treads were made by the builder’s talented joiner and the glass was from a specialist supplier. The resulting staircase was just as good but the price was in the region of £6,000. You could call this a cost-cutting exercise but I would argue that to maintain design quality and reduce cost involves some creativity. Architecture student question
Millie, our new architectural assistant, asked how an architect designs for other people. As a student she had designed plenty of buildings but always on the basis of what she wanted and not what someone else wanted. I said that different architects would have different answers to this question. In my opinion, clients implicitly ask two contradictory things of their architect. They want their architect to do precisely what they’ve asked for but they also want to be delighted by something that they hadn’t thought of. A successful approach addresses both of these aspirations. I then went on to describe several real-life projects where this had clearly happened. You could call this story-telling but I would argue that good storytelling involves some creativity. The purpose of this article is not just to demonstrate ways in which architects continue to be creative throughout the design process. It’s also to demonstrate that creative opportunities exist for everyone; identifying them is just a matter of shifting your perspective. You may not be an architect or a designer or a worker in the so called ‘creative industries’. Your role may not require you to draw or design or create new things. But this does not mean that you are not, or cannot be, creative. Creativity is a choice open to all of us, in everything that we do, at any time. We can choose to do something in a conventional, ordinary way or we can use the inherent creativity we all possess and choose to do it beautifully. ‘None of us know what will happen. Don’t spend time worrying about it. Make the most beautiful thing you can. Try to do that every day. That’s it.’ (Laurie Anderson quoted in Keep Going by Austin Kleon) sherborne@raisearchitects.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 51
@elizabethwatsonillustrations 52 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
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A COMFORT BLANKET COLOUR Suzy Newton, Partners In Design
‘In home design in particular, we’re most mindful of how that colour will play into the home, looking at what it will make people feel like ‘when’ and ‘if’ they choose to use that colour.’ Leutrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Colour Institute on ‘Living Coral’
F
or 20 years, Pantone’s colour of the year has influenced fashion, home furnishings, graphic design, make-up etc. To arrive at the selection each year, Pantone combs the world looking for influences from the entertainment industry, new artists, fashion and travel destinations along with economic conditions, social media and sporting events. Pantone got its start in 1963 when founder Lawrence Herbert created a system for identifying, matching and communicating colours for consistency across the print and textile design industries. This year the colour is ‘Living Coral’, chosen because it represents optimism and joyful pursuits. It’s a nurturing colour that appears in our natural surroundings while, at the same time, displaying itself as vibrant and spirited. Living Coral is a great way to give warmth and brighten up a room without going too bold. It’s a beautiful orange with a pink glow, however the perfect coral for your home may be warmer or softer. But is it a colour that will suit every style? If you currently have a room of pale greys, then Living Coral is your new best friend. Instantly energise the space by adding pops of colour with throws, cushions and artwork to make things interesting. For more drama, combine Living Coral with a deep charcoal grey. This rich combination will look good in modern or traditional settings and, by using lots of textures, it can be energising. Or tone it down ever so slightly by pairing with a sharp, navy blue – beautiful complementary colours. The blue family make the corals pop like a blue sky with a sunset. A bold option would be to go monochromatic, meaning a colour palette that shares similar colours on the colour wheel. Monochromatic colour schemes are derived from a single base hue and extended using its shades and tones. So, with coral you would go all out and pair with pinks, orange and red. Changing the tones and textures of all these colours will give you a warm, rich palette. Modern and retro at the same time! Don’t imagine it’s just for the summer season; it can also be an introduction to terracotta and earth tones, coordinating beautifully with other colours in that family and making a scheme that is warm and inviting - fabulous for chilly wintery evenings in. With the current unpredictable weather, it certainly is a versatile, inviting colour come rain or shine! partners-in-design.co.uk
56 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
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Thibaut
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nimal prints have often been thought of as a tacky 1980’s fad but, wow, have things changed! Animal prints have made a huge comeback and are now very much featured in some of the most chic homes in the world. Mix and match some animal print alongside your existing interiors and don’t be afraid to team them with more traditional designs. The trick behind mixing patterns is to unite them with a colour and keep the print small enough to enjoy but not large enough to take over. If you are not sure about mixing and matching, just go slowly and buy one piece at a time - perhaps a statement lampshade, cushion, or a throw on a sofa. Throws and cushions add a layer of texture and pattern to an otherwise neutral room, and animal prints mix particularly well with other bold patterns such as stripes to create an unexpected effect. Upholster a chair or footstool in a leopard or tiger print fabric for a statement piece and rejuvenate an old favourite piece of furniture. This way the pattern becomes part of the story in the room rather than the entire focus. The patterns are also very forgiving as they hide spills and marks well! If you want to be bolder, try a coloured animal print such as an electric blue, bright red or muted green rather than the natural colour; this will add a more modern feel. A bold stair runner can add a real focal point to a neutral and dull hallway and adds a touch of glamour without overwhelming the space. Animal print wallpapers create a beautiful feature wall or, if you prefer something more subtle, there are many animal print designs in faded and neutral colours for a less ‘in-your-face’ look. There are also lots of beautiful trimmings featuring leopard and zebra prints for example, which can be used down the leading edge of a plain curtain or bottom of a blind to give an exotic touch. They can also be used as borders on upholstery or on the gusset of window seat cushions where they look particularly effective. Furs and skins are another way to introduce animal prints to your home. Sheepskin rugs on benches and chairs rather than the floor add a layer of warmth and cosiness, and cow hides look amazing when used in upholstery. How about trying to jazz up your office space with a cow hide desk chair? Cowhides can also be dyed in different colours and have metallic paint added for a luxurious touch. Even the most timid amongst us can benefit from being a bit wild at times, in life and in interiors!
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Minterne Spring Fair In aid of the RNLI and St Andrew’s Church
Sunday 12 May 2019, 11am–4.30pm Punch & Judy Show, Dog Show - Guest Judge: Kate Adie CBE DL, Craft and Food Stalls, Cream Teas, RNLI Souvenirs, Classic Car Display, Longbow Demonstration by World Champion and much more. 27 Acres of fabulous gardens as featured on BBC Gardeners’ World Entry: Adults £5, Children under 16 free A great day out for all the family Minterne Gardens, Minterne Magna, DT2 7AU On the A352 – 2 miles north of Cerne Abbas
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Arthur’s Garden by Pam Rhodes Saturday May 25, 7-9pm A collection of garden writing and poetry
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Monday 27 - Friday 31 May Pot up your own daisy plant to grow at home.
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Gardening
THE ONLY WAY IS UP Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group
66 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
W
ith the average size of a garden decreasing and many gardens filled to the edges already, it can be challenging to know how to create extra colour, texture and interest. A great solution is to utilise the height of your outdoor space by using fences, walls and even other plants to grow climbing plants. The beauty of such plants is that they take up relatively little floor space and with such a wide variety on offer - flowers, foliage and fruit or seed heads - they bring instant interest into the garden. Some climb by attaching themselves to the support structure using ‘suckers’, some twine themselves through with their growing shoot, others twist side shoots and tendrils in order to cling on while some simply lean and hope for the best! I often choose plants for their foliage first but when it comes to climbers the flowers are what attract me most and it’s possible to have blooms just about all year round. In late winter some of the clematis are in fine form, such as a variety known as Freckles which has a cream, nodding, bell-like flower adorned with terracotta freckles, hence its name. The foliage is ferny and they are remarkably robust, growing quite happily on a sheltered east or north wall. When Freckles goes over, so the alpine clematis with larger nodding flowers of blues, pinks and whites take over. A favourite of mine is Clematis Francis Rivis with sky-blue blooms followed by showy seed heads which are also of interest. As spring progresses so the honeysuckles start to do their thing and one variety that is disease-free is Lonicera japonica repens, with clean evergreen foliage and purple young growths. The flowers come in May or June and are purple, cream and yellow with a fabulous scent. The flowers continue throughout the summer and right into the early autumn. For unadulterated flower, there is nothing to beat the Jasmine officinale with white, highly fragrant blooms. Look out for the variety ‘Inverleith’ with red buds or, for something extra, the golden foliage of the variety ‘Fiona’. If scent and Jasmine are your thing then look out for the evergreen Tracheospermum (Ryncospermum) jasminoides. It prefers slightly more acidic soils than most of us have but can be kept happy by regular feeding. The scent is just glorious, and with the foliage for the rest of the year colouring up nicely in the autumn, it’s a real winner. Further summer colour can be had with the large-flowered clematis, of which there is a huge selection. Nelly Moser is an old favourite with its dark pink stripe through a lighter pink flower and large blooms. Also keep an eye out for Rhapsody with fragrant deep blue flowers. These can also be planted underneath shrubs which they’ll then use as a climbing frame. Autumn flowers can be hard to find but the late flowering Orange Peel Clematis tangutica is very attractive. The nodding orange yellow blooms are followed by long-lasting seed heads as autumn approaches and winter Jasmine’s yellow flowers help give hope that all is not lost during the depths of the winter. The climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) will also flower in the summer and the skeleton of those blooms will hold on to the plant through the winter. Great for a north wall, there is also an evergreen variety Hydrangea seemanii which flowers in a very similar way. So in these uncertain times, for me in the garden, the only way is up. Image: Antonio Gravante/Shutterstock
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68 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
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Gardening
70 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
DIARY OF A FIRST-TIME FLOWER FARMER Paul Stickland, Black Shed Flowers
W
hat’s not to love about tulips? I’m not talking about the little bunches that you get in the supermarkets, I’m talking about proper, field-grown tulips: long stems and lavish bowls of lush colour, big enough to bury your face in, and a beautiful scent to drink in, sometimes honey, perhaps citrus, even peppery. So welcome after the flush of Narcissus, the colour of tulips offers a taster of the rich palette that we’ll enjoy for the rest of the flower season. I’m always startled by so much colour so early. The spring palette is usually far more gentle: cherry blossom in whites and soft pinks, blackthorn in the hedges, pristine white wood anemones carpeting our woodland beneath fresh unfurling lime leaves and joining the haze of the first flush of bluebells. It’s a gentle symphony of colour. Then come the tulips. This is another sort of excitement altogether. From the moment the first leaves break cover, the first noses push through the soil, this is where the gardening year’s fun really starts for me. We have our own native wild tulip, the elegant and subtle yellow Tulipa sylvestris, a diminutive beauty which joins its cousins such as tarda and turkestanica. However, add in the exotic red species from the Mediterranean, Asia Minor and the Caucasus and you have the basis for the countless exotically-hued hybrids that we enjoy today. Tulips have fascinated us since they were first introduced in the 17th century, leading to the tulip mania that swept Europe and particularly Holland. Fortunes were made and lost investing in unique flamed and feathered hybrid forms. There was a magic in these extraordinary beasts; they were the darling of the Flemish Masters whose exquisite paintings still influence floral design today. It was only in the 1930s that the cause for these forms was found to be tulipbreaking virus which, whilst not affecting the vigour of the plants, caused the rash of extraordinary forms that we see today.
New forms are constantly being bred and thus we have the almost bewildering array of colours and shapes available now. The arrival of the tulip catalogues presents a bit of a dilemma for us: which ones to go for each year? Whilst we have our firm favourites, fashion, as in all else, holds sway and trying to cater for the needs of our florists needs careful research. Last year La Belle Epoque was everywhere and hugely in demand: a subtle confection of pearly peach, cream and beige, she sports luscious, full, double blooms, destined to grace many a bridal bouquet. This year she is still in huge demand and we sold ours before they even opened. We don’t grow any of the coarse-coloured single forms that you see so ubiquitously in the supermarkets; we couldn’t compete with their price and neither would we wish too. Supermarket tulips are grown hydroponically in vast factories. Countless millions of bulbs are grown in countless millions of plastic trays, bathed in chemicals and subjected to chilling and heat in order to meet the supermarket’s demands for cheap, throw-away colour. Our tulips and those of the growing legion of British growers are of another order altogether. Glorious, strong, tall stems, often richly coloured, support huge bowls of colour. Just five in a vase is a major statement; try fifty and you have a show-stopper of a display. We had a call a couple of weeks ago from a lady in Australia who wanted something really spectacular for her sister’s 50th birthday. Could we help? Did we have any tulips? Oh yes! Fifty fantastic creamy Purissima tulips backed by the silvery grey scrolls of our trademark Cardoon leaves made for an amazing display. At 70cm tall, the tulips made this huge bouquet truly awesome. Even getting it into the van was a struggle but it was completely worth it for the look of astonishment that greeted me when I delivered them to the recipient! blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk instagram.com/paulstickland_
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72 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
GORE FARM Words Jo Denbury Photography Katharine Davies
F
oot-and-mouth had just devastated the dairy industry. For the third-generation farmer at Gore Farm in Trent, things weren’t looking too rosy. Despite hoping the fourth generation might take on the farm, it didn’t seem as if they would. So, in 2004, Stuart and Tessa Casely diversified. It still hurts Stuart to talk about it. ‘We felt it was time for a fresh challenge,’ he explains. ‘We had the idea of launching an educational centre on the 400acre beef and arable farm. I presented the idea to the Ernest Cook Trust, they got behind it and, before we knew it, we were up and running.’ We’re standing in their farmyard, on the brow of a hill that overlooks the Somerset Levels. In the distance Glastonbury Tor looms out of the mist and beyond we can just make out the dark mass of the Quantocks. >
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At least 5,000 children pass through the gates of Gore Farm each year. ‘Some of them visit more than six times during their school life,’ says Stuart. As I arrive, a party of juniors is being herded back into a coach, all waving Tessa and Stuart a hearty ‘Goodbye’. Tessa’s ‘Three Musketeers’ – her favoured cockerels – are heralding their departure amidst the happy hubbub. They have spent the day learning about chicks and how eggs hatch. They have also fed animals and toured the farm on the trailer (bought with the winnings from the Casely’s second prize in the prestigious 2005 Purdey Award for Game and Conservation). ‘This is very much a working farm, not a petting farm,’ says Tessa, ‘so the children get a hands-on experience of what we do while they learn.’ Stuart continues, ‘That was always our aim - to work with the children and give them a hands-on experience. There are no school bells here or demands on their time; we want them to experience fully what life on a farm is like.’ Tessa adds, ‘Part of our mission is to explain where food comes from, to respect the work that goes into producing it and to appreciate the food itself.’ Stuart continues. ‘For example, we might help the children choose a calf, weigh it, feed it and give it ear tags; or perhaps monitor a field or a tree for a year and
note all the changes that it goes through.’ He explains how they also work with the teachers. ‘They can come and see what we do beforehand and we can tailor the visit to their needs. We run the sessions together and the teachers enjoy the day as well.’ Rather than let the old dairy and calving sheds go to disuse, Stuart has turned them into a cosy classroom. The seats are straw-bales and there is plenty for the children to touch and see. ‘I once had a class in here with a little lad who wouldn’t touch an animal,’ says Stuart. ‘He didn’t join in. I had a pheasant under my arm and I was passing it around for the children to stroke but he wouldn’t. I didn’t push it. We carried on talking about the animals for a while and then the magic started. I came around again with the pheasant and the boy reached out and stroked it. His teacher couldn’t believe it.’ ‘Another time, we had a very poorly girl, so poorly that the air ambulance was on standby,’ remembers Tessa. ‘She was in a wheelchair but just wanted to be treated the same way as the other children. She spent the whole day with us around the farm; we even took her down to our wood. At the end of the day the girl’s mother thanked me - I hadn’t realised that she was here with the teachers – and said that her daughter had had > sherbornetimes.co.uk | 75
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78 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
a great time. It was very moving to see because she really was a poorly little girl.’ Talking to Tessa and Stuart it’s clear they are passionate about what they do, but I wonder how the children feel when they discover that most of the animals they meet and tend to are destined to be food. ‘We are clear at the outset that this is a working farm,’ says Tessa. ‘I ask the children, “Why do we have a farm?” and they say, “Because you love animals”. Then I say something like, “Do you eat spaghetti Bolognese?” And they all say, “Yes”. I explain then that it is made of meat that comes from cows. At first many say, “Yuk!” but gradually they understand that, whilst we care for and love the animals, they also provide food for us.’ Seasonality is another thing that the Caselys are keen to teach the visiting children. They explain the importance of sun and rain in keeping nature going and the effect of drought or flooding on the farm. The wood at one end of the farm was awarded the designation of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) seven years ago and is home to a forest school where the children build camps. Angela Webb has joined part-time to run the forest school and Stuart takes children down there for den building. ‘I’ll divide the group into four teams - North, South, East and West - and let them
get on with it. I might give each team a tarpaulin and then say that it’s going to be wet or dry and ask them to think how they would use it. For example, is it to collect water or keep them dry? The teachers are sometimes uncertain about particular groups working together but the purpose is to show that we can all work together.’ There’s no doubt that allowing this access on the farm is hard work. Tessa and Stuart are up early every morning and get the farming out of the way before the children arrive. But the sparkle in Stuart’s eye when he talks to the children about farming makes it very clear he is enjoying every moment of it and is thankful to the Ernest Cook Trust for the funding that has allowed the farm to diversify and keep the land in the family. ‘We have got so much out of it,’ says Stuart, ‘and it helps with running a livestock farm.’ Then, as the Three Musketeers herald another arrival, he pauses and together we wonder if, in fact, he has inspired any children to follow a similar path. Maybe one day a future farmer will credit their career choice to an afternoon spent with Stuart and Tessa. Thank you to the Reception pupils, teachers and volunteers at Trent Young's CE School ernestcooktrust.org.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 79
@elizabethwatsonillustrations 80 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
ENJOY COCKTAILS & SMALL PLATES IN OUR GARDEN THIS SUMMER
The Eastbury, Long Street, Sherborne, DT9 3BY Tel: 01935 813131 www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk
Food and Drink
THE CAKE WHISPERER Val Stones
CIDER FRUIT CAKE
Image: Katharine Davies 82 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
U
ntil I came to Somerset almost 40 years ago I had not thought to use cider in baking and cooking recipes. In Yorkshire, cider was considered a drink to have in summer. It was only when we moved here that we realised how important and versatile cider is and how many varieties of cider there are. Over the years I have used cider in bakes and main meals. It took a while before I put it into fruit cake but now it is a regular favourite. I often make fruit cake with presoaked dried fruit using port or brandy, which works well for a celebration cake such as Christmas or a wedding cake. I decided to pre-soak the fruit in cider for my fruit cake and it worked really well. The cider makes the fruit plump as it is absorbed and the aroma of the soaking fruit is delicious. I’m not fond of putting orange peel in cakes but instead add the zest and juice of an orange to the soaking fruit plus more zest combined into the cake mixture. In this recipe I’m using Somerset Sheppy’s cider because I always like to support local producers. Wherever you live you can look out for your local producers. I like to make the cake in a loaf tin as it cuts nicely into slices for packed lunches but it also makes an excellent round cake for afternoon teas or a celebration cake. What you will need
2 x 1lb loaf tins or a 2lb loaf tin or a 15-18cm round cake tin. Line and grease the cake tin (I buy greaseproof cake liners which save a lot of time). A large microwaveable bowl if you are using the microwave method, or a large pan if you are going to boil the ingredients. Ingredients
400ml cider, sweet or dry, for soaking the fruit Juice and zest of an unwaxed orange 300g mixed dried fruit (I use equal quantities of sultanas, raisins and currants) 100g light soft brown sugar 100g unsalted butter/Stork tub margarine 2 tablespoons of Calvados, or whisky or brandy (optional) 2 medium eggs, lightly beaten Zest of half an orange 1 rounded teaspoon of mixed spice ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 200g self-raising flour, sifted 50g glacé cherries, chopped into quarters 2 tablespoons of apricot jam warmed to glaze the cake
Method
1 Place all the dried fruits, except for the glacé cherries, in a bowl and pour on the cider, juice and zest of an orange. Stir the fruit to ensure it is all soaked. 2 Cover with a clean tea towel and leave overnight to soak. 3 The next day, place the fruit, sugar, margarine/butter in a microwaveable bowl and set the microwave to medium. 4 Microwave for 5 minutes and then stir well to combine all the ingredients. 5 Repeat this twice more until the mixture is bubbling. If you wish you can bring these ingredients to the boil in a large pan and simmer for 15 -20 minutes. 6 Remove from the heat and stir in the 2 tablespoons of alcohol. Allow the fruit mixture to cool. 7 Set the oven at 150C fan assisted, 300F, gas mark 2 8 When the fruit mixture is cool, add the beaten egg, zest, spices and vanilla extract and combine well. 9 Fold in the flour and lastly fold in the chopped cherries. 10 Turn the mixture into the baking tin of your choice. 11 Bake for 1½ hours. Check after 1 hour by placing a skewer into the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is baked. The cake should be golden and firm to touch. 12 Brush the top of the cake with the warmed apricot jam. 13 Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes and then place on a wire rack to cool completely. 14 When cool, store in an airtight container. This cake is best left for 2-3 days to mature before eating, or you can freeze for up to one month. Val Stones: The Cake Whisperer is available now from bakerval.com @valcake.walks sherbornetimes.co.uk | 83
Food and Drink
A MONTH ON THE PIG FARM James Hull, The Rusty Pig Company
I
t's 5.15am; its dark outside and still. I’m up especially early as I must write this; it’s late! Spring is springing, my favourite time of year. Buds are bursting open, birds are singing, there are new flowers in the hedgerows every week and hope returns to my soul. At the time of writing, the bluebells are just about to fill the woodlands with a dazzling display. It’s light both ends of the day when we feed the pigs now. The mornings are often so beautiful, a still mist lying like a sea below us in the valley. The pigs are sometimes up before we feed them, foraging out in their paddocks; they too love the spring. The mud is receding at a fast pace. We still have wet times but the long days dry them out again; the spring winds can dry the soil out in a matter of hours. We don’t use many medicines with our pigs, only when absolutely necessary. Luckily, as our pigs are outside and farmed on an extensive system, we have 84 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
fewer problems than larger units, especially indoor pig units where disease can rampage through the whole farm in next to no time. When we do have to inject a pig with antibiotics, it’s always an ordeal, especially when the dreaded mud is present. Pig hurdles have to be carried into the relevant paddock: these are much heavier than the sheep hurdles many will have seen, fully sheeted to stop a pig putting his snout through and tossing them up in the air like a piece of bread. After much puffing and panting the hurdles are joined together in an open circle so that the pigs can stream in with the promise of food. This part always works well because pigs love food, unless of course they are ill. Then they stay at the back, not entering the pen where their 30-odd siblings are happily hoovering up the food. The worst thing you can do is make eye contact with said pig: he knows instantly that something is afoot. He retreats at
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a healthy speed for a poorly animal. We have to give up then and try again the next feeding time - sometimes it’s even the time after that before he limps in to the pen. At that point I have to hurdle over the pen, run round at top speed, drag the opening shut and, with a lot of puffing, secure the hurdles together. Now we have him, plus all the others. You can’t catch a pig unless they are small; when bigger, they are something akin to a 100kg bar of soap with legs and a strength that is far from proportionate to their size. Cornering with hurdles is the only option. This has to be done by carefully letting the others out without losing the one you want, using a board and directing the healthy ones away with the promise of more food. By now the one you want is putting on an amazing show of having nothing wrong with it at all, screaming like only a captured pig can. I steel myself and jab him as fast as possible. Instantly the noise stops, we let him out. Charlotte is chief carrier at these times, working like a well-trained assistant, holding bottle and syringe, needles and colour marker spray so we know which one we have just wrestled with. All of our spare time at the moment is being used to create our new garden. It’s taking shape: paths are all in and filled with stone, we have a hedge to plant all the way round and a fence to stop all unwanted visitors. Seeds are purchased and planting is about to begin. We can’t wait to see things emerging from the soil. This has been a long project and hopefully will provide us and others with a bountiful harvest. Which brings me neatly to Open Farm Sunday. This is a national farming event run by LEAF, when farms across the country open their gates to the general public so that people can connect with what farmers do and see how food is produced. It is usually free to attend. This will be our second year taking part. You will be able to visit the pigs in their surroundings on a trailer ride, enjoy our new garden with its amazing views, taste our scrumptious hog roast, sit on straw bales and listen to a local band playing while enjoying a pint of cider from Ben at Twisted Cider. Last year the sun shone and we had an amazing day, so please come if you can. We look forward to welcoming as many of our readers as possible.
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ETHIOPIA YIRGACHEFFE ARAMO A wonderful example of the unique flavour notes synonymous with the Yirgacheffe district. A deliciously rich, well balanced brew.
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Open Farm Sunday will take place on Sunday 9th June at Lavender Keepers, Great Pitt Lane, Sandford Orcas, Sherborne DT9 4FG. Telephone 07802 443905 for details. therustrypigcompany.co.uk
Free delivery in Sherborne call 01935 481010
COFFEE BREAK Kafe Fontana
82 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3BJ @kafefontana kafefontana 01935 812180 kafefontana.co.uk
Old School Gallery
Boyle’s Old School, High Street, Yetminster, DT9 6LF @yetminstergalle 01935 872761 yetminstergallery.co.uk
The Three Wishes
78 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3BJ 01935 817777 thethreewishes.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 85
Image: Clint Randall
Food and Drink
GURNARD CASSEROLE
WITH ASPARAGUS, SPRING VEGETABLES, POACHED QUAIL’S EGGS AND TARRAGON Sasha Matkevich & Jack Smith, The Green Restaurant
G
urnard is a sustainable local fish which has a wonderful flavour and meaty texture, making it perfect for fish casserole.
Ingredients Serves 4
200g asparagus 80g baby turnips, peeled and trimmed 80g baby carrots, peeled and trimmed 80g broad beans, shelled 80g fresh peas 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 40g smoked pancetta, finely sliced 3 spring onions, finely chopped 200ml chicken stock Cornish sea salt and white pepper 150g butter 4 gurnard fillets, skinned (minimum 130g each) 4 heads of baby cos lettuce, sliced into strips 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 12 quail’s eggs 1 tbsp basil leaves 1 tbsp tarragon leaves
Method
1 Cut the turnips and carrots in half, trim the asparagus and slice. 2 Blanch all the vegetables separately in salted boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Refresh in iced water and drain. 3 Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a pan and gently sauté the pancetta with the spring onions for 2-3 minutes. 4 Add the vegetables, chicken stock and seasoning. 5 In a large sauté pan, heat 20g of butter with 1 tbsp of olive oil. Season the gurnard fillets with salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and slice each fillet into four pieces, then transfer them to the pan containing stock and vegetables. Cook over a medium heat for another 4-5 minutes. 6 Add the lettuce and whisk in the remaining butter. 7 Bring a pan of water to a gentle simmer and add the white wine vinegar. Crack the quail’s eggs into the water and poach for 30 seconds. Then remove them with a slotted spoon and set aside. 8 Divide the vegetables and sauce into four warm soup bowls. Place gurnard pieces on top and arrange 3 quail’s eggs in each. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and decorate with tarragon and basil leaves. greenrestaurant.co.uk
86 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
VISIT US ON
Fun for all the family 9th June 11am - 4pm
Trailer rides, Cider bar, Live music Meet the Tamworth pigs Beautiful surroundings BBQ and tasty samples See our new garden The Rusty Pig Company, Sandford Orcas, Sherborne See more at www.therustypigcompany.co.uk
MAY 2019 | FREE
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Food and Drink
RHONE David Copp
T
he Rhone rises in Switzerland before heading for Lyon and making a decisive left turn towards the Mediterranean. Before motorised transport, it was one of the main trade arteries of western Europe, meeting the Saone at Lyon which linked with the Seine by canal. It is a huge viticultural region, extending 125 miles along the river between Vienne and Avignon with probably the oldest vineyards in France, established by the Romans after their conquest of Gaul. It divides naturally into two parts known as Northern Rhone and Southern Rhone. The northern half is much smaller, clinging to the perilously steep vineyards on the west bank of the river opposite Ampuis where the angle of incline is 60°. It is noted for small quantities of very fine red wine mostly made from syrah. Known as Côte Rôtie, the ‘roasted’ slopes, because they are exposed to the sun all day, the granite rock soils retain the heat. When I first visited Ampuis to meet fellow wine judge and rugby enthusiast René Rostaing, he ran up the slopes of his vineyard like a mountain goat on a promise, while I puffed and panted behind. René started making wine as a hobby on a small plot of inherited land and considered himself lucky to get 5 euros a bottle for his wine, despite all his loving care and attention. He earned his living from practising law. However, in the 1980s, the influential American wine critic Robert Parker came to visit René’s famous 88 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
neighbour, Marcel Guigal. Having tasted his sumptuous, velvety, single vineyard wines matured in oak for 42 months, Parker described them as being the nearest thing he had tasted to Romanée Conti. Vineyards such as La Mouline, La Landonne and La Turque produce some of the world’s most expensive wines. René Rostaing’s five hectares benefitted from such welcome publicity and he was able to give his daughter the kind of wedding for which she had hoped. The climate is continental - warm summers and cold winters. The biggest danger is not frost but the Mistral, which can reach speeds of 90mph and tear leaves off the vines. Poplar and Cypress are widely planted above the vineyards to lessen the impact of the wind. The granite schist soils are ruddy with iron. This is the home of syrah. It was from the northern Rhone that a Scottish botanist took cuttings to Australia to see how they would do. They did very well indeed in the Barossa Valley and, as a result, syrah has since been widely planted around the world, although outside France it is better known as shiraz. The northern Rhone also produces an extraordinary fine white wine: Viognier from Condrieu. The quantity produced is hardly worth a mention but it has become world famous for its tantalising bouquet of peaches and apricot with honeysuckle and lime. It may sound extraordinary but French wine law permits small
Image: Jag cz/Shutterstock
quantities of Viognier to be fermented with Syrah to help the latter stabilise and develop its bouquet. As well as Guigal, Chapoutier, Jean-Louis Chave and Jaboulet have also built up a reputation for producing very fine wines. The road south from Côte Rôtie passes through the large commune of St Joseph where excellent syrah is produced, before it reaches the tiny town of Tain, squeezed onto the banks of the river below its most famous vineyard, Hermitage. Like cabernet sauvignon (and the nebbiolo of Barolo) syrah can be tannic when young and needs three and a half years of oak maturation to show at its best. Interestingly the syrah blends well with cabernet sauvignon and Hermitage was the wine used to bolster Bordeaux’s Chateau Lafite in poor vintages before appellation controllée. Lafite didn’t try to deceive its customers. Its label proudly proclaimed ‘improvement’ with syrah from Hermitage. ‘Hermitaged’ wines actually sold at a premium price! Hermitage also produces some fine white wines from the elegant Roussane and the fat and agreeable marzipan-flavoured Marsanne, to which a touch of Viognier may be added. For me southern Rhone is Provence in the Roman sense because there are so many elegant reminders of their civilisation in Nimes and Arles. Much of the countryside is herbal scrubland - lavender fields, almond trees, olive groves, vineyards and orchard trees screened against the Mistral. Its stony outcrops serve as
slumbering spots for lazy lizards lulled by the sweetsmelling lavender scents often in the air. Côtes du Rhone is a catch-all appellation covering 47 wine communities in the north and 174 in the south: it is the largest appellation in France after Bordeaux. It’s a sunny region too; the vineyards are planted higher than elsewhere in order to retain the freshness of fruit that makes their wines so attractive. Grenache dominates red wine plantings. Mourvedre is also widely planted and there is more syrah than there used to be. All three grapes get on well and are reliable partners in the GSM - grenache, syrah, mourvedre - blends. The most famous vineyard in the region is Chateauneuf du Pape, which owes its name to the decision of the papacy to move to Avignon. The Pope wanted a summer house with a vineyard. The rich, warm, spicy, concentrated, beefy reds are best served with well flavoured meats in stews or with strong cheeses. The Midi, as the Southern Rhone is widely known, has a wide range of appellations. Apart from those mentioned, my personal favourites are Ventoux, Luberon and Costieres de Nimes, Tavel for Rosé and Beaume-deVenise for its elegant, sweet Muscat. The southern Rhone is one of the most picturesque parts of France and I find it a delightful place to visit in spring and autumn. I will, however, go to taste its wide offering of wines at any time. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 89
Animal Care
SMILES AND MILES Mark Newton-Clarke, MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons
L
et’s start with the latter, the miles that lie ahead. I mentioned last month that I will be walking the coast-to-coast route in northern England for Maggie’s Centres, a charity that supports people with a cancer diagnosis. By the time you’re reading this, I should be on my way, supporting my friend and vet colleague, Graham Milligan, who has terminal cancer. Sadly, there are thousands of people in a similar position and this walk is in support of them all, a public attempt to make something positive come out of a very personal situation. To be honest, I’ll be glad to get back on my bike as, for the last month or so, I’ve been walking everywhere, hoping to find that rhythm which will take me into the ‘zone’. I have no doubt that walking 200 miles 90 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
across Cumbria and the northern moors will be very demanding and so the right mental attitude will be just as important as physical conditioning. We have to average 6.5 hours hard walking daily for two weeks. Now, what about the smiles? I hope there will be a few on the walk (in between the grimaces) but the teeth I am interested in belong to cats and dogs. In the ideal world, we would all start brushing our dogs’ teeth when they are puppies, getting them used to something that we ourselves do twice daily. Cats are different (of course) - it’s a rare cat that will allow tooth brushing and it’s a rare owner that tries! As this is not an ideal world, there are a few tips I can pass on to help keep your pet’s oral hygiene at least acceptable without brushing.
Image: Stiglincz Gabor/Shutterstock
The first thing to consider is the breed of your dog. This doesn’t matter so much for cats as they are all so similar anatomically, however the dentition of a longnosed dog breed is so different from, say, a pug that they could be different species. Miniature breeds can have crowded mouths and hence the capacity for tooth decay and gum disease is much greater. So, extra effort is needed for some dogs but you know they are worth it! In a nutshell, the factors that determine dental health in dogs and cats are genetics, anatomy, early development, diet and lifestyle. We cannot do anything about the first three (although selective breeding has an important part in improving unhealthy anatomy) so let’s address the other two. Crunchy food is obviously
going to help minimise tartar buildup (the forerunner of gum disease) but some are better than others. For high risk breeds or individuals who have significant tartar before 3 years’ old, major food manufacturers make specific dental diets, for dogs and cats, which I think work quite well. ‘Dentastix’ are loved by most dogs, so much so that their rapid consumption leaves little time for tooth cleaning. As treats, try cutting them into smaller pieces but remember they are quite high in calories so be careful if your dog is on a diet. Nonbrushing toothpastes can work very well in conjunction with diet and there are several on the market; my favourites contain enzymes that digest away food residues which contribute to tartar and plaque. We always stock two types at the surgery and neither require prescriptions so can be bought over the counter. Powdered seaweed is marketed to reduce dental plaque and my experience with this product is very variable, some owners reporting great success and others none at all. There is even a homeopathic remedy for dental plaque and herbal mixtures; if you are interested, Dorwest Herbs is a reputable company and based in Bridport. As for lifestyle, stone and bone chewing is going to wear down enamel and expose the softer, sensitive parts of the tooth, not to mention the risk of swallowing a potential obstruction. Rawhide chews are gentler but beware of big pieces being swallowed as I have had to retrieve knotted rawhide from more than one oesophagus! The last resort is a scale and polish. If done before gum disease is too advanced, extractions are often not required and preventive measures can be put in place after the procedure to help make sure we don’t need to ever repeat it. Almost all dogs and cats need a general anaesthetic to tolerate ultrasonic descaling but the clean and healthy mouth that results more than justifies the very small risk. However, a risk there is and we minimise this with careful assessment and monitoring. The nurses at Newton Clarke Vets are available for dental, dietary and general health consultations at half the price of a vet consult and can advise on the approach that most suits your pet. If you would like to support Mark on his charity walk, donations can be made via his JustGiving page justgiving. com/fundraising/m-clarke6. Many thanks to all who have already donated and in advance to those who will do so! maggiescentres.org newtonclarkevet.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 91
Animal Care
BOVINE VIRAL DIARRHOEA (BVD) Shelby Pontin BSc MRCVS, The Kingston Veterinary Group
Image: Syda Productions/Shutterstock
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ovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is a viral disease of cattle and other ruminants caused by the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea virus (BVDV). This reportedly costs the cattle sector between £25 and £61 million annually. Consequently, BVD is the focus of eradication programmes throughout the UK. The main economic impact of BVD is via a variety of reproductive and respiratory issues it causes throughout the herd. Adult cows affected can have high temperatures, fever-like symptoms, reduced fertility and reduced milk production. Diarrhoea can also occur but ironically is not the most common clinical sign. Calves affected can be severely immunosuppressed, suffer pneumonia and have high mortality rates. If a cow is infected with BVDV while pregnant, it can have a variety of different clinical outcomes dependent on the stage of pregnancy. These include the death of the embryo, abortion and congenital defects. More specifically however, if she is between 30 and 120 days of pregnancy, the calf can become immunotolerant to the virus and become persistently infected (referred to as a ‘PI calf ’). Transmission of BVDV can occur either through direct contact with an infected individual or ingestion 92 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
of faeces from an affected individual. It can even be spread from vehicles or visitors entering the herd. If the virus is introduced while cattle are pregnant, it is extremely likely that a PI calf will be produced and continue to excrete high amounts of the virus into the environment for the rest of its life. Hence BVD, once introduced, can rapidly become established in a herd. Various diagnostic tests can be performed on either blood, milk or tissue samples. These can either be used to detect an active infection in the herd (antigen or virus testing) or evidence of historical infection within the herd (antibody testing). Unfortunately there is no cure for BVD and once a PI individual is detected they should be culled from the herd to prevent the spread of the virus. BVD control programmes are based on regular testing, strict biosecurity and vaccination of stock. The Kingston Veterinary Group will soon be holding a local meeting where they will be talking about the BVD Stamp It Out Scheme. Contact the surgery on 01935 813288 for details. kingstonvets.co.uk
• Luxury grooming facilities • Heated kennels • 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
Available Monday-Friday 8-6pm Contact Sue 07920 044 930 sue@countrystyledoggrooming.co.uk www.countrystyledoggrooming.co.uk
The Pet Experience Training & Behaviour Ltd 2018 Award Winners of best Dog Training & Behaviour Service in Dorset & Somerset New classes start on Saturday 1st June Dog walking available in Sherborne and the surrounding villages £10 an hour. Call to arrange.
Sarah Easterbrook CoPAS GoDT, IACP Member Fully qualified dog trainer & behaviourist with over 20 years experience Phone now on: 07769 705807 Or email: sarah@thepetexperience.co.uk www.the-pet-experience.co.uk
Sherborne Surgery Swan House Lower Acreman Street 01935 816228
Yeovil Surgery 142 Preston Road 01935 474415
www.newtonclarkevet.com
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 sherbornetimes.co.uk | 93
Cycling
A HIGHER STATE Adam Anstey
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he past six weeks have been one of routine and self-discipline: up at 5am, cycle shorts and shoes on, water, turbo trainer. I look at the bike with some discontent through tired and blurry eyes but embrace the monotony that this type of two-hour turbo training session will bring. Each time I climb onto the bike I remind myself that it’s going to put strength into the legs while ensuring that the mind adapts to what is to come. I developed a passion for adventure, the great 94 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
outdoors, endurance and human performance at an early age. Some of my fondest childhood memories involve me shuffling my way through green fields and hiding from my brothers amongst the high, itchy summer corn in farm fields, enduring the heat and biting bugs for what seemed liked hours; a sure test of endurance. I have spent most of my life training for, involved in and recovering from endurance challenges of one kind or another - a genre of life challenge that encourages many to ask the truly sensible question, ‘Why would
charity Tusk undertakes, along with my aim to motivate the Dorset community, that ultimately will ensure I perform and prevail against what may seem like overwhelming odds. Being a competitive runner, triathlete and swimmer, as well as a not-so-competitive surfer, has taught me some tough lessons about the importance of preparation and the reluctant necessity of a structured training programme. This has been an integral component of my daily routine since receiving a phone call offering me a place in the prestigious endurance race known as the Race Across America (RAAM). In June, as part of a team, I will race 3000 miles across 12 states and climb over 170,000 feet, all in under 9 days in what is recognised as the toughest bike race on the planet. This is a non-stop race and one which, despite the heat of the desert, the potential risk of severe weather en route and the need to ride throughout the night across isolated parts of the vast continent of America, we will vigorously compete to win. The longest journey starts with a single step, or in this case a single pedal rotation. Dorset provides a wonderful backdrop and endless motivation for getting onto your bike. Ferocious hills, a common headwind, quiet country lanes, excellent local food and a highly dependable and supportive bike shop right in the centre of Sherborne. Mike and his team at Rileys have kept me on my bike even when riding 1200km in a single month breaks just about every essential working component on my bike. I do not take this race lightly and the mileage and training is increasing by the week. The arduous threeday cycling tour of Wessex in May is a key milestone in my preparations and truly an event that will be sure to test my preparations. This tour will enable me to test my nutrition plan, sleep regime and strategy before boarding the plan to California on 11th June. Image: Aaronj9/Shutterstock
you put yourself through that?’ Personal motivation and having a reason for taking part in an endurance event is of fundamental importance. Like an assassin, the question of why slowly creeps up on you in the lead-up to the beginning of a race and is something that, most certainly by the start line, has you in fight or flight mode. Despite the self-doubt many endure at the beginning of a race, it is the fact that I am raising funds for the important conservation work that the
The Race Across America attracts huge media attention and Adam is keen to offer local businesses the chance for exposure in exchange for sponsorship. To find out more, email adamanstey@googlemail.com. You can also follow Adam’s preparations on Instagram: @mransteyendurance. This month’s Communifit 5km run on the 12th May will be in support of Adam’s entry to RAAM and Tusk. The run starts from The Terraces in Sherborne at 8.30am and you can do it your way — run, walk or take the dog. Children under 12 go free and everyone who crosses the finish line will receive a specially designed medal. Enter at adamsrace.eventbrite.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 95
@elizabethwatsonillustrations 96 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
T H E S A N C T UA RY BEAUTY ROOMS
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W W W. T H E S A N C T U A RY S H E R B O R N E . C O . U K
Body and Mind
THE BEAUTY WITHIN Sarah Hitch, The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms
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ur skin can easily give away what’s going on in our hearts and minds. It’s the largest and most visible organ and we often notice the effects of our feelings on our skin before anywhere else. Stress, anxiety and lack of sleep are becoming increasingly common issues and they can take their toll on the skin. Given the rise in working hours, dependence on technology and family commitments, there’s no wonder that so many of us are looking for some well-deserved R & R. While emotional skin can generally be defined as physical concerns brought about by emotive triggers, the way in which these triggers impact upon each individual varies. Stress, in particular, is one emotion that can affect the body in all manner of ways, with concerns ranging from premature ageing and breakouts to dehydration and increased sensitivity. Stress directly impacts our skin through an increase in stress hormones such as cortisol, which triggers the production of histamine and influences skin reactivity and inflammation. Many sufferers of inflammatory conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis and rosacea find heightened stress levels and anxiety acerbate their condition, causing a flare-up. Excess cortisol is also produced when the body is experiencing sleep deprivation, which has a knock-on effect on the body’s ability to maintain a youthfullooking complexion. Missing a few nights of seven to eight hours solid rest gives the body significantly less time in which to repair itself. This impacts on skin 98 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Image: Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock
structure as cortisol blocks fibroblast functions which in turn break down the production of collagen and elastin, substances that give our skin its firmness and elasticity. To try and stop your emotions from wreaking havoc on your skin it is important to initiate some self-care strategies. Whether it’s taking up exercise, practising mindfulness through pilates or meditation or taking the dog for a walk, it helps to get some head space. Take yourself off to bed early because sleep is so important to help balance your stress hormones. A good skincare regime also has the power to change the way we feel, not just the way we look. A routine of ensuring your skin is clean and moisturised before bed can help you unwind and help initiate bedtime signals to your busy mind. ‘Emotional skincare’ harnesses ingredients that have the ability to achieve harmony between mind, body and soul. Strike the balance between a regular beauty regime and a calm state of mind by using dual purpose products designed for this. Be sure to look out for ingredients such as lavender, chamomile, patchouli and sandalwood too, all of which offer an abundance of physical and emotional benefits. Seek support for some advanced products to deal with adult breakouts and sensitivity caused by your emotions and book in some quality ‘me’ time too. As you see the benefits in your skin you will feel better in your skin and the toll of everyday life won’t feel so bad. thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk
DESTINATION: A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Juliana Atyeo ‘Tread lightly: we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.’
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’d like to think that I’ve always taken an interest in the future of the planet but admittedly, looking back, the strength of my conviction has not always been quite as robust as it could have been. That said, in the 1990s I made dietary choices based on what I understood to be kind to the environment. Before becoming a teacher, I worked for Oxfam and was involved in promoting sustainable lifestyles. In the early 2000s, when I had children, I did the whole cloth nappy thing (with no tumble dryer), made their food from scratch, and raised them so that when we went to the local market my three-year-old would ask questions such as, ‘Are these potatoes grown locally?’ or ‘Is this fair trade?’ Compared with many of my contemporaries it’s probably accurate to say I am not, and never have been, much of a consumer of material goods. Nevertheless, the truth is that, in the last twelve years or so, since working full time in education (which, believe me, does not equate to short days and huge holidays – in term time I am at school for a minimum of 54 hours per week, with marking, lesson preparation and other admin on top of that) and whilst attempting to be a semi-decent parent to my three sons (who are 17, 15 and 7), Planet Earth has slid down the list of my priorities. I completely accept that no individual can take full responsibility for saving Planet Earth; sometimes it is daunting enough to bear the weight of responsibility that falls squarely on the shoulders of a parent or of a teacher. However, as someone who is involved with young people who will presumably have a longer future on the Earth than I do, surely I have a responsibility to protect and nurture the environment so that these individuals have a chance. And perhaps, if I make mindful choices and discuss those actions, it might
inspire other members of the community to think carefully about their impact on the Earth. Recently I read a thought-provoking, if somewhat depressing, article which questioned how effective the individual can be in attempting to ‘save the planet’. Eco-warriors, the journalist argued (with clear contempt in his tone), feel smug about their choices and look down on more mainstream lifestyles, but in fact they have a minor impact on environmental issues. The article suggested that it was arrogant and egotistical to imagine that any individual activity might make any noticeable difference on the planet. Ideally, of course, companies and governments across the world would take a lead on such matters and, while I fully support and engage in lobbying for change, I fundamentally believe that the power of the individual is significant. I am not smug about my choices. I feel empowered by my actions, which is not the same thing and, although I recognise that my contribution is tiny in the big scheme of everything, I also believe that if the majority of people take responsibility for their actions and consider the consequence of their consumer choices (and much of this journey does relate to changing our relationship with ‘stuff ’), then the ripple effect will be such that change will happen. This, then is my mission: to tread gently on Planet Earth, to endeavour to live a life which consciously respects our planet and its inhabitants (human and otherwise) and to ensure that, when I depart, I have not played a role in its destruction. My family, with varying levels of enthusiasm and commitment are along for the ride, and, over the next few months, I invite you to join us on our adventure - our journey to a more sustainable future.
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Body & Mind
Illustration: HelgaLin/Shutterstock
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HOW DO YOU PERCEIVE YOURSELF?
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Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind
ody image refers to the mental representation of our attractiveness, a representation that is often unfavourably compared with the unrealistic ideals of society. Body image is rarely an objective, realistic perception, as our perceptions of beauty and acceptability are largely shaped by early experiences. Parental attitudes, ideals we are exposed to and the media depict what we consider to be beautiful. This helps to explain why people from different cultures and times have very different ideas of what constitutes ‘beauty’. Art history illustrates the perpetually changing notions of beauty, from the Italian Renaissance which favoured larger, curvy bodies, to the ‘Roaring Twenties’ which favoured skinny, boyish frames. Even the last few decades have demonstrated the subjectivity of beauty. In the 1990s, skinny frames were preferred, with women often worrying that their bottoms looked ‘too big’. This ideal has since flipped, with women seeking toned stomachs with large breasts and bottoms, which is impossibly contradictory and challenging to attain without surgery. Despite the subjective and somewhat nonsensical nature of beauty, it can be difficult to stop comparing ourselves with today’s ‘standard’, leaving us with a negative self-image when we fall short. A negative body image can affect anyone and can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. It can prevent us from embracing activities such as swimming or a night out and cause us to feel unworthy or unlovable. Negative body image can also be a driving force for eating disorders, not to mention emotional disorders such as anxiety or depression. The beauty, fashion and fitness industries are aware of how the media shapes our concept of beauty and acceptability and use it to their advantage. These companies sell us impossible beauty ideals, so we spend money in the pursuit of perfection. Remember: we are under no obligation to spend money, effort or emotional strain in the pursuit of an unattainable, predetermined standard that will change over time and which has no intrinsic value. In a society that profits from our self-
doubt, to love yourself is an act of rebellion. Realise that your body is incredible. It’s easy to forget this in our superficial world but our bodies are our tools, allowing us to travel, experience sensations and achieve our goals. Your body is full of intricate systems and processes, all working hard just for you. Appreciate the miracle that is life and your body, and don’t place its value on its outer appearance. Love your body back, the way it loves you. You can do this by practising self-care: ensure you eat well, stay active and get regular sleep. You can also practice mindfulness by being more aware of your bodily sensations. Enjoy the way your body feels when you stretch or hug someone. Learn to notice when your body needs water, food or rest. Find things you like about yourself, for instance your eye colour. Everyone is unique, and there will be beautiful little details that are individual to you. Realise this and give yourself permission to feel good about yourself. This can be difficult; try imagining you are considering the body of someone you care for, such as a friend or a child you’re unlikely to speak harshly about someone else’s body. It should be the same when thinking about your own. It is also possible to form better cognitive habits. When a self-deprecating thought arises, replace it with a positive one. For example, transform the thought, ‘I’m too bulky’ to ‘My body is strong, and it takes me where I need to go’. This can feel silly or unnatural at first but, over time, it will override your habit of self-deprecation and replace it with healthier thinking. Sometimes, body image issues can be too much to handle alone. Counselling can train us to judge our bodies more realistically and compassionately using a range of techniques, including the example given above. Wellbeing in Mind, Sherborne Support Group, 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6.30 - 8.30pm, Costa Coffee, Cheap St. £3 including a free drink. Call Debbie 07766 281434. dorsetmind.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 101
Body & Mind
FOOTWORK Ann-Marie Bax, Wriggly Feet & Craig Hardaker, Communifit
Image: Stuart Brill
There isn’t one exercise class or personal training session that I instruct during the whole year that doesn’t include using the feet. To be honest, footcare hadn’t even crossed my mind for my clients until recently. Thankfully, Annie’s here to help. CH
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hether you’re a professional athlete, an occasional keep-fitter or just a regular plodder, if your feet hurt, you hurt. Our feet walk, on average, 8,000 steps per day; they hold us up and support our entire body. They are often taken for granted. A few simple, precautionary steps can ensure your feet stay pain-free, happy and healthy. During sport, feet can be exposed to many problems, e.g. blisters, corns, verrucae, calluses (hard skin), ingrown toenails, athlete’s foot and fungal nails. Keeping these troublesome conditions at bay is easy if you follow some basic steps: 1 Wash your feet regularly to avoid build-up of bacteria. 2 Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between toes, to avoid cracking. 3 Keep toenails trimmed to avoid ingrown nails. 102 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
4 Try to avoid trauma to toenails – wear shoes with adequate room at the end. 5 Moisturise your feet - it works wonders! 24% of runners suffer from dry skin which can crack and cause pain. 6 Wear shoes that fit correctly for your sport; corns and calluses develop quickly when shoes pinch or rub. 7 Try not to wear the same sport shoes every day, especially if your feet sweat; shoes need time to dry out. 8 Surgical spirit may help to dry sweaty feet out; alternatively wear absorbent insoles. 9 Wear cotton socks and wash them, and sport towels, at 60 degrees. 10 Wear shower shoes/flip flops in communal changing rooms/pools. A common foot condition is fungal nail, also known as dermatophytic onychomycosis, or tinea unguium. It is
generally caused by athlete’s foot (skin fungi) which is often found between toes, although it can be found anywhere on the foot. Commonly associated with sport, the fungi thrive in warm, moist environments such as socks, trainers, equipment, changing rooms and communal showers where it enters via small cracks in the skin. Although less common, fungal nail can also be caused by yeast fungi (candida) and moulds which attack nails that are already damaged. Fungi is most likely to affect the big and little toes. Fungal nail may initially have no symptoms but, after a while, the nail may start to lose its shine and turn a cloudy-white starting from the end of the nail (free edge). Alternatively, but less common, small white lines/areas may be seen on the nail surface. The nail then starts to turn a cloudy yellow/brown colour and the fungi progresses down the sides of the nail to the cuticle. As it develops, the nail thickens and becomes crumbly, the sides around the nail may also become swollen and painful. Eventually, in more severe cases the nail will lift from the nail bed and there will often be a strong ‘cheesy’ smell when the nail is cut or filed down. Although appearance will give a good indication of whether you have fungal nail, the only 100% way to know, is to go to your doctor who will take a sample cutting and send it off to a laboratory to check for fungi. Fungal nail is unlikely to clear by itself but is treatable. For mild fungal infections there are various approaches, from natural remedies such as omitting sugar from your diet or applying essential oils such as tea-tree oil, to using topical anti-fungal medications available over the counter or taking oral medication from your doctor. Although these can work for a lot of people, none are proven to be 100% effective. Oral medication can have side effects and topical anti-fungal medications generally require regular application for a long period of time. Fungal nail is an unsightly condition to have and it’s not so easy to eradicate either; it can also be uncomfortable and painful. Our feet have to put up with a great deal and the demands we place on them are huge. Prevention is obviously better than cure and a few simple steps can keep your feet in tip-top condition. Look after your feet and they will look after you. wrigglyfeet.co.uk communifit.co.uk
Exercise classes in Dorset and Somerset
EASILY AFFORDABLE, EASILY ACCESSIBLE 1 hour classes £5, 45 minute classes £4 - all PAYG
Chair Yoga
All the benefits of traditional yoga, but without the need to get up and down from the floor!
Tuesday 13.30-14.30, West End Hall, Sherborne
Sit and Strengthen
A chair-based exercise class aiming to increase your strength, flexibility, joint mobility and balance - all while having fun!
Monday 11.00-12.00, Jubilee Hall, Yetminster Tuesday, 13.00-14.00, Village Hall, Bradford Abbas Wednesday 14.15-15.00, West End Hall, Sherborne Friday 12.30-13.15,Tinneys Lane Community Centre, Sherborne
Stand and Strengthen
The same objectives as Sit and Strengthen, but you are standing! Targets all the major muscle groups.
Wednesday 15.15-16.00, West End Hall, Sherborne Friday 13.30-14.15, Tinneys Lane Community Centre, Sherborne
Don’t Lose it, Move it!
An active circuit-based class improving muscle strength, aerobic fitness and core stability. Be proactive, not reactive, towards your health and fitness!
Wednesday 16.15-17.00, West End Hall, Sherborne Friday 14.30-15.00, Tinneys Lane Community Centre, Sherborne
Body Bootcamp
Squat. Press. Lift. Your cardiovascular and muscular fitness will be challenged in this class! A variety of exercises and format each week to keep the body guessing.
Thursday 6-7pm, West End Hall, Sherborne
The Communifit Sherborne 5km Series
Our monthly 5km events are open to all ages and abilities, beginners are especially welcome and there are no time limits to worry about. Join us and see your 5km time improve over the year. We have fabulous medals for each event and great support. Sign up and see all event details via communifit.co.uk 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
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Body & Mind
HAYFEVER
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom GP & Complementary Practitioner
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s the hayfever season approaches many of us are bracing ourselves for those troublesome symptoms that are the allergic reactions to the pollen from grass, weeds, trees and flowers: sneezing, runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes and mouth, and occasional wheezing. These symptoms must be dealt with in order to minimise their impact on our quality of life. Total avoidance of pollen is impossible but when the pollen count is high (greater that 50) it may help to stay indoors as much as possible, keep bedroom windows shut during the day, avoid cutting the grass and camping, keep car windows closed and wear wrap-around sunglasses. Conventional treatments with nasal sprays (Beconase), eye drops (Opticrom) and once-daily non-sedating antihistamine tablets (Cetirizine) are all very effective. These are available from the chemist or your GP. Regular nasal saline sprays (Sterimar) can be helpful. Long-acting steroid injections given at the start of the season are no longer favoured due to their adverse side effects at the site of the injection and generally. Hayfever may respond well to homeopathic medicine. Symptoms can be relieved by taking Hayfever 30c – this contains 3 remedies that are specific for itching eyes, nasal congestion and sneezing. Another remedy, Mixed Grass Pollen, has been shown to prevent symptoms. Many patients get through the hayfever season very successfully by using a combination of these remedies. They take Mixed Grass Pollen 30c twice daily throughout the season and Hayfever 30c as needed if the symptoms should break through. Another alternative
104 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
option is herbal medicine. Eyebright and Plantain are said to strengthen the membranes that line the nose, relieving irritability and inflammation. Many of the allergic symptoms may also occur outside the hayfever season but to a lesser degree. Trigger factors such as house dust mite, mould, and dog and cat allergy can cause hayfever-type symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose. Often the allergic trigger factor is obvious and elimination of it may bring about relief. However, sometimes it may not be possible to discover the trigger factor. At this point allergy testing can be helpful. Skin prick testing is a simple and reliable method which is scientifically valid, backed up by evidence-based medicine. One of the commonest causes of non-seasonal allergy is house dust mite. Identifying this by skin prick testing is helpful; eliminating it from the household with high filtration vacuuming, using micro-porous mattress covers and regularly changing bedding will help reduce the symptoms. Successful management of hayfever is not only important for quality of life; it is also important in order to minimise its impact on our work and school performance, particularly during exam time. One study showed a 40% chance of dropping an exam grade if hayfever is poorly controlled. Hopefully all this advice will free you from itchy eyes and sneezing during the hayfever season and allow you to enjoy the spring and summer months to their fullest. doctorTWRobinson.com GlencairnHouse.co.uk
Leading the way Dorset‘s favourite spa
Helping our community and NHS staff to maintain a Healthy lifestyle. With affordable monthly Spa Memberships for individuals, couples and businesses that wants to invest in its people. We offer the following treatments with a difference: • ELEMIS Facials • ELEMIS Massage • Lava Shell Massage • Callus Foot Treatment • Gelish Manicure & Pedicure • SiennaX Spray Tan • Mii Make-up • Nouveau LVL Lash Lift • REDKEN Haircare Trust us to exceed your expectations… Opening Times Sunday – Saturday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Call us on 01935 483435 to ask any questions or to schedule an appointment. George Albert Hotel Wardon Hill, Evershot, Nr. Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9PW Tel: 01935 483430 www.gahotel.co.uk
Health Clinic • Acupuncture • Osteopathy • Counselling • Physiotherapy • EMDR Therapy • Shiatsu • Podiatry and Chiropody • Soft Tissue Therapy, Sports
& Remedial Massage Therapy
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage
LONDON ROAD CLINIC • Hopi Ear Candle Therapy • Bowen • Homeopathy • Light Touch Spinal • Facial Energy Release • Swedish Massage • Indian Head Massage • Pregnancy Massage • Nutrition
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
Providing facial aesthetics in our beautiful CQC approved clinic • WRINKLE RELAXING • DERMAL FILLERS • EXCESSIVE SWEATING TREATMENT Call us for your free consultation Tel: 01935 817950 Email: info@sherborneaesthetics.com Find us on
Wessex House Dental Practice Westbury, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3EH
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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.
106 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Private Chapels of Rest
Website.www.ajwakely.com
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
108 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Jackson-Stops is delighted to present this rare opportunity to purchase a very elegant Grade II Listed Sherborne town house in the most convenient of locations. The property offers generous and flexible accommodation, with five large double bedrooms and spacious reception rooms, including a magnificent dual aspect first floor drawing room with fabulous views to both Sherborne Castles and the lightly wooded countryside beyond. A peaceful and private south-facing walled garden with an abundance of shrubs, mature trees and fruit trees lies to the rear of the property with direct access to the double garage and additional parking. It is immediately evident that huge care and attention has been lavished on this property ensuring that it is now one of Sherborne’s most enviable residences.
Guide Price ÂŁ1,650,000 EPC Exempt. For more information please contact Anthony Pears (Director) on the details below.
2 Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA sherborne@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk
Local & National reach through a network of London & Regional offices PROPERTY EXPERTS SINCE 1910
SHERBORNE 01935 810141
Melbury Osmond Lettings & Property Management
Detached barn conversion, flexible well-appointed accommodation extending to three bedrooms, three bathrooms, modern kitchen, sitting room, parking. NOW LET – Similar required in this area
Independent Letting Agent representing town and country property throughout Somerset and Dorset
Ansty
Detached period cottage, three bedrooms, modern bathroom, two reception rooms, kitchen with conservatory, large garden and parking. £1,080pcm
5 Tilton Court, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL T: 01935 816209 E: info@stockwoodlettings.co.uk
www.stockwoodlettings.co.uk
110 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
London
Nine Elms Lane, Battersea – with balcony overlooking the river, sitting room, kitchen with appliances, two double bedrooms, two bathrooms. Undercroft parking, use of gym and swimming pool. £POA
Bridge, Sturminster Newton | Guide Price £1.175m
The Hollow, Child Okeford | Offers in Excess of £862,000
Plush, Dorchester | Guide Price £775,000
Gainsborough Drive , Sherborne | Guide Price £595,000
‘A Countryman’s dream’ - a beautiful and freshly renovated farmhouse set in its own 10 acre valley, together with pasture, mature woodland, stream and pond all served with an excellent range of outbuildings including a spectacularly located studio.
‘A rural setting with breath-taking views’ An individual, modern house, well-appointed & equipped throughout, taking full advantage of the surrounding scenery located in the rural heart of West Dorset.
Designed by the award winning, Western Designs, is this simply stunning luxury new home, beautifully presented throughout, offering spacious and contemporary accommodation and a lovely South-West facing garden, all set in this popular village with amenities.
A very well presented four bedroom family house with bright and well arranged accommodation, located on the southern side of this popular residential close in the renowned Abbey town of Sherborne.
EXPLORE HUMBERTS.COM Book viewings and valuations online 24/7 Improved property search Share properties with friends and family
CONTACT YOUR DORSET TEAM 01305 238 970 | dorset@humberts.com
humberts.com MOVING YOU SINCE 1842
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Q&A with Bovis Homes
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I’m looking to downsize – can you help me do that?
We have developments located across the whole of the South West, including Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and West Dorset!
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What makes Bovis Homes different from other house builders? We like to put the customer at the heart of what we do! Our friendly Sales Advisors are happy to welcome you and make you feel relaxed and at home in our cosy show homes with refreshments on hand. We are proud to offer the VIP treatment to all of our booked appointments so we can spend quality time answering your questions and making sure you don’t feel rushed, after all, buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make!
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How do you ensure your developments integrate into existing communities? We are proud to support local communities and contribute towards the community in a number of different ways. Some of the ways we have helped include financial contributions towards local sports facilities, public transport and education facilities, improving infrastructure, providing public art and creating public open space and areas of play.
Can I add a personal touch to my home? We offer a fantastic range of options, including your choice of kitchen and tiling finishes. We also offer you the opportunity to really make it you own with a wide range of upgrades available such as a choice of appliances, lighting options, sliding wardrobes and much more!
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What do you love most about the South West? We love everything about the South West! With city, coast and country on our doorstep, this beautiful part of the world provides us with the perfect backdrop to build homes that people can really fall in love with.
bovishomes.co.uk
Find your dream home with Home Exchange
We have an outstanding range of high specification 4, 5 and 6 bedroom homes in the sought after location of Sherborne in Dorset We are sure you will be just as impressed as we are when you arrive at our exclusive Mildenhall development. Situated just off of Millionaires Row, Mildenhall is the ideal location for those seeking the desirable Sherborne lifestyle. With an unrivaled specification and all the mod cons of a newly built house, it’s the perfect place to find your forever home! Make your move simple, save money on estate agent fees and stay free from frustrating chains with Home Exchange!
Mildenhall Sherborne DT9 6BP Visit our website for more information or call:
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bovishomes.co.uk Home exchange scheme is subject to independent valuations, survey and contract on your existing property and is subject to criteria, which include the property you are selling is worth no more than 75% of the value of the new Bovis Home you wish to purchase. Home Exchange market value figures are based on reports from 2 independent local NAEA registered agents for a selling period of 8 weeks. Available of selected plots only. Maximum property price excepted via the Home exchange scheme is ÂŁ400,000. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Photograph depicts a typical Bovis Home interior. Elevation may differ to that shown. Internal images may include optional upgrades at an additional cost. Price & availability correct at time of going to print/broadcast. Please ask our sales advisor for details.
Legal
BEHIND THE SCENES Jenna Larcombe, Solicitor, Commercial Property, Mogers Drewett
To celebrate the exciting work going on within law firms across the south-west, Jenna shares a ‘behind the scenes’ snapshot of her career at Mogers Drewett and challenges the ‘stuffy’ perception so often associated with the legal sector.
I
joined Mogers Drewett’s Commercial Property practice nearly three years ago after moving from another local firm. The legal offering in the southwest region is strong, with many impressive firms having a presence. Increased competition amongst firms locally not only benefits the client but also people like me who are ambitious when it comes to their legal career: you get to work with some of the brightest and the best. Competition also means that firms become increasingly forward-thinking and innovative, always ready to explore new opportunities. All in all, it makes the workplace an exciting place to be. My job is always incredibly varied, with high-quality, challenging and interesting work. Since joining the Mogers Drewett team, I’ve handled a range of transactions including land sales and acquisitions, landlord and tenant matters, development and secured lending work. Career progression has always been very important to me. I’m proud that, after just three years, I’ve become team leader for the Wells office and have a clear pathway set out ahead to help me challenge myself to achieve my career goals. As part of this I participate in the firm’s business development – we’re encouraged to attend 114 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
both formal and informal events to support our own networking and progression. By getting involved in client events we’re all playing a role in supporting the continued development and growth of the firm. We work hard in the legal sector and no working day is ever the same. You must be a tough negotiator, which means you may find yourself putting in extra hours and getting stuck in to those big deals – it’s always rewarding when you get those over the line! By taking a modern, flexible approach and putting clients first, firms such as Mogers Drewett have been shaking off the ‘stuffy’ perception. They have become far more approachable and client service is crucial to this. Going above and beyond can mean travelling to a client’s office, meeting for coffee or flexing the nine-to-five day so that the best and most positive outcome is achieved for them. Building long-term client relationships is all about listening and investing time to truly understand their needs and objectives. People often have preconceived ideas about law firms but, if you look a little closer, you’ll find that the sector is incredibly forward-thinking and very focused on providing an excellent service to its clients. Law provides great opportunities for career development, is rewarding and intellectually challenging whilst also being a fun but professional environment in which to work. mogersdrewett.com
QUITE SIMPLY, WE’RE TEAM PLAYERS. ON YOUR SIDE, AT YOUR SIDE. Supportive, forward-thinking law firm for clients and colleagues. mogersdrewett.com | 01935 813 691 Sherborne | Bath | Wells | Frome
Finance
KEY QUESTIONS FOR LONG TERM INVESTORS (PART III) Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.) CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS, Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, Fort Financial Planning Will making frequent changes to my portfolio help me achieve investment success?
It’s tough, if not impossible, to know which market segments will outperform from period to period. Accordingly, it’s better to avoid market timing calls and other unnecessary changes that can be costly. Allowing emotions or opinions about short-term market conditions to impact long-term investment decisions can lead to disappointing results. Annual Returns by Market Index
Should I make changes to my portfolio based on what I’m hearing in the news?
Daily market news and commentary can challenge your investment discipline. Some messages stir anxiety about the future, while others tempt you to chase the latest investment fad. If headlines are unsettling, consider the source and try to maintain a long-term perspective.
So, what should I be doing?
Work closely with a financial adviser who can offer expertise and guidance to help you focus on actions that add value. Focusing on what you can control can lead to a better investment experience. • Create an investment plan to fit your needs and risk tolerance. • Structure a portfolio along the dimensions of expected returns. • Diversify globally. • Manage expenses, turnover, and taxes. • Stay disciplined through market dips and swings. This article has been reproduced, with permission, from Dimensional Fund Advisors. ffp.org.uk 116 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
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
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 117
Tech
A
website is a collection of pages of information under one domain name (e.g. mpfix.co.uk). Each web page can contain pictures, text and links to other pages, and are created using a coding language called HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), a standardised system for tagging text files to achieve font, colour, graphic, and link effects on web pages. A website is stored on the servers of a web host, connected to the internet, so that you and I can use our web browsers to view those pages. In the beginning there was manual coding typed in by hand, followed pretty quickly by WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors such as HotDog and HoTMetaL. These have come a long way since the 1990s and web page editors are now really sophisticated - and really expensive! If you want a website today, you have 3 choices: 1 Give your content to a web designer, who has bought the expensive software, and they’ll make you a good-looking website for somewhere between £500 and infinity. They’ll look after the domain name and do all the updating for an annual fee. 2 Register your own domain name, buy some hosting and make your own site using WordPress or similar, although you’ll need to be pretty tech-savvy and you’ll be tinkering with it every day for years. 3 Go to one of the numerous DIY sites (WIX, 118 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
SquareSpace, GoDaddy, IONOS etc.), and build your own using their online version of a WYSIWYG editor. DIY website builders are a way for ordinary people to design and build their own websites without using code. Tech know-how is not required, whether you’re a business or a hobbyist. Why not? They’re free, aren’t they? Well, yes, to a point. They provide templates and let you customise them as you see fit. If you want to enter basic details and leave it there, fine. If you want to change everything about it, you can, but you are limited to how many pages you can create and what you can do. Once you’ve got your free site up-and-running, that may be all you want. Most people, however, need more and eventually you’ll have to pay to get what you want with all the bells and whistles. If you want an online shop, then expect to have to pay from the start. Remember, these companies are in business to make money. Don’t get me wrong, I have no gripe with this; you only get the best by paying for it. The choice as always, is yours, however if you need help making that decision, you know where to come. Coming up next month: The price comparison game. computing-mp.co.uk
J. Biskup
Property Maintenance Ltd
TO-DO LIST ✓ Kitchen & bathroom installation ✓ Tiling ✓ Flooring ✓ Wallpaper removal ✓ Painting and decorating ✓ Plastering
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BEST PRICES ON THE MARKET FREE QUOTATIONS SHERBORNE Tel: 01935 815712 • Mobile: 07912 145988 Email: jm.biskup@gmail.com www.jbiskup.com
Amy Thomson
Hair and Make up Artist
Weddings, bridal parties, proms and all special occasions amythomsonmua@gmail.com @amythomsonmua 07850 277829
Chocolate Making Workshops in Alweston Create colourful filled chocolates and more Saturdays in May - 11th, 18th, 25th and 1st June ÂŁ55.00 pp. Up to 5 per group For details contact John 07980 627725
DAVE THURGOOD Painting & Decorating interior and exterior
Residential, commercial & heritage interiors Exterior work undertaken, paint spray finishes for new residential & commercial work
07976 565 285
www.justmintdecorating.co.uk justin@justmintdecorating.co.uk
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07792 391368 NO VAT www.sherbornedecorators.com michellethurgood@sky.com
SHERBORNE & DISTRICT FENCING & GATE Co. •Domestic fencing specialist •Over 30 years experience •Free quotations •10 Year Guarantee •No VAT
01935 330095
Competitively Priced, High Quality Carpets, Vinyls, Woods & Rugs SHERBORNE SHOWROOM NOW OPEN Unit 16, Old Yarn Mills, Westbury, Sherborne, DT9 3RQ A family run business established in 1998, we promise a highly professional level of service Tel: 07733 101064 or 01935 817885 www.lsflooring.co.uk
Wayne Timmins Painter and Decorator • • • • •
Interior & Exterior Fully Qualified 20 Years Experience Wallpapering & Lining Residential & Commercial
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Covering South Somerset & North Dorset
Free registration appointment for new clients when accompanied by this advertisement Kingston House Veterinary Clinic Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3DB Mon-Fri 9.00-10.30, 16.30-18.00 Sat 9.00-10.30 T: 01935 813288 (24 hours) E: sherborne@kingstonvets.co.uk kingstonvets.co.uk
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T: 07885 420609 E: wills.plumbing@hotmail.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 121
FOLK TALES with Colin Lambert
GINNY SHAMBARLA The Singing Adventurer
‘L
ocal Vocals’ meet every Thursday, 10.15, in the Digby Memorial Hall. Tea and cakes afterwards for Sheila and mates. I join them for the cakes bit. I’m introduced to Ginny, a tenor in the choir. ‘Hi Ginny. ‘Shambarla’ is an amazing name, does it have a meaning?’ ‘Oh yes; it means I left a cosy life in New York, went on a spiritual quest and changed my name. It’s Sanskrit and translates loosely as ‘peace and harmony’.’ We say goodbye but Ginny’s words sit with me for days. Spiritual quest? I want to know more… Coincidentally (synchronicity more like), Ginny walks Pip, her rescue dog, past my door on a weekly basis. Ginny was born in Sussex, eldest of four including a foster brother. Cheeky, not naughty, at school, she loved sport. Took up riding at 11, owned a pony at 14, equestrian college at 17 and, by 19, a qualified riding instructor. ‘And after Sussex?’ ‘I moved to London, Canada; a small stud farm near Lake Ontario. Then back to a stud farm in Sussex but spending two months each summer teaching riding in Connecticut. At 28 I oversaw the welfare and care of the 300 children at the summer camp. I fell in love, married and moved to New York just after my 30th birthday. Husband’s name, city broker’s wife and the lifestyle. I started my spiritual quest a little shy of reaching forty.’ ‘What happened to the city girl?’ ‘After five years, divorce came with mixed blessings but it also reignited the dormant adventurer within me.’ ‘You left the USA?’ ‘No, I went back to Connecticut. Set up my own company taking teenagers horse-riding in Ireland every summer. My company’s vision was to spread peace and harmony with all living beings. Life was great, but a bit tame.’ ‘Forty is an interesting birthday, I remember it well. And yours Ginny?’ ‘At 40, I went to Australia, herding cattle on an 88,000-acre ranch in Cloncurry - Jackaroos and me on horseback and a helicopter. Then an ‘off grid’ Aboriginal 122 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
community and sailing in the Whitsunday Islands. Kenya next: a riding safari, hiking up Mt Kenya and time in Lamu, north of Mombasa. Then Ghana, planting peanuts and milking goats before heading back to Kenya again.’ ‘The Kikuyu tribe is a Bantu tribe and the largest ethnic tribe in Kenya, making up 22% of the country’s population. Traditionally, if a Kikuyu son marries, it is customary for the bride-to-be to provide a dowry. When Wilson Maina and I married in 2006, I had to buy his mum 6 cows, and pay for a new roof on her house and a party for the village.’ ‘And for honeymoon Ginny?’ ‘Connecticut. I got US citizenship just after 9/11. We moved back on a three-month fiancé visa. Sadly, it was clear it was never going to work. We did get married but divorced one year later.’ ‘I went back to Kenya, teaching riding to English children. A parent mentioned Dorset and prep schools. Knighton House, Blandford, as House Mistress, became home for the next four years. At this time, my mum died and I was able to buy my first home, the world to choose from.’ Sherborne won and Ginny became House Mistress at Sherborne Prep. She is now Day Matron, teaching life skills to the children she mothers from around the globe. ‘I see almost as much of many children as their parents.’ ‘And for breakfast?’ ‘Porridge, teaspoon of honey and mixed berries.’ ‘When not being a matron?’ ‘I love Sherborne. Great schools, lovely energy, inspirational singing plus the great walks, right past your door Colin.’ Right past my door indeed. A path that, like life’s path, often brings interesting people along it. A reward of writing Folk Tales is the amazing journeys my guests share with me. I can cry with laughter and remorse equally; it’s just lovely. Thank you so much Ginny for sharing your adventures with Folk Tales. colinlambert.co.uk
Image: Katharine Davies sherbornetimes.co.uk | 123
OUT AND ABOUT
S
David Birley
herborne is justly famous for its fine art tradition: one has only to think of the Sherborne Missal to realise this is not a new phenomenon. The Missal is of the greatest illuminated manuscripts in existence. Our museum has a fine electronic copy of some of the pages but, should you go to London, I would urge you to see the original at the British Library. The colours are still fresh but do take a magnifying glass to fully appreciate the quality of the painting, which is exquisite. Today our town has a thriving arts community. Few towns of our size can offer music, film and literary festivals and a variety of art exhibitions as well. Indeed, I think Sherborne is the arts capital of Wessex, a position which will be greatly enhanced by the proposed new Paddock Garden art gallery. Living in a beautiful time surrounded by glorious countryside, it is no wonder that so many try to capture that beauty by painting, photography or writing. ArtsLink offers a wide range of courses for people of different levels of ability. If you enjoy photography there are two U3A groups and many local camera clubs. If writing is your bent, I am sure the Sherborne Scribblers would like to hear from you. Another art form at which English people have excelled for many centuries is embroidery. A few years ago, the Victoria and Albert Museum held an exhibition of medieval embroidery. As with all V&A events it was superbly done: well-lit, well-displayed, very informative and accompanied by an excellent book. The works on display were nearly all religious vestments and, until I saw the exhibition, I did not know how pre-eminent English embroidery was in that time. Works were commissioned from all over Europe including from the Papacy. I am sure our abbey must have had many fine vestments which alas did not survive the Reformation or Cromwell’s puritanical purges. Knitting is also a popular form of needlework which has been around for centuries and which is alive and flourishing in Sherborne today. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning the Slipped Stitch in Cheap Street has a Knit & Natter session when you can enjoy the company of like-minded friends, plus tea and biscuits, while you wield your needles. You can of course also buy everything you need to carry on your hobby at home. Should you wish to make a teddy or an animal for your child or perhaps a lucky grandchild, do go to Just Bears which is also in Cheap Street where Yvonne, the owner, organises day courses. My wife has been on some and our granddaughter has loved the result!
124 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
New town centre office/studios available in Sherborne
Short Story
THE PLAN
T
Jan Garner, Sherborne Scribblers
he crossing from France had taken exactly the amount of time he’d calculated. It was just gone 7pm, pitch black, freezing cold, the only sound that of the waves lapping against the boat. While the boat was still far enough away from land not to be noticed, he cut the engine, dropped anchor and swiftly lowered the small inflatable into the water. If he was right it would take him under twenty minutes to reach his destination. He could just make out the glimmer of the harbour lights but that was not where he was headed. He intended to land and steal ashore in the little bay that was only accessible by boat or by a long, steep, unsafe path down to the beach. The biting March wind and salty spray stung his face and, as he fought to make headway through the strong currents, every sinew in his arms complained. Eventually, he landed the little craft and with one last effort dragged it onto the shingle and concealed it behind some rocks. He pulled off his boots and waterproofs and stowed them under the seat, then slipped on the pair of shoes he’d brought with him wrapped in a plastic bag. Before he began the climb up to the road, he glanced at his watch and double-checked that everything he needed was inside his jacket pocket. The couple he’d made the perilous journey to see were creatures of habit and he was banking on them being where he expected them to be at this time on a Friday night. The successful outcome of his plan depended on it. Once he’d navigated the crumbling trail up to the top, he caught his breath, put on his gloves then sprinted across the deserted road and scrubland towards the small enclave of detached homes that faced the sea. The lights were on and the semblance of a smile crossed his face as he saw that there were two Jaguars parked on the driveway. For a moment he stayed hidden behind the row of laurels and looked at the beautiful house that his years of hard work had paid for. He saw her through the window, sitting in the lounge watching something on the large plasma TV he’d installed to watch the last Cup Final. Anger welled up inside him and, bolstered by a rush of adrenalin, he left the cover of the hedge and ran to the back of the building. His key opened the door into the utility room and the smell of curry coming from the kitchen made his empty stomach grumble. Friday – curry night, of course. What else, he thought as he stole across the hall and into the lounge. She didn’t hear him as he crept up behind her. With one swift move, he jerked her head backwards; saw the terror in her eyes as he flashed the knife in front of her before deftly slicing it across her throat. He felt no regret for what he had just done and stood back and watched dispassionately as her blood pumped out from the deep gash. Once he was sure she was dead, he made his way to the kitchen. ‘Hello Robert,’ he said to the man he’d taken by surprise. ‘Something smells good.’ ‘What the hell do you want?’ ‘Justice, Robert, and what’s rightfully mine. Surely you didn’t think I’d let the pair of you get away with all this scot-free, did you?’ ‘But we did get away with it, Peter,’ he smirked. ‘Oh, but you of all people should have known that I wouldn’t let it rest. Believe it or not, it wasn’t the adultery or even seeing you almost bankrupt the company that really upset me. No, it was the
126 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
lies, the treachery. You ruined my reputation, sullied my good name. People believed I was a cheat and a thief. That hurt. I’m afraid you have to pay for that,’ he said as he drew out the gun. ‘Put that away you bloody fool, you know you wouldn’t dare use it.’ ‘That’s what everyone would think – it’s inconceivable that I could take a life, especially my identical twin brother’s. No, this will look like a suicide. Picture the scene. Failing businessman murders his lover - oh, by the way, I’ve already taken care of Sue - and then shoots himself. Now that’s a much more likely scenario, don’t you agree?’ ‘Shut up. You’re talking rubbish! Even if you had the bottle you’d never get away with it. The police would find your DNA everywhere,’ he said, cockily. ‘No, Robert, they’d find ours. I think you’ll find they’re the same.’ He held up a slip of paper. ‘And even if they aren’t, this note saying you’re sorry will be all the proof they need. They won’t be looking for me; my alibi’s watertight. My girlfriend will confirm that we were together all night in France.’ His brother lurched forward and made a grab for the gun but Peter was too quick for him. He threw one arm around Robert’s neck, rammed the barrel of the weapon against the side of his head and pulled the trigger. His brother’s lifeless body slumped to the floor. Calmly, he cleaned the blood and splinters of bone off his clothes before pressing his brother’s finger over the trigger. As he left, he dropped the note onto the worktop. The following day he sat glued to the television but it was 1pm in France before the BBC midday news channel reported details of his crime. ‘Kent police have confirmed that the bodies of Robert Craven and sister-in-law – Sue Craven were found at Mrs Craven’s home just outside Dover by her cleaner at around 9am this morning. Police officers have ruled out foul play and are not looking for anyone else in connection with their deaths. French police have contacted Mr Peter Craven, the brother and husband of the deceased at his home near Calais and informed him of their deaths.’ Peter’s face broke into a wide smile as the presenter continued. ‘Mrs Craven was the MD of Soltrack, a once highly successful company. Our reporter is standing by to interview one of their employees.’ The familiar face of Tony Adams filled the screen. ‘Mr Adams, can you shed any light on this awful tragedy?’ ‘Well now, I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but it was common knowledge that the company was in trouble. It went down the pan after the Board got rid of Peter Craven; he was the brains of the outfit. They accused him of cooking the books, but none us believed it; the company was his life and he was a good employer. We all thought that his wife and his brother, who was the company accountant, had stitched him up. The two men may have been identical twins but they were nothing alike. Robert Craven was a spendthrift and a womaniser. It wasn’t long after he and Mrs Craven took over the firm that it hit the buffers. Who knows, perhaps there was no money left. Maybe that’s what drove Robert to kill them both.’ For the first time that day Peter allowed himself to relax. Everything had gone according to plan. Now it was just a case of being patient. These things took time but, as he and Sue were still legally man and wife when she died, he expected to move back into his beautiful home quite soon. And the substantial payout from her life insurance would help to save the company. Just as he had planned.
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Literature
LITERARY REVIEW Jean Fox, Sherborne Literary Society
Bloody Brilliant Women – The Pioneers, Revolutionaries and Geniuses your History Teacher Forgot to Mention, by Cathy Newman (William Collins, 2018). RRP: £20 hardback Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £19 from Winstone’s Books
C
athy Newman (a broadcast journalist at Channel 4 news) has produced a fascinating and engaging book on brilliant women in Britain from around 1880 to the present day. She considers the glaring lack of women appearing in the history books she enjoyed reading, and explores the history that your teachers forgot to mention. She argues that women were more independent in 800AD than they were as the subservient home-makers of 1800AD, whose education was limited to polite accomplishments. Women in politics, medicine, and science were viewed as unseemly. We are given a series of case studies underlining the contribution made by remarkable women in key British institutions. Each chapter throws up interesting facts and draws parallels between past and present. In the field of medicine, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson in 1870 went through extraordinary hoops to obtain a medical degree and eventually founded the New Hospital for Women in London. Marie Stopes is well known for her writings on birth control, although her views on eugenics come as a shock. In industry, Clementine Black and Catherine Booth were trade union pioneers, improving working conditions for the match girls working for Bryant and May. In 1922, a study of the weaving industry gives us a stark example of deplorable conditions; the dust inhaled by women spinning silk, caused workers to cough up silk worms. The National Trust, registered in 1895, grew out of the work on poor housing by the philanthropist Octavia Hill. Maud Pember Reeves established the 128 | Sherborne Times | May 2019
Fabian Women’s Group alongside Beatrice Webb and was involved in the Royal Commission considering Poor Law Reform; several of its suggestions came to pass, i.e. free school dinners, free health clinics and child benefit. In politics, in the 1860s the womens’ suffrage movement emerged, fighting for the electoral franchise (the Pankhursts being prominent). War empowered women, especially the 1914-18 war. Nurse Edith Cavell became a symbol of womanly heroism, while Gertrude Bell, working for the War Office, did much to determine the shape of the modern Middle East. She became one of the first women to be elected a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Beatrice Shilling, an aeronautical engineer, (who cured a flaw in the Spitfire engine and helped win the Battle of Britain), noted in her autobiography, ‘It was easier for a woman to be a liontamer than an engineer’. In the Second World War, all women aged between 19 and 40 had to make themselves available for work and with work came economic freedom. Newman’s title echoes Ken Clarke’s description of Theresa May as a ‘bloody difficult woman’ but it catches the eye and the text is full of amusing anecdotes. Equality, representation and the pay gap are all struggles of the past, yet are still experienced by women today. This book, written by a brilliant story teller, does indeed give us the pioneers, revolutionaries and geniuses we did not learn about from our history teachers. sherborneliterarysociety.com
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APRIL SOLUTIONS
ACROSS 1. Old plodding horse (6) 4. Puts in position (6) 9. Series of boat races (7) 10. Matured (7) 11. Interior (5) 12. Timber framework (5) 14. Female opera singers (5) 15. Cut a joint of meat (5) 17. Two times (5) 18. Precondition (7) 20. Country whose capital is Kiev (7) 21. Hotel patrons (6) 22. Person staying in another's home (6)
DOWN 1. Come off the tracks (6) 2. Novice (8) 3. Inert (anag) (5) 5. Clinging shellfish (7) 6. Dean ___ : US actor who played Superman (4) 7. Moves smoothly (6) 8. Meat-eating (11) 13. Indefatigable (8) 14. Excess of liabilities over assets (7) 15. Managing (6) 16. Thin decorative coating (6) 17. Trunk of the body (5) 19. Woodwind instrument (4) sherbornetimes.co.uk | 129
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT
I
Diane Tregale, Chaplain, The Gryphon School
t seems so unpromising. Little more than a spec of grit. Yet the front of the packet proclaims that each tiny seed has the potential to become a bushy, flowering plant. And then there are the bulbs. How can such a hard and tightly wrapped sphere possibly contain a glorious profusion of life and colour? I know, however, that it is true. This week I shall overcome my disbelief and get them planted. Each of us have seeds of greatness within us and they have been there since the moment of our conception. Many have been given space to thrive and grow and are producing much beauty, life and joy. Sometimes though, scepticism and a lack of time mean that the seeds of greatness within us are more like the seeds that have stayed in a box in my garden shed - forgotten and neglected, still in their packets and waiting to germinate and thrive. As a child I loved to sing, and I enjoyed creating a whole host of things with a pick and mix of different media. My music and art teachers at school did not encourage my attempts though and I was left with the impression that these pursuits were best left to others. It was not until coming to Sherborne that I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to take the risk of planting these seeds out – and I am so glad that I did! Do you have seeds of interest and talent that are still in the packet? I’d encourage you to plant them out and see what grows. Seeds need the right conditions to thrive. Soil contains the incredible cocktail of nutrients needed for life to burst out and to grow. Warmth, sunlight, water and patience do the rest. Sherborne is rich in ‘good soil’ opportunities for gifts and interests to be nurtured. Why not explore what is available and dig in? The seeds within us are even greater still. The writer of Ecclesiastes in the Bible’s Old Testament asserts that God has set eternity in the hearts of all people. In God we can find purpose, direction and meaning in our lives. One of the most beautiful things I witness is when people from all ages and backgrounds discover or rediscover this seed and make space for it to grow; people who have discovered faith in Jesus and have flourished and blossomed as this seed has grown through God pouring out his life-giving water and warmth. People who have become planted in the good soil that is a healthy church family and who have truly come home. What will you do with the seeds of greatness within you? As for me, I’m off to plant and nurture some seeds. gryphon.dorset.sch.uk
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Focus without distraction Endless opportunities
Separate yet together
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Quality Time
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