26 minute read
CHARITY
SAVING BAMBI – HOW YOU CAN HELP
As Somerset’s Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre launches an urgent appeal for a new treatment centre in Highbridge, we hear how it saved the life of one small fawn, a moving illustration of the fantastic work done by this charity.
Advertisement
One very wet day last spring a small fawn was brought in to wildlife rescue centre Secret World. She was given the name Bonnie. Bonnie had lost her mother. She was cold and hungry and might not have survived long but for the rescue centre, and for Charlotte, one of the typically dedicated animal staff and volunteers who work at what is one of Britain’s finest wildlife rescue centres. Hour after patient hour, Charlotte cared for the orphaned animal: initially tempting her with small dribbles of milk (different from her mother’s milk), then getting her to suckle from a syringe, then listening out for her peeping when it was time for another feed. After several months of such loving and timedemanding care, Bonnie is now fit and healthy and has just been moved from Secret World’s fawn unit to a specialist release site - and from there she’ll soon be back in her natural habitat.
That is just one of the many, many success stories of this remarkable wildlife rescue centre, that counts among its patrons, broadcasters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan, and author Jilly Cooper. All of whom are firmly behind an appeal launched today to raise the money to build a new Wildlife Treatment Centre at Secret World at Highbridge in Somerset. Plans for the new build were already in place at the start of 2020, but, like everyone else, SWWR has been greatly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The charity’s staff were fortunately classed as essential workers, and all through lockdown cared for hundreds of wild animals from the small to the not-so-small, like Bonnie. But, fundraising events that it was hoped would raise over £100,000 had to be cancelled, leaving a shortfall in the money desperately needed not just for the new build, but also to run the Centre. Work needs to start in just a few weeks’ time, so that the Treatment Centre will be ready next summer for SWWR’s ongoing work of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing wildlife.
“Our staff have been amazing,” said Pauline Kidner, the charity Founder. “We have realized that we have rescued over 100,000 wildlife casualties since we started in 1992. We have been working in porta cabins for the last four years, for which we only have planning permission until the end of the year. It is therefore paramount that the building begins in November, and we need urgently to raise the funds to allow that to happen.” Everyone who donates to this appeal will have their name on a special collage. “Whether you gave £2 or £10 or £1,000 it will go on there, because we know that the £2 is just as important as the larger amounts of money”, said Pauline.
If you would like to know more about the appeal, you can visit www.secretworld.org or ring 01278 768707. You can also email pauline.kidner@secretworld.org. Pauline is Founder of the charity.
BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY WITH TOTAL CONFIDENCE By Heather Muir, Manager – Miles Morgan Travel, Yeovil
It’s been a tough few months for everybody but we are excited to start to see an increase in demand for people booking their holidays and securing something to look forward to for 2021 and 2022.
We are delighted to be working closely with, and being a main agent for, Saga Holidays - a holiday company with great credibility and one that, throughout the last few months, has looked after our customers extremely well and therefore we are happy to recommend.
They have recently launched a plethora of new brochures packed full of amazing holidays and must-see destinations which all include their Reassurance Promise, a real reason to book now with total confidence. This is what they promise: • Included travel insurance on all overseas holidays with up to £5m emergency medical and repatriation cover for coronavirus.
• Flexible cancellation cover should you need to cancel due to coronavirus medical conditions prior to departure. • Amend your holiday for free -Saga understand you may want to change your holiday plans. So they’re waiving their normal amendment fee, giving you the flexibility to travel when you’re ready. • Commitment to cleanliness - Providing a clean environment for our customers is paramount. Saga VIP drivers, and all other coach drivers will make sure their vehicles are sanitised and spotless for your journey. • Peace of Mind - all the ground staff are
Covid 19 trained on local guidelines. Contact my team at Miles Morgan for full detail on the above promise. Cruising is proving popular and Saga are so well sold for 2021, and with customers transferring their cancelled 2020 cruises to 2021, they have recently put their 2022 programme on sale. All their ocean cruises come with the added benefit of a door -to-door chauffeur service within 250 miles of the port. They offer a huge range of stunning all-inclusive cruises sailing from Southampton and Dover and every cabin has the benefit of its own private balcony. If it’s River cruising or a Worldwide holiday that you fancy, then Saga are offering their popular VIP door- to door travel service on these holidays so your holiday really does start from your front door. Their Europe and UK brochure offers a huge selection of holidays of all durations and destinations from Spain, Greece and Croatia to Jersey, Aberdeenshire, and the Peak District.
But the best news is that you can book many of these Saga holidays with just a £99 per person deposit! So why not contact your team in Yeovil on 01935 428488 or pop in and see them in our newly adapted Covid safe shop at 2, Borough Arcade. Myself and my team would be delighted to assist you with any of your holiday requirements.
NEW Holidays from
SAGA Book now from just £99pp deposit
New Brochure Collection Out Now
Book with your Saga main agent
www.milesmorgantravel.co.uk
01935 577294 2 Borough Arcade, High Street Yeovil BA20 1RX yeovil@milesmorgantravel.co.uk
A VINTNER’S TALE (ACT 1, SCENE VI)
Peter Law, Chairman and MD at Wine Wizzard in Castle Cary, continues with his fascinating tales of life in the wine trade….
… to be in such a vital management role of one of the major London wine importers at such a young age was truly exciting, but the salary was barely enough to live on, and my input wasn’t really appreciated. I decided to change this and phoned my old friend and colleague Ahmed Pochee whose Oddbins empire was growing lickety-split. I invited him to the office at about 7.30 one evening and over two magnums (yes!) of Roederer Cristal, I achieved the largest single order the company had ever had. It was many thousand cases (of 12 bottles) of wine. We took a cab to Soho for an excellent meal and on to a night club. It was quite an evening! I arrived at work about 2pm the following afternoon (somewhat the worse for wear) and was promptly sacked (again!). I said “David, before doing that, I think you should look at these…” whereupon I took the written orders from my pocket. Surprise, surprise – I was reinstated. By the end of the year I had sold more to Oddbins than the other directors and the six salesmen combined! My Christmas bonus was a turkey which I accepted and a bottle of gin which I dropped and resigned. A minute percentage commission would have meant that I would have been mortgage-free, aged 28. I was exhausted and dispirited. It was Christmas Eve and I arrived home about 8pm and told my wife that I had resigned and it was over to her to pay the mortgage etc. She left on New Year’s Day! As it turned out, the parent company withdrew the finances and the firm collapsed a couple of years later. I had by now done a self-imposed decadelong apprenticeship and apart from growing grapes and making wine, I had covered all other aspects of the wine trade. I had long wanted my own business but I didn’t have the capital. HELP! Once again, I phoned my sister who put me in touch with an ex-boyfriend who was wealthy, bored with his executive job at Rank Hovis McDougal, knew nothing about the wine trade but wanted to start a wine business. I spent a few weeks with a portable typewriter in the garden contacting wine growers all over Europe whilst looking for suitable premises, which turned out to be the splendid kitchens of a nearby large country house with offices and plenty of parking. Nicolas, my new business partner, his girlfriend and I fitted it out. The penultimate business meeting was to be held at his one- shilling-a-year, peppercorn-rented cottage. (I didn’t know that he had lost his Georgian London house and Queen Anne country house in his divorce). Wagner blaring, he came to the door stark naked – he was expecting his boyfriend: HELP! In the late 60s and early 70s there was much written in the Press about drug trafficking, so I decided that WINE TRAFFIC would be a trendy name… now back in the present day, WINE WIZZARD has been very busy the past few months having sent two extra emergency lorries to France. Linda (and guard dog) have been working extremely hard and they hope to have had a short break before this edition is published as we will soon be making preparations for Christmas. We would like to thank our many existing customers for
their loyal support and welcome to the huge number of new customers. Our Somerset-based gin maker (and they are fabulous) is now making 40% hand sanitizers, also for sale (not for drinking!). There is always one of these open in the shop, to try. For the past 25 years we have been importing from Chateau de Lisennes in Bordeaux and they have consistently made excellent wines which we sell at very sensible prices. In white, there is their Sauvignon and Semillion blend from Entre-deux-Mers at £10.50. In red, Chateau de Lisennes Bordeaux 2018, a Cabernet and Merlot blend at £10.15. Also, Chateau de Lisennes Bordeaux Superior 2015, oakaged at £12.25 and Chateau de Lisennes Cuvee Prestige 2012 – predominantly Merlot aged in new French oak barrels at £14.50. Also available in magnums. Their vineyards extend to about 56 hectares and are completely chemicalfree whilst they slowly change to organic cultivation and so far they have planted seven hectares, producing a red at £10.95 called ‘7ha’. These are just a few of the quality wines we are proud to offer. Keep keeping safe. We must win this one!
REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES
By Tracey Warren, Stoodley and Son
Covid 19 has raised many challenges within the community and this has been particularly challenging for those that have suffered a bereavement. In these times of lockdown and “new normal”, grief has been magnified in many differing ways.
At the start of lockdown, funerals were held under strict guidelines. At Yeovil Crematorium, services were held under the car canopy at the back of the hearse, with just a handful of mourners attending a service to say goodbye. As the restrictions started to be slowly lifted, funerals became an intimate celebration of a life. Families are however now focusing on the character of the person and all that they meant, meaningful music and reflective poetry, readings and prayers. The current recommendation is that a maximum number of 23 mourners can be seated in the Chapel and seven seated in the foyer, but all have to wear face coverings, and the chairs are placed at socially distanced intervals. There is increased pressure on families to choose who can attend without offending other family members or close friends and this has caused additional stress. The use of technology has come to the fore with live streaming of funerals on the internet via Obitus, Wesley or Zoom. We have been embracing technology and even live streaming funerals across the world, to those unable to fly back. But what about the ritual of the funeral? It is traditionally a time to say goodbye surrounded by loved ones, neighbours and friends. A time to share stories and memories and to pay tribute to the life that is gone. A wake afterwards is the norm, raising a glass sharing photos and reminiscing. Sadly these have been replaced with a socially distanced wave and a ‘I’ll ring you during the week’ or ‘we must catch up when all this is over’. There is no procession of mourners supporting the bereaved as they leave the chapel, just families saying goodbye in the car park. The lockdown has magnified the grieving process, support networks have been reduced to phone calls and cards, neighbours and friends unable to visit to offer a sympathetic ear, even a reassuring hug or hand on the shoulder has now been replaced with social distancing.
People being unable to get out of the house whether they are shielding or are worried about the pandemic may feel cut off and isolated. Locally our Good Neighbours Schemes and Village Agents have been working tirelessly to ensure the vulnerable are supported, however there may be those who are unable to access the services as they are either unaware or do not have access to the internet.
But what can we do to help? As the nights draw in and summer turns to autumn, the time of All Souls is nearing – a time to pause and remember the dead. We should therefore think about supporting those that are bereaved – a telephone call to check in, a note to say you are thinking of them, or a meal left on the doorstep. Even if the loss was weeks or even months ago, with this new ‘isolation’ it is important that the bereaved are remembered and supported. Ask them, what support do they need, what help can you give? Pass on telephone numbers of the village agents,
good neighbours, Cruse or other support organisation you think may help them. It is imperative in this time of loss those who are bereaved should no longer feel alone.
Access to bereavement support can be found via www. stoodleyandson.co.uk.
Tracey also offers bereavement support and training for care home staff.
BEING A SAMARITAN
by Elaine Ashbee, Samaritans of Yeovil, Sherborne & District I’ve been a Sam (as we call and to maintain confidentiality. ourselves) for about 11 years. It The training we receive is from feels good to be able to support other experienced Samaritans callers who are experiencing dark who prepare new volunteers to a moments in their lives, but I also high standard to enable us to deal gain a lot personally in the process with a huge range of issues in calls from the support and friendship of from people of all backgrounds my fellow Samaritans. and ages. We are sometimes I suppose I became personally aware of the value of listening without judging and with empathy at an earlier stage in my own life when I was going through a particularly dark time and felt I had no one I could talk to. Troubled and confused, I walked into a Samaritans branch and talked face to face with a listening volunteer. He didn’t advise or judge or attempt to ‘fix’ me, but he listened, showed empathy and gently encouraged me to explore my feelings. I felt heard and emerged sometime later feeling stronger, more empowered and less confused. It didn’t solve my problems but made me feel more able to deal with them. Later, I remember thinking that at some future point in my life I would like to be able to support people in this way. It seemed to me that being able to talk to someone is important and I recognised that people can’t always talk to their families and friends. asked how on earth can we cope with other people’s pain and deal with situations where people are suicidal. Yes, there are sometimes calls where we hear and talk about very difficult and upsetting situations. We have high levels of support for each other within each branch. We do shifts in pairs and always look out for each other. We are there to listen and reassure when there has been a difficult call. We also have a leader on call at all times, someone who we can call and to whom we off-load at the end of a shift. In addition, we have a Volunteer Support team whose role is to look after our emotional well-being. The level of support is extremely high, far higher than any job I’ve ever worked in. For me, it has come to feel like a privilege that so many people entrust us with their troubles. We don’t aim to fix problems for people, we try to help them to find their own way forward, and that is an important difference. Years later I got in touch with my local branch and went to an open Could you volunteer with the evening to find out more. There Yeovil Branch of Samaritans? was a selection day which was Please note that our monthly open welcoming and informative. Once evenings are currently suspended accepted, the training consisted but we would still welcome your of about 10 sessions spread over enquiry by email at recruitment@ as many weeks. It was superb and yeovilsamaritans.org.uk or you prepared me to support callers. can visit our website at https:// As Samaritans, we need to be able to really listen, to show empathy, to be non-judgemental www.samaritans.org/branches/ samaritans-yeovil-sherborne-anddistrict.
Volunteer with us
We will train, mentor and support you all the way.
To find out more and apply, visit samaritans.org/volunteer
Yeovil Sherborne & District
Did you know, you DON’T need a solicitor for Family Court Proceedings, nor the expense of one.
I understand how heart wrenching and challenging a time it is for you. I’m a Trained McKenzie Friend. I help families through the Family Court by helping to reduce conflict and acrimony with the focus remaining on the child’s secure, safe and happy future.
As long as two parents are in conflict the child is suffering emotional harm. I’ll guide you through the process smoothly without unnecessary delay whilst being there for you morally and emotionally.
I’m able to help with:
Signposting to professional agencies Paperwork; C100 and C1A (and replies to allegations) and more, Help with preparing for Cafcass and Local Authority meetings/ phonecalls Writing statements Court Appearances (and Remote) including Fact Finding Hearings.
I look at your situation in a non-judgemental manner as I have no emotional connection to you, your child or your ex. We like to get the job done
McKenzie Friend Family Court Mentor Offering Advice & Support
01935 349359 / 07970 469724
In the court room I can’t speak for you, but I’m able to:
Prepare questions for you to ask and those that may be asked to you.
Be there to clarify a question or how to answer a question.
You will be able to ask permission from the Judge to have a few minutes support from your McKenzie Friend, we can leave the room and talk, even if it’s to have a minute to breathe and calm down.
I abide by a strict code of practice regarding confidentiality and demonstrate high levels of integrity.
To discuss your situation call: 01935 349359 / 07970 469724 or Search FaceBook for Family Court Mentor. Life is a series of milestone moments. From the moment you’re born, to your first day at school; passing your exams, your first kiss, the moment you marry and ultimately the moment that you die.
Yet a life isn’t defined merely by these occasions, but by the time in between - and it’s how people spend that time in between that both determines who they are as a person; and makes the work of a celebrant so interesting and rewarding.
When the coronavirus lockdown hit in March this year I suddenly found my entire work schedule cancelled. As a constantly productive and busy person, to find that I had no work for the forseeable future, hence no income - and more time than I knew what to do with, was at first terrifying, then ultimately completely liberating.
There had been something in the recesses of my mind for some time - nearly five years, in fact - since my father died. It had been suggested to me by three different celebrants over the past few years that I would be a natural as a civil celebrant. I had considered it – I am a natural empath and people have always sought me out for advice and comfort - but until lockdown I had no time and no energy to spare, so had dismissed the idea of training. Suddenly, in March this year I had more time than I knew what to do with, and at last an opportunity to begin learning something I’d frequently thought about in the past four years.
Celebrancy is a relatively new line of work in the UK. Many people need me to explain that it means I can create and conduct completely unique weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies and so on. Yet there are many of us about - especially in this area. However that couldn’t deter me from making the leap. Each celebrant is unique, as each person they work with is unique. For me it’s a given that people will choose to work with someone with whom they feel a connection. It’s more than a job for me – it’s a vocation. I’m simply interested in sharing my empathic ability: helping people through the confusion of grief, the joy and excitement of their wedding, and everything in between.
You can find out more about what I do by going to www.beauhemiacelebrant.co.uk
OUT OF CONTROL TO FOOD AND ALCOHOL?
By Niki Cassar News reports suggest that COVID has resulted in a dramatic rise in food and alcohol consumption. Not surprising really, as when we’re bored or anxious or generally fed up, we often look for a distraction to make us feel better. Food is very emotive, and when we were very young, it was often used as either a threat or a reward. ‘Eat everything on your plate or you won’t leave the table.’ ‘If you’re very good, I’ll treat you to an ice cream’. The beliefs we create and store around food at an early age are played out over and over, even as adults. Alcohol is usually something that comes later, often when we’re inwardly unconfident teenagers. A few drinks and suddenly we have all the confidence and bravado we need to impress our peers! Problem is, your subconscious mind has picked up that alcohol made you feel better, and proceeds to remind you to ‘have a drink’ whenever you’re feeling down. Ever wondered why, when you’re feeling lonely, bored or just plain fed up, you find yourself looking in the fridge or the food cupboard? Or why, when watching TV, you have an uncontrollable urge to eat something junky like sweets, crisps or popcorn? Or to have a glass or several of wine? Let me tell you a secret. It’s not the conscious part of you that’s encouraging you, but your all-powerful subconscious that remembers how food, especially ‘naughty’ food, made you feel when you were a small child, or how much more confident you felt when you first started drinking alcohol. Wanting you to experience similar ‘good’ feelings, it urges you to eat or drink something for instant gratification. Hypnotherapy can help to eliminate the need for either too much food or alcohol, without the need for dieting or attending daily AA meetings. And definitely no side effects! That sounds like a bold statement, but it really is true. In the first session, I can prove it by giving you a hypnotic appetite or alcohol suppressant to show you how well it works! In order to make it a more permanent situation, you’d need further sessions of course, to remove all those out-dated beliefs stored in your subconscious mind that have caused your need to rely on unhealthy distractions. With my help, you will feel calmer, much more confident and find yourself actually enjoying making healthy choices in what you eat or drink! If this has whetted your appetite, please do give me a call for a completely confidential chat on 07973 346 747, or email me at mail@ nikicassar.com And please remember: Online sessions are my speciality!
OXLEY SPORTS CENTRE RE OPENING
By Steve Hurley, Deputy Manager
When the Government gave leisure facilities the green light to re open, Oxley Sports Centre was poised ready to spring back into action.
We had undertaken extensive preparation during the period of closure and were raring to go when the time came. We reopened on Monday 27 July 2020 and have received so many positive comments since doing so. We have always been a forward thinking centre and have undertaken various projects over the past few years which gave us a strong starting position to react to the changing landscape in the leisure industry. For example… we have been taking bookings for our activities online for some time now and have also installed an access control system across the sports centre. These have both streamlined processes and enhanced our customer experience. With a relatively small amount of re configuring, we have been able to tweak our operation and adapt to the new normal.
With safety being our absolute priority we have taken advice from the Government, CIMSPA, Swim England and UK Active, to name but a few. So rest assured we have in place all the infrastructure and procedures to keep you as safe as possible. Take a look at the welcome video on the home page of our website www.oxleysc.com for a brief run down on the control measures we have in place.
If you are not familiar with Oxley Sports Centre, our main facilities are: • Swimming Pool which is disinfected by Ultraviolet, so no strong smelling chlorine here! • Fitness Suite • Exercise Classes (Extensive and varied timetable) • Coffee Shop Our facilities are accessible to all. As you would expect, we have a large number of members who use the centre regularly, but we also cater for people who may wish to use the centre a little less frequently. Those customers can purchase an Access Card, which is the “pay as you go” option for the fitness suite, with the added bonus of a five day booking privilege for other activities. People who wish to use the pool and classes on a casual basis (with no subscription at all) can even just book and pay on the day. However we do need to have your basic details on our database for you to do this.
Why not book in for an activity and restore a bit of normality to your health and fitness regime. Online classes or exercising alone are not as motivational or rewarding as the camaraderie and buzz of attending with real people. At a safe distance of course!
No Joining fee for October*
FOR ALL YOUR BLIND NEEDS Roller • Vertical • Venetian Roman • Conservatory Outside Awnings and Blind Repairs FREE Measuring and Fitting Call THE BLINDMAKER any time on 01460 281527 / 07779 010939 www.theblindmaker4u.co.uk
Bargain Hunters Corner
If an item/items are valued at more than £200 there will be a £6 charge. Wanted adverts are also charged at £6.
WANTED
Dave buys all types of tools.
Dry Stone Walling and Paving
All types of stone walling undertaken www.yenstonewalling.co.uk 01963 371123
Household Clearance, Many items and collectables
Tel: 01935 429641
Long reach hedge trimmer, mains powered - £30 Aluminium collapsible platform/folding ladder - £35
Tel 01460 52645 (Barrington)
Tel: 01935 428975
Patrick Houchen - DSWA member Professional & reliable service
1 John Player Cricketer Cigarette Album 1938 - £10 Tom Thumb History of Motor Racing - £25 Tel: 01963 350840 GUNS WANTED FOR CASH Bodhran – 18” diameter, dark wood with 2 sets of beaters and padded carry case. In excellent condition. £60 ono Basix
Any Condition. SOS to all air rifles and pistols any maker or model. marching drum – 12.5 ins Diameter x 11 ins High, with strap, We collect in any area. Top prices paid in cash sticks and brushes. Hardly used in very good condition. £35
07970 742471 ono Tel 01460 65498
4 man tent – small, never used. Lightweight. £25 BQ retro style with hinged lid. Never used £8 ono Chest freezer – 60 cm wide, good condition. £30 ono
ACCIDENTAL ARTISANS Tel: 01460 65498 (Chard) ANNOUNCE COMPETITION TIME!
We have added an exciting new line of extremely stylish and original wood & resin, “River Style” cheese boards to our exclusive range of handmade products. These are available from Castle Cary market on a Tuesday alongside the rest of our range, including beautiful hand turned pens and pencils, as well as gin glasses (these proved a very popular seller during lockdown!) - all ideal Christmas gifts! Come and have a chat to Charlie about any requirements or questions you may have.
These are also available at our lovely new stockists: Hillside Farm Deli, 41 Cheap St. Sherborne next to Parsons butchers. Hillside Farm Deli stocks a vast range of 80 cheeses, artisan breads, olives, preserves and other delicacies. Also find our pyrography boards at the brilliant & super friendly Andrew Barclay Butchers, Wincanton.
Alternatively, look at our lovely new, streamlined website: www.accidentalartisans.co.uk or follow us on Instagram. You can email any enquiries from the website contact link.
Competition prize: Win a resin cheese board worth £60 (colour and wood as available) OR a matching pen and pencil set – worth £60, collect at Castle Cary market by answering the following question: What is the name of our new wood and resin cheese boards?
