The Visitor Magazine Issue 461 April 2022

Experiencing hearing loss, earache and blocked ears? It could just be Wax! Microsuction is the gold standard of wax removal and is much safer than other methods such as irrigation!

Book a Home appointment today, covering all of Somerset and Dorset

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

Issue 461 April 2022

FREE copy

Community Call to Help Protect Local Heritage Find out more on page 4 Image: Garry Dawson

Your

Call now on 0800 0016 608 Info@earwaxremovalsolutions.com www.earwaxremovalsolutions.com

In Passing...

L

ast month in this column I lauded the magnificence of Visitorland’s many and varied landscapes and praised the farming folk who down the centuries have worked in and cared for the countryside. Since then several people have told me that they think agriculture and forestry are responsible for many of the blots on our landscapes, and to some extent they are right. However, agriculture is an industry we rely on to feed us, regardless of whether we are carnivores tucking into a steak or vegans enjoying a vegetable casserole, and forestry provides us with the raw material needed for so many purposes including constructing the homes we live in. But nowadays barely 5% of the area’s workforce are engaged directly on the land, and many of them receive a pittance for what they produce, a barrage of criticism of they way they produce it and a welter of bureaucratic requirements that distract them from producing it.

There’s no denying that traditional farm buildings are not always adaptable to modern farming requirements, especially where large machinery is used. Nor where the latest requirements regarding livestock housing, handling and welfare have to be met. Nor where environmental protections have to be implemented. Down the years a continuing succession of modern structures has been installed at most farmsteads, often with a detrimental effect on the landscape. However, in recent years much closer attention has been paid to the sympathetic design and siting of new farm buildings than ever it was in the middle of the 20th century, although we have to rely on the planners and developers to ensure that these don’t irretrievably disfigure the landscape.

The contribution of commercial forestry to Visitorland’s landscapes depends to a large extent on the composition of the woodland – all conifer, all broadleaf or mixed – as well as its age structure and the extent to which it is being managed.

From time to time huge swathes are felled for their timber, and the gaps in the

woodland certainly look a bit unnatural, but it’s the income from timber that pays for managing the wooded landscape. Sadly the newly-planted trees filling the gaps take several years of growth before having much impact on the landscape. And there’s no knowing at present what the future will be for ash trees threatened by the die-back fungus but it is a worrying prospect: remember the disappearance through disease of the elm trees that once graced many of Visitorland’s hedges and fields.

Despite the occasional blot from agriculture and forestry, Visitorland can be proud of its countless stunning and contrasting views of man-made landscapes that have been changing in response to economic, social and cultural developments since the Dark Ages and will continue to change in our present century. Those of us who live in and appreciate Visitorland’s beautiful countryside owe a huge debt of gratitude to the agricultural community whose efforts keep it that way.

NN.

Advertising Deadlines May Issue published: Thursday 28th April Deadline: Tuesday 19th April

PO Box 5522, Castle Cary Somerset BA9 0BP Tel: (01963) 351256, 351998 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk facebook.com/thevisitormagazine twitter.com/thevisitormag Editor Max Dunion Advertising Kerry Edwards Julie Horn Managing Director Helen Dunion © The Visitor Ltd. 2022

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

CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED ‑ 34 ANTIQUES, HOBBIES & COLLECTING ‑ 22 BOOK REVIEW ‑ 15 CREWKERNE BUSINESS FOCUS ‑ 12 CROSSWORD ‑ 34 HOUSE & HOMES ‑ 20 LEISURE ‑ 11 LETTERS ‑ 4 LOOKING GOOD A New Look for Spring ‑ 16 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES ‑ 4 NATIONAL PET MONTH ‑ 19 SPRING MOTORING ‑ 24 PHONE‑A‑FIRM ‑ 33 PUBS ‑ 26

NOTE TO ADVERTISERS

REMEMBER WHEN ‑ 32

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

SPRING INTO THE GARDEN ‑ 28

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

WINE & DINE ‑ 23

SUDOKU ‑ 11 THEY SAY ‑ 29

Cartoons by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR April 2022 3

Mentioned in

In the UK, 1,000 people die from breast cancer every month

Sir, IN THE UK, 1,000 people die from breast cancer every month - that’s 1,000 too many.

Most of those deaths are from secondary breast cancer, which occurs when breast cancer cells spread from the first (primary) cancer in the breast to other parts of the body. Secondary breast cancer can be treated but not cured, so we urgently need to do more for people affected by this incurable disease.

Breast Cancer Now is calling on readers to pledge to raise £1,000 by 31st December - from bake sales, to getting sponsored to walk or run, however you choose to raise the funds you’ll make a difference by supporting research, care and campaigns for anyone affected by incurable breast cancer.

We need more research. Every day in the lab brings us closer to a future where everyone with breast cancer lives and is supported to live well. Help us get there faster.

We must ensure no-one faces secondary breast cancer alone.

There are an estimated 35,000

people living with secondary breast cancer in the UK, but without an accurate, up-to-date figure, we’re missing insight and much-needed information about their experiences and outcomes.

We need to keep raising our voices.

Last year, our campaigning efforts helped secure a secondary breast cancer audit in England and Wales, meaning for the first time we will know the number of people living with this disease.

This data will support the NHS to design and plan services and help to improve outcomes for people diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. This is progress.

But we can’t stop there.

Help us create a future where people with secondary breast cancer get more precious moments with the people they love, and to do the things they love – sign up to our £1,000 Challenge today at https://breastcancernow.org/ 1000_challenge.

Rachael Franklin, Director of Fundraising, Communications and Engagement, Breast Cancer Now

Dispatches Community call to help protect Local Heritage

THE LOCAL Heritage List helps to protect buildings, sites and structures that local people r e ga r d a s im po r ta n t - f r o m medieval cottages to unusual postboxes. Somerset residents are being invited to nominate what’s valuable in their community as part of a new project being delivered by the South West Heritage Trust.

Somerset and Exmoor National Park were chosen by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as one of 22 national pilots for a Local Heritage List Project. The Local Heritage List is different from the national statutory list. It focuses on buildings, sites and structures that local people regard as important. Local listing will stop locally significant sites from being overlooked, and will offer some increased protections through the planning system.

Mary Andrews, Local Heritage

List Project Manager, said: “Anyone can have a say in deciding what’s valuable to their community by nominating a site.

Nominations might feature rare materials or historical connections and could be anything from a factory to a front doorstep or a postbox and historic landscape. Places where important events took place, or where minority identities are celebrated, are also promising candidates. The key thing is that the site matters to the life and culture of the local community.”

There are several ways to make a nomination, including through the ‘Know Your Place’ website, or by post or email. A free online event is taking place at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 27 April where people can find out more. To make a nomination or book onto the event visit swheritage. org.uk/local-heritage-list.

This year’s Yarlington Plant Fair promises to be a particularly special event

The Count and Countess Charles de Salis held the first fair in the courtyard of their beautiful home in 2002 and have been fundraising for local good causes every year since (bar Covidridden 2020). This year will celebrate the twentieth fair which

YARLINGTON HOUSE BA9 8DY By kind permission of Count and Countess de Salis

WELCOME TO THE 20TH SPECIALIST

PLANT FAIR & OPEN GARDEN Saturday 7th May 2022 • 10am – 4pm

Installation – Repair – Services

NEW from £1,495 REFURBISHED from £949 RENTAL from £55 per month

KILN DRIED LOGS

BUY NOW – SAVE £££s  Kiln Dried Logs  Kiln Dried Logs  Kiln Dried Logs  Kiln Dried Logs  Kiln Dried Logs  Kiln Dried Logs  Kindling Wood  Kindling Wood  Kindling Wood

1 Dumpy Bag 2 Dumpy Bags 3 Dumpy Bags 1 Sack 2 Sacks 3 Sacks+ (per sack) 1 Sack 2 Sacks 3 Sacks+ (per sack)

£165 £290 £405 £13 £25 £12 £8 £15 £7

Prices Include V.A.T.

Kiln Dried Logs  Burn More Efficiently Give More Heat  Light Easily  Burn Cleanly

• Entrance £5 (under 16s free) - cash if possible

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY with orders over £50

Online Ordering Available

There is plenty of parking which is free For further information ring Carolyn on 01963 440344 (if no reply ring 07561 650608)

 01458 251476

Proceeds to the The Parish Church of St Luke and St Teresa, Wincanton

ricky@sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk www.sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk

4 THE VISITOR April 2022

To be held in the spacious park at Yarlington House. An opportunity to buy plants from specialist growers and dealers from all over the South West – plus a selection of unusual annuals on the Yarlington House stall. A special day out for all garden enthusiasts and a chance to explore the beautiful flower garden and walled kitchen garden which will be open.

Tea, coffee and cake available all day. Plant raffle.

Mentioned in

Dispatches is quite some achievement!

The event is not just any old plant sale - specialist growers and dealers from all over the southwest will be attending and provide the opportunity to purchase rare and unusual plants. The Yarlington House stall is also a big draw and is stocked with home-germinated and grown-on plants – many interesting and unusual flower annuals and perennials, as well as numerous vegetable varieties.

The fair is an annual highlight for keen gardeners and also provides a special day out for garden enthusiasts. There is the chance to explore the beautiful

flower garden and walled kitchen garden which will be open. The Count and Countess have lived at Yarlington House since 1961 and have developed the gardens over a long period of time – introducing, among other things, a ha-ha, a sunken garden, hedges-on-stilts, and most recently a beautiful wild-flower meadow.

The result is an extremely attractive combination of formal and informal areas. The walled kitchen garden is a short distance from the house and is cultivated to provide an abundance of fruit and vegetables. This year the fair will be set in the spacious park (to allow plenty of space between stall-holders). The fair runs from 10am to 4pm with tea, coffee and cake available all day.

Entrance is £5 (under 16’s free) – payment can be taken by cash or card-reader. All the money raised goes to charity – this year funds will go to the Church of St Luke and St Teresa in Wincanton.

SOS Africa’s 124ft abseil challenge will return to Wells Cathedral on the 4th, 5th, 10th & 12th June 2022 Yarlington Plant Fair & Open Garden is Saturday 7th May.

Following the success of the 2019 abseil during which 350 brave participants raised an incredible

£60,000, the event is back by popular demand.

Throughout this year's Queen's Platinum Jubilee Event, abseilers will descend from the North-West tower dressed in royal attire. The freefall abseil was initially scheduled to take place in autumn 2021 but had to be postponed due to rapidly increased COVID-19 infection rates.

Organisers, SOS Africa and abseil instructors, Aardvark Endeavours hope that this summer event will give everyone something to look forward to and the opportunity to support 3 causes close to many of our hearts: education, heritage and healthcare. To participate, each abseiler is required to pay a £20

deposit to cover instructor’s fees and raise £100 per person. To enter as an individual or team, please contact event organiser Matt Crowcombe by email (matt@sosafrica.com) with the following information: Full name of abseiler or team leader • Abseiler / team leader email address • Preferred abseil date / time (9am – 5pm on 4th, 5th, 10th or 12th June 2022)• Transfer a £20 deposit per abseiler to: SOS Africa, 40-47-28, 32032554.

Abseil from the iconic Wells Cathedral in celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Event and help raise vital funding for the SOS Africa, Wells Cathedral and The Forever Friends Appeal - RUH Bath.

THE VISITOR April 2022 5

Mentioned in

Dispatches Matt will then confirm your abseil date/time, set up your online fundraising page and answer any questions you might have before the event.

‘CRAFT – Somerset Portraits and Voices’ An Exhibition & Book

by Kate Lynch

Kate Lynch is a Somerset artist who made her name celebrating local farming traditions in paintings and drawings, accompanied by stories she

collects from the people she meets.

She has celebrated willow growers and basket makers, shepherds, beekeepers, peat diggers, cidermakers and cheesemakers in her many exhibitions and books.

Kate is now working on a new collection, ‘CRAFT – Somerset Portraits and Voices.’ In this latest journey Kate is meeting people practising old crafts and trades in Somerset; some of which are very rare. Amongst them is the only remaining sieve and riddlemaker in the country.

Exmoor is home to the only handmade paper mill powered by a waterwheel.

And in Castle Cary is one of the last companies in the world weaving horsehair. Bell rope makers, bee skep makers and

The Night Shift, Mark Melbourne firing the kiln at John Leach Pottery, Muchelney.

brushmakers are also increasingly rare yet still found in Somerset.

Kate said: “I feel privileged to have spent time in the workshops of some of Somerset’s finest craftspeople, watching them at work and

hearing their stories. My charcoal drawings and paintings are my tribute to their knowledge and time-honoured skills.”

The exhibition of this new collection, ‘CRAFT – Somerset Portraits and Voices’, is on now at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, and will run until 5 June 2022.

Sam Astill, Head of Museums at the South West Heritage Trust said: “Somerset has a rich craft tradition reflected in the museum collections. There is concern that some crafts are disappearing, and this project shines a light on people who are keeping traditional skills alive and finding new markets in this digital age.

With a growing interest in the hand crafts and the provenance of the goods, this is a timely project.”

There are 30 traditional craftspeople featured in the project. As well as the crafts mentioned, there are blacksmiths, farriers, potters, hedgelayers, basketmakers, stone carvers, dry stone wallers, glass blowers and thatchers.

For more information visit www.srlm.org.uk.

Jonny Tapp - Brushmaker, tool restoration and handmade woodwork, Bruton.

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 6 THE VISITOR April 2022

THE VISITOR April 2022

7

Mentioned in

Dispatches As Raw As, natural dairy free chocolate made in Somerset

As Raw As, Lovingly handmade in a dedicated Somerset kitchen, there are 5 flavours of these artisanal Easter eggs to choose

from– each one unique! Wrapped in home compostable packaging and neatly packaged in a reusable/recyclable bag. You can purchase online at www. asrawas.com or find them at: www.pinsentsdeli.co.uk, www. teals.co.uk and www.provenance online.co.uk.

Spring at Sandys Furniture Warehouse, Gillingham

Sandys Furniture Warehouse on Station Road, Gillingham keeps on going from strength to

THE BUTTERCROSS TEAROOMS

strength thanks to the Visitor magazine bringing in new customers and dealers alike every month.

As their turnover gets bigger they buy more stock of antiques, collectables, furniture etc. With a growing reputation that they have the piece you want at a very good price! They are growing the reputation with the shop the same way as they grew it on household removals. Always a good job at fair prices!

Phone 01747 822077 or visit them at Somdor House, Station Road, Gillingham where you will find that bargin!

Queen Camel May Day Fair

Market Place, Somerton (01458) 273168 Homemade Cakes & Scones Morning Coffee, Cream Teas Lunch Served 12 – 3pm Open: Tue – Sat 9am – 5pm

Monday 2 May is the first ever Queen Camel Vintage & Makers Fair from 10am to 3pm on the village playing fields. As well as handmade arts and crafts and vintage goods there will be a classic car display, hot and cold food including pizzas from Ethic Street Pizza, refreshments, a cake stall and cream teas.

Entry to the public is free, the organisers are asking makers and

Willowfields, Lowerside Lane, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 9GY 01458 831020 28 High Street, Butleigh, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8SY 01458 850654 or Street 01458 443677 Pound Pool, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 6LZ 01458 272297 or Langport 01458 250509 www.forseyandson.co.uk

8 THE VISITOR April 2022

traders to contribute £20 and classic car owners to contribute £10 towards funds to replace the village's ageing children's play equipment. Makers and traders should contact quilterdown@bt internet.com for more information.

Get creative at the Somerton Music & Arts Festival

Somerton’s Art & Photography exhibition provides an opportunity to give vent to those creative juices at a series of workshops and forums to run alongside the main exhibition.

Courses include a digital art workshop, felting, drawing, crocheting and flower arranging as well as special craft sessions for children teaching them to make bracelets or bookmarks.

“It’s a great opportunity for everybody to get involved in the creative process.” says festival chairman Fred Bassett.

The main exhibition, which is a precursor to the Somerton Music & Arts Festival, runs at the Parish Rooms in Somerton from 28th May until 4th June and will showcase the work of local artists, sculptors and needleworkers. It is free to attend and visitors will be encouraged to vote for their favourite pieces, many of which will be for sale.

After an absence of two years, the Art & Photography event is already proving popular with more than 100 local artists showing their work and 500 visitors expected to attend the exhibition.

“The local community has welcomed the return of the exhibition, but places are limited on some of the workshops, so we’d recommend booking early!” warns Bassett.

Full details of workshop dates and how to book tickets can be found on the festival website at www.somertonartsfestival.co.uk, along with information for artists on how to submit their work to

THE VISITOR April 2022 9

Mentioned in

Dispatches the exhibition. Tickets can be bought at Rocket 68 in Somerton as well as online.

The Vintage Bazaar Saturday April 23rd at the Cheese and Grain Visiting ‘The Spring Vintage Bazaar’ in Frome, Somerset is a

wonderful way to blow away the winter cobwebs and indulge in a bit of eco-friendly retail therapy.

At this unique event you can purchase from some of the country’s best dealers in vintage textiles, decorative antiques and French brocante as well as a handpicked selection of designer makers.

The Vintage Bazaar has been running for over ten years and has earned a reputation for not only providing the best quality vintage but also for the show stopping displays each dealer puts on. It has become a firm favourite with fashion and

interior designers as well as makers and vintage afficionados who come to source decorative antiques, vintage fabrics and ephemera.

The event takes place at the Cheese and Grain in Frome, Somerset which is a busy town packed with independent shops, vintage haunts, galleries and fabulous coffee shops.

The Cheese and Grain is right

in the middle of the town with ample parking outside making it easy to deposit your purchases before exploring what the town has to offer.

Doors open at 9am until 2pm on Saturday April 23rd at The Cheese and Grain, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BE . For more information, please visit the dedicated website at www. thevintagebazaar.co.uk.

Find some of the country’s best dealers in vintage textiles, decorative antiques and French brocante as well as a handpicked selection of designer makers at The Vintage Bazaar on Saturday 23rd April.

10 THE VISITOR April 2022

Dating Tips for Spring with Alison from Just Somerset Introductions

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Daffodils are out and the countryside is coming back to life with new growth now winter is over. We had a social walk at Stourhead very recently and great to see them there, and before long the other spring shrubs will be out. We also went ten pin bowling, theatre trips, Sunday lunch or a midweek lunch meet to name a few.

Not long and it will be Easter and we’ll have some great

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

By John Osborne  Answers can be found on page 27  1) Which Dutch port did the 'Beautiful South' sing about?

2) Which Beatles song starts ‘How Does It Feel to Be, One of the Beautiful People?’

3) Name the year in which ‘Killer Queen’ was first released by Queen.

4) Who was at number 1, 20 years ago this month with ‘Unchained Melody’? (April 2002)

www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

5) Name the former member of the Eagles who sang about the ‘Boys of Summer’.

EMMA HOWE MYSTIC

6) Who sang lead on the Doobie Brothers classic ‘What a Fool Believes’?

7) Which rockers sang about ‘My Brother Jake’?

CLAIRVOYANT

8) ‘Dreaming of Me’, ‘New Life’, ‘Just Can't Get Enough’.

The first three singles released by which band?

(Established 25 years)

9) Name the Irish band that consists of Jim, Caroline, Sharon and Andrea.

•Telephone or personal readings

10) Which band spent four weeks at number 1 in 1995 with ‘Fairground’?

Anorak Bonus Question Name the shortest song ever to appear on BBC TV's ‘Top of the Pops’ – and the band that performed it.

weather and the summer to look forward to! Now is a great time to get out and meet new people, make new friends and maybe a new relationship. Just Somerset is a Professional Introductions and friendly dating agency. We offer one to one intros and socials as we can in a professional, caring and confidential way which all starts with an interview in your own home.

For more information please see our website. We cover several counties and you can meet members throughout the group.

Have a very Happy Easter and hope to hear from you soon!

•International press reviews

Chill-Out Somerset 3x2.qxp_Ad-style 21/05/2018 14:04 Page 1

01458 830276 07881 088664

Golden Anorak Bonus Question Name the band that inspired the song in the previous question.

The inspiration behind this poem is: how this clever bird manages instinctively to stay one step ahead of its competitors both human and feathered!

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

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

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 27 THE VISITOR April 2022 11

Crewkerne Business Focus Regency Care & Mobility

REGENCY CARE & Mobility reliably provides an assortment of mobility products and equipment to help make life easier.

Situated in Crewkerne, Somerset, their range of scooters, chairs, beds, and stairlifts are designed to get rid of the stigma that's associated with disability.

They provide a range of items that help you or your loved ones maintain independence on a dayto-day basis.

Backed by more than 15 years of experience, they're Acorn™ approved and are always happy to provide professional advice.

What's more, they also offer free

home demos and delivery services so you don't have to worry about a thing. This allows you to test the products to ensure that they're suitable before you go ahead with the purchase.

Alternatively, visit their friendly advisers in-store and try out the products there.

A wide range of mobility aids in stock at Regency Care & Mobility.

My Bestie Pets - The Pet Shop for all Companions Let’s talk Harnesses ... An improper fit of a dog’s harness can inhibit your dog’s movement as well as causing sores, making walkies an uncomfortable experience rather than positive and joyous.

A harness that is old, worn or too loose can allow your precious dog to slip out giving loss of control when you need it most putting them at risk of theft, being hit by a car, unwanted attention, getting spooked and/or becoming lost.

Choosing the correct type of harness for your dog can be confusing. Buying a harness off

the internet or in the absence of your dog can be a game of Russian roulette.

My Bestie stock a huge selection of different types, styles & brands to ensure you go away with the correct harness for the needs of both you and your dog.

Come and see us for a no obligation harness check and/or fitting. They look forward to seeing you both!

My Bestie Pet Shop, 10 The George Shopping Centre, Crewkerne. Somerset TA18 7LU. Tel: 01460 77106 or email info@mybestiepets.co.uk, www.mybestiepets.co.uk. Find on Facebook: @myBestiesPetShop Crewkerne and Instagram: mybestiepetshop.

My Bestie stock a huge selection of different harnesses for you to try.

Chalmers & Co Chartered Accountants

Chalmers & Co is a leading firm of Chartered Accountants based in South Somerset but serving Somerset, Dorset and Devon.

As a long-established practice they have, for over 100 years, 12 THE VISITOR April 2022

been helping local people with their business, financial and taxation needs. They balance the digital era with their human touch to ensure compliancy as well as the benefits that come from working with real people.

Contact them to book your FREE initial consultation on 01460 279000 or info@chalmers accountants.co.uk.

Visit www.chalmers accountants.co.uk.

climbing a ladder to paint your wooden window frames, why not kill two birds with one stone and save money on your energy bills too? Double glazed PVCu windows are very low maintenance and provide greatly

improved thermal values!

AllGlass & Glazing offer lots of styles and colours of frames that are compatible with all types of properties. They also offer Secondary Glazing which is ideal for Listed and character buildings

where PVCu frames are not an option.

To find out more or for a no obligation quote, give AllGlass & Glazing a call on 01460 73570.

They are open Mon-Fri, 8am5pm.

All Glass & Glazing

Spring has sprung and warmer weather is on its way! If you want to enjoy the sun rather than spend your precious free time

Crewkerne Aqua Centre offers a wide range of services including, 25+ station Gym, a variety of exercise classes, a heated 25m swimming pool and a warm and comfortable learner pool, all at a very reasonable price. Be sure to check their most up to date Timetable before visiting.

THE VISITOR April 2022 13

Crewkerne Business Focus

Crewkerne Cards in the centre of Crewkerne.

Crewkerne Cards

Crewkerne Cards is an established independent business operating in the heart of the market town of Crewkerne. They offer a huge choice of quality, specialist greeting cards for every

special occasion, ranging from your immediate family to that special friend with seasonal (like Easter) and special occasions (like Weddings) as featured displays.

They also have in store a selection of gift wrap, gift bags, pretty present boxes, bows, ribbon, balloons, tissue paper, birthday candles and Confectionery (a huge choice including toffees, winter mixture, butterscotch, Chocolate Brazils) which Customers keep coming back for, time and time again.

They also operate a DPD parcel service to allow pickup and drop off parcels. Come by for a warm welcome.

Don’t leave writing your will until it’s too late

If you don’t have a will or it hasn’t been updated your estate may not pass in the way you expect or want. Not having a will means your estate passes via intestacy with nothing going to charities, friends, even your partner (if you’re not married/civil partners).

If its old, then you may have excluded your children/ grandchildren or made provision for people you don’t see any more.

At Stokes Partners LLP they can review your circumstances and draft a will that does what you want. The team can also advise you on Lasting Powers of Attorney, estate planning and assist with inheritance disputes.

They are proud to provide the highest standard of services to their clients.

Don’t leave writing a will too late.

14 THE VISITOR April 2022

Identifying Cap Badges by Graham Bandy, this is a rather special reference, but apparently a comprehensive one, which I am sure will find its way onto the shelves of many historians with military interests.

As I have said before, my military experience is quite limited but when I was small all of our family military relics were honourably stored in the coal shed, along with other heirlooms.

I remember in 1963, finding an old pair of ice skates which I sold to a boy at school for a shilling and six pence. He told me later that he had skated for more than a mile down the river Frome, I briefly considered getting into the winter sports outfitting business but the military side of the coal shed museum held much more promise.

There was a large picture of my Uncle Will, made just before he left for Gallipoli and later Palestine. He was in uniform but capless, so even if I had this book then I would not have been able to identify his regiment. The family legend was that he volunteered to go with T E Lawrence to Akabar, but he was overlooked in favour of Arab tribesmen.

More interestingly, there was a 1893 Enfield-Martini service rifle, very rusty but probably in working order, but for the fact that the ammunition was no longer made. The bullets were .455 gauge, like small artillery shells. This rifle was thought to have seen used in the 2nd Boar War. Also there was a Turkish bayonet which I speculate was pillaged at Beersheba in

Palestine. This weapon was later used on our small farm near Frome in hand to hand combat with the local rat community. I will not go into detail, but it required a still moonless night, and involved a lighted candle in a jam jar to attract the enemy.

Perhaps Luca’s mistress would be interested to learn more of the campaign strategy!

But, back to cap badges - one day when trying to find a few lumps of intact coal amongst the tarry Radstock dust I found a badge with a bugle and the word “JELLALABAD” inscribed upon it. I was told that my Great Uncle Fred had been in the Somerset Light Infantry so it was probably his. He went on to work for the pork butchers at the top of Whittox Lane upon retirement from the service.

Graham Brandy’s book tells us that the concept of the Light Infantry was introduced into the British Army during the late 18th century and I also learned that Light Infantry soldiers were known as riflemen not privates.

A Light Infantry badge was signified by the bugle horn (aka hunting horn), taken from the Prussian skirmishing troops who used it to signal to each other.

“JELLALABAD” - yes the Somerset Light Infantry won their battle honours there in 1842 during the First Afghan War. This war followed an early British (East India Company) act of Afghani regime change which classically back fired. They took Kandahar in 1839, with little resistance. This was just eight years after Arthur Conolly’s trek from the Caucasus to the Khyber, when he coined the phrase “the Great Game”.

At that time the “game” was to protect India from a Russian invasion, not as now allowing western oil and gas companies to attempt to ship vast quantities of Central Asian gas across this benighted country to China and India.

The Somerset Light Infantry won its honours at the siege of Jellalabad for its skills, largely it is said, in rounding up flocks of local sheep to keep the garrison fed. Hence the oft told story that the hymn “The sheep shall safely graze” was always sung at the regiment's departing service when leaving a theatre of activity.

Return of a Native by Vron Ware subtitled Learning from the Land is our second book. I do not think that Vron has learned much from the land, at least that part of it near her old home in Wildhern.

I was struck by this quite early in the book (page 24) where she incorrectly describes the Clay with Flints geology which overlies the Chalk and has an important influence on the landscape nearby. This once enigmatic stratum appears consistently on top of the chalk hills throughout the south of England. This relatively thin clay layer arrived as a flowing mass of mud washed from in front of the melting glaciers to the north, collecting flints from the eroded chalk as it passed over. This erosion and deposition just preceded the Alpine Orogeny which formed the southern Downs, and the London Basin.

What remained was a sheet of mud which dried out and became a layer of stiff clay (with Flints) atop the hills. The largest part of this deposit was washed from the hillsides, into the valleys and combes within the chalk, forming soft clay alluvium, and providing a bonanza of easily won flints for Neolithic man.

Perhaps it is unfortunate that this book has fallen into the hands of a book reviewer whose day job is that of soil mechanics, hence my focus on this jarring inaccuracy. Vron’s strap line is answers in the soil, but what is the question?

Poor William Cobbett (17631835), the farmer from Farnham, is not a favourite of Vron. I think maybe because he thought more of the “factory slaves” of England than those who went west as part of the African trade. To me this is wrong as Cobbett did more than most to bring to the attention of the then government the plight of the poor in the depressed post Napoleonic wars period.

His “Rural Rides” is the best account I know of these difficult times and his visit to Frome is well worth a read. His “Political Register" greatly informed the working class of the reasons for their plight in the early 19th century. He campaigned for better economic conditions, which he hoped parliamentary Reform would bring - some hope.

Cobbett’s early efforts to publish accounts of parliamentary debate indirectly led to the creation of Hansard.

He also campaigned to reverse Enclosures of some common land.

However, I could not find a single reference to the Enclosures Acts in the book whereas in the entire history of England these Acts were probably the greatest creators of enhanced rural poverty and promoters of wealth for the few.

I found the inclusion of an account of the 2019 Andover fire at the Ocado warehouse of interest.

This is woke history at its best, or worst, depending on ones point of view.

THE VISITOR April 2022 15

Family Health with

Jenna Evans

CONTINUING THE TOUR of our marvellous heads, this month we're popping by the ears. Now, I'm sure we all know where to find our ears so let's pretend we're a sound wave bouncing around

BEHIND CLOUDS Market Place, Somerton

Lovely ladies shoes and accessories

Spring l Summer 2022 Collection

Now Arriving

 Open 10am – 4pm Tuesday – Saturday

Tel: 01458 270114

16 THE VISITOR April 2022

merrily. We'll find ourselves caught and amplified by the outer (visible) portion aka the pinna or auricle. Channelled into the external auditory canal, the tube that connects the outer ear to the middle ear, we'll bump into the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

While we're in the middle ear, let's say hello to the eustachian tube which connects to the back of the nose. The eustachian tube is lined with mucus and helps maintain equilibrium of pressure in this delicate area, which in turn aids the transfer of sound.

In the middle ear , we'll be amplified by the three small bones or ossicles – malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) and stapes (stirrup). And then it's onwards to the inner ear. There's lots of fluid to slosh around in here, inside the structures of the cochlea (with the cochlear nerve which sends audio sensory information to the brain), vestibule and semicircular canals (labyrinthine) both of which are involved in balance and movement. At the end of our

journey we'll be converted to electrical impulses and sent off to the brain.

Before we move to the pathology portion, lets have a moment of wonder as we consider some ear facts. The ears are self cleaning. The outer third of the ear canal produces cerumen (earwax), which works it's way outwards as we move the jaw to talk or eat. The 6 smallest bones of the body are found in our ears with the tiniest being the stapes.

There are thousands of miniscule hairs in the inner ear busily bringing sound and balance to our beings. It's no wonder that things may go a little awry sometimes! Let's have a look at two of the most common issues I see – tinnitus and congestion.

Tinnitus, which involves noises such as ringing and buzzing in the ears can be a very debilitating problem. There are a few causes and it is wise to get a diagnosis from your GP before self treating.

Sufferers may find that white noise machines or even having the radio on, can be helpful,

especially at night when these noises can be unbearable and prohibitive of sleep. Certain supplements have proven useful in some cases including zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12, ginkgo biloba and coenzyme Q10. These supplements can also be helpful with some causes of hearing loss and vertigo. For catarrhal issues in the ears and sinuses it is also useful to get to the root of the problem. This may be environmental, due to infection or food intolerances. I have found the herb plantago helpful for drying up chronic catarrh and the tissue salt combination Q as a useful all rounder. Food intolerance can be addressed by keeping a food diary or following a food elimination diet. At Ceres we also have a lady who comes into the shop regularly to provide intolerance tests. Hopi ear candling is popular. They provide a gentle vacuum to suck out blocked earwax and you can see a therapist or self treat at home – do not use if you have a perforated eardrum. There are some wonderful drops made from

Sweat - Sculpt - Rock - with Pound. Classes are at Wincanton Memorial Hall 7pm on Mondays, Broadstone conservative club 7pm on Tuesdays, Marnhull British Legion 7pm on Wednesdays, Okeford Fitzpaine Village Hall 5.45pm Thursdays and Motcombe Village Hall 9am on Wednesdays.

MSM & Silver that can be used to clear earwax and s o o the inflammation in the ears. I always have a bottle of these at home in the first aid chest and they can also be used in the eyes.

For more information on any of the above, do pop in and have a chat with us! Happy Easter everyone, see you all next month. © Jenna Evans 2022

Anytime Fitness Yeovil celebrates 4th anniversary

Popular gym located on Frederick Place to mark 4th anniversary with special open event including challenges, giveaways, tasters and more!

Anytime Fitness Yeovil is celebrating its 4th anniversary since opening its doors in Yeovil!

The popular gym, located on Frederick Place, will mark the anniversary with a special event at the gym on the 22nd-24th of April which will include challenges, giveaways, class tasters and more!

Since opening in 2018, Anytime Fitness Yeovil has totalled over 166,574 gym visits from people in the local community whilst providing welcoming facilities for them to achieve their health and fitness goals.

“We’re delighted to celebrate our 4th anniversary with the local community,” said Anytime Fitness Yeovil owner William Arnstein. “Without our members, this wouldn’t be possible, and we’d like to thank them for all of their support since we opened.”

“Our celebration event is a

great chance to give something back to both our members and the wider community, with challenges, tasters and offers which are not to be missed! We look forward to many more anniversaries in the future and continuing to provide guidance a nd s u ppo r t to e ve r yo n e in achieving their health and fitness goals.”

To try Anytime Fitness Yeovil, claim a free one-day pass at https://www.anytimefitness.co.uk/ gyms/uk-0300/yeovil-south-westba20-1ld.

Needful Things, Castle Cary

The team at Needful Things want to do something to help the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and have decided on a simple idea; they are asking you to 'Light a Candle for Ukraine'. In times

of great darkness, the smallest flicker of light has always been a powerful symbol of hope.

So Needful Things will donate 10% of all their candle sales from now to the end of April to the DEC Appeal. It doesn't matter if you simply buy a mini church candle for £1.50, or a beautifully boxed gift-candle for £34.99, or any candle in between ... whichever you choose, they will give 10% of each and every candle purchase to this vital and urgent cause.

Every little helps and so they ask you: “please, help us to help them and next time you're in town, pop in and choose a candle.

We will confirm the total donated on our facebook and instagram social media on 30.04.22 (find us @needfulthingsofcastlecary) THANKYOU!”

Ward & Sibley - the jewellers of Yeovil.

The Jewellers of Yeovil AS GOOD AS NEW! Our repair section of the business is pleased to offer:  Complete refurbishment of jewellery – soldering charms onto bracelets, sizing rings, repairing chains, jewellery cleaning  Watch repairs including battery replacements  Jewellery handmade to your own design  Seal, hand, and machine engraving  Valuations for insurance and probate  Pearl and bead re-threading

THE CASKET, 103 MIDDLE STREET, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065

“ Where customer care comes first”

Customer parking at rear of shop

THE VISITOR April 2022 17

The health benefits of being outdoors

Spending time outdoors or bringing nature into your everyday life will greatly benefit your wellbeing. For example, doing things like growing food or flowers, exercising outdoors, watching birds and being around animals can have lots of positive effects. It can: •Improve your mood & reduce feelings of stress or anger •Lower blood pressure •Help you feel more relaxed •Aid better sleep •Improve focus – the natural world allows our brains to take a break from all that mentally drains us •Improve physical fitness levels because you are more active •Help us heal quicker – following illness or surgery people who have spent time outdoors during their recovery needed

Healthy Heart Tips from the

Health Promotion & Education Team at Heart Research UK

Getting Active

Regular physical activity is strongly associated with a reduced risk of chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes as well as improving mental health.

Even small increases in physical activity can positively impact on health. Heart Research UK have some tips to help you keep active.

Avoid long periods of inactivity

Set a timer to go off at specific times throughout the day to prompt you to do ten (or more) minutes of physical activity. Any activity is better than none.

18 THE VISITOR April 2022

fewer pain killers and recovered more quickly •Boost our intake of Vitamin D which comes from sunlight – it is essential for bone growth and helps regulate our immune system •Support aging - adults over 70 who spent time outdoors experienced fewer sleep difficulties, complained less about aches and pains, and enjoyed improved mobility and ability to perform daily activities •Connect you with other people as you pass by and say hello There are many walking groups and regular organised Health Walks where you can meet with others and have a guided walk led by a trained leader. These are a great opportunity to be outdoors, connecting with other people and making new friends. To find out where your local health and walking groups are in South Somerset you can call South Somerset District Council on 01935 462462, visit https:// www.southsomerset.gov.uk

/media/5354/step-out-and-joinour-health-walks-19.pdf or you can call Somerset Activities and Sports Partnership on 01823 653990, https://www.sasp. co.uk/health-walks.

As a rural county, we are blessed to have some wonderful places to visit such as nature reserves - Somerset Wildlife Trust – for information about wildlife reserves call 01823 652400 or email enquiries@somersetwildlife .org or go to their website: https://www.somersetwildlife.org/ wildlife/nature-reserves.

RSPB reserves – for information about RSPB reserves call 01767 680551 or go to https://www.rspb.org.uk/reservesand-events.

Carymoor Environmental Centre is a nature conservation and environmental education charity based near Castle Cary.

Over 25 years, Carymoor has transformed 80 acres of capped landfill into a species-rich nature reserve with woodland, ponds, and meadows. Carymoor runs regular volunteer days enabling people to get outside to connect

with nature and take part in a range of traditional conservation activities. From hedge-laying and coppicing in the winter, to planting trees and managing the wildflower meadows in the summer; there is something suitable for all ages and abilities.

Get in touch if you’d like to join the friendly team, help wildlife and improve your own health and wellbeing too. To find out more visit www.carymoor.org.uk or email info@carymoor.org.uk or call 01963 350143.

Acts of Random Kindness (ARK) is a land-based facility at Egwood, near the village of Merriott in South Somerset. It’s on 12 acres of land and comprises animals, horticulture and communal buildings and offers a range of activities, experiences and support services to improve health, wellbeing and opportunities for all. To find out more visit www.arkategwood.com or email office@arkategwood.com or call 01460 391974. For more information about Wellbeing in South Somerset visit www. wellbeingsouthsomerset.org.

Change your daily commute

research.org.uk/healthy-tips.

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch .org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes2 or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers at https://heartresearch.org.uk/he art-research-uk-cookbook.

You can include a variety of light, moderate and vigorous activities. E.g. a brisk walk, situps, weight-lifting, gardening or housework.

Reduce screen time for kids

It is common for children and young people to spend too much time sitting in front of a screen.

Why not talk to your children about the importance of staying active and agree on a set amount of screen time each day/week and schedule in some time for getting active.

Don’t be a couch potato

Rather than spending your evenings sitting on the sofa without moving much, why not try a few gentle exercises, such as leg raises, while watching your favourite TV show. Try opening YouTube and searching for a quick 10 or 20 minute workout video.

Now that many of us are heading back to the workplace, try not to jump straight for the car as the main choice of travel. If you do need to drive to work, then why not park a little further away once you arrive in order to get some valuable steps in.

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www.heart

Bretts (C B Brett & Son) Bretts (C B Brett & Son) Pet and Wildlife Supplies is situated in the Old Market Carpark in Sherborne and is a long established business, trading as usual for all your pet, wild bird, hedgehog and wildlife foods and

supplies. What they don’t have in the shop they will try to get hold of for you. Bretts offers local deliveries after hours for those that can not get to the shop. Sue and her team would like to thank all of their customers for their continued support.

#NationalPetMonth: April 1 - May 2

North Dorset Cat Care

DO YOU hate taking your cat to the cattery and are worried about the price of cat sitters? Well now you can have your cats looked after in your own home by a fully insured c.r.b checked confirmed cat lover.

As cats remain in their own homes keeping them at ease, cat lover Carol will only look after 6 cats at a time so they can get full attention, including any medicinal needs.

Carol charges per visit rather than per pet, and it’s not just cats as she will also look after rabbits, guinea pigs, and hens too. You can be assured your pets are in safe caring hands as she is fully insured and DBS checked.

To get your pet care booked please call 07917 612233 or email catzarewow@gmail.com. Find out more at www.northdorsetcat care.co.uk.

Karen the proprietor at Brunel Pet Centre.

Brunel Pet Centre 5a Brunel Shopping Precinct — SOMERTON — Tel: 01458 274980 Email: info@brunel-pets.com Website: www.brunel-pets.com

Bretts Pet & Wildlife Supplies of Sherborne.

Many Brands of Dog & Cat Food Stocked Dog & Cat Treats, Toys & Beds Small Animal Foods, Treats Hay and Straw Wide Selection of Wild Bird Food & Feeders ORDERS WELCOME

If there is something you require which we don’t stock, we will endeavour to order it for you

Hate taking your cat to the cattery? Let North Dorset Cat Care take care of them at home.

THE VISITOR April 2022 19

SJH Carpets

SJH CARPETS have a wonderful selection of carpets and flooring including naturals, vinyls, woods, laminates, tiles and luxury vinyl

tiles (including Kardean, Moduleo and Harvey Maria).

They offer a free measuring and fitting service on bespoke curtains, shutters and blinds, and

work with Luxaflex to provide the latest designs, technology and safest window coverings available.

The fabric department in Wincanton has an extensive fabric library stocking Prestigious Textiles and Chatsworth Fabrics.

SJH Carpets supply and fit Roger Oates runners, Crucial Trading floorcoverings, Rubber Flooring and all traditional carpets. 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.

■ Carpets

■ Vinyls

■ Naturals

■ Woods

■ Laminates ■ Shutters and Blinds ■ LVTs: Karndean, Moduleo,

Wincanton

Harvey Maria and many other manufacturers ROLL STOCK Vinyls & Carpets now available ★ Free Estimate ★ Free Measuring ★ Professional Fitting by our own Expert Fitters ★ Friendly and Personal Service ★ Competitive Prices “Just nice people to do business with”

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

20 THE VISITOR April 2022

Customer satisfaction means everything to SJH, and they offer their full attention from selection through to end of installation care. They have local, employed fitters and 20 years plus industry experience.

For a new look in 2022 call SJH Carpets today and get your free estimate for your upcoming project.

National Decorating Month How to renovate your bathroom in the most luxurious way you can

Celebrate April’s National Decorating Month with a contemporary interior makeover.

As Spring is a time for new beginnings, National Decorating Month has come at the perfect time to declutter your home and brighten up your space with a new interior design.

If you are looking to renovate and decorate it’s best to start with the kitchen and bathrooms, as they have a huge impact on resale value. A modern interior can attract buyers and add value to your property based on the luxuriousness and practicality of the space. Opulent spa-grade bathrooms have seen an increase in demand; decorated with high quality fixtures, well-positioned mirrors and radiant lighting.

Lusso’s selection of tapware, stone basins and freestanding baths mirror the world's most luxurious hotels and will significantly increase the value and desirability of a property.

Where a bathroom is positioned in a house can significantly affect the value of a property by as much as £20,000, according to a new study. Research estimates almost 84% of people said they would pay more for a property if the bathroom was modernised or

25-26 MARKET STREET, YEOVIL

Part of Fancy a new bathroom this spring?

refurbished very recently, and on average, they would offer an additional £3,795.66.

showroom at 25 Market Street, Yeovil, BA20 1HZ, take a seat and try before you buy.

They have a wide selection of various seating and dining Rattan Hub at Fit & Furnish combinations to suit all areas of of Yeovil Claim your FREE patio heater, outdoor living spaces.

In stock now, free local delivery worth £249, with selected stocked and in some cases get 1same day rattan your 27/03/2017 Sewing Machineranges.

Services Update 5x2.qxp_Ad-style 14:30 Page Garden / Patio or Conservatory delivery within 20 miles. For with quality rattan, that is both more details go to www.rattan stylish and comfy. Visit their hub.co.uk or Call 01935 412811.

SEWING MACHINE SERVICE CENTRE Repairs & Servicing To All Makes - Domestic & Industrial Collection and Delivery Available

Embroidery Engineering Services Suppliers of Computerised Embroidery Machines Telephone: 01963 350068 • Mobile: 07947 725315 Email: robert_churches@hotmail.com UNIT 8, TORBAY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CASTLE CARY BA7 7DW

See it, Feel it, Sit in it in our Yeovil Showroom FREE same day local delivery (within 20 miles) rth Wo 49! £2

FREE patio heater on selected ranges

www.rattanhub.co.uk Part of: www.fitandfurnish.co.uk The Old Vincent’s Showroom, Market Street, YEOVIL, BA20 1HZ  01935 412811 Email: info@fitandfurnish.co.uk DIRECTIONS: from Marks & Spencer head towards Court Ash Car Park and past The Pall Tavern. Showrooms 100 yards on the right.

THE VISITOR April 2022 21

Antiques, Hobbies & Collecting The Modelling Corner at Automotive, Shaftesbury

IF YOU WANT to be successful in what you do, do something that gives you pleasure, something you love doing. That was the inspiration behind the Modelling Corner at Automotive.

In a search of something to do

with some floor space that was not very attractive, the question Automotive asked was “What would you be doing if you were not at work”. Among several answers they had was “Building a BMW M635 CSI model I have just bought from Tamiya”. It was an “EURIKA” moment. The unattractive area is now “The Modelling Corner at Automotive” In the first few months of trading the amount of business done was astounding and they have had to extend the range of models and have doubled the level of stock we carry.

They are now placing orders

The Modelling Corner at Automotive - all about doing things that give you pleasure!

monthly with the big model companies like Tamiya and Hornby with brands like Airfix, Revel and Humbrol. Initially being established in a car accessory shop the stock of models tended to be car and motorcycle orientated but demand has encouraged them to bring in military vehicles, tanks

and aeroplanes. They have the full range of Humbrol enamels and Tamiya acrylics including thinners and gloss and matt lacquers.

The range of Tamiya aerosols is increasing with every order placed. They have a range of modelling aids and tools from scalpels to spray booths and brushes to spray guns. They are also starting to supply the double OO gauge railway range, however, at this stage only to order. Whether you are a beginner or an accomplished modeller they carry kits to satisfy all levels. Their man at the counter builds models and is on hand to advise, help and encourage you in your modelling hobby.

John Hamblin, Master Cabinet Makers & Antique Furniture Restorers.

John Hamblin Bespoke Furniture Makers ● Furniture Restorers ● French Polishers

Bespoke furniture made to order, general furniture repairs & re-polishing

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

INSTANT CASH FOR YOUR OLD TOYS!

PASTIMES Of Sherborne (near the Abbey) • Over thirty years of dealing in antique and Collectible Toys • Established business paying BEST prices for old toys in any condition

ANY TOYS CONSIDERED

TOP PRICES PAID for old toys Those magical names  Britains  Matchbox  Subbuteo  Triang  Spot-On

 Dinky  Timpo  Corgi  Meccano  Hornby

Covid Safe Home Visits • Tel: 01935 816072 / 07527 074343 Email: info@pastimes-toys.co.uk 22 THE VISITOR April 2022

Ukrainian Wine

THE WORLD looks on aghast and with bated breath over the fate of the Ukrainian people in the face of fierce Russian aggression. Although it does not look like any of us will be beating a path to their borders for sun and sand any time soon, except to show humanitarian solidarity, we can at least show our support for this beleaguered country, by buying their wine. Although not well known in the UK, several brands have found their way to our shores and are worth seeking out.

Ukraine’s wine industry is wellestablished. There is evidence, through the presence of presses and amphorae, that a wine culture existed as long ago as the 4th century BC, particularly in the area of the south coast of the Crimea.

One of the advantages of vinification in amphorae is that the wine is vinified without any addition and then extracted slowly. This results in silky smooth tannins, even in grapes known for their high tannin levels, such as Mourvèdre or Malbec.

The soil around the city of Sudak (between Russia & Ukraine) was especially fertile and findings indicate that natural fermentation processes were used with wines being imported from Italy, Spain, and France, where the climate was very similar to that in the Crimea.

By contrast, in the north of the country (around Kyiv and Chernihiv), the cultivation of

grapes for winemaking really only began in the 11th century with the monks, mirroring activity in much of Europe at the time. In later centuries winemaking was also heavily sponsored by royalty.

During the reign of Empress Catherine the Great in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Count Mikhail Vorontsov planted the first wine gardens, establishing a large winery near Yalta. In 1822, Swiss winegrowers established a colony at Shabo (Chabaq) and wine from here was displayed at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, receiving a medal of recognition.

Prince Lev Golitsyn the founder of the famous sparkling wines of the region is renowned for making Russian “Champagne” after the Crimean War, on his property near Yalta.

Later, under the last Tsar Nicholas II, the predecessor of Massandra, today's state winery, was founded. During Soviet times Ukraine was the largest supplier of the wines in the USSR but this all came to an end in 1986 when many of the vineyards were destroyed; Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev had started a campaign against the over-consumption of alcohol in USSR. Since 2000, the production as well as the export of the wines, has increased rapidly. This is largely thanks to winemakers adopting modern technologies and a west European approach to winemaking, focusing on quality controls. The Southern Ukraine region of Odessa is

particularly exciting for the production of red wines.

Ukraine consists of four major wine-growing regions, and its continental climate is characterised by hot summers and severe winters, with temperatures dipping as low as minus 30° Celsius.

The largest is in an area in the southwest, around the city of Odessa which produces almost 50% of the total area. The Crimean Peninsula, on the Black Sea, is about a third of this size.

The key winegrowing regions are situated close to the Black Sea coast in Southern Ukraine as well as around the Tisza valley of Zakarpattia Oblast. Others include Crimea, home of top producer Massandra, with its extensive network of seven underground tunnels. Credited as the father of modern winemaking in Crimea, he cultivated some 600 grape varieties and made sparkling wine. At its peak, Massandra produced 10 million bottles a year and this historic winery is a popular stop for visiting VIPs. A snippet of information worth storing away for a brighter future, is that after the fall of Communism, Tim Littler, in setting up a travel company, visited the Crimea to plan a rail tour and was so impressed by both the quality and quantity of the wines that make up what is now called the ‘Massandra Collection’ he put in a huge order for them.

This business deal involved handing over large sums of cash

to a dubious Cadillac-driving Ukrainian at a dodgy airport hotel. The transaction was beleaguered by Soviet-Union bureaucracy, and the winery refused to hand over the goods as he had no ‘contract’. He ended up leaving without the wines, but his train was stopped enroute by a truck which miraculously ended months of fruitless negotiation and he was eventually able to ship it to the UK. Some of these rare vintage wines are available, at a price, from www. hedonism.co.uk Sparkling wine from the region is also much sought after, and until recently were produced around Kyiv, Bakhmut and Lviv; names we have become familiar with in recent weeks, for all of the wrong reasons.

The main grape varietals are Aligoté, Muscat, Traminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Pinot gris along with several other local varieties.

When we can once again venture to this part of the world safely, I shall plan to visit the Magarach Wine Institute, near Yalta, to sample some of their 20,000 different wines derived from 3,200 vine species.

For more a more extensive look at these fascinating wines it is worth reading these articles: https://www.jancisrobinson.com /articles/massandra-crimeasliquid-crown-jewels https://www.theguardian.com /world/2017/feb/17/easternukraine-wine-tour-war-zone-artwi nery L.P-V. THE VISITOR April 2022 23

SPRING MOTORING VINTAGE Motorcycling with Rod Hann

APRIL ALREADY and a quarter of the year has gone by so soon.

Still better weather and more events means greater enjoyment for us champions of the old vehicle movement. Time then to go out and use those vehicles but our involvement need not be restricted to pure use on the roads. For example during April my wife and I will be having a weekend on the Isle-of-Wight. We have made friends there over the years and this year I am helping with the judging at the Isle-ofWight Classic Motorcycle Show held annually at the Winter Gardens at Ventnor. A very social and pleasant weekend is assured together with meeting lots of enthusiastic owners and the interested public.

Nearer to home events are becoming more frequent. Starting with the Somerset Section they have their Cheddar Weekend on the 2nd and 3rd. Club night at Cossington on the 7th will be a guest speaker and from the 9th to the 12th they have the Twin

1957 Sun Geni Scooter.

Dragon Run which is a four day excursion into deepest Wales.

Dorset start proceedings with their Blandford Run on the 10th from The Corn Exchange. Next on the 13th will be club night at Pulham which will be in the form of a guest speaker. On the 15th (Good Friday) they have the Hot Cross Bun Run (now that sounds like my sort of event) from the Recreation Ground at Okeford Fitzpaine. From the same location on the 24th will be the Bluebell Run and a good view of the Bluebell woods is assured with so many special locations near-by.

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

The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section have their club meeting at Silton Village Hall and this will be a guest speaker and on the 17th will be the Ken Blake Memorial Run also starting at Silton Village Hall. Ken Blake was a long serving member of the VMCC and a devotee of all early machines.

Both the Wells and Westland Classic Motor Cycle Club's have a full calendar of events during April so check their web sites for details. For everything else ring me on 01935-872528.

Three days of cold but dry and sunny weather brought thousands of enthusiasts to the Bristol Classic Bike Show at the Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet over the weekend of the 25th to 27th February. As usual in excess of one thousand machines were displayed and the standard of the exhibits was superb as always.

All sorts of rare oddities were on show so for this month's photo I have chosen a very rare bike indeed. It is a 1957 Sun Geni scooter. It is owned and has been restored by Dave Betteridge from Hampshire. It features a Villiers engine and under the bodywork it sports a strong tubular steel

chassis. This model was made for a very short time, hence the fact that very few have survived.

Looking resplendent with the trendy manikin behind it paints a very period picture of days gone by.

Sun as a company started in the 1880's making frame parts for the bicycle industry. Founded by F.E. Baker and Son the company soon started making complete machines but always seemed to concentrate on the smaller capacity bikes. Never a large producer in numbers they survived until 1958 before becoming part of the Raleigh group. This would make the featured machine one of the last made by Sun. On the Headquarters VMCC club stand we showed a 1978 Honda CB750 Phil Read Replica.

About 150 such machines were made to celebrate national and international race victories by Phil Read. He became a world champion and obviously very well known throughout the motorcycling communities. The machines were well regarded and been subject to fake copies having been made.

As it happened Phil Read attended the show and spotted the machine on display. He could tell that this was one of the genuine article so promptly produced a felt tip pen and autographed the petrol tank.

Fearful of what the owner thought of this act I am glad to report that he was delighted with the signature so all was well.

The show was well presented and well attended. It is always very friendly and very sociable.

Being the only major show held in the southwest of England it is important that it should continue for many years to come. I recommend it to all enthusiasts and suggest you already make a note to attend next year.

In the meantime let's all get on with some serious riding and above all enjoy this hobby of ours.

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 24 THE VISITOR April 2022

Automotive, Shaftesbury

Automotive is an independent vehicle parts and accessories business based in Shaftesbury.

They are knowledgeable with over 25 years of experience and can help you find exactly what you need for your vehicle. What oil or coolant you would need and what quantity, The type of head light bulb or indicator bulb that is fitted, or what type and size of windscreen wiper your vehicle requires. Most of which are usually in stock. Anything unusual can normally be supplied overnight.

small cars to big commercial vehicles and can tow with a recovery truck too … he is still learning, as you never know what comes in next! After the many challenges Eric has overcome in his career to date, he has found inspiration and turned his vehicle dreams into reality by setting up his own business. For enquiries please call 07413 567975 or email ericsvehicleservices@gmail.com.

Bennetts Field Garage Ltd, Wincanton

pride themselves on being your local vehicle technician in Bennetts Field Garage Ltd is Wincanton.

With many years in this trade, your Local authorised MOT, R e p a i r , M a i n t e n a n c e a n d they are passionate about offering Servicing Centre. With their fully an excellent customer experience equipped garage and team of and high-quality work every time. h i g h l y q u a l i f i e d v e h i c l e From carrying out repairs to your technicians, they strive to achieve car to changing a tyre, they offer highest levels of customer a comprehensive range of mechanical services and always satisfaction.

From carrying out full engine aim to exceed your expectations.

If you are looking for a car overhauls to routine maintenance Phillipsworks Tyres such C-Cary 13/05/2021 Page g a r a g09:35 e in W i n c1a n t o n , c a l l as 7x2.qxp_Ad-style an oil change, they welcome all kinds of jobs, no Bennetts Field Garage Ltd on matter how big or small. They 01963 33620.

Eric of E.V.S has 40 years experience of all things vehicle related, from small cars to big commercial vehicles.

Centre Garage, Castle Cary  01963 350243 Specialists in ...

Automotive has a network of contacts that can supply parts for cars and motorcycles, new or old.

They are just as comfortable supplying bits for Bentley and Maserati as they are for Ford and Peugeot and have contacts within all the main dealers.

TYRES ✽ BATTERIES ✽ CAR KEY BATTERIES

Laser Wheel Alignment (Tracking) Computerised Wheel Balance Petrol & Diesel Available Project1_Layout 1 17/03/2022 Quality service assured at15:59 Page 1 Phillips Tyres, Castle Cary.

You can find them in Bell Street Car Park, Shaftesbury Seven days a week. Open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm and 10.00am to 1.00pm Sundays and bank holidays.

There are some great reviews on google and you can message them through Facebook or simply phone them on 01747 855701.

E.V.S

Eric’s Vehicle Services is a small local business that opened its doors on 1st December 2021 at Priddles Hill Farm, just on the outskirts of Castle Cary.

Eric has 40 years experience of all things vehicle related, from

OPENING HOURS: Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am – 2.00pm

● Tyre fitting & Repair ● 3D Wheel Alignments ● 24 Hour Recovery Service

● MOT Classes 3,4,5 L & 7 ● Diagnostics ● Engine Remapping Co

urt e Av Car sy ail ab le UNIT 10b Bennetts Field Trading Estate, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9DT Email: services@bennettsfieldgarage.co.uk Tel: 01963 33620 • www.bennettsfieldgarage.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2022 25

The

Pub Pages

BEER & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER ANYONE WHO HAS had the dubious pleasure of being a regular reader of this column over the years will have realised that I have a passion for pubs and pub games. Yes, one doesn't need to be a Sherlock Holmes to work that out! Ever since I visited our local pub in the early days of my boozing career, I was bemused by the trail of blokes in and out of the bar for beer, the cheery look

26 THE VISITOR April 2022

on the faces of one set of them by the end of the evening, and the dour look on the other, and the subsequent ‘three cheers’ which I'm pleased to say is still part of the ritual. It was only one evening when I saw a chap I was apprenticed to that I found out they were playing this mysterious games called ‘skittles’. I looked, and I was hooked! Way back in those pre-internet days of a night out for half-a-quid and petrol at 35p a gallon, the only way to find out ‘stuff’ was a visit to the library.

Yes, I spent many a happy hour poring over various tomes searching out the history.

Despite my fascination and the occasional casual game organised with my work colleagues, it was more than ten years before I joined a team to play in a league, and other than time off for injury and whilst I worked away (the perils of self-employment) play has continued. One would think, perhaps, that play (and scores) would have improved over the years, but sadly I think my peak was some thirty years ago! If you feel like dropping me a line about your experiences with the game, then please do so (via email address at end of this column).

As we related last month, we've lost a huge amount of pubs over

the years and none more so than in the last two, for obvious reasons. Sadly, most have gone for good, although I have heard that ‘The Armoury’ which effectively was one of Yeovil's ‘newest’ pubs anyway, which closed not long ago, has now reopened. I wish the hosts the very good fortunes they deserve for taking on a pub in these times.

However, I would hope that they get the phone numbers sorted very quickly as I was unable to contact them (both were ‘not recognised’) so unfortunately I cannot mention their names and their concept on the new direction that the pub will be taking (although a sneak report I have received from an informant is that the new direction is definitely the right one).

Incidentally it has one of the shortest alleys in the Yeovil skittle league, and our results there in the past variable.

Another Yeovil pub I must mention is the Quicksilver Mail.

I've known host Pete Lambden for some years and whilst we don't see each other very much, it's always good to carry on from where we left off and catch up.

His beer is always in tip-top condition (and one always gets a full pint!) and his pub is a regular in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, deservedly so. I popped in for a pint on the way back from the Theatre the other week and he

tells me it was exactly twenty years since he took the pub over.

These days that is one hell of a record and it only comes from good management and looking after the customers, so I can confirm that the sign outside the pub saying ‘Warm beer, cold food and grumpy landlord’ is in fact not quite true! Congratulations Pete; I wonder what lies in store for the next twenty?

One of the significant changes to the pub scene over those last 20 years has been the advent of the ‘craft beer’. I believe there is still some discussion over the exact definition by the more pedantic, although I would simply say ‘keg beer with flavour’.

Whilst I know that there are many now served in tins and bottles, the appearance on the bar of a font with a familiar name but unfamiliar beer is becoming more common. In case that sounds a little contradictory, the latest ‘big name’ to add to the ever increasing craft brewers is none other than Timothy Taylor’s of Keighley, West Yorkshire.

Whilst many might swoon in amazement (or disgust, even) this incredibly successful real ale brewer now produce ‘Hopical Storm’ their first-ever keg beer.

It’s described as ‘a 4% ABV aromatic, dry-hopped, modern pale ale that is citrusy and sessionable with a pleasant fruity body’. Whilst there is the word

They Say

The

Pub

That ex-Londoner Paddy Bayfield of Bradford Abbas now knows the thrill of a flopper!

Pages

BE E R & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER ‘citrusy’ in the blurb, which is often more than enough to put me off, I feel I ought to give it a try, if only to reject it as ‘another like that’! Noting the outlets for the beer one would need to travel a considerable distance to find it, so for the time being at least, a report back to you good people will be some while. As Timothy Taylor’s have produced their ‘Landlord’ bitter for so long and so successfully (remember, it's Madonna's favourite beer; true, that) it does make me wonder why they've gone down this road, but clearly they would've done the market research and thought it worthwhile.

Who knows? There may be a time when even CAMRA accept that this is the way the trends are going and will have a special award for the style at the Great British Beer Festival. After all,

That landlord Pete Lambden has been celebrating 20 years of service to the public at the Quicksilver Mail in Yeovil.

‘Landlord’ bitter has won ‘Champion Beer of Great Britain’ numerous times!

I'm always delighted to get details of leagues in other areas, and I recently received a brief on a skittle league central to the Visitor area, The Castle Cary Skittle League. The man behind it, secretary Toby Strang, has an incredible record of dedication to the game and has achieved somewhat of a record I'm sure you'll agree. He sent me a résumé as follows: ‘We are a mixed League playing 8-a-side teams and cover Shepton Mallet, Evercreech, Castle Cary, North Cadbury, Lydford, Keinton Mandeville, Somerton, East Pennard, but would love new teams entering for 2022/23 season to increase total team numbers, interested teams please contact me.

(07783134498). Some teams are all female, some all male or

Vinny remains positive

mixed. Home teams/alley provide sticker-ups. The league HQ is the White Hart, Cary. I’m now in my 57th year as Secretary. I have an excellent committee to work with’.

I think you are doing a fantastic job Toby; keep up the great work. I do hope some of you from these towns and villages are inspired to form a team and take up the game. If you are stuck for a team name, do email me as I have compiled a massive list from which to draw, some probably more suitable than others!

As I write this British Summer Time looms. Hopefully it means what we are all wishing for, so are you and your local pub prepared for games in the pub garden, or indeed, something for the children to play in one's own garden?

We've mentioned Bat and Trap, that fine Kentish game which is one of my favourites, on many occasion, and is easily in the grasp of any amateur woodworker, or how about ‘bottle pins’ with your children filling old drink bottles with water or sand and making a version of skittles.

Both these are pictured but plenty of information is available either on-line or from the Baxter crew. How about the third picture though? Whilst playing games in the road is somewhat frowned upon with today's traffic, can anyone tell me what the activity is? Cheers!

Cheers! © P.A. Baxter 2022. skittlealley@hotmail.com The Visitor CAN BE READ ONLINE: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Solution to March

Sudoku

That from their recent golfing trip to Trevose in Cornwall, the only thing the Castle Cary & Cadbury Long Sutton Lancers brought back with them for their ‘significant others’ was dirty washing and Omicron.

That Chiselborough’s Josie Hayter's recent visit to Yeovil Hospital, was just what she Kneeded!

That due to a late Christmas present, Jan Bennetts of Wells can now see the light.

That Rob Penn of Shepton Mallet is the proud owner of a little piggy.

That if you have been suffering with a nasty cough after Covid, or a common cold, try rubbing Vicks Vaporub on the soles of your feet before going to bed we don’t know how or why it works - but it does, and it will give you a good nights sleep.

ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ on page 11

1) Rotterdam 2) Baby, you’re a rich man 3) 1974 4) Gareth Gates 5) Don Henley 6) Michael McDonald 7) Free 8) Depeche Mode 9) The Corrs 10) Simply Red Anorak Bonus Question The Undertones with ‘Here Comes The Summer’ at 1 minute 28 seconds, although some versions are longer.

Golden Anorak Bonus Question The Ramones THE VISITOR April 2022 27

Spring into the Garden starting his six week escape trek through the West Country (the route of the Monarch’s Way footpath) before departing from Shoreham in Sussex for safe exile in France.

Luca's Garden

with Bridget Sudworth WE HAVE BEEN hammered.

The names of Arwen, Dudley, Eunice and Franklin will go down in history as over 8 million precious trees have been lost during these recent storms.

Branches have been ripped indiscriminately from any in the way of the violent gusts often taking their near neighbours with them. This at a time when the appalling war damage in Ukraine is adding to global environmental stress (to say nothing of the people) and every green growing thing has assumed an even greater significance. Fallen wood is often left as it provides a

Felled tree providing new life.

wealth of habitats for various species of wild life so in some sense, you might say that a dead tree provides new life for others in the natural world. A morsel of comfort, perhaps.

Luca and I have reviewed many damaged trees during his walks, particularly in a much favoured wood of ours where I was very upset to see a particular beech tree, surely an ‘ancient’ tree, with a significant branch ripped off that will cause others

LEE HOLMES GARDEN MACHINERY

AR 5 YE TY RAN R A W

 Value for money  Easy handling  Excellent cutting and finish  Comfortable  Easy to empty

15 Cary Court, Bancombe Business Park, SOMERTON Tel: 01458 274261 • www.leeholmesgardenmachinery.co.uk leeholmesgm@gmail.com leeholmesgardenmachinery

Approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

to fail soon due to the balance and overall shape having become distorted.

The definition of trees is worth noting. They have been grouped in various ways starting with the ancient, that is one that is old in years compared to the same species. Yews live probably longest so need to be 800 years whereas oaks can be considered ancient at 400 years. The appearance of such trees will usually be low, squat, gnarled and thickset. Veteran trees can be any age but show ancient characteristics; all ancient trees are veterans but not all veterans are ancient.

Heritage trees carry historical links like the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ sycamore tree in Dorset, about 320 years old, or the vestige of oak at Boscobel, Shropshire (apparently grown from an acorn from the original tree, decimated by passing tourists who wanted a bit of Charles II!) He hid in the tree on his run from the Battle of Worcester in 1651 before

Lee Holmes Garden Machinery of Somerton is a family run business that stocks a large selection of ride-on mowers. They also offer repairs, parts and servicing. Pop in to the showroom or give them a call on 01458 274261.

QUALIFIED ARBORIST

Old Oak.

A champion tree has the tallest or widest girth of its kind in a specific area (i.e. the amazing chestnuts that line the drive to the Mansion at Stourhead or a similar line of the same species at Croft Castle in North Herefordshire) while volunteer trees (which sound like useful helpers!) are those that self seed everywhere and anywhere like the beleaguered ash or sycamore.

The point of all this information about trees is to urge you gardeners to get planting with those hedgerows that I have been banging on about. Similarly, it seems hard to understand why farmers don’t plant more hedgerows along their field boundaries to replace, in time, all those miles of pig netting (no funding, perhaps?) Hedgerows grow so fast and provide immediate benefits whereas the tree replacement programme will be slow to start and slow to grow.

It’s never really too late to start planting and we can all do it.

There will be many young volunteers scattered about in every garden while gardeners are busy clearing the way for spring planting, all of which can be redistributed in more suitable

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE AND DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL

TREE PLANTING

PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660 28 THE VISITOR April 2022

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

Churchyard Yew.

Spring into the Garden that early cutting back and pruning of the hydrangeas has not left them grumpy with frost damage and they are all covered with promising buds.

Keep an eye on local providers of bedding plants and particularly veggie options as they sell fast and are a better choice for smaller gardens if you only want half a dozen of something rather than growing from seed and ending up with 500!

Perhaps after April has passed, we can all relax a little with regard to what weather might come our way; when small plants are better established, they can stand up to unexpected variations on the theme of rain, wind and snow. Fingers crossed for a good growing season!!

Ben Johnson Garden Machinery, good for the EGO

Avoid the rocketing fuel costs and cut your grass the EGO way. The Ego Z6 has a 42” cut, with zero turn. The promotion offer available at Ben Johnsons means it comes with 15amp battery power, which is enough to cut approx 1250sq meters. At a 42” cut it’s extremely quick, with various cutting speeds, and side discharge or mulching options.

It even comes with cup-holders and a phone charging point, as well as cool LED lights!

The same batteries fit all Ego products, see the full range of lawn mowers, hand held and power products at Ben Johnson Garden Machinery of Shaftesbury.

Holm Oak as bus shelter.

places while still small enough to take the shock of being moved.

Only yesterday, Luca and I were clearing the veg plot - he too was very busy digging, in the right place this time, till fatigue overwhelmed him and he lay down for a rest which was very companionable of him, while I kept finding small hawthorns and young hollies tucked in underneath clumps of forget-menots, the former now shoved into the new hedge line. Thank you to the birds for spreading the seeds!

There is an odd feeling this Spring that winter hasn’t really happened yet so heed the warning I gave last month about our increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. The geraniums are out of the greenhouse now though they will need to be a bit protected in order not to have their new young foliage crushed

by snow! Seeds can go in with abundance provided there is somewhere to plant the results!

Moss has been raked off the lawn though not yet finished, there is more to come; the piles were heaped up along the back hedge and have since been carefully sorted by the birds. It may provide bedding for nest building along with Luca’s fine grooming surplus! I am at least grateful

The EGO Z6 has a 42” cut with zero turn and is available at Ben Johnson Garden Machinery, Shaftesbury.

Full ground preparation and laying service available The Farmhouse, Somerton Door, SOMERTON, TA11 6JA Tel/ Fax: 01458 272091 April veg plate.

www.evergreen-turf.co.uk • info@evergreen-turf.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2022 29

Spring into the Garden Hunt Forest Group

Hunt Forest Group offer years of experience providing sales and support to the Agricultural, Professional Turf, Construction and Homeowner industries as the largest John Deere dealership in the South and South West. The branch at Sparkford specialises in Professional Turf and Homeowner products.

With a huge portfolio of John Deere ride-on mowers from lawn tractors to the more agile ZTrak

zero-turn mower. They also have a wide variety of battery and petrol-powered machines on display from Stihl & Husqvarna in their purpose-built showroom.

With an extensive range of strimmer’s, brush cutters, chainsaws and leaf blowers customers can be sure they have a product solution for any task.

Backed up by their in-branch parts department, they stock a wide range of wearing parts and consumables. Their service

Inside the Hunt Forest Group Sparkford Branch.

30 THE VISITOR April 2022

technicians can offer winter check-ups, mower servicing, blade sharpening and a plethora of other service options to ensure your machinery is kept in top condition.

Moggs of Wells (Engineering) Ltd, Shepton Mallet

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

Spring into the Garden

Moggs of Wells stock a wide range of garden machinery including ride-on mowers.

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).

they offer and the benefits for our wellbeing and mental health, with one statistic stating the overall spend for ‘all things gardening’ had risen 70% during the pandemic.

I have noticed with current garden design enquiries there is a real desire for colourful borders and raised beds by clients wanting to grow their own fruit and veg for the family to enjoy.

This positive trend is here to stay, with the realisation of the wellknown saying: ‘Homegrown tastes best,’ being far from a myth!

If you are planning a new garden design project or thinking about updating your garden

borders, then visit my website at www.sandhurstgardendesign. co.uk.

Yenstone Walling

Yenstone Walling is a family run business based in South Somerset, offering a professional and reliable service with a smile where both small and large jobs

are undertaken.

These include all types of stone walling and paving including boundary walls, retaining walls, garden features / projects, cladding of existing buildings / structures, steps, insurance work, lime and mortared walls, repairs, contemporary / traditional stone cladding and landscaping.

Two examples of work completed by Yenstone Walling & Landscaping.

Spring in the Garden with Julie at Sandhurst Garden Design

At last spring is here and time to enjoy the seasonal bulbs you planted last autumn, now looking glorious in the April sunshine.

Last year as a nation we saw a huge increase in the popularity of our gardens and outdoor spaces, recognising the sanctuary

THE VISITOR April 2022 31

Remember when ... 30 years ago from Mean greens

TOWARDS THE END of 1991 South Somerset District Council published The Better Way, a 16page booklet providing a practical guide to recycling domestic waste, at a time when the Government had set a target of 25% of all household waste being recycled by the year 2000.

In the April 1992 Visitor this joint initiative with the local Friends of the Earth was the subject of a two-page review and critique by Penny Price who sees The Better Way as only a stopgap. ‘In its A-T of local opportunities to recycle and reuse, the booklet makes constructive suggestions and gives useful addresses’ but ‘my wish is that Somerset was ready for another publication called The Best Way.’ Ahead of her time perhaps, she says The Best Way would extol the virtuous necessity of acquiring fewer worldly goods in the first place, thus diminishing the post-consumer waste problems. ‘It would say how green it is to be mean and do without new things.’

Hall site in sight

Back in the 1980s the residents of Ansford and Castle Cary had 32 THE VISITOR April 2022

been feverishly fundraising to build a much-needed place in their local community to hold meetings, events and a range of public and private functions. And seeking a suitable site for the building. The April 1992 Visitor reported the good news that ‘at last they have found the perfect spot opposite Ansford Community School at Maggs Lane’ and have bought it with the help of the district council. The article added that local architect Nigel Begg had drawn up ‘exciting plans which reflect all that is good in new design whilst fitting in with existing local buildings’, marking the start of the final drive to get Caryford Community Hall built and in use as quickly as possible.

But ‘£75,000 is still needed to ensure the plans become reality’.

feel of a separate fish shop. ‘The nicest thing is, you can now buy your fish from a face instead of a fridge’ and ‘you can talk to the face and receive all sorts of info and advice’. But one not-sopleasing feature was identified by another writer in the magazine. ‘Where is the most expensive car park in Yeovil?’ he asked. His answer: ‘Tesco!

Anyone who thought all that space would help relieve Yeovil’s parking problems has had a rude awakening,’ he explained. ‘The charge is £5 per hour unless you are shopping at Tesco, and even then you are allowed only two hours ... consequently the opening of this vast superstore almost in the heart of Yeovil is probably contributing nothing to the town’s retail centre.’

Pheasants at night

General Election

A feature in the April 1992 Visitor kindled happy memories of one of Sherborne’s premier restaurants, famed for its speciality cuisine evenings. Sadly long since closed, in 1992 The Pheasants Restaurant on Greenhill had just added five bedrooms for overnight guests.

According to the owners, Andrew and Michelle Overhill, ‘the decorations are tasteful and individual in each room with many of the listed building’s original features being retained.

Two of the rooms have exposed fireplaces with floral arrangements, one has a window seat and all have beamed ceilings.’ Bed and breakfast for two in an en-suite room was £45, or £40 for single occupancy.

Tesco features

According to a contributor to the April 1992 Visitor, one pleasing feature of the newly-opened Tesco store in Yeovil is its fresh fish department, designed to give the

With a General Election scheduled for May 1992, campaigning was already dominating the news coverage in the mass media, so it was no

archives surprise that the Visitor had something to say about it in its April issue. ‘I am bored terribly by electioneering. I wish we could have the vote now and get it over with,’ wrote the author of the In Passing column, adding that ‘we need another good scandal to revive not the political fortunes of the various parties but instead the voters’ interest’. Noting that Paddy Ashdown had at last become trendy as the new pacesetter in Pantsdowning and that rumours abounded that ‘another major politician has done the dirty deed’, he suggested that media exposure would be such a shock to the electors it could influence the course of the election. ‘Far be it from me to have a giggle at these politicians with their quick-release trousers and their oh-so-supportive wives,’ he added, ‘but it really is ridiculous that they let Paddy Ashdown get in there first, so to speak, and snap up all the best publicity’.

Roger Richards.

PHONE - a - FIRM • PHONE - a - FIRM Dave Hoddinott FULLY QUALIFIED BUILDER ESTABLISHED 1973 NEW BUILDS EXTENSIONS BATHROOMS KITCHENS LOG CABINS No Job Too Big or Too Small

24 hour emergency call out Tel: (01963) 440256

TV & AUDIO SPECIALISTS SINCE 1968

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

Bryan G. Paulley Ltd

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

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

Mister Oven Ovens - Hobs - Agas etc

Tel: 01935 862614 Mob: 07752 695264 www.misteroven.co.uk

Damian Hoddinott PLUMBER

01963 441232 07971 676111

THE VISITOR April 2022 33

Classified Ads Send details to: The Visitor Magazine, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA9 0BP 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.

For Sale

Situation Wanted

SMALL TRAILER, choice of two, wood or galvanised, ideal for camping,fishing & tip trips. £185. Tel: 07833 453295

LIVE-IN/OUT CARER, Experienced in all aspects of caring. DBS, insured, excellent references. Contact Lesley on 07884 058248

QUADRANT SHOWER, 900mm, complete with two-door cubicle. Complete and in good order, removed to facilitate bath. £85. Tel: 07833 453295

Personal www.country-link.org.uk COUNTRY LINK SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel: Andy 01225 834834 or Val 01749 342918 GENTLEMAN 69, seeks lady age 40-69 for companionship and maybe more.

Reply to Box Number 57 JUST SOMERSET INTRODUCTIONS. Bringing people together. Call Alison Tel: 07584 250285, www.justintro ductionsgroup.co.uk

Services HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN RUBBISH CLEARED, old sheds / outbuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844 KBB KITCHEN FITTER, all aspects of kitchen fitting undertaken. 30 years experience. Tel 01963 364550 or 07890 841827

Prize Crossword No. 425 Set by Frank Butler

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. f Box 5522, Castle Cary, Somerset BA9 0BP – to arrive by Tuesday 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.

Storage STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles.

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

Wanted CLASSICAL AND JAZZ LP records / Large collections of Classical/Opera CDs. Tel: 01458 834102 / 07704229979 / email: tonyartony@aol.com DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, salvage, bygones and collectables. Daves Tools, Est. 1989. Tel: 01935 428975 REDUNDANT MOTOR MOWERS, rotavators, chainsaws, strimmers, cement mixers, etc. Tel: 01460 77844 TOOLS wanted, cash waiting. Tel: 01747 850474

DEADLINE for May Issue is Tuesday 19th April.

Clues Across: 7. Reversed reverses about drawback [9] 8. Repeated as a profit [5] 10. Assembles prayers [8] 11. Rain protection by surrounding list [6] 12. Employs applications [4] 13. Make Ronald a member at negative charge [8] 16. Island’s blue sound [4] 18. Don’t vote when scholar returns to mark [7] 20. Following soldiers - honest! [7] 22. Some come as traders from the orient [4] 24. Snow deer became less well [8] 26. Flows out against the flood [4] 29. Infusion of bad tea got less [6] 30. I hear it’s wet on the throne [8] 31. Handles king with person of high social rank [5] 32. Not twice 8, but repeated [4, 5] Clues Down: 1. Stick and stay in [5] 2. Sulphur murders aptitudes [6] 3. Rains (sic) flowers [8] 4. Wanderer’s tale of ode taking two years and two seconds [7] 5. Coasting around, doubting [8] 6. Hoarding account table [9] 9. Some tea blenders are skilful [4] 14. Smaller and younger [4] 15. Soaking up crooked after raging boars [9] 17. Keen to break joint [4]

19. Where to experiment? Try underground! [4, 4] 21. Listed side and time [8] 23. In love, telephone after fuss [7] 25. Bare point, due to be altered [4] 27. To be not quite ten, we hear, is kindly [6] 28. Caper v. 100 [5]

Solution to Crossword 424

Winner of the March Crossword

Is Mr D Feltham of East Harptree who decided to spend the £10 at Wild Cardz of Wincanton.

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

07970 742471 34 THE VISITOR April 2022