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Issue 449 April 2021
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In Passing...
T
he tulip bulbs I planted so painstakingly last autumn have produced plants that will shortly provide a colourful display in front of my cottage. The forsythia in the back garden is giving me a heart-warming yellow vista from my kitchen window and the daffodils on the roadside bank are in full bloom. Spring is in the air and the clocks have gone forward an hour to signal the start of British Summer Time. Despite the continuing coronavirus restrictions I’m beginning to feel optimistic for the first time in many months. I’ve had my first vaccine jab and the Government has published its four-stage plan to ease England’s restrictions by 21st June, so some semblance of normality is becoming a possibility. Sadly too late, and too uncertain, for many of Visitorland’s summer events which take months of advance planning and which attract countless visitors. In normal times they come from afar to spend their time and money at such events as the Royal Bath & West Show, Glastonbury Festival, International Air Day and many others which have now been cancelled for a second year. Nowadays tourism is one of Visitorland’s most important industries, bringing vast amounts of cash into the local economy and supporting around 10% of jobs. It’s big business for the countless small businesses that are the industry’s backbone and the Government’s hesitant steps out of lockdown will do little to help them. The pubs and restaurants, hotels and b&bs, craft shops and markets, museums and galleries, visitor facilities and attractions that will all have lost their early season trade, especially Mothering Sunday and Easter, will still face some restrictions at the two May Bank Holidays. They have little reason to share my optimism. Yet the industry has the potential to grow bigger when the coronavirus scare has abated. At a national level, replacing the May Day bank holiday with Trafalgar Day in mid-October would lengthen the
tourism season; intensive promotions overseas would attract a larger number of foreign visitors to Britain; better marketing of regional destinations and attractions would entice visitors away from London; extra apprenticeships and training courses for the hospitality sector would ensure that visitors receive a first class welcome. Money needs to be allocated to make it all happen. Our corner of the west country would surely benefit from such moves and attract more visitors. Visitorland has all the ingredients to appeal to people who want to explore beautiful countryside, attractive old towns and historic houses and gardens; who want to walk, ride horses or catch fish; who enjoy museums, exhibitions and performances. Admittedly not much for the bucket-and-spade trade, but the coast is within easy reach. So perhaps there are reasons for long-term optimism amidst the current gloom and doom. Meanwhile April holds the promise of my second vaccine jab – and a haircut! NN.
Advertising Deadlines May Issue published: Wednesday 28th April Deadline: Monday 19th April
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 (Items marked ©GT are the copyright of Geoff Thompson)
CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED ‑ 34 ANTIQUES ‑ 13 BOOK REVIEW ‑ 12 CROSSWORD ‑ 34 GARDENING ‑ 26 GOLDEN YEARS ‑ Care of the Elderly ‑ 16 HOUSE & HOME ‑22 LEISURE ‑ 12 LOOKING GOOD ‑ 14 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES ‑ 4 PHONE‑A‑FIRM ‑ 32 PUBS ‑ 24
NOTE TO ADVERTISERS
Advertisements are accepted subject to our standard terms and conditions as printed on our rate card, available upon request. The views expressed in articles & letters contributed to . this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.
REMEMBER WHEN ‑ 32 SITUATIONS VACANT ‑ 11 SPRING MOTORING ‑ 20 SUDOKU ‑ 12 THEY SAY ‑ 25
Cartoons by GEOFF THOMPSON
THE VISITOR April 2021 3
Mentioned in
Dispatches eat:Festivals host 2 markets in South Somerset this spring.
eat:Castle Cary on Saturday 1 May and eat:Yeovil on Saturday 22 May are one day celebrations of local and regional food and drink, organised by multi-award winning eat:Festivals. We caught up with them to find out more. eat:Festivals are led by Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds – two women on a mission to reconnect residents with the productive landscape that surrounds them. The social enterprise started in 2012 in their hometown of Burnham-on-Sea and has grown steadily now hosting 23 events in Somerset, Devon, South Gloucestershire and Dorset each year. ‘We know that weekend shindigs, days out and socialising have all been turned on their heads over the past year with plans disrupted and many regular events cancelled. In 2021 we are hoping for the best , but
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Somerset Deli. Image: Clayton Jane Photography.
ensuring our plans include a worst-case scenario. We managed to deliver 6 socially distanced and covid-secure events between lockdowns in 2020 and we are thrilled with the support from local council officers and support services in planning a fresh series of adapted markets in 2021. The two towns we are working
in are so different: Castle Cary with is honey coloured market house and the churchyard of St John's in Yeovil are both magnificent backdrops to showcase the micro and small producers from across the region – many of whom have not been to a live market for over a year. Covid restrictions meant many event organisers weren’t able to adapt their model to enable them to continue trading and this cut off a vital revenue stream for these family businesses. We have changed how we work and are thrilled to be back curating great food & drink markets. Each event is free to attend and will have approximately 60 regional food and drink producers well-spaced, with some socially distanced entertainment. They are all open air and will have measures in place to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We are asking visitors to keep local, plan their visit and abide by the latest
government advice. Traders who had only just started out when the pandemic restrictions hit were some of the hardest hit by the lack of events, so we are launching a new support initiative, Start Out Strong [SOS], to help them.’ We are very grateful for the help and support of Yeovil Town Council, South Somerset District Council, Greenslade Taylor Hunt estate agency and Roderick Thomas estate agency. www.eatfestivals.org.
Somerton Music and Arts Festival 2021
Somerton looks set to celebrate this summer following the positive news regarding the easing of restrictions by summer. The organisers of the Somerton Music and Arts Festival have announced that the festival is to go ahead as planned, with a series of arts and music events taking place throughout the town from 3rd to 10th July.
Mentioned in
Dispatches ‘After a tough year for everyone, we are thrilled to be able to go ahead with a festival which provides fantastic entertainment for both the local community and for visitors from across the country’ said Cliff (Fred) Bassett, Chair of Somerton Music and Arts Festival. The festival, which started in 1987, is an annual event in the historic Somerset market town; providing entertainment across the week including a family fun day, local bands, classical music, talks & workshops to name just a few. The festival culminates in
Somerton Music and Arts Festival is to go ahead as planned.
a one-day music festival, Somerstock. Attracting top bands, this year’s headliners are pop and soul legends The Christians. A further 14 bands will perform across three stages providing nonstop family entertainment, and a wide variety of food, bars and stalls will ensure that there’s something for every taste. As well as providing entertainment, the festival raises money for charity and Fred continued, ‘we look forward not only to being able to put money back into the community again but also being able to celebrate safely once more this summer.’ Full details of the festival will be released soon, but to find out more about Somerstock and buy tickets head to the website: www.somerstock.com.
Mendip District Council is to enable the planting of more than 500 trees with the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit.
The move supports the Council’s Climate and Ecological Emergency commitment by increasing the carbon absorption potential of the district’s landscape, in addition to helping alleviate some of the current issues faced in the Mendip Hills,
Perfect partnership: The natural beauty of the Mendip Hills where 500 trees are to be planted, thanks to support from Mendip District Council.
including tree loss due to ash dieback disease. The initiative will add to the District Council’s many planting schemes already carried out in areas such as those seen at Binegar Bottom, at Tor Hill in Wells, and Pomparles Bridge, Glastonbury. Deputy Leader of Mendip District Council, and Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services, Cllr Josh Burr, said: ‘We are really happy to be giving additional financial assistance to the Mendip Hills AONB Unit to coordinate and oversee the planting of native tree species for hedging and woodland creation, including oak, birch, beech, hazel, rowan, small-leaved lime, and holly. ‘The tree planting will greatly add to efforts underway across
Mendip by the District Council, our parish councils and numerous community groups.’ The native trees will be planted by the AONB’s dedicated volunteers around Ebbor Gorge and Rodney Stoke National Nature Reserve to make the woodland areas bigger, better and more connected. Jim Hardcastle, Manager of the Mendip Hills AONB Unit, said: ‘The detailed planting schemes will be made in conjunction with Natural England and local landowners such as the National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Somerset County Council. ‘We are very grateful to Mendip District Council, a long standing member of the Mendip Hills AONB partnership, for this additional financial support. It will have a huge impact on what
THE VISITOR April 2021 5
Mentioned in
Dispatches we are able to deliver in terms of tree planting on the Mendip Hills.’ Cllr Lucie Taylor-Hood, Mendip District Council’s representative on the Mendip Hills AONB partnership board said: ‘The Mendip Hills AONB is well placed to make sure the right trees are planted in the right places, in order to support wildlife and help address the climate emergency. ‘The organisation has been under pressure in recent months due to high visitor numbers to the beauty spot, and the subsequent increased rubbish and erosion of pathways. ‘It’s important we recognise their amazing efforts - and that’s why we are so happy to be able to support and strengthen them’. Interested in planting trees in your local area? Get guidance, finance and support to make tree planting happen by emailing: neighbourhoodservices@mendip .gov.uk.
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The restoration team at Haynes Museum Fly the Flag for Somerset with this magnificent and very rare 1934 Alvis Speed 20 Flat back, one of only 8 known survivors, which they have just finished restoring.
Wave goodbye to Lockdown and Fly the Flag for Somerset
As we start navigating the Government’s end of lockdown roadmap, add Somerset Day, 11th May, to your important landmark dates! This year the organisers of Somerset Day are asking people throughout the county to Fly the Flag for Somerset, so get prepared by downloading a Somerset Day pack from www.somersetday.com. The pack includes templates
for the distinctive yellow and red Somerset flags and bunting to make yourself and brighten up your homes, gardens and communities. For those who would like to purchase bunting or larger flags, Somerset Day has partnered with a window, car sticker and badge pack is also available to buy at www.cpprintgroup.co.uk/ products/somerset-day-stickerpack or you can simply design your own flag! Somerset celebrates its birthday over the weekend of 8/9th May through to Somerset Day on 11th May when we can start waving goodbye to lockdown by Flying the Flag for Somerset. Lucy Housley, one of the organisers of Somerset Day says, ‘This is going to be an opportunity to celebrate – spring will be with us and we will be once again able to meet with friends and family outdoors, so let’s really have a massive splash of colour across Somerset and make Somerset Day a day to remember.’ For more information and to download your Somerset Day Get Involved pack go to the Somerset Day website and join in.
Somerset Wildlife Trust launches new HD live-stream from Barn Owl box on the Blackdown Hills
Somerset Wildlife Trust are thrilled to be able to announce that its website will now be livestreaming video directly from a barn owl box in the Blackdown Hills, where barn owl couple, Finn and Orla have set up home for the second year. The barn owl couple successfully fledged three chicks last year, and the Trust is keeping its fingers crossed that the pair will be parents again this time the experience being shared and enjoyed by people that can now tune in on the Trust’s website. The live-stream is the Trust’s first since 2014, when their barn owl couple, Boris and Brenda, became instant internet sensations, attracting over a million and a half visits from people all over the world who tuned in to see seven eggs hatch - an unusually large brood. The live-stream, funded by the Heritage Emergency Fund and installed by Wildlife Windows, will provide high quality video
Mentioned in
Dispatches and sound from the new box, providing viewers with clear and unique views of barn owl family life inside the box for the next six months. Kirby Everett, Head of Communications comments, ‘We are absolutely delighted to have a live barn owl feed up and running this year. Lockdowns have brought many people across the country closer to nature, and made our lives all the richer for it. You can't get much closer than a live feed, so we hope people will really enjoy following the couple’s journey to parenthood and learning about the behaviour of these stunning birds. Sharing their world from within our homes will bring nature to many people who are still unable to get the outdoor nature experiences they previously so enjoyed. ‘Barn owls, like much of Britain’s wildlife, is declining and if we want to still see these beautiful creatures in the future, we need to restore and connect
Tune in to Finn and Orla’s HD live stream.
the habitats they and nature needs, and ensure we act in a nature-friendly way in our lives. Only then are we going to make a dent in the environmental challenges ahead. ‘The prospect of future generations of Finn and Orla’s family not having safe homes is not one we want to entertain, and we hope the live feed will inspire everyone to find ways to help nature where they live. We will be providing lots of ideas on the live-feed’s web page, so tune in!’ View the live-feed at www. somersetwildlife.org/swtbarnowls.
Dorset airfield runs competition to give away a free Pilot’s Licence!
Compton Abbas Airfield is running a unique competition to find one lucky winner who will complete their Light Aircraft Pilot’s licence absolutely free. The lucky winner will complete the training at the airfield’s prestigious training facility, which has been schooling pilots for the last 30 years – many of whom have gone on to commercial or military operations. The winning entrant would be gifted all 30 hours of
their licence, pilot kit, exams and their final general skills test to become a fully-fledged pilot. Laura Hughes, the Airfield Director says ‘we really wanted to give the local community something to get excited about. As everyone knows, the last twelve months have been really hard on us all – and we thought giving the opportunity to someone who can potentially use this to change their whole career would be a bit of positivity we all need at the moment!’ Entrants can apply by emailing their CV and a cover letter to laura@abbasair.com. The cover letter should include their favourite aviation story! Entrants will then receive a response with further steps. Contestants must be physically fit and healthy enough to gain a flying medical – please read the terms and conditions at www.compton abbasairfield.co.uk/news.
Compton Abbas Airfield is offering a chance to complete their Light Aircraft Pilot’s licence free of charge.
THE VISITOR April 2021 7
carefully curated online exhibition from the beginning of April, and all work will be for sale. If the COVID-19 roadmap goes to plan, the shop will reopen on 12 April, with a limited selection of artworks on show, and the full exhibition will open on 17 May. Please visit www.blackswan arts.org.uk to view the exhibition from April and to purchase a r tw o r k, w hic h c a n a l so b e viewed on the Somerset Art Works website, www.somersetart works.org.uk.
Mentioned in
Dispatches Somerset Art Works: In Pursuit of Spring
Somerset Art Works have joined forces with Black Swan Arts in Frome, Somerset for a unique SAW Members’ exhibition and the first at Black Swan Arts since last year’s coronavirus lockdown. ‘In Pursuit of Spring’ has been inspired by poet Edward Thomas’ account of his journey by bicycle between London and Somerset to meet the arrival of spring in 1913. Responding to various themes in Thomas’ book, ‘In Pursuit of Spring’, such as hope, change and renewal, around 50 Somerset Art Works members have created artwork to illustrate the Somerset leg of Thomas’ journey. He enters the county near Farleigh Hungerford and travels west through Norton St Philip, Shepton Mallet, Wells and Glastonbury, eventually arriving on Cothelstone Hill in the Quantocks on 28 March, as the storm clouds of the Great War gathered. Thomas was killed four
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BBC Antiques Roadshow at The Bishop’s Palace
Somerset Art Works: I Rode on Easily by David Brayne. years later at the Battle of Arras. The work will be displayed alongside excerpts from the book, which is published by Little Toller Books in Dorset. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the natural world has been an important consolation for many of us. Now, when we all need a sense of hope and renewal, Thomas’ descriptions of springtime Somerset – the ‘noble elms’, verdant banks teaming
with celandine, pennywort and cranesbill, the calls of larks and linnets – are a poignant reminder of the beauty of our county. This exhibition brings together Thomas’ text with contemporary images and representations of Somerset, and is a wonderful way to celebrate the re-launch of Black Swan Arts – almost 108 years to the day since Thomas completed his journey. Black Swan Arts will host a
The Bishop’s Palace in Wells has announced that they will be hosting BBC Antiques Roadshow this year in their 44th series! Could you have an undiscovered treasure at home? Fiona Bruce and the Roadshow team will be appraising everything from car boot bargains to treasured family possessions. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the team is asking members of the public who’d like to participate to share their stories online at www.bbc.co.uk /antiquesroadshow. The series will be filmed on a closed set with an invited audience only to ensure the safety of guests,
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for his most excellent service and many of his colleges attended at a social distance. It was noted no one could spell his name!
Dispatches production and the wider public. Successful applicants will be invited to attend a recording session where they will share their items with a Roadshow expert who will be able to reveal more about the craftsmanship, history and provenance of each piece–as well as the all-important value.
Returning for her 14th year at the helm, Fiona Bruce acknowledges the team’s success at recording the show under challenging circumstances in 2020 and goes on to encourage people to apply to be a part of the programme in 2021. ‘We were thrilled that we managed to make a series of the Antiques Roadshow last summer despite all the difficulties of filming during the pandemic. Hopefully things will be easier this summer though life may not yet be back to normal by the time we start filming. So if you have an item that you’d like to bring along to the Roadshow, do please get in touch with us beforehand at www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroad show. Here’s hoping for a summer of great finds!’ More information and frequently asked questions can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/ antiquesroadshow or on the show’s Facebook page.
PCSO Pete Tscherniawsky retirement certificate
PCSO Pete Tscherniawsky who has covered the Mere area for several years, retires this month. The Mere Town Council Chairman and The Wiltshire Councillor for the Mere Division, in recognition of his excellent work for the Mere area, presented Pete with a certificate on Thursday 18th March at 2.20pm on Mere Town Clock Island. The certificate was signed by Mere Town Council Chairman Clive Hazzard and The Wiltshire Councillor for the Mere Division George Jeans. Pete was thanked
Retiring PCSO Pete Tscherniawsky receiving his certificate. Photo: Graham Russell.
Muchelney Pottery re-opens Wednesday 14th April
Muchelney Pottery are getting ready to open their shop doors again after the latest lockdown and to celebrate they are offering a ‘Welcome Back Discount’ - 15% off all kitchenware pots until 8th May. From mugs, jugs, plates and bowls to baking dishes, casseroles and storage jars ... the shop is bursting with pots following the recent kiln firing, please do call in and support them! Muchelney Pottery re-opens Wednesday 14th April 2021, Opening hours: Wednesday Saturday, 10-1, 2-4. Muchelney Pottery, Muchelney, Nr Langport, TA10 0DW, www.johnleachpottery.co.uk (Please note: discount not available online).
Mark Melbourne making pots for the kiln firing at Muchelney Pottery.
Muchelney Pottery woodfired large teapot - with 15% ‘Welcome back discount’.
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 April 2021 9
Mentioned in
Dispatches The Cosy Den – A unique, new Bookshop opening in Wincanton
The Cosy Den, new to the Applegarth and just off Wincanton High Street, is a distinctive and welcoming space. Amongst an inspiring selection of antiquarian books lining the walls, you’ll also find an extensive collection of modern fiction and non-fiction to browse. With the special murder mystery and thriller section, you can easily become engrossed in top authors’ reads; Anne Cleeves, Rebecca Tope and Elly Griffiths to name a sprinkling. Being largely second hand and
pre-loved, books are in great condition and with stock priced very competitively, indulgence is guilt-free. Whether searching for The Pickwick Papers or Jane Eyre, lovers of classical literature will find both vintage copies and newer editions in the Den. Interested in a lighter novel to put your feet up with? In the special modern fiction bookcase, there are acclaimed novels written by Marian Keyes, Jodi Picoult and innumerable others to try. For the younger keen readers, the children’s corner houses the wonderous Julia Donaldson’s Gruffalo, the adventurous We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and a great many other inspiring picture books. In addition, the Den stocks a wide range of handy phonics and spelling texts. The more confident, older readers can enjoy browsing the best of David Walliams including
Demon Dentist, The Boy in the Dress and Ice Monster. On the shelves there are tremendous and exhilarating stories from Roald Dahl and a host of authors. Monday 12th April is opening day, however, the normal reduced hours for April will be Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 2.30pm. Conveniently located near the Fruit & Veg Shop, the Cosy Den is ideal for a quick browse or to find that special gift. Look forward to welcoming you in the Den soon!
Radio Ninesprings thanked for supporting NHS Appeal
An appeal broadcast on Radio Ninesprings 104.5 FM - local community radio station for Yeovil and South Somerset - has helped to generate donations of 5,000 personal products for giving to local NHS workers.
Chill-Out Somerset For all your refrigerated trailer requirements, outside events, etc. CONTACT : Martyn Jones 07973 433586 EMAIL : chilloutsomerset@yahoo.com
Find us on Facebook and Instagram
Opening 12th April thecosyden@gmail.com
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07494 159159
Nurses say thank you to Nurturing Hospital Staff Appeal.
The ‘Nurturing Hospital Staff Appeal’ was launched in January to collect personal products for giving to NHS employees at both Yeovil and Dorchester hospitals. Drop-off points were set-up in shops and houses for people to take their donations. Products donated during the six-week campaign ranged from face cream to bath salts and included certain food items. Organiser of the ‘Nurturing Hospital Staff Appeal’, Anna Carrick-Smith said: ‘Stress levels in the NHS have been quite high and being able to give staff these personal items helped bring a little comfort. The public’s
generosity was fantastic. We’re grateful for the support given by local businesses and to the local radio station, Radio Ninesprings for broadcasting the appeal.’
Zwings e-scooter trial operations expanded to Chard and Crewkerne
As part of the official Department for Transport’s (DfT) authorised e-scooter trials, South Somerset District Council in partnership with leading British micromobility operator Zwings, will launch fleets of rental electric scooters in Chard and Crewkerne. This second phase of the trials follows the success of the e-scooter hire service launched in Yeovil last October. The e-scooters are available for rental via the Zwings app from designated e-scooter parking bays located across both towns. 60% of car trips are between 13 miles, the majority of which are made by the driver alone. Following the declaration of a local climate and ecological emergency, South Somerset District Council and Zwings are delivering a 12-month trial service in Yeovil, Chard and Crewkerne from October 2020, designed to reduce unnecessary car usage, thereby lowering carbon emissions, toxic air pollution and easing congestion. Zwings intends to provide a sustainable, convenient and covid-safe-socially-distant mode of travel to the community and visitors alike. We must stress, that while the trial is underway, privately owned e-scooters are still illegal on public roads. These trials feed back to the DfT on how they are being used in communities so they can decide after the trials whether e-scooters will be made a legal form of private transport. To use Zwings e-scooters, riders should simply download the app, use their driving license to create
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Dispatches an account, locate an e-scooter on the map, and unlock it with the tap of a button. Complete your ride by parking your scooter neatly in any of the designated parking bays. Riding on a Zwings e-scooter will cost £1 to unlock and 15p per minute. Local Zwings teams undertake maintenance, recharge the batteries using a renewable energy tariff, sanitise the e-scooters regularly and deploy the fleet across the towns with an electric van.
British micro-mobility operator Zwings, have launched fleets of rental electric scooters in Chard and Crewkerne.
Looking for someone special? Try Just Somerset Introductions
Spring has sprung! Daffodils are out and the countryside comes back to life with new growth now winter is over. Looking forward to a much better Spring and Summer as those at Just Somerset Introductions can now get up and running again going into the next stage of the ‘road map’ coming out of lockdown. It’s been a quiet few months and they are still here! Yay! Just Somerset continued to look after their current members producing a varied newsletter with members contributions, and the mystery caller once a month. They’ve had regular weekly Zoom calls for members that wish to take part and have tried to keep members in contact with each other even if just on the phone or to arrange a socially distanced walk, so they have adapted at this difficult time. From 12th April they should be able to visit potential clients for an interview and also have up to 6 people meeting outdoors too in a café or pub that will open soon. From May and into June they can hopefully meet indoors and more people too so lots to look forward to!
They have clients to go and visit in the next few weeks so are really looking forward to getting out there again. Most people have found it very difficult stuck indoors during lockdown and if you have decided you want to get out and meet people you have found the right place! People join for different reasons - to make new friends, expand their social circle and for a long term relationship - maybe marriage (some do)! Just Somerset the Professional Introductions and friendly dating
agency. They offer one to one introductions and socials as they can in a professional, caring and confidential way which all starts with an interview in your own home (done Covid securely). For more information please see the website www.justintroductions group.co.uk. They cover several counties and you can meet members throughout the group. Hope to hear from you soon!
CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS Enthusiastic and flexible person for electrical showroom, undertaking retail and administrative duties. Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8.00am - 5.30pm. Some hours may be required at Waltons of Mere. Rates of pay negotiable, plus commission for suitable applicant. Essential skills: Numerate, computer literate and customer friendly. Sunday Assistant for Waltons Newsagent /Post Office. Duties from 7.00am - 1.00pm. Opportunity of extra hours/holiday cover. Essential skills: Numerate, computer literate and customer friendly. Apply via email to: sales@jeanselectrical.co.uk or write to: Jeans Electrical, Salisbury Street, Mere, Wiltshire BA12 6HB THE VISITOR April 2021 11
BOOK REVIEW With Philip George
So, you think you know your Pop music, do you? By John Osborne Answers can be found on page 25 1) Who released ‘Crazy, Crazy Nights’ in 1987 as a single, from the album ‘Crazy Nights’? 2) Who is the evergreen performer who declares ‘You're Not Alone’, at the moment? 3) Name the band who had hits in the 60's with ‘Carrie-Ann’ and ‘Jennifer Eccles among many others, and continued to make hits well into the 70's? 4) The band 'Muse' were formed in which West Country town? 5) ‘Blancmange’ was living here in 1982, and Lionel Richie was dancing there in 1986, but where, exactly? 6). ‘I'm Like a Bird’ hit the charts 20 years ago this month, April 2001. Name the artist. 7) Craig and Charlie Reid form the mainstay of which Scottish band? 8) Who were the long-haired lads in the charts of 1997 with ‘MMM-bop’? 9) Name the family that asked ‘Which Way you Goin', Billy’ in 1970? 10) Lyrics: ‘Many times I've been alone and many times I've cried’ (Clue: Beatles). Worth-a-Guess Bonus Question: How many singles made it to the top ten, thirty years ago in 1991? Anorak Bonus Question: Allan Clarke was part of which band featured in this quiz? Great Quotes in Music (126) ‘Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.’ – Lao Tzu (Ancient Chinese philosopher)
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 March Sudoku on page 25.
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The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld
Translated by Michele Hutchison Faber and Faber ISBN: 9780571349371 The author and translator of The Discomfort of Evening are the winners of the 2020 International Booker Prize. An astonishing achievement for a first novel. The book is set at the turn of the present century on a farm in North Brabant just over the northern border of the Flemishspeaking part of Belgium. It is the Dutch state where Vincent van Gogh was born. The front cover illustration, referencing an original photo by Emilio Blizzi, portrays the self-possessed narrator/heroine Jas Mulder wearing what amounts to her uniform, a very worn red zip-up coat, which she refuses to take off. Jas is the eldest daughter of a dairy farmer whose family have recently suffered a tragic loss which has greatly affected her. In this, the book is to some extent autobiographical as the author also grew up in this region and her family were similarly affected by such a loss. The Mulders are strongly influenced by the strict Dutch Reform Church which gives them little room for independent thought beyond its teachings and God’s allencompassing influence. Were this book to be described in fine art terms, it would be placed in
the genre of the Flemish painter Johannes Vermeer, coupled with that of Pieter Bruegel the Elder and his son. In more recent art, Vincent van Gogh’s Potato Eaters and Stanley Spencer’s The Resurrection, Cookham also come to mind. There are not many laughs in this book but it is remarkable how the descriptions of the workings of a small family-run dairy farm in the early 1950s in Somerset, of which I have some direct experience, are so similar to this Dutch version 50 years later. The slogan used in the book ‘Milk the cow not the farmer’ has been current since the establishment of industrial scale milk wholesalers and manufacturers. It still has resonance today. The story is seen through the eyes of the adolescent siblings of the family and Jas in particular. The prevailing grey wet cold atmosphere of the Low Countries, as well as rural poverty, Calvinism and their education, all serve to intensify their mood. The farm is allencompassing and to stray beyond the village is seen as immoral. Much of their thinking is fanciful and curiously obsessive so watch out for the Jews living in the cellar and the children’s relationship with the model cow used for extracting semen from the bull. The book, although wellwritten, intriguing and sometimes uncomfortable, is not a page turner. The translation would have been improved if an English dairy farmer had been consulted on some of the terminology.
Probate professional preventing being ripped off
COVID-19 is still very much the top story in the media during these unprecedented times of pandemic and lockdown. Over 100,000 people have now lost their lives to Covid-19 and many bereaved families have been left concerned about how to deal with
the estate of their loved ones. Who can advise them? What is the estate worth? Gordon Brockman, who is an experienced Probate professional, has just launched his new website, True Values, to assist grieving relatives make these challenging and confusing decisions.
Auction Rooms. To coincide with the launch of his new website, Gordon is offering a free initial consultation given in a sympathetic and respectful way, so please contact him on 07709 918096, or find out more from the new website: www.truevalues.co.uk. Gordon Brockman.
With over 20 years experience and having featured on the BBC’s programmes Antiques Road Trip and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, Gordon has also worked at a number of Auction Houses including Chippenham
SOMERSET COINS COIN & BANKNOTE SPECIALIST
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
I am keen to buy all coins, banknotes & tokens No lot considered too small, including unwanted foreign money and out-of-date UK currency Please call me, or use the ‘contact me’ page on my website
Fine furniture made to your personal requirements and specifications, including bookcases and libraries Re-leathering of desktops, bureaux etc. Dining table tops refinished — A family run business established for over 50 years — Unit 6, 15 Oxford Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate YEOVIL, BA21 5HR
01935 471154 • jhamblin101@gmail.com
We’re Back Top prices paid for all types of model railway, die cast cars, early Action Man and Star Wars, Scalextric, Meccano, unmade Airfix kits etc
DAVID AYLING Mobile: 07799 880312 Email: dave@dwjayling.com Website: www.somersetcoins.com Just Like the Old Days
PASTIMES Of Sherborne (near the Abbey)
Thirty years of dealing in antique and Collectible Toys
ANY TOYS CONSIDERED TOP PRICES PAID for old toys Those magical names Dinky Timpo Corgi Meccano Hornby Britains Matchbox Subbuteo Triang Spot-On Etc etc
Covid Safe Home Visits • Tel: 01935-816072 Mob: 07527 074343 • E-mail: info@pastimes-toys.co.uk THE VISITOR April 2021 13
Family Health with Jenna Evans CONTINUING OUR LITTLE tour of our amazing bodies, this month we’re taking a look at the spine. The spine or backbone, consists of 29 (not including the tailbone/coccyx) vertebrae. From the coccyx we meet the sacral spine, a series of five vertebrae, fused in adulthood into the sacrum. This, along with the ilium, forms the sacroiliac joint which on each side of the pelvis articulates with the hips. Moving up we come to the lumbar spine. Also generally called the lower back, this area has five vertebrae. The lumbar spine is one of the most injury prone areas of the back as it bears a lot of stress when supporting the torso and assisting bending and rotating
from the waist. Further up is the thoracic spine, a series of 12 vertebrae and an area with little mobility. The thoracic spine is mostly protective, articulating with the rib cage (think of all those squishy internal organs it needs to keep safe!). Lastly, at the top we have the cervical spine. These seven vertebrae support and mobilise the head and neck – and therefore deal with enormous pressure. Between all the vertebrae are
A vast selection of hats for hire for any occasion at Hooper’s Hat Hire, Yeovil.
Hooper’s Hat Hire YEOVIL 01935 706555 • www.hoopershats.co.uk 14 THE VISITOR April 2021
sacs filled with a cushioning fluid, shock absorbers if you like that allow for smooth motion. The spinal cord runs through the spinal column with many nerves branching out from the spine. There are three types of muscle supporting the back. The extensors, generally large and located on the back of the spine give support and stability. The flexors on the front of the spine allow movement in all directions and the obliques in the middle aid rotation and posture. I would imagine most of you have suffered some kind of back or neck pain at some point in this lifetime! Stress, poor posture, bad diets, dehydration, wear and tear and the usual over-doing and indeed under-doing it can all take their toll. For chronic musculoskeletal issues I always recommend you find the support of a good body worker. McTimoney Chiropractic, Bowen & Craniosacral Therapy are three of my favourite modalities, but there are many more from which to choose! We’re still learning about the role of the fascia too – connective tissue that runs through our bodies around the muscles and organs – and therapies that specialise in treating fascia are showing great potential. For postural work you can look at therapies such as the Alexander Technique as well as Primal Patterns and Neuromovement. All designed to help remind us how to hold and move our bodies in a natural, healthy way. There are of course plenty of supplements that can help too. If you’ve read any of my recent articles many of the same
products apply. For inflammation, turmeric, boswellia, ginger, serrapeptase and devil’s claw are some of the best. For wear and tear/bone health think calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K, glucosamine, MSM and hyaluronic acid. To finish up this month I want to talk about a topic I’m getting asked about a lot at work – the covid vaccines. This is of course a huge subject! So here’s my take – all medical procedures, including all vaccines, must be a personal choice, based on informed consent. We have the basic human right to risk assess for ourselves the pros and cons of any medical intervention. There is no reason to make this vaccination any different. Personally, I will not be taking any of the covid vaccines. Partly due to concerns raised by many experts in this field coupled with my own extremely low risk from the disease, but also as I had an extreme adverse reaction to a vaccine as a child and will not be taking that risk again. But the really important thing to me is that I respect and support the decisions of other people - and I expect other people to do the same. Medical freedom is intricately tied to our basic human rights. The notion of any kind of vaccine passport for access to venues is therefore abhorrent. And given I and thousands of others were expected to risk assess our own health to work with the public during the pandemic, wouldn’t it be ridiculous to restrict our freedoms now? As I have said before, we have had enough division and isolation this last year, let’s not make the vaccinations another tool of separation! Join me next month where we will start to take a look at some of the squishy internal organs! •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 Eating healthy lunches at home
Many of us are spending more time at home due to COVID-19 and this can mean reaching for the comfort foods when we feel bored, stressed or need cheering up. On busy days, it is easy to pop to the kitchen and grab a quick lunch without thinking too much about whether it is good for you. We have some tips for planning and preparing healthier lunches at home.
Include plenty of fruit and veg
Fruit and vegetables are packed with nutrients and fibre to help keep your heart healthy. Find healthy salad or vegetable soup recipes online or in recipe books to include in your lunch plan. Finish off your lunches with a portion of fruit and a low-calorie yoghurt.
Increase your fibre intake
A diet that is high in fibre can reduce your risk of heart disease. Good sources of fibre include fruit and vegetables, beans and pulses and wholegrain foods. Try to regularly include a portion of
wholegrain food in your lunches, such as brown bread, wholemeal pita, wholemeal pasta or brown rice.
Include lean sources of protein in your lunches
Foods that are high in protein can help you to feel full for longer and this can prevent you from snacking on less healthy foods during the day. Lean sources of protein include grilled skinless chicken or turkey, canned tuna, soybeans, tofu and low-fat dairy products.
Plan your lunches in advance
Planning your lunches in advance will allow you to put a little more thought into what you are eating as well as saving you time and money. Try creating a weekly lunch plan before the start of the week and shop for ingredients in advance. Prepare your lunches the night before to save time during busy days or try cooking large quantities of home-made soups and store single portions in the freezer. You can find more healthy tips, recipes and advice at heartresearch.org.uk. THE VISITOR April 2021 15
GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly Mendip Mobility - in Street and Trowbridge
ESTABLISHED in 2007, Mendip Mobility Ltd aim to provide excellent service and quality value for money products to their customer base which now reaches further into Wiltshire. The two local retail outlets display their extensive range of quality branded rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds, bath lifts, Mobility Scooters, Powerchairs, everyday living aids and mobility products enabling customers to see the equipment first hand and receive professional advice from knowledgeable staff. Mendip Mobility Ltd are keen to spend time with everyone who comes through their doors. They will discuss your options and needs and provide demonstrations both in store and at home to make sure the products you purchase suit your individual requirements. Contact their Street store on 01458 448355 or Trowbridge on 01225 764800, please see their
16 THE VISITOR April 2021
advert for the full address and further details.
South Cary House
Situated in the pretty market town of Castle Cary, South Cary House is a Grade II listed Georgian property set in its own beautifully maintained grounds of approximately one acre. In the comfort and security of South Cary House we provide a relaxed, comfortable and happy environment for our residents. We place a strong emphasis on the preservation of dignity, privacy and respect for each individual's choice of lifestyle. We are delighted to have been awarded an ‘Outstanding’ for Care by the Care Quality Commission. South Cary House is within walking distance of the town and there is also a convenient regular bus service to Yeovil and Shepton Mallet. Should you wish to travel further afield trains go to London and Plymouth from Castle Cary railway station.
AHM - Live the life you deserve: If you thought bathing safely and stylishly wasn’t possible, think again
Picture the scene, it’s the end of the day. Your body feels tired and your mind is ready for some downtime. You imagine what it would feel like to climb into a warm, soothing bath and let your cares melt away.
Then a niggling doubt takes hold. Last time you had a bath you had to call your partner to help you get out. Maybe it won’t happen this time. So, you run a bath anyway thinking this time you’ll be ok. But can you enjoy your bath with those doubts in your mind? And more importantly, should you? We know that going from a ‘normal’ bathroom to one with mobility aids feels like a step in a direction you don’t want to go. But it depends how you look at it. There are far more people aged over 65 in the UK today compared to a generation ago – almost a fifth of the population – and it’s a fact of life that we all need a little extra help as we get older. This doesn’t mean you’re not relevant. 71% of 55-75 year olds have smartphones now. Retirees are travelling more, using Facebook and a quarter are actively dating. Retirement has become a time to embrace new
challenges and fulfil long-awaited experiences. None of that changes just because you have difficulty bathing. It’s very common for people only to seek help with their bathroom as a result of a fall, accident or near-miss. Should you wait that long, or are there changes you could make now? Changes to your home don’t need to look unsightly either. Just because you’re adding grab rails or a raised toilet in your bathroom for example, doesn’t mean it will look like a hospital bathroom. You could see it as an opportunity to refresh and update one of the most important rooms of your house.
Updating your bathroom with AHM:
We guide you through the whole process of updating your bathroom, at your pace. If you’re in immediate need of a solution, we do our best to make it happen quickly. If you prefer taking time to think through the options, that’s fine too. We’re a small, family-run firm with a background in caring and mobility, so we’re flexible and we know what it’s like. We visit customers at home, for free, to get a full understanding of their needs and there’s always a real person at the end of the phone. ‘To be able to speak to the same person when calling the office …
GOLDEN YEARS was very important to me and you dealt with my queries very efficiently.’ Mrs Pearce. We don’t employ salesmen. Our experienced surveyors visit you to discuss your needs. We also pride ourselves in employing courteous and trustworthy fitters to install every bathroom. ‘Not only have they done a great job, but they have been so kind to my mum who is very fragile both physically and emotionally at the moment.’ We use specialist bathing products which come with a manufacturer’s warranty, plus our own 12-month installation warranty. In the last 20 years, we’ve never had anyone say they didn’t like their bathroom. In fact, people often send us letters and emails to say how much they love what we’ve done. ‘I am extremely pleased with my bathroom. It exceeds expectations!’ Angela. If you’re ready to seek help with your bathroom, call us on 01823 729564. See our advert on page 34.
Age UK Somerset encourage a move towards ‘normality’ with their ‘Let’s move together and improve together’ campaign
The last year has been an unusual and difficult one for most but for many older people it has been particularly hard, with long periods of self-isolation impacting both mental and physical wellbeing. Some have embraced modern technology, learning new skills and participating in online activities and social events, but these have not usually been as rewarding as getting out and spending time with friends and family. Throughout the pandemic, Age UK Somerset have supported older people in the County. Because they help those who are most at risk from severe illness due to coronavirus, and those whose movements have been most restricted, they have been busier than ever. Despite some services being paused due to their physical nature, others sprung up to meet the new needs of this
Former Ageing Well Manager Di Ramsay, with AW’s 88 year old yoga teacher, Ivy Thorne. Tragically, Di lost her fight with cancer last year; she was an inspirational manager who made a huge difference to the wellbeing of many older people in Somerset.
strange time, for example their telephone service called ‘Friendly Phone calls’, to help alleviate feelings of isolation and boredom. The charity’s Ageing Well team, who normally run and manage hundreds of communitybased exercise classes, have held a wide range of online exercise sessions since last July. These classes have encouraged older people to maintain their current levels of fitness and given them a chance to see familiar, friendly faces. Full technical support has been given by the team and classes have included Tai Chi, yoga, pilates, general fitness and relaxation sessions.
With plans to resume their community-based classes from the 17th May, Ageing Well are launching an inspiring ‘let’s move together and improve together’ campaign. Whilst wanting to encourage older people to start coming to classes again, they are aware that many are nervous of doing so. They are putting in stringent measures to provide the greatest level of reassurance, reducing the number of participants allowed in each class and introducing a new booking system. Classes will be re-started over a number of weeks, so that the team can oversee and manage them safely and effectively.
THE VISITOR April 2021 17
GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly A variety of online sessions will continue to run for those who would prefer to stay at home for the time being. The charity’s ‘stay strong, stay steady’ classes – falls prevention sessions run in conjunction with Somerset County Council and the NHS – will also be resuming and hope to have a positive impact on the strength and balance of vulnerable adults. The number of older people suffering falls has increased significantly in the last year. If you would like to find out more about any of Age UK
18 THE VISITOR April 2021
Somerset’s classes, please call 01823 345626, email ageingwell @ageuksomerset.org.uk or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset.
Ageing Well instructor, Rachel Jelbert, and her online ‘coffee morning’ with her Qigong Tai Chi class.
Suttons Stairlifts
Suttons Stairlifts is a family-run business dedicated to providing a fair and ethical service with a no-pressure selling policy. They offer a range of new or refurbished Handicare stairlifts, either straight or curved throughout the West Country. All prices include full installation plus a comprehensive guarantee. They also offer a rental option for straight stairlifts as well as servicing and safety checks, repairs and removals. Handicare stairlifts offer features such as a powered swivel seat and powered folding footplate allowing you to operate these functions at the touch of a button. All Handicare stairlifts have safety sensors on the power pack and footplate which are designed to stop the lift if it meets any obstruction. They will visit you to survey the staircase and conduct a user assessment leaving you the leaflets and prices so you can make the decision in your own time.
Could an outdoor stairlift installed by Suttons Stairlifts help you get out this Spring?
With their inclusive and comprehensive 12 or 24 month warranty and 365 day coverage you can be assured of a first-class and personal service. Give them a call on 01749 346900 or visit www.suttonsstairlifts.co.uk.
Bramley Care: Support you need to live independently
Bramley Home Care, established in 2013 as part of Bramley Care, provides excellent quality and reliable care to vulnerable people. As our reviews prove, we are second to none in the services we offer.
Bramley Home Care can provide the support that vulnerable people need to maintain independence in their own homes. We realise that illness and age related ailments can create challenges and we can help with these. And, if not most importantly, we can help people avoid, for as long as possible, the need to seek residential care. Additional to personal care, our carers can help with basic dayto-day home management. From cleaning to shopping to sign posting to other services that may be required. Our carers can also assist with a speedy recovery from a stay in hospital; help manage medication, support GP’s and District Nurses with the care needed upon discharge.
Beechwood House – a safe home for your loved one.
Highfield House, Castle Cary
Highfield House is completely dedicated to involving the people who live there in excellent care and support received by listening to, and acting upon people’s feedback. At the heart of Highfield House are their concerns for each person’s
happiness, health, safety, wellbeing and dignity. This is reflected by the Beacon Status achieved with the nationally recognised Gold Standards Framework and Awards for Care Home of the Year, and the award for Dementia and Palliative Care. Their vision is to be a leader in providing a responsive care service where the standard of care and calibre of staff are
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
second to none. The mission is to provide a safe, warm and friendly environment where excellent person-centred care is offered and where staff appreciate the unique qualities of each individual living at Highfield House.
HIGHFIELD HOUSE
Outstanding & Award Winning Residential Care Home We are passionate about providing EXCELLENT care and support in a homely environment. Situated in the centre of Castle Cary we benefit from all the delights that Castle Cary has to offer within a short walk. Our calibre of staff is second to none and we are here to cater for each and every individual person. Please feel free to contact us for any further information. Telephone: 01963 350697 Email: manager@highfieldhouse.net www.highfieldhousecastlecary.com
At Bramley Care we understand the effect that loneliness can have on one’s life, therefore we also provide help with social activities and offer a varied selection of carer supported trips out ‘with our own wheelchair accessible minibus’ to venues such as visits to country house gardens and cafes for cream teas. If the above appeals to you or you are not happy with the service that you currently receive from your care provider, why not give us a call and see what we can do for you and find out how we can make things that little bit easier. 01747 855844 bramleycare.co.uk.
Beechwood House, Yeovil
Set in large, accessible gardens, Beechwood House Care Home in Yeovil, provides a very high standard of residential care for 27 elderly people, all having ground level, ensuite rooms. Family-owned for over 20 years, our aim is to provide a caring and comfortable home for people who feel unable or do not wish to live on their own any longer. With dedicated, friendly staff and robust infection control procedures, we have COVID testing procedures which exceed government recommendations. We are open for new residents and welcome visitors to see their loved ones in-person, following current guidelines. Our difference is the personal touch, we get to know everyone individually and aim to create a family home atmosphere. We look forward to meeting you at THE VISITOR April 2021 19
SPRING
MOTORING
VINTAGE Motorcycling with Rod Hann THE CORONAVIRUS continues to rule our lives and will do so for some months to come. This has meant the cancellation of many events which is rather sad when considering the money and hard work that has gone into organising all these things which give us enjoyment and involvement with the hobby of old vehicles. There is however some definite light at the end of the tunnel with the government's latest announcement for the ending of lockdown. By April and May some meetings will be able to take place and some events may be able to go ahead. In the meantime we must still remain good and stay safe. The TT races planned for the Isle of Wight in October has already been cancelled. This was to be a new venture and a lot of planning has been undertaken. I just hope that all the work can be carried over until next year. As a tempter there was going to be modern and classic races and so for my picture this month I have chosen a shot of a classic Matchless 7R racer from the early sixties which has been breathed
A classic Matchless 7R racer from the early sixties. on by the famous tuner Fred Walmsley. These bikes are an absolute joy to watch when thundering around the track. This one looks very original and so clean, a real tribute to its owner. Whilst thinking of cancellations the Isle of Man TT races in June
Yeovil Auto Tuning
● ● ● ● ● ●
CLASSIC CAR REPAIRS Repairs and Servicing Specialists Established OVER MOT Testing – Classes IV, V and VII also Motorhomes 30 YEARS Engine Tuning ● Brakes, Clutches, Gearboxes Competitive Rates ● Professional, Reliable, Friendly Service Specialising in VW T4 + T5 Vans Revo Engine Re-Mapping (VW and Audi Group)
9 Oxford Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 426515 / 01935 411946
has already been called off and the Classic TT scheduled for September is also in jeopardy with a decision to be made shortly. I reported some months ago that a friend was undergoing training to become an Advanced Rider. The course duly completed he passed the test and is now a fully fledged member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Not content with that he has used the knowledge gained and undertaken further training and become a member of the Blood Bike squad. His new skills are being put to a very worthwhile use as the Blood Bikes are used daily to ferry blood and samples all over the area to help people in need. A very worthwhile voluntary service. I know I am a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to modern technology. I do not have a fancy mobile phone and do nothing with the modern media. Such things do not interest me and I have no
need of them, but I do realise that somewhere along the way I am going to have to get my head at least into some of this technical wizardry. To that end I have recently taken an interest in cars and motorcycles powered by electricity. The government is forcing us to go along those lines with the withdrawal of petrol driven vehicles by 2030. I therefore looked at the type of motoring I do and like most souls the majority of my journeys are made locally. I do however make regular longer trips when 300 miles in a day is not exceptional. So how would electric power suit my needs. The local runs would be no problem as I could charge the vehicle at home (I already have a proper charging point installed) and recharge at home as and when needed. But the longer runs do pose a problem now and will do in the immediate future. In the long term extra charging
GLIDEROL GARAGE DOORS All garage doors are different, so as a roller door specialist, (I don’t replace windows, etc.) I can survey, quote and install to your requirements and make the most of your garage opening, as generally no frame is necessary. With the option of automated operation with remote control, a top quality garage door need only be a phone call away.
G.H. SALES. Tel: 01935 891414 20 THE VISITOR March 2021
SPRING points are being installed in service areas, garages and public car parks. Whether these points will be available 24 hours a day has yet to be seen. So for example I make regular trips to Cornwall to visit family and friends and end the day at one of the Cornwall Section club nights. Most electric cars could cover the distance of 150 miles on one charge but then I must reliably be able to recharge somewhere in Cornwall to make the return journey. That means a wait of at least one hour but could be as much as two or three hours to make the necessary charge. I have no wish to sit in a service area for that amount of time drinking coffee whilst the car recharges. To make that same trip on a motorcycle is worse as most bikes have a range of around 100 miles so a recharge would be needed at least twice in the day. It all seems rather impractical to me at present but I know the technology will move on in the next few years. It seems now that some American scientists have calculated that the extra costs in producing the car coupled with the charging costs it becomes apparent that an electric powered vehicle is actually more expensive to run than a conventional one. In addition if we all go out and buy electric vehicles the national grid could not cope with the extra load placed on it which means much major expenditure for the nation, and after Covid I think the nation has enough expenditure on its hands to last us for years. Remember also that the government is subsidising the purchase of electric vehicles. I think it’s time for the government to have a rethink on the compulsory exclusion of the internal combustion engine. So after my considerations am I going to buy an electric vehicle? The answer is ‘No’ at this time, although I could be interested in a hybrid vehicle but that somehow seems a bit of a ‘copout’.
MOTORING RAC launches pioneering 'no ties' pay-by-mile car insurance
With data showing drivers are covering 20% fewer miles than two decades ago and the possibility of this trend accelerating post-Covid, the RAC has launched a brand-new, flexible monthly subscriptionbased car insurance product aimed at saving money for people who drive under 6,000 miles a year. Pay by Mile from RAC Car Insurance meets the changing needs of drivers and works by charging motorists a small agreed per-mile cost only for the miles they actually drive – the Mileage Premium – in addition to a set monthly fee to cover their vehicle while it's parked – the Parked Premium. So, for those who drive relatively few miles, there may be significant savings to be had. Keeping track of miles driven and monthly costs is easy with the Pay by Mile app, making it an ideal policy for anyone who drives infrequently or covers very different amounts of miles from one month to the next. There are no fees for changing vehicles or address, and any changes to either the Mileage or Parked Premium take effect immediately. And, with no ties, if a driver discovers Pay by Mile is no longer suitable for them or they sell their car, they can cancel straight away with no fees to pay. Customers simply stick the small RAC 'drive tag' to their windscreen which detects when their car is in use and transmits the distance travelled to the Pay by Mile smartphone app – no other driving-related data is collected. Then, at the end of each month, the customer pays for the miles they've driven, and nothing more. All Pay by Mile policies provide fully comprehensive insurance cover while a vehicle is being driven, and while it's parked. Drivers can track their mileage and cost 24/7 via their online account. Mark Godfrey, managing
RAC launches 'no ties' pay-by-mile car insurance.
director of RAC Insurance, said: ‘Car insurance is a market that's been ripe for a shake-up for some time, so we're thrilled to introduce a truly pioneering new product which is ideally suited to drivers who don't do that many miles.
‘With a standard car insurance policy, drivers are expected to estimate how many miles they expect to drive from the outset, whether or not they cover this distance during the policy year or not. For people who don't drive very regularly or only ever go short distances, this could result in a premium that seems overly expensive. ‘Pay by Mile from RAC Car Insurance offers something different. After paying a one-off £50 activation fee and a small set monthly sum that covers the vehicle for all the time it's parked, drivers just pay a clear ‘per mile’ price of as little as 4p for every mile they actually drive. This way, motorists save money for whenever they don't, or can't, drive.
Quality service with a smile at Phillips Tyres, Castle Cary.
NORRIS BODY REPAIRS LTD ■ Insurance Claims ■ Private Jobs ■ Restorations ■ Resprays ■ Welding Work
South Street • YEOVIL • BA20 1QQ Tel: 01935 411095 Email: norrisbodyrepairs@gmail.com • Fax: 01935 473119 THE VISITOR April 2021 21
SJH Carpets, Wincanton
SJH CARPETS in Wincanton offers a full measuring and fitting service on a wide selection of wool and man-made carpets and flooring including naturals, vinyls, wood, laminates and luxury vinyl tiles (including Karndean, Moduleo and Harvey Maria) for domestic and commercial projects. They supply and fit Roger Oates runners, Crucial Trading floorcoverings, and Rubber Flooring. They also have a wide range of shutters and blinds, and work with Luxaflex to provide the latest designs, technology and
■ Carpets
■ Vinyls
■ Naturals
■ Woods
■ Laminates
■ Roll Stock
■ LVTs: Karndean, Moduleo,
Harvey Maria and many more
Stylish and versatile
shutters & blinds
Wincanton
... by
A wide choice of designs to suit your needs
★ Free Estimate ★ Free Measuring ★ Professional Fitting by our own Expert Fitters ★ Friendly and Personal Service ★ Competitive Prices Tythings Commercial Centre, Southgate Road, Wincanton, BA9 9RZ 01963 824418 wincanton@sjhcarpets.co.uk ● www.sjhcarpets.co.uk Also at... Malvern House, High Street, Tisbury, SP3 6LD 01747 871178 The Old Post Office, 38 North Street, Langport, Somerset, TA10 9RH 01458 887301
safest window coverings available. The fabric department in Wincanton has an extensive fabric library stocking Prestigious Textiles, Bill Beaumont and Chatsworth Fabrics, and they offer a bespoke curtain and blind service, a free measuring and estimating service and professional and helpful advice. Their knowledgeable staff can assist you through the difficult selection process and help you choose the right product that best suits your needs. They deliver and install at a price that competes with all the national chains. Customer satisfaction means everything to SJH, and they offer their full attention from selection through to end of installation care. Call SJH Carpets in Wincanton on 01963 824418 and get your free estimate for your upcoming project. Find the window dressings or flooring that perfectly matches your needs and unique personal style. Also at High Street, Tisbury and The Old Post Office, North Street, Langport.
Homemaker, Shaftesbury and Warminster
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so creating an attractive, comfortable and particularly welcoming space is paramount. Your kitchen can be a hub and a haven; a place to cook for family and friends, chat over coffee, relax with an evening glass of wine, and for children to do their homework after a busy day at school. Established in 1992, Homemaker are a family run independent kitchen designer, offering outstanding customer service and competitive prices. From contemporary and bold colours to the more traditional painted finishes, they are here to help you choose the kitchen that
Richards Chimney Sweeping & Stove Installations • Chimney Sweeping • Stove Installations • Fitting/Replacement of Cowls • Chimney Rebuilds/Maintenance • CCTV Inspections HETAS Registered and fully insured
Tel Luke: 07984 371757/ 01305 319721 22 THE VISITOR April 2021
SEWING MACHINE SERVICE CENTRE Repairs & Servicing To All Makes - Domestic & Industrial Collection and Delivery Available
Embroidery Engineering Services
Homemaker stock Smeg products including range cookers and fridges in the iconic 50s style.
best suits your requirements and style. A personal and bespoke service is offered by the highly skilled and experienced in-house team who love helping you create your perfect kitchen, from the initial vision to the installation. Homemaker supply a wide range of cookers and appliances from leading manufacturers such as Bosch, Hoover, Belling, Smeg and Samsung amongst many others and also offer a fast and efficient delivery service, usually within 24 hours from stock. You can find further details instore and on their website at www.myhomemaker.co.uk. You can also call 01747 851 476 for the Shaftesbury branch or 01985 219200 for the Warminster branch. The Shaftesbury branch has a large free car park.
response to the world-changing, and has seen fundamental shifts in what we expect from our homes. Zoom backgrounds say a lot about you. World leaders, film stars at awards events, the Royal Family and all of us at home are united by the fact that everyone can see inside our homes and make impressions based on décor decisions. Ensuring online interactions are slick and professional are a daily challenge. Everyone knows that you’re likely sat at the kitchen table or in a home office, but this doesn’t mean that your backdrop should let you down. Creating a space to be seen in, albeit online, has become a hugely interesting concept. The key to maintaining standards with online appointments is to ensure you’re sitting comfortably, that you have your angles sorted, you’re well-lit and in front of a backdrop that looks appropriate for the meeting you’re involved in. Benji’s advice to clients is to try and be sure to adapt their backdrop to suit the mood or tone of the Zoom call attendee as people pick up on visual messages.
Lockdown interiors: What 12 months of stay-at-home has meant for interior design trends
One year since the first ‘stay at home’ directive was issued, and the home has become the centre of life, work, education, entertainment, exercise and more - leading to an interior design and renovation boom. British Interior designer, Benji Lewis, founded his bespoke virtual interior design advisory service Zoom That Room, in
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THE VISITOR April 2021 23
The
Pub Pages
BEER & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER SPRING IS HERE, the clocks have gone forward and all is well in the world! Well two out of three ain't bad, I guess, and we look forward to the pubs opening again. Although the April date is only for outside parties at least it's a start, and yet again I salute those landlords and landladies of this fair land who have the cojones to say ‘Yes, we're going to be doing it’ - despite the
vagaries of the English weather threatening to put the mockers on the whole deal! I have shared my opinion on the way Government has dealt with the pubs during this covid deal and I stand by it and will not add more, for the moment, anyway. In fact I can think of a lot more I'd like to say about it but either it wouldn't get published or the magazine editor would be taken to the tower. The loss of sales according to one source amounted to 2.1 billion pints, with a monetary value in excess of £8 billion. Furthermore, we have lost a further 2,000 pubs forever. We're also hoping that we can get back to playing the beautiful game, although with leagues in tatters I think it will have to be just a few casual games before meetings can be organised to reform ready for next season. The last month has brought more reactions from you good people out there in pub games land in regard to our feature on shove ha'penny. I again refer to the excellent blog by Mark Shirley here who has come to the conclusion that the ‘Shove ha'penny Control Association’ was purely an invention by a smart company salesman who thought it a great idea to enhance their profits. After all, one would be
far more inclined to buy something if it was ‘official’, wouldn't they? A photo of Mark's rather handsome slate board is here for you all to enjoy.
Mark Shirley's rather nice slate shove ha'penny board.
The game certainly has some serious history, and my little joke of last month regarding the outcome of games between Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Francis Drake was not a million miles from the truth. Slide-thrift, otherwise called shove-groat, was one of the ‘new and crafty games’ made illegal by the Unlawful Games Act of 1541 in an attempt to encourage the ordinary man to get out and practice his archery instead of wasting his time playing games at his local tavern. The game was described as ‘new’ because it had not been included in the games listed in previous Acts. According to historical records of the Inns of Court1, members of the Inner Temple were prohibited from playing ‘shoffe-grote or slip-grote’ in 1522. King Henry VIII was also familiar with the game having lost the amounts of £9 and £45 at ‘Shovilla Bourde’ in 1532 according to the Privy Purse expense records. Clearly the upper classes were not afraid to spend big money for their amusement whilst keeping the proletariat nicely down-trodden. Some things don't change! The actual offence was the keeping of a 'common house, alley or place' where the games were played for gain, lucre or living. In addition artificers, craftsmen, apprentices, labourers and other members of the lower classes were prohibited from playing the unlawful games outside of Christmas and then only in their master’s house or presence. Parts of the 1541 Act
remained in force until 1960 although from 1845 games of skill (including shove-ha’penny) were differentiated and generally made legal. There is little doubt that the game started in a tavern where coins were slid along a long table to get as near as possible to the end, before some form of board was made to reduce the size and introduce a more disciplined play. Was the table at Sherborne Castle (see ‘Beer & Skittles’ March 2021) used for both? We can only surmise. (Much of this information comes from gamesboard.org.uk thanks to research by Bryce Neilson. This site is well worth a visit). Whilst the shove ha'penny board does appear to be standardised then just to throw a spanner in the works we are introduced to the 'Swanage board' as it has been named by students of pub games. Yes, the Isle of Purbeck has its own board, far longer than the one we all know and love, and likened by some to a football field in miniature, with areas marked out, each scoring differently, although most do not have that score marked on them, just to confuse the casual player. I say ‘casual player’, but is there such a thing within the boundaries of a game which would most likely come out only when the holiday season is over and winter sets in? I am assured boards are looked after lovingly and kept well out of the way from the sticky fingers of inquisitive children, and rightly so! However, this makes it all rather more difficult for us who love pub games; landlords may even deny the existence of such a board to ensure it is used only by the local teams. Just to confuse us all further, when Mark Shirley came on an expedition to the West Country a few years back, he was following up on a lead that a Swanage board was in use at a Weymouth pub, but it failed to deliver anything positive. Perhaps you good people can help? A version of a shoving game not explored before on these pages is ‘Push-Penny’. For all intents and purposes it's the same game as Shove ha'penny, although understandably the beds into which one shoves those pre-decimal pennies is slightly
A close-up of Mark’s board. 24 THE VISITOR April 2021
The
Pub Pages
BEER & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER larger. I had assumed it was centred only around the Lincolnshire town of Stamford, but Mark Shirley recently assured me that there is a significant number of teams and players along the South coast, although I have yet to get more detail. Why there should be such a large distance between two centres of a game already known for it's relative obscurity is a mystery, but to me this is yet another part of the joy with pub
games. Furthermore Mark believes that the Stamford game is in a parlous state and only just about hanging with about six pubs involved in their league. Who can tell what may be the fate of this game or indeed any game when pubs re-open? I mentioned before, the Rose & Crown of Bradford Abbas, and Mark has, in his most recent post, given more than a little room to his visit mentioned earlier. He and his partner Karen took in as many establishments as he could on their break here in the West Country, and he stayed in the pub and we even gave him an opportunity to play the beautiful game! (take a look, do!) It has occurred to me that perhaps Governments are not quite telling us the truth about our various activities that they class as being undesirable. To reinforce this view, one needs only to look at the picture of ‘The Lads of the Village’ in the Rose & Crown having a smoke, a few pints and of course, the delightful film of them skittling. Between the five of them they'd reached 434 years, making an average age of just under 87 years. So I present to you the Baxter guide to longevity; drink, smoke and play skittles! (No need to thank me). © P.A. Baxter 2021. skittlealley@hotmail.com
They Say That Tony Pugsley of Wincanton has an electric heater that works in a power cut (Must be Solar). That Ryan Sandercock of Castle Cary is a dab hand at topiary. That Shepton Mallet’s Stacey Bennett-Hinchliffe thinks Wincanton is very Convenience. That whatever the weather, North Cadbury’s postie delivers his letters and parcels with a smile. That just ‘three quarters of an inch’ can make Mrs Janet Feakins of Sprowston a very unhappy woman, especially after several short measures in her tins of G&T. That when it comes to sitting in comfort, Castle Cary’s Kevan Davis much prefers a high seat. That Wincanton’s Jeff and Lynne Cook have found the bear necessities.
Solution to March
Sudoku
That when it comes to a tasty bacon roll, Damian Hoddinott of South Cadbury prefers it without the addition of salad cream. That after many years living in Crewkerne, former landlord and landlady of Castle Cary’s George Hotel have returned to the town. Welcome back Innes and Sally. That according to young Zac Rendall of Yeovil, if you don’t listen properly you may just have your ears put on Ebay. That former Weymouth resident Mr Paul ‘Tony’ Hawkins, has, after much practice, mastered the art of two-bridge walking. That the recent fire at the former NatWest Bank in Crewkerne must have left some people feeling a little low … and not with the anticipated high as expected.
ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ on page 12 1. Kiss 2. Paul Carrack 3. Hollies 4. Teignmouth 5. The ceiling! 6. Nelly Furtado 7. The Proclaimers 8. Hanson 9. Poppy Family 10. The Long and Winding road Worth-A-Guess Bonus Question: 140 Anorak Bonus Question: The Hollies
Vinny counts down the days...
A basic slate board owned by the author. THE VISITOR April 2021 25
Luca's New Garden with Bridget Sudworth HAVE YOU GOT worms? I do sincerely hope so as they are so important for your soil especially at this time of the year. Several articles on gardens recently have talked about the importance of soil condition and after a winter of fairly relentless rain, a great number of nutrients have been washed away. Some degree of frost has helped improve things but feeding peat free organic compost to rebalance the goodness is always necessary. I am no scientist so can’t help with any percentages on soil chemicals but I do know whenever I dig around that the number of wrigglers in the soil is always a good sign as they tunnel along by helping to ventilate the soil, turning, mixing and draining it to encourage healthy growth in all plants.
Pear Tree in bloom.
The gardeners’ companion, the sweet singing robin (though his sweet sounding message is, of course, a dreadful warning to other robins to keep away from his territory!) is also on watch to see what he can glean. Incidentally, it is quite sad to reflect on the fact that robins rarely live longer than one year, enough to raise a family before succumbing to weariness or death from fighting. The fact that they seem so ubiquitous is of some comfort and may at least suggest that unlike other species, they are not in decline. A word in defence of moles while on the subject of soil might not come amiss. Lawn lovers will find any way to get rid of them but they are always welcome here due to the neat, finely sorted soil they leave after burrowing which I scoop up and use for planting seedlings. Spring is definitely upon us and greenhouses will be burgeoning with seed trays, chitting boxes and a low-key sense of anticipation and excitement about forthcoming growth. This is the time of year when you are truly a god controlling, planning and directing. Our greenhouse is not unlike a rather earthy operating theatre at the moment, tools laid out neatly (particularly those retired dental instruments given to me by my Best Friend), prepared boxes stacked waiting for use, vermiculite and bags of compost warmly waiting in the wings for action accompanied by watering cans filled to reach greenhouse temperature. Rest assured, this state of affairs doesn’t last for long! Brightly coloured seed packets are so seductive and hard to resist - one might think there is always room for one more but as the season progresses, time and space
Clematis macropetala.
will run out and there will be boxes of healthy little plants standing at the garden gate with notices ‘Free to good homes’ thrust into the pots. Unless, of course, who knows? Maybe this year a village hall will open with a plant stall? That would be good for the soul! April is such a busy time of year. All the hard work and preparation during the winter should now start to show results. Climbing roses and eager clematis will need watching to be tied in during the ascent of trellis and the hydrangea heads can go at last if they haven’t already been clipped off. Watch out for birds’ nests appearing in
hedgerows as leaves start to provide privacy and tell your cats to go away! Advice is to protect blossoms from late frosts but I have always failed on that point - climbing a tree with a yardage of fleece is not easy! Seeds planted outside are protected under netting tunnels here - too many little creatures like to eat them or nip off the buds. This also helps to keep off late frosts too. Grass seed to fill up patches or create new lawn can go in when the soil warms up for quick germination. This is the time when Luca starts to rethink the locations of his dens and some of last year's dens in the flower beds will be used to plant new shrubs! Thank
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Dicentra in full glory.
you to Luca for starting the initial digging! Feed your roses, shrubs and hedgerows with liquid fertilizer liquid is easier for quick penetration rather than digging in nutrients which will conflict with root and stem growth. If you have bamboos, they can be divided though having had a huge clump of these in a previous garden, I find they always present a problem with underground runners and nasty sharp protuberances which are a bit of a hazard later in the year. Bamboo has it’s good points but I would never choose to plant it it can be such a thug. And yes, I have capitulated.
There are tomatoes in the greenhouse! Hey ho - another year of slavery looms! It just seems more sensible to grow a named variety than to rely on other people’s cast-offs! Enjoy April, to be followed by the most glorious month of the year!
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THE VISITOR April 2021 27
Moggs of Wells (Engineering) Ltd came to be based at Cannards Grave, Shepton Mallet in 2008, selling, servicing and repairing all types of garden machinery. Over the years the choice of machines available has increased considerably, so rather than presenting what may often seem a bewildering choice their aim is to offer what they consider to be the best products, and particular emphasis is given to those manufactured in Great Britain. You will therefore see a selection of Westwood garden tractors, in 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive, capable of cutting not only long field grass using a very sturdy high grass cutting deck, but also finely kept lawns, combined with their unique grass sweeper system capable of collecting damp cuttings without clogging. These machines have a wealth of features to make
mowing larger areas a pleasure instead of a chore, and come with a choice of engines (mainly Kawasaki), and different size cutter decks ranging from 36” to 50” cutting widths for either mulching or grass collection. They even come with a full 3 years’ warranty. Moving on, one can see the classic Hayter Harrier roller drive rotary mower, a concept first introduced by Hayter would you believe back in the 1960’s, updated over the years, and most recently just last year, the range now comprising some 12 different versions, starting with a 16”cutting width, through 19” right up to 22”, with 3 versions particularly aimed at the professional user. Engines used vary from Briggs & Stratton, Loncin and Honda, and for domestic use the Harriers have a 5 year warranty. As an alternative there are the Masport machines from New Zealand, which, having a similar climate to our own, have therefore been designed to cope with similar conditions (e.g. wet grass!). If you need a chainsaw, hedge trimmer or brushcutter, there is the magnificent range from Echo in Japan, beautifully engineered to give long-lasting performance, as evidenced by their 5 year domestic warranty (2 years for professional use). Finally, there are zero-turn ride-on machines from Ariens now being built in Britain, which have amazing agility and can really reduce the time taken to cut any area of grass, but most especially when manoeuvring around objects. All of these machines can be serviced and repaired in a comprehensively equipped workshop staffed by two knowledgeable engineers, both
having attained Briggs & Stratton Master Service Technician status (probably the best qualification in the industry). Other makes supplied include MTD, Cub Cadet, Lawnflite and Toro, and these too can be fully serviced and repaired as required, including warranty work. Beyond that, since there are so many different brands in the market, it becomes more a matter of providing advice regarding other suppliers or repairers in the local area who might be able to assist. Moggs of Wells (Engineering) Ltd have a showroom where a variety of garden machines can be viewed, demonstrations can be facilitated by prior arrangement, and there is free parking on site.
THE VISITOR April 2021 29
Roll on Spring!
By Julie Haylock of Sandhurst Garden Design
A NEW SEASON in the garden brings excitement and is the perfect time to try something new. Now is a great time of year to see what the specialist nurseries and garden centres have in stock and for you to get outside and freshen up your garden borders. Succession planting is the term used to describe a display of allyear round colour and interest in your borders, drifting from one season to another. From bulbs in the spring moving to early then late summer flowering perennials and on into autumn and winter. Begin your border design by adding some structure in the form of evergreen plants, which are particularly important for those gloomy winter months. Hebe Rakaiensis is a great choice. This compact shrub has dark green
leaves that contrast with dense spikes of white flowers from early to mid-summer. When I think of spring, I think of bulbs. A gorgeous display of tulips planted with delicately fragranced wallflowers will look fantastic. Alliums are another good bulb to add to your border, with their globe shaped heads that consist of hundreds of tiny individual flowers, they provide an important source of nectar for insects. Flowering later in the spring and into early summer, these gorgeous architectural flowers will keep your colourful display going strong. Alliums come in several varieties flowering at slightly different times. ‘Beau Regard’ is one of the earliest to flower in late spring, leads nicely onto to Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ which flowers in June. Allium christophii with its massive purple pom pom head
follows on in late June/July, and finally Allium sphaerocephalon with its drumstick like flowers on straight stems completes the show in July and August. One of my favourite ‘go to plants’ is Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’. This low maintenance perennial flowers prolifically from April until November and in addition acts like a magnet attracting pollinators into your garden. These gorgeous combinations give way to Aquilegia, foxglove and hesperis matronalis (sweet rocket) before Dahlia, Cleome and Salvias take us through to late summer when those warm summer evenings are filled with the scent of Phlox and Nicotiana Sylvestris.
Autumn gives way to winter when those evergreens you have added to your border come into their own. Consider adding a Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ to add some fiery winter colour when everything else looks drab. With its red/orangecoloured stems this shrub will add vibrancy to your border during those cold dark months, under-plant with some dwarf daffodils and you are ready to start your springtime display all over again! If you would like to make some changes to your garden borders or are considering a completely new garden design, then give me a call on 07899 710168 or visit my website at www.sandhurst gardendesign.co.uk.
Full ground preparation and laying service available The Farmhouse, Somerton Door, SOMERTON, TA11 6JA Tel/ Fax: 01458 272091 www.evergreen-turf.co.uk • info@evergreen-turf.co.uk
30 THE VISITOR April 2021
April Garden of the Month: Westbrook House West Bradley BA6 8LS
SURROUNDED by dairy farms and orchards in the village of West Bradley, Westbrook House is set in four acres. The garden has been laid out over the past 15 years by David Mendel, a decorative painter, and Keith Anderson, a garden designer.
There are three distinct gardens around the house. The layout is formal with borders loosely planted with flowering shrubs, trees, bulbs and perennials. Clipped box anchors the profusion of flowers to the structured plan. Fragrance plays a large role throughout the year from the winter flowering honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) and sweet box (Sarcococca hookeriana ‘Digyna’) to osmanthus, viburnum, and choisya in the spring and shrub roses, philadelphus and lavender in the summer. Moving further from the house and towards the open countryside, the layout relaxes with mown paths winding through long grass and the Bradley Brook twists along the boundary. Spring and early summer bulbs mingle with generous clumps of amelanchier,
The gardens at Westbrook House, West Bradley.
crab apple, lilac, and wild roses. A large copper beech provides shade for summer picnics. The grass paths finally lead to an orchard of traditional cider and dessert apples. A little further on pear, damson, quince and mulberry mix company with hazels, more species roses and philadelphus. The planting and layout began in 2004 and continues to the present day. The garden was
featured in Secret Gardens of Somerset by Abigail Willis. NGS Opening details: Saturday 17 April and Saturday 19 June, from 11am to 5pm. Garden visits may be pre-booked in advance via the NGS website. Admission: £5, child free. Dogs are welcome and the garden is suitable for wheelchair access. Groups of 10+ are also welcome by arrangement from April to August, with a donation to West Bradley Church. Please contact the garden owner to discuss your requirements and arrange a date for a visit. Contact Keith Anderson and David Mendel on 01458 850604, or email: adersonmendel@aol.com. You will find Westbrook House 4m East of Glastonbury. From A361 at West Pennard follow signs to West Bradley (2m). From A37 at Wraxall Hill follow signs to West Bradley (2m). To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: www.ngs.org.uk.
The layout is formal with borders loosely planted with flowering shrubs, trees, bulbs and perennials.
LEE HOLMES Garden Machinery 15 Cary Court, Bancombe Business Park, SOMERTON Tel: 01458 274261 • www.leeholmesgardenmachinery.co.uk
● Sales ● Repairs ● Servicing ● Sharpening ● Call out ● Robotic installations THE VISITOR April 2021 31
Remember when ... 30 years ago from The Visitor archives Short-lived showrooms
FOR MANY YEARS the smart showrooms of Creech Motors were a prominent sight on the corner of Weymouth Road and Oxford Road in Evercreech. Originally the business of Robert Whitehead & Son, trading as the Torpedo Motor and Cycle Works and dealing in small cars, motorcycles and bicycles, it was bought by F R Fry in 1962, and in 1973 the new showrooms replaced a rot-infested old building. By the time of the April 1991 Visitor Creech Motors was a Rover dealership run by Mr Fry’s son Gerald and the showrooms had just been updated with a new seating area and customer service facilities. However, by 2004 the showrooms and workshops had all been demolished and the site was redeveloped for housing.
Of local interest
Almost opposite Creech Motors on Weymouth Road was the Brewers Arms which, in the April 1991 Visitor advertised ‘real ale, ample parking, function room, bed and breakfast’. It was a ‘laddish’, sporty pub popular with skittles, darts and pool enthusiasts and although it closed a decade or more ago its handsome three-storey Georgian building still stands and the 20th century single-storey addition facing on to the car park is in residential use. Although the Visitor noted that Evercreech, ‘unlike many villages, has not become gentrified by an influx of the affluent professional classes’, another advert provided evidence that their penchant for ‘dining out’ had arrived at the Bell Inn. Describing itself as ‘a delightful village pub with a comprehensive menu’, this attractive old building on the edge of Evercreech was perhaps a former coaching inn where horses were changed in readiness for the climb over Creech Hill to Bruton. Fortunately it is still trading, subject of course to the current lockdown restrictions.
Holidays at home
The same issue carried an article on summer holidays. The general manager of one holiday operator is quoted as saying that ‘people are starting to realise that holidays in the UK are a viable 32 THE VISITOR April 2021
alternative to the traditional Mediterranean booking, particularly now that security in the air is a major concern’. Simply replace ‘security in the air’ with ‘coronavirus’ to see a parallel with 2021’s promise of ‘staycations’. The article concluded that ‘one thing is certain: if more people are going to take an at-home holiday this year, there’s one thing they’ll want besides another glorious summer and that’s value for money. If they don’t get it, then many will be off abroad again next year when the current scares have subsided.’ That remains true today!
A load of rubbish
Somerset County Council’s proposal to extend the Dimmer waste disposal site near Castle Cary proved to be highly controversial in 1991. County councillor Humphrey Temperley felt that rubbish has to be dumped somewhere and it might as well be at Dimmer – but not before major improvements to the B3153 road between Lydford and Castle Cary which serves the site – but Cary’s district councillor, Betty Churchouse, was against the proposal, preferring to see sites closer to South Somerset’s ‘main waste-producing centre, Yeovil’. An objector, a Mr Roberts of Lovington, noted that ‘by plotting the 216 acres of an extended Dimmer Dump on a town map of Yeovil it will be seen that the whole of the central area of the town would be buried under up to 40ft of rubbish, more than enough to engulf the average-sized house’.
House of cards
The April 1991 Visitor reported the opening of an unusual shop that was to be a unique feature of Somerton for almost thirty years. Ian Laker owns the London Cigarette Card Co Ltd, one of the country’s largest dealers in this field, and had just opened a showroom in West Street to sell sets of cards, mostly for framing and hanging on the walls of homes, pubs and suchlike. But the report warned that ‘you won’t find the really rare cards in the shop; the sets selling at £100s are locked away somewhere else’. Roger Richards.
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Building Dave Hoddinott FULLY QUALIFIED BUILDER ESTABLISHED 1973 No Job Too Big or Too Small
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SCENES
Artist Materials & Gallery
Picture Framing Restoration Large Selection of Prints and Paintings Greeting Card Blanks High St. Gillingham Tel: 01747 824050 www.scenes-online.co.uk
SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS
Bourton Roofing Co.
Small and Large Loads Tel: 07973 871708 Evenings: 01935 825506
01747 840064
Slate Tiling Flat Roofing. UPVC Fascias Guttering FREE ES T I M AT E S
... or 07866 296453 Email: info@bourtonroofing.co.uk
THE VISITOR April 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.
Holiday Lets
Services
WEST BAY GROUND FLOOR FLAT, yards from the beach. Tel: 01963 23456
HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN RUBBISH CLEARED, old sheds / outbuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844
YOUR ADVERT HERE, from £5 for 20 words. Email: info@thevisitor magazine.co.uk or tel: 01963 351256
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
Wanted
COUNTRY GUY, late 60s, outdoor type, likes gardening, dog walking, days out to coast etc. Seeks female for friendship/relationship. Tel: 07704911655
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 19th April.
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.
MOLE CATCHER AVAILABLE, Roy has 70 years experience at catching the little critters. Tel: (Evenings) 01963 32200
Personal
MARTIN 62, would like to meet lady in S h e r b o r n e , Ye o v i l , W i n c a n t o n , Sturminster Newton, Blandford, Shaftesbury area, aged 45-70. Reply to Box No 21
Prize Crossword No. 413
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. Discovered short railway in iron works [7] 5. Cor, weed sounds like and behaved like a weed! [7] 9. Nut, short of an old penny, takes the Queen to see medical social worker [7] 10. Man and Rum perhaps after crossing water [7] 11. Went in train with sequence of operations done [9] 12. Some thin alloys in total [2, 3] 13. Frees from fine particles and damaged studs [5] 15. Wholeness is fashionable, yet comes back about fine stones [9] 17. Arrange seats, lest socially unnacceptable [9] 19. Baker’s help from last Friday at The Orient [5] 22. Some noble episode makes an attractive sound [5] 23. American mammal wrecks a mill road [9] 25. Label rickets [7] 26. Rub and melt parts of dung-cart [7] 27. Old boy yearns for rectangles [7] 28. Deny hoe may be sweetened [7] Down: 1. Defender of the faith swallowed stewed apple and panicked [7] 2. Casts off United Nations’ heaths [7] 3. Stupid compact [5] 4. Pudding county [9] 5. 100, hid about 50, under 18 [5]
6. Testament, initially, is no good last year without opposition [9] 7. Rain at random about VAT perhaps: What the car-hire man did! [3,4] 8. Show detective inspector’s drama [7] 14. Maybe Ram’s family exhibits warm clothing material [9] 16. International contest to try fire lighter [4, 5] 17. Boa cat’s hot stuff! [7] 18. Spice mixed on aluminium is unusually good [7] 20. Sensitive state where friend takes in a small amount of work [7] 21. Made feeble sounds, having told toe [7] 23. Races with lots of space [5] 24. Some made Monday an evil thing! [5]
Solution to Crossword 412
Winner of the March Crossword was Mr T. Brain of Gillingham who chose to spend the £10 at Scenes of Gillingham.
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 April 2021
