Bradford & Borders
Issue 36 April / May 2014
Ashley, Avoncliff, Broughton Gifford, Farleigh Hungerford, Freshford, Holt, Limpley Stoke, Monkton Farleigh, Rode, South Wraxall, Westwood, Wingfield, Winsley & Surrounding area.
a local life Your local community magazine
Sam Moody Interview
Win a Car
Roman Baths Twilight Tour
www.alocallife.co.uk
e e Fr
Stunning Kitchens with Design, Supply & Installation
FormosaKitch
Beautiful • Bespoke • Exclusive
Formosa Kitchens specialise in the design, supply and installation of beautiful quality kitchens. From sleek, contemporary gloss styles to detailed, classic traditional or whether you are looking for something bespoke and handcrafted to your requirements, Formosa will guide you through the complete process using the latest 3D Cad design.
Catering for all tastes and budgets, Formosa can create your perfect kitchen and if required can follow through with their in house installation team, ensuring continued quality throughout.
Formosa Kitchens 32 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1JX Tel 01225 868877 Fax 01225 868862 Email info@formosakitchens.co.uk Web www.formosakitchens.co.uk
CONTENTS
welcome Welcome to our April/May edition, which this month is packed with more interesting local information and news than ever. There’s something for everyone; with event listings galore, local articles, reader offers and a recipe to enjoy. It’s officially spring, and to mark this long-awaited event, we’re lucky enough to have a stunning daffodil illustration gracing our front cover. This was kindly provided to us by budding local artist Emily Mackay, a Year 9 student from St Laurence School. Many thanks, Emily, for your colourful artwork, which sums up spring in a vivid and eye-catching way. Cover: Emily MacKay
In this 36th edition, we give you the chance to win a car with Melksham Motors, who are celebrating 50 years in the business (see page 52) and an interview with Sam Moody, chef of the newly opened Pantry restaurant in Bath, who not only shares with us one of his delicious recipes, but gives readers the chance to win a signed copy of ‘Relish South West’. We have the facts on Bradford’s Historic Core Zone, and a culture section bulging with local events to cover every possible taste. And finally, if you fancy sampling some history on your doorstep, why not try The Roman Bath’s Twilight Tour & Dinner Package, where Local Life readers can get a complimentary glass of prosecco (see page 22). And finally, Happy Easter and good ganderflanking to all our readers. all
A Local Life
a local life
Roman Baths
22
42 Sam Moody Win a Car 52
No 36 April/May 2014
3
Easter at Bowood House & Gardens and Tractor Ted’s Little Farm. Enjoy endless hours of fun, Easter activities and an unforgettable family day out. Purchase your day or season tickets online at www.bowood.org Bowood House & Gardens, Derry Hill, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 0LZ. Telephone 01249 812102.
CONTENTS
Inside... What’s On..........................................................................6 Culture.............................................................................13
Starbucks 49 Fore Street, Trowbridge.
Gardening.......................................................................18 Roman Baths..................................................................22 House & Home..............................................................24 Historic Core Zone........................................................25 Legal ................................................................................32 Shopping.........................................................................34 Food & Drink..................................................................36 Sam Moody....................................................................42 Recipe...............................................................................44 Health & Fitness............................................................46 Pet’s Place.......................................................................54 Directory..........................................................................56 Book Review...................................................................58 Slice of Life.....................................................................61 Puzzles.............................................................................63
CONTACTING US Sales enquiries: publish@alocallife.co.uk or call 01225 866566
Get together. Over coffee.
Contribute: editor@alocallife.co.uk Publisher: André Balkham Jones Contributors: C&A, Jo Fairburn, Erica Morgan, Colin Edwards, Sam Moody. Design: A Local Life Printed on paper sourced from responsible sources.
TREAT A FRIEND. Just hand in this voucher at your Starbucks store and you can enjoy a FREE Tall Latte when you buy one for a friend. Expiry date is 31st May 2014. Bring this coupon to Starbucks, 49 Fore Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8ES to enjoy a free tall latte when you buy one for a friend. No cash alternative. Cannot be combined with any others offers. One coupon per person per purchase. Offer only valid at Starbucks store listed above. Not valid if reproduced. Barista please retain this voucher.’ ©2014 Starbucks Coffee Company (UK) Ltd. All rights reserved.
Small Print: The publisher will not be held liable for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions or failure of an advert to run or any other cause. A Local Life and Brand2M Ltd. does not endorse any advertising material within the publication or on the website. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior permission of the publisher.
No 36 April/May 2014
5
WHAT’S ON
What’s on
APRIL & MAY 2014
Tuesday 1st April
Friday 4th April Jazz: New Orleans Hulas, Mount Pleasant Social Club, Bradford on Avon BA14 1SJ, 8pm. £10 Contact Gerald 01225 400959
Bowood House & Gardens open at 11am for 2014 season 2014 Exhibition “For King and Country: Bowood and the First World War”. Running until Sunday 2nd November 2014. Bowood House, Derry Hill, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 0LZ. 01249 812102 www.bowood.org
Thursday 3rd April
6
Sunday 6th April
Bath Old Time Dancers St John’s School Hall, Oldfield Lane, Bath BA2 3NR, 7.30-10pm, £3.50. 01225 335740 www.batholdtimedancers.co.uk
Paper Sculptures - Homage to Tenniel 7.30 pm, Masonic Hall Upper Room, Church Street, Bradford Arts Association talk and demonstration by Jeni Wood. Tickets on door : £3 members, £4 non-members. 01225 862670
Saturday 5th April
Wednesday 9th April
Little Angel Theatre Dogs Don’t Do Ballet. The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham, 1pm & 3pm (3pm show is now sold out) The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this hilarious story of a small dog with big dreams. Suitable for children and families aged 2+ £6.50 (£5.50 concessions), £20 family. 01249 701628 www.poundarts.org.uk
Seniors Forum AGM United Church, St Margaret’s Street, Bradford on Avon, 2.30pm AGM with entertainment by ‘End of the Track’. Free. Manny Gillespie on 01225 863923
Wessex Auction Rooms Antiques and Collectables sale. 10am, viewing Friday before sale 10am to 8pm, sale day from 8.30am. Tel: 01249 720888 or wessexauctionrooms.co.uk BoA Film Society Presents: All in Good Time, Wiltshire Music Centre 8pm. A funny, tender-hearted portrait of family strife, set in Bolton where Atul and Vina are celebrating their marriage but a honeymoon spent with his parents was not planned. Tickets on the door £5.
01249 446893 www.thecausemusicandarts.com
‘A Spring Jig’ with Mike Silver & Jo Partridge (plus Diana Johnstone & Ray Bradfield) 7.45pm (bar open 7.15pm) at The Cause, 42 The Causeway, Chippenham SN15 3DD Mike Silver is appearing with guitarist & record producer Jo Partridge. Tickets £11.00
Woodland Play Area opening, 11am–3pm. Come along to the unveiling of Bath Skyline’s Woodland Play Area. The play area is at the east end of Long Wood, 150m east of the Bath Clinic, Claverton Down Road, just opposite Ralph Allen school. 01225 833422 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/priorpark
Thursday 10th April Sonia Wieder-Atherton and Imogen Cooper Concert 7.30pm (6.30pm free preconcert talk). An exceptional duo programme, including Janacek’s meltingly lyrical ‘Fairy Tale’ and ‘Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No 4’ Wiltshire Music Centre
Tell Advertisers you saw them in a local life
WHAT’S ON the Holt Morris Men and Brunel impersonator Mark Williamson. Free. Tickets for special 4pm beer tasting session cost £10, include a Box Steam gift set and can be purchased in advance by calling 01225 722250. For more info visit Facebook.com/theinnatfreshford
Sunday 13th April The Big Seed Swap. Trowbridge Town Hall, 11–3pm. Swap seeds, get gardening advice and learn about community groups in the area. Stalls available. enquiries@ thebigcommunitygrow.org or www.bigcommunitygrow.org
Monday 14th April
Tickets £24 (£23), £12 Under-18s. 01225 860 100 wiltshiremusic.org.uk
Jane Austen Dancers of Bradford on Avon. United Reform Church Hall, 8-10pm. £4 per session. Contact jkgreaves@ uwclub.net or just turn up.
Friday 11th April
Wednesday 16th April
Wessex Auction Rooms Sale of Silver, Gold, Jewellery & Cabinet items. 11am, viewing Thursday before sale 10am to 7pm, sale day from 9am. 01249 720888 or wessexauctionrooms.co.uk
Wild Wednesday Den Building, 10.30am–12.30pm. Meet at the Woodland Play Area, east end of Long Wood. 50m east of the Bath Clinic, Claverton Down Road, just opposite Ralph Allen school. 01225 833422 www.nationaltrust. org.uk/priorpark
Saturday 12th April BoA Photography Group’s Exhibition of Photographs West Barn, Barton Farm, Bradford on Avon 10–4pm. This popular annual event will include a range of styles and subjects. Entry free. Running until Sunday 13th April www.boaphotogroup.weebly.com The Inn at Freshford’s ‘Let off Steam Beer Festival’. Midday. Celebrating Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s 208th birthday, the pub will host antique steam engines,
Pip Utton Churchill The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham, 7.30 pm. Churchill descends from above to indulge in his favourite pleasures; a glass of scotch, a cigar and listening to himself talk. £8 (£7 concessions) Limited £1 tickets available for under 16s. 01249 701628 www.poundarts.org.uk Dog Law Talk with the ‘Legal Beagle’ 2-5pm, Bath Cats & Dogs Home. Tickets £20 per person. To book call (01225) 787334 or email fundraising@bcdh.org.uk
Antiques, Collectables & Sporting Memorabilia
Tel: 01249 720888
Friday 18th April
Get ganderflanking! Good Friday (Bank Holiday) Richard Herring We’re All Going to Die! The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham, 8 pm. Death is inevitable, so let’s laugh in its face
www.wessexauctionrooms.co.uk
Why not tell people what’s on in a local life
7
WHAT’S ON
What’s on
APRIL & MAY 2014
while our hearts still beat and our jaws are still attached. £15 (£14 concessions). Limited £1 tickets available for under 16s. 01249 701628 www.poundarts.org.uk
Saturday 19th April Easter Egg Expedition Prior Park Landscape Gardens 10am–4.30pm Become a Cadbury Eggsplorer and follow the Easter Egg Trail. Until Monday 21st April £1.50 per trail. 01225 833422 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/priorpark
Sunday 20th April
Easter Sunday Monday 21st April
Easter Monday
(Bank Holiday)
Climate Friendly BoA monthly meeting and film: Clean Bin Project. Quaker Meeting House, Whitehead’s Lane, Bradford on Avon, 7.30pm. Free, all welcome climatechampions@gmail.com www.climatefriendlybradfordonavon.co.uk
Tuesday 22nd April
until Saturday 10th May. 01225 833422 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/priorpark
Bradford on Avon Probus Club Limpley Stoke Hotel, 10am talk Vintage Jumble Sale, Selwyn “Life on a Nuclear Submarine” by Hall, Box, Corsham, 10am-1pm. Cmdr. Cliff Fiander. Contact Ray Sanger 01225 865088 Vintage goodies at bargain prices! Delicious home made cakes and Friday 25th April refreshments available. Free admission and parking. www.vintageandhandmade.co.uk
Bradford on Avon Bowls Club Open Day. Culver Close, BA15 1LF. From 6pm. Bar and refreshments available. (Also running Saturday 26th 11am3pm, Sunday 27th 10am–2pm, with coffee and home-made cake available.) A super way to stay fit and make new friends. Please wear flat shoes. Contact Lesley on 01225 863066
Saturday 26th April Wild Garlic Fortnight, 10am4.30pm. Join us for tastings, cooking demonstrations, free recipe sheets and a chance to pick your own wild garlic. Running
Mark Lockheart Septet: Ellington in Anticipation. Wiltshire Music Centre, 7.30pm. Featuring an all-star seven-piece line-up of some of the most exciting musicians in the UK, this is a unique project which combines the old with the new. £18, £9 Under-18s. 01225 860 100 wiltshiremusic.org.uk
Sunday 27th April Secret Gardens Festival BOA, final Sunday of the month from April to July inclusive. Tickets available from the Tourist Information Centre. Running until 27th July. For information call 01225 865797 or tic@bradfordonavon.co.uk Wag Walk (a charity walk across Bath’s beautiful Skyline
Free appraisals at our auction rooms or by appointment at your home... Antiques, Collectables & Sporting Memorabilia 8
Tel: 01249 720888
www.wessexauctionrooms.co.uk
Tell Advertisers you saw them in a local life
WHAT’S ON where participants choose 3 or 6 mile walk) 11am–3pm. Minimum £75 sponsorship per person. Register at www.bcdh.org.uk/ wagwalk email fundraising@bcdh.org.uk or call 01225 787334
Sunday 4th May Plant Fair, Great Chalfield Manor, Melksham, SN12 8NH.
Friday 2nd May Wessex Auction Rooms Sale of Sporting Memorabilia 11am, viewing Thursday before sale 10am to 7pm, sale day from 9am. 01249 720888 or wessexauctionrooms.co.uk Bradford on Avon Norden German Association: German Film Night, West Ashton Village Hall, £6 to include nibbles. For more information, contact Chairman Roger Andrews on 01225 759019
10.30am to 4pm, featuring specialist nurseries, garden items and hog roast. Entry £3 and children free. Raising funds for Jamie’s Farm www.greatchalfield.co.uk
The Birds of Paradise 7.30 pm, Masonic Hall Upper Room, Church Street, Bradford Arts Association talk by Carolyn Ching. The lecture will focus on Bath Old Time Dancers Ray Ching’s commission from St John’s School Hall, Oldfield Lane David Attenborough to paint a Bath, BA2 3NR, 7.30-10pm, £3.50, plate for his book, Drawn From 01225 335740 Paradise. Tickets on door:£3 www.batholdtimedancers.co.uk members, £4 non-members. 01225 862670 Saturday 3rd May Bath in Fashion, various locations around the city. An exciting and eclectic weeklong programme that showcases summer 2014 fashion, handson workshops, exhibitions and installations. Ticket prices vary depending on event. Running until Saturday 10th May www.bathinfashion.co.uk
Monday 5th May
Early Bank Holiday Saturday 10th May Cantamus Chamber Choir Star of the Sea. St Nicholas Church, Winsley, 7.30pm Tickets: £15 (£10 u-18s) from
Bradford TIC (01225 865797) www.bradfordonavon.co.uk Limited tickets available on door. “Five Centuries of Choral Music” Trowbridge Philharmonic Choral Society. United Church, Trowbridge, 7.30pm. Tickets: £10 from TIC, at the door or contact 01225 761364 www.trowbridgechoral.org.uk Charity concert for Royal British Legion: ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace’ (Organum, Noctis and Corsham Choral Society). Bath Abbey, 7.30pm Tickets available from Bath Box office. www.bathboxoffice.org.uk
Tuesday 13th May Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon: Sustainable Food and Drink Group Meeting Upstairs at the Town Club, 29, Market St, BoA. 7.30 pm All welcome. For more information climatechampions@gmail.com
Thursday 15th May A History of the Wiltshire Times, 7.30 for 8pm, Priory Barn, Newtown, Bradford on Avon. Preservation Trust talk by Neville Smith, Deputy Editor of A History of the Wiltshire Times. £2, 01225 865733 www.bradfordheritage.co.uk
Why not tell people what’s on in a local life
9
WHAT’S ON
It’s Friday get ganderflanking! Leave early and wend your way to the pub! Friday 16th May Bath International Music Festival, various venues around the city. Now in its 66th year, the festival will include jazz, folk and classical musical performances, supported by a collection of films and music theatre. Ticket prices vary according to event. Running until 26th May. 01225 463362 www.bathfestivals.org.uk/music
build a new Cancer centre for the RUH hospital. Ticket prices £15 per person plus you are encouraged to raise sponsorship for the appeal. Tel: 01225 821535 or www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk/ events/walk-of-life Bradford Choral Society, Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius St John’s Church, South Parade, Bath. 7.30 pm. Tickets available from Ex Libris Bookshop, Bradford on Avon. Contact Simon Little on 07836 224029
Sunday 18th May
Widcombe Art Trail & Open Garden. Violet Bank Farm, Prospect Road, Bath BA2 6AY 10.30am–6pm. £3 entry. Running until Sunday 18th May. 01225 42277 or sue.wales@zen.co.uk Wessex Auction Rooms Antiques and Collectables sale. 10am, viewing Friday before sale 10am to 8pm, sale day from 8.30am. Tel: 01249 720888 or wessexauctionrooms.co.uk Forever Friends Appeal’s Walk of Life, along the canal from Devizes to Bradford on Avon to Bath (9, 12 or 21 miles!). Come along and raise funds to help 10
Friday 23rd May Chippenham Folk Festival Friday 23rd - Monday 26th May Now in its 43rd year – will kick off this coming May Bank Holiday weekend with one of the most diverse and entertaining line-ups to be found at any music festival in the UK. 01249 657190 www.chippfolk.co.uk
Saturday 24th May 50 things launch day – Bath 10am–4pm. Join us at Bathwick Hill in Bath for a full-filled bay of activities. 01225 833422 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/priorpark
Chris Pearce Frenchman, Street Jazz Band, Mount Pleasant Social Club, Bradford on Avon BA14 1SJ, 8pm. £10. Contact Gerald 01225 400959
Saturday 17th May
lighting. Quaker Meeting House, Whitehead’s Lane, Bradford on Avon, 7.30pm. Free, all welcome climatechampions@gmail.com www.climatefriendlybradfordonavon.co.uk
Megson Folk Songs for Children. Wiltshire Music Centre, 3pm. A gentle and lyrical listening experience for children. Suitable for families and children under 10. 01225 860 100 wiltshiremusic.org.uk Classics at the Crescent Royal Crescent, Bath This brand new event will feature some of the best classic cars on the road today, teamed with a specialist shopping village, food and drink court and live music. Free admission. 01225 442244 www.classicsatthecrescent.co.uk
Monday 19th May Climate Friendly BoA monthly meeting and talk on LED
Saturday 24th May Westwood Village Scarecrow Trail, all day. Come and find our ‘Nursery Rhyme’ scarecrows scattered around the village. Trail begins at village shop, where trail maps are available for £2.50. Runs until Sunday 1st June. www.westwoodnursery.org/ scarecrow-trail-2014
Monday 26th May
Spring Bank Holiday Tuesday 27th May Bradford on Avon and District French Twinning Association, Family Cycling Holiday to Sullysur-Loire. Until Sunday 1st June Further more information contact
Tell Advertisers you saw them in a local life
WHAT’S ON Vivienne on 01225 863647 or www.bradfordonavonfrenchtwinning. weebly.com
...UPCOMING
Bradford on Avon Probus Club Limpley Stoke Hotel, 10am talk “Collecting and Restoring Perambulators” by Jan & Geoff Swift. Ray Sanger 01225 865088
Wednesday 28th May Bath & West Show, The Showground. Open 9am to 6pm daily. The biggest event in the rural calendar and a great day out in Somerset for families, foodies and rural enthusiasts. Running until 31st May. Call the show box office on 01749 822200 www.bathandwest.com
7th June–9th August Iford Arts Festival 3 months of world class opera, proms and cloister concerts in a magical setting 6 miles from Bath. General booking now open: 01225 448844 www.ifordarts.org.uk
Sunday 27th July ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ Pop Up Opera organised by LISPA. St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon, 6.30pm. Tickets go on sale from 2nd April and are available from the Galleries Shop, Freshford or via BOA TIC £20 per ticket. www.lispa.org.uk.
Submit your event before 5th May 2014 to appear here!
St. Margarets Hall
Starts Thursday 1st May 12-1pm Zumba Gold at the newly refurbished St Margaret’s Hall Bradford on Avon For Further information contact:
Debbie: 07941 112893 debbiebailey4@sky.com gina@zumbafitnessfrome.co.uk
The floor is down, the lighting rig is up – and the transformation of St Margaret’s Hall into a 21st century venue is almost complete. A new cinema screen has been fitted and movable raked seating is being installed, providing a flexible performance and event space complete with professional-standard lighting and improved acoustics. After delays caused by the severe flooding over Christmas, the hall is now on schedule to reopen in early May. Hire charges will remain the same, and the Town Council looks forward to welcoming regular and new users to Bradford’s revitalised town centre venue.
No 36 April/May 2014
11
WHAT’S ON
Regular Weekly / Monthly Events MONDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
Rhyme Time
New Yoga for Pregnancy Class Learn simple, effective techniques for a healthy, relaxed and positive pregnancy and birth. Julie for full details: 07867 117413 or 01225 766704 yoganama@hotmail.co.uk AND WEDNESDAYS
Bradford on Avon Community Agriculture Harvest Day 78 Bath Road, BA15 2PB, 9am12pm, drop in and help harvest our vegetables. www.boaca.co.uk
Free activity for babies & toddlers 10am-10.30am at the Library 01225 863280
Jane Austen Dancers of Bradford on Avon. United Reform Church Hall, 8-10pm. £4 per session. 2nd and 4th Mondays in the month. Contact jkgreaves@ uwclub.net or just turn up. Jazz Factory Wiltshire Music Centre. 7.30pm9pm. Come and sing or play jazz in our weekly workshops. Bradford Bridge Club The Swan Hotel BOA, 7pm to 10pm. Come & play duplicate bridge in a relaxed & friendly atmosphere. Jan O’Connor 01225-865669 The Silver Ring Choir of Bath Manvers Street Baptist Church Bath, 7.45-9.45pm. New singers welcome, bursaries available to full time students. All enquiries 0117 9612802 silverringchoir.org.uk
TUESDAYS Con Brio Mixed Voice Choir United Church Hall. 8pm-10pm Tenors and basses particularly welcome. 01225 863066 www.conbriovoices.org.uk Open Mic Night 8.30pm-midnight. The Canal Tavern. Free Entry 12
Bradford Choral Society Rehearsals in the United Church Hall, Bradford on Avon, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. No audition, new members always welcome. 01225 862670. www.boachoral.org.uk
FRIDAYS Live Music at The George Woolley Street 01225 865650 Live Music at The Three Horseshoes Frome Rd 01225 865876
Bath Old Time Dancers 1st Friday of month, 7.30-10pm St John’s School Hall, Oldfield Bradford Bridge Club Lane, Bath BA2 3NR. See Monday 01225 335740 Ekleksis - Bradford on Avon Club, www.batholdtimedancers.co.uk 7.00 for 7.30 pm start. Acoustic musicians practice group. Just SATURDAYS bring your instrument and a tune Live Music at The George to play £10 Andrew Clifton on Woolley Street 01225 865650 07791 192639 aclifton@live.co.uk Live Music at The Three New Yoga Class - 7-8pm small Horseshoes Frome Rd 01225 classes or individual lessons with 865876 experienced teacher Geoff Farrer BOA Lifesaving Club maxine.geoff@gmail.com Bradford Swimming Pool. 5pm 01225 635244
THURSDAYS
5 years to adults. £2
Farmers Market Westbury Gardens, 3rd Thursday monthly . 9am-1pm.
SUNDAYS
Market Day 9am-1pm Library Car Park University of the Third Age in BoA is held on second Thursday of month. United Reform Church and Hall in St Margaret’s Street 2.30-4pm. Members must have membership card.
www.boalsc.org.uk
Farmers Market. Lamb Yard. Last Sunday monthly. 10.30am-2.30pm
Your Event could be here! editor@alocallife.co.uk
Tell Advertisers you saw them in a local life
CULTURE of £24 concerts to four this season. Check out the revamped proms line up, many playing Bestival and Glasto as well as Iford this season. YolanDa Brown headlines Midsummer Jazz and Molotov Jukebox kickstart the festival proms at the First Night Party. Book early; last season was a sell out!
General booking now open: 01225 448844 www.ifordarts.org.uk
A Local Life is an independently
Iford Arts Festival This year is an exciting one for Iford! It’s the Cloister Centenary, 100 years since Harold Peto built our ‘raison d’être’ and Iford Festival venue; hence a season of all Italian opera (sung in English as ever). There’s a stunning cast line up including llona Domnich and Ruth Jenkins in Rondine, Jesus Alvarez in La Fille du Reg and especially the cast of Ulysses; Jonathan McGovern, Nick Pritchard and Rowan Hellier. Our 2011 Don Giovanni Duncan Rock is a young singer finalist in this year’s International Opera Awards. Puccini’s in the rep and we’ve increased the number
owned publication for the town of Bradford on Avon and local area and welcomes contributions please submit your articles and items of local interest to: editor@alocallife.co.uk
Guitar tuition in Bradford on Avon Students of all ages are welcome, from complete beginners to guitarists looking to improve their technique, repertoire and musicianship. Lessons are flexible, tailored to you, and offered in:
Specialist Baby & Toddler Swimming Classes www.turtletots.com joandnic@turtletots.com 07825 239408
NEW Classes in Bradford-on-Avon and Corsham
Acoustic guitar ● Classical guitar All lessons are on a private one-to-one basis, in a relaxed and quiet environment.
Call Zac on 01225 309230
zac.tullett@icloud.com
www.boaguitar.com
No 36 April/May 2014
13
CULTURE
POP-UP OPERA 2014 St. Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon – Sunday 27th July 2014
Something To Sing And Dance About Chippenham’s biggest annual event – the Folk Festival, now in its 43rd year – will kick off this coming May Bank Holiday week-end with one of the most diverse and entertaining line-ups to be found at any music festival in the UK. There will be more than 200 separate events across nearly twenty venues, and is based right in the centre of the town, which has great advantages in terms of the local atmosphere, the involvement of the local community, including schools and colleges, access to major transport links and provision of local facilities such as shops, parking, restaurants and camp-sites. The line-up features concerts, open-mics, workshops, ceilidhs, story-telling, social dance, Morris and children’s entertainment. All the events are on a very friendly human scale, with a great family-friendly atmosphere. Bank Holiday Monday also features a special street market in Chippenham’s High Street. Headliners include The Wilson Family, The Demon Barber XL show, the Askew Sisters, Belshazzar’s Feast, Beth Porter, Reg Meuross, and Dave Gibb and Elly Lucas. The event – which still manages to contribute more than £1million to the local economy each year –features the vast array of traditional music and customs to be found throughout England. For further information on the festival, visit www.chippfolk.co.uk or telephone 01249 657190 14
Returning once again by popular demand, the exciting young professional opera singers of Pop-Up Opera will be performing of one of Mozarts most famous operatic compositions, Cosi Fan Tutte, on Sunday 27th July 2014 commencing at 6.30pm at St. Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon. Due to the high demand for tickets and to accommodate as many people as possible, the organisers, LISPA, have taken the decision to move this year’s performance to slightly later in the year and to a new venue at St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon. St Margaret’s Hall is currently undergoing a re-vamp, and its increased seating capacity and new facilities will allow more people to see and enjoy the Opera. Sunday 27th July 2014 is also the final Sunday to enjoy a visit to Bradford-on-Avon’s Secret Gardens preceded by a morning market at Lamb’s Yard. You could then attend the early evening performance of a wonderful Opera, performed by one of the most exciting young professional opera groups in the country. So Save the Date and make a note in the diary of Sunday 27th July 2014 at 6.30pm to see an un-missable performance by Pop-Up Opera of Cosi Fan Tutte at St Margaret’s Hall. You will not be disappointed. Tickets go on sale from 2nd April and are available from the Galleries Shop, Freshford or via BOA TIC. £20 per ticket. www.lispa.org.uk.
www.popupopera.co.uk
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
Our Team is Your Team It has been said that a company is only as good as its people – here at Mowbray Woodwards Solicitors we are proud to have a young team whose breadth of knowledge is extensive. When you come to us for legal advice, we like to think that we work with you as a complete team. Your challenges become ours and we aim to work with you to resolve things in an informal and friendly way. Mowbray Woodwards are proud to be able to call upon over sixty years of experience in the legal sector and, as such, we continually look to develop our team to give our clients even more support and peace of mind. With three new people on board already in 2014, Daniela Nickols, (Family Law Specialist), Robert Agg (specialist Court of Protection and Mental Capacity solicitor) and Claire Curtis (Private Client Specialist), we are confident that our team is very much your team.
Mowbray Woodwards Solicitors, 3 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HG.
No 36 April/May 2014
www.mowbraywoodwards.co.uk Tel: 01225 485700 Email: info@mowbraywoodwards.co.uk
15
CULTURE
BRADFORD’S CHOIR JOINS FORCES FOR ‘GERONTIUS’
A SUMMER TREAT FOR MUSIC LOVERS Bradford Choral is joining forces with the Bath Cantata Group to put on a blockbuster concert in Bath in May. The combined choir, numbering over 130 singers and full orchestra, will be performing Elgar’s oratorio ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ in St John’s Church in South Parade on 17th May. Rupert Bevan, director of music for the society said “This is a challenging work, so we’ve come together with the Bath Cantata Group to make the big dramatic sound Elgar wanted for this intense and deeply moving music”. The choirs will be joined by vocalists from two chamber choirs, Noctis and Vox8, who will provide the semi-choir. Rupert himself will be singing the part of Gerontius with Mezzo-soprano Penelope Davies and Bass Rick Fitzsimmons as the other soloists. Such is the interest in singing ‘Gerontius’ that Bradford Choral’s numbers have swollen to almost seventy. Chairman Megan Jones has had to put a limit on the number of singers in case St John’s aisle and choir can’t accommodate both the singers and orchestra. She added “It’s a big church so we should be able to seat an audience of around 350. It should be quite an evening!” Neil Moore from the BCG, will be conducting the performance. He reminds concert goers that St John’s is very close to Bath station so a trip from Bradford will be cheap and easy.
On May 10th, Bath Abbey will be the setting for what promises to be one of the most thrilling concert of the year. Three local choirs, namely Organum, Noctis, and Corsham Choral, are combining to form a massed choir of over a hundred voices, together with a full orchestra to perform Karl Jenkins’ “The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace”. The concert will also feature the UK premiere of Christopher Tin’s dramatic Kia Hora Te Marino and music by Eric Whitacre and Ola Gjeilo. The concert is being held in conjunction with the Royal British Legion, and is to be Bath city’s premier commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. Karl Jenkins is the most performed living composer in the world today, and The Armed Man has been played to over a thousand audiences in twenty different countries, fulfilling his aim which was to write a piece of music containing a universal message which would speak to all mankind. Although based on the Christian mass, it contains a variety of prose and poetry, and a host of musical styles reflecting a multi-cultural, global society. Someone once told Jenkins he was “emotionally manipulative”, to which he replied that there is no greater compliment one could pay a composer. Indeed The Armed Man has a power to move audiences like no other work. Come and find out for yourself! Tickets are now available from Bath Box Office.
Tickets are available from Ex Libris bookshop in Bradford on Avon.
www.boachoral.org.uk. 16
01225 463362 www.bathboxoffice.org.uk Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
CULTURE
The Sculpture Garden at Bradford on Avon
quality is high and many of the sculptors on show exhibit all over the country. The Sculpture Garden will be held this year from July 13th-20th. Opening hours are 11am-6.30pm. Open every day except Monday. Entry £3.
Saf
But try not to miss the Opening Party, complete with entertainment and a free glass of wine on Saturday Prov July 12th from 6pm-10pm. Entry £5. If you are a sculptor and you would like to take part in the Sculpture Garden, please contact Jill Fitzpatrick on 01225 723795
The Sculpture Garden is becoming something of an institution in Bradford on Avon. Hosted for several years in the gardens of Alison and John Potter, it moved last year to its new home at Lynchetts on the junction of Silver Street and Woolley Street. And what a beautiful location! The gardens at Lynchetts are terraced and divided into a series of different spaces, each with its own special features. Some areas are hilly and some are level; some are open and others wooded. There are beds of vegetables, herbs, shrubs and flowers. There is wildness and formality. It’s a perfect garden for showing sculptures, which perch on top of stone walls beside the walkways, peer out of the undergrowth, or sit around the pond or inside the summerhouse. Our thanks to Glenys and George Lunt for allowing their garden at Lynchetts to be used and for their continuing support for the Sculpture Garden. Twenty sculptors exhibited around eighty pieces last year, and we expect a similar number this year. The
01225 350612
www.boaartsfestival.com
E-mail: safecare@blueyonder.co. uk
Providing care in the comfort of your own home
can assist with: We We can assist with:
Contact Details: Phone Number: 01225 350612
Personal Care: Washing, bathing and
◊
showering Personal Care: Washing, Bathing & Showering Lunches: Fresh or frozen meals
◊
Domestic: General cleaning Lunches: Fresh or frozen meals Laundry: Washing, drying and ironing
◊
we can do it for youGeneral cleaning Domestic:
◊
Safety visits Washing, drying and ironing Laundry:
◊
Shopping: With carer or we can do it for you If you would like anymore information
◊
E-mail: safecare@blueyonder.co. uk
◊ ◊
Shopping: You can go with the carer or Medication prompting Sitting services
please don't hesitate to contact us on any of the contact details.
Medication prompting Safety visits We operate 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Sitting services
The areas we cover are Bradford on Avon, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury and surrounding villages Registered with the CQC with a good rating
Covering areas; Bradford on Avon, Melksham, Trowbridge and surrounding villages. For further information:
Phone: 01225 350612 E-mail: safe-care@blueyonder.co.uk
www.safecare-wiltshire.co.uk Registered with the CQC
No 36 April/May 2014
W
If ple an
The T
Safe Care
7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Did you miss it last year? What, even the opening party? You didn’t see the living statue? You missed the fabulous musicians playing on the grass on a perfectly still summer’s evening against a backdrop of hot air balloons moving silently along the valley? Such a pity, if you did. It was an enchanting evening. Who knows what will happen this year?
Then in September is The Arts Festival when we will be shining a light on BoA’s artistically talented community. Poets, painters, photographers, and performers will be responding to this years theme - LIGHT. On September 13th our End of Summer Party we will be shining a light, coloured, spot and flood, onto some of BoA iconic buildings. There will be much more besides between 5th and 14th September so make a Contact Details: note in your diary. Phone Number:
17
LAWN FEATURE
Top Tips to create a wonderful lawn
A
“Just a short note to say thanks so much for the treatment to the lawn this year. It has made a huge difference The next application occurs in early and it looks amazing!”
fter the wettest start to a year on record, now is the ideal time to give your lawn an overhaul to ensure it returns to the peak of health over the coming spring and summer months.
the lawn. At this time of year, the treatment encourages the sward density and colour. A selective herbicide is added.
“Weeds are the bane of many lawns, and spring-time onwards is a good time to tackle them,” agrees Graham Smith, owner of local lawn treatment company GreenThumb. “Spraying the lawn with a selective herbicide can rid it of dandelions, daisies and clover, as well as other weeds.”
granular feed - depending on the prevailing climate. Persistent and more difficult lawn weeds such as lesser trefoil, speedwells and woodrush are given individual attention with a special herbicide.
summer when GreenThumb’s tai- Mr Crowfoot - Warleigh lor-made Nutragreen® ‘no-scorch Often the centrepiece that sets off technology’ dry granular fertiliser spectacular flowering borders, and is applied. The lawn is again treat- “I have lived at my address for 45 years and since using links patio to pond and sundeck to ed for weeds. shrubbery, the lawn is frequently In late summer, the lawn is treated the services of GreenThumb I the least cared-for feature in the with a third application, involving can honestly say that my lawn garden. a powerful, slow release mini- is the best it has ever looked.
The fourth treatment is applied between September and February concentrating on maintaining that In business for 13 years, Green- healthy colour, with an emphasis Thumb is the area’s largest and on moss control. most recommended lawn care spe- GreenThumb treatments cost from cialist with over 3000 customers just £15 per application, and the using the regular four treatments householder does not have to be per year service. GreenThumb uses in when the treatments take place. its own unique feed systems, along The service is pay-as-you-go and with professional herbicides, which there are no customer contracts are simply not available in DIY or to sign. garden centres. For a free lawn survey contact
Visitors now comment on how good it looks. Thanks!” Mr Lock
“I have now had 3 lawn treatments from you. I have to say the difference in my lawn is absolutely staggering! It has gone from a browny-greeny mess of weeds and moss to a lush lawn. Really impressed and wanted to say thanks.” Mr R Chatfield – Bath
“We have been pleased with the service and have encouraged our neighbours to employ GreenThumb as they The springtime application involves GreenThumb: Tel: 01249 653765 have been impressed with the spreading of a mini-granular email: bath@greenthumb.co.uk or the results of the treatment.” fertiliser over the whole surface of visit www.greenthumb.co.uk 18
Mr G Williams, B-O-A
Tell Advertisers you saw them in a local life
LAWN FEATURE
After
Before
Five tips to get your lawn off to a flying start.
habit of encroaching on the lawn’s appear over winter. Carefully rake space and weakening it by denying the patch to create a bed, sow the it light. Then … get the secateurs out! seeds with a little top-soil and 1. Clean up. Rake away those dead 3. Check your mower is up to the don’t let them dry out. They’ll gerleaves, twigs and branches. The job - make sure the blade is sharp. minate in a few days. less debris on the lawn, the health- Remember to raise the height of 5. Look out for sickly-looking ier it’ll be, not to mention the real your first cut to just ‘top’ the grass patches. Leatherjackets, the larval benefit from increasing its expo- – cutting it too low will put the form of the ‘Daddy Longlegs’ can sure to sunlight. grass into stress. devastate a lawn in spring as they 2. Lawns don’t like shade. Take a 4. The ground starts to warm chomp through the roots of the GreenThumb-Bath-Press Adverts-132x92-15Feb-Local Life.pdf 1 06/02/2014 12:02 good look at those border plants, now so it’s a good time to repair grass. If you suspect a problem, call GreenThumb! shrubs and trees – they all have a those bare patches that always
Why not tell people what’s on in a local life
19
GARDENING/HOUSE & HOME
IRONMONGERY
&
HARDWARE
PURVEYORS OF
HOUSEWARES CLEANING PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL PLUMBING TOOLS DECORATING & DIY GARDENING
C
EXPECTMORE C
E YL W AW N M O
UP TO
N
• • • • • •
Brush Cutters HedgeTrimmers Blowers Tillers Pedestrian Mowers Ride on Mowers
100 Smaller garden?
£ O
ON
IZ
RS
£
HBAC AS
ALSO AVAILABLE
K
K
50
C
B
HBACut C More Refined AS Effortless Starting 7 Year Warranty †
TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY
O IU M L AW N M
R LA W N MOWE
S
L AW N M
ASK STAFF FOR DETAILS
EM
OW
W ER S
ER S
RE
100
£
PR
C
O
ON
ON
100
£
HBAC AS
K
HBAC AS
K
C
30 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon BA15 1JX. 01225 862236
Why not go Electric... Lawnmowers from £89.99 13”-18”
T&C’s Apply!
Model shown £159 RRP
* Terms & Conditions apply. Available only in-store at participating Honda Lawn & Garden Authorised Dealers until 31 July 2014. Cashback amount varies by model. £100 Cashback offer applies to selected HRX, HRH, and HRD models. £50 cashback offer applies to selected HRG and HRS models. Subject to availability. Model shown HRX476. Visit www.honda.co.uk/LGcashback for full details.
†
Domestic use only
4843 L&G_CashBack_POSTER_1000x700_aw.indd 1
20
PEQ-CBPOST-LG0214
Unit 7,aGreen Estate, Chapmandslade, Wiltshire BA13 4JJ. Ask memberFarm of staff Industrial for further details 01373 832965 | www.mendipmowers.co.uk 19/02/2014 17:07
Tell Advertisers you saw them in a local life
CULTURE
PLANT FAIR Sunday 4th MAY 2014 at
Great Chalfield Manor Melksham, SN12 8NH
Specialist Nurseries and Garden Sundries
LUNCH Hog Roast and Pimms Bar Soup, Cappuccino, Teas and Delicious Cakes 10.30am to 4pm £3 entry and children free Shortly after the opening of Bowood House & Gardens (for its 2014 season on Tuesday 1 April), Bowood House will provide the stage for a very special evening with Michael Morpurgo on Friday 25 April. Lord and Lady Lansdowne will be welcoming the acclaimed author and former Children’s Laureate as the Guest Speaker for a fund-raising dinner that will be held in aid of Michael and Clare Morpurgo’s charity, Farms for City Children (www.farmsforcitychildren. co.uk). It is only on very select occasions that the Lansdownes open their home for upscale, exclusive events such as this when Robert Adam’s Sculpture Gallery and Orangery will be the setting to entertain 100 guests. Appropriately, in the year commemorating 100 years since the start of the First World War, the subject of Michael Morpurgo’s talk will be ‘War Horse and the Pity of War: writing about the First World War’. Bowood House will be particularly fitting for the occasion as during the 1914-1918 war it became an auxiliary Red Cross Hospital (with 20 nurses tending to 54 patients), set up and run by the 5th Marchioness of Lansdowne.
Raising funds for Jamie’s Farm and Friends of Great Chalfield
Great Chalfield Manor will be hosting a Plant Fiar on Sunday 4th May 2014 from 10.30 to 4pm to raise funds for Jamie’s Farm and Friends of Great Chalfield who supports the Arts & Crafts Gardens. Great Chalfield is a beautiful medieval manor restored 1905-1912 and given to National Trust in 1943 by Robert Fuller. It is his grandson Robert Floyd’s home: Patsy, his wife, and Neil their gardener have replanted the Arts & Crafts orchards and gardens designed by Alfred Parsons RA. This is a perfect setting and time for plant hunting & buying in the forecourt next the church, outer courtyard and stable yard full of interesting stalls year after year. Jamies Farm provide excellent teas and a hog roast. Admission is £3 for adults (including Members of the National Trust) and children are free. Come and buy your plants and enjoy yourselves.
01225 782239 www.greatchalfield.co.uk www.jamiesfarm.org.uk
Indeed dinner guests will also have a chance to take in the Orangery’s special exhibition for 2014 which under the title of ‘For King and Country: Bowood and the First World War’ will reveal how the war personally affected the estate, its employees and the Lansdowne family. (This exhibition runs for the whole of the season, right through to Sunday 2 November).
For further details, call 01249 812102 www.bowood.org No 36 April/May 2014
21
ROMAN BATHS FEATURE HEADING
The Roman Baths Twilight Tour & Dinner Living in an area steeped with history you never seem to ever visit the attractions as a tourist would, so we went on a Twilight Tour & Dinner of the Roman Baths. We started with a audio guide and initially made our own way around the Baths and museum, and at 4.30 met our guide June, who then gave a very personalised tour giving a really different perspective. A few key facts that I just didn’t know was how vast the original complex was, over a football pitch in size and covered by a roof, and its eventual discovery and opening as you see it now dates from 1897. The various different developments in the history of the baths are explained in a fascinating and informative talk, which I think tourists and locals alike would find equally interesting. It’s especially atmospheric as dusk falls and you see the Baths without so many tourists, easier to imagine how it would have looked 2000 years ago. Your tour finishes around 5.30 when you can go directly for your meal, or anytime up to 8pm. The menu does not consist of dormice on sticks which was a 22
favourite dish of the day! but has a range of three courses on the dinner menu offering great value. The Roman Baths kitchen has come a long way from the cafe that used to be there, a far more contemporary experience. Our choices included in the Twilight deal were a classic Beetroot and Goats cheese salad, or Smoked Salmon with Horseradish cream, both of which were delicious, three courses for £20 was also exceptional value. Even with the Twilight deal you can pay the difference and go to the Grill menu which i decided to do opting for a steak, with my partner having the roast chicken. All beautifully prepared and served promptly, with a really friendly nothing too much trouble attitude. We washed this all down from a good choice of house wines.
£5. Or from the A la Carte menu Crab bisque with sesame prawn and pork toast and fennel emulsion for £7.95. Whether you go for the Tour deal or just enjoy Breakfast, Lunch or dinner its great value, goes beyond the service we normally expect and receive in a tourist area and couldn’t be more conveniently positioned being right in the centre of this most beautiful city of ours, and after a most interesting day certainly seen with fresh eyes! C&A
Various nights are also running throughout the year specially created by their head chef Sofiane Kaced, such as their classic French night five courses with wine at £49 per head. The five to Ten Menu as the name suggests is a range of starters for £5, Mains for £10 and desserts for
Tell Advertisers you saw them in a local life
ROMAN BATHS FEATURE
The Roman Baths Kitchen 11-12 Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LY 01225 477877
A Local Life Reader Offer A complimentary glass of prosecco
when booking a Twilight Tour & Dinner. Please present this voucher on arrival at The Roman Baths Kitchen. Valid until 3oth April 2014.
Booking details
Not in conjunction with any other offer. T&C’s Apply.
Please contact the Visitor Information Centre on: tourism@bathtourism.co.uk 0844 847 5256 www.visitbath.co.uk/twilighttour
0844 847 5256 ALLRBK01 www.visitbath.co.uk/twilighttour
A cut above the rest...
Collection designed and handmade by Lee Orton Design • Commissions • Workshop on premises • Wedding Rings Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10-5pm or by appointment! 6-7 Market Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LH.
Tel: 01225 309039
No 36 April/May 2014
www.ortonjewellery.co.uk 23
HOUSE & HOME
Carpets & Flooring by
BEN RULE
Carpets & Flooring by
The measure of Quality Flooring...
BEN RULE Carpets
•
Wood
01225 350386
•
Laminates
•
Vinyl • Karndean • Natural Flooring
www.carpetsbybenrule.co.uk
07875 701860
Midwinter Designs
Burbidge Electrical
was established in 1974, whether its a new socket or a full re wire, we go to great lengths to ensure you won’t have to worry about a thing, from the design stage through to the completion.
Hand made Curtains & Blinds
• • •
Part P registered Inspection and testing All aspects of Residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial electrics
• • •
Burglar Alarm & CCTV installations Fully insured Free no obligation quotes
01225 851323 Tel 01225 722011 or 07850 136537 www.burbidgeelectrical.co.uk 24
Church Cottage, Monkton Farleigh tricia@midwinterdesigns.co.uk
www.midwinterdesigns.co.uk
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
COMMUNITY NEWS The scheme will eventually extend from Holt Road in the east to Station Approach in the south - and include St Margaret’s Street, the area by Budgens and Knee’s Corner. The first phase covers all of Market Street. Shifting the priority from vehicles to pedestrians will act to calm traffic and make it less desirable to drive through the town. This may lead to a natural reduction in traffic flows – either through migration to other routes or alternative modes of transport. Although the stated purpose of the HCZ is not to reduce traffic levels or air pollution, Wiltshire Council’s environmental health people have been involved in the scheme from the outset – and planning measures to tackle air pollution caused by vehicle emissions are now being pursued by a special Air Quality Alliance. Also, a community group began work on ideas for reducing traffic at the same time as planning for the HCZ started, but it was unable to take actions forward. It is hoped that this can be revived.
Early artist’s impression of Historic Core Zone
£2.5M BOOST TO TOWN CENTRE The Historic Core Zone is a £2.5m+ project to transform the centre of Bradford on Avon. The proposals aim to make the town centre an altogether more pleasant place in which to walk, shop and mix with friends. There are five key benefits: •
a clearly identifiable zone that re-balances the relationship between vehicles and pedestrians
•
improved accessibility for pedestrians and the mobility-impaired, with wider pavements
•
a succession of defined crossings, making it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross wherever they need to do so
•
a substantial improvement to the character and appearance of the town centre, with unnecessary ‘signs and lines’ removed
•
a potentially significant economic dividend, making the town centre more attractive for shoppers and tourists alike.
The Historic Core Zone resulted from intensive public consultation in 2009-10, with 800 detailed replies received from a questionnaire distributed to 6,000+ homes. The overwhelming demand was to make the streets safer for pedestrians. Public meetings were held, further house-to-house consultation carried out and public approval given to the scheme. Similar plans have been introduced successfully across the UK and continent. It works. It’s safer. It tilts the balance in favour of pedestrians rather than cars and lorries. You can find out more by going to:
www.priorityforpeople.org (where you can see what residents thought of a slightly similar scheme in Poynton, Cheshire) or www.wiltshire.gov.uk/parkingtransportandstreets/boahistoriccorezone.htm
No 36 April/May 2014
25
HOUSE & HOME
new look for Knees
K
nees opens it’s doors to it’s new home on Friday 28th March at Spitfire Retail Park. Although sad that they have leftTrowbridge town centre, it enables the business to build on the 135 years, five generations of history and the oldest family owned department store in the west country. Whilst keeping the same values of quality and service, the changing face of retail means that they have to move with the times and look to strengthen and add value to their offering. Ian Vilder retail director and store manager Louise Smith have a vision to bring some new ideas and products, maximising the opportunity of a blank canvas. Improved systems, easy parking but with the same old fashioned service means that they have the opportunity to re-invent and bring in the changes. They have a new range of their own brand beds, made locally with an in-store sleep expert to advise on the best bed choice for you. A good bed is essential to your health and one of the main causes of back pain, it’s really one area you can’t afford to scrimp on. There’s a wide range of high quality linens including the finest Egyptian cotton, once you have experienced this luxury it’s difficult to go back.
Large range of bedding & linens including 200 and 400 thread count Egyptian Cotton.
The focus is on quality and value, including a wide collection of home appliances including Washing machines, Tumble Dryers, Dishwashers, Freezers, Refrigerators, Fridge Freezers, Microwaves, Cookers (Gas 26
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
HOUSE & HOME & Electric) & Range Cookers. They have many items in stock for quick delivery. They offer Installation & Removal services and have great, well trained staff on hand to guide you to that ideal product from manufacturers like Bosch, Zanussi, Beko, LG, Samsung, Hoover, AEG, Miele, Belling, Stoves & Lec with the dyson range and Kitchenaid mixers. In addition to these they have a great range of furnishings and dining products including Gplan & Sherborne with brand new lines being introduced shortly. Knees is still a truly independent local store offering its customers a unique experience in shopping for home and electricals and welcome new and old customers alike to a new era in their story.
KitchenAid mixers and food processors
Traditional service, quality and value guaranteed... Spitfire Retail Park, Trowbridge BA14 0AZ. 01225 754161 17 High Street, Malmesbury, SN16 9AA. 01666 823120
www.hjknee.co.uk
Martyn Wyatt Flooring Services supply and install carpets & flooring with a huge selection to suit every need and budget. Call Martyn to arrange a free appointment at your property. A FREE measuring and Quotation Service with No obligation
Tel: 01225 866442 Mobile: 07973 305125 Email: info@martynwyatt.co.uk
Expert fitting service Large range of flooring always available at excellent prices... CARPETS
•
VINYLS
•
LAMINATES
•
www.bathflooringandcarpets.co.uk
NATURAL & WOOD FLOORING
•
BESPOKE RUGS
•
RUNNERS
Martyn Wyatt Flooring Services, Little Potticks, 194 Haugh, Winsley, Bradford on Avon, Wilts BA15 2JD.
No 36 April/May 2014
27
HOUSE & HOME
Lighting Up Little Minds at Fitzmaurice Primary School Teachers, pupils and the community of Bradford on Avon have been busy helping to raise the £16,000 required to turn Fitzmaurice Primary in to one of 50 Solar Schools across the UK. The money raised will buy solar panels so that the school can reduce their carbon emissions and produce their own clean energy. Solar Schools is an initiative run by 10:10: an extensive network of people creating positive and practical ways of bringing together communities to tackle climate change. Solar Schools is in its second year and has already raised over £300,000. The school has used social media, word of mouth and created a user-friendly webpage to help with the fundraising. Down in the town however, Christine’s Sustainable Supermarket has been involving the community, in donations and working hard organizing an Auction of Promises. Prizes already include gifts from Elle Camp and Rosie Pollard at Jumble Jelly, signed
28
books from Jeremy Strong and ‘Chef for the Evening’ with Beth’s Bakes amongst many more. Christine, whose three children, Jess, Elly and Daniel attend Fitzmaurice, is determined to raise £10,000 by the end of the year and has been in touch with some local businesses and celebrities to see if they can get involved. If you can help in any way whether it is offering your services, time or some great fundraising ideas then please get in touch with the contacts below. Perhaps a date with Gavin Henson might raise a few pennies? Or an hour on the river with Ed McKeever? You can also donate on the webpage listed below. The Auction of Promises will be held on 27th June at St Margaret’s Hall in Bradford on Avon. As well as a wide variety of items to bid on, there will be food, music and children’s entertainment. Something for everyone and a great excuse to get together and raise money for a brighter, sustainable future for our schools. www.solarschools.org.uk/fitzmaurice/ Beth Al-Rikabi betharoosbakes@gmail.com
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
HOUSE & HOME
With nearly twenty years’ experience in the building trade, WPC has the all-round knowledge and skills to implement a thorough and professional job from inception to completion. From smaller repair jobs to complete extensions; all work is given the same attention to detail and quality the discerning client expects and deserves. Having worked as a subcontractor over the years for major developers on new builds, council projects (from schools to retirement homes) and MoD contracts, WPC’s work also includes smaller family businesses, extensions and renovations. More recent work combines landscaping projects, home improvements and maintenance and repair work in the local area. For advice or quotes call 01225 432985 or email wpage@gmx.com
WPC W PAGE CONSTRUCTION LTD BRADFORD ON AVON
No 36 April/May 2014
29
HOUSE & HOME
“When I had to move from my home of the past 24 years, I was panic stricken – I badly needed help and didn’t know where to start.” Specialists in helping older homeowners move Moving home at any age can be traumatic – but for older people some of the tasks involved can seem almost too difficult to contemplate. Wherever you move, at whatever stage in life, you’re creating a new home. It’s just that you might need a little more support than when you last moved. Bradford on Avon-based Tailormade Relocation offers a package of services designed to make moving day a pleasure, not a nightmare. Everything from planning the move itself to sorting and disposing of furniture and effects no longer wanted; from selecting the right removal company to arranging utilities and change of address cards; from managing moving day to helping you unpack and settle in.
... providing friendly and practical help from start to finish. You can find out more by calling Sara Milward-Oliver at TAILORMADE RELOCATION. Tel: 01225 868692 / 07968 213510 sara@tailormaderelocation.co.uk
www.tailormaderelocation.co.uk “How grateful I was that you bore the burden of my move. On moving day, I sat back and read a book at times! You even ensured I slept comfortably in my bed that night and that the sitting room was presentable for visitors the next day ...”
Tailormade Relocation has taken the stress out of moving home for a growing number of local people
WWW.BATHBESPOKE.CO.UK
30
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
Flooring | Wallpaper | Fabric | Furniture Bridge Street Bradford on Avon Wiltshire BA15 1BY
T: 01225 862320 Open: Monday - Friday (8.00-17.00) www.dibleandroy.co.uk
LEGAL
Common divorce myths
Here are some common misconceptions which often stop people from seeking legal advice when faced with divorce: 1. I can’t get a divorce - my spouse will never agree. Getting the process started is always a big hurdle to jump, and can seem overwhelming, but worrying that your spouse won’t agree should not deter you. In most cases both parties realise deep down that the marriage is not working and whilst your spouse can make things difficult and delay matters they can’t do so indefinitely. There is no law that forces couples to stay together in cases where one party truly believes that a marriage has broken down. 2. I can’t afford a divorce - it will cost us more than we have. Divorce is not cheap, but it is rarely unaffordable. Once your solicitor has a full picture of what is involved he or she should be able to give you an estimate as to how much legal work is likely to be needed and what your overall costs might be. If you have any
concerns over your costs then raise these with your solicitor straightaway so that you can find a way of working within your budget or arrange suitable alternative funding. That way you will avoid being left with huge unexpected costs at the end of the process which you are simply unable to pay. 3. Divorce solicitors always want to go to court - things will turn nasty. This is no longer true, although court process can lend structure where agreement cannot be reached. In fact, most cases are sorted out without anyone having to go to court. At Sharp Family Law we focus on helping clients to resolve conflict through constructive dispute resolution methods such as mediation, collaborative process or more traditional solicitor-assisted negotiations, our primary aim always being to help clients reach solutions that work for themselves and their families. If you have any queries about divorce and the likely costs, then please call Tina on 01225 448955 or 07788 211796.
Dedicated to producing resolution, not prolonging conflict.
SPECIALIST FAMILY LAW SOLICITORS IN BRADFORD ON AVON BATH
32
T 01225 448955 M 07788 211796
BRADFORD ON AVON
BRISTOL
sharpfamilylaw.com
INSURANCE ADVERTORIAL Keith has over 25 years’ insurance experience - from working with some of the biggest UK insurance companies to acting as a personal broker sorting out the intricacies of cover for individual businesses. Keith can help with your insurance completely free of charge because he receives a standard commission from all the insurance companies. So Keith can use his long experience and expertise to help with insurance for your buildings, contents, material damage, business interruption, goods in transit and many other types of cover. In fact, there are so many different types of insurance available, it’s hardly surprising people outside the industry find insurance so bewildering.
Assuring you... Need some help with your insurance? Would it help if an insurance expert called round at a convenient time, listened to what you needed, then went away and sorted it all out for you? And wouldn’t that be all the more appealing if the service was completely free?
Keith can visit you at work to discuss business insurance requirements. Even thinking about simple home insurance can be confusing. What’s the sum insured for your buildings? How do you calculate the level of contents?
To most people, insurance is really complicated. Who has time to wade through things like terms, conditions and endorsements? Many of us don't really know if they're properly insured or not. What they REALLY need is some free expert help.
Many people find Keith’s personal approach is a more effective way of arranging cover. It could well be cheaper too. Filling out insurance forms online might feel like you’re saving time… but do you really understand what you’ve bought? And if something bad does happen, are you SURE you will be covered?
That's where a friendly, knowledgeable local insurance expert can help. Experienced insurance professional Keith Svendsen recently set up a new insurance broking business called Prosure Insurance Services to help local families and businesses. Keith lives in Atworth with his wife, two sons and cat Oscar.
A local insurance broker like Keith gives you somebody to fall back on if accidents happen, rather than a faceless voice at a call centre. Why not have somebody local help you understand the options available and provide year-round advice at your convenience? And, don’t forget, it’s all free.
•
Local Insurance Broker specialising in all types of Business Insurance, Household and Landlords
•
Free visit & advice to all Business clients with a no obligation quotation
•
Friendly & approachable – customer service is our number 1 priority
•
Competitive rates – access to all leading UK Insurance Companies
Prosure Insurance Services is an Appointed Representative of Ten Insurance Services which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Telephone Keith on 01225 949639 161 Bath Road, Atworth, Wiltshire SN12 8JR.
www.prosureinsuranceservices.com No 36 April/May 2014
33
SHOPPING
Second Hand Rose & Roundabout
Second Hand Rose is an eclectic dress agency, offering fairly priced, top end high street labels such as Monsoon, Jigsaw, Oska, Boden, White Stuff, and designer labels. Fiona ensures that the clothing is always in great condition for her clients. What better way to find pre-owned or unwanted clothes at great prices. Always looking for more clothes on a 50-50 basis, easier than ebay to sell those un-wanted clothes & accessories. Roundabout specializes in the equivalent for infants to teenagers expanding this to the Bradford on Avon shop.
6a Silver Street , Bradford on Avon. 01225 867707 4 Prior Park Road, Widcombe, Bath. 01225 920583
Creative new courses now booking A Chair Affair - paint a chair and learn how to cover a drop-in seat Colour Recipes - the alchemy of colour-mixing, blending and painting for furniture Create a lamp - paint a stand and learn how to cover a traditional shade Mood-boarding - a day of interior design, working on a room you’d like to transform.
So come and see us and be inspired!
A sense of spring... Introducing our gorgeous candles and diffusers from the brand new Annie Sloan Fragrance range all inspired by regions of France that blend with the Chalkpaint™ colour palette.
27a&b Belvedere, Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 5HR.
01225 445855
34
www.themarmaladehouse.co.uk Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
2014 OPEN MORNINGS Saturday 17 May Saturday 27 September STONAR
Independent day and boarding school Nursery - Sixth Form Atworth Wiltshire www.stonarschool.com
Exceed Shine Belong No 36 April/May 2014
35
Food&drink CHURCH FARM MEATS Broughton Gifford, Wiltshire
Specialist Butchers & Farmers since 1860
Spring Lamb available for the perfect roast for the family... Ask your butcher about special cuts that could save you money! Planning a party? We provide Hog & Lamb Roasts throughout the year with all equipment and cook supplied. All the ingredients for the perfect Barbeque. For all your meats, including Turkey, Poultry, Beef, Lamb, Hams and Pork, Venison & Game. Farm assured and free range from our family run farm and butchers in Wiltshire. By selling direct to the public we can offer a premium Farm Assured meats at the best prices! You can be sure of getting 100% pure produce!
Opening Hours: Mon 9am-12 noon, Tues 8am - 4.30pm Weds 9am - 12 noon, Thurs 8am - 4.30pm Fri 8am-4.30pm, Sat 8am - 2pm, Sun 9am - 12 noon
36
Church Farm Meats Church Farm, The Street, Broughton Gifford, Melksham Wiltshire SN12 8PR.
T. 01225 783467 www.churchfarmmeats.co.uk
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
The Inn at Freshford will celebrate Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s 208th birthday on Saturday April 12 with its free family ‘Let Off Steam Beer Festival’. The pub owned by Box Steam Brewery will host antique steam engines, Holt Morris Men and Brunel impersonator and expert Mark Williamson.
Food&drink THE BELL on the COMMON Broughton Gifford The food is classic, affordable posh nosh, which is locally sourced and cooked on site by our new chef. Friday Steak night 2 steaks and a bottle of house wine for 2 people £30 Mon - Thurs 3 courses £21.95
Bar staff dressed in historic Victorian clothes will serve up traditional food from the Industrial revolution era, as well as a range of Brunel-inspired guest ales. The festival starts at midday and is free. Tickets for a special 4pm beer tasting session with Box Steam’s Head Brewer Tom Downes cost £10, include a Box Steam gift set and can be purchased in advance by calling 01225 722250.For more details follow @InnatFreshford on Twitter, or visit Facebook.com/theinnatfreshford.
The Hop Pole InnLimpley Stoke These days a traditional pub is somewhat of a rarity, so it was great news that the Hop Pole Inn was taken over recently after being closed before Christmas. Formerly a Monks retreat, this traditional 16th century coaching inn has character and charm together with a range of real ales in a relaxed atmosphere. There are two bars, the Avon Bar on the left mainly for diners and the Valley Bar on the right. There is a lovely large family friendly garden and dogs are welcome too. The Hop Pole has easy parking and is situated near to the canal, towpath and to Bradford and Bath. It
OpeN: Mon–Thurs: 11.30am-3pm, 5pm-11pm, Fri: 11.30–3pm, 5pm-12pm, Sat: 11.30am-12pm, Sun: 12–11pm
The Bell on the Common, Broughton Gifford, Melksham, SN12 8LY. 01225 783309 www.thebellonthecommon.co.uk
offers good traditional pub grub and always 3 real ales available.
Special Offers Tuesday Steak Night - 2 8oz steak meals for £20 Wednesday Burger and a Drink for £7.50 Choice of 4 burgers - chilli, beef, chicken and vegetable. Drinks included Carling, cider, ale, medium wine, coke or j2o. All bottles of house wine only £10 with local life voucher £8. Bar Open: Mon-Sat 12-3pm & 6-11.30pm, Sun 123pm & 6-11pm Food served: Mon-Sat 12-2.30pm & 6pm-9pm Sun 12- 2.30pm Full Menu (Not Sunday Roast)
Telephone 01225 722122
Woods Hill, Limpley Stoke, Nr. Bath BA2 7FS.
£8
Bottles of house wine only with this voucher! Until 30/4/14. T&C’s Apply: Only 1 voucher per household. ALL 01W
No 36 April/May 2014
37
Food&drink Launch of Bradford on Avon Local Food Map and Website
T
he Bradford on Avon Area Local Food Map and Website (www. boafood.co.uk) were officially launched at an event where the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Bradford on Avon were present to open the evening and to welcome the launch. The evening was organized by Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon and held at Cumberwell Park on 10th February. An audience of 120 listened to a talk by guest speaker, The Archers script writer and award-winning author, Graham Harvey on ‘Grazing to Save the Planet, and Us’. Graham talked about the great importance of grazed pasture, particularly if there are mixed species grasses with deep-rooting herbs, which enables soil to sequester large amounts of carbon into the soil (a natural carbon capture process in fact). Animal grazing improves the fertility, structure and water retentiveness of the soil. It is also crucial for maintaining the myriads of microorganisms which are at the base of the food chain on which wildlife and entire eco-systems depend. Graham described how both animal and human health are adversely affected by too much grain being fed to animals at the present time. Meat and
dairy products from animals that are mainly grass-fed have a better balance of nutrients. Research has shown organic milk to have higher levels of omega 3, bringing it into a healthier balance with omega 6, and Graham emphasized that it is particularly a better choice for children and pregnant women. Graham’s message was graphically illustrated during a film of Kingsclere Estate in Hampshire, where fourth generation farmer, Tim May, is changing the management of 2,500 acre estate from the entirely arable model of recent decades and returning it to a mixed farming, rotational model. The film showed a soil analyst standing in a deep hole that had been excavated in the middle of the grain growing plains and finding how top soil depth, structure
and micro-organisms were depleted by years of arable farming and applications of pesticides and herbicides. Tim also gave a talk and explained how he is reducing the use of these inputs and reintroducing mixed species grassland and livestock to the farm. The increase in fertility of the soil will lead to improved sustainability. The local wildlife trust and other experts will be monitoring the changes to the ecology of the soil and the wildlife on the farm over coming years. Mixed farming will also increase the number of people he will be employing and he is aiming towards the farm produce being sold more locally in the future. Please go to the websites and follow us on twitter for updates and information.
www.boafood.co.uk www.climatefriendlybradfordonavon.co.uk 38
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
Food&drink Duncan Hames MP signed up to support banana farmers at a Bradford on Avon’s Fairtrade Fortnight coffee morning on 8th March. Fairtrade supporters nationwide are petitioning the Coalition government to restrain all UK supermarkets from reducing banana farmers to poverty by undercutting each other to offer the lowest price for bananas. Bananas are the UK’s favourite fruit, and one third of those we buy are Fairtrade. The Fairtrade farmers get the Fairtrade minimum price and premium, so are much better off than workers on plantations whose wages and working conditions are truly appalling, but even the Fairtrade farmers are on the basic minimum price, enough to tide them over but no more. The campaign is called ‘Stick with Foncho’. Foncho is a Fairtrade banana farmer in Columbia, and like banana farmers worldwide he is suffering because of our supermarkets. Duncan Hames and millions of other Fairtrade supporters are sticking with Foncho. Go to www.fairtrade.org.uk to add your voice.
A Local Larder, Bradford on Avon & Beyond rated a success This trade show offered A Local Larder of produce for visiting buyers who ranged from village shops to hotel chefs. All appreciated the variety of products and the opportunity to meet the producers. Exhibitors said that having buyers coming to them with time to browse and hear the stories behind their products was useful. They also enjoyed networking with one another and the inspirational seminars.
“ ...more leads in one day than in six months” said one producer; “wonderful, being able to sample the products and chat to the producers” said a buyer; “more events” from almost everyone. The event was backed by Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon (CFB) and sponsored by the Town Council and Bradford on Avon Chamber of Commerce. These organisations appreciate the importance for the town: how the drive to make local food more accessible not only supports the marketing message that the town has great food on offer and cares about sustainability, but helps create resilience in the sectors involved to the benefit of all. Leigh Park Hotel, kindly offered the venue at a favourable rate.
A number of organisations gave in-kind support: Southern Solar, A Local Life, Fussels Fine Foods and Wiltshire Business Support Services. An enthusiastic group of volunteers also helped behind the scenes recruiting exhibitors, buyers and delivering the day. Behind the event were Ros Edwards of CFB’s Sustainable Food & Drink Group, local foodie and Councillor Magnus Macdonald and local food ambassador Sue Thomson of Wiltshire Farmers’ Markets. Contact: Sue Thomson 07791 798423 sue@boafood.co.uk 39
Food&drink
The Pear Tree - Whitley
I
’ve always loved the Pear Tree and when it was take over by Marco Pierre White and Wheelers nearly 3 years ago my expectations were obviously raised. That it was more of a fine dining offering. Like all restaurants that have a need not apply. famous owner I think the exYou can however order a dover pectations were that it was a sole with 24 hours notice. Other michelin star establishment. options are the breast of GressThe new concept at the Pear ingham duck and fillet of Severn & Tree is simply a steakhouse. Wye salmon, with various classics If you opt for a steak as I did, including Fried Haddock, Wheelers choosing the 8oz, instead of a Burger and Wiltshire Ham & eggs starter you’re given one of vari- all at £12.50. ous fresh salads to have on the Like everyone wanting that night house while you’re waiting, I out but are being careful, their Sunhad a lovely Puy Lentil with day supper is £19.50 per person inbacon and my steak arrived cluding half a bottle of wine, salad served with roasted vine tomastarter and sorbet to finish offering toes, pommes frites and sauce great value without doubt. bearnaise. The steak was perfectly cooked and cut like but- With summer on the way, the Pear ter, which shouldn’t be difficult Tree has been lovingly tended and the Garden this summer will be a but is often rare to achieve. delight in those long lazy afterThis is a carnivores dream, the noons and evenings. This is the real steak supplied by Royal Butcher Pimms O’clock destination. Donald Russel have awardwinning steaks, and you really There might be some of you which need to be at least a pescetar- have tried the Pear Tree in the past ian to truly make the most of but this is definitely the time to this temptation! Vegetarians re- visit. Marco Pierre-White could 40
be described as one of lifes more colourful characters, charismatic, but a serious perfectionist and has made great efforts to ensure that his name is only associated with the finer things in life and that’s how he treats his businesses but remember this is a pub with a great food offering not Mirabelles. As Marco says
“I am a restauranteur and Hotelier, I try to make sure that my exacting standards are carried out.” The Pear Tree Inn Top Lane, Whitley, Melksham Wiltshire SN12 8QX 01225 709131 www.wheelerspeartree.com
Tell advertisers that you saw them in a local life.
Food&drink
3 years ago in May, Merkins Cafe opened its doors. Hayley and Jon saw that they could add to their Camping business with a Cafe. Due to the success of the business they have recently added a further 18 seats with Bertha, a caravan themed room, created using vintage furniture and fabrics, and pictured opposite.
seating makes Merkins a great destination to meet friends, bring the family, even walk the dog! The cosy log burner will stave off any bad British weather. Open Tuesday – Sunday 9– 4pm
The Café serves the Chefs homemade daily specials, such as quiche, pies and soups, delicious cooked breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas and mouth-watering homemade cakes.
CAFE 01225 865249 www.merkinsfarm.com
With summer coming the glorious views and extra
Bradford Leigh, Bradford-On-Avon, BA15 2RW.
Cumberwell Park Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire BA15 2PQ 01225 863322 www.cumberwellpark.com
41
advertisers you saw them in in a local lifelife. Telltell advertisers that you saw them a local
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in relaxed surroundings, with spectacular views over the Wiltshire countryside. A warm welcome awaits.
41
Food&drink
T
This year the Brownsword Hotel group is celebrating twenty years since the purchase of The Bath Priory. The Brownsword Hotel group is owned by Andrew and Christina Sam started his career at 16, Brownsword who boast a portfoworking part-time in a local lio of twelve luxury properties in hotel, before moving on to Ock- country and city locations. enden Manor Hotel under the February saw the official opendirection of Head Chef Steve ing of The Pantry, located within Crane. The desire to expand his the iconic Bath Priory hotel, and knowledge then took Sam to the tucked away in a tranquil corner famous two Michelin starred of the city. From a ‘Classic BLT’ , Gidleigh Park, where for 4 years a slightly elevated ‘Fish Finger’ he learned the finer points of Sandwich, a steak or The Pantry’s what makes great food. When Potted Shrimp, every palate is caMichael Caines MBE, Executive tered for. Diners can complement Head Chef at Gidleigh Park also the fare with local ciders, ale and took over the kitchens at The cosmopolitan cocktails. Bath Priory in 2009, he appointWhat influences you about your ed Sam as his Sous Chef. After food & ingredients? progressing to Executive Head Chef, Sam was awarded with a “My priority is quality! We use Michelin star in 2012 and more local suppliers who source the recently in 2013, was awarded best possible produce for us. I look Hotel Chef of the Year at the locally to start with but disagree with sourcing policies that limit Hotel Cateys Awards. his month we interview Sam Moody from the Priory Hotel in Bath and get a recipe to boot; his Crispy salt monkfish.
42
you to say 25 miles; it’s just not possible to do that when you have to consistently feed the numbers we do. We are lucky in the area with the produce available. I think you have to be honest about your produce. I get pretty much all my game from Salisbury Plain which is a great resource on our doorstep.” How do you come up with recipes? “I want the team behind the food, so we think about what we all want to cook, what’s in season, then go from there really, you can’t force it. It’s import that our food is not complicated, over thought or over worked. When we have idea of the dish we cook it, taste it, cook it again, and again…. Then work on finesse and the refinement, sometimes it goes on the menu straight away, sometimes it goes to the back of my mind to re appear a year or 2 later. Fundamentally all that matters is flavour and balance.”
Tell advertisers that you saw them in a local life.
Food&drink Would you like to do television or a book? “I enjoy my work at The Priory - I don’t want to be another celebrity chef. Television sells tables but I would like to do something if it was interesting and told a story. If and when I have time to put my mind to writing a book, I would like to do that. I do have a recipe in Relish South West.” What do you like to do outside and gardens or a 12-course tasting of work? menu; we offer something for eve“The Priory consumes most of my ryone. It’s a very accessible hotel time but when I can I love carp and if you’re in Bath we are away fishing just for relaxation, not for from the crowds. the table. I love eating out and do I love food, and everything about so wherever I am: here, London or it. I love cooking it, eating it and elsewhere. I love some local ales watching it grow. It all fascinates from Abbey Ales, Bristol Beer Com- me. And, the more I cook and learn, pany, and one called Wiper & True.” the more I realise that food should
lasting. It is about balance. The mayonnaise is there to remind you that it is a curry you are eating. The compote brings your palate to life with its natural sweet acidity. And the monk is there bringing it all together, and asking you to take another mouthful. It is moreish…
Guilty Secrets - so what do you be simple. It is about basics. Buy The monk could happily be relike to eat after a long service good produce because nature has placed by ling, dogfish or coley. done the hard work for us. or when you are off? Salt all your fish. Salt changes it “I have a bit of a weakness for a I want to look at the food leaving and it firms it up and seasons it well known brand of takeaway the pass and think “I want to eat to its core. Use great tomatoes: pizza, I think people can guess that.” So that is what we do at The ripe, dark red and full of flaBath Priory. We cook food that we vour. And ensure your spices are which one.” fresh… all want to eat.” What about The future? “I currently have no plans, but I’ll Sam now introduces his recipe Enjoy see what happens. It’s an exciting overleaf for Crispy salt monkfish. Sam time for the restaurant and the hotel with The Pantry having been launched. It offers a wonderful space and casual eating. Whether it’s a weekend away enjoy the spa
It’s a wonderfully simple and versatile dish. It almost catches peo- The Bath Priory, Weston Road, ple off guard. It is approachable Bath, BA1 2XT. 01225 331922 and familiar, yet when eaten, the www.thebathpriory.co.uk delicate flavours are complex and
WIN
a signed copy of Relish South West including recipes from Sam Moody & Michael Caines.
Go to www.alocallife.co.uk/competitions To order these and other titles in the collection:
www.relishpublications.co.uk To advertise call 01225 866566
alocallife.co.uk
43
Food&drink
Crispy salt monkfish Sam Moody of The Bath Priory The fish
Tomato Compote
Curry Mayonnaise
As a starter allow 45g of fish per portion after salting. 1 kg tail would give you about 8 portions….
This gets better with age, it’s at its best after 3 days.
100g non scented oil 10g Curry powder 2 yolks ½ tsp Dijon mustard 1 lime juice
500g peeled, seeded, chopped tomatoes Prep your monk, removing 4g of each cardamom, coriander, all skin and the central bone. cumin Season well with fine salt and 1 lime zest and juice refrigerate for 1 hr, wash off in 2 shallots, fine chop cold running water, dry on tissue 4 cloves garlic, puréed paper and portion onto a cling 1 chilli finally chopped filmed tray. 50g olive oil
Spiced tempura
50g plain flour 50g corn flour 150g iced cold water sparkling 3g curry powder, 3g tumric, 3g salt Sift the flour, spice and salt together; add water mix gently until combined 1. 2. 3. 4.
44
Remove the fish from the fridge and allow to stand for 20 minute, bring it up to room temp Lightly flour and dust off excess Drop into the batter, coat, remove with folk, and deep-fry at 180c until golden and crisp Dry on a little tissue paper, serve
1. Bring the oil and the curry powder to 120c, infuse and allow to cool 2. Make a mayonnaise 3. Season with salt
1. Toast the spices grind and sieve 2.
Heat a heavy based pan, sweat the shallots in the olive oil, then add the spices cook for 5 minutes
3. Add the chilli followed by the tomatoes 4. Cook over a gentle heat for 1hr or until the dried out, add the lime 5. To finish adjust acid with sugar and Xeres (Sherry) vinegar
tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
HEALTH & FITNESS
Play golf on excellent greens all year round at Bowood
5 day joint membership from only £999 with NO JOINING FEE Please enquire for a full list of Bowood membership categories and prices or visit www.bowood.org. For more information or to join telephone 01249 823881 and quote ‘A Local Life’, email golfmembership@bowood.org or visit www.bowood.org. Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resor t, Derry Hill, Calne, Wilts, SN11 9PQ.
No 36 April/May 2014
45
HEALTH & FITNESS Meet other ‘Mums to be’ and learn simple, effective techniques to help relieve some of the common discomforts of pregnancy. The class is suitable for both experienced and those new to Yoga, and for all stages of pregnancy from 14 wks. Taught by Julie Ngama, who has more than 20 years experience of teaching Yoga.
New Yoga for Pregnancy Class Spring sees a brand new Yoga for Pregnancy Class, starting in Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge. A gentle, supportive class, it will provide a safe, nurturing environment, in which to enjoy your pregnancy and prepare both body and mind for birth and beyond. Breathe, relax and safely stretch the body, strengthening and improving posture for greater ease and comfort throughout pregnancy, and a more positive, empowering birth experience.
46
Julie also teaches General classes in the area and Gentle Therapeutic sessions for people with particular health concerns. She is also a practitioner of Traditional Thai Yoga Massage. If you think you could benefit from Yoga, whether for Pregnancy, back ache or simply for general wellbeing, please contact Julie: Tel: 01225 766704
Mob: 07867 117413
Email: yoganama@hotmail.co.uk
“Enjoy a more comfortable pregnancy, and prepare both body and mind for birth and beyond”
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
HEALTH & FITNESS
Making Headway:
gaining confidence, getting rid of phobias and controlling anxiety or stress.
Hypnotherapy & NLP in Bradford on Avon
Stress is one of the major factors involved in many illnesses and stress reduction tends to form a large part of my work with clients.
Hypnotherapy has a long history and was successfully used by medical practitioners before the advent of modern anaesthetics. Well known psychologists and psychiatrists such as Sigmund Freud even trained in Hypnotherapy and this tradition continues today. Hypnotherapy uses a natural state of relaxation to make lasting changes to behaviour or thought patterns. My clients come to me for a diverse mixture of reasons but some of the more common ones are sleep disturbance, stopping smoking, pain management,
a helping hand to blossom... • NutritioNal therapy • emotioNal Freedom techNique (eFt) • reiki healiNg
margaret cavanna
Ba, dNN, mFNtp, maamet
01373 229923 or 07711 420728 BradFord oN avoN & WestBury
Reach over 25,000 readers
In working with my clients I take an individual approach, each person is different and as such has different needs and goals. I work with my clients to help them learn relaxation skills which they can use at any time so that the benefits of their therapy can continue between and after sessions. Learning to deeply relax is an enjoyable and useful ability.
“I have listened to Kerry’s disc each day and have subsequently had a really good night’s sleep...” Free CD’s given to all clients. Kerry Sturrock hypnotherapy@makingheadway.co.uk 07968 365228
www.makingheadway.co.uk
Appointments at Dixon Health Bradford on Avon.
Therapeutic Yoga
Classes are ideal for people with a health condition who need to take their practice slowly, as well as beginners or anyone seeking a more relaxed pace of yoga. Bradford on Avon (Quaker Meeting House) on Mondays 1.15pm-2.30pm Trowbridge (Bridge House) on Tuesdays at 6.15 -7.30pm
One to One Yoga Therapy appointments are also available. Please contact Helen on 07904 904190
www.therapeuticyogahelen.co.uk
From only £20 per month you can have an advert here! Contact:
sales@alocallife.co.uk or call 01225 866566 No 36 April/May 2014
47
HEALTH & FITNESS
Bike Bath 2014 builds momentum
T
Whilst starting and finishing in Bath, residents in Bradford on Avon can expect to see 100’s of cyclists passing through the town on the Saturday as the final feed station on the longer routes is at the Moulton bicycle factory. Steve Harvey from the historic bike builder supported the event in 2013 and felt the involvement was hugely The event has been designed to beneficial for his business. work for riders of all ages and The event will again feature the levels of experience and Charles best that the region has to offer Stanley Direct, the title sponsors and Katie Robbins from Bike Bath are delighted that the event is aim- is really grateful for the support ing to attract 1500 riders this year. shown by local businesses and As Rob Hudson said “To see na- our food and drink producers who tional businesses, local businesses, have an opportunity to showcase charities, local clubs and groups of their products at the various feed friends entering is great news and stations. As Katie said “We have a in some cases coming from outside number of ways that local businessthe region, staying overnight and es can become involved and our obcycling has to be a great boost for jective is simply to help them raise the economy of the local area and their profile in a different way to an we are delighted to be involved for audience who do not all come from the local area. We have 4 months to a 3rd year”. help those businesses get the most from their involvement and are happy to explore imaginative ways of doing that.” he team at Bike Bath are encouraged by the growing interest in their event given that the wet winter has hardly been ideal cycling conditions. The event will enter its 3rd year this June and with the Tour De France arriving in the UK in July the appetite for all things cycling looks set to continue.
Kate Jones of Sustrans said, “We are thrilled to be involved with Bike Bath again after a fantastic event last year. With £1 donated to Sustrans for every rider who signs up it promises to be a great weekend and will help support the National Cycle Network.” A number of charities have committed to entering fundraising teams and Sam Davies of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust who has entered a team of 30 riders said “We are really excited to be taking part in Bike Bath, which is a welcome addition to our events programme. We are inviting people to join our cycling team and help us continue the fight against cystic fibrosis.” The event will again follow routes of 20, 30, 60 and 100 miles over the 2 days and full details can be found on the Bike Bath website www.bikebath.co.uk. Riders under 16 can ride for free.
Stakeholders including Sustrans, British Cycling, Cyclescheme and a number of local and national charities are helping to give the weekend a national profile. 48
Tell Advertisers you saw them in a local life
HEALTH & FITNESS
The Perfect Driving Range
B
ack in the Spring of 2013, Kingsdown's newly constructed driving range was opened by local sportswoman Stephanie Millward, the Paralympian Swimmer who won five medals in London 2012. Spending upwards of £100,000 on the facility, Kingsdown made every effort to ensure that what they got was the perfect driving range. Those who use ranges regularly will know what this means; quality range balls, an inclined landing area so that the ball's landing point can be easily seen, a wide expanse
to hit into and a distance in excess of 325 yards. The feedback has been dripping with superlatives; "fantastic", "first class", "an outstanding facility". Kingsdown's Driving Range is open to both members and nonmembers and those who intend to use the range regularly can benefit from huge discounts by bulk-buying range tokens. Tokens are sold from the Club's Professional Shop and the Club's Professional Staff are able to offer lessons in a private teaching bay within the range if desired.
... a distance in excess of 325 yards. The feedback has been dripping with superlatives; “fantastic”,“first class”, “an outstanding facility”. For more details on using Kingsdown's Driving Range, please call the Professional Shop on 01225 743472, email (secretary@ kingsdowngolfclub.co.uk) or just call in.
Why not tell people what’s on in a local life
49
HEALTH & FITNESS
Putting your feet first Verruca treatment • Ingrowing toenails Nail trimming • Hard skin & Corn removal Fungal Infections Diabetic foot care & advice Bradford on Avon - Dixon Health, Kingston Rd 01225 862140 Corsham - Jet Set,19 Lypiatt Rd, Corsham 01249 712339 Devizes - Wharfside, Couch Lane 01380 729103 Blagdon - Body and Soul, High Street 01761 462078 DipCFHP, MPSPract VRFHP
Certification Mark
Fred R Oviatt
Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation for Women & Men Treatments Include: Line reducing treatments • Dermal Fillers Dermaroller • Sculptra
•
Hyperhydrosis for excessive perspiration Mesotherapy for skin rejuvenation and localised fat reduction Sclerotherapy for legs IPL/ Laser : hair removal, Skin rejuvenation, Facial thread veins, Hyperpigmentation Obagi ZO skin care Shireen needle free skin hydration and line reduction
01275 795058 - 07780 000867
Clinics in Bath, Bristol, Swindon, Marlborough.
fred.oviatt@hotmail.com
07832 210976 sharon.savage@hotmail.co.uk
www.fitfootfoundation.co.uk
www.makingupfaces.co.uk
Currently the club, with the help of WYPOF, has placed 18 indoor rowing machines in 3 West Wiltshire schools and has a base in Staverton. 7500 pupils are at secondary school within 3 miles of the centre. The club is looking to open centres in Chippenham, Devizes, Wootton Basset and Salisbury.
Wiltshire Scullers Wiltshire Scullers, a registered charity, is a rowing and sculling club aimed mainly at young people though all age groups are welcome. The club’s long term aim is to have bases throughout Wiltshire to enable the 40,000 young people in the county to have access to the sport of rowing. Currently less than a 100 people row in Wiltshire - the club would like to see this increase by at least tenfold. 50
Rowing is an unusual sport, which pushes personal limits and rewards both dedicated individuals and commited team players. Allowing access to the countryside from towns, rowing is appealing to top universities worldwide with some surprising scholarship opportunities available. The club races yearly at Turin and has already medalled at the British National Rowing Championships despite being in just its fourth year. So if young and interested, or not so young but wanting to put something back in to the sport through your time or sponsorship then we would be pleased to hear from you. For more information, please contact Donal Casey on wiltshirescullers@gmail.com
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
HEALTH & FITNESS Girls Cricket - We’ve received growing interest from a number of girls wanting to learn to play cricket and this is really encouraging. At the moment our girls happily train alongside the boys but our long term aim is that the girls could be offered their own specific sessions. Therefore we’re looking to recruit more coaches, either qualified or willing to learn, to help us develop girls cricket further. We would particularly be glad to hear from any females wishing to become coaches. Key dates
Bradford on Avon Cricket Club – 2014 Youth Expansion Plans Bradford on Avon Cricket Club youth section are just about to embark upon its second summer of providing cricket coaching and games for local boys and girls since its re-launch in 2013. In the last year, the Club attracted 50 young players of Primary School age, secured Dutch Barton Dental Practice as our Youth sponsor on a 3 year deal and also achieved the coveted ECB Clubmark accreditation. New for 2014 Under 7s - In recognition of the growing number of younger members coming along with their older siblings, the Club has created a ‘Bradford Minis’ group aimed at boys and girls in the under 7s age group (Reception to yr 2). The Minis will receive an hour of coaching each Friday evening. The Club was awarded a BoA Area Board grant to help set up the group by training an ECB qualified coach and to purchase some skills based cricket equipment.
Friday 11th April – Outdoor Coaching Starts (6 to 7:30pm) at Culver Close down Pound Lane. Contact Info: Please contact Paul Vooght, an ECB Level 3 Coach on pandkvooght@sky.com. Further details can be obtained through the club website
www.bradfordonavoncricketclub.hitscricket.com We also run two twitter feeds @BoACricketClub and @BoAYouthCricket.
The Sports Room 30a Silver Street, Bradford on Avon BA15 1JX
Suppliers of Team Kit and Equipment for all sports including: Football, Rugby, Netball, Basketball, Hockey, Cricket, Badminton, Tennis & Table Tennis.
Under 13s - This year the Club will be including an under 13 age group (yrs 7 & 8) to retain its former under 11s who have now graduated to the next age group. We have received tremendous financial support from the Lord Fitzmaurice Educational Foundation, the Colonel William Llewellen Palmer Educational Charity and through the Wiltshire Council Sports Stars initiative to cover the cost of training three new volunteer UKCC2 cricket coaches and to run a 10 week indoor coaching programme. Fixtures - The under 11s and 13s age groups will play midweek fixtures in the Bath & District Youth Cricket League and the under 9s will play in Wiltshire Youth Cricket League kwik cricket festivals on Sunday mornings.
Leisurewear Schoolwear Workwear Embroidery T Shirt Printing Trophies Sports Bags Trampolines Promotional Items
01225 864044
dswilts@aol.com
www.wiltshire-embroidery.co.uk www.the-sports-room.co.uk
No 36 April/May 2014
51
MOTORING
Fifty years roll by....
M
elksham Tyre Supplies are celebratring 50 years in business, and one of their lucky customers will be celebrating with the prize of a brand new car.
Melksham Tyre Supplies are now the longest established supplier of tyres in Melksham and the surrounding area. They offer a personal, reliable and friendly service. Their staff are highly experienced, In the early 1960s, Colin Love with the knowledge to tackle any worked in the service department enquiry with a honest and profesfor Avon Tyres. Avon rubber has a sional approach. long history with the area start- With three drive-in bays and a ing over a century ago in Wiltshire stock of over 1200 tyres, from near a derelict cloth mill, known as budget to premium, they serve Avon Mill, on the banks of the River customers from around the local Avon at Limpley Stoke in 1885. area, including Bradford-on-Avon, He saw the need for a retail Bath, Chippenham, Devizes, Trowpremises to sell the local manufac- bridge, Westbury, Corsham, Calne turer’s tyres, so in 1964 he took the and Atworth. They have strong leap to start his own business, and links with Cooper and Avon Tyres, Melksham Tyre Supplies was born. and can source a huge range of tyres —from Fiesta to Ferrari—with Colin’s son James took over the same-day availability. day-to-day running of the business 16 years ago. James’s mum This year will see them add anothdoes the accounts and Colin still er bay and employ a further fitter. works three days a week, very It’s good to see a local independmuch enjoying the interaction ent business do so well, especially with customers. This really is a after the economic conditions of the past few years. family business!
52
The prize draw for the Peugeot 107 is part of the celebrations for their 50th anniversary, and a way to give something back to their loyal customers. Anyone buying two Avon Tyres before June 30th will be entered into the draw, for a chance to win the car.
“...one of their lucky customers will be celebrating with the prize of a brand new car.” Open: Weekdays: 8:30am to 5:30pm Saturday: 8:30am to 12 noon Station Approach, Bath Road, Melksham SN12 8BN. 01225 703529 www.melkshamtyres.co.uk
Tell Advertisers you saw them in a local life
This is a concise guide on how to go about raising children without a practice run. We need to be prepared, skilled, fairly relaxed and handle this task effectively. This booklet is easy to read and will provide you with the tools and confidence to make this journey smooth and not too stressful. It consists of the building blocks to help a child become a well functioning citizen. A healthy diet and mind is at the core. Although each parent has a different approach to bringing up children, the key elements of care, love, consistency and respect can ensure that your child gets the best start in life.
Photo: © David Moreton
Contact: Susanne at pruimbos@hotmail.com
Look! They’re back! They’ve made it again, which means the globe’s still working... Towards the end of April people all over Bradford on Avon will be listening and watching for the arrival of the swifts, those screaming black silhouettes scything through the air above our town, and echoing the words of poet Ted Hughes. Swifts are remarkable birds. They travel thousands 54
of miles - battling the elements and crossing oceans before settling down to nest under tiles and in the crevices provided by the old roofs in our town. They make the epic round trip to Africa yearly - over their lifetime flying 2 million miles, the equivalent of 4 round trips to the moon. They eat, sleep and even mate on the wing. An amber listed species in the UK (meaning numbers are in decline), in recent years they have found it increasingly difficult to find nest space. A survey over the last 17 years has shown that in Bradford on Avon too, numbers are decreasing. Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon has recently formed a group concentrating on action to protect and encourage swifts. They have just received a grant of £500 from Link2Nature and are delighted that this will immediately be put to good use in installing three swift boxes in the new development by local builders DAJAM, next to the health centre. If you are interested in finding out more or think you may have swifts nesting in your roof, please email climatechampions@gmail.com or ring 07507 782523 and for more information on these amazing birds see www.swift-conservation.org.
Kennel Break corporate fundraiser Back by popular demand, Bath Cats and Dogs Home is organising another Kennel Break challenge in which animal-loving professionals from the local business community will trade places with the home’s fourlegged residents and experience first-hand what it’s like to spend time behind bars. On Friday 13th June, 20 like-minded business professionals from the Bath and Bristol business community will trade places with just some of the dogs from
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
Photo: © Inger Lund
COMMUNITY NEWS
PETS PLACE
Bath Cats and Dogs Home. With only a mobile phone and a laptop, these lucky ‘inmates’ will put their influencing and negotiating skills to the ultimate test and raise £1,000 each before being released. The quicker they raise this money the quicker they will be handed their ‘get out of jail’ card. Bath Cats and Dogs Home The Avenue, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AZ. 01225 787321 www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk Open every day from 11am to 4pm.
No 36 April/May 2014
55
DIRECTORY
Directory Charities & Organisations Lions Club Bradford on Avon Meet 3rd Wednesday of month at Cumberwell Park Golf Club 0845 833 9513 Rotary Club Bradford on Avon Leigh Park Hotel- Mondays 7.30pm. A meal followed by a speaker or a bit of business. 01225 865633
Trades PJA Plumbing & Tiling ‘From a dripping tap to a full bathroom refurbishment!’ Tel: 01225 430505 Mob: 07825 647770 Web: www.pjaplumber.co.uk
32 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1JX tel: 01225 868877 web: www.formosakitchens.co.uk
S&J CONTRACTING
A FRIENDLY RELIABLE SERVICE FOR ALL YOUR FENCING SOLUTIONS. NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL.
Reach over 25,000 readers From only £20 per month sales@alocallife.co.uk 01225 866566
Call 01225 663321 orAvon, 07824 886027 5 The Shambles, Bradford on Wiltshire, BA15 1JS tel: 01225 309110 web: www.bathroomsatno5.co.uk
HedGe & tree Care
HanGinG baskets & Containers
One-off tidy up or regular maintenance Call Mel or Jacky 07745 898902 or 07813 579212
www.poppiesandparsnips.co.uk
TAXIS
01225 86 22 77 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Email: bradfordonavontaxis@btconnect.com
www.bradfordonavontaxis.com
Burbidge Electrical Part P registered • Inspection & testing All aspects of Residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial electrics Burglar Alarm & CCTV installations Fully insured • Free no obligation quotes
Tel 01225 722011 or 07850 136537 www.burbidgeelectrical.co.uk 56
n
Fruit & veGetables
vo
Garden Makeover & desiGn
ord-on-A f d
Bra
Gardening Services
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
NICK RILEY
Quick Logs
Independent Funeral Celebrant & Pre-Paid Funeral Planning Advisor
Suppliers of quality firewood and more to Bradford on Avon and surrounding areas
‘For your loved ones, no financial burden, For you, total peace of mind’ For confidential Service & Advice call
Tel: 01225 862819 Mob: 07593 122865
Email: nick.riley6@btinternet.com
FAst, Friendly, reliABle service Coffin’s Clocks - Tel: 07745Clocks 410 620 Coffin’s www.coffinsclocks.co.uk - coffinsclocks@gmail.com 07745 410620 Lays Farm Bus. Centre, Charlton Rd, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2SE
call chris Clocks Repairs & Servicing. coffinsclocks@gmail.com All types of clocks from domestic carriage, bracket, wall & longcase clocks to publc tower clocks, church clocks & more Clock Repairs & Servicing. 07855 945424 All types of clock from domestic carriage, or 01225 865472
bracket, wall and longcase clocks to public tower clocks, church clocks and more.
www.QuicklOGs.co.uk
w w w. c o f f i n s c l o c k s . c o. u k Lays Farm Business Centre, Charlton Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2SE
Done & Dusted
f
Wiltshire Ltd.
A B
Local and Professional
Woodwork & Carpentry
Domestic and Commercial Cleaning Fully insured and reasonably priced house cleaning, ironing, carpet and oven cleaning service.
www.doneanddustedwiltshireltd.com
wendy.beard@blueyonder.co.uk
Kitchens | Doors | Fencing Bespoke space-saving solutions
Adie Baker 07747 694342 | 01225 868386 adie-baker-quarter-page.indd 1
05/11/2013 13:37
Call us on
01225 341965 07973 987851 We look forward to hearing from you, whatever your requirements.
BOOK REVIEW
Prize-winning Novel from Bristol Nurse and Graduate of Bath Spa University’s Creative Writing MA Although Nathan Filer’s Costa Prize-winning The Shock of the Fall (Harper Collins, 2013) is by no means a Mystery “Thriller” (rather, it has its fictional feet set in the Bristol of the 21st Century, and is about Matthew, the “client” of a Community Health Care Team), it allows its readers to experience something of a chase, or a pursuit, as part of a kind of clue-solving Quest. I wouldn’t want to push the comparison too much further than that: after all, the object of the Quest is – in one sense – the diagnosis of a mental malady: an illness whose invisible progression is , we are told, rather a slithering one, like a snake’s – a creature which will hiss at you and may well give you hallucinations, as well as bringing uninvited voices into the inside of your head. And it remains incurable, if treatable – in this rather extraordinary fictional version, of Schizophrenia. Perhaps the real strength of the novel is that it gives the reader plenty of scope to bring their own lifeexperiences – and imaginations – into some kind of alignment with Matthew’s precarious inner world. And perhaps that is one criterion for judging how a book may genuinely deepen our own awareness, while also entertaining us. The fragile nature of Matthew’s journey towards understanding of a disease he knows (better than anyone else) is “selfish”, is made curiously visible to the reader via this novel’s experimental use of different typefaces. One part of the narrative is delivered to us as a result of a quite chance gift, if a blessed one, of an old-fashioned, hand-driven, typewriter, complete with clashing keys! And it is rather nice (that’s one of Matthew’s favourite words) to be reminded of the important role of such “chance” arrivals in our lives. 58
Matthew’s typewriter seems to offer him more of a passport to inner freedom than does the PC he’s allowed to use at the Health Centre. Even with its clunky appearance, it seems to be used to take us to places of the very earliest, most significant, of his memories: to a place involving family holiday, the burial of a doll, and the disastrous death of Matthew’s brother, Simon. This is also, inevitably, the beginning of silences and family trauma. The typewriter may be one of several “things” (like Simon’s Comfort Blanket) which might almost be labelled as “transitional” objects: these are things that can make a whole “world” spring into life – a way of bringing about a not-quite-complete story, or an elusive emotion that can still be shared. “Hallucinate this…” says (or, rather, types, Matthew) as he invites his readers into his cluttered, and not especially clean, Council Flat.
“ The Shock of the Fall (Harper Collins, 2013) is by no means a Mystery “Thriller” (rather, it has its fictional feet set in the Bristol of the 21st Century...” The moment where Matthew seems to come closest to a reconnection with the reality of Simon’s death – a cliff-top, the place of fictions, but also where he is finding contact with emotions that can’t be only “the stuff of fiction” – is also a moment where his typed words start to fade away, literally, on the page we are reading. It’s an extraordinary gesture from a writer who seems to know about the intransigent realities of his subject’s suffering. There is a kind of desperate beauty, here, in a moment of unexpectedness, where, for once, time no longer “falls through [Matthew’s] fingers”. But it is also a moment offered to us by a writer who has refused convenient resolutions or any such remedies as will stay forever unavailable to the “Matthews” of the real Bristol, and, indeed, of its beleaguered NHS.
Colin Edwards
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
What would you like to do today? Do you like indoor bowls? Arts and crafts perhaps? How about cookery, yoga, gin rummy, or even belly dancing? These are just some of the recent things we have been doing at Wiltshire Heights with our residents. A fun and interesting programme of activities, hobbies and entertainment is not just an afterthought either. We have a manager dedicated to ensuring every day is filled with interest, laughter and even a little challenge! If that's not for you, a quiet read in our library or surfing the internet with your grandchildren in your room may be more your thing; which is fine with us. Add to this our beautiful rooms, restaurant quality food and wine, as well as our reputation for exceptional care and friendly attitude, and you have what we think is a great place to live. We’re pretty sure you’ll like Wiltshire Heights Care Home. But you don’t have to take our word for it, you’re welcome to visit us for tea or coffee anytime. Please call 01225 435582 and arrange your visit with Selvie Naidoo, our Home Manager. Residential, Nursing, Dementia, Respite & Convalescent care � Tailored activities and dedicated activities room � Private ensuite bedrooms � Expert care staff � Restaurants, private dining room and excellent menu of food � Landscaped gardens
Wiltshire Heights Care Home 16 Cottle Avenue, off Berryfield Rd, Bradford on Avon Wiltshire BA15 1TA (Sat Navs: BA15 1ST)
Tel: 01225 435582 www.porthaven.co.uk/bradford-on-avon
No 36 April/May 2014
You’ll like us! 59
CONTACTS
Deadline for Next Issue Adverts: 9th
May 2014
Community & Editorial: 5th May 2014
PUZZLE
SOLUTIONS
N U
T
S R
O
A
G
I
R
T
A
L
R
A
D
Y
N O R
G
I
N O
E
L
P
E
G R
I A
S F
C E
T
E
T I
A
X
M
E
A
E
A
T E
N
C A R S
E
T
R
E
B
S O R T
Y T
E C
R
V R
N N
R O
E
O
S
S T
D Y S
E
N
A
L
D
N O O K
I
H S
L U
S
E M
S
H O U
T F
E I
O N
T
I
O V
E
N
Useful Contacts Police BOA Station Approach 101 Utilities Electricity Southern 0845 770 8090
Chemists Silver Street Pharmacy, 6 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon, 01225 862212
DrinkLine Freephone 0800 917 8282 24 hrs Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555
Doctor’s Surgeries
Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 167 1677
Bradford on Avon Health Centre, Station Approach 01225 866611
Gas Transco 0800 111 999
Hospitals
Wessex Water 0845 600 4 600 Leak Line 0800 692 0 692
Trowbridge Community, Adcroft St., Trowbridge
Churches
Minor Injury Unit 01225 752558
Holy Trinity Church, BOA. Priest in Charge Joanna Abecassis 01225 864444
Opticians Specsavers, The Shires, Trowbridge. 01225 775434.
Christ Church, BOA Tourist Information Priest in Charge Ann Keating 50 St. Margaret’s St 01225 865797 01225 722230 Transport St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church National Rail Enquiries Father Conrad 01225 862739 0845 748 4950 Councils - Town/Parish Bradford and District LINK Bradford on Avon Town, St. Margaret’s Hall, St. Margaret’s St, 01225 864240 Westwood & Wingfield Parishes 01225 862770 Winsley Parish 01249 782367 60
Good Neighbour Volunteers 07957 367124 Helplines Hope Debt Advice Service : Free Debt & Budgeting Advice. Freephone 0800 840 2298
Carer’s Line Freephone 0808 808 7777 Childline Freephone 0800 1111 NSPCC Freephone 0808 800 5000 24 hrs Consumer Direct 08454 04 05 06 Mon-Fri Drugs Frank 0800 77 66 00, 24hrs Samaritans 08457 90 90 90, 24hrs Legal Community Legal Service Direct 0845 345 4345 www.clsdirect.org.uk Money & Debt National Debtline Freephone 0808 808 4000 Senior Citizens Help the Aged 0808 800 6565 Age Concern 0800 00 99 66 www.ageconcern.org.uk
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
SLICE OF LIFE
slice of
LIFE
Arguing siblings I have two sons, aged 10 and 6, who spend every waking minute arguing and bickering with each other. It’s unbearable and is ruining our weekends and holidays. What do you advise, I’m desperate? A Brown, BOA
Answer Poor you; I feel your pain. Try and ignore the arguing as much as you can, and help teach your children to resolve their own arguments (obviously you’ll have to intervene if things get too out of control). Give clear boundaries, rewards for good behaviour and remember that this is a phase that will pass in time. Good luck!
DIY mad neighbours I live in a lovely house in a super road and, for the most part, get on very well with my neighbours. The only problem is that the man of the house is DIY mad and seems to enjoy using his power tools late at night when I’m trying to get to sleep. How can I broach this without having a major fall-out? E Taylor, Staverton
Answer We all need good neighbours, so I think if at all possible, you should try to deal with it light-heartedly. Maybe when you next see him you could comment that he must be exhausted from working so late in to the night. Failing that, I think you should come right out and say that you’d rather he didn’t do his drilling after 9pm. He probably doesn’t realise, and will be very apologetic.
Answer In a word, yes, you are being unreasonable! As long as this boy is treating your daughter well, then you have to put your personal feelings aside and be supportive. One of the most difficult parts of parenting is letting your children grow up and become independent (which includes their choice of partner). I know this is easier said than done, but your daughter will thank you for it in the long run.
Couple time I have 3 children under the age of five, and while I love them dearly, I really miss spending one-on-one time with my husband. I feel we have no quality time together, and finding the energy to go out (not to mention a babysitter I trust) seems impossible. What do you advise?
Answer Do you have a friend who could babysit for you? Or a family member who could come and stay for a few nights? Having such young children does take over your life, but arranging a regular ‘date night’, where you can have an uninterrupted conversation will make all the difference. Perhaps you could try to do this once a month; perhaps taking it in turns to organise? Good luck.
I don’t like him! My daughter, 17, has just introduced me to her first serious boyfriend. She’s obviously very keen on him, while I’m really not! She wants to invite him around to our house, and while I suppose I should be welcoming, I’d much rather she find someone else. Am I being unreasonable? S Milton, Westwood
Erica Morgan Email Erica for some advice and solutions... erica@alocallife.co.uk
No 36 April/May 2014
61
PUZZLES 1
2
3
4
5
6
CROSSWORD ACROSS
7
9
1. Most significant
8
10
11
12
15
16
13
14
17
18
19
21
20
22
5. Baking chamber 7. Appeal 8. Lack of response 9. Squeaks and rattles 12. Of the senses 15. Line of Chinese emperors 19. Higher-priced 21. Long-necked animals 22. Secluded place 23. Pecans or almonds 24. Arm/torso joint DOWN
SUDUKO
24
Solutions - see page 60
P U Z Z L E S
23
P U Z Z L E S
1. Staring open-mouthed 2. Collect 3. Leaves room 4. Hypnotic state 5. River creatures 6. Roman XC 10. Smooth out (shirt creases) 11. Shady trees 12. Recite 13. Letter 14. Across 15. Fire-breathing monster 16. Church tables 17. Robberies 18. Stocks & shares agent 19. 70s dance music 20. Declare void
6-7 Market Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LH.
Tel: 01225 309039 62
www.ortonjewellery.co.uk
Tell advertisers you saw them in a local life
Local Designers & Makers T 01225 862268 www.coppiceguild.co.uk Visit our new showrooms at 28 Coppice Hill, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1JT KITCHENS | DRESSING ROOMS | HOME OFFICES | MEDIA ROOMS
Antiques, Collectables & Sporting Memorabilia We are a local well established auction rooms with an extensive database of purchasers from all over the world and with live online bidding your item is exposed to the widest possible market
ENTRIES WANTED Free appraisals at our auction rooms or by appointment at your home
Tel: 01249 720888 www.wessexauctionrooms.co.uk
Easily accessible just off Junction 17 of M4 with extensive parking Westbrook Farm, Draycot Cerne, Chippenham. Wiltshire, SN15 5LH