The Visitor Magazine Issue 441 August 2020

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● SALES ● SERVICING ● REPAIRS ● INSTALLATIONS Your local independent monthly journal  01963 351256 www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Issue 441 August 2020

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

Works by Royal Sculptor Philip Jackson exhibited at Sculpture by the Lakes, at Pallington Lakes near Dorchester.

See page 10 for details

Photo: Simon Gudgeon

In Passing...

I

t’s good to be back in print. The coronavirus lockdown forced the closure of many shops, businesses and attractions and the cancellation of events and entertainments in Visitorland, and in these harsh economic conditions it became well nigh impossible to compile, print and distribute the magazine. So our May, June and July issues appeared only in electronic format – if you missed them they can still be read online on our website.

We are immensely grateful to our loyal contributors, advertisers and readers who have supported us during the lockdown.

In an attempt to revive our ailing economy the Government is now urging us to take some hesitant steps out of lockdown towards some semblance of normality, if face masks and social distancing can be classed as normal. The lockdown brought tourism, one of Visitorland’s most important industries, to an abrupt halt in mid-March, and the businesses that thrive on it have felt the devasting consequences. Pubs and restaurants, hotels and b&bs, craft shops and markets, museums and galleries, visitor facilities and attractions have all lost their early season trade – Mothering Sunday, Easter and the two May Bank Holidays – and seem unlikely to earn enough over the summer to make up for it, even if more people choose to holiday in the UK rather than abroad.

Many of the people who work in these businesses have seen their incomes substantially reduced and worry that their jobs will be lost. The fear is that some businesses will not re-open, for the costs of the lockdown will have proved fatal.

Those that have survived and re-opened need all the support we can give them as they strive to recover, which is a good reason for popping into the local for a drink or two or treating yourself and your family to a meal in a restaurant. To protect customers from the risk of infection most of these establishments provide ample supplies of hand sanitiser and have introduced simple safety procedures, so

there should be no worries about using them.

However, one worry is that by encouraging an influx of much-needed tourists, those from the big cities and conurbations might unwittingly bring the virus with them and infect local people.

This is undoubtedly a risk – but a very minor one. Hordes of trippers headed for our nearby coastal towns and beaches during the recent heatwave, many of them seemingly ignoring social distancing, but it did not result in a significant increase in infections. So despite this small worry we should be welcoming these visitors and the cash they inject into our local economy.

Fortunately the Covid-19 infection rate has been very low in Visitorland. If we all use our common sense we can keep it that way as we stumble towards what looks like being a new and different normality.

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 September Issue published Wednesday 27th August Deadline Monday 17th August

CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED ‑ 26 ANTIQUES ‑ 11 BOOK REVIEW ‑ 12 CROSSWORD ‑ 26 GARDENING ‑ 20 HOUSE & HOME ‑ 16 LEISURE ‑ 13 LOOKING GOOD ‑ 14 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES ‑ 4 MOTORING ‑ 18 PHONE‑A‑FIRM ‑ 25 PRODUCT REVIEW ‑ 12

NOTE TO ADVERTISERS

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

We cannot guarantee any specific page or position, but will always do our best to comply with clients’ wishes. The views expressed in articles & letters contributed to this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

PUBS ‑ 19 REMEMBER WHEN ‑ 25 SUDOKU ‑ 13 THEY SAY ‑ 19 WINE & DINE ‑ 21

Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR August 2020 3

Mentioned in

Dispatches South Somerset District Council paves the way for a new charging network for electric vehicles ACROSS THE PLANET it is recognised we must change the way we fuel our transportation to reduce our emissions, ensure energy security, support better air quality and reduce noise pollution.

South Somerset District Council recognises it has a part to play in enabling residents, businesses and visitors to convert to zero emission vehicles, help reduce transport related carbon emissions and promote more sustainable forms of transport.

In March this year, SSDC went live with their first three rapid, direct current (DC) Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points which were installed in car parks at three key locations across the district. Each were installed just five minutes’ drive from the A303 in Wincanton, Ilchester and Ilminster and were funded with

Cara Naden, Environment Case officer at SSDC, demonstrates how the EV Chargers work to Cllr Sarah Dyke District Councillor for Milborne Port and SSDC Environment Portfolio Holder.

a £90,000 grant from Public Highways England. Now, SSDC wants to expand the network further.

SSDC plans to extend the EV charging network to meet the increasing demands, linking in with private enterprises, parish and town councils, neighbouring District Councils and Somerset County Council.

The initial plan is to have charging points at around 17 SSDC car park locations with two 22kW connectors at each, aiming to be completed by December 2021. SSDC will partner with DELETTI – (Devon Low-carbon Energy & Transport Technology

Innovator), a partnership project of Devon County Council and most of the Devon District Councils.

Future phases could expand this network still further in a range of locations based on feedback from our communities, usage data from the initial sites and viability of grid connection at other locations.

Cllr Sarah Dyke, the council’s portfolio holder for Environment, said: ‘As a council we have committed to become carbon neutral by 2030. In order to meet this ambitious environmental goal, we must help people transition to low carbon, zero emission, clean transport options.

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By installing EV charging infrastructure, we will be able to give our residents, businesses and visitors access to EV charging points throughout the district, giving more people the confidence to embrace this technology, helping to reduce carbon emissions from transport in the district.

‘Currently emissions from transport has the highest impact on our district’s carbon footprint and air quality. We’re delighted our first three chargers have gone live, but it’s only the beginning and this next phase aims to catalyse the transition to EVs and help break the chicken-and-egg cycle of drivers being reluctant to buy Electric Vehicles.

‘Alongside this we will promote awareness and encourage more SSDC residents, businesses and visitors to use EVs to make our district a cleaner, healthier and more environmentally friendly place to live.’

Earthwatch launches new Naturehood platform to protect biodiversity

Environmental charity Earthwatch Europe has launched a new digital platform to support community wildlife project Naturehood. Designed to develop a network of thousands of local people who each do tiny actions for nature in their neighbourhoods, the aim is to create a tapestry of habitats that, combined on a national basis, will help protect and increase biodiversity in the UK. In March, days before lockdown, Earthwatch created the UK’s first tiny forest, an area the size of a tennis court planted with 600 different native trees, to create a fast-growing dense forest.

The Naturehood campaign follows

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Mentioned in

Dispatches the same approach, centering on the need to connect communities to support biodiversity. It aims to create an army of people across the country each taking a tiny step for nature, who together will make a difference.

Research conducted by Earthwatch during lockdown proved how valuable being near nature is for mental wellbeing, with 67% of all adults in the UK saying that looking at nature left them with a sense of calm. The community approach of the Naturehood programme takes this further and invites people to sign up and become actively involved with nature, taking small positive steps for biodiversity.

Once signed up to Naturehood, people will be offered a choice of different activities in their local area which will vary in scale and approach, for example making a leaf or log pile, creating a gap in fencing to act as a wildlife passageway or surveying green spaces for wildlife. The activities

have been selected based on scientific evidence of their impact on increasing or protecting biodiversity. An accompanying online platform will allow people to select actions, network and share ideas and activities.

The important aspect is that hundreds of people can make a small action for nature in their own neighbourhoods, which will be coordinated to make a collective difference.

Stanford scientist BH Fogg, author of Tiny Habits has described how making a behaviour ‘radically tiny’ can be the cornerstone to achieving successful change. Earthwatch’s Naturehood incorporates this approach where no step is too small to take, to encourage more people to sign up and begin ‘the small changes that change everything’.

Nick Baker and Michaela Strachan, who presented the BBC’s Really Wild Show, are both supporting the Naturehood project, alongside ‘Urban birder’ David Lindo. They are all keen to show how this new platform makes it easy for anyone to take a step toward helping nature in their area: ‘It can feel like the scale of change required to help nature and improve the environment is

Designed to develop a network of thousands of local people who each do tiny actions for nature in their neighbourhoods, the aim is to create a tapestry of habitats that, combined on a national basis, will help protect and increase biodiversity in the UK.

so big and that it’s pointless trying to do anything. We are saying to people everywhere, no matter what you do or who you are, you CAN help. Nature is for you and needs you more than ever,’ David said.

Michaela continues: ‘In the quietness of lockdown we heard nature like never before.

Naturehood offers everyone the chance to keep that connection going, to respond to nature and be part of something bigger.’

Ben Williams, Earthwatch Project Manager for Naturehood, explained why this particular platform is all about connecting

neighbourhoods and people: ‘Loss of habitat and biodiversity is one of the most urgent environmental issues of our time.

Since 1970, 41% of UK species have declined, but if we each created one new tiny habitat or protected one small area in our neighbourhoods, and we connect these actions up, it will make a difference. We can help hold back that loss, or even bring back more species to your area. By signing up to Naturehood we can work together to make a real difference to biodiversity in the UK.’ To find out more visit naturehood.uk.

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Dispatches The Ultimate Garden Fence from ColourFence

ColourFence is a metal garden fence solution that once fitted requires no treatments or repairs.

It’s guaranteed not to warp, crack, shrink, rot or peel for the next 25 years.

And, unlike other fences, ColourFence can withstand wind gusts of up to 130mph.

There’s a choice of colours to harmonise and enhance your garden’s design and the option of plain or trellis panels.

The panels are eight feet wide and include the intermediate posts, unlike standard wooden panels. Whatever the shape of your garden we can step, rake or cut your ColourFence to size, allowing your boundary to follow the natural contours of your land.

Both sides of the panels are the same colour meaning both you and your neighbour have a stunning fence to look at year after year, helping you build good neighbourly relations.

Call 01935 481013 today for a free no obligation visit or for further information visit colourfencesouthsomerset.co.uk

Healthy Heart Tips, by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

Healthy Eating in Older Age

It is sometimes believed that older adults (65 years or over) do not need to eat as much because they may be less physically active than younger adults. However, eating a healthy and wellbalanced diet is important for maintaining good health at all ages.

Older adults are vulnerable to malnutrition and it is recommended that they eat the same amount as younger adults.

Here are some tips for eating well and looking after your heart in older age.

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If you are losing weight without trying, you should speak to your GP.

Stay hydrated

Keep an eye on your weight

The best way to know if you are eating too much or too little is to monitor your weight over time and check if your weight is stable.

Dehydration can occur when you lose more fluid through sweating and urination than you consume.

Dehydration is a common problem in older adults. Try to drink 6 to 8 glasses or cups of non-alcoholic fluid every day, such as water, tea and coffee.

THE VISITOR August 2020 7

Mentioned in

Dispatches Keeping hydrated can reduce your risk of a heart attack, while helping you to maintain your cognitive ability.

Get enough fibre

Constipation is a problem for many people in later life. Try to prevent constipation by staying physically active, keeping hydrated and eating foods that are high in fibre. Foods that are high in fibre, such as fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread, wholemeal breakfast cereals and brown rice, play an important role in reducing your cholesterol and keeping your heart healthy.

Include good sources of protein every day

Eating adequate amounts of foods that are high in protein, as well as getting plenty of physical activity, can help to prevent muscle loss in older age. Good sources of protein include chicken or turkey, canned tuna, soybeans, tofu, eggs and dairy products. If

A Balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables is essential for good heart health.

you eat fish, try to eat two portions each week, one of which should be an oily fish, such as salmon, sardines or mackerel.

Plenty of fruit and veg

Aim to have at least five portions of fruit and veg every day. Fruit

and veg are packed with nutrients and fibre to help keep your heart healthy. Fresh, tinned, frozen and dried fruit and veg all count towards your five a day and you can count one glass of fresh juice as a portion.

A quarter of people in the South West are willing to stump up 10% on top of their council tax bill for pothole repairs, new research reveals

Roadmender Asphalt, a Sheffieldbased road repair SME, has commissioned nationally representative research that explores the sentiments of people in the South West towards financing local governance. The research revealed that 24% of the South West in the study said that they would now support their council tax bill to increase by 10% in order to provide the financial assistance for road maintenance, the highest amount in the

8 THE VISITOR August 2020

country. Across the UK, this move could raise a potential further £2.5 billion for pothole refilling in England alone.

Key stats for the South West: • 65% of the South West would rather cycle or drive in to work now than take public transport due to COVID-19 • 68% of people in the South West would not feel comfortable commuting to work via public transport anymore • 31% agree travelling back to work in a traditional office environment will have a negative impact on their mental health • 25% agreed driving is the most stressful part of their day, caused by the poor quality of roads • 24% are willing to pay an extra 10% on top of their council tax bill for road improvements

Mentioned in

Dispatches As millions of Brits begin to head back to work, both the public transport and road infrastructures across the nation will begin to be used under a new norm of post-COVID conditions.

Therefore, it is more important than ever that councils expand on the brilliant work they do to ensure potholes and road defects are addressed quickly, maintaining safety on the roads.

Roadmender Asphalt's research has also shown that 69% of Brits would rather cycle or drive in to work now than take public transport due to the COVID-19 risk, amounting to 24,261,000 people. Furthermore, the study has unveiled that 65% would not feel comfortable commuting to work via public transport anymore. With the Department for Transport already announcing that cycling will play a significant role in how Government envision the future of commuting, it is vital that the UK road networks are as safe as possible.

To aid the provision of pothole repairs in the UK, Roadmender Asphalt, have recently come up with a novel approach to pothole repairs designed around a new material specifically designed for the job. Elastomac, as the innovation is known, is a novel repair material, made from predominantly recycled materials, that include seven end of life tyres recycled into every tonne.

Beechwood House, Yeovil Set in large, accessible gardens, Beechwood House Care Home in Yeovil, delivers exceptional residential care to 28 people.

Their wonderful team are passionate about providing care and know each resident as an individual. They provide comfort and a sense of safety day and

night, caring for their cherished residents whilst giving encouragement to support confidence and independence wherever possible.

All of their comfortable bedrooms are ground level and have an ensuite basin and toilet, some with access to the gardens.

They also have in-house hair dressing. There are bright and spacious conservatories overlooking the courtyard and gardens that provide the perfect setting for relaxing, taking part in activities or simply spending time with family and friends who are welcome to visit at any time.

Their cooks prepare excellent home-cooked meals using fresh ingredients and personal choices are catered for. The two lounges provide space to socialise or watch TV. In addition, they have WIFI throughout and can offer video calls at a time to suit.

Beechwood House is free of COVID-19 and you can be assured that the safety and wellbeing of the residents is at the heart of everything they do.

They are very happy to welcome new residents to make their home at Beechwood. If you would like to know more about them please call Sandra Barclay on 01935 472793, she would be delighted to help.

Wyndham Hill, Yeovil.

in a changing climate. Tree species will include hazel, lime, wild cherry, Italian alder, oak, holly, sweet chestnut and beech.

The grant also includes funding

for a new perimeter fence to protect the trees from the grazing cattle on the hill. The Friends of Yeovil Country Park will assist the rangers with the practical

The Friends of Yeovil Country Park awarded tree planting grant

The Friends of Yeovil Country Park have been awarded a grant of £7,000 from the Postcode Local Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

The grant will be used to increase the woodland at Wyndham Hill which sits within Yeovil Country Park and will mean 570 new trees will be planted, covering a third of a hectare.

This extension of the existing woodland will help to increase biodiversity in an area of species poor grassland. A variety of species have been chosen to reflect the existing woodland and ensure the planting is sustainable

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Mentioned in

Dispatches aspects of the project and it’s hoped that members of the community will be able to get involved with the tree planting too, depending on any Covid-19 restrictions at the time, which will be the autumn/winter planting season of 2020/21.

Chairman of the Friends of Yeovil Country Park, Gary Cashmore, said: ‘The Friends are highly delighted to receive this award from the Postcode Local Trust. This will be a project for everyone to focus on and is very positive news for all of us’ Yeovil Country Park ranger Kristy Davies, said: ‘We hope that the tree planting project at Wyndham Hill will be a fantastic opportunity for the local community to get involved in

helping to reduce carbon levels in South Somerset. Thank you and congratulations to Friends of Yeovil Country Park on their successful application to the Postcode Local Trust.’

Cllr Sarah Dyke SSDC portfolio holder for the environment, added: ‘We’re delighted and grateful to the Friends of Yeovil Country Park for their efforts in securing funds from this brilliant green initiative from the Postcode Local Trust. One of the most powerful things we can do for the environment is plant trees. They lock in carbon, help reduce flooding and pollution as well as creating havens for wildlife, all building more resilient landscapes in our district. As a local authority, we have pledged to be carbon neutral by 2030 and these new trees at Wyndham Hill will form part of our wider tree planting schemes across our estates as we work towards reaching this goal. It goes without saying they will also enhance the areas beauty, nature and visitor’s enjoyment. Well done!’

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Works by world-famous sculptor Philip Jackson are now being exhibited at Sculpture by the Lakes, at Pallington Lakes near Dorchester

Works by Royal Sculptor Philip Jackson now installed at Sculpture by the Lakes

Works by world-famous sculptor Philip Jackson are now being exhibited at Sculpture by the Lakes, at Pallington Lakes near Dorchester, adding to its appeal as an outdoor sculpture destination.

The four outdoor figurative sculptures in bronze have been installed in locations within the 26-acre site, where they sit alongside artworks by fellow sculptor Simon Gudgeon, owner and creator of Sculpture by the Lakes.

Philip Jackson CVO DL MA FRBS is a sculptor of world renown who has developed an international reputation across a successful career spanning four decades. His sculptures appear in high-profile public locations across the world, as well as in important private collections.

Like Simon, whose sculptures are owned by three generations of the Royal family, Philip is a

Royal sculptor; the creator has a life size sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II on horseback which stands in Windsor Great Park in Berkshire.

Other notable public works include the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, the national monument to the late Queen Mother in the Mall and the giant figure of football legend Bobby Moore which greets visitors to Wembley Stadium.

Most recently he was commissioned to create a national memorial to emergency workers.

These latest additions at Sculpture by the Lakes continue Simon’s well-established tradition of celebrating and championing fine art at the sculpture park, which hosts the work of many artists in its three indoor gallery spaces and around the grounds, as well as holding workshops and events with artists throughout the year.

Philip Jackson’s works join Simon’s and the sculptures of Mark Dedrie and Jennifer Tetlow, helping to make Sculpture by the Lakes a mustsee destination for outdoor sculpture lovers, both admirers and buyers.

Simon Gudgeon said: ‘Having long been an admirer of his work, I am very excited to be exhibiting sculptures by Philip Jackson at Sculpture by the Lakes this summer. It is my passionate belief that a natural landscape, such as we have here, is the best possible setting for large scale sculptures such as these. My long-term vision is for Sculpture by the Lakes to become an art hub and a true outdoor sculpture destination, where fellow artists can exhibit their work in the way it is meant to be seen.’

For more information about Sculpture by the Lakes visit: https://www.sculpturebythelakes. co.uk/

Rarity proves to be popular in £260,000 silver auction

LAWRENCES in Crewkerne held their first Fine Art auctions since lockdown eased and they began proceedings with a terrific sale of silver and vertu.

‘We had a very busy view, stretched over two weeks, with all appointments carefully managed to observe social distancing regulations,’ says the firm’s silver specialist, Alex Butcher. ‘On sale day, we were permitted to allow only a few into the saleroom but most of the bidding was online or by telephone and we sold well in excess of 85%.’

Early highlights included a George III fish slice made by the eminent silversmith Paul Storr in 1813); and two early spoons

by Richard Crosse (1632) and by Thomas Issod (c.1683) scooped up above-estimate bids of £1,500 and £1,620 respectively.

An Indian/Burmese twohandled cup showed the strength of demand for silver from the sub-Continent by making £2,370;

and two small Portuguese salvers, made in Oporto but a century apart, served up bids of £1,750. British rarities were also in demand: a Scottish `bullet` tea pot by William Aytoun (1725) brewed up bids of £3,250; a 3” (7cm) North Country tumbler cup

by Robert Makepeace of Newcastle (1721) soared to £4,500; and an unusual modern cast figure of a bellowing hippopotamus by Edward Barnard, 7 inches (18cm) long, roared to £2,370.

A very scarce George III (1794) mounted ebony tipstaff took bids of £4,250, well above hopes of £800. Highlights in the vertu section included a 19th-Century Dutch tobacco box, finely engraved with vignettes of the four seasons sold for £4,750; and two fine miniatures by Andrew Plimer and by John Wright that sold for £875 and £1,620.

Three of the most remarkable prices, in a sale that showed a marked enthusiasm for items of quality and rarity, were paid for lots from distant lands. An

19th Century Central American, Spanish Colonial silvergilt tray, engraved with arms (probably for the 4th Earl of Hardwicke) sold for £10,620 at Lawrences of Crewkerne’s recent silver auction.

American gold vesta case, probably by Shreve and Company of San Francisco, c.1865-1875, commemorated the San Francisco gold rush with an engraved seated figure and the word ‘Eureka’.

Weighing just three quarters of an ounce and barely two inches (5.5cm) long, this struck gold by making £3,750. A late 18th Century Russian silvergilt and niellowork tea pot by Alexei Torlov, Moscow, 1796, was lavishly engraved on a textured ground and made £6,870.

The day’s top price was paid for a scarce, early 19th Century Central American, Spanish Colonial silvergilt tray, engraved with arms (probably for the 4th Earl of Hardwicke) and this made £10,620.

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PRODUCT REVIEW

Aldi’s range of Gin has your summer sorted!

Rhubarb & Pink Grapefruit Gin

Coconut & Lime Gin

A sweet & sharp infusion of desirable botanicals

Contemporary and Refreshing

£19.99 37.5% ABV Bottle Size 70cl

£19.99 37.5% ABV Bottle Size: 70cl

Aroma: Citrus Taste: Sweet and sharp summer botanicals

Aroma: Citrus Taste: Refreshing citrus bursts and set coconut

Aldi Say:

Aldi Say:

Visitor verdict:

Visitor verdict:

Rhubarb fruit is perfectly balanced by marvellous flavours of pink grapefruit and delicate juniper running throughout. Pair with a premium tonic and garnish with a slice of pink grapefruit. Alternatively, swap the tonic for elderflower cordial.

Sweet rhubarb balanced by the sharp pink grapefruit, with hints of juniper.

This summertime gin is best enjoyed with tonic, lots of ice and extra lemon.

Priced at £19.99 from Aldi, you could be tempted? Although there are lots of other options in this price range.

12 THE VISITOR August 2020

Get swept away to paradise with our coconut and lime gin. Citrus bursts through sweet coconut ... close your eyes and imagine you're on a tropical island!

Serving Advice: Pair with a premium tonic and garnish with lime zest.

Tropical coconuts and zingy limes make this citrussy gin pack-apunch.

A refreshing summer-inspired tipple that is best served with tonic on ice with chunks of lemon and lime.

If you love a G&T in the summer, this could be for you if you like a bit of zing.

BOOK REVIEW Hunting the Last Great Pirate

by Michael E.A.Ford Pen and Sword Books (2020) ISBN: 9781526769305 240pp

BENITO DE SOTO was brutalised by conflict while still a child, became a pirate at thirteen, stole a ship and set up on his own before he was twenty and became infamous at the age of twenty-two. In February 1828 his ship was lurking off the British base on Ascension Island (which had lost its naval protection in defence cuts) and fell upon the Morning Star which was coming in to take on water.

She was alone and unarmed - her owner and captain were both Quakers - and in short order she was stopped, boarded and pillaged, the women on board were raped and the captain and four others were shot dead.

Astonishingly the attack took place in full view of a patrol of British marines on shore but there was nothing they could do.

That night with the men locked below decks the pirates drilled holes in the ship’s hull and left it to its fate but they had not reckoned with the women who broke out of the cabin where they had been confined and freed the men. They plugged the holes and pumped out the hold but the ship was virtually unsailable and they were adrift for three weeks before being rescued 600 miles away off the coast of West Africa.

The outrage caused a huge public and political scandal but the two men who might be thought most responsible managed to escape without censure. Captain Archibald

Hamilton was in command of the convoy which included the Morning Star but he went on ahead with the faster, armed East Indiamen leaving the laggard to her fate. And John Croker as First Secretary of the Admiralty had pushed through the defence cuts which left the south Atlantic sea lanes almost devoid of naval protection. The author builds a powerful case against the two men and the influence of the East India Company which helped protect them.

The real heroes of the book are the men who hunted down the pirates, not sailors or marines but insurance agents, consular officials, merchants and lawyers whose sharp eyes and diligence led to the identification, arrest and arraignment of the pirates after they landed in Spain to splash the cash and sell the loot.

De Soto almost got off when a key witness failed to pick him out in an identity parade, but eventually the same witness claimed to recognise him from his height and posture and that was enough for a compliant judge, so justice of a sort was served.

This is an enthralling read, especially the later chapters dealing with the political and legal shenanigans where the author, a retired barrister, is clearly in his element. His characterisations can be pretty adversarial, like ‘complacent nabobs’ or ‘ageing Lords of the Admiralty, clinging to their privileged posts’, but there’s no harm in adding a bit of ginger to the mix. And to the very end there is a mystery about this drama’s central character. One of the key sources is a detailed description by his oldest friend of all they went through together, but as the author remarks it ‘is striking how little one gleans about Benito de Soto himself’, even from his closest friend. He remains a hidden presence for us too, but this only adds to his story’s appeal.

Patrick Pender-Cudlip.

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 July Sudoku on page 19.

! " # % & " Learn Italian with Christine Jewels of Italian Language Services

ITALIAN Language Services, celebrating its 20th anniversary, provides Yeovil based Italian tuition. Christine teaches classes which run weekly for 30 weeks a year beginning in September with breaks for Christmas and Easter.

These classes range from absolute beginners to ‘A’ Level standard.

There are also shorter 10 week introductory courses called Holiday Italian, these run throughout the year as and when they are required. For those that cannot attend a regular class, Christine can also provide private lessons for individuals or small groups tailored to particular needs.

When things return to normal the one day Italian workshops will resume which include a 3 course lunch.

Looking for someone special this summer? Try Just Somerset Introductions!

Suddenly it’s August, what a strange few months. Just Somerset had to put most of what they do ‘on hold’ like many others.

However, they are delighted to say they are back and have been for a little while now. With restrictions being gradually lifted they can go and visit clients in their own homes for an interview under the new guidelines. If you are single and would like to get out and meet new people then why not consider joining?

People join Just Somerset Introductions for different reasons; to find a relationship, to date, to make friendships and broaden their social lives. Just Somerset Introductions offer one to ones, socials (though small groups - subject to change) and do a good variety more when the country is allowed to! You can get out to meet someone now for a coffee and chat, come along to socials and as the weeks go on Just Somerset are sure they can broaden what they can offer. Now is the perfect time with these good few weeks of summer left to enjoy, let’s get out there – being careful to use masks and hand gel (as needed) For more information please see the website.

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

By John Osborne  Answers can be found on page 19 

1) ‘When Doves’ Cry’ was the first top ten hit for whom?

2) Whose only hit was in 1968 entitled ‘I Can’t Let Maggie Go’?

3) 'Killer' by Adamski, actually featured vocals by whom?

4) Lyric; ‘I said, “Be careful his bow-tie is really a camera” 5) 'Dancing in the Moonlight' is in the charts again, but who hit the top 10 with it in the year 2000?

6) Which Beatle sang lead on 'Yellow Submarine'?

7) Who said ’I close my eyes and count to ten’ in 1968?

8) Name the band who said ‘Sit Down’ in 1997.

9) Who was ‘Wide-eyed and Legless’ in 1975?

Italian Courses 30 week courses for all levels in Yeovil For more details contact Christine Jewels www.italianlanguageservices.eu

10) Who sang about the 'Cornflake Girl' in 1994?

This month’s anorak bonus question: 'Deacon Blue' named their band after being inspired by ... what?

Great Quotes in Music (120) ‘Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right up until you die – Paul Simon

01935 425958 THE VISITOR August 2020 13

Family Health with Jenna Evans

SO HERE WE ARE four months since the lockdown and I have been giving a lot of thought to what has been playing out. If you have read my articles or spoken to me in the shop, you’ll know that at the beginning of all this, I was encouraging us all to prime our immune systems and protect ourselves.

I’ll admit I was a little worried that this could be the next big pandemic and have devastating consequences. I was pleased we were following the sensible advice to protect the vulnerable and let this infection – we knew at this point that the overwhelming majority of people would be absolutely fine – work its way through our population and give us that oft mentioned herd immunity. And then based on a study predicting half a million deaths from a man who has a history of being rather overly dramatic in modelled forecasts, we were suddenly shunted into lockdown.

Our TVs and newspapers went into full fear mode and we were treated to nightly death tolls.

Initially I found myself feeling very anxious watching these too – and then I had a little epiphany.

I more than most am fully aware of how many people die on average every day (1400+) and

that we have had two flu outbreaks in the last 20 years that took 44,000 lives (2014/15) and 48,000 (1999/2000). Our medical officers have also repeatedly told us that the greatest risk is for the over 70’s and those with serious underlying health conditions.

Based on all the data it started to seem more and more like there had been a massive overreaction – and one that was damaging countless lives, and yes killing people. You see fear is one of the most damaging emotions and we were a nation drenched in fear.

Anybody with underlying anxiety and many more without were literally becoming sick with worry. So I started to dig a little deeper – actually I have spent a few hours most days rummaging through figures, statistics and medical papers!

It seems an accepted fact now that SarsCov-2 was wafting around in Britain, probably from the beginning of the year, if not before. This makes glancing at a chart for our death rate alarming considering we did not have excess mortality, in fact we were a little lower than the five year average and the week lockdown hits we have a huge spike that continues until the peak in early April (a peak too early to have been caused by lockdown levelling off infections).

Incidentally we have dropped below the five year average again with many scientists postulating that those who died during the spike would have died anyway later this year – tragic yes, but very different from people with years left to live.

Also, among those figures we have tens of thousands of deaths

not attributable to Covid 19 – deaths that can only be explained by the lockdown. And we did all this to protect an NHS that didn’t come anywhere near to collapsing (with the specially built Nightingale hospitals barely used) and protect the vulnerable (like locking dementia patients in care homes where they gave up the will to live, or sending infected patients back to illequipped environments).

Now of course the NHS will most definitely struggle with the backlog of patients and I worry that the economic damage and massive social isolation will continue to take its toll.

Loneliness itself is a big killer. I share all this not to frighten anyone, quite the opposite.

If you are at low risk from this virus you should feel pretty much as safe as you ever do with all the other risks in life! If you’re in a vulnerable group then what I would love to see going forward is more help and protection – if you want it. Seeing the damage enforced isolation does I would never push that on anyone.

I would like to see this cocooning of the vulnerable happen during every ‘flu season going forward too – if people have maybe had a glimpse at the true death toll from infectious disease maybe we have decided not to accept that anymore? It would be a little ironic if we are up in arms about a death from Covid19 but wouldn’t bat an eyelid at the same person being taken by pneumonia in ‘flu season.

I share this because I am an advocate for health. The lockdown has killed people and I want us, the people, to be proactive in making sure this situation never happens again. I want us to look after each other well and to step up to taking responsibility for our own health and the power to make our own decisions.

Wearing Masks

I’d like to finish with a little note on the wearing of masks. There has been an insidious campaign by the media to foist them upon us – you’ve probably all heard the idea that ‘my mask protects you and your mask protects me’?

Well I’ve just finished one of the latest papers looking at this and there is still no good evidence that mask wearing will help protect others. There’s some evidence that in care settings it will protect the wearer and alarmingly some evidence that cloth masks (i.e. The ones we’re all being encouraged to make ourselves so as not to use the surgical type) can actually increase your risk of infection.

Couple this with the fact that many people struggle to breathe in masks and may suffer anxiety or panic attacks as well as the difficulties they may pose to the 900,000 severely hearing impaired and I cannot support their blanket use. In the spirit of freedom of choice, if they help you feel safer please wear one but I don’t want to see this debate head toward the vilification of those who choose not to. Now more than ever we need to be united and look after each other.

From the conversations I had with you over the last few months, I know many of you have similar concerns and questions. There are some brilliant scientists and journalists working on this issue and disseminating complicated information. Far too many to try to reference here so please get in touch if you’d like any further information or my list of resources!

Jenna Evans © 2020.  Jenna is a Holistic Health Coach and creator of bespoke beauty products. She can be found on Facebook at ‘Alchemical Beauty UK’. Jenna is also a multi-

Hooper’s Hat Hire YEOVIL 01935 706555 • www.hoopershats.co.uk 14 THE VISITOR August 2020

award winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil.

To make an appointment, please pop in or call 01935 428791 for details. Always check with a health professional before making any dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle or starting a new supplement, especially with any existing health conditions.

Stitch Fix

Stitch Fix is the reasonably priced personal shopping service allowing you to try on clothes in the comfort of your own home.

So how does it all work?

Essentially you pay a £10 styling charge for your own personal shopper – presumably in a warehouse brimming with clothes from good quality brands – to pick clothes and accessories in your size that they think you’ll love.

This is based on the outfit likes and dislikes you select on the Stitch Fix site, in addition to a little note you leave for your ‘fixer’, whilst not forgetting to enter your budget range.

A stash arrives, you try it all on - multiple times if you like as they give you a week to do this then you ‘checkout’ and pay for the bits you want to keep, returning the rest. There’s a bonus 20% discount if you keep all the items and the £10 styling charge is deducted regardless of how many items you buy. Hmm .. sounds a little too easy.

However, almost exactly two weeks after I signed up, a big brown box arrived via my choice of courier (Hermes or Royal Mail).

Gingerly I opened the box, my eyes darting over the contents; new clothes alert.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the mystery fixer - that I imagine looks like a fairytale imp- did follow my brief and sent me what I asked for. However, they did go over my budget a couple of times. Out of 6 items, including a trendy pair of tan leather sandals (nearly £100 though so that’s a no), I kept two of the items which were wellfitting, budget-friendly wardrobe staples I know I’ll wear.

www.stitchfix.co.uk is a personal shopping service allowing you to try on clothes in the comfort of your own home.

Am I glad I used the service?

Yes and no. Mostly yes as it offered me a fresh approach to choosing clothes, by essentially having them chosen for me. If

you have the will-power to only keep items that are perfect for you and not over budget, then it could be a winner.

SD-P.

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

WARD & SIBLEY The Jewellers of Yeovil

Fashion Boutique Market Place • Wincanton  01963 31676

Our repair section of the business is pleased to offer

www.previewwincanton.co.uk

AUGUST PROMOTION

Summer Collection includes...

- ROBELL - ADINI - POMODORO - AMAZING WOMAN JEANS Sizes 10-18

FREE clean & setting check on gemstone rings (ends 31/ 08/2020)

 Complete refurbishment of jewellery –

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

 Watch repairs including battery replacements  Jewellery handmade to your own design  Seal, hand, and machine engraving  Valuations for insurance and probate T EN URS M NT O OI G H E P N AP ENI ON N P PH 6 A R E O SE 3167 O F SID EA 63 T PL 19 0 OU

 Pearl and bead re-threading THE CASKET, 103 MIDDLE STREET, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065 Car Park at Rear for customers while visiting the shop THE VISITOR August 2020 15

that should never be added to rubbish bins or recycling boxes are garden or garage chemicals, paint, fuel, batteries, asbestos, syringes and knives.

Advice on hazardous waste can be found at: www.somerset waste.gov.uk/hazardous-waste.

Hazardous waste warning as crew member has lucky escape

A WARNING was issued on Friday 10 July after a Somerset crew member collecting household waste was splashed with a hazardous liquid left in a rubbish bin.

Very fortunately, the crew member from contractor SUEZ is safe as the hazardous liquid only ended up on their uniform during the incident.

A SUEZ colleague said: ‘This is a really lucky near miss that could have been a lot worse had it made contact with eyes or skin.’

The householder concerned is being visited to remind them of the need for safety when putting out waste.

A spokesman for Somerset Waste Partnership said: ‘Hazardous materials must never

Most Popular Paint Colours on Instagram 2020

Residents with any hazardous materials should check the instructions, or contact the manufacturer or retailer to ensure advice on disposal.

be added to rubbish bins or recycling boxes, where they will put others at risk of harm.

‘Residents with any hazardous materials should check the instructions, or contact the

manufacturer or retailer, to ensure they follow the advice on disposal.

‘In many cases, after making those checks, the materials can be taken - with due care - to recycling sites for disposal.’

Among the items and materials

CURTAIN CIRCUIT Curtain Circuit Secondhand Secondhand Curtains Curtains We take-in and We take-in andsell sell top quality curtains! top quality curtains!

The Old Cycle Shop

The OldLong Cycle Shop Street LongSherborne Street DT9 3BS Phone: 01935 815155 Sherb-1.00

Open: Tues to Fri 10-4.00 Saturday 10-1.00

16 THE VISITOR August 2020

A lick of paint is a great way to change the atmosphere of a room and, with many of us having more free time, this is the perfect moment to get creative!

To inspire you, experts at homehow.co.uk had a look at Instagram trends in order to find out what are the most popular paint colours of 2020. The data was gathered by looking at the number of hashtags posted on Instagram for different shade colours, by different brands.

So what is the most ‘Instagrammed’ paint colour of 2020? The research has revealed that the most popular paint colours contain shades of grey, green and blue. In fact, the most popular paint shade of all on Instagram is Paris Grey by Zoffany, with almost 24,000 hashtags! You can get this neutral colour in three finishes: elite emulsion, acrylic eggshell and oil eggshell.

Many people opt for dark, plain colours - If you are a fan of dark walls, these are the most popular colours you can choose from: Green Smoke by Farrow and Ball (21,355 hashtags), Bancha by Farrow and Ball (9,827 hashtags), Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore (7,984 hashtags) and De Nimes by Farrow and Ball (4,458 hashtags). Warm and unique colours make waves too.

If you are bored of having white walls and are looking for a more unique colour, Spiced Honey by

The new New Barratt West MD welcomes stamp duty cut but calls for Help to Buy extension

The new regional director for Barratt Developments in the South West has welcomed the stamp duty cut but called on the government to extend the current Help to Buy scheme. With building work now continuing across all of its developments, the developer wants to ensure buyers don't miss out because of delays due to the coronavirus crisis.

Responding to the chancellor's summer statement, Ian Menham, newly appointed director for the west region, which covers Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bristol & Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, said extending the current Help to Buy scheme beyond March 2021 will help ensure the UK's housing recovery is sustained. Delivering nearly 8,000 new homes across the South West, the company has seen a surge in interest in buying a new home in the region since lockdown restrictions eased, with a 97% rise in enquiries last month, compared to the same period last year.

Demand from buyers looking

Dulux is a great choice! This colour has been named as Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2019 and it’s completely understandable why.

The cosy, warm tone can make anybody feel at home!

Hider Heating

Hider Heating, established since 1973, is an expert in the plumbing and heating sector, working with estate agents, letting agents and the general public in the Somerset area.

They offer their customers all aspects of plumbing and heating including: full central heating installation; boiler repairs and servicing; bathrooms; landlord gas safety certificates and general plumbing. Their Gas Safe registration number is 700 so you can see that they have been in the business a long time, giving you confidence that only the highest standard of workmanship is offered as standard - they also have great testimonials.

Ian Menham, Barratt West MD.

to use Help to Buy has also been significant since the market reopened. Barratt Developments took the decision to close all construction sites at the start of the coronavirus crisis in order to protect employees, subcontractors and customers. Whilst all sites have now resumed, timescales for completion on some developments have changed, which means some buyers will not be eligible for the current Help to Buy scheme.

Ian said: ‘The stamp duty cut will be welcomed by many of our customers and will give an immediate boost to the whole housing market.

‘However, the Help to Buy scheme has also been highly effective for getting people onto the housing ladder, and is due to end in its current form by 1 April next year. Due to the coronavirus crisis interrupting build programmes and putting completions back, a lot of potential Help to Buy users will now miss out through no fault of their own.’

FROM CONCEPTION TO COMPLETION With over 30 years of building experience

HIDER HEATING

Specialists in Installation & Service ALL TYPES OF PLUMBING Central Heating Systems, Boiler Replacement Landlord Safety Checks and Servicing Gas and Oil Established Over 40 Years Rely on us for all Plumbing & Heating Needs Specialist in Bathroom Designs including all Tiling & Electrics

Reg. No. 700

www.hiderheating.co.uk Tel: 01935 426209 • Mobile: 07836 773152 41a West Coker Road, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2LY

— NO HIDDEN EXTRAS —

All works completed by our experienced and reliable team

SERVICES INCLUDE but not limited to: Project Management ★ New Build Planning ★ Loft Conversions Carpentry ★ Roofing Ground Works ★ Refurbishment Renovation ★ Commercial Property Maintenance ★ Joinery All aspects of Building and Maintenance All Insurance Works Undertaken

Contact us for a free estimate

(01935) 808456

www.countrybuild.co.uk • info@countrybuild.co.uk

THE VISITOR August 2020 17

MOTOR VINTAGE Motorcycling with Rod Hann THE CORONAVIRUS still controls our lives at present but despite it there are some normalities returning to our lives.

At least I can get out on my bikes and have a ride even though I am careful when and where I go. I will not be going to any beaches or beauty spots where the crowds seem to ignore the advice we have been given, to the possible detriment of their health and that of the people around them. It seems madness to me.

The recent good weather has helped so I hope you are gaining some enjoyment from owning and using your old vehicle. We in the VMCC have not resumed our normal riding events but now most Sections are organising for small groups of six bikes to go for impromptu rides whilst being careful to comply with social distancing rules at the start and finish venues. At least we can again see our friends and socialise a little. Club nights are still off as are larger gatherings. I expect most clubs will be making similar arrangements.

It is with regret that the organisers of the Beaulieu Autojumble in September and the Great Dorset Steam Fair have had to cancel this year's events.

Only to be expected of course due

A 1930's BSA frame and running gear which has been mated to a converted Austin 7 car engine.

to the huge crowds expected at both events. Disappointing for the organisers after so much planning work has been done. It is anticipated that all such events will return next year but nothing can be taken as certain in these very uncertain times.

As reported previously the Lockdown has afforded me with much more time in the workshop.

I said last month that I intended to build a 'Special' and so I have been seeking some inspiration and ideas from the many people who had gone before me. I found a picture which I took some years ago and that is reproduced above.

The bike consists of a 1930's BSA frame and running gear which has been mated to a converted Austin 7 car engine. It has been very cleverly done.

The cycle parts appear pretty standard but the engine certainly is not. The four cylinder engine is mounted transversely in the

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

G.H. SALES. Tel: 01935 891414

Yeovil Auto Tuning  

CLASSIC CAR REPAIRS ● Repairs and Servicing Specialists Established OVER ● MOT Testing – Classes IV, V and VII also Motorhomes 30 YEARS ● Engine Tuning ● Brakes, Clutches, Gearboxes ● Competitive Rates ● Professional, Reliable, Friendly Service ● Specialising in VW T4 + T5 Vans ● Revo Engine Re-Mapping (VW and Audi Group) ● Caravan Storage  COLLECTION & DELIVERY SERVICE 

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18 THE VISITOR August 2020

frame with an ingenious drive system to the gearbox. The cylinder block is water cooled but the cylinder head has been replaced with an alloy one which is finned and air cooled. I expect it has been machined from a solid billet of alloy which must have taken many hours of work on a milling machine and by a very skilled operator. I bet it also produced many buckets of waste swarf in the process.

In addition the builder has made an ingenious drive system from the end of the crankshaft up to a combined magneto and dynamo. You can see that the alloy casings are beautifully machined and finished. The manifolds for the intake and the exhaust system have also been fabricated to allow for the limited space available. My plans are not so radical as this and not being a skilled engineer, merely an enthusiastic amateur, I have to keep my ideas to a level within my own capabilities and to the limited equipment in my own workshop. A 'Special' if it is not well engineered can look a real mess but a good one should look as though it were factory made.

The one pictured here is a credit to its builder, whoever RC was.

My attempt to build a 'Special' is still in its infancy. At present I am using a Norton frame and a

Norton gearbox from 1960. This has been mated to a J.A.P. engine from the 1920's. The engine is a 1000cc V Twin with side valves.

This is how things are starting but I may attempt to convert it to overhead valve operation in due course. This will depend on the availability of parts and how brave I feel when the time comes.

The rest of the bike I shall build up from bits and pieces as I need them and no doubt things will change and evolve as time goes by. The success of the project can only be judged upon completion but at least I am willing to have a go. Watch this space for further updates. There are plenty of very clever people who have done, or are doing, similar things in sheds all over the country. I find them interesting and would like to see more. For me it is a joy to be doing something very different from what I normally do. I usually try and restore a bike to near factory standard as possible, but to be able to do my own thing with only myself to please is quite refreshing.

Having put my head on the block if the whole bike turns out to be a complete disaster then I shall look very foolish. I am not unaccustomed to making myself look a fool so I don't see why this project should make much difference.

NORRIS BODY REPAIRS LTD ■ Insurance Claims ■ Private Jobs ■ Restorations ■ Resprays ■ Welding Work

South Street • YEOVIL • BA20 1QQ Tel: 01935 411095 Email: norrisbodyrepairs@gmail.com • Fax: 01935 473119

The

Pub Pages

BE E R & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER THE GREAT BRITISH PUBS are now open! Well, in truth, a great many are not, and I do hope that those who have are able to cope with the conditions that have been imposed upon them. I have had the dubious privilege of seeing a full list of these conditions and they are somewhat severe. Some may say this is necessary, but over the last few months I have developed an opinion or two of my own. I'll leave that subject alone now.

I was delighted to hear that a local pub has had a visitation from a couple of groups of the younger generation who spent time in the pub garden playing boules. It's been some while since I played the game at a pub, which is disappointing, being such an enjoyable activity in an environment that an evening in one's own garden playing can rarely match. Some pubs have their own specific boules 'piste', one that springs to mind being The Mitre at Sandford Orcas.

Does your pub have one? Do let me know.

We've covered those great outdoor summer activities ‘Bat and Trap’ and ‘Loggats’ quite extensively in these columns. One that has just had but a cursory mention in the past was ‘Cornhole’. My first experience of this game came when we paid a visit to the Nantahala Brewery at Bryson City, North Carolina, where a local lady attempted to instruct me on the delights of the game. This was a bit tricky amid the deafening noise from the large and boisterous clientele as they enthused over the ‘ball game’ on huge screens. Not really my type of venue, but all part of the holiday experience! The game, like

every good pub-orientated game is simplicity in itself. Here one tosses what we would call ‘beanbags’ some 21 feet onto an angled flat bed with a hole, the object, obviously, being to get the bag into the hole. Yes, simplicity itself; but that's like saying cricket is a game where a bloke throws a ball at three sticks and another bloke tries to hit the ball.

It was not until another visit to the States when we got the chance of an actual game, this time at the Red Hare Brewery at Marietta, Atlanta, Georgia.

Needless to say a couple of American lads – Joe and Marty – gave my Godson Richard and I a good thrashing. Well that's the way to learn I guess! A particular point we notice is that the game is so widespread, and even recently featured on television for the World Championships (See also YouTube). Now at the risk of insulting our friends across the pond, it does appear that some Americans think the world starts and finishes there, viz; the ‘World Series’ baseball, but I suppose it's irrelevant if no other country has teams to enter. I'll leave you to search the internet for yourself dear reader, but as you can imagine, there are Cornhole clubs in this country, one can get instructions on how to make your own or why not pay a visit to 'Masters Games' who would willingly sell you a set.

Whilst we have had a few pints of ‘real’ ale delivered during this lockdown period we've mainly been drinking bottled beers at home and online at that, with a mate via the screen. It all seemed rather bizarre, but at least we can say ‘Cheers!’ via the camera! I was delighted and fortunate to receive a box of D.B.C. – Dorset Brewing Company – bottled beers arrive via a courier which transpired to be a gift from a neighbour for doing him a small favour. Unexpected, but nevertheless kind and well received! Their beers are named after local places and traditions; Dorset Knob, Jurassic, Chesil, Durdle Door and I even liked their ‘Pilsner style’ lager. (Well c'mon, it is a summer drink) I first experienced a D.B.C. product at Wetherspoons in Dorchester and at that time I didn't realise that ‘Spoons were partial to buy in locally brewed ales. It is plain that Mr Martin's activities can produce a ‘Marmite’ reaction amongst many people, but – and I know I've stated it before - I have never had a bad pint at this establishment, and the prices take us back 20+ years.

In fact I can honestly say that

some have been right ‘up there’ as perfect, and on the occasion of this particular visit, the D.B.C. Harbourmaster was so good that I complimented the manager of Wetherspoons, and on returning home I rang the brewery to congratulate them on producing such an excellent ale.

So there it is; the pubs are open and I've made suggestions of three or four fabulous games for you to play in the summer weather. So let me know how you get on!

Cheers! © P.A. Baxter 2020. skittlealley@hotmail.com

They Say That first wedding anniversary congratulations go to Becky & Rob Mitchell of Street for the 7th August.

That during lockdown, the more traditional 5pm ‘Happy Hour’ was occasionally brought forward to 11am by Mr Christopher White of Queen Camel, painter and decorator extraordinaire.

That whilst enjoying a game of golf recently, Kieran Davis of Castle Cary, had a very unpheasant experience whilst searching for a lost ball in the long grass.

That exceedingly good lettuces are being produced by Mr Jim Davis of Galhampton. They’re as big as footballs and we are told, far too large to be stored in the salad box of the refrigerator.

Richard Greenwell poses with a 'Red Hare' beer and 'Cornhole'.

That birthday wishes are sent to Poppy Dunn of Scarning for 13th August.

Solution to July

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That a big thank you goes to Galhampton Country Store, North Cadbury Village Shop, and all the other little village shops in Visitorland for providing their local communities with all the essentials during the prolonged lockdown.

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ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ on page 13 1) Prince 2) ‘Honeybus’ 3) ‘Seal' 4) ‘America’ by Simon and Garfunkel 5) ‘Toploader' 6) Ringo 7) Dusty Springfield 8) ‘James’ 9) Andy Fairweather-Low 10) Paul Simon Bonus Question: 'Deacon Blues' which was a Steely Dan song from 1977

Vinny always sees the positive side

THE VISITOR August 2020 19

Luca's New Garden with Bridget Sudworth A NEW UNKNOWN garden brings surprises every month so we make continual discoveries and August is the month of major harvesting with more to follow in the Autumn. There is the joy of emerging sedums, michaelmas daisies, crocosmia, long arms of fuchsia and fat headed hydrangea, some of these providing attractive nourishment for the bees on sunny days.

The harvest means the making of delicious jams, jellies and chutneys; the latter can be made from almost anything surplus in the garden. Apples are ripening and the plums hang heavy beware of the wasps who can quickly become intoxicated on rotten fruit. Now the local street markets are opening again, you can buy those things you have not had room to grow yourself, particularly trays of blackcurrants and raspberries both of which freeze brilliantly

and which provide wonderful colour and flavour to fruit pies throughout the winter. We try to use all our apples, cookers and dessert regardless, by peeling, slicing and drying in the dehydrator then freezing. Being basically dry when frozen, chunks can be broken off with ease straight from the freezer when required and quickly become fleshy and tasty with a quick simmer. It has proved to be a much better way to keep them over winter rather than wrapping in newspaper or stacking in boxes to be nibbled at by rodents or rotting to black while in store.

Your jobs this month will

Full ground preparation and laying service available

include yet more deadheading, watering (though rain has mostly saved the day thus far), giving a second prune to those wandering wisteria stems, collecting seed where ready and cutting out old fruited raspberry canes. As Vita Sackville West always said, never go into your garden without your secateurs in your pocket!

One of the greatest pleasures of owning a dog is the daily walks.

Haddon Wood has been filled with butterflies and the waysides are littered with cranesbill and meadow sweet. If the abundant flowers on the brambles are anything to go by, there should be a bumper crop of blackberries.

Bramble jelly must be the king of all preserves - a reminder of warmer days when spread on toast! Buzzards cruise the skies

while the swallows sweep and dip over the fields gleaning insects while the grass is cut again for the third time this season and our race horse neighbours are now back in the stables for the start of the training season. They have had their grassy idyll for another year but unlike the horses, Luca can continue to toss his head playfully then throw himself on the wet grass for a good roll, pumping his legs and relishing the wetness from recent rainfall. He has excelled himself in his new garden by building yet another den - this time, he chose the spot next to the compost heap.

Built in haste after moving house, the front panels were propped up by broken chair legs (the best one could do with all the shops shut!), but after the soil had flown in all directions and Luca was settled, the front fell off the box!! At least his interest in dens is short lived and the three abandoned ones are now reverting to normal garden use. Thank goodness for the net tunnels that cover the veggies he is no respecter of lines of spinach and spring onions!

The Farmhouse, Somerton Door, SOMERTON, TA11 6JA Tel / Fax: 01458 272091 www.evergreen-turf.co.uk • info@evergreen-turf.co.uk

All types of Fencing

• Gates • Trellis • Fence Panels • Tool Sheds • Summer Houses • Garages • Workhouses • Greenhouses • Field Shelters

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ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE AND DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL

TREE PLANTING

PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660 20 THE VISITOR August 2020

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

Last year, I spent hours picking caterpillars off the early purple sprouting having stupidly watched the cabbage white butterflies cruising about among the young leaves laying their eggs - I must have been mad to be so negligent to let things get out of hand. They were eventually and not before time, encased in a cage of mesh and did reach fruition but moving house sadly deprived us of the picking and allowed the new incumbents to benefit ironic! This year, the sprouting is all under nets and will remain so. Sprouting will be something to look forward to next Spring but with so much growth everywhere right now, the thought of winter months does not bring dread but the chance to thin things out once the sap has subsided.

Home Sweet Home

WELL, WHAT A YEAR it has been so far! For many of us, especially those who usually enjoy life outdoors, the severe restrictions on our movements and activities have been torture.

As Lockdown continues to ease up, for the time being, it will have felt like severe punishment.

Living in a flat, I am fortunate in that I don’t much care for the outdoors and loath all forms of sport, so I can fully appreciate that I am bucking the norm in having revelled in being confined to home. Not having to spend up to three hours a day in the car chasing my tail, going from one meeting to the next, has been pure bliss; and think of the money I have saved on fuel!

As one of those who have been ‘shielded’ for the past four months, owing to a long history of bronchitis, I have been very careful indeed, not having actually been outside my front door, or allowing anyone in, for the duration.

It has been quite weird to spend so much time at home and, to be honest, when it comes to having others doing my shopping, I have at times behaved like a spoilt brat, for which I apologise.

As an avid reader, now on my 59th book, maintaining a steady supply of interesting reading material has also been a challenge.

However, every day I have good cause to count my blessings. I have a roof over my head and enough to eat and wine to drink (just about!), I am not being abused, and although my income has reduced considerably, I can manage.

I think that what has hit me most is the lack of choice and control the Coronavirus has brought about. I imagine that this is what it must be like to be in prison, or in a care home, where others are deciding what you can and cannot do, when and where; not something that sits easily with someone as independent as me.

Moving forward, now that restrictions are being lifted, and with the weather forecast to be good, those few children who have been able to attend school in some form or another, will now be looking forward to the summer.

The extent to which many people have been creative in their use of time at home has been

truly amazing, as has the fantastic community spirit we have seen everywhere.

For this summer at least, with foreign travel restrictions largely still in place, and with an eye to a possible spike in new Covid-19 cases at some point in the future, ‘home’ will be the new ‘away’.

Social distancing has not been easy, especially for the younger generation, but at least families are now able to get together and join in with neighbours and friends.

With an eye to keeping a rein on the purse strings, as money will be tight for many, along with the need to support the local economy, whilst pubs and restaurants start to open up with limited access, now is the time to think about what we can do close to home.

I am not much of a beer drinker, but now is a good time to be a beer drinker, and we have some wonderful local awardwinning craft breweries in Somerset. Certainly, in balancing the budget, beer is more cost effective than wine or spirits, and in my own case it has the advantage of helping to reduce the amount of alcohol I have been consuming.

Quantock Brewery has on offer several stunning ales that are worth seeking out, including: • Wills Neck – Bronze – Cask British Bitter (4.4% abv.)

• Rale Head – Bronze – Bottle Bitter (4.4% abv.)

• Titanium – Silver - Premium Pale Ales (5.5% to 6.4% abv.)

• QPA – Gold – Cask Session Pale Ales (4.4% abv.)

Butcombe Brewery founded in 1978, and the leading brewer and pub operator in Somerset and surrounding areas, was acquired

by The Liberation Group in 2015 and as a result expanded their facility in Bridgwater. Butcombe Original (4% abv.) was their first ale, and they also have on offer the following: • Rare Breed Indian Pale Ale has an intense hoppy flavour and aroma • Goram is their IPA, or Avon Pale Ale • Golden Ale (4.4% abv.), a relative newcomer, made with pale hops and best served cold

Never one to do things by halves, and still being unable shop independently, I was also delighted to discover beerhawk.co.uk, which has on offer two cases of British beers from a wide range of breweries, at £35 a case.

Emerald Gold, and El Toro, a wheat beer, and are a good source of ciders too.

New breweries have been springing up all over the country, so whatever your preference we are spoilt for choice, whether you fancy a refreshing pale, hoppy sour, or rich, traditional porter.

Never one to do things by halves, and still being unable to shop independently, I was also delighted to discover Beer Hawk.co.uk, which has on offer two cases of British beers from a wide range of breweries, at £35 a case. At the time of writing.

Great British Beers from 15 breweries

These 12 are from 8 different British breweries

So, this summer ‘Bottoms Up’ as they say! Nobody knows where the phrase originates but according to legend English sailors used to be bribed by accepting the ‘King’s shilling’ to join the navy, and would be tricked into joining by being given a beer with a coin at the bottom of the glass.

L.P-V.

Saltaire South Island Hawkshead Red Black Sheep Ale Durham Cloister Clogwyn Gold Harbour IPA Telford Porter Hawkshead Lakeland Gold Saltaire Titus Black Sheep Golden Ale Williams Bros Joker Durham Black Bishop

Tiny Rebel Clwb Tropica Vocation Pure Pilsner Beavertown Neck Oil Fyne Ales Easy Trail BrewDog Indie Pale Thornbridge Tzara Tempest Brewing Co. Hells Camden Pale Wiper and True Kaleidoscope Harbour Antipodean IPA Fourpure Oatmeal Stout Magic Rock Common Ground Wild Beer Pogo Siren Yu Lu Hawkshead Red

The Visitor

CAN BE READ ONLINE: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Chill-Out Somerset For all your refrigerated trailer requirements, outside events, etc.

CONTACT : Martyn Jones 07973 433586 EMAIL : chilloutsomerset@yahoo.com

From time to time Butcombe also produce special ales such as THE VISITOR August 2020 21

22 THE VISITOR August 2020

THE VISITOR August 2020 23

Remember when...

30 years ago from The Visitor archives

Hot memories

SOME YEARS STICK in my mind for their especially beautiful Summer weather. 1990 isn’t one of them – but it must have been hot because so many of the pub adverts in the August 1990 Visitor mention the weather. Here’s a selection of them. ‘Whilst the heatwave continues its searing course, our cellar is at a constant 55° and is probably the best place to eat, sleep and drink,’ claimed the Fleur de Lis at Stoke-subHamdon. ‘Summer really seems to have arrived at last . . . thank goodness for a good cellar cooler which keeps all the beers and lagers lovely and cold,’ said the Miller’s Inn at Wincanton. The White Hart in Castle Cary urged readers to ‘enjoy the holiday atmosphere . . . which means taking it easy and eating out in the cool of the pub or one of the many seats outside’, while the Red Lion at Marston Magna advertised ‘unlimited ice!’ Elsewhere in the magazine Haskins of Shepton Mallet promoted ‘the hottest brand names in furniture’, stating that ‘we’re sure that the scorching lineup of discounts in every Haskins department will set your imagination on fire’. So it must have been a hot spell but I don’t recall how long it lasted.

Teenage experience

Mention of the pubs reminds me that back in 1990 the Visitor gave two 15-year-olds a fortnight’s ‘work experience’, the pupil from Gillingham School being Simon Frowde, son of Christopher (Frowdie) and Sandra, landlords of the White Lion at Bourton. The August magazine carried details of what they ‘experienced’ and samples of their writing and reporting skills. Simon interviewed Stewart Canham of Zeals Trout Farm and produced a very competent article. He’s in his mid40s now – did he pursue a career in journalism or publishing, I wonder, or follow his parents into the pub trade. Editor Patrick Dunion wrote that although both pupils ‘were intelligent and conscientious’ it was not an experiment he would care to repeat, ‘simply because two weeks is too long for a small firm; to keep the youngsters usefully occupied requires too heavy an investment in time’.

When we used videotapes . . .

In August 1990 Camelot Video was celebrating three years at its Church Street shop in Wincanton, 24 THE VISITOR August 2020

three years in which proprietors Graham and Siobhan Hiscock had developed their business into one with the biggest selection of tapes for miles around. ‘At the last count Camelot Video had over 1,600 films for hire plus over 200 for sale . . . plus blank cassettes and accessories,’ the Visitor reported alongside a photo of the young Hiscocks in their shop. Nowadays videotapes are things of the past and if we want to watch a film at home we can buy it on DVD or download it via the internet (broadband speeds permitting!).

But the business survives and prospers as Camelot Photographic, undertaking digital processing, selling a range of camera and photography accessories and having two studios next door for photographic shoots.

PHONE - a - FIRM

. . . and rolls of film in cameras

Just as videotapes have faded into history, so too have rolls of camera film. In pre-digital days if we wanted to take a photograph we needed a camera, not a mobile phone, and film to go in it. Then the film had to be developed and printed before we could see the result of our efforts. The August 1990 Visitor included a two-page feature describing how, with the right equipment, ‘memories can be captured on film for generations to come’, and several local businesses advertised 24-hour film processing services. At Knight & Son (Chemist) on Wincanton’s Market Place the cost was £2.29 for a 12-exposure film, £3.29 for 24 exposures and £4.29 for 36 exposures. Likewise at Cary Photographic on The Triangle at Castle Cary and The Photo Shop in the Applegarth Arcade in Wincanton where they also offered passport photos taken professionally in the shop, and hand-printed black and white copies of pictures.

August events

Among the August 1990 events previewed by the Visitor were the Yeovil Festival of Transport at Barwick Park on the 11th and 12th, promising ‘the largest outdoor presentation of veteran, vintage and classic vehicles in Europe’, and the 138th MidSomerset Show at Shepton Mallet on the 18th, boasting a long list of attractions for all the family and ‘nearly 200 trade stands and displays’. Both events had the same admission price of £3.00 for adults, but for OAPs and children it was £1.00 at the Yeovil event and £1.50 at Shepton. Did the heatwave last long enough to benefit these events?

Roger Richards.

Taylors Domestic Appliances Ltd. Sales & Repairs for Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Cookers, Tumble Driers etc.

Ridge View, Penmore Road Sandford Orcas DT9 4SE Professional repairs by qualified engineer on most makes of appliances.

01963 220366 Email: taylorsdomesticappliances@gmail.com Covering the areas between Wincanton Castle Cary, Sparkford, Sherborne and Yeovil

DEADLINE for September Issue is Monday 17th August

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

● SALES ● SERVICING ● REPAIRS ● INSTALLATIONS Greenhill, Sherborne, DT9 4EW Tel: 01935 813451 www.goddenandcurtis.co.uk

FULLY QUALIFIED BUILDER ESTABLISHED 1973

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

07921 074602 • 01749 677440 • Solidfuel3@aol.com

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

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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For further information & estimates contact Allan Carey

 01747 840064

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Slate  Tiling  Flat Roofing.

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SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS Small and Large Loads Tel: 07973 871708 Evenings: 01935 825506 THE VISITOR August 2020 25

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 PC - Mac - Tablet No fix - No fee

Prize Crossword No. 405 Set by Frank Butler

19

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BP – to arrive by Monday 17th August.

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. News story concerning harbour [6] 4. Tree protection? Down on your knees! Sing about it! [8] 9. Point to shaft of small width [6] 10. Welsh river in Cambridge before Irish high king [8] 11. Keep quiet about high temperature in sword-case [6] 12. Stirrer got at air mixture [8] 14. Prediction: 504 precedes one country [10] 18. Cane broken after fit of rage!

Moderation? [10] 22. Bar dolls tying up posts [8] 23. Brimstone: crazy with pimples [6] 24. Bay call putting the lid on [8] 25. I smoke confusing Innuit [6] 26. Walk on all fours in half-erased (scribbled) version [8] 27. Fabulous beast to proceed annoyingly slowly [6]

7. Fools! Do I sit awry? [6] 8. Lineker accepts scripture, signals aloft! [6] 13. Being there, take the floor at 2200 hrs [10] 15. One who puts forward a puzzle to a paid expert [8] 16. Hang tiny pieces of whatever-it-is [8] 17. Not long to wait, with flare light and so on [4,4] 19. You count on seaman with 50Hz supplied to America [6] 20. Smart to prize below the key [6] 21. A vegetable to spoil the straight line [6]

Solution to Crossword 404

Down: 1. Phone team near ropes [8] 2. Make out peer involved with vice [8] 3. Oz marsupial with insect wound on its perch [8] 5. Sets after drama where toddlers may go [10] 6. Bob sat around with senior monks [6]

Winner of our July Crossword Was Mrs S. James-Revill of Yeovil who chose to spend the £10 at Clean Ovens Domestic Ltd.

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

07970 742471 26 THE VISITOR August 2020

www.myhomemaker.co.uk Longmead Industrial Estate, Shaftesbury, SP7 8PL  01747 851476 5 – 6 George Street, Warminster, BA12 8QA  01985 219200

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The Old Bakery, Half Moon Street, Sherborne, DT9 3LN (Through Archway by Half Moon Inn)

Tel: 01935 817111 * www.simplybathandbed.co.uk * info@simplybathandbed.co.uk