Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016

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Nine Lives in Bridport

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Magazine West Dorset South Somerset East Devon

Marshwood THE

The best from in and around the Vale

No. 213

DECEMBER 2016

© Peter Bartlett Photograph by Julia Mear Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 1

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COVER STORY Julia Mear met Peter Bartlett in Beer, Devon ‘I was born in one of the Fisherman’s cottages on Sea View Road, the fifth one down, in 1932. The locals know me as ‘Chunky’. My grandfather, Joseph, was one of the first tenants of these cottages. He and my father, Herman, both fished. My grandfather died aged 38 years and left eight children behind. My mother, Isabelle Tuck, was from Bournemouth. She was one of a twin and her aunts brought her up. Their family ran a café in Swanage. My mother went to Sidmouth to learn the business with a view of running the café in Swanage later but she never did that. Instead she met my dad; he was 42 when they got married. My father had a few huts on Beer beach. In the summer he did his deckchairs and beach huts and in the winter he went fishing. There were lots of herring to catch in those years between the wars. The owner of a boat took on Father as an extra man and they went three in a boat herring drifting. It could be quite perilous if you struck shore. During the war Dad was an auxiliary coastguard. Mum worked at the Anchor Inn as a cook, she was there for 16 years.

I have a brother, Timothy, who is three years younger than me.

When he was born I went to stay with my aunties in Bournemouth for about six months. My brother didn’t stop crying and I told Mum to throw him out the window—that’s what they tell me anyway.

As much as I wanted to go fishing, I was too young. But, by 11 years old I was working 35 hours a week for my uncle, Ken Bartlett, who was a baker in the village. His son and workman both went off to war and he talked me into giving it a go. I could get the dough out of the trough which you couldn’t see in the evening but by the morning it was lifting the lid off! Bread was bread then and we’d cook five hundred loaves in a morning. Even at 11 I was soon able to cut it into lumps and weigh each one—2lb 2oz for a large loaf. Then I’d throw it onto the table for my uncle to mould it up. I was excused from school on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 10am so I could help my uncle. He would then go off and deliver in Seaton in his little Morris Eight van. In my 1 1/4hr lunch break I would deliver more bread through the village with a carrier bike. Then, when I came out of school we finished off delivering in the what is now Peco area and Barline. We still had to load the van to go to Branscombe starting at Quarry cottages around 5.30pm. In 1947 we had some bad snow and couldn’t see the roads for three weeks or more but we never missed a delivery in Branscombe. We put chains on the tyres and somehow managed to get through all the steep windy lanes.

My uncle was a big influence on my life. I still done a bit of fishing when I could, but through doing the bakery work, it meant I never had holes in my shoes again. I left school at 14, the bakery always had to come first but the sea bit was no trouble to do; I loved it out there. I started off with crab and lobster pots and at 17 I had a brand new fishing boat that I paid £319 for, which would be about £20,000 today. It was some feat at the time because my mum needed 10 shillings of my pay to feed me.

I got better at fishing and in the summer, in the fifties, after I came back from pulling my pots, I ran a boat for Dougie Orley. There was a lot of money to be made and we took out around eight boat trips of people each day. By then they had started letting out self-hire boats and Dougie let mine out as a self-hire as well so I had a share of that.

He once said to me the worse thing we did during those times was to not charge double! We charged £1/hour for a whole boat load of people and me as skipper. He was a good friend—his daughter now owns and runs the Dolphin in Beer. In the sixties I went begging to

the bank for a loan and bought my first ‘bigger’ boat.

This meant I was able to achieve the best of what you can achieve to be a successful fisherman. In my time I’ve had five wooden boats built for me. The last one I had built in 1974 and it’s still on the beach today.

I’ve been married for 60 years. My wife, Barbara Ebdon is from Axminster, she looked after Dr Parkinson’s children. I met her at a dance held in the Plaza Ballroom, the building behind the Guildhall then. The band playing was The Modernaires. There were dances every Saturday in Axminster back then, they were very popular. We would get the bus to Axminster and then a taxi home. George Hoare Peter Bartlett ran the taxis, he’s still alive today. If you didn’t get to the taxi in time you would have to stand on the running board with the window down and hang on! If any lights came, George would slow down and shout ‘jump jump’ so we’d jump off until the lights had gone then get back on. We were lucky if someone got out at Musbury so we could get inside the taxi. We got married in 1955 in Axminster and rented The Dairy in Beer, now Jean Bartlett’s Holiday Cottages. We got it rent free plus £5/week.

Barbara ran the dairy and I managed to convert some sheds out the back into a bit of a bathroom. This was sheer luxury from what I’d been used to; it had been a tin bath by the fire before that.

I learnt that if you worked hard you could earn a bit more than what you needed. Sadly, young people today struggle to get a property or a boat with the prices today. The cottage I was born in was built for £200 and the last one sold for £360,000.

From about 1949 to 1973 I’d done years of pretty serious fishing.

When you’re going out there on your own you have to make your own decision on how the weather is going to be. If I was carrying passengers I’d be out for the day sometimes so I had to be careful.

I’m not very religious but in all my fishing life I have prayed for real five times; meaning I thought I’d need some help to get me back when the weather had changed worse than I’d estimated. But I’ve always loved it out there. You never knew when you were going to see dolphins and they seemed to like to play a game with my boat.

They’d stay about an hour or so, leaping out of the water almost landing in the boat at times. It’s magical when they’re in the boon; they perform like they’re doing a show just for you. It used to be a regular thing years ago but it’s much rarer nowadays.

We had two children, Jane and Simon and it felt right raising my family and being able to support my children rather than giving parents money like I did from such a young age. Barbara and the children came out a fair few times on pleasure rides. But mostly for family time and days out the weather would have to be winter rough to keep me off the boats. Jane works as a midwife in Honiton and Simon’s got the self-hire boats on the beach. My son never wanted to go fishing like I did. Today you have to have certificates to go out fishing before you even know if you like it. Someone once said to me there’s nothing you can’t buy to go out fishing but they were wrong; you can’t buy experience.

I’ve got a beach concession for my beach huts—you get a length of beach for huts and deckchairs. Although I don’t own any boats now, I still go out on my son’s self-hires; some of which used to be mine. I still have five traps but I don’t go out every day; I’ll go out on my own, much to my wife’s disgust! I wouldn’t say I’d like to fall overboard but I’d rather go that way than end up stuck indoors with illnesses, the thought of that haunts me. I still wonder what I will catch tomorrow; gives you something to get out of bed for.’

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MV UP FRONT A couple of weeks ago, as part of Bridport Literary Festival, I interviewed Times journalist David Aaronovitch about his book Party Animals: My Family and Other Communists. He is such an engaging speaker that there were questions which we never got to, and I imagine that discussing the result of the US election the day before could have kept many audience members engaged for hours.

We could also have spoken about another book David wrote called Voodoo Histories: The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History, especially in light of debate about the role of social media in disseminating ‘fake news’ throughout the run up to the election. Voodoo Histories debunked many of the major conspiracy theories that have been given an extended life by the system of delivering tailored news and information to users of social media—in this case the delivery of stories that feed conspiracy theorists’ need for conspiracy.

The practise of featuring content based on an algorithm to suit reading habits has been a source of irritation for some time, and although it could be said that manipulating readers has been a feature of the popular press for decades, the scale and style of modern ‘news’ delivery has changed dramatically.

Not only does it reach an audience of people that may not have bothered to access as much news as they now do through their mobile devices, but canny marketers can make a living by preying on some of this audience’s need to be connected to social groups and socio-political positions. Whilst internet giants go on the defensive and claim to be dealing with the fake news issue, there is a deeper problem that won’t be so easily fixed. We live in a world where content is consumed in headlines.

Headlines that are replaced by new ones every day, and few people can follow them all. This means that stories that for example might implicate people in crimes they didn’t commit are headlines they will live with for the rest of their lives. Whilst stories pedalled by pay-per-click operators, or even those with more sinister motives, will also stick in the memories of those that don’t bother to search beyond them. The truth may be out there, but we’re not always listening on the day it gets published.

Published Monthly and distributed by Marshwood Vale Ltd Lower Atrim, Bridport Dorset DT6 5PX The Marshwood Vale Magazine is printed using wood from sustainable forestry For all Enquiries Tel: 01308 423031 info@marshwoodvale.com

This Month

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Cover Story By Julia Mear A Ghostly Walk around Bridport by Margery Hookings Coast & Countryside Events News & Views Laterally Speaking by Humphrey Walwyn

38 42 46 48 50 54

House & Garden Christmas Wrapping By Cecil Amor Vegetables in December By Fergus Dowding December in the Garden By Russell Jordan Property Round Up By Helen Fisher Middle Aged Man Crisis By Nick Fisher

55 56 58 60

Food & Dining Satsuma Fruit Soup By Lesley Waters Pheasant, Bacon, Prunes By Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall Roast Goose with Clementine and Chestnut Salad By Mark Hix

62 62 66

Arts & Entertainment Surviving the Deluge By James Crowden Museums and Galleries, Performance, Preview and Film

76 78 79

Health & Beauty Services & Classified People at Work By Catherine Taylor

“If the human brain were so simple we could understand it, we would be so simple we couldn’t.”

Fergus Byrne

Like us on Facebook and watch out for the next Marshwood Face

Editorial Director

Contributors

Fergus Byrne

Deputy Editor Victoria Byrne

Design

Fergus Byrne Emily Secrett

Advertising

Sue Norris sue@marshwoodvale.com

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Cecil Amor James Crowden Fergus Dowding Hugh FearnleyWhitiingstall Helen Fisher Nick Fisher Richard Gahagan Margery Hookings

For local events follow us on Twitter @marshwoodvale

Mark Hix Russell Jordan Julia Mear Gay Pirrie-Weir Philip Strange Catherine Taylor Humphrey Walwyn Lesley Waters

The views expressed in The Marshwood Vale Magazine and People Magazines are not necessarily those of the editorial team. Unless otherwise stated, Copyright of the entire magazine contents is strictly reserved on behalf of the Marshwood Vale Magazine and the authors.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of dates, event information and advertisements, events may be cancelled or event dates may be subject to alteration. Neither Marshwood Vale Ltd nor People Magazines Ltd can accept any responsibility for the accuracy of any information or claims made by advertisers included within this publication.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Trades descriptions act 1968. It is a criminal offence for anyone in the course of a trade or business to falsely describe goods they are offering. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. The legislation requires that items offered for sale by private vendors must be ‘as described’. Failure to observe this requirement may allow the purchaser to sue for damages.

Road Traffic Act. It is a criminal offence for anyone to sell a motor vehicle for use on the highway which is unroadworthy.

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A Ghostly Walk around Bridport Dipping her toes into the underworld for the Bridport Ghost Walk, Margery Hookings meets Adrian Clements, the man behind it. He reveals a life-long passion for old horror films and British history, which turns out to be a potent combination.

THE mist swirls down from Dorset’s highest point as I drive along dark country lanes into town.

It is just the right weather for the Bridport Ghost Walk. Clouds dip and dive around a slip of a crescent moon in a black sky. In the heart of town, people wait in Bucky Doo Square for the walk to begin.

My friend and I hoped our guide would be dressed, Ripper-style, in a top hat and cloak. But Adrian Clements makes up for this lack of drama by his detailed knowledge of Bridport and its history. It’s a town I know well, really well, but tonight I’m seeing it from a totally different perspective.

Who would think, when sitting on a bench in the square enjoying a sandwich in the daytime and listening to the town band, that executions and disembowelling took place here centuries ago? And that women were made to wear terrible scold’s bridles and pelted with rotten food and human waste?

The town has a dark past. Playing a starring role in the ghost walk are tales of the Black Death, when eighty percent of the townsfolk died, the grisly killings in and after the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685 - a dark time in the Westcountry’s history and a subject

close to my heart, with ancestors on both sides of my family having been part of the rebel army - and the hangman’s noose, which is known as the Bridport Dagger.

Adrian, our guide, is 48 and lives in Poundbury. Now a father of four, he was born and brought up in Reading.

As a young child, Adrian used go to Hayling Island for his annual holiday.

He recalls: “There was a resident fun fair there, which featured a ghost train.

This ride captivated me. I would stand and stare at the fabulous artwork and thrill to the noises and screams coming from inside.

“I didn’t actually pluck up the courage to go on it for several years. But it made a huge impression on me. As did the Saturday night ‘horror double bills’ on BBC television many years ago.

“I became a huge fan of the ‘Hammer Horror’ genre. Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee were my boyhood heroes. Also around this time, I became an avid reader of books about ghosts and legends. I couldn’t get enough of accounts of haunted houses, poltergeists and strange locations where all manner of odd things were said to happen.”

When he was 16, Adrian joined the

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English Civil War Society and travelled the country re-enacting the battles of the 17th century, which prompted a huge interest in British history.

“I soon realised there was a connection between my love of all things ghostly and ghastly and many of the bloody and turbulent episodes from the past,” he says.

Adrian decided to organise the ghost walks not long after he moved to Dorset from Berkshire in 2009. He became aware of several ghost walks taking place in the area. With his passion for ghost stories and classic horror, it gave him the inspiration to set up one of his own.

He chose Bridport because it didn’t have an established ghost walk, unlike other Dorset towns such as Dorchester, Weymouth and Lyme Regis, which all featured regular tours.

“I undertook a year of meticulous research and spent many an hour in the local libraries and history centres. I also spoke with several inhabitants of the town, obtaining first-hand accounts of ghostly experiences.”

His first Bridport Ghost Walk was in April 2011. “My initial reservations about it being a success were soon dispelled when a large group of people

arrived in Bucky Doo Square to hear my stories. I’ve now been running the tours every year since.”

Adrian says the stories he tells on the tour need no embellishment or exaggeration. “I try to make the story come alive but as much of the content is already quite gruesome and dramatic, they entertain and educate without any need for sensationalism or gimmick.

“Bridport is an ancient market town steeped in history. My objective on the ghost walk is to unearth much of its lesser known past. The town’s net and rope making heritage is well documented and celebrated. But there is so much more to discover. Bloody skirmishes, botched executions, horrible deaths and terrifying apparitions all feature on the walk. Alongside the ghostly tales, it’s a great way to find out some local history.

“Although, for obvious reasons, Halloween is traditionally my busiest time of the year, the Christmas ghost walk is also becoming very popular. It seems people enjoy a good ghost story during the festive season, as did our Victorian ancestors who always told them by the fireside after dinner on Christmas Eve. “Ghost stories at Christmas time during the 1800s were as traditional as the

tree. I like to think my ghost walk in December goes some way in reviving this age old custom.”

On our ghost walk, we weave in and out of the streets, following Adrian down lanes and alleyways, the ghosts of the past ever-present.

We stop outside the museum, with its pair of ghosts. We gather on a street corner to hear the sad story of Silvester Wilkins, a young Bridport boy hanged in Dorchester in 1833 for arson. We move on around the town to the boutique Bull Hotel, which is rich in ghost stories, and then up Globe Lane, where the rotting corpses from the Black Death were left to be picked up by the plague cart. A grisly spectre is said to haunt this cold, narrow alleyway.

And then suddenly, a figure, dressed all in white, emerges from a doorway halfway up the lane and then promptly disappears. An angel of death perhaps?

Hearts beating faster, the smell of freshly-baked bread in our nostrils, closer inspection reveals it to be a baker from Leakers, wondering what on earth is going on.

We walk with tales of the plague pits nestling under the iconic Colmer’s Hill ringing in our ears. We head south, towards the graveyard of St Mary’s

Church. In possibly the most eerie part of the trip, Adrian regales us with tales of the big black dog, a Grim, a Shuck or whatever you like to call it. The clock strikes eight as we hope and pray not to see the beast, which is a portent of certain death.

We edge out past the west and south doors of the church to reach the sanctuary of a street lamp and the pavement in South Street. And then the whole party collectively jolts as the clear sound of a dog barking right next to us chills us to our bones.

“Don’t worry,” Adrian says. “It’s not a Grim, it’s a golden retriever.”

He knows this not through second sight but because it’s his own dog, which is sitting in his car parked outside the church. And so ends our creepy jaunt around the town, with relieved laughter and a round of applause.

The Bridport Christmas Ghost Walk is on Thursday, 15 December at 7pm from Bucky Doo Square. Adults £8, children aged 12-15, £4. No under 12s. For more information, visit the Facebook page ‘The Bridport Ghost Walk’. To book a place, call Adrian Clements on 07923 074787 or email: a.clements456@btinternet.com

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Local couple recognised in VSO awards VOLUNTEER work by Beaminster couple Judith and Simon Hill has been recognised by the VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) as it held its first ever awards ceremony for volunteers.

Judith and Simon jointly won the ‘VSO International Award’.

Both survived the tragic earthquake in Nepal last year which killed more than 8,000 people and left thousands more homeless.

Despite constant aftershocks, they turned down repatriation to help with the relief effort.

Previously a Director of Denhay Farms where his main responsibilities were farming and cheese production, Simon has wanted to work in the Developing World since starting in farming 40 years ago. His original intention was to farm for a period to gain more experience but he got ‘stuck’ in dairy farming where he stayed for 40 years. He retired in September 2013 and took the opportunity to realise that challenge.

Judith has been a busy farmer’s wife

By mentoring young women, who in turn work with young disadvantaged girls, I have helped to broaden their experiences and knowledge of women’s health, plus increase their confidence.

They have been motivated to improve their life choices.

‘By working with farmers on a milk quality improvement program, Simon has helped raise household income, improved the lives of women farmers and reduced the negative environmenJudith Hill—‘working with the VSO has also broadened our horizons’. tal impact of milk production. and worked at Beaminster School for the ‘Working with rural communities past 17 years. After years of work in edugives local people the opportunity to voice cation, sports coaching, community work, their needs and use their own ideas to crefarming and family life she has been able ate sustainable change. Volunteering with to share her skills further afield. She has VSO has also broadened our horizons and put many young people through their Life made us realise that we can deal with a Guard training and taught hundreds to wide range of challenges.’ swim at Beaminster’s Community Pool.

VSO started in 1958 and since that time Judith is delighted to receive this award: more than 40,000 volunteers of 94 nation‘Winning this award has been an unexalities have brought about lasting change pected pleasure, which we are delighted by sharing their skills. For more informato accept on behalf of our Nepali friends. tion visit www.vsointernational.org.

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Needlework kit to help with flood relief

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ith the help of generous donations made at her late husband’s memorial service, Somerton resident, Mary Stirling, has come up with a unique way of raising funds for the Somerset Community Foundation, the organisation that administered the Somerset Flood Relief Fund in 2013 and 2014.

Along with support from Simon Deighton, of Deighton Needleworks in Bideford, she has launched a needlepoint kit based on a contemporary 17th century wood engraving which records the Great Flood of 1607.

Described as the most catastrophic flood ever to hit western Britain, there has been much debate amongst historians and geologists as to whether it was caused by a tsunami, a spring tide, a storm surge or a combination of natural phenomena. Regardless of the cause, the result was catastrophic. The flood covered an area that extended as

times is featured in an article on page 62 of this issue.

Citing Mary Queen of Scots’ use of similar sources for her own embroidery designs, Mary Stirling explained that she felt the wood engraving records a catastrophic event with contemporary relevance, and felt it would be a suitable subject for needlework.

The needlework kit includes a colour printed no.

14 canvas and a no. 20 tapestry needle and all relevant information. It also includes 37 skeins of Appleton’s A depiction of the Great Flood of 1607 Tapestry wools in fourteen colours. far inland as Glastonbury and the death To order the complete kit, send toll is said to have been up to 2000 a cheque for £50 made out to The people. The flood water was described Somerset Community Foundation to as travelling faster than a greyhound.

Mary Stirling, The Old Hall, Cow Devastation caused by flooding will be Square, Somerton, Somerset TA11 7NG. keenly remembered by those that experiFor more information about the Somerset enced the Somerset floods in the winter Community Foundation visit www. of 2013/14. A reminder of those difficult somersetcf.org.uk.

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Advertorial

HIDDEN FESTIVE TREASURES

S

hopping for inspiring Christmas gifts and fashion in a beautiful, rural setting sounds wonderful – and it is! If you haven’t already discovered Colmers Hill Fashion, it’s a treat, tucked away in Symondsbury Manor Yard near Bridport, just off the A35. Here, you’ll find a refreshing mix of casual and occasion outfits and accessories, from quality British and European labels. Owner Penny Callaghan has been a fashion buyer for over 15 years and previously owned The Terrace in Lyme Regis. She has a keen eye for unusual, lovely items that stand out from high street fashion. Here are some of her selections for this Christmas.

Hot Christmas Gifts A soft, cashmere and wool star jumper is a sure-fire winner this Christmas. Choose from a variety of great colours, price £55.

Ponchos are popular and an easy, one size fits all option. Take your pick of the ponchos, including the cashmere buttonthrough in five colours, price £55, which

adapts for different looks. A super-soft faux fur snood, cosy and colourful scarf or a diamanté wrap will also make a welcome present.

Powder accessories are a modern take on vintage style. Colmers Hill has a wide range including wool gloves with cute button, bow or diamanté details for £16.95.

Suede gloves, in shades of tangerine, dove grey, mustard and lilac with contrasting bows, are priced at £38. Long knee high socks in gorgeous designs are £13.99.

Everything is packaged in luxury bags, so if you don’t want to wrap them – just don’t!

Beanies make a great gift: such as a cable-knit with a fluffy pom-pom, or a colourful chunky knit.

Alternatively go for a soft beret in deep green or burgundy or a cute crochet beanie with flower trim.

Jewellery lovers will be in their element, with prices to suit all purses, including leather and diamante bag charms £10; leaf motif brooches and leather cuffs, designed in New York; handmade glass Biba-inspired necklaces from local maker, Wendy Lowis Bates, from £35 and a new range of fine gold and silver pieces on a woodland theme, made by a local designer. l If you’re looking for a fabulous outfit for the festive season, check out the wide range of dresses, tops, trousers and skirts at Colmers Hill Fashion. From the simple and classic to the colourful and sparkly, there’s a style and size for everyone.

Buy online at www.colmershill.com.

At Symondsbury Manor Yard, you’ll find treats for the senses: boutiques and one-off shops offering quality gifts, designer fashion, flowers, hair and beauty and an award-winning café serving delicious food - all in the tranquil setting of a stunning Dorset village just off the A35 and with ample car parking.

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Coast &Countryside Events Monday 28 November

Clay An informal, untutored sculpture group that meets weekly at IAC. All abilities welcome. Mondays 9.30am 3.30pm. £7 per weekly session. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Researching West Country Ancestors update on what materials are available.

Marsh Barn Farm, Burton Rd. Bridport.

Cost £30, includes handouts, tea and coffee, bring lunch, plenty of parking.

For more info contact Jane on 01308 425710 or email:jferentzi@aol.com.

Life at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea Talk by Brian Cumming. Bridport United Church Hall, East St, Bridport 2.30pm.

Presented by the Golden Cap Association (West Dorset). Non-members welcome.

Admission £3. Includes tea or coffee and biscuits. For further information 01308 863577.

Axminster Carnival Bingo Doors open 7pm eyes down 8pm, Guildhall, Axminster.

Biodanza @ Othona Express, Connect,

Relax. Dance like no one’s watching, no steps to learn, no partner needed, uplifting world music and holistic health benefits. For all ages from 19 to 90.

7.15pm for 7.30pm. Join in bimonthly with teacher Julia Hope-Brightwell (Jewell). Cost £8 (Cons avail). Othona Community, Coast Road, Burton Bradstock DT6 4RN. Contact Robin 01308 897 130 / biodanza-bridport.co.uk.

Tuesday 29 November

Beavers in Devon - Restoring Wetlands the Natural Way an illustrated talk by Mark Elliott, CEnv. MCIEEM, Devon Beaver Project Lead, Devon Wildlife Trust. 2.30pm, Woodmead Hall, Lyme Regis. Dorset Wildlife Trust joint meeting with The Lyme Regis Society.

Beaminster Museum Winter Talks ‘The missing Roman Aqueduct to Dorchester’ speaker Dr Murray Rose.

2.30pm, £2.50 per person. For more details www.beaminstermuseum. wordpress.com.

Merriott Gardening Club Meet at the Tithe Barn, Church Street, Merriott TA16

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5PS at 7.30pm. Non members £2. A talk

by Trish & Mark Robinson “Annual aches, biannual backs and perennial problems!”

EOS: Hieronymus Bosch 7.30pm Tickets: £10 Bridport Arts Centre, 9 South St, Bridport, Dorset. DT6 3NR 01308 424204. www.bridport-arts.com.

Based on the critically acclaimed, onceonly exhibition which brought together his major paintings and drawings from around the world to his home town of Den Bosch, Netherlands. This film asks just who is Hieronymus Bosch? Why are his strange and fantastical paintings so popular? How does he bridge the medieval and Renaissance worlds?

Where did his unconventional and timeless visions come from?

Tue 29 Nov - Sun 1 Jan

Pop-up Vintage Popping-up again in time for Christmas. At the Town Mill, Lyme Regis, in the Courtyard Gallery opposite the brewery. Open every day from 10.30am - 4pm. Closed on 25 /26 December. Re-cycled, up-cycled,

re-furbished and renovated toys, books, clothes, accessories, homeware and decorations for a fabulous, creative and sustainable Christmas. ‘Lots of lovely things, Sweetie! Again!’ Cash Sales only.

Wednesday 30 November

Seaton & District Probus Club Talk

by Bert Sherman: “Toying with my Future”. 10am at the small hall, Seaton Methodist Church. New members welcome – come and give us a try.

More information from Keith on 01297 624374 or Peter on 01297 552156 or visit www.seatonprobus.co.uk.

Coffee Morning 10am – 12noon. Pop in for a cup of real coffee and a chat.

Look around the book and bric-a-brac stalls and more often than not, listen to some live music. Entry is free. The David Hall, South Petherton, Somerset. www.thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240 340 boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk.

Bridport Camera Club Talk by Catherine Carter: “Travelling the World as a Cruise Ship’s Photographer”.

7.30pm Chancery House, Bridport, DT6 3JT. New members are always welcome. For all enquiries phone the Club Secretary on 01308 482658.

Guggleton’s Celebration of Christmas 6.30pm for 7pm. Drawn to Antarctica with artist Frances Hatch. An illustrated talk including wine and Christmas fayre £12. Guggleton Farm Arts Project, Station Road, Stalbridge, Dorset, DT10 2RQ. 01963 363456 or 01963 370219. www.guggleton.co.uk.

Weymouth Library Quiz Night 7pm.

Get your teams together. Tickets from Library Desk, £9 team of up to six.

Generous cash prizes, Good raffle.

Enquiries 01305 832613/762410.

Mark Thomas: The Red Shed 8pm Tickets: £16/£14 Bridport Arts Centre, 9 South St, Bridport, Dorset. DT6 3NR 01308 424204. www.bridport-arts. com. The Red Shed is the third part in a trilogy of multi award winning shows (Bravo Figaro and Cuckooed).

A story of strikes, dinner ladies and commies. Crap beer, great beer, burgers and burger slingers. Pickets, placards, friendship, love, history, dreams and above all remembering.

East Devon Ramblers moderate 10 mile circular walk from Colyton. 10am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads. 01395 516897.

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Coast &Countryside Thursday 1 December

Talent for Textiles Makers Market at Ilminster Arts Centre, a collection and sale of handcrafted delights by Westcountry textile artists. 9.30am 3pm. Free entry and a great cafe on site.

Enquiries Caroline Bushell Tel 01404 45901.

West Dorset Ramblers 7 mile Golden Cap and Langdon Hill walk. 10am start.

Bring picnic. No dogs. All welcome.

Please call 01308 423749.

West Country Artisans and Textile Makers Fair Beautiful handmade work by selected West Country mixed media artists, weavers, knitters, quilters and textile artists. Vintage, but with a modern twist! Curated by A Talent for Textiles.

9.30am - 3pm. Free admission. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Life Drawing This Autumn Centenary Club in Weymouth DT4 7BG. All abilities are welcome at all the sessions but spaces are limited, For further information and booking for Weymouth classes email susanrhughes@gmail.com or phone 077125 32289 / 01305 780078.

What’s that bird? 12noon - 2pm, Tower Hide at Seaton Wetlands. Improve your bird ID skills with an experienced guide. www.wildeastdevon.co.uk, countryside@ eastdevon.gov.uk, 01395 517557.

Tatworth flower club NAFAS Demonstration, ‘Christmas Traditions’ by Alison Finch (Blandford Forum Dorset) at Tatworth memorial hall TA202QA, doors open 1.30pm for 2pm. Home made cakes. Visitors Welcome entry £5.

Further information Julie Kettle 01297 33924.

Wishing Well cancer support talks open to general public. Donations welcome.

Health and Local Food for Families with Laura. 2.30pm unless otherwise stated and admission is by donation.

Refreshments provided. Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre www. axminsterwellbeing.com 01297 32331.

Broadwey, Upwey & District Horticultural Society ‘My life in watercress’, a talk by Tom Amerywatercress grower. St. Nicholas Primary School, Dorchester Road, Broadwey, Weymouth starting at 7.30pm. Details on 01305 813853 or website.

Chard Folk Dance Club Combe St Nicholas Village Hall. 7.30pm Caller Mary Blackberow, musicians Robert and friends. £2.50/£3.50. More info

0146065909/61996.

Bridport Electronic Organ and Keyboard Club at The United Church Hall Bridport with artist Chris Powell and a Christmas theme. Concert starts at 7.30pm admission members £7.50, visitors £9 with refreshments.

For information call secretary Brian Cornelius 01460 73500.

Poetry and Music Poets Pam Zinnemann-Hope, Lorraine Mariner with musicians Andrew Dickson and Andrew Hurst. Sladers Yard, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL. Open from 6pm for supper, music from 8pm. Admission fee £10, £25 with supper 01308 459511. gallery@sladersyard.co.uk, www. sladersyard.co.uk. Lorraine Mariner has given one previous, hilarious and utterly surprising reading at Sladers Yard. She now joins poet Pam Zinnemann-Hope and musician and composer Andrew Dickson and arch-lutanist Andrew Hurst in a thoroughly entertaining evening of poetry and original music from four great talents.

Chard Camera Club WCPF DPIC selection evening and receiving the results of their ‘Walking Hunt’ competition set by member Mr Malcolm Brocklehurst. Further details can be obtained from the club’s website www. chardcamersclub.org.uk or by ringing Mr Malcolm Brocklehurst 01460 68616.

John Etheridge & Vimala Rowe Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm). An exciting opportunity to see the outstanding guitarist John Etheridge and winner of The Indy Music Award for ‘Best Soul/ Jazz/Funk Act’, Vimala Rowe, perform together live. This autumn he joins forces with sensational new vocal star Vimala Rowe, who has been gaining plaudits wherever she goes. Together John and Vimala weave a magical spell, effortlessly travelling musically from India to Africa, Middle East and the USA. www.artsreach.co.uk. Tickets £9 (U18:£6) Fam: £25 from the Self Service Box Office at The Charmouth Practice (next to the The Royal Oak on the Street). 01297 560948. Bar and raffle. All proceeds to the village hall.

From The Jam + Nobody’s Heroes (support) Doors 7pm / Starts 8pm £22 (£21 + £1 bf) adv / £25 door, Electric Palace, 35 South St, Bridport DT6 3NY 01308 424901. The words legend and icon are sometimes used too frequently these days but not when being used to

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describe Bruce Foxton. As a part of The Jam, in the punk explosion during the summer of 1976, Bruce Foxton’s thumping bass lines bounded onto London’s live music scene.

Thur 1 - Sun 4 December

Under The Greenwood Tree New Hardy Players. Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF, 1-3 December 7.30pm, 4 December 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £12/£10/£30 (family ticket), Box office: 01305 266926, www.dorchesterarts.org. uk. This 2016 adaptation cleverly tackles the social changes which rock the small community of Mellstock. The production features music and song from a live band, and brings to the stage some of Hardy characters for audiences to enjoy.

Friday 2 December

East Devon Ramblers leisurely 4.5 miles circular walk from Otterton. 10am start. Dogs on short leads. 01395 579333.

Watercolour Workshop Learn the techniques of watercolour in these friendly and relaxed classes. All abilities welcome. 10am - 3pm (double session). £24 per double session. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. Book with tutor Nicky Clarke on: 01460 281 773. www. themeetinghouse.org.uk.

The Living Tree cancer self-help group 2pm Tripudio with Elizabeth, followed by having a go at Christmas wreath making. Tea and chat. Drop in any time between 2pm - 4.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, 95 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NZ. Tel 01308 427851. www. thelivingtree.org.uk.

Lyme Bay Photographic Club Competition – Opening(s); Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, DT7 3PG starting at 7.30pm. www.lymebayphotographicclub. org.

The Cornish Armada Jazz Band Traditional jazz, by the ‘best in the West’ jazz musicians. At 8pm. Tickets: £14 (£27 with pre-show supper at 7pm – must be pre-booked). Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Dukes Auctioneers Christmas Sale preview and talk 5.30pm - 7.30pm.

Duke Auctioneers in Dorchester host a drinks reception for Family Counselling Trust Dorset to preview their Christmas Sale and talk from BBC News Correspondent Kate Adie. 01305 871810.

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Coast &Countryside Sidmouth late night Christmas shopping evening – a festive event for all the family. A chance to enjoy free live entertainment whilst browsing the shops including traditional carols, street performances & DJ to get shoppers in the festive mood. Find perfect gifts with an abundance of specialist shops and sample great Christmas fayre - mulled wine, mince pies and roasted chestnuts. Perfect for keeping the children entertained, Professor Bumble performs balloon magic, see the Donkey Sanctuary and so much more. www.sidmouthchamber. co.uk.

Philippa Mo and Martin Fogel, violin and guitar Sladers Yard, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL. Open from 6pm music from 6.30pm. Admission fee £15, £30 with dinner to follow Contact number. t 01308 459511, gallery@ sladersyard.co.uk, www.sladersyard. co.uk. Further information: Join the internationally acclaimed British violinist Philippa Mo and Swedish guitarist Martin Fogel in an evening of astonishing quality and flair.

Yeovil Archaeological and Local History Society have an interesting talk

by Dr Tim Crumplin on ‘Clarks of Street: the story of a Quaker business’ at 7.30pm at the Holy Trinity Church & Community Centre, Lysander Road, Yeovil, BA20 2BU. Visitors are welcome, £2.

Organ Recital Uplyme Church 7.30pm

by Jeremy Meager, Associate of the Royal College of Organists. Awarded Distinction as a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music. Free Admission.

The Fossil Lady of Lyme 7.30pm.

Chaffcombe Village Hall a play written and performed by Alison Neil about the life of Mary Anning who spent her time in Lyme Regis and made many significant discoveries along the Jurassic Coast. A fascinating and spellbinding production. Tickets are £9 which will include seasonal refreshments. Please book Elaine 01460665909 or Jean 64553.

The Cornish Armada Jazz Band Traditional jazz, by the ‘best in the West’ jazz musicians. At 8pm. Tickets: £14 (£27 with pre-show supper at 7pm – must be pre-booked). Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Literary Somerset 7.30pm at The Jubilee Hall, Winsham. Celebrated local poet and author, James Crowden, gives a talk. There will be a bar serving drinks

from 7pm & a selection of James’ books for sale and signing. Tickets £5 from the Village Shop or on the door. All proceeds to St Stephen’s Church Tower Appeal.

Buffalo Summer 8pm Tickets: £8 (standing). Big, bluesy, heavy & curvy, Welsh rockers Buffalo Summer bristle with the warm, rich old-school tones of groups such as Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes, Jack White & Deep Purple. One of the most electric new live rock bands in Europe. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Blues Night: Nine Below Zero Doors 7pm / Starts 8pm £16 (£15 + £1 bf) adv / £18 door Electric Palace, 35 South St, Bridport DT6 3NY 01308 424901.

Fri 2 – Sat 3 December

Rock Around Christmas presented by CLOKS Combe St Nicholas Church, Combe St Nicholas Nr Chard at 7.30pm.

Refreshments served, Free entry/ Donations welcome. www.cloks.org.uk.

Fri 2 - Sun 4 December

Christmas Tree Festival at St Nicholas’ Church, Combe Raleigh, Nr Honiton, EX14 4TG, 10am - 5pm. Open Tower on Sat 3rd, last chance to ring the three bells before augmentation to six. All Welcome.

For info phone 01404 43929 or 01404 43166.

Saturday 3 December

Big Breakfast at Clapton & Wayford Village Hall 9am – 11.30am full English breakfast £6, including fruit juice + unlimited toast & coffee/tea in a friendly setting with a lovely view. All welcome.

Further information from Adrienne 01460 75313 or Sheralyn 01460 74654.

Symondsbury Estate Christmas Market 10am – 7pm Manor Yard, Symondsbury.

Christmas Craft Fayre 10am 1pm Musbury Village Hall. A good selection of stalls selling Christmassy Craft items, also cake stall, tombola and raffle. Refreshments including delicious bacon buttys. Enquiries 01297 552440/552711. Profits to St Michaels Church Musbury.

Christmas Mini Wreaths at Lorton 10am – 4pm. The Centre is open for visitors, come along for a walk around the reserve, follow a self-guided trail, drop in for a hot drink & watch the birds on screen. Peruse our selection

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of wonderful Wildlife Trust Christmas Cards, wildlife books & id guides – fantastic if you need to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Plus get crafty with us & create Christmas MiniWreaths from natural materials (£2/ wreath). No unaccompanied children.

Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH. Phone 01305 816546 for more information.

Willow Christmas decorations with Windrush Willow, 10am - 1pm, Reed Base at Seaton Wetlands. Suitable for beginners we will make simple designs in willow, including stars, garlands and Christmas trees, all tools and materials provided. Two good hands and eyes needed. Booking required, £22 per person. To book: wildeastdevon.co.uk, countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk, 01395 517557.

Beaminster Museum Christmas Sale and Coffee Morning 10am - 12noon and is a chance to buy your Christmas gifts, cards and calendars from our shop. The admission charge will be adults £2 and children £1 to include a cup of coffee and a piece of cake.

Christmas Bazaar 10am - 12noon, St Peter’s Church, High West Street, Dorchester. A selection of Christmas gifts and seasonal refreshments. Free entry.

Winter Wellness Workshop Axminster.

Caroline Butler, local medical herbalist, runs a two hour workshop on using local herbs and kitchen cupboard herbs and spices to keep healthy this winter.

Caroline shows how to make herbal infusions and elderberry syrup and explain how to use them over the winter to ward off coughs and colds and boost immunity. Axminster Health and Wellbeing Centre, Axminster, 10am – 12noon. £10 per person including a bottle of elderberry syrup and recipe to take home with helpful fact sheets so that you can look after yourself this winter.

Phone 07956 780849.

Christmas Craft Wildlife Watch Event Somerset Wildlife Trust 10.30am - 1pm.

Join the fun making natural Christmas crafts: wreaths, hazel Santas or elves, miniature Christmas tree and more.

Help decorate one of the Brewhouse’s ‘Around the World’ Christmas trees.

The Brewhouse, Coal Orchard, Taunton TA1 1JL. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information and to book your place please contact the Brewhouse on 01823 283244 or visit

www.thebrewhouse.net. Free event.

Donations Welcome.

Book Signing of The Magic Makers by illustrator Nicola Dennis, written

by Dr. John Eames who taught at the Woodroffe School Lyme Regis.

Symondsbury Christmas Fair.

Christmas Fayre at Uplyme Church 12noon - 2.30pm. Delicious Christmas light bites and soup, festive crafts, games, Christmas quiz, raffle, and some surprises! Come along and join in the fun.

Deck the Halls 3 different workshops throughout the day in the Great Hall, Forde Abbey, making festive wreaths, table decorations, and gift tags & place settings. www.fordeabbey.co.uk.

Mulled Wine, Santa and Songs A winter celebration at the Axminster Arts CafÊ from 1pm – 4pm. Free Festive Music & Songs from Danny Sumbler, Karl Taylor & Friends. Santa and the Arts Cafe staff will be there to give you a warm welcome. Hot refreshments will be on sale throughout the afternoon.

The Axminster Arts Cafe, The Old

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Coast &Countryside Courthouse, Church Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AQ. 01297 631455.

Blackmore Vale and Yeovil National Trust Association “A Seasonal Miscellany” by the Gillingham Singers.

A welcome return visit from the Singers with a fresh offering of music, and some readings, about the Christmas season.

Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne and start at 2.30pm. Admission is normally £3 for members of the Association and £5 for guests.

Living willow structure maintenance with Windrush Willow, 2pm - 4pm, Reed Base at Seaton Wetlands.

Suitable for beginners we will learn how to plant and maintain a Living Willow Structure, all tools and materials provided, Outdoors whatever the weather. Good mobility needed. Booking required, £15 per person. To book: wildeastdevon.co.uk, countryside@ eastdevon.gov.uk , 01395 517557.

Clive Carroll Guitar Workshop 3pm Tickets: £15 and £10 for students.

Ragtime & Percussive Guitar Workshop.

Must pre-book. Numbers will be limited to 15. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

The Tinderbox Milborne St Andrew Village Hall has a family show Suitable for aged 4 and upwards at 6pm (NB earlier than normal). The Tinderbox is an enchanting tale that’s full of magic moments, about a roguish soldier who acquires a magic tinderbox that gives him the power to summon three extraordinary dogs to do his bidding.

The village hall and bar is open from 5.30pm and the performance starts at 6pm. Tickets £6 adults, £5 under 18s, £20 family which can be obtained from:-

Londis Village Shop in Milborne St. Andrew or from Alice & Roger Harrall by phoning 01258 839230 email alice. harrall@gmail.com.

Annual Christmas Bingo at Thorncombe Sports & Social Club (TA20 4ND). Doors Open at 7pm Eyes Down 8pm.

Bridport Ceilidhs present a treat for Christmas with talented Derby musicians Doug Eunson and Sarah Matthews (of Cupola, DanceCupola, Cross O’ The Hands, Morai) and Exeter’s own Jeremy Child calling. Church House (St Mary’s) Hall, South Street, Bridport DT6 3NW. Bring and Share finger food supper, with some soft drinks provided; bring your own beer/wine and make a party of it. Doors open 7.15pm for 7.30pm - 11pm dance. Tickets £9 on the door, but cheaper in advance at £8 from “The Music Shop”, South Street, “The Lime Tree” Deli, West Street, or online; or book by phone on 01308 423 442 or email monty3dayslate@yahoo.co.uk. See the website for more details and how to buy online: www.bridportceilidhs. wordpress.com.

Christmas Bingo and Raffle 7.30pm St. Swithun’s Church Hall, North Allington, Bridport.

Cantamus 7pm at the Church of Our Lady, North Chideock DT6 6LF. “All So Still”-Choral Music for Christmastide including Bach, Britten, Wilcocks and Lauridsen. Tickets on the door £8 (including refreshments). www. cantamus-dorset.org.

Roger Marks’ Cornish Armada Jazz Band at The Tuckers Jazz Club 8pm.

Roger Marks (trombone), TBA (trumpet) Gordon Stafford (clarinet), Tony Mann (bass & sousaphone) Malcolm Hurrell (banjo) & Dave Cawse (drums).

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The Tuckers Arms, Dalwood, Near Axminster, EX13 7EG. Tickets £10 in advance or at the door. Info: 01404 831280. www.dalwoodvillage.co.uk.

Chard Royal Naval Association at the Ridgway Hotel for their annual Christmas Dinner. Meeting at 7pm for 7.30pm dinner.

Police Dog Hogan 8pm. These eight musicians draw their influences from many different wells. Call it Americana, Country-Folk, Folk-Pop or even Urban Bluegrass, it’s difficult to do justice to the sheer range of styles this band is willing to take on and, if necessary, transform. Tickets: £16. No concessions.

The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www. thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240 340 boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk.

Encore Singers present a charity concert with festive music, ballads, show tunes and guest artists Flutecakes, 7.30pm at United Church, South Street, Dorchester.

This recently expanded choir, under the direction of Julia McFarlane, seeks a packed audience to help The Samaritans of Dorset fund its vital Christmas work.

There will be a retiring collection in aid of this very worthy cause.

Cantamus Concert at Chideock ‘’All So Still” a joyful and atmospheric Advent Concert at the beautiful Church of Our Lady, North Chideock, at 7pm.

Music and carols by Chilcott, Britten and Bach. Tickets £8, to include interval refreshments with wine, from 01308 488348, info@chideockmartyrschurch. org.uk or on the door. See also www. cantamus-dorset.org.

The Tinderbox Presented by The Norwich Puppet Theatre and sponsored

by Artsreach at 6pm in Milborne St Andrew Village Hall (DT11 0JX).

A family show Suitable for aged 4 upwards. Advanced booking advised.

The village hall and bar is open from 5pm and the performance starts at 6pm.

Tickets £8 adults, £6 under 18s, £25 family which can be obtained from Londis Village Shop in Milborne St. Andrew or from Alice & Roger Harrall by phoning 01258 839230, email alice. harrall@gmail.com.

Clive Carroll 7.30pm Tickets: £10 (seated). An inspirational evening of Spanish guitar classics, Originals, Medieval lute music, Delta blues & hints of Chet Atkins and Django Reinhardt all played by the WorldClass guitarist. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Sunday 4 December

East Devon Ramblers leisurely 7.5 miles circular walk from Uplyme.

10.30am start and bring picnic. No dogs. 01297 443836.

First Santa Special Yeovil Railway Centre, Yeovil Junction, Stoford BA22 9UU: First of several Santa Special days leading up to Christmas.

Advance booking recommended; www. yeovilrailway.freeservers.com or call 01935 410420 for more information.

A Christmas Special Enjoy a gentle stroll around Historic Sherborne on Festive Shopping Day and learn more of its ancient past with Blue Badge Guide Cindy. The walk starts at 2pm from the Tourist Information Centre. 01935 815341. A thousand years of History for only £5. No need to book. Just turn up, whatever the weather.

Practice Makes Perfect In days gone by, before television, Chamber Music used often to be played by family and friends at home. Nowadays, this wealth of beautiful music is rarely heard in public.

In this new initiative, small groups of wind players will meet, rehearse during the day and then perform Wind Ensembles in Pendomer Church (BA22 9PH). Pendomer lies in beautiful walking country. Why not pop in and listen to some of the rehearsal (any time after 11.30am), then go off for a good walk and return for the performance (5pm) and refreshments. DVORAK Serenade in D minor for Twelve Instruments. All this is free (Though any donation to Pendomer Church would

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Coast &Countryside be appreciated). For further information contact info@Pendomer.org.uk or 01935891328.

Monday 5 December

Cards for Good Causes 2016 at Axminster. On the move! This year the ‘Cards for Good Causes’ shop will be at Axminster Heritage Centre, Silver Street, Axminster. Until Saturday 10 December.

Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm. There will be Christmas cards from more than 30 charities as well as Advent calendars and other Christmas goods. Look out for the triangular red Santa signs to find our new location. For further information ring 01264 300126 or visit www. cardsforcharity.co.uk.

Clay An informal, untutored sculpture group that meets weekly at IAC. All abilities welcome. Mondays 9.30am-3.30pm. £7 per weekly session.

Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse. org.uk.

Simple healthy cooking demo with HALFF 10.30am – 12.30pm (Health and Local Food for Families). Free healthy cooking demonstrations offering nutritional advice and cooking hints and tips for people who care for others.

Includes a free meal to take home. At the HALFF Food Hub, South Street, Axminster. No need to book, just turn up, it’s free. Call Ros on 01297 631782 for more information or email admin@halff. org.uk.

Winsham Art Club Tutor Aviva HalterHurn, Byzantine Christmas Images, making marbled paper, using gold and coloured paper. Bring coloured or gold paper, old glossy magazines PVA glue and white cartridge paper for marbling ink provided. 2pm - 4pm at the Jubilee Hall, Church Street, Winsham, opposite the Post Office For info 01460 30835.

Axminster Carnival Bingo Doors open 7pm eyes down 8pm, Guildhall, Axminster.

Scottish Dancing in Chardstock Evening of Social Dancing with instruction with a break for tea and

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coffee. 7.30 to 10pm at the Village Hall. No partner required. Cost £1.

Contact David on 01460 65981; Ann on 01308 422927; or Andrew on 01297 33461, or just come along. www. chardscottishdancing.org.uk. Also on 12th, end of season party, 19th Bring a plate of food to share.

Mindfulness drop-in class at Axminster Health and Wellbeing Centre. 7.30pm - 9pm. Experienced meditators and beginners all welcome. No charge, donations appreciated. No need to book. Contact Kath Woods, accredited mindfulness teacher, 01404 831605 or just turn up.

Christmas Psychic Fayre Doors open 6pm. Clairvoyant Demonstrations at 7.15pm and 8pm. Readings available for £6 for 15 mins ~ from 6pm. Masonic Hall, Northcote Lane, Honiton EX14 1NP. www.honitonspiritgroup.co.uk 01404 548420. Enjoy a session of relaxing healing, therapies. Gifts for sale – candles, crystals, books and more.

Raffle ~ Teas and Coffee. Admission £2, Doors open 6pm.

Christmas Bingo Misterton Village Hall (TA18 8NA) - usual good prizes including store vouchers, grand raffle, cuddly toy, tombola and light refreshments. Books still only £1 for 10 games plus flyer. Plenty of free parking.

Doors open 6.30pm, eyes down 7.30pm prompt.

Jazz Jam Session Do you play an instrument? Do you enjoy jazz and want to try improvising around jazz standards and other well-known tunes?

Come along to this informal group – you can play, or just sit and listen.

8pm. £2 to take part. Bar. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Bridport Folk Dance Club 7.30pm 9.30pm in the WI Hall, North Street, Bridport. Enjoy folk dancing mainly in the English tradition from Playfordstyle to modern-day compositions at Bridport’s long-established weekly club, with club callers and recorded music and frequently on last Mondays of the month live music with guest callers. No partner or previous experience required.

Membership available giving admission at £2.50, otherwise £3. Contact Jane on 01308 898 002 or Monty on 01308 423 442. Also on 12, and 19.

Mon 5 – Tues 6 December

Festive Food Fun & Frolics The Fun includes Terry the Turkey, Hilarious Seasonal Stories, Christmas Songs, a Mini Panto and many, many laughs plus a two course Traditional Lunch.

12.30pm The Function Room, Brewers Fayre Lodmoor, Preston Beach Road, Weymouth, Dorset. Only £11.99 per person. 01305 768446.

Tuesday 6 December

West Dorset Ramblers 8 mile Chaldon Herring and Lulworth Cove walk.

10am start. Bring picnic. No dogs. All welcome. Please call 01300 320168.

Knit & Natter an informal get together, advice and guidance available.

Weymouth Library Gallery, Great George Street, Weymouth. 10.30am – 12noon. Free, enquiries 01305 777476 01305 762410.

Weymouth Library Coffee morning 11am – 12noon only 50p 01305 777476 01305 762410.

Chandelier Viewing Sidholme Music Room, Sidmouth 12noon - 2.30pm.

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Coast &Countryside View the main Chandelier, at ground level. This is only possible once a year when the insurers visit. This will be the first chandelier to be restored by the Royal Warrant Holder as soon as the funds are raised. There will be an opportunity to make a donation towards a component as a ‘Memorial’ to a loved one.

Alex Goodman 5pm - 6.30pm. Bridport Arts Centre, Bridport . Alex Goodman is an artist and producer and is often found messing around on boats in and around Penryn, Cornwall. Her work investigates how stories and relationship to landscape reflect the navigation of our everyday lives. Through illustration, poetry, paint, performance and print Alex’s work seeks to create a visual and audible poetry. Presented by The Mothership & Force 8. www.bridport-arts.com. www. force8.org, www.tumblr.com/blog/ mothershipresidencies, www.annabest. info/residencies.

Otters Somerset Wildlife Trust 7.30pm - 9.15pm Talk about Otters by Dr Rob Williams, Chair of the Somerset Otter Group. Caryford Hall, Ansford Castle Cary BA7 7JJ, ST643330. For more information please contact Caroline Rathbone on email carolinerathbone@ btinternet.com. Adults £2.50, Children Free.

The Weymouth Accordion Club meets 7.30pm Tuesday evenings at St Anne’s Hall Radipole Lane Weymouth DT4 9RP. Visitors are welcome to come at no charge, so please feel free to look in and listen. Further details from 01305 759452 or see http://weymouthaccordionclub. org.uk/.

Tue 6 – Thur 8 December

‘From Realism to Abstraction’ art course Christine Allison at Moorbath Creative, Moorbath Farmhouse, Symondsbury, DT6 6HN email antheasimmons@me.com for details.

Tue 6 - Sun 18 December

19th Christmas tree festival for the URC Church East St Bridport. 65 Trees all charities with lights. Dedication service on 6 December at 7pm with Town Mayor Ros Kayes switching on the lights. Times of opening: Wednesday 6, 10am - 9pm late night opening, Thursday to Friday 10am - 5.30pm. Saturday 10am - 4.30pm, Sunday 18, 2pm - 4.30pm Annual Carol Service.

Wednesday 7 December

Coffee Concert Sidholme Music Room, Elysian Fields, Sidmouth EX10 8UJ. 10.30am – 12noon. Sidmouth Primary School Choir, Songs from John Brindley, accompanied by John McGregor.

Retiring collection in aid of Sidmouth Town Band and Restoration Fund.

Devonshire Association Axe Valley Branch 2.30pm at the The Pavilion, Peace Memorial Playing Fields, Colyton.

An illustrated talk “The Three Hares”.

Dr Sue Andrew will reveal the story of this enigmatic medieval motif. Not only found in 17 churches in Devon, but, intriguingly, also in Buddhist, Islamic and Jewish contexts. All welcome, admission £1 for DA members, nonmembers £3. Details from 01297551529 or brian_denham@talktalk.net.

Christmas Cheer 4pm - 8pm Bridport’s late night shopping event with a visit

by Santa, Reindeer, entertainers, late night shopping, craft and food stalls, live music & celebrations. www. bridportchristmascheer.co.uk.

What did women do all day in Tudor and Stuart England? Aside from generalisations, surprisingly little was known about the normal everyday experience of women’s work in preindustrial England. Dr Mark Hailwood is a social historian of England and will tell us about his current project ‘Women’s Work in Rural England, 1500-1700’ which is based mostly on material from Devon. Axminster Historical Society, 7.30pm The Bradshaw Meeting Room, Axminster Heritage Centre, Silver Street, Axminster, EX13 5AH All welcome.

Folk Dancing in Honiton Gittisham Folk Dance Club. A good knees up at regular ‘first Wednesday’ dance night, 8pm - 10.15pm, in the Mackarness Hall, High Street, Honiton, Devon, EX14 1PG. All levels of experience welcome and beginners especially; no partner required. With live music and light refreshments. £3. See website: https:// gittishamfolkdanceclub.org 01404 813 129 or secretarygittishamfolkdance@ gmail.com.

The Polden Way and its Reserves 7.30pm - 9pm. Tim Youngs, Somerset WIldlife Trust’s Director of Land Management will talk about the Polden Way and its Reserves. The Polden Way runs from Walcot Hill to Hurcot Hill through many nature reserves.

Tim will look at the natural history to be found along the way, including the Large Blue Butterflies of Collard Hill.

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Shapwick Village Hall, Station Road, Shapwick, TA7 9NJ. ST418384. For more information please contact Anne Lees on email leesmark@supanet.com.

Adults £2.50, Under 16’s Free. Somerset Wildlife Trust event.

Sing Christmas by The Zembard Singers. An informal evening of enjoyable festive music. 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Chard.

A programme of well-known traditional music, gallery carols and new music to celebrate the Christmas Festival.

Refreshments available during interval, and retiring collection. 07768 028572, zembardsingers@gmail.com.

Jurassic Jam (JJ) Music for all to join in. Free admission. Eyre Court, 2 Queen Street, Seaton, EX12 2NY. 8pm - 10.30pm. Andrew 01404 46451 or Adrian 01404 549903.

Thursday 8 December

Christmas Collage Decorations Make Christmas a time of creation! Come and make some unique textile decorations for your home or as gifts for your friends.

With k3n. 10am - 3pm. £25. Bring your own sewing machine. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Tree planting 10am - 3pm, Knapp Copse. A day of tree planting with the East Devon Conservation volunteers on a stunning local nature reserve in the Roncombe Valley. For more information: wildeastdevon.co.uk, countryside@ eastdevon.gov.uk, 01395 517557.

Sherborne and District Gardeners’ Association Judith Searles, Florist Festive Arrangements followed by Xmas Party, 2.30pm. Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne. £2 for visitors.

Dorset Wildlife Trust AGM 11.30am, Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre (Portland Beach Road, DT4 9XE).

The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker – Live Screening 7.15pm Tickets: Adult £15, Student/Child £12, Family of four (2+2) £46. It is Christmas Eve and Drosselmeyer the magician sweeps young Clara away on a fantasy adventure, the living room becomes a great battlefield, and a magical journey takes them through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

The Beat + The RPMs (support) Doors 7pm / Starts 8pm £18 (£17 + £1 bf) adv

/ £20 door Electric Palace, 35 South St, Bridport DT6 3NY 01308 424901.

One of the biggest bands of the 2-Tone movement, The Beat present a wall of sound that transcends time and ska fusion rhythms to ignite a crowd. The 2016 line-up features Ranking Roger and Ranking Junior on vocals with Oscar Harrison on drums, Andy Pearson and Steve Harper on guitars.

Thur 8 - Sun 11 December

Christmas Tree Celebration St Paul’s Church Honiton is holding a Christmas Tree Celebration with Music. Come and see the beautiful trees which local organisations and businesses have decorated and displayed in the church. Music will be played by local groups and individuals. Opening times: Thursday 8 9.30am – 4pm, Friday 9 10am – 8pm, Saturday 10 9.30am – 4pm, Sunday 11 12noon – 3pm, Closing Carol Service 3pm Sunday 11. Entrance £2, including free draw ticket; accompanied children free.

Children’s activities and prizes. Lunches and refreshments available.

Friday 9 December

West Dorset Ramblers 9 mile Sidmouth, Stowford and Sidford walk.

10am start. Bring picnic. All welcome.

Please call 01395 513846.

East Devon Ramblers leisurely 5.5 miles circular walk from Feniton.

10am start. Dogs on short leads. 01404 850347.

Rag Rugs Come and make beautiful rag rugs from recycled materials. Be warned - it’s addictive. 11am - 1pm. £10 per session. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster.

TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www. themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Food on Friday at Clapton & Wayford Village hall 12noon. Special Christmas lunch, priced at £5.50 to include main course roast with trimmings, roll & butter, choice of puddings, mince pies, unlimited tea/ coffee. Special diets can be catered for if requested in advance. Open to all; very friendly, newcomers really welcomed, but please book places in advance by phoning June 01460 77057 or Jackie 01460 72324, who will also provide more information if required.

The Living Tree cancer self-help group. 1pm Rising Voices with Jane.

(Creative writing workshop with Rosie Jackson postponed until New Year.)

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Coast &Countryside Massage 2pm Alexander technique with Chrissy Fraser, a more active session this time. Tea and chat. Drop in any time between 2pm - 4.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, 95 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NZ. Tel 01308 427851. www. thelivingtree.org.uk.

Readers’ Group Spend an afternoon once a month with like-minded people, a good cup of tea or coffee and a chat about the latest ‘read’. All books are provided by the library service.

2.30pm - 4pm. £4 per session (includes refreshments). Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster.

TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www. themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Jason Goodwin - Yashim Cooks Istanbul The Ebenezer, in The Seed Factory, Aller, Somerset TA10 0QN. ebenezer@ebenezerpresents.com. Please Note: Bookings by email, not by phone, so please do not call bookings unless you really need to talk to someone on the day of the talk, ie to make a late cancellation or booking. Ebenezer’s phone number: 07789 488 241. www.ebenezerpresents. com.

Chard History Group Annabel Hobley, the BBC Producer has a Talk “Translating History for Television” for Chard History Group. Her earlier series “Work Girls” has clips of film to show and also clips from a previous series “Servants” on the History of Domestic Servants.” A very entertaining evening will be had by all. At the finish of Annabel Hobley Talk there is seasonal fare, mince pies, coffee and tea. At Manor Court Primary School. opposite Sainsburys. Refreshments available. New members and guests are very welcome.

Free schoolyard parking. Member £2, Guests £3. Contact number 01460 66165.

The Watkins & Swarbrick Band Preston Village Hall, Preston Road, Weymouth DT3 6BH. 8pm (doors 7.30pm) Pay what you like at the end of the show, but book seats in advance.

Seat reservations essential from the box office 01305 837299. The band performs their uniquely wide-ranging acoustic music, showcasing the extraordinary musicianship of multi-instrumentalist, Simon Swarbrick, and the three-part vocal harmonies of Ken, Lucy & Angela Watkins. They will be launching their brand new CD, “Different Routes” which will be on sale at the venue.

The Ridgeway Singers and Band at Winterborne Whitechurch with

a seasonal celebration of all things Dorset. At St. Mary’s Church, starting at 7.30pm when there will be appropriate refreshments available. Tickets are £6, £5 under 18s and £20 families, available on the door or in advance from Pam Thornton on 01258 880179.

A Concert of Christmas Music 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Charminster, nr Dorchester – presented by HMS Heron Volunteer Band based at RNAS Yeovilton in aid of the Church Flood Reparation Fund. Tickets £10 per head to include a glass of wine. Ticket sales Tel. 01305 213403.

Lilli La Scala ‘Songs to Make You Smile’ Broadwindsor Comrades Hall, 7.30pm. Bar Available. A one-of-a-kind performer with a cascade of vintage glamour and charm, it’s easy to see why this little diva with the big voice has become a sell-out favourite worldwide.

Expect an enthralling night of classics, show tunes and bright and breezy numbers from yesteryear. Watch Lilli at www.lillilascala.com. Adults £9 from 01308 867644 or 01308 868582.

A Christmas Carol Living Spit. Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF, 8pm, £12/£10, 14+, Box office: 01305 266926, www.dorchesterarts.org.uk.

Howard Coggins’s gives a unique take on the eponymous anti-hero of Dickens’ festive masterpiece. With silly songs, pitiful puppetry and more Dickensian daftness than you can shake a selection box at – a feast of festive foolery.

Fri 9 – Sat 10 December

St Agnes Fountain at 8pm. St Agnes Fountain come together for the Christmas Tour each December, performing ‘rhythmed-up’ carols and Christmas music interspersed with laughter and spoken word. It is the season their legion of fans has been waiting for because, as they say, ‘Christmas starts with St Agnes Fountain’. Tickets: £18 Full. £17 Concessions. The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www.thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240 340 boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk.

Fri 9 – Sun 11 December

Christmas Tree Festival at St Peter’s Church, Dalwood, nr. Axminster, 10am - 5pm each day, (Holy Communion service at 11am on Sunday 11th). Light refreshments will be served. Closing at 5pm on Sunday with a singalong.

Donations in aid of the Church roof fund.

26 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Saturday 10 December

Farming Club 10am - 3pm. This club is for those young people 9-16 yrs who want to develop their skills working on the land. The club incorporates traditional farming skills, land management, animal care and how we work symbiotically with our environment. Cost: £80 for 4 week course or £25 drop in. Core Creative Education CIC, Halstock, Nr Yeovil, http://www.coreprojects.org.uk, 01935 891 661.

Xmas Fayre at Misterton W.I. Hall (TA18 8LX) - 10.30am - 2pm. Christmas Gift Stall, tombola, raffle, home bake.

Light refreshments/lunches. Free entry.

Enq. 01460 77599 / 78931.

Thorncombe Village Shop Christmas Celebration 10.30am - 4pm for a Christmas Celebration, with tastings of Christmas goodies, live festive music, handbell ringing and other Christmas themes, including an opportunity to enter Christmas competitions. Mulled wine and mince pies, and a special lunch, for that day only, of home-made soup with Evershot bread, followed by apple pie and cream, will be served between 12noon - 2pm. The Community Shop looks forward to welcoming customers old and new, and showing what they have to offer.

It’s all about Christmas Christmas Fair at Salway Ash Village Hall 10am - 5pm.

Local traders displaying and selling their goodies. Free entry and parking.

Refreshments served all day.

An Audience with Father Christmas Join Father Christmas by the fireside in the Great Hall and be entertained with merry Christmas tales. He’ll also be sharing his favourite festive nibbles – and might even have a very special present for you if you’ve been good!

Details on www.fordeabbey.co.uk.

Truffle Hunting Experience Day A unique day to learn all about this remarkable wild food, work with truffle hounds hunting at a secret location in West Dorset before sampling the finds over afternoon tea. 10am – c.4.30pm.

See www.englishtruffles.co.uk for more details and to book places.

Martock Merry Farmers Market 10am – 1pm in the Moorlands shopping precinct, 18 stalls selling almost everything to stock your larder for a quality Christmas. Also ornaments such as holly wreaths. Any reader who would like to play some music at the

market, please get in touch. The school are trying to raise a quorum of carol singers. Ring Fergus on 01935 822202 for a table.

Mulled Wine, Santa and Songs A winter celebration at the Axminster Arts Café from 1pm – 4pm. Free Festive Music & Songs from Danny Sumbler, Karl Taylor & Friends. Santa and the Arts Cafe staff will be there to give you a warm welcome. Hot refreshments will be on sale throughout the afternoon.

The Axminster Arts Cafe, The Old Courthouse, Church Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AQ 01297 631455.

Hawkchurch: Christmas Fayre 2pm at Hawkchurch Village Hall.

Adults £1, Children free. Stalls selling Christmas goodies, refreshments and an appearance from Santa. All welcome.

The hall postcode is EX13 5XD. For queries please contact Ruth 01297 678354.

Wreath making at Cranbrook 2pm 4pm, Younghayes Centre, Cranbrook.

Get that festive feeling with the Countryside Rangers at Cranbrook.

Make a beautiful Christmas wreath for your front door, enjoy mince pies, mulled wine and Christmas carols.

Booking required, £12 per person.

To book: wildeastdevon.co.uk, countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk , 01395 517557.

Lyme Bay Chorale’s Christmas concert 4pm at St Michaels’s Parish Church, Lyme Regis. Tickets at £15 on the door, £13 bought in advance.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 27

Coast &Countryside 18’s and under come free. The concert will be led by Dr Richard Hall, who is the Director of Dorset Rural Music School. The festive programme includes Schubert’s Magnificat, unusual and familiar audience carols. www. lymebaychorale.co.uk.

Blackmore Vale Scribes Christmas Gathering: Simple Lunch with Quote Quiz - Come with several famous quotes for others to guess “Who said it?”. Bradford Abbas Village Hall, DT9 6RF. Eileen Dearden (Secretary) 01308 425383.

Christmas concert at Seaton Methodist church at 7.30pm Exeter Salvation brass band and choir tickets £3 for adults children free, tea coffee mince pies available tickets at Byrne Jones shop Seaton 0129720668.

Cantamus 7pm at St Mary Magdalene, Loders DT6 3RZ. “All So Still”-Choral Music for Christmastide including Bach, Britten, Wilcocks and Lauridsen. Tickets on the door £8 (including refreshments). www.cantamus-dorset.org.

Jazz Jurassica Leigh Coleman with Matt Carter Trio, By the Bay restaurant, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis. Soulman, Leigh Coleman, who’s worked with Joss Stone, Beverly Knight and Solomon Burke, brings a soulful jazzy vibe to Matt Carter’s exciting piano combo.

He’s simply one of the finest soul singers around. You’re guaranteed a finger snapping evening of soul-driven jazz you won’t forget. Doors: 6.45pm Supper: 7pm - 8pm Music: 8pm - 10pm Ends: 10.30pm. Booking essential. Tickets £19.95 + b/f includes 2 course supper from Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre on 01297 442138 www. lymeregisjazzfestival.co.uk/jazz-jurassica​.

Chard Camera Club annual Christmas Dinner at 7.30pm at the Ridgway Hotel.

Further details can be obtained from the club’s website www.chardcamersclub. org.uk or by ringing Mr Malcolm Brocklehurst 01460 68616.

Concert by Sine Nomine choir St John’s Church, Waterlake Road, Tatworth, Somerset TA20 2NZ at 7pm. Tickets £8 from Helen Johnson 01460 220221, or on the door on the night. Drinks & nibbles available plus a super raffle in the interval. Another delightful concert awaits us when we will be entertained with a musical journey from Advent to Epiphany. An early music group based in Crewkerne, Sine Nomine specialise in music from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Accompanying them along

the way, as they sing, will be a whole variety on instruments including bowed psalteries, cornamusen, crumhorns, rebecs, rare shawms - a feast for the eyes as well as the ears.

Quiz evening organised by The Bridport Conservative Branch at 7pm for 7.30pm at the British Legion Hall, Victoria Grove, Bridport. Mince pies and Mulled Wine – all part of the price of £5 per head. There will be a Wine Raffle at the end of the evening. Please telephone 01308 421966 to book a table for 4 (or we can arrange for you to join another group).

Christmas Greetings from Bridport Choral Society 7.30pm at Bridport United Church. An evening of festive music.

Tickets £8, under 16s £4 (Price includes a soft drink and mince pie). Available from Bridport Music and at the door.

Met Opera Live: L’Amour de Loin The Gateway, Seaton. Doors open at 5.30pm.

Tickets £15 in advance (£17.50 day) from The Gateway Tel. 01297 625699 or www. seatongateway.co.uk. Box Office open 10am – 4pm weekdays, 10am – 1pm Saturday.

Uplyme Village Hall Dance Ballroom, Latin and some Sequence. Entry £4.50 per person in aid of Hall funds.Saturdays 8pm - 10.30pm. For further information 01308 456209.

Dancing Duo at Stowford Centre, Sidmouth 8pm. Ballroom & Sequence dancing; further info from 01803 325905.

Folk Concert with Ninebarrow multiaward winning folk duo performing at St Martin’s Church. Ninebarrow are impressing audiences across the country with their innovative and captivating take on the folk tradition. Combining breath taking harmonies and melodies they deliver songs and stories inspired by the landscape and history of the British Isles.

Superb music, folklore and storytelling at its best. Tickets are anticipated to sell quickly and are available for £10 from Richard Hewlett – richard@c-m-sltd. co.uk or home: 01308 897278 or work: 01308 897854. All proceeds will be divided between St Martin’s Church and The Village Hall Trust. Doors will open at 6.45pm for a 7.30pm start and there will be a soft drinks bar and raffle.

The Producers DA Blues. Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF, 8pm, £13/£6.50* in advance: £14/£7* on the door, Senior Citizen ticket: £11 advance/£12 door.*Under 18 or with N.U.S. Card, Box office:01305 266926, www.dorchesterarts.org.uk. A warm

28 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

welcome back to Dorchester for The Producers as they come to the end of their nationwide 25th Anniversary tour.

Book ahead to avoid disappointment and be prepared for an early Christmas party – you never know what to expect from these guys.

Sat 10 - Sun 11 December

Forde Abbey & Gardens An Audience with Father Christmas. www. fordeabbey.co.uk or please contact us info@fordeabbey.co.uk 01460 221290 (information line).

Sunday 11 December

East Devon Ramblers moderate 9.5 miles circular walk from Hawkchurch.

10.30am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads. 01395 260114l.

Wreath making at Seaton Wetlands 10am - 12noon and 2pm - 4pm, Reed Base at Seaton Wetlands. Get that festive feeling with the Countryside Rangers at Cranbrook. Make a beautiful Christmas wreath for your front door, enjoy mince pies, mulled wine and Christmas carols.

Booking required, £12 per person. To book: wildeastdevon.co.uk, countryside@ eastdevon.gov.uk, 01395 517557.

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop 10am - 4pm, Chedington Village Hall.

Learn how to create a beautiful Christmas Wreath from natural materials. Cost £40.

Price includes all materials, drinks, lunch and afternoon mince pie. All proceeds go to Chedington Village Hall. Booking essential, 01935 891437 or mrsbwhistle@ gmail.com.

The Phoenix Singers & Ringers 3.30pm - 4.30pm, Sidholme Music Room, Elysian Fields, Sidmouth EX10 8UJ. Conductor Maureen Cook Plus Christmas piano duets from Naomi Hogg & John McGregor. Retiring collection in aid of Restoration Fund.

Children’s Christmas Party at Thorncombe Sports & Social Club (TA20 4ND). 2.30pm - 4.30pm Party Food, Professional Children’s entertainment with James’s Disco and of course Father Christmas. For children of members, residents of the parish of Thorncombe or pupils of Thorncombe School. Free to all, but contact Mary Fursman on 01308 861346 for information on how Father Christmas gets the children’s presents.

The Italian Connection Christmas Music from the Italian Renaissance presented by Yeovil Chamber Choir and Axminster Chamber Choir. To include Palestrina’s 8-part Motet and Mass

“Hodie Christus natus est” together with Italian inspired works by contemporary C16 composers from France, Flanders, Italy, Spain and England, including Jean Mouton, Jacques Arcadelt, Luca Marenzio, Peter Philips & Tomas Luis de Victoria. At 3pm in St Mary’s Church (the Minster) Axminster,EX13 5AQ. Tickets £10 to include refreshments. 01935 873 719 www. yeovilchamberchoir.org 01297 639 377 www.axminsterchamberchoir. com.

Seaton Choral Society Christmas Concert From Darkness to Light: Includes Schubert Mass in G, Tippett Spirituals from ‘A Child of our Time’, Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas Carols and a selection of other carols. Soloists include Chloe Sratta, Ros Thomas, Tony Yates & Simon Gallear. Chorus and orchestra conducted by Dr Peter Milmer. The Gateway, Seaton at 4pm. Tickets £10 (under 18s free) from The Gateway Box Office Tel: 01297 625699.

Monday 12 December

Clay An informal, untutored sculpture group that meets weekly at IAC. All abilities welcome.

Mondays 9.30am - 3.30pm. £7 per weekly session. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Christmas Bingo Misterton Village Hall (TA18 8NA) - usual good prizes including store vouchers, grand raffle, cuddly toy, tombola and light refreshments. Books still only £1 for 10 games plus flyer. Plenty of free parking. Doors open 6.30pm, eyes down 7.30pm prompt.

Axminster Carnival Bingo Doors open 7pm eyes down 8pm, Guildhall, Axminster.

Biodanza @ Othona Express, Connect, Relax. Dance like no one’s watching, no steps to learn, no partner needed, uplifting world music and holistic health benefits.

For all ages from 19 to 90. 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Join in bimonthly with teacher Julia Hope-Brightwell (Jewell). Cost £8 (Cons avail).

Othona Community, Coast Road, Burton Bradstock DT6 4RN. Contact Robin 01308 897 130 / biodanzabridport.co.uk.

Ecstatic Awakening Dance 7.30pm

– 9.30pm, Woodmead Hall, Hill Road, Lyme Regis. Want to feel more energy, more alive and more in your body? Come and dance like no-one is watching, because nobody will be. This is a 5 step transformational dance process using Breath, Rhythm, Meditation and Movement. For more details: www.rahimaferguson.co.uk Rahima: 07890 171031.

Mon 12 – Sun 18 Dec

Christmas At Outpost Ho ho ho!

And the festive season is almost upon us. Outpost is transforming into a festive hub of Christmas activities. Be sure to visit. Lots of stuff going on. Window Display, 14th Film Screening, 16th b-side Young Producer Group’s Performance Event, 17th Paper Jam #5, Special Guest: Alistair Gentry, 18th Family Christmas Crafts. info@b-side.org. uk, www.facebook.com/bsidefest, www.twitter.com/bsidefest.

Registered Office: b-side CIC, Outpost, 77 Fortuneswell, Isle of Portland, DT5 1LY, 01305 568 044.

Tuesday 13 December

Lanes and the River Coly 10am – 1pm. Explore the lanes and the River Coly in the historic Shute estate landscape. A walk organised by the Axe Vale and District Conservation Society and led by Donald Campbell.

Meet at Colyton car park, Dolphin Street, SY246940. No booking required. Legacy to Landscape event.

Donation welcome to AVDCS. Cooking for One Demo with HALFF 11am – 12.30pm (Health and Local Food for Families). Free healthy cooking demonstrations giving hints and ideas for cooking for one and covering nutritional advice for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. At the Methodist Hall, Lyme Road, Axminster. No need to book, just turn up, it’s free.

Call Hannah on 01297 631782 for more information or email hannah@ halff.org.uk.

Colyton & Colyford Probus Club meets at the Swallows Eaves Hotel, Colyford at 12noon for the Members’ Christmas Lunch. Secretary David Evans: 01297 553007.

St Francis Tea Dances (EX10 9XH) 2.30pm.

Beaminster Museum Talk ‘The Netherbury Witch’ which will be Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 29

Coast &Countryside given by Brian Earl (eye of newt and toe of frog? In Netherbury? Surely not!

We dare you to come and find out...).

The talk will take place in the Museum starting at 2.30pm and the admission charge will be £2.50 per person.

Sam Ford and Ellie Johnson-Bullock 5pm - 6.30pm. Bridport Arts Centre, Bridport. Ellie Johnson-Bullock and Sam Ford are a performance duo, curators and members and founders of CHAMP. They are currently based in Newhaven and are embarking upon a durational yearlong research project about ‘the English dream’. They enjoy exploring ways of living and lifestyles. Their work consists of social and universal investigations in which we perform, record and invite others to play. Presented by The Mothership & Force 8. www.bridportarts.com. www.force8.org, www.tumblr. com/blog/mothershipresidencies, www. annabest.info/residencies.

Women in World War One Kate Adie, best selling author, broadcaster and former BBC War Correspondent, will give a presentation based on her recent book, Fighting on the Home Front. Chideock Village Hall 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Raffle and Refreshments.

Entrance by Ticket only. £10, Members £6. On sale from Dec.1st at The Book Shop, South Street, Bridport and Chideock Central Stores .All tickets £10 after 1 December. Chideock Society Autumn Programme. Further details .

01297 489422, 01308 426327.

Wednesday 14 December

Free Make & Munch with HALFF 10.30am – 12.30pm (Health and Local Food for Families). For parents and carers of children (0-18), a handson course of six sessions. Have fun preparing simple delicious food and enjoy eating it together. Pre-school age children welcome with parents/carers.

At the Methodist Hall, Lyme Road, Axminster. To book a place call Ros on 01297 631782 for more information or email admin@halff.org.uk.

Holyford Woods work party 10am

- 4pm, Holyford Farm. A woodland management work party at this lovely local nature reserve. Bring lunch. For more information: wildeastdevon.co.uk, countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk , 01395 517557.

Thorncombe Rail Activities Club talk and slide presentation given by Brian Jackson entitled ‘Castleman’s Corkscrew’. Thorncombe Village Hall, TA20 4NE at 7.30pm. Non Members are welcome, there are refreshments, a raffle and the parking is free. Contact Richard Holt, Chairman Tel. 01460 30428 or Google “traclubsite” for information.

Bridport Camera Club Photographic Quiz Night. 7.30pm Chancery House, Bridport, DT6 3JT. New members are always welcome. For all enquiries phone the Club Secretary on 01308 482658.

Free Christmas Music and Songs at St John’s, West Bay by The West Dorset Community Orchestra starting at 7.30 pm. A group of singers from the Local Vocals are also be featured. Raffle, and refreshments available and a retiring collection.

For more information contact Walter Brewster, walter@westdorsetmusic.org. uk or 07967 117012.

The Italian Connection Christmas Music from the Italian Renaissance presented by Yeovil Chamber Choir and Axminster Chamber Choir. To include Palestrina’s 8-part Motet and Mass “Hodie Christus natus est” together with Italian inspired works by contemporary C16 composers from France, Flanders, Italy, Spain and England, including Jean Mouton, Jacques Arcadelt, Luca Marenzio, Peter Philips & Tomas Luis de Victoria. 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Lysander Road, Yeovil, BA20 2BU. Tickets £10 to include refreshments. 01935 873 719 www. yeovilchamberchoir.org, 01297 639 377 www.axminsterchamberchoir.com.

Romeo & Juliet Ballet Theatre UK. 14 December - 6pm, 15 December - 2pm & 6pm. Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF, £16/£14/£5 Livefor5, Box office: 01305 266926, www.

dorchesterarts.org.uk. Ballet theatre UK create a new production to tell the tragic tale of star-crossed lovers with astonishing grace and heart-braking intimacy; promised to be an audience favourite and the highlight on the calendar.

Thursday 15 December

Knit, Stitch & Crochet Too From casting on to the finished garment.

Come and share your ideas and be inspired - whatever your level of skill from beginner to master knitter. 2.15pm - 4.15pm. £4 per session (includes refreshments). Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster.

TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www. themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Chard Folk Dance Club Christmas Dance 7pm Combe St Nicholas Village Hall. Music by Ivor Hyde and Holly Chapman. 2 Course meal and Christmas quiz followed by dancing. £7.50/8.50.

More info 0146065909 / 61996.

The Original Salway Ash Village Hall Xmas Bingo! Top Prize £50. Doors Open 7pm, Eyes Down 7.30pm.

Chard Camera Club Competition night for the club as the members show their images in the Special Subject category of ‘Bridges’ along with two ‘Open’ subjects.

Judge for the night being Mr Barry Welch.

Further details can be obtained from the club’s website www.chardcamersclub. org.uk or by ringing Mr Malcolm Brocklehurst 01460 68616.

Seaton Music Concert Seaton Music presents James Noble – clarinet and Simon Callaghan – piano. This award winning duo promises a varied programme with sonatas by Poulenc and Bax together with some exciting new works. Seaton Town Hall at 7.30pm.

Individual tickets are £15. Full details and further information can be found on www.seatonmusic.org.

The Kroft Originals’ Annual Christmas Singalong with special Guest Anette Deem 7.30pm. The Tuckers Arms, Dalwood, EX13 7EG. Near Axminster.

Looking ahead highlights for next month Sat 14 Jan

Truffle Hunting Experience Day Work with truffle hounds hunting at a secret location in West Dorset.

See www.englishtruffles.co.uk for more details and to book places.

30 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Sat 14 Jan

Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman Broadwindsor Comrades Hall, 7.30pm. Bar Available. Adults £9 from 01308 867638, 01308 867644 or 01308 868582.

Thur 19 Jan

Graham Fawcett on Ovid Sladers Yard, West Bay, Bridport.

6pm starts 6.30pm. Admission fee £10, £25 with buffet dinner 01308 459511.

LOOKING TO INCLUDE AN EVENT? Charity and fund-raising entries in Coast & Countryside Events are free of charge. Please check times with organisers or venues.

Email: info@marshwoodvale.com before the 10th of the month.

Free entry but raffle for charity.

01404 831280 www.dalwoodvillage. co.uk.

Gallery Quire at Uploders Chapel 7pm. Our Christmas gift to you. A great evening of early west country music with quire and instrumentalists in traditional costume, hot mulled wine and mince pies. Free but donations welcome! Come along for a great evening and a great start to a traditional Dorset Christmas! Loos and disabled access.

5 Star Swing – The Big Band at Christmas Doors 6.30pm / starts 7.30pm £15 (£14 + £1 bf) adv / £16 door Electric Palace, 35 South St, Bridport DT6 3NY 01308 424901.

Saxophones, a rhythm section and vocals, swinging like crazy – that’s the aptly named Five Star Swing.

Swing along to Winter Wonderland, Santa Baby, White Christmas and Jingle Bells. This is a band crying out to be danced to. It is never long before the jivers hit the dance floor.

Right in the swing!

Friday 16 December

East Devon Ramblers leisurely 4.5 miles circular walk from Burton Bradstock. 10am start. Dogs on short leads. 01308 898432.

Felt Making Come and learn how to make things in felt – anything’s possible, from scarves and hats, to slippers, waistcoats and felted animals! Beginners to advanced welcome. With tutor Geraldine Field.

10am - 3pm. £23 per monthly session (excluding materials). Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

The Living Tree cancer self-help group. 2pm Tripudio with Amanda, 2.15pm Nutritious food with Primrose Matheson from Primrose’s Kitchen http://primroseskitchen.com/, massage with Amanda. Drop in any time between 2pm - 4.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, 95 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NZ. Tel 01308 427851. www.thelivingtree.org.uk.

Canasta 7.30pm at Sidford Methodist Church EX10 9RL. Lyme Bay Photographic Club Xmas Party Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, DT7 3PG starting at 7.30pm. www.lymebayphotographicclub.org.

National Theatre Live: No Man’s Land The Gateway, Seaton. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets £12.50 in advance or £15 on night. Book in person at The Gateway, by phone on 01297 625699 or through website: www.seatongateway.co.uk. Box Office open 10am – 4pm weekdays, 10am – 1pm Saturday.

Benny Goodman Tribute Band A tribute to Goodman’s smaller bands performed by an array of top UK jazz talent, including Julian Marc Stringle, Roger Beaujolais, Dominic Ashworth and the Craig Milverton Trio. At 8pm. Tickets: £18 (£29 with pre-show supper at 7pm – must be pre-booked). Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Flower Power Christmas Party 7pm - 11.30pm Tickets: £25 includes glass of fizz, nibbles & sit-down supper. Bring your friends, frock up & rock up, or come suited & booted in your best ‘60s or ‘70s gear. The fabulous Flower Power function band will entertain you with their funky ‘60s & ‘70s sounds. Sit-down ‘70s themed supper. Tables of 10. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton. co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Joglaresa Holy Trinity Church, High West Street, DT1 1UP, 7pm, £14/£12, Box office: 01305 266926, www. dorchesterarts.org.uk. The luscious five female voices of Joglaresa – there’ll be nowells, wassails and Christmas lullabies (including the gorgeous Nuns of Chester Christmas lullaby). Accompanying themselves on fidel, harp, bells, bagpipes and percussion this is possibly the tinkliest and twinkliest Christmas programme to date.

Until Saturday 17 Dec

Christmas at The Town Mill Father Christmas is visiting The Town Mill on selected days to meet children in the run-up to Christmas. On Saturday and Sunday 26-27 November (and on 3, 10 and 17 December) from 12pm - 3pm: children can make a wish, stir the Town Mill Pud mixture, decorate a biscuit or do Christmas colouring in, meet Santa (a parent or carer must be present), and Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 31

receive a small gift to take home. An old-fashioned festive experience which will help us preserve the Town Mill for many more Christmases to come. Cost is £4 per child, (£6 for two siblings together, £10 for 3 siblings together).

In addition, families can simply soak up the christmassy atmosphere in our Mill, galleries and courtyard and enjoy a mulled wine and mince pie. And on weekends from 26th November until Christmas, you can select your own Xmas Tree from outside The Malthouse.

Grown on a family farm outside Honiton, ‘Scottie’s Xmas Trees’ will be selling trees, wreaths and log reindeer...so pop down and see them to pick your perfect festive decorations. The Town Mill, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis DT7 3PU, www. townmill.org.uk.

Saturday 17 December

Winter Craft Club – Working with Wood 10am - 3pm for 7-14 yrs only. Cost: £25 for the day. Core Creative Education CIC, Halstock, Nr Yeovil, http://www.coreprojects.org.uk, 01935 891 661.

Children’s Art Chest Have fun painting and drawing with an experienced artist, Margaret Micklewright. Learn how to use paints, charcoal, pen and ink, pencil and crayon to make pictures to be proud of! Ages 8+. 10.30am - 12.30pm. £5 per session (including materials).

Please bring an overall. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Mulled Wine, Santa and Songs A winter celebration at the Axminster Arts Café from 1pm – 4pm. Free Festive Music & Songs from Danny Sumbler, Karl Taylor & Friends. Santa and the Arts Cafe staff will be there to give you a warm welcome. Hot refreshments will be on sale throughout the afternoon.

The Axminster Arts Cafe, The Old Courthouse, Church Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AQ 01297 631455.

Carol Concert by the Axminster and District Choral Society, Minster, Axminster 7pm.

Turkey Night and Family Race Night at Thorncombe Sports & Social Club (TA20 4ND). Free entry - First race at 8pm. Great family fun at this hobby horse race night plus free turkey sandwiches for all. Also incorporating the Club’s annual Christmas drawWeymouth Choral Society Christmas Concert St John’s Church,

Weymouth. The programme promises an evening of great variety and different musical styles sharing the contemplative and celebratory aspects of the Christmas season. Join Weymouth Choral Society and The Dorset Sinfonia for what promises to be a large and satisfying helping of Christmas fare. The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 (and free to under 16s) available from: Harmony Music, Dorchester, Weymouth Pavilion, Phone 07712 135150, from members, via the website weymouthchoralsociety.org. uk or at the door.

Carols and Classics by Candlelight A pre-Christmas gem performed annually at the All Saints Church Merriott (TA165PS) provides an evening of Classical and Festive arrangements for Strings, Piano and Organ in the setting of a 15th C candlelit church. Started in 2009 this will be the 8th Carols and Classics concert performed at the church by the Fisher Sinfonia. Mince pies and refreshments before the concert to start the Christmas festivities. 7pm refreshments for a 7.30pm concert start.

Tickets are £8 available from Osbornes Store, Broadway, Merriott; Crewkerne Information Centre or contact 07870 404631 / 01460 76360, please book early to avoid disappointment.

Sheldon Singers 7.30pm in St Paul’s Church, Honiton, 30th Anniversary Christmas Concert, programme includes Respighi’s “Laud To The Nativity”.

Tickets £10 from Fulfords Estate Agents, High Street, Honiton 01404 480136, or on the door.

Carol Concert by the Axminster and District Choral Society at the Minster, Axminster 7pm. Traditional carols for choir and all the family. Tickets from Archway Books, Church Street, Axminster or phone 01404 881838 adults £10, children £5, under 8 – free.

Beaminster Gallery Quire Christmas Concert held in the Museum starting at 7.30pm admission charge £6 per person to include a glass of wine. www. beaminstermuseum.wordpress.com.

Belshazzar’s Feast at 8pm. This duo is on tour with a Christmas-themed show that mixes traditional Folk music, seasonal material, added to their usual touch of Classical and Jazz, with a bit of Pop and Music Hall, all topped off with lashings of wry humour. Tickets: £16 Full. £15 Concessions. The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www.thedavidhall. org.uk 01460 240 340 boxoffice@

32 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

thedavidhall.org.uk.

The ZZ Tops & Guests Christmas Party Night The Gateway, Seaton. We always have a fabulous Xmas Party with the boys from The ZZ Tops and this year will be no exception. Joining them for a double bill will be the brilliant Thin Lizzy Experience. So round up your friends and colleagues and come join us in the run up to Xmas. A full night of hit after hit and a fully loaded Bar to get us all in that holiday mood. Doors open 7.30pm., limited seating. Tickets £18 in advance (£20 on night) available through website: www.seatongateway.co.uk or the Box Office 01297 625699, (open 10am – 4pm weekdays, 10am – 1pm Saturday).

The Watkins & Swarbrick Band Village Hall, Whitchurch Canonicorum, nr Bridport DT6 6RF. 8pm (doors & bar 7.30pm). Pay what you like at the end of the show, but book seats in advance. Seat reservations essential from the box office 01305 837299. The band will perform their uniquely wide-ranging acoustic music, showcasing the extraordinary musicianship of Simon Swarbrick and the three-part vocal harmonies of Ken, Lucy & Angela Watkins. They will be launching their brand new CD, “Different Routes” which will be on sale at the venue.

The Mouse Outfit + The Napkings (support) Doors 7pm / Starts 8pm £10.50 (£10 + 50p bf) adv / £12 door Electric Palace, 35 South St, Bridport DT6 3NY 01308 424901. The Mouse Outfit was founded in 2008 by Paul Hooley (Chini) + James Defty after they met at an audition in Manchester. They formed a band and began producing music with a number of local musicians + vocalists.

These guys are destined for greatness.

Sunday 18 December

East Devon Ramblers moderate 9 miles circular walk from Trinity Hill. 10am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads. 01297 22030.

ShelterBox Tea Dances at Stowford Centre (EX10 9YL) at 2.30pm.

Annual Carol Service 4.30pm URC Church East St Bridport.

Nine Lessons and Carols 6pm St Peter’s Church, High West Street, Dorchester.

A candle lit traditional carol service. All welcome.

RNLI Christmas Carols & Songs The George Hotel, West Bay, courtesy of Christophe Dupuy, at 7pm for 7.30pm.

This very popular event will be led by members of the Bridport based folk band,

‘Acoustic Rooster’. Complementary Mince Pies and a Christmas Raffle will add to the festive fun. Early arrival is advised.

Acoustic Night 7.30pm - 10.30pm.

All styles and forms of performance welcome – not just music. If you wish to perform please drop us an email at folk@chriswatts.org to secure a slot. The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www. thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240 340 boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk.

Bolshoi Ballet: The Nutcracker The Gateway, Seaton. Doors open 2.30pm. Tickets £15 in advance (£17.50 on day) available through website: www.seatongateway. co.uk or The Gateway Box Office 01297 625699 (open 10am – 4pm weekdays, 10am – 1pm Saturday).

Also on at Bridport Electric Palace Doors 2pm / Starts 3pm £10.50 (£10 + 50p bf) adv / £12 door Electric Palace, 35 South St, Bridport DT6 3NY 01308 424901.

Mad Dog Mcrea Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF, 8pm, £15/£13, Box office: 01305 266926, www.dorchesterarts.org.uk. They return to Dorchester with their infectious mix of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz and bluegrass. Expect another hearty mix of original songs about adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies and legless pirates. This talented tribe never disappoints.

Monday 19 December

Clay An informal, untutored sculpture group that meets weekly at IAC. All abilities welcome. Mondays 9.30am - 3.30pm. £7 per weekly session. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster. TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www.themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Bird ringing demonstration 9am, Discovery Hut at Seaton Wetlands.

A rare chance to see birds up close as they are ringing for conservation monitoring. For more information: wildeastdevon.co.uk, countryside@ eastdevon.gov.uk , 01395 517557.

Freya – A Viking Saga 11am. All tickets: £5. A family show suitable for all children 4 years and above.

Freya, a Viking girl, is in a bit of a pickle. She is about to become a giant’s dinner! Freya must use all her

wits to escape old Gorm’s cooking pot & prove that friendship is “stronger than the strength of a giant and more powerful than the magic of a god.” The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

The Talatones Handbell Choir Sidholme Music Room, Elysian Fields, Sidmouth EX10 8UJ. 3.30pm - 4.30pm. Seasonal Music with audience participation. Plus Organ and piano items. Retiring collection in aid of Restoration Fund.

Christmas Bingo Misterton Village Hall (TA18 8NA) - usual good prizes including store vouchers, grand raffle, cuddly toy, tombola and light refreshments. Books still only £1 for 10 games plus flyer. Plenty of free parking. Doors open 6.30pm, eyes down 7.30pm prompt.

Axminster Carnival Bingo Doors open 7pm eyes down 8pm, Guildhall, Axminster.

Christmas Concert presented by Charmouth and Bridport Pop and Rock Choir and Lyme Regis Golf Club Choir at St Andrews Church, The Street, Charmouth, DT6 6 FN. Tickets £7 each available by calling 01297561625.

Jazz Jam Session Do you play an instrument? Do you enjoy jazz and want to try improvising around jazz standards and other well-known tunes? Come along to this informal group – you can play, or just sit and listen. 8pm. £2 to take part. Bar. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster.

TA19 0AN. 01460 54973. www. themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Bridport Folk Dance Club 7.30pm - 9.30pm in the WI Hall, North Street, Bridport for a Christmas Party night with “Jeroka” and caller Dick Williams. Enjoy folk dancing mainly in the English tradition from Playford-style to modern-day compositions at Bridport’s longestablished weekly club. No partner or previous experience required.

Entry £4 on party night. Contact Jane on 01308 898002 or Monty on 01308 423442.

Tuesday 20 December

Bird Watching at Holes Bay 9.30am – 11.30am. Join Nicky Hoar from Dorset Wildlife Trust for a walk

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 33

along the shoreline to see the birds of Holes Bay Nature Park, part of The Great Heath Living Landscape. Suggested donation £3. Meet in the main car park of Upton Country Park BH17 7BJ. More information on 01202 692033 or nhoar@ dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Reindeer trail 10.30am - 3pm, Seaton Wetlands. Father Christmas needs help! Follow the clues around the Wetlands to help track down his missing reindeer. Followed by Christmas crafts and hot drinks. No booking required, £3 per child. For more information: wildeastdevon.co.uk, countryside@ eastdevon.gov.uk , 01395 517557.

Cooking for One Demo with HALFF 11am - 1pm. (Health and Local Food for Families) Free healthy cooking demonstrations giving hints and ideas for cooking for one and covering nutritional advice for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and modified diets (eg puree/fork mashable). At the United Reformed Church, Cross Street, Seaton EX12 2LH. No need to book, just turn up, it’s free. Call Laura on 01297 631782 for more information or email laura@ halff.org.uk.

Frozen: Singalong Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF, 2pm, £4, Box office: 01305 266926, www. dorchesterarts.org.uk. Disney’s Frozen will be shown on the big screen once more here at the Corn Exchange so all fans, both young and old are invited to come and sing along to one of the most charming animations the world has seen.

Cantamus 7.30pm at St John the Baptist Church, Hawkchurch EX13 5XD. “All So Still”-Choral Music for Christmastide including Bach, Britten, Wilcocks and Lauridsen. Tickets on the door £8 (including refreshments). www. cantamus-dorset.org.

Wednesday 21 December

West Dorset Ramblers 10 mile Stratton, Charminster Down, Jackmans Cross and Grimstone Down walk. 10am start. Bring picnic. No dogs. All welcome. Please call 01300 320346.

East Devon Ramblers moderate 9 miles circular walk from Honiton. 10am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads.

01404 45944.

Bridport Probus Club meets at 12noon in the Eype’s Mouth Hotel for lunch at 1pm. This will be followed by a talk by John Smith, “Battle of Britain over Bridport”. Potential new members welcome. Please call Graham Pitts on 01297561569.

WDDFAS A Musical Celebration of the Christmas Season. Speaker: Sarah DeereJones. Highlands End Leisure Centre, Eype at 2.30pm. For details contact 01297 443615.

Local Open Evening Monkton Wyld Court with hot snacks and drinks, Mulled Wine and Mince Pies. A charity raffle with Local Lunch tickets, Monkton produce and a few surprises, and the chance for our neighbours to gather as the Christmas period sets in. 5pm – 7pm, Christmas Jumpers are welcome and any donations for the raffle, just call ahead to book your place 01297 560342.

Jurassic Folk Music for all to join in.

Free admission. Eyre Court, 2 Queen Street, Seaton, EX12 2NY. 8pm 10.30pm. Andrew 01404 46451 or Adrian 01404 549903.

Mad Dog MCREA (Support: The Eskies) 8pm Tickets: £15 (Standing).

With their infectious songs, blending Bluegrass, Folk, Rock pop, Gypsy Jazz music, Mad Dog Mcrea never fail to capture their audience. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Bridport Winter Solstice Festival : Bollywood Night with The Dohl Foundation + guests Electric Palace, 35 South St, Bridport DT6 3NY 01308 424901. Doors 6.30pm, Free Bollywood dance lessons 7pm-7.45pm / Starts 8pm. £11 (£10.50 + 50p bf) adv / £14 door.

Group Ticket Offer: £10 (£9.50 + 50p bf) each when you buy 4 or more tickets at one time.

Thursday 22 December

Bridport Winter Solstice Festival: Whatever Happened to the Protest Song? with Billy Bragg + guests Electric Palace, 35 South St, Bridport DT6 3NY 01308 424901. Doors 7pm / Starts 8pm £11 (£10.50 + 50p bf) adv / £14 door Group Ticket offer: £10 (£9.50 + 50p bf) each when you buy 4 or more tickets at one time. Billy’s music blends elements of folk, punk rock and protest songs, with lyrics that mostly span political or romantic themes, heavily centred on bringing about change and getting the younger generation involved in activist causes.

Friday 23 December

East Devon Ramblers leisurely 5 miles circular walk from Chardstock. 10am start. Dogs on short leads. 01460 220636.

The Living Tree cancer self-help group. No meeting this week. Tel 01308

34 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

427851. www.thelivingtree.org.uk.

DJ Dr Funk’s Christmas Funk & Soul Night Starts 8.30pm Electric Palace, 35 South St, Bridport DT6 3NY 01308 424901. Tickets: £5.50 (£5 + 50p bf) adv / £7 door.

Saturday 24 December

Christmas Eve Midnight Mass 11.30pm St Peter’s Church, High West Street, Dorchester.

Sunday 25 December

Christmas Eucharist 10am St Peter’s Church, High West Street, Dorchester.

Monday 26 December

DJ set at the Watch House Café between 10am – 3pm. Breakfast baps served.

Tue 27 Dec – Thur 5 Jan 17

Christmas Dinosaur Hunt Dinosaur Museum, Icen Way, Dorchester DT1 1EW (10am – 4pm) www.thedinosaurmuseum.com. Explore the museum to seek out the answers to the dinosaur mystery and win a Dino Medal in Britain’s original and award winning attraction - brilliant fun for kids.

See website for details.

Wednesday 28 December

East Devon Ramblers leisurely 7.5 miles circular walk from Kilmington.

10am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads. 01404 459444.

Friday 30 December

East Devon Ramblers leisurely 5 miles circular walk from Escot. 10am start.

Dogs on short leads. 01404 42304.

The Living Tree cancer self-help group.

2pm Tea and chat. Drop in any time between 2pm - 4.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, 95 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NZ. Tel 01308 427851. www. thelivingtree.org.uk.

Dance Friday - a barefoot dance 7.30pm – 9.30pm, Woodmead Hall, Hill Road, Lyme Regis. Come and dance for the pure joy of dancing. DJ Roger Wilco will be playing uplifting funk with a modern twist. Bring a water bottle and join the dance, taking a break when you need to. No alcohol or frills... just dancing. For more details: www. rahimaferguson.co.uk, Rahima: 07890 171031.

Fri 30 – Sat 31 December

Festive Grand Tour at Furleigh Estate 11am on 30 and 31. These tours begin with a glass of award winning fizz,

followed by a tour of the vineyard and winery, finishing with a wine tasting with festive nibbles to match.

Festive Grand Tour tickets are £25 per person. Advanced booking recommended. Call 01308 488 991 Email info@furleighestate.co.uk or visit www.furleighestate.co.uk/tours.

Saturday 31 December

New Year’s Eve Ceilidh 8pm.

Jigs for Gigs with caller Simon Maplesden. Bring in 2017 in style with music and dance at The David Hall. Tickets £15 including Buffet.

No concessions. NB: Advance tickets only. Please book by Thursday

29 December. The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www. thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240 340 boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk.

New Year’s Eve Party Night at The Gateway, Seaton. Doors open 8pm with the evening finishing 1am. Bring along nibbles for the table. Tickets £25 in advance only, available through website: www. seatongateway.co.uk or The Gateway Box Office 01297 625699 open 10am – 4pm weekdays, 10am – 1pm Saturday. Numbers are limited so please be sure to book early.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 35

News &Views EAST DEVON

Rare species of bat discovered A rare species of grey long-eared bat has been discovered roosting in East Devon. There are less than 3,000 in the country. Staff from Exeter-based company Acorn Ecology carried out biometric tests on droppings below the roosting mammals to confirm it was the rare species and not the more common brown longeared bat. Senior ecologist Colin Bonfield said the south west was a stronghold for bats and 17 species had been recorded in Devon.

He believed the presence of the grey longeared bats was ‘highly linked’ to lower levels of light pollution. Other important factors included favourable agricultural practices, suitably diverse foraging habitat, suitably managed woodlands and old buildings and structures that provide the right roosts.

ILMINSTER

Japanese firm marks 15 year in town Daido Industrial Bearings Europe Ltd, one of the town’s biggest employers has marked 15 years in Ilminster by planting an oak tree and donating to two south Somerset charities.

The firm gave £1,200 to Jake Cullen and his parents, Mark and Tash, towards his fundraising for a new all-terrain wheelchair.

They also presented a cheque for £250 to Sweet Surprise, a day service for adults with learning disabilities. Yoshihiro Sano, Daido’s managing director, said that cherry trees were an important part of Japanese culture. The firm was also very happy to plant an English oak tree, which had equally strong links to local culture. Daido manufactures bearings for diesel engines, which are used in boats, locomotives and power generation plant.

LYME REGIS

Local student designs for Irons Fashion student Suzy Gallina has created ceremonial robes for actor Jeremy Irons.

Suzy, who is from Lyme, is in her second year as a fashion design student at Bath Spa University. She won a competition judged by Irons, who has become the university’s first Chancellor. She was guest of honour when the Oscar-winning actor, who shot to fame for his 1981 role in The French Lieutenant’s Woman, was installed as Chancellor at a ceremony in Bath Abbey. The university said Suzy ‘wowed everyone with her playful bold design which reflected the creative, cultural and entrepreneurial ethos of the university’.

Suzy developed the shape of the robe from a traditional kaftan design.

36 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

BRIDPORT

Reading made easy thanks to charity A woman who lost the ability to read following a massive stroke is now halfway through a novel, thanks to the Bridport Read Easy charity. Val Adams, from Bothenhampton, is reading again after sessions with Read Easy volunteer Melodie Watts. Mrs Adams said she could not imagine how she would cope with life without being able to read. She began one-to-one coaching sessions just over a year ago and was able to read an entire book by this Easter. She agreed to tell her story to the local newspaper because she wanted other people to find the courage to come forward. Some stroke sufferers never recover their reading, she said.

To find out more about the charity contact the local organiser, Vee Driscoll on 0844 472 2980 vee@readeasy.org.uk.

DORSET

Fears over primary care services Concerns are being raised over sweeping changes proposed for GP practices, which could see reductions in the number of sites where primary care is provided. The Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) outlined the proposals in its Primary Care Commissioning Strategy and Plan. Weymouth GP Dr Jon Orrell suggested it was a result of lack of funding and problems with recruiting GPs that had forced the CCG to come up with the new model. Bridport councillor Ros Kayes claimed it was ‘subterfuge of the highest order’ that the proposals were not going to public consultation. A spokesman for the CCG said there were no plans to consult as there were no plans to close practices.

Frozen Solid

Laterally Speaking by Humphrey Walwyn

There’s been a lot of talk recently about cryonics— freezing your body after death to preserve it for the future in the hope that you can be ‘awoken’ many years from now and be cured of your current illnesses and live life anew. This obviously is a most attractive idea and would give you a second chance at life—an opportunity that doesn’t happen very often in one life, let alone in two of them. I apologise in advance if this subject is somewhat morbid, but I thought I’d do a bit of research in case I ever wanted to come back myself. And I don’t think I do.

For a start, cryonic space is already surprisingly popular. About 1,500 people worldwide have had this procedure and they are stored in various facilities in the USA and in Russia. Nearly 1,000 of them are American but there are also about 100 Brits, 39 Germans, 12 Dutch and 9 from France. There are a few from Norway and Sweden, but strangely there’s nobody from Iceland which you would have thought would be an obvious choice given the subject matter. All the bodies are stored in metal containers at about minus 190 degrees centigrade which is very very cold indeed. This is not the same as being frozen like Birds Eye garden peas. With cryonics, you’d be deep crystallised in liquid nitrogen. But then, since you’re already dead, you’re not exactly going to feel anything.

And we’re not just talking about people. There are over 200 animals as well. Yes, I was intrigued too, so I’ll tell you... The majority are cats and dogs but there are at least three parrots, one pet canary and a frozen hamster in California. Somebody also tried to freeze their pony but it was apparently too big to go into the metal cylinder so the poor thing had to be abandoned. Sad but true. And if you were asking (which you probably weren’t), no— there are currently no pet goldfish or stick insects on ice.

The more I uncovered, the more I became convinced that this is not for me.

For a start, you wouldn’t have any say as to what the world would be like when you wake up. We might have a twenty third century Nirvana where everybody is friendly and beautiful, but you might wake up in a neo-fascist Trump ridden state with ray gun robots on every street corner. It’d be a bit like falling asleep in the cinema and coming round to find that Terminator the movie was actually real. Scary… Frankly better to stay frozen until the world became a bit nicer. Or maybe the world would have ended in a huge apocalyptic nuclear bang... Not that you’d care as nobody would be around to wake you up so you wouldn’t know anything about it.

And then there is one obvious sobering fact. Nobody has yet been successfully resuscitated. It’s all fine in theory but we will have to wait for several hundred years to see if the idea actually works. I suppose it’s inevitable that the majority of frozen bodies are probably white, male, old and (of course) very rich.

That’s because they’re the only ones who can afford the freezer fees. But maybe costs would come down over time and in which

Members of the winning Lyme Regis Rollerblade Hockey Team being stored for posterity

case we could all have a greater say as to who goes into the icebox. Famous musicians, writers and artists could be stored for the greater benefit of a future society. We might have brand new albums from 100 year old rock stars—literally known as icy blasts from the past—but then we’ve already got some of those judging by current photos of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

If only this whole idea had been invented a long time ago, we could now be enjoying a new Mozart concerto or commissioning a certain Mr Shakespeare for a few more plays (‘A Winters’ Tale 2’ comes to mind given the low temperature theme. Romeo and Juliet 2 might be a more difficult sell).

Away from the arts, we could vote on which politicians might be saved for posterity—probably none of them—and which current sports stars might be resurrected in a few centuries time to once again try to save England from future world cup elimination. Given our recent performances on the football field, there won’t be many takers there either. It is certainly a macabre thought.

And then there are the social implications. What’s the etiquette when someone is frozen in time? Do you keep a spare place around the Christmas dinner table on the off chance that they might suddenly turn up? If so, how long do you keep it for? 200 years or more? Family members could of course all raise a glass to him/her and toast their happy return. On second thoughts, no.

Any form of toasting is not recommended when it’s essential to keep them icy cold.

And if they did appear at the dinner table having been thawed out, what would one say to them? Somehow a mere ‘How are you?’ is woefully inadequate after a couple of centuries. Asking them if they’ve slept OK might be safer. You will probably want to ask them serious questions to do with the meaning of life and the hereafter, but don’t be disappointed if all they want to know is what happened in the last episode of Poldark. You never can tell what’ll happen when you muck about with Nature.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 37

House&Garden Boogie Woogie at the Marine

Ben Waters

THE musical highlight of December at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, is Ben Waters’ Christmas Party on Tuesday 27th December.

The Dorset-based musical master of the keyboard is a brilliant boogie woogie pianist. With his talented band he promises to rock your socks off with a gig that starts at 8.30pm and runs to late.

38 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 39

Care needed with online LPA LOCAL solicitor Laura Staples of Humphries Kirk based in Crewkerne has joined a number of organisations representing older and vulnerable people to raise serious concerns around the Government’s online tool for creating Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs).

An LPA is a legal document that allows a person to appoint trusted individuals to make important decisions about care and finances on their behalf, in the event of a loss of mental capacity through an accident or illness such as dementia.

In May 2014, the Government’s Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) launched its online LPA tool, allowing people to create the documents without the need for professional advice from a solicitor.

But a new report, published by a coalition of organisations led by Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), warns that anyone creating an LPA without taking specialist legal advice faces a significantly higher risk of being left with an ineffective legal document, incurring additional application fees, and even becoming a victim of fraud or coercion.

Laura Staples, associate member of SFE commented: “Preparing an LPA properly is a complex process. There is always a risk that the provisions you

include can invalidate the LPA. We can prepare your LPA to ensure the best possible protection for you when needed.

“I try and ask clients to think beyond their loyalty to loved ones and friends and make sure that the person appointed as attorney can in fact manage the responsibility of the role. Humphries Kirk provides a tailored advice service.”

SFE has recently conducted a report, inviting participants to create LPAs using the OPG’s online tool and other DIY methods. The study revealed that most participants needed to make significant changes to the documents, rendering them ineffective and requiring additional application fees.

June McSparron, a 75-year-old who participated in the study, said: “You’re exposing yourself to a lot of risk by filling this form in on your own. There are so many bits that you can get wrong, and you can easily be pressured into making choices that you’re not entirely comfortable with.”

Since the launch of the online tool, the number of LPAs being registered has increased steadily, with the OPG actively trying to convince more people to apply.

To download the report ‘The Real Cost of DIY LPAs,’ please visit www.sfe.legal.

40 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Fab deal for magazine owner PERHAPS a good way to spend a wet aftrenoon this Christmas would be to have a rummage through that old stuff in the attic.

A recent sale at Lawrences auctioneers saw a Beatles magazine, signed by all four band members, come under the hammer for £6,470. The original price of the magazine? Half a crown. remember them? All of two shillings and six pence. And for anyone that might not have been around for the ‘old money’, that equates to about twelve and a half pence.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 41

Christmas Wrapping

By Cecil Amor

H

ave you started wrapping the Christmas presents you are giving this year? Or do you leave it to Christmas Eve? Surrounded by wrapping paper and stuck to adhesive tape, do you wonder how it all began?

Some time ago I was introduced to a book by Patrick Harding, Christmas Unwrapped. Harding states that early Christians did not celebrate Christmas until the 3rd century AD, as the physical birth of Christ was considered a sin up to 245 AD. Hence Christ’s birth date was forgotten and the first mention of December 25th was not until AD 354 when the Roman Emperor Constantine chose the midwinter solstice as the approximate date. He also allowed Christianity to enjoy the same rites as Mithraism. This fell within the Roman winter celebration of Saturnalia, the solstice having been celebrated for thousands of years before as the rebirth of the sun and the year (remember Stonehenge!). The pagan Anglo-Saxons used December 25th as the start of the New Year and some called the 24th “Mother’s Night”, when the Earth Mother gave birth to the sun. We now celebrate the solstice on the 21st or 22nd, called St Thomas’ Day. St Stephen’s Day, the 26th, was the Roman festival of Saturnalia, celebrated with money saved in pottery boxes, perhaps the origin of the “Christmas Box”, or present. The twelve days of Christmas is the same length as the Mesopotamian Marduk celebrations, the yule log that burnt for 12 nights and also the Anglo-Saxon wassail ceremonies to counter evil spirits and protect and encourage tree growth.

So if December 25th is not the real Christmas day and the actual date cannot be determined, what of the year? Harding says it was probably between 8 BC and 8 AD, related to the sighting of a comet

by Chinese astronomers and a triple conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn and the Pisces constellation in 7 BC. King Herod is now thought to have died in 4 BC and Christ was born before this, so probably about 7 BC. 6,ooo years ago Pagans celebrated the Sky God Allfather. He became the Viking Odin (or Wotan or Woden), the old man of winter, bearer of gifts. He had a beard, and wore a cloak and hat (but not then red). He later became the Lord of Misrule, then Old Father Christmas of the Mummers plays. It is likely that this character combined with the customs of European settlers into the American child oriented Santa Claus figure, in the red outfit—Yo, Ho, Ho! The first Roman calendar is thought to date from 735 BC, perhaps by Romulus.

This had a year of 304 days, making 10 months named Martis, Aprilis, Hams, Junius, Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November and December, according to David Ewing Duncan in his book The Calendar. In 700 BC King Numas added Januarius and Februarius to make a year of 354 days plus another “for luck”. Then in 45 BC Julias Caesar commenced the year with January, adding 10 more days to total 365 days. The month Quintilis was later changed to Julius in his honour. In 8 BC Augustus Caesar changed Sextilis to Augustus, altering the days in the month. This formed the Julian calendar, which was later found to be inaccu-

42 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

rate and out of step with real time. So in 1582 AD Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar, which jumped 10 days, to correct the errors. England was no longer tied to Rome by that time as King Henry VIII had severed the links, and refused to accept the Gregorian calendar. This situation prevailed until 1752 when King George II approved the new calendar, losing 11 days, which caused riots. The New Year was set to commence on 1st January, which until then had begun on 25th March. Now we know where we are!

Another recent addition to the Christmas scene, or table is the Christmas Cracker. I remember reading that these were first introduced by a London Sweet Maker, Tom Smith in about 1845 - 1850.

He had seen “Bon-Bons” made in France, consisting of almonds wrapped in attractive paper. Smith produced something similar, but containing sweets. Later mottoes and poor jokes were added to the contents to increase interest. Paper hats may be a reference back to Twelfth Night, Saturnalia and the Roman celebrations, when the Lord of Mis-Rule was crowned. The bang when pulled, preferably by two people, has also been known as a “Christmas Snap” with the “crack” producing the common name “Christmas Cracker”.

We wish you a very Happy Christmas, whenever and however you celebrate midwinter this month.

Bridport History Society meet again on December 13th at 2.30 pm in Bridport United Church Main Hall, East Street when Sheila Meaney will talk about “Dear Mother” Pigeons, Parcels and Post.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 43

Frost at Christmas

MOON On a Stick puppet theatre comes to the Marine Theatre at Lyme Regis on Wednesday 21st December, with Jack Frost, a magical wintry tale for Christmas.

Jack has no idea that his ability to freeze everything he touches is spreading havoc and causing all sorts of problems in the village.

One day, a small girl befriends him and Jack is no longer alone.

This charming new show is a story of friendship and bravery to warm your hearts, whatever the weather. There are performances at 2 and 6pm.

44 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 45

Vegetables in December

By Fergus Dowding

AFTER a deluge of rich foods at Christmas many people will be delighted to see a bowl of salad hit the table, and possibly even some freshly picked and al dente sprouts might go down well too.

Our sprouts have tasted really sweet in spite of comprehensive caterpillar attack in August. Sown outdoors in late May in modules, they were attacked by both birds eating their leaves, and flea beetle. This shows how every year is different, as normally flea beetle has subsided by then and birds have plenty else to eat in late May. These skeletal plantlets were transplanted into rich soil in a suddenly hot July and the plants grew fast and furious. The tall and healthy stems formed lots of sprouts, but pushed their protective Enviromesh up off the soil floor and the cabbage white duly laid a mass of eggs. Yet the sprouts are now yielding well, and strong growth and good seed means very few ‘blown’ (loose) sprouts.

While first pickings are sweet, later pickings from further up the stem are often slightly less so. But if you manage to boil them for only a few minutes in the hiatus of Christmas Day their flavour and texture will be notably good.

Turning now to that Christmas salad, leaves tend to be thin and small in midwinter, and make slow and fiddly picking. In a greenhouse or tunnel you get faster growth and sweeter leaves.

Outdoors we have some true spinach (as opposed to perpetual spinach), land cress, dill, rocket, coriander and chervil, all from a late July sowing. The dill and landcress seed was seven years old, and made a slow and weak start but have now gained strength. The spinach is attractive to slugs but each plant still yields a leaf or two each week, with the promise of more as the days lengthen.

My household seems less keen on the ‘cabbagey’ taste of pak choi, tatsoi and mustards, and for me lambs lettuce is too fiddly to pick. Exceptions are Mizuna and Red Frills mustard, which have a mildly piquant taste, crisp texture when picked small, and are steadily productive even in midwinter. In the spring the flavour of Red Frills is wonderful.

Our Christmas salad bowl also features radicchio hearts from plants sown in late June, which are crunchy and crisp, and add a welcome red colour to proceedings. As you get to the small leaves in the centre the flavour is really sweet. Outdoor endive and swiss chard is also quite productive, best with regular picking of small leaves.

I hope you have all vegetated well this year, and wish you all a rich and fertile Christmas. But watch out, what do you get if you have too many Christmas decorations? Tinselitis.

True spinach sown late July, transplanted outdoors mid August. Susceptible to slug nibbling, the leaves are meaty and will keep going until April 46 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 47

December in the Garden

By Russell Jordan

I

think we’ve had a pretty ‘standard’ sort of year, for the UK, weatherwise if not politically. Every year will have periods that, in isolation, seem unusual but these events balance out over time. This autumn was pleasingly dry and warm, compared to some, but not in the way in which it will be remembered for decades to come.

When I think of droughts I automatically go back to 1976, I was a small boy (!), and that hot summer was memorably exceptional and hasn’t been repeated since. There were even bumper stickers produced (whatever happened to them?) with the legend ‘Save Water—Bathe with a Friend’!

As far as one-off events go, then the ’87 hurricane is hard to beat. It was so unusual that, if you were in the SouthEast, then you will definitely remember exactly where you were at the time it struck. I was in Wye, Kent, in ‘Halls’ during my first term of a degree in Horticulture. The copper roof pealed off the student accommodation and landed in the car park – that was pretty memorable.

Of course I hope that this winter carries on in an unremarkable vein. I’d like a bit of cold, some snow maybe, but nothing that will remain noteworthy for decades to come. A bit of ‘proper cold’ is good for killing off some of the overwintering pests / diseases and also, via frost action, for breaking up a heavy soil. For any frost to really get into the clods of earth, it does rely on my having got around to digging the veg beds before the frosty weather attacks.

As I write this it is definitely too wet to be trampling all over the soil, or attempting to dig it over. From bitter experience I’ve learnt that a compacted soil, with all the life-giving air squeezed out, is a serious barrier to good plant growth. Always best to leave any earth maintenance activities to periods of dry weather.

This may require a little patience in a warm, wet, winter.

It’s the perfect time to order bare-root plants, the most cost effective and easiest way to obtain a wide variety of trees and shrubs. You can always ‘heel them in’ if the weather isn’t perfect for planting when they arrive by post. I’m constantly amazed, when browsing through specialist suppliers of such things, just how diverse the choice can be. I’ve always bought my ‘mixed hedging’ and ‘wood-fuel tree mixtures’ this way but if you are planning a block planting, of willows or Cornus for example, then bare-root is the way to go.

Having a quick look on the website of my usual supplier, ‘Hopes Grove Nurseries’, the first thing I notice is that I could plant a small grove (over 20), 4-5ft tall, bare-root Amelanchiers for under a hundred pounds, including delivery. The ‘Snowy Mespilus’ is one of those large shrubs / small trees which really should be planted everywhere. I don’t think it has a single ‘vice’. It even responds to be treated as a hedge, if the ‘tree option’ won’t fit into your garden.

The season for obtaining and planting bare-rooted plants is from leaf fall to bud burst. Best not to leave it until the last minute as they certainly prefer to have a little winter rest, post replanting, rather than getting a rude spring awakening immediately after the trauma of being dug up, transported and stuffed into new ground. Having said that I have, on occasion, left it

48 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

obscenely late to get bare-rooted hedging planted and it’s still romped away in the spring.

I like experimenting in the garden so when I planted my own ‘native’ hedge I added about five species of rose, to the standard mix, for more floral interest, colour and wild-food value.

It’s proved a great success and now, if I was planning another hedge, I think I’d be very tempted to populate it with a large number of the more ‘ornamental’ trees and shrubs, available bare-root, as they are so, comparatively, cheap. If some don’t survive the competition, or fail to thrive as part of the mix, then it’s not the end of the world. I find, in gardening, it is the unexpected successes that you remember and not the occasional disaster.

Luckily for us, whoever planned the annual explosion of over consumption that is Christmas, was thoughtful enough to make sure it takes place at perhaps the quietest time in the garden.

Perhaps the only garden related task that you’ll have to do is to choose a present for a gardening relative, or think of one that you’d like yourself.

I am extremely fortunate in that I either already possess any gardening tool that I could possibly need or my employers, being practical sorts, have ensured that the garden I work in is equipped with every piece of machinery required for modern horticultural excellence.

This year I have been experimenting with a piece of equipment that I picked up years ago, for about a tenner, from a well-known online auction site. It’s a soil steriliser and probably cost hundreds of pounds new but was being sold, by a horticultural group in the middle of nowhere, because they had no use for it. They hadn’t even been plugged in!

In those days I was privileged to have use of BBC hire cars, at licence fee payers expense, to roar all over the country in the arduous task of looking at lovely gardens before deciding whether we would deign to film them or not. The joy of this was that items listed as ‘Pick Up Only’, which were impossible to post, and with a very limited market, would sell for next to nothing and all I had to do was to combine collection with a ‘recce’ nearby. Bingo! Lovely soil steriliser, minimal cost, very little hassle.

Anyway, this year has been the first in which I’ve been able to make good use of it. I’ve been using it to recycle old compost, after it’s been used to grow tomatoes and the like, mixing it with some garden soil, running it through a ‘Rota-Sieve’ and then ensuring that it’s sterile by a quick blast in the soil steriliser. The resulting ‘compost’ just needs the addition of a base mix of nutrients before being recycled for repotting shrubs / perennials which like to have a bit of loam in their potting mix.

That would be my Christmas present of choice if I didn’t already have one. Failing that ‘Groves’ (still one of the best garden centre nurseries in the UK, I reckon) vouchers can’t go wrong. Happy Christmas one and all.

PS—I am not connected in any way with any product or company mentioned—they really are the places I go to, or products I choose, from my own experience. I cannot guarantee that they are the best out there, just the ones I prefer…

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 49

PROPERTY ROUND-UP

Properties of Architectural Interest

By Helen Fisher

BERE MILLS £665,000

CHARD JUNCTION £339,950

Stags Tel: 01823 256625

Gordon and Rumsby Tel: 01297 553768

A wonderful, spacious and contemporary conversion of a former water mill with 4/5 bedrooms. Retaining many period features including the former internal and external workings of the mill, inglenook fireplace, exposed ceiling beams and flagstone flooring. With formal gardens, 5 acre paddock and small orchard. Parking and no onward chain.

DRIMPTON £825,000

A Grade II listed 5 bedroom Georgian former farmhouse.

Spacious and flexible accommodation with many period features. Including sash windows, fireplaces, flagstone floors and exposed timber ceilings. Large family kitchen with 4 oven Aga. Well stocked formal gardens with small private terrace, garden shed and store. Plus fenced paddock, in nearly 8 acres.

Jackson-Stops & Staff Tel:01308 423133

A striking and most unusual semi-detached house situated in a rural yet convenient location. Generous accommodation with 3 double bedrooms and characterful features. Including a bespoke staircase, pretty arched and circular windows and an open fireplace. Far reaching countryside views and an enclosed garden plus 2 parking spaces.

TOLLER WHELME £2,250,000

Occupying a delightful private setting in a small hidden hamlet yet close to all amenities is this Grade II * listed manor house.

Mentioned in The Domesday Book, the oldest wing dates from around 1470. Surrounded by well kept gardens and an extensive range of outbuildings, plus lake with boat house. A lovely refurbished Victorian church is also included. Set in over 20 acres.

Savills Tel: 01202 856800

UPLYME £750,000

HIGHER WRAXALL £1,850,000

Humberts Tel: 01308 422215

Savills Tel: 01202 856800

A superbly proportioned 5/6 bedroom period residence within a few miles from the beach. The house dates back to 1820 featuring many handsome Georgian era features. Original marble fireplaces, panelled walls, tiled flooring and large sash windows. Attractive gardens with lawned area, summerhouse, orchard and kitchen garden plus stable block and paddock.

50 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

A historic Grade II* listed manor house dating from around 1630 and mentioned in The Domesday Book and Pevsner. Generous accommodation with integral flat and annex. Delightful, private walled gardens plus swimming pool, all weather tennis court, paddock, detached stable block, garaging and clock tower. All set in about 7 acres.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 51

Lottery grant for Twineworks RESTORATION of a working Victorian twineworks at West Coker will be completed, thanks to a £404,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The grant to The Coker Rope & Sail Trust will see the final restoration works completed at the Dawe’s Twineworks and allow visitors to experience a working Victorian factory.

The site will continue to be managed and worked by local volunteers.

The Twineworks currently opens one or two days each month but the Trust aims to increase this to three days a week from spring 2018.

In 2005, South Somerset District Council made a compulsory purchase to save the Dawe’s Twineworks buildings which were then close to collapse. The Coker Rope & Sail Trust, set up under the auspices of West Coker Parish Council, now has a 125 year lease on the site.

The HLF funding means that rotten floors and supporting timbers can be repaired or replaced and the twine-making can be demonstrated using the full length of the main ‘walk’ which has been restored in recent years.

The engine house and other buildings will be fully restored making them secure and waterproof.

Ross Aitken, chairman of Coker Rope & Sail Trust, says: “With lots of local effort and support we have come a long way in the last six years, but this grant from HLF will mean that our ‘former’ twineworks will again become a ‘working’ twineworks’. It is part of our history and a unique community asset.”

Rope and net making have a long history in the West Country (notably at Bridport). The twineworks at West Coker, according to the Coker Rope 52 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Dawe’s Twineworks before restoration as it was

Dawe’s Twineworks after work had started

and Sail Trust website, dates from 1830, when a flax dealer and twine manufacturer called Israel Rendell lived at Millbrook House. He was listed as a ‘sail-cloth manufacturer’, but because the making of twine was an integral part of sail-making, twinemaking was not listed separately until much later.

It is thought likely that he operated ‘open’ walks in the long, level, clear space in the grounds of Millbrook House where John Dawe, who took over the business in 1877, subsequently built his works, with the twisting heads and other machinery housed in the openfronted buildings at the eastern end of the site.

When Dawe took over, he would have used the existing facilities until he built his own works.

The new buildings were completed in 1899 when William Sibley & Son, of the Parrett Works, Martock, built and installed the machinery for the sum of £990 12s..

Dawe dealt with firms in Belgium, Scotland and locally with busi-

nesses at Poole, Bridport, Taunton, Frome, East Coker, Crewkerne and Martock. His son later took over but production ceased in 1968. The Twine Works lay vacant until 1980, when an industrial museum for Somerset was still a possibility. The Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society asked Mr Dawe if he would donate the redundant machinery for the proposed museum.

Mr Dawe agreed but before the society could remove the machinery, Mrs Dawe died, followed shortly afterwards by her husband, and the property was subsequently sold to a boat and general dealer.

Although there were other rural rope and twine walks surviving throughout the country, Dawe’s was the only one to have retained all of its machinery.

The Victorian photograph, on the Coker Rope and Sail Trust website shows what is probably the predecessor to the current twineworks with St Martin’s tower in the background.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 53

Middle Aged Man Crisis

By Nick Fisher

I

get strange calls from men. Grown men. In crisis. Men who have problems. Men who want to go fishing. But don’t know how. Or where. Or even why.

A while back I had a call from a bloke I’d just started working with on a big publishing project. This guy is a book editor.

Top flight. A man greatly in demand within his specialist field. A man who has recently been the focus of inter-house publishing war for his specialist services.

Two companies bid against each other for the privilege of employing him at some huge inflated wage. He’s totally in a win-win situation, when it comes to work. He’s about to be inundated with long, complex publishing projects and will, in recompense, be showered with money and professional praise.

But actually, what he really wants is to go fishing. He wants an escape. A means of relaxation. A way to leave the pressures of work behind, and immerse himself in something different. Something real, something natural, instead.

‘I’ve got my father’s old split cane rod in a cupboard somewhere’, he said. ‘I could use that, I suppose. Couldn’t I? Although I quite fancy buying a new one anyway’.

The buying of fishing tackle is all part of the escape plan. When you can’t actually find the time to go fishing, you can always buy tackle instead. These days, you don’t even have to leave the buttock-cupping comfort of your desk. The internet can provide a credit card-melting cornucopia of angling retail opportunities. With a quick clatter of your keys and a click with your mouse, you can buy everything from handraised, bran-fattened, delivered-to-you-door dendrobena worms, to a battery engine-powered belly boat, complete with fish-finder and safety flares. You can buy flies tied in Tasmania. Bone fishing holidays to tiny patio-sized palm-fronded islands deep within the Pacific Ocean.

My mate Tony sat in a rain-spattered office block in Slough while he ordered a two foot wide paella pan with its own stand and gas bottle for cooking huge fish feasts on the beach.

All these toys; these non-essential accoutrements of fishing, represent freedom. They symbolize escape; the Great Outdoors. Individual, organic liberty, to men who actually have very little. They have cash, or credit. They have three megabytes of broadband internet connection that can deliver a catalogue of beautiful opportunities. A whole cupboard full of daydreams. But what they don’t have is any spare time to actually go and do anything, like fishing.

‘I’m cash rich and time poor’, said my publishing friend, without a hint of irony. ‘I can afford to go fishing to just about anywhere in the world, I just don’t have the time to go any of those places’.

54 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

And so he bought himself a Hardy reel, a Sage rod, and a pair of kid-leather-soft chest waders that cost nearly as much as a boat.

But sadly, he doesn’t know how to fly cast yet, so all the top quality tackle has to stay snug in its expensive packaging until he can find the time to pay a casting instructor to show him how to use the stuff. This guy currently owns the best part of 1500 quid’s worth of high end game fishing tackle, and he doesn’t even know how to tie a hook on properly.

‘My dad knew about this stuff’, he says. ‘But I wasn’t interested in any of it when I was a boy. I certainly didn’t take any notice when he showed me things. Now, I really wish I had’.

This is a middle-aged man crisis that I witness time and time again. Men who have reached a time of their lives, when they yearn for an outlet for the pressure and stress that they have actively pursued their whole working lives. In their pursuit of professional success, they have sacrificed the pursuit of so many other things; like slowly, gradually, naturally learning how to fish; by trial, error and experience. Instead, they race ahead, earn a load of money, and then hope to buy their way into a hobby that most people have spent time, not money, learning.

It’s not that you can’t buy yourself knowledge, you can. And I’d thoroughly recommend anyone taking a professional fly-casting lesson whether they can cast or not. Even if you can cast perfectly adequately, a lesson from a guy who has spent years perfecting his technique can do no harm at all. And let’s face it, the tackle industry and angling bodies can do with as much of an injection of smart money as all the time-poor-cash-rich executive types can muster.

The angling world worries about boys. They worry that not enough young people have an opportunity to go fishing. And, as a result, lots of excellent initiatives are developed to bring boys to the water. Some take to it quickly and continue for years. Most are inspired for the time that the initiative lasts, but find it hard to keep up any momentum or effective enthusiasm, because there are so many other exciting things on offer in a young boy’s life.

Everything from school girls to Grand Theft Auto, skateboards to garage bands. Teenagers have time, and an irresistible array of options. But mostly they have time.

Middle-aged blokes have cash, but no time. In a strange sort of way, they’re the ones we should be trying to make initiatives for.

They’re the ones who’ve already indulged in women, beer, parties and work. They’re the ones who’ve come out the other end, with a real hunger to fish.

Food&Dining Treats from Deepest Dorset “THERE has been a quiet revolution in food in Britain over the past two or three decades” wrote Fanny Charles in Deepest Dorset, the delightful book that she co-wrote with Gay Pirrie-Weir which has recently been published by Deepest Books.

Describing Dorset as having a mouth-watering menu of tradition and innovation when it comes to food, Fanny highlights the fact that from ‘bread-making to craft-beers, washed rind cheese to rare breed meat there is a vibrant local food scene at the farm gate and on the street’. It is something that many hard-working farmers and local food producers have been at pains to point out since the effects of globalisation renewed a sense of the need for more sustainable living, especially

in our rural communities. Today the need to support local community initiatives, small businesses and charities is more important than ever and Deepest Dorset offers a fantastic insight into what makes Dorset so special.

Featuring ‘The people, the places and the roots of a unique community’ the book is an ideal Christmas present for anyone with an interest in the West Country, and if nobody buys it for you get it yourself.

Deepest Dorset is available at £20 from deepestbooks. co.uk.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 55

SATSUMA FRUIT SOUP A quick and simple soup style dessert

INGREDIENTS ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

10 seedless satsumas 600mls (1 pint) orange juice 25g (1oz) unsalted butter grated zest 1 orange 25g (1oz) sugar 2 cloves 1 bay leaf 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 3 tablespoons grand marnier 1 bunch mint leaves

Makes 4 56 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

DIRECTIONS 1

Place the satsumas in large heat proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for 4-5 minutes, then remove the peel and pith. Cut some of the whole satsumas in half, horizontally.

2

Place the orange juice, butter, orange zest, sugar and spices in a pan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 8 minutes. Add the satsumas and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, whilst spooning over the syrup.

3

In a small pan or ladle, heat the grand marnier. Ignite and pour over the satsumas. Serve at once with the mint leaves, crème fraiche and warm cinnamon and orange biscuits.

To advertise on these pages telephone 01308 423031

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 57

PHEASANT, BACON, PRUNES Pheasant is a delicious game bird if carefully cooked, but it often ends up a little on the dry side. Combining it with some fatty bacon is a great way to remedy that. The luscious prunes add a third enriching element.

HUGH FEARNLEY WHITTINGSTALL

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

▪ A knob of butter ▪ 3 tablespoons olive oil ▪ 2 onions, finely sliced ▪ 4 garlic cloves, finely sliced ▪ 4 sprigs of thyme (optional) ▪ 2 bay leaves (optional) ▪ 300g thickly sliced streaky bacon, or pancetta, cut into thick strips ▪ 2 oven-ready pheasants ▪ 1 small glass of Calvados or brandy (optional) ▪ 400ml white wine ▪ 200g prunes ▪ Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1

Preheat the oven to 150°C/Gas 2. Place a flameproof casserole dish, large enough to take both pheasants, over a medium heat. Add the butter and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Then add the onions, garlic, and thyme and bay leaves, if using, and cook for about 10 minutes until the onions are soft and slightly golden.

2

While the onions are cooking, place a large frying pan over a medium-high heat and add the rest of the olive oil. When hot, add the bacon and fry for about 5 minutes until it takes on some colour, then tip into the casserole with the onions.

Increase the heat a little under the frying pan. Season the pheasants all over with salt and pepper, add to the frying pan and cook for about 5 minutes, turning often, until well browned on all sides.

Serves 4

3

If you’re using the brandy (which gives a lovely richness), you must be extremely careful, as you need to flambé it to burn off the alcohol which causes it to flare up spectacularly – the flame can be pretty high! If using, warm the brandy in a small pan, set it alight and pour over the pheasants. When it dies down, transfer the pheasants and any pan juices to the casserole.

4

Deglaze the frying pan with a little of the wine – pour into the hot pan and let it simmer while you scrape up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom. Trickle this wine over the pheasant, then pour in the rest of the wine and 250ml water. Add the prunes.

Bring to a simmer, cover and cook in the oven for 1½ hours.

5

Remove the birds from the pan and place on a large board or carving tray. Carve the birds (or simply joint them into thigh, drumsticks and chunky breast portions) and divide between warm plates. Spoon over the bacon, prunes and cooking juices. Serve with mash.

This recipe features in “Hugh’s Three Good Things”, published by Bloomsbury, and available from rivercottage.net.

Why not join us for our Christmas dining events and make a party night of it?

Our Friday and Saturday night dining in the barn and farmhouse provide the perfect backdrop for a festive celebration. For the ultimate party, join us for our New Year’s Eve celebration and see in 2017 River Cottage-style!

Marshwood Vale reader offer: Get 20% off our Friday and Saturday night dining in December when you quote MVDINE20. For more details and to book see www.rivercottage.net or call Lucy in our Events Team on 01297 630302.

58 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 59

ROAST GOOSE WITH CLEMENTINE AND CHESTNUT SALAD Goose doesn’t need to be fatty, and with careful preparation you can end up with a nice, meaty, lean and moist bird. You can reuse the cooking fat from the legs for delicious roast potatoes, and the rest of the carcass, once you’ve removed the breasts for this recipe, is great for gravy. Offering a salad on Christmas Day lightens up the whole feast, which can be very welcome.

INGREDIENTS ▪ 1 goose weighing 3-4kg, preferably with livers and gizzards

FOR THE HERB BAG

MARK HIX

▪ A 25cm square piece of muslin; string ▪ A few sprigs of thyme ▪ A small piece of cinnamon stick ▪ 6 juniper berries, chopped ▪ 1/2tbsp coriander seeds ▪ 1/2tbsp white peppercorns ▪ 4 cloves ▪ 1 bay leaf ▪ 6 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped 400g duck or goose fat ▪ 2tsp sea salt

FOR THE SALAD

▪ A couple handfuls of small salad leaves ▪ 4 clementines or satsumas, segmented ▪ 12-4 chestnuts, fresh, frozen or vacuum packed, peeled and lightly toasted ▪ 2tbsp orange juice ▪ 1tbsp sherry vinegar ▪ 4tbsp walnut oil ▪ Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Serves 6

DIRECTIONS 1

Preheat the oven to 160C/gas mark 3. First prepare your goose by removing the legs: loosen them by pulling away from the side as you cut the skin with a sharp knife, then pull them all the way out and cut through the joint. Cut the legs in half at the joint then in half again, and pack them snugly into an appropriate sized, oven-proof, thick-bottomed pan or casserole dish with a lid.

2

Put all the herbs and spices into the muslin and tie securely with the string, then put it in with the legs. Melt the fat and pour over to cover the legs.

Add the salt then slowly bring the fat to a simmer, drop in the gizzards if you have them, then cover the pan and cook in the oven for 1.5-2 hours or until the meat is soft but not falling off the bone. If cooking in advance you can store the pieces of leg in the fat in the fridge once cool.

3

On the day, preheat the oven to 220º/Gas mark 7. With the heel of a knife cut away the backbone so you are left with just the two breasts attached to the bones. Remove the legs from the fat and place in a roasting tray with a tablespoon or so of the fat, and cook in the oven for about 40-50 minutes, basting as they are cooking until they are crisp.

Remove from the oven and keep warm but do not cover or they will go soggy.

4

Turn the oven down to 160C/Gas mark 3. Season the breasts, heat a large frying pan and cook them on a medium heat for 4-5 minutes to render the excess fat and until they are golden brown. Transfer to a roasting tray and place in the oven for an hour, keeping them pink, then leave to rest.

5

Carefully remove the breasts from the goose with a sharp knife then cut them into 1Ž2cm slices on a slight angle, and arrange on a warmed serving platter with the legs. You can serve this, as I’ve done here, with your favourite gravy recipe in which, to cut through the goose’s richness, you’ve simmered a handful of cranberries for a few minutes.

Toss all of the ingredients together for the salad, season to taste and arrange in a serving bowl or on the platter.

HIX Oyster and Fish House is Marks local restaurant that overlooks the harbour in Lyme Regis and boasts the most stunning panoramic views across the Jurassic coast – this is easily one of the most picturesque spots to enjoy British fish seafood. To book please call 01297 446 910.

60 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Festive Grand Tours at Furleigh Estate

CHRISTMAS is traditionally a time when we break out the good wine and toast friends and family. And if we’re very lucky perhaps we open a bottle or two of our favourite fizz. However, here in England, we rarely get a chance to see where and how our festive tipple is made, so it’s nice to see the Furleigh Wine outside Salway Ash are opening their doors for some grand tours over the Christmas break.

There are two tours, both at 11am on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st December.

The tours begin with a glass of their award winning sparkling wine, followed by a tour of the vineyard and winery and finishing with a wine tasting with festive nibbles to match.

Festive Grand Tour tickets are £25 per person and advanced booking is highly recommended. Call 01308 488 991 or email info@furleighestate.co.uk for more information. Or visit www.furleighestate. co.uk/tours.

December 2016 Food Markets Please check dates and times with venues or organisers

Thurs 1st Fri 2nd Sat 3rd Thur 8th Fri 9th Sat 10th

Thur 15th Fri 16th Sat 17th Thur 22nd Fri 23rd Sat 24th

Wareham, Church Street - 8.30am - 11am Ottery St Mary, Hind St Car Park, 9am - 1pm Poundbury, Queen Mother Square, 9am - 1pm Shaftesbury, Town Hall, 9am - 1pm Wareham, Church Street, 8.30am - 11am Blandford, Blandford Forum, 9am - 1pm Bridport, Bridport Arts Centre, 9am - 1pm Martock, Moorlands Precinct, 10am - 1pm Yarcombe, Village Hall - 10am - 12noon Purbeck, Commercial Rd, Swanage, 9am - 1pm Honiton, St Paul’s Church, High St, 8.30am - 1pm Wareham, Church Street, 8.30am - 11am Sherborne, Cheap St, 9am - 1pm Wimborne, Market Square, 9am - 1pm Crewkerne, Falkland Square, 9am - 1pm Wareham, Church Street, 8.30am - 11am Weymouth, St Thomas St, 9am - 2pm Dorchester South, High Street, 9am - 4pm Barrington, Village Hall, 10am - 12noon Yeovil, Middle Street, 9am - 2pm

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 61

Arts &Entertainment

SURVIVING the DELUGE

By James Crowden.

Photographs by Matilda Temperley

To some people flooding is like a biblical plague, a once in a lifetime occurrence like avalanches, locusts and earthquakes, but in parts of South Somerset, flooding is a way of life.

Indeed for thousands of years it is the annual winter floods that give the water basin of the River Parrett its unique character. Four rivers flow into one river and then there are the high tides in the Bristol Channel. Flooding is inevitable and it is the flood sediment that gives the fields a rich covering of fine silt which in turn give the summer pastures an early shade of green which can even be seen from Wales on a fine day. A rich pasture that fattens up sheep, geese and cattle and gives the milk an extra boost to give the fine cheddar cheese its rich creamy tang and makes the butter sparkle a deep yellow like buttercups. Then there are countless miles of pollarded willows, ditches and rhines, a great environment for waders and wild fowl, plovers, ducks, swans and eels. All very picturesque on a fine summer’s day with a glass of cider and cow parsley coming out of your ears.

But what happens when the authorities stop dredging the

62 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

rivers for twenty years, it rains for a month and you are marooned and surrounded by miles of water? What happens when you do battle day and night with an array of pumps and sumps, and you spend all your time up to your waist in waders and then after weeks and weeks you know that the flood has finally snuck in round the back and comes into your kitchen and sitting room? And finally you surrender and turn the pumps off and there is an eerie silence and the water then stays for months on end in your house like an uninvited guest‌ What does that really feel like?

Most people would simply want to banish the experience from their memory like a bad dream and run away.

But it takes a brave man with great sensitivity like Michael Brown, the well known eel smoker, to give us a raw, detailed and heartfelt account of the floods. Someone who is finely tuned to nature and the natural world, who can express the triumphs and tragedy, the poignancy and

enhanced feeling of community spirit that the floods bring in their wake. And like a true Somerset man he stubbornly stayed put. He and his wife Utta camped within their own house and Michael kept scribbling away upstairs making notes, retrieving his possessions, trying to get electricity re-connected, fighting bureaucracy and phoning all and sundry to come to their rescue or at very least just to notice their plight.

But in the village of Thorney he was not alone. Many of his neighbours had also flooded and they compared notes, dined out in wellies, visited each other in tractors, canoes and rowing boats and generally became more and more desperate and philosophical in equal measure. He charts their emotions, up and down, like tides as if there were neaps and springers. The flood becomes a living organism as if it has a mind of its own.

The Flood is a masterpiece of understatement and many men would have thrown in the towel and abandoned the house to its fate and gone to live on dry land

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64 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

in a mobile home or local B&B, but Michael Brown has a fine ear for dialogue and he recounts conversations with his neighbours like a true story teller. And as the flood progresses he becomes more and more philosophical. What I really like are the added bits of family history, people he has bumped into over the years and the re-discovery in the attic of his mother’s letters about retreating from Burma in the war. A man of teak. It is the narrative which is compelling.

But the book is far more than just one man’s diary of a flood, it is a portrait of a village in crisis, and the village pulls together in a way which is very impressive. Eventually a journalist appears, Martin Hesp of the Western Morning News and then he is followed by film crews from around the world. Thorney is on the map at last. Even the Bishop of Taunton comes out in a rowing boat. And when the floods eventually recede they invite a seasoned drainage engineer of the old school called Dan Alsop to visit them and give his advice.

Solutions? well there are a few. Dredging has restarted in earnest after twenty years. The Dutch were called in with their pumps. The village of Thorney now has bund, an earth bank, to protect it and roads have been raised. What is extraordinary is that few of the villagers of Thorney would have in the end missed the experience, and it shows the restorative power of narrative. They all have stories to dine out on for years to come.

A book not to be missed.

The Flood - Surviving the Deluge

by Michael Brown Published by Merlin Unwin Books ISBN: 978 1 910723 20 3.

Price: ÂŁ14.99

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 65

Museums&Galleries 29 Nov -2 January 2017

Christmas Art Exhibition A festive exhibition of recent artwork by members of Town Mill Arts, full of inspiring and enticing paintings, sculptures, drawings, pottery, textiles, jewellery and books. Closed 25-26 Dec. The Malthouse Gallery, The Town Mill, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis, DT7 3PU. Free entry. Open 10.30am-4.30pm. www. townmillarts.co.uk.

Until 2 December

From Land to Sea Boo Mallinson Portmanteau Gallery at Rax and North, Bridport DT6 3JQ, 01308 425131 art@ portmanteau-gallery.com.

The Young Artists Christmas Exhibition All media awards for winners in the 25 years and under. Works for Sale, Entry Free, family friendly. 11am - 5pm. Guggleton Farm Arts Project, Station Road, Stalbridge, Dorset, DT10 2RQ. 01963 363456 or 01963 370219. www.guggleton.co.uk.

Until 3 December

Valerie Wall: The Reality of Nature A new exhibition featuring the work of Valerie Wall, in acrylics and watercolour, inspired by botanical and marine life. Woodhayes Gallery, Luppitt, Honiton EX14 4TP. Open 10am to 5pm. Free admission. 07958 699645. www.woodhayes.co.uk.

3 December

Christmas Open Studios at St Michael’s Studios, Bridport. Kit Glaisyer, Marion Taylor, Charlotte Miller, David Brooke and Caroline Ireland will have their studios open for a pre-Christmas viewing of original artwork, for the perfect, unique gift,

prints and cards. 10am - 4pm St Michael’s Trading Estate, Bridport, DT6 3RR.

3 – 10 December

Imagination Unbound: Magic, Myth and Mindscapes A retrospective and archive sale of unframed works by David Brooke and Caroline Ireland.

10am-3pm St Michael’s Studios, St Michael’s Trading Estate, Bridport DT6 3RR 07792 071721. davidfbrooke@ hotmail.com.

5 December – 7 January

Dave Wicken showing his surreal, psychedelic and decorative images, combining pen and ink drawing with photography, at the Axminster Arts Café, The Old Courthouse, Church Street, Axminster, Devon. EX13 5AQ. 01297 631455. Opening hours Mon-Sat: 9am – 3pm.

12 - 21 December

Dorset Begins Kate Ackerley A popup selling exhibition at Beaminster Museum of semi-abstract landscapes of lyrical expression by oil painter Kate Ackerley. Open daily 10am – 4pm.

Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster DT8 3NB. Entrance free.

(Please note: the museum is open only for this art sale/exhibition; the general collection is closed for the winter.)

Open access for all visitors. www. beaminstermuseumwordpress.com.

Until 21 December

Christmas Exhibition 14 artists.

The Jerram Gallery, Half Moon St, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3LN 01935 815261 info@jerramgallery.com.

Until 22 December

Alan Kitching and Monotype Celebrating five pioneers of the poster.

Curated by Daniel Chehade. TheGallery, Arts University Bournemouth, Wallisdown, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5HH. 01202 363272. www.aub.ac.uk/gallery.

Until 23 December

Christmas Collection A cornucopia of gift ideas from local craftspeople and artisans. Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm. Saturday 9.30am - 2.30pm.

Free. Ilminster Arts Centre, TheMeeting House, East Street, Ilminster.

TA19 0AN.01460 54973. www. themeetinghouse.org.uk.

Until 31 December

Autumn Winter 2016 New work by gallery artists. Michael Bowman, Sarah Bowman, Vanessa Bowman, David Brayne RWS, Marilyn Browning, Colin Carruthers, Vanessa Cooper, Wendy McBride SWAc, Caroline McMillan Davey, Catriona Millar, David Morgan, Dawn Stacey, James Tatum SWAc, Ellen Watson. Also ceramics and jewellery by some of the best southwest makers, perfect for Christmas presents. White Space Art, 72 Fore St, Totnes TQ9 5RU www.whitespaceart. com.

Until 1 January

Louise Bourgeois: Turning Inwards Hauser & Wirth Somerset presents a solo exhibition of sculpture and works on paper by Louise Bourgeois. Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Durslade Farm, Dropping Lane, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0NL. 01749 814060, www. hauserwirth.com/exhibitions/.

LOOKING TO INCLUDE A GALLERY? To include your gallery in these listings, please send details to info@marshwoodvale.com before the 10th of the month.

Please check times with organisers or venues.

Until 2 January 2017

Pop Up Vintage The sixth annual pop up vintage shop run by Jan Calow and Mandy Wiscombe who spend all year sourcing, making, repairing, cleaning and renovating their stock. Competitively priced; suitable for Secret Santas. Closed 25-26 Dec. The Courtyard Gallery, The Town Mill, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis, DT7 3PU. Free entry. Open 10.30am-4.30pm. www. townmillarts.co.uk.

Christmas Art Exhibition A festive exhibition of recent artwork by members of Town Mill Arts, full of inspiring and enticing paintings, sculptures, drawings, pottery, textiles, jewellery and books. Closed 25-26 Dec. The Malthouse

Gallery, The Town Mill, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis, DT7 3PU. Free entry. Open 10.30am - 4.30pm. www. townmillarts.co.uk.

Until 8 January

Scapes An exhibition of landscapes and seascapes featuring the work of Caz Scott, Michael Hemming and Hamish Baird. The Old Chapel Gallery, Back St, Abbotsbury, Dorset DT3 4JP 01305 873950.

Open Wednesday - Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm. www. theoldchapelgallery.co.uk.

Until 14 January

The Reality of Nature, featuring the work of Valerie Wall at Woodhayes Gallery near Honiton

Re-animating the Snowman The Art, Animation and Archives from The Snowman and The Snowman and The Snowdog. Curated by Steve

Museums

Please telephone for opening hours ALLHALLOWS MUSEUM

High Street, Honiton.

01404 44966. www.honitonmuseum.co.uk

AXMINSTER HERITAGE

Silver Street, Axminster.

01297 639884.

BEAMINSTER MUSEUM

CHIDEOCK MUSEUM

ILCHESTER COMMUNITY

Church of Our Lady, North MUSEUM High Street, Ilchester Road, Chideock. 01308 488348. (at the side of the Town Hall). www.chideockmartyrschurch.org.uk 01935 841247.

COLYTON HERITAGE CENTRE

Market Place, Colyton www.colytonheritagecentre.org

LYME REGIS MUSEUM

Bridge Street, Lyme Regis.

01297 443370.

NOTHE FORT

Sidmouth.

01395 516139.

THELMA HULBERT GALLERY, ELMFIELD HOUSE

Dowell Street, Honiton.

01404 45006.

THE MILITARY MUSEUM OF DEVON AND DORSET

Whitcombe Road, Beaminster.

01308 863623.

CREWKERNE & DISTRICT MUSEUM

Barrack Road, Weymouth.

01305 766626.

The Keep, Bridport Road, Dorchester. 01305 264066.

www.beaminstermuseum.

The Heritage Centre, Market Square, Crewkerne.

01460 77079.

www.fortressweymouth.co.uk.

www.keepmilitarymuseum.org.

wordpress.com

BLANDFORD MUSEUM

Bere’s Yard, Blandford Forum.

01258 450388.

www.crewkernemuseum.co.uk

www.blandfordtownmuseum.org

High West Street, Dorchester.

01305 262735.

BRIDPORT MUSEUM

DORSET COUNTY

PORTLAND MUSEUM

217 Wakeham Portland. 01305 821804.

ROYAL ALBERT MEMORIAL MUSEUM & ART GALLERY

Tolpuddle, nr Dorchester.

01305 848237.

TUDOR HOUSE

3 Trinity Street, Weymouth.

01305 779711 or 812341.

South Street, Bridport.

01308 422116.

www.dorsetcountymuseum.org.

www.bridportmuseum.co.uk.

Oborne Road, Sherborne.

Sheppards Row, off Exeter Road, SEATON MUSEUM Exmouth.

Top Floor, Seaton Town Hall, 07768 184127.

Fore Street, Seaton. 01297 FAIRLYNCH ARTS CENTRE 21660.

Sutton Poyntz Pumping Station, Sutton Poyntz, Weymouth.

01305 832634

www.castletonwaterwheelmuseum.

AND MUSEUM

www.wessexwessex.co.uk.

org.uk

27 Fore Street, Budleigh Salterton. 01395 442666.

CASTLETON WATERWHEEL MUSEUM

CHARD MUSEUM

Godworthy House, High Street, Chard. 01460 65091. www.chardmuseum.co.uk.

EXMOUTH MUSEUM

GROVE PRISON MUSEUM

Governors Gardens, The Grove, Portland. 01305 715726.

68 The Marshwood Vale Magazine June 2015 Tel. 01308 423031

Queen St, Exeter, EX4 3RX. 01392 665858.

TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS MUSEUM

SHERBORNE MUSEUM

Abbey gatehouse, Church Lane, Sherborne. 01935 812252. www.sherbornemuseum.co.uk.

SIDMOUTH MUSEUM

Hope Cottage, Church Street,

www.weymouthcivicsociety.org.

WATER SUPPLY MUSEUM

WEYMOUTH MUSEUM

Brewers Quay Hope Square, Weymouth. 01305 457982 www.weymouthmuseum.org.uk

Henderson. Northwest Gallery, Arts University Bournemouth, Wallisdown, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5HH. 01202 363272. www.aub.ac.uk/gallery.

Until 22 January

‘Radiance’ - Explorations of light’

by Daisy Cook, Luke Elwes, Michael Bennallack Hart, Stephen Jacobson, Alex Lowery and David West.

Contemporary British landscape in its many forms from a stunning group of artists plus gifts and accessories by leading artist designers. Furniture by Petter Southall. Sladers Yard, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL 01308 459511. gallery@sladersyard.co.uk, www.sladersyard.co.uk.

Until 1 February

Salut Maroc: Anne-Marie Howat A research showcase of project work

by Anne-Marie Howat for her latest commission, a large scale interior at Salut Maroc, Morocco. M Studio Gallery, Arts University Bournemouth,

Wallisdown, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5HH. 01202 363272. www.aub.ac.uk/gallery.

Until 24 February

Loop Hole An art and science collaboration with the Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford. Curated by Paul Finnegan.

Library, Arts University Bournemouth, Wallisdown, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5HH. 01202 363272. www.aub.ac.uk/gallery.

Until 26 February 2017

Shifting Ground - new exhibition at Hestercombe Gallery Stephen Smith, Hestercombe’s 2016 artist in residence, presents new work for the Shifting Ground exhibition the culmination of his six-month residency at Hestercombe Gallery. Predominantly working with painting, drawing, print and installation, Stephen Smith’s work is bold, contemporary and quirky.

His confident collaged mark making and use of bright colours makes

his work instantly recognisable. He describes his latest body of work as “exploring conspiracy theories, bit-rot, psycho-geography and post-traumatic landscapes leading to human’s interaction with and on the landscape.”

In 2011 a visit to the exclusion zone of Chernobyl and the lost city of tomorrow Pripyat with Unknown Fields Division (Architectural Association, London) had a huge effect on his practice. This exhibition is heavily influenced by his time at Hestercombe.

Hestercombe House, which was previously the headquarters for the Somerset Fire Brigade, was acquired

by Hestercombe Gardens Trust in 2013 and is now home to a contemporary art gallery which showcases some of the best examples of art. For more information about Hestercombe www. hestercombe.com. Hestercombe Gardens, Taunton TA2 8LG. Phjne: 01823 413923.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 69

Panto Fever

Jack and the Beanstalk in Weymouth from December 10th

THIS season, the importance of pantomime as the introduction to live theatre has been recognised by a new Stage Awards prize.

In the south west, panto has a long-established reputation for seasonal colour and fun for all the family, whether it brings television stars or local favourites to the stage.

The big news this year is that Steve Bennett returns to the Northcott in Exeter, playing Tinker Bell in Peter Pan from 2nd December to 1st January 2017. Laura Prior takes the title role, with Macy Nyman as Wendy and Kerry Peers as Captain Hook in this inhouse production directed by Paul Jepson.

At Plymouth Theatre Royal, the panto is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, from 16th December to 14th January. The cast is led by the ever-popular Lesley Joseph as the Wicked Queen who may no longer be the fairest of them all, and Duncan James as the Prince.

Taunton Brewhouse has its first in-house show for several seasons, with Around the World in 80 Days from 10th to 31st December. It promises a “steampunk inspired adventure” with Phileas Fogg on trains, Chinese junks, hot air balloons and even an elephant.

At Weymouth Pavilion the choice is Jack and the Beanstalk, on from 10th December to 1st January. Weymouth’s favourite dame Lee Red­wood returns as Dame Trott with Bournemouth-born Simon Rawlings as Fleshcreep.

There is another Peter Pan, at Yeovil Octagon, also from 2nd December to 1st January.

Aladdin will be flying high with the wicked Abanaazar at Poole Light­house from 6th December to 7th January, and at Bath’s Theatre Royal from 8th December to 8th January, where younger audiences can also enjoy Snow Mouse in the egg children’s space until 15th January.

Cinderella, which was largely absent from south western stages last season, returns to Bournemouth Pavilion from 3rd December to 2nd January, to Bristol Hippodrome (with Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean as the Fairy Godparents) from 10th December to 8th January and to Bristol Tobacco Factory from 2nd December to 22nd January 2017.

Bristol’s Old Vic, now in the middle of major building works, stages The Snow Queen from 2nd December to 15th January in the main theatre, and a new show, Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain, in the Colston Hall’s Lantern space from 2nd December to 8th January.

John Challis, better known as Boycie. stars in Beauty and the Beast at Weston super Mare Playhouse from 10th December to 1st January.

And if you want to go further afield, the Nuffield on the Southampton University campus has the brand new Fantastic Mr Fox from 22nd Novem­ber to 8th January, or another Robin Hood at the big Mayflower Theatre.

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On Screen - In and Around the Vale Thursday 1 December

The Second Mother (2015, Brazil, 15, 112 mins) Subtitles, is showing at Clapton & Wayford Village Hall, doors open at 7.30pm for 8pm start. Pre-booked guest tickets are £4 per film. For more information, or to pre-book, please email mickpwilson53@btinternet.comnet or ring Mick Wilson on 01460 74849 or Di Crawley on 01460 30508.

Friday 2 December

The Man Who Knew Infinity (12) at 8pm. Presented by Petherton Picture Show.

Tickets: £5. The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www.thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240 340 boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk.

Monday 5 December

Love & Friendship Presented by Moviola in the Beaminster Public Hall. 7.30pm (doors open 7pm) Tickets at Yarn Barton 01308 862715. Weekdays 9.30am - 12.30pm & Saturdays 9.30am - 1pm.

Or ring Elaine on 01308 861746 £5 (in advance) £5.50 (on door).

Tuesday 6 December

Palio (12) by Cosima Spender, Italy, 2015, 88mins Italian with English subtitles.

Bridport Film Society, info@bridportfilmsociety.co.uk, www.bridportfilmsociety. co.uk. Screening at Bridport Arts Centre.

Season membership available. Guest seats (£5, students £2) must be booked in advance by prior to midday on the day of the screening. Be at the venue by 7.30pm to claim guest tickets. Doors and bar opens at 7pm, screening at 7.45pm.

Wednesday 7 December

Eddie the Eagle (PG) Moviola screening at Kilmington Village Hall, doors and bar open 6.45pm with the show starting at 7.15pm. Tickets £5 in advance from Hurfords Stores or £5.50 at the door. See village web for alternative pre-booking & information: www.Kilmingtonvillage.com/ moviola.htm or Tel: 01297 32335.

Thursday 8 December

The Gateway, Classic screen afternoon film at Seaton. Doors open at 1.30pm.

Admission £4. Please call 01297 625699 for more details.

Absolutely Fabulous the movie. Film Night, The Gateway, Seaton. Bring a

picnic to eat before the film or just come along for the film. Doors open 6.30pm.

Admission £5. To book by phone please call 01297 625699. Box Office open 10am – 4pm weekdays, 10am – 1pm Saturday.

The Royal Ballet: The Nutcrackerv – Live Screening 7.15pm Tickets: Adult £15, Student/Child £12, Family of four (2+2) £46. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Friday 9 December

Shall We Dance Japan: 1996: PG: 136mins: The Crewkerne and District Community Cinema, Wadham School, Mount Pleasant, Crewkerne TA18 7NT. Admission begins and refreshments from 7pm; films start at 7.30pm. www.crekernefilm.wordpress.com. Admission for the year - £25. Membership call Joan Clemow 01935 822656 or otherwise Rick Canning 01460 271215.

Absolutely Fabulous (15) CineChard, Guildhall, Chard (CineChard film every 2nd Friday of every month). Join this new community venture in the Guildhall, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets £5 in advance from Barron’s, Eleos and the Post Office; or £6 on the night. Bar, icecreams and popcorn all available.

Queen of Katwe (PG) 7.30pm Tickets: Adult £6.50, U16 £5.50, Family £20 (2 Adults+2 U16s) or (1 Adult+3 U16s). The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Saturday 10 December

Tea with Mussolini (PG) presented by Hinton St. George ‘Flix in the Stix’ from 1999 in the Hinton Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Tickets £5 in advance from the Village Shop and Dorothy’s Tea Room, or £5.50p on the door. To reserve Tickets please contact Bob Kefford on 01460 72563.

This performance is ticket only with tables chairs and nibbles.

Trolls (U) 3pm & 5pm Tickets: Adult £6.50, U16 £5.50, Family £20 (2 Adults+2 U16s) or (1 Adult+3 U16s). Child booster seats available, along with ice creams, snacks and drinks from the Cafe Bar. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

I, Daniel Blake (15) (2016) 100 mins Bridport Electric Palace. Starts 7.30pm, £4 on the door or online at www.electricpalace. org.uk.

Sunday 11 December

The Hatching with mulled cider & minced pies. 5.30pm early movie. The Ebenezer, in The Seed Factory, Aller, Somerset TA10 0QN ebenezer@ebenezerpresents.com.

Please Note: Bookings by email, not by phone. www.ebenezerpresents.com.

Wednesday 14 December

It’s a Wonderful Life The cinema lights will dim at 1.45pm, tea and biscuits will be served for just £1.50, ice creams will also be available. Everyone is welcome to come along to Age UK Dorchester’s centre in Prince of Wales Road, and enjoy an afternoon of festive big screen entertainment.

For further information please contact Lucy or Carol on 01305 269444.

Friday 16 December

Florence Foster Jenkins (Cert.PG) T & F Movies shows the comedy in Tatworth Memorial Hall at 8pm. The doors open at 7.15pm and entry charge is £4.

Love and Friendship (PG) Broadwindsor Comrades Hall, 7.30pm. Bar available.

Tickets £6 on the door or call 01308 868582 or 01308 867644.

Love and Friendship (U) at 8pm Petherton Picture Show presents: Tickets: £5. The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www.thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240 340 boxoffice@thedavidhall.org.uk.

Saturday 17 December

Doctor Strange (12A) 5pm & 7.30pm Tickets: Adult £6.50, U16 £5.50, Family £20 (2 Adults+2 U16s) or (1 Adult+3 U16s). The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton. co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Tuesday 20 December

Frozen: Singalong Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF, 2pm, £4, Box office: 01305 266926, www.dorchesterarts.org.uk.

Friday 23 December

Holiday Inn (PG) 2pm Tickets: £3.50 includes tea and biscuits. Nostalgic Cinema. Dementia friendly screening open to all. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 38405.

It’s a Wonderful Life (U) 1946 131 mins Doors 5pm / Starts 6pm, Free Film.

Electric Palace, Bridport.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 71

PERFORMANCE Monday 28 November

BOURNEMOUTH, BIC, Billy Connolly, and Tues.

BRISTOL, Hippodrome, Jason Donovan in Million Dollar Quartet, to Sat. Colston Hall, The Shires.

Tuesday 29 November

BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Hieronymus Bosch Exhibition on Screen, 7.30.

SIDMOUTH, Manor Pavilion, White Christmas - the Musical, to 4 Dec. WEYMOUTH, College Bay Theatre, Chris Fogg in Tree House, 7.30.

WIMBORNE, Tivoli, Marcus Brigstocke, Why the Long Face, comedy, 8.

Wednesday 30 November

BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Mark Thomas, Red Shed, comedy, 8.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Albert Lee and Peter Asher, 7.30.

PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, Rambert, A Linha Curva, to Fri: Drum Studio, Spitz and Co in Gloria in the Mist, to 23 Dec.

Thursday 1 December

BOURNEMOUTH, BIC, Madness.

DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, New Hardy Players in Under the Greenwood Tree, to Sun, 7.30, Sun mat 2.30.

EXETER, University Great Hall, BSO, cond Alexander Shelley, Sebastian Knauer, piano, Elgar, Mendelssohn, Richard Strauss, 7.30.

Cathedral, Sound of the Sirens, female folk rock duo, Christmas concert, 7pm.

WEST BAY, Sladers Yard, poets Pam Zinnemann-Hope and Lorraine Mariner, musicians Andrew Dickson and Andrew Hurst, poems and original music, 8.

WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, The Stylistics, 7.30.

WOOTTON FITZPAINE, Village Hall, John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe, jazz, 7.30. AR

Friday 2 December

BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Arcola Theatre in Nine Lives, play about refugees, 8.

BRISTOL, Old Vic, The Snow Queen, to 15 Jan. Colston Hall, Black Stone Cherry: Lantern, Old Vic and Wardrobes in Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain, to 8 Jan. Tobacco Factory, Cinderella - A Fairy Tale, to 15 Jan. Redgrave Theatre, BOVTS in Treasure Island, to 18 Dec, various times.

EXETER, Northcott, Steve Bennett in Peter Pan, to 1 Jan. ILMINSTER, Arts Centre, The Cornish Armada Jazz Band, 8.

MILVERTON, Music Club, Philip Henry and Hannah Martin, folk and country.

POOLE, Lighthouse, The Manfreds, Maximum Rhythm and Blues.

TAUNTON, Tacchi-Morris, Mark Steele in Who Do I Think I Am, comedy, 8.

WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, The Damned, 40th anniversary tour, 7.30.

WIMBORNE, Tivoli, Lesley Garrett, An Evening of Songs and Reminiscences, 7.30.

YEOVIL, Octagon, Peter Pan, to 1 Jan. YETMINSTER, Village Hall, Norwich Puppet Theatre in The Tinder Box, 6pm.

AR

Sunday 4 December

Saturday 3 December

Tuesday 6 December

BOURNEMOUTH, Pavilion, Cinderella, to 2 Jan. BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Charlie Bicknell, cabaret, 8.

BRISTOL, Colston Hall, The Catherine Tate Show, and Sun. BUCKLAND NEWTON, Village Hall, John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe, jazz, 7.30. AR EXMOUTH, Pavilion, The Elvis Years at Christmas, 8.

FROME, Merlin, Peter Pan, various times to 10 Dec. Cheese and Grain, The Unravelling Wilburys.

HONITON, The Beehive, Clive Carroll, guitar, 7.30.

KIMMERIDGE, Village Hall, Alison Neil in The Fossil Lady of Lyme, 7.30.

AR LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Simon Evans in In the Money, comedy, 8.

MILBORNE ST ANDREW, Village Hall, Norwich Puppet Theatre in The Tinder Box, 6pm. AR PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, BBC Big Band.

SALISBURY, Playhouse, Aladdin, to 7 Jan, various times.

SOUTHAMPTON, 1865, The Christians.

SOUTH PETHERTON, David Hall, Police Dog Hogan, 8.

TAUNTON, Tacchi-Morris, Ballet Theatre UK in Romeo and Juliet, 7.30.

WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, That’ll be the Day Christmas show, 7.30.

72 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

BATH, Komedia, Only Men Aloud.

BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Lee Nelson, comedy, 7.30.

LYMPSTONE, Village Hall, Angel Heart, in Freya, a Viking Saga, 2.30. ViA PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, That’ll Be the Day Christmas Show.

PORTESHAM, Village Hall, John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe, jazz, 7.30.

AR SOUTHAMPTON, Mayflower, Katherine Jenkins, 7.

TAUNTON, Brewhouse, Santa in Love, children’s musical, to Wed, various times.

Monday 5 December

DORCHESTER, Odeon, Louder than Bombs, Dorchester Film Society, 7.30.

PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, Glyndebourne Touring Opera in Don Giovanni, and Fri. POOLE, Lighthouse, Aladdin, to 8 Jan: Lyngo Theatre in Snow Play, to 24 Dec. SOUTHAMPTON, Mayflower, Sunny Afternoon, the Kinks Musical, to Sat.

Wednesday 7 December

EXETER, Barnfield Theatre, Cinderella, and Thurs, various day times.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Jethro - 40 Years a Joker, 7.30.

PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, Glyndebourne Touring Opera in Madam Butterfly. and Sat.

Thursday 8 December

BATH, Theatre Royal, Jon Monie, Bill Ward, Nick Wilton in Aladdin, to 8 Jan: egg, Robin Hood, to 15 Jan. BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Living Spit in A Christmas Carol, 8.

BRISTOL, St George’s, Darius Brubeck Quartet, 8.

BURTON BRADSTOCK, Village Hall, Near-Ta Theatre in Christmas Time, 7.30. AR EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Show of Hands and Miranda Sykes, to Sat, 7.30.

HONITON, The Beehive, The Nutcracker, live by satellite from the Royal Opera House, 7.15, ILMINSTER, Warehouse, IES in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, to Sat, and 15-17 Dec, 7.30, Sat mats 2.30.

PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, Glyndebourne Touring Opera in Behind the Curtain, the essence of opera.

PERFORMANCE WEYMOUTH, College Bay Theatre, performing arts student showcase, 1pm and 7.30.

WINTERBORNE STICKLAND, Pamela Hambro Hall, Lili la Scala, Songs to Make You Smile, cabaret, 7.30.

AR

Friday 9 December

BOURNEMOUTH, BIC, Status Quo. BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Jazz Cafe with Rachael Roberts and The Gatsby Gang, 8.

BRISTOL, St George’s, Trevor Pinnock’s 70th Birthday Celebration, Handel, Bach, Purcell, 7.30.

BROADWINDSOR, Comrades Hall, Lili la Scala, Songs to Make You Smile, cabaret, 7.30. AR DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Living Spit in A Christmas Carol, 8.

SIDMOUTH, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth Town Band Christmas concert, 7.30.

SOUTH PETHERTON, David Hall, St Agnes Fountain, and Sat, 8.

WINTERBORNE WHITECHURCH, Village Hall, Ridgeway Singers and Band, West Gallery Carols, 7.30. AR

Saturday 10 December

BOURNEMOUTH, BIC, 25 Years of Reeves and Mortimer.

BRIANTSPUDDLE, Village Hall, Lili la Scala, Songs to Make You Smile, cabaret, 7.30. AR BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Tom Allen and Suzi Ruffell, comedy, 8.

DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, The Producers, blues, 8.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Living Spit in A Christmas Carol, 8.

SIDMOUTH, Parish Church, Frith Piano Quartet, Mozart, Schumann, Faure, 3pm.

TAUNTON, Brewhouse, Around the World in 80 Days, Christmas show, to 31 Dec, various times.

WEST LULWORTH, Village Hall, Near-Ta Theatre in Christmas Time, 7.30. AR WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, Jack and the Beanstalk, with Lee Redwood, to 1 Jan. WIMBORNE, Tivoli, The Blues Band, 8.

Sunday 11 December

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Chapterhouse Theatre in A Christmas Carol, 7.30.

HALSTOCK, Village Hall, Near-Ta Theatre in Christmas Time, 7.30. AR NORTH ALLINGTON, St Swithun’s Church, New Elizabethan Singers,

Christmas concert, 3pm.

PLYMOUTH, Pavilions, The Human League.

Monday 12 December

WELLS, Cathedral, Opus Anglicanum, Medieval Carols, Machaud, Dunstable, Obrecht, Cornysh, 7.30.

Tuesday 13 December

BRISTOL, Colston Hall, Ne Yo.

Wednesday 14 December

BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, The Nutcracker, recorded by satellite from the Royal Ballet, 7.15.

BRISTOL, Colston Hall, Reeves and Mortimer in The Poignant Moments, comedy.

DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Ballet Theatre UK in Romeo and Juliet, and Thurs, 6, Thurs mat 2.

EXETER, Barnfield Theatre, Paddleboat Theatre in According to Arthur, to 23 Dec, 2pm.

Thursday 15 December

BATH, Theatre Royal, the egg, Travelling Light in Snow Mouse, to 22 Jan, various day times.

BOURNEMOUTH, BIC, David Brent and Foregone Conclusion, Life on the Road.

Friday 16 December

BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, L’Amour de Loin, by satellite from the Metropolitan Opera, 6.

DORCHESTER, Holy Trinity Church, Joglaresa Christmas Noels, Wassails and Lullabyes, 7.

EXETER, Phoenix, Glenn Tilbrook.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, The Fab Beatles, 8.

ILMINSTER, Arts Centre, Benny Goodman Small Group Tribute Band, 8.

PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, Lyric, Lesley Joseph in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to 14 Jan. TINCLETON, The Old School House, Wessex Piano Quartet, includes Faure Piano Quintet, and Sat, 8.

Saturday 17 December

EXETER, Cathedral, Seth Lakeman.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Joey the Lips, 8.

SOUTH PETHERTON, David Hall, Belshazzar’s Feast, 8.

TAUNTON, Tacchi-Morris, Santa Saves Christmas, 11.30am and 2pm: Taunton Concert Band’s Christmas Concert, 7.30, and Sun 3pm.

Sunday 18 December

ABBOTSBURY, Church, Ridgeway Singers and Band, West Gallery Carols, 3pm. AR DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Mad Dog MacRea, 8.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Andy Williamson, saxophone, Philip Clouts, piano, jazz, 8.

Monday 19 December

BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Bridport Young Performers in The Young Ones, and Tues, 7.30.

Tuesday 20 December

BRISTOL, Colston Hall, Brian May and Kerry Ellis.

DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Sinagalonga Frozen, 2.

SALISBURY, Playhouse, Salberg Studio, A Little of What You Fancy, to 21 Jan, various times.

TAUNTON, Brewhouse, Andre Rieu, recorded Christmas concert, 7pm.

Wednesday 21 December

BOURNEMOUTH, BIC, The 1975.

EXETER, University, Great Hall, BSO, cond Pete Harrison, Alison Jiear and Iain Mackenzie, Christmas Proms, 7.30.

HONITON, The Beehive, Mad Dog Mcrea, 8.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Moon on a Stick in Jack Frost, puppets, 2 and 6pm.

Thursday 22 December

EXETER, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter Little Theatre in Snow White, to 7 Jan.

Friday 23 December

HONITON, The Beehive, Holiday Inn, 1942 film, 2pm.

WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, Chas’n’Dave’s Christmas Knees-Up, 8.

Saturday 24 December

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, The Wizard of Oz Pantomime, to 2 Jan, various times.

Tuesday 27 December

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Ben Waters Christmas party, 8.30.

Thursday 29 December

SIDMOUTH, Manor Pavilion, SADS in Cinderella, to 7 Jan.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 73

PREVIEW On Stage - In and Around the Vale Favourite Hardy story DORCHESTER

Nine Lives, a gripping play at Bridport Arts Centre December 2nd

Nine Lives BRIDPORT

ISHMAEL has fled to Leeds from his home in Zimbabwe, where a fresh wave of homophobia threatens his life. Discover his story in Nine Lives at Bridport Arts Centre on Friday 2nd December.

In Leeds he has the prospect of sanctuary, and of a new life among strangers.

But will those strangers accept him? The clock is ticking, and his fate is being decided… can Ishmael find a place to call home again?

This gripping new play from Zodwa Nyoni (Channel 4 Writer in Residence 2014) threads together humour and humanity to tell the real personal story behind asylum headlines. It is not just about the asylum process and homophobia, but about universal issues of isolation, identity, belonging, dignity, and friendship.

The Tinderbox VILLAGES

ONE of the country’s finest puppet companies, Norwich Puppet Theatre brings an adaptation of a Hans Christian Andersen classic tale, The Tinderbox to Dorset on a short Artsreach tour from 2nd to 4th December.

The visit begins at Yetminster’s St Andrew’s Primary School, on Friday 2nd at 6pm; on Saturday 3rd at Sandford Orcas village hall, at 11am; and at Milborne St Andrew village hall, at 6pm.

Sunday’s performance is at Langton Matravers .

A roguish soldier acquires a magic tinderbox which gives him the power to summon three extraordinary dogs to do his bidding. It’s a roller-coaster adventure from rags to riches and back again! Will he survive and win the love of the beautiful princess?

JUST over a century since the original Hardy Players staged the first adaptation of Under The Greenwood Tree, their successors, the New Hardy Players, will perform this favourite Thomas Hardy story at Dorchester Corn Exchange, from 1st to 4th December.

Hardy saw the original Hardy Players perform the first dramatisation of this most light-hearted and humorous of the Wessex novels in 1910, also at the Corn Exchange.

The 2016 adaptation has been written by actor, playwright and director Jack Shepherd. It cleverly tackles the social changes which rock the small community of Mellstock.

The production features music and song from a live band, and brings to the stage some of Hardy’s best-loved characters— Veronica Neale plays Fancy Day, Alastair Simpson is Dick Dewey, Rob Sansom is Reuben Dewey, Fran Sansom is Ann Dewey, David Lucas is Farmer Shiner, Tom Archer is the Rev Maybold, Chris Pullen is Grandfather Wiliam Dewey and Sam Kelly is Thomas Leaf.

The play is directed by Emma Hill and musician, actor and historian Tim Laycock, with music composed and arranged by Alastair Simpson. It features West Gallery carols, folksongs and dance tunes. The designer is Naomi Price, and the production has lighting by Ollie Titterington, and costumes by Lou Pugh and Ros Norton. The producer is Andy Worth.

There are performances at 7.30pm from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th, with a 2.30 matinee on Sunday.

Schubert in Seaton SOME of Schubert’s most engaging music will open Seaton Choral Society’s Christmas Concert at Seaton’s The Gateway on Sunday 11th December. This early work, his Mass in G, was written in less than a week when the composer was nineteen; his youthful high spirits and genius for melodic and harmonic invention allow him to slip easily from shade to sunlight; in some sections, such as the Gloria, he employs strong contrasts to great effect. Solo contributors include Simon Gallear and Chloë Stratta, soprano, who is making waves in opera, oratorio and recitals both in London and abroad, as well as tenor Tony Yates and Rosamond Thomas. She and Chloë are well-remembered for their performances of Mendelssohn’s Elijah for Seaton Choral Society in 2015. The concert begins at 4.00pm, with doors opening at 3.30. Tickets are £10, (under eighteens free) from The Gateway Box Office, Tel: 01297 625699.

74 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Cabaret and comedy BRIDPORT

CABARET star Charlie Bicknell returns to Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday 3rd December with a Christmas show full of subversive humour and music.

Charlie is joined by Louise Innes, Jen Brodie and David Harrod for a show that takes a rather different look at such festive favourites as The Snowman and that Little Drummer Boy. There is more comedy at the arts centre with Lee Nelson on Sunday 4th, and a great double bill on Saturday 10th with the super sophisticated Tom Allen and Suzi Ruffell with her sharp tongue and her dodgy family history.

Doing time at Christmas BURTON BRADSTOCK

FESTIVE fun can be found in unexpected places, as Near-ta Theatre will show on a Dorset tour of new play Christmas Time, from 8th to 11th December.

Charlie and Toby are feeling far from festive—and who can blame them? They are serving time at Her Majesty’s Pleasure and Christmas doesn’t seem so very merry. But why shouldn’t they be having a happy Christmas in spite of their incarceration? What’s stopping them from creating Christmas around them? Absolutely nothing! Join them on an adventure through Dickens, pantomime, Christmas dinner and festive films as they create their own Merry Christmas with songs, snowmen and lots of laughs in a show that puts the ‘cell’ in ‘celebration’!

Christmas Time, written by Ciaran Clarke of Miracle Theatre and directed by Simon Harvey of Kneehigh, is at Burton Bradstock village hall on Thursday 8th, Durweston on Friday 9th, West Lulworth hall on Saturday 10th and Halstock village hall on Sunday 11th, all at 7.30pm.

Vintage glamour & nostalgia VILLAGES

SINGER Lili La Scala comes to Dorset from 8th to 11th December with her new show, Songs to Make you Smile.

Armed with bucket loads of charm and dazzling vintage glamour, Lili La Scala has become a favourite wherever she performs around the world. Now she is bringing her latest song collection on a short Artsreach tour, including Broadwindsor’s Comrades Hall, on Friday 9th December and Martinstown village hall, on Sunday 11th, both at 7.30pm. Songs To Make You Smile is an upbeat hour of wartime clas-

Lili La Scala coming to Broadwindsor and Martinstown

sics, show tunes and decidedly bright-andbreezy numbers from yesteryear bound to put a spring in your step.

From American composers Irving Berlin and Cole Porter to British legends Gracie Fields and Vera Lynn, and with a splash of George Formby thrown in for good measure, Lili offers traditional tunes delivered with cabaret pzazz.

Living Spit in Christmas Carol BRIDPORT & LYME REGIS

LIVING Spit’s Howard Coggins and Stu McLoughlin have been digging into their Victorian dressing-up box again to bring their hilarious and hugely popular version of Christmas Carol back for the 2016 festive season. They start at Taunton’s Brewhouse theatre on 30th November and visit Bridport Arts Centre on Thursday 8th December and the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, on Saturday 10th.

The show, which played to packed houses last year, sees Howard putting on the grumpy face, which he does rather (worryingly) well and the old fashioned pyjamas, and Stu playing everybody else, ghosts of past, present and future, love interest, starving rag-pickers and complete idiots!

The Ridgeway Singers VILLAGES

THE Ridgeway Singers and Band have become a Dorset institution—as much part of the county’s Christmas preparations as the West Gallery quires of Thomas Hardy’s time.

This year the musicians will be singing West Gallery carols at three Artsreach events, at St Mary’s Church, Winterborne Whitechurch, 01258 880179, on Friday 9th December at 7.30pm, St Gregory’s, Marnhull, 01258 820381, on Sunday 11th at 4pm, and St Nicholas, Abbotsbury, 01305 871532, on Sunday 18th at 3pm.

The Ridgeway Singers project began

as part of the South Dorset Ridgeway Partnership programme, that explored the cultural and landscape heritage of the area.

It was firmly rooted in the South Dorset Ridgeway and inspired by the rich sources of locally collected folk songs and West Gallery carols. But over the years, the singers and band, led by Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries, have extended their reach and their musical researches.

This year sees the first visits to North Dorset, with concerts in the Winterborne valley and at Marnhull, including works from the Puddletown and Hinton St Mary manuscripts together with newly composed carols in the Dorset tradition.

The fiddles and other traditional instruments—including Phil Humphries’ famous serpent—are tuned, the songs are rehearsed, and the singers and musicians are ready for another joyful celebration of Christmas past and present.

New Elizabethan singers BRIDPORT

THE Christmas concert of the New Elizabethan will be given at St Swithun’s Church, North Allington, on Sunday, 11th December.

The choir will be joined by children from West Coker CoE Primary School for Christmas music, readings and, of course, carols with the congregation.

There will be a retiring collection, raffle and refreshments and admission is free.

The concert starts at 3pm and all are welcome.

The Young Ones BRIDPORT

YOUNG performers, who were barely twinkles in their grandparents’ eyes when the Cliff Richard film The Young Ones was released, take to the stage of Bridport Arts Centre on 19th and 20th December with a stage version of the show.

Bridport Young Performers Scholarship is recreating the 1961 film about a group of teenagers who put on a musical to save their youth club from being turned into offices.

The target of their opposition is the tycoon Hamilton Black—but things aren’t quite what they seem, as the youth leader is actually Black’s son.

There will be a live band, and performances begin at 7.30pm. Proceeds go to the young performers scholarship programme.

GPW

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 75

Health&Beauty Appeal ahead of schedule A £1.75 million Cancer Appeal being run by Dorset County Hospital Charity continues to grow ahead of schedule. The appeal total currently stands at £660,000.

The appeal is supporting a £9.1 million project to bring radiotherapy services Dorchester for the first time. The radiotherapy building itself, with two radiotherapy LINAC machines and waiting and supporting areas for patients is being funded by Poole Hospital including a generous legacy from Poole busi-

76 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

nessman, Robert White.

Recent donations have pushed up the appeal total by a further ÂŁ200,000.

Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, who are partnering the Charity on this appeal,

have also given ÂŁ200,000.

Community groups and a number of Dorset companies are also supporting the appeal. For more information telephone 01305 253215.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 77

Services&Classified SITUATIONS VACANT The catering team at Hooke Park, the Architectural Association’s woodland campus near Beaminster, seeks parttime self-employed chef for busy vegetarian kitchen serving international architecture students. Please contact hookeadmin@aaschool. ac.uk for more details by 8th December.

FOR SALE Desk solid mahogany circa 1950, as new green leather top 168cm/w, 84cm/d, 76cm/h vgc £150 01935 872066 Dark red leather winged armchair. Excellent condition. £150 o.n.o. tel. 01297 552280 Quality dark red leather chesterfield sofa and chair.

As new. Bargain at £400 o.n.o. tel. 01297 552280 Staffordshire Pottery 1970’s Kiln Craft Tableware - Ironstone as new. 6 large dinner plates 6 medium dinner plates 6 side plates. 6 cups and saucers. 6 bowls. £40 contact 01308 425816 Pine shelf unit for dvd’s etc.Tall and slim with adjustable shelves. Height 118cm, width 28cm, depth 19cm. Very good cndition. £8. tel: 01305 778026 Man’s real leather black jacket. Size medium.

Inside and outside pockets, zip fastening. Excellent condition. £20. tel: 01305 778026 Bosch Rotak 40-17 Ergoflex electric lawnmower, 8 months old, new price £149.99, now £80.00 ono vgc. Phone 01308 861774 King size solid dark oak bed plus matching bedside cabinets, good condition £150 phone 01308 488270 New,900x450 insulated

ACCOMMODATION WANTED

FOR SALE above. £100. 6 wheelback chairs £50. Locally made farmhouse style pine table with cutlery draw 1.2mtrs wide, 1.52mtrs long and 77cmtrs high, seats 8 £100. Call 01308 425816 FOR SALE evenings.

Zanussi washing machine cylinder. open vented, Painted in duck egg. Suit ZWF1221W. Working indirect double feed coil. small garden. £100 ono. order £50. Mountain £55.00. New Grundfoss Buyer collects. 01460 bike. Adult medium. 21 Unilift KP 250-A-1 s/steel 78969 speed. aluminium frame, submersible pump. float Rayburn 380g gas cooker suspension forks. good switch level control.240 also does hot water and working order. £75 Tel volts. £115.00p New central heating. burgudy.

0146030508 Nocchi Drenox 807 s/steel excellent condition.

Antique Farm Machinery submersible pump. float Portland. 07861937373. for sale. Vintage Sack switch controller,110 volts. £400 ono.

Truck/ Hoist with cast £95.00p. 01404831777 Christmas Tree, Majestic iron wheels. In working Zanussi Electric Cooker. Pine with Natural Pine order showing original Stainless steel. Ceramic Cones. Hinged branches. selling agents name £250. hob. Main fan assisted Flame retardant foliage.

Bamford Mill £250. Horse oven, dual grill/second Metal stand. Height 6.5 Drawn Ploughs £60. Bale oven. H 900mm, W ft. £45.00 Tele: 01297 Grab £60. Ideal restoration 550mm, D600mm. Sale due 551375 or garden ornaments. Tel to house move. £75 Buyer Hoover Constellation 01297 678440 collects. Tel 01308 301279 Model 862 for spares only.

Fender Stratocaster usa Bosch Dishwasher. Silver. No tools, Grey £15.00 standard 2010. candy apple H 815mm, W 598mm, D o.n.o. tele: 01297 551375 red. genuine usa guitar in 550mm. Used for less than Parker Knoll winged mint condition with fender three years. VGC. Sale due Fireside Chair for hard case. I have owned it to house move. Bargain at upholstery. Wooden Arms. from new, it has had very £125.Buyer collects. Tel £15.00 o.n.o. tele: 01297 little use. beautiful guitar.

01308 301279.

551375 £695 01308 485627 or Electric bike 250W Lawn Mower Champion 07711769677. crankfrive motor (most R434 petrol push mower Avery paper cutter never expensive ebikes have in full working order. used £15.00. 4 bags of crankdrive) virtually new.

16inch/41cm cut only £30. purina cat litter yesterday’s Xmas present? £750. 07890 Superseded by an electric. news 30lb. weight £2 each 268932.

Tel 01308 456528 bag. Boy’s two wheeled Baxi / DuoTec2 / Boiler Vacuum cleaner Dyson bicycle to fit a four year Parts / comprising; DC41 upright in full old £10.00. Phone: 01308 Flat Heat Exchanger/ working order, with tools 897 641 Burner Unit +Fan/ and instruction leaflet only Belgian wood burner Pump/ £150 ono £45. Superseded by another. suitable for heating large Tel; 01305 776545 Tel 01308 456528 room or whole small house.

Hostess heated trolley, Chest of drawers. Large Depth 37 cm,(add 29cms if little use, mahogany finish five drawer, light wood, fitting back stack pipe £85 ono. bridport 01308 well-built, not chipboard. included in price) width 424139 or 07876550056 Attractive piece furniture.

76cms, height 81 cms.

Sliding Shower Door £90.00 Tel 01305 833660 Spare window glasses 1000mm x 1950mm Available from January. included. BBQ facility.

Boxed and unused Antique Pine Dresser made £250 buyer collects Won’t fit! £50 if you collect in Beaminster. 1.5mtrs from Cerne Abbas. Ring Phone 07710 065629 wide, 2mtrs tall and 500mm 01300341335 to view.

Small Garden Shed for deep, 2 opening doors Renault Clio steel wheel sale. Height 85 inches, in base with fix middle rims (4) size 5 1/2 J14 for W 43 inches, D 26 inches. panel and open shelving with useable tyres. Ideal for

78 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

Quiet, responsible professional woman seeks small home with parking (ideally a garage) to rent long-term, in or around Bridport.

Please phone: 01308 456491/07704017393

GARDEN HELP Mandy Cave garden maintenance. If you need help please ring 01460 221319. MJ. 07855 250382 mandy_cave@ btinternet.com Dec 16

FOR SALE Tack owner giving up saddles etc. Cheap V.G.C. 01404 881734 Complete Commonwealth set Queens 25 anniversary stamps unmounted.

Charles Diana wedding cost £1400. Offers Phone 01305 812883. a spare set with snow tyres which is why I had them. £25. 01300 341637 Christmas Wreath Decoration with Father Christmas, for door hanging. Unused, (was £15 B.H.S.) now £5.00 Ilminster 01460 55018.

Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy, as new £4.00 the set. Ilminster 01460 55018 9 wooden planes all in working order. Variety of sizes. £65 for lot. Call 01460 220924 for details.

Buyer collects. Chardstock, between Chard and Axminster.

Kitchen dresser painted light blue and cream,2 glass display doors. 1 long drawer 2 solid doors 90cm long 15.5 cm wide 123cm high in good condition £80.

Tumble dryer zanussi

LOGS

PEOPLE AT WORK

Hawkchurch Logs. The best logs for the best price. Call 01297678588 or 07516433595.

Feb 17

LOGS split hardwood barn dried. Delivered (free locally) and stacked. £110 load (pickup). Keep the cold at bay and order now Tel. 07847336001.

PROOFREADING Proofreading, editing, transcription, secretarial for writers and businesses.

Excellent references.

Penny Dunscombe 07825339289.

ELECTRICAL Feb 17

Lucie Milner photograph and words by Catherine Taylor

PEST CONTROL

LUCIE MILNER

Mole pest control. Traps not poison. Robin Gundry 07802 800124 / 01404 881555 Jan 17

HOUSE SITTING Experienced mature lady available for house and pet sitting. Fully insured. References available. 01460 74214

BUILD

ACCOMMODATION WANTED

Self-contained 1 or 2 bedroom accommodation required by semi-retired lady. Tel. 01308 301405 FRENCH CONVERSATION

French conversation, Thornecombe 01460 30493

FOR SALE quality dual temperature autoreverse very little used £45. Directors chair solid wood frame blue canvas £5. Phone 0146061509 down sizing hence sale.

Oak dining table 180cm x 90cm extending to 256

cm plus 8 matching chairs inc. one carver vgc £300.

01300320965.

Reproduction oak dresser shaped frieze 2 shelves base 21/2 drawers pot shelf vgc attractive piece £250.

01300320965 Slippers. Men’s M &

S blue suede moccasin slippers. Cost £25 but worn just once and too small.

Size 8 £12. 01297 553577.

(Colyton) Rollei vintage slide projector with circular slide containers. £30. 01297 553577 (Colyton).

IN paint spattered shirt and jeans Lucie Milner spends the daylight hours at the workshop she shares with husband Phil; together they are Fresh Face.

Located in picturesque Littlebredy, Fresh Face is a furniture restyling and renovation business.

Lucie and Phil started it 10 years ago in the New Forest, wanting a business they could do together.

Lucie uses her artistic skills to paint and create beautiful pieces of art on the furniture, while Phil, who used to be an aircraft engineer as well as singing and playing percussion in a rock band, uses his carpentry skills to transform and give new life to the pieces they work on.

It was when Lucie met Phil, at a gig he was playing in, that their lives took a different direction. Now married for 22 years, Lucie was working for a London Estate Agency in the New Forest when they met. Acknowledging encouragement from her artist and novelist mother, Lucie turned her painting hobby into a business. They relocated to Burton Bradstock and then to Portesham, a workshop in Littlebredy giving them an enviable work life balance. Their house is now decorated the way Lucie likes it. However the odd bit of furniture she takes a particular liking to does find its way there as a temporary home from time to time - a “perk of the job”.

The couple are now re-landscaping their garden, which is more Phil’s domain. Lucie enjoys gardening and hosting dinner parties and although there is a clear differentiation between work and home, she can still be found working into the evening on emails and other admin. Lucie loves what she does. However, “When I retire, I’d like to be an artist”, she jokes, well, part joke, part truth.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 79

FOR SALE FREE ADS for items under £1,000 Classified advertising in The Marshwood Vale Magazine is normally 65 pence+VAT per word in a box. This FREE ADS FORM is for articles for sale, where the sale price is under £1000 (Private advertisers only — no trade, motor, animals, firearms etc). Just fill in the form and send it to the Marshwood Vale Magazine, Lower Atrim, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5PX. or email to info@marshwoodvale.com. (Please do not send in capital letters).

Unfortunately due to space constraints there is no guarantee of insertion of free advertising.

We reserve the right to withhold advertisements.

FOR GUARANTEED CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING PLEASE USE ‘CLASSIFIED ADS’ FORM

Name.....................................................Telephone number .................................

Address.................................................................................................................

Town.................................. County.................... Postcode ..................................

Monthly Quiz –

Wooden portable art easel, very adjustable. £15.

01297 553577. (Colyton).

One Girls Trek Bike purple/white Good condition Suitable for age 7 upwards 25 pounds Kingsize Wooden Bed frame With Wooden Slat Base Like New 60 pounds.

One Panasonic SD255 Bread machine Perfect working order with instructions 20 pounds Old Creamery Chest of Draws in Cream With wooden Top And 5 Draws 35 pounds. Telephone 01308 456193 Five glass demijohns, clear and brown, plus ‘’first steps in winemaking’’ book by c.j.j berry £20. Tel 01308 897121.

36 boxed dance band cassette tapes inc Sqadiniares Joe loss jack Hylton Carrol Gibbons etc. £45 ideal for ball room dancing. Set French Chrome boules boxed £20, wheelchair self prop plus cushions £ 65 , lift assist

seat£35. 01297 21572 Quantity of china cake stands from £5.00 each, lovely, 2/3 tiers. phone 01404831527.

Lyme Regis A Retrospect.

1922 first edition. Complete with all plates and maps VGC £48.00 01297 442627 DVD recorder LG-DRT389H HDMI, Twin Scart USB, Freeview, HD up-scale includes manual, remote & cables £75-00. 01297 442627 Pair of fine Edwardian walnut 4-drawer dressing chests, one with ornate triple wing mirrors. £250 the pair, photos available.

Tel 01305 760007 (Weymouth).

G-plan 1950’s 4 dining chairs £50, Set stainless steel saucepans £15. for details tel:- 01935 863954 Pine Table Drop Leaf VGC £40. 0146064991 Travis Perkins 3 section wooden folding loft ladder, unused, Max floor to ceiling height 2.87m.overall hatch

Win a book from Little Toller Books

Send in your answer on a postcard, along with your name and address to: Hargreaves Quiz, Marshwood Vale Magazine, Lower Atrim, Bridport, Dorset DT6 5PX. Study the clues contained in the rhyme and look carefully at the signposts to work out which town or village in South Somerset, West Dorset or East Devon is indicated. The first correct answer drawn out of a hat will win a book from local publisher Little Toller Books.

There is no cash equivalent and no correspondence will be entered into.

Last month’s answer was Churchill. The winner was Mrs Lara Hickey-Webb from Salway Ash.

80 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

casing 1,175 by 576 mm. hatch casing depth 140mm.

Number of treads 12. £95 o n o phone 01404 881312 Ashford (Elizabeth 2) spinning wheel extra bobbins Lazy Kate £350 and drum carder £200 tel 01308 488959.

Tyre almost new 10 miles only Nexen N8000 205 5OZRI6 £25 phone 07980 186160.

4 poster double ped, pine, frame only well made and sturdy bargain at £125 ono tel 07757 636443.

Solid wood bureau bookcase with drop front leaf, 1 long drawer, clipboard under with 2 doors, excellent condition £80. Old Tea trolley with 2 drop leaf sides under shelf on casters excellent condition £250 01460 52023.

Beautiful ruby and diamond ring, 2 rubies surrounded by diamonds froming 3 clusters excellent condition £250. ‘Thermos’ food vacuum jar, boxed in excellent condition £9.

Pretty painting by local artist ‘View from Sherborne Hospital’ excellent condition £18 01460 52023.

3 black compost bins in good condition. 4’ high 17” diam £7 each. Large metal storage bin 28”w x 35”h x 22”d suitable for animal feeds/tools etc £18. Plastic barrel for beer/cider making 16”h £4 01308 459001.

Stairgate, new boxed ‘safety 1st’ max 91.5cm min 71.5cm £25. Porta Potti Thetford ‘Elegance’ 165 in good clean condition £30.

Full length mirror iwth ‘gold’ decorative frame 48”h x 13”w £15 01308 459001.

Leki prestige nordic walking poles used twice excellent condition £75 ono buyer collects 01297 552561.

Dining chairs. Tan leather padded tall backs comfy ex. condition £20 each 01297 625843.

Light oak double bed and wardrobe excellent condition purchased new from old creamery buyer collects £130 01300 341635.

10 green otter rotter bags, clean good condition, used mainly house move etc clothes £10 Taunton 01823 284730.

Handknitted baby shawls from 100yr old pattern £35 01460 52885.

Burley halstead brass firegrate with coals 1-3kwt as new cost £240 accept £60 01395 567594.

Viola. Stentor Student II with case and box like new lovely rich sound £90 Dorchester 01305 260658.

Yamaha FG461S Acoustic guitar. Cherished vintage instrument with lovely patina £190 Dorchester 01305 260658.

Bosch Art Easytrim Strimmer Hardly used £15 ono. Two Hardwood patio chairs VGC £7 each ono 01460 68493.

Shimano Stradic 9ft linen spinning rod 15-50q as new £90 tel 01308 456990.

Electric Telescopic hedge trimmer extending boom

£30. Large blacksmiths lee vice and stand £55 01460 64607.

Rover 75 estate dog guard haynes manual pair alloy wheels with winter tyres 215/55x16 tel 01935 891591.

Old electric singer sewing machine in cabinet working £40, 19 burgandy restaurant t/cloths 35” square VGC £20 01460 30867.

Giant beanbag indoor outdoor use bottle green faux leather L72” W44” £40. Nest / 3 dark wood tables £20 01460 30867.

Model buses Corgi matchbox Dinky Solido some boxed nothing over £5 except limited edition £8 01308 425436 Stewart.

Unwanted gift. Folding walking stick and holster.

New. £15 01305 266726.

Vintage portable gramaphone viva tonal grafanola no 112a £65. antique pierced brass fender £50. children’s

encyclopedias ten volumes £15 01935 873166.

Bargain Dimplex Cheriton Free standing Opti flame Electric fire cost £150 sell

for £50 07565526524.

The Automobile Magazine 1993 to 2014 (approx 264 issues) £50 ono tel 01308 868612.

CHIMNEY SWEEP

CHIMNEY SWEEP

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 81

FOR SALE

WANTED condition (with instruction manual) downsizing space needed £50 01297 489020. jersey c.i. stamp booklets stamp sachets and prestige Secondhand tools stamp books (1969 - 1982) wanted. All trades. Users mint in album real price & Antiques. G & E C approximately £450, £370 Dawson. 01297 23826. ono. 01305 834884. www.secondhandtools.

Settee 2-seater (Joynson co.uk. & Holland) wooden frame Box clever. Wanted by beige floral dralon as new collector and restorer. perfect condition cost £560 Old wooden boxes, Cream coloured accept £150 ono 01460 trunks, chests, coffers, Ekorness chair, or 220635. writing boxes, games Charles Eames type chair. boxes, jewellery boxes.

As new condition beautiful Telephone 01935 873943 gold & topaz pendant on Any inlaid boxes or gold twisted chain with caddies. Any condition considered. Please phone matching topaz ear rings All items over 100 years would make lovely present 01297 553399. Top cash old. Furniture, clocks, £85 01460 52023. paid for right items. barometers, pictures, Jan 17 3-tiered shelf black glass silver, gold, watches tv stand in as new condition any condition. Over 50 Wanted. Bicycle for recently purchased in error years experience. 01308 7 year old boy. 01308 £30 01460 52023.

281012 897641 Polished oak bureaubookcase with sloping drop FOR SALE font, interior compartments, 1 long drawer with 2 Ikea king-size mattress 64 copies of This England cupboards and shelf under. ‘morgedal’ medium firm, as 1980s 1990s buyer collects Excellent condition £80 new, only used for 3 months £35 Weymouth 01305 01460 52023. £100 01935 891925.

784865.

1950s polised tea trolley Golf stuff balls clubs “Sholley Trolley” excellent with 2 drop leaf sides and putters includes Ping woods condition 6 wheels also 2 shelf under on castors and one iron please ring bar stools VGC both £30. excellent condition £30 01297 24687 for details, Brasher Walking boots size phone 01460 52023.

Seaton.

11, £25 01404 41717.

Original 1950s retro-style Brother Industrial sewing Remington foot spa formica-topped kitchen machine (flat-bed) as new, ultimate brand new never table. Very sturdy excellent excellent condition £395 tel used £20, phone 01460 condition £55 01460 52023.

01297 21721.

54104.

“Thermos” Vacuum food Single bed 3’6” Excellent Hostess trolly bay Phillips. jar (boxed) in excellent condition offers 01305 Cabinet Traditional curl condition £9 01460 52023.

263651.

Mahogany. Excellent TIME magazines from Dave buys all types of tools 01935 428975.

Dec 16

Postage stamps. Private collector requires 19th and early 20th century British. Payment to you or donation to your nominated charity. 01460 240630.

Mar 17

STORAGE

82 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031

July 2013 to September 2016. All in date order, unmarked and in perfect condition, £70 phone 01308 456228.

Pair wrought iron gates to fit 12ft entrance. Height 6ft with fittings. Never used £150 ono 01404 548789.

Genuine traditional Austrian Drindl dress and accessories also Loden suit all make in Kufstein, £50 for both, 01935 872421.

Jumbo cushions 2 maroon fleck, 1 stripe, 1 check, £5 each. Carboot items clean assorted £30. Eternal Bow, dish £5, plate £5. TV unit, 1 drawer, space both sides for CDs etc £25. Curtains small green & white check £8. 1 small G plan table needs a make over £15.

Brown boots size 5 lovely Clarks wide leg 2” heel cost £97 sell for £35. Curtains large check orange lime lemon £12. Bathroom cabinet mirror fronted metal body with two shelves £35, 01305 813004.

Singer electric sewing machine c/w foot pedal, instruction book + tools, very good working order good condition £25, 01308 459667.

Old oil on canvas Venetian scene valuable ornate frame 140x100cm £350 offers.

Three stone cider flagons £15 01300 348327.

Robert Lenkiewicz Lithograph limited edition

signed print barbican fisherman fabulous condition unframed £125 01308 458831.

Stihl Petrol Vacuum shredder blower for those fallen leaves £55. Doe cage 30”x20” £15, 01460 61068.

Flymo mini trim electric strimmer with manual.

Used only twice £5 01308 456263.

Very sound high winged chair needs recovering £50 Winsham 01460 30409.

Hunter Hawk Gas fire stove height 550mm width 390mm depth 340mm good condition £75 Crewkerne 01460 73085.

Ladies Schwynn Release wheel bicycle vgc light purple touring hybrid, gears, stand, bell, paid £260 sell for £150, 01460 73797.

Pine drop leaf oval table 36” wide 24.5” long leafs down 60” open £25 01308 456158.

Pine wardrobe/cupboard 29.5” wide 20” deep 72” high. ‘Old Charm’ corner display cabinet £20. Two Ikea high stools £15. 01308 456158.

Potters’ clay. Spendcroft red E/Ware. 15 x 25kg bags. £3 each or £35 the lot. Collect near Crewkerne 01460242254.

Dishwasher Hotpoint good condition twelve settings £40 01308 867470.

Baxi Duotech 2 Boiler parts comprising:- board

electronics/ expansion vessel £150 ono tel 01305 776545.

Ladies long black Italian leather boots un-worn cost over £200 size 9 sell £75 (genuine offer) 01297 442647.

Quantity of fabric for sale suitable for dressmaking curtains patchwork phone for details 01935 424759.

Hostess trolley little used £30 ono. Black briefcase £10 ono. Free combie 14” tv in working order. Electric Singer sewing machine £15 01460 74367.

Beautiful gold & topaz pendant on twisted gold chain plus matching topaz earrings. Would make lovely present in as new condition £60 01460 52023.

Solid wood bureaubookcase with drop sloping front, interior compartments, one long drawer, cupboard with 2 doors and shelf under excellent condtion £75 01460 52023.

Polished wood tea trolley with 2 drop leaf sides and shelf under. Makes small table when opened.

Excellent condtiion £30 01460 52023.

Original 1950’s retrostyle formica toppped kitchen table very sturdy in excellent condition £55 01460 52023.

Handbreak cable for Astra MK4 Estate or van brand new £12 01308 538445.

Electric fire flicker flame loose coal effect (argos £174.99) page 894 £35.

Stone garden pots x 6 large £50 01308 538445.

Woodburning stove 2ft high 18” deep 15” wide.

New, too big for space.

Brand new. Lyme Regis £80 07525005430.

3’ bed grey metal exc cond (downsizing house) mattress if req. Used as spare. £50 inc. 2 Sets bedding £10 set - brown ‘silk’ curtains £12 The lot £70 01460 53001.

Yamaha keyboard Portatone PSR290 with adjustable stand and keyboard music books £105 ono good condition 01460 67909.

V. large suitcase of ladies clothing size 14/16 exc. cond some unworn skirts, jumpers blouses etc etc £50 (downsizing house) R-Original Showerproof jacket (18) £12 01460 53001.

Kinder coal effect gas fire 6.9kw. 5 years old life time guarantee £450 new will accept £199 ono 01460 68493.

Russell Flint Lithograph limited edition print Cecelia reading mounted beautiful frame 23” x 27” £250 01308 458831.

Bean to bed large beanbag which contains two foam matresses. Cover cream cord ideal for sleepovers £30 ono 01935 891210.

Thuka bunk beds. Pine finish. Size £180cm x 80cm x 54cm high with sprung mattresses. Grandchildren have outgrown them £75 ono phone 01308 868094.

Victorian cast iron fireplace lovely condition choice of two must sell £30 ono 01308 861474.

Ladies navy blue suede ankle boots size 4 - new £5. Ladies winter-weight navy blue jacket never worn size 14 cost £50 will accept £10 ono 01404 815232.

Original watercolour of the last Fight of the Vulcan Bomber over Beachyhead watercolour by local artist £40 01460 64607.

Panasonic music deck with two speakers £20 bread maker hardly used £15 three tiered steamer electric stainless steel £10 01460 220026.

Belfast sink fair condition £30 ouno 07854496043 nr Bridport.

Baxi Wonderfire Premier 15” coal effect. Manual control. Installed, unused and removed. Excellent condition. £100 01308 427113.

Glass blocks 7.5” x 7.5” clear used VGC 24 £10 01404 881734 07593 179826.

Ladies cycle Triumph 1970’s 3 speed Dynohub lights. Gents 1960’s sports tyres (hp) like new 5 speed condition excellent £30 each or £50 pair 01300 320446.

Janome sewing machine exc cond lots of stitches complete with cover/instructions £75 (downsizing house) lovely unworn EWM dress size 14 £10 cost (£30) 01460 53001.

Black calf length M&S boots 1 inch heel size 6.5 hardly worn £25 01935 872421.

Conservatory furniture.

Metal frames 2 seater couch matching 2 armchairs and footstool colonial red, beige, gray upholstery as new £270 01308 867669.

Titan Ecosafe bonded oil storage tank 1225 litres capacity almost new selling due Airsource system replacement £995 01297 443930.

Old (1930’s) oak cabinet two doors barleytwist legs formally held Nan’s cramaphone size 36”w x 30”h £45 01297 443930.

AEG SC25 circular saw on floorstand cost £350 new selling £125 ono.

Mahogony bedside cabinet 34”h x 18”w £20 01297 443930.

Jeans brand new M&S Indigo slimleg size 8 classic 105 Braxtons age 12 slim unworn girls rebel age 13 jeans all £5 01297 443930.

Rayburn Royal. Oil fired. Fairly elderly. Good condition. Working order.

Buyer collects. £200 ono 01404 831896.

Varidesk.com ProPlus36 height - adjustable switches easily between sitting and standing boxed unopened cost £335 accept £150 buyer collects 01395 577859.

1959 Ercol coffee table oblong. Reech & Elm with magazine slats underneath.

Good condition price £120 01395 516832 to view.

New - wooden framed picture of black “domestic” cat “Ophelia” 31”x19” £15 01308 425001.

Thule Top box and Bars (Rapid system) kit 1025 used on Vauxhall Agila.

Bars new, box used but in very good condition.

Cost £100+ no longer required, also brand new spare wheel for the above car, never used. Size

continental T125/70 R15 95M temporary use only cost £124.48. All the above £200 or any offers 01404 549071.

Vintage brass oil lamp with clear glass chimney £25 01308 427633.

Circular rug Pinil patterned with fringe 1m diameter VGC £20 01935 424759.

Single bed with mattress VGC as new £50 01935 424759.

Wrought iron gate 75cm x 138cm with sliding bolt

affixed together with iron frame surround 84cm x 172cm quite heavy. Free.

01460 55892.

Wallpaper by Osborne and Little. Contemporary design of animal drawings.

Seven rolls available. Half original price at £17 per roll 01308 423143.

Church pew 6’6” long.

Golden coloured pitch pine VGC £150 01305 832215 Preston.

AERIALS

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 83

84 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2016 Tel. 01308 423031