The Visitor Magazine Issue 347 October 2012

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Your local independent monthly journal P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset. (01963) 351256

Issue 347 October 2012

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The Greatest Band in the World ...

11th October 2012 sees the 50th anniversary of the first chart entry of the Fab Four ... The Beatles.

To mark this occasion enter our competition to win a £25 voucher to spend at Acorn Music in Yeovil.

All you have to do is to match the following quotes to the appropriate Beatle.

1. ‘I started to be an engineer but I banged me thumb on the first day. I became a drummer because it was the only thing I could do’.

2. ‘None of us wanted to be the bass player. In our minds he was the fat guy who always played at the back’.

3. ‘If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliché that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that’s his problem. Love and peace are eternal’.

4. ‘I remember thinking I just wanted more. This isn’t it. Fame is not the goal. Money is not the goal.

To be able to know how to get peace of mind, how to be happy, is something you don’t just stumble across. You’ve got to search for it’.

Answers on a postcard to: The Visitor Magazine, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BG or by email to info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Please state your name and address, the first correct entry out of the hat will be the winner. All entries to be received by Monday 15th October.

Inside features on: Bruton Town; Care for the Elderly; Education Matters; Festive Venues & Menus; Gillingham Town; Yeovil Independent Traders.

Profiles on: Elliscombe House, Holton; Julian Shave Landscaping, Wincanton.

Plus regular features on: Antiques; Arts & Music; Business; Gardening; House & Home; Leisure & Travel; Looking Good & Feeling Fine - A New Look For Autumn; Motoring; Notice Board; Pubs; Wine & Dine.

WIN VIP TICKETS for WestFest see page 22

44 Princes Street, YEOVIL Somerset BA20 1EQ Tel: 01935 473638 www.intoto.co.uk

closet

More than just beautiful clothes ...

Painted furniture and interiors

3 Francis House, Fore Street, Castle Cary, BA7 7BQ Tel: 01963 351502

Bespoke Timber Buildings visit ...

The Haunted House of Horror The Butler will greet you in the hall and usher you up the stairs      Spine Chilling Ghouls, Horror Props and Costumes to make Halloween perfectly awful!

Dare you look in The Dungeon?

Be afraid, be very afraid!

MAD HATTER The

PARTY SHOP NOW OPEN

JOKE & FANCY DRESS SHOP 42 Princes Street YEOVIL  01935 471545

www.madhattersjokeshop.com

Professional Display Fireworks sold all year round

The Popular Garage / Workshop

We can offer a variety of roof coverings for our timber buildings - an interlocking concrete roof tile in brown is shown above  Garden Rooms  Offices  Garages  Sheds  Loose Boxes  Fences  Gates Quality Products – Sensible Prices

Sparkford • Yeovil • Somerset • BA22 7LH

Tel: 01963 440414

Visit our website: www.sparkford.com to see our extensive range or call in to discuss your requirements

In Passing ...

O

NE of the Visitorland’s endangered species seems to be the footpath walker, presumably deterred by the dismal summer weather and sidetracked by the Jubilee celebrations and the Olympic Games. I have seen far fewer than usual in my locality, and the local publicans tell me that their lunchtime trade from walkers has shrunk to almost nothing this year, just as it did when foot-and-mouth disease caused the temporary closure of so many paths a decade or more ago.

The long spell of wet weather may have made the paths seem inhospitable, but it has certainly stimulated the plantlife to the point where some paths are almost impassable. Where in most years a few snips with the secateurs would be enough to clear the overgrowth from a stile, it now needs a team equipped with powerful tools to cut away the undergrowth as well as the invasive hedging. Responsibility for signposting and waymarking footpaths rests with the county council, and responsibility for accessibility is with either the land-owner or the local authority depending on the nature of the obstruction, but in much of Visitorland it is local volunteers who make sure the paths are useable.

The definitive map of public rights of way was created through a 1949 Act of Parliament which required each county council to survey the footpaths and bridleways within its area, plot them on a map and go through an elaborate procedure to establish the legal validity of the map. In my home parish there are 36 rights of way totalling almost 25 miles and most of them are useable for much of the year. But the handful of footpaths not currently useable with ease are ones that have seldom, if ever, been walked for many years. They are routes which have long since lost their original purpose and which do not fit usefully into modern leisure uses. Nothing is achieved by spending public money and volunteer labour on maintaining them.

These resources must go into tempting

people back onto the most attractive footpaths, for walking is one of the simplest forms of exercise for people of all ages, and walking footpaths is one of the best ways of appreciating our local landscapes and wildlife. The National Trust’s ‘Great British Walk’ campaign, which runs until 4th November, includes numerous guided and themed walks from NT estates including Stourhead and Montacute, most of our local councils produce circular walk routes as free or inexpensive publications, and some of our local newspapers run weekly walking features with suggested routes. And all public rights of way are shown on OS maps.

So don a pair of stout shoes and venture into the countryside. Stay on the path and leave all gates as you find them. Pop into a local pub for some lunchtime refreshment.

And thank the countless volunteers who strive to keep their local footpaths accessible for you whatever the weather.

NN.

Advertising Deadlines November Edition published Thursday 25th October Deadline Monday 15th October Wells Frome • Shepton Mallet Glastonbury Bruton Street Castle Mere Cary Somerton Wincanton Gillingham Langport Ilchester Shaftesbury Martock Marnhull Sherborne Stalbridge • Ilminster Stur. Newton YEOVIL Crewkerne

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

Ltd.

PO Box 1, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7BG Tel: (01963) 351256, 351998 Fax: (01963) 350552 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk Proprietor, Accounts & Subscriptions Helen Dunion Production Manager Jeff Farrow Advertisement Manager & Features Editor Michelle Trulock Printed by The Blackmore Press © The Visitor Ltd. 2012

(Items marked ©GT are the copyright of Geoff Thompson)

CONTENTS Our FRONT COVER is almost entirely due to musical enthusiasts ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED  63 ANTIQUES & COLLECTING  19 ARTS & MUSIC  22 BRUTON  10 BUSINESS  12 CARE for the ELDERLY  13 CROSSWORD  66 CYCLE BABBLE  21 EDUCATION MATTERS  8 ELLISCOMBEHOUSE, Holton  15 FESTIVEVENUES &MENUS  28 GARDENING  59 GILLINGHAM  23 HOUSE & HOME  52 JULIANSHAVE LANDSCAPING profile  7 LEISURE & TRAVEL  20 LETTERS  5 LOOKING GOOD & FEELING FINE  41 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES  5 MOTORING  27 MUSIC for the MONTH  20 NOTICEBOARD  11 PAPERCHASE  62 PHONEAFIRM  64 PUBS  37 THEY SAY  40 WE HEAR  12 WESTLANDZOO  63 WINE & DINE  36 YEOVILIndependent Traders  45 Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR October 2012 3

ANDREW BARCLAY TRADITIONAL FAMILY BUTCHERS 45 High Street, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9JU Tel: 01963 34880 • Fax: 01963 31249

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Delicious Home Made CAKES, DESSERTS, PIES, QUICHES and SCOTCH EGGS ORDERS TAKEN FOR OUR MEAT AT NORTH CADBURY VILLAGE STORES

Large selection of Local Cheeses inc. Award Winning Montgomery Mature Cheddar & Keen’s Cheddar

Wadman’s World Famous Cream ... from their Jersey Herd

ANNAMMA’S CUISINE ...

Homemade Authentic Southern Indian Curry Sauces made locally by a delightful Indian Lady

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WE TAKE ALL MAJOR CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS

DAILY DELIVERIES TO THE SURROUNDING AREA 4 THE VISITOR October 2012

Letters to the Editor Carnival Road Closure

Sir, On behalf of Gillingham Carnival Committee, I would be grateful if in your next edition you would would warn your readers of the Gillingham Carnival Day Road

Closures on Saturday 6th October.

Afternoon Childrens Carnival School Road 14:00 to 16:15; High Street from Station Road to end of Queen Street 14:50 until 16:15.

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The Gillingham Illuminated Carnival procession starts at 19:15.

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in

Dispatches Jason Allum recognised as ‘one of the best’ in the UK Jewellery Industry

A UK Jewellery Magazine, The Professional Jeweller, in association with The Company of Master Jewellers, honoured stars of the UK jewellery industry in a spectacular event at the Freemasons’ Hall in Covent Garden on 4th September. This glittering occasion was a gesture of appreciation for the work carried out day in and day out by those working to make the

DID YOU KNOW

... in addition to our extensive range of pine & oak furniture we stock many smaller items to make your house into a home all at ... sensible prices!

Church Street • WINCANTON Tel: 01963 31444

Opposite The Quarry Inn

Mentioned

JEREMY HILL FURNISHINGS

£129

Now taking bookings for 2013 weddings Graham Cox

Prix Circuit of Carnivals, and Gillingham Carnival Committee is an independent group of volunteers who organise and run Gillingham Carnival by raising funds through events, donations and street collections, to finance the annual Carnival.

Thank you, Tim Kingsmill Chief Marshall Gillingham Carnival Committee

jewellery industry special.

For the third year the magazine secretly selected 100 ‘Hot’ individuals they believe had shown true innovation and driven their businesses forward over the past 12 months and said that everyone who had made it into the 2012 Hot 100 had excelled in the industry.

Jason Allum of Allum & Sidaway Jewellers was overjoyed to be nominated as one of these Top 100 alongside many of the trendsetters and trailblazers in the U.K’s m a nu f a c t uri ng , d e s i g n a n d retail jewellery business and declared that ‘whilst there will always be challenges to confront I am supported by my fantastic staff and looking forward to further expansion and pushing forward with new marketing ventures in 2013’.

Opposite the Churchfields Car Park

Refurbishment for Shaftesbury Jewellers

Allum & Sidaway Jewellers are thrilled with their newly refurbished and beautifully decorated store on the High Street in Shaftesbury and they have received many wonderful comments.

Managing Director Jason Allum said ‘having opened a luxurious store in Ringwood, we wanted to bring the same touch of Bond Street to our Shaftesbury store and it is yet another highlight in the middle of our

70th year celebrations.’

The store offers an impressive array of the hottest brands, such as Pandora, Links of London, Ti Sento and Ungar and Ungar with further brands in the pipeline.

As part of their 70th year celebrations Allum & Sidaway held a Champagne Celebration weekend on 7th and 8th September to coincide with the refurbishment.

Queen Camel

The Tuesday Group meets in the Queen Camel Memorial Hall on

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2012 VOLUNTEER INFORMATION EVENING Tuesday October 23rd starting at 7pm at 25 The Park, Yeovil, BA20 1DG

Find out about joining our vibrant TEAM of VOLUNTEERS who are committed to giving emotional support to the community 24 / 7.

No need to book; just turn up on the night. Or call 01935 414015.

Or apply via the Yeovil page of our website: www.samaritans.org

Brochure upon request - contact Clive Wakely Dip F.D. M.B.I.E. The Old Police Station, Carrington Way WINCANTON BA9 9JS Tel: 01963 31310 THE VISITOR October 2012 5

Mentioned in

Dispatches the first Tuesday of each month, at 10.00am. This gives time for a coffee, cake and chat before the 10.30am start. New faces are always made welcome and they would love to see you there and, who knows, maybe become a member. If you want any more information about their activities, please call, Pat Champion on 01963 32264 or Carole Carter on 01963 220608.

New Windows for The David Hall

In 2009, Petherton Arts Trust (PAT) won a £50,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund and was able to make major changes to the interior of The David Hall in South Petherton. Now, thanks to the generosity of their supporters, PAT has been able

to re-glaze the windows in this Grade 11 listed building at a cost of £16,500.

The late Eileen Ponder, who lived in Petherton for many years, left The David Hall £10,000 in her will and an anonymous donor gave £3,000 specifically for window repairs.

Other donations were received from Brian and Denise Herrick, who are well-known for their Field of Dreams project, and South Petherton Parish Council.

Further contributions came from patrons of the Hall’s popular monthly coffee mornings.

The David Hall has been a venue for music, theatre, film and other forms of entertainment for over 20 years and often features artists of national and international repute. Upcoming events are detailed on the website www.thedavidhall.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support

As part of the Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning there will be a Coffee Morning at Wincanton Baptist Church on Thursday 4th October from 10.30am until Noon.

JOIN us on Twitter: Twitter.com/@thevisitormag

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our WEBSITE can be reached via: www.thevisitor.biz or the usual www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Please go along and give this charity your support, money raised from the sale of cakes and craft items will go towards Macmillan nurses.

Taste of Dorset Award Winner 2012 – Best Farm Shop

Lagan Farm Shop at Orchard Park was thrilled to have been named Best Farm Shop 2012 in the recent Taste of Dorset Awards. Richard Cumming, Managing Director of Orchard Park said ‘We are absolutely over the moon with this award; it represents so much hard work and commitment from all the team and builds on our success as Best Meat producer in 2011.

There is an unbelievably high standard of competition from other Farm Shops in Dorset, so to have won is just fantastic.’

The Farm Shop is ever evolving and local, something the team believe is vital and a key ingredient to their success.

Farm Shop Supervisor Gemma Read said ‘One of the benefits of being an independent retailer is that we are able to build relationships with our customers, talking with them to find out what they would like to see on our shelves and using that knowledge to seek out the producers, hopefully local, who are able to provide this. ‘Shop local’ is very important to us and we buy from local producers and suppliers as much as possible; much of our produce is grown within a few miles of Gillingham. Cheese, butter, cereals, milk, cream, flour, dressings, honey, tea and coffee, biscuits and cake all come from Dorset producers and suppliers.’

However, it is Lagan Farms

meat which is the speciality and mainstay of the Farm Shop. The multi award winning Lagan herd was established by Ron & Shelia Clarke at Park Farm, Gillingham nearly 20 years ago and the value they place on sustainable farming methods cannot be under estimated.

From traditional breeds raised and grazed on the farm next door to the shop, the British Whites, Irish Moiled and Red Poll cattle provide beef that has been hung as it should and taste as it should; succulent and full flavoured. Lagan Farm is the only truly independent butcher in the area, and their team of experienced master butchers prepare homemade sausages, burgers and faggots as well as meat pies, pastries and sausage rolls. The meat counter is complimented by home grown lamb from the Romney and Wilshire Horn flocks and pork, game and chicken are sourced from other local farms. Farm Shop prices are always competitive without standards being compromised.

‘Farm Shops are a vital part of the rural community. We have most everything you might need and we hope that by offering a service which is accessible, convenient and maintains a high standard of quality, true local outlets such as Lagan Farm Shop will continue to flourish and grow’ said Mr Cumming.

A Diary for Charity

A Positive Steps 2013 Diary has been produced by the Speak Up Somerset charity. This West Country based charity is run by volunteers for people who have ‘mental distress’ in their lives.

The diary contains a motivational statement for each week along with an illustration by a member of the therapy group funded by the charity.

This colourful diary costs £2.95 from Mind charity shops or www.artofrecovery.com or 01458 850878. Money raised from the sale of the diary funds the Off the Wall Art Group in Yeovil.

Send Flowers     

6 THE VISITOR October 2012

Julian Shave of Wincanton Launches New Reclamation Business

J

ULIAN SHAVE Landscaping Ltd., of Wincanton has recently launched a reclamation side to his business - operating from his Lawrence Hill Business Park premises in Wincanton. The business will buy and sell reclamation items such as paving, statues etc., and they will also undertake house / garage / shed clearances.

Should customers wish, items can be sold on their behalf, on a commission basis.

Logs and kindling will also be on sale - with free local delivery.

Toni Shave, Julian’s wife, will be operating from the same premises. Toni is a charity worker raising funds for underprivileged children in Romania.

Smaller items from the house clearances will be shipped to Romania for sale in a charity ‘shop’ run by English volunteers from the Biggin Hill Romania Group, and for each penny raised Barclays Bank will match it - thereby doubling the profit for the charity.

Toni would like to receive any unwanted clothing, toys and brica-brac to help the charity (no glass or electrical goods please). So why not have a clearout for a good cause? A ‘shoe box’ appeal is also underway. Toni would also be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to know more about the work in Romania and is looking for volunteers to help with packing items for shipment.

Transport is also needed to help ship the items to Romania for Charity, so if any businesses in the local area would like to get involved, again contact Toni.

LANDSCAPING

Julian Shave offers a complete landscaping service, both hard and soft, including planting schemes. Proving popular this season are ‘hot’ beds, colour-themed beds in strong colours such as reds and oranges and dramatic black, plus blues and mauves. Samples of his work can be found on his website.

A garden produced by team members Jason Eavis and Daniel Weaver was recently featured on television when they won a competition to build a garden in two hours at the National Gardening Show.

At this time of year the garden is in need of a tidy up - lawns cut, hedges trimmed and trees pruned. Julian and his team can offer a one-off service or regular maintenance, no matter what size your garden - large or small.

Julian and his team undertake regular work for local authorities and they have recently secured the landscaping

contract for one hundred and ten gardens for the local Bovis Homes housing development.

If you have admired the hanging baskets in Wincanton’s High Street, this too is the work of the team, from provision through to aftercare.

Why not add a touch of instant colour to your garden with a winter flowering hanging basket? Orders are now being taken.

MARKET GARDEN GREENGROCERS

The Market Garden greengrocers shops are both conveniently situated in the town centres of Castle Cary and Wincanton. They offer a comprehensive range of fresh fruit and vegetables - locally sourced where possible - and seasonal. Anything not in stock can be ordered on request.

A Veg Box scheme has recently been introduced - from as little as £8.95 including delivery. Call into the shop and pick up a leaflet or alternatively go online.

There is always a wonderful array of fresh cut flowers and plants on display in both shops to tempt you and both shops have experienced florists who can create something special for you.

Anything from a simple bouquet through to the complete floral requirements for a wedding or special occasion, designed to your personal requirements. Plant arrangements can also be provided for corporate events and offices.

Being an e-florist they are able to offer a prompt delivery service locally, nationally and internationally.

The spring bulbs are now arriving in the shops together with winter bedding and seeds. A more extensive range of home grown plants will be available next spring when Jason Eavis has cultivated and planted the large garden to the rear of the Castle Cary Shop - which incidentally, has just completed its first year of trading - very successfully.

A full range of garden requisites are readily available such as compost, trellis and pots. If you are looking for a particular plant there is a ‘search & supply’ service too. Gift ideas for the gardener abound and if you can’t decide then gift tokens are ideal.

With the colder weather approaching we need to look after our feathered friends - there is currently 20% discount on all Wild Bird Care items including seeds, nuts, feeders etc., now is the ideal time to stock up.

So whether you are looking for landscaping, garden maintenance, private estate management, commercial contracts, floristry, greengrocers, reclamation, or house clearance, contact Julian Shave.

Reclamation / House Clearance Wessex Way, Lawrence Hill Business Park Wincanton • Tel: 01963 824222 Julian Shave Landscaping Service High Street, Wincanton • Tel: 07738 524254 Ltd. www.julianshave.co.uk

The Market Garden High Street, Wincanton • Tel: 01963 31226 The Market Garden Fore Street, Castle Cary • Tel: 01963 350650 THE VISITOR October 2012 7

Education Matters home family environment.

The nursery is owned and run by staff with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the needs of young children. Their ethos is to have fun and play through structured and child initiated activities whilst learning respect for each other and their surroundings. The children participate in real life experiences including gardening and cooking.

Home cooked food is provided, with a hot meal at lunch time giving all the children and staff the opportunity to sit down and eat together, encouraging social skills and healthy eating.

For further information or to arrange a visit please telephone 01963 240100 or visit the website www.lydfordhousedaynursery.co.uk

Ansford Academy ‘Learning to Lead our Lives’

Lydford House Day Nursery Lydford on Fosse 01963 240100

FREE PLACES FOR CHILDREN AGED 3 & 4 A family run nursery registered for children from three months to school age.

A large Victorian house with an enclosed garden conveniently situated with ample parking.

Highly qualified staff provide excellent care and education in a home from home environment.

Prospective parents and their children are warmly invited to meet the students and staff at our Open Mornings on:  Tuesday 2nd October  Wednesday 3rd October  Tuesday 9th October Between 9:00am – 11:00am To book your visit please contact the Academy Office on: Tel: 01963 350895 Email: mailbox@ansford.org.uk Exam Results 2012 86% 5AC 76% 5ACEM 70% 8+A*/ C 8 THE VISITOR October 2012

Some of the new Sixth Form pupils on their first day at Chilton Cantelo School.

Lydford House Day Nursery

Building upon the success of Northover House Day Nursery in Ilchester, Keith and Emma Wilmore opened Lydford House Day Nursery at Lydford on Fosse, conveniently situated with a large car park for dropping off and picking up. A large Victorian house, with an enclosed garden provides the ideal setting for the care of children in a home from

We are a highly successful Academy providing comprehensive education for 1116 year olds living in mid and East Somerset. GCSE results in 2011 and 2012 are among the very best in Somerset and the South West, and significantly above national averages.

Our Academy motto ‘Learning to Lead our Lives’ reflects our commitment to help students to be independent thinkers with the knowledge, skills and attributes to be in control of their own lives.

Our focus is therefore on raising expectations and maintaining our high academic standards through supporting and nurturing the happy young people in our care.

You can find more information about us on our website ansford.somerset.sch.uk. If this is your first introduction to Ansford Academy and would like to see the Academy during a working day, please contact the Academy office to arrange a visit.

We would be delighted to see you.

Robert Benzie, Principal.

Outstanding Maths and Science GCSEs

Pupils at Chilton Cantelo School brought in outstanding GCSE results yet again this year. While the majority of pupils achieved predicted or better than expected outcomes, Maths and Science results were particulary high.

95% of pupils achieved A* - C in Maths with 53% achieving either A* or A. 92% of pupils achieved A* - C in Science. 100% of pupils passed their Biology,

Education Matters Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, Drama, Music, Art and German GCSEs. Headmaster Dr John Price said: ‘I am very pleased and not surprised by these outstanding results. I want to praise the hard work of the pupils and the hours of dedication and personal

GCSE result celebrations at Chilton Cantelo School.

attention given by the teaching staff to make these results possible. Everyone should be proud of their achievements with the vast majority of pupils reaching well above predicted results. Well done to all.’

From September 2012 the school is able to provide Sixth Form, Reception and Years One and Two (Pre Prep), offering ‘allthrough’ education for pupils aged 4 to 18. Major new investment in the grounds and buildings has provided the school with a new Sixth Form centre, Pre Prep classrooms with outdoor soft play area for Reception, new IT suite, refurbished Science Lab, new tennis courts and several other enhancements.

Early Years Department to be outstanding in all areas: Overall effectiveness, Leadership and management, Quality of provision and Outcomes for children.

Inspectors recognised that ‘the children’s personal, social and emotional development is outstanding’. Praise was high for the ‘warm relationships’ between children and staff and for the support the school gives to the whole family. If you would like to find out how your child can benefit from their outstanding school, join them at their next Open Day on Friday 12th October or arrange an individual visit by contacting, Mrs Katherine O’Brien, Registrar, on 01749 814400. www.brutonschool.co.uk

Sunny Hill Nursery & Reception Classes - Bruton School for Girls

Camelot Computer Centre A Talk on Windows 8

Bruton School for Girls is delighted with the ‘Outstanding’ grade awarded to their Nursery and Reception Classes by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in 2012. Inspectors found the

If you are thinking of buying or updating your computer, mobile phone etc., you may be interested in a talk being given on the Future of Computing taking place at the Davis Hall, Howell Street, West Camel on Wednesday 3rd

October at 7.30pm. The talk, which includes a demonstration, will cover the new Microsoft Windows 8, which is due to be launched later this year. It is much quicker and completely different to Windows 7. Entry is £3 and will include refreshments.

A group of volunteers, who teach older people how to use a computer will show you how fast it is and how to use it and later this year they will run courses on Windows 8.

Windows 8 will be used on, Laptops, Desktop computers, Mobile phones, Tablet computers and even Smart TV’s. For further information contact Dave Collins on 01935 851039.

Does your computer run slow?

Thinking of upgrading?

A TALK AND DEMONSTRATION of

Windows 8 on

Wednesday 3rd October, 7.30pm at The Davis Hall Howell Street, West Camel £3 to include refreshments Further information -

Dave Collins: 01935 851039

THE VISITOR October 2012 9

BRUTON NOWHERE stays the same. Even historic towns like Bruton have constantly been susceptible to what the poet Edmund Spenser called ‘the ever-whirling wheel of change’. It still retains its medieval street pattern, including the bartons – mediaeval alleys – linking the High Street and the river bank, and many of the town centre buildings date from the 16th century and earlier, but uses have changed down the years and new facades have been added, mainly in Georgian times. Almost every building in the intriguing mixture of architectural styles and periods reveals something of interest. For example, on Amors Barton there is a fine Tudor timber-framed house tucked away behind a shop, on the High Street the Sun Inn was certainly trading in 1793 and is probably even older, and the 18th century facade of Bruton Pharmacy conceals

The former council estate at Cox’s Close has been redeveloped by a housing association to provide 24 attractive modern houses and ten flats.

what began as a gentleman’s residence in the 17th century.

Small-scale changes continue as they have always done. Within the last year a spacious clubroom bar has been created beneath At

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£35

the Chapel, the restaurant in the former Congregational Chapel, together with rooms for overnight visitors. The Green Monkey café has opened in the back part of McColl’s convenience store. After a lengthy closure Truffles Restaurant has reopened under new ownership and is now offering authentic French cuisine.

A new shop called The Dhow is selling leather goods, jewellery and accessories from East African craft workers and can be found within the Phillips & Skinner shop on the High Street. The Olive Bowl delicatessen closed and the premises are currently being changed into a beautician’s salon. The Meadow School, which offered a Steiner education, closed after 19 years on the High Street.

A new car parking area has been provided at Park Wall for visitors to the dovecote. No doubt there are more.

A larger-scale change in the pipeline has generated considerable local interest. Plans are being made to relocate the doctors’ surgery to a much-needed larger site, and the likely location is off the Frome road near the edge of town. The new development will include a pharmacy, so concerns are now being voiced about what could happen to the present pharmacy on the High Street.

Another large scale change, this one on the edge of town, was completed this summer. The former council estate at Cox’s Close, near the dovecote has been demolished and completely redeveloped by a housing association to provide 24 attractive modern houses and ten flats, and very smart they look too.

An innovative large-scale change that could have major implications for Bruton has just reached the stage of a planning application to the district council.

Imaginative plans have been drawn up to convert the house and agricultural buildings at Durslade Farm into a centre for contemporary art and architecture. Durslade, at the southern edge of the town on the road to Wincanton, has long been on the register of listed buildings at risk of decay, and the proposed new use will not only conserve

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BRUTON

Imaginative plans have been drawn up to convert the house and agricultural buildings at Durslade Farm into a centre for contemporary art and architecture.

and renovate the structures but also create a significant number of jobs. The aim, according to the applicants, is to establish a destination for experiencing art, architecture and the Somerset landscape through exhibitions of contemporary art, events for local and national audiences and an education programme. The buildings will house art galleries, reading room, library, bookshop, restaurant and education space, with the farmhouse providing accommodation for exhibiting artists and other visitors. Behind the gallery a meadow garden will be created by a landscape designer. If planning permission is granted the aim is to open the gallery in the Spring of 2014.

If you are intrigued by ‘Then and Now’ photograph albums and the changes they illustrate, you will love ‘In & Around Bruton Through Time’. This book, a 96page paperback launched earlier this year by Amberley Publishing, contains nearly 90 archive images, mostly sepia postcards and most of them paired with a colour photo of the same view taken within the past year or so.

Thanks to the crisp printing on good-quality paper the archive photos have reproduced remarkably well and many of them warrant careful study with a magnifying glass to appreciate the details. So, too, have the contemporary images, many of which will probably be valued by local historians a hundred years from now for the information they reveal.

However, many of the captions give no indication of the approximate date of the old photos so the reader has to deduce whether one is from the 1900s, the 1930s or the 1960s,

and no attempt is made to date some of the changes mentioned in the text. Some of the captions are merely irritating, such as the one referring to King’s School, Plox, which states that ‘in the modern photograph the headmaster’s house is visible on the other side of the Abbey Wall’ when neither the wall nor the house is included in the picture – it’s only on turning the page that the reader will see a photo containing the house.

And one is simply wrong – and it’s not really a caption at all, just waffle to separate two photos of Bruton station. It tells readers that ‘occasionally the days of steam are recalled when the Tornado, a perfect replica of a nineteenth-century engine . . . passes through after a stint on the West Somerset Railway’.

Arthur H Peppercorn designed the powerful Class A1 locomotive at the end of the World War II and 49 of them were built by the London and North Eastern Railway and subsequently by British Railways from 1947

onwards. Tornado was built by enthusiasts – at a cost of £3 million – as the 50th locomotive of this class and they incorporated numerous technological improvements that have emerged in the intervening half-century. It is most definitely not ‘a perfect replica of a nineteenth-century engine’, it is a modern development of a 20th century locomotive.

You might think that I am being over-critical of what is basically a nice but costly picturebook, but if more thought and research had gone into compiling the captions it would be of much more interest to the reader and much better value for money. For you won’t get much change out of £15.

Roger Richards.

Truffles Restaurant & Bistro

On Sunday 16th September 2012 Michael Eavis officially launched the reopening of Truffles Restaurant & Bistro in Bruton, in front of a number of invited guests at a champagne reception.

Truffles has reopened after a three year break and the new owners are proud to offer authentic French cuisine designed to attract customers with their affordable, yet stylish meals. Prix Fixe options are available at lunchtime whilst the a la carte menu is available in the evening, offering fine dining in the romantic, relaxed atmosphere of this attractive period restaurant which is set on two levels.

The restaurant is fully licensed and stocks a good cellar of French wines, beers and ciders. All major credit cards are accepted. Booking is advisable on 01749 812180.

TRUFFLES RESTAURANT & BISTRO 95 High Street, Bruton BA10 0AR

Recently reopened under new management Authentic French Themed Menu LUNCHES: 12 – 2pm, Prix Fixe 2 courses £9.95 • 3 courses £12.95 DINNERS: 7 – 9.30pm, à la carte FOR RESERVATIONS Tel: 01749 812180 www.trufflesbistro.co.uk

October Notice Board HENSTRIDGE

Celebrate Apple Day at Quiet Corner Farm, BA8 0RA, Sunday 21st October 1.30pm-5pm. Lots of Apple activities; Teas; Free Entry. Tel: 01963 363045.

‘Earth Story’, Exhibition and Sale of pictures by Persephone, October 26th (4-7pm) 27 & 28th (10am-5pm) at Garden Studio, The Retreat, High Street, BA8 0RB.

MARTOCK

Steve Graham’s New Orleans Jazz Band, Thursday 4th October, 7.30pm, Parish Church TA12 6JL. Tickets £7. 01935 822706.

MERE

Mere Literary Festival A Race Against Time is the required phrase in the Flash Fiction Competition. www.merelitfest. co.uk Mere Literary Festival Short Story Workshop, Saturday 13th October, 2.30pm-5pm, £12. Book on 01747 860475. www.merelit fest.co.uk

QUEEN CAMEL

Craft Fayre, Saturday 3rd November 10am-12.30pm, Memorial Hall. Raising Funds for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

SOUTH PETHERTON

Murder Mystery, Friday 12th October, 7.30pm, David Hall. 2course meal £12.

C r a f t F a i r , Saturday 10th November, 9.30-12.30. Tables £15. Book now 01460 240340.

WINCANTON

Coffee Morning at Wincanton Baptist Church, Thursday 4th October, 10.30am - Noon, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. All welcome.

Advertise your NOVEMBER EVENT HERE!

A listing under our Notice Board costs just £5 - send details of What? When? Where? to The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BG. All entries to be pre-paid, maximum 20 words. Deadline for November issue, Monday 15th October.

THE VISITOR October 2012 11

We Hear That according to John Hamblin of Yeovil, Mrs Posh of Wimborne can find the company of The Heavy Gang very soperific.

That Keith Box of Wincanton is still a Water Baby.

That when the Fire Brigade visit Sutton Montis, Chris White of Queen Camel finds it necessary to de-scale his shower head.

That Congratulations go to Jeanette and Gordon Read of the Queens Arms, Corton Denham on being named nationally as the Best British Freehouse.

That Mark Schatomski of Wincanton prefers his bunded fuel station with roller shutter doors.

That photographer Graham Cox of Keinton Mandeville will travel miles for a delicious Gooseberry Tart.

That having perfected the wave, Lin Penn of Shepton Mallet would like it known she could play the lead role in The Railway Children.

That a certain Society, run from a secret location in Stalbridge, is sure to benefit after a recent withdrawal, now that the VATman has been appeased.

That Stapleford’s Norman Leeks favours the introduction of a Mobility Scooter G.P. in Rio 2016. Before then, he’ll get in a bit of practice.

That Wincanton’s Beccy Eastment makes a big trifle there is not mushroom in it.

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL Robert Stone & Co, chartered accountants and tax advisers in Ilminster answers questions from small businesses in Somerset ...

has been resolved, but I've been left with legal costs. Can I deduct those legal costs from the property rental income for the year?

Q1. I run my own company from an office in a spare bedroom at home, and my wife runs a separate company from a downstairs office in the same house. Can we both claim £3 per week expenses for use of home from our companies? Would the situation be different if we both worked full time for the same company?

Robert Stone replies:

Robert Stone replies:

Yes, you can both claim the use of home expense allowance, which is now £4 per week as from 6 April 2012. It makes no difference whether you both work for the same company or for different companies.

Q2. I own a number of rental properties but this year I've been sued over unpaid service charges. The dispute

Mid-West The Stationers Stationery, Cards and Gift Wrap Office Equipment and Furniture

That when it comes to ‘taps’, Mrs Redwood of Castle Cary has the patience of a Saint.

Printer Inks & Toners

That Cheese and Turtles have been thoroughly enjoyed at the Queen Camel Tuesday Group this summer.

FREE Local Delivery

That entries to this column are always welcome by letter, email, fax or telephone, but anonymous entries will not be published.

Competitive Prices

2013 Diaries & Calendars now in stock Stockists of Lamy, Waterman, Sheaffer & Parker Pens Filofax & Collins Organisers Call at our shop ...

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

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In general any legal fees associated with acquiring or improving the property or defending the title to the property or extending a lease on a property cannot be deducted from the rental income, as they are capital expenditure. Other legal fees associated with annual bills or service charges should be allowable. You should keep all the paper work associated with the dispute just in case the Taxman asks about the legal fees in future.

Q3. My business recently bought an e-book reader from an online retailer. It will be used for business purposes but the retailer is refusing to provide me with a VAT invoice, saying their products are not provided for business purposes, so VAT invoices are not provided to VAT registered customers. How can I get the VAT invoice I need to claim back the VAT charged to my business?

MAX FOOTE Associates Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors 26 Lower Woodcock Street Castle Cary BA7 7BH Tel: 01963 351052 Business and limited company accounts, self assessment tax returns, VAT, Payroll, Book-keeping and Training

Robert Stone replies:

If the customer (you) asks for a VAT invoice the supplier must provide one, but in practice you can't force the retailer to comply with the VAT law. As long as you have documentary evidence that VAT was charged - the amount and rate - and evidence that you have tried to obtain a VAT invoice, you can reclaim the VAT charged in your VAT return.

If you have an urgent query, do not hesitate to contact Robert Stone on 01460 55661 or email your questions to: info@thevisitor magazine.co.uk

ATTENTION !!

New HMRC Tax Evasion Task Forces to tackle restaurants, fast food outlets and motor traders in South West - read what Robert Stone has to say about it on our website: www.thevisitor.biz or www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Local Companies raise thousands for St Margaret’s Hospice

Dyne Drewett Solicitors and Old Mill Financial Planners teamed up to hold The Great Summer Lunch and raised over £11,000 for St Margaret’s Hospice.

Representatives from Old Mill and Dyne Drewett presented the cheque to St Margaret’s Hospice this month.

Head of Marketing and Development, Natasha Hopkins said ‘Dyne Drewett are very proud to have been able to raise so much money for St Margaret’s Hospice. They are a hard working local charity who help people across the region, we look forward to collaborating with them in the future.’

Old Mill partner Paula Hodges, who had been one of the driving forces behind the event, commented. ‘We were delighted to join forces with Dyne Drewett to be able to stage such a successful event.’

Personal and professional service

Don’t leave it to chance …

Plan your ADVERTISING campaign for 2013 now Regular advertising in The Visitor brings results ...

Your message reaching AN ESTIMATED 60,000 READERS If you would like help planning your advertising Call 01963 351256 or email info@the visitormagazine.co.uk 12 THE VISITOR October 2012

CAR – HOME – COMMERCIAL

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Your local insurance experts

Care for the Elderly Beechwood House

Set in large, quiet gardens, Beechwood House Care Home, Yeovil, provides a very high standard of residential care for 28 elderly people, all having ground level, en-suite rooms. Established for more than 15 years, our aim is to provide a caring and comfortable home for people who feel unable or do not wish to live on their own any longer.

Two sitting rooms and two conservatories allow residents to enjoy some quiet time, to meet visitors or to participate in the activities on offer. Our cooks

prepare excellent home-cooked cuisine and special dietary requirements are catered for.

Should you require us to order, collect and administer medication, we will gladly do so.

We want you to maintain your way of life, whilst knowing that help is available whenever you need it. Above all, treat Beechwood House as your home. Please call Sandra Barclay, Manager, on 01935 472793 for more details.

Beware the Hidden Costs of Care!

When deciding which care company

to choose, cost is obviously a very important consideration. But not all care companies charge the same way and it can be misleading. Some companies offer an eye-catching hourly rate but charge extra for evening and weekend visits, travel and mileage. Candlelight Homecare is different – with us there are no

hidden costs. We just have one straightforward hourly rate. We don’t charge extra for weekend or evening visits and we don’t charge extra for mileage or travel. However we do offer a high quality, reliable, personalised service. Call us on 08458 123 678 or visit www. candlelightcare.co.uk.

QUALITY CARE AT BURNWORTHY HOUSE Burnworthy House is a purpose built residential home providing an exceptional standard of care 24 hours a day.

Set in the picturesque village of South Petherton, the home has 34 tastefully decorated bedrooms and a wonderful garden.

Care Home for the Elderly

60 West Coker Road, Yeovil BA20 2JA Call SANDRA BARCLAY, Manager on 01935 472793 for an informal chat

Residents at Burnworthy House enjoy a varied activities programme as well as delicious meals, freshly prepared by our own catering staff. The home also provides day care and respite care for those people not yet ready for long-term residential care.

For more information, an informal chat or to come and visit us, please call the Manager, Karen Roberts on 01460 240116.

 DAY CARE VACANCIES 

email: info@beechwoodcarehome.co.uk • www.beechwoodcarehome.co.uk

THE VISITOR October 2012 13

Care for the Elderly Pictured right: A recent garden party at Elliscombe House, Holton, near Wincanton - where a good time was had by all.

Fit & Furnish Yeovil

Fit & Furnish in Yeovil can supply quality contract furniture to schools, rest homes and nursing homes promptly and competitively.

A complete range of furniture is available – bedroom – dining – occasional.

Proving very popular are their bedroom ranges, in particular their attractive, hard wearing, solid oak range - a wide choice of finishes are also available to select from. In addition to furniture they can also supply beds and mattresses.

To find out more why not give them a call – proprietor Rob Smith will be pleased to make an appointment to call in person to discuss your requirements. Telephone 01935 412811.

Prompt supply of quality bedroom furniture to  Rest Homes  Nursing Homes  Schools Wide range of finishes ... including solid oak We would be happy to arrange an appointment to discuss your requirements

01935 412811 FIT & FURNISH Lower Middle Street, Yeovil Visit our new easy to use website ...

www.fitandfur nish.co.uk 1000s of furniture products to suit all pockets 14 THE VISITOR October 2012

Live-In Care at Home from Convivumn Care

Are you looking for an alternative to residential care? Live-in care enables many people to stay in their own home with all the care they need such as bathing, washing and dressing, as well as cooking, shopping and laundry.

Convivium Care specialises in live-in care and is strongly committed to person-centred care, enabling people to live life as they choose and maintaining as much independence as possible. Clients receive one-toone care from fully vetted caregivers. The care-giver lives in so there are no worries about being alone at night.

Convivium Care has been built on personal recommendation.

They have expertise in providing care for people with a wide range of care needs for both short term and long term care. Tel: 01761 232689.

Convivium Care Dedicated to Providing First Class Live-in Care

Looking for an alternative to residential care?

LIVE-IN CARE: FULL TIME ONE-TO-ONE CARE IN YOUR OWN HOME In need of care for yourself or a loved-one?

You can maintain your quality of life with Live-In Care.

All the care you need in the comfort of your own home plus the reassuring presence of carer at night.

Respite, convalescence, or long term care.

Continuity a priority. Fully vetted care workers.

Highly recommended.

Call our Tonia on 01761 232689 www.conviviumcare.co.uk info@conviviumcare.co.uk

ELLISCOMBE HOUSE Nursing Home HIGHER HOLTON

Elliscombe House.

Spacious grounds.

Dancing - not compulsory!

ELLISCOMBE HOUSE Nursing Home is set in seven acres of grounds with wonderful views over the rolling Somerset countryside from every aspect.

Elliscombe House became part of the Aurora Care portfolio in May. Aurora Care own and successfully run two other homes in the area Hurst Manor Nursing and Residential Home, Martock and Hendford Care Home and Nursing, Yeovil.

Whilst the homes are all very individual the ethos of their dayto-day running is the same. All the staff are caring and well trained and each member of staff - from cleaning and clerical through to nursing staff are regularly appraised and encouraged to improve through mentoring, NVQs and staff training.

The key to the success of Aurora homes is ensuring the most important person is the resident, who, at all times, is treated as an individual and with respect.

There are no set visiting hours as this is home-from-home for residents.

Friends and relatives visit when they wish and are welcome to stay and enjoy a meal. The food is nutritious and varied and of restaurant standard, with choices at every meal and special diets catered for.

As well as promoting healthy eating for a healthy body regular stimuli for the mind plays a strong part in daily life. There are always at least two activities a day to partake in - these may be one-to-one sessions such as aromatherapy, or group activities such as quizzes or games.

Regular entertainment is provided by visiting musicians and theatre groups.

The attractive grounds which include a wild flower meadow offer ample opportunity for sitting out or strolling, and if the weather is

inclement the spectacular views can be enjoyed from inside - whether you choose to sit quietly or chat with friends in the coffee lounge. There are many other well-appointed shared spaces offering pleasing vistas.

The Aurora minibus is in regular use taking residents on excursions to places such as Stourhead and Weymouth - for a fish ‘n’ chip lunch.

Appearance plays an important part in a persons well-being so there are regular visits from the hairdresser, chiropodist, optician etc.

Residents may also attend religious services either inside or outside the home should they wish.

Elliscombe House can accommodate 40 residents, with some double rooms available for couples.

Rates start from £800 per week. As a nursing home residents have the peace of mind that should their health deteriorate they know they do not have to move.

Since taking over Aurora Care have embarked on an extensive refurbishment programme ensuring the residents have a pleasing environment in which to live. Whilst many aspects at Elliscombe House are new, great care has been taken to ensure continuity with staffing.

Matron Tracey Marshall has been at Elliscombe House for 13 years and reports to Clinical Director Sue Aldworth who oversees all the homes.

Deputy Manager is Lissy Ravikumar who has been at the home for 8 years.

In all Elliscombe has 60 members of staff ensuring a high ratio of care for each resident.

Respite care is available.

If you would like to know more about Elliscombe House please send for an information pack or call in.

Elliscombe House is situated at Higher Holton, a couple of miles from the town of Wincanton.

A Visitor Business Profile.

ELLISCOMBE HOUSE

Nursing Home Higher Holton nr. Wincanton Somerset, BA9 8EA  01963 33370

www.elliscombehouse.co.uk A choice at mealtimes.

THE VISITOR October 2012 15

Elderly CJW Taxis & Private Hire

Chris Wickham and team believe in care in the community and working with special needs.

All drivers and escorts are fully trained to SCC standards with lady escorts also available.This ensures the best

possible service and discretion. A diverse range of vehicles are available for hire. Two vehicles have beeen adapted for disabled passengers. Vehicles can take up to 2 wheelchairs or up to 8 passengers. A tail lift and LED lighting are added for extra safety. All drivers are CRB checked and licensed by the Mendip District Council and vehicles are stringently maintained. Account work welcome. For a reliable and friendly door to door service give CJW Taxis & Private Hire a call.

Going on Holiday? Why not book a taxi to the airport. They can also organize day trips and purchase tickets in advance for the customer.

Independent Bathing

Help at the touch of a button from Careline.

Keep your independence at home with

As we get older our bodies just don’t work as well as they used to. People who have led fit and active lives gradually find themselves becoming less agile and more dependent on the help of others to fulfil their essential daily activities such as cooking, shopping, cleaning and washing.

The problems of bathing independently are particularly important to such people and Independent Bathing Systems is a local company which specializes in the solution of just such problems Wet Rooms and Walk-in Showers are very popular at the moment although one of the most

cost effective products is the battery powered bath lift which can effortlessly lower a person to the very bottom of the bath. Steve at Independent Bathing Systems is able to give you a free home survey to assess possible modifications to your bathroom and to demonstrate a wide range of equipment.

A written quotation with plenty of time to consider is always given

by Independent Bathing Systems.

Do you want to feel good on a Monday morning?

One Sunday afternoon a month, throughout the country, Contact the Elderly groups meet for tea and companionship. Each older guest is assigned a volunteer driver and together they become part of a small group invited to a volunteer hosts’ home for tea with the other members of the group.

They visit a different host each month, but the group remains the same and relationships grow. A warm welcome, a family home, meeting old friends and new, provides older guests with companionship and a vital link with the community from which they have become isolated. The national charity has been running since 1965, and the simple yet effective model is still the basis of that we do! We’ve just started getting a group together covering Somerton, Langport and the surrounds.

Driver - Be a regular or

Bathing Difficulties?

Careline gives that little extra support to people who want to remain living at home independently for as long as possible while bringing peace of mind to their family and friends.

Do you …  Live alone or sometimes feel at risk?  Have elderly, frail or infirm dependents?  Worry about their safety in an emergency?  Want to help them maintain their independence?

If yes, Careline can provide help at the touch of a button 24-hours a day 365 days a year! Through Careline, you can actually enjoy the independence of living in your own home, secure in the knowledge that emergency help or advice is available at your fingertips.

We offer a free demonstration and if you are happy with it, our staff can fit the unit for you immediately.

Call 01935 479815 Initial connection / setup fee £31.95* Hire and monitoring £3.65 per week * Waived if on certain benefits

Maintain independence in your own home For free information on the full range of bathing aids & walk-in showers

INDEPENDENT BATHING SYSTEMS Chard 01460 221058 • Mobile 07796 383330

CJW TAXIS & PRIVATEHIRE of GLASTONBURY, Somerset

A very caring and conscientious company  Established in 1990 All Drivers and all Vehicles are Registered with Mendip District Council.

All Drivers and Escorts are Fully Trained to Somerset County Council Standards. Lady Escorts available.

All Vehicles Maintained and Safety Inspected every 10,000 miles.

Day Trips for Special Needs and the Elderly can be arranged in advance by us. Vehicles capable of taking up to 2 Wheelchairs and up to 8 Passengers (or combination of both). You can bring your Carer and we will stay with you, for when you need us for the duration of your trip.

Please call us for more information on

01458 833106

WE WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU 16 THE VISITOR October 2012

reserve driver, picking up one or two older guests once a month and going together to the Sunday afternoon tea party.

Host - All you need is a big teapot, a downstairs loo (or one on the same level if you live in a flat with a lift) and easy access.

Hosts offer to hold a tea party in your home, twice a year on a Sunday afternoon. It really isn’t much time or commitment to make a huge difference.

If you or someone you know would like to become part of the group as a guest please contact me. Helen Ker, Local Development Officer, helen.ker@contact-theelderly.org.uk or tel: 0117 960 9606 www.contact-theelderly.org.uk

Mendip Mobility

RELAX IN COMFORT ... with our Rise & Recline Chairs and Beds Scooters & Wheelchairs - Sales & Hire Full Range of Everyday Living Aids  Wide Choice  Sensible Prices Finance available on request friendly and helpful advice DO CALL IN

146 High Street, STREET, BA16 0ER  01458 448355 Also at - 14 Priory Road, WELLS, BA5 1SY  01749 675599 www.mendipmobility.co.uk

Mendip Mobility offer everything from scooter sales and hire through to practical everyday living aids such as incontinence pads and grab rails.

For those lacking mobility there is a good choice of rise and recline chairs and electric beds.

Bath lifts are also available.

For larger items Mendip Mobility can provide insurance and finance through ‘First Senior’ – call in for further details.

A family run business – you can be sure of helpful, friendly advice with branches in both Street and Wells.

With Christmas just around the corner, there are plenty of practical gift ideas such as slippers and walking sticks – plus gift tokens, which are extremely useful.

The Old Rectory

It can be a worrying and difficult time for families when they feel they may need to look at residential care for a loved one.

The Old Rectory in Stalbridge is a stunning house in a wonderful location close to local amenities so that residents can maintain their freedom, go to the local shops and enjoy a coffee with friends and relatives.

Residents can join in with any of the many daily activities on offer such as art; discussion groups; musical entertainment or bingo, or they can relax in one of the many quiet areas within the house or in the beautifully maintained gardens.

The dedicated staff provide excellent care to their residents, nothing is too much trouble and they welcome visitors at any time.

The aim of The Old Rectory is to provide a home for residents where they feel comfortable and safe at all times.

Contact Kristie on 01963 362624 The Old Rectory, High Street, Stalbridge DT10 2LL Visit our website at www.theoldrectory.co.uk for a 360° tour and request a brochure Care for the Elderly features are published three times a year THE VISITOR October 2012 17

Care for the Elderly Eden Photography Memory Books

portraits but Eden Photographics also offer something a bit different for their clients. Entitled A Book of Memories they will produce a quality, hardback book celebrating a life in photographs. Comprising images of places, events and achievements and working with family and friends of the recipient, these beautiful books can be given as a special gift. Eden Photographics visit Birthplaces, schools, churches, former homes and towns to add new pictures to the story. Anywhere that has

Photographers are normally associated with weddings and

SOUTH PETHERTON

Well situated bungalow, mid-terrace quiet location, in excellent decorative order. Enclosed entrance lobby, entrance hall, lounge, kitchen, double bedroom, shower / wc, double glazing, gas central heating. New carpets throughout. Private courtyard with workshop. Separate Garage.

Easy walking distance to shops, PO, pub, bus stop, etc. Would suit retired person. No forward chain. £124,500.

Tel: 01935 881909

Sit back and relax Single Motor Chairs from just £450 and Dual Motor Chairs from £550 Call in and see our extensive range of Cosi chairs including ... our Single and Dual Motor Recliners We also have a full range of mobility scooters and everything else you need from walking sticks to bath lifts Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5.00pm Saturday 9.30am – 12.30pm Closed Bank Holidays Other times by appointment

Units 1 & 2 Great Western Road Martock

special meaning to that person.

Recent editions commemorated a local businessman’s 50 years of trading and a 60th birthday gift from a husband to his wife who now lives away and misses her beloved Sherborne.

For more information call 01935 474454.

Abbeyfield Blackmore Vale Society - Supported Living at its Best

An ethos of independent, supported living within an extended family means Abbeyfield House in Bleke Street, Shaftesbury, is so much more than home to its 15 residents.

It’s a place of laughter, warmth, friendship and support.

As we get older, we don’t necessarily require full residential care but we might need help with

some of the household chores and appreciate a bit of company from time to time. That’s exactly the level of support that Abbeyfield House is equipped to provide and has been doing so for 35 years.

The original part of the house, which is Grade II listed, has been extended twice over the years and the whole house is full of character.

All rooms are en-suite, well equipped and neutrally decorated for residents to furnish as they wish.

Residents prepare their own breakfast but two live-in housekeepers serve up home-cooked lunches and evening meals in the communal dining room. Visitors are welcome at any time.

For more information or to arrange a visit to Abbeyfield House, contact Sue Luscombe on 01747 854922.

Perch Stools (pictured left).

Perch stools are ideal to use around the home, in the kitchen, bathroom or shower.

They feature slightly angled seats enabling you to sit down and rise with greater ease, and they allow you to sit at a comfortable height.

For more details contact A2B Mobility of Martock who can assist with the full range of living aids.

0800 731 7078 SALES • SERVICE • REPAIRS

Say you saw it in The Visitor 18 THE VISITOR October 2012

Antiques & Collecting Crewkerne Antiques Centre

Bay Hunter in oils, by Margaret Wynn, 1924, £1,650.

Quillon House Antiques, Bruton.

The Antiques Bazaar plays host to Hello Bygones!

A major event organiser is taking over part of The Antiques Bazaar in Crewkerne on Sunday 28th October, to run a fabulous Vintage and Retro Bash!

The Antiques Bazaar will be open as usual but with the addition of around 20 ‘pop-up’ traders adding to the eclectic mix of items already on display to tempt their customers.

From 11am until 4pm visitors will be able to browse around a variety of vintage and retro stalls,

including the Vintage Salon where you can enjoy a beautiful vintageinspired make-over and then pop along to the Retro Photo Booth for a photo-shoot. Definitely one for the family album, or a photo would make a unique gift for a relative or friend with the festive season approaching.

A ‘pop-up’ tattoo parlour will be there too, if you’re feeling really brave, and the in-house Vintage Cafe will be serving some scrumptious themed delights.

Bring the family - there will be crafts for the children too!

CREWKERNE ANTIQUES CENTRE

with 50 Dealers & 30 Display Cabinets over 2 Floors  GOLD & SILVER BOUGHT  Jewellery, Silver, Glass, Rocking Horses, China and an Extensive Range of Furniture ANTIQUES BOUGHT & SOLD Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 4.30pm

16 MARKET STREET • CREWKERNE Tel: 01460 77111

PASTIMES of Sherborne We pay TOP PRICES for OLD TOYS - any condition Trains • Cars • Lorries • Soldiers • Etc. Britains * Dinky * Corgi * Hornby Meccano * Tri-ang * Etc. Shop Open Mornings 9.30am - 1.00pm Monday to Saturday

Tel: 01935 816072 Mob: 07527 074343 HOME VISITS BY ARRANGEMENT

3 Westbury, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3EH

There is a wonderful selection of antiques displayed over the two floors of Crewkerne Antiques in Market Street, Crewkerne.

China, jewellery, silver, furniture and much more besides from the 50 dealers that have floor space and display cabinets there.

Looking for a gift?

Something a bit different? How about a statue for the garden for grandma or a rocking horse for a grandchild?

Proprietors Eddie & Rae Blewdon have been running the Centre successfully for over ten years and with so many dealers at the Centre stock is constantly changing. Crewkerne Antiques is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Helpful advice always available.

Meadow Fairs

Meadow Fairs wish to inform their customers that the Beaminster Antique Fairs are still open on the dates advertised although the road tunnel has been closed due to the landslide. There are other roads for access to the town from the North, the A356 and the B3163.

The Beaminster Antique Fair has some exciting new dealers - a large range of small furniture; jewellery; silver English and Russian; pictures; textiles; glass, china etc.

The programme for the future Fairs is full of surprises. Freshly cooked food available all day.

Easy car parking close by. For more information contact Nigel Hole on 01297 24446.

Beaminster Antiques, Vintage & Collectables Fair Saturday 6th October PUBLIC HALL BEAMINSTER, DORSET 9.30am – 4.00pm

Gold & Silver Jewellery Wanted

Small Furniture * Textiles China * Glass * Silver Jewellery * Books * Pictures etc.

Homemade Refreshments

Best prices paid for wedding rings, pendants, chains, bracelets, and broken items, etc.

 Next Fair – Saturday 17 th November 

Phone Jenny Martin Castle Cary

01963 350733

Bookings & Enquiries

Meadow Fairs 01297 24446

DAIRY HOUSE ANTIQUES Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury Dorset SP7 9AN

Tel: 01747 853317 • www.dairyhouseantiques.co.uk

Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm Sunday 11am – 4pm (Not Bank Holiday Mondays) Approximately 3 miles north of Shaftesbury just off the A350 signed Semley Industrial Estate

Antiques Bazaar

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU’LL FIND …

Vintage Market 27th - 28th October  RELIVE the nostalgia of your youth …  EXPLORE the fascinating 1960s era …

More details on our website www.antiquesbazaar.co.uk Booking enquiries to 01460 77121

Antiques Bazaar, South Street Crewkerne TA18 8AG OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK THE VISITOR October 2012 19

Leisure & Tra vel Anita D’Attellis – a Piano Recital

Anita is a very talented concert pianist, accompanist and teacher who has performed in many

prestigious venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and the Albert Hall.

She will be presenting a recital entitled Grand Tour of Europe in the Performance Enhancement Centre at King Arthur’s School on Saturday 27th October in aid of Wincanton Choral Society. She was a wonderful rehearsal pianist for the Society for several years. It will be a most memorable evening.

Tickets, priced £12, from 01749 860457 or on the door.

Lower Farm B&B nr. Glastonbury ON A WORKING FARM Ensuite Rooms - Competitive Prices  IDEAL FOR TOURING 

07773 497188 Christmas is coming! These beautiful decorations and gifts are just a small sample of the wonderful things you can make. Visit Hanson’s Fabric & Crafts of Sturminster Newton who have a Christmas Craft demonstration on Saturday 13th October. Hanson’s stock a wonderful selection of Christmas Fabrics, Card making items and much more.

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

By John Osborne • Answers can be found on page 63

1.

What was their first No. 1?

2.

In which year was ‘Hey Jude’ first released?

3.

What was on the flip of the double-A side single ‘Penny Lane’?

4.

Name their first film.

5.

‘A Doll’s House’ was to be the name of which album?

6.

‘Back in the USSR’ came from which album?

7.

‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ is recognized as the first pop song of which genre?

8.

Who was the first of the lads to have a solo No. 1 single?

9.

Who is the only one of the Beatles NOT to have a single No.1?

10. In which year did the single ‘Free as a Bird’ reach No.2?

Serious Anorak Bonus Question In which year were they awarded M.B.E’s?

Extra Bonus Question Name the lads in order of age – oldest first.

20 THE VISITOR October 2012

MU

C M NTH I O R S O F THE

September 28th BARRY PAUL Elvis Tribute - Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon 28th BILL SMARME & THE BIZZNESS - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 29th ROSS KIRK - Bakers Arms, Martock 29th DAVE CURTIS - Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi October 5th BARRY PAUL Elvis Tribute - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 6th LOUIS HAWKIN - Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon 6th BEST KEPT SECRET - Rose & Crown, Bradford Abbas 6th RYAN INGLISE & FRIEND - Lime Tree, Thornford 12th THE DUB LIBERATORS - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 13th JOHN RAYMOND - Millers Inn, Wincanton 13th STORM - Bakers Arms, Martock 13th MARC O’REILLY - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 19th JOHN RAMON - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 20th MAY CONTAIN ROCK - Phoenix, Gillingham 20th ROSS KIRK - Millers Inn, Wincanton 20th STAND ALONE EMPIRE - Bakers Arms, Martock 26th MARC VENUS - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 27th THE RELAYS - Phoenix, Gillingham 27th THE KRAYS - Bakers Arms, Martock 27th LIVE MUSIC - Catash Inn, North Cadbury 27th REAL DEAL - Rose & Crown, Bradford Abbas

AN ADVERT IN THE PUB PAGES ENSURES A FREE MENTION HERE

October 11th 2012 sees the 50th Anniversary of the first chart entry of the Greatest Band in the World – the Beatles. We mark this occasion by dedicating the monthly quiz to them. Despite officially splitting in 1970, they still outsell the Rolling Stones, and 40% of their music is bought by the under-25’s!

Sherborne Castle

Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 and the stately home of the Digby family since 1617, Sherborne Castle is a Historic House which reflects a glorious variety of decorative styles from over 400 years of English history. Outside the eighteenth century ‘Capability’ Brown landscape provides a peaceful and tranquil setting; with magnificent specimen trees, borders and sweeping lawns forming one of his finest Lake landscapes you will see.

Delightful walks guide you round the 50-acre Lake, past Sir Walter Raleigh’s Seat to the Cascade, close by to the ruins of the medieval Castle. Watch the abundant wildlife on the lake, feed the ducks, have a picnic or walk the dogs. The Tea Room serves morning coffees, light lunches and delicious afternoon teas. The Gift Shop has a selection of gifts, souvenirs and their very own Sherborne Castle wines.

Sherborne Castle’s now

famous Autumn Colours Weekend takes place over the weekend of 27th & 28th October.

This is always a popular event and experts are saying colours are expected to be good this

year. The reduced price entry to the grounds of only £3.50 per adult that weekend makes it a spectacle not to be missed.

See their website for special public events.

29th September Catash Inn, North Cadbury

Historic Castle, Gardens, Gift Shop & Tea Room

Magnificent Staterooms • Tudor Kitchen • Museum • Children’s Quiz • Wonderful Walks • Garden Trail • Dogs Welcome On Leads

Cycle-Babble ~ Cycle-Babble ~ Cycle-Babble OVER THE TWO YEARS that I have been writing this column I have tried to focus on all areas of cycling but one aspect of professional cycling this column has so far studiously ignored is ‘the dreaded D word’.

Unfortunately cycling and ‘the dreaded D word’ are never too far apart. And never has that been the case more than over the last three or four weeks.

Drugs and cheating have always been prevalent in a sport that requires super-human feats of endurance. When the Tour started in 1903 its 2,428 kilometres were split into only six stages, at an average length of an eye-watering 404km. On a heavy bike. Without gears. On pot-holed roads. It is perhaps not surprising that the following year Garin was disqualified having allegedly cheated, seeking other, less arduous methods to complete his Tour around France, including the taking of a train.

And so it started ... In 1923 the Pélissier brothers, having abandoned the Tour, opened their bags to the journalist Albert Londres. Out spilled cocaine, pills and chloroform.The resulting article – Les Forçats de la Route (the convicts of the road) became one of the most famous pieces of cycling journalism.

And so it went on ... In the 1950s, in response to a question as to whether he had taken drugs,

the great Fausto Coppi replied: ‘Only when necessary.’ When pressed as to how often it was necessary he said: ‘Nearly always.’

And so it went on ... In the 1960s, Jacques Anquetil, five-time winner of the Tour, asked: ‘What, you think I win my races on sugar alone?’ When British rider Tom Simpson died on the slopes of Mont Ventoux in 1967, drugs were found in his bloodstream and in the pockets of his race jersey.

And so it went on ... Through the 1990s and into the early 2000s the sport entered its darkest period. Up until then drugs had predominantly been used to mask pain or to help a rider to keep getting back on his bike every day.

There is little to suggest that Coppi and Anquetil would not have become the champions they did had drugs not been around.

But now, with the advent of blooddoping and EPO, drugs were turning otherwise normal riders into winners – if not quite donkeys, then workhorses into racehorses. Time and again riders were testing positive or becoming embroiled in complex investigations into continental clinics.

And so it went on ... The sport eventually realised it couldn't continue like this and appeared to, if not completely turn the corner, then at least start to flash the indicator. Teams like Garmin came into the sport with

transparent anti-doping programmes, average speeds came down, great ‘heroic’ performances like Floyd Landis's rampage through the Alps in 2006 (after which he tested positive) became rarer. The French, who had long complained of a two-speed peloton, started to win. The sport looked, felt, cleaner.

Then a few weeks ago it was announced that seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong would not participate in an arbitration process against charges brought against him by the US anti-doping agency USADA. Instantly we were transported back ten years.

For anyone who follows the sport this development was not really a surprise. The case, in which USADA allege Armstrong took performance enhancing drugs and encouraged team-mates to do the same, had been rumbling on for months in courts in the USA, with Armstrong challenging USADA's jurisdiction. When that bid failed Armstrong was faced with a choice. Either go to arbitration where the evidence against him would be aired or opt not to contest the charges.

He chose the latter, releasing a statement that said his move should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt, simply that he was ‘finished with this nonsense,’ that he had ‘played by the rules’ and that ‘I know who won those seven Tours, my team-mates know

who won those seven Tours, and everyone I competed against knows who won those seven Tours.’ USADA said it would strip him of those seven Tours.

Since this development I've been asked countless times by friends, family and acquaintances: ‘What about this Armstrong thing then? What do you think?’

I have my opinion, as does everyone who follows the sport.

But more than anything I had hoped that we would get some closure. Claims and counterclaims over the Armstrong years have been going on for years. I hoped that maybe we would get some definitive answers for once.

Something concrete, something irrefutable, one way or the other.

Instead all we've got is the equivalent of a cycling legend with his fingers in his ears singing ‘la la la’ and an ugly row on whether USADA have the right to strip his titles.

Later this month a book will be released by a former teammate of Armstrong's - Tyler Hamilton. Hamilton has confessed to taking performance enhancing drugs and his book will apparently lift the lid on the murky practicalities of competing in the Tour whilst taking drugs.

Just like Londres' Forçats de la Route did nearly 90 years ago.

And so it goes on.

Giles Belbin.

THE VISITOR October 2012 21

ARTS & MUSIC YAOS - Half a Sixpence

means more DJ’s, more MC’s, more sound, more lights, more visuals and more lasers … bring it on!

Westfest is absolutely unique and has set the standard of what big-room, multi-arena events should be. If you want to know what the best looks like, what the best sounds like, and what the best is, then your search is over.

Join them on Saturday 27th October at the Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet for the night of your life.

Westfest - 27th October Bath & West Showground

STOP PRESS + STOP PRESS There are four VIP tickets (worth £50 each) to be won in our easy-to-enter competition. VIP includes easier access to bars and toilets and queue jump. Applicants must be over 18 to apply.

For a chance to win all you have to do is name four of the bands that are appearing at Westfest this year. Send your entry by email to: rob@jukebox pr.co.uk to arrive by Wednesday 17th October.

More information on this event about tickets, bands etc., can be found on The Visitor’s website www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk/ music

Musical performances by Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society are always eagerly awaited and this year is no exception. Half a Sixpence, one of the great family musicals, will run from Tuesday 9th until Saturday 13th October at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil.

The show has plenty of lively ‘feel-good’ singing and dancing numbers, combined with a charming love story. Tickets available from the Octagon Theatre 01935 422884.

Westfest is back once again – the return of the UK’s biggest underground dance music event!

Bigger, badder, louder than ever, this is the ultimate all-night festival for those that like it harder! 2012 sees the 9th edition of what has become the party of the year – guaranteed!

7 huge arenas of cutting-edge music, including the legendary Main Stage which each year has never failed to amaze with its monumental scale and high-end production values. Each year the organisers strive to make the event better than the last, so that

A local Diary

Local Band

Apherium, the Yeovil based Metal band formed in 2012 at Yeovil College are playing an Industry showcase gig at the O2 Academy in Islington London on 21st October, in front of some of the leading record labels and music industry executives in the country.

The band, made up of Larry Turner (Vocals & Guitar), Callum Shortland (Bass Guitar), Ashley Jones (Drums) and Ross Derby (Guitars) where scouted and invited to play at the venue following a string of summer gigs taking them to Birmingham, Gloucestershire and an

appearance at the O2 Academy in Bristol.

‘This event represents a great and unique opportunity for execs to see our band’ said Larry, ‘in addition it allows us to access so many opportunities we have only dreamed of so far.’

Originally drawing influence from early thrash and heavy metal, over time Apherium have developed their own sound, combining the intensity and drive of thrash with the melodic turnabouts and catchy chorus' of more modern rock acts such as InMe, Alterbridge and Biffy Clyro.

Apherium's debut album entitled The Cycle was released in May 2012 and is available from Acorn Records, Yeovil. Tickets for the gig and further information about the band are available at www.apherium.com

Yeovil-based Metal Band Apherium, are appearing at the 02 Academy in Islington, London on 21st October.

Mere Literary Festival & Write-in-the-Week Competition

A humorous wall sculpture ‘A New Ewe’ by Garry Jones. One of a range from Martock Gallery of Martock.

‘Allotment Cabbages’ limited edition print - by Jenny Beck Prints  Paintings  Bronzes  Mirrors  Framing Passport Photographs  Prints to Canvas Martock Gallery Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.00, Saturday 9.30 - 4.30

Water Street • Martock • Tel: (01935) 823254 • www.martockgallery.com 22 THE VISITOR October 2012

In this Olympic year Mere Literary Festival invites you to enter its writing sprint. A fun competition for timed flash fiction which everyone can enter.

In one week write a very short story of no more than 350 words which must include the given phrase revealed today in The Visitor in the October Notice Board column. The closing date is Friday 5th October when stories complete with a cover sheet giving your contact details should reach MLF, Lawrences, Old Hollow, Mere, Wilts, BA12 6EG. The entry fee for adults is £2 for the first story and £1 thereafter, Juniors 16 and under

are free. There are cash and book prizes, and winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony on Sunday 14th October when James Long, author of the best selling Ferney and its just published sequel, will talk about his novels which are set locally in Pen Selwood and its surrounds.

Other authors appearing at the week long festival include Tom Fort, Saul David, Irvine Hunt, Sonia Purnell and Lucinda Dickens Hawksley.

Full details of the competition and the festival programme, 8th – 14th October are published on the MLF website www.merelit fest.co.uk and in the ‘big green’ programme. Telephone bookings can be taken on 01747 860475.

MERE LITERARY FESTIVAL October 8 – 14

Pick up a programme for full details of authors, events, workshops and the competition – or go to

www.merelitfest.co.uk In aid of Mere & District Linkscheme • Reg. Charity No:1062328

Gillingham Town FIRST, A REMINDER that Gillingham’s carnival takes place on Saturday 6th October. For details take a look at the website www.gillinghamcarnival.org.uk or phone the Town Council on 01747 823588. The big illuminated procession of floats passes through the town centre from 7.15pm, and earlier in the day there’s a children’s procession that sets off from the primary school at 3.00pm. Inevitably several roads, notably High Street

and Queen Street, will be closed to motorists for long periods during the afternoon and evening, and Brickfields Business Park will be closed from 3.00pm through till 9.30pm.

The business park and adjacent industrial estate on the southern edge of town off the B3092 to East Stour are both named Brickfields for good reason. The town stands on a bed of clay some 90 feet deep, and this huge supply of raw material saw brickmaking

become one of the town’s major industries after the railway was opened in 1859. The Gillingham Brick, Tile and Pottery Company was established alongside the south side of the railway, and in later years it expanded onto land on the opposite side of the road.

The brickyard survived until 1968, by which time the high cost of coal and haulage and the

difficulty of attracting labour had made it uneconomic, even though its products were durable and of very good quality. The old clay pits on the eastern side of the road are now the attractive Lodden Lakes, and the land to the west has been redeveloped for employment use over the last 35 years.

The main occupier of the more

FIREWORKS Now Sold

ALL YEAR ROUND SUPERB CHOICE to suit all budgets Home use & displays  Expert Advice Available 

45 Brickfields Business Park Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4PX www.upinsmoketheatre.com upinsmoketheatre@supanet.com

01747 835666

5%

OFF

ALL FIREWORKS during October Bunting, Helium Balloons, Lighting Sound Systems, DIY Disco Packages

THE

PHOENIX

Brickfields Business Park is the unlikely home of Legends, the town’s nightclub.

The Square GILLINGHAM Dorset SP8 4AY

Mayflowers

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Serving Hot Drinks and Snacks from 10am Food served daily from 12pm until 3pm

Your local Interflora Florist

For a super selection of fresh cut flowers & plants visit us at ...

2a High Street, GILLINGHAM ... or why not ORDER BY PHONE or WEBSITE?

Tel: 01747 824424

www.mayflowersofgillingham.co.uk

SENIOR CITIZEN 2 COURSE SPECIAL for £6.95 available from Monday to Thursday Lunchtimes EVENING FOOD served Wednesdays to Saturday from 6pm until 9pm  CHRISTMAS MENU bookings now taken - full menu on request  SUNDAY LUNCH starts at 12pm until 3pm, choice of 3 meats with fish and vegetarian options - £7.95 or 2 courses for £10.95 WEEKLY QUIZ and REGULAR LIVE MUSIC ...

Sat 20th Oct: ‘May Contain Rock’  Sat 27th Oct: ‘The Relays’

All major credit cards accepted

Tel 01747 823277 • Email thephoenixpub@hotmail.co.uk

All Size Skips Available

When hiring skips we can fill with aggregate - one delivery Poor reception? Aerial problems?

GIVE US A RING Our engineer covers your area!

CASTLE CARY - WINCANTON - GILLINGHAM - SHERBORNE - SHAFTESBURY ETC.

Visit our Panasonic Television Showroom Confederation of Aerial Industries Membership Number C1361 • Trained Engineers Safety at Heights Certificate • C.R.B. Checked Staff • Full Public Liability Insurance • 12 Month Warranty

Panasonic ideas for life

All Major Cards Accepted

Units 10 & 11 Brickfields Business Park, Gillingham, SP8 4PX 01747 826714 / 01747 826721 • tctv@gillingham.fsbusiness.co.uk

        

Call for enquiries Grab / beaver tail / tipper hire Screened or as dug soil Sand and gravel supplies 25 kilo bags Bulk bags Plant and tool hire All size deliveries Collected or delivered

Trade & DIY Welcome • Ring for enquiries • All rubbish clearance undertaken

Gillingham 01747 826107

THE VISITOR October 2012 23

Gillingham Town recent part, the Business Park, is Dextra Lighting which designs and manufactures commercial lighting systems, but it is also home to a goodly number of local businesses as diverse as a car showroom, Three County Locksmiths, Masterfit Flooring and Town and Country Aerials.

The unlikely home, too, of Legends, the town’s nightclub.

Indeed, Gillingham is well provided with businesses providing jobs for local people, not just on the industrial estate and business park but tucked away in small pockets elsewhere in the town – between Le Neubourg Way and the railway station, off the northern end of Le Neubourg Way, and at the edge of town on Shaftesbury Road to give just three examples.

Gillingham is very much a working town, a town of economic prosperity even in these austere times.

A town that enjoys its leisure too. Gillingham’s smart new RiversMeet leisure centre with a competition-size swimming pool, fitness centre, badminton and squash courts is already proving to be an invaluable asset since it opened in August 2010 at a cost of £6 million. Gillingham Town Football Club attracts much local support and North Dorset Rugby Club on the eastern edge of town is heavily involved in local community activities as well as fielding several teams every week during the season. There are, of course, many other clubs and societies in the town, too numerous to mention here.

In the May Visitor I reported that plans had been drawn up to lay an all-weather path across the Town Meadow from the High Street to the footbridge over the River Stour to the Waitrose supermarket and the library. On my recent visit I was pleased to see that the work is progressing

well and the area is beginning to look much more inviting. The plan also includes planting some trees and shrubs, installing benches and an information board explaining the history of the site, and improving the ground to make it more suitable for staging events.

Heat Transfer & Embroidery All Done In House O

Flags signs Board tics e Magn Vans & s r Ca Bikes Livery rs Banne

QUICK TURNAROUND TIME

ffice Shirts Hoodie s T-Shir ts Sweate Sports rs wear Polo S hirts

Gillingham’s smart new RiversMeet leisure centre is already proving to be an invaluable asset in the fast-growing town.

Give your home a new look We have a wide choice of traditional and contemporary door furniture ...

Knobs & Knockers - Letterboxes & Locks Handles & House Numbers - Internal & External Domestic and Commercial Locks Supplied & Fitted - Keys Cut Safes - Fire Doors - Peep Holes Fitted - Etc 24 Hour Emergency Call Out

44 Brickfields Business Park GILLINGHAM SP8 4PX Tel: 01747 826311 info@3countylocksmiths.co.uk • www.3countylocksmiths.co.uk

Sales, Repairs & Servicing of PCs, Laptops and Peripherals Excellent & Professional Service & Support 26 Years of Experience in Computers Established Reputation

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

One stop shop for all your computer needs 24 THE VISITOR October 2012

Gillingham Town The site extends westwards behind the Red Lion pub, which was also looking inviting with its freshly-painted frontage and fine display of hanging baskets.

Documentary evidence of the history of this former coaching inn goes as far back as 1698, although it was considerably

rebuilt in the mid-18th century, and in the 19th century it had its own brewhouse at the back. The inn was home at that time to the largest of Gillingham’s friendly societies. In his book ‘Gylla’s Hometown’, Charles Howe records that ‘their club day was the second Wednesday in May.

The proceedings started with a procession around the town headed by the town band. The members started at the brewery and the owners brought out beer for them in wooden buckets.’

When the procession arrived back at the Red Lion a meeting was held and the officers for the forthcoming year were elected, then the surplus funds were used to provide a dinner which took place in a large tent in the yard.

Nearby is the Phoenix, the town’s other important coaching inn before the coming of the railway. Dating from 17th century, part of it still survives as a pub with a good reputation for food, and although the remainder has been split up and put to other uses it is easy to visualise what it must have looked like in the days

when horse-drawn coaches converged on The Square.

Nowadays part of the building is

ACF WINDOWS ANDY FELTHAM UPVC REPLACEMENT WINDOWS, DOORS, CONSERVATORIES, WOODEN FRAMED WINDOWS, FASCIA BOARDS, CLADDING, GUTTERING, ALUMINIUM WINDOWS & DOORS ETC.

The Old Well House Shepherds Hill, Buckhorn Weston GILLINGHAM, Dorset SP8 5HX Tel / Fax: 01963 371715 Mobile: 07802 393344

We Frame to Please ...

Paintings, Prints, Cross-Stitch Tapestries, Memorabilia etc.

The western end of the High Street is home to several specialist shops including Scenes which stocks everything the budding artist could need.

High Street, Gillingham Wide Choice of Frames Tel / Fax 01747 824050 and Mounts email: scenesol@aol.com • www.scenes-online.co.uk

THE VISITOR October 2012 25

30% OFF SPECTACLES

Gillingham home to the long-established Gillingham Tandoori which attracts diners from a wide area to enjoy Asian cuisine in a historic English building and where the parish church of St Mary still towers above what was the hub of the town by bygone days.

This end of the High Street is home to several specialist shops including Scenes which stocks everything the budding artist could need. It also has a fine selection of limited edition prints and posters that I would be happy to see in my home, and sells craft materials and greetings cards and undertakes bespoke picture framing. It’s just one of the good variety of shops lining the High Street, most of

them independent businesses, and tucked away behind some of these buildings are yet more business premises. Take a stroll up the lane alongside Chapman Moore estate agents and you will discover an attractive stone terrace and, in one of the units, a shop called Just For You. Here you’ll find an enormous range of baby clothes and accessories, soft and wooden toys, christening gifts, photo frames and goodness knows what else for babies, toddlers and their carers. With Gillingham being a familyfriendly town there must surely be a constant stream of parents and grandparents coming through the shop door.

Roger Richards.

Eyes Right Opticians on Station Road - they also have a branch in Sturminster Newton.

Electrical Supplies Ltd FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS  Lighting  Accessories  Cables  Tools etc.  01747 822218 39 Brickfields Business Park, GILLINGHAM, Dorset SP8 4PX www.adelecsupplies.co.uk

EYES RIGHT OPTICIANS

Now available 5 TONNE LOAD DELIVERIES by small lorry

St. Audries Station Road, Gillingham

NEW

Tel: 01747 831010

3 Market Place Sturminster Newton

Tel: 01258 473992 LOW PRICES AND QUALITY SERVICE *ALL FRAMES are priced including single vision lenses.

Please ask our staff for full offer details.

26 THE VISITOR October 2012

SAND & GRAVEL

PRE-PACKED COAL AVAILABLE

large and small loads TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME

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

For advice or information ring Tim or Heidi or call in and see us

VINTAGE Motor Cycling I RECENTLY WROTE of the differences in motoring laws throughout Europe. Now I know we have had a dreadful summer, and hoping that the autumn might be more kind to us, you may still be tempted to take your pride and joy across the water. I thought therefore I might expand upon this legal issue a little further. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse in any country and so it is all too easy to fall foul of the multitude of regulations.

A few more have come to notice of which I had no knowledge and I suspect you may not know either.

The most common offence is that of speeding (not surprising when you see the superb state of their roads compared to ours) but did you know for example that in France and Italy speed limits are reduced during rain? Some continental countries also instantly ban speeding motorists if they exceed the limit by more than 40 kph (24.8 mph). Off the road immediately and licence confiscated. Many countries also vigorously enforce zero tolerance drink driving laws. Any of these infringements will certainly cost you money and spoil what would otherwise have been a pleasant holiday/trip abroad. You have been warned, so do your homework before you leave these shores.

The exemption to have an MOT Test for vehicles made prior to 1960 will indeed come into force on the 18th November. A little more information has now been released which is of importance to the old vehicle movement. You may submit your vehicle for a voluntary test if you so wish. If you are re-registering a vehicle which has been off the road for years then an MOT will be

MOTOR required before it will be registered. Similarly if a vehicle is imported then an MOT is required. Many foreign countries also require drivers to carry with them their driving licences, insurance and the MOT. Instructions on this last item have not been finalised but you may need to get your vehicle through an MOT before going overseas. It is surprising the vast differences in motoring law throughout the European Union and perhaps more surprising that these laws have not been unified long before now.

Diary dates now and October will be yet another busy month.

The Somerset Section has a guest speaker at its club night on the 4th. On the 6th will be the twice yearly autojumble at the Bath and West Showground, not to be missed. On the 14th they have the Autumn Leaves Run from Bishop Sutton. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section have a guest speaker at their club night on the 8th. Similarly the Dorset Section have a guest speaker at its club night on the 10th and this is followed on the 14th by the first Winter Run which starts from Sherborne. As usual more details can be sought by ringing 01935-872528.

The Jeff Clew Memorial Run went ahead as planned on the 19th August on one of the few bright and sunny days. Seventy riders signed on for this the third running of the event. Machines ranged from a 1907 ROC to a 1984 Armstrong with just about everything in between. Riders had a choice of two routes according to the age of machine ridden, and on each route there were plenty of establishments from which the riders could gain

RIDGEWAY GARAGE Family run business - established over 30 Years 55 56 05 55

Citroen Picasso Exclusive 2.0 HDI, Low Miles …........£ 4495 Nissan Note 1.4 SE, FSH, PAS, CD, 1 Owner…............£ 3295 Peugeot 206 1.4 HDI, PAS, CD £30 Road Tax …......... £ 2495 Daihatsu Charade 1.0, EL, PAS, A/C, CD, £30 Road Tax £ 2295

Kingsland Road, SHEPTON MALLET • Tel: 01749 342938 www.ridgeway-garage.com

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

sustenance and where these ancient machines could have a good gasp and wheeze before carrying their riders back to the Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford. We were pleased to have in attendance all day Mrs Audrey Clew and her daughter Alison. At the end of proceedings Alison, Mike Penn (Museum Curator) and our Section President, Ivan Cox, handed out the prizes to the lucky winners.

My picture this month shows Mike Lawson from Hinton St Mary about to set off on his 1910 Triumph. Machine and rider have been acquainted now for many

years and done many happy miles together, in fact Mike seldom rides anything other than his veteran mount. A pleasant ride was had by all and plans are already being made for next years event. Perhaps by then the massive building project at the museum will have been completed and so we shall have splendid new surroundings to enjoy. Always worth a visit to see the machines being used, and a chance to visit and see the vast number of exhibits the museum has on public show, make a note in next years calendar to be there.

We British are undoubtedly obsessed with the weather, and there can be little wonder after a summer such as we have just had. The summer events are now over but life can still continue for the old vehicle enthusiasts.

Events during the winter months can be just as satisfying and with less events competing for our support does mean that those which do take place can be well attended. No-one enjoys going out in the frost or snow or when rain is lashing down with strong winds, and no-one is expected to venture out in those conditions, but there will be plenty of suitable days in which you can enjoy your vintage motoring.

Rodney Hann.

Under the new ownership of ...

RICHARD WHITE

LANGPORT MOTOR COMPANY WESTOVER TRADING ESTATE LANGPORT, SOMERSET, TA10 9RB

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

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

Richard and Brian Bristow wish Joe & Christine Scott all the best in their retirement, and look forward to welcoming customers old and new.

G.H. SALES. Tel: 01935 891414 THE VISITOR October 2012 27

The George Hotel

Market Place, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7AH

Tel: 01963 350761 * Fax: 01963 350035 * Email: castlecarygeorge@aol.com

Christmas Celebrations

The George Hotel is a beautiful 15th century coaching inn offering excellent food, friendly service and a great atmosphere, suitable for any occasion.

Bookings are now being taken for our Pre-Christmas Party Lunches, Pre-Christmas Party Dinners and Christmas Day Luncheon.

Should you wish to stay the night, accommodation is available in one of our 17 individually decorated en-suite bedrooms.

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH MENU

CHRISTMAS LUNCH MENU

CHRISTMAS DINNER MENU

1st - 24th December, 12noon - 2.30pm • £15.95

1st - 24th December, 6.30pm - 9.00pm • £19.95

25th December, 12noon - 1.30pm • £55.00

Spiced apple and parsnip soup with crusty bread

Sherried squash soup with crusty bread Smoked salmon and cream cheese parcel with dressed leaves Deep fried brie with a cranberry dip Smoked chicken salad with herb croutons and garlic dressing ****** Traditional roast turkey with all seasonal trimmings Vegetable nut roast with seasonal trimmings Baked aubergine stuffed with roast vegetables served with dressed salad Beef pot roast with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and seasonal veg Oven baked sole on a spicy stir-fry noodle medley ****** Christmas pudding with a brandy sauce Vanilla panacotta with Christmas pudding ice cream Eton mess with mulled fruits Christmas spiced apple crumble with clotted cream Selection of local cheese and biscuits ****** Coffee and mince pies

Butternut Squash Soup with cheese croutons Seared scallops with apple puree, crisp pancetta and mixed leaf salad Medley of game and chorizo casserole with toasted brioche Spinach and goats cheese filo pastry pie with mixed leaves and basil oil ****** Traditional roast turkey with all seasonal trimmings Fillet of beef wellington with rosti potato, asparagus spears with a beef and red wine jus Steamed fillets of sea bass wrapped in green jackets of kale served with leek, saffron and dill coulis with baby potatoes and vegetables Roasted root vegetable tart tatin served with mixed leaf salad with a yoghurt & herb dressing ****** Christmas pudding with a brandy sauce Autumn fruit and sherry trifle Warm chocolate sponge pudding with a warm vanilla sauce Selection of local cheese and biscuits ****** Coffee and mince pies and a glass of sherry

Smoked salmon and cream cheese parcel with dressed leaves Deep fried brie wedges with a cranberry dip ****** Traditional roast turkey with all seasonal trimmings Vegetable nut roast with all seasonal trimmings Hunters pie with roast potatoes and seasonal buttered vegetables Grilled mackerel with a whole grain mustard sauce with sauté potatoes and fine green beans ****** Christmas pudding with a brandy sauce Spiced apple crumble with clotted cream Vanilla pannacotta with Christmas pudding ice cream ****** Coffee and mince pies 28 THE VISITOR October 2012

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER £25 MENU ON REQUEST

The Visitor Guide to your local ...

seems to come round quicker each year and if you’ve been given the task of organising a get-together - for family, friends or work colleagues, early planning is the key to success, so with only 12 weeks to go now’s the time to start!

Christmas is a busy time for everyone, so finding a date to suit all the party-goers, and then finding a venue that is suitable and can accommodate your party, may prove difficult if you leave it too late.

Once you know how many there will be in your party and have found a menu that everyone agrees on, (not forgetting the vegetarians), make your booking. A small deposit is usually requested to secure the booking, so be prepared. They will also require menu choices in advance, so make sure all of the party-goers choose in plenty of time. And, remember to keep a note of everybody’s choices - believe me, they won’t remember what they ordered!

If you’re having wine with your meal, remember to order this in advance too, it will then be suitably chilled or already ‘breathing’ when you sit down to eat. Bottled water or jugs of water for the table can be ordered at the same time.

If you’re looking for entertainment after your meal you’ll find some hotels and pubs offering live music or karaoke - or you may prefer something like a friendly game of skittles, pool or darts. Check that this is possible with the landlord to avoid disappointment, and book!

Finally, if you’re responsible for ordering the transport, whether it’s a coach, mini-bus or taxi, remember to book early, Christmas and New Year is a particularly busy time for all of them.

The

Stag’s Head Inn Yarlington, nr. Wincanton Somerset, BA9 8DG Tel: 01963 440393 SOMERSET’S HIDDEN GEM ...

In a truly picture postcard setting you will find this charming 1850 traditional inn with its log fires, friendly atmosphere and good service.

All meals are prepared by our Award Winning Chef Paul Tapping.

Proprietors Paul & Dawn invite customers old & new to the warmest of welcomes.

Christmas Menu

The Visitor Guide to your local ...

Bookings from Saturday 1st – Monday 24th December only

STARTERS Goats Cheese Fritter Coated in a homemade beer batter, served on a bed of fresh rocket with a sun blushed tomato dip and tapenade.

Crab Titan Fresh crab and avocado bound in a cocktail sauce, lightly spiced with Tabasco lime, served with a salad garnish and cranberry and pumpkin bread.

Field Mushroom A field mushroom filled with spring onion, concasse tomato, garlic and herbs, topped with melted cheddar cheese. Served on a bed of fresh rocket.

Mediterranean Crevettes 3 Mediterranean Crevettes (king prawns) sautéed in garlic butter, served with a salad garnish and cranberry and pumpkin bread.

French Onion Soup Homemade French onion soup served with gruyere en crout.

Melon Cocktail Fresh honeydew melon, raspberry and orange cocktail.

MAINS Traditional Roast Turkey Turkey breast served with a chipolata, bacon roll and homemade apricot and almond sausage meat stuffing.

Flat Iron Steak A lean 8oz steak served on a bed of fried onions (served between rare and medium only).

Salmon Celestine A supreme of poached salmon covered with a slice of smoked salmon in a creamy prawn sauce.

Creedy Carver Duck Breast A local pan fried duck breast, served pink with a rich black cherry and rum sauce.

Chicken Supreme A chicken breast filled with Philadelphia cream cheese in a creamy white wine sauce with smoked bacon, diced potato, spring onion and chives.

Gourmet Nut Roast A luxury vegetarian nut roast served with a mushroom and red wine sauce.

All dishes served with roast potatoes, new potatoes and a panache of seasonal vegetables

DESSERTS Traditional Christmas pudding An individual brandy Christmas pudding served with *Wadman’s double cream.

Fresh Fruit Salad A cocktail of fresh fruit and *Wadman’s double cream.

Bailey’s Bubbles A rich chocolate mousse made with Bailey’s liqueur and filled with chocolate malteasers.

Zingy Lemon Cheesecake A slice of homemade cheesecake with a ginger nut biscuit base, served with *Wadman’s double cream.

Crème Brûleé A white chocolate, raspberry and tia maria liqueur brûleé served with a homemade shortbread finger.

Cheese Platter Generous slices of various cheeses served with fresh grapes and a selection of mixed crackers.

Your hosts, Mick, Jean and Garry welcome you to

The MUDDLED MAN Lower Street, West Chinnock A charming village inn serving delicious home cooked food in a traditional atmosphere ...

Pre-Christmas Dinners Group Dinner Bookings 2 Courses + Coffee - £16 * 3 Courses + Coffee - £18

Christmas Day Dinner

Drink on arrival, 7 Course Meal,  Bottle of Wine - £60 Bookings Essential

Boxing Day Buffet - £15 Book early for Christmas Day & Boxing Day - and RECEIVE A DISCOUNT Function Room available for your corporate presentations / business meetings - call to book DAILY SPECIALS • REAL ALES • SKITTLE ALLEY • BEER GARDENS • ACCOMMODATION

Tel 01935 881235

THE BEAR INN Market Place • Wincanton •  01963 32581

We can offer a Complete Festive Package for parties of 2 - 60 ... including ENTERTAINMENT Our Pre-Christmas Party Menu is now available for your Works Christmas Meal, Buffet, Karaoke or Skittles in the Sweetman Hall.

Smaller groups of family and friends in the Restaurant.

Christmas Menu 2012 Homemade Vegetable Soup • Chicken Liver & Brandy Pate ********

*Wadman’s double cream is unpasteurised.

Fresh Local Roast Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing, Sausage & Bacon Roll Roast Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables

To finish a freshly brewed coffee or tea served with a mint chocolate.

Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce • Ice Cream • Coffee & Mints

TWO COURSES £17.95 • THREE COURSES £21.95

********

              

********

£10.95

Open 7 Days a Week • Bed & Breakfast Available bookings essential

Vegetarian Options and Alternative Christmas Menu available on request

BOOK NOW FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER

 AVAILABLE 1st – 23rd DECEMBER INCLUSIVE 

THE VISITOR October 2012 29

Corton Denham CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU 2 Course £19.95 / 3 Course £24.95

Christmastime The Visitor Guide ... at the

COPPLERIDGE INN MOTCOMBE nr. SHAFTESBURY SP7 9HW Tel: 01747 851980

Christmas Party Menu from £14.25 2 Courses & Coffee Private Rooms for 8 − 80 J Christmas Day Luncheon £60 J Special Accommodation Rates • Huge Car Park For full details & bookings please call or visit our website

www.coppleridge.com

30 THE VISITOR October 2012

STARTERS Cream of Roasted Plum Tomato & Basil Soup, Garlic Croutons, Chive Crème Fraiche, Granary Bread & Butter Gilcombe Farm Pork & Somerset Cider Rillette, Pear Chutney, Toasted Walnut Bread Tor Goats Cheese, Red Onion & Pinenut Tartlet, Black Olive Tapenade, Wild Roquette The Queens Arms Atlantic Prawn Cocktail, Spicy Marie Rose, Granary Bread & Butter MAIN COURSE Citrus Roasted Breast of Gilcombe Farm Turkey with All The Traditional Accompaniments Char-Seared Gilcombe Farm Rump Steak, Flat Mushroom, Vine Tomatoes, Hand Cut Chips Tea, Rosemary & Hickory Smoked Fillet of Salmon, Saffron & Leek Risotto, Red Pepper Coulis Wild Mushroom, Conit Fennel, Fresh Basil and Parmesan Gnocchi, Crispy Beetroot PUDDING Traditional Christmas Plum Pudding, Cornish Clotted Cream, Brandy Toffee Sauce Iced Passion Fruit Parfait, Poached Apricots, Pistachio Biscotti White Chocolate, Orange & Hazelnut Cheese Cake, Dark Chocolate Sauce A Selection of The Finest Local Cheeses, Biscuits, Chutney, Celery & Apple

Tel: 01963 220317 • www.thequeensarms.com Email: relax@thequeensarms.com The Queens Arms, Corton Denham, Sherborne, DT9 4LR

~ The ~

Manor House Inn Ditcheat

Nr. Shepton Mallet BA4 6RB • Tel: 01749 860276

The Visitor Guide to your local ...

 Christmas 2012  TO START Home-made Soup of the day with Crusty Bread (v) Duck Liver & Orange Pate served with Spiced Homemade Chutney & Toast Warm Crab & Spring Onion Fishcake with Dressed Citrus Leaves Warm Goats Cheese & Red Onion Marmalade Filo Tart with Balsamic dressing (v) Warm Pigeon & Crispy Pancetta Salad with Port dressing (£1.00 supplement) TO FOLLOW Roast Somerset Turkey with Chestnut & Sage Stuffing, Sausages wrapped in Bacon, Roast Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables Venison, Rabbit & Pigeon Pie with Short-crust Pastry Aubergine Lasagne with a rich Provencal filling & light Parmesan Sauce (v) Hand-cut Sirloin Steak with Mushrooms, Bacon & Red Wine Sauce (£1.50 supplement) Oven Baked Salmon Fillet on a bed of Pea Risotto with Scallop, King Prawns & Vermouth Fish Velouté Pan-fried Pheasant with crushed Rosemary Potatoes, Leeks & Stilton and Port Cream Sauce (£1.50 supplement) PUDDINGS Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Custard Warm Pears Poached in Mulled Wine with Autumn Berries & Stem Ginger Ice Cream Home-made Chocolate Truffle Cake with Crème Fraîche Warm Blackberry & Apple Crumble with Custard Manor Cheese Board with Home-made Chutney, Grapes & Celery (£1.50 supplement) 2 Courses £14.75 or 3 Courses £18.95 per person Coffee & Mince Pies £2.50 per person For parties of 10 more we do ask for a £5 deposit per person and pre-orders to be with us at least 2 weeks prior to the booking

NEW YEAR’S EVE MENU AVAILABLE

BURGER WEEK

24th – 28th October At least 10 varieties of Homemade Burgers including Vegetarian available

Traditional SUNDAY LUNCHES 12noon – 5pm ... from £9.25

Monthly Changing Seasonal A LA CARTE MENU www.manorhouseinn.co.uk

The Halfway House Inn Country Lodge CHILTHORNE DOMER nr. YEOVIL Tel: 01935 840350 • Fax: 01935 849006 www.halfwayhotelyeovil.com

Delicious Sunday Carvery - £7.95 Beautiful Lakes & Garden Ideal Wedding Venue Christmas Party Menu 3 Course - £19.95  Why not stay over? In one of our 20 Ensuite Rooms  REAL ALES • FUNCTION ROOM • LAKE & GARDEN • Proprietor: Paul T. Rowsell FBII

Chris & Jill welcome you to the ...

ROYAL OAK

Over Stratton SOUTH PETHERTON A Charming Country Inn ... where dining out won’t break the bank

O

CHRISTMAS FAYRE

O

Sweet Potato & Red Pepper Soup finished with herb croutons Crispy Bacon and wild mushroom salad Duck Liver & Orange Pate served with Melba toast Deep Fried Brie & Cranberry Sauce served with water biscuits * * * * * * * * * Traditional Roast Turkey served with bacon, chipolata & stuffing Herb Crusted Roast Salmon finished with a tomato and sweet pepper sauce Venison, Juniper and Cranberry Casserole Roasted Winter Vegetable En Croute olive mash, mushroom gravy All served with seasonal vegetables & potatoes

* * * * * * * * * Christmas Pudding and brandy sauce Apple and Mincemeat Crumble served with custard Lime and Ginger Creme Brulee Mint Chocolate Cheesecake served with cream * * * * * * * * * 2 Courses £14.50 • 3 Courses £17.95 • Filter Coffee £1.60 Available Saturday 1st December – Saturday 22nd December

For enquiries please phone 01460 240906 THE VISITOR October 2012 31

Mark & Isabel welcome you to the ...

Crown & Victoria The Visitor Guide to your local ...

Farm Street TINTINHULL Nr. Yeovil BA22 8PZ O

CHRISTMAS DAY MENU 2012

O

This menu is only available to parties who have pre-booked and pre-ordered

£ 75 per person  £37.50 for children under 12 years old (Menu can be adapted for children)

An oasis of tranquility ...

The

ORANGERY BRASSERIE at Ash

House Hotel, Ash near Martock

Delicious food served in a relaxed atmosphere with stunning views over looking the gardens ...

Open Daily for Bar Lunches and A La Carte Dinners Lunch Main Courses start from £8.50

Sunday Lunches

Christmas Party Menu

now available - full details on our website PARTIES OF UP TO 56 CATERED FOR Bar Meals • A La Carte Restaurant Conferences • Weddings • Accommodation

For further details & bookings telephone - 01935 822036 or visit - theorangerybrasserie.co.uk

Grant & Deb welcome you to ...

S TAR TERS Butternut squash soup with wild mushrooms served with a crusty bread roll Pan fried scallops with caper raisin and olive vinaigrette Partridge, pigeon and ham hock terrine with toasted brioche and a pear and saffron chutney **************** Champagne Sorbet **************** MAINS Roast Somerset free range turkey with sage and onion stuffing, sausage wrapped in bacon, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables and turkey gravy Pan fried sea bass with lemon grass veloute, potato and celeriac gratin dauphinoise and seasonal vegetables Shallot tart tatin with roasted tomatoes and goat’s cheese, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables Venison Wellington with a rich venison jus, pomme puree and braised red cabbage and apple SW EETS Homemade Christmas pudding with dark rum sauce and brandy butter Vanilla pannacotta with pomegranate glaze White chocolate and kahlua souffle A selection of local cheeses with “Fudges of Stalbridge” biscuits and quince jelly

THE LION

at Pennard West Pennard nr. Glastonbury BA6 8NH a character inn P CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU P STARTERS Celeriac and Thyme Soup with crispy bacon lardoons, served with crusty bread Hot Smoked Salmon on sun blush tomato and herb linguine with garlic bread Half a Baked Potato stuffed with herby sausagemeat topped with melted cheese and cranberry and apple relish Leek and Caerphilly Crumble Tart served warm with salad leaves MAINS Traditional Roast Turkey with bacon wrapped sausages and sausage meat and herb stuffing Roast Loin of Pork with a dijon mustard crust and a rich cider gravy Breast of Lamb with an apricot stuffing and rosemary and redcurrant gravy Roast Cod Loin wrapped in pancetta on parsnip mash with a caper sauce Roasted Vegetable Risotto and Potato Cakes with a red pepper and tomato sauce All the above are served with roast potatoes and a selection of seasonal vegetables PUDDINGS Filo Wrapped Christmas Pudding with vanilla custard Lime and Ginger Cheesecake with vanilla ice cream Raspberry Crème Brûlée with cinnamon shortbread Chocolate Brownie with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream TWO COURSES £17.50  THREE COURSES £19.50 A non refundable deposit of £5 per person is required with booking

Delicious Sunday Carvery Quiz Night - First Monday of Each Month Live Jazz - Once a Month Skittle Alley - Available for Parties Accommodation

 01458 832941 32 THE VISITOR October 2012

**************** Tea / coffee and mince pie

O

CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU 2012

O

This menu is only available to parties who have pre-booked and pre-ordered

£ 21.95 per person for three courses £ 17.95 per person for two courses (strictly lunch times only) S TAR TERS Roasted butternut squash and rosemary soup with a crusty roll Ham hock terrine with beetroot & apple chutney and toasted sunflower bloomer Baked Camembert with oregano and caramelised onion foccacia MAINS Roast Somerset free range turkey with sage and onion stuffing, sausage wrapped in bacon, roast potatoes and fresh vegetables Salmon and cranberry fishcake with horseradish and dill sauce served with new potatoes and fresh vegetables Roasted pork belly with sage and apricot stuffing, caramalised shallot gravy, creamed potatoes and fresh vegetables Wild mushroom and spinach risotto laced with white wine and fresh herbs served with a green leaf salad SW EETS Homemade Christmas pudding with dark rum sauce and brandy butter Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream in a brandy snap basket Lime cheesecake with raspberry coulis Canapés of West Country cheeses with “Fudges of Stalbridge” biscuits (£ 2.50 surcharge)

Where possible our food is locally sourced and free range / organic.

It is freshly prepared and made here at The Crown & Victoria Inn. If you have any specific dietary needs please let us know.

AA Rosette Award For Culinary Excellence 2009 / 2010

REAL LOG FIRE • BEAUTIFUL GARDENS • REAL ALES AMPLE PARKING • ENSUITE ACCOMMODATION

Bookings Tel: 01935 823341 Fax: 01935 825786 • Email: info@thecrownandvictoria.co.uk www.thecrownandvictoria.co.uk

The best Christmas dining starts here!

THE QUEENS ARMS Wraxall, nr. Shepton Mallet

Christmas Party Menu

The Visitor Guide to your local ...

Available lunchtime and evenings

2 Course Lunch - £15.95 4 Course Dinner - £22 Any sized party catered for  Function Room - seats up to 80

Christmas Day Luncheon 7 Courses - £49.50

Early booking advised to avoid disappointment

Tel: 01749 860201 queensarmswraxall@hotmail.co.uk

The White

Lion Inn

Bar – Restaurant – Accommodation CHRISTMAS MENU 2012 Christmas Menu Running From 21st November to 24th December

STARTERS Spring Onion and Chive Fishcake with Hollandaise Sauce Mushroom and Fino Soup with Home Made Bread Garlic and Rosemary Pâté with Toast and Onion Marmalade Classic Prawn Cocktail

MAINS Turkey with all the Trimmings Beef Bourguignon with Roast Potatoes and Vegetables Mash Topped Smoked Fish and Leek Pie Spiced Five Bean Casserole

will appear in our NOVEMBER ISSUE Published: Thursday 25th October Deadline: Monday 15th October DECEMBER ISSUE Published: Thursday 22nd November Deadline: Monday 12th November

Crème Brulee

New Year Celebrations ...

Burns Night ...

CHRISTMAS / JANUARY ISSUE Published: Tuesday 18th December Deadline: Friday 7th December

Forest Fruit Posset with Buer Biscuit

To book your advert in The Visitor

2 Courses £ 15 • 3 Courses £19

Or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

SWEETS Christmas Pudding with Brandy Cream

Tel: 01963 351256

PreBookings only. Please contact us for further details

High Street, Bourton, Dorset, SP8 5AT Tel: 01747 840866 Email: relax@whitelionbourton.co.uk • www.whitelionbourton.co.uk THE VISITOR October 2012 33

Christmas at the ...

Walnut Tree Inn MERE “Good food - good wines - good times”

WHETHER it’s a get together with friends, a family occasion or a business party with your colleagues, we would love to look after you at The Walnut Tree this Christmas.

From two to ninety two people we can provide a festive feast in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that you’re sure to enjoy.

Festive Lighter Menu

Christmas Carvery Festive Feast

Available Monday - Friday Lunchtime from 12noon - 3pm and Monday & Tuesday Evening from 6pm

Served Wednesday - Sunday Evenings from 6pm

S TA RT E R S Chef’s Winter vegetable soup Pate with toast and festive chutney Breaded whitebait with tartare sauce Poached salmon and prawn cocktail MAIN COURSES Roast Turkey with all the trimmings.

Pork loin with cider apple and brandy sauce Braised beef in red wine and shallot sauce Herb crusted cod Vegetable Wellington D E S S E RT S Traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce Sticky toffee pudding with ice cream Bailey’s Irish cheesecake Profiteroles with warm chocolate and butterscotch sauces 2 courses, freshly ground coffee & mints £12 3 courses, freshly ground coffee & mints £15

S TA RT E R S Farmhouse pate with toasted baguette and festive chutney Chef’s Winter vegetable soup with warm bread Warm baked brie with port and cranberry jam Poached salmon, crab and prawn roulade Stilton and mushroom melt

MAIN COURSES

From the Christmas Carvery Slices of roasted turkey and glazed gammon, with festive accompaniments, and a host of freshly prepared seasonal vegetable and potato choices Roasted rump of Somerset lamb with a port and cranberry jus (£5 supp) Fillet of poached salmon with hollandaise sauce Fillet steak with choice of chef’s sauces, served with chips and roasted tomato. (£5 supp) Pork loin steak with a cider, apple and brandy sauce Mediterranean vegetable wellington

D E S S E RT S Profiteroles with a duo of warm chocolate and butterscotch sauces Traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce White chocolate, Malibu and coconut mousse Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce and ice cream Winter berry panna cotta Cheese and biscuits

2 courses, freshly ground coffee & mints £15 3 courses, freshly ground coffee & mints £19

Shaftesbury Road, MERE, Wiltshire BA12 6BH  01747 861220 www.walnut-tree-inn.co.uk 34 THE VISITOR October 2012

A firm favourite for great value family dining ...

The

Walnut Tree Inn MERE “Good food - good wines - good times” NESTLING on the outskirts of the beautiful town of Mere and under the same ownership since it opened its doors for the first time in 2006 The Walnut Tree remains a firm favourite for great value family dining in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Husband and wife team Mark and Samantha Cassidy have a simple ethos that has stood them in good stead with over 20 years experience in the catering industry.

“We like to think we do the simple things well” says Mark. “We cater for people who want good quality, traditional, well sourced and prepared food in comfortable surroundings at very reasonable prices. We have a marvellous team of enthusiastic and friendly staff who are proud of what they do, and love to see satisfied customers returning.”

With a menu packed full of traditional pub favourites, including beer battered fish and chips, fishcakes, homemade burgers, succulent steaks and curries you’ll also find the likes of roasted rump of Somerset lamb, herb crusted salmon and slow cooked pork belly with cider gravy and crackling on the special’s board. The Walnut is well known too for it’s gluten free offering with nearly all the main courses being available as gluten free if required. Vegetarians don’t miss out either as the kitchen has a regularly changing choice of delicious vege options on the blackboards. And if it’s the children who dictate where the family goes to eat then rest assured the children’s menu at The Walnut Tree has more than enough choice to cater for the most “discerning” young diner. The desserts are all homemade by Samantha and the team with the famous chocolate fudge cake alone selling over 100 portions a week!

The highlight of the culinary week at The Walnut has to be the Sunday Carvery which is well known throughout the three counties as one of the best around! With a choice of four slowly roasted meats from Andrew Barclay’s butchers at Wincanton and at least eight different potato and vegetable choices along with their giant homemade Yorkies, Sunday lunch really is a special treat that people keep coming back for week after week.

Booking is essential on Sunday lunchtime but fear not as they serve all day long until 9pm!

So next time you wonder where to visit for a spot of lunch, a well kept pint of ale or chilled glass of wine, a relaxing evening out, or one of the finest Sunday carveries you’re likely to encounter, you couldn’t do much better than a visit to The Walnut Tree in Mere.

AUTUMN SAVERS £5 OFF 2 Main Courses or Specials with this voucher Monday - Saturday * Offer ends Friday 30th November

SUNDAY CARVERY OFFER 4 for the price of 3 after 6pm on Sundays with this voucher (booking advised) * Offer ends Friday 30th November

Pizza & Grill Special A Large Glass of Wine or a Pint with every Handmade Pizza or Steak on the Thursday Night Pizza & Grill Menu with this voucher (booking advised) * Offer ends Friday 30th November

* Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers.

Shaftesbury Road, MERE, Wiltshire BA12 6BH  01747 861220 www.walnut-tree-inn.co.uk THE VISITOR October 2012 35

Wine & Dine 3. Add the garlic, smoked paprika and Fenland celery and fry for a further minute before pouring in the stock.

4. Finally add the drained beans and bay leaves. Bring up to the boil and simmer steadily until the beans are soft and tender.

This could take anything between an hour and an hour and a half depending on the dryness and age of the beans. Keep an eye on it and add a little cold water if it looks a bit dry at any stage.

5. When the beans are cooked, stir through the flat leaf parsley and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve in deep bowls scattered with a few celery leaves.

Shallot, Sausage and Borlotti Bean Soup Paul King, Brett Sutton and Nicky King of The Eastbury in Sherborne, winners of the ‘Best Restaurant in Dorset’ award at this year’s Taste of Dorset Awards.

The Eastbury - Best Restaurant in Dorset

The Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne, has been awarded the accolade of Best Restaurant in Dorset at this year’s Taste of Dorset Awards. The Eastbury beat off stiff competition from finalists, The Dining Room in Weymouth, La Fosse in Cranborne and The Walnut Grove in Dorchester to win.

Nicky King, owner of The Eastbury comments: ‘This award was judged firstly on our food of course and in particular on local provenance which is central to our whole ethos. Over the last few years we have worked incredibly hard as a team to build a reputation for a great food experience and it is wonderful to have this recognised by The Taste of Dorset Awards. The knowledge and skill of our team has been under the judges’ scrutiny so

winning this award really is something special for everyone at the restaurant.

‘Our head chef, Brett Sutton and the restaurant team have spent years building up relationships with suppliers and producers in Dorset and plenty of time out in the hedgerows and woods foraging for superb ingredients, but it doesn’t stop there. Brett takes his young chefs out to visit our producers like Mike Appleby from Honeycombe shoot, where we source our game, to learn all about incredible Dorset produce first-hand. It was this type of intimate knowledge, coupled with fantastic Dorset food that set us apart as the best restaurant in Dorset.’

Carnivals & Hallowe’en

NO SOONER have the schools gone back after the long summer holidays we find ourselves

Farm Shops Bower Hinton Farm Shop - Martock Open Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 6.00pm

FARM SHOP OPEN DAY

10am - 2pm, Saturday 6th October

Join us for tastings of: JJ’s Cakes - Lyme Bay Wines - Local Cheeses COFFEE Goose & Pork Sausages - Cider & Apple Juice - Yeovil Ales GOOD VALUE HOME GROWN PRODUCE including ...

SHOP Sacks of Potatoes, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Broccoli OPEN

Home Grown Strawberries (until end of October) Just off the B3165 at the top of Bower Hinton

Tel: 01935 827743

36 THE VISITOR October 2012

Pumpkins

Z

preparing for the autumn half term break, the round of carnivals and every child’s favourite Hallowe’en.

Cold dark nights call for the return of comfort food, so if you’re planning on watching the October carnivals here are a couple of recipes that are perfect for when you get home.

Winter Stew of Fenland Celery, Chorizo & Cannellini Beans Serves 4-6 Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 6 shallots, sliced 250g chorizo, cut into 2cm slices 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tsp smoked paprika  head Fenland celery, each stalk cut into 3 pieces, plus a few leaves for garnish 1.5 litres chicken or vegetable stock 500g dried cannellini beans, soaked overnight in cold water 2 bay leaves Salt & freshly ground black pepper Small bunch flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped Method 1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and sweat the shallots until soft and translucent but not coloured at all.

2. Add the chorizo, turn up the heat a little and continue frying until the chorizo and shallots are lightly caramelized.

Serves 4-6 Ingredients 12 shallots, peeled and left whole 8 sausages 2 cloves of garlic, cut into slivers 2 tbsp olive oil 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced 400g borlotti beans, drained 400g can of tomatoes 150g shredded Savoy cabbage 1 tbsp chopped parsley 500 ml chicken stock 100ml red wine Black pepper and sea salt Bay leaf Method 1. Heat the olive oil in a heavy based sauté pan or saucepan and add the shallots and sausages and sauté for 4-5 minutes, browning them all over.

2. Add the carrots and sauté for a further 3 minutes, not colouring them too much. Add the garlic and cook for a further 30 seconds, then add the tomatoes, beans, half the wine, stock, bay leaf, season well with sea salt and black pepper.

3. Bring to the boil and simmer for a further 15 minutes on a low heat. If the soup becomes too thick, add a little more stock, then add the finely shredded cabbage, parsley and the rest of the red wine.

4. Mix well and cook for a further 5 minutes, until the cabbage is just cooked.

5. Slice the sausages into three, place in a bowl, and pour over all the bean soup.

6. Season to taste. Serve with crusty bread and chopped parsley.

The

Pub Pages

BEER & SKITTLES P. A. BAXTER

I AM SURE it has not gone unnoticed by both my readers that the ‘binge drinking’ topic seems to have been dropped from the news of late. Who are these people that ‘binge drink’ anyway?

In my humble opinion it is not the type of people that drink the wonderful products from casks, but more likely those that tend to fall for fashion-drinks (heavily advertised no doubt) and chemical cocktails such as that which is a pale imitation of foreign beer and called ‘Lager’.

The word ‘lager’ means ‘store’ or

‘storage’ so when you head for your local pub and ask for the stuff, what is it you get? Well of course the ad-men were in front about 50 years ago when this imitation of continental ‘lager beer’ was introduced into the country, and the prediction was that it would all-but wipe out other styles by the 80’s. Well they had to think again, as we saw the rise of CAMRA, and the proliferation of micro-breweries until now we have more than 1000 small brewers in the country – the most for over 70 years.

Quite a paradox when one considers we are still witnessing the closure of around 12 pubs a week. The internet carries great detail about lager beer and how it was discovered and developed, (and ruined in this country) so please do take a look. There are, fortunately, small breweries that produce ‘real’ lager in this country, and I’m sure after seeking out and testing some of these you will realize that what we are served in so many pubs is grossly inferior. I know that some supermarkets do occasionally have real (bottled) lager on sale, although apart from some festivals where one can get it straight from the cask it is a bit of a rarity – unless you know different of course. Speaking of

Lee and Louise welcome you to the ...

BAKERS ARMS FREEHOUSE

North Street, MARTOCK, TA12 6ER

SUNDAY LUNCH

festivals the Octoberfest is looming in Weymouth again, always a big event and (again) held at the Ocean Room on the 12th and 13th October and tickets are going fast – check out the Dorset CAMRA web-site. As always many small local brewers will be featuring their products there, and Paul Smith from the ‘Small Paul’ brewery in Gillingham will be hoping to take top honours for another year, and is producing an as yet un-named barley wine for the occasion. Good luck to you Paul, we hope you hold up the reputation of the area, although you will be up against at least 70 other beers!

So will there be binge-drinkers and a lot of aggro there? Unlikely,

and we certainly have never seen any trouble at any festival that we have attended, despite the vast quantities of ale consumed.

Those of us who know good ales often seem to like steam engines as well, although I have no explanation of why this should be. The railway press recently ran an extensive article about this fact, and reported on many of the festivals that take place on or around steam railways.

Indeed, a very large one in Somerset is held on Minehead station on the West Somerset Railway, and as far as I know there has never been any bother of any description.

Going back to the subject of small breweries, CAMRA report

at Thornford • 01935 872294 Warm Welcome - Award Winning Ales - Restaurant Homecooked Food - Sunday Roasts only £6.95 SATURDAY 6th October: LIVE MUSIC 9pm acoustic duo playing all your favourite rock / pop SATURDAY 13th October: MEXICAN NIGHT £20 for 3 courses ... book now SATURDAY 27th October: CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT 9pm

Christmas Menu now available see website, email or phone for details info@thelimetreethornford.co.uk

The

Wyndham Arms

KINGSBURY EPISCOPI nr. MARTOCK SOMERSET TA12 6AT

Open all day - every day NG KI ED O BO VIS AD Slow Roasted Pork, Roast Potatoes, Honey Roast Parsnips, Pigs in Blankets, Stuffing, Apple Sauce and Veg of the day. £6.75 Roast Beef, Roast Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Honey Roast Parsnips, Horseradish Sauce and Veg of the day. £6.75 Nut Roast, Roast Potatoes, Honey Roast Parsnips, Apple Sauce, Stuffing and Veg of the day. £6.75 Roast Chicken, Roast Potatoes, Honey Roast Parsnips, Stuffing and Veg of the day. £6.75

Open All Day – Bar Meals & Light Bites

LIVE MUSIC Saturday 29th September – ‘Ross Kirk’ Saturday 13th October – ‘Storm’ Saturday 20th October – ‘The Stand Alone Empire’ Saturday 27th October – ‘The Krays’ Open Mic’ Night – Alternate Wednesdays

BOOKINGS now taken for CHRISTMAS PARTIES in our FUNCTION ROOM

 01935 823346 • www.bakersarmsmartock.co.uk  OUTSIDE BARS CATERED FOR 

Delicious homecooked food served every lunchtime and evening  Choice of Sunday Roasts 

LIVE MUSIC Saturday 29 th September - Dave Curtis Starts at 9pm

O CHRISTMAS MENUS O Lunchtime Christmas Menu 2012 2 Course - £10.95 J 3 Course - £13.95 Dinner Christmas Menu 2012 2 Course - £15.95 J 3 Course - £18.95 inclusive of Coffee & Mince Pies

CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE 2013

Tel: 01935 823239 Please visit us on our website: www.wyndhamarms.com to see full menu details THE VISITOR October 2012 37

THE HUNTER'S LODGE INN Leigh Common, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 8LD Tel: 01747 840439 • www.hunterslodgeinn.com

GOOD FOOD ... GOOD VALUE DELICIOUS BREAKFASTS now served 7.30am – 11am

Full English Cereal Yoghurt Toast Tea & Coffee Juice

all only £6.95

KIDS EAT FREE Monday to Friday 3pm – 7pm 1 kids meal with the purchase of 1 main course

TUESDAY CARVERY 12noon – 2pm

BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE on standard and senior citizens

FREE PLAYGROUND open to all

2 Courses £16.95 • 3 Courses £19.95 WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP

ROAST BEEF OR TURKEY

Homemade soup and warm crusty bread

Served with cranberry stuffing, pigs in blankets and home-made Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables

MOZZARELLA CHEESE STICKS Soft mozzarella in crispy batter and port & cranberrry dip

TEMPURA KING PRAWNS Crispy battered tempura king prawns served with a side of tartar sauce

CHORIZO SAUSAGE POT Chorizo sausage, bacon, mushrooms and onion in a tomato sauce topped with cheese and garlic bread

CHICKEN & STILTON SALAD Topped mixed leaf salad, red onion and cherry tomatoes

3 Course Meal & Glass of Bubbly at Midnight - £45 Come and enjoy a relaxing evening with good company at The Hunters Lodge Inn “Includes unlimited wine and free-flow soft drinks until midnight”

38 THE VISITOR October 2012

HONEY ROAST HAM Our own recipe honey & mustard ham served with a port & cranberry sauce, roast potatoes and vegetables

OVEN BAKED SALMON FILLET Served in a parsley & lemon butter with roast potatoes and vegetables

HUNTERS CHICKEN NEW YORKER

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS PUDDING And brandy sauce

NEW YORK STYLE BAKED CHEESECAKE Finished with a mulled wine and mixed berries compote

CHRISTMAS AFTER EIGHT MINT SUNDAE Layers of vanilla ice-cream, After Eight Mints and chocolate sauce, topped with whipped cream and wafers

Cajun seasoned chicken breast topped with bacon, BBQ sauce and grilled cheese served with home-made coleslaw and chips

WARM TOFFEE WAFFLE

MUSHROOM ALFREDO BAKE

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE TORTE

Mushrooms and penne pasta in a creamy cheese sauce topped with Cheddar, ovenbaked and served with salad & garlic ciabbatta PRE-ORDER FROM OUR DRINKS PACKAGES  2 Bottles of Premium Wine for £22   Bucket of Bottles - 6 bottles for £15  Budweiser, Smirnoff Ice, WKD Blue  4 Pint Pitcher of Carlsberg £11 

A warm butter waffle topped with vanilla ice-cream, toffee sauce and chocolate pieces A deathly layered chocolate dessert served with clotted cream Followed by Coffee and After Eight Mints

SENIOR CITIZEN PRICE Same Menu 12 – 6 Monday – Saturday 2 Course £11.95 • 3 Course £13.95

The

Pub Pages

that a staggering 158 new brewers started last year, which means there is one brewery for every 50 pubs and twice as many as there were ten years ago. Not only that, but many are investing and expanding, and as Good Beer Guide Editor Roger Protz says ‘A double dip recession has done nothing to halt the incredible surge in the number of brewers coming on stream, making the small brewing sector surely one of the most remarkable UK industry success stories of the last decade.

In fact, the boom in new breweries has, in many cases, made the term 'micro' obsolete, with some small brewers having become remarkably large, installing new equipment or doubling production to keep up with demand’.

There is therefore absolutely no excuse for anyone not to try real ale; there will be plenty out there for you to sample and enjoy!

I’m pleased to see my old mate Pete Lambden in the ‘GBG’ yet again and very deservedly so. As I’m sure you know, Pete runs the uniquely named ‘Quicksilver Mail’ and indeed is the only entry for pubs in Yeovil. He’s also a regular advertiser in this very magazine. There are a number of local pubs that have made it into the guide for 2013, (the 40th edition by the way) and as my GBG has only just arrived, there is still a lot of reading to be done.

With the festive season looming it is an ideal gift for the favourite

person in your life. CAMRA claim there are over 1000 new pubs in the guide this year and our congratulations to them, although it has to be said there are bound to be some that have slipped through the net, some of which should be in, quite possibly some which shouldn’t … however, CAMRA deal with this by regular updates in their official monthly organ What’s Brewing with those that are deleted through closure or poor beer quality. Yes, even if you are ‘in’ it still means you are regularly checked by CAMRA members. Be warned, you can’t let standards slip! The GBG is not only about beer and where to find it – the breweries and their locations are listed, as well as festivals, how beer is brewed and how standards are maintained.

A staggering 21 small brewers now exist in Somerset – they are listed in the GBG, with a further 15 in Dorset and as The Visitor just makes it into Wiltshire, I must mention that they have 13.

The Good Beer Guide is thus essential to obtain!

There are mentions of pub

games in the individual pub descriptions. Skittles features quite heavily in this area, understandably, whereas in Oxfordshire it is ‘Aunt Sally’ that appears regularly, and in Kent we see just how many places there are that play ‘Bat and Trap’ – my favourite outdoor pub game.

I do find it rather strange, incomprehensible even, why CAMRA seem to have a marked reluctance to make a bigger deal of pubs where games are played.

We had a very pleasant carvery

Sunday roast at the Lamb and Lark at Limington recently and on chatting to owners Russell and Diane found that they are quite happy the way business has been despite the economic down-turn.

Russell is proud that he has skittles teams most week-day nights, every week. He is right to be proud – it’s called ‘We must be doing something right’ and it doesn’t take a mathematician to see just how many people are coming through the doors of a pub they would probably not visit WEEKLY MEAT DRAW

Welcome to the NEW LOOK ...

The Millers Inn

Silver Street, WINCANTON • 01963 32882 Open All Day Every Day! Pints from just £2

Saturday Morning Breakfast 9am ‘til 12noon ... FULL ENGLISH only £4.95 including Tea / Coffee  Saturday 29th September: PIRATES & WENCHES Fancy Dress ... with AJ’s Disco  Saturday 13th October: JOHN RAYMOND

Sunday Roast

12noon – 2pm

 Saturday 20th October: ROSS KIRK (Guitarist)  Saturday 27th October: HALLOWEEN DISCO ... with AJ’s Disco SUNDAY ROASTS • REAL ALES • JUKE BOX • POOL TABLE • LARGE CAR PARK

Adrian & Kate welcome you to the ...

Tuesday: STEAK NIGHT

Natterjack Inn

TWO 8oz Steaks and TWO Glasses of Wine – £22.50

Traditional Sunday Roast + Full Menu Extensive Menu • Daily Specials

F R E E H O U S E

Christmas Menu, Christmas Day Menu and New Year’s Eve Menu now available ...

SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS Excellent Accommodation 7 Ensuite Letting Rooms Disabled Access – Viewings Welcome Always a good selection of WELL KEPT REAL ALES  Guest Ale – St. Austell’s Tribute 

EVERCREECH JUNCTION

On the A371 between Castle Cary and Shepton Mallet

follow us on facebook

Tel 01749 860253 or Fax 01749 860757 or visit www.natterjackinn.com

Under New Management ...

The Catash Inn

D AY OPEN ALL ND YA SATURDA SUNDAY

The

for full event & menu details

Lord Nelson

Rectory Lane Norton Sub Hamdon

North Cadbury • Tel: 01963 441531

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

Good Food served lunchtime & evening (closed Mondays) Sunday Roasts £8.95 Families welcome  Kids Eat for £1 ... with every adult meal Saturday 29 th Sept: Karaoke Wednesday 3 rd Oct: Thai Night (first Wednesday of every month) Saturday 27 th Oct: Halloween Party with LIVE MUSIC

GOOD FOOD - GOOD BEER - GREAT ATMOSPHERE

Restaurant / Function Room Available  Christmas Bookings Now Being Taken  SKITTLES  POOL  BED & BREAKFAST

Friday 28 th September - ‘Elvis’ Tribute

Barry Paul

Saturday 6 October - Louis Hawkin th

Sunday 7 th October - Quiz Night

... set by Becky & Sue

 Christmas Menus Now Available  Monday to Friday ... TWO COURSE LUNCH £8 Tuesday & Wednesday ... TWO STEAKS & BOTTLE of WINE £25 COURTYARD  BEER GARDEN AT REAR AMPLE PARKING OPEN ALL DAY FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Tel: 01935 881473 www.thelordnelson.biz

THE VISITOR October 2012 39

They Say That experts are predicting a colourful Sherborne Castle this autumn.

That Frank White of Wincanton may be having an extension for his trophies.

That Gillingham’s Lindsay Bowers finds ‘Penzance’ very relaxing.

That Bob Amber of Marnhull thinks petrol is more economical than diesel ... until you breakdown.

That Chris and Mavis of Acorn Music in Yeovil have recently made their screen debut.

That Mark Schatomski of Wincanton got the point of his scissors.

That Mr. P. A. Baxter of Bradford Abbas has been ‘instrumental’ in the production of this month’s cover.

That when paying parking fines according to one ‘Mad’ Yeovil resident, you need to fold the cheque into a point for ease.

That the animals of the Chiselborough Avalon Animal Sanctuary are now back in situ, after their recent health and safety holiday.

That after several reports of a geyser in North Cadbury eventually a geezer came out to fix it.

That it sounds like Mavis Slater of Acorn Music Yeovil is now officially a museum attraction.

That Steve Irish of Castle Cary was delighted when his wife picked him up from work ‘topless’ for the first time.

That entries to this column are always welcome by letter, email, fax or telephone, but anonymous entries will not be published.

Pete Lambden & Staff welcome you to .....

168 Hendford Hill YEOVIL “Babs and Clean Willie were in love they said So in love the preacher's face turned red Soon everybody knew the thing was dead He shouts, she bites, they wrangle through the night” FIRST PERSON to name the above song will get a free drink. Last month no one knew it was ‘Walkin’ the Dinosaur’ by Was Not Was. Hello to everyone out there in Visitorland. This month we start with some sad news about one of the girls who used to work for us here at The Quicksilver. Lorri Dann was a bubbly, friendly, fun girl who seemed to call everyone “Sweetie”. Sadly last month she succumbed to a cruel and relentless disease that even Lorri’s brave efforts could not defeat.

Lorri was 48 and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Last month The RSPCA held a fund raiser here and raised over £1800.

Well done to Marie and all the gang who worked so hard to raise funds for the fantastic work that they do.

Tracy Whatley celebrated her 50th in style here at the top of the hill: loads of friends, some great music, and some nosh made for an excellent party. Congratulations Trace ... and all the best from all of us here at The Quick’.

Congratulations are in order to for Aimee Rose who managed to bring a beautiful baby girl into this world.

Aiyla Rae Rose was born on the 27th of August, weighing in at 7lbs 4oz. Well done Aimee!

Next month we have Barry Paull as ELVIS on the 5th, money going to The Hospice. On the 12th we have The Dub Liberators live in the bar and on the 13th we have Marc O’Reilly performing his songs for us.

John Ramon will be in the bar on the 19th, and Marc Venus will be here on the last Friday of the month.

The Christmas Menus are now ready so if you fancy a bit of a do this year come and book up now.

And finally Pete Mitchell has shown that he is not just a pretty face and is branching out into the horticultural world. By collecting waste products / food stuffs and blending them with different liquids and Wyld Wood he has come up with what he thinks is a sure fire winner in the fertilizer department.

The first recipients being his wife’s prized begonias, and apparently they have never looked or smelt so nice.

Good work Pete - keep it up.  TOOT TOOT!!!

40 THE VISITOR October 2012

The

Pub Pages

if it was not for skittles. Do they all spend a fortune? No, of course not, but they do spend and people will attract people, entering a near-empty pub is not something that will make for a good atmosphere. The roast was lovely by the way, excellent quality and good value, and also there was no ghastly piped music blaring out. (Not too keen on the small telly in the window though …)

We have discussed the various merits of skittles and ten-pin bowling over the years in this

column, and I was somewhat surprised to hear that ten-pin was being considered as an Olympic sport (or perhaps it was just a malicious rumour?)

Recently, whilst watching a program about cycling, they were discussing Bicycle Polo, which is not classed as a sport as it needs over 1000 people to play before it becomes so. Does that mean skittles is definitely a ‘sport’ then?

Does it mean we are therefore ‘athletes’? Well, the jury is still out on that one ... I think they may be some time!

AROUND THE

H O U S E S IN GILLINGHAM ... live music is very popular at The Phoenix ... don’t forget to cut out the money saving vouchers for The Walnut Tree in Mere this month ... The Old Ship Hotel is sponsoring

Vinny helps Pete celebrate at The Quickie’ in Yeovil

The Rose & Crown

Bradford Abbas • Tel: 01935 474506 Tuesdays: STEAK NIGHT - 2 x 8oz rumps & bottle of wine £19.95 Thursdays: CURRY NIGHT - help yourself choice of 3 curries + drink £7.95 DAILY SPECIALS only £6.95 Saturday 6th October: ‘BEST KEPT SECRET’ Saturday 27th October: ‘REAL DEAL’ Halloween Celebrations and Fancy Dress

BOOKINGS

O PRE-CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU O 3 Course £18.95 • Children £9.45

 01935 424721

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCHEON (Adults Only) Menu on Request

B&B

The

Pub Pages

the local football team ... Rebecca Chambers and the Dave Walton Quartet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at The White Lion Inn Bourton ... kids will love the playground at The Hunters Lodge Leigh Common, along with the alpacas and pigmy goats ... The Wagtail is now open in Wincanton ... The Millers is looking very smart inside and out ... the ‘diet wreckers’ dessert list at The Bear Inn is sure to tempt ... and welcome to new hosts at The Old Inn, Holton.

Yomping on to Yarlington where bookings are already being taken for the New Year’s Eve celebrations which have a Rock ‘n’ Roll theme at The Stags Head ... children eat for £1 at The Catash Inn, North Cadbury where regular Thai Evenings are planned ... the window boxes are still looking colourful at The Horse Pond Inn, Castle Cary ...follow happenings at The Natterjack Inn Evercreech Junction on twitter ... there are at least ten varieties of homemade burgers available at the forthcoming Burger Event at The Manor, Ditcheat ... in Wraxall the function room can cater for eighty at The Queens Arms ... and a take-away menu is available from The Lion at Pennard, Mon - Sat 6 til 9pm.

Cycling on to Corton Denham where they are celebrating 50 years of James Bond at The Queens Arms later this month ...

Home-Made Food Served 7 Days a Week

according to the blackboard faggots are now served at Skippers in Sherborne where they are celebrating their first year of trading ... pianist Kate Williams will be at The Plume of Feathers on the 6th October ... at the Taste of Dorset awards ceremony The Eastbury Hotel was awarded ‘Best Restaurant in Dorset’ - congratulations ... there is live music at The Lime Tree in Thornford on the 6th October with Ryan Inglis and Friend ... and 5 Stars for Hygiene plus 100% and a Gold Star for their Cellar at The Rose & Crown, Bradford Abbas.

Moving on to Yeovil where tickets are now available for the popular Elvis Tribute at The Quicksilver Mail, all proceeds to St. Margaret’s Hospice ... planning a Christmas Party? then don’t forget the newly refurbished function room is available at The Castle, West Coker ... at The Lord Nelson in Norton Sub Hamdon they are getting rather refined, with a trip to a polo match! ... John Stairns, regular at The Muddled Man in West Chinnock, recently celebrated his 94th birthday - must be something in the beer ... enjoy a tasty lobster at Dinnington Docks, Dinnington, but it must be preordered ... homemade sloe gin at The Lord Poulett Arms Hinton St George ... and finally ... The Bakers Arms at Martock has now introduced delicious Sunday Roasts to their menu. Enjoy!

Real Ales - Garden Skittle Alley

Dinnington, Nr Hinton St. George Somerset Tel: 01460 52397 • Email mike.mills-roberts@live.co.uk Traditional Country Pub Serving Sensibly Priced Food & Drink Fresh Fish From Beer every Friday Delicious Fish & Chips and Gourmet Selection ...

Lobster available if pre-ordered Steak Night Wednesdays * 3 Meat Carvery every Sunday British Sausage Week Nov 5th to Nov 11th Come and see them being made Docks Transport Society - Vintage Cars and Motorcycles every 1st Wednesday 7.00pm You can be sure of good value and a great time when you visit Dinnington Docks

LOOKING GOOD Family Health with

Jenna Evans Superfoods – Part 24

THIS MONTH we’ll be taking a look at the health benefits of Flaxseeds, Macadamias and Peanuts.

Flaxseed – Also known as linseed (Linum usitatissimum) is native to the Mediterranean and has been used as a food source for thousands of years. These shiny seeds range in colour from a deep reddish brown through to golden yellow. Flaxseeds are most famous in nutritional circles for being a valuable plant source of omega 3 essential fatty acids (the same family of fats as fish oil).

These fats are vital components of cell membranes as well as being linked to lower rates of cancer and heart disease.

Flax also contains lignans, a p hytoestrogenic comp ound , meaning they compete with the body’s own oestrogen for binding with receptors in the body. This has made them useful for helping with symptoms of the menopause as well as showing their potential to prevent oestrogen dependant cancers.

Both brown and golden flaxseeds are considered to have the same nutritional standing – it’s how you use the seeds that’s most important. Ground seed is generally preferred (you can buy them whole and grind them yourself or purchase ready milled). This saves us a lot of effort on the chewing front as they need to be broken up well for the body to get the benefits.

Many people use a tablespoon or so sprinkled on their food each day. This way you could also benefit from the colon supportive effects of flax. The combination of fibre and soothing mucilage in the seeds makes them an excellent regulator and healer of the bowels. Linseed oil is also a popular supplement to provide Omega 3’s. Make sure you buy cold pressed, in an opaque container and keep refrigerated after opening. Flax is very susceptible to rancidity from heat and light. Do not put flaxseed on hot food!

Flax contains moderate amounts of oxalates and as such should be limited by those with a history of oxalate containing kidney stones.

Macadamia Nuts – A native of Australia, macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) have a distinctive buttery flavour. They are high in fat and low in protein compared with other nuts, however, they are a good source of magnesium, potassium, B vitamins, copper, iron and zinc.

Like many nuts and seeds, macadamias have been studied for their blood lipid and cholesterol lowering ability.

Macadamia oil makes a useful cosmetic and culinary oil. More stable than the ever popular olive oil – and rich in natural antioxidants such as vitamin E to boot.

Peanuts – Definitely more pea than nut, the peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is related to lentils and chickpeas. Thought to have originated in South America.

Peanut ‘butter’ was probably even popular at the time of the Incas but was brought to the fore once again when Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (of cornflakes fame) created his version as a high protein food for elderly clients unable to chew well.

Peanuts are about half fat and a q ua rt er ea ch p rot ein a nd carbohydrate. Rich in heart healthy monounsaturated fats as well as being a good source of B vitamins, vitamin E, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus.

Peanuts are primarily favoured for their ability to lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

They are also a useful high energy snack and contain other anti-oxidants such as resveratrol – the same antioxidant as found in red wine. I would like to point out here that plain peanuts or a wholesome no salt, no sugar peanut butter are a world away from the roasted and salted variety. No, that bar snack does not count as a superfood!

It is recommended that you source nuts and seeds from a reliable supplier (you’ll be hard pushed to beat sourcing from your local health food store, especially one who has in house packing facilities such as Ceres!) Nuts and seeds (especially peanuts) are prone to contamination, especially from fungi such as aspergillus which produces the poison aflatoxin – bird lovers will no THE VISITOR October 2012 41

LOOKING GOOD doubt be familiar with this as good quality commercial bird feeds are aflatoxin tested. When seasonally available, nuts in shells are often preferred. Leave them in their shells until you eat them. For unshelled nuts and seeds, keep them refrigerated and use within 6 months. A lot of nutritionists and raw food fans like to soak nuts and seeds overnight in water to start the sprouting process. This disables some of the enzyme inhibitors present, allowing for better nutrient absorption. Nuts

Established 1983

Élégance Beauty Therapy Clinic For a complete range of treatments ... * Facials * Waxing * * Bodywrap * Pedicures * * Manicures ... and more * A LADIES ONLY SALON

Sandie Barrett

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

are high in the amino acid arginine and low in lysine.

Arginine has some important health benefits but this high-tolow arginine-to-lysine ratio is not ideal for sufferers of cold sores/herpes infections. Arginine promotes this virus while lysine inhibits it. Nut allergy sufferers too should of course stay well clear of these foods.

Join me next month for more on supernuts.

Jenna Evans.

Never dramatically change your diet without the guidance of a health professional, especially if you have an existing health issue.

Ceres Natural Foods in Yeovil have a good selection of nuts and seeds and can help with any further queries you may have.

Elegance Beauty Therapy Clinic

Just because Autumn is on its way it doesn't mean you can let yourself go - remember all those parties aren't far off! Elegance Beauty Therapy Clinic can keep you looking radiant all through

the change of season.

After the typical British summer of rain, sun, wind and then more rain a Facial will help to brighten your complexion or repair any dehydration from a trip abroad in search of that elusive yellow light in the sky.

Starting at £30 it will cleanse, rehydrate and relax you.

Keeping up with Waxing is a good idea. It lasts longer during the cooler months and will give you much better results if you keep it up all year round. Half leg £14.

Although feet will be tucked away, you still need to look after them and a Pedicure for £25 includes a lovely foot massage.

Don't forget there are lots of other treatments available such as Eyebrow Shaping, Eyelash and Eyebrow Tinting, Electrolysis, Bodywrap and Spray Tanning that can help you get that 'New Look for Autumn'.

XX Salon - Castle Cary

Following on from the success of their walk in and wait salon, XX have launched a full colouring

... a new look for autumn! service and can also offer racoon hair extensions with new stylist Dawn Ginger, both by appointment & full consultation.

XX believe in quality at affordable prices, they have a set price list for all stylists with no hidden ‘extras’ with a cut and finish at £18 and colouring starting at £15.

XX only use Fudge hair products for colouring, styling and retail.

The range of products covers all your hairdressing needs and keeps to the XX policy of keeping everything simple but affordable for your hair.

Trick or Treat at Melbury Gallery

As British Summer time comes to a close and the Trick or Treater's are out in force, it’s treats all the way at Melbury Gallery This season’s colours are organic and rich, Purple and Terracotta, Peacock Green and Grey, Red and Lemon. At last the designers have realized that we need colours that fuel our love of the chilly season.

Clothes by ...

ECONOMICS XX can make great hair affordable.

With rising costs everywhere where can you get a cut and finish with experienced stylists for £18.00?

Only at XX.

      

Oska Sandwich Adini Sahara Masai Noa Noa Flax ...

Accessories, Jewellery, Cushions & Gifts

EXCLUSIVE XX open their colour bar.

Using the Fudge Headpaint colour range XX now offer a full colouring service. From full head colour, Tsection or foils to colour correction. Or if you are feeling daring why not try the vibrant and crazy colours in the Paintbox range?

... for something different

Half Moon Street, Sherborne  01935 814027 Tudor Arcade, Dorchester

 01305 265223

EVERYTHING HALF PRICE OR LESS

AUTUMN / WINTER WAREHOUSE SALE  Friday 5th October, 5pm – 8pm not  Saturday 6th October, 9am – 4pm Definitely issed  Sunday 7th October, 10am – 2pm t o be m

3 The Old Yarn Mills, Sherborne, DT9 3RQ • Tel: 01935 814027 42 THE VISITOR October 2012

LOOKING GOOD Permanent Make Up. Pamela qualified with Finishing Touches, West Sussex achieving a Diploma of Excellence after training with renowned educator Hazel Furlong.

The Perfect Touch Yeovil Ltd was created as a separate company to New Image even though it operates at the Yeovil clinic. Focusing now on semipermanent make up, Pamela can create the perfect eyebrows using simulated hair strokes and by mixing from over 30 mineral pigments she can colour match your hair and skin tone to give a 3d effect. Eyeliner and lip line / blush is available using the same technique to enhance and define. The colour will not wash

off but remains fresh for many months, even years. A refresh of pigment is recommended every 12 – 18 months.

Recommendations by word of mouth has been key to the success of The Perfect Touch, the appointment book has been very busy from the initial startup in April with happy clients spreading the word to friends and family – truly a testimonial to Pam’s skill.

What is semi-permanent make up? Natural colour mineral pigments are implanted into the very top layer of skin using a micro pigmentation tattoo technique. Eyebrows are one of the most popular treatments and Pam specialises

... a new look for autumn! in offering brows that look as natural as possible by simulating hair strokes. It is not painful as anaesthetic creams are used to numb the area.

Who benefits? This is the ideal treatment for anyone who regularly uses eyebrow pencils or who has little or no brows. A must for women who regularly apply eyeliner or have difficulty in applying eyeliner and essential for women who want the confidence that their lips will look more defined or who use lip liner. It can help to even up the shape of lips with subtle use of colour.

For more details please ring 01935 433147 New Image or click www.newimageyeovil.co.uk

Adini fashions - stylish and practical - new seasons ranges now in at Melbury Gallery, Sherborne and Dorchester.

This season Adini has an amazing collection, and so well received, that re-ordering has taken place already. Oska is as popular and sought after as ever. Colours are strong, the quality outstanding and the design to flatter.

Cream and Two Danes are two new treats for this season from Denmark. Cream is full of femininity, romantic and characterizes a bohemian free spirit. You can build your own personal style, layer or wear as individual pieces. Highly decorated, amazing attention to detail and at a price you’ll be surprised at. Two Danes has been manufacturing timeless designs in natural fabrics for over 25 years. As a company they are incredibly quality conscious and have made a dependable name for themselves as an ethical supplier of the highest quality wool, flax, silk and hemp, with exemplary handcrafting.

Melbury Gallery is proud to offer new brands that compliment the amazing selection they have from Sahara, Masai, Sandwich, Noa Noa, to name but a few.

The Perfect Touch

Pam Rastall, owner of prestigious beauty clinic New Image in Yeovil has expanded into a new area of beauty – Semi THE VISITOR October 2012 43

LOOKING GOOD

... a new look for autumn!

Autumn Fashion from Great Plains - local stockist Needful Things, Castle Cary.

John Lawrence in the newly opened ladies fashion department at Needful Things, Castle Cary - now offering an extended range of fashion.

Needful Things

Needful Things are heading into the Autumn with 3 distinct and scrumptious shops to tempt and delight you!

You can expect a show-stopping gifts and home accessories shop, an inspiring and eye-catching fabrics and interiors shop and for the first time at Needful Things ... an autumn clothing shop to keep

you warm, snug and fabulously stylish, all through those chilly months to come.

Thanks to their extra display space, John and Ally have bought in extra clothing from Great Plains, Pomodoro, Intown and Miss Baron, to add to their ever popular Jack Murphy, Lazy Jacks and Pachamama. This Autumn their range of separates

Autumn Collection now in ...

stylish easy to wear separates and dresses from ...  Great Plains

 Pomodoro  In Town ... and more!  Jewellery and Accessories

7 HIGH STREET, CASTLE CARY, BA7 7AN  01963 351352 www.needfulthings.uk.com 44 THE VISITOR October 2012

will mix and match beautifully in five main colour groups: Aqua & Biscuit; Burnt Orange & Brown; Red & Black/Stone; French Blue & Plum; Cream and Champagne. The newly refurbished store has better changing rooms and room to move, so do pop in to see this affordable and easily usable clothing range.

LOOKING GOOD is a regular feature in The Visitor

The must have for this season ‘Not Your Daughters Jeans’ flattering and slimming, the only jeans you will need! Available in black, denim and red from Shirley Allum Fashions of Shaftesbury.

LOOKING GOOD

YEOVIL HAVE YOU VISITED Yeovil re c e ntly? Y ou w i ll f i n d a diverse range of businesses in the town, on the outskirts and on the out-of-town trading estates catering for your every need. Here are just a few of them.

The Mad Hatter

Only the Best Ingredients: The new autumn collection by Joules is available now at Harts of Stur (as is the rather lovely KitchenAid mixer!) Call 01258 472420 for more details or pop into the shop and see for yourself.

Sydney Brock & Son

Sydney Brock & Son of Wincanton are now starting to clear all stock at greatly reduced prices. Marion and Terry Brock have a view to retire at the end of this year having run the family Shoe Shop for the past 30 years.

We are currently offering all our

ladies boots at half price - or less - and there is discount on most other stock throughout the shop.

Bargains not-to-be-missed include 30% off Mens Loake shoes; 30% off Mens Fitflop shoes; 30% off Ladies & Mens Hotter Shoes.

Many other ‘SALE’ shoes starting at £5.00.

With Halloween just around the corner a visit to the Mad Hatters House of Horrors is a must, if you are brave enough, dedicated showrooms to severed heads, ghosts, ghouls and things that go bump in the night!

Newly opened at the Mad Hatter is their party shop whatever your party theme from casino through to pirates they will have a ‘set’ to set the scene, plus costumes and accessories, balloons and bunting for every occasion.

They stock a wide range of fancy dress costumes, wigs and masks, plus make-up and of course, fireworks.

See their advertisement on the inside of the Front Cover.

The Bed Specialist

A good night’s sleep is priceless – so choosing the right bed is an important decision. At The Bed Specialist in Yeovil you can be sure of a quality bed at a sensible price.

A family-run business for over 45 years they stock only leading brands such as Myers, Gainsborough and Vi-spring.

Whether you are looking for a stylish sleigh bed, a drawer divan or perhaps bunk beds for the kiddies, The Bed Specialist can help. They offer unbiased, friendly and helpful advice.

Delivery is free (40 mile radius), your new bed is assembled and your old bed disposed of – plus a price match promise. Mattresses can be purchased separately.

In addition to beds a range of chairs and sofa beds from Sherborne Upholstery are also available.

Find them at Huish opposite the Yeovil Mail Sorting Office – ample free parking outside the door. Visit their website for further details.

STOCK CLEARANCE SALE NOW ON Hotter  Tamaris  Fitflop  Hush Puppies ALL LADIES BOOTS HALF PRICE ... OR LESS!

Sydney Brock & Son 1 – 3 High Street WINCANTON Tel: 01963 32337

The Dress Circle Dress Agency

QUALITY FASHION ITEMS WANTED TO SELL ON A COMMISSION BASIS Wedding hats, wedding outfits, cruise wear and good quality casual wear and accessories, accepted every day ...

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

4 Brunel Shopping Centre Somerton TA11 7PY  01458 273485

GENTS & BOYS HAIRDRESSING ~ at ~

The Barber’s Shop WINCANTON Memorial Hall Mondays 1.00pm – 5.30pm Thursdays 9.00am – 5.30pm Saturdays 8.00am – 12noon MILBORNE PORT Town Hall Wednesdays 1.00pm – 6.00pm SPARKFORD Village Hall Fridays 12.45pm – 5.45pm Lance Wells & Mike Baker State Registered Or PHONE for a HOME VISIT 01935 814074 or ...

07767 027798 (mobile) THE VISITOR October 2012 45

YEOVIL independent traders South Street Body Repairs

South Street Body Repairs is the oldest independent body repair shop in Yeovil and has an excellent reputation for highquality repairs and fair business values.

It was founded by Dave Norris in 1993 and is now run by his wife and sons.

Conveniently situated in the centre of Yeovil they offer a friendly and helpful service. They carry out restorations, crash repair work using a Car O Liner JIG and paint work using a low bake oven. If you have an insurance claim Mary can help and you can choose where your car is repaired. All repairs are

carried out to a high standard by fully skilled staff. A courtesy car is available on request. Please call or visit for a free no obligation quote.

Wedding Dress Cleaning at Puffin Cleaners

As the wedding season draws to a close now is a good time to have your wedding dress cleaned.

Puffin Cleaners have 40 years experience in wedding dress cleaning and offer an excellent service for all dresses, using either wet or dry cleaning processes.

Once cleaned there are two ways to store the dress. The cheaper option is a breathable

gown cover. This repels moisture and dust and allows air to circulate around the garment.

The other, long-term option is a wedding box. The dress is folded in acid free paper and packed in the box for indefinite storage.

Puffins are happy to supply both.

P uf f ins a re o f f e ri ng f o r a limited period a 20% discount on all wedding dress cleaning. For the cost of cleaning and storage options please telephone Puffin Cleaners on 01935 421238.

A view from a previous learner at TABS training …

Having been unemployed for over a year it was recommended that I complete the ‘Employability and

Personal Development’ course, which would allow me to take an additional course in SAGE training. At first, I had the misconception that this course would be similar to other employability courses but I was soon proven wrong. This course covers many areas relating to employment in great depth that I found very helpful, interactive and engaging with group discussions, tasks and small quizzes.

The course tutors were friendly, professional and were always willing to help if there were any problems along the way, and offered to help with job related problems outside of the course,

OUT OF WORK? Gain FREE QUALIFICATIONS at TABS Training Maths, English, IT, Customer Services, Employability … then a CSCS Card, FLT Licence, Provisional Driving Licence Sage or Food Hygiene Certificate Call 01935 411744 for an Appointment TABS Training, Park House 45 The Park, Yeovil, BA20 1DF

Autumn Bridal Promotion

20% OFF

Hundreds of tiles to choose from at The Tile Market conveniently situated on the Lynx West Trading Estate, Yeovil, with free parking outside the door.

The Tile Market

Wedding Dress Cleaning Maximum discount, cannot to be used in conjunction with any other offer, or discount cards.

Direct sale only - not available through Agencies.

Ceramic Tile Specialists  Wall and Floor Tiles Unit 1 Brympton Way Lynx West Trading Estate

YEOVIL BA20 2HP

 Marble / Mosaic / Granite / Travertine Limestone / Slate  Full Range of Adhesives / Sealants and Tiling Accessories in stock  SHOWROOMS OVER TWO FLOORS 

Open Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm

Tel: 01935 426737

South Street Body Repairs Ltd. Family business established in 1993

“ Where the car comes first”    

17 / 18 Bond Street, Yeovil

Tel: 01935 421238 46 THE VISITOR October 2012

Crash Repairs MOT Welding Resprays Highly Skilled Repairs

   

Insurance Claims Restoration Projects Low Bake Oven Flatbed Recovery

62 South Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1QQ Telephone: 01935 411095 • Fax: 01935 473119 Email: mary@southstreetbodyrepairs.co.uk www.southstreetbodyrepairs.co.uk

YEOVIL independent traders such as looking through my CV. Overall, this course was a good experience that has helped me improve my CV, strengthen my employment skills and highlight areas that I can work on for my own personal development.

Thank you TABS Training!

A. Barns-Graham

Acorn Music

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

For musicians there is a range of guitars, ukuleles and recorders plus a wide selection of accessories including earphones, drum sticks, strings, straps, picks, leads, tuners, gig bags stands and music books.

If you have outgrown your own CD collection and are looking to make some space at home, Acorn Music purchase good quality CD collections and will arrange for collection.

For further information telephone 01935 425503.

competitors. Tory and his family commute year round by bicycle, thus giving the shop the knowledge of what it takes to maintain a commuter bike for the conditions the area presents.

Southwest Bicycle Works moved in to their new shop at The Old Twine Works on East Street in March and stock repair and upgrade parts and accessories.

They repair all bicycles from kids to high end racing, and restore pre-owned bicycles for resale which they call Re-Cyle Bikes.

The shop also offers a bicycle maintenance course and professional bespoke bike fitting.

Shop hours are Thursday and Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm all other days by appointment, which can often be made the same day.

A community bike ride will take place every Saturday starting at

8am and finishing by 10am. The road rides will start and end at Southwest Bicycle Works (The Old Twine Works, 42 East Street, West Coker, BA22 9BG). The rides will be on the country lanes around West Coker/Yeovil and be approximately 20 to 25miles long

and be at an easy to moderate pace. The rides are for beginning enthusiasts to experienced riders, everyone is welcome. For more information you can contact them at 01935 862906, 07535 066338 or visit their website www. southwestbicycleworks.co.uk A small selection from the exciting Real Effect fashion jewellery range at Ward & Sibley - the Jewellers of Yeovil.

Make a statement with

Southwest Bicycle Works

Southwest Bicycle Works in West Coker was started in the summer of 2011 when villagers started asking owner Tory Black to repair their bicycles. Having first started working in bicycle shops in 1985 he has brought the experience and knowledge gained from working in five bicycle shops to Southwest Bicycle Works. Tory also started racing road bicycles at the age of 12 and brings his racing experience as well as the experience of working on bicycles for other bicycle racers and TriAthletes, some of whom became national champions and Iron man

... new range of stunning silver jewellery

WARD & SIBLEY The Jewellers of Yeovil

PASSIONATE ABOUT BEAUTY

The Casket, 103 Middle Street, Yeovil Tel: 01935 474065 Car park at rear for customers while visiting the shop

ACORN MUSIC

YEOVIL’S INDEPENDENT MUSIC STORE Music Books - Audio Books on CD Guitar Strings - Picks - Straps Leads - Drumsticks Still stocking the Widest Range of CDs for miles around Classical - Jazz - Folk - Blues - Rock and lots more  Acorn Tokens make Ideal Gifts  CD and DVD Collections in good condition bought for CASH Collection Arranged Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/acornmusic

3 Glovers Walk, Yeovil

 01935 425503 THE VISITOR October 2012 47

YEOVIL ...

Slim Gym

Slim Gym personal training, owned by world Ladies Physique Champion Jane Carter, has

recently opened its new private personal training studio. The new training studio is fully equipped for all your personal training

Professional British & World Physique Champion

with

Call Email: info@slimgympt.co.uk www.slimgympersonaltraining.co.uk

A company built on an excellent reputation

Yeovil Auto Tuning • • • • • • •

Established 30 Years 1982 – 2012

Repairs and Servicing Specialists MOT Testing • Engine Tuning Brakes, Clutches, Gearboxes Competitive Rates Professional, Reliable, Friendly Service Specialising in VW T4 + T5 Vans Revo Engine Re-Mapping (VW & Audi Group)

Alexandra Road, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 426515 / 01935 411946

needs for one-to-one and small group training sessions.

It also comes complete with the latest in functional training technology, the ‘total gym’ bodyweight trainer. A compact all-in-one solution for a complete body workout. With over 100 different exercises it’s perfect for delivering a fantastic all over body workout for all age groups and fitness levels.

For more information or to book a free consultation visit www. slimgympersonaltraining.co.uk

Yeovil Auto Tuning

Colin Frost started Yeovil Auto Tuning with a partner over 27 years ago. Today it is a family run business with Colin, his wife Anita in reception and office, mechanic Jamie and apprentice Ross. This small friendly team offer general servicing, MOT’s and repairs, whilst specialising in VW T4 + T5 Vans. They are stockists of Winns specialist products. Colin is pleased to announce that Yeovil Auto Tuning offers Revo Engine ReMapping (VW & AUDI Group) which utilises the Revo Engine performance software to optimise engine performance.

For a professional service at competitive prices, visit Yeovil Auto Tuning.

Taylors Coaches

www.taylorscoachtravel.co.uk

01935 423177

Holidays Friday 30th – Monday 3rd December Bournemouth Turkey & Tinsel  £140  inclusive Festive Entertainment & Food Day Excursions included Tuesday 4th – Friday 7th December Thursford Christmas Spectacular  £300  Devere Group Hotel, Christmas Show Plus Daily Excursions

Saturday 17th – Cardiff Shopping A £12.95 • OAP £11.95 • C £8.95 Sunday 25th – Monthly Mystery Trip A £12.95 • OAP £11.95 • C £8.95

December

Saturday 1st – Bruges Xmas Markets A £41.50 • OAP £40.50 • C £40.50 Saturday 1st – Portsmouth Victorian Xmas Market entry included A £29.50 • OAP £28.50 • C £27.50 Friday 7th – Dunster by Candlelight Late Afternoon / Evening Excursion A £15.95 • OAP £14.95 • C £9.95 Saturday 8th – Clothes Show Live @ October NEC Birmingham inc. Catwalk Show Saturday 6th – Wye Valley & Forest of Dean A £39.95 • OAP £37.95 A £19.50 • OAP £18.50 • C £17.50 STUDENT £37.95 Saturday 13th – Castle Point Shopping Thursday 13th – Otter Nurseries & Centre, Boscombe Cricket St Thomas, Warner Leisure Hotel A £13.95 • OAP £12.95 • C £9.95 including 3 Course Dinner with Professional Pantomine & Sunday 28th – Monthly Mystery Trip Gift from Santa A £12.95 • OAP £11.95 • C £8.95 A £32.95 • OAP £30.95 November Sunday 16th – Christmas Mystery Trip A £12.95 • OAP £11.95 • C £8.95 Saturday 3rd – Exeter Shopping A £10.95 • OAP £9.95 • C £7.95      Sunday 11th – Trago Mills & Otter Nurseries Local pick-ups YEOVIL, MARTOCK, A £12.95 • OAP £11.95 • C £8.95 CREWKWERNE, CHARD

Call for information or to book

01935 423177

48 THE VISITOR October 2012

Taylors Coaches are a familiar sight on the roads of Somerset and beyond. Established in the 1960s, the company initially operated from Townsend Garage in Tintinhull - just off the A303, before later moving to new premises in Yeovil.

Over the years Taylors has been involved with many

different aspects within the public transport sector, such as: contract work, private hire, service provision, engineering and school transport, as well as operating its own excursion and holiday agency.

Since 2000 the company have returned to its core values and now concentrates on further development and improvement in its two main fields of activity: coach hire and school transport.

Taylors' mission statement is to maintain a quality service at affordable prices.

Martin & Co.

Martin & Co. is a recently opened specialist Letting and Property Management agency franchise, owned and managed by Emma Higgins, a recently retired Naval Officer. With the office based in

Princes Street, Yeovil, Martin & Co. offer their services across the whole of South Somerset and West Dorset, focussing on high levels of customer service with excellent communication involving their clients at every step of the process, whilst ensuring maximum rental income for Landlords and well-managed homes for Tenants providing the peace of mind for both which comes from working with friendly, professional and efficient property agents.

independent traders

ABC Wedding Dresses of South Western Terrace, Yeovil - who will be holding a Posh Frocks fashion show on Tuesday 23rd October at the Westland Leisure complex.

5 South Western Terrace, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1NB Tel: 01935 425331

WEDDING DRESSES

     

Sophisticated Evening Gowns Prom Dresses Bridesmaid Dresses Mother of The Bride Gowns Bridal Gowns & Accessories 2012 Ronald Joyce Collection

OPENING HOURS: Monday – Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm Wednesday 10.00am – 7.00pm Appointments Only

Kitchens & Updates

Kitchens & Updates is situated in Preston Road – just down from Asd a Sup ermarket. Run by Neville Yeo and wife Sam they offer a comprehensive range of kitchens to suit you.

Competitively priced, it is well worth getting a no obligation quotation. Neville has been in the industry for over 30 years and can offer expert advice on design and layout. Much of their business comes from referals.

They have a dedicated granite and quartz showroom and are local agents for Bosch appliances.

For those who just want a kitchen refurbishment they also offer a kitchen update service with a superb range of quality doors, handles etc.

John Hamblin Furniture Restorer

John Hamblin’s is a family run business situated on the Pen Mill Trading Estate in Yeovil for 28 years. Well known for his antique furniture restoration and repairs, John undertakes all types of repairs including insurance work on flood and removals damage.

Pricing is competitive and a collection and delivery service is available. Contract work is also undertaken. John also makes

bespoke furniture - ideal if you are looking to fill an awkward corner and can’t find what you are looking for in the shops.

John and his team also run Mark’s Models who specialize in all types of plastic and die cast models and accessories – with hundreds to choose from they are well worth a visit.

JOHN HAMBLIN Specialists in the repair and restoration of antique furniture We also offer the following services

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

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

john@jhamblin.fsnet.co.uk

 Recomendations - The vast majority of our customers  come from recommendation by happy customers

 Quality - All our kitchens are of the highest quality   Choice - We have over 400 Kitchens to choose from.  A dedicated Granite Room and Replacement door department.

 Value - All our Kitchens are competitively priced   Design - We design your kitchen the way you want it  based upon your individual requirements

 Installation - We have some of the finest Kitchen 

installers and associated trades to be found locally

 Experience - Together we have over 500 years  experience

 Showroom - You can visit our 2500 sq ft showroom 

on Preston Road Yeovil - FREE OFF ROAD PARKING OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK

 Honesty - Good old fashioned honest prices ... 

No ‘permanent sales’, ‘free fitting’ or other over-used sales gimmicks WHY NOT PUT US TO THE TEST?

01935 472100

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

Town Centre

Kitchens & Updates Zoe’s Hair

Mudford

ASDA

Town Centre Houndstone

Preston Road Ilchester

Retail Park

THE VISITOR October 2012 49

YEOVIL independent traders Ceres

This month there is an amazing offer at Ceres with up to 20% off their fruits, nuts and seeds. Here

UP TO

20% OFF

Ceres Own Label

FRUITS, NUTS AND SEEDS ... throughout October

Find our complete range in store or shop online with us at www.healthfoodsuk.com

9 – 11 Princes Street, Yeovil, BA20 1EN Tel: 01935 428791 www.ceresfoods.com

are some suggestions on how to make the most of these ‘super’ foods.

Snacktime – excellent additions to lunchboxes for children and adults alike. Sweeten your day with apricots and dates, or add a seed and nut mix to your lunch for brain boosting essential fats and minerals.

Get Sprouting – for a super nutrient boost think about investing in a sprouter (available from Ceres). Young sprouts are a living food replete with vitamins, minerals and all important enzymes.

Muesli – Why not make your

Soroptimist International Yeovil, Sherborne and Districts

Would YOU like to make a difference to the lives of women and girls worldwide?

Then please join us for a BUFFET SUPPER OPEN EVENING and find out more about how this local club for women helps to inspire and maximise the potential of women and girls, both locally and globally.

Where: The Manor Hotel, Hendford, Yeovil BA20 1TG When: Tuesday 23rd October 2012 Time: 7pm for 7.15pm introduction ... or just drop in between 7.30pm and 9pm

RSVP for catering purposes: Email siyeovil@hotmail.co.uk or call 07707 055806

Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Limited, Company Number 07058666

Women inspiring action, transforming lives

Quirky and Innovative

The Winking Frog

Cafe

JU OPE ST NED We only use organic and local produce

Homemade Cakes • Light Lunches • Organic Coffees

 TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE  Coombe Farm Dairy & Meat Produce on sale Yoghurts – Hams – Rare Breed Sausages – etc.

Photographic Gallery of Local Artists on display – run by and in aid of able 2 achieve WiFi available

17 Princes Street, Yeovil Tel: 01935 508151 50 THE VISITOR October 2012

own? Ceres have all the flaked grains, fruits, nuts and seeds you could possibly need for designing your own tasty breakfast.

The Winking Frog

The able2achieve Trust is a registered Charity and directly support people with a learning difficulty and associated disabilities to be more independent, specifically in work related enterprises; The establishment of a sandwich shop The Winking Frog on Princes St in Yeovil offers both training and supported employment opportunities for our learners, it is a safe but realistic environment for vulnerable adults to access real work.

The Winking Frog is open Monday to Saturday, all cakes and food are homemade from local produce; we retail organic and local SW produce from

Coombe Farm Direct. able2achieve enables both specialist day provision (Coombe Farm, Crewkerne, telephone: 01460 279520) and support individuals living in their community as a registered and approved provider across the County.

Soroptimist International Yeovil, Sherborne & Districts

Soroptimists are women from over 120 countries, committed to improving the lives of women and girls. They have members from Yeovil, Sherborne and many of the surrounding towns and villages and have served the local, national and international community for over 60 years.

‘Soroptimist’ simply translates as ‘Best for Women’.

They offer a warm welcome to any woman who would like to join them in giving women and girls

globally, the opportunity to maximise their potential.

Members enjoy social events and forge friendships through their active support in the community.

They currently support the following projects; Women’s Refuges and campaigning to end violence against women; Production of award winning bookmarks and posters to educate young people and so prevent future acts of domestic violence occurring; Lobbying for the end to human trafficking; Book Aid for schools in India; WaterAid; Young Carers and lobbying to maintain their services; Dorchester and Yeovil Hospitals; Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance; Links with local Girl Guides ... and much more!

Women inspiring action, transforming lives.

Crossroads Pet Supplies

A visit to Crossroads Pet Supplies is a must if you have a pet of any sort or if you like to feed the wild birds. Situated on the Causeway betwen Yeovil and Sherborne there is ample free parking right outside the door. The shop is filled from floor to ceiling with all leading makes of pet and animal feed, toys, beds, hutches etc.

Prices are competitive with discounts on bulk purchases.

Whether you are looking for worming tablets for the dog or a flea collar for the cat - do call in.

They have a good selection of bird feeders and food too!

very competitive prices. There are two floors with plenty of gift ideas, crystals, scented candles, incense, ornaments, clothing and more.

Retro gifts include lava lamps and ceramic camper vans. There is something for everyone. Why not call in and see for yourself, alternatively you can visit their website and buy on line.

Through the month of October there will be a range of discounted products and double loyalty points.

The Tool Shop & Vice Centre

It is five years since the Tool Shop &Vice Centre moved from opposite Wilkinson in Middle Street, Yeovil to larger premises.

Situated under the archway just past Fit & Furnish it is an Aladdins cave for the DIY-er and professional alike - everything from screws and hand tools through to compressors and generators.

There is a good range of electrical tools by leading makes such as Dewalt. Torches, garden shredders, mouse traps, reflective jackets, socket sets, ramps, whatever you are looking for you will find it at the Tool Shop & Vice Centre. Anything not in stock can be ordered. Helpful and friendly advice on hand. Very

competitive prices. Special offers in store.

Pixie Collectables

Pixie Collectables can be found on the first floor of The Emporium, in Princes Street. It is run by husband and wife team Vera and George Greenwood who have been interested in collectables for over 18 years.

Their unit offers a diverse range of smaller items. Amongst the

items on display are bronzes, vintage and antique china, Beswick figures, Toby jugs and a variety of interesting boxes some made of wood - others made from various metals.

Stock changes regularly and at the time of writing a 1930 desk calendar and a Victorian stamp box, complete with sponge, were on sale. Pixie Collectable also have a unit at Colyton Antique Centre.

Pixies

Collectables China - Silver Bronzes - Glassware Boxes and More

Gone Potty

Gone Potty of Yeovil is celebrating 18 years of trading. Situated at 80 Middle Street their shop is well worth a visit. There is a wonderful selection of quality silver jewellery both plain and set with semiprecious stones. They also have a wide range of body jewellery at

YEOVIL

Interesting smaller items for you and your home 1st Floor, The Emporium Princes Street, YEOVIL

Dog tired of high prices?

VISIT

CROSSROADS PET SUPPLIES SUPPLIERS OF

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

June Bird, florist, busy creating an arrangement. June celebrates fifteen years as proprietor of the successful Andrea’s Florist - your local Interflora agent situated in Middle Street, Yeovil.

Flowers say so much!

“Thank You” - “Well Done” - “Congratulations”...

BOUQUETS • ARRANGEMENTS • PLANTS As an extra treat why not add a Box of Chocolates or a Teddy?

Andrea’s of Yeovil 78 Middle Street, Yeovil BA20 1LT FREEPHONE: 08000 92 93 50 Telephone: 01935 706526

Tel: 01935 411859 . silver fashion jewellery

Everything for Garden Care ...

Loppers - Secateurs - Bow Saws etc.

Hand & Electric Tools for the D.I.Y. and Professional Excellent Choice  Competitive Rates

107 Middle Street, Yeovil  01935 412333

Under Archway between Fit & Furnish and The Nail Bar

stunning silver and gemstone jewellery 80 Middle Street, YEOVIL, BA20 1LT Tel: 01935 411065 BUY ONLINE: www.gone-potty.co.uk THE VISITOR October 2012 51

YEOVIL Yeovil Hydraulics

Established since 1968 Yeovil Hydraulics on the Lynx Trading Estate offers a professional hydraulic and pneumatic service to both the agricultural and industrial sector. Hose assembly is available while you wait.

They also offer a gas delivery and installation service for central heating systems. This

service covers most of the South West.

Make sure your vehicle’s air conditioning service is working properly. At Yeovil Hydraulics they recharge air conditioning units.

The garage side of the buisness offers a full servicing programme on all makes of vehicle and is a MOT Testing station.

House& Home Warm Homes

So far British Gas have helped to warm up over 1 million homes and your home could be next, because for the first time, absolutely anyone can apply for their free insulation - even if you’re not a British Gas customer.

It’s worth £1000, including materials and labour, and could save you hundreds of pounds each year. But don’t hang about, this free offer ends on 30th November.

Reduce your energy bills with loft and wall insulation. Save up to £175 a year with loft insulation alone, because it acts like a blanket, helping prevent heat escaping through the roof.

Insulating your home isn’t a one off saving either, it will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, helping you to save money on your energy

bills year after year.

It’s straightforward and usually takes less than a day to install.

Loft insulation is simply rolled onto an unboarded loft floor. It can save around 720kg of CO2 every year so it helps the environment too.

For more information on Loft and Wall Insulation from British Gas telephone 0800 084 6137.

Kitchen Talk Open Plan Living

Open plan living continues to grow in popularity because of the social, practical and flexible space it provides. Combining the different aspects of kitchen, living and dining with social and family life, it brings a calming and indulgent feeling of space and openness and facilitates inclusive family living just how a home should be!

Bryan G. Paulley Ltd Domestic / Commercial Installations / Replacements

Suppliers of Tanks, Fuel Stations, Temporary Tanks • Free Site Survey / Quote / Advice Registered Waste Hauliers • Commercial Boiler Removal • 24 Hour Call-Out

The Princes Street showroom of Walter Wall Carpets has an extensive range of floor coverings to suit all tastes and budgets. A friendly and reliable service is offered at this well-established family firm.

 100s of rugs in stock

 Extensive range of

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

SANDPITS

HEATING & HOME STORE

quality carpets  Natural flooring specialists

Visit our newly refurbished showrooms for inspirational ideas

. . . do call in !

34 Princes Street, Yeovil. Tel: 01935 478100

£500 OFF

YEOVIL HYDRAULICS • MAYFLOWER HYDRAULICS • Fluid & Air Power Centre • Hydraulic Equipment Manufacturers • RAM Makers and Repairers • Stockists of all your Hydraulic & Pneumatic Needs • Suppliers of all types of Industrial Hoses • Manufacturers of High Pressure Hoses - while you wait!

 Over 200 stoves / fires on display  Working models  Traditional and contemporary  Full installation service  £500 OFF any Rayburn heatranger or cooker only model ... offer ends 15th October  New dedicated fireplace showroom  Hearth and home accessories  Chimney sweeping

UNIVERSAL

ENGINEERING SERVICES • mot testing • car servicing and repairs • all makes and models • brakes, tyres, clutches, exhausts • air conditioning

01935 475959 Tel: 01935 472233 Fax: 01935 431211

Part of VGG Ltd

14 Gazelle Road, Lynx Trading Estate, Yeovil

52 THE VISITOR October 2012

Tel: 01278 450226 Fax: 01278 446670

Symons Way, Castlefield Trading Estate, Bridgwater

Tea Shop & Interiors Serving breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea - do call in Tel: 01458 253357 www.livingpretty.co.uk

High Street, Curry Rivel, Langport Tel: 01458 251476 OPEN 6 DAYS

www.sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk

A WEEK

House & Home Despite the availability of space, open plan living still needs structure and clear planning to get the best out of the room you have to work with. An ergonomic layout is key and you need to consider the layout and most effective use of space. This is where an experienced designer can add value, logic and vision to your thoughts while ensuring the practical details aren’t overlooked.

A working triangle for example, where your oven, fridge and dishwasher are in easy reach of each other, can be overlooked in favour of quirky, unusual designs or eye-catching gadgets. There’s little point having a well-appointed kitchen space that isn’t practical or comfortable to work in.

When fusing your living, dining and kitchen spaces, it is also important to maintain definition between the working kitchen and the relaxed, living areas. Using the same colour scheme throughout creates a sense of uninterrupted and streamlined space which can be effectively separated with an island or peninsula while retaining a feeling of space. Combining and complementing the textures and materials of cabinets, flooring and

REPAIR SERVICE  All makes of TV repaired  On the premises

worktops is another clever way to enhance the feeling of continuity and connection

combining two rooms into one is a popular home improvement trend, there are a number of

NOW ON DISPLAY ... inspirational new ranges offer a bespoke KITCHENS  We kitchen service  Contemporary or traditional  Painted ... gloss, the finish of your choice

OFFICE FURNITURE  A place for everything and everything in its place  From a workstation to a complete home office  Huge choice of designs and finishes - wood, high gloss, vintage

VISIT OUR SHOWROOMS TODAY! DESIGN - SUPPLY - INSTALLATION Find our showrooms ...

workshop

Half Moon Street Sherborne

 Loan TV whilst being repaired

 Estimates  Bench or field service FULL RANGE OF PANASONIC TVS IN STOCK FOR SALE ... DO CALL IN

H.R. Hodge

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

38 St. James Street South Petherton TA13 5BW  01460 240645

Stock Rolls & Remnants

between the separate areas in a tasteful and subtle way.

While open plan living and

(Through Archway by Half Moon Inn)

Tel: 01935 817111 • Fax: 01935 817119 “Maximise your space”

STYLETILE

STOCKED

 Carpets and Flooring to suit all budgets  Domestic & Commercial  Vinyls and Laminates  Solid & Engineered Wood  Safety Floor Specialists  Mattresses and 3-Piece Suites

Wall & Floor Tiles 

A Superb Choice   

‘Ideal’ Standard Bathrooms Showers and Saunas Supplied & Fitted All Types of Building and Renovation Work Undertaken

Cooking up fresh ideas in kitchen design “For kitchens as individual as you are”

Free Estimates - Professional Fitting Available

Quality kitchens - competitively priced

OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY 9am - 4.30pm, and SATURDAY 10am - 2pm

To discuss your requirements call Adam

Showrooms, Evercreech Junction Shepton Mallet BA4 6NA on the main A371 between Shepton Mallet and Castle Cary

Tel 01749 831578

Tel/Fax 01749 831666

01935 849559

or visit our showroom AP Kitchen Solutions, Northover, Roman Road ILCHESTER BA22 8LD www.apkitchens.co.uk THE VISITOR October 2012 53

Homemaker of Shaftesbury the kitchen experts

HOMEMAKER is a family owned independent company, supplying kitchens, and electrical appliances from all the major manufacturers.

They stock a comprehensive range of domestic appliances, all geared towards making your life simpler. You can choose from a number of leading brands and types of appliance, from budget options through to luxury models. Homemaker are part of the Euronics buying group which is the largest independent electrical buying group in Europe. Euronics ensures both their prices and their products remain very competitive.

With fully trained staff always on hand to discuss your requirements, they pride themselves on clear explanations of all the features and benefits of any appliance. Their revolutionary “Live Kitchen” means you can actually see different types of stoves / cooking methods working – such as a steam oven. Delivery is normally within 24 hours from stock, ensuring customer satisfaction.

Homemaker stock modern German kitchens made by Hacker, and more traditional wooden kitchens by Charles Mackintosh and many others.

In addition to new kitchens, Homemaker also offer replacement doors, new worktops, sinks and taps, that can transform your kitchen. These can be fitted within 48 hours and a fraction of the cost new.

All doors are individually made for you whatever size. A choice of over 1500 designs and colour combinations, plinths, pelmets and edging ensure a complete transformation. The doors can normally be fitted within one day – and no mess!

A complete new kitchen? Free innovative design and kitchen planning service, a full range of German kitchens to suit all budgets: granite, solid wood, laminate worktops and a wide choice of sinks from stainless steel, granite etc. to complement your kitchen.

Homemaker offer a range of styles to suit any home traditional, modern, painted, high gloss, wood finish and period kitchens.

Whatever you need for your kitchen – Homemaker is a complete one-stop kitchen shop.

FREE computer kitchen design service in-store or in the comfort of your own home – no obligation or pressure.

Homemaker, Longmead Industrial Estate Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8PL Tel 01747 851476 shaftesbury@myhomemaker.co.uk  www.myhomemaker.co.uk Also at Bath and Warminster

54 THE VISITOR October 2012

House& Home things to consider before taking the plunge into a lifestyle change that will alter the way you use your home. How do you prevent smells seeping into living areas?

How do you hide the mess that can easily accumulate in a busy kitchen? Do you want your guests to see everything you’re preparing or would you like a means of screening your eating area from your food preparation area?

There is a superb range of highly effective and energy efficient extraction units now

available on the market through brands such as Neff and Miele to eradicate problem smells and steam – or even occasional smoke!

Taller islands can also be used to block the view of untidy worktops and add more definition to the working area. But equally, today’s storage solutions means there is little excuse to not have a place for everything in a truly well designed kitchen.

Finally, when it comes to opening your kitchen into a family living and dining area,

Open plan living works well for today’s modern family.

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

• All Types of Blinds Supplied Domestic & Commercial • Excellent Prices first time, no gimmicks • Conservatory Roof Specialists INTU and PERFECT FIT Blinds - ideal for conservatories, glazed doors, tilt ‘n’ turn windows. No holes, no screws, just style • Internal Shutters and External Awnings

All Visitor area covered

01749 346658

House & Home environmentally friendly; use less energy and are therefore more economical for you to run. This can make a considerable saving on your energy bills, especially if you use your washing machine / dishwasher everyday and particularly when it comes to

your fridge / freezer which runs 24/7.

Take advantage of the super deal currently being offered at Homemaker. When you replace your old appliance with a new energy efficient one from the Bosch range, Homemaker will UP TO

young children can become exposed to dangers such as hot ovens and sharp cutlery and corners whether it be on an island, worktops or integrated seating area. Always talk to your designer about your lifestyle and your priorities early in your first consultation. Kitchens can be child proof, pet proofed and guest proof!

When well designed, a good quality kitchen will improve every family member’s quality of life by encouraging the togetherness that makes your kitchen every bit the heart of your home. And now is an excellent time to think about installing a new kitchen as at Intoto Kitchens in Yeovil their sale is now on!

Richard Fox, In-toto Kitchens, Yeovil.

£100 CASH BACK

... when you replace your old appliance with a new energy efficient one from the BOSCH range SAVE MONEY on your APPLIANCE AND on your ENERGY BILLS!

Homemaker

Homemaker, on the Longmead Industrial Estate in Shaftesbury, is renowned for its stunning range of kitchens and for its wide choice of kitchen appliances.

Today’s modern appliances are far superior to those of yesteryear.

They are more efficient; more

give you up to £100 cash back for your old appliance.

Don’t miss out on this great offer, not only will you have an appliance that is more efficient, you will be saving money and helping the environment in the process!

Longmead Industrial Estate Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8PL

FAMILY BUSINESS TRADING SINCE 1995

Tel: 01747 851476 • Fax: 01747 858996 shaftesbury@myhomemaker.co.uk www.myhomemaker.co.uk

THE VISITOR October 2012 55

Beautiful Bedrooms

House& Home

WE HAVE A STYLE TO SUIT YOU Now Available ‘Sliding Door’ Wardrobes ... space saving storage!

PLANNING – DESIGN – INSTALLATION To see our range of quality bedrooms and bathrooms and to discuss your personal requirements ...

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

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

For him ... and for her ... you can never have too much wardrobe space!

For spectacular bedrooms visit Simply Bathrooms & Bedrooms of Sherborne.

Needful Things

Needful Things are doing it again!

Re-inventing themselves as a 'Mini Department Store'! They now have 3 shops in Castle Cary, offering exciting and affordable

clothing; exquisite gifts and home accessories; and across the road, their new interiors showroom is going from strength to strength.

Exciting new pattern books from Prestigious Textiles, Sanderson and Harlequin are proving unstoppable! With the extra space, came the opportunity to add Carpet Fitting and Persian Rugs, much more bespoke furniture and much more room to display such things as Curtain Poles, Paint and Wallpaper, which many people never realised they offered! As the Autumn rush approaches, Needful Things are already taking orders for Christmas, so if you are planning a new pair of Curtains, a new Fitted Carpet or a New Sofa this Autumn, now is the time to start choosing. So ensure you get chatting to the Needful Things Team, who will be delighted to show you around.

House & Home

is a regular feature in The Visitor

JW TILING & BATHROOM INSTALLATIONS Professional & Fully Qualified Tiling Service • Stone • Ceramic • Porcelain • Wet Rooms • Under Floor Heating

Complete Bathroom Installations • Supply • Electrics • Carpentry • Plastering • Plumbing

EXCELLENT RESULTS AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES!

Call James: Daytime 07976 372909 Evening 01963 359630 56 THE VISITOR October 2012

Cary Tiles Ltd

Spoilt for Choice Over 300 Sample Boards Floor and Wall Tiles

Cary Tiles Ltd, Unit 6 Torbay Industrial Estate Torbay Road, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7DW Tel: 01963 359388 Open Monday to Friday 9am - 2pm Saturdays 9am - 1pm After hours by appointment only

FREE Quotation and Measuring Service Professional Fitting Service available FREE Local Delivery Commercial & Domestic Work Undertaken

House & Home The Mammoth Performance Mattress has been used by athletes such as Liz Yelling and cyclist Joel Jameson to help them recover from a hard days training or injury. Local business, The Bed Specialist, Preston Furnishing, has now become an approved supplier of this high tech mattress.

Martin Stokes, MD, sees this as a real opportunity for customers to experience one of

the most advanced mattresses available, ‘Although our customers are more likely to be watching athletics from the comfort of their sofa, rather than competing, the design and technology within the Mammoth Performance range is applicable to anyone who wants a deep, recuperative sleep’.

‘There are other improvements that people can make to improve

Cane Furniture The Largest selection in the West Country!

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

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

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

CANE FURNITURE

Fabulous fabrics in wonderful colours from exceptional designers ... visit Needful Things of Castle Cary - for a home to be proud of.

Gold Medal Sleep from Local Business

Many top athletes consider the quality of their sleep as important to their training regime as laps of the

track or time spend lifting weights and a mattress designed exclusively for elite sports people is now available from local bed retailer, The Bed Specialist in Yeovil.

ESTABLISHED OVER 60 YEARS Open 7 Days • Sundays 10.30am – 4pm

In store at HASKINS RETAIL CENTRE SHEPTON MALLET, BA4 5AX • 01749 343414

Add a splash of colour to your home ...

Visit our NEW Soft Furnishings and Interiors Showrooms  Fabrics from all leading designers  Curtains made to order  Bespoke sofas and chairs  Carpets and rugs  Paint and wall coverings

... be inspired!

The Mammoth Performance Mattress with cooling air-flow system helps to promote a restful nights sleep.

HIGH STREET, CASTLE CARY, BA7 7AN  01963 351352 www.needfulthings.uk.com

THE VISITOR October 2012 57

House& Home their sleep of course. Such as reducing alcohol consumption, regulating body temperature, getting light levels right and not using the snooze button on your alarm clock. But the starting point is the bed and more significantly, the mattress you use. Given our business we’ve become quite the experts on advising our customers on sleep’.

Amongst the innovations in the Mammoth Mattress are cooling air flows and breathable fabric that stop overheating, which has

been a problem in memory foam, and zoned support which provides the right level of support to the right part of your body. The Mattress was recently tested by the University of Northumbria’s Sleep Research Centre and was proven to provide an enhanced sleeping experience.

Martin Stokes explains, ‘There is a real science to sleep and the quality of sleep you get can have a big impact on your performance, whether it’s on the athletic track or in the office or factory shop floor.’

See the Mammoth Performance Mattress at The Bed Specialists, Preston Furnishing, Yeovil.

Add STYLE to your home

SJH Carpets & Flooring Wincanton and Tisbury

Stripes, spots, patterned or plain ... we have a carpet to suit you and your budget!

Carpets from £6 per square metre Natural Flooring  Vinyls Floor Tiles  Wood  Laminates FOR ALL YOUR FLOORING REQUIREMENTS SJH Carpets, Tythings Commercial Centre, Wincanton  01963 824418 Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm Also at: High Street, Tisbury  01747 871178 (closed Wednesday)

Wincanton

Fashions are constantly changing, whether it’s for clothing or for domestic upholstery or carpets.

Plain carpets have been a safe bet for many years, particularly in the bedroom or the lounge where you can ‘dress’ the room by adding bold-patterned soft furnishings.

But a new trend has emerged for carpeting. Bold stripes, spots, patterns and tartans in a wonderful range of colours to suit any home. Of course, if you prefer something a little plainer there are plenty of those to choose from too at SJH Carpets, along with natural flooring, vinyls, wood and laminates.

RE-UPHOLSTERY

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

DAVID J. DIMENT UPHOLSTERERS CASTLE CARY (01963) 351194 Units 1 & 2 Torbay Road Industrial Estate Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7DW 58 THE VISITOR October 2012

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

Say you saw it in The Visitor

GARDENING GARDENING MONTHLY

by Richard Cumming Orchard Park

Autumn Mists ... and all that IT HELPS TO LOOK BACK. As someone once said ‘every future has a past’. In my case I looked back to comments I made last autumn. We had started 2011 with a terrific winter, got all the frosts out of the way started a good spring then fell into the slough of despond, otherwise known as summer. However autumn was wonderful with fantastic colours and some lovely days to enjoy them.The hedgerows were laden with fruit and the suspicion was that another hard winter was ahead of us. This is always put forward as an omen; I think it is more of a myth. A good harvest follows the right conditions for plant development, flowering and fruit

set. If the earlier weather is not right then the crop won’t happen.

This year is very much like that when late frosts caused untold damage with spring flowers either destroying or delaying crops. Late flowering plants have done better although low light levels and cool temperatures have not helped. There has also been a lack of pollinating insects. Many overwintering adults woke up to conditions that were less than

Approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

Don’t forget our feathered friends this winter. Stock up on wild bird food from Harts Garden Shop, Sturminster Newton.

QUALIFIED ARBORIST

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE AND DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL

TREE PLANTING

PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660

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

THE VISITOR October 2012 59

GARDENING Suppliers of quality lawn turf Full ground preparation and laying service available Telephone Somerton 01458 272091 Mobile 07850 310998

favourable with the result that the new generation didn’t happen.

A prime example is the common wasp; I am told that there are a fraction of the usual number about and I must say haven’t seen more than a few at home.

Winter Bedding now in

The usual range of autumn glories catch the eye, sedums, asters, Japanese anemones all contribute to the autumn show!

Plan it and Plant it this Autumn

Autumn is usually the safest time to plant hardy plants whether they are trees, shrubs,

bulbs or perennials. The warm and reasonably moist soil is so welcoming for plant roots; the conditions are just right for encouraging new root growth without the burden of having to support masses of leaves. The result is that the plant is nicely settled before the spring when the pressure is really on and the

Christmas Decorations 30% OFF Always an Excellent Choice of Quality Plants and Shrubs Hanging Basket Planting Service ONLY 3 MILES FROM CREWKERNE

Visit our Gift Shop - friendly & helpful advice

OPEN: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 4pm

Wall Ditch Lane, Boozer Pit, Merriott, Somerset TA16 5PW Tel: 07747 822045 • Email: info@lynash.co.uk • www.lynash.co.uk

Garden clearance made easy!

Chainsaws ... from only

4 in 1 GCMT262 Multitool

26cc engine unit which has multi fit attachments ...

FOUR IN ONE !    

Grass trimmer (nylon head) Pole Pruner 40cms / 16" Hedgecutter Brushcutter (steel blade)

£165

WILLIAMS NURSERY Station Road, Stalbridge. Tel: 01963 362355 Visit our website: www.williams-nursery.co.uk

HALF PRICE SALE! On Surplus Shrubs, Trees & Perennials ... also Selected Sundries So pop in and pick up a bargain!

£279 inc. VAT

LEE HOLMES

INDEPENDENT GARDEN MACHINERY SPECIALIST 15 Cary Court, Bancombe Business Park, Somerton Tel: 01458 274261 Email: leeholmes@deerepark.fsnet.co.uk www.independentgardenmachinery.co.uk 60 THE VISITOR October 2012

Cyclamen - always a favourite at this time of year.

NOW IN - Winter Bedding & Spring Bulbs Open: 9am – 5 pm Monday - Friday • 9am – 4pm Saturday (Closed Sunday) ——— LARGE FREE CAR PARK OPPOSITE ———

National Garden Gift Tokens

All types of Fencing • Gates • Trellis • Fence Panels • Tool Sheds • Summer Houses • Garages • Workhouses • Greenhouses • Field Shelters All Buildings are handmade at Bourton using Scandinavian Redwood Shiplap Timber.

Bourton, Gillingham on the old A303 Nr. Zeals For Free Survey/Estimate/Brochure

TELEPHONE 01747 840752

GARDENING

Add colour to your garden with winter flowering pansies.

This attractive planter is from Wheathill Garden Centre, Milborne Port.

plant is calling for the maximum amount of water and nutrients to support top growth. So plan your project now and then plant it this autumn. Clay soils around this part of the world can be difficult to manage if they are too wet at the end of the winter but with a little added coarse grit and well rotted compost they are very productive and this is usually another good reason to get things done sooner rather than later. For many folk new to gardening, timing the garden care jobs can be a bit of a mystery. Lawn care and weed control are good examples but if you can understand what is happening to the plants then the mystery lessens. As temperatures fall, growth rates get slower as the plant prepares for the dormant season. They

will want to make sure that their fruits are ripened and dispersed to provide for the next generation, or draw back all the goodness from their leaves to store overwinter and provide for the following spring. Perennials weeds tend to die back but you can treat them as long as they have green leaves and with weed killers like glyphosate, a late season spray will clean them up before the winter arrives. Most

Podimore Recycling Ltd Suppliers of Quality Recycled Aggregates

TOP SOIL / SUB SOIL Crushed Concrete All types of Stone • Sand • Tarmac Road Plannings and Screened Top Soil Small Tip for Clean Building Rubble & Bricks Small & Large Quantities Collected or Delivered Site Clearance Specialist • Tipping Facilities Tipper Lorries • 180° - 360° Excavators Fully Mobile Crusher and Screener Hire Barns Down • Farm Yard Demolition Yards Crushed • Stone Supplied

Log Cutting?

We have all the tools you need ...

Saw Horses from £20 Splitting Mauls from £25 Electric Log Splitters from £199 Petrol Log Splitters from £699 Extensive Range of Chainsaws Chainsaws sharpened and serviced PETROL CHAINSAWS ... from

£120

16 inch Guide Bar • 37cc 2-Stroke Engine

GARDEN MACHINERY  01747 851021

DIGGER AND CRUSHER HIRE AVAILABLE Tel / Fax: 01935 849250 Mobile: 07973 844145

lawns need some attention – a good raking, and an autumn feed. Spike the surface and add sharp sand to improve the drainage and reduce the amount of moss. Hard work but well worth the effort. Lawns benefit from a high phosphate and potash feed which produces a good strong healthy root system rather than green top growth.

Turf can be laid in all but the very coldest weather, but it is

RECYCLING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

17d Wincombe Business Park SHAFTESBURY SP7 9QJ www.benjohnsonmowers.com

WHEATHILL GARDEN CENTRE Tea Rooms

Garden

OPEN DAILY FOR

Winter Bedding Spring Bulbs Hanging Basket Plants Wild Bird Food

Specials, Light Snacks & Homemade Cakes Thursday OAP SPECIAL - 2 Course Lunch £5.95 Friday FISH ‘n’ CHIPS ... only £5 Served until 3pm, Eat In or Take Away

SUNDAY ROASTS ... bookings advised

Wheathill Lane • Milborne Port • DT9 5EY Tel / Fax: 01963 251500 OPEN: 9am - 5.30pm Monday - Saturday and ... 10am - 4pm Sunday

THE VISITOR October 2012 61

GARDENING really too late now to expect grass seed to germinate and establish well, although the grass seed breeders now have a seed which will germinate at low temperatures, 3ºC; it’s the same that football stadiums use to reestablish pitches during the winter.

A lot of autumn work is to do with clearing up and protecting plants for winter. Some perennials with colourful or shapely seed heads can be left as they are; the birds will collect the seeds and the top growth, even though it has finished, will act as a bit of insulation for the underground part of the plant that will go dormant until the spring. Newly planted trees will need to be properly staked to survive the buffeting winds, and evergreens may need protection from cold freezing winds. We can do that with various windbreaks

TREE SURGERY SPECIALISTS Crown Thinning and Reduction Dead and Dangerous Trees Removed New Trees Supplied and Planted Tree Stumps Removed

and fleece jackets or covers that provide excellent protection that allows the plant to breathe.

Bulbs are high on the planting list. Most garden centres take in their bulbs from the growers at the end of August so the earlier you look the better the selection will be. You can usually find the right colour combination if you have a definite colour scheme in mind but you may have to compromise with the time of flowering and heights if you leave it too late.

Once you have bought your bulbs, planting is best done before the end of November for most sorts.

There are lots of plants for autumn and winter colour in tubs and borders. Compact hardy chrysanthemums, winter pansies and violas are staple diet – so too the hardy cyclamen hybrids that give a good display until January. [Hardy to –5ºC at least]. Wallflowers planted now will flower next April - May, similarly Sweet Williams, and Brompton Stocks.

Look on our web-site www. orchardpark.biz for more gardening tips.

Oak Barrels

Approved Contractor to Somerset County Council and Local Councils Phone B. P. MONTGOMERY for a FREE Estimate Tel: 01963 240532 Mobile: 07970 397248 Email: brutontreecare@hotmail.com

40 Gallon  Fresh & Empty Ideal Water Butts Also  Barrels - Ideal Planters

07786 707262 07932 657140

the end bit...

Paperchase

COULD IT BE coincidence, I wondered. I read in the 16th August issue of the Western Gazette that ‘residents in Bruton were given a shock on Thursday as a blazing car brought one of its streets to a standstill.

Firefighters from Wincanton and Castle Cary were called to Coombe Street at 11.10am after fielding multiple calls saying a vehicle was alight. A semidetached property nearby was also damaged by the fire.’ The very next day I read in the Blackmore Vale Magazine that ‘a house was damaged when a car towing a caravan burst into flames last Friday. Fire crews and police were called to the blaze in Quaperlake Street in Bruton just after 11am’. Identical incidents at the same hour on two consecutive days in two different streets of the same town? Surely not! A photograph accompanying the BVM report depicts the smouldering vehicle on what is indisputably Quaperlake Street;

no picture accompanied the Gazette report. You know what I’m thinking – and you’re probably right.

A couple of months ago I commented on the slipshod way some advertisements had been displayed in the Western Gazette. and suggested that the advertisers were owed an apology.

Another example appeared on page 33 of the 23rd August issue where an advert had been slapped across part of a news story, with the amusing result that the headline appeared as ‘Grandad’s 800-mile garage doors crazy sale madness’. This time it’s not the advertiser who deserves an apology but the grandad. His photo appeared above the headline with a brief caption stating that he is organising a relay walk from John o’Groats to Land’s End. Why and when he’s doing it remains a mystery hidden behind garage doors.

Another mystery appeared on page 24 of the same issue. Under a headline that should have been ‘Gazette advertising suits our image’, a story spread across five columns reported in glowing terms the satisfaction of a Yeovil businessman who regularly advertises in the paper. Hardly a news story, but a ploy to promote a marketing event being staged

by Western Gazette Media, and splashed across the middle of the story was an advertisement for the event. The text of the story was intended to run round the advert – but it didn’t! Hence the headline appeared as ‘Gazette

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.

Alan Dodge BSc

A

CUT

above the rest!

LAW N MOWERS SALES - SERVICE - REPAIR

Ride-On - Pedestrian - Mulching and Collecting Quality New Machines Available

Unit 2, Beardly Batch Depot, Cannards Grave SHEPTON MALLET, BA4 4NB Tel: 01749 343881 62 THE VISITOR October 2012

Classified Ads Send Details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG 25p per word (£3 minimum) - pre-payment essential If you require a receipt a s.a.e. must be enclosed with payment



My client rejects the charge of murder on the grounds that the victim’s gravestone reads “NOT DEAD, JUST SLEEPING”.

NAME ........................................................................................................................................................................

ADDRESS .................................................................................................................................................................

advert suits our imag’ and column five of the story was simply an empty expanse of white space.

But not in every copy of the paper. I have two copies of page 24 in front of me as I write, one with and the other without all of the text. And both carry the same edition code YWG-E01-S2 in small type in the top margin. So at what stage during the print run was the howler spotted, and by whom, and how many rogue copies ended up in the shops? It’s all a mystery to me.

The West Country Life magazine in the 25th August issue of the Western Daily Press was branded as an ‘austerity busting issue’ containing ‘food, wine, fashion and family days out – ideas that are kind to your budget’. And sure enough, it included features on getting the Duchess of Cambridge style from high street chain stores, bargainprice supermarket wines, cutprice self-catering holidays, community vegetable gardens, making your own chicken stock and creating a tasty meal out of half a dozen courgettes (mission impossible, in my opinion).

Strange, then, that the menu at the restaurant chosen for review had soup at £5.95, other starters from £8 upwards and main courses priced between £17 and £30. Those prices might be the reviewer’s idea of austerity but they are certainly not mine.

Presumably he was dining on expenses.

Chronicler.

Solution to September

Sudoku

Westland Zoo

GRAHAM, the likeable Sideways Walking Hermit Crab, went on his annual pilgrimage to the Tolpuddle Martyrs rally at Tolpuddle. After a tiring day trudging around the site, he retired to the beer tent with newly found buddy Hissing Sid, the Slippery Sea Lion. But they lost track of time and came out of the tent to find they had missed the return bus by two hours. Luckily they bumped into some visitors from Yeovil who ferried them back to HQ. Having finished his First Aid course, Mad Mike the Excitable Chimpanzee from Sherborne, is now qualified to give the Kiss of Life to his fellow chimps.

Time to bring in the anti-garlic ban, methinks!

What a rip-roaring start Yeovil Glovers have made to the new season, which can only be very uplifting for the animals and footie-fans at Agusta Westland. Keep it up Gary and the lads - the world is your oyster, as they say.

Woody Woodpecker.

Say you saw it in The Visitor

Answers to pop music quiz on page 20 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

‘From me to You’ (1963) 1968 ‘Strawberry fields Forever’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ ‘The Beatles’ known as the ‘White Album’ The White Album Psychedelic George Ringo 1995 Bonus Question 1965 Extra Bonus Question Ringo - b. 7 July 1940 John - b. 9 Oct 1940 Paul - b. 18 Jun 1942 George - b. 24 Feb 1943

Tel: ............................................................................. Cheque Enclosed for £ .................... Minimum £3

Mobile Homes From £1000 • Large choice of sizes

Wanted REDUNDANT MOTOR MOWERS, rotavators, chainsaws, strimmers, cement mixers, etc. Tel: 01460 77844.

DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, useable / collectable. Sheds & workshops cleared. Tel: 01935 428975.

DELIVERY ARRANGED Big Sales Site Open 7 Days • 2 miles west of Shaftesbury

TO PURCHASE: STADDLE STONES (Mushrooms). £150 paid for good examples. Tel: 07836 230541.

ALL SPORTS PROGRAMMES and books, memorabilia and ephemera – especially football. Large collections welcome. Cash paid. Tel: Clive 01749 675456.

Mobile Bars / Catering

COLLECTOR requires CLASSICAL LPs, whole collections. Tel: 07931 837783.

HARRY’S MOBILE BARS, all occasions, weddings, parties, etc. Tel: 01747 825553 harry@bars4u.plus.com www.harrysmobilebars.co.uk

COINS & COIN COLLECTIONS. Buyer collects, cash paid. Tel: 01225 793575 or 07754 058850.

QUICKSILVER MAIL Outside Bar Facilities for any occasion. Call Pete: 07779 306751.

BAKERS ARMS MOBILE BARS - 25 years experience, all occasions. Call Lee: 07834 788073.

Dog Holidays HOLIDAY FOR YOUR DOG. Let your dog stay with us when you are away. 24-hour attention and long walks. Fully licensed and insured. Vet approved. References available. Tel: 01963 240650.

GUNS WANTED

By Registered Firearms Dealer Rifles • Shotguns Air Rifles • Air Pistols Any Condition We Collect in Any Area

Tel: 07970 742471

Situations Vacant

Building

FREE TRAINING with TABS, Yeovil.

Employability, Maths, English, CSCS, FLT, SAGE. Call 01935 411711.

GENERAL Builder. Extensions & newbuilds at affordable rates. Tel: 07501 585777.

T.V. Rental

Passport Photographs PASSPORTS - PASSPORTS PASSPORTS and I.D. Any legislative size. Any time to suit you. Easy parking.

Tel: Graham Cox, Photographer, 01458 223769.

Bungalow For Sale SOUTH PETHERTON Well situated bungalow, mid-terrace quiet location, in excellent decorative order. Enclosed entrance lobby, entrance hall, lounge, kitchen, double bedroom, shower / wc, double glazing, gas central heating. New carpets throughout. Private courtyard with workshop. Separate Garage. Easy walking distance to shops, PO, pub, bus stop etc. Would suit retired person. No forward chain. £124,500 Tel: 01935 881909.

Holiday Cottage 2 BEDROOM Holiday Cottage, Watchet, sleeps four, dogs welcome. www.malthouse-cout-watchet.com for special discounts. Tel: 07967 157735.

T.V. RENTAL - long or short term, domestic & commercial, up to 50-inch plasma. H. R. Hodge. Tel: 01460 240645.

Musical MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - brass, woodwind and strings, for sale and rental.

Tel: 07974 412269.

Personal OVER 40? We offer a traditional approach to finding someone special. Tel: Sian England on 01935 431396.

Meeting Place GENUINE MALE would like to meet female for friendship, possible relationship, 30 - 40 years old, non smoker. Tel: 07929 066821.

Storage STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles.

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

THE VISITOR October 2012 63

PHONE - a - FIRM Transport & Storage The key to all your storage needs!

Fully Insured Storage at Highly Competitive Rates Call us today for a quote!

01963 440045 www.sparkfordstorage.com

• Open 7 Days a Week • 20 Years Established Family Business • Modern Burglar-Alarmed Warehouses • Professional & Reliable Service • Removals To and From Storage • Self Store with Easy Access • Cubicle and Crate Storage • Friendly, Helpful Staff High Street, Sparkford, nr. Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7QJ Tel: 01963 440045 / 440526 / 440692

Domestic Appliances

Pe

PREMIER ELECTRICS Est. 34 yrs

COVERING THE SOUTH LOCALLY Kitchen Appliance Sales & Repairs  Repairs to all leading brands of Kitchen appliances  12 months guarantee on all repairs  Diagnostic work charged unless work undertaken  24 hour service  OAP discounts

TELEPHONE: 01935 609300 / 01747 470212 / 01460 220660 / 01458 298212 For your nearest technician

Taylors Domestic

Appliances Ltd. Sales & Repairs for Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Cookers, Tumble Driers etc.

Ridge View, Penmore Road Sandford Orcas DT9 4SE

Security

Professional repairs by qualified engineer on most makes of appliances.

01963 220366 Email: info@tda.uk.com Covering the areas between Wincanton Castle Cary, Sparkford, Sherborne and Yeovil

Maintenance and Repairs YOU CAN’T I CAN PAUL CHEDZOY Property & Garden Maintenance

Decorating, Gardening, Building and General D.I.Y.

 01935 472669 ... or

07884 345511

email: ucantican07@aol.com

Trading for over 5 years CUSTOMER REFERENCES AVAILABLE

A. Hamilton

Sliding sash window specialist Repairs - Refurbishments - Replacements

Preservation

MAPLE PRESERVATION Electrical Contractors

• Damp Control • Timber Treatments • Dry Rot • Condensation Control • 30 Year Bonded Guarantee

Tel: Gillingham 01747 826960 Mobile: 07881 504426

Plumbing Damian Hoddinott PLUMBING SERVICES Competitive rates for all your plumbing needs Tel: 01963 441232 or Mobile: 07971 676111

MAINSTONES ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS Industrial, Commercial & Domestic Installations Station Road, Bruton National Inspection Council for Somerset BA10 0EH Electrical Installation Contracting Tel: (01749) 812316 Mobile: 07885 625456

       64 THE VISITOR October 2012

Embroidery RAINBOW EMBROIDERY

LOGOS A SPECIALITY All Types of Garments ... Ideal for Clubs, Schools & Businesses CALL FOR A QUOTE

07773 497188

Framing SCENES

Artist Materials & Gallery

 Picture framing  Restoration  Large selection of prints & paintings  Greeting Card Blanks High St. Gillingham Tel 01747 824050 www.scenes-online.co.uk

Complete windows or just repairs.

Rotten wood replaced, new sills, re-puttying, sashes unstuck, broken hardware and sash cords replaced, draught-sealing, rattles eliminated.

Qualified to Advanced City & Guilds Level

Tel: 01935 863071 www.sashwindowtlc.co.uk

• • • • • • • • •

SERVICES

Exterior and interior decorating Gutters cleared and cleaned High level painting and cleaning Conservatories washed down Removal of disused sky dishes and cabling Repointing of stone and brickwork Patios cleaned Many other jobs undertaken No V.A.T. competitive rates for seniors

Contact JAMES CADE on 01963 34272 or 07967 307179

Services GOOD POTATOES Takeaway Bags of Coal • Calor Gas Car & Van Rental Competitive Prices Anchor Hill Service Station WINCANTON 01963 32609

THIS SPACE costs just £14.40 + VAT per month TO PLACE YOUR ADVERT

Tel: 01963 351256

PHONE - a - FIRM Cleaning

your guide to local services

Roofing

JPC Cleaning Services Friendly Cleaning Specialist 20 Years Experience – Fully Insured

PARKS

ROOFING LTD.

Regular Weekly & Fortnightly Home Cleans

SLATING & TILING SPECIALISTS

ONE-OFF SPRING CLEANS Window Cleaning  Carpet Cleaning Mobile Car Valeting

Specialists in period and listed properties

Tel: 01935 474772 or 07896 967943 www.jpccleaning.co.uk

Leadwork Chimneys Fascias Gutters Flat Roofs

26 Stembridge, nr. Kingsbury, Martock TA12 6BN Telephone: 01460 240229 • Mobile: 07917 411961

Building

Dave Hoddinott FULLY QUALIFIED BUILDER - ESTABLISHED 1973

• Renovations & Extensions • Roofing + Carpentry • Plumbing & Heating • Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiling • Painting & Decorating • Electrical Contracting Competitive Prices - No Job Too Big or Too Small FRIENDLY & RELIABLE SERVICE

Tel: (01963) 440256

24 hour emergency call out

Dentures

DENTURE REPAIRS While You Wait Collection & Delivery Denture Advice Mr. C. Dunn

MDS Builders

Registered Dental Technician

01749 812585 www.dunndental.co.uk

• Complete Refurbishments • Extensions • Landscaping • Painting & Decorating

Logs

For all your roofing requirements

Flat Roofing • Tiling • Slating GRP Roofing All New Work Fully Guaranteed

For further information & estimates contact Allan Carey

01963 33528 / 07885 723915 Email: allancarey541@hotmail.com

Bourton Roofing Co.

Oven Cleaning

 01747 840064

Independent Oven Cleaning Specialist Ovens - Hobs - Agas etc

Slate  Tiling  Flat Roofing.

UPVC Fascias  Guttering FREE ES T I M AT ES

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

Clock Repairs CLOCK REPAIRS Antique and Modern Clock Repairs.

Free pick up and delivery 40 years experience

Tel (01935) 477582

Communications

LOGS FOR SALE Seasoned

Tel: Gillingham 01747 822692 Mobile: 07594 524602

Trailer Loads  Free Local Delivery Bags Available for Collection

Email: MDSbuilders.org@gmail.com

RING CHRIS

Westline Communications Business Telecom Specialist For all your telecom needs For free, friendly and professional advice call ...

www.mdsbuilders.org

07773 497188

“ a professional service from one who cares”

John Penny on 07976 967349 www.westlinecoms.co.uk

      

29,000 COPIES MONTHLY

NOVEMBER DEADLINE Monday 15th October

You should be advertising here

www.misteroven.co.uk

Driving Tuition FASTRACKDRIVING.CO.UK Pete Martin THE SPECIALIST for ...

Intensive Courses + Off Road Facilities for under 17s

Tel: 01749 860010 07962 401166

TV & Radio Aerials DAVE PARMITER AERIALS TV AERIAL SERVICE SATELLITE / VIDEO SYSTEMS CCTV SYSTEMS - PERSONAL SERVICE

Tel: YEOVIL (01935) 422088 or mobile 07850 405433 NO CALL-OUT CHARGE

THE VISITOR October 2012 65

your guide to local services

PHONE -aFIRM

Plastering

K. R. Vincent

Stone Walling Specialist • Supply & Fit of Natural Stone

• Garden & Boundary Walls

East Lydford 01963 240185 or Mobile 07811 211586

Fires/Chimneys

JOSE RODRIGUEZ WOOD BURNERS - SOLID FUEL - STOVES - LINERS REGISTRY PLATES AND FLUES - TWIN WALLED SYSTEMS FREE QUOTES Qualified Installer Competent Person Scheme 17 White Road, Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6EZ

SCOTT GOSNEY Plastering      

 01747 860848 / 07921 074602

josemere@aol.com

SANDPITS

HEATING & HOME STORE Multifuel Stoves ... over 200 on display Chimneys Relined  Full Installation Service  Chimney Sweeping Service 

07753 294256

Showrooms Open: Monday to Friday 8am – 5.30pm and Saturday 8am – 4.30pm Email: enquiries@sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk www.sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk

Set by Frank Butler

Correct entries are placed in a hat and the winner is the first name drawn. The prize is a £10 voucher to spend with any one advertiser in this issue of The Visitor - please do not forget to state your choice of advertiser and your name and address.

2

3

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7.

11.

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18.

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8

10

Across 8.

10.

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG to arrive by Monday 15th October.

9

24.

11

26.

29.

12

13

15

18

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66 THE VISITOR October 2012

• General Stone Repairs • Patio Laying

Free Quotation

Tel: 01460 242557 Mob: 0780 31 76 489

Removals

Highly Competitive Rates Regular London Runs Short / Long Term Storage 01747 860543 / 07969 736011 FREEPHONE

0808 108 8366 www.rdsremovals.co.uk

Once tends to be confused.

Agreed? [9] Fasten small workforce. [5] Least attractive pest swallowed bent nail. [8] Midday meal including a presentation. [6] Stitched up from all directions. [4] Parallelogram shape from hood brim. [8] Shown in total solution too. [4] About a stretch, or sort of silent 'e'. [7] As promised, quietly placed on what juts out. [7] Some chap sees part of the church. [4] Zinc carbonate about the French pit. [8] Do parts of arch meet oddly at the top? [4] Gruff. (Sounds like a good ride!)

[6] Sing about a brief science, plotting. [8] Relative at first hand may spook you. [5] Put right record, etc. [9]

9. Singer a lot different. [4] 14. Jumps into beer. [4] 15. Heal, embracing unknown reduced agony, like many nuts.

[9] 17. Incline with no fat. [4] 19. Top of the bill gazing hard around first rooms. [8] 21. Bubbles up around the orient in motorcycle gear. [8] 23. Spin one tangle as after-work benefit. [7] 25. White man's hiding quite a thing! [4] 27. 1001, twice supported by caesium copies. [6] 28. One in France takes the German beneath. [5]

Solution to Crossword 311

Down 26

29

• Lime Mortar Work and Pointing

To advertise in our PHONE-a-FIRM section telephone 01963 351256 / 351998

High Street, Curry Rivel, Langport  01458 251476

1

Plaster Over Artex Plasterboarding Rendering Tiling Coving General Building Work

 01935 823490

HETAS • OFTEC • GAS SAFE

Prize Crossword No. 312

Stonework

Fly about heart of gold? That's unwise. [5] Hope snake with anger. [6] Devilish fern held by Ian Ball, oddly. [8] Velocities and forces perhaps hidden in coverts. [7] Cleaned as little science buffed.

[8] Action, including small cot, depicted. [9]

THE WINNER of our Crossword 311 was Mr. C. Strickland of Yeovil, who chose to spend the £10 voucher at Ward & Sibley Jewellers, Yeovil.