The Visitor Magazine Issue 462 May 2022

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Issue 462 May 2022

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Yorkshire Shepherdess’ Amanda Owen will appear at The Royal Bath & West Show on 4th June.

See page 6 for details.

In Passing...

A

t 7.45am on 12th April an HGV carrying a shipping container smashed into a bridge in Langport. The impact was so severe that it shook things off the table in an adjacent cottage and the occupants thought it was an earthquake. But no, it was just a truck attempting to get through an arch that was clearly too small for its load. Anywhere else this would be serious but in Langport it is catastrophic, for the damaged bridge is the iconic Hanging Chapel on The Hill.

Often described as the jewel in Langport’s crown, and probably its most-photographed building, the Hanging Chapel was built in the 14th century as a tradesman’s guildhall, and in its long life it has served as a town hall, courthouse, school, museum, armoury and masonic lodge. It is sited on top of a 13th century archway which became part of the fortified town wall in the Civil War period. Its historic importance is such that it is a Grade I Listed Building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and nowadays it is cared for by the Landmark Langport charity.

At the time of writing (17th April) investigations are underway to discover the extent of the damage to the arch and its effect on the building above. To discover, too, how and why the HGV driver was using The Hill despite the signage, the flashing lights and hoots from motorists who could see the impending incident, and the existence of main road alternative routes.

Bridge strikes by high vehicles are not rare occurrences. Network Rail records around 2,000 railway bridge bashes a year – an average of more than five a day – and says that many more go unwitnessed and unrecorded. Each incident requires an investigation into the damage and its possible effect on the safety of trains passing over the bridge, often causing long delays to rail passengers and to drivers needing to use the road under the bridge.

Even the country’s heritage railways are not immune from the problem, as the

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway at Broadway will confirm.

A high vehicle hitting an overbridge is not an accident. It is a failure of professional operators and drivers to properly plan their routes and to know the height of their vehicles and loads. It is careless driving and could have far-reaching consequences, as might be the case in Langport. And it is not only overbridges that are affected. Residents of numerous Visitorland towns and villages tell of roadside houses and underbridge parapets being damaged by large vehicles having difficulties in getting round sharp bends in the road, often because drivers had ignored the signs warning them the road was unsuitable for the size of their vehicle.

The Traffic Commissioners have the power to revoke the operating licences of offending companies and the police could take more drivers to court for such offences.

Clearly a combination of prevention, deterrence and punishment is needed to tackle the problem.

NN.

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

Advertising Deadlines

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED ‑ 42

June Deadline: Monday 23rd May June Issue published: Monday 30th May

BOOK REVIEW ‑ 24

ANTIQUES ‑ 29

CROSSWORD ‑ 42 GARDENING ‑ 34 GOLDEN YEARS ‑ Care for the Elderly ‑ 14 HOUSE & HOME ‑ 30 LEISURE ‑ 13 LETTERS ‑ 4 LOOKING GOOD ‑ 26 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES ‑ 6 MOTORING ‑ 39 PHONE‑A‑FIRM ‑ 41 PUBS ‑ 32 REMEMBER WHEN ‑ 40

NOTE TO ADVERTISERS

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

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

SUDOKU ‑ 13 TEA FOR TWO ‑ 25 THEY SAY ‑ 33 WINE & DINE ‑ 29 YEOVIL BUSINESS FOCUS ‑ 18

Cartoons by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR May 2022 3

Somerset supporters act over Government’s scrapping of free lateral flow tests for care home visits

Sir, Your readers may be among those who have already supported Alzheimer’s Society’s campaign and written to their MP urging to keep lateral flow tests free for care home visitors.

As the Government’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan came into force (Friday 1 April), all Covid rules, including guidance on selfisolation, were dropped.

A recent poll by Alzheimer’s Society revealed that 66% of people in the South West were against the scrapping of free tests for care home visitors. Only 21% supported the plans.

Now, over 150 supporters in Somerset, and over 1,225 across the South West, have written to their MP, echoing calls from Alzheimer’s Society to ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, to urgently rethink the decision and keep free testing for care home visitors.

With some high street shops now charging up to £12 for a pack of five tests, families are facing costs of up to £733 a month to be

able to visit their loved ones in care homes safely. Our Dementia Connect support line (0333 150 3456) has heard from families concerned about paying for tests amid a cost of living crisis.

The Government must recognise the disproportionate impact paying for tests will have and although it was announced a small number of care home visitors providing close personal care, will continue to get free tests, we feel this doesn’t go nearly far enough to allow everyone to visit safely.

People with dementia have already experienced the devastating consequences of the pandemic and were worst hit, with more than 30,000 dying of Covid-19 – many of whom were in care homes.

With over 17,000 people living with dementia in Somerset, families should not be financially penalised for trying to keep their loved ones safe. Support Alzheimer’s Society’s campaign to keep lateral flow tests free for care home visitors at alzheimers .org.uk/keeptestsfree.

Kelly Inwood and Lorna Robertson Area Managers for Alzheimer’s Society

Campaign for Incurable Breast Cancer Drug

Sir, It’s Time for Trodelvy – Breast Cancer Now is making an urgent plea to the public to sign our Open Letter in a final bid to see a life-extending drug guaranteed on the NHS. Last year we began campaigning around Trodelvy, an exciting new treatment for people living with incurable triple negative secondary breast cancer.

Trodelvy has the potential to provide hundreds of women with this life-limiting disease the hope of precious extra months spent with loved ones and doing what matters most to them.

On 7 April, we received a devastating blow. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provisionally rejected Trodelvy for routine use on the NHS in England due to the drug not being ‘cost-effective’ – shattering the hope of patients in England who face the prospect of being denied this vital drug in the future, despite its approval in Scotland last month. This guidance for England will have knock on effects for patients in Wales and Northern Ireland too, where it’s likely NICE’s decision will be followed.

These women have no time to wait. This is why we’re asking readers to sign our Open Letter calling on the drug company Gilead, NICE and NHS England to find a solution – including Gilead pricing the drug fairly – so this life-extending drug is recommended for use on the NHS. By adding your name to our Open Letter today you could help make all the difference to the hundreds of women in England who desperately need access to this drug and live in the hope of having more time. Behind this figure are daughters, sisters, mothers and friends, who face the frightening reality of limited treatment options and uncertainty about their future.

Ahead of the public consultation closing on 29 April, we are doing all we can to ensure Trodelvy becomes routinely available on the NHS for patients who desperately need it. This decision can be reversed – but we don’t have long, and we need your readers’ support.

Please sign our Open Letter now at: action.breastcancernow .org/trodelvy-sign-our-open-letter.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now

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THE VISITOR May 2022 5

Mentioned in

Dispatches Stunt bikes and dog agility just part of the fun at the Royal Bath & West Show

THE ROYAL Bath & West Show returns on 2nd-4th June, with old favourites and new interests to enjoy. The Paul Hannam Stunt Show, Pawsability Dog Agility Display and Lakeside Farm make a welcome return; whilst The

Great British Kitchen will debut with demonstrations by celebrity chefs Briony May Williams (2nd June) and Dean Edwards (3rd June), and ‘Yorkshire Shepherdess’ Amanda Owen (4th June). Kaleb Cooper, known from his role in the Prime Video series ‘Clarkson’s Farm’, will be appearing on 2nd June.

With all this alongside regular favourites such as the sheep show, heavy horses, vintage vehicles, and the Bath & West Train, there’s never been a better time to visit the Royal Bath & West Show. Advance Saver Tickets are now on sale at £22 per adult, which allows admission

The Paul Hannam Stunt Show returns to the Royal Bath & West Show again for 2022.

6 THE VISITOR May 2022

for two children; and Blue Light Card Holders enjoy a further discount.

Tickets are on sale now at www.bathandwest.com/tickets.

Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Annie Maw visits Burrowbridge

Burrowbridge Women’s Institute and Burrowbridge Parish Council were delighted when Mrs Annie Maw accepted their invitation to present a tree gifted from the Women’s Institute to the Parish Council in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on a beautiful spring morning on

Saturday 26th March 2022.

Annie Maw presented the sorbus “Wilfrid Fox” and plaque on behalf of Sue Heyes, WI Secretary, to Stephen Kirk, the Chairman of Burrowbridge Parish Council. Annie was accompanied by her husband Dickie, and also present at the ceremony were WI members Jacqueline Fisher, Shirley Doidge and Christine Vowles, and Parish Clerk Deborah House, Councillors Steve Wilton, Mike Swan, Hardy Husain and Neil McGrath, and District Councillor Sue Buller.

The presentation and tree planting took place at the Parish’s

The presentation and tree planting at the Parish’s Community Garden, next door to the old Coach House at the crossroads of Burrowbridge.

Mentioned in

Dispatches Community Garden, which is next door to the historic site of the old Coach House at the crossroads of Burrowbridge on the A361. The Chairman explained to Annie that The Coach House building was purchased by the Parish Council in 2017 with the plan of rebuilding it. Unfortunately the cost proved prohibitive for a small Parish Council. The walls of the old building have now been made structurally sound and this was paid for with funding from community donations and Community Infrastructure Levy money. The site is now being developed to become a picnic area with a pergola and will be wheelchair accessible, which will allow people to relax surrounded by the historic old walls of The Coach House, and to enjoy the Community Garden, which is tended by volunteers Brian Walker and Councillor Mike Swan.

Sue Heyes presented a gift

from the WI to Annie Maw of a knitted corgi dog WInnie, and told Annie about the WI’s fun project, of knitting and hiding corgis for people to find and keep, as another way the WI is celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Annie promised that she will ensure the Queen is aware of this knitting challenge. Annie was most touched by the gorgeous knitted corgi.

Women’s Midnight Walk

On the night of Saturday the 11th June, the streets of Bath will be aglow with hundreds of women dressed in neon, walking to

remember loved ones and support Dorothy House Hospice Care.

After a covid hiatus, the muchloved Midnight Walk is returning, this year raising vital funds for the Hospice at Home service at Dorothy House. Providing compassionate free of charge care to those at the end of their lives, Dorothy House carers are there for loved ones throughout the small hours of the night, and this year women from across Somerset will be walking 5km through the night to fundraise for them.

Maggie Matthews, who has been a Dorothy House carer for

After a covid hiatus, the much-loved Midnight Walk is returning on Saturday 11th June.

thirty years, shared with us: “Almost every family we go in to support always say they can cope in the day, but it’s the nights they struggle with on their own.

We make the patient comfortable, chat to them, and get them all they need during the night so their loved ones can have a good night’s sleep.”

Dorothy House’s emphasis has always been on caring for people in their own homes. To continue to fund this exceptional service in our community, women aged 14+ are invited to sign up and take on the challenge of this fun midnight walk around the beautiful city of Bath. Everyone who signs up is asked to raise a minimum of £40 in sponsorship, or they can make a donation in lieu of sponsorship.

Sue Spanswick, a Dorothy House Hospice at Home carer who has taken part in previous walks, said: “It’s the camaraderie of women that makes the Midnight Walk so special! The event is always well received in Bath and such a fun thing to do. The Midnight Walk raises awareness of Dorothy House – and as the Hospice is caring for people in their homes through the night, it’s great that the walkers are out at night fundraising for this excellent

THE VISITOR May 2022

7

Mentioned in

Dispatches Hospice care! It’s a wonderful way for women to give back and you get that feel-good buzz from taking part.”

Every participant will receive an exclusive and free Midnight Walk t-shirt to wear on the night.

The theme this year is ‘Get glowing in neon’ - so dress as groovy, crazy or colourful as you like – or just come as you are.

The Midnight Walk finishes with refreshments and celebrations at the Pavilion before the participants head home for a well-earned rest at 2am.

So why not walk through the night for Dorothy House and help provide vital care for your local community? Sign up today by visiting dorothyhouse.co.uk and search for ‘Midnight Walk’.

Petherton Parish Church, TA13, on Friday 6th May at 7pm.

Admission is by donations of £5 or more and all of the proceeds will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee. For further details either email stanchesterquire1@gmail or phone Phil on 07778 119663.

Compton Dundon Platinum Jubilee Flower Festival

Floral arrangements will celebrate all aspects of Queen Elizabeth’s 70 year reign from Thursday 2nd to Sunday June 5th 10am - 5pm in St Andrews Church, Compton Dundon.

Brookside School students are

creating artwork which will hang on the choir stalls. Refreshments are available, plants and produce will be for sale. A songs of praise service will complete the festival at 6.30pm on Sunday June 5th.

If anyone would like to sponsor an arrangement or help out in any way, please contatc Angie Castle on 272371 or email ricjercas@gmail.com.

Quirky Quilters Somerset

An exhibition of traditional and contemporary quilts, plus a great selection of fabric, thread, templates and quilting accessory stalls, demonstrations and a charity tombola takes place on

The Stanchester Quire performing a Concert for Ukraine

The Stanchester Quire and invited friends, are performing a Concert for Ukraine at South

EAT GR R FO !

S KID 8 THE VISITOR May 2022

Floral arrangements will celebrate all aspects of Queen Elizabeth’s 70 year reign.

Thursday 19th May; 10:00am – 6:30pm and Friday 20th May; 10:00am – 4:30pm.

Long Sutton Golf Club, TA10 9JU. Entry £3.00, Children Free.

Refreshments Available. Easy Parking. Supporting: Mind in Somerset.

Somerset Day 2022 – Living our Heritage

With just one month to go now really is the time to join our Patron, Michael Eavis and #flytheflagforsomerset!

We can't quite believe it either, but May 11th is fast approaching which can only mean one thing Somerset Day is nearly here and the organisers of this year’s celebrations are looking forward to seeing the County turned into a sea of Somerset flags.

Somerset Day takes place on the 11th May annually and marks Alfred the Great’s call to arms and the gathering of ‘all the people of Somerset’ to march against the invading Viking army, and is now an annual opportunity to celebrate all that is ‘great’ about Somerset and its residents and communities.

And this year there are lots of things to do, starting with the Somerset Day Trails – over 100 locations have been nominated as ‘favourite places to visit’, some

Mentioned in

Dispatches well-known, some not so well known. To get involved you can buy bunting and flags here https://somersetday.com/shop/, take part in the Trails here https://somersetday.com/2022somerset-day-trail-map, and find details of some great events taking place here https://

somersetday.com/events.

Somerset Day founder Nigel Muers-Raby explains: “What better way to evoke your passion for Somerset than to visit your favourite places and businesses. We want to see Somerset turned into a sea of flags so make sure you’re ready to celebrate Somerset Day and show your commitment to Somerset on May 11th by buying a flag or some bunting to fly. We will be encouraging those that take part in our trail to fly the flag at each location they visit in order to win some great Somerset prizes.”

Chart Topping Musicians to play Somerstock

The Hoosiers and AC/DC drummer Chris Slade will be amongst the line-up providing 12 hours of chart-topping live music at Somerstock, Somerton’s oneday family friendly music festival, on Saturday 9th July.

The Hoosiers 2007 debut album “The Trick to Life”, and singles such as “Worried About Ray” and “Goodbye Mr. A” achieved multiplatinum success. More recently “The News From Nowhere” and “The Secret Service” represented an astonishing return to form.

Chris Slade, who played drums for AC/DC, Manfred Mann’s Earthband, Jimmy Page, Paul Rogers and many more, will be bringing his Timeline band to Somerstock to play hits from his

50 plus year career!

The Somerstock website lists plenty more top bands in the lineup, along with a silent disco to round off the day. And as Somerstock grows in stature, so do the facilities on offer. There is on-site parking, and even camping facilities, along with more bars serving everything from premium lager and craft ales to cocktails and an enticing array of street food, all kicking off at 11.30am.

“All our bands are worth the visit in their own right, so why not pitch up a tent, arrive early and enjoy a full day of amazing music, food, drinks and fun” suggests festival chairman Cliff Bassett. Somerstock advance tickets are on sale now at www. somerstock.co.uk.

Chart topping musicians are lined up to play at Somerstock on 9th July including platinum selling ‘The Hoosiers’.

THE VISITOR May 2022 9

Mentioned in

Dispatches New South Somerset Community Biodiversity Toolkit will help Parishes restore biodiversity

Communities across South Somerset can benefit from a new Community Biodiversity Toolkit developed by South Somerset District Council. The new toolkit has been created to help allow our communities to take the lead in defining and restoring biodiversity in their area.

The toolkit has been designed for use by community groups, local landowners, Parish and Town Councils, schools and youth groups, and provides a structure for how our local communities can better understand what they already have in terms of biodiverse habitats, as well as how to plan for developing greater biodiversity in the future.

The toolkit also offers a series of handy tips for how you can manage your own land for biodiversity.

There is so much great work being delivered across South Somerset already and this has also given us the opportunity to showcase some of the many existing local case studies and celebrate progress to date across the district.

Rachael Whaites, Countryside Manager at SSDC, said: “It is really important that we support our local parishes and landowners to manage and monitor wildlife on their land and within communities; this

Dormouse in the hand - increasing biodiversity is in our hands.

biodiversity toolkit is a fantastic start. Our country parks and local nature reserves cannot halt the decline in biodiversity alone, we need them to be joined up so that species can move and increase in number; this is where the residents of South Somerset play a key role. I hope that communities enjoy getting involved with the natural world as much as we do.”

You can download the toolkit from South Somerset Environment website: www. southsomersetenvironment.co. uk/biodiversitytoolkit.

Wincanton Choral Society perform Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle Sunday 15th May

Oh dear, ‘solemn little mass’, the literal translation of ‘Petite Messe Solennelle’, doesn't sound likely to provide a great evening out!

Nothing could be further from the truth! Zesty and energetic are the two words that spring to mind when asked to characterise the music. There's an extraordinary range of musical form and feeling, from deliciously catchy tunes and

bewitching heavenly harmonisations to a sort of inchoate vocal grumbling that reminds one of Ligeti's Lux Aeterna, via several fugues that Bach wouldn't be ashamed of, and will be causing the choir some headaches nearer the time! And as befits a renowned ‘farceur’, an urbane sophistication as well as evidently deeply-felt religious feeling.

So the work has become core repertoire for choral societies for good reason. One of which is NOT that it guarantees a good night's sleep! Rossini could afford to be self-deprecating by this late stage in his life having basically retired on the proceeds of the 39 operas composed in his youth - among them The Barber of Seville, William Tell [yes, the Overture!...]. The epithet ‘solennelle’ only indicates that it contains the full text of the High Mass, so it’s certainly not ‘petite’, and indeed, at about 1hr 20 mins running time, is the only work in the programme.

WCS continue their return to full-scale performances after several years’ forced absence, building on a very successful pre-

Christmas afternoon concert also in the Parish Church. At a current strength of just 40-odd singers they are still well above the ‘12 cherubim’ Rossini specified for the original performance - and that included the 4 soloists - but still below their pre-pandemic numbers.

But what they lack in numbers they make up for in a celebratory delight at being able to sing together again, a sentiment expertly nurtured and channelled by their charismatic director Katrine Reimers, and they can be counted on to do full justice to the score's electrifyingly abrupt changes from pppp to ffff in the space of one bar!

They are joined by four professional vocal soloists soprano Stephanie Bodsworth, alto Olivia Ray, tenor Matthew Keighley, bass Philip Smith - all of whom regular WCS concert goers should recognise from past performances. Their regular accompanist Jacquelyn Bevan plays the piano. The intriguing instrument on the WCS poster is a late 19th century harmonium of the sort that would have provided the sustained backing notes at the first salon performance in 1864. Since a very adequate church organ is available for WCS's performance, that's what Peter King will be playing for WCS. Rossini wrote at the end of the autograph score “Est-ce bien de la musique sacrée que je viens de faire ou de la sacrée musique?” [‘Is this sacred music or just plain astounding music?’]. The answer is evidently both!

Tickets £12.50 (under 18s £6) on the door, via a member, and at www.ticketsource.co.uk /wincanton-choral-society. For more information see www. wincantonchoralsociety.co.uk or ring Ben on 07813 680534.

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please contact: castlecary museum@hotmail.co.uk or call into the Museum and give your details to a Duty Steward.

Dispatches Castle Cary Museum

Castle Cary Museum combined its Opening, after 2 years closure, with a Coffee Morning. Thank you for the donations of Raffle Prizes, Bric a Brac and Cakes and to the volunteers who manned all the various stalls.

A special thanks to the Public for their wonderful support, which helped to make it such a successful morning.

In the past months a very special, dedicated group of volunteers have enhanced the Reception Area plus various other sites including re-vitalizing the Rural Life Room. One of the first visitors commented “Truly Amazing!”

The Museum Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays 10.30am 12.30pm, 2.00pm - 4.00pm.

Saturdays 10.30am - 12.30pm.

Admission is free but donations are welcome. lf you would like to help in any way, as a Steward or any other skills helpful to our Museum

12 THE VISITOR May 2022

Gary’s Gift Spring Ball raises £26,742 after April event

On Friday 8th April the inaugural Gary’s Gift Spring Ball was held at the Memorial Hall in Wincanton and raised an impressive £26,742 for friend and colleague, Gary White who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2021. Well done to all involved - a great effort.

There is no cure. Although the disease will progress, symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life.

Although Gary is now unable to talk and eat it’s still the same Gary, still smiling and laughing and still doing all he can to help those around him.

But the truth is that it was our turn to be there for Gary and his family.

The aim of the Ball was to raise £10,000 to support Gary, and his partner Sarah as their battle with MND develops. The money will help buy much needed equipment, as Gary’s needs will dictate, but more importantly it will help Gary and Sarah to create some amazing memories with their family as they embark on the incomprehensibly difficult time ahead of them.

Pete King, part of a group of friends and colleagues who helped to organise the ball picks up the story; “We are delighted and extremely proud to announce that the total amount raised for Gary and Sarah at Gary’s Gift Spring Ball was £26,742.

“We all had a fantastic night, and the ball was a huge success.

Over 200 people gathered at The Memorial Hall on Friday where guests were serenaded by the fabulous George Evans (George Music) and were treated to some fantastic close-up Magic by Chris Howat.

We enjoyed a Hog roast kindly provided by Gilcombe Farm, listened to speeches about Gary and why MND is such a devastating disease before guests

were invited to take part in our auction and raffle, brilliantly delivered by Duncan and Amanda Wills from Wincanton Auctions.

We had some fantastic auction items and raffle prizes donated by amazing local businesses and individuals and our guests were so generous with their bids. We then danced into the early hours to the awesome DJ Ali Thomas who put on a fantastic set.

It was a truly memorable night, supported by some brilliant local businesses and individuals, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along to support the event.”

Sarah Bow, Gary’s partner, added: “Words cannot express how much this means to Gary and me, we are going to make so many fantastic memories. We would just like to thank every single person that attended and helped to make the ball such a success, we love you all, thank you.”

The Gary’s Gift Team are looking to build on the success of this event by raising further funds for Gary, Sarah and the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

To keep up with further events or if you would like to donate you can do so via the Gary’s Gift website www.garysgift.co.uk.

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 April Sudoku on page 33.

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

By John Osborne  Answers can be found on page 33 1) With which 80’s band do we associate Gary Kemp?

2) Who joined Kenny Rogers on their ‘Islands in the Stream’?

3) Which Beatle wrote ‘Here Comes the Sun’?

4) ‘Marvin Gaye’ was the debut single from which American artist?

5) Name the Canadian artist behind the album ‘Cuts Like A Knife’? (Clue 1983) 6) The late Phil Lynott fronted which band of Irish rockers?

7) Who was in the charts ten years ago this month (May 2012) with ‘Payphone’?

8) Which band recorded the 1976 album entitled ‘A New World Record’?

9) Father John Misty said ‘Goodbye …’ who?

10) Who is the male rattling on about ‘As It Was’ right now?

Anorak Bonus Question: Who was the first female to have a number one with a self-penned song?

Money saving date ideas for Spring with Alison from Just Somerset Introductions

SPRING is well and truly here!

As I write this we have some gorgeous weather and as there are so many articles at the moment about the cost of living I thought I would come up with some cheaper dating ideas for you!

May is a great time to get out and about and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Search out your local park, or nearby wood. It’s bluebell time now, so enjoy a walk amongst the bluebells or in the countryside.

We are blessed to live in a lovely area and many good walks are not far from home. There are local walking groups in most towns and some villages. A good way to meet new people and make new friends.

How about a bike ride out in your local countryside on a lovely day. If wet, one could do a puzzle together or do some painting or some other crafts. Visit some open gardens often these are held for charity so just a small charge.

Find a good local market or farmers market where you can sample local foods and produce.

There are several farm shops with café’s and other shops for a reasonable coffee and cake meet.

Flea markets or Antique Fairs are good too for a small entry fee - you might find a good bargain!

Take a picnic to a local beauty spot or beach or even your local park. Make up some good sandwiches cake and flask of coffee a nice cheap way to spend an hour or so in good weather!

For more information on Just Somerset Introductions please see our website or give me a call! We have social meets, one to ones etc.

Have a good month and I look forward to hearing from you!

Bobble Hat Bonus Question: Name the song and year from the previous question.

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01458 830276 07881 088664 THE VISITOR May 2022 13

GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly Notaro Homes – caring when it matters most WITH NEARLY 40 years of experience, Notaro Care Homes have gone from one home in Torquay to 11 homes across three counties; North Somerset, Somerset and Devon.

Not only have they physically expanded but they have developed their services too, offering nursing care, specialist care for those with alcohol-related brain damage, respite care, palliative care and care for those with learning and mental health difficulties.

Notaro Homes take a holistic approach to all of their care services. They take into account

Notaro Homes have nearly 40 years experience in Care and have 11 homes across the South West.

Notaro Homes - Casa di Lusso Care Home on Bower Lane, Bridgwater.

the needs, thoughts and wishes of residents, and their loved-ones, to provide the best care possible.

They look at both the physical

needs of a resident and their emotional needs. Their reason for doing so is simple; to create a care package as unique as the

individual they provide care for.

Find out more at www.notaro homes.co.uk.

Regency Care & Mobility, Crewkerne

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.

Nursing Care at Elliscombe House

Elliscombe House offers exceptional nursing care for both long term residents and for those 14 THE VISITOR May 2022

GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly seeking short term respite care.

The nursing team are highly experienced in lifelong conditions and elderly care, also supporting quality convalescence and rehabilitation post hospital admission.

At Elliscombe House they are committed to providing the best possible care and support for all residents, whilst providing

delicious meals, plenty of entertaining activities and an endless supply of companionship and laughter.

They welcome visits to their beautiful home at any time - for more information about what they offer at Elliscombe House, please email info@elliscombe house.com or give them a call on 01963 32746.

Orangery dining at Elliscombe House, Higher Holton.

Careline South Somerset – 24 hour help at the touch of a button

Careline is an emergency response system for people who need reassurance in their own home. Simply touch the red button, which can be worn on your wrist or around your neck, and you will be connected to their Somerset based staff. They offer the personal touch. If you would like to discuss Careline their friendly staff would love to talk

to you. If you decide Careline is right for you, they will personally install the alarm so there is no need to worry about anything.

Careline South Somerset is used by all sorts of people – from older people living alone to younger people who may feel isolated or vulnerable.

Give them a call on 01935 479815, email careline@ southsomerset.gov.uk or visit www.carelinesouthsomerset .gov.uk.

The friendly staff at Careline would love to talk to you.

THE VISITOR May 2022 15

GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly Settle yourself or a loved one into the refurbished Fern Book Lodge care home, offering plenty of Food, Fun and Friendship

Fern Brook Lodge care home, nestled in the north Dorset countryside, offers high-quality, compassionate and personalised care with dedicated Activities Coordinators to organise stimulating and fun activities to

groups and one-to-one. Fern Brook Lodge is warm and welcoming and there’s plenty of food, fun and friendship to ensure residents live happy, safe and fulfilling lives.

Whether residents need a little assistance or full-time care, Care South prides itself on doing everything possible to enhance residents’ quality of life. The team strives to enable residents to

To find out more, call Fern Brook Lodge on 01747 834020 or visit www.care-south.co.uk.

Mendip Mobility - in Street, Trowbridge and Yeovil

Settle yourself or a loved one into the refurbished Fern Book Lodge care home, offering plenty of Food, Fun and Friendship.

continue doing what they love, whether popping out for a coffee with friends, assisted by a member of the excellent care team, or enjoying activities with visiting loved ones.

Care South is a not-for-profit charity and leading provider of residential and home care across the south of England.

Get your mobility back this Spring, with scooters for all uses including off-road at Mendip Mobilty.

Established in 2007, Mendip Mobility Ltd aim to provide excellent service and quality value for money products to their customer base which now reaches further into Wiltshire.

The two local retail outlets containing their extensive range of rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds, bath lifts, scooters, everyday living aids and quality branded mobility products enable customers to see the equipment first hand and receive professional help from knowledgeable staff. They are your local Motability Scheme Dealership.

Mendip Mobility Ltd are keen to spend time with everyone who comes through their doors. They will discuss your options and needs and provide demonstrations both in store and at home to make sure the products you purchase suit your individual requirements. Contact their Street store on 01458 448355 or their retail outlet in Trowbridge on 01225 764800,

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

Call SANDRA BARCLAY, Manager on 01935 472793 for an informal chat 60 West Coker Road, Yeovil BA20 2JA email: info@beechwoodcarehome.co.uk • www.beechwoodcarehome.co.uk

16 THE VISITOR May 2022

everyone individually and aim to create a family home atmosphere.

They look forward to meeting you at Beechwood House – a safe home for your loved one.

Highfield House, Castle Cary

The gardens at Beechwood House, Yeovil.

Yeovil 01935 713676 please see their advert for the full address and further details.

Beechwood House

Set in large, accessible gardens, Beechwood House Care Home in Yeovil, provides a very high standard of residential care for 27 elderly people, all having ground level, ensuite rooms.

Family-owned for over 20 years, their aim is to provide a caring and comfortable home for people who feel unable or do not wish to live on their own any longer.

With dedicated, friendly staff and robust infection control procedures, they are open for new residents. Their difference is the personal touch, they get to know

Highfield House is completely dedicated to involving the people who live there in excellent care and support received by listening to, and acting upon people’s feedback. At the heart of Highfield House are their concerns for each person’s happiness, health, safety, wellbeing and dignity. This is reflected by the Beacon Status

achieved with the nationally recognised Gold Standards Framework and Awards for Care Home of the Year, and the award for Dementia and Palliative Care.

They are also now rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission.

Their vision is to be a leader in providing a responsive care service where the standard of care and calibre of staff are second to none. The mission is to provide a safe, warm and friendly environment where excellent person-centred care is offered and where staff appreciate the unique qualities of each individual living at Highfield House.

The rear garden at Higfield House, Castle Cary.

HIGHFIELD HOUSE

Award Winning Residential Care Home Passionate about providing EXCELLENT care and support in a homely environment.

Situated in the centre of Castle Cary we benefit from all the delights that Castle Cary has to offer within a short walk. Our calibre of staff is second to none and we are here to cater for each and every individual person.

Please feel free to contact us for any further information.

Telephone: 01963 350697 Email: manager@highfieldhouse.net www.highfieldhousecastlecary.com

THE VISITOR May 2022 17

Yeovil Business Focus Sports of Bond Street

SPORTS OF Bond Street is an independent sports specialist shop which has been trading since 1970. It’s the only specialist sports shop in Yeovil town centre, opposite Boots, just off Middle Street.

You’ll find a complete range of clothing, footwear and equipment, and they are happy to help you with personal preferences. A racket re-stringing service is available. They are kit stockists of Yeovil Town Road Running Club and Yeovil & Sherborne

Hockey Club. Call in and see their extensive range of sports equipment at competitive prices with an elite service. Open Tue Sat 9.30am - 4.30pm.

Inside Sports of Bond Street.

Bakers Coaches

Bakers Coaches are a local family run company operating out of Yeovil. Started back in the 1960’s

by Barry Baker at his garage in Bishops Caundle, he diversified into the coaching industry in 1972

and gained school contracts and private hires for numerous schools and groups and thrived.

He then moved the company to new premises in Yeovil in 1974 where the company still trades from today. In 2000 Bakers Coaches were taken over by Barry’s son Shane and nephew Andy. Having survived Covid they are diversifying again, this time by doing their own day trips and tours which they hope will be a success. To see their range of trips and tours please visit the website www.bakers coachessomerset.co.uk or ring on 01935 428401.

Crafting by Steph

Crafting by Steph is run by retired teacher Steph, who loves passing on her experience and knowledge of crafting through her workshops, with new venues soon. These include crochet, needle felting, macramé and mixed media. Other crafts arranged on request. Home decor, jewellery and other trinkets are handmade or hand decorated for sale at local markets and craft

Workshop with Crafting by Steph.

18 THE VISITOR May 2022

Steph’s stand at The Craft4Crafters Show in Exeter.

fairs. Personalised gifts can be commissioned.

Other services that Steph can provide include demonstrations, group talks and craft party activities. Recently, Steph ran freeform crochet workshops at a Craft4Crafters show, Exeter, where she launched a charity project for the Alzheimer's Society. Donate at www. justgiving.co.uk/stephbaker59.

For further information on this and other activities, email craftingbysteph@gmail.com, telephone 07870 405819 or message www.facebook.com /craftingbysteph.

Focalflames Fireplaces

At Focalflames Fireplaces they’ve always stuck to the belief that staying small and personal and specialising in their field means a much more professional and responsive service to their customers! With over 15 years’ experience in the industry they pride themselves on providing high quality, great value services,

A wide range of carpets in stock at Walter Wall, Princes Street.

Yeovil Business Focus with FREE home consultations, and even their very own showroom. With expert advice to help you make the right choice at a budget you are happy with, they will not be beaten on price!

So why don't you give them a call or TEXT today for a free no obligation quote on 07931 918947.

you buy. They have a wide selection of various seating and dining combinations to suit all areas of outdoor living spaces. BBQ’s, Patio Heaters and other accessories, order for direct delivery. In stock now. For more details go to www.rattan hub.co.uk or call 01935 412811.

Rattan Hub at Fit & Furnish

Ward & Sibley, The Jewellers of Yeovil

Really good deals are available now at the Rattan Hub, part of Fit & Furnish Yeovil. Claim your FREE winter covers, with selected stocked rattan ranges. It’s even possible to get SAME DAY delivery (within Yeovil area). Visit their showroom at 25 Market Street, Yeovil BA20 1HZ, take a seat and try before

of jewellery, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets from contemporary costume jewellery through to bespoke pieces.

Whilst diamonds are always a firm favourite as are gemstones, at Ward & Sibley you will find a comprehensive range of precious and semi-precious stones. If you are seeking a particular stone please ask. A free gift wrap

service is available to ensure your gift looks extra special.

Ward & Sibley take customer welfare very seriously and are following strict procedures to provide a safe shopping experience during these unprecedented times. If you have any questions before visiting the store you can give them a call on 01935 474065.

When you visit a jewellers shop, it is more often than not for a special occasion. At Ward & Sibley, the friendly and knowledgeable staff ensure that you receive a personal service whether you are buying a small thank you gift - or an elegant diamond ring.

Being an independent retailer they offer a very individual choice

Rattan Hub is part of Fit & Furnish, Market Street.

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

WARD & SIBLEY The Jewellers of Yeovil

25-26 MARKET STREET, YEOVIL

Part of

For a prompt, reliable & friendly service 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

See it, Feel it, Sit in it in our Yeovil Showroom

 Watch repairs including battery replacements

FREE same day local delivery (within 20 miles)

 Jewellery handmade to your own design  Seal, hand, and machine engraving

FREE WINTER COVERS

(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.

 Valuations for insurance and probate  Pearl and bead re-threading CLOSED Wednesdays and Thursdays Covid Safe: We are still taking all precautions to protect our clients

THE CASKET 103 MIDDLE STREET YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065

Car park at rear for customers while visiting the shop

THE VISITOR May 2022 19

Magnificent May at East Lambrook Manor Gardens

MAY IS the perfect month to visit the iconic cottage garden at East Lambrook Manor, created in the 1950s and 60s by the plantswoman and undisputed Grande Dame of cottage gardening Margery Fish and made famous through her many books. “The garden changes daily in May,” says owner Mike

Werkmeister, “with one plant passing the baton of abundance to another throughout the month.”

Signature May plants include Nectaroscordum siculum, or Sicilian honey garlic, bearded irises, peonies and, at the end of the month, Gladiolus byzantinus which, with its deep magenta flowers, appears throughout the garden.

No trip is complete without a visit to the gardens’ excellent hardy plant nursery specialising in plants not easily found in garden centres. Garden, café and nursery open until 29th October, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

The Kings Arms, Thornford

The Kings Arms is situated in the village of Thornford, West Dorset and lies between the towns of Sherborne and Yeovil,

May is the perfect time to visit the iconic gardens at East Lambrook Manor. Images: Mike Werkmeister.

20 THE VISITOR May 2022

where a warm welcome awaits you in this family friendly Free House. A dog friendly bar area flows through to the dining room, showcasing local artist’s work.

Two outside areas, the beer garden and a non-smoking terrace, are found either side of the building with a children’s play area adjacent to the well-used skittle alley and function room towards the rear of the beer garden Offering a menu using locally sourced produce, a selection of wines, soft drinks, freshly ground coffees, a selection of fine local and West Country ales, this West Dorset pub was voted Pub of the Year 2020 and features in the CAMARA Good Beer Guide 2021 and 2022. CAMRA vouchers accepted.

The hub of the village and a destination for walkers and cyclists, a place to drink and dine, the Kings Arms also attracts many from neighbouring villages and towns.

The Kings Arms is a truly quintessential village pub.

The Kings Arms, Thornford.

Somerset Landmark celebrates 95 years of being open to the Public Wookey Hole, home of the famous caves is thrilled to be celebrating 95 years of being open to the public. It is a particularly poignant anniversary for the staff and the Cottle family that own and operate the attraction as Easter was the first time that the site had been fully opened to the public since Covid restrictions lifted.

Sarah Ramsey, Director of Wookey Hole said: “The last two years have been really hard.

We’re so happy we can finally bring the magic back to Wookey Hole and share all that it has to offer with our visitors. My family have been the Guardians of the place since 2003 and we have seen millions of families create cherished memories here. It has been so strange closing, then only being able to open a fraction of the site. Ghostly!”

Ramsey continued “Not only are the Caves now fully open but we’re also introducing a new film in our 4D cinema in exclusive partnership with award-winning animation studio Aardman (who made Shaun the Sheep), called the Bear and the Squirrel 4D. Of course the legendary witch is here. This is a new beginning for us. We’re investing in our site to ensure everyone who visits, loves Wookey Hole as much as we do.

There is lots to come so watch this space.”

Although the caves have been millions of years in the making, they have only been inhabited by

Neanderthals and then humans on and off for about 45,000 years.

Much of the cave’s history was brought to life by Herbert Ernest Balch who found many items now on display in Wells Museum, such as children’s toys and brooches.

Balch’s work within the caves was then followed by the then owner Captain G.W. Hodgkinson opening the site as a show cave on Easter Saturday, April 16th, 1927. The Hodgkinson family owned the caves and paper mill from the 1800s.

Now the site is also home to a Paper Mill dating from 1610 and many family attractions including

a Cave Diving Museum, vintage penny arcade and Dinosaur Grove.

The site has been home to some incredible World Record Breaking Cave diving expeditions and are still actively used by cave divers to this day. They are the training grounds for the British Divers behind the Thai Cave rescue which is being bought to life in the film Thirteen Lives, starring Colin Farrell later this year.

The Caves are Hollywood stars in their own right, having been used in locations for multiple movies and TV shows including Doctor Who.

The escape of the River Axe from the Great Cave of Wookey Hole.

THE VISITOR May 2022 21

ABOUT A FORTNIGHT ago I met an old friend in the street.

After we had established that we were both ‘Alright’, my friend said, “Y’ere Phil I see yhom doin’ the book page for The Viz.” “What do you think?”, I replied.

“T’s alright Phil, but stick to the books and not stories about that weird family of y’orn, we know all about they.”

I will try to take this advice.

The first May book is a Slightly Foxed reprint of a 1945 classic “Portrait of Elmbury”, the story of a small country town between the Wars, where advice such as the above would’ve been given during similar encounters 100 years ago. This book is the first of a trilogy by John Moore (190767). The Brensham Trilogy is about Moore’s hometown of Tewkesbury, then a town of about 5000 souls. Moore narrates the story from the point of view of the son of an auctioneer, living in a grand house which has seen better days, and existing close by Double Alley, the town’s most notorious lane of slums. John Greenwood’s Housing Act of 1930 was in existence at the time, but its slum clearance activities did 24 THE VISITOR May 2022

not really get into their stride until the 1950’s.

The story is of a time when the wireless was not often used and television was not even a dream, let alone the nightmare it has now become.

Moore has taken the real small country town characters and geography of his youth and mixed them up with fictional ones to avoid contemporary libel actions.

Old Cobbett appears in the guise of Mr Jeffs the tithe-andvicar-hating mixed farmer, who foresees the end of this form of agriculture having lost both his sons in the Great War. Moore gives three ne’er do well’s who are inseparable apart from when one of them is in prison, the names of Falstaff’s supporters Pistol, Bardolph and Nym. This team of bon-viveur old warriors survive by scrounging, poaching and petty theft.

The narrator’s old classics master appears as the ancient hero Mr Chorlton, a portdrinking lepidopterist, who played cricket for Somerset at the end of the 19th Century and claimed he was in the team against Lancashire when Archie

Maclaren scored 424.

Plainly written tales of a nearly forgotten time: I shall definitely read the other two books.

I have not finished reading the second book which is already in two volumes to be joined by a third later this year. It is Simon Heffer’s unabridged Henry ‘Chips’ Channon: The Diaries: 1918-38 and 1938-43.

Our local MP Mr Warburton‘s fall from grace (I wondered why all my communications have gone unanswered) prompted me to bring forward this book review, despite my reading being unfinished.

The period the diaries covers is from the end of World War I through Munich and Hitler’s rise, which seems to parallel the current unstable security situation in Europe and Britain now.

But mainly, I would encourage readership of this diarist as he so accurately, and on occasion, salaciously, describes how little our parliamentary/political system has changed. The English Civil War in effect replaced one hereditary system for another, or at best duplicated it.

Henry was the third MP to be the member for Guinness-on-Sea (Southend). He followed in the footsteps of his father in law Rupert Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh, then his mother-in-law Gwendolen, and after him his only son Paul Channon in this line, before it was the ill-fated David Amess’s turn.

Another of these hereditary relationships I discovered while reading this fascinating book is that of Duff Cooper, Baldwin’s Secretary of State for War, who was the youngest and only son of Alfred Cooper, the society

venereal disease specialist. He was David Cameron’s great greatuncle and a near double in appearance.

Notwithstanding the many hereditary connections, the House of Commons still remains as always the best club in London where as we see now, almost anything goes. Illegal and risky behaviour, not just the odd lockdown birthday party, was and is almost encouraged. Otherwise, how would the Whips influence their particular breed of sheep (or hound).

Without the possibility for blackmail how else would a party get their herd of cats through the lobby of its choice?

During Lord Rosebery’s brief premiership (1894-95) it was said that it was difficult to find a lavatory in the House of Commons in which to wash for fear of disturbing Members in intimate situations.

A year before, the Marquis of Queensbury had pursued Rosebery to the spa town of Bad Homburg to horsewhip him, claiming that he had had the same relationship with his son Lord Alfred that Oscar Wilde had had. The not very subtle difference between Rosebery is that Wilde died penniless aged 46 in Paris, while Rosebery lived until 70, died at home and left the equivalent of £94million at current values.

Channon’s diaries are full of intrigue and humour and give the most fascinating slant to the between-wars history of England.

He supported Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement so much so that he was not favoured by Churchill or even the so- called Glamour Boys who also wanted war with Nazi Germany.

Tea for two Tea for two!

IN TODAY’S crazy world, and in the haze of our busy lives, making time for ourselves and others is more important than ever.

It can also be all too easy to go for days, weeks, months or even years without spending quality time with our friends, family or partners.

Finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, a glass of bubbly: even if a cup of tea is not your cup of tea, you will find something which whets your appetite! So why not love food in the company of your loved one, and enjoy teafor-two!

Kafé Fontana, Sherborne

Situated at the bottom of Cheap Street, Kafé Fontana offers both eat-in and take-away services to their regular customers and those visiting this picturesque town.

They welcome dogs and have seating inside, or outside if it’s nice. All of their cakes and scones are homemade on the premises.

In the mornings they provide a good hearty breakfast, with

salads, quiches and homemade soups also on the menu throughout the day.

They have a selection of hot and cold drinks, are licensed and do some healthy smoothies too.

If you have any special dietary needs Kafé Fontana can still provide you with good tasty food.

They also offer outside catering.

Kafé Fontana is open Mon Sat, 8am - 5pm, Sun 9.30am 4.30pm

The Buttercross Tearooms, Somerton

Situated in the heart of Somerton’s Market Place is the award-winning Buttercross Tearooms. They always source local foods and produce, make as much in-house as possible, and stick to a seasonal menu which ensures the freshest flavour.

Buttercross Tearooms love welcoming back their customers as well as new passers-by.

Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, find out more at www.thebuttercrosstearooms .com.

The Buttercross Tearooms at Market Place Somerton are pleased to welcome customers old and new.

Jasmine & Bay Café Templecombe

Jasmine & Bay is a family owned café and cakery, situated in the South Somerset village of Templecombe, offering a seasonal menu consisting of breakfast, brunch and lunch, plus a wide range of cakes and sweet treats.

Food is lovingly prepared in their cosy café kitchen and made fresh to order. Bread and baked goods are made on-site, and the

menu offers a good selection of gluten free, dairy free and vegan options. They also offer a tempting pre-ordered afternoon tea to enjoy in or as a gift-boxed celebration pack.

As proud winners of the Blackmore Vale Taste Awards 2019 for the Best Independent Café/Tearoom, you can always be assured of receiving a consistently delicious offering with friendly, welcoming service!

Jasmine & Bay Café, Templecombe - proud winners of the

Blackmore Vale Taste Awards 2019 for the Best Independent Café/Tearoom.

THE BUTTERCROSS TEAROOMS

Jasmine & Bay Café 2 High Street, Templecombe

01963 548088 www.jasmineandbay.co.uk

Kafé Fontana on Cheap Street Sherborne.

Breakfast Brunch & Lunch Homemade Cakes

Market Place, Somerton (01458) 273168

Tue-Fri: 9am-2pm, Sat: 9am-12.30pm

Homemade Cakes & Scones Morning Coffee, Cream Teas Lunch Served 12 – 3pm Open: Mon – Sat 9 – 5pm THE VISITOR May 2022 25

Family Health with

Jenna Evans THIS MONTH on our tour of the body, we’re having a poke around the nose and sinuses.

Noses being the central feature of our faces, it’s no wonder we have so many descriptive terms – button, bulbous, Roman, hawk, hooked, snub, upturned and so on. Surgery to mend or improve the appearance of the nose is extremely common and has been around for thousands of years. It Shutterstock.com/Vladimir Gjorgiev. seems we’re a little hung up on the aesthetics of the nose but I leads down into the throat. The helps to warm and humidify the want you to appreciate whatever nasopharynx area is where the inspired air as well as trapping nose you have, so let’s take a look eustachian tube from the ears and disposing of pathogens. The connect – remember that from nose also plays an important role at our super snouts.

The more flexible, cartilaginous last month? The nose is lined in smell. Did you know you have portion is the bit we think of as with nasal mucosa of two types a dominant nostril and the side our noses. There is a deeper bony – respiratory (found throughout changes throughout the day? This nasal cavity behind, connected to most of the airways) and olfactory is thought to be so that one nostril Preview 14x2.qxp_Ad-style 09/01/2020 15:06 Page 1 the sinuses and lachrymal duct which has specialised tissue can keep rapid airflow, shifting (which is why we can get a snotty involved in our sense of smell. the oxygen to our bodies quickly nose during a good cry). This Breathing in through our noses and will also pick up faster reacting chemicals in odours. The slower side can take its time and focus on odour. This ties in with our sense of taste – ever had a head cold and noticed how food just doesn’t taste the same?

Fashion Boutique Now let's have a look at a few Market Place • Wincanton remedies for common problems 01963 31676 of the nose and sinuses. www.previewwincanton.co.uk Infections in this area can be very irritating indeed - a nose running like a tap, or totally jammed up (or that strange combination of the two!), inflamed

Specialist in Mother of the Bride & Groom

and painful sinuses, unpleasant odours that seem to be inescapable. I think we've all been there! I like to look at any infection systemically and up the herbal helpers like elderberry & echinacea. Inhalation of essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, pine & wintergreen can be helpful. You can inhale these from a few drop on a tissue or go full stream with a bowl of hot water and a towel.

The homeopathic remedy Nat Mur is helpful in all states of excessive moisture or dryness and is also used where there is a loss of taste and smell. Zinc is another key remedy for loss of these senses. The tissue salt Combination Q is a staple for all manner of catarrh and congestion in the upper respiratory tract and I have seen the herb Plantago work wonders for clearing up stubborn issues in the nose and sinuses – soothing and astringent, it may even help snorers (or more accurately the unfortunate people trying to snooze next to them!). Post nasal drip may benefit from Plantago & Nat Mur. The nose has a rich blood supply and is actually quite fragile so most of us will have experienced a nose bleed. Most of the time this is nothing to worry about as a blood vessel may have been broken by something as simple as a change of temperature drying things out or a vigorous pick (you know who you are!) Some people just seem more prone to them than others.

l Exclusive to Wincanton.

Discover a unique customer service in relaxed surroundings with carefully chosen collections to suit ladies from size 10 to 18. Fabulous hats & Fascinators and comfortable shoes with bags to match.

A warm & friendly welcome awaits you.

26 THE VISITOR May 2022

 Open 10am – 4pm Tuesday – Saturday

Tel: 01458 270114

If this is you and we've ruled out more serious issues, you could try a good vitamin C with bioflavonoids to help strengthen the capillaries.

There's a wealth of simple home remedies for all things related to the nose and for more information or further advice, do pop in and have a chat with the Ceres team. Whether yours is a perfect proboscis or a wonky whiffer, give that hard working schnoz the love it deserves! © Jenna Evans 2022

• Jenna is a Holistic Health

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

such as memory cafes, singing groups and carers groups. These are invaluable for helping you to feel less isolated and keep connected with others in your community, learning from and supporting each other.

Dementia Action Week is 16-21 May and across the area there are lots of events happening locally so keep an eye out in local media. For more information on support and services in your area, you can contact the following organisations, all operating in South Somerset: Alzheimer’s Society - Based in Langport – 01458 251541 call for advice and support and local information about groups - this number is unmanned but messages are picked up several times a day so please leave a message and someone will call

you back. https://www. alzheimers.org.uk/find-supportnear-you.

Rethink Reconnect - The support is delivered within the home, covering housing issues, safety in the home, budgeting, benefits, life skills and improving social networks. This service is offered free of charge to eligible people living in Somerset. https://www.rethink.org/help-inyour-area/services/housing/reconn ect-floating-support-servicesomerset or call 07971 963027 for more information.

Filo Project – Day care provided in a host’s home – call 0333 9398225 for more information https://www.thefiloproject.co.uk.

Admiral Nurses – A Royal British Legion service helping the Armed Forces community and their families affected by

dementia – call Freephone 0808 802 8080 or visit https://www. britishlegion.org.uk/getsupport/care-and-independent-livi ng/support-for-carers/admiralnurses.

Somerset Carers Service - On 0800 316 8600 to find your local Carers support group (both inperson and online) https:/ /somersetcarers.org.

Dementia Connect Support Line (national) – 0333 150 3456.

You can also call your local GP surgery and ask about groups and activities in your local community. For more information about wellbeing in South Somerset visit www.wellbeingsouth somerset.org, specifically for dementia services https:// wellbeingsouthsomerset.org /category/dementia-2.

Are you affected by memory loss or dementia?

In the UK one person develops dementia every three minutes. It turns lives upside-down and there is no cure. Almost everyone knows someone whose life has become affected. Many people living with dementia are often isolated and do not feel part of their local community.

The term dementia covers a range of different brain disorders that trigger a loss of brain function. It affects people in different ways, but it’s a condition that progressively gets worse. As well as problems with memory, symptoms can include feeling confused, having difficulty thinking things through and following conversations, which impacts on a range of everyday activities, from socialising to shopping.

There’s lots of support in South Somerset for people living with dementia and their family members and carers. You can receive individual support and information about dementia in all its forms, and advice on dayto-day living, benefits and finances, power of attorney and so on.

There are groups to attend and meet others in the same situation THE VISITOR May 2022 27

Healthy Heart Tips from the

Health Promotion & Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Stopping smoking

Approximately 6.9 million people over the age of 18 are smokers.

Smoking harms almost all organs in the body, including your heart and blood vessels, increasing your risk of having a heart attack.

Quitting smoking can be extremely difficult, but it is an important step in reducing your risk of heart disease. We provide some tips to help you stop smoking.

mind. Identify triggers that make you want to smoke and work out how you will overcome them in advance. For example, if you usually smoke during your break at work, plan to go for a walk instead. Notify friends and family of your intention to stop smoking and ask for their support.

Manage your cravings

Cigarette cravings are intense urges to smoke and they can last for 5 minutes. Quitting smoking requires a huge amount of willpower. When you get a craving, try to distract yourself for 5-10 minutes until it passes.

You could try planning a healthy dinner or plan a route for a cycle ride or a walk. Once the craving has passed, you can give yourself a pat on the back.

Get support

Decide when to stop and make a plan

The sooner you decide to quit smoking, the better. Choose a date within the next two weeks.

If you leave it too long, you will give yourself time to change your

28 THE VISITOR May 2022

Getting support to stop smoking can increase your chances of success. You could try contacting your local Stop Smoking Services or chatting to your GP. You could also seek advice from a friend or family member who has successfully stopped smoking, or from someone who is also trying to quit. Perhaps consider using a stop smoking aid, such as nicotine patches, gums, lozenges or nasal sprays to help stop the cravings.

As well as reducing your risk of developing serious diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, quitting smoking can also help to

improve your mental wellbeing.

Why not reduce your risk by choosing a date to quit smoking today?

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www.heart research.org.uk/healthy-tips.

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of

our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: www.heart research.org.uk/heart-researchuk-recipes-2.

Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers at www.heartresearch.org.uk/heartresearch-uk-cookbook.

Impact of online wine sales

POST PANDEMIC, our high street shops and supermarkets have a lot of catching up to do.

Stuck at home in lockdown for months on end, stressed out and unable to pop out for a pub meal, or shop in the traditional way, by hopping down the road for a bottle or two, many of us turned to online shopping in order to get our hands on the tipple that would sooth our frayed nerves, along with separation from loved ones, often in a time of crisis. It is no surprise that alcohol consumption boomed during lockdown, and I for one have noticed the impact on my weight gain – a combination of inactivity and increased consumption of all the wrong things.

Shutterstock.com/UfaBizPhoto.

Two years down the line we are still living with the aftershock of something that took the world by surprise. This has continued to have a significant and longlasting impact on the way we shop; rising costs have also played their part. A reverse of this trend, certainly for me locally, was the increased footfall in our village; long may it continue.

If we want our high streets to prosper, we must get behind our shopkeepers rather than give them more of a kicking.

The average high street is already a vastly different place to what it was five years ago. It is not just the way in which we shop that is changing, but the economics of running a high street business. Things are tough at the moment and our high streets have been under threat for some time.

A recent study has revealed that there has been more store, pub and restaurant closures than ever before. The key factor is rising debt as the cost of maintaining a high street presence has climbed inexorably high.

This presents a gloomy picture, accounted for by reduced consumer spending, rising costs,

both at home in the form of increased business rates, as well as labour costs, in addition to huge increases in the cost of both raw goods and import costs.

The good news is that there has been a marked shift in the last 12 months, away from large restaurant and casual dining chains, towards smaller independent, more flexible, groups.

Whilst the current high street trends are bad news for those chains in decline, there is a clear theme emerging. Those with most to worry about are the nonessential retail sectors, such as alcohol sales, which have also seen a big shift to online spending. Those areas enjoying a growth boom are the ones where customer service and face to face interaction with a business owner is still important. This is all great news for local wine retailers.

If you simply have a shop that can be easily replicated online, with shelf after shelf of wine and nothing much else on offer, it is hardly surprising that regular shoppers will start to turn towards online outlets to satisfy their cravings for a decent bottle or two.

On the plus side, those wine businesses that are prepared to act as mini wine entertainment centres, offering tastings, sampling machines, winemaker events and special club offers, have seen a surge in their revenues.

Social media also has its part to play; giving customers the opportunity to share Instagram moments of their in-store experience provides a good test.

If wine shops continue to offer the traditional dead shop experience, then they will be following their neighbours’ demise.

By finding more ways to keep customers loyal, our high street retailers will survive. Locally, Tim’s Wines in South Petherton offers monthly tastings for its wine club members and Yapp Brothers provide helpful wine and food matching suggestions.

Museum Wines, based in Tarrant Hinton, Dorset, in addition to being specialist suppliers of South African Wines also organise tours to key wine producing areas, and hold a number of events throughout the year.

L.P-V.

Rare pastel chalks up strong price

A BEAUTIFULLY refined and rare pastel drawing by Samuel Walters of the celebrated Brunel vessel ‘SS Great Britain’ from 1852 attracted a number of bidders in April at Lawrences

Auctioneers of Crewkerne.

The artist’s work on paper is almost unknown with only one other pastel recorded. This impressive picture was bid up to £11,250 - a price much more commensurate with a large oil painting by the distinguished Merseyside artist.

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

THE VISITOR May 2022 29

Shutterstock.com/Vitalii Vodolazskyi.

Revealed - Where council tax increases are putting the biggest squeeze on household finances

THE LATEST analysis from estate and lettings agent, Barrows and Forrester, shows that the cost of council tax has climbed by as much as £145 in parts of the country, as yet another cost associated with our homes puts a squeeze on our household finances. From groceries to utilities, the rising cost of living is causing financial instability for homeowners and renters across the country.

One of the most significant costs associated with our homes, other than our rent or mortgage, is council tax and Barrows and Forrester has looked at how this annual cost has changed and which areas have seen the largest increase.

At £1,493, the average household in England is now paying 4.5% more than they were last year - that’s an increase of £64.

The biggest percentage increase in the country has been seen in Ashford, Kent, where this annual cost has climbed by 9.1%.

As a result, Ashford has also seen the largest monetary increase at £145, one of 18 areas of England where the annual cost of council tax has increased by more than £100.

Other areas to have seen this cost climb by more than £100 include Runnymede, Woking, Elmbridge, Bedford, Croydon, St Albans, Reigate and Banstead, Broxbourne, Mole Valley, Craven, Guildford, Mid Devon, Rutland, East Cambridgeshire, Watford, Waverley and South Oxfordshire.

In terms of the percentage increase versus last year, Manchester (8.7%), Bedford (8.1%), Salford (8.1%), Croydon (7.8%), Hyndburn (7.6%), Broxbourne (7.4%), Islington (7.4%), Runnymede (7.4%), Haringey (7.2%) are the areas to have seen the largest increase in council tax costs.

The smallest yearly increases have been seen in South Somerset (1.3%), Eden (1.5%), and Bristol (1.8%).

Managing Director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, commented:

“It’s certainly shaping up to be a bleak year for many households with the increasing cost of living squeezing our finances on all sides, whether it be the price of petrol, our weekly food shop, energy prices or council tax.

There’s a very strong chance we will also see mortgage costs continue to climb as the year goes on, while the cost of renting also looks set to increase and this will put further strain on those that are already cutting back to the extreme in order to get by.

At the same time, wages have failed to keep pace and the Government has done little to help, with the most significant offering being a very marginal reduction in National Insurance which isn’t due to be implemented until July.

For those really up against it, this meagre offering is likely to be far too little too late and we need to see more action being taken now to address this dire situation.”

Five of the biggest homebuyer turn-offs and what they could cost you

Estate and lettings agent, Barrows and Forrester, has revealed the five biggest homebuyer turn-offs and how much money each of them can remove from a home’s market value.

Bad/nuisance neighbours

For most people, living next-door to nuisance neighbours is a worst case scenario. Sometimes they make loud noises long into the night; sometimes they’re constantly in the garden partying; and sometimes they’re committing rowdy, even abusive

30 THE VISITOR May 2022

behaviour towards everyone living around them. Sometimes, of course, it’s all of the above and more.

Homebuyers will move heaven and earth to avoid moving in next door to bad neighbours, so much so that a property can struggle to even garner buyer interest and the seller ends up having to lower the asking price by at least 10%.

With today’s average house price, this means bad neighbours reduce value £27,376.

Poor upkeep of home’s exterior and gardens

Unlike bad neighbours, this one is completely within the control of the seller, so there’s not really any excuse for letting it happen.

General disrepair and shoddy appearance have a huge impact on first impressions, completely turning off a buyer before they’ve even stepped inside the property.

It is easy to make a home look clean and tidy from the outside, requiring only a broom, a pot of paint, and maybe a rented power washer. When it comes to the

garden, if it’s overgrown or being used as a dump site, buyers are likely to already have a negative opinion of the home before they’ve even stepped foot inside it.

Such is the power of this turnoff that it can reduce the value of a home by more than 14%, or £38,600.

Evidence of pets

We are a nation of pet lovers, but we’re also fastidious when it comes to cleanliness. Evidence of pet hair in the carpets and strong odours in the air are big buyer turn-offs and can reduce their perceived value of a home by 4%, or £11,000.

Parking problems

A convenient and secure parking space continues to be one of the most important things for homebuyers, so much so that a safe, private space can increase the value of a home by as much as £22,500 while the complete absence of a parking option will strip 7%, or £19,500, off the value. of a home.

Smeg range cookers and fridges in the iconic 50s style and a whole lot more are available at Homemaker of Shaftesbury and Warminster.

Homemaker, Shaftesbury and Warminster The kitchen is the heart of the home, so creating an attractive, comfortable and particularly welcoming space is paramount.

Your kitchen can be a hub and a haven; a place to cook for family and friends, chat over coffee, relax with an evening glass of wine, and for children to do their homework after a busy day at school.

Established in 1992, Homemaker are a family run independent kitchen designer, offering outstanding customer service and competitive prices.

From contemporary and bold colours to the more traditional painted finishes, they are there to help you choose the kitchen that best suits your requirements and style.

A personal and bespoke service is offered by the highly skilled and experienced in-house team who love helping you create your perfect kitchen, from the initial vision to the installation.

Homemaker supply a wide range of cookers and appliances from leading manufacturers such as Bosch, Hoover, Belling, Smeg and Samsung amongst many others and also offer a fast and efficient delivery service, usually within 24 hours from stock.

You can find further details instore and on their website at www.myhomemaker.co.uk.

You can also call 01747 851 476 for the Shaftesbury branch or 01985 219200 for the Warminster branch. The Shaftesbury branch has a large free car park. www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

THE VISITOR May 2022 31

The

Pub Pages

BEER & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER I HAVE NO doubt that if I was able to predict trends in any social situation I would be stinking rich by now. That hasn't happened, and I'm happy to be in a position where I don't have to make a living from attempting to predict those trends. One would have to have lived under a rock for the last few years not to have noticed the meteoric rise in the sales of gin. It is a drink

32 THE VISITOR May 2022

that is certainly 'not for me', although our offspring (both female) have embraced the drink and the huge varieties thereof, viz, pineapple flavour, apple flavour, strawberry flavour etc. and even rhubarb flavour! I'll leave it to gin aficionados to explore them, thanks all the same.

However ... gin sales have plummeted by a third and we look to the next trend predicted to be ... RUM! Unfortunately, according to my research it doesn't really feature. Whiskey is also down by over 40% yet vodka and tequila sales are up by around 6%. Doubtless some analysts are going to come up with the reasons, but I am left wondering what happened to rum?

Still, it's not something that interests the Baxter Mob particularly, as the title of the column suggests, but perhaps you good people out there in Visitorland can come up with some reasons!

With the temporary drop of VAT in pubs now but a memory and it being jacked back up to 20% despite pleadings from those in the hospitality industry (thanks for nothing, Rishi Sunak).

On top of this pubs and restaurants are being hit with

Is it a measure? Loggats Ashes Tour, 2017. England 3 Australia 0!

calorie labelling. This has really come at the worst possible time, as the long struggle postpandemic continues. The new legislation means businesses with 250 or more employees, including cafes, restaurants and takeaways, must display the calorie information of all non-prepacked food and soft drinks. What this means is that whether physically or on-line, menus have to display this information. Whilst this may not effect the small independents, the large companies will feel the pressure. Will the customers take notice though? We have yet to visit a large establishment, but I hear that it's making people feel guilty for choosing large calorie meals. Perhaps this is what is referred to as a ‘Government initiative’ as it is so described.

Personally I think the ‘Fun Police’ strike again! I wonder if all those highly-paid ministers and civil servants have such menus in their exclusive clubs? Answers on a post-card please.

Summer is approaching and the summer skittles leagues are in the offing as the winter leagues come to an end. Whilst any big success has eluded our team yet again, we all agree it has been some of the most enjoyable skittles we’ve ever played. Team spirit is at an all-time high and Friday nights out with the lads are really looked at with anticipation. I learn that there is a move afoot to get the local cribbage league going again and

shove ha'penny league in Newport (okay so it isn't around here) has had applications from new teams. Whether there will be an expansion of the skittles in this region for the winter season remains to be seen, although I hear there are only two pubs with free alleys.

It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of Derek ‘Wally’ Walters, a great doyen of the ‘beautiful game’. I spent many a happy time with him in his workshop turning up skittles and balls, although I didn't ever accompany him on his missions to maintain and repair alleys across the region. He was always keen to keep a good stock of timber and kit ready to be moved out as his customers requested it. He was also heavily involved with the game at the sharp end and I will endeavour to obtain more details for a future column.

Wally Walters discusses a skittle with author Arthur Taylor.

One day I may bore you all to tears on how we became best of friends with a couple on the far side of the world - before we had

The

Pub Pages

BEER & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER even met them. Well that's not today, so I will relate a little about the Church Family Loggats Trophy in Perth, Australia, that has taken off to a point where it's an annual event. We’ve featured the game in these columns before, but how do we play? Think bowls with big sticks! Simon and Joanna are talented sign makers and have made their own version of this ancient game and whilst none of the original rules have been discovered, it has not been overly difficult to come up with a set of working rules. Simon and his brother Paul have even named each set after persons within the family – ‘Alf and Lois’ were their late and much-loved parents. Games expert James Masters has researched the game and has gone into every minutiae.

Somewhat amazingly little

evidence of the game exists despite it having been around since the 1300's, as he has discovered. This research is now in the public domain. I have to admire his tenacity: I'd rather be out playing the game! We have Arthur Taylor to thank for sparking the interest in his fantastic book Played at the Pub, which I hope all you good people have already purchased. Whilst only one set of loggats is known to exist now, making a set is very simple and hours of fun for all ages is guaranteed. I'll leave you to study the pictures from sunny Australia, and if you have any interest in this game and many others pub-related, do join Pub Games on Facebook. Do feel free to email me with any questions about games, or report on what you play or see in your local pub.

Aha! You're waiting for the answer to last months' non-quiz!

The three photos showed two familiar games, but one of which is a ‘square’ of skittle-like objects at which it would appear a stick is hurled at them. Clearly not skittles, this is known as ‘Wallops’ and is (or was) played in the North of the country. I need reports of some sightings, please!

They Say That the Easter Trail at Chiselborough was a great success, although strong winds caused some of the bunnies to hop off.

Girls in action.

By the way, if you were unable to get a copy of last months Visitor, you can catch up on this and past months of the magazine on-line, which now go back some way. I thank the Editorial team for this initiative!

We have a great deal of negativity to overcome after the activities of the last couple of years, but we still have a lot to be grateful for. For starters, Boris is allowing the Crown stamp back on to our beer glasses! Hoorah and Huzzah!

Cheers! © P.A. Baxter 2022. skittlealley@hotmail.com

That on Saturday 9th April Keith Sturgess celebrated 60 years of owning and running West End Fish Bar in Street, having moved to the area in 1962 with his parents at the age of 15.

That ‘don’t make eye-contact’ is the advice given to ladies visiting a Somerton Hair Salon, where they are kept amused by Vinny the Cockerpoo.

That when tumble-drying her washing, Mrs Janet Feakins of Sprowston likes to practice her limbo dancing skills under the garage door.

That since the erection of a ‘Yacht Club’ sign, locals are now said to be residing in North Cadbury-on-Sea. That ’schoolboy knees’ recently spotted on Castle Cary’s Kevan Davis, were the result of a 'hands in pockets’ tumble.

That ‘to cap it all’ a cough was all that was needed by Jeanette Grey of High Ercall, to retrieve the missing object.

That Mrs Paula Harris of Castle Cary makes an exceeding good Pavlova.

That in a certain Chiselborough garden you can see dogs, ducks, owls, sheep, cows and more, now that spring is here … and they never make a sound!

That grockles visiting the West Country this summer maybe somewhat surprised to find a silver camel adorning that wellknown bottleneck of Sparkford roundabout.

Semi-final participants Paula and Simon Church.

Vinny is lost for words...

To ADVERTISE in The Visitor CALL ...

01963 351256 Loggats Trophy in the Perth sunshine!

Solution to April

Sudoku

ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ on page 13

1) Spandau Ballet 2) Dolly Parton 3) George Harrison 4) Charlie Puth 5) Bryan Adams 6) Thin Lizzie 7) Maroon Five 8) Electric Light Orchestra 9) ‘… Mr Blue’ 10) Harry Styles Anorak Bonus Question: Kate Bush Bobble Hat Bonus Question: ‘Wuthering Heights’ - 1978 THE VISITOR May 2022 33

Luca's Garden

with Bridget Sudworth I COULDN’T HELP but laugh when I reread last year's copy for May to discover that the weather patterns have been pretty much the same this year as then with a nasty prelude of late frost after a mild winter just when the fruit blooms were on their way.

However, things are looking good for the loveliest month of the year and now we have got a bit of a grip on the garden, the herbaceous border in particular, chances are that there will be plenty of colour as summer advances.

Careful work on the wisteria last Autumn (me giving directions to a very young man up the ladder) has resulted in the joy of blooms hanging outside the bedroom window where the dangling beauties can be admired from bed. Fingers are crossed that the various fruit trees, covered in blossom, will yield a plenteous crop later in the year (though one should never count one’s eggs before they’ve hatched!) We hacked some large unwieldy branches off the old apple tree and opened up the centre but all seems well so far and pear trees have been a veritable riot of flowers.

Luca has lent a paw, sometimes with too much

Approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

Papaver Orientalis.

exuberance, while rose planting has taken place. He has developed a special liking for soil improver and eats gobbits of it when no one is looking. He has learned, however, that walking about on flower beds with no regard for any shy leafy plant, is naughty (he gets a firm verbal reprimand) so has become rather furtive about gobbling up the compost. Other parts of the garden are there for him to make a new den if he chooses - he is not in the least a deprived dog!!!

I can’t help myself when it comes to roses and these have to be David Austin roses, in the garden somewhere - to date, Charles Darwin, Eustacia Vye and The Lady Gardener; three I have never grown before (the last being a most generous and welcome gift in exchange for some

splendid farm toys now long unused by our fast growing grandchildren but now in the hands of a new generation).

What is it about roses that makes them so irresistible? And why David Austin? Possibly because Austin roses provide repeat flowers of great romance, have provenance, are well bred, tough, dependable and provide the most delicious fragrance.

Bush roses also look so good among other plants and manage to hold their heads up well even when surrounded by neighbours.

They have to be very fragrant however - to sink one’s nose into a non smelly bloom doesn’t make sense so I always go for the most fragrant. There is one outstanding rose which I have not yet planted here but have grown in previous gardens; that

QUALIFIED ARBORIST

is the Red Rose of Lancaster, the Apothecary's Rose (Gallica Officinalis), for centuries grown for its medicinal qualities with a sensational heady perfume. The history of this particular rose is long and fascinating - loved by the Greeks and Romans - and lies at the root of later development of the Old Rose category.

Additionally, at the right time of year, any rose is tolerant of being moved if it doesn’t prosper and will please the soul when happy in the right place.

Then, of course, there are the climbers and ramblers who do a splendid job covering up an unsightly fence or crawling along a post and rail structure or borrowing an old tree for support while climbing to the sky. There is a rose for every site you can think of. David Austin roses are not cheap though bareroot in November is the best way to buy them but like good quality clothes, for example, you get what you pay for!

Quite by accident I have discovered the art of Mound Planting! Actually, in my book, this means just dumping great clumps of unwanted herbaceous under hedgerows or in odd corners where there is space because they seem too good to chuck out but are impossible to sort into individual plants. They are all doing well so far and settling in with very little attention. Of course, most are thugs anyway and have great qualities of endurance. In clearing the wretched border, previously

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE AND DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL

TREE PLANTING

PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660 34 THE VISITOR May 2022

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

Tulips among Mt. Atlas Daisy (Anacyclus depressus)

smothered plants have emerged including a montana clematis which is a great boon.

Luca and I discovered a dead sparrowhawk lodged in a low branch of a chestnut tree recently when walking through our local woods. It may have misjudged navigation but was lying twisted and broken making a sad sight.

Being such a hunter and indeed,

a hawker, it is always sad to come across raptors ending up so ignominiously. Luca is never interested in carrion, fortunately; he barely gives it the time of day unlike an adored previous dog of ours who would lift anything from really old, flattened, very dead rabbit to deer guts stripped out by the culling merchants; later to be honked up on the carpet at

home. Removing anything from the mouth of 45kgs of Bouvier des Flandres (even with the most loving disposition!), is not something to argue with whereas dear old Luca, being semiedentulous, with a mouthful of horse manure, is no challenge to removal!!

Relish May - paradise gardens will unfold!

Celsiana rose.

Andrew’s Inspiration this month: Remembering the many walks I enjoyed with my grandad as a boy and his faithful whippets that are still fresh in my memory

Tuscany Superb (Gallica rose).

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Somerset Wildlife Trust launches new Open Garden Scheme for wider participation

Wilder Open Gardens to celebrate gardens and green spaces of all sizes that provide special places for nature to thrive, to inspire others to garden with wildlife in mind, and to raise vital funds for nature at the same time.

Somerset Wildlife Trust is delighted and excited to launch a unique new open garden scheme for garden lovers and wildlife enthusiasts across the county.

Wilder Open Gardens will give amateur gardeners and anyone with even slightly green fingers in their communities the chance to be loud and proud of their gardens and outdoor spaces and share some of the special things they are doing for nature in them.

From balcony and patio gardens to large private estates and everything in between, anyone with a love of wildlife is encouraged to get involved.

The aim of the scheme is to

36 THE VISITOR May 2022

inspire others to make their outdoor spaces more friendly for wildlife, no matter what size, in order to combat the huge decline in nature across the county – and to raise funds for Somerset Wildlife Trust at the same time.

The scheme provides a wilder and greener alternative to the normal charity coffee morning fundraiser and to bigger national open garden schemes that can be daunting for people to undertake.

With an estimated 124,500 private gardens in Somerset, gardens with even just a few simple tweaks can act as vital stepping stones for wildlife across the county. From hedgehog holes in fences, swift boxes, pollinator friendly window boxes, mini ponds and small patches left wild, all actions add up to help nature thrive.

Whether you’ve done something large or small the Trust wants you to share it all – with family, friends, community group, neighbours – even your entire street. You can host a Wilder Open Garden as a one off

Image: Paul Hobson.

event, over a weekend or it could become part of an existing regular social fixture over the warmer months - it’s whatever you have time for.

Perhaps you have an amazing patch of wildflowers that comes up each year, a homemade insect hotel that’s fully booked or a window ledge of colourful pollinator friendly plants – so long as you’ve made a change or two for wildlife, anything goes.

So open the garden gate, put the kettle on, bake a cake or two and show off your wilder garden this spring and summer!

Taking part and hosting a Wilder Open Garden is incredibly easy as the Trust has created a special Wilder Open Gardens pack for download online (somersetwildlife.org/wilder-open-

gardens) with all the information to make your Wilder Open Garden event a success from invitations, to signage, ideas for fundraising and lots of tips on how to promote your event.

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Community Fundraiser, Kate Wilson, explains, “Nature is in huge decline and climate change is exacerbating the rate at which this is happening. Literally every space for nature counts, large or small, so our gardens have a really important role to play in terms of reversing that decline and putting nature back into our gardens – and into our lives.

“We’re a green-fingered nation and we know there’s a huge number of people out there doing some pretty amazing things for wildlife in their own homes and

we want to give those people’s efforts a chance to shine. Size really doesn’t matter – micro gardens are welcome, balconies, green walls, fabulous pots and hanging basket collections.

It’s also about having a brilliant excuse to catch up with the people around us that we have not seen as much as we would have liked, with whom we can share ideas and tips and just enjoying nature on our own doorsteps in good company – any excuse for cake must be welcomed!

The fundraising element is equally as vital as Somerset Wildlife Trust cannot do the work needed across the county without the help of generous supporters.

Hopefully the new scheme will provide an easy, enjoyable way for people to do their bit for nature on their own patch. I am really looking forward to supporting our hosts this year so do get in touch.”

Alongside the launch of Wilder Open Gardens, the Trust has also launched a range of new wilder gardening resources on its website to give people practical ideas and help in putting nature friendly features into their gardens and outdoor space, information about its wilder gardening group and also an interactive map where community garden owners can feature their community garden so people can visit and even volunteer to help.

Europe followed in 2014 and EGO soon became established as a technology leader for its highperformance cordless outdoor power equipment.

With a focus on innovation, EGO design and manufacture a comprehensive range of outdoor power equipment, from lawn mowers to hand-held tools like line trimmers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws and leaf blowers. Their unique patented 56V ARC Lithium™ batteries have the industry's highest capacity in a hand-held battery, giving you the power to outperform petrol.

Avoid the rocketing fuel costs this year and maintain your garden with an EGO. The same batteries fit all products, so going green in the garden this year couldn’t be easier. Find the full range of EGO products at Ben Johnson Garden Machinery of Shaftesbury.

Image: Tom Marshall.

Go green this year and get an EGO at Ben Johnson Garden Machinery, Shaftesbury

EGO was first launched in the United States in 2012 and quickly became the country's #1 rated garden machinery battery brand.

One battery powers all - get the full range of EGO products at Ben Johnson Garden Machinery, Shaftesbury.

THE VISITOR May 2022 37

Synchronised battery gardening & mowing with Mountfield

The NEW ‘Freedom 28e’ Battery Rider Mower

Available now, battery power is at the cutting edge of lawn care and the Mountfield team have proved once again that they are at the forefront of innovative cordless technology.

Mountfield has been at the helm of the ‘Quiet Revolution’ of cordless mowing and gardening taking place in Britain’s gardens today.

Intelligent Lithium-Ion batteries are at the heart of all Mountfield cordless ranges. These batteries recognise the mower or tool that they are fitted to and tune the power appropriately to maximise battery life and deliver the right amount of power to get the job done!

with the power of petrol but convenience of cordless.

The smart 48V batteries can be used in all the mowers, pruners, blowers, chainsaws, grass trimmers, brush cutters and hedge trimmers in the Freedom500 range.

The Mountfield Freedom 28e is available online now.

A cordless hover that is a lot less bother from Mountfield!

New to Mountfield for 2022, is the Typhoon – a cordless hover mower which will allow you to mow with the flow!

The Typhoon is powered by 2 x 4Ah (20V) smart Stiga e-power batteries that provide ample power to cut lawns up to 100sqm from one charge.

Recently, the Mountfield team shared news about their brand, new Freedom 28e rider mower.

This machine is engineered around 4 removable 5Ah batteries that intelligently synchronise when mowing and are also interchangeable with the handheld gardening products that feature in the Freedom500 cordless range.

Now, the batteries for all mowers and gardening tools in the Freedom500 range are fully interchangeable, making your whole gardening and mowing experience versatile, easy, and 38 THE VISITOR May 2022

Easy to use and easy to manoeuvre the Typhoon will glide across the grass with ease, forwards, backwards and side to side ... and with no cord to get tangled in bushes, hedges, or garden furniture!

The unique patented cutting text traps the air creating the right amount of energy to produce the cushioning effect that lifts the mower from the ground similar to a hovercraft. The blade has been specially designed for maximum cutting efficiency without disturbing air flow.

This mower is extremely lightweight, just 7kg so very easy to transport to areas around the garden that require cutting. It is also easy to store in any garden shed or garage, flat against the wall from a single hook.

The mower comes with 2 x 20V 4Ah batteries and a dual charger, the batteries are interchangeable within other products in the Freedom100 cordless range such as a grass trimmer, blower, vacuum shredder, hedge trimmer and multi-tool as well as a selection of 3 collecting mowers.

The Typhoon is a must-have for those who have stepped gardens or sloped grassed banks and will be available from Amazon UK, selected B&Q stores and online at B&Q and Screwfix now. Easy Mows it!

New for 2022, the Mountfield Freedom 28e rider is easy to use and easy to manoeuvre, and perfectly suited for use in complex gardens. Combining the power of petrol with the high demands of being environmentally friendly, the Freedom 28e ensures maximum performance with the greatest possible flexibility.

The smart batteries used are also compatible with the handheld equipment within the Freedom500 cordless range, offering the greatest ePower flexibility as the batteries are interchangeable. The four removable 5Ah batteries intelligently synchronise when mowing to create ample power and efficient run-times for a garden up to ½ acre in size. Other features include: • Shock absorbing cutting deck making mowing a lot quieter.

• Two contra-rotating blades that are engaged at the touch of a button • 150-litre rear-mounted grass collector.

• Cutting width of 72cm, perfect for even the “narrowest” lawn sections • Low-vibration, ergonomic features and a reduced noise level • Steering wheel can be turned easily with just one finger • One-button start, cruise control and One Pedal Drive • The tractor stops automatically when the drive pedal is released.

• Parking brake that activates automatically when machine stops.

• Washing link for easy maintenance of the underside of the deck This model comes with 4 x 48V 5Ah batteries and charger and is available from www.mountfield lawnmowers.co.uk.

MOTORING VINTAGE Motorcycling with Rod Hann

MAY ALREADY and the number of events taking place has multiplied giving us choices of different places to go and different people to see. So I will start this month with the events scheduled to take place.

The Somerset Section have their club night at Cossington on the 5th followed on the 14th by the Chairmans Day Out at Pitney. They have an Evening Meet on the 19th and on the 29th will be the All Day Breakfast Run from Spaxton Village Hall, 8am start for all those early birds.

The Dorset Section start with the Hedgerow Row Run from Sturminster Newton on the 8th.

Club night on the 11th will be an Evening Run from The Halsey Arms, Pulham, and this starts at 6-30pm.

On the 29th they have the Giants Run from Spire Hill Farm, near Stalbridge. This is a special event catering only for bikes fitted with girder forks which in general terms means they must have been made prior to the last war. The Wessex V and V Section have their Breakfast Meet at Ansty on the 7th followed on the 9th with their club afternoon which features Items of Interest, which is always a bit of fun to see what turns up. Lastly on the 12th they have the Picnic Run which again starts at Ansty. Full details on the above can be had by ringing 01935-872528.

The Wells and Westlands Classic Motorcycle Clubs also have a packed programme so look at their websites for full details.

Of particular note here is the Westland clubs Spirit of the

Simpson 50cc.

Sixties event which takes place on the 8th starting at Yeovil Rugby Club. This event is a charity money raiser for the Freewheelers, the organisation which runs the blood bikes locally.

This is the courier service provided to hospitals to transport urgent blood samples, tissue and organs. A very worthwhile organisation deserving of all the help we can give.

Big does not necessarily mean best in the old bike world. Many people think that the bigger and more powerful the machine the better it will be and more fun can be had. This is not always so. For example on a recent Dorset Section run one rider chose to use his Simpson 50cc motorcycle. The little bike performed well and happily kept up with the flow of traffic and was only found wanting on a couple of the larger hills we encountered. The rider screamed the bike all day but still

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the little engine was happy and came back for more.

The Simpson proved reliable and of great fun to ride according to the riders large grin all day.

A photo of the bike is selected for my picture this month. Simpson as a company started in the 1850's in the eastern part of Germany.

They diversified into making many different types of machinery but only started producing motorcycles in 1922.

They continued producing bikes until 2002 but in later years only made small engined commuter type bikes and they gained a reputation for tough and rugged machines. Now quite rare in this country Simpson's do not command large prices so for a

few hundred pounds see what fun you could have, and put a smile on your face.

I am not one for Old Wives Tales but one old saying is that the direction of the wind over the 18th to 21st March dictates what weather we can expect during this summer. I am glad to report that this year the wind was coming from an easterly direction, which in general is a dry direction, so if the saying rings true we should be in for a dry and sunny summer. A very good reason to dust off those machines and ready them for some action in the months ahead.

As I write this piece we are enjoying an unseasonably hot and dry spell of weather, which for April is unheard of. The last few days has seen me riding without full gear on and in complete comfort. I cannot remember doing so this early in the year, ever. But whenever we have such good weather we should take full advantage and use our old bikes as much as possible. There is still plenty of time in the months ahead when conditions are not that favourable.

Now is the time of year when the more casual and social side of motorcycling becomes more prolific. I am thinking here of the Bike Meets which seem to have sprung up everywhere.

I regularly go to one near my home which is one of the smaller meets (100 to 200 bikes on a good evening) where you soon make friends, enjoy a bite to eat and drink, and have a pleasant evening talking about the myriad of bikes which assemble there.

Anyone interested in bikes should try it for themselves.

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 THE VISITOR May 2022 39

Remember when ... 30 years ago from Underground in Wincanton

TUNNELS beneath Wincanton made front-page news in the May 1992 Visitor. Stephen Broughton, owner of the 19th century building on the corner of the Market Place and North Street, had found a tunnel and well beneath the building in 1980, but full-scale restoration in 1992 had given him a second chance to investigate. ‘In the cellar you see it as plain walls and fireplace,’ he told the magazine. ‘Dig up the floor and you find another huge well. Its sides are corbelled with the circular stonework widening as it deepens.’

According to Mr Broughton a probe had revealed that it was holding 36ft depth of water and ‘seems to be fed from the inner well discovered in 1980. The two are linked by a water channel, and other tunnels, which are dry, lead off under both the building and the road.’ The report concluded that the wells and passages are so extensive that they must pre-date Mr Broughton’s building and are greatly out of scale with what would have been provided for domestic water consumption.

Logically the large well must have been the reservoir for a town supply.

Researches by local historians and subsequent investigations under nearby properties revealed much more about Wincanton’s subterranean world and was published in the August 2004 Visitor.

Publican’s problems

History repeats itself. Thirty years ago the pub business was in what the May 1992 Visitor called ‘a crippled state’. An article outlined three principal problems: ‘The customer is suffering with the increase in prices and many are buying in the supermarkets 40 THE VISITOR May 2022

and drinking at home. Landlords are being squeezed out of existence as pubs across the length and breadth of the UK go to the wall.’ ‘Pubs are changing to become the same stereotyped duplication of a city architect’s idea of a country pub.’ ‘The landlord is making way for the new style “accountant” licensee or manager.

Now the punter is served by shift-work bar persons not terribly interested in their customers.’ The writer concluded that ‘this is a people business and it used to be good. Sadly I cannot see it ever being the same again.

You can’t just invent ambience in pubs, it takes time to materialise. CAMRA saved the traditional pint – we ought to have a campaign to save the traditional pub to drink it in.’

Tempered relief in Gillingham

No blues for blues

Broadly mysterious

In the aftermath of the General Election in which opinion polls had suggested that Neil Kinnock might snatch victory from John Major, the May 1992 issue reported that very little had changed in Visitorland. ‘Dorset retained its reputation as the Tories’ safest county. Paddy was back bigger and better than ever, the only blip on a true blue region.

The main blessing was that we didn’t have a hung parliament and then be forced to go through all that hype again.’ In the writer’s view the election ‘will be famous as the one the opinion polls got wrong.

All those familiar names, Gallup, NOP, MORI, Harris which flashed nightly across your TV screens and repeated ad nauseam in the morning papers, were afterwards ridiculed for believing that what the British public was willing to tell them was the truth.’

Completion of Gillingham’s relief road was recorded in the May 1992 Visitor with the comment that ‘traders breathe a sigh of relief. Now all they have to do is attract plenty of shoppers back into the centre.’ But a new problem had arisen with the relief road – its name, Le Neubourg Way. According to the report, ‘residents are up in arms about it, saying it was decided by the Town Council behind their backs and lobbying for a change to Chantry Way’, but the article went on to remind readers that the name had been decided five years ago and not behind anyone’s back. ‘No-one noticed because too few people took any notice of their Council,’ it stated, adding that ‘now it’s too late’.

The first railways to penetrate Visitorland were from Taunton to Yeovil in 1853, Highbridge to

archives Glastonbury in 1854, and Frome to Yeovil in 1856.

All were built to Brunel’s broad gauge of 7ft 01/4ins, but elsewhere in Britain Stephenson’s chosen gauge of 4ft 81/2ins was rapidly becoming the standard.

On 20th May 1892 the last broad gauge train left Paddington for Bristol and the West Country, and the May 1992 Visitor commemorated the demise of Brunel’s concept, commenting that ‘thousands of wagons, coaches and locomotives had to be in one convenient place (Swindon) to be dismantled, and overnight all the broad lines narrowed to the new standard.

Incredibly it was achieved ... sheer well-organised manpower did the job’.

Why the Visitor chose to commemorate the event is a mystery as the area’s three broad gauge lines had already been narrowed in 1879, 1862 and 1874 respectively. Perhaps Helen, Michelle and Julian were covert railway enthusiasts.

Roger Richards.

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

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01963 441232 07971 676111

THE VISITOR May 2022 41

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.

To Let

Situation Wanted

2 BED FIRST floor flat. Garden with off road parking Langport. £650 per month.

Available 1st June 2022. Tel 07840 752351

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

Personal www.country-link.org.uk COUNTRY LINK SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel: Andy 01225 834834 or Val 01749 342918 JUST SOMERSET INTRODUCTIONS. Bringing people together. Call Alison Tel: 07584 250285, www.justintro ductionsgroup.co.uk

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. f Box 5522, Castle Cary, Somerset BA9 0BP – to arrive by Monday 23rd May.

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 for furniture in locked cubicles.

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

Wanted

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

DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, salvage, bygones and collectables. Daves Tools, Est. 1989. Tel: 01935 428975

KBB KITCHEN FITTER, all aspects of kitchen fitting undertaken. 30 years experience. Tel 01963 364550 or 07890 841827

REDUNDANT MOTOR MOWERS, rotavators, chainsaws, strimmers, cement mixers, etc. Tel: 01460 77844

is MONDAY 23rd May.

Set by Frank Butler

Storage

CLASSICAL AND JAZZ LP records / Large collections of Classical/Opera CDs. Tel: 01458 834102 / 07704229979 / email: tonyartony@aol.com

DEADLINE for JUNE Issue

Prize Crossword No. 426

TOOLS wanted, cash waiting. Tel: 01747 850474 PETROL OR DIESEL GENERATORS. Any make/model, we collect in any area.

Top prices paid in cash. Tel: 07970 742471

Clues Across: 8. Whip above and below 14 [4] 9. All alone in song [3] 10. Ignorant under a mix-up [6] 11. No writer climbing to unlock [4, 2] 12. Flare-up as returning elder hugs family [8] 13. Door-keepers authorize tunes by the sound of it [15] 15. Tristan makes crossing [7] 17. Room for church colour [7] 20. Set drawer in the Red Bar? [9, 6] 23. Refreshment counter; Edward struck repeatedly [8] 25. Having first and last in firm surroundings is a risk [6] 26. Old script makes French one 50% official [6] 27. Number on roll initially and also not [3] 28. Northern 9 is 0 [4] Clues Down: 1. Sunday: a very quiet house briefly reads Greek poetess [6] 2. Muddled man in a small church is native to the far east [8] 3. Mercifully pass into a comely array [15] 4. Do not take part when there are showers near the umpire [7] 5. County for rearing pigs? [15] 6. State of ruin be ruinous [6] 7. Bird run over by train [4] 14. Observe town [3] 16. Regret shrub [3]

18. Powder-room publication [8] 19. Annoyed mixture is bland [7] 21. Buttered round the Mule [6] 22. Go wrong and run this [6] 24. Arm bone with some awful name!

[4]

Solution to Crossword 425

Winner of the April Crossword is Mrs Linda Lines of Hardington Mandeville who chose to spend the £10 voucher at Crewkerne Cards.

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH

SOS to all air rifles and pistols any make or model. Any condition.

WE COLLECT IN ANY AREA, TOP PRICES PAID IN CASH ALSO GUNS SOLD

42 THE VISITOR May 2022

07970 742471

ALSO GUNS SOLD