CASTLE CARY

IF YOU’RE STARTING to think about buying Christmas presents then Castle Cary is a ‘must’ to visit. Its many independent retailers, some of them longestablished and traditional in the best sense of the word, offer attentive service and a wide choice of high quality goods at

MAX FOOTE Associates Ltd

Chartered Certified Accountants

2 Bailey Hill Castle Cary BA7 7AD Tel: 01963 351052

Business and limited company accounts, self assessment tax returns, VAT, Payroll, Book-keeping and Training Personal and professional service

competitive prices. During a recent stroll through the town centre I amassed a substantial list of gift ideas and came away with the impression that whatever you’re looking for, the chances are that you can buy it in Castle Cary. It’s a browser’s paradise offering goods that can’t be easily obtained from the national chainstores, and personal service that makes shopping a pleasure rather than a chore.

Christmas was very different back in the 18th century. On 25th December 1764 James Woodforde records in his diary that ‘Fifteen poor old people dined here as usual being Xmas Day. We had for dinner today a large rump of beef of thirty pounds roasted, and three large plum puddings. Fine beef it was.’ ‘Here’ was Ansford Parsonage where Woodforde was born in 1740. His father was Rector of Ansford and Vicar of Castle Cary, and James was ordained into the priesthood in 1764, serving as Curate in his father’s parishes until 1773. From the age of 18 until his death on New Year’s Day 1803 he kept a diary recording in great detail the social scene of the period – the places, the people, what they ate and what it cost, how they behaved, worked, spent their leisure and died – in parts of rural England scarcely touched by national or world affairs.

Certainly the major events of history don’t appear to have impinged on Castle Cary to any great extent. The town has little recorded history. Primary or manuscript sources are scarce, and secondary material is extremely scattered, all of which suggests that for most of its 1,300-year existence it has quietly, self-sufficiently and

Dave Marsh on Fore Street.

DAVE MARSH HARDWARE LTD

The really useful shop!

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Fore Street, Castle Cary •  01963 350316

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The Market House built 1855 displays a Flemish architectural style unlike anything else in the town.

Quality service assured at Phillips Tyres, Castle Cary.

prosperously gone about its business. It successfully survived the decline of the wool industry and its final collapse in the 18th century, and by 1831 Pigot’s ‘Pocket Topography and Gazetteer’ was able to record that the town had three solicitors, four bakers, two bankers, four bootmakers, three carpenters, four drapers, two druggists, three fire officers, twelve grocers, six inns, two maltsters, three milliners, four painters, three plasterers, two saddlers, three smiths, two stonemasons, four surgeons, four tailors, two tinmen, two sailcloth manufacturers, a hair seating maker, two watchmakers, four wheelwrights, an auctioneer, a basket maker, a bookseller, a miller, a nurseryman and a wine and spirit merchant. The town’s countless examples of good-quality provincial architecture – products of past prosperity – mainly date from the 19th century. Until the late 18th century most of the properties in Cary were two-storey, built of rough local stone and thatched –the front part of the George Hotel remains as an example. And behind the 19th and 20th century facades of some of the town centre shops are buildings dating from earlier centuries, especially on busy Fore Street that stretches from the Market Place to the horsepond. It is intriguing to trace the places Woodforde mentions in his diaries and imagine them as he had seen them 250 years ago. He would find his birthplace, the Old Parsonage at the junction of Tucker’s Lane and the A371, not greatly changed in appearance since his birth in 1740 despite now standing amidst acres of modern housing. But of Ansford Manor House, which he calls The Lower House in his diary, he would find no trace as sadly it was destroyed by fire in 1892. And he would not recognise Ansford Church as it was Sewing Machine Services 5x2.qxp_Ad-style 27/03/2017 14:30 Page 1 completely rebuilt in 1861. Being close to his home he often visited Ansford Inn, a coaching inn at the junction of Ansford Road and the main road, as on 3rd February 1767 when he attended a Masquerade Ball ‘and very elegant it was, much beyond my expectations in all respects’. The building still stands but it ceased to be an inn in 1879 and for many years was used to store furniture. It was restored in 1951 as housing. In Castle Cary he would recognise the George Hotel, centrally situated on the Market Place and the town’s principal inn in the 18th century, just as it is today. During the election campaign of 1768 Woodforde records on 1st March that ‘great dinners etc given today at the George Inn and the Angel’ by friends of the candidates, and ‘bells ringing etc and a great procession through town with musick playing and guns firing’. The Angel Hotel faced the George across the street in the building that is nowadays Pinsents delicatessen. In Woodforde’s day the Angel was known as the Catherine Wheel, for the original Angel was on Upper High Street opposite the junction with Ansford Road. His diary records on 21st November 1769 that his drunken brother Jack ‘spent the evening at the Angel at Cary and returned very much disguised in liquor and stayed up late’. And on 26th December 1767 that brother Jack ‘supped and spent his evening at the Catherine

Wheel and was out late. It is very disagreeable, his way of life.’ If you have an eye for history you’ll find that the town retains much of its past to admire. On Bailey Hill the building of elegant Georgian symmetry dates from 1767 and became the Post Office in 1882 when its proprietor was also an estate agent, auctioneer, bailiff and census enumerator. Nowadays the Post Office has relocated to Fore Street and the building is a dwelling once again. It faces the back of the Market House, built as recently as 1855 in a fussy Flemish style of architecture on the site of an earlier market building dating from 1616. But nothing remains The George Hotel on the Market of Castle Cary’s castle which was Place was Castle Cary’s principal inn in the 18th century. probably abandoned around 1153. At its site on Lodge Hill there are just some indentations in the ground and a magnificent view over the town. The view alone makes it well worth taking a short stroll up Paddock Drain, the footpath off the Market Place alongside the George, through the gate at the top and into the field where the castle once stood. The town’s history is a crucial part of its attraction to many visitors, just as its number and variety of shops and services are attractive to so many others. Roger Richards.

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UNIT 8, TORBAY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CASTLE CARY BA7 7DW

The Market House is a beautiful historic grade II listed building in the heart of Castle Cary, with good access and parking nearby. Renovations in recent years have kept its characteristic charm enabling the space to be used as a multi-functional venue, be it a party, meeting, exhibition, or wedding. We have hosted many wonderful weddings this year, with several confirmed for next year, so please get in touch if you are looking for an intimate wedding in a beautiful and unique setting.

The venue is available for hire with any combination of spaces: The Shambles – boasts a fusion of modern architecture and original features, including stunning windows and original flag stone flooring. Complete with glazed roof, underfloor heating, seating for up to 50 people, with additional standing room, a purpose-built servery and AV and projector equipment with the ability to host hybrid meetings, with our new hearing loop and microphone system. From the Shambles step out to the covered ‘Undercroft’, it’s the perfect overspill area for events in The Shambles. Finally, the spacious Assembly Room - on the upper floor, which is the most recent

space to undergo renovation and will be fully available to hire soon. If you are looking for a distinctive venue in the heart of Castle Cary for your event, party, wedding, meeting or funeral wake please contact Catrin Loxton by email markethouse.bookings@castlecary.co.uk or call 01963 351763 to discuss your requirements.

Save the date! Thursday 8th December – Castle Cary & Ansford Big Christmas is back! Join us for late night shopping, music, dancing, street food and drink and even a visit from Father Christmas.

Roderick Thomas

Roderick Thomas Estate Agents presents two outstanding properties of contrasting character and style.

The Old Vicarage, a resplendent 6-bedroom Victorian home in sought-after Baltonsborough village is poised in an exceptionally peaceful culde-sac with wonderful rural views across mature gardens to a murmuring millstream and fields beyond. Just 10 minutes’ drive from Millfield and within easy reach of many further excellent schools. Offers at £1,500,000.

Tor Manor at Priorygate Court is an impressive manor house in central Castle Cary, standing within its own grounds and offering four bedrooms plus a selfcontained annexe together with a magnificent indoor swimming pool complex, sauna and hot-tub. Surrounded by beautiful, landscaped gardens, within a short distance of the town centre, mainline rail services and several first-rate schools. Offers at £1,695,000.

The Old Vicarage, a resplendent 6-bedroom Victorian home in sought-after Baltonsborough. Tor Manor, Castle Cary.

Cary Kebab and Pizza

Special offer, any pizza, any size, is 1/2 price on Sundays when you collect it from 4 Fore Street, Castle Cary BA7 7BQ.

They also offer a wide selection of takeaway foods to choose from on their menu, kebabs, pizzas, burgers, wraps etc including kids meal deal.

Home delivery is available from 5pm -10pm, minimum spend for delivery is £12. Their delivery areas are within a 7 mile radius of Castle Cary to include: Ditcheat, Alhampton, Bruton, Sparkford, Queen Camel, Galhampton, North Cadbury and South Cadbury, and delivery charges apply. Open every day 3pm - 11pm. Tel 01963 359666. Fancy a curry tonight? Miah’s Castle can tempt you by an unrivalled range of authentic and imaginative fusion dishes. Their food is cooked to the highest standards using only the best quality and freshest ingredients. Their approach to healthy cooking is that they don’t use any artificial colouring and try to minimise additives in their dishes.

Miah’s offer a takeaway service as well as an ambient, licensed restaurant, which offers a welcoming evening out, with catering for a table of two up to a group party of 52.

Their Christmas party bookings are now being taken for that special family gathering, catching up with friends or the office party. Please call 01963 350425 / 351888. Open 5-10pm daily.

CARY KEBAB 6X1.qxp_Layout 1 14/07/20 SPECIAL PIZZA OFFER SPECIAL PIZZA OFFER ON ON SUNDAY & MONDAY SUNDAYS ANY PIZZA, ANY SIZE ANY PIZZA, ANY SIZE 1/2 PRICE 1/2 PRICE (Collection only) (Collection only) Refurbishment at Heal and Sole Holistics Offering the very best in holistic therapies, reflexology, Indian head massage, Reiki and emotional freedom techniques (EFT), Julia and Kevin in their 10th year as Heal and Sole Holistics have recently updated their treatment room. They have refreshed the décor by redecorating, replacing the furniture and introducing some new artwork for the walls. They have also replaced their treatment couch with the most luxurious and comfortable one on the market. It is now fully electrically adjustable for height, back support and bolster under the knees, all

Their clients are already giving the changes the thumbs up, saying that the room seems more spacious with a light and airy ambiance, whilst retaining the same calming and peaceful feel. One thing that won’t change is that their room will always be warm, welcoming and cosy for you, whatever the temperature outside.

If you like the sound of the recent changes and would like to experience one of their relaxing treatments, please give them a call on 01963 350639 or visit their website healandsole.co.uk for further details. British-grown Christmas Trees are available from Fri 25th November.

Take the stress for that perfect Christmas dinner away with George’s Christmas Order Box and collect it on 22nd, 23rd, or 24th December. Pick up an order form in store at 1 Park Street, Castle Cary, or email george@georgesfruitandveg.com.

Julia and Kevin are celebrating 10 years at Heal and Sole Holistics.

George’s Greengrocer and Fruiterer

The local produce on offer at George’s is sourced from some of the best growers in and around Somerset, ensuring the fruit and vegetables are consistently of the highest quality and beautifully fresh. With Christmas fast approaching George’s is stepping up for the busiest time of year, not only with the shop but also their wholesale trade, with lots of pubs/restaurants for their Christmas events within Castle Cary and surrounding local area. As with every year, supplies of Needful Things

Needful Things, right at the top of Castle Cary High Street, has been delighting us with Christmas Cheer for over 2 decades!

This year, their 24th Christmas, is proving to be the best fun ever. Glass, feather, felt and metal baubles adorn every tree and garland with themes to suit all tastes. From funky colours to traditional red/green/gold and eveything inbetween! So whether you’re creating a snowy winter wonderland or a forest tree, full of wildlife with berries, cones and leaves, this shop has it all! Add to their decorations a wonderful selection of Christmas crackers, napkins and scented candles … and you can see why Needful Things at Christmas is always a popular destination. Statement pieces for your Christmas Table, fireside and hallway are dotted around the 4 rooms of Christmas joy in this fun-loving, jolly little shop.

And whilst you're there, why not choose a snuggly wooly jumper, hat or handwarmers to help beat those winter blues! Needful Things clothing has a lot to offer this season, including their new clothing brand, Soya Concepts, which is proving a great hit already. Finally, to add a splash of colour to your Christmas 1 Park Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7EQ George Cronk • 07483 890119 • george@georgesfruitandveg.com