The Visitor Magazine Issue 478 September 2023

I n P assin g ...

If you enjoy an occasional alcoholic tipple to lighten the financial gloom of these dismal days you might have noticed that prices have changed in the past month. And that change has almost always been upwards. From 1st August alcohol duty increased by 10.1% and all alcoholic drinks are now taxed on their strength rather than by the previously-used European Union method of taxing according to category – wine, beer, spirits and cider. The Government claims this will encourage drinkers to choose lower-alcohol alternatives.

So any wine above 11.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) now costs at least 53p more, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, because the additional 44p in alcohol duty attracts an extra 9p of VAT, and the retailer is likely to adjust his profit margin too. Bottles of spirits are expected to cost around 90p more, with sherry up by more than £1 and port by over £1.50. Even bottles and cans of beer and cider of 3.5% ABV or over are hit by the duty increase, although the tax on draught pints in bars, pubs and restaurants has been reduced in what the Government boasts as ‘doing all it can to help Britain’s pubs as they face rising costs’. According to the Treasury, this means that a pint of 4.5% ABV draught apple cider should be 1p lower, if the saving ever finds its way to the customer. In a further act of benevolence the Government has reduced the rate of tax on sparkling wines to the same level as on still wines, meaning that a standard-strength bottle should be 19p cheaper.

Here in Visitor land, home to many traditional cider-makers, this comes as very bad news. Now that cider is no longer a separate taxation category it is severely disadvantaged by the hike in alcohol duty – an 11p increase in duty alone on a 500ml bottle of traditional 6.5% ABV cider. It makes local producers less able to compete with the industrially-made alcopop ciders from the major producers and puts the future of some of them at risk, along with

some of the orchards that supply them with cider apples. Already in the last three years 1,000 of the 17,000 acres of cider orchards have been lost, and there is concern that a further drastic reduction could have environmental consequences. And our local artisan brewers are having to pay 10.1% more duty on their beers, as these are usually well above 3.5% ABV, meaning they will cost around 30p more for a 500ml bottle. Fortunately some of them also supply their beers on draught to local pubs and will benefit there from the reduction in duty.

So a bottle of sparkling wine, such as Prosecco imported from Italy, now costs a lot less while a bottle of traditional cider produced here in Visitor land costs a lot more, thanks to the tax changes imposed by the Government. Where’s the logic in that?

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October Issue Deadline: 18th September

October Issue Published: 30th September

PO Box 5522, Castle Cary

Somerset BA9 0BP

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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

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.

Volunteers Urgently Needed to Keep Carnival Alive!

Sir,

We are once again approaching the Carnival Season and CISPP (Carnivals in Somerset Promotion Project) have distributed thousands of leaflets to Wessex Carnival towns and throughout Somerset.

Since the awful Covid pandemic lockdown it has not

been easy for our society or Cary Comedians to get more local people on board. We need to publicise this fact as it would be sad to lose our annual Illuminated Carnival and our last remaining successful Carnival Club.

So many people with various talents, or willingness to join a team, either to join our Society or join the Club are needed now.

It takes many months of planning and in the case of the Club, construction, to take part in the Carnivals, which start at Mere at the beginning of September.

As your readers know, Carnival in the county is voluntary funded with (if you can get it) sponsorship or generous donations. They say “If you don’t

help Carnival you will lose it.”

As I get older I recognise the need now to recruit new members if generations to come in Cary and Ansford can look forward to an annual Carnival.

Gordon Stockman President Castle Cary & Ansford Carnival Society gstockmanmbe@gmail.com

Have your say:

October deadline: 18th September

Mentioned

in

Dispatches

Baby beaver boom on Exmoor in Somerset as three kits are born in conservation success story

THREE BABY beavers (kits) have been born at two different beaver enclosures on the Holnicote Estate near Minehead, Somerset, where the National Trust re-introduced beavers for the first time in 400 years in January 2020.

One kit has become the sixth member of the family living at the National Trust’s ‘Paddocks’ enclosure at Holnicote, where Rashford became the first kit born on the estate in 400 years in 2021, followed by twins Russo and Toone last summer. All three were named after England’s football stars after the public were invited to help name the kits –with the final choices coming down to a public vote.

Yet to be named, the latest new arrival is already being shown the benefits of ‘eco-engineering’; how to make positive changes to the area through building dams and

creating new pools to attract wildlife by its older siblings.

Jack Siviter, National Trust ranger working on the beaver project said: “The beavers at ‘Paddocks’ are a tight family team. We see them grooming each other, playing and working together to improve the site and create healthy habitats which can support a broad range of species such as dragonflies. George Layton, another of the National Trust ranger team at Holnicote

added, “The habitat within the beaver sites is already much healthier than before their introduction and is absolutely brimming with wildlife. Beavers are brilliant creatures that through their ‘engineering’ create new ponds, leave standing deadwood – the rarest type of deadwood, where dead trees and branches remain rooted into the ground, forming vitally important habitats for invertebrates – as

well as opening up fantastic glades where more light can hit the woodland floor so beetles, butterflies and even water voles can thrive.”

Another pair of kits have been born at Whiteman’s Moor – just a few miles away - to first time parents Lily and Bulrush. Here, the twins have been caught on camera playing and even hitching a ride on their parent’s backs as they work.

Female beaver and kit at National Trust's Holnicote Estate in Somerset. National Trust Images/Barry Edwards.

Mentioned in Dispatches

National Trust project manager, Ben Eardley said: “Beavers can play an important role helping to combat the climate crisis because their dams help restore dry and degraded wetlands. We’ve already seen the positive change beavers can bring to the landscape at Holnicote and have recorded a dramatic change in water levels on the previously unmanaged woodland, as well as a change to vegetation and light.”

He continued, “The multiple dam complexes created over the last few years have helped to slow the flow of water through the area, create ponds and new channels to hold more water in times of flood, as well as in times of drought. These improvements they’ve made to the habitat are what have allowed wildlife to flourish, including fish, water voles, frogs, toads and otters.”

Find out more about where the beavers live and explore the site virtually at www.nationaltrust .org.uk/virtual-beaver-tour.

Windsor Hill Wood Open Afternoon 17 September

Windsor Hill Wood is a familybased community, set in a woodland small-holding on the outskirts of Shepton Mallet, offering Christian hospitality to many, regardless of race, religion or absence of religion, gender or sexual orientation. It aims to create a supportive environment for people going through tough or uncertain times, offering them the chance to rediscover peace, silence and acceptance amidst the beauty and simplicity of the woods.

of an addiction recovery and others because they are finding life difficult in their home environment. Some have been homeless, or in prison, whilst others are home or business owners.

opportunity to recharge their batteries away from any daily challenges they may be facing.

The charity’s vision is to offer hospitality to all by providing accommodation, three meals a day and a rhythm of life which includes times of work, rest, optional prayer and play. Between three and five guests are usually in residence, staying anything from a few days to a year. Guests come for a variety of reasons – some because of an explicit personal crisis or as part

Windsor Hill Wood offers the opportunity for time in a peaceful, outdoor setting and supports guests in addressing any underlying issues or problems which might have led them to seek a place of refuge. It is a place where people can begin to rebuild their lives.

Windsor Hill Wood also have many visitors and volunteers who come to visit the site and help with the day-to-day tasks. For them, it is a place of quiet connection with nature and an

You are invited to visit for an open afternoon on Sunday 17 September from 2.30-4.30pm, with two informative tours around the site at 3pm and 4pm. There will be refreshments and home-made cakes as well as produce made and grown there. Parking is at Rock Farm with a short walk down to the site, Windsor Hill Lane, Shepton Mallet. BA4 4JE.

To read more, go to www.windsorhillwood.co.uk. Anyone wishing to financially support the charity can do so via the Support Us page on the website, or call 07504 758263 for more information.

Windsor Hill Wood on the edge of Shepton Mallet offers a place of refuge to people who are struggling with addiction, mental health and other issues. They have an open afternoon on 17 September.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Parallels, an exhibition by Simon Hitchens at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury

Somerset-based sculptor Simon Hitchens is opening a new exhibition at Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury, from 16 September to 2 December. The exhibition is curated by Freeny Yianni, Creative Director of CLOSE Ltd, a contemporary art gallery set in the grounds of Close House, Hatch Beauchamp, Somerset.

dance with their new Morris friends ‘Bells Angels’.

After performing in the town and enjoying a picnic in the park they took a canal boat trip down the River Avon, with their musicians providing entertainment for the other canal boaters and passers-by. This was followed by a gentle walk alongside the canal to Avoncliffe where a celebratory meal and a delicious birthday cake made and iced by the Squire, was enjoyed by all. Treacle Eater Clog have sustained their membership by running a series of free have a go ‘taster sessions’ annually from mid-September, the start of their practice season. This gives potential new dancers and musicians the opportunity to try out some North West Morris Dancing and/or play some traditional music, under the helpful guidance of their foreman and chief musician. Last year,

because of the sessions, they recruited four new members, all of whom have been performing throughout this summer and enjoyed the benefits of being a member of a Morris Dance side in the form of fitness, friendship and fun. The first of these ‘have a go sessions’ starts at 7.30pm on 18 September at the Scout Hut, Blackberry Lane, Sherborne DT9 4DE this is followed by to further sessions in their home location at Rimpton Village Hall, Rimpton

BA22 8AH, twixt Sherborne and Marston Magna, at 7.30pm on Monday 25 September and again on Monday 2 October. A warm welcome is extended to all those who come along. Contact: 07974 590927 or secretary@treacle eaterclog.org, www.treacleeater clog.org.uk or find them on Facebook.

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The exhibition, called ‘Parallels’, explores time and transience – the interconnected nature of what we share with the world. For three weeks, spanning the autumn equinox of 2019, Simon travelled the length of the British Isles, from latitude 50 in Cornwall to latitude 60 in Shetland. He was looking for rocks from eleven different geological time periods and to make drawings of the shadow lines cast by each rock at each of the eleven lines of latitude. Shadows cast from a twelfth object, a discarded lump of plastic, were drawn on a landfill site near London. Shadow sculptures complement the drawings. There will also be a large concrete sculpture, Bearing Witness to Things Unseen, on display in the museum’s Abbey Barn.

Treacle Eater Clog Northwest Morris look to the next

forty years

Treacle Eater dancers and musicians celebrated their 40th year, by performing not only around West Dorset and South Somerset, but by dancing at the Bishops Palace and at the Cathedral in Wells; at Exeter participating in the Joint Morris Organisation’s ‘Day of Dance’ and at the Wessex Folk Festival in Weymouth. Furthermore, as a birthday treat, they headed off by train to Bradford on Avon to

Bearing Witness to Things Unseen, Chichester Cathedral.

Treacle Eater meet Bells Angels for dancing in Bradford on Avon.

Mentioned in Dispatches

The Arts Society Mendip Sept & Oct events

‘The Making of Landscape Photographs’ Tuesday 5th September: Charlie Waite will explore the relationship between the making of an image and the

way in which it is perceived by the viewer. The talk will begin at 11.00am in Croscombe Village Hall (and simultaneously via Zoom – a link will be sent to members and guests).

‘Caravaggio: painter extraordinaire, a flawed genius and … a murderer!’ Tuesday 3rd October: Keith Bonser describes his personal chance discovery of Caravaggio and his paintings and the resulting lifelong fascination which epitomises the ability of art to inspire. The talk will begin at 11.00am in Croscombe Village

Hall (and simultaneously via Zoom – a link will be sent to members and guests). Guests welcome for a fee of £10. Alternatively, annual membership covering 10 lectures is £53pp or £102 for a couple. Further details and full programme at www.thearts societymendip.org.uk.

Stourton Flower and Produce Show

Stourton Flower and Produce Show was held on Sunday 6th August at Stourton Memorial Hall for the first time since 2019. The show followed the traditional theme of flower arrangements, cookery, art, photography and much more.

The show dates back over 100 years when it was held over 3 days at Stourhead House. 12

trophies were for winning the oldest dated 1947.

There were 42 individuals entered with over 100 entries, not bad after the annual show had not taken place for four years. Although held indoors the weather was very kind and attracted entrants and the public out. Audrey Hoare presented the silver cups and trophies. Norman Rose won first for his hand crafted ironwork, which was a complex door knocker. Vanesa Meeker won four first prizes. Pat Booth won first for an interesting display of garden berries. It was nice to see youth present, Mary Bridges winning a cup. Edward Hoare's family won the trophy for the most entries. Elizabeth Hames not only had two first prizes for her cakes which were sold afterwards for £10 each, Elizabeth also won The Silver Bowl for best in show.

for charity

over

Dave Parish from Yeovil has played his part in raising over £10,000 for charity by cycling the length of Britain along with his two friends (Jonney Reay and Sheldon Fling). They began the journey known as ‘LEJOG’ on 20th July at Land’s End in Cornwall and covered approximately 120 miles per day before arriving in John O’Groats 9 days later.

Jonney was fundraising for Somerset Charity School in a Bag while Sheldon was fundraising

Yeovil man and friends cycle ‘LEJOG’ and raise

£10,000

12 trophies for winning at Stourton Flower and Produce Show, the oldest dated 1947.

Audrey Hoare and Vanesa Meeker.

Photos by George Jeans.

Mentioned in Dispatches

for Bowel Cancer UK.

Dave, Jonney and Sheldon would like to thank everyone for their kind donations and support along the way, everywhere they went they received a warm welcome and it was very much appreciated.

You can find out more about their journey at www. lejog2023.co.uk and donate by

visiting www.givewheel.com /fundraising/509/lejog-2023.

Community choir singers raise over £14,000 for charities

The South Somerset Good Afternoon Choir who meet at Wincanton are taking part in their first concert of the year on Saturday November 18 at St Mary’s Church, Gillingham as guests of Top Brass & Wind Concert Band. More concerts are planned in the run up to Christmas including an open Christmas celebration which will take place at Wincanton War Memorial Hall on Monday December 11.

The South Somerset Good Afternoon Choir is led by Ruth Jenkins and meets every Monday at Wincanton War Memorial Hall from 1.00-3.00pm.

“Following our summer break the choir starts back Singing in the Afternoon on Monday September 4. There are no auditions, everyone is welcome –come and meet us, there’s no charge for your first rehearsal,” said Ruth.

The Frome Good Afternoon Community Choir have been busy with fundraising events and have raised over £320 for their chosen charity, the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance so far this year. The choir was also invited to take part in a concert at Frome Assembly Rooms in March, which raised £724. More concerts are planned in the run up to Christmas including an open Christmas celebration which will take place at Holy Trinity Church, Frome on Monday December 11. Everyone is welcome, so make a diary date to go along and enjoy singing your favourite carols.

The Frome Good Afternoon Choir is led by Matt Finch and meets every Monday at Holy Trinity Church from 2.00-4.00pm.

“Following our summer break the choir starts back Singing in the Afternoon on Monday September 4. If you fancy singing in a choir, why not come along? There’s no charge for your first rehearsal,” says Matt.

Many of the members will be looking forward to attending the annual Good Afternoon Choir ‘Big Sing’ which will take place this year in Wells Cathedral on Wednesday November 15. Over 500 singers will take part.

Across the West of England the 24 Good Afternoon Choirs have already raised £14,415 for many local charities. Choir Founder Grenville Jones said:

“Last year our total was over £22,000 and with the fantastic support of choirs like the South Somerset and Frome members and with Christmas concerts ahead, I am hoping we can reach £24,000 by the end of the year.”

See www.goodafternoon choir.org for more details.

Dave, Jonney and Sheldon cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 9 days and raised over £10,000 for charity.

Dispatches

Great Crested Newts found in new ponds in South Somerset

As part of a project to enhance habitat for local wildlife, eight new ponds were created last year across National Trust properties in South Somerset. After a recent survey, young Great Crested Newts have been found at four of the eight ponds along with other amphibians such as frogs and palmate newts.

“Cresties”, as they are sometimes known, are present at Tintinhull Garden and Lytes

Cary Manor and historically been present at Montacute House. ‘We are delighted to discover that only one year after the ponds were created newts have moved in and started to breed’ says Mark Musgrave, Lead Ranger in South Somerset, National Trust.

You can see some of the ponds at Lytes Cary Manor if you follow the purple and red waymarked trails through the estate. The ponds at Tintinhull Garden are in the orchard adjacent to the

formal garden, and at Montacute House they are in the fields east of the main parkland (one is alongside the public footpath that crosses the A3088).

National Trust Rangers have worked closely with Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West (FWAG SW) Officers on the project (funded by Natural England) to design the ponds to provide the ideal habitat requirements, so that these

nocturnal amphibians can thrive.

As well digging out the ponds, the Ranger team have made sure that the surrounding environment is suitable for the newts too. Great Crested Newts go into a torpor state (like hibernation) in the winter so need shelter under rocks, logs or in holes in the ground. They return to the ponds in the spring, in search of food and a mate. Female newts will lay eggs carefully

folded into vegetation, such as water mint, for protection.

The newts then venture into the surrounding terrestrial habitat where they feed on invertebrates throughout the summer and autumn. The young newts (efts), born in the spring, will remain in the water until August.

To ensure that the newts have the range of habitat they need to flourish, a large hibernacula has

Adult female Great Crested Newt, summer 2023. Image: National Trust/Mark Musgrave.

been constructed alongside each pond and wildflower seed has been sown to encourage insects which the newts will eat.

Norton Shop and Post Office is going from strength to strength

The shop and post office were on the verge of closing last year due to the high cost of electricity, but they were saved for the community. The nearby villages banded together and raised enough money to maintain the shop's operation. The shop and Post Office is run by the Community Land Trust, which is working to cut costs and improve inventory.

The good news is that more customers have increased turnover. A wonderful group of volunteers manage the shop with the help of two part-time managers. Three fantastic employees at the post office

manage all of the services. The shop is now a destination for customers looking for the best meats since it recently began offering local Bagnall Farm produce.

Another Year of Incredible Results at Strode!

Strode College is once again proud that the efforts of it’s staff and students have produced such outstanding results across all provisions, which includes A Level, Professional and Technical, and T Level qualifications.

Overall, for the top A* grade (8%), the high-flying A Level students achieved 1% higher compared to the sixth form National Average. Students achieving high grades of A*-B (53%) also achieved 1% above the National Average; A*-C grades (79%) were 3% above the National Average and 4.6% above the sixth form National Average.

In summary, Strode’s overall pass rate for A Levels was 1% above an already high national average, considering these are the first exams this cohort of students have sat. In addition, the College also offers the Extended Project Qualification

(EPQ) which achieved 100% pass rate with 94% of students achieving A*-B grades. These are amazing achievements!

Professional and Technical Diplomas, which are career focussed and highly specialised to their respective industries, achieved a 100% pass rate across the board, providing a real advantage for students in seeking a place at university or employment. T Levels results remain strong, with Education & Childcare and Science achieving a 100% pass rate.

Principal & CEO, Dr John Revill, said: “It has been a privilege to lead Strode College on its journey post-Covid and today has been a day of celebration.

Our staff and students deserve all the credit having worked tirelessly over the academic year to achieve these exceptional results.

As a college, we now look forward to celebrating with our students and continuing to support them as they move forward with their next steps. To our new cohort of learners in 2023/24, we are very excited to welcome you!

If you’re yet to secure a place at college then do get in touch with our Admissions Team, as we are offering guaranteed places to all 16-18 year olds. So, come and join us at Strode! We’re here to help you on your way to a set of excellent results, just like those of our students this year.”

Principal Dr John Revill and stdents celebrate this years results.

Adult female Great Crested Newt, summer 2023. Image: National Trust/Mark Musgrave.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Somerset Open StudiosDiscover Somerset this Autumn! 16 Sept - 1 Oct 2023

Somerset artists are making final preparations for this autumn’s Somerset Open Studios event, with a flurry of activity in creative spaces across the county. This autumn will see the first full Open Studios event since 2018, with over 300 artists taking part. Discovering what goes on in artists’ studios can be enlightening, surprising and thrilling; a revelation of the magic behind the process and the chance to meet the artist or maker.

For both artists and visitors, it’s a chance to forge an enduring relationship and a unique opportunity to find out what lies behind the intrigue of an image or hand-crafted object. It’s also an opportunity for the casual viewer, the curious, to see what goes on behind normally-closed studio doors. Artists value the engagement that the event

provides; a chance comment or connection can sometimes provide invaluable encouragement.

This year’s Guide cover artist, printmaker Julia Manning says: “Somerset Open Studios means endless chat, people from the past, meeting old friends, locals who have no idea of what goes on behind our garden gate and buyers who have made the effort to come from far away. A happy, exhausting time!”

Somerset Art Works has developed some new ways for audiences to find out more about the artists, and events, featuring this year, and the journey of discovery that visitors can go on.

For 2023, an artist profile campaign, In The Studio , provides a series of special artist interviews on the SAW website, delving deeper into the process, studio secrets and thoughts behind the work.

A unique SAW Members’ group show, Behind The Scenes , examines artists’ preoccupations at this time with a large display of artwork at Taunton Brewhouse. Artists have been invited to submit one artwork, accompanied by a short statement which looks at where artists find themselves, and their practice, after the past three years.

SAW is excited to announce that it is working with Visit Somerset in a new initiative to give an increased presence for the event, and its artists, on the Visit Somerset website. As one of the counties’ largest and most anticipated cultural events, Somerset Open Studios is the perfect way to discover so much of what Somerset has to offerbeautiful scenery providing inspiration, and fine hospitality tucked away in every corner of the county. This support from Visit Somerset will enable visitors to discover more about the event, as part of planning an itinerarywhether it's a stay in the county or part of a packed day out.

The much-loved Somerset Open Studios Guide returns again, and is now available in cultural centres, libraries and tourist information points across Somerset and beyond. Full details are also available on the Somerset Open Studios App, available to download for iPhone and Android, as well as the Open Studios page on the SAW website, with a full Event Calendar, and details about Family Friendly Weekend activities.

For more details, and to plan your visit, please visit somersetartworks.org.uk.

Julia Manning.

Mentioned

Dispatches

Tractor Ride and Harvest Festival service

Sunday 1 October Tractor Ride. Caundle Marsh adjacent to church at DT9 5LX just off A3030. Breakfast 9am. Ride starts 10am. Return about 2.30. £15 per tractor. Raffle. Contact James Hiscock on 07977 446328 to register. Money raised for upkeep of church and a nominated charity. Friday 6 October Harvest Festival Evensong service in church with singing by Eddie Upton. Starts 6.30pm and bring harvest supper items to show or eat!

Blackmore Vale Lions Club (and The People of Blackmore Vale) Receive International Award for Charitable Giving

At a recent business meeting the President of Blackmore Vale Lions Club (BVLC) Peter Oswick surprised the club by announcing that the club had received a Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) award for its work collecting and donating money to international and domestic charities as part of the Lions Club International Foundation 100 Project. By implication this award from LCIF pays tribute to the people of the Blackmore Vale since it is your generous charitable donations to BVLC collections, requests for sponsorship and events that

provides the money for BVLC’s charitable donations. The 100 Project set up by LCIF set out to Help and Empower 100 million people in the year 2021-2. The plaque is entitled 100 Project 200 because not satisfied with helping 100 million people LCIF achieved double its target and helped over 200 million people.

If you would be interested in helping in this sort of work by joining BVLC. Please get in touch at https://bvlions.yolasite.com or phone 0845 833 7423.

Muchelney Pottery Open Day

Saturday 9th September

10am - 4pm

Muchelney Pottery are delighted to welcome you to the pottery for their first open day in a very long time! They are launching a brand new exhibition in the gallery; Tom Clark - Paintings, Carvings, Sculpture (Runs from 9th September to 21st October). There will be demonstrations in the pottery yard; Mark Melbourne will be throwing pots and Tom Clark will be stone carving and discussing his exhibition with visitors.

Refreshments available all day from Little Van Rouge. Free entry. Plenty of parking. Muchelney Pottery, Muchelney Nr. Langport, Somerset, TA10 0DW. www.johnleachpottery .co.uk.

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

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Muchelney Pottery Open Day is on Saturday 9th September.

Peter Oswick President and the Leadership team of Blackmore Vale Lions Club proudly display the LCIF Project 100-200 plaque.

There will be demonstrations in the pottery yard.

Tom Clark, Paintings, Carvings, Sculpture (Runs from 9th September - 21st October).

September Notice Board

COMPTON DUNDON

Avalon Quilters Quilt Show, 30th Sept & 1st October 10am – 4pm. Compton Dundon Villige Hall, TA11 6PQ. £3 (12 & Under Free). Contact 01935 841402 email quiltersaq@gmail.com.

MARTOCK

The Yeovil Concert Band at Martock Church; TA12 6JL. 7:30pm, Thursday 7th September 2023. Tickets: £12 or £10 at Guardianstickets@gmail.com

/07547 213992/Martock Gallery/ Martock Newsagent (CASH ONLY). Visit www.martock online.co.uk/events and www. yeovilconcertband.com.

SHERBORNE

Antiques, Arts, Crafts, Food & More. Sherborne Digby Hall Monthly Market. Saturday September 2nd.10-3. Cafe, Toilets, Parking & Up to 70 sellers. Trader enquiries Tel: 07717454643.

SHERBORNE

Mind, Body & Spirit Fayre, 115pm on 9th September at Digby Hall, Hound St, Sherborne DT9 3AA.

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

By John Osborne

 Answers can be found on page 39 

This month it's all about albums – what could be simpler? So who made this little lot then? To make it a bit easier I've given you the year to jog the old grey matter. Good luck!

1) Voodoo Lounge (1994)

2) The Lexicon of Love (1982)

3) The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974)

4) Jagged Little Pill (1995)

5) A Head Full of Dreams (2015)

6) Pet Sounds (1966)

7) Flaming Pie (1997)

8) City to City (1978)

9) Folklore (2020)

10) Alone in the Universe (1986)

Connoisseur question, for Musical Anoraks only: 'A Doll's House' was the working title for which Beatles album?

Great Quotes in Music (149)

“Sounds like the blues are composed of feeling, finesse and fear” - Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)

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.

Dating tips from Alison at Just Somerset Introductions

Hope you’re all having a good summer despite the very changeable weather and here’s to hoping we get some nice sunshine in September. It won’t be long and the summer days will be turning autumnal - where has the time gone this year again?

So make the most of this great

time of year, enjoy the late summer, getting out and about to meet new people!

Being a member of the Just Introductions Group means you can go to events across the group. It’s a relaxed way to meet people and broaden your social circle. I have known many couples who have met at a social and then gone on to meet up on a one to

one. We are an Introduction Agency for single people who are looking to make new friendships, get out dating and hopefully find a new relationship - an agency with the personal touch. There are testimonials and videos from members on our new website. We cover all ages and are always looking for new members,

especially younger ones. As a member you have an Area Manager to help you throughout your membership. Every potential new member is interviewed and ID checked in their own home. For more information on how we work please look at the NEW website! What are you waiting for – give us a call soon!

Sudoku by T. M.

Solution to August Sudoku on page 39.

Opportunity to bid on 1992 cask of whisky from the Glendronach Distillery (1826) to celebrate the birth of Scotch Whisky

FOR THE first time ever, the entire contents of a cask of Glendronach whisky will go under the auction hammer: on 23 October 2023, in Neuilly-surSeine, outside Paris.

Auction house, Aguttes, will be selling the 630 bottles drawn from this unique cask, lovingly aged for 30 years. This whisky, called “The One And Only”, celebrates the bicentenary of the Excise Act passed in 1823 which marked the official birth of Scotch whisky.

The Act marked the birth of Scotch whisky by legalising its production and establishing its

taxation by the British government. So, this year marks the 200th anniversary of this milestone in the history of whisky as we know it today.

Pierre-Luc Nourry, Aguttes specialist in the wines and spirits department comments: “We are offering you the unique opportunity to acquire the entire contents of an oloroso puncheon cask – namely, an exclusive lot of one of the most representative single malts in the style of whisky produced by The Glendronach , much prized by whisky lovers the world over. Glendronach is one of the five most sought-after brands at auction worldwide. In this instance, this 30-year-old

whisky, characteristic of the distillery's expertise, offers high investment potential.”

On 23 October 2023, Aguttes will be celebrating one of Scotland's oldest distilleries, The Glendronach, founded by James Allardice in 1826. For almost two centuries, tradition has been perpetuated there in the production of Highland Single Malts, marked by the use of oak casks previously used for Spanish fortified wines, thanks to ancestral methods handed down through the generations.

Estimated at €300,000/400,000 and 30 years old, this will be the first time that the contents of such a cask are going up for auction. It is the first to go under the hammer since the distillery was founded. The Glendronach 30YO “The One and Only” provides an opportunity to celebrate this twofold event.

Distilled in 1992, when stills

were still heated with coal and traditional malting floors were still in use, The Glendronach 30YO “The One and Only” is a testament to this expertise, embodying the character of Highland single malts in the most authentic way possible. This unique cask provides an exceptional opportunity to discover part of the history of Glendronach, for this single malt has been matured for 30 years in a truly remarkable oloroso cask. The natural reduction of the spirit during maturation has given it an incomparable aromatic concentration that has been enhanced over the decades by the Spanish oak.

Glendronach The One & Only sale - 23 October 2023

AGUTTES AUCTIONS Aguttes164 Bis Avenue, Charles-deGaulle, Neuilly-sur-Seine.

The Glendronach, one of Scotland's oldest distilleries.

TASTES of the WEST

The Etsome Arms, & The Etsome Offy, Somerton

VISIT THE Etsome Arms, the 2x CAMRA Award winning Real Ale and Wine Micropub in Somerton.

They love local, and are proud to showcase 6 different casks of the finest local ale every week, along with delicious local gins, wines and tasty bar snacks.

They are also very happy to announce the opening of The Etsome Offy, a sister business that is home to a huge selection of bottled and canned real ale, craft beer, spirits and wine from all around the local area, Bristol, and beyond!

Find them on West Street, Somerton, TA11 7PS and follow them @TheEtsomeOffy/ @TheEtsomeArms for all the latest beer lists and updates!

Kafé Fontana, Sherborne

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

visiting this picturesque town.

They welcome dogs and have seating inside, or outside if it’s nice. All of their cakes and scones are homemade on the premises. In the mornings they provide a good hearty breakfast, with salads, quiches and homemade soups also on the menu throughout the day.

They have a selection of hot and cold drinks, are licensed and do some healthy smoothies too. If you have any special dietary needs Kafé Fontana can still provide you with good tasty food. They also offer outside catering.

Kafé Fontana is open MonSat, 8am - 5pm, Sun 9.30am4.30pm.

The Buttercross Tearooms, Somerton

Situated in the heart of Somerton’s Market Place is the award-winning Buttercross Tearooms.

They always source local foods and produce, make as much inhouse as possible, and stick to a seasonal menu which ensures the

freshest flavour.

Buttercross Tearooms love welcoming back their customers as well as new passers-by. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, find out more at www.thebuttercrosstearooms .com.

THE BUT TERCROSS TEAROOMS

Market Place, Somer ton (01458) 273168

Homemade Cakes & Scones

Morning Coffee, Cream Teas

Lunch Served 12 – 3pm

Open: Tue – Sat 9am – 5pm

Kafé Fontana on Cheap Street, Sherborne.

The Buttercross Tearooms, Somerton.

GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly

Regency Care & Mobility ltd, 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 demonstrations 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.

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-ofthe-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 animalloving 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 and see advert on the back cover.

Regency Care & Mobility of Crewkerne.

GOLDEN YEARS

Notaro Care Homes - La Fontana Sun Room.

Notaro Care Homes - Immacolata House.

GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly

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.

READ ONLINE:

www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

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

Live the life you deserve!

As we age, we encounter fresh challenges and frustrations that can make the act of relaxation feel like an arduous task and making use of your bathroom facilities can often feel laborious and demanding. Adjusting your bathroom can greatly improve your overall safety and peace of mind, whether it's increasing accessibility or getting assistance from others, modifying your environment can help restore some independence.

Limited mobility does not mean limited choice

Maintaining personal care and hygiene should remain a top priority, even if limited mobility is a result of aging or illness. We understand that figuring out how to make your bathroom accessible can be daunting, and you may have concerns about it appearing clinical and unwelcoming.

However, our friendly and experienced team will design a bathroom that meets your needs and your style - accessible bathrooms no longer need to sacrifice style for functionality. Whether it’s a walk-in shower, walk-in bath or wet room that you need we will advise on how to make your bathroom feel luxurious with our wide range of decors to suit all tastes.

Updating your bathroom with AHM

We are a family-run business founded on our own personal experiences within the care and mobility industry. When we started in 1999, we found that there weren’t many services providing expertise on accessible bathrooms, but we also discovered customers were being given limited information and financial protection. We always treat customers like our own family and are proud of the caring ethos shared amongst our teams, there is always a real person at the end of the phone.

We don’t employ salesmen

Our experienced and caring surveyors will visit you to discuss your needs and we encourage family or friends to attend to help you make your decision. We also use a team of employed experienced and friendly installers for every bathroom installation.

“Not only have they done a great job, but they have been so kind to my mum who is very fragile both physically and emotionally at the moment.”

-Margot

Please get in touch: If you would like more information on how we can help with your bathroom, call us on 01823 751 115

Family Health with

CONTINUING our tour of marvellous medicinal mushrooms, this month we take a look at Lion's Mane & Maitake.

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) – also known as Monkey Head mushroom, Yamabushitake, Pom Pom and my favourite – bearded hedgehog. This white tendrilled shroom has teeth instead of gills and grows on dead organic matter. Apparently it's delicious and it's one of the mushrooms I am going to try and grow – even if just for its hedgehog looking appeal!

There are companies producing grow your own kits for some of our more unusual mushroom allies so if you find them as fascinating as I do, give them a try – I'd love to hear how you get on!

Lion's Mane has garnered quite the reputation for all things nervous system related and for good reason. Lion's mane contains compounds that boost Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Depleted levels of NGF are associated with early stage Alzheimer's and dementia. It can cross the blood brain barrier and is involved with neuroplasticity - the ability of the brain neurons to change and grow. Lion's Mane may support myelination, the process by which the protective fat rich myelin sheath is formed

around our nerves. This makes it of potential use in multiple sclerosis, and nerve damage such as peripheral neuropathy. Research also suggests Lion's Mane is anti-oxidant, involved in insulin regulation and promotes blood vessel growth, therefore heart disease and type 2 diabetes may benefit.

Lion's Mane is also being used for memory, focus and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. People often report

feeling much calmer and generally more 'balanced' while taking it. No wonder some have nicknamed it Nature's Nutrient for the Neurons! Anecdotal reports also suggest it may be a helpful herb during the menopause, aiding sleep, steadying mood and reducing hot flushes. The usual dose is between 1 and 5g of the fruiting body each day. Those with asthma and allergies should be cautious as Lion's Mane may

Jenna Evans

Maitake mushroom. Image: Shutterstock.com/puttography.

aggravate these conditions.

Maitake (Grifolia frondosa)Known as Hen of the Woods, (due to its feathery appearance), in Europe and North America. I much prefer the story behind its other name, Maitake, means 'dancing mushroom'. Legend has it that a group of Japanese Buddhist nuns and woodcutters met on a mountain trail and were so thrilled when they came across Maitake that they danced!

Like many mushrooms, Maitake has been researched for it's anti-cancer benefits. As well as being a potent immunomodulatory agent, thought to help stimulant apoptosis (cell suicide) in cancer cells, Maitake may also help alleviate the side effects of conventional cancer therapy. For chemo patients this may be especially helpful with a reduction in nausea, vomiting, hair loss, poor appetite, fatigue and leukopenia (low white blood cell count).

Maitake is also prized as a blood glucose modulator especially useful for the

prevention of diabetes.

Interestingly, insulin resistance also plays a significant role in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, a condition that Maitake may be used to treat. There is also a suggestion that Maitake may be helpful for raised cholesterol and blood pressure.

I am continuing to get fantastic feedback from people using the medicinal mushrooms, Lion's Mane especially has become quite the best seller. Join me for more mushroom marvels next month! © 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.

Ward & Sibley - the jewellers of Yeovil.

A fifth of home sellers admit to covering up property problems during the viewing process

THE LATEST research from property purchasing specialist, House Buyer Bureau, has found that one in 10 (13%) of home sellers have avoided showing a particular room to potential buyers during the viewing process, while 19% admitted to steering them away from a particular view such as a mobile phone mast.

The survey of over 1,000 UK homeowners to have previously sold a home, commissioned by House Buyer Bureau, found that as many as 13% of respondents have purposely failed to show potential buyers a room in their house while conducting a viewing.

The top reason for neglecting to fully preview their property was due to using the space for storage at the time of viewing. Other reasons to make the top five for keeping a part of their property on the down low were the need for renovation, the fact it hadn’t been cleaned, because the interior design was outdated or unappealing and, most mysteriously, because it was housing an embarrassing secret.

The good news is that when it comes to our outside space, we’re far less secretive, with just 2% stating that they had purposely avoided showing a potential buyer an outdoor area when viewing. However, almost a fifth (19%) of those surveyed said that

they had purposely avoided showing potential buyers a view that was visible from their property that they didn’t like, such as a mobile telephone mast.

Perhaps more worryingly, as many as 8% came clean about attempting to hide a negative

Shutterstock.com/marina_eno1.

issue associated with the property itself.

The most common cover up was water damage or mould, followed by cracks in the wall which could indicate subsidence, nasty smells from, for example, pets or smokers, windows or doors that didn’t properly close and pest problems.

Managing Director of House Buyer Bureau, Chris Hodgkinson, commented:

“We’re probably all guilty of sweeping something under the rug in order to improve the appeal of our property during the selling process, but it seems as many as one in 10 would

purposely steer a buyer clear of an entire room to avoid revealing what lies behind the door.

While we’re less concerned about the state of our outdoor space, even more of us would try to hide an eye-soar surrounding our property in case it makes a bad first impression.

What is worrying though, is the number who admitted to purposely trying to conceal an issue with the property itself in order to get a sale over the line.

Selling a home is stressful enough as it is without having such weights on your conscience and the reality is that the buyer will inevitably find out, pull out of the sale and you’ll be out of pocket and back to square one.”

Lizzie Price

Shading Solutions

As we leave summer behind us and head into Autumn we concentrate on Shutters & Blinds to reduce energy costs and protect you from the UV rays. We offer a wide range of Blinds suited to both UV protection and thermal insulation. An example of one type of blind that achieves this is the Honeycomb style pleated blinds which trap the air in each pocket considerably decreasing the heat loss through your windows.

Shutters are proven to reduce heat loss; they free up space around the window and are stylish and elegant whilst

allowing you total control of the light and privacy. Both are proven to reduce energy costs and keep energy costs down. We do Blinds, Shutters, Awnings and so much more. Visit our website www.lizziepriceshading solutions.co.uk for the full range or give us a call 07879 992000 for a free no obligation home visit and quotation. Based in North Cadbury we cover Somerset, Dorset & Wiltshire.

Lizzie Price.

Clay Pigeon Shooting lessons near Shaftesbury

AA SHOOTING School provides personal one-to-one sessions by appointment to introduce you to Clay Shooting or to refine your technique. If you’re looking for

an exciting activity for a group of friends, then Clay Pigeon Shooting is a great option. They welcome stag and hen parties, family groups and corporates/ team building events. Regular school groups also enjoy the privacy of the location - check out the reviews on TripAdvisor.

Situated on a working farm surrounded by beautiful countryside, the layout provides a wide range of eco-friendly targets to suit all abilities, with towers to simulate game drives. If you’re looking to improve a particular target, then they can focus on that area, and provide constructive and useful pointers to improve your hit rate.

Open from 10am to 6pm Wednesday to Saturday contact them to make an appointment.

Gift vouchers are a popular choice.

Blackmore Vale Art Trail 9th – 17th September

The Blackmore Vale Art Trail will take you around much of North Dorset to find artists in their studios and exhibitions in small galleries and pop-up venues, giving visitors opportunities to discuss their practice and buy their work. Over 26 artists are taking part, many of whom are highly qualified with degrees from prestigious art colleges such as The Royal College of Art, Cardiff School of Art, and Edinburgh College of Art, and others who are self-taught. This Art Trail acknowledges that once working as an artist whether it is to make a living or purely for the joy of being creative, it is the quality of process and outcome that is most

important. There is a great range of styles, techniques, and subject, ranging from traditional landscapes to abstract painting, ceramics, textiles, and jewellery. Maps and venue details can be found in the free brochure which is widely available. Insta/Fb @blackmorevalearttrail

Italian Language Services

Italian Language Services provides Yeovil based Italian tuition. Christine teaches classes which run weekly for 30 weeks a year beginning in September with breaks for Christmas and Easter. These classes range from absolute beginners to advanced standard.

There are also shorter 10 week introductory courses called Holiday Italian, these run throughout the year as and when they are required.

For those that cannot attend a regular class private lessons for individuals or small groups tailored to particular needs can be provided.

Clay Pigeon Shooting at AA Shooting School.

Over 26 artists are taking part in the Blackmore Vale Art Trail.

South West Art Courses

South West Art Courses will be moving to Sherborne this September. The new premises at Compton Court offer space for 3 studios to accommodate the many courses, and workshops on offer. Currently booking is the City and Guilds Creative Techniques qualification, held on a Thursday, once a week for 3 terms.

This fantastic course offers learners the chance to experiment with a variety of art and craft techniques and culminates in creating original finished pieces of art for a final exhibition next summer. The course starts in October along with 5 and 10 week

short courses, in painting and calligraphy. In addition, there are many day and half day workshops on offer to learn and explore mediums such as textiles, oil, watercolour, printing, Annie Sloane furniture painting techniques, calligraphy, papier mâché sculpture, mixed media, charcoal, and perspective drawing.

No need for previous experience, just a desire to be creative! South West Art Courses Ltd, Compton Court, Coldharbour, Sherborne, DT9 4AG. Website: www.southwestart courses.co.uk, email: admin@ southwestartcourses.co.uk.

Playmobil Launches

Magnum, p.i. Ferrari for Ultimate CrimeFighting Fun!

Recreate thrilling adventures with the iconic 80s TV series car! Calling all fans of the classic 80s TV series Magnum, p.i.! Get ready to rev up your excitement because Playmobil is launching the iconic Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole car from the show! This is your chance to recreate thrilling crime-solving adventures with Thomas Magnum and his trusty red Ferrari.

Step into the world of private investigator Thomas Magnum as you embark on action-packed missions with the Playmobil Magnum, p.i. Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole set. This highly detailed replica brings to life the iconic car that stole the hearts of viewers during the show's run. From the sleek curves to the roaring engine, this Playmobil set is a must-have for any Magnum, p.i. fan.

But that's not all! The set also includes the main characters

from the series, allowing you to recreate your favourite scenes or even come up with your own thrilling adventures. Join Magnum, Higgins, Rick, and T.C. as they tackle dangerous cases on the beautiful Hawaiian islands.

Whether you're a longtime fan of the show or a newcomer looking for an exciting playtime experience, the Playmobil Magnum, p.i. Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole set is the perfect addition to your collection. Get ready to embark on thrilling investigations, chase down criminals, and solve mysteries in style. Don't miss out on this nostalgic trip back to the 80s, when crime-fighting was cool and the Ferrari was the ultimate ride! Release your inner detective and get your hands on the Playmobil Magnum, p.i. Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole set today. Available at select retailers and online stores. Get ready to hit the gas and start solving crimes in your own living room!

Available from August 25th 2023 and priced at £69.99 with free shipping at playmobil.co.uk.

Sturminster Newton Business Focus

Agnes & Vera

ONE THING that I am not good at, is promoting myself. However, as owner, buyer, shop assistant, and manager of all things office related at Agnes & Vera, one thing that I can do, is promote my wonderful staff of two, Jo and Hannah.

Between them, they look after the shop; dressing the window,

displaying the products, keeping everything clean and tidy, posting on Facebook and most importantly, welcoming, helping and chatting to our lovely customers.

It is a real team effort and we are currently on the cusp of our Autumn/Winter deliveries arriving; possibly my favourite time of year at Agnes & Vera when all things cosy and colourful start to appear on the shelves.

We have some super Suppliers and it will be so exciting to unpack soft toys, beautiful cards, gift wrap, candles, bags, scarves, accessories, stationery, books and too much more to mention.

Has it always been easy on the High Street over the last sixteen years? Truthfully, “no” but it is

what we do and love in this friendly Market Town and we sincerely appreciate your custom. Do call in. You will be most welcome to browse and see what we have to offer. Also, look out for our new shop front colour… coming soon!

Open: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 4pm. Susan Hepburn.

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

Agnes & Vera at Market Cross.

Ham Hill Country

The Prince of Wales

Ham Hill Country Park is beautiful all year round. The views are simply stunning whatever the season.

The Prince of Wales sits on the top of Ham Hill and is open all day, every day and are dog and welly boot friendly. There is plenty of outdoor seating, a marquee, and a covered area. Inside there are two bars, a

restaurant and The Chapel Function Room.

They also have Amy's Garden that has its own bar and stage. In the cooler months they offer hot ciders and mulled wine. They offer local cask ales straight from the barrel and a selection of ciders. The Prince of Wales is proud to offer tasty, locally sourced food that is prepared on site.

Harvey Stone are a family run business based on Ham Hill, Stoke Sub Hamdon. They supply walling, rockery and beautifully hand crafted stone pieces to both commercial and private customers. Their stonemasons can create bespoke pieces for interior and exterior projects including fireplaces, name plaques, window

and door surrounds and other architectural masonry. The beautiful honey coloured stone is very versatile. It can also be used for many different landscaping and garden projects, such as standing stones, pond edging, rockery and stone walling. They can also create garden benches, tables, bird baths and other feature stones to any size or style.

The Prince of Wales at Ham Hill - where dogs and muddy boots are welcome!

Harvey Stone

Ham Stone Fireplace created by Harvey Stone.

The Muddled Man, West Chinnock.

During the month of September they are offering a 20% discount on stone garden benches and birdbaths. Ideal as both a treat to yourself or a gift for a special occasion. All you have to do is present your copy of this month’s Visitor Magazine. They look forward to meeting you, Mondays to Fridays from 8:30am – 17:00pm.

The Muddled Man, West Chinnock - a pub that's not a restaurant

The Muddled Man at West Chinnock is a welcoming family pub that's been run by the same real people for 24 years and is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Serving ‘proper pub food’ every day from soups to steaks. Sunday night-Thursday special of 2 x 8oz Rump Steaks for £26, Friday night special is traditional Real Ale battered fish & chips. Tasty gluten free batter is also available. Sunday Lunch on offer is traditional roast beef or pork

with real gravy priced at £15.95.

Open Monday-Thursday 11am2.30pm/7pm-11pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 12noon-10pm. Food served 122pm/7pm-9pm.

Caroline J. Spiers

Caroline J. Spiers (Est. 1978), are experienced fine art frame makers specialising in hand making and restoring bespoke period frames to correlate and suit different eras. Hand cut archival watercolour washline mounts are made to suit individual works of art.

They skillfully use traditional processes little changed since mediaeval times with many applications of gesso, several colours of bole and gold leaf. Watercolours are cleaned and conserved to museum standards.

Norton Shop and Post Office

The community shop in Norton Sub Hamdon is located in the heart of the village that provides a much needed hub for the all the

Celebrating 24 years

Your hosts, Mick and Garry welcome you to

The MUDDLED MAN

Lower Street, West Chinnock

A charming country inn serving home cooked fayre lunchtime & evening

SUNDAY LUNCH £ 15.95 - choice of roast Larger parties catered for FRESH FISH Day Friday

STEAK SPECIAL - Two 8oz Rump Steaks £26 Sunday to Thursday

surrounding villages.

The Post Office offers cash withdrawals, banking, postal services, an Amazon Hub, package returns, and travel money. Open: Mon-Fri 9am4.30pm, Sat: 9am-12pm.

The shop offers a wide selection with more than 1600 product categories, including; General groceries, local milk, meats, cheeses, local breads, wines, beers, ciders, fresh fruit & veg and dry cleaning. Stocking highquality products from local farmers, Bagnall Farm meats and pies, which were recently introduced and have been a huge

hit. The shop is open from 8am5pm Mon-Wed, 8am-6pm ThuFri and 8.30am-1pm Sat.

Norton Community Shop.

Caroline J. Spiers (Est. 1978), are experienced fine art frame makers.

Ham Hill Country

Francesca Charlton

Francesca Charlton is a Fascia Specialist and Sports Injury & Chronic Pain Specialist. She helps to unlock the power of fascia to improve your movement and overcome pain. As an experienced trained fascia specialist and sports injury/chronic pain specialist, Francesca uses a range of evidence-based techniques to help you recover from injuries, manage chronic pain, and optimize your athletic performance.

Whether you're a professional athlete or someone who simply wants to move with more ease and comfort, Francesca can help you achieve your goals. Contact her today to schedule an appointment.

Forward Dental Care

There’ll be a warm welcome at Forward Dental Care who are situated on the new Martock workspace. They have a fantastic spacious practice offering routine private dental care, as well as

specialist dentistry such as periodontal - (gum) therapy, implants and full mouth redesigns. They have a fabulous team of hygienists using the latest pain free, gold standard equipment to make your visit comfortable.

The friendly team of experts will support you and put you at ease through your journey at Forward Dental Care.

Please call a member of the front of house team for more information on how to become a part of a wonderful place.

Priory Coffee

Priory Coffee is a speciality coffee shop, found in Stoke Sub Hamdon at the bottom of Ham Hill. The owners, Mandy and Paul, have created a friendly, comfortable and inviting space which serves the community and also welcomes customers from further afield visiting this stunning country park. Dogs are of course also welcome.

If you love good barista made

coffee, then you must pay them a visit. They also serve delicious cakes and toasted sandwiches. Saturday is bacon sandwich day, Sunday homemade sausage rolls and everything is locally sourced.

Priory Coffee is also the venue for Mandy’s ‘Holistic Health Talks’, which take place on scheduled Thursday evenings. These talks are informative and inspiring for anyone who wants to improve their health and wellbeing. Telephone: 01935 315005, mobile: 07368 309506

www.priorycoffee.co.uk www.mandyelliotthealth.co.uk Instagram - priory_coffee.

Inside Priory Coffee.

Montacute Service Station for all your fuel plus a well-stocked shop selling fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, confectionery, papers, snacks and much more!

Stoke sub Hamdon Telephone Box (in bloom).

VINTAGE Motorcycling with

Rod Hann

ON THE television I have often seen persons asked if they were hoarders or collectors. So I asked myself the same question. My dictionary tells me a hoard is a stock or store whereas to collect is to assemble, accumulate or bring together. With a dozen old bikes in the garage I think both descriptions fit my circumstance so I am no wiser as a result. I certainly think that a dozen bikes is rather excessive and an indulgence and some should be sold on to allow a new owner to enjoy them. But what if that new owner has even more bikes than myself? They would be even more indulgent than I am. So where would you fit in this discussion, you might ask yourselves. I have also heard that the ideal number of machines to own is one more than you already have, now I rather like that thought.

September is one of my favourite times in the year. It should still be pleasantly warm but not too hot as in the height of summer. Time as always to make good use of our vehicles and there are plenty of events to tempt us out. Starting with the Somerset Section their club night at Cossington on the 7th will be a guest speaker and on the 17th there will be the West Somerset Run from Wellington.

The Dorset Section have their Big Road Run from Cranborne on the 3rd. On the 10th will be the Last of the Summer Wine Run from Hinton St. Mary Village Hall and club night on the 13th at Pulham will be a guest speaker. Next on the 20th will be a Mid Week Run from Milton Abbas with a 2pm start time. On the 24th there will be the Veteran and Vintage Run from Leigh Village Hall and

lastly will be the Autumn Run on the 30th from Blackmarsh Farm, Sherborne. The Wessex Section has an Autojumble on the 11th at Silton and the 17th will see Roger's Runaround from Henstridge. For more details ring 01935-872528.

September is also the month for the staging of two major autojumbles. On the 1st and 2nd will be the Netley Marsh Autojumble held near Southampton. On the 2nd and 3rd will be the International Autojumble held within the grounds of the Beaulieu Motor Museum. The latter event is huge covering several fields and caters for cars, bikes, commercial vehicles and even aeroplanes. Therefore everyone is bound to find that elusive part or even the part they have always needed but until then they never knew they wanted. Get your walking boots on and give it a try.

My picture this month shows a very nice Scott machine made in 1929. Scott were one of those manufacturers that always did things differently to everyone else. Alfred Scott founded his company in 1908 in Shipley,

Yorkshire, and from the start he used a 500cc twin cylinder two stroke engine of his own manufacture. The two stroke engines always 'yowled' and they quickly gained the nickname of the 'yowling twins'. They did well in all competitions and often humiliated the much larger machines and at one time the ACU (the sports governing authority) imposed handicaps on water cooled two strokes. Scotts always had a loyal following. Various models were made in 500 and 600cc capacities and were given names as Squirrels or Super Squirrels with the high performance models called TT Replicas.

Because of the good build quality and the devoted followers these machines have enjoyed a good survival rate and still give great pleasure to their owners. Production did change over the years but the basic design lasted largely unaltered through to the 1950's when production stopped.

That however was not the end of the story as a company bought the rights and modernised the design and called them 'Silks'. They were made into the 1970's before closing. Not many Silks were made and these machines are very sought after and consequently command strong prices. It just shows how good Alfred Scott's initial design was, for the same basic layout to have stayed in production for around seventy years.

Now returning to the subject of hoarders or collectors with extra thought I believe that a hoarder has undertones of possessing things so others might not have them, whereas collectors are assembling a group of items which can be enjoyed and passed on to others to enjoy in the future. Well that is my theory so I shall plump for the collectors label. My theory may well be flawed but do I really care as long as I enjoy my bikes whilst I have them.

Rod Hann.

1929 Scott.

Luca's Garden with Bridget

Sudworth

ARE READERS aware, I wonder, just how much we have recently been bombarded by the media in general about the current weather patterns all relentlessly pointing to the inevitable damage to our planet?

It seems endless; the usual government response is the fatuous mantra about how much

money they are putting into things and yet nothing seems to get done that is concrete or sensibly based. Among the muddle of schemes like closing/reopening oil wells, fracking or not, wind turbines, earnest but slow tree planting, tide power, not enough engineers to connect up the atomic power stations to the national grid (some ask should we be having them?), the actions of protest groups, highly polluted rivers and all the other distractions that seem to lead nowhere but just cause huge worry, one might well

ask what use are we humble gardeners in this mess? Can we really contribute anything to help a little in levelling off the massive carbon releases and provide somewhere for beleaguered wildlife to find food and shelter?

We are also faced with the march of necessary but often shoddy and not apparently very green housing (where are the air/ground source heat pumps and the solar panels?) that gobbles up green field sites and adds to a burdensome population boom that our little cluster of islands can no longer really sustain.

Confronted with this question, I searched the all-knowing Google for some grains of comfort. To my surprise, there was little that was new - applying a bit of common sense and thought to what schemes are embraced outside, is still the best way to organise whatever green space you call your own. And there was some quite upbeat positivity about the effectiveness of what we lot do out there if we just get on with growing and planting the right things.

Carbon capture is naturally accomplished by growing/planting trees, shrubs and hedges. The latter I have been banging on about for a long time largely because they swiftly become effective due to rapid growth. All of these absorb pollutants, drink up excess rain, control soil erosion, provide shade for animals and above all are wildlife corridors, shelters and feeding

places. And the best constituents of these are those that are natives to this country: crab apple, juniper, willow, hazel, blackthorn and silver birch to name a few.

Covid has shown us how beneficial gardens are for the human spirit (as beneficial as owning a dog!) whilst removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Of course, the blooms we have are vital too, providing nurseries for insects to lay their eggs and food throughout the seasons. Organisations like the RHS offer advice such as growing ivy up your walls to provide insulation as well as providing the benefits of nectar rich flowers and shady shelter, avoiding peat based composts, composting all garden waste that provides nutrients and structure to soil (that which you can’t accommodate, take to a municipal compost scheme), go organic, don’t bring back plants from abroad, and reduce, reuse, recycle and reinvest.

Two statistics were interesting. One claims that soil holds more carbon worldwide than all forests and another said that urban gardens account for almost half of UKs urban green space. Food for thought. On that note, it is extremely unfortunate that farmers have been so kippered by the weather that the grain crops are pretty good rubbish due to the combined forces of drought, heat and then excessive rain. All around, fields have been flattened by the endless high winds and of course, the wet has confounded everything. All of this will affect supply and shove food prices up again so what little you may be able to grow in your veggie plot will contribute to your household bills maybe more significantly than you realise.

Lukie at last has become a good gardening companion, lying down happily near the place of work and enjoying the mixed pleasures of his favourite den which is a

Profusion of young hedge growth.

Forthcoming harvest!

Leaf miner caterpillar

scrape in our border ditch! From time to time this has filled up with rain water which makes it muddy but he cares little for the inconvenience of muddy paws and relies, instead, of neatly treading this off in the utility room!

I am delighted to have successfully propagated two twigs of white willow (salix alba) while out walking him in our local wood. So simple to do; popped into a pot of water outside, roots will quickly emerge then pot up with soil for a month or so and once a good root system is established, they are ready to be planted in their permanent place. Propagation of ivy has been successful too. A speaker from our garden club supplied us with cuttings of lovely unusual varieties to take home and I have managed to produce 4 plants (Hedera margino maculata) which will be duly planted where appropriate.

The caterpillars consuming our pyracantha which will become Vapourer moths (see photograph) are part of a huge picture concerning the wonderful world of moths. I have been consumed with fascination reading entomologist Katty Baird’s book, ‘Meetings with Moths’ which is all informing on a very unstuffy level, describing her searches and sharing her knowledge of this little known group of insects. Like everything these days, they are threatened by changes in the environment caused by climate change and human damage. But what remarkable and essential creatures they are and their names are beyond belief. Dark Sword-Grass, Rusty Dot Pearl, Bedrule Brocade, Silver Y, Scarce Bordered Straw to name a few ... who on earth thought up those

names? Read the book!

A sense of freedom comes with the month of September. The failures of the season can be accepted (and there have been a few unexpected ones shared with friends and neighbours, all complaining of the same things) and one can get on with what has been good and while clearing spent plant growth, devise plans for making changes with the coming season of Autumn. Harvesting is on-going with tomatoes, french beans, delicious potatoes and many leeks awaiting the colder months to sharpen up their flavour.

So much so, that I shall cease writing this article and hasten to the kitchen where some of the above will be served up in our next meal! Happy eating, Gardeners and take heart from what you are all doing which will surely be good for all!

ingress.

More beans, please!

Caterpillar - Vapourer Moth.

Winnie-the-Pooh wins

Taunton Flower Show!

It hardly seems like 5 minutes ago we were in London with our Container Garden for The Chelsea Flower Show and here we were again exhibiting another show garden, this time for Taunton Flower Show!

The garden was inspired by the Story of Winnie-the-Pooh and the Bees and highlighted the

importance of creating a habitat for pollinating insects.

In the design we used a selection of mid to late summer perennial plants, rich in nectar for both day and nighttime pollinators, a multi-stem silver birch tree and a native hedge on two sides, perfect to provide places for insects to hibernate and shelter, and finally a shallow pool of water for the insects to drink in safety.

In keeping with the story Winnie, who is always on the look

out for honey used his blue balloon to pretend he was a rain cloud and float up to the bee’s nest high up in the silver birch tree to steal their honey, whilst Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet watched his antics from below knowing that it will not end well.

We were delighted to win a gold medal for our design garden and in addition we were awarded The Bellman Memorial Cup for Horticultural Excellence by the family and Directors of Monkton Elm Garden Centre, for the exhibit they considered to be the best across the whole showground, so we felt very proud indeed.

I think we have earned a little holiday now, but no doubt we will soon be planning a show garden for next year!

Rare butterfly found at Haweswater

One of Europe’s rarest butterflies has been discovered at Haweswater in the Lake District.

Once widespread throughout the UK, Marsh Fritillary butterflies have suffered shattering declines in recent decades, becoming extinct in numerous counties. But thanks to a pioneering re-introduction programme and better land management for nature, the butterflies are making a comeback and a new colony has been confirmed at Haweswater in the Lake District.

While Marsh Fritillaries are typically seen between May and July, August is still a great time to see a wealth of butterflies and day-flying moths. Share your sightings via email to: NotesOnNature@rspb.org.uk.

QUALIFIED ARBORIST ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE AND DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL

TREE PLANTING

Utilise the generous grants now available to restock neglected woodland or areas of wasteground PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660

Approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

Fiona Walsh Photography.

Julie Haylock of Sandhurst Garden Design

Searing Grapes: The Impact of High Temperatures on the Wine Industry in Europe

WHILST SOME of us enjoy basking in the warmer weather (not me!) we cannot ignore the fact that this summer has proved to be a bit of a scorcher, with temperatures breaking records in many parts of the world. Naturally, I am interested in the impact this might have on my favourite beverage, wine. The wine industry in Europe, which has been flourishing for centuries, is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change. As global warming intensifies, European vineyards are grappling with rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, and extreme heat events. This can have farreaching consequences for the wine industry in terms of vine cultivation, grape quality, wine production, and the overall economic and cultural landscape of the continent.

Traditionally, European wine regions thrived in temperate climates with mild summers and cool nights, creating optimal conditions for grape cultivation. However, with temperatures soaring, many vineyards are now facing difficulties in growing grape varieties that were once well-suited to the region's conditions. The heat stresses the vines, leading to premature ripening, stunted growth, and reduced yields. Vineyard owners and winemakers are left with the difficult choice of either adapting to new grape varieties or relocating to higher altitudes and cooler regions.

High temperatures during the growing season can severely impact grape quality. Extreme heat can cause dehydration and sugar concentration in the grapes, resulting in higher alcohol levels in the wine; hence the higher alcohol content of wines from Australia and California, for example. The natural acidity that gives European wines their characteristic balance and complexity may decrease, leading to wines that lack structure and freshness. The delicate aromas and flavours that make European wines sought-after may also be altered or diminished, impacting the wine's overall sensory profile.

As temperatures rise and traditional grape varieties struggle to cope, winemakers are

adapting their practices to remain competitive. Some wineries are exploring new cultivation techniques, such as shading the vines or altering the trellising systems to protect the grapes from excessive heat exposure. Others are opting for advanced irrigation methods to counteract water stress and maintain grape quality. In some cases, winemakers are turning to innovative technologies and viticultural practices to mitigate the effects of heat on their vineyards.

The combination of higher alcohol levels and altered grape characteristics is leading to shifts in wine styles and taste profiles. European winemakers are experimenting with earlier harvests to preserve acidity and control alcohol levels. Consequently, wines may be lighter in body and show different aromatic and flavour profiles compared to their traditional counterparts. While these adaptations can result in interesting new wines, they also pose challenges for preserving the unique heritage and identity of European wine regions.

The wine industry is a cornerstone of European culture and heritage, contributing significantly to the continent's economy. High temperatures and the resulting changes in grape cultivation and wine production can have a profound economic impact on the industry. Smaller vineyards, which often rely on traditional methods and grape varieties, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The economic viability of these vineyards may be at risk, potentially leading to the loss of local jobs and a decline in the cultural significance of wine in the region.

To address the challenges posed by high temperatures, the wine industry in Europe is taking a multi-faceted approach. Sustainable and organic farming practices are being promoted to maintain soil health and improve vine resilience. Research and development are ongoing to identify and breed grape varieties that can better withstand heat stress while preserving the region's wine characteristics. Additionally, regional and international cooperation is crucial in sharing knowledge and best practices for climate change

adaptation. Only through collaborative efforts, innovative solutions, and sustainable practices can European winemakers safeguard their heritage while embracing a changing climate.

For wine drinkers, all is not lost however. In hot climates, certain grape varieties have demonstrated a remarkable ability to thrive and produce quality wines despite the challenging conditions. These grape varieties have evolved and adapted to withstand heat stress, making them well-suited for vine cultivation in warmer regions. Some of the grape varieties that do best in hot climates, which surprisingly include several white varieties, include:

Vermentino/Rolle: a white grape variety commonly found in Mediterranean regions like Sardinia, Corsica, and Southern France. It is renowned for its ability to retain acidity in hot climates, resulting in refreshing white wines with citrus and stone fruit notes.

Viognier: one of my favourite varieties, a white grape variety that excels in warm climates, particularly in regions like the Rhône Valley in France and certain parts of California. It produces aromatic wines with floral and tropical fruit characteristics.

Assyrtiko: another white grape variety, and native to the Greek island of Santorini. It is incredibly resilient to hot, arid conditions and volcanic soils, producing crisp and mineraldriven wines with citrus and saline notes.

Grenache/Garnacha: a red grape variety that is known for its ability to endure high temperatures and drought conditions. It is widely cultivated in regions like Southern France (e.g. Rhône Valley, LanguedocRoussillon), Spain (e.g. Priorat, Rioja, Navarra), and Australia. Grenache-based wines often exhibit bold fruit flavours, spice, and moderate tannins.

Carignan/Cariñena: another

found in blends, particularly in Southern France and Spain. Carignan is valued for its ability to maintain acidity and produce wines with vibrant red fruit characteristics.

Mourvèdre/Monastrell : a heat-loving red grape variety commonly grown in Southern France, Spain, and some parts of Australia. It thrives in warm, arid conditions and produces wines with intense dark fruit flavours and spice, often with a robust tannic structure.

Zinfandel: a red grape variety native to California, USA. It performs exceptionally well in hot regions like the Central Valley and is the primary grape used in the production of the famous ‘California Zinfandel’ wines. Zinfandel wines are known for their bold, jammy fruit flavours and high alcohol content.

Tempranillo: is the flagship red grape variety of Spain, known for its prominent role in wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. It can handle hot summers and is valued for its versatility, capable of producing a range of styles from light and fruity to deeply structured wines.

Malbec: a red grape variety originally from France, but which has found great success in Argentina, especially in the Mendoza region. In Argentina's high-altitude vineyards, Malbec thrives in the hot, sunny climate, resulting in rich, fruity wines with velvety tannins.

Tinta Barroca: a red grape variety primarily grown in Portugal's Douro Valley, where it plays a crucial role in the production of Port wines. It is well-suited for the hot and dry conditions of the region.

These grape varieties have not only adapted to hot climates but have also gained recognition for their ability to produce distinctive and appealing wines, showcasing the diverse range of flavours and styles that can be achieved in warmer viticultural areas.

The Pub Pages BEER & S KITTLE S P. A. BAXTER

'IT LOOKS LIKE the summer is over' sang Frank Ifield way back in the 1960's. He was probably not singing that in the month of August though, and I'm still waiting for a decent spell of warmth, as this 'global boiling' lark is resulting in me going to bed with cold feet. We have however, come to the end of another spell of summer skittles with very mixed results, not helped by some of our staunch regulars disappearing off to warmer climes – and who can blame them. As a team 'Merkins'

would like to thank all the gentlemen who came to rescue the Yeovil Summer League when the existing team were no longer able to do the job, and our thanks to them for their years of dedication. We now even have a WhatsApp group which definitely speed things up on the communications front. To us Old School skitters, to know what results were for the entire league before the evening is over is quite a revelation.

Meanwhile in this past month we were treated to our leader Mr Sunak carrying out the task of drawing a pint of dark ale at the Great British Beer Festival in a perfunctory manner, whilst at the same time trying to kid us all he was man of the people/one of us/dedicated to our welfare etc. (take your pick). Some video has been posted on YouTube neatly catching his glib grin and at the same time the expression that implies despair of the young lady trying to get him to do it right! He doesn't drink alcohol, something I don't have a problem with, but at the GBBF - AND on a day that he wallops the tax on alcohol right back to where it was in years past relating to the strength? Oh please ... I was not in the mood to follow up on the reason he was present on that

day but as far as I am concerned that whatever it was, it was an own goal for CAMRA.

Recently on a Friday night when our better halves were not keen to come out, my great mate Phil and I scooted off to The Etsome Arms micro-pub in Somerton for the evening. There is an ad (on page 17) in this very magazine, so please do take a look and do pay a visit. To open a micro pub can be a lot simpler than opening a full-sized pub. An empty shop becomes the premises, add lots of enthusiasm, an understanding partner, a licence and no criminal record, then away you go! We were greeted by hosts Peter and Sharon who ably run this micropub on the main drag, where conversation rules along with a half-dozen well-kept beers. I was a little surprised that those served – straight from the cask by the way – were all on the lighter side, but as it is supposed to be summer that's more than fair, and clearly these are what their clientele enjoy. I was delighted to see a small selection of games, particularly the shove ha'penny board which is quite a

rare version with lifting arms to prove whether that ha'penny is really in or out. No arguing with the mechanicals here, chaps!

Continued success means that Peter and Sharon are making plans to expand and I congratulate them on their achievements thus far. Follow them on Facebook, when at the start of the week a post tells of the forthcoming beers. A couple doors away, also part of their empire is a well-stacked offlicence which is open during the day, where my wife and I were able to purchase some interesting beers.

Two which stood out were a chocolate stout ‘Loco for Cocoa’ from the Quantock Brewery , Bishops Lydeard at 4.8%, and ‘Quarter Jack’, a similarly strength Porter from the Eight Arch Brewery in Wimborne. Max is the man behind the bar who is happy to chat and give advice.

Last month I mentioned the ‘Parachute’ bar at The Old Yarn Mills, Sherborne. I've still not been able to fit in a visit but I've seen some great pictures of this multi-tapped craft brewery and also those with customers clearly having a good time. Following in the footsteps of 'Brewed Boy' and I hope they do well. It certainly

Peter and Sharon at the Etsome Arms.

Peter proudly shows off his Shove Ha'penny board.

reminds us of craft beer shops we visited in America where a long row of taps adorn one wall and huge quantities of cans and bottles line the opposite wall. There's online presence of course, and if one is heading down ‘Horsecastles’ (in a Dorchester direction) it's the big old stone building on the left, but then turn left at the junction as the entry is immediate, off 'Westbury'.

I was admonished in the last month by a correspondent who is a fan of what I believe to be the most recent addition to the range of beers to the Palmers portfolio. Checking out their website I see it is one which does not immediately appeal to my palate being ‘Deliciously hoppy and brewed using a blend of the finest Maris Otter and Munich Malts with Citra aroma hops to give a hint of grapefruit on the nose’ is how the head brewer Darren Batten describes his creation 'The Dorset Pale'. However, one must not jump to conclusions as the last time I sampled a Pale Ale from this 228 year old brewery was a half pint bottle purchased from Dikes of Stalbridge and it

was excellent! So there we are Richard, we've mentioned your favourite beer – I hope I'm forgiven!

Do you remember the saga of The Carlton Tavern at Kilburn in London? It was demolished without planning permission and had to be rebuilt completely from the ground up. There were many shouts of joy, not just at the time but since, as it set a precedent –we all hope. Those of us with an eye on the news for more of this sort of thing may well have noticed The Crooked House, a historic pub that had more than a little slope to one side thanks to ground subsidence caused by coal mining in the West Midlands. Apparently it leant by a staggering 15 degrees and was 'razed to the ground' only a matter of days after Marston's had sold it. Not suspicious at all then! Some reports say that it had been emptied of its contents and then gutted by a fire leaving a shell before this action took place, so whether this will be rebuilt brick by brick we are yet to see. We can only hope it will.

My Facebook site ‘Pub Games’

continues to grow and whilst we are not a huge site, we have members around the world who love their games – and their pubs too. The summer games continue and I make no apologies for posting more pictures of Bat and Trap. My thanks to Keith ‘Jakey’ Janes who posts activity from the Canterbury league and also thanks for an invitation to send a team to a tournament at Whitstable, although we did decide it was a little on the far side from our part of Dorset. Never mind; when we have a World-beating West Country team maybe we'll make the trip – there's always next year.

I now note that by nine o'clock it's dark, so we begin to look forward to not only coming home

from the pub in the dark but arriving at the pub in the dark as well – yes the summer is pretty much over and it's winter League Skittles.

Now, where's my Frank Ifield records? Cheers!

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

They Say

That in Castle Cary & Ansford if you don’t help Carnival you will lose it!

That Sarah Williams of Stalbridge is ready for the zombie apocalypse.

That this year’s Mid-Somerset Show at Shepton Mallet was very good and well attended. That the 'Don’t judge a book by its cover' at The Works is a fun idea … choose a book in a plain wrapper by just reading the opening paragraph.

That shoppers in the Quedam, Yeovil, should beware of dinosaurs.

That according to Malcolm Gliddon of Lovington, you know you are getting older when your picture is on display in the Shepton Mallet Historic Society Exhibition.

ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ

on page 15

1) Rolling Stones

2) ABC

3) Genesis

4) Alanis Morissette

5) Coldplay

6) Beach Boys

7) Paul McCartney

8) Gerry Rafferty

9) Taylor Swift

10) ELO (Electric Light Orchestra)

Anorak bonus question: The Beatles (White Album)

Solution to August Sudoku

Ladies B&T tournament in Kent.

I think he really means it! Note the very old design 'shoe'.

Bat and Trap at the Rose and Crown Bradford Abbas.

Vinny is pretty witty, actually

REMEMBER WHEN ... ... 30 YEARS AGO FROM

Not another supermarket

1993 WAS THE year of the controversial proposal to build a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Yeovil. Described loosely as being on the site of the old Town Station car park, the proposed development on Newton Road was actually on the foot of Wyndham Hill, and as the September Visitor reported, it led to strong local opposition. The Wyndham Action Group’s campaign certainly attracted a lot of publicity and public support despite a branch of Sainsbury’s being seen as an asset for the town (but not on this site). The Visitor report concluded that ‘not only will this development do absolutely nothing for businesses as the bottom end of Yeovil, it is actually designed to deny the very existence of Yeovil as a shopping centre.’ And Yeovil never got its Sainsbury’s.

For better or for worse?

Road-building also proved to be controversial in 1993. The writer of the ‘In Passing’ column in the September issue stated that ‘as a regular user of the A37 Dorchester to Yeovil road I have been watching with interest the progress of the road “improvements” taking shape near the Evershot turning’, adding that ‘users of this road over the last few months have been able to observe developments at considerable leisure, three or four sets of traffic lights having been provided specifically to ensure motorists’ complete enjoyment of the changing scene’. Digging cuttings, building bridges and laying swathes of tarmac across the countryside attracted opposition from environmentalists, but the columnist was honest in admitting that ‘I am sure that the next time I’m not stuck behind half a dozen caravans or slow-moving HGV’s on the A37, I shall bless the road improvers most fervently’.

Suffer little children

A letter from a reader, published in the same issue, seemed likely to stir up yet another controversy. He asked ‘why are so many landlords allowing young persons under the age of 14 into their

licensed premises when the law clearly states that in most cases they should not be there?’ His reason for asking was that he was ‘sick and tired of children ruining a visit to the pub’ and claiming that ‘these days one literally cannot go into a public house without being subjected to kids squawking and running all over the place, babes in arms, children sitting at the bar, kids playing fruit machines’. His view was that ‘it has now got to the position where one has literally got to hunt out a child-free public house, and believe me they are practically non-existent’. If this was really the case 30 years ago, has it changed since then?

An almost impossible family find A pub that this correspondent would have been wise to avoid was the Batcombe Inn, formerly known as the Three Horseshoes. A feature in the September 1993 Visitor revealed that its new owners, Derek and Claire Blezard, ‘are only too familiar with the problems that people face when wanting to go out with their children’, as they have three children of their own. Since buying the pub in February they had created a family room with ‘Nintendo games, dozens of videos to choose from, a dolls house, toys galore and a very laid-back attitude’ and had achieved notoriety for their quirky advertising. ‘It’s not difficult to find, it’s damned near impossible’ made front-page news in a daily newspaper and their ‘off the beaten track’ approach to enticing people to Batcombe certainly attracted much media

interest and many new customers. Their advert alongside the Visitor feature stressed that it was in the Somerset, not the Dorset, Batcombe and advised phoning for a menu and a map.

In need of coaching?

The year also saw the 21st anniversary of Marsh’s Coaches of Wincanton and the September Visitor marked the event with an article revealing that ‘Betty and David Marsh started in 1972 with just one minibus! Now they have 14 vehicles ranging from 16seater minibuses to 53-seater

ARCHIVES

toilet, drinks servery and TV.’

The vehicles are used to ferry children to and from school and to run holiday trips throughout Britain and in mainland Europe. And 1993 saw the additional service of ‘a local bus route covering Gillingham, Frome, Mere and Bath, as Marsh’s have taken over the Wiltshire Council contract’. The feature concluded that ‘whatever your travel requirements you can be sure of a friendly and helpful service from this family-run business’. Roger Richards.

Classified Ads

Send details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, BA9 0BP or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk. 30p per word (£5 minimum) pre-payment essential. Payment can be made by Cash, Cheque, Postal Order, BACS, Credit/Debit Card.

Personal

www.country-link.co.uk COUNTRY LINK SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel: Andy 01225 834834 or Lynda 07970 922762

Services

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

Storage

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

Wanted

COLLECTIONS CDS and Vinyl LPs - must be excellent condition, most genres considered. Tel: 01458 834102/ 07704229979/email: tonyartony@aol.com

Wanted

DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, 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

Prize Crossword No. 442

Set by Frank Butler

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO:

The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, Somerset BA9 0BP – to arrive by Monday 18th September.

Correct entries are placed in a hat and the winner is the first name drawn. The prize for winning the Crossword is a £15 voucher to spend with any advertiser in this issue of The Visitor Please do not forget to state your choice of advertiser and your name and address.

October Deadline: 18th September

Monthly Subscription

Get your copy delivered each month for £30 per year. Send cheque to: The Visitor, PO Box 5522, Castle Cary BA9 0BP or Tel: 01963 351256

Clues Across:

1. Heart of Aden needs a writer to explain [8]

5. Amateur Athletic Association takes in 100 and 101 with wattle [6]

9. Mo Morgan interchanged interwoven letters [8]

10. Theologian trapped in tropical vineyard [6]

11. Ask, “Was it broken cross?” [8]

12. >1, so pull RA about [6]

14. Birds have role on rooftops [10]

18. Branch of learning at home in follower [10]

22. Type inclined to emphasise [6]

23. Rough idea: I’m surrounded by property [8]

24. Where to write her name? [6]

25. Rips dust and bursts [8]

26. Recording zero without H [6]

27. Smoothed over with “pact” deal? [8]

Clues Down:

1. Ask after embankment material [6]

2. Open footwear, nearly all covered by desert [6]

3. Just claims to girths [6]

4. Extorts dark post [10]

6. Reverend Charlie by the sound of it! [8]

7. Reporting lid on antiquity [8]

8. Writer of yearbooks, I hear he may resolve into parts [8]

13. Puts up with cash drawer at a stop [10]

15. Dido ain’t an extra [8]

16. In Rome, he’s carrying the load of a snail [8]

17. Polite Scotsman not joined up [8]

19. Some elicit richer lemon flavour [6]

20. Automobile huff underfoot [6]

21. Thoroughly acquainted with bits of diverse ditties [6]

Solution to Crossword 441

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH

SOS to all air rifles and pistols any make or model. Any condition. WE COLLECT IN ANY AREA, TOP PRICES PAID IN CASH

ALSO GUNS SOLD ALSO GUNS SOLD

07970 742471

Winner of the August Crossword is Pip Beard from Melksham who chose to spend the £15 voucher at Godden & Curtis, Sherborne.