The Visitor Magazine Issue 361 December 2013

For unique

Christmas Free rs da ry Dai Calen olate Gifts nt Choc dve A rade egan t s Fair and V allow shm r a M

... natural bodycare products and festive food

Your local independent monthly journal  01963 351256 · www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Issue 361 December 2013

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In Passing ...

M

ORE and more people are doing their Christmas shopping on the internet, if the media hype is to be believed. The name of the game is e.commerce, and from the comfort of our own homes we are ordering our food from the supermarket, buying exotic gifts from all over the world, checking our bank statements and, if we’re still in credit, paying the bills. Roads clogged with shoppers’ cars will soon be a thing of the past. Instead they will be clogged with delivery vans.

Paradoxically, the name of the other fashionable commercial game is farmers’ markets. These days no self-respecting town of any size is without a regular market for local producers to sell direct to us and to answer our questions about quality, freshness and production processes.

Producers not just of all sorts of local foods but also of arts and crafts and implements and clothes and whatever else emanates from our local cottage industries. Cut unnecessary transport by producing and consuming locally, we’re told, just like our predecessors did before God gave us the railways.

Successive governments have, as you might expect, been batting for both sides.

They have poured money into schemes for regenerating market towns and villages, encouraged the re-use of redundant agricultural buildings for light industry, offered cash incentives to county councils to improve public transport in rural areas, and given hardship relief to rural businesses that are struggling to pay their business rates. At the same time they have vociferously promoted e.commerce for all it’s worth as the future of retailing that benefits consumers by cutting costs, saving time, increasing choice and giving 24-hour access.

Whenever possible they now pay pensions and welfare benefits direct into claimants’ bank accounts. Cheaper and quicker to administer with less opportunity for fraud, it seems like a good idea – except that there are few banks left in small towns

and villages. It’s also a stab in the back for rural post offices which lose a substantial proportion of their business when people no longer call in to collect their pensions or cash their giros. And if post offices go the way of so many banks, shops, village schools and pubs, there will be precious little left in the countryside to describe as communities. Just thousands of people isolated in front of their computers, remembering nostalgically the good old days of farmers’ markets.

I know it seems old-fashioned, but as Christmas approaches I will scour our local farmers’ markets for festive fare and search the shops of Visitorland for unusual and appropriate gifts that give good value. I’m confident that, as in previous years, I’ll be pleasantly surprised by the choice, the quality and the prices, and that I will enjoy the human contact and personal service that these retailers provide.

NN.

Advertising Deadlines Christmas /January Edition published Thursday 19th December Deadline Monday 9th December Wells Frome • Shepton Mallet Glastonbury Bruton Street Castle Mere Cary Somerton Wincanton Gillingham langport ilchester Shaftesbury Martock Marnhull Sherborne Stalbridge • ilminster Stur. Newton Yeovil Crewkerne

Note to Advertisers Advertisements are accepted subject to our standard terms and conditions as printed on our rate card, available upon request. We cannot guarantee any specific page or position, but will always do our best to comply with clients’ wishes.

ArtWorK Artwork & design by our production department and photographs taken by our photographers are the copyright of The Visitor Ltd. Clients or agencies supplying artwork or images should send uncompressed TIFs, JPEGs or PDFs, 300 dpi minimum if actual size, or at a higher resolution if smaller than size required, along with a hard copy print-out.

For advertisement sizes see our Rate Card.

The views expressed in articles & letters contributed to this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Ltd.

PO Box 1, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7BG Tel: (01963) 351256, 351998 Fax: (01963) 350552 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk facebook.com/thevisitormagazine twitter.com/thevisitormag Proprietor, Accounts & Subscriptions Helen Dunion Production Manager Jeff Farrow Advertisement Manager & Features Editor Michelle Trulock Printed by The Blackmore Press © The Visitor Ltd. 2013

(Items marked ©gt are the copyright of geoff thompson)

CONTENTS Our FRONT COVER is almost entirely due to novelty gifts ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED - 64 ANTIQUES & COLLECTING - 13 ARTS - 4 BRUTON LATE NIGHT - 9 BUSINESS - 9 CASTLE CARY’S BIG CHRISTMAS - 34 CHRISTMAS GIFTS - 24 CREWKERNE - 16 CROSSWORD - 66 CYCLE BABBLE - 12 FESTIVE FOOD & DRINK - 22 FESTIVE VENUES & MENUS - 19 GARDENING - 59 HOUSE & HOME - 40 LANGPORT - 44 LEISURE & TRAVEL - 12 LETTERS - 5 LOOKING GOOD & FEELING FINE - 14 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES - 6 MUSIC for the MONTH - 13 PAPERCHASE - 63 PHONE-A-FIRM - 64 PUBS - 47 SHERBORNE - 36 SOMERTON - 30 THEY SAY - 50 VILLAGE POST OFFICES & STORES - 29 WE HEAR - 6 WINCANTON - 51 Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR December 2013 3

ARTS Mark White Furniture & Cabinet Maker

The Somerset Guild of Craftsmen celebrated its 80th birthday over the 26th & 27th October at the Courthouse Gallery in Somerton.

To mark this milestone the Guild held a weekend of events which included inviting its members to enter a piece of their craft into a competition ‘The Best of the Best’. A total of eighteen craftsmen of various disciplines entered, visitors to the gallery were asked to vote for their favourite piece and the top five went on to the final. The Guild was proud to have Joanna Foster CBE chair of the Crafts Council and President of the Oxfordshire Craft Guild to officiate and choose the winner.

A side table made in Ash and Walnut by Glastonbury based furniture and cabinet maker Mark White was Joanna’s choice, a second award was given to Will Shakspear a glass artist based in Langport, both received cash prizes.

Mark said ‘I can’t believe I have won, everyone’s work is of such

A local Diary high quality, to be the choice of Joanna Foster of the Crafts Council really is a great achievement for me, I read she is passionate about textiles and ceramics so I didn’t think my table was in with a chance’.

This is the second competition Mark has won at the Guild, in June of last year he won the first ‘Furniture Award’ given by the Guild in conjunction with Somerset Art Weeks with a Walnut and Ebony writing box.

He said ‘I am a new member of the Somerset Guild, since joining last year and winning the first competition people have shown a lot of interest in my work and I am getting new commissions, I would recommend joining a guild to all craftsmen’.

The birthday celebrations were also attended by David Heath MP and Lady Elizabeth Gass Guild president.

The Somerset Guild is one of the oldest Craft Guilds in the country and has been promoting excellence in design and craftsmanship for 80 years. All of its makers are skilled,

dedicated craftsmen who have undergone a stringent selection process before becoming accepted as exhibiting Members. The

Courthouse Gallery in Somerton, Somerset is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and on Sundays from 11am to 4pm.

This Ash and Walnut side table was made by Glastonbury-based furniture and cabinet maker Mark White who won ‘The Best of the Best’ competition run by the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen to celebrate their 80th anniversary.

MARK WHITE Furniture & Cabinet Maker ● Furniture and cabinet making ● Kitchens and kitchen fitting

Craft Member

● Bespoke joinery

Tel: 01458 834151 Mob: 07890 235660 www.markwhitefurniturecabinetmaker.com 4 THE VISITOR December 2013

Letters To the Editor Charity Appeal

Sir, As you know every year at Christmas Red Berry Recruitment choose a charity to help raise awareness and donations to support their cause.

This year we have chosen the Lords Larder in Yeovil. It’s a charity that supports and work alongside more than 60 statutory agencies who work with those in poverty, hardship or despair. For 22 years they have supplied food parcels to the needy in and around the Yeovil area covering Crewkerne, Wincanton, Langport, Henstridge and Somerton.

Christmas is a time for giving and being thankful for what we have, so please, can you see it in your hearts and help us collect food items listed below in order that some families and individuals will have food at Christmas: Christmas Puddings; Mince Pies; Chocolate Fingers; Coffee; Drinking Chocolate; Tins of Fruit / Cream; Tins of Ham/Spam; Tins of Salmon/Tuna; Trifle Mix;

Peanuts/nuts; Cheese & Biscuits; Jam/Honey; Fruit Juice; Sweets / Chocolate; Christmas Party Crackers.

You can drop off the items to Red Berry Recruitment, 16c Hendford, Yeovil, BA20 1TE or post supermarket vouchers if this is easier. We will be delivering the items on Friday 6th December 2013 at 10am so please can all donations be in before then.

I am aware people get asked a lot nowadays to help charities but if everyone gave just one tin of something then it would make a difference.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Helen Lacey Managing Director Red Berry Recruitment Shepton Mallet & Yeovil

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PRInT: Thursday 19th December DEADLInE: Monday 9th December

Tel: 01963 351256

info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

THE VISITOR December 2013 5

We Hear

Mentioned in

That County Councillor J. Bailey of norton Sub Hamdon - likes to check that he is featured, prior to purchasing his Western Gazette.

That Fred Payne of Wincanton recently found the views from the Severn Bridge very costly.

That there is a difference between Elm Lea and Emla Cream anaesthetically speaking!

That vegetarian sausages taste just like meat, according to Pat Carp of Wincanton.

That in Yeovil, handkerchiefs and saucepans will not be appearing on the 2013 Christmas list of Mr Malcolm and Mrs Pauline ‘Teasy Weasy’.

That Alleycuts Hair Salon of Wincanton would like to thank all their clients for supporting their recent Cancer Research Draw.

That in Marston Magna, the dogs at the local pub did not enjoy the firework celebrations on 9th november.

That Wincanton’s John Carp is hoping santa will bring him a new jumper as he recently used one to extinguish the flames from his exploding shredder.

That congratulations go to Gillingham’s Winning Smiles, winners of Best Patient Care in Private Dentistry 2013 - a top national award.

That Brian Padfield formerly of Mere and now our Cornish correspondent is reminded that as a young man he was found asleep in Jane’s bed - Jane, the hosts springer spaniel was not happy about it!

That due to his latest acquisition Peter Quillon of Bruton is now known to his friends as Easy Rider.

That when visiting Holton Mark Shatomski of Wincanton is particularly fond of “Bombay” curry.

That the question being asked in Bruton is ‘just why is the bin still not in use on the bridge?’ It was closed earlier in the year after the wrong type of rubbish was put in it!!

Dispatches Chocolate Winner

A big thank-you to everyone who entered the Competition in our October issue for the chance to win a box of chocolates. The winner of the prize donated by James Chocolates of Evercreech was Pat Woolley of Kilve, Somerset.

Ticket Winners

S.W. Homebuilding & Renovating Show tickets winners were: G. Munns of Baltonsborough; H. Butt of Haselbury Plucknett; L. Spencer of Castle Cary; J. Gates of Bourton and S. Chiplen of Wincanton.

Competition Winners

The winners of the Competition on page 16 of last month’s Visitor were: Maureen Bingham of Beer Hackett (£25 Cary Tiles); Miss J. Trigg of Yeovil (£15 Margaret Balfour Beauty Clinic); Angie norman of South Barrow (£10 Clock Repairs). The answers to the competition: 1. Mary Knight; 2. Helen Lacey; 3. Steve Marsh.

Gillingham’s Annual Christmas Parade & Festive Lights Switch-On

Gillingham’s Annual Christmas Parade & Festive Lights SwitchOn Ceremony takes place on Friday 29th november. The Anonymous Travelling Market will be on the Town Meadow from 3.00pm, with fairground rides suitable for young children in the High Street Car Park from 5.30pm. A good selection of hot and cold festive refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon and evening.

The parade will start from the Town Hall at 6.30pm. Once the parade has assembled at the High Street car park the Mayor, with the help of the winners of the Christmas Hat Competition, will

turn on the Festive Lights at 7pm.

This will be followed by community carol singing, led by Gillingham Arts Workshop and Gillingham Imperial Silver Band.

Children can visit Father Christmas on his magical float.

Win Vouchers in Shaftesbury

Shop in Shaftesbury until 2nd December and receive a FREE raffle ticket with every purchase made, with a chance to win £1000 worth of vouchers at the following participating retailers.

Allum and Sidaway, natures Treasures, Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie, The Toybox, Saxons, Hallmark, Meg Morton, Hidden Depths, Turnballs, Squires, Salt Cellar, Hine and Parsons, Hammon Cycles, Simali Stone Floors, Sloanes Hair Salon, The Coppleridge Inn, Shaftesbury Wines, Harrold Opticians, Teddy Bear Corner, Travis Perkins, J.C.Carpets, Poltons Dorset, Five Square Motors, Shaftesbury Garden Machinery, nutmeg.

1st Prize £1000 worth of vouchers plus 2nd, 3rd and 4th prizes. Prizes to be drawn outside Shaftesbury Town Hall at the Late night Shopping Christmas Spectacular on 2nd December at 8pm.

Shaftesbury is famous for its ‘Hovis’ advert and the ‘Hovis boy’ has recently been located.

In was in 1973 that Ridley Scott filmed a young lad pushing his baker’s bike up Gold Hill while a brass band played Dvorák’s new World Sympathy.

The advert for Hovis bread went on to be voted Britain’s favourite advert of all time.

Sir Ridley Scott is now famous for directing films such as Alien, Gladiator and Blade Runner and Shaftesbury’s Gold Hill is iconic, being used all over the globe to promote rural England.

After some detective work by Shaftesbury and District Chamber of Commerce ‘Hovis boy’ was located and turned out to be a burly fire-fighter based in Islington. Carl Barlow has been persuaded to return to Shaftesbury with his bike to

celebrate the 40th anniversary by turning on the town’s Christmas tree lights during the Christmas Spectacular and late night shopping event on December 2nd.

The chamber’s chair Clive Carter was delighted to be able to stage such an iconic reunion, ‘I am really looking forward to this event’ he said, ‘Lots of people have worked very hard to make this year’s Christmas extra special. This is another great example of what can be done when we all pull together. Last year was a bit of a damp squib so we have really pulled out all the stops this time. It’s going to be a real party atmosphere kicking off the Christmas season.’

The ‘Christmas Spectacular’ will feature music from the town band who will no doubt be persuaded to add a bit of Dvorák to their repertoire. There will also be a festive market and craft stalls plus music from the town’s community choir and ukulele orchestra. A lantern procession and fire engine will guide Father Christmas to the town hall where the lights will be turned on by Carl at around 6.30pm.

Shops and cafes will stay open until late with many spilling out onto the street in festive fancy dress. As previously mentioned The draw will be made at 8pm with lucky shoppers winning shopping vouchers to spend in Shaftesbury’s many independent shops. One shopper will win the top prize worth £1000.

Wyke Farms

Wyke Farms, UK's largest national independent cheese maker, has been filming with BBC Countryfile recently.

That it was nice to see students from Chile, on exchange with Chilton Cantelo School, joining in the fun and mingling with the locals in Marston Magna at the firework display.

That model employee Tracey Jane Reeves of needful Things Castle Cary is now officially a fashion model.

6 THE VISITOR December 2013

Richard Clothier, Managing Director of Wyke Farms, Wyke Champflower is pictured with Countryfile presenter Adam Henson.

Mentioned in

Dispatches Countryfile presenter Adam Henson came to see Wyke Farms' new anaerobic digester plant and find out about its 100% Green Strategy. The programme will be shown on Sunday 8th December on BBC One. W y ke F a r m s ' s u s t a i n a b l e mission is to be one of the greenest brands in grocery through its 100% Green strategy.

As part of this, it has made nine Green promises which will change its business and benefit the countryside.

A Letter from Santa

Make Christmas magical for a young child with their very own letter from Santa. Call 0845 839 9304 or visit: nspcc.org.uk/santa for more details.

Somerset charity appeals for funds to help the Philippines

Somerset charity the Piers Simon Appeal is appealing for funds to help people in the disaster stricken Philippine islands

following the devastation caused

by Typhoon Haiyan.

People wishing to donate can do so online by visiting www.justgiving.com/pierssimon and typing ‘Philippines’ in the comment box, or by calling the charity on 01935 849160.

Free Parking!

Mendip District Council has agreed to suspend charges on all of its car parks from 2pm each day from Monday 9 December and will last for two weeks until Tuesday 24 December. The aim is to encourage shoppers to spend their money in the district’s many and varied businesses during the Christmas period. Free parking is also offered all day on new Year’s Day. However, shoppers should be aware that the time restrictions will still be enforced in areas where parking is only allowed for a specified time.

The Salvation Army

Experience the true meaning of Christmas with The Salvation Army’s concert of music and drama. Carols at The Octagon takes place in Yeovil on Sunday 15th December at 3pm and 6.30pm. Tickets £6 (children £2) from 01935 422884 with a Big Collection in aid of Macmillan Cancer Research UK.

More Free Parking over the Festive Period

Car drivers in Ilminster, Chard and Crewkerne will be happy to hear that they can park their car for free on three Saturdays in December.

Saturday 7th December is Small Business Saturday, a national campaign dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country. The idea is that shoppers spend their money with small local businesses as much as possible throughout the day. So use your local butchers, bakers, delis and greengrocers for all your food needs. Pick up some Christmas presents in one of the many gift, clothes, florists or antique shops that the 3 market towns have to offer. If you require something more practical then visit a local hardware store, newsagent or pet shop. Once you’ve finished shopping, relax with a coffee, meal or drink in one of the many independent cafes, pubs and restaurants in the area.

To support Small Business Saturday, South Somerset District Council’s Area West Committee has organised free parking on Saturday 7th, 14th and 21st December to encourage more shoppers to visit the towns

in the run up to Christmas and as a boost to traders.

30 additional car park spaces in Castle Cary

Additional free car parking has been provided in Castle Cary, as a result of a partnership between Castle Cary Town Council & South Somerset District Council.

The £65k extension is jointly funded by the two Councils and provides a much needed additional 30 spaces at Millbrook Gardens.

The preservation and enhancement of free car parking has been a long standing priority for local people. The Town Council already provides free (at point of use) car parking in the town through a reimbursement scheme with the District Council to which many local businesses voluntarily contribute.

Town Councillor, Liz Stokes said, ‘The Town Council prioritised the car park extension in direct response to concerns raised by local people.

We particularly appreciate the support of participating local businesses whose contributions help keep the town’s car parks free at point of use; this benefits local people, visitors as well as the businesses themselves.’

SpecialiSt SeRViceS

including

● Leather and Suede – cleaning & repairs also replacement zips ● Wax Garments – cleaning & rewaxing ● Wedding Dresses – cleaning & finishing also boxes available for long term storage ● Repairs & Alterations to most garments ● Large Agency Network – contact us to find your nearest agent

Direct sale only - not available through agencies Maximum discount available is 25%. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion or discount. All items must be prepaid under this offer.

PUFFIN CLEANERS 17 / 18 Bond Street, Yeovil • Tel: 01935 421238

17 / 18 Bond Street, Yeovil

Tel: 01935 421238 THE VISITOR December 2013 7

MOTOr ING VINTAGE Motor Cycling AS YOU READ these words of mine it will be either late november or early December and another year has passed us by.

Being a big kid I look forward to Christmas with the associated celebrations and the good will that prevails, or should prevail, at this time of year. It seems so recent that we were welcoming in 2013 and soon 2014 will make an appearance. It must be true that time passes so much quicker as one gets older. Still 2013 has been an excellent year in terms of my motorcycling, specially as the weather was kind to us, and 2014 might prove just as good. A concession to old age has been the fitment of heated handlebar grips to one of my bikes, just a bit of insurance you understand in case the winter is long and cold.

Club life continues unabated during December as always. The Somerset Section has a bring and buy at its club night on the 5th and on the 8th they have their Christmas Run and Lunch at Cossington. On the 27th they hold Ashley’s Run from Evercreech, which is just the job for blowing away the cobwebs of being stuck indoors over Christmas and the inevitable over eating that goes with it. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section has its Christmas Dinner for its club night on the 9th at East Stour. The Dorset Section has a social evening for its club night on the 11th followed on the 15th by the Christmas Run and Dinner at Leigh, in addition the usual lunch meet at West Stour will be on the 4th and the Breakfast Meet at the same place will be on the 28th.

I wrote recently of the joys of using a forecar, sidecar outfit or a tricycle. I recently discovered the accompanying photograph of a sidecar outfit, which is owned and

used regularly in local events, and thought it worthy of inclusion here.

The machine is a rare 1914 new Hudson fitted with a 770cc, JAP, V-twin engine and with a three speed gear fitted in the rear wheel.

The bike is fitted with a period sidecar the body of which is made from wickerwork. As with a wicker shopping basket they are far from waterproof and so a leather apron is attached to the front to save the passenger getting quite so wet. The outfit is owned by a lady enthusiast from Salisbury, it looks superb and draws much attention wherever it goes. It is used regularly but only on events suitable for machines of this era. More modern outfits can of course be used more frequently and provide fun for all the family.

Our travels have recently taken us to Stafford for the Classic Motor Cycle Show. The actual show is about the same size as our local Bristol Show held at the Bath and West Showground, but the accompanying autojumble is vast and probably four or five times greater. This show is orientated towards ‘Classic’ machines and is therefore mostly Japanese or Ducati or Harley Davidson. The standard of restoration was simply outstanding, much better than when they were brand new, but a joy to see. There were literally hundreds of machines for sale in

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the autojumble and something to suit all tastes and pockets. In addition there was special areas for road racing machines and trials and motocross, stunt riding demonstrations and arena trials.

The two day show was packed with spectators and there was plenty to see to occupy the two days we were there. I know it is a long way to travel but those who make the effort will have a rewarding couple of days. I recommend it.

Our dear Government has got the legislative pen out again, all in conjunction with their colleagues in Brussels. One topic up for review is that of Roadworthiness Testing. The EU is considering exempting ‘vehicles of historic interest’ from the testing regulations. Arguments continue as to what is a vehicle of historic interest and the latest definition likely to be used is a vehicle considered to be of historic interest by that member state. But it must be over 30 years old, is of a type no longer being produced and is in its original state and not been substantially changed in its main components such as engine, brakes, steering, suspension and body. This definition is so wide and its interpretation so vague that I can see possible abuse becoming prevalent. I can see that any vehicle with only minor modifications will not be accepted.

Further changes are likely to the MOT, one strange alteration is that if a competent MOT tester

does any repairs on a vehicle then that same person cannot carry out the MOT test and another tester must be used.

Alterations in legislation will also come about as a result of Local Vehicle Licensing Offices closing.

Post Offices will no longer be able to carry out some changes to vehicle documentation, this means that more such duties can only be done by the DVLA at Swansea.

More changes will be made by H.M. Customs & Excise for vehicles entering this country from within the EU. Any imported vehicle must be registered within 14 days. Failure to comply will mean hefty fines. If you fancy buying a classic vehicle from abroad you will need to do lots of homework beforehand otherwise it could cost you a lot more than you anticipated. nothing seems to stay the same for long and some call it progress, I personally have my doubts.

With more and more Christmas lights appearing and seasonal music coming to the fore it must be time to write to Santa with my wish list. Perhaps this year a Brough Superior or Gold Star or something similar. Things might be difficult for Santa as our temporary home only has a small stainless steel tube for a chimney and any Christmas tree over six inches high will be too big for our dwelling. But hey, it will soon be Christmas – best wishes everyone.

Rod Hann.

GLIDEROL GARAGE DOORS All garage doors are different, so as a roller door specialist, (I don’t replace windows, etc.) I can survey, quote and install to your requirements and make the most of your garage opening, as generally no frame is necessary. With the option of automated operation with remote control, a top quality garage door need only be a phone call away.

G.H. SALES. Tel: 01935 891414

Business & Professional robert Stone & Co, chartered accountants and tax advisers in Ilminster answers questions from small businesses in Somerset Q1. After purchasing a residential property to let, I spent a considerable amount on kitchen refurbishments and a new central-heating boiler, before letting it for the first time. Can I claim those costs against the rents for tax purposes? robert Stone replies:

It depends on whether the property was capable of being let before you carried out those refurbishments. If it was legally safe to let it - then the expenditure was probably 'repairs' and is allowable. If the property was in such a bad state that it could not be let to anyone, even on a tiny rent, the costs are likely to count as improvements and will not be allowable. We need to look at the detail of what work was done, and the context of your entire lettings business before we give you a final answer.

Q2. The Taxman has written to me saying I missed a small pension worth about £800 a year from my last tax return.

He hasn't noticed that I also missed it off the last four tax returns. What should I do?

There may not be more tax to pay if the pension provider has already deducted tax at your marginal tax rate. However, if there is higher rate tax to pay there will also be interest due at 3% and possibly a penalty. By confessing all without delay you can qualify for a reduced penalty, down to say 15% of the tax due.

We can help you with those penalty negotiations and may be able to get it suspended for up to two years.

Q3. I've just won a sports car! The snag is the prize is only available from the company's headquarters in Seattle, USA, although there is a cash alternative. Are there any tax implications of accepting the prize in the form of the car or as cash? robert Stone replies:

Most states in the USA impose a tax on competition prizes, but the awarding company may allow for that. There is no similar tax in the UK. If you take the car and ship it back to the UK there will be import duties and VAT to pay, so the cash alternative may be more tax efficient.

If you have an urgent query, do not hesitate to contact Robert Stone on 01460 55661 o r e m a i l your questions to: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

robert Stone replies:

Best advice is to come clean immediately and tell the Taxman about all the missing amounts of pension income for all tax years.

Max Foote associates Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors 26 Lower Woodcock Street Castle Cary Ba7 7BH tel: 01963 351052 Business and limited company accounts, self assessment tax returns, VAt, Payroll, Book-keeping and training Personal and professional service

Don’t leave it to luck !

Regular advertising brings results If you would like help in planning your advertising for 2014 telephone ...

on

01963 351256

Or Email info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

chRiStmaS / JanuaRY iSSue Published thursday 19th december Deadline Monday 9th december

Bruton’s Late Night Shopping Wednesday 11th December 6pm – 8pm Bruton’s Late night Christmas Shopping event takes place this year on Wednesday 11th december from 6pm until 8pm.

The High Street will be closed to traffic and here you will find stalls selling a variety of gifts and other items. The festivities get underway at 6pm with the turning on of the Christmas tree Lights at Church Bridge. Throughout the evening visitors will be entertained

by Wincanton Silver Band and the Church Choir.

At 6.15pm Father Christmas and his elves arrive, abseiling down At the Chapel. Father Christmas will then make his way to his grotto by sledge, pulled by reindeer. The Grotto opens

at 6.30pm for children to meet Father Christmas and to receive a present.

Those who are not afraid of the dark may like to join the Ghost Walk which starts at 6.45pm from Church Bridge. Children can join the treasure Hunt which starts from the Pharmacy at 7pm.

Throughout the evening from 6pm - 8pm children can have their Faces Painted at rachel’s Hairdressers.

Montague Inn Charity Dinner

The Montague inn, noted for its great food and value, continues to raise money for its chosen charities.

Sean & Suzy welcome you to the ...

Montague Inn Shepton Montague nr. Bruton Tel: 01749 813213

Christmas Party menu Some dates in December still available or why not come in January?

✴ OPen ✴ Christmas Day Lunchtime Boxing Day Lunchtime Boxing Day evening new year's eve evening new year's Day Lunchtime new year's eve ... filling fast!

4-course Dinner live entertainment Fireworks at Midnight Taxi home within 10 mile radius Only £70

simple supper nights - Tuesdays steak nights - Mondays THE VISITOR December 2013 9

Bruton’s Late Night Shopping

A pair of decorative 19c bronze pricket candlesticks (with pricket) £495. Just one of the many interesting items to be found at Quillon House Antiques.

Wednesday 11th December 6pm – 8pm During a charity dinner, over the Remembrance weekend, they raised over a thousand pounds for the Royal British Legion, with particular attention to the Tedworth House Recovery Centre, for soldiers from the South West with life changing injuries, which is run jointly by the RBL and Help For Heroes.

Other charities helped by The

Montague Inn at Shepton Montague include, St Margaret’s Hospice, British Limbless Ex Servicemans Association plus several small local initiatives.

Indeed Sean and Suzy have raised over around £20k for charities during their time at the Pub. Without the help of such stalwarts our charities would find today's economic climate much harder than it is?

An appearance by

“Woodland Elves”

Truffles restaurant & Bistro

Truffles has changed and changed for the better. This change was brought about by you,

ExquIsItE and unIquE – individually handmade from alpaca wool.

A beautiful Christmas gift!

we listened to all your advice, criticism and praise and acted on it. The traditional view of this iconic restaurant was one of exclusivity, expense and aloofness; not any more. Truffles is now the archetype of a modern French bistro restaurant serving our community’s needs. If you just want a quick morning coffee, brunch, set price lunch or an a la carte dinner all prepared and served by our highly skilled staff,

View Woodland Scene at ...

Thomas Gompy High Street • Bruton Anne Sidford

 01749 813432

See the display of hand-made elves, made from alpaca wool, in the window of Thomas Gompy.

Orders for the elves are now being taken for Christmas.

Quillon House Antiques

16 HigH StrEEt , BrUtOn  01749 812269 H 17th / 18th Century Oak and Country Furniture H Arms & Armoury H Equestrian Paintings H Valuations Undertaken H Antiques Purchased

Lalique ➤ Frosted Vase with a bird decoration.

Signed on base.

£495

Open: tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm

TRUFFLES Restaurant & Bistro

95 High Street, Bruton, BA10 0AR Christmas Party Menu – family parties & last minute work parties Christmas Day Luncheon – 5 courses with coffee £50 per person, £25 under 12s, Babes in Arms F.O.C. • Details on website New Year’s Eve Celebrations – full details on website French Buffet Lunch every Sunday for you to try old and new favourites alike!

“A beautiful Christmas and a fabulous 2014 from our family and staff”

FOR RESERVATIONS TEL: 01749 812180 www.trufflesbistro.co.uk

10 THE VISITOR December 2013

Look your best this festive season - Rachel and her friendly team look forward to welcoming you to their recently refurbished salon.

PARTY PACKAGE

half head Foil highlights from

£35

including blow dry

We are pleased to welcome Beautician Helen ... offering a full range of holistic and beauty treatments including luxury Elemis facials and Lava Shell Rescue massage

Special Promotion

Moroccan Oil 200ml ... only £35 Moroccan Oil and Tigi gift packs available

7 High Street, Bruton  01749 813210

just pop in and say hello, Truffles always has a warm welcome.

There are some spaces left for Christmas Day lunch, December parties and new Year’s Eve so treat yourself - you deserve it!

The Antique Shop

Entertaining this Christmas?

Then brighten your festive table

with some silver candlesticks or perhaps a cut glass decanter or some beautiful glasses.

You are sure to see something special for your guests too at The Antique Shop in Bruton where there is always a superb choice of jewellery ... an ideal gift.

Do pay them a visit, the stock is constantly changing.

Beautiful Jewellery...

Just one of many gift ideas from

Bruton’s Late Night Shopping Wednesday 11th December 6pm – 8pm

5 High Street, Bruton. Tel: 01749 813264 Furniture - Jewellery - Collectables - Decorative art Jewellery Making - Repairs - Restringing Open: thursday, Friday & saturday 10 till 5.30 December: tuesday, Wednesday, thursday, Friday & saturday 10 till 5.30 Dave & Mike wish all their customers a very Merry Christmas

Station Road, Bruton, Somerset

Are pleased to offer Full Class 4 MOT Facilities • MOTs • MOT Preparation • Welding Service and Repairs on all makes of Vehicle

TyRES - BATTERIES - ExHAUSTS Contact Proprietor

Tel / Fax: 01749 812992 Mobile: 07976 401432

The new offices of Gordon Fry’s West End Garage on Station Road have been designed as an eye-catching Great Western Railway signalbox.

THE VISITOR December 2013 11

Leisure & Tra vel Cycle-Babble IT IS A LITTLE over 10 months since the world's most famous cyclist of recent times sat down with America's number one chatshow host and confessed his sins.

When Lance Armstrong sat in that hotel room in January with Oprah Winfrey, and admitted he had taken performance enhancing drugs during his seven-year reign as the Tour de France's yellow jersey, he confirmed what many had long suspected. Despite the teary-eyed confessional, the jury remained out on whether the Texan was truly remorseful. When Winfrey asked him directly: “Is there real remorse or is there a sense of, 'I’m sorry I got caught'...” and Armstrong started his reply with: “Everybody that gets caught is bummed out they got caught...” it didn't exactly smack of deepseated contrition.

The reality was that Armstrong was backed into a corner when he decided to go on television and admit his cheating. He had nowhere else to go. A few months earlier Usada had imposed a lifetime ban on the Texan and “disqualification of competitive results achieved since August 1, 1998,” wiping out his seven Tour wins. The subsequent publication of its reasoned decision, setting out the evidence that they had gathered against him, claimed that Armstrong had been instrumental in “a massive team doping scheme, more extensive than any previously revealed in professional sports history.” Simply continuing his denials would have been ludicrous.

Sponsors deserted him and he lost his position on the board of his foundation as those charged with managing what he had hoped would be his lasting legacy sought to protect it from the fallout. Then, after all the noise, came silence as Armstrong retreated.

But now he is back.

This month Armstrong has taken the first tentative steps back into the public eye with interviews on cyclingnews.com and the BBC World Service's news Hour. In the Guardian William Fotheringham wrote of Armstrong's media onslaught and his attempt to regain control of his story. With films and books either already released or in the wings telling the tale of the Texan's fall from grace, Armstrong is trying to grab hold of 12 THE VISITOR December 2013

the narrative wrote Fotheringham: “This is the polar opposite of how it was during his pomp, when the person who controlled the story was Armstrong, whether it was by permitting access to only selected journalists, by giving lengthy interviews at points where he felt vulnerable so that he could get his message across ...”

Armstrong's re-emergence coincides not only with the release of films and books, but also with the dawn of a new era at the UCI, with Britain's Brian Cookson having taken over the presidency of cycling's governing body in September. Cookson's first few weeks of stewardship have felt like a breath of fresh air. He has instigated an inquiry into doping in cycling, agreeing its terms with the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). “The important thing is that it will be genuinely independent and take evidence from whoever wants to come and talk to it and we'll be agreeing the final details of what can be offered by way of incentive to testify and what the powers of the commission will be,” Cookson told Reuters.

Will Armstrong be part of that?

Only on his terms it seems, and those “incentives” will be key.

What is clear from his recent interviews is that Armstrong feels hard done by and singled out. “I have experienced massive personal loss, massive loss of wealth, while others have truly capitalised on this story,” he told the BBC, going on to say he wants parity.

Armstrong says that when he competed there was a consistent and level playing field but that the punishments handed out since have been anything but consistent, pointing to some having received a “free-pass” when others got the “death penalty.”

“I'm keen to do anything I can to close the chapter and help the sport move forward,” he said.

“Certainly I would speak with 100% transparency and honesty ... all I would hope for is that people are treated consistently and fairly.

If everybody gets the death penalty then I'll take the death penalty, if everybody gets a freepass, well I'm happy to take a free-pass ...”

That is one thing few others would be happy to see the Texan get.

Giles Belbin.

Christmas Concert

The Wincanton Choral Society is performing at the Wincanton Leisure Centre on the evening of Sunday 8th December, and is offering a thrilling evening’s entertainment. This year the 100+ choir will be singing beautiful and seasonal works by Elgar, Vaughan Williams, carols, negro Spirituals and a ravishing 20-minute piece by Ariel Ramirez with Guitar, Strings and percussion accompaniment.

The first half begins with three short but delightful Motets by Elgar. This will be followed by the 5 Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams. These songs mix serenity and drama with true English beauty. Then follows the navidad nuestra (our Christmas)

by Ariel Ramirez from the Argentine - in many ways the high point of the evening, the music is exciting with its Latin American rhythms, haunting melodies and itself flows with the

26th December Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon

tenor of the gauchos and the warm airs of Buenos Aires.

The second half of the performance will begin with Vaughan Williams’ ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’ which is based on four well known carols and provides intricate and heartwarming choral lines. The rest of the programme contains Christmas Carols and Spiritual Music from the deep South of the United States. As always the audience will be have a chance to participate in some familiar numbers.

Alongside the Choir and its Musical Director Simon Twiselton will be soloists Paul Badley (Tenor) and Tom Hunt (baritone).

Instrumentalists Jacqueline Bevan (piano), a string quintet led by Edward Burns, guitarist Richard Hill and percussionists led by Dan Priest will provide an array of colours to enhance the singing.

The performance begins at 7.30pm. A bar will be open for wine and soft drinks both before the performance and during the interval.

Tickets will be available at the door on the night at £15.00 but

So, you think you know your pop music, do you?

By John osborne • answers can be found on page 63 1. ‘Where Did Our Love go’ was the first hit for which female trio in 1964?

2. name the boy-band who hit no. 1 in 2006 with ‘the Rose’ 3. In which year did ‘the Police’ said they were ‘Wrapped Around Your Finger’?

4. From which Beatles album did ‘Back in the ussR’ come from?

5. name the lady who sang about ‘Jolene’ in 1976 6. ‘10538 Overture’ was the first chart entry for which band?

7. How do we best know Barry Pincus?

8. Who was the legendary performer sang ‘Lay, Lady Lay’ in 1969?

9. Who was the female duo who asked us to ‘Hold On’ in 1990?

10. ‘Fiction Factory’ once declared it ‘Feels Like…’ what?

Bonus Question Who was the comedian who had a big hit in 1965 with ‘tears’?

Extra Bonus Question Who joined Dave stewart for the 1980 hit ‘It’s My Party’?

Question Impossible Who was the first to record and release a version of the worlds most covered song, the Lennon-McCartney composition ‘Yesterday’?

Great Quotes in Music (66) “Johnny Cashs’ face belongs on Mount Rushmore” Kris Kristofferson

Leisure & Tra vel seating is limited so to book call Anne Bridge 01963 31983 or John Cole 01963 351916.

Come racing this Christmas

Wincanton Racecourse has two December race meetings that are guaranteed to be full of festive spirit.

Thursday, December 5th is the inaugural Clark’s Village Christmas Experience Raceday when the Paddock Pavilion will be transformed into a Somerset Shopping Mall. The new association with Clarks Village,

Antiques -&Collecting Gold & Silver Jewellery Wanted Best prices paid for wedding rings, pendants, chains, bracelets, and broken items, etc.

Phone Jenny Martin Castle Cary

01963 350733

sees various outlets such as Thorntons, The Body Shop and Crabtree & Evelyn selling their products alongside demonstrations and tasting opportunities. Regional independent traders will also be selling gifts making it the ideal pre-Christmas shopping opportunity.

Racegoers and shoppers are advised to arrive early and enjoy the Paddock Panel - where racing experts run through the days runners and riders, offering a few tips along the way ahead of the

Beaminster Antiques, Vintage & Collectables Fair Saturday 14 th december Public Hall Beaminster Dorset

9.30am – 4.00pm

✱ next FaiR ✱ Saturday 11th January Bookings & Enquiries Meadow Fairs 01297 24446

competitive six race card.

Wincanton also races on Boxing Day and is the course’s most popular fixture of the year with attendance levels expected to exceed 12,000.

For the first time ever, Wincanton Racecourse ran an October £10 discount for Boxing Day tickets which saw a 1000% increase in advance bookings!

Tickets are still available from £10 - £25 with complimentary entry for children aged 17 making it the perfect venue for a family day out.

Hospitality on Boxing Day is extremely popular with various restaurant packages available: •The Paddock Pavilion provides the ideal base for the whole family throughout the day, offering complimentary tea or coffee in the morning, followed by a two-course hot buffet lunch and light afternoon tea for £55 per person.

•A scrumptious 3-course meal with afternoon tea is available in the Kingwell Restaurant for £95 per person, providing unrivalled and exclusive balcony viewing of the Parade Ring and Winners Enclosure.

•Further hospitality is available in the premier Winning Post Restaurant and The Hatherleigh Suite. All packages include Premier Enclosure badges and additional information can be found online at www. wincantonracecourse.co.uk or call 01963 32344.

Yeovil railway Centre

Yeovil Railway Centre has increased the number of Santa Specials in 2013 due to their growing popularity. now held over 5 days in December, visitors can enjoy a steam train ride behind a historic locomotive, a visit to see Santa in his Grotto with a present for the children of course! Seasonal refreshments are included while enjoying the Festive atmosphere including snow and bubbles.

Pre-booking is essential to obtain the day and time of your choice and to avoid the chance of disappointment. It is also cheaper. To check on availability and to book you can visit the website: www.yeovilrailway. freeservers.com which has full details and pictures of previous years.

Yeovil Railway Centre, Yeovil Junction, BA22 9UU Sun 8 th, Sun 15 th, Sat 21st, Sun 22nd & Mon 23rd December Bookings via website www.yeovilrailway.freeservers.com or telephone 07816 359285 £8.00 each adult / child – £7.50 each for parties of 8 or more pre-booked * £10 each on the day subject to availability

Santa SpEcial ***** Yeovil

Price includes steam train ride (subject to availability), seasonal refreshments, a visit to Santa's Grotto and a selected present for the children. Charity No 1043581.

MU

C M NTH I O R S O F THE

November 29th BArrY PAUL as ELVIS - Lord nelson, norton sub Hamdon 29th MArK VENUS - quicksilver Mail, Yeovil

This 19th century Apothacary Cabinet, with many of the original contents, is one of two available from Quillon House Antiques, Bruton.

Prices from £450.

an adVeRt in the pub pageS enSuReS a FRee mentiOn heRe

December 6th Mr. D’ArCY - quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 7th MID LIFE CrISIS - Marston Inn, Marston Magna 13th FINIAN McGUrK - quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 13th MATHEW rOCK - Marston Inn, Marston Magna 14th NEVILLE DYKE - natterjack, Evercreech 14th US acoustic duo - Lord nelson, norton sub Hamdon 15th MArTOCK VILLAGE VOICES (5pm) - Lord nelson, norton sub Hamdon 20th JULIE DUNN - Helyar Arms, East Coker 20th MATHEW rOCK - quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 21st JOHN & CHrISTINE - Marston Inn, Marston Magna 21st JULIE DUNN - Helyar Arms, East Coker 26th rAY JONES BAND - Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi 31st 60s NIGHT with ‘Dusty Springfield’ - Dinnington Docks, Hinton st. george 31st GUY JOHNSON - natterjack, Evercreech 31st ALAN DrEW - Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi 31st STOrM (tickets) - quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 31st ONE TrEE HILL - Helyar Arms, East Coker

THE VISITOR December 2013 13

ING GO  K  O O L O D • Party  

Partywear - at Jane’s of Somerton

With the festive season here you will want to look your best! At Jane’s of Somerton there is a superb choice of party wear on display. Whether you want short and funky or long and elegant there is something to suit all tastes and occasions from informal drinks with friends to formal dinner with the mayor.

Choose from sparkling tops to brighten up a plain skirt or trousers to glamorous fur stoles and pashminas. There is a lovely choice of jewellery to enhance your outfit plus shoes and evening bags.

Soft knitwear, tailored jackets, flattering trousers, stylish skirts and elegant dresses can all be found at Jane’s.

Beat the winter chill with snuggly winter jumpers and wool jackets.

lingerie department. Shop in Shirley Allum’s until 2nd December and receive a free raffle ticket with every purchase made, with a chance to win £1000 worth of vouchers (for all participating retailers, see Dispatches). Prizes to be drawn outside Shaftesbury Town Hall at the Late night Shopping Christmas Spectacular on 2nd December at 8pm.

Also available are Christmas Baubles which can be purchased and personalised (perfect for celebrating a special event) with all proceeds going to Shaftesbury Christmas Lights. Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Family Health with

Jenna Evans

Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie

Shirley Allum is renowned for her choice of ladies fashions, stocking famous designers such as Frank Lyman and Joseph Ribkoff. You’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re looking for an outfit for that festive night out. The new gift department is ideal if you’re looking for stocking fillers, or that special gift can be found in the

Winter Wonder Herbs

This month we’re taking a quick tour around some of the best herbs for seasonal survival. So if you’re feeling a little under the weather, stressed out from the shops or your joints are starting to creak in the cold - read on!

For a touch of Glamour ... visit







Dress agency Jane Lazenbury



BeauTIFuL eveNING wear including many designer labels at a fraction of the original cost.

FOr ParTy wear sizes 6 – 24 do call in ... sparkling tops, velvets, wraps, jewellery and more, ideal for that christmas Party!

T he Triangle • Somerton ( 30 yarDS FrO m Th e PO ST O FFIc e)

T e l : 01 45 8 273 711

New Class Starting

Mon

Tues

Weds

Thurs

6.30pm Odcombe Village Hall Old Road, Higher Odcombe nr. Yeovil

2pm Digby Hall Digby Road Sherborne

6.30pm Bucklers Mead Sports Hall

4.30pm Digby Hall Digby Road Sherborne

Beginner / Improver

Telephone: 01935 412104 Web: www.cordeliasclasses.com

Improver Plus

6pm Bucklers Mead Sports Hall Beginner / Improver

Email: cordelia.worsley@gmail.com

14 THE VISITOR December 2013

Beginner / Improver

One to one sessions available

Improver Plus

5.45pm Digby Hall Digby Road Sherborne Beginner / Improver

Coughs & Sneezes, Colds & Wheezes

Echinacea - Anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Echinacea has immune enhancing effects useful for upper respiratory chest infections, post-

m e i T 

viral fatigue, acute and chronic/recurrent infections. A popular remedy to use throughout the winter months to modulate the immune system, helping prevent infections as well as included in many formulas for treating them.

Garlic - Immune boosting antimicrobial that can be very helpful for respiratory infections. You can see how well garlic perfuses through the lungs by the smell of garlic on the breath after ingestion! Include plenty in your diet to keep the bugs at bay.

Peppermint, Eucalyptus & Pine - Useful decongestants for stuffy or catarrhal infections - use the pure essential oils in inhalations.

Ivy - An excellent remedy for coughs. Ivy acts as a mucolytic and anti-spasmodic agent relaxing spasms at the same time as encouraging the break down and expectoration of mucus from the lungs.

Liquorice - Another useful expectorant for the respiratory system. Liquorice has demulcent properties, allowing it to soothe the tissues at the same time as expelling mucus. Often used in cough and cold remedies due to its pleasant taste. Try in tea, tablets or cough syrups unfortunately the sugar laden sweet variety will not work!

Left: just what you need this festive season, a ‘little black & white dress’ from Joseph Ribkoff.

Shirley Allum of Shaftesbury and Preview of Wincanton and Langport are Joseph Ribkoff stockists.

ING GO  K  O O L O D • Party  

Plantago - Possesses anticatarrhal, anti-septic, antibacterial, and demulcent effects.

Used to treat sinusitis, otitis media, cough, bronchitis and any catarrhal states. Very useful to have on hand for all manner of coughs and colds during the winter months.

Sage - A valuable anti-septic that can be made into an effective gargle for sore throats. Mix an infusion of the loose herb with a good dessert spoon of cider vinegar and get gargling.

Thyme - Has an affinity for the lung tissue, with constituents being primarily expelled through respiration. With mucolytic, antiseptic & anti-spasmodic activity, Thyme is an ideal remedy for chest infections, coughs and catarrhal states.

Circulation & Joints

Gingko Biloba - As a support to peripheral circulation Gingko can be helpful for those with poor circulation to the hands & feet, Raynauds and chilblains, often exacerbated by the cold weather.

Devil’s Claw - A useful antiinflammatory for the winter months, especially for people who find their conditions such as rheumatism become more aggravated with cold, damp weather.

Mood & Stress

Hypericum - As an antidepressant this herb can be helpful for those who suffer Seasonal Affective Disorder or generally start feeling a little more low with the short hours of sunshine.

Siberian Ginseng - Another common problem encountered during the wintry months is that

of low energy and high stress levels. This herb can help the bodies resistance to fatigue, stress and disease.

Vitamin D - Deficiency is associated with a whole host of problems including depression and general aches & pains. As our main source is from the sunlight, it’s a popular choice to supplement with at this time of year. The Department of Health recommends supplementation for all pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, babies and young children and those over the age of 65.

Cleanse!

Dandelion - As the winter tends to bring with it some seasonal over indulgence, Dandelion is a useful herb to have to hand! The root improves bile flow (therefore aiding the digestion of fats) and supports liver function. The leaf supports the urinary system acting as a cleansing diuretic, useful for water retention.

Milk Thistle - A good liver remedy that, like Dandelion, can support the body at times of over indulgence. Especially useful with a higher alcohol consumption, it may even be helpful to lessen hangovers - although I cannot personally attest to that!

Merry Christmas everyone! See you in the new Year.

Jenna Evans ©2013.

Ceres natural Foods in Yeovil have a great range of culinary and medicinal herbs. Jenna is available instore at Ceres to advise by appointment, please pop in or call 01935 428791 for details. Always check with a health professional before making

any dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle or starting a new supplement, especially with any existing health conditions.

Needful Things

needful Things of Castle Cary are keeping us warm this Season with a super range of woollies from Pachamama (which includes Men's Jumpers); Coats from In-Town, Knitwear from Saskia and Great Plains and of course, Pomodoro! This fun store offers an 'easy to wear' collection of separates at affordable prices, with accessories such as bags, belts and boots to really surprise you.

Stay warm at needful Things and why not keep him warm too with a chunky knit jumper and a woolly hat? There are even woolly animal hats for youngsters and the young at heart: Giraffe Hats; Sheep Hats; Cow Hats ... all with matching mittens!

Dress for warmth and for style at this friendly Cary shop.

Skin & Tonic

Skin & Tonic - Relaxation & Beauty Treament - is located at 36 Long Street, Sherborne. nikki is a fully qualified BABTAC beautician who offers a full range of treatments.

With the festive season on the way - relax and enjoy some pampering! Perhaps an Express Package for a quick pick-me-up to include a 30 minute facial, 30 minute express manicure and pedicure for £40, or a spray tan to give you a sun-kissed look.

Lash extensions can add that touch of glamour and Minx Nails in their wide range of designs will give you an on-trend look!

m e i T 

Take advantage of the Christmas special promotions (see advert) and perhaps solve your Christmas present dilemas by giving Skin & Tonic gift vouchers!

Skin & Tonic offer a customer loyalty scheme. For full details of treatments visit their website or call in.

Elegance Beauty Therapy Clinic

Look good naturally - Elegance are now stocking a natural mineral / aloe vera based range of make-up, with a good choice of colours and are kind to the skin.

This season’s range of nail varnishes are exciting - strong plums, mauves and reds with different finishes that can be applied, such as suede effect or sparkling to brighten up your party look - and if you have those strappy evening sandals why not have matching toes?

If your little black dress feels a little snug why not book a bodywrap to lose those extra inches or if you are wanting to loose weight, ask about the Clean 9 weight management programme.

Established 1983

Élégance

Beauty Therapy Clinic

Sparkle this Christmas

Full range of beauty treatments to get you ready for the party season!  Gi fT V ou c Her S 

Sandie Barrett

M.B.A.B.Th.C. • C.I.D.E.S.C.O. A Ladies Only Salon 8b Church Street, Wincanton (01963) 34115

RELAXATION & BEAUTY TREATMENT CHRISTMAS OFFERS

Skin & Tonic are offering some fantastic deals this christmas so don't miss out - treat yourself or that special someone to a pamper package. Why not? You deserve it!

READY TO GO FROM FINGERS TO TOES File & gel fingers and toes plus a full body tan - £35

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Eyebrow tint, Eyebrow shape, Lash tint Full set of lash extensions - £55 Contact Nikki today to book your appointment

01935 812884 • 07597 282642

Alternatively call in and see us at ...

Jon of Mayfair • Long Street • Sherborne THE VISITOR December 2013 15

Christmas is coming - but so is the Self Assessment deadline

It is that time of year when we are all concentrating on the festive season. But as a small business owner with year end

accounts and a self assessment tax return to do by 31 January 2014, it is also time to make sure that your affairs are in order.

You need to remember Santa is never late and neither should you be where the Tax Man is

CHALMERS & CO. cHartereD accountants Personal & Business Tax Advisors • Business Start Ups Payroll Bureau • Accounting and Audit Specialists Full Business Support Services • VAT Returns & Advice A personal & friendly approach to business that will work for you Free initial consultation

Crewkerne 01460 279000

6 The Linen Yard, South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset

Yeovil 01935 476499

Magnolia House, Princes Street, Yeovil, Somerset

Langport 01458 252323

The Old Emporium, Bow Street, Langport, Somerset Register on our website at

www.chalmersaccountants.co.uk

for FREE monthly newsletters updating you on all business matters

16 THE VISITOR December 2013

Crewkerne Antiques Centre for beautiful gifts.

Crewkerne antIQUeS Centre

with 50 Dealers & 30 Display Cabinets over 2 Floors ✳ GolD & SIlver BoUGht ✳ Jewellery, Silver, Glass, rocking horses, China and an extensive range of Furniture antIQUeS BoUGht & SolD open: Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 4.30pm

16 Market Street • Crewkerne tel: 01460 77111

involved. So, if you need help, we at Chalmers & Co would be happy to assist. Give us a call now and relax at Christmas in the knowledge that your accounts and tax returns are in good hands.

Bath Travel

In October 2013 Hays Travel acquired Bath Travel from the Bath family. Established in 1924 the Bath family grew Bath Travel along the South coast to a 60 strong network of branches including the Market Street, Crewkerne shop. Hays Travel’s acquisition of Bath Travel means that we are now the largest independent travel agent in the UK and secures a bright and prosperous future. At Bath Travel we are unbiased. Our job is to check everything, compare prices on your behalf and ensure we find the best deal for you.

Robert Frith Optometrists

All the staff at Robert Frith Optometrists would like to wish everyone an enjoyable festive

Put your feet up and relax this Christmas with a rise and recliner from Regency Care & Mobility - located in Falkland Square, Crewkerne. Here you will find a good choice of mobility scooters and everyday living aids.

The Visitor can now be read online: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk



 rest easy this Christmas with our new range of  rise and recline Chairs & Beds



FREE Delivery and removal of your Old Furniture FREE Home Demonstrations BE pREpaREd FoR wintER  Scooters Serviced ... only £39 FREE Collection & Delivery Call in and see us at ...

10 Falkland Square Crewkerne TA18 7JS (near the Co-op)

Tel: 01460 271172 ‘If you can’t come to us - we will come to you’ THE VISITOR December 2013 17

period. Providing all aspects of eye care to patients in Crewkerne and the surrounding area, the practice aims to cater for every individual whatever their need. Whether you require a new pair of spectacles for the Christmas party season, or a complete new look with contact lenses, make Robert Frith Optometrists your first port of call. Maybe you are stuck for a Christmas gift? Why not consider a gift voucher to put towards designer sunglasses or spectacles? Telephone 01460 72964 to make an appointment.

Jazziez

Always full of new ideas Jazziez have introduced some new lines just in time for Christmas.

Personalised gifts always make a great present, just take along your favourite photo and have it put onto a mug, T-shirt, key ring iPad or phone case. New for Christmas are personalised jigsaws, sets of 4 placemats and coasters, Childrens gift packs of a cup, coaster and placemat, and door hangings with good/bad, girl/boy and much more!

Personalised printing and embroidery is a popular service for pubs, clubs, schools and businesses - if you would like to know more call in or visit their website.

who visit us, we have grabbed Santa for a day! He will be visiting us on Saturday 14th December from 11-4 and all kids are welcome. Entry to see Santa is just £2 per child, and every child receives a gift. The event is supported by Crewkerne Lions Club. So make this a special day for your kids - whilst you enjoy another browse around the facscinating Antiques Bazaar.

Mike’s Music

Mike’s Music is a friendly, family-run business that caters

Antiques Bazaar

The autumn and Christmas season has hit with a vengeance!

Antiques Bazaar Crewkerne has been enjoying a very successful trading period. As a special THANK YOU to our customers and visitors, and in particular the younger members of the families

U n i S e x

for all guitarists’ needs. With a wide range of guitars for every ability and style, it is definitely worth a visit.

One of only very few music shops in the area, not only does the shop have a great variety of stock, Mike’s Music also holds successful guitar lessons for beginners and experienced guitarists. Exam passes for the London College of music are high.

Gift vouchers are available.

Shear Magic

For stylish hairdressing for both ladies and gentlemen visit Louise Sansom and her team at Shear Magic.

Appointments are not always necessary, however if you would like to take advantage of the midweek special rates (Tuesday Thursday) then ring for an appointment with Joanna.

With Christmas coming the salon offers gift vouchers, and the ghd Range of Hair Straighteners including the Eclipse which is currently on promotion at £145. A deposit will reserve your ghd product.

Payment by instalments is also available.

Don’t forget the stand-up tanning booth - ideal if you want to top up your fading tan. Louise and her team look forward to seeing you soon.

H a i r

S a l o n

Look Your Best this Festive Season Foil Colouring, Perms, Great Cuts, Matrix Styling Products - No Appointments Necessary  ghd Metallic Range Hair Straighteners also Hairdryers  Pensioner sPecial rates Tue / Wed / Thur ... with Joanna ... booking only

Stand-Up Tanning Booth for a Golden Tan Opening HOuRS: Mon 9.30 - 3 Tue 9 - 4.30 Wed & Thur 9 - 5 Fri 9 - 6.30 Sat 9 - 2.30

1b Church Street • CreWkerne • 01460 75394

ike’s Music MThe Music store in Town Guitars & tuition  Christmas gifts

Entry Level Clarinets, Flutes, Violins and Accessories Sheet Music & Music Books etc.  Now Stocking Ukuleles 

The George centre, crewkerne

Tel: 01460 77728 • www.mikes-music.co.uk 18 THE VISITOR December 2013

Christmas at ...

The Visitor Guide to your local ...

Shaftesbury Road, Mere, Wiltshire BA12 6BH Tel: 01747 861220 www.walnut-tree-inn.co.uk

Join us this Festive Season Christmas Menus from just £ 12.95

Carvery Available

Wednesday – Saturday evenings and all day Sunday

Christmas Festivities ...

Christmas Eve Brass Band, Free Buffet Christmas Draw

CHILTHORne DOMeR nr. YeOvIL

Tel: 01935 840350 • Fax: 01935 849006 • www.halfwayhotelyeovil.com

Christmas Party Menu 2 course £14.95 • 3 course £19.95  Bookings taken for Christmas Day Lunch  Lakes & Gardens: FREE fishing for residents Why not stay over? in one of our 20 ensuite Rooms

Bar open from 11am – 2.30pm

Boxing Day

real ales • Function room • lake & GarDen • Proprietor: Paul t. rowsell Fbii

Your hosts, Mick, Jean and Garry welcome you to the ...

Open from 8.30am – 3pm for Breakfast Brunch and Lunch

WINTER SavER

$

$

Country Lodge

Sunday Carvery £7.95

Christmas Day

SAVE £5 OFF 2 Main Meals Monday to Saturday Anytime Sunday After 6pm With this Voucher - Offer Ends 28th February Terms and Conditions Apply Excludes Christmas Menus & Light Bites

The Halfway House Inn

MUddLEd MAn Lower Street, West Chinnock Tel: 01935 881235

2 Rump Steak Dinners ... just £14 Pre-Christmas Dinners Group Dinner Bookings 2 courses + coffee £16 * 3 courses + coffee £18

FRee Soft Drinks for drivers of parties of 4 or more through December Game Casserole: Sunday 22nd December

Christmas Day Dinner

Drink on arrival, 7 course meal, ½ bottle of Wine £60 Bookings Essential

Boxing Day Buffet £15 * Curry Buffet: Saturday 28th December 12noon – 2.30pm and 6pm – 9.30pm

Book Early for Christmas Day & Boxing Day and Receive a Discount Daily sPecials • real ales • skittle alley • beer GarDens • accommoDation Function room available for your corporate presentations / business meetings - call to book

www.themuddledman.co.uk THE VISITOR December 2013 19

The Visitor Guide to your local ...

West Stour • Nr Gillingham • Dorset • SP8 5RP The versatile menu at The Ship Inn caters both for those who want a hearty sandwich and a pint, to those who want to enjoy a full three-course meal with a decent bottle of wine.

Our dishes are a blend of the traditional and the not so familiar, with a specials board and fresh fish board that offer further daily choices. We pride ourselves on using local and seasonal ingredients as much as possible and all dishes are freshly prepared and cooked to order. ______________________

Christmas Menu 2013 3 courses £24.95 / 2 courses £18.95 (coffee & mince pies included) BOOkInGS AnD PRe-ORDeRS OnLY Available Lunch or Evening from 1st December to 24th December 2013

The

Starters

Lord Nelson

Rectory Lane Norton Sub Hamdon

Cream of mushroom, garlic & tarragon soup freshly baked homemade bread Duck liver & orange pate, festive chutney, toasted homemade bread and dressed leaves

Mark, Helen and staff welcome you to ‘The Nelson’

gOOd FOOd - gOOd BeeR - gReaT aTMOSpHeRe £22

3 Courses

Christmas Menu

£17

2 Courses

Tian of smoked fish topped with fresh prawns, citrus, caper & dill mayo

STARTERS

Twice baked Gruyere cheese souffle spicy tomato concassé

Pulled pork terrine with roasted red peppers, spiced pears and rosemary focaccia Sweet potato and roast garlic soup with Parmesan shavings and mini soda bread loaf Cajun spiced crab cakes served with citrus salad with a lime and ginger dressing Roast fennel filled with goats cheese garlic & sorrel with pomegranate syrup

Mains

MAINS Roast turkey served with roast potatoes sausage wrapped in bacon, chestnut and sage stuffing gravy and cranberry sauce Cod loin wrapped in parma ham with a mussel and caper broth served with salad and new potatoes Spinach blue cheese and mushroom filo parcel served with sweetened apricot and almond purée served with salad and new potatoes Chicken supreme with olive and sundried tomato tapenade with roasted red pepper sauce with vegetables and dauphinoise potatoes Venison pie - venison braised in juniper, red wine and smoked bacon served with vegetables and dauphinoise potatoes

DESSERTS

All AvAilAble gluten free

Christmas pudding with brandy sauce Rich chocolate torte with warm spiced oranges and vanilla ice cream Trio of brûlée - lemon curd brûlée vanilla brûlée and Baileys brûlée with cinnamon biscuit Poached pear with gorgonzola cheese water biscuits and a glass of port

Roast breast of turkey, cranberry stuffing, pigs in blankets, bread sauce, roast potatoes, fresh seasonal vegetables & pan gravy Pheasant, bacon & leek stroganoff, garlic & rosemary Parmetier potatoes, fresh seasonal vegetables Beetroot, goat’s cheese & caramelized balsamic onion tarte tatin parsnip dauphinoise, fresh seasonal vegetables Pan-fried fillet of hake, fennel & lemon risotto, crayfish cream sauce Blade of beef, red wine, mushroom, bacon & thyme sauce, saffron & chive croquettes, fresh seasonal vegetables

Desserts Traditional Christmas pudding with warm brandy custard and vanilla ice cream Chocolate, chestnut & brandy roulade, chantilly cream Mocha cream pots

 Friday 29th November: ‘Elvis’ – Barry Paul  Saturday 14th December: ‘US’ Acoustic Duo  Sunday 15th December: Martock Village Voices Ladies Choir 5pm  Thursday 26th December: Boxing Day Karaoke  Tuesday 31st December: New Year’s Eve Hollywood Theme ... ring for details COuRTyaRd H BeeR gaRden aT ReaR aMple paRking Open all day FRiday, SaTuRday & Sunday

Tel: 01935 881473

20 THE VISITOR December 2013

www.thelordnelson.biz

Iced clementine parfait

Tel: 01747 838 640 • Fax: 01747 838 640 Email: mail@shipinn-dorset.com Website: http://www.shipinn-dorset.com

Helyar arms

The Visitor Guide to your local ...

east Coker • yeovil • Somerset • Ba22 9JR Christmas Parties from £19.95 per person Jazz singer Julie Dunn singing Christmas Classics! on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st December

Christmas Day Lunch for £49.50 per adult and £24.95 per child Open from 12noon – 3pm

New year’s eve One Tree Hill playing live! a la Carte menu available (bookings for tables advised) ... no admission charge ~ OPeNING HOUrs ~ Monday to Saturday 11am – 3pm and 6pm – 11pm Sunday 12noon – 3pm and 6pm – 10pm ✴ Food is Served Every Day from 12noon – 2.30pm and 6.30pm – 9.30pm

info@helyar-arms.co.uk  01935 862332

The White

Lion Inn

Bar – Restaurant – Accommodation

Christmas Menu 21st November to 24th December The White Lion Smoked Haddock Fish Cake, Chive Dressing Roasted Parsnip and Honey Soup (V) Roast Chicken, Mushroom and Tarragon Terrine, Onion Marmalade Baked Stuffed Portobello Mushroom (V) Classic Prawn Cocktail Turkey with all the Trimmings Veal, Cranberry and Rosemary Casserole, Roast Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables Poached Scottish Salmon, Crushed New Potatoes, Caramelised Chicory, Salsa Verdi Slow Roasted Pork Belly, Roast Potatoes, Mulled Cider Reduction Courgette, Leek and Saffron Risotto, Basil Oil (V) Christmas Pudding with Brandy Cream Forest Fruit Trifle Sticky Toffee Pudding, Toffee Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream Festive Praline Parfait, Brandy Chocolate Mousse Cheese Board

2 Courses £18 ★ 3 Courses £22

High Street, Bourton, Dorset, SP8 5AT Tel: 01747 840866 Email: relax@whitelionbourton.co.uk • www.whitelionbourton.co.uk THE VISITOR December 2013 21

Bower Hinton Farm Shop Martock

Christmas lines are now in at Bower Hinton Farm Shop and include festive tipples such as sloe gin, mulled wine, mulled cider, fruit wines and traditional ciders. Orders are now being taken for turkeys, poultry, game and red meat, all can be ordered along with locally made Christmas cakes too. Potatoes are available by the sack and loose sprouts (it wouldn’t be Christmas without them!)

A christmas hamper would make a lovely Christmas gift filled with local cheeses, ciders, wines and meats. Call in today and see the complete range, and enjoy a coffee and a delicious slice of cake.

Don’t forget to check out the Christmas trees which are very competitively priced e.g. 6/7ft traditional £15.50 and Nordsman £26.50.

kimbers Traditional Farm Produce Charlton Musgrove

Our family have farmed in Charlton Musgrove for around 300 years; we have 200 dairy cows, pedigree Friesians and Shorthorns. We sell our raw milk direct to customers. We raise Aberdeen Angus beef, welfare friendly Rose Veal, Gloucester Old Spot pigs for pork, sausages and dry cured bacon etc. and our own range of charcuterie.

We grow and sell free range turkeys, geese, chickens and ducks for Christmas, also lamb, hogget and mutton. Our award

KIMBERS’ FARM SHOP OPEN: Tuesday 9.30 – 5.30pm. Wednesday 9.30 – 3pm Thursday / Friday 9.30 – 6.00pm. Saturday 10 – 4.30pm

Listed as one of Britain’s Top 10 Farm Shops 2013 ★ CIWF dairy Award 2012 ★

ORdER nOW FOR CHRISTMAS

Home Produced Aberdeen Angus Beef Gloucester Old Spot Pork, Bacon & Gammon lamb, Hogget and mutton Welfare Friendly rose Veal charcuterie • Game & Fish • Our Raw Milk also quality local produce, including Veg, eggs Dairy, Preserves, cakes, bread, ice cream etc. cider, beers, Wines & spirits • cards & Gifts Home Grown Free Range Geese & Turkeys (Bronze, norfolk Black & Trad. White) Free Range ducks, Cockerels & Chickens Find us off the B3081 BruTON to GilliNGhAM road

Higher Stavordale Farm Charlton Musgrove WInCAnTOn • BA9 8HJ Tel: 01963 33177 / 07966 426962 www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk

winning meat, produce and local goods can be purchased from our farm shop, via the internet www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk or local farmers markets. We pride ourselves with high animal and environmental welfare using traditional methods. We enjoy giving customer service and are happy to advise on menus, cooking suggestions etc. our butcher is knowledgeable and skilled when special or unusual cuts are required.

L & C Game Buckland newton

A family run business set in the heart of Dorset, L & C Game is well worth finding. Only wild game such as guinea fowl, quail, boar and a variety of venison including sika is sold at L & C Game, it is available vacuum packed, fresh or frozen.

Homemade pates and terrines have been a popular addition to the produce available. Sales are made to the general public at the farm gate, local farmers markets and to catering outlets. Deliveries can be arranged.

Traditional smoking and dry curing processes are also undertaken on the premises. Please telephone to place an order or for further details.

Having been neighbours for six years Alison and Jonathan have teamed up to form a new enterprise, Horders Farm Poultry. Alison brings 35 years farming experience having worked closely with her late father Colin Kay at their farm in Melbury Abbas. Jonathan has returned to farming after 25 years working in fine art and exhibition design.

This is the third year they have worked together and will expand this venture in the new year with Easter chicken, lamb, beef and pork box schemes. Both Alison and Jonathan are very clear on the kind of sustainable farming they wish to achieve. Their animals are outdoor reared, living in small stress free groups and any additional feed is GM free.

Both are passionate that animals

Andrew Barclay Butchers Wincanton

Andrew Barclay Butchers would like to thank all their customers who have supported them throughout 2013 and wish them all a Happy Christmas and New Year.

Their meat is naturally reared and sourced locally where possible, delicious beef, pork and lamb! Have you ordered your festive bird yet? This Christmas they will be selling their usual wide range of poultry - turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese. Game pheasant, pigeon, partridge, mallard etc. and all cuts of venison. Home cooked hams, home made sausages, chipolatas and cocktail sausages, and their very popular home dry-cure bacon.

L & C Game

Court Farm Buckland Newton SpecialiSt Game DealerS Processors, Smokers & Curers Family-Run Business

Full Members of ‘Direct from Dorset’ All our stock is cared for solely by nature without interference. This means No antibiotics, No growth promoters and above all No stress.

Local wild venison and game always available to caterers and general public. Call us and see if we are at a Farmers’ Market in your area.

Call Adrian or Carolyn on

01300 345271

Bower Hinton Farm Shop - Martock CHRISTMAS TReeS Traditional and Nordman Fir 6 – 7 Foot non Drop £26.50 * traditional £15.50

V turkey - Geese - red meat - Hams etc. - Hampers V V Fruit & Veg boxes - sprouts - Dairy Produce - christmas cakes & Puds V OPEN: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm • Open Sunday 22nd December • Christmas Eve 8am – 1pm

Just off the B3165 at the top of Bower Hinton Tel: 01935 827743 • www.bowerhintonfarmshop.co.uk 22 THE VISITOR December 2013

Horders Farm Shaftesbury

finish in their own good time and they will not source animals from other farms to fulfil orders.

Customers are encouraged to log on to the website to see the regular updates on farming life and which produce will be available in the near future. Alison and Jonathan want to thank their loyal customers over the last three years and look forward to welcoming many new customers in the years to come. For more information please visit the website: www.hordersfarm. co.uk

Alison Johnson and Jonathan Purssell of Horders Farm Poultry, Shaftesbury, are now taking orders for their free range ‘stress-free’ poultry.

which will also include complimentary mini mince pies and mulled wine alongside chestnuts roasted in the hotel’s Courtyard. The chestnuts have been foraged by Executive Chef Garry Hollihead from the Petworth Estate in West Sussex.

Dairy produce includes cheese, cream and eggs and you’ll find lots of other delicious things too.

Orders are now being taken for Christmas and the New Year.

Brown and Forrest Hambridge

Brown and Forrest is a small family run smokery at Bowdens Farm, Hambridge. They produce the finest smoked eel and salmon as well as a whole range of delicious smoked foods including smoked chicken, duck, lamb and trout. They stock a wide range of products in their shop which is attached to their award winning restaurant. They also send mail order all over the UK and supply

wholesale to many restaurants and delicatessens.

Two of their popular lines are: Smoked Scallops - seared over a hot log fire and smoked for a mere ten minutes. The result is stunning, the fish keep their natural sweetness whilst holding the gentlest of smoked flavour.

They can be eaten either cold, or heated through for a hot option.

And Mackerel Pate - a delicious, slightly coarse yet creamy pate with just a hint of lemon, simply must be tried!

Go along to their Christmas Open Day and sample the produce in person or visit their website for their full range.

Three-metre edible Christmas tree in construction at Corinthia Hotel, London Pork tenderloin leaving the smokery at Brown and Forrest.

An army of 12 pastry chefs are baking and assembling 5,000 gingerbread cookies on an acrylic

structure for a three-metre high, two-metre wide edible Christmas tree.

Head Pastry Chef Kimberly Lin-McCartney said: ‘This tree’s a giant – it’s taking over our kitchen.’

Ingredients needed include 80k flour, 48k golden syrup, 20k sugar, and 3k cinnamon.

In addition 180 egg yolks, 5 l i t re s o f m i l k, p l us v a ri o us measures of baking powder, cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom.

‘We are spicing the biscuits really heavily to make the whole lobby smell deliciously Christmassy,’ says Kimberly. The tree will be decorated with handmade baubles and edible holly leaves sprinkled in shimmer powder. Guests to the hotel will be able to enjoy the tree from 29 November.

The tree is part of the hotel’s Christmas lobby treats for guests

Kimberly Lin-McCartney, Head Pastry Chef at Corinthia Hotel, London, puts the finishing touches to the edible Christmas tree.

THE VISITOR December 2013 23

Heavy Horses experience Days

Harts of Stur Late night Shopping





Purchase a gift voucher for a friend or family member so that they have the chance to experience the thrill of working a gentle giant.

Swainsford Heavy Horses Experience Days are designed to give participants a taste of handling, harnessing and working with a heavy horse. Participants will learn how to harness a horse to pull an implement and to have the pleasure of driving a heavy horse in a cart.

Swainsford Heavy Horses - 10 horses which are Percherons and Coloured Draft ranging in age from 1 year to 21 years.

The courses are held on the farm at Broadwater Farm, Mere, Wiltshire close to the Dorset border.

The days are suitable for anybody over the age of 13 and cost £100.00, this includes lunch and refreshments. Discounts are available for two or more people booking together or for additional days. For further information on their courses or to book or purchase a gift voucher visit www.workinghorses.co.uk, email richard@workinghorses.co.uk or contact Richard Branscombe on 01747 860879.

Harts of Stur will hold their annual Late Night Shopping Event on Thursday 12th December, when once again they will be open until 9pm spreading plenty of Christmas cheer, and giving you the ideal opportunity to get all your Christmas shopping done in plenty of time before the big day.

There will be some fantastic special offers on the night as well as everything you’ll need to turn your home into a glittering,



Come and meet the reindeer at Harts of Stur’s Late Night Shopping Event on Thursday 12th December.

Email: richard@workinghorses.co.uk • Website: www.workinghorses.co.uk

Our TableTs will take the headache out of Christmas shopping an ideal gift whatever your age ...

Tablets ★ iPhones ★ iPods Plus a range of accessories such as ...

Covers & Chargers - ideal stocking fillers!

Expert Advice On Hand The Independent Mobile Phone Specialists

5 The Bayliss Centre, Street • 01458 841741 website: www.streetcellular.com email: sales@streetcellular.com

24 THE VISITOR December 2013

shimmering, festive delight – baubles, tree lights, real Christmas trees, candles, cake and table decs – they stock the lot!

There’s also plenty to see and hear this year - with music from Shaftesbury Town Silver Band, free mulled wine, soft drinks and mince pies, getting into the Christmas spirit will never be easier, and the Rotary Club will be here roasting their chestnuts for your delectation! Father Christmas will be stopping by to say hello and Rudolph’s friends are back by popular demand.

Bring along the children and show them what a real life reindeer looks like! Call 01258 472420 for more details.

or a home telephone system (land-line) pay Street Cellular a visit. 

Pithers Yard Clinic

If you’re not sure what gift to buy, a gift token is always acceptable.

Pithers Yard offers a wide range of complimentary therapies.

Whether you want treatment for

Street Cellular

Street Cellular is one of the few independent mobile phone specialists. Established for over 23 years you can be sure that they have expert knowledge and experience.

If you are looking for a really useful Christmas present - there is an excellent choice of tablets.

Proving popular is the iPad mini from Prestigio available in 7, 8 and 10 inch. It has a metal frame, free case and is guaranteed for 2 years - all for under £100.

They stock a full range of accessories including car phones, car chargers and shock resistant cases - ideal stocking fillers.

Perhaps you are looking for a new phone - call in and discuss your requirements - whether you want a simple to use basic phone or the latest smart phone they can help.

They also offer repair and unlocking services.

Whether you want a phone for personal use, a business package

There is still time to make a personal gift for someone special, likes these slippers, or a cushion cover perhaps. Quick to knit the slippers take just 2 x 50g balls of Sirdar Kiko Super Chunky wool.

Visit Hanson’s Fabrics & Crafts of Sturminster Newton where you will find a superb choice of patterns and wools plus other gift ideas.

Day). (See advert in Langport feature).

elegance Beauty Therapy Clinic 

This Christmas why not let Elegance Beauty Therapy Clinic help take the pressure off. With everything from Stocking Fillers to Luxury Gift Sets we can cater for every need - ladies, gents, children - even the pets!

We have Glitzy Beauty Kits £5.99, Evening Purses £3.50 and Mad Nail Kits in Suede or Sprinkles £4.99. Sparkly Nail

Ward & Sibley, the Jewellers of Yeovil, located at the lower end of town in Middle Street - a family run jewellers with a host of gift ideas for Christmas!

backache, headache, food allergies or asthma, they can help.

Pampering treatments are also available including a range of massages including hot stone, aromatherapy and Indian head massage.

Acupuncture is popular for the alleviation of pain and also for facials, to help reduce wrinkles and the signs of ageing. For details of all treatments and practitioners visit their website.

casseroles, baking dishes and chicken bricks. As well as the wide selection of kitchenware pots there are paintings, prints, sculpture, signed ceramics and baskets for sale in the gallery as part of the Christmas Exhibition which runs until January 21st.

The shop and gallery are open: Monday to Saturday, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. (Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years



Banksy 16" x 12" box canvases £25.00 each. Available from Martock Gallery, Martock.

Prints ★ Paintings ★ bronzes ★ mirrors ★ Framing Passport Photographs ★ Prints to canvas Martock Gallery Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.00, Saturday 9.30 - 4.30

Water Street • Martock • Tel: (01935) 823254 • www.martockgallery.com

The pottery shop in Muchelney is full of Christmas gift ideas from mugs, plates and bowls to

piTHeR’S yaRd natural health clinic





available



a wide range of treatments available www.pithersyardclinic.org 01963 350405 (clinic) 07891 747239 HIGH STReeT CASTLe CARY, BA7 7An

Established 1983

Élégance

Beauty Therapy Clinic

Beautiful gifts from stocking fillers to luxury presents Wrapping & Gift bags available  GiFt VoucHers 

Sandie Barrett

M.B.A.B.Th.C. • C.i.D.E.S.C.O. A ladies Only Salon 8b Church Street, Wincanton (01963) 34115

The Jewellers of Yeovil

Established Over 65 Years

Give the gift of health this christmas Gift vouchers



Crossroads Pet Supplies

Your pet is a real part of the family so deserves a Christmas treat - of which there are plenty at Crossroads Pet Supplies on the Sherborne/Yeovil causeway. Here

Freight Train at Martock Mug £6

Christmas shopping at Muchelney Pottery 

Files and Make Up Bags £1.95 and £4.95.

Happy Heart and Tranquillity Candles, Bath Salts and Gift Sets ranging from £2.95 to £9.95.

A beautiful Boudoir Bath Soak with a light rose fragrance in an elegant glass bottle £9.99.

Personalised packs for Gardeners, Grandmas, Children, Pets, Gentlemen and Secret Santa's!

Aloe Gift sets from £37 to £125 including Relaxing, Lustrous, complete Skin Regime and dashing Winter for the Gents.

We do a 'Wish List' and 'Personal Shopper' service too, if you need help, so just give us a call and have a Beautiful Christmas!





Ward & Sibley  ~ for ~ Wonderful & Sparkling 



Gifts for Christmas ... with good old fashioned service







 

 

the caSket, 103 miDDle Street, Yeovil T tel: 01935 474065 T car park at rear of shop for customers visiting the shop T THE VISITOR December 2013 25

you will find pet beds galore, sweet treats, hutches, toys, and pet stockings.

There is a good choice of wild bird seed and peanuts too.

A wide choice of dried and tinned pet food is always available and discounts are available on bulk purchases.

There is plenty of free parking outside the door and knowledgeable and helpful staff inside!

NOW ON AT ...

Tools & Accessories for D.I.Y. and The Professionals

107 middle Street, Yeovil  01935 412333

Under Archway between Fit & Furnish and The Nail Bar

Dog tired of high prices? visit

croSSroaDS pet SupplieS



suppliers of

• Pet Foods • Bird & Pigeon Seeds • Full range of Toys, Hutches, Accessories ... all at competitive prices Ample FREE PARkIng outside the Door Find us at Forward Garage on the main A30 between Sherborne & Yeovil

tel: 01935 411859 .

The Visitor can now be read online … www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Gifts from around the world at the Harriet Sandys Christmas Sale.

Harriet Sandys invites you to Exotic gifts from around the world

Tool Shop & vice Centre

The pre-Christmas sale is now on at The Tool Shop & Vice Centre. Hand tools, garden tools, electric tools can all be found here to suit both the professional and the DIY-er.

There are plenty of bargains to be had - e.g. Draper 18v Combi drill 2 batteries only £99.95, Flourescent bomber jackets (padded) £38.39, Black and Decker Workmate £64.99 and wall mounted key safe £16.99.

A real Aladdin’s cave of useful

Unusual Christmas Presents from The Barn at The Manor House West Compton, BA4 4PB

Blue glass from Afghanistan, felt slippers from Nepal, wool coats from India, Kashmiri painted boxes, cushions, table lamps, tribal jewellery, scarves, cushions, block print bedspreads, throws, carpets, rugs and lots more!

Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December, 2 — 5pm Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December, 2 — 5pm Saturday 21st December, 2 — 5pm 01749 890582 • www.sandysorientalcarpets.co.uk Percentage of proceeds to Shepton Mallet Community Hospital

Candles for Christmas ...

Sales, Repairs & Servicing of PCs, Laptops and Peripherals excellent & Professional service & support 26 years of experience in computers established reputation

18 Broad Robin, GILLInGHAM SP8 4PJ Tel: 01747 821063 www.ajscomputing.co.uk email:sales@ajscomputing.co.uk

One stop shop for all your computer needs 26 THE VISITOR December 2013

Festive candles cheer up the dark winter nights - call in and see the complete range at the Farris Candle Shop, Mere.

 Christmas Lines Now In  All Candles at Factory Prices Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

 Superb Choice of Candles ... and Accessories

OPEN SATURDAY MORNINGS 30th November, 7th, 14th & 21st December, 9.30am - 1pm Please note NOT OPEN on Tuesday 24th December CHRISTMAS EVE

Church Candles ✴ Dinner Candles ✴ Tea Lights ✴ Night Lights Jars ✴ Pillars ✴ Tins ✴ Garden Flares ✴ Candle Accessories

01747 861856

SHOP DIRECT LINE Charles Farris Limited, Quarry Fields, Mere, Wiltshire BA12 6LA www.charlesfarris.co.uk

bits and bobs - screws and blades, torches and spirit levels, batteries and glue guns ... plus lots of experienced help at hand. 

AJS Computing.

What better gift than a computer for Christmas - whatever age whether it is for use for school or college or for keeping in touch with relatives and friends who live away. AJS Computing of Gillingham can supply all leading makes and offer expert advice on the best one for you.

A full range of accessories such as printers and inks are also on

sale together with tablets, iPads and cameras - and if your exisiting computer is playing up they offer a repair service too! 

Mike Manning Audio

Mike Manning Audio - a family run business - opened in Yeovil in 1987 with the sole intention of helping and advising people in their pursuit of good quality hi-fi and cinema systems for the home.

Mike's early experiences buying his own hi-fi was fraught with either pushy salesman, who knew little of the products that they were trying to sell, or reading

John Hamblin of Mark’s Models in the showroom on the Pen Mill Trading Estate, Yeovil where there are 100’s of models - planes, helicopters, tanks, cars and more! Models give hours of pleasure - paints and accessories also on sale.

Kits for all ages!

We have 100s of PlASTIc moDEl kITS by ... airfix • tamiya • italeri Airfix Kit complete with paints Also DIE-cAST moDElS from ... mini champ • hot Wheels • maisto • Burago

Oxfo r

Lyde Road

oad dR

Marks Models

Open 9am - 5pm Monday to Saturday

Vale Road Buc kland Ro

ad

YEovIl

Unit 6, 15 Oxford Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate, Yeovil BA21 5HR

tel: 01935 471154

This cheerful floral arrangement in a festive sack will make a much appreciated gift - just one of many floral gifts available through Interflora from Andrea’s of Yeovil.

Flowers say so much!

“Merry Christmas” - “Happy New Year” - “Thank You”...

BouquetS • arranGementS • plantS As an extra treat why not add a Box of Chocolates or a Teddy?

Andrea’s of Yeovil 78 Middle Street, Yeovil BA20 1LT FREEPHOnE: 08000 92 93 50 Telephone: 01935 706526 THE VISITOR December 2013 27

magazines that were (and often still are) biased for various reasons, more often than not financial.

Mike and his dedicated staff are always on hand to help and advise customers to help them make sure that they make the right purchase for their long term enjoyment of the new systems.

Mike also stocks all the better quality headphones, DAB & FM

radios and all other accessories.

Shop in confidence with Mike Manning Audio. Experience Counts!  Williams Florist - Floristry & Gardening of Stalbridge

The festive season is rapidly approaching, and preparations are underway at Williams Florist, Floristry and Gardening. They

N EW SHOP now open

Station Road, Stalbridge Tel: Stalbridge 01963 362355

CHrISTmAS TrEES ... locally grown Nordman and Norway Spruce + Holly, Wreaths and Posies

For THE LADIES ... our Floristry Department offers Cut Flowers, Bouquets, Arrangements & Pot Plants Deliveries throughout Christmas

 National Garden Gift Vouchers the perfect Christmas Gift 

late night opening Friday 6th December

Large Free Car Park OPPOsite Open: 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday • Saturday 9am - 4pm • Closed Sundays www.williams-florist.co.uk

have over the last few months been redeveloping their shop and finally it’s up and running. As usual they are supplying excellent value locally grown Christmas trees for the area, as they have done for many years, also out in the Nursery there will be Christmas wreaths and Holly posies.

They have gifts galore for the gardener and for the home, including gloves, gardening tool sets, tools, or if you are unsure what to buy then why not buy a National Garden Gift Token.

The gifts continue in the florists with vases, pot covers, sparkly twigs and seasonal picks, baubles, lights and decorations for the home.

Finally, the florists can make to order beautiful Christmas table decorations in silk or fresh flowers, bouquets or they have a vast selection of houseplants, including

stunning Poinsettias, Amaryllis, Cyclamen and Hyacinths etc.

Christmas flowers can be delivered right up to Christmas Eve throughout the area. 

Acorn Music

Acorn Music is an Independent Music Store stocking thousands of CDs, everything from rock, pop and jazz to classical folk and blues.

For musicians there is a range of guitars, ukuleles and recorders plus a wide selection of accessories including drum sticks, strings, straps, picks, leads, tuners, gig bags stands and music books. If you have outgrown your own CD collection and are looking to make some space at home, Acorn Music purchase good quality CD collections and will arrange for collection. For further information telephone 01935 425503.

music Books - Guitar accessories ukuleles - recorders Drumsticks Still stocking the Widest Range of cDs for miles around classical - Jazz - Folk - Blues - Rock and lots more  AcoRn voucHERS mAkE IDEAl gIFTS  Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/acornmusic

Cushions galore at Gillingham Suite & Bed Centre - animals, festive, humorous there is something for everyone. Check out their shabby chic department for other gift ideas too.

Beautiful home accessories ... ideal giFTS • Cushions Galore • Wonderful Lamps ... from just £18

• Ornaments and Vases • Mirrors and Photo Frames • Gifts ... from just £1 Visit our Shabby Chic Department today, the stock is constantly changing

Gillingham Suite & Bed Centre 5 Riverbridge Parade, GILLINGHAM, SP8 4BP  01747 822724 28 THE VISITOR December 2013

This Bosch Hand Blender with its heat resistant foot can perform a variety of tasks including blending soups, sauces, smoothies and even baby food. It has a quiet 400W low vibration motor, stainless steel blades and the easy eject foot is simple to remove.

Visit Jerry’s Electrical in Wincanton for a wide range of practical gifts this Christmas.

The Post Office Glastonbury

Glastonbury Post Office is run by Gerald Cross together with one of his two sons. Having run this busy post office for over ten years Gerald and his five staff are well known to their customers and offer a friendly and helpful service.

If you are planning a winter break don’t forget you can get your travel insurance, travellers cheques and currency from the Post Office.

Christmas is looming so remember to send your overseas parcels and cards off in plenty of time. The last posting date for New Zealand is 4th and Australia 5th December, Canada 10th and United States 13th , and Western Europe 14th.

Village post Offices & Stores

POST EArlY

The Post Office Ilchester

The Post Office Stores is the hub of village life and Ilchester Post

Office is no exception. Run by Peter and Viv Batten, the Post Office offers a wide range of services which means that you don’t have to travel - savings accounts, personal banking, household bills payment facilities, insurance, rod licences, car tax, and euros and dollars on demand - you can even send flowers.

The store has plenty of gift ideas too - jewellery, including Byzantian crystal, toys, baby gifts, confectionery, plus cards, giftwrap and partyware. Don’t forget that the store will be open until 8.30pm on Tuesday 10th December for you to do your Christmas shopping.

They also offer fresh bread from West Camel, Dorset Delight Cakes and meat from Jon Thorner’s Butchers.

the visitor can now be read online:

Waltons Post Office Mere

If you are struggling for a ‘useful’ gift idea, Waltons Post Office Gift Cards are ideal. Available for any occasion including Christmas, they can be spent in over 60 different retailers. Another very acceptable gift idea is a magazine subscription - there are titles to suit all ages and interests.

Waltons of Mere have a good choice of jigsaws, toys and chocolates for Christmas, Quality Street/Roses just £4.85, plus of course, cards and gift wrap.

If you are travelling abroad you can get your Euros, foreign currency, and travel money cards at the Post Office.

Take a look at the bargains on sale in the pound zone - useful everyday items at £1 or less.

Whether paying a bill or Christmas shopping, visit Waltons of Mere.

mere poSt office &

nEWSAgEnT

offer a wide range of ...

CHRISTMAS IDeAS, Mouthwatering Sweets and Chocolates, Toys, Gifts & Magazine Subscriptions Gift Cards for all occasions Phone Cards plus ...

POUnD ZOne ITeMS £1 OR LeSS Pay your bills Here!

Tel: 01747 860245

www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

ilcheSter

post office Stores

High Street

ilcheSter 01935 840225

For all your Post Office needs: car tax, travel insurance, euros & dollars on demand, plus fresh bread and groceries It could be YOU! Don’t forget your Lottery Ticket!

Castle Cary’s busy Post Office is housed in this architecturally attractive building.

✴ Christmas Late Night Tuesday 10th December ‘til 8.30pm ✴ Please suPPOrT yOur lOCal POsT OffiCe OPen MOnday – saTurday

To beat the Christmas rush, make sure you post before the recommended last posting dates

asia, Far east (including Japan), new Zealand australia africa, caribbean, central / south america, middle east cyprus, eastern europe canada, France, Greece, Poland usa Western europe (excluding France, Greece, Poland)

British Forces Post Office (BFPO) Friday 29 november airmail to operational bFPos Friday 13 December airmail to static bFPos

STaTioNeRy • aCCouNTS • STaMPS

International Airmail Wednesday 4 December thursday 5 December Friday 6 December monday 9 December tuesday 10 December Friday 13 December saturday 14 December

TelePHoNe • GaS • eleCTRiCiTy • WaTeR • GiRo TRaNSaCTioNS

GlaSToNBuRy PoST oFFiCe aND ClaSS CaRDS 35 High Street Glastonbury BA6 9HG

Telephone 01458 831536

MoNeyGRaMS • BuDGeT CaRDS

Uk Wednesday 18 December second class and royal mail signed For Friday 20 December First class and royal mail signed For monday 23 December royal mail special Delivery Guaranteed

Closed Lunchtimes and Wednesday & Saturday Afternoons

GReeTiNGS CaRDS • HoliDay iNSuRaNCe • FoReiGN CuRReNCy • PeNSioN PayMeNTS

THE VISITOR December 2013 29

Christmas in Somerton

Somerton Business Park provides as unlikely site for the town’s smart new community hall and town council offices.

need a new conservatory? replacement windows or doors? contact

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FENSA Registered Company sales@turnerwindows.co.uk www.turnerwindows.co.uk 30 THE VISITOR December 2013

“This installation is the best we have ever had. You did what it said on the tin.

Your men started on time, your team of two (Jason and Alec) were courteous ... nothing was too much trouble ... took great care and left the house clean and tidy.

We employ an assortment of tradesmen and there are only two or three that we would endorse. Welcome to the club.” – david & Pam Watts (February 2013) Just one of many testimonials from satisfied customers ★ See online for further personal recommendations

Turner Windows of Somerton Ltd

Unit 3 Bancombe Trading Estate, Somerton, TA11 6SB

call 01458 272555 Today for a FREE no obligation quote

THE LAST TIME I wrote about Somerton I vowed to take a closer look at the trading estate and business park on the town’s north-west edge off Bancombe Road. This I did on a sunny November afternoon, and I was astounded first by the sheer size of the employment area and secondly by the diverse range of businesses and facilities that I found there. A multitude of small businesses occupy the modern units, many of them like Lee Holmes Garden Machinery, Chameleon Bedrooms and Kitchens, Somerton Windows, Turner Windows and Vintage Country Interiors and Clothing being familiar names to regular Visitor readers. Businesses as diverse as motor mechanics and beauticians appear to be thriving there and I saw hardly any vacant premises on the tidy welldesigned estate. On the basis of my brief visit I got the impression that Somerton is emerging from the economic downturn relatively unscathed.

At the far end of the business park is Edgar Hall, Somerton’s modern community hall and office

TONY’S FISH & CHIPS oPeN: Tuesday to Saturday Inclusive 12.00 – 2.00 • 5.00 – 9.30 CHRiSTMaS oPeNiNG oPeN: Christmas Eve Tuesday 24th December CLOSEd: Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th december Re-oPeN: Friday 27th December and Saturday 28th December CLOSEd: New Year’s Eve Tuesday 31st december and New Year’s Day Wednesday 1st January Re-oPeN: Thursday 2nd January

Tel: 01458 272532 The Triangle, Pye Corner Somerton, Somerset

The Dress Circle Dress Agency

Quality fashion items wanted to sell on a commission basis Wedding hats, wedding outfits, cruise wear and good quality casual wear and accessories, accepted every day ...

10am - 4pm Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm Saturday For large quantities collections can be arranged

4 Brunel Shopping Centre Somerton TA11 7PY  01458 273485

Christmas in Somerton of the town council. Its edge-oftown location doubtless makes it inconvenient for people without cars, but the hall has a large car park which could not be provided cheaply, if at all, at a town centre site. I didn’t venture inside, but from the outside it looks to be a large, light and attractive asset for the town.

The town centre, too, seems to be relatively unharmed by the depression. A walk from The Triangle to the Market Place and Broad Street revealed a sprinkling of new businesses and very few empty shops. Somerton

M

J

Carpets Proprietor ROGER WILLIS

retains a good selection of independent traders, some of them traditional like the butchers and florist and others catering for niche markets. At The Triangle the post office, resplendent in its fresh coat of bright red paint, also provides banking services and sells stationery, cards and suchlike. A few doors along the road is Jane’s Dress Agency which, although it looks small from the outside, has a large selection of fashionable ladieswear at affordable prices.

And across the road is Tony Degregorio’s renowned fish and

For a reliable and personal service n Select from over 1000 Carpet and Vinyl samples n All leading makes supplied n Prompt Delivery n Professional Fitting

Although it looks small from the outside, Jane’s Dress Agency at The Triangle has a large selection of fashionable ladieswear at affordable prices.

market Place, Somerton, Somerset TA11 7LZ

Tel: (01458) 273042

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Chameleon

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THE VISITOR December 2013 31

Christmas in Somerton chip shop which he has run for 26 years in a building thought to have been standing for over 300 years.

If you’re shopping for Christmas gifts, two shops at this end of West Street are well worth browsing. Adults and children alike usually welcome a gift connected with their hobby, so a good source of ideas is the Somerton Hobbies shop by the car park next to the former Half Moon pub. It caters for a broad

range of interests from model railways and planes to jewellery and card making – but not for home-wine and beer-makers! For them you will have to cross the road to the Overt Locke store which has a department devoted exclusively to these hobbies. The rest of the store is full of house and home products of every description including glassware and pottery, tableware, kitchen requisites of every description and much else besides.

Now under new management, the ancient Unicorn Hotel on West Street continues to provide breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.

HouSE oF TAlBoT • • • • • •

PICTURE FRAMING LAMINATING MIRRORS MADE TO SIZE PICTURE RESTORATION BLOCK MOUNTING ARTISTS EXHIBITION FRAMING 16 cary court Somerton Business Park SomERTon Tel: 01458 274262 Open Monday - Friday

Also at this end of West Street is the ancient Unicorn Hotel. The building dates from medieval times but in the mid-17th century the frontage was rebuilt and the two-storey gable porch added. It is recorded as being an inn in 1756. Now under new management, it continues to provide breakfasts, lunches, dinners, bar snacks and a range of Young’s beers. Another of Somerton’s ancient pubs, the White Hart, reopened in the summer after extensive refurbishment which included new signage and a model hart over the entrance porch, making it an inviting sight on the Market Place. Next door, The Globe is a similarly ancient and interesting inn. Originally called The Angel, it is mentioned in the parish records as long ago as 1616.

Somerton is well provided with

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 12.30pm, or by appointment

Morley House, Market Place, SOMERTON, Somerset, TA11 7LX • www.awruleandson.co.uk 32 THE VISITOR December 2013

pleasant places to eat and drink.

In addition to the pubs there are the Buttercross Tearooms and the Market Bar & Bistro on the Market Place, and the Full of Beans licensed café on West Street. And the independent Williams supermarket in the Brunel shopping precinct also contains a splendid café. These are the ones I spotted, but there might well be others.

Still on the Christmas gift trail, three places at the eastern end of West Street are certainly worth a browse – the aforementioned gift shop, the Stationery House and the Old Courthouse. The Stationery House is much more than just a stationer; it has a selection of goods that are clearly gifts from Somerton, together with a broad range of maps, books, pens, jigsaw puzzles, framed prints and office requisites. And the former courthouse provides a superb showcase for some of the finest ceramics, metalwork, woodwork, glass, jewellery, embroidery and photography produced by members of the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen. Most of the items are very reasonably priced considering the many hours of skilled work put into creating them.

Stroll the length of West Street and you will find numerous other interesting shops, their size often much larger than their narrow frontages would suggest. Take a look in the Brunel precinct and wander round the Market Place and along Broad Street to garner more gift ideas and to admire the architecture of this lovely old market town. It’s well worth a visit and will look particularly special from Friday 29th

Somerton November when the Christmas lights are switched on.

Information about what is planned for this and other events in the town during the festive season can be viewed on www.somerton.co.uk Roger Richards.

family pet, plus a good selection of bird food and seeds. Bulk purchases are available.

Clean up your garden with ...

Lawn & Litter VaCuumS Prices from

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Brunel Pet centre

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5a Brunel Shopping Precinct

BUSIneSS UPDATe

Brunel Pet Centre - Karen Eaton is the new proprietor of Brunel Pet Centre. Karen took over at the end of July and continues to offer an extensive range of branded pet foods such as Burns Pet Foods together with a full range of accessories.

New in - a range of Christmas Stockings and treats for the

saVe

Somerton

Well sTocked and Good Prices on PeT Food • Plenty of Christmas Gift Ideas • Toys and Accessories • Wild Bird Food - well priced • Friendly Service • Orders Welcome

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 01458 274980

Osteopath Andrew Knight

independent Garden machinery Specialist

D.o.

Somerton ta11 6QH Castle Cary ba7 7ba

trundle cottage manor lodge

01963 351477 osteopath@btconnect.com

THE VISITOR December 2013 33

✴ ✴

Sewing Machine Service centre Repairs & Servicing To All Makes - Domestic & Industrial Collection and Delivery Available

Embroidery Engineering Services Suppliers of Computerised Embroidery Machines Telephone: 01963 350068 • Mobile: 07947 725315 Email: robert_churches@hotmail.com UniT 8, Torbay indUsTrial EsTaTE CasTlE Cary ba7 7dW The Visitor can now be read online: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

✴

✴

CASTle CARy'S Big Christmas will take place on Thursday 12th December when the shops will be open for late night Christmas shopping, and there will be many events for children and adults to enjoy.

The grand opening procession starts at 5.30pm from the Horse Pond and will make its way to the High Street where market stalls from the Anonymous Travelling Market will be set up.

In the undercroft at The Market House you’ll find Carol singing and community stalls ... there’ll be storytelling in the bookshop ... many of the shops will be offering hospitality to their customers in the form of mulled wine, bacon butties, mince pies

and much more. A live band will be entertaining the crowds at the Horse Pond end of town, playing until 9.30pm, and throughout the evening you’ll see appearances from Morris Men, Majorettes, and an interesting variety of street entertainment all evening.

And we mustn’t forget Father Christmas ... he will be arriving around 7.15pm with presents for all the children.

So, don’t forget, Castle Cary is open for business. Come along and join in the festive spirit ... do your Christmas Shopping with some added fun on Thursday 12th December from 5.30pm and stay for food and entertainment.

Please note that the High Street and Fore Street will be closed to traffic from 4.00pm.

Grey Door Galley

The Grey Door Gallery is run by Jill Rousseau and her husband Michel. The gallery offers a diverse range of art from local artists including photography, paintings, jewellery and ceramics.

There is something to suit all budgets - porcelain brooches cost around £5, ceramic vases start

Give a gift that is unique this Christmas - visit The Grey Door Gallery. Here you will find presents to suit all tastes and budgets. Much of the stock is sourced from West Country artists - do call in and browse at your leisure.

The Grey Door Gallery Ceramics Paintings & Jewellery ... by InDIvIDual arTIsTs mainly West Country Open: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm other times by appointment

email: jill@thegreydoorgallery.co.uk www.thegreydoorgallery.co.uk

34 THe VISITOR December 2013

g i Ft VOUCHERS

Woodcock street Castle Cary • Ba7 7BJ 01963 351354

✴

✴ from £8 and paintings from around £30. There are some festive lines in stock including some pretty ceramic tea-light holders in the shape of holly leaves. Other practical gifts include attractive jugs and large bowls which would make a lovely centre piece for your Christmas table.

So if you are looking for a gift that is a little bit different, or something for your home - do pop in, you are welcome to browse.

✴

✴

The Proper Pet Co.

The Proper Pet Co. has been open in Station Road since the 19th October.

The shop is open from 9.30pm till 5pm Monday to Friday and 9.30pm till 1.30pm on Saturdays (although it is often open later).

The Proper Pet Co. keeps many popular products in stock including James Wellbeloved and Burns Pet Foods. However, they pride themselves on being able to obtain most pet foods and products at affordable prices within a few days of an order being placed. you can contact The Proper Pet Co. on 01963 351400 or like their facebook page.

Needful Things

Don’t miss out on the chance to win vouchers to spend in Oxford Mill, they are running a free Christmas Draw - just pop in and enter your details. At Oxford Mill you will find a host of gift ideas from colourful gloves, scarves and socks through to warm fur gilets and wool jumpers. Proprietor Wendy Braithwaite pictured.

Oxford Mill of

Castle Cary Clothing & Gifts for Women and Men

It's a winter wonderland at needful Things of Castle Cary; elves, Santas, Angels and a host of wild animals have taken over this magical store! Gifts galore and Decorations you won't find anywhere else! A visit to needful Things at Christmas is a must as sparkle and snow, flowers and garlands dazzle the eye and warm the heart. Snow globes, musical scenes and hand-made glass baubles ... Advent boxes and candles, hand-made Austrian decorations scented with cloves and cinnamon ... nutcrackers, Polar bears, and snowmen ... it's a Christmas dream of a shop, whatever your age. So when in Cary, do pop into needful Things and get in the mood for Christmas. It will always surprise and delight you!

offer a personalised printing service - T-shirts, Mugs, Coasters etc. no minimum order.

Known for their trophies and engraving, Incogneato have invested in digital engraving equipment and are now pleased to offer engraving on a wider range of items including glass and celebration ware such as Christening bracelets, photo frames and more.

All your party requirements from fancy dress outfits and balloons, through to gifts and greetings cards are available.

The

InCOGnEaTO Personalised Printing T-Shirts, Sweat Shirts, Gifts & Souvenirs

Fancy Dress, Party supplies and Helium Balloons ...

Carnival Supplies & Theatrical Make-Up Magic Tricks and Jokes Cups and Trophy Supply Engraving Service Also Engravable Jewellery Silver, Glass and Leather Gifts Passport and Identity Photographs Photos & Portraits to Canvas Open Tuesday – Saturday 9am – 5pm

Fore Street, Castle Cary, BA7 7BG Tel: 01963 359111 www.fancydressandtrophies.co.uk

CloCk Shop

The pitching, Market place Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7Al

01963 359100 www.castlecaryclockshop.co.uk Antique Clocks Bought ~ Sold ~ Restored OPenInG HOuRS Tuesday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm Closed Wednesday

Incogneato

Since moving to their new larger premises in Fore Street Incogneato are now pleased to

 ENTER  OUR FREE CHRISTMAS  DRAW 

The Market Place, Castle Cary, BA7 7AG Tel: 01963 350230 THe VISITOR December 2013 35

Sherborne Abbey provides a splendid venue for a concert of Christmas music on 19th December.

Enjoy your Christmas Viewing

Gift Ideas DAB

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COunTleSS eVenTS are happening in and around Sherborne between now and Christmas, and the place to find out about them is the Tourist Information Centre on Digby Road opposite the Abbey. As always, the TIC is selling charity Christmas cards and a range of local gifts and souvenirs, so it’s well worth a visit. Currently it is open daily except Sundays from 9.30am till 4.00pm. It is also selling tickets for a major event, the Abbey’s Carol Concert on Thursday 19th December at 7.30pm., when the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will play Christmas music and favourite carols. The programme will also include seasonal readings and seems certain to attract an appreciative audience. Ticket prices range from £15 to £25 depending on where you want to sit. Telephone the TIC on 01935 815341 for further details.

Outside the Abbey cross Half Moon Street, take a few paces along Westbury and turn around.

Then you will see what is, for me, the most appealing view of this splendid building, framed by the ancient Almshouse of Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the evangelist on the left and a

North Dorset & South Somerset

Premier Art ShoP

All the Materials you need for your Art Classes and Workshops Plenty of Gift Sets to suit every budget We offer Vouchers from £10 or more Extensive Range of Artist Materials for Professional, Hobbyist and Students Liquitex Stockist * Picture Framing Greeting Cards * Craft Materials Serving the Community for 109 Years

12 Cheap Street, Sherborne

Tel: 01935 817100

★ Call in for the latest deals / packages ★

DOn’T DeSpair - We repair ...

TVs ✴ Radios ✴ Record Players ✴ Stereos ✴ Plasma TVs and more From the nearly new to the positively vintage! On-the-premises workshop

Buy with confidence - Excellent customer and after sales service - Just nice people to do business with!

Your Local Television and Audio Specialist SaLeS – Service – rePairS

Greenhill • Sherborne • Dorset • DT9 4EW • 01935 813451 36 THe VISITOR December 2013

Tapestry, Cross Stitch and Embroidery Kits Haberdashery: Christmas Ribbons Now In Stockists of: Stylecraft, Sirdar, Bergere, Wendy and Robin Wools ✳ Hand Knitted Items For Sale ✳ Knitting & Stitching Club Wednesday 2pm – 4pm Quilting Circle Thursday 1pm – 3pm Free advice and help with getting started on knitting and stitching COMMISSIONS UNdERTAKEN

1 Cheap Street Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3PT  01935 815361 www.sherbornetapestry.co.uk

★ Shoe Repairs ★ Key Cutting ... while you wait

The other Sherborne event I must mention is the Festive Shopping Day on Sunday 8th

➥

S

pHone for a Home visit

A GenuIn e S

V

I

Lance Wells & Mike Baker ★ STaTe reGiSTereD

01935 814074 or 07767 027798 (mobile)

our chriStmAS GiFt to You ...

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21 Cheap Street, Sherborne Tel: 01935 814225 or visit our website ...

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CRB

appRoved

Home visits availaBle

Particularly useful if you are elderly or infirm The Barber’s shop WInCanTOn Memorial Hall and at Mondays 1.00pm – 5.30pm Thursdays 9.00am – 5.30pm Saturdays 8.00am – 12noon MIlBOrnE POrT Town Hall Wednesdays 10.00am – 6.00pm sParkFOrD village Hall Fridays 12.45pm – 5.45pm

★ Luggage

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December from 10.00am until 4.00pm. Attractions include a farmers’ market, Santa Claus in

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Sherborne Shoe Repairs

the tarmac and this view could be unchanged from the 19th century or earlier.

n

rendered building with exposed stonework on the right. The almshouse is another of Sherborne’s treasures, founded in 1437 and thought to have incorporated an earlier almshouse dating from 1223. Building started in 1438 to accommodate ‘twelve poor feeble and ympotent old men and four old women’ and the wing facing on to Trendle Street is part of the original. The rest dates from the 19th century when part was rebuilt and new wings and cloisters were added.

Ahead, the little brick cabin is the restored public weighbridge house dating from the early 19th century, and behind it is the Digby Memorial erected in 1884 in front of Abbey’s south transept.

This elaborate memorial commemorates the life of George Wingfield Digby of Sherborne Castle who had contributed handsomely to the Victorian restoration of the Abbey. Remove the bollards, the yellow lines and

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when placing your order before christmas for January / February supply and fit *Orders and deposits must be paid by 19th December 2013 Superb Choice • Free Planning & Design • Visit Our Showroom

Sherborne KitchenS & conStruction The Old Bakery, Half Moon Street SHerBOrne, DT9 3Ln

(Through the archway next to the Half Moon Hotel)

Tel: 01935 817111 email: sales@sherbornekitchens.com www.sherbornekitchens.com THe VISITOR December 2013 37

the post office grotto, vintage car rides around the town, a lantern procession and a diverse range of street entertainers. To round the day off, the Christmas Tree lights will be ceremonially switched on at 4.30pm at the Conduit at the bottom of Cheap Street. It promises to be an enjoyable day for all the family as well as being a good time to do some Christmas shopping.

Sherborne is an ideal place to browse for unusual Christmas gifts – arts and crafts from all over the world, ladies designer clothes, jewellery, fancy foods,

kitchenware, books, traditional and contemporary home furnishings, electrical goods, antiques and curios . . . the choice seemed endless when I went window-shopping in early november. The town has certainly developed a reputation as a source of elegant, unusual, high quality Christmas gifts, and Cheap Street, long Street, South Street, Half Moon Street and Digby Road are packed with an incredible variety of specialist traders too numerous to mention by name. And much of Sherborne’s charm lies in its little

lanes and alleys off the main shopping streets. Tucked away behind Bow Arch on the path to the Abbey are the town’s museum and the naturalife wholefoods and bodycare store. And there are other interesting businesses to be discovered on Hound Street and Trendle Street, in Swan’s yard behind Cheap Street, at Greenhill beyond the top of Cheap Street, and on South Western Business Park next to the railway station.

The town also boasts an abundance of tea shops, cafés and pubs so you’re spoilt for choice.

And some have the added attraction of being interesting old buildings. Take a stroll down Westbury to discover the historic Britannia Inn, part of which was the original lord Digby’s School where poor girls were taught to read and sew – there’s a commemorative plaque above the doorway revealing a little about the building’s history – and across the road on Cooks lane the Digby Tap dates from the 16th century and was once the parish workhouse. In the 19th century it became the taphouse of the Digby Hotel, which was built just round the corner on Digby Road in about 1860, and was the place

where the servants and coachmen of the hotel’s affluent guests got their beer and food.

The Digby Hotel was built to replace the new Inn which was demolished to make way for a station on the railway then being constructed from Salisbury through Sherborne to yeovil. The hotel has long been closed and is now a boarding house of Sherborne School, but the Digby Tap survives as a popular freehouse offering a range of real ales. Closed, too, is the other hotel built near the station to cash in on the railborne trade – the Pageant Inn and Hotel on the opposite side of the gardens from the Digby Hotel. Converted almost a decade ago into stylish apartments, they must be ideal for anyone wishing to live close to Sainsbury’s and the station but a brisk walk away from the nearest pubs on Half Moon Street and Cheap Street.

Another of Sherborne’s connections with the beer trade was converted into luxury apartments as long ago as the 1980s. The Dorsetshire Brewery Co (Sherborne) was established on long Street in 1796 and became known as Baxter’s Dorsetshire Brewery in 1887.

Much of Sherborne’s charm lies in its little lanes and alleys off the main streets.

A taste of Italy in Sherborne ...

Caffe Baglioni italian Coffee Shop

Open Monday to Saturday for ...

Morning Coffees, Light Lunches, Cakes & Pastries

Christmas Evening Menu 3 Course + Coffee £19.95 Party Bookings Welcome

 OPEN FRIdAy & SATURdAy EvENINGS THROUGHOUT dECEMbER - FULLy LICENSEd 

2 Swan Yard, Sherborne, DT9 3AX  01935 389389

... Buon appetito !

The plaque above the door of the Britannia Inn reveals a little about the building’s history.

PASTIMES of Sherborne

BREWERS GARAGE LTD

We pay top prices for old toys - any condition Trains • Cars • Lorries • Soldiers • Etc. Britains * Dinky * Corgi * Hornby Meccano * Tri-ang * Etc. Shop Open Mornings 9.30am - 1.00pm Monday to Saturday

tel: 01935 816072 Mob: 07527 074343 HOME vISITS by ARRANGEMENT

3 Westbury, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3Eh 38 THe VISITOR December 2013

AIR CONdITIONING • dIAGNOSTICS TyRES • MOT SERvICING • REPAIRS Telephone

01935 812720 Western Ways Yard Bristol Road, ShERBoRNE, Dorset DT9 4hR

Brewing ceased in 1951 although malting continued for some years before the stone building fell out of use and dereliction set in.

Following restoration and conversion it now contains 26 flats and is called The Maltings.

Of Sherborne’s buildings the former brewery is second only to the Abbey in terms of size.

Roger Richards.

Sherborne Town Football Club

yeovil based waste management company M & J Bowers ltd is delighted to announce that the business has become the main sponsor of Sherborne Town Football Club.

John Bowers, owner and Managing Director says, ‘We have been involved with Sherborne Town Football Club for a number of years and when we were asked

by Club Chairman Steve Paradise

if we could step in at the last minute and become the main sponsor of the Club, we were really pleased to take up the opportunity.’

As main sponsor, M & J Bowers will have the company name displayed on banners around the ground and on the distinctive Sherborne FC shirts.

M & J Bowers is keen to ensure that fans are aware of the great recycling facility based at its yeovil Centre where anything from books to clothes can be destroyed safely.

Club Chairman Steve Paradise is clearly hoping that the only thing to be destroyed this season will be Sherborne Town’s opposition and he said he was delighted with the support M & J Bowers has given to the football club over the last few years and hopes this will be continued into the future.

The 2012/13 season saw Sherborne return to the Premier league at the first time of asking and as First Division Champions; Jamie Manley also won the league's Manager of the year award.

With some substantial new funding in place, work has already started to improve

Sherborne Town FC’s club house facilities and to renovate the pitch.

As keen football supporters M & J Bowers also sponsors yeovil based Pen Mill Football Club as well as the Pen Mill under 9’s ‘Cougars’ managed by Simon Brown.

Managing Director John Bowers is proud to be the main sponsor of Sherborne Town FC.

Beautiful Bedrooms

The Digby Tap, renowned for its real ales, was once the parish workhouse before becoming the tap house for the now-closed Digby Hotel.

we have a StYLe tO Suit YOu No more clutter – sleek and stylish storage Wide choice of finishes

Stunning BathrOOMS

Traditional and Modern ★ Wet Room Specialists Visit our Bathroom & Bedroom Showroom and discuss your personal requirements ...

Planning – Design – Installation Contact Simply Bathrooms & Bedrooms The Old Bakery, Half Moon Street, Sherborne DT9 3LN (Through Archway by Half Moon Inn)

Tel: 01935 817111 or 817119 www.SimplyBathAndBed.co.uk • info@SimplyBathAndBed.co.uk

THe VISITOR December 2013 39

House & Home Warm homes Mendip Stoves

There’s nothing quite like the glow of a real fire to make your home feel cosy and welcoming.

Mendip Stoves are created and constructed with thought and care - each stove tested for ease of use and durability. The designers have maintained each stove’s own individual style to complement your fireplace or hearth.

The Mendip 8 is a stunning centre piece for any room, adding colour and vibrancy to a room

Bryan G. paully ltd

domestic / commercial installations / replacements Plastic / Metal Tanks • Temporary Tanks Leaking Tanks • Tank Cleaning / Moving / Disposal Above or Below Ground Tanks

tel: 01963 363870 • Mob: 07836 502683 office@halletsfarm.fsnet.co.uk • www.bgp-oiltanks.co.uk

Keep warm this winter ... with underfloor heating!

whether alight in the depths of a cold winter or dormant in the summer. The enamelled exterior with its smooth glossy finish is long lasting and easy to wipe clean. This accomplished multifuel stove is available in seven colours - claret, powder blue, dark blue, classic pewter, lime green, glossy black and ivory. you can see the Mendip 8 stove in claret on the inside of the cover. local stockist Ben Johnson.

Esse Stoves

Master stove makers Esse, have been producing stoves since 1854 and when you select one of their stoves, you might be choosing the latest model, but you are also choosing more than a century and a half of stove-building history.

All stoves in the 100 series have been approved for use with a 12mm decorative hearth. Adjustable feet mean this stove can sit perfectly on an uneven hearth and is available with top or rear flue options. Simple air controls make it easy to operate efficiently.

With a colder than average winter being predicted it’s comforting to know that when Shackleton set out to conquer the Antarctic, (and with 30 hungry mouth to feed in -45ºC) he needed a stove that would perform in the most hostile conditions - he chose an Esse! local Esse stockist: Sandpits Heating Centre, 01458 251476.

currentLY On SPeciaL OFFer Suppliers of Thermonet and Comfort Zone – economical to run ... from as little as 1p a day subject to local tariff & type of equipment purchased give us a call today

carY tiLeS

Unit 6, Torbay Industrial Estate, Torbay Road, Castle Cary tel: 01963 359388

The Esse 100DD 5kW stove - all the capabilities of the 100, with an elegant double door.

Open: Monday 9am – 2pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am – 5pm, Thursday 10am – 2pm Saturday 9am – 1pm (Closed Friday and Sunday) • Part of GWM Tiling

hiDer heating

Specialists in Installation & Service aLL TypeS Of pLuMBinG Central Heating Systems, boiler Replacement Landlord Safety Checks and Servicing Gas and Oil established Over 40 years Rely on us for all Plumbing & Heating Needs Specialist in bathroom designs including all Tiling & Electrics

Reg. No. 700

www.hiderheating.co.uk tel: 01935 426209 • Mobile: 07836 773152 11 Hillgrove avenue, Yeovil, somerset

now available 5 tonne load deliveries by small lorry

Pre-PacKeD cOaL avaiLaBLe

large and small loads

Keep The Grinch At Bay This Christmas

Christmas trees decked with baubles and laden with presents are a lovely sight, especially for

wOODBurnerS Get your stove serviced for Glass – Rope – Safety Check Power Sweeping: specialised cleaning for stoves with liners Chimney Sweeping: traditional rods and brush system for open fires All installations carried out by HETAS Engineer New & Reconditioned Woodburners on Sale + Accessories We can Refurbish your Woodburner ...

Reconditioning, Reglazing, etc.

PLUS now stocking Woodburners by SAEY – Mendip Stoves – Westfire CONTACT

Trade enquiries Welcome

We can deliver to your area inc. Castle Cary, Bruton, Sherborne, Wincanton etc.

For advice or information ring Tim or Heidi or call in and see us 40 THe VISITOR December 2013

Security

the autumn / winter

NEW

SanD & graveL

The Esse 100/100Se 5kW is everything a stove should be. It offers the trademark wide fire view through clear glass. It boasts a slim profile, making it ideal where hearth depths are limited and in rooms where there is space for a larger stove but a bigger heat output would overwhelm the living space.

GArdeN MAcHiNery & stoVes

17d Wincombe Business Park, SHAFTESBURY, SP7 9QJ

 01747 851021

www.benjohnsonmowers.com

House & Home burglars, so it is more important than ever to make sure your home is secure at this time of year.

During the whirlwind of Christmas shopping trips, festive activities and frequent visitors home security can slip and, as a consequence, burglaries increase by up to 20% over the winter months. With this in mind, the security experts at yale have come up with some seasonal advice for householders to stop the Grinch stealing your Christmas.

Who’s at the door?

‘Tis the season to be jolly and with more frequent visits from family and friends, as well as the odd carol singer, yale recommends you look through your front door ‘spy hole’ and enable the door chain before swinging it open. Only release the chain if you are satisfied that the person at the door is really who they say they are and have identification to prove the purpose of their visit – if you are unsure, keep them out.

For the latest in security technology, yale’s recording digital door viewer has a built in camera so you can take still pictures of anyone who is at the door if you are unsure of their motives.

Raise the alarm

As well as visiting loved ones at Christmas more of us are enjoying winter breaks, so it’s important to make sure your home is protected while you’re away. Home alarms act as the perfect ‘security guard’, watching over your property while you’re not there.

Alarms act as visual deterrents to potential burglars and are vital for alerting neighbours in the event of a break-in. yale’s easy

Fit Alarm kits are quick and easy to install, and offer discreet protection for all types of properties, from flats to large family homes.

Fact: Thieves can get through any hole bigger than a human head.

Stacking our homes with the latest gadgets, laptops and expensive jewellery provides thieves with the perfect incentive to commit burglaries.

Make sure all doors and windows are fitted with secure locks in line with British standards. external timber doors should be secured using a mortice lock and/or night latch approved to BS3621:2007and if you have a PVCu or composite door then it is

a good idea to upgrade the euro profile cylinder in your multipoint lock to the British Standard TS007 as well (look for the Kitemark on lock packs and on the lock itself). locks are also available for all types of windows, including wooden, aluminium and PVCu, as well as French doors and patio doors.

outbuildings with a weather-proof padlock to help deter would-be thieves and protect against unwanted intruders. Anchor locks and cables can also be used to secure high value individual items inside an outbuilding.

Identity theft

During winter, and especially around Christmas, you are more susceptible to fraud, as the increase in larger purchases, internet shopping and a busy social calendar means you are less likely to notice unusual activity on your account. To protect yourself, keep your gift

The great outdoors

Outdoor thefts are almost 20% higher compared with five years ago and at this time of year sheds are often used to store Christmas presents such as bicycles and power tools. you can secure your

cane Furniture the largest selection in the West Country!

We can offer prompt free delivery within a 50 mile radius All suites assembled www.avaloncanefurniture.co.uk

This Bosch 1200 spin 5kg Washer Dryer comes with fifteen different programmes, such as a super quick 15 minute wash, time delay, and high water level options to protect those delicate materials.

There are some excellent deals being offered on Bosch appliances at your local Euronics dealer. See the advert for Jerry’s Electrical in the Wincanton feature.

Update your suite with made-to-measure cushions with removeable covers

Or come in and see us ... you won't be disappointed!

CANE FURNITURE

estaBlisHed oveR 60 YeaRs

Open 7 Days: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5.30pm, Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm

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✔ Recomendations - The vast majority of our customers  come from recommendation by happy customers

✔ Quality - All our kitchens are of the highest quality  ✔ Choice - We have over 400 Kitchens to choose from. 

A dedicated Granite Room & Replacement door department.

✔ Value - All our Kitchens are competitively priced  ✔ Design - We design your kitchen the way you want it 

RepaiR seRviCe ★ All makes of TV repaired ★ On the premises workshop

★ Loan TV whilst being repaired

★ Estimates ★ Bench or field service Full RanGe oF panasoniC tvs in stoCk FoR sale ... do Call in

H.R. Hodge

Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm • Saturday 9am - 1pm

38 St. James Street South Petherton ta13 5Bw  01460 240645

based upon your individual requirements

✔ Installation - We have some of the finest Kitchen 

installers and associated trades to be found locally

✔ Experience - Together we have over 500 years experience  ✔ Showroom - You can visit our 2500 sq ft showroom  on Preston Road Yeovil - FREE OFF ROAD PARKING OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK

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No ‘permanent sales’, ‘free fitting’ or other over-used sales gimmicks WHY not put us to tHe test?

01935 472100

Higher Preston Farm, Preston Road YEoVIl, BA20 2ET (Just down from ASDA) www.kitchen-updates.co.uk

Town Centre Mudford

Kitchens & Updates Zoe’s Hair

ASDA

Town Centre Houndstone

Preston Road Ilchester

Retail Park

THe VISITOR December 2013 41

House & Home receipts in a home safe that’s bolted securely to the floor or wall.

Christmas party safety

It’s easy to let your hair down and enjoy your Christmas party if your follow a few golden rules.

Plan your journey home and use a reputable taxi company. If you’re left in a position where you are on your own try to stick to well lit areas and carry a personal attack alarm for peace of mind.

Don’t advertise your presents

Be careful to dispose of gift packaging carefully. Rubbish collections over the Christmas and new year period are often at different times, so remember to take note of any changes. Make sure you put your rubbish out just before the collection and shred any details you wouldn’t want people to see. you should also resist the urge to advertise your new Christmas

for all your Tool Hire Requirements including Mini Digger Hire and Garden Machinery Higher Farm, Sutton, Ditcheat Tel: 01749 860199 • Mob: 0777 163 2221

RE-UPHOLSTERY

Wide range of materials For all your re-upholstery requirements contact

DAVID J. DIMEnT UPHolSTERERS CASTlE CARY (01963) 351194

Somerset residents are being urged to save money and avoid the waste of landfill by getting more from their electrical gadgets.

With homes becoming gadget graveyards of unwanted or broken items, Somerset Waste Partnership’s Green Routine waste prevention campaign offers easy alternatives to refuse bins.

Its ‘gadget control’ guide – ahead of the Christmas buying rush – advises: Renewed power: there are many ways to give electricals a second life.

designed with you in mind

Tick-Tock

Christmas is Coming Clocks from £35 – £95 ... an ideal gift Mirrors – lamps – Wine Racks and other home accessories VISItor offer n whe ucing

SAVE 0 ptrhoids advert £ 10

.99

.9 £869 W £ 769 s a W NO

American Solid Oak Thick Top Dining Table - 2 extension leaves 78 H x 100 W x 220 to 270 to 320 L (cms) - one only: immediate delivery

Just one of many bargains in store ★ Over 7000 items of furniture online

Quality Furniture Retailer www.fitandfurnish.co.uk More than just furniture!

103a MiDDLe Street, YeOviL, Ba20 1na tel: 01935 412811 42 THe VISITOR December 2013

• Buy better by considering energy efficiency, build quality, spares and repairs.

Save your electrical gadgets from the grave

• Shop smarter by reading reviews, and borrowing or hiring to try before you buy.

Units 1 & 2 Torbay Road Industrial Estate Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7DW

9

gifts to everyone on Facebook. you don’t want to create a catalogue for burglars to choose from – especially if you tag yourself at an airport three days later!

By following these simple tips you can help protect your belongings, homes and families over the festive period, ensuring everyone has a very merry – and safe – Christmas.

Kitchens for the way you are ❑ High gloss & modern ❑ Painted wood and traditional

We can design a kitchen for you ❑ Refurbishing? ❑ Replacement doors?

We can give your existing kitchen a make over Quality Kitchens - Sensible Prices Personal Service ★ no obliGAtion quotAtionS Home visit or visit our showroom Give Adam a call today to discuss your requirements ...

01935 849559 AP Kitchen Solutions, Northover, Roman Road ILCHESTER BA22 8LD www.apkitchens.co.uk

House & Home • look for mains power options and get the right rechargeable batteries.

• Recycle spent batteries at supermarkets and electrical stores.

• Keep receipts and warranties, know your consumer rights.

specialist repairer could save the cost of replacement.

And if it has to go, Green Routine cautions against adding electricals to the refuse bin, as all recycling sites accept

unworking items, from TVs to white goods.

For full details of all these suggestions, and to sign up for free Green Routine emails, visit www.somersetwaste.gov.uk.

Christmas Opening Times ... January sales ...

DEaDlInE Monday 9th December

To give electricals a second life, Green Routine suggests a host of options, such as donating them - if working and in good condition - to charity shops or reuse groups.

They could be given away on Freecycle or Freegle, or sold online, through small ads in newspapers, postcards in shop windows or at car boot sales.

With plenty of free advice and walk-through videos online, it is worth exploring if broken items can be repaired, or whether a

ACF WindoWS AnDY FElTHAM UPVC REPLACEMENT WINDOWS, DOORS, CONSERVATORIES, WOODEN FRAMED WINDOWS, FASCIA BOARDS, CLADDING, GUTTERING, ALUMINIUM WINDOWS & DOORS ETC.

The old Well House shepherds Hill, Buckhorn Weston GillinGHam, dorset sP8 5HX Tel / Fax: 01963 371715 Mobile: 07802 393344

JohN hAMBLIN Specialists in the repair and restoration of antique furniture

01747 826714 / 826721

We also offer the following services

• Repairs to all types of Furniture • Bespoke Furniture made to order • French Polishing • Re-leathering of Desk Tops, Bureaux, etc.

• Dining Table Tops Refinished We have many years experience in the trade and assure you that your furniture is in safe hands UNIT 6, 15 oXFoRD RoAD PEN MILL TRADING ESTATE YEoVIL, SoMERSET, BA21 5hR Tel: 01935 471154 Cabinet Makers • Antique Furniture Restorers

johnhamblin.restorers@gmail.com THe VISITOR December 2013 43

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Festive Langport

CROSS the River Parrett at Bow Bridge and head up the hill towards Taunton and you will see a large old house on your left, set in five acres of land. This is Hurds Hill, and it is about to

FOSterS newSagentS NeWSpaperS & MagaziNeS wE DElIVER! Cards, Stationery, Balloons for all occasions Service with a Smile

Open Mon - Sat 5am - 5pm. Sun 7.30am - Noon

Sue and Tony - at -

Fosters newsagents Bow Street, LangPOrt Somerset ta10 9PQ tel: 01458 250607

become langport’s newest asset, a 14-bedroomed business centre catering for conferences, retreats, seminars and meetings. It is a wholly appropriate use of the building as for many years in the 19th century it was the home of one of Britain’s most influential businessmen, the economist Walter Bagehot.

The Bagehot family had been in business as far back as the 18th century when Thomas Bagehot and George Stuckey formed the Parrett navigation Company to improve the waterway to langport. They had a vested interest in improvements – they were merchants and maltsters whose business was dependent on river transport. By the end of the century they were trading as far afield as

Manchester and liverpool and had established their own bank.

By 1909 when the Somersetshire Bank, as Stuckey’s Banking Company was known, was taken over, its banknote circulation was



second only to that of the Bank of england, such was the importance of langport’s bank as a link between the financial surpluses from agriculture and the capital needs of industry.

Car SaleS - ServiCe and MOT TeSTing All Makes & Models • Courtesy Cars Available

Westover garage ltd.

The Willows Business Park, Westover Trading Estate LANGPORT, TA10 9RB

Tel: 01458 252252

Bank House on Cheapside was the birth place of Walter Bagehot in 1826.

South West Peninsular Training Training Specialists

sOuTH WEsT PEnInsular TraInInG lTD Westover Trading Estate, Langport, Somerset, TA10 9Rb Tel: 01458 253493 • Fax: 01458 253445 Email: info@swptraining.co.uk www.swptraining.co.uk

44 THe VISITOR December 2013

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Festive Langport

Of the 19th century Bagehots, Walter is undoubtedly the best known, achieving fame for helping to develop the international monetary system.

Born in 1826 he grew up learning about the day-to-day transactions

of the family bank. He graduated in mathematics at university College, london, became one of the century’s most brilliant and influential economists and succeeded his father-in-law as editor of The economist in 1860.

Among other things he advised Disraeli’s government on the purchase of the Suez Canal, and was highly respected for his writings on the constitution, banking and finance.

Stroll through langport and you can see Walter Bagehot’s birthplace, the original Stuckey’s Bank House next to the langport Arms on Cheapside. A plaque above the door records the event.

And you will find the Bagehot graves in the far corner of langport churchyard behind All Saints parish church – Thomas Watson Bagehot and his wife



edith on the left, and their son Walter and his wife eliza on the right – and will see that the father who died at the age of 86 in 1881 had outlived his son who died in 1877. Sadly the church is no longer in use, but it retains some fine stained-glass windows which can be seen when the building is open for visitors. The area around the church, the part of langport ‘up The Hill’, abounds in elegant Georgian and Victorian houses that were once homes to local businessmen, reminders of langport’s past prosperity. And nearby you can see the famous

BALLROOM DANCING • Private Lessons • Modern Ballroom • Latin American • Party Dances

Langport Dance Centre The Bagehot graves in Langport churchyard - Thomas Watson Bagehot and his wife Edith on the left, and their son Walter and his wife Eliza on the right.

Members Latin & Ballroom

John birTlEs Professional Dancing Teacher

P.T.D. Members Latin & Ballroom

Telephone: Langport (01458) 250322

Under the ownership of RICHARD WHITE

LANGPORT mOTOR COmPANY WESTOVER TRADING ESTATE LANGPORT, SOmERSET, TA10 9RB

Tel: 01458 251100 • Email: langportmotors@btconnect.com

Call in for your FREE ...

Servicing & Repairs on All Makes of Car Citroën and Peugeot Specialists Collection and Delivery Service Courtesy Car or Van Available Full Electronic Diagnostics Pre-MOT Preparation Work Undertaken Batteries ★ Tyres ★ Exhausts Open Monday – Friday 8am – 5.30pm • Saturday Appointments Only

24 hour CAR WASH HOOVER CARmAT WASH

THe VISITOR December 2013 45

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Festive Langport

The long-established Cocklemoor shop is bursting with toys, greetings cards, craft materials, gifts and some very tempting chocolates.

FORSEy ANd SON ] Funeral Directors ] Monumental Masons ] Private Chapels of Rest ] Pre-payment Funeral Plans Funerals conducted with dignity and reverence by a family firm, established over three generations, offering reliable and caring service with 24-hour call out facilities.

Langport (01458) 250509 Somerton (01458) 272297 Butleigh (01458) 850654 www.forseyandson.co.uk • Members of N.A.F.d., b.I.F.d. and S.A.I.F.

Hanging Chapel above the road to Huish episcopi.

Down at the bottom of the hill langport’s many independent shops are worth exploring if you’re looking for Christmas gifts that are just that bit different. A fairly new business that caught my eye is the delightfully-named ‘For every Cloud’ art gallery and studio which also supplies a range of artists’ materials, while the long-established Cocklemoor shop is bursting with toys, greetings cards, craft materials, gifts and some very tempting chocolates. For publications of local interest as well as a broad range of new, out-of-print, second-hand and antiquarian books, take a look in Keeble’s on Cheapside where many titles are on sale at bargain prices.

Car parking in langport is free and the largest parking area is on Cocklemoor behind the town square opposite the Town Hall. And the town has a choice of cafés and pubs catering for almost all tastes and pockets so you won’t go hungry.

Christmas in langport starts on Thursday 5th December when Ben McGrail from BBC Somerset will switch on the Christmas lights at 6.15pm. This is the first of three consecutive Thursdays when many shops will remain open until 8.00pm for evening

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shoppers and various events and activities will be staged to entertain them. The big event is on Saturday 7th December when the town is staging its Christmas Fair. Proceedings start at 11.00am when attractions will include stalls selling a wide variety of craftwork and foods, activities to keep the children occupied before they visit Father Christmas in his grotto, free musical entertainment and carol singing. Many of the town shops will stay open after 5.00pm when a hog roast and bar will be available on Cocklemoor, and the event culminates with what is promised to be a fantastic firework finale.

Roger Richards.

Business Update For Every Cloud is a creative venue based in the pretty town of langport. They will be running a variety of workshops from screen printing & lino cut to bookbinding & dressmaking. There is a print studio available for artists to hire with a four colour T-shirt press

The Langport Stores - full of good things.

For a wide range of heALTh FoodS and SuPPLemenTS

◆ Exciting Deli Lines ◆ Raw Chocolate ◆ Local Specialist Cheese Selection ◆ Organic Beauty Products including ... Faith in Nature and the Jason range

For The FeSTive SeASon ...

Hampers, Gift Boxes, Raw Chocolate Making Sets Open: Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm, Saturday 9am – 2pm

Cheapside, Langport, TA10 9PW Tel: 01458 252853 46 THe VISITOR December 2013

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Langport

and screen printing equipment.

As well as room hire for art and craft groups there is a photography studio for portraits and professional portfolios. Children's craft parties, hen and corporate events are also catered for.

New to You was opened the end of July by Jackie Spencer-Brown.



Here you can find a really eclectic mix of antique, vintage and bygone furniture and interiors. Mirrors, shabby chic, ornaments, tables and more - the stock changes fortnightly.

Should you be looking for a certain item they will try and source it for you - from a single chair to a bedroom suite - they have it.

The

Pub Pages

Beer & sKittles p. a. BaXTer

Among Langport’s many independent businesses is the delightfullynamed ‘For Every Cloud’ art gallery and studio which also supplies a range of artists’ materials. www.foreverycloud.co.uk

foreverycloud@icloud.com

For Every Cloud

@4everycloud

Tel: 01458 251475 • Bow Street, LANGPORT, TA10 9PR Art supplies, photography and print studio, gallery and creative workshops Monday – Saturday, 9am – 4pm • Workshops and parties by appointment Childrens Christmas Decoration Making: Saturdays throughout December / Thursday Late Night Opening Call or email to book a place CHRiSTMAS CRAFT FAiR: Saturday 7th December, 10am – 4pm

New Year: print making, felt, and watercolour workshops • Gift vouchers available

NEW TO YOU

Antiques, Vintage & By-gone Interiors House Clearance Undertaken Tel: 07583 393642 jackieconnock@btinternet.com Open Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm Closed Wednesday Saturday 10am – 1pm

2A North Street LANGPORT TA10 9RQ

PuBS HAVe long held a fascination for me – possibly ever since my parents tried to put me off going in them! I was bemused by the fact that pubs were not just about going somewhere to drink intoxicating fluids, I was caught up in the interest of the games that were played. Starting under-age (nothing new is it?) did this mean that it was a mis-spent youth, I wonder? Whatever it was, I was certainly hooked and that interest has grown over the years. However, it was not until some years later that I started

The

playing competitively in the field of skittles, and despite a break when I was working away, that has continued to this day. I suppose by now I should be an expert but it is not to be; I still have some pretty appalling scores now and again! My time spent researching has led me to hook up with some others just as mad as myself, and I was put in contact with one Mark Shirley of Kettering, northamptonshire, by the author of Played at the Pub, Arthur Taylor. Mark runs an online blog all about pub games called somewhat amusingly ‘Shove it, Chuck it, Toss it’ which can be found at http://www.pubgames.blogspot.co.uk/ Inevitably perhaps, at present it is centred on his home area, but is being expanded as more and more information comes to light. I don’t believe there has ever been an in-depth survey of our mutual passion since Joseph Strutt (1749-1802) worked on ‘Sports and Pastimes of the People of england’ first published well over 200 years ago, and let’s be frank about this; bear-baiting and bullbeating are just not as popular as they used to be!

With the advent of the Internet so much more became possible.

Some bad, of course, but a lot of good things can be done that

Wyndham Arms

KINGSbURy EPISCOPI nr. MARTOCK SOMERSET TA12 6AT

Please try our new tasty Winter Menu Delicious homecooked food served every lunchtime and evening  Choice of Sunday Roasts  Excellent Wine Selection CAMRA Rated Beers and Ciders

liVe muSic fashion boutique & designer room

Look your best this festive season ...  Christmas Gifts & Accessories Now In 

Shopping Parade langport 01458 252010

Market Place Wincanton 01963 31676

Boxing Day: The Ray Jones Band - 9pm New Year’s Eve: Alan Drew - Guitarist / vocalist

chriStmAS menuS Lunchtime Christmas Menu 2013

2 Course - £12.95  3 Course - £15.95  4 Course - £16.95

Dinner Christmas Menu 2013

2 Course - £15.95  3 Course - £18.95  4 Course - £19.95

Tel: 01935 823239 Please visit us on our website: www.wyndhamarms.com to see full menu details THe VISITOR December 2013 47

The

Pub Pages

would have taken so much longer.

We are in a position where such surveys could be done in great depth. I feel it will be up to the individual for as we mentioned last month, CAMRA seems unwilling to regularly promote anything to do with pub games.

However, at a CAMRA beer festival – particularly the london based national one, some games are featured for people to try their hand. There has been pressure on managed and tenanted pubs to adapt what management speak calls ‘vertical drinking’ i.e. getting their patrons to stand and drink, as darts, shove ha’penny, table skittles, etc., would be taking up valuable drinking space.

However, the lack of such drinkers in many pubs would speak for itself, and so many pubs

with regular gamesters would suggest otherwise to us though.

(Incidentally, Frederick Hackwood was lamenting the arrival of ‘perpendicular drinking’ in his book Inns, Ales and Drinking Customs of Old England in 1909!) Mark Shirley’s blog is eloquently written and as someone who also makes his own cider and perry, I can certainly say he is into things traditional, and he also spends a lot of time in pubs, he tells me. The number of skittle-type games he has discovered are instantly recognizable as such and all I would think are known to enthusiasts, but Mark is painstakingly finding out places that are still playing (and no longer playing) and logging as many as is humanly possible.

What he has discovered is thriving leagues in what is effectively areas isolated from others that also play similar games. Did you know for instance, that there is an area of Warwickshire that has a skittle league that we would instantly know as ‘our own game’? no; nor me! A somewhat more violent version of the game can be seen in nottinghamshire which, although we can instantly see it as skittles, it is referred to as ‘long Alley’

Maggie and Mike welcome you to ...

The Dolphin Inn Peacemarsh Gillingham, sP8 4hB  01747 822758

December Special: ChrIstmas LunCh 3 Courses £10 • Bookings Only • monday – saturday ChrIstmas CELEBratIOn mEnu 2 Courses plus coffee and mints £15.99 3 Courses plus coffee and mints £19.99 ChrIstmas DaY LunCh – Bookings Now Taken ★ nEw sunDaY CarvErY £8.95 • 12noon – 3pm ★ Choice of Three Meats Minimum!

QuIZ nIght every thursday followed by “Play Your Cards right” nEw YEar’s EvE PartY including FrEE BuFFEt

Vinny heard about the birthday do at The Marston Inn, Marston Magna ...

and a missile better described as a log is hurled at the pins with great vigour! Many of the alleys on which this is played are outdoor, some of which have rudimentary cover, sometimes even extending to the chap doing the scoring as well. Mark has photographed indoor and outdoor alleys no longer in use, but most, it would seem, could be brought back into use if there was the inclination and desire, and, dare I say it, landlords who believed that by doing so could get some more regular patrons into his pub.

Through our own skittle team I get to visit the Rose & Crown in Bradford Abbas regularly. Mary Ashby, an experienced lady when it comes to running pubs - and a regular advertiser in this very magazine, took it over more than 2 years ago. This establishment, I

believe, is one of the most famous pubs in the world. Quite a claim you may think, but some of the advertising material of the brewer eldridge Pope (no longer brewing unfortunately) consisted of pictures which included ‘The lads of the Village’ whose combined ages added up to 434 years! Photographed in the mid1930’s the picture can be seen in various books on beer (I have this picture in two of mine) and reports have reached me that it has been seen in Cheshire and Sydney, Australia! Further to this of course there is a piece of film made by Movietone news, available on the internet (and a link from the yeovil & District Sports Skittle league Facebook page) of the ‘lads’ playing skittles in the pub. Surely the most significant and oldest piece of skittling footage there is? A

Dean & Lou welcome you to the

Marston Inn Home-Made Food Served 7 Days a Week

Real Ales - Garden Skittle Alley

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB

Marston Magna nr. Yeovil

Join us for a delicious Sunday Carvery using quality local Somerset meats Main £7.50 • Two Courses £10

Serving Sensibly Priced Food & Drink

★ Lunchtime Special Two Meals for £12 Monday – Saturday ★

Steak Night Wednesdays £22.50 including Bottle of Wine

Christmas Party Menu from £12.50 Christmas Day Lunch ... limited spaces only

3 Meat Carvery every Sunday £8.95 Fresh Fish From Beer every Friday Christmas Parties: A few dates left - Set Menus or Whatever You Fancy ChRISTMAS SPeCIAL: Monday to Saturday Lunchtimes 2 Course Turkey Lunch £7.95 or £13.50 for Two Get Your Tickets for NeW YeARS eve 60’s NIGhT ... with “Dusty Springfield”

Dinnington, Nr hinton St. George • Tel 01460 52397 48 THe VISITOR December 2013

LIVE MUSIC December

★ Saturday 7th: MiD Life Crisis – 8.15pm ★ ★ Friday 13th: Mathew roCk ★ ★ Saturday 21st: John & Christine – 9pm ★

new Year’s eve Buffet & Live Music £5 per head

 01935 850020

Christmas Party Bookings Now Taken

The

Pub Pages

greater in-depth look at this was conducted about 18 months ago and reported in these columns.

(If you missed it pop me an email at skittlealley@hotmail.com).

Mary has recently had installed her ‘own-brand’ beer (‘Rose & Crown’ Bitter) and at £2.90 a pint and 3.6%ABV is proving very popular, and also very drinkable I have to say. This comes from the Marston’s range, the pub being part of their estate. Also now added recently is another beer from a brewery in the Marston’s portfolio and that is Jenning’s ‘Arthur’s Knight Porter’ at 4.2%ABV. Whilst myself and a couple of my contemporaries have been completely spoiled by the quality of the Porter brought back from the united States, we were very pleasantly surprised at this one – and were able to have more than one without falling over, something the American product seemed to make us do …

Ringwood Brewery is also part of Marston’s and it seems that they are being allowed to continue brewing in their own way – for the moment, at least. We can only hope that as winter is now upon us that the Ringwood Porter will

be available soon. I can say without fear of contradiction that this was one of the best Porters I have ever tasted, although, like mentioned earlier, we have been spoiled by the superlative quality of the American products. There; now who would have thought that I would ever say that about an American beer!

I wish you all the Greetings of the Season, and next time you take a trip to your local and play your favourite game, just think yourself lucky you did not live in the reign of edward IV, for as Joseph Strutt reports ‘coits, closh or claish, kayles or nine-pins, half-bowl, hand-in and hand-out and quick-borde’ were classed among the unlawful amusements.

The list was considerably added to by another king who must have been a real good laugh to be

around – Henry VIII, who added bowling, loggating, dice, ‘cards and tables’ and backgammon, to the list. He even banned tennis!

Still; there was always the bear-baiting and bull-beating!

ARoUnD THE

H o U S E S In WInCAnTOn ... there will be a special menu for the Hogswatch Weekend 29th november to 1st December at The Bear Inn ... on Saturday 7th December you’ll find live music at The Dolphin hotel with Mat Roberts ... tickets on sale at The Nog Inn for A Barrel of Laughs Comedy Night 5th December ... don’t forget to cut out the winter saver voucher

for a delicious meal at The Walnut Tree Inn Mere ... and a Sunday Carvery is now available at The Dolphin at Peacemarsh where you can enjoy Play Your Cards Right after their weekly quiz.

Belting on to Bruton ... you can enjoy crepes for breakfast at Truffles Restaurant & Bistro ... don’t miss Father Christmas when he can be seen abseiling down the wall of At The Chapel Restaurant later this month ... and at The Montague Inn, Shepton Montague, you even get a lift home on new year’s eve if you live locally - can’t be bad.

Walking on to Wells ... The Swan hotel has been shortlisted as a regional finalist in the Best Wedding Category in the Wedding Industry Awards 2014 ...

Rugantinos Restaurant,

Monday 9th December FUN CHRISTMAS QUIZ NIGHT

Teams of 4 – 6, £5 per team entry ★ Festive prizes to be won

Saturday 14th December CHRISTMAS PARTY with NEVILLE DYKE NEW YEAR’S EVE - Tuesday 31st December

“Bugsy Malone” Theme, 3 Course Dinner + entertainment guy Johnson Keyboard / Vocalist ★ Tickets for Dinner £32.50

Chris & Jill welcome you to the ...

RoYAL oAK over Stratton, South Petherton Tel: 01460 240906

The Queens Arms, Wraxall, Shepton Mallet Somerset BA4 6RQ

A Charming Country Inn

We are open so come and see what you’re missing!

NEW MANAGEMENT – NEW MENU – NEW START

WHY NOT JOIN US FOR lUNCH?

Mezé & Tapas Menu Authentic Greek Kleftika Evening (24 hours notice required)

Lunchtime Light Bites • Traditional Sunday Roasts Bookings now being taken for Christmas Parties • Christmas Day Luncheon & Evening Dinner ― and ―

New Year’s Day Champagne Full English Breakfast Perfect for seeing in the New Year in style!

Bookings advisable

Call us on 01749 860201 or email emma@thequeensarmswraxall.com www.thequeensarmswraxall.com The Visitor can now be read online … www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

2 Course lunches - £8.50 (Tuesday to Saturday) WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY SPECIAl

Surf, Turf, Swine & Wine Night

TWo Rump Steaks, or TWo Beer Battered haddock or TWo Gammon Steaks, or AnY TWo with a Carafe of Wine ... £20.95 per couple (Booking Advised)

Traditional Sunday Roast (Booking Advised) CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU 2 Course - £14.50  3 Course - £17.95 visit our website for full menu details

www.the-royal-oak.net

THe VISITOR December 2013 49

They Say That sadly, counterfeit copies of face and voice recognition consoles on the market for the Christmas trade, only recognise users with beards and red hats - eating a mince pie. Ho! Ho! Ho! That this is the 54th and last year that Derek lush will produce the Salvation Army’s Carols at Christmas concert at yeovil’s Octagon Theatre.

That in future, Richard White of langport Motors will be using his electric screwdriver instead of his ribs.

That book seller Clive Keeble of langport is known to his friends as 118 118.

That hirsute Ben Johnson of Shaftesbury will be pleased to see the end of november - even though it’s all in a good cause.

That Wincanton’s Stuart Bright of Totally Floored fame is going to stick to drinking ditchwater - to keep him out of “jail”.

That congratulations go to Rich Clothier of Wyke Farm who won the Food Manufacturing Awards Personality of the Year Award 2013 for his outstanding contribution to the industry beating global giants Coca Cola and Nestlé.

That when he got the phone call, it was a case of ‘dear oh deer, not again’ for north Cadbury’s Dave Hoddinott.

That the recently ‘planted’ grapes at the Wine Wizzard in Castle Cary should make for a very interesting tipple!

That due to the lack of glue, lin Penn of Shepton Mallet has been obliged to taste-test the chocolate oranges surreptitiously before Christmas, to ensure there has been no deterioration.

That Martock’s Dave Gregory regular at Wheathill - is attempting to yodel his way back to Cyprus - on a package deal.

That Sally Payne of Alleycuts, Wincanton, had to cross her legs recently when she inadvertently dropped the loo key behind the washing machine.

That Pete Dunford of West Camel could do with a spell-check on his computer.

That in fashion, just as ‘grey’ is often the new ‘black’, in travel – Spain is now the new Italy, for Mr & Mrs ‘Teasy Weasy’ of yeovil.

50 THe VISITOR December 2013

Pete Lambden & Staff welcome you to .....

168 Hendford Hill YEoVIl “listen to the wind blow, Watch the sun rise Run in the shadows Damn your love, damn your lies” FIRST PERSON to tell me the above song gets a free drink. Last month John Penny of Bradford Abbas correctly identified Gallagher and Lyle ‘I Wanna stay with you’.

Some sad news to start with this month. Chris Cave who with his wife Paula and daughter Victoria have completely turned round the fortunes of The Red House, my neighbouring pub, has passed away. Chris fought hard and long against an illness which eventually even this brave man could no longer fight. My thoughts are with his girls. RIP Chris.

We have a couple of birthdays to celebrate this month. Mike Mathews reached that grand old age where most men retire, and so to did Dave “The Tan” White he of Flashing Bow Tie fame.

Well done! you have both earned the right to a free bus pass, in fact you make a pretty good double act . Oh, and talking of bus passes, Sue Lucas also qualifies now … Sorry Sue .

First Friday of December it’s my birthday: still a long way off my bus pass or heating allowance.

We are celebrating with Mr. D’arcy so get your face in the place. On the 13th Finian McGurk will be here with his Christmas Show, and on the 20th Mathew Rock will be along to entertain us. He was fab’ last time - can’t wait to see him again.

Tickets for New Years Eve are available now. We have SToRM playing live and you get a buffet as well you lucky people .

We are serving Lunch on Christmas Day - check out the menu on our website www.quicksilvermail.com - there are still a few places left but not many!

And finally: a clairvoyant dwarf has escaped from a maximum security prison. A police spokesman said the public should take care as a small medium is at large.  TooT TooT!!!

BookIngS

 01935 424721

The

Pub Pages

Ancient Gatehouse is celebrating 40 years - and has been refurbished ... get out your fustanella and visit the new-look Queens Arms at Wraxall for an authentic Greek evening ... Bugsy Malone is the theme for new year’s eve at The Natterjack Inn, evercreech Junction ... and in Castle Cary the winter window boxes of heathers and pansies are looking splendid at The horse pond Inn. Skipping on to Sherborne we find Jon lloyd will be playing at The plume of Feathers on Saturday 7th December ... at

Corton Denham the forthcoming Film nights at The Queens Arms are Man of Steel Wednesday 4th and A Christmas Carol on the 18th December 7.30 start ... and a big thank you to all who attended the firework display at The Marston Inn, Marston Magna and where an excellent buffet was enjoyed by all the party-goers. yomping on to yeovil where young Pete at The Quicksilver Mail will be celebrating his birthday this month - and if you hurry you may still be able to book for Christmas Day lunch, but it’s filling up fast ... excellent value meals we are told at The Great Western ... free soft drinks for the driver of parties of four or more dining at The Muddled Man, West Chinnock, throughout December ... and finally ... at The lord Nelson, norton Sub Hamdon, you can enjoy tasty tapas such as Piri Piri Prawns and Chorizo Sauasage with Dijon Mustard or perhaps - a Lord Nelson Tart.

Wincanton’s Dolphin Hotel, where Christmas Day Luncheon will be followed by a selection of mini delights.

Christmas / New Year Issue LANdLORdS this is the ideal issue to promote: ✴ opening Times ✴ Christmas Greetings ✴ New Year Celebrations ✴ Burns Night Published: Thursday 19th December Deadline: Monday 9th December TO bOOK yOUR AdvERT - Tel: 01963 351256 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Wincanton and the Extravaganza A CENTuRy AgO the retail hub of Wincanton was the Market Place, with numerous small shops crammed into the streets

radiating from it – Mill Street, North Street, South Street, Church Street and, of course, High Street. By the latter half of

Wincanton’s Health Centre has relocated from the town centre to a spacious new building on the western edge of town.

Decorate your own house! fun for all the family Gingerbread House from £15 ... Fully Decorated from £20

Place your order before Tuesday 10th December and receive free DiscounT 4 voucher for 201

Christmas Cakes Fully Decorated from £24 Talitha Cake Creations, 59 High Street, Wincanton Tel: 07979 023649 • Email: talithas_cakes@yahoo.co.uk www.talithascakecreations.co.uk

the 20th century the retail hub was shifting eastwards up High Street, hastened by the building in the early 1970s of Carrington

Way with its library, police station, health centre, supermarket and large car park.

In recent years the police station

The Wincanton Cobbler occupies the High Street frontage of an early 19th century house that became the town’s hospital in 1922.

Shoe Repairs & Key cutting - at the Wincanton cobbler - Established 1986 -

Shooting Sticks - Leather Bags, Travel Goods, Sports Bags, Wallets, Umbrellas Laces - PoLishes - Waxes - shoe Trees

High Street, Wincanton. tel: 01963 34587

THE VISITOR December 2013 51

ANDREW BARCLAY TRADITIONAL FAMILY BUTCHERS 45 High Street, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9JU Tel: 01963 34880

Our MeaT is NaTurally reared and SOurCed lOCally where possible Beef - from Local Farmers  Lamb - from Charlton Musgrove Pork - from Local Farmers

Order Now For Christmas & The New Year ✔ Delicious Well-Hung Mature Beef ✔ Succulent Pork & Lamb ✔ Tasty Turkeys ✔ geese ✔ Ducks ✔ Chickens ✔ Home Cooked Hams WE STOCk A FULL SELECTiOn OF gAME ...

Venison  Pheasant  Partridge  Duck  Pigeon  Rabbit Our Own Dry-Cured Bacon • Green Back • Green Streaky • Sweet Cure Green • Apple & Oak Wood Smoked Back and Streaky

Large Selection of Cheeses

including ...

AWARD Winning Montgomery Mature Cheddar and ...

Keen’s Mature Cheddar

Annamma’s Cuisine ...

Homemade Authentic Southern Indian Curry Sauces Free Range & made locally by a delightful Indian Lady Barn Reared Eggs

Try Our Tasty Homemade Sausages with Pork • Gloucester Old Spot • Traditional Pork and Caramelised Onion • Wild Boar & Cranberry ... to name a few!

WADMAN'S WORLD FAMOUS CREAM from their Jersey Herd

Orders Taken for our Meat at North Cadbury Village Stores We would like to thank all of our customers for their support during the year and wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

DAILY DELIVERIES TO THE SURROUNDING AREA 52 THE VISITOR December 2013

Wincanton and the Extravaganza has been moved to the council offices at Churchfield and the health centre has been relocated to a spacious new building on the western edge of town, between the Lawrence Hill Business Park and the estate of new homes that now covers the southern slope of West Hill, but the Carrington way car park remains busy.

So does the Market Place, but Mill Street and North Street are devoid of shops and very few remain on South Street and Church Street. The Market Place is home to the town’s post office and many of its shops and businesses including the renowned Preview ladies fashions shop, the Elegant Home furnishings and gift shop and Jerry’s Electrical selling everything from washing machines and televisions to light bulbs and fuses. In bygone days the Market Place also sported three coaching inns. One of them, the greyhound, closed in 1957 and was subsequently converted for residential use with the attractive greyhound Close mews at the back and a shop at the front, nowadays occupied by the Ironmonger-sibthorp Contemporary Art gallery. The building dates from 1710 and is certainly impressive with a fivebayed three-storey front and a central arch leading to the

CuSTOmer CAr PArk

Wincanton’s central Market Place has long been home to the town’s post office and many of its shops and businesses.

stabling and coach houses at the back. Queen Victoria spent a night at the greyhound when she was a child, and the royal crest to commemorate the visit survives above the arch.

Nearby is the Bear Inn, dating from 1720 and partly rebuilt in the 1860s, which in its heyday had a dozen or more coaches

Clementina

HAIR SALON 45a HIGH ST. WINCANTON For appointments tel Wincanton (01963) 34321

CHrISTmAS Tree LIGHTS

Gifts for all the family ... ornaments • clocks • Watches • Photoframes • silver Ware etc.

PrACTICAL GIFTS FOr HOme & GArDeN LATE NIGHT House Signs: Wood and uPVC OpENING Friday 6th Fireside Accessories – Halogen and Electric Heaters December Flogas Stockist – Kindling Wood and Logs – Coal – Torches

Bespoke • Corporate • Events Parties • Weddings • Sympathy Local & Nationwide Deliveries

01963 32367

We wish all our customers a Happy Christmas !

HIGH STreeT • WINCANTON • Tel: 01963 32249

11 Church Street, Wincanton, BA9 9AA

THE VISITOR December 2013 53

Wincanton and the Extravaganza WINCANTON COMPETITION 1. Who am I ringing on 01963 32356?

2. Where can I purchase a Shooting Stick?

3. Two businesses are re-locating, name them.

4. BA9 8EA - Where am I?

Closing Date Tuesday 10th December

a. J. Wakely & SOnS lTd

stopping there each day. A recent book about Somerset and Dorset pubs with literary associations (‘Once upon a Pint’ by Terry Townsend) highlights the Bear’s links with Castle Cary diarist Parson James Woodforde and Discworld author Terry Pratchett.

Woodforde stayed at the Bear on 24th/25th August 1761 on his journey from Oxford to his home in Ansford and recorded that his lodgings there were very good, so much so that he tipped the hostler and the chambermaid

independent Family Funeral directors

sixpence each. And on 16th February 1767 he took a Miss Jordan to ‘a very genteel ball’ at the Bear and danced every dance with her till 4.00am. In more recent times, when Bernard Pearson’s Cunning Artificer’s Discworld Emporium opened on the High Street it attracted so many enthusiasts seeking all manner of objects owing their inspiration to Pratchett’s writings that in 2002 the town council agreed to formally twin Wincanton with Pratchett’s

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Full Range of Beauty Treatments Lots of Christmas Gift Ideas

Brochure upon request - contact Clive Wakely dip F.d. M.B.i.e.

 GIFT VOuCheRS  A Christmas Gift that’s sure to please!

The Old Police Station, Carrington Way WinCanTOn Ba9 9JS Tel: 01963 31310

Sandie Barrett

M.B.A.B.Th.C. • C.I.D.E.S.C.O. A Ladies Only Salon 8b Church Street, Wincanton (01963) 34115

Private nursing Care from £700.00 per week The Aurora Care Group offers private nursing care in our Somerset nursing homes at prices from £700.00 per week

www.hendfordcarehome.co.uk 166 Hendford Hill, Yeovil, BA20 2Rg 01935 470400 info@auroracare.co.uk 54 THE VISITOR December 2013

Our homes are spread across south Somerset and variously offer: ● 24 hour nursing care in purpose built accommodation ● Large single en suite rooms with ensuite wet rooms ● Comprehensive social programmes with several activities a day, designed to stimulate physically, intellectually and socially ● Restaurant standard dining in own rooms or dining rooms ● Frequent trips out in our own minibus ● Beautiful landscaped gardens with breathtaking views over the Somerset countryside

www.hurstmanor.co.uk Hurst, Martock, TA12 6JU 01935 823467 info@hurstmanor.co.uk

www.elliscombehouse.co.uk Higher Holton, nr. Wincanton, BA9 8EA 01963 33370 info@elliscombehouse.co.uk



Wincanton and the Extravaganza

An art shop and gallery now occupies part of the former Greyhound coaching inn, built around 1710.

fantasy city of Ankh-Morpork in a ceremony that brought nationwide publicity. Nowadays there are twice-yearly gatherings of fans – The Discworld Tribe – who dress appropriately in Discworld costumes and meet at the Bear.

The third former coaching inn on the Market Place is still in business. Standing opposite the Bear, the White Horse is similarly old, the 1733 date cut in the stone above the door recording the year the house was rebuilt by the noted local builder, architect and potter Nathaniel Ireson. At one time the extensive yard behind the inn contained not only stables S

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35 High Street, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9JU • Tel: 01963 31234 CARdS fOR ALL OCCASIONS Christmas Cards for all your Relations & Friends • Boxed Cards • Charity Cards Wrapping Paper • Gifts • Party Items • Confetti Latex Balloons and helium Foil Balloons • Crepe / Tissue Paper Table Decorations • Napkins • Stocking Fillers • Wool & Accessories

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High Street shops include Andrew Barclay’s renowned traditional family butchers, and the Alleycuts hair salon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE VISITOR December 2013 55

56 THE VISITOR December 2013

Wincanton and the Extravaganza but also a brewhouse, malthouse and candleshop; now all that remains is a hall built in the 1920s and a car park.

The High Street exit from the Market Place is full of buildings displaying an intriguing mixture of architectural styles. Many of them were originally built as houses and have been much altered down the years to become shops and business premises. For example, the Wincanton Cobbler occupies the High Street frontage of the early 19th century Pine House that became a school for boys from the 1880s and then town’s hospital from 1922 to 1932.

Pine House was subsequently sold and the front part converted to a shop. The three-storey back part, unseen from the High Street, is nowadays used as offices. In contrast, the building that now houses the HSBC bank was occupied by the Wiltshire and Dorset Bank back in the 19th century but subsequently became Madame Fisher’s drapery before the Midland Bank took over the premises. The shop next door, currently occupied by the Wardrobe ladieswear business, was for much of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th a saddlery where all manner of leather goods were made. In many old towns the buildings that can be seen today often have past uses that were very different, and Wincanton is no exception.

Finally, a reminder that this year’s annual Christmas Extravaganza in Wincanton is being held on Friday 6th

New homes now cover the southern slope of West Hill.

December and it promises to be the biggest and best yet. Most shops will remain open until 8.00pm if not later, and from 5.00pm the town will be alive with a street market, entertainers, carol singers and Santa welcoming children to his grotto. Part of the High Street will be closed to traffic from 4.00pm till 9.00pm but motorists will still be able to access both the Carrington Way and the Memorial Hall car parks – and parking is free!

Roger Richards.

attracting around 3000 visitors to the High Street over the course of the evening. This year will be no different.

So on 6th December from 58pm join us for an excellent evening of fun and festivities.

Experience the amazing atmosphere singing carols round

the town tree with music and singing led by students from local schools. The new town Mayor will have the honour of switching on the tree lights and the Town Council will be hosting a civic event in the town hall where they will present the first of the new annual Community Awards to

Christmas Extravaganza

The Christmas Extravaganza has become an integral part of the Wincanton community, growing year on year to become a major event in the town’s calendar Fri LAT day E 6 th NI De GH cem T ber

New Christmas stock now in

HALF pRICE BOOKS ] NATIONAL BOOK TOKENS ]

stocking Filler Toys and Games Full range of stationery for home and office Why not order your Newspapers and Magazines to be delivered?

AUTOBIOGRApHIES ...

Mary Berry, Alex Ferguson TV FAVOURITES ...

Downton Abbey, The Rovers Return Humour, Cookery, Fiction, Childrens Books + more!

Open Monday – Friday 7am – 5pm, Saturday 7am – 2pm, Sunday 7am – 12noon

33 High Street • Wincanton

Tel: 01963 32356 • www.papertrees.co.uk

THE VISITOR December 2013 57

Wincanton and the Extravaganza someone who has worked tirelessly to help an organisation or project that benefits the community as a whole. WBT also has a special guest in Daryl Jacobs for the evening. Daryl is Paul Nicholls’ top jockey, who won the grand National two years ago. The fact that Daryl lives in Wincanton is a bonus.

This year’s event brings the season to a special close.

Wincanton has just had three trial Sunday Street Markets, and judging by the attendance it seems like it has been a success. At the extravaganza there will be …

• Late night shopping (with most High Street shops open until 8pm)

• Street Market Stalls • Fun for children • Live music • Father Christmas • Carolling round the Town Tree • Competitions Don’t miss the Extravaganza on Friday 6th December.

Business Update

bigger premises, (formerly The Studio, just a few hundred yards from their existing premises), where they will be able to display a bigger selection of carpets and flooring and lastly, MMS Soft Furnishings are moving from their premises in Church Street to join S.J.H. Carpets at their premises on The Tythings Commercial Centre. Together they will offer a complete home furnishings service. Jeremy Hill Furniture can be contacted on line.

items such as clothes, books and kitchenware.

Vintage dress hire is also available - for cocktail dresses etc.

The premises is shared with Just Dance - a dance studio run

by Emma Cowin who teaches all forms of dance including ballet and tap to both children and adults. Emma also hosts themed childrens parties and has recently moved from The Studio at the Tythings Commercial Centre.

S.J.H. Carpets are moving to

Forever Fashion has opened in Church Street in the former Jeremy Hill Furniture premises.

Forever Fashion sells vintage

The Bear Inn, one of Wincanton’s former coaching inns, dates from 1720 - and in the 19th century a dozen or more coaches stopped here each day.

Forever Fashion Vintage for Life

All Eras of Vintage Clothing Kitchenware ✴ Collectables ✴ Furniture ✴ Books EVENING WEAR HIRE Cocktail Dresses ✴ Evening Gowns Gentlemens Dress Suits VINTAGE CRAFT FAIR Sunday 15th December, 10am – 3pm Indoor Market selling Local Crafts and Vintage Goods • Refreshments Kids Play Area • Face Painting • Trade Stands available call for details

Church Street, Wincanton • 01963 34308

We are relocating to

BIGGER PREMISES Just a few hundred yards from our existing shop

WE aRE RElocatInG!

Fire Station

Within SJH Carpets

PRofeSSionally Made To MeaSuRe CuRTainS - BlindS - CuSHionS Choose from our extensive fabric & Trimmings library, or supply your own fabric Poles, Tracks, Cushions, Ribbons, Thread, Haberdashery ... and more!

ow n nc .T

NEW SJH Tythings Centre

SJh CARPeTS

Southgate Road, WinCAnTOn  01963 824418 Open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm Saturday 9am – 1pm

SAVE 10% on made-to-measure orders if placed before end of December

Tel: 07883 089 333 58 THE VISITOR December 2013

OLD SJH

Visit us for all your flooring needs ... we now have an even wider choice!

ORDERS NOW TAkEN FOR THE NEW YEAR

oPen: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9.00am - 4.00pm (Thursday - Closed) friday 9.00am - 3.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 12.30pm

Morrisons

Southgate Road

Wi

The Tythings Commercial Centre Southgate Road, Wincanton

Lidl

Wincanton

Also at: High Street, TiSBURY  01747 871178 (closed Wednesday)

Santa is visiting Bailey Ridge

Something special is happening at Bailey Ridge this Christmas, Santa is visiting every weekend in December to listen to children’s wishes and feed his three resident reindeer! Santa will be in his grotto on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 4pm and, from the 9th December, every day between 3.30pm - 4.30pm. He has also promised to be available for playschools or groups outside the above times throughout December as long as appointments are made by calling Bailey Ridge on 01963 210999. The reindeer, Thunder, F l a s h a n d Lightening will shortly be moving to their pre-flight stable for Christmas and children will be able to visit Santa in the next door barn, sit in his magical sleigh and at 10am, 12pm and 3.30pm help with feeding the boys! For further information visit www.baileyridgechristmastrees.co.uk The best tree is a fresh tree! We have some wonderful trees in our

plantation at Bailey Ridge this year and there will also be lots of fresh ready cuts to choose from as well as pot grown Nordmann, Norway and Fraser firs. As soon as your tree is cut place the stump into a bucket of water until you are ready to erect the tree in its stand. If the tree has been cut for some time then cut an inch or so off the bottom so that you have a fresh cut to work with. A good stand should have a water reservoir so fill this with water. Fresh trees should be treated like flowers, so top up the reservoir regularly with water.

Remember trees are grown outside. A tree will not respond well to a very warm room so position your tree in a cool area and it Red Dawn should hold Bridgefoot onto its West Lydford needles over nr. Somerton the Christmas TA11 7DP period well into Tel: 01963 240532 New year.

Merry Christmas!

Mob: 07970 397248

Christmas Trees

FOR SALE Nordsman & Norway Spruce

Wickhams Cross, Butleigh, BA6 8TP OPen DAily from 30th november 10am until dark

 Fresh from the Forest  ✴ Traditional Trees ✴ Nordman Fir ✴ Mistletoe and Holly ✴ Potted & Rooted ✴ Fraser Fir ✴ Logs in Bags ✴ Large Trees ✴ Wreaths ✴ FREE REINDEER DUST

www.o-christmas.co.uk  07870 466179

“Ho-ho-ho!”  Quality Christmas Trees (Nordsman) and Stands  Festive Wreaths  colourful Planted Pots  Amaryllis - an ideal gift  Logs, Kindling & Coal Come and see Santa Claus!

Station Road Sturminster Newton  01258 472788

OPEN: Monday - Friday 8am - 5.30pm. Saturday 8am - 4.30pm

THE VISITOR December 2013 59

GARDENING GARDEnInG monTHly

by Richard Cumming Orchard Park Winter in my Garden

DECEMBER in the Blackmore Vale is not all bad! The bad weather is still ahead of us but the trees and hedgerows are full of interest even in the darkest months. gardens can be just the same with a bit of planning, and late autumn and winter planting is traditionally the most successful time to get dormant plants in to position ready for the spring. Trees and hedging are especially important and are the

Approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

subject of an annual promotion by the National Tree Council under the heading of National Tree Week which runs from 23rd November to 1st December. First mounted in 1975, National Tree Week is the uK's largest tree celebration annually launching the start of the winter tree planting season.

National Tree Week is a great chance for communities to do something positive for their local treescape. Each year, Tree

Council member organisations such as voluntary bodies and local authorities, up to 200 schools and community groups, our 8,000 Tree Wardens and many others, support the initiative by setting up fun, worthwhile and accessible events, inspiring upward of a quarter of a million people to get their hands dirty and together plant around a million trees.

There is always concern about new diseases that invade our native woodlands and the results over the years have been dramatic with Dutch Elm Disease, Sudden Oak Death, and now Ash dieback. The important thing is to keep planting but plant healthy specimens, plant them properly to give the best start and then keep watch on

QuALIFIeD ArBOrIST

ALL ASPeCTS OF Tree CAre AND DANGerOuS Tree remOVAL

Tree PLANTING

PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660

utilise the generous grants now available to restock neglected woodland or areas of wasteground

them. Trees are susceptible to attack by a range of pests and disease, not just those that make the headlines, and do need care and attention in their early years.

But without them our landscape and gardens would be pretty dull.

Plant of the month Outdoors ...

We are definitely talking trees!

Trees add structure to the landscape and garden. There are all types, shapes and sizes. From flowering cherries and crab apples to evergreen yews, there are trees to suit every taste and position imaginable. Trees offer different leave size, shape and colour and many have attractive flowers, fruits and seeds. There are those that flower magnificently in spring to those whose leaves offer brilliant autumn colour just before leaf fall.

Trees can be selected for all soil types including very wet and dry land. They can tolerate acidic, chalky, sandy and clay soils. They even make up soils in new gardens or landscapes.

Some trees make excellent

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Chainsaws

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£ 210 Full range of tools & garden machinery available

Garden Machinery

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 01747 851021

60 THE VISITOR December 2013

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GARDENING Trees are best planted in the autumn, especially bare rooted varieties. Container grown trees can be planted at any time of the year providing the soil / ground is not frozen or water logged.

Malus and Prunus, Betula and Sorbus are good choices for the average gardener who has a little space in their garden.

… and indoors ...

hedges and screens whilst others make ideal specimens set in the middle of a lawn. The choice is yours.

By planting trees you can reduce or improve your carbon footprint and generally enhance the environment.

All trees require some support and protection such as stakes,

Suppliers of quality lawn turf Full ground preparation and laying service available Telephone Somerton 01458 272091 Mobile 07850 310998

tree ties and tree guards.

Fertiliser can be added to the planting hole and mulch can be added after planting to preserve moisture and keep down weeds.

So many wonderful plants to look at. If you are buying for yourself, if possible, choose plants that like the conditions that you have available in your house. Be careful when transporting plants from the garden centre to your home especially if the weather is cold or there are strong winds.

Those plants will have been in a warm cosy place and no-one likes a shock! Then when you get them home avoid placing plants in a draught or in a hot spot near the fire or a radiator. Water plants by standing them in a bowl containing a few centimetres (half an inch) of water for five minutes or plunge in deep tepid water until the bubbles stop! Then let them drain. For those plants that need it (e.g. azalea), improve humidity levels by placing them on a tray filled with pebbles or clay granules (Hydoleca).

Poinsettias need bright, but

filtered light, away from strong sun and draughts. They need a minimum temperature of 13-15°C (55-59°F).

Water poinsettias sparingly as overwatering can damage plants.

As a rule of thumb, only water when the surface of the compost has begun to dry out. The flowering life of plants is extended by humidity, so mist plants regularly and feed monthly with a low nitrogen, high potassium fertiliser.

Indoor cyclamen originate from a wild species native to the Middle East. Modern hybrids include those with silver marbled leaves, frilled petals, fragrant blooms and miniatures, and a range of flower colours. They prefer well lit but cool places around 10-15°C (50-59°F).

Keep moist but occasional drying out of the compost is less harmful than overwatering.

Indoor Azaleas are not fully hardy and naturally bloom in spring, but they are forced into flower early for Christmas. They do best in a cool location, away from scorching sunshine, and kept moist. If the compost dries out, the plant will often die so the pebble tray is often the best way to maintain humidity.

Jasmine (J polyanthum) is a long-flowering, scented climber,

Digit-4-u Digger hire with operator

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We cover the whole of the South West

CaLL ToDay on

07709 863826

alan dodge BSc

WHEATHILL GARDEN CENTRE Christmas Dept

Gifts Galore

Tea Rooms

Baubles - Lights - Tinsel Snowmen - Sleighs - Cards CHRISTmAS TREES

Books - Mugs Stationery - Clocks Bronnley Toiletries Soft Toys - Tools hats & Gloves hand Tools Fireside Accessories Pot Plants

Turkey Sunday Roast

All under cover All Sizes and Shapes ... Nordman and Norway Spruce Own Made Holly WREATHS

nATIVITy

throughout december

2 Course - £8.95 Mince Pie and a Cuppa - £2.90 homemade Soup & Rolls - £3.95 Crumpets, light Snacks, Homemade Cakes and more

Wheathill Lane • Milborne port • DT9 5EY Tel / Fax: 01963 251500 Open: 9am - 5pm Monday - Saturday and ... 10am - 4pm Sunday

THE VISITOR December 2013 61

GARDENING suitable for a cool conservatory or porch. In very sheltered areas of the country, it can survive outside. gardenia and orchids, such as Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis

are all ideal for warm rooms.

Other orchids such as Cymbidium will tolerate cooler positions out of full sun in a north - or east facing room.

Podimore Recycling Ltd Suppliers of Quality Recycled Aggregates

TOp SOIL / SUB SOIL crushed concrete all types of stone • sand • Tarmac road Plannings and screened Top soil small Tip for clean Building rubble & Bricks small & Large Quantities collected or Delivered site clearance specialist • Tipping Facilities Tipper Lorries • 180° - 360° excavators Fully mobile crusher and screener hire Barns Down • Farm Yard Demolition Yards Crushed • Stone Supplied DIGGER AND CRUSHER HIRE AVAILABLE Tel / Fax: 01935 849250 Mobile: 07973 844145

recycLinG For The environmenT

Hippeastrum better known as Amaryllis, are tender bulbs that make dramatic indoor plants.

Potted up in a free draining compost, they flower about six to eight weeks after planting, and are easy to care for as they like to be reasonably warm, about room temperature and with good light.

Jobs for the month

Winter gardening is a great relief for those of us in desperate need of daylight. There is never a day

Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4RE

that there is nothing to do but the weather is your guide. Plants that have been set out either as spring flowering bedding, early flowering shrubs or winter veg, may need protection not just from the weather but also from the many hungry mouths [I’m thinking rabbits, deer and pigeons!]. ‘grazers’ (tm) is a liquid treatment that makes the leaf unpalatable (to rabbits & pigeons) and is well worth a try.

Pruning dormant trees and shrubs can start anytime now.

The ideal conditions are cold but not freezing. Large wounds (over 2cm across) should be treated with a healing compound to prevent infection.

Broad beans ‘Aquadulce’ should have been sown by now

Turn into Broad Robin off B3081, continue past Mellowes Residential Home: Thorngrove is next on right

 01747 822242 Email: thorngrove.staff@scope.org.uk 

Poinsettias and Cyclamen in many glorious shades



Potted and Cut Christmas Trees from Saturday 30th november

TREE SuRGERY SpECIALISTS



Wreath making Workshops: Tuesday 3rd and Thursday 5th December ... ring for details and booking



Fund-raising Afternoon Tea & Raffle on Saturday 7th november 2 – 4pm

Crown Thinning and Reduction Dead and Dangerous Trees Removed New Trees Supplied and Planted Tree Stumps Removed Approved Contractor to Somerset County Council and Local Councils

Thorngrove Garden Centre was set up by SCOpE, a national disability charity, whose vision is a world where disabled people have the same opportunities to fulfil their life ambitions as non-disabled people. By purchasing goods and services from Thorngrove you are supporting scope's work in our local community. Thank you.

OPEning TimES: December 9am – 5pm EvERY DAY • Closed 25th December – 1st January inclusively • January and February 9am – 4pm EvERY DAY

A

CUT

Phone B. P. monTGomERy for a FRee estimate Tel: 01963 240532 mobile: 07970 397248 email: brutontreecare@hotmail.com

above the rest!

CHAINSAWS SAlES – SERviCE – REPAiR

Shredders • Hedge Trimmers • Garden Vacuums Top Quality Assured • Competitive Prices

Unit 2, Beardly Batch Depot, Cannards Grave SHEPTOn MALLET, BA4 4nB Tel: 01749 343881 • www.moggsofwells.co.uk 62 THE VISITOR December 2013

All types of Fencing • Gates • Trellis • Fence Panels • Tool Sheds • Summer Houses • Garages • Workhouses • Greenhouses • Field Shelters All Buildings are hand-made at Bourton using Scandinavian Redwood Shiplap Timber.

Bourton, Gillingham on the old A303 Nr. Zeals For Free Survey/Estimate/Brochure

Telephone 01747 840752

GARDEN direct in the soil, but you can still get away with sowing in modules to plant out early spring for an early crop. The same is true for early peas and sweet peas. The majority of plants need a soil temperature of at least 6ºC to germinate and then reasonable light levels to encourage growth.

In the ornamental beds, perennials that have died back sometimes leave attractive seed heads for the birds to enjoy. The top growth can also protect the plant in severe weather. Did you lift your dahlias or will you take a chance that the winter won’t be severe? If you do leave them in the ground then a nice mulch of compost will help. The same applies to fuchsias that might just survive.

Planting deciduous trees, shrubs, roses and hedging can go on through the winter provided the soil is neither frozen or waterlogged. Check ties on existing to make sure that they haven’t loosened or snapped and the stakes dislodged. Winter winds will rock loose trees causing root damage and subsequent root rot. This will certainly stop the tree growing well if not kill it altogether.

Lawn care is fairly minimal now; rake off or mow up the leaves and keep off in frosty weather! Turf can still be laid but there’s not much point in sowing grass seed until the spring.

Christmas at Thorngrove Garden Centre

Thorngrove garden Centre in gillingham, Dorset is run by Scope to provide work opportunities for disabled people.

They produce a wide range of excellent quality, good value plants in their own nursery which is open to the public so you can stroll around all areas.

The glasshouses in December are full of poinsettias, cyclamen and winter bedding plants such as pansies and primulas, plus you can see next year’s herbaceous plants coming on. Christmas trees are available in December, and ring for details of the wreathmaking workshops.

The current fund-raising project is to buy a defibrillator which will benefit the workforce and customers alike, so please support them at the Christmas afternoon Tea and Raffle on Saturday 7th December from 2pm until 4pm.

the end bit...

I WAs INTErEsTED – and surprised – to read in the 7th November issue of the Western Gazette that ‘part of the Wincanton bypass could be the most dangerous section of the A303 in Somerset and Dorset, according to an international transport study’.

Apparently motorists crashing here are more likely to die or be disabled than those who crash just a few miles away.

What surprised me was that the Gazette chose to run the story as part of its ‘A303: Dual It!’ campaign to make the road dual carriageway throughout the two counties.

The Wincanton bypass section is already dual carriageway.

I was clearly not alone in spotting that the television guide in the West Country Life supplement in the 2nd November issue of the Western Daily Press had identical programmes listed for Tuesday 5th and Thursday 7th, judging by the emails and comments I received. The ‘Feedback’ column in the

following Saturday’s paper revealed that numerous readers had also spotted it and complained to the paper.

‘There was no shortage of emails and phone calls over the weekend and for most of the past week to point out the error; some of our correspondents were angry, other complaints were firmly tongue in cheek, while other callers took delight in our obvious embarrassment,’ wrote columnist Jerry Charge, quoting some of them. ‘Well you’ve done it again, price up, quality down, no Tuesday listings but two Thursday listings. Does no-one check them these days?’ And ‘this weekend’s magazine really is a case of one step forward and two steps back. Come on guys, I thought you were trying to do better than this.’ And there were more in the same vein.

The weekly ‘Feedback’ column could be putting me out of a job. In the 16th November issue one section, headlined ‘To put it briefly, our standards slipped’, listed ‘obvious errors’ in recent issues. I had already spotted that a reader’s letter in the 6th November issue had been repeated on 8th November, but I had missed the one on 15th November in a story quoting the views of Monmouth MP David Davies on ‘feckless fathers’. The accompanying photo was apparently not of David Davies but of David Davis,

Sudoku

by

T. M.

Fill in the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers 1 to 9.

MP for Haltemprice and Howden and a former Conservative Party chairman.

Back in October I reported in this column that editor Tim Dixon had justified the recent 9% price increase of the weekday issues of the Western Daily Press by promising more pages, more supplements and redoubled efforts to improve the quality of the content.

Tuesday’s issues now carry an eight-page travel supplement, and the front of the 12th November supplement carried a striking photo of a large clipper in full sail on the open sea and a ‘We are sailing’ banner. With expectations raised I thumbed through the supplement only to find that it consisted entirely of holiday advertisements, one of them being for a Mediterranean cruise on a clipper (from £2899 per person, I might add). Not a feature article in sight! Clearly Mr Dixon’s efforts to improve the quality of content have yet to bear fruit.

Chronicler.

ANSwERS tO POP muSIC quIz on page 12

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

‘The Supremes’ ‘Westlife’ 1983 ‘The Beatles’ (WhiteAlbum) Dolly Parton ‘electric Light Orchestra’ Barry Manilow Bob Dylan ‘Wilson Phillips’ ‘heaven’

This month’s Bonus Question Ken Dodd Extra Bonus Question Barbara Gaskin Question Impossible Matt Munro

Solution to November

Sudoku

Say you saw it in The Visitor THE VISITOR December 2013 63

Send Details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG 30p per word (£5 minimum) pre-payment essential



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Mobile Homes

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From £1000 • large choice of sizes

DeLIVerY ArrANGeD Big Sales Site Open 7 Days • 2 miles west of Shaftesbury

Blackmore Vale Leisure Tel: 01747 851497 www.bmvcaravans.co.uk

Storage sToraGe for furniture in locked cubicles.

Lock-up garages to let. Tel: sparkford storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692.

T.V. Rental T.v. renTaL - long or short term, domestic & commercial, up to 50inch plasma. h. r. hodge. Tel: 01460 240645.

Dog Holidays hoLiDay For yoUr DoG. Let your dog stay with us when you are away. 24-hour attention and long walks. Fully licensed and insured. vet approved. references available. Tel: 01963 240650.

Wanted reDUnDanT moTor moWers, rotavators, chainsaws, strimmers, cement mixers, etc. Tel: 01460 77844. coins & coin coLLecTions, books, maps, prints, paintings. home visits. cash paid. Tel: 01225 793575 or 07754 058850.

Dave BUys aLL TyPes oF TooLs, bygones and collectables. Daves Tools Tel: 01935 428975.

Passport Photographs PassPorTs - PassPorTs PassPorTs and i.D. any legislative size. any time to suit you. easy parking.

Tel: Graham cox, Photographer, 01458 223769.

Mobile Bars / Catering harry’s moBiLe Bars, all occasions, weddings, parties, etc. Tel: 01747 825553 harry@bars4u.plus.com www.harrysmobilebars.co.uk QUicKsiLver maiL outside bar facilities for any occasion. call Pete on 07779 306751.

Services hoUsehoLD & GarDen rUBBish cLeareD, old sheds / oubuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844.

REACHING OVER 60,000 READERS Shouldn’t you be ADVERTISING HERE? Tel: 01963 351256 64 THE VISITOR December 2013

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Clock Repairs CLOCk rePAIrS Antique and Modern Clock Repairs.

Free pick up and delivery 40 years experience

Tel (01935) 477582

Framing SCEnES

Artist Materials & Gallery

« Picture framing « Restoration « Large selection of prints & paintings « Greeting Card Blanks High St. Gillingham Tel 01747 824050 www.scenes-online.co.uk

TV & Radio Aerials DAVE pARMITER AERIALS Tv aeriaL service saTeLLiTe / viDeo sysTems ccTv sysTems - PersonaL service

Tel: YeOVIL (01935) 422088 or mobile 07850 405433 no caLL-oUT charGe

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Fully insured storage at highly competitive rates Call us today for a quote!

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Roofing

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The Visitor can now be read online:

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For further information & estimates contact allan carey

01963 33528 / 07885 723915

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Services East Lydford 01963 240185 or Mobile 07811 211586

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Takeaway Bags of coal • calor Gas car & van rental competitive Prices

Anchor Hill Service Station WincanTon 01963 32609

DEnTURE REPAIRS While you Wait Collection & Delivery Denture Advice

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WESTlInE CommUnICATIonS Business Telecom Specialist For all your telecom needs For free, friendly and professional advice call ...

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THE VISITOR December 2013 65

pHONE - a - FIRM Your Guide to Local Services Oven Cleaning

Maintenance and Repairs U CAN’T I CAN PAUL CHEDzOy Property & Garden Maintenance

• • • • •

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 01935 472669 ... or

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Trading for over 6 years CuSTOMER REFERENCES AVAiLABLE

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 01458 201100

• Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiling • Painting & Decorating • electrical Contracting

The Visitor can now be read online:

JANUARY DEADLINE Monday 9th December  01963 351256

Competitive Prices ✳ No VAT ✳ No job too big or too small

Set by Frank Butler

Correct entries are placed in a hat and the winner is the first name drawn. The prize is a £10 voucher to spend with any one advertiser in this issue of the Visitor - please do not forget to state your choice of advertiser and your name and address.

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24 hour emergency call out • email: hoddaz@hotmail.com

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SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG to arrive by Monday 9th December.

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 01963 440256 / 07974 844682

www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Prize Crossword No. 326

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• renovations & extensions FRIENDLY & • roofing + Carpentry RELIABLE • Plumbing & Heating SERVICE

www.misteroven.co.uk

email: somersetcleaning@hotmail.co.uk www.somersetcleaningservices.com

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66 THE VISITOR December 2013

Contact JAMES CADE on 01963 34272 or 07967 307179

FULLy QUaLiFieD BUiLDer - esTaBLisheD 1973

Tel: 01935 475065 Mob: 07752 695264

Established 2004

● Domestic Cleaning ● Commercial Cleaning ● Holiday Let Change-overs Regular Cleans and One-offs Professional and Efficient Service

Exterior and interior decorating Gutters cleared and cleaned High level painting and cleaning Conservatories washed down Removal of disused sky dishes and cabling Repointing of stone and brickwork Patios cleaned Many other jobs undertaken No V.A.T. competitive rates for seniors

Dave Hoddinott

Mister Oven

Cleaning

SERVICES

Contents of sack taken aboard a bus with counting-frame. [6] Muddled about Les? Positive?

[8] During March, lynx behaves waggishly. [6] half-condemns crazy cuts and beats time. [8] Again put up with mixed anger about first half. [6] Perfection-seeker has notion before leaning. [8] Small-timer arranged flow for water-wheel. [10] Girl doubter shows nature of disease. [10] Reside in Derry, having run away, in a manner of speaking.

[8] Non-vector with scar around uS city. [6] Seated in state, Ann has tin of salt? No, the other way around! [8] Sea Marauder is quietly angry.

[6] Step and rend about, purports to be! [8] Onyxes, as found around gate.

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Brunel's wide measure. [5,5] Old are resorting to trial. [6] 22nd Greek letter put in a pot for unkempt child. [6] Fake part of suppers at zoo. [6] Judged a tart mixed with bride? [10] Cooking slowly with illegal hunting. [8] Stout: Start to surround returned awl. [8] Vehicle each on board gets away fast. [8] A bishop is raised? Makes total sense. [4,2] Depart after first call and divide with force. [6] Tree-lined, a place to meet. [6]

Solution to Crossword 325

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Two articles with small weights provide useful clues.

[8] After arranging coal, take brief vacations for fermentation products. [8] Some tug lines short: Not at all pretty! [8]

The WINNeR of our November Crossword 325 was Mrs. L. Brooks of Wells, who chose to spend the £10 voucher at The Marston Inn, Marston Magna.