The Visitor Magazine Issue 470 Christmas/January 2023

Christmas is almost upon us. Have you posted the cards, put up the decorations, wrapped the gifts, booked the pantomime tickets, ordered the turkey, stocked the larder with an abundance of festive foods and bought the booze? Millions of us buy into the trappings of Christmas even though they have little or no connection with the religious event we are supposedly celebrating. Why do we do it?

For some its an excuse for a binge, a week of shutting the door on the troubles of the world and simply having a good time regardless of the cost. For others it’s the time at the end of another year for a family reunion, with tacit recognition that we’re all one year older and closer to the grave. Maybe the justification is that ‘we’re doing it for the children’ or that it’s a tradition that everyone else is doing and there’s stigma attached to not joining in. Tradition can be a powerful influence, and advertisers constantly allude to it when trying to sell us their products at Christmas.

Perhaps it’s nostalgia, the wistful affection and longing for what’s thought to be ‘the good old days’. But nostalgia doesn’t always look so good without rosetinted spectacles. Older readers might recall waking up on a cold Christmas morning and scraping ice from the inside of the bedroom window, for central heating wasn’t widespread until the 1970s. And tucking into a Christmas dinner that was fairly spartan by today’s standards, for food was still rationed until the 1950s. Yet we continue to dream of a ‘White Christmas’ and perpetuate the myth on the cards we send and in the cotton wool and silver glitter we stick on yule logs, trees and window panes.

Rather than Christmas maybe it’s preChristian Saturnalia that some are celebrating. In Roman mythology Saturn was the god of vegetation and crops and his festival was celebrated close to the winter solstice when the fertility of the land in the year ahead was of vital concern

to people. It was nature worship, intended to stimulate that fertility, and in Roman times it entailed seven days of excess and orgy. An integral part of the festival was the use of greenery for decorating their homes and clothing in order to bind the potency of nature to themselves, and the early Christian church integrated some aspects of pagan customs into its own festivals. The Romans took their festival with them to wherever they settled, so we can be pretty sure that Visitor land experienced it for hundreds of years in the dim and distant past.

There are many good reasons for celebrating, so do your best to enjoy yourself and have a merry Christmas. But a week later the world will still be beset by climate change, pandemic, armed conflict, recession, rampant inflation and industrial unrest, so for many of us 2023 looks unlikely to be a happy New Year.

NN.

Advertising Deadlines

February Issue Deadline: 23rd January

February Issue Published: 1st February

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. 2023

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

CONTENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED 42

ANTIQUES 30

CROSSWORD 42 GARDENING 36

GOLDEN YEARS Care for the Elderly 20 HOUSE & HOME 28

LAST MINUTE GIFT GUIDE 16 LEISURE 14

LOOKING GOOD A Healthy New Year 24 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES 7 MOTORING 39 PHONE A FIRM 41 POP QUIZ 14 PUBS 32

NOTE TO ADVERTISERS

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

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

REMEMBER WHEN 40 SEASONS GREETINGS 18 SUDOKU 14 THEY SAY 33 WINE & DINE 34

Cartoons by GEOFF THOMPSON

Mentioned in Dispatches

Wincanton Community Hospital debuts staff choir

THE STAFF on Hadspen ward at Wincanton Community Hospital have got together in their own time to set up a new hospital choir.

The choir, called the ‘Wincanton Wardblers’, made its debut at the hospital’s Christmas fair, which was organised by the League of Friends.

SJ Ayo, an activities coordinator in the hospital, which is run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said all members of the choir thoroughly enjoyed their first public performance:

“The response was fantastic, fellow colleagues at the hospital, fair goers and family members joined in with some of the songs and applauded with enthusiasm following our music and comedy set.”

The group helped to raise over £3,400 as part of the event, which was billed as a ‘Santa Special

evening’. The money will help to fund a project to provide lift access directly from the hospital’s day room so all patients can enjoy the grounds. The group of ten choir members all work together in a variety of roles on the ward, including healthcare assistants, nursing and support roles.

Ruth Miller, one of the healthcare assistants, explains: “The choir is a great way for us to come together and de-stress socially off the busy ward and have a chance to laugh and think about something else.

“It has been wonderful to be

able to do this, particularly after all working through all the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Tracey Marshall, a nurse at the hospital, added: “Quite often I find that when I work on the ward, someone will say a phrase that makes me think of a song … then I start singing, a colleague joins in, we smile, the patients smile, and some might even join in – it’s truly wonderful!

“We had the idea of starting a singing group, not just to bring the team together by doing

something different outside work, but to hopefully brighten up our patient’s day too.

“Since we started in October, we’ve had weekly practices, and have laughed so much, simply enjoying singing.

“What we lack musically, we make up with a bucket load of enthusiasm. We don't take ourselves seriously and singing really lifts our mood ... it feels amazing!”

Encouraged by the response, more colleagues have signed up to join the choir next year as it prepares for future hospital events. Later in December, the Wincanton Wardblers will also give a special performance for patients.

South Petherton Barn Dance to raise funds for church and Folk Fest

A Barn Dance on Friday 10th February, in St Peter and St Paul’s Church in South Petherton, will help raise funds for both the church and Petherton Folk Fest 2023. Music on the night will be provided by local band, Hobson’s Choice. The event will last from 7.30 – 11pm and is for adults and children of all ages - no previous experience of barn dancing is required! There will

The Wincanton Wardblers.

Mentioned in Dispatches

also be a raffle. Tickets cost £12 for adults, £6 for under 16s, and include a ploughman’s supper. (Attendees are asked to bring their own drinks). Tickets are on sale until 4th February and can be purchased from N & D News and The Brewer’s Arms in South Petherton and Seavington Community Store.

for its produce and also showcasing how shopping locally is more sustainable.

Love Local? Shop Somerset.

list of online businesses ready at your fingertips.

Keep well this winter with Age UK Somerset

“We anticipate that there will be a great community spirit, and lots of fun and laughter on the night,” commented Pete Wheeler, who is Chair of the Folk Fest Committee. Petherton Folk Fest 2023 will take place on Saturday, 17th June.

Love Local? Shop Somerset

Do you have a passion for shopping local and supporting small businesses? The campaign ‘Love Local ? Shop Somerset’ from Shop Somerset is shining the spotlight on local people and businesses, promoting Somerset

As a Community Interest Company, Passion for Somerset, the not-for-profit organisation behind Shop Somerset, works with hundreds of independent high street shops and online businesses selling thousands of products throughout the County. We support the local economy by promoting Somerset-made products and a multitude of different services, showcasing Somerset as an all-round great place to both locals and visitors. We make it even easier to discover the best local produce, products and service providers that the County has to offer. With a simple search, you can see who, and what, is available in the local area and even shop directly through the site, with a growing

Passion for Somerset CEO and Founder of Shop Somerset, Nigel Muers-Raby comments: “Part of our mission is to help raise consciousness of the effect we can all have on the wider environment through our buying habits. By selling local products and promoting local independents and producers, we help to reduce the impact we have as well as celebrate all things Somerset!”

Striving to be the go-to place to ‘Shop Somerset’ the website is stocked with a wide range of businesses, services and products, including: food, drink, arts and crafts, and a range of services, such as events, marketing and business support. And, what better a time to shop locally and sustainably than in the run up to Christmas?

The campaign showcases the best the County has to offer and demonstrates that you can get all of your gifts, decorations, food and more by shopping at some of Somerset’s best independent businesses from the Shop Somerset website www. shopsomerset.co.uk.

It is vital to keep moving safely this winter. If for any reason you can’t get out, there’s no need to miss out on your favourite exercise class- you can join in from the comfort of your own home with Age UK Somerset’s online classes. Specially designed for people over 60, choose from Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates.

Find out more at www.ageuksomerset.org.uk/ onlineexercisesessions, call 01823 345626 or email ageingwell@ ageuksomerset.org.uk for more information.

Alpacas visit South Somerset community hospitals

A group of alpacas have been visiting patients in two of Somerset’s community hospitals, Wincanton Hospital and Crewkerne Hospital run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (FT), this winter.

Organised by the hospitals’ activity coordinators, and funded by their respective Leagues of Friends, the alpacas have delighted patients on the wards.

Visiting from Alpaca Adventure, both patients and staff enjoyed a wonderful time

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

Personal and professional service

Dispatches

learning more about the alpacas.

SJ Ayo, activities coordinator at Wincanton Hospital, said the visit was a great success. “Patients particularly loved the physical contact with ‘Guinness’ and ‘Casper’ – it really lifted spirits,” she said.

“The looks of amazement and happiness from patients, visitors, and staff as they walked through the hospital was really was lovely to see.”

At Crewkerne Hospital, ‘Liquorice’ and ‘Caramac’, identified by their named colourings, were very wellbehaved, navigating hospital beds to greet patients.

Tania Kittow, activities coordinator at Crewkerne Hospital, explained:

“As part of our role, we are always looking for new ways to have meaningful activities with our patients and encourage their rehabilitation. Animal visits like these make such a difference to our patients mood and wellbeing. It encourages patients to interact and talk to each other, creating a real community spirit and talking point for weeks to come.

“To see the patients’ eyes light up when they entered the ward was just magical, I don’t think they could believe it!

“Caramac was a bit shy and in fact had never yet taken food from his owner’s hand whereas Liquorice was constantly nibbling treats, however, during our visit he suddenly found the courage to eat from her hand which was a real thrill to watch.”

This is the latest in a series of visits by therapy animals to South Somerset’s hospitals. In October Belle the Dog visited a couple of wards at Yeovil District Hospital.

Christmas mystery and mischief at Montacute House and an indoor enchanted woodland at Barrington Court

The National Trust team in South Somerset have been busy preparing for the festive season.

There is a mystery to be solved at Montacute House. The family have departed for the yuletide season, and the house has been put to bed. However, all is not as it should be … there has been a party and something valuable has gone missing.

Until 2 January 2023 (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), the house will look quite

different with rooms dressed in wintry disarray with clues to help visitors solve the mystery.

Grahame Meaden, Senior Visitor Experience Officer at Montacute, House said:

“After the success of last year’s festive merry making, we’re very excited to be presenting the house again in a fun and engaging way that will delight all ages”.

He added, “In addition to the candle-lit rooms and corridors, we have adorned the property with garlands, wreaths and dried flowers, all made from natural materials gathered from our parkland and garden to produce a truly beautiful experience”.

Liquorice and Caramac.

The grounds and house at Montacute, Somerset. Photo: Trevor Ray Hart.

Mentioned in Dispatches

There is also a golden apple trail for our younger visitors to enjoy with a prize waiting for participants in our shop.

Christmas at Barrington Court is extra special this year with our first indoor enchanted woodland experience located in the Cow

Barn. Visitors can enjoy a stroll around through 100 Christmas trees and archways dressed in twinkling lights and look for the hidden robins. Little snugs offer an opportunity to sit and absorb the magical experience. The event has been designed to be shared and enjoyed by all ages.

The artisan workshops, retail shop and book barn provide a perfect opportunity to purchase gifts, and warming drinks and treats await visitors in our doggy friendly Beagles café.

Barrington Court’s enchanted

woodland experience, shops, garden, parkland and café will be open until 1 January, Wed-Sun 10am-3pm (except 25 Dec).

Somerstock Announce Headline Acts

Somerstock will return to the Somerton Recreation Ground for 2023 with the addition of entertainment on the night of Friday 7th July as well as the standard afternoon and evening of Saturday 8th July.

Festival Chairman Cliff ‘Fred’ Basset said: “We are delighted to

Enchanted winter wonderland in the Cow Barn at Barrington Court. Photo: Stevie Bennett.

Friday 3rd December saw Mere Christmas Illuminations switched on with Father Christmas in attendance handing out free presents (The queue was very long). The lights were switched on by Kenan Robinson. Photo: George Jeans.

Mentioned in Dispatches

welcome The Blockheads as our Saturday night headliner along with nine other bands and our famous silent disco throughout the day.” Area 52 return by popular demand to headline on Friday night along with three other great bands.

For more details, including information on all the bands and how to get tickets please go to www.somerstock.co.uk.

Free festive parking across Mendip Mendip shoppers, visitors and businesses can enjoy free parking during the run up to Christmas and on New Year's Day.

Glad tidings for Christmas shoppers and local businesses! It will be free to park your car in all Mendip-owned pay and display car parks during the holiday period, for one week, from Saturday 17 December until Saturday 24 December 2022.

New Year revellers have reason to celebrate too, the Council is providing free parking all day on Sunday 1 January. This is to encourage drivers who park vehicles in car parks on New Year's Eve to use alternative and

safe methods of transport to get home.

Residents are asked to note that although parking is free, all other terms and conditions of car parking within the relevant car parks remain. To ensure everyone has a fair chance to enjoy this offer, please: Check the time limits. ‘Free parking’ may not mean ‘free parking all day’. Maximum time limits still apply in all short stay

car parks. Please check, and do not overstay. Don't park in disabled bays. Disabled parking bays are for blue badge holders only. Park responsibly. Stay within the parking bay markings, and do not park in hatched lined areas, for safety reasons. Penalty charges will be issued if you breach the conditions. There is an appeals process, details of which can be found on your parking ticket.

The Blockheads are booked to play Somerstock 2023.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Have you heard?

Logfuel.co.uk sales@logfuel.co.uk 01963 836101

Logfuel.co.uk are a family owned company established for over 12 years, supplying homes with quality kiln dried hardwood firewood, operating out of Wincanton.

Benefits of kiln dried logs: Up to 80% more heat, easy lighting, lower chimney fire risk, less chimney soot, less resins. This log supplier never runs out of

stock. Importantly less emissions including no smell carbon monoxide, why would you risk your health filling your home with carbon monoxide from low quality firewood?

Kiln dried firewood company: Logfuel.co.uk are much more invested in machinery than naturally seasoned/unseasoned suppliers, making quality, professionalism and production quantity much more important. New customers come back each year after, which means a lot to them.

They only process sustainable FSC approved commercial forest timber from Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset.

They never use tree surgeon’s wood or other supplies as the quantity of supply and quality is not reliable.

Sudoku by T. M.

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

By John Osborne

 Answers can be found on page 33 

Fill in the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers 1 to 9. Solution to December Sudoku on page 33. 1) With which instrument do you associate Phil Collins? 2) Who sang the theme to the Bond film ‘License to Kill’?

‘Come on Over’ is a platinum album by which female? (Clue: 1997) 4) The Beatles founded which record label? 5) In what year did E.L.O. have a hit with ‘Evil Woman’? 6) ‘Make You Feel My Love’ is an Adele hit, but who wrote it?

Don Henley sang about ‘The End of the...’ what? 8) We associate Kevin Rowland with which band? 9) Reggie Dwight is a pseudonym used by which music superstar? 10) Lyric; ‘Words are like weapons, they wound sometimes …’

Bonus question: Name all four Gibb brothers, in age order, starting with the eldest.

Extra Bonus question: Who co-wrote the answer to Q7 and played piano on the recording?

Great Quotes in Music (143) “If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.” Charles Darwin

Are you looking for someone special this Festive Season?

Speak to Alison at Just Somerset Introductions – she can help!

AS WE approach the end of 2022 we ask ‘where did the year go?’ As our thoughts move towards the festive season and Christmas, if you don’t want to be on your own and would like to meet special someone, perhaps even have some romance and a relationship again then consider Just Somerset.

We offer one to one introductions and also arrange social trips where members can meet in a relaxed way, be it a pub

lunch or a skittles evening, National Trust visits, gardens, theatre trips, dinner dances, walks and more.

We cover all ages, and welcome all single men and women - there might be someone there for you! We are also in Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and into Devon and you can meet members from across the group. Please see our website at www.justintroductions group.co.uk for testimonials and details of how we work and give us a call!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year!

Lizzie Price Shading Solutions

Lizzie Price Shading Solutions has been set up by husband and wife team Peter & Lizzie Price.

Lizzie will be familiar to many as she has been involved with interiors, blinds and soft furnishings for over 28 years for a Wincanton based company, while Peter has over 40 years experience in the building and window industry.

Lizzie and Peter have a very similar outlook on how a business should be run with first class customer service being paramount and top quality products manufactured in the UK wherever possible combined with first class installation.

They offer a huge range of shading solutions for both inside and outside the home including fabric roller, vertical and pleated blinds as well as venetians in aluminium and wood, all of which can be either manual or motorised (an option that is becoming ever more popular and competitive says Lizzie).

Lizzie has been a Silent Gliss specialist for over 15 years and is fully qualified to advise and measure for this premium product as well as bring sampling to you and supply and fit.

With the on set of winter and ever increasing energy costs it is worth considering honeycomb pleated blinds with air trapping pockets to help retain heat within the room and during the summer they will help keep your rooms cool too.

Peter & Lizzie are delighted to have sourced a British manufacturer of Plantation Shutters, these typically come from the Far East and as a result

suffer from extended lead times and potential damage in transit but with a local supplier lead times are much improved.

These can be offered in any colour their customers require.

Externally Lizzie Price Shading Solutions offer external roller blinds to reduce solar gain at source, awnings (manual or motorised) and to extend your outdoor living season they offer aluminium louvred roofed

Pergolas, these are available in any RAL colour and would be a welcome addition to any home.

Lizzie and Peter are keen to offer home visit, no obligation quotations where they can show you a wide selection of samples. Why not give them a call on 07879 992000 or email; enquiries@lizziepriceshading solutions.co.uk or online: www.lizziepriceshading solutions.co.uk.

Dorset Dog Togs have a large range of dog coats on display and can also make to measure at no extra cost.

Wardon Hill Trading Post

WARDON HILL Trading Post can be found on the A37 mid-way between Dorchester and Yeovil DT2 9PW, telephone 01935 83069.

With over 60 independent traders selling a mix of Antiques, Vintage Collectables & Craft and featuring a Garden Centre and

Café it has become a very busy all round destination.

Open 7 days a week, dog friendly and all on one level it is accessible to everyone and with plenty of free parking with no time limit on how long you can spend browsing! A warm and friendly welcome awaits you so why not pop in and say hello.

If you fancy becoming a trader, they have space available to rent with prices starting from as little as £60 a month.

Dorset Dog Togs

If your dog is feeling the chill of winter why not visit Dorset Dog Togs. They have a huge stock of dog coats and will make to measure at no extra cost. Their coat range includes warm, waterproof, tweed, fleece and drying coats. They also make coats that can be worn over a walking harness.

They are stockists and offer fittings for the Perfect Fit harnesses, the 3 part harness that fits all shapes and sizes.

Dogs are always welcome at their workshop and while you're there, owners can browse the wide selection of helpful and stylish dog accessories.

Find them at Shearstock Estate, SP7 9PT, between Gillingham and Shaftesbury.

Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 10.30am - 3.30pm

with some floor space that was not very attractive, the question Automotive asked was “What would you be doing if you were not at work”. Among several answers they had was “Building a BMW M635 CSI model I have just bought from Tamiya”. It was an “EURIKA” moment. The unattractive area is now “The Modelling Corner at Automotive”

In the first few months of trading the amount of business done was astounding and they have had to extend the range of models and have doubled the level of stock they carry.

is increasing with every order placed. They have a range of modelling aids and tools from scalpels to spray booths and brushes to spray guns. They are also starting to supply the double OO gauge railway range, however, at this stage only to

order. Whether you are a beginner or an accomplished modeller they carry kits to satisfy all levels. Their man at the counter builds models and is on hand to advise, help and encourage you in your modelling hobby.

Please phone or check their Facebook page or website before travelling any distance as they are occasionally out at shows.

07989 300526 / 07540 636245 website www.dorsetdogtogs.co.uk.

The Modelling Corner at Automotive, Shaftesbury

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

In a search of something to do

They are now placing orders monthly with the big model companies like Tamiya and Hornby with brands like Airfix, Revel and Humbrol . Initially being established in a car accessory shop the stock of models tended to be car and motorcycle orientated but demand has encouraged them to bring in military vehicles, tanks and aeroplanes. They have the full range of Humbrol enamels and Tamiya acrylics including thinners and gloss and matt lacquers.

The range of Tamiya aerosols

Ward & Sibley Jewellers of Yeovil have a wonderful choice of jewellery in stock to delight this Christmas and in 2023.

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

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

GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly

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.

Highfield House, Castle Cary

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

This is reflected by the Beacon Status achieved with the nationally recognised Gold Standards Framework and Awards for Care Home of the Year, and the award for Dementia and Palliative Care. They are also now rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission. Their vision is to be a leader

The back gardens at Highfield 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

Regency Care & Mobility of Crewkerne.

GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly

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.

Notaro Care Homes – caring when it matters

most

Over the past 40 years, Notaro Care Homes have been building a reputation for delivering the highest standards of dementia and nursing care in their care homes across the South West. Their homes feature state-of- the-art care technology and facilities, and compassionate and caring staff. La Fontana Dementia Nursing Home in Martock features a sun therapy room and their Immacolata Dementia Nursing Home in Langport is situated amongst five beautiful acres.

Both homes feature petting farms, a unique feature that is the brainchild of their animal-

loving managing director and has become a feature across their purpose-built homes.

Notaro Care Homes listen to the needs, thoughts and wishes of residents to provide the best care possible. Their reason for doing so is simple; to create a care package as unique as the individual they provide care for.

To find out more, please visit notarohomes.co.uk.

Care South rated by its residents as one of the top care home groups in the UK Residents and their families have rated care provider Care South as one of the Top 20 Large Care Home Groups in the UK. The award is based on the provider’s care home reviews from its residents, as well as their friends and relatives.

Fern Brook Lodge is owned by Care South, a not-for-profit charity and leading provider of residential and home care across the South of England. It is a welcoming, 75-bedroom home nestled in the north Dorset countryside and offers residential, respite and dementia care in a safe, home-from-home environment, providing peace of mind for loved ones.

Simon Bird, Chief Executive Officer at Care South, commented: “It is always good to receive so many endorsements from our residents, their families and friends who have taken their time to recommend us, and praise the amazing and compassionate

Notaro Care Homes - La Fontana Sun Room.

Notaro Care HomesImmacolata House.

GOLDEN YEARS

care being provided by all our frontline care staff. We really appreciate all our team members who have gone to such great lengths to make our residents’ experiences in later life the best that they can be.”

For further information about Fern Brook Lodge call 01747 449812 or visit www.caresouth.co.uk.

Mendip Mobility

As one of the South West’s leading mobility specialists Mendip Mobility have been supplying the

public directly with a vast range of top quality, competitively priced mobility scooters, wheelchairs, beds, riser recliner chairs, stairlifts and daily living aids.

As a family run business Mendip Mobility pride themselves in their aftercare service, offering a comprehensive after sales service including repairs and maintenance.

With stores in Yeovil, Street and Trowbridge you can be sure there’s a showroom near you but if you’re unable to travel, in home

demonstrations of larger items such as riser recliners and mobility scooters can be arranged at your residential address. Please contact your local store if you wish to arrange a suitable time and date to view their larger products.

Mendip Mobility are proud to be partnered with the Motability Scheme which allows you to exchange some or all of your enhanced rate motability allowance for a scooter or powered wheelchair.

To be eligible for the scheme you must be in receipt of one of these benefits:

• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance

• Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment

• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

• Armed Forces Independence Payment

Your lease will be paid directly by the DWP, saving you any time and stress with bills or payments. Your lease lasts for three or five years depending on your product choice, at which point you return your product and receive a brandnew product to replace it should you wish to renew.

Contact Mendip Mobility today for all your mobility needs, find out more at mendip mobility.co.uk.

A large selection of riser recliners in stock at Mendip Mobilty.

Care South’s Fern Brook Lodge celebrating their top 20 award.

Healthy Heart Tips from the Health Promotion & Education Team at Heart Research UK

Your Heart & Staying Warm This Winter

DURING THE winter months the risk of having a heart attack or stroke increases. A drop in environmental temperature reduces your body temperature and the heart must work harder to keep you warm which increases your heart rate. In addition, in cold weather, blood vessels contract to minimise heat loss, which increases blood pressure. While this is a natural process, it can be a cause for concern in those who are more vulnerable such as adults over 65, those with longterm health conditions, and those who are overweight and live less healthy lifestyles.

With the cost of living increasing and energy prices

inflated in comparison to previous years, relying on your heating to keep toasty and warm this winter might not be an option for everyone. It is important to keep warm both inside and outside of your home and do what you can to support your heart health over winter.

Staying warm indoors

Reduce the impact of the cold weather by keeping your house heated to a minimum of 18°C, use your thermostat to ensure the inside temperature doesn’t drop below this. Make yourself regular hot meals and drinks, you could set an alarm for every hour to remind you to get up and make a cuppa. Warming, winter soups are a great idea in the winter, opt for these and warming stews for meals rather than something cold like a sandwich. Try some at home exercises to warm your core body temperature or consider a seated pedal exerciser to keep your legs moving, which will help keep you warm while seated. You could buddy up with another household to reduce your heating bills, have a day at your house and then the next day go to theirs – you could even share the cooking!

Staying warm outdoors

On really cold days, it is better to stay indoors if you fall into the vulnerable categories, but on milder winter days make sure you

use layers to keep warm when outside and don’t forget your hat, gloves, and scarf. It is better to be overdressed and have to remove layers than find yourself cold when far from home.

Plan respite stops when out and about, by nipping into a friend’s house for a hot drink or making use of low-cost offers from supermarkets and cafes for vulnerable age groups.

comfort foods, but making sure we continue to eat well can protect our heart.

WE'VE SPENT the best part of a couple of years now having a little tour of our bodies from a biological perspective. I hope you've found it interesting to get to know the awesome, complex and occasionally mindboggling being that is you! I want to continue in that vein for the next couple of months, with a little twist. Sometimes, on our journey we've looked at the impact of our minds and hearts on our physiology.

I've come to appreciate over the years just how far reaching the impact of our thoughts and emotions on our bodies can be. There's the obvious route when

stress and tension creates havoc with our nervous, digestive and musculoskeletal systems; when poor sleep brings on brain fog or as we have seen over the last couple of years how loneliness and isolation can literally impact our will to live.

Our bodies speak our minds (and feelings) and every thought, every hurt, every irritation can manifest physically. Likewise, every moment of joy, every comforting hug and every moment of love we send out radiates through us and heals us. Our language is littered with references to our bodies. We may wear our heart on our sleeve, think our boss is a pain in the neck, have a spouse that gets under our skin or find a snippet of news hard to swallow. Yes, our bodies speak our minds and it has been said that our biography becomes our biology.

For example, Asda announced they are offering soup, bread and unlimited hot drinks to over 60’s throughout November and December this year, have a look at local options like this near you.

If you opt for outdoor walks to remain active, keep these up through winter when the weather allows (wrapping up for the occasion) as we know regular exercise keeps our heart healthy.

Nourish your heart from the inside

Reduce your risk of heart disease by eating a healthy diet. During the winter months it can be tempting to reach for less healthy,

Now I don't hold with the notion that every thing we experience is purely a creation of our psycho-emotional states. There are a complicated number of variables we are all exposed to on a daily basis. We have genetic, environmental, electrical, chemical and nutritional factors at work, as well as things like accidents and traumas. I have however, come to the firm belief that our thoughts and feelings, our mental wellbeing, is as important, if not more so, than most of the other exposures we may experience.

So let's start by taking a look at some of the words we use in relation to health. The word symptom has its root from syntogether and piptein – to fall. So symptoms are a falling or coming together. Interesting really and could be seen as a coming together of all of those factors

Prioritise eating lots of fibre rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, oats and wholegrain foods like brown rice and pasta. Choose lean meats and fish, including one portion of oily fish per week (such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout). Avoid consuming too much saturated fat by opting for lowfat dairy products and cooking with heart-healthy olive oil. Be mindful of how much alcohol you are consuming and look at stopping smoking if this is relevant, as both are risk factors for cardiovascular illness.

Being aware of the risk factors for heart health during the colder months is key for keeping yourself and your family safe. Be sure to check in on vulnerable relatives or neighbours as it is harder for elderly people to regulate their own body temperature. If you have some to spare, you could consider dropping off a warming meal to a vulnerable person or inviting them round for a meal.

mentioned above to create a state of disease. That's another word to look at – dis (without) ease. It has also been used to mean inflicting trouble upon or to denote lack or misfortune. All of which strike me as having great emotional and psychological connotations. It is also interesting that at one time the word illness meant of bad moral character! So our linguistic history has ties to broader and more abstract realms than the human body.

Over the next few months we'll take a closer look at how we speak about (and to!) our bodies but for now I would like to share one of my favourite exercises that can be very insightful. If you have a particular pain or malady take a little time to think about what it may represent on an emotional level. Where does it hurt? Is it sore, irritable, gnawing or sharp? Do you have any associations

Family Health with Jenna Evans

with a person, place or experience when you think of this part of the body? Is it inflexible or too loose? Does it want to move or stay still? If there's heat, what makes you fiery? If there's immobility, in what way are you inflexible?

I don't know any therapist who works with peoples bodies, be that massage, osteopathy or other modalities, that hasn't witnessed profound releases of emotions seeming 'stuck' within the body tissues. So get creative, have a good old natter with that dodgy knee, check in with that niggle in your lower back. Our bodies are speaking to us and we may just find that with a little bit of extra attention we can find another piece in the puzzle for our true health and wellbeing.

Happy new year, may 2023 find you truly happy in your skin!

© Jenna Evans 2023.

•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.

New year, new you!

A smile speaks a thousand languages and they’re all about creating happy Smiles at Ilchester Dental Care. So, if you’re looking for quality Dentistry on the Somerset, Dorset border, then look no further!

At Ilchester Dental, they offer high end general & cosmetic dental treatment with options of 0% finance. Making Dental treatment affordable for all!

They are happy to spend time with patients discussing all concerns about treatment, helping to put them at ease and provide full written quotations. Understanding that visiting the dentist can be quite traumatic for many people, they pride

themselves in having succeeded with many dental phobic patients.

Some of there services include: General Dentistry | Hygienist services | Smile Makeovers |

Dental Implants | Composite Bonding | Tooth Whitening. New patients welcome - get in touch to book your new Patient Journey on 01935 840784.

Muntanya Outdoors & Trekking, Sherborne

Muntanya opened in January 2020 at the top of Cheap Street and is an independent shop providing premium quality lightweight outdoor trekking clothing and equipment from major suppliers.

Owner David, has a good local knowledge of walking routes around this beautiful area and can advise on walks in Scotland, Wales and Morocco and is able to offer advice from finding a local

walking group to navigation instruction and planning.

Muntanya caters for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Ten Tors with food packs from Wayfayrer and Expedition Foods, and gear from brands like Lifeventure and Lifesystems Muntanya also sells a range of walking boots and shoes, waterproof jackets, men’s and women’s clothing, rucksacks, hats, and gloves.

The aim is to provide all the gear you could need. Opening

hours are Monday to Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am4pm.

The Skinsmith, Sherborne Winter months bring cold weather which can have a negative effect on our skin. Frosty mornings, biting winds and long nights can bring dry, flaky and irritated skin in their wake but all is not lost!!

The Skinsmith are excited for you to try Eminence Organic Skincare offering a wide range of products for all your skin needs. New Year is the perfect time for healthier skincare resolutions so give your skincare a revamp and introduce a deeply nourishing serum to your routine. Serums

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

are designed to heal the skin from the inside out, they absorb quickly and deeply and can treat a variety of skin concerns. Open Mon to Fri, pop in for advice on the best products for you. Go to www.theskinsmith.co.uk/blog/ for winter skincare tips.

Looking Good – and feeling good about yourself

With Christmas almost done and dusted there’s nothing better than a winter sale to brighten up your day and help you feel great.

Four Seasons Boutique in

A range of serums in stock at The Skinsmith in Sherborne - pop in for advice on the best products for you.

Muntanya on Cheap St, Sherborne celebrates two years this January.

Sherborne are excited about their forthcoming Winter Sale, which promises to be their Biggest. Sale. Ever.

Beginning at 10am on 28th December the gorgeous little Cheap Street boutique will be offering some huge savings which will allow them to make space for the spring and summer stock they are expecting imminently. Featuring the ever popular £10 and £20 rail full of spectacular savings, the Four Seasons sale makes it the perfect opportunity to update your wardrobe for the coming cold months. Whether you are looking for a new coat, some warm winter clothes or just a few new pieces to brighten up your wardrobe, there is something for everyone. With clothes in sizes 8 to 22, from

Bridge Street Barber Shop

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 8.30am – 6.30pm Friday 8.30am – 7pm • Saturday 8.30am – 4pm

3 Retsel House, Bridge Street, STURMINSTER NEWTON Tel: 01258 472615 • Mobile: 07782 222590

It’s their biggest sale ever at Four Seasons Boutique in Sherborne.

designers such as Olsen, Just White, Michele, Rabe, White Label, Marble and many more, you can be sure that you'll look great no matter what items you choose!

South Somerset District Council and Lendology helping homeowners to invest in home upgrades

THE CURRENT energy crisis is impacting on everyone along with the rising cost of living. Making sure homes are as energy efficient as possible is key to retaining heat and reducing the cost of heating your home.

South Somerset District

Council work in partnership with Lendology CIC, a Social Enterprise lender, to provide council funded loans to homeowners for home repairs, improvements, energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. More than just a lender, Lendology work in partnership with local organisations such as Love your home | Centre for Sustainable Energy (cse.org.uk)

to make sure that people have access to impartial energy advice, grant eligibility assessments and home ‘retrofit’ support.

Lendology disrupt traditional lending with their decisions powered by people, for people. They work with a wide range of homeowners to understand their unique financial situation, and everyone pays the same fixed interest rate regardless of the amount borrowed, the term or the financial circumstances.

There are a range of loan products available to suit people who may find it challenging to borrow elsewhere, for instance those who are self-employed, in receipt of benefits, or retired.

Plastic beasts and where to find them

Two stunning sculptures are getting used to their new surroundings after being rehomed by Somerset’s waste collectors.

The eye-catching angler fish and octopus are made entirely from plastic milk bottle tops, created by pupils at Lyngford Park Primary School in Taunton as part of recycling project.

The fantastic plastic beasts earned the school a runners-up prize in a national recycling promotion competition and have now been rehomed by SUEZ, the Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) waste collection contractor.

After a stint together in Priorswood library, the pair were looking for long-term homes and SUEZ has been happy to oblige.

The angler fish is now in the SUEZ depot office in Bridgwater, while the octopus has travelled across the border to a new home in the East Devon depot.

The handover was also a chance for pupils to get a closer look at one of the fleet of 200 waste vehicles which every week complete around 350,000 collections across the county.

Nicole Stearn, Art Lead at Lyngford Park Primary said “The children at Lyngford Park are passionate about the environment and this competition gave them a creative opportunity to highlight the problem of plastic pollution. The whole Lyngford community was involved collecting and reusing the bottle tops. The children asked the question to their families ‘What happened to the bottles the tops came from?”

Councillor Sarah Dyke, Chair of the Somerset Waste Board, said: “Getting children enthused and engaged with recycling and sustainability is a key part of what we do.

At 56.2% the Somerset recycling rate is higher than it

has ever been. Last year more than 133,000 tonnes of carbon we saved by recycling and reuse across the county.

With its Schools Against Waste project, SWP offers all primary schools in the county free visits from the Carymoor Environmental Trust. Through assemblies and workshops they introduce children to the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling and discuss how to reduce waste at home and school.

Lily Morton, SUEZ’s Somerset Community Liaison Manager said: “We were really impressed by the sculptures the school produced and so when they were looking for a new home our depot managers jumped at the chance to have them on display.

“At SUEZ our vision is to live in a society where there is no more waste. Reuse is an essential component to achieving this and we are so thrilled to support a

local school who have really embraced reuse.

“The sculptures are now pride of place in our Bridgwater and East Devon depots for staff and visitors to enjoy and I’ve assured the children they’ve gone to a good new home!”

Any primary schools wanting to request a visit from the SAW team can call 01963 351350 or email education@carymoor .org.uk.

Children with their plastic beast sculptures.

RUNABOUT from Detroit beat Henry Ford’s Model T by two years to become the first car for the masses, thanks to a young designer.

Ewbank’s hoped to sell this Veteran classic car that played a landmark role in bringing motoring to the masses.

The 1909 10 Brush 6 HP 2seater Gentleman’s Runabout was auctioned on December 6 and is a truly historic rarity. Made by the Brush Runabout Company in Detroit, Michigan, the aim was to have a reliable car that was easy and cheap to maintain.

The company first achieved this in 1907, two years before Henry Ford first unveiled his Model T, the vehicle generally credited as bringing motoring to the masses.

As a result, the 1907 Model B Brush is seen as the first ‘Everyman’ car produced for the public at around $500. This 1909 Model D version is its near successor.

The designer behind the car was a young and dashing pioneer. Alanson Brush was self-taught and had already helped design

the first one-cylinder Cadillac engine and improve the Oldsmobile design by the age of 25. He went on to become the Chief Engineer for Cadillac.

You can view current and past auction lots and find out more about Ewbank Auctions online at www.ewbankauctions.co.uk or give them a call on 01483 223101.

The 1909 10 Brush 6 HP 2-seater Gentleman’s Runabout, was auctioned on December 6 with the truly historic rarity expected to fetch up to £35,000 it somehow remains unsold.

Pub Pages

the very best, as the history of this imposing pub has been a rather bumpy one, particularly of late.

BEER & S KITTLE S P. A. BAXTER

SEASONS GREETINGS and a Happy and Healthy New Year! Having experienced the joy of our fine English hostelries over the last few weeks I feel a little more optimistic for the future of them all. However, with further utility price rises on the way, we need to support them all the more.

Next, a grovelling apology to the Great Lyde pub in Yeovil as my normally reliable source has let me down, as the pub is continuing to trade. I particularly wish the team at the Great Lyde

More good news is that ‘The Globe and Crown’ in Yeovil reopened early in December. It's been a very long time since my last pub crawl around Yeovil and this one was always on the itinerary. Although my correspondent tells me he noted a lot of activity at the site leading to the reopening, he feared at one time it was going to be turned into flats, but it's all systems go again. A very big ‘Well done’ to the owners of this amazing hostelry.

If you saw last month's Visitor (I'm sure you did) and if like me the first thing you turn to is the 'They say' column then you would see there was a paragraph stating that the ‘Sheaf of Arrows’ on the A37 was to reopen before Christmas. As I write, it's still not happened but obviously we're all hopeful. It was the former ‘Rest and Welcome’ of course, and given more than a cursory mention in a previous edition of this fine magazine. It appears as ‘The Sheaf of Arrows’ in Thomas Hardy's 1884 novel book Interlopers at the Knap . Going online, if so inclined, one can find the September 2021 edition of

Beer and Skittles where we go into a little bit more about the pub, and particularly relating to Hardy. We had several visits with family and friends as well as a few games of league skittles. It had been extensively refurbished and so hopefully will not take too much work or expense to get it open again.

As per usual at this time, I suggest a few ideas for those Christmas presents. Are you still wondering about buying a present for one's beloved? It's fairly likely I should think, and due to the economic climate there has been a move to gently persuade people to be a little more sensible with what they spend. The money-saving expert Martin Lewis has come up with the same idea, and I'm sure many of you watch him for many tips, as do we. On the suggestion of our family we have been more frugal for some years now, and frankly as long as Santa delivers me a few beers, some favourite teas and liquorice allsorts then I'm a happy Christmas bunny. So have you ever thought about joining CAMRA? It makes a great present. Maybe you have considered it in the past, then this year could be the right one. Plenty of alcohol related information, and with £30 (60x50p) tokens for money off at Amber Taverns, Brains, Stonegate and Wetherspoons, it's worth joining for that alone. The vouchers give a discount (one per visit) on Real Ale, Real cider, and Perry and are redeemable at in excess of 1,550 pubs and are valid for the length of membership.

Perhaps you have thought about the Good Beer Guide. The year 2023 brings the 50th edition and it even has a foreword by our King Charles (still HRH The Prince of Wales when published recently). Packed with real ale pubs near you, breweries, brewing, beer styles (a favourite of your writer) it's a must in this house, and we get it early and discounted as well, being

members of CAMRA. Remember that the organisation, large and professional that it is (‘the most successful pressure group in Europe’ – source: Which? ) has many thousands of volunteers who report back on the happenings in their area to local co-ordinators (also volunteers) who report to HQ. Local branches organise pub and brewery visits as well as social events. One can access some of this information online, for example ‘WhatPub’ is an excellent feature which tries to keeps tab on the activity at your local. Do take a look and if your local is not up to date then perhaps it's time to join CAMRA, and do your bit!

CAMRA also do many publications, (see their website) Britain's Heritage Pubs was a quite recent purchase by your writer and yes, there are some featured that are local to you and me!

Yet again I give a shameless plug to Played at the Pub by Arthur Taylor. Sadly, Arthur departed this existence for the great eternal skittle alley within the last few months. I have many happy memories of time spent with him, and countless very long

CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

phone calls! Whether his book Skittles and Beer will ever be finished I would only like to say a resounding ‘yes’, and I do know the extremely well-informed and articulate person who had been asked to do this onerous task, by Arthur, if he had failed to do so himself. My contribution was little more than provide input on the West Country version of the game, plus proof-reading, but hopefully if I can persuade the other fellow to crack on, he will complete the work that students of the beloved game will treasure. I also recommend Arthurs earlier books as well; Pub Games and The Guinness Book of Pub Games Yes, I have all three and yes, they are signed and no, I am not going to sell them.

“Life isn't all beer and skittles” is the quote from Tom Brown's schooldays a book set in 1830 and written in the mid 19th century by Thomas Hughes. The wellknown English idiom implies that one cannot spend our entire lives

having fun! Beer and Skittles is a book by the late Richard Boston, and whilst in itself is more than 50 years old and out of print, it does come up for sale on various book-finding websites and I'd recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the subject.

Last month I mentioned if anyone has some trick-shots that they could share with us, but none have admitted to any so far. Ten-pin bowlers seem to have some crazy ones, and many can be seen on YouTube, unsurprisingly. I'm saving the detail of the only skittle-version that I have been introduced to until next month, but meanwhile, do get your thinking heads on.

Earlier we were talking about Christmas presents. Do you remember the Christmases of your childhood? The warmth of a family, the love of parents, friends and relations, those cold nights when you waited for Santa to call, those lovely roast Christmas

dinners? Of course you do! But who remembers all the presents that were given? I can recall but few, but I do have the memories of the crazy games we played and the chocolates being handed around, and what it was to be surrounded by loved ones. This is what matters to us the most, and not the gifts.

So again; the Seasons Greetings and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you all!

© P.A. Baxter 2023. skittlealley@hotmail.com

They Say

That if your Christmas cards are few and far between this year, it could be due to the current economic climate or it could be due to the bags of undelivered mail left outside sorting offices nationwide.

That congratulations go to J Day Engineering of Henstridge who won the best Independent Garage Award at the recent Motor Trader Awards (the motor industry Oscars) - a great achievement!

That if Santa gets short of little helpers this festive season, the ladies of the Henhayes Centre in Crewkerne have knitted an army of wonderful elves for sale … all in a good cause.

That thanks to the staff that rallied round, the Senior’s Christmas Lunch at Long Sutton Golf Club was a huge success - but that ‘naughty table’ was the last to leave, once again.

That according to the Ilminster Pastel Group, Christmas chocolates have no calories … Ho! Ho! Ho!

That whilst loading up in Crewkerne, Rob Penn of Shepton Mallet found that the radio he’d purchased to add to his collection was just the ticket - in more ways than one!

Bonus Question: Barry Robin Maurice Andrew. Robin and Maurice were a twin, with Maurice being the younger by 35 minutes! Extra Bonus Question: Bruce Hornsby

That due to the current postal strike, The Visitor has not posted any Christmas cards this year, instead a donation has been made to Macmillan Cancer Support. Merry Christmas!

Solution to December Sudoku

A rare John Smith’s double bar skittles game (author's collection).

The trio of Arthur Taylor Penned books.

The Story of the Christmas Tablecloth

THE BRAND-NEW pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to re-open a church in suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.

They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc, and on December 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished.

On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days.

On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.

The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity, so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory coloured, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colours and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.

By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later.

She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.

Then he noticed the woman walking down the centre aisle. Her face was like a sheet. “Pastor,” she asked, “where did you get that tablecloth?” The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there.

They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.

The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just bought ‘The Tablecloth’. The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria.

When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. He was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her husband or her home again.

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home. That was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return.

One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving.

The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike?

He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years between.

The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier.

He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.

This is a true Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid who says God

does work in mysterious ways. I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today, to guide you and protect you as you go along your way.

So when the road you're travelling seems difficult at best, just remember I'm here praying for you, and God will do the rest. Pass this on to those you want God to bless.

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Simply say the following small prayer and send it on. You will have caused a multitude of people to pray for other people. Then, sit back and watch the power of God work in your life.

Father, bless all my friends and family in what ever it is that You know they may be needing this day. May their lives be full of Your peace, prosperity and power. Amen.

Marzipan

It’s nearly Christmas, and we’ve been thinking about (or consuming) mince pies, puddings and of course Christmas cakes, Marzipan comes into its own.

This sweet treat, made from almonds and sugar, is enjoyed by many. However, few of us think much beyond eating it, to consider where it comes from, what it is made of, and why we eat it.

This all changed for me when this summer, whilst teaching in Germany, I had occasion to visit Lübeck, generally acknowledged to be the marzipan capital of the world. Time for a little research. Despite not being a marzipan lover myself, although I do like almonds, I was soon to learn of marzipan’s worldwide popularity, and not just during festive holiday occasions or celebrations.

I am however a great fan of The Nutcracker, having seen it almost every year at Christmas time since the mid-1980s, and I was thrilled to discover that Marzipan is even the name of a character in the ballet, with its own dance.

The origins of marzipan are open to question, with some sources citing China, and its migration to the Middle East and beyond being largely through trade routes.

Over the centuries, the original English name ‘marchpane’, which occurs in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Act 1, Scene 5, Line 9 (‘Away with the joint-stools,

remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate. Good thou, save me a piece of marchpane’), has largely been ousted by the German name we now use.

Marzipan comes from nuts and is traditionally made with ground almonds. I soon learnt though that there is much to be desired in the quality of the marzipan we find in our local supermarkets. In order to control and maintain quality standards many countries do actually regulate the percentage of almonds a recipe must have for it to be legally called "marzipan".

This discourages the use of apricot kernels, which are sometimes used as a cheap substitute for almonds. See below for comparisons I found.

The first written reference to marzipan dates to back to Toledo in 1512, although Lübeck is credited with its invention when, during a 15th century famine, flour for making bread became scarce, and the senate of Lübeck ordered bakers to create a replacement.

Using eggs, sugar, and stores of almonds, the bakers came up with marzipan. This is not without controversy, as cities such as Venice and Florence also lay claim to its invention.

What is not in dispute though, is that, since its invention, marzipan has clearly been embraced by many different cultures and forms the basis for many traditions. For example, in Germany, and throughout much of northern Europe, it is considered good luck to receive a marzipan pig on Christmas or New Year's Day.

The Spanish and Portuguese are big consumers of marzipan too and marzipan is a traditional food eaten at weddings and on religious feast days in Italy, Greece, and Cyprus.

Variations on the theme are also found in Latin America, where a popular marzipan-like treat, which replaces the almonds with peanuts, is called "mazapan", and in Mexico, pine nuts and pistachios are substituted for almonds. In the Middle East it is usually flavoured with orange-flower water.

Marzipan consists primarily of sugar, honey, and ground almonds, which is sometimes augmented with almond oil or extract.

It is often moulded into festive shapes, such as imitation fruits (Frutta martorana, popular in Palermo, Italy) and vegetables, or coated with chocolate. In the UK, we tend to use it rolled into thin sheets and glazed for icing birthday cakes, wedding cakes and Christmas cakes, and to top off a Simnel cake at Easter, not forgetting the layer of marzipan covering Battenberg cake, which originated in England.

Marzipan paste may also be used as a baking ingredient, as in stollen, a popular fruit laden yeast bread that originated in Dresden, Germany. Elsewhere it can be found shaped into small figures of animals as a traditional treat for New Year's Day or Christmas.

Marzipan is also used in Tortell, an O-shaped pastry that is popularly eaten on Twelfth Night in Catalan, where it is commonly stuffed with both a figurine of one of the Three Wise Men, and a bean.

The person that gets the figurine in their portion gets to wear a paper crown and be royalty for the day. On the other hand, the person that gets the bean gets to pay for the pastry or tidy up after the meal.

I was particularly taken with discovering the Swedish Princess cake, a celebration cake typically covered with a layer of marzipan that has been tinted pale green or pink; perfect for any princess’s birthday!

The more I delved into the origins and traditions of marzipan the more I uncovered, far too many to mention here but I was especially interested to read about a Geneva tradition carried out as part of the celebration of L'Escalade, held on or around 11th December. This involves the ritual smashing of a chocolate cauldron filled with marzipan vegetables, a reference to a Savoyard siege of the city which was supposedly foiled by a housewife with a cauldron of boiling soup.

The key learning point for me during my marzipan discovery journey was that all marzipans are not the same, and yes, you usually get what you pay for. Here are those I have found, but I am reliably informed that to be considered half decent marzipan should contain at least 50% almonds.

It seems that most marzipans that are readily available to us have just 25% almond content so, although the cost may be far less, you are basically just paying for sugar.

Having visited Neideregger, the home of marzipan, in person I can confirm that the quality is worth every penny, and that, although not easy to get to, as a destination Lübeck is an amazing place to visit.

For those who really do want to indulge, there are several marzipan liqueurs available on the market, none of which I have

tried because I hate the taste of the stuff!

• Il Gusto Spirits Ltd –Marzipan Liqueur - 16%abv - 40ml. £9.90

• Niederegger - Marzipan Sahneliqueur - 15%abv. –35ml. - £14.58

• Vana Tallin Liqueuerr with marzipan – 16%abv. – 50ml. - £16.90

Luca's Garden

with Bridget Sudworth

THE MILD weather of October/November accompanied with so much badly needed rain is all due to the position of the jet stream this Autumn. Although the temperatures have been unseasonable, they are the reason why it has been so wet with endless low pressure sweeping in over the Atlantic; we shouldn’t grumble. At least the soil is workable unlike some times during last summer when only a pickaxe could make an impression on the topsoil!

I was triumphant to harvest my carrots, the best I have ever grown. They were planted in late June, in a specially prepared run of sand and compost mixed. Thinking about those carrots from Lincolnshire which grow in light sandy soil (that County is just one long beach anyway), it

seemed the logical thing to do and it’s paid off!!

The blackcurrants are now pruned and there are cuttings in pots with labels so I know which plant they came from. Lovely irises are planted in our little brook now. They started life in the pond being water lovers but grew ridiculously all over the place and got blown over by the wind but the seasonal brook at the bottom of the veggie garden is just the place - even during the heat of last summer, the ground there was always damp so they will flourish in their new home and I am glad not to have to give them away. Yesterday, there was a surprise in store to discover a shy and tangled clematis in flower among the rough and tumble of the back hedge - I have identified it at last as a C. Balerica, flowering in December and January, scented and freckled with complicated indented leaves. The clematis family are a remarkable group providing year long interest with such a huge variety to choose from. Bumble

bees who might be tempted out would welcome the source of nectar that they provide.

Alan Titchmarsh must have been telepathising me as I recently read an article by him about garden tools; it has long been in my mind to put pen to paper and write a little about the joys of these essential items and this is the time of year to think about them.

Having sorted out the homes

of several deceased relatives over the years, second hand tools have come my way to my delight, with no competition from the rest of the idle inheritors too lazy to get into gardening. Beautifully made old tools, well used, sturdy and generally cared for are quite special. For example, I still use my father’s secateurs, regularly sharpened and among the tools in my aunt’s house were a matching spade and fork with the

initials of her father-in-law (which happened to be the same as my maiden version) inscribed on the handles! He was born in the 1850s into a wealthy farming family and those were definitely the days to mark your own things with a personal inscription, even those to be used in the garden. I did wonder, however, given the fact that the family would have had staff, whether or not he ever used them himself!

which need sharpening so get the job done before the next season is underway. By doing this and with earth beneath your nails which will make you very unattractive in the kitchen, you can avoid washing up, arguments, cheating at cards, charades, peeling the veggies, Monopoly, shouting at deaf relations and any other tasks that appear onerous. Other garden jobs could well call you away at short notice like getting in an order for seeds or drawing up a new plan for the herbaceous border - this will give you a well earned quiet space by the computer away from the brawl and enjoying a visual cruise through endless gardening websites!

An alternative but obvious letout is to be Chief Dog Walker. Most dog walkers greet one another when out and Luca with his different history from most other dogs, is certainly a cheerful topic to cover when escaping the household. He has a whole pattern of going to the full extent of his lead, standing with his back to folk and staring into the middle distance looking very bored. Which he no doubt is. But given the amount of time spent waiting for him to sniff over the millions of miles we have walked together, it’s no big deal to make him wait!

One very jolly Christmas, we were on our own and took our Shepherd to the seaside on

Christmas Day for a lovely walk along the sand with many other escapee dog walkers. Sandwiches in the bus shelter followed while folk piled into the nearby pub for lunch, giving us pitying glances as they passed us. We could have put out a hat for alms! Back at home, we settled down to a lovely roast having avoided all the vegans and vegetarians in the family!

One bleak winter's day, while working as a garden volunteer for the NT in N Herefordshire, we were tasked with clearing up the old potting shed for the forthcoming season which included restoring the many old tools left there. We scrubbed off rust and mud and one of our number had a really good go at burnishing the steel elements with a wire brush before sharpening and oiling them. They looked magnificent hanging on the walls, each item labeled so our visitors would know what they were used for.

With Christmas upon us and the above in mind, I strongly suggest a plan of campaign should you have relations descending on you for the festive tide. When the going gets heated, head for the potting shed/garage/summer house with a well filled glass of hooch and have a good sort through your tools. Once cleaned, decisions can be made about

With these strategies in mind, one can relax into the season of goodwill which is upon us and hang up our hats and spades for a couple of weeks. This is the time to carefully cut the mistletoe; beware not to spoil the main growth unless you want to banish it from your trees, and plunder the holly before the berries are consumed by the blackbirds (cut it now and put it in a bucket in the garage). The all-plentiful ivy is there for the taking. Dried flower heads always look good

Mistletoe.

sprayed silver or whatever takes your fancy and any dried seed pods endure the same treatment quite happily. Hang up your mistletoe and who knows?

There may be a few opportunities to catch a kiss or three when passing beneath it!

Christmas and New Year greetings to all and may 2023 bring us all a good growing season!

Approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

C.Cirrhosa.

Tools.

More tools.

Holly.

EARLIER THIS YEAR I joined the Garden Media Guild , an association that brings together professional garden writers, designers, authors, photographers, editors, and lecturers in allied trades.

In December, the Guild held its annual Award Ceremony at The Savoy Hotel in London, for the first time in three years, so everyone was extremely excited to be back together celebrating ‘all things gardening.’

The experience was amazing. The Savoy Hotel was simply breath taking. We arrived at 12 noon for a champagne reception before being directed to our table in The Roy Lancaster Ballroom for our meal at 1pm, which, for the staff, proved a bit like herding cats!

Andrew my husband and me had the pleasure of sharing our table with Stephanie Mahon, Editor, Sorrel Everton Deputy Editor and Daisy Bowie-Sell

Digital Editor of the glossy garden magazine, Gardens Illustrated, the iconic Rosemary Alexander, Principal of The English Garden School in London, and author of the books I used during my own training and the marvelous Anne-Marie Powell the multi-award-winning Chelsea garden designer. I have to say, I felt a little over-whelmed being in such esteemed company, but everyone was very friendly, and I soon felt at ease.

Lunch for 350 guests was served in a seamlessly military operation. Our starter of Scottish Smoked Salmon was followed by Adlington Farm Chicken Supreme, confit chicken leg, parsnip puree, heirloom carrots and pickled blackberries, and to finish a dessert called Granny Smith, an apple Yuzu confit, hazelnut praline, vanilla Brulé, and vanilla ice cream, it all tasted delicious, and the wine flowed freely! I bet after reading that mouth-watering menu it has left you all feeling hungry.

The Award Ceremony commenced at 2.30pm, our presenter for the afternoon was Simon Lycett the talented Florist whose clients include His Majesty the King and Elton John.

Familiar faces including Carol Klein, Alan Titchmarsh, and Arit Anderson introduced the various award categories and the nominees. Sponsors of the award categories included Westland Horticulture, The Beth Chatto Educational Trust , The Horticultural Trade Association and Thompson and Morgan to name but a few.

This year the Garden Media Guild supported three gardening charities Perennial, Thrive and Greenfingers with the marvellous work they do.

The event concluded at 4.30pm and we all made our way home, if not a little wobbly, and I cannot wait for next year.

A Grand Day Out with Julie Haylock of Sandhurst Grden Design

L-R: Anne-Marie Taylor, Julie and Rosemary Alexander.

Andrew and Julie Haylock outside The Savoy Hotel, London.

Delicious dessert - Granny Smith.

Table setting at The Savoy.

ITS CHRISTMAS time once again so may I wish all readers, and the staff at The Visitor , a very Happy Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. I hope the new year brings you all that you would wish for yourselves, and that we all get full enjoyment from our old vehicles throughout 2023.

Details of events during January are a bit scant at the time of going to press but here are some that are already known to whet your appetite. Starting with the Somerset Section they have a New Year's Day Meet on the 1st but the location is not yet known. Next on the 5th will be the club night at Cossington, and this will be in the form of a film show. The Dorset Section also have a New Year's Day Meet at

Sturminster Newton on the 1st. Club night at Pulham on the 11th will be a guest speaker, and on the 15th there is a Winter Run which starts from Dikes Supermarket in Stalbridge. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section have their club meet at Silton Hall on the 9th. There may be other events planned so keep an eye on the various web sites or get more details by ringing 01935 872528.

My photo this month is of a machine which has not featured in these pages before. It shows a Velocette LE from the 1960's. Velocette was a long established company which started producing bikes just prior to the First World War. Always renown for making good quality four stroke single cylinder machines but they also made excellent two stroke machines during the 1920's and 30's. In the late 1940's they introduced the LE model (LE standing for Little Engine). They were very innovative in that it was a flat twin cylinder engine which was water cooled. Early machines had engines of 148cc

and later ones were increased to 199cc.

The LE engines always ran very quietly and became popular with police forces so the officer could sneak up on the baddies without being noticed, very quickly the name ‘Noddy Bike’ became universally adopted. Made alongside the larger four stroke machines production of these machines continued until around 1970 when the demise of the company came about. Now the LE has a cult following and many can be found giving sterling service.

Christmas and the New Year seems a time when thoughts are turned to next year's holiday. For many keen motorcyclists that could well mean a trip to the Isle of Man for the races. The TT in 2023 runs from the 3rd June to the 10th with the previous week reserved for the practice sessions. Alternatively you may plump for the Manx or Classic TT which will take place from the 25th August to the 28th.

The TT will be following its familiar format but some of the machine classes have been changed in recent years. Confusing even for a motorcycle fan such as myself. Be sure you know what you will be watching before you book and spend that hard earned cash.

The format for the Manx changed this last year. Gone are some of the classic races and with fewer races the Manx Week is now condensed into a four day long weekend. Again be careful to know what you will be seeing

before you book. Some people are less keen on the new format.

The TT and Manx are the biggest tourist events to take place on the island each year. The TT used to attract around 45,000 visitors from all over the world, and the Manx slightly less at around 30,000. Attendances at both are down in recent years and the dilution of the race series, together with the rising costs involved, are partially to blame.

I know that holding the races does cause much disruption on the island, closing of the main roads for example, but this disruption is inevitable when holding this massive event. More tourists of course means more revenue being generated and that is the lifeblood of the island’s economy.

Having considered all options if you fancy a trip to the island in 2023 then I suggest you make your bookings without delay.

Accommodation is not the problem it once was but getting your desired sailing times is more difficult. Most people book one year to the next for both accommodation and travel so get in early.

Will I be going in 2023? I could be easily tempted to attend the long weekend of the Manx. Have I booked yet, well of course not! I do love the island and think it a magical place and perhaps the Manx fairies will bless me if I do go, no-one dares to cross Fairy Bridge without saying ‘Good Morning’ to the fairies and giving them a salute.

1960's Velocette LE.

Remember when ... 30 years ago from archives

Dimmer view of tip expansion

PLANS TO vastly increase the size of the waste disposal tip at Dimmer near Castle Cary proved to be highly controversial by the end of 1992. The proposal by Somerset County Council and Wyvern Waste Services, a private company set up by the council to run the site, was first mooted without consulting the local people likely to affected, and when a public meeting was eventually arranged in July 1992 to discuss it, more than 400 people attended – with just two being in favour.

Even so, the council granted Wyvern Waste permission to proceed with the expansion and the January 1993 Visitor reported that protestations had not stopped ever since. ‘Growing public opinion against the expansion plan is currently focusing not just on the effect of the extra 320 lorry movements a day along the B3153 but on the effect on other local roads, the downward jolt to house prices which an expanded Dimmer would have, and the direct effect on Castle Cary since the prevailing winds will blow all poisonous gases straight through to the beautiful country town –all of which could force the Minister of Environment to hold a public enquiry, which has so far been denied.’

The expansion went ahead –but nowadays landfill is seen as a highly undesirable way of disposing of our waste.

A case of corporate lethargy Railways often make the headlines, currently because of strikes but in the January 1993 Visitor the reason was Gillingham Station.

The story reported that the station, run by the nationalised

British Rail, ‘suffers from all the corporate lethargy that the body can muster’. It quotes a letter from the Director of Network South East to North Dorset MP Nicholas Baker stating that ‘when there are staff shortages due to booked leave or sickness we do not have the finances available to cover the shifts by paying overtime rates. When the station is not staffed the waiting room is locked as there has been vandalism and abuse to this facility in the past. We cannot afford to keep carrying out repairs.’

The report asks whether ‘these are the words of a man who has given up’ and concludes that it is a good case for the privatisation of British Rail.

Lush retirement

A familiar sight in Castle Cary for almost a century was the Lush family’s butcher’s shop. It had been in the family since 1894 and run by Ted and Gardinal Lush since 1968.

In January 1993 they retired and handed the shop over to sons Brian and Derek, and a feature in the January Visitor outlined the history of the business and the life and interests of Ted who was widely known for the many roles he played in the life of the town. As Head Steward at the Methodist Chapel for 25 years he founded the youth club there in 1958, and as a keen sportsman he played cricket for the town’s First Team, supported the County Team, and enjoyed his

skittling. Sadly the family’s business has since closed.

Popular but not a Ford

What was the most popular car 30 years ago? If an advertiser in the January 1992 Visitor is to be believed it was the Toyota Corolla. According to the advert, since its launch in 1966 the Corolla had sold over 16 million models, ‘making it the most popular car in the world’. Not only that, ‘thanks largely to the world’s biggest automotive research and development investment of £2 billion a year, and over 350 completely new parts, the new Corolla will be even more popular’. But no price is mentioned in the advert.

caught my eye thanks to its surprisingly formal language. ‘Mr and Mrs O’Toole have moved from the Crown Hotel at Marnhull and are now at the Old Red Lion, North Brewham, near Bruton’, it announced before ‘wishing a very happy Christmas to all friends old and new’. What it didn’t say was that after 19 years Tom and Anne had relinquished the tenancy of the Hall & Woodhouse pub (the Pure Drop Inn of Hardy’s ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’) and bought the free house in Brewham. And 30 years later they’re still there, still offering a warm welcome and Anne’s notorious fine food.

Roger Richards.

Personal

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

COUNTRY GUY, retired, easy going, gardener, small holder. Seeks female any age for friendship, days out etc. Martock area. Tel/text: 07561 020600

Services

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

STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles. Lock-up garages to let. Tel: Sparkford Storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692

Storage Wanted

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

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

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

DIESEL GENERATORS. Any make/model. Top prices paid. Tel: 07970 742471

February issue deadline

23rd January

Clues Across:

Kept rent idea [8]

Quite charming to look at [6]

Compound sailor [4]

Starfish? Note: feature poem by marine [10]

Ran back at the prices he tells [8]

Clara’s an imp [6]

Very loud expert males embraced by alien and carried out by 15 [10]

Hunting guide that is after ¼ pint [6]