Word Gets Around Magazines - West Somerset - Issue 33

Tel: 01643 703347 or 707707

Email: info@parkslane.co.uk

Parks Lane, Minehead, TA24 5NU

5 Park St, Minehead, TA24 5NQ

We are proud of our fantastic reputation for professionalism and product quality, together with excellent customer care and service.

Parks Lane Furnishers and Interiors, a family-run business since 1979, provide professional made-to-measure blinds, curtains, internal shutters and awnings to both domestic homes and commercial companies throughout Minehead and surrounding areas. We have arguably the best carpet, vinyl, rugs and luxury vinyl tiles in the area. Choose from a wide stock range of furniture, beds, mattresses, sofas and rise and recliners with FREE delivery in West Somerset.

Home Accessories

Carpets and Flooring

Made to Measure Curtains and Blinds

Sofas, Furniture and Beds

Clive Smith Editor

Call 07779 653120

clive@wordgetsaround.co.uk

ABOUT US

Established in 2014, Word Gets Around Magazine is an independent community magazine and family business, run by father and son team; Clive and Paul Smith.

We aim to spread the word about local events and services and to encourage our communities to use local businesses.

The more we are supported by advertisers the more pages we can grow to support the community.

Taunton

We deliver 24,000 magazines per issue across Taunton direct into homes in TA1, TA2, TA3, TA4.

West Somerset

We deliver 10,000 magazines per issue across West Somerset direct into homes in TA24 and TA23.

To get in contact please call us on: 01823 7655045 or email: info@wordgetsaround.co.uk

OUR ADDRESS

Word Gets Around Magazines

Hestercombe House, Hestercombe Gardens

Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, TA2 8LQ.

Socials: www.wordgetsaround.co.uk

Booking deadline for the next issue is 20 th June

A warm welcome to our May/June issue as we change to a bi-monthly magazine. This means you will receive a copy every other month, six times a year.

A month goes by like a week in the publishing world so this will give us more time to grow our digital presence to complement this printed magazine, and get involved in other community projects that we want to support.

The BIG news is the launch of our additional new online digital magazine. Over the next few months we will be adding more articles, news, useful information and adding a spotlight on local community groups. We need your help though. See pages 16 & 17.

May is a month with not the usual complement of two bank holidays, but three, as we celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort, Camilla on Saturday 6th.

Despite all these royal celebrations, we can’t forget May Day, with its ancient traditions such as crowning the May Queen and dancing around the maypole.

June is the official start of summer, and the solstice on Wednesday 21st June is the longest day, when the Earth tilts on its axis closest to the sun. This year, that happens at precisely 3.57pm, which could be a great titbit of information for a quiz night.

We also celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday of the month, which this year is 18th June. While there is a long tradition of honouring fatherhood in Catholic European countries on the Feast Day of St Joseph (19th March), Father’s Day in the UK owes more to the American celebration, which was designated a US public holiday in 1972 by President Richard Nixon.

But whatever its origins, it remains a wonderful opportunity to treat our dads and commemorate the loving memories of those no longer with us.

Enjoy the holidays and enjoy our new digital magazine too!

Clive

Green ngers… the Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and allround horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses an array of wildlife we may not expect to see in our gardens over the summer months.

Think of our gardens in summer and you can probably come up with the same old things that make those outside spaces such pleasurable places to spend time in. There are flowers such as roses, lavender, foxgloves, delphiniums; there’s all that lush green grass that offers visual magnificence with an aroma that is as unique as it is unmistakable. Beyond that, there’s the beauty of climbing plants such as ivy, clematis and honeysuckle. And of course, the odd bat.

Hang on, did I just say that?! Well I did, and it’s true. Bats in the summer in our gardens

are common, albeit not the first thing you would immediately think of.

And while you’re there, have a look for grass snakes, stag beetles, slow worms, glow-worms, foxes, and even rare amphibians such as the great crested newt. And what about the humble hedgehog, or the sparky sparrowhawk?

Few of these animals we would confidently associate with summer gardens, but they are there, they are present, and if we seek them out, they can truly enrich our admiration for this wonderful habitat and where life – beyond flowers and plants – is shown to flourish.

So while the summer months typically enable us to sit back, relax and enjoy the immediate visual beauty of our gardens, the truth is there is so much more going on behind the scenes. You’ll see all this if you delve a bit deeper into your outside space, and can attract the wonderful visitors – all the while supporting local

biodiversity – by ensuring you are planting native species, by providing water sources, as well as creating habitats like log piles or compost heaps.

The fact is, while we look on our gardens primarily as places that stimulate our senses so spectacularly, it’s worth remembering they are habitats for all manner of wonderful little creatures and critters, and we are all, at times, guilty of forgetting their existence.

My recommendation this year is to give a bit more back to animal life – even if that means keeping the grass a bit longer than you usually would – because you’ll be surprised at just how much more your garden evolves.

YOU NEED ONLY FACE THE CONSEQUENCES

The consequences might be many, but she could. It’s kind of crazy and wildly exciting when you actually start to think about all the things you could do or say or be if you were prepared to accept the consequences.

I’d been holding back on quitting my job specifically because I was afraid of the consequences. I felt a sense of obligation, I was worried about my boss’s reaction and I didn’t want to feel like I had let anyone down.

A few weeks ago an email landed in my inbox and the next day I quit working with one of my biggest clients.

It wasn’t my boss saying something horrendous, she’s perfectly lovely, it was an email newsletter from writer Oliver Burkeman. In it he quoted the late American psychotherapist Sheldon Kopp: ‘You are free to do whatever you want. You need only face the consequences.’

I read and reread that quote several times, letting it sink in.

At first I felt a bit defensive about it to be honest, like I wanted to say ‘yeah that’s all very well, but I can’t possibly do x, y and z.’ It’s a symptom of the modern world that we’re fed a myth of being able to ‘have it all’. As women especially, we’re presented with this ludicrous idea that we can, and by implication we should, have a successful and fulfilling career AND be a fully present parent AND have some kind of side hustle making our own hand poured soy candles.

Being ‘free’ to do whatever you want can feel like a pressure to do everything at once and when you choose not to, or aren’t able to, it can feel like a failure.

That’s not what Kopp is saying though. He’s not saying you can do whatever you like and therefore you must, he’s just saying go for it if you like, just decide if it’s worth the consequences.

Alongside the myth of having it all of course goes the guilt, and it’s when the consequence of our actions is guilt that we so often feel crippled. How can we be ‘good’ people if we don’t put others first?

‘Oh of course my dream is a travel the world in a campervan, taking photographs of the local wildlife,’ says the mum of teenagers, ‘but I can’t possibly do that because the kids need me to support them through university.’

She could though.

After reading Oliver Burkeman’s email though, it suddenly felt so much clearer. It became a simple equation, (I like equations) – was the sum of the benefits worth more to me than the potential short term awkwardness? Of course it was. I handed in my notice.

The next time you find yourself wrangling internally over a decision that doesn’t immediately sit comfortably with you, or that causes pangs of guilt, just consider the consequences and ask yourself ‘is it worth it?’

If the answer is yes then to hell with the rest.

Ingredients

(10 to 12 servings)

• Non-stick spray or butter for the pan

• 225g unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 470g all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1½ tsp salt

• 1½ tsp baking soda

• 360ml buttermilk

• 180ml vegetable oil

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Alison Roman’s Birthday Cake

Introduction

Whether you’ve got a big celebration coming up or just fancy making a really moist, beautiful cake, this classic birthday recipe from American baking superstar Alison Roman will make even the most ordinary day feel special.

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180°C. Spray three 9-inch cake pans with non-stick spray or grease with softened butter.

2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda together. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract.

3. In another bowl, combine the butter, sugar and light brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat everything until light and flu y. Add in the eggs and egg yolks one at a time. Beat until combined.

4. Add a quarter of the flour mixture. Before fully combined, add in half of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with remaining

flour and buttermilk until everything is blended.

5. Divide the batter equally among the pans. Bake for 3540mins, rotating the pan halfway through baking. The cakes are done when they are golden brown and pulling away from the sides of the pan.

6. Melt the chocolate. Add half the sour cream to the chocolate and combine. Repeat with another half. The chocolate will sti en a bit as you add the sour cream.

7. In a bowl, combine the butter, sugar and salt using an electric mixer on low speed at first. Beat until everything is almost pure. Slowly add in the chocolate mixture and beat until combined.

• 400g granulated sugar

• 110g lightly packed light brown sugar

• 5 large eggs

• 3 large egg yolks

For the Chocolate frosting

• 340g bittersweet chocolate, chopped (chocolate chips are fine)

• 225g sour cream, room temperature

• 225g unsalted butter, room temperature

• 185g icing sugar

• Generous pinch of salt

• Lots of sprinkles

Top Tips

• It is essential to ensure the cake layers are properly cooled before frosting them

• For a pro e ect, apply a ‘crumb layer’ first whereby you apply a thin layer of icing on the outside of the cake and then place it in the fridge to set. Once chilled, you can apply the rest of the frosting over this layer for a flawless e ect.

8. Assemble the cake with frosting between each layer and use the last of the frosting to cover the entire cake. Decorate with sprinkles and serve.

KEBABS / PIZZAS CHIPS / CALZONES BURGERS / WRAPS

KIDS MEALS / CHICKEN DRINKS / DESSERTS

Local and long distance

Saloon cars - 7 & 8 seater

Wheelchair accessible taxis

With screens

24 hours a day via pre booking

Exmoor Tours / Train Stations & Airports

Care in the Home – What are the options?

By Emma Russell

When things start to get a little difficult to manage, who can we turn to for support? Quite often family, friends and neighbours are busy leading their own lives, and you don’t want feel like a burden. First of all, what kind of help do you need?

If you can’t keep up with housework or gardening, maybe hiring some help once or twice a week would make you feel better about your home environment. You can often find someone by recommendation, or check your local ‘trusted trader’ leaflet to find a reputable person.

If the issue is solitude or loneliness, try to make the most of any groups or associations that meet regularly. Look at local notice boards for activities that raise your interest. Try a new hobby, or attend a group meeting that will get you out of the house once or twice a week. This will boost your confidence, and provide new friends and contacts. Community centres often run lunch clubs for people who live alone. If you are fit and healthy, you could also volunteer for a charity of your choice, or start your own group event. It’s also worth contacting local charities to see what kind of support they can provide in your area, Age UK Information and advice for older people and their loved ones or the Royal Voluntary Service can offer help and advice. When you require regular help in your daily life, your local council should be the first port of call.

Contact the Adult Social Services department and apply for a home assessment. An occupational therapist will visit you at home and see what kind of help you need.

Companion services are becoming more popular, giving you autonomy to arrange a comfortable level of assistance. These agencies have a bank of helpers and you can choose someone local to keep you company, run errands or help with paperwork, trips and appointments. The companion is usually self-employed and the agency is not subject to regulation. You are paying for someone’s time, like having a personal assistant.

Regulated organisations are monitored by the Quality Care Commission, and reports about their level of professional care will be available on any website. The Homecare Association has a list of authorised and registered homecare providers. This type of care is organised to support your needs within your own home, and can include personal care. The level of need will be determined by assessment. Help at home from a paid carer can cost around £20 per hour, sometimes your local council will contribute toward the cost.

Get in touch with your local authority to see what they can offer, to help you stay independent and in your own home for as long as possible.

The dimples on a golf ball are designed to make it more aerodynamic, allowing it to travel further in the air. There are no official rules about how many dimples a golf ball can have and most feature between 300 and 500.

NAME THE SPORT THAT USES THIS BALL

Make a list of the smallest to the largest ball, if you were holding the real thing.

SMALLEST SMALL MEDIUM BIG BIGGEST

CROSSWORD

FILL IN WORDS

ARCHERY

CRICKET

CYCLING

FOOTBALL

GOLF

HOCKEY

JUDO

KARATE

RUGBY RUNNING

SAILING

SQUASH

TENNIS

BRAIN TRAIN

ADDINGTON

Fill in the grid so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

Across

5. Spotted or calico horse (5)

8. Implements for practical use, tools (8)

9. Hair on the chin (5)

10. Building near to or up against a main building (8)

11. City in central Egypt on the east bank of the Nile (5)

14. Evergreen tree with small berries and glossy aromatic leaves (3)

16. White sheep originating in Spain (6)

17. Discrimination against a person in the latter part of life (6)

18. Diving bird of northern seas (3)

20. Brass instrument without valves (5)

24. Capital of Hawaii (8)

25. Genetic copy (5)

26. Type of very hot Indian curry (8)

27. Capital of Ghana (5)

Down

1. Second largest of the Great Lakes (5)

2. Mooring (5)

3. Berkshire town, famous for its racecourse (5)

4. Colourless watery fluid of blood (6)

6. Lumps of frozen water, usually with six sides (3,5)

7. Herbivorous land turtle (8)

12. Government whose head of state is not a monarch (8)

13. Merchant who designs and sells hats (8)

14. Fluffy scarf of feathers (3)

15. Ox from Tibet (3)

19. Imaginary place considered perfect (6)

21. ___ Allen, US filmmaker and comic actor (5)

22. Pen made from a bird’s feather (5)

23. Royal house of which Elizabeth I was a member

The world’s oldest piece of chewing gum is over 9,000 years old. The average person will spend six months of their life waiting for red lights to turn green. Cats have over 100 vocal sounds.. Koalas sleep up to 22 hours per day. Giraffes have no vocal cords. Elephants can communicate using infrasound.

It’s here! Our new diGital magazine

MORE ARTICLES, LOCAL CONTENT, BUSINESSES, EVENTS, COMPETITIONS AND MUCH MORE TO COME. VISIT

We are very excited to announce the launch of our Word Gets Around Digital Magazine as an online extension to this already popular printed format. There is no doubt that the world of print and the way we communicate has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Community magazines however are thriving across the country where quirk and character are valued over immediacy. 75% of our advertisers have been with us for over 5 years as they realise that an integrated advertising formula in both print and digital keeps their name out there, and reinforces the services they offer.

By changing to a bi-monthly magazine (every other month) it gives us the opportunity to truly embrace the benefits of all things digital.

We want to do more for our readers and advertisers and help spread the word in print, and online. There is a real opportunity to promote our community, offer support, advice and have information all in one place.

There is a lot of content that we receive that we have been unable to share in the past, as we have been limited by the space available in a printed magazine, and with associated costs.

How we can help everyone... READERS

Our new website has articles listed by category so you can quickly access more of what you like to read. This includes a wider range of articles, more information, more features and it will be a more interactive experience.

One of the worst things about most digital media platforms is that they are overrun with adverts. We want our website to offer a pleasurable reading experience so there will be limited adverts, which means a nice and clean article to read, without pops ups, irrelevant marketing

adverts and endless promotions. We will ensure our advertisers are truly local, and are relevant to the associated content you choose to read.

Businesses

We are looking to form partnerships with local businesses where we can extend upon our printed platform, by utilising digital tools in social media marketing and video. This offers flexible ways for businesses to promote themselves.

Our printed magazine already has a great impact, delivered to 34,000 homes in Taunton and West Somerset per issue.

With our new digital magazine we can link printed adverts direct to a website or a promotional video, to make it a more creative experience.

COMMUNITY GROUPS, CLUBS, ORGANISATIONS, CHARITIES AND SOCIETIES FREE LISTINGS

Do you run a local community group or organisation? Would you like help to tell more people about the good work you do? Or promote your services, events and ask for more help?

We want our digital magazine to be a community hub of information, so if you have a club or

when you contact one of our advertisers.

Editor Clive Smith and Designer Paul Smith

society please let us know with your contact details together with 200 words about your group and we will add you to our new website.

INFORMATION

Our objective is to make our website full of information for our community. With your help this could be a ‘One stop shop’ for local walks, recommended places to eat and visit, numbers for local businesses, and events.

Do you have a short story you have written or a poetic prose? Perhaps you would like to mention someone who you think needs a little praise.

Help us to help you. We want to be a force for good, and do more for our community.

Please get in touch by sending an email t0: info@wordgetsaround.co.uk

FEEDBACK

“Love the articles, very interesting read. Plenty info for services. Love the last laugh. Fun puzzles and love the challenge to find Charlie. Something for everyone. And it’s free.” - D

FITZPATRICK

“We were really pleased with the feature and we have received a couple of requests from local charities, which is great”. - N

WYATT - Cooper Associates

“Very good magazine, lots to read and good advertising for local businesses” - S HAMER

“Love the articles about old Minehead- I find it fascinating and I love that we get ads from around this area if we need a certain service you are bound to find the information in this book.” - S CREECH

“I have advertised with you for over 8 years. You have a great independent platform for me to market my business locally. Good marketing is about a constant reminder that we are here to offer you local knowledge and first-class service”. - J JASPER - Homefront Design UK

Free Fun Day for all the family in Vivary Park, Taunton

Make sure you pop this date in your diaries! This event will be the biggest and best day out in Somerset this year. We have ordered beautiful weather for the day (cross fingers) to enable everyone to stroll around the park, have fun, be entertained and have the best experience. Last year we welcomed over 20,000 people!

The event will be completely free to attend for all the family with a huge variety of stalls, exhibitions, military vehicles, military personnel. The event will be opened by a Free Fall parachute team! Plus, a very exciting timetable of displays in our main arena. This will include helicopters, tanks, Taunton Military Wives Choir. We have been assured that the Star Wars Storm Troopers will be back again. They look fantastic and everyone loves having their photos taken with them. We have booked the most amazing attractions for this year too, including –

• Paul Hannam quad bike stuntman from North Devon with 25 years’ experience riding quad bikes & 10 years’ experience racing at British Championship level.

• The Soldiers of Swing! As seen on BGT 2020! A military duo that specialises in swing hits as well as some old favourites from that era.

• Roger Blighty rides the penny farthing which has had a biplane conversion.

Somerset Armed Forces Day will be a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces. This year, we will join people across Somerset to say “thank you” to members of the Armed Forces community – including current personnel, reserves, veterans, cadets and families –for their contribution to the nation. Showing support for the Armed Forces provides a much-valued morale boost for the troops and their families.

The Somerset Armed Forces Day committee are incredibly grateful to all our sponsors. We still have some opportunities for Sponsorship and Stall Holders, attractions. Please email info@somersetafd.co.uk

Look out for further updates across our social media and website. www.somersetarmedforcesday.com

A FORMER WEST SOMERSET INDUSTRY

Many local people still remember the Sheepskin Factory of John Wood and Sons in Old Cleeve.a business that was owned by four generations of the same family. It was the Great-Grandfather of Tony Wood the last owner, who lived in Linton a centuries old farmhouse, thought to have had connections to Cleeve Abbey, who established the tannery in 1880 as a sideline to his farming activities. This was quite common in most villages when transport and communications were poor and it enabled villagers to be selfsupporting.

At first the processes used at Linton were the usual ones employed in such industries but later when Tom Wood took over he began specializing in treating sheep skins. Not only did he supply wool for cloth mills in Wellington and elsewhere but also made white leather for hedging gloves and thongs for lacing machinery belts from horse and cow hides.

After the first world war Mr Tom Wood saw the possibility of making gloves from the beautifully prepared skins and orders quickly flowed in. Later fleecy bedroom slippers were added and snowy white rugs, sheepskin or curly according to taste proved to be popular gifts. With his son John he built up a flourishing business. The gloves and slippers provided stitching work for women at home in the villages of Old Cleeve, Washford, Watchet and Carhampton.

Mr Wood cut out them all out himself using patterns he had cut out in plywood. He was the consummate craftsman scorning shoddy workmanship. For example he hated sheepskin rugs that were backed with material to hide joints that showed they had been made

up of odd pieces. Each of his rugs came from a single sheepskin.

Certain breeds of sheep were favoured by Mr Wood such as the Dorset Closewool which produces a skin with a fine, straight , pure white wool. Whereas the Devon Loghorn has thick, luxuriant, curly wool. Yet another ‘Jacob’ type sheep of Spanish origin produced a white sheepskin dappled with black. This together with the difference in feed meant that not all the rugs looked alike. There were upwards of a dozen processes to get the rug to a finished product. In sheds hidden away in the orchards at Lindon the skins were washed in pits hollowed out in the stone floors, the water being supplied by a running stream. The washing was done by revolving paddles. This was followed by washing in detergents. After fleshing the sheepskins were soaked in pits and baths containing acid dressings of various concentrations. These dressings became progressively stronger after which the skins were dried in a breezy barn.

Next they staked or stretched once done on an apparatus called a ‘crutch-stake’. The skin was hung over a perch (a rope on an iron bar) but later stretching was performed by machine. Degreasing or the abstraction of oil was another process after which the skins had to be cleaned and again staked.

Finally,the backs were suede finished using a ‘fluffing wheel’ which removed all rough pieces off the leather side. Originally this was done using a ‘moon-knife’ an interesting implement with a circular blade. The wool was clipped then energetically combed with a strong iron comb. A smith in Washford made the combs.

Mr Wood cut his rugs, using a clicking knife, into rectangular, oval, or half moon shapes or which ever the customer choose but he himself preferred the natural shape of the sheepskin to be retained.

He had a huge basket for carrying the dressed skins which was made by a blind basket maker who lived in Stogumber.

Compiled by Sally Bainbridge on behalf of Minehead Conservation Society.

During the war a number of RAF pilots asked for Wood’s sheepskin gloves.

It is said that a bomber pilot who lived near Old Cleeve returned from a bombing raid over the Ruhr with all the glass in his windscreen shattered and managed to avoid the frost bite that the rest of his crew suffered because he was wearing a pair of Wood’s sheepskin gloves.

Right up until 1954 there was only one process carried out by machine thereafter the craft became one performed by machines and skilled craftsmen rather than one person working from the raw material to the finished article. Despite mechanisation some processes were still done by hand.

25,000 a year and the skins were scoured, flushed and pickled before being sent to the factory.

The type of skins chosen depended on the time of year. In April and May he acquired the beautifully soft,white skins of the unshorn lambs.

Twelve men and two women were by then employed in the numerous processes in the factory compared to four men in 1951. The production of skins having increased from 2,500 to 25,000.

John Wood, who was also a taxidermist, was joined in the firm by his two sons Roger and Anthony (Tony) and a trio of craftsmen which included William Copp of Carhampton who was with the firm for nearly four decades. They exported goods to Denmark, Canada, USA and Germany and had a sheepskin shop in Dunster.

Tony Wood retired and the company ceased to trade but people still remember it and some still have rugs, gloves and slippers made there !! Times gone by but it certainly put Old Cleeve on the map.

Did you enjoy this article?

Something Old Something New

FRI 26TH MAY. 7:30 P.M. DULVERTON TOWN HALL, TA22 9EX.

Voices of Exmoor return to Dulverton! We will be presenting ‘Something Old Something New’ at our next concert to be held in Dulverton Town Hall at 7.30 pm on Friday 26 May 2023. The programme will include a mixture of old favourites and new pieces. Tickets at £10 will be available from 1 May from The Tantivy in Dulverton, online through our website, Facebook or simply email voetickets@ gmail.com.

www.voicesofexmoor.co.uk

www.facebook.com/ voicesofexmoor

This year The Voices of Exmoor will continue to support The Calvert Trust, The North Devon Hospice and St Margaret’s Hospice.

Sat 20th May 10am-12.30pm

Avenue Methodist Church. Come and have a coffee.

John Wood used to go to skin markets in the South West and handpick each skin – some

You can now find our archive online at:

wgalink.com/local-history

To donate plants please phone: (01643) 704873 or 707304.

Dad-tastic Celebrations: Honouring Fathers on Their Special Day

for more than 200 men recently killed in the Monongah Mining Disaster, leaving 1,000 fatherless children.

The idea belonged to Sonora Smart Dodd whose father William, a Civil War veteran, had raised six children on his own after his wife died in childbirth. This was at a time when motherhood was becoming increasingly sentimentalised, and Mothering Sunday (the fourth Sunday in Lent) was being more and more widely celebrated. Dodd felt that men deserved equal recognition. She won the support of the local YMCA and churches and, on the appointed Sunday, YMCA members all went to church wearing roses in their lapels to honour their dads.

In what seems to have been a case of simultaneous invention, the town of Spokane, Washington, held another Father’s Day service two years later.

Father’s Day is a celebration that honours the role of fathers and forefathers. It is a modern holiday, though the ancient Romans did have a tradition of honouring fathers in February, but only those who were deceased.

The first unofficial Father’s Day was held in Fairmont, West Virginia, on 5th July 1908, as a memorial service

Spokane’s church service attracted much wider attention than Fairmont’s and became an annual event. President Wilson was a speaker at the 1916 event, and eight years later President Coolidge backed one of several failed bids in Congress to recognise it as a national holiday – an ambition only finally realised by President Nixon in 1972.

By Victor Timmons

If you have any questions regarding moving into Wyndham House, please do not hesitate to call a friendly member of the enquiries team.

Bedroom Trends Summer 2023

By Emma Russell

This year’s most significant bedroom trend can work with any sense of style, you just need to create a ‘retreat’. After a few years of being confined to quarters, we have come to value our bedroom space and the sanctuary that it can provide. Any kind of soothing environment is fashionable, and that can look very different from person to person.

The ’Japandi’ look takes the natural elegance of the Japanese aesthetic, sleek and functional, and adds modern Scandinavian design features. It’s all about neutral tones and natural materials that provide a minimalist look, yet remain welcoming and homely. This palette uses muted colours on walls and textiles, which compliments any bedroom with plenty of light. It’s all about different layers of texture, on the bed, on the floor and even on the walls. Bedding should be cool and comfortable for the summer, but with optional extra throws and covers, mix chunky knit blankets with plenty of soft pillows and covered cushions. Surround yourself with tactile, soothing textures, elements like stone, wood, terracotta and lush green plants, that can provide a grounding atmosphere which is very calming. It should all have a sense of snugness, that Scandinavian idea of ‘Hygge’.

You may prefer to use colour to create a positive energy in your bedroom, or provide a dose of drama to awaken the senses. This could be one shade all over walls, or accents of colour on

furniture, headboards or bedding. Rich colours can add depth, Pantone’s colour of 2023 is ‘Viva Magenta’ a vibrant, lively shade of pinkishpurple. It’s a synthetic blend of red and blue in equal parts, therefore a balance between warm and cool which might be perfect for summer and beyond. Dark teal and pale pink have been popular colour combinations in design magazines for the past few seasons. To compliment this colour scheme, your décor might be more glamourous, silky sheets or touches of art deco. Metallic finishes could be brushed gold, bronze or champagne to add warmth.

Another summer trend is the addition of tropical accents, everything from jungle palm prints to pineapples and flamingos. This look is kitsch and fun, and in terms of a ‘retreat’ it gives your bedroom the vivacious vibe of a well-deserved staycation. Don’t forget the cocktails! Surround yourself with things that appeal to all your senses and make you feel good, scented candles, colourful artwork and maybe even a tropical playlist.

Creating a retreat gives you an opportunity to escape from the real world and into the privacy of your bedroom. Relaxation is the aim, and personalisation is the key to success. Whether you choose subdued lighting or a reading lamp, blackout blinds or billowing curtains, this personal space is about whatever makes you feel good.

Want to make a difference in a job you love?

We pride ourselves on providing bespoke quality individualised care to adults with varying levels of learning disabilities.

The Care Partnership (South West) Ltd are recruiting in the Taunton and West Somerset areas. CQC awarded a rating of Overall Outstanding care.

‘He has done really well with their support. They have been brilliant.’

‘They are now doing things I never dreamt they would, all thanks to their care.’

Family relative

£11.55 per hour on days. £12.55 day rate weekends. £14 per hour night rate. £65 per sleep in. £100 per Doze over.

Excellent training provided! Full & part time posts available. Both Night and Day staff required.

Support Workers on a full-time salary with sleep in £25,000 +

Ginger George

West Somerset’s Top Cat - The word on the street

Food for thought

They say variety is the spice of life. Then why am I given the same four varieties of food all the time? It’s either chicken, tuna, beef or something I haven’t quite worked out what it is yet.

Please, do they do a mouse flavoured one for a change? It seems to be alright for my carers. They get a wide variation of food which smells great. Mind you, I did craftily leap up on the kitchen table when they were sat down eating. I took a couple of big licks of what was left in the bowl and I nearly choked. It set my mouth on fire! It turned out it was something called ‘curry’.

I can’t keep eating this monotonous stuff. I need something new for a change, but how do I tell them? After some thought I have decided to reject the meals I don’t like and at best just lick the gravy off. So beef, chicken, the one I’m not to sure of are all going to be left in my bowl minus gravy. I confess the tuna is alright, so I’ll hang on too that one. Well, it appeared to be working but not in the way I wanted. I then ended up with tuna every day!

My next move was to stop eating the tuna. Guess what happened... they bought the same flavours, but a different brand! Noooo!, I just needed some variation. By now I was getting very hungry and on the verge of giving up. If it wasn’t for the mice and voles I caught (and nipping into other houses with cat flaps and stealing some other cats food) I think I would have died of starvation. Some of our local cats are pampered too much. That white long Persian has ‘veal and jasmine’. That’s taking things a bit far don’t you think?

As I said I was on the verge of giving up when I return home and immediately scooped up and put in that little metal cage. This means one of two outcomes: 1. they are going on holiday and I’m going to a cattery or 2. It’s a trip to the vets.

I just knew it would be the latter!

Not the vets please! - poked about and a ‘thing’ shoved where they sun doesn’t shine. We waited in the waiting room along with other carers and their sickened animals. We had to sit next to little fluffy over fed lap dog diva, with a constant cough. What do expect when you go around sniffing other dogs bums! It’s hardly surprising to catch something. The door opened and as we were ushered in. My carer explained that I’ve suddenly off my food and at best ‘licking the gravy off’. “ him?”, asks the vet. “We buy those bright coloured pouches, the ones with the four flavours in carer replied. “Well there is the problem” the vet.”He’s a big muscular cat and just like us humans they get bored of the same old flavours. I bet you would get fed up of eating the same flavours week in week out”.

This is music to my perfectly groomed ears. “We can supply our own brand. It’s a bit expensive I know, but full of nutritious vitamins to keep him healthy and they come in a wide variety of flavours”

I thought I never here myself say this, but I could have kissed that vet. I’m now the talk of my patch. A connoisseur of cuisine with a sophisticated palate for fine dining.

May at The Regal Theatre has something for all tastes…….

HALF A SIXPENCE (1967) 13th May 11:00am. Starring Tommy Steele and Julia Foster. All proceeds go to Regal support fund.

HUGILL’S CREW SHANTY SINGERS –FUNDRAISING SHOW 19th May 7:30pm. A special fundraising event in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. Hugill’s Crew present an evening of sea songs from ‘Minehead to Mingulay’ and beyond, featuring Barnacle Buoys with support from Watchet Community Choir.

TOKYO STORIES -Exhibition on screen Tuesday

23rd May 7:30pm. A thrilling encounter with one of the world’s great art capitals. The film uses the exhibition as a launchpad to travel to Tokyo itself, and explore the art and artists of the city more fully.

The 24th May a LIVE performance from the Royal Opera House of SLEEPING BEAUTY will be shown at 7:15pm. Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s ravishing music and Oliver Messel’s sumptuous fairy tale designs with this true gem from the classical ballet repertory.

KING PLEASURE & THE BISCUIT BOYS Friday 26th May 7:30pm. King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys are more than just the world’s greatest jump, jive and swing band – they’re an institution!

Tickets for all events may be booked in advance online at www.regaltheatre.co.uk/ whatson or from the Box Office (Tel 01643 706430) between 9.30am and 12.00pm Monday - Saturday; or by telephone only from 1.30pm to 4pm.

THU 8-SUN 10 JUN

West Somerset Railway Diesel Summer Festival on the

Waverley Paddle Steamer excursions

SAT 17 JUN Minehead BioBlitz - plants and insects

MON 24-29 JUL The Minehead and Exmoor Music Festival

SUN 20 AUG eat:Minehead

SAT 2 SEP Minehead Bay Festival

SUN 8 OCT Minehead Seafront Triathlon

FRI 13-SUN 29 OCT Exmoor National Park Dark Skies Festival

SAT 28 OCT Minehead BioBlitz - funghi

FREE STEAM BUS SERVICE around Minehead -

Jul 22, 23, 29, 30, Aug 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27

FREE PUNCH AND JUDY SHOWS WEEKLY during school summer holidays

EVERY FRIDAY throughout the year Farmers Market

from 8:30am - 1pm

Free regular family-friendly entertainment during all school holidays

SAT 10, THU 15, FRI 16 JUN www.mineheadbay.co.uk

From history to sport and from cookery to crime, we round up the pick of the books perfect for Father’s Day (18 June)

Cricket’s Greatest Rivalry: A History of The Ashes in 12 Matches by Simon Hughes With the 2023 Ashes Test Series set to start at Edgbaston on 16 June, all eyes will be on England to see if they can get back to winning ways on home soil – they haven’t won the famous Urn since 2015. For cricket-crazy fans, this book is a fast-paced distinctive history of the iconic, 137-year-old cricketing rivalry between England and Australia by commentator, analyst and award-winning cricket historian Simon Hughes, along with complete statistics and records of all the Ashes fixtures and results and much more!

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman

A decade-old cold case leads Osman’s beloved aging investigators, the Thursday Murder Club, to a local news legend on the hunt for a sensational headline and a murder with no body and no answers. Then a new foe pays Elizabeth a visit. Her mission? Kill... or be killed. Can the gang solve the mystery and save Elizabeth before the murderer strikes again? Full of Osman’s trademark charm, insight and intelligence, this is the third novel in his record-breaking, million-copy bestselling Thursday Murder Club series.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Regularly voted one of the best English-language novels of the past 100 years, this witty, wise and bittersweet 1951 novel is a tale of postwar alienation told by angst-ridden 17-year-old Holden Caulfield as he grapples with growing up, loss, sex, depression, his identity, and understanding the events that shaped him. Controversial at the time of publication for its frank language, this ultimate American coming-of-age novel was an instant best-seller.

The Gold by Neil Forsyth & Thomas Turner

The astonishing true story of the robbery of the century, Brink’s-Mat, Britain’s biggest heist. On 26 November 1983, an armed gang stole gold bullion worth almost £26 million from the Brink’s-Mat security depot near London’s Heathrow Airport. For 40 years, myths and legends have grown around the Brink’s-Mat heist and the events that followed. This is the conclusion of extensive research and includes exclusive testimony from one of the original robbers, who gives his version of events for the first time.

A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain

Part travel memoir, part gastronomic journal, lifelong cook and bestselling author of Kitchen Confidential, Bourdain’s passion for food and adventure shines through in this culinary classic as he travels around the world in search of the perfect meal. And as he makes his way from California all the way to Cambodia, he experiences some of the world’s greatest – and most delicious – culinary adventures. But being Anthony Bourdain, this was never going to be a conventional culinary tour…

Wordle Challenge

The chance to play the online sensation Wordle offline, with a collection of 500 brainteasing word-based puzzles to do anytime, anywhere. Based on the same format that has proved a runaway success, these stimulating Wordle puzzles are graded from Easy to Expert level. Puzzlers must guess what the correct word is, deducing from previous words in the grid what letters go where. A clue means there is only one correct solution to each puzzle, and answers can be found at the back of the book.

The thought of dating again can feel overwhelming at any stage in life, but putting yourself out there later in life can feel particularly intimidating. So how do you know if you’re really ready to dip a toe back into the dating pool?

When you’re young, friends who think you’re not settled down start trying to pair you off. This can happen again when you’re older; friends who are couples used to being together may think you’ll only be happy if you are in a relationship like them. But the first rule of dating in later life is to do things in your own time, when you feel it’s right, not when someone else feels it’s right for you.

Ask yourself: “Am I ready?”

Whether you’re on your own after the loss of a spouse, divorce or splitting up with a long-term partner, when will you be ready to begin dating again?

Generally speaking, the best time to start dating is when you feel confident and happy in your own skin, and when you aren’t seeking the affirmation of someone else. Some people arrive at this point more slowly than others – everyone has their own timeline, and love isn’t something that should be rushed.

In fact, scientists suggest it’s our relationship with ourselves that lays the foundations for all other interactions, and that self-love could be the secret to a healthy, fulfilling relationship with a significant other.

What else to consider

With a bit more age comes a bit more baggage. And it’s highly likely that your new date/online matches will most likely have been married before.

You and your date might have children from other relationships and it can be difficult knowing how to introduce a new partner to children or loved ones. However, don’t let your former life interrupt your new one – and hopefully any children will be supportive and happy for you now that you feel the time is right to move on.

Dating in your 50s and beyond inevitably means you’ve lived and loved before and your combined experiences will mean you’ll both have endless stories to share!

Online dating

Online dating is bigger than ever, with around four in ten couples now meeting this way. You can take plenty of time getting to know someone via phone, email, or video chat before actually meeting up with them in person. And if you speak to someone online and instantly realise that they aren’t the person for you, then it’s much easier to cut contact politely.

Like everything in life, online dating does come with some negatives, such as trying to weed out the good dating profiles from the bad, not being able to form a first impression of someone based on physical interaction and, of course, concerns about scams.

It’s important to remember that when talking to someone new online, you should never give out personal information that could put you or your finances in jeopardy. This includes, but is not limited to, your home address and your bank details.

Whatever happens, try to remember that there are plenty more fish in the sea and the right person will be out there somewhere! And sometimes you just can’t hurry love…

Hi! I’m Petee.

My friend Charlie the Chameleon is great at hiding. He’s hidden somewhere within this magazine. See if you can spot him and then visit... www.wordgetsaround.co.uk/charlie

Farmer isaac

A cuple ov townies ask me if I wud make ‘em pay to picnic in my vield, I said corse not, but the bull mite charge you tho’.

1. Football 2. Bowling 3. Golf 4. Pool 5. Baseball 6. Volleyball/Netball 7. Tennis 8. Basketball 9. Cricket

SMALLEST to BIGGEST: Golf, pool, tennis, cricket, baseball, bowling, volleyball/netball, football, basketball.

Across: 1 Golf, 4 Archery, 7 Judo, 8 Tennis, 11 Rugby, 12 Sailing, 13 Cricket. Down: 2 Football, 3 Cycling, 5 Running, 6 Hockey, 9 Squash, 10 Karate.

Across: 5 Pinto, 8 Utensils, 9 Beard, 10 Outhouse, 11 Luxor, 14 Bay, 16 Merino, 17 Ageism, 18 Auk, 20 Bugle, 24 Honolulu, 25 Clone, 26 Vindaloo, 27 Accra.

Rubbed some herbs in my eye accidentally last night when I was cooking. I’m parsley sighted now…

Did you hear about the racing milk bottle? It’s pasteurised before you know it

WORDWHEEL: POSTDATED

Down: 1 Huron, 2 Berth, 3 Ascot, 4 Plasma, 6 Ice cubes, 7 Tortoise, 12 Republic, 13 Milliner, 14 Boa, 15 Yak, 19 Utopia, 21 Woody, 22 Quill, 23 Tudor.

Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of the advert. All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication. Adverts are accepted under the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. Word Gets Around Magazines does not endorse any advertising material included in this publication. We hold no liability for supplied artwork from advertisers and contributors and views or advice contained within.

Word Gets Around Magazines is registered in England and Wales No. 11422005.

I went to the doctors and he said: “Don’t eat anything fatty.”

Did you hear about the noodle pretending he was spaghetti? He’s an impasta

I said: “What, like burgers?” He said: “No fatty, just don’t eat anything.”

I’ve lost some weight by wearing bread on my head. It’s a new loaf hat diet I’m trying

I have a phobia of German sausages. I fear the wurst

The Indian restaurant I work for is so secretive, I had to sign a legal agreement that I wouldn’t share the flatbread recipe. It’s their standard naan disclosure agreement

My wife rearranged the labels on my spice rack. Haven’t confronted her yet but the thyme is cumin

I wrote a song about a tortilla. Well actually, it’s more of a wrap

Depending on what stage you are at in your life you will have different requirements in your home. We will show you kitchens that can be perfectly planned to meet your requirements.