Sherborne Times August 2020

AUGUST 2020 | FREE

A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR

BUDDING TALENT with Will, Lauren, Amelie and Mia Holley of Blooming Wild Nursery

sherbornetimes.co.uk

WELCOME

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kies cross-hatched with vapour trails and comet tails jangle to the sound of hungry swifts. Below we perch on ad hoc pavement seating, joining friends with new haircuts for lunch and a chat. Guards are lowered, hopes are raised but face masks remain de rigueur.

Through the settling dust new faces emerge, bold entrepreneurs with a spring in their step – Guy Dennler Antiques, Ingredients Deli, Casa Abadia and The Elms in North Wootton among them. Godspeed to you all.

Another new venture, eight miles east, is buzzing with life in more ways than one. Katharine and Jo visit Blooming Wild Nursery and return with a headful of Latin and a bootful of ornamental grasses.

Keep well.

Glen Cheyne, Editor glen@homegrown-media.co.uk @sherbornetimes

CONTRIBUTORS Editorial and creative direction Glen Cheyne Design Andy Gerrard @round_studio Sub editor Sadie Wilkins Photography Katharine Davies @Katharine_KDP Feature writer Jo Denbury @jo_denbury Editorial assistant Helen Brown Social media Jenny Dickinson Illustrations Elizabeth Watson elizabethwatsonillustration.com Print Stephens & George Distribution team Barbara and David Elsmore Nancy Henderson The Jackson Family David and Susan Joby Christine Knott Sarah Morgan Mary and Roger Napper Alfie Neville-Jones Mark and Miranda Pender Claire Pilley Ionas Tsetikas

Deborah Bathurst Sherborne Literary Society @SherborneLitSoc sherborneliterarysociety.com

Lydia Harvey Dorset Wildlife Trust @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Laurence Belbin laurencebelbin.com

Andy Hastie Cinematheque cinematheque.org.uk

David Birley Richard Bromell ASFAV Charterhouse Auctioneers and Valuers @CharterhouseAV charterhouse-auction.com Mike Burks The Gardens Group @TheGardensGroup thegardensgroup.co.uk David Burnett The Dovecote Press dovecotepress.com Paula Carnell @paula.carnell paulacarnell.com Cindy Chant Sherborne Walks @sherbornewalks sherbornewalks.co.uk Frank Collins Mogers Drewett Solicitors @mogersdrewett md-solicitors.co.uk Gillian M Constable DWT Sherborne Group @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk David Copp Rosie Cunningham Jemma Dempsey Aneurin & Ottakar Denham

1 Bretts Yard Digby Road Sherborne Dorset DT9 3NL 01935 315556 @sherbornetimes info@homegrown-media.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk Sherborne Times is printed on an FSCÂŽ and EU Ecolabel certified paper. It goes without saying that once thoroughly well read, this magazine is easily recycled and we actively encourage you to do so.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither Sherborne Times nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

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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 | August 2020

James Flynn Milborne Port Computers @MPortComputers computing-mp.co.uk Nick Folland Sherborne Preparatory School @Sherborneprep sherborneprep.org Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.)

CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS Fort Financial Planning ffp.org.uk John Gammans @Gammangovski johngammans.co.uk Jan Garner Sherborne Scribblers Mark Greenstock St Pauls Church stpauls-sherborne.org,uk Craig Hardaker Communifit @communifit communifit.co.uk

James Henderson Sherborne School @SherborneSchool sherborne.org James Hull The Story Pig @thestorypig thestorypig.co.uk Annabelle Hunt Bridport Timber @BridportTimber bridporttimber.co.uk Lucy Lewis Dorset Mind @DorsetMind dorsetmind.uk Chris Loder MP Mark Newton-Clarke MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Newton Clarke Veterinary Partnership @swanhousevet newtonclarkevet.com Simon Partridge SP Fit @spfitsherborne spfit-sherborne.co.uk Cath Rapley Lodestone Property @LodestoneProp lodestoneproperty.co.uk Mike Riley Riley’s Cycles rileyscycles.co.uk Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom Glencairn House Clinic glencairnhouse.co.uk doctortwrobinson.com Jack Smith The Green Restaurant @greensherborne greenrestaurant.co.uk Nigel Stewart Bridge Farm Cider bridgefarmcider.co.uk Paul Stickland Black Shed Flowers @blackshedflowers blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk Val Stones @valstones bakerval.com Emma Tabor & Paul Newman @paulnewmanart paulnewmanartist.com John Walsh BVSc Cert AVP DBR MRCVS Friars Moor Vets @FriarsMoorVets friarsmoorvets.co.uk

60 8

Market Research

AUGUST 2020 48 Interiors

102 Finance

10 Film

54 Gardening

104 Tech

12 Theatre

60 BLOOMING WILD NURSERY

106 In Conversation With

14 Art 18 Family 32 Wild Dorset 38 Outdoors 42 History 46 Antiques

68 Food & Drink 76 Animal Care 82 Body & Mind 94 Property 100 Legal

109 Our Man in Westminster 110 Short Story 112 Crossword 113 Literature 114 Pause for Thought

Thinking of letting your holiday home?

We know that your holiday home is just that – a home.

That’s why our local team is dedicated to managing your property with the same care and attention you would. With tailored services to suit your needs, you can be as involved as you like, so why not get in touch today?

01929 448 708 newowners@dorsethideaways.co.uk dorsethideaways.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 5

SHERBORNE INDIES ABACUS FINANCIAL

Johanna Kemp, your local independent mortgage and insurance specialist. Helping with mortgages, equity release and protection.

07813 785355 jk@abacusfinancialoptions.co.uk abacusfinancialoptions.co.uk

CHAPTER HOUSE BOOKS We carry a large general stock of second-hand modern and antiquarian books, both hardbacks and paperbacks; also used sheet music, CDs and DVDs. Trendle Street, Sherborne DT9 3NT

AVALON DISTILLERY

Artisan distillery based in Cerne Abbas. Producers of the award-winning Viper Gin and, more recently, hand sanitiser. info@viperspirit.co.uk @viperlondondrygin @viper_gin viperspirit.co.uk

THE COURTYARD SALON The Courtyard Salon is proud to offer a variety of beauty treatments from manicures, lashes, expert skincare, sports massage, pamper packages and much more.

BREWED BOY Sherborne’s only brewery. Brewing modern craft beer, with an on-site bar open Fridays and Saturdays.

Unit 16, Old Yarn Mills, Sherborne DT9 3RQ 07889 731071 info@brewedboy.co.uk info@imaginaryfriends.beer @brewed_boy @imaginaryfriendsbrewing

FLY JESSE

The only baby shop in town!

Fly Jesse’s focus is on the artisan, organic & handmade.

01935 816262 chapterhousebooks@hotmail.com chapterhouse-books.co.uk

01935 816372

37 Cheap Street, Sherborne DT9 3PU

@thecourtyardsalon thecourtyardsalon.co.uk

@flyjesseonline flyjesse.co.uk

GLENHOLME HERBS

GODDEN & CURTIS

MELBURY GALLERY

We are a family-run business located in Sandford Orcas, specialising in growing a huge range of herbs, pelargoniums, salvias and wildflowers.

beautyatthecourtyardsalon@gmail.com

Penmore Corner Bungalow, Sandford Orcas, Sherborne, DT9 4SE

Television and audio, sales and repairs. Continuing to support all our wonderful customers through these challenging times.

01963 220302 / 07855 279072 @glenholmeherbs glenholmeherbs.co.uk

07718 253309 / 01935 813451 simon@goddenandcurtis.co.uk goddenandcurtis.co.uk

@shoplocalinsherborne #shoplocalinsherborne

We are a bright and colourful shop selling a wonderful individual collection of clothes, many up to 50% off. Jewellery Scarves, Gifts and lots more...!

Half Moon Street, Sherborne DT9 3LN @Melbury Gallery melburygallery.co.uk

SHERBORNE INDIES OLIVER’S Coffee and cake makes everything better.

Open 9am-3pm Mon-Sat and 10am-3pm on Sunday for eat-in and takeaway. Deliveries still available.

19 Cheap Street, Sherborne

PEAR TREE DELI

PERRI ASHBY

Delicatessen & cafe open 9am-3pm, Monday - Saturday.

Delivery & take away service for sandwiches, coffees and cakes plus many more deli items.

Half Moon Street, Sherborne DT9 3LS

01935 815005 @OliversSherbs @OliversCoffeeHouse @oliverscoffeehouse oliverscoffeehouse.co.uk

01935 812828 @ThePearTreeDeli @thepeartreedeli peartreedeli.co.uk

PURE HAIR

REFINE & DESIGN

Pure Hair is the perfect place to relax and be pampered.

Established salon of 17 years. Hair and Beauty Finalist 2019 & 2020.

Gifts that are made to mean more!

Personally designed and ready to wear. Everything for the Mother of the Bride and Groom including shoes, hats and jewellery, cruise wear, occasionwear, stunning kaftan jackets, amazing jeans, Italian knitwear.

01935 812 927 perriashby.co.uk

RILEY’S CYCLES Riley’s is Sherborne’s long established cycle shop, providing a range of bicycles and e-bikes plus parts, accessories, clothing, repairs and servicing.

Half Moon Street, Sherborne DT9 3LN

At Refine & Design we specialise in personalised gifts and homeware, items such as bathroom pump bottles, prints, pet items and much more.

01935 814172 @purehairsherborne @purehairsherborne

07949 141324 @refineanddesignsherborne refineanddesign.co.uk

01935 812038 info@rileyscycles.co.uk rileyscycles.co.uk

SHERBORNE MARKET FRUIT & VEG

SHERBORNE WEB DESIGN

UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS INTERIORS

Seasonal and local, fruit and vegetables.

Every Thursday and Saturday on the Conduit, plus home deliveries.

07871 609345 / 07515 554549

sherbornemarketfruitandveg@aol.co.uk

Trendle Yard, Trendle Street, Sherborne DT9 3NT

Your local ‘one-stop shop’ for everything that falls under the umbrella of web design; custom built for you.

Bespoke curtains, blinds, fabrics, upholstery, loose covers, homeware and furniture.

Full measure and fitting service.

Free estimates.

118 Yeovil Road, Sherborne DT9 4BB

The Old School Rooms, Long Street, Sherborne DT9 3BS

01935 813241 info@sherbornewebdesign.co.uk sherbornewebdesign.co.uk

01935 813831 info@updowninteriors.co.uk updowninteriors.co.uk

@shoplocalinsherborne #shoplocalinsherborne

MARKET RESEARCH NO.4: NIGEL STEWART, BRIDGE FARM CIDER

Welcome to The Sherborne Market!

What brings you here?

Having been born in Sherborne but now based near Crewkerne, I am always happy to have the opportunity to trade at a market in my hometown, particularly at the start of a new venture like these Sunday markets.

Where have you travelled from?

I moved to East Chinnock, 25 years ago, to have a little land and some buildings to set up the cider business.

Since then, I have planted my cider orchard and established the cidery with a small shop to retail our cider and apple juice.

Tell us about what you’re selling?

My interest has been to continue the tradition of making still, farmhouse cider from the great cider apples grown locally. Inevitably, over the years, the range has expanded to include perry, sparkling, bottle conditioned and single variety cider, with some apple juice as well. At the moment, I am also growing and selling new potatoes, principally from heritage varieties.

Where and when did it all begin?

Growing up in Sandford Orcas, we had a few old cider apple trees in the garden, and I decided to smash a few 8 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

up and see ‘what would happen if...’ Let’s just say that the seed was sown.

What do you enjoy most about selling at markets?

Well certainly not the early starts, but there is nothing better than seeing people enjoying what you make and looking forward to finding us again – hopefully, with a few stories about good times had.

If you get the chance, which fellow stallholders, here at Sherborne Market, will you visit?

Liz at the Baking Bird always has such tasty things – savoury or sweet, and I heard a little about a new grower of mushrooms; I would like to see his produce.

Where will we find you on market day?

I will be opposite White Stuff, in front of Humbert’s old office. bridgefarmcider.co.uk

___________________________________________ Every 3rd Sunday April – September The Sherborne Market Cheap Street, Abbey Green, Digby Road and Pageant Gardens @thesherbornemarket

___________________________________________

THE

Hand picked & selected artisan market featuring local producers, suppliers, amazing food, arts and crafts.

3RD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Film

ON FILM

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Andy Hastie, Yeovil Cinematheque

he excuse always given by Hollywood when challenged as to why there is not a proportionate representation of black actors, directors or stories in mainstream American cinema is, ‘Black films don’t make money, it’s a niche market.’

This belief was blown out of the water with the arrival of Black Panther in 2018. A superhero film, based on the Marvel Comics character and with a predominately black cast, Black Panther has broken box-office records, grossed over 1.3 billion dollars to date, and stands as the 10 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

third highest-grossing film ever in the United States. Up until now, any meaningful representation of black lives and experiences has had to come from the independent sector, with paltry publicity budgets compared to the big studio fare, so more often than not falls under the radar, irrespective of quality and worthiness. There are a few exceptions however, which by their excellence start to emerge from the festival circuit to be picked up by the main cinema chains. I’ll suggest a few of the more recent I would recommend watching.

Fruitvale Station (2013)

'Filmed more as a low-key character study of a complex man, it nevertheless is a deeply moving, shocking experience.'

Fruitvale Station (2013) follows the last 24 hours of an African American 22-year-old, shot dead by transport police in Oakland, California. This affecting film, set around New Year’s Eve 2009, is a dramatised take on a true story, making it all the more gripping. Filmed more as a low-key character study of a complex man, it nevertheless is a deeply moving, shocking experience.

Selma (2014) is an Oscar-winning account of the pivotal moment in 1965 when Martin Luther King Jnr led 3 marches from Selma to the state capital, Montgomery, in Alabama, demanding equal voting rights for black people. This civil rights struggle film, which includes a lot of important background detail, is full of righteous non-violent anger, and is impactful in its portrayal of how rigged the American voting system was (is?) and is utterly relevant now as then.

BlacKkKlansman (2017) is Spike Lee’s satirical truelife examination of race relations in 1970s America. It follows the first black detective in the Colorado Springs Police Dept, who is determined to make a difference by infiltrating and exposing the local Ku Klux Klan. With the help of a Jewish colleague, they plan an undercover investigation to destroy the extremist organisation’s push for mainstream appeal. Often outrageous, but with a serious core, Spike Lee cleverly juxtaposes historical racial hatred with similar shocking real footage of neoNazis at Charlottesville in 2017.

Finally, a reminder of two films from Academy Award winning director Barry Jenkins. Moonlight (2017) is a coming-of-age story in three sections, following Chiron from early childhood in Miami to adulthood in Atlanta, as he navigates drugs, family, love and sexuality. Think of any superlative, and it will already have been used to describe this film. It’s that good. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) is based on James Baldwin’s novel of the same title and is a celebration of love told through the story of a young couple from Harlem, fighting the injustice inflicted upon them; passion and sadness are inextricably linked. If you haven’t seen any of these films, they are all powerful reminders of where we are, and why people are still protesting change. All are available on either Netflix or Amazon Prime.

No new news on Cinematheque’s reopening date but as circumstances allow, we will be back! cinematheque.org.uk swan-theatre.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 11

Theatre

CONFESSIONS OF A THEATRE ADDICT Rosie Cunningham

The Madness of King George. Image: Manuel Harlan

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he Madness of George III, written by Alan Bennett and filmed at the Nottingham Playhouse, is superb with Mark Gatiss, who is known for Game of Thrones and Sherlock, as the lead.

Gatiss gave a magnificent performance of the King descending into madness. Put in isolation and separated from his wife, Queen Charlotte, with his elder son willing his demise so that he could declare his father mad and assume the throne, the portrayal of descent is exquisite. The support cast circled throughout and ably supported, but it was Gatiss on whose shoulders the whole play hinged, and his performance was sublime.

I saw Diana Quick in a very moving, short conversational piece called Midnight Your Time by Adam Brace, which was a Donmar Warehouse Digital Production created during the Covid-19 lockdown in May. This is a series of primarily late-night telephone calls made to her daughter’s answer machine, who is living overseas. What becomes clear is that everything is not well between mother and daughter and, with the introduction of alcohol and recrimination, words are spoken which should have been left unsaid. This is Quick at her very best.

If you have seen the Amazon Prime series Good Omens, with David Tennant and Michael Sheen, you are in for a treat with the new Zoom-satirising comedy series called Staged, made from their respective homes.

Absolutely hilarious in parts. Both actors get themselves 12 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

into trouble by overpromising, blaming others, and not being entirely honest. Short vignettes by Judy Dench and Samuel L. Jackson add to the level of actor farce.

But the best is yet to come. Small Island, streamed from National Theatre Live, tells the story of Jamaicans who came over on HMT Empire Windrush to fight for Britain in the Second World War. They came with high expectations and the chance to leave their small poverty-ridden country and were treated with distrust and abuse. This is a hugely powerful play with a company of 40 actors against a backdrop of oppressive scenes being played out on a large screen at the back of the stage, creating an impression of barely suppressed anger and violence. Leah Harvey is outstanding as Hortense. The director is Rufus Norris. The play was adapted by Helen Edmundson. This is one to watch.

Lungs is a live-stream play from the Old Vic, reuniting Claire Foy and Matt Smith who performed this sell-out play together in 2019. Performing to an empty auditorium, this is part of a socially-distanced ‘In Camera’ series raising much needed funds to shore up the theatre’s perilous finances. The two actors keep their distance from each other on the stage but, due to a split screen delivery, appear in close interaction with each other. An imaginative and innovative solution to Covid-19 lockdown rules and a novel way to keep the theatre alive by asking the public to buy their seats for each performance. The play is by Duncan Macmillan.

Lungs. Image: Manuel Harlan

Small Island. Image: Brinkhoff Moegenburg sherbornetimes.co.uk | 13

Art

ARTIST AT WORK

No. 21: John Gammans, Coda, acrylic on board, 102 x 91cm

I

start with a seed of inspiration; in this instance from a series of en plein air sketches of a fastdeveloping weather front. I break the silence of a plain, white board using a monochromatic layer of red and white paint to create a pink composition and establish tonal values, applied with a broad brush using dynamic strokes. At this early stage, I am not only establishing values but also the direction and energy that I intend subsequent layers to follow, by applying multiple layers of contrasting cool colours, predominately with large palette knives, blending with paint brushes, squeegees and a water spray.

Encouraging small areas of the underlying colour to show through, I continue to maintain the tonal balance, composition and energy of the painting. The 14 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

process becomes about the application and erosion of alternating layers. Applying thick layers, mark-making into the wet paint and when dry, scratching into the paint with coarse sandpaper to reveal some underlying history of the painting.

The combinations within this technique help me to construct the painting’s character, encouraging happy accidents to emerge throughout the process. I like that the end result can be open to interpretation, so long as the emotion and energy of the piece comes through, I’m happy.

Coda is available to purchase for ÂŁ800 johngammans.co.uk

Headroom Flexible, premium workspaces in central Sherborne.

Available to rent by the hour, day or week.

High speed WiFi Digital phone lines Bright, private offices Kitchen and W/C £10 per hour £40 per day £150 per week + VAT

For information please call 01935 315556

Art

AN ARTIST’S VIEW Laurence Belbin

I

have resisted more drawings and paintings of my garden, but instead have had two projects to work on during the continued lockdown.

Firstly, having obtained an old bike, I decided to create a ‘sculpture’ for the garden. It is wind-driven by applying tape to the spokes which in turn drives the peddles and the cyclist’s legs. It was an interesting project and still needs some minor attention. The cyclist was cut out from an old sign I had on my previous studio, at the railway station and now home to ‘Free 2 Cycle’. Working out the leg proportions was critical because they not only had to look right, they had to function too. Very time-consuming but very satisfying when you see it working.

The sculpture depends on a reasonably strong south-westerly wind, but not too strong as to flip the chain off, which seems to be happening every now and then. I had to get a spot of welding done on the sprocket and wheel hub because the wheel was undoing itself. Friction was my worst enemy, so all the moving parts - hip and knee joints – have spacers to help them move as freely as possible but still hold together. You can see a video of it working on my Facebook page, Laurence Belbin Artist, or take a stroll up Blackberry Lane and see the real thing!

The second project I have been working on is a signwriting one. In a previous article, I wrote about the pub sign I did for The Mitre Inn at Sandford Orcas. Well, I was asked to produce some more signs to help them through this difficult period. As a result of the restrictions imposed on pubs, they have ventured into the ‘takeaway market’, providing their usual good quality country pub meals to enjoy at home. I have sampled them; very nice indeed. So, signs were required to let everyone know the availability of this service.

Additionally, they needed a new sign promoting their garden and its bar, as shown here, for when things start to reopen. For this one, I wanted to go with a flower/wildlife theme, so included bees, dragonfly and foxgloves – all of which I’ve seen in the garden myself.

In all, I had seven signs of varying sizes to do. Preparing the boards, designing, and tracing out the lettering was first on the agenda, only then could I begin the painting. As one bit was drying, I worked on another. Slowly bringing them up to the finished state, ready to varnish.

Working with the pub’s colour green as a base, I did all the lettering and kept in mind where I’d like the pictorial element to be placed.

The important thing I think about signs and posters is the message. I see so many with too much information that they fail to grab attention and therefore, achieve their purpose. So, ‘TO THE GARDEN AND GARDEN BAR’ had to be my priority; everything else was to enhance the overall effect. Painting the flowers etc was the only area which comes close to my normal way of painting, the rest was more on the graphic design side.

I have seen them fixed in place and they certainly catch the eye. A very pleasing job to have done. Now, let me have a look at their menu and choose my evening meal! laurencebelbin.com

16 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 17

elizabethwatsonillustration.com

Sadie Wilkins, English Tutor GCSE and A Level Experienced Teacher & Examiner 07547 985484 swilkinstutor@gmail.com 18 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

Strong Citizens.

Strong Community.

Stronger Outcomes.

01935 810911 or registrar@sherborneprep.org

www.sherborneprep.org

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Thornford Primary School

Reception places available for September 2020 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” Boot Lane, Thornford, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6QY www.thornford.dorset.sch.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 19

UNEARTHED Josh White, aged 11 The Gryphon School

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fter seeing their plight on the local news, Josh had the idea of fundraising for Dartmoor Zoo. The zoo reported how they had needed to close due to coronavirus and would be in desperate need of funds. Otherwise, they may have to close permanently and look to give their animals a new home or, even worse, potentially have to put them down.

Josh loves animals and didn’t want to see this happen, so he decided to fundraise and having been inspired by someone on YouTube climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest on his stairs, thought he could do the same. So, with the help of his parents, Josh worked out that he had to climb the stairs at home 3,400 times to complete the challenge. He did 200 climbs on weekend days and 100 a day in the weekdays so that he could fit in his schoolwork.

He appeared on numerous news channels during the challenge and couldn’t believe the overwhelming support and generosity from all over the world including Canada, Australia, America etc. It took him about 3 weeks to complete the challenge and finished on VE Day in May. In the end, he raised over £20,000 and became a lot fitter for it! Josh's family, friends and teachers are all really proud of him and what he has achieved. We are sure his fundraising efforts have not finished yet… gryphon.dorset.sch.uk

KATHARINE DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY Portrait, lifestyle, PR and editorial commissions 07808 400083 info@katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk www.katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk

20 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

Family

Children’s Book Review Elizabeth P, Year 6, Leweston School

Burn by Patrick Ness (Walker Books) £12.99 Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £11.99 from Winstone’s Books

T

his book is about a girl called Sarah Dewhurst who, along with her father, lives in a different world to ours where there are dragons. Her dad hires a Russian blue dragon to help out on the farm that they own. The book keeps switching to different people’s thinking, until they all join up together. It contains a prophecy, a goddess, a satellite and a power that could destroy the world.

'Independent Bookseller of the Year 2016’ 8 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PX www.winstonebooks.co.uk Tel: 01935 816 128

On some pages, it makes me gasp; on some, it makes me want to hide under the covers. It is a totally amazing book. I’m looking forward to the next one, for it ends on a cliff hanger.

I recommend this book for 9-year olds and over. 5 stars!!

‘How does the world end?

It ends in fire.’

School's out!

Books are in!

Family

BEING KIND

Aneurin & Ottokar Denham, aged 14, Sherborne School

T

he idea behind the Being Kind project is to show how communities pull together and how the human spirit thrives in difficult times. We hope to show the kind and selfless things people have done in their everyday lives during the Covid-19 lockdown.

For simplicity, we asked people the same two questions about acts of kindness and gathered responses to explore how they are coping and in what ways their community has helped each other: What single act of kindness have you received during the coronavirus crisis that has made a big difference to you?

Please give an act of kindness that you have given during the coronavirus crisis that you believe made a difference.

Anon, 40, Dorset

I am a teacher and received letters from pupils asking of my wellbeing; a lovely gesture and goes to show that young people can be just as kind and thoughtful as others.

Our local park was closed and an elderly gentleman was unable to go to his usual spot to draw wildlife. I’m fortunate to have a garden, so invited him to spend a couple of hours continuing his hobby.

Brendon, 42, Southsea, Portsmouth

After starting to exercise again, I achieved my goal of running 5k. I posted about making positive changes to your lifestyle and a few days later, on my housemate’s birthday, one of his friends delivered a present for him, but also for me. It was Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - when I thanked him, he said that he didn’t want my efforts to go unnoticed.

I’ve looked out for two vulnerable people in my life every day of the crisis. My mum - who is 80 years old with multiple conditions; I phoned her every day and gathered her supplies. An ex-girlfriend - who suffers from many mental health issues; I messaged each day, but I also bought her kettlebells, so she could exercise in absence of the gym.

Christine, 67, London

My allotment neighbour heard that I couldn’t get flour and yeast, so he went to a shop he knew - miles away 22 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

Image: Katharine Davies

and arrived at my house with a huge box of food far exceeding the flour and yeast! I tried to pay him to no avail.

For my neighbour’s birthday I cooked her an Indian meal, put it in a carrier bag ‘a la takeaway’ and left it with a cake on her doorstep; she cried!

Dan, 43, Hampshire

A small gesture that gave me a sense of community spirit related to my daughter’s soya intolerance. Most shopbought bread contains soya. Our usual brand became impossible to get. My wife wanted to make her own bread - so did the entire country! An SOS on Facebook resulted in 3 separate deliveries of yeast to our front door!

An act of kindness that I hope made a difference was a financial donation to our local food bank.

Margaret & Suresh, 70+, Sherborne

After working hard in our fairly large garden during lockdown, we filled many bags of garden waste; our very kind neighbour, Pete, generously took them to the tip when it reopened, plus left us some of his own

vegetable plants.

We’ve regularly informed elderly neighbours of new projects within the local community. We alerted one to the ‘Community Kitchen’ and they now get a cooked meal delivered daily.

Marie, 35, Portsmouth, Hampshire

I got bored!

We donated gardening equipment to a nearby friend. Her garden was becoming overgrown and she didn’t have the right tools; she was very happy and has spent many hours in the garden crafting her outdoor space.

During the first few weeks, our neighbour gave her daughter’s old picnic/sand table to our young sons. It’s provided daily entertainment and they especially love it as it’s similar to the one at their nana’s house, who they miss.

My husband and I designed some pages for a colouring book which went out to families in need of extra support during the pandemic. Along with colouring pens and pencils, it was distributed to 2500+ households and schools with food parcels. These pages were then shared in windows of peoples’ homes. We hope our contribution made a small impact.

Olly, Hampshire

Michael, Isle of Wight

These are just a sample of the replies received. To read more, please visit parentingsoundly.co.uk/beingkind

My wife kindly bought me a 1,000-piece jigsaw in case

It’s been nice speaking more to people who live nearby, who we might have seen now and then, but not often.

One left some toys on our doorstep for our daughter, which entertained her a lot.

It feels a bit awkward talking about one’s own kindness, especially since many have shown generosity.

One gesture was sending a note to someone who we were concerned wouldn’t be able to shop for themselves.

We’d like to thank all the participants of our project for their time and effort.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 23

Family

HOME FRONT Jemma Dempsey

24 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

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Dina Uretski/Shutterstock

he one thing I’ve noticed about our home during lockdown is that everyone has been very vocal about everything. And while I’d like to think we are a fairly loving bunch, it’s also true to say there have been moments when I could have gleefully wielded an axe and happily been led away to the funny farm by the men in white coats. This has not been an easy experience. The initial euphoria at school closing soon gave way to the sad reality of not being able to physically see friends, the husband’s relief at not having a hideous commute soon melted away as the endless headphone meetings consumed his every waking minute. And I have really missed silence; simple silence to just sit with the dog and a coffee for a few minutes doing absolutely nothing.

Speaking of the dog, I’ve noticed she’s been ignoring me. To be honest, I can’t say I blame her, with everything going on I’d ignore me too. Her life has been turned upside down just as much as ours. And she’s always had a tendency to go off in a huff if she doesn’t get her own way or if the food on offer is not to her liking.

‘The dog is not right,’ I say to the husband, one evening.

‘She’s never been right,’ he responds unhelpfully, to which I roll my eyes and begin to flounce off, saying that I’m going to take her to the vet.

‘Hang on a minute,’ he says putting his iPad down.

I knew that would have the desired effect. The thought of a hefty investigative vet’s bill which doesn’t result in a definitive answer soon gives me his undivided attention. ‘She’s not listening to me anymore,’ I cry, ‘she just, well, she just ignores me.’ The husband guffaws and there follows an attempt to see who can get the dog’s attention in a she-loves-me-more-than-you competition. ‘She is almost 14, but she still acts like she’s 6 months old,’ the husband laughs as he plays tugof-war with her and an old moccasin slipper, which she had in her crate when we flew over from New Zealand on a gruelling 26-hour non-stop flight.

‘That slipper is revolting, it should still be in quarantine!’ I squawk, but I know I am beaten when they both look at me with their puppy dog eyes.

I shake my head and storm off into the kitchen. ‘Don’t talk to me, I am going to be selectively deaf,’ I say, pouring myself a large glass of wine, pretending not to hear the husband mutter, ‘Hmmm, you’ve been doing that for years.’

The deafness revelation has made me realise we need to adjust our dog etiquette around the house and transform our walking regime. It’s no good just hollering her name anymore and waiting for a flurry of fur to arrive at our feet.

What to do when your dog goes deaf ? I plug into my search engine and I am met with a myriad of results, from vibrating collars to clapping tests, designed to establish the degree of disability. I realise we’re on the verge of moving into a new era - after raising this beast from puppyhood and watching her playfully grow with our two-legged children, we’re now faced with tending to her creaking, arthritic needs as she moves into her slightly stinky dotage. I switch my gaze from the computer screen and its googled offerings to the dog who’s sat at my feet, her gaze alternating back and forth between me and the treat cupboard. I decide deafness makes no difference here, I know perfectly well what she wants. She is still my dog, our family dog, and has been for 14 years.

Deaf or not, we love every hair on her head and every other bit of her shaggy, scruffy body. But I’m still taking her to the vet, just to be absolutely sure. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 25

Family

MEASURING SUCCESS Nick Folland, Headmaster, Sherborne Prep

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he end of the summer term at Sherborne Prep School finishes with an annual prize-giving where we award some of our children with end of year prizes. This usually takes place in a marquee and the children come up to the stage in front of 500 people, all clapping. Speeches are made and we always have a guest speaker. This year was rather different because we were unable to hold a mass gathering. The children were all back in school but events such as prize-giving were obviously not permitted under the Government lockdown restrictions. However, we did not want to miss the opportunity to recognise all the hard work of the children throughout the year. Always trying to find solutions to conundrums such as this in the best interests of the children, we went online instead. We created a prize-giving film, where one of the highlights was the recorded delivery of our top prizes to the winners at their own homes in a safe and socially-distanced manner.

Each year, we invite interesting guest speakers to talk to the children at prize-giving and this year, we had the best role model possible record a message for the children. Dr Susie Imber was the winner of the BBC2 programme Astronaut: do you have what it takes? She is a planetary scientist and the Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Leicester as well as being the only female British member of NASA. Susie spoke wonderfully and inspirationally. She made it clear that, when at school, she was academically a middle-of-the-road pupil, not a so called ‘high-flier.’ Her words resonated with all that we try to engender in our pupils. Be curious, do not let opportunities pass you by, be kind to yourself and to others around you, aim high, challenge yourself, learn new skills, work on your weaknesses as much as your strengths, part of the fun of the journey is seeing where you end up.

We try to be very clear at Sherborne Prep that 26 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

one will not always succeed. Much is gained from failing and, in fact, failing is often more important than succeeding. Children need to push outside of their comfort zones. Sometimes this ends in failure but they should learn from it and try to enjoy the experience anyway. I often state that, although we may have a few future world champions in our midst, there will not be many. That means there is usually somebody that little bit better than us, or luckier or

indeed harder working. The latter is something which we can control, and work ethic is key to success.

Children today do have a very good time in school for the most part. Life at the Prep is very different to the culture of my school days. We try to create an atmosphere of fun and positivity here. At the same time, it cannot all be happiness, loveliness and constant reward and success. That is not real, and we are preparing children for the real world. Children need

to learn resilience and dig deep at times. There will be tough times and not everyone can win a prize. For those who have achieved success this year, whether or not it has been recognised with a prize, well done! For those who have not quite got there, try again next year, work that little bit harder, dig that little bit deeper and be brave enough to stand out from the crowd. sherborneprep.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 27

Family

REMOTE CONTROL

James Henderson, Director of Music Sherborne School & Sherborne Abbey Image: Josie Sturgess-Mills

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he plight of freelance musicians during the lockdown has, like that of many other professionals, engendered sympathy: those whose careers depended upon concert performances, and indeed anything ‘live’, found themselves instantly and overnight without work and of course, a previously ‘freelance’ existence at least initially meant that being furloughed was not a possibility.

In schools, it was important to find a solution that did not leave the young without the ability to be part of ensemble music-making, to see their friends, and without the ability to recreate some sort of sense of team, whilst at the same time to continue developing musically.

Remember that, for those who enjoy music-making, being without it is as difficult as a lack of exercise.

The earliest days of the lockdown coincided with the holiday over the Easter break, but they also coincided with Holy Week and the full gamut of Easter services 28 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

that would ordinarily have taken place in the Abbey. So, a solution needed to be found quickly — and, as with so many other aspects of life, it presented itself in Zoom.

Whilst the Prime Minister spoke to us, on Zoom, just hours after returning from hospital after his own spell of COVID-19, the Abbey choristers were meeting on Zoom prior to making solo recordings to be compiled on the wondrous Apple software ‘Logic Pro X’. Think of it as electronic Sellotape for sticking together a limitless number of recording tracks.

Individual instrumental music lessons were quickly discovered to be more straightforward: the latency (which has improved as Zoom has been upgraded), and inevitable occasional internet glitches, has generally not prohibited pupil enjoyment of music taught online — and of course the freelance musicians who had been used to teaching by day were relieved to discover that at least one part of their professional life was to continue.

Ensembles and large choirs were altogether more complicated because, for all its virtues, Zoom cannot successfully enable more than one voice or instrument at a time — at its heart it is conference software for situations in which you do not want more than one person to speak at a time! As with the Abbey Choir, therefore, the boys at Sherborne School become accustomed to the idea that they had become ‘overnight recording stars’ by virtue of the ‘Voice Memo’ app on their mobile phones — which have remarkably sophisticated microphones built into them, whether on the ubiquitous iPhone or any other model. There is nonetheless a vast difference between rehearsing in a wind band with seventy of your friends and having to meet on Zoom for about ten minutes of social interaction before recording your own musical part and then submitting it by email to a teacher. Plus, family members didn’t always enjoy having to listen to the tenth recording attempt!

Some young musicians thought that they were wise to the fact that, in effect, the weekly recordings were starting to act as re-auditions (something to which even the adult ‘back rows’ of the Abbey Choir jokingly referred with reference to their weekly recordings) — but in reality, the recording tracks genuinely weren’t auditions: the process of compiling recordings is one which involves a fair degree of editing and there simply isn’t time to ‘judge’ the individual performance. For the young, of course, it is all about taking part and then being able to listen to their performances — in some cases several weeks after the recordings — but the snag is that a three-minute performance by twenty instrumentalists or singers can take up to six hours to compile. If it is the case that the pupils became overnight recording stars, the music staff certainly became overnight record producers — and Music Technology became, by necessity, every music teacher’s specialism.

Probably the biggest issue arose with those pupils who, whether ordinarily playing an instrument at near beginner level, or perhaps singing happily amongst eighty or so other singers, suddenly found themselves without anybody else to lead and encourage them, and therefore became initially reluctant to record.

The solution was to provide ‘guide tracks’ — fresh recordings of the music by the teacher-conductor, with the pupil’s instrumental or vocal part played onto the recording at an audibly greater volume. And then there were also the ‘conducting videos’ - short videos made by the music staff of themselves conducting

the recordings - so that the pupils were able to follow the beat and get one step closer to the real experience (yet with the ability to rewind several times and have second, third and even fourth attempts at recording the music). That process became faster for the teachers every bit as much as it did for the pupils but, certainly in the earliest days, making a video that involved animatedly conducting an empty space at home was certainly extraordinary — and the number of re-takes and renewed attempts at the videos probably reflected the identical number of re-takes that the pupils were creating on their instrument or voice.

Early this month, the end-of-year celebrations known as ‘Commem’ – like all academic lessons, music lessons, and even Sports Day – had to be ‘virtual’. Countless hours went into the production of performances for the annual Gala Concert (which is available for viewing on Facebook and YouTube) by the chamber orchestra, swing band, chamber music trios, wind band, barbershop and close harmony – all of which started and ended their performances remotely, at home, individually, and probably in their third or fourth version when emailed.

And so, to the future. Churches have not yet reopened fully, and it looks as if singing is not going to be permitted for a while yet — so the Abbey Choir will continue to individually record music for the online services on YouTube. When ‘normal’ does eventually resume — and the hope is that by September all of the boarding pupils will return — it is perfectly possible that we may well retain some of the musical practices that we have established online. For example, if our lead trumpeter and future Head of School, Jonathan Post, finds himself unable to attend a rehearsal because he is away with a rugby team or perhaps attending a university interview, rather than miss the rehearsal altogether — which would have had to be the case throughout history — he will be able to catch up online at some other time in the day or evening. It will be more work for the teachers and the musical-directors because rehearsals — quite possibly like lessons — will always need to be recreated in the ‘virtual world’, or at the very least will always need to be recorded, but the advantages are obvious and they hugely override the disadvantages. ‘May I please miss next week’s rehearsal?’ could well become ‘May I please attend the online rehearsal over the weekend?’ sherborne.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 29

PLA C ES AVA I LA B LE F OR S EPT EM B ER

SAL ISBURY’ S O N LY C O -E D UC AT I ONA L IND E P E N DE N T DAY S C H OOL F O R 4 -1 6 Y E A R OLDS OfficialLeehurstSwanSchool

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DESIGNER

We are all ready to take on the glamorous world again Weddings may be smaller but they’re back on!

We are taking bookings now for reinstated events in August and September, with a great new collection and fantastic hats to compliment We are all prepared for fittings. We will ask you to bring a mask, and if not we will provide one. We have adjusted studio space to allow for social distancing and fittings.

We are also taking bookings now for weddings that have been postponed until next year, and we are booking as far ahead as June 2021.

Don’t forget we still have our wonderful linen tops, palazzos and amazing jeans!

We look forward to welcoming you back safely With Best Wishes from all at Perri Ashby

Half Moon Street, Sherborne l www.perriashby.co.uk 01935 812927 l perriashby@aol.com 30 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

Wild Dorset

Martin Pelanek/Shutterstock

32 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

SUN WORSHIPPERS Lydia Harvey, DWT Volunteer

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s summer gets into full swing, it brings with it the purple heather we’re used to seeing on heathland this time of year. The mosaic of mature heath we find in Dorset has bare sandy areas and warm, south facing slopes, making them the perfect habitat for basking reptiles. In fact, all six British reptile species can be found in Dorset.

As you walk along the sandy paths, look out for signs of the female sand lizard, who has spent her time digging test burrows in which to lay her eggs.

These extremely rare lizards can only be found in a few protected sites in the UK. With its bright green flanks, the male sand lizard makes a very striking sight, especially during the breeding season in April and May. Usually found in the same habitat, the smooth snake is another rare reptile that calls Dorset heaths its home.

It was first discovered in the British Isles in 1852 at Parley Common in Dorset. Smaller and more slender than other snakes, the smooth snake can usually grow to 60-70cm long. It has an eye stripe that extends along the side of the head and is generally a grey or dull brown colour with two rows of black dots down its back.

Keep an eye out for the dark zig-zag markings of the adder as it shelters in the undergrowth. Despite being the UK’s only venomous snake, adders are shy, sensitive and non-aggressive. They will usually only bite if they are disturbed or antagonised.

Grass snakes, which can be found throughout England and Wales, are non-venomous and very timid, feeding mostly on fish and amphibians. Often mistaken for a snake, the slow worm is in fact a lizard.

They are very shiny and are usually a greyish brown colour, appearing bronze in some light. The common lizard, as its name suggests, can be found throughout Europe, from heathlands to dry stone walls, sea cliffs and embankments.

With its diversity of habitats, the Upton Heath nature reserve offers the perfect mix of dry, humid and wet heath, bog pools, ponds and grassland and is home to all six of the British reptile species.

Find out more about our heathland nature reserves in Dorset at dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves.

If you are visiting, please be sure to keep dogs on leads and remember BBQs are prohibited due to fire risk. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 33

Wild Dorset

SHERBORNE DWT Gillian M. Constable, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Sherborne Group Committee Member

Image: Gillian M. Constable

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he management of road verges for the benefit of wildlife is one of the aims of DWT’s work. For many years, they have maintained the blue post scheme. A blue post area along a verge indicates to verge cutters, and others, that the area is of special interest for flora and fauna therefore rules exist, which they should be aware of, for mowing. Sadly, not always are such indicators observed and valuable flora is mown. Currently, Holwell Drove, a blue post area, is a wonderful example of how its wide verges can look if managed sympathetically. The above photo is of the northern side of the Drove where hundreds of the plant betony, Stachys officinalis, are in flower.

From the road, an amazing haze of their magenta flowers can be seen. Amongst them are many other species of wildflower, thousands of grasshoppers and many butterflies. Earlier this year, rare marsh fritillary butterflies were also to be found there. In the past we have heard nightingales singing from its thick hedge.

Betony is native to England and relatively common in Dorset and it seems to thrive in the wet, heavy soils of the Drove. Sadly, its distribution has been reduced by farming practices. Richard Mabey, in Flora Britannica, describes betony as an elegant late-flowering red deadnettle; I think that from a distance it has the look of pyramidal orchid. Medieval herbalists described it 34 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

as one of the great ‘all-heals’ and two millennia ago Antonius Musa, a botanist/physician, claimed it was effective against sorcery.

Last year, I mentioned sightings of the large tortoiseshell butterfly on Portland. There had not been any reports of their breeding in England for 70 years and the source of these individuals was unknown. In June, Portland Observatory’s daily bird records (14/06) reported of someone finding the hatched eggs, about 175 eggs in total, and larval skins of the species on the island. A full account and supporting photos of the findings are now on the Dorset Butterfly Conservation website. One can only guess why they are breeding again in Dorset; let us hope they continue to prosper.

I will give a final mention of the Lorton Meadow DWT Reserve barn owl nesting box. During the very hot weather, sightings were difficult since the owlets were forward in the nest box, out of camera range, seeking some cool air. After some persistence with searches, I have seen them recently and they are jumping about, flapping wings and rapidly losing their fluffy owlet feathers revealing the beautiful barn owl plumage. Soon they will be off discovering Dorset. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

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Wild Dorset

CLOVER MEADOWS Paula Carnell, Beekeeping Consultant, Writer and Speaker

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rowing up in Dorset, friends lived in roads called ‘Clover Meade’, ‘Clover Meadow’, often referring to the fields that once were before the new developments. Pastureland covered in clover, are not so common now. I have observed this summer, many areas carpeted in white clover, and delighted that it hasn’t been mowed, losing this vital source of nectar and pollen for many species of bees.

Trifolium repens has shorter flower tubes than its cousin the red clover, Trifolium pratense. As honeybees have shorter tongues than bumble and solitary bees, white clover has become a staple for our bees, and therefore British honey production for the past two hundred years. It used to account for 75% of the honey crop, however the changes in agricultural practices has dramatically reduced the abundance, or even appearance of clover across much of the British Isles.

As a natural fertiliser, replacing nitrogen in the soil, nature allows the native wild clover to thrive on all but the most acidic of soils. The slightly larger Dutch clover, used to be sown, but cut just before it flowered for silage production. It is said that the honeybees will chose the wild over the Dutch, and I wonder if that has 36 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

something to do with the mineral content. Plants that appear of their own accord have done so as nature’s way of correcting the soil, and so they will be a much richer source of nitrogen than a plant sown by humans and with natural or synthetic fertilisers added.

White clover flowers from early June and continues right through the summer. As long as we don’t have severe drought, it can still be feeding bees in September. At this time, when the ‘saving of bees’ is so popular, I am still astonished when I discover that landowners, including the humble gardener, would even be considering removal of such an important plant. I admit that it has taken many years for my husband to finally accept the beauty of a more natural lawn; he was an eager ‘stripy’ lawn lover. I do appreciate that giving up pristine lawns may be a step too far for many who profess to have bee-friendly gardens.

I thought I would try and explain just some of the reasons why we really need to address the mowing and chemical treatments of our special patches of nature: Firstly, I will address mowing, which may initially appear quite harmless. I was so excited that many of my clients, neighbours and friends participated in

Amy Buxton/Shutterstock

the National ‘No Mow May’ campaign. With such a dry May, it wasn’t too difficult for many as the grass didn’t grow due to the shortage of rain keeping growth to a minimum. This break though did allow for many of our native bee species to find nests sites and breed in peace, without regular disruption.

Few realise that the majority of our pollination is due to some of the other 270 species of native and bumble bees we have in Britain. I learned only this past week that an ecological survey discovered that by removing one species of insect or mammal has an impact by, in turn, removing a further 7 species from the interconnected web of nature. Allowing grasses and weeds to grow and flower during May not only provide much needed forage in the form of protein-filled pollen and carbohydrate rich nectar (dandelions for example) but the newly emerging queen bees can find a nest site, begin laying eggs and allow for the first batch of workers to emerge. Thus, leaving the queen to concentrate on laying the next generation of queens and males to mate with them.

Secondly, let’s discuss chemicals. In an ideal world, and in any land under my control, I advocate the

use of NO chemicals whatsoever. Through my herbal medicine studies and naturopathic understanding, I know that whatever we introduce into our soil, food or bodies, has a consequence. Our bodies are of nature, and nature requires a balance; the necessary removal of anything unnatural upsets the equilibrium and causes additional strain on any organism. When we understand that everything we produce has to be recycled somewhere on our planet, the realisation that there is no such place as ‘away’ to throw our unwanted products, triggers quite an awakening.

I recently spotted someone dressed in protective clothing, spraying an area of lawn, beautifully scattered with blooming clover. It was daylight, mid-morning, and on a sunny day. I was informed that this was, however, a ‘safe for bees’ mixture called ‘Leystar’ produced by Dow AgroSciences Limited.

Although its environmental information sheet states that ‘no risk management necessary… Leystar poses low risk to honeybees and there is no requirement to avoid application of the product when bees may be foraging on flowering weeds,’ the ingredients include fluroxypyr-meptyl, clopyralid, pyridine carboxylic acid herbicides, and florasulam - a triazolopyrimidine herbicide for use in grassland and forage maize. Many of these ingredients are synthetic, not biodegradable, and work by disrupting the cell permeability in plants - DNA disruptors. I am aware that a vast proportion of the population believe that if a product is available for sale, it must be safe. Unfortunately, as shown in the case of neonicotinoids, scientists researching bee health spent over twenty years with their research evidence proving the damage that neonicotinoids did to bees before they could even begin to restrict the usage of these terribly damaging insecticides. What most people are unaware of, is the fact that they are still licensed for use on non-pollinated crops or foods, where bees are kept away.

What you may be interested in learning, is that none of these mixtures are tested on human beings, so we actually do not know if the concoctions devised to kill and disable plants and insects, have any correlation with human disease and particularly the increase of our auto-immune conditions. I often think of Jamie Oliver’s statement that ‘If you can’t pronounce the ingredients, don’t eat it,’ and I look forward to a time when this is also a mantra for what we put on our plants and soil. paulacarnell.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 37

Outdoors

A husband, St Catherine A handsome one, St Catherine A rich one, St Catherine A nice one, St Catherine And soon, St Catherine (Traditional prayer used at St Catherine’s Chapel by women in search of a husband)

38 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

On Foot

ABBOTSBURY, SWANNERY AND ST CATHERINE’S CHAPEL Emma Tabor & Paul Newman

Distance: 4 1/4 miles Time: Approx. 2 1/2 hours Parking: Rodden Row (fees apply) Walk Features: Good views of the Fleet and Western end of Chesil Beach, the Swannery and St Catherine’s Chapel Refreshments: The Ilchester Arms, Abbotsbury

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ach month we devise a walk for you to try with the family (including four-legged members) and point out a few interesting things along the way, be it flora, fauna, architecture, history, the unusual, and sometimes the unfamiliar. This month we take you on an invigorating circular walk around Abbotsbury and some of its surrounding hills, with views over the Swannery, home to the world’s only managed colony of nesting mute swans. The walk also allows a detour to the western end of Chesil Beach before returning via a short climb to visit St Catherine’s Chapel. >

Image: Paul Newman sherbornetimes.co.uk | 39

Directions

1 Start – Grid Ref: SY578851, the car park at Rodden Row. It is well worth visiting the Tithe Barn and Priory remains which are a short walk from the car park, either at the beginning or end of your walk.

2 Turn right out of the car park onto the B3157 and head past the Swan Inn. Cross over the road then walk along a pavement in front of a row of cottages. When this runs out, you will need to cross back over the road and follow it for 300 metres, heading towards, and then past, some green cottages. This short section of road can, at times, be busy so please take care.

After the cottages, look for a gateway on the right, just after a barn. Head down the track, which goes slightly right, then aim for the grove of trees on the hill ahead. Cross a brook, go through a gate and follow the footpath sign (not the bridleway to the left). Go to the right of the hedge, up the hill towards the copse.

3 Follow the copse around to the right and you will come across a stile. You can cross this to continue uphill through the copse and emerge further up the field or go around the edge of the copse via a metal gate. Please be aware that when this walk was written, the right of way here was not clearly marked. Once you reach the other side of the copse, walk up to the brow of the hill, with a drystone wall on your left.

Look back at this point to see fine views of St Catherine’s Chapel. From the brow, drop down to meet a gateway and stile in the corner of the field. Go over the stile and turn right; you will then be on the South West Coast Path.

Follow the path towards the Chapel with fine views over the Swannery, Chesil Beach and the Fleet. Look out for the Decoy pond behind the Swannery. The Fleet, the name given to the lagoon, was used to test a prototype of Barnes Wallis’s Bouncing Bomb.

4 Walk along the ridge to reach a stile and then begin a steep and meandering descent through grassed-over quarry workings. This twists at the bottom to meet the corner of a drystone wall. As the wall turns away to the left, there is a stone stepped stile. Cross this into a field, turn right and keep the hedge and wall on your right to head downhill to a signpost by 40 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

a bend in the road. Turn right onto the road, past some farm buildings and then slightly uphill to the Swannery car park. (Please note that if you want to visit the Swannery it opens mid-March). Bear left to pass the entrance to the Swannery then head up a private road and look for a signpost for the Coastal Path and Tropical Gardens. Turn left to go through some trees, over a brook and stile, emerging into a field.

5 Turn left and follow the footpath around the bottom of the hill (do not take the footpath straight ahead of you). The route now skirts the edge of the Swannery grounds. The path reaches a drystone wall; go over a stile into the next field and continue around the base of the hill, keeping the Fleet to your left.

Here you can look across to the reed beds surrounding the Swannery and you will also notice ‘dragon’s teeth’, concrete tank trap defences from WWII, at the end of Chesil Beach. Look out for terns here in the summer.

Continue along the footpath to reach a stile beneath another hill lined with Strip Lynchets, ancient field systems.

6 Go over this to meet a path by a brook. You have the option to turn left and take a detour to Chesil Beach here. If not taken, turn right and follow the path which continues to lead around Chapel Hill with signs back towards Abbotsbury. After a few yards the path becomes a track with red bricks embedded in its surface. Keep on this track and, as it curves around Chapel Hill, beneath trees, you will meet a gate made from blue girders and a signpost directing you right towards the village.

Take this direction and follow a tree-lined track. After 1/3 mile, just past a farm building on your right, go through a kissing-gate to climb towards St Catherines’ Chapel. There are good views from here over Abbotsbury village, the Tithe Barn and Abbey remains as well as surrounding hills. Go back down to the kissing-gate and pick up the track which will take you back to the B3157. Turn right and follow this through the village centre, back to the car park. paulnewmanartist.com

D I S C O V E R | E A T | S H O P | S T AY | C E L E B R A T E

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History

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THE EXPERIENCE OF STAGECOACH TRAVEL Cindy Chant, Blue Badge Guide

42 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

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o, what was it like to travel in a coach in the 18th century? Well, we know that in 1588, when Elizabeth I came to the throne, she used a carriage brought over from Holland. These early carriages were most uncomfortable, and Elizabeth complained that coach travel gave her many aches and bruises. So, when her retinue went to Norwich in 1570, she rode alongside on horseback.

There are many descriptions of coach travel by wellknown writers, like Samuel Pepys, Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy, just to name a few; I have read stories describing journeys as ‘lurching into potholes,’ ‘freezing to the bone,’ ‘jolted and jarred’ and ‘carriages stuck axle-deep in the mud.’ So, these were just some of the ‘excitement’ experienced by coach travellers.

In my extensive research for this article, I did find an interesting extract from ‘Letters on the English and French Nation’ by J.B. LeBlanc, 1747. It regales the experiences of a passenger: ‘The carriage was already full up, so I was obliged to ride on the outside. That meant clambering up and was at the risk of one’s life! I was told to just sit in the corner of the coach, with nothing to hold onto but a sort of little handle fastened at the side. To preserve my balance, all I could do was to take a fast hold of the handle. The carriage rolled along with enormous rapidity, over the stones and through the town, and every moment we seemed to fly. It was almost a miracle that we all stuck to the coach and did not fall.’

Even a short journey in one of the better coaches, and in decent weather, might just be bearable for those who had an inside seat.

Various dangers of coach travel included the many horrific accidents which I have already mentioned and in view of this, many travellers made their Last Will and Testament before starting on a long journey.

Travelling in winter was always a particular problem, and in the early years, many coach services operated only in summer. The worst coaching winter was in 1837-38 when heavy snowstorms closed down most routes in the country for nearly a week. Samuel Coleridge records enduring a three-hour storm whilst travelling by coach from London to his home in Nether Stowey, North Somerset.

Another story was that one coach driver arriving in Bath, found two of his passengers had frozen to death, and another one was dying!

Straw, foot warmers, heavy clothing, blankets and sacks were all essential on coach excursions during periods of severe cold, and the occasional nip of brandy from a flask provided a welcome restorative!

So how did stagecoach passengers amuse themselves during the long hours cooped up in the coach? Pepys typically described one such journey, when he invited one of his fellow passengers, who was an attractive lady, to read aloud a passage from the book she was reading.

So reading was probably fairly common. Other than that, most travellers just gossiped with each other!

At stops made only to change horses, there might only be enough time for new passengers to climb on board, or to alight for what we nowadays call a ‘comfort break,’ but facilities, as you can imagine, were pretty basic. Longer daytime rests might be anything from ten to forty minutes. The passengers would only have time to alight, refresh themselves with a coffee, a cup of China tea or a glass of ale. Sometimes, a longer break involved a meal. Menus were limited since very little time was allowed, but there were choices of cold meats, pies, ham, venison, buttered toast and muffins.

There would be China tea to drink or after 1830, Indian tea. For stronger tastes, there would be a punch made of claret and brandy. Beer would have been on tap.

All the inns were known for the little tricks that they could use to ensure a maximum profit. Since the stops were short, and if the food was slow in coming, then the passengers had little time to eat or drink, so any leftovers would go to the staff. As passengers had paid for it when ordering, this was a bonus for the innkeeper, and it was well known that bills were adjusted ‘to the passenger’s ability to pay.’

At the end of the rest period, the horn was blown to warn the passengers that time was up, and they should all board the coach. Drivers were not inclined to wait for late-comers and often late passengers were left behind.

Alcohol and drunkenness were serious problems and often were to blame for delays. There were frequent warnings about stopping at ale houses on the excuse of watering the horses and the guards seem to have been the hardest drinkers!

Next month, I will write about our local coaching inns. sherbornewalks.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 43

History

LOST DORSET

NO.2: FONTMELL MAGNA

V

David Burnett, The Dovecote Press

iewed through the current requirement for children to keep apart, the outstretched arms in this photograph of schoolchildren at Fontmell Magna in 1913 might be mistaken for early social distancing. In fact the 1902 Education Act had added regular physical education to the curriculum, and the 140 children lined up in the photograph were doing their daily exercises – principally, I suspect, for the benefit of the photographer. One of the treasures of the Dorset History Centre are the school log books, which legally had to be kept by the schoolmaster or mistress. Rural education largely consisted of the three Rs, and there were high levels of illiteracy. Children provided extra hands in the field. Boys helped with ploughing and carting. Girls picked stones, weeded crops. The log books regularly list absences for potato planting, haymaking and harvest. The beginning of the autumn term was often delayed by a late harvest. Fontmell Magna school opened in 1864, and flourishes today on the same site as St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School with about 180 pupils.

Lost Dorset: The Villages & Countryside 1880-1920, by David Burnett, is a large format paperback, price £12, and is available locally from Winstone’s Books or directly from the publishers. dovecotepress.com

44 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

CHARTERHOUSE Auctioneers & Valuers

We are now accepting entries for our forthcoming specialist auctions including:

Silver, Jewellery, Watches, Antiques & Interiors 7th August Classic & Vintage Motorcycles and Automobilia 27th August One family owned since new, 1952 Velocette MAC £3,000-4,000

Two Day Auction of Coins, Medals, Stamps & Collectors’ Items 3rd & 4th September Classic & Vintage Cars 23rd September

Contact Richard Bromell for advice and to arrange a home visit Valuations for Probate, Insurance & Matrimonial Dispute

The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne DT9 3BS 01935 812277 www.charterhouse-auction.com

Guy Dennler ANTIQUES & INTERIORS

ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF HIS NEW PREMISES AT: CHURCH HOUSE, HALF MOON STREET, SHERBORNE, DORSET DT9 3LN Telephone: 07774 181071 –––––––––––––– 18th and early 19th Century English furniture, including walnut pieces, card tables, sofa tables, lamps and decorative objects –––––––––––––– Open Wednesday to Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm or by appointment ––––––––––––––

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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 45

Antiques

RESEARCH PAYS OFF

E

Richard Bromell, ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers

very so often, when I am out and about visiting and advising clients, I see something which gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. This feeling does not always mean something is going to be of great international importance on the auction market or of vast value, rather that it is interesting and warrants research.

In our world, ‘interesting’ has two meanings. The first meaning, and the one used the most, is usually the response from a valuer to a client when the item is far from interesting and we are being polite. The second being it is actually quite interesting to us!

Recently I looked at a small silver spoon, which I found interesting, that is in the second sense of the word.

The market for silver remains strong, as does jewellery and watches. Much of the silver we view, and auction, is cutlery, tea sets, serving dishes and candlesticks. Most are made to traditional designs. With cutlery, Old English, Fiddle, Kings or Queens’s pattern are perennial favourites. They have the added benefit of finding very similar pieces to add into the set or to replace missing items straightforward and easy to source.

However, these pieces are mass-produced and are about in large numbers, unlike the silver spoon which I found interesting. The spoon jumped right out at me when the owner brought it, and various other items, into our reception on a silver valuation day.

The design is not one I have seen before, although it does have a slight Georg Jensen (yes, no ‘e’ on Georg as he’s Danish!) look to it. What really stood out was the wonderful organic form to the spoon.

As a caddy spoon, it has only one job to do in life, and that is to take tea out of a canister and put it into a teapot. Although people make up cutlery sets, there is a huge collecting fraternity just for caddy spoons and in reality, for every several hundred pieces of cutlery you see, you might see just one caddy spoon.

The spoon, which measures 11.5cm (quite large for a caddy spoon, I guess the designer liked strong tea!)

46 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

Silver caddy spoon valued at £200-£400

is made in the Arts & Crafts taste. This period of design was hugely popular in America, and across Europe, from about 1880 to 1920. The spoon, with its hallmarks, dates to 1922, so very much at the end of the Arts & Crafts movement and at the opposite end of the spectrum to the Art Deco movement with its angular designs which was well under way by this point.

Bearing hallmarks for Chester 1922, I had to spend some time identifying who the maker was. This is always the fun part of research. As an auctioneer,

valuer and cataloguer, I learn something new every day. On this day, it was learning that the initials AES stamped on the spoon meant that Amy Eleanor Stewart made this spoon.

Amy Eleanor Boal (1873-1942) married Tom Stewart, a science teacher, at a church in Leeds in 1909 and they are recorded as living at 28 The Crescent, Northwich, near Chester by 1911.

Rarely does work by a lady silversmith appear on the market, as the vast majority of silversmiths were

men. This combined with great design (I am personally biased to the Arts & Crafts Movement…) results in this silver caddy spoon being valued at £200-£400 when it goes under the hammer in our two-day auction of silver, jewellery, watches, antiques and interiors on the 7th August.

Probably outside what Mrs B will allow me to spend, but there again, I do have a birthday in August… charterhouse-auction.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 47

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Affordable interior fabrics thefabricbarn.co.uk 48 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

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Interiors

BLUE SKY THINKING

F

Annabelle Hunt, Colour Consultant, Bridport Timber & Flooring

inishing a decorating project can be immensely satisfying. You’ve unfurled the rug, plumped the sofa cushions, and arranged the lighting to perfection but occasionally it may feel like there’s something missing. It’s not necessarily the accessories that need updating; it just might be that the ceiling is in need of a little love.

I know many of us have been in a decorating frenzy over the last few months, but so often ceilings go undecorated. It can be a tricky job, so it is all too easy to think ‘It’ll do.’ Painting a ceiling white is certainly the safest choice but it can seem like a dull and thankless task. Be brave and paint your ceiling in an unexpected colour and you will be amazed at its transformative effect.

Although coloured ceilings may be mistaken for a recent trend, it was the 19th century style influencer Christopher Dresser who stated that ‘Repose cannot be achieved in a room unless the ceiling is coloured.’ I’m not advocating for you to paint your ceiling scarlet - all but the boldest might find this too much, although I once inherited an orange Anaglypta ceiling which I secretly loved. Dresser’s preference was for a grey-blue somewhere between ultramarine and white, particularly when prettily adorned with scattered pale cream-coloured stars.

Blue has always been a decorator’s favourite; historically, it is rooted in luxury with associations of wealth and it remains the most widely used colour in decoration. Although considered cold by some, lots of the prettiest shades lie on the cusp between green and blue; aqua, teal and duck egg are always popular and never feel chilly. Bright blues can give a vibrant burst of energy, while grey blues have an alluring softness.

Muted, pale blues tend to recede and are perfect for using on a ceiling as they recall the sky, creating rooms that feel made for escapism. There is a tradition for painting front porch ceilings blue in the southern states of America. Dating from the 18th and 19th century, enslaved Africans believed so called ‘Haint Blue’ would keep evil spirits from their homes. By confusing the colour with either the sea or sky, the spirits would pass right through the ceiling, or flee at the sight of the watery blue. A similar shade to traditional Haint Blue is Farrow & Ball’s ‘Dix Blue,’ a moody blue with an underlying green tone and a lived-in, vintage feel.

Another tradition claims that certain blues keep insects away and there may be some historical truth to this. The walls of the cook’s closet at Calke Abbey, which had remained untouched for generations, inspired Farrow & Ball’s intense ‘Cook’s Blue’. Early paints were made with lime, and so would have indeed been an effective insect repellent regardless of the colour.

Most people think a dark ceiling will close in a space, but it can actually make it feel infinite.

Push past Christopher Dresser’s light blue ceiling and go as dark as you dare to create a dramatic, glamorous space. The velvety navy of ‘Stiffkey Blue’ or the inky depths of ‘Hague Blue’ bring to mind a night sky, perfect for sleep.

Whatever you do or don’t believe, if painting ceilings blue does ward off bad juju and annoying insects, who am I to argue? bridporttimber.co.uk Image from Farrow & Ball Recipes for Decorating, by Joa Studholme (Mitchell Beazley).

Available to order from Winstone’s Books at £30.

Walls and Trim: Stone Blue No. 86. Bookcase: Pitch Black No. 256. Ceiling: Dix Blue No. 82

50 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 51

at Café Pineapple, High Street, Milborne Port BT9 5FFB theslippedstitch.co.uk 07541 549329

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WINDOWS

&

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Choose from a variety of colours, styles, glass and furniture options for a truly personalised entrance to your home.

As a Solidor approved installer, all of our Solidor composite doors are manufactured at our factory in Sherborne.

For more information visit our website or come down to the showroom.

Unit 1a > South Western Business Pk > Sherborne > Dorset > DT9 3PS billbutterswindows.co.uk 01935 816 168

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WWW.VANESSABOAL.CO.UK 54 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

Patrick Houchen DSWA member CIS registered

01963 371123 07791 588141 www.yenstonewalling.co.uk

Get one step ahead...

While enjoying your garden at its best, August is a great time to plan for late summer, autumn and springtime colour.

Bulbs, pansies, violas and chrysanthemums can all be sown at this time of year, giving you a more established plant come spring, which will flower for even longer.

With our social distancing measures in place, you can pick up your seeds, bulbs, pots and propagators any day of the week, during our new opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am – 4pm Sunday: 10am – 4:30pm For those still stuck at home, you can place your orders by telephone or email, and we’ll deliver free within 25 miles.

Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NR www.thegardensgroup.co.uk

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01935 814633

castle@thegardensgroup.co.uk

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Completely bespoke and fully customisable for every home or business, our outdoor rooms can be free-standing or linked to your property. They are virtually maintenance-free and in most cases do not require planning permission. Call Luksus today for a free no-obligation quotation.

• Sliding glass door • Conservatory awning • Roller screens • Heating • Flooring • Led lighting • Integrated drainage system • Weather sensor-operated roof • Smartphone connection • Wide range of colours And more…

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www.luksusoutdoorliving.co.uk LuksusOL sherbornetimes.co.uk | 55

Gardening

WHOSE GARDEN IS IT ANYWAY? Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group

O

ne of the remarkable things about the last few months is how beneficial it has been to wildlife; something we’ve noticed in the garden centre in a number of striking ways.

At Castle Gardens, we have a huge bird population, including an enormous sparrow colony in the ivy and wisteria on the wall of the car park. Their noisy goodnatured bickering is continuous! Inside the centre, we have a large number of robins and blackbirds. The robins are, of course, always brave and will be interested in what’s going on. When the lockdown began, it only 56 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

took them a short time to move into the greenhouse and the shop, using some of the shelving in which to build their nests, whilst there weren’t any customers around. They attended every tea break, picking up any crumbs left from Carol’s excellent cakes and biscuits, which were another lockdown highlight.

The blackbirds also became braver and started to use buildings for their nests, luckily completing broods before we reopened. One of their nests was in a large lemon tree within the Butterfly House and the materials used show just how good nature is at recycling!

Artmim/Shutterstock

'The robins attended every tea break, picking up any crumbs left from Carol’s excellent cakes and biscuits'

The weather in April and May was of course warm for the season and butterflies and bees were in good numbers. In the restaurant garden, I sowed a damaged pack of mixed wildflower seed over the existing wildflower border and before long, a huge number of poppies and cornflower were in full bloom.

The bee activity on the poppies in particular was quite extraordinary. Butterflies too enjoyed this weather and although we didn’t have time to run our usual moth monitoring traps, I’m pretty sure they were plentiful.

It also seems that insects splattered on windscreens have made a comeback. Some say that the reason windscreens aren’t covered in insects is that cars have become more aerodynamic, but I have noticed greater numbers on the few occasions I’ve driven in the dark.

The bats also seem to have been enjoying themselves.

I’ve spotted a number of slow worms in the garden and then we found some young slow worms in a rolled-up piece of old carpet in one of the sheds at the back of the garden centre. I call it old carpet, but in my interaction with the excellent Dorset Wildlife Trust they referred to it as a ‘hibernaculum,’ which sounds much grander!

As we were getting the restaurant garden ready for reopening, I disturbed a beautiful frog who must be using the Fat Fish Aquatics pond. Frogs have a had a tough time in recent years, so it was great to see him.

There is still plenty of cover for frog and human to co-exist in the garden, so you may spot him too in the coming weeks.

The best spot of the year though has been a large adult hedgehog that I came across very early one morning by the offices. We looked at each other and agreed to go our separate ways. We met several times in the very early morning after that, but also once during the middle of the day in front of the restaurant conservatory. Hedgy made a half-hearted attempt to roll up but decided against it and just trotted on.

A few days later, one of the team heard some scrabbling in a drain and rescued a baby hedgehog. Just minutes later, a second was found in the gents’ toilets, perhaps giving us a clue as to its sex! We have often seen hedgehogs around, but it was the first time we have seen any so young.

PPE is something that we are all getting used to but of course, for the hedgehog, personal protective equipment is issued as standard. thegardensgroup.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 57

Gardening

58 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

DIARY OF A FLOWER FARMER Paul Stickland, Black Shed Flowers

J

ust as the flowers change week by week and provide us with an ever-changing palette of sometimes unexpected combinations, so do our days. It’s fair to say that no two days are the same at Black Shed. Last year was a little more predictable, we had a calendar full of weddings, our weeks would have a certain shape; picking from dawn on a Wednesday in preparation for the weekend’s weddings, a flurry of florists visiting - picking for their brides and grooms, collecting buckets full of colour, and late nights on Thursdays and Fridays, preparing buttonholes and bridal bouquets. The gasps of excitement as our couples first see their flowers, giggles as we try to squeeze far too many exuberant stems into far too small a car.

We’ve missed that but weddings are returning slowly. We’ve just supplied flowers for our first Zoom wedding. Quite who was where in the world we’re not sure, but I am hoping that at least the bride and groom were in the same room! Next week, we have a ’real’ wedding, small and cautious but a proper wedding with all the trimmings for a lovely couple in their seventies, who planned to marry abroad but had got caught in the lockdown. The moment restrictions were lifted and accepting the first available date, they had little hope of being able to organise wedding flowers at such short notice. Turning up, quite unannounced, after a kind recommendation from their chosen venue, they couldn’t believe their eyes when we guided them round the farm, completely covered in gorgeous flowers, choosing their favourites and simply loving the experience. Their joy was so infectious, holding hands like teenagers, there may have been a tear or two… Priceless.

Next year will be chock full of weddings I suspect and not just at the weekends either, so our weeks will change again. We’ll have to try and plan for that somehow! Meantime, every day brings its own surprises, a flurry of orders, a feature in a magazine, a newspaper article, a film crew, photographers, perhaps a famous florist, a phone call from a friend who can’t believe that the guy who used to paint dinosaurs is now peddling dahlias. Sometimes it can be a lovely natter with an old gardening friend, a kind gift of a cutting, a thoughtful gift of freshly gathered delphinium seed, the lovely lady who brought us a car full of Honesty, or our friend, Japanese cloud-pruning expert, Jake Hobson of Niwaki.com, bearing a sack full of foliage from his precious cryptomerias.

Then of course there are the flowers. Getting up at first light; the first inspection of the field is always bound to reveal something new and exciting, someone new to the party and there’s the bees and me waiting to greet them. Try as we may to plan for the future, in the midst of unusual times, living in these moments is a most extraordinary gift and joy. blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk @blackshedflowers

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 59

BLOOMING WILD

I

Words Jo Denbury Photography Katharine Davies

f, like me, you are one of those people who has taken to the garden in recent months, finding solace in the comings and goings of spring, the arrival of summer and its soothing hues, then you will be interested to note that a new nursery has opened just across the Somerset border in Horsington. Whilst new to you and I however, Blooming Wild, an idyllic fouracre hill-top plot overlooking the Blackmoor Vale, has been four years in the making.

Owners Will and Lauren Holley, along with their two young daughters, Amelie and Mia, have been working hard to make their dream a reality. ‘It’s always been our dream to do something we love,’ says Will, so when the plot of land came up for sale in 2016, the couple took a leap of faith. ‘We were very naive,’ says Lauren, ‘and it’s been a long slog at times.’ >

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62 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

The couple met at Sparsholt College where Will was studying Horticulture and Lauren Animal Management. Will then went on to become a gardener and Lauren joined Monkey World. When the working hours of chimp-care started to clash with those of raising a family, Lauren knew it was time to rethink and joined Will in the world of horticulture. Together they opened a small nursery in Child Okeford in 2012.

‘Our business began with specialist plant sales; we would grow on site and sell at plant fairs,’ Lauren explains, ‘and as interest took off, we thought, let’s build on this and start a specialist plants retail side.’ A few years later, they bought the current site, on the cutely named Cabbage Lane.

‘The plan is to sell plants for a naturalistic style of planting; the kind of gardens that evoke wild landscapes, where plants grow closely together,’ explains Will. ‘It’s about getting back to nature and growing low-maintenance plants that thrive in local conditions and don’t take too much work. In other words, plants that will give you a full border and don’t need to be constantly looked after.’ Anyone who has visited the Piet Oudolf garden at Bruton’s Hauser and Wirth gallery will be familiar with this breathtaking approach to planting. Will and Lauren’s nursery provides the specialist grasses and meadow flowers one needs to recreate this look in our gardens at home.

As we walk between the beds, bees busy themselves among clouds of mauve and pink blooms, a gentle breeze giving the nursery a prairie-like feel. Will and Lauren eagerly point out Periscarias, Veronicastrums and Amsonias; although to be honest, I am bamboozled by the Latin names and would be hard-pressed to know which plants to choose. Thankfully, Will and Lauren are glad to demystify the science and take joy in sharing their knowledge.

‘We choose to spend a lot of time talking to our

customers,’ says Lauren, ‘giving advice and help on planting in certain conditions – it’s all part of what we do. It’s such a nice feeling to offer a personal relationship.’ The fact that many customers have followed them from their Child Okeford days goes to prove the point. As Will explains, ‘I often say that coming here is like the difference between buying from a supermarket and a local producer. We are propagators, so sometimes our plants might look a bit wonky but they have been hardened off here so you know they will survive the local climate. It’s very different from buying plants that might have been cultivated in Holland, possibly under indoor conditions. They will look perfect but often don’t last.’

Such is Blooming Wild’s reliability that they appear in the RHS Plantfinder book, the ‘bible’ helping discerning gardeners to identify and source over 80,000 plants. They are also in constant contact with garden designers, who rely on them to fulfil even the most ambitious of planting plans. ‘Our aim for the future is to grow a meadow area, where customers can see plants at full maturity, so that they can buy a young plant in the knowledge of how it will turn out whilst also acting as a source of inspiration,’ says Lauren. ‘We hope to hone our palette of 6,500 plants this year,’ adds Will, ‘but we hope for 15,000 next year in our own stockbeds. We will propagate, which will be exciting because we can then manage our own stock levels, but it all takes time.’

It’s early days for this exciting new nursery, and it hasn’t been the easiest of times to open a new retail venture, but on visiting Will and Lauren, their ambition and knowledge is abundantly clear. As Will says, ‘this is an evolving project — like a garden it will change with the seasons and the weather.’ The Holley family have realised their dream and are embarking on a journey that I for one can’t help but want to join them on. > sherbornetimes.co.uk | 63

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Allium 'Summer Beauty'

Aruncus 'Horatio'

Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue'

Nepeta racemosa 'Amelia'

Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails'

Sanguisorba tenuifolia 'Pink Elephant'

Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo'

Stipa tenuissima

DESIGNING A NATURALISTIC GARDEN OR BORDER

W

Will and Lauren Holley, Blooming Wild

e are advocates of nature-inspired, plant-driven design. This guide should be a good starting point for someone planning a new garden or border. Before you start digging and purchasing plants it is best to observe your garden and make a basic plan. A few hours and some thought will save you time and money in the long run. A successful planting starts at the design phase, choosing long-lived hardy perennials and grasses that are suited to growing in the conditions of your garden and will thrive for years to come.

The plants should combine well together to form a cohesive community that not only benefits wildlife but will grow harmoniously.

spread, colour and winter interest. Here is a list of some of our favourite plants that provide just that.

The main points to consider when planning your planting: Aspect - How many hours of sunshine does your border have per day?

Wind - What direction is the prevailing wind?

Growing conditions - What soil type do you have (clay, loam, well-drained)?

Maintenance - How many hours per week are you able to dedicate to your border (weeding, pruning, mulching, watering)? This will determine the simplicity or complexity of your design.

Grasses

Finally, think of plants for their year-round interest.

It is important to consider their foliage, shape, height,

Perennials

Allium ‘Summer Beauty’ Aruncus ‘Horatio’ Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta Eryngium x zabelii ‘Big Blue’ Lythrum salicaria ‘Swirl’ Nepeta racemosa ‘Amelia’ Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Pink Elephant’ Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ Thalictrum delavayi ‘Hinckley’ Veronicastrum ‘Diane’ Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Bronzeschleier’ Hakonechloa macra Melica ciliata Miscanthus sinensis ‘China’ Molinia caerulea ‘Heidebraut’ Molinia caerulea ‘Transparent’ Panicum virgatum ‘Cloud Nine’ Pennisetum ‘Fairy Tails’ Sesleria autumnalis Stipa tenuissima bloomingwild.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 67

elizabethwatsonillustration.com

FROM FIELD TO TABLE Order our homegrown Tamworth produce from the fields outside Sherborne - Buy Local!

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DELIVERED TO YOUR DOORSTEP Free-range Tamworth pork, prime cuts, sausages, hams and cured bacon Please contact James and Charlotte Tel 07802 443905 | info@thestorypig.co.uk The Story Pig, Sandford Orcas, Sherborne See more at www.thestorypig.co.uk

68 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

COFFEE BREAK Café Pineapple The High Street, Milborne Port DT9 5FB cafepineapple 01963 250726 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

A MONTH ON THE PIG FARM James Hull, The Story Pig Company

I

t’s coming into August and it’s been an unsettled few weeks. At the end of June, we reseeded the pig field after moving all the pigs and infrastructure; a big gamble sowing any crop in late June, especially after 12 weeks of nearly continuous dry, sunny weather. However, as Charlotte and I know too well, a British summer is never sunny all the way through and as the roller trundled over the field for the second time, trying to conserve any moisture still in the ground for the newly drilled seed, the heavens opened! Down came the rain - 36 hours without stopping - this was the start it needed and five days later, a green haze was visible. And then it rained almost every other day and the field is now romping away; a good decision... for once!

Talking of decisions, we can finally tell you of our exciting news down on the farm. After a long and drawn out planning application (there is so much I could write, but will keep my counsel), our local council planning committee finally decided, with a unanimous vote of support, to grant us permission to open a farm shop and cafe at Lavender Keepers. The meeting was carried out over Zoom and didn’t have quite the feel of a face-to-face meeting. As I paced up and down waiting for our item to come up on the agenda for the day, it was then our turn. Listening to others making their points came first, then it was over to me. I had three very important minutes to get my point across to the Zoom bank of faces looking at me, followed by ten minutes of me wishing I had said ‘this and that’ as the comments of support continued.

Then, it was time for the vote… unanimously in our favour; we had done it!

I left the Zoom meeting and ran out to tell Charlotte, who immediately burst into tears; the pent-up emotions of months of behind the scenes canvassing, dispelling rumours and garnering support were over. For us, a small farm, selling to

our local, loyal customers from home, is a game changer. And we want everyone to be able to share our most amazing view. Our farm shop is going to be small, perfectly formed, packed with products from our farm: pork of course, but also flowers and vegetables grown by us. We also want to stock other exciting products from those with a similar ethos to ourselves, if that’s any of you reading, please get in touch with us.

As I wrote to the planners, ‘There can be no better definition of a farm shop than what we are trying to create; our own highest quality products grown at home, not generic gifts available everywhere, but local, homegrown produce that you can see growing from the shop.’ We would like to say a big thank you to those that wrote letters of support, spoke at meetings to help us realise our dream, and put up with months of phone calls from me, asking for reassurance and backing through the planning process. It is humbling to see how much the local community got behind us and how people gave up their time to help us. So, thank you to you all; it means so much to both Charlotte and me.

Now we have to get on and build it!

And back to now, finally the lavenders are all planted, in their perfectly straight rows after some issues. At the moment, they are tiny dots on the landscape. It has taken a lot of time but by next year, they will be a picture, and you will all be able to see them.

Lockdown continues to unlock, markets are starting up again, and it’s lovely to see so many of our customers at these events, along with you, readers of the Sherborne Times! The new Sherborne Market seems to be a big hit for the town. Thank you to all those that have given their time to create this, especially Jules Bradburn. We will see you all at the next one, with masks - who would have thought it. thestorypigcompany.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 69

Food and Drink

THE CAKE WHISPERER Val Stones

FRESH APRICOT TART

Image: Katharine Davies

S

ummer is the time of year to make desserts with seasonal fruits. Last month, I made a similar tart with soft fruits, but now stoned fruits are coming into season. This tart is made with apricots, but it would work just as well with peaches or nectarines. If you don’t have time to make the pastry, then you may wish to use a ready-made butter pastry.

Firstly, make/prepare the pastry. Whilst it is chilling, make the crème pat and poach the apricots. The pastry can be made up to 3 days before needed and kept chilled in the fridge.

Ingredients

For the sweet shortcrust pastry 125g plain flour, plus a little extra for rolling out 25g icing sugar Pinch of salt 75g cold, unsalted butter 1 medium free-range egg, lightly beaten 15ml ice-cold water zest of half a lemon For the crème patisserie 4 egg yolks, in a bowl, lightly beaten 60g caster sugar 25g plain flour 25g cornflour 70 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

300ml whole milk 1 level teaspoon vanilla bean paste 20g butter For the poached apricots 85g honey 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped 6 cardamom pods, lightly crushed 1 cup water 8 apricots, halved lengthwise and pitted For the glaze 2 tablespoons of arrowroot power Method: the pastry

1 Put the flour, icing sugar and pinch of salt in a bowl and mix well.

2 Add the butter to the flour mixture, then, with your fingertips, rub in the butter until it is dispersed.

3 Make a well in the centre of the mixture, then add the egg and lemon zest. Keep lightly working the mixture until it forms a dough that holds together.

4 When the dough has come together, lightly knead it for a few more turns, until it is smooth.

5 Roll into a ball and then slightly flatten out, before wrapping in cling film and resting in the fridge for 1-2 hours before using.

Method: crème patisserie

6 Whisk the egg yolks and one third of the sugar until the mixture thickens and reaches the ‘light ribbon stage’ - that is when you lift the beaters out of the mixture and it leaves a trail that lasts momentarily, before sinking back slightly.

7 Fold in the flours (25g plain and 25g cornflour) until fully combined.

8 Place the milk into a saucepan with the rest of the sugar.

9 When the milk mixture comes to the boil, pour it onto the egg yolks stirring briskly. Once fully combined, return the mixture to the pan and, on a medium heat, bring it to the boil, stirring continuously with a whisk for 2 minutes allowing the mixture to bubble and thicken. Then, take off the heat and pour it into a bowl.

10 Stir in the vanilla extract and butter.

Tip To make sure the mixture doesn’t develop a skin, dust with icing sugar and then cover with cling film pressing it on to the surface of the mixture so that the air is pushed out.

Allow to cool and then place in the fridge where it can be stored for up to 3 days.

Method: poached apricots

11 Combine honey, the vanilla pod and seeds, cardamom pods, and water in a medium saucepan.

12 Simmer over a low heat until the honey dissolves.

13 Add the apricots and continue to simmer until they are tender but not falling apart.

14 Take off the heat and leave to cool, allowing the apricots to marinade in the juice.

The making of the tart

15 Roll out the pastry into a circle 2-3 mm thick, then lightly grease a 9-inch flan dish with butter. Using a rolling pin, lift the pastry into the flan dish - don’t worry if the pastry breaks in places, as it is very forgiving and will let you press it into place without spoiling the look. Roll the pin across the top of the tart dish to remove surplus pastry edges. Press the pastry into the flutes of the dish as this will give you a well-defined pastry case for everyone to admire when baked, then prick the base with a fork.

16 Set aside the spare pastry to either make some jam tarts, coconut tarts or to put in the freezer.

17 Place the pastry case in the fridge and rest for 20 minutes before baking.

18 Set the oven 180C/170C fan/Gas mark 4.

19 Once rested, place a piece of baking foil into the pastry case then add a mixture of dried peas/beans, rice or baking beans, making sure to gently press the dried beans into the flutes. Bake the case blind for 10-15 minutes then remove the foil and baking beans and bake for a further 5 minutes or until firm and lightly coloured. Set aside on a rack to cool.

20 Remove the clingfilm from the crème pat and stir lightly to loosen the mixture; if it has become too firm, stir in a little double cream.

21 Spoon the crème pat evenly into the baking case.

22 Drain the apricots and collect the juice in a bowl.

Remove the cardamoms and the vanilla pod, then arrange the apricots neatly on the top of the crème pat - cut side down leaving no gaps.

23 For the fruit glaze, place the arrowroot in a small bowl and blend with a little of the juice until you have a smooth, loose paste, then transfer to a saucepan.

24 Add the remaining juice and gently bring to the boil, stirring continually, until clear and thickened.

Leave to cool a little then carefully spoon over the apricots until they are all coated. If there is any leftover glaze, spoon it into any gap. Place the tart in the fridge to chill.

25 To serve, dust with a little icing sugar and offer pouring cream. bakerval.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 71

Food and Drink

NAPOLEON CAKE WITH FRESH RASPBERRIES Jack Smith, The Green

E

nglish raspberries are at their best this time of year, so I love turning to classic desserts such as Napoleon cake to really let the berries shine.

Inspired by the French mille-feuille, the Napoleon is a layered cake made from thin sheets of pastry and is a Russian favourite, initially used to celebrate the victory over France (and Napoleon).

Ingredients To make 4 individual Napoleon cakes

400g puff pastry (preferably homemade) 72 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

500g raspberries ½ lemon (juiced) 130g caster sugar 3 egg yolks 40g plain flour 250ml milk 1 vanilla pod 300ml whipping cream butter for greasing icing sugar to decorate

Intherayoflight/Shutterstock

Method

1 Pre-heat the oven to 220 degrees, then lightly grease a large baking sheet with butter.

2 Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to make a large rectangle 30x20cm.

Cut into twelve 5x10cm strips and lift each one onto the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for fifteen minutes.

3 Now onto the crème patisserie: 4 In a small pan whisk the egg yolks with 80g

of caster sugar until the mixture is thick and creamy. Sift in the flour and stir until you have a smooth paste.

5 Place the milk into another small pan, split the vanilla pod and add it to the milk. Bring to the boil, then take away from the heat and slowly pour the milk into the egg yolk mixture set aside, steadily whisking as you pour.

6 Remove the vanilla pod from the mixture, return to a gentle heat and bring to a simmer, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. Keeping the heat very low, cook for another minute or two and then strain into a suitable glass bowl, cover with cling film and leave to cool.

7 Whip the cream in a bowl until thickened.

Set aside approximately 50g. Then stir the remaining cream, one third at a time into the cooled crème patisserie.

8 Bringing the Napoleons to life: 9 Blend 100g of the raspberries with the lemon juice and 40g of caster sugar in a liquidiser. Pass the puree through a chinois or fine meshed sieve to make a coulis. Set aside.

10 Remove the pastry from the oven and move to a work surface area or a large wooden board. Grab a spatula or pallet knife to begin assembling your cake.

11 Take four pastry rectangles and spread them all with the crème pat (using one half of the cream mixture in total), top with half of the remaining raspberries. Repeat this process with another four rectangles using the rest of the raspberries and the remaining half of the crème patisserie.

12 Carefully place the second set of four rectangles you’ve prepped on top of the first four, leaving the layers of the cream and raspberries exposed.

13 Pre-heat the grill to a medium high, take the remaining four pastry rectangles you cut and sprinkle them with caster sugar. Place them under the grill until the sugar melts and caramelises, watching carefully so the sugar does not burn. Use these rectangles to top each of the pastry, cream and raspberry towers you’ve created and serve immediately with the raspberry coulis and remaining whipped cream.

Bon appetit! greenrestaurant.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 73

Food and Drink

PROVENCE David Copp

L

ockdown has been a good time to read all those books one always meant to read but never got around to, and to dream of places to visit when one is free to do so.

The place in the whole world I would most like to revisit is Provence. Not so much for the wines, but the food and wine together, the long sunny days and the quietness of the villages in the hills. This wonderfully sheltered corner of southeastern France, which stretches east from Arles through Aix to Nice and Cannes, is actually an overflow of the abundance of Italy.

The Romans warmed to it because it protected the land route to north west Spain; the source of precious 74 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

lead tin and gold. They also wanted to control the old Greek colony of Marseille, which guarded the entrance to the Rhone the main trade route into the heart of France.

Provence has many, many attractions but when I close my eyes, I see tall slender trees, fields of wild yellow daisies and purple rich lavender like you have never seen before. If you stop the car and turn off the engine, you can listen to an orchestra of cicadas playing their symphony to nature.

The villages in the hills have inbuilt protection from any cold, northerly winds that may wish to blow. The silence is golden. No wonder so many writers and artists

they must have come from an artist’s palette.

Provence is most famous for its rosé wines and it is true they are made to accompany a garlic and olive oilbased cuisine. They are suitably light to drink in a warm climate. However, in more recent years, the red wines have begun to attract serious attention.

They are not so much classic wines – the grape varieties will be less familiar to lovers of Bordeaux and Burgundy - but they have a distinct character of their own. Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache and Mourvèdre produce distinctive wines of their own but they also blend easily and happily. Provencal restaurants are a good place to avoid the wine list and ask for local advice.

The Phoenicians first brought the vine to France about 600 BCE, so the locals have a long learning curve and I am delighted that so many skilled viticulturalists and winemakers have emerged.

If you are thinking of visiting Provence for the first time and you have not already done so, I strongly recommend reading Elisabeth David and Rick Stein as well as watching again two classic films of the region Jean de Floret and Manon des Sources, and the very entertaining A Good Year.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE Les Quatres Tours ‘Un Été En Provence’ £12.50 Vineyards Beautiful delicate notes of red csp/Shutterstock

berries with a real elegance. Made

with Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and

have chosen to live there, even from far away America or UK, such as Edith Wharton, Scott Fitzgerald and Somerset Maughan. More recently, there has been an influx of world-weary film stars; a fitting move because Provence was home to the Lumiere brothers.

Incidentally, Provence has a very distinctive cultural and linguistic identity and we owe a debt of gratitude to Elisabeth David for introducing most of us to the splendours of Provençal cuisine. Going to a market is an extraordinary experience, even for non-foodies, because you find things you hardly see elsewhere - thrushes, red mullet, truffles, quail, beautiful kidneys and apricots so apricot in colour

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Domaine Sainte Marie, Tradition, Côtes de Provence, Rosé £17.50 Vineyards An exquisite rosé that would be around £55- £60 on a restaurant wine list. A

complex blend of Cinsault, Grenache,

Syrah, Carignan and a touch of Cabernet.

The vines are at least 25 years old and the vineyard is organic.

vineyardsofsherborne.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 75

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Pet, Equine & Farm Animals

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www.friarsmoorvets.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 77

Animal Care

PUPPY LOVE

Mark Newton-Clarke, MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

W

riting this for the August edition, I really felt the need to go back to something more positive, indeed pleasurable, as we’ve all had a bit of a time of it over the last few months.

The general interest in kittens and puppies started to increase early on in lockdown, not surprising as so many people spent a lot of time at home. The ban on international travel put a stop to the import of puppies from Europe (good!) and so demand quickly outstripped supply. I hate to think of living creatures as commodities but market forces still apply to buying and selling puppies and this has had the effect of inflating puppy prices by 100%. This is good and bad.

Good because I hope the more value attached to an animal the better it is treated and bad because breeding standards suffer when demand is so high. All breeding dogs should have an eye test and be hip and elbow scored as a minimum. Many responsible breeders are also carrying out DNA tests for inheritable diseases and 78 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

the Kennel Club website will recommend which ones.

The list of available tests grows longer by the day but used correctly, genetic analysis has the power to help us eradicate many heritable conditions.

When we see a puppy for the first time at our clinics, it is usually for the first vaccination. This visit gives us the opportunity to run through a check list during the examination and also for staff members to have a cuddle (of the puppy, that is). Many checks on the list can be done by prospective owners when viewing puppies at the breeder’s home. Firstly, general attitude is a good guide to future behaviour, as hyperactive and over-excited puppies often keep those traits well into adulthood. Conversely, very shy or wary puppies will need extra gentle handling in the first months to avoid being over-anxious. Clearly not the personality type for a household with young children. Healthy puppies have clear eyes and no tear staining on the face, symmetrical upper and lower teeth (although some breeds have purposefully overshot lower

Manushot/Shutterstock

jaws) and straight legs. Just because you’re a Dachsy doesn’t mean your feet should point outwards! Not the worst conformational defect but a fault just the same and can lead to problems in the future. Check for umbilical hernias, a bump on the tummy right in the midline and any swellings in the groin. This can be done in a second by gently holding puppy’s front legs up and having a good look. If puppy is male, there should be two descended testicles although they can be hard to find sometimes. Listening to the heartbeat with a stethoscope and checking for congenital cataracts is a job for us in a quiet consulting room.

There’s never a better time than the puppy consultation for me to chat to new owners about the four ‘critical resources’ of dogs. These are human attention, food, places of rest and play-exercise.

Control these elements and obedience training will be much easier. The first and most important (also the most difficult) is controlling human attention and

affection. Puppies learn very quickly that if they bark or whine, humans will invariably take notice and give them attention. They ask, you give. Not a good habit to get into so practice ignoring your new puppy for periods in the day so that your attention is a reward, not an automatic response to attention-seeking. A routine to the day should be established, toilet times outside with a reward for good performance, food, controlled play and then rest. If your puppy is not encouraged to spend some quiet time undisturbed during the day, it won’t be happy at night. I personally like puppy crates, the collapsible type that can also fit in the car.

Confinement at night is a useful tool in house-training but will only work if enough opportunity for toilet trips is given and your puppy likes the crate.

Places of rest include your lap, the sofa, your bed and anywhere else humans normally sit. There are good reasons to keep puppies off high places apart from the behavioural issues of maintaining a degree of separation in resting places. Once you have established the pecking order in the family by controlling the four critical resources, some relaxation in the rules is usually possible, depending on the personality of your puppy.

Dominant males will need a consistent reminder of the hierarchy so don’t relax too much. Essentially, if your puppy wants a lap to sit on, wait until it stops asking then ask it to come to you to be lifted - then you are making the request and the puppy is complying.

No matter how well-behaved your adorable puppy is, occasionally most can become over-excited, usually during a game. Avoid tug-of-war games with toys as it encourages play-biting and those baby teeth are sharp. If things do get out of hand, stop the game, remove any toys and exclude the bundle of biteyness to another room, not its crate. When things have calmed down, puppy can be quietly re-introduced into human company. Exclusion is the only form of punishment that you will need, and it should be used only until the red mist has lifted and calm has returned. Positive reinforcement for good behaviour is the more important side of the coin, with edible treats being used about half the time. The other half should be an affectionate gesture, made all the more meaningful as cuddles and kisses have been rationed and not given ad-lib.

So, to all you new puppy owners out there, I am envious but at least I get my 15 mins of puppy love at the clinic on an increasingly regular basis. newtonclarkevet.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 79

Animal Care

‘Tim the Trim’ one of our foot trimmers and his hydraulic foot trimming crush

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VET

P

John Walsh, BVSc Cert AVP DBR MRCVS, Friars Moor Vets

retending to be a cow for the afternoon…

After the last few months of COVID madness, we are finally returning to some sense of normality in the practice. It has been a challenging time trying to continue our services of seeing sick animals and carrying out the essential routine farm work, whilst at the same time trying to maintain social distancing both on farm and in the practice. The pet side of the practice has been affected the most with people having to hand their pets over in the car park for examination and treatment. We know as an industry, the difficulties of controlling a disease outbreak, as we faced similar challenges when Foot and Mouth Disease broke out in 2001 and 2007.

80 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

In this month’s article, I thought I would share with you the work we do as a practice to help prevent cows from becoming lame. We have a superb team of foot trimmers and veterinary technicians who work alongside the vets to help farmers reduce the levels of lameness on their beef and dairy farms. The team also run lots of training courses for farmers so they can improve their skills in treating lame cows on the farm. My role as a vet is to coordinate this team, so we achieve the best results for the farmer.

After the COVID restrictions were eased, I could get back to carrying out a lameness advisory visit for one of our clients. There are many reasons why a cow can become lame but there are three main causes we

concentrate on: 1: sole ulcers 2: white line disease 3: digital dermatitis Each one points to different areas of farm management to focus on. Before the visit, I collect the last 12 months’ records of lameness from the farm and then analyse them to see which of the three main causes is the most common. I also look over time to see if there are certain problems at specific times of year that we can link with changes on the farm, such as cows going out to pasture after the winter housing period.

Now armed with the information, I spend an afternoon on the farm to assess the risk factors for lameness. I firstly construct with the farmer what is called a ‘time budget’ for the cows on the farm. This maps out how much time each day the cow spends being milked, sleeping, eating and of course, being merry! For example, if cows take too long to be milked then they can be stood up for too long which can predispose them to becoming lame. The next exercise is the fun bit (if you are a cow vet!) - you basically have to pretend you are a cow for the afternoon… I walk all the same routes the cow walks each day, looking for potential areas that we can tackle to reduce the risk of lameness. The buildings and fixtures give us the clues we are looking for, you just have to spot them. The whole time is spent measuring dimensions of cow cubicles, areas they have for lying down and standing, assessing the surfaces they walk on,

the cow tracks to the fields, the tightness of turns they have to make coming in and out of the milking parlour, the amount of access they have for feed and many more measurements and observations.

At the end of the visit, together with the farmer, we then agree the top three things that will make the biggest improvements to lameness on that farm and set time scales for these improvements to be made. I then follow up this visit over the year to see how they are progressing and to keep up motivation.

This is very satisfying part of my job because you can the see the differences made after your recommendations have been followed. I am proud to work with such a knowledgeable and passionate team of professionals at the practice. We have seen many farmers reduce their levels of lameness to just a few percent of animals. This is not only a massive benefit to the cow but also to the farmer because lame cows will not be as productive as normal cows.

As a practice we are having ‘Healthy Feet Promotion Weeks’ for beef herds starting on 24th August and for dairy herds starting on 14th September. So, keep an eye out on our social media and website for more information and to see what antics we will be getting up to at the practice. friarsmoorvets.co.uk @FriarsMoorVets Friars Moor Livestock Health

‘RECONNECTING WITH OUR FOOD’ POSTER COMPETITION WINNERS Congratulations to:

Cows graze grass to produce milk.

The farmer milks the cows and keeps it cold in a tank until it is collected by the milk tanker and taken to the factory to be processed.

At the factory, the milk is turned into cheese.

Ready to eat.

William Jarai, aged 4

William Griffin aged 7

Benjamin Griffin aged 9 sherbornetimes.co.uk | 81

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We are NOW OPEN, see our social media platforms for how we have changed. www.oxleysc.com

82 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

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Body and Mind

ADVENTURE BIKES Mike Riley, Riley’s Cycles

I

n recent years, a new style of cycling has become popular known as ‘adventure cycling’. The bikes used are rugged with lots of options for attaching luggage and essential items for your adventure. The riding position is unique, and the bicycles have a combination of features from mountain bikes and touring bikes. They are called gravel bikes by some manufacturers because in the U.S. suburban roads change from asphalt to gravel trails on the periphery of built up areas. The road cyclist only had the option to 84 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

turn around and return the way they came because their tyres and wheels would not cope with the rough stuff.

Riders figured a bike that was enjoyable to ride on the road but capable of traversing gravel gave more choice of routes and a diversity of scenery.

These riders remembered that some older mountain bikes (MTB) have what is known as slack geometry and this is more suited to adventure bikes. However, the upright riding position is not suited to fast riding, so a few pioneers made ‘Frankenbikes’ which were MTBs

with dropped handlebars. This required all sorts of bodges because mountain bike gear levers don’t fit drop handlebars and road bike gear levers do not work with MTB derailleurs.

One bike to rule them all

There has been a desire in the cycle industry to develop a bike that will do everything a cyclist needs with a bit of adaptation. A few years ago, bikes designed for Cyclocross (a style of bike racing combined with mud wrestling) were offered as a solution to the ‘one bike for all jobs’ conundrum, but these were found to have geometry that was too twitchy for general riding and gears too fragile for adventure riding. Several innovations were required before adventure bikes could escape from bike tinkerers’ sheds into mainstream production: • A frame with clearance for wide tyres; the breakthrough which enabled this is disc brakes.

• Tyres with close block tread pattern and rugged construction.

• Simplified transmission, known as ‘one by’ because there is only one front chain ring, and ultra-low gearing, using a rear cassette the size of a dinner plate, and a range that allows barrelling along on the road or climbing a hill like the side of a house.

• Drop bar levers, which integrate with MTB derailleurs, so large rear cassettes could be fitted.

• Wide splayed drop handlebars.

Cycling adventures

Adventures could be a day out on local trails, a weekend away or a full-blown wilderness experience. Along with the bikes, new bike-packing accessories and luggage have been designed so you can go bike-packing without lugging a massive load with you and enjoy the ride rather than it being an endurance challenge. Clever solutions were incorporated such as a third bottle cage mount to carry fuel for a camping stove.

My colleagues, Darren and Stephan, and I have had a few experiences to share. Last summer, Darren cycled from Sherborne to the Isle of Wight on his Volagi. Camping on the way, the adventure bike meant he could take off-road routes to avoid traffic, such as the Sturminster Newton trail way. Stephan entered an ultra-endurance event cycling across part of the Namib desert, the same route featured on the Comic Relief celebrity challenge this year. More mundanely, I am writing this in Mother’s flat in Lymington on the edge of the New Forest because she broke her wrist. I threw

my bamboo framed gravel bike in the car when I came to help. To demonstrate the bike’s versatility, over the course of three rides, I rode along the coast path on gravel tracks between Lymington and Milford through a wonderful wildlife reserve with superb views across the Solent. On the return leg, I accidentally ended up on a sharply winding path through woodland with many tree roots to negotiate. Here, I got into the flow I have previously enjoyed on my MTB and found myself relishing the solitude of riding in the woods as I did not see a soul for miles.

The next ride was an errand delivering Wilierbranded clothing to a customer; we arranged to meet halfway at Burley, about 18km away. Before departing, I inflated the tyres and loaded my handlebar bag with the clothing. Despite a strong head wind, I recorded an average of 13mph for the round trip, which I was pleased with.

Hype or hack?

Hack in this context means a simple solution to a problem. However, an alternative meaning is also relevant, i.e. a general-purpose bike for pottering about on.

During Lockdown, Alison has braved the roads with me, and the adventure bike has been my ‘go to’ choice for cycling with her. The comfortable position and the laidback feel lends itself to more recreational riding, which is perfect for riding with cyclists who are not racers and appreciating the view.

My son, Matt, has decided to trade in his lightweight carbon-framed road bike for a Genesis Croix de Fer, which is one of the original Britishdesigned adventure bikes. He can go off-road riding, with grandson Samuel on the back in his child seat, around ponds and beauty spots in Hampshire or later in the year, we plan to do part of the Lands’ End - John O’ Groats ride and he will use the same bike.

David, one of the partners who has joined me in the business, has purchased a Brother Keppler which he loves riding and enjoys the comfort of the higher volume tyres and security of the disc brakes.

As you can probably tell, I think that adventure/ gravel bikes are a useful addition to the range of bike styles available and if I was a commuter riding in all weathers, I would seriously consider one for my journey with some mudguards added and maybe have some weekend adventures too. rileyscycles.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 85

Body & Mind

HOW TO COPE WITH NEGATIVE NEWS OVERLOAD Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind Ambassador

H

ow we consume news media has evolved rapidly; technological advances and increased internet dependency means that it is harder than ever to avoid being bombarded with negative news. Especially as we are caught in the middle of a global pandemic. Perpetually updated news floods our timelines – and headspace. This means that regardless of your resilience, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed and for anxiety to set in.

Although it is important to be informed about relevant government guidelines and world issues, safeguarding your mental health should be your top priority. Here are four top tips to help you put positive strategies in place for a healthy media consumption: Manage your consumption

Create guidelines for yourself to avoid constant exposure by experimenting with different habits to see which methods improve your wellbeing. These may include setting specific times to check the news, 86 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

BREAKING

NEWS

such as five minutes in the morning and evening.

Additionally, you can arrange your routine so that you do something relaxing or enjoyable immediately after, such as sitting in the garden with a cup of tea or giving your pet a cuddle.

If you are really struggling, consider taking a longer break from the internet. If this is impossible, due to work duties or otherwise, try blocking news apps or websites that are unnecessary. You can always unblock them at a time that suits you.

Counter the negativity

It can often seem like there is no good news. However, this is partially because heart-breaking and sensational stories attract greater readership and therefore get more coverage. Additionally, we tend to experience a negative cognitive bias*, whereby distressing information and memories are more easily accessible than positive ones.

People who struggle with their mental health may experience this bias to a greater extent. This is especially

Contribute

When you feel helpless and out of control, volunteering for a cause you are passionate about can help you regain hope and a sense of purpose.

There are so many worthy causes and so many ways to contribute. It means you don’t need a lot of time or money to make a difference. If everyone contributed to a cause they cared about, whether it’s equality, mental health, environmental issues or otherwise, the world would be a much better place to live in.

‘Giving back’ is considered one of ‘five key ways’ to improve your wellbeing**. This could involve any attempt to improve the lives of others or the world at large, whether it’s small, random acts of kindness or inspiring change on a larger scale. Witnessing other people caring and contributing can serve as an important reminder that there is still good in the world, if you take the time to look.

Be kind to yourself

ProStockStudio/Shutterstock

true for those who have depression, meaning it can be very difficult to maintain a positive headspace.

Attempt to counter these publication and cognitive biases, by balancing the scales with uplifting and inspiring news and reminders of joy. One method could be to follow positive news websites and social media accounts. The Happy Newspaper is a platform that shares only good news, and Happiful Magazine also shares life stories and news to create a cheerier society. There are many other great sources available online and offline.

On a more personal level, why not try jotting down a list of anything that makes you feel happy?

These can be as seemingly trivial as your morning coffee, or as instrumental as your family or friends.

You could fill your space with images that inspire joy, such as beautiful scenery, or photographs that capture happy memories or loved ones. Little doses of happiness can go a long way and remind you of the good things in your life.

At every opportunity, we should endeavour to make choices that minimise suffering and better the world. However, we are fallible, imperfect human beings living in an enormous and complicated world, and sometimes just getting through the day is difficult enough. You are not obligated to remain entirely informed about every detail of every crisis.

Do what you can to educate yourself and contribute, but not at the expense of your mental health. There is truth in the cliché about putting on your own oxygen mask first; you need to take care of yourself before you can help others.

Finding support

If you are struggling with your mental health, the first step is to make an appointment with your GP. But, if you find yourself in danger or a crisis, please ring 999. The Samaritans provide a listening ear at all times on 116 123, Freephone.

Visit dorsetmind.uk for resources and local mental health support, including a range of online services without waiting times. If you would like to help improve mental health in Dorset, visit dorsetmind.uk/get-involved to explore volunteer roles and fundraising opportunities with the charity.

Sources: *verywellmind.com search ‘negative bias’ **dorsetmind.uk search ‘the five ways’ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 87

Body & Mind

MENTAL HEALTH Craig Hardaker, BSc (Hons), Communifit

I

’m sure you already know that exercise is good for your body. But did you know it’s also effective in helping deal with depression, anxiety, stress and more?

What are the mental health benefits of exercise?

Exercise is not just about increasing aerobic capacity and muscle size. Undeniably, exercise can improve your physical health and your physique, trim your waistline and even add years to your life, but that’s not only what motivates most people to stay active.

Those who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of wellbeing. They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have a sharper memory, and feel more relaxed 88 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

and positive about themselves and their lives. And it’s also a powerful medicine for combating many common mental health challenges.

Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety and more. You don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits. Research indicates that modest amounts of exercise can make a difference. No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to feel better.

Exercise and depression

Studies show that exercise can help treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication but without any negative side-effects, of

and make you feel good. Finally, exercise can also serve as a distraction, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression.

Exercise and anxiety

Also a natural and effective anti-anxiety treatment, exercise relieves tension and stress, boosts physical and mental energy, and enhances wellbeing - again through the release of endorphins. Anything that gets you moving can help, but you’ll get a bigger benefit if you pay attention instead of zoning out.

Try to notice the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, for example, or the rhythm of your breathing, or the feeling of the wind on your skin. By adding this mindfulness element - really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise - you’ll not only improve your physical condition faster, but you may also be able to interrupt any flow of worries which may be running through your head.

Image: Stuart Brill

Exercise and stress

course. A recent study, undertaken by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour can reduce the risk of major depression by up to 26%. In addition to relieving the symptoms of depression, research also shows that maintaining an exercise schedule can prevent you from relapsing.

Exercise provides powerful depression-relief for several reasons. Most importantly, it promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and wellbeing. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energise your spirits

Ever noticed how your body feels when you’re under stress? Your muscles may be tense, especially in your face, neck, and shoulders, leaving you with back and neck pain, or painful headaches. You may feel a tightness in your chest, a pounding heart, or muscle cramps. You may also experience problems such as insomnia, heartburn, stomach ache, diarrhoea, or frequent urination. The worry and discomfort of all these physical symptoms can in turn lead to even more stress, creating a vicious circle, affecting both your mind and body. Exercising is an effective way to break this cycle. As well as releasing endorphins in the brain, physical activity helps to relax the muscles and relieve tension in the body. Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better so, too, will your mind.

To summarise, mental and emotional benefits of exercise include: Sharper memory and thinking Higher self-esteem Better sleep More energy Stronger resilience Just some of the important reasons to start, and then keep, exercising. communifit.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 89

Body & Mind

90 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

GYMS IN THE FUTURE

T

Simon Partridge BSc (Sports Science), Personal Trainer, SPFit

oday is Saturday 4th July and I must admit to being frustrated that pubs can open whilst gyms, swimming pools and dance studios cannot, which would surely benefit the health of our nation. However, hopefully by the time you read this, Boris will have made an announcement that we can all reopen.

Like the wider world, the fitness industry has changed so much over the last few months.

It’s made us think more creatively and adapt in ways to meet the needs of an ever-changing landscape. Looking for training methods that have more ‘bang per buck’ in the home, or a gym as previously allowed, is something that we like to offer. We want to look after our members by offering methods that hold multiple benefits.

One form of training that targets multiple muscles at the same time is ‘Suspension Training’ (TRX to many people). Suspension training utilises a huge amount of muscle integration, which means more muscles are working together for a better tone and calorie burn, as well as increased strength and often reduced injury risk. All the exercises require more core control strength than most other forms of training.

So, at present, flexibility, creativity and changes are often afoot to meet the demands of our deserving clients and that’s not a bad thing. It’s good to refresh and revitalise. With that in mind and looking to SPFit’s future, we’ve made some developments recently that help us to create that ‘bang’…

Dan Ogden joined our team in July, a welcome addition. Prior to joining SPFit, Dan worked at an osteopath clinic specialising in rehab work. This specialist knowledge, together with his previous experience in a national gym chain and his talent for playing rugby with a very good local club, means that Dan can bring an unusually wide breath of knowledge and experience to our members. I really believe Dan has a very bright future and I am excited about what he brings to us.

New and old ways to train have been reviewed and revisited. The lockdown has undoubtedly changed the way many people exercise, perhaps forever. We now do more training sessions with more variety than before, so that is definitely a good thing. The easing of the lockdown provides even more opportunity to be creative; we offer a range of indoor and outdoor sessions in varying group sizes, or just one to one, and with or without equipment. We’ve been working online with clients and helping them get to grips with home equipment that they have purchased and would like to get the best from. Equally, we have also been having a dialogue and providing an online support package to members that do not want to spend money on home equipment – so creativity is really key in these instances.

There really are effective training techniques to suit all needs and we enjoy getting people on track with the right programme for them. Resistance bands have featured a fair bit in some online sessions; they seem to be social media’s favourite piece of kit. Similarly, kettle bells are great and we are in the midst of developing a programme for this too.

The future of exercise is definitely positive for us all. We just need to make sure we choose the safest and most effective ways to train to achieve the goals each of us actually want. We are all different and sometimes it is good to try something new. spfit-sherborne.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 91

Body & Mind

SUPPORTING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

S

Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom GP & Complementary Practitioner

upport for your immune system is extremely important in order to combat infection and protect against disease. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of this to us all.

The immune system has two components to it: the innate more primitive and less specific barrier, and the adaptive, more advanced, specific elimination system.

The largest component of the innate system in the body is the gut, stimulated by the microbiome - the ‘friendly’ bacteria in the intestines. Stress, illness and antibiotics can disrupt this but taking probiotics will help to restore the bacteria. Other important parts of the innate immune system are the ‘natural killer’ white blood cells that attack anything that they don’t recognise as ‘self ’, such as viruses as well as substances and cells in the anti-inflammatory system. The adaptive system makes antibodies to combat and provide on-going protection against future attacks. All these components are manufactured by a healthy immune system, the lymph tissues and bone marrow, which depend on those tissues being in the best state of health.

In order to achieve this health, we must ensure sufficient supplies of all the components that make up and support the immune systems. The most fundamental starting point must be a mixed, balanced diet containing the micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and the correct proportions of the macronutrients, carbohydrates, proteins and fasts.

Vegetables and fruit will provide the necessary vitamins and minerals; vitamins C, A and E, as well as selenium and magnesium. They also provide the phytochemical antioxidants that give them their spectrum of colours. Vitamin B12 is contained in meat protein. All eight of the B vitamins are important for cellular metabolism. Zinc is contained in shellfish, and 92 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

almonds have been shown to boost viral attack. Omega 3 fatty acids, as found in oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines, have anti-inflammatory activity amongst many other supportive functions throughout the body, brain and heart, in particular. Two portions per week of fish or daily omega 3 fish oils from the health store are recommended. Omega 3 is also in flaxseeds and walnuts but in much lower quantities. Vitamin D is manufactured in the skin through the action of UV light but in our higher latitudes, there is less UV and shorter days. Supplementing with tablets or a spray under the tongue, 1000IU daily is recommended. The herbal preparation echinacea has been shown in a few studies to increase the number of immune protective cells when taken at the time of a viral infection.

Equally important in immune support is taking into account the overview regarding optimal health. Regular aerobic exercise, vigorous walking, running, cycling, and swimming has been shown to increase the immune cells circulating around the body. Likewise, good quality sufficient sleep is very important – measures such as a regular routine, darkened room, reduced caffeine stimulants before bedtime; the herb valerian in Nytol are all advisable.

Finally mind-body stress-relieving practices, such as yoga, tai chi and mindfulness, have all been shown to increase immune system markers. They also reduce the circulating hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, both of which cause immune dysfunction.

As always, remember to take the holistic approach to maintain a healthy lifestyle, in order to support your immune system in particular, but well-being in general. doctorTWRobinson.com glencairnHouse.co.uk

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Property

MILLENNIALS ON THE MOVE Cath Rapley, Lodestone Property

Halfpoint/Shutterstock

A

fter spending lockdown watching the kids run around the small patch of grass overlooked by the neighbours, whom they smile at, but whose names they may not know, and home-schooling, while carving out a corner of the kitchen table from which to work from home, many millennials are having a rethink. They’ve been maintaining their family days during the pandemic, by riding their bikes round the local city park, while spotting birds (mostly pigeons, seagulls). And, they didn’t miss out on their veggies; the boxed, organic selection was delivered as usual. They didn’t risk lives by going shopping. They clapped on the doorstep every Thursday at eight and decorated their windows with painted rainbows.

96 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

But like most of us, during those three isolated months, city-dwelling millennials, now in their latetwenties to late thirties, have had time to reflect and many have concluded that they want a more authentic version of this lifestyle. Not wanting, of course, to stereotype an entire generation, but trends and research suggest this is a group defined by an interest in wellness (clean eating, food provenance, outdoor fitness) among other culturally-aware concerns such as social justice and environmental issues, they’re urgently prioritising their families’ health and wellbeing and are moving from city to country — including Dorset.

‘This is the busiest I’ve known it in 26 years,’ says search agent Greta Hillier, whose business, Rustic

Moves, helps people relocate to the South West.

‘The number of enquiries has been constant and I’m spending all day, every day, on the phone or seeing houses. Before lockdown eased, if you offered the guide-price, that would probably be accepted; now it’s much more competitive.’

According to national estate agency figures, reported in The Sunday Telegraph at the end of June, there’s been a 90% increase in demand from house-hunters for country locations, compared with the same time last year. In the same period, 41% of city-based buyers bought a home in a town, suburb or countryside location – up from 17% in 2019.

Young families make up a significant number of those stats. ‘Although we have clients from all age groups, we’ve a large number with a younger profile looking to relocate,’ says Lodestone Property’s Simon Neville-Jones. ‘They’re looking for properties with bigger gardens, a home office, good broadband, great local walks, yet with excellent commuting access, which the A303 provides,’ he explains, ‘not forgetting the direct train links to London Waterloo via Sherborne, Gillingham and Templecombe. ‘During the last recession,’ continues Simon, ‘people moved into cities because they felt it to be financially safer. This time, they are moving out because of their wellbeing.’

30-year-old James West, who works in cybersecurity, agrees. Along with his wife and young child, they sold their flat in Finsbury Park, North London, a few months ago, and were due to complete on their new Somerset home during lockdown. When it came unstuck, they decided to leave the city anyway and rent a holiday home in the South West, until their purchase goes through in a few weeks. ‘We moved to London after university,’ he explains, ‘because that’s where the jobs were, but we gradually realised we wanted a better quality of life; more space around us, more space at home, fresh air and locally-produced food. I’m keen on fitness too, so I wanted more access to nature, especially now we have a young child.’ He’s not alone either as many of his friends are considering the same shift, after their companies seem more open to home-working since lockdown.

But while all this is good news for Dorset-folk looking to sell, what about those who might have reservations about an influx of new residents? ‘There will always be a small number of people resistant to change,’ admits 28 year old Amalia Pothecary, owner of Shaftesbury’s successful Botanical Candle

Company. ‘I think that younger people moving here, and setting up new businesses, is great for the county.

I actually think most of the population would be very receptive to younger blood coming in and revitalising the high street, after all, everyone wants to see it thriving, not boarded-up.’

Contributing to community spirit doesn’t just extend to spending in shops though (although that has to be welcome right now.) Search agent Greta Hillier has seen clients throw themselves into village life, like joining Parish Councils or fete committees, and thinks fresh voices are essential to their continuation. James West hasn’t joined any clubs as of yet, but has been socially connecting and describes how his family have been treating an elderly neighbour to a shared meal of fish and chips, eaten together (at a social distance) in the garden. He also enjoys the simplicity of saying ‘hello’ to people – to food producers and customers at a local market, to fellow customers at his local café and on dog walks – whereas in London people rarely meet your eye.

Throwing yourself into a new community seems to be the best chance of smooth social integration. ‘If city dwellers have researched their chosen location and lifestyle well,’ says psychologist Emily Hooper from Riverside Psychology Services near Sherborne, ‘I would hope they would seek to embrace their new environment. This is key to integration into local communities. If all value their locality and community then there is potential for newcomers to become good neighbours and friends.’

So, this latest social shift has to be a good thing on many levels. What’s the view from those left living in the capital though? ‘Millennials tend to idealise the country as a blissful, relaxing haven,’ says cultural commentator and The Telegraph’s TV critic, Michael Hogan. ‘With the rise in anxiety, mindfulness… cycling and wild swimming, they’re doubtless drawn to the potential health benefits too. Fresh air and organic veg ahoy. The transition might be bumpy, though. Can they cope without the urban bustle and easy access to their extended friendship group? How about the less diverse population? Quite possibly. On the upside, they’ll lower the average age, bring new energy, fresh ideas and business ventures, money too, not least when their friends come and visit for weekends.’ Well, we can’t see anything wrong with that. lodestoneproperty.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 97

TAKE YOUR TIME

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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 99

Legal

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCCESSION PLANNING FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY Frank Collins, Partner and Head of Agriculture, Mogers Drewett

T

he emergence and rapid escalation of Covid-19 over the last few months has made us all rethink the precautions we have in place to protect our assets.

Having a succession plan in place will not only help to secure business continuity but also prevent a lot of heartache for loved ones. This is particularly relevant with farming businesses, where often family and business are very much intertwined. For a start, many farm properties include the family home and there will be family members who do not want to take on the family business but who you still want to benefit from a share of the assets.

What is succession planning?

Put simply, succession planning is about having a long-term plan in place for your business and not, as many incorrectly believe, retirement.

Why is it important?

With an ageing workforce and limited opportunities for new entrants, succession planning is essential for the future of British agriculture. For an individual business, succession planning can help to strike a fair balance between ensuring the business is passed to those who want it and providing a share of the parental assets for non-farming siblings.

Where to start?

Initially, with a conversation. It is important to find out what each family member wants for their own future. This may not be an easy dialogue to have but it is important that everyone in the family who might be affected is involved.

100 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

What should be covered in a succession plan?

It is essential to establish: • How the assets of the farm are owned • Who occupies the land and buildings and on what basis • What each member of the family wants from the farm in the future • The long-term direction of the farm business Understand the tax situation

There are two types of tax of which you need to be aware: • Inheritance Tax (IHT) – agricultural property relief and business property relief can help to reduce or eliminate IHT on farming and other qualifying business assets.

• Capital Gains Tax (CGT) – giving away assets can trigger a CGT bill. It may be possible to claim ‘Hold Over’ relief, which allows any immediate CGT to be deferred, with the person receiving the gift taking over the gain of the original owner.

Wills and Partnership Agreement

A key part of succession planning is making sure that all members of the family involved in the business have valid wills and, where appropriate, a partnership (or shareholder) agreement is in place. This will ensure ownership of the business ends up where intended to avoid family arguments in the future.

Pensions and investments

Pensions can play an important part in succession planning. They can provide a source of income or funds to buy farmland and/or property or provide provision for children who do not wish to be involved in the business. There is a wide range of investment options that can be utilised as part of the family’s plan. mogersdrewett.com

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Finance

THE REBOUND

A

Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.) CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS, Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, Fort Financial Planning

s I write this article, we are now into our fifth month of living with a pandemic.

Initially, global stock markets reacted with understandable panic – prices in the world’s quoted companies fell by around 30% in the period from mid-February to midMarch. To my mind, this was entirely comprehensible as many businesses were prevented from operating and therefore moving from profitability to loss.

Since that period of time, despite the number of infections increasing exponentially worldwide and millions of people dying, stock markets around the world have increased in value by a similar percentage. While not at as high a level as seen in February, markets have certainly returned. To most of us this seems totally illogical as very little appears to have changed – investment conditions are still very uncertain and no end to the pandemic is in sight.

I would suggest that this rebound confirms that, in the short term, markets are not at all predictable.

Most professional money managers believe that they are able to foresee the future. The majority are highly educated; a first-class honours degree being a common characteristic. They believe that they can outwit their peers and obtain better than average returns. Manifestly, this cannot be true – professional money managers perform the vast majority of trading throughout the world. By definition, their performance as a whole represents the average. That means that while some may be better than average, a similar number will not be. After allowing for fees to be factored in, statistics tell us that very few fund managers are able to deliver returns better than the market. There have been exceptions. A UK fund manager, Neil Woodford, was able to produce market-beating returns for many years. Recently, it would appear, his luck ran out and he went from star manager status to ‘has-been’. Sadly, for his investors, their returns disappeared.

The level of risk that is taken is generally what determines the likely rewards. After all, risk and return must surely be related; otherwise no sane person would take extra risk if there was not at least a prospect of better returns. Higher risk can be managed in many different ways, perhaps the simplest being diversification. Diversify to the greatest possible extent, not just within the UK but also worldwide. Don’t just hold the shares of smaller companies but hold larger and value shares as well. Don’t over allocate to China, for example, as there are other emerging economies as well.

Perhaps most importantly, be clear about your time frame. Avoid the stock market with money that you might need to access in the foreseeable future. Despite the considerable uncertainty throughout the world’s stock markets at the moment, it is likely that most will be higher – and delivering a better return than cash – in five years’ time. In the meantime, prepare for a rollercoaster of a ride. ffp.org.uk

102 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 103

Tech

CHANGING OF THE GUARD James Flynn, Milborne Port Computers

H

ello, I’m James Flynn Jnr - James Flynn Snr (or Jimmy as most people know him) is my father and founder of Milborne Port Computers. As you may have read in the June edition, he has now fully retired and past the reins onto me.

My office manager, Kelly, and I run Milborne Port Computers together.

I joined my father Jimmy many years ago, back in the old garage office at Baunton’s Orchard, which became my second home as we spent more time in the office than we did in the house 5 metres away!

This is where the learning began. I try to explain this to people when they ask, ‘How do you learn all of this stuff ?’ In short, when you spend every working day plus your evenings watching your father decode, recode, uninstall, reinstall, disassemble and reassemble, over 2 years, you soon pick it up and it becomes second nature.

The rest of it? Well… you have to learn on the job and never make the same mistake twice. Always tread with caution; always be one step ahead - backup first before stepping into the unknown.

So, where are we right now? As Boris would say, ‘STAY ALERT!’ We’re in the middle of the pandemic with the vast majority of people being told to work from home, if they can… Panic! Webcams, monitors and laptops are in high demand and with this, many retailers 104 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

have upped the price to match the panic (sometimes claiming to be selling you the best deal). Tread with caution; if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is! Also, the stock they’re selling could be old stock that they are trying to shift so spend time researching and shopping around. It might take you a bit longer but will be worth it in the long run.

Sadly, the other thing that appears to be happening is people taking advantage of others who are vulnerable and not ‘in the know’. The scam phone calls and text messages claiming to be Covid-19 Track and Trace and requesting your card details to pay for a testing kit have reared their ugly heads. Similarly, fake emails from Amazon claiming your Prime subscription is about to expire if you don’t log onto a PC or laptop to resolve an issue with bank details. We now live in a world where every phone call or email could be a scam. So, if in doubt, phone a friend, research the number used or even phone us - we are always here to help if we can.

At Milborne Port Computers, we are confident that I can follow in my father’s footsteps and continue to provide you with useful information whilst trying to explain things in a language we can all understand!

As always, the choice is yours, but if you think you need advice, you know where to call. computing-mp.co.uk

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106 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

IN CONVERSATION WITH

MIKE FISHER

ARCHITECT, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND RESTAURANTEUR David Birley

Image: Luke White

DB I am sure you are pleased with the success of the Clockspire?

MF We are delighted at how well it has been received. It is a lovely old building that has played a major part in the village’s life. We wanted to do something for the community and, bearing in mind my partner’s knowledge of the catering business and my interests in architecture, to design the Clockspire was an obvious choice. Also, it has meant we have been able to employ local people and can seek to source local produce from local farmers and growers.

DB We seem to have started at the end! To go back to the beginning, what was your childhood like?

MF My father was in the army so we moved around a lot. Latterly, I was at school in Warminster which is why I know this area so well. I was very fortunate growing up as I always knew I wanted to be an architect.

As a child, I was always building things, dens, go-karts, air-fix models or messing around with Lego and Meccano. After school, I went to university in Dundee to study architecture and then to Oxford Brookes to study Urban design.

DB How did you start your career?

MF When I graduated there was a recession and I had a big student loan to pay off. I started working for a big commercial architectural practice designing everything from houses to offices, theatres, superstores and hospitals. It was a great learning experience, but as a designer I never actually built anything.

DB How did your career evolve?

MF I started refurbishing my own house and enjoyed the process so much that I went on to do up other properties. This worked well and I formed my own company; at this stage I was working out of a garage at the back of my garden. I was then joined by a very talented New Zealand designer, Ngila Boyd. This helped transform the company because as an architect you don’t have much training in interior design. We became very successful and caught the eye of estate agents. Since Ngila retired in 2005, we have grown into an office of fifty very talented architects and interior designers. Today we work all over the world from Auckland to Mumbai, > sherbornetimes.co.uk | 107

to Moscow, to New York. Our work includes houses, hotels, restaurants, boats and planes. We are fairly new to boats where, of course, we are only involved with the interiors; basically, we are given a white box but can look at it with a fresh perspective and can add fun, colour and softness. We have also done some unusual projects such as snow rooms and an igloo with a jacuzzi which was for a London house. Perhaps the most unusual is a dog lift.

DB What have you learned along the way?

MF I realised that architects’ training largely ignored the interiors and concentrated only on what something looked like from the outside. I think this is a big disconnect - the two aspects have to flow. Ngila taught me a huge amount about interior design and helped refine and define my taste.

DB What might you have done differently?

MF I started off working on large-scale projects but I now realise my passion is for something on a smaller scale like a house or a boat which you have greater control over and can really get into the detail.

DB What changes have you seen?

MF I am very passionate about the built environment. Unfortunately, our planning system has become more bureaucratic, costly and time-consuming. Yet I don’t believe it has produced a better built environment - in fact the opposite. Our towns and cities have been ruined by planning and transport departments. So many modern buildings strike me as strident and aggressive. I hate the mayoral offices near Tower Bridge while, conversely, I love the HSBC building in Hong Kong. I am a huge fan of Prince Charles who was absolutely right when he referred to ‘the carbuncle’ in Trafalgar Square. I think he is much more in tune with what people want.

DB What one piece of advice would you give your younger self ?

MF Although I enjoyed university immensely, the reality is that, even after seven years of study, you still know very little about the real world. Thus, if I was starting all over again, I would have gone straight to work and omitted my Masters. You learn so much in a real-life work environment.

DB What are you currently involved with?

MF My office is currently working on a variety of exciting projects: several large motor yachts, the new Mandarin hotel in London, a dacha outside Moscow, an apartment in New York and a large residential project in India which includes four seventy-storey skyscrapers.

DB What attracted you to West Dorset?

MF I was born in Devon and I went to school in Warminster, often playing sports against the local schools. And although life has given me the opportunity to travel to some amazing places around the world and live in many areas, I have always known that I wanted to come back to this beautiful part of the British countryside. The final choice was dictated by the purchase of Ven House in Milborne Port in 2015.

DB Do you have a personal wish and a wish for Sherborne?

MF I am passionate about the built and natural environment. At Ven, I am planting a lot of new trees and doing my best to encourage the wildlife. I wish more people would appreciate our natural world and help to protect it. The high street in Sherborne is like most towns across the country which are undergoing an enormous amount of change due to our spending habits.

Sherborne is a beautiful and genteel town and I hope it finds a way to reinvent the High Street. I hope new developments such as the Clockspire in Milborne Port, Newell in Sherborne, The Newt and Hauser & Wirth in Bruton will help build the area into a leisure destination with speciality shops and restaurants all helping to invigorate Sherborne’s high street. studioindigo.co.uk theclockspire.com 108 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

OUR MAN IN WESTMINSTER Chris Loder MP, Member of Parliament for West Dorset

Image: Len Copland

I

f we thought going into ‘lockdown’ was hard, it was nothing in comparison to coming out of it. The difficulties of balancing economic need, saving people’s jobs and livelihoods, while protecting the health of our communities, is an incredibly difficult line to tread.

But Sherborne, in its spirit of typically gentle and steady resilience, is coming back to life. Isn’t it so good to walk down Cheap Street, to feel its energy and bump into friends and neighbours once again?

I’m pleased to welcome Cheap Street’s newly opened delicatessen ‘Ingredients’ which opened in July. I’m sure it will be a great addition to our many independent shops in town and I look forward to visiting soon.

One constant in life is the growing season and, in the many allotments we are fortunate enough to have in Sherborne, growers are now enjoying the fruits of their labours. I was heartened to see that allotment surpluses are even being generously donated to local community kitchens. Such is the swell of community spirit that has been a godsend in recent months.

My parents take care of the Loder family farm just outside the town, supported by my younger brother (and me when time permits). Calving cows is my main contribution but getting back in the tractor last month, to haul in the fresh silage, also gave me the chance to help ensure food for our herd this winter.

Whilst it was a welcome reconnection with the fields I used to play in as a boy (and where I learnt to drive!),

it also was important that, with the union flag flying proudly over our farm, we as a family continued our vocation of four generations to feed the nation in need.

These last few months have reminded me of the real strength of our primary and secondary sectors; those who grow our food and make our raw materials. We should seek not to take them for granted, as they are key to our nation’s future sustainability.

There have been lessons of late, I think, that some of the most basic disciplines, that were taught to us by our parents and teachers, had a wisdom before their time.

Like washing our hands routinely and always having a handkerchief to hand; or putting our hand or hankie to our mouth when coughing. This has proven to be timeless and good advice which still helps keep us safe today.

Finally, during my maiden speech in the House of Commons, back in February, I paid tribute to Canon Eric Woods, the long-serving Vicar of Sherborne, who came to Sherborne during my first year at the Gryphon School back in 1993. Eric officially retired on 30th June and I am incredibly sad to bid him farewell. He has been one of the constants in our town and I’m sure we’ll get the opportunity to thank him properly in the Abbey when we’re back to normal times.

If there is something I can help you with, please do not hesitate to get in touch by email hello@chrisloder.co.uk chrisloder.co.uk @chrisloder sherbornetimes.co.uk | 109

Short Story

A BRIEF ENCOUNTER

I

Jan Garner, Sherborne Scribblers

was disappointed that the Chelsea Flower Show in May had been cancelled, but it was just one of many casualties during the pandemic. Still, the BBC had come to the rescue and was airing a week of highlights from previous years. That evening, as I settled down to wait for the first programme to begin, my mind strayed back to that May in ‘92 and to the troublesome thoughts that had plagued me over the years about the tiny woman, with the watery blue eyes and hair the colour of weak tea, that I’d met on the train.

She boarded at Sherborne and made her way through the crowded carriage.

I recognised her once fashionable accordion-pleated skirt and buttoned-up blouse, topped with a row of pearls, as something I’d worn myself back in the fifties. ‘23B, that’s me,’ she said. I glanced up and smiled as she put her bag down on the table and took the window seat opposite me.

As the train glided out of the station and gathered speed, I went back to reading my magazine. ‘Snap,’ she said. I looked up; she was holding an identical Gardener’s Weekly. ‘Are you going up to Chelsea?’ she asked.

‘Unfortunately not,’ I replied. ‘Are you?’

‘Yes, I never miss it. It’s the only time of the year that I bother to get dressed up. It’s a wonderful day out, isn’t it?’

I agreed with her and asked if she was, as I suspected, given her rough hands and broken nails, a keen gardener.

‘I am, I’ve over half an acre.’

‘Gosh,’ I said, ‘that must be a lot of hard work.’

‘Well, it’s a lot easier now,’ she replied and brushed away a stray lock of hair.

‘When my husband Graham and I first discovered it, it was overgrown with pernicious weeds and nettles taller than me. But the views of the countryside were breathtaking and even though the cottage was derelict, I just knew we had to buy it. We had to be patient for almost a year whilst it was fixed up. But that was fine because we both agreed that this was going to be our forever home and we wanted it to be perfect. And of course, it gave me time to plan the garden of my dreams.’

‘How lovely,’ I said. ’Was your husband a gardener too?’

‘Oh, no. He couldn’t tell one flower from another and the only roses he liked

110 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

came in a tin at Christmas, but we were newly-weds then and he indulged me.

However, over the years he began to resent the time and money I spent on it; said it was a substitute for the children I couldn’t have. In a way, he was right because it did give me something to nurture and I admit it did become my overriding passion.’

I looked out of the window as embankments filled with cow parsley and rows of terraced houses flashed by whilst the guard hovered, as she searched for her ticket.

By the time we reached Salisbury, I had a complete picture of her garden.

She’d talked nonstop about roses scrambling over rustic arbours, glorious spires of hollyhocks, beds filled with foxgloves and delphiniums and hedges of lavender spilling over cobbled paths.

‘It sounds like heaven,’ I said enviously. ‘So, what will you be tempted to buy at the show?’

Her face lit up and she grinned liked a naughty child. ‘Oh, some more roses, I expect. They’re my favourites. You can’t have too many, can you?’

As the countryside gave way to the suburban sprawl, we continued our discussion of all things horticultural and before I knew it we were one stop from Clapham Junction.

‘Well dear,’ she said as she started to gather her things together. ‘It’s been lovely chatting to you but I have to change at the next stop for the Victoria train.’

‘Are you going back home this evening?’ I asked.

‘Yes, on the seven o’clock train.’

‘Is your husband meeting you?’

‘Oh no, unfortunately, unlike our home, our marriage didn’t last for forever.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I said.

‘I’m not. He became very difficult as he got older. He thought I was being unreasonable when I wouldn’t leave the garden to go on holiday with him. And then when he retired, things came to a head. He wanted us to sell up and go and live on the Costa Blanca. Of course, I refused, so he said he’d divorce me to get his half of the house. Well, I couldn’t let that happen.’

‘Oh, so where is he now?’ I said, as the train slowed on its approach into the station. She stood up, hesitated for just a second, then tapped the side of her nose.

‘In the mixed border dear, under Graham Thomas. Such a beautiful rose,’ she muttered before disappearing down the aisle.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 111

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JULY SOLUTIONS

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Longest river (4)

1. Brought up; cared for (8)

3. Eg from Tokyo (8)

2. Good sense; reasoning (5)

9. Series of boat races (7)

4. Middle Eastern language (6)

10. Eg covered with bricks (5)

5. Using letters and numbers (12)

11. Unkind; unsympathetic (12)

6. Surround entirely (7)

13. Newspaper boss (6)

7. Finishes (4)

15. Exceptionally successful (6)

8. Atmospheric layer (12)

17. Misplaced net (anag) (12)

12. Fellow Christians (8)

20. Attractive young lady (5)

14. Frozen water spears (7)

21. Computer peripheral (7)

16. Part of a flower (6)

22. Opposite of westerly (8)

18. Consumer of food (5)

23. Metallic element (4)

19. Double-reed instrument (4)

112 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

Literature

LITERARY REVIEW Deborah Bathurst, Sherborne Literary Society

Expectation by Anne Hope (Doubleday 2019), £8.99 Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £7.99 from Winstone’s Books

A

tale of friendship, selfishness, betrayal, anger, grief, disappointment and forgiveness.

The story is set in 2010. The opening, however, is a flashback to 2004 where a trio of 29-year-old women, Hannah, Cate and Lissa, are sharing a house in East London.

It is a golden interlude for them as young, single people with freedom to experience and enjoy life, before the responsibilities and compromises of work and families take over. They have the leisure to indulge in all that cosmopolitan London has to offer - theatre, film, exhibitions, parks, markets, and restaurants offering an array of cuisine from many different countries. The world is at their feet.

By flitting between the present (2010) and the past, aspects of the women’s respective histories are filled in while the present unfolds. Hannah and Cate are friends from school. Both academic, Cate went to Oxford and Hannah to Manchester University where she and Lissa become friends.

Hannah has a successful career and marries Nathan, an academic. They struggle with the destructive effect that unsuccessful IVF has on their marriage. Cate is married to Sam and has a child. She has been prone to depression since the death of her mother in her teens and develops post-natal depression. Lissa is a talented actress and beautiful. She suffers the difficulties experienced by so many actors in getting parts, and the struggle to make a living from a variety of poorly paid part-time jobs while ‘resting.’ She finally lands the part of Yelena in a short but successful run of Chekhov’s

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Uncle Vanya. Despite excellent reviews, at this point she decides to give up acting and go to live abroad. Her misfortune is to love the wrong man.

In addition to IVF and post-natal depression, many other aspects of life are touched on including broken relationships, abortion, in-laws, feminism, lesbianism and the death of parents. There is a good deal of alcohol consumed resulting in many arguments which are often extremely damaging.

The book gathers pace as it progresses and draws the reader in. Some characters are better evolved than others. In particular, Lissa and her mother, Sarah, an artist, teacher, feminist and Greenham Common activist.

The subtitle on the book cover: ’What happened to the women we were supposed to become?’ indicates unfulfilled expectations. Although these expectations are not expressed specifically during their young lives, clearly events have not turned out as they would have wished and there is disenchantment, discontent and disappointment in their relationships and careers by the time they reach their mid-30s.

The final chapter is in 2018 when they arrange to meet again after several years. By this time, they are in their early 40s and are becoming more settled and accepting of their lives, whilst more forgiving.

In the end, it’s about the sometimes painful process of growing up and coming to terms with life. sherborneliterarysociety.com

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

L

Mark Greenstock, St. Paul’s Church

ockdown takes many forms. The June edition of The Greenwood Tree (the quarterly publication of the Somerset and Dorset Family History Society) tells of a clergyman called Joseph Sorrell, who held services in his parish church for ten years for a congregation of none. Every day, the church bell was rung but nobody went through the door.

There had been a falling-out with members of his parish and the pews had emptied. This was over a century ago – but it illustrates the tendency for people to vote with their feet. The parishioners didn’t stop going to church; they simply transferred to the parish next-door. So, with all churches at the time of writing being officially closed for services until further notice, how are people ‘voting with their feet’ this summer?

Well, thanks to YouTube, Zoom and other online devices, the evidence is that churches are not only staying ‘open’ but are attracting virtual congregations of considerable size. Families are singing hymns and songs of praise in their living rooms, kitchens and (for all one knows) in the bathroom, down the garden or on the beach; prayers are shared, liturgies followed, sermons heard and discussed. Nothing is lost except the physical sense of community – or so it has been argued. When the ‘new normal’ eventually replaces the present dislocation, will we be able to carry on as if nothing had changed?

Maybe not – but there has been serious deprivation for those whose faith requires regular nourishing by the Holy Communion. This spiritual act of participation is expressed by the elements being physically transferred from one person to another with others (not just family members) nearby. Also, folk without access to the internet or other electronic media may feel dispossessed, especially if they live on their own and look forward to church activities as a major contribution to their wellbeing. Then, even a ‘Zoom’ meeting has its drawbacks; computer screens have limited space for participants and spontaneous conversation is difficult; bodily gestures are restricted and natural interaction is impossible; singing and responses can sound forced.

Even so, far from there being a drift away from church, statistics suggest that there has been a significant increase in this country of those who are praying, partaking in some form of fellowship and seeing spiritual issues as relevant and urgent. Remarkable amounts of online material have been published, one example being ‘The Blessing’ which has gone viral worldwide. But having said that, Jesus’ experience when he attended his home synagogue at Nazareth stands as a healthy reminder that you can’t please all the people all the time: they listened to him spellbound at the start, but ended by hustling him out of town and not quite managing to pitch him over the edge of the local viewpoint. Just as the uncertainties connected with Covid-19 continue to exist, so it would be unwise to predict exactly what form the ‘new normal’ will take with regard to expressions of faith. Let’s hope they will at the very least be compassionate, creative, flexible and inspirational. stpauls-sherborne.org.uk youtube.com #theblessinguk

114 | Sherborne Times | August 2020

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