The Visitor Magazine Issue 451 June 2021

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

Issue 451 June 2021

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In Passing...

U

nusual and intriguing placenames abound in Visitorland – names such as Haselbury Plucknett, Queen Camel, Sandford Orcas and Wyke Champflower.

Visitors often ask me how such places got their names and what they mean, but apart from the few with obvious explanations I can’t give them authoritative answers.

Experts in philology – the science of language – study the development over time of the spelling and the sounds of a spoken name and reach conclusions about its original form and meaning, but I’m no expert.

The modern form of most of our local place-names can never be assumed to convey their original meanings without early spellings to confirm it. So names can never be taken at their face value. They can only be correctly interpreted after the careful scrutiny of the earliest spellings, for names which are now identical in form are not necessarily identical in origin. The vast majority of Visitorland’s place-names were coined by our distant ancestors as descriptions of places in terms of their topography, appearance, situation, use, ownership or other associations and were in existence by the time of the Norman Conquest. Most date from the Anglo-Saxon period and their original forms would be in Old English. The Anglo-Saxons took over some existing names from earlier inhabitants and these are usually referred to as Celtic.

Most of our village names, no matter how old they are, were not recorded in the Anglo-Saxon period. Their earliest spelling is found in Domesday Book compiled in 1086, but these spellings have often to be treated with utmost caution. To the Norman scribes some names would have sounded strange and they tended to represent the English sounds by the nearest equivalent in their own language.

In Old English ‘broc’ and ‘brocc’ have very different meanings (‘brook or stream’ and ‘badger’), likewise ‘ham’ and ‘hamm’ (‘homestead or village’ and ‘land hemmed

in by water or marsh or higher ground’) and others. And misspellings have led to misinterpretations down the years.

So to answer visitors’ questions I turn to the Oxford Dictionary of English PlaceNames. The compiler, an expert in place-name studies, has trawled through a mass of scholastic information to explain the names of more than 12,000 places, with some in Visitorland being of particular interest. For example, Galhampton was a ‘farmstead of rent-paying peasants’ whereas nearby Alhampton was simply an ‘estate on the River Alham’, the river-name being of Celtic origin with an unknown meaning. Ilminster was ‘large church on the River Isle’ (another Celtic river-name) but Ilchester was ‘Roman town on the River Gifl’ (again a Celtic name which later became Yeo). And in Anglo-Saxon times Sturminster Newton was two separate settlements, ‘Church on the River Stour’ and a ‘new farmstead or village’ on the opposite bank of the river. There’s often more to a place-name than meets the eye.

PO Box 1, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7BG Tel: (01963) 351256, 351998 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk facebook.com/thevisitormagazine twitter.com/thevisitormag Editor Max Dunion Managing Director Helen Dunion © The Visitor Ltd. 2021 (Items marked ©GT are the copyright of Geoff Thompson)

CONTENTS

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Advertising Deadlines July Issue published: Wednesday 30th June Deadline: Monday 21st June

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED ‑ 38 ANTIQUES ‑ 31 BOOK REVIEW ‑ 19 CASTLE CARY ‑ 14 CROSSWORD ‑ 38 GARDENING ‑ 32 HOUSE & HOME ‑ 22 LEISURE ‑ 19 LETTERS ‑ 4 LOOKING GOOD ‑ 21 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES ‑ 5 MOTORING ‑ 26 PHONE‑A‑FIRM ‑ 36

NOTE TO ADVERTISERS

Advertisements are accepted subject to our standard terms and conditions as printed on our rate card, available upon request.

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

PUBS ‑ 28 REMEMBER WHEN ‑ 36 SUDOKU ‑ 19 THEY SAY ‑ 29

Cartoons by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR June 2021 3

Letters to the Editor In reply to May letters

Sir, I was extremely disappointed to read a couple of the letters published in your latest edition.

I seem to have been the only one to have actually read the article of Miss Evans to which they both refer. In response to the letter from Marlene Harrison, I would say that the penultimate paragraph of the article in question does not in any way ‘condemn the COVID-19 vaccine’ as the letter claims it does.

Whilst the postscript of the article does not mention any ‘meaningful medical qualifications’, Jenna does state in the article that her opinion is formed ‘partly due to concerns raised by many experts in this field’. This to me implies that Miss Evans has investigated the vaccines from many pro and con viewpoints from those who do have ‘meaningful medical qualifications’. I have personally read articles against the vaccines from people with medical qualifications.

The letter writer also claims not to have those same qualifications however appears to be fully qualified in all aspects of the vaccination programme based on having followed all the press coverage and briefings from experts. I feel sure that given how well researched her articles always are, Miss Evans would have followed those same sources among many others and come to her own conclusion. I would also question whether using the phrase ‘crackpot suggestions’ in your letter could be construed as defamation of character (however someone with law qualifications might be better suited to answer that question).

In response to the other letter, I would merely suggest that there is a misunderstanding over the use of the word passport. The government and media are using the term in both the traditional sense of foreign travel and as a domestic entity to gain access to places such as pubs. Jenna’s use of the word ‘venues’ in her article implies she is against the domestic variety.

I wholeheartedly agree with her on this front. I am personally going to be taking the vaccine; however, I refuse to have to carry any form of identification to prove I have. I have never had to prove that I have had the usual childhood vaccinations, so why do I suddenly have to prove my medical history now?

If there is a need to have a 4 THE VISITOR June 2021

vaccine passport to travel abroad, that is different. There is precedent for such things. You already need certain vaccinations to travel to certain countries. All a domestic variety will do is divide the country into two tiers.

I will be lucky enough to be able to take the vaccine, however there will be those who will want to have it, but cannot due to medical grounds. Why should they be denied the opportunity to go somewhere due to something beyond their control?

One of the things that disappoints me most about these letters is that they both seem to miss the point made by Jenna.

She was only answering one of the questions she was most asked in her job and offering her opinion. Personally, I think Miss Evans has been brave to voice her opinion on the subject. I know of other people who are cautious of having the vaccine (for various reasons). I am sure they would be relieved to have read the article and seen that others feel the same way especially with the pressure being exerted on them to take the vaccine. Sadly, the world seems obsessed with attacking people who may have a different view of the world.

Jenna clearly states that she respects and supports the decisions of others. All she asked is that others respect hers.

Certainly, the vitriolic letter from Marlene Harrison does not do this.

Jeff Morrison

Re: Jenna Evans article in The Visitor April 2021

Sir, I follow Jenna's health column, and find it informative and helpful, as someone who likes to look after their own health. In the final paragraph of her article about Covid, I could not find any reason to be upset with it, as mentioned in the May edition, I thought it was a fair and balanced comment, without any undue bias.

I would also like to respond to Marlene Harrison, I too, have no medical qualifications, but like to do my own research, and not just follow the mainstream narrative, and except all that they say. I am in my late 70's, and fortunately have never had a serious illness in my life, or been on any long term medication.

I feel fit and healthy for my age, so why would I need an experimental medical intervention that is still on trial until 2023, It does not stop you catching the virus, or stop you passing it on, and long term effects from it are not known.

Also, I thought the comments about Jenna, were more biased and detrimental to her integrity as a health advocate, than her comments on covid were.

Have you not read the numerous articles around the world promoting the health benefits of Vit.D, and Vit.C. and other supplements. The drug Ivermectin has been around since the late 70's as a proven, cheap and effective treatment, in several medical situations, including covid. Nobody talks about looking after their health, only about what medical interventions they can take.

I am not anti vaccine, or anti drugs, I had vaccines when I was younger, as did my daughters, I know they have their uses in acute cases and situations, and can save lives.

As we can all agree, it is our choice what happens to our bodies, and our choice to what we want put into it. Marlene, can I suggest you might read: Too Many Pills by Dr. James Le Fanu. it's quite an eye opener.

Derek Ponsford

Re: Jenna Evans article April 2021/In reply to Marlene Harrison

Sir, Your letter proves how misinformed most people are on this subject. Saying that you get your medical information from experts on the TV is just ridiculous to me.

The simple fact is that these injections, which are being pushed on people around the world are experimental. The clinical trials for them will not be completed until at least 2022. So, if you accept a covid ‘vaccination’ before that time, you have effectively volunteered to be a human guinea pig for large corporations.

Kaya D

Jenna Evans article

Sir, I have to say it was a relief to find at least one news outlet that is willing to publish an opinion that was not the carbon copy of the state propaganda, the mainstream media outlets are parroting.

Jenna Evans makes many good points in her article. While vaccines have been invaluable in the past, The covid vaccine is not through it's trial phases and is still experimental. Facebook pages for those discussing the side effects they and their relatives have suffered from the vaccine have been shut down.

While all those who die within 28 days of testing positive with covid, are counted as a covid death

regardless of whether they were actually run over by a bus. This level of bias is intolerable for anyone with any level of critical thinking. There are many doctors, nurses and vaccine specialists, (ie Micheal Yeadon,) who are raising concerns about the vaccine, that are immediately slandered and labelled conspiracy theorists without actually taking an honest look at their research.

The average age of death for someone with covid is a couple years off the average life expectancy. A person my age, (35) is more likely to kill themselves then die of covid 19. The continued fear-mongering from the main press is reaching truly ridiculous levels. Statements such as eighty thousand more died then expected. Expected by who?

They are referencing the decline in death rate for the last hundred years or so. The truth of the matter is that the last time the death rate was as high as it was for England and Wales in 2020 was in 2007. It was progressively higher every year the further back in time you go. The life expectancy now is almost 15 years higher then it was in 1950.

Viruses historically tend to hit elderly people the worst. It is hardly surprising that this virus does too. I have worked in nursing homes with the elderly and vulnerable. The fact is that when it comes to quality verses quantity, I would rather live my last years around my family, than isolated, confused and lonely in a sterile home, where I am not allowed visitors. I also very much doubt that isolating elderly people this way has done anything but harm. Friends of mine who work in the care sector have raised similar concerns, loneliness is more lethal then covid in our opinion.

Governments are notoriously untrustworthy, yet as a nation we are considering allowing them to erase our human right to refuse medical treatment.

Micheal Gove recently visited Israel to see how they have integrated their 'green pass,' system. Something that looks remarkably like the forerunner to the social credit system being used in China. It is not a conspiracy theory to point out these facts. Our freedoms and human rights have been fought for and hard won by our ancestors. We can not allow sensationalistic propaganda to convince us to allow the destruction of these human rights and freedom.

Saying 'no,' to a medical treatment still in it's

Letters to the Editor experimental phase, when I have a less then 1 in 40,000 chance of dying from it, but could suffer extreme side effects from, is perfectly understandable. Being coerced and guilt tripped into it when it does not stop me getting or spreading the virus is deplorable behaviour. No to coerced or mandated medical treatments, no to fear-mongering propaganda and no to corrupt politicians, the kind that would make certain companies their families had shares in received lucrative health contracts.

Emma Pearson

Jenna Evans April article

Sir, Despite Marlene Harrison and John Smales reaction to Jenna's references to Covid 19 vaccinations it is only right that you publish alternative views for people to think for themselves and even research the topic.

Balance is the key!

The subject is always going to be controversial but but both sides must be heard.

Anonymous Thank you for your letters - due to limited space, those not included will be published next month. Ed.

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local charity which has been operating under difficult conditions in recent years, with a lot of its facilities currently housed in temporary portacabins.

Dispatches Celebrity patrons help with ‘last push’ appeal to complete new wildlife treatment centre

Secret World Wildlife Rescue in Somerset welcomed two of its celebrity patrons on Wednesday 12th May who have been helping the charity relaunch its fundraising appeal for a new wildlife treatment centre.

Michaela Strachan and Martin Hughes-Games - both well-known for presenting wildlife and nature shows including Springwatch were on hand to help with the building work and lend their support to the appeal.

The charity has been raising funds for the new treatment centre for a few years and in 2020 had raised enough to begin construction of the new building which, when completed, will help its staff provide urgent care for the roughly 5,000 wildlife admissions it sees every year.

The new wildlife treatment centre is a big step in the modernisation of this much-loved

Work is well underway on the new building, which is due for completion in October 2021. The charity has raised enough for the main two-storey part of the building, which comprises its reception, assessment room, orphan room and offices, and is now appealing to supporters and local businesses to help with the ‘last push’.

They still require roughly £85,000 to complete the building in its entirety, which also includes a wildlife hospital wing with specialist rooms for the different species it treats.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue patron Michaela Strachan said ‘a new wildlife treatment centre will completely transform Secret World and enable the charity to

look after more animals in a more efficient, practical way. We completely support this appeal as we know it will make a real difference – please do whatever you can to help’ To learn more about Secret World Wildlife Rescue, the appeal or to make a much appreciated donation you can visit the website at www.secretworld.org/ treatmentcentre.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue in Somerset are raising funds to complete their new animal treatment centre, donate at secretworld.org/treatmentcentre.

THE VISITOR June 2021 5

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Dispatches Moish Sokal’s 26th annual summer exhibition ‘SAFARI’ at Malthouse Gallery, East Lambrook Manor Gardens 5th June-17th July

Watercolour artist and traveller Moish Sokal had a lifelong dream of visiting Africa and he found it as exciting as he had expected.

Heading initially to the Kruger National Park he was rubbing his eyes in disbelief to see impalas, zebras a few hundred yards in, followed by an elephant grazing peacefully right beside the road.

He and his assistant were both excitedly taking photos in case this dream would end.

In fact it was just the start as they continued their safari drives along dusty tracks. Sokal’s excitement is still clear. ‘I had most magical encounters with rhinos, sleeping lions, wrestling giraffes, sparring elephants and even a brief glimpse of an elusive cheetah stalking its prey. Every evening in the camp we would recount all the animals we had seen and leaf through hundreds of photos.

River safaris brought more wonders, revealing an exceptional array of birds along the riverbank – yellow weaver birds with their hanging nests, kingfishers, hornbills and a giant footed African jacana walking

effortlessly on the waterlily leaves. However not all the wildlife was so pretty with his boat avoiding grumpy pods of hippos sparring, showing their huge teeth and crocodiles basking in the sun on the bank where they blended so perfectly.

The most surprising encounter came on land one evening. ‘In one river town on my way back from dinner a family of huge hippos crossed in front of my car on its way to graze. I was glad I hadn’t decided to walk to the restaurant!’

Sokal recalls.

Next stop was at the majestic Victoria Falls on the way to Botswana and the Chobe river National Park. Home of the densest concentration of wildlife in the country Sokal hired a SUV and headed into the park, ignoring a park official’s dubious glance at the vehicle (‘it’s been raining, there are puddles’). ‘Soon, my vehicle stuck in a huge puddle right up to the bonnet, I found myself face to face with this old lone and grumpy buffalo whose kingdom I dared to invade.

Luckily the engine re started and

I reversed carefully out of this puddle, promising myself that from now on I would stick to organized safari trips only!’

Sokal continues ‘The safari trips in Botswana were a true ‘off the beaten track’ wildlife adventure. Watching these skilful drivers dodging the treacherous terrain yet keeping a keen eye animal spotting proved how silly I was trying to self-drive in this totally alien environment. I saw a pack of rare wild dogs setting off to hunt, vultures perched on a dead tree waiting their turn to gorge on a buffalo carcass, crocodiles soaking up the sun on the river bank just 6 feet away from our boat, giraffes and hippos, whilst huge herds of elephants grazed the river grass in the background.’

Africa and its wildlife has inspired Sokal to make a stunning series of paintings which form the body of this exhibition and this was due to be shown last year in his exhibition that was cancelled. However, he has not only added more to this body of African-inspired work but also has painted a series inspired by his lockdown walks from winter into spring around his lovely Somerset village.

‘Safari’ will be in the Malthouse Gallery, set in beautiful East

Lambrook Manor Gardens for Sokal’s 26th annual exhibition, but also, in a major innovation, also simultaneously online for those of his fans unable to visit the gallery, log on at www. moishsokal.co.uk.

Open: 5th June - 17th July, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am5pm. (Closed Sundays and Mondays). Entry to the exhibition is free and you can visit without booking and paying to see the gardens. The Gardens and Malthouse Gallery are COVID safe.

THE VISITOR June 2021 7

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Dispatches Books, lunches, knitting and more: RVS Sherborne – Cheap Street window display

If you find yourself in beautiful Sherborne over the next couple of weeks do make sure to come and see the window display at The Pod, 54 Cheap Street.

They were very kindly offered the very first display in this brand new venture run by Cheap Street Church who are aiming to use the premises as a contact point to work with other churches in the town, other groups, and members of the community to link people together and to promote ways in which we can all contribute to the well-being of the whole community.

You will find information about a Home Library Service, which is available free to anybody who finds it difficult to get to the library. The RVS Lunch Club in Sherborne is making plans to restart as soon as possible, along with its various crafting projects.

If you can't go and see it but would like more information please contact Maria Jacobson, RVS Service Manager Dorset Home Library Service, on 01305 236666 or email: maria. jacobson@royalvoluntaryservice. org.uk.

Dorset Art Weeks coming to The Walled Garden Moreton with a Free Entry sculpture exhibition event

Dorset Arts Weeks is one of the largest Open Studio Events in the country. It brings artists and visitors together in ways that are often remarkable and profoundly different from entering a public gallery. DAW is fundamentally as much about engagement

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Dorset Art Weeks: Wind Flowers by Micheal Chaikin.

between people as about people and art.

At The Walled Garden, we will be exhibiting work from some of the UK’s most renowned sculptors, many of which live and work right here in the South West.

Like all events in 2020, we sadly had to cancel the planned outdoor exhibition at The Walled

Garden in Moreton, but now with COVID restrictions easing, we find ourselves in a position to be able to host the event in May 2021.

Work is underway, and many of the sculptures are already in place, but the official event launches during Dorset Art Weeks (22nd May - 6th June), but continues over the summer until September 2021. This will be a free entry event. We believe this to be an accessible event for all visitors.

From sculpture enthusiasts, to the casual, or even those with just a curiosity, and children too, we know there will be something for everyone to appreciate and encourage you to stop by as we welcome the summer with this event, and look towards a return to a brighter day to day life postlockdown.

Please continue to follow updates on social media and our websites, as we’re sharing lots of behind the scenes content, and updates from the artists which give you an insight into the thinking behind these beautiful works.

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Dispatches New Arts and Tourism alliance to promote Somerset creative talent

Somerset Art Works and Visit Somerset have announced a collaboration that will increase exposure for the county’s artistic talent and stimulate increased business from visitors.

Participants in this autumn’s Somerset Open Studios will benefit from having individual membership listings on the Visit Somerset website which attracts over one million visits a year.

Open Studios will run from 18th September until 3rd October and is a continuation from the 2020 online version that will see a large increase in venues being open and accessible to visitors.

Find out more at www. somersetartworks.org.uk.

Parish Maps 1990s, the King’s visit to Sherborne 1940s, Sherborne streets and fete 1950s, Sherborne School 1930s, an historical pageant at the Larmer Tree gardens 1960s, well known Sherborne farmer Jack Dimond and his old binder 1950s and 1990s, Cerne Abbas 1960s and 1990s. Plus Mother Of All Pageants, the story of the great Sherborne Pageant with the original 1905 film and music.

Presented by the late Gerald Pitman.

To view the films visit the website: www.windroserural media.org.

re-opened following the lockdown.

The charity’s chain of shops relies on volunteers throughout the week. Currently it is looking for till operatives to serve customers and keep them informed about the charity’s work, and people to help with sorting and steaming donations to the shops, all within a COVIDsafe environment.

Volunteering has lots of benefits from building confidence to reducing stress and is a great way to make friends and have fun.

Julia's House Needs You!

Do you like to keep busy? Do you have a few hours to spare? Julia’s House, the Dorset and Wiltshire Children’s Hospice charity is seeking volunteers to help out at its friendly high street shop in Shaftesbury,which has recently

Liz Thompson, Volunteer Coordinator for Julia’s House, said.

‘You don’t have to have experience to be a volunteer at Julia’s House as we provide all

the training you will require. You just need to be friendly, reliable and have the confidence to talk to our customers and make them feel welcome. It’s a great feeling to be supporting your local community and will make all the difference to the children and families we care for locally. We would love to hear from anyone who has a few hours to spare.’

Julia’s House is a local charity dedicated to supporting the families of children with lifelimiting or life-threatening conditions. It relies on public donations, fundraising and legacies for 95 per cent of the money needed to run its vital service. The charity has two hospices – one in Corfe Mullen, and one in Devizes, in Wiltshire.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Volunteer@juliashouse.org or pop into their local shop for more information.

Somerset Art Works: Julia Thompson.

Free archive film festival for Dorset

Archive films not seen before will be part of a free online festival to be staged in June by Dorset rural media charity Windrose.

Four shows will be available in the last week of June (Thursday 24th to Wednesday 30th), thanks to support from Dorset Council.

The films available include: Blandford to Sturminster Newton: Blandford’s Coronation celebrations 1937, Blandford and Shaftesbury in 1930s, Sturminster Newton Market in 1930s and 1990s, the Somerset & Dorset Railway in 1960s, Fontmell Magna in 1980s. Plus Iwerne Minster in 1918.

Buckland Newton to Sherborne: Buckland Newton people make one of the first THE VISITOR June 2021 9

10 THE VISITOR June 2021

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Dispatches Foodies delight at the Bath & West Country Festival

Food enthusiasts will be delighted that the Food & Drink Hall is firmly on the menu of attractions at the one-off Bath & West Country Festival.

This popular feature has relocated to the Showering Pavilion, the largest permanent building on the Showground, and has a new sponsor, Jon Thorners.

Amongst the food stands in the Hall and on the Main Lawn will be Fanny Annie’s (retro street food); Alimentos (Spanish street food); Hidden Pizza; The Curry man; Salcombe Dairy; Unstabled Bar and Café; and the Chock Shop (homemade brownies); whilst cheese aficionados can enjoy Godminster Cheese, The Great British Cheese Company, and Bath Soft Cheese.

Food will combine with the festival vibe courtesy of ‘Liver Cottage’, with comedy chefs Hugh Fearn and Lee Whittingstall presenting alternative cookery demonstrations. As the mobile kitchen garden moves through the crowds they’ll create ‘fusion food on the move’, blending home grown ingredients with food foraged from the corner shop, the streets, and the audience.

Blurring the boundaries between ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary’, ‘urban’ and

‘rural’, ‘fresh’ and ‘best before June 1972’, the Liver Cottage chefs stick to their motto … ‘Don’t leave anyone wanting more!’

Cider lovers will be delighted that The British Cider Championships will take place at the Festival, within the Orchards & Cider Area, which has moved to the Sedgemoor Building.

Alan Lyons, Head of Shows, said, ‘The Food & Drink Hall is one of the best-loved parts of the Bath & West experience. It gives our visitors the opportunity to try unique West Country produce, and is also a wonderful platform for our stallholders.’

The Bath & West Country Festival takes place on 27th-29th August. Tickets are available now at www.bathandwest.com/tickets.

Full steam ahead for Somerton’s festival

Plans for this summer’s Somerton Music & Arts Festival remain on track following the latest Government announcement on the lifting of Covid restrictions.

It is now looking more likely that most of the regulations will be lifted by June 21st meaning that festival events planned for July, including the Somerstock music festival, will go full steam ahead.

The festival opens on 2nd July with the first of many events taking place throughout Somerton including a family fun day featuring vintage vehicles, unusual animals and bouncy castles with bars, food and stalls to keep everyone entertained.

During the week there will also be talks, musical performances, a service at St Michael’s and All

Angels church and lots of bands playing at the local hostelries.

The culmination comes on Saturday 10th July when Somerstock hits town with 16 bands headlined by pop and soul legends The Christians.

There’s something for all the family with non-stop music across three stages plus the famous Motionhouse dance troupe, a silent disco, food, drink and kid’s zone.

Advance tickets for all events are available online now, and the festival ticket office will open at Somerton Library on 29th May, selling tickets for all the town events as well as Somerstock and Oktoberfest, the festival’s own German beer festival billed as the ultimate Bavarian party night on 9th October at Edgar Hall.

With people eager to get out

and about again, it’s advised to buy tickets sooner rather than later. Early bird ticket prices for town events run until 5th June.

For more information and tickets visit the website www.somertonartsfestival.co.uk.

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THE VISITOR June 2021 11

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Dispatches 2021 Exhibition Programme Announced for Somerset Museums

The South West Heritage Trust’s exhibition programme for 2021 explores the theme of The Stories That Make Us – the many stories that define us as individuals and communities in a diverse and

changing world. Exhibitions will take place at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton and Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury which reopened from 19 May. The Museum of Somerset reopened with works submitted to the Royal Photographic Society’s International Photography Competition. The museum will be the only South West venue to host this annual display of contemporary photography from across the globe. Photographers are encouraged to explore ideas, document personal stories, and

Martin Brown, Jousting, c. 1988.

12 THE VISITOR June 2021

reveal the world around them from new and thought-provoking perspectives.

The museum is known for its family-friendly summer exhibitions. This year the cartoons and art of the Horrible Histories illustrator Martin Brown are featured. The Horrible Histories books, written by Terry Deary, were launched in 1993 and are now world bestsellers.

They have inspired TV series, stage shows, exhibitions and even a feature film. The series relaunches in 2021 with new titles including a history of flight called Up in the Air. Visitors will be able to see the original covers for some of the Horrible Histories and discover more of Martin’s work from his beginnings as a humorous graphic artist and fan of cartoons.

The museum’s successful exhibitions dedicated to 20thcentury British art continue in the autumn with a celebration of the colourful achievement of Brian Rice. After a childhood spent in south Somerset Brian Rice became part of the London art scene in the 1960s, where he moved in the same circles as David Hockney and Peter Blake.

Later he returned to the West Country and reinterpreted its landscapes and archaeology with

Son of Covid 2020 by Brian Rice.

the imaginative vision of one of Britain’s leading abstract artists.

Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury will continue to showcase local artists and makers. The programme begins with the first solo exhibition by Glastonbury-based artist Joanna Briar. It will bring together ink drawings with linocut and

Tor Sunrise by Joanna Briar.

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Dispatches woodcut prints in an exhibition inspired by the museum itself and by the countryside surrounding it.

During the summer the museum, working in partnership with the Royal Bath and West Society, will open its first ‘living exhibition’. There will be a vibrant programme of family events and activities that capture the spirit of the Bath and West Show, as well as an opportunity to discover more about the society’s wide-ranging history.

Exhibition dates Museum of Somerset

• RPS International Photography Competition 19 May - 10 July • Martin Brown: Horrible Histories and Other Dazzling Drawings 24 July - 31 October • The Art of Brian Rice: 60 Years of Paintings and Prints 13 November - 26 February

Exhibition dates - Somerset Rural Life Museum:

• A Sense of Place: An Exhibition of Ink Drawings and Printmaking by Joanna Briar 19 May - 3 July • The Bath and West: A Celebration 10 July - 4 September • Thread Bearing Witness 11 September - 31 October

Wincanton Town Festival Market 12pm – 9pm, Saturday 26th June at The Earth Gallery, formerly Clementinas

Bath & West Prize bull.

Photo: Peter Hall.

Autumn sees the museum continue its successful collaboration with Somerset Art Works. Alice Kettle is a highlyregarded textile artist whose large-scale narrative embroideries are inspired by contemporary issues and ideas.

Themes of cultural heritage and displacement are explored through the contributions of migrants brought together in works by Alice.

Head of Museums for the South West Heritage Trust Sam Astill said: ‘After a very difficult year we’re now looking forward with optimism to the opportunities ahead. We’re collaborating with some brilliantly creative people and some key partners to deliver a programme that can provide enjoyment, inspiration and learning for everyone. It’s an important moment for rediscovering the joys and challenges of being the people we are. We want these new exhibitions to be part of that process.’

All visits must be pre-booked at swheritage.org.uk. Tickets on sale now at The Museum of Somerset, Taunton Wednesday – Saturday.

Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury open Wednesday Sunday. Admission and opening times may vary in line with the latest Government guidance in response to Covid-19.

The Wincanton Town Festival Market aims to be more than just a market. It aims to be a full body experience!

This one-off event is set in and around the grounds of a truly captivating 17th century manor house located in the centre of Wincanton. This historic venue will play host to a wide variety of ‘experiences’ that are sure to stimulate all the senses! Artists from all disciplines will play, display, demonstrate and sell their special talents in and around this unique and picturesque setting. In the walled garden and lower orchard, families will be invited to take part in woodland crafts, forager walks, learn about no dig gardening, or simply to pet the goats.

The Bear Cat Collective will be hosting a wide variety of musical performances by talented local musicians. There will also be a selection of food and drink stalls selling their tasty wares. These include stone baked pizza, crepes, candy floss and delicious cream teas and cakes. Aromatic espresso coffee powered by the sun is another unique taste not to be missed! Alternatively, people are welcome to bring their own picnic to eat on the beautiful walled garden lawns. This innovative event runs later in the evening than traditional markets from 12pm - 9pm.

For more information email: wincantontownfestival@gmail .com, follow on Facebook and Instagram @wincantontown festival.

Looking for someone special?

Dating tips from Alison at Just Somerset Introductions

As I write June’s edit, it’s pouring with rain - May is so far making up for a dry April! What horrid weather! We are moving into another stage coming out of lockdown and we can meet indoors again in small group of 6 which will be great and also more are able to meet outdoors.

Here at Just Somerset Introductions we put on different types of events as the guidelines and the weather allow - from a picnic to a walk, pub meal, visits to gardens plus places of interest - here’s to hoping we can expand what we can offer once all rules are relaxed on or around the 21st June - depending on what Boris says!

If like so many people you have decided now is the time after this strange year to meet people, to have that human connection, be it for someone special or just to make new friends we can help you. We offer one to one introductions as well as the social events. Everyone is interviewed and ID checked so we have met all of our clients. You can attend socials across the group and meet members from the other areas.

We are a very professional, confidential introductions agency, and we cover all ages - younger members are most welcome, especially those under 50.

Another topic I wanted to briefly mention, is the romance scams that are happening even more. The most important rule if you are chatting to someone online and they ask you for money DON’T part with any!

They will try to gain your trust, to make you believe that they care for you. The photo you see is probably not them and if you know how - do an image check on a computer. If they want to get you off site very quickly that can be a warning sign. Ask them for a recent photo if you are texting and if they won’t send one then I would avoid! Watch their use of grammar too - it can be a sign, and can bad spelling.

Scammers will not often speak to you on the phone and if they do listen to the accent! Be careful but for a safer way of meeting real people contact Just Somerset Introductions see the website www.justintroductionsgroup .co.uk for more details.

EMMA HOWE

CLAIRVOYANT (Established 25 years)

•For the reading of your life and spiritual guidance •Telephone or personal readings Featured in: Also Available:

Tarot Readings 01458 830276 07881 088664 THE VISITOR June 2021 13

IN BYGONE centuries market towns in the English countryside were the places where people came to sell and buy, and as it emerges from the latest lockdown Castle Cary still displays the bustle of a thriving old market town. It scores highly on its number and variety of shops and

MAX FOOTE Associates Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 2 Bailey Hill Castle Cary BA7 7AD Tel: 01963 351052 Business and limited company accounts, self assessment tax returns, VAT, Payroll, Book-keeping and Training Personal and professional service

14 THE VISITOR June 2021

services, as I have noted before in Visitor articles, and no comparable settlement in Visitorland can boast such a hive of retail activity nor such a diverse range of shops. It is this that is a crucial part of the town’s attraction to visitors and long may it stay that way.

Supermarket is a dirty word in the town, a threat to its retail self-sufficiency. There is still no soulless superstore on the edge of town to drain the vitality from the centre. The nearest is six miles away at Wincanton, and most people I have spoken to think that is quite close enough!

It’s the ‘old’ in ‘old market town’ that attracts those with an eye for history as well as retail therapy. Castle Cary retains much of its past to admire, but not its castle, which was probably abandoned around 1153. Nothing remains at its site on Lodge Hill behind The George Hotel apart from some indentations in the ground and a magnificent view over the town. The major events of history don’t appear to have impinged on Castle Cary to any great extent. For sure, King Charles II stopped overnight in the town in 1651 after his defeat at the battle of Worcester, and a German bomber demolished the Great Western Hotel by the railway station on the morning of 3rd September 1942. But as local historian Michael McGarvie discovered 40 years ago, ‘the town has little recorded history... primary or manuscript sources are scarce and secondary material extremely scattered’. He admitted that ‘many barrels had to be scraped for the shreds and patches of information’ that make up his fascinating book on Castle Cary’s industrial and social history.

To immerse yourself in its history, venture off the main streets and explore Bailey Hill with its historic ‘pepper-pot’ cell, and Pithers Yard, once occupied by furniture and cabinet makers C Pither and Son and now occupied by several small businesses. Take a look at Ochiltree House on Upper High

Street, for many years the home of John Boyd who developed extensive horse-hair works on land behind it. Boyd’s successor in the business, William Macmillan, also lived here and his son Douglas, founder of Macmillan Cancer Relief, is commemorated by a plaque on the wall. Wander beyond the horsepond to visit the parish church of All Saints, originally 15th century but almost completely rebuilt in the mid1850s, and up Church Street to see South Cary’s fascinating mix of old cottages and houses. Seek out the countless examples of good-quality provincial architecture – products of past prosperity – as diverse as the imposing Methodist Chapel on Upper High Street, the handsome Georgian post office on Bailey Hill and the utilitarian red-brick former Liberal Club on Woodcock Street built for John Boyd and now occupied by a wine

merchant. And in the town centre visit one of the town’s oldest buildings, the George Hotel.

Although the datestone on the wall shows 1673, parts of the building are thought to be considerably older.

Castle Cary’s best-known building must surely be the Market House. It occupies pride of place in the centre of the town and images of its honey-coloured stone have graced many a Somerset picture book and tourism leaflet. But while there’s no doubting that it is much loved by residents and visitors alike and adds much to the character of the town, it is a comparatively recent building of no great historical significance. It was competed in 1855 on the site of an earlier market building dating from 1616, although some sources suggest that this had been replaced by a brick structure by the time the Market House Company was formed in 1853.

Built at a cost of £2,300, the new building was designed to provide a covered area on the ground floor for the market, including some semi-permanent stalls or

‘shambles’ where meat and dairy produce were sold, and a couple of cells to accommodate the town’s trouble-makers. The floors above were intended for reading rooms and space for large meetings and social functions, and over the years they have been put to a variety of uses including a theatre, cinema and school of dancing.

Traditional markets ceased many years ago and the Market House has long outlived its original purpose. Nowadays the ground floor is home to the town council office and tourist information centre, and renovations a decade ago included constructing a roof over the back part of the shambles area, glazing the sides and installing a kitchen and toilets. Now the area is used for a variety of events, exhibitions, displays and functions such as weddings. And every Tuesday the cobbled forecourt and undercroft revert to their original role by hosting the town’s Market Day. and attracting a goodly number of stallholders and customers from near and far.

The upstairs contains the town’s excellent museum. If the town’s history intrigues you, it’s well worth spending an hour or two there. It is crammed with exhibits reflecting local industries, agriculture, lifestyles and people through the ages, In the main display room you can find out more about two of the town’s once-important businesses – T S Donne Ltd, flax spinners and ropemakers, and John Boyd & Co Ltd, horse-hair weavers – and other rooms contain displays relating to the aforementioned Douglas Macmillan and Parson James Woodforde who was born in Ansford in 1740 and served as curate at Castle Cary from 1765 till 1773. His legacy is his diary which records in great detail the social scene of the period – the places, the people, what they ate and what it cost, how they behaved, worked, spent their leisure and died. Run entirely by volunteers, the museum is usually open until the end of September on Mondays to Fridays from 10.30am till 12.30pm and 2.00pm till 4.00pm and on Saturday mornings.

Admission is free, but I suspect you will be sufficiently impressed to leave a generous donation in

the collection box.

Now that life is returning to some semblance of normality the best way to enjoy Castle Cary’s historic and retail charm is to pay a visit. And perhaps to take coffee or lunch at one of the town’s cafés, restaurants and pubs which are now open again for business. It remains a traditional market town with shops and services that meet the needs of local people and its future prosperity depends to a large extent on attracting more visitors.

Roger Richards.

HIGHFIELD HOUSE

Outstanding & Award Winning Residential Care Home We are passionate about providing EXCELLENT care and support in a homely environment.

Situated in the centre of Castle Cary we benefit from all the delights that Castle Cary has to offer within a short walk. Our calibre of staff is second to none and we are here to cater for each and every individual person.

Please feel free to contact us for any further information.

Telephone: 01963 350697 Email: manager@highfieldhouse.net www.highfieldhousecastlecary.com

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

DAVE MARSH HARDWARE LTD The really useful shop!

Garden – D.I.Y. – Plumbing & More

★ Key Cutting ★ Dulux Paint Mixing Services Suppliers of: and Somerset BBQ Charcoal

Fore Street, Castle Cary •  01963 350316 Also Incorporating

KITCHEN ESSENTIALS ...

Everything for the Cook and Kitchen ★ Stellar ★ Brabantia ★ Judge

 01963 359494 THE VISITOR June 2021 15

Needful Things Needful Things’ range of Pomodoro Clothing has been selling well this Spring. An easy to wear collection of Tunic Tops, Bengaline Trousers, Swing Dresses and Skirts in fresh Summer colours of coral, soft green, denim blue and white. Just perfect now we can get out and about again.

Also getting a lot of attention is their myriad of new home

accessories such as Mirrors, Clocks, Framed Prints and exquisite Garden Statues.

With all the new properties being built in and around Castle Cary, Needful Things curtain and blind making service is run off it's feet ... whether you just need fabric, wallpaper and paint, or the full bespoke service, pop in or give them a call on 01963 351352 - their friendly team will be happy to help.

More than you can imagine inside at Needful Things.

16 THE VISITOR June 2021

Battens Solicitors are delighted to announce the promotion of Jason Carr to Associate Solicitor

Jason’s promotion follows the opening of Battens’ Castle Cary office back in 2018. The firm had been successfully running weekly legal clinics in the market town since 2015 and the demand for conveyancing services, and private client matters in particular, had prompted them to establish a permanent base providing their services to the area and beyond.

Jason Carr, Associate Solicitor at Battens Solicitors.

Jason has headed Battens’ residential property services in the town and specialises in sales, purchases, transfer of equity and remortgage transactions.

Commenting on his promotion, Jason says, ‘Three years at the Castle Cary office has flown by.

I was delighted to be given the opportunity to build on Battens excellent reputation for conveyancing services in the South West, and expand our offices to a new area.

Conveyancing during a time of a global pandemic has not been without its issues and challenges, but ensuring a prompt and successful outcome for our clients is, and always has been, my main priority. The office’s success is also thanks to the support and hard work of my legal assistant Lucy King and the Castle Cary team.

Battens have been extremely supportive throughout my career, having trained and qualified with the firm. I am grateful for my promotion in recognition of my hard work and commitment to

the company, especially in what has been a particularly challenging year.’

Sarah Ford, Head of Residential Property said, ‘Jason has done an excellent job of establishing our residential property services in our Castle Cary office. It’s great to see him and the Castle Cary team go from strength-to-strength.’

What’s the secret weapon to selling your house?

It’s an exciting time when you find a buyer for your home. But if you’ve moved more than once, you’ll know that while the path to your new front door maps out a fresh start, it can also be a rocky road of set-backs and slow-downs.

Which is why, when choosing an estate agent, you should ask yourself which company can actually get the job done.

Lodestone Property, based in Bruton, Wells and Shaftesbury has a 96% success rate of selling homes. The secret to its success is not only good communication and innovative marketing, but

Rachel Badrick of Lodestone Property.

the work of a dedicated Sales Progressor, Rachel Badrick, who oversees the sale once an offer has been accepted. ‘It’s my responsibility to keep a sale on track to completion’ she explains, ‘not allowing it to fall through because of a technical difficulty.’

Rachel, who formerly worked in conveyancing, ensures all parties have all the facts at any one time and that deadlines are observed, for example, informing the vendor’s solicitor that the buyer’s mortgage has an expiry date to prevent delays.

‘The added value this role

brings to the vendor cannot be underestimated’ adds Rachel.

‘Agencies that compete on price alone add no value. Selling or buying a house is often a stressful time for everyone involved; emotions run high, so sometimes just listening to someone’s frustration is part of what I do.

At the end of the day both parties want the same outcome and I am here to facilitate that.’

Wheathill Golf Club welcomes everyone!

Keep fit, energise, learn a new sport, enjoy vast open space, make new friends and celebrate summer!

Wheathill is an 18 hole parkland course located off the B3153 between Lydford on Fosse RECRUITING

and Castle Cary. With 3 PGA Professionals the club is a venue where you can learn, practice and enjoy playing golf and keep fit!

Annual Membership (from £300) so you can obtain a handicap, play in competitions and improve your game while meeting new friends and enjoying a healthy walk! Green fees available daily for 18 holes (Pay & Play) £23 adults, £15 juniors, (book on the day). Academy Course day tickets £7 adults, £5 children and if you simply want to practice your drive, take a bucket of balls (approx 40) for £4 down to the driving range, Well stocked pro shop and clubhouse open to everybody.

For further details: 01963 240667, www.wheathillgolf.co.uk.

WHEATHILL GOLF CLUB is absolutely booming since lockdown eased and consequently requiring more part-time staff for the busy Clubhouse, to include weekend shifts. (There is a new roof cover over the patio suitable for sitting out in all weather so busy times and exceptional views across the beautiful golf course parkland). Experience preferred but not essential. Greens Staff are also required to work alongside the Head Green Keeper. Green keeping qualification not required but some experience and enthusiasm for work on the land appreciated.

A great summer job outdoors! Applicants for both vacancies must be 18+

Tel: Andrew England on 01963 240667 or send CV to wheathillgc@btconnect.com

THE VISITOR June 2021 17

George’s Greengrocer and Fruiterer

In the backdrop of the hustle and bustle of busy London and Bristol Markets, George was learning the art of fruit and vegetables from the young age of 12.

Fast forward a few years, George and his partner Lauren decided to open George’s Greengrocer and Fruiterer in the

heart of thriving Castle Cary.

George bringing a wealth of experience, together with Lauren, a talented and highly skilled local florist, they opened their doors for the first time in 2017.

The local produce on offer at George’s is sourced from some of the best growers in and around Somerset, ensuring the fruit and vegetables are consistently of the

George and Lauren of George’s Greengrocer and Fruiterer.

1 Park Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7EQ George Cronk • 07483 890119 • georgiec@live.com

Centre Garage, Castle Cary  01963 350243 Specialists in ...

TYRES ✽ BATTERIES ✽ CAR KEY BATTERIES

Laser Wheel Alignment (Tracking) Computerised Wheel Balance Petrol & Diesel Available OPENING HOURS: Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am – 2.00pm 18 THE VISITOR June 2021

highest quality and beautifully fresh.

Whilst wholeheartedly supporting our local growers, George takes pride in also offering more diverse and exotic fruitage and vegetables. George travels to Covent Garden at least twice a week so customers are able to choose from an exciting and inspiring selection of items; perfect for special and signature dishes. To compliment the range further, fresh Italian produce is also frequently sourced from Milan.

During lock-down, the friendly and helpful team at George’s worked diligently to deliver an immense number of crucial fruit & veg boxes to the local areas.

George and Lauren continue to offer their popular box scheme with delivery to many surrounding areas. The scheme involves simply completing a form on which you can select exactly what you want in your box, whilst setting your budget to suit you ideal for busy lives.

Find George’s at 1 Park Street, Castle Cary and on Facebook.

A great selection of fresh fruit, vegetables and more are available at George’s.

Quality service assured at Phillips Tyres, Castle Cary.

Reiki Healing at Heal and Sole Holistics

Heal and Sole Holistics offer Distant Reiki and Reiki in person, a system of natural healing that is thought to have been practiced around the world for thousands of years. Reiki is a complementary therapy that is believed to improve just about any aspect of life, from physical health to emotional well-being as well as bringing about stress reduction and mental clarity.

Ten reasons to try Reiki in person or a Distant Reiki treatment

1. Reduces stress, anxiety and depression 2. Calms the mind and relaxes the body 3. Aids sleep 4. Eases pain 5. Strengthens the immune system 6. Helps bring about inner peace and harmony 7. Aids people through the grieving process 8. Increases mobility in cases of pain/injury 9. Speeds up recovery from surgery, long term illness and cancer treatment 10. Increases intuition and creativity For more information or to book a treatment, please call Heal and Sole Holistics on 01963 350639 or visit their website www.healandsole.co.uk.

BOOK REVIEW With Philip George

Entangled Life

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

by Merlin Sheldrake Random House ISBN: 978-1847925190

By John Osborne  Answers can be found on page 36  1) Who's singing about ‘Daniel’ at the moment?

2) When did Carol Bayer Sager demand ‘You're moving out’?

3) ‘Mr Haze’ the latest hit from the band ‘Texas’, samples which song by whom?

4) We associate Roger Hodgson with which band?

5) Madonna and ‘Cool and the Gang’, had different songs with the same title, which was...?

6) What evergreen band said that they were ‘In the Army Now’ back in 1986?

7) Name the band behind the album Zenyatta Mondatta.

8) Who had a 1968 hit with ‘Honey’?

9) ‘Here Comes the Sun’ comes from which Beatles album?

10) Name the ABBA song that begins; ‘I don't wanna talk, about the things we've gone through’ Worth-a-Guess Bonus Question: According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) which Beatles album sold the most copies in the States?

Anorak Bonus Question: Name the band that has every member with the surname ‘Followill’.

Great Quotes in Music (128) “Without music, life would be a blank to me.”― Jane Austen

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. Solution to May Sudoku on page 29.

A Sunday Times and Washington Post best-seller, described in some quarters as vision changing MERLIN SHELDRAKE'S childhood game of burrowing through autumn leaf piles in his parents' garden has stood him in good stead, as he has emerged some thirty odd years later with his book the Entangled Life. As the subtext to the title is How fungi make our world, changes minds, and shape our futures’, takes us to the threshold of the study of mycology.

Hyphae and mycelium are key words in this book, but they soon become familiar terms. By their collaboration with plant life, Mycorrhizal (from the Greek fungus (mykes) and root (rhiza)) fungi it is claimed not only assisted plant life to arrive on land 500 million years ago, but that even now 90 percent of plants depend on their networks.

It is the fungi in the soil we can smell when we dig near trees.

This year to my delight I dug up two small white truffles in our garden near Frome beside a hazel bush. The book devotes a chapter to truffles. This species of fungus has developed its exotic odour so that it can be dug-up, eaten and dropped elsewhere to allow its spores to colonise a new location.

I don't think our local crop will justify the purchase of Lagatto Romaganollo hound though.

Sheldrake speculates that manna, the food that sustained Israelites, was the dessert truffle.

In my view this is a better explanation than George Sassoon and Rodney Dales' book Manna Machine (1978, Duckworth), a device stored in the Ark of the Covenant. Sasson did, however, claim that the ancient Hebrew text mentioned algae as the source of the food. I never quite understood the origin of the machine, and why the ancient Rabbis could only maintain it on the Sabbath but perhaps they had

cultured a species which grew in the darkness of the Ark itself, then distributed it to the desert early on Sunday. morning The algae/fungi partnership is an important one. Lichen and seaweed are examples of this symbiotic relationship.

Roger Penrose, the mathematician, took the view that one cannot write the equation until you can visualise the concept. Sheldrake, in his efforts to visualise the processes at work in one type of mycorrhizal fungus, took the bold step of joining a group of scientists, engineers and mathematicians in a clinical trial on the influence LSD (as it happens a drug originally derived from a fungus) might have on problem-solving. It is not clear if this experiment helped, other than for him to perhaps take a different view/visualisation of the subject.

Yeasts are a group of fungi and fermentation is another area of interest covered by the book. I was delighted to learn that a favourite pub, The Doctor Butler's Head in Mason's Avenue in the City of London, is named after a fellow of Clare College, William Butler (1535-1617), a physician to James I and one of Cambridge's most famous drunkards. Dr Butler's purging ale was one of his remedies. I think I may have had some of this in modern times, but under different more contemporary brand names!

There is much pause for thought here. The recently coined term ‘the Wood Wide Web’ to describe the Mycorrhizal fungi is now seen as the communication system of the forest. The related question as to why, during the Carboniferous period 290-360 million years ago, fungi did not consume the enormous thickness of submerged unrotted timber remains unanswered. The Carboniferous rain forests collapsed when plants created an earlier climate change problem creating the legacy of ‘coal’ and other fossil fuels, which, with human intervention, is now leading to another potential climate catastrophe.

Some Fungi developed radiotropic characteristics making them not only resistant to radiation, but also able to enjoy its company as an energy source, Chernobyl in the Ukraine has made a home for some of these.

This is a thoroughly entertaining and thoughtprovoking book, which goes well beyond Sheldrake's studies of mycology. An excellent reference and read with its origins in the junior Sheldrake's compost heap.

THE VISITOR June 2021 19

Healthy Heart Tips

by Dr Helen Flaherty Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK Blood Pressure

ONE IN THREE people in the UK has high blood pressure (hypertension), however many people are unaware of it as there are usually no symptoms. High blood pressure increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it measured. We explain what blood pressure is and provide some tips for keeping your blood pressure healthy.

What is high blood pressure?

When blood pressure is measured, two numbers are generated. An ideal blood pressure is below 120/80 millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

The first number is the systolic blood pressure (higher number), which is the force at which blood is being pumped around your 20 THE VISITOR June 2021

body. Ideally, this will be below 120. A systolic blood pressure of 140 or more is regarded as high.

The second number is the diastolic blood pressure (lower number) which is the pressure when your heart is at rest, in between beats. Ideally this will be 80 or lower. A diastolic reading of 90 or above is regarded as high.

The lower your blood pressure, the lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Get your blood pressure checked

The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked. Blood pressure checks are quick and easy, and it could be lifesaving. Adults aged 40 years or over should aim to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.

You can ask your GP to check

your blood pressure, or you may be able to have your blood pressure checked with your local pharmacy. You could also consider investing in a home blood pressure monitor.

What can I do to maintain a healthy blood pressure?

• Maintain a healthy weight by eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of physical activity.

• Reduce the amount of salt in your diet to no more than 6g a day (1 teaspoon). Look at the amount of salt on food labels and avoid choosing snacks that are high in salt.

• Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

• Keep your alcohol consumption within the recommended limits of no more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days.

• Aim to do 150 minutes of moderate activity (e.g. brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (e.g. running) each week plus some strengthening activities (e.g. lifting weights) at least twice a week.

• Get a good night’s sleep.

Family Health with Jenna Evans THIS MONTH we’re taking a little tour of our lungs and a few nutritional helpers for respiratory health.

Moment to moment, without any conscious thought, our lungs work tirelessly. Expelling carbon dioxide/waste and taking in oxygen to nourish our blood and bodies, the lungs take an average of 20,000 breaths per day – staggering!

I think we are all aware of the general set up of the lungs but here’s a few things you may not know. The lungs are not identical.

The left lung is smaller than the right and consists of two lobes compared to three on the right.

There is a dent in the shape of the left as it sits near the heart.

Imagine the branches (or roots) of a tree reaching down from your trachea (windpipe). It first splits into two branches, the bronchi.

These then become smaller branches (bronchioles) until finally becoming the microscopic alveoli. The alveoli, of which there can be as many as 700 million, are tiny air sacks where the gaseous exchange takes place.

Stretched out, the surface area of the lungs is the size of half a tennis court. The lungs are protected by the rib cage and support by the diaphragm from the bottom which also plays a big role in promoting the contraction and relaxation of the breath. The pleura that surrounds each lung

has a cavity that produces plural fluid, helping prevent friction during respiration. No doubt we’re all familiar with the fact the lungs produce mucus to trap and expel pathogens and particulates – something which can be thoroughly unpleasant during an infection!

So now we’ve all been reminded of how awesome our lungs are, let’s take a moment to breathe, consciously and mindfully. Feel that expansion, deep into the diaphragm and abdomen with each breath. Feel that total relaxation as you let go into exhalation. Breathwork, using particular patterns of breathing, can be a helpful tool for a slew of conditions from asthma to anxiety. For instance, the 4-7-8 breath is a popular technique for addressing stress and insomnia. It involves breathing in the through the nose for a count of four, holding for 7 and exhaling for 8. The Buteyko Method has a series of breathing exercises and was designed for those who suffer from conditions such as asthma, anxiety and sleep apnoea.

Yoga devotees will no doubt be familiar with alternate nostril breathing (ie in left, out right, in right, out left). Paying attention to our breath and experimenting with the many different breathing techniques is well worth some effort. There are plenty of resources online and in books for all these methods and many others. Breathwork is powerful, so approach with caution, you may feel lightheaded when you first try some of the methods out there – go slow!

We live in a pretty polluted world and respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD are unfortunately all too common.

Most of us will probably also

suffer a nasty chest infection at some point in our lives. So, we’ll end now with a very brief look at a few of the best remedies to help support and clear the lungs. For infections, herbs such as ivy, thyme, liquorice, elecampane and oregano are a few of the best.

Vitamin A is essential for the health of the mucus membranes.

Vitamin D has been noted to lower risk and severity of

respiratory disease and is one of the nutrients currently being investigated for sars-cov2.

The anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects of vitamin C, quercetin, nettles and pycnogenol can be helpful for allergic conditions such as hayfever.

For chronic congestion, serrapeptase and NAC are two of the most promising nutrients.

A friendly and professional service is offered at Ward & Sibley, the family jewellers of Yeovil.

WARD & SIBLEY The Jewellers of Yeovil

Our repair section of the business is pleased to offer

JUNE PROMOTION FREE clean & setting check on gemstone rings

(ends 30/ 06/2021)

 Complete refurbishment of jewellery –

soldering charms onto bracelets, sizing rings, repairing chains, jewellery cleaning

 Watch repairs including battery replacements  Jewellery handmade to your own design  Seal, hand, and machine engraving  Valuations for insurance and probate  Pearl and bead re-threading THE CASKET, 103 MIDDLE STREET, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065 Car Park at Rear for customers while visiting the shop Image: Life science/shutterstock.com.

THE VISITOR June 2021 21

Family Health with Jenna Evans I know several people who have used antimicrobial colloidal silver in a nebuliser for all manner of lung problems to great effect. Pop in to Ceres for more information on any of these remedies. The usual advice to exercise, eat well (keep a food diary if you suffer from chronic catarrhal conditions) and keep hydrated applies as always!

Just before I go this month, I see from last month’s letters page that my April article ruffled a few feathers! So thank you to all those who reached out in support – who knew that to be in favour of informed consent and medical freedom would be so controversial! See you here next month for more from our beautiful bodies.

Jenna Evans ©2021 •Jenna is a Holistic Health Coach and creator of bespoke beauty products. She can be found on Facebook at ‘Alchemical Beauty UK’. Jenna is also a multi-award winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil. To make an appointment, 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 wth any existing health conditions.

David Lloyd Leisure renews its search for more older Fitness Trainers

David Lloyd Leisure renews its search for more older Fitness Trainers in a bid to make exercise facilities more welcoming for older people.

In 2019 the leading health and wellness group committed to having one Fitness Trainer aged 55 or over in each of its clubs on average by the end of 2022. It is also upweighting its training programme to empower all its Fitness Trainers on how to support older members.

In response to a recent survey from Sport England which revealed a decline in the number of older people exercising as a result to the pandemic, David Lloyd Leisure is looking to encourage more older people to train and apply for roles as Fitness Trainers.

In 2019 it became the first company of its kind to commit to having a Fitness Trainer aged 55 or over in every one of its clubs on average.

The pledge, to be completed by the end of 2022, was made to encourage a more age-diverse environment in its gyms so that everyone feels at ease whatever their age or fitness level. It was also made a part of a wider commitment to offer older people tailored expertise and support to meet their individual needs.

Applicants do not need to have fitness training experience, but they will need to have achieved the entry Level 2 in Fitness qualification.

To apply for a Personal Trainer role at David Lloyd Clubs please visit www.careers.davidlloyd .co.uk.

Smeg enters new territory with its first ever cookware range

ICONIC ITALIAN cooking brand Smeg, synonymous with its beautifully designed retro fridges and large and small cooking appliances, is pleased to announce the launch of its first ever collection of cookware.

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cookware, which has been designed to suit the needs of both culinary connoisseurs and home cooks. The new cookware is proudly made in Italy, Smeg’s home nation.

Within the sleek, modern, yet unmistakably curvaceous design made famous by the brand’s 50s style collection, Smeg’s cookware is packed with a plethora of quality design features optimised for all cooking styles and needs.

Crafted using cold forged aluminium, a perfectly thickened bottom and stainless-steel plate – 6 layers in total – which guarantees uniform heating distribution and ensures the product retains its shape in high temperatures. All products feature an essential non-stick primer coating, allowing food to brown without the nuisance of sticking or having to use extra oil in your cooking. The range works on all hob types including induction. Riveted with sturdy well-designed stainless-steel handles, reminiscent of the handles on the the brand’s iconic FAB fridge range, Smeg’s

cookware - including the pan lids - can be placed in an oven up to 250°C; perfect for whipping up a quick dinner that needs finishing off under the grill.

Furthermore, a number of small but thoughtful details appear across the range to improve usability; the frying pan has been equipped with a long stainless-steel handle to provide extra control during cooking, whilst a vent hole has been added to the flat lid of the casserole dish to prevent over-boiling or rattling. For ease post-cooking, holes are present in all handles to facilitate water drainage during dishwashing, with all pans being dishwasher safe.

Moreover, the bottom plate featured across the range has been expertly designed to ensure the upmost heat distribution.

No stranger to collaborations with iconic brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Disney, Smeg announced its latest collaboration which has resulted in a limited edition FAB10 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the well-loved comic strip Peanuts.

THE VISITOR June 2021 23

Escape to the desert interior trends

it's paramount to choose products that will stand up to modern living.

THIS WELL-TRAVELLED trend takes its inspiration from the shifting sands of faraway deserts.

Perfect for creating an oasis of calm, the soft neutral palettes add a luxurious sense of relaxation to interiors.

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Selecting a few 'hero' pieces results in a more impactful, cohesive look.

Alternatively, home gardeners can use their green-fingered skills to incorporate plants into this design scheme.

An Oasis of Calm

Cocooning areas can be created using light neutral palettes resulting in the perfect place to unwind, relax and rejuvenate.

Dig out souvenir items, add wicker, seasoned woods and delectable layers for the ultimate look. And while the summer tan may disappear quicker than you can say ‘British Summer’, this style will remain your ticket to creating a soothing space throughout the year.

24 THE VISITOR June 2021

The Souvenir Hunter

We've all invested in souvenirs during our travels, and this look is perfect for pairing with carvings, collections and tapestries sourced from souks and bazaars.

Sandy neutrals and creams are the perfect colour palette for this look, so for practicality's sake,

The Simoom Effect

Think of the desert, many will think of exotic, shifting sands of Arabia. Incorporate matt finishes, furnishings and accessories.

SJH Carpets, Wincanton

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The fabric department in Wincanton has an extensive fabric library stocking Prestigious Textiles, Bill Beaumont and Chatsworth Fabrics. They supply and fit Roger Oates runners, Crucial Trading and Alternative floorcoverings.

SJH Carpets have a wonderful selection of wool and manmade carpets plus flooring including naturals, vinyls, woods, laminates and luxury vinyl tiles (including brands such as Karndean, Moduleo and Harvey Maria).

Their knowledgeable staff can assist you through the difficult selection process and help you choose the right product that best suits your needs. They deliver and install at a price that competes with all the national

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THE VISITOR June 2021 25

The Bluebell Run at Delcombe Woods, Bulbarrow Hill.

MOTORING VINTAGE Motorcycling with Rod Hann ALLELUIA - in that the easing of Covid restrictions coupled with a spell of good weather has meant that my motorcycles have been put to good use and long may that continue. Some club meetings and riding events are now taking place and all of a sudden the world looks a rosier place. All such meetings being done within the present rules To that end my picture this month was taken during a recent

Dorset Section event and the event was appropriately called the Bluebell Run. You can see a couple of bikes placed strategically in front of a blue carpet of Bluebells and the location being Delcombe Woods at Bulbarrow Hill. The sun shone bright all day, it was warm, and the roads were dry. What more could any motorcyclist wish for.

The only problem now, and it is a good problem to have, is that we have a full calendar of events scheduled for this year but as yet we have made no actual arrangements for each day, so we are now busy finding routes,

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coffee and lunch stops and interesting places to visit. These arrangements entail a lot of riding around the pretty parts of the county and consuming lots of coffee and sticky cakes. I would like to admit that I do not enjoy this work but I cannot deny it.

My waistband is telling the true story.

Other Sections of the VMCC and the local clubs are all coming back to life so some sort of normality is being restored. If the government's plans unfold as expected then on the 21st June there should be no restrictions at all and it will be left to every person to take whatever precautions they consider necessary. Plans for the

resumption of club events are still being made as I write these words so the suggestion is that you should check the necessary websites to confirm what is actually taking place.

It is interesting to see sometimes how motorcycles, and old motorcycles in particular, effect some people and how united we are with our common interest. Several instances have occurred recently where we have been on our travels and stopped for whatever reason and another motorcyclist has been there, or had recently arrived, and almost immediately a friendly conversation has started. If we chat about the bikes we have, or have had, there quickly becomes

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MOTORING a rapport and you become kindred spirits. By chatting to strangers in this way the conversation quickly turns to the activities we enjoy within the motorcycle clubs and often the other persons interest is kindled enough to get them to come along to club meetings. We all have to start somewhere and this is just how I got started in club life some 47 years ago. The fellowship of being a motorcyclist.

I still miss going to the motorcycle shows and autojumbles. We always meet loads of friends and I stock up on all those consumables that we all need. The two Stafford Shows are going ahead with the first on the 3rd and 4th of July. I will be there as I promised to help on the VMCC club stand. I still get to have a look around but that show is so vast that I never see everything there is on display.

There is always a huge array of machines for sale and a variety to suit all tastes and pockets.

Club eligible machines can be purchased for little money especially if you are not afraid to put a bit of work in. It does mean that for a small outlay you can join this peculiar world of motorcycling and I guarantee you will make many new friends and have a lot of fun in the process.

Also at Stafford will be the usual auction of machines put on by the Bonham's company. A good selection of machines will be offered and this time there are several private collections coming up for disposal. One collection contains five Vincent's so this will certainly be much sought after.

As with everything else you pay's your money and takes your choice. I know one spectator who will be firmly keeping his hands in his pockets.

After the dreariness and problems of the last 17 months we surely deserve a summer of sunshine and blue skies when we can all get out and enjoy using our old vehicles. It would be nice to once again enjoy the unrestricted company of fellow enthusiasts and the comradeship

that goes with it. I know the restrictions will have been lifted but we should all be aware that Covid is still with us and so we should still take care for ourselves in the hope that we avoid another spike of infections.

Easy Rider motorcycle comes to auction with no reserve

The world’s most iconic motorcycle is going on the auction block in Midland, Texas on June 5th … Captain America from the counterculture classic film, Easy Rider, part of the Gordon Granger Collection, is being offered without reserve by Dan Kruse Classics.

It is estimated by the auction house to sell for $300,000 to $500,000. The ‘Captain America’ bike was named for its distinctive American flag colour scheme and known for its sharply-angled long front end.

Easy Rider showcased the hippie movement and gave America an insight into the lives of those individuals who wander the highways on the back of a motorcycle and hence the motorcycles themselves became characters in the 1969 film.

Designed and built by Cliff Vaughs and Ben Hardy, four former police Harley-Davidson motorcycles were purchased at auction for $500 and rebuilt into two Captain Americas and two Billy Bikes.

Easy Rider is a 1969 American road drama film written by Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Terry Southern, produced by Fonda, and directed by Hopper. Fonda and Hopper play two bikers who travel through the American South West carrying the proceeds of a drugs deal. The success of Easy Rider helped to spark a new Hollywood era of filmmaking during the early 1970s.

In 1996 the former owner of this bike, renowned celebrity vehicle collector, Gary Graham, sold the Captain American motorcycle at the Dan Kruse Classic Car Productions auction to Gordon Granger. Dan

The Easy Rider motorcycle is going to auction on 5 June in Texas, USA.

Haggerty was on site with Graham, his partner in the rebuild and restoration of the motorcycle, to authenticate, as it was, he that received the crashed pieces from Fonda and Hopper after the wrap of the film. Since then the motorcycle has resided in Austin, Texas where it survived a fire in December 2010.

Easy Rider was released by Columbia Pictures on July 14, 1969, grossing $60 million worldwide from a filming budget of no more than $400,000. Critics praised the performances, directing, writing, soundtrack, and visuals. Hopper, Fonda and Southern were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Win an electric car every month with Auto Trader

AutoTrader has launched a UKwide prize draw – completely free to enter – with a brand-new electric car up for grabs each

month for a whole year.

The first prize to be handed to one lucky winner is a Tesla Model 3 worth over £42,000.

The Electric Car Giveaway launched its first monthly prize draw on Saturday 1st May which will close on 31st May. Following that, each prize draw will last a full month, with the winner randomly selected at the end of the month.

Each month will offer a different car as its prize to show the range and variety of electric cars on the market, including a Mustang Mach-E, MINI Electric and a Renault Twizy.

All you need to do is submit your name and email address to enter the prize draw. And remember, it isn’t a rollover, so you need to re-enter each month for a chance to win each month’s car.

Visit the page to enter: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars /electric/giveaway.

The first prize up for grabs is a Tesla Model 3, whilst other cars will include a Mustang Mach-E, MINI Electric and even a Renault Twizy.

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THE VISITOR June 2021 27

The

Pub Pages

Aunt Sally in action! Image: games2hire.co.uk.

BEER & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER IT'S ALWAYS GOOD to be able to report on something positive in the licensed trade and particularly if it's a pub that has been threatened but now has a future that appears more secure.

We reported in these columns a few months back that ‘The Butt of Sherry’ in Mere was under threat and that there was hope that it could become a community-based establishment.

The large Pubcos move in mysterious ways their wonders to perform, and they had sold the pub to a developer for it to become apartments.

As I understand it, the community were able to block the planning permission, fortunately, and now the freehold has been purchased from the developer by Karen Harman and it's set to become a much-loved local once again. So in due course it's back to the quiz nights, ukulele lessons, darts, cards and general convivial nights out. Karen has already refurbished and updated the pub to create what a locals pub with a garden should be; clean and welcoming. I'm sure you all join me in congratulating Karen on her enterprise and wish her well on her venture (I'm tuning up my uke right away!)

Last month we started on an optimistic note regarding the opening of our fine English hostelries and although it was ‘outside’ only, the weather was decent. Clearly I put the mockers on it as things have become more than a little on the moist side since. Hopefully, however, by the time you read this we will be cosily inside again. Nevertheless I thought it worthwhile to dwell on a few pub games that can be played outside, including one we 28 THE VISITOR June 2021

have failed to cover on these pages. Having certain similarities to what we understand as a coconut shy, various differing games appear to have come together to form what is now known as ‘Aunt Sally’. Some might say that it is a game first played around the time of Cromwell where Royalist troops hurled sticks at whatever took their fancy. In his book Played at the Pub, Arthur Taylor quotes games historian James Strutt in the nineteenth century who reports how a cockerel was tied to a post by one leg, and sticks hurled at the poor beast until it succumbed. The ‘winner’ was whoever delivered the fatal blow, and would claim the unfortunate fowl as his prize for dinner. Is the game of today a direct descendant of that rather cruel activity? Who can say for sure? The term ‘Aunt Sally’ did not arrive from the States until 1850 where it was played as a fairground game.

These days a ‘doll’ is placed on a metal stake fitted with a swivel (the ‘iron’) at which each participant delivers six fairly hefty wooden sticks of about 2” diameter by 18” long from a distance of 10 yards, the aim being to take the ‘doll’ cleanly off the top. Ash, being a wood that takes punishment, is the timber of choice for these items, each player closely guarding their lovingly cared-for sticks. The sticker-up or doll-boy adjudges each shot and if the doll is not removed as it should, would cry loudly ‘iron!’ or ‘blob!’, and the strike would not count (although the sound of contact or the action of the right-angled swivel atop the iron would doubtless be a big clue).

The first league appeared in 1938 and whilst being centred in Oxfordshire, has spread to half a dozen neighbouring counties where it is played with great enthusiasm. The Oxford and District League alone has 1,400 registered players and is enjoys sponsorship by Greene King. I have to admit to not witnessing

this other than on YouTube where needless to say there are a few videos of the action from across the years. However, at the ‘Oxford Finals’ night of 2018 found on YouTube one only needs to see the amount of silverware on offer to realise just how much enthusiasm goes into the game – which in this particular case, was played inside! It's certainly something I endeavor to have a go at, although whether my skills would be good enough to make it to the ‘World Championship’ (held since 2011) I have some doubt.

Cricket it is not! However, the pitch is 21 yards in length so does that suggest some parallel between the two games? Yes; Bat and Trap continues to thrive in the county of Kent and has even spread to neighbouring Surrey.

Once again I would heartily recommend a trip to YouTube to see some of the videos on offer where one can witness the BBC Countryfile team participating in the game, as well as Charlie Rosko and Stefanie Connell from the Antiques Road Trip. I also recommend a visit to the Canterbury league site, ably

Keep your eye on the ball! 12-yearold Ivo Williams of Stalbridge takes a break from cricket to try his hand at Bat and Trap.

Image: Author.

managed by Keith ‘Jakey’ Janes who is not only an enthusiastic player but also a keen historian of the game, and has found significant photos of the game past.

Interestingly, in 2001 a ‘trap’ of 18th Century vintage appeared on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow where it was given the value of £300. Remember also that this game was the first to have it written into the laws of the game that every pitch should be floodlit, thus predating football by several years. Age and ability do not prevent participation as one does not need to be particularly athletic, no-one has to ‘run’ anywhere (although one scores by ‘runs’) which all adds up to something your writer is very grateful for!

18th Century ‘trap’ from the Antiques Roadshow. Image: BBC.

Another game which I would dearly like to participate in at an advanced level is quoits. I'm sure we all know the game in at least some of its many variations. The one I am only slightly familiar with is the version where a heavy metal hoop is delivered toward a peg (‘hob’). I say slightly familiar as I am the present custodian of the remaining four quoits from the Bradford Abbas men's club (long since morphed into the fantastic facility of the local Sports and Social Club.) However, the history of the game here is somewhat shrouded in mystery.

Even in the concise history of the village by the late Eric Garrett there is no clear evidence as to exactly where and when the game was played here. However in his book, Arthur Taylor utilises a great deal of space to go into great detail of the history of the game in other parts of the country. One of the many photographs shows the pitches at Egton Bridge in the Esk Valley, North Yorkshire, where in the background, the Postgate Inn can be seen, best known to viewers of the television series Heartbeat as The Black Dog. Whilst there is a concentration of the game in the mining areas, it was also played within the West Country and Home counties, although it is difficult to say exactly where the game is now played in the dozen or so years since Mr Taylor's book was published. To read this

They Say

The

Pub

That The Ruff Cutts will soon be making a name for themselves on the Weymouth music scene.

Pages

BE E R & SK ITTLES P. A. BAXTER section is a real education to someone like myself who is not familiar with the game. Taking another trip to YouTube will add to one's schooling on the subject at being able to see the amazing skill and precision with which players deliver their quoits. I particularly recommend taking a look at the ‘Beamish Pairs Quoits Championship’.

So what pub-centred game do

Solution to May Sudoku

That hospitalisation was avoided

by Castle Cary’s Kevan Davis in the end, because the midnight ‘intruders' left him bloodless

Quoits in Swaledale.

Image: swaledalelocalhistoryblog.

Welcome back Vinny

YOU fancy taking up for the first time this year, gentle reader? I trust I have inspired at least a few of you to have a go at something different and have some more FUN at your local.

Myself and contemporaries will definitely be out there doing something we enjoy be it at a pub or club, accompanied by a pint or two of cool, real ale. As for what may be happening with the present situation and how long it may continue, I took a look at my ever-reliable crystal ball.

Unfortunately, someone has turned the damn thing off!

Cheers! © P.A. Baxter 2021. skittlealley@hotmail.com

THE VISITOR June 2021 29

Dorset Brewery powers through lockdown and beyond by turning beer into green energy

WHILE PUBS were closed across the UK, thousands of litres of beer which had already been brewed went past its expiry date – meaning that in many instances, it was simply poured away.

But independent regional brewer, Hall & Woodhouse, found a more sustainable solution for what do with the unsold beer.

Thanks to the brewery’s green energy focus, the returned products helped create enough electricity to power nearly 17,000 average homes for a day - or around 46 homes for one whole year.

Toby Heasman, Hall & Woodhouse Head Brewer, said: ‘Although lockdown meant that many of our pubs had to return unsold beer back to the brewery, the silver lining has been that none of this has gone to waste.

Thanks to our wastewater treatment plant, all of the returned beer has been used to generate green electricity.’

In addition to its estate of 180 high-quality pubs across the south of England, family-owned and run Hall & Woodhouse brews its award-winning Badger Ales.

While pubs were closed, Badger 30 THE VISITOR June 2021

fans turned to supermarkets to buy their favourite beers, leading to a boom in sales.

The increase in demand for Badger Ales through supermarkets and stockists also served to boost the amount of green electricity produced by the brewery, as all wastewater created during the brewing process is also processed through the sustainable electricity generators.

Toby explained: ‘Brewing is a highly energy-intensive process, so as far back as 2015, we started to look at ways we could incorporate more green energy into the way we work.

‘The decision was made to make sustainable energy production an integral part of our new brewery, which came into operation in 2017. In addition to solar (PV) panels, we installed a wastewater treatment plant, which creates biogas. The biogas is fed through a unit which generates electricity to power our packaging lines and utilities.

‘Heat produced by the

Inside the Hall & Woodhouse Brewery.

combined heat and power (CHP) engine is used to preheat the boiler feed water, which in turn produces steam to boil the beer.’

Hall & Woodhouse, which has been based at its historic headquarters in Blandford Forum, Dorset, since 1900, sets a monthly target for the use of self-generated electricity– and sees green energy production as just one part of its longer-term objective to become carbon neutral.

Matt Kearsey, Managing Director of Hall & Woodhouse, said: ‘As an independent familyowned brewer with a heritage stretching back nearly 250 years, innovating with new technologies and ways of working has been central to our continuing success.

I’m pleased to say we are continuing to look at new ways

of maximising the creation of green energy to help conserve resources.

‘We have a responsibility to operate consciously, and to take continual steps to improve sustainability, as part of ensuring that as a business we thrive for generations to come.’

Hall & Woodhouse reopened 19 of its managed pubs in six different regions for outdoor dining on Wednesday, April 14, following the lifting of government restrictions.

The company began the phased re-opening of its Managed House estate across the south from Monday, May 17, in line with the government’s roadmap.

For a full list of Hall & Woodhouse’s pubs across the south, please visit www.hallwoodhouse.co.uk/our-pubs.

A stitch in time: 300-year old sampler daws huge bids

purchased in Tangier in c.1900, made £3,000.

Three more anticipated strengths were in the prices paid for a pair of George III style ‘barrel-backed’ armchairs that made £4,000; a Louis XVI style kingwood display cabinet that was bid to £4,500; and a European carpet, possibly Savonnerie, France, early 19th Century and of room size (5.07m x 3.75m) made £5,500.

Jaeger le Coultre ‘atmos’ clock.

George III style barrel-backed armchairs made £4,000.

LAWRENCES’ FIRST three-day Fine Art sale since last October, the delay caused by lockdown restrictions, drew to a close on Friday April 23rd with a strong selection of clocks, works of art and furniture going under the hammer.

The most surprising results came from the sales of unconventional or distinctively unusual pieces: A Jaeger le Coultre ‘atmos’ clock made £1,750; a nude male bronze faun, 132cm (52”) high, made £2,750; a storm lantern exceeded expectations many times over to make £3,250; and a painted Moroccan wall shelf, 146cm wide and understood to have been

The day’s biggest surprise came at lot 1655 when a 1714 sampler, worked by Grace Simpson and decorated with alphabets, flowers and birds was contested high above its estimate to be bought for a remarkable £12,500, despite some evidence of 300 years of fading and a few repairs.

A 1714 sampler, worked by Grace Simpson and decorated with alphabets, flowers and birds recently sold at Lawrences Auctioneers for £12,500.

19th Century European Carpet.

This nude male bronze faun, 132cm (52”) high, made £2,750.

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Covid Safe Home Visits • Tel: 01935 816072 / 07527 074343 Email: info@pastimes-toys.co.uk THE VISITOR June 2021 31

Luca's New Garden with Bridget Sudworth WE GARDENERS don’t really need to have any endorsements about the goodness of a garden and the associated benefits thereof but I was struck by hearing Robin Hanbury Tenison extolling the virtues of the Healing Garden at Derriford Hospital after his particularly bad attack of Covid when he had indeed, been staring death in the face.

Healing gardens are becoming an essential these days especially if attached to hospitals given that looking and being part of nature can reduce blood pressure,

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improve mood, soothe and destress. Much the same as gazing into your cat’s face or stroking your dog - even if he has just dug up your favourite plant! But gardeners don’t need to be reminded of these facts - one just laments the shortfall of green spaces for those in urban areas who may not have their own garden.

June is the month of roses in my book. I know that cupping a beautiful scented bloom and inhaling the aroma is healing.

David Austin, the great rose grower, now deceased, said in one of his many books that ‘the rose has been the flower closest to the heart of man’; they are living history, symbols of love and beauty and intertwined with significance since time immemorial. Many old favourites

were grown by the Romans like the superb Celsiana, a large semidouble flower of soft pink fading to blush, the boss a mass of golden stamens - the fragrance heady and haunting. The red rose of Lancaster is another great favourite - Rosa gallica officinalis, known as the Apothecary’s Rose due to it’s deep fragrance sufficient to cloud the less attractive odours of disease! We have been privileged to have had sufficient space to grow over 100 varieties of rose in the past - all with their own characters, longevity and growing habits and they have never ceased to give drama and great joy even when blood flows during the pruning.

There has to be a rose for every garden and every occasion - they are quite unsurpassed for their beauty, tenacity and patience -

QUALIFIED ARBORIST

Luca’s New Garden has Gertrude (planted for my grandmother of the same name) who has been moved three times but is growing away happily yet again and will not be moved anymore.

Nobody really needs reminding of the jobs to do this month.

Hoeing comes top of the list perhaps in preparation for longer standing vegetables and planning is so essential to make sure you have room for all those veggies that have been slow to start

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE AND DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL

TREE PLANTING

PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660 32 THE VISITOR June 2021

Utilise the generous grants now available to restock neglected woodland or areas of wasteground

Celsiana.

Gertrude.

because of the cruel Spring we have had to endure.

Potting up and planting will be on-going and at the moment, I am still watering as new plants go into the herbaceous border which is looking slightly more cheerful now that things are taking shape. Cuttings from roses taken last year are growing good roots and will be ready to go out in the Autumn. Tying back endless stems of clematis battered by these beastly winds we’ve been having (where do they come from? It’s not as though it’s residual hurricanes from the other side of the Atlantic.....!) and constant checking on broken stems and branches still seems necessary. Harvesting is a plus point - broad beans (so good for freezing), lettuce, spinach still going strong, the last of the purple sprouting and last year's spring onions are there for the taking.

Planting out for next year is possible now the soil is warming up though it has been so cold recently that nothing prospers much unless heavily protected.

Everything in the garden is still under tunnel protection which works perfectly. The long, light

nights (and in our village with hardly any street lighting) provide a wonderful opportunity for Luca to take his last stroll before bed.

Being a former street dog means he has to be stimulated by good smells to perform (he never, ever does his business in his garden) so strolling round the lanes in the dusk is a wonderful chance to check on bats, owls and maybe hedgehogs (two in the churchyard recently), plus the naughty bonus of uncurtained lit rooms!

It’s also a fantastic opportunity, as dusk deepens, to see the first of the stars all the more cherished as dark nights are so much a thing of the past. Far too many lights destroy the life cycle of all nature.

Luca has very generously donated his fur from grooming sessions to the bird nest building scheme - it’s fun to watch the busy little things teasing beakfuls from the top of the feeding stand.

Blue tits are nesting in our box outside the kitchen window - so very discrete in their comings and goings but if they hatch a brood, we might be able to witness the little ones being fledged.

Roses in bloom.

THE VISITOR June 2021 33

The Cutting Garden With Julie Haylock of Sandhurst Garden Design THERE IS NOTHING quite like picking the perfect rose from your garden and taking it inside the house to enjoy, that is unless you are like me and feel they are too precious to take from the garden!

Maybe you could consider growing your own cutting garden.

It does not have to be large, just a sunny corner of the garden that is set aside, or a raised bed filled with your favourite flowers for you to harvest guilt free to decorate your home.

34 THE VISITOR June 2021

Choose a simple colour palette with flowers that will look good together in harmonious colour combinations and that flower in succession through the summer and into autumn. Select flowers that have a variety of different bloom shapes and sizes which will add interest to your display.

Start by preparing your area.

Find a spot that is well drained and has at least 6 hours of sunshine a day. Ensure it is weed free and well mulched with compost or organic matter to get your plants off to a good start.

From early spring, the bulbs that you planted the previous autumn and have over-wintered will be the first of your bounty.

Tulips, Daffodils and Alliums will take you nicely on to the first of your annual and perennial choices. Plants that have long stems make the best cut flowers and remember to include within your planting plan some plants to use as foliage.

Early flowering perennials like Peonies, Iris and Sweet William make a great choice, but once they have flowered that is it.

Complement these with some long-lived varieties like Shasta Daisies and Delphiniums that if cut back after the first flush of flowers, they will bloom again.

Other early perennials to choose from include Lupins, Salvias and Alstroemerias that will take you nicely through to late summer and into early autumn with Echinacea, Phlox, Rudbeckia, Aster and Dahlia.

Annuals are the perfect choice for cut flowers, and if you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse where you can start your seeds off early before transferring them to their growing bed, just check the seed packets for the best time to sow.

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to annuals, from Cornflowers to Cosmos to Calendula, Larkspur and Sweet Peas there is something to suit

everyone’s taste.

Remember to include some plants for foliage to compliment your bouquet, Heuchera come in many shades from lime green to caramel to a deep plum almost black and their leaves will make a striking foil to your blooms. The silver Artemisia look great when coupled with blue and purple flowers and not forgetting the gorgeous lime green of Lady’s Mantle that gives any bunch a romantic look.

Hopefully, this has inspired you to have a go, just remember to keep dead heading flowers and stake them if required. Then ensure they are harvested and watered regularly and what could be nicer and more satisfying than a gorgeous vase of flowers you grew yourself!

Until next time, Julie

Garden of the Month June 2021: Yews Farm, East Street, Martock TA12 6NF

THEATRICAL planting in a large south facing walled garden with sculptural planting for height, shape, leaf and texture. Box topiary and high maintenance pots. Self seeding is hugely encouraged.

There is a cracked concrete garden in the farmyard with hens and pigs, a working organic kitchen garden and greenhouses that are bursting with summer vegetables. The orchard is also organic. Best of all there is an active cider barn – try some for

yourself, taste the difference!

By not using any artificial chemicals (organic) there is a sensitive ecosystem of wild life in the garden. The wildlife is not managed, it thrives much better if left to its own devices. That way there is a steady build up of natural health in the plants - see for yourselves.

Plants for Sale, Coaches. Not suitable for wheelchairs. Opening: Sunday 27 June and Sunday 12 September (2pm-5pm). Visits to this Garden may be reserved at www.ngs.org.uk where tickets may be purchased. When tickets are available, select the yellow ‘Book now’ button on the Garden details page. Confirmation of purchase is by email, which is printable as proof of purchase.

You can just turn up and pay on the day. Admission: £8, children free.

Open by arrangement from May to September for groups of

20+. To be pre-booked via Yews Farm. Admission: £8, children free. Contact: Louise & Fergus Dowding, 01935 822202, fergus.dowding@btinternet.com.

Directions: Turn off main road through village at Market House, onto East Street, past White Hart

and Post Office on right, Yews Farm 150 yds on right, opposite F o ldh ill L a n e . T o se e m o r e gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: www.ngs.org.uk

Full ground preparation and laying service available The Farmhouse, Somerton Door, SOMERTON, TA11 6JA Tel /Fax: 01458 272091 www.evergreen-turf.co.uk • info@evergreen-turf.co.uk

THE VISITOR June 2021 35

Remember when ...

30 years ago from The Visitor archives Quarrying again

THE 1989 reopening of Tout Quarry at Charlton Adam after more than a century’s closure was featured in the June 1991 Visitor.

Increasing demand for blue lias limestone for use as polished tiles, hearths, flagstones, coping stones, headstones and suchlike had encouraged Wessex Quarries Ltd to restart production in 1990 using modern equipment to supplement the traditional stonemason’s skills.

New flooring for the restoration of Holy Trinity Church in Long Sutton was one of its earliest commissions, and another was supplying shove-halfpenny boards for the 1991 World Championships. However, the reopening didn’t please all the local residents.

Footfall on the High Street

In 1991 No 1 High Street next to the Bear Inn in Wincanton had been a shoe shop for well over one hundred years and had been owned by the Brock family for 44 of those years, according to a report in the June 1991 Visitor.

When Sydney Brock retired in 1980 his son Terry took over, and in 1991 he completed a total refit of the shop, from new ceilings and carpets to new display units throughout, providing more stock to see and greater customer comfort. Promoted as ‘the Family Shoe Shop’, it closed down in December 2012 when Terry retired after being unable to find anyone to continue the business.

New ability to meet

Digital Audio Tape (DAT) was at the cutting edge of new technology in 1991, offering a hifi replacement for conventional cassette equipment.

The Visitor reported that ‘the sound quality is fantastic and the metal-particle DAT cassette is less than half the size of its analogue counterpart’, providing up to four hours of recording. It added that DAT is a convenient means of making perfect copies from CD sources, for recording stereo FM broadcasts and for archiving old, irreplaceable vinyl records. For a penny short of £500 readers would shortly be able to buy a Sony Walkman (remember them?) DAT player.

In the same issue a company was advertising typewriters, ‘electronic – with memory’, to rent for from only £30 per month plus 36 THE VISITOR June 2021

PHONE - a - FIRM

VAT. It was also offering fax machines for sale from £319 plus VAT. I haven’t used one of those in years.

The local pool

Thirty years ago pool was clearly a more popular pub game than it is today. In their advertisements in the June 1991 Visitor the Mildmay Arms at Queen Camel stated ‘pool table now installed’ and the George at Sherborne announced ‘we now have a pool table!’

Other pubs to mention pool in their adverts included the Britannia at Sherborne and the Red Lion at Wincanton, while the Catash at North Cadbury stated that its pool table had been moved into the snug bar. And the Miller’s Inn at Wincanton proudly revealed that ‘our pool team has done superbly well this season, winning the league and the team knock-out plus runners-up in the pairs knock-out’. Pool tables take up a lot of floor space which, sadly, these days can be used more profitably for diners.

Outdoors and in

Under the heading ‘Play Golf in 1992’ the Visitor reported that work had started on laying out a professionally-designed 18-hole ‘pay and play’ golf course three miles west of Castle Cary at Wheathill.

The same issue also revealed that new indoor ladies’ and gents’ loos had been constructed at the Catash Inn at North Cadbury so that ‘gents no longer have to trek outside and ladies no longer have to queue’. Two events of minor significance but each contributing to the social history of our area and making it such a fascinating subject to study.

Roger Richards.

ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ on page 19 1. Will Young 2. Today 3. Love's Unkind - Donna Summer 4. Supertramp 5. Cherish 6. Status Quo 7. Police 8. Bobby Goldsboro 9. Abbey Road 10. The Winner Takes it All Worth-A-Guess Bonus Question: Abbey Road Anorak Bonus Question: Kings of Leon

Oven Cleaning Mister Oven Ovens - Hobs - Agas etc

Tel: 01935 862614 Mob: 07752 695264 www.misteroven.co.uk

THIS SPACE COSTS ONLY £28.10+VAT Per Month DEADLINE for July Issue is Monday 21st June

PHONE - a - FIRM • PHONE - a - FIRM TV & AUDIO SPECIALISTS SINCE 1968

COMPUTER REPAIRS

● SALES ● SERVICING ● REPAIRS ● INSTALLATIONS

PC MAC SMARTPHONE TABLET

Greenhill, Sherborne, DT9 4EW Tel: 01935 813451 www.goddenandcurtis.co.uk

TEL: 07483 805766

Bryan G. Paulley Ltd

Domestic / Commercial Installations / Replacements Plastic / Metal Tanks • Temporary Tanks Leaking Tanks • Tank Cleaning / Moving / Disposal Above or Below Ground Tanks • 24 Hour Call-Out

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

Building Dave Hoddinott FULLY QUALIFIED BUILDER ESTABLISHED 1973 No Job Too Big or Too Small

24 hour emergency call out Tel: (01963) 440256

SCENES

Artist Materials & Gallery

 Picture Framing  Restoration  Large Selection of Prints and Paintings  Greeting Card Blanks High St. Gillingham Tel: 01747 824050 www.scenes-online.co.uk

SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS

Bourton Roofing Co.

Small and Large Loads Tel: 07973 871708 Evenings: 01935 825506

 01747 840064

Slate  Tiling  Flat Roofing.

UPVC Fascias  Guttering FREE ES T I M AT E S

... or 07866 296453 Email: info@bourtonroofing.co.uk

Headstone Renovations

MEMORIAL RENOVATIONS

01935 413059 HEADSTONE & TABLET RESTORATIONS • Cleaning • Levelling •

Letter Repainting

Trust a Monumental Mason with many years experience and local knowledge THE VISITOR June 2021 37

Classified Ads Details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BP or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk. 30p per word (£5 minimum) pre-payment essential.

Payment can be made by Cash, Cheque, Postal Order, BACS, Credit/Debit Card.

Clairvoyant

Situation Wanted

EMMA HOWE CLAIRVOYANT, BBC & Time Out Magazine recommended. For the reading of your life / spiritual g u i d a n c e . Te l e p h o n e o r p e r s o n a l readings available. Tel: 01458 830276 or 07881 088664

LIVE-IN/OUT CARER, Experienced in all aspects of caring, housekeeping etc.

DBS, insured, excellent references.

Contact Lesley on 07884 058248

Personal www.country-link.org.uk COUNTRY LINK SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel: Andy 01225 834834 or Val 01749 342918 JUST SOMERSET INTRODUCTIONS. Bringing people together. Call Alison Tel: 07584 250285, www.justintro ductionsgroup.co.uk MARTIN 62, would like to meet lady in S h e r b o r n e , Ye o v i l , W i n c a n t o n , Sturminster Newton, Blandford, Shaftesbury area, aged 45-70. Reply to Box No 21

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.

CLASSICAL AND JAZZ LP RECORDS: CDs also considered. Tel: 01458 834102 / 07704229979 / email: tonyartony @aol.com DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, salvage, bygones and collectables. Daves Tools, Est. 1989. Tel: 01935 428975

R E D U N D A N T M O T O R M O W E R S , rotavators, chainsaws, strimmers, cement mixers, etc. Tel: 01460 77844 PETROL OR DIESEL GENERATORS. Any make/model, we collect in any area.

Top prices paid in cash. Tel: 07970 742471

COVID-19 - SAFEGUARDING CUSTOMERS & COLLEAGUES

FREE*

Georgia toilet & basin with every bathroom order

Bathing a problem? – we can help • Wet rooms • Walk in showers and baths • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety flooring • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets • Disabled Facilities Grants • Discounts for over 60s and EX Service personnel Call for friendly advice and free survey and quote

01823 729564 www.ahminstallations.co.uk Terms and conditions apply, visit our website for more details.

Showroom open 7 days, Blackdown Garden Centre, Hockholler West Buckland TA21 9HY 38 THE VISITOR June 2021

19

Wanted

Services

*

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, fP.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BP – to arrive by Monday 21st June.

STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles.

Lock-up garages to let. Tel: Sparkford Storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692

MIG WELDER for home use, must be good working order. Tel: 07833 453295

YOUR ADVERT HERE. Tel: 01963 351256

Set by Frank Butler

Storage

GENTLEMAN wishes to meet lady for company. Tel: 01747 811186

HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN RUBBISH CLEARED, old sheds / outbuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844

Prize Crossword No. 415

Across: 1. Alternatively, ten marches end in the city [10] 6. Bed key [4] 9. Cereal merchant is source of old jokes? [4, 6] 10. Second hearing for part of the chord [4] 12. Conceal skin [4] 13. Louder, Ian! Don’t do much!

[3, 6] 15. Noise had caused sticking [8] 16. Got the confined quarter [6] 18. ‘Tis all included in composer [6] 20. Nothing with a purpose is left out [8] 23. Elfin girl renewing contents [9] 24. Artist, quiet and foolish [4] 26. Some run item as single article [4] 27. Rob their muddled constituents with less chance of discovery [10] 28. One letter or another for the city [4] 29. Pal’s joint has amicability [10] Down: 1. Spice is a thousand to one [4] 2. Find winch, or parts, in the city [7] 3. Shudder if led astray in town [12] 4. Slam broken vinyl on bovine animal with contagious disease [8] 5. Note ten, note square, note right in the city [6] 7. Narrate second reckoning [7] 8. Dog detective [10]

11. Arranged music; alternative; strong box was taxed [12] 14. Easy gallop, then hide below ground in the city [10] 17. Leave the country with fireplace subject to brief electromagnetic interference [8] 19. Trefoil is higher [6] 21. Whip (sic) break-up in the county town [7] 22. Cold season victory with half of bitter [6] 25. Harvest cut short [4]

Solution to Crossword 414

Winner of the May Crossword is Mrs J Strickland of Yeovil who chose to spend the £10 at Ward & Sibley, Jewellers of Yeovil.

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH SOS TO ALL AIR RIFLES AND PISTOLS, ANY MAKE OR MODEL WE COLLECT IN ANY AREA, TOP PRICES PAID IN CASH

07970 742471