Sherborne Times March 2023

A MONTHLY CELEBRATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

with Rosanna Harvey of The Cinnamon Trust

WELCOME

Ahh, March… A month treacle-thick with buds and birdsong. Waking up and getting up might never be easy but spring brings the impetus to shake the ballast from our bedsheets and haul open the curtains.

Dogs care not for the changing of the seasons. They don’t need brighter mornings to feel the joys of spring or a dawn chorus to fill their heart. They are as grateful today as they were yesterday, and to them, the novelty of our bleary-eyed emergence never gets old. They ask little of us and unknowingly give so much in return.

What though, if their owner becomes too frail to care for them? Enter Rosanna Harvey, friend to Sherborne’s housebound dog owners and one of The Cinnamon Trust’s 18,000 nationwide community volunteers. Claire and Katharine join Rosanna on a dog walk to learn more about The Trust’s work and make some new friends of their own along the way.

Have a great month.

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

Editorial and creative direction

Glen Cheyne

Design

Andy Gerrard

Photography

Katharine Davies

Features writer

Claire Bowman

Editorial assistant

Helen Brown

Social media

Jenny Dickinson

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

CONTRIBUTORS

Jason Anning

Queen Thorne Landscapes

Ian Bartle Sherborne Primary

Elisabeth Bletsoe

Sherborne Museum

Richard Bromell ASFAV

Charterhouse Auctioneers and Valuers

Mike Burks

The Gardens Group

David Burnett

The Dovecote Press

Jenny Campbell Sherborne Scribblers

Jane Carling, Joan Cooper & Tony Meehan

Paula Carnell

Cindy Chant & John Drabik

Michela Chiappa

Rosie Cunningham

Dunya Elbouni Baklavaty

James Flynn

Sarah Hitch

The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms & The Margaret Balfour Beauty Centre

Brenda Huggons

The Sherborne

James Hull

The Story Pig

Ash Langwith Dorset Mind

Peter Littlewood

Young People’s Trust for the Environment

Paul Maskell

The Beat and Track

Paul Newman & Emma Tabor

Mark Newton-Clarke

MA VetMB PhD MRCVS

Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

Hayley Parker MA VetMB

CertAVP MRCVS

Kingston Vets

Richard Pyman

Sherborne Prep

Emma Rhys-Thomas

The Art of Confidence

PO Box 9701

Sherborne

DT9 9EU

07957 496193

@sherbornetimes

info@homegrown-media.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk

ISSN 2755-3337

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Milborne Port Computers

Simon Ford

John Gaye & Frances Walker

Sherborne Literary Society

Nico Goodden

Harriet Green Swim for Cake

Tom Hallam

Kingston Maurward College

Craig Hardaker Communifit

Andy Hastie Yeovil Cinematheque

Mark Salter CFP

Fort Financial Planning

Ollie Senneck

Sherborne School

Geoff Shillito

Jonathan Simon

Sacred Heart and St Aldhelm Church

Ash Sinfield Teals

Jack Smith

The Green Restaurant

Val Stones

Bill Taylor

Sherborne Town Council

ARTIST AT WORK

No.52 Geoff Shillito, The Girl on The Beach Oil on Canvas, 48 cm x 63 cm, £2,000

In 2005 I was elected a member of the Bath Society of Artists, and in 2020 became an Academician of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts. I exhibit mainly in Bristol, Bath, London and the South West. Also, in 2020, I was invited to show work at the RealismusGalerie, Berlin, as part of the Künstlersonderbund in Deutschland (Artists‘ Special Association in Germany). In March 2023, I shall be showing new work at the South West Academy’s Spring Exhibition at The Brownston Gallery, Modbury, South Devon.

The Girl on The Beach forms part of an ongoing series of new narrative paintings. With reference to narrative content, all works are unrelated. However, as will be seen in this and other works in the series, I explore my fascination with dynamic and oblique perspectives.

This is a departure from work created over the past few years that focused predominantly on the human head, more often than not on a monumental scale. Other works in my current portfolio include a continuing series of small still-life paintings where I explore, in close-up, the beauty of everyday objects. geoffshillito.com

ON FILM

One of the genuine pleasures of helping to run Cinematheque is meeting all the new people who have become members since the end of lockdown and now regularly attend our shows. Many come from Sherborne and its surrounding villages and heard of our existence through this magazine’s pages. They are an enthusiastic and knowledgeable bunch and it’s great to be able to join like-minded people together in the collective enjoyment of film. Are they new to the area or have they always been here and just not realised we exist? Either way, we are pleased to have reached them - we show rewarding films in a perfect venueso I am happy to spread the word!

This month brings two excellent offerings, on 1st March we show Persian Lessons (2020) a Belarusian Second World War thriller. Its director, Vadim Perelman made House of Sand and Fog in 2003, a much-praised former presentation at Cinematheque. Allegedly inspired by true events, Persian Lessons is a powerful and harrowing tale from 1942 Nazi-occupied France, where a Belgian Jew, Gilles, is arrested and taken to a concentration camp in Germany. He

manages to evade immediate death by claiming that he is Persian and not Jewish. This lie temporarily saves his life, until he is taken to the camp commander who has been looking for a Farsi speaker to teach him the language so that he can emigrate to Tehran post-war. Gilles now faces the life-or-death task of teaching a man a language he does not know himself. It is from this point that the film opens up into an ingenious and engaging drama, where one false move could expose his lie. ‘Moving and Gripping’ Sorted Magazine UK, ‘Tense and Gut-Wrenching’ Boxofficebuz.

On 22nd March we have a very different offering. The Worst Person in the World (2021) is from acclaimed Norwegian director Joachim Trier, a wistful and subversive tragicomedy about the quest for love and meaning. Opening to rave reviews at Cannes in 2021, eventually winning the Best Actress Award, following up with Oscar and BAFTA nominations, the story is set in contemporary Oslo, with a star-making lead performance from Renate Reinsve as Julie, just on the verge of turning thirty. She is a potential high achiever, whose life goals are forever flexible, whether personal,

Andy Hastie, Yeovil Cinematheque

Persian Lessons (2020)

romantic or professional. Divided into twelve ‘chapters’ the film navigates Julie’s various love affairs, career choices and ultimately, who she wants to become. This witty, inventive and tender tale, with tonal shifts through euphoria, heartbreak and hope, is beautifully played by Reinsve, and ultimately ends as a satisfying delight. ‘Brilliantly believable central performance’ Mark Kermode, The Observer, ‘An instant classic’ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.

Two more intelligent films to be enjoyed. Do think about trying us out as a guest for £5 or becoming a member. All details are on the website below. If you want to catch some live theatre as well, the Swan Theatre Co. is performing The Hollow by Agatha

Christie from 13th - 18th March at the Swan. Their shows are always worthwhile.

cinematheque.org.uk swan-theatre.co.uk

Wednesday 1st March 7.30pm

Persian Lessons (2020) 15

Wednesday 22nd March 7.30pm

The Worst Person in the World (2021) 15

Cinematheque, Swan Theatre, 138 Park St, Yeovil BA20 1QT Members £1, guests £5

1st March: Mad Men and Artists – How the Advertising Industry Exploited Fine Art

5th April: Post War Fashion Illustration and the Artists of Today

Members free; visitors £7 theartssocietysherborne.org

The Worst Person in the World (2021)

CONFESSIONS OF A THEATRE ADDICT

Rosie Cunningham

The last time I visited Birmingham must, I am sorry to admit, have been about thirty years ago so I was delighted to recently pay a trip to the Birmingham Rep Theatre which is hosting a production entitled Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image Saves the World. Those of you who remember the iconic puppet show which graced our TV screens from 1984-1996, satirically lampooning politicians and other celebrities, will be thrilled to hear that the puppets are back in Birmingham, where they were first filmed forty years ago. The loose plot is that Great Britain is in trouble and has lost its way, so King Charles hires Tom Cruise, that well-known Anglophile, who recruits a band of warriors which includes RuPaul and Tyson Fury, to save the country. Meghan and Harry feature and a whole raft of politicians including a hairy Boris, a weedylooking Rishi, Priti Patel as a bat and Suella Braverman resembling Morticia Addams. The Queen and Margaret Thatcher both come back to enforce some law and order

and reprimand the cabinet and the Royal Family for squabbling. The whole production is completely bonkers, and the audience loved every minute of it. Most of the puppets were easy to guess and Cruise’s was a quarter of the size of everyone else. Oh, Putin and Jinping had a side box on the stage and their conversation was hilarious. Watch out for Putin’s sparkled g-string! It runs in Birmingham until 11th March but I am certain that this production will run and run.

There is so much to do in Birmingham, not least visit Bourneville. It is now a charity and community-based housing organisation but it was built by the Cadburys in 1861 as a community of houses for their workers and, due to their Quaker beliefs, they ensured that there were plenty of gardens and open spaces to maintain health and mental wellbeing. The Jewellery Quarter is also fascinating and still contains many old workshops tucked away down back streets and up steep attic staircases. Malcolm, a jeweller in his 80s, was proud to demonstrate

King Charles and Paddington - Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image Saves the World Images: Mark Senior

his skills, a trade which he had learnt as a boy and for whom not much had changed. After the offer of a cup of tea, we chatted for thirty minutes or so as he regaled me with his stories. One of the most important things he told me was that the people in Birmingham are very friendly and I can certainly corroborate that!

I went to see The Lavender Hill Mob at the Royal Theatre Bath with Miles Jupp and Justin Edwards in the key roles of Mr Holland, who worked in the Bank of England, and Mr Pendlebury who owned Gew Gaws Die Casting factory. Billed as ‘the 24-carat comedy caper!’, this was a contemporary, gaudy, poorly rendered stage adaption of the magnificent 1951 black and white film starring Alex Guinness, Stanley Holloway, Sid James and a vignette by Audrey Hepburn. I left at half-time, the man next to me slept throughout and the audience seemed more stunned than appreciative. On arriving home, I watched the old film and marvelled at the London scenes, which still showed the destruction and damage done by the German bombs and the Eiffel Tower shots where tourism did not mean cramped and expensive viewing platforms.

birmingham-theatre.co.uk lavenderhillmobplay.co.uk

TOM HOAR

CORFE CASTLE

FELICITY HOUSE AUTUMN AT THE MANOR

Boris Johnson

Providing a full fitting and personal shopping service for lingerie, swimwear, nightwear and cruisewear

Bellíssima

ESTABLISHED 1999

17 Cheap Street (situated alongside Waitrose), Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PU

Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5pm

Private appointments available outside these hours

01935 813812

www.bellissimalingerie.com

COUNTER CULTURE

Paul Maskell, The Beat and Track

No. 19 De la Soul - 3 feet high and still rising

In 1989 I was a self-professed metalhead – Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Suicidal Tendencies et al. Thanks to the likes of Anthrax introducing the metal crowd to Public Enemy and their hip-hop ilk, from time to time you got to experience a different genre. As music

back then was quite tribal it was often frowned upon when your taste deviated from your core genre. Then an album arrived on the scene that changed all that. It appealed to everybody and hasn’t wavered in the 34 years of its existence.

De La Soul’s debut album 3 Feet High and Rising was released in 1989 and quickly established the group as one of the most important and influential acts in hip-hop. The album’s unique blend of musical styles, introspective lyrics and innovative use of samples helped to push the boundaries of what was possible in the genre and cemented the group’s place in the pantheon of hip-hop greats.

The group formed in the late 80s and consisted of Posdnuos, Trugoy, and Pasemaster Mase. They were brought together by a shared love of hip-hop and the desire to put their own stamp on the genre. They started performing in local clubs and quickly gained a reputation for their unique style and innovative approach.

Their debut was produced by Prince Paul, who helped to create a sound that was both experimental and accessible. The group’s use of samples from a wide range of sources, from Hall and Oates to Johnny Cash, helped to create a sound that was both eclectic and cohesive. The album’s playful lyrics dealt with themes of self-awareness and social commentary.

One of the album’s standout tracks and the group’s biggest-selling single, Me, Myself and I, is an upbeat, hook-laden celebration of individuality. Another, Eye Know which features a sample from Steely Dan’s Peg deals with themes of knowledge and self-empowerment.

3 Feet High and Rising took the use of samples to another level. The track Plug Tunin’, lifts elements from Synthetic Substitution by Melvin Bliss, The Payback by James Brown, Impeach The President by The Honeydrippers, and Soul Makossa by Manu Dibango. This is the beauty of De La Soul – they managed to create something that is both nostalgic and fresh at the same time.

The band’s ability to weave together samples from such a wide variety of sources created a diverse, genre-defying sound that was unlike anything that had been heard before in hip-hop music. The album is still as relevant and groundbreaking today as it was when it was first released and continues to inspire and influence countless others. It remains a must-listen for any music lover.

De La Soul’s career took off after the release of 3 Feet High and Rising. They went on to release several more albums throughout the 90s and 2000s, each one building on their style.

For a considerable time, their debut album was not available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. The album’s heavy use of samples meant the group were unable to secure all the necessary licensing rights and it became a symbol of the ongoing legal issues in the music industry.

The influence of 3 Feet High and Rising can still be heard in the music of today, with many artists citing the album as an inspiration. It’s an important piece of hip-hop history, one that helped to shape the genre and push it in new and exciting directions. 3 Feet High and Rising is an absolute classic of an album but don’t take the word of just me, myself and I.

This article was written shortly before the sad passing of David ‘Trugoy the Dove’ Jolicoeur at the age of 54. Trugoy leaves a legacy that others can only dream of. A pioneering hip-hop artist and forefather of The Daisy Age - a fleeting, colourful moment of positivity in a scene often associated with chest-thumping bravado.

RIP Trugoy. thebeatandtrack.co.uk

WHAT'S ON

Every Monday & Thursday 1.30pm-4pm

Sherborne Indoor

Short Mat Bowls

West End Hall, Sherborne 01935 812329. All welcome

Mondays 2pm-5pm & Tuesdays 7pm-10pm

Sherborne Bridge Club

Sherborne FC Clubhouse, Terraces 01963 21063. bridgewebs.com/sherborne

Tuesdays 10am-12pm

Fine Folk Dancing

Charlton Horethorne Village Hall £2.50 per session. Beginners welcome. 01963 220640.

Every 1st Thursday 9.30am Netwalk for Business Owners & Entrepreneurs Pageant Gardens. @Netwalksherborne

Thursdays 1.45pm-4.45pm

Rubber Bridge

Sherborne Bowls Clubhouse, Culverhayes car-park 01963 21063 bridgewebs.com/sherborne

Thursdays 7.30pm-9.30pm

St Michael’s Scottish Country Dance Club

Davis Hall, West Camel £2. Call Elspeth 07972 125617 stmichaelsscdclub.org

Monday to Saturday until Saturday 4th March 1pm-4pm (& all performance evenings)

Yeovil Art Group’s New Year Exhibition

The Gallery, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil Parking nearby. Disabled access.

Wednesday 1st 10.45am for 11am

The Probus Club of Sherborne Talk - Doctor at Sea

The Grange, Oborne DT9 4LA probus-sherborne.org.uk

Wednesday 1st 3pm and 7pm Mad Men and Artists –How the Advertising Industry Exploited Fine Art Digby Hall, Hound Street Free for members, £7 for non-members theartssocietysherborne.org/

Thursday 2nd 2pm Lady of the Palms & Paddy Fields: Sherborne’s Forgotten Botanist Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road Members free, visitors £5. sherbornemuseum.co.uk

Thursday 2nd 8pm

Julian Halsby - The Making of the Riviera: People and Places Digby Hall, Hound Street Members free, visitors £5 sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

Friday 3rd 6.30pm for 7pm Talk and Book Signing with James Naughtie Cheap St. Church

Tickets £5 from Winstone’s Books. winstonebooks.co.uk

Saturday 4th 2pm

Dean Carter Live CD Launch The Beat & Track Record Store, 4 The Old Shambles, South St, Sherborne Free. 01935 389655 ahiahel@live.com

Sunday 5th 9am-12pm

Sound Healing & Cacao Ceremony with Hatha Yoga

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road

Info - hello@yogasherborne.co.uk

Sunday 5th 6.30pm

Callum Patrick Hughes - Thirst

The Gaggle of Geese, Buckland Newton

Storytelling and song. Suitable 16+. 01300 345249. £5. artsreach.co.uk

Saturday 11th 10.45am-12.30pm & 2.30pm-4.30pm

Longburton Community Hall and Playground Opening with Chris Loder MP

Coffee morning, painting exhibition, Short Mat Bowls demonstration, plus Mamma Mia film showing at 7pm. Free.

Monday 14th 6.30pm for 7pm

Words with Wine - Dickens and Travel by Lucinda Hawksley

Raleigh Hall, Digby Road £5 on the door or from Winstone’s. sherborneliterarysociety.com

Wednesday 15th 10.45am for 11am

The Probus Club of Sherborne Talk - The Falklands War

The Grange, Oborne DT9 4LA probus-sherborne.org.uk

Wednesday 15th 7.30pm

Julia Titus Blues and Gospel Singer

Cheap Street Church, Sherborne. £15. Bookings: raymondwood1949@gmail.com

Thursday 16th 8pm (preceded by the AGM at 7.45pm)

Talk - Where History Meets

Legend: Research and Presentation at Tintagel Castle Digby Hall, Hound Street

Members free, visitors £5 sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

Saturday 18th 10am-12.30pm (last repair 12.15pm)

Repair Cafe

Cheap Street Church Hall

Bring household items to be repaired & avoid landfill. repaircafesherborne@ gmail.com or @repaircafesherborne

Saturday 18th 7.30pm

Sherborne Chamber Choir

J S Bach Mass in B Minor, with Period Orchestra Sherborne Abbey. Tickets £5-£20, from sherbornechamberchoir.org.uk

Sunday 19th 1.30pm-4.30pm

Sherborne Folk Band

Workshops

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, DT9 3NL. Suitable for all levels. £15

MARCH 2023

(or cheaper via the website) sherbornefolkband.org

info@sherbornefolkband.org 07527 508 277

Monday 20th – Saturday 26th 7.30pm & Saturday 26th 2.30pm

Amateur Players of SherborneThe Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾

Sherborne Studio Theatre, Marston Rd £9-£12 07786 070093. aps-sherborne.co.uk

Friday 24th 1pm-5pm & Saturday 25th 9am-1pm

Artisan Route Open Day Digby Hall, Hound Street Specialists in alpaca, pima cotton and silk. artisanroute.co.uk

Friday 24th 7.30pm

Bash Street TheatreThe Battling Butlers

Yetminster Jubilee Hall

Physical theatre, circus skills, original songs and live music. 01935 873546. £10, £5 u18s, £25 fam. artsreach.co.uk

Sunday 26th 2pm-4pm

Singing Bowl Soundbath

Oborne Village Hall, DT9 4LA £15. Advance bookings 01935 389655 or ahiahel@live.com

Sunday 26th 6.30pm

Jonny Fluffypunk - If We Just Keep Going, We Will Get There In The End The Gaggle of Geese, Buckland Newton

Acclaimed stand-up poet, storyteller and

Mass in B minor J S Bach

lo-fi theatre-maker. Recommended 12+. 01300 345249. £5 artsreach.co.uk

Wednesday 29th 10.45am for 11am

The Probus Club of Sherborne Talk - Fishy Tales

The Grange, Oborne DT9 4LA probus-sherborne.org.uk

Planning ahead

Saturday 1st April 10am-4pm

PBFA Bookfair

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road

£1 on the door (free showing a copy of the Sherborne Times). Info: Chapter House Books, 01935 816262

Sport

Sherborne RFC

The Terrace Playing Fields. Men’s 1st XV (3pm KO unless otherwise stated)

Saturday 4th

Wellington (H)

Saturday 11th

Teignmouth (H)

Friday 17th (KO 7.30pm)

Chard (H)

Sherborne Football Club

The Terrace Playing Fields, Men’s 1st XI (3pm KO unless otherwise stated)

Saturday 4th (KO 2pm)

Torpoint (H)

Wednesday 8th (KO 7.30pm)

Clevedon (H)

Saturday 11th

Cadbury Heath (H)

Saturday 18th

Bridgwater (H)

Saturday 25th

Millbrook (A)

To include your event in our FREE listings please email details – date/ time/title/venue/description/price/ contact (max 20 words) – by the 5th of each preceding month to listings@homegrown-media.co.uk

MARKET KNOWLEDGE

DUNYA ELBOUNI, BAKLAVATY

Welcome to The Sherborne Market!

What brings you here?

Thank you! We are a small family business bringing authentic homemade Middle Eastern and North African desserts to our local community in Somerset. It all started at Sherborne Market so it has a very special place in our hearts.

Where have you travelled from?

We are based in Yeovil, but our recipes are from my mother who was born and raised in Tripoli, Libya.

Tell us about what you’re selling

We sell a variety of authentic, homemade baklava and other Middle Eastern desserts, from maamoul to basbousa. Our most popular product is our pistachioflavoured baklava. We use only the best quality locally sourced ingredients to create this rich and mouthwatering dessert, freshly made at home with love.

Where and when did it all begin?

My family has always loved cooking and baking and it has been a way for us to bond and spend quality time

together! After lockdown we decided to share this love with our community, starting at Sherborne Market just over a year ago.

What do you enjoy most about selling at markets?

My mother and I are motivated by the happiness our desserts bring to our local community. It’s incredibly satisfying to share the unique tasting experience of our traditional authentic desserts, especially with our repeat customers! We also love getting to know our customers, whom each come with their own stories and experiences with our culture. We love the positive energy our customers bring to our stall!

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

That’s a tricky question as there are so many amazing stallholders at the market, each with unique talents and products to share. However, I am always mesmerised by the beautiful macrame by Knottsea.

Where can people find you on market day?

We’re at the bottom of Cheap St, by The Cross Keys.

Hand picked artisan TRADERS

featuring local producers, suppliers, amazing food, arts and crafts.

April 16th

2023 dates

May 21ST

June 18th

July 16th

Aug 20TH

Sept 17th

Oct 8th

Nov 19th

Dec 17th Flying the flag for local

STREET SPIRIT

Nico Goodden, Photographer

Local resident Mya is a total foodie and a talented cook. She has a contagious energy and has recently graduated from Bournemouth University with a degree in Criminology.

CENTURIES OF CARE

A Call to Alms

Sherborne is home to a splendid, historical asset that seems to be little known and less understood. It is the Sherborne Almshouse, on Half Moon Street facing the Abbey. This beautiful medieval building, licensed in 1448, has run as The Almshouse of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist ever since.

This made us think. 1448. At that time many people thought the earth was flat, America was largely undiscovered and Shakespeare had not yet been born. Almshouses are the oldest form of social housing and ours has survived battles, Oliver Cromwell, three of Britain’s greatest Queens, the Reformation, the Restoration, Spanish Flu and even bombs.

St Johns’ House accommodates 18 residents. There is a lovely 15th-century dining room, a spacious, comfortable sitting room and a chapel with weekly worship. Residents live independently but home-cooked meals are provided from the Almshouse kitchens; eating together is central to community living in the House. Appropriate modernisations such as stairlifts, ensuite bathrooms and wifi are installed but traditional full-time care is there. The gardens are glorious.

So, who can live in St Johns’ House? More people than you may think! The majority of residents today

are local, retired and with limited financial means. However, there is no longer the requirement to be born in Sherborne, of ‘good character’, linked to the Abbey or even elderly.

Meanwhile, many people are fighting loneliness and isolation – those whom the Almshouse movement exists to support. As our Grove Medical Centre says in its recent publication – ‘Dorset’s older population is significant, is growing, and is getting older. We need to offer people with care needs, choice and control over where they live’.

We understand that St Johns’ is threatened with closure, as early as 1st June, largely because of the financial impact of Covid. The consultation period may be over when you read this. To lose this priceless asset would be untenable, especially in the midst of a housing crisis.

A group of local residents is gathering to draw attention to this issue and to harness others’ support. With the Board of Trustees (The Brethren), surely we can help The Almshouse thrive for another 600 years.

To find out more, contact the Almshouse Support Group on: helpstjohnsalmshouse@gmail.com

Jane Carling, Joan Cooper & Tony Meehan

Image: Katharine Davies

ARTISAN ROUTE

by clive webber

ALPACA - PIMA COTTON - SILK

Open Day Event – Digby Main Hall

Friday 24th & Saturday 25th March

This special event will be held on:

Friday 24th March from 1 PM – 5 PM and Saturday 25th March from 9 AM – 1 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can check out our collection in advance on our website, please enter the full address below www.artisan route .co.uk or phone for a brochure. T : 01896 823 765

( Monday - Friday 10.00 - 18.00)

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

Daniela – Amazing fit tunic with high square neckline and side slits. Knitted in 100% Peruvian Baby Alpaca.

Patricia – ‘Perfect Fit’ Peruvian Pima Cotton long sleeved Crew. Available in 12 colours.

Cordelia – A truly amazing design in Double Face Jacquard. Knitted in 100% Peruvian Baby Alpaca.

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

Pilar – ‘Perfect Fit’ Peruvian Pima Cotton short sleeved Scoop. Available in 10 colours.

SWIM FOR CAKE

BECAUSE LIFE IS ALL ABOUT BALANCE

Harriet Green

I’ve always swum and always loved the water. There is something very special about swimming in the open water. It has certainly grown in popularity in the last few years, with good reason. There are also some incredible swimming challenges and it has been a dream of mine to one day swim solo across the English Channel. Despite its popularity and accessibility, it is still considered to be the ‘Everest of Swimming’ and one of the toughest swims to attempt. The first successful crossing was on 25th August 1875 by Matthew Webb, which took him 21 hours and 45 minutes. On 6th August 1926 Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to make the crossing, in 14 hours and 34 minutes. They are just two of many individuals from whom we can take great inspiration.

In 2020, when lockdown hit, life changed massively and people’s mental health suffered. I turned more to the open water as an escape and found it to be great therapy. After a few friends approached me to help them build their confidence in the sea, we formed a support group. We would get together weekly to swim, put the world to rights and eat cake – ‘Swim for Cake’ was born. People came and went and we all swam for different reasons but it was always a safe place for anyone wanting to join in - what is said at Swim for Cake club stays at Swim for Cake Club.

Sitting on the beach sometime in summer 2021 after a swim, while eating cake of course, I joked with Natalie, whom I have known for years, about doing an English Channel relay swim. The seed was sown though and the joke became an aspiration in January 2022 when we recruited 2 more swimmers. Billy, a Swim for Cake regular, and Ruth, a friend of Natalie’s from her cycling club, made the team up to 4. A determined bunch, we had booked our boat and pilot within 12 days and started planning. It felt like a long way away back then, but it has been a busy year with several major surgeries and injuries, including shoulder surgery and

two hysterectomies, and we now find ourselves less than 6 months away.

We’ve all had medicals and have got lots of training ahead to work on technique, pace and stamina. The faster we swim, the less chance there is of being pushed off course by the tides, which change direction approximately every 6 hours. Historically, the water temperature for our crossing will be between 15°C to 18°C. Before the swim, we will each need to complete a qualifying swim in water 16°C or less for 1.5 hours, with a break of between 1 and 1.5 hours before another hour swim.

Our ‘swim window’ is 19th - 22nd July, on a spring tide, and we will be staying local to Dover so we are ready to go as soon as conditions permit. The boat will take us from Dover to near Shakespeare’s Cliff or Samphire Hoe for the start point where the first swimmer - excitingly, I got the team vote – swims to shore and waits for the start horn to sound. Then it is go-time, leaving England behind to start the

epic challenge of a 22-mile swim to France. Wearing no more than a swimsuit, hat, goggles, ear plugs and a light during the dark, we will each swim for an hour at a time. While one is swimming, the other three will be on the boat cheering on, perhaps napping a bit, updating social media and most definitely eating cake, lots of cake. The actual swimming might be the easiest part though. There may be long periods of swimming in the dark, big waves and windy conditions to contend with, not to mention fighting seasickness on the boat. We will be relying on our boat pilot to keep us clear of the big ships. We may have to dodge jellyfish, and who knows what else, but there definitely won’t be any sharks…we hope! It will all be under scrutiny (perhaps not the cake-eating part) from an observer to ensure we are following the channel swimming rules, of which there are many. A beach landing in France would be amazing to mark the end of the crossing, but it could also be just the touch of a steep cliff before swimming back to the boat for the return to Dover – no time to

stop and sample the local cuisine.

This is such a big challenge, so as well as swimming for cake, we will be swimming for charity. We are supporting 3 amazing charities; Young Minds, Birth Trauma UK and 100 and First Foundation.

There will be live tracking available on the day and updates on our social media, so please find us on Facebook and Instagram to follow our progress, show some support and perhaps donate a few pennies to these very worthwhile causes.

Wish us luck!

Team Swim for Cake is Harriet - swimming instructor, open water coach and owner of Aquatic Harriet, Nataliealso a swimming instructor and open water coach, Billy - a forensic psychologist, and Ruth - who works in pastoral care in secondary schools.

givewheel.com/fundraising/418/swim-for-cake-channelrelay-challenge

DOING MORE WITH LESS

Bill Taylor, Finance Portfolio Holder, Sherborne Town Council

In a few weeks’ time, every home in Sherborne will receive the annual letter setting out how much families will pay in council tax. This local tax is used to fund the police, fire and rescue and a huge range of council services including bin collections, libraries, sports and leisure facilities, road repairs and the spiralling cost of adult social care and support for children with special needs.

For the first time that I can remember, Sherborne Town Council will be the only authority on that list NOT asking you for more money. Sherborne councillors have voted unanimously to freeze the town’s share of council tax for 2023-24.

Every family knows the impact of double-digit inflation, major increases in energy prices and the worldwide economic instability brought on by the war in Ukraine, not to mention the enormous post-Covid pressures on the NHS. So when town councillors sat down to draw up a budget for 2023-24, everyone right across the local political spectrum agreed it was time to show some solidarity with struggling taxpayers.

‘Solidarity’ is a slightly old-fashioned word in modern politics, but I believe it’s profoundly important to the health of communities. Like every household and local business, the Town Council is simply trying to do more with less, but in much more innovative ways.

The Covid pandemic showed with brutal clarity how much Sherborne’s beautiful parks and gardens and playing fields contribute to our mental health and physical well-being. So we’ve been investing heavily in improving all this outdoor space while at the same time cutting costs.

For example, the Town Council has completed a major project to install green energy heating at the Gainsborough Pavilion changing rooms at the Terrace Playing Fields. Solar panels and air source pumps will reduce heating bills and also cut carbon emissions. Even in the low light of bleak mid-winter, the results so far seem astonishing to me –better than I had ever hoped.

New paths at the Quarr nature reserve make it easier for everyone to get around, but especially those with difficulty walking. Recent improvements to Paddock Garden also include new pathways that are much more friendly to wheelchair users and parents with baby buggies. And work is going on constantly to improve the beautiful Pageant Gardens.

Perhaps less obvious but equally important, Sherborne Town Council has recently signed new agreements giving long-term financial support towards the essential youth work at The Rendezvous and Tinneys Lane community centre. And our annual grants programme is designed to help a wide range of local organisations from the town band to our partners at Citizens Advice.

Even in troubled times – perhaps especially now –it helps to have a party now and then. So we have set aside a budget to help with plans for local celebrations of the coronation of King Charles III in May.

So the watchword of our times seems to be: do more with less, but do it better and with a smile.

sherborne-tc.gov.uk

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DOWN TO EARTH

Being asked to bring the impressive garden design plans to life at The Sherborne is something I’m honoured to have been asked to do. I’m originally from Canada but moved to England years ago, having met my husband, Neil. Together we set up Albion Plants in North Devon back in 1994 and have enjoyed being part of the Southwest Growers family ever since. We’re a family-run wholesale nursery that specialises in the production of hardy plants, including an extensive range of larger specimen shrubs, climbers and trees, and supply garden designers and landscapers from Penzance to Bristol.

We worked with the Cannons previously and were delighted to be asked by Michael Cannon to provide over 200 plants for what will be a remarkable garden at

I’m so excited about this project because I can already visualise what it is going to look like in my mind’s eye. The designers have put a lot of thought into designing something that will be colourful all year round, with delightful spring and summer scents mixed in. I’ve seen similar mixes used to really good effect before and a lot of effort has gone into making sure that this is going to be something really special.

A very specific and intricate design has been crafted. To meet the brief, we’ve selected a spectacular combination of our homegrown plants that will not only look fantastic immediately but will have room to evolve and alter the landscape like a living piece of art. Due to the extent of the design, we have had to hand-

The Sherborne.

Brenda Huggons, Plant and Tree supplier, The Sherborne

pick plants from some carefully-selected suppliers, but the majority have been grown by us in the South West – which is something I think the visitors will enjoy. When you locally source materials on projects like these it truly does make all the difference. Right from the outset, this is going to look great in situ, because the plants have been given a chance to mature and visitors won’t have to wait for months to get the full effect.

We’re able to bring the trees, all of which have been grown in the UK, to the site in what’s called a root ball. This basically means that the roots have been carefully wrapped up in wire and surrounded with protective rubber straps. It’s like a giant anchor that will secure the tree in place and because it’s all underground, there will be no aesthetic or health and safety impact. It sounds like quite a bizarre thing to do but it’s really common with big trees going into this kind of site. It’s a clever way to make sure that the trees settle in quickly and easily – it’s all about keeping the trees happy and grounded.

There’s going to be an absolutely gorgeous mix of Himalayan birch, with bright white trunks and green leaves that turn yellow in autumn, combined with Liquidambar, providing splashes of bright orange, red and yellow in autumn, and magnolia with beautiful pink and white flowers in spring. These will be accompanied by hydrangea which will turn from a glorious creamy white to a rich pink shade as they age through the year as well as Photina Carre Rouge, providing red leaves in spring that turn a dark green as the months pass and Pyracantha Saphyr Red with gorgeous little flowers that turn into bright red berries. This colourful display is entirely appropriate for a vibrant art gallery and will hopefully inspire those who wander through the garden.

It’s not just going to be a haven for humans, all these plants (and others that are going in too) will provide a wonderful home for all sorts of insects, particularly bees, so will give a real boost to biodiversity. Also, the garden will be home to a glorious and very striking collection of sculptures. This was another aspect that we needed to consider when deciding on the plants – how would the natural elements and man-made art interplay with each other?

It truly is set to be quite something. As always, for us green-fingered types, I just can’t wait to see it in place, but for now there are still plenty of things to do to get my hands dirty. thesherborne.uk

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UNEARTHED

Scarlett and Austin Sayfritz, aged 17 and 12 The Gryphon School

Siblings Scarlett and Austin Sayfritz are celebrating after both passing their black belts in kickboxing within a month of each other!

Describing their family as very active, the pair started kickboxing five years ago but were interrupted by the pandemic. Since returning, they have been training hard twice a week at Panthers Martial Arts Academy under Sensei Kire Antoski.

Scarlett says it’s the discipline and strategic thinking that she loves about the sport, pitting her wits against her opponents to anticipate their next move. For younger brother Austin, it is the physicality that appeals.

To gain their black belts, both had to complete a difficult fitness test before moving on to the sparring section. They then had to complete 5 3-minute rounds against fresh opponents, with only a minute break in between.

With their black belts achieved, both are keen to carry on with the sport they love. Scarlett is looking to go to university and study International Relations next year – her choice of uni dependent on there being a kickboxing club nearby!

gryphon.dorset.sch.uk panthersmaa.com

Children’s Book Review

By Benjamin Mudge, aged 9, Leweston Prep

Tricky Kind of Magic by Nigel Baines (Hodder Children’s Books (2023) £7.99

Sherborne Times reader offer price of £5.99 from Winstone’s Books

Iwould describe this comic book as funny, magical, very sweet and exciting. It makes me believe in magic a bit more.

It is all about a boy called Cooper who really missed his dad, who had recently vanished. One day, his toy rabbit spoke to him and together they try to find his dad. Will Cooper find his dad or not? This is a really thrilling story and makes me feel like I want to read more. Will it make you feel the same?

This also helped me learn some magic tricks and jokes. This is a magnificent comic book and Cooper makes some wonderful friends on the way!

HIGHER GROUND

Tom Hallam, Deputy Principal, Kingston Maurward College

Kingston Maurward College is excited to announce a new suite of Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) starting in September 2023. These programmes, which include Animal Management, Equine Management, Agriculture, Horticulture, Protective Services Management, and Outdoor Adventure Management, are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen fields.

But what exactly is an HND? It is a type of higher education course designed to provide students with specialised knowledge and practical skills in a particular industry or field. It is typically a two-year programme that is recognised globally. Courses that include high levels of practical delivery are favoured by employers because they provide students with the opportunity to develop hands-on skills and apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, making them better prepared for the demands of the work. This approach to training is also far more engaging for the students.

One of the key advantages of an HND programme is that it provides students with a fast track to employment. In many cases, HND graduates are able to secure employment sooner than those who have completed a traditional academic degree programme.

HNDs programmes are very flexible. Many allow students to choose courses that align with their career goals, giving them the opportunity to tailor their education to their specific interests and career aspirations. Additionally, HND courses are typically delivered in fewer days per week compared to a full BA or BSc degree – this gives students more time to focus on their careers or pursue other interests outside of their studies. All full-time HNDs at Kingston Maurward for example are delivered over 2 days per week, allowing students to fit their studies around parttime employment.

Choosing to study at a local college over a larger university has its advantages too. The convenience of

being able to study close to home not only allows students to save on the cost of accommodation and travel but also allows them to maintain a sense of community and support from family and friends. Additionally, studying at a college is financially more accessible than studying at a university, where higher education fees at university are around £9,250 per year, compared to £6,500 for an HND programme at Kingston Maurward, for example.

Another major advantage of studying an HND at a college is the opportunity to top up the HND to a full BA or BSc honours degree in a third year. This allows students to continue their education and further advance their career prospects.

Higher education is proven to increase the earning potential of graduates. An HND from a college can provide students with the knowledge and skills

to qualify for higher-paying jobs and more career opportunities. The current average starting salary for a graduate in the UK is just over £24,000 according to the Graduate Outcomes report by HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency). Graduates also earn £10,000 more per year than those who don’t study a higher education course. This proves that higher education continues to be a rewarding investment. But it’s not all about enhancing your employment chances – studying an HND can offer a range of benefits to those who are not necessarily seeking to enter the workforce. For example, an HND programme in horticulture can provide students with a comprehensive education in the theory and practical aspects of gardening and landscape design. This in-depth knowledge can be useful for those who are interested in gardening as a hobby or who are looking

to improve their own garden or landscape. Studying an HND programme can be a fulfilling and enriching experience for those passionate about their chosen subject. HNDs are often taught by experienced professionals in the field, who can provide students with valuable insights. This allows students to gain a deep understanding of their subject while connecting with like-minded individuals who share their interests.

kmc.ac.uk/college

Kingston Maurward is proud to unveil its new £3.5m building, where all of the higher education programmes will be delivered. The state-of-the-art facility includes lecture theatres, classrooms and other modern amenities, providing students with the best possible learning environment.

UNIVERSITY AND MY MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

As a university student, I’ve learned a lot these past few years. Not only is a university a place to grow academically but it’s also where I’ve truly learned what it’s like to be independent.

I’ve grown and developed immeasurably. I’ve improved my cooking skills. I’ve figured out how to check tyre pressure and how to change a spark plug. I’ve

also learned the downsides of self-reliance...

It’s University Mental Health Day on 3rd March and in honour of it, I’d like to share my story with you. I’ll touch upon what issues other students might experience, what mental health services feel like for university students and finally, I’ll let you know what students can do to find help in Dorset.

Ash Langwith, Marketing Placement Student, Dorset Mind F8 studio/Shutterstock

When I started University, I felt excited to finally have my own flat and to be studying something I’m passionate about, but I wasn’t prepared for what came next. In the first week, I dutifully attended induction lectures, but my mood slowly shifted as the pressure swiftly piled on. I felt as though we were expected to be resilient and strong. In truth, I began to struggle.

What I went through isn’t a rare occurrence. A few months into my studies, I met a nursing student who was experiencing the same things. We weren’t alone in this, but we felt alone.

With the pressure of isolation combined with stress so soon into university life, it’s unsurprising The Office for National Statistics found that over 37% of first-year students had some form of depression or anxiety.

In 2020, 3.7% of students declared a mental health condition – up from 0.7% in 2011. Almost half of the students, asked by UCAS, had said they did not share information about their mental health, possibly due to stigma or fears that it would negatively affect their applications to higher education.

1 in 5 students has a diagnosed mental health problem but this does not mean that more people aren’t suffering – they might not accept or realise they have an issue. You don’t need a diagnosis to face mental health challenges.

With mental ill health still being heavily stigmatised and portrayed negatively in the media and in our day-to-day lives, I found little signposting available for students like me, who were starting to deteriorate but felt shame in reaching out.

In many instances, clear signposting to crisis lines, well-being groups, community information services and more could help relieve the pressure felt by health services and would direct students to appropriate services faster.

Dorset Mind offers these signposts. The charity’s website has a useful directory of support by subject and additional resources such as the Five Ways to Wellbeing that can help support and maintain your mental health.

The major problem in the first place is awareness of mental health – and what normal looks like. It’s to be expected that things don’t always go well. We all have bad days, but if they persist or you take a downturn, it’s time to reach for support.

If someone approaches you for help, make sure they know that it’s ok to feel overwhelmed sometimes, have low mood or need to reach out for mental health support. It’s important to give positive affirmations to

people who trust you with their feelings. Actively listen and nod your head to indicate understanding – it helps make your friend feel less alone and more comfortable in allowing themselves to be vulnerable and asking for help.

At universities and places of further and higher education, there is usually a wide range of support for students, based on campus or close by. Connect with other students by joining social clubs and find a doctor’s surgery as soon as you can – they should know what support is available to you in the surrounding community. Make sure when you move away from the safety of your familiar network at home to university, that this is one of the first things you enquire about – it could help make your experience so much better.

To learn more about how Dorset Mind could support you directly and to find information about the range of services they offer including volunteering and training, visit dorsetmind.uk/help-and-support. National organisations such as Student Minds, Young Minds, and The Mix also hold a wealth of resources and information online.

studentminds.org.uk youngminds.org.uk themix.org.uk

How can you help a friend?

If you want to support a friend or fellow student and help them to open up about their mental health, remember to always ask twice about how they’re feeling. People will almost always default to standard niceties and might need a gentle nudge before they can be honest about how they feel. If, and when, they do confide in you, it’s imperative you know what services to suggest.

• The Samaritans can be called FREE on 116 123, at any time.

• Dorset residents and visitors can call the ‘Connection’ Mental Health Helpline on NHS 111 or 0800 652 0190.

• If phone calls aren’t your thing, text SHOUT to 85258 to start a text conversation with a trained volunteer.

• If you’re in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, call 999 or head to your nearest A&E department - if you can do so safely.

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GIVING BACK

Ian Bartle, Headteacher Sherborne Primary School

Aquestion many of us might contemplate is ‘what do we get from our time on Earth?’ However, I feel we must also ask ourselves ‘what do we give back?’ to make the world a better place for all.

Too often in life, we concentrate on what we can take from this journey as individuals, rather than as a community. We see this play out in the news on a global scale but, like everything (particularly the global ecology conversation), if you start small, things grow exponentially.

What have you done for others recently? I’m sure we can all make quite a list but who taught us the importance of giving back? For us, at Sherborne

Primary this is at the core of our motto and mission: Achieving/Belonging and Caring. Giving back is fundamental to everything we do and to how we approach educating our children.

A simple example of this is our commitment to the global and national eco agenda. We are proud of our FIVE National Eco-Schools Green Flags (the highest possible national award). These awards are not about trophies but much more about the journey – what the children learn along the way. I can only imagine the squirming at the Walkers Crisps factory when our Eco Committee wrote to them and asked why they need so much single-use plastic for their packaging. Their reply was not convincing, even to a seven-year-old.

I’m sure the people of Sherborne are also aware of our ‘Acts of Random Kindness’ within the town –passing flowers and chocolates to members of the public to teach our children that giving back actually makes you feel great too. The town may not be so aware of our ‘intergenerational project’. All our children take part in this initiative that links local care homes to our school – ‘Old People’s Home for Four Olds’ as the Channel Four series was called (we started our project three years before this show!) The activities between the children and residents include bingo, cooking, art, games and music and create such a bond between old and young.

Giving back is true of so many in society in numerous ways. At Sherborne Primary we have a huge range of volunteer readers, classroom supporters, school trip helpers, PTA members and an impressive governing body (they are actually the largest body of volunteers in the country). All giving back to their community; to the next generation.

Maybe you help a local charity or are part of a local club that helps others, such as Cubs, Cadets, or Guides? Maybe you deliver meals to those in need or just take the time to sit with an older person to keep them company? These are the caring attributes we wish to foster in our children.

Our next exciting idea is the Community Cafe Project, which, as the name suggests, will be a cafe accessible to the whole community, newly built within our outdoor space at the school. This will be a multifaceted enterprise. Our children are going to help organise and run the cafe as a small business. This will provide them with key life skills such as maths, problemsolving, people skills and numerous other attributes the business community will require of future employees.

The cafe will provide a space where the community can come together to socialise and interact and also one where, we as a school, will be able to host courses, events and other helpful activities.

Finally, the space will be open to other organisations and agencies, providing a focal point for the area while further strengthening the bonds in our community.

Giving back provides such a wonderful, warm and pleasurable experience, why shouldn’t we start this at the youngest age possible? My wish is that in doing so, ‘giving back’ becomes an intrinsic part of our character and enables us to build a healthier, happier, stronger community.

sherbornepri.dorset.sch.uk

"Our children are going to help organise and run the cafe as a small business. This will provide them with key life skills and the attributes required of future employees."

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Arctic Explorer and Ocean Conservationist, Pen Hadow at Sherborne Prep's 'Pole-to-Pole' event

Image: Mark Stuart

THE RINGING PLAINS OF WINDY SHERBORNE

Richard Pyman, Latin Teacher, Head of Scholarship, Sherborne Prep School

Not long ago, I was reading Tennyson with our students - Ulysses The old king was issuing his call to arms: My mariners, Souls that have toil’d, and wrought, and thought with me— That ever with a frolic welcome took The thunder and the sunshine… you and I are old.

Not pausing to ponder Ulysses’ reminder that time catches up with Greek heroes as much as everyone else - even Federer and Ronaldo are ‘not now that strength that in old days/ Moved earth and heaven’- we thought instead about the opportunities for the young, and how the children here maximise them. However the world’s conflicts may torment, we strive at Sherborne Prep to offer gladness. We have recently had the privilege of welcoming some friends from Ukraine. One of these exceptional students, Olha Peter, travelled the world before Christmas singing with the Ukrainian Children’s Choir, raising money for her country and taking the Christmas bells to New York. May her and all our prayers for an end to the horrors be answered. We are privileged to have her in our community.

We are also at the point of the year where some of our older students are preparing for scholarships, the first of many sets of exams which will chequer their lives. Their resilience and commitment are a joy: shrugging off an injury from a rugby or hockey match, they stay late at school to attend enrichment sessions; fast in preparation for a music audition, they and their dedicated accompanists start early or finish late to fine-tune their pieces. In the Art department, the celebrated modern painter Fernando Velázquez presides over some truly exceptional submissions to other schools. Flashback to the end of last term and a student here might have been asked about their day. ‘Oh,’ they would have replied, ‘assembly was taken by the only man ever to have walked to the North Pole on his own, actually…then we had a whole day in polar dress thinking about the environment and the history of polar exploration, pulling sledges outside and writing letters home like Captain Scott…’ Wow. Last week our Heads of Maths and Drama, both amazing actors in their own right, spurred on thirty-nine Year 7s to put on Peter Pan in four days! The girls in the school are modest about their status as county hockey champions. You take my point – assuredly, we fill the unforgiving minute…

If, therefore, we have a message for our children, it is to be curious and ambitious; try everything; be brave; have a go; we will strive to support you.

‘There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail. There gloom the dark, broad seas.’

Go for it.

sherborneprep.org

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Ollie Senneck, Teacher of Creative Media, Sherborne School

For children of the digital age, being gifted their first phone or given a significant upgrade on their previous devices feels like the inevitable next stage of their digital lives, and their first foray into controlling their digital consumption. This poses inevitable challenges for parents, teachers and society as we grapple with the existential questions that these addictive gadgets pose, and so dominate our existence.

The pandemic brought the digital world into sharper focus, with the benefits and frailties of life on screen coming to the fore. At Sherborne, we quickly embraced the technology availed to us so that the boys’ education wasn’t disrupted. Suddenly, a new vernacular became commonplace. Overnight, we were in Teams meetings, connecting via Zoom, and then muting ourselves, or being muted, and forgetting to hit mute(!) and sharing screens, marking online and teaching the boys remotely. For the art department, this presented a genuine challenge. Teaching the art of drawing and painting remotely, without the boys accessing the beautiful facilities of the art department, presented a few obstacles. Not every home is furnished with an abundance of art materials and teaching art, by its nature, is very handson, requiring bespoke feedback. However, we prevailed, and the boys’ learning continued unabated.

With my subject, Creative Media Production, the boys could present a large part of their work digitally. However, making television and film coursework, whilst stuck in a bedroom was a real challenge. But this then became the source of the boys’ creative work, once back at school, giving them material to create digital content, through music videos, short films and documentary production. The power and speed of the digital revolution enabled the boys to continue their learning, as well as provided them with new digital skills, ready for the challenges of university and employment in the post-pandemic age.

For parents and teachers, it is a difficult and sometimes

Image: Josie Sturgess Mills

"For parents and teachers, it is a difficult and sometimes bewildering landscape to navigate"

bewildering landscape to navigate, such is the scale and scope of the internet, new apps and new platforms. Opinions, good and bad, can quickly be disseminated and media influencers can soon have the following they crave. At Sherborne, through our well-being lessons, we teach the boys the potential perils and threats of the online world. We promote positive digital citizenship so they can be as positive in their digital lives, as they are in their everyday, personal interactions. Our mobile device policy is also robust and progressive, covering

all areas of the school, from lessons to the boarding houses to crossing the road and general courtesies. We are concerned to ensure that they use mobile devices and associated social media in a way that is healthy and supportive of their education, social development, and wellbeing. We must promote positive digital citizenship, making our young people active citizens, participants and creators, rather than passive scrollers.

sherborne.org

Areal crowd-pleaser and one for the whole family to enjoy. This recipe gives a little extra pop of flavour and goodness using ham and cheese but another favourite is sweetcorn or grated carrots.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 10–15 minutes (depending on what pasta you use)

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 portion of Cheat’s White Sauce (250g ricotta, loosened with 70ml milk to desired thickness)

Salt, pepper and nutmeg for seasoning

(omit if cooking for a baby)

4 handfuls of peas

4 slices of ham

200g pasta

100g cheese of your choice (we like to use a mix of grated cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan)

A splash of milk

AT THE TABLE

Michela Chiappa

BAKED MAC AND CHEESE

Method

1 Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Grate the cheese.

2 Drain the pasta and place in an ovenproof dish.

3 Stir in the white sauce, half the grated cheese and the peas. Tear the ham into the pasta.

4 Remove a portion for the baby, then season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and stir again.

5 Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

6 Pour a dash of milk into each corner of the dish to make sure it doesn’t dry out in the oven.

7 Place under the grill for 5–10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and turned golden brown.

@michela.chiappa

TheChiappaSisters thechiappas.com

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

GREEN SHOOTS

Simon Ford, Land and Nature Adviser

Writing this article in the depths of January, I can only dream of spring and the green shoots emerging.

I look forward to feeling the warmth of the sun on my back, rather than icy fingers and multi-layered clothing. Instead of walking around with pounds of claggy clay on my wellies and slipping and sliding down paths, it will be nice to be able to venture out in walking shoes. Zeus, our dog might even come back from a walk and not shake mud across the kitchen, splattering the cupboards and walls with foul-smelling dirt!

What really fills me with hope is when bulbs start

to emerge from the soil and the first leaves begin to unfurl on trees. Instead of skeletal woods and hedges, early emerging shrubs like elder and honeysuckle begin to grow after a long winter of dormancy. On a warm spring day in March, you might be lucky to see one of our early butterflies, like a butter yellow brimstone, mimicking a leaf, a deep red peacock, with its spectacular eyes or an aptly named orange tip male, seeking out ladies smock or cuckoo flower (same species, different names).

What I love hearing is bird song as they seek to find mates or advertise that it is their territory. Blackbirds,

Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

dunnocks, wrens and robins all start to call from dawn. Even the much-maligned wood pigeon coos from tree tops or the ridge of a cottage, confusing some people as it can sound quite cuckoo-like. It is really worth setting the alarm early and going to a local wood, such as the area above The Terraces to hear the dawn chorus at its best, but almost every garden will have a display.

In large trees and copses, a noisy commotion may be made by rooks, building a scruffy rookery. They nest as early as February and early March to take advantage of an abundance of food and may go on raiding parties to newly seeded fields, so Worzel Gummidge needs to remain vigilant!

The early part of March is generally too early for hibernating mammals such as bats, hedgehogs and dormice to emerge, although it is not unheard of. Likewise, reptiles such as slow worms, grass snakes and adders tend to wait until after the frosts, later in the month before coming out of their hibernation sites.

Queen bumble bees tend to emerge before the honey bee drones and can be seen as early as January. By March, it is likely that there will be a low hum on flowering plants such as winter honeysuckle,

rosemary and crocus, covered in a variety of bees, feasting on the nectar.

In the flower beds, weeds such as bittercress, groundsel, cleavers, dandelions and speedwell are growing quickly and will aim to flower and set seed very early and may have a number of generations in one year if allowed! It might be wise to do a bit of weeding if you want to prevent them from spreading through the vegetable patch or borders.

You might do your first early grass cut (on a high setting) or perhaps you are going to leave an area to become a wild flower meadow and leave the lawnmower in the shed?

Even though it might be warming up, March is not an easy time for many animals, as most food sources such as berries and seeds have been used up over the long cold winter. It is therefore important to keep topping up the bird feeders. It is not too late to put up a bird box or install a hedgehog house.

We have spring and summer to look forward to, trips to see gardens with dramatic displays of rhododendrons, camelias and azaleas and walks in the countryside and beaches. Only a few weeks to go!

Today I saw the first honeybee collecting nectar from hazel catkins. It’s early February as I write and I’ve seen many catkins around since late November. I’ve been curious to know when they would attract the bees. At what time of day and in what climate would all the conditions be right? Today it was cold, around 7 degrees, and for a short time, the sun came out, and that’s when I spotted bees on catkins in a hedge. Catkins don’t rely on pollinators, only breezy weather, almost guaranteed during February and March. I only learned recently that the yellow dangly tails (named after their similarities to cat tails) are the male parts. A small red bunch of petals above the catkins, on the branch, is the female flower. The clouds of pollen carried by the wind need to reach the female flowers to produce a hazelnut.

The bees are interested in pollen at this time of year as it is a rich source of protein. As the queen will start laying eggs again, after a winter pause, the larvae need

IN TUNE WITH THE BEES

protein to help them develop. The nectar from flowers is a source of carbohydrate and what the bees convert into honey.

I am fascinated by the connection between flowers and bees. This first started when my husband Greg bought me an apricot tree one Christmas. We planted it in our front garden against a south-facing wall to catch the maximum amount of sunshine. I was concerned to read that it blossoms in March and that it may be a bit chilly for my bees, living in a hive in the back garden, to fly around to notice the flowers. As the tree wasn’t there the previous summer, how would the bees know we now had an apricot tree? Naturally I had told them – what if that wasn’t enough, or they weren’t listening?! Curiosity had me researching pollination and bees –what did nature do to overcome such situations when there was no one around to tell the bees?

I then came across incredible research that first alerted me to the fact that plants emit an

Paula Carnell, Beekeeping Consultant, Writer and Speaker

Tomasz Klejdysz/Shutterstock

electromagnetic frequency that literally signals to the bees. It felt like a new language was unveiled to me. I could understand how the bumble bee queens awake to the snowdrops blooming and how the red mason bees hatch just as the apple blossoms burst open.

This beautiful rapport amongst nature has been evolving over millions of years, with no assistance from humans, in fact, despite all our attempts to ignore, and now even damage it. Humans have been experimenting with electricity and magnets for over a hundred years, and sadly, these experiments have not been allowing for the disruption they may cause to the evolutionary songs of nature.

Researchers in China found that they can increase plant yields by broadcasting sound waves of certain frequencies. Other researchers have investigated how gene expression can be altered by using different intensities and frequencies of sounds. The acoustic vibrations modify metabolic processes in plants.

If plants are using these frequencies to communicate with each other, it makes sense that they would be communicating, or calling out to the pollinators. We know that birds and many pollinators have an increase of magnetite in their bodies, which helps them negotiate the Earth’s magnetic fields for migration. Natural electromagnetic waves between plants and bees use a continually flowing direct current to allow it to be picked up and followed. Man-made electrical fields use alternating currents that pulse and this disrupts the natural connections between living organisms.

In 2006 the Austrian Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management wrote to the National Councillor Dr Andreas Khol after finding that bees produce less honey in strong electromagnetic fields (for instance under power lines) and have increased mortality. In 2007

the University of Koblenz-Landau exposed bees to ‘harmless’ cordless DECT base stations. The bees were marked and released 800 metres away from the hive. It clearly showed that bees struggled to return to the ‘irradiated’ colonies. The most frightening study was by Dr Seinudeen Pattazhy in India. He found that when placing a switched-on mobile phone near a beehive, the entire colony perished within five to ten days. Their orientation was so disrupted by the radio waves emitted by the phone that they couldn’t find their way back to the hive. With no food coming into the hive, the queen and brood soon die, unable to forage for themselves.

With a 70% loss in pollinators in recent years, should we perhaps be looking at how nature communicates for survival? Surely if electrical waves create such havoc in trees, plants, animals, birds and insects, there must also be an impact on humans...

I found a wonderful excerpt from a documentary where flowers were exposed to a tuning fork tuned to two notes. The first, which mimicked a bee flying, had no impact on the flower. The second, tuned to middle C, when placed near the flower, created a shower of pollen. The bumble bee that pollinates this specific plant, dislocates her wings on landing on the plant which changes the frequency of her wing muscles, creating the ‘C’ note which releases the pollen. I love that we are learning that the plants and bees are literally singing to each other, and we are too busy and careless to notice. Each plant could be tuned to a different note!

I’ve been watching my apricot blossom over the past several years and have seen bumbles, solitary and honeybees enjoying its nectar. In return, each year our crop of apricots increases as the song of the blossom gets louder with a larger choir of blossom singers!

paulacarnell.com

WHY THE STARS ARE FADING

Peter Littlewood, Director, Young People’s Trust for the Environment

Where I live in Bradford Abbas, we don’t have any streetlights. It felt really strange when we first moved here, but it didn’t take long to get used to carrying a torch if setting off around the village after dark. One of the great things about the absence of street lighting is that we get some amazing starscapes on clear nights, like the ones we had at the start of February.

We had a spectacular view of the snow moon - the first full moon in February - which gets its name from the Native Americans, who used the moon to track the seasons. The heaviest snowfall in North America usually occurs in February, hence snow moon. And popping out this evening to put out the bins, I was greeted by Orion on his eternal hunt through the night sky and high above, the wonky ‘w’ of Cassiopeia too.

In urban areas, light pollution is a problem that’s growing rapidly. The human eye should be able to spot thousands of stars in the night sky unaided, but for around 30% of the world’s population, it’s now almost impossible to spot the Milky Way - our home galaxyand many of the constellations too. And more than 80% of the human population lives under light-polluted skies.

On cloudy nights, the skies near cities are now hundreds, or even thousands of times brighter than they were two centuries ago. Even from Bradford Abbas, if you look to the northwest at night, the glow of Yeovil’s streetlights can easily be seen.

It’s alarming how quickly the stars are disappearing from view. Globe at Night, a citizen science study run by US research centre NoirLab, has predicted that a child born today in a place where 250 stars are currently visible will only be able to see 100 of them by the time they reach the age of 18. The brightness of the night sky is thought to be increasing at a rate of 9.6% per year.

Globe at Night’s findings are based on over 50,000 observations reported by citizen scientists from North America and Europe between 2011 and 2022. Participants were shown a range of star maps and selected the one that best matched their view of the night sky.

Ironically, the increasing use of energy-efficient LED bulbs is accelerating the nighttime ‘skyglow’. The amount of blue light that LEDs give off is much higher than traditional sodium streetlights. Blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates

sleep patterns in humans and other animals. 51% of the UK’s streetlights were LEDs by 2019.

Light pollution also affects wildlife. All animal and plant life on our planet has relied on a predictable day and night cycle. The daily rhythm governs behaviours like sleep, reproduction, feeding and avoiding predators. Light pollution has a serious impact on nocturnal animals, radically altering the nighttime environment they are used to. In highly light-polluted areas, some predator species are given an advantage, because they have an increased ability to see and hunt other species, particularly those that are attracted to light.

That might be good news - in the short term at leastfor bats that like to eat moths, as they tend to congregate around street lighting at night. But it’s not so good for the moths or other insects that end up trapped by the lure of streetlights. Indeed, street lighting is thought to be a major contributor to the ‘insect apocalypse’ we’re seeing across the planet, with huge declines in insect numbers.

Migrating birds can be confused by lights at night, causing them to fly off course and in extreme cases, even to crash into objects like high-rise buildings. Take,

for example, Philadelphia, USA on a foggy, rainy night in October 2020. The cloud base was low, so nightmigrant birds were flying low too. Unable to see the stars above that they would normally navigate by and disoriented by the fog, the birds were drawn off course by the city lights. Some 1,500 of them died that night by crashing into the glass of high-rise offices and flats.

So how do we solve the problem? Well, outdoor lights can be shielded, so that they point only downwards and don’t spill their light up into the night sky. Dimmers can be added or the amount of blue light given off can be reduced. At home, we can do things like closing the curtains to stop light spilling out into the night and making sure any security lighting is focused carefully.

If you’re interested in seeing as many stars as possible, our closest truly dark skies can be found in the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. More than half of its 380 square miles still has the lowest level of light pollution in England, so it’s a great place to spot stars!

ypte.org.uk

James Cook Photography/Shutterstock

St. Catherine's Chapel, Abbotsbury

STONEBARROW, ST GABRIEL’S CHAPEL AND GOLDEN CAP

Emma Tabor and Paul Newman

Distance: 5 3/4 miles

Time: Approx. 3 1/2 hours

Park: National Trust car park at Stonebarrow

Walk Features: From the start at Stonebarrow, the walk gradually dips and then climbs steadily to approach the summit of Golden Cap. At 191 metres (627 feet) it is the highest point on the south coast. There is a steep, stepped descent from the summit, becoming more gradual along lower cliffs, with a gentle incline back towards the start. The views across Lyme Bay are stunning and well worth the effort. The route varies with a good mix of pasture, woodland and wellmarked paths and tracks. Care is needed by the cliff edges. There is also the option to start this walk at the National Trust car park at Langdon Hill.

Refreshments: The Anchor, Seatown >

Each 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.

Exploring the terrain of West Dorset would not be complete without a walk which takes in the Golden Cap Estate. However, this is a walk which is not just about sweeping views and grand vistas. Langdon Hill is the distinctive-shaped wood which backs onto the summit of Golden Cap and is worth exploring as are the sunken pockets of meadow around the ruins of St Gabriel’s Chapel. The National Trust car park at Stonebarrow is home to a more modern structure, a WWII radar station, now a bunkhouse, and the route also takes in St Wite’s Well. There are delightful dips and turns along the way from Stonebarrow to Golden Cap, crossing old medieval routes. The descent from the summit of Golden Cap is invigorating, with the last section more gentle. Much of the ecology of the Golden Cap Estate is of national importance and most is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The hill’s name

is derived from its composition of weathered Upper Greensand over Lower Jurassic Liassic clays. At Langdon Hill there’s a 1-mile circular path with a wide, level and compacted surface suitable for most wheelchairs and pushchairs, accessed by a gate with a RADAR key.

Directions

Start: SY 390 935

1 Drive to the very end of Stonebarrow car park (Stonebarrow Lane), underneath a clump of pine trees and park there. The car park is accessed via a steep narrow lane from Charmouth.

2 Take the large gate(s) to the left of the car park to walk along a track, sheltered in places. Pass through other large gateways and after 1/2 mile you will come to Grandview Farm. The track now becomes a drive, Ship Knapp. Walk gradually downhill and after 1/4 mile reach a signpost on your right for St Wite’s Well, just before you reach the A35.

3 Bear sharp right at the signpost to follow this track, with views over to Langdon Hill. You will soon

reach St Wite’s Well. Continue on this track for 1/2 mile until you eventually reach a crossroads on Muddyford Lane. Go over the crossroads, heading for St Gabriel’s Cottages and St Gabriel’s Capel. The lane winds and twists downhill before heading slightly uphill to reach the cottages. The cottages (St Gabriel’s House) occupy a lovely sheltered spot, with hawthorns and oaks dripping with lichen and mosses, and the cottages themselves are quite homely. The hamlet dates back to 1086 and is surrounded by a patchwork of small, ancient meadows. Turn left at the junction in front of the cottages to reach St Gabriel’s Chapel.

4 After visiting the chapel, retrace your steps back up the lane past the cottages for 150 yards then turn right into a field through a large wooden gate and sign for Langdon Hill and car park 1 1/4 mile (and Morecombelake 1 mile). Carry along the footpath then through another wooden gate onto a magical woodland track, Copse Mead, following the river valley. Go through a small wooden gate by the side of a larger gate onto a wooden footbridge. Keep straight ahead following the signs for Langdon Hill. Pass through another large wooden gate into a field, to keep a hedge on your right, then out of this field and across a track by a cottage into another field, still signed to the Car Park. Walk up the steep field to the woods. Go through the small gate at the top and turn left onto a small track which soon joins the large woodland track which circuits Langdon Hill.

5 Walking clockwise around the hill, this track soon takes you past the National Trust car park for Langdon Hill. On the east side of the hill, there are good views over Chideock and Thorncombe Beacon. After 1/2 mile, you will reach the southern side of Langdon Hill, which looks out onto Golden Cap.

Ford Cottage

Leave the woods via a signpost for Golden Cap, which you will see ahead. Climb to the summit of Golden Cap through a series of gates and fields.

6 There is the opportunity to extend the walk eastwards with a descent to The Anchor at Seatown - but you will need to be prepared for the climb back up Golden Cap!

7 After taking in the views, leave the summit of Golden Cap on the western side to descend steeply for 1/4 mile, through a larger gate and then to a small wooden gate in a hedge to reach the lower cliffs above St Gabriel’s Mouth. Go down into the valley to a small wooden gate onto a wooden footbridge- cross over and up the other side to another small wooden gate into a field. Turn right here and keep along the hedge line until you come to a large wooden gate and a stile. Keep along the footpath, passing St Gabriel’s Cottage to a large wooden gate leading to St Gabriel’s House Cottages and the Chapel. Before the cottages, turn left to head back up the lane you descended earlier to reach the crossroads at Muddyford Lane.

8 At the crossroads, turn left and head towards Upcot Farm. In just under 1/4 mile, reach the farm, turn right to pass through the farm buildings, and walk gradually uphill. Soon, the track levels out a little. Pass through a large gate and stay on the track as it gently curls to the left, uphill, ignoring Muddyford Lane as it drops away to the left from the track. Views open up over Golden Cap and Langford Hill and the slopes here are lined with gorse. Follow the track and pass through another gateway to turn more steeply uphill and back to the pines and the car park at Stonebarrow.

nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/golden-cap

Forthcoming Auction Programme

Classic & Vintage Cars

9th March

Classic & Vintage Motorcycles

30th March

Automobilia & Memorabilia Tuesday

4th April

Hunting, Shooting, Fishing & Sporting Wednesday

5th April

Pictures, Books & Maps Wednesday

5th April

Asian Art Thursday

6th April

Further entries invited

Bespoke Handmade Furniture, Interior Joinery and Kitchens. For all enquiries please contact charlie@cmfurniture.co.uk | 07841 929231 cmfurniture.co.uk

Established for over 33 years we are a family run business based in the heart of Dorset. We offer carpenter-build services in oak frame and timber construction, plus timber gates, fencing, hardwood doors, windows & timber supplies to all. We tailor our build services around you, by using our in-house team of surveyors, designers, carpenters & construction crews. A wealth of experience is here to support your project.

LOST DORSET NO. 33 RHODE BARTON, LYME REGIS

David Burnett, The Dovecote Press

The sight of early primroses in Dorset’s hedgerows has long been a first glimpse of the coming of spring – of longer days and warmer weather. But I don’t think I have ever seen such an abundance of primroses as in this postcard from about 1910. Here they completely cover a hillside at Rhode Horn, north of Lyme Regis on the county boundary with Devon. The children sold the flowers in Lyme Regis and Charmouth. Another seasonal task for children was gathering hazelnuts in the autumn. Working children were an important source of income in many rural households. Boys provided extra hands in the field, helping with the ploughing and carting. Girls scared birds, picked stones and weeded crops. Dorset’s school log books, which legally had to be kept by the schoolmaster or mistress, regularly list absences by both girls and boys for potato planting, haymaking, and harvest. The beginning of the autumn term was often delayed by a late harvest.

dovecotepress.com

The Dovecote Press has been publishing books about Dorset since 1974, many of which are available locally from Winstone’s Books or directly from the publishers. This photograph is taken from Lost Dorset: The Villages & Countryside.

OBJECT OF THE MONTH THE WICKHAM PAINTING

Elisabeth Bletsoe, Curator, Sherborne Museum

To me, painting is learning to see’ so wrote Mabel Frances Wickham (1901-1992), born in Fleet, Hampshire and whose artistic talent was strongly encouraged by her parents. She studied art at Clapham High School between 1919 and 1923, which also included a year’s teacher training, and this led to her becoming an art teacher at Lord Digby’s School in Sherborne.

Mabel attended the summer landscape painting courses run by Reginald St. Clair Marston and by the 1930s opted to teach part-time in order to develop her own creativity. In 1936 she was made an Associate of the Society of Women Artists, and in 1938 she was elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours. She also became a member of the Sherborne Art Club and was for several years its Hon. Secretary.

During this time it is not surprising that she produced many representations of the town, ten of which are part of the Museum’s collections; these include watercolours, pencil drawings and pen and ink wash. Looking at these, it seems that Mabel worked very often on location, from a vantage point such as the Slopes, Lord Digby’s School or halfway down Long Street which enabled her to represent the town in its context, among the characteristic oak and ash trees of the locality and the distinctive profiles of Honeycombe Tout and Thornford Ridge. She was an excellent draughtswoman, adept at reproducing the facade of the Abbey or the frontage of shops on Cheap Street. In 1951 she drew the Church House in Half Moon Street as an illustration for Joseph Fowler’s Medieval Sherborne, bending its perspective slightly in order to include the whole building to suit her purpose. Often she drew attention to changes in the townscape, recording features that are no longer there, perhaps

from her mind’s eye; written on the back of her works are brief phrases like ‘now houses come to the horizon’ or ‘open ground on right now filled’. They provide a valuable historic record of small details that made the town what it was and is in memory: Hunt’s Cycle Shop, the old market, the acacia tree outside the Estate Office, the avenue of limes in front of the Abbey.

One of the most fascinating images is the watercolour illustrated above: Newland, bomb damage after the air raid, September 1940. This is in fact a preliminary sketch, executed in a very free and loose style; what makes it so powerful is that it is clearly a spontaneous and immediate reaction to disaster and a desire to capture the historic moment. There are no initial pencil marks and the drag of the brush is visible across the slightly roughened paper. The mood is ominous and chaotic. The sketch was later worked up into a considered and more detailed watercolour. On the back of this second canvas is recorded the necessity for her to have a permit and the signature of the attending officer.

In 1953, Mabel retired to Weymouth, where she held her own summer art courses, and lectured for the WEA, Bristol University Extra-Mural Department and the Portland Bill Observatory. She exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy and featured in a retrospective at The Chesil Gallery in Chiswell in 1988. Sherborne Museum is proud to hold a comprehensive selection of her work in trust for the town and will be displaying a small exhibition later in the year.

Sherborne Museum is opening on winter hours during March: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10.30am–4.30pm. Admission is free.

sherbornemuseum.co.uk

LIFE IN THE WORKHOUSE

The Victorian attitude viewed poverty as a result of laziness, drunkenness or vice. So, what was it like for the workhouses in Sturminster Newton and Cerne Abbas? The answers can be found in the Dorset County Record Office, and these give fascinating insights into the life of poor people and their treatment. The Poor Law stipulated that workhouses were to be well-built and with sufficient quality food. However, the Commissioners were loath to make the workhouse too attractive and so the regime became monotonous, as was the diet. Dorset Workhouses were built with minimum facilities and due to this, the poor had a fear of ending up there. There were many reasons why people ended up in the workhouse such as old age, unemployed, orphaned and infirm. When times were hard admission to the Workhouse became the only solution for large families – sometimes it was only on a temporary basis. New inmates were required to have a medical inspection, bathe on arrival, and, after surrendering their clothing, dress in a special workhouse uniform. This system continued until the early years of the 20th century. When wayfarers arrived needing a night’s shelter, if

there were not enough beds to go round they would drape themselves over a rope rather than sleep on the cold damp floor. The expression ‘I could sleep on a clothesline’ may have derived from this.

Life in the workhouse was harsh, with little food consisting mainly of watery soup, potatoes, bread and cheese. Many inmates were literally starving and some were known to scavenge for putrid meat on the bones which they were being forced to grind into fertiliser. Children were often beaten for misbehaving. There was a scandal in London where a number of children ended up dead as a result of their terrible mistreatment. The writer Charles Dickens (1812 -1870) was so shocked and concerned about these conditions that he wrote Oliver Twist to highlight the problem, and he campaigned throughout his lifetime to turn public opinion against these austere places.

Groceries were mostly purchased from local shops. In Sturminster Newton flour came from the Mill and general provisions from Strange and Son, the premises of which are now occupied by One Stop. The best food and finest teas were reserved for the master and matron, not the inmates. And it was much the same

Cindy Chant and John Drabik

in Cerne Abbas, but provisions came from the village shop. Cleaning materials were also purchased, including yellow soap, washing soda, starch and the ‘blue bag’ –also, candles and oil to provide light and blacking for the fireplace. Some medical records show that treacle was purchased, being a favourite remedy for its iron content or for its laxative property.

The sexes were kept separate as were married couples, and children over the age of seven were not allowed to sleep with their mothers. The children received some education, and the Chaplain would conduct prayers, baptisms and burials. Sometimes there was entertainment, as in 1889 Canon Lowndes of Sturminster Newton gave the inmates a magic lantern slide show. His daughter Mary designed a stained glass window in his memory, which can still be seen in the church. And in Cerne Abbas, Lady Digby from Minterne Magna entertained the inmates with tea and cake for special occasions.

Able-bodied men had some form of daytime work consisting mainly of stone breaking for the repair of roads and teasing out strands from old rope, known as ‘oakhum’ picking, to make caulking for waterproofing boats. In Cerne Abbas they worked in the fields for tokens which could be spent in the village shop. Women would have been involved in domestic duties within the house itself, such as scullery work, cleaning, laundry and needlework.

There were twelve Union Workhouses in Dorset, only seven of which are still standing. Despite these buildings rapidly disappearing the social history of the Poor Law in Dorset is well recorded. Sturminster Newton workhouse is now known as Stour View House, serving the community in a very different way from that of the Victorian period. It is now a day centre for the elderly and those with special needs, and also houses a hydrotherapy pool for their use. The Chapel next door is now the town’s museum and here you can find further information on life in the workhouse. Likewise in Cerne Abbas, the workhouse became a Youth Hostel, and later in 1989 was redeveloped and became known as Davidson Nursing Home. Later still it changed hands and is now known as Casterbridge Manor Care Home.

These buildings, though once very depressing, have now been given a facelift and serve once more a value to the community. They are of immense historic value and were an important feature of everyday life spanning a century. They are also reminders of the grim and severe attitudes which were prevalent in the Victorian era.

Specialist Matthew Denney

Ian Faulkner (b.1973) A Good Book and a Bottle of Wine BOUGHT FOR £3,250

GANGSTER STYLE

Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers

It was 1976 and the world, to me anyway, at 10 years old, was a good place. We had the hot summer, maybe better called the great drought of ’76, where standpipes were introduced due to the severe water shortage. We were advised to ‘Save water – bath with a friend’ which as a slogan was widely and quite rightly lampooned!

For me the summer of ‘76 is remembered for playing cricket at school in Sherborne with huge cracks in the ground. It is also remembered for the release of Bugsy Malone. If you have not seen the film, it is a spoof gangster musical with a cast made up entirely of children. The cast members sing and dance their way around prohibition-era New York, substituting Tommy guns and bullets for ‘splurge guns’ and custard pies. Back sometime in the 2000s, when the kids were at school, Bugsy Malone was put on as a school play. Needless to say the kids playing the various parts and the adults who produced and watched the play all had

a great time. As spoof gangsters, the young actors drove around in 1920s American cars – the running boards mounted with actors with their toy Tommy guns. I say drove around, but as a spoof film/play, the cars were in fact scaled-down pedal cars.

Moving forward now to 2023 and I was recently asked to look at a collection of 1920s American cars. They all looked very gangster-like with their huge running boards, perfect as transportation for the likes of Al Capone and ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly. The cars had been amassed by the owner’s late father. Rather interestingly, he thought there were 23 cars in the collection, but when he checked there were in fact 29!

Some of the cars in the collection are firm family favourites and will be kept. However, to store, maintain and enjoy so many cars is not realistic for the family today which is why I was invited to look at the collection and advise on how to start selling some of them.

Four cars were selected to be sold in our next classic and vintage car auction being held at the prestigious Haynes International Motor Museum on Thursday 9th March. First up there is a 1924 Buick, followed by a 1927 Packard, a 1928 Packard and a 1929 Cadillac. All are similar in appearance – big and imposing. The 1928 Packard is unusual as it is an original right-hand drive with the other three being left-hand drive. The two Packards and the Buick are all 6-cylinder engines whereas the Cadillac has the all-American full-fat V8.

Over the past few years, all the cars have been available to use for wedding and prom night hire. Whether the new buyers of these cars – all of which are immaculate and will be driven to the auction – will continue being hired out we will have to wait and see but I think one thing is for sure, their gangster days are long over.

Landscaping and garden projects

Why choose us?

Now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to breathe new life into your garden, and we’re here to help.

• We listen to you and work with you to bring your ideas to life.

• We can maintain your garden so that it looks great throughout the year.

• We offer excellent, on-going support, advice and guidance.

No job is too small. We do it all.

Competitive rates, free no obligation quotes, no vat.

Please call Paul to get the conversation started.

M: 07739 121 430

E: paul@castletown.uk

www.castletown.uk

1929 Cadillac £10,000-15,000

DORSET COUNCIL COMPOST BIN OFFER

The Recycling Team, Dorset Council

Now that we’re moving into spring, it’s the perfect time to think about making compost for our gardens, hanging baskets and window boxes.

Composting is great for the environment. It improves soil - helping to create healthy plants and reducing the need to water and fertilise. It’s easy to make, can save money and you only need a small outdoor space.

Dorset Council is offering compost bins at prices as low as £6 and there is an extra buy-one-get-one-halfprice deal (plus delivery). This is for a limited number of bins so hurry whilst the offer lasts! See getcomposting. com for details.

Free compost bins are also offered to schools. We offer up to two compost bins and two caddies, plus a

visit from a team member. Visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ recycling for more details.

Good things you can compost include teabags, plant prunings, cut flowers, vegetable peelings and fruit waste (add citrus peelings sparingly). You can also add cardboard egg-boxes and scrunched-up paper. These provide fibre and carbon and also allow important air pockets to form in the mixture.

Twigs, grass clippings and leaves can also be added, but they will take a long time to break down if large quantities are added at one time.

The compost is ready when it’s brown and crumbly. Dig into the soil in early spring or late autumn to improve the soil structure and act as a slow-release fertiliser.

Open Monday-Saturday 9.00am-6.00pm, Sunday 10.00am-4.30pm (tills open at 10.30am)

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

It’s time to get growing

As the daffodils and snowdrops bloom, March is the time to sow a variety of vegetable seeds both indoors and straight outside.

Beetroot, carrots, onions, peas, radishes, chard and more can be sown in March, while fast-growing crops like lettuce and spinach can be sown in intervals from this month onwards.

You can also chit your seed potatoes on a windowsill and plant these out at the end of March, following a planting guide to get the best crop.

01935 814633

castle@thegardensgroup.co.uk

COMPOSTING

Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group

At this time of year, as we start to tidy up our gardens and get them in shape after a long tough winter, we accumulate lots of plant debris in the garden. Rather than it being a problem, such material can be placed in a compost bin and turned into something useful for the garden.

The art of composting is as old as gardening itself but it just got a whole lot more important in the overall scheme of things. The reason for this is that the way we discard waste that we each produce is causing major problems worldwide, including for our own local councils, which have major issues and costs in dealing with it. The good news for the gardener is that much of it can be composted and turned into a free soil improver too.

Improving the soil in our gardens is the key to improving the productivity and quality of our gardening. The Soil Association believe that if you look after the soil then the soil will look after your plants. A healthy soil includes creatures such as worms and woodlice, micro-organisms including bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, as well as the nutrients and water that plants need. There is also a requirement for a good structure to the soil and the addition of a humus-based soil improver such as your own homemade garden compost is perfect for this.

So, what material can be composted? Anything biodegradable can be added but I would avoid meat products, dog waste and processed or cooked food waste from the kitchen. I like to split the material into two groups: green e.g. soft leaves, grass, weeds, some peelings and then brown e.g. leaves, prunings, newspaper, shredded hedge trimmings etc.

Green material is softer and will break down faster than brown material. Green material may have broken down in 3 months whereas brown may take up to a year. In fact the best quality compost has a mixture of both types and the more diverse the material the better the compost produced. Too much green makes the compost wet and sludgy whereas too much brown doesn’t compost.

Sometimes when one is gardening too much, only one type of material is produced. The best example of this would be grass when the lawn is being mowed. Too much grass makes for a mass in the compost heap which tends to break down without enough air, making an acidic sludge. My solution would be to save other types of compostable material to mix in and split up the layers of grass.

Sometimes we get into such a dither about composting, thinking that the compost is too wet or perhaps too dry. I think that if the mixture is diverse enough it will happily compost without too much interference. If the mixture feels dry then leave the lid off the bin for a while, if it’s too wet then cover it.

To speed up the composting process the addition of a compost activator such as Garotta may be useful. Such additives feed the bacteria that break down the compost with nitrogen. Organic gardeners sometimes use their own home-made concoctions including solutions made from Comfrey leaves!

Alzbeta/Shutterstock

For best results it’s good to have three compost bins; one being filled with this season’s debris, one composting with last season’s waste and the third being emptied and used in the garden. If space doesn’t allow for three, then choose a bin type where the composted material can be accessed at the bottom of the bin with new material being added to the top.

In our own garden we also have a hot bin. This is ideal for dealing with waste from the house. It is wellinsulated and has a temperature gauge on the top. As the material composts down, the temperature rises and often we find it at over 50 degrees C. This breaks down material at an astonishing rate.

We also use two types of wormeries. The first of these is in a dustbin arrangement with a false floor near the bottom which allows the liquid to drain from the compost into a sump. This liquid can be used as a simple fertiliser in the garden. Above this is where the waste to be composted is laid. The sort of material that wormeries easily deal with is kitchen waste such as vegetable

peelings into which worms (usually tiger worms) work hard munching away at the plant material. As they munch away, they move upwards into the new material that is put in the bin. Once the bin is full, the top layer is put to one side whilst the compost below is used and then it’s placed back at the bottom to start all over again.

The second style of bin is a series of deep trays which are stacked on each other and filled one at a time. The worms work away from the bottom tray moving upwards as each tray is added. Once all of the trays are full, the lower trays can be emptied and the top bin is moved to the bottom to start the process again.

The compost that comes out of wormeries looks fabulous but should be used as a soil improver, not a potting compost.

So, helping the environment, reducing cost and energy usage by the council, saving money for yourself and improving your garden – can’t be bad!

thegardensgroup.co.uk

SPRING LAWN CARE

Jason Anning, Landscape Manager, Queen Thorne Landscapes

There is a vast array of options available to create your ideal outdoor space, from paving to gravel to astroturf to wildflower meadows. Each has its advantages and disadvantages but we would like to offer a defence for keeping your lawn.

Though occasionally maligned as an enemy to pollinators, your lawn actually offers a vital highway, providing access to plants and flowers throughout your garden. It is an important ecosystem in its own

right, providing an important habitat for creatures both above and below the surface, encouraging wildlife to return to your garden again and again. And on top of this, it is a versatile and useful surface, perfect for games or entertaining whilst looking attractive all year round, if maintained.

An Early Spring

In the southwest of England, our lawns come back to life as early as the end of February. Keep your

alexkich/iStock

eyes peeled for signs such as worm casts appearing on the surface. Even if this is the case, there is no need to do any real work to your lawn, except gently sweeping the worm casts away using an outdoor brush to keep an even surface.

March

March is when lawn care can begin. By now the grass should have started to grow and the ground should have softened. Key tasks include:

• Raking away thatch, leaves and other debris. (Thatch is a layer of material on top of the soil surface that, if left, can reduce water penetration and increase the possibility of disease.) Rake gently so as not to damage the grass.

• Rolling the lawn. If there have been heavy frosts, the surface may need evening out with light rolling.

• Mow your lawn. Only remove the top of the grass with the first cut so as not to stress the grass and to avoid yellowing. Try to cut when the weather is dry. You should only need to mow twice this month.

• Look out for and treat moss. We recommend a high-iron fertiliser or eco-friendly moss treatment.

• Neaten edges with an edging tool.

• If your grass is growing well, now’s the time to fertilise. Your lawn has been asleep all winter and when it wakes up it will be hungry. Stripy Green Fertiliser is the ideal choice as it contains a mixture of micronutrients which encourage leafy growth so your lawn will green up quickly. The perfect conditions for applying fertiliser are when the lawn is dry and just before rain. If there is not much rain, make sure to water the lawn well instead.

April

The grass will be actively growing now and so will the weeds. Key tasks include:

• Dig out patches of unwanted coarse grass or weeds. Fill holes with soil and either re-seed or re-turf as necessary.

• Cut more regularly to ensure the grass doesn’t get too long. Remember your lawns should never be reduced/cut by more than 1/3 of their total length.

• If you didn’t fertilise in March, then apply Stripy Green Fertiliser now to give your lawn a good feed, making sure it is well watered in.

May

Be wary of long dry spells. Key tasks include:

• Increase mowing frequency to about once a week, lowering the height of the mower to keep the grass shorter.

• If there is a dry spell, ensure the lawn is well watered. It might be a good idea to prick the surface lightly to ensure good irrigation.

queenthorne.co.uk

THE CINNAMON TRUST

Words Claire Bowman Photography Katharine Davies

Rosanna Harvey loves dogs. Large, small, calm or skittish, she can’t get enough of our four-legged friends. Such is her devotion, in fact, that every week for the past 15 years Rosanna has walked other people’s dogs on behalf of The Cinnamon Trust – a UK charity set up to help the elderly and terminally ill with their companion pets.

‘I first volunteered for The Cinnamon Trust when we lived in Surrey and was working full-time in London,’ explains Rosanna, a former Civil Servant who has lived in Westbury, Sherborne, with her husband Robert for the past ten years. ‘I grew up with dachshunds and always wanted a dog of my own but could never make the commitment because of my hours. When we moved to Sherborne I knew I wanted to carry it on, not just because it’s good exercise but because it’s a great way to meet people. I’ll pop in for a chat over a cup of tea and a slice of cake, and if you’ve been walking their dogs for a while you develop a friendship. One of my owners, Sue very sadly passed away two years ago but I still have fond memories of her and her sweet little wheaten terrier Suki, who was always so excited when I’d turn up for her morning dog walk.’ >

Rosanna’s work for The Cinnamon Trust has also meant that she and her husband Robert have grown to know the area well. ‘When we first moved down, I’d get out the Ordnance Survey map, stick a pin in it, and say, “OK, let’s take the dog for a walk there,” ’ says Robert, a former cartographer. ‘The walk at Thornford across the meadows has become a firm favourite – all the dogs love splashing about in the river. And, of course, we enjoy walking down by the Castle when it’s not too muddy.’

Today, despite gathering thunder clouds, Rosanna is off to walk Tasha, an affectionate ten-year-old black and white working cocker with doleful eyes and a sure contender for Sherborne’s waggiest tail. Grabbing a lead, a handful of dog treats and checking her coat pockets for poo bags (‘Handbags, pockets, purses… they are stuffed into every orifice!’), she knocks on the front door of her neighbour Peter, who turned to The Cinnamon Trust to help when his wife developed dementia.

‘Knowing that Rosanna can give Tasha a nice long walk is a comfort because I’m unable to leave my wife alone for any length of time,’ says Peter, who moved with his wife to Sherborne three years ago from north Devon. ‘Tasha always returns tired but happy after her walks up at the Terraces, and then will sit happily on

the sofa next to my wife for hours. She’s the best carer.’

This sentiment is echoed by fellow Sherborne residents Sue and Chris, who enlisted Rosanna’s help when Sue had a three-week spell in Yeovil Hospital. The proud owners of two-year-old Coco, a cuddly, sweet-natured labradoodle with a beautiful ‘juststepped-out-of-the-salon’ blonde coat, they heard about The Cinnamon Trust through Reverend Lesley McCreadie, and were impressed just how quickly the team was able to spring into action. ‘It was just shortterm but it meant I could relax knowing that Coco had three good one-hour walks a week and Chris could concentrate on what she needed to do,’ says Sue, a former nurse. ‘Coco had a wonderful time going on lots of long walks with different volunteers – it got to the point when she had her own engagement calendar!’

Set up by Averil Jarvis MBE in 1985 and named after her beloved Corgi, Cinnamon, The Cinnamon Trust now has close to 19,000 dog walkers nationwide – a number that, according to Mandy Scott on the Appeals team, is growing all the time as new volunteers come on board. ‘Averil saw a huge gap in the market where the elderly were being forced to rehome their dogs because they couldn’t look after them while they >

Peter and Tasha

Sue, Chris and Coco

were ill or in hospital, leaving thousands without their closest companions,’ explains Mandy, from The Cinnamon Trust HQ in Hayle, Cornwall. ‘Take away that connection from an elderly person who doesn’t see another person from one week to the next and it’s heartbreaking. Averil set up The Trust because she recognised that the elderly recuperate much more quickly when they have a companion to wake up for in the morning. A dog gives them a sense of purpose.’

One of the key things The Cinnamon Trust is able to give the elderly dog owner, says Mandy, is time – time to recuperate properly without the stress of worrying about their beloved pet. ‘They might have lost the ability to walk because of a fall or have mobility issues, but whatever it is, we take the pressure off them. As soon as they’ve put the phone down from us the stress just lifts. And for the housebound, it really opens up a whole new world because they get to see new faces.’

Keeping stress levels to a minimum is what The Trust is all about, not just for the dog owners but for the walkers too. ‘We don’t put any demands on our dog walkers, and won’t give them anything they’re not happy with,’ continues Mandy. ‘We allow them to give as much, or as little, time as they like. It doesn’t matter

if they commit to one day or five days – the volunteer’s role is invaluable.’ And should the prospective volunteer worry that they might be paired with a rottweiler when they’d envisaged a Westie, Mandy is quick to reassure them that this would never happen. ‘We do our best to match the dog to the walker. When the owner signs up we take time to find out about their pet – their quirks, their routines, whether they’re a sniffer or a plodder. If the volunteer is looking for a ten-mile hike, for example, a constant sniffer won’t be for them.’

For Rosanna, plodders, sniffers, sprinters are all welcome – although she admits she could do without the bolters, having had a worrying moment a little while back with a King’s Charles spaniel who took off in hot pursuit of a pheasant. ‘It was a bit alarming but she came back after a lot of shouting,’ says Rosanna. ‘Mostly though our dog walks are pleasantly uneventful – just me, the dog, the beautiful Dorset countryside and, at this time of year, a lot of mud!’

To volunteer with The Cinnamon Trust, complete the registration form at cinnamon.org.uk/volunteers, call 01736 758707, or email appeals@cinnamon.org.uk to receive a registration pack.

Peter's wife Clarissa with Tasha

Sue and her wheaten terrier Suki. Sue was well-known on the local dog walks and is sorely missed.

LUNCH ON THE DOORSTEP

Join us for lunch at Summer Lodge to enjoy the best that Dorset has to offer. Enjoy two or three courses from our ‘Doorstep’ menu highlighting the amazing ingredients available to us right on the doorstep! Two courses for £30 and three courses for £35. Served Wednesday to Saturday.

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, 9 Fore Street, Evershot, Dorset DT2 0JR T: +44 (0)1935 482000 | E: booksl@rchmail.com | W: www.summerlodgehotel.com

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!

Pizza Night!

Fridays 5pm-8pm

Lavender Cafe & Shop

Saturdays and Sundays 10am-2.30pm

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

Creamed Shallot and Westcombe Cheddar Crumble

LIMONCELLO & RHUBARB SPRITZ

This is a great refreshing cocktail which is popular at the restaurant. We make our own limoncello but shop-bought does just as well. This is a great use of the first rhubarb of the season.

Ingredients Serves 4

400ml Sicilian lemonade

200ml Limoncello

100ml Black Cow vodka

300g forced rhubarb

500g sugar

750ml soda water

Mint leaves

Ice

Method

1 Wash the rhubarb, remove the tops and slice into 10cm pieces.

2 Add to a large pan with 600ml of water and cook for 20 minutes removing any impurities that rise to the top.

3 Once the rhubarb is cooked strain the liquid through a strainer and discard the rhubarb.

4 Add the sugar, bring to the boil and strain through a fine sieve or muslin cloth.

5 Bottle and keep in the fridge.

6 Grab a large jug or pitcher, add the lemonade, limoncello, vodka, 250ml rhubarb syrup and ice

7 Give a good stir and top with soda water and garnish with mint leaves.

Enjoy!

Jack Smith, The Green

Svitlana Denysiuk/Shutterstock

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.

We can’t wait to welcome you, 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.

CALL US 01963 361755

GENERAL ENQUIRIES hello@teals.co.uk

OPENING TIMES 8am-6pm 7 days a week

THE CAKE WHISPERER

Val

Stones

FRUITY CHOCOLATE WEDGES

This nut, fruit, chocolate and biscuit treat is my take on tiffin. It is a perfect after-dinner treat if served as a thin wedge as the dark chocolate isn’t sweet – the sweetness comes from the raisins, nuts and honey.

Being made from dark chocolate containing polyphenols it has mood-lifting properties. The minerals in walnuts, pecans and raisins contain antioxidants as well as Omega-3.

These treats are also good ones for sales as they are quick and easy to make and extremely popular. They can be bagged up and kept in the fridge until needed.

Serves 6 large or 8 small wedges

What you will need

A 20cm round spring-form cake tin, or brownie tin, greased.

A plastic bag, a twist to tie the bag and a rolling pin to ‘bash’ the biscuits into small crumbs.

Ingredients

250g dark 70% cocoa chocolate

55g unsalted butter, diced into cm cubes

2 tablespoons of clear honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

100g raisins

50g walnuts or pecans broken into small pieces

230g digestive biscuits

Method

1 Place the biscuits in a plastic bag, seal with a twist tie and use the rolling pin to crush the biscuits into small crumbs, set aside.

2 Place 200g of the chocolate in a microwaveable bowl with the butter and microwave on low heat for 3 one-minute bursts, taking out and stirring after each minute.

3 When the butter and chocolate are melted add the honey and vanilla extract and stir well. Stir in the raisins and nuts.

4 Stir in the biscuit crumbs, combine well, pour into the cake tin or brownie tin and press down evenly and firmly.

5 Place in the fridge to set and after about an hour it is ready to be spread with a thin layer of the remaining chocolate. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 3 one-minute bursts on a low setting. When melted spread evenly over the tiffin.

6 Allow to set thoroughly before cutting into wedges if using a baking tin or squares if using a brownie tin.

These are best kept in the fridge but brought out at least 15 minutes before serving to allow them to come to room temperature when they will taste their best.

bakerval.com

Meet The Team

HOW TO EAT WELL NOW

Ash Sinfield, Teals

When we were dreaming up Teals, we thought about food a lot. We thought about it at home over our teenagers’ rushed school-day breakfasts, we thought about it through our working lunches, and we thought about it over dinner at the end of the day. Partly because we love good food (who doesn’t?) but mostly because we really wanted to get it right - for our guests and for the planet. How could we best support the farmers and producers around us? What mattered to our communities? What would our guests want to eat?

Good food sits at the heart of the Teals mission, in the same way that it sits at the heart of the farmland we stand on. Food craftsmanship is all around us here, from names that are known across the country such as Montgomery cheese to those equally passionate folk at King Brain organic cider and soft drinks around the corner, producing small batch drinks from spring water and the seasonal produce of their land.

How we eat: what, where and who with, has been at the top of the human agenda since our very beginnings. So what does it mean to eat well now?

It’s been interesting to track the food fashions and passions of this young century. Food trends move more slowly than in other areas of culture. Remember sun-dried tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil? Then Middle Eastern food? Then cupcakes? The rising popularity of cooking shows turned food into entertainment but alongside, our nation turned towards the convenience and irresistible draw of

ultra-processed foods (high salt, sugar and fatty ‘foods’ which no longer resemble real ingredients but have been processed and trialled to light up our pleasure sensors). Rates of obesity and other diet-related diseases sky-rocketed, resulting in a £6bn annual load to the NHS, as well as countless stories of human tragedy. Ironically, at the same time the expansion of the internet and social media took celebrities and their diet secrets off the magazine page and into our kitchens. At first, the focus was on ‘superfoods’ from blueberries, to pomegranate, almonds, avocado, goji berries and quinoa.

These food fashions bore no relation to the environment, the seasons, the soil, land-use or water management. So when the Eat-Lancet Commission on food, planet and health, researched and written by scientists from 16 countries, released its findings in 2019, the world drew a collective gasp of breath. Only by radically changing our diets and farming practices could we feed a projected 10bn people without depleting nature’s resources beyond the point of no return. We needed to drastically reduce our reliance on cheaply farmed, grain-fed beef and dairy, whilst at the same time increasing our consumption of plant foods.

Alongside, health science has developed at pace. Tim Spector’s (the scientist behind the Zoe study, the largest ever study of our gut health, who became famous during the pandemic for turning his resources to tracking and managing Covid data) new book, Food for Life, pulls together a decade of research and

comes back with some fascinating answers. We are made up of as many bacteria as we are of cells. Called our ‘microbiome’, they look after our immune system, as well as contribute to weight management, energy and other good health factors. How we feed ourselves (and particularly our children as they develop their own individual microbiomes) is crucial in establishing our long-term health. Spector’s Zoe study came broadly to the conclusion that good health lies in a diverse plant-led diet. The key is to eat a wide range of dark-coloured and bitter plants which contain the greatest concentration of polyphenols, which are a plant’s own defence mechanisms.

Research into these two health systems - of the planet and our own - is now aligned. What is good for us has been found to be good for the planet. So we have choices to make. In choosing health, we need to turn towards a wide range of vegetables, fruit and pulses and reduce our reliance on cheap meat and dairy. Our greatest power sits in how we shop. Changing what we buy and where we buy it.

Living in this glorious part of the world, close to nature and good farming practices, makes this easier for us than for so many. Supermarkets are hugely wasteful, not just in the food that they throw away, but in the demands for visually perfect produce: many smaller producers have to grow three times the volume of a supermarket contract in order to supply enough of the vegetable that looks good on the shelf. We, at Teals, would really like to help, and we believe that together

we can make a difference. So below, we have distilled our own 5 top rules for eating better - for us and for the planet. We’d love to know your thoughts and ideas. Do get in touch with us hello@teals.co.uk or come in for a chat.

• Put plants at the centre of your meal - Think ‘4 veg and a fistful of protein’ rather than ‘meat and two’, and buy fruit and veg in season, where possible from local providers or direct sales such as farmers’ markets. Aim for 30+ different plant foods a week - as this includes grains and spices, it’s actually not too hard!

• Regulate your red meat consumption - Replace cheap, grain-fed meat with grass-fed, locally reared. Instead of 200g of meat as a portion, think of 150g. Instead, eat a greater variety of pulses and legumes - they fix nitrogen into the soil, as well as provide protein.

• Avoid ultra-processed foods - Treat children’s diets carefully and teach them about real food.

• Waste less - Be wary of ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates which are standardised. Use your eyes and nose. Think again about what you ditch - Secondary parts of vegetables are delicious, too: chop broccoli stalks for crudités; roast cauliflower leaves and potato peelings. Buy smaller amounts more often, make soups, ferments and smoothies with leftovers, and compost everything else.

• Reduce your packaging - Shop where food is not needlessly wrapped in single-use plastic.

teals.co.uk

Images: Neil White

A MONTH ON THE PIG FARM

James Hull, The Story Pig

It’s not over yet. I write at the beginning of February but I know it’s going to be over soon – I can feel the change coming. The battle is not won yet. And of course, the battle is never won, nature always wins in the end, but thank goodness for that otherwise – for sure we would have ruined that too!

What do I talk of? Winter of course and it’s been a tough one for us – so wet that I heard myself mumbling day after day that ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’ as I trudged miserably through the winter fields of mud. Pigs make mud, driving around in fields in winter makes mud and my life is filled with mud. But of course, I have seen it before – most likely I came in and said it to Charlotte last year too. The gloom fills my soul through incredibly tough months when every day I question why we keep pigs outside, but actually, I do know, it’s because it’s better! Not always better for me, but better for them.

And then just to mix things up we have had colder

weather than we have experienced for a few years now and the muddy ruts were frozen solid. All our pigs’ water was frozen for a month – I realise how much they drink. I have to take water to every group twice a day, make sure I keep one tap on the farm unfrozen and take the hosepipe inside to stop it from turning into a 20-metre ice pop.

But that’s what’s been. It’s in the past now as at present we have been blessed with a dry spell. I have been gardening and it’s been dry enough for me to get the digger on the lawn. The sun has made an appearance and I am slightly giddy with the feeling that spring is coming. The light has changed and there is a different feeling in the air. I feel happy again. Miraculously the cold east winds have dried up the muddy pig fields and the pigs are out rootling around, enjoying the sunshine. I haven’t contemplated levelling out the ruts yet as of course we are not through it all yet, but soon!

With spring in the air, we are making plans for the

year ahead. Just as the cows are turned out, skipping and jumping with excitement onto fresh pastures, Charlotte and I will be moving the cafe back outside. I doubt we will skip, but you never know, we’re certainly excited. We are likely to make the move on 23rd/24th March and will then be open Thursdays to Sundays for the summer as normal.

We are so looking forward to being out in the fresh spring air and watching our garden come to life. We are going to be making a few changes out there and can’t wait to share it with you. I have been busy making a new base to move our second tipi right next to our cafe so that it will be much nicer for those slightly inclement days we sometimes have! As always we have many other plans for the year ahead but we will keep them under our hats for now, just in case we don’t have enough time… or funds to implement them all. One thing I will share though is our plan to hold a different themed event each month at The Story Pig over the summer!

As I write there is a hard white frost on the ground, the sun is rising and the rows of lavender are slumbering in their winter coats. Soon they will start to show the first tiny flecks of green. The snowdrops are the only colour peeping through in the garden, but it’s coming. The days are lengthening now. I am relying less on my head torch and more on my eyes. I stay out until it’s dark – my head bursting with things to do and with each day, a little more time to do them. I love spring more than any other time of the year – it’s the promise of what’s to come, of new beginnings, of starting over. We humans always need hope and spring is brimming with it – greening hedges, trees bursting into leaf, birds singing, the soil drying and warming. We are not there yet but nearly, and I can’t wait!

thestorypig.co.uk

"The cold east winds have dried up the muddy fields and the pigs are out rootling around, enjoying the sunshine.'

DG

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

THE WORM HAS TURNED

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

Well, March has arrived. I like the month – it sits between winter and spring and keeps us guessing while at the same time hoping and dreaming of warmer days. A month full of contrasts, March for me is optimistic even though my birthday lies in wait in the middle of the month – a reminder that time is passing so I’d better get on and actually do something!

Like most professions, we have an official monthly journal, the ‘Veterinary Record’ which comments on current veterinary affairs and serves up a helping of relevant political issues and research. I cannot say it makes an entertaining read. However, once in a blue moon an edition is published that contains an article of real relevance to vets in general practice and the general public. Last month was an example. The front cover pictured three pet dogs being walked in a park with

the question, ‘How prevalent are Toxocara eggs in UK park soil?’. A summarised version of the research paper behind this headline made for interesting and scary reading with direct relevance to everyone who owns a dog or cat. The perfect subject for a Sherborne Times article, thinks I, with the bonus of a link to last month.

So, off I go on a detailed description of the science behind the life-cycle of the all-too-common intestinal roundworm of dogs and cats, called Toxocara. Oh, the temptation to wallow in the fascinating details of this parasite was irresistible until I realised, not for the first time, that writing about science should not be full of impenetrable scientific jargon. For anyone who wants more detail, just Google ‘Toxocara canis life cycle’.

Let’s get back to the question; is our environment contaminated with parasite eggs from dogs and cats? Answer, yes! Does this matter? Answer, yes! So let’s

have a closer look at the findings of the research. Soil samples were taken from public parks and recreational areas across the UK and in almost 90% of the areas sampled Toxocara eggs were found in just 50g samples of topsoil. Am I surprised? Yes! So where have all these parasite eggs come from and do they pose a hazard to public health, children in particular? I’ll answer the first question as the second is rhetorical, although I will elaborate on this later.

There are more than 13 million dogs in the UK and about the same number of cats. It’s likely that up to 75% of these 25 million or so animals are not treated for roundworms as often as they should be, so a reasonable estimate is that at any one time, around 19 million are capable of excreting roundworm (Toxocara) eggs in their faeces. The eggs are microscopic so obviously cannot be seen with the naked eye, a factor that contributes

to some owners thinking their pet does not have a worm burden. As the eggs are almost indestructible, they survive long after the organic matter of the faeces has disappeared, laying dormant in the soil or being washed into water courses. It’s true that foxes carry Toxocara and so shed eggs in their faeces but fox numbers are inconsequential compared to our pet dogs and cats.

Can roundworms harm dogs and cats? The short answer is yes, particularly puppies and kittens, although these days heavy infestations are rare. The vast majority of puppies are wormed several times by breeders which helps to limit Toxocara numbers but most semiferal cats who give birth receive little or no worming treatment and neither do their kittens.

The message behind the research article is one of public health and a real wake-up call to all of us, owners and vets alike. The reason is simple, Toxocara in humans has been greatly unrecognised and undiagnosed for years, mainly because the larvae are tiny and can hide in any organ of the human body. Only recently has medical science been able to demonstrate Toxocara larvae in a range of human conditions, from ocular impairment, epilepsy, cognitive dysfunction and asthma. Ingestion of soil or water contaminated with Toxocara eggs, passed in the faeces of dogs and cats is the primary source of human infection.

So, what can we do about it? I am sure most readers of the Sherborne Times worm their pets regularly (at least 4 times per year for cats and 8 times for dogs) but we can be sure plenty of owners are not so responsible. The importance of collecting dog faeces and disposing of it properly cannot be emphasised enough, as wild birds and mammals can spread the eggs, as can earthworms. Chucking dog faeces in the hedge may hide the evidence but it won’t stop the eggs contaminating the environment, as the research in public parks has demonstrated. We don’t have data from the countryside to compare with the urban parks in the study but as egg numbers correlated well with perceived levels of dog fouling, most of us are aware of these areas.

There is probably very little we can do with the Toxocara eggs already in our soil as they are resistant to extreme temperatures and disinfectants, not as though the use of either is practical on large areas of land. What we can do is ensure our pets are treated against roundworms every 1-2 months and pick up after our dogs. Never be without a poo-bag!

Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock

NUTRITION OF THE PERFORMANCE HORSE

Hayley Parker MA VetMB CertAVP MRCVS, Clinical Director and Equine Vet, Kingston Equine Vets

With the competition season gradually creeping up on us as the days get longer, many horse owners and equine professionals are busily getting their four-legged athletes fit particularly if they’ve had the winter off rather than enjoying the fine hedge-hopping opportunities which Dorset’s hunting scene offers. Strict and well-structured exercise regimes will have been created but how many are thinking hard about the nutritional aspect? Accurately assessing the level of work performed by a horse is essential in determining the amount and type of feed offered.

Energy is produced by aerobic or anaerobic metabolism. The breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and

protein into energy with the involvement of oxygen is an aerobic reaction. Because oxygen is required, this energy-producing process is slow. The conversion of glucose or glycogen to lactic acid does not require oxygen and is therefore an anaerobic reaction, a process that produces energy quickly.

High-intensity, short-duration exercise

Quick acceleration and top speed over a short distance require anaerobic energy. Examples of high-intensity, short-duration work are thoroughbred, arab and pony racing (particularly over sprint distances) and some western riding competitions such as barrel racing. Traditional carbohydrate-heavy feeds, which include

most low-fat concentrates, and forage may satisfy the nutritional requirements of these athletes. The digestion of carbohydrates provides muscles with glycogen, a fuel critical for high-intensity performance. As workload increases and energy reserves empty, large quantities of complex carbohydrates may be offered to the horse in order to maintain body condition. However, high carbohydrate diets increase the risk of colic, gastric ulcer syndrome, laminitis and metabolic disorders so replacing a fraction of the carbohydrate content with energy-rich fat is one way to reduce these risks.

Horses fed high-fat rations typically require lower quantities of feed to satisfy requirements because fat delivers 2.25 times the energy of an equal amount of

carbohydrate. Protein can also be used as an alternative energy source but be aware that research has proven that feeds too rich in protein may negatively affect performance.

Moderate-intensity, medium-duration exercise

This type of athlete undergoes exercise that taxes but doesn’t exhaust and requires aerobic and anaerobic energy production. Primarily, moderate-intensity, medium-duration work involves intensive sport horse training and competition.

Feeds formulated for horses performing at moderateintensity, medium-duration work should be similar to those fed horses involved in high-intensity, short-duration performance. One primary difference, however, involves feeding management. Horses in this classification may require less feed to support the work effort.

Low-intensity, long-duration exercise

This work includes endurance activities that typically last two or more hours. Aerobic energy production is required to sustain this type of exercise.

As workouts become longer, high-quality forage becomes more imperative in the diet. Not only is fibre a source of energy, but it holds water and electrolytes in the hindgut. Horses can draw on these reserves during exercise, effectively suppressing dehydration. In particular, beet pulp and soybean hulls are considered ‘super fibres’ because of their high bacterial fermentation rate and water-holding capacity.

Not all equine competition fits neatly into one of these classifications. Some activities mesh properties of more than one. With its long twisting courses and explosive jumping efforts, show jumping, for instance, represents both high- and moderate-intensity activity, as does the cross-country phase of eventing where the elitelevel eventers are required to complete high-intensity activity for longer. Polo, a fast-paced sport of sudden accelerations and abrupt stops mixed with easy canters and full-tilt gallops, combines all three exercise classes.

The take-home message here is to always feed your horse for their work, taking into account duration, frequency and type of exercise. Make sure that you consider that however fit and well-trained your horse is, they need the appropriate amount and type of food to complete the task asked of them. And do not hesitate to consult a qualified equine nutritionist or equine vet to assist in the creation of your equine athlete’s optimum diet.

kingstonvets.co.uk

SUGAR RUSH

Sweet treats, cakes and biscuits are a beloved national pastime but there is a bitter aftertaste to our love for the sweet stuff. All sugar, including that found in alcohol and fruit, has an impact on our skin. Breakouts, congestion and acne are thought to be triggered by high-sugar diets and now accelerated skin ageing has been added to the list.

One mechanism behind the ageing effect of the sugar we consume is the process known as glycation. Glycation is a reaction that occurs between sugars and other molecules within our bodies with a variety of results. As a psychological process, it has predominantly been studied in the context of diabetes. Only in the last decade has the impact of glycation become a focus for skin science. The understanding of its function as a mechanism of ageing is only just beginning, but its wide-ranging effects are becoming increasingly clear.

Glycation is a reaction that occurs within the body where sugar molecules, such as glucose or fructose, bond with our protein molecules to form a new, differentlyshaped particle. These new substances are known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and are responsible for many of the negative effects that lead to

accelerated ageing in the entire body.

Sugars’ impact on the skin is multi-fold and the process contributes to numerous signs of ageing. The long-chain protein molecules of collagen and elastin are particularly susceptible to glycation. Collagen and elastin are two structural proteins within the dermis of the skin, creating a fibrous network of connections between the different cells. Over time the structure of the skin becomes disrupted as elastin becomes stiff and collagen molecules are more prone to mutation and degradation. Collagen and elastin provide strength, structure and elasticity therefore when they are damaged we lose the resilience of our skin and we notice wrinkles, loss of firmness and thinning skin as well as poor wound healing. Other negative factors are an increase in transepidermal water loss leading to fine lines and less plump skin, the unstable production of melanin leading to pigmentation and oxidative stress in the skin can trigger acne and rosacea.

To help offset the impact of the Western diet and lifestyle, considered modifications play a central role. The more sugar molecules available in the body, the more likely glycation is to occur. Cutting down the amount of sugar in the diet is a generally positive step

Sarah Hitch, The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms and The Margaret Balfour Beauty Centre

to improve well-being as excessive amounts of sugar can create other challenges.

There are several ingredients that can be incorporated into skincare routines both orally and topically which can help counteract the impact and help the skin to repair. Collagen support is necessary. Certain ingredients improve the rate and quality of collagen we create ourselves and are far better than just trying to ingest ‘foreign’ collagen from marine species. Vitamin A has a known beneficial action supporting the normal function of our collagenproducing cells. Omega fatty acids and antioxidants specifically such as green tea are also thought to increase the rate of collagen production. Vitamin C is crucial to create strong and healthy collagen as it is a co-factor for several of the enzymes critical in its production. Without enough vitamin C in the body, collagen can not be created. Other helpful supplements include amino acids, zinc and vitamin B6, so ensuring a balanced nutrient intake is vital to maintain healthy skin collagen production.

thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk margaretbalfour.co.uk

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Our bodies hold the account of experiences, traumas, accidents and injuries from the moment we are born. They have the extraordinary ability to adapt, constantly self-regulate and respond to the demands we make on them - and all of this without our conscious thought and effort. Amazing! However, it all adds up to wear and tear over time. Joseph Pilates brought us his ‘Contrology’ practice to improve physical and mental resilience and robustness for every body and everybody, regardless of age or ability. He is famously quoted as saying, ‘A man is as young as his spinal column.’

Intuitively insightful, the method he created for the complete coordination of body mind and spirit, drew on a broad range of influences and inspiration, from gymnastics to European wholistic healing, eastern practices and Zen Buddhism. How it came into being is an interesting story, one to be found in many a book or blog on Google. But his quotes are worth more than a cursory glance as they are as relevant today as they were in the years he was working (1920s - late 1960s).

PILATES THE MAN AND THE METHOD

Emma Rhys Thomas, Instructor, Art of Confidence

The aforementioned quote ‘A man is as young as his spinal column’ will hold eternal strength, for as long as humans do not evolve as depicted in the 2008 DisneyPixar animation film WALL-E! Pilates explains that you will feel old if at the age of thirty you are inflexible, with a lack of movement throughout your vertebral column. Yet, if your spine were to be strong, supple and fluid in movement, you will feel young, even at the age of sixty.

‘Civilisation impairs physical fitness.’ Joseph Pilates

Warnings of a sedentary lifestyle have been written about before! Clearly the decline of physical wellbeing, impacted by external influences and ‘progressive’ modern lifestyles was of concern more than sixty years ago. The Pilates method is an effective antidote.

Pilates’ confidence in his own method was through being deeply committed. He was working with many clients, including dancers and actors, in his studio in NYC with his wife Clara. George Balanchine, founder of the New York City Ballet in 1948, actively encouraged his company to take sessions to improve

their movement and prevent injury. Real people, real change, from evidence built up over years of applying his methods in real life. Pilates was fifty years ahead of his time, but through modern research of his methods, the benefits claimed can now be said to be scientifically proven, and so justly recommended by physiotherapists and doctors.

‘Concentrate on the correct movement each time you exercise, lest you do them improperly and thus lose all vital benefits.’ Joseph Pilates

The Pilates practice works towards a more mindful and correct use of the biomechanical body than in some other similar disciplines. The breath is connected to the movement through the abdominal engagement, the whole body awakens to a concentrated movement of the entire system, even if it appears to be a simple leg or arm exercise. Good technique is encouraged over and above high repetitions. We may find it hard to discipline ourselves to practice and maintain good habits, but it is seemingly all too easy to fall into bad ones.

‘Correctly executed to the point of subconscious reaction, these exercises will reflect grace and balance in your routine activities.’ Joseph Pilates

Mat work exercises and working on the equipment that Joseph Pilates developed is a good way to identify all the imbalances that creep up during a lifetime of day-to-day use and misuse of the body. The equipment in particular is so versatile, increasing or decreasing resistance, so as to tailor a programme to the needs of the individual (and we are all unique individuals!). The Pilates method is truly an integrated mind, body and spirit practice, healing from the inside out. Think small quiet, calm, deeply concentrated moves with the potential for colossal body-changing impact, that can heal in rehabilitation or challenge the elite athlete, but will, for all, improve functioning in daily activities.

The method has evolved. The classical method, exactly as Joseph Pilates intended, is still taught. Others have integrated new scientifically based research and knowledge of anatomy to enhance the method.

Espoused by many for a great many reasons other than those quoted by Pilates himself, it is one way to move and feel better. There are many instructors out there, offering mat work or equipment-based Pilates in village halls or designated studio spaces. This means plenty of choices to find the right combination of teacher, time, and space best suited to the individual.

‘Every moment of our life can be the beginning of great things.’ Joseph Pilates

I hope this speaks for itself, and that anyone may find that, if willing, the body will be able!

The body tells its life story. The relationship between oneself and knowing the body is the most important relationship of all. On a purely physical level, we are able to express with clarity when things are not as they should be because of knowing what feels right. When a good relationship with your body exists, you become more self-aware and are able to make more accurate assessments (very helpful when things go wrong and deciding whether or not help should be sought from clinical professionals). The relationship between oneself and knowing the body is also the most important information highway for all the unconscious, constantly self-regulating adaptations needed for day-to-day life! We are all amazing!

Time for reflection.

quantockpilates.com

Franck Camhi/Shutterstock

With a blink of an eye we enter March, a proud month for everyone at Communifit as we celebrate our 5th anniversary. Throughout the five years, we have had the pleasure of being able to contribute to this wonderful publication and would like to thank each and every one of you who continue to tell us how much they enjoy our articles. Here’s to the next five years!

Communifit has made enormous progress over the last five years and we have now branched out as far as Southampton with our popular chair-based Sit and Strengthen exercise programme. This programme focuses on functional independence and fall prevention, helping many people with their strength and balance, which in turn helps improve general mobility.

According to NHS statistics, approximately 1 in 3

FALL PREVENTION

Craig Hardaker BSc (Hons), Communifit

adults over the age of 65, and half of people over 80, will have at least one fall a year. Here in Sherborne, it is a problem we have aimed to alleviate with the introduction of our over-60s exercise classes.

Balance can be a complicated issue and the reasons why our balance declines can be very much related to the individual concerned. There are, however, two key components to improving balance and preventing falls. These two main components are strength training and body weight distribution. As we age, our muscles need to stay strong in order to keep us upright and to prevent us from ‘shuffling’.

Our legs are incredibly heavy, so in order to lift them off the ground and walk continuously we need good strength. This mainly comes from our hips, which help not only to lift our heavy legs high enough to prevent

Image: Stuart Brill

friction from the floor but also to enable us to react to certain situations. If we stumble, strong muscles will react faster and thus help prevent a serious fall.

Strengthening our lower body is incredibly important, and many of us will struggle to do this effectively and safely from a standing position. Our Sit and Strengthen exercise class focuses on all major muscle groups and joints. Staying seated means we can put more energy into our exercises, without the risk of falling. Chair-based strengthening exercises are incredibly popular as they are seen by fitness professionals to be of great importance in ensuring physical stability when moving. Sitting down to exercise makes it easier to obtain the correct technique whilst putting in maximum effort. Using equipment such as elastic bands and ankle weights can challenge us more, and helps speed up the strengthening process. Body weight distribution is also a key component. The traditional method of balancing on one leg to test yourself is perhaps an indicator of any potential weakness, but will not be suitable for everyone, indeed quite dangerous for some. This class won’t be suitable

for all but it is extremely effective for those who need to exercise but find standing difficult or tiring. For others, our Stand and Strengthen programme may be more relevant.

In this class, we use functional movement patterns similar to everyday activities to help us both gauge and improve our balance. Transferring body weight forwards, backwards and from side to side is key to helping us stay stable when on our feet. This coupled with visualisation can significantly improve our balance. In our Stand and Strengthen exercise class we provide sturdy chairs to hold on to if needed. Putting body weight through our limbs from a standing position, alongside the use of specific equipment enabling the strengthening of functional movement patterns has, we believe, helped many people in and around Sherborne.

If you would like to improve your balance or avoid future issues, be proactive, not reactive, not only in relation to the ageing process but also in relation to your overall wellness. Become stronger and feel better. communifit.co.uk

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WHAT IS THE VALUE OF FINANCIAL ADVICE?

Mark Salter CFP, Chartered FCSI, Fort Financial Planning

Research indicates that paying for investment advice generates a better return than not taking advice. The potential value added is in the region of 3% a year – although to be absolutely fair, some aspects are annual and delivered smoothly while other parts are ‘lumpy’, chiefly at times of market euphoria or stress.

The real value of working with a Financial Advisor is in avoiding expensive mistakes. It’s less about picking the best investment and more about making smart decisions with all aspects of your money.

Whilst 3% per year might not sound like much, over time, it can add up to a very big number! Let’s assume that you have £250,000 in investments. In an average year, these investments might grow by 5% per year. Over a period of 15 years, your investments would grow to £495,000.

If you work with a Financial Advisor and achieve the extra 3% per year, the same investment would grow to £734,000, nearly £240,000 more!

So how does working with a Financial Advisor give this added value?

• Asset allocation and diversification – this refers to the percentage of a portfolio invested in various asset classes such as stocks, bonds and cash investments according to an investor’s financial situation, risk tolerance and time horizon. Asset allocation and diversification are arguably the two most powerful tools advisors can use to help with a client’s goals and manage investment risk.

• Cost-effective implementation - every pound spent in charges is a pound off potential returns – when you pay less, you keep more, regardless of whether the markets are up or down. In fact, in a low-return environment, such as what we are currently in, costs are even more important because the lower the returns, the higher the proportion that is assumed by fund expenses.

• Regular rebalancing of portfolios – given the

importance of asset allocation in relation to a client’s attitude to risk, it’s also vital to maintain that allocation. A Financial Advisor will review the portfolio objectively and rebalance it as and when required.

• Behavioural coaching - most investors understand the importance of remaining disciplined at times of heightened uncertainty. However, very few succeed in staying calm in turbulent markets. Indeed, many end up taking exactly the wrong course of action. A Financial Advisor will act as a voice of reason between you and an expensive mistake. They will provide sound, objective advice, helping you stick to the plan and remain invested.

• Tax management - taxes can be a major drag on investment returns. Selecting the right ‘tax wrapper’ is just as important as selecting the right investment strategy.

• Spending strategy - the number of people in retirement is rising rapidly; many people have both ever-greater options and complications. The order in which withdrawals are taken can significantly influence overall returns. A good Financial Advisor helps you to create a strategy that will work best in your circumstances.

An inevitable conclusion is that expert advice is likely to be of significant value.

ffp.org.uk

Here we go again – once more unto the breach. There’s no hiding that times are tough but fret not, we’ve been here before and together, we can find ways to protect your finances and look to the future. Let’s hatch a plan.

As the age-old saying goes, all good things must come to an end, unless it’s Windows 8 which was never very good to begin with. Microsoft seem to have had a little trend over the years of having released some really great operating systems like Windows XP, Windows 7 and (believe it or not) Windows 10! They have also had some absolute shockers, Windows Vista, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and the jury is still out on Windows 11…

Now the reason for this month’s topic is that Microsoft, in their wisdom, sent out a nice big notification to everyone currently using Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 that their software was coming to an end on 10th January 2023 and therefore could not be used after this time. I have been very surprised by the number of Windows 8 machines I have had come in following that announcement.

Now the way that this is being marketed by Microsoft is by implying that your actual computer is at the end of its life. This is not the case. It’s not a secret but I’m pretty sure if you phone Microsoft, they wouldn’t tell you this. They would most likely say that you need to pay for a Windows 10 licence or to buy a new computer. You can do this of course, but what they wouldn’t tell you is that you can also upgrade your machine to Windows 10 using

WINDOWS 8 AND 8.1 END OF LIFE

James Flynn, Milborne Port Computers

your Windows 8 license for free! You would have to do this yourselves or, of course, you can pay for someone like us to do this for you. In theory, using a couple of PC tools and Microsoft installers the system should be able to be upgraded with all your files and programs to Windows 10. Sometimes however this isn’t the case and then a blank copy of Windows 10 will need to be installed on the computer and your files restored from a backup. If you didn’t want to upgrade to Windows 10 on your old machine and wanted a new computer, you’ll then need to transfer the files and programs from your backup to that new computer as well.

Now what if you want to stay on Windows 8? Well, it’s not an option I would recommend but then we do still have some customers on Windows 7! If you really wanted to stay on Windows 8 then you would need to make sure that you have upgraded via Windows update to Windows 8.1 and then make sure that all the Windows updates for that are completed. I would then recommend that you have a 3rd party anti-virus like ESET, AVG or Norton to protect against viruses.

As ever, if you need information or help you know where to come!

computing-mp.co.uk

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E: sherborne@kingstonvets.co.uk

THE RED AND GREY HOLDALL

Jenny Campbell, Sherborne Scribblers

The man grabbed the boy’s holdall. ‘Time to go,’ he said. Instinctively, Andriy tried to snatch back his father’s old grey and bright red sports bag. He could still feel the warmth of his mother’s fingers on the handles after she had pushed him out of the house saying, ‘Go! Go, my darling boy! And be brave for your papa and for me. We will see each other again soon.’

Even as the door closed behind him the sky exploded with a harsh light in the darkness. White smoke rose in the air and he heard the sounds of shattering glass from a distant building and the crashing thud of the rockets. Within seconds, the man had scooped up the boy and his bag and bundled them into the back of a waiting car, its doors open and the engine running.

‘Mama! Mama!’ screamed Andriy, scrabbling to try and get out of the car. But he had heard the soft, metallic click of the locks and now pressed his face against the window, desperately looking for a curtain drawn back, a chink of light and his mother’s face at a window. But the house remained in darkness, as did those of all the others in their street. Andriy was ten years old and, now, for the first time in that short life he experienced a helpless fear and hugged the bag to his small body until it dug into his ribs.

‘You all right in the back there, son?’ said the man.

‘Yes,’ whispered Andriy. The holdall’s bulk and familiar canvas smell calmed him a little. It had always contained his father’s tennis clothes and racquets – he was a local champion – and it was as if this ordinary association still lingered in the bag. The boy held it more comfortably in his lap before asking in a voice that trembled only slightly, ‘Do you know my father?’

‘Oh, everyone knows Grigory! He’s the best soldier in Ukraine and when I return to the front next week I will tell him what a brave young man his son is.’

‘You will see my papa?’ said Andriy, all fear gone in the excitement of learning that this stranger not only knew his father by name but that he would be joining him soon.

‘Yes, and he especially asked me to make sure that you and your mother were safe, away from the bombing.’

‘Then why is she not coming with us?’ said Andriy. ‘What if the bombs come to our street? She could be killed.’

Glancing in his rearview mirror as he drove, the man could see the tears welling up in the boy’s eyes and the terrible confusion on his face. It pained

him more than he could have imagined and he thought of all those children in his country being separated from their families, not knowing what was happening to them or where they were going.

‘Your mother will be safe. I’ll see to that,’ he said. ‘And when this war ends, well, your father would not like to come home to an empty house, would he? Besides, she needs to be there so that she can tell him to come for you.’

Sniffing, it took a few moments for Andriy to register this explanation. Then, and with that swift change of subject to which small children are prone he said, ‘Is it long to Poland?’

‘A couple of hours. Now, why don’t you put your head down and try to sleep for a while. There are some blankets on the seat beside you. Are you hungry? I’m sure your mother will have put something in the holdall for you.’

Andriy shook his head. He was, however, very tired; and he lay down on the seat, covering himself with the blankets, using the holdall as a pillow, and looking up at the stars in the sky. They were in open country now, and in the car’s headlamps, he glimpsed the occasional flash of a silver birch tree and darkened farmhouses. He thought of the new country he was going to and his Polish aunt Malgosza whom he had only met once at a family wedding. She was married to his father’s brother and they had a son who was just a little older than Andriy. Perhaps it would not be so bad in Krakow. He closed his eyes, one arm cuddled around the holdall in which he now buried his small head. And, then, he slept.

The

‘The

THE GARDENS OF MARS: MADAGASCAR, AN ISLAND STORY

JOHN GIMLETTE

John Gaye, Sherborne Literary Society

Travel writers come in many forms as will be very clear to those attending the Sherborne Travel Writing Festival in April. The late Dervla Murphy approached all her travels from the angle of extreme low cost and hard living; so to an extent does Colin Thubron. Like the others, Bill Bryson focuses on understanding the people of a country and their typical characteristics but I have always assumed from rather more comfortable surroundings. But all good travel writers, however they approach their travels, illuminate not just the geographical surroundings they witness but so also the character of the people they meet, their history and the influences that have affected their lives. John Gimlette does this in

Sakalava militiaman with chameleon

Image: John Gimlette

his own unique way, setting out to talk to a complete cross-section of the population and drawing out the humour and the pathos of all he encounters.

For all his books he tends to visit locations less well travelled of late but no less interesting for that. He also travels slowly and writes perhaps more than others in depth about the particular country he is focussing on. His previous books have included travels to Paraguay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Guyana and Sri Lanka. His latest book, The Gardens of Mars, is focussed on Madagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island and one of the planet’s most fascinating and varied lands. Probably best known for its lemurs and extraordinary Baobab trees, it houses probably more endemic species totally unique to the country than anywhere else, which is rather in contrast to the makeup of its people whose origins are extremely diverse.

The joy of Gimlette’s writing is the depth of knowledge he acquires and passes on to the reader, in particular putting the historical context into what he witnesses from his 21st-century viewpoint. There is so much more to Madagascar than lemurs and Baobabs and, having read this book during lockdown, this island of contrasts has immediately risen to the top of my list of destinations to visit. Beware – John Gimlette’s wonderful writing, his dry sense of humour and, not least, his extensive research both on the ground and from his reading references can so easily entice you to follow up the book with a visit. But even for the armchair traveller this book will make you feel that you have spent some real quality time on the island. John Gimlette is one of our best living travel writers and this book is one of his best.

Friday 14th April

17:00 – 18.00

19:00 – 20.00

John Gimlette - The Gardens of Mars: Madagascar, an Island Story

Sophy RobertsThe Lost Pianos of Siberia

Saturday 15th April

11:30 – 12.30

12.30 – 14:00

14:00 – 15.00

15:30 – 16.30

17:00 – 18.00

19:00 -20.00

Philip Marsden - The Summer Isles, A Voyage of the Imagination

Tea with the Authors

Anthony Sattin – Nomads, The Wanderers that Shaped our World

Justin Marozzi - The Arab Conquests

Sara Wheeler - Glowing Still

Colin Thubron - The Amur River

Sunday 16th April

11:30 – 12.30

12.30 – 14:00

14:00 – 15.00

15:30 – 16.30

John Blashford-SnellFrom Utmost East to Utmost West

Tea with the Authors

Rory MacLean & Demi AnterBowie in Berlin

Jay Griffiths - Elemental Journeys

Friday 14th April 5pm-6pm

John Gimlette - The Gardens of Mars: Madagascar, an Island Story

Sherborne Travel Writing Festival

Powell Theatre, Abbey Road, Sherborne DT9 3AP

For tickets and information visit sherbornetravelwritingfestival.com

Tickets and information: sherbornetravelwritingfestival.com

John Gimlette will be speaking as part of the Sherborne Travel Writing Festival, 14th-16th April.

MARK BEARD

Painting & Decorating Specialist Ltd

Advanced City & Guilds Certificate

07941 853703

markbearddecorating@gmail.com

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

thebeatandtrack@icloud.com

www.thebeatandtrack.co.uk

ACROSS

1. Burrowing ground squirrel (8)

5. Pitcher (4)

9. Scale representation (5)

10. Abounding (7)

11. Device for putting out fires (12)

14. Opposite of no (3)

15. Hard chalcedony (5)

16. Flightless bird (3)

17. Excessive stress (12)

20. Rest days (7)

22. Cake decoration (5)

23. Slender (4)

24. Mesmerism (8)

DOWN

1. Place with temporary accommodation (4)

2. Alphabetical lists (7)

3. Agreed upon by several parties (12)

4. Word expressing negation (3)

6. Measure heaviness (5)

7. Extremely thorough (8)

8. Careful consideration (12)

12. Seize firmly (5)

13. Brief summary (8)

16. Draws forth (7)

18. Dissatisfaction (5)

19. Hens lay these (4)

21. Utter (3)

FEBRUARY SOLUTIONS

LITERARY REVIEW

Frances Walker, Sherborne Literary Society

The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes: Secrets from a Victorian Woman’s Wardrobe

by Kate Strasdin (Chatto & Windus, £22 hardcover) Sherborne Times reader offer price of £20 from Winstone’s Books

This book is a tribute to serendipity. A silkcovered scrapbook wrapped in brown paper, bought from a London bric-a-brac stall in the 1960s, and forgotten for more than fifty years, was given to Kate Strasdin, a textile historian, by an elderly lady at a lace-making class in Devon. Strasdin’s six years of research reveal a fascinating story which starts in the early days of the textile industry in North-West England, continues to the emerging trading settlement of Singapore, on to Shanghai and back to Lancashire.

Strasdin’s knowledge is evident in her descriptions of the fabrics displayed in this diary and her understanding of the techniques and processes involved in their manufacture. Each swatch, carefully mounted and annotated with a neat copperplate date and name, comes alive in the reader’s mind: ‘a cream satin figured with a floral brocade…iced with lace’, ‘a shaded cotton gauze in gradations of blue and brown diamond motifs’.

But who is Fanny Taylor, who wore the striking pink silk? What do we learn about Sarah Newman and her drawing-room chintz? The pale blue pages of this dress diary were full of names and dates but there were few clues as to the identity of the owner. Intriguingly the first page contains three samples of white material and a narrow trim of lace beneath which is written, in handwriting differing from the rest of the diary, ‘This is the lace that trimmed the dress that my charming Anne was married in’, and at the bottom of the page is a width of pale oyster satin, ‘This is the dress she wore

after the wedding at Breakfast’. Strasdin could see that this was probably a gift from a husband to his wife on their wedding day, but who were they? It was not until the author discovered a tiny inscription much later in the book where Anne wrote above a swatch of sprigged cotton, ‘Anne Sykes, May 1840. The first dress I wore in Singapore, Nov 1840’. Bingo! A solid clue. Perhaps because this was such a momentous moment for Anne she felt that this ‘finely woven white cotton printed first with a delicate blue fleck and then overprinted with trailing sepia tendrils, small flowers picked out in pink and green’ deserved a formal record. This was the breakthrough that Strasdin had been hoping for. All she had to do now was go to The Singapore Free Press online where she found a brief entry in the ‘Shipping Intelligence’ column for 31st October 1840: ‘By the Friends Mrs Sykes. Adam Sykes’. The Friends was a packet sailing ship.

It was now relatively straightforward to search through parish records and census returns to piece together Anne and Adam’s history. After six years of painstaking research, Strasdin is able to reveal so much about their lives, their families and the development of the Lancashire textile industry as well as share with the reader the minutiae of daily life for a middle-class Victorian woman and her friends. This is too good to miss.

sherborneliterarysociety.com

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

Jonathan Simon, Church of the Sacred Heart and St Aldhelm

22nd February was the beginning of Lent, which lasts for 6 weeks, up to Easter. It is a time of repentance when Christians are encouraged to fast, give to those in need, pray and reflect on our lives to see how we need to change. Sometimes people think of repentance as simply being sorry for ‘bad things’ that we have done. Repentance does include being sorry for our faults, but it is so much more.

In St Mark’s Gospel, Jesus begins his teaching by saying ‘Repent and believe the Good News’. During Lent, we look at our personal lives, against the mirror of the life of Jesus and his teaching, to identify the ways in which we fail to live in accordance with the way that we understand God created us to be.

‘Repent’ means to ‘think again’, or to ‘think differently’. We are all well aware of how we often either act impulsively, or act according to our own point of view, and then realise that we have been selfish or unkind, causing problems for others, causing unhappiness, and disappointment.

It is absolutely natural for us to behave like this, as our first instinct is to survive, and to try to ensure survival for our families. Most of the time, though, we don’t need to operate in ‘survival mode’. One of the features of being human is that we also have a very well-developed ability to empathise with other people. We understand and admire good qualities such as generosity, kindness, love, friendship, and peace. Most people recognise that it is better for all of us when we can cooperate, when we respect each other; when we try to ensure that everyone’s needs are met.

Christians believe that each and every person was created by God, out of love. We believe that God cares about each one of us, and is working always for our good. We believe that his intention is that we should all come to recognise, accept and respond to his love for us; and after our mortal life is over, come to live in harmony with him and each other forever. That’s the ‘Good News’ bit.

I know that for many people, belief in God is something they can’t do. Having taken so long to come to having faith myself, I can understand that.

Even so, all of us, whether we believe in God or not, can take this opportunity to repent, to think differently; to try every day to make respect and consideration for other people our way of life; to control our selfish inclinations, and to set free our own natural impulses to peace, kindness and generosity. If all of us could learn to think and act differently, wouldn’t that change our world – for the better?

Green by name and nature