The Visitor Magazine Issue 446 Christmas/January 2021

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

Issue 446 Christmas/January 2021

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Gold Hill, Shaftesbury. Photo: Nic Dixon/shutterstock.com

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In Passing...

I

spent most of the November lockdown within the confines of my cottage, only venturing beyond the garden gate for around 45 of the 720 hours in the month for purposes I deemed essential. One morning while I was eating breakfast the postman knocked at my door with a parcel too large to go through the letterbox – a couple of books I had purchased by mail order. And later in the day I saw the Royal Mail’s Parcelforce truck trundling up the lane, laden with larger parcels for homes and businesses in Visitorland.

I also saw at least six other parcel delivery vans speeding past the house and three different home delivery services from supermarkets. There may have been more – I didn’t waste the day glued to the window – but there was a time when the Royal Mail had a monopoly and worked non-stop round the clock to get the Christmas supplies and gifts delivered in time for the celebrations. It is still an invaluable service we take for granted, especially in the run-up to Christmas, so much so that the only time I hear it talked about is on the rare occasions when the delivery is very late or to the wrong address.

Are we really sending each other enough parcels nowadays to keep all these upstart firms in profitable business? With the growth of mail order and internet purchasing, they must be rubbing their hands with glee. Every day must seem like Christmas to them. And the competition they provide is supposed to bring us the benefits of choice, greater efficiency, cheaper prices and more jobs.

But every benefit has a cost – in this case more speeding traffic on Visitorland’s narrow roads, more congestion, more wear-and-tear of the tarmac, more consumption of our finite supply of fossil fuel, more pollution from exhaust fumes.

By no stretch of the imagination can it be environmentally friendly to have six vehicles bringing six parcels to a village when they could all be brought in one.

And these environmental costs will have to be paid for sooner or later.

Another cost is to Visitorland’s traders.

Every item bought by mail order or through the internet threatens to be one less item bought from our local shops – shops which, this Christmas, have been packed with an enormous variety of highquality goods and lots of bargains. It’s a cliché, I know, but if we don’t use them we’ll lose them, and that would be a tragedy. Every parcel in the van could be a nail in the coffin of our market towns, and that could be a very high cost indeed.

I hope I remember that the next time I’m thinking of buying a book.

By whatever means your festive goodies reach you, enjoy them. We all deserve a bit of pleasure at the end of what has been a pretty dismal year.

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. 2021

Advertising Deadlines February Issue published: Thursday 28th January Deadline: Monday 18th January

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

CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED ‑ 34 ANTIQUES ‑ 26 BOOK REVIEW ‑ 14 LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE ‑ 15 CROSSWORD ‑ 34 GARDENING ‑ 29 HOUSE & HOME ‑ 20 LEISURE ‑ 14 LETTERS ‑ 5 LOOKING GOOD ‑ A Healthy New Year ‑ 18 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES ‑ 7 MOTORING ‑ 27

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.

PHONE‑A‑FIRM ‑ 32 PUBS ‑ 28 REMEMBER WHEN ‑ 32 SEASON’S GREETINGS ‑ 24 SUDOKU ‑ 14 THEY SAY ‑ 29

Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 3

Letters to the Editor Sir, Somerton Music and Arts Festival has been entertaining the people of Somerton and helping to bring newcomers to the town for over 30 years.

Starting life as Somerton Summer Arts Festival, every July we put on a 10 day event of music, arts, education and entertainment to suit all ages, tastes and interests. Most recently we have incorporated the word Music into our title, registered as a Community Interest Company and introduced a one day Music Festival ‘Somerstock’ into the line-up. We aim to have a good mix of local artists and entertainers as well as bringing acts to Somerton that we may otherwise have to travel to see.

With all this going on, it is not surprising that some people may think that we must be a commercial business staffed by paid employees.

We would like to put on public

record that we are run by unpaid volunteers who devote a significant portion of their life to keeping the festival going; purely out of their love of arts, music and the community. The CIC annual accounts are freely available and our financial objective is to have enough funds in the bank at the end of the year to ensure we can sustain the following year. Any surplus is generally re-invested to make the festival even better and donations are made to local organisations or charities. In addition, we donate surplus from the Somerstock event specifically to named local charities and the community. In 2019 we gave over £1000 for St Margaret’s Hospice who also raised a similar amount on the day.

We continue to value the support of our community and if anyone feels they have any skills and experience to offer us or just share our passion for arts, music and/or the community then you

would be most welcome to join us. This could be on our committee, as a steward in town or Somerstock or just helping out throughout the year with ideas and practical support.

Whilst we are living in difficult times, we are optimistic that a sufficient degree of normality will resume next year to allow our events to take place safely, even if we need to make some changes including, potentially, restructuring the event to meet the numbers able to attend. As such, tickets for Somerstock 2021 are back on sale and will stay at the early bird rate until the end of January 2021 and we strongly encourage purchase now to avoid disappointment and to help us plan a great event! With our headline act, The Christians and many other fantastic bands (including many popular local acts), top class food, drinks, and fun for all the family we look forward to seeing you all next year.

In the meantime, we appreciate your support with special thanks to our ticket holders, sponsors and advertisers.

The Festival Committee smafcompanysecretary @gmail.com

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

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 5

•

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B A W R E CL R D A N

45 High Street, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9JU • Tel: 01963 34880 Email: andrewbarclaybutchers@gmail.com • www.andrewbarclaybutcher.com

Andrew – prepares fresh turkeys

Friendly and experienced staff

Naturally reared, locally sourced meats

Delicious pies and savouries

ORDER NOW FOR NEW YEAR We would like to thank all of our customers for their support during the year and to wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy & Healthy New Year!

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2020 6

Mentioned in

Dispatches The Somerset Fund awards £72,000 to local charities thanks to generous local donors GRANTS WORTH £72,886 have been awarded to 37 smaller, grassroots charities and community groups in the latest round of The Somerset Fund, managed by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF).

Laura Blake, Development Director at SCF said: ‘It is such a difficult time for so many local charities, many of whom have lost out on donations and fundraising due to the coronavirus outbreak this year. We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to award these grants and so grateful for the generosity of local individuals and companies who have donated to The Somerset Fund.

‘Our extra thanks go to Somerset County Council, who match every donation to The Somerset Fund by 50%.’

David Fothergill, Leader of Somerset County Council, said: ‘It is heartening to see so many groups benefiting from The Somerset Fund across the county.

This year has been exceptionally hard for many voluntary and community groups so I know these grants will be of real benefit to so many people. A relatively small sum can make a huge difference in improving people’s lives in these very challenging times.’

If you are involved in a local, grassroots community project and would like to find out more about how to apply for funding, please visit: www.somersetcf.org.uk/tsf or call Somerset Community Foundation on: 01749 344949.

Rusty Road to Recovery provide mental health recovery services through practical and creative activities such as classic car restoration, air brush art therapy, metal sculpturing and woodworking.

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.

Councils back Stronger Somerset proposal which now heads to Government

Somerset’s four District Councils have overwhelmingly backed the Stronger Somerset proposal for a fresh start for the county.

At recent full council meetings, councillors voted 149 in favour and 24 against across all four Districts to submit the full proposal to central government, with support drawn from across the political spectrum.

Central government has invited all councils in Somerset to submit bids for a new Unitary way of working in the county.

They’ll make a decision on their preferred option next year.

The District Councils –

Sedgemoor, Mendip, South Somerset and Somerset West and Taunton – have designed a joint proposal called Stronger Somerset.

The Stronger Somerset plan sets an ambitious agenda for delivering a better and more efficient quality of services to its communities.

Building a new way of working to address the poor quality of care received by children in Somerset has played a key part in the full Stronger Somerset proposal.

The plan to give our vulnerable

young people the support they need through a fully joined up approach to services received massive backing from elected members.

It has been developed by some of the UK’s leading experts in childrens’ care and built upon by conversations and engagement with those who deliver and use care services.

Stronger Somerset also offers a new relationship with town and parish councils, builds an economy for all with a commitment to greater social mobility and the potential for a devolution deal to bring more decision making power from Westminster.

A recent survey by Ipsos Mori, one of the world's leading research companies, found public support from Stronger Somerset outstripping One Somerset by more than two to one.

In a joint statement, the Leaders of Somerset’s district councils said: ‘We’re delighted that the Stronger Somerset proposal is gathering support and momentum the more people hear about it.

‘It's a vision for a future that Somerset deserves and can afford.

‘The County Council’s One Somerset plan doesn’t address the challenges we face and offers more cuts and chaos. It doesn’t have public support and is silent on too many key issues.

‘Our model for two unitaries -

Care Home, Yeovil • 24hr personal care • Own ensuite basin & toilet • Large accessible gardens • Medication managed if required • Full social activities programme

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 Christmas / January 2021 7

Mentioned in

Dispatches in the east and west - will simplify local government while recognising the distinct geographic, social and economic differences in our county.

‘It’s sustainable and modern and will give our communities more say on how their money is spent.

‘With a Combined Authority able to bring proper devolution to our area, with the power to make big decisions locally and drive real investment, we can unleash the potential of Somerset and make it fit to face the future.’

Changes to Middle Street as part of the Yeovil Refresh public realm improvements

It was recently announced that the highly anticipated transformational refresh changes to the public realm areas of Yeovil town centre are set to begin in the near future following completion of work on final public realm designs.

One of the areas set to see

Upper Middle Street, Yeovil.

changes to the public realm is Middle Street area which will make the space more attractive to residents, visitors and businesses.

There are a total of six areas of the town centre which will see changes including Westminster Street, The Borough, upper Middle Street (including Wine Street), Middle Street (East), Middle Street (West) and The Triangle.

Work is scheduled to start in early February and will be completed in a phased approach over a few years to ensure the town centre can keep running while the construction work is delivered, beginning with Westminster Street.

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, view information and images from the projects and read all about the Yeovil Refresh programme visit www.yeovil refresh.co.uk to see for yourself.

COVID-19 Vaccination programme coming to The Bath & West Showground

As the nation prepares for the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations, The Bath & West Showground is delighted to be invited to become one of the main vaccination centres to service the Somerset area.

This is a triple win for the Royal Bath & West of England Society as it is privileged to be part of the largest peace-time

project since the war years - the vaccination programme will be vital to get the nation back on its feet and a major boost to the depleted events and hospitality sector.

The national roll-out will commence in due course with a commitment from NHS England to provide COVID-19 vaccinations through to the spring of 2021.

There will be a process of booking for vaccinations once the centre at the Bath & West site is live and NOT an automatic walk in day scheme. The general public are advised to wait for more details to be released in due course.

Responding to the announcement, Rupert Cox, CEO of the Royal Bath & West of England Society said; ‘This is great news for Somerset and for the Bath & West. It is an honour to have been selected to host this major vaccination programme for the benefit of Somerset residents and we are working with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to make sure the logistics run as smoothly as possible.

A successful nationwide vaccination campaign will also increase the chances of events being back up and running on the Showground and provide a much-

Ashley and the team at Simply Bathrooms and Bedrooms would like to thank all of our wonderful clients who have supported us throughout the year. We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you all next year!

Visit our Showroom

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 8 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021

county’s plastic recycling. This is compared with the 25% over the same period last year.

Recycle More is due in South Somerset at the end of June/early July 2021, and the rest of the county by late February/early March 2022, though dates could be subject to change.

Mentioned in

Dispatches needed confidence boost to everyone within the event industry.’

‘Recycle More’ bags means hundreds of extra tonnes recycled in Mendip

Magnificent Mendip residents recycled a staggering 300 extra tonnes of waste in the first five weeks of Recycle More, Somerset Waste Partnership has revealed.

The impressive effort includes a 23% increase in plastic – 41 extra tonnes, or more than 900 cubic metres, roughly the same size as eight double decker buses.

The figures were shared at a meeting of the Joint Scrutiny Panel of the Somerset Waste Board. The panel also heard that almost all of the plastics recycled in Somerset are staying in the UK to be re-processed, with just 1% going abroad.

Somerset Waste Partnership introduced Recycle More to around 53,000 homes in Mendip at the end of October. It adds

Free parking will be offered in all of South Somerset District Council’s car parks in the run up to Christmas

Batteries at the Evercreech Depot in Mendip.

plastic pots, tubs and trays to weekly collections, along with cartons such as Tetra Paks, household batteries and small electrical items. Every household was given a new Bright Blue Bag to hold some of the extra items.

Comparing the five weeks of Recycle More to the five weeks before it, recycling crews in Mendip collected: • 302 extra tonnes of recycling in total – up 11% • 41 extra tonnes of plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays – up 23% • 105 extra tonnes of cardboard - up 19% • 141 extra tonnes of food waste – up 15% • 6.4 tonnes of small electrical items – never collected before

• 1.7 tonnes of batteries – never collected before Although it is still too early to see long-term trends, the amount of rubbish collected in Mendip has fallen by roughly 20% over the same five-week period. The panel was also given an update of the levels of plastic collected for recycling that is sent abroad for re-processing. A commitment to re-process recycling in the UK wherever possible is part of SWP’s contract with SUEZ, which took on collections at the end of March. Between April and September this year, only 1% of the 69,000 tonnes of plastic collected in Somerset was sent abroad, with SUEZ finding UK re-processors for almost all the

It is hoped the decision will encourage residents to shop locally and give businesses, the majority of which will have been affected by the COVID-19

THE BUTTERCROSS TEAROOMS

Market Place, Somerton (01458) 273168 Homemade Cakes & Scones Morning Coffee, Cream Teas Lunch Served 12 – 3pm Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our customers

Open: Tue – Sat 9am – 4pm

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 9

Mentioned in

Dispatches pandemic, a much-needed boost.

All car parks will be free all day and every day from Thursday 17 December to Thursday 24 December. Please note, although parking fees are waived, all other terms and conditions remain in force.

Council Leader Val Keitch said: ‘We realise what a tremendously difficult year this will have been for so many of our businesses across all our towns and villages.

‘While we have been doing all we can to offer support, through the distribution of Government grants and dedicated advice, we wanted to ensure we did something extra during what should be the busiest time of year for our retailers.

‘Of course, it remains important that shoppers and visitors continue to do all they can to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and follow the latest Government guidance with South Somerset currently in Tier 2 of restrictions. We need

to work together to both help our local economy while keeping ourselves and everyone around us safe.’

South Somerset District Council also continues to offer free car parking to critical key workers. Anyone who is a critical key worker should ask their employer for a note or use the passes provided by NHS trusts that they can clearly display in their vehicle stating who they work for to ensure they do not receive any penalty notices at this time.

Careline South Somerset is here for you – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

If you or your relative want to retain independence but need to know that help is at hand look no further than Careline South Somerset. At the touch of a button their local, expert team are quickly on the end of the phone to help you.

They pride themselves on their customer service and giving customers the personal touch. If you’re interested but need to know more, their friendly locality team will come and give you a free demonstration and answer any questions you might have.

If you are a new customer the team will come to your home and

10 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021

install the unit taking Covid-19 security measures into consideration. If you would prefer to install the unit yourself they have easy to follow selfinstallation instructions and a video.

To find out more give them a call on 01935 479815 or visit the website www.careline southsomerset.gov.uk. They are here for you.

of a rat who gets turned into a footman for Cinderella's carriage!

A seasonal sing-a-long with Charlie Miller and Claire and two quirky elves from Same Same but Different, with a hamper full of fun and games!

Children's World Festive Special Saturday 19th December

Children's World brings you their Festive Special - featuring a Seasonal Cabaret plus Craft Session on Saturday 19th December at Paddington Farm, Glastonbury.

Performances include: Tall Tails Theatre with their short Makaton signed pantomime ‘The Tale of the Charming Rat’ - a tale

Same Same but Different.

On the creative side: In the craft area there will be enough Angel/Fairy making kits, provided by Yeast Scrapstore, for everyone to make their own decoration - perfect for your tree!

Hot drinks and light refreshments will be available on site. To help keep everyone Covid safe there will be 4 timed entrances to the event, between 10am and 3.30pm.

There are 6 household tickets available for each session - for household bubbles of up to 6 people at a cost of £10 per bubble.

‘It's been a tough year for us

Mentioned in

Dispatches all’ said charity director Kristen Lindop, ‘But despite the difficulties, we've been able to provide covid safe, weekly workshops since August for families locally, that have helped people deal with some of the challenges this year has thrown at them. Our festive day is a celebration of that work and a chance to look forward to a new year!’

Tickets are available online at Ticket Tailor www.buytickets .at/childrensworld/461275 or over the phone on 07449 825750.

For more details visit Children's World's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Childrens WorldUK or their website: www.childrensworldcharity.org.

Popular Artisans’ Bazaar open again after going virtual during lockdown 2.0

Artisans’ Bazaar, a Christmas market at Sculpture by the Lakes featuring the work of more than 80 artists and makers, has

Simon Gudgeon at Artisans’ Bazaar.

reopened to the public following the end of the second national lockdown.

The event at Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorchester, was pleased to welcome back eager shoppers after reopening its doors following the end of the second national lockdown on December 2.

It follows four weeks of virtualonly access to the event, which has proved popular nonetheless, with over 6,500 visitors flocking to the online store during that time, and 30 ‘virtual’ tours taking place.

The online success was no match for the two days that Artisans’ Bazaar was open to the public before lockdown. Now

interest is expected to be even higher as shoppers come in search of unique and original gifts in the run-up to Christmas.

To meet demand the event will be opening into the evening for late night shopping on four occasions during December.

Simon Gudgeon, sculptor and owner of Sculpture by the Lakes, said: ‘While the virtual event was a success - we are thrilled to have been able to reopen now. The Artisans’ Bazaar is a feast for the senses – there is so much to take in. It is best seen in person; that’s when these beautiful and unique artworks and artisan creations come to life.’

The Artisans’ Bazaar is open from 10.00am-5.00pm, Tuesday to Saturday until December 23.

In accordance with Covid-19

rules, face masks must be worn by all visitors to the Artisans’ Bazaar and numbers at any one time will be limited to support social distancing.

‘It is a rare thing to have this range of art and craftsmanship brought together in one place.

From glasswork to pottery, painting to textiles, wood carving to weaving, leatherwork to jewellery making – the skill and talent on display is remarkable.

‘There is still time before Christmas for people to come and see it all for themselves and pick up those distinctive and special items that they, or a loved one, will truly treasure.’

Visitors to the Artisans’ Bazaar who spend more than £100 will get one free entry into Sculpture by the Lakes on the day.

Online shopping continues to

St. JOHNS’ HOUSE Half Moon Street, Sherborne

St Johns’ House stands at the entrance to Sherborne Abbey Close, set within the courtyard and gardens of the original Almshouse.

St. Johns’ offers one of the most historically interesting and comfortable Independent Living homes in the area, with a chance to live close to shops, facilities and places of interest.

We offer an opportunity to enjoy new friendships in a safe, warm and manageable home.

All of our rooms are ensuite and unfurnished for residents to make it their own home. Within the Monthly Maintenance Contribution are all meals, housekeeping, laundry and other essentials.

With some current room availability, we are able to invite prospective residents to view the facilities and chat to a member of our management team.

There may also be the potential for short term respite stay as well. Just give us a call or email for more information.

Tel: 01935 813245 Email: stjohnsalmshouse@hotmail.co.uk www.stjohnshouse.org • Registered charity No. 202499 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 11

Mentioned in

Dispatches be available at www.sculpture bythelakes.co.uk/shop with the option of click and collect, or free delivery within 15 miles if you spend more than £100.

Donate your Winter Fuel Payment so Somerset’s elderly don’t have to choose between heating and eating

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) has launched this year’s Surviving Winter campaign, which encourages people who can afford it to donate some or all of their Winter Fuel Payment to help local people who are unable to afford to heat their homes.

Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis has donated to this year’s Surviving Winter appeal.

As we head into winter, many of us face an expensive – but essential - bill for heating our homes, while hundreds of our older neighbours here in Somerset are forced to choose between heating and eating. The coronavirus outbreak means that, for many older and vulnerable people, this winter will be even more difficult and worrying.

Many will need to stay at home to keep themselves safe, and will find themselves cut off from family and friends, facing higher costs to heat their homes.

A shocking 10% of households in Somerset live in fuel poverty.

Thanks to the bright idea of one generous pensioner, hundreds of older people in Somerset are being supported to stay warm,

walkin g sticks

home Visits

Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year next to Costa Coffee anD within easy reaCh of Main Car park

Call in and see us at

10 Falkland Square Crewkerne, TA18 7JS 01460 271172

www.regencycareandmobility.co.uk

“if you can’t come to us we will come to you”

12 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021

safe and well every winter through Somerset Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter campaign. Surviving Winter encourages people who don’t need their Winter Fuel Payment to donate some or all of it to help local older people who are unable to afford to heat their homes.

Every year Surviving Winter helps around 500 elderly people living in Somerset through the cold winter months, thanks to generous local donors who, last year, donated an incredible £135,000 to the appeal.

SCF hopes to build on the fantastic support they received last year to help even more older people in the county this winter.

SCF will also be able to help even more older and isolated people across Somerset feel warm, safe and well this winter.

SCF is delighted to announce that Glastonbury Festival organiser and long-time Surviving Winter supporter Michael Eavis CBE has endorsed the campaign for another year.

Of this year’s Surviving Winter appeal, Michael says: ‘I know many people will have had a tough year, and we face some challenging months ahead, so it’s very good to know there are people like Somerset Community Foundation who locate the needs of people and can award Surviving Winter grants to fulfil these needs.’

Help Somerset Community Foundation reach their target of raising £120,000 to help at least 500 isolated and vulnerable older people

If you would like to donate to Surviving Winter, visit or call 01749 344949. A donation form is also available to download from the Somerset Community Foundation website. Further information on how to apply for a Surviving Winter grant will be published on Somerset Community Foundation’s website. Please check: www.somersetcf.org.uk/winter for updates.

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 13

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

BOOK REVIEW

By John Osborne

With

 Answers can be found on page 29 

Philip George

1. She's 84 on January 7th 2021 and has just released an album and single both entitled ‘I Owe It All To You’ - Who is it?

2. Neil Primrose is the drummer with which band?

3. ‘The Long and Winding Road’ comes from which Beatles Album?

4. Who had a hit with ‘I Heard It Through the Grapvine’ in 1967?

5. Name the first Number One single by ‘Wham’.

6. To which day of the week did Blondie’s ‘Girl’ belong?

Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books

By Cathy Rentzenbrink Hardcover: 240 pages Picador 2020 ISBN 978-1-5098-9152-8 RRP: £8.99

7. The top selling single of 2011 was ‘Someone Like You’, but who was the artist?

8. Who went ‘Sky High’ in 1974?

9. He's just released a new album ‘Desert Road’. Who is he?

10. Name the song that begins ‘He was born on a summer day, 1951’ Bonus anorak question: Who first recorded the song in Q:5 but the version was never released? (Slight clue – 1966) Great Quotes in Music (123) ‘I don't read music, I don't write it. So I wander around on the guitar until something starts to present itself’ – James Taylor

Looking for someone special?

COMING TO the end of what has been an extraordinary year, all at Just Somerset Introductions and the Introductions Group are looking forward to a much better 2021!

Having tried their very best to keep going and adapt during these difficult times, they have taken on new members despite Covid-19. Members get a monthly newsletter with round up of events, profiles new and current.

Having also diversified this year, members have contributed quizzes, articles, poems and so, so much more!

They have tried to keep those connections going for members with mystery meets and callers, and these are continuing. Now hopefully with a bigger light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccines being rolled out very soon, they are optimistic for a very good 2021!

They can have members meeting outdoors under the current tier and hope restrictions will improve moving into the New Year. It was working quite well having groups or 6 indoors but they look forward to when things

are more normal and having larger groups when allowed (hopefully by the Spring and Easter as Boris said - fingers crossed!)

So looking forward to a New Year of new beginnings, if you would like to consider joining a good social/dating and introductions group then look no further. Covering all ages, they do encourage younger members.

Please see the website for more information. Just Somerset wish you all Merry Christmas and best wishes for a much better 2021!

Stay safe and take care.

14 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021

Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy Of Books by Cathy Rentzenbrink is a delightful biography of a barmaid/ bookseller/author who sees the world through the veil of the books she has read. Cathy is a pre-school self-taught reader.

My wife was one of these but I could barely read aged nine and, as an infant, tried unsuccessfully to convince my teachers that I could understand ‘Old Lob’, as my father was a farmer and I had a working knowledge of sorts and

could remember the given names of the animals.

Dear Reader includes dozens of single-paragraph book reviews which are refreshingly uncomplicated. My Brilliant Friend by Eleanor Ferrante, a book I am currently challenged by, is a good example.

Cathy worked successfully for the avuncular Tim Waterstone’s bookselling chain, starting at the now closed Harrods concession.

It was here that she was identified by a customer as ‘the girl who reads’. Subsequently she worked for London’s oldest bookshop, Hatchards.

Another writer to which this book has brought my attention is Mary Wesley’s Not That Sort of Girl which I shall add to my reading list as it includes the real case of a V1 rocket ‘doodlebug’ which exploded in Harrow.

This event was recorded at the time by my wife’s grandmother who lived there during World War II. Her letter in which this event is described is famous in the family as it is a very detailed account covering two pages and consisting of a single sentence only. The V1 and V2s were the last acts of aggression of the Third Reich against the civilian populations of London and Antwerp in 1945.

Cathy’s earlier occupations of pulling pints and pulling books off shelves to sell have much in common as they prove both sustenance and intoxication in equal measure. Cathy is married to a Dutch philatelist, who gave her her unusual surname and now lives in Cornwall, where she was born.

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 December Sudoku on page 29.

SAMUEL LYLE, owner of Pines and Needles (and grandson of the sugar magnates), said despite Christmas trees being a longstanding tradition, millions of Britons were still unsure how to look after them.

‘We still find that people aren’t aware of the care their tree needs,’ he explained. ‘Cutting the bottom 3cms off your tree once you get it home is vital, as is watering it. Trees need around three pints of water a day, especially if the central heating is on full blast.’

• Prepare the trunk Just before you install your tree, saw off the bottom 1” (3cm) of the trunk. This creates a fresh cut and opens up the pores in the bark, which otherwise can block up with sap within a few hours of being cut. The tree is then able to drink water through these pores via capillary action. We do this to all our trees so you don’t have to!

• Keep it away from any heat sources Position your Christmas tree away from any heat sources such as radiators and fireplaces. Heat dries out your tree faster, so the further from potentially

damaging heat sources the better, and the fresher your tree will remain.

• They need routine Do not expose your tree to sudden changes in temperature. Trees like most people are creatures of habit and prefer steady conditions.

• Water your tree Place your tree in plain water not soil or sand which would block the pores in the bark. This is best achieved by using a specially designed Christmas Tree Stand. Many precious hours can be wasted trying to make a Christmas Tree stand up straight in an ordinary bucket using just bricks or stones!

• Then keep on watering it!

Keep the Christmas tree stand topped up with water. Your Christmas tree may drink 2-3 pints (1-2 litres) of water per day, depending on its size and your central heating settings. This is very important as once the water level drops below the tree’s trunk, sap will re-seal the bark within a few hours, preventing the tree from drinking any further water even if you then re-fill the Christmas tree stand.

• Timing is everything These trees are natural living things, and once they are cut they begin to die, sad as this is apart from artificial trees we are still without a solution to this simple

Josh and Sam Lyle of Pines and Needles.

fact of life. Time the arrival of your tree with this in mind to increase longevity and get the most out of it.

But what about decorating?

It may sound obvious, but two people are better than one if that's possible - even if it's just for the lights. Lights go on first and it's great if one person can feed them to the other as they wind it round and round, starting at the bottom. Embed the lights in the lush greenery and then move out as you go up.

The heavier the decorations the

more you'll need to keep them away from the tips of the branches. Everyone has a different way of decorating but themes look good, whether that's a colour or a certain style such as Scandi (sparse; red and white) or Victorian (wooden decorations, dried fruit, pine cones). Tinsel has been dying out for a while but ribbon is en vogue, but go horizontally rather than at an angle - it's a much cleaner look.

For more information or to order your tree visit www.pinesandneedles.com.

Castle Cary Post Office Cards, Stationery, Diaries, Calendars, Soft Toys Medici, Ling, Caspari, Woodmansterne, Noel Tatt and many more Christmas Cards & Boxes  Lamy Pens  Euros & Dollars on Site: all other currency next day  Travel Insurance  Passport Checking  Top-Ups  Banking  Bill Payment - Car Tax - Post Office Homephone - etc.

Bailey Hill, Castle Cary. Tel: (01963) 350237 T E L E P H O N E • G A S • E L E C T R I C I T Y • WAT E R • G I R O T R A N S A C T I O N S

GLASTONBURY POST OFFICE AND CLASS CARDS 35 High Street Glastonbury BA6 9HG

Telephone 01458 831536

MONEYGRAMS • BUDGET CARDS

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Britain's best-reviewed tree kings who have sold firs to rich and famous including Harry and Meghan and Madonna offer tips to keep your tree looking good for the whole festive period

GREETINGS CARDS • HOLIDAY INSURANCE • FOREIGN CURRENCY • PENSION PAYMENTS

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 15

Papertrees, Wincanton

For the last 12 years, Papertrees has been serving and supporting the local Wincanton community from its ideally located shop on Wincanton High Street. Adrian

and his friendly team have a wealth of experience and are on hand to assist you, whatever your requirements. Once inside Papertrees, you’ll find the latest magazines and daily Newspapers

Inside Number Sixteen, the wine store, cafe and micro-deli in Wincanton.

 Personalised Christmas Cards  You supply the photo – we can do the rest!

New Christmas stock now in ...

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Tel: 01963 32356 • www.papertrees.co.uk 16 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021

Something for everyone at Papertrees of Wincanton.

Latest book titles for all tatstes stocked as well as stationery, promotional supplies and much more!

to browse and pick up or you can opt for the helpful delivery service (covering 10 mile radius around Wincanton).

Housing everything and anything stationery-wise for your work or home office, from staplers to post-it notes to envelopes and paper to the vast range of printer ink cartridges, all bases are covered. And if, by some chance, an item isn’t there, you can order it in for next day delivery.

Papertrees also offer a handy photocopying and printing service.

For budding writers and artists there are a plethora of pens, pencils, paper and notebooks in stock to choose from. Indeed, if your little writers are looking for their first fountain pen for their creative writing at school, you’ll find high quality cartridge pens, such as Lamy, together with a selection of cartridges.

There is an inspiring array of wonderful hardback and paperback books, the perfect presents for under the tree.

Whether searching for the latest sports biography, Jamie’s current cookbook or J.K Rowling’s recent children’s read, the choice is sparkling this Christmas. And for stocking fillers, you’ll find a wide range of toys and gifts to keep everyone happy, and of course – some wrapping paper to keep the magic alive.

Your safety remains paramount

during this time with masks worn in the shop and hand-sanitiser continuing to be available.

Papertrees is open 7 days a week: Monday-Friday 6.30 – 3pm, Saturdays from 6.30am – 2pm and on Sundays from 6.30am – 12pm.

Needful Things, Castle Cary

Needful Things are so happy to be open again after the November lockdown that they have been open 7 days a week since the 2nd December!

This magical store still has plenty of last minute gift ideas such as soaps, reed diffusers, wooly hats and scarves, candles, stationery, diaries, mugs, home accessories and slippers … plus last minute decorative essentials such as napkins, crackers, garlands and wreaths … the list goes on! So pop into Needful Things right up 'til Christmas eve for all your seasonal needs and wants. It's such a fun store to browse and you're sure to find something really special, for your special someone!

The Shed, Castle Cary

In the backdrop of a challenging year, Carly - owner of Franklin Hair SPA and The Shed Somerset - is happy to share that both businesses are now open again and warmly welcoming clients and customers.

The Shed, which is full of individual reclaimed antiques, furnishings and linens has been a huge passion of Carly’s for years. With the help of some fantastic dealers, beautifully crafted pieces are sourced from all over the UK, Europe and beyond. With a selection of unique pieces displayed fortnightly in The Shed, there is an inviting browsing space to enjoy. So why not pop in this Christmas and New Year for some magical inspiration.

Scenes of Gillingham stock a wide range of artist materials and accessories, as well as tuition books and an extensive range of prints.

An on-the-premises framing service is also available. Find them on High St, Gillingham SP8 4AW.

Still available: Very well received since its release in October - copies have been sent all across the world including to Australia, Canada, France, Majorca, Singapore and the USA! The 168-page Cooking Pot captures the culinary tastes and skills of a Somerset town during lockdown, and costs just ÂŁ10 with all proceeds going to Castle Cary Parish Charity.

On sale at Bailey Hill Bookshop, Castle Cary.

Ward & Sibley Jewellers of Yeovil have a wonderful choice of jewellery to delight this Christmas.

Christmas all wrapped up at ...

WARD & SIBLEY The Jewellers of Yeovil

EST. OVER70 YEARS

We would like to thank all of our customers and wish them a

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

THE CASKET 103 MIDDLE STREET, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065 Car park at rear of shop for customer parking THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 17

A healthy new year Family Health with Jenna Evans SO HERE WE ARE at the end of another year and what a year it has been! I hope you’re all hanging in there and looking after each other?

This year has been divisive – literally, with the physical separation but also tearing society apart with political and social issues – Brexit, lockdowns, protest movements and so on. As we reflect and look to the new horizon we could do well to remember those treasured human values – compassion, empathy, unity. We need each other more than ever right now, so lets all be that little bit kinder – that includes with ourselves!

On that note, this will be the first of a series of articles which will take a tour of our bodies. A user manual to your body if you like and hopefully a means to bring in an appreciation for all that these ‘hairy bags of salty soup’ we occupy do for us every day. As is fitting with putting our best foot forward for 2021, let’s start at the bottom, with our oft abused feet!

Have you ever wondered how complicated the feet and ankles are? Marvelled at how the ankle rotates and the toes wiggle? Did you know there are 26 bones and 33 joints in the foot and ankle alone? As well as many more

muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Flexing, pointing, stretching, balancing, our footsies certainly work hard for us every day. And we probably don’t even pay them much attention until something goes wrong! So first of all let’s get to know our feet.

Do you ever go barefoot? Have a beach walk and paddle?

Snuggle your toes in to grass (maybe not at this time of year!)?

I love having my feet free and kick my shoes off at every available opportunity. I also love a good foot soak. These can be deeply therapeutic and you don’t need a fancy footbath, a bucket or large bowl will do.

A big handful of Magnesium flakes or Epsom salts and toasty water, towel at the ready and we’re good to go. Salt baths can help ease tension and aches in the joints of the feet. Add essential oils for that extra spa touch – they’ll be diffused into the steam from hot water so you can pick an oil you love and take in some slow, deep breaths.

For Athlete’s foot add some lemon myrtle or tea tree. You can also switch the salt for apple cider vinegar. Take a good 20-30 mins, dry thoroughly and finish with a thorough moisturising or more oils for any infected areas.

Remember to keep your toenails perfectly trimmed and wear shoes that give support and comfort – there are no shoes pretty enough to warrant bunions!

Much like all our joints we may feel we have some wear and tear over the years as well as bumps, bruises, sprains and strains.

There are lots of supplements that can help with this such as Turmeric, Boswellia, Serrapeptase and CBD. For gout,

Montmorency Cherry juice and Nettles can be fantastic – but you need to eliminate problem foods and drinks such as alcohol and organ meats too. Another common issue is a painful condition known as plantar fasciitis.

This is an inflammation of the fascia (a thick band of connective tissue) which runs from the heel to the toes. You can buy foot supports and shoe insoles for this and also use the supplements mentioned above.

There are stretches that can be tried that basically involve pulling the toes forward or by sitting on your heels which creates a stretch

along the shins. Always check with your physical therapist or bodyworker to check what would be appropriate for you.

Homeopathy has several remedies that may be helpful for various joint issues including Rhus Tox, Ruta Grav, Arnica and Symphytum. For nerve trouble try homeopathic Hypericum or herbal Passiflora coupled with topical St John’s Wort (hypericum) oil.

Lastly, from a mind-body medicine perspective the feet represent our foundation in life.

Do we feel supported and secure?

Do we fear the steps we have to take? Maybe we push ourselves

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A healthy new year too hard? Feet provide balance and flexibility. Are we feeling unsteady or being too rigid in our ways? If you have foot trouble it may be helpful to consider what your feet may be telling you about how rooted you are in life.

Let’s hear it for our feet! They really are an extraordinary piece of engineering and deserve plenty of TLC! Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a very happy 2021.

•Jenna is a Holistic Health Coach and creator of bespoke beauty products. She can be found on Facebook at ‘Alchemical Beauty UK’. Jenna is also a multi-award winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil. To make an appointment, call 01935 428791 for details. Always check with a health professional before making any dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle or starting a new supplement, especially wth any existing health conditions.

Healthy Heart Tips,

by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK Spend more time outdoors

As the days get shorter, you may feel less motivated to go outdoors for regular exercise. Spending time outdoors can help to improve both your physical and mental health. What’s more, if you do something that gets your heart beating faster, warms you up and leaves you feeling slightly out of breath, it will benefit your heart too. We have some tips to help you make the most of the great outdoors to help keep your mind, body and heart in sound health.

They say there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!

When you go outdoors, make sure you wear suitable clothing to stay warm and dry. Feeling cold and wet is a miserable experience and it may deter you from going out regularly.

Start each day by wrapping up warm and heading out for a stroll around the garden, neighbourhood or local park. You could take a hot drink to help you to stay warm.

There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!

Getting out on your bike can be more challenging in the cold, dark winter months. Why not blow away the cobwebs as you discover local cycle routes on your bike. Don’t forget to take your bicycle lights with you so you don’t get caught out while the days are shorter.

Look out for opportunities in your daily schedule to get up and go outdoors, even if it is just for ten minutes. Try to plan activities in your diary to make you get outdoors every day.

advice, treatment and consultancy for musculoskeletal disorders and Applied Kinesiology assessments for diet and nutrition.

Special interests in dance

safety and Archery stance with talks, presentations and workshops being offered in these areas as well as in specific areas of musculoskeletal health and well-being.

Andrew is available 9-6 Monday to Friday at the office in Keinton Mandeville for appointments and by arrangement for talks and workshops, 01458 223300.

Osteopaths are not required to close through a lockdown as measures are in place to keep you safe if you need to visit.

Visiting www.andrewknight.co.uk will allow you to review all the measures in place, so you can be sure you are happy to come along and be safe, should you need to.

Andrew Knight D.O Osteopath & Kinesiologist open for patients

Andrew Knight D.O Osteopath & Kinesiologist has been serving Castle Cary, Bruton, Somerton and surrounding areas for more than 30 years and is now practicing solely from Keinton Mandeville and offers support,

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 19

Despite a global pandemic, over half of Brits still unconcerned about germs and cleanliness • Just 48% have reported increased anxiety with dirt and hygiene due to Covid-19 • How to clean your house in time for the new year from clean home pioneers Lupe Technology • 48% now have increased anxiety with regard to dirt and cleanliness due to the pandemic

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As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the entire world, it would make sense that the nation should have overhauled what it deems to clean by adopting new and more stringent sanitising measures.

But is this the case in reality?

New research from home cleaning specialists Lupe Technology has found that shockingly over half of Brits remain unconcerned by germs and cleanliness with just 48% reporting they now have increased anxiety with regard to dirt and cleanliness. The data indicates that although the nation should be second guessing its own standards for clean homes, it appears Brits are perhaps not as troubled as they should be.

With this in mind, founders of Lupe Technology and experts in the field of clean, Lucas and Pablo, have compiled a list of helpful tips to clean your house in order to start 2021 with a clean and hygienic home.

‘No matter how much elbow grease you put in and how hard

20 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021

you scrub, sometimes it can never feel like you get your house as clean as you'd like. However, there may be some tricks you haven't tried yet. Here are our tips to more effective cleaning this lockdown:

1. Use a shower squeegee to clean carpets

surprising amount of this bacteria so a daily refresh wouldn't go amiss. Humble common household items such as vinegar and a toothbrush can be very effective at getting into the crevices and sanitising our keyboards.

As we know that coronavirus is mostly spread by droplets, it's important to clean areas which may collect these. Soft, porous materials like our rugs and carpets may harbour harmful germs as they catch the falling droplets. Use a shower squeegee to get deep in the fibres of the carpet/rug and then vacuum up to ensure maximum deep dirt removal.

2. Vinegar and a toothbrush

It's important to disinfect the items that we touch the most to make sure we are killing as much harmful bacteria as possible, and preventing spreading these germs. Items such as our laptop keyboards can contain a

3. Clockwise cleaning

Don't start cleaning the carpet and then move on to surfaces.

Doing this will spread germs onto areas you've already cleaned and

defeat the point. Start at 12 o'clock, at the top corners of rooms, bookshelves and wardrobes and work your way down, finishing at the lowest levels of your house - carpets, skirting boards and plugs.’

Pablo Montero, co-founder of Lupe, commented: ‘The Pure Cordless is the domestic appliance designed not just to shake-up the vacuum market but the entire home technology arena.

We have strived to make a product as reliable and longlasting as possible and hope consumers understand our mission to make technology stand the test of time.

‘We want to help keep appliances out of landfill and perform as well as they did on day one for longer.’

Lucas Horne, added: ‘When designing the Pure Cordless, we had two core values; class-leading performance and longevity. The launch represents the realisation of this and six years of hard work to make the best possible cordless vacuum available today while

thinking about our environmental footprint. This is a product that has been designed to change our attitudes towards consumable electronics and home appliances.’

2021’s Biggest Wallpaper Trends • 3D style wallpaper set to be 2021’s biggest trend, seeing 314% increase in Google searches from January 2020 into 2021 • Toile wallpaper sees 120% as maximalist styles become more popular • Tropical wallpaper sees 119% increase as we look to bring holidays into lockdown homes I Want Wallpaper (www. iwantwallpaper.co.uk) examined Google data from the beginning of the year until now to see which wallpaper styles have seen the biggest increase in UK searches heading into 2021.

Seeing an enormous 314% increase from January until December, it’s looking like 3D

Could new wallpaper be the answer in 2021?

style is set to be 2021’s biggest wallpaper trend, followed by toile and tropical.

Alex Whitecroft, Head of Design at I Want Wallpaper, offered his comments on the top five wallpaper trends of 2021:

3D Style ‘With all of us spending so much time at home in 2020, expect to see 3D style become a huge trend for next year, as we look for creative ways to make our small spaces feel bigger. Giant wall

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 21

What the new Help to Buy scheme means for first-time buyers in the South West

murals create an infinite effect, which creates a feeling of depth.

Expect to see geometric tunnels, cityscapes and forests adorning more walls.’

Toile ‘A throwback to a traditionally French 18th century style in which figures and landscapes were printed onto canvas, toile has looped around from oldfashioned and we’re seeing modern versions of the wallpaper more popular as homeowners look for ways to tell stories through their spaces.’

Tropical ‘Since we haven’t been able to travel this year, many homeowners have sought ways to bring their holidays into the home instead. Invigorating tropical styles - rich deep rainforest and jungle patterns - are a shorthand way to bring the world to you,

whilst also suggesting a sense of the natural world which for many in towns and cities, has felt very distant this year.’

Abstract ‘A quick way to add drama to a space, abstract designs are an easy and classy way to bring colour and creativity to a space.

Seeing a rise into 2021, it’s likely abstract wallpaper trends are a

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reaction to more and more of us working from home, and looking for productivity-boosting styles to counter our tired white-walled offices.’

Textured ‘Textured blurs the lines between fabric and wallpaper and is a simple and stylish way to bring depth and 3D textures to a home.

It’s a great way to mask imperfections like bumpy walls and holes, as the raised style hides a lot of the dips and dives.’

I Want Wallpaper is a leading online supplier of wallpaper, wall murals, wall stickers and many other kinds of wall covering.

Their wallpaper collection includes all of today’s most popular styles, such as brick, stone, damask, floral, animal print and geometric. To find out more visit: www.iwantwall paper.co.uk.

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Prospective first-time buyers in the South West will soon be able to apply for the government’s latest Help to Buy scheme – but it comes with a price cap.

The current Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme, which was launched by the government in 2013, gives first-time buyers and homeowners an opportunity to buy a newly built property worth up to £600,000 with just a 5% deposit.

However, the scheme is becoming more restricted. Only first-time buyers will be able to apply for a loan, and regional price caps will also be introduced, which sit at £349,000 for homes in the South West.

With those who are eligible able to apply for the scheme from 16 December 2020, Rachel Maxwell, senior associate and expert residential conveyancing solicitor at Nelsons, explains what the changes mean for prospective homeowners.

How does the Help to Buy scheme operate?

‘In summary, under the current scheme, first-time buyers and existing homeowners can purchase a new build home with a deposit as little as 5% of the purchase price.

‘They can borrow 20% of the purchase price – or 40% if you are buying a property in London – with a government ‘top-up’ loan.

Buyers then need to arrange a mortgage on the remaining balance due of the property price.

‘The loan from the government is interest-free for the first five years of the mortgage, plus a £1 monthly management fee. In the sixth year, interest is charged at a rate of 1.75%. After then, the fee rises by inflation based on the Retail Prices Index, plus 1% each year.

‘Buyers can choose to pay off the loan at any time but will need to repay the equity loan in full when they sell their home, pay off their mortgage or come to the end of the equity loan term, which is usually 25 years.

‘As the amount the buyer has borrowed is a percentage of the property value, the amount the buyer has to pay back is the same percentage of the value of the home at the time.

‘The original scheme is not

available to those purchasing a property without a repayment mortgage; people looking to buy a second home, even if they rent out the property after it has been purchased; and those who are buying a property in excess of £600,000.

‘Since its launch, it has helped more than 270,000 households to buy a new-build home.’

What changes are being introduced?

‘The scheme will be extended from April 2021 to the end of March 2023. However, there will be some changes.

‘It will only be available to firsttime buyers – not existing

homeowners – plus a range of regional price caps will come into force in England, which may lower the maximum purchase cost of a property bought via the scheme.’

How does this affect the current scheme?

‘With the current stamp duty holiday in place, there has been a surge in property transactions across the country.

What are the price caps and how are they calculated?

‘The regional price caps are set at 1.5 times the average first-time buyer price in each region of England. They are: North East - £186,100 North West - £224,400 Yorkshire and The Humber £228,100 East Midlands - £261,900 West Midlands - £255,600 East of England - £407,400 London - £600,000 South East - £437,600 South West - £349,000.

‘The government has said these caps will keep the prices of new homes closer to the average regional first-time buyer property price – ensuring those in need of the most support will benefit from the scheme.’

Homemaker

Homemaker would like to thank all customers for the wonderful support this year. During this challenging time, the team at Homemaker have worked conscientiously in striving to provide the best service possible.

Their branches and showrooms in Shaftesbury and Warminster are open, where helpful and

dedicated staff are happy to help you. Further information can be found at www.myhomemaker .co.uk or by contacting the Shaftesbury branch on: 01747 851476 or the Warminster branch on: 01985 219200.

Homemaker wish you a happy and healthy Christmas & New Year and look forward to seeing you soon.

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 VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 23

THE BUTTERCROSS TEAROOMS

Compliments of the season to all advertisers, newsagents, delivery people, readers & contributors and best wishes for a healthy & prosperous New Year!

Market Place, Somerton (01458) 273168 Homemade Cakes & Scones Morning Coffee, Cream Teas Lunch Served 12 – 3pm Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our customers

Open: Tue – Sat 9am – 4pm

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MOBILE HAIRDRESSER Would like to thank all her clients for their support this past year and is looking forward to seeing you all soon when things get back to normal

PETROL & DIESEL AVAILABLE Wishing all our customers compliments of the season and looking foward to seeing you in 2021

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Wishin Residen g all our ts, Fam ilies & Frien Merry C ds a hristma s and a Happy 2021

24 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021

Yeovil Auto Tuning  

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THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 25

18th Century book by the first Black Briton to vote in England up for auction

ONE OF the earliest first-hand accounts of slavery, by the first Briton of African descent known to vote in England, is amongst the leading lots in Chorley’s

highly anticipated auction in January. The sale will also feature a large selection of books and maps dating back to the 16th Century.

The extraordinary books in Chorley’s January sale include one of the earliest accounts of African slavery written in English from first-hand experience, The Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, an African (1782) by Charles Ignatius Sancho, published two years after his death. The British abolitionist, writer and composer was born on a slave ship (c. 1729) in the

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Chorley's January 2021 auction includes The Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho.

Atlantic and later sent to England, where after many years of slavery, he was able to start his own business as a shopkeeper while also writing and publishing various essays, plays and books.

Sancho became a devout supporter of the British abolitionist movement and was the first known Black Briton to vote in England and to have an obituary published in the British press.

In 1782 Frances Crewe, one of Sancho’s correspondents, arranged for 160 letters to be

published in the form of two volumes entitled The Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, An African. The book, expected to achieve £200-300 in the upcoming auction, became extremely popular and documents domestic life as well as the social and political unrest in 18th Century Britain.

The book includes Sancho’s eye witness accounts of the Gordon Riots in June 1780 as an angry mob went past his shop on Charles Street, he recounts ‘the shouts of the mob, the horrid clashing of swords, and the clutter of a multitude in swiftest motion’. The protest was motivated by anti-Catholic sentiment and grew into a violent mob of 100,000 looting and burning parts of London.

The auction is on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 January, 10am. Viewing: Sunday 17 January 10am-4pm, Monday 18 January 9am-4pm, For more information visit www. chorleys.com.

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John Hamblin, Master Cabinet Makers and Antique Furniture Restorers, are a family-run business. Find them at Unit 6, 15 Oxford Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate, Yeovil, BA21 5HR.

John Hamblin Bespoke Furniture Makers Furniture Restorers French Polishers

Fine furniture made to your personal requirements and specifications, including bookcases and libraries Re-leathering of desktops, bureaux etc.

Dining table tops refinished Unit 6, 15 Oxford Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate YEOVIL, BA21 5HR  01935 471154 • jhamblin101@gmail.com — A family run business established for over 50 years —

Wishing all our customers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

MOTORING VINTAGE Motorcycling with Rod Hann I AM WRITING this at the end of November in the last few days of Lockdown 2. You may well receive this copy before or over the Christmas period. May I once again wish you all a Happy Christmas and let us all look forward to a better and less restrictive 2021. Over this period I always look in reflective mood over the last twelve months and realise how lucky I have been to have come through relatively unscathed. I also look forward and plan for the year ahead and the wonders it may bring. I therefore greet the New Year with positivity even though limited plans can be made at this time. I wish everyone a happy and safe New Year.

I will not be planning holidays away but with restrictions easing, and the promise of a vaccine, I will certainly be planning my riding season and the events I would like to attend. I always plan a full programme of riding events but I am always prepared to alter things if new and interesting happenings come along. One event I particularly enjoy is the Bristol Classic Bike Show at Shepton Mallet. It normally takes place in February or March each year but next year this has been scheduled for the 24th and 25th of July. The reason for the change is, I presume, connected with the Coronavirus.

Make a note in your diary for this new date.

Because of Lockdown 2 of course there have been no club events to report upon. That has not stopped me from going out and enjoying a short ride around our beautiful countryside. This last year has been most spectacular for the autumn

colours. A bit of sunshine makes the colours sparkle and make any ride the more enjoyable. Winter now though and with the reduced temperatures and wet roads with wet leaves on them I am a bit more selective when I go out. I have to remember that I only ride these days for pleasure and not when I had to ride as part of my living, or am I just getting soft in my old age?

I rather stupidly let it be known that my next project would be to build a ‘Special’ for myself. I now get asked regularly what progress I am making. The truth is that these Lockdowns have enabled me to make good progress as I am spending much time in the workshop. My intention being to build the centre section of the bike first to get all the actual workings in place before adding the ancillaries. I have yet to source some suitable front forks and a pair of wheels.

My photograph this month shows the progress to date.

The engine and gearbox have been completely rebuilt and are ready for service. I have bought an alternator and made fixings for that, and made a cover for it to keep the rain out. In addition I have rebuilt the clutch and installed that. A cover has been made which acts as a primary chaincase and also covers the belt drive to the alternator.

I am using a Norton frame which has been adapted to use the Norton gearbox with the JAP engine. Much head scratching and thought having been expended on these issues in order to get the correct chain alignment and to centralise everything.

I obtained from a friend some sections of pipe which had various bends already made. This enabled me to make fittings which attach the pipes to the cylinder heads after which I have cut various bits of the pipe to use the

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Norton frame adapted to use the Norton gearbox with a JAP engine.

necessary radii and then weld them together to form an exhaust system.

So far things seem to be going rather well but there will be many more difficulties to overcome along the way. The next job will be to disassemble everything and then get those parts which need to be painted all prettied up with black gloss.

I did consider painting everything in a lurid colour but being rather conservative I will be opting for the more traditional black. So my next thoughts are how to achieve the painted finish.

I considered having these bits shot blasted and then powder coated, a finish I have used many times before.

I have read however that this finish may hide problems further down the line. It seems that powder coating gives a very hard

coating rather akin to a plastic covering. If there are any cracks or failings in the metal then this may not appear in the outside coating and a safety issue may arise. On a painted finish any cracks in the metal will show on the outside. Unlikely I know but still a consideration.

I have therefore opted to clean everything down myself and I will spray paint the larger surfaced items and the frame and small fitments I will hand paint with enamel. This may not give the best results but at least I have control over the whole process.

So that is progress to date and further reports will be made in due course. It is nice to have the time and means to indulge myself in such a project, but I am already longing for the better days of spring to get out and do more riding.

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.

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Email: norrisbodyrepairs@gmail.com • Fax: 01935 473119 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 27

The

Pub Pages

BE E R & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER ‘THERE IS NOTHING which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness has been produced as by a good tavern or inn’. So wrote Samuel Johnson in 1776. There's a lot of people out there in ‘Visitor’ land that would agree – starting with yours truly, and in these crazy times as dedicated pub goers we must do our utmost to support this great bastion of Englishness. It makes me wonder whose side our wonderful masters are on when it seems they are out to destroy the entire hospitality industry.

Recently I read that it has been calculated that we could lose three-quarters of all pubs and restaurants by the middle of 2021 if the ‘situation’ does not improve.

I've pledged to myself that I will double my visits to pubs as soon as we are able. This shouldn't be difficult; one night of skittles and another of a meal out with friends. Sorted!

Perhaps we're lucky – way back in the last century when I was young, free, single and with money in my pocket we probably were at a pub five days out of seven. Now we're old(er), free of the next generation (other than the Grandchldren!) and are being paid a few quid a month for fifty years of dedication to Queen and country, we're almost back to the same situation! I hope you too, dear reader, are in a similar position to be able to support your local hostelry.

A visit to the pub on Christmas morn looks like being out of the question this year. Chances of a return to anything like normal in the early part of 2021 also look bleak, so no ‘Beer and Skittles’ for our teams just yet. My love of pub games remain undiminished

Two versions of ‘Nine Men's Morris’. Available commercially, or why not make your own?

and one particular pastime I would not even think of as a pub game in today's world is ‘Nine Men's Morris’.

I've cerainly not seen it played in a pub – perhaps you have? In his book 'Played at the Pub', Arthur Taylor describes the game and even illustrates it with a picture of himself in action. By the look on his face one can see that it is indeed 'a game of quiet thought and concentration' as I have heard it described! Mr Taylor mentions a few places where it can be seen as a pub game, undoubtedly found in a pile of board games on the shelf which would include crib, draughts, dominoes and perhaps even backgammon.

The game goes back a long way into history and has clearly stood the test of time, the greatest test of all. William Shakespeare gives it a mention in ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’ and the connection goes further insofar as it is played in pubs in and around Stratford-upon-Avon and even laid out as a grid in the grounds of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Whether these connections would have endeared me to Bill Shakespeare when I had his works forced upon me at school I doubt very much. We were introduced to the game when our children were small, by a piece of baize, marked out with the necessary lines and the appropriate number of playing pieces. In fact well over three

28 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021

decades later we still have this most basic version. It became a favourite pre-bedtime game, one which I believe would be far more beneficial to children today than screen-time before hitting the hay.

In our visits to the seaside back in the day we would soon attract the attention of others when we were seen scratching out three large boxes with the intersections in the wet sand, and then searching for nine light coloured stones and nine dark, before gently persuing the game in the warm summer sunshine ...

Happy days indeed.

As always I once again suggest that if you are stuck for a present from the great whiskery one, the Arthur Taylor book is an essential gift for anyone who has ever stepped inside a pub. If no-one else give you it, why not get it for yourself?

As I write this we are still unaware of changes that are to be imposed on us over the Christmas period. Whatever beers you have in to celebrate I trust you will enjoy and whatever you do in 2021, then I wish you well, and never forget what Samuel Johnson said!

Cheers!

Vinny always takes things so literally

They Say That clear skies are hoped for just after sunset on Monday 21st December in the South West so that the rare ‘double planet’ phenomenon, aka ‘the conjunction’ of Saturn and Jupiter can be observed. It won’t be matched again until 15th March 2080 and then not again until 2400 - you’d better not miss it!

That when it comes to choosing red wine, Castle Cary’s Penny Mitchell needs to check the contents, not just the colour of the bottle before purchasing.

That congratulations go to Sprowston’s Mrs Janet Feakins who, on the 14th January, will become an Octogenarian.

That The Visitor Magazine would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Solution to December

Sudoku

Lawn Association December's Festive Newsletter

ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ on page 14 1. Shirley Bassey 2. Travis 3. Let It Be 4. Gladys Knight and the Pips 5. Wake Me Up Befoe You Go-Go 6. Sunday 7. Adelle 8. Jigsaw 9. Brian Protheroe 10. Lonely Boy – Andrew Gold

HAVE YOU joined the Lawn Association yet? If you haven't, why not give it a go? Because you will receive a monthly newsletter with many hints and tips for the best lawn care for your sea of green! Just because it is December, it doesn't mean that you have to stop giving your lawn some TLC. There are still plenty of jobs and planning that can be completed in the lead up to Christmas.

Bonus Anorak Question: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

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This month, the topic is Iron Sulphate - your weapon of choice for essential winter moss control!

As we head for the middle of winter, it’s easy to think you can take a well-earned rest from your lawn labours. I’m sorry to tell you that you’d be wrong. In fact, there’s a really important job you can be doing any time now which will pay dividends next year, and that’s to work on your moss.

You see, moss loves cool, damp conditions – our typical winter these days – and can germinate at surprisingly low temperatures.

If you take you eye off the ball for a month or two now, you may find a much larger moss problem to address in the spring.

So, it’s about winter moss control - and the aim is to prevent the lawn conditions in which moss can thrive.

For this, you need: 1) to have the right weapon (iron sulphate/ferrous sulphate), and 2) to know how and why to use it. Unfortunately, the available products don’t make this easy, so lets hope this article will help you.

Iron sulphate for garden use is actually quite a complex product that comes in many forms, some as powders, others as concentrated liquids, and some combined with fertilisers and herbicides. And it is not exclusively a moss product either

- iron is useful for greening up the grass in the summer months by improving chlorophyll production.

However … Iron sulphate does NOT kill moss. That’s right - I want you to work on your moss with something that doesn’t kill it! It’s not as crazy as it seems but comes down to a common misunderstanding (and lazy terminology).

You see, your moss plant grows from a spore that can sit dormant in the turf for a very long time.

And to date we have no way of killing this spore. It can’t be done.

So instead it is the mature plant that we’re after, knowing that new moss plants will inevitably spring forth from the next generation of spores. And hence, the correct terminology for products and techniques is ‘moss control and prevention’.

You’ll be familiar with how spring and autumn scarifying can help you fight the moss – you scarify first to open up the bottom of the moss plants and then apply the iron sulphate to burn (blacken) any remaining moss.

But for winter moss control our chief aim is to prevent as much germination as possible between November and February. So don’t skip this winter task just because you can’t see much evidence of moss.

So, the key message this month is that using iron sulphate is a simple and effective control measure to help you keep on top of moss problems. Of course, it’s even better when combined with other essential parts of your annual programme, such as hollow tine aeration and scarifying to prune the grasses and encourage a thicker sward which holds back the moss, and maintaining a good balance of bents and fescues that will naturally thicken (counteracting the ryegrasses that thin out during winter). All of these form key parts of your moss control and prevention - just don't overlook the winter part.

Our core mission is to make accurate lawn care information freely and readily available via our website and through our Free Membership Scheme for gardening enthusiasts. Go to the @LawnAssociation Facebook page to join the Lawn Enthusiasts Group, and get free association membership via the website, www.lawnassociation.org.uk.

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 29

Luca's New Garden with Bridget Sudworth REJOICE! ‘Tis the season for the garden! Government directives have advised us over Christmas to open all the windows (regardless of weather) but better than that, spend Christmas in the garden where you can avoid the spitters, the smokers cough and the heavy breathers!

Imagine playing Charades in the snow (which, of course, is a seasonal myth) or better still, the ever exciting Sardines as darkness gathers, floundering about in the bushes looking for a likely sardine and hoping it’s the one you wanted to ‘get-off’ with, given that you can’t normally mix with anybody!!

Planning anything seems madness so maybe heading out to the garden could be the best bet. Maybe we should be thinking about erecting a weather-proof bower with dining arrangements on hand to serve up the food feasts au plein air or alfresco as the estate agents always like to mention when advertising the embellishments of certain properties.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to throw open the garage and set up a Christmas tree and fairy lights and do it all in there with the doors open failing the presence of an open-fronted garden room ... although the latter is a bonus in any garden should it be possible to pop one in somewhere.

But in all seriousness, since we probably have to accept that C19 is not going away, even with possible immunisation forthcoming, having a glance round your plot and building something this month in a suitable corner would be of permanent use for future socialising if we are ever allowed to meet up again with friends and rellies. A small stone barn or even a large shed can be easily converted and would also provide a useful support for some lustrous vegetation.

In the meantime, check your supports for those climbers while the growth is at a minimum.

There is nothing worse than struggling to contain a fecund clematis once the fronds are stretching across your windows and buds are bursting forth, or nipping off honeysuckle branches from a plant that is destined to grow to the roof top because you failed to provide enough wires or a trellis for it to climb over. Even worse with roses! That’s when you vow to go for the thornless varieties of which there are many but too late after the growing season is underway!! Beware the Kiftsgate rose that reaches the sky!!!

Following last month’s article with notes on mistletoe, Luca and I discovered a weather damaged and ancient oak tree in the middle of a field on one of our walks - it has two huge clumps of mistletoe growing on it. Rather surprising since mistletoe on oaks is unusual. Having boasted that Herefordshire and Worcestershire were major counties for growing mistletoe,

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Christmas flowers.

there is no doubt that Somerset must be a keen runner-up! With so many orchards, that is not perhaps surprising.

Luca’s help in transplanting things has been unsurpassed this month. He has managed to dig up a selection of volunteer foxgloves rescued from the veggie plot that I always like to tuck into gloomy places, by doing the ‘Australia Dive’ - in other words, digging more holes prior to major den development next year. If only the weather were more consistent, cold and frosty, he’d stay inside on his cosy mattress and not bother to go roaming but we have been plagued by constant change from the skies

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

as well as the actual plague!

A staggering number of old bird’s nests have been revealed in the process of cutting back so much growth; one can only hope that the birds will adapt to new places and find shelter in other spots. One family of sparrows reared two if not three broods this summer under the roof tiles and that at least has not changed - it will be interesting to see if they return to the same spot next year.

Once the wild abandonment of Christmas in the garage has been done with, January is the month for turning your attention to the rewards of marmalade making while the garden slumbers with whatever the weather throws at us.

I usually buy about 30 lbs of lovely bitter Seville oranges, make up some of it immediately and scrub, weigh and freeze the rest to be made up when I can’t otherwise get outside. Should we ever have village hall sales again, it sells like hot cakes if your family hasn't already wolfed it

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Oak tree - winter profile.

down first and is a very contemplative and soothing process to undergo.

I am afraid that I cheat by not spending hours slicing up the oranges but whizz them to chips; they cook more quickly that way which helps the finished product to retain it’s bright colour. In the gloom of our winter, it is good to reflect on the fact that Sevilles come from sunny Spain and thank you to Mrs Keiller for her inventiveness!

Seasons Greetings to all readers!

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THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 31

Remember when ...

30 years ago from The Visitor archives Special suspicions

The January Visitor is always published a week or two earlier than usual so that it appears before Christmas. So it was with the January 1991 issue, and as might be expected it was heavy with advertisements for the January Sales. Unlike nowadays, none of the sales started on Boxing Day. Although some began on 27th December, three of the businesses that took fullpage adverts were not starting their sales until 5th January, but Yeovil columnist Geoff Knight took a more cynical view.

‘As I write, Christmas is upon us and the shop tills are ringing merrily in Old Yeovil Town. Or are they? I detect a suspicion of January Sales starting earlier than ever. Except that they are called “special offers”, “unrepeatable bargains”, “ten years’ interest-free credit” and the like.’

Bogus bargains

The Visitor had its suspicions too, for it featured a two-page article headlined ‘Beware the Bogus Bargains’. In it, Jill Marks warned that ‘if you’ve joined in the scramble for savings you could be a victim of an increasing practice of selling off cheap goods that would not normally be on the shelves’, goods bought in cheaply by shops from manufacturers who failed to offload them at any other time of year, and offering them alongside genuine reductions.

‘Provided there is a disclaimer saying these goods are “bargain offers” they do not contravene the Trades Description Act’, she explained, but the Consumers Association spokesman told her that ‘stores know full well that these bargain offers are misleading and not sale items at all’. She added that ‘a new code of practice has been introduced by the Government to tighten up existing laws’, meaning that a much tougher line could be taken on defaulting traders.

form of live entertainment’ as it launched the karaoke machine.

‘For hire to pubs, clubs, discos, office parties etc’ it announced, so that the users could ‘sing along to their favourite tunes’.

And they’ve been doing it now for 30 years.

PHONE - a - FIRM

Seeing stars

A concern more prevalent now than it was in 1991 was highlighted in the January Visitor. ‘In ancient times everyone knew their way around the skies at all seasons of the year,’ wrote Laudator in his column. ‘The stars shone brilliantly, undimmed by the light pollution we suffer from today,’ he continued, asking ‘why, for Heaven’s sake – literally – do our street lights shine up instead of down? Our generation is denied the sight of the incomparable majesty of the boundless universe.’ He was reminding readers that in the middle of our Winter the constellation of Orion the Hunter is high in the sky, ‘striding across the heavens with his jewelled belt and sword with Sirius, the Dog Star, at his heels’. In sad conclusion he added that ‘in this age of urban sprawl and pop/rock trivialisation I suspect that most people would think of The Plough (Ursa Major) solely as a Public House and the Pleiades (the seven sisters constellation) a superior sort of pop group’.

A grey end

While Covid-19 has turned 2020 into a disastrous year for many individuals and businesses, other factors in other years have resulted in similarly disastrous outcomes. 1990 was one such year. At what Visitor editor Patrick Dunion called ‘a grey end of a difficult year’ he wrote that ‘poll tax, the new business rate, high interest rates, the cataclysmic slump in the property market and general recession have sent many local firms to the wall, including some owned by personal friends of mine’. That sounds familiar, doesn’t it!

Roger Richards.

Foreign invasion

A foreign invader reached Visitorland in the closing months of 1990 and it has subsequently infiltrated our local culture in a big way. An advertisement headlined ‘Newly Arrived’ described it as ‘the latest sensation from Japan’ and ‘a new 32 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021

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

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SCENES

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Flexible sizes and prices from £50 per month www.sherbornestorage.co.uk 07398624975

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THIS SPACE COSTS ONLY £33.72+VAT PER MONTH THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021 33

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

Storage

www.country-link.org.uk COUNTRY LINK SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel: Andy 01225 834834 or Val 01749 342918

STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles.

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

JUST SOMERSET INTRODUCTIONS. Bringing people together. Call Alison Tel: 07584 250285, www.justintro ductionsgroup.co.uk

STORAGE STABLE TO LET 12FT X 12FT. Dry, secure, constant supervision.

Horsington, £150 per quarter. Tel: 07772086099

MARTIN, 62, would like to meet lady 4070 in Yeovil, Sherborne, Wincanton, Shaftesbury, Blandford area. Reply to Box 7, The Visitor, PO Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BG

Wanted

Services YOUR ADVERT HERE, from £5 for 20 words. Email: info@thevisitor magazine.co.uk or tel: 01963 351256 READ ONLINE: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Set by Frank Butler

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, fP.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BP – to arrive by Monday 18th January.

19

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.

STORAGE STABLE TO LET 12FT X 14FT. Dry, secure, constant supervision.

Horsington, £190 per quarter. Tel: 07772086099

MAN MEET LADY: Is there any single lady out there 50-70 Aquarius, Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius. Reply with photo to: Box 6, The Visior, PO Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BG

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

Prize Crossword No. 410

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 PETROL OR DIESEL GENERATORS. Any make/model, we collect in any area.

Top prices paid in cash. Tel: 07970 742471

Across: 1. Price change, note, for instruction list [6] 4. St Martin’s bells in debt in days gone by; cheap transport! [7] 9. Happy with what’s inside, man!

[9] 10. Coppers write before church [5] 11. Preference for some part as tested [5] 12. Remove Ern’s confusion - not ever again! [9] 13. Varied 501 with poetry [7] 15. Tardy about, for example, ambassador [6] 17. Some hybrid alsations belonging to newly-wed [6] 19. Poet paying up [7] 22. Foul with broken grip, a point in favour [9] 24. Human sort goes after Micah [5] 26. Cross, that is, contained rodent [5] 27. Contrivance not in vine [9] 28. Effusive conerning oil well [7] 29. To take cover is equally certain [6] Down: 1. Newly located, I hear, as verse is read out [7] 2. Poles, etc., sorting small change [5] 3. Quietly looked up and chose [9] 4. Resting place, a sin to torment anyone there [7] 5. Credit taking ape for a lark! [5]

6. Trick wrong journalist in a twist [9] 7. Team involved in level events [6] 8. Standing cannot be upset in the South-East [6] 14. Uprights are rivals, etc. [9] 16. Note inclinations for collectables [9] 18. Phone after general unpleasant expression [7] 19. Postpone southern axe handle [6] 20. More can tell a story [7] 21. Seasonal leap [6] 23. I join nice old tribe [5] 25. Arabian headcloth acceptable in three-line oriental verse [5]

Solution to Crossword 409

Winner of the December Crossword Was Imogen Crees of Glastonbury of chose to spend the £10 voucher at Andrew Barclay Butchers, Wincanton.

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 34 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2021