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Issue 440 July 2020
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The RSPB is inviting South West residents to share how nature has lifted their spirits during lockdown During lockdown, more than ever, we’ve seen how important the natural world is to our wellbeing Between 1st and 31st July, share your story and photos using #MyWorldNow on social media
Seven-spotted ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata). Image: Sebastian Knight.
In Passing...
R
egular readers might recall from previous columns that I am not a keen gardener. My garden is quite small but there is always something that needs doing to keep it tidy. Thank goodness I haven’t got acres of farmland to care for. I like my garden to look colourful and kempt and to produce soft fruits and a few herbs for cooking so I have no choice but to get my hands dirty from time to time. For colour I have flowering shrubs, roses, lavenders and perennials like pinks which are the staples – they don’t need much attention – with a few bedding annuals to brighten up the tubs. In early May my lilacs were heavy with blooms, and the bluebells flowered earlier this year. For three or four weeks from the middle of April the woods near my home were awash with a carpet of blue, reminding me of the words of the Pete Seeger song which he adapted from writings attributed to King Solomon in the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes: ‘To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven’. I recently had my first taste of this year’s crop of English asparagus and Cornish new potatoes and Cheddar strawberries – all seasonal signs that spring is turning into summer. Even reluctant gardeners like me know that there is ‘a time to sow and a time to reap’, and the time has come now to harvest the soft fruit. The hot sunshine of April and May after the wet winter has resulted in a bumper crop of redcurrants, loganberries and gooseberries, so I will have no shortage of fruit wines for Christmas and next year. And in my neighbours’ gardens and the local fields the blossom-laden boughs of April and May are promising a bumper pear and apple harvest this autumn. England is probably the best place in the world for growing apples, for the interaction of climate and soil conditions has resulted in countless regional varieties of eating, cooking and cider apples down the
centuries – well over a hundred in Visitorland alone. And now it’s July already! I don’t believe it. Surely six months can’t have passed since I took down the Christmas decorations. Time certainly seems to be flying faster as I grow older. The Summer Solstice on 21st June was over a week ago and the light evenings are beginning to shorten. Soon advertisers will start reminding us that there are only 175 or fewer shopping days left till next Christmas, when for many of us summer has only just started. As Pete Seeger should have said in his song, there’s a time for sitting in the sunshine and trying to avoid looking at all the gardening jobs waiting to be done. That time is now. Phew! I’ve managed 450 words without mentioning you-know-what. That must be some kind of record nowadays. NN.
PO Box 1, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7BG Tel: (01963) 351256, 351998 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk facebook.com/thevisitormagazine twitter.com/thevisitormag Editor Max Dunion Advertising/Features Editor Sara Danesh-Pour Managing Director Helen Dunion © The Visitor Ltd. 2020 (Items marked ©GT are the copyright of Geoff Thompson)
Advertising Deadlines August Issue published Wednesday 29th July Deadline Friday 17th July
CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED ‑ 24 ANTIQUES ‑ 15 CROSSWORD ‑ 24 GARDENING ‑ 20 HOUSE & HOME ‑ 16 LEISURE ‑ 13 LOOKING GOOD ‑ 14 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES ‑ 4 MOTORING ‑ 18 PHONE‑A‑FIRM ‑ 22 PUBS ‑ 19 REMEMBER WHEN ‑ 22 SUDOKU ‑ 13
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THEY SAY ‑ 19 WINE & DINE ‑ 21
Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON
THE VISITOR July 2020 3
Mentioned My Lockdown Poem By Poppy Danesh-Pour
in
Age: 10
Dispatches No school sounds cool, Just fun and no lessons, Then home-schooling started, With lots of maths sessions,
I thought it’d be great, But instead it’s just boring, I can’t see my friends, And outside it is pouring,
So, I’m writing a poem, To cheer myself up, If that doesn’t work, I will play with my pup!
Healthy Heart Tips, by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
YOUR WAIST circumference is an indicator of your risk of developing some serious health conditions, including heart disease. People who carry too much fat around their middle have a higher risk of developing heart disease, however, this risk can be reduced by losing weight. We explain how to measure your waist as well as providing tips for maintaining a healthy waistline. What is a healthy waistline? A healthy waistline for men is anything below 94cm (37 inches) and anything below 80cm (31.5 inches) for women. You are at a high risk if your waist circumference is 102cm (40 inches) or over for men or 88cm (34.6 inches) or over for women. If you are a man from African Caribbean, South Asian, Chinese or Japanese origin, a healthy
Your waist circumference is an indicator of your risk of developing some serious health conditions, including heart disease.
waist circumference is anything below 90cm (35.4 inches).
How to measure your waist circumference:
Checking your waist circumference will help you to identify whether you are carrying too much fat around your middle. To measure your waist, you first need to find the bone at the top of your hip and your bottom rib. You need to wrap a tape measure around your middle at the centre of these two points. You need to relax and breathe out when the measurement is
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4 THE VISITOR July 2020
taken. Ensure the tape measure is touching your skin, but not pulled too tightly. You can repeat the measure two more times and take the average.
Maintain a healthy waistline:
If your waist circumference is within the healthy range, this is great news. You should keep an eye on your waist circumference by measuring it from time to time. If your waist circumference is above the healthy range, you should try to lose weight. We gain weight when we eat more calories than we use up. By eating less and getting more physical activity, you should see your weight and your waistline reduce. You can get help to lose weight by following the NHS 12-week weight loss plan found at: www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthyweight/start-the-nhs-weight-lossplan. Heart Research UK Healthy tips come direct from the Heart Research UK Health Promotion team.
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Dispatches Heart Research UK
Proud to stand out from the crowd, Heart Research UK is the charity dedicated to your heart. They inspire and invest in pioneering medical research, ground-breaking training and education, and in communities to improve their heart health for themselves. For over 50 years they have driven advancements in the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease to benefit patients as soon as possible. In the last 10 years, Heart Research UK has funded over £10.2m in medical research in hospitals and universities across the UK, as well as £2.2m on innovative community-based lifestyle projects to improve the heart health of the nation. They like a personal approach, so if they want to contact you they do it themselves, and certainly don’t pay anyone to do it. They treat people how they would like to be treated themselves. If you’d like to support Heart
Research UK’s vital work into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease, please visit www.heartresearch.org.uk for inspiration on how you could help.
Reading charity recruiting for Sherborne area
Read Easy, a local charity that provides free 1-to-1 help to adults who struggle to read, is looking for a volunteer Co-ordinator for Sherborne to join the team. If you are looking for a worthwhile parttime voluntary role which would involve meeting, introducing and supporting coaches and readers, please contact Jenny on 07748 977 330 or email for an initial chat and more information. If you have experience of supporting adults with specific learning difficulties, this could be the role for you. Equally, if you don’t have specific experience but are a caring, empathetic person they would love to hear from you, too. In either case, full training will be given.
Hot Sweet Pickle Relish - Gold Enjoy at your BBQ on Burgers and Hot Dogs or fabulous with Cheddar. Damson & Port Jam - Gold Yummy on hot buttered toast. Medlar and Cider Jelly - Silver Perfect accompaniment to cheese and Roast Pork as an alternative to apple sauce. ‘In these uncertain times it was fabulous to hear we had won 3 golds and a silver at Taste of The West especially as we didn’t know if the awards would be going ahead or not. To have the winners announced was the boost we needed.’ Says Cedric Tuck. Cedrics are now operating a
‘No Contact’ DRIVE THRU, Along with their exclusive range of Award Winning Cakes, Jams, Chutney, Marmalade, Jellies and Cider, they have expanded their range to cover more of the basics such as Fresh Vegetable Boxes, Fresh Fruit Boxes, Fresh Salad Boxes, Local Free range Eggs, Somerset Butter, Local Cheeses, Organic Yoghurt, Dorset Cream, Bread, Bread Flour, Tea and Coffee etc. How to use Cedrics Drive Thru: Place your order in advance or Pull onto Car Park and telephone 01460 72592 - pay over the phone, collect with no contact. Take home and enjoy!
CEDRICS® Triple Gold & Silver Winners at Taste of the West 2020
Beekeepers Sparkling Marmalade Cider - Gold Cool and refreshing enjoy on a picnic in the garden.
Cedrics® Drive-Thru can be found at The White Swan, Misterton.
Customer parking at rear of shop
The Jewellers of Yeovil WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OUR CUSTOMERS AGAIN FROM 3RD JULY 2020 THE CASKET, 103 MIDDLE STREET, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065 “ Where customer care comes first” THE VISITOR July 2020 5
ANDREW BARCLAY TRADITIONAL FAMILY BUTCHERS 45 High Street, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9JU Tel: 01963 34880 • Email: andrewbarclaybutchers@gmail.com www.andrewbarclaybutcher.com
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BBQ TIME PLAIN & FLAVOURED MEATS & POULTRY COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SAUSAGES & BURGERS WE ALSO STOCK A VARIETY OF FINE LOCAL CHEESES, HOMEMADE CAKES DESSERTS, PIES, PASTIES, SCOTCH EGGS, MILK, CREAM, EGGS, MERE FISH FARM PRODUCTS, COOKED MEATS, A SELECTION OF DRY & SWEET BISCUITS & CONDIMENTS ORDERS TAKEN FOR OUR MEAT AT NORTH CADBURY VILLAGE SHOP DAILY DELIVERIES TO THE SURROUNDING AREA HOG ROAST SERVICE AVAILABLE We accept all major Credit/Debit Cards
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Dispatches Somerset charity encourages furloughed to volunteer for local good causes
Somerset Skills Bank, run by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) in partnership with Spark Somerset, is an exciting initiative that aims to encourage volunteers to donate their time and expert
skills to support local charities. If you're looking to develop new skills and experience, or have recently been furloughed and would like to use your free time to volunteer in Somerset, this could be just what you’re looking for. Laura Blake, Development Director at SCF explains: ‘Research has shown that volunteering can deliver many benefits, including improved physical and mental health. ‘If you have specialist skills and would like to use them to support a good cause, we can match you to the right volunteering
If you're looking to develop new skills and experience, or have recently been furloughed and would like to use your free time to volunteer in Somerset, this could be just what you’re looking for.
THE VISITOR July 2020 7
suspended in March due to the pandemic. During lockdown, the Council supported stallholders in innovative ways. Some set up home deliveries, while others advertised online at a virtual marketplace, hosted on the Council’s website. To stay up to date with market news please follow @mendip_markets on Twitter and @mendip.markets on Instagram or visit the website www. mendip.gov.uk.uk/markets.
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Dispatches opportunity and make it easy and rewarding for you to give back. Whether you’re an HR professional, marketing specialist or IT guru, there are lots of charities in Somerset that can benefit hugely from your time and skills.’ To volunteer please visit: www.somersetcf.org.uk/skills bank and click through to fill in the simple online form and the team will be in touch to match you to a local charity. If you have any queries you can contact SCF by email at: info@somersetcf. org.uk or, if that isn’t possible, you can call: 01749 344949. Community Foundations are local champions, connecting people and organisations that want to improve their communities. They invest in local people and organisations tackling some of the biggest issues facing communities today and supporting some of society’s most disadvantaged people. They provide help and advice to those who want to give at the heart of their communities, both now and in the long-term, by matching donors to important local causes. Last year SCF provided funding of £2.6m to almost 300 projects across the county, supporting 40,000 people.
Over 120,000 Dorset jobs supported by national schemes
Mendip markets are still selling their amazing array of top-quality goods, but they look and feel a little different, having been planned to accommodate social distancing.
Mendip Markets return to high streets after coronavirus lockdown
Following the successful reopening of the Wells Wednesday market and Frome and Wells Saturday markets, Mendip District Council is getting ready to resume all its weekly market events. The markets will still be selling their amazing array of top-quality goods, but they will look and feel a little different, having been planned to accommodate social distancing. The traders have in place hand sanitisers, queue
management systems and contactless payment for visitors to the markets - so people can be confident of a safe and enjoyable shopping experience. Cllr Nick Cottle, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services, said: ‘We’re so pleased to see all Mendip Markets coming back this month. It’s been a lot of hard work and dedication from Officers and Traders alike, but we’ve done it and are ready to safely open and welcome visitors back to the markets. We would also like to thank all the public for their continued support.’ Mendip District Council is supporting stallholders with a rent-free offer this summer throughout July. The decision will then be reviewed on a monthby-month basis, for up to six months. And shoppers will welcome the free parking available across all Mendip-owned pay and display car parks until 6th August. The move was announced last week in a bid to boost trade and confidence in the district’s high streets. Mendip Markets were
Stand-first: HMRC report highlights uptake of job retention and self-employed support schemes across Dorset. HMRC has reported to Dorset LEP that since the launch of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and SelfEmployment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), over 123,000 jobs in Dorset have been supported. In March, Dorset LEP allocated additional resource to Dorset Gateway, Dorset LEP's business growth hub, to manage increased enquiries and ensure local businesses were aware of these two schemes, as well as all other government and local funding support that has been made available throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Delivered in partnership with Dorset Chamber, Dorset Gateway provides signposting to a range of advice and support, key account management and a free specialist bid-writing service – all of which are fully-funded to help support Dorset’s businesses. Dorset Gateway has signposted businesses to local and national support, seconded existing staff to new and temporary roles, helped businesses apply for government grant funding, and conducted a COVID-19 Business Impact Survey for Dorset which has informed government COVID-19 schemes that have helped specific challenges Dorset businesses have been facing. As of 31 May, 93,100 jobs were
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Dispatches recorded as furloughed by businesses across the county since the CJRS was launched in April. This scheme, which will now run until the end of October, h a s h e l ped l oca l employers affected by coronavirus retain their employees. HMRC have also shared that the roll out of the SEISS in May has financially supported 30,200 self-employed individuals in Dorset affected by the coronavirus outbreak. In May, the Chancellor announced an extension of the scheme, with those eligible being able to claim a second and final grant in August of up to £6,750. In May, Dorset Gateway teamed up with Crowdfunder and Enterprise Nation to launch Crowdfund Dorset Business, which provides match funding of up to £5,000 for the self-employed and for small businesses to help them keep trading and bounceback from the effects of COVID-19. Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: ‘The UK Government is doing everything we can to protect jobs and businesses in Dorset and across the UK during the crisis. Our unprecedented job retention and self-employment support schemes have supported the livelihoods of millions and will help ensure our recovery is as swift as possible.’ Finn Morgan, Dorset Gateway Manager, concludes: ‘While it has been a hugely difficult time for local businesses, their employees, and the region’s large number of self-employed businesses, we are reassured that so many have taken advantage of the CJRS and SEISS schemes, as well as other national and local support measures. ‘Business conditions continue to be extremely challenging and we continue to work closely with
local and national organisations to support businesses in Dorset, across the county, to bounce-back from the unparalleled economic impact of coronavirus. ‘We’ve seen a number of Dorset businesses showing great resilience during the crisis with many finding new ways of working, and many more benefitting from the support of the local community staying and shopping locally.’ The latest COVID-19 Guidance for businesses and the selfemployed can be found on the Dorset LEP website: www.dorsetlep.co.uk.
Long awaited reunions at Trinity Manor Care Home
For some residents at Trinity Manor care home in Sherborne, the long awaited reunion with family and friends became a reality recently, as garden visits have now been allowed to commence at the home. There has been much careful planning and preparation for this moment behind the scenes at Barchester Healthcare, who run Trinity Manor care home. Social distancing was still in place, and homes that are able to take part must have a large accessible garden. It was welcome news to so many residents, family, and friends, who were kept apart for so long following strict government guidance. Residents and their loved ones got together in the home garden for tea and cakes, and the garden was full of joy and chatter. Neil Hardy, General Manager at the home, said: ‘This has been a much welcomed development in what have been very strange times. The visits are safe and organised, and it was wonderful to see how happy it made the residents. We will of course endeavour to keep up the high standards of care, and continue with our ever evolving life enrichment programme, to keep residents engaged. But this was a lovely day.’ Dr Valerie Marett a resident ambassador at Trinity Manor
Long awaited reunions at Trinity Manor Care Home.
said: ‘The staff here have been so wonderful and generous with their time, keeping us busy and entertained, especially showing us how to use video calls, but nothing beats seeing my friends in real life. This was a special moment, and I was over the moon.’ We are welcoming new residents and patients into our
homes to ensure that we are there for those that need care and support, and have a very clear admission policy and infection control protocols that must be met. Please do give us a call on 01935 815 972 if you are looking for care or need any further help. Trinity Manor care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers,
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Call SANDRA BARCLAY, Manager on 01935 472793 for an informal chat 60 West Coker Road, Yeovil BA20 2JA email: info@beechwoodcarehome.co.uk • www.beechwoodcarehome.co.uk THE VISITOR July 2020 9
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Dispatches which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Trinity Manor provides residential, dementia and respite care.
Wessex Water Foundation launched to help those in need
The new Wessex Water Foundation, a multi-million pound initiative launched by Somerset’s water and sewerage company, will focus on supporting people hit hardest by the Covid19 crisis in its first year. The Foundation is providing dedicated funding for projects across the Wessex Water region in partnership with Somerset Community Foundation, as well as Wiltshire, Dorset and Quartet Community Foundations, and is
10 THE VISITOR July 2020
The new Wessex Water Foundation, a multi-million pound initiative launched by Somerset’s water and sewerage company, will focus on supporting people hit hardest by the Covid-19 crisis in its first year.
already prioritising those worst affected by the pandemic. And from 2021 the Wessex Water Foundation will provide at least half a million pounds of funding every year to support community projects, debt advice and charities dealing with those suffering the consequences of poverty through poor mental and physical health, hunger, housing
or unemployment. Region-wide emergency funding will be awarded to groups on the frontline, including charities and foodbanks, while the Wessex Water Recovery Fund opens for local applications later this year to help respond to the challenging economic situation. Wessex Water will also continue to fund local environmental projects, supporting the ambition to rebuild communities with new green infrastructure. Colin Skellett, Wessex Water’s CEO, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be able to launch the Wessex Water Foundation alongside our friends in the community foundations in our patch. ‘Being at the heart of the communities we serve is nothing new for us, but the Wessex Water Foundation is a new way of making sure we’re helping the people who need it most. ‘It’s been an incredibly tough time for everyone in our region and supporting emergency
coronavirus response projects is a fitting place to start.’ Justin Sargent, CEO at Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) added: ‘We’re delighted to continue our successful partnership with Wessex Water and would like to thank them for their support. Their initial contribution to our Somerset Coronavirus Appeal will be swiftly awarded to local groups and organisations, helping them to continue their good work on the front line, supporting those most in need in our communities.’ SCF recently launched the next phase of their Somerset Coronavirus Appeal in a bid to raise £1.5m for communities across Somerset. Justin continued: ‘In the three months since our appeal was first launched [mid-March 2020], thanks to the incredible support of local donors like Wessex Water and the National Emergencies Trust, it has raised more than £800,000 for Somerset. Those donations have meant that so far, grants worth £450,000 have been awarded to over 160 charitable groups across the county, with more being awarded every week. ‘We believe that if we can reach our target and award £1.5m in grants we can help our local charities and community groups
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Dispatches to weather the financial storm they're facing now and in the future. The impact of coronavirus on our communities won’t end when lockdown is lifted. Life will be even tougher for those who are already disadvantaged. ‘Small, local charities are vital to Somerset’s social fabric and funding from partners like Wessex Water will help tackle this disadvantage and keep our communities strong.’ Rosemary Macdonald, interim CEO of UK Community Foundations, said: ‘We at UKCF would like to thank Wessex Water Foundation for all their help with the emergency coronavirus appeal. ‘It is great to see the Community Foundations in the Wessex region come together and work so successfully with one of our key employers. The Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset and Quartet Foundations are working hard to distribute the funding provided by the Wessex Water Foundation to those most affected by Covid19. ‘It’s wonderful to see such a great partnership helping those in need at this challenging time.’ For nearly three decades Wessex Water has been working with the wider community to help local causes and projects, both through volunteering and various funding projects. To find out more about the Wessex Water Foundation visit wessexwater.co.uk/community. Will you help Somerset Community Foundation raise £1.5m to support our local charities? If you are able, please consider making a donation today, so they can continue to provide funding to help local charities and community groups recover from the financial impacts of coronavirus and ensure they can carry on supporting those in need in the future. To donate to the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal visit www.somersetcf.org.uk/appeal or, if that isn’t possible, call 01749 344949. To support the national appeal, please visit: www. nationalemergenciestrust.org. uk/coronavirus. Community Foundations help passionate people to change the world on their doorstep in partnership with local donors.
WAC granted support from Arts Council England
The team at Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) is celebrating an exciting achievement: a £5,300 grant has been secured from Arts Council England towards the production of a virtual exhibition for WAC2020. ‘This is a fantastic affirmation of the original aim of WAC which was to help support both established and emerging artists, more important now than ever,’ says Paddy O’ Hagan, chair of WAC. For the past seven years, shortlisted works of art submitted to the open WAC competition has resulted in an exhibition at a prestigious venue. Last year, Wells Cathedral provided the magnificent backdrop and plans were full steam ahead to return for 2020. Adapting to these challenging times, the WAC team has rethought the way forward for this year. The result is a win-win for successful artists, and also for sponsors of the exhibition. ‘This amazing grant from Arts Council England provides us with the means for an experiential, interactive virtual exhibition in September,’ explains Paddy. ‘For artists, it is a unique chance to have their work viewed all over the world, accessed via laptops, ipads, tablets, mobile phones and so on. Likewise, it presents us with additional, creative opportunities for sponsors to get involved.’ Details of the virtual exhibition will be revealed in due course and working closely with the Dean and the Cathedral continues as before. Once it is safe to do so, the physical exhibition will be moved into the Cathedral itself. ‘There is a strong synergy,’ says Paddy. ‘When it was built in the Middle Ages it was the first Gothic cathedral in England. You could say it was an experimental design, pushing boundaries, which is just what visual art has the potential to do. With this grant, we can look forward to putting on a suitably thoughtprovoking exhibition both online and eventually in situ.’ The entry date for art submissions has been extended until 1st August 2020. Full details for online applications are available via https:// wac.artopps.co.uk. For exhibition updates and sponsorship opportunities, visit: www. wellsartcontemporary.co.uk. Wells Art Contemporary is an open competition for UK and international visual arts that has
Sheena Loveday, a founder of WAC, and Paddy O'Hagan, Chair of WAC, are celebrating a successful bid for a grant to enable the production of a virtual WAC exhibition.
gained praise and respect in the UK and abroad. Established in 2012 by a group of artists and their friends in Wells, the beautiful cathedral city in the South-West of England, WAC is dedicated to promoting and supporting innovative and challenging visual artists at all stages in their career.
PRIZES:
• Somerset Art Works Festival 2021 Award: a Somersetbased artist will receive mentoring and financial support to create a new body of work to be showcased during the Somerset Art Works Festival 2021 • RK Harrison Award: £2,000 awarded to one artist • JGM Gallery Exhibition Prize: up to four artists will be selected to take part in an exhibition at the JGM Gallery in London • Parker Harris Mentoring Prize: a one-to-one mentoring session covering all aspects of professional development to a selected artist. • Next Generation Art Prize: a two-week solo exhibition at the Andelli Art Gallery in Wells, including a private view and social media support, will be awarded to
an artist up to 30 years of age. Mentoring and advice on working with galleries, curation and artistic development will also be offered. • NG Art Creative Residency: a free two-week placement at the NG Art Creative Residency in Provence. This includes board and lodging, studio space, mentorship and residency-related outings. • ChubbBulleid People’s Prize: Selected by visitors of the exhibition. • 3 x Materials bundle Prize: Donated by Cass Art
Best-selling author wants children to write lockdown stories in aid of Julia’s House Children’s Hospice
Best-selling author Minette Walters wants children and young people to share their lockdown experiences for a summer short story competition in aid of Julia’s House Children’s Hospice. The Julia’s House Summer Shorties competition will have two categories, age five to nine and ten to 16, and will be judged by a panel, chaired by the author. She has been a patron of the children’s charity, which cares for life-limited children in Wiltshire THE VISITOR July 2020 11
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Dispatches and Dorset, for more than 20 years. The winners and runners up in both categories will have their stories published on the Julia’s House website, with the winners receiving £100 each and the runners up £25 each. The prizes have been kindly donated by the Addo Food Group. The thriller writer is best known for The Ice House and The Sculptress, which were both adapted as popular TV dramas. She said she has been struck by the difficulties, as well as the positives, of young people being at home with their families and away from their friends. ‘For some, it will have been a prolonged and wonderful summer holiday, during which they’ve grown closer to their parents. For others, whose parents don’t get on, who don’t have a garden or who are missing their friends and grandparents, lockdown will be something they’d rather forget. ‘I want children and young people to think about this different summer and let their imaginations run free. They can write about it as it was, or how they would have liked it to be. It doesn’t have to be their summer, it can be someone else’s – an imaginary friend, an animal, a parent or a grandparent. I’m so looking forward to reading their stories. If children bring their imaginations to play on what the words mean, their stories will be magical.’ She said that encouraging children to use their imagination to write stories is an important way of allowing them to understand and express their feelings. ‘Writing is important for children because imagination will be their best friend throughout their life. The world is brighter when you paint it with colour and excitement’ she added. ‘Using your imagination is the most joyful thing you will ever do. To imagine a story and tell others what might have happened – so that your reader’s imagination comes in to play as well – is the most satisfying form of communication.’ Stories must be titled ‘A Different Summer’ and be limited to a maximum of 300 words for five to nine-year-olds and 500 words for ten to 16 -year-olds. 12 THE VISITOR July 2020
Best-selling author Minette Walters wants children and young people to share their lockdown experiences for a summer short story competition in aid of Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.
Entries must be submitted on an official entry form available from the Julia’s House website: juliashouse.org/summershorties or by post from Julia’s House Summer Shorties, Barclays House, 1 Wimborne Road, Poole, BH15 2BB. There is no entry fee but anyone taking part in the competition can make a donation to help Julia’s House continue to be there for local children and families during the coronavirus crisis and beyond. The competition is open now and the closing date is Friday, July 31. Full entry details and terms and conditions are available on the Julia’s House website or by written request. Minette will joined on the judging panel by Mark Tattersall, Artistic Director, Dorchester Arts and Ebony Robinson, Julia’s House Young Ambassador. Ms Walters added: ‘Children don’t often get the chance to do something positive for other children, so the idea that they can do something like this to help Julia’s House is really wonderful, I think.’ The money raised will contribute towards providing care for life-limited and life-threatened children and their families. The author continued: ‘Julia’s House is close to my heart because of the way they care for the children, their siblings and their families. They do wonderful work.’ Find out more about Julia’s House and its work at juliashouse.org. The charity has been continuing to care for local
children and families throughout the coronavirus crisis, helping to keep the children safe and well at home and reducing the strain on the NHS.
Recycling sites: ‘shop-style’ social distancing on its way
Visitors to Somerset Waste Partnership’s recycling centres will find ‘shop-style’ social distancing arrangements in place over the next week. Floor markings and other extra signs are being introduced to all 16 sites in the coming days. The set-up will be similar to that seen in supermarkets and other shops, with visitors expected to take responsibility for keeping themselves and others safe. Sites were closed in March in response to COVID-19 and reopened in May with extra staff and barriers on hand to make sure social distancing was followed and to control access to waste skips. This extra staffing has been gradually phased out and over the course of the next few weeks, starting on Saturday (20 June), barriers will be removed. Other safety and access restrictions remain in place: • Gloves to be worn when outside the vehicle • Maximum of two people per household • Trailers and 3.5 tonne vans only allowed between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays • Lifting assistance not available. There will be a further update
when all sites can take the last few materials currently not being accepted, including glass and cardboard which can be recycled at the kerbside. Sites have experienced long queues at times, especially in the morning, and the public is still advised to only make trips to the tip if really necessary. Mickey Green, Managing Director of SWP, said: ‘These arrangements will be familiar to everyone from their trips to the supermarket, with the responsibility very much on the public to do the right thing and maintain social distance. ‘The way that visitors have accepted the restrictions and followed the guidance so far has been great and I’m sure this will be no different.’ All sites are now open for their usual summer hours. Queue cams are operating for Bridgwater, Chard, Highbridge, Minehead, Street, Taunton, Wells and Yeovil. Please check before you leave For the latest information about services and any disruption visit and follow @somersetwaste on Twitter and Facebook.
New affordable homes to be built in Shaftesbury
Sovereign Housing Association is working with Redrow to build 51 quality new affordable homes in Littledown, Shaftesbury. This development, called Blackmore Down, will see a total of 143 homes on the site with the 51 affordable homes to be provided through Sovereign, 26 for affordable rent and 25 through shared ownership. Blackmore Down is the only development in the area currently offering new-build affordable homes. With over 1000 people interested in affordable homes in the North Dorset area and almost 100 people in Shaftesbury alone, affordable housing is in high demand locally. Blackmore Down is the first development that Sovereign has negotiated under lockdown conditions; a great example of how Sovereign is still working hard to develop more homes and better places across the south of England even during challenging times.
Plans for Blackmore Down, Shaftesbury.
Parents playing teacher in lockdown with Sara Danesh-Pour
Parents playing teacher in lock-down
TEACHING your children during lockdown - so they have some semblance of an education during these unprecedented times - can feel like descending into a dark abyss of the unknown. Parents are not prepared for this; we didn’t ask for this and we certainly didn’t sign up for it. Yet here I am, teaching fractions to my 8 year old, whilst frantically googling what a denominator is under the dining table. Frankly, I don’t remember school-work being this hard. I don’t think I’ve ever known what a conjunctive adverb or a split infinitive is. Suddenly my degree from a ‘good’ university feels useless, not worth the grandiose scroll it’s printed on. It’s certainly not of any benefit in lockdownlife, where you need to be a walking and talking expert in all subjects known to man (sadly we don’t own a helpful Alexa). My struggles with the basic of concepts in KS2 Maths and English lead me to an important question. Did they teach us anything at school in the 80’s and 90’s? I remember sneaking off to my best friend’s house to watch Grange Hill after school. Recording Top of The Pops whilst sipping ghoulishly flavoured, gassy Soda Stream. And yes somewhere from the annals of my mind, I recall squirreling myself off to devour book after book. From Jane Eyre to Brave New World to Sweet Valley High, there seemed to be endless, uninterrupted time to read books
and just be. Long summer weeks and months were spent in a pure state of ignorance of what was to follow (ie. growing up and having to pay bills); it was bliss. Together with my glittery lipgloss, my book worming days are long gone. Like many parents, I’m too tired to hold a book or kindle, never mind actually read words. On the flip side of the depressing epiphany that my general knowledge is decidedly patchy, lockdown has given me a new confidence that my children are doing well at school. The angst that I won’t be able to keep up with them in their learning journey remains, but at least they’re on point, even if I’m not. In recent weeks, school-work has taken more of a back seat. We’ve been giggling as we run through the woodlands of King Alfred’s Tower to find shelter from a rain shower, weaving our way through the exquisite gardens at The Newt as if we’re on a great adventure. We’ve worked our way through the entire Disney back catalogue, well nearly. We’ve laughed, cried, sulked and cuddled. Such has been the emotional rollercoaster we’ve been teetering on. The gripping anxiety in early lockdown of my children slipping behind with their school-work has largely been proven to be a baseless fear; we have nothing to compare how well they (and I) are doing. And actually, that’s quite nice. What we have accomplished is we’ve managed to create some moments in lockdown that we can all remember affectionately. Something for them to think about in years to come when they’re sleep deprived, tearing their hair out with their own children and berating themselves for not knowing or doing enough. Such is the Circle of Life.
Sudoku by T.M. Fill in the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers 1 to 9. Solution to June Sudoku on page 28.
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So, you think you know your Pop music, do you? By John Osborne Answers can be found on page 22
1) In which year did the Beatles hit No. 1 with ‘Hey Jude’? 2) 'In the Summertime' by Mungo Jerry, was their first No. 1. Name the only other one. 3) Ron and Russell Mael together are known as whom? 4) In what year were 'Culture Club' formed? 5) 'Village' is the latest release by which evergreen rocker? 6) ‘Sailor’ suggested ‘Let’s get together, the two of us over… ‘(what)? 7) Which band had the instrumental ‘Machine Gun’ as their first hit? 8) Which of the Beatles had a hit with 'Photograph'? 9) Who is the country-orientated singer using a 'Polaroid' at the moment? 10) Lily Allen hit number one with 'The Fear' in which year? Serious Anorak Question Name the model and make of car that can be heard revving up on the Mungo Jerry first no. 1 'In the Summertime'
THE VISITOR July 2020 13
7) Spinach Packed with vitamins A, C, K antioxidants and beta-carotene, spinach is great for your immune system and also your eyes, bones and heart. Can be eaten raw or if lightly cooked, it promotes the absorption of nutrients.
Family Health with Sara D-P
BSc (hons) Biochemistry PgDip Nutrition, Physical Activity & Public Health
WITH LOCKDOWN restrictions easing further, we see the reopening of pubs, hairdressers, eateries and more. At last, normality seems to be resuming. As we venture out it’s imperative that we remain alert, healthy and well. One of the easiest ways to do this is from the inside out, specifically by giving ourselves the best boost and kick start for our immune systems. This can be surprisingly easy to do. Whilst the term ‘superfood’ is more of a marketing term than a scientific one, studies have shown a range of foods, rather than one individual food, contain the necessary elements to assist our internal biochemistry and help us to feel great. Here are just a few superfoods indicated by research as being significantly beneficial in immune system functioning. Indeed many of these nutritious foods can improve health in other ways. 1) Avocados This wondrous and healthy fruit contains vitamins A, B6, C, D, E, K amongst other nutrients including riboflavin, folate, niacin and manganese. To top it off, the humble avocado is a source of healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), so overall it can help to keep your immune system boosted, your bones strong and your heart healthy.
2) Ginger An antibacterial spice that happens to be a natural blood thinner. Ginger contains a handy compound called gingerol which is known to be an antiinflammatory antioxidant. Ginger is also commonly used to treat nausea.
4) Citrus Fruits An excellent ‘go to’ food to get a generous boost of vitamin C plus other anti-inflammatory nutrients. Vitamin C is essential for immune defence mechanisms by supporting cell barriers and by protecting against oxidative stress
5) Pumpkin Seeds Loaded with a great combo of iron, Vitamin E and zinc, these jam-packed seeds are also antiviral and have the added benefit of improving mood and sleep. 3) Garlic Clever compounds found in garlic, specifically allicin (which converts to sulpher-based compounds) are thought to enhance the response of white blood cells when up against viral infections. Garlic also contains manganese, vitamins C & B6 and selenium.
6) Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries) Rigorous cell protectors, berries are highly anti-oxidant rich, with anthocyanins, ellagic acid and resveratrol to name a few. They help to keep free radicals at bay, in addition to providing nutrients.
14 THE VISITOR July 2020
8) Almonds Good levels of vitamin E and protein coupled with MUFA and a range of minerals and flavonoids are found in this deft little nut. The beneficial substances found in almonds help the body in a variety of ways. Antioxidants assist the functioning of the immune system, reduce inflammation and support the cardiovascular system. Studies have indicated a reduction in LDL (bad) cholesterol and there is a strong association with healthy brain function. Therefore, almonds are an excellent snack choice.
Lawrences bounce back with bumper auctions in July
LAWRENCES IN CREWKERNE is pleased to announce a busy series of auctions after enforced closure during the Spring months. In July alone, the Somerset auctioneers are offering over 3000 lots and, in addition to two General Sales of about 500 lots each on July 8th and 29th, attention from collectors and dealers will focus upon a 2000lot Fine Art sale to be sold across three days on July 21st, 23rd and 24th. The auction of over 500 lots of silver and objects of vertu on Tuesday July 21st includes a fine Queen Anne chocolate pot, made by Andrew Raven in 1704. Chocolate pots are distinguished from coffee pots by the spout being at right angles to the handle and this elegant example is expected to make £5000-6000. Less refined in form, but with great charm nonetheless, is a modern silver figure of a hippopotamus weighing over
20oz. This is guided at £800-850 An excellent selection of 400 lots of jewellery and watches begins Thursday’s sale on July 23rd. Highlights include a yellow sapphire and diamond cluster brooch, set with a Sri Lankan sapphire weighing over 31 carats. This is estimated at £5000-8000. A gentleman’s stainless steel Oyster Perpetual wristwatch by Rolex from c.1950 is expected to make £400-600. The day continues with Decorative Arts and Ceramics in the afternoon. A modern Cotswold School display cabinet by Hugh Birkett is estimated at £1500-2000; a large Chinese millefleurs vase, 58cm high, is expected to make £500-1000; and a jade carving of a guardian lion, 7cm long and possibly 18th Century, is valued at £1200-1800. On Friday, July 24th there will be over 200 lots of pictures and prints including a 1967 colour lithograph by Graham Sutherland, entitled ‘Chauve Souris – Interior’ estimated at £500-700 and, by way of contrast,
This Sri Lankan sapphire weighing over 31 carats. This is estimated at £5000-8000 in the upcoming Lawrences Fine Art Sale.
a 1909 oil on canvas by William Teulon Blandford Fletcher entitled ‘After Labour, Refreshment!’ showing a fisherman enjoying his lunch (£1000-1500). A selection of clocks includes a regulator by James Muirhead of Glasgow, estimated at £5000-6000 and the furniture that concludes the sale is led by a George II-style mahogany side table at £1200-1600. The auction will be open for public viewing from Monday July 13th. Social distancing restrictions apply and you are advised to check the website
(www.lawrences.co.uk) for details about arranging to come and browse. All the sales can now be viewed online too. Bidding can be done online, by telephone bid, commission bid or limited access to the saleroom itself on the sale days.
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Homeowners Reveal Their Biggest First-Time Decorating Mistakes!
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admitted to this potentially expensive mistake. As well as being naïve, they also didn’t know how to use the right equipment/supplies. In second place, 82% couldn’t decide which tools to use, which primers were best and more. Overcrowding the room takes third place. Three quarters (75%) wanted to fill the room with as much of their personalities as possible, but in doing so made it too busy. Claiming fourth, fifth and sixth place are neglecting optimal lighting/making the room too dark (73%), spending too much on new furniture (70%) and focusing on cosmetics over function (69%). Fortunately, the decorating mistake that fooled the fewest first timers was adding too much colour. Only 28% were too bold with their colour schemes, with 72% avoiding the blunder. Similarly, only 31% forgot to measure before buying. This is alongside other mistakes like buying cheap online deals that aren’t worth it and attempting work that should only be carried out by a professional, which only caught out 33% and 34% of
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homeowners, respectively. To help first-time buyers with the scary ordeal of decorating, MyJobQuote.co.uk provided their best interior decorating tips: 1. Plan plan plan! It’s vital to plan before getting to work. Avoid unnecessary setbacks by firstly deciding on a budget, and then deciding on themes, colours, furniture and more. This includes measuring for your room’s dimensions and any spaces you’d like to fill. Ask family, friends or trusty Google if you’re struggling for inspo. 2. Start off neutral Begin with neutral colours when painting and decorating as adding too much colour will overwhelm the room. Research revealed that the UK’s favourite colour is polished pebble (grey), but anything from beige to duck egg blue will provide that calm backdrop by which to add pops of colour on top with added accessories/feature items. 3. Highlight the room’s features A great way to save not only money but time planning is to decorate around a room’s best features. Maybe the living room’s bay window lets in tons of natural light or has a beautiful fireplace? Highlight these beautiful parts of the home when decorating and easily find what complements it.
4. Buy smart Many first-timers walk into the blank canvas that is their new home and feel the need to fill it with as many things as possible. Take your time to shop around and find what’s best for the room, including second-hand stores and avoiding cheap online deals that appear great on the surface (unless you’re 100% sure!).
working out. This is perfectly normal, and sometimes it pays to know when to stop and ask for help. Googling and YouTubing your problems can work, but don’t be afraid to ask a
professional too! Please see the blog post for more information here: www.myjobquote.co.uk/blog/begin ners-guide-decorating-tips-forfirst-time-homeowners.
5. As your mood changes, change your décor It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when decorating, so you’d be surprised how refreshing moving the sofa or table to a different place can be, plus it costs nothing! The mental effects of rearranging furniture are widely discussed, not to mention the uplifting mood change on a lazy Sunday by changing accessories around too. 6. Mix and match A uniform furniture set can be an easy and comparably cheaper way to bring a room to life. But it’s important to avoid making it look like an IKEA showroom. Mix and match with different styled items, and don’t forget to check your trusty second-hand store for some unique steals. 7. If in doubt, seek advice You may have planned all you can plan, searched all you can search and DIYed as much as you can DIY, but one aspect isn’t
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THE VISITOR July 2020 17
MOTORING VINTAGE Motorcycling THE CORONAVIRUS is still with us and curtailing our lives somewhat, but we are so lucky living in the part of the country that we do. Our motorcycling club life is still cancelled with little hope of a return in the near future. The loss of life is dreadful and our hearts go out to those who have died and those who mourn them. I am sure you will have read and seen enough on this subject so it is time to move on. The slight easing of the lockdown measures has however allowed me to get the bike out and go for short rides. I go for a little ride and stop at a scenic spot to admire the view and then ride on home again. I do not meet and/or talk to anyone whereby I do not endanger myself or anyone else. The pleasure of having a ride is enormous and it certainly blows the cobwebs away for both me and the bike. The hot and dry weather has been perfect for these little jaunts. I reported recently that I have at long last finished the
restoration of my 1919 Humber. To prove the point I am using a photo of the bike for this article. The actual bike is complete with the exception of a bulb horn which I shall rectify as soon as events like autojumbles are allowed once more. My attention has now been directed towards my next project which will be a Norton framed special I have wanted to build for some time. Planning for such a project is of much importance. Although I do as much of the work as I can I will need help with various jobs which are beyond either my skills (limited as they are) or the equipment I have at home. For example I know that I will be needing some very clever welding to be done, I will be needing some shotblasting and painting done for which specialist equipment is essential. I will also need sprockets made to allow for the gearing to be adjusted and a myriad of other things which will need doing as the project progresses. Luckily through experience and by contacts we all build up a circle of people who can help with these tasks. Many of these specialists can all be found
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I reported recently that I have at long last finished the restoration of my 1919 Humber. The actual bike is complete with the exception of a bulb horn which I shall rectify as soon as events like autojumbles are allowed once more.
locally or within a reasonable travelling distance. It is amazing what is being done by small firms or in peoples sheds and the skills available are endless. If you need help and do not know where to go then just ask a friend or your fellow club members and someone close by will be there to help. Even so personal recommendation is always a good pointer to getting the correct help for the task in hand. We have all made blunders in the past when asking for help from the right people would have saved both time and money. If you are stuck then ring me (01935-872528) and I may be able to point you in the right direction. In the world of old motorcycles and cars there is a gentleman in Yeovil whom I am proud to call a friend. That man is one Les Thomas. He will be well known to many of you in the southwest of England. I first met Les around 45 years ago when I joined the VMCC. He was a leading light of the club and his bike restorations were second to none and his machines won awards wherever he went. He was a very accomplished trials rider and a stalwart of the Yeo Vale Motorcycle Club. He has been a member of that club for all his adult life and at present holds the position of Vice President and Director. He has always been a very
clever engineer taking on tasks that lesser men would have rejected. Over the years his attention was drawn towards old cars as well and again his vehicles are always much admired. He still has a great interest in motorcycles but with time the old cars have become more prominent. He now has a collection of very exotic toys in his garage. You may be wondering why I am telling you this so I shall explain. A book has been written covering Les's life story. Absolutely fascinating as to how a local boy has made good. I have only just started with my copy but the book is beautifully written and illustrated and makes very good reading. I am sure many local people would like a copy of this book but they are not available through normal book sellers. I recommend it to you and at £20 (which only just covers production costs) it is very good value. If you fancy a copy then give me a ring and I will arrange to get you a copy. Be quick though as numbers will be limited. If when travelling you should pass a beauty spot and see a lone aged motorcyclist sitting forlornly at the side of the road contemplating life, then take pity on the poor soul. It might well be me. Good motoring and stay safe. Rod Hann.
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The
Pub Pages
BE E R & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER AS I WRITE THIS on the verge of the longest day of the year (already) and we all wonder where the year is going, I'm longing for the pubs to open again. That actually does not sound good though, does it, implying that I'm a bit of a boozer? Well I think that we can all agree that we’re not necessarily just missing that cool pint of English Bitter, but the whole 'craic' as the Irish say – the whole enjoyable experience of going to the pub, meeting up for a meal with friends and relations and chatting to other pub goers. Not only those things, but in the case of many people, myself definitely included, the competitive spirit, banter and fun of what many of us consider to be 'the beautiful game'. Sadly of course, I don't need to tell you that 'everything' has been cancelled, and as I have yet to hear about the 2020-21 Skittle League, even that may have gone for a Burton. I take my hat off to the pubs who have temporarily morphed into takeaways, and to those who are even delivering meals. We certainly have enjoyed having a Sunday roast delivered to the door. Generous portions mean there's almost enough left-overs for 'bubble and squeak' on Monday, so a few boiled spuds nuked in the microwave, some hot oil in the largest frying pan and even yours truly can make a meal out of it! Other pubs are delivering beers and some small brewers are maintaining at least some output by either delivering or having takeaways, £10 for 4 pints of real ale seems a pretty good deal, I note. Nice though
Table skittles Perth - Australian style.
this all is, it still doesn't beat an outing to the pub, and I can only hope and pray that we can be allowed back into our fine hostelries very soon. Over the years I have attempted to promote our great English pubs and all that goes with them via this column, and
response is generally favourable. Do feel free to write to the address below if you think there are some aspects of the industry that need promoting or something that you like that I have missed. As this issue of The Visitor is online, one should be able to access the 'Pub Games'
Vinny is getting creative while his local remains closed
site on Facebook (www. facebook.com/groups/6669606207 99100) where efforts continue to promote that friendly competitive spirit that prevails in our pubs via its diverse range of games. Also remember to check regularly on the site by my good friend and pub games enthusiast/collector Mark Shirley at http://pub-games.blogspot .com. Mark writes most eloquently and his passion for the pubs and games comes across very well. As I write, his latest postings show the Leicester 'long alley' game where, to the shock of many of us here in the West Country, some alleys can be found OUTSIDE! I shan't bore you with the long story of how we became firm friends, but on the other side of the world at Perth, Australia, Simon Church and his brother Paul have really taken hold of the whole pub games thing, giving it a good shake, slapped it around the face and given it the Aussie touch! Their take on the Daddlums, Drubbers, Northants/Leicester skittles thing is causing much interest and this build is nothing if it's not a piece of real class (see photo). Having built a few myself, I very much admire their handiwork. The ‘cheeses’ are delivered 2 metres from the front of the table by the way. Over the last couple of years much enjoyment has been had by their friends and family, and despite the C-19 crisis it doesn't mean they have decided to sit on their hands. More news as it occurs, but as if that is not enough they have also taken to the old Kentish game of Bat and Trap again making it their own - and talks have already opened with the English contingency about an 'Ashes' series. This is TRUE!!! A few more details have appeared on the aforementioned 'Pub Games' site, but with things still in the infant stage and the obvious present challenges, there's a long way to go. Watch 'that' space and keep tuning in on this column. Meanwhile I hope that by the next publication there will be news about pubs we've visited in the previous few weeks! Cheers! ©P.A. Baxter 2020. skittlealley@hotmail.com
They Say That, all being well, a printed version of The Visitor will be back next month. THE VISITOR July 2020 19
Luca's New Garden with Bridget Sudworth ON A RAINY DAY in June, just for once in the past weeks, gardening is not possible. Tasks have included rescuing rain soaked geraniums from overflowing saucers, putting all seed trays with young plants back into the greenhouse and tipping water out of the large trays on the outside table. After the driest May, this is all happy stuff. Proper gardeners rain, that which is straight and not driven by wind, suits both us and the farmers. It confirms the need too, to deadhead the roses, feed them and hope for a second flush later in the year. Deadheading applies to all bedding pants and repeat flowering perennials as these will all flower again given the chance. Feed is useful too for late flowering perennials but wait till the rain in over otherwise all the goodness will be washed away. If you grow wonderful lilies,
sneak round them quietly and catch those beastly little scarlet lily beetles. I am convinced they can hear you coming and are incredibly cunning about getting out of the way but their nasty little black egg piles will only bring on another batch later to munch their way through your beauties. I crush them with surgical gloves on. I suppose they have their place in the natural world but they are very destructive and killing them by hand is the only way to get rid of them. Don’t forget that the pollen on lilies is highly toxic for cats so if you have cats brushing against them, they could well fall prey to a horrid end. I love lilies (and cats), especially the highly scented orientals so have always grown them in tall pots in the hopes that my old cat, now deceased, would not come a cropper. (She died from other causes.) This is such a busy time for gardeners yet the basic ground work is done by July. Much needs to go out into the veggie plot, many young plants need staking as their blooms start to accumulate and become weighty
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The pollen on lilies is highly toxic for cats so if you have cats brushing against them, they could well fall prey to a horrid end.
and whiskery, and wandering trailers from wall climbers need clipping back. Now is the time among the shrubs to cut back anything that flowered before June and leave the later flowering shrubs till Autumn. One of the jobs I have enjoyed in the past was keeping a diary of the results of all the hard work the previous year with sometimes flippant comments about certain things not doing well, therefore shan’t bother with them ever again. But I wonder why I do this because as each year comes round, the old urge to do the same things again takes over the common sense and I find myself repeating the exercise! This year, because we moved in March (yes, even on Lockdown day!) I vowed not to grow any tomatoes again having done so for the last 23 years - I will not be a slave to my tomatoes with daily watering and not wanting to go on holiday ever between March and September how absurd is that? But if you look inside our greenhouse, you will see 7 plants rescued from the gates of various houses where they stood unwanted and unloved, with yellowing leaves and feet in water. It goes without
QUALIFIED ARBORIST
saying that they are proudly potted up, staked and looking very content. So once more, I am enslaved! Of great solace during this pandemic, apart from gardening, has been finding and exploring new places to walk our dog, Luca (an old Romanian street dog very hard to rehome). Young Haddon Wood near Castle Cary has provided many delights during the unfolding of Spring and summer. Myriad cherry trees are burdened with small fruits bird relish demonstrated by piles of pips in various places and now there is a wild bee hive, high on tripod legs, with many bees crowding through one particular door when the sun shines. I wonder why they don’t use the other doors but bees have their own social laws - not ours to question! And long live the bees. When the sun shines, July is the time to sit and enjoy the fruits of your labours so put your feet up occasionally, don’t look around your garden too closely and just enjoy those lovely things growing round you.
ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE AND DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL
TREE PLANTING
PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660 20 THE VISITOR July 2020
Utilise the generous grants now available to restock neglected woodland or areas of wasteground
‘I hope we’re not going to have the same old argument’.
Black Empowerment in the South African Wine Industry
FOR OBVIOUS REASONS in recent weeks we have seen much activity across the world in relation to the #blacklivesmatter movement. Originally founded in 2013, their focus has, until now, largely been on Afro-American relations. Personally, I am rather uneasy about it. Whilst I see the reasoning behind it, I believe that ALL lives matter, and there is much that each of us as individuals can do to support true integration and equal opportunity. Unless we continue to bury our heads in the sand, the vast majority of us will see this as a worldwide problem, not one restricted to the USA or other affluent westernised nations. I also believe that we cannot airbrush out our history; what we can, and must, do is to acknowledge the mistakes we have made, the atrocities we have committed, and learn from them to enable us to take positive actions to change for the benefit of all. When it comes to industry there is no doubt that certain sectors of the population have suffered unduly at the hands of ruthless organisations and employers, but we should remember when lambasting them that each of these is owned and run by individuals who are ultimately responsible and have the power to change the way they operate, if they so choose. As consumers, we have the power in our own hands to bring these people down from their pedestals by voting with our feet and our wallets. Violence is not the answer. When it comes to the wine industry I have been particularly interested in developments in South Africa and, Covid-19 notwithstanding, had planned a trip there later this year. The South African wine industry produces 4% of the
world’s wine and is the tenth largest wine producer globally, creating employment for 290,000 people. Since entering the global market, it has made significant economic and social progress and is committed to achieving transformation and social development. The South African wine industry wants to re-assure consumers that agri-workers are paid a decent wage, their children are supported, and that the wines they enjoy have contributed to a better life for agri-workers. Part of this has been brought about through the Black Economic Empowerment initiative. About 67 wine brands are black owned, which out of a total of over 3,000 is not a great deal, but it is a start, although black ownership is not the magic solution to the many socioeconomic problems that exist. One aspect that surprised me, and that has benefited from the change, is the prevalence of foetal alcohol syndrome where, quite illegally, workers were paid in wine. For our part, I was please to discover that programmes such as www.stronger2gether.org, which aims to fight modern slavery, has received funding from our Home Office to contribute towards education and training. As a wine drinker, I and other like-minded people can actively play our part in changing the world around us, buy buying wines that can make a difference. Fairtrade is one example of this, championed by the Co-op, and the #wineforgood campaign, launched in South Africa in 2016, has also done much to raise awareness. We can help to make the world a better, fairer place. When choosing what to drink with the Sunday roast this week, why not do your bit and select one of these South African wines that, when I last checked, were available to buy in the UK, and at prices to suit most budgets.
Du Toitskloof Wines was one of the first Fairtrade producers in South Africa. Farm workers are stakeholders in the success of what is produced and have the chance to gain new skills and create opportunities for their children. More than 2,500 people have directly benefited from their initiative which includes day-care centres, a clinic, a primary school, a library, a bus-service and bursaries for education and adult literacy projects. Oldenburg Vineyards produce award-winning wines and launched their hip <CL° series in 2019, offering both a smooth, red, syrah-dominant blend and a white wine based on chenin blanc. A percentage of every bottle sold, goes to Aitsa!, a local aftercare centre that supports local people by providing a safe and stimulating after school environment for children in the community. They have 230 learners in their programme, which includes lunch, chess, dancing, art, reading and computer assisted learning. Balance wine, easily recognisable by the Hank the Elephant mascot, provides funds
for the Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA) PEACE project, an educational programme promoting the peaceful cohabitation of local communities with desert elephants in South Africa. Van Loveren Family Vineyards has two wine ranges dedicated to wildlife conservation; Their Five's Reserve Range benefits the South African Wildlife College, an initiative of the WWF and Peace Parks Foundation. Their Employees Trust owns 25% of the brand, giving employees access to the range of activities and skills within the marketplace, and also a bursary scheme for their children. I have also long been familiar with, and a fan of, Painted Wolf Wines, set up in 2007. They donate 4% of their turnover to raise funds and promote the conservation of the endangered African Wild Dog. We can all do our bit to make life more equal for others ... we just have to be more conscious of our own thoughts, words and deeds, and the impact they have on others. Linda Piggott-Vijeh.
Chill-Out Somerset For all your refrigerated trailer requirements, outside events, etc. CONTACT : Martyn Jones 07973 433586 EMAIL : chilloutsomerset@yahoo.com THE VISITOR July 2020 21
Remember
when...
30 years ago from The Visitor archives Goldenstones plans revealed
PLANS FOR a new swimming pool in Yeovil were revealed to the public 30 years ago. The July 1990 Visitor reported that the proposed open-plan poolside showers and unisex changing rooms at Goldenstones had provoked objections and ‘one cheeky pensioner has vowed to shower naked at the poolside if the plans are implemented’. The district council’s leisure officer is quoted as saying ‘they were designed that way to deter the dirty old man brigade’.
H-plate deals
From the 1980s the year of registration of a new car was recognisable by the first letter on the number-plate, which worked its way up the alphabet every August. By 1990 it had reached H and the local car dealers were using the July Visitor to tempt readers to order a new car for August delivery. ‘Buy a new H registered Mitsubishi and discover the pleasure of driving a car that’s built to meet the demands of the 90s’, said one; another promoted ‘Handy H-registration Yugo Hatchbacks at a price you can afford’; and a Vauxhall dealer even took a full page to say ‘Heigh Ho! Heigh Ho! It’s off to Braddicks we go! For the best H deals around’.
Somerton’s Festival Ball
The star attraction at the Somerton Summer Arts Festival in 1990 was Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. The first festival had been held just three years earlier, in 1988 – an eight-day extravaganza with The Strawbs and Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames as the headline musical attractions – but the next few years saw a shorter festival of just four or five days. The venue for the major events in those days was the ballroom at the Red Lion, the former coaching inn on the Market Place which closed shortly before the 1995 festival and has been converted into flats. Were it not for Covid-19, this year would have seen the 33rd year of the festival.
Fruity outings
A popular family outing back in 1990 was visiting ‘pick your own’ fruit farms, of which few remain these days in Visitorland. The July issue of the magazine 22 THE VISITOR July 2020
PHONE - a - FIRM
featured several, with raspberries, strawberries, loganberries and tayberries being ready for picking at the Vale of Camelot farm near North Cadbury and a similar selection plus gooseberries and broad beans at Brimsmore Fruit Farm on Tintinhull Road in Yeovil. With imported soft fruit becoming available all year round in the supermarkets it was perhaps inevitable, if sad, that the popularity of self-picking local seasonable produce would die away.
Courses on the menu
Progressing through Parliament in 1990 was the Government’s Food Safety Bill, its response to recent food scares, which was likely to become law the following year. According to the report in the July Visitor, all staff handling food – not only kitchen staff but also managers, waitresses and bar staff who occasionally handle food – will require a certificate to show they have undergone approved training in food safety and hygiene, ‘or they will be out of a job and their employer will be facing a hefty fine. That’s the theory, anyway.’ It added that Rosie Brown, catering lecturer at Yeovil College, was running a food hygiene course in conjunction with the Royal Society of Health but had found the response from several of the hotels and pubs she had contacted was ‘very negative’. Roger Richards.
ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ on page 13 1) 1968 2) 'Baby Jump' 3) ’Sparks’ 4) 1981 5) Paul Weller 6) '...a glass of champagne' 7) Commodores 8) Ringo Starr 9) Keith Urban 10) 2009
Solution to June
Sudoku
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01963 220366 Email: taylorsdomesticappliances@gmail.com Covering the areas between Wincanton Castle Cary, Sparkford, Sherborne and Yeovil
DEADLINE for August Issue is Friday 17th July
PHONE - a - FIRM • PHONE - a - FIRM TV & AUDIO SPECIALISTS SINCE 1968
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SCENES
Artist Materials & Gallery A family firm in the centre of Sherborne
Flexible sizes and prices from £50 per month www.sherbornestorage.co.uk 07398624975
The Visitor can be read online www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk
Picture Framing Restoration Large Selection of Prints and Paintings Greeting Card Blanks High St. Gillingham Tel: 01747 824050 www.scenes-online.co.uk
To ADVERTISE in CALL 01963 351256
For all your roofing requirements
Flat Roofing • Tiling Slating • GRP Roofing
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THE VISITOR July 2020 23
Classified Ads Details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BP or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk. 30p per word (£5 minimum) pre-payment essential. Payment can be made by Cash, Cheque, Postal Order, BACS, Credit/Debit Card.
Personal
Services
www.country-link.org.uk COUNTRY LINK SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel: Andy 01225 834834 or Val 01749 342918
HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN RUBBISH CLEARED, old sheds / outbuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844
JUST SOMERSET INTRODUCTIONS. Bringing people together. Call Alison Tel: 07584 250285, www.justintro ductionsgroup.co.uk MARTIN, 62, would like to meet lady 4070. Taurus, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius. Tel. 01258 472910 AN EXTRA INCOME with minimum effort. For details please visit www.doubledeal.co.uk, if joining please quote reference 001NK
Storage STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles. Lock-up garages to let. Tel: Sparkford Storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692
COMPUTER PROBLEMS? 07483 805766
Prize Crossword No. 404 Set by Frank Butler
19
SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BP – to arrive by Friday 17th July. 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.
Wanted DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, salvage, bygones and collectables. Daves Tools, Est. 1989. Tel: 01935 428975 R E D U N D A N T M O T O R M O W E R S , rotavators, chainsaws, strimmers, cement mixers, etc. Tel: 01460 77844 CLASSICAL AND JAZZ LP RECORDS: CDs also considered. Tel: 01458 834102 / 07704229979 / email: tonyartony @aol.com AUTOMOBILIA, AUTOJUMBLE, woodworking and engineering tools. Tel: 01747 850474 POSTCARDS, pop memorabilia, coins, badges, old toys, games, and anything military. Tel: Clive 01749 675456 A L L S P O RT S P R O G R A M M E S a n d books, memorabilia and ephemera – especially football. Large collections welcome. Cash paid. Tel: Clive 01749 675456 YOUR AD HERE from £5. Tel: 01963 351256 to book or email info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk
Across: 1. Descended from Shem, returning 101 times [7] 5. Blaming muddle for slow progress [7] 9. Maturer changes lead to mistake [7] 10. Beacons make us cross [7] 11. Athletic club firm? Go along with that! [9] 12. Tear in half tear: What rot! [5] 13. Put on one-piece skirted garment [5] 15. Nuclear arms to go wrong in clockmaker’s catch [9] 17. Innkeeper’s servant mixes ‘Tree Brand’ for self [9] 19. Raging cover catches six or four [5] 22. Doctor lurks in study, the devil! [5] 23. To repay with beer is rum cocktail [9] 25. Todd mentioned some part [7] 26. Gluing two-thirds with threequarters following on [7] 27. Negatives operating in brief manuscript [7] 28. Scrub around University College for relief [7]
4. Mixed school had 0.001m and gave orders [9] 5. Turkish governor below the salt at religious centre [5] 6. Two-sided rail table [9] 7. Animate and draw breath [7] 8. Note sun-god takes undergarment: Most serious! [7] 14. Hindhead exhibits hard quality [9] 16. Red’s saint has late tendency [9] 17. Brush around journalist’s sleeping quarters [7] 18. Ran around morning notice at Muslim feast [7] 20. Five with goitre trouble show giddiness [7] 21. Doctor Rimmer delves deeper [7] 23. Scolds rodent with two points [5] 24. Graduate thus reveals computer code [5]
Solution to Crossword 403
Down: 1. King Edgar’s martyr son lost old penny as overseer [7] 2. Car returns in 80 chains: A marvel! [7] 3. Initially travel on ten extra miles to reach pole [5] 24 THE VISITOR July 2020
Winner of our June Crossword
No correct entries this month so there is no winner of the £10 voucher.