Community

MARKET KNOWLEDGE

JUDE MARWA, CHIRPY BAKERS

Welcome to The Sherborne Market! What brings you here?

I own a little company called Chirpy Bakers. We are here to convince people that eating insects is good for you, good for the planet and most of all…delicious!

Where have you travelled from?

Not far! I live in Thornford – just down the road.

Tell us about what you’re selling?

I sell food products made with cricket flour. It’s something that usually needs a bit of an explanation! Our range of products is quite small as we know we have some persuading to do. So, we are helping everyone get over the ‘euw’ factor with delicious chocolate brownies and chocolate chip cookies. For those people who need no more persuasion and want more sustainable protein in their life, we have premixed bags to bake your own brownies at home – a perfect way to get protein into the packed lunch box! We also sell pure cricket flour for those ready to experiment a bit more - this can be added to smoothies, omelettes or any meal really - and is a simple way to get your sustainable source of daily protein.

Where and when did it all begin?

I lived in South East Asia for seven years, working as a primary school teacher. Insects in that part of the world are a common staple in diets. After going to a really cool tapas bar in Siem Reap where we ate red ant spring rolls, tarantula tempura and silkworm salad, I started to read about the benefits of eating insects. The more research I did, the more I was amazed. In terms of nutrition and sustainability, they are the superhero of food. 79% protein, full of essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, rich in iron and so much more. They are also harmless to the planet. They take up little space, require little resources but are really efficient at creating protein. My tag line is ‘Feeding the world without starving the planet’.

What do you enjoy most about selling at markets?

I love the social aspect. Market day has a great atmosphere and is the perfect place for interesting debates around eating insects… Can I eat them if I’m vegetarian? Is it ethical? Where do they come from? It’s a good conversation starter and I love this aspect of my stall.

I also love seeing familiar faces. Having customers return is an amazing feeling. Chirpy Bakers is an educational company. I run sessions in schools and with scouts and guides, teaching about the benefits of insects. One of our best market days was just after we ran a session at Sherborne 1st Scouts. It was so exciting to see lots of the Scouts bring their families to the stall to try the brownies for themselves.

If you get the chance, which fellow stallholders here at Sherborne would you like to visit?

I love all the interior design stalls. We are renovating our house at the moment so I dream about being ready to buy cushions and lampshades. And I never leave without a sourdough from Oxfords.

Where can people find you on market day?

On Digby Road, opposite Tamburinos. I love this pitch. I can see and hear the Abbey, and the amazing food from the stalls in Pageant Gardens are close by.

ST JOHNS’ ALMSHOUSE

A HIDDEN HISTORY

Ros Heron, Steward, St Johns’ Almshouse

There are not many 15th century buildings still functioning as originally intended, but nestled beside the glorious Abbey in our beautiful, historic town, you will find a pocket of preserved kindness at St Johns’ Almshouse. Its unique charm, although alluring from the cobbled pavement, is truly hidden in the heart of the building, where a welcoming hand has been extended to the Sherborne community – and those with links to the town – for centuries. A friend of Sherborne is a friend of ours, at St. Johns’.

Before I delve too far into the rather special history of St Johns’, I want to address something I often get asked – most notably by grammarians – that also relates to its founding. The plural possessive apostrophe in our name, which is applied as a shared dedication to both St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist, is indeed intended and correct. The symbols for both – a lamb and flag for St John the Baptist and an eagle for St John the Evangelist – greet you on the Victorian gateway that invites you into our medieval Almshouse.

The original Almshouse building is the best surviving example of a medieval Almshouse in Wessex. Its Foundation Deed is dated 10th January 1437 and provided for ‘Twelve pore feeble and ympotent old men and four old women’ to be cared for by a housewife whose duty was to ‘feeche in and dyght to the victaill wash wrying make beddys and al other things do’.

Today, St Johns’ benefits from the unique surroundings of the original Almshouse buildings but residents now enjoy contemporary and comfortable accommodation in a relaxed and friendly environment, without the strict rules of the past and constraints of the original Foundation Deed and open to all. Though, there are many historical features that are proudly

Image: Katharine Davies

preserved such as the original staircase and, in some instances, considered an artistic treasure of national importance – as is the case with the triptych in our chapel. The magnificent triptych has been dated on stylistic grounds to c. 1480 and most likely owes its survival and excellent condition to the fact it can be folded and was stowed out of the way of puritan iconoclasts during the Reformation. Painted in oils on wooden panels, it depicts five of the miracles of Christ, with the impressive central panel portraying the raising of Lazarus. It may be a copy of a lost picture by Van der Weyden.

Also in our impressive chapel, which was designed by Slater and includes an oriel and an early English arcaded cloister, you will find the finest medieval glass in Sherborne. The large south window presents the Virgin and Child, flanked by the patron saints, SS. John the Baptist holding a lamb, and SS. John the Evangelist with a chalice. There are a few small cracks from the trodden path of history as the result of bombing in 1940, but it is a remarkable window which attracts visitors and residents alike.

Copies of the illuminated royal licence obtained by King Henry VI, the Foundation Deed and a letter from Sir Walter Raleigh to Mr Knoyll, the then Master of the Almshouse, can be found in the antechapel, plus a smattering of official documents and interesting artefacts elsewhere. We still have examples of the old uniforms the residents used to wear and a wonderful wooden chest which is opened by five different keys that would have been given to chosen holders.

Aside from the historical gems inside, the railings outside the Almshouse are rather extraordinarily classified as a listed monument. The Victorian iron posts and rails that line the kerb – often seen dressed in flowers come spring – would have been used by almsmen in the past as a place to lean and smoke a pipe. Five of the original seven finials of the railings remain and are symbols of a bishop’s mitre, which is the badge of the Almshouse.

It is inspiring to have such vivid traces of history as part of your daily life, bringing character to our already impressive building, and narrating the fascinating stories of years past. All who have had the privilege to cross the threshold into our special community at St Johns’ are part of a living history and feel like they have discovered the hidden heart of Sherborne. As was the case centuries ago, the most valuable possession of the Almshouse is its invitation to its residents. Many folk, including locals, are still unaware that you do not have to live in Sherborne to become a resident at St Johns’ in later life, but rather have a ‘link’ to our town. The most important requirement is whether you feel at home in our unique house, which is why new residents are invited to stay for a couple of nights.

From the colourful cloisters and charming private gardens to the enviable view of our historic Abbey and extraordinary artefacts that have stood the test of time, St Johns’ will always be a welcoming place for those wanting to be part of a caring community whilst living life independently in our pretty little market town.

stjohnshouse.org

Applications are welcomed from all who wish to enjoy what life at St Johns’ has to offer.

FIVE PENCE A WEEK

THE PRICE OF PROGRESS Bill Taylor, Finance Portfolio Holder, Sherborne Town Council

As the new financial year approaches, Sherborne Town Council faces a similar dilemma to every other household and business in the country. How do we improve the life of our beautiful town amid the continuing COVID pandemic, soaring energy costs and steeply rising inflation? Our answer is to focus above all on the health, well-being and resilience of all our community: the people who live and work in Sherborne, the businesses that keep the town thriving and the tourists who visit this special corner of Dorset.

COVID taught us how important green spaces are to our physical and mental health. So, we are investing heavily in improving all our parks and sports and leisure spaces. Pageant Gardens is being continually upgraded and we have seen huge improvements to the environment of the Quarr. Work has also begun on the refurbishment of Paddock Gardens. As one resident told me: ‘Getting out and about in Sherborne kept me sane during lockdown. I’m so glad I’m not still living in a tiny flat in a London tower block.’

Many thousands of sports fans rely on the Terrace Playing Fields every week of the year. So we’re upgrading the facilities there – including an ambitious plan to install solar energy collectors and heat pumps to replace ageing boilers. Good for the planet, too – one of the council’s many contributions to fighting global warming. Our allotments also helped keep people healthy, sane and happy during COVID and we plan to protect these precious gardening spaces and create more of them. After two years of our pandemic recovery fund, we’re still investing in grants for vital community organisations to make sure they survive post-COVID. These clubs and voluntary groups play a crucial role in maintaining mental and social health. Our grants also help support business groups, tourism and thriving town markets. The impact of the pandemic on the Digby Hall in Hound Street demonstrates how some good can often come out of misfortune. Council income from hall bookings crashed because of lockdown, but that freed up the hall to become the centre of Sherborne’s hugely successful COVID vaccination programme. Congratulations to all the GPs, nurses and volunteers who made it happen so smoothly. Talking of health, Sherborne Town Council is also campaigning to make sure that the Minor Injuries Unit at the Yeatman Hospital reopens as promised after its temporary COVID closure.

Community health is our top priority and I believe our new budget reflects that. The town council share of your council tax for 2022-23 will go up by only five pence a week for a Band D property. That’s an increase of only 1.25 per cent at a time when national price inflation is threatening to exceed seven per cent. It’s a recognition of our need to spend our money very wisely in tough times while also supporting the bounce-backability of a great town.

by clive webber ALPACA - PIMA COTTON - SILK

Open Day Event – Digby Main Hall Saturday 2nd April

This special event will be held on Saturday 2nd April from 10.30 AM – 3.30 PM.

There is plenty of parking at the Digby Hall car park.

We will be featuring our brand new Spring Collection of Alpaca Knitwear, ‘Perfect Fit’ Pima Cotton Tops, and Silk Scarves – All by Artisan Route.

This is a young company and brand name, but please remember that Clive Webber has had connections for over 20 years in Sherborne and really knows how to produce top quality designs in Alpaca, Pima Cotton and Silk.

The beauty of the Open Day is that it provides the opportunity for Artisan Route to show our products in reality, giving customers the chance to see all the products we have.

Personal service and attention is the focal point of our small business.

Our very good friend Mel Chambers will be with us to help and assist.

We are sure that you all know how to reach Digby Hall at Hound Street, Sherborne, but just in case, the postcode is DT9 3AA.

We have chosen a spacious setting in the Main Hall within a safety sensitive environment to give you a warm and friendly experience !

You can check out our collection in advance on our website, please enter the full address below www.artisan route .co.uk

Darita – Elegant and uniquely styled V neck jacket. Knitted in 100% Peruvian Baby Alpaca.

Daniela – Amazing fit tunic with high square neckline and side slits. Knitted in 100% Peruvian Baby Alpaca. Evelina – Smart tuck stitch jacket in 4 pastel colours. Knitted in 100% Peruvian Baby Alpaca.

Selina– Elegant long links knit jacket with feature pockets. Knitted in 100% Peruvian Baby Alpaca.

OUR MAN IN WESTMINSTER

Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset

Before I was elected to Parliament in 2019 I worked for the railways for 20 years but until now I have not written about the industry in this column. Given the real difficulties we are currently facing with South Western Railway I wanted to share with you some of my insights. But before I do, I’d like to pay tribute to Colin, the ticket office clerk at Sherborne station and my former colleague for many years, who retired during the pandemic. I know how much all of us valued his kindness and help – he will be greatly missed by many hundreds of people.

We have a fight on our hands at the moment. South Western Railway have, since the change of franchise in 2017, held the West Country in fairly low regard. Dorset, Somerset and Devon were the only counties to be completely cut off from London by direct-train services during the pandemic. As of last month, we had the same timetable which is eroding demand by effectively encouraging people to go to Castle Cary and get the train from there instead. This is just part of a long list of difficulties which have manifested themselves in recent times. On-board catering removed, seats supposedly refurbished but which are much harder and less comfortable than they were before. The list could go on.

Back in September, I met with two of the directors to say that there is a fundamental problem in that Dorset doesn’t feature in SWR’s plans. This is despite

the Waterloo to Exeter line being one of the highest yielding of the South Western network – and by that I mean that each train on the Sherborne line is worth more in revenue than other trains on the network. I think we have a real fight on our hands now for the future of our line, and I am considering whether or not we should have a full-on campaign to replace First Group because, across the board, it has totally failed us here in Dorset. It is not alone – whether it is South Western with this issue or the state of Great Western frequencies on the Heart of Wessex line, both companies seem to need an MP to point out faults in order to get them fixed and then, of course, their pitiful approach to dealing with bus services is like getting blood from a stone.

However, there is an opportunity from all of this. It is for us to become clear on what we want from our railway, rather than get what we are given. Yeovil to London is possible in 1hr 45 mins. Do we really need trains every hour which stop at all stations, or do we need two or three trains a day which go non-stop from Sherborne to Salisbury or even as far as Clapham Junction? And at the weekends, if you want to go to London, wouldn’t you just love to get on at Sherborne station and the train goes all the way to Salisbury without stopping and again, up to London, fast – not dissimilar from the Castle Cary line! We need to get our political will aligned and recognise how things have changed since Coronavirus. In the next five years, we have the opportunity for new trains, faster track and a new operator that actually cares about the train service we have and the hope that the Heart of Wessex (Yeovil to Weymouth) line will be operated by the same operator that runs the Waterloo to Exeter line.

The Local Enterprise Partnerships offer very little for us in this neck of the woods. It is one of the reasons that I called on the Government to take action to shake them up radically about a year ago – and I think they will. LEPs are the medium with which to make these kinds of things happen – or at least are meant to be.

Network Rail has just published a Dorset Connectivity Study. Something that does not reflect the wishes of the Dorset Community, so we have work to do there as well! The policy of the Government to move towards Great British Railways is a good and important policy. Finally! And I hope it will bring us new jobs, new trains, faster journeys and a better frequency.

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