J UNE 2019 | FREE
A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR
PEAS IN A POD
with Nick and Alex Beer of Feed the Soul
sherbornetimes.co.uk
WELCOME
T
he landscape is plump and laden with life, bugs fill the skies, swallows skim the lakes and young rabbits dart for cover. The weekly thump, crunch and grind of our football and rugby teams gives way to the satisfying crack and twang of arguably more gentle pursuits. These seasonal rhythms pull us through, the distance between beats determined by our varying degrees of distraction. Half an hour spent reading a book in the park lasts gloriously longer for instance than the same 30 minutes in front of a screen. This month, among the happy throng, we meet siblings Alex and Nick Beer of organic, vegan health food shop and cafe Feed the Soul. Simply being in their company feels like a step in the right direction but to spend time at their Godmanstone cafe and enjoy the imaginative, seasonal, local food on offer leaves you feeling decidedly wholesome. 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
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 FSC® and EU Ecolabel certified paper. It goes without saying that once thoroughly well read, this magazine is easily recycled and we actively encourage you to do so. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither Sherborne Times nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Sherborne Times does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without prior permission from Sherborne Times.
4 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Juliana Atyeo Charlie Baird charliebaird.co.uk Simon Barber Evolver Magazine @SimonEvolver evolver.org.uk Laurence Belbin laurencebelbin.com David Birley davidpfbirley@hotmail.co.uk Elisabeth Bletsoe Sherborne Museum @SherborneMuseum sherbornemuseum.co.uk Adrian Bright Sherborne Community Church sherbornecommunitychurch.org.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 Nick Churchill Dorset Moon dorsetmoon.com Tony Cooke TEDxSherborne tedxsherborne.com
James Hull The Story Pig Colin Lambert colinlambert.co.uk Lucy Lewis Dorset Mind @DorsetMind dorsetmind.uk Tom 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 Kate Osmond Artslink sherborneartslink.org.uk Simon Partridge BSc SPFit spfit-sherborne.co.uk Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom Glencairn House Clinic glencairnhouse.co.uk doctortwrobinson.com Julia Skelhorn Sherborne Scribblers
Gillian M Constable DWT Sherborne Group @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Paul Stickland Black Shed Flowers @NaughtyDinosaur blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk
David Copp
Jonathan Stones Sherborne Literary Society @SherborneLitSoc sherborneliterarysociety.com
Rebecca de Pelet Sherborne School @SherborneSchool sherborne.org Jenny Dickinson Dear to Me Studio, Fine Stationery @DearToMeStudio deartome.co.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 Sophia Gallia Andy Hastie Cinematheque cinematheque.org.uk Sarah Hitch The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms @SanctuaryDorset thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk
Val Stones @valstones bakerval.com Matt Street Seasons Restaurant at The Eastbury @eastbury_hotel theeastburyhotel.co.uk Huw Thomas Sherborne Preparatory School @Sherborneprep sherborneprep.org Simon Walker Mogers Drewett Solicitors @mogersdrewett md-solicitors.co.uk John Walsh Friars Moor Vets @FriarsMoorVets friarsmoorvets.co.uk Sally Welbourn Dorset Wildlife Trust @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
70 6
What’s On
JUNE 2019 70 FEED THE SOUL
118 Directory
26 Shopping Guide
78 Food & Drink
120 Folk Tales
28 Wild Dorset
88 Animal Care
122 Community
32 Family
94 Cycling
124 Out and About
42 Art
96 Body & Mind
126 Short Story
44 History
108 Property & Legal
128 Literature
48 Antiques
114 Finance
129 Crossword
52 Interiors
116 Tech
130 Pause for Thought
64 Gardening
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 5
@elizabethwatsonillustrations
Listings
walk. £8 cindyatsherbornewalks@gmail.com
Sherborne Health Walks
Mondays 2pm-3.30pm
Thursdays 1.30pm-2.30pm
‘Feel Better with a Book’ group
The Sherborne Library Scribes
07825 691508
Sherborne Library, Hound St.Shared
Library writing group for sharing &
Sunday 31st May - Friday 21st June
group. Free. 01935 812683
____________________________
reading aloud with a small & friendly
____________________________
Free, friendly walk around Sherborne. ____________________________
discussion
9.30am-5.30pm (Tues-Sat)
____________________________
Exhibition of New Work
____________________________
First Thursday of
Last Monday of month 5pm-6pm
each month 9.30am
The Jerram Gallery, Half Moon St.
Bookchat
Netwalking
Sherborne Library, Hound St.
From Sherborne Barbers, Cheap St. Free
____________________________
owners & entrepreneurs. FB: Netwalk
4pm (weekends 10am-6pm)
Twitter @yt_coaching
A Different Light
Costa Coffee, Cheap Street. £3 incl. a
First Thursday of each month
Glanvilles Wootton, DT9 5PZ
west-dorset-support-groups/
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10.30am
Advice, coffee & chat. 01935 601499 or
St Peter’s Church, Stourton Caundle.
____________________________
FREE. theoldcowshedstudio.co.uk
A lively book discussion group
1st & 3rd Tuesdays 6pm-8pm Dorset Mind - Sherborne Wellbeing Group
Emma Brownjohn, Dee Nickerson & Richard Sorrell
____________________________
walk & talk with other small business
Saturday 1st - Sunday 9th 10am-
Sherborne Instagram: yourtimecoaching
Paintings, Prints & Jewellery -
____________________________
The Old Cow Shed Studio, Manor Farm,
free drink. dorsetmind.uk/services-courses/
2pm-3.30pm “My Time” Carers’ Support Group
Saturday 1st 7.30pm
____________________________
The Shielings, The Avenue, DT9 3AJ.
Sunset Café Stompers Jazz Band
01935 816321
£12 01963 362692 terry@barleyclose.co.uk
Explore Historic Sherborne From Sherborne TIC, Digby Rd. With Blue Badge Guide Cindy, 1.5-2 hour 6 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Fridays 2pm from Waitrose
____________________________
____________________________
JUNE 2019 Saturday 1st 8pm
Yeatman Hospital
Live Music - The Drovers
Glanvilles Wootton Hall. Talk by Sir
Weavers Sports & Social Club,
Sherborne DT9 3EL. 01935 812770
Oliver Letwin. £5, 07977 870218
Speakers from the recent TEDx Sherborne event. £5
____________________________
____________________________
Tuesdays 11th & 25th
____________________________
Friday 7th 7pm
Royal Voluntary
Sunday 2nd 10am-1pm
Leweston School
Service Lunch Club
Children’s Illustration Workshop
Music Scholars Concert
with Jane Chapman
Bishops Caundle Church. Tickets £10
Digby Hall, Hound St
The Old Cow Shed Studio, Manor Farm,
____________________________
from Bishops Caundle Shop 01963 23770
Tuesday 11th 5.30pm-8.30pm
____________________________
Exclusive event for Friends of
year olds - booking essential.
Saturday 8th-Sunday 9th
the Yeatman Hospital & Guests
10am-4pm (coffee and
____________________________
pastries from 9.30am)
Courtyard garden in Sherborne.
Sunday 2nd 11.30am-3.30pm
Writing the Natural World
Sherborne Waterwheel Open Day
Elementum Gallery, South St,
Glanvilles Wootton, DT9 5PZ. For 8-12 Free theoldcowshedstudio.co.uk
Audio visual presentations. Entry by donation. sswc.co.uk Facebook: Sherborne Steam
____________________________ Wednesday 5th 3pm & 7pm Bertie Pearce: ‘Punch & Judy’
mjlucas10@outlook.com 07506 422573 friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk
____________________________
Sherborne. A two-day non-fiction
Wednesday 12th 7.30pm
tutor and BAFTA award-winning
On the Basis of Sex
elementumgallery.co.uk 01935 814776
Tickets from Sherborne TIC. 01935
writing course led by bestselling author,
Sherborne ArtsLink Flicks –
TV producer, Stephen Moss. hello@
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd.
____________________________
815341 sherborneartslink.org.uk
- A Subversive Symbol from
Saturday 8th 10.30am
Commedia D’el Arte to the
Festival of Wheels
Friday 14th 7.30pm
Present Day
The Rose & Crown, Bradford Abbas.
Talk - Royal Protection Duty
____________________________
A Sherborne Douzelage Charity event
Digby Hall, Hound St. 01935 474626
____________________________
Free. festivalofwheels.co.uk
Tickets £8 from TIC or 01963 251255.
____________________________
Saturday 8th 1pm-5pm
____________________________
Wednesday 5th 6pm
Chetnole Open Gardens
Saturday 15th 10.30am-12.30pm
Sherborne Chamber
£5 - tickets from Chetnole Village Hall.
Oxfam Coffee Morning
____________________________
Proceeds to Oxfam
theartssocietysherborne.org.uk
of Trade AGM
In aid of Future Roots
Raleigh Hall, Digby Rd.
Drinks & nibbles afterwards
Saturday 8th & Sunday
____________________________
____________________________
9th 2pm-6pm
Saturday 15th
Friday 7th 2.30pm-5pm
Over & Nether Compton
Get Dorset Buzzing Roadshow
Afternoon Tea Dance
Open Gardens
Digby Hall, Hound St. All levels. £5
10 beautiful gardens. Teas & plants
Castle Gardens, New Road. All day. Part
____________________________
Saturday 8th 2pm-5pm
Saturday 15th &
Friday 7th 7pm
Longburton Fete
Sunday 16th 2pm-6pm
Sherborne Literary Society -
The Gate Lodge, adjacent to the church.
Cerne Abbas Open Gardens
Community Hall
Trust & Weldmar. cerneopengardens.org.uk
The Digby Hall, Digby Rd.
01460 240112 dance@dancewessex.co.uk
Artwork in Poetry 2 Raleigh Hall. £5 (inc. wine & canapès) from Winstone’s or at the door
____________________________
of Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Campaign.
____________________________
Entry £2, children free. Proceeds to new
25 gardens, proceeds to Water Meadow
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
Monday 10th 7.30pm-9pm
Saturday 15th 2pm-3.30pm
Friday 7th 7pm
Insight Event: Fit for the Future
Wellbeing with Colour & Dress –
70 yrs NHS Fundraising for
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd.
Talk with Ali Wells sherbornetimes.co.uk | 7
WHAT'S ON Sherborne Library, Hound St. Free.
Immigration & refugee policies. £5
____________________________
____________________________
Sunday 23rd 9.30am
Saturday 15th 7.30pm
Tuesday 18th 7pm (talk 7.30pm)
Patrick Shelley Music
The People’s Choir Yeovil
Other Side: Paul Kingsnorth in
Competition
Summer Concert
Conversation with Charles Foster
St John’s Church, Yeovil. £8 adults £4
Church Studio, Haydon, DT9 5JB.
Tindall Recital Hall, Sherborne School
____________________________
poetry, Paul Kingsnorth, will be discussing
Wednesday 26th 7.30pm
refreshments available. Tickets £10 from
- ‘Discovery of the Elements:
____________________________
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd. £2
____________________________
under 16s. Pay at the door.
Acclaimed writer of fiction, non fiction and
Music School
____________________________
his new book Savage Gods. Bar and
Sherborne Science Café Talk
otherside-paulkingsnorth.eventbrite.co.uk
Geography and Fame’
____________________________
Wednesday 19th 7.30pm
Sunday 16th
Concert - The Yeovilton
tinyurl.com/sciencecafesherborne
Sherborne Midsummer
Military Wives Choir
Wednesday 26th 3pm & 7pm
Madness 5km Run
St Michael’s Church, North Cadbury.
Arts Society Sherborne Lecture
Friends of St Michael’s Church
Sebastian Bach’
Sunday 16th 12pm-5pm
Thursday 20th 2pm-3pm
Sherborne Secret Spaces
Q&A on Sherborne’s Secrets
member £7 theartssociety.org/sherborne
5 private Sherborne gardens open to
with Cindy Chant
Thursday 27th 1pm
the public. Proceeds to St Margaret’s
Talk & Signing with Victoria Hislop
Hospice. 01935 709182 susan.bickle@
Sherborne Library, Hound St. Free
____________________________
st-margarets-hospice.org.uk
Saturday 22nd 11am-4pm
____________________________
Celebrating the Arts
from Winstone’s Bookshop. 01935 816128
Sunday 16th 2.30pm-4pm
Digby Hall, Hound St. Free event for all
Thursday 27th 7.15pm
Sunday 16th 10am-4pm Craft & Pamper Fayre Milborne Port Village Hall. Proceeds to
local cancer support group. 07792 521006
From the Terraces, Sherborne.
communifit.co.uk facebook.com/sherborne5km/ ____________________________
Music in the Park
____________________________
£12. 01963 440642. Proceeds to The
- ‘The Musical World of Johann
____________________________
Digby Hall, Hound St. Guests of
____________________________
Cheap Street Church, DT9 3BJ. £5 entry ____________________________
ages. 01935 815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk
Sherborne Floral Group
____________________________
Demonstration - ‘Toy Stories’
Town Band & Youth Band. Bring the
Saturday 22nd 12pm-late
with Alison Finch
family & a picnic.
Leweston Summer Fest
____________________________
Catholic Church Hall, DT9 3EL.
Sunday 16th 3pm
Leweston School. Music, stalls
& refreshments. 01963 211011
Pageant Gardens, Digby Rd. Sherborne
Wessex Strings Concert
01935 813316
____________________________
events@leweston.dorset.sch.uk
Thursday 27th 7.30pm
____________________________
Leavers’ Concert
£9 Sherborne TIC or £10 on the door
Monday 23rd 7.30pm-9pm
Sherborne School
____________________________
Illyria Outdoor Theatre -
Monday 17th 7.30pm
‘Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves’
Tindall Recital Hall, Sherborne
Moviola: Film at Leigh Village
Castle Gardens, New Road. Bring picnic
Cheap Street Church. Tickets (include tea)
Hall - ‘Sometimes Always Never’ DT9 6HL. £6. leighvillage.org.uk/whats-
& blankets, all ages. illyria.co.uk
School Music School. Solo & ensemble performances.
____________________________
____________________________
Friday 28th &
on/events-list/ 01935 873269
Saturday 22nd 7.30pm
Saturday 29th 9am-5.30pm
____________________________
Sherborne Chamber Choir -
Susie Watson Designs and
Monday 17th 7.30pm-9pm
A Midsummer Marriage
Sprout & Flower
Insight Event: Fortress Britain
Sherborne Abbey. Tickets from
28 Cheap St. susiewatsondesigns.co.uk
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd. 8 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Sherborne TIC 01935 815341
sproutandflower.co.uk
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 ____________________________ Fridays 10am-12pm Edible Messy Play ____________________________ Please share your recommendations and contacts via FaceBook @sherborneparents ____________________________
Every Tuesday 10am-11.30am
Mondays 4pm-7pm
Sherborne Breastfeeding Group
St Pauls Church, Sherborne.
£3.50 per session. FB @ediblemessyplay
____________________________
Children’s Centre, Tinneys Lane
1st Saturday of the month
____________________________
10.30am-12pm
Helen Laxton School of Dance
1st Tuesday of the
Sticky Church
Sherborne Primary School. Ballet, street
month 10am-12.45pm
Cheap Street Church Hall. Free group
School of Dance
Doodles Play Cafe, 1 Abbey Rd,
Every Tuesday during
kizzy@babywearingsouthwest.co.uk
Saturday 29th 10.30am–11.30am
____________________________
The Very Hungry Caterpillar –
Nether Compton
Fridays 9.30am-11am
Stories, Songs & Crafts
Baby & Toddler Group
Bishops Caundle Toddler Group
Village Hall
All Saints School, Bishops Caundle
Sherborne Library, Hound St.
____________________________
from Bishops Caundle Shop 01963 23770
ArtsLink Fizz! Art for Memory
Cathy Newman with Kate Adie
Saturday 29th 7.30pm
Cheap Street Church, DT9 3BJ.
The Pirates of Penzance
DT9 3AA. Free art class for people with
Winstone’s Bookshop. 01935 816128
829576. martockonline.co.uk/events
dance and hip hop. FB Helen Laxton
Sherborne Sling Clinic
____________________________
DT9 3LE. Booking essential.
term-time 9.30am
____________________________
Saturday 29th 2pm
____________________________
____________________________
for playgroup & primary age children, 01963 251747
____________________________
For ages 2 – 8. Free
____________________________
Wingfield Room, Digby Hall, Sherborne early stage memory loss. 01935 815899
Promoting ‘Bloody Brilliant Women’. £5
Martock Church. £12 or £10 at 01935
____________________________
____________________________
Tuesdays
Saturday 29th &
Saturday 29th 8pm
Watercolour Classes
Sunday 30th 2pm-5pm
Ballroom Dancing
Poyntington Open Gardens
Digby Hall, Hound St. All levels. £5
Wheelwright Studios, Thornford.
10 gardens. Weekend tickets £6 TIC or on the day
____________________________ Saturday 29th 2.30pm Somerset & Dorset Family History Society - Better Than
01460 240112 dance@dancewessex.co.uk
____________________________
Workshops & classes
Church - the history of pubs &
____________________________
brewing in Sherborne
Tuesdays 9.30am-10.30am
Raleigh Hall, Digby Rd
& 10.45am-11.30am
____________________________
sherborneartslink.org.uk
____________________________
Info: 07742 888302 alicockrean.co.uk
____________________________ Thursdays 2.30pm-4pm ArtsLink Parkinson’s Dance Tinney’s Lane Youth Centre, Sherborne. Dance class & social time for people who live with Parkinson’s. Free -
donations welcome. 01935 815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk
____________________________
sdfhsmembership@outlook.com
Nordic Walking
Thursdays 7pm-9.30pm Art Club@Thornford for Adults
Saturday 29th 7pm
Starting from Milborne Port Village
Hall Car Park. Booking essential 07779 620843 landwalks@gmail.com
No 1 Wheelwright Studios, Thornford
____________________________
DT9 6QE. £15 per session (tuition only) or £20 (materials inc). 07742 888302,
Royal Marines Association Concert - “Last Night of the Proms” Bishops Caundle Church. Tickets £10 10 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Tuesdays 10am–12pm
alicockrean@gmail.com or alicockrean.co.uk
ALL ABOUT THE GARDEN
TALKS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND THE RARE PLANT FAIR 28th - 30th June
28TH JUNE
29TH JUNE
ANDREW WILSON - SHOW & TELL
TONY KIRKHAM - MY PASSION FOR TREES
Top garden designer Andrew Wilson gives a glimpse behind the scenes at RHS Chelsea, Hampton Court Flower Show and Singapore Garden Festival.
The guiding hand behind the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew for over 40 years, presents a beautifully illustrated talk about the many trees that he has met around the world.
CHRIS COLLINS - THE ORGANIC GARDENING EXPERIENCE
LUCY BELLAMY - BRILLIANT AND WILD
Resident Blue Peter and organic gardener Chris Collins reveals the many tips and tricks from his own organic gardening experiences about growing the natural way.
Editor of Garden’s Illustrated, Lucy Bellamy’s book Brilliant & Wild: a garden from scratch in a year offers a practical guide to making a blooming, bee-filled garden.
NICK MACER - PLANT HUNTING AROUND THE WORLD
CLAIRE PULLINGER - THE PRINCIPALS OF NO DIG GARDENING
Modern-day plant hunter Nick Macer has combed far-flung corners of the globe to discover new plants - Mexico, Chile, Azerbaijan and Vietnam - with adventures both fascinating and hair-raising!
Our very own kitchen gardener explains this very simple and effective practice that both saves time and energy and provides excellent and tasty fresh produce.
30TH JUNE
CLAIRE PULLINGER - THE PRINCIPALS OF NO DIG GARDENING Our very own kitchen gardener explains this very simple and effective practice that both saves time and energy and provides excellent and tasty fresh produce.
RARE PLANT FAIR
An excellent opportunity to buy interesting and unusual plants from specialist nurseries, all of whom are proper growers dedicated to offering well-grown stock and advice on what the they sell.
FOR TICKETS VISIT
sculpturebythelakes.co.uk | office@sculpturebythelakes.co.uk | +44 (0)7720 637808 Pallington Lakes, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8QU www.gallerycafe.uk | www.simongudgeon.com
WHAT'S ON ____________________________ Fridays Acrylic Classes Wheelwright Studios, Thornford
Classes in Yetminster, Chetnole &
Cheap Street & Digby Hall, Hound St.
justbyoga@outlook.com
____________________________
Corton Denham. 07983 100445
____________________________
julesbradburn@gmail.com
Info: 07742 888302 alicockrean.co.uk
Tuesday evenings & Friday
Sport
____________________________
mornings
____________________________
Saturday 1st 10am–4pm
Iyengar Yoga
Sundays 9am (from Abbey gates)
ArtsLink Workshop: A Painting
Digby Church Hall, Digby Rd With
& Wednesdays 6pm (from Riley’s)
01935 389357
Average 12mph for 60 minutes.
____________________________
Wednesdays am,
Monday 10th 9.30am-3.30pm
Thursdays am & Fridays pm
SherborneCyclingClub
West Country Embroiderers
Yoga with Suzanne
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Workshop : Still Life Applique -
Sherborne venues. Especially suitable
7.30pm–8.30pm
____________________________
Sherborne School floodlit astroturf,
in a Day by Diane Summer Digby Hall, DT9 3AA. 01935 815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk
Hand or Machine Embroidery Digby Hall, Hound St. 01963 34696
____________________________
experienced teacher Anna Finch.
Digby Etape Cycling Club Rides
____________________________
Drop bar road bike recommended.
for aged 50+, 01935 873594
____________________________
Mixed Touch Rugby Ottery Lane DT9 6EE. Novices very
Sunday 30th 10am-4pm
Fairs & markets
10am-12.30pm Angels
____________________________
of Sound Voice Playshop
Thursdays & Saturdays
2pm-4pm Crystal & Tibetan Bowl
Pannier Market
Compton House Cricket Club
Soundbath. Oborne Village Hall DT9
4LA. £12 per session centreforpuresound.org
The Parade
____________________________
Over Compton, DT9 4QU (DT9 4RB
____________________________
Thursdays 9am-11.30am
1st Cerne Valley (A)
welcome. £2 per session, first four sessions free. sherbornetouch.org 07887 800803
____________________________
satnav). comptonhousecricketclub.co.uk 1st XI
Country Market
8th Swanage (H)
Church Hall, Digby Road
15th Weymouth (A)
____________________________
22nd Hamworthy Recreation (H)
Sundays
Every third Friday 9am-1pm
29th Cattistock (A)
Hatha Yoga
Farmers’ Market
____________________________
Sherborne venues. hello@yogasherborne.
Cheap Street
Sherborne Cricket Club
____________________________
Every 4th Saturday, 9am-3.30pm
Mondays-Thursdays
Vintage Market
sherborne.play-cricket.com
Yoga with Emma
Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd.
Yoga ____________________________
co.uk FB @yogasherborne
____________________________
The Terraces, Dorchester Road. 1st XI 1pm start
1st Broadstone (A)
07809 387594
8th Wimborne & Colehill (H)
____________________________
15th Martinstown (A)
emmareesyoga.com
Saturday 15th & 29th 8.30am
22nd Stalbridge (A)
____________________________
(trade) 9.30am (public) until 4pm
29th Bere Regis (H)
Mondays 10.30am-12pm
Chasty Cottage Antiques
____________________________
Yoga with Gemma
& Collectables Fair
To include your event in our FREE
Longburton Village Hall. 07812 593314
Digby Hall, Hound St. Entrance £1,
listings please email details – date/
____________________________
Venues - Sherborne, Milborne Port,
Thornford. emmayogateacher@gmail.com
or gemski81@hotmail.com
01963 370986
time/title/venue/description/price/
____________________________
contact (in approx 20 words) – by
Mondays & Wednesdays
Sunday 16th
the 1st of each preceding month to
Just Breathe Yoga
Sherborne Independent Market
gemma@homegrown-media.co.uk
12 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
june 22nd - 30th
Sat 22 June 5-9pm Sun 23 June 2.30pm Sun 23 June 7.30pm Mon 24 June 11.30am Mon 24 June 2.30pm Mon 24 June 5.30pm Mon 24 June 8.30pm Tues 25 June 11.30am Tues 25 June 2.30pm Tues 25 June 7.30pm Wed 26 June 11.30am Wed 26 June 2.30pm Wed 26 June 7.30pm Thur 27 June 11.30am Thur 27 June 2.30pm Thur 27 June 7.30pm Fri 28 June 11.30am Fri 28 June 7.00pm Fri 28 June 9.30pm Sat 29 June 8.00pm Sun 30 June 11.00am Sun 30 June 12-5pm Sun 30 June 7.30pm Sun 7 July 2.30pm Tue 9 July 6.30pm Visual Arts Exhibition Sat 22 - Sun 30 June
Party in the Park As You Like It - Rain or Shine Eric Lu - Piano Recital Emmanuel Bach - Violin Recital A.N.Wilson - Albert Choral Evensong -Salisbury Cathedral Choir Tom Glover’s Comedy Club Hugh Morris - Organ Recital Minette Walters -The Turn of Midnight Cosi fan Tutte - Rose Opera Lauren Zhang - Piano Recital Victoria Hislop -Those who are loved Emma Johnson -Clarinet Goes to Town Duo Dorado - Baroque Extravaganza Dr Sam Willis & Prof. James Daybell - Histories of the Unexpected Mark Padmore, Morgan Szymanski - Songs of Love and Loss Ferio - Saxophone Quartet Marmen -String Quartet No Strings Assaxed - Marmen & Ferio Late Night Ben Waters Band -Boogie Woogie / Blues Festival Morning Service Family BBQ and Picnic - Arcadia Jazz, Phoenix Band, Family Entertainment 12 ensemble -President’s Concert Vintage Tea Dance -Glenn Bayliss Love’s Labour’s Lost -Castle Theatre Durham
For full event listings and online tickets visit www.beaminsterfestival.com or call 01308 862943 Box Office: Yarn Barton, Beaminster DT8 3DR, 01308 862943 open from 14th May 2019
Film
ON FILM
Andy Hastie, Cinematheque
W
ithout the financial clout of a big studio, supported by a vast publicity machine and tie-ins with TV and press, small independent distributors have little more than the quality of their film to work with. Blockbusters may be terrible films but, with targeted saturation publicity and noise, can push enough people into cinemas to create a healthy profit, regardless of quality. Independents, however, can really only hope for two outcomes: either their films make a big splash on release at festivals or they become ‘slow burners’ and build a growing reputation through word of mouth from their audiences. Our next presentation at Cinematheque falls into the former camp. Pawel Pawlikowski’s latest film Cold War caused a sensation at last year’s Cannes Festival, where he picked up a Best Director Award. It was given an 18-minute standing ovation when it was shown (18 minutes! Just imagine), and took off from there, winning praise and awards globally. It was the highest grossing foreign language film in Britain last year. The director Pawlikowski is a genius. We showed his last film, Ida, at Cinematheque in 2017. Also an Oscar winner, it was our most popular film of that season and rightly so. Cold War follows a deeply obsessive and destructive love affair that pans out through the 1940s and ‘50s against the backdrop of post-Second World War Europe. The two lovers have the same names as Pawlikowski’s parents and are loosely based on their lives. Wiktor and Zula are traditional, rural, Polish musicians who are forced to comply with Soviet propaganda, singing songs praising Stalin and agricultural reform, but who dream of escaping to the 14 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
creative artistic freedom of the West. As the film ebbs and flows across Europe, so the sweep of the music mutates from rural tunes to great jazz ballads, with musical collaborator Marcin Masecki’s score rightly being praised as a non-visual story in its own right. ‘Musically glorious and visually ravishing’ (Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian) ‘A bona fide masterpiece’ (Kevin Maher, The Times) ‘When the film came to an end, all I wanted was to watch it all over again’ (Saskia Baron, The Arts Desk) What more can I write to convince you that this is a film not to be missed? Cinematheque is showing Cold War at 7.30pm on 26th June at The Swan Theatre in Yeovil. Do come along as a guest, and maybe pick up a brochure for our 38th season starting in September. Finally, don’t forget we’re showing the impressive Japanese film Shoplifters on 12th June. For all details, visit our website. We hope to see you soon. cinematheque.org.uk swan_theatre.co.uk
____________________________________________ Wednesday 12th June 7.30pm Shoplifters (2018) 15 Wednesday 26th June 7.30pm Cold War (2018) 15 Cinematheque, The Swan Theatre, 138 Park Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1QT
01963 251323, info@cinematheque.org.uk
____________________________________________
PAUL KINGSNORTH
IN CONVERSATION WITH CHARLES FOSTER Tuesday 18th June Doors 7pm, Talk 7.30pm
Bar and refreshments available Tickets £10 from www.otherside-paulkingsnorth.eventbrite.co.uk Acclaimed writer of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, Paul Kingsnorth, will be in conversation with Charles Foster, discussing his new book Savage Gods. What does it mean to belong? What sacrifices must be made in order to truly inhabit a life? And can words ever paint the truth of the world — or are they part of the great lie which is killing it? CHURCH STUDIO HAYDON DORSET DT9 5JB
A series of talks, live performances and screenings + food and drink of an interesting ilk In association with
J UNE 2019 | FREE
OUT NOW
A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR
Available across Bridport and beyond. Read online at bridporttimes.co.uk
A LIFE OF WONDER with scientist James Lovelock
bridporttimes.co.uk
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 15
PREVIEW In association with
CARA DILLON This extraordinary Irish singer has been captivating audiences for over
20 years. Alongside a selection of favourites from her previous releases, Cara will be performing material from her new album ‘Wanderer’
which is a collection of beautiful and moving songs recorded in an
intimate setting with her husband and musical partner Sam Lakeman. evolver.org.uk
caradillon.co.uk
____________________________________________ Saturday 22nd June, 7.30pm Cara Dillon Dorchester Arts, The Corn Exchange, High East Street,
Dorchester DT1 1HF. £22/£20. 01305 266926 dorchesterarts.org.uk ____________________________________________
16 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
ARTIST AT WORK No.8: Charlie Baird, Migration Flock, Oil on Canvas, 91cm x 121cm
M
y paintings will often start from a memory, perhaps from a walk the day before or a childhood reminiscence. Starting with a limited palette to fix a mood, I enjoy the use of colour near-opposites and the gradations of tone and colour that can occur in between. I am also a great believer in the ‘accidental’ marks within a picture and the tangents that they can lead to. Only later will I focus on giving the image a more coherent key and it will either fall apart – they quite often do! – or take on its own character and composition. I am very much a studio painter although I will often make sketches of a particular place that I wish to portray. I have recently built a studio in my garden. At first I was worried about the distractions of being so close to the house but actually it has been very liberating to be able to go straight into the studio in the morning, perhaps going again in the evening to revisit a painting now it is so close to hand.
The sea has long been an influence and, living here, I feel very lucky to be able to get inspiration from the Jurassic coast as well as some of the beautiful local countryside. Originally from Scotland, I also often draw inspiration from its more rugged land and coast. charliebaird.co.uk Migration Flock is available to purchase at £2,800
____________________________________________ Saturday 8th June - Saturday 6th July, 10am-3pm Charlie Baird – Recent Paintings The Art Stable, Child Okeford, Blandford DT11 8HB theartstable.co.uk
____________________________________________ Saturday 22nd June, 11am-4pm Charlie Baird Demonstration & Talk as part of the Artslink ‘Celebrating the Arts’ Day Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne, DT9 3AA sherborneartslink.org.uk
____________________________________________ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 17
What's On
DORSET MOON Nick Churchill
Image: Carolyn Eaton
F
ifty years on from the first moon landing, three Dorset arts festivals have joined forces to present Dorset Moon, a summer season spectacle in three locations across the county starring installation artist Luke Jerram’s renowned Museum of the Moon. Appearing in Dorset for the first time and curated by Inside Out Dorset (produced by Activate 18 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Performing Arts), Arts by the Sea and b-side festivals, the monumental moon installation is seven-metres in diameter and was created using high-definition NASA imagery of the moon’s surface. Each centimetre of its surface represents five kilometres of actual moonscape. Internally-lit, the work is a mesmerising fusion of lunar visuals, moonlight and surround-sound audio created
by Ivor Novello Award and BAFTA-winning composer Dan Jones. Several Jerram moons are in circulation around the world but for its two-week Dorset visit it will land in three unique locations chosen to encapsulate the county’s distinctive blend of coastal, rural and urban: the War Memorial, Central Gardens, Bournemouth, Sherborne Abbey and Nothe Fort, Weymouth. In the magnificent surroundings of Sherborne Abbey from 5th to 7th July, Museum of the Moon will be supported by several newly commissioned pieces and A Small Dream, the visually arresting video installation by dancer choreographer Hemabharathy Palani and innovative film/theatre makers R&D Studio. ‘Having seen Luke Jerram’s amazing installation in several locations around the world, there is something literally awesome about seeing it in a large church space such as Sherborne Abbey; it feels so close – a really special experience,’ says Kate Wood, Executive and Artistic Director of Inside Out Dorset. ‘Dorset Moon has also presented us with a wonderful opportunity to commission new work from several Dorset-based artists and others from further afield that will help create a different feel to each of the three locations.’ The Sherborne programme features:
A Small Dream. Showing at all three locations with a different version in each, the audience will be able to track the developing story of a tiny female robot on a perilous 400,000km journey from the Earth to the Moon. The piece is inspired by India’s lunar ambitions and combines theatre, dance and, in Sherborne, projections on the Abbey walls. Each version also works as a standalone piece. Call of the Wild. Created by Bridport-based director/producer Ra Zamora, this brand-new sound installation experiments with the venue’s acoustics and uses the calls of wild wolves, played intermittently as the audience contemplates Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s poem, The Invitation. Earth Module. Newly commissioned for Dorset Moon, Dorset interdisciplinary artist and DJ Matilda Skelton-Mace has created a multi-faceted dome structure with room for one or two people that uses infinity mirror effects and lighting patterns to evoke the night sky. Contained within a tent, its form is inspired by the Apollo 11 lunar module. This Then Is the Moon (George Roberts). Mounted on a steel plinth, a battered VR headset inspired by Eugene
Cernan’s Apollo 17 helmet (the last such helmet to view the moon) houses a 150-second, immersive, digital experience that cuts from real footage to sci-fi in order to blur the boundary between reality and imagination and chronicle our ever-changing relationship with space. Wind and Unwind. A new commission from Fromebased installation artist/composer Helen Ottaway, this 10-minute composition for musical box and voice is inspired by watching the waves of the Indian Ocean pulled back and forward by the tides. The work draws parallels between the rotation of the musical box and the rotations of different musical scales. Sherborne Abbey Choir Concert. The choir’s annual concert, including anthems and motets specially chosen from the year’s repertoire, takes place under the watch of Dorset Moon. As well as the supporting programme inside Sherborne Abbey, Dorset Moon has also provided the catalyst for a range of other cultural activities created by community organisations including Sherborne Arts Trust’s Paddock Project. On 5th July, Sherborne Literary Festival hosts a talk by Andrew Smith, author of the bestselling Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth, in which he tracks down the nine surviving astronauts who walked on the moon between 1969 and 1972. ‘Dorset Moon offers a fantastic opportunity to explore how Sherborne can take advantage of an influx of visitors,’ says Jacky Thorne, The Arts Development Company’s Culture+ Tourism lead. ‘As Dorset Moon is free, visitors and residents will have secondary spend – an ideal opportunity for local businesses to benefit. To help them do so we have created an online marketing resource that includes suggested ways they can work together to attract more customers and income. We have been delighted with the response from Sherborne businesses so far and look forward to assessing the economic benefit to the town from Dorset Moon.’ dorsetmoon.com
____________________________________________ Friday 28th – Sunday 30th June War Memorial, Central Gardens, Bournemouth Friday 5th – Sunday 7th July Sherborne Abbey Friday 12th – Sunday 14th July Nothe Fort, Weymouth All events are free.
____________________________________________ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 19
What's On
POP-UP ECO-SUPERMARKET
T
he Pop-up Eco-supermarket, hosted by Gaynor Soulsby and Claire Ashton, will be making its debut in Sherborne this month as part of the town’s inaugural Independent Market. The Eco-supermarket aims to supply the products found in ordinary supermarket aisles but with an eco twist. Their products aim to tick one or more of the following: • environmentally friendly • low or zero packaging • refillable • locally produced There will be stalls run by local, independent, small businesses covering bakery, dairy, fruit and vegetables, store cupboard, washing and laundry products, health and beauty, pet care, fresh flowers, eco-sustainables, hemp clothing, stationery, gifts and, of course, local cider. The Eco-supermarket are extending their range for this event and will be featuring arts and crafts and vintage clothing. The stallholders will be running several eco-themed workshops throughout the day. Eco-shopping is an experience and the stallholders are on hand to guide 20 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
you on your eco-journey with suggestions that are easily implemented in your homes. They have eco-substitutes to fit all budgets; many switches are cheaper than traditional supermarket purchases and, by buying nonpackaged food, you only buy what you need so you save money and reduce waste. Within the Eco-supermarket there will be a café selling delicious cakes and wonderful home-cooked Indian food and, alongside the café, there will be an area for item repair. The Pop-up Eco-supermarket has been described as an old-fashioned high street all under one roof, so remember to bring your shopping bags, containers, jars and bottles to stock up.
____________________________________________ Sunday 16th June, 10am - 4pm The Pop-up Eco-supermarket Digby Hall, Hound Street, as part of the Sherborne Independent Market
____________________________________________
sherborneindependentmarket
Elementum Gallery South St, Sherborne
DESIGNER
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
Half Moon Street Sherborne
Bespoke & Ready to Wear www.perriashby.co.uk
is an and absolutely extraordinary Art,‘Itcraft writing from text: nature a book, not a journal, really.’ Robert Macfarlane
opposite the Abbey
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm
01935 812 927
e l e me n t u mga l l e ry. co. u k
Bloody Brilliant Women
Victoria Hislop
Thursday, 27th June, 1-2.30pm Cheap Street Church
Channel 4 presenter Cathy Newman interviewed by Kate Adie Saturday, 29th June 2-3.30pm Cheap Street Church
Tickets £5, available in store
8 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PX www.winstonebooks.co.uk Tel: 01935 816128
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 21
Images: Joss Barratt 22 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
: IT’S A WRAP!
Tony Cooke, Licensee & Chair
‘It was like Sherborne being given a defibrillator shock!’ (TEDxSherborne audience member) ‘I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your monumental effort in making the TEDx what it was. It absolutely blew my expectations out of the water and was a truly fantastic event.’ (TEDxSherborne audience member) ‘…the sense of excitement, empowerment, wonder and possibility that has reached my students is a good barometer of how truly transformative this event has been for the whole of Sherborne.’ (Dr Benjamin Wild, TEDxSherborne Speaker)
A
fter nine months of planning, preparation, dedication and hard work by a multitude of talented local volunteers and partners, the inaugural TEDxSherborne took place on 9th May. The venue was the beautiful new Arts Centre at Sherborne Girls School, the world-class contemporary space providing the perfect setting for this inspiring and forward-looking event. Our determination to represent diverse voices was evident in the packed programme of compelling, and at times challenging, talks and films, alongside performance, music, dance and poetry. Without exception our speakers – the youngest 14, the oldest mid-60s – were passionate and persuasive on their chosen subjects. These included the mental health crisis; youth disengagement with politics; the need to protect young people from the lure of gangs; ageing and death; masculine identity; how to do our bit to combat biodiversity loss and pollution; broken democracy; the community’s role in education; radical reading; cycling as transformation (not just transportation); the marginalised; and the power of the stories we tell about ourselves, our town and our country. TEDxSherborne is part of a global community that believes in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives, communities and, ultimately, the world. TED events globally contribute to the ever-growing library of inspiring and compelling short talks watched on TED. com and YouTube by more than 1.2 billion people a year. All our talks were filmed and will be edited and uploaded onto the TED Talks platform in the coming weeks. As an inaugural event, our TEDx licence restricted us to selling just 100 tickets, which sold out almost immediately. We also invited community stakeholders from key areas such as education, mental health and youth work, to ensure that the energy and interest generated by TEDxSherborne moves the conversation
forward, galvanising action and driving change. Steve Harris of BBC Radio Solent’s Breakfast Show spread our message by broadcasting live from the venue, interviewing me as well as some of our speakers. The day was live-streamed free on YouTube Live and we were delighted that so many local people, businesses, interest groups and secondary schools tuned in as part of our estimated 5000-strong online audience, which also included individuals in the USA, Australia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Uganda! The audience reaction was astonishing, with tears, cheers and even a standing ovation. The atmosphere in the sessions and in the breaks was electric, as people explored ideas, forged connections and committed to taking action. My hope is that the motivation and momentum generated will change hearts and minds, inspiring positive action around key challenges facing our community. Before we decide whether to do TEDxSherborne again, we need to debrief the organising team and other stakeholders to understand what went well/what could have been done better. An event of this magnitude demands a huge commitment in terms of energy and time, and it’s only sustainable in human terms if we have the goodwill and involvement of the entire town – and a huge team of talented volunteers and community and business partners making it happen. TEDxSherborne is one of the most life-affirming things I’ve ever done, so my huge thanks go to everyone involved: production team, speakers, performers, stewards, stakeholder partners, schools, sponsors, funders and audience. I’d love to do it again! Follow TEDxSherborne via their website or on social media for updates. tedxsherborne.com @tedxsherborne sherbornetimes.co.uk | 23
ELEMENTUM GALLERY Sophia Gallia
T
he four ‘natural’ elements of fire, water, earth and air are fundamental to Elementum – the word, the concept, the journal and now the new Elementum Gallery which has just opened on South Street, Sherborne. The Elementum Gallery is a new venture for Jay Armstrong, who is the fire and the flowing water – the graft, drive and linkage behind the threads of what makes Elementum. Her husband, Scott, could be thought of as the earth and air. He provides the enrichment and stability needed for Elementum to thrive. And in his day job, he is an Air Ambulance pilot! Like the journal, the gallery has a distinct look and feel. It is easy to become immersed in it and what it holds, losing all sense of time. The immersion, like a wild swim, is invigorating; threading you through a journey in the natural world. The book shop element encompasses a huge range of nature-related titles including a specially curated fiction section, children’s books, science, travel, nature writing and coffee table volumes. Prints and paintings are carefully chosen to hang on the walls as they might in your own house – with enough space to savour each, not crammed from floor to ceiling. Particularly striking are artist’s proofs of pictures by Jackie Morris from The Lost Words. Other artists whose work is on show include celebrated children’s illustrator, Catherine Hyde, with her own and commissioned work from the journal; Lys Stevens with her landscapes from the north west of Scotland; sculptor Jennifer Tetlow, better known in the north of England where she has her studio, and whose work is becoming highly collectable; and local artist, Claire Smith, working in gesso and depicting landscape from the air – there is one hanging in the gallery of Kimmeridge Bay. There are also cards from Kevin Williamson. Carefully placed around the Gallery is an exciting range of steam-bent furniture and lighting by renowned Cornish furniture maker, Tom Raffield. There is also a range of candles from Shaftesbury’s The Botanical Candle Company, Dorset-made Beebombs (handmade seedballs packed with native wildflower species’ seeds), fresh blooms from Black Shed flower farm in Sherborne and a range of cards. 24 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
All these things have a tactile, natural appeal. In selecting her stock, Jay has been influenced by the natural world, as is the case with the perfectly produced Elementum Journal. The journal and the gallery weave together, hand in hand. As Jay says: “The gallery has been born from the journal’s content, but I was also looking for a home for the journal itself.” Elementum is morphing and flowing – from the global reach of the journal and website to this very intimate outlet in Sherborne. It is situated in the beautiful Grain Loft building on South Street, with rooms above and over the arch which serve as an extra displaying area and an office for the journal. Bit by bit Jay will add to the gallery as other authors, artists and makers take her on their journeys, and Elementum will continue to evolve. But it’s not just a shop and gallery. In Jay’s mind is that it will also be a space for courses (writing, photography and flower arranging spring to mind), events and talks. Already on the calendar for June is a course entitled ‘Writing the Natural World’ with writer and Spring Watch producer, Stephen Moss, and in September an exhibition of original pictures by Neil Gower from Alex Preston’s, As Kingfishers Catch Fire. Keep an eye out for what is on there. If the journal or gallery are anything to go by, events at Elementum Gallery will be full of interest and well worth attending. If you’re not familiar with Elementum Journal, buy a copy of Edition 5 (or earlier editions) and be inspired. If you haven’t visited the gallery, then choose a day without a deadline – you can pop in, but you will be tempted to stay. Jay and Scott have got it right – a beautiful space with beautiful content. Elementum Gallery, The Grain Loft, South Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3LU Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday 10am–4pm Other times by arrangement hello@elementumgallery.co.uk @elementumgallery elementumgallery.co.uk
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 25
Shopping Guide
Bottle of matches £12 The Circus
Baccio della Luna £10.99 Vineyard’s
Shoehorn £18 & comb £19 The Circus II
ON GOOD TERMS Jenny Dickinson, Dear to Me Studio
With the end of term almost upon us, Sherborne’s shopkeepers have all you need to give your teacher the perfect ‘Thank You’ gift. deartomestudio.com 26 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Desk essentials from 50p, Desk drawers £9.50 Midwest Stationers
Soap £6.50 Melbury Gallery
Quiz £9 Melbury Gallery
Pencils £1 each Hello Silly
Scarf £12 Melbury Gallery
The Lost Words set of 20 postcards £12.99 Elementum Gallery sherbornetimes.co.uk | 27
Wild Dorset
THE UNDERWATER WORLD Sally Welbourn, Dorset Wildlife Trust
W
hether you’re one minute away from the beach or one hour, for many of us, living so close to the beach is one of the best things about living in Dorset. Already this year, our marine conservation team has been finding exciting and unusual things washed up on our beaches at low tide. The ‘furrowed crab’ was a great find, it being the first recording of this species for Kimmeridge. This crab is also a ‘climate change indicator species’ as we’re seeing them spread further north, in line with our seas warming up. Other seashore species which have been spreading eastwards into Dorset include the ‘toothed topshells’. These sea snails are common further west but numbers have increased from none at all in the early 2000s and they are now a common find at Kimmeridge. The small cushion starfish has also become common at Kimmeridge since the first sighting in 2014, and the exotic-looking anemone shrimp that lives within the stinging tentacles of the snakelocks anemone has also increased in number in recent years. This year, World Oceans Day is celebrating our oceans, encouraging everyone to get out and explore their nearest coastlines. You could take part in a 2-minute beach clean, try some rockpooling, or even see what rainbow-coloured wonders lie in the gardens beneath the seas with DWT’s snorkel trail at 28 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Anemone shrimp (Periclimenes) © Chris Roberts
Kimmeridge. You could take a special Fleet Explorer Cruise boat trip on 8th June, exploring the marine life living in the Fleet Lagoon at Chesil or join us for a dolphin watch from the cliff tops at Kimmeridge. See website for details.
Top three things to look for this summer on the coast: 1 Seahorses: There have been an unusual number of seahorses washed up on beaches this year. This could be a good indicator that we have a healthy population in Dorset. Let us know if you find one! 2 Cushion starfish: The cushion starfish glides along on its myriad tiny tube-feet, as if sliding on ice. This small relative of starfish feeds by everting part of its stomach through its mouth to digest dead and decaying animals and seaweed. 3 Flat periwinkle: Look for the flat periwinkle in seaweedy pools. They range in colour from sunshine yellow through burnt orange to chocolate brown and are easy to spot amongst the sea wrack fronds they graze on. The yellow shells are particularly easy to spot, looking like discarded sweetcorn kernels! dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
HUTS TO HUNKER DOWN IN plankbridge.com 01300 348414
Visit Kingcombe Meadows
A place to learn, eat, relax and stay in west Dorset. Enjoy being with nature: www.kingcombe.org
DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST Photo © Tony Bates MBE
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 29
Wild Dorset
SHERBORNE DWT
Gillian M Constable, Dorset Wildlife Trust Sherborne Group Committee Member
I
t is now the summer season and the Sherborne DWT group does not have any meetings until September. However, there are numerous activities at the different centres and reserves with many events arranged especially for children. DWT’s daily Fleet Explorer boat trips have vacancies, however their Ocean Cruises from Poole are already fully booked. The programme for the DWT Centre at Chesil Beach is worth monitoring. The DWT Lorton Meadows barn owl nesting-box webcam is in action once again this year and can be found on the website. Last year it ended somewhat sadly with the owlets needing to be rescued: you may recall I mentioned the progress and fate of the nest. This year there are only two owlets which are growing rapidly due to the parents’ successful hunting for small mammals. Naturally the younger owlet was significantly smaller than its sibling but with this plentiful supply of food it should flourish. It is a delight to watch the fluffy balls, which bear little resemblance to barn owls, develop into beautiful birds. Whilst visiting DWT’s new website, I found myself 30 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Image: Paul WIlliams
guided to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society’s recording site. People are being asked to submit reports of sightings of hedgehogs to the site. There is no need to report every time you see a hedgehog in your garden, this is required only monthly. Otherwise each sighting, alive or dead, is requested. There is a map with a pointer, similar to Dorset Butterfly Conservation’s recording map, for you to mark the location. When we returned home one evening in late April we were surprised and delighted to find a hedgehog pottering around in the front garden, although its presence had been indicated earlier by droppings. We welcome its efforts to reduce our slug population. At Easter we visited the Kingcombe Meadows reserve for a wander. This is my favourite reserve and few people seem to walk there. It was a beautiful day and the butterflies in particular were very busy. Whilst taking refreshments at the Centre a nuthatch was an almost constant companion; it seems to have been so long since we saw, as opposed to heard, one locally. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
CO U L D IN H ERI TA N C E TA X S ERIO U S LY DA M AG E YO U R W EA LT H? Inheritance Tax is affecting a rapidly increasing number of people, most of whom would prefer their hard-earned assets to pass to their families. Our expertise can help advise you on the important aspects of lifetime planning in key areas such as gifting, to help reduce or even eliminate your exposure.
PETER HARDING WEALTH MANAGEMENT Principal Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management
Tel: 01747 855554
Tel: 01935 315315
Email: peterhardingwm@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.peterhardingwm.co.uk 40 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8JG | 9 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PU The Partner Practice represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner Practice’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Peter HardingWealth Management is a trading name of Peter Harding Practice Ltd. H2SJP30113 09/18
@elizabethwatsonillustrations
Strong Citizens. Strong Community. Stronger Outcomes. 01935 810911 or registrar@sherborneprep.org
www.sherborneprep.org 32 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Do you have a spare room in your home? Are you caring, nurturing and supportive?
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We are inquisitive 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
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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 33
UNEARTHED Dexter Townsend, Aged 10
Charlton Horethorne CE Primary School
G
rowing up in a sporty family, it’s no surprise that Dexter has developed a love for sport but even his parents were amazed when, after entering his first biathle competition, they were told that Dexter had qualified to represent Team GB at the European Biathle Championships in Madeira this summer! Dexter’s sporting success started with his love of cycling and, despite being only 10 years old, he has already accumulated a lot of medals – from triathlons to swimming to cross-country running! Dexter came 2nd in the South-West Triathlon series last year and is County Champion in 200m and 400m freestyle swimming. However, it is in biathle where he has experienced his most recent success – the sport involves running then swimming, before transitioning back to running again. Dexter started swimming and running competitively when he was 8 years old and now spends more than 10 hours a week training in both disciplines. His family will be travelling to Madeira with him in June, where he will spend time with the rest of the GB team training and acclimatising before the competition. As he will be 11 years old before the end of the year, he will compete in the Under-13 age group, competing with children up to 2 years older. ‘I am nervous and excited about this amazing opportunity! However, as I am competing against children two years older than me the pressure is off me a bit. I can’t wait to get my team GB kit and try it on for size!’ Despite his young age, Dexter already knows that sport is the path he wants to follow, his aim being to become an Olympic swimmer or triathlete. When he gets too old for that, he says he’d love to manage his own motorsport team. charltonhorethorne.somerset.sch.uk
KATHARINE DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY Portrait, lifestyle, PR and editorial commissions 07808 400083 info@katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk www.katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk
34 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Family
Children’s Book Review by Ethan (aged 11)
Evie and the Animals by Matt Haig, illustrated by Emily Gravett (Canongate Books 2019) £9.99 (hardback) Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £8.99 from Winstone’s Books
M
att Haig is a novelist and journalist who has won loads of awards and sold millions of amazing books for kids and grown-ups. My dad’s reading one of his books at the moment too so was pleased when Winstone’s gave me this to read. The main character, Evie, has always loved animals and by the age of 6 had already read over 300 animal books and knew pretty much everything there is to know about them. She can also hear animals’ thoughts. Evie’s Granny Flora can hear animal’s thoughts too and teaches Evie about the ‘Dawa’ - a thing which enables your mind to connect and communicate with animals. Evie is trying to avenge her mum who was killed by
the evil Mortimer J Mortimer using a mind-controlled Brazilian Wandering Spider. He can also hear animals’ thoughts but controls them to do bad things. He wants other ‘thought-hearers’ to join him and to control all animals. Evie “a different kind of hero” uses her gift to catch a “new kind of criminal.” I thought Evie and the Animals was intriguing and a very good book. It also taught me a lot of things I didn’t know about animals. I really related to Evie and whizzed through all 212 pages in just a couple of days. matthaig.com winstonebooks.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 35
Family
BEACHES
T
Millie Neville-Jones
he first day of summer is in sight - Friday 21st June. Who else is looking forward to having family and friends round for BBQs, long, sun-drenched evenings, trips to the beach… and of course, the Pimms? Sherborne looks beautiful in the sun and the town has a lot to offer: Sherborne Castle Country Fair, the new Independent Market, an abundance of walks, pubs, cafés, restaurants and a gelato shop - perfect for summer! However, as lovely as Sherborne is, you cannot beat a trip to one of the surrounding beaches! We are so lucky; within an hour’s drive we have the gorgeous Jurassic Coast which offers stunning beaches, walks, seaside towns and the most picturesque views. Here is a run-down of four of Dorset’s most treasured beaches: Swanage. If you’re looking for the classic seaside day-out, look no further than Swanage - it has
everything! A traditional seaside town, it has a beautiful sandy beach, some of the best fish and chips along the Jurassic coast (in my opinion), classic amusements arcades and stunning walks. If you have time, take a trip to Durlston Country Park; the view is sublime and there is something for all the family to do. Ringstead. Tucked away just outside Weymouth is a quiet stretch of the West Dorset coast. You
can take a walk across the cliff tops above Ringstead and make your way down to the shingle beach. It is safe enough to go for a swim - just be careful of the rocks underfoot. It’s the perfect place to feel as if you’re getting right away from it all. Lyme Regis. Much like Swanage; Lyme Regis is a traditional, historic seaside town, boasting steep
streets full of small, indie shops. The most outstanding feature is the 13th Century harbour known as the Cobb, with exquisite views along the West Dorset coast. Frequent mackerel fishing trips depart from here along with fossil hunting trips. If you fancy heading to a seaside town with the perfect mix of history and sandy beaches, Lyme is the one for you. Studland Beach. Perfect for a classic beach day, Studland beach is sandy as far as the eye can see
and with sand underfoot when you’re in the water. During the summer, there are many water sports and the beach is full of everyone enjoying the sun! This is just a handful of beaches in Dorset; there is so much to discover and explore this summer. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a super, sunny summer and long days on the beach. Roll on Friday 21st June!
36 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
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Sherborne 01935 814027 sherbornetimes.co.uk | 37
Family
ARE WE DELIVERING ON OUR SPORTING PROMISES? Huw Thomas, Director of Sport, Sherborne Prep School
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‘Develop a lifelong love of sport’ ‘Preparing our children for the demands of a sporting future’ ‘Developing an understanding of the health-related benefits of exercise’
he provision of sport in independent schools is playing an ever more important role in the drive to recruit new pupils and to provide a highquality experience to the fee payer. Huge budgets are allocated to staff resources, equipment, fixture provision, catering and buses. There is an arms race of sports halls, 38 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
indoor centres and swimming pools being built. We are in a competitive world! Of particular note to me though are some of the straplines above lifted from school websites. Within our remits and at the heart of the provision of any sports department will be the core messages above. But are we actually delivering on our promise? Are we sending mixed messages to the pupils and their parents? A scan across social media platforms and school websites of many independent schools will undoubtedly provide plenty of information. But does this information really focus on the outcome of the
core messages above or are they painting a picture of success stories, cup wins and results against local rivals? Is the information provided focussed on short-term success or the specific development process required for each pupil to lead a happy, active lifestyle? There is a definite shift for the better happening across our sector but are we moving quickly enough in changing the focus onto pupil enjoyment, engagement and development as opposed to the outcomes of a Saturday afternoon? At Sherborne Prep, we remain firm believers in the merits of having a strong focus on team games. The
benefits of young children learning to play, discovering solutions to problems and playing a role in the team environment are core aspects of our programme. Learning to win and lose is important! We invest significant time and resources on this approach rather than having a focus on individual events or a cross– country run; both of these have merits - but do they really provide for all? Managing the challenge of expectant parents who observe our lessons (match days) on a weekly basis and collaborating with other schools who have a focus on ‘winning fixtures’ can often be tricky. That said, if we are going to deliver on our promises published across our websites then surely we have to do more to provide the opportunities, curriculum and environment that fits the bill and provides the right outcomes. We have adapted our own approach to coaching in a variety of ways by developing ‘game sense’ awareness, guaranteeing a half, not publishing results, and rotating Captains to provide leadership opportunities for all, but in many senses we are just scratching the surface. Without a doubt, providing a programme that aims to place physical well-being and improving movement efficiency as a focal point is key to achieving our stated aims. It is the unseen work and importance of Physical Education lessons and games sessions, over and above match day experiences, that are key for us. I am not talking about competition or elite sport. I am talking about developing movement habits and preserving movement health for all of the young people within our community. It is our belief that the way forward is to ensure that each and every child can move efficiently and correctly whilst building their gross motor skills. Society is constantly changing and we need to support and prepare our pupils for the future. We have recently teamed up with FMS (Functional Movement Systems) UK to screen all our pupils for movement efficiency to ensure that every child has the basic foundations of movement quality and movement health. This will allow us to collate information to build a set of bespoke exercises for each pupil to support balance, mobility and stability. As our children develop and mature, this approach to physical literacy for all has to be at the core of what we do rather than putting our eggs into the school fixture results basket. Are we, as school communities, really delivering on our sporting promises? I hope so… sherborneprep.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 39
Family
40 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
PARTIES TO COVER THE SILENCE Rebecca de Pelet, Head of English, Sherborne School
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etween the tail end of May and the very start of July, there are six birthdays in my family. We will be celebrating ages from 15 to 80 and I can’t wait. I’ve always loved a party and writing this month’s column has set me thinking about those in literature. Oddly enough, I can only recall a tiny number of birthday celebrations being written about by the authors I love, but about parties in general, there are many. One is a great favourite. Virginia Woolf ’s eponymous character in her novel ‘Mrs Dalloway’ is hosting a smart party in her immaculate home and she has invited everyone, from childhood friends to past lovers and even the Prime Minister. Whilst her husband may be simple, he does some kind of work for the government. She steps into the street and Woolf establishes her heroine’s character with the briefest of sentences which tells us everything we need to know about what kind of woman we are dealing with: Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself. This is a married, wealthy, privileged woman for whom buying her own flowers is an event. Mrs. Dalloway had already appeared in Woolf ’s fiction: in her first novel The Voyage Out, as well as in five of her short stories. Her initial intention for the new novel had been to satirise this upper-class snob of her earlier work (It’s so like Whistler!), recording in her diary that she wanted to criticise the social system, and show it at work, at its most intense. She fixed on Mrs. Dalloway as her target for being, too stiff, too glittering and tinselly and set out to expose her at her most repulsive, when hosting a society party. However, those who have read the novel will know that this is not the woman with whom we are presented in the final novel. What happened to Woolf ’s intention to stick the knife in then? I have taught the novel to several A level classes. Though keen to introduce the boys to Woolf ’s staggering talent, I have had some concerns about how they would respond to a novel which describes one day in the life of a middle-aged, menopausal, social climber who fears that she has married the wrong man, and that she may, in fact, be gay. But I needn’t have worried. They
have become completely engaged in the minutiae of Mrs. Dalloway’s every thought and, for a few of them, it became the very novel which inspired them to read English at university. Woolf ’s innovative writing in a ‘stream of consciousness’ floods every corner of Mrs. Dalloway’s inner life. Even now, a hundred years later, the writing thrills those who invest in reading it: Woolf ’s determination to write what I like and to say something in my own voice is vindicated in spades. However, whilst her prose may well have inspired the minority of the boys in my classes, what engaged the remainder was the chance to enter the mind of another human being. Such intimacy cannot help but breed empathy. And this is the reason why Woolf found herself sheathing that knife I mentioned earlier. The longer she spent in her character’s company, the more she understood her and the more the satire subsided. By the time the novel was ready for publication, it had become a powerfully empathetic portrait of the kind of woman most of Woolf ’s circle despised. When we reach the fabulous party at the end of the book, we are rooting for Mrs. Dalloway. Like her, we care less that the Prime Minister himself has arrived, or that her past love, Peter Walsh, has remembered that he loved her, and care more that she has faced herself and can stand in the centre of her own party, aged 52, at some sort of peace, made clear in the final line: For there she was. I shall be 52 in June and re-reading Woolf ’s novel feels urgent. As for big parties, they will be for others in my family this year, but I shall enjoy them just as much for they are important rituals. Whilst cut flowers are ephemeral and the reasons for inviting some of our guests may be varied, even self-serving, parties are nonetheless meaningful events which mark our time on this earth. As Woolf discovered, flowers and parties are important, and time spent reflecting on those we have invited even more so, not least because it will perhaps lead us to criticise them less and love them more. sherborne.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 41
Art
A
s an artist one is often asked whether one does a particular type of work: Pet Portraits, People’s Gardens, Nudes etc., etc. Recently, however, I had a first in such questions: Do I do sign writing? As a rule the answer would have been ‘No’ but, as this was a pub sign and for my local of nearly 30 years, The Mitre Inn at Sandford Orcas, I thought it would be something enjoyable and satisfying to do! Enjoyable and satisfying it was. It was also a lot harder than I thought it would be as it’s not my normal way of painting. The brief was to ‘sort of replicate’ the existing sign which had all but disappeared, with just the rough image still visible. Once the sign was brought down, it looked a lot larger than when hung up! I took photos before it was sanded back to the bare wood, which was in remarkably good condition. Several coats of primer later, I transferred the design to one side. I was keeping my options open for what was to be the reverse side. I wanted to discuss that with the landlord. The original I changed very slightly, partly because it was hard to see all the detail but also so that it became my design of sorts. I simplified aspects and changed colours here and there. Having discussed the design with the landlord and my proposition for the reverse, I was informed that at one time the pub was called the New Inn and was only changed in recognition of a local clergyman being made Bishop. That gave me an idea of making the other side a chess board and having the Bishop piece with the Mitre represented in a prominent way. The idea went down 42 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
well; all I needed to do was come up with the design. I was given the go ahead before I’d set pencil to paper but I insisted it be seen in its rough stage before I went too far! Once the final design had been approved I was sworn to secrecy. However, I did keep a little something back to surprise the landlord and lady, and that was the inclusion of the two pub dogs sitting on their respective squares on the chess board. It couldn’t have been better as one is a Golden Retriever and the other a Black Labrador. I worked on it over a period of a month waiting for each coat and colour to dry before applying the next. Though I say so myself, it was looking rather good and much brighter and more colourful than the old one. When it had fully dried, I invited the proprietors to come and view it before I put the final coats of varnish on, just in case there were to be any changes. I’m glad to say the inclusion of the dogs was a hit and I breathed a sigh of relief as I really didn’t want to change anything! The unveiling of the sign was arranged for an evening and once dusk arrived and the outside lights were on it was uncovered. It was received well by all and looked brighter and more colourful than when it was in the studio. There was a great party atmosphere out in the road which continued afterwards inside. It’s a nice feeling seeing one’s work swinging in the breeze and even better as it’s my local. You never know I might have a go at a few more, given the opportunity! laurencebelbin.com
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 43
History OBJECT OF THE MONTH
THE ST. ALDHELM’S BADGE Elisabeth Bletsoe, Curator, Sherborne Museum
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t. Aldhelm’s was begun as an alternative to existing educational provision in Sherborne - a new Secondary Modern School with close ties to the Church, as can be evidenced in this small cloth badge, the emblem for which is based on the Abbey Arms. It was officially opened by the Archbishop of Canterbury in June 1959 and dedicated to the town’s saintly first Bishop, an event which is currently being celebrated in an exhibition at the museum under the title of the splendid school motto: DO RIGHT AND FEAR NOTHING. Plans for the school emerged following the 1936 Education Act when a steering group led by the Vicar of Sherborne entered into a “special agreement” with the government in which the State promised to finance three-quarters of the building costs. The prevailing political climate and the impact of the Second World War, however, led to inevitable delays. It was not until 1954 that the Government renewed their offer, which the committee decided to accept. Months of preparation and planning followed; the new building designed by Petter, Warren and Royden Cooper was intended to, ‘blend in with the general feeling of Sherborne as a whole, yet, at the same time be light and airy and on more contemporary lines internally’. A commanding site north of the town was eventually decided upon and the foundation stone laid on the 23rd July by the Bishop of Gloucester. The school opened in January 1959 with over 430 students accepted from 18 contributory schools in the North Dorset area. From the 90 applicants for the post of first headmaster, the 44 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
governors appointed Edmund Thomas Barnett, a practical man with a passion for the Church and for the outdoor life. Under his gifted leadership the school flourished; a colleague wrote in later years, ‘What a dynamic institution you built up, without a trace of Sherborne stuffiness’. By the early 1970s the catchment area had been widened and the national school leaving age raised, leading to an increasing number of pupils. Extension had to be made to the buildings, which included a new ROSLA (Raising of School Leaving Age) unit to provide for 120 students. The Reverend Wingfield Digby acknowledged that student numbers had been grossly underestimated from the start, ‘but it is a challenge which Mr. Burnett accepted and set about with real courage.’ Edmund Burnett retired in 1973, leaving a warning that Dorset was lagging behind the rest of the country in its implementation of comprehensive education. Even then, it was not until the 1990s that St. Aldhelm’s closed and merged with the town’s two Grammar Schools to create a new comprehensive, The Gryphon, which is widely acclaimed and which continues to thrive today on the former St. Aldhelm’s site. The museum is open from Tuesday-Saturday 10.30am4.30pm. The St. Aldhelm’s exhibition, with kind contributions from former pupils, is currently on display in the Marsden Gallery and will run until early December. Admission is free, although donations are welcomed. sherbornemuseum.co.uk
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History
LOST ROADS AND TRACKS PART VII
Cindy Chant, Sherborne Blue Badge Guide
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his month, at long last, I am going to share with you the fascinating story of that very ancient track south of Sherborne which winds its way in and around the small hamlets and scattered farmhouses on the road to Middlemarsh. Today, and largely as a result of turn-piking, it falls very clearly into southern and northern parts, Middlemarsh being the dividing line. South of this point, the road gives many signs of being a pre-Roman ridge road in origin running into the Roman Town of Durnovaria – now Dorchester, the county town of Dorset. This is my favourite old road - I don’t know why, it just is. Personally, I think it has so much atmosphere of days long ago. 46 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
So, we left Pinford Lane (the old London Road) at the ‘hub’ in Castleton by the Old Castle entrance. Where this road then branches, one section continues along and through to Newland (or St Swithins, as it was sometimes known) and up to ‘La Grene’ and then further on into the west, as I have previously discussed. The other branch went west and around to the south, towards Dorchester. This road followed the previous drive over Denny bridge (Denny Bridge can be seen from the grounds of the New Castle; a fine bridge with clear outlines of its Tudor structure) then over and around to the east side of the present New Castle stables and up the slopes past Home Farm. Here it swings south again, going up the very steep Gainsborough Hill
right to the top and past the Bishops Gallows, erected so the public could witness many a hanging. The death of others was considered perfectly good entertainment and was treated as a holiday, drawing huge crowds. The track then reached the place where North Wootton Lodge now stands, and the present Bishops Caundle road (A3030) crossed over and continued southwards into Green Lane. (More to tell you on Green Lane and beyond next month.) Another route to reach Gainsborough Hill was to leave Sherborne from the end of Ludbourne Road. Now called South Street, it took the path or track up the sleepy Holloway and reached what we now know as the Terraces and playing fields. It then continued along and up Gainsborough Hill as before. This is where the horses and wagons must have struggled with much difficulty on the wet and stony ground. A further route south out of Sherborne left from the Westbury end, crossing what would have been a ford at West Bridge. Traces of this road can be seen in the field where Limekiln Farm stands. An even better view of this old road is visible from the heights of the west part of the Terraces. Looking beyond Limekiln Farm, there is a long, sloping field through which Watery Lane, as it was and still is known, runs. As its name implies, the lane was liable to flood and become difficult in wet weather. One can walk along that route now and, half-way along, there is a depression which is often still wet and soggy. Once again, I can only imagine how desperately difficult it must have been for the poor horses, or indeed any pack animal, which had to pull heavy wagons through the mud. Later, in the coaching days, it was even worse, with the passengers often having to leave their carriages and walk alongside to lighten the weight. Owing to these difficulties, and perhaps also because of competition from the railway, a new and more gradual ascent was made by taking the road in wide sweeps over to the east and by cutting into the brow of the hill to lower the road. We know now this as Dancing Hill. There is a layby near the top of West Hill, marking the point where the new, improved road met the old one; it is now a favourite stopping place for motorists wishing to admire the same view that those early travellers coming from Dorchester admired. I will pause a while to let you get orientated and next month I will continue with the delightful Green Lane and beyond. sherbornewalks.co.uk
Free home visits specialist Neil Grenyer will be in the sherborne area on Thursday 27th June to value your antiques
To be Sold: 5th July 2019 DAME LAURA KNIGHT, DBE, RA, RWS (1877-1970) Lamorna Cove (detail) signed, watercolour and gouache, 37.5 x 42.5cm. Estimate ÂŁ10,000-15,000
to make an appointment please contact: ( 01460 73041 ď„ś neil.grenyer@lawrences.co.uk Complete house Contents & Attic Clearances Arranged Professional Probate valuations
L AWRENCES AUCTIONEERS
lawrences.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 47
Antiques
CHILD’S PLAY
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Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers
s an auctioneer and valuer, each working day I have the pleasure of seeing and handling many lots. Despite having been working in the world of antiques for nearly three and a half decades I am constantly amazed at the weird and wonderful items clients are looking to sell by auction. When out and about visiting clients one of the biggest misconceptions I come across is to do with age. Just because something is old it does not necessarily mean it has value. Let’s take Roman coins as an example. A coin which is over 2,000 years old can be worth less than £10. All that age and history for less than the price of a KFC Bargain Bucket (according to Google that is!). Conversely, some items which are modern can command high prices. A copy of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone could be worth over £30,000, providing it is a 1997 first edition, first issue, hardback copy with a print line which reads 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and the crediting of Joanne Rowling not J.K. Rowling. How many of you are now checking this? (In the unlikely event you have one of these, as only about 500 were printed with some 300 given to libraries, then do get in touch!) As well as age, size also matters. A large, three-door wardrobe looks great in a Victorian vicarage but the chances are you will not be able to accommodate it in a 20th century semi-detached house. The problem is also compounded as clothes in these wardrobes were generally hung on pegs rather than coat hangers and if you have a large overcoat or ball gown there is not enough space for hanging your garment properly. However, if you have a bijouterie table to display your favourite little items then, whether you are in a one-bedroom apartment or a 10-bedroom country residence, you will be able to accommodate it, so the price for this goes up, unlike the wardrobe. And then there are all the other items in between - not old, not modern, not too big and not too small. The other day, whilst out visiting a client near Dorchester, I spotted something which fits these criteria. The item in question is a wooden horse and cart, and it is positively charming. Made for the owner when he was a young boy in the 1930s, it is modelled on a Kent hop cart. Painted in a light brown with red wheels, it is pulled along by a team of two grey shire horses, their heads slightly bowed. You can see them working hard pulling the cart which is full of pokes with hops. Whilst this is a wonderful piece of folk art, perhaps what makes it even more interesting to collectors is the monochrome photograph which accompanies the horse and cart. Probably taken in the 1930s, it shows the team of horses pulling the cart, this time laden with hay, but made to appear as if the cart is a full-size working one. Thankfully, the owner as a young boy looked after his grey shire horses and cart which is probably why it has survived in good condition, complete with its photograph. Now, being of quite a senior age and looking to move home, the owner has entered this into our 20th & 21st June twoday collectors auction. I wonder if the next owner will keep it safely for another 90 years? charterhouse-auction.com
48 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
The 1930s Kent hop cart and grey shire horses with accompanying photograph, being sold by Charterhouse in their two-day June auction
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 49
CHARTERHOUSE Auctioneers & Valuers We are now accepting entries for our forthcoming auctions: Medals, Militaria, Coins & Stamps Thursday 20th June Model Cars, Trains, Dolls, other Toys & Collector’s Items Friday 21st June 1933 MG J2 £25,000-30,000
Classic & Vintage Cars Sunday 23rd June
Contact Richard Bromell for advice and to arrange a home visit
Automobilia & Petroliana Thursday 18th July
The Long Street Salerooms Sherborne DT9 3BS 01935 812277 www.charterhouse-auction.com
Pictures, Books & Antiques Friday 19th July
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50 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
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Interiors
MORE THAN ICING ON THE CAKE Suzy Newton, Partners in Design
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lthough it may sound like something which Mary Berry likes to whip up in her kitchen, passamenterie is the use of decorative trimmings for soft furnishings and it can raise a pair of curtains or a cushion to the level of a work of art! It comes from the French word ‘passements’, the centuriesold, delicate and intricate art of making trimmings. Passamenterie is making a big return to the marketplace in 2019. The ‘less is more’ trend has been enjoyed for a long time but now, modern interpretations of trims, bullion fringe and tiebacks are back in vogue. Vibrant colour combinations and unusual shapes and materials will make passamenterie ‘hip’ again. Just as the detail and style of beautiful handbags, shoes and scarves can set our personal stamp, so do the tassels, fringes, braids and beads we use to bedeck our soft furnishings at home. One of our suppliers, Samuel & Sons, has partnered with top designers to craft cutting-edge collections that offer a fresh approach to passamenterie. This includes celebrated designer Lori Weitzner, who has crafted ground-breaking collections using materials such as hand-blown glass, cultured pearls, precious gems and exotic woods. Adding a touch of glamour and decorative detail to both contemporary and more traditional styles, the applications are endless. With over 15,000 options, whether your taste is traditional or modern, items such as cushions, curtains, blinds and even ready-made furniture can be transformed with the application of a border, fringe or key tassel. It is a simple way to add glamour, personalise or create statement pieces that add design interest. It is this multitude of application possibilities that has driven the revival in the passion for trimmings. The broad history of passamenterie is to be found in the interiors of historic palaces: in the ornate bed drapery of the Palace of Versailles, the luxurious soft furnishings of 17th century English country houses and the extravagant silks of the palaces of the Middle East. The skills of passamenterie have been handed down through generations and retained within a limited
54 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
group of craftsmen. The finest work has historically been in France, Belgium, Italy and Spain but all European countries have had a skill base of their own. Established in 16th century France, passamenterie’s popularity grew alongside that of luxury textiles in the 17th century. It was used to layer textiles in grand houses but later became a decorating style embraced typically for traditional or classic design schemes, as the use of trimmings was not considered ‘on trend’ for contemporary or modern design projects for many years. The Samuel & Sons ethos has challenged this view by creating collections that have a far wider appeal, offering unexpected, innovative surfaces, materials and finishes and creating designs suited to contemporary textiles that are at home in ultra-modern as well as classic interiors. Trimmings can create the ‘wow’ factor. With a little thought and creativity, it’s a colourful way to add some flair. So, how can we start to use trimmings in our own home? • Trimmings are a great option to enhance a plain and simple curtain fabric. Adding a braid or beaded detail down the leading edge or a fan edge can instantly add individuality and enhance the ordinary, making it into something special and creating a look of opulence, texture and detail. • Sewing detailed trimmings around the border or along a soft pelmet top of an inexpensive blind will make it look special. • Embellish cushions with pompoms, ribbons or corded edges. Remember a little goes a long way; matching colours is vital while tone-on-tone adds depth and interest. Passamenterie is a straightforward way of giving a new lease of life to our homes without completely changing our styles. Have fun, as it’s never been easier with the plethora of styles, textures, designs and colours available on the market today! partners-in-design.co.uk
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 55
As part of our 1st year bi hday celebrations, Susie Watson Designs in Sherborne are delighted to partner with Mere-based florists ‘Sprout & Flower’ to offer customers a two day in-store spectacular flower event.
Friday 28th & Saturday 29 th June 2019 | 9am - 5.30pm Sprout & Flower specialise in offering customers fresh garden style flowers, cut herbs and summer foliage presented in beautiful, rustic bouquets.
The event offers one lucky customer the chance to win a stunning Sprout & Flower floral bouquet presented in a beautiful Susie Watson Designs engraved Hurricane Vase.
www.susiewatsondesigns.co.uk | 28 Cheap Street, Sherborne DT9 3PX www.sproutandflower.co.uk
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Interior fabrics with fantastic savings! www.thefabricbarn.co.uk • Call: 01935 851025 56 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
The Joinery Works, Alweston Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5HS Tel: 01963 23219 Fax: 01963 23053 Email: info@fcuffandsons.co.uk
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Interiors
BIRD IS THE WORD Kitty Oakshott, Upstairs Downstairs Interiors
Style Library
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fter flowers, birds are one of the most popular patterns on fabric. There are so many beautiful bird designs, from British garden birds to exotic peacocks or tropical parrots. Bird fabrics are a lovely way to bring the outdoors in and the bright, cheerful designs liven up any interior. William Morris often used birds in his designs, such as the iconic ‘Strawberry Thief ’. The inspiration for this came about as he sat and watched the birds steal his strawberries from under the fruit nets at his home, Kelmscott Manor. The success of his designs relies on his well-practised and close observation of nature; they are some of our best loved fabrics and wallpapers. Bird designs range from the traditional to the 60 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
sophisticated or glamorous. Chintz and toile designs often feature birds and are a very classic choice. Bird prints on velvets look sumptuous on upholstery, where beautiful feathers and plumage bring a luxurious touch, and dark backgrounds show off all birds so well. These fabrics have been popular for a while but it seems we just can’t get enough of them at the moment! Mulberry’s ‘Flying Ducks’ is a true classic and so instantly recognisable. It works just as well on a large sofa as it does on a cushion. Bird designs also work brilliantly on wallpapers. ‘Hummingbirds’ by Cole & Son is one of their best-selling designs and works perfectly in both contemporary and traditional interiors. Birds can be
EMMA BROWNJOHN DEE NICKERSON RICHARD SORRELL 1st – 19th June
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used on almost anything in the home, even if you don’t want to have the Beswick flying ducks on your wall! How about having a bit of fun with a duck-legged mirror or a bright, bird-inspired lampshade? Now that summer is rapidly approaching, why not bring in a touch of the tropical and go flamingo! Bright, fun, and bold, these birds have one of the most famous silhouettes. Coming a long way from being used as a retro garden ornament, the flamingo is a hugely popular design in both fashion and interiors and brings the everimportant shock of pink into the home. Get inspired and take flight! updowninteriors.co.uk
Dee Nickerson
Green Gate
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Gardening
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group
I
n an era when we are all striving to be more environmentally aware and, whether we like it or not, have fewer insecticides available, we need to find alternative methods to protect our plants from insect pests. One such method is the use of biological control, where a naturally occurring predator or parasite is introduced to keep the pest under control. The system has been used for many years in commercial horticulture but, in recent times, a number have become available to the amateur gardener. Some are for controlling pests, such as Red Spider Mite or Whitefly in the greenhouse. For Red Spider Mite, there are separate spring and summer treatments both using mites. The mite for use earlier in the year copes with lower temperatures whilst the later treatments use a mite that will also be able to tackle pest populations that already exist. Whitefly can be controlled by the larvae of a tiny parasitic wasp; regular applications between April and August are needed to get good control. Outside in the garden, aphids can be tackled by the introduction of ladybirds, which are available as larvae or indeed the adult ladybird. We get these in abundance in our house over the winter and I’ve collected dozens of them that were hibernating in the corner of a window and transferred them to the greenhouse where they are really enjoying themselves. More recently, lawns have suffered very badly with leatherjackets, the larval stage of the Daddy Long Legs or Cranefly, which have a huge appetite for the roots of grass; you may only notice it when you see birds pecking away at your lawn. Sometimes badgers dig up the turf to get at the leatherjackets too. Control is difficult these days as no chemical is available, however a parasitic nematode will relish helping you out. It’s available in April and May and then again in in September and 66 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
October when it is most effective. Slugs are probably the gardener’s worst enemy and control here is possible using a naturally occurring nematode. These microscopic worms multiply inside the slug causing it to stop feeding and so it eventually dies. The nematode comes in a powder and needs to be watered onto the garden between March and October. In pots and in the ground, a tricky pest is the Vine Weevil; you may not notice the adult but signs that
Sasimoto/Shutterstock
it exists are notches cut into the leaf of plants. The real damage is done by the white larvae with an orange head that have an incredible appetite for plant roots, especially Fuchsias, Heuchera and Rhododendrons. A parasitic nematode mixed in with water and applied in September and then also in the spring will help control the larvae. Moths have had a resurgence in the home and these can be controlled with another tiny parasitic wasp. The term ‘wasp’ gives it a bad name but you won’t ever notice
it as it is so tiny and doesn’t sting. There are many more that I haven’t mentioned which are also very useful. Some are available off the shelf and we can organise others to be delivered to your door. These are environmentally sound treatments that have been tried and tested, usually in commercial horticulture. They are also very safe – unless of course you are a pest! thegardeneronline.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 67
Gardening
DIARY OF A FIRST-TIME FLOWER FARMER
DELPHINIUM TIME
T
Paul Stickland, Black Shed Flowers
he last few weeks have seen that explosion of growth that we yearn for all winter, all year really. Night temperatures started to climb after a couple of late frosts and growth really began to surge. The tulips strutted their stuff right into May but I was almost glad to see them go. You only get one flower from a bulb and they flower when they feel like it. They’re expensive and they have to be sold at exactly the right moment. So heavy rain, strong wind, frosts and heatwaves are not welcome - which sounds a lot like our May. However, they were so worth it. Soon be time to order next year’s bulbs… The anemones did well too, wave upon wave of longstemmed flowers in white, pastel pinks and mauves, or bright red, pink, blue and purple. Imagine what 4000 anemones look like when they’re in full flower and then how much picking they take! Our ravishing ranunculus had a final flourish; they’re such stars, providing wonderful focal flowers for bouquets. We already grew a large range of pastel pinks, corals and picotees so we bought several hundred new pastel colours to augment these. I was briefly a bit disappointed to see them flower in bright yellows, orange, reds, crimsons and purples but then we got asked to supply a Persian-themed wedding and all was well. I just wish they were as easy to grow as their cousin, the common buttercup. They’re both members of the Ranunculaceae family and you can just about see the resemblance in their leaves and the flower structure. Anemones are also members of this flower family, as are the next flowers to star on the farm: the delphiniums and larkspurs. Delphiniums and larkspur are such iconic elements of the idyll of the English country garden. They’re very closely related and make the most wonderful cut flowers, so we grow a lot. We find that larkspur germinates easily and, after last year’s amazing summer, it’s now selfsown all over the garden. It’ll be interesting to see what colours we get this year. Last year we grew a huge range
68 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
of different hybrids, from a delicious misty grey lavender, through pinks and whites to frosted blues and deep purples. We even grew the true wild larkspur, a light airy cloud of flowers in rich blue or white and a tangly beauty! Being a big fan of blue flowers, delphiniums have my heart. Their range of blues is like no other. From the palest misty blue through clear cerulean sky to the richest indigos. Their eyes, also known as bees, come in white, brown and black. Real bees adore them, spiralling their way around their stems. Sometimes double, sometimes single, their stature is astounding. They grow so quickly, throwing up 6ft spires with the most unlikely speed; a thrilling presence in the garden. I’m entranced. Both larkspur and delphiniums can be difficult to germinate but there are tricks. We sow delphinium seeds in damp tissue paper in closed plastic boxes in winter. For some reason they germinate very well like this. We then transfer the tiny seedlings into compost. It’s a bit fiddly but we now have hundreds of my favourite pale blue variety, Clivedon Beauty, growing well in the field. If you can get fresh seeds from your plants, they germinate like mustard and cress. Keep on top of slugs with the new and safe Ferric Phosphate slug pellets and keep an eye out around your plants after flowering. We found hundreds of seedlings growing in our thick mulch last year. We have, in fact, found thousands of seedlings this year; every single bed has seen the plants generously offering to take over. Some things are very welcome: stunning Iceland poppies, beautiful scabious and foxgloves are welcome anywhere, giant scabious and monster cardoon somewhat less so. I like to imagine what the garden would look like if we left it untended. It would quickly turn into a most extraordinary jungle! And if I don’t finish this article and get out there with my secateurs and trowel, it will. blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk paulstickland_
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FEED THE SOUL Words Jo Denbury Photography Katharine Davies
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or some time, a quiet organic movement has been growing in Godmanstone, just north of Dorchester: first the milk that used to come from Manor Farm and then the shop run by Hugh and Patsy Chapman, who sold the produce from their organic vegetable farm. Three years ago, the Chapmans decided to retire from the shop and it was then that they asked the brother and sister team, Alex and Nick Beer, if they would like to take over. Alex and Nick agreed and Feed the Soul was born. To open a vegan restaurant in the middle of the Dorset countryside might seem like a risky idea but if anyone is going to succeed it will be these two. Their passion for nourishing vegan food that uses as many local ingredients as possible is infectious. As Nick puts it, ‘We’re very lucky because we grew up in Charminster and, being local, we have received a lot of support from local people.’ >
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‘The first three months were pretty scary,’ admits Nick, 24. They soon realised they needed a loan and were able to secure one from the Prince’s Trust. It wasn’t that the two were new to food. In the past Nick had worked in coffee and Alex, 27, had trained as a baker with Boston Tea Party in Bristol. They worked together at the Loft café in Dorchester and later they ran a vegan cake stall, attending many of the local food markets and festivals. Then there were the two trips abroad that proved to be pivotal. In 2014 they visited India and Sri Lanka where Nick and Alex stayed in Ashrams. There they found the practice of yoga, meditation and the importance of food as part of the balance of body, mind and soul an inspiration. Nick has kept up the meditating and yoga remains central to Alex’s life. ‘I needed that trip,’ says Nick, I was a bit wild in those days and India humbled me.’ Alex then visited Australia, not long before they began Feed the Soul. ‘The vegan and clean-eating scene was very big there,’ says Alex, ‘but what impressed me most was the attention to detail, for example, the way the cakes were presented.’ They both learned a lot from those trips and knew they wanted to open a café back in Dorset, so when the opportunity arose they took it.
‘We wanted to make healthy, organic, vegan food. Our top priority is that everything is organic and produced as locally as possible,’ says Alex. ‘By sourcing our ingredients and produce for the shop from local producers, when we can, we are helping each other out.’ Their eventual aim is to grow as much as possible of their own produce. In the meantime, many of the fresh leaves and vegetables come from Patsy. Nick looks after the front of house and the coffee while Alex produces the salads and patisserie in the kitchen. ‘We received huge support when we first opened,’ says Nick and it has stayed with them. The café is often packed with customers passing through to buy produce or dropping in for a salad or coffee and toast. Others will arrive for lunch or for Alex’s raw cakes which are divine. ‘The food is the alchemist,’ says Alex, ‘and we want to introduce a vibe where people are made to feel extra-special.’ How Alex came to veganism will be a path that is familiar to some. It was while she was training as a baker that she began to feel unwell. She saw her GP and he suggested a course of tablets. In her words she ‘wasn’t having that’ and she visited a nutritionist instead, who advised her that she had dairy and gluten intolerances. > sherbornetimes.co.uk | 73
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Alex is not a person who does things by halves so she decided to follow a raw vegan diet for two years. ‘I learned a lot at that time,’ she says. ‘I decided I wanted a total detox. I felt fantastic, very alive.’ Alex still consults a nutritionist - nowadays its Tamara Jones of Loving Healthy in Bridport, a previous contributor to the Bridport Times. She also still fasts. ‘I recently did a five-day juice fast,’ she adds. Nick interjects, ‘I don’t do fasts, I do feeding frenzies.’ In fact, for him, selling the food and drinks at the café is about making people feel physically comfortable. ‘I call it “wholesome full-up”,’ he says. For today’s feast Alex has put together three salads: the first is made of miso, fennel and cabbage, the second an Asian-style one with peanut, tamarind and red cabbage, and the third a mound of fresh salad leaves from Tamarisk Farm and Patsy’s poly-tunnel. It’s to be rounded off with a cherry cake with rose petals which Nick is dying to taste (let’s be honest, we all are!). ‘Patisserie is really my favourite,’ says Alex. ‘I just love it. I think my passion came from finding it hard to eat out because of my food intolerances so I began to make raw cakes. With the café, I don’t have much time to experiment, which is frustrating, and all the recipes are in my head. The café is always busy so I have to make the cakes as quickly as possible. However, we are excited for this summer because we’re getting help and will be able to open six days a week.’ She is hoping it will give her more time to work on her cakes. ‘The food is the magic,’ says Alex ‘and the cakes have to be special.’ ‘You put a lot of pressure on yourself,’ adds Nick. Alex admits the first year was hard: they were incredibly busy and she let her yoga slip. ‘At the start we worked all the time but I realised I needed to make time for yoga.’ She now goes to Aquila in Bridport every Wednesday. ‘It’s so important to make time for other 76 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
things in your life,’ she adds. While Alex is at her yoga, Nick stays late at the café experimenting with flavours and mixtures. Coffee is his passion and the beans — currently sourced from Rwanda — are roasted at the café. He makes a mean V60 (a drip-brew coffee) and also Kombucha, which they now have on tap and will be serving with rum for an evening cocktail on Fridays. Nick is also interested in foraging and uses foraged produce as much as possible, as well as working on mushroom fermentation with Lee Moreton of @food_fire_knives. ‘It’s all experimental at this stage,’ says Nick. ‘We are very niche. It’s important to do things traditionally and healthily but with a twist. Which is why I make pesto with fermented wild garlic, and experiment with flavoured sauerkrauts and pickle.’ Alex agrees. ‘We’re just so lucky in Dorset that we have this produce, plus all the farmers and the hedgerows. It’s why we support farms such as Tamarisk Farm (in West Bexington) because it’s so good to be able to see where the produce is grown.’ When I ask them what they have planned for the future they’re very clear that they want to build on what they’ve started. Alex would like to cater for yoga retreats and Nick is working on expanding their evening workshops on subjects such as fermentation, as well as the themed supper clubs and pop-ups at events. ‘One day,’ Nick says, ‘we might be able to buy our own house.’ It isn’t easy being an entrepreneur in your twenties but I have a feeling these two have got it right. As Alex says, ‘Let’s all be compassionate and not feel intimidated,’ which has to be the best advice for anyone thinking about the future. In the meantime, I will be dreaming of that cherry cake.
feedthesoul.co.uk @ab_feed_the_soul
CHERRY CAKE Alex Beer, Feed the Soul
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his is a beautiful cake for summer. My recipe uses activated almonds which are far more nutritious and a lot easier to digest. To activate, soak the almonds overnight, drain and wash under a cold tap. Using a dehydrator, then dry the nuts at 42 degrees for 48 hours. In the absence of a dehydrator you can buy activated nuts from your health food shop or raw food website. Ingredients
For the base 1 cup activated buckwheat 2 cups activated almonds 1 cup dates 3 tbsp melted cacao butter ¼ cup coconut sugar Pinch of salt For the filling 4 cups cashews (soaked for 4-6 hours) ½ cup agave ½ cup plant-based milk ½ cup cherry active 2tbsp coconut kefir 1tsp vanilla extract Pinch salt Juice of 1 lemon ½ cup melted coconut oil 4tbsp melted cacao butter
For the jelly topping 250ml cherry active juice 3 tbsp agar flakes Method
Base 1 Blend all the ingredients in a food processor until they are crumbly then pulse in the cacao butter. 2 Press into a lined spring-top 24cm round cake tin. 3 Leave in the fridge while you make the filling. Filling 4 In a high-power blender (e.g. Vitamix), blend all the ingredients, except for the oils, until super smooth. 5 While the blade is still spinning, slowly add the oils and mix through until combined. 6 Pour over the base and set in the fridge for at least 6 hours (overnight is best). Jelly topping 7 Pour the cherry active juice into a saucepan, add the agar flakes and whisk together. 8 Turn on the heat and keep stirring until the juice starts to boil. 9 Reduce to a simmer and carry on whisking for 3 minutes. 10 Pour over the filling of the cake, set aside for 30 minutes then pop into the fridge. After 1 hour it will be ready to serve. © Alex Beer sherbornetimes.co.uk | 77
@elizabethwatsonillustrations 78 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Food and Drink
PORK SOUVLAKI
Matthew Street, Executive Chef, The Seasons Restaurant at The Eastbury
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BQ season is here: I’ve had three so far this year. Cooking over hot coals or wood is something we Brits don’t get to do as much as we would like. For this recipe, instead of pork you can use chicken or lamb with onion or perhaps courgette and halloumi. Serve with tzatziki and pita bread. Here’s to your Greekthemed BBQ! Yiamas! Ingredients
800g pork tenderloins 1 medium red onion 8 sprigs rosemary 6 sprigs thyme 2 cloves garlic, whole or crushed 5 tbsp olive oil 5 tbsp white wine vinegar + 5 extra tbsp for skewer’s marinade coarse salt pepper wooden skewers to serve
2
3 4 5
6 7
8
the wooden skewers in the marinade for 1-2 hours so they won’t burn while the meat is cooking. Use a sharp knife to help you remove the white membrane covering the top part of the pork loin then cut the meat into equal sized pieces (2-3 cm thick). Transfer to a deep baking pan and set them aside Chop the onion into 4 pieces. Separate the onion layers and add them to the pan. Finely chop the remaining herbs (aromatics) and discard stems. Add them to the pan. Add 5 tbsp of olive oil, 5 tbsp of white wine vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, salt and pepper. The meat will turn white because of the vinegar. Set aside for at least 20 minutes. Thread the pieces of meat, alternating with pieces of onion, onto the stick. Cook over a grill until they cook through and brown nicely – cook the onions until they are juicy and caramelised. Serve with toasted pita bread, tomatoes and tzatziki sauce.
Method
Απολαμβάνω!
1 In a container put 5 tbsp of white wine vinegar, 2 sprigs of rosemary and some sprigs of thyme. Soak
theesatburyhotel.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 79
Food and Drink
THE CAKE WHISPERER Val Stones
PIÑATA CELEBRATA CAKE
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piñata was originally a pot shaped as a sevenpointed star and hung out of reach. The pot represented evil and may have been filled with seasonal fruits or sweets. A blindfolded person was given a stick to hit, and hopefully break, the pot. Piñatas nowadays are often in the shape of animals or toys and have become a birthday party treat. Although more complex than my usual bakes it’s worth the effort. The cake itself is a simple Victoria sponge recipe; it’s the assembly that turns it into a showstopper. My recipe is vanilla flavoured but you could use any flavour. The buttercream recipe can be made first or as the cake is baking. The circles cut out from the middle of four of the sponge layers can be used for miniature fresh cream cakes or frozen to use in trifles or truffles.
Offset spatula Plain edge, plastic side scraper Disposable piping bags Image: Katharine Davies Piping nozzle Wilton 6-point 2D (pipes roses and swirls) 3-4 bags of chocolate m&ms
Makes 12-16 servings Timings: Preparation - 15 minutes; cooking - 30-35 minutes; decorating - 25 minutes
Buttercream (sufficient for a 6-tier 23cm round cake)
You will need
6 x 9” (23cm) tins Stand- or electric hand-mixer Thick cake board at least 28cm diameter 7cm or 9cm scone cutter 80 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Cake (all ingredients should be at room temperature)
340g eggs (out of shells) 340g caster sugar 300g soft margarine 40g unsalted butter 340g self-raising flour plus some for dusting the baking pans 10g baking powder 3 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 jar of raspberry jam 1.2kg icing sugar, sifted 400g good quality unsalted butter (room temperature) 100g cream cheese (room temperature) 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract Ganache
100g dark chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate 75ml double cream
To make the cake
1 Set oven 160C fan, 180C, gas mark 4. 2 Grease and line the baking tins. 3 Weigh eggs into a bowl and add all the remaining ingredients except the jam. Beat for one minute and allow to rest for one minute, then beat for two minutes with a hand-mixer or in a stand mixer. 4 To make sure every cake is the same, place each baking tin on your scales and put 227g into each one. 5 Bake for 30 minutes before checking. If they are too noisy, bake for another 2 minutes. Usually they are baked after 35 minutes. 6 Place tins on a cooling rack for two minutes. Remove cakes and leave them to cool completely. To make the buttercream
7 Place butter in the stand bowl or a large mixing bowl and beat on high for 2 minutes. Add cream cheese and beat for 2 minutes. 8 Beating on medium, gradually add icing sugar a dessertspoon at a time until fully incorporated. Turn mixer up to full and beat for 10 minutes until light and fluffy. Lastly add vanilla extract. Set aside at room temperature until ready to assemble the cake. 9 There are many variations for buttercream - try some of your favourite flavours! To make the ganache
10 Place chocolate in a small bowl. 11 Heat cream in a pan until it begins to bubble. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Leave for 5-10 minutes. 12 Stir mixture to make a glossy ganache. Set aside to cool a little. When it is time to add the ganache to the cake, if it has set too much place it in a microwave for one minute on medium heat to soften. To assemble the cake
13 Place cake board on turntable. Put a dessertspoon of buttercream on the board and spread a little to stick the first layer of cake on the board. 14 Spread 2 tablespoons of jam on the cake to within 2cm of edge. 15 Using the cutter, cut out a circle from middle of the next cake layer. Place cake layer on the base cake. Spread 2 tablespoons of buttercream on the layer and then 2 tablespoons of jam. Repeat with 3 more layers, leaving one for the top. 16 Fill the cake cavity with m&ms then place last cake
layer on top. 17 Using a palette knife, cover cake with a thin layer of buttercream (about 1/3rd of the mixture) around the sides and top, filling any gaps between sponges. This is called a crumb coat and ensures that your final layer is crumb-free. Chill the cake for 30 minutes in the fridge to firm up the icing. 18 Once the icing is chilled, use 1/3rd of the buttercream to completely cover the cake: pile the icing on the top then use a palette knife to ease it over the edge and down the sides, leaving it rough or smooth as you prefer (a cake scraper will give smoother sides). Chill for 30 minutes. 19 When ganache is the correct consistency, remove cake from fridge. Place ganache in a piping bag and snip off the end. Drizzle over the top edge of the cake, holding the bag at a slight angle will encourage it to drizzle down the side (tip: start at the back of the cake to get the hang of it). Then fill in the middle of the top of the cake with a thin layer of chocolate. 20 Place the piping nozzle into a disposable piping bag and half-fill with the remaining buttercream. Holding the bag vertically about 3cm above the cake, pipe 12 swirls around the top. Place an m&m onto each swirl of buttercream and scatter a few more over the middle of the cake. bakerval.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 81
Food and Drink
A MONTH ON THE PIG FARM James Hull, The Story Pig
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any new small businesses find that the idea they started with gets hijacked along the way. Not just the idea but also the concept, the passion, the direction in which to take it and, oh yes, the name. How exciting to find a name, something that links to your ethos, your product and you. So, after many lists and crossings-out later, you have your new name, your baby, your new identity. You spend a small fortune making a logo, having signs printed, labels and many other things that you hadn’t thought of before, and how exciting when it all turns up… with your new name on. Suddenly it’s real. This is exactly how it went for us. The Rusty Pig Company was born from two things. Tamworth pigs, which are definitely rusty, and a rusty metal pig sign that I saw for sale at the Bath and West show. I said to my friend, ‘Look at that rusty pig’. I bought it and it seemed like fate; we had our name. Of course, I checked to make sure no one was already using it. And then, in the midst of the mud and the rain and the cold winter nights, I received a call to say, ’We will sue you if you don’t change your name’. After hours of soul-searching, indignation and other emotions, we decided we would have to start all over again and find a new name. It’s not all bad: we are both creative people, we had time to think. The business had grown and developed, so what should we be looking for? Then one day, whilst driving to a pork delivery, in the middle 82 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
of a conversation out popped ‘THE STORY PIG’. ‘Why that?’ I hear you say. Well, several reasons actually but this is the main one. Since we have been producing our own pork we have met lots of small producers like ourselves, and all of them have at least one thing in common - other than the desire and tenacity to succeed, the passion about their product and the single-mindedness to work many hours for very little in order to get something off the ground. They all have a story, a unique story, and we have ours, some of which I have written about but much that I have still to write. So, we are ‘The Story Pig’. And the moral of this part of the story is, if you have a new name, get it trademarked. In our experience this is money well spent. The other thing that is now keeping me awake at night is our Open Farm Sunday event, It’s now very close and the list of things that must be achieved before it takes place is getting longer rather than shorter. The worries also get bigger. Actually, if it is anything like last year, the sun shone, the people came and we had an amazing day. So, if you are interested in what we are doing and where your food comes from, if you like cider, music, great views, good food and of course, the stars of the show, our pigs, please join us. The Story Pig Open Farm Sunday will take place at Lavender Keepers on Sunday 9th June from 11am-4pm.
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 Story Pig, Sandford Orcas, Sherborne See more at www.therustypigcompany.co.uk
Little Barwick House Restaurant with rooms
COME FOR DINNER, STAY THE NIGHT
Delicious, classically based dishes with a modern twist, served in an elegant, but relaxed, fine dining atmosphere.
www.littlebarwickhouse.co.uk 01935 423902 Rexes Hollow Lane, Barwick, near Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 9TD sherbornetimes.co.uk | 83
Food and Drink
UKHA
Tom Matkevich, The Green Restaurant
Sasha Matkevich and son Tom, Eype Beach 2016. Image: Katharine Davies 84 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
M
Y
CM
Ingredients Serves 4-6
readscoffee.co.uk
RBO
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REA D
OASTED COF 'S R
FEE
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his simple and wholesome but still elegant and delicious fish stew consisting of an alluring broth, herbs and diced fish is often eaten across Russia. It is frequently part of Eastern European feasts, served in beautifully decorated soup bowls. Making your own stock from the bones is well worth it and is mouthwatering when combined with vibrant herbs and the fish itself. Traditionally this soup is made with fish such as bream, sturgeon and sometimes other freshwater species such as pike, perch and catfish. We recommend a firm fish such as halibut and as fresh as possible.
RNE DOR
RWANDA MUGONERO Deliciously bright with intense, complex flavours. This high grown Rwandan Bourbon bean makes an exceptional cup!
MY
CY
800g halibut loin or other firm white fish, chopped into medium cubes 300g of fish bones, well rinsed in cold water 1 onion, diced 1 leek, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 1 bunch of dill ½ bunch of fennel ¼ bunch of flat leaf parsley 1 bunch of tarragon 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped into medium cubes 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped into small cubes Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper CMY
K
Method
1 To make the stock, chop the stalks of the herbs, reserving the leaves, and add them to a large saucepan with the fish bones, onion, leek, celery and 2 litres of cold water. 2 Bring to the boil and skim the foam from the surface then reduce the heat to a light simmer and cook for half an hour, skimming the foam that gathers every ten minutes or so. 3 Strain through a fine sieve into a large saucepan. Return to a medium heat and add the diced potato and carrot and cook for 10 minutes. Season with sea salt and white pepper. 4 Add fish cubes and cook for another 8-12 minutes, or until the fish is just cooked, then remove from the heat. 5 Chop the reserved herb leaves and add to the soup with the olive oil. Serve immediately, with sour cream if you like. greenrestaurant.co.uk
readscoffee.co.uk
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
Food and Drink
ITALIAN APERTIVI David Copp
Alfredo Ravanetti/Shutterstock
I
n the 1970s I lived and worked in Italy for three months of the year and soon got into the habit of taking an aperitif before lunch and dinner. Aperitif in its widest sense can mean any kind of pre-meal drink but I think of aperitifs as vermouths, which I believe are one of Italy’s greatest cultural gifts to the world. In those days I preferred less alcoholic, bitter, wine-based vermouths such as Punt e Mes rather than spirit-based ones such as Campari. The main attraction was bitter sweet refreshment that set my digestive juices flowing. Aperol took over as my favourite because of 86 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
its then low abv - 3 degrees alcohol by volume. Served on ice in a wine glass, with soda water to taste and garnished with a slice of fresh orange, it was a very refreshing long drink and welcome as the days became warmer. Vermouth was developed by ancient civilisations who infused their table wines with botanicals. Some argue that Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used wormwood, a powerfully scented and intensely bitter plant of the genus Artemisia which he recognised as a cure for stomach ailments. Over the years, other
botanicals such as mint, sage and camomile were added as were exotic spices from further afield. However, wormwood (from the German word for wormwood, vermut) remained the main agent in transforming a medicinal tonic into a pleasurable, aromatised aperitif. We are apt to forget that, before 1860, Piedmont and Savoy were part of the Sardinian Kingdom. When Italy was unified, Savoy was ceded by treaty to France. However, both regions remained centres of production of vermouth because their Alpine terrain, overlooking the city of Turin in Italy and Chambéry in Savoy, was rich in wormwood and other aromatic plants. Turin is the true home of Italian vermouth. As Marseilles and Piraeus nurtured pastis and ouzo respectively, and Jerez de la Frontera fostered sherry, so Turin developed vermouth. Today, Turin and nearby Milan house the headquarters of such industry leaders as Martini, Cinzano, Campari, Aperol and Fernet Branca. Antonio Benedetto Carpano is generally acknowledged as the first producer of a superior herbal elixir based on the local wine, moscato bianco. He named his aperitif Punt e Mes. The Duke of Savoy liked it and it quickly became a favourite at his court and in the chic cafés of Turin. However, the political disturbances of the twentieth century were not kind to small artisanal businesses and vermouth was almost forgotten. It was rescued by the rise of the cocktail culture in America, which gave it a much-needed new lease of life as bartenders created a range of heady new cocktails such as Manhattan and Dry Martini, mixing vermouth with whiskey and gin and, later, vodka and tequila. The Negroni – gin, Campari and sweet red vermouth - and the Dry Martini became the two most popular cocktails worldwide. Encouraged by their international acclaim Vermouth producers broadened their product ranges and now offer a very sophisticated range of vermouths which I suggest are well worth investigating if you have it in mind to take good care of your stomach. The Vermouth di Torino Institute, formed by 15 of the largest producers including Carpano, Cinzano and Martini Rossi, has established a premium category recognised for its excellence and its ability to stimulate appetite. They offer a range of different styles. Pio de Cesare is a blend of chardonnay and moscato bianco macerated with more than 25 botanicals and sweetened with burnt sugar to give candied orange, cinnamon and vanilla flavours redolent of panettone. Cocchi Dopo Teatro Amaro has a higher proportion of bitter
cinchona offset by additional sugar to produce a deftly balanced vermouth with flavours of rhubarb, sarsaparilla and cherry bark to give it a peppery finish. Contratto Rosso, an historic artisanal vermouth revived in 2012, has earthy liquorice root flavours lifted by citrus peel. Martini Riserva Speciale Ambrato is based on moscato bianco with intense herbal and heather notes and undertones of lemon, cinnamon stick, peach and camomile to give it an assertive bite. Martini has also just launched a new vermouth Fiero. ‘It is a zesty bitter sweet orange vermouth to be drunk 50/50 with tonic water,’ says Ivano Tonuffy, Martini’s master herbalist. Popular journalists concerned with fashion insist on telling us that Vermouth and Sherry are a bit passé. However, I am of the generation that likes to make up its own mind about what to drink regardless of fashion, and I would encourage those with an interest in the welfare of their stomachs to start their social gatherings with vermouth in one of its various forms whether taken straight, in a cocktail or mixed with soda, sparkling wine or water. Punte e Mes (now owned by Fernet Branca), a true amaro with a bitter-sweet flavour, is still a favourite and the ideal accompaniment to the savoury nibbles, called salatini, offered in decent bars and cafés. Since I like a refreshing, lightly alcoholic drink as an ‘opener’, Aperol is the ideal solution. Poured over ice into a large wine glass or tumbler, with soda water or sparkling white wine added to taste and with a slice of orange as garnish, it has the added benefit of looking cool and colourful. Originally introduced by the Barbieri brothers in Padua in 1919, Aperol became most widely appreciated in Venice where the fresh, low-alcohol, sparkling wine Prosecco proved to be the ideal mixer. Locally it was known as a Veneziano. More widely it is known as Aperol Spritzer. Campari took over control of the brand in 2003 and raised the alcohol to 11 abv but it still works well with Prosecco and can be topped up with soda water to make a friendly, long-lingering introduction to a summer’s evening. The recipe calls for three measures of Aperol to be poured over ice into a large, cool wine glass or a long tumbler, with an equivalent amount of Prosecco and/or soda water to your preference. Don’t forget to give it a stir it with a long spoon and add a slice of orange as garnish. On your next visit to your wine merchant ask what they stock beside the big brands. Waitrose list an excellent selection of Vermouths including some from France and Spain. I hope you will find they all help prepare the stomach for summer suppers in the fresh air. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 87
Animal Care
CAT SCANS
Mark Newton-Clarke, MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons
A
ttitude is important, in all aspects of life. The word itself is simple enough, however it has many facets. Within the word lies determination, resilience and humility. If you’ve got the right attitude, many things become easier, perhaps even the seemingly impossible becomes possible. Many of you may know that I am accompanying a friend and colleague, Graham, on a coast-to-coast walk in aid of the cancer-support charity called Maggie’s Centres. Well, I am writing this 10 days into the 88 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
two-week hike over Cumbria, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, well on our way to Robin Hood’s Bay. The right mental attitude has proven to be essential on this march across England, particularly so for Graham who has terminal cancer. In his brief period of remission, Graham decided to do something positive and organise this walk, and so far we have raised £10,000 for Maggie’s. Thank you to everyone who has donated. Our Just Giving page will remain open for the next week or two and can be reached through the blog
New World/Shutterstock
"dogs and cats too can suffer neurological diseases that often manifest as changes in behaviour or habit."
section on the Newton Clarke website. We have been joined along the way at various stages by old friends and colleagues and it’s been good to catch up on news and meet different people. Many are vets and their lives have many similarities to my own, all of us feeling lucky and privileged to have spent the years doing a job we find rewarding and stimulating. Those of us who remained in or returned to clinical medicine knew the right mental attitude was essential if we were to remain mentally healthy in the long term. There is much more talk these days about mental health in humans, and dogs and cats too can suffer neurological diseases that often manifest as changes in behaviour or habit. The problem we have as vets is that we have to rely on physical tests and reflexes to examine our patients rather than sitting them down and talking about the problem. Owners often remark on this but I remind them that paediatricians and doctors dealing with stroke victims and dementia patients also have the same disadvantage. Fortunately, we now have access to advanced imaging techniques such as MRI and CT, helping us to identify structural changes in the brain and spinal cord. Although technology is marvellous, MRI can only ‘see’ things bigger than a millimetre or so. Luckily, diseases in the nervous system often cause a visible shadow that expert radiologists can interpret. In small animal practice, slipped discs are a common cause of back pain and paralysis and, in severe cases, surgery is needed quickly if mobility is to be preserved. There are several other conditions that can mimic a prolapsed disc, one of the strangest being a blockage of a blood vessel supplying the spine and causing temporary weakness or collapse. These cases often occur in dogs that are running or playing and turning tight corners at speed. We have no idea how a little piece of cartilage gets into the blood vessel but the result is dramatic and the owner will beat a path to our door. This condition has a number of names but let’s call just call it FCM (standing for fibro cartilagenous myelopathy!). The good news is it gets better with rest in most cases but the bad news is it takes an MRI to distinguish it from a slipped disc. The important thing about damage to nervous tissue is time, by which I mean the time it takes to get treatment. Strokes in humans are a familiar example and it’s the same in animals. So, if your dog or cat suddenly develops a weakness or collapses, give us a call right away. newtonclarkevet.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 89
Animal Care
CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE John Walsh BVSc Cert AVP DBR MRCVS, Friars Moor Vets
O
ne of the biggest challenges facing the agricultural industry is the recruitment of new and enthusiastic people. A career in agriculture can be very interesting and rewarding but people often assume you need to own a farm to become a farmer. This is not the case. At a recent talk, a successful US farmer highlighted that his best workers often came from nonagricultural backgrounds. Another barrier for people considering a career in agriculture is the lack of knowledge about the careers available and what these jobs involve, however there are many opportunities and interesting career paths for both men and women. Technological advancements are playing an ever-increasing role in agricultural management including robotic milking parlours, GPS guided tractors, electronic tags that help monitor an animal’s health and computers that monitor animal production data, to name but a few. With the correct training, people can excel at a career in agriculture. I myself did not come from an agricultural background but now spend all my time working with the agricultural industry, using technology every day, and I love it! By the time you read this, I will have attended the Sherborne Castle Country Fair as their vet for the rare, minority and native breeds show. This involves being present from the beginning of the day to inspect animals as they arrive to ensure they are disease free and in tip-top health. I am also there to help with any veterinary emergencies that crop up on the day and for general advice. People who attend the show get to see native and rare breed sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, horses and ponies up close and to hear from their very knowledgeable owners about the breed’s history and past uses. Many of these breeds originated in relatively confined areas, 90 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
becoming specially adapted to their local environment. The names often represent the home of the breed, for example Portland Sheep, Berkshire Pigs, Belted Galloway Cattle, Suffolk Punch Horses and Dartmoor Ponies. Displays during the day include heavy horses, rare breed poultry, rare breed goats and a grand finale parade. Many of the handlers are often younger people who play an important role in maintaining our rare breed heritage. Owning rare breeds is also a great stepping stone for people with limited agricultural experience to start a career or hobby in agriculture.
Dave McAleavy/Shutterstock
Sherborne Castle Country Fair is trying to encourage young people to get involved with rare breeds and agriculture and is offering bursaries to young handlers who wish to improve their stock lines or show equipment. This can help towards purchasing: • stock to start up a rare breed herd or flock • stock or semen to improve the breeding lines of their rare breed herd or flock • show equipment (e.g. a show halter) for showing their rare breed animals at local shows and events. These bursaries will be awarded for up to 50% of the total costs up to a maximum of £200, with the remainder
being funded by the young handler. They are open to young handlers who are aged up to and including 16 years old at the date of the Show. Applications must be made in writing by 30th June (see sherbornecountryfair. com/rare_breeds.php for details). It is my belief that we need more initiatives like this to encourage people join our fantastic industry and support our rare breeds. If you would like to learn more about our rare breeds, visit the Rare Breed Survival Trust’s website. rbst.org.uk. friarsmoorvets.co.uk/ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 91
Pet, Equine & Farm Animals
• Operating theatres • Digital x-ray • Nurse clinics • Separate dog and cat wards • Laboratory Kingston House Veterinary Clinic Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3DB
Grove Dene Veterinary Clinic The Forum, Abbey Manor Park, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 3TL
Tel: 01935 813288 (24 hours) Email: sherborne@kingstonvets.co.uk
Tel: 01935 421177 (24 hours) Email: yeovil@kingstonvets.co.uk
Mon-Fri 9.00-10.30, 16.30-18.00 Sat 9.00-10.30
Mon-Fri 8.30-12.00, 14.00-18.30 Sat 9.00-12.00
kingstonvets.co.uk
Free registration appointment for new clients when accompanied by this advertisement
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92 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
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Sherborne Surgery Swan House Lower Acreman Street 01935 816228
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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
TEAM EFFORT Adam Anstey
F
or millennia, human ingenuity has ensured that, as a species, we continue to demonstrate the ability and desire to change, adapt, improve and design some rather beautiful and equally technically adept contraptions. Since Karl von Drais unveiled his Laufmaschine in 1817, the design of the bicycle has been reformed, recast and remodelled into the ecofriendly, two-wheeled, racing sensation that many of us enjoy (or at least entertain the idea of ) regularly. The bike I am using for the Race Across America (RAAM) is a far cry from the stabilised Raleigh Burner I raced as a boy over my mother’s carefully cultivated plants. I am truly fortunate that Riley’s Cycles has kindly provided a beautifully crafted Italian Wilier Tristina carbon bike for me to use. Having ridden some distance on it thus far, it is already clear that the sophisticated aerodynamic frame is going to provide me with the efficiency and speed that is paramount during an endurance race of this genre. The electronic gearing and disc brakes are chosen to reduce fatigue wherever possible and let the brain spend much of the time pondering on the pain in the legs rather than in the need to mechanically change gear. I am confident that I now have a bike I can trust and a local mechanical team who will ensure that, on arrival Stateside, it is ready to take the onslaught to come. The value of a humble bicycle, is not solely in the practical application of transportation but also in the adventurous freedom it represents and to the ideas that are generated through being out in nature, enjoying the company of others whilst simultaneously watching the world fly past as you sit comfortably (!) on the saddle. The Wilier Tristina provides the technology and engineering required for a unique race such as RAAM, but it is not at all essential to ride a cutting-edge bike should the aim simply be to have fun and keep healthy. In fact, the marginal gains most beneficial to both an endurance race and a short spin are the ones brought about through the sense of belonging to a team, a community, a common idea 94 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
that gives us all a sense of purpose and focus. At Sherborne Preparatory School where I work, our motto is Non Nobis Solum, meaning Not For Ourselves Alone. For me, this idea, has been embraced and certainly appreciated endless times in the build-up to the race so far. It is simply not possible to prepare and compete as an amateur in an elite race such as this without the backing and support of others. The forever welcoming Digby Etape cycling club who meet each Wednesday in Sherborne provide a fun and supportive basecamp, a cherished midweek juxtaposition against the solitude of early morning and late evening training sessions. The Communifit 5km run that was dedicated to my
endeavours and to the charity Tusk shone a bright spotlight on the energy and positivity we have in our community, an experience which, I will look back on fondly when I am hours into a 10% incline climb in the unforgiving Colorado Rockies. The Race Across America at times may feel lonely and, certainly while peddling through 55° heat in the Arizona desert, there will be moments where I question my own sanity. However, in reality this is far from the truth. The camaraderie gained from a team effort and the constant unwavering support from those around me will ensure a shared victory is won not only for those who actively take part but also for the Sherborne community as a whole.
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. Any help will ensure that Adam is able to raise much-needed funds for the conservation work of the charity Tusk, work which is crucial in a world where the impact of our human footprint continues to have a devastating impact on the wildlife and the planet. You can donate to Tusk via the link below. uk.virginmoneygiving.com/raceacrossamerica2019 @mransteyendurance. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 95
@elizabethwatsonillustrations
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We have proudly expanded and now have a luxury environmentally friendly hair salon in the heart of Yeovil...
96 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Salon on the Square
Salon on the Green
12 The Square,
1 St Johns House,
Beaminster,
Church Street,
Dorset
Yeovil
DT8 3AX
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01308 861100
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salononthesquare.co.uk
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Body and Mind
ON THE MARK Sarah Hitch, The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms
W
hether heading off to exotic climes for a summer break or simply hoping for another UK heatwave, we Brits are notorious for heading outdoors to soak up the sun’s rays while they last. Yet, whilst a dose of Vitamin D is said to be good for the mind, body and soul, time spent in the sunshine can result in major consequences for long-term skin health. Postsummer, many people will notice the appearance of dark spots and patches known as hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation occurs due to the overproduction of melanin, the pigment in our skin. One of the main reasons for its occurrence is exposure to UV from the sun, which can happen in our younger years and ultimately manifests over time. Further causes of overproduction of melanin include hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, reaction to fragrances, medication, and stress, all of which can cause larger patches of hyperpigmentation on the skin. Another frequently seen and suffered type of pigmentation is post-inflammatory pigmentation. Post-inflammatory pigmentation is the deep purple scarring of the skin which occurs after dermal inflammation as a result of an acne breakout or from a skin wound. This can be difficult to remove, particularly if the damaged tissue has been exposed to sunlight whilst healing, however improvement can usually be made with a combination of products and skincare treatments. Affecting a wide range of individuals to varying degrees, these highly common imperfections can
Zoommachine/Shutterstock
be found mainly on the face, neck, arms, hands and chest - body parts which are most often exposed to the elements. No doubt many of you of you will have some form of pigmentation and, whilst the condition can affect younger skin, it often becomes more apparent as the skin ageing process takes place. You may find that your pigmentation fades in the winter but returns in the summer. To reduce this, protect your skin from the sun 365 days of the year to enable the melanocytes to return to a natural production cycle. The good news is that signs of hyperpigmentation can mostly be effectively treated. There are a range of advanced technology-based systems which can tackle specific skin concerns such as pigmentation and many highly active products on the market as well. Some of the most popular options for treating hyperpigmentation involve deep exfoliation of the skin which increases cell renewal, encouraging it to produce new undamaged skin cells. Treatments such as Microdermabrasion and chemical skin peels can be effective remedies as they remove the top layer of the epidermis, revealing brighter skin and improving skin texture as well as helping other issues. Prevention is better than cure so it’s essential that you regularly inhibit further damage. The importance of protecting the skin by wearing an SPF of 30-50 daily is a must. I can’t stress enough the value of year-round protection as opposed to a summer skincare routine. thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 97
Body and Mind
DESTINATION: A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
S
Juliana Atyeo ‘In an age of speed, I began to think, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention.’ (Pico Iyer)
ix months have now passed since my car ground to a sorry halt and was consigned to its inevitable destiny as a metal cube. Despite the fact that I would dearly have loved the car to have been stripped down and parts reused, and much to the shared chagrin of the owner of the garage, it appeared that this simply was not an option. After I’d signed the paperwork, it occurred to me that for almost the first time in my adult life I did not have my own car and it felt, well, liberating. My husband and I agreed we would try to manage with one car between us, despite living in a place with little public transport and with both of us working more than a walk away from our town. As it happened, my lovely mum pitched up almost immediately, offering the use of her car when needed. Although her car is usually parked outside my house, I have changed my mindset from when I was officially a car owner and only use the car to get to work when there is no other option. This shift in thinking has forced me to become more organised, more intentional. My Saturday morning routine now involves walking to the tetrapak recycling point followed by a visit to the greengrocer and supermarket - my custom at the latter place is waning by the week – and I return, on foot, laden with shopping bags and a metaphorically jam-packed rucksack. Since there is a limit to what I can carry, I have to make sensible choices. The exercise is good, but more than that there is something calming and mindful about the slower pace of it all – I choose with purpose and take my time. I have rethought certain things: we now have milk delivered in glass bottles and once a week we have a UK Riverford vegetable delivery. Even taking this into consideration I am saving money with this way of shopping: I have halved my weekly shopping bill. Unsurprisingly, it has also had a seriously positive impact on our food waste because I have become so careful in what I plan, buy and cook. Finally, it has connected me a little bit more with the community. Another day, a neighbour invited me to join her to visit a Pop-up Eco-supermarket some eight miles away. We loaded up her car boot with items to take to Terracycle and containers to be filled with dried foods and cleaning products. With some excitement, we located the place on the SatNav, checked the children were securely strapped in and set off. Except we didn’t: she turned the key and the engine coughed, spluttered and was silent: the battery was dead. We looked at each other and almost started laughing. ‘I’m sorry,’ I grimaced. ‘It appears to be the effect I have on cars.’
98 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
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.
Body and Mind
Wayhome Studio/Shutterstock
100 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
RESILIENCE
D
Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind
ifficult and painful situations are inevitable: there will always be setbacks and challenges that inflict uncomfortable emotions. However, these bleak events often make way for better and greater things. Adversity can strengthen us, allow us to develop as people and gain new skills to better face the next challenge. These events provide contrast with and appreciation for the brighter aspects of life: laughter, love and adventures. The reality is, no matter what you do or how you live your life, negative situations will occur. This is out of our control. What we can control is how we respond to these situations. You can develop psychological resilience to enable you to manage difficult emotions healthily and bounce back from hardship. Psychological resilience is a person’s capacity to adapt in the face of challenging circumstances and to review, learn from and overcome failure whilst maintaining good mental health. This doesn’t involve denying or blocking these uncomfortable emotions, nor does developing resilience erase these feelings. Resilient people understand that life is full of unwanted, difficult twists. They still experience negative emotions - grief, anger, emptiness but their mental strength and flexibility allows them to work through and recover from these emotions. Psychological resilience can be learned and applied to everyday life. It involves developing a range of different skills including rational thinking, positive mental health and social relationships. Learning to accept the feelings that come with setbacks, maintaining self-kindness and gaining insight from mistakes are essential skills. However, it takes mental work to build resilience and overcome difficult situations. Psychologists have identified areas that contribute to a person’s psychological resiliency, such as positivity, emotional regulation, perception of failure, and optimism. Optimism has been found to soften the blow of stress on the mind and body and provide people with better access
to their cognitive resources, enabling them to analyse the situation more rationally and calmly and adapt their problem-solving methods. Mind’s work on resilience is based on helping people to develop their wellbeing, social connections and coping mechanisms. Mental wellbeing refers to our mental state: how we are feeling and how we cope with everyday life. Social connections refer to those we connect and spend time with, whether they be friends, family, co-workers or others. Cognitive Behavioural Theory (CBT) can enable you to develop healthy coping mechanisms and develop mental resiliency. CBT is a model based on the idea that certain thoughts, emotions and behaviours can trigger certain responses. CBT can allow us to challenge unhelpful thoughts and develop psychological resiliency for the next setback. Unhelpful thoughts include making assumptions about ourselves or our situations without having examined the available evidence. These thoughts need to be challenged and transformed in order to develop healthier thinking patterns and psychological resiliency, for example replacing, ‘I can’t handle this’ with, ‘life is tough, but I am tougher’. Unhealthy thinking patterns can prevent you from thinking clearly and acting effectively. Psychological resiliency can be developed via psychological therapy, self-development and positive, healthy thinking patterns, to help you make the best of your life. Mind also recommends developing social connections. Dorset Mind offers an accredited 1-2-1 befriending service across Dorset for those with mild to moderate mental health challenges. Befrienders help people develop positive mental wellbeing, reduce isolation and encourage people to connect with their local community. Access to this service is via a professional referral (ie a doctor, teacher or solicitor). You can join Dorset Mind as a volunteer Befriender to help us change people's lives dorsetmind.uk
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 101
Body & Mind
WHY PERSONAL TRAINING? Simon Partridge BSc (Sports Science), Personal Trainer SPFit
R
ecently I attended a presentation where the speaker said that ‘listening’ is a special skill. I have been thinking about why people want a personal trainer and so have spent the last few weeks asking our clients this very question and really listening to their answers. I have been a personal trainer for over 15 years and set up a private personal training studio in Sherborne nearly 4 years ago. We can all be passionate about our business but talking with our clients about why they use us and what they get out of personal training has been illuminating. Motivation
This was the obvious one. Many people just aren’t motivated to exercise on their own; others want to be pushed beyond their limits. The really pleasing outcome is that, when clients start to see results, they become more motivated — and every client has different levels of motivation. Goals and results
This is my second personal favourite reason. The range of clients’ goals never ceases to amaze me. From losing weight, improving body shape and specific health goals to running a 5km or a marathon, from press-ups and 102 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
pull-ups to deadlifting twice bodyweight or any specific weight training goal, the list is endless and fascinating. Once you have a goal, you need to put a plan in place in order to achieve the desired results. Nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing a client achieve their goal. Improving technique and learning new skills
Personal training is really coaching. Andy Murray and Mo Farah have coaches. Personal training or coaching is for everyone – from beginners to advanced athletes and anyone in between. Knowledge is power. A new skill can keep you motivated, while improving your technique can improve your performance. Improving your performance will get you better results. Again, teaching clients new exercises or drills is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a personal trainer. When a client says, ‘I never thought I would be able to do that’ it is so rewarding. Progression
This is similar to results. Very simply, clients want to know that what they are doing makes a difference. Coaches often talk about ‘periodisation’. This is where we might train for a specific period for a specific goal. This can be very successful for clients of all abilities. At the start of a new programme, the body and the mind
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
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can be challenged in a whole new way. It also stops boredom, which leads on to the final point below. Fun
This is the bottom line. You can be motivated, achieve your goals and keep progressing but nothing beats having fun. Exercising needs to be enjoyable. It has well-documented benefits for both the mind and body but never underestimate the power of laughter. It is clear to me that, whether the client is a beginner or advanced, if their sessions are sufficiently challenging that they know they have completed a tough workout BUT they thoroughly enjoyed it, then we are all on the path to success and satisfaction. ‘Functional training’, ‘crossfit’ and yoga for example have all completely changed what many of us do in the gym. These are all rewarding to coach as we see so many people enjoying doing amazing things. In conclusion, whether you train on your own or with a personal trainer, I hope you achieve your goals and really enjoy your training. Good luck and never be afraid to ask questions - none of us, myself included, ever stop learning. spfit-sherborne.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 sherbornetimes.co.uk | 103
Body & Mind
ARTHRITIS
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
O
Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom GP & Complementary Practitioner
steoarthritis is an extremely common problem caused by ‘wear and tear’ of joint cartilage and bone remodelling. Conventional treatment is with anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen (Nurofen). Surgery may be needed when this no longer controls the pain and stiffness of the affected joints. Before the condition becomes too advanced it is also worth considering the complementary and dietary alternatives available. Supplementation with fish oils taken in the form of cod liver oil or omega 3 fatty acids has been shown in studies to have anti-inflammatory properties. Omega 3 is also found naturally in oily fish such as salmon or mackerel – two portions eaten weekly is sufficient. Another supplement available is Glucosamine. This is a building block for repair of damaged joint cartilage. Studies have shown that it has anti-inflammatory effects. It is often combined with Chondroitin which acts in a similar way. It is not guaranteed to help but I have many patients who find it beneficial. Try it for 3 months to see if it will help you. Homeopathic medicines have been shown in studies to be effective in easing the symptoms of arthritic joints. Over the years I have seen great response with Rhus Tox, Ruta and Bryonia. The homeopathic medicine is chosen on the features and symptoms that the patient is suffering, for example Rhus Tox is especially effective if the joint is worse in the cold and damp. Herbal medicines such as turmeric, ginger and bromelain are also said to be helpful for arthritic joints. A word of caution though: some herbal medicines can interfere with conventional medicines such as warfarin. They should also be avoided in pregnancy. Always read the instruction label or check with the supplier before you take them. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in arthritis affecting both small and large joints. It can be helpful in chronic low back pain. It is particularly useful in treatment of lumbar facet joint pain. Although acupuncture can be effective to relieve the symptoms of arthritis it is not curative; further treatment with conventional or alternative treatments will be needed to maintain symptomatic relief. Along with these alternatives it is very important to keep active. Walking and swimming as well as yoga and Pilates should also be considered to maintain joint suppleness. doctorTWRobinson.com GlencairnHouse.co.uk
104 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
50 YEARS AGO MAN’S GREATEST CHALLENGE WAS TO WALK ON THE MOON
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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
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Independent Family Directors and Monumental Mason 33 SparrowFuneral Road, Yeovil BA21 4BT Tel: 01935 479913 16 Newland, Sherborne, DorsetService DT9 3JQ -Tel: 01935 816817 - 24 Hour Please contact Clive Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance.
Private Chapels of Rest
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106 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
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
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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108 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Coming Soon Nr Evershot
Lettings & Property Management
Independent Letting Agent representing town and country property throughout Somerset and Dorset
Detached cottage in rural setting, ground floor double bedroom, bathroom, first floor galley kitchen, large sitting room with vaulted ceiling and wood burning stove. Garden and parking £750pcm
Sherborne
Yetminster
5 Tilton Court, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL
£1550 pcm
£895pcm
T: 01935 816209 E: info@stockwoodlettings.co.uk
Evershot
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Detached family home, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, garage and garden.
Detached former forge, two/three bedrooms, large reception room, parking and gardens.
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propertymatters sherbornetimes.co.uk | 109
New homes coming soon at The Hamlets, Milborne Port
The Hamlets, coming soon to Milborne Port,
To make it easier to
is an exciting new development of 3, 4 and 5
move, Bovis Homes
bedroom homes all designed using traditional
offer a great range of
building methods and complementing the local
purchase assistance
architecture. With just 46 dwellings this small
schemes including
development will provide modern living in
Help to Buy and Home
an idyllic location.
Exchange. Theres also exclusive discounts available
Located on the outskirts of the village, The Hamlets will be perfectly situated for enjoying the rural Dorset surroundings and village lifestyle, whilst within easy reach of good commuter links and larger towns. The fantastic house types range from 3 bedroom terraces, making ideal first homes, to large 5 bedroom
for members of the Armed Forces and public sector key workers including NHS staff, teachers and police officers. The first homes at The Hamlets will soon be available to purchase, so register your interest now to find out more and be the first to hear when homes become available!
family homes featuring double garages and private
The Hamlets - Milborne Port
gated driveways.
01963 836003
DT9 5FH
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. Exact specification may vary depending on the house type. Please ask our sales advisor for details.
Hassle free moving at Mildenhall, Sherborne
Make your move simple and stress-free when you purchase your dream home at Mildenhall! Ranked as one of the most stressful experiences, we know moving can be both difficult and expensive, but at Mildenhall we want to make stressful moving a thing of the past! Our fantastic Home Exchange scheme means you can forget about costly estate agents fees and save yourself time and hassle while we purchase your existing home. Simply choose your new home and let us do the rest! Plus, with a fantastic specification including full height tiling, your choice of kitchen with integrated NEFF appliances, luxurious finishes and all mod cons, you can start enjoying your new home from the moment you move in!
Speak to one of our friendly Sales Advisors today to find out more.
Mildenhall Sherborne DT9 6BP Visit our website for more information or call:
01935 578004
bovishomes.co.uk
Legal
SORTING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WHEN SEPARATED Simon Walker, Associate Solicitor, Family Team, Mogers Drewett
W
hilst the school holidays provide lots of time to have fun as a family, there’s no hiding from the fact that they can be very complicated. There’s always lots to think about: juggling child-care and work commitments, deciding whether to travel and thinking of ways to keep the children entertained. It can be particularly difficult if you are co-parenting following separation. Although the summer holidays may seem like a long way off yet, being prepared is key and making arrangements early will help. Here are some key tips and things to consider to ensure everyone enjoys the time away from school. The holidays are an important time for children to have a much-needed break and to relax and have fun. So it’s important to pause and really consider what they would like to do. Generally speaking, if both parents are loving and caring and have been involved in a child’s upbringing, the Court will recognise that the child will benefit from quality time with both parents. As such, parents may wish to alternate school holidays or split them and if they are able to discuss this directly, it means that much more flexible arrangements can be made. For older children, involving them in the decisionmaking process can help make them feel more comfortable. It also helps bring to light any events that both parents need to be aware of, such as time for exam revision. In all cases, it is often useful to display details about the agreed schedule in both parents’ homes so 112 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
the children can keep track of and feel comfortable with the arrangements. If you’re taking your child on holiday in England or Wales during your contact time you do not need the permission of the other parent. However, it’s always recommended to provide details about where you’re going, for how long and who to contact in an emergency. When it comes to taking your child out of the country, if you do not have a Child Arrangements Order recording that the child lives with you, permission from everyone with parental responsibility must be obtained before going abroad. Without permission, which should be granted in a formal letter, it’s a criminal offence to take your child abroad. It’s also important to be aware that your destination may not have the same laws as in England and Wales. Check the legal situation of the country before you travel to see if you need to take written parental permission and proof of your relationship to the child with you. If you have a Court Order, you will also need to take this with you. If you cannot resolve issues surrounding school holidays or making arrangements more broadly, there are solutions which can help you come to an amicable agreement without needing to involve the Courts. The first step would be to engage with a professional to facilitate a constructive discussion. For situations where this is unsuccessful, expert solicitors can assist and, if required, make an application to Court. mogersdrewett.com
EXPERT LAWYERS ON YOUR SIDE, AT YOUR SIDE. Forward-thinking legal advice on your doorstep Sherborne | Bath | Wells | Frome mogersdrewett.com | 01935 813 691
Finance
REALITY CHECK
Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.) CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS, Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, Fort Financial Planning
I
n many of my articles I have deliberately described my company’s approach to investing as ‘real financial planning’. Unfortunately, although most financial advisers describe themselves as financial planners, very few are. The vast majority still provide advice on, for example, a pension in isolation, life assurance, mortgages or individual savings accounts (ISAs). While this can be very useful, in our view a more powerful, often life-changing, approach needs to be taken. Before deciding which product is needed, a different starting approach is required. Real financial planners help people to identify the type of life that they would like to live now as well as the life that they might wish to live in 10, 20 or 30 years’ time. What sort of life do you wish to live when you are no longer working? Will it be a life that includes lots of travelling and, if so, how much will this travelling cost? At what age would you wish to retire? In retirement, for how long will you be active and young enough to do the things that you want to do? At what point might older age arrive, and what additional costs might this entail? Crucially, ‘real financial planning’ involves identifying your own cost of living both now and in the future; using sensible assumptions around investment growth and inflation, how long can you realistically expect your money to last? Most people don’t think about the cost of living in 20 years’ time. However, if you don’t think about this how can you be certain that you might have enough money to live on when you get there? If you are one of those people who spend every penny they earn, you might have to continue working much longer than you would wish to. ‘Real financial planning’ helps people to identify how much they need to save now so that they don’t have to keep working into their old age (we call it deferred gratification!). If you are a regular saver, ‘real financial planning’ might enable you to see that you could retire earlier than you had originally envisaged. After having identified the life you want to live at some point in the future, ‘real financial planning’ then helps you to go from where you are now to where you want to be. Some of the pieces that you already have may still fit the picture of your future; there may be other pieces to the puzzle that need to be changed. A real financial planner helps during this part of the process as well. Perhaps the most important part of ‘real financial planning’ is the ongoing advice. Checking on a regular basis to see whether your plan for the future remains the same; checking that you are making progress towards your goals. If you are drifting off course, a real financial planner helps you to make the necessary adjustments before you become way off track. Life is uncertain and many factors will be outside of your control. Nonetheless, being aware of change enables you to respond effectively. ffp.org.uk
114 | Sherborne Times | June 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 | 115
Tech
E
veryone loves a bargain and we Brits have become fanatical about getting the best possible price whether shopping for holidays, insurance, TVs or washing machines. To satisfy this demand, a legion of price comparison sites have sprung up offering to get you the best deal, allowing you to get a deal that’s tailored to you at the best price. However, finding the best deal isn’t always as simple as it sounds. Some price comparison sites allow you to search for products via simple ‘best buy’ tables but others ask you questions about your preferences and for personal details, and then provide you with personalised results. Personal loans and credit cards, for example, can be quickly compared on screen. However, to get car, home and travel insurance, you’ll need to disclose more information as these are priced, and change, in line with your circumstances. No single price comparison site trawls the entire market for the very best financial products in every category so it’s best to search several websites before choosing which product to buy. Also, be aware that some financial product providers choose not to be featured on any price comparison sites. For instance, Direct Line and Aviva won’t be included in any comparison site search results, even if they might offer the most suitable deals for you, so it’s well worth checking individual providers as well. The amount of excess (the sum of money you pay towards your insurance claim) you set for your insurance policy, or choosing whether to pay your premiums monthly or annually, can have a huge impact on the 116 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
quotes you are offered. Always check that these details are appropriate. If you’re happy to increase your excess or pay for an insurance policy in one annual lump sum you could be offered a better deal. The cheapest deals don’t always rise to the top! Paying monthly rather than annually makes a huge difference. For car insurance, paying monthly can add up to 44%, and for home cover almost 50%. Keep an eye out for unwanted extras as well. Free extras can make providers stand out in a list of comparison site results, and they can be a perk - if you understand the deal. However, policies with add-ons that are free for a year often automatically renew at a cost unless the customer specifically asks to cancel. Worse, there are also examples of price comparison sites adding on extras that were never asked for, at an additional cost to the consumer. Quality is as important as cost, so focus on getting value for money, not the cheapest deals, when you buy products. Low-cost insurance policies, for instance, are unlikely to include perks such as a replacement hire car in the case of an accident. In a tight spot, you might appreciate benefits like this even if they cost a little more. I love comparison sites but I always check, check and check again before clicking the ‘Buy’ button. The choice as always, is yours, but if you need help making that decision, you know where to come. Next month: Cloud storage and cloud backup computing-mp.co.uk
J. Biskup
Property Maintenance Ltd
TO-DO LIST ✓ Kitchen & bathroom installation ✓ Tiling ✓ Flooring ✓ Wallpaper removal ✓ Painting and decorating ✓ Plastering
✓ Wall repairs ✓ Roof repairs ✓ Loft insulation ✓ Carpentry ✓ Window renovation ✓ PVC guttering and facia boards
BEST PRICES ON THE MARKET FREE QUOTATIONS SHERBORNE Tel: 01935 815712 • Mobile: 07912 145988 Email: jm.biskup@gmail.com www.jbiskup.com
• Timber framed buildings • Bespoke carpentry • Feature roof trusses • Garden buildings
• Pergolas • Oak framed extensions • Restoration • Barn conversions
Contact James on 07745 591489 hello@mclellancarpentry.com www.mclellancarpentry.com
Wills ––– of Sherborne –––
Plu m b i n g & H eati n g Ltd 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
• 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
Local & reliable plumber. Gas Safe registered, fully insured • New build • Renovations • Boiler installations • Vented & unvented cylinder installations
• LPG • Bathroom installations • Free quotes • Competitive prices
T: 07885 420609 E: wills.plumbing@hotmail.co.uk
Roger Dodd A CLEAN SWEEP Flue Enemist • Power Sweeping • Brush & Vacuum • Clean and Efficient
NACS Member HETAS Approved Chimney Sweep acleansweepsouthwest@hotmail.com
01935 813989
DAVE THURGOOD Painting & Decorating interior and exterior
07792 391368 NO VAT www.sherbornedecorators.com michellethurgood@sky.com 118 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Free No Obligation Quote
Steve Devoto
M: 07551 306827 E: help@thelocalboilercompany.com www.thelocalboilercompany.com
Wayne Timmins Painter and Decorator • • • • •
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
Interior & Exterior Fully Qualified 20 Years Experience Wallpapering & Lining Residential & Commercial
01935 872007 / 07715 867145 waynesbusiness@aol.com
Suppliers and Manufacturers of quality Signage, Graphics and Embroidered Workwear
T: 01935 816767
info@swsigns-sherborne.co.uk www.swsigns-sherborne.co.uk
Unit 14, 0ld Yarn Mills, Sherborne Dorset DT9 3RQ
Covering South Somerset & North Dorset Small Business Support
Networks & Cabling
New PCs & Laptops
Wireless Networks
Repairs & Upgrades
Broadband Setup
Virus Removal
Disaster Recovery
The Weighbridge • High Street • Milborne Port • DT9 5DG www.mpfix.co.uk
01963 250788
Christmas Party Time ALL EVENTS £45PP Price includes 3 course dinner, tribute act & disco
FRIDAY 6th DECEMBER
EARLY BIRD OFFER 10% discount on parties of 10 or more booked and fu lly paid for by 20 th November
SATURDAY 7th DECEMBER
Join us for a fun packed evening as we pay tribute to this iconinc group.
Dance the night away to all the great sounds from the Motown & Soul classics.
7pm for 7.45pm sit down | Carriages at midnight
7pm for 7.45pm sit down | Carriages at midnight
FRIDAY 20th DECEMBER
Its a Disco Inferno night with all the classic dance tracks that made the 70’s great. 7pm for 7.45pm sit down | Carriages at midnight
SATURDAY 21st DECEMBER
Get ready for an unforgettable evening celebrating the global superstar that is George Michael. You’ll be getting up (to get down) to all your best-loved songs 7pm for 7.45pm sit down | Carriages at midnight
STAY THE NIGHT? £85 B&B per room George Albert Hotel Wardon Hill, Evershot, Nr. Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9PW Tel: 01935 483430 • www.gahotel.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 119
FOLK TALES with Colin Lambert
ANN KNOBBS
Station Café Social Club, Sherborne The Yetties were an English folk music group who took their name from the Dorset village of Yetminster, their childhood home. In 1975 they released an album entitled “The Yetties of Yetminster”. In 2007 The Yetties celebrated 40 years as a professional folk band. [Wikipedia] Hangovers have many cures, staying sober being the best one. 9th May, 11.45am was too late for that so nothing better than a ‘Prince Harry’ fry-up in the Station Café. Vanessa [Nessie] takes my order. Then, a larger-thanlife Ann Knobbs arrives, saying something about the ‘Ann special’ fry-up! My peace is shattered as Ann sits opposite. Ann’s first memory, aged four, is of her mum and granny playing piano and singing. By six she was having piano lessons; music filled her life. Aged seven, her dad disappeared: a wife and two children weren’t for him, a drum major in the Army being much more fun. Living with Granny in Kent, Ann loved sport at school, winning trophies for athletics and swimming. Failing her 11+ exam meant a young and innocent Ann left school at 14. Ann joined the WRNS at 17. Four years in victualling and, by 21, a Portsmouth-based Wren. More interestingly, she started singing and playing piano in clubs. Her stage career had begun. The Station Café is now buzzing: folk wait for trains, workmen tuck into fry-ups and a queue forms for takeaways. Ann is in full flow; she seems to know everyone. Nessie delivers our breakfast. ‘After 21 Ann?’ ‘I married a bloke called Tom, left the WRNS and moved to Sherborne in 1961. Job in Rendell’s Photography, two children, then two grandchildren.’ Ann is now holding three conversations. I get another coffee and Nessie whispers in my ear, ‘Ann’s an amazing character; she brings so much joy and laughter to people’s lives. My dad adored her.’ 120 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
I return to our table, head throbbing. ‘After leaving the WRNS, I started playing the piano at Weavers Social Club where singalongs became the norm. Stayed for 30 years.’ ‘What happened next?’ ‘I formed a girl band, probably the first ever.’ ‘As you do.’ ‘Yes, my early 30s. Me, Bella and Shirley became the Three Ks (all our surnames started with K). Ten summer seasons, Bournemouth to Bognor, absolute ball. Then a solo artist in clubs until one night in the Digby Tap.’ Meanwhile the café has emptied and refilled. Ann seems to be greeted by everyone, her joy and enthusiasm radiating everywhere. ‘A night in the Tap?’ I manage to squeeze in. ‘My husband died in 1993 so I had to rebuild. Went to the Tap, met three blokes singing and having fun. I joined in, playing piano and… ’ Ann is greeted by another visitor.
I notice a press cutting on the wall, Prince Harry no less, and escape to have a read. I couldn’t resist asking Nessie about her most famous visitor. ‘It was a quiet day, then a woman came in and ordered four breakfasts. Two very dodgy looking blokes arrived and sat in the corner. I popped outside. Two policemen by the door just as a train pulled in.’ Ann is still in demand so, ‘Nessie, tell me more.’ ‘Four lads arrive. I was cooking and Sharon took the breakfast out. She came back excited, “I think that’s Harry, the one with the ginger hair,” and it was! We now include the ‘Prince Harry’ (eggs, sausages, bacon, etc.), the very meal you’re eating Colin.’ I look around to see Harry, the proud dad, on the front page of every newspaper. Clearly Nessie’s breakfast had done its job! Meanwhile, Ann, unperturbed at her spotlight being usurped, is on the phone planning her next gig. I hear a cruise ship mentioned. Back at the table: ‘And for breakfast Ann?’
‘Muesli and yogurt. I’m up at 6am most days and by 11am ready for a coffee or another breakfast here.’ ‘Cruise ship?’ ‘Yes. In my late 50s I met a lovely man from Weymouth and we’ve stayed friends ever since. I spend many weekends with him and every year we go on cruises. The trip through the Panama Canal was amazing; no piano, just relaxation.’ Ann, thank you so much for sharing your folk tales and curing my hangover with laughter and joy. Plus, an additional thank you to Nessie and all at the café for joining in the fun. PS. Following that night in the Tap, Ann’s stage career hit new heights. Ann toured with the Yetties, playing piano and guest vocals for many years before slowing down to her current speed. colinlambert.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 121
Community
ARTSLINK FIZZ!
A
Kate Osman, ArtsLink
rtsLink Fizz! is an exciting, four-year Art for Wellbeing project to support, inspire and improve the lives of local people through creativity. Run by Sherborne ArtsLink and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, ArtsLink Fizz! offers Parkinson’s Dance, Art for Memory and Art for Parents. Each class is free to participants and materials are provided. Designed with you in mind, classes are friendly, welcoming and there to support you when times are difficult. Every year we also hold a one-day event to recognise the amazing people we have worked with and supported through these ArtsLink Fizz! projects and the regular classes and events delivered by ArtsLink. Parkinson’s Dance is a joyous dance class filled with positivity and laughter and new members are very welcome. Our tutors are experienced in working with people living with Parkinson’s and the dancing is designed to suit all abilities, even those with two left feet! The class includes a variety of dance styles with a focus on posture, strength, co-ordination, balance, creativity, voice and suppleness. We are further supported by a group of amazing volunteers who ensure everyone can participate fully. Art for Memory is designed for people experiencing early stages of memory loss, whatever the reason. Run by experienced tutor-artists, each week new creative skills are enjoyed including different methods of printmaking, watercolour painting, clay work and collage. Honing skills and enjoying being creative is actively encouraged and members are supported to do this. ‘It’s a lovely place to come, have a laugh with friends and have a go at something arty,’ was the feedback from one of our members. 122 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Art for Parents, described as ‘a little oasis of calm in our hectic lives of parenthood’, supports parents and carers of primary school-age children. Run by experienced artist tutors each week during term-time, new and sometimes challenging art techniques are enjoyed while the group itself provides support and friendship in a child-free space – and there is always excellent cake! We have supported members applying for jobs for the first time since having children, encouraged others who finally felt brave enough to go to college and have provided a safe space where people experiencing the difficulties of living and raising a family have felt able to join in, be creative and feel more independent. Celebrating the Arts will be held on Saturday 22nd June from 11am-4pm at the Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne. We will be recognising the creative talent of our ArtsLink Fizz! participants and ArtsLink class members, with an art exhibition, free talks, demonstrations and workshops running throughout the day. A wonderful café will be provided by The Bakeout. Our Parkinson’s Dance group will be hosting a tea dance with full audience participation actively encouraged! A programme for the day’s events is available locally and from the ArtsLink office. If you or someone you know are interested in finding out more or would like to join us, please contact Kate Osman at ArtsLink on 01935 815899 or email artslinkfizz@gmail. com. For more information please visit our website. sherborneartslink.org.uk
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OUT AND ABOUT
F
David Birley
ollowing the elections last month, we now have a new town council. I wish the councillors all the best for the next five years. It is not going to be an easy time; the cut-backs at both local and national levels are sure to create problems for our community and, of course, there will be what might be called the growing pains of the new unitary authority. Despite being fought on party political lines, hopefully the councillors will now put aside political point-scoring, reflect the wishes of the community as a whole and act in Sherborne’s best interests. We all know that traditional market towns like ours are suffering hugely from internet shopping, outof-town supermarkets and what I would term the Brexit effect, which has led to people deferring making purchasing decisions. However, you cannot preserve a town in aspic; people must visit and spend money in its shops and restaurants and, in the case of Sherborne, see all its other lovely attractions. Frome faced similar problems but the introduction of their hugely successful monthly Independent Market has been transformational. Sherborne Chamber of Trade approached the team behind Frome Independent and with their help will be launching Sherborne’s very own Independent Market on Sunday 16th June. A big, and somewhat contentious, issue for the town is the proposed new art gallery in the Paddock Garden. Whatever your opinion, it is hard to deny the effect a modern art gallery can have on a town. Take Bruton for instance. There are few empty shops there; most are doing good business. Personally, I believe we are exceptionally fortunate to have a benefactor who is prepared to give the town what could be an outstanding asset of local, national and international importance. At a public meeting to discuss the project at the Digby Memorial Hall, both sides were given equal opportunity to state their case. At the end of the meeting, a show of hands indicated that fewer than ten people there opposed the project. Despite the apparent public support, the project met with some objections and suggestion of change at the planning stage. I cannot help but reflect that this does not seem to be representing the wishes of the electorate, who appeared to be in favour of the project. During the life of the last council the office of mayor was made dependent on the number of years service to the council rather than ability and leadership qualities. This can only lead to mediocrity. When I was running businesses, of course, I valued and rewarded length of service but that did not mean I would make them a director or still less, managing director! As I know from my own experience is an honour and a privilege. It is also and in my opinion, above all, an opportunity to get to know our town and to do things for it. I am sure our new mayor, Jon Andrews, who is a keen supporter of so much in our town, will do a great job.
124 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Town centre site for residential development
Short Story
TSUNAMI
A
Julia Skelhorn, Sherborne Scribblers
amil sat on a sturdy, wooden chair outside his house in the village of Lampaya. It was Saturday. You could tell the days of the week by the old man’s habits. But this wasn’t any ordinary Saturday - it was 26th December; the anniversary of the tsunami. He sighed wearily. For the past five years his sleep had been broken by terrible nightmares. Looking down at his old, tired body and sinewy hands, he remembered a time when he had been strong and resilient. Now it took every ounce of Aamil’s strength to walk the few steps from his door to the street. Looking across the street at the children playing with a tyre and a stick, his heart ached. Why had he not been in the village when it happened? He’d asked himself this question many times. Aamil’s mind was starting to wander when his grandson came out of the house and sat at his feet. ‘You OK, Opa?’ Ario said, gently taking his hand. ‘Not really,’ the old man replied, placing his hand over his heart. ‘The weight of sadness I feel here after that dreadful day five years ago overwhelms me. I can’t understand what you and your cousins were doing by that stream.’ ‘Opa, I’ve tried to explain so many times,’ Ario said, looking up at his grandfather’s face. ‘Tell me again.’ ‘Where shall I begin?’ ‘From the log,’ came the reply. It had started as a normal Saturday for Ario and his cousins. Their mothers were both on the shore waiting for the fishing boats to return with their husbands. Then they would clean the fish to be sold at the market. Ario, who was twelve years old, was looking after the two younger boys. A sliver of a stream trickled over the dry, stony riverbed, wending its circuitous way to the shore. Nearby, a large log from an uprooted tree formed a perfect plaything for the young boys. It was nine-year-old Rahmat’s turn to walk along the log. Balancing with his arms out either side, he pretended they were the wings of a plane and made all the appropriate sounds. Ario and little Bim laughed as their cousin wobbled his way towards where they were sitting side by side. Before Rahmat reached them, he stopped suddenly, dropped his arms and stared wideeyed towards the shore. ‘Ario, what’s that?’ he shrieked, pointing to something out in the bay. ‘Looks like a massive wave,’ Ario shouted, jumping down. ‘Come on, run, run as fast as you can, it’s coming our way. We need to get up that old tree the other side
126 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
of the stream!’ Bim’s legs could not go fast enough so Ario scooped him up and raced to the tree as quickly as he could. Rahmat was trying desperately to keep up. Pushing Bim onto a sturdy branch, Ario told him to climb up as high as he could, while he helped a breathless Rahmat to get his footing. The thunderous roar was deafening as the wall of water approached with terrifying speed across the beach, Powerful, Unstoppable. Within minutes, the trickling stream became a raging torrent, sweeping everything in its path as it surged inland. By the time it swept through the village, Ario had lost his grip on Bim and watched helplessly as he was swept away. Rahmat, clutching a plank of wood, was buffeted against oil drums, furniture and all manner of debris, until he too disappeared in the murky, swirling water. Ario, a strong swimmer, found it impossible to swim against the maelstrom. Then, by some miracle, he was tossed from the stream onto the half-submerged roof of a building. Aamil fought back the tears, his voice breaking. ‘And where was I? Up the hill at the cemetery. You should all have been up the hill!’ ‘Enough, Opa,’ Ario said gently, hugging his grandfather. ‘We have to move on now. Good things have happened over the last few years. Our village is on the mend. New homes built inland, away from the coast. We have clean water, our own fishing fleet, a school, and food on the table. More importantly, I have you. Father has a new wife; she is kind and soon I will have a little brother or sister – another grandchild for you! We have a future, Opa.’ Aamil patted Ario’s head and ruffled his hair. ‘I hear what you say. Now, tell me about your studies and the work you’ve been doing with the mangrove trees.’ Ario’s eyes lit up. It was the first time in five years that his grandfather had shown any interest in the mangrove trees. ‘I would like to go to university to study climate change, but first I’m learning the importance of planting the mangroves,’ he explained. ‘Our coastline was changed by the tsunami. This has meant that a few yards inland, the ground is still waterlogged. You will remember, Opa, that much of this land was rice fields, coconut groves and mangroves. All of these became flooded with salt and water and piled with sand. Survivors from our village have planted and nurtured thousands of mangrove trees which are now growing well. They are protection against any future invasion from the ocean so, if the tsunami comes again, the mangroves can save us.’ ‘I hope you are right,’ the old man said. ‘I’d like to go and see those mangroves some time. But no more grandchildren playing by streams near the shore!’ He shifted on his chair. ‘Now, let’s go inside and eat. Then I will rest.’
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 127
Literature
LITERARY REVIEW Jonathan Stones, Sherborne Literary Society
A Shadow Intelligence, by Oliver Harris (Little, Brown, 2019). RRP: £14.99 hardback Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £13.99 from Winstone’s Books
T
his absorbing, complex, often breathtakingly exciting and occasionally bewildering spy novel is narrated in the first person by its chief protagonist, Elliot Kane, a worldweary MI6 field officer of some fifteen years highly effective overseas experience. After the sort of hectic prelude to which we are accustomed from a myriad James Bond movies, Elliot is called home for the debriefing. The first surprise comes when his phone is demanded of him, but not before it has revealed to him a mysterious video which appears to show him standing in a room in which he is certain he has never been. It is accompanied by a cryptic message which he is equally certain must have come from a fellow female agent with whom he has had a brief affair (but for whom, it becomes clear, he has never lost a sense of longing which is quite outside his apparently mechanistic personality) and who seems to have disappeared without trace while on an undisclosed mission in Kazakhstan. An undefined suspicion seems to have fallen upon her within MI6 HQ and, by association, on Elliot too. So naturally when, at the end of the debriefing session, Elliot is told not to leave the country, that’s precisely what he does. Armed with a predictable array of false passports he heads for Kazakhstan, becoming in the process a hybrid between the classic Rogue Male and the sort of relentless outsider figure portrayed in the Jason Bourne movies, as he commences what becomes a labyrinthine search for his lover. Perched precariously 128 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
between Russia and China, between western style democracy and old-style Soviet dictatorship, and poised on the edge of oil riches which may prove illusionary, Kazakhstan is a clever choice as both the foreground and hinterland of the narrative. Attentive readers are assured of emerging from this convincingly contemporary novel with a greater appreciation both of the tensions which affect that country and of the remote beauty of its landscapes. Formidably adroit in the dangerous demi-monde of cyber warfare, Elliot is drawn into a geo-politically enthralling environment in which the worst mistake in the world appears to be to trust anyone about anything. Elliot himself remains an elusive personality, a shadow in his own life. ‘The problem with trauma is that it’s a plughole,’ he says, ‘and every bad thing got drawn towards it, towards the thought: That was where I lost the life I was supposed to have.’ The narrative is expressed in a tersely assertive style but is rescued from the mundane by its involving subtlety. The reader is forced to grapple with a welter of techno-acronyms which spread promiscuously into the narrative and which cause the pace of the plot occasionally to stumble at the beginning. But gradually, as these distractions are overcome (or at least as we learn to absorb them), the pace of the narrative picks up with a sinuous fascination until it reaches its gripping climax with an inexorable flourish. sherborneliterarysociety.com
Extensive range of wool
Buttons, ribbons & crafty bits
Celebrating the Arts Saturday 22 June 2018 11.00 am–4.00 pm
Digby Hall, Sherborne DT9 3AA
Yarn, haberdashery and workshops Tel: 01935 508249
1 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3PT www.theslippedstitch.co.uk
• family clay studio • art exhibition • artist demonstrations • talks • mini tea dance • all day cafe Full programme from: 01935 815899 www.sherborneartslink.org.uk
FREE event for all ages
Join us to talk, listen, see and do!
Sherborne ArtsLink Ltd Charity no. 1007680 Company no. 2471382
See website for workshops
MAY SOLUTIONS
ACROSS 1. Doubtful (4) 3. Relating to love (8) 9. Water-bearing rock (7) 10. Feign (3,2) 11. Show-off (5) 12. Not as big (7) 13. Circles a planet (6) 15. Protects (6) 17. Furry nocturnal carnivorous mammal (7) 18. Arm joint (5) 20. With a forward motion (5) 21. Metal similar to platinum (7) 22. Gives a right to (8) 23. Average value (4)
DOWN 1. Not suitable (13) 2. Smoke pipes (5) 4. Surge forwards (6) 5. Using letters and numbers (12) 6. Nominal (7) 7. US female politician (13) 8. Malice ___ : intention to harm (12) 14. Withdraw from a commitment (4,3) 16. Provoke (6) 19. Sandy fawn colour (5)
sherbornetimes.co.uk | 129
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT
‘H
Adrian Bright, Sherborne Community Church
appy Birthday’ had barely passed from those gathered to celebrate my 65th birthday when my mind travelled back in time: pushed in my pram through Kensington Gardens, first day at school, leaving to join the army, first parachute jump, getting married, the birth of our sons, many memories tumbling back. I remembered thinking at 20 that 65 was an eternity away but now those memories are as though they were yesterday. If there’s one thing life has taught me it’s that life is short and we need to make every day count. However long we live, most of us will have little influence concerning the rest of mankind. My birthday fell over Easter, the time Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. His life spanned 33 years, and the last three years of his life have had more impact on this world than that of any other person. Yet Jesus didn’t write any books. He didn’t lead an army against the Roman Empire. He didn’t lead a political party or change any laws. Rome felt little impact from his immediate death. Those who planned his demise hoped all memory of him would cease, yet Rome’s imperial power has faded into oblivion, leaving ancient ruins. What is Jesus’ enduring influence today? He was a man who claimed to be God, and accepted man’s accolade to be Messiah. More books have been written about Jesus than any other person in history. Countries have used his teaching to form the foundation for their government. His Sermon on the Mount established a new paradigm in ethics and morals. The great universities were begun by his followers. Schools, hospitals, and humanitarian works have been founded in His name. The elevated role of women in Western culture traces its roots back to Jesus rejecting the ancient view that women were considered inferior, possessions, non-persons. Jesus’ teaching on the sanctity of life taught that human life is a priceless gift, each person is created with and for a purpose. From this, slavery was abolished in Britain. Amazingly Jesus made such an enormous impact on civilisation as a result of three years of ministry. But can Jesus be all he claims to be? C. S. Lewis writes: “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. ... Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God.” sherbornecommunitychurch.org.uk
130 | Sherborne Times | June 2019
Focus without distraction Endless opportunities
Separate yet together
01935 810403 admissions@sherborne.org sherborne.org
01935 818224 registrar@sherborne.com sherborne.com
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