Sherborne Times August 2023

with chef Ana Ortiz

WELCOME

Ahhh, summer in The Borne – Spanish latte, pavement lunches, picnics in Pagies and dogs in the Yeo. I mosey through the woods at Dancing Hill lost in komorebi and the fizz of wildflowers. From over the hedge comes the thwack and bants at the cricket club nets, twangs from the tennis courts and thuds and grunts from our rugby teams in training, chomping at the bit for the start of another season. Tucked away from the ruckus, a croquet match is underway – a fledgling club on the cusp perhaps?

A summer next door to Ana Ortiz must be tough though. Whatever culinary delights you might muster on the barbecue will always be outdone by Ana’s asado feasts. Once witnessed, poking at burgers on a barbie will feel forever underwhelming. Claire and Katharine pop over to Ana’s for lunch and are treated to a very warm Ecuadorian welcome.

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

Douglas and Heather Fuller

The Jackson Family

David and Susan Joby

Mary and Roger Napper

John Parker

Hayley Parks

Mark and Miranda Pender

Claire Pilley

Joyce Sturgess

Ionas Tsetikas

Lesley Upham

Paul Whybrew

CONTRIBUTORS

Tom Balch Rose of Jericho

Laurence Belbin

Elisabeth Bletsoe

Sherborne Museum

Alex Boyd-Williams Sherborne School

Richard Bromell ASFAV

Charterhouse Auctioneers and Valuers

Ed Brooke Talking to the Top

Mike Burks The Gardens Group

David Burnett The Dovecote Press

Paula Carnell

Cindy Chant & John Drabik

Bronwen Coe

John Crossman St Pauls Church

Rosie Cunningham

James Flynn Milborne Port Computers

PO Box 9701

Sherborne DT9 9EU

07957 496193

@sherbornetimes

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

ISSN 2755-3337

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Simon Ford

Louisa Freisenbruch

Sherborne Tennis Club

Craig Hardaker Communifit

Andy Hastie

Yeovil Cinematheque

Alex Hennessy Dorset Wildlife Trust

Sarah Hitch

The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms and The Margaret Balfour Beauty Centre

Richard Hopton

Sherborne Literary Society

James Hull The Story Pig

Annabelle Hunt Bridport Timber and Flooring

David Kemp

Sherborne Food Bank

Lucy Lewis Dorset Mind

Chris Loder MP

Paul Maskell

The Beat and Track

Tom Matkevich

The Green Restaurant

Sean McCabe Mogers Drewett Solicitors

Gillian Nash

Paul Newman & Emma Tabor

Mark Newton-Clarke MA VetMB PhD MRCVS

Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

Sam Peters

Catherine Potter

Catherine Potter Craft

Jack Robins

The Sherborne Group

Mark Salter CFP

Fort Financial Planning

Julia Skelhorn

Sherborne Scribblers

John Stokoe CB CBE

Friends of the Yeatman Hospital

Val Stones

John Walsh

Friars Moor Vets

Simon Webster

Sherborne Science Cafe

Joanna Weinberg Teals

ARTIST AT WORK

No.57 Resplendent Lime, Bronwen Coe, mixed media, 19 x 16.5cm, £300

My background is in music and plants. I moved to the West Country in the 90s where I practised homoeopathy: combining a complimentary trio of plants, painting and people. An inveterate gardener and plantswoman I have painted, photographed, written and more recently wood-carved for some four decades, exhibiting across the south of England.

I have had a close relationship with trees most of my life and my arboreal imagery has a strong ecological message, which I hope might raise awareness of the plight of trees everywhere. Over the last few years, I have been working on an ongoing project ‘Theatre of Trees’, highlighting their significance, complexity and beauty. This has further developed into working with wood, engaging me in an exciting adventure, most particularly

with the burrs of a local fallen and much-loved sweet chestnut tree.

This has enhanced the intimacy and spiritual connection that I have with all aspects of the arboreal world. A lot of my work, both botanical and arboreal, has a surreal and mystical flavour to it, enjoying the juxtaposition of subject material by way of communicating themes such as boats rescuing trees; tree interiors; lighthouses as ‘beacons of hope’; trees as guardians and the language of trees.

somersetartworks.org.uk

bronwencoe.net

Venue 114, Somerset Open Studios

16th September - 1st October

Children go free

Feels like Summer

The Newt in Somerset celebrates the best of our county, under the watchful eye and loving care of our farmers, gardeners, chefs, bakers, cheesemakers and cyder makers.

With the estate in full bloom, it is the perfect time to join us with a Newt Membership; then enjoy every season across the gardens, woodland, deer park, eateries and exhibits. Not forgetting access to our partner gardens such as Eden Project, Blenheim Palace and many more throughout the UK.

Don’t miss our upcoming activities for all ages over the summer months. A vibrant calendar of Garden Lates, BBQs, live music, apple pressing and a dedicated children’s programme to entertain your ‘Newtlings’.

Free entry for children (0-16yrs), when accompanied by an adult member.

Come and be our guest. Explore and connect with nature.

Afew weeks ago there was an interesting article in The Guardian by Gwilym Mumford, in which he argued that streaming promised a glorious new age but in reality the gleam of that era has faded. Initially there were just a handful of sites but the number has now ballooned, meaning that viewers are increasingly asked to pay more in order to keep up with the overloaded output. The rapid rise of Netflix forced the big film studios like Disney, Warner Bros and Paramount to develop their own streaming platforms. These are all losing big money or are in debt, with Disney+ losing an eye-watering $1 billion in the first quarter this year, and Netflix’s share price dropping 35% since last summer as subscribers desert them with the cost of living crisis. When a Deloitte report on the future of the industry this year notes that ‘investors and executives have accepted that streaming is, in fact, not a good business – at least not compared to what came before,’ one wonders where we will end up. Some are suggesting that the only solution will be for the big companies to merge under one platform, like Spotify in music, but film licensing is an extremely complicated business. We can only hope from our lowly position as a film society that we will still be able to source films in order to function and watch developments with interest.

On to our forthcoming season at Cinematheque and another taster of what we have coming up. 1976 (2022) is a Chilean political drama and the winner of the 2022 London Film Festival’s Best First Feature Award. Set in 1976, three years after Pinochet’s military coup overthrew the elected government, opponents of the new regime are being hunted down. When her

ON FILM

family priest asks Carmen to take care of a young man he is sheltering in secret, her daily routine becomes governed by an increasing sense of fear. This taut thriller about the ways a dictatorship exerts its influence is grounded by an outstanding performance from Aline Kuppenheim as Carmen, whose composed exterior masks secrets and inner turmoil.

Triangle of Sadness (2022) from two times Palme d’Or winner Ruben Ostlund, tracks two fashion models and influencers offered free places on a hyper-luxury yacht. This savagely funny black comedy follows a rogues’ gallery of wealthy guests behaving appallingly towards the downtrodden staff, until events suddenly turn full circle, shifting from bone-dry satire to grossout farce. The class war has never looked so outrageous.

Eo (2022) from the veteran Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski shows that the world is truly a mysterious place when seen through the eyes of Eo, a donkey, as he meets an eclectic cast of good and bad people on his journey through life. Over his lifetime Eo highlights societal ills and serves as a warning to the dangers of neglect and inaction, all whilst on a quest for freedom. Eo won the Jury Prize at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and is a remarkable film and achievement from an 84-year-old all-time great director.

Three more wonderful films from Cinematheque’s next season at the Swan Theatre, starting in September. The website below will be updated as we finalise our programme.

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

Andy Hastie, Yeovil Cinematheque

Triangle of Sadness (2022)

CONFESSIONS OF A THEATRE ADDICT

Rosie Cunningham

Isaw Roman Holiday at the Theatre Royal Bath, which is now touring. It is based on the iconic film, starring Audrey Hepburn as the young princess who escapes her chaperones for a day of freedom to enjoy the real Rome, escorted by Gregory Peck, the American journalist who senses a ‘scoop’ which backfires when he falls in love, which is 70 years old. This is a clever and joyous rendition starring award-winning West End and Broadway star Michael D. Xavier who plays Joe and Rebecca Collingwood, a bright young star, as the princess. Their voices were gorgeously rich and the duets showcased their talent admirably. The clever scenery and choreography make much use of the limited stage space, to great effect. I do feel that gems like Roman Holiday, emphasise how amazing the Theatre Royal programme is in promoting productions that may go on to enjoy much bigger West End audiences. If you book tickets for three different productions at one go, you get a 5% discount, so worth looking at What’s On.

The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is on. Note to everyone, if you can get there at 10am when the doors open, you get the opportunity to wander through these vast rooms, packed ten-high with artworks from the famous and not-so-famous, virtually by yourself. This year I felt that the rooms flowed much more clearly with distinct themes, such as portraiture and pets, grouped together. I appreciated the fine detail of the architectural drawings and 3D models, and laughed at the imaginative sculptures in the Lecture Room, curated by Tim Shaw RA, particularly Helga Stentzel’s Burnt Out (a resin loaf of bread wired up as a toaster) and

Rebecca Collingwood and Michael D. Xavier in Roman Holiday Image: Ellie Kurttz

David Mach’s Anarchy in the UK (the queen rendered in pushpins).

I also visited the newly reopened National Portrait Gallery, which has a welcoming new entrance, and the rooms have been opened up to allow more light, pictures to be displayed and visitor access. There are some fascinating portrait choices from ‘influential Britons’ in the BBC Radio 4 Close Encounters series, explaining why that particular work holds personal meaning, which can be listened to on the NPG website. I loved Alexa Chung’s reasons for choosing George Villiers, from one social influencer about another, who held great influence in his day!

So finally, on to Patriots, playing at the Noël Coward Theatre until 19th August, with the most magnificently talented Tom Hollander in the title role of Boris Berezovsky, the billionaire Russian who was a controlling businessman in new Russia as the country emerged in the early 1990’s from the demise of the Soviet Union. Boris believed that he was invincible, and this arrogance led to his downfall, at the hands of Vladimir Putin, whom he put into power and thought that he could manipulate, played brilliantly by Will Keen. As the balance of power shifts from Boris to Putin, the audience were all too aware of the current political situation being played out in Russia, as Keen skilfully mimics Putin’s mannerisms, hand gestures and gait. The play was written by Peter Morgan, who wrote The Crown, and the audience left the theatre mesmerised by the interplay of naked ambition versus political intrigue, whilst imagining what umbrage Putin might take!

theatreroyal.org.uk

royalacademy.org.uk

npg.org.uk

noelcowardtheatre.co.uk

Will Keen and Tom Hollander in Patriots Image: Marc Brenner

Yeovil Audi. Look No Further.

Please visit our showroom to view our fantastic new and approved used Audi models in Yeovil, Somerset.

Our team is available to provide you with the information and guidance you need when choosing your next car, including the benefits of a plug-in hybrid or fully-electric Audi.

AN ARTIST’S VIEW

Laurence Belbin

We have had some good weather lately and I’ve been making the most of it when I can. The coast is always somewhere I enjoy – there is plenty to draw and paint. You don’t need to go far – our Dorset coast is full of opportunities. On a recent jaunt to Weymouth, I worked on little sketches of some of the wonderful buildings there. Those of you who follow my scribblings will know I have an attraction to architecture from the ornate to the tumbling down. Walking around the busy streets with my eyes pointing upwards noting possible subjects to draw I must have looked like the classic tourist! I strolled to the old harbour and drew a few boats, buildings and people etc then wandered back into town. Whilst perched on a low wall in front of one of the attractive promenade shelters I was taken by the most overthe-top fish and chip shop! I don’t know what the building was originally, not a chip shop for sure. It is so decorative with all the embellishments of stone and brick it just had to be drawn. It is probably the classiest chippy for miles around! I didn’t stop to have any but the queue outside could be taken as an endorsement of the quality produced. The building next door was worth doing too with the ironwork balcony, all very grand and of a time when they did grand on a big scale.

I worked in ink on an A5 250g/m tinted card. My viewpoint was from the other side of the road with the flowerbeds in between and was occasionally obscured by buses. If I couldn’t see something low down I worked on the high bits!

I added colour to the main feature deciding to leave the rest to line only.

The seagulls here are not as much of a problem as in other coastal towns I’ve been to. At the harbourside, you have to keep a sharp eye out as there is always one atop a lamp post, roof or boat mast awaiting the chance to swoop! It amazes me how people don’t realise the risks of losing your meal when I have watched the gulls dive down many a time and make off with ice creams, jumbo sausages, chips and pasties sticking out of their beaks – followed by a screaming flock of hungry gulls. The ferocity and speed of the operation are alarming and the stunned look on the faces of the victims is quite amusing! I know they are only trying to survive and feed their young. It’s opportunism that breeds generations of gulls to scavenge the litter of human behaviour. Even so, they should try to stick to fish that isn’t battered or they will all end up with chronic heart disease!

laurencebelbin.com

COUNTER CULTURE

Paul Maskell, The Beat and Track

No. 22 Mark Lanegan: A Journey to Music’s Dark Star

In the vast expanse of rock ‘n’ roll, there exists a select few who epitomise the raw essence of dark, brooding intensity. Among them stands Mark Lanegan, a figure whose hauntingly powerful voice has captivated audiences for decades. From his early days as a frontman to his remarkable solo career, Lanegan’s musical odyssey is one marked by personal struggles, artistic triumphs and a voice that cuts through the noise like a jagged blade.

Lanegan’s musical pilgrimage began in the shadows of the Pacific Northwest during the late 1970s. Raised in the gritty working-class town of Ellensburg, Washington, Lanegan found solace in music at a young age. Inspired by the likes of Iggy Pop and David Bowie, he embraced the rebellious spirit of punk rock and formed his first band, the punk/grunge outfit The Screaming Trees.

Though The Screaming Trees initially struggled to find their footing, they eventually became synonymous with the Seattle Sound that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Lanegan’s distinct voice, a growl of whiskey-soaked emotion, resonated with audiences

and garnered critical acclaim. Amidst the grunge movement’s explosive rise, Lanegan’s lyrical prowess and soul-penetrating vocals distinguished him as a force to be reckoned with.

Lanegan’s presence in the music industry was not limited to his own band. Known for his enigmatic personality and dark humour, Lanegan forged connections with a wide array of musicians. Countless tales of his encounters with his peers in the industry exist, often tinged with his dry wit and undeniable charm.

Behind the scenes, however, Lanegan’s life was a tumultuous one, marred by a profound struggle with drug addiction. His battle with substances cast a shadow over his talent and often threatened to consume him. He was a long-suffering alcoholic and heroin addict which on more than several occasions threatened to derail his career and ultimately his life. Lanegan’s honesty about his struggles provided a raw glimpse into the depths of addiction, a topic that would later seep into his lyrics, lending them an even greater sense of poignancy.

It was in 1992 that Lanegan released the seminal album Sweet Oblivion with The Screaming Trees.

Lanegan’s haunting vocal delivery and the band’s grunge-infused melodies created a soundscape that resonated with listeners far beyond the realms of the Pacific Northwest. Songs like Nearly Lost You and Dollar Bill became anthems for a generation and propelled the band to international recognition.

During and after the implosion and eventual disbandment of The Screaming Trees in the late ‘90s, Lanegan embarked on a captivating solo career, where he further honed his introspective songwriting and explored new sonic territories. His solo albums, characterised by a bluesy, folk-infused sound, carried a profound sense of melancholy and vulnerability.

Whiskey for the Holy Ghost, released in 1994, unveiled Lanegan’s introspective side, laying bare his emotions through haunting ballads and gut-wrenching tales.

Continuing on the solo journey, Lanegan’s next highly rated album came in the form of Bubblegum (2004). With this release, he delved deeper into his gritty blues roots, infusing the album with a raw energy that captured the attention of critics and fans alike. Lanegan’s collaborations on the record with artists such as PJ Harvey and Greg Dulli showcased his ability to seamlessly merge his distinctive voice with diverse musical styles, resulting in a collection of songs that were both haunting and intoxicating.

In 2012, Lanegan gifted the world with what I and many would consider his best album Blues Funeral, a sonic exploration that pushed the boundaries of his sound. This album saw him experimenting with electronic elements, creating a captivating blend of dark, atmospheric melodies and contemplative lyricism. Lanegan’s evolution as a solo artist was evident, and Blues Funeral marked a significant turning point in his career, further solidifying his status as a musical innovator. Throughout his solo discography, Lanegan continued

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to collaborate with an impressive array of artists, showcasing his versatility and willingness to embrace new creative partnerships. He lent his distinctive vocals to projects with the likes of Queens of the Stone Age, Soulsavers, and Isobel Campbell, among others. These collaborations not only highlighted his ability to adapt to different musical styles but also added an extra layer of depth and complexity to his already rich body of work.

Beyond the music itself, Lanegan’s magnetic stage presence made his live performances a truly mesmerising experience. Whether performing with a full band or in a more stripped-down acoustic setting, he possessed an uncanny ability to draw audiences deep into his world.

Lanegan’s journey, while rich with artistic triumph, was also fraught with personal demons. His struggles with addiction contributed to the authentic and emotional depths that permeate his music, resonating with listeners who find solace in his haunting voice and masterful storytelling.

Mark Lanegan died on 22nd February 2022 at the age of 57. His catalogue stands as a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the ability of music to transcend boundaries. He has left an indelible mark on the hearts and souls of those who dare to listen.

thebeatandtrack.co.uk

Tuesdays 7pm-8pm

Under the Radar Abbey 104. The Beat and Track’s Paul Maskell often joins presenter Matt Ambrose on his weekly radio show, bringing you the best new sounds from established underground artists and new and rising acts from across the world. Listen live on 104.7FM or online at abbey104.com

THE FREE WESSEX ARTS AND CULTURE GUIDE EVOLVER MAGAZINE

Pick up your copy at arts venues, galleries, museums, art shops, cafés, libraries and tourist information centres (etc) throughout Dorset, Somerset, East Devon, West Wiltshire, Bristol and Bath Or subscribe online at: evolver.org.uk

Instagram: evolvermagazine

Mondays & Thursdays 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 & 3rd Thursday 10am-12.30pm

Castleton Probus Club

The Grange, Oborne, DT9 4LA New members welcome. edwardhiscock6@gmail.com

Every 1st Thursday 9.30am

Netwalk for Business

Owners & Entrepreneurs

Pageant Gardens @Netwalksherborne

WHAT'S ON

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

Friday 4th - Sunday 6th August Opera in the Park St Cuthbert’s Church and Oborne Playing Field. Tickets £20-£40 via operainoborne.org

Saturday 5th 2pm-4.30pm

The 76th Annual Chetnole Flower Show & Fete Chetnole Village Hall, DT9 6NU Free Admission.

Thursday 10th staging 7pm (judging 7.45pm) Sherborne & District Gardeners’ Association 78th Summer Show Digby Hall, Hound Street All welcome. Visitors £3. 01935 389375

Saturday 12th - Sunday 20th 10am-5pm

Loving Earth Exhibition

Sherborne Abbey. 60 beautiful Quaker embroidery/textile panels in response to climate change. Free admission. 07870 192599

Monday 14th 11am–1pm

Messy Museum Monday Sherborne Museum, Abbey Gatehouse, Church Lane. Free family-friendly event. Sticky and glittery fun, participate on the museum trails or just enjoy the collections! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tuesday 15th 7pm

Outdoor TheatreThree Inch Fools Robin Hood

Higher Orchard, Sandford Orcas 01963 220208. £16, £8 u18s, £40 fam Gates open at 6pm for picnics. Licensed bar available. Bring your own chair/ blanket to sit on. Assistance dogs only. artsreach.co.uk

Sunday 20th 10am-3pm

The Sherborne Market

Cheap St, Abbey Road, Half Moon St, Digby Road and Pageant Gardens

Local producers, suppliers, amazing food and crafts thesherbornemarket.com

Entry 10am - 4pm

Bruton Memorial Hall, Bruton, BA10 0ED Still Life with Blue JugImogen Bittner

Bank Holiday Monday 28th 7am (sellers), 8am (buyers)

Alweston Car Boot Sale

Playing fields, Alweston. Charity event for Folke Church. 01963 23436

Monday 28th 11am–1pm

Messy Museum Monday

Sherborne Museum, Abbey Gatehouse, Church Lane. Free family-friendly event. Sticky and glittery fun, participate on the museum trails or just enjoy the collections! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Planning ahead

Friday 1st September 7pm (doors 6pm)

I am Belmaya

Leweston School, Sherborne DT9 6EN

Exclusive screening followed by Q&A with the award-winning director Sue Carpenter. Tickets £20 per person. Includes glass of wine on arrival. Available via partnersforprogress.co.uk/ upcoming-events

PICMF

7–10 September 2023

Forgotten Voices

Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd

September 8.30am-6pm

Dorset County Show

Dorchester DT2 7SD

Dorset’s end of harvest celebration. Adults £19/£21/£23, children FREE. 01305 264249 dorsetcountyshow.co.uk

Monday 4th September

6.30pm for 7pm start

Sophie Irwin Talk and Signing

The Butterfly Room, Castle Gardens, DT9 5NR. Sophie will be discussing her latest novel A Lady’s Guide to Scandal with fellow romance author, Lulu Taylor. Tickets £2 (redeemable against the book) from shop.winstonebooks.co.uk or in store.

Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival

A unique mix of world class live music making and other performers. Extraordinary musicians play classical masterpieces and rarely performed jewels with live painting during selected concerts.

Come and enjoy 11 exhilarating concerts over 4 days in beautiful and intimate venues across Dorset. Including Worth Matravers, Wareham, Studland, Lulworth and the Dorset Museum in Dorchester.

www.picmf.org

Natalie Clein artistic director

Image © Composer Henriette Bosman by Katharina Ziemke

Tuesday 5th September 6.30pm for 7pm

Sherborne Literary Society

Talk and Signing - Felice Hardy

Raleigh Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne

Felice Hardy will be speaking about her book, The Tennis Champion Who Escaped the Nazis. Tickets available from Winstone’s Bookshop or on the door.

Sport

Sherborne Cricket Club

The Terrace Playing Fields, Dorchester Road, Sherborne Dorset DT9 5NS

Men’s 1st XI (1pm KO)

Saturday 5th

Bere Regis (A)

Saturday 12th

Martinstown (H)

Saturday 19th

Blandford (A)

Saturday 26th

Dorchester (H)

Compton House Cricket Club

Over Compton, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4QU

Men’s 1st XI (1pm KO)

Saturday 5th

Weymouth (A)

Saturday 12th

Parley (H)

Saturday 19th

Charlton Down (A)

Saturday 26th Marnhull (H)

listings@homegrown-media.co.uk

Monday 4th September

The Butterfly Room, Castle Gardens, 6.30pm for 7pm start

Sophie will be discussing her latest novel A Lady’s Guide to Scandal with fellow romance author, Lulu Taylor

Tickets £2 (redeemable against the book) from shop.winstonebooks.co.uk or in store

MARKET KNOWLEDGE

CATHERINE POTTER, CATHERINE POTTER CRAFT

Welcome to The Sherborne Market!

What brings you here?

I spent my working life selling children’s books and I am delighted to be now selling things I have made myself which use upcycled components – both giving pleasure to others and having a purpose.

Where have you travelled from?

Bourton in North Dorset.

Tell us about what you’re selling

I’m selling button jewellery and stylish household accessories, made entirely from upcycled buttons and fabric remnants. Best-selling lines are the button necklaces and bracelets, and oven gloves made from repurposed denim, with buttons for decoration. The buttons are sourced from donations of personal tins and charity shops. I refuse to buy new ones as I know that there are 1000s hiding in cupboards – I just need to get my hands on them! I only work with natural fabrics so everything is a pleasure to use.

Where and when did it all begin?

It all began in 2010 when I used the contents of my grandmother’s button tin and bits of old felt to make Christmas tree decorations in aid of my local church in London. I called them ‘Fandangles’, as they dangled and were fantastic. This lasted for about 5 years, by which time I had sold over 600, and then friends and neighbours started to give me their button tins so I had to work on a bigger shape and made cushions to use them all up. My first ‘professional’ selling event was in October 2011, when I sold cushions and clutch bags decorated

with some vintage buttons. I was astounded that complete strangers wanted to buy them and took heart that there might be an opportunity to combine what I love doing (which is making), with giving people pleasure, using up what we all have hiding away in our cupboards.

What do you enjoy most about selling at markets?

Conversations with customers about their button tins (and most ladies have one) and how they remember playing with their grandmothers’ tins when they were children. For example, I spent yesterday in Salisbury at their Street Sellers’ market in Market Square. I met a lady who admired the jewellery and then came back later (having been home and rifled her cupboards) and brought me a bag of buttons which she was happy to give away to someone who could put them to a new use. Wonderful! Buttons hold memories from long ago: sometimes because of sorting and organising them into colour or size as children and sometimes because they evoke memories of individual garments and who wore them.

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

I always enjoy visiting and buying from Lavender Blue cakes, as the cakes are handmade and delicious, and the Compton Candle Company’s stall. Again, they hand-make the candles at home, they look stylish and smell wonderful.

Where can people find you on market day?

Outside Lloyds Bank at the bottom of Cheap Street –come rain or shine!

Hand picked artisan TRADERS

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

2023 dates

Aug 20TH

Sept 17th

Oct 8th

Nov 19th

Dec 17th

Flying the flag for local

REVIVING THE PAST

PROVIDING HISTORIC PAINT, MORTAR, AND CONSULTANCY TO THE SHERBORNE

Working with historic buildings like The Sherborne is very much my world.

Established more than thirty years ago as the material manufacturing arm of the renowned conservation company St Blaise, Evershot-based Rose of Jericho has been hand-making and supplying both traditional paints and lime mortars – created from authentic, historic recipes, with sustainable and natural materials – to architects, specifiers, and interior designers across the world.

We undertake historic building consultancy, with a specialism in mortar analysis, and hold an archive of over 6,000 historic samples from projects spanning three decades, along with a library of British aggregates – many from sources that no longer exist. Working in line with the ethos of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) manifesto, we have been lucky enough to contribute to some fantastic projects, including the restoration of Windsor Castle after the horrific fire in 1992 and more recently, researching the development of the Tudor assay forge at the Tower of London.

We understand the function and importance of sympathetic, traditionally accurate materials and paints,

ensuring repairs are appropriate to the original building. We strive to maintain a level of authenticity through respect for historic fabric and a reversible light-touch approach of minimal intervention where possible. We are skilled colourmen and still match most colours by eye. Our production methods might be a little more mechanised than they were then and some more toxic pigments have been substituted over time but everything else remains the same. Building conservation has moved on a long way but the artistic and artisanal skill of a true craftsman is just as important now. There are lots of people working very hard to repair The Sherborne to make it look beautiful again and we hope that our paints can contribute to that.

Perhaps the most important aspect of our work has been supporting Spase Architects with the analysis of the existing mortars. We initially received plaster samples from different spaces around the building in the early stages of the project. We analysed these, breaking down the historic plaster to identify its composition.

In modern plaster, the binder would typically be made of either cement or gypsum, historically it would have been anything that was readily available, often lime or clay. In the case of The Sherborne, the

Tom Balch, Rose of Jericho

limestone that was burnt to make the plaster would possibly have come from the Sherborne Castle Estate, or somewhere else local – there were some quarries on the Wyke side of the town – nothing would have been transported very far in that period. The aggregate we found in the historic Tudor plaster was very soft, little more than subsoil. Once we had worked out what materials we were looking at, we were able to identify geographically similar examples that are currently available. We sourced some from Corfe Mullen, some from Devon and crushed stone dust and chalk from further afield. These are what formed the basis of the repair plasters, mixed obviously with the lime putty that we slake here at Rose of Jericho and with the addition of natural goat and horsehair.

Everything we supply is faithful to the period, not only because it looks aesthetically beautiful but because it will also function appropriately for the building, allowing it to move into the next stage of its journey without fear of damage or decay. Authentic materials will help maintain the moisture equilibrium within the walls, limiting the risk of damp and reducing condensation – giving both a healthier environment and a more aesthetically pleasing finish.

Once our mortar was used to repair the damaged walls, we started thinking about the paint. All our paints are handmade to traditional recipes by our small in-house team using artist-quality earth and mineral powder pigments. The use of these powder pigments tends to enhance the effect of different light, so that the colours change throughout the day and through the seasons, giving a subtly natural beauty and softness –something which will be a great effect in a creative and historic space like The Sherborne.

Spase Architects engaged us to develop a colour scheme around fragments of paint that were found

during the restoration and provided us with swatches for inspiration. One of our existing colours Venetian White turned out to be a close match, so we started there and went on to design a series of complementary colours. In the end we created over twenty bespoke shades, all with our powder pigments to give the paints a unique depth and tonality that modern formulations just can’t achieve.

The formal rooms in the house are predominantly Georgian. It was common for rooms of this period to be plastered and a coat or two of soft distemper applied by the plasterer, which is exactly the type of paint that has been used in the redecoration underway now. The idea was that the soft distemper would allow the plaster to continue to cure and carbonate over time. Then, maybe 18 months or so down the line, those spaces would often have been wallpapered or painted again with a more vivid colour. Our bound distempers are a little more robust and will hopefully stand the test of time.

The Sherborne isn’t particularly old by our standards, it’s more the scale of the project and the potential impact it could have on the market town of Sherborne that makes it such a privilege to be part of – that’s what separates it from the other conservation projects we work on. It’s also been really inspiring to work alongside the Thornhill mural, having seen the artist’s work in Greenwich and St Paul’s, it’s quite unique to see such a high standard of work in a Georgian House in a small country town. We’re looking forward to the doors opening again and everyone having a chance to marvel at what’s taken place in a building that certainly needed some sensitive, tender loving care.

roseofjericho.co.uk thesherborne.uk

FEEDING SHERBORNE

David Kemp, Chair of Trustees, Sherborne Food Bank

We cannot escape continuous grim financial news headlines. Everybody’s finances are being challenged, but some more than most. Rising interest rates are hitting those with mortgages hard, with a knock-on effect for renters (representing 35% of Sherborne residents), reducing disposable income. People are seeking a helping hand from the Food Bank who would never have needed help before.

Some of us are relatively protected and more resilient, especially those with above-average incomes or savings who own their homes; unaffected by mortgage rates and rent increases, but still paying more in council tax, utilities, fuel and food.

However, a young couple with children, or a single parent on the national living wage without savings, in a rented home, are experiencing massive increases in just about everything, without a commensurate rise in income. 41% of Sherborne residents are on a low income, meaning debt, and sometimes charitable help is the only way for some to survive this cost-of-living crisis.

Sherborne Food Bank is keeping its head above water – just, despite a 47% increase in demand during 2022. Last August we helped thirty families on average each week. As I write, the six-monthly average is fortyfive, which will increase due to the pressure of school holidays by the time you read this.

Covering a community of some seventy-eight square miles, the Food Bank now outreaches way beyond its original aims, supporting many local organisations in their mission to alleviate need. By example, the level of income needed to qualify for free school meals is so low that many in need get no help with this. Your

generosity helps us provide ten free school meals a day in our primary schools – making a huge difference to children’s health and parents’ pockets.

We also work with other local food banks and larders, including The Vale Pantry in Sturminster Newton, where some Sherborne residents qualify for a weekly shop for just £7, alongside moral support and practical advice. We support ten families a week there, paying the subsidy so Carol Jones and her great team can replenish stock.

We also support schools, youth clubs and charities, where young people often arrive hungry. We fund snacks, energy bars and drinks such as milk – you cannot work if you are hungry, so this is a vital service. Overall, thanks to your generosity, we support well over 200 people a week with some form of emergency food.

The people of Sherborne are amazing in their support of our work and we thank the individuals, fundraisers, businesses and organisations who help us. In particular, we acknowledge our seventy loyal volunteers and look forward to a ‘Summer Thank You’ get-together for them on 19th August, kindly supported by Battens Charitable Trust.

So yes, the situation can seem very bleak when we read the headlines – but the Sherborne community is truly making a difference.

sherbornefoodbank.org

Sherborne Food Bank is looking for two new volunteers to fill key roles, including a Trustee for Governance and Operational Manager. If of interest please contact david.e.kemp@live.com

Respecting the past, embracing the future

In the 231 years since we were established, The Abbey Pharmacy has seen many changes in our society. We continue to evolve and are now, more than ever, committed to meeting the changing needs of our customers.

Our vision for the transformation of The Abbey Pharmacy invests not only in the health of our community but also our high street – we need your support in making this a reality.

To find out more about our exciting plans and to register your support, please visit www.theabbeypharmacytransformation.com

THE FRIENDS OF THE YEATMAN HOSPITAL SUPPORTING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY

John

You will all be aware of the Friends of the Yeatman Hospital as it is so much a part of the life of Sherborne but what you probably don’t know is just what we now do within our community. We were formed as a charity in 1951 with the aim of educating the public about the needs of patients and encouraging their interest in and support of the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne. This has been done successfully for over 70 years. But success leads to further demands for support from the charity and we are rising to that challenge!

The NHS, of which the Yeatman Hospital is a part, is becoming increasingly stretched in its ability to provide the care and support required by the community. The charity is now committed to meeting that need by focusing not just on the hospital, its staff and patients but by extending its skills, capabilities and influence across the urban and rural communities of Sherborne.

Over time the charity has done a great deal to support the hospital with equipment not always available from, or affordable by, the NHS and to enhance the environment of the hospital and some of the specialised services it provides, improving life for patients and staff alike. Sherborne has been very generous in providing funds for the charity to use and we continue to build on this

generosity to make the Yeatman Hospital a facility of which we can all be proud. That support from you, the people of Sherborne, is now enabling us to extend our reach into the community.

By expanding our focus we have made it our mission to support the health and well-being of the community to reduce pressure on our hospital, by tackling issues which can lead to health problems, especially amongst the older members of our community, those suffering from aspects of social deprivation and our young people who may be feeling excluded, mentally anxious or traumatised.

To this end, we are supporting bereavement counselling groups and centres such as the Rendezvous providing support to young mothers who may be struggling and to young people with learning difficulties. In addition, of course, we are helping our schools which have to deal with youngsters on a daily basis, some of whom are experiencing issues which could affect their long-term mental health, employment prospects and, increasingly, their ability to integrate into and benefit from a positive social life.

We are meeting this challenge of providing such wide-ranging support through the engagement of skilled trustees with a diverse range of expertise gained over many years of experience, whether in healthcare,

Stokoe CB CBE, Honorary Secretary, Friends of the Yeatman Hospital

education, business or from personal experience of mental trauma. This group of dedicated and committed people from all walks of life is, however, small and couldn’t function effectively without our wide and far-reaching network of Friends – or Members – who not only support the charity financially through annual membership subscriptions but freely give their time to help organise and run attractive fundraising events, such as the very popular car boot sales. Without this network, we would be unable to provide the muchneeded support required across our varied community.

It could be argued that our name – the Friends of the Yeatman Hospital – no longer captures all that we do. The hospital, while remaining a key focus for the charity, is but a part of our overall work. The long-term beneficiary remains the hospital because if we achieve what we are setting out to do, then it benefits from an enhanced ability to support those who really need the care of our high-quality nurses working on the wards or in the Minor Injuries Unit, free of pressure and with the time to devote to the care of patients.

With this exciting, outward-looking, aspect of our work, we are providing funds for the development of

significantly improved care amenities in the hospital – including the maintenance of a beautiful, restful garden for patients to use, a mental healthcare nurse at The Gryphon School, mobile phones for bereavement support counsellors and gym equipment for the children requiring specialised support at the Harbour Vale School. We are working with the primary school to enhance facilities to inculcate confidence and social skills in their pupils and are supporting the Rendezvous to provide additional staff and improved facilities. The more we do, the more we become recognised for what our team can achieve. This is leading to a greater variety in areas of support as we delve ever deeper into the needs of community health and well-being.

This outreach extension to the work of the charity –your charity – needs your support if we are to continue making a real difference to those in need in our town and its surrounding areas. That support can be as a member, as a volunteer or as a trustee. You can find out more about what we do by looking at our website or by contacting me at johnstokoe2@btinternet.com

friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk

OUR MAN IN WESTMINSTER

Chris Loder MP, Member of Parliament for West Dorset

We don’t have a Pride event in Sherborne as such but there are many Pride events taking place in the region over the summer. These events bring attention to the identity of groups of society who often feel under-represented.

Since being elected in 2019, I think we have seen a whirlwind of identity politics through the mainstream media – that is the politics and profile of a specific characteristic of an individual or group. It is often about gender, sexuality, race, nationality or religion or something else. What the media report and what we see and feel here in Sherborne are often very different but nationally, I think it is at an all-time high.

In Sherborne, we have more cause than some think to consider this. Alan Turing, the genius who solved the enigma code in the Second World War - was schooled in Sherborne. After his magnificent work, he ultimately took his own life, not because he was gay, but for what the state had forced upon him because of it.

In times past, the causes and campaigns that have been associated with identity have mostly been those that have looked to achieve equity for all. Fairness, equality and justice - to ensure that everyone is treated as equal regardless of their difference – not for preference but for parity.

Increasingly though, the politics of identity has become less about achieving fairness (often because fairness has already been achieved) and more about forcing a view onto others or showing that one group of society is better than the other. And what’s worse is that if a particular view is not mutually held, it warrants a relenting, personal attack on the person who doesn’t hold it in order to shut them down or to bully them into submission.

The increasing politicisation of gender and sexuality has deeply concerned me, especially considering its impact on young people. When I was growing up, I didn’t want to be recognised as better than everyone else, I just wanted to be equal. I didn’t want to stand out for my difference, I wanted to be an equal part of the community and society - and that is why I

often find it so difficult to reconcile with fairly extreme and unpleasant campaigning which is now becoming the norm. Once upon a time the Labour and Conservative gay movements would have had more in common than divides them. Now, gay Labour campaigners wear t-shirts at Pride saying they would never ever kiss a Tory! The extreme politicisation in campaigning (which is now becoming the norm) is eroding civilised debate about important matters. It is also permeating our schools – mostly about the ability of children to self-identify as a different gender.

For some schools, the self-identity of children has become so prevalent that on a weekly basis, the school circulates a list of children who have selfidentified as a different gender. I am currently helping a teacher who was dismissed from his job because he refused to recognise a boy as a girl without parental knowledge. The teacher is gay. Is he a transphobe?

Image: Andy Carver. Courtesy of Sherborne School

Is the school homophobic because they have sacked a gay teacher? Take away all these identities and you will find: a teacher, with many years of experience, deeply concerned for a child’s wellbeing.

The teacher believes it is in the child’s interest and welfare that the parents know this. But with the school’s actions being based on issues of identity, the care and wellbeing of a child is not the most important thing.

It seems that every week there are national headlines about children self-identifying their gender at school without the knowledge of their parents or guardians. I think this now raises fundamental questions around safeguarding, parental responsibility and indeed the sources which are influencing the malleable minds of young people. Teachers now fear the consequences of this situation. That is not right and I have made my petitions to the Education Minister about it for prompt action.

I once thought identity politics had a place for good.

But it has now become so divisive that it is becoming societally destructive. The inability for rational and understanding debate is increasing. The race for one group of the population to be positioned in a better place than everyone else, which has permeated our online ecosystem, is now generating a dog-eat-dog-type society.

Campaigning in the extreme – not just in this area, but others, is having a detrimental impact on democracy as it places undue importance on one specific characteristic or cause in an effort to dominate the political agenda.

I hope that we can move forward in a way that means this divisiveness calms and that we can have meaningful conversations about difficult issues. If you have any thoughts or views on this issue, I would be very pleased to hear from you: hello@chrisloder.co.uk

chrisloder.co.uk

Chris Loder and his partner George at the unveiling of the Alan Turing bust in 2021

Olha Peters, aged 13, Sherborne Prep

It is hard to find positive stories amidst the smoke and rubble of Ukraine, not only in the devastated country itself but also in countless lives affected by the conflict. Olha joined the school from Kyiv in June 2022, arriving with her sister, mother, two dogs and a cat. Adjusting rapidly to a complete change of life, status, language and culture, Olha was not fazed by the 2,000 mile journey to the UK.

Seizing every opportunity at Sherborne Prep, Olha has rekindled passions for gymnastics, swimming and art. Principally, however, Olha is a superb musician and sings with the Prep Chamber Choir and Abbey Girls’ Choir. We were exceptionally proud that Olha joined fellow Ukrainians to tour the Eastern United States, singing traditional songs to highly receptive and emotionally astute audiences. They sang a cappella in Grand Central Station, New York and brought the house down at Carnegie Hall, among many other achievements. Olha also performed in the Festival of Children’s Choirs with the famous Ukrainian ‘Schedryk’ choir, which also toured in Basel in May.

We hope that Olha’s continued education in Sherborne’s stable and benign environment provides not only succour to Olha and her family but comfort and inspiration to others. Amidst the horrors of war, hope can prevail and children can flourish. We are extremely proud of Olha.

sherborneprep.org

Children’s Book Review

Ilove this book and think E. L. Norry has done a great job on it. It is a thrilling tale of wonder, courage, friendship and magic. It’s all about accepting people for who they are no matter their size, shape, colour or personality. I would highly recommend it to everyone, adults and children because it is not childish and silly nor is it grown up and too serious. It reminds us all that we can all be heroes no matter what in our own way. And even when we think we can’t do it we should still try because even if you’re scared at first, like the

characters in this book, you should always try because you might just succeed. The characters Heather, Lloyd, Arlene and Nat are all misfits but they realise that there is more to life than just hatred and prejudice. They realise that love and kindness are the keys to everything in life and that even if someone doesn’t like you or you don’t like someone else, you should stick up for them because it’s the right thing to do. Overall, it’s a wonderful book that can teach us a lot about respecting each other, caring for each other and being kind to everyone.

Sadie Littlechild, aged 11, Leweston Prep

Fable House by E.L. Norry, (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2023) £7.99 Sherborne Times reader offer price of £5.99 from Winstone’s Books

INSPIRED THINKING

Ed Brooke, Talking to the Top Podcast

Talking to the Top podcast creator Ed Brooke (R) with co-host Freddie Fineman (L)

Sat in my room on the end of my bed, contemplating life (as you do); this was where the initial ideas about the podcast were born. I was reflecting on having to make my choices of what to study at A level, a question many students have to face each year. In a world of seemingly endless options, I struggled with deciding what I wanted my future to look like, just like I struggled with what GCSEs to do. The question felt vast. It was something I desperately wanted an answer to but no immediate answer came. I thought, ‘I wish there was somewhere I could go to find advice from experienced people at the top of their game about how they made their way through education to the point they are at now’.

Currently, I am faced with another challenging question; to go to university, or not to go, and even more pressingly, what to study? Thus, the podcast seems equally relevant, if not more so, than ever. Having got my podcast, Talking to the Top, off the ground I can honestly say what a help it has already been to me.

We are Ed Brooke and Freddie Fineman. Together we host Talking to the Top, a podcast made by students with students in mind. The podcast gives our listeners an insight into the lives and minds of incredibly successful people in their respective fields, focusing particularly on their educational and career choices and decisions. In each episode of the podcast, we explore how our guest got to where they are today and the thought processes they went through as they navigated the complexities of education and the working world.

My co-host, Freddie, is someone who often changes his mind about future career prospects and the subjects he might study. He says, ‘I realise how hard it can be to make important educational decisions that could affect my life beyond school. Although I know what I enjoy, I am still unsure what direction I want to take and, because there are so many resources out there, it is no surprise that it becomes quite stressful and exhausting trying to filter useful and helpful career information from the rest.’

In my opinion, that’s something I feel lots of people can relate to, that’s why Freddie was the perfect co-host. He understood the direction I wanted the podcast to take and when we discussed it, we agreed we wanted to create a place where other students could go to hear advice from successful individuals and where they share their experiences, with the aim of helping students understand the various pathways that can lead to success in a wide range of careers.

Our first guest, Hugh Bonneville, talked about his lack of direction and the struggles he, like many others, faced when considering future careers. Initially he was thinking about pursuing journalism or law but he ended up reading Theology. It was extremely interesting hearing how he switched from a degree in Theology to appearing on the big screen, exploring the challenges he faced, the pressures he had to deal with and how he tackled them.

However, I assure you we are not a one-hit wonder! We are really excited to announce that our next guest is the Oscar and BAFTA-nominated film editor Eddie Hamilton A.C.E. His credits include the recently released Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Kingsman: The Secret Service, X-Men First Class, Kick-Ass and many more. For Freddie, ‘listening to others voice their experiences brings comfort,’ and he speaks for both of us in saying, ‘I hope that other people listening can take solace in knowing that in a world of seemingly infinite career possibilities, all of us, like our guests, can find personal success in their lives.’

Happy listening!

Talking to the Top, is available to stream and download via all good platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts. Ratings, reviews, shares and suggestions are welcomed. Ed and Freddie can be contacted at hosts@talkingtothetop.com

Image: Josie Sturgess-Mills

TAKING THE LEAD

Alex Boyd-Williams, Deputy Head (Sixth Form), Sherborne School

At Sherborne School, we have embedded leadership into the curriculum so that all pupils experience workshops and talks on leadership in order to develop an understanding of what good leadership is, and how they themselves might lead effectively.

We believe that all of our boys will, after leaving school, go on to take on positions of leadership in one way or another. They might become CEOs of global companies, military officers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, small business owners etc. Many of the boys will become fathers. Knowing this, it therefore seems imperative that all of our pupils should learn and think hard about leadership before specific leadership roles are thrust upon them. The norm in education arguably has been, that – other than a small, select group of prefects and captains – most pupils will leave school with little or no experience in leadership. In the past many of us have either had to learn on the job or, often when under high-pressure situations, simply wing it. Further, too often, even those who were selected as prefects or captains have been given very few opportunities to truly lead. A title alone teaches one very little. Through embedding leadership into our curriculum, we believe that we are preparing our young people with the toolkit they need to go to meet the leadership challenges that will face them with knowledge, skill and the confidence to lead authentically, as the best version of themselves.

One initial question we ask pupils to consider is, ‘Which person has had the most positive impact on your life to date?’. Very often, pupils will name their mother, their father, a teacher, a housemaster, a matron or a coach. Until this point, the pupils will not necessarily have considered this person a ‘leader’, but on reflection – after we define the leader’s role as that of being a change agent with the skill and charisma to move people – they realise that this person has changed their life for the better and that they wish to follow this good example in order to have a similar positive impact on others. In addition, they often acknowledge that this person has held them accountable, yet cared for them – realising that leadership is often challenging and not about being popular. With this, the pupils start to see the importance of leadership in society, and, in addition, they gain an understanding of a number of other key ‘truths’ regarding leadership.

Another discussion focuses on examples in history and current affairs of highly effective leaders who have created significant change and moved millions of people but have done so in ways which are self-serving, abhorrent and destructive. Effective leadership itself is not enough: the intention of one’s leadership must endeavour to move things forward for the better of the wider world. Therefore, we also discuss examples of kind, altruistic leaders who have made a positive impact on humanity and our planet.

Overall, our pupils learn that leadership can be very complex and often challenging. However, through giving our pupils the time and opportunity to think hard, talk freely about leadership, and importantly make mistakes within a safe environment, we are helping them prepare for the challenge of leadership in action.

By educating our pupils about leadership and giving them all opportunities to lead, we will inspire them to feel that they can lead with confidence and skill and truly believe that they have within them the ability to be agents of positive change. With this belief, they may go on to exercise care of others and the planet, in all that they do.

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DRAWN TO THE LIGHT

Eyed Hawk-Moth Smerinthus ocellata

Gillian Nash

Perhaps the most striking of our nine resident species, the Eyed Hawk-Moth never fails to impress.

In its resting pose forewings in subtle shades of buff and brown outlined in black conceal a hidden defence, revealed if disturbed or alarmed when danger of predation is suspected. Iridescent vivid blue circular ‘eyes’ defined in black on rosy-salmon hindwings combined with a rocking action create an illusion of a formidable animal prepared to stand its ground to surprise and confuse any would-be predator. The adult moth has a wingspan of up to 90mm and like some other short-lived moths does not feed at all.

On the wing from May to July, here in the south there may be a second generation during late summer in favourable conditions.

Its diverse habitat includes woodland, riversides, parks, gardens and anywhere willows, its main larval foodplant, may be found. In common with several other hawk-moths, in its final growth stage the larva is large and green in colour with diagonal white stripes along its sides, each embellished with a mauve spot and on the last segment a single harmless blue ‘horn’. When fully-fed a tough reddish-coloured pupa is formed just below ground level where it will overwinter until the emergence of the adult moth the following year.

Eyed Hawk-moths are relatively common in most Welsh and English counties. Unlike most other UK species, records indicate a steady increase in the number of this elegant moth, with local accounts suggesting that it was widespread and frequently observed throughout Dorset in the late 1800s and remains so to this day.

Tatsiana_S/Shutterstock

Shepherd’s hut makers endorsed by @plankbridge

LATE SUMMER WILDFLOWERS

Alex Hennessy, Dorset Wildlife Trust

As we enjoy the last few weeks of summer, why not head out to one of the dozens of Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserves and make the most of the flowers still in bloom? There is so much to see and explore all year round - and, among the wildflowers, some very interesting names and botanical history.

Devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis) is in bloom from July to October and can be found on nature reserves including Haydon Hill in Charlton Down and Kingcombe Meadows near Maiden Newton. The evocative common name for this flower comes from the fact that its roots look truncated - as if bitten off, legend has it, by the Devil. Look out for its purple-

blue ‘pincushion’ flowerheads, bobbing just above the grass (it grows to around 75 centimetres high). Loved by bees and butterflies for its rich nectar and pollen, it usually grows in damp meadows, woodland rides, marshes and riverbanks.

Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) is another wildflower with lilac-blue blooms you might spot between June and October. Found in hedgerows, hillsides, grasslands and sand dunes, harebell is a creeping perennial with dainty bell-shaped flowers on stems that grow to around 40 centimetres. It has picked up many different names over the years, including ‘witch’s thimble’ and ‘fairy bells’. You might spot this

Campanula rotundifolia (harebell) Kieron Huston

Succisa pratensis (Devil’s-bit scabious) Amy Lewis

Fontmell Down

Steve Oliver

Succissa pratensis (Devils-bit scabious) Kieron Huston

wildflower at Haydon Hill nature reserve and Fontmell Down nature reserve near Shaftesbury, among others.

Autumn gentian (Gentianella amarella) flowers from July to October. It’s a late-flowering biennial, with leaves growing in its first year and blooms appearing from July in its second year. It is a small flower (growing up to 25 centimetres in height) with mauve, tubular flowers. Find it in dry habitats, such as sand dunes and chalk grasslands – such as Sovell Down nature reserve, near Wimborne.

Find more nature reserves to visit and information about wildflower species at dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

• The ‘scabious’ part of Devil’s-bit scabious comes from the Latin to scratch (‘scabere’) - from the flower’s traditional use as a treatment for skin conditions, such as scabies and the sores of bubonic plague.

• Field scabious (Knautia arvensis) and Devil’s-bit scabious look similar but you can tell them apart by inspecting their leaves. The leaves of field scabious are dark green and hairy, while Devil’s-bit has long, oval-shaped leaves.

• At the height of summer, 1 acre of wildflower meadow can contain up to 3 million flowers, enough for almost 96,000 honey bees per day.

Haydon Hill James Hitchin

PROTECTING OUR SOILS

Simon Ford, Land and Nature Adviser

Walking the highways and byways of the Sherborne area and further afield, is a great way to see what is happening in the countryside – unlike in a car when you zoom by and don’t have a chance to see the wildflowers or hear the birds, or notice the butterflies flitting along the hedgerows. It is also a good chance to see changes in land management.

I recently took a lovely walk along the Ridgeway between the Cerne Valley and Sydling St Nicholas. In an area below Crete Hill, an enlightened landowner has reverted some very flinty arable fields, to beautiful wildflower-rich grassland. Pyramidal orchid, cowslip, oxeye daisy and yellow rattle now adorn the hillside, in place of some patchy barley. Further down the valley, native broad-leaved trees have been established on some awkward steep ground. Instead of losing carbon to the atmosphere through soil loss, the trees are sequestering carbon, as well as creating a habitat for wildlife. On the opposite side of the valley, I noticed a farmer had planted a number of fodder plants that are known as ‘deep rooting legumes’ or ‘herbal leys’. Sainfoin, chicory, red clover, bird’s foot trefoil and yarrow were planted to improve the soil structure and to begin to rebuild organic matter, in an area where almost all of the thin chalky topsoil had been washed off or blown away. Even in our recent drought, these legumes were still deep green and putting

Savo

valuable nitrogen back into the ground as well as providing food for the cattle. When they are grazed and the plants are trampled, they add organic matter to the impoverished soil.

A few days after I did this lovely uplifting walk, I had a trek from home in Sherborne and was a little depressed to see some of the things that were happening that go completely against best practice. Old grass leys have been ploughed up, right against the River Yeo, releasing soil and agricultural chemicals into the water course. In other areas, ancient parkland trees are being ploughed right up to the trunk, destroying the roots, which will undoubtedly result in their eventual loss.

On steep sandy ground to the north of the town, maize has been planted on the valley side and during the wet early spring, deep rivulets have formed and the road has been smothered in topsoil. We hear that we may have less than 50 harvests left in many areas such as the Cotswolds or on the chalk and that we are only able to grow crops by applying tons of very expensive fertiliser, yet we blithely keep abusing soil as if it has no value.

One of the things I did in my role as an ecologist, is something catchily called ‘Land Capability Mapping’. It was important to understand what the land would have been before we started to farm it. In some areas such as the Somerset Levels, it would have been a wetland, in the Peak District it might have been blanket bog and in Cornwall, maritime grassland, while in the Weald of Kent, it would have been deciduous woodland.

The next thing was to understand if the present management was damaging the environment or wildlife. Are pesticides permeating through the soils and rocks into an aquifer? Is the land steep and the soil being washed downhill or is the land being ploughed next to a river and then getting swamped when there are floods? Are the hills being so heavily grazed by sheep that not a single tree or flowering plant can grow?

We could then produce a map to identify where the land was being managed in a damaging way and to come up with something more appropriate for the land. Over time, we could begin to make really positive changes for the environment and nature.

In many ways, this is something many of us do in our gardens. We start to realise that certain vegetables or flowers are never happy in our particular soil or constantly get eaten by slugs or deer or cannot cope with the extremes of weather and we decide not to grow them any longer.

The most important thing is to work with nature, rather than against it. I am pleased to see this is beginning to happen on many estates, farms and gardens and hope that more people will follow their lead.

SHERBORNE SCIENCE CAFE LECTURES

MAPPING THE OCEANS

Speaker: Rear Admiral Peter, June 2023

Sherborne Science Cafe, a popular place for discourse of innovative science and technology, recently considered hydrography, the science that measures physical features of the navigable portion of the Earth’s oceanic surface and adjoining coastal areas including non-natural features such as SS Richard Montgomery, an American munitions shipwrecked in the Thames estuary and an extant risk. Hydrology, in contrast, is the study of the Earth’s water and focuses on the movement of water (rivers, flooding, etc.). Giving the presentation was Rear Admiral Peter Sparkes,

formerly a senior naval officer, now the Chief Executive of the UK Hydrographic (UKHO), based primarily in Taunton since 1939 (midway between Plymouth and Portsmouth) but with offices in London and several other countries.

Oceans cover 71% of the Earth’s surface and 96.5% of the planet’s water resides within oceans. For Britons, it has a major impact. The UK relies on maritime routes for 90% (by volume) of trade (95% by value). Globally, 97% of internet data is transmitted by undersea cable. It therefore pays

Simon Webster

to stay ahead of risks to the UK’s maritime activity in terms of hard data to counter and anticipate threats. With only 20% of the world’s oceans (26% around the UK) mapped to modern standards there is much to do… and to defend. Putin has threatened disruption to oceanic cables in any conflict.

The UKHO was founded (1795) to acquire maritime data for naval and defence purposes. It produced the first map (of Quiberon) in 1800 and by 1855, 6,500 charts had been made. From the early

1800s, maps were provided commercially. Since then, over 10 million maps have been produced, including 1 million for D-Day. A huge archive of historically significant maps is stashed in Taunton, including Flinder’s first map of Australia and Cook’s maps of the Southern Ocean. Steps are being taken to permit, at least some of these, to be available for public viewing. In the 1990s, the first digital charts were produced (now the majority format) and the UKHO became self-funding, with the priority being to support defence, ‘on, over or under the sea’. Although a relatively small country, the UK’s hydrographic capabilities rank first in the world and the UK is the primary charting authority for 63 coastal states.

Technically, the traditional way to survey the ocean bottom was by dropping a shot line overboard, noting the length of rope needed to hit bottom and inspecting the tallow on the retrieved plumb to sample the ocean sediment. Later (1940s), single scan sonar was used and from the 1990s multiple scan sonar enabled much faster and more accurate surveying. More recently, satellite-based LIDAR (light detection and ranging) technology is using pulses of high-intensity green laser light to collect precise information about seafloor characteristics, feeding into detailed bathymetric maps. Commercially obtained satellite data can be used to determine sea-level changes.

The UKHO works closely with other organisations, for example with Ordnance Survey and more recently with the UK Met Office. With the latter, conversations have covered autonomous vehicles and their future role in data gathering. Ocean models or digital twins are being developed, a digital twin being a computer program using realworld data to create simulations allowing virtual visits to ports with vessel movement and weather, bringing efficiency, safety and environmental benefits to the shipping sector.

Steeped in history but at the vanguard of technology, UKHO hydrographers continue their discrete vigilance of the UK’s maritime assets.

sherbornesciencecafe.com

Wednesday 27th September 7.30pm

Sherborne Science CafeThe History of Porton Down, with Dr Tim Harry Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd, Sherborne

Damsea/Shutterstock

On Foot

THE RIVER LIM AND CANNINGTON VIADUCT

Emma Tabor & Paul Newman

Distance: 6 miles

Time: Approx. 3 1/2 hours

Park: Holmbush Car Park, Pound Street

Walk Features: This walk initially passes through Lyme Regis (take the seafront or stroll down Broad Street) then follows the River Lim through town to Uplyme before heading across countryside. The route heads for Cannigton Viaduct, a striking structure remaining from the days of the branch line which connected Lyme with the main line at Axminster. The first part of the route is fairly gentle but there are more climbs on the return section with a final steep drop into The Undercliff before a gentle meander along the coast and back to the start or via the Cobb – an ideal excuse for fish and chips before heading back to the start!

Refreshments: The Red Lion or Swim >

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.

We previously visited Lyme Regis when we began writing these walks in 2019, with a short route across Timber Hill. This more expansive route takes in much more of the town and explores the River Lim valley, and the traces of its industrial history, with artworks now marking the sites of some of the mills which lined the river. The section along the Lim is idyllic, revealing a quieter side of the harbour town away from the bustle of summer tourists.

The route then breaks out into the surrounding countryside, visiting the impressive Cannington Viaduct, a Grade II listed structure, striding across a valley, now somewhat incongruous in this quiet rural setting. Lyme Regis station was the terminus of the Lyme Regis branch line, which closed in 1965. The station was sited high above the town centre owing to the hilly nature of the local area. After closure, the

main station building was dismantled and re-erected at Alresford Station, on the Watercress Line.

The start of the walk passes the fine exterior of Belmont, an 18th-century maritime villa built with the rising popularity of sea bathing and holidays by the seaside. It is now a Landmark Trust property and was once the home of celebrated author John Fowles. Other aspects of Lyme’s rich history can be visited on this walk too as it passes the Town Mill as well as detouring to the statute of palaeontologist Mary Anning, by Denise Sutton, near the Marine Theatre.

The last section takes in the ecological wonder of The Undercliff and the geological anomaly of Chimney Rock. Care must be taken on the steep stepped descent from Chimney Rock into the sheltered woodland beneath.

Directions

Start: SY 337 921 The route begins at Holmbush Car Park, Pound Street, but other locations are available around the town.

1 From Holmbush Car Park there are two optionshead down Cobb Road to the Cobb and turn left

at The Cobb Arms to follow the seafront past the arcades and beachfront properties. Alternatively, walk down Pound Street and onto Broad Street to explore the shops. Both routes bring you to Cobb Gate Car Park, just before where the River Lim meets the sea.

2 Opposite the entrance to Cobb Gate Car Park is the entrance to Broad Street Car Park. Walk through this car park, to the top and at the end, there is a path which leads out of the car park and down steps to the Town Mill courtyard. It is worth taking some time to explore the art galleries, artisan shops, the brewery and the Town Mill itself.

3 Turn left just after Molesworth & Bird up a footpath (The Lynch) marked ‘River Lim path to Uplyme’. Take care along here as there are steep drops to the river. Keep on the footpath, with the river on your left and leet on your right soon crossing Combe Street, to walk along Mill Green still signed for Uplyme. You soon leave Mill Green with a ford and the Lim now on your right and cross it again and onto Jericho. Look out for wooden seats which resemble segments of a waterwheel – this is part of the Perching Places project to acknowledge the locations of mills along the river.

4 Cross Woodmead Road and onto Windsor Terrace. After 300 yards, it meets Roman Road; cross this and continue with the river on your left. After 250 yards, fork left and soon pass through a gate and into a meadow. In 200 yards, leave the meadow via a stile and small wooden bridge to your right and then turn left, now signed for Uplyme 1/2 mile, passing The Old Mill. You soon reach Mill Lane; walk along past buildings and at the end of Mill Lane, cross Spring Head Road to continue along a lovely wooded section above the river. After 250 yards, cross Church Street and after a short stretch, you will then meet the B3165 Lyme Road.

5 Turn right here and walk until you reach Uplyme Pre-school on your left. Turn in front of the building looking for a footpath sign to Venn Lake 1/4 mile. Pass in front of the cricket pavilion, over a footbridge and through a small metal gate into a field. Walk up this field for 250 yards following the footpath across it and then out of the field through a small metal gate. Turn left onto a drive to shortly meet another road with signs for Woodhouse Lane and Wadley Hill. Go straight over, past a cottage

then right at the t-junction onto Cannington Lane. Walk for 1/2 mile, past Cannington Farm to then reach Cannington Viaduct.

6 After passing under the viaduct and just before a white cottage (Shapwick House), turn left into the field through a metal kissing gate. Walk up and across the field towards the cream cottage on the far side. There are some lovely views from here back towards the viaduct and over the valley. Go through a small wooden gate with a bridleway sign which takes you up and past the cottages, on your right. Just past the cottages, turn left onto a drive/track. Walk along Horseman’s Lane and after 1/4 mile, just after where it meets Cuckoo Lane, you will see an East Devon footpath sign on your right with steps going up into woodland.

7 Walk through this small wood, zig-zagging upwards to emerge into a field. Keep to the left side of the field boundary and after 150 yards you will see a wooden stile in the hedge on your left. Go over this and keep on the footpath until you get to another wooden stile – go over this and then onto Gore Lane. Turn right and in 1/3 mile you will reach the A3052. Go straight across the main road and into a lane signed for Ware 1/4 mile.

8 Walk down the road until you come to Ware House on your left. Turn right here following the footpath sign into a drive then a field, through a gate, and walk along the top of the field on a track, which soon bends right to the far top corner where there is a fancy stile next to a tall hedge. Go over this and walk straight on along the edge of the field to another stile – go over this and then onto the footpath signed for Chimney Rock, which you soon reach.

9 This is a very steep, stepped, overgrown descent to the Undercliff so please be careful here. Walk down the steps and at the bottom head left and then slightly right and walk through a clearing to meet a track which is the main South West Coast Path. Go left and in a short while, after passing through the gateway leading you from the Undercliff, you will see a sign above Ware Cliff, ‘Coast Path Lyme Regis 1M’. Keep following the path through meadows to soon pick up signs for Holmbush Car Park, which take you to Pine Walk, along a row of houses and back into the car park.

southwestcoastpath.org.uk townmill.org.uk

Welcome

Upcoming Events & Workshops

Melplash Show – Thursday 24th August

Willow Pig Workshop with Jo Sadler – Wednesday 13th September

LOST DORSET NO. 37 HOLNEST

David Burnett, The Dovecote Press

For some reason, and at the busiest time of the year, a summer of roadworks is underway across Dorset. Potholes undoubtedly need filling in but why must it be done at the start of the holiday season? There was a time when virtually all of Dorset’s roads were dust in summer and mud in winter, and a tarred surface was still a rarity. Here is a County Council road-mending gang at work near Holnest in the early 1930s. The humble horse, soon to be redundant, was still needed to haul the water wagon and tar boiler. Continual road-widening and tarring made it necessary for the A.A. – who had opened their first roadside filling station in 1922 – to report Dorset road conditions weekly in the local papers.

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 Dorset Camera 1914 - 1945, the second book to be published by the Dovecote Press, in 1975.

OBJECT OF THE MONTH THE BRUSSELS LACE

Elisabeth Bletsoe, Curator, Sherborne Museum

Sherborne Museum has a good collection of various types of lace, a fair proportion of which is chemical - or machinemade, but also there are excellent examples of hand-made Honiton, Carrickmacross and Richlieu styles. Lace expert Heather Toomer visited us in order to examine the pieces and verify their identifications and was astonished to find one in particular. She said that she had not seen such a fine piece in forty-five years and pronounced it to be parts of a frelange, dating to c. 1700.

A frelange is the high headdress popular during the late C17th and early C18th in Europe. It was supported by a wire framework called a commode and embellished by ribbon bows known as fontanges. In England the style was popularly known as a ‘top knot’, versions of which were worn by ladies of all ranks from the Queen down to kitchen maids, making it an easy target for satire and criticism.

The headdress was said to be named for MarieAngélique de Fontanges, a lady-in-waiting at the court of Louis XIV who became his mistress. One version of the story relates how she was out hunting with the king at Fontainebleau and lost her cap when it caught in a branch. Anxious not to appear dishevelled before the monarch, she tied up her long curls in a particular manner which he found both compelling and delicious; this ‘rustic’ style was promptly imitated by all the ladies of the court and subsequently spread across Europe. By the mid-1690s the bonnet à la fontanges was the coiffure of choice, consisting of one or more long panels of lace arranged in the form of a tiered tower or pleated like a

half-open fan. Two long lace lappets extended from the headdress falling over the shoulders or down the wearer’s back. Behind this lace ‘crown’ ribbons were tied in bows and the hair was pulled into a chignon, with curls over the forehead. Worn with an open gown with the front skirts pulled back into a bustle and revealing the underskirt, this towering edifice emphasised the desired vertical silhouette of the late C17th.

What started as a simple headdress of folded ribbon in the 1680s became, with additional fabric, lace and trimmings, much taller and more complex and increasingly difficult to create and wear. Despite its courtly origins, the style was forbidden on French state occasions; the English court, however, accepted it readily, with Queen Mary II having her portrait painted while wearing one.

Our frelange is made of exceptionally highquality Brussels lace and of the type popular at court; it is distinguished by its richly delicate and densely packed designs and is almost weightless. Unfortunately in the past it has been ‘Victorianised’, that is, cut up into its component parts of two lappets and several shaped sections and stitched onto a red twill cloth for display. Professional conservation has been recommended and the museum will undertake to arrange this in the near future.

sherbornemuseum.com

The museum is open from Tuesday - Saturday 10.30am to 4.30pm. Admission is free, though donations are welcome.

OLD CHURCH CUSTOMS

There are 16,000 parish churches, almost one in every village in England and each with its own unique atmosphere and history. For many years John and I have been indulging in our shared passion for visiting our lovely old churches, admiring the carved bench ends, fonts, memorials and stained glass, and enjoying the serenity found within these ancient buildings. They come in a variety of architectural styles and sizes and were built on a variety of sites –sometimes on places that were once considered sacred by pre-Christian Britons.

While relishing the peace and solitude it is difficult to imagine that these were once wonderfully coloured, with brightly painted pillars and walls, and, were very busy and noisy. Medieval churches were used for both religious and secular activities including performances, feasting, dancing and drinking. They were also used for announcing notices and for storing food and weapons in times of need, and as law courts for both civil and ecclesiastical crimes. Improper behaviour was regarded very severely with fines doled out for drunkenness, non-attendance, or for leaving too early. In Bishops Caundle, a girl was made to stand throughout the

service, draped in a white linen sheet, and reciting her confession. Her ‘crime’ was that she had given birth to an illegitimate child.

The Nave, so called because of its similarity to an inverted ship, was used for these purposes, but it was not filled with pews as we see today. In the Middle Ages, the only furniture to be found would be the font – the rest of the floor space was bare. Anything and everything connected with the local community once took place in the Nave, including funeral wakes and festive feastings.

The Chancel was a sanctuary reserved solely for the Priest and often had its own private entrance. There was usually a ‘rood screen’, made of stone or wood, separating the two areas – a beautiful example can be seen in St. Andrews, Trent. Rarely did an activity in the Nave cross the threshold into the sanctity of the Chancel. Of course, all this was ignored during the Civil War (1642-1646) when Oliver Cromwell billeted his troops in many churches, and often stabled the horses there too, causing a vast amount of damage to the interior. In some, he even confined prisoners, locking them behind the heavy oak doors.

Cindy Chant & John Drabik

Milos Ruzicka/Shutterstock

St. Mary’s Church, Batcombe

Sometimes the church became a marketplace where rent was charged to help with church funds. The porch was used to display butter, cheese, eggs and poultry –laid out on the cool stone seats. The modern church fete, now held in Rectory grounds or on the village green, may well have its origins in churchyards which were used for village fairs, festivals, colourful pageants, and for general public enjoyment, and this often spilled over into the porch or church. Copious amount of strong home-brewed ‘church ale’ was consumed on these occasions, by both priests and merrymakers. This was often brewed in houses attached to the church with profits helping with church maintenance. The Church was the centre of village life and open to all, with ‘a right to sanctuary’ which could be claimed by any man escaping the law and hiding in the church, but only for a period of seven days and without being offered food.

Wrestling, cockfighting and gambling were regular occurrences and on some occasions it was reported that cockfighting took place within the church itself! This involved two cocks specially bred for fighting, and to enhance this barbaric entertainment, metal spurs were attached to the cock’s natural talons. Archery was practised in the churchyard and indeed was compulsory for the bowmen of the village, and several games were played around the church, including quoits, marbles and football. A favourite game was ‘Fives’ which is similar to modern squash but played without a racquet, only bare hands and a small leather ball were used. It is said to have been invented by the boys at Eton and was played against buttresses and stonework, usually around the tower. At Bradford Abbas, notches cut into the stonework, are thought to be for players to recover lost balls from the roof. The playing of Fives continued well into the 19th century.

Nowadays, all that is left of our former church customs, are the high days and holidays of the church calendar – sadly, most of the time many of our churches remain empty. It is difficult for people today to appreciate what the parish church meant to everyone especially the humble poor, as the church was the only public building that could accommodate large numbers. When you next visit one of our ancient churches, sit quietly and remember, as well as being a quiet, communal place for prayer and worship, there was hustle and bustle, comings and goings, noise and chatter, bartering and haggling, as well as music and merriment, all once commonplace but now belonging to a bygone age.

Sherborne,

Fax: 01963 23053

Email: info@fcuffandsons.co.uk

www.fcuffandsons.co.uk

DESIGNERS AND MAKERS OF BEAUTIFUL FINE BESPOKE JOINERY SINCE 1897

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers

Ihave always found history interesting. My father instilled a love of history in me along with teachers who brought it all to life in their lessons. As is often the case, we all enjoy different parts of history. Personally, I enjoy history from the early 19th century onwards. This is down to my interest in military medals, their campaigns and the people with their stories behind the awards.

The first British Army medal awarded to ordinary soldiers was the Waterloo medal in 1816-17. Today these are fervently sought after by collectors. With 39,000 Waterloo medals issued I occasionally come across one and late last year sold a Waterloo medal awarded to Major George Evatt which sold for a staggering £15,600.

But not all medals made are quite so expensive. Looking at the First World War over 2.4 million medal

trios, comprising a 1914 or 1914/15 star, a Victory medal and a War medal, were issued. Most weeks I see or speak with clients who have such medal groups they are looking for advice on.

Although all the groups fundamentally look the same, the values of these trios vary enormously. Many are available for under £100, which personally I feel does not reflect their real worth for the people who served, but with so many available this is sadly simple economic principles of supply and demand.

With them looking the same, it is always important to see who they were awarded to. Thankfully, they are all impressed with the recipient’s service number (apart from officers and a few others such as nurses), their rank and with whom they served. I have no idea how many trios I have researched over the decades but occasionally, I am rewarded with some amazing discoveries and a trio

in our 31st August auction of medals, militaria, coins and stamps has one such trio which gave me goose bumps when I researched the group.

The trio was awarded to an Australian - Private William Watson Carter. From Traralgon, Victoria, he served in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) with the 6th Australian Infantry Battalion.

Born in 1890, before the war Carter was known as ‘Motor’, no doubt as he was a mechanic and worked as a chauffeur prior to hostilities. He enlisted in Cobram, Victoria on 18th September 1914 and it was noted that although he was an honest chap, he had a conviction for offensive behaviour in Cobram for which he was fined £2!

Sadly, ‘Motor’ Carter was present on the landing at Gallipoli, 25th April 1915, losing his life. Like many, he has no known grave and is remembered on the Lone Pine Memorial.

Killed in action on 25th April 1915 makes this trio of particular interest to collectors, especially to Australian and New Zealand collectors, as this day is now called Anzac Day.

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first

campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The acronym Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand and to come across a group of medals awarded to a casualty on this day is an important discovery. These medals, awarded to a soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice, should sell for over £1,000 in the auction.

charterhouse-auction.com

"Born in 1890, before the war Carter was known as ‘Motor’, no doubt as he was a mechanic and worked as a chauffeur prior to hostilities."

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

Be Water Wise

Watering is essential at this time of year, so it’s important to save this precious resource where we can. Digging in plenty of soil improver or planting compost will help the soil’s ability to hold onto water, while mulching on top will reduce evaporation and trap any moisture underneath. Water butts may be starting to run dry, but there should be plenty of ‘grey water’ (from our baths, showers or kitchen sink) to call upon, and we can significantly improve the efficiency of our watering through seep hoses and micro-irrigation systems. Also, spare a thought for little visitors to your garden during drier spells. Birds, hedgehogs, foxes and bees will all be grateful of a drink.

01935 814633

castle@thegardensgroup.co.uk

At Bill Butters Windows Ltd we offer total window, door and conservatory solutions. Based in Sherborne we design, manufacture, supply and install high quality aluminium and uPVC products using market leading suppliers to service both the retail and commercial sectors.

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

ANA ORTIZ

Words Claire Bowman

Photography Katharine Davies

If you know your barbecues, you’ ll understand what Ana Ortiz means when she says it ’s all about heat control. ‘ When you’re cooking over fire you have to keep on top of it,’ says the Galapagos-born chef, rearranging sizzling cuts of meat and chargrilled vegetables quickly around the grill like pieces on a chess board. ‘I’m always moving the food, making sure nothing burns. It ’s important to get the heat to last until the end.’ >

But cooking the Argentinian asado way over fire is a million miles from the British barbie we know and love. For a start, there’s not a kettle barbecue, garagebought bag of lump wood charcoal or a Cumberland sausage in sight. Instead, there are piles of Somerset apple wood and rows of hot red chillis, plump chorizo, chunks of marinated lamb and huge beef tomatoes, all sizzling away on a rig designed and produced by Fire Made, the company Ana runs with her husband, Tom Bray. Bedecked with grills and all manner of hooks and chains on which to hang meat, pots and pans and intriguing steel contraptions like chicken baskets, the Portico is all about the theatre of open fire cooking –laid-back, sociable, the very essence of summer.

‘Tom designed the Portico during lockdown when the weather was amazing and everyone was wanting to barbecue,’ says Ana, adding that the reason he is not able to join us today is that he has been invited to cook for a certain David Beckham. ‘Tom had experienced fire cooking in Ecuador when we lived there and really wanted to buy the equipment to do it at home but we just couldn’t find it. So he called a few local blacksmiths and one guy said, “Yeah, I can do that for you.” Having got super-enthusiastic and posted pictures on Twitter,

a lot of people started to ask, “Where did you get that from?” That is how the business began.’

He was clearly onto something. The wafts of heady spices, garlic and wood smoke that travel across the couple’s Wincanton terrace are, for the meat eaters amongst us, nothing short of sublime. It’s the same smell that fills the air every Sunday in Ana’s native Galapagos – a smell that is central, says Ana, to all South American family gatherings.

‘It’s our version of the Sunday roast,’ she says, turning a pile of apricots gently charring on the hot coals with her favourite Alex Pole barbecue tongs. ‘My grandfather was a farmer with ten children and loved cooking in his fire kitchen. Whenever it was my grandmother’s birthday he’d kill a pig and we’d have a big party, eating different pig dishes over the weekend. We also ate a lot of goat growing up because the island was overrun with them. The islanders had to have a cull because the goats were destroying the indigenous vegetation and stepping on the tortoise eggs. It’s interesting because goat meat there has a really specific flavour because of the salted water they drink.

I grew up surrounded by people who loved to cook. My mother was a chef and my uncle was one of the >

last lobster fishermen on the Galapagos Islands, so we’d eat hand-dived lobster almost every day. And my daughter Isabela, who is named after the largest of the islands, has inherited that love of cooking – she’s 16 and loves cooking for her friends. The other day she made homemade spinach pasta from scratch.’

You only have to step into Ana’s fabulously cheffy kitchen and well-stocked pantry to see where Isabela gets her inspiration. Huge wooden bowls groan under the weight of plump tomatoes, limes, chillies, maize kernels, bunches of coriander and dozens of peeled garlic cloves. Meanwhile, the vibrant sound of Ecuadorian music beats out from a speaker and the smell of woodsy Palo Santo incense perfumes the air. I’ve yet to tick South America off my bucket list but if the sights and smells of Ana’s kitchen are anything to go by, I’m hoping it’ll be sooner rather than later.

After much dicing of vegetables and sizzling of oil, and with the help of her Bolivian-born sous-chef Zaida, one dish after another is brought to the garden table: empanadas, half moons of neatly crimped pastry filled with slow-cooked lamb (‘Our fried version of the Cornish pasty,’ chuckles Ana); a bowl of vivid green chimichurri; a vibrant lime-picked radish, tomato and bean salad; and fritada de chancho, a traditional pork dish from Ecuador, braised in ale, pork fat and cumin, which she describes as her earliest food memory and ‘the ultimate taste of home.’

And it is this passion for recreating a ‘taste of home’ that has made Ana a rising star on the Somerset foodie scene, taking guest chef spots at Holm and Babington House and bringing the joys of asado to Meatopia and Taste of London. That’s before you even get started on the catering, which ranges from intimate dinner parties for six to summer parties for 350 at The Newt, and the special asado experience days she runs with Tom at the Stalls Café in Sutton Mandeville.

Together the couple will teach all you need to know about preparing a feast with fire, so you can go away and try it for yourself, including how to attach meat to one of Tom’s mighty asado crosses – an accessory that may look like it belongs to the Spanish Inquisition but is in actual fact just the job for roasting a whole lamb. ‘I had to cook four at the same time for one event,’ remembers Ana, when I ask what she considers her most ambitious meal to date. ‘It was quite stressful.’

Slightly less intimidating is the new portable grill bag, a collaboration between Fire Made and Bill Tannery, launched just in time to catch the last of the summer rays. Complete with chopping board, Falcon enamelware plates and a grill that opens up in a bag made from fallow deer leather, it is perfect for glamping or posh days out on the Dorset coast – and more than likely to attract a few admiring glances from fellow beach goers the moment you fire it up.

And while Ana says she loves being within driving distance of the sea and the life they’ve built in the West Country, close to Tom’s Salisbury roots, it’s to London she returns whenever she gets a sudden hankering for home. ‘I go to a secret place in South London – the house of an Ecuadorian lady called Lopita – who cooks hornado, roast pork in potato tortillas, and yahuarlocto, an amazing and traditional soup made with lamb offal. While I’m there I’ll also stock up on ingredients at Tienda de Sur and La Bodeguita in Elephant & Castle, which specialise in Colombian, Ecuadorian and Andean food. They sell plantain leaves, achiote [an Ecuadorian spice] and maize to make dough for my empanadas.’ Having sampled one of the heavenly little pastry parcels for myself, all I can say is: they’re worth the trip.

anaortiz_chef firemade.co.uk

FRITADA DE CHANCHO WITH

CHILLI SALSA

Ana Ortiz

Ingredients (serves 8)

2kg native breed pork belly

200g native breed pork fat

250ml ale

1 tbsp cumin seeds

1 tsp sea salt

1 cup water

Method

1 Cut the pork belly into medium sized chunks and the pork fat into 1cm cubes. The pork fat needs to be in small pieces to ensure that it melts easily and covers the pork belly. The fat will then confit the pork chunks, meaning that the pork will be cooked in its own fat.

2 Add the meat to a heavy pan (ideally copper or cast iron) then add the rest of the ingredients.

3 Cook slowly over the fire for 2-3 hours until the pork is golden brown.

For the chilli salsa

Burnt green chillis

Red onion

Limes, juiced

1 handful of coriander

1 pinch of salt

Method

1 Cook the chillis in the coals until their skins turn black then peel and chop immediately.

2 Mix the chillis with the rest of the salsa ingredients and serve.

TREADING LIGHTLY

Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group

We have been measuring the carbon footprint of each of our garden centres over the last few years using an organisation called Planet Mark (with links to the Eden Project). Larger organisations must do this by law but we feel that we ought to be measuring too and have just had our third year’s set of results. We have included the whole team in working towards reducing our impact and although there is still a huge amount to do, we were pleased to have made significant reductions again this year. With our Garden Centre Association connections, we share best practice so that progress on this front is

accelerated across the whole of the garden centre industry. Environmental and sustainability issues are now a big part of the annual inspection that we have from the Garden Centre Association. These take place during the spring and are unannounced but can be any day in a 3-month period. From these inspections, regional presentations take place where best practice is shown and there are so many great ideas that come out of such sessions.

We also hold our own in-house meetings to get the whole team involved in helping reduce our carbon footprint. Such meetings usually happen in the early

months of the year and are then recorded with each having a mini team allocated to start getting them put into practice. By the time we get to the summer months, we review progress.

There are some great initiatives that our own team have got off the ground including my favourite of recent times which is a compost bag recycling scheme. We are accepting back empty compost bags if they have been opened at the top and are as clean as possible (within reason of course). We are bundling them up and giving them away as garden refuse sacks. The scheme is going down a storm and is such a good

second use of a robust plastic bag.

Our pot recycling is also very popular and we get lots of gardeners coming in to collect used pots that then can be put back into use rather than buying new plastic pots. Schools also come in to collect the pots and we re-use some in our own nursery with 15,000 being re-used last year.

Bigger projects have included rainwater collecting from the roofs in the centres. This was boosted by a 50,000-litre new tank collecting water from the goodsin shed roof which provided the water for the whole spring season for the bedding tunnel at Castle Gardens. It is linked to one of the Victorian water tanks that are dotted around the site and in times of excess water we fill the Victorian tank too. It lasted for the whole of spring and has had a burst of a top-up with the heavy rain we had in the last few days (at the time of writing) but will need the winter rain to completely re-fill it for next spring. The quality of rainwater is dramatically different from tap water and the plants benefit hugely.

At our centre in Poundbury, a large tank was installed when the site was being converted and sits under the main planteria. The water is used not only for watering plants but also for flushing the toilets. More projects with water saving are being planned at all our sites.

For heating the centres, we use a variety of methods with air-source heat pumps in various places as well as a biomass boiler for the whole of our centre at Brimsmore. We are looking to phase out the remaining gas heating over the next few years.

Habits too need to be changed and so when we are on buying trips, we use public transport as much as possible and for our European suppliers we like to visit via train rather than flying. Although this takes a bit longer it does give the teams the opportunity of working as they travel, making the whole trip efficient. Although different from face-to-face meetings we now use Zoom and Teams for our further afield clients and they have become a regular feature of our working day.

We are lucky to be working in the gardening industry and we appreciate that gardening is so good for physical and mental health, plus being environmentally of huge benefit. However, we need to work hard to trade in an environmentally sound way and measuring the progress is extremely important in making sure we are heading in the right direction.

thegardensgroup.co.uk

Image: Katharine Davies

THE ROLE OF THE GARDENING

TEAM

Jack Robins, Head Gardener, The Sherborne Group

Image: Jack Robins

The Sherborne Group Gardening Team are responsible for managing and maintaining the school grounds of Sherborne School, Sherborne Prep and the Newell Grange Campus of Sherborne International.

As Head Gardener, I am responsible for ensuring that the schools’ outdoor spaces are well maintained and always looking their best. Every day is different and tasks range from planting and pruning trees to maintaining lawns and flower beds.

The team work tirelessly all year round to keep the schools looking their best and each and every member takes real pride in their work. As a team, we have a great camaraderie alongside a positive work ethic which makes my role hugely enjoyable and one where I can constantly look to refine and improve what we do.

Well-maintained outdoor spaces can enhance the overall appearance of the school, creating a more pleasant and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors. Additionally, a cared-for landscape can provide numerous benefits such as improved air quality, reduced noise pollution and increased biodiversity. The schools have several high-profile events for which we plan months in advance. At the time of writing, Commem has only just taken place at Sherborne School and yet we are already planning for next year’s. The Prep School finishes for the summer break slightly later and then the courses at Sherborne International have only just begun so our roles are incredibly varied and span a large area!

Our work contributes to the health and wellbeing of students and staff by providing aesthetically pleasing spaces for relaxation and outdoor activities and it is incredibly rewarding to see people taking a pause to look or simply appreciating the beauty of our grounds.

The vast expanse of lawns at the schools requires a great deal of work and whilst everyone enjoys the sit-on-lawnmower job (!) it is a great deal more than just that. We start in September with scarifying, weed treatments and a good autumn/winter feed then as the temperatures warm up in spring we core/ aerate along with a good high-iron feed to treat moss before scarifying out any remaining moss and adding a good spring feed with higher nitrogen content to kickstart the growth.

As we enter the warmer summer months, we treat our high-profile lawns with a selective

weedkiller and a summer feed along with a biostimulant to get them looking their best. Now that the schools are closed for the summer, we can carry out jobs we are unable to do while the children and staff are around, larger pruning jobs and bigger landscape projects to enhance the schools’ appearance.

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Some of the jobs for the summer which we will be prioritising are similar to those you may wish to consider in your own gardens.

• Hoe and hand-weed borders often so weeds don’t have time to set

• Deadhead bedding plants, sweet peas and annuals every few days to encourage more flowers

• Cut back early summer perennials, such as hardy geraniums and delphiniums, after flowering for a second flush

• Trim lavender after flowering to keep plants compact and bushy but avoid cutting into old wood

• Trim conifers and other garden hedges

• Keep watch for pests such as lily beetles, snails, aphids and vine weevils, and remove them before they do too much harm

• Feed and deadhead roses to keep them flowering strongly

• Plant autumn bulbs, such as nerines, colchicums and sternbergia, in pots and borders

• Sow biennials, such as foxgloves, honesty, forget-me-nots and wallflowers, for blooms next year

• Water new trees, shrubs and perennials planted in spring, to help them through dry spells

• Keep mowing lawns regularly but raise the cutting height to leave the grass longer during dry weather

• Water hanging baskets and patio containers daily, in the morning or evening

50 SHADES OF YOU

Annabelle Hunt, Colour Consultant, Bridport Timber & Flooring

When we think about redecorating, we are influenced by fashion and taste which can be transient and fleeting. Inspiration for our homes can come from anywhere. But whether you prefer a timeless feel or a super-contemporary style, the principals are the same when it comes to choosing colour.

We see so many beautiful images on social media, blogs and websites, and in print. A new piece of furniture or a new picture can inspire an entirely new scheme which can have a transformative effect on your home, although it isn’t always necessary to change everything at once.

However perfect a scheme may be though, if it doesn’t have a sense of personality, it can seem empty and lifeless. An all-new, shiny interior can lack depth. Rooms which have been allowed to evolve over time are often the most interesting. Well-loved furniture and vintage objects add interest and depth.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing colour as it all comes down to personal preference, but there are a few basic points worth considering before you begin.

Light will have an enormous effect on the colours you choose. Cool, blue northern light can make rooms feel cold and stark so dark, rich tones can work best. South-facing rooms benefit from warm, bright light but that can make whites look cream and greys beige.

Choosing the correct complementary white to use with the other colours in your scheme is really important. Varying undertones in off-whites make them more suited to different colours preventing them from jarring or looking harsh.

Think about when you use the room most. Kitchens and family spaces, which are mainly used throughout the day, are usually best kept light and airy. Whereas sitting rooms which are mostly used during the evening, can be fabulous painted in deep, dark tones.

Although it might feel counterintuitive, painting a small, dark room in a strong colour or using a bold wallpaper will result in a much more interesting space than if you’d painted it bright white. Hallways and cloakrooms are a great place to experiment with colour and pattern.

Dark interiors have real dramatic impact and can feel calm and cocooning, working in both modern

and traditional homes. If the thought of painting a whole room dark seems a bit daunting though, start by painting one wall and live with it for a while. See how furniture and objects are thrown into strong contrast and become the focal points of the room. Conversely, and rather magically, televisions disappear against dark walls.

If you’re really not a fan of the dark and intense trend, placing dark furniture against a light backdrop will also create drama. By adding natural wood elements, you can introduce warmth and texture, preventing a monochrome scheme from looking too stark.

White interiors are fresh and pure, but can also be seen as boring and safe. The way to achieve a successful white scheme is to layer textures and varying shades of white. Soft warmth can be added by using natural materials and placing distressed painted items against pristine white walls.

To create gentle, dreamy colour schemes, choose soft dusty shades. If colours are too pure, they can look too clean, bright and childlike. The addition of a little black pigment makes colours so much more interesting, moodier and easier to live with. Soft tones always feel calm, relaxed and inviting. Use harmonious shades for a pale and interesting look or add dark contrasts for sophisticated and up-to-date style.

Almost everything looks good against dark, moody greys. Whether you prefer soft pastels or stronger pops of colour, deep smoky charcoal is an incredibly elegant and versatile wall colour. It gives a perfect background particularly if you like to change and update furniture and accessories often.

Big, bold colour schemes can make a real statement but they take courage. Bright, happy colours are energising and optimistic but they can be most effective when used in moderation rather than in large expanses. Use nature, where the brightest colours tend to be found in small bursts, as your inspiration.

The most effective way to reflect your personality is to choose colours you love. Be brave and trust your first instincts. Being timid and compromising on colour choices often results in a room that just doesn’t feel quite right.

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Farrow & Ball Vardo No.288

SHARED VALUES

Sam Peters

There’s something rather wonderful happening on the border of Dorset and Wiltshire. It comes in the shape of a former dairy farm which has been transformed into a vibrant trading hub with the pulling power to attract the sort of businesses more normally associated with vibrant London high streets, not sleepy rural backwaters.

Brands such as Niwaki, Bramley and Compton McCrae have all put down roots at Chaldicott Barns on the outskirts of Semley in recent years, but further evidence of this notable change came in May this year when one of the UK’s leading furniture brands, Another Country, saw value in opening a showroom there.

Founded by entrepreneur Paul de Zwart, to whom this part of the West Country has been home for many years, Another Country was ahead of its time in business terms when it launched in 2010 with a collection produced in a workshop in Semley, run by business partner Dominic Parish. The brand was built on the twin pillars of high-class design and environmental purpose.

‘I felt the design scene at the time – we’re talking around 2010 and the decade before that – was, even that late in the day, very focused on design for design’s sake, and celebrity design, and things that clearly had no aesthetic longevity or even a nod towards sustainability on any level,’ de Zwart said. ‘There was no talk, really, about how things were made, where they were made, about end of life and circularity – nothing.’

In 2010, after a career in magazines (Paul was the founding publisher of Wallpaper* magazine), the Dutch-born design lover took another calculated risk by founding a ‘furniture brand, with a clear provenance, imbued from the outset with values around sustainability, more respectful working practices, and around natural materials and design longevity.’

Thirteen years later the brand has come full circle. de Zwart has recognised the growing numbers of entrepreneurially-minded, environmentally-focused design lovers settling in the glorious green valleys and hills around Bath, Frome, Tisbury, Shaftesbury and

Sherborne, and has brought the brand to their doorstep. Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire are all now target markets for Another Country and early signs are extremely promising that the move is paying off. Barely three months since launching, average daily footfall in their Semley showroom has already outstripped their established Marylebone space. And while some may be pushing back against the very notion of purpose-driven businesses, de Zwart is unapologetic about his values and, by extension, those of Another Country’s: ‘It’s become more of a modern-day thing, the idea of brands having values, like Patagonia,’ he said. ‘In 2010, there weren’t many brands who sold based on what they stood for, environmentally. Now I think people have become a bit more conscious about how they spend their money. A lot of our customers are direct consumers – we’re a retail brand first and foremost. Which means people are making their own choices. They think about a product’s longevity and they buy with a set of values in mind, in the same way, they might now buy an electric vehicle, or they might buy produce from Riverford Organic, or they might choose to wear certain apparel brands over others. They’ve made those choices – now, how do they choose the right thing for their home? That’s

how I see it. I think people have become increasingly conscious when it comes to that sort of thinking.’

Back at Chaldicott Barns, de Zwart and his team have created a haven for lovers of interior design. Calm, pared-back and effortlessly stylish, Another Country’s showroom celebrates the honest beauty of design.

‘I wanted to make things that last: objects that would be made of quality, using quality materials, but also objects that were designed to last in terms of aesthetics,’ de Zwart said. ‘When something is designed for the here and now… those objects have a place, don’t get me wrong, we need innovation – human nature is about innovation. But we wanted to reinterpret the archetype, to ensure that the things we made would have creative longevity. We wanted to make things well but also to design furniture that stood the test of time: it shouldn’t bore you and it shouldn’t fall apart. So we started to work with wood and with other renewable materials, and then went about researching natural fibre partners so that objects would be made from circular, renewable and natural materials.’

Let us all hope they are here to stay in the West Country. anothercountry.com

Images: Sam Walton

HOUSE NUMBERS

If you read the headlines, it is a pretty scary time financially speaking for homeowners but let us drill into the numbers a little.

First, we have to set the scene. In terms of home ownership, according to the ONS housing census in 2021, there are 15.5 million homeowners, 42.4% own outright (7.2 million) and 57.6% own with a mortgage (7.8 million) so rising mortgage rates are only applicable to about half the market.

Next 2023 is supposed to be the year with the highest number of fixed-rate mortgages becoming

due for renewal due to the rush to beat the end of the stamp duty holiday in June 2021 by buyers that took a 2-year fixed-rate mortgage. According to the banking industry trade body, 1.4 million fixed-rate mortgages come to an end in 2023 and a further 1 million are due to end in 2024. (Beyond 2024 I think it is too hard to say where things will be.) We, therefore, have 2.4m mortgage holders that are going to have their repayments increase significantly.

2 years ago, average 2- and 5-year fixed rates were between 2% and 3% – the new rates that these

Image: Katharine Davies

James Weston, Co-Owner, GP Weston

homeowners are going to be offered are likely to be at least 2.5 times higher, going up to 5.5%-6.0%. However, post-financial crisis, mortgage applications are stress tested at 5% anyway so I think it is fair to say the majority of those 2.4m mortgages will be able to survive their remortgage. But let us say that 25% can’t, then we are looking at 25% of 2.4 million, or roughly 600,000 forced sales over 2023 and 2024 (300,000 a year). In a normal year, there are around a million sales a year anyway so the 300,000 forced sales will probably only lead to a very marginal increase in properties on the market and will make up a small part of the sales we expect to happen anyway. Not enough to flood the market and drive down prices.

As agents, what we are seeing though, is buyers’ budgets decreasing in direct correlation with the increase in monthly payments, essentially their affordability! This in turn also has to be taken into consideration alongside the 7.2% increase in average pay over the past 12 months. According to Statista when adjusted for inflation wages fell by 1.3%. So perhaps this is the more realistic data to work off. Average take-home pay is 1.3% less than it was a year ago. As inflation falls, it is fair to assume wages will continue to rise so going forward suddenly things will seem much more affordable.

In summary, no one is disputing times are going to get harder – there will be an unlucky few – but I think the most likely scenario is a slow and steady decline in house prices for the next 12 to 18 months before things improve rapidly. We saw it in 2016, after the vote to leave Europe, we saw it in 2008 post-financial crises and we are seeing it now. People need a home to live in. For a long time owner-occupiers have spent less of their disposable income on housing than private renters and even if that proportion were to get to parity, I think people would always prefer to own than to rent, so I see no drop in the desire to own a home, just in people’s budgets whilst mortgage rates are higher.

The winners are going to be 1st-time buyers who can buy a little cheaper, people already on the ladder but with the budget to move up (a 5% fall on £1.0m is a greater nominal amount than a 5% fall on £500k) and cash-rich investors, able to snap-up bargains.

The losers are all of us who are going to see our monthly payments go up and in particular anyone selling and not buying somewhere else for whatever reason.

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CHEESE SOUFFLÉ WITH CHIVE AND A LIME AND CELERIAC SALAD

Soufflés are notoriously challenging to make although this twist on a simple classic is a great introduction. Whilst a French cheese like Gruyère is often used, mature cheddar has the perfect flavour and texture for the soufflé. The freshness of the simple celeriac salad balances its creamy richness nicely. This dish works best as a starter or light lunch.

Serves 4

For the salad

200g celeriac

Juice and zest 1 lime

1 tsp wholegrain mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

For the soufflé

100g mature cheddar, grated

4 eggs

1 tsp mustard powder

10g fresh chives, finely chopped

50g plain flour

50g butter

290ml milk

1 garlic clove, crushed

2 tbsp finely grated parmesan, to coat the ramekins

1 tsp salt

Method

1 To make the salad, peel and cut the celeriac to a fine julienne (thin batons). Combine in a

mixing bowl with the lime zest/juice, mustard, salt and pepper. Cover and let sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

2 For the soufflé, preheat the oven to 210C. Use 10g of the butter to coat the inside of 4 soufflé ramekins. Then use the finely-grated parmesan to coat this in turn.

3 First, make the base. Melt the butter over a medium heat. Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Then, gradually add the milk alongside the garlic and mustard and cook for a further 10 minutes, again stirring continuously. Remove from the heat and immediately add the cheese, chives and salt, stirring until melted. Add to a large mixing bowl and let cool.

4 Separate the eggs and stir the egg yolks into the flour, butter and milk mixture.

5 Beat the egg whites with an electric whisk in another bowl until medium peaks form. Gently fold them into the cooled cheese mixture until homogenous.

6 Spoon the mixture into ramekins and smooth off the tops. Then run a finger around the circumference of each, forming a ridge. This will help the soufflé to rise more evenly.

7 Place on a baking tray and cook for around 12 minutes or until well-risen and golden brown.

8 Serve immediately alongside the salad.

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Tom Matkevich, The Green

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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. We have also added an Aspiga pop-up for the summer, so come and explore the new store within our store upstairs above gifts.

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When we were children at home a treat was to share a Mars Bar – they were much bigger in the olden days. We would take turns in having the end bits as they had more chocolate. A Mars Bar traybake is definitely a retro childhood favourite and a fantastically quick bake to make. You can make it with the family (no matter what their age) so they can say they helped to make it for a sale, a party or a sleepover.

This is a chewy gooey cereal base blended with melted Mars Bars and topped with milk chocolate and white chocolate swirls. I use chocolate chips rather than bars as it melts more easily and evenly.

Serves 12-20 depending on how you cut the bake

Time 15 minutes

What you will need

A 20cm square tin greased then lined with greased

baking parchment, piping bag.

Ingredients

100g unsalted butter

6 Mars Bars chopped

40g golden syrup (roughly 1 1/2 tablespoons)

160g Rice Krispies

350g milk chocolate chips

60g white chocolate chips

MARS BAR BITES

Method

1 In a microwaveable bowl, heat the butter, golden syrup and 3 of the chopped Mars Bars until they have melted. This will probably take 4 bursts of one minute on medium in a microwave. Don’t worry if the Mars Bars do not fully melt.

2 Pour the Rice Krispies into the bowl and stir in the remaining Mars Bar chunks.

3 Pour the mixture into the baking tin and press down firmly (I use a broad silicon spatula for this) and set aside.

4 In another heatproof bowl, melt the milk chocolate chips stirring until smooth – again microwave for one-minute bursts on medium – then pour over the top of the Krispie mixture and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Tap the tray down on the worktop to level out the chocolate.

5 Put the white chocolate chips in a small heatproof bowl and melt for 2-3 one-minute bursts on medium.

6 Before the milk chocolate sets place the white chocolate in a disposable piping bag, snip the end off and pipe lines up, down and around the surface.

7 Using a skewer, drag forward and back through the mixture to create a feathered effect.

8 Place the baking tin in the fridge to chill and set.

9 Remove a little while before you plan to serve so that it is easier to cut into squares.

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Image: Katharine Davies

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MAKING THE CUT

Joanna Weinberg, Teals

These days, no element of food is as hotly debated as meat. How much should we eat? How should we farm it? How should we approach our duty to the food needs of the country, the welfare of animals, our farming communities and the land itself?

It’s a huge subject and one that many of us grapple with, consciously and subconsciously, through the food we put on our tables and the weekly cost of our family shopping.

Of the food we eat, production of meat is significantly the biggest contributor to environmental impact globally. Yet when you break that down, nation

by nation, and even further, county by county, hugely diverse pictures emerge. Many environmentalists believe livestock is essential to a healthy farming system and the soil itself but that industrial-scale practices, use of fertilisers, packing and distribution need to radically change. Around us, here in the West Country, with good local farming practices and land and climate that is well suited for grazing livestock, rearing animals for meat has some of the best environmental outcomes there can be. Indeed, there is emerging evidence that ‘mob grazing ’ – moving ruminants around small areas of land in order to reduce damage and improve soil –

could, over time, actually sequester carbon.

At our butchery, you’ll see a range of cuts that reflect the best of meat that is farmed locally. Yes, the traditional offerings of sausages, chops and portioned chicken as well as whole. At the top end of the scale, there are beautiful, marbled cotes de boeuf and at the bottom, chicken carcasses, a couple for a pound, to make wholesome broths for soups, stews and risottos. Nathan Herbert, the butcher, believes passionately in there being a place for both in the kitchen. His philosophy is ‘less and better’.

‘I’d never eat meat every day,’ he says, ‘it should be a treat.’ He finds reward in the cheaper cuts, too, such as the scrag end of lamb. ‘Up North where I come from, they call it Hotpot Chops, for the classic Lancashire Hotpot, cooked low and slow until the meat falls from the bone.’

His butchery is driven by the passion of being a natural and enthusiastic cook. Born in Buxton, Derbyshire, his parents ran a guest house, and he always remembers a lot of cooking going on all the time. ‘Mum and Dad were both keen cooks and loved to eat out. Going to restaurants was a real family treat.’

His flair for exciting flavours and understanding of how meat behaves in the pan or on the fire informs much of what you’ll find at the butchery counter. His favourite steak, for example, is the hangar or onglet, otherwise known as the butcher’s steak, for its good value and tastiness. ‘In the old days, it used to go in the offal bag. But with the right kind of marinade, cooking and carving, it’s delicious.’ He currently favours a marinade with kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, sugar and lime juice, macerating overnight. ‘It’s all about denaturing proteins. If you use the right ingredients, which contain enzymes to trigger tenderising, you can transform a very basic cut into something else entirely.

Brining – rubbing meat with salt – will have the same impact. At first, the liquid will come off the meat and then it will be reabsorbed, the salt working right into it to tenderise it on a deeper level and well as bringing out the flavour.’ Another favourite is using fruits such as mango and pineapple in marinades which contain enzymes that have the same effect of tenderising the meat. ‘Currently, we’re marinating our chicken skewers in mango, lime and habanero chilli.’

With regards to barbecuing, he favours a meal with a large piece of meat shared over the classic mixed grill. ‘Unlike the Australians, we only barbecue for a few weeks a year, so we’re not as well practised. Cooking a single larger cut, such as a butterflied leg of lamb, spatchcocked whole chicken or cote de boeuf, is much more forgiving. You can make it stretch further, too.’ He likes to offer it in a sharing style, by letting the meat rest for twenty minutes and then slicing it onto a board in the middle of the table. ‘If it’s beef I would serve it tagliata style: tossed with Wild Garden salad leaves and White Lake English pecorino, along with flatbread and dips. Gorgeous.’

‘The more you understand the current debate around meat,’ says Nathan, ‘the more that you realise that provenance is key. The only way to approach meat with respect for ecological impact and animal welfare is to have transparency through every step of the supply chain. We choose to work directly with small local farms who graze animals outdoors and process a small number of animals a week in a nearby abattoir to reduce stress,’ he continues. ‘We pay more for the meat we have in store and do everything we can to ensure we charge a realistic price for the quality of the meat you’re buying from us.’

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A MONTH ON THE PIG FARM

James Hull, The Story Pig

There’s a riot outside! Good that got your attention! I don’t mean the sort of riot that we have had to call in the mounted police – no, I mean a riot of colour. You see, our garden has gone crazy. As I look out of the cafe, the skies above leaden with clouds threatening to empty down on us at any minute, the garden ahead waits patiently, flowers bowed with early morning dew. Purple is the dominant colour by far, interspersed with bright vibrant yellows and, as I look, a few rogue bright red poppies gently wave their heads at me.

As always, to me, the garden is a constant battle to keep on top of but to our customers, they comment on how amazing it looks. Nature as always is amazing – 4 years in and the garden looks like it has been here

forever. The hedge around the outside is looking full and luscious, keeping me constantly employed trying to ensure some sort of control.

The herbaceous flowers are giving the show of their lives. Catmint spills easily over the edges onto the paths so that we have to weave our way through. Fennel stands 7 feet tall and gently waves at me, majestic in its height. Beautiful Achillea surges upwards through the mass of everything else to hit us with a pink froth that the bees and hoverflies are all over. And then there’s the verbena – the butterflies’ favourite – stick-like, angular, tall and beautiful, they complete the catwalk of my view. Just out of my eye line are sweet peas, finally hitting their stride, happy that it’s not quite as hot as it was in June. They have reached the top of their hazel sticks. It’s

Image: Katharine Davies

a constant battle to keep them cut and coming again but what a battle to have – I don’t mind that one.

On the vegetable bed, Charlotte is using the lettuces faster than I can grow them. The beetroot is, well, a bit underwhelming and our onions are good enough to put on a table in an ever so slightly too-hot marquee and be judged by others. Then there are our parsnips – we can’t see what’s under the ground yet but if the towering leaves are anything to go by we are in for a good crop. We shall see!

And then just through the garden gate, the landscape opens out and below us sits our lavender –10 different varieties, all in rows, gently descending the slope, now in absolute full bloom. Bees hover everywhere I move, gently doing their important work. I lie on the grass in between the rows looking up at the sky. The air is full of the heady scent of lavender –honey is the best way to describe it. I must remember this time in November when it seems like the sun will never smile again.

We have bought more little lavender plants to plant next year or later this year. At the moment they are small and all planted in old coffee cups. I keep

EAT, DRINK, AND ENJOY THE VIEW

FROM FIELD TO TABLE

A Dorset cafe with a difference, we champion homegrown and celebrate nature. Meet our Tamworth pigs, feast on our artisan produce, and enjoy our idyllic views.

pinching the tops out to make them grow nice and bushy. Where we are going to have to plant them you will have to wait and see.

Our pigs are loving the summer weather at the moment – at the time of writing it is much cooler and they are growing fast. We have just had our first student vet who is learning about pigs and pig farming with us. Lily is 20 years old and a vet of the future. Although I am not sure she is sold on farm veterinary work as she got charged by a protective mum on only her second day! She was with us for 2 weeks. She fitted in perfectly – she helped with feeding, she had a go at vaccinating, castrating and ear tagging piglets, she helped in the cafe, she packed sausages, burgers and made scotch eggs. Lily even roped her sister in to waitress for a special dinner we had here. All in all a great help and Lily, we would have you back any time – good luck for the future.

I’m going to go and feed now before the rain does come. I can hear 500 screaming pigs waiting not as patiently for their breakfast as the flowers in the garden are waiting for the rain!

thestorypig.co.uk

Pet, Equine & Farm Animals

• Operating theatres • Digital x-ray • Nurse clinics

• Separate dog and cat wards • Laboratory

Kingston House Veterinary Clinic

Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3DB

Mon-Fri 9.00-10.30, 16.30-18.00

Sat 9.00-10.30

Tel: 01935 813288 (24 hours)

Email: sherborne@kingstonvets.co.uk

Grove Dene Veterinary Clinic

The Forum, Abbey Manor Park, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 3TL

Mon-Fri 8.30-12.00, 14.00-18.30

Sat 9.00-12.00

Tel: 01935 421177 (24 hours)

Email: yeovil@kingstonvets.co.uk

kingstonvets.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk/digital-edition

TOUCHY, FEELY

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

Writing articles some weeks in advance of their publication means time seems to leap-frog ahead of itself, making the months disappear even faster than normal. I can’t help wondering what’s in store for us – hopefully a bit of rain as it’s been some while since I felt even a drop on my skin. Then again, the sensation of cold rain on warm skin is one that most of us choose to avoid, as the initial contact is unpleasant until a thorough drenching turns pain into pleasure. No longer does each raindrop cause a flinch and a shiver, instead they all seem to blend into one. This is one example of our skin sensors adapting to a stimulus, a property that many parts of our sensory system possess, e.g. tuning out a continuous noise or failing to notice the dirty marks on your car’s windscreen after just a few minutes of driving.

I am going to confine the scope of this last article on the special senses to ‘touch’ but it is tied up with the other sensations such as pain and heat, all of which are important to all species, particularly from a welfare point of view. I strongly advocate the view that all living creatures with a nervous system can feel pleasure and pain in much the same way as we do. Briefly, our somatosensory system is the network of receptors and their associated nerve pathways that feed into our spinal cord and brain, telling us not only about the external environment but also what’s going on inside our bodies. The organisation of this complex system varies a little between animals and man, mostly due to human manual dexterity and the high level of coordination we have between hand and eye. It’s easy to imagine sensory receptors in our skin responding to touch, heat and vibrations but few of us appreciate the internal sensory system, at least until we pull a muscle, over-stretch a tendon or suffer a bout of intestinal cramps or a headache.

Touching animals is an essential part of a clinical exam and an important way of communicating with them. Getting it wrong can have unfortunate consequences. I remember a summer job when I was a student, milking cows for the first time. Not knowing

to place a gentle hand on the rump of the cow by way of an introduction before applying the suction cups on the teats, I was punished for my ignorance with a good kicking on the first day. I soon learned that cows like to be touched around the rear end and be given due warning before handling. Horses prefer the initial touch to be on the shoulder, just below the withers, before moving up the neck to massage a spot under the ear. Most are happy to have their heads handled, being used to the placement of a bridle or head collar. Cats generally like the back of their heads and tail bases to be touched, providing they are in a good mood, evoking a face and tail push, up into the stroking hand. If I get this response during an examination, I feel pretty confident I won’t get bitten or scratched, unless I start tickling the tummy. That’s asking for trouble. Cat or dog, the physical examination should feel to them like a pleasant caress and not ‘palpation’ as a wriggly and tense patient yields far less information for my own fingertip sensors to interpret.

Touching our pets is obviously mutually beneficial but it goes deeper than that during puppies’ development. Evidence suggests puppies that are gently handled by humans from a few days old are more easily socialised in that critical period up to 14 weeks. This is probably why we see more behavioural problems in dogs that have come from puppy farms. Kittens, by contrast, seem to develop independence of spirit from a very young age, possibly due to their mothers’ tendency to raise their young without any help from us humans.

One last aspect of touch I wanted to consider is the complimentary partner to a diagnosis, that of treatment. Physiotherapy, or physical therapy, has been used by humans for thousands of years and is now practised in veterinary medicine much more than 40 years ago. Animal physiotherapists are recognised professionals in their own right, taking over many post-surgical cases that need rehabilitation. Clearly using more than just a touch, physios have to gain the confidence of their patients to a higher level than I require as sore muscles and tendons

are manipulated back into use. As many of us know, this can involve a level of pain as well as pleasure.

I mentioned the calming effect of massaging the muscles under the ears of horses and I am sure they would like other areas massaged too. The problem is the very size of those muscles and the strength needed to press deeper than an inch or so. For example, the spine of a typical 16-17 hand horse is 8 inches beneath the skin, surrounded by solid muscle and sinew. The chances of affecting any vertebrae by poking a thumb on the surface are negligible. However, by applying pressure in the right place, a horse can be made to dip and arch its back, giving the examiner an idea of flexibility and discomfort. There are no such issues with small animals – massage is an excellent way to help maintain mobility by stirring old and tired muscles back into life. Which reminds me, I have a voucher for Sarah Hitch’s The Sanctuary for just that reason!

newtonclarkevet.com

DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VET

DUNG BEETLES AND THEIR BENEFITS

John Walsh, Friars Moor Livestock Health

Last year we had some great meetings about the benefits of dung beetles for farmers, run by a vet who used to work at the practice, Claire Whittle. Claire works alongside an education hub, called ‘Dung Beetles for Farmers’, which promotes the beneficial properties dung beetles have for farmers, wildlife and soil.

Many of you may be familiar with the large dung beetles seen in David Attenborough natural history documentaries. The almost infamous scenes of large dung beetles rolling balls of dung away from large piles of elephant faeces are certainly what used to make me think of dung beetles, that was, until Claire came and talked to us at the practice. Little did I and many of the farmers know, the diversity of life found in the dung in our fields.

Claire told us about the important roles these insects play in providing ecosystem services in grasslands by recycling dung from the surface into deeper levels of soil and how they can help to reduce parasite burdens in livestock.

After the initial classroom talk, we were soon out in the fields with rubber gloves on sifting through cow pats in search of these amazing little creatures. In these rather stinky pats, we were introduced to some of the sixty species that can be found in the UK.

Dung beetles can be divided into three distinct groups: Aphodiines, the dwellers’ and ‘stealers’, Onthophagus and Geotrupes the ‘tunnellers’. These beetles either live in the dung or tunnel under the dung into the soil to depths of up to one metre and range in size from 3mm to 26mm in length. Some species are adapted to different stages and consistencies of dung whilst others will be specific to certain animal’s dung, such as deer, cows, sheep, horses and even alpacas.

In a recent survey conducted by Natural England, up to 50% of dung beetles have been classified as nationally scarce and are under threat. Changes to agricultural practices and land management have accounted for this loss.

The work ‘Dung Beetles for Farmers’ is doing to promote the benefits of these creatures is inspiring and let’s face it, in a world without these animals, we certainly would be up to our knees in dung.

dr_dowhittle friarsmoorvets.co.uk

To discover more about these amazing ecosystem engineers, check out dungbeetlesforfarmers.co.uk

Y O U R S E L F S O M E L O L LY !

(OR 4 FOR £85)

CHOOSE FROM:

| HALF LEG & BIKINI WAX (USUAL PRICE £34 ) |

| BACK WAX OR CHEST WAX (£30/£27) |

| BACK, NECK AND SHOULDER MASSAGE (£31) |

| 30 MIN CLARINS DETOX & GLOW FACIAL (45mins £45) |

| TIRED FEET & LEGS MASSAGE (£30) |

| EYELASH & EYEBROW TINT (£27) |

| SELF TANNING FOR LEGS (£29) |

| EYEBROW SHAPE & TINT (£24) |

| UPPER LIP & BROW WAX (£27) |

| MINI MANI OR PEDI (£24.50) |

WWW.MARGARETBALFOUR.CO.UK

TANNING 101

Preparing your skin for a holiday or event where you want to be bronzed takes time and practice to perfect.

You may decide to give your pale skin a helping hand as tanned skin usually improves the look and effect of an outfit and your holiday wardrobe will be set off to a flying start. A patchy-looking tan can be embarrassing and without preparation, it won’t last long either so be sure to be diligent.

To create a great base for a tan whether it be applied tan or a true sun tan needs a solid base so that it lasts.

To achieve this prep your skin before sun exposure by regularly exfoliating and moisturising to buff away dry patches where self-tan could cling. Areas to focus on are heels, ankles, knees and elbows as these friction points often build up dry skin. Use an exfoliating cream, body puff or exfoliating gloves after a good soak in a bath or shower as the skin will come away more easily. Apply a good body lotion or body cream after each time so that it can penetrate deeply into the freshly exposed layer of skin while the pores are open.

Different skin types are suited to different types of tanning products and once you find the consistency that suits yours you will be well away. Some are tinted with a guide colour to help you avoid white bits. This can be helpful when you are starting out but be mindful that although it washes out it will make for messy tanning.

With all tans start with a clean skin and apply a light

moisturiser to your face, feet up to the ankles, hands up to the wrists and elbows. For beginners a daily or gradual tan is easiest to apply and mistakes will not be as noticeable. Self-tan gels and mousses are more appropriate for younger skins and skins that are not dry in any way. Self-tanning lotions and creams are easily applied and the richer the texture the easier they are to blend.

Be sure to use plenty of product because, if not, the dragging motion on the skin will leave streaks. You want to be able to blend and sweep in circular and gliding patterns to get the product evenly worked into the skin.

Wash your hands carefully being sure not to splash water onto your forearms. Dry them and then apply more moisturiser to your hands up to the wrist. Then apply a small amount of tan to the back of one of your hands. Then using the back of the other hand blend the tan over the backs of your hands, down your fingers, between your fingers and blend at the wrists on both sides but be careful not to get any on your palms.

Stay away from water for a minimum of 8 hours and avoid perspiration while it develops unless using a fastacting tan. To keep your self-tan going longer by taking shorter showers, pat yourself dry don’t rub and apply a lanolin-free moisturiser to hydrate the skin each day.

thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk margaretbalfour.co.uk

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

NEUTRAL TERRITORY MANAGING YOUR THOUGHTS FOR A BETTER NIGHT'S SLEEP

Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind Ambassador

Our thoughts can have a direct impact on our emotions. When I decide to sleep, my mind often begins reviewing worries or things I need to do and how I can manage them. However, as soon as I allow my mind to think of stressors, this can then affect my emotions. If it is something stressful, anxiety-inducing or really anything that can trigger a ‘hot’ emotion, this is likely to set off the stress response in my body. This response was historically useful to fight or flee danger. Therefore, the adrenaline caused by this response will then work to keep me awake so that I can survive this perceived threat. This response is not particularly helpful when I am trying to get to sleep. Therefore, I aim to keep my thoughts neutral so as not to set off this stimulating natural survival response.

Of course, managing thoughts can be difficult and

is something I have got better at over time. Practising mindfulness is one way that I have improved my ability to choose what I am thinking about. Additionally, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques also provide methods of adjusting unhelpful thoughts. This is not to say that worries should be ignored, however, it is worth considering whether it is the most effective time to work through them. Usually, it is better to consider these worries in the morning, rather than when I am tired and need a good night’s sleep.

I tend to use distraction. This has become such a habit for me over the years, that I now usually don’t have to try particularly hard to manage my mind as I fall asleep. When I was a child, I happened to realise that if I created a story in my mind or thought through the plot of a story I knew, I would fall asleep much

quicker. Now, as an adult, it does not come as easily to me to imagine a fictional world so I more commonly use stories I know. This can be following through a plot (i.e. Cinderella) in as much detail as I can, or imagining the continuation of a plot of an unfinished book or TV series in my mind.

Of course, as I carry out this mental task, my mind will often dart back to unresolved issues or things I should not forget. As with mindfulness practices, this is to be expected, and the key is to notice nonjudgementally that your mind has wandered and then bring yourself back to the task. This redirection also gets easier over time. This is my favourite distraction technique, but there are many other ways to neutrally distract your mind, such as counting backwards from 100 in 7s, naming things from a chosen category (i.e.

how many animals can you name) or recalling some other (ideally quite boring) information that you may have memorised for a job or other reason.

Keeping your thoughts neutral when falling asleep is a skill that can take time and practice to develop. Additionally, thoughts are just one area relevant to sleep quality; it is also worth learning about relaxation methods, sleep hygiene and other types of methods for improving sleep. If your sleep concerns are persistent or having a negative impact on your mental health, please contact your GP or mental health professional.

Visit dorsetmind.uk to find out about 1-2-1 and group mental health support available for adults and young people in Dorset. In addition, you can call Samaritans 24/7 talking service which provides emotional support on 116 123.

Stock Colors/iStock

You just look so remarkably well, I can’t believe you were as ill as you were!’

A complete stranger said this to me today whilst visiting the Beezantium – she’d overheard me talking and recognised my voice from the audio guides. After hearing about me from a friend and then reading my book, it was quite bizarre for me to be greeted by someone so excited to meet me in person.

Particularly since my podcast launch, I am greeted more and more frequently by strangers recognising me.

I am honoured to meet these people and touched that my story has affected, and even inspired them. This lady had also been reading my monthly article in the

DON’T YOU LOOK WELL!

Paula Carnell, Beekeeping Consultant, Writer and Speaker

Sherborne Times, where I often bare even more details about myself, forgetting that I am not writing in a private journal…

Interestingly, this week, I also received messages of disbelief, in a not-so-pleasant form. Accusations that I can’t possibly have actually had Ehlers Danlos syndrome at all because apparently it’s ‘terminal and impossible to recover from’. This still upsets me and is part of the reason I haven’t returned to the geneticist or even my GP since fully recovering. When I was very poorly, my lifeline to the outside world was social media groups on Facebook – fellow bedridden and poorly people. I was a member of the 25% group –

Image: Branding Stories

people bedridden with diagnoses including EDS, Lyme disease and CFS. I remember following fellow members through their horrific ordeals, operations, relapses and struggles with gaining support, both practically and financially. Together we supported each other through the particularly rough times. It was a safe place for me to share when I thought I was dying or when I actually wanted to end it all due to the constant physical pain. Sharing such details with Greg or my close family and friends didn’t seem fair, and made things worse. I didn’t need them worrying even more about me.

What did shock me though was how this tremendously supportive group would turn when someone began to recover or miraculously was able to walk, even if only a few steps. – ‘You shouldn’t have been in this group if you’re able to do that’, ‘If you really had X, there’s no way you’d ever be able to recover’. I found this very distressing. A few of us created subgroups sharing positive achievements, safe in knowing that we’d be encouraged and loved, despite the pain that someone else was recovering when we weren’t.

I am often asked by family and friends of those suffering if I can help them, by calling or writing. I reply that I will answer their questions or calls but they need to reach out to me first. They rarely do.

When suffering so deeply and rigidly attached to a very damning diagnosis, it takes great courage to call someone who claims to have recovered from what you feel and are told can’t be recovered from. Why trust a stranger who is lucky enough to be well? If they/I have recovered, does that mean all the medical professionals were wrong? This is a huge challenge for us all. Who do we trust when it comes to health?

My big lesson through it all is that only I knew if I would ever recover and only I could heal myself. This isn’t because I have some incredible healing powers, it’s because only I could alter my environment to such an extent that my body had the best chance to heal itself.

I needed a lot of support to be able to do this, friends who understood why I couldn’t eat or do different things. Family who knew when to ignore my pleas for a ‘treat’ of a few more minutes of socialising or a piece of comfort food that would only create a delay in my recovery.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have the support I received or the self-determination or absolute faith, that full healing is possible.

When I first received my diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos, aged 46, after decades of pain and illness, on visiting

Lucy Jones, the medical herbalist who treated me, on proudly announcing my diagnosis as if challenging her to ‘do her best against impossible odds’ instead she said, ‘I’m not treating a diagnosis, I’m treating the whole person – you.’

I was quite irritated by this. I’d worked hard to fight to get seen by geneticists. I’d spent many years exploring and researching my every symptom to finally find a medical professional who acknowledged that I was actually quite ill and had been for most of my adult life. It wasn’t all in my imagination after all.

Lucy was exactly right though, I was NOT my diagnosis. EDS is a label to give to my complex health issues. It wasn’t a solution – it was an acceptance, or even an excuse, to remain ill. I had become ‘Paula with EDS’. To remove the EDS, who was/is Paula? Similar to removing ‘artist’, ‘wife’, or ‘mother’ from our title, who are we when we are alone with ourselves? This is what needs to be addressed to become well. Discovering who you are, with no attachments, is not a journey or exercise for everyone. It’s painful and difficult work.

I appreciate that many people are not able or willing to search into the depths of themselves to detach from everything they believe they are. Perhaps having suffered miscarriages, the death of friends, divorce and then my health, along the way, I was already familiar with loss and that made the journey an easier path. Perhaps it’s the curiosity I had for understanding ‘why’ – why me, why this, why now, why not... Maybe it was my stubbornness to prove that I could beat the odds. Or perhaps it was my connection with the bees. They were suffering too and someone needed to speak up for them.

It’s easy for me to take for granted the impact my simply being healthy has on those around me. My ability to be well, so very well, for over 7 years now, is a trigger and a challenge to those who remain unwell. I understand that – I was there too once.

Creating a buzz about health is all about sharing what I’ve learned along the way. The connections between human and bee health are remarkable. I have no secrets to being well – I’m happy to share it all, through my talks, podcast and writings.

Health is so much more appreciated when it’s regained.

paulacarnell.com

Paula’s weekly podcast, Creating a Buzz about Health, is available on all popular listening platforms.

JOIN THE CLUB

Sherborne Tennis Club is the premier tennis club situated by the Terrace Playing Fields, just outside the town. There are 4 clay courts and 4 hard courts - the clay courts are a fantastic bonus in (sometimes) rainy Dorset as they are not slippery when wet. Clay also offers a more comfortable surface for ageing joints!

Sherborne Tennis Club is a registered charity and the club welcomes players of all ages and abilities. With many tennis programmes during the daytime and evening, both social and competitive events, the club offers something for everyone. From 5- to 8-year-old mini-reds to veterans and over 70s, the club is a vibrant hub for tennis. The club has resident LTA-accredited coaches available for private lessons as well as regular group coaching squads. There are afterschool programmes for children on most days as well as opportunities to join mens, ladies or mixed teams to play matches throughout Dorset and Somerset.

The club has recently added two pickleball courts that are available to members and non-members. Pickleball is extremely popular in the US and quickly gaining momentum in the UK. It is a really fun sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. Played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis

net. Two or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, over a net. It is a great sport for all ages, easy to learn at any time in life, including your latter years, and it’s actually easy to become good relatively quickly. Pickleball is very popular with both non-tennis players and tennis players alike. Kim Clijsters and Tom Brady bought a pickleball team in 2022. YouTube has videos if you are curious and want to see the game in action! This is an expanding area at the club with coaching and group play opportunities.

Sherborne Tennis Club recently had a number of members take part in the LTA’s ‘Road to Wimbledon’ tennis competition. The aim is to win a series of matches with the finalists getting the opportunity to play on the Wimbledon courts. I’m delighted to say that my Ladies Doubles partner Geri Stanley and I progressed to the area final and won! This means that we have made it through to the finals which will be played on the hallowed courts of the All England Club at Wimbledon which will be scheduled sometime this month. Quite the opportunity!

For more information about Sherborne Tennis Club, whether it’s to join or sample the facilities, please visit their website sherbornetennis.com or call 07403 025881.

Image: Jane Tearle

Louisa Freisenbruch

HOLIDAY WORKOUTS

Craig Hardaker BSc (Hons), Communifit

August has arrived and we have well and truly hit the summer holidays! This in turn can result in a difficult period in which to follow your normal structured exercise routines. During previous summers, many of our clients have asked what they can do to maintain their fitness whilst away on holiday. The truth is we should enjoy our holiday, relax as much as we are able and just ‘tick over’ our exercise routines the best we can. Therefore in this month’s article we will explore some simple yet effective exercise plans for all ages and abilities to help you maintain your fitness and strength whilst away on holiday. They are designed to be quick to complete, giving you more time to relax whilst helping you maintain fitness levels. These exercises should help to ensure your first fitness class isn’t too challenging on your return from holiday!

Before exercising, it is really important to warm up and stretch. I’m fairly confident you know what to do in this regard so let’s go straight to the exercise plans. Choose a plan most suitable for you.

CHAIR-BASED WORKOUT

For this routine remain seated throughout.

Leg extensions 1 minute. Sit tall with knees tight together, slowly straighten and bend the same leg for 5 repetitions, then swap legs and repeat.

Chest extensions 1 minute. Place both hands on your chest, extend one arm away from you to the side and then return to your chest. Swap arms and repeat.

Knee raises 1 minute. Slowly bring one knee up to your chest whilst maintaining a 90-degree angle and then return to the floor for 5 repetitions. Swap legs and repeat.

Lateral raises 1 minute. With both arms down both sides of the chair and palms facing away from you – slowly lift both arms together to a maximum shoulder height. Slowly lower back to the starting position and repeat.

Gajus/Shutterstock

This 4-minute workout could be repeated twice for an 8-minute workout.

CHILDREN’S WORKOUT

For this routine you need lots of energy and be able to stand throughout. This workout can be completed in a small space.

Star jumps Standing tall with legs together, jump out with both legs and arms in the air, jump back and repeat. Can you complete 50-star jumps? Don’t worry if not, just do as many as you can without feeling too uncomfortable.

High knee punches Jog on the spot with your knees up high whilst punching with both arms. Are you able to do this for 1 minute? Again, be sensible – stop if it becomes too difficult.

Side-steps Side-step to your right x3 then back to your left x3. Look to perform a quick change of direction after the third repetition. Are you able to do this for 2 minutes? If not, don’t worry, whatever you do will be great!

Bunny hops Keeping your feet close together jump up and down as high as you can. Can you complete 20 bunny hops in a row? If not, no problem, do as many as you feel comfortable with.

This approximate 4-minute workout could be repeated twice for an 8-minute workout, helping your children to burn some energy whilst on holiday!

RIGOROUS GENERAL WORKOUT

For this routine you will need to get up and down from

the floor and have lots of energy!

Walk/run 5-10 minutes. Go for a short yet fast walk/ run ready to start the exercises below.

Squat 1 minute. With your feet placed shoulders width apart, bend your knees and drop slowly towards the floor as if sitting – then push back up again. Keep your back straight and look forward

Press ups Either against the wall or on the floor, bend your elbows so the body lowers – go as far as you can and then push back up. Are you able to complete 2x10 repetitions?

Burpees 1 minute. No holiday is complete without burpees! Jump down, frog-like to the floor and kick your legs back into a raised press-up position. Jump forward again and push back up to the standing position, jumping and reaching as high as you can. How many times can you do this in 1 minute?

Plank 1 minute. Lying on the floor face down, raised up onto your forearms and toes, with elbows on the ground Keep your back straight and hold this static position for up to 1 minute.

Repeat the four exercises for a 13-18 minute workout. Short, simple yet incredibly effective. Never push yourself too hard and always make sure you work safely within your own limitations. If you are new to exercise or unsure what to do, it is best to just relax and make contact with a personal trainer on your return. Have a wonderful summer holiday.

communifit.co.uk

URGENT REQUEST

Donations of food items have been falling for some time. This is understandable given the cost-of-living pressures everybody is under but we are now struggling to cope with the surge in demand and require more items than ever.

If you’re in a position to help, PLEASE consider adding any of the following items to your trolley when shopping:

• Soup • Baked Beans • Pasta Sauces • Tinned Tomatoes

• Tinned Vegetables • Instant Mash • Rice Pudding

• Tinned Fruit • Porridge • Sweet Biscuits

• Savoury Biscuits • Boil-in-the-bag Rice

Donation points can be found near the check-outs at

Thank you.

www.sherbornefoodbank.org

07854 163869 | help@sherbornefoodbank.org

SHOULD YOU EQUITY RELEASE?

Sean McCabe, Chartered Financial Planner, Mogers Drewett

As the cost of living crisis continues and shows no sign of easing this year, we have seen a rise in the popularity of equity release as an option to provide financial relief.

The equity you hold in your property is the difference between the property value and the amount of debt you have secured against the property. An equity release plan will allow you to access some of this equity.

An equity release provider will provide you with either a lump sum or an income in exchange for part of the value of your home. This is achieved either using a type of mortgage or by selling that portion of your home on the condition that you can continue to live there as long as you wish.

The minimum age for applying for an equity release plan is 55 and the debt only needs to be repaid from the sale of the property either on death of the last applicant or the last applicant entering a care home.

You can use the funds released from an equity

release arrangement for a variety of different reasons which could include:

• Topping up your income

• Helping children and grandchildren

• Renovating or refurbishing your property

• Buying a second property

• Paying for holidays

• Adapting the home

• Paying for private treatment

• Funding hobbies and interests

Make sure you speak to an independent financial adviser or mortgage broker specialising in equity release to receive unbiased advice on whether it really is the best option for you and to ensure you are protected from pitfalls like negative equity.

mogersdrewett.com

HOLIDAY PLANS

Mark Salter, Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, Fort Financial Planning

Holidays are important for many reasons. They can help improve our physical and mental health, strengthen bonds with family and friends, and help us catch up on sleep. Holidays can also help us consolidate and process memories and make happy ones. They give people the opportunity to celebrate something important. In addition, taking a break from work can help decrease burnout. It can also be good for business as it allows employees to recharge and come back to work refreshed and more productive.

Although holidays are a time for relaxation and enjoyment, they can also be expensive and stressful if you do not have the finances to pay for them and can force some families into debt.

Here are some reasons why it is important to financially plan for holidays:

1 Avoid debt: Financial planning can help you avoid going into debt during the holiday season. By setting a budget and sticking to it, you can ensure that you don’t overspend on gifts or other holiday expenses.

2 Save money: Financial planning can also help you save money during the holiday season. By shopping early and taking advantage of sales and discounts, you can get the best deals on bookings and holiday items.

3 Reduce stress: Financial planning can help reduce stress during the holiday season. By having a plan in place, you can avoid last-minute shopping trips and other stressful situations.

4 Enjoy the holidays: Financial planning can help you enjoy the holidays without worrying about money. By having a budget in place, you can relax and enjoy time with family and friends without worrying about how much you’re spending.

5 Achieve your financial goals: Financial planning can also help you achieve your financial goals. By saving money during the holiday season, you can put that money towards other financial goals such as paying off debt or saving for retirement.

Everyone should take advantage of holidays at least once a year and with a good financial plan in place, there is no reason not to enjoy time away from normal routines and try out new things on your own terms.

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.

In our increasingly connected world, remote connection software has become an integral part of both our personal and professional lives. It enables users to access their devices and networks remotely, granting flexibility and convenience. However, like any technological tool, remote connection software can be exploited, leading to severe consequences for individuals and organisations alike.

Remote connection software, such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and remote desktop protocols (RDPs), offer numerous benefits. They allow users to access their devices or networks from anywhere, making it easier to work remotely or troubleshoot technical issues remotely. Businesses often use remote connection software to provide support or manage remote servers efficiently. They also allow people to work remotely from home.

Unfortunately, the same convenience that makes remote connection software valuable also exposes users to potential cyber threats. Hackers have been known to exploit vulnerabilities in these connections to gain unauthorised access to sensitive information, such as personal data, financial details or corporate secrets. There have been numerous cases where individuals and organisations fell victim to cyber-attacks due to compromised remote connections.

One of the primary attack vectors used by hackers targeting remote connection software is credential theft. They employ various techniques like phishing emails, social engineering or keyloggers (recording keys struck on a keyboard) to obtain login credentials. Once they have access, they can infiltrate your system, install malware or extract sensitive information.

Sadly, the other way hackers gain access to our

James Flynn, Milborne Port Computers

systems is by the user allowing them access remotely. The hackers will either telephone the user or a website will instruct them to telephone a number. They will say they are from ‘Microsoft’ or another well-known company, even BT. The hacker will then instruct the user to download a legal remote connection program so they can ‘help’ the user with a problem they don’t have. Once they have access to the computer, they will then do several different things depending on how much time they have on your PC.

One of the most common issues we see when a hacker has convinced you to download a ‘legal’ remote programme is to change or add a password to the computer upon first turning it on and change the password hint to their telephone number so you must call them and pay to unlock/change the password. Other ways include leaving a hidden remote connection on the PC so they can monitor your movements whilst you’re using it, copy or delete documents from the PC or claim they have ‘cleaned’ the PC and ask for payment. They may also try and find passwords and logins for emails and websites.

Obviously, these are all scams to either get your credentials or to get you to pay money. In the first instant never engage with them over the phone or call a number that flashes up on the screen. If you do let them on your PC and then realise it’s a scam turn off your router/hub as this will disconnect them. Then get your PC cleaned and checked by a professional. However, it’s worth noting that if you have engaged with them over the phone, expect more telephone calls as they will keep on trying under different company names.

computing-mp.co.uk

REUNITED

Julia Skelhorn, Sherborne Scribblers

An advertisement in The Southport Visitor read: ‘McVities biscuit tin mislaid on the 13:45 Manchester Victoria – Southport train, Saturday 6th April. If whereabouts known, please contact Arthur Mumford – PO Box 26412.’

Jonathan Fordham stood on the balcony of his manicured minimalist apartment in Salford Quays. As he looked out at the falling rain, he imagined what the Quays would have looked like in the so-called slum clearances of the 1960s and 70s. The now super-smart area would have been filled with the noise of clanking cranes, the air thick with pollution, where children risked broken bones and mild concussion from playing in derelict houses. Now the area was full of mostly single professionals who had no time for anything as unproductive as passing conversation. The thirty-somethings took one look at Jonathan’s silver hair and neatly knotted tie and fled back to their phones. No matter how forthright they tried to be in their day jobs, they couldn’t countenance the idea of talking to older people in their precious spare time. Recently retired, Jonathan Fordham had taken a six-month tenancy on the apartment to enable him to host the weekly programme Lost and Found on BBC Radio Manchester.

A short bus ride away in his room at The Hawthorns residential home, Arthur Mumford folded his Wizard of Oz pyjamas, pushed them under the pillow and threw the duvet over; the duvet which annoyed him intensely during the night as it kept falling to the floor with spiteful deliberation. Picking up his notebook from the bedside table, he peered out of the window. The sight of falling rain pleased him immensely. It would clean the pavements and keep the day dark enough for some thinking. Who knew what it held? Each day contained many pockets. Would his memory be in the present or in the past? He never knew. Pushing the bread roll he’d sneaked into a paper napkin at breakfast into his raincoat pocket, he added his pipe and tobacco. Into the other pocket, he crammed his notebook, pen and spectacles. If he made a speedy exit from The Hawthorns, with luck he’d catch the next bus to Salford Quays and make for The Lowry.

In her Knutsford townhouse, Jenny Longbright finished applying Stay-in-Place Ivory Nude Foundation and closed the 1950s make-up box she had inherited from her mother. She glanced at her neatly made bed, feeling a pang of regret for the man who had filled its other side. Her independence had quickly re-asserted itself but right now she felt it would be good to depend on someone again. As she drove along the M56, her thoughts focused on the new presenter she would be working with on Lost and Found at BBC Radio in Media City.

Arthur Mumford ambled across the piazza to The Lowry Theatre, stopping at the entrance as he always did, to read the exhibition poster. As he entered the foyer, he was greeted with a cheery ‘Good morning.’ A smartly dressed young woman holding a clipboard approached him. ‘Have you heard about the new Radio Manchester programme Lost and Found?’ she said. Arthur, who normally bypassed people with clipboards, surprised himself by answering, ‘No, I haven’t I’m afraid. I only listen to Radio 4. But it’s funny you should mention it; I’ve just put an advertisement in The Southport Visitor about something I lost on a recent train journey.’ The young woman extended her hand and gently moved Arthur to one side. ‘My name’s Jenny Longbright. Have you time to take a seat and tell me more?’

In the coffee bar, Arthur found himself explaining how, on the previous Saturday afternoon, he had left the Manchester to Southport train at Parbold and as soon as he had stepped out of the station, had realised that his precious McVities biscuit tin had travelled on without him. He had told no one at The Hawthorns; he was already on their list as having first-stage dementia which he regarded as utter rubbish. So it was good to talk.

‘I think we may be able to help you,’ Jenny told him. ‘We can speak with Mighty Radio Southport and ask them to put a message on air about your lost tin.’

‘Oh, if you could, I’d be ever so grateful,’ Arthur replied looking anxious. ‘It’s most important that I find it.’

Two weeks later Jonathan Fordham presented Lost and Found from a BBC studio in Media City. ‘Good afternoon to all our Lost and Found listeners. Today, we have a story to tell which I know you will find nothing short of amazing.’ He smiled at Jenny who squeezed the hand of a nervous-looking Arthur and continued, ‘On 6th April, Winston Duke Hunter travelled alone without a ticket on the 14.45 train from Parbold to Southport. The McVities biscuit tin in which he was travelling slid precariously towards the edge of the seat as the train shuddered to a halt at its destination. Just as it toppled towards the carriage floor it was gathered up by a safe pair of hands. Now the owner of the safe pair of hands cannot be with us today but I’m sure you would like to hear from Arthur Mumford, the owner of the mysterious biscuit tin.’ Jenny adjusted Arthur’s headphones, raised her eyebrows and nodded at him.

‘Arthur, you caught the 13:45 train from Manchester to Southport recently and when you left the train at Parbold, you realised, after the train had left the station, that you’d left something behind. That something has been returned to you this week. What exactly was that something and how did this happen?’

‘Well,’ Arthur began, ‘when the Salford slum clearance of the 70s was carried out, I was a young site manager. Our night watchman, Bill Sidebotham, had a German Shepherd as security; his name was Winston Duke Hunter – Winston for short.’

‘A Kennel Club name, I imagine,’ Jonathan offered.

‘I suspect so,’ Arthur continued. ‘A very intelligent dog. Then I arrived on site one morning and Winston was dead. Bill was absolutely devastated. Thought the poor dog had been poisoned. I undertook to have Winston cremated and his ashes returned to Bill who died last year. He’d hung onto the ashes for all those years. I promised him when he was ill that I would scatter them on Parbold Hill.’

‘How did you come to leave the McVitie’s tin on the train?’ Jonathan asked.

‘I’d had a nod and when I came to, decided to undo my little rucksack and look at the map. It’s years since I’ve walked on Parbold Hill. The tin must have slipped out and then the tannoy announced that we were at Parbold. With a map in one hand and bag in the other, I left the train.’

‘But all’s well that ends well,’ Jonathan said, ‘because a kind person rescued Winston and reunited him with you. You must be overjoyed Arthur.’

‘I am, and a huge thank you to a young lady called Lucy. Don’t let anyone tell you that all the young of today are bad! Next week Lucy and I will walk Parbold Hill and say farewell to Winston.’

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ACROSS

1. Bone of the forearm (4)

3. A desert in south-western Africa (8)

9. Young children (7)

10. Funny person (5)

11. Attempt to do (3)

12. Move to music (5)

13. Lentil or chickpea (5)

15. Not concealed (5)

17. Frostily (5)

18. Gone by (of time) (3)

19. Courage; boldness (5)

20. Eg Iceland and Borneo (7)

21. Moderating; capping (8)

22. Participate in a game (4)

DOWN

1. Unplanned (13)

2. Attractively stylish (5)

4. Descend down a rock face (6)

5. Not on purpose; inadvertently (12)

6. Yearbook (7)

7. Recoils unduly (anag) (13)

8. Joblessness (12)

14. Witty saying (7)

16. Banner or flag (6)

18. Cancel (5)

LITERARY REVIEW

Richard Hopton, Sherborne Literary Society

A Lady’s Guide to Scandal by

(Harper Collins, £16.99)

Sophie Irwin

Sherborne Times reader offer price of £14.99 from Winstone’s Books

Bath, with its handsome squares and elegant crescents, the great watering hole of Georgian England, forms the backdrop to Sophie Irwin’s new novel, A Lady’s Guide to Scandal. Her first novel, A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting, was a successful modern iteration of the Regency romance genre forever associated with Georgette Heyer. It became an instant best-seller and has already appeared in nearly thirty countries.

This novel’s heroine, Eliza Somerset, is ‘an unusually young widow of great fortune’, having been left estates worth £10,000 per annum by her late husband, the Earl of Somerset – a fortune in 1819. His death left Eliza a wealthy woman but their marriage had been one of convenience, childless and loveless. Her late husband described her in his will as ‘obedient and dutiful’ and ‘incapable of causing a raised eyebrow’. Eliza spends the rest of the novel proving her late husband wrong on both counts.

The novel opens with the reading of Eliza’s late husband’s will which reveals her unexpected inheritance. At the same time, we are introduced to the earl’s nephew and heir, Oliver, with whom, it soon transpires, Eliza had a romantic if chaste entanglement before her marriage to his uncle a decade earlier. Eliza’s vast inheritance, however, comes with a condition: that she brings no dishonour upon the Somerset name. The sole judge of this condition is to be the new earl, Oliver, Eliza’s nephew-by-marriage and erstwhile heartthrob.

The reading of the will complete, the newly enriched Eliza decamps from her late husband’s gloomy country pile to Bath to see out the remaining weeks of her period of mourning in the company of Margaret, her cousin and childhood friend. En route to Bath, the women’s carriage collides with a post chaise driven, it turns out, by the Earl of Melville.

Once established in Bath, Eliza’s affections are torn between her longing for her first love, Oliver, and her increasing attraction to the charismatic, unconventional Melville modelled, nonetoo-subtly, on Lord Byron. With these foundations in place, the plot twists and turns as Eliza tries to take control of her own destiny while navigating a passage between and around the competing attentions and attractions of the two earls.

The novel may in spirit be an old-fashioned Regency romance but Irwin adds some contemporary themes to the mix. The Earl of Melville is, it transpires, of mixedrace, Anglo-Indian descent, a nod, perhaps, to the success of Bridgerton while one of the novel’s subsidiary plot lines concerns a lesbian relationship which put this reviewer in mind of Gentleman Jack.

Irwin’s use of language is clever. By the occasional use of words like ‘se’nnight’, ‘quidnuncs’, and ‘nuncheon’ and an old-fashioned, slightly formal phrasing, she creates a Regency tone without distracting the modern reader. Likewise, her command of period detail, the minutiae of dress, food and social etiquette is convincing. Similarly, an important element of the story concerns portrait painting, the essentials of which are elegantly rendered. The result is a thoroughly engaging, enjoyable novel which would be a splendid companion on the beach or poolside this summer.

sherborneliterarysociety.com

Monday 4th September 6.30pm for 7pm start

Sophie Irwin Talk and Signing

The Butterfly Room, Castle Gardens, DT9 5NR

Sophie will be discussing her latest novel A Lady’s Guide to Scandal with fellow romance author, Lulu Taylor. Tickets £2 (redeemable against the book) from shop.winstonebooks.co.uk or in store.

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

John Crossman, St Paul’s Church

Being retired I had time to listen to the whole parliamentary debate recommending sanctions for Mr Boris Johnson. I’m sad I know, but it was fascinating. A majority of speakers, from all sides, accepted the findings and understood their implications. They recognised the imperative to restore public trust in Parliament. Our public life thrives and delivers best when people with good intentions, act with others in good faith, overcome their differences and work for the common good.

I have spent 30 years working with charities. What impresses me, especially with small charities, is the ruthless focus on identifying and meeting need. Irrespective of politics, or indeed religious faith, charities just get on with making life better. And my goodness there’s plenty of scope for that at the moment!

As husband of the Mayor of Sherborne I was privileged to meet some of the amazing organisations supported by the Sherborne County Fair and also to enjoy networking with the youth, climate and other charities invited to the Mayor-making.

It was in 1601 that Elizabeth I signed the first Charity Act. ‘Charity’ comes from ‘caritas’, used by the Romans for ‘love of fellow humans’. Our Christian heritage has deepened that understanding, so that ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ becomes the selfsacrificial love that actually puts others first. It can inspire us, whether we have a faith or not. The sense is that everyone matters and unless we all benefit we all suffer.

I recall a cartoon ‘Love your neighbour - even if he plays the trombone!’ Loving those we like is easy. But Jesus required that we love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. Really? Can I really love the person playing loud music at 2am or those with whom I disagree violently or my work colleague who has let me down?

My wife once said about a friend: ‘Since I started praying for them - it’s amazing how they have improved!’ That is as much a reflection of her changed attitude as of change in them. Should we, do we, question our attitudes? Can we imagine, with Mary T Lathrap, ‘Walking a mile in (another’s) shoes’?

The challenges facing us today require real change in our behaviour. Climate change, economic prosperity and the well-being of all can only be addressed by listening, working together and accepting that others legitimately see the world differently. No one risks their life crossing the Channel in an over-crowded inflatable if there are better choices at home. No one chooses to be homeless or hungry. Circumstances and the behaviours of others affect us all, and those with the least have the least choice and flexibility to change for themselves.

That’s why I celebrate the work of the Food Bank, Citizens Advice, Christians Against Poverty, Future Roots, The Rendezvous and many others. Today ‘everything is connected’. In the end, it is self-interest to look after the needs of others and create a world in which we can all thrive.