Sherborne Times September 2022 by Sherborne Times

SEPTEMBER 2022 | FREE A MONTHLY CELEBRATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR sherbornetimes.co.uk HOME COOKING with chef, Paul Collins

I t happened on 17th August. A fleeting yet perceptible change in the air – two short seconds of a familiar stillness. I couldn’t help smiling, but while autumn is my favourite season I’m not ready for it yet. The ‘false autumn’ we’re seeing – parched young trees dropping their leaves in a bid to survive – caught me off-guard. I’m not done with this long gorgeous summer of ice cream, rivers, pebbles and shells, family, flip-flops, fledglings and flowers, cold drinks, long drives and songs sung through open windows. I’m not ready to vacuum out the footwells. Nor am I particularly ready for our youngest to move up to secondary school. He is of course. He’s chomping at the bit. But the brand new, neatly folded Gryphon uniform he has kept out ready for weeks prompts mixed emotions. So under the looming presence of school runs and early nights, we check the tent, load the car and hit the road for one last hurrah. Have a great month. Glen Cheyne, Editor glen@homegrown-media.co.uk@sherbornetimes WELCOME

CONTRIBUTORS Ian Bartle Sherborne Primary School Elisabeth Bletsoe Sherborne Museum Natalie Bone Sherborne Prep Richard Bromell ASFAV Charterhouse Auctioneers and Valuers Mike Burks The Gardens Group David Burnett The Dovecote Press Jenny Campbell Sherborne Scribblers Paula SebastianCarnellChanceCindyChantMichelaChiappaPaulCollinsDavidCoppNathanCracknell ReBorne Community Church RosieJamesCunninghamFlynn Milborne Port Computers Mat Follas Bramble Restaurant Simon Ford Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.) CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS Fort Financial Planning John Gaye & Penelope Hester Sherborne Literary Society Nico & Chrystall Goodden Craig Hardaker Communifit Dawn Hart YogaSherborne Andy Hastie Yeovil Cinematheque Sarah Hitch The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms & The Marga ret Balfour Beauty Centre James Hull The Story Pig Dr Antonia Leech BVMSci (Hons), fCMgr, ACMI MRCVS Kingston Vets Lucy Lewis Dorset Mind Peter Littlewood BA (Hons), FRSA, Cert Mgmt (Open) Young People’s Trust for the Environment Chris Loder MP Paul Maskell The Beat and Track Katherine Massey Sherborne Girls Sasha Matkevich The Green Restaurant Sean McCabe Mogers Drewett Solicitors Gillian Nash Paul Newman & Emma Tabor Mark Newton-Clarke MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Newton Clarke Veterinary Partnership Emma Rhys Thomas The Art of Confidence Dave Shaw Sherborne International Simon Stevens Sherborne Country Gardens Val Stones Sue Thomas-Peter u3a Joanna Weinberg Teals Sherborne Times is printed on an FSC® and EU Ecolabel certified paper. It goes without saying that once thoroughly well read, this magazine is easily recycled and we actively encourage you to do so. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither Sherborne Times nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Sherborne Times does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without prior permission from Sherborne Times. Editorial and creative direction Glen Cheyne Design Andy Gerrard Photography Katharine Davies Editorial assistant Helen Brown Social media Jenny Dickinson Illustrations Elizabeth Watson Print Stephens & George Distribution team Barbara and David Elsmore The Jackson Family David and Susan Joby Mary and Roger Napper Hayley Parks Mark and Miranda Pender Claire Pilley Joyce Sturgess Ionas Tsetikas Paul Whybrew 1 Bretts Yard Digby info@homegrown-media.co.ukDorsetSherborneRoadDT93NL01935315556@sherbornetimes sherbornetimes.co.uk 4 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

6 Art & Culture 20 What’s On 22 Community 30 Family 46 Science & Nature 56 On Foot 60 History 64 Antiques 66 Gardening 76 Paul Collins 82 Food & Drink 96 Animal Care 102 Body & Mind 114 Legal 118 Finance 120 Tech 122 Short Story 126 Literature 128 Crossword 130 Pause for Thought 76 SEPTEMBER 2022 01929 448 dorsethideaways.co.uknewowners@dorsethideaways.co.uk708 With a local and enthusiastic team, Dorset Hideaways is well placed to make the process of letting your holiday home easy and enjoyable. We are dedicated to managing your property with the same care and attention you would and with tailored services to suit your needs, you can be involved as much or as little as you like. We’re looking to expand our portfolio sherbornetimes.co.uk | 5

H edged is a work in Indian ink on paper. It is part of a series of drawings and prints inspired by the shapes and forms found in hedgerows in winter. The imagined tangle of branch and twig-like shapes is developed quite spontaneously with the ink and brush to create a rhythmic, abstract composition of energetic lines of different thickness and weight. There are two figure-like forms which appear to be trapped amongst the black lines. At first, I wasn’t aware of the figurative nature of these shapes. The work was made during a Covid lockdown. Could this be significant? I applied a light wash of earth pigment in the spaces between the lines, softening the ground. I made the pigment using earth collected from various sites in Somerset. I first collected earth pigment on a trip to the Czech Republic in the early 1990s. The soft burnt sienna-coloured rock was crushed using a pestle and mortar. When mixed with water and gum arabic it made a deep, richly coloured pigment. I have always enjoyed working in monochrome, usually but not exclusively Indian ink. My etchings, relief prints and mono-prints are often in one, two or three colour combinations. My drawings and prints compliment my work in sculpture made with wood, plaster, stone and metal.

No.46 Sebastian Chance, Hedged, 40 x 31 cm, Indian ink and earth pigment on paper, £125 unframed (60 x 52 cm, £274 framed)

sebastian_chance

24th September - 9th October Sebastian Chance - Somerset Art Weeks The Arborealists at Fyne Court Broomfield, Bridgwater TA5 2EQ

6 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Art

& Culture

ARTIST AT WORK

Girls 11 18 • Boarding and day Write your stor y at Sherborne Girls To find out more, please contact admissions@sherbor ne.com 01935 818224 • sherbor ne.com

& Culture

Brian and Charles (2022)

Art

8 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

F ollowing last month’s selection of upcoming films at Cinematheque, new titles have been added to the list for our 41st season. Ali and Ava (2021) is a warm, compelling Yorkshire drama from writer/director Clio Barnard, and a love letter to the city of Bradford. With two wonderful performances from leads Claire Rushbrook and Adeel Akhtar as two middle-aged lovers defying family prejudice and cultural barriers, this vibrant film was Bafta-nominated in the Outstanding British Film category.

ON FILM

Andy Hastie, Yeovil Cinematheque

Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchis Drive My Car (2021) is one of the breakout arthouse successes over the last few years. Coming in at just under 3 hours long, it slowly develops the relationship between a widowed theatre director and his young female chauffeur. Using the moving car as a metaphor for an evolving friendship, the forced proximity of the car interior encourages an intimacy to unfold in this awardladen, intelligent, satisfying film. Lucky Grandma (2019) follows a chain-smoking Chinatown granny going all in at a casino with her life savings. Unfortunately this lands her into the middle of a gang war in this hilarious independent American crime caper.

A great varied selection here to complete our season. Next month I will give dates for showings at the Swan Theatre, or look out for our brochure at the library and around town. Details will also be on the website below.

Decision to Leave (2022) is a slick South Korean suspense thriller picking up awards everywhere, including Best Director at Cannes for Park Chanwook - he of The Handmaiden fame. It tells the story of a detective falling for a mysterious widow after she becomes the prime suspect in his latest murder investigation. With twists and turns throughout, the plot keeps the audience off-balance, as this clever film ratchets up the tension and is not to be missed.

Happy viewing! swan-theatre.co.ukcinematheque.org.uk

Persian Lessons (2020), a Belarusian psychological war thriller set in a German concentration camp during the Second World War, concerns a young Jewish man pretending to be Iranian to escape death. This only leads to further jeopardy for him in this intelligent, gripping film.

As a total contrast, Deerskin (2019) is a laugh-outloud French comedy-horror, with a man buying the fringed deerskin jacket of his dreams. For this to be the best jacket in the world, he has to get rid of everyone else’s jackets! Not a film to analyse, just enjoyably demented, and unhinged fun.

German psychodrama The Audition (2019) stars Nina Hoss as a violin teacher at the Conservatoire, who gets obsessively involved with one of her pupils to the neglect of her own family. Things don’t turn out as expected in this tense, powerful film.

Finally, the quirky British odd-couple comedy Brian and Charles (2022) is a delightfully ridiculous hoot. When a lonely inventor in rural Wales builds a robot for company in his cowshed, he gets more than he bargained for as Charles begins to resemble a stroppy teenager. This sweet-natured, poignant, distinctly British film is an antidote to all the expensive, cynical, American superhero franchises we seem to be inundated with, and is a heart-warming treat.

JENNYCAROLINEwww.jerramgallery.comBAILEYEMMADUNBARWHEATLEY2nd–21stSeptember,2022THEJERRAMGALLERY Half Moon Street, Sherborne, 01935 815261 Dorset DT9 3LN info@jerramgallery.com Tuesday – Saturday EMMA DUNBAR CORNISHWARE CAROLINE BAILEY TULIPS AND HYACINTHS

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 9

Hive (2021) from Albanian is based on the true story of a woman who starts her own business selling honey after her husband is reported missing in the 1999 Kosovo war. In the traditional patriarchal village she lives in this becomes a problem, setting up a struggle between her and the wider misogynistic community.

Art & Culture Brinkhoff-MoegenburgImage:Laurie Davidson (Jack Absolute) and Peter Forbes (Anthony Absolute) in Jack Absolute Flies Again 10 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

CONFESSIONS

The Southbury Child was on at The Bridge Theatre, written by Stephen Beresford, writer of Three Kings at the Old Vic in 2020 which he wrote for Andrew Scott.

Alex Jennings played David Highland, the frequently drunk, serial adulterer, parish priest who teetered on the brink throughout. Questions of family, faith, tradition, and tolerance were explored, and the answers were not easy to digest. The death of a child brings everything to a head and opinions become personal and harsh. The performances were all excellent but particularly Josh Finan, who played Lee Southbury, the dead child’s brother, whose social boundaries were non-existent and Phoebe Nicholls, who many will remember played Cordelia Flyte in Brideshead Revisited, as David Highland’s world-wearied wife. Whilst Alex Jennings was the star and took the applause, other actors such as Nicholls and Finan were very good. Whilst I was in London, during a train strike, I searched up small, unusual, museums and went to visit Sir John Soane’s Museum at Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 11

I went with a comic writer-friend to Jack Absolute Flies Again at The National. Not a play, full of innuendo and general hilarity, which I would normally associate with The National but a pleasing surprise nonetheless, not least because they have wonderfully comfortable upholstered seats with plenty of leg room. The content was very much not politically correct, and the audience loved it. You did have to concentrate on the quick repartee to catch every joke, but it simply didn’t matter because this was a ‘feel good’ piece of theatre designed to make everyone happy. The stage design was excellent, and discussions were held with a couple sitting behind us as to whether it was a Nissen hut or a Quonset hut. Caroline Quentin was brilliant and can work the audience with just a naughty wink.

Rosie Cunningham Image Julie Meikle

OF A THEATRE ADDICT

One of the greatest English architects, Soane was the son of a bricklayer who rose to become Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy. He designed the Bank of England, Dulwich College Picture Gallery and Pitzhanger Manor, which is in Ealing and also well worth a visit. This unique building, where Soane lived until his death in 1837, houses his collection of sculptures, paintings, and architectural pieces, including a wonderful sarcophagus in the basement. Be warned, don’t arrive with a large bag. Everything must be put into a special bag which you carry throughout so that no stray handbag damages any of the antiques, and some of the passageways are quite narrow. Entrance is free, you can join any of the tours that happen throughout the day and there is an excellent guidebook for £4. An easy walk from Waterloo station. I hope that some of you supported Sherborne Arts and visited the Sherborne Arts Club annual exhibition at the Digby Hall. We have some extraordinarily talented artists lurking in our villages, and I am now the proud owner of a small, oil painting of Kettle Bridge, Cerne Abbas by Alan Emberley.

sherbornearts.orgpitzhanger.org.uksoane.orgbridgetheatre.co.uknationaltheatre.org.uk

Providing a full fitting and personal shopping service for lingerie, swimwear, nightwear and cruisewear Wired and non-wired lingerie and swimwear Coordinated outerwear pieces and accessories Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5pm Private appointments available outside these hours

17 Cheap Street (situated alongside Waitrose) Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PU 01935 www.bellissimalingerie.com813812 Bellíssima LingerieESTABLISHED 1999

S omerset Art Weeks returns this autumn, featuring exhibitions and special events under the banner of ‘Sanctuary’. More than 300 artists in over 100 venues across Somerset are taking part in the event and after a two-year absence, the Somerset Art Weeks Guide is back with many eager visitors grabbing a copy to plan their Normally,visits.there is a biennial focus to Somerset Art Weeks, alternating between Open Studios one year and Exhibitions and Events in the other. The impact of the past two years has seen the Open Studios event delivered digitally in 2020 and then repeated in 2021. This was partly because of the difficult circumstances created by the pandemic but also to allow SAW Members another opportunity to directly meet with those interested in their work and share their work and process at the source of its creation. As with many other Open Studios events, these are important opportunities to connect with visitors and form part of many artists’ working practice.

Blake

Paul Newman, Event Co-ordinator

After last year’s postponement, the return of the Exhibitions and Events year will give Somerset Art Weeks’ visitors the chance to see what happens when artists collaborate on group shows, curate exhibitions and present work in often dynamic ways, making use of public spaces and buildings, with many artists responding to the theme of Sanctuary. It also gives Somerset Art Works the opportunity to showcase work from invited artists, commissions, bursaries and projects – something more expansive than Open Studios which gives audiences the chance to look at art in different ways or make exciting new discoveries. As well as contemporary art spaces, the many and varied venues featuring this year include tithe barns, churches, gardens, stables and even prisons and abbeys!

Annemarie

At The Octagon in Yeovil is one of SAW’s projects, working with south Somerset artist Jenny Mellings.

14 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Jenni Dutton

SANCTUARY 24th September - 9th October

ARTSOMERSETWEEKS2022

Grazyna Wikierska

So what can audiences expect to see in this year’s event? Responses to the theme reveal a lot about what many artists experienced during lockdown but in surprising, imaginative and often positive ways. There are three strands to the theme as well – Spiritual, Social and Sustainable – giving artists much to respond to as well as providing audiences with a variety of takes on the theme. The following venues are just a taste of what’s on offer.

Yeovil Art Space (Venue 1) presents two separate exhibitions with work by Chris Dunseath and Grażyna Wikierska. Chris creates small sculptures that extend the sculptural form of Bronze Age axes from the collection at The Museum of Somerset, implying movement, animation and the passage of time in bronze and plaster. Grażyna experiments in many mediums to tell stories about states of mind, with work that is playful, performative and inquisitive.

This year, there’s a full event programme too, with many venues putting on workshops, talks and demonstrations. Each weekend is family-friendly with specially curated events for families of all shapes and sizes, including activities with artist Jacky Oliver at Somerset Rural Life Museum and events tying in with national initiatives such as The Big Draw.

Muchelney Church, a haven during floods, welcomes work by Jane Mowat who has created an installation of embroidery that pours from the font and down the church nave, sewn with images of native plants, reminding us of the beauty of our local environment (Venue 16).

Coming back towards Sherborne, Zac Greening and Camilla Redfern have united to show Islands (Venue 30 in Wincanton), with work inspired by nature which seeks to show our symbiotic relationship with it as well as ourTherefragility.aremany venues in between and beyond the few mentioned here, and some of the artists will be familiar to readers from featuring in ‘Artist at Work’ here in the Sherborne Times.

ACE Arts in Somerton (Venue 23) presents Absurd Sewn Selfies by Jenni Dutton, a collection of mixed media explorations into identity, ageing, disguise and power. The work is made using traditional female materials and processes and offers the universal search for relevance in a world that can undervalue older members of society. At the same venue, Jill Davies and Joanna Briar have collaborated to present work which began in lockdown. My Space My Sanctuary is a visual dialogue of paint, print and natural materials which form an exchange of experimental imagery along with an installation of mixed media postcards from community engagement projects.

Although county-wide, the event has a regional focus so if you fancy staying local, there’s plenty to see and inspire you on your doorstep! After a difficult time, artists are excited to show new work, with the creative community of Somerset looking forward to sharing Sanctuary this autumn. somersetartworks.org.uk 24th September - 9th October Somerset Art Weeks Venues across the region Visit somersetartworks.org.uk for details or pick up a printed copy of the guide locally, at Winstone’s Books, Sherborne Library, Melbury Gallery and Old Barn Framing Gallery. sherbornetimes.co.uk

| 15

Join us on the first Wednesday of the month at 3pm and 7pm Digby Hall, Hound Street Accredited Presenters • Lectures • Study • Days • Trips • Arts Volunteering We cover fine arts, architecture, gardens, sculpture, history, music, photography and more Make and meet friends For details of forthcoming events, turn to the What’s On section of this magazine or visit theartssocietysherborne.org Contact: sherborne@theartssociety.org

The Somerset Art Weeks Guide is available in cultural centres, libraries and tourist information points across Somerset and beyond and there is full information including an online guide, venue map and an event calendar on the SAW website to help you plan your visits.

Banners of Chard (Venue 2), features communitycreated banners, celebrating Chard, its people and place.

Wells Art Contemporary Award-winner Leah Hislop will install a sculpture constructed from handmade, individually folded origami building blocks at Kingweston Church near Keinton Mandeville (Venue 25). Triangular folds within the work tie in with the symbol of the number three and The Holy Trinity, along with the concept of guidance and protection.

Crewkerne and District Museum and Heritage Centre (Venue 10) hosts five artists presenting a diverse group show featuring individual responses to the event’s theme. Mike Chapman, Judith Ellis, Lucy Gallwey, Lucy Hawkins and Jenny Mellings work with the figure and the landscape and have also collaborated on several events alongside the exhibition for visitors to engage with. See the event diary in the Art Weeks Guide.

KIT GLAISYER

Art Culture

16 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

n recent years Bridport-based artist Kit Glaisyer has established himself as a leading contemporary landscape painter, and now a selection from fifteen years of his paintings has been brought together in a new book The Marshwood Vale & Beyond, published by Downes Street Editions.

Kit started painting as a boy, accompanying his father on watercolour painting trips around the villages of Buckland Newton and Glanvilles Wootton, a few miles south of Sherborne. His talent was soon recognised at school, which led to him winning an art scholarship to Sherborne School. At the time, the school had a progressive art department led by Trevor Boyd and Andrew Stooke and they offered the students formative art tours to London, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, and Amsterdam. This introduced Kit to many masterpieces from traditional, to modernism and contemporary art, and he grew particularly fond of Rembrandt, Vermeer, JMW Turner and Picasso. In his teens, he was also fortunate to meet and talk with Dame Elizabeth Frink at her studio in Woolland House near Hazelbury Bryan. After leaving school, Kit completed a Foundation Studies course at Bournemouth & Poole College of Art, and then started a Fine Art degree at West Surrey College of Art & Design. But, feeling impatient to get started as an artist, he dropped out of college and moved to London where he shared a house with two other artists in North London, before creating his own studios in derelict buildings in Camberwell and then Borough, South London. Originally a figurative painter, Kit moved into abstract painting in 1995 after visiting the seminal exhibition Gerhard Richter: Painting in the 90s at the Anthony d’Offay Gallery in London, which featured large abstract paintings by the German painter. Richter’s paintings also inspired Kit to create his own language of abstract painting, resulting in a series of works that he exhibited at the Suzanne Ruggles Gallery on King’s Road, Chelsea. Then, on a trip to

THE MARSHWOOD VALE & BEYOND Glen Cheyne Image: Stephanie Maciuk

| 17

bridportcontemporary.comkitglaisyer.com

While Kit continues to draw inspiration from the long history of landscape painting – his current working practice includes plein-air painting, sketching, photography, collage and digital editing. He also utilises traditional, modernist and abstract painting techniques, while incorporating ideas from cinema, literature, pop culture, and music. Kit believes in taking his time with his paintings, working up thin glazes (layers) of paint over several months, partly necessitated by his fondness for oil paint - which is a particularly versatile but slowdrying

And when that moment happens, he acts quickly, absorbing as much information as he can in that brief window when all the essential elements are in place.

the West Country in 1998, Kit was offered a place at the Symondsbury Art Residency in West Dorset, and within a month he had left London and moved in.

The following year Kit moved into nearby Bridport, starting a new studio in an empty warehouse on the St Michael’s Trading Estate, and in time, dozens of artists came to fill the building in Bridport’s nowfamous Art & Vintage Quarter. He continued to work on commissions and create exhibitions for London galleries, but he was growing increasingly frustrated with abstract painting, and soon began to explore what he calls his Drip Figure series as well as Urban Landscape paintings, followed by his Café Royal series, before finally getting started on his current series of Cinematic Landscape paintings.

‘Beforemedium.starting a painting, I spend considerable time on research,’ says Kit. ‘First exploring the location by walking, sketching, and taking reference photographs, while searching out the best vantage points and waiting for those magical moments of light and atmosphere that might just inspire an exceptional painting.’ Kit has been known to wait several weeks for dull weather to transform into something more theatrical or sublime.

‘I usually start with a definite plan for how the painting should proceed, with a clear idea about the dynamics and atmospherics at play, which I then gradually develop,’ Kit explains. Often things then happen during his process that suggest new directions or present unintended juxtapositions. ‘While I like to have the means and knowledge to make exactly what I originally had in mind, I deliberately incorporate chance into my working process so that all manner of innovations and inventions can take place of their own accord,’ he adds. The early stages of Kit’s painting tend to be quite raw with strong colours and vivid tones, deliberately exaggerated so he can then spell out the grand themes. Then it’s a process of patiently building up the many glazes of oil paint required, gradually toning down the colour palette to achieve ever greater subtlety over the following weeks and months, improvising and adapting various elements of the painting. ‘This premeditated creative process means that none of my paintings are rushed,’ continues Kit. ‘And, essentially, I take as long as I need to achieve the desired result. From there on, it’s all about my relationship with the painting which will continue to evolve and develop in its own way until it feels finished.’

The Marshwood Vale & Beyond is available from book shops across the West Country. Kit also runs his gallery, Bridport Contemporary, based at 11 Downes Street in central Bridport where he shows an ever-evolving exhibition of work. The gallery is open on Saturdays from 10am-4pm and by appointment.

sherbornetimes.co.uk

T he phenomenon of the supergroup isn’t a new one. It has its successes and it has its dismal failures. Some of the biggest bands of the 60s and 70s were groups composed of members from different, already successful bands. To this day supergroups are a thing of much debate. Are they really as good as the sum of their parts would suggest? This I guess can sometimes be down to their motivation for forming such a band. Is it the prospect of a big paycheque that motivates or the chance to do something outside the box with like-minded peers?

Art & Culture COUNTER CULTURE

18 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Paul Maskell, The Beat and Track No.13 The Supergroup and the Sum of its Parts

Audioslave 2001 saw the interesting pairing of the rhythm and lead section of Rage Against the Machine (Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk) with the lead singer and frontman of Soundgarden (Chris Cornell). Six years together saw

One example of the supergroup straight out of the 60s were Cream formed by Eric Clapton (Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Blues Breakers), Jack Bruce (The Graham Bond Orchestra) and Ginger Baker (Blues Incorporated, The Graham Bond Orchestra). The sum of these parts was never destined to do anything other than amaze and delight. Their brief career produced some of the best classic blues rock songs you’ll ever hear including Strange Brew, Sunshine of Your Love and White Room. Active between 1966 and 1969 they released four albums, the most successful being the psychedelic Disraeli Gears. Members of Cream (Clapton and Baker) went on to form another supergroup with Steve Winwood (Traffic) and Ric Grech (Family) called Blind Faith. Only one album to their name, it was still a huge sound with a couple of great singles. The way had been paved for the supergroup in a big way and bands such as CSNY, Humble Pie, ELP, Bad Company, the Highwaymen etc have all evolved from the idea of the supergroup. The supergroup is still a phenomenon of epic proportions, especially within the rock world. Some of the most successful being: Velvet Revolver Consisting of members of Guns ‘n’ Roses and Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver melded the blistering guitar sound of Slash (Guns ‘n’ Roses) with the hedonistic and passionate frontman Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots). With the addition of drummer Matt Sorum (G ’n’ R), bass player Duff McKagen (G ’n’ R) and rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner (Wasted Youth) the band had a pedigree and heritage that could not be denied. The band didn’t disappoint and during their five-year career they released two multi-award-winning albums and seven singles. Disbanding in 2008 to record and tour with their original bands, any chance of reformation was halted abruptly by the death of lead singer Scott Weiland in December 2015. Them VulturesCrooked Formed by Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) this band loosely formed in 2005 and arguably have as members, the best drummer, frontman and bass player in rock. Their self-titled debut album went platinum in multiple countries and made old and new fans alike hungry for more. This however has not transpired and the three members are still discussing the possibility of a follow-up some thirteen years later.

The Thirteenth Step has it all. Great lyrics, fantastic harmonies, heavy in places and serene in others. This album is definitely a 1+1=3 scenario. Still going to this day the members belong to their respective original bands but continue to record together.

3rd Secret On the 11th of April this year, with no prior warning, the debut album by 3rd Secret was released. An album of heavy grunge-driven tracks mixed with an equal number of more folk-orientated songs. Two female vocalists, a solid rhythm section and some great overdriven guitar work. Who was this band? 3rd Secret turned out to be members of Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Giants in the Trees. The band is the brainchild of Krist Novoselic (Ex-Nirvana and Giants in the Trees) who has, compared to Dave Grohl, kept a fairly low profile musically since the death of Kurt Cobain. Teaming up with Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil and Pearl Jam/Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, the line-up of the band was completed with two vocalists, Jillian Raye and Jennifer Johnson both of whom played with Novoselic on his Giants in the Trees project. If you were expecting Nirvana or Soundgarden MkII you would be disappointed. If you approached this band with an open mind and an appreciation of Novoselic’s previous, low-key efforts you’ll be a fan. This is an example of a supergroup that do their own thing, generate no hype and produce the music that they enjoy making together. A supergroup that has snuck in under the radar and are happy that way. These are just some of the supergroups out there, some huge, some virtually secret, all fascinating. thebeatandtrack.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 19

THE CHESTERF!ELDS NEW MODERN HOMES New album available on Friday 23 September 23 September: Vinyl Van, Dorchester, 7pm 24 September: HMV, Yeovil, 1pm 24 September: The Lyric Theatre, Bridport, 7.30pm The_Chesterfields EM_ST.qxp_Layout 1 12/08/2022 14:03 Page 1 the release of three albums, each one improving on the previous. Their sound combined the huge stadium rock range of Cornell’s voice with the powerful alt-metal sound of the guys from Rage. They also incorporated some soul/funk and R&B influences and did indeed become larger than the sum of their parts. The band went on hiatus for some years while members pursued solo projects and albums with their original bands. They got back together for a one-off show in 2017. Talk of further development for Audioslave ceased with the tragic suicide of Chris Cornell later that year. A Perfect Circle Billy Howerdel, guitar tech for Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins and Tool had been producing his own demos for some time and played them to James Maynard Keenan (Tool) who gave them a great reception. Imagining singing these songs himself, Keenan agreed to form A Perfect Circle. In my mind, the best incantation of this band consisted of Howerdel on guitar, Keenan (Tool) on vocals, James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) on guitar, Jeordie White (Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails) on bass and Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails) on drums. This combination of musicians and attitudes created one of the best supergroup albums, in my opinion, ever recorded.

(last repair 12.15pm) Repair Cafe Cheap Street Church Hall repaircafesherborne@gmail.com or @repaircafesherborne

Saturday 17th 11am-3pm 17th September 18th 1.30pm-4.30pm

Sherborne Neighbourhood Team and Sherborne Town Council Joint Engagement Event Outside Waitrose, Cheap St. Meet your local team. Saturday

A.K. Blakemore –The Manningtree Witches Old School Room, Sherborne School, Church Lane. £9-£10 (seesherborneliterarysociety.com/eventspreviewpage127)

and 7pm The Arts Society Sherborne –The Gateway to Eternity: Russian Icons Digby Hall, Hound

Saturday 17th 10am-1pm

Sherborne Literary

Wednesday 14th 3pm St.

Wednesday 14th 7pm-8.30pm Society:

Saturday 29th October Somerset Art Weeks - Chris Dunseath & Grażyna Wikierska Quedam Shopping Centre, BA20 1EU yeovilartspace.uk Sunday 18th The Sherborne Market thesherbornemarket.com Sunday

WHAT'S ON Every 1st Thursday 9.30am Netwalk for Business Owners & Entrepreneurs Pageant Gardens. @Netwalksherborne Thursdays (8th 7.30pm-9.30pmonwards) St Michael’s Scottish Country Dance Club Davis Hall, West Camel. £2. 07972 125617 stmichaelsscdclub.org Friday 2nd 10am-12pm Sherborne u3a Enrolment Day The Digby Hall, Hound sherborne.u3a@gmail.comStreet01935 814728 Friday 2nd - Saturday 3rd Leweston Live Festival Children £10+, adults £16+ via lewestonenterprises.co.uk/lewestonlive Saturday 3rdSunday 4th 10am-4pm Glenholme Herbs Open Garden Weekend Penmore Rd, Sandford Orcas 07855 279072 glenholmeherbs.co.uk Thursday 8th 7.30pm Sherborne & District Gardeners’ Association TalkDahlias and Chrysanthemums Digby Hall, Hound St Visitors £2. 01935 389375 Saturday 10th 11am-5pm Mind Body & Spirit Fayre Digby Hall, Hound St. £1. Sunday 11th 2.30pm Pantomime Auditions for King Arthur Charlton Horethorne Village Hall chaps.panto@gmail.com

Non-members £7. theartssocietysherborne.org

Sherborne Folk Band Workshop Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd sherbornefolkband.org 07527 508277 info@sherbornefolkband.org Wednesday 21st 7am-9am The Earlybird Business Exchange Visitors Morning Castle Gardens. Pre-book sherbornebusinessexchange.co.ukinfo@sherbornebusinessexchange.co.uk Saturday 24thSunday 9th October Somerset Art Weeks (seesomersetartworks.org.ukpreviewonpage14) Saturday 24th 2pm Dean Carter Live Pageant Indie-acoustic-ambientGardens. music. Free. Sunday 25th 2pm Singing Bowl Soundbath Oborne Village Hall. £15 book via ahiahel@live.com Monday 26th September –Saturday 1st October 7.30pm Amateur Players of SherborneKeeping Our End Up Sherborne Studio Theatre, Marston Rd. £10/£12. 07786 070093 aps-sherborne.co.uk Tuesday 27th Sherborne Historical SocietySupermac, the Last Edwardian: Harold Macmillan as Prime Minister Digby Hall, Hound St. Visitors £5 sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk Wednesday 28th 10.30am Talk - Tsar Putin by Nigel Hawkins The Grange Hotel, Oborne DT9 4LA. probus-sherborne.org.uk 20 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

SEPTEMBER 2022 Open Sherborne Explore the secret corners of Sherborne School with a Custodian or our School Archivist and visit the hidden gem of Shell House during October half-term. This event is free of charge, however places are limited. To find out more and book tickets please visit:www.sherborne.org/opensherborneMonday24-Friday28October 2022 Wednesday 28th 12.30pm Talk and Signing with Author Peter James Cheap Street Church. £5. Thursday 29th 7pm Talk - Save Money! Insulate your Home! Cheap Street Church Hall. Free. repaircafesherborne@gmail.com SherborneSport Cricket Club The Terrace Playing Fields Men’s Senior 1st XI Saturday 3rd Poole (A) 1pm Sherborne RFC The Terrace Playing Fields Men’s 1st XV (3pm KO) Saturday 3rd Teignmouth (A) Saturday 10th St Austell (H) Saturday 17th Sidmouth (A) Saturday 24th Truro Sherborne(H) Football Club The Terrace Playing Fields Men’s 1st XI Wednesday 7th 7.30pm Keynesham (H) Saturday 10th 3pm Bitton (A) Wednesday 14th 7.30pm Shepton Mallet (H) Saturday 17th 3pm Mousehole (A) Wednesday 28th 7.30pm Bitton (H) To include your event in our FREE listings please email details –contacttime/title/venue/description/price/date/(max20words)–bythe5thofeachprecedingmonthto listings@homegrown-media.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 21

Colin at The Vintage Salvager has some amazing handcrafted pieces and if you haven’t been along to see him in front of the Abbey yet, I would highly recommend you do. You won’t be disappointed. We are working our way around, tasting the different cuisines of the world which can be found in Pageant Gardens. We haven’t had the same one twice as yet and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. I think we’ll be going for a Thai lunch this month. Where can people find you on market day? You can find us at the back of Pageant Gardens opposite the train station. Please do come along and say hello! countrygardens.co.uk

is ‘English country gardens’ and we aim to provide quality, reclaimed, recycled, sustainable and natural items wherever possible that instantaneously become part of the garden. Where and when did it all begin?

I previously worked in property maintenance and gardening. A long-term customer and friend who has a beautiful country cottage garden asked if I could get hold of some whisky barrel planters. We went in on a batch together and after repotting my acers and roses I sold the few that were left over which went quicker than expected. Once supplying half barrels, I was asked for a whole barrel, and then a water butt and so on, and so Sherborne Country Gardens was born. I love the outdoors and my garden and am a great believer in reusing existing resources. I have found this to be much more enjoyable than my previous main line of work and so made the decision to run with Sherborne Country Gardens and see where it may lead. I still use my customer’s garden as a benchmark, in that if I can picture it there, I would be interested in stocking it.

22 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

What brings you here? Sherborne Market is everything that we are about. Being in the heart of our community and getting to meet and talk to our friends and customers whilst showcasing what we have to offer. The Sherborne Market is a fantastic way of getting our name out there and has led to some lovely new contacts whilst being a part of a thriving monthly event in the town. Where have you travelled from? We are very lucky and are only a stone’s throw away. We are based in Sherborne, which makes it very convenient to pop back and pick up anything that we may have forgotten. Such as our gazebo canopy last month!

KNOWLEDGEMARKET

Community Welcome to The Sherborne Market!

Tell us about what you’re selling? We specialise in reclaimed whisky barrels which go as everything from planters and water features to water butts and patio tables. We also supply locally crafted steel obelisks, vintage galvanised planters, milk churns and decorative garden pieces. Our theme

SIMON SHERBORNESTEVENS,COUNTRYGARDENS

What do you enjoy most about selling at markets?

I am very much a people person and love to meet and greet. I worked in the hospitality industry when I was younger and being at the market takes me back to the days when you would never know who you would meet. I have met some incredible people at the market who have been kind enough to offer their wealth of advice and wisdom from their experience. I am always happy to chat and offer any help. If you get the chance, which fellow stallholders here at Sherborne would you like to visit?

Hand picked & selected artisan market d2022ates Sept 18th Oct 9th Nov 20th Dec 18th Flying the flagfor local featuring local producers, suppliers, amazing food, arts and crafts.

U3A

24 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

SHERBORNE

Sue Thomas-Peter

Enrolment Day, this year on Friday 2nd September, where our group leaders are ready to sign-up returning and new members to their activities, however, membership is available at any time throughout the year. Each year we hold a quiz and in the middle of the year the ‘Summer Showcase’ where we come together to have lunch and celebrate the achievements of the previous year. Around Christmas time we also enjoy another large get-together. In addition, there are often ‘one-off events’ for example earlier in the year we collaborated with Sherborne School in a concert where we enjoyed performances given by the pupils. For a modest annual fee, you can join as many groups as you wish. Joining in is made easier when you are surrounded by others who have similar interests. If you would like to know more please make contact or come along to our Enrolment Day at The Digby Hall on Friday 2nd September. We look forward to meeting with you.

Friday 2nd September 10am-12pm Sherborne u3a Enrolment Day

u3asites.org.uk/sherborne

T his year the u3a movement, established over forty years ago to enhance and enable a positive later life, is planning a celebratory week with ‘u3a Day’ on Wednesday 21st September.

Community

The Digby Hall, Hound sherborne.u3a@gmail.comStreet01935 814728

Throughout its development it has been encouraging learning, staying active and socialising together. The UK network comprises in excess of 1,000 groups, in towns and cities up and down the country. As of January 2020, total membership exceeded 450,000. Here in Sherborne, we have one of the highest numbers of members amongst the eighteen groups in Dorset, currently 765, and we have been gaining in membership throughout the over twenty years since our establishment. We currently have 68 groups of members meeting up to partake in a wide variety of activities ranging from art, bridge-playing, crafts, dancing, geology, hiking, languages, and lunch groups through to table tennis and walking with many subjects and topics in between. All of the activities are led by volunteer group leaders willing to share their skills and expertise. This is matched by the appreciation and enthusiasm of their group members.

Meeting up and socialising in larger numbers is also an important part of our year with regular coffee mornings in the Cheap Street Church Hall on the third Wednesday in each month. Our year begins with

Terms and conditions apply. Order by 30th September 2022. Goodwood Festival of Speed Receive four tickets to spend the day at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023 and experience an incredible celebration of motorsport and car culture. Fortnum & Mason Receive an elegant Fortnum and Mason hamper filled with teas, coffees, crackers, jam, champagne and many more wonderful treats. At Yeovil Audi, we have two fantastic options to keep the excitement alive whilst you wait for your new Audi. Factory order a new Audi and receive free tickets for Goodwood Festival of Speed or a Fortnum & Mason hamper. Mead Avenue, Houndstone Business Park, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8RT | 01935 574 981 Yeovil Audi For more information, visit: yeovilaudi.co.uk/leadtime

Barrows Hill Garage, East Chinnock, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9ER 01935 863538 or 01935 862986 Monday-Friday 8.30am - 5pm Saturday 8.30am - 1pm www.westcountrycarsyeovil.co.uk West Country Cars – your five-star, family-run, friendly and independent used car dealer We offer a large selection of premium used cars and also pay good prices for quality vehicles. Why not pop along to say a West Country hello! CHARTERHOUSE Auctioneers & Valuers Forthcoming Auction Programme Automobilia & Memorabilia 29th SportingFurtherSeptemberentriesinvitedItems,Antiques & Interiors 7th ClassicOctober&Vintage Cars 12th Pictures,OctoberBooks & Maps 6th ClassicOctober&Vintage Motorcycles 5th October 1961 Norton Manx 250 Ken Taylor Special Contact Richard Bromell for advice on single items and complete house contents Valuations for Probate and Insurance The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne DT9 3BS 01935 www.charterhouse-auction.com812277 26 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 27

Community OUR MAN WESTMINSTERIN

Image: Len Copland

28 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

And while this is just one exam board replacing a smattering of poems, I cannot help but think such a

Chris Loder MP, Member of Parliament for West Dorset W hen I speak to people from across the UK and even from around the world, the name of this patch of England – Dorset, never fails to get a mention. And the three things that people always think about when I mention Dorset never change: ‘beautiful countryside, beautiful beaches, and Thomas Hardy’. Thomas Hardy is an author whose works you may or may not have read, but most likely you will have heard of him and the significance he holds to West Dorset in particular to this day. In Dorchester, we have Hardy’s birthplace, the house he designed and built himself, Max Gate, and a catalogue of buildings and backdrops that are unmistakably linked to his novels.

The OCR Examination board announced in late June this year that poems from several of the UK’s most beloved and respected writers were to be removed from the syllabus in favour of writers who in their opinion enhance the ‘diversity’ of the syllabus. Among the writers whose poems have been removed include Philip Larkin, John Keats, Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon and Thomas Hardy.

EBBX is an independent non-profit networking group that brings together business owners from Sherborne and the surrounding areas. VISITORS MORNING WEDNESDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 7.00-9.00am at Castle Gardens, Sherborne Booking essential Email our secretary to book your info@sherbornebusinessexchange.co.ukplace www.sherbornebusinessexchange.co.uk

“Win the morning, win the day” Tim Ferris The Early Bird Business Exchange move is throwing the proverbial baby out with the bath water. The sentiment this invokes is far deeper than it may look on the surface, because the implication is that these poets are not ‘diverse’ enough, or insufficiently able to fill the diversity criteria.

Hardy developed an interest in social reform, becoming a great admirer of the great English philosopher John Stuart Mill whose philosophy formed the bedrock of societal reforms from the mid-1800s to the 1900s.

Thomas Hardy, on the face of it, appears to fall into the category that many of the more evangelical preachers of identity politics demonise – a straight, wellto-do, old, white man. And a Victorian man at that.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 29

chrisloder.co.uk

Whilst it is important that young people can engage and relate to the work and the people they study, I feel we need to move on from the notion that skin colour or sexual orientation alone forms the foundations of a writer’s ability to engage and connect with its intended audience.

SHERBORNE

What is often missed out is the fact that, in reality, Hardy was perhaps one of the most prominent champions of oppressed minority groups of his day.

One of the two Hardy poems removed from the syllabus, ‘The Man he Killed’ was written from the perspective of a man forced to kill another whom in any other circumstance, he could have shared a drink at a pub with, simply because he was his ‘foe’. It was inspired by Hardy’s disgust at the Boer War: the waste of life and destruction of human good nature. Hardy lived through the Boer wars and the First World War, watching thousands of young men from Dorset leave their families to die in a conflict for which he could see no reason.

I am not averse to evolution in literature but removing Hardy and other authors from the 18/1900s and replacing with new, much more recent and diverse middle-class authors in their entirety reduces exposure and I fear is part of a policy to erase still more of our very important history.

Born to a poor family near Dorchester and son of a builder, Hardy’s family could not afford a university education and he started work as an architect. This soon took him into London, where his working-class roots made raw the social divisions and injustices in Victorian society. The more I learn about Thomas Hardy, the more I see myself in him. Born in Sherborne, son of a farmer, couldn’t afford a university education etc and this is probably why I feel compelled to write about him.

I believe the main question we need to consider is this: do we base the subjects our children learn about at school on the demographic attributes of the author so that young people relate to them? Or, as is my view, so we focus on the context of the literature and expand people’s minds with insights no longer available in living human memory.

In his novels, Hardy’s eloquent portrayals of Dorset were beautiful, capturing every colour, sound, shape and feeling with great clarity. But they never glossed over the struggles that rural working people faced. He never shied away from discussing the taboos and provided relatable, strong, and beloved protagonists that those who faced societal ostracisation could relate to and admire. Tess of the D’Urbervilles for example shocked Victorian high society with a strong heroine based on the dairymaids he would have seen working across West Dorset at the time - a single mother to a child, born through rape, who like thousands of young women at the time, became shunned and condemned by society. Her struggles mirrored those of millions then, and to some extent many even today.

elizabethwatsonillustration.com OPEN Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm Sherborne DT9 4JX DRINKEAT PLAY 30 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

We Are Conﬁdent A co-educational Prep, Senior and Sixth Form Flexi, weekly and full boarding options Daily buses across Dorset and Somerset 01963 211015 | www.leweston.co.uk | admissions@leweston.dorset.sch.uk Join our Senior Open Morning on 22 September at 10.00am to ﬁnd out more about life at Leweston

UNEARTHED Constantin Lunge, aged

Sherborne International

Portrait,www.katharinedaviesphotography.co.ukinfo@katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk400083lifestyle,PRandeditorialcommissions

KATHARINEPHOTOGRAPHYDAVIES

07808

Image: Dave Shaw 32 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

onstantin began learning card magic during the pandemic, when he was unable to meet friends due to Germany’s strict national lockdown. Since teaching himself a few basic card tricks, his reputation in his local community has grown and he is somewhat of a local star! Due to the popularity of his magic skills amongst his school friends, Constantin has been inspired to expand his repertoire of card tricks; he recently graduated from Cardistry (the performance art of card flourishing) and has moved on to master technical card routines. He is also a skilled ring and coin magician but has found that card tricks – like those you might see performed by a street artist – are the most enjoyed by himself and his audiences. Constantin has even put his card tricks to practice by organising and performing in two shows at his school in Hamburg, Helene Lange Gymnasium, including one raising 300€ for ConstantinUkraine! and his beloved pack of cards have spent the summer at Sherborne International, entertaining his classmates and the staff with his talents at every possible moment between lessons, trips and activities. A boy with a creative and magical flare, Constantin’s favourite subject at school is Science which he’s enjoyed studying at Sherborne International. He hopes to one day become an architect or work in the medical field. Constantin has now returned to school in Hamburg where he plans to continue broadening his magical horizons with more challenging card tricks and routines. Next stop Germany’s Got Talent? sherborne-international.org

SCAN FOR INFORMATIONMORE www.susiewatsondesigns.co.ukThursday6thOctober2022at Susie Watson Designs, Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PX Champagne & Nibbles, 6pm An insight into Susie’s career - Women Entrepreneurs and their drive for success RSVP sherborne@susiewatsondesigns.co.uk or 01935 817641 SUSIE WATSON JANET GLEESON invite you to a conversation with... & sherbornetimes.co.uk | 33

T en Delicious Teachers is a rhyming story about ten teachers who all miss the last bus home from school. They decide to take a shortcut through the dark, gloomy forest to walk home, but they don’t know that there are ten naughty monsters hiding there. I think this book will be enjoyed by pre-school children as it is a fun counting story and the pictures of the monsters are funny and colourful. It’s also a good story to read by yourself.Myfavourite part of the story is when Miss Hunter shouts at the monsters and teaches them some manners! I give this book 5 stars out of 5 because it’s a funny story and the drawings are amazing and I won’t get bored of reading it. Classy reads for kids!

BookChildren’sReview Ava Oosterwijk, aged 7, Leweston Prep Ten Delicious Teachers by Ross Montgomery, illustrated by Sarah Warburton (Walker Books Ltd) £7.99 Sherborne Times reader offer price of £5.99 from Winstone’s Books Family 8 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PX www.winstonebooks.co.uk Tel: 01935 816 128 Celebrating 10 Years as Sherborne’s Independent Bookseller 2012-2022

Making Wealth Management Personal At Church House Investment Management, we only make recommendations from our range of investment portfolio services and associated accounts. Full details of the nature of our services can be found at www.ch-investments.co.uk/important-information or can be provided on request. Please note the value of investments and the income you could get from them may fall as well as rise and there is no certainty that you will get back the amount of your original investment. You should also be aware that past performance may not be a reliable guide to future performance. Church House Investment Management is a trading name of Church House Investments Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. For investment advice you can trust and personal support you can rely on 01935 382620 | enquiries@church-house.co.uk | www.ch-investments.co.uk

1 teaspoon bicarb of soda

3 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled tablespoons honey or maple syrup

1 apple, grated 125g plain flour ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon salt (optional)

Family T hese little muffins are a delicious, healthy snack and the perfect lunchbox filler. With hidden apple and zucchini, they’re great for giving your little ones greens and goodness without them even knowing it! They freeze well too.

1Method

thechiappas.comTheChiappaSisters@michela.chiappa Baby at the Table: A 3-Step Guide to Weaning the Italian Way (Michael Joseph) £16.99. Sherborne Times reader offer price of £14.99 from Winstone’s Books

Simply Italian: Cooking at Home with the Chiappa Sisters (Michael Joseph) £22 (hardcover). Sherborne Times reader offer price of £20 from Winstone’s Books Chiappa

1 medium zucchini, grated

Preheat oven to 180°C Combine all the dry ingredients – flour, cinnamon, salt, and bicarb of soda in a mixing bowl. Stir in the butter, honey, egg, and vanilla extract until just barely combined. Stir in the grated zucchini and apple. Lightly grease a muffin tray and fill each cup. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of a muffin comes out clean. Remove once golden and place on a wire rack until cool.

Prep: 15 mins Cooking: 20 mins Difficulty: easy Serves: 6 Ingredients

SECRET GARDEN MUFFINS 36 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

1 large egg, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

AT THE TABLE Michela

www.battens.co.uk Future-proof your farm, family and business Our experience, your future.01935 814811 The Bank House, Long Street Sherborne, DT9 3BU enquiries@battens.co.uk

38 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

‘The message from all corners of science is coming through loud and clear: this is no time to be sitting around.’

Mother nature does a fabulous job of creating beautiful bodies through baby and child development stages. From the c-curve that we are born with, all the right curves for all the right functions develop; space for our spinal nerve function, ability to stand against gravity, weight-bearing and efficient use of our amazing biomechanical system. We learn about our environment through sensory exploration and we adapt. We move, we feel, we think. Yet we do not maintain well what mother nature started, ignoring the importance of this basic primary element of ourselves. Our adaptations, heading towards sedentary lifestyles with hours of inactivity, are distortions of what nature intended. Bad posture? That’s a problem worth solving. Attending to posture brings wellbeing of mind and body. Attending to posture teaches the mind what the body instinctively knows. Our all too comfortable lifestyles have masked the fact that it is a vital communication channel to the brain. The brain feeds on sensory information, information provided by the body. Body + Brain = Mind state. Vital then, that we address it at an early age, avoiding the ‘if only’ moment in later years when poor

As parents, we are bombarded with advice on how to parent our children and what really matters. The ‘should do this’, the ‘must have’, the ‘essential’: the implication being, without which, your child is deprived and disadvantaged. Such pressure can be overwhelming. Without wanting to add to this barrage (which may sound a little like ‘I don’t mean to be rude but…’) I’d like to shout about posture, to reach all children with the good posture message, which will have to start with parenting. So here I have the opportunity to persuade you that posture matters…and here is the postscript, sorry for the contradiction: What you should do as parents is lead by example!

Emma Rhys Thomas, Director/Instructor,ArtofConfidence

POSTUREMATTERS

L ooking through some old photographs I came upon the most beautiful upright seated posture of my son at three years old, totally unsupported. I also have a photograph of my nephew at the age of fourteen slumped with a handheld games console seemingly unable to support himself without elbows on knees. When did the mantra ‘sit up straight’ fail?

Caroline Williams

Family

posture is a lifetime habit. Posture is more than standing up straight. It is a preparedness for action and reaction. Good posture is a full body workout developing and maintaining core strength and fine-tuning deep stabilising musculature throughout the body. Posture is embedded with attitude, an unconscious vocabulary. It is hard to think before you speak with your body as reactions are so fast.

• What space do you take up? (Take up a little more.)

Observe how the body expresses the mood and attitude in your child and get them to notice this too. It is my opinion that it will be the most important relationship in their lives. We all end up with the body we practice. quantockpilates.com sherbornetimes.co.uk

| 39

FreshSplash/iStock

• What keeps them apart (the spaces on the inside) and what stabilises them?

‘Thought is reflected in muscle behaviour’ Elizabeth Langford I have a theory, informed through professional experience and observation. After more riffling through the old photographs, I came across my boys playing rugby and was reminded of the injuries they incurred. My theory is that if good posture had been practiced throughout their young childhood then, when it came to being selected for higher intensity coaching and conditioning for some very physical demands, they would have been better prepared. When young teens are talent-spotted for sport and the coaching demand dramatically increases, problems of weak deep stabilisers become apparent through recurring injuries.

Habits of old would once have developed and easily engaged the deep postural stabilisers all day long, such as; children walking to school, those children being required to ‘stand up straight’ in line, marching to assembly, deportment classes, the frequent seated meal times with no question of elbows on the table or leaning back in the chair, and less screen time (the options were just not there).

It is not being suggested that the reintroduction of the ‘sit up straight’ rule book is the simple solution, society has changed and progressed, and anyway the tension created by forcing a military-type stance is excessive and cannot easily be maintained. Having said that, it is interesting (a useful discussion topic at the very least) to look at how some of the seemingly old-fashioned discipline advocated by Katharine Birbalsingh, founder of the Michaela Community School in Wembley, is directly related to good posture.

Perhaps all that has happened is a loss of attending to posture, which gladly is returning with a focus on how important good upright postures are for selfesteem, confidence, and healthy functioning.

Practice is important. Consider the fact that a tennis forehand is only perfected after some 10,000 repetitions and accomplished pianists never need to search the keyboard. These are learned and practiced moves becoming second nature through many hours of practice. Good posture needs to be second nature. The great thing about practising posture is that the many hours between awake and asleep can all be utilised. So apart from leading by example, what can be done without a large stick and a carrot? Encourage children to become aware and curious about how they stand up. Get them to use their imagination…

• If all their joints were tennis balls how would they all relate to each other? (Where are your body parts?)

• Encourage thinking about dynamic posture, the shapes and space. What shape do you make? (Make it bigger.)

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL

Firstly, let’s start with the really good news… there are multiple schools within the Sherborne and surrounding areas and to my knowledge, all are very good schools (this is also Ofsted’s opinion - the

national regulatory body which monitors schools on behalf of the government). Whether you choose the private or public sector, your child will be part of a good local educational establishment. However, this can also make parental choices more challenging. When presented with so many positive options you have to consider the various factors to finalise one of life’s most important decisions.

Ian Bartle, Headteacher, Sherborne

Primary 40 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

My experience is obviously within the primary school field and my comments are aimed as such.

Family C hoosing the right school for your child can be one of the most important decisions a parent or carer makes. I have met literally thousands of adults dealing with this dilemma in life and so wish to offer some thoughts and advice on this subject.

Hopefully, my points below will offer some insight to help you in choosing the future school for your child or children. My first comment is that you know your child best! You have nurtured and loved them throughout their life so far and as such are aware of their attributes, potential and needs. This is the best guide to knowing who and what will support your child.

Most parents and carers I have met deliberating this conundrum are either planning the future education for their 4-year-old (the start of the primary school journey), have moved to a new area and are looking for a suitable school or sometimes, things aren’t going as expected at their existing school and are looking for a change to make things better.

The first port of call in choosing a school is outside information. There are a variety of resources such as Ofsted inspection reports, the school’s website and

• Do the staff greet you as a visitor and make you feel welcome?

• Finally, try and gauge the ‘feel’ of the school. Is this a happy place where your child will thrive?

• Are the displays vibrant and reflect a ‘fun and creative’ (as well as all-encompassing, and varied) curriculum?

– this is a brief survey taken by Ofsted of the existing parents/carers of a school during the inspection period. This can be very informative and give the reader a feel for a school. It is always worth noting the number of participants giving feedback as sometimes the vocal minority can influence opinions, as can be true of many things in life!

Other parents/carers and the wider community can be a much valued (and possibly the best) source of information. They tend to give unfiltered, honest opinions and provide opportunities to ask those questions you may not feel comfortable asking of the school! However, be wary of social media as many use this as a platform to simply vent their frustrations and is one which most schools do not consider an appropriate forum.

In many ways, the most important piece of advice would be to ensure that you visit the schools of your choice. I would strongly recommend booking an appointment with the headteacher. I would also suggest the tour is during the usual school day. Most schools can put on ‘Open Days’ with lots of fanfare, however, I always feel that the parent/carer prefers to see what an ordinary day looks like. During the tour I would recommend that you look out for the following:

The school’s website can also be a treasure trove of information. You can learn about the school’s ethos, values and the logistics of the establishment, such as policies, uniform, staffing, class structure as well as see photographs of recent events and activities. This can open up useful questions and conversation for when you decide to visit the school in person.

Another advantage locally is that we are blessed with both small and large schools. Which is better for your child? I get asked this question a lot. The answer lies within your tour. Which ‘feels’ right for you and your child? Many also ask whether to take your child when visiting a school. This depends on your child and how they might react on such visits. If they are just going to distract you during the visit, then don’t, but otherwise, it is very a good idea for them to also get a feel for the school and understand the geography of their potential new place of learning.

Lastly, please remember that you might need more than one visit to a school, an email to clarify a question or a chat on the phone. Once again, this is such an important decision, everyone wants to get it right!

(most importantly) the views of existing parents/ carers. Ofsted usually visits each school every 4 years, although this timescale has fluctuated radically over the last few years due to the pandemic, lack of inspectors and constant changes to government policy. When reading the school’s latest report, it is important to note the date of the report. As with everything, things can change over time and any report over two years old might not give an up-to-date assessment of the school’s position. Linked to the Ofsted report is a website called Parent View (parentview.ofsted.gov.uk)

• Look at the children’s work. Is the presentation of a good standard? Do the children care about its quality?

• Do the children look engaged in their learning?

sherbornepri.dorset.sch.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 41

Family Image: Katharine Davies 42 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

N ew school uniform, school shoes and pencil cases at the ready, the great emergence from long lazy days and the excitement of reconnection with school friends: for many September remains the principal time in the year of the great reset as the hope and excitement of new starts. Many of us who have moved to this beautiful part of the world may well recall those first experiences of Sherborne and the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding countryside. My most vivid memories of that time in the 90s were of the subtle change in season at the start of September as I walked the dogs in the early morning autumnal mist. At that time I was not working in education and it made me yearn for that same spark of hope for new beginnings and great things to be achieved that I had experienced in my younger years. School days, once we are grown, are a distant memory of blissful existence with the luxury of no responsibility, no financial pressure and a glut of holiday time poorly under-appreciated until we begin our journey into work and the more usual few weeks of liberty each year. What speaks loudest now as a head teacher is the great sigh of relief from parents for the children’s return to school after the seemingly endless holidays attempting to keep the children entertained! As the anticipation of being a year older and in a new school year draws closer, the return to school can present worries and these have certainly been exaggerated because of complicated modern lives, increased reliance on digital environments and their lack of understanding about the importance of interactions away from screens, let alone the events of recent times. Allowing time to process and reflect, and also take in the beauty around us is how we were designed by our clever maker. We are forced through multiple gear changes every day and some children aren’t really sure what they feel at high-pressure times of change. A world like this can be damaging to the soul, and we must live wisely in return, and teach our children to do the same.

Questions like ‘what are you worried about?’, ‘why does that make you feel worried?’, ‘can you describe how you are feeling?’, have powerful reach into the child and their responses are often remarkably astute. This can guide you to select an appropriate life experience or relevant memory to use to help them understand that forgetting their trainers for sport isn’t really a big deal, or if they get lost they can ask someone for help and hopefully they will be happy to help!

As for the teachers, it may be that Eden has to wait for the next school holiday… sherborneprep.org of

THETORETURNEDEN Natalie Bone, Head

Children may still need time to adapt from the very different school holiday experience and they may find things such as getting into the routine a few days beforehand, meeting up with school friends, practising packing their school bag and trying on the school uniform helpful. For the creatives out there, collaging, with an image of the family at the centre and pictures or words about the new school year added around it is good, or a ‘feelings tree’, with worries or fears written on each leaf for discussion, can also be helpful.

Sherborne Prep sherbornetimes.co.uk | 43

Thankfully, our teachers, the wonderful breed that they are, have been skilfully preparing for the children’s return. Time to learn, think, create, achieve and play are vital for our tender young ones, and as a parent, I am still so grateful for the partnering in parenting that school provided for my two.

There is much we can do to support, and as is often the case, it can be surprisingly simple adjustments which can have a big impact. Our response to worries that children express can be a powerful tool to acknowledge, address and equip children to handle anxieties, building a useful toolkit for them to use in their lives. I know we would like to make everything better, but we must resist the urge to respond with statements such as ‘oh don’t worry about that’ or ‘everything will be fine’. These dismiss the validity of these feelings and leave no room for children to explore the genuinely worrying issues they have. Instead, the best response is to ask questions which will demonstrate your genuine interest and care.

44 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

‘What of Sherborne International..?’ locals asked and ‘What does its future hold..?’ many wondered. Speak to former staff or students and they are likely to tell you about the unique place that the School (or more likely ‘College’) held in their lives, the great pride they hold for what they achieved during their time here, and the sadness they felt when the students had to return home. Well, Sherborne International is back! This summer saw the return of Summer School students and our international visitors were wowed once again by the warmth of the welcome they received from all in our wonderful local community.

Images: Dave Shaw and Sophie Revell

INTERNATIONALSHERBORNEAT

The original Sherborne International Summer Course was one of the first of its kind in the UK –students would attend the course with the principal aim of improving the fluency and accuracy of their spoken and written English. That philosophy is still a key tenet of the course today, with students in lessons between 9am and 3pm most days. However, the programme has been expanded to now include sports, excursions, educational field trips and a wide gamut of evening activities (including ‘It’s a Knockout’ and Old School Discos!). Students who attend Sherborne International SUMMER

Dave Shaw, Director of Short Courses

Family S itting proudly at the top of Sherborne is the Sherborne International campus. The classrooms that hosted students from all over the world for over 30 years have been silent since 2021 as students were no longer able to travel and the beautifully decorated rooms and superb facilities have lain empty.

Summer Courses sign up for the concept that they are going to work hard and play hard, in equal measures!

The route to re-opening the courses has not come without its challenges; the crisis in Ukraine, the increased cost of living, the UK’s relationship with Europe, issues with the airline industry and of course the ongoing COVID-19 risk all threatened to reshape the various models that were put forward. Through a lot of hard work, dedication, co-ordination and co-operation, children from 28 nations gathered in Greenfield Hall between 27th June and 24th August and the site was once again, alive with the hubbub of excited anticipation of a ‘Sherborne Summer’ course. One of the fears that remained was how the students would acclimatise to mixing with children who may have had different experiences over the last couple of years. Those concerns soon vanished as the early arrivals helped greet new students like long-lost family and as their Sherborne Summer flashed past, the tears of sadness from those ‘first to leave’ students was evidence once again that the friends and memories our students made at Sherborne would last them for the rest of their life.

Aside from the record UK temperatures (cold to some, who still felt the need to wear their jumpers!), Sherborne highlights suggested by students so far have included sampling the sorbet at Ecco Gelato, enjoying pizza at Tamburinos (with true Italian approval) and various treats from Oliver’s – with each student suitably funnelling their pocket money into the Sherborne’s high street!

www.sherborneprep.org Follow our story Arrange your bespoke visit by contacting Charlotte at admissions@sherborneprep.org | 01935 810911 Come and visit our warm community in action sherbornetimes.co.uk | 45

The future of Sherborne International beyond the summer is very exciting, with a reworked Easter Course next on the programme – which for the first time will be open to applications from both British and international students, with residential and day student options. With a more academic feel, the key aims will be to increase the knowledge and exam confidence of students preparing for GCSE, IGCSE or A-Level exams. With a full year’s preparation, the expectation is that by the summer of 2023 student numbers will return to that of pre-pandemic times, which will give us the opportunity to further explore new and inventive ways to immerse new generations of international teenagers into the delights of Sherborne and our stunning location in Dorset. sherborne-international.org

elizabethwatsonillustration.com Join now and help the wildlife and wild places we all love. Dorset Wildlife Trust manages 40 nature reserves and four visitor centres as well as undertaking vital conservation work such as the scientific study monitoring the re-introduction of beavers to Dorset for the first time in 400 years. We can’t do it without your help. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/MembershipST ParkynDavid© 46 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

A striking moth with an exotic look, the Jersey tiger can be seen any time from July through to September. Although at first sight similar to other tiger moths, a closer look will show cream chevron markings on the forewings, rather than the blotches and spots of other species. It has a wingspan of up to 65mm and in flight the usually bright orange black spotted hindwings are revealed – sometimes much paler, red or less frequently yellow.

Jersey tiger larvae feed on a wide range of wild and garden herbaceous plants: nettles, honeysuckle, groundsel, roses, bramble, dandelion, hemp agrimony and plantains – illustrating clearly the benefit to nature of allowing and encouraging such plants within garden planting schemes. Wild set-aside areas in gardens where what might be regarded as weeds flourish can provide the essential food-plants for nationally scarce species such as this to become a success story, so rare in these times.

Formerly recorded mainly only in the Channel Islands, in recent years colonies have become well established in our south western counties. Its range and status is rapidly expanding eastwards to the London area and north to south Wales. Locally, you are very likely to see individuals as they suddenly appear and settle into foliage, where their jagged wing pattern makes then surprisingly difficult to locate. The flight is strong, rapid and often high, but the moth is eyecatching enough to draw attention. Active by day and night throughout the flight season, it is attracted to nectar-rich flowers, in particular buddleia and may be found in varied habitats such as gardens, parks and wild, undisturbed places.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 47

Katho Menden/Shutterstock

The newly hatched, tiny, night-feeding larvae feed on food-plants where eggs were laid, overwintering whilst small and feeding when temperatures allow. Attaining a length of around 50mm by late spring, the smart black, orange/yellow larva pupates at ground level prior to the emergence of the adult moth a few weeks later, when conditions are favourable.

Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria

Gillian Nash

DRAWN TO THE LIGHT

Science & Nature

t’s amazing just how many possessions we accumulate in our daily lives. We amass so much stuff, without intending to or even realising it. I write this at the end of a mammoth task we set ourselves at home this summer. We knew we had a lot of things in the house that we didn’t need or use anymore and that a clear-out was long overdue. It has been quite a therapeutic experience but at times quite a stressful one and utterly exhausting too!

After twenty years of marriage, three house moves, three children and a dog, the number of things we found that were once well-loved and well-used, but are now surplus to requirements was staggering. We realised how much stuff had simply been moved from one house to the next over the years, not because we had thought we still wanted or needed it, but because with work and family life, we had never got round to doing the big clear-out exercise before the removal men arrived. So it was simply put up in the loft in case one day we needed it. We should really have done the clear-out years ago, but it’s one of those things that’s easy to put off and hard to find the will, time, or energy to do. We’ve tried to use the greenest options wherever we could when getting rid of things. Outgrown clothes, shoes, and toys went to charity shops along with pictures and books. Items we thought were in too worn a state to be sold at charity shops went to the recycling centre, along with lots of electronic waste like old digital devices and TVs - some of which were decades old. Still more was sold on eBay or given away to friends and family. LIVE WITH LESS Peter Littlewood, Director, Young People’s Trust for the Environment

48 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

LEARNING TO

| 49

A more recent survey by Student Beans has found that the average Briton is keeping hold of unused items that could net them over £2,000 if they chose to sell them. Unwanted bikes, TVs and furniture topped the list of high-value items, but Lego, video games and clothes also figured. Our big clear-out has really made me think about the things we acquire in the course of our lives. We are all conditioned and encouraged on a daily basis to consume more and more. Making unnecessary items seem essential is a key part of making consumerism work. Globally, millions of people are employed making various widgets, whilst many more create advertising for those same widgets to make them seem more desirable and encourage people to buy them. This generates the money to pay the workers who make the widgets and for them to be able to buy different widgets made by others.

Moodlia/Shutterstock

A couple of years ago, I set myself the challenge of not buying anything new, except for groceries. I did allow myself to buy used items and I could have digital subscriptions for things like music and audiobooks. But I was not allowed to buy any new items. I wanted to know how long I could last and I originally set out to keep it up for a whole year. In the event, I lasted for about six months, which was ok, but obviously could have been better. It has made me think more about every purchase I make and ask myself questions like: will it make a difference to my life? Do I really need it? Does it provide something I’m really going to enjoy or appreciate? Could I get it secondhand instead? Living with less is a really appealing concept. And once you’ve tried it for a while, it gets easier to actually achieve too. Why not set yourself a challenge: try to buy nothing new for three to six months. See how it goes. If you find you’re able to do it, try to keep it going for another few months. Maybe allow yourself a couple of new purchases as a reward if you achieve your goal. Then challenge yourself again. Hopefully, with time the challenge will start to become more like a habit and you’ll start to realise how life without the clutter can be better! ypte.org.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk

Of course, things like food, drink, somewhere to live, light and heat really are essentials and for many, so is access to the internet and TV. But reducing that need to consume more of life’s (in reality, non-essential) ‘essentials’ is a really positive step and one that helps to reduce your impact on the environment.

There were so many things we once thought we wanted or needed – and in many cases, they really were needed at some stage in our lives – but that over the course of time had been rendered redundant. We took some comfort from the fact that we weren’t alone. A survey from Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAP) found that in the summer of 2020, after the Covid lockdown, around 184 million items of clothing were cleared from people’s homes. Being shut indoors for weeks on end clearly focused some people on the need to streamline their wardrobes. Not so for us though. The combination of keeping three sets of home learning on track for our boys, whilst both of us were working from home, limited our capacity for wardrobe editing!

Heriades truncorum

Science & Nature

t did raise a smile discovering the name of this bee after spotting it in a calendula flower in the spa garden at The Newt in Somerset last week. Bee audits are an important aspect of my work with all clients as a way of measuring the impacts of their, and my, work. This species was considered rare although now increasingly frequent across the south east of England. There are several aspects of this bee that make it uncharacteristic for Brits. Firstly, it’s most favoured floral source is ragwort, almost public enemy No.1 in the wildflower categories. This in itself explains why such a bee could be endangered. In the past ragwort was used in folk medicine to treat painful arms and legs, as well as treating throat inflammation in humans, as well as, interestingly, horses. To confirm my belief that bees connect everything, it was also said to be good to ease the pain of bee stings. Now, ragwort is the enemy of horses but not when left growing in a field as horses and other livestock naturally avoid it. If it’s cut and dried in hay, it then causes problems as animals can’t easily identify it. The plant contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, found in up to 3% of plants.

Bees use propolis as their ‘skin’ and I loved this idea of plants appearing to rectify ‘scars’ on the land. Indigenous people have often spoken of the most medicinal plants being found on the ‘edges’ of the landscape. If we look at the edges of forests, new plants appear to heal the damage from the felling of trees. Ragwort can usually be found in nutrient-poor soil in cultivated fields and grazing pastures, ditches and roadsides. Looking at its

Paula Carnell, Beekeeping Consultant, Writer and Speaker

LARGE-HEADEDRESINBEE

50 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

At my annual herbal medicine summer school this year, an excellent speaker, Peter Yeo, presented a talk on the relationship between plants and the land they grow on. I was particularly excited about this following on from my bee research showing how bees favour wildly sown plants over their cultivated alternatives. Yeo offered the idea that plants and trees act as a ‘skin’ covering the earth with the purpose of protection and healing.

specific medicinal qualities, it’s antipyretic, purifying and sudorific. It is also said to have an astringent and a cooling effect. Antipyretic is something that reduces fever or quells it. When we look across our landscape, barren fields once bursting with lush wildflowers or trees, are now home to an abundance of ragwort. Globally we see the planet suffering from ‘inflammation’ – over-heating. Could it be that ragwort is here to help to cool the planet, hence its abundance currently?

HWall/Shutterstock sherbornetimes.co.uk | 51

guessed, this bee is easily identified by its large head. A bright orange brush under the female’s abdomen along with the male’s tail curving under and backwards makes identification easier than many other bee species. Big-headedness, is an attribute frowned upon in British culture, always eager to bring back to the ground anyone seemingly growing one. As a business owner, being conscious of appearing big-headed is contrary to what is needed to share your services and products. I often am so busy serving my clients and bee-ing myself, sharing the wisdom of the bees that I forget to inform people how they can work with me. In between skep workshops, bee safaris and honey tastings at The Newt, as well as bee audits for clients in Dorset, Wales and Lebanon, I have been putting together a new online course.

Almost daily I am asked how people can ‘save the bees’, how they can incorporate bees into their business, or start beekeeping in a more natural way. To answer these questions and meet the ongoing demand for sustainability, I have been busy creating services to assist bee-conscious businesses and bee lovers that want to make a difference on the planet. I have designed new consultancy packages and a new online training course – ‘Begin Your Journey to Sustainable Beekeeping – Kinder Keeping Foundation Course’ this is suitable for anyone worried about bees and what they can do to help ‘save the bees’. It covers complex issues about which bees are endangered, why you should, or shouldn’t have a beehive in your garden, which type of hive and if so where to position it. If you decide not to have honeybees then I cover what you can do to support bees of all species in your environment, which now includes loving ragwort as well as dandelions! This course will join my main naturopathic beekeeping course which has been running for almost 3 years now, which I have updated to ‘How to be a Sustainable Beekeeper – Kinder Keeping a Naturopathic Approach’. Hopefully this course will mean I am required to answer fewer questions on social media and email. I am realising that to support my growing business, sometimes I need to have a large head! My team of 8 plus my contracted-in beekeepers are funded by my customers and so I need to ensure that I have enough consultancy clients and students on my courses! I am extremely grateful to all the support I’ve had over the years and acceptance that every now and again I need a large head, just like the bee! paulacarnell.com

Back to bees, the confidently named ‘large-headed resin bee’ loves ragworts, common fleabane, tansy and sowthistles. I spotted it on calendula which ties in with the yellow composite and heleniums that it also enjoys. They have also adapted from living in hollow bramble stems to garden bee hotels, so could be far more common than we thought. She makes her nest using pine resin, mixed with fragments of wood and plant material. Meanwhile, the males can be found ‘sleeping’ inside flowers! In case you hadn’t already

‘This is a unique opportunity to work within conservation and sustainability within a school setting,’ explains Alana. ‘I am inspired to be working with the next generation who will shape our future and am not aware of any other school which has adopted this approach,’

W e are delighted to announce the appointment of Alana Thorburn as our first ever Ecology, Conservation and Sustainability Ambassador in Residence. Starting this month, Alana hopes to use her role to create a greater understanding of our school’s impact on the natural world and how we can change our behaviour for the better.

ALANA THORBURN – ECO AMBASSADOR

Katherine Massey, Director of External Affairs, Sherborne Girls

52 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Science & Nature

As part of her new role, Alana will continue the collaboration with Sherborne School and The Gryphon GREEN LIGHT

Alana’s approach to sustainability is distinctively pragmatic, influenced by her father’s work as a civil engineer. She learned early on that it is very hard to build essential infrastructure without environmental impact. ‘We will always need roads and bridges so we have to accept that there will always be some level of damage, but we should commit to minimising any negative impact, consider the longevity, calculate the true environmental cost-benefit analysis and sustainability of all projects moving forwards.’

Alana has already met with Eco Prefects at Sherborne Girls and the Environmental Action Group at Sherborne School who have impressed her with their knowledge and enthusiasm. She is looking forward to working with these groups as well as The Gryphon EcoCouncil, helping to implement some of their ideas and to focus on key issues including fashion consumption, food waste, plastic use, recycling and other initiatives incorporating broader sustainability matters.

Since there are no quick wins when it comes to climate change, Alana highlights the need to make the most of immediate opportunities to gain ground such as food waste, energy efficiency and transport. The real battleground, she argues, is culture change. ‘Changing behaviour is more challenging because there needs to be significant compromise when thinking about our own, as well as our collective, impact. There can be greater impact from many people making small changes than from one person making significant change.’

‘Data suggest that sustainability is often seen as a female movement,’ says Alana. ‘There is the perception that girls think more about their environmental impact, so it is great to be working with Sherborne School and The Gryphon to ensure that both message and practice are spread to as many pupils as possible.’

As well as working with the Sherborne Girls Eco Council to drive forward the School’s plans to be carbon-neutral by 2030 (Let’s Go Zero), Alana will begin rolling out the educational elements of the Operation Future Hope programme across all three schools. Pupils will learn about vital conservation issues and acquire the knowledge needed to engage with and care for the natural world.

‘I will be encouraging the pupils to reflect on how much clothing they really need, to wear what is in their wardrobe or buy second-hand and choose items that will last. The Eco Prefects have come up with some great solutions to this huge environmental problem, including clothing swaps, jumble sales and sharing clothing.’

"There is the perception that girls think more about their environmental impact, so it is great to be working with Sherborne School and The Gryphon to ensure that both message and practice are spread to as many pupils as possible."

Historic buildings notwithstanding, Alana says she is very excited about starting her career in Sherborne.

‘I am looking forward to getting to know the girls and the wider Sherborne community. It feels like a strong community where everyone looks out for one another.’ sherborne.com

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 53

Alana was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Singapore, later returning to the UK to attend Exeter University where she read Law, before studying Global Environmental Law and Governance at Strathclyde University. She points to the fully sustainable campus at United World College in Singapore as an example of what can be achieved. She acknowledges, however, that it is much harder to make old or listed buildings sustainable than those built from scratch, but equally understands the significant carbon impact replacing old with new often has.

Alana is not shy of practicing what she preaches. At home, she strives to be an environmental role model and to educate her family, empowering them to step up to the challenge and make changes wherever they can: ‘I try and live by example and have educated my family on how to recycle properly, and we have all reduced our meatInspiredconsumption.’byDavid Attenborough, Alana believes that being positive rather than punitive is critical to achieving and sustaining real change: ‘I want to tackle sustainability in a similar way,’ she says. ‘Making the case softly, persuading people rather than alienating them.’

School in taking forward the Operation Future Hope programme, a national rewilding and ecological initiative that involves young people in the restoration of nature. As part of the programme, the three schools have already completed the successful rewilding of large areas within their grounds.

Crafting quality timber buildings and gates since 1912 Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7LH Tel: (01963) 440414 | Email: info@sparkford.com | @sparkfordtimber | www.sparkford.com Established for 20 years, Plankbridge shepherd’s huts are endorsedexclusivelybytheRHS © The Royal Horticultural Society 2020. Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262. rhs.org.uk plankbridge.com01300348414 54 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

The Joinery Works, Alweston Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5HS Tel: 01963 23219 Fax: 01963 23053 Email: info@fcuffandsons.co.uk www.fcuffandsons.co.uk DESIGNERS AND MAKERS OF BEAUTIFUL FINE BESPOKE JOINERY SINCE 1897

On Foot 56 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Distance: 5½ miles Time: Approx. 2½ hours Park: The Elm Tree Inn car park, Langton Herring. Walk Features: The gradients on this route are reasonable with one small ascent towards West Fleet Farm and then another on the return leg past Under Cross Plantation. It’s a straightforward route which takes in the South West Coast Path as it meanders alongside The Fleet inside Chesil Bank as well as visiting the old and new churches in Fleet. Refreshments: The Elm Tree Inn, Langton Herring > On Foot MOONFLEET Emma Tabor and Paul Newman sherbornetimes.co.uk | 57

4 Keep to the coast path, hugging the inside of The Fleet. After just over a mile, bear left into a copse and cross a small wooden footbridge, to then emerge from the copse and pass in front of Moonfleet Manor. After the manor, the path soon cuts behind Herbury, a small peninsula which projects into The Fleet. As you walk past Herbury, you will meet the point where you left the coast path earlier. From here you can retrace your steps back to the start, but go to the left of Under Cross Plantation and rejoin the track on the other side and then back into Langton Herring.

58 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

2 Turn left off the coast path and walk up the field keeping a hedge on your right. After an ascent of 400 yards you reach the top of the field, with good views of The Fleet behind you. The path veers left. After 150 yards, look for a stone stile in the drystone wall on your right. Go over this stile and then straight ahead, keeping a drystone wall on your right. The path curves around to the left. Keep going around the outside of the field, soon passing the back of some houses. Just after these, you will see a stile which takes you into a small pony paddock. Go over this and then diagonally across the paddock to the right-hand corner and a metal gate. After the gate, turn left to then pick up a concrete drive between new buildings. Continue along this for 300 yards and then bear right where the footpath joins a bridleway which leads onto a tarmac drive. The drive bears left and then soon meets the road coming from Moonfleet Manor (the road forks three ways here). Turn left onto Fleet Road, which now takes you towards East Fleet, eventually passing the new church before you reach the turning for the old church at Butter Street.

Directions Start: SY 615 825 1 Park at the Elm Tree Inn. From the Inn car park, turn right into Shop Lane and walk through the village. After 150 yards, go right at a bend and, just past the Methodist church as the road ends, you will see a signpost on your left for Moonfleet, 1¼ miles. Take this path to soon pass through a large metal gate at the corner of a farm track. Carry straight on along the track for 400 yards, with views of the sea now ahead and on your right. Follow the track downhill and to the left of Under Cross Plantation. Just after the plantation, the track flattens and you meet the coast path. Keep straight on and, after 150 yards, look for a signpost on your right which points left to West Fleet Campsite ½ mile.

E ach month we devise a walk for you to try with your family and friends (including four-legged members) pointing out a few interesting things along the way, be it flora, fauna, architecture, history, the unusual and sometimes the unfamiliar. For September we follow the South West Coast Path inside The Fleet, tracing some of the locations and inspiration for J. Meade Falkner’s novel Moonfleet, written in 1898. The old church at Fleet features prominently in the story. Fleet has two churches; the nave of the old church was destroyed in the Great Storm of 1824 and the new church was built as a replacement. The bell from the old church was moved and now rings out from the new church. The Fleet lagoon contains sediments at least 6000 years old and provides a safe haven and food for wintering birds including Brent Geese and Wigeon as well as Shoveler, Goldeneye, Pochard, Gadwall, Pintail, Teal and Red-breasted Merganser, with Common and Little Terns returning in the spring. There are over 150 species of seaweed, 25 species of fish and 60 species of mollusc recorded here. Also look out for Sea Aster, Sea Purslane, Marsh Mallow, Rock Samphire and Sea Beet. The lagoon is one of the largest in Britain. Beyond it lies Chesil Bank, the origin of which is still debated.

3 Turn right into Butter Street, with a sign for the coast path and old church. After a row of cottages you will see a kissing gate and the old church on your right. After visiting the church, turn right through the kissing gate, down a footpath and cross a small wooden footbridge, then turning left towards the lagoon. Go through another kissing gate as you turn right onto the coast path.

fleetandchesilreserve.orgsouthwestcostpath.org.uk

DISCOVER | EAT | SHOP | STAY | CELEBRATE Welcome to Symondsbury Estate, set in the beautiful Dorset countryside just a stone’s throw from the Jurassic Coast. Join us for lunch. Browse our shops. Visit the gallery. Explore our fabulous walks and bike trails. Relax and unwind in our holiday accommodation. Celebrate your wedding day... +44 (0)1308 424116 symondsburyestate.co.uk Symondsbury Estate, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6HG Charcuterie Workshops Wednesday 21st & Thursday 22nd September 2022 BOOK ONLINE

David Burnett, The Dovecote Press U nable to take a train to London recently because of the railway strike I was reminded of how the arrival of the railway in the 19th century transformed Dorset’s fortunes, bringing even the smallest hamlet within reach of a station. Of Dorset’s 74 stations and halts, only 25 remain open – of which Sherborne is one. This view dates to the late 1920s, with the ‘up’ platform and a W H Smith bookstall on the left. Just visible is the main building, which incorporated the station master’s house and was built of local Ham stone. The station was nearly placed north of the town. The Wingfield Digby family owned the land, and only withdrew their objection to the line going near Sherborne Castle when the railway company guaranteed that two fast trains a day would always stop at Sherborne. The line opened on 7th May 1860, watched by 1,200 children assembled on the slope overlooking the station. Bands played, bells pealed, a cannon roared. In 2010 a plaque was installed commemorating the 150th anniversary of the opening.

History

has been publishing books about Dorset since 1974. This photograph comes from Railway Stations, one of 35 titles in the ‘Discover Dorset’ series, all of which are available locally from Winstone’s Books or directly from the publishers.

60 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

LOST DORSET NO. 27 SHERBORNE

Thedovecotepress.comDovecotePress

Sherborne Museum is open from Tuesday - Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm. Admission is free of charge, though donations are sherbornemuseum.co.ukwelcome. sherbornetimes.co.uk

| 61

The house was formerly occupied by Henry Hudson (1863-1943), his French wife Anna Martha Rosa Petre and their two sons. It had been built, originally named ‘Le Nid’, at the turn of the 20th century for the couple to settle into upon their marriage in August 1900; part of the upper-middleclass development in that area of town. Henry, born in Bishopsgate in London, had at first taken up lodgings in Cheap Street and succeeded Alexander Longmuir as Art Master at Sherborne School in 1891. He is most remembered for his contribution to the artistic design of the 1905 Pageant for which he created several posters and programmes as well as collaborating with Florence Drewe on the costumes.

OBJECT THE TRADE BILLS

OF THE MONTH

Elisabeth Bletsoe, Curator, Sherborne Museum E phemera’ is a term used to describe the minor transient documents of everyday life, items which are not intended to be retained or preserved and which can include menus, newspapers, postcards, tickets and programmes. They can be ornate or notably utilitarian. Nowadays there is a greater academic interest in preserving them so that they are commonly found in archives and library collections where they illustrate many diverse aspects of human culture.

‘

Cataloguing this collection has made available an array of delightfully evocative images: picture Madame Hudson sashaying along Cheap Street visiting Miss Beedell to have her silk scarf darned, requesting cod and plaice from E.E. Harvey, fishmonger, poulterer and game dealer, and paying L.B. Hilliam, ladies tailor and fancy draper, £5 12s and 6d for a dress and matching hat in ‘champagne crepe’. On the Parade, Edward Spiller, ironmonger, provided her with ‘a muffin cover and a pair of vases’, while at Christmas William Coombs of Coldharbour, baker, confectioner and flour merchant, reserved her loaves and cake for the festive season in 1914. Meanwhile, Henry Hudson, paterfamilias, purchased his Primer of Greek Grammar by Abbot and Mansfield at F. Bennet & Co. Ltd, had a metronome cleaned and regulated at Samuel Beaton the music seller ’s, ordered a brown leather strap for his lantern slide case at Chennell’s in Half Moon Street and in March 1916 arranged for the family toboggan to be reframed from J.H. and G. Elliot of Newland for a charge of 12 shillings. We are even able to visualise the couple’s garden since Mr Dean, their gardener, presented them with a bill for ‘soil, manure, labour and plants including hollyhocks, delphiniums and forget-me-nots’. These fleeting glimpses allow us, through the medium of such humble and often overlooked slips of paper, to provide an experience that is both human and haunting and enables us to draw parallels with the transience of life itself.

Sherborne Museum is fortunate in that this bundle of bills was not discarded but discovered by the redoubtable Miss Elizabeth O’Shea in the roofspace of her house ‘Whiteley’ in The Avenue. She was a founder member of the museum and in 1969 donated the collection of over ninety documents. They open an insightful window onto the daily lives of local Sherbornians which played out against the backdrop of the First World War. They also illustrate how well the town was able to provide for most of its inhabitants’ needs and the attractive images and lettering are redolent of the pride that working people took in their trades and businesses.

Later that year, Parliamentary forces under William Russell, Earl of Bedford, approached and camped on the high ground to the north near the present Gryphon School. From here they fired their cannons and bombarded the Castle and its walls. The spot, now marked by a clump of trees, is still known as Bedford’s Camp.

History

FotoMonkee/iStock 62 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

On 4th September they attacked again only to be seen off by a battery of field gun fire from the Castle. The siege dragged on until 20th September when Seymour surrendered and was allowed to withdraw.

T he first and second civil wars, 1642–1648, were the inevitable result of opposition to the King, Charles I, and his autocratic attitude to Parliament. Taxation and leanings towards Catholicism also played their role. It ended with the execution of the King in 1649. The civil wars divided the country, and even members of the same family fought on opposite sides. In general, London and the Home Counties fought for Parliament, the North, the West, and counties near Wales were for the King. Sherborne was a royalist stronghold though not of major importance. Other Dorset towns such as Dorchester, supported Parliament. The role of Dorset in the English Civil War is not well known, nor were any of the great battles fought within the county’s borders. And yet, balanced between the royalist’s heartlands in the East and Midlands, and the great population and manufacturing centres of the South-east, Dorset was of crucial importance. Its ports also played a vital role, with Weymouth being the nearest place to London where King Charles I could reasonably hope for his long-awaited French allies to land. Furthermore, whichever party controlled Dorset dominated the war. Thus the story of Dorset at the time is the story in miniature of the whole civil war. During the wars, Sherborne Old Castle was besieged twice and the town attacked and looted by Parliamentary forces, with fighting in the middle of Cheap Street. The siege and destruction of the Castle, though considered of little importance in the history of the civil war, is not without interest to us. Lord Bristol allowed the Old Castle to be garrisoned for the King at the start of the war in 1642. A royalist force under the command of William Seymour, Marquis of Hertford, made repairs to the castle defences in anticipation of an attack.

SHERBORNE AND THECIVILENGLISHWARS Cindy Chant

Sherborne Old Castle is now a picturesque ruin, hiding its turbulent history. It remains very much the same as when it was left, destroyed by Parliament’s orders in 1645, with a few features from before the civil war. Among them is Dynney Bridge, within the grounds and built by Bishop Roger all those years ago, the civil war bastions, deer park, the church of Castleton village, and the surrounding landscape, which was later improved by Lancelot Brown, more commonly known as ‘Capability Brown’.

Parliamentary commissioners then occupied the Castle until they were evicted four months later, by a small royalist force. On 2nd October 1644, Charles I and his nephew, Prince Rupert, reviewed their troops at the Castle and had a picnic lunch in the deer park. The following year in August 1645, Sherborne, ‘a malicious mischievous Castle, like its owner’, according to Oliver Cromwell, was again besieged. Sir Lewis Dyve, the Earl of Bristol’s stepson and the local royalist commander, held the Castle against Parliamentary forces led by Cromwell and Sir Thomas Fairfax. Dyve, with 150 soldiers and some cavalry, held out for 11 days despite artillery bombardment, mining, and being forced to retreat into the great tower. Some Parliamentary officers were killed and wounded by sniper fire from the estate gamekeepers! Dyve surrendered and gave up the Castle, and many were sent by ship to London, as prisoners. The Castle goods were sold off in the local market and Parliament ordered the Castle to be damaged to prevent it from being used again as a royalist stronghold. Apart from the military operations, the war caused a lot of destruction to the life of the town. The school governors collected their rents with difficulties, annual accounts were not presented, and the Master and the Usher were not paid for many years. The town was scourged with the plague as well as the war, and in the summer of 1645 the death rate rose to its highestmany huts, on the site of the Yeatman Hospital, were set aside to isolate the sufferers. In 1660 Charles II, son of Charles I, was restored to the throne. The King’s restoration was greeted with much rejoicing and merriment - the Conduit ‘ran for two days with Claret, besides much Beer too.’ George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol, returned from France and reclaimed the estate. His son John, the third Earl, died without an heir in 1698 and the title became extinct. Sherborne then passed to a cousin William, 5th Baron Digby, and so life continued peacefully.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 63

I do enjoy my work. I mean really enjoy it, well for 95% of the time. There are the highs and the lows of the business which translates into exciting lots and not-so-exciting lots. As penned here before, the exciting lots include the Italian chipped plate we sold for £560,000. I found, or rather discovered, this fine piece of Italian Renaissance pottery hung on the wall of a Somerset cottage where the owner attached no value to it over the decades she had owned it having inherited the piece from her father. But the highs are often offset by the lows. A particular low I remember was on a routine valuation day at our Long Street salerooms. Each working day we have regular specialist valuation days which include silver, jewellery, pictures, Asian art, books, coins, stamps, medals, automobilia, sporting and collector’s items to name but a few. At these valuation days, people turn up with cars full up with the good, the bad and the ugly. On the valuation day in question, the owner wanted to show me a collection which had taken many years to amass. A keen traveller, they had spent many, many hours flying around the world. Somehow, one day, an aeroplane sick bag caught their eye and the collecting bug took hold. Over the following years, the collection of aeroplane sick bags grew and grew, but on this valuation day I sadly deemed them not to have any value for our auctions, much to the client’s disappointment. However, thankfully the highs outnumber the lows and I am on particularly high high at the moment.

Moving forward to 2022 and the family are concerned about the structure of the barn and realise they will never put the Bentley back on the road again. When I first pulled back the barn doors it was difficult for me to contain my excitement as I unearthed the car in its full, dusty glory – a 1935 Bentley drophead coupe with a Thrupp & Maberly body.

Antiques

HIGH

64 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Now entered into our 12th October classic and vintage car auction this beautifully dusty Bentley is estimated to sell for £50,000-70,000. Hopefully the new owner will not stick it in their barn for the next 54 years. charterhouse-auction.com TIME

Following on from our hugely successful specialist classic car and classic motorcycle auctions, which totalled over £900,000 for both auctions, I was invited to look at an old Bentley on a farm. Bentleys always get my attention and this one had been bought by the grandfather in 1954, apparently for use as a farm vehicle. By 1968 it was little used and rolled into the corner of a barn.

Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers

01935 317707 Call us today on to arrange your FREE initial AtkinsFerrieWealthManagementLTDconsultation@AFWMLtdafwm.co.uk Offices across the South West Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management is a trading style of AFWM Ltd. Company registered in England and Wales. Company Registration No 07502341. Registered Office: Lakeside Offices, The Old Cattle Market, Coronation Park, Helston, Cornwall TR13 0SR. AFWM Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No 607283. YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. expectationsTransforming Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management was founded with the aim of offering the highest ethical principles and best service standards of any Independent Financial Adviser in the UK. Your local experts for: Investments Mortgages WeCareEstateProtectionPensionsPlanningFeePlanningarecommitted to actively caring for our clients by providing the most ethical, honest, professional and knowledgeable advice, thereby transforming the expectation and quality of UK financial services. What our clients say... Deciding to invest with AFWM originally was one of the wisest decisions I have ever made. I really cannot speak highly enough of your organisation. You have gone above and beyond your call of duty and are worth every penny. Thank you so much for all your help and support. You have been Canfantastic!weboth thank you for dealing with our equity release. We are both over the moon with your service to us and will recommend you and your company to any friends who ask.

Open seven days a week 01935 814633 thegardensgroup.co.uk Planning for autumn planting 66 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

As the leaves begin to fall and the autumn harvest gets underway, now is the time to look ahead to spring and establish new plants before the winter sets in. Whether planting shrubs, perennials, bulbs, trees or even turf, the warm and moist soil will give them all a great head start. Planning is everything at this time of year, so our team are on hand to help you choose the right plants for your outdoor space and the best time to plant them.

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

Domestic and commercial tree surgery across the South West Our team of highly skilled tree surgeons, arborists and plant machinery operators cover all areas of arboriculture; providing tree surgery from domestic dwellings to large commercial site clearances. Tree Maintenance • Tree Surgery • Stump Removal • Tree Reports Call today for a FREE quotation T 01823 792020 M 07747 127023 E locketttreesurgery@yahoo.com www.locketttreesurgery.com Podimore, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8JE

Think also about using water, such as cooled down washing up water which, despite the washing up liquid, will be a good source of moisture in extreme times until the situation eases. Indeed, many new houses are being fitted with tanks that save and reuse grey water rather than sending it straight back down the drains.

It’s best then to work out what actually needs watering. Plants that have been established for a number of years are likely to be able to find their own

It’s a good idea if you have space, to save as much rainwater as you can by using water butts. Rainwater is really good quality for plants as it doesn’t have any of the chemicals in it that are used by the water companies in processing tap water. It also is likely to be more acidic than most of our local tap water and so will also have a beneficial effect on our gardens.

A t the time of writing temperatures are high, we have had no rain to speak of for many days and there is no sign of rain in the forecast. Hopefully writing about the issue will be like a kind of rain dance and the situation will have (temporarily) eased, so here goes!

Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group

68 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Gardening

Whatever has happened since writing this, water is going to become an increasingly scarce resource and so it’s a good idea for us to make the most of it when we use it. It will also become a political issue and the way each of us uses water will be under scrutiny. No one knows what you do in the house but you will be spotted washing the car and watering the lawn and we all need to consider whether this is a good use of a precious resource.

IFS AND BUTTS

To get the best effect it would be a good idea to water out of the heat of the day, so in the early morning or late evening. This will reduce the amount of water that is lost through evaporation and so more will get to your plants.

Has it started raining yet? thegardensgroup.co.uk

The use of Rootgrow when planting can also reduce the amount of watering required because it enables plants to find their own water. Rootgrow contains mycorrhizal fungi, which are naturally occurring and are a sort of mould which attaches itself to the roots of plants and grows out into the soil like an extension to the root system. It occurs naturally in the wild and by adding it when planting significantly improves the establishment and success of plants.

For borders, the use of a good depth of mulch, which is a layer of fibrous material, such as Blooming Amazing or chipped bark will help conserve moisture. Not only that but it will also help reduce weed

growth, protect your soil from heavy rain when it finally arrives and will also improve the soil quality long-term.

Soak plants really well three or four times a week rather than a little bit every day but with tubs and baskets, increase this to daily watering.

In the vegetable garden or on a newly planted border, seep hoses can be used to water larger areas. Such hoses are made from recycled car tyres and when connected to a garden hose the water will gently seep out onto the soil. Because there is no splashing the efficiency of the amount of water that gets to your plants is very high. Seep hoses can easily be rolled up and moved to another area or can be left permanently.

Image: Katharine

The use of mini-irrigation systems has become very popular in recent times. A main pipe is laid around the perimeter of the garden and from these ‘spaghetti’ tubes on the end of which is a sprinkler or better still a dripper, which can be inserted into your pots, hanging baskets or grow-bags as well as in borders. A timer can be used back at the tap to control how often and for how long the watering is carried out. These systems can be efficient in getting water precisely where needed but they need to be lived with and the nozzles adjusted as all plants have different levels of thirst – after some good observation this becomes easier to work out.

Take a decision about your lawn; to keep it green and lush will take a significant amount of water. I would suggest tolerating the fact that it will be brown for a few weeks and then be amazed at its ability to return to its full glory as the rain returns.

Davies sherbornetimes.co.uk | 69

Although all the time spent watering might sound like a chore it can be very useful in keeping tabs on pest or disease issues and enjoying the detail and the beauty of the plants in your garden.

In tubs and hanging baskets, the use of moistureretentive gels can give a helping hand in making sure plants get enough water. In times of abundance the gel, which can be added to your compost when planting, swells up absorbing water. In times of drought, the water is released to the plants.

water and therefore shouldn’t need any. Any that have been planted in the last 12 to 18 months will need some help though as will tubs and hanging baskets.

Trees do a wonderful job of lowering the temperature, creating shade, sequestering carbon, absorbing damaging pollution, providing a home for wildlife and of course looking beautiful. It is very sad to see the recent felling of two beautiful cherry trees that were smothered in blossom in the spring on The Avenue and Hound Street in Sherborne. The pavements and verges are now potted with patches of tarmac and old stumps where trees have been removed, but no roadside trees are being replaced which is incredibly sad. Instead, utility companies dig trenches through the roots and trees are seen as a nuisance or a health and safety risk and cars reign supreme. Perhaps we will have to change the name of The Avenue to The Road!

September is a great time to start planning to plant a tree of your own to allow you to sit in a shady spot during the next hot spell. However, it is important to put a bit of thought into what would fit in your garden, as I too often see trees that will grow too big planted in small gardens. Indeed, when we bought our house with a small garden on Cheap Street, there were two large horse chestnut and an Indian bean tree taking up the whole space! While a cedar of Lebanon, monkey puzzle or oak tree may look wonderful in a parkland or a National Trust estate, not many people have the space to fit one in their gardens.

There are however lots of small trees which are a

Gardening

I am writing this month’s article during the summer heat wave, with temperatures over 30 degrees and our lawns looking more like something reminiscent of southern Spain than Dorset. It is not only people who are flagging in the heat, but our plants are wilting and trees are shedding their leaves. The streams are drying up and it is a tough time for many animals.

Pageant Gardens is full of people enjoying the outdoors, having picnics or reading a book under a tree. At Kingston Lacy, we have the wonderful 3-mile avenue of beech trees planted by the Bankes family along the Blandford Road. In France, many country roads are lined with iconic rows of poplar trees, apparently planted under the instruction of Napoleon to provide shade for marching troops. In Greece, there is nothing nicer than sitting in a country taverna under the shade of an ancient olive tree and in Spain, walking down Las Ramblas in Barcelona, under enormous plane trees is an unforgettable experience.

I saw some wonderful pictures of Horsecastles in Sherborne, adorned with beautiful pink and white flowering cherries taken in the 1980s. Similarly, The Avenue lived up to its name with trees planted at regular intervals all along both sides of the road.

Walking around Sherborne, the heat reflects off the pavements and stonework and people seek the shade.

One of my favourite places to sit and read the paper or a book is beside our pond under the shade of a smoke bush tree, watching the sparrows squabble and hearing the plop of a frog!

TREES

Land

and Gardener 70 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Simon Ford, and Nature Adviser

It is generally not a good idea to plant very close to your house as the roots may damage drains or affect the foundations. Remember also the direction of the sun, so you ensure you get the shade you may want, but that the tree does not cut out light to your house. A tree will hopefully last a lifetime and so it is important to choose wisely. Check how big it will get on the label or speak to someone at the nursery. Avoid impulse buys! You can buy trees at any time of year if they are container-grown, but it is much cheaper to buy them bare-rooted, usually from November to February. They will need some support until the tree is established. Time to get planning and to make a difference and if you live on a road where there were previously trees, see if they can be replaced. simonfordgardening.wordpress.com

Rd, Sandford Orcas | 07855 279072 or 01963 220302 | www.glenholmeherbs.co.uk Open Garden Weekend 3rd & 4th September 10am-4pm Gorgeous wildlife garden showcasing a huge range of culinary and medicinal herbs and salvias • Children’s wildlife trail • Beautiful pond • Complimentary cakes and refreshments • Guided tours - 11am and 2pm • Large range of plants for sale • Herb starter kits sherbornetimes.co.uk | 71

FAMILY-RUN NURSERY SINCE 1950

great choice for smaller gardens. Some of my favourites include rowan or mountain ash, crab apple (which comes in lots of forms), amelanchier, silver birch, guelder rose, dwarf forms of willow and cherry as well as Japanese acers which come in many forms. Some trees are evergreen, such as hollies, red robin and conifers, which may provide cover for birds in the winter, but can be quite dark. It is a good idea to check your soil type as some acid-loving trees don’t like the limestone soils around here. Some also like moist clays and would be ideal if you live on Blackmore Vale. You won’t be surprised to know that my preference is for trees which are good for wildlife, such as those with flowers for insects and berries in the autumn.

Chris Dorney/Shutterstock

Beech trees on Blandford Road, Wimborne Penmore

ach month a particular colour dominates in the garden and September is all about red. Raspberries, apples, beetroot, tomatoes and chillies are ripe for the picking and as the hue suggests, it’s when our passion for growing our food is truly rewarded. We’re in the thick of harvest season and enjoying the last days of summer. Some days, if not for the glow of ripening red kuri squash dotted around the garden, you could be forgiven for forgetting that autumn is just around the corner. However, the days are shortening and the plants know it’s the last hurrah. The race is on to achieve their ultimate objective; to ripen and set seed. A very dry July has meant fruits are smaller and less prolific than in previous years. We water by hand from two large water butts, so while we directed our energy towards the VIPs in the greenhouse, the rest of the garden was largely left to fend for itself.

The hugelkultur beds in the potager stood up incredibly well to the drought-like conditions. The decomposing logs below the surface of the soil work like sponges, soaking up and holding water and making it available to the roots of our plants. The no-dig beds held up quite well too, with help from self-seeded nasturtiums and a few squash plants that have run rampant, their large leaves working like sun umbrellas on the soil surface, reducing evaporation and trapping theIt’smoisture.alsotime to think ahead about who will do this

LIVING GOODDENTHELIFE Nico and Chrystall Goodden

Image: Chrystall Goodden

72 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Gardening

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 73

By growing 17 varieties, we of course have far more chillies than two people could ever enjoy fresh! Luckily there are so many different ways of preserving and enjoying them aside from chutneys, oils and jams. We dry them to make flakes, and powder them to make rubs, however smoking, fermenting and candying are new ways we’ve discovered to celebrate the chilli and get through the glut!

Compost, Top Soil, Mulch, Manure & Chippings DELIVERY AVAILABLE North Buckham Farm, Beaminster 01308 863054 / 07974 943411 enquiries@chedingtoncompost.co.uk WWW.CHEDINGTONCOMPOST.CO.UK

job once the nasturtiums and squash have succumbed to frost. We’ll be sowing a winter green manure of ryegrass and vetches on any unused beds to prevent soil erosion and ‘lock in’ minerals. It will be chopped back and worked back into the soil in early spring and as it decomposes it releases nutrients that are made available to the next crop. Healthy soil is vital to the success of our crops and keeping it protected, fertilised and stabilised is key. It is true what they say, take care of the soil and the soil will take care of the rest. We’ll sow our seeds of green-manure in the lead-up to the Harvest Moon on the 10th of September. Lunar sowing is a very broad subject, some methods bringing in the impacts of far-off constellations that will send your head swimming. We tend to stick with the simple, basic principle that the moon has a pulling effect on water – a waxing moon increasing in light and drawing water upwards makes for a good time to sow seeds.

Aside from chillies, the dehydrator is working in overdrive drying trays of apple slices, raspberries and blackberries from the hedgerows that will inevitably find their way into autumnal granola that’s heavy on the hazelnuts, maple syrup and cinnamon. We’ll stop short of discussing crumble season just yet, however it is a comfort to know that there is still so much from the garden to look forward to. Until then, it’s all about the Tarte aux Pommes. Five years in Dorset has given us a bit of practice when it comes to mastering the apple tart. We make a buttery, biscuity base, fill with a puree of Blenheim Orange and top with a finely sliced Parson Goodden. Such a simple and inexpensive treat that’s delicious hot or cold. While not producing much in the way of fruit just yet, our crabapple, plum and cherry trees are growing well. With each year we introduce one or two more. They’re our investment in the future and in the meantime, they’re providing a beautiful canopy for us to enjoy our last harvests of the season. When it comes to enjoying what we’ve worked for all year, the most important ingredient, the one that makes it all taste that little bit sweeter, is being able to share our harvest with friends and family, just steps from where it’s grown.

Nico: @nicholasgoodden Chrystall: @thegooddenlife creativebritishgarden.com

We’ve sown trays of hardy winter salads like mizuna and mustard to plant out in the greenhouse and enjoy through the winter – they’ll serve the dual purpose of working as green manure. But not just yet, the tomatoes, cucumbers and chillies are still ripening and will do so for another few weeks yet. We’ll enjoy every last bite of the late summer with each spoonful of spicy gazpacho and tomato salad. Most chilli varieties we selected for flavour, however, we’ve had a bit of fun growing some of the hottest varieties in the world. The Carolina Reaper variety measures over 2 million Scoville Heat Units and is now ripe and ready to eat. But with a name like that, and the gnarly, blistered appearance of its flesh, we’re rather hesitant to even pick them let alone ingest them! Last year we grew the Dorset Naga which was once the hottest chilli in the world. Just one of these fruits is all you need to add a serious kick to a big batch of curry.

FREE COLLECTIONWELLBEINGPRODUCT WORTH £40 WHEN YOU HAVE ANY TWO CLARINS TREATMENT S EACH LASTING AN HOUR OR MORE THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER! TREATMENTS CAN BE TAKEN ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT MUST BE PAID FOR BEFORE GIFT CAN BE CLAIMED. PLEASE ASK IN SALON FOR FULL DETAILS BALFOUR EST.1979 SWAN YARD, SHERBORNE, DT9 3AX 01935 816177 WWW.MARGARETBALFOUR.CO.UK

COLLINSPAUL Words Glen Cheyne Photography Katharine Davies S parrows are squabbling over bugs in the hornbeam and bees are feasting on swollen hedgerows of lavender. Through the front garden and into a cottage that could well be made of marzipan, I pass shelves warped under the weight of culinary tomes, smell what can only be freshly baked bread and on entering the kitchen spy mounds of rugged chocolate chip cookies the size of my hand. It’s 9.30am and I’ve not long had breakfast but I’m hungry all over again. I’m at home with Paul Collins, internationally renowned and award-laden private chef, respected restaurant consultant, and, more recently, door-stepgodsend to the good people of Charlton Horethorne. > 76 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 77

78 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

It’s this experience of the industry’s highs and lows that qualifies Paul to offer sage advice and a sometimes healthy dose of realism to those coming up through the ranks. ‘I’ve been doing this at the very highest level for 30 years and I’m seeing a lot of young chefs now wanting to run before they can walk. Being a head chef, you need to be able to do the man-management, the figures and the stocktaking – it’s not just about cooking. You’ve got to make money,’ he says. In the face of soaring costs across many industries, making money is easier said than done. ‘Head chefs cannot rely on the traditionally more glamorous ingredients and need to be imaginative in order to create a quality product while still making a profit. They have to be business people,’ he adds. ‘At the same time, we should be thinking sustainably. One of the wonderful things about working at Yeo Valley and Daylesford was that I relied on the expertise of the gardeners to provide ingredients. It was my job to create a dish using what was growing in the ground at that time, be it beetroot, Jerusalem artichoke, broad beans, whatever – if it’s in season, it’s what we should be using.’

It’s a career that along the way has seen Paul collect Michelin stars, rosettes, turrets and awards aplenty at the likes of Daylesford Organic, The Grove in Hertfordshire, Yeo Valley and Lucknam Park near Bath. ‘Being a chef is a good profession. I’ve loved it, but it’s hard. And if you’re not at the very top or up there somewhere it can be a different kind of tough. I’ve always worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and you get used to that sort of grandeur, but at the bottom end, when you’re struggling for pots and pans – which I’ve seen in my consultancy work – how do you expect someone to do a job if you don’t give them the tools?’

‘The tuile basket dessert I prepared for Katharine’s photoshoot is the reason I became a chef,’ Paul tells me, as we settle at the garden table. ‘I remember being at home during the school holidays and watching Anton Mosimann create that dessert on Pebble Mill at One. I was about 10 years old and knew straight away that’s what I wanted to do.’ Fast forward 7 years – Paul is studying catering at Aylesbury College and working 40-50 hours a week at a restaurant nearby called Pebbles. ‘My parents were worried I was doing drugs because I looked so ill and pasty and my arms were covered in burns,’ he recalls.

One challenge facing every restaurant owner I speak to is the recruiting and retention of staff. Brexit has of course played its part and the pandemic then compounded the problem, nudging many chefs and restaurant staff into other careers. Paul agrees and offers another possible, more systemic cause. ‘It’s our fault. We’ve taken liberties with staff for far too long. I was part of it and have been guilty of it too. When I first started, 16-18 hour shifts were commonplace. You didn’t get paid for it and you got physically and verbally > sherbornetimes.co.uk

Both graduates of Aylesbury College, they had worked under Anton Mosimann at the Dorchester Hotel and when they left to open Pebbles, Anton was their backer.

‘My dad would drive me the 25 miles home each night and one evening pointed out that I was earning something like 42p an hour, but I didn’t care. I was only 17 and I loved it – the camaraderie, the heat, the pressure and seeing the food leave the kitchen, thinking my God, that’s something else.’

Pebbles was owned by David and Sue Cavalier.

As you’d expect from someone who has spent 30 years in the upper echelons of the hospitality industry, Paul offers an effortlessly warm welcome. Coffee is poured, the aforementioned cookies are served and before I know it, I’m feeling very much at home. As you might not expect however, from someone who has cooked for celebrities, politicians and the extraordinarily wealthy, Paul is free of pretence. With something of a younger, taller Phil Daniels about him, he is very easy company. Paul leads me around the garden, talking me through its renovation as swifts scream overhead and on through the valley beyond. It’s brimming with fruit trees, herbs and vegetables and is thick with life. Someone in the Collins household is clearly greenfingered. ‘I’ll take credit for that,’ he smiles. ‘If I had to change professions I’d become a gardener.’ A garden can sometimes tell you all you need to know about its owner. It’s easy to see a committed, hardworking and nurturing hand behind this one. ‘There’s something therapeutic about being out in the garden,’ Paul confesses. He offers me one of the many oak saplings rescued from a friend’s garden – further indication of the gardener’s character.

‘David and Sue gave a demo at the college one day and created that same tuile basket.’ remembers Paul. ‘I told them afterwards how this dessert had inspired me to become a chef and how much I’d love to work at The Dorchester. The day I graduated, David made a call and my first job out of college was with Mosimann at The Dorchester! I set out with a goal and ended up working for the very person who had inspired me in the first place – a 1 in 100 chance! And that’s pretty much how my career progressed.’

| 79

abused, but for me, I was at the top of the tree working for big names. It was just part and parcel of it. In the early 90s, I started documenting things happening around me because I didn’t think anyone would believe me. Customers would see the serene front-of-house but behind the scenes it was chaos.’

And while Paul does bring his own equipment to private bookings, he is basically commandeering your kitchen. ‘If someone came into my kitchen and started

80 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Paul’s wife is the highly-regarded food and interiors photographer Tory McTernan. It’s easy to assume that they met through food photography but they actually worked together at Lucknam Park where Tory was the Conference and Banqueting Manager. The couple have since collaborated on many projects, with Paul creating the dish and Tory shooting it. They work well together but who’s in charge is usually a matter of debate. With Paul and Tory both in high demand (Tory’s currently away on a shoot in Norfolk and Paul is soon to leave for a 5-week stint in LA), family life can take a hit. But the work is good and they make up for the time apart.

Being a chef of repute is one thing, but you have to get along with people to come so highly recommended.

Paul’s last employed role before setting up the private dining business was Executive Chef at The Grove in Hertfordshire, a large 5-star hotel and one which hosted the England football team during the last World Cup (it has its own FIFA-certified football pitch). ‘They had 3 restaurants, a banqueting facility and room service. I think we had 80 full-time chefs,’ he recalls. ‘I didn’t cook that year. My job was all about pushing paper, doing the figures, turning up to HOD meetings and having to reprimand staff for wearing non-regulation socks.’ Paul has had opportunities to open his own restaurant but the idea doesn’t appeal. He has experienced firsthand the immense pressure on chefs aspiring to attain and maintain Michelin status. He’s seen relationships suffer, health deteriorate and businesses go bust. Now, as a private chef, Paul is able to create an entirely bespoke experience. Free of bureaucracy and the need to impose a particular menu. Meals can be neatly tailored to please the people present. ‘It’s their house after all,’ he says. ‘I’m there to facilitate a memorable evening.’ I suggest it must be liberating to go from big commercial kitchens to working for yourself. ‘It is. I only answer to my wife now!’

Forchefpaulcollins.co.ukdetailsofPaul’sdoor-to-door home deliveries or to discuss a private booking, please email: paul@chefpaulcollins.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk

| 81

‘Cooking for clients in London, Geneva or California is great, don’t get me wrong, but there’s something special about cooking for people closer to home. I still have that sense of pride when I pull on the uniform and think I’m going to make someone happy today. It might only be Tory or the kids but I’m lucky, this is what I love to do and I just happen to be quite good at it.’

It’s undoubtedly a privilege to have Paul in your kitchen and to experience a chef working at such close quarters. ‘I was recently cooking at a 40th birthday do –35 people, breakfast, lunch and dinner, over the course of a weekend. I drew a crowd when making the celeriac remoulade, the proper way, uniformly cut by hand, which is a skill in itself,’ he enthuses. ‘I’ve been asked to include demos as part of the meal, which I’m happy to do. I’ll put the time aside to talk to people about the food, if that’s what they want. Some people just want me out of the way and that’s fine too.’

The 2019 pandemic and subsequent lock-downs presented many chefs with a predicament. Paul responded with aplomb, quickly setting up a local door-to-door delivery service which proved so successful that it continues today (when time allows between private dining jobs). Paul produces a weekly menu along with staples such as bread, sauces and granola. Customers order by email and then collect or have it delivered. ‘The response has been amazing and we’ve built some really nice relationships with people who use us on a weekly basis.’ Paul, Tory and their two children, Ava and George, moved to Charlton Horethorne from Oxford eight years ago and were promptly embraced by the community. ‘I can be out walking the dog for an hour and only get 50 yards down the road. It’s nice, we have common interests. The interaction we have with the village is immense and I love it.’ For all the travel that the couple’s work demands, have they dropped anchor here? ‘Definitely. Definitely.’

moving stuff around I’d be like Oi! but I’m very precise about the way I leave a kitchen. I have an eye for detail. It’s usually tidier than it was when I found it and you won’t be left with the washing up.’

elizabethwatsonillustration.com Open 7 days a week www.thequeensarms.com | info@thequeensarms.com | 01963 220317 Group bookings welcome Corton Denham 82 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Reservations 01963 251458 host@theclockspire.comwww.theclockspire.com The RestaurantClockspire&Bar Gainsborough, Milborne Port, Sherborne DT9 5BA @theclockspire The brilliant Simply Jazz return to The Clockspire on Thursday 22nd September The combination of cool jazz classics and a Clockspire meal makes for a wonderful night out and is bound to sell out quickly, so please do call to make a reservation while you still can SET LUNCH MENU SPECIAL OFFER Throughout September our set menu at lunch will be available for just £25 for three courses Opening Hours Wednesday to Saturday 12 noon – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 9:30pm Sunday - 12 noon – 4:30pm Jazz at THE CLOCKSPIRE

The bags of their salad I hold in my hand are astonishingly beautiful. The leaves are varied Image: Ed Schofield

In this new series, we go behind the scenes to meet some of the inspiring artisan producers, makers, farmers and growers that supply Teals, a new foodie destination off the A303 in South Cadbury and recent winners of Best Farm Shop 2022.

It is a magical place, a balance of nature-friendly wilderness and strictly laid out beds, filled with an abundance of healthy and bountiful green leaves. A chequerboard of lime green Expertise and deep purple-red curly-leafed Haflex lettuce sit alongside neat rows of ruby-stalked chard and almost black cavolo nero, their leaves whole and perfect and packed with intense flavours and dense nutrients.

Tunnels in the next garden section house tomato plants, their stalks supported by vertical strings, densely fruited with tomatoes of all shapes, sizes and colours, from the bright orange cherry Goldiana, and the rich purple variety Black Cherry to the ridged, pinky-red beefsteak Saint Pierre. The next tunnel is home to cucumbers which will never be coated in plastic, whose pale green flesh is dense, with an aromatic flavour and substantial crunch. Outside, peppery nasturtiums clamber the length of the tunnel like unruly children, joyful in their bright yellows, oranges and fiery reds.

Food and Drink 84 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

GOOD STOCK NO.1 WILD GARDEN, GALHAMPTON Joanna Weinberg, Teals

‘A ll I know is that I love this place. The feeling of it,’ says Nick Ross to me, stretching out his arms to show that he is talking about the 2-acre plot that is Wild Garden, where he and his partner Tia Cusden live and work. I have arrived early one morning at the height of the harvesting season at their market garden in Galhampton, 10 miles north of Sherborne, which specialises in organic leaves for salad and cooking.

The land, like so much in the area, was originally a cider and perry orchard, and several large apple and pear trees stand sentinel around the patch, which was, in 2015 when Nick and Tia found it, a pony paddock. They bought it with the dream of starting a market garden and eventually building a home on it. Part of the ethos of the Wild Garden project was to keep much of the area wild, so they grow on less than half of the land they own.

The leaves grow 11 months of the year; it is only January that is quiet, when there is no growth. Nature, as well as Nick and Tia, need to take a month of rest to reset.

and colourful, bright and vigorous, and nestled amongst them, fronds and tendrils of herbs, and the purple, blue and orange of edible flower petals. Tossed with olive oil, cider vinegar and a scrunch of flaky salt, they taste quite unlike any bagged salad you will buy from a supermarket. They are sharp and mild, peppery and milky, they have crunch and texture. They taste alive.

Little has been mechanised in the garden. Seeds are brought on in the tunnels and planted out as seedlings by hand to ensure an ongoing supply throughout the year. ‘We’ve just planted our autumn crop which should get us through until spring and then we rotate them around the garden. It’s a loose rotation – we don’t have club root here so we don’t have to worry about the brassicas. We just make sure we don’t plant the same things in the same place year after year.’

Increasingly they are interested in sharing their knowledge, in passing it on to a new generation of growers, particularly younger ones who are motivated by both finding ways to solve the food supply issues coming towards us, but seeking something else too, some kind of meaning and purpose. ‘You find meaning when you work on the land and when you’re surrounded by nature. It’s healing,’ says Nick, looking around him. ‘We’d like to start running courses here, to build a roundhouse where we can sit and talk over ideas for how to grow better. There’s so much noise and distraction in the world, and when they come, it’s peaceful here.’ Later that morning, I, too, find myself reluctant to leave, and hope very much, whether it’s through a bite of peppery salad, or a course one day in the future, I will find an ongoing connection with this special place.

teals.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 85

‘At the height of the season, we cut 60-80kg of lettuce a week to supply our customers. We get 2-3 crops from each depending on the type. We have played around with varieties and because we are organic, we’re very strict and fussy about what works. In summer, we add herbs like chervil and dill and edible flowers. In the winter we have rockets and mustards and small brassica leaves to add variety and interest,’ says Tia.

Weaving together theories of organic and bio-intensive gardeners such as John Geavens, Eliot Coleman and others, Nick and Tia have firmly established themselves as significant and inspiring growers in the organic movement. Wild Garden now attracts other growers who come and volunteer on their days off, to learn and share ideas, and over time, they plan to launch courses for people who want to learn their methods.

Inspiration came from a course they took in forest gardening – a fruit garden with nut trees and food bushes, creating forest conditions where there’s food to pick as well. ‘We’ve got walnut trees coming on, cobnuts and sweet chestnuts, and then we’ve got trees that are just good for the land, like Italian alders and these hedges around the side here are Elaeagnus umbellata (autumn olive) which are good for bringing up nutrients from the soil. They create a massive mycorrhizal network,’ says Tia. It is an enchanted place for nature. Insects hover around wildflowers, and alongside birdsong. I stand still and watch the butterflies dance. I can hear the shush-shushing noises of the willows and Scots pines they have planted, moving in the breeze. At the top of the patch, there is a new pond to further entice wildlife, and 4 hives of wild bees which they have taken on from local beekeeper Jo Bleasdale, and are learning from him to look after with the least amount of intervention. They hope that over time, they will be able to take some honey off for the winter.

Remove the seeds from the red peppers and chop roughly with the plum tomatoes and cucumber.

500g red peppers

7 To serve, pour your gazpacho into chilled bowls, decorate with your parsley oil and croutons and enjoy. greenrestaurant.co.uk

500g sourdough

his classic chilled soup is the perfect dish for a heatwave. We currently serve it to all our customers as an amuse-bouche and it has proved a big hit.

½ bunch of rosemary

5 Pre-heat oven to 180ºC, dice the sourdough into 2cm cubes and coat with the remaining oil, garlic and rosemary. Add to a baking tray and cook for 10 minutes or until crisp and golden.

2 tsp tabasco PepperSalt 1Method

500g plum tomatoes

Green 86 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

½ bunch of parsley

½ bunch of coriander

200g olive oil

3 Whilst your gazpacho is marinating bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the parsley leaves to the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds.

Drink

6 After your gazpacho has finished marinating, blitz in a food processor or blender and pass through a fine sieve or chinois. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

1ltr tinned tomatoes

TOMATO AND RED PEPPER GAZPACHO WITH PARSLEY OIL AND CROUTONS

3 sprigs of thyme

2 Add your chopped ingredients to a large plastic bowl along with the basil, coriander, thyme, white wine vinegar, 100g olive oil, Tabasco, tinned tomatoes and ½ a garlic clove. Give everything a good mix, cover with cling film and set aside in the fridge for at least 6 hours.

4 Remove and immediately transfer them to iced water to stop them cooking. Once cooled drain the parsley from the water and blend with 90g of oil. Pass through a muslin cloth and set aside.

Sasha Matkevich, The

Image: Clint Randall

Ingredients

2 cucumbers, peeled

1½ garlic cloves, minced ½ bunch of basil

Food and

30g white wine vinegar

A303 A303 NORTH CADBURY/SOUTHJUNCTION NORTH CADBURY/SOUTHJUNCTION WESTBOUND EASTBOUND CADBURYNORTH CADBURYSOUTH 1 ORCHARD LANE, SOUTH YEOVIL,CADBURY,BA227FS CELEBRATING SOMERSET GOODNESS, TEALS OFFERS RESPONSIBLY SOURCED GOODS FROM FANTASTIC LOCAL PRODUCERS. It features a restaurant, food market, butcher, bakery, cheese counter, bottle shop selling wine local cider, and beer, a gift shop with independent-label gifts and healthy food to go. A healthy kitchen will serve nourishing plates from across the region. CALL US 01963 We8am-6pmhello@teals.co.ukGENERAL361755ENQUIRIESOPENINGTIMES7daysaweekcan’twaittowelcomeyou, through our doors to sample the local produce and enjoy the orchard. If you fancy a trip out with a friend or an alternative to shopping in the supermarkets this is a great destination worth exploring.

chefpaulcollins.co.uk

3 Add the baked tomatoes and the tinned tomatoes to the cooked shallots and carrot and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

Food and Drink 88 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

1 carrot

2 dessert spoons of organic tomato ketchup or a pinch of sugar

4 Now add the stock and the ketchup/sugar.

ne of the many things I love to make when they are at the height of the season is a wonderfully rich tomato soup. It never fails to make those around me so happy with its rich, deep flavour. If you can use any tomatoes that have gone overripe even better, and also a handful of cherry tomatoes makes it even sweeter.

4 banana shallots

2 Peel and chop the shallots and the garlic, grate the carrot finely and then sweat off gently together in the olive oil on a low heat until nice and translucent. You could add thyme stalks or basil stalks if you have some to hand.

500g ripe tomatoes

50ml olive oil

500ml stock or 2 tsp Marigold bouillon made up to 500ml

Freeze any left over to extend the season.

6 Pass through a very fine sieve. Season if required.

5 Simmer gently for at least 20 minutes then buzz very smoothly in the blender.

1Method

Ingredients Makes 2.7 ltr = 8-10 portions

7 Serve with olive oil and basil if desired.

TOMATO SOUP Paul Collins, Chef

4 cloves of garlic

When I make this lunchtime favourite, I always bake the tomatoes first to bring all the juices out of them – this gives it such a rich smooth finish when you blend it.

Image: Tory McTernan

2 tins chopped tomatoes (tinned tomatoes contain a higher lycopene content)

Roughly chop the tomatoes and place on a baking tray and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes on 180°c. They should give up quite a bit of juice, but we want them to be slightly browned off.

chef PAUL COLLINS PRIVATE DINING IN THE LUXURY OF YOUR HOME ‘Not only was the food absolutely delicious, it was beautifully presented, and most definitely of the same quality or higher as some of the top restaurants in London.’ ‘He turned our vague wishes into amazing dishes. We and all guests were totally delighted. A superb meal and most memorable dinner and evening.’ ‘Paul is great on all the little details that make a simple dish into a great dish…a great way to entertain at home –we’ll definitely be booking again’ ‘As a top UK chef, his resume says it all…’ BESPOKE LUNCHES & DINNER PARTIES IN YOUR HOME BY A MICHELIN AWARD-WINNING CHEF Mobilepaul@chefpaulcollins.co.ukwww.chefpaulcollins.co.uk07774866902 Lavender Cafe & Shop Open Every Thursday to Sunday 10am - 4pm Enjoy our beautiful views, lavender field, garden and animals together with our homemade cakes, warming drinks, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and much more! Please contact James and Charlotte Tel 07802 443905 | info@thestorypig.co.uk The Story Pig, Lavender Keepers, Great Pitt Lane, Sandford Orcas, Sherborne DT9 4FG See more at www.thestorypig.co.uk Our Tamworth pigs are bred for quality and flavour. They are outdoor-reared and home-butchered to the highest welfare standards here at our farm in Sandford Orcas, just outside Sherborne. Sausages, joints, bacon and burgers available to buy online for home delivery, click-and-collect or direct from the farm every weekend. BUY LOCAL!

Ingredients 8 250mllemonsplain yoghurt 2

Recipebramblerestaurant.comfrom

Cooking

O ctopus are delicious and dramatic to serve. This is a simple barbecue recipe that is best cooked outside as it is very smoky - the results are fun and a great talking point over conventional barbecue fare. Prepare the octopus and use the legs cleaned of any hard ‘suckers’. Resist the temptation to cook the octopus for more than a couple of minutes or it will be like eating rubber, one minute on each side is plenty of cooking time.

2 Coat the octopus legs with the marinade, cover and set in the fridge to chill overnight.

Mat Follas, Bramble Restaurant Image: Steve Painter

2 tsp

1Method

Food and Drink 90 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

3 The next day, cut the remaining lemons into three slices each, sprinkle with a little sugar and set on the barbecue (or large ridged stovetop grill pan if cooking indoors) for 2-3 minutes until dark grill marks are formed.

ground

The legs of 1 large octopus (approx 1 kg), cleaned and portioned

Serves:

Begin by making the marinade. Mix the juice and zest of 4 of the lemons with the yoghurt and spices in a mixing bowl.

4 Turn the lemons over to cook the other side and add the octopus legs to the barbecue or pan. Turn the legs after 1 minute and cook the other side in the same way.

5 Serve the legs immediately with the grilled lemons - these can be squeezed over, or eaten with the legs.

Marinating

Tip: You can serve the octopus legs on their own, with a bowl of salad or in bread rolls to make an octopus hotdog.

Fish by Mat Follas, published by Ryland Peters & Small (£14.99)

BARBECUED OCTOPUS WITH GRILLED LEMONS

Preparation time: 15 minutes time: 12 hours time: 5 minutes 4 tsp coriander seeds tsp cumin seeds tsp ground turmeric tsp allspice mix caster sugar

Winner “Restaurant Category” Taste of the West Awards 2022 FINE DINING | TASTING MENU | GREAT WINES | ALFRESCO DINING AWARD-WINNING GARDEN | COCKTAIL BAR | BOUTIQUE SPA | LIVE MUSICIAN Spa Book a table for Sunday Lunch & enter our monthly prize draw! Winner is announced on the last Sunday of every month! easons is a multi award-winning restaurant set in the heart of the lively historic town of Sherborne in the glorious countryside of Dorset. The Eastbury Hotel & Spa, Long Street, Sherborne www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk Tel: 01935 813131 Open to non-residents, 7 days a week Call us or book online

200g cooking apples peeled, cored and chopped small

THE CAKE WHISPERER Val Stones DATE, APPLE AND SESAMESQUARESSEED

50g sesame seeds

ramley apples are perfect for this bake and work so well with dates, giving a deliciously moist texture. The sesame seeds add a slightly nutty flavour. I try to create bakes that are bonehealthy so the inclusion of dates and sesame seeds offers the benefit of calcium, iron and minerals.

2 tablespoons apricot jam to brush over the baked slice

Heat the oven to 190ºC (170ºC fan), gas mark 5.

Serves 9 -16 depending on how you cut the squares

12 Store in an airtight container – they will keep for a week and they freeze well for 2 months.

1Method

210g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing

150g stoned dates, chopped 1-2 tablespoon date syrup depending on how sweet you like your apples

130g porridge oats

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

6 Combine the flour, bicarb, oats, sesame seeds and remaining sugar in a bowl and mix well.

bakerval.com 92 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

10 Place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and firm. Whilst still warm brush the top with a little apricot jam.

9 Cover the apple mixture with the remaining oat mixture and press down firmly. Ensure all of the apple layer is covered and sealed.

Saucepan, microwavable bowl (or a second saucepan), baking paper/silicone sheet and wooden spoon.

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Baking Time 30-35 minutes

4 Add the dates, 50g of the brown sugar and the date syrup, simmer for a further 5 minutes. Take off the heat and, with a wooden spoon, break the apples and dates down until mixed well together. Set aside to cool.

225g plain flour

5 Gently melt the butter in the second pan or for 1 minute in a microwavable bowl (cover the bowl to prevent the butter ‘spitting’ if using the microwave).

200g soft brown sugar

Pour the melted butter into the oat mixture until the oats are well coated, add the vanilla extract and cinnamon and combine.

What you will need 18cm square baking pan for a deep mixture or 23cm square pan for a more shallow bake.

2 Grease the square pan and line with baking parchment or a silicone liner.

8 Press half the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan, spread the apple mixture evenly over the base.

11 Allow to cool in the pan. Once cold, tip the bake onto a board and cut into 9, 12 or 16 pieces.

Ingredients

Preparation time 20 minutes

2 tablespoons water

3 Place the prepared apples in a saucepan with 2 tablespoons water, bring to the boil and allow to simmer until tender and pulpy.

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

@robinjamesaveda robin-james.co.uk Dorchester 01305 250 240 Sherborne 01935 812 112

James Hull, The Story Pig I t’s early evening and I am sitting outside in the shade next to the tipi. The dust is streaming out of the pig ark into the sunshine as the piglets fight for their mother’s milk – there is a constant rumpus going on as 60 piglets fight over their 6 poor mums. As soon as it cools down I am going to wean them from their mothers. They are eating lots of hard food now and are ready to start out on their own. In actual fact, they won’t bat an eyelid and their mothers will surely be glad of a break from the needle-sharp teeth. The sows will be moved and shared out 3 each to our 2 boars Dillon and Fred and like clockwork, five days from weaning almost to the hour they will come on heat and the cycle starts again.

I have a dripping water pipe in every paddock and as if by magic they dig and roll and rub until from nowhere a hole appears. The pigs flop in the muddy soup, cover themselves in thick mud and then climb out and bask in the sun until they are too hot and then repeat the process. I have been feeding them at five in the morning and even then they are often shining with wet mud after an early morning dip. Without these watery wallows our pigs would die from heat stress so the dripping pipes are a small price to pay for healthy animals.

I have to tell you – I have succumbed and just pinched an ice cream from the freezer. No trace of chocolate smudges but please don’t tell Charlotte! thestorypig.co.uk

Pigs don’t like these high temperatures any more than we do. They do not sweat as we do so to keep cool they need mud! I add the water for them and they do the rest.

All around us the combines have been rolling easily through the bone-dry crops, dust spreading far and wide in their wake. As a farmer, there’s no surer sign of summer, but for us here, with no crops and no combine, a surer way to judge things is to look at the freezer and see how our little cafe visitors devour our Purbeck ice cream – sitting in the sunshine with their sun hats at a jaunty angle, chocolate smudges on their faces giving the game away. That’s summer right there. This month Communifit will be running a cycle ride starting and finishing here and we run an open farm day alongside it. You don’t have to cycle, the day is for everyone young and old..er. We will be having live music, cider, trailer rides around the farm, our own hog roast and it’s just a great relaxed day…unless you have just cycled 50 miles, in that case, you might be looking for a cider!

94 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Food and Drink

A MONTH ON THE PIG FARM

When the first sparkling wine labels were designed, producers tried to hide the fact that the wine was English because, at the time, England had no reputation as a wine producer. Now English is the word of which they are most proud. England has almost perfect conditions for producing great sparkling wines but within fifty years or so we will probably be producing more chardonnay and pinot noir in the Burgundian style. Climate warmth will lead to the loss of the acidity and freshness essential for great sparkling wine. Rosé is predicted to become more popular; pinot noir our next great success. I have tasted pinot wines from the Camel Valley that suggests good pinot noir is well on its way. There is certainly plenty of good vineyard land in Wales and the West Country, East Anglia and the Midlands.

sherbornetimes.co.ukDavies| 95

As a result of their success, many other would-be vintners decided to ‘have a go’. England now produces

When the Mosses retired, they sold Nyetimber and it was eventually purchased by the Dutch entrepreneur Eric Heerema who appointed truly world-class Canadian winemakers Sheree Spriggs and Brad Greatrix to take the quality of the wines to new heights. Many other English winemakers followed their example. Ridgeview planted their first vineyard in the South Downs and Furleigh Estate and Bride Valley in Dorset were just some of the many prepared to invest in the English wine business who have made a name for themselves with extremely well-crafted wines with a freshness of flavour that delights sparkling wine drinkers.

The general reaction in England was ‘they must be mad’. However, successful entrepreneurs such as the Mosses, have a natural eye for business opportunities. They realised that the soils and climate in Sussex were identical to Champagne, and converted their orchard into a vineyard, determined to make an English sparkling wine good enough to compete with Champagne. They went to Champagne for help and advice and were well received because they were considered a slightly eccentric couple who did not pose a threat to the Champagne industry. The French were also pleased to sell them top-quality chardonnay, pinot meunier and pinot noir rootstock and the best sparkling winemaking equipment.

Warmer weather will increase yields but reduce the ideal levels of acidity for great sparkling wines.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENGLISH SPARKLING WINE David CoppFurleigh Estate, Bridport Image: Katharine

Stuart Moss, who had made his money in dental and medical equipment, was a frequent visitor to the UK with his wife. They fell in love with the rolling Sussex countryside and bought an old manor house with an apple orchard. Looking for a retirement project they decided to make an English sparkling wine.

I n 1997, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh toasted their golden wedding anniversary at a Guildhall luncheon in the city with a glass of English sparkling wine produced by an American couple from Chicago.

some of the world’s very best sparkling wines and exports them in growing quantities to many world markets and notably the USA, Japan and Scandinavia.

Nine years later in 1997, they produced their first vintage. I remember well that it was greeted with criticism by some of my colleagues who soon had to eat humble pie when, a few years later, Nyetimber won the gold medal for sparkling wine in the International Wine and Spirits Competition.

elizabethwatsonillustration.com Award-Winning Dog Behaviour Specialists covering Dorset, Somerset & Wiltshire • New Puppy Training Package • Dog Behaviour Packages • Online Video Classes • Advice Line • Pack Walks naturalbalancedt.com Contact Sarah on 07769 705807 or sarah@naturalbalancedt.com Kingston House Veterinary Clinic Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3DB Mon-Fri 9.00-10.30, 16.30-18.00 Sat 9.00-10.30 T: 01935 813288 (24 hours) E: sherborne@kingstonvets.co.uk kingstonvets.co.uk Free registration appointment for new clients when accompanied by this advertisement 96 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

www.friarsmoorvets.co.uk Independent veterinary services for livestock in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Collection points for livestock medicines and supplies at Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Blandford and Shaftesbury Please call the office on 01258 472314 Sherbornewww.newtonclarkevet.comSurgery Swan House Lower Acreman Street 01935 816228 Yeovil Surgery 142 Preston Road 01935 474415 Contact us on: 07900 654 440 www.companionsatpeace.co.uk Independent family run business offering a very personal, caring pet cremation service to bereaved pet owners. • Collection Service • Farewell Room • Out of Hours Service provided Located in a rural countryside setting on the Somerset Dorset border sherbornetimes.co.uk | 97

The poor dog had all but one of its metatarsals severed, which are the bones in the foot between the ankle and toes. The owner had not exaggerated. As with many boney injuries, it’s the soft tissues and blood supply that determine the chances of success for any attempt at repair. I will not go into graphic detail about this injury, suffice to say we knew the foot was doomed.

Animal Care

Mark Newton-Clarke MAVetMB PhD MRCVS, Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

A SAFE DISTANCE

’m writing this during a rare storm of rain, welcome respite from the record-breaking temperatures that we have all endured recently. The air conditioning in Swan House was very welcome for pets, clients and staff! After the rain, the parched grass will now start to grow again so lawn mowers and strimmers will be dusted off and put back to work after several weeks of laying idle.

Although the old saying ‘no foot, no horse’ is true, luckily for small animals three legs are quite sufficient

98 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

A salient reminder that power tools and pets do not go together was made in dramatic fashion just recently and this wasn’t the first time. A devastated owner called us just before closing one Saturday afternoon to say his dog’s foot had been badly injured by a grass strimmer. Using the words ‘hanging off’ focused all our minds but often things are not as bad as they first seem. So we hoped. Unfortunately, in vain in this case.

for a good quality of life, providing the remaining limbs are in working order. Our patient that day was a young, slim terrier so the decision to amputate the entire leg was the right one. Although there have been cases of prosthetic limbs being applied to animals, the welfare issue of such a procedure is highly questionable. So poor Terry the Terrier lost his leg due to a tragic accident and I hope all reading this will shut the dogs, the cats and the kids well away when the gardening equipment comes out.

GoodFocused/Shutterstock

On this theme of ‘garden hazards’ I might as well share a personal story to illustrate another preventable

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 99

injury. This time it involves a lawn mower, a piece of wood and my left eye (although it could have been anyone or anything’s eye). You may have already guessed the way this is going; a piece of wood was thrown out from under the mower and hit me directly in the eye. Well, not quite directly as luckily for me my blink reflex was just fast enough to prevent an impact on my cornea, my upper eyelid taking the initial force. Not that I knew that at the time, I was too busy staggering around the garden clutching my face. Ballistic injuries to eyes are always painful even if they are non-penetrating and can easily cause blindness. In my case, the high-speed piece of wood caused a pressure wave inside my eye, which of course is full of a liquid (aqueous humour) and a jelly (vitreous humour) with a lens in between. The pressure in the eye is carefully regulated but if this control mechanism fails and the pressure increases, glaucoma results. I’m sure most of you have had your intra-ocular pressures (IOP) checked by the optician, using the clever machine that delivers a puff of air and makes you blink.

We now have our own device to measure cats’ and dogs’ IOPs. It looks like a fat pen and after local anaesthetic is applied to the patient’s eye, the tip of the pen is touched on the cornea and a series of tiny pulses record the eye’s resistance, measuring the internal pressure. Keeping a normal pressure in the eye is essential to preserve the retina, which is super-sensitive to any increase. Sudden pressure increases in the eye, as in my case, are more likely to damage the iris and the lens and can even cause the sclera (the tough white of the eye) to rupture. All this was going through my mind as I struggled to examine myself in the mirror! Serious damage to the iris causes bleeding into the eye and this is visible through the cornea; I was relieved to see my iris was intact and responsive to light and no blood was present. Bleeding under the conjunctiva is another common finding after trauma and it produces a bloodshot sclera, dramatic but not too serious. Happy to report that I avoided structural damage to my eye that day but it took two weeks of treatment before it stopped hurting. I will be wearing safety glasses in future that will protect me but remember who else is in range of flying debris, be they cat, dog or human. This incident took place a week after I broke a rib, again in the garden, prompting a friend to remark that I seem to have elevated gardening to an extreme and dangerous sport. So take care out there everyone! newtonclarkevet.com

Animal Care I

Dr Antonia Leech BVMSci (Hons), fCMgr, ACMI MRCVS, The Kingston Veterinary Group

• Sheep nibbling at their skin, fidgeting, stamping their feet and shaking their tail

•

• Wool loss

Mike Sannwald/Shutterstock

• Inappetence, dullness and depression

kingstonvets.co.uk

• Visible sores on the body, typically around their back end, by their tail

Isolating away from the flock

• DiagnosisDeath of these signs is done solely by inspecting the lesions. Large numbers of adult flies are seen on the discoloured fleece with maggots visible on the blackened skin once the surrounding fleece has been lifted. There is an associated putrid smell. Treatment of the individual sheep involves the physical removal of maggots and contaminated fleece, then cleaning and disinfecting the wounds. Use a flystrike treatment preparation (e.g. deltamethrin or cypermethrin as an active ingredient) as instructed on the label around the affected area. Supportive treatment such as fluids, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories under direction from your vet can be used, especially if the skin appears broken, a secondary infection is present or the flystrike is more advanced where the animal is very uncomfortable.

STRIKEBLOWFLYINSHEEP

100 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

t is estimated that around 80% of sheep flocks around the UK suffer from one or more cases of blowflies every year. Typically known as flystrike; greenbottle, blackbottle and bluebottle flies lay eggs on the skin of sheep which in turn hatch into maggots. The maggots feed voraciously and secrete enzymes which cause skin and muscle damage. Secondary blowflies are attracted by the smell of decomposing tissue. Toxins released by damaged tissues are absorbed into the sheep’s bloodstream causing illness and death in severe cases. Secondary bacterial infections are common and may also cause death if untreated. The recent hot weather and humidity are prime conditions for the flies to thrive, especially when there is rain. It is the law for keepers of sheep to check on their animals daily in these high-risk periods. It is therefore crucial to check them thoroughly for signs of flystrike as well as other illnesses. Flystrike is a major welfare concern and if not intervened with quickly can cause huge suffering. Blowflies are typically attracted to sheep with soiled fleece around the tail and back legs. Areas they are also attracted to are wounds, foot-rot lesions, urine scalding but also sometimes the shoulders where the fleece is wet due to rain. Unless you observe your sheep very closely, you will probably not notice flystrike until it is causing your sheep discomfort. The key signs to look for are:

• Fleece appearing a darker colour and smelling foul - this may be discharge from the wound

• Maggots present upon parting the fleece

Flystrike is easily preventable and requires regular checking of sheep and a proactive approach during at-risk periods. You can also shear or dag (remove dirty fleece around their back end) from early April as the weather starts to warm. By docking lambs’ tails after they are born, tails are less likely to get contaminated by faeces and therefore attract fewer flies. In order to prevent huge faecal contamination of sheep, it is important to take faecal egg counts and worm them appropriately to prevent diarrhoea. Fly control methods, such as trapping flies, can reduce the overall fly population and it is important to treat all wounds and foot-rot lesions promptly so that fewer flies are attracted to them. And most importantly, you should use a pre-emptive chemical fly prevention treatment before the challenges arise.

www.pawsnklaws-petservices.co.uk07455840266 COMMUNICATIONPROMPT CLIENTMOBILEPORTALAPP GPSWALKSTRACKED 100% SATISFACTIONCLIENT DOG WALKING & PET SITTING SERVICES

elizabethwatsonillustration.com www.oxleysc.com osc info@sherborne.com * D i r e c t D e b i t i s r e q u i r e d Join in September and get December for FREE.* 102 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

In the 231 years since we were established, The Abbey Pharmacy has seen many changes in our society. We continue to evolve and are now, more than ever, committed to meeting the changing needs of our customers. Our vision for the transformation of The Abbey Pharmacy invests not only in the health of our community but also our high street – we need your support in making this a reality. To find out more about our exciting plans and to register your support, please visit www.theabbeypharmacytransformation.com TRANSFORMATION Respecting the past, embracing the future Established 1790

• Count to ten, then start at one again.

• Practice for around one minute – use a timer if that helps until you get used to how long that feels.

• Take a deep breath and relax your shoulders as you exhale.

• Soften your face and maybe swallow to release tension around the jaw or down into your throat.

• Check your posture by tucking under your tailbone and lifting up through your spine, head centred.

• Begin to count your breath, the first inhalation as one and first exhalation as two. Or you may prefer to count the pauses in between the in and the out breaths.

I can easily find myself in the teens or even twenties before I realise my brain has gone into autopilot counting the breaths while I am going over something that has happened during the day or what I am going to cook for dinner. The count gives me a clear signal that I’ve drifted and need to refocus, pulling me back like an anchor for a boat on a rough sea. I hope this helps you find a little quiet when you need it.

Therelengthens.arealot of different ways you can meditate – I found meditation exercises using my breathing especially helpful. I needed a physical anchor –something I could sense rather than picturing an image or trying to create a feeling. This exercise is simple and clearly highlights when you have drifted off into other thoughts so you can draw yourself back again.

• If you keep losing track, count groups of four breaths instead. Each time you lose count, try not to get frustrated, simply start back at one again.

• When you are ready to finish take a deep breath and let go of your meditation as you exhale.

Dawn Hart, YogaSherborne

yogasherborne.co.uk

Earth-ShutterstockPlanetBlueAND BREATHE…

Body and Mind

104 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

I often hear people say they find meditation hard as they cannot ‘clear their mind’. I used to feel the same until it was explained to me that meditation is not so much about creating a clear, empty space in your mind but about recognising when we have left it. We need to learn to notice when we have drifted off; distracted by thoughts or sounds around us. Then we can gently draw ourselves back to the quiet space we have chosen even if it’s just for a few seconds – that is where the meditation practice begins and grows. Over time, the drifting off reduces and the time in the quiet space

• The trick is to let yourself enjoy the process. Enjoy being aware of your breathing – imagine it’s the first time you’ve noticed or counted your breath. Be interested in what you are doing. Sometimes you may breathe deeply, sometimes lightly, sometimes a deep sigh, sometimes it will feel as if you are hardly breathing at all.

•Prepare: Find a comfortable sitting position resting your hands on your legs or in your lap.

• Close your eyes, and begin to draw your attention to yourself rather than the sounds around you.

The exercise:

• Breathe comfortably – don’t try and control it, just breathe at your own pace.

Sherborne Times Reader Offer 10% discount for new clients Please mention Sherborne Times at time of booking. Valid until 1/2/2023 • L’Oréal Professional Hair and Beauty Salon • Olaplex Hair Treatments • Hair Colouring incl Fashion Hair • Cuts and Styles • Wedding Packages • Prom Packages • Tinsel Hair • Balayage Hair • Media Make-up • Gel Polish • Eyelash Extensions and much more 01935 816708 B’dazzled Hair Salon St. George’s House, 2 Green Hill, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4HF NESTLED IN THE PICTURESQUE VILLAGE OF TRENT, LIES A PEACEFUL HAVEN - THE LAZY BARN. WE SPECIALISE IN MASSAGE, FACIALS AND ALL BEAUTY TREATMENTS, BESPOKE AND TAILORED TO YOUR INDEVIDUAL NEEDS. GET IN TOUCH TO, RELAX, REBALANCE AND REFUEL. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU. 1 TRENT COURT, SHERBORNE, DT9 4AY RELAX@THELAZYBARN.CO.UK01935851824@THELAZYBARN sherbornetimes.co.uk | 105

By exercising with friends or as part of a group, activity can help you ‘Connect’ with others and socialise.

Research by the think tank, New Economics Foundation recommends ‘The Five Ways to Wellbeing’ for improving mental health. Exercise can help you achieve all Five Ways – which are Connecting, Learning, Giving, Noticing and Being Active.

Body and Mind

EXERCISE AND

Lucy Lewis, Assistant Psychologist and Dorset Mind Ambassador

A s human beings, we need to stay active to keep well and stay fit. However, we spend so much time rushing around that we can forget the importance of keeping our bodies in good working order. The NHS recommends that adults partake in two and a half hours per week of moderate-intensity exercise to remain healthy. It is widely understood that exercise not only improves your sleep, cognition and energy levels but also greatly benefits your mental health.

Signing up for a gym class or sports team is a great way to achieve this. Research suggests that feeling close to and valued by other people is an important part of living mentally healthily so exercising with others not only increases the benefits of exercise but also improves your mental wellbeing.

106 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Exercise also provides the opportunity to ‘Learn’. You could learn a new sport or skill and feel rewarded as you progress, thereby improving your self-esteem when you reach your goals. As an additional bonus, turbo-charging your self-esteem improves resilience to stress and increases overall life satisfaction. MENTAL HEALTH

Exercise can also enable you to ‘Notice’ if you ground yourself in the present moment, also referred to as mindfulness. Mindfulness has been found to improve mental wellbeing and quality of life; this can be practiced during exercise. Next time you are exercising outside, why not pay attention to and focus on the sensation in your muscles, the movements you make, the wind on your face, or the beauty of nature and let these sensations ease your mind as you exercise?

You can feel good as you get fitter and make a change for a cause you care about. Dorset Mind offers many opportunities to raise money for a great cause while getting active. Visit dorsetmind.uk/get-involved/ fundraise-for-us/ for latest fundraising opportunities.

Michaelpuche/Shutterstock "Focus on the sensation in your muscles, movementsthe you make, the wind on your face and the beauty of nature" sherbornetimes.co.uk | 107

Dorset Mind offers group support that can also help with your wellbeing. The group offers peer support and helps to reduce stigma by normalising conversations about mental health. Please visit dorsetmind.uk for information. You can also check out further support for stress and mental health at Ifmind.org.ukyouarestruggling to cope with your mental health in general, please talk to your GP. If you’re in a crisis, treat it as an emergency. Call 999 immediately or the Samaritans, FREE on 116 123. Alternatively, call Dorset’s 24hr Helpline called Connection on 0800 652 0190.

Moreover, exercise can reduce symptoms of anxiety by boosting physical and mental energy, releasing endorphins and reducing tension and stress. Highly active individuals tend to have lower stress levels, compared to less active people. Exercise has also been associated with better cognitive health in individuals. For example, exercise has been found to decrease the likelihood of dementia and delay further damage with people who already have dementia. There are many reasons to get more active, but regardless of what motivates you to exercise, you’ll see that the benefits are wonderfully limitless.

Studies also show that exercise can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as medication and further research suggests that those who are more active have lower rates of depression in general. If you increase your exercise levels from doing nothing, to exercising at least three times a week, you can reduce your risk of depression by almost 20%.

You could also use exercise as a chance to ‘Give’ back to your society and the world. Why not fundraise for a charity by signing up for a challenge or marathon?

SUPERSERUMCHARGE Sarah Hitch, The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms and The Margaret

A nighttime serum may be the same as you are using in the day if you are intensively targeting a particular skin issue such as sensitivity. Or it may be that you plump and brighten in the day and target ageing of the skin at night when the skin goes into repair mode.

The additional layering up of serums under your moisturiser will help boost the benefits of your cream and in some cases help improve their absorption meaning you need to apply less moisturiser and will get better skin benefits long-term.

Serums contain smaller molecules and peptides that can sink deeper into the layers of our skin or epidermis. These smaller molecules pass through the walls of our micro-nutrient network directly into the lower skin cells. These are then absorbed into the skin cells as they are formed giving them a bath in radiance-enhancing and trouble-shooting ingredients.

Body & Mind

Taking action on breakouts with deeply clearing and healing ingredients is also more productive during our nightly rest because again some ingredients such as salicylic and glycolic acid should not be left on the skin during exposure to daylight. During the day you can apply healing topical boosters to spots and conceal them if necessary, but with a clean face at night, clearing serums can get to work on bacteria and skin blockages causing the breakouts.

For real skin care junkies, a skincare routine involving the applications of an eye product, skin essence, and skin serum followed by a moisturiser (containing that allimportant minimum SPF 30!) would be the platinum care plan. However this level of self-care and investment isn’t for everyone and a professional skin therapist can sample and advise on a bespoke routine to suit your lifestyle – you only have to ask.

Products containing retinol are fabulous at increasing collagen production, cell renewal and smoothing the surface but must never be applied in the daytime as on exposure to sunlight retinol produces a very opposite and damaging impact.

margaretbalfour.co.ukthesanctuarysherborne.co.uk Balfour Beauty Centre

Dekazigzag/Shutterstock 108 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

S erums hold the power to charge up your skincare routine and accelerate the results that you have been chasing.

Serums can be applied day and/or night depending on the individual product and its ingredients. Serums that are helpful to add to our product routine before our day cream tend to support hydration levels and focus on skin brightening. Ingredients to look out for here are hyaluronic acid which increases water retention in our upper cells and therefore has an immediate plumping effect on the skin’s surface. Vitamin C is intensively repairing and rich in antioxidants which are key to holding off damage caused by the sun, lifestyle and pollution. Skin ‘essences’ are another additional layering step – originating from the Korean beauty industry, they work like a primer for the rest of your skincare routine. They have a very small molecular weight so they penetrate more deeply and a liquid texture to quickly sink into your skin, activating products which are applied afterwards.

Sherborne, Milborne Port and Trent • Hath Yoga outside when possible • Relaxation and guided meditation Contact Dawn for more details 07817 hello@yogasherborne.co.uk@yogasherborne624081 Yoga Alliance qualified teacher YogaSherborne WEDNESDAY EVENINGS ON ‘ZOOM’ 7-9PM STARTING 21ST SEPTEMBER OR THURSDAY MORNINGS 9-11AM IN A BEAUTIFUL BARN STUDIO IN OVER COMPTON STARTING 22ND SEPTEMBER COST: £200 07702 374954 NESSNESS@MINDFULNESSHERBORNE.COMWWW.MINDFULNESSHERBORNE.COMLEEISAREGISTERED‘MINDFULNESSNOW’PRACTITIONER NESS LEE MINDFULNESS COACH & COUNSELLOR MINDFULNESS FOR WELLBEING 8 WEEK COURSE LEARN TO REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY INCREASE CALM AND POSITIVITY BUILD CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM IMPROVE YOUR FOCUS AND CLARITY IMPROVE SLEEP QUALITY BUILD GREATER RESILIENCE LOWER INCIDENCES OF RECURRING DEPRESSION PAIN MANAGEMENT communifit communi_fit @communifitcommunifit.co.uk • Exercise classes • Running groups • Personal training • Events All age groups and abilities Call 07791 308773 Email info@communifit.co.uk Art of Confidence Movement Practices and Wellness Pilates on the Reformer Move, and feel better Beautiful studio location at Unit 3, West Down Farm, Corton Denham, Sherborne DT9 4LG Contact Emma Rhys Thomas 07928 291192 Or email quantockpilates@gmail.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 109

Structured, targeted and specific strengthening exercises can keep all areas of the body strong. Whether you are new to exercise or not, prioritise what type of exercise you need and make sure you include strength-based exercise in your weekly timetable. communifit.co.uk

110 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Independence Strengthening exercises not only improve our ability to get up and out of a chair safely but also aid in moving around the house. Cleaning, cooking, getting changed, showers, climbing stairs etc all require strength. The stronger we are the easier it will be to do all of these, making us more independent.

Strengthening exercises help keep our muscles, bones and joints ‘stronger for longer’. This in turn slows down the weakening of the body during the ageing process, turning what could be seen as a negative into a positive and something we can control. Here are some everyday examples of how staying strong can be beneficial during our later years:

Balance Strong muscles mean better balance. We are able to pick our heavy legs off the floor whilst walking, preventing the ‘shuffle’. Our hips are strong enough to pick our feet off the floor. You’ll notice that not all pavements are even, so very important when walking outside. We will also be much faster to react to certain situations, therefore making us less likely to fall. Sit to stand Getting up from a chair can, as we get older, become a real challenge. We need strength to get ourselves up from a chair so we can begin walking. This is a fundamental part of independence – strengthening exercises can make standing easier to accomplish.

FORSTRONGERLONGER Craig Hardaker BSc (Hons), Communifit

A s we age, we unfortunately weaken. When we reach a hundred, we won’t be as strong as when we were eighty. When we are eighty, we won’t be as strong as when we were sixty. The more encouraging news however, is that the speed at which we weaken is determined by ourselves and what we do.

BrillStuartImage:

Body and Mind

Activities Staying strong will help us to continue doing the activities we enjoy the most, examples may include golf, gardening, meeting with friends, bowls. Whatever your hobbies, you will need strength to achieve these effectively.

Staying ‘stronger for longer’ doesn’t just happen. We need to spend time on our bodies to maintain strength.

 Hearing aids custom-made to fit your ears precisely  Superb 360° sound quality and speech understanding  Be active in conversation, even in noisy environments  Effortless mobile connections and direct streaming  Make hands-free calls from most smartphones  Use the Oticon ON app for easy, discreet control  A full day's power without disposable batteries  Book your OTICON consultation with us today THISSOMETHINGNEWINHEARINGLAUNCHESAUTUMN TRY THE LATEST IN CUSTOM HEARING t: 01935 815647 *OFFER* DEMO OTICON HEARING AIDS DURING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER FOR PERSONALISED OFFERS Girlings Complete Hearing | 4 Swan Yard | Sherborne DT9 3AX www.girlinghearingaids.co.uk

Now fast forward and imagine it’s done. All unpacked and organised; everyone relaxed and all without lifting a finger. How? All you have to do is call and ask. ConciergeDeclutteringUnpackingDownsizingHouse Move The simpler way to move house Stressed about a house move? www.thehomemover.co.uk Call Nin at onHomemoverThenow01935581047 Competitively Priced, High Quality Carpets, Vinyls, Woods & Rugs SHERBORNE SHOWROOM NOW OPEN Unit 12, Old Yarn Mills, Westbury, Sherborne, DT9 3RQ A family run business established in 1998, we promise a highly professional level of service Tel: 07733 101064 or 01935 817885 www.lsflooring.co.uk Wayne Timmins Painter and Decorator 01935 872007 / 07715 •waynesbusiness@aol.com867145 Interior & Exterior • Fully Qualified • 20 Years Experience • Wallpapering & Lining • Residential & Commercial CORNWALL | DEVON | SOMERSET | DORSET | LONDON Our highly successful Yeovil office conduct the sale of all town, village and country property and is ideally positioned on the Dorset/Somerset border. If you are considering selling your property, start your journey today and contact a member of our team. The West Country is Stags Country 01935 475000 | yeovil@stags.co.uk 112 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

For more information visit our website or come down to the showroom. Unit 1a > South Western Business Pk > Sherborne > Dorset > DT9 3PS T: 01935 816 168 > sales@billbutterswindows.co.uk > www.billbutterswindows.co.uk At Bill Butters Windows Ltd we offer total window, door and conservatory solutions. Based in Sherborne we design, manufacture, supply and install high quality aluminium and uPVC products using market leading suppliers to service both the retail and commercial sectors.

For example, someone in care paying £800 per week, where the ‘hotel’ costs amount to £250 and in this case the local authority has deemed the appropriate weekly fee to be £600, the amount that counts towards the care cap is £350. How is this calculated?

he £86,000 cap on care liabilities is the centrepiece of the government’s long-awaited reform of adult social care funding in England, due to come into force in October 2023. This cap looks generous; however, it is not as simple as it looks, and a lot of people now incorrectly believe that they will not pay more than £86,000 for their later life care. The cap only relates to ‘personal care’ costs and not costs for ‘hotel’ costs such as accommodation and meals.

Using the example above, someone paying £800 per week for care who does remain in care and reaches the care cap, the person in care will have contributed approximately £196,000 to their care to reach the cap.

So, in summary, while the care cap may reduce the amount you pay in the long-term it is important to understand that there will still be costs associated with a relative’s care that they and/or their family will need to fund. mogersdrewett.com

MIND THE CAP Sean McCabe, Chartered Financial Planner, Mogers Drewett 114 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

In addition, the care costs relate to the costs based on what the local authority believes is an appropriate fee, meaning if anyone selects a care home that charges above the average, then the extra costs will not count towards the cap.

Legal

What does this mean?

The actual figure used against the care cap would be the local authority care budget figure – in this case £600, less hotel cost – in this case £250, which would mean that only £350 per week will count towards the care cap. Based on the figure of £350 per week this means that the care cap would be reached in 245 weeks or 4.7 years.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT LIFE ISN’T ALWAYS PLAIN SAILING. If you find yourself in uncharted waters, our family team are here to guide you through. Our family experts are here to help – get in touch today. mogersdrewett.com | 0800 533 5349 | enquiries@mogersdrewett.com ON YOUR SIDE, AT YOUR SIDE FOR: Starting a relationship • Cohabitation Agreements • Pre-Nuptial Agreements Ending a relationship • Alternative Dispute Resolution • Mediation • Divorce • Dissolving a Civil Partnership • Divorce & Jurisdiction • Domestic Abuse Support • Financial Resolution • Complex Financial Settlement Including Business & Pension Children • Parental Orders • Parental Responsibility Disputes • Child Abduction • Surrogacy Legal Planning • Adoption Legal Planning

Rural bungalow coming to the market in October, fantastic views, well-presented. Shaftesbury Well-presented first floor flat close to centre, two bedrooms, modern kitchen and bathroom.

Nr Evershot Stable Yard & Grazing Land –up to ten stables, tack room, w.c, wash down area, hardstanding, parking, all-weather school, grazing land

Nr Beaminster Semi-detached family home, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, utility/boot room, large garden, parking for 2-3 cars. Agricultural occupancy conditions apply.

Affordable interior fabrics thefabricbarn.co.uk 01935 851025 1 Horsecastles, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3FB T: 01935 816209 E : www.stockwoodlettings.co.ukinfo@stockwoodlettings.co.uk Lettings & Property Management Independent Letting Agent representing town and country property throughout Somerset and Dorset

Nr Chetnole Rural office available on flexible terms, impressive building presented in excellent order. Call to discuss further.

Beaminster

Imposing period house, recently refurbished to a high standard, two reception rooms, kitchen with dining area, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, small courtyard garden, on-street parking.

Coming Soon 116 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Bridport

Yeovil Purpose-built first floor flat close to hospital, double bedroom with fitted units, large sitting room, kitchen, bathroom with shower over bath, parking and garage.

Hardwood Flooring Specialists Registered Farrow & Ball Stockist Bespoke In-Home Colour Consultancy Certified Bona Contractor 11 Dreadnought Trading Estate, Bridport DT6 5BU 01308 458443 www.bridporttimber.co.uk

One little reported fact in the Bank of England statement was the hope that inflation would fall back to 3% by the end of 2023 and back to 2% by the end of 2024. Let us all hope that this proves to be an accurate prediction.

When the cost of borrowing increases so do interest rates for savers. Not surprisingly, banks (because they put their own interests first) have always been quicker to increase the rate they charge to borrow than they do the rate that they pay to savers. If inflation reaches 13%, and savings accounts only pay 2%* the purchasing power of savings is reduced significantly.

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

he Bank of England has just announced an increase of 0.5% to the base rate, the biggest interest rate rise since 1995. Similar policies have been adopted by the US Federal Reserve as well as the European Central Bank.

In May, the Bank of England predicted that inflation, currently around 9%, would be as high as 11% by the end of the year. That forecast has now been raised to 13.3%. A severe recession is expected. Clearly we live in challenging times. How should investors react?

So, how should investors react? They should make sure that they have enough money in cash for known expenditure in the next two years. Assets that are not needed for 3–5 years could be invested in bonds or gilts, in the hope that most of the time returns might match inflation. Anything else should be invested in portfolios that include shares to provide longterm protection against inflation.

118 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Lending money to governments, often known as bond or gilt investing, exposes the investor to additional risk. The money is usually tied up for a period of time and, occasionally, governments default. Because of the extra risk, investors demand a better return. Over a longer period of time, this type of investing has frequently produced inflation-beating returns, albeit only modestly.

CHALLENGETHE

At the time of writing there are no instant access accounts offering interest above 1.56% (source: moneyfacts.co.uk)

FACING

Being an owner of shares, rather than being a lender, has delivered returns comfortably in excess of inflation. Again, risk and reward are related as otherwise nobody with any common sense would take the extra risk if there wasn’t at least a possibility of a greater return.

ffp.org.uk *

A sound investment strategy looks to the long-term. It also looks backwards in time to see what type of assets actually succeed in delivering a real return in excess of inflation. Such an analysis concludes that depositing cash in an interest-bearing account only rarely achieves a return in excess of inflation. If such interest is then taxed, inflation-beating returns have not happened.

Trusted, professional, fee based advice We live in a complex world. At FFP we aim to remove complexity, replacing it with simplicity and clarity so that our clients can enjoy their lives without worry Your Life, Your Money, Your Future FFP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Telephone: 01935 813322 Email: info@ffp.org.uk Website: www.ffp.org.uk ON YOUR BIKE Your daily commute doesn’t have to be as sweaty or costly as you think. By using a Cycle to Work scheme, employers can reclaim the VAT on e-bikes and employees can hire their new wheels as a pre-tax deduction from their salary. It’s time to change gear! 01935 815 008 | huntsaccountants.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 119

re you paying attention? There are a lot of baddies out there after your hard-earned money and it’s up to you to be safe and secure – nobody’s going to do it for you! However, don’t worry too much because they have no idea who you really are; you’re just a number or an email address and all they’re interested in doing is making as much money as possible from Everythingyou.needs a password nowadays; your phone, your card PIN, your email and every online service you use. You need to make this as secure as possible by mixing up letters, numbers and symbols, and not using common words or names. Try not to make it guessable – try and be different! Secondly, try and make your email password different from all the others because once a baddie has hacked your email address, they can use that to reset other passwords to gain access to your other accounts. However, as we have said many times before, make sure you remember what it is! Although we don’t advocate keeping your passwords in one place, please make sure they are written somewhere in case you ever need them in the future, even if it’s cryptically!

If your phone rings and someone at the other end says, ‘I’m from BT’ (or Windows or Microsoft or NatWest or Lloyds Bank etc), then they’re not. I don’t care how convincing they sound or how terrible your fate will be if you don’t do as they say. NO! NO! NO!

It’s all fraud. If you haven’t initiated the contact in the first place, then that call isn’t genuine. Don’t tell them anything, don’t give them access to your computer and don’t ring them back! Emails next. If you receive an email from any institution asking you to ‘confirm your details’ or telling you that your ‘account has been blocked’, or any other flim-flam for that matter, just delete it! It isn’t genuine and it certainly hasn’t come from any reputable source. I don’t care how pretty it looks or how dire the consequences. NO! NO! NO! It’s all fraud. Your bank or other such company will never contact you in this way.

And finally, if you’re still worried or uncertain then call another family member or somebody else you trust and ask advice. Don’t have sleepless nights because these people have no idea who you are or where you live, and any threats they make are hollow. Your two best friends are ‘hang-up’ and ‘delete’!

James Flynn, Milborne Port Computers

PASSWORDS,EMAIL&TELEPHONESCAMS

Despite what you hear in the press, your bank account is very secure because banks do not use email to issue your security details – it’s all done by post, and if you need to reset your login details then it’s a lengthy process by post. Your bank will NEVER email you or ring you about your passwords. Now listen carefully…NEVER TELL ANYBODY YOUR PASSWORD!

As ever if you need any help or support then you know where to come. computing-mp.co.uk

120 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Tech

FAMILY LAW …that’s refreshing | www.hklaw.uk SETTLEMENTSFINANCIALDIVORCEWhilst“nofaultdivorce”simplifiescertainelements,don’tignoretheneedforfinancialadvice.Earlylegaladviceandknowledgefromasolicitorcanmakeallthedifference. • Review of assets • Make informed decisions • Achieve a fair settlement • Save time & money PartnerWeatherillLeanne Call our experienced family law team on: 01460 279100 or 01305 251007 Read about the benefits of early legal advice. 40 High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UR  01305 251007  dorchester@hklaw.uk www.hklaw.uk Poole House, 17 Market Street, Crewkerne, Somerset, TA18 7JU  01460 279100  crewkerne@hklaw.uk www.hklaw.uk ExecutiveLegalCharteredCoyneHayley

‘What’s your name, honey? Is it true all you guys have been told to quit? Can you tell…’ But Sunita clutched the box to her like a shield, warding off her interrogator, and began walking to nearby Central Park.

At this precise moment in Sunita’s frantic thoughts, a playful Afghan hound pranced

A CHANGE OF CAREER

There was an empty bench on a small path running along the side of the lake and Sunita sat down on it, placing the box at her feet. Already, in her head, she could hear her parents’ conversation.

Jenny Campbell, Sherborne Scribblers S unita came out of the bank carrying a large cardboard box. She stood at the top of the steps for a moment, dazed by the array of cameras, flash bulbs and news-hungry journalists facing her. They were, she thought, like a pack of Bengal tigers, teeth bared as they reached for another morsel of information about the collapse of one of the biggest banks in theDeterminedworld. not to feed them a scrap, she descended carefully wearing the biggest smile she could muster. Even before she reached the sidewalk a microphone was thrust in her face and questions were fired at her like a rattle of bullets.

Everyone in New York brought their troubles to the cool, green serenity of the park: the deadbeats, the dropouts, the sick and the lonely as well as people like her – high-fliers, young, talented and destined for success in their chosen profession. Until, that is, through no fault of their own, they suddenly found themselves among the unemployed with no income and, in all likelihood, no home. Sunita tried not to think about losing her much-loved, rented apartment in Greenwich Village, concentrating instead on finding a secluded bench. One where she wouldn’t have to make polite conversation and say things like, Yes, it is a beautiful day. Yes, the Yankees are doing just great this year. and, No, really, I’m fine. because, now, the tears were starting to fall as she thought of her parents back home in London. In about four hours’ time, they would be switching on the TV in the kitchen to watch the breakfast news, as usual, and probably the first thing they’d see would be the daughter of whom they were so proud, leaving the bank after losing her job.

‘Be quiet, woman, and listen. Our Sunita has not been sacked. All the workers have had to leave because there has been some hanky-panky and mismanagement high up, is all, and the bank is going into administration.’

‘My God, Daddy-ji! What is this? Our daughter being sacked! Oh, the shame of it! And what am I going to tell those Guptas whose son is at Barclays bank? He’s never been sacked!’

Short Story

122 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Less than a year later, Sunita’s mother could not wait to call Mrs Gupta.

‘Honestly, my dear, I should be working on my new book right now instead of walking this lady round the park. But my regular dog walker has just left to get married and Chloe obviously likes you, so you would be doing me an immense favour.’ Sunita was too bright a young woman to want to spend the rest of her life doing this particular job. But she recognised opportunity when it presented itself and many a stellar career has begun in just such a way. Besides, there were hundreds of pampered dogs and their hired walkers in New York so it was almost like joining a select city club. One thing she had not counted on was Becky Brooklyn’s wide circle of friends including some very influential ones on Wall Street who recognised talent when they saw it.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 123

‘Oh, my dear, I must apologise for this mutt. Chloe is an inquisitive creature who knows that boxes always have interesting things in them.’ She began replacing the spilled items, then paused as she looked up and caught sight of their owner’s tear-stained face. ‘Mind if I sit down?’ she said. Sunita shook her head, suddenly recalling where she had seen the woman. It was on the back cover of the latest Becky Brooklyn novel that she had been reading. On such small twists of fate are lives and, indeed, careers changed. After listening to Sunita’s story, she offered her the job of live-in dog walker – just for as long as wanted and at almost the same salary. Like most dogs, Chloe seemed to sense unhappiness and was now resting her aristocratic head against Sunita’s knee.

‘Yes, my Sunita is doing very well now, in New York.’ She had never dared to mention the dog-minding, but she could not resist adding, ‘And how is Raj? Still at Barclays, yah?’

01963 250788 Small Business Support New PCs & Laptops Repairs & Upgrades Virus Removal Networks & Cabling Wireless DisasterBroadbandNetworksSetupRecovery Covering South Somerset & North Dorset The Weighbridge • High Street • Milborne Port • DT9 5DG www.mpfix.co.uk Muntanya is an independent trekking and outdoors shop offering clothing and equipment from major suppliers. 7 Cheap St, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PT 01935 389484 • 07875 465218 david@muntanya.co.uk www.muntanya.co.uk towards her and managed to knock the box over, spilling most of its contents on to the ground: notepads, pens, make-up bag, books, spare blouse and a little black dress which the Afghan was doing its best to rip apart. The dog was now followed by its breathless owner, a middle-aged woman whose face looked vaguely familiar to Sunita.

07792NO391368VAT www.sherbornedecorators.commichellethurgood@sky.com DAVEPaintingTHURGOOD&Decoratinginteriorandexterior A J Wakely& Sons Pre-payment plans available www.ajwakely.com Please contact Clive Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance. Sherborne 01935 816 817 ˙ Yeovil 01935 479 913 Independent Family Funeral Directors – 24 Hour Service –Helping the bereaved of Sherborne and Yeovil for over 30 years Choice of Hearses available including our Land Rover Hearse 124 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

Commercial Development Management Sales Chesters Harcourt have been managing commercial property in Sherborne for well over 30 years. If you have an interest in commercial property or land do give us a call or visit our website. 01935 415 info@chestersharcourt.com454www.chestersharcourt.com FORSALESPARKFORDTOLETSHERBORNE SHERBORNETOLET INVESTMENTFORSALEBEAMINSTERTOLETPOUNDBURY

The Manningtree Witches Penelope Hester, Sherborne Literary Society

Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince Image: Sophie Davidson

It is much safer to be feared than loved because … love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.’

126 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

‘

Literature E ngland, 1643. The English Civil War rages. With it comes hunger and suspicion. The Machiavelli quote sums up the atmosphere ravaging the country but A.K. Blakemore’s The Witches of Manningtree brings the mood to life. The fear of the unknown, the fear of God and authority. Power and powerlessness. Of love broken by fear. The basis of the story is true. There were women in Manningtree accused and tried as witches. Rebecca West’s story covers the lead-up to and the aftermath of the Essex witch trials of 1647. A dry account with all the horror those women (and some men) were put through, it is not. It is a real, raw, and sometimes amusing portrayal of the poor and marginalised women of Manningtree, Essex. Blakemore is a poet. This is her first novel. Her masterful use of language in description is very much at play. Sometimes the lines are so achingly beautiful you want to lift them out and yet each line sits perfectly where it is placed. ‘…The bed drapes are of purple damask. The sleep of the rich comes so beautifully wrapped.’

Central to the story is the historical character of Rebecca West and the bare bones of the Essex witch

A.K. BLAKEMORE

"Blakemore is a poet. Sometimes her lines are so achingly beautiful you want to lift them out"

The real Rebecca West survived the witch trials and then slipped from the record. Blakemore did give her fictitious Rebecca an ending (perhaps a new beginning?) in the novel; no spoilers here. However, this reader found it a little too neat. Perhaps Blakemore may just have another story of Rebecca West, yet to tell. This historical story highlights a power imbalance against women based purely on hearsay. Are there parallels today? We may no longer burn, drown or hang our presumed ‘witches’. Male or female. We just do it in other ways. It is worth a thought.

Wednesday 14th September 7pm-8.30pm A.K. Blakemore –The Manningtree Witches Old School Room, Sherborne School, Church Lane Tickets £9-£10 from sherborneliterarysociety.com/events sherbornetimes.co.uk

| 127

The story opens in 1643 with a rebellious young Rebecca describing her mother and their fractious relationship in almost contemporary language. ‘Her Christian name is Anne, but she is called the Beldam West. It suits her, because it sounds wide and wicked.’ Beldam means a loathsome old woman and this plays out in the relationship between the two. Keep reading: there is a lot more to Anne West. She is a risky and colourful character. So, the hints are set. Blakemore blends the bygone language with the modern, making Rebecca’s comments very relatable and then moving into the 1600’s vernacular slightly more with her mother. It works brilliantly, giving us just enough to be thrust back into the time and a socially divided Essex village, without being bogged down in the heavy lifting of discerning the meanings of the words. Words are the flavour Blakemore uses, and she does so with ease. Like any community, in any time, there are tragedies. In the past, as in the present, someone somewhere wants to apportion blame. Cows die. So do children. A woman miscarries, and a ship is grounded, taking all the lives on board with it and people see things. ‘Recollections vary.’ It is easy to distrust. In Manningtree fingers, under the guidance of Hopkins, will start to point. Menacingly. Rebecca lives her teenage life sharing secrets of love and her crush on John Edes, with her best friend, Judith. They indulge in some harmless, but not guiltfree divination. There is always the threat of being accused of witchcraft. Rebecca must draw a face while blindfolded, from the contours of a cabbage to reveal her lover’s face. We gather there is an inkling of fear she may be a witch, and yet her pragmatism takes over. ‘It’s not supernatural, it’s only a cabbage!’

trials of 1647 (which have been transcribed and are available on the internet). Blakemore fills out the life of Rebecca and the actions of her nemesis, The Witchfinder General, the self-appointed – in the name of God - Matthew Hopkins. He is dark and brooding - cast a young Nick Cave - tall, wealthy, reputedly Cambridge educated and assumes authority in his social position. He begins his ‘Witchfinding’ ambitions in Manningtree. He is pompous and pious. Within his first sentence he refers to joy at being ‘among such… God-fearing people.’ Rebecca is not convinced he genuinely thinks they are. She notes: ‘There is something about him slant and insubstantial.’ Blakemore has cleverly teased us of demons to come.

After Hopkin’s arrival, the mouthy Beldam West sets off the events that follow. While gossiping with her social set she reprimands a Master Briggs over his manners. Days later the boy develops a malaise of tremors, fits and sweats. Hopkins is called. He asks if the boy’s body was inspected for marks. Witch’s marks? The power of suggestion. An insinuation of suspicion? An explanation? Result! The Beldam and others must be to blame. It’s that simple. The women accused are now subjected to tortures devised by the sexually repressed Hopkins and sent for trial. These passages are shocking and visceral, not sensationalised, but abhorrent.

Blakemore’s book deserves time to read and absorb. It is not a summer skim read. The prose alone is sublime. sherborneliterarysociety.com

AUGUST SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. Mark or blemish (4) 3. Climbed (8) 9. Prepare and issue for sale (7) 10. Prison compartments (5) 11. Legal ruling (3) 12. Loathe (5) 13. Language of the Romans (5) 15. Reproach (5) 17. Loop with a running knot (5) 18. Body's vital life force (3) 19. Foot joint (5) 20. Increase in size (7) 21. Christmas season (8) 22. Watchful (4) DOWN 1. Additional (13) 2. U-shaped curve in a river (5) 4. Metamorphic rock (6) 5. Capable of being traded (12) 6. Small toothed whale (7) 7. Devastatingly (13) 8. Action of moving a thing from its position (12) 14. Breathing aid in water (7) 16. Have as a purpose (6) 18. Papal court (5) HARDWOOD LOGS FOR SALE Ready to burn, HETAS approved Full load £160 Half load £90 Free delivery to DT9 area Contact Charlotte Miller 07974 178442 www.timbermillers.co.ukcharlotte@timbermillers.co.uk Suppliers of both new and pre-loved vinyl, official t-shirts, merchandise and memorabilia. Come visit and “Try before you buy”. The Beat & Track, The Old Shambles, South Street, Sherborne, DT9 3LN 07730 356719 www.thebeatandtrack.co.ukthebeatandtrack@icloud.com 128 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

LITERARY REVIEW John Gaye, Sherborne Literary Society And Finally by Henry Marsh (Jonathan Cape, September 2022), £16.99 Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £14.99 from Winstone’s Books Literature 8 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PX www.winstonebooks.co.uk Tel: 01935 816 128

The final section is somewhat more philosophical but still a fascinating insight into how one approaches the end of one’s life. Fortunately for us all, Henry’s treatment, albeit with many unfortunate side-effects, has so far been successful. So, as he is still only 71 years of age, we can be hopeful for another addition to his literary output. But this brush with the afterlife has made him consider the various horrors of dependency on others and on when the lack of the quality of life ceases to justify its continuance.

sherborneliterarysociety.com

Recently Henry was diagnosed with prostate cancer in its advanced stages when, with his expertise, he knew that his chance of survival despite the treatment was never going to be assured. This is his account of experiencing the medical profession from the user’s perspective.

The first part of this book describes why, despite all his medical knowledge, he took to denial over the problems he was experiencing that were clear symptoms of either the prostate problems of old age or indeed the more serious problems of cancer. Unfortunately for him it was the latter and in a fairly advanced state. He describes the mindset of most physicians that led him to this denial; he had, like many doctors, always seen himself as the healer, never the patient.

I feel certain that this book will have the same success as its predecessors. It certainly deserves its place on our bookshelves not just on those of people in the medical professions, for whom it should be compulsory reading.

The second part is the detail of the treatment that was necessary and his experiences as a user of both private and state health services. He has the advantages of being able to pull a few, very few, strings and of course being able to understand more clearly than most the clinical descriptions given by those who are treating him, either as nurses, technicians or surgeons. But it is the insights of being just another victim of this dreadful disease, rather than the all-important surgeon dealing with the problem, that give this book wings. He describes the importance of how waiting rooms, corridors and wards can be designed and decorated to reduce the stress levels of patients, not least the use of nature to improve people’s well-being. He witnesses various qualities in communication skills, and it brings his mind back to how he instructed his junior staff in their dealings both with the patient and with their relatives.

Celebrating 10 Years as Sherborne’s Independent Bookseller 2012-2022 Talk and signing with Peter James Creator of the legendary detective Roy Grace, now a major ITV drama starring John Simm Wednesday, September 28th 12.30pm Cheap Street Church, Sherborne Tickets £5, redeemable against the book, available from Winstone’s F or those who have not come across this best-selling author before, Henry Marsh CBE is a retired eminent neuro-surgeon whose previous books, Do No Harm and Admissions, were both Sunday Times no 1 bestsellers and have been translated into 30 languages. They covered his life as a brain surgeon bringing to the reader all the stresses of the medical profession having to deal with so many serious patients, many of whom were obviously not going to see much more time in this world.

As our new Prime Minister will discover, as their predecessor also discovered, they have a limited amount of time in which to act; and they can never be sure how much time they will have, and when it will be over. Once it is over, it will no doubt feel as though it were over too soon. Perhaps they will even feel as though they would have acted differently, had they realised their time would come to an end when it did. I think this is the idea the psalmist is getting at.

It has been a fascinating leadership contest to observe. Especially as the final two candidates had such opposing strategies regarding the economy (at least to begin with). Seeing two highly educated politicians proposing such different approaches to solve the same problem raised a pertinent question: how do we evaluate the wisest course of action?

rebornechurch.org 130 | Sherborne Times | September 2022

his month we will have a new Prime Minister. After a process of several months, the successful candidate persuaded the majority of the Conservative party that their policies were the wisest and most beneficial for everyone.

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

Nathan Cracknell, ReBorne Community Church T

It can be tempting to believe that we have more time than we do. Realising we have limited time is a key factor in taking the wisest course of action.

To help us, we might turn to any of the countless sources offering wisdom. The Bible puts itself forward as one of these sources and has plenty to say on the subject of wisdom. An entire section of the Old Testament is categorised as Wisdom Literature. One of the books in this section, Proverbs, personifies wisdom as a woman calling out in the street, imploring people to listen to Elsewhere,her. in one of the Psalms, the psalmist makes a strange request regarding wisdom. They ask that they might realise the brevity of life, so that they might grow in wisdom. At first, the request and the desired result might seem unconnected. However, upon closer inspection, the psalmist appears to be on to something.

This is a question which reaches beyond politics. We all have to make decisions that will impact our own future and the lives of those around us. Whilst most of us will probably never have the responsibility for the fiscal state of a nation, affecting the lives of millions of people, the decisions that we do have might at times carry a significant weight. For these weighty decisions in particular, we value wisdom.

Wisdom is an interesting attribute; most people believe they possess it. We seem to have a natural tendency to believe that we know better. If you’re not sure this is true, think about the number of conversations you have witnessed, or even been a part of, that stated how something should have been done. There will inevitably be times where this is true. However, there are times where wisdom can be elusive for us and choosing the wisest option can be challenging.

Green by name and nature 3 The Green, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3HY 01935 813821 www.greenrestaurant.co.uk@greensherborne MICHELIN BIB GOURMAND WINNERS 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 Tuesday - Saturday Lunch 12pm - 2pm | Dinner 6pm - 9pm LOCALLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS SEASONAL PRODUCE

Sherborne Times September 2022

Articles inside

Pause for Thought

Crossword

Literature

Short Story

Tech

Finance

Legal

Body & Mind

Food & Drink

Animal Care

Paul Collins

Science & Nature

Antiques

History

Family

Community

Art & Culture

What’s On

On Foot