Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018

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Magazine West Dorset East Devon South Somerset

Marshwood THE

The best from in and around the Vale

No. 237

DECEMBER 2018

© Philip Browne Photograph by Robin Mills

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COVER STORY Fergus Byrne met Philip Browne at his home in Dorchester, Dorset ‘I grew up in Sligo in the west of Ireland, the eldest As it happened, I got the job to teach English and of three children, two boys and a girl. I was one of Drama but after one term I had enough of village life a small percentage of Protestants in the town where so I bought a small car and found somewhere to live in my Dad was the Church of Ireland clergyman. Sligo Dorchester. is about the same size as Dorchester. We lived in a big Then in 1980 when they changed the school system, eighteenth-century rectory, which had nearly three I moved to Dorchester Middle School. I stayed there acres of garden. It was huge and surrounded by a as Head of English until 1985 when I was seconded to ten-foot wall. As the only Protestant kid in that part a post-graduate course in London for a year, learning of town and living behind these huge walls it was how to promote reading and the use of libraries etc. It years before I got to know any of the local kids. I did was this that led me to what I do now. One aspect of meet other kids that went to our church, but in those the course was to write a piece on local history, and I days, and to a large extent now, schools were set up didn’t want to do the obvious things like the Romans on religious lines, so I went to the very small Protesor Thomas Hardy. So one day my next door neighbour tant junior school and then to Sligo Grammar. told me he was going to Worth Matravers that night to © Philip Browne Photograph by Robin Mills The front gate of the house was like a little castle stand on the cliffs. This was on a bitterly cold Janugate, and if I ventured outside of the house, local kids ary night, and my first reaction was “Are you mad? It’s would shout ‘Proddy dog’ and throw stones at me—so I didn’t go out much. freezing out there!” Then he explained that it was the 200th anniversary of But then one day it was snowing and some boys came and threw snowballs the shipwreck of the Halsewell East Indiaman and that he and a few friends and I threw some back and we got talking. My mother let me invite them in, planned to mark the occasion by going out onto the cliffs at midnight. and of course, as our garden was more of a jungle because it was unmainSo I set about researching this shipwreck. It turned out that in 1786 tained, we had a great time playing there. But then when I was 15, my parents this huge ship was wrecked off the Purbeck coast. Of course, there decided that it might be better for my career to have O levels and A levels were many ships lost on the coast of Dorset, but this became a very big than the Irish Leaving Certificate, so I was sent off to boarding school in the sensation at the time, in part because the local people of Worth MatravNorth. Which as a boy of 15 I wasn’t too pleased about. They sent me off to ers managed to save lots of the crew. That was remarkable enough, but Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, to a boys’ boarding school called Portora it was subsequently found that there were some young ladies on the ship which included Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde among its past pupils. who had all drowned along with the Captain. The story of why they were I didn’t do as well as I had been doing in the Irish system but it was an there was fascinating. The whole event caused a huge public outcry and education! I had never seen an Orange parade or encountered such hardalso triggered an outpouring of artistic endeavour; there were poems, line attitudes. Because I came from the South, the boys called me a Fenian. drawings, music and paintings by well-known artists. There was even a Anyway, despite not doing that well, it was enough to get into Trinity College theatrical performance in honour of the event. Anyway, I did this for my Dublin where I did a degree in General Studies. One year I shared the room course and when I got my assignment back it was the best mark I’d got that Oscar Wilde had lived in when he was there. I had heard that Wilde had all through the whole course and the tutor said why don‘t you work this painted green butterflies on the walls of his room and of course after a few up into a magazine article—which I never did. Instead, I decided to put it drinks one night I decided I wanted to have a look at them. It was a disapon hold as something to come back to when I retired one day. pointment. Peeling back layers of wallpaper revealed nothing.

I then went back to teaching. My wife Beth and I had had the first of our My main interest really was drama, so I spent the whole time at Trinity in two sons Peter and Christopher at this stage, and soon after that, I got a job the University theatre doing one play after another, which was something I with the local authority. I became an Education advisor for the Education had discovered I liked while at Portora. There were many of my fellow stuDepartment at Dorset County Hall. It was around the time when the national dents who went on to great success. At one point I was in charge of putting curriculum was coming in, and there was lots of training and retraining for the programme together for a show and when it was printed discovered that teachers. It was a fantastic job because my role was very flexible. I was very one of the main performers, fellow student Chris de Burgh’s name had been keen on children’s literature and encouraging kids to read. So I used to run an left out. Those were in the days, when he was playing small gigs in Captain annual event where I would invite leading authors to come down to Dorset America‘s burger bar in Grafton Street. for a day so teachers could meet them. Over 15 years there were many but I I did the postgraduate teacher training diploma in the late sixties early remember Allan Ahlberg, Michael Morpurgo and Shirley Hughes particularly. seventies—an eventful time. I was in Dublin when the British embassy I also had responsibility for organising training for support staff. In those days was burnt down after Bloody Sunday. Then I got a placement in a school there was no real career path for support staff, but over the years we put in called Mountjoy which, during my time there, became Mount Temple. I place induction training, advanced training, NVQs and a path on to a degree came across a few characters. One of the 12 year-olds I taught English course if they wanted. For many years, I was also a school Governor at St to was called Paul Hewson who now seems to be better known as Bono Osmund’s where my sons went to school, which was a great way of keeping of U2. A friend and colleague was Dick Spring who later played rugby in touch with school life. It’s all very well running courses, but unless you go to for Ireland and then went on to a career in at the top of Irish politics. We a school every now and then, you can get a bit isolated from reality! had some great craic over those years.

So in 2010 when I retired, I wondered what I was going to do. I didn’t But of course, the curse of sectarian education meant that there were very play golf, and I couldn’t just go to the pub every day, so I came back to the few jobs in Irish Protestant schools at the time, not that I’d have had any obidea of writing about the Halsewell. I then spent a couple of years researchjection to working in a Catholic school. It just wasn’t an option. So I decided ing it and found out loads of stuff that nobody had known about before. It to look for jobs in England. I got an interview in Nottingham and also in a amazed me that nobody had ever written a book about it. I discovered that place called Puddletown, which I’d never heard of. So I went into the British Captain Peirce’s logbooks were all available and I went off to India to research Rail office in Dublin and asked them where it was. They were as clueless as some of the places that he had been. That was terrific fun. It was eventually me but found it on the map. I was offered the job in Nottingham but having published in 2016, and since then I have been travelling around giving talks lived in a city for the past six years, I wanted to try life in the countryside. So to various groups from small local history meetings to U3A and Probus. Last I went to the interview in Puddletown, which at the time had the smallest year I was a speaker at the Goa Literary Festival and before that at the Chalke secondary school in the England.

Valley History Festival where I dressed up in full 18th century Sea Captain’s It was in the most fantastic setting, though the interview was eccentric, to outfit. It’s a very dramatic story, so I get great feedback from these talks. This say the least. The first question was “Mr Browne, can you swim?” to which year I won the Dorchester Literary Festival writing prize of £1000 and have I was tempted to answer “no I came by boat” but it turned out they had just decided to invest that in the initial research for another historical biography built a swimming pool and needed someone to teach the children to swim. and I’m also working on a novel. Retirement’s quite busy really.’

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 3

MV UP FRONT A very wealthy businessman once told me that inside all highly successful self-made businessmen and women lurked a ‘sliver of razored ice’. He claimed that it helped them to overcome any pangs of emotion or conscience that might interrupt their drive to succeed.

As far as he was concerned, it was the key element that had helped him to make millions of pounds over his career. Considering the thousands of neurological and psychological studies done to try to understand why some people follow their conscience more than others, it may have been a simplistic description, but the ‘ice’ in the heart is a powerful image just the same.

Despite his simple characterisation, we do appear to be living in an age that favours material gain over social community, and many say that the potential for an equitable and therefore more sophisticated society is looking harder to achieve. But according to research published by psychologists from the University of Würzburg and the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, all may not be lost. They have confirmed that mental training can effectively cultivate care, compassion and even altruistically motivated behaviour. They believe that what they call “prosocial behaviour” is at the heart of peaceful societies and is, therefore, a key to facing global challenges, whether dealing with climate change and its consequences; the refugee crisis or the unfair distribution of wealth. Anyone who has benefitted from hypnotherapy or cognitive behaviour therapy will be familiar with the theory that humans have the ability to change their habits. I’ve been an ex-smoker for nearly twenty years thanks to hypnotherapy and I can vouch for the benefits that can be achieved by sensitive and cooperative manipulation of the subconscious.

To test their theories, the scientists ran meditationbased mental training in socio-affective skills such as compassion, gratitude, and prosocial motivation. It turned out that, after the practices, participants were more generous, more willing to help spontaneously and donated higher amounts to welfare organisations.

Many decades ago we might have imagined a 1984 scenario with mass brain-washing. But according to the scientists, cultivating these effective and motivational capacities in schools, healthcare settings and workplaces may be a useful step towards meeting the challenges of a globalised world and moving us towards global cooperation and a more caring society.

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 3 6 8 36 38 39

Cover Story By Fergus Byrne An Oasis for Learning By Margery Hookings Coast & Countryside Events Courses and Workshops News & Views Laterally Speaking By Humphrey Walwyn

40 42 44 46 48 50

House & Garden Tales of Witches By Cecil Amor Vegetables in December By Fergus Dowding December in the Garden By Russell Jordan Property Round Up By Helen Fisher The Scientific Barbel Angler By Nick Fisher

51 52 54 55 56

58 58 60

Food & Dining Ginger and Lemon Honey Puddings By Lesley Waters Stuffed Cabbage Leaves By Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall People in Food By Catherine Taylor Partridge Tagine with Olives By Mark Hix

69 71 72

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

Arts & Entertainment Oh Yes it Is! Panto Time Again Museums and Galleries, Performance, Preview and Film

“Time is nature’s way of keeping everything from happening all at once.”

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-Hill

Advertising

Sue Norris sue@marshwoodvale.com

4 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Cecil Amor Fergus Dowding Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall Helen Fisher Nick Fisher Richard Gahagan Margery Hookings

For local events follow us on Twitter @marshwoodvale

Mark Hix Russell Jordan Robin Mills Gay Pirrie-Weir 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.

An Oasis for Learning

A school garden project in the heart of Bridport won a special award this year at the Melplash Show. Margery Hookings visited the edible garden to find out more about it. She was very taken with what she saw. Photographs by Robert Golden.

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’d read about the garden project at St Mary’s School, Bridport, but it was not until actually seeing it, smelling it and just being there that I grasped the importance of this little oasis on the edge of a large housing estate.

Poly-tunnels, hens, carefully labelled fruit and vegetable plants jostle for position in this green sanctuary, as pupils tear around in the playground during the break.

A clay pizza oven, made and used by the children, sits under a shelter and is used for baking. Up in the school kitchen, Amanda Downes and Mel Hayter turn out healthy and interesting meals using produce from the abundant garden.

Children learn how things grow and then how they’re cooked before tucking into them. In this fast-paced world where convenience food can often be king and some people forget or never know where their food comes from, such a project, which includes family cookery workshops, is a real tonic, a great add-on to everyday school life.

The garden and food growing work at the school in Skilling was started by Home in Bridport, a community organisation which became a charity over a year ago, founded by Robert Golden.

It’s just one of the strands of Home in Bridport, which aims to help create local employment while celebrating local life in a beautiful rural land and seascape. According to the charity, its beginning point is always within building trust and friendship through cultural work— film, photography, music, literature, theatre, fine arts, agriculture, growing food and helping people to learn about preparing healthy inexpensive meals.

The school fruit and vegetable garden was revived with the help of a privately-donated poly-tunnel and help from Groves Nurseries, Modbury Farm, and J C Phillips.

Cookery classes, under the direction of Amanda and Mel, and for children and their parents take place every other week. Two teachers and two part-time gardeners, Tia Perella and Mitch Burt, were sponsored by Home in Bridport to attend a Royal Horticultural Society course at Bath City Farm where they learned about ideas for children’s gardening clubs.

Back in 2014, a group of volunteers from Transition Town Bridport and Home in Bridport installed a poly-tunnel in St Mary’s Primary School in response to the national and local concern about childhood obesity. The school is in the catchment area of the Skilling estate, and the project was aimed at tackling food poverty and supporting an increase in the take-up of free school meals. The food grown is used in the school kitchen and fruit tuck.

In the four years since the garden has been in operation, school meals have become more popular but there were concerns about waste, especially vegetables. With a grant from Awards for All, the team planned a project, linking up with Peas Please, to start promoting vegetables through growing, preparing and eating together.

In April 2018, the project was launched at a whole school assembly.

A nutritionist ran a series of workshops with the older pupils, which involved basic food choices for health and pleasure. Fun tasks were created to discover different tastes and to understand the role of all the senses in eating. Head cook Amanda and two food educators led a five-week cookery course for parents and children using only fresh vegetables. Participants were then given a recipe book containing all the dishes from the course. The two part-time gardeners worked with pupils to grow legumes from seed. A ‘Legume Castle’ was planted and harvested throughout the summer.

In June, an open afternoon showcased the edible garden. The cooks also led workshops in the children’s marquee at Bridport Food Festival.

The project culminated with a harvest celebration in September, where the whole school picked and podded dried beans, made pumpkin soup, baked bread and shared a meal together.

Tina Ellen Lee, who works alongside Sarah Wilberforce of Transition Town Bridport in fundraising for the garden project, said future development plans included a woodland garden, designed by Key Stage 2 pupils, which incorporated a pond enclosure near the school.

“This would be a reflective garden for reading, which would also be a resource for some of the forest school activities.”

“We will also be growing more woodland fruits and produce and there will be some artwork, possibly a mosaic which the children will design.”

To find out more about project, visit home-in-bridport.weebly.com

Coast &Countryside Events TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER Make and Munch Free hands on cooking session for parents and carers of young children. New ideas to keep mealtimes healthy, interesting and on a budget. Receive a free newsletter with recipes, hints and tips and help on dealing with fussy eater etc. Masonic Hall Axminster 10.30am – 12.30pm Health and Local Food for Families (HALFF) Tel: 01297 631782 / www.halff.org.uk.

Jurassic Coast — Treasure Trove for Science Dorset Wildlife Trust & Lyme Regis Society. An illustrated talk from Sam Scriven, science manager for the Jurassic Coast Team. Starts 2.30pm at the Woodmead Halls, Hill Road. Lyme Regis, DT7 3PG. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.

The Lyme Regis Society Talk “Recent Research along the Jurassic Coast” by Sam Scriven, Earth Science Manager, Jurassic Coast Team Trust - joint with DWT. 2.30pm - 4pm at Woodmead Halls, Hill Road, Lyme Regis. DT7 3PG. All Welcome. Members Free. Visitors £3 Including refreshments. www.lymeregissociety.org.uk.

Dorset Industrial Archaeology Society “The Somerset Coal Canal” is the subject of Patrick Moss’s lecture to the Society.

Meetings start at 7.30pm in the Dorset Room, Colliton House, Colliton Park, Dorchester (opposite County Hall).

Non-members welcome (small donation suggested). Further details from:01305 871863.

Merriott Gardening Club Presentation by our ever popular Neil Lovesey from Picket Lane Nursery, South Perrott. Neil will be talking on the progression of his new ‘White Garden’ and the difficulties this year keeping the gardens looking good despite the drought conditions.

Meet at the Tithe Barn, Church Street at 7.30pm. Refreshments, raffle and ‘Flower of the Month’ competition. Everyone welcome - non-members £2 at the door.

For more information please contact 0146072298.

Martock History Group Ross Aitken, the mastermind behind Dawes Twine Works at West Coker and who led it onto the BBC’s Restoration series ten years ago, will tell us the story from near-collapse to perfect working order. 7pm for 7.30pm, at Martock School, Elmleigh Road.

Admission £3 or annual subscription for only £10. Contact Fergus Dowding on 01935 822 202 for more info.

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WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER East Devon Ramblers moderate 8 mile circular walk from Charmouth. 10am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads.

01297 552313.

Coffee Morning 10am - 12noon. Free Entry. The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA www.thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240 340.

St. Peter’s Monthly Coffee Concert 10.30am The East Devon Daytime Band. St. Peter’s Church, Dalwood Near Axminster, EX13 7EG (just north of the A35 between Axminster & Honiton). Free entry, coffee & biscuits. Retiring collection for Children’s Hospice Southwest.

Seaton and District Probus Club welcome John Lowe who will talk about the RNLI Cycle Challenge. Marshlands Centre, Harbour Road, Seaton. Meet at 10am, talk starts 10.30am. We are a friendly, sociable club for retired and semi-retired men. New members welcome – come along and give us a try. For more information please contact Dave Bridges 01297 21560 or visit www.seatonprobus. co.uk.

Ghost Tales of Devon 5.30pm - 7pm.

Author Janet Dowling book launch with incidental piano music by Andy

Coast &Countryside Sturmey. Website: Friends of Sidholme Music Room (hugofox) Emails : friendsofsidholmemusicroom@mail.com.

Sidholme Music Room, Elysian Fields, Sidmouth. EX10 9PH. Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society 7.30pm Uplyme Village Hall AGM followed by Talk ‘ Foraging from the Garden’ by Anne Swithenbank, gardening broadcaster, writer and regular panellist on Gardeners Question Time.

Anne will talk about how to turn your plot however small into a miniature forest garden with soft fruit, rhubarb, herbs, edible flowers and a few veg. Edibles are as ornamental as any other plant, especially purple-flowered and podded peas, rainbow chard and coloured kales.

Anne will also talk on what she grows in her garden for culinary use and explain how this creates more relaxed planting which is wildlife friendly. https://ulrhs. wordpress.com/.

Colyford & District Photographic Club 7.30pm at Colyford Memorial Hall, Swan Hill Rd, Colyton EX24 6QJ. Visitors and New Members always Welcome. 01297 24369 colyford.photographicclub@gmail. com.

Bridport Camera Club Barnikel Memorial Evening and 25 year celebration. Remembering our late Life President and founding member, David Barnikel, and marking the club’s 25th anniversary. Details TBA. 7.30pm Bridport Town Hall, DT6 3HA. New members always welcome. All enquiries call the Club Secretary on 07737 405474 or email secretary@bridportcameraclub. co.uk.

THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER Coastal Wellbeing Session at Chesil (Stepping into Nature) The Chesil Beach Centre is running Wildlife Wellbeing sessions for people to discover and enjoy our wonderful coast. A gentle walk around Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon, focusing on the wildlife of the season.

Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre at 11 am. Over 18’s only. A fun and accessible event, open to all those who have memory problems and their carers, as well as those who want to improve their health and wellbeing. Call the Chesil Team on 01305 206191 for more information. This event is free as it’s part of Stepping into Nature.

Visit www.stepin2nature.org for more info.

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Thorncombe Photography Group invites you to an entertaining presentation

by Dave Wicken, well-known local photographer and artist. For an insight into Dave’s work see davewicken.wixsite. com. Of interest to photographers and artists of all genres, the evening is free to all. Thorncombe Village Hall Community Room, 7.30pm. Refreshments. Phone 01460 30525 for more information.

Chard Camera Club inter club competition with the recently formed Colyford Photography Club at 7.30pm Kilmington Hall – check location with organisers. Any one wishing to attend will be made most welcome. www. chardcameraclub.orguk or membership secretary Joyce on 01460 66885.

Colyford Photographic Club Inter Club Competition The Horseshoe hosted by Chard Photo Club Venue Kilmington Hall. Time 7.30pm. colyford. photographic@gmail.com or 07753 911751.

Lyme Voices Community Choir Sing for fun. Learn tunes by ear. Everyone welcome. Free taster session. From 7.30pm - 9.15pm at the Baptist Church (Pine Hall round the back), Silver St., Lyme Regis, DT7 3NY. Visit www-pete-

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 11

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.

linnett.co.uk, phone 01297 445078 or email petelinnett@naturalvoice.net.

Helen Porter – Constant as the World 7.30pm - 9pm. Concert tickets £10 or two course dinner (6pm) + concert £21.50 bookings 01395 515104. Website: Friends of Sidholme Music Room (hugofox) Emails : friendsofsidholmemusicroom@ mail.com. Sidholme Music Room, Elysian Fields, Sidmouth. EX10 9PH. WB YEATS: Life and poems talk with readings by Graham Fawcett Entertaining and erudite lecturer and educator Graham Fawcett reads the best of Yeat’s poems putting them into the context of his life and times. Sladers Yard, West Bay Road, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL. 7.30pm.Tickets: £12.50 or £30 with dinner from 5.30pm. t: 01308 459511 www.sladersyard.co.uk.

FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER The Living Tree, cancer self-help group 1pm Rising Voices with Jane.

2pm. Jessica Hallt will talk about personal alarms. Drop in any time between 2pm and 4.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, 95 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NZ. Tel 07341 916 976. www.thelivingtree.org.uk.

Tree Celebration Sidmouth Arboretum annual event brings together landscape, wildlife, crafts, gardeners, songs. Free entry, bar open, snacks available. 6.30pm Cellar Bar Kennaway House Sidmouth EX10 8NG. Details from info@ sidmoutharboretum.org.uk.

Quiz Night with Ploughman’s Supper Join with friends, family, neighbours or colleagues to pit your wits in this fun, friendly competition. Teams of 6 max.

Prizes and raffle; Cash bar £8 pp includes ploughman’s supper 7pm for 7.30pm start. Call 01297 553865 for tickets. An Axminster Heritage Event. The Bradshaw Meeting Room, Thomas Whitty House, Silver Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AH. Tankus the Henge + support: Jess Mcallister 8pm Tickets £11 in advance / £14 on the door (standing) Tankus the Henge is the London based, five wheeled, funk fuelled, open top, custom paint job, rock‘n’roll jalopy that comes careering round the corner on a tranquil summer’s day. Ruining the silence and disturbing the bats. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

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Angels Proclaim The Stanchester Quire Christmas Concert of carols and reading, collected from the South West of England, at All Saints Church, Castle Cary, BA7 7LD, at 7.30pm. Admission £8. Details from 01963 548533 or baldwindavid67@ gmail.com.

Zoe Gilby Quartet Acclaimed vocalist Zoe ‘sings her heart out’, drawing on a repertoire that ranges from Broadway jazz standards to popular favourites from Pink Floyd, Kate Bush and many more.

At 8pm. Tickets: £16 (£31 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.

FRI 30 NOV – SUN 2 DECEMBER Three days of remembering Colin Browning Friday - An evening of bluegrass and Americana with the Olde Boston Tea Party, from 9pm at The Fox Inn, Corscombe. Saturday - Diz and The Doormen, Flaky Jake plus two more bands and special guests from 6p.m. at Evershot Hall. £15 on the door. Advance tickets £10 www.fannyhatstand.com.

Sunday - Flaky Jake and guests. From 4pm at The Fox Inn, Corscombe.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 13

SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 6 mile walk around Bridport including Watton Hill and Allington Hill 10.30am start. Bring picnic. No dogs. All welcome. Please call 01308 898002.

Christmas Craft Fayre at Musbury Village Hall 10am - 1pm. As usual a good variety of local craft stalls from woodturning to willow work, cards, jams and chutneys and even hand made chocolates. In addition our Church cake stall, tombola and raffle. Refreshments including bacon buttys. Proceeds to St Michael’s Church Musbury. Enquiries 01297 552440/552711.

Beaminster Museum Christmas Coffee Morning 10am - 12noon. Gifts will be on sale at the Museum shop. Entrance £2.

Beaminster Museum , Whitcombe Road, Beaminster DT8 3NB. Christmas Fayre at The Gateway, Seaton.

An ideal opportunity to pick up some Christmas presents with a range of stalls including crafts, cards, gifts and cakes.

Refreshments available. Free entry. Open 10am-2pm. The Gateway, Fore Street, Seaton EX12 2LD. Ida Quick, who has lived in Uplyme all her life, will be signing and selling copies of her book ‘From Cuckoo Lane to Newcastle’, a memoir of Uplyme, at the Uplyme Village Hall Christmas coffee morning from 10am. Book price £9.99.

South Somerset Monochrome Group 10am – 12.30pm at The Monks Yard at Horton Manor, Horton Cross, Ilminster, TA19 9PY. “A Painter’s Perspective on Composition” - an illustrated talk by local artist Andrew Sutton. All levels of experience welcome. £5 including refreshments. For more information please email southsomersetmonogroup@ gmail.com.

Christmas Fayre at Marion Hall, The Avenue, Yeovil Doors open 10.30am.

Homemade cakes and Biscuits, Christmas Flowers, Groceries, Bric-a-brac, tombola, bottle stall, toiletries and jewelry stalls etc.

Agrand draw with 1st prize £250. Also teas and coffees, homemade soup and fresh rolls/sandwiches and Indian lunches.

Further information from Marlene on 01935881563.

Symondsbury Estate Christmas Market 11am – 6pm. Lots of stalls.

Manor Yard, Symondsbury. 01308 424116 www.symondsburyestate.co.uk.

Blackmore Vale and Yeovil NT Association (a supporter group for local National Trust properties) presents The Yeovilton Military Wives Choir who will get the Christmas season off to a festive start at the Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne. Doors open 2pm Performance 2.30pm £10. Tickets are available from Winstone Books, Cheap Street, Sherborne, or send cheque and SAE to Philip

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Walker, 9 Freame Way, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4RA; Contact 01747 824 645. Festive refreshments will be served at the end of the afternoon. There will be a raffle. www.

BVYNTassoc.wordpress.com.

Cerne Abbas Christmas Fayre Over 40 stalls – Crafts, Christmas gifts, jewellery and more. Santa’s grotto. Hot food and mulled wine. Free entry 4pm – 7pm.

Norton sub Hamdon - Cantamus concert in the Church at 7.30pm. A magical Christmas mix of the very best music from six centuries of composition – Palestrina to Gibbons; Mozart to Mendelssohn; Bob Chilcott to John Tavener. Advance Ticket £7 from Norton Community Shop (on the Door £8). Wine Bar. Part of The 2018 Norton Festival Season of Music. For further information visit www.nortonfestival.org.

Ballroom & Sequence dancing in Sidmouth Dancing with Henry & Jeannie at the Stowford Centre, Sidmouth EX10 9YL (opp Waitrose) from 8pm – 11pm Ballroom, Latin and some sequence. £6 each pay on the door. 01803 325905 www. dancingduo.co.uk.

Bridport Ceilidhs’ treat for our Christmas dance is the combination of Derby duo “Doug Eunson and Sarah Matthews” with Chippenham Festival’s very own Mike Courthold - a night not to be missed! All dances will be walked and talked through and called throughout, all are welcome, no experience or partner needed, so come along for some lively dancing “for the fun of it!”. Bring and Share supper and your own beer. Tickets £8 in advance from the Music Shop, South Street or call 01308 423442. 7.30 pm - 11pm in St Mary’s (Church House) Hall, South Street, DT6 3NW. See bridportceilidhs.wordpress.com to buy online.

Elvis in Trouble 7.30pm Tickets: General Admission £19.50, Premium £25.50 (seated). Join us for an unforgettable evening with the King in this special Christmas show! Darren Boyce is a truly talented performer with vocals to match and that unmistakable Elvis tone. His sound, moves and authentic costumes are guaranteed to transport you back to some of the greatest moments of Elvis’s career.

Performing with his live band ‘Trouble’, he performs all the classic tracks to 100% authenticity. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton. co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Charlie Bicknell - No Angel 8pm £15 / £12 Bridport Arts Centre www.bridportarts.com. A hot date not to be missed with Charlie Bicknell, Louise Innes Jez Brodie and David Harrod. Subversive, anarchic, darkly hilarious and shamelessly festive. Charlie and Louise are back with a Christmas show, threatening to blow the cover off Elsa and Anna, The Snowman and a poor little Drummer boy. Santa will

Coast &Countryside never be the same. There is however, the Ave Maria, ballet. and a rather touching Eskimo.

Noble Jacks - A ‘Chance to Dance’ Event 8pm. With the fiddle leading the charge, Noble Jacks are out to take no prisoners as they come on with their high-energy footstompin’ rhythms which have taken crowds by storm across the UK. Noble Jacks have been touring relentlessly, stompin’ their way round the British music scene with ‘sold out’ headline events promoting their debut album, What the Hammer, as well as shows at major festivals, including Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival and Beautiful Days, to name a few. Tickets: £18 Full. £17 Concessions. The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www.thedavidhall. org.uk 01460 240340.

Elvis in Trouble 7.30pm General Admission £19.50, Premium £25.50 (seated). Join us for an evening with the King! Darren Boyce is a truly talented performer, with vocals to match and that unmistakable Elvis tone. His sound, moves and authentic costumes are guaranteed to transport you back to some of the greatest moments of the king’s career. Performing with his live band ‘Trouble’. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton. co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

SAT 1 – SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER Gifts to Give ....Treasures to Keep Original work by Lucie Milner Decorative Artist for sale at The Reading Rooms, Burton Bradstock 10am - 4pm. Unique hand painted bowls, dishes, trays, ornaments, candlesticks etc. Paintings, fine art prints and greetings cards.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary Christmas Craft Fair with Santa’s Grotto: Entry to fair free, £2 entry to the Sanctuary, £5 to visit Santa in his grotto and receive a present. All funds raised go to Ferne Animal Sanctuary. Wambrook Chard, Somerset, TA20 3DH www. ferneanimalsanctuary.org.

SAT 1 - SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER Annual Exhibition An exhibition of embroidery and textiles by the members of the Somerset group Connections. Long Load Village Hall, Long Load, Somerset, TA10 9JX. Open – 10am - 4pm. Free admission, Refreshments, Sales table Further details – dragonflyliz@btinternet. com.

SAT 1 - THURSDAY 27 DECEMBER Pop-Up Vintage Popping up again in the Courtyard Gallery at the Town Mill in Lyme Regis. Not open Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Opening hours: 10am

- 4pm. Pop-Up Vintage spends the year sourcing, cleaning, mending, repairing and up-cycling so that you don’t have to! Toys, books, clothes, needlecraft, accessories and homeware for a beautiful and totallysustainable Christmas.

SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER Big Breakfast at Clapton & Wayford Village Hall 9am – 11.30am full English breakfast (£6.50), including fruit juice + unlimited toast & coffee/tea, in a friendly atmosphere with a lovely view. Disabled facilities, ample parking; all welcome.

Further information/booking from Adrienne 01460 75313.

Santa Special Yeovil Railway Centre Yeovil Junction, Stoford BA22 9UU: First day of this year’s Santa Specials, continuing on successive weekends.

Advance booking strongly recommended. www.yeovilrailway.freeservers.com; recorded information on 01935 410420.

Admission: £10 each Adult/Child (£9.50 each for Groups of 8 or more) Babies under 12 months no charge. Also Sunday 9, 16, and 23 December. Also Saturday 22 December.

East Devon Ramblers leisurely 7.5 mile circular walk from Colaton Raleigh.

10.30am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads. 01404 823644.

What Child is This? 3.30pm - 4.30pm The Christmas story in words and music. Website: Friends of Sidholme Music Room (hugofox) Emails : friendsofsidholmemusicroom@mail.com.

Sidholme Music Room, Elysian Fields, Sidmouth. EX10 9PH. Don Quixote from The Bolshoi Ballet at The Gateway, Seaton. Inspired by heroic stories of brave knights, Don Quixote, accompanied by his faithful servant Sancho Panza, sets out on an adventure to meet his ideal woman.

Licensed Bar and refreshments. Doors open 2.30pm, performance starts 3pm. Tickets £15 in advance (£17.50 on door if available) online at www. thegatewayseaton.co.uk, by phone 01297 625699 or in person from The Gateway, Fore St., Seaton EX12 2LD. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists Acclaimed actor Neil Gore presents an Edwardian magic lantern show based on the classic 1914 book by Robert Tressell. Features projected animation, scenes, speeches, live music and song, and audience participation, with ‘The Great Money Trick’ as its centre-piece.

Recommended 11+. 7.30pm Shipton Gorge Village Hall Tickets: £9, £6 (u18s), £25 (fam 4 – max 2 adults) from Kate Chomacki 01308 897407 or kateshiptonvh@gmail.com or online from Artsreach www.artsreach.co.uk.

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MONDAY 3 DECEMBER Friendly Monday Morning Badminton Group 10am (Adults only) At Charmouth St Andrew’s Community Hall, Lower Sea Lane. Call Monique 07709022299.

Lipreading & Managing Hearing Loss Honiton Methodist Church 10am - 12noon. Learn how to manage your hearing loss by using lipreading and coping strategies, while building confidence in a supportive environment.

First session free. Small, friendly group.

Tea, coffee and biscuits provided. Contact Ruth for further details ruth@bizleyart. com 01297 442239 or just come along on the day.

Inspired by Archives 10.30am (Stepping into Nature) Enjoy the countryside?

Love history? Enjoy both with pictures, maps or recordings at the Dorset History Centre (Dorchester) and learn something new about the natural world and local artists. The group is open to everyone including carers, those with dementia or with mobility, sensory or learning difficulties or those who would just enjoy the company and stimulation. It’s all about relaxing, meeting new people and having fun. Contact Maria on 01305 228947 or m.gayton@dorsetcc.gov.uk to book. Visit www.stepin2nature.org for more info.

Also 17 December.

Dorset Digital Champions a group of volunteers who have been vetted by DCC and who operate Free drop in sessions around the county for anyone needing digital help. Offering help with computers, the internet, phones, tablets etc and welcome anyone needing help. Bridport Library every Monday afternoon from 2pm- 4pm.

Christmas Bingo at the Village Hall (TA18 8NA). Doors open 6.45pm for 7.30pm start. Lots of great prizes/ hampers/vouchers; good raffle, name the cuddly toy, tombola,, light refreshments. £6 book of ten games plus flyer. Enq. 01460 74808/cewalker@hotmail.co.uk.

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

St. Swithun’s Band Christmas Concert 7pm. Carols & Mince Pies. St Swithun’s Church North Allington DT6 5DU. Free Parking.

Hospiscare Exeter - Light up a Life Shine a light and remember a loved one this Christmas. Service to be held in Axminster at St Mary the Virgin Church at 7.30pm. All welcome to attend and join us for refreshments after the service.

Scottish Dancing in Chardstock Evening of Social Dancing at Chardstock Village Hall, tea or coffee included.7.30pm – 10pm. No partner required. Contact David on 01460 65981; Ann on 01308 422927; or Andrew on 01297 33461,

or just come along. Cost £1.50. www. chardscottishdancing.org. Also Monday 10 December. 17 December, Christmas Party 7.30pm – 10.30pm. Please bring a plate of food to share.

Bridport Folk Dance Club at 7.30pm - 9.30pm in the WI Hall, North Street, Bridport DT6 3JQ. Enjoy folk dancing mainly in the English tradition from Playford-style to modern-day compositions at Bridport’s long-established weekly club, with club callers and recorded music All welcome, no partner or previous experience required. Admission £3 for members, £4 visitors (membership available). Taster sessions available at no cost. Contact Mecki on 01308 423 442. Also 10 and 17 December.

TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER West Dorset Ramblers 8.5 miles Bere Regis to Tolpuddle. Starts at 10am. Bring picnic, no dogs. All welcome. Please call 01308 867359.

The end of the 40-week boat building course for the Class of February 2018. At 1.30pm students will walk their boats down to the harbour, to be launched for the first time. Having spent the best part of nine months learning how to build boats, the day marks a celebratory end to their training.

Seven boats have been built by the class, ranging from a Royal Yachting Association Albacore dinghy (built exactly to the class specifications), a canoe, a traditional clinker sailing boat, a carvel sailing boat, a fishing boat, a glued clinker sailing boat and a rowing boat. All are welcome to join the students in celebrating their achievements with the launching of the boats. You can learn more about the boats being launched, as well as profiles of the students and case studies of graduates on the Academy’s website here www.boatbuildingacademy. com.

Greenwood Club at Thorncombe Woods (Stepping into Nature) 10.30am Providing positive shared experiences/memories for those individuals living with dementia and their amazing carers or partners. The group learn green woodworking techniques, rural crafts and cooking outdoors in a relaxing woodland environment. Contact Jill on 07813814875 or jill@dorsetforestschool. org to book. Delivered by Dorset Forest Schools as part of Stepping into Nature.

Visit www.stepin2nature.org for more info.

Beaminster Museum Winter Talk Richard Edmonds, an acknowledged specialist in the Jurassic coast will give a talk entitled The Jurassic Coast; the biggest story on Earth. The Jurassic Coast was awarded World Heritage Site status because it contains the most complete record through 185 million years of geological time, the Mesozoic, or Middle Era in the story of the planet. That said, it is not possible to describe the world through

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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.

our site alone; that story can only be understood by looking at the global forces and events that have shaped our world in order to explain how the rocks formed and what they tell us about evolution of life on Earth. Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster DT8 3NB at 2.30pm Entrance £3 All welcome 01308 863200.

The Arts Society Neroche South Somerset 6.30pm at Frogmary Green Conference Centre, South Petherton. New members’ welcome by all. Mulled wine and nibbles. Lecture 7.15pm: How do they make that noise? The Opera Singer Phenomenon by Tim Mirfin. Visitors £5.

Langton Herring Village Club “The Dorset County Museum” talk by Peter Down. 7.30 pm in Langton Herring village hall. Non-members welcome, £2 donation. Further details from 01305 871763.

BLUE: A Documentary – the day the sea changed BLUE is the story our generation needs to hear. The industrialisation that has occurred in the oceans over the last century, mirrors the events that triggered mass extinctions on land. Industrial scale fishing, habitat destruction, species loss and pollution have placed the ocean in peril. The very nature of the sea is being irretrievably

altered. BLUE is a provocative journey into the ocean realm, witnessing this critical moment in time when the marine world is on a precipice. Starts 7pm, £5 Electric Palace. www.electricpalace.org.uk.

TUE 4 - FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER Little Toller Christmas Opening 10am5pm (until 8pm on Wednesdays). Little Toller is opening it’s doors for Christmas.

Pop in for a bookish chat around a roaring fire in their pop-up art gallery and shop.

Lower Diary, Toller Fratrum, Dorchester DT2 0EL 01300 321536. littletoller. co.uk/events TUE 4 – SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER Bridport United Church Christmas Tree Festival Bridport United Church East Street Bridport. Their 21st year, over 50 trees decorated by organisations and charities. Dedication ceremony 7pm Tuesday 4th when the lights will be turned on. Open 10am daily until 9pm on Bridport’s Christmas Cheer evening when there will be Carol singing by local schools and Mountjoy School bell ringers.

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER East Devon Ramblers moderate 9.5 mile circular walk from Colyton. 10am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short

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leads. 01297 552564.

Friends of Sidmouth Town Band Coffee Concert Coffee 10.30am, Concert 11am – 12noon. Sidholme Hotel Music Room, Elysian Fields, Temple Street, Sidmouth EX10 8UJ. ‘Christmas Harmony’ The Afterglow. Members of Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir.

Accompanied by Sandra Jepps With Sue Gooding Festive Fun! John McGregor Piano. The Next 155 years: ‘Play your Part’ Sidmouth Town Band. Free Admission, Refreshments £1... Disabled Access. Retiring Collection for Sidmouth Town Band.

Colyton & Colyford Memory Café in the St John Hall, Colyton 2pm - 4pm.

For more information ring Sue Whitell on 01297 599477. Members are welcome to attend sessions in both Colyton and Colyford - see first and third Wednesdays.

Bridport Christmas Cheer 4pm - 8pm.

Musical entertainment throughout the town from schools, local bands, musicians and dance groups. A lantern parade, Father Christmas and the switching on of the town Christmas lights in Bucky Doo Square. Children can visit Father Christmas in his grotto and the streets are lined with wonderful stalls selling anything from locally produced foods to unique and wonderful Christmas gifts. Please join

in for an evening of Christmas Cheer.

Uplyme & Lyme Regis Horticultural Society 7.30pm Uplyme Village Hall ‘Social & Christmas Supper’ (bring and share). Pre Christmas social. Find out what the society is up to for the coming year renew your membership (if you haven’t already) and sign up to forthcoming outings.

Plant some sweet peas to take home and enjoy a light hearted quiz and bring and share supper. Bring along any unwanted seeds to swap with other members. https:// ulrhs.wordpress.com/.

Gittisham Folk Dance Club at 8pm - 10.15pm in Gittisham Village Hall, Gittisham EX14 3AF. A friendly club with live music and guest caller every week this week featuring Home Brew with Gill Spence calling. Membership available, with entry at £4; visitors £4.50, includes light refreshments. All welcome, no partner or previous experience required. Contact Steve on 07793 124 229 or secretary Rosie, secretarygittishamfolkdance@gmail.com.

See https://gittishamfolkdanceclub.org.

Also 12 and 19 December.

Noe! Noe! Baroque Music for Advent and Christmas 7.45pm. Join Axminster and Yeovil Chamber Choirs as they celebrate the season with music by J.S. Bach (Cantata 140 ‘Wachet auf) and MA Charpentier (Messe de Minuit). With

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orchestra and refreshments. Admission £10. St Andrew’s Church, Preston Grove, Yeovil. BA20 2BQ. Illustrated Talk: Sugar Barons in Bristol: The Condrad Finzels Jane Ferentzi tells the wonderful story of a penniless German migrant arriving in England in 1810, who went on to make his fortune designing a machine which perfected the refinement of sugar. When his refinery burnt to the ground he built a new state of the art facility and then pledged to give a third of his profits to charity. His mansion is known today as Clevedon Hall. Axminster History Society talk All welcome, £2 guests. 7.30pm at The Bradshaw Meeting Room, Thomas Whitty House, Silver Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AH. THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER Christmas Pop Up Shop at The Cotley Inn, Wambrook TA20 3EN 9.30am - 6pm Free Parking, Free Entry please bring friends.

National Coastwatch Institution Coffee Morning in the Village Hall, Burton Bradstock, DT6 4QS 10am – 1pm.

Coffee/tea, cakes and bacon butties, Contact: 07786 354403. Supporting the work of NCI Lyme Bay. Community Coffee Morning 10.45am – 11.45am - Fresh Coffee & Cakes. St Swithun’s Church North Allington DT6 5DU. Free Parking.

Wellbeing Walk at Radipole Lakes (Stepping into Nature) 11am – 12noon.

This is a relaxed, sociable and gentle monthly walk which is open to all , a health walk for healthy body and mind.

We generally walk about a mile in distance, usually around our Radipole reserve in the heart of Weymouth. You may see fabulous wildlife on the walk, but the focus is simply a stroll and chat. This walk is dementia friendly, and particularly suitable for anyone wishing to lose weight, recovering from illness or wanting to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Contact RSPB Radipole Lakes on 01305 778313. This event is free as it’s part of Stepping into Nature. Visit www. stepin2nature.org for more info. Also 20 December.

Tatworth Flower Club Flower Arranging Demonstration, Tatworth Memorial Hall TA20 2QW. Winter Wonderland By Lisa Fowler (Chelsea gold winner}. Doors open 1.30pm All welcome. Visitors £6 Further details Julie Kettle 01297 33924.

National Trust South Dorset Association 2.30pm “The Twelve Days of Christmas” a musical talk by Anne Gray in costume. St Aldhelm’s Church Centre, Spa Road, Weymouth, DT3 5EW. Members NTSDA £3 Non-members £4 incl.tea/biscuits geoffwrench@lineone.net

/ 01300 321601 / southdorsetnt.org.uk.

Has your child been naughty or nice this year? Visit Judge Santa to find out!

Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorchester from 4pm - 8pm, then every Saturday until December 23rd from 11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm. Father Christmas will be holding court in the Shire Hall courtroom on Christmas Cracker night, Thursday 6th December, and then every Saturday until the 23rd December. It is £4 per child and every youngster will receive a special Christmas Gift, (promise none of them will get ‘sent down’!) A visit to rest of museum is not included in this price. There will also be tasty festive goodies, from hot chocolate and warming mulled cider to mince pies and Christmas gingerbread, available in the café. To book: Visit shirehalldorset.org.uk or call 01305 261849.

Chard History Group at The Ballroom at The Phoenix Hotel Chard beginning at 7.30pm. ‘Emma Down, co-author of Somerset Mapped Cartography in the County through the Centuries, will be talking about different depictions of the ancient county of Somerset on maps, plans and sea charts from the middle ages to the mid 20th Century. Manuscript and printed maps will be discussed, including those of well known publishers such as the Ordnance Survey, but also less well known cartographers. She will explore maps used in court cases, for navigation and to illustrate historic battles.

Refreshments available. New members and guests are welcome. Members £2.

Guests £3. For further information: 01460 66165.

Broadwey, Upwey and District Horticultural Society from Weymouth at St Nicholas and St Laurence Primary School, Dorchester Road, Weymouth, Dorset. DT3 5NQ. Membership is £6 per annum payable at the September Meeting.

A short fun quiz including Christmas supper. 7.30pm www.budhs.org.uk.

Chard Camera Club The club will be holding their WCPF DPIC (Western Counties Photographic Federation Digitally Projected Image Competition) selection evening in the Chard Baptist Church hall at 7.30pm. Members will spend the time choosing what images they want to go through to this annual Competition. Further details about the club or the competition can be found on the relative websites. www. chardcameraclub.org.uk and www.wcpf. org.uk Anyone interested in the camera club can contact the membership secretary Joyce Partridge on 01460 66885or by visiting their website.

Auctions of Promises 7pm £4 - includes a drink on arrival. Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com. As the nights

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draw in and you are looking for something special for Christmas, why not come to Bridport Arts Centre support a good cause and take away a special something with you. There will be something for everyone, from a holiday home (with a difference) rental for a week to a helpful helper to do your ironing! The event is part of a fresh drive to raise as much as possible to help the Arts Centre team look after the building and keep bringing culture and creative activity to the local area.

NT Live: Antony & Cleopatra (12A) 7pm Adult £15.30, Student £12.30.

Broadcast live from the National Theatre, Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo play Shakespeare’s famous fated couple in his great tragedy of politics, passion and power. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton. co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Music for Christmastide Cantamus once again performs some exquisite and varied seasonal choral music, ranging from Bach to Tavener with more modern arrangements of traditional carols by Rutter, Wilcocks and others.7.30pm St Mary Magdalene, Loders. DT6 3RZ (tickets £10 on the door to include refreshments). www.cantamus-dorset.org.

Lyme Voices Community Choir Sing for fun. Learn tunes by ear. Everyone welcome. Free taster session. From 7.30pm - 9.15pm at the Baptist Church (Pine Hall round the back), Silver St., Lyme Regis, DT7 3NY. Visit www-petelinnett.co.uk, phone 01297 445078 or email petelinnett@naturalvoice.net. Also 13 December.

FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER East Devon Ramblers leisurely 5 mile circular walk from Newton Poppleford.

10am start. Dogs on short leads. 01404 44367.

West Dorset Ramblers 8 miles Abbotsbury coast walk. Starts at 10am.

Bring picnic, no dogs. All welcome. Please call 01305 459315.

Coach Trip to Tavistock Pannier Market and Cotehele House. Enjoy a visit to Tavistock town and its pannier market then on to Cotehele House to see the famous Christmas swag garland. Pickups: 9am Dalwood; 9.10am Axminster; 9.30am Chard, Boden St; 9.55am Honiton Congregational Church Return depart Cotehele 3.30pm £15 plus £10.80 entry to Cotehele (free to NT members) To book call 01404 831207.

Do you need to make or change a Will or Power of Attorney? Every few months Age UK Dorchester has a by appointment surgery where individuals can come and ask an expert questions about wills, powers of attorney and

other legal aspects of your home and finances. This is a Free one-to-one surgery given by Kelly Payne, associate solicitor at Humphries Kirk, solicitors.

9.30am - 3.30pm at Age UK Dorchester, Rowan Cottage, 4 Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester, DT1 1PW. For further details of all Age UK Dorchester services, please telephone 01305 269444 or look at the website: www.ageukdorchester.org.uk.

Greenwood Club at Holton Lee 10am – 1pm. Providing positive shared experiences/memories for those individuals living with dementia and their amazing carers or partners. The group learn green woodworking techniques, rural crafts and cooking outdoors in a relaxing woodland environment. Livability Holton Lee, Poole, BH16 6JN. Contact Jill on 07813814875 or jill@dorsetforestschool. org to book. Delivered by Dorset Forest Schools as part of Stepping into Nature.

Visit www.stepin2nature.org for more info. Also 14 December.

Solkiki Chocolate Pop Up Tasting at Furleigh Estate 10am. Bob Spink, founder of Solkiki Chocolate, will be at Furleigh Estate with a delicious selection of their hand crafted vegan friendly chocolates for you to try and buy. Visit furleighestate.co.uk/events or call 01308 488 991 for more details.

Seaton Wetlands outdoors club 10am - 12.30pm, Seaton Wetlands. Social club for over 55s to enjoy walks around Seaton Wetlands and wildlife themed activities.

Part of the Connecting Actively to Nature Project. £2 per person, no booking required. Find out more at wildeastdevon. co.uk. Contact Wild East Devon at: wild@ eastdevon.co.uk, 01395517557.

Christmas Lunch Dorset Wildlife Trust, West Dorset group Christmas lunch plus a talk from Jo Davies, the new chair of DWT, entitled ‘Green Island’.

W.I Hall, North Street, Bridport. 12.30pm - 3pm. Cost £14.50, booking essential.

Contact Monty Crook 01308 423 442. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.

The Living Tree, cancer self-help group 1pm Rising Voices. Singing with Jane. 2pm Tripudio. Lydia Wilson from the Wastenotwantnot shop in South Street talks about what inspired her to open a zero-waste shop and more. Drop in any time between 2pm and 4.30pm at Friends Meeting House, 95 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NZ. Tel 07341 916 976. www. thelivingtree.org.uk.

Colyford Environmental Group present an illustrated talk given by Colin Varndell `The Hedgehog Predicament` at the Colyford Memorial Hall, Swan Hill, Colyford at 7.30pm. Mr Varndell is a

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prizewinning wildlife photographer and a member of the Dorset Mammal Society.

His talk illustrates the problems facing this endearing and endangered species.

Ridgeway Singers & Band 7.30pm St John’s, West Bay. Christmas Past & Present. Tickets £8, £6 under 18 from 01305 262159 or on the door. www. ridgewaysingersandband.wordpress. com. With their roots in South Dorset Ridgeway and inspired by the rich sources of locally collected folk songs and West Gallery carols, the Ridgeway Singers and Band, led by Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries, have once gain tuned their fiddles and voices to present a joyous celebration of Christmas past and present.

Their programme includes music from Puddletown, Durwest and Hinton St Mary, together with newly composed songs in the Dorset tradition.

Yeovil Archaeological and Local History Society meeting at Holy Trinity Church, Lysander Road, BA20 2BU at 7.30pm have an interesting talk ‘The Unfortunate Captain Pearce & the Wreck of the Halsewell.’ The Speaker is Philip Browne. Guests £2 at the Door. Contact 01935 477174. www.yalhs.org.uk.

Poetry and Music Poet Ann Gray joins Pam Zinnemann-Hope and early music performer Frances Eustace. Sladers Yard,

West Bay Road, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL. 8pm. Tickets: £12.50 or £30 with buffet dinner from 6.30pm t: 01308 459511 www.sladersyard.co.uk.

Two award-winning poets perform their work with early music on a variety of instruments with poems from the floor.

Quiz Night at The Gateway, Seaton.

Come along and join our highly popular Quiz evening. Get together with friends and test out your brainpower in a fun and friendly atmosphere whilst raising funds for The Gateway. Max. 6 people per team. Licensed bar. Tickets £5 – advance booking strongly advised. Doors open 7pm, quiz starts 7.30pm. Book online at www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk, by phone (01297 625699) or in person from The Gateway, Fore St., Seaton EX12 2LD. At The Ebeneezer Bill Colegrave: Scraps of Wool, Tales from the Golden Age of Travel Writing. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. In The Seed Factory, Aller, Somerset TA10 0QN To RSVP, ebenezer@ebenezerpresents.com.

The Nativity performed by Living Spit 7.30pm £14/ £13 Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com.

With the usual mix of silly songs, pitiful puppetry and more Biblical befuddlement than you can shake a figgy pudding at, Living Spit’s Nativity promises to be a cornucopia of comic Christmassy crudeness that you’ll never forget! Suitable for naughty audiences aged 14+.

Mad Dog MCREA + Support Windjammer 8pm £16 / £14 members & concessions / £5 Live for 5 Dorchester Arts, The Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF, 01305 266926, www.dorchesterarts.org.uk. Please note that this event is standing only. Mad Dog Mcrea return to shake the Corn Exchange with their unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music. A perfect start to the Christmas party season!

Mike Denham’s 25th SpeakEasy A Tribute to Bessie Smith, with the superb blues singer Julia Titus and special guest, Steve Graham. Hits from the 20’s made famous by the legendary Bessie Smith and others. Unmissable vintage jazz. At 8pm.

Tickets: £14 (£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.

Christmas with the New Jersey Boys Axminster Guildhall, 7.30pm. The New Jersey Boys return to the Guildhall to present another packed programme of fast moving entertainment with a Christmas flavour. Expect to hear all the Four Seasons hits plus tributes to other musical legends, including Freddie Mercury and Elton John. Featuring the amazing falsetto voice of Einar Vestman

and the humour of Gary Gould, this is a great way to start the festive season.

Ticket £17 from Archway Bookshop 01297 33595, TIC Bridport 01308 424901.

Online www.wegottickets.com.

Sound of the Sirens + support: Samantics 8pm £11 (seated). Exeterbased duo Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood combine agile guitar-playing, soaring harmonies and lyrical, heartfelt songwriting to make lushly melodic music.

Support by Samantics, a next-generation one-man band “Multi-instrumental, nerdy hip-hop”. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton. co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

FRIDAY 7 – SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER Christmas Tree Festival at Chard Museum Friday 11am - 6pm, Saturday 11am - 6pm, Sunday 11am - 4pm.

Local School choirs and music groups entertaining. Mulled Wine and Mince pies and other festive refreshments. 25 large Trees being decorated by local Groups and Charities to raise funds for their cause. Please support this Community event Free admission.

A Festival/Exhibition of Christmas Songs and Carols. 10am- 5pm each day in Dalwood Church.

FRI 7 – SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER St Agnes Fountain Since 2005, the “Aggies” have brought their Christmas Show to The David Hall. This is the band that gives Christmas songs a good, if respectful, kicking. They bring sparkling musicianship, humour and heartfelt renditions of your favourite Christmas tunes, both original, and those you know so well (or thought you did). Great musical talent, wit and invention in the form of founder member, David Hughes; Chris Leslie (Fairport Convention) and Chris While and Julie Matthews (Radio 2 Folk Award Winners). They have brought joy, laughter and a few tears to every concert performance for the last 16 years.

8pm Tickets: £19 Full. £18 Concessions.

The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www. thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240340.

SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER Beaminster Antiques Fair The Public Hall, Beaminster 9am – 3pm. Call Glen 07505 798258.

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 7 mile walk from Little Bredy.

Loscombe Plantation, Hardy Momument, White Hill 10.30am start. Bring picnic.

No dogs. All welcome. Please call 01308 898002.

Farmers Market 10am – 1pm & Saturday 12th Januray 2019, in the Moorlands Precinct, North Street, Martock. 20 stalls selling traditionally

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produced foods, perhaps with a festive slant! Ring Fergus on 01935 822202 for a table.

A Space for Living Spirituality “Saint John of the Cross: a God who longs to meet us” led by Richard Sloan, as the last event of 4 on “The Mystic Way” at the Bridport Quaker Meeting House, South Street, DT6 3NZ. 10am - 4pm. Donations £10 - £40. Bring-and-share lunch. For information and booking, email Janet Lake on iona.lake@aol.co.uk.

Amnesty International coffee morning and cake stall to mark International Human Rights Day, 10.30am – 12.30pm.

Lyme Regis Baptist Church. Opportunity to send cards of support to activists in Ukraine, Iran, Venezuela, India and other countries. Free entry; everyone welcome.

Chideock WI Christmas Fayre 11am – 3pm in Village Hall. Perfect for buying your Christmas gifts from our selection of crafts, jewellery, hand-made clothes and accessories, natural skincare products, chocolate, bee products, bird boxes and quality bric-a-brac. Why not stop by for home-made soup for lunch, tea and cake or take home some WI cakes and savouries to enjoy later. More information: 01297 489452.

Beer Wurlitzer Theatre Organ Show - Christmas Special with Trevor Bolshaw and friends at the Congregational Church, Fore Street, Beer, 2pm, £7 on the door, children free, visit www.beerwurlitzer.org. uk or phone 01297 24892.

Carols in the courtroom at 1pm Shire Hall, Dorchester. Tickets and info: Cellist Sally Flann and violinist Russell Dawson performing a lunchtime concert of well-known Christmas favourites. Free to museum visitors. For more information visit shirehalldorset.org.uk or call 01305 261849.

Royal Ballet Screening: The Nutcracker (12A) 4pm Adult £15.30, Student £12.30, Family of four £46.30.

A Christmas treat for the whole family and a classic with a special place in the hearts of ballet fans around the world.

This is a “delayed-live” screening at a time suitable for the whole family. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Barn Dance 7.30pm Start. Doors open 7pm Portesham Village Hall, DT3 4NS, B3157 coast road. A Barn Dance with the highly popular and successful Black Sheep Band. Great music and caller. There will be a cash bar on site and a kitchen open for snacks and refreshments.The event is to raise money for St. Peter’s Portesham Flush Fund needed for building works to provide a flexible space, a new kitchen/ servery and a toilet at the church. Tickets in advance at £10 each from Andrea Wallis on 01305 871035 or g.ww43@

btinternet.com or online at www. ticketsource.co.uk/stpetersevents .

Live Wire AC/DC and the Thin Lizzie Experience at The Gateway, Seaton. We have an amazing Xmas gig for you this year, two brilliant bands: the superb Livewire AC/DC supported

by The Thin Lizzy Experience. This is gonna be a blast in more ways than one!

Licensed Bar. Doors open 7.30pm. Tickets £20adv/£22door (if available) ) online at www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk, by phone 01297 625699 or in person from The Gateway, Fore St., Seaton EX12 2LD. Bridport Choral Society presents A Christmas Choral. Songs from across centuries of Christmas music 7.30pm.

Bridport United Church. Tickets: £10 (including refreshments) available from Bridport Music or on the door.

Christmas Music and Song Concert with 3 Generations of the Gibbins & Thatcher Families St. John The Evangelist Church Tatworth, Waterlake Road Tatworth TA20 2SH 7pm Tickets £6 , child £3 Refreshments included . Raffle.

Chard Camera Club Members of the club will be meeting at 7pm for 7.30pm for their Christmas Meal at the Eagle Tavern. Further details about the club can be found on their website www.

chardcameraclub.org.uk or by contacting their membership secretary Joyce Partridge on 01460 66885.

The Nutcracker Event Cinema from The Royal Opera House 5pm £17.50 £14.50 Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts. com.

The Nativity (Living Spit) 8pm, £14 / £12 members & concessions Age guidance: 15+ Dorchester Arts, The Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF 01305 266926 www.dorchesterarts.org.uk.

With the usual mix of silly songs, pitiful puppetry and more Biblical befuddlement than you can shake a figgy pudding at, Living Spit’s Nativity promises to be a cornucopia of comic Christmassy crudeness you’ll never forget!

Music for Christmastide Cantamus once again performs some exquisite and varied seasonal choral music, ranging from Bach to Tavener with more modern arrangements of traditional carols by Rutter, Wilcocks and others.7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Netherbury DT6 5LR (tickets £10 on the door to include refreshments). www.cantamus-dorset.org.

Roving Crows - Celtic Folk Fusion starts at 7.30pm. Caryford Community Hall, Castle Cary Advance tickets £12 from 01963 350 980 or www.wegottickets.

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com/event/436734. £15 on door.

SAT 8 – SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER Ferne’s Festive Food and Drink Fair with Santa’s Grotto. Entry to fair free, £2 entry to the Sanctuary, £5 for visiting Santa in his grotto and receiving a present.

All funds raised go to Ferne Animal Sanctuary. Wambrook Chard, Somerset, TA20 3DH www.ferneanimalsanctuary. org.

Creative Christmas at New House Farm Broadoak, Bridport DT6 5NR Open Studios, Pop-Up Shop & Cafe 10am-4pm. Sorry no card machines available.

Born in a Stable, Nativity Scenes at St Nicholas’ Church, Combe Raleigh, Nr Honiton, EX14 4TG, 2pm – 5.30pm.

Entry £3 to include refreshments, enjoy tea/coffee and cake. Entry for children free. For info phone 01404 43166.

SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER East Devon Ramblers strenuous 12 mile circular walk from Hawkchurch. 10am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads. 01404 814960.

Egyptian Society Taunton “Recent work of the Amarna Project at Amarna”.

Speaker: Prof. Barry Kemp. The lecture

will take place at 2pm at the Friends Meeting House, Bath Place, Taunton, 4ED. This event is a ticket only event, please visit our website for further information. http:// egyptiansoctaunton.wixsite.com/home.

Crystal and Tibetan Singing Bowl Soundbath 2pm – 4pm Bridport Unitarians, 49 East St, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3JX. Experience a magical performance of Pure Sound by musician Dean Carter using singing bowls plus sacred vocal overtoning which promotes a deeply relaxing and healing state to rebalance and re-energise your body, mind and spirit. Your ‘participation’ involves simply lying down and enjoying/absorbing the sounds. (You may sit if preferred.) £12, Booking in advance and further details www.centreforpuresound.org ahiahel@ live.com 01935 389655. Bring something comfortable to lie on and wrap around you.

Noe! Noe! Baroque Music for Advent and Christmas 3pm Join Axminster and Yeovil Chamber Choirs as they celebrate the season with music by J.S. Bach (Cantata 140 ‘Wachet auf) and MA Charpentier (Messe de Minuit). With orchestra and refreshments. Admission £10. St Mary’s Parish Church (The Minster), Axminster.

EX13 5AQ. The Sidholme Players Recorder Consort 3.30pm - 4.30pm. A Seasonal Programme. Website: Friends of Sidholme Music Room (hugofox) Emails : friendsofsidholmemusicroom@mail.com.

Sidholme Music Room, Elysian Fields, Sidmouth. EX10 9PH. Lyme Bay Chorale’s Christmas concert 4pm - at St Michaels Church, Lyme Regis.

Poulenc’s Gloria Christus Natus Est by Cecilia McDowall. Additional works featuring the music of contemporary composer Paul Halley Carols for choir and audience With St Michael’s children’s choir Chloe Stratta, soprano Andrew Millington, organ & piano Proceeds supports our Young singers Bursary Scheme. tickets £15 on the door £13 in advancenfrom Lyme TIC, Penny Blacks Cafe or choir members Under 19th free. Prices include post-concert buffet www.lymebaychorale.co.uk.

Seaton Choral Society presents Classic and CoolA festival of Christmas Music in The Gateway, Fore Street, Seaton at 4pm. The music will include the Christmas section of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ plus the famous ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus in the first half and, after the interval, several modern jazzy carols and arrangements of well-known favourites such as ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer’. Doors open at 3.30pm. Tickets are £10 or £12 on the door and under 18s are free. 01297 625699.

Christmas carols in the castle – Corfe Castle 5pm - 6.30pm. Create a new family tradition with carols in the castle. Step inside the ruins and join in with songs old

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Coast &Countryside and new. A selection of delicious winter warmers will also be available from the tea-room. www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Christmas Ball at The Gateway, Seaton.

The Gateway Dance Club is hosting this Fund Raising Ball. Our very own vocalist ‘Mary.B’ will keep you dancing throughout the night with a varied program of Ballroom, Latin, Jive, Tango and Lindy. Dress to impress for this special evening and support The Gateway too. Nibbles will be provided (but you may bring more for your table).

Drinks available from our well stocked, licensed bar. Doors open 7pm, dancing from 7.30-11pm. Tickets £8 available online (no booking fee) at www. thegatewayseaton.co.uk, by phone 01297 625699 or in person at The Gateway, Fore Street, Seaton EX12 2LD. MONDAY 10 DECEMBER Hearing Loss Help Action on Hearing Loss information stand, Bridport Community Hospital 10am - 1pm. There will be a wide range of leaflets to take away and a volunteer will be available to answer questions and give advice.

Information on hearing loss, tinnitus, equipment, lipreading classes and more.

Yeovil Probus Club presentation Famous Speeches at Yeovil Court Hotel 1.30pm. New members always welcome.

Please contact the Secretary on 01935 414765for details.

Swanage Eco Therapy Gardening 2pm - 4pm (Stepping into Nature).

Based at an old nursery, Greengage, offers a large greenhouse, planting beds and even a toilet block! Join in with various activities such as planting fruit and vegetables, cleaning vegetation and general maintenance. The Greengage nursery is still in it’s infancy so there is something for all abilities. Refreshments and tools will be provided. This activity is free and delivered by Dorset Wildlife Trust as part of Stepping into Nature.

Contact Katie on 01202 692 033 or kwilkinson@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk to book. Visit www.stepin2nature.org for more info. Also 24 December.

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

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

All ages 19 to 90. Teacher: Julia HopeBrightwell. 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Cost £8 - £10. Othona Community, Coast Road, Burton Bradstock DT6 4RN. Contact Robin 01308 897 130 / biodanzabridport.co.uk.

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TUESDAY 11 DECEMBER West Dorset Ramblers 5 miles Eype.

Starts at 10am. Bring snack, no dogs. All welcome. Please call 01308 459282.

The Arts Society Honiton Clive Stewart-Lockhart, a specialist on the BBC Antiques Roadshow, will talk about ‘Clara, rhino superstar and wonder of the Grand Tour’ at The Beehive, Honiton at 2pm. See www.honiton-dfas. org.uk.

Time for Tea and Some Music Celebrate the festive season. Come and listen or sing along to Christmas music performed by children from St Mary’s school Axminster under the direction of Mrs Rachel Burroughs. £3 Tea & cake served. 01404 to book: 831207 2pm - 3.30pm at The Bradshaw Meeting Room, Thomas Whitty House, Silver Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AH .

Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support Drop in for a chat Refreshments available free of charge.

For more details contact info@ axminsterandlymecancersupport.co.uk, Or telephone 07512 279663. Lyme Regis - Pop Up Kitchen, 32A Broad Street, Lyme Regis DT7 3QE 2.30pm - 4.30pm.

A Tribute to the Life of Kate Geraghty 1940-2018 Sadly, Kate lost her long battle against cancer in October of this year. Kate was tireless in her duty towards the community in which she lived. She believed in community, she believed in community spirit and in community responsibility. She served on Chideock Parish Council for 25 years.

She was the inspiration behind and the Chairperson of ‘The Bopper Bus’. As a founder member of The Chideock Society – the Society wish to honour her commitment to the village and invite you to join us to ‘share memories’ of Kate in the Village Hall at 2.30pm. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served. Everyone is very welcome.

The Lyme Regis Society Talk “Roman Devon and The Seaton Down Coin Hoard” Speaker from RAMMuseumExeter 2.30pm - 4pm at Woodmead Halls, Hill Road, Lyme Regis.

DT7 3PG. All Welcome. Members Free.

Visitors £3. Including refreshments. www.lymeregissociety.org.uk.

Axe Vale Stamp Club at the Bradshaw Rooms, Silver Street, Axminster EX13 5AH. 7.30pm – for 8pm. Christmas Auction A contact telephone number would be 01297 552482.

Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella (PG) 7.30pm Bridport Arts Centre www. bridport-arts.com. Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella is a thrilling and evocative love story set in London during the Second World War. The internationally acclaimed choreographer’s interpretation of the classic fairy tale has, at its heart, a

true war-time romance. Filmed in front of a live audience at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Also Friday 14 December.

WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER Dorset History Walk in Weymouth (Stepping into Nature) Starting with a general introduction to the history of the place, we will then walk around to look at some particular features of interest. These walks are intended for people who do not have a detailed knowledge of the history of the town or village, but who would like to know more. All these walks are Free and are delivered by Steve Wallis. Dementia friendly event. Email stepin2nature@ dorsetcc.gv.uk to book or call Steph on 01305 224788. Visit www.stepin2nature.org for more info. 10.30am Meet at the Jubilee Clock on the seafront.

The Arts Society West Dorset The Nutcracker Ballet: The Kingdom of Sweets. Speaker: Nigel Bates. The Seaside Boarding House, Burton Bradstock at 2.30pm. For details contact 01308 485487.

Colyford & District Photographic Club 7.30pm at Colyford Memorial Hall, Swan Hill Rd, Colyton EX24 6QJ. Visitors and New Members always Welcome. 01297 24369 colyford.photographicclub@gmail. com Christmas social evening & buffet print panel comp - judged by members.

Bridport Camera Club Knock-out Competition Open. Members cast their votes to find the winning image in this fun tournament. 7.30pm Bridport Town Hall, DT6 3HA. New members always welcome.

All enquiries call the Club Secretary on 07737 405474 or email secretary@ bridportcameraclub.co.uk.

Thorncombe Rail Activities Club talk and slide presentation given by Bruce Duncan entitled ‘ SERUG – Salisbury & Exeter Rail Users Group’. The meeting is at Thorncombe Village Hall, TA20 4NE and starts 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 TRAC “traclubsite” for information.

The Beehive Acoustic Café 8pm Free.

Hosted by Terry Stacey. Everyone is welcome to come along and perform or listen at The Beehive bar every other second Wednesday. Free of charge. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

THURSDAY 13 DECEMBER Bridport Probus Club Speaker Bonny Sartin, talk History of Halsway House at the Eype’s Mouth Hotel. Members gather at 12noon for pre - lunch drinks followed by lunch and a talk. Anyone who would like to attend without obligation call the club Secretary, Graham Pitts on 01297 561569.

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Seaton Garden Club Demonstration by Angie of Cottage Flowers, Ilminster who will prepare floral Xmas arrangements which will be raffled. Meeting in the Masonic Hall, Queen Street, Seaton at 2.30pm. Visitors welcome cost £2 to include refreshments, for further information - contact Tel No: 01297 24049.

New Hardy Players are hosting a special fundraiser for charity Mind in the courtroom at 7.30pm Shire Hall, Dorchester. Tickets and info: £15. This will include a selection of Christmas carols, midwinter poetry from Thomas Hardy and William Barnes, dramatic scenes from the Mayor of Casterbridge and Under the Greenwood Tree and a Christmas Mummers play. For more information visit shirehalldorset.org.uk or call 01305 261849.

THUR 13 – SAT 15 DECEMBER A Festival of Nativity held at St Marys Church Catherson Leweston between 12noon - 4pm each day, finishing with a Carol Service on the Saturday at 4pm. If anyone has a set of Nativity figures they would love to Borrow them please. Get in touch on 01297 561297.

FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER East Devon Ramblers moderate 6 mile circular walk from Sidbury. 10am start.

Dogs on short leads. 01404 823644.

West Dorset Ramblers 8.5 miles Bride Valley. Starts at 10am. Bring picnic, no dogs. All welcome. Please call 01308 897702.

Food on Friday12noon at Clapton & Wayford Village Hall. 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 2pm Tripudio. Maria Morris talks about easy ways to get your daily dose of happiness through the power of nature and using your five senses. Drop in any time between 2pm and 4.30pm at Friends Meeting House, 95 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NZ. Tel 07341 916 976. www. thelivingtree.org.uk.

Salway Ash Village Hall Xmas Bingo Top prize 50, Plus lots of other fantastic prizes. Doors Open 7pm – Eyes Down 7.30pm.

Chard Royal Naval Association meeting at 7pm for 7.30pm for their annual Christmas dinner at Hornsbury Mill. Any person wishing to join the group can obtain further details by

contacting the groups secretary Mr Gary Pennells on 01460 77978.

Midwinter Concert with Reg Meuross and Phil Beer in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Crewkerne at 7.30pm. 01460 76058 (doors open 6.45). Tickets £14 (under 14’s £5) from 01460 76058 or geraldine@clotworthy.co.uk or Crewkerne Town Hall. Bar and raffle.

Beaminster Museum Christmas concert with Parnham voices at 7.30pm.

A feast of music and readings for the Christmas season. Tickets available at info.beaminstermuseum@gmail. com Tel 01308 863623 Beaminster Museum,Whitcombe Road, Beaminster DT8 3NB Entrance £6 All welcome.

Angels Proclaim The Stanchester Quire Christmas Concert of carols and readings, collected from the South West of England, at Martock Christian Fellowship Centre, Church Street, Martock, TA12 6JL, at 7.30pm.

Admission £8. Details from 01935 822287 or stanchesterquire1@gmail.com.

Jazz Café – Petites Annonces Gypsy Jazz 8pm £10, Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com. A musical journey inspired by the Gypsy Jazz of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club de France, forgotten French chansons from Charles Trenet to Georges Brassens, and Gypsy jazz classics. Vocalist Jipe Gerardin leads a band with no fewer than three guitars, plus bass and violin! Established in 2005, Petites Annonces has played at places like the London Mecca of Gypsy jazz The Quecumbar and the prestigious March Manouche Festival in Wales. Be prepared to hear something different avec un accent Français!

The Magnificent 7 Jazz Band Back by popular demand! Superlative, swinging jazz from a top line up of musicians – early jazz, swing, jazz revival – you name it, they play it! At 8pm. Tickets: £20 (£35 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.

SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER Reindeer trail and Christmas crafts 10.30am - 3pm, Seaton Wetlands. Follow the clues around the wetlands to help track down Father Christmas’ missing reindeer in time to deliver his presents! £3 per child, no booking required. Find out more at wildeastdevon.co.uk. Contact Wild East Devon at: wild@eastdevon.gov. uk, 01395517557.

Hedgelaying has long been used to lengthen the life of trees, encourage new growth and thicken the hedge to encourage a greater range of wildlife.

This is a practical session led by resident ranger, Julia Bloom, and is based at Magdalen Farm between Beaminster

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& Chard. Free of charge to willing volunteers the day runs from 10am 3pm and includes light refreshments with a simple lunch. Suitable for adults only. Also January 8, 19 & 29. Booking essential - to confirm your place, or find out more information, please visit or website www.magdalenfarm.org.uk/ events or email julia@magdalenfarm.org. uk.

The Reindeer trail and Christmas crafts 10.30am - 3pm, Seaton Wetlands.

Follow the clues around the wetlands to help track down Father Christmas’ missing reindeer in time to deliver his presents! £3 per child, no booking required. Find out more at wildeastdevon. co.uk. Contact Wild East Devon at: wild@eastdevon.co.uk, 01395517557.

Muzax 11am – 1pm a classic rock band with plenty of Blues, Soul and R&B thrown in Free live music. Get into the Christmas spirit by coming along and enjoying some foot-tapping music. Arts Café Bar. The Old Courthouse, Church Street, Axminster EX13 5AQ. 01297 631455 .

Crossway Handbell Ringers at 3pm in the café. Tickets and info: Free to museum visitors. For more information visit shirehalldorset.org.uk or call 01305 261849. Shire Hall, Dorchester.

La Traviata - Met Opera Live Screening 5.55pm Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com.A Christmas Concert at the Minster, Axminster 7.30pm by the Axminster and District Choral Society. Gustav Holst: Christmas Day G V Pergolesi: Magnificat. Christmas carols with audience participation.

Conducted by Peter Parshall. Tickets £10 from Archway Books, Church St, Axminster 01297 33595 or phone 01404 881 838 for further information. website: www.axminsterchoral.co.uk.

Sailing around the World A Winter Warmer. A fascinating travelogue to include, amongst others, experiences of a visit to Rorke’s Drift. Illustrated talk to be given by Peter Forbes. St George’s Church, Hinton St George. Doors open 5.30pm for a 6pm talk. Tickets to include a ‘tot of Rum Punch’ and light refreshments £7.50 in advance from Our Shop, Hinton or £8 at the door Or from Nigel Hayler 01460 271218.

Maiastra String Quartet Classical concert by top-class students from London conservatoires led by Arisa Fujita. Works by Haydn, Shostakovich, Dvorjak. Supported by the Aidan Woodcock Charitable Trust. A fundraising event for Ilminster Arts Centre. At 7.30pm. Tickets £15 (no suppers). Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster.

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

Belshazzar’s Feast On tour with a Christmas-themed show that mixes traditional Folk music, seasonal material, their usual touch of Classical and Jazz with a bit of Pop and Music Hall, all topped off with lashings of wry humour.

Together, Paul Sartin (of Bellowhead and Faustus) and Paul Hutchinson (of Hoover The Dog) wow audiences across the UK with their eclectic and eccentric mix of tunes and ‘between songs chat’ that always sends audiences home with smiles on their faces. Tickets: £15 Full. £14 Concessions.

The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www. thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240340.

Carols and Classics by Candlelight - The Final Concert at the All Saints Church Merriott (TA165PS). This will be the 10th and final year that the Fisher Sinfonia has performed at this 15thC church providing an unmissable evening of string ensembles with organ and piano accompaniment. Mince pies and refreshments before the concert to start the Christmas festivities. 7pm refreshments for a 7.30pm concert start. Tickets are £10 available from Merriott Service Station, Broadway, Merriott; Crewkerne Information Centre, or contact 07870 404631 / 01460 76360, please book early to avoid disappointment.

The Black Ven Spoken Word and Acoustic Music open mic nights return to the Galley Cafe in Lyme Regis to get warm and cozy for the Winter on the third Saturday of the month. All welcome. Bring your ears and your songs, ballads, poems, story and acoustic music for a warm welcome and friendly reception. Sign up 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start £2 entry one and all. With Keian’s delicious home-made cakes, hot drinks and full bar available. blackvenpress@gmail.com.

Local Community Choirs Free Christmas Show Come and join local community choirs Meeting Voices & Langport Community Choir in Chard’s Guildhall at 7.30pm as they “Sing out for Christmas”. All in aid of the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. This is a free performance with a short talk and simple retiring collection by members of the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. Mulled wine and mince pies in abundance. Joining in with the Choirs to guarantee a great time are performances by members of the much-loved local musical family The Farey’s and possibly even a proper Scottish Bagpipe rendition.

Near Ta Theatre – Christmas. Time 7pm Adult £8, Student/child £6, Family of four £25 Suits age 10+ Charlie and Toby are feeling low, and why wouldn’t they? It’s Christmas Day and they’re serving time at Her Majesty’s pleasure. But why shouldn’t they be having a Merry Christmas in spite of their incarceration? Join them on a fantastical adventure through Dickens,

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Looking Ahead Tues 1 Jan

The Lyme Lunge A fancy dress dip in the sea at Lyme Regis on New Year’s Day at 1pm. Free entry with a fancy dress parade at 1pm on the beach then a run for the water.

pantomime, musical, Christmas dinner and Christmas films! The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk 01404 384050.

Stompin’ Dave at Evershot Stompin’ Dave returns to Evershot Village Hall Bring your dancing shoes for an eclectic night of top quality American roots.

Dave has performed at bluegrass, blues, country, folk, rock n roll and old-time music festivals including some major festivals such as Glastonbury, Bestival, and Camp Bestival. At Evershot Dave will be unveiling an exciting new duo.

Doors open at 7.30pm the music starts at 8pm. There will be licensed bar. Entry is £10 on the door, advanced tickets £8 are available via www.stompinstore.com.

SAT 15 DEC - SUN 6 JANUARY 2019 Snowman trail Seaton Wetlands. Take part in a self-guided trail looking for snowmen around the wetlands. Can you spot them all? A chance to win a snowman to take home! £2 per trail, no booking required. Find out more at wildeastdevon.co.uk. Contact Wild East Devon at: wild@eastdevon.gov.uk, 01395517557.

SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER East Devon Ramblers leisurely 8 mile circular walk from Ottery St Mary.

10.30am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads. 01395 577891.

Purbeck Village Quire are performing in the acoustics of the Georgian courtroom at 1pm, Shire Hall, Dorchester. Tickets and info: £5 or free with an annual pass. For more information visit shirehalldorset.org.uk or call 01305 261849.

The Little Match Girl (The Last Baguette) 1.30pm & 4.30pm. £8 / £6 members & concessions / £25 family (max. 2 adults) Age guidance: 4+ Dorchester Arts, The Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF. 01305 266926 www.dorchesterarts.org.uk. In this touching, madcap and heart-warming Christmas show, The Last Baguette use visual story-telling, live music and puppetry to shine a light on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic winter tale.

Follow that star! Walking Nativity procession through the streets of Chard at 2pm. Start at the Guildhall and walk around the town. Gifts of non-perishable food will go to the Chard Food Bank to

Thur 3 Jan

NT Live (Encore): Allelujah! (15) The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ 7pm Adult £15.30, Student £12.30. www.beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

help those in need.

Candlelit Carol Service 4pm Jointly with St. Mary’s and St. Catherine’s Catholic Church - Mince Pies & Tea, St Swithun’s Church North Allington DT6 5DU. Free Parking.

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 240340.

MONDAY 17 DECEMBER A Talk on “The Edwardian Christmas” by Yvonne Bell. Chard & Ilminster District U3A invites all U3A members, and retired visitors, all very welcome to a talk on “ The Edwardian Christmas” by the celebrated writer and broadcaster Yvonne Bell. Admission is free with tea and biscuits provided. Find out what the U3A is all about. The talk provides light on how the Edwardian’s celebrated this festive season. 2pm The Guildhall, 14 Fore St, Chard TA20 1PH. Early booking recommended. More info Tel 0146068629 Website https:// u3asites.org.uk/chardilminster/home Email: lewbat@outlook.com.

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

TUESDAY 18 DECEMBER West Dorset Ramblers 8 miles Valleys around Cerne. Starts at 10am. Bring picnic, no dogs. All welcome. Please call 01300 320346.

Christmas carols and guided ramble 10am-1pm. Lift your spirits with Christmas carols and a guided ramble taking in the winter wildlife on Brownsea.

Finish your morning with some warming mince pies and mulled wine in our island church. Adult £25, child £12.50 . Also 20 December. Brownsea Island www. nationaltrust.org.uk.

Poetry Walk at Thorncombe Woods 1.30pm - 2.30pm (Stepping into Nature) All welcome, but especially suitable for people with dementia and their carers, these gentle strolls look at the landscape using senses such as touch, sound and smells to enable those involved to discover the reserve. Meet Claire at the Hardy’s Birthplace Visitor Centre (DT2

32 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Sat 5 Jan

Bridport Seed Potato Day Bridport United Church, East Street - 10.30am - 1.30pm Free admission. 60+ varieties of seed potato for sale. Plus many other seeds and plants.

8QH). Call Claire on 01305 251228 for more information or to book. This event is free as it’s part of Stepping into Nature.

Visit www.stepin2nature.org for info.

RNLI Christmas Carols in the George, West Bay with a Grand Raffle from 7pm - 10pm.

WEDNESDAY 19 DECEMBER East Devon Ramblers leisurely 7.5 mile circular walk from Beaminster. 10.00 start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads.

01297 23424.

Inner Wheel Club of Crewkerne meet for a fun and friendship lunch at Haselbury Mill TA18 7NY on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 12noon for 12.30pm. Interesting speakers booked.

Prospective new members are welcome to visit, advance booking required. Contact innerwheel@uwclub.net or 01460 63856.

Colyton & Colyford Memory Café Colyford Christmas Café in the Colyford Memorial Hall from 2pm - 4pm. For more information ring Sue Whitell on 01297 599477. Members are welcome to attend sessions in both Colyton and Colyford - see first and third Wednesdays.

Christmas Bingo at Henhayes Centre Crewkerne at 2pm. Good Prizes, raffles and refreshments available. All welcome.

01460 74340.

Devonshire Association Axe Valley Branch: at 2.30pm. An illustrated talk by Colin Pady “Carthorses to Computers”.

At the Pavillion, Peace Memorial Playing Fields, Coly Road, Colyton EX24 5PU. Entrance donation £1 for DA members and £3 for non-members. Contact: Brian Denham 01297551529 or brian_ denham@talktalk.net.

Angels Proclaim The Stanchester Quire Christmas Concert of carls and readings, collected from the South West of England, at St Mary’s Church, East Chinnock, BA22 9DR, at 7.30pm.

Retiring collection. Details from 01935 864408 or leosca4@gmail.com.

Jurassic Folk 8pm – 10.30pm, Music and song for all to enjoy. Free admission for musicians, singers & spectators. Eyre Court, 2 Queen Street, Seaton, EX12 2NY. For further details call Adrian 01404 549903 or Mike 01404 43429 or www. jurassicfolk.co.uk.

THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER Chard Camera Club at the Baptist Church hall at 7.30pm. In-house

completion on the subjects of ‘Close Up’ and two on an ‘Open’ subject. www. chardcameraclub.org.uk or membership secretary Joyce Partridge on 01460 66885.

Living Tree @ The Bull Hotel “Tabletop” games night with nibbles and drinks. A fun evening to round off the year. The Ostler Room, Bull Hotel, East Street, Bridport. Refreshments provided, drinks etc available from main bar, relaxed evening, friends & family welcome. Tel 07341 916 976. www. thelivingtree.org.uk.

Candlelit Carols for Choir and Congregation: Traditional service at Whitchurch Canonicorum Church 7pm.

Mad Dog McRea + support: Beans on Toast 8pm £16.50 in advance, £18 on the door (standing). Here to get your Christmas off to a great start. From self penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs of gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies – Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs.

The famous purple happy bus is fired up and ready for action, and there’s room for you – jump aboard! The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

THUR 20 – SAT 22 DECEMBER Season’s Greetings by Alan Ayckbourn (Somerleigh Players) 7.30pm £12 / £10 members & concessions / limited exclusive premium seating options available, see website for prices and further details.Dorchester Arts, The Corn Exchange, High East Street, DT1 1HF. 01305 266926 www.dorchesterarts.org. uk. Somerleigh Players guarantee festive fun. In the author’s own words: ‘a play about love and about how unfair it is.

And success and failure. And jealousy and self-deception. And greed and envy and lust and gluttony. Just an average family Christmas’.

FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER Winter solstice – Corfe Castle 7.15am 9am. Experience the rare opportunity to watch the sun rise on the shortest day of the year from the castle ruins. Includes a hot drink and breakfast roll. Booking essential 0344 249 1895 £12. www. nationaltrust.org.uk.

East Devon Ramblers moderate 5 mile circular walk from Otterton. 10am start.

Dogs on short leads. 01395 266668.

The Living Tree, cancer self-help group Members’ Christmas social – who knows what may happen. Drop in any time between 2pm and 4.30pm at

Friends Meeting House, 95 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NZ. Tel 07341 916 976. www.thelivingtree.org.uk.

Buddy Holly and the Cricketers Holly At Christmas 2018 26 Years of Rock ’n’ Rolling The World! 7.30pm, £19 £18 Bridport Arts Centre www.bridportarts.com. Buddy Holly and the Cricketers once again herald in the Yuletide festivities with Holly at Christmas, the show that is now as traditional as mulled wine and mince pies! Holly’s hits, other contemporary classics and some Christmas crackers are all wrapped up in a fast, furious and funny feast of entertainment to make the perfect gift for all the family.

Christmas Concert at Henhayes Centre Crewkerne The Phoenix Brass Band doors and Bar open at 7pm with concert starting at 7.45pm. Tickets £10 to include a glass of mulled wine and a mince.

Watkins & Swarbrick in concert Thorncombe Sports & Social Club, Horseshoe Lane, Thorncombe, nr Chard, TA20 4PS at 8pm. Bar, Pay what you think the performance was worth at the end. Booking Essential: 01305 837299 or songsfromthehalls234@gmail.com.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 33

FRI 21 – SAT 22 DECEMBER Lost Lore (Lost Tale Theatre) Friday 7pm, Saturday 4pm & 7pm £12 / £10 members & concessions / £25 family (max. 2 adults) Dorchester Arts, Wolfeton Riding House, Wolfeton, Charminster, Dorchester DT2 9QN 01305 266926 www.dorchesterarts.org.uk.

Using breath-taking sound design and enchanting animation, Lost Lore will transport you to a world of witches, princesses, tricksters and sorcery. Wrap up warm, bring along a blanket and gather around the fire for a spellbinding and unforgettable journey.

UNTIL SAT 22 DECEMBER Present Makers 2018 A selling exhibition of beautifully-designed, contemporary gifts, at Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG). The exhibition showcases work in a diverse range of materials including textiles, prints, ceramics, furniture and jewellery, all perfect for Christmas. Contemporary craft from the South West. Free admission, donations welcome.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG), Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LX www.thelmahulbert.com.

SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER Free live music by Plum Jam 11am – 1pm A four-piece band playing semi-accoustic Swing, Retro Pop, Latin and Jazz. Get into the Christmas spirit by coming along and enjoying some foottapping music. Arts Café Bar. The Old Courthouse, Church Street, Axminster EX13 5AQ. 01297 631455.

The Snow Baby 2pm Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com.

Deep in the remote snowy forest an icy wind blows and snowflakes fall from the sky. Doris and her Bear Man live on the jill, alone but happy.

Wrapped up in a snowy smother, they are in love. But when the snowstorm comes, Doris’ Bear Man disappears! How will Doris survive by herself in a forest plagued with nothing but bad weather and a cloud of hungry crows? Soap Soup Theatre present The Snow Baby, a magical children’s theatre show with beautiful puppetry, imaginative storytelling and music that will give you goosebumps – a gentle show exploring family, love and loss, with lots of music, confetti and funny bits for the whole family to enjoy!

The Sheldon Singers 7.30pm, St Paul’s Church, Honiton.

34 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Christmas Concert including Britten’s ‘Ceremony of Carols’ and congregational carols with organ.

Accompanied by Katie McClaughry – Harp and Sean Tucker – Organ.

Tickets £10. Contact Mike on 01404 480136, or on the door.

SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER The Nutcracker screened live from the Bolshoi Ballet, at The Gateway, Seaton. The holiday classic returns to the majestic Bolshoi stage for this timeless story to enchant audiences of all ages, as Marie’s Nutcracker doll magically transforms into a prince and their wonderful adventure begins. Licensed bar and refreshments. Doors open 2.30pm, screening starts 3pm.

Tickets £15adv/£17.50 on door (if available) online (no booking fee) at www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk, by phone 01297 625699 or in person at The Gateway, Fore Street, Seaton EX12 2LD. MONDAY 24 DECEMBER Candlelit 1st Mass of Christmas 6pm St Swithun’s Church North Allington DT6 5DU. Free Parking.

TUESDAY 25 DECEMBER Christmas Day Service 9.30am. St Swithun’s Church North Allington DT6 5DU. Free Parking.

WEDNESDAY 26 DECEMBER East Devon Ramblers strenuous 10 mile circular walk from Salcombe Hill. 10am start and bring picnic.

Dogs on short leads. 01297 22030.

FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER East Devon Ramblers leisurely 5.5 mile circular walk from Burleigh Salterton. 10am start. Dogs on short leads. 07786 077407.

The Living Tree, cancer self-help group Social meet-up. Drop in any time between 2pm and 4.30pm at Friends Meeting House, 95 South Street, Bridport DT6 3NZ. Tel 07341 916 976. www.thelivingtree. org.uk.

SATURDAY 29 DECEMBER Mary Anning Walks in Lyme Regis. See the landmarks of Lyme Regis’s most famous fossil-hunter in small groups with local expert Natalie Manifold. Learn about the life of ‘the greatest fossil hunter ever known’. Explore the town as Mary knew it, see where she lived and where she sold her fossils. The walk follows the old paths and streets of Lyme and

is moderately difficult with some steep slopes and approximately 20 steps. Flat shoes and waterproofs are recommended.

The duration of the walk is approximately an hour and a half. 1.30pm - 3pm Cost: £4 – £8. Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3QA 01297 443370 Book online: www. lymeregismuseum.co.uk/events/category/ walks/mary-anning-walks/.

Ballroom & Sequence dancing in Sidmouth Dancing with Henry & Jeannie at the Stowford Centre, Sidmouth EX10 9YL (opp Waitrose) from 8pm – 11pm Ballroom, Latin and some sequence. £6 each pay on the door. 01803 325905 www. dancingduo.co.uk.

SUNDAY 30 DECEMBER East Devon Ramblers moderate 9.5 mile circular walk from Wooton Hill. 10am start and bring picnic. Dogs on short leads.

01297 22030.

Angels of Sound Voice Playshop 10am – 12.30pm If you think meditation means only silent navel gazing-think again! Toning is an ‘out loud’ form of meditation, energising the subtle body chakras by joyfully sounding the sacred Sanskrit (actually universal) vowel sounds.

Overtoning,-learning to make audible the usually inaudible overtones present in any note you sing-is a form of sonic ‘magic’ associated with the sacred sound secrets of all esoteric traditions. £12, Booking in advance and further details www. centreforpuresound.org ahiahel@live. com 01935 389655. Oborne Village Hall, Oborne, nr. Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4LA .

Crystal and Tibetan Singing Bowl Soundbath Oborne Village Hall, Oborne, nr. Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4LA 2pm – 4pm. Experience a magical performance of Pure Sound by musician Dean Carter using singing bowls plus sacred vocal overtoning which promotes a deeply relaxing and healing state to rebalance and re-energise your body, mind and spirit. Your ‘participation’ involves simply lying down and enjoying/absorbing the sounds. (You may sit if preferred.) £12, Booking in advance and further details www.centreforpuresound.org ahiahel@ live.com 01935 389655. Bring something comfortable to lie on and wrap around you.

MONDAY 31 DECEMBER New Year’s Eve Celebration Ceilidh with Jigs for Gigs at 8.15pm. Bring in 2019 in style with music and dance at The David Hall. Tickets: £17 includes a light supper.

No concessions. Booking essential by Friday 14 December. No tickets available on the night. The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www.thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240340.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 35

Courses&Workshops TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER Working with Crystals Workshop With Bernice Cockram – Certified ICGT Crystal Therapist. The Mackarness Hall, High Street Honiton EX14 1NP 10am - 4pm Cost £35 to include handouts. For more information and to book please contact: Bernice Cockram Tel: 07855 728216 / Email: bernicecrystaltherapist@gmail.com.

FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER Learn to Crochet 1.30pm - 4pm £25 Leader: Michelle Bowers. Come along to our Learn to Crochet Taster Session. www. coastalcraftcollective.co.uk Coastal Craft Collective, 10 Marine Place, Seaton, Devon EX12 2QL.01297 691362.

By the Loom - A Fun Craft Day Axminster Heritage hands-on spinning and weaving group. Everyone welcome beginners and the more experienced. 10.30am – 3pm £3 More info: 01404 831207 or phone to book a place. An Axminster Heritage Craft Day The Bradshaw Meeting Room, Thomas Whitty House, Silver Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AH. SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER Wreath making workshop at Shire Hall, Dorchester 2pm - 4pm Tickets and info: Tickets are £20, which includes foliage, tea or coffee and a mince pie. Booking is essential so please call 01305 261849 or visit shirehalldorset.org.uk.

Festive Event and Family Workshop drop between 11am and 3pm. Create fabric tinsel with artist Anna Aroussi to decorate your tree/home this festive season.

Enjoy mulled wine and a mince pie. THG Friends can benefit from a 15% discount on purchases. All ages/abilities welcome.

Free, suggested donation £2/child. Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG), Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LX www.thelmahulbert. com 01404 45006.

SAT 1 – SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER Life Drawing Weekend Tutor Louise Banks. Starting with expressive line drawing in charcoal going onto using water soluble pencils and ink. Materials will be provided but please bring a large A2 pad of heavyweight drawing paper. An optional extra would be to bring your own selection of primary colour Derwent Inktense pencils, although there will be some provided to use too. The School of Art and Wellbeing Tel: 01404 45699 info@artandwellbeing. net. Cuckoo Down Lane, Honiton, Devon.

EX14 9TT. www.artandwellbeing.net.

MONDAY 3 DECEMBER Family History - One day special -

‘Shadow of the Workhouse’. One day course hosted at Marsh Barn Farm, Burton Rd. Bridport, 10am – 4pm, cost £30 includes tea, coffee and biscuits, bring lunch.

Contact Jane on 01308 425710 or email: jferentzi@aol.com.

Developing Reflex Drawing Technique A fun class to learn to draw spontaneously; Tutored by Marie Blake, formerly a professional art teacher, who now focuses mainly on her own work See: http://www. marieblake.com/ £4 per class 2pm – 4pm Spaces are limited, please phone to book.

More info: 01404 831207 An Axminster Heritage Craft Day, The Bradshaw Meeting Room, Thomas Whitty House, Silver Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AH. Snow Globe 10am - 12.30pm or 2pm - 4.30pm £25. Revel in the beauty and elegance of this stunning design. Learn how to create your Christmas floral scene inside a contemporary styled glass globe. A gorgeous addition for your home – or a gift to make someone’s Christmas sparkle. Workshops taught by award-winning Somerset tutor Jackie Nicholls from Ashville Design.

Venue Combe St Nicholas Village Hall near Chard, TA20 3NY. For details of this and upcoming workshops visit www.ashvilledesign.co.uk or call Jackie on 01460 67795 or 07906 259 683.

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER Christmas Wreath Making at Furleigh Estate 10am Join us for a festive morning at the vineyard, decorating wreaths made from Furleigh Estate vines. Coffee and cake on arrival and a glass of fizz to finish the session. Tickets £40. Visit furleighestate. co.uk/events to book your place or call 01308 488 991 for more details.

Christmas Driftwood Creations 7pm 9pm, £18 Leader: Alison Bowskill. Have fun creating your own unique Christmas wreaths and decorations from locally collected driftwood - perhaps a reindeer, star or angel. £5 - payable on the evening.

Coastal Craft Collective, 10 Marine Place, Seaton, Devon EX12 2QL, 01297 691362, www.coastalcraftcollective.co.uk.

Art Classes at Mangerton Mill Wednesday’s and Thursday’s 9.30am -12.30pm £16 with most materials supplied. Please phone Tara to book or for more information 07505 268 797.

THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER Christmas Chutneys and Bread 10am – 3pm £55 per person. Get ready for the festive season by joining us to make spiced chutneys and delicious fruit breads.

Based at Magdalen, our resident cooks Mary and Dawn will use produce from our

36 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

own organic farm . Sample your baking at lunchtime and take home your creations for your family to enjoy at the end of the day. Light refreshments and a tasty home cooked lunch is included along with a tour of our working farm and education centre.

Spaces are limited to a small group. www. magdalenfarm.org.uk/events or email julia@magdalenfarm.org.uk.

FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER Nordic Walking at Furleigh Estate 10.45am. Join in a winter session of Nordic Walking in the vineyard. All levels of ability welcome. Coffee to start and a glass of festive fizz to finish. Tickets £10 which includes hire of poles. Visit furleighestate. co.uk/events to book your place or call 01308 488 991 for more details.

Wreath making at Seaton Wetlands 2pm - 4pm and 6pm - 8pm, Reed Base at Seaton Wetlands. Come and make your own beautiful, natural Christmas wreath for your front door. Includes festive drinks and mince pies! £15 per person, booking required. Find out more at wildeastdevon. co.uk. Contact Wild East Devon at: wild@ eastdevon.gov.uk, 01395517557.

Willow wreath workshop at Broadwindsor Craft Centre with guest florists Twigs &Twine. 9.30am – 12.30pm £35pp jojo. sadler@hotmail.co.uk or 07531417209.

Also 14 December.

Traditional Wreath Making All day Workshop 10am – 4pm Kennaway House in Sidmouth £50. A florist lead workshop teaching the traditional methods to make a beautiful fresh foliage wreath. www.floralities.co.uk 01395 519746 or 07807 615902.

Creative Watercolours Explore the creative and expressive techniques that will set your watercolour paintings apart from the crowd. A friendly and relaxed class - all abilities welcome. With tutor Nicky Clarke. 10am-3pm. £24. Book with Nicky on: 01460 281773. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster.

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

SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER Jewellery making with Caroline Parrott 10am - 4pm in the learning Room, Shire Hall, Dorchester. Tickets and info: £65 – includes all materials and lunch. For more information call Abbie King on 01305 261849.

Christmas Wreath-making Workshop 11am - 1pm with Zanna at her floral studio in St Michael’s trading estate. Learn how to make a beautiful moss-based Christmas wreath to take home. Children over the age of about 9 are welcome with a parent (one parent per child please). All materials

provided, including tea and cake! Booking essential. Contact Zanna at Champernhayes Flowers & Foliage: zannahoskins1@yahoo. co.uk / 07789564557. £35 per person. Also 15 and 22 December.

Willow Deer at Broadwindsor Craft Centre£75 pp 10am - 4-30pm. jojo.sadler@ hotmail.co.uk or 07531417209.

Creating Christmas Cards & Paper for Children 10am - 12noon £15 Leader Lucy Hanley. Hand stamping and designing lots of wrapping paper - enough for all your family! With Metallic and neon paints and traditional Christmas colours - of course!

Coastal Craft Collective, 10 Marine Place, Seaton, Devon EX12 2QL, 01297 691362, www.coastalcraftcollective.co.uk.

Tunnel card making workshop 11am - 3pm. Join artist Jo Priestley, to create a LIGHT UP Christmas Tunnel Card to give to someone special. All ages and abilities. Please note unaccompanied children must be at least 10 yrs old. Limited places, booking essential. Please call 01404 45006.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG), Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LX www.thelmahulbert.com.

essential - please call 01404 45006. Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG), Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LX www.thelmahulbert. com.

SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER Traditional Wreath Making all day Workshop 10am – 4pm Coastal Craft Collective in Seaton £50. A florist lead workshop teaching the traditional methods to make a beautiful fresh foliage wreath. www.floralities.co.uk 01395 519746 or 07807 615902.

FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER Driftwood Christmas Tree on Canvas 1pm - 4pm £15 Leader: Gillian BeckmanFindlay. Coastal Craft Collective, 10 Marine Place, Seaton, Devon EX12 2QL, 01297 691362, www.coastalcraftcollective.co.uk.

By the Loom - A Fun Craft Day Axminster Heritage hands-on spinning and weaving group, everyone welcome beginners and the more experienced. 10.30am – 3pm £3 More info: 01404 831207 or phone to book a place. An Axminster Heritage Craft Day. Dalwood Pavilion EX13 7EU.

MONDAY 10 DECEMBER QuickMake Traditional Christmas Wreath 10am – 1pm Coastal Craft Collective in Seaton £30.

A florist lead morning workshop where you will be taught a quicker method of making a wreath. www.floralities.co.uk 01395 519746 or 07807 615902.

Fabulous Festive Ideas 10am - 12.30 or 2pm - 4.30pm £20. This workshop will demonstrate oodles of ideas for low-cost gifts and decorations for your home. Be inspired - don’t miss this one. Workshops taught by award-winning Somerset tutor Jackie Nicholls from Ashville Design.

Venue Combe St Nicholas Village Hall near Chard, TA20 3NY. For details of this and upcoming workshops visit www.ashvilledesign.co.uk or call Jackie on 01460 67795 or 07906 259 683.

TUESDAY 11 DECEMBER Christmas Ceramic Bunting 1.30pm 4pm £10 Leader: Gillian Beckman-Findlay.

Come and design/decorate your own Christmas ceramic bunting - approx 5cm x 5cm. Coastal Craft Collective, 10 Marine Place, Seaton, Devon EX12 2QL, 01297 691362, www.coastalcraftcollective.co.uk.

Christmas Wreath Workshop 2pm - 4pm.

Join artist Penny Evans who will guide you through making a Christmas wreath from natural materials to adorn your front door! £20 per participant (£18 THG Friends) All materials provided. Limited places, booking

WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER Create the perfect Christmas wreath – from £55 pp at the Alexandra Lyme Regis, Dorset. Create your very own speciallydesigned wreath in The Old Chapel at the Alexandra on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. 10am – 1pm priced at £55 per person, join one of the area’s top florists for expert guidance on creating a stunning decoration, with all materials provided, as well as tea, coffee and mince pies. Stay overnight from £180 per room per night/£90 pp (two sharing), including full English breakfast. Call the Alexandra on 01297 442 010(www.hotelalexandra.co.uk). Also on 14 December.

Indulgent Christmas Wreath Making Workshop 10.30am - 4.30pm The Salty Monk in Sidmouth £95. A florist lead all day workshop to learn the traditional methods and make a fresh foliage wreath with lots of indulgent treats. www.floralities. co.uk 01395 519746 or 07807 615902.

SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER

Christmas Craft Making Christmas slime and other Christmassy crafts.

10am – 4pm Shire Hall, Dorchester.

Tickets and info: Cost £3 per child with all materials included. This workshop is suitable for ages 3yrs+. No need to book, just drop in.

Luscious Doors 10am - 3pm £30. Create a truly fabulous luxury door wreath that you’ll be proud to say you made with your own fair hands. Workshops taught by award-winning Somerset tutor Jackie Nicholls from Ashville Design. Venue Combe St Nicholas Village Hall near Chard, TA20 3NY. For details of this and upcoming workshops visit www.ashvilledesign.co.uk or call Jackie on 01460 67795 or 07906 259 683.

SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER

Willow Christmas Decorations 10am - 4pm, Reed Base at Seaton Wetlands.

Make wreaths, stars, hearts, 2d trees and more! £45 per person, booking required.

Find out more at wildeastdevon.co.uk.

Contact Wild East Devon at: wild@ eastdevon.gov.uk, 01395517557.

MONDAY 17 DECEMBER

Sensational Centrepiece 10am - 3pm £30. Come and be inspired… and admired. Workshops taught by awardwinning Somerset tutor Jackie Nicholls from Ashville Design. Venue Combe St Nicholas Village Hall near Chard, TA20 3NY. For details of this and upcoming workshops visit www.ashvilledesign.co.uk or call Jackie on 01460 67795 or 07906 259 683.

TUESDAY 18 DECEMBER

Table Wreath Floral Design Workshop 10.30am - 1.30pm The Salty Monk in Sidmouth £85. A florist lead morning workshop where you will learn how to make a beautiful fresh foliage and flower table design to include lunch. www.floralities.co.uk 01395 519746 or 07807 615902.

THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER

Collagraphy Discover this versatile printing process, using different low relief textures – anything from textiles, to leaves, buttons, card and string. With Claire Jeanes. 1.30-4.30pm. £15 (excluding materials). Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster.

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

SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER

Christmas Holiday Crafting 10.30am 3.30pm Leader Gillian Beckman-Findlay.

Drop in and have a go at one of our many crafts - including silk painting, decopatch, ceramic painting, block printing, wet felting, sand art, pebble painting and sewing - there’s something for everyone. Coastal Craft Collective, 10 Marine Place, Seaton, Devon EX12 2QL, 01297 691362, www.coastalcraftcollective.co.uk.

Also 29 December.

SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER

Christmas Bonbon Dish with Oasis Floral Design 1.30pm - 4.30pm The Salty Monk in Sidmouth £95. A florist lead after workshop where you will make a beautifully fresh oasis design in a ceramic gold and white striped bonbon dish and be treated to afternoon tea. www.floralities.co.uk 01395 519746 or 07807 615902.

FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER

By the Loom - A Fun Craft Day Axminster Heritage hands-on spinning and weaving group. Everyone welcome beginners and the more experienced. 10.30am – 3pm £3 More info: 01404 831207 or phone to book a place. An Axminster Heritage Craft Day The Bradshaw Meeting Room, Thomas Whitty House, Silver Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AH.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 37

News &Views

SOMERSET

CHARD

DORSET

Central government has given Somerset an almost £10m windfall to spend on fixing potholes. Dorset is to receive £6m to help improve its roads.

In the Budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announced that an extra £420m of new funding would be spent on improvements and repairs to Britain’s road network. The Department for Transport has confirmed that the South West will see just under £72m of this funding. Somerset County Council has called on the government for more long-term, stable funding for its transport network.

Roads Minister Jesse Norman said: “Potholes are a huge problem for all road users, and too often we see issues occurring at the same place time after time.”

Former Chard GP Dr Andrew Tresidder has written a book sharing his health knowledge gained in Chard over 23 years. He said he had been privileged to be a GP in Chard from 1989 until 2013 at what is now called the Springmead Surgery and had learnt a great deal of common sense about health from the people of Chard whilst there, as well as from colleagues and other NHS staff, and complementary therapists. The book is a compilation of common sense about health and people, learnt in his time as a GP, and is written for everyone, not just health professionals, he said. “It aims to interest, inform, provoke curiosity, and help us think outside the box on some important areas.” He launched Health & Self Care for Health Professionals with a signing at Chard Bookshop.

Dorset’s Chief Constable, James Vaughan, has warned that continuing cuts to the police budget could result in a significant impact on services.

He said: ““I am extremely concerned that the stark reality of our current financial outlook means that we may no longer be able to provide anything but the most basic services to the most vulnerable sectors of our community.” He said that since the beginning of the Government’s austerity programme, Dorset Police’s budget had been cut by £25 million and, as a direct result, had seen the loss of 500 officers and staff. “This rate of decline simply cannot continue without having a significant impact on our services,” he said. He said other than a small one-off amount of funding to support counter terrorism, the Chancellor’s budget had not offered any additional funds to police forces.

Millions to be spent fixing potholes

Doctor shares his tips for a healthy life

DEVON

Campaign for people with disabilities A new campaign encouraging businesses to recruit more people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs has been launched by Devon County Council and Jobcentre Plus. ‘Ready When You Are’ aims to raise awareness of the advantages of employing people with disabilities and to highlight the wide range of support available to employers and candidates to help with recruitment. Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, said: “There is a potential workforce in Devon that has very employable skills, and yet who find it very difficult to find paid employment. There is no reason why, with support, that employment could not be successful and for that person to bring to the employer their skills and abilities that will benefit their business.”

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Budget cuts put policing at risk

WEST DORSET

Free Festive parking

West Dorset District Council is offering free parking in some of its car parks in the run-up to Christmas. All car parks will be free in Bridport on Wednesday 5 December. At Sherborne, there will free parking every Monday in December apart from on New Year’s Eve. Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton and Blandford Forum are also taking part. Cllr Mary Penfold, West Dorset District Council’s portfolio holder for eEnabling, said: “We are delighted to offer free parking in our wonderful and unique county town for Christmas shoppers, or those wishing to indulge in our wonderful cultural attractions.” Cllr Sherry Jespersen, North Dorset District Council’s portfolio holder for community and regeneration, said she hoped the free parking initiatives would give a boost to the towns’ businesses.

2018 Lateral Christmas Catalogue Laterally Speaking by Humphrey Walwyn

A

s December 25th is fast approaching, it’s time once again to hunt down some lovely gifts for your nearest and dearest. But let’s please have some originality this Christmas. You should be fondly remembered by your loved ones for your creative spark and inspiring ingenuity at choosing presents.

Be brave, be imaginative, be lateral! No more boring old socks or handkerchiefs, strangely branded eau-de-toilette or bath salts smelling of formaldehyde. If you wouldn’t really appreciate receiving a book on ‘Famous Cats of the World’, then there’s every chance that Uncle Jack wouldn’t want it either. Last year’s fluorescent reindeer hat (so cute when first worn) is no longer a ‘must-have’ fashion accessory and meercats are so desperately LAST year, darlings…

So, here’s my list of lateral gift suggestions for 2018. I’d love to buy some of them for myself if anyone decided to make them available.

Smart Noise Cancelling Headphones: Of course, these exist already but they’re not selective. They may lower the volume of some unwanted background noises (cars, washing machine, annoying music from next door etc) but I’m talking here about special headphones that can be programmed in advance to remove 100% of particular sounds. For example, I never ever want to hear again the ‘Go Compare’ commercial, Justin Bieber’s song “Baby” nor the immortal self-service check out refrain of “Unexpected item in the bagging area”.

My special headphones would selectively remove these and only these sounds, leaving me to enjoy the rest of my life in relative peace and calm. I could also programme it to erase the sound of dripping taps, chainsaws (but only on Sunday afternoons), the squeak of squeezed polystyrene and all crying babies. And if it ever picks up the word ‘Brexit’, it instantly eliminates all conversation and plays me a soothing Bach symphony to ease my furrowed European brow. I would be prepared to really pay a lot of money for these headphones if only somebody would invent them. iBus: After the iPhone and the iPad, comes the iBus app. With existing rural bus services being slimmed down and under threat, it’s increasingly difficult to get anywhere without a car. So here comes iBus—a free app downloadable to your

mobile. Tired of waiting for the next X53 from Axminster to Bridport or the 96A from Yeovil to Crewkerne? You will feel much more relaxed when you use this App and see pictures of the bus than might be on its way to you. Watch the film of it arriving and listen to the sound of the approaching bus to calm your frazzled nerves. You will feel instant karma at the mere thought of the bus’ arrival. IMPORTANT: Please note that the buses seen on this app are entirely fictional and virtual. No real bus may actually arrive, but you might feel a bit better for a minute or two.

European Experience: Instead of a box of chocs or a gift set of nice smelly soap, why not take your family abroad on an adventure of a lifetime? Visit beautiful Strasbourg and historic Brussels. Your children will gasp in awe at the Council of Europe and your partner will dribble with sheer joy at the complexity of Luxembourg’s European Stability Mechanism. Fun For All The Family? Well, not really if I’m honest…

Margate or Manchester might be just as good, and very much cheaper.

Gin Joint: After last year’s alcoholic hit of Prosecco, 2018 is the year of Gin. Buy your family our do-it-yourself Gin Joint Kit so you can make ever more adventurous flavoured gin cocktails such as Jurassic Coast dinosaur flavour or organic rustic drain with diesel-oil aroma. You can even sample our new Gin Jam on a hot buttered crumpet.

BrainStick TV: Do you gasp in wonder at the huge proliferation of TV channels and programmes? Confused by Netflix and Amazon Prime and digital downloads?

Are you screaming at Streaming ‘cos you don’t know how to watch whatever it is?

Well, worry no more. A small operation will take only five minutes and you can watch any TV programme at any time without even opening your eyes (pain-free and only £9,999 per insertion). Smaller than a grain of wheat, the BrainStick is implanted just behind your right ear (almost invisible) and streams every known TV programme in the world for free straight into your brain!

Watch last week’s Apprentice on BBC while reviewing The Crown and Fargo simultaneously. No point in wasting time catching up on missed episodes when you can watch everything at once. What’s the point in sleeping when you could be part of The Walking Dead for real? WARNING: May cause brain overload, epilepsy and seizures.

Toy train for 2018 – beware of leaves on the line

Do not drive while using BrainStick.

New Train Set: Model trains are always a favourite gift and the 2018 Xmas Train is no exception. Unfortunately this one’s either running late or it’s been delayed because of engineering works near Surbiton.

The service to and from Waterloo has unfortunately left quite a bit to be desired and has finally been cancelled for Christmas. Out of stock. Also out of patience.

Recycling—the Game: Family card and board games are perennial favourites at Christmas time. After the turkey and Xmas Pud, clear the table and put away your mobile phones and have fun playing one of these new games! Try your hand at ‘the Recycling Game’ in which players draw cards at random depicting various festive items.

The object is to guess where they will go when it’s time to throw them away. Does gift wrapping paper go into recycling or rubbish? Does mistletoe go into the food compost? Try and catch Grandad as he attempts to slip some metallic tinsel off the tree into the wrong bin! Naughty Grandad!

And where do you put the Christmas tree itself ? Surely not into organic recycling?

Fun For All the Family! Well, it was fun until Auntie Jean had a serious sense of humour failure about whether the sprig of holly on the Christmas pudding should go into garden waste!

Brexit—the Game: Yup, it’s another game and I’m sorry but this one’s a must because whatever you do there’s no avoiding it. At a restaurant, the players all sit round the table having a nice time. Then, one of them announces they’re going to get up and leave. The object is for all of them to agree on why, how and when the leaving takes place and how much they will pay each other for the lunch bill.

Suitable for up to 27 players, this game can last several decades, so it’s not really suitable for one afternoon over Christmas.

Fun For All the Family? Absolutely not.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 39

House&Garden

Council seeks Foster Carers DO you have room in your heart and your home for a child? That’s the question being asked by Dorset County Council who would like to make direct contact with foster carers. Placements can be anything from one weekend a month to long term placements—and YOU are in control of how much or how little you’d like to offer.

If you have a spare bedroom and are aged over 21, they’d love to hear from you. To find out more go to www.fosterindorset.com or email fosteringenquiries@ dorsetcc.gov.uk, or call 01305 225568. You will be provided with lots of information and there is no obligation to proceed at any stage.

40 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Shop local in Beaminster TICKING all the Christmas boxes by shopping local and supporting real people can be a bit tricky at times, yet more and more of us want to. Discovering what Beaminster’s businesses have to offer can help us do just that.

Beaminster’s independent shops offer a whole range of ideas from food to glassware, blankets to scarves, books to hand made cups at prices to suit all pockets. Whether we’re thinking of a little something for a friend or a unique present for Mum, there’s choice between organic beauty products or vouchers for a little pamper at a favourite hair salon. As for Dad, there’s always books with fun facts or great walks, socks, obviously, or a treat of time spent together chatting over a delicious meal at one of Beaminster’s award winning restaurants.

A beautiful bouquet is always welcome when we’re invited, a fluffy teddy will be cuddled by little ones, a handbag is on many a sister’s wish list, jewellery always brings a smile, locally made soap saves on plastic, a ‘Dad’ mug is cherished, pets won’t be forgotten, art deco could be the answer, classic rose or lavender is still a winning scent though more exotic alternatives are available.

Listing all that can be found in Beaminster is impossible, but for those of us who want to choose independent businesses rather than the faceless giants, it’s good to know there’s a local town that offers an eclectic range of food, gifts and home ideas on our doorstep. Discover Beaminster!

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 41

Tales of Witches

By Cecil Amor

W

e wish you a Happy Christmas and a peaceful year to follow.

As the nights grew darker people used to sit around the fire and roast chestnuts and tell each other old chestnuts! Some may like to tell stories of witches, but do not expect to encounter a witch. Some twenty years ago I was investigating the Nine Stones Circle just before Winterbourne Abbas, between Bridport and Dorchester on the right hand side of the road. I needed to take measurements as I had been unable to find a reliable plan and so enlisted the help of a fellow committee member of Bridport History Society, Marilyn Sealy, who is also skilled with a camera. On entering the circle we discovered a short branch of a tree on top of one stone. It was possibly willow with all leaves and side shoots removed and had been carefully dressed with coloured wool and beads and some ribbon. We thought it was some sort of witchcraft and left it there. The next time I went to the circle the wand had miraculously disappeared.

Witches have been talked of since very early times. In the Bible there is a description of the Witch of Endor with Samuel and Saul. Witches came to prominence in Britain after the reformation when Puritans appear to have associated witchcraft with the catholic church.

Matthew Hopkins (c.1620 to 1647) son of a Protestant minister appointed himself as “Witchfinder General” in Essex, but this was not a legal post. Nevertheless he and John Sterne caused havoc among the populace by their witch trials. People would report their neighbours for possible signs of witchcraft, usually an elderly woman living alone who was unfriendly and had a pet, e.g. a black cat, a ferret, frog and toad, who fed hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are nocturnal and therefore were considered to be evil. Such animals were described as a witches “familiars” and witches were said to be able to turn herself into her familiar. Another familiar was believed to be a hare, and it was believed the only way to shoot a hare was with a bullet made from silver. Women are more likely to be considered evil, like Eve in the Old Testament. The usual check to determine if a woman was a witch was to cast her into the local pond and if she floated she must be a witch, but if she sank then she was not, but if she drowned that was too bad. In the years 1645 to 1647 it is said that 100 women were hanged for witchcraft.

Reverting to the willow, it often grows near water, which was thought to be suspicious. Green willow taken into a sick room will cool it and the sick person. A witches wand is about an arms length with the leaves removed. Willow was also reputed to be used for the witches broom stick, and with other types to form the broom.

Trees are said to creep about at night. A song includes “All around my hat I will weave the green willow”. Bats are also thought to be connected with witches as they fly at night. Bats are now said to be plentiful on Golden Cap. You will surely recall the three witches in Macbeth by William Shakespeare (born 1564) who entered a dark cave with a central boiling cauldron, saying “thrice the brindled cat hath mew’d”, “thrice and once the hedge-pig whin’d” and then all three witches

42 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

said “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble”. They threw poison’d entrails into the cauldron, fillet of a fenny snake, eye of newt, toe of frog, wool of bat, adder’s fork , howlet’s wing, root of hemlock and so on. Another phrase is “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes”.

Macbeth calls them “secret, black and midnight hags” and finally they dance and vanish.

The male equivalent of the witch was the “Cunning Man”. In Netherbury lived John (or James) Walsh, said to be “a servant and pupil of a popish priest Robert Drayton for seven years who had taught him physics and surgery and much else of a less praiseworthy nature”. He confessed to the Commissary of the Bishop of Exeter in 1566 that he employed a “familiar”, sometimes a dog, a pigeon, “a gray blackish bird”, or a cloven footed man to discover lost or stolen goods. He was under suspicion of divination and sorcery and said he had his master’s book with “great circles in it” which he used with two wax candles and a wax crucifix to raise the familiar spirit. He rewarded his familiars with a gift of a chicken or a cat and pleaded that he had never harmed anyone. He would climb to the top of high hills between midnight and dawn to meet fairies in a fairy hut and said that “fairies” came as white, green or black, the latter meaning death.

After his book was taken away by the Constable of Crewkerne, Walsh said he could no longer raise the spirit and perform. Walsh declared that daily recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and Creed would protect from harm by witchcraft. The results of the investigation are not known, but at the time could have resulted in his execution for witchcraft. In this century he might have been given tranquilisers. As time went on a Cunning Man was also known as a Conjurer or “White Witch” and frequently referred to for curing illnesses of man or beast.

Eventually these Cunning Men and White Witches became herbalists and made up potions to cure some illnesses. Thomas Hardy has a short story in his Wessex Tales—The Withered Arm—about a young wife who has an increasing problem with one arm. She is directed to a Cunning Man, Conjuror Trendle, who sold furze, turf and sharp sand and plays down his magic accomplishments saying that when he is said to have cured warts that they may have gone naturally. He broke an egg so that only the white fell into a glass of water and she saw the face of her husband’s discarded mistress in the glass. The story ends in a very sad way which I will not relate here but leave you to read for yourself, if you wish.

Locally Elizabeth Gale in her book about Burton Bradstock says that fishermen in years past who believed their boats were bewitched would nail a mackerel stuck with pins to the stern. For luck they might carry a pebble with a hole right through it, a “Holy Stone”.

In 1687 in Lyme Regis the wife of Deanes Grimmerton was alleged to have bewitched 18 year old Nathaniel Scorch by sharing her tobacco pipe with him. He had fits and then a rusty nail and brass pins were taken from his body, with no trace of blood and then he saw an apparition of Grimmerton. Similar finds were

found from Elizabeth Tillman, who died at 18, after fits and also saying she had seen the apparition of Grimmerton. In 1700 widow Margaret Way and Anne Traul were charged with witchcraft after Frances Callway had fits which doctors said were unnatural. Several months later she improved until she saw Anne Traull again in the bakehouse, where they had an argument and the fits returned. She claimed that Traull and Way were pinching and pricking her, then she vomited pins and a broken needle. In both cases brought before Lyme Mayors Standerwicke and Burridge, and then tried at Dorchester the alleged witches were found not guilty.

William Barnes has a poem “A Witch” which says : “There’s thik wold hag, Moll Brown, look zee, jus’ past! I wish the ugly sly wold witch, would tumble over into the ditch....

She did, woone time, a dreadful deal o’ harm To Farmer Gruff ’s vo’k, down at Lower Farm.”

Briefly he tells the full story, including ways to combat witches with horse shoes nailed over the door and the farmer’s wife trying to draw blood from the witch with a pin, which snapped against her skin.

I hope these stories have not worried you and you sleep well. Meanwhile, we wish you again a very happy Christmas.

Bridport History Society meets on Tuesday December 11th at 2.30 pm in the United Church Main Hall, East Street, Bridport to hear from John Willows about “Water for a West Dorset Quartet : public water supplies from 1797 to present day”. All welcome, visitors entrance fee £3.

With Christmas Cheer, Cecil Amor, Hon President, Bridport History Society.

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Vegetables in December

By Fergus Dowding

A

t last, a month when there is nothing to sow! In the mild weather our vegetable garden is looking good where we transplanted lots of turnips, rocket, Mizuna and lettuce as we gradually removed summer crops in September and October.

Roots are coming up beautifully clean, and we are wondering if the dry summer soil made it trickier for nibbling predators such as woodlice and slugs.

In April an MW reader wrote in suggesting sowing carrots in pots in a warm greenhouse. They all came up in a week, and dibbing them into soil with a pencil meant I could get perfect spacing. They were planted under mesh and are now harvesting well, although seem more fanged than usual in our stony soil.

I might be repeating myself, but this year’s yields were all about water. If you had access to a huge water butt like mine, all was fine and yields great. Take care not to spend too much on laying leaky pipes for next year, as that will for sure make it rain heavily next summer!

Yields in the greenhouse were fabulous. For peppers even more than tomatoes, early February sowing gave ripe red peppers by July, whereas a late March sowing had loads of mainly green peppers by the time the first frost came. We brought the fruit into the kitchen, where they are going slightly soft but remain delicious when green, and some are still ripening and turning a beautiful red colour.

If you feel you have to sow something this month, try Aquadulce broad bens and Douce Provence peas indoors in a seed tray, they will come up slowly and can be transplanted outside in January—they’re less prone to vermin attack as plants. And why are Christmas trees so hopeless at sewing? Because they keep dropping their needles.

As late-sown parsnips were growing slowly without watering, we transplanted some red curly kale between them. They have done well and the parsnips, although small, have also done well, even if difficult to dig out round the kale.

In the tunnel Chicory Scarola blonda in the foreground makes a crunchy salad leaf , beyond is Lille Gem lettuce growing well in the mild autumn, much stronger plants from home-saved seed, all picked several times. These were sown in mid August and transplanted under tomato in September. A row of emerging carrot seedlings are coming up, sown three weeks earlier. They will reach a good size by April/May, and will be followed by more tomatoes next spring.

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School garden project gets support from local business St Mary’s School garden project is being given £500 a year for the next three years by Dorset law firm Kitson & Trotman.

The much-needed donation comes after one of the firm’s Partners, Richard King, visited the garden as he accompanied judges of this year’s Melplash Agricultural Society’s garden competition in his role as society president.

And now other local businesses are being encouraged to help fund the ground-breaking project, which society awarded the George Payne Memorial Trophy for achievement in an educational allotment.

“If ten other businesses could donate a similar sum, it would be invaluable to help with the costs of running the garden and running family cookery workshops as well as developing other projects,” Mr King said.

Tina Ellen Lee, one of the supporters of the St Mary’s garden team, said Home in Bridport was delighted with the three-year sponsorship from Kitson & Trotman and added: “If we could find ten businesses it would mean that the money for the gardeners, nutritionist and the payment for running the family cookery workshops would be secure per annum.”

Mr King described his visit to the garden as ‘like a breath of fresh air.’

He said: “I was so impressed with the enthusiasm of the ladies who are running the garden and the fact that young children grow the vegetables and fruit, pick them and they then take it to the kitchen and they have them for lunch.

“It’s wonderful to see children learning about the provenance of food and actually growing, cooking and eating it.”

His colleague, Kitson & Trotman Partner Tracy Scammell, was equally taken with the garden when she was taken on a tour of the garden and kitchen.

“It’s a great project and lovely to see how something so simple can make such a difference,” she said.

If you run a business locally and would like to help sponsor the project, please contact tina@operacircus. co.uk or info.homeinbridport@gmail.com

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December in the Garden

By Russell Jordan

A

recent acquisition of a new, old, bookcase has afforded me the opportunity to dig out some of my old gardening books. Having been forced to perform an emergency, spine re-glueing operation, on a small, green, volume—I couldn’t resist perusing the last chapter : “December—This month is a perfect blank, both for the flower and the fruit garden; except for collecting soils, making composts, preparing labels for names or numbers, sticks or stakes for tying up plants, nails and list for fastening them; and, in mild weather, for pruning the larger and more hardy deciduous trees and shrubs, &c.” : ‘Plain Instructions in Gardening; a calendar of operations and directions for every month in the year’, by Mrs. Loudon (1874).

This comparatively tiny book is dedicated to ‘J C Loudon, esq., by his affectionate widow’... and herein lies a tale.

Mr. Loudon was the leading gardening author, publisher and promoter of his day and Mrs. Loudon does explain that it is her husband to whom she “owes all the knowledge of the subject she possesses”. What she omits to mention is that she was already a published author, albeit anonymously, of an ahead of its time (1827) science fiction novel; ‘The Mummy!: or a Tale of the Twenty-Second Century’.

Although an established writer, as well as the founder of the first gardening magazine, John Claudius Loudon died ‘in poverty’, no doubt having overstretched himself in all his numerous endeavours... Jane had been in this position before.

She first escaped penury, orphaned at the age of 17, by anonymously publishing that ground-breaking first novel. Jane had already swapped ‘Fiction’ for ‘Fact’, before the death of her husband when she was just 36, but her gardening books, aimed at a new, niche audience, must have been a real salvation for her. I think it is interesting to note that, unlike her original ‘Science Fiction’ book, Jane Loudon was able to publish her gardening titles under her own name—that was pretty pioneering and a sign of just how much times had changed since Queen Victoria took to the throne.

I’m sorry if that is a bit of a diversion away from more practical 46 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

horticultural matters. I must admit that I’ve been struggling myself, a bit, with gardening lately, or rather the actual getting out of the house to do anything useful. Sometimes “a change is as good as a rest”, so spending time re-reading old books, as well as seeking out new inspiration, may be time well spent at this time of year when the garden is at its lowest ebb.

When conditions allow, and getting out into the beds and borders will not lead to soil compaction or a muddy mess, this month does lend itself to a certain amount of getting ahead of the game. In the past it was generally accepted that all herbaceous plants would be completely cut down by now, to just above ground level, and the shrubs and trees left in splendid isolation. One advantage of this is that it removes a lot of the hiding places that pests and diseases are able to survive the winter in—and that is still valid—but the general consensus these days is that it’s more ‘wildlife friendly’ to leave old stems and leaves in situ right up until spring is about to be sprung.

As with most things in life, there is a balance to be found and whether you are a complete ‘bare earth’ gardener, or a ‘relaxed messiness’ practitioner, depends on what you are growing and the kind of garden you have. A very formal garden, with well kept lawns, clipped evergreens and strong structure, could be somewhat ‘let down’ by masses of brown herbaceous detritus and unruly stems diluting the ordered formality.

On the other hand, a garden with more ‘naturalistic’ aims would be a little pointless if the nature-friendly potential of the plantings is negated by a complete removal of all plant material for at least three months of the year. If your garden is large enough then the usual received wisdom, sometimes sticking to convention has its advantages, is to have your neat formal areas close to the house (no-one wants an unsightly ‘outside room’) and to graduate to a more relaxed, flowing, style in the more outlying areas.

Of course, if all else fails, then December is a good month to consider your garden and start making plans if you intend to make changes to its design and planting for the year ahead. The good news here is that if you want to impose more structure in your garden, in the form of a hedge or avenue of trees, then it’s bare-root

planting season. As long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged, obtaining trees and shrubs in their bare-root state is the most cost-effective means of obtaining them in quantity. Also, due to being soil and pot-less, they are able to be sent by post or courier so an internet search should yield any number of nurseries to provide whatever it is that takes your fancy.

I spotted recently, along a quiet local lane, a hedge consisting largely of ‘Snowberry’ (Symphoricarous albus) which was particularly stunning this year because the good summer had ensured that every stem was adorned with a cluster of fat, gobstopper-sized, berries. It was looking positively festive, as if miniature snowballs had been artfully affixed along its length. It may not be so bountiful if trimmed in a more formal manner but, when allowed to keep its extension growth until late winter, it should provide a welcome bejewelling from leaf-fall until the birds consume its bounty.

As a shrub it’s a bit of a dullard, and horribly out of fashion, but the sight of all those little snowballs, bouncing along the lane, took me right back to my Primary School and the alluring white berries that caught my imagination, as a five-year-old, in what was left of the school garden. I think I might order a dozen bare-root specimens and weave them into my existing mixed hedge..........Happy Christmas to me!!!

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PROPERTY ROUND-UP

In the Heart of the Town

By Helen Fisher

CREWKERNE £550,000

COLYTON £435,000

A fabulous character house in a tucked away location yet right in the centre of this pretty town. Recently reconfigured and updated to create a spacious, bright home with 4 bedrooms. Stunning kitchen/dining/living space with multi-fuel stove and views over the large garden.

Gordon and Rumsby Tel: 01297 553768

A beautifully presented 4 bedroom peaceful and private property yet central to the town. With large landscaped gardens and attractive roof top views, previously a former bakery and chapel dating back to the 17th Century.

Benefiting from a detached fully self-contained annex.

Humbert’s Tel: 01935 477277

BRIDPORT GUIDE PRICE £500,000

LYME REGIS £850,000

A unique period house in an elevated position with panoramic sea, coastal and Cobb views. With 4 bedrooms and a versatile layout the property combines an elegant mix or modern and character features. Plus a stunning private sun terrace with far reaching views over the famous coastline.

Martin Diplock Tel: 01297 445500

A substantial Grade II listed historic building comprising of a large 3 bedroom apartment/maisonette and two lock up shops. Believed to date back to circa 1780 the accommodation features sash windows, vaulted ceilings and exposed beams. All set in a prime, prominent location.

Stags Tel: 01308 428000

DORCHESTER £195,000

These ten contemporary 1-bedroomed loft apartments are the latest addition to the Brewery Square development. With double height living space, fully-intergraded kitchens and walk-in showrooms. Central to all amenities and transport links plus allocated parking bays.

Savills Tel: 01305 757000

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WEYMOUTH £475,000

A stylish and airy apartment in an enviable position on the esplanade with fabulous view over the Bay. High specification interior with high ceilings and underfloor heating throughout. Beautiful garden for outdoor dining with sea views and private parking spaces.

Dickinson Bowden Tel: 01305 250402

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The Scientific Barbel Angler

By Nick Fisher

B

arbel angling in years gone by required either muscles or money. You needed one or the other to get enough tasty groundbait into the water to give you a fair chance of a hook-up.

Barbel anglers from London would employ the services of river ghillies. These urbanised sporting gentlemen would book themselves a weekend of barbel fishing upstream on the Thames and, in exchange for a wad of cash, their hired man-on-the-river would prepare a swim. In Victorian times and well into this century, a well-prepared barbel swim was a stretch of Thames river, literally carpeted with fat juicy lobworms.

If you could afford it, you paid for your ghillie to lob in loads of lobs over a couple of days or more, to concentrate big shoals of barbel into one tight spot, ensuring you hours of top rod-bending action.

As time progressed barbel fishing dipped out of fashion and Thames ghillies became rarer than rocking horse poop. And then, when barbel reemerged in the 1970s and 80s as a trendy fish for the adventurous angler once again, the pre-baiting practice had changed. Ghillies were gone. Carpets of lobworm were hard to come by. But hempseed was available by the bucketload from every pet shop and tackle shop from Peckham to Perth.

So the modern barbel angler would attack his day’s fishing by first marching along his chosen stretch of river, with as much as five gallons of boiled hemp in a bucket, shovelling out great scoop loads of seed into every potentially barbel-holding spot.

Once the hemp was down, the hope was that the barbel would discover it, start nose-bagging on it, and then the crafty angler could present fat lob worms, chunks of cheese paste, sweet corn or big lumps of luncheon meat on the end of a hook.

Hemp and luncheon meat became synonymous with barbel angling. Every barbel angler would have a car boot bristling with tins of dodgy pork products and an enormous bucket of stinking hemp seed.

Lugging a dustbin of soaking seeds around the countryside required dedication and arm muscles the size of Geoff Capes’ thighs.

Those days are gone. Many years ago, I went barbel fishing with Ian Welch, then Fisheries Manager of RMC Angling and Doctor of Freshwater Biology. Ian’s approach to barbel angling was about science, stealth and modern technology. And the place he focussed the most emphasis and careful consideration, first of all, was the bait.

‘Barbel love milk’ explained Ian. ‘Milk and spice are the two things that really turn barbel on. And the boilies that modern carp anglers have developed using sophisticated milk proteins are exactly the right bait to attract barbel.’

What Ian had cleverly done was to extract all the useful and valid discoveries that carp anglers have made and to then adopt and adapt to suit his barbel needs.

Ian fished with boilies, which are hard-boiled marble-sized balls of protein-laced mix, which he presents on a hair-rig system. This is a cunning device developed by carp anglers which ties the ball of bait to a small extension of line that lies alongside the hook. This keeps the bait ball unbroken and the hook curve unfettered and deadly. Around the hard-boiled centre of the bait, Ian squeezed on another layer of soft paste.

‘The soft skin of the paste allows scent to leach off along with little particles of bait which will attract the fish from some distance’ said Ian. The base of the boilie mix is sophisticated protein extracted from milk, which is good for the fish, but what gets the fish interested in the first place is the flavouring. Spicy additives like curry powder and even Garam masala have been used for some time for both carp and barbel. Now essential oils and even fruit and floral flavours are mixed to give a unique scent.

‘I do love experimenting with flavours, and scents’ Ian enthused ‘The flavour is the label which the barbel will recognise the

50 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

bait by. But, at the same time, it’s important that the bait itself is of the best possible quality.’

Being a fish biologist too, Ian prided himself in the knowledge that the bait he was presenting to the barbel was something that would not only taste good but would do them good too.

‘These boilies represent the perfect balance of essential oils, vitamins and minerals’ he said with pride. ‘In here is the complete fish diet.

They could live off these things and nothing else, and stay extremely healthy and grow very large.

‘Fish know when they have eaten well. They will have a feeling of well-being. Feel satisfied.

Healthy. It’s important to use the best boilie base mix, cheap mixes made of flour and gluten and wheat are just full of bulk ingredients. They won’t do the fish any good. Whereas these boilies give them a flavour-enhanced calorie controlled, essential diet.’

And I can testify to the efficiency of Ian’s boilies. Even in fairly adverse conditions; a too sunny bright day with a River Kennet which was a bit too big, too mucky and too full of leaves and debris, I still caught a feisty barbel on one of his hair rigged boilies within an hour of sitting down on the bank.

Ian’s little protein-packed balls worked a treat. And strangely enough, the traditional barbel bait of luncheon meat is now having completely the opposite effect. ‘On well-fished rivers, barbel are becoming scared of luncheon meat’ explained Ian. ‘On swims where they’ve been caught several times they run screaming from a lump of meat. In fact, they’re so wary of it; some experienced barbel anglers actually use it to flush barbel out from under a snag or a tree where they’re hiding. If you can’t cast to a shoal of barbel because they’re tight under a snag, lob a couple of big chunks of luncheon meat in, and they’ll scoot out faster than you can blink’.

Personally, I can’t say I feel much in common with the carp anglers who camp out in their bivvy tents for days on end, fishing in ugly muddy puddles for fat fish which were deliberately stocked and have been caught by every other member of the syndicate first. But, to adopt some of their clinically efficient methods and apply them to wild nomadic barbel living on rivers, seems to make a lot of sense. Extract all the wisdom and leave all the cobblers.

Food&Dining Community shop up for National award

Staff, volunteers and management committee members at the OurShop annual barbeque. Photo by Nigel Hayler

OurSHOP, the village shop and post office in Hinton St.George, has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award from UK charity the Plunkett Foundation.

The shop, rescued from closure in 2011 by a huge community effort, is now entering its seventh successful year of trading. It has been shortlisted in the Investing in Local People category for involving young people—including those on Work Experience—in the day to day running of the business. The other shops shortlisted in this category are at North Curry in Somerset and Ashwater in Devon. The category winners will be announced at a special event on Wednesday 5 December at the St. Bride Foundation, just off Fleet Street in London.

Commenting on the shortlisting, Chair of the Management Committee, David Clements, said: ‘The shortlisting recognises the tremendous work done by our staff led by manager Jillian Fawcett and the band of volunteers, in involving young people in the operation of the shop. This is a real community venture which spans all age groups across our village, offering everybody the chance to develop their skills and confidence levels.’

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 51

LIME AND GINGER HONEY PUDDINGS INGREDIENTS

LESLEY WATERS

▪ Butter for greasing ▪ 2 tablespoons runny honey ▪ 3 pieces stem ginger, finely chopped ▪ 1 tablespoon stem ginger syrup ▪ juice and zest 2 limes ▪ 85g / 3 oz butter, softened ▪ 85g / 3 oz caster sugar ▪ 2 eggs, beaten ▪ 85 g / 3 oz self-raising flour Serves 4

DIRECTIONS 1

Preheat oven to 200 C/ 400 F/ gas mark 6. Grease 4, size 7 ramekins with a little butter.

2

Place the runny honey, stem ginger and syrup into a bowl and pour in the juice of 1 ½ limes. Mix well then divide equally between the four ramekins.

3

Put the butter, sugar and eggs into a blender and whiz until light and fluffy. Add the flour to the blender with the lime zest and remaining lime juice and whiz quickly to mix everything together.

4

Divide the mixture equally between the ramekins then stand the ramekins in a roasting tin. Pour in enough boiling water to come half way up the ramekins then cover the whole roasting tin with foil and seal tightly round the edges.

5

Steam bake in the oven for approximately 40 minutes till soft and springy on top or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Run a knife around the edge and serve with custard, vanilla ice cream or thick double cream.

52 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Green Weigh now rolls into eight locations A new mobile zero waste shop, founded

by Bridport mums Alex Green, Kate Robertson, Lora Pascoe and Libby Rogers is proving a big hit in towns across West Dorset as it rolls out a new weekly schedule.

Following its launch in August, The Green Weigh has secured permanent trading pitches in eight different locations across East Devon and West Dorset, trading on a six-day weekly rotation in Bridport, Netherbury, Burton Bradstock, Bradpole, Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Axminster and Dorchester.

“There has been more and more media coverage of the plastic pollution crisis, most recently BBC1’s Drowning in Plastic,” says Libby. “The Green Weigh’s mission is to provide an alternative to those who want to reduce their plastic impact and buy food free from packaging.” Libby also explained that affordable pricing is very important. “As Mums on tight budgets with young children, family life does not allow for big expenditures on food” she said. “We feel that plastic-free shopping must be accessible to everyone, on any budget, so that as a whole society we can begin to address the plastic crisis.”

Kate pointed out how much she loves meeting new people who are really excited and enthusiastic about finding plastic-free shopping, and how accessible The Green Weigh is for them.

“I like that we already have regulars who are making us part of their shopping experience every week”. Lora has also had great feedback from customers. “A lot of our customers reminisce that this was how they and their mothers used to shop! They are sometimes surprised at the big range of products we stock, and I think more and more people are looking for plastic-free alternatives.

I hope we can offer that to them and be affordable too”.

The Green Weigh hopes to continue to develop and grow so that they can bring plastic-free shopping to more people. “To inspire a different way of shopping and form new habits,” says Kate. Lora would like to visit local schools and talk to them about plastic pollution and what they can do to help, “although I think a lot of the time kids are more switched on than adults!”

For further details visit www.thegreenweigh.co.uk or email thegreenweigh@gmail.com.

December 2018 Food Markets Please check dates and times with venues or organisers

Poundbury, Queen Mother Square - 9am - 1pm Shaftesbury, Town Hall - 9am - 1pm Bridport, Arts Centre, South St - 9am - 1pm Sat 8th Martock, Moorlands Shopping - 10am - 1pm Yarcombe, Village Hall - 10am - 12noon Purbeck, Commercial Road, Swanage - 9am - 1pm Thur 13th Wareham, Town Hall, East Street - 9am - 1pm Fri 14th Blandford, Blandford Forum - 9am - 1pm Wimborne, Market Square - 9am - 1pm Sat 15th Crewkerne, The Henhayes Centre - 9am - 1pm Thur 20th Honiton, St Paul’s Church, High St - 8.30am - 1pm Sherborne, Cheap St - 9am - 1pm Fri 21st Dorchester South, High Street - 9am - 4pm Sat 22nd Barrington, Village Hall, 10am - 12noon Yeovil, Middle Street - 9am - 2pm Wareham, Town Hall, East Street - 9am - 1pm Thur 27th Sat 1st

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 53

STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES This is a great dish for a special occasion. It may not be quick, but it’s one to prepare when you have a willing accomplice in the kitchen, as in, ‘You make the sauce, I’ll make the stuffing, and we’ll roll the parcels together.’

INGREDIENTS

▪ 12 outer leaves from a large Savoy cabbage ▪ 4 tablespoons soured cream, plus extra to serve (optional)

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE

HUGH FEARNLEY WHITTINGSTALL

▪ 2 tablespoons olive oil ▪ 1 onion, chopped ▪ 1 bay leaf ▪ A couple of sprigs of thyme ▪ 1 carrot, chopped ▪ 1 celery stalk, chopped ▪ 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped ▪ 600g fresh, ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped, or a 400g tin plum tomatoes, roughly chopped, any stalky ends and skin removed ▪ A pinch of sugar (optional) ▪ Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

FOR THE FILLING

▪ 120g pearled spelt, rice or pearl barley ▪ 1 tablespoon olive oil ▪ 1 onion, chopped ▪ 1–2 garlic cloves, finely chopped ▪ 50g currants ▪ 50g walnuts, roughly chopped ▪ Finely grated zest of 1 lemon ▪ A bunch of parsley, chopped ▪ A handful of dill, chopped ▪ ¼ teaspoon dried chilli flakes ▪ 1 large egg, lightly beaten Serves 4

DIRECTIONS 1 First make the tomato sauce. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over

a medium-low heat and sweat the onion, bay leaf and thyme for about 10 minutes until the onion is soft. Add the carrot and celery and sauté for a further 5 minutes, then stir in the garlic and cook for a minute. Add the tomatoes with their juice, some salt and pepper, and a pinch of sugar if you like. Simmer gently until thickened, about 15 minutes.

2 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. If the midribs of the

cabbage leaves are thick, pare the thickest part down a bit with a vegetable peeler. Bring a pan of lightly salted water to the boil and blanch the cabbage leaves for 2–3 minutes. Drain and refresh under the cold tap, then pat the leaves dry with a tea towel or kitchen paper.

3 To make the filling, cook the spelt, rice or barley according to the

packet instructions. Heat the olive oil in a small pan, add the onion and sweat over a low heat until soft but not coloured. Add the garlic and stir for a minute. Tip the onion and garlic into a bowl and add the spelt, rice or barley, the currants, walnuts, lemon zest, chopped herbs and chilli flakes. Season very generously with salt and pepper, stir until well mixed, then add the egg and stir again until combined.

4 Lay the blanched cabbage leaves out on a clean surface. Place a

big spoonful of the filling mixture in the centre of each leaf, fold over the sides and roll up from the stalk end, so you have 12 neat packages. Place them in an ovenproof dish, seam side down.

5 Spoon the tomato sauce over the stuffed leaves, dot some soured

cream on top and sprinkle with pepper. Bake for 30–35 minutes until piping hot. Serve with more soured cream, if you like.

Recipe taken from River Cottage Every Day!, published by Bloomsbury, and available from rivercottage.net. Photography © Simon Wheeler Why not join us for a Christmas dining event and make a party night of it? Our Festive Feasts in the barn provide the perfect backdrop for the yuletide season. For the ultimate party, join us for our New Year’s Eve celebration and see in 2019 River Cottage-style!

Marshwood Vale reader offer: Get £10 off Festive Feasts in December when you quote MVDINE10. For more details and to book see www.rivercottage.net or call Amy in the Events Team on 01297 630302.

54 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

PEOPLE IN FOOD

Primrose Matheson - photograph and words by Catherine Taylor

PRIMROSE MATHESON OWNER and creator of Primrose’s Kitchen, Primrose Matheson lives her life by the philosophy behind her range of organic, vegan and gluten-free muesli and granola. She uses wholefood ingredients, including fresh vegetables and fruit that have been air dried at low temperatures to create delicious, healthy superfood that nurtures the soul. This is paired with a passion to respect the planet; all packaging is home-compostable and ingredients are sourced from British farmers, where possible.

Set up five years ago from her kitchen, when she was living in Rampisham, Primrose originally created the muesli for her own use, using her background in naturopathy and homoeopathy, believing what you get out of your body reflects what you put into it. She then started to sell at farmers markets and supplying local delis and shops. However, a turning point in the business was when Primrose’s Kitchen appeared on the shelves of Waitrose. She now has a team sending her range of products, in their colourful packaging, all over the UK and even to France, Spain, Finland and Canada. As Primrose feels your working environment should be a reflection of what’s important to you, she took her time to find her HQ. At Eden Park, outside Buckland Newton, the workspaces are light and airy, in a rural location, with greenery and room to grow. And Isla, Primrose’s dog is in charge of general zen in the office.

Commuting from her cottage just outside of Bridport, Primrose grows as many vegetables as she can in her garden and lives as self-sufficiently as possible. From a childhood in Guernsey, she picked up some fishing skills, and can often be found with her rod on Cogden beach. If she’s not on the beach, she’ll be in the sea, as a daily swim in the summer and autumn months is a must for Primrose. With a keen interest in wanting to know more about what surrounds her and live in line with nature, Primrose has learnt about foraging, willow weaving, natural plant dyes and plans to go on a hemp weaving course next year. Based on her philosophy that you get out what you put into life, this bubbly ‘tour de force’ is an inspiration to all who taste her products.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 55

PARTRIDGE TAGINE WITH OLIVES There are some game birds I wouldn’t use for this, like grouse, snipe or woodcock, but partridge and pheasant lend themselves well to a bit of spice and slow cooking.

It’s also a good way to use up frozen birds.

INGREDIENTS

MARK HIX

▪ 4 partridges, each cut into 4 pieces ▪ 1tbsp flour ▪ 4tbsp olive oil ▪ 3 medium red onions, peeled and sliced ▪ 6 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed ▪ 30g root ginger, peeled and finely grated ▪ 1tsp paprika ▪ 1tsp ground mace ▪ 2tsp ground cumin ▪ 1tsp ground cinnamon ▪ 1tsp ground cardamom ▪ A good pinch of saffron strands ▪ 2tsp tomato purée ▪ 1½ litres chicken stock ▪ 30 green olives whole or stoned ▪ 100-150g raw couscous ▪ 2 preserved lemons, quartered Serves 4-6

HIX Oyster and Fish House is Mark’s 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.

56 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

1

Preheat the oven to 180C/gas mark 5. Season and lightly flour the partridge pieces. Heat half the olive oil in a heavy frying pan and fry them for a couple of minutes on each side, until they are nicely brown. Put to one side.

2

Meanwhile, in a saucepan with a lid, gently cook the onions in the rest of the olive oil with all the spices for about 10 minutes, stirring every so often until they are soft and beginning to colour. You may need to add a little water if they are sticking to the bottom.

3

Add the tomato purée and chicken stock, bring to the boil and season. Simmer for 20 minutes, then add the partridge, olives and preserved lemons. Transfer into a tagine or a covered cooking dish and finish in the oven for 1 hour.

You may need to add more stock but a tagine shouldn’t have too much liquid.

4

Taste the sauce and, if necessary, transfer just the sauce to a pan and simmer to thicken it.

Return the partridge pieces and lemons to the sauce, reheat for a few minutes and serve with steamed couscous. Have a pot of harissa at hand to add some extra spice and heat.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 57

Arts &Entertainment

Oh Yes It Is!

...panto time again T he pantomime season is nearly with us, and if you want the best seats on the night of your choice, you’ll need to book fast.

The most popular traditional pantomime in the region for the 2018-19 season is Dick Whittington, the rags-to-riches classic. He’s the boy who left the village where he lived, usually transported from the original (Lancashire) to the country where the pantomime is being performed, to find his fortune Our hero and his faithful cat walk to London, finding employment with a City Alderman, falling in love with his daughter, being falsely accused of theft, stowing away on a ship, and ridding the city of a plague of rats.

Lots of hissing and booing as King Rat gets his come-uppance in this ever popular panto tale of good triumphing over evil and love winning through in the end.

You can see it at Plymouth Theatre Royal from 14th December to 12th January, starring John Partridge, Samantha Womack and Andy Ford.

Dick Whittington is also at Poole Lighthouse, with Chris Jarvis and Peter Duncan, from 7th to 31st December or at Weymouth Pavilion, with Lee Redwood as Sarah the Cook, from 15th to 30th December.

Cinderella is probably the most popular pantomime of all and it is on stage at Bristol Hippodrome from 8th December to 6th January.

Another classic is Aladdin, set in Old Peking and Egypt, in which an idle boy with big dreams falls for a forbidden princess, is duped by a wicked imposter uncle, is helped by a couple of supernatural goodies—and saves the day. Yeovil native Thom Ford returns to the Octagon as the baddie, Abanazar, with Gordon Cooper as Widow Twankey, Octagon favourite Jack Glanville as Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee, Lizzie Francis as the Spirit of the Ring, Jonny Purchase as the hero, and Sorsha Talbot-Hunt as Princess Jasmine, John Hester as the Emperor and George Akid as PC Pongo.

You can see it at Yeovil Octagon from 7th December to 6th January.

Exeter Northcott has the south west’s favourite dame, Steve Bennett, as Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk. Steve has also written the pantomime, and directs it. Jack Trott is an archetypal teenager, and really can’t be bothered. That is until he falls in love with the daughter of his mother’s nemesis and decides to save the village from the ogre in the sky. This he does with the aid of a magic beanstalk, a hen that lays golden eggs and a magic harp.

It’s on stage from 3rd December to 6th January.

Other Christmas shows with familiar stories include The Scarlet Pimpernel at the egg in Bath, by the same company that topped the poll for best Christmas show in the 2017-18 season, on stage at the dedicated youth theatre space from 6th December to 13th January.

Bristol’s newly refurbished Old Vic has A Christmas Carol on stage from 29th November to 13th January.

Get ready to join in and shout, and don’t wait til it’s behind you!­

58 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Museums&Galleries 30 NOVEMBER - 2 DECEMBER

Studio opening After 20 years of working from Milton’s Yard in Axminster and formally running The White Space Gallery, Ricky Romain and Heather Fallows have moved to Studio 6, Castlemount Victoria Place, Axminster EX13 5NH. (above Hoopers café ). They have recently exhibited together at Bridport Art Centre and the Black Swan Gallery in Frome. They also have jointly delivered school workshops inspired by Human Rights issues are hoping to continue and develop this collaboration in their new surroundings.

Their Christmas opening offers people the opportunity to view the new space and discuss ideas for future projects.

There will also be a range of art work available as well as some moderately priced whimsical Christmas gift ideas.

Ricky and Heather also invite anyone who cannot make the opening to call them for an appointment at a more convenient time 07905714783.

1 - 22 DECEMBER Christmas Exhibition. 14 artist’s work for sale. The Jerram Gallery, Half Moon Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3LN. Tuesday - Saturday. 01935 815261 www. jerramgallery.com.

Ricky Romain: The Musicians who only play and sing to the Drowning.

Studio opening at Studio 6, Castlemount Victoria Place, Axminster on Novembetr 30th.

60 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

UNTIL 2 DECEMBER New Perspectives: The Art of Observation A reappraisal of classical and scholarly painting techniques, how they are interpreted by modern artists, and why such traditions should be preserved and prepared for the test of time. There will also be the opportunity to preview a major new retrospective of sculptor Brian Taylor opening in the Barn Gallery. Messums Wiltshire, Place Farm, Court Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6LW. www. messumswiltshire.com.

AROUND the UNTIL 5 DECEMBER Son & Mother The son, Benjamin: a painter, sculptor, filmmaker and creator of festival light shows who presents his oil-on-canvas abstract landscapes of the mind hung on the diamond to change the way we view paintings. The mother, Angela: a landscape artist who also works in oils and creates vibrant abstractions of harbours, buildings and situations.

The Malthouse Gallery, The Town Mill, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis DT7 3PU. Open daily. Free admission. www. townmillarts.co.uk.

presses, and regularly run a plethora of courses, open to members and non-members alike. Café & Foyer Galleries Bridport Arts Centre www. bridport-arts.com.

UNTIL 15 DECEMBER Autumn exhibition featuring Jeanette Hayes PPS Artwave West, Morcombelake, Dorset DT6 6DY 01297 489746 www.artwavewest.com

UNTIL 22 DECEMBER

UNTIL 19 DECEMBER

Poole Printmakers A local cooperative of artists intent on keeping traditional printmaking skills alive.

Located in the heart of ‘old Poole’, they share a working Studio space, equipped with intaglio and relief

UNTIL 21 DEC Photography Exhibition Photographs by the prizewinners of this year’s Open Photographic competition. On display in the Gallery Café. Free. Ilminster Arts Centre, The Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster.

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

Galleries & Studios

No Borders by Kirstie MacLean. Poole Printmakers at Allsop Gallery, Bridport Arts Centre, South St, Bridport, DT6 3NR Until 19 December

ART: CAUSE AND EFFECT Dorset Visual Arts Allsop Gallery, Bridport Arts Centre www.bridportarts.com. An Affordable Art Fair supporting nominated Charities. This beautiful, affordable exhibition will showcase an eclectic mix of paintings, prints, ceramics, photography, textiles, sculpture and more bringing Bridport Arts Centre members contemporary work to the Dorset public.

Work by Heather Fallows at Studio 6, Castlemount, Victoria Place, Axminster EX13 5NH. 30 November - 2 December

Robin Rae, Ocean Liner - framed oil on canvas.

Sladers Yard, West Bay Road, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL Until 20 January Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 61

Art: Cause and Effect is an ideal way to support others, as well come away with something unique and handmade from a local artist or maker.

UNTIL 31 DECEMBER Exhibition of World War 1 artifacts and stories to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War 1. West Bay Discovery Centre www. westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk/.

UNTIL 17 JANUARY 2019

Positive and Negative Space curated

by Harriet Mummery. An inside look into the artsist studio with work from BA (Hons) Drawing students in response to the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2018 exhibition.

Through emulating an artist studio space within a gallery, the exhibition offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process and exploration of the fundamentals of drawing. Arts University Bournemouth.

Wallisdown, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5HH. www.aub.ac.uk.

UNTIL 20 JANUARY 2019 After Eighties: paintings

by Fred Cuming RA, Robin Rae RCA and Alfred Stockham RCA RWA with pottery by Richard Batterham In loving celebration of four masters of their art, all well over eighty and all still working.

Including recent work by Fred Cuming RA, Alfred

Museums ALLHALLOWS MUSEUM

High Street, Honiton.

01404 44966. www.honitonmuseum.co.uk

AXMINSTER HERITAGE

UNTIL 24 FEB 2019

Materiality: provisional states Sarah Bennett, Megan Calver, Philippa Lawrence. An exhibition inspired by the surroundings of Hestercombe will showcase the work of three artists this autumn/winter. Sarah Bennett, Megan Calver and Philippa Lawrence have been directly engaged with Hestercombe House and Gardens over three years and the resulting exhibition has developed from these experiences.

Materiality: provisional states features exhibits using a range of media from photography, sculpture to drawing and text. Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset TA2 8LG (for sat nav use TA2 8LQ) For more information about Hestercombe www. hestercombe.com.

Please telephone for opening hours www.chardmuseum.co.uk.

CHIDEOCK MUSEUM

Church of Our Lady, North Road, Chideock. 01308 488348. www.chideockmartyrschurch.org.uk

Silver Street, Axminster.

01297 639884.

COLYTON HERITAGE CENTRE

www.axminsterheritage.org

Market Place, Colyton

BEAMINSTER MUSEUM

Stockham and new pots by Richard Batterham and a mini retrospective for Robin Rae’s 90th birthday. Craft, gifts, art books, accessories and furniture by leading artists and makers. Sladers Yard, West Bay Road, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL. 01308 459511 www. sladersyard.co.uk.

www.colytonheritagecentre.org

MUSEUM High Street, Ilchester

(at the side of the Town Hall).

01935 841247.

LYME REGIS MUSEUM

Bridge Street, Lyme Regis.

01297 443370.

NOTHE FORT

The Keep, Bridport Road, Dorchester. 01305 264066.

www.fortressweymouth.co.uk.

www.beaminstermuseum.

The Heritage Centre, Market Square, Crewkerne. 01460 77079.

217 Wakeham Portland.

01305 821804.

www.crewkernemuseum.co.uk

ROYAL ALBERT MEMORIAL MUSEUM & ART GALLERY

Bere’s Yard, Blandford Forum.

01258 450388. www.blandfordtownmuseum.org

BRIDPORT MUSEUM

South Street, Bridport.

01308 422116.

DORSET COUNTY

High West Street, Dorchester.

01305 262735. (Closed) www.dorsetcountymuseum.org.

EXMOUTH MUSEUM

www.bridportmuseum.co.uk.

Sheppards Row, off Exeter Road, Exmouth. 07768 184127.

CASTLETON WATERWHEEL MUSEUM

FAIRLYNCH ARTS CENTRE AND MUSEUM

Oborne Road, Sherborne.

27 Fore Street, Budleigh Salterton.

01395 442666.

www.castletonwaterwheelmuseum. org.uk

CHARD MUSEUM

Godworthy House, High Street, Chard. 01460 65091.

GROVE PRISON MUSEUM

Governors Gardens, The Grove, Portland. 01305 715726.

ILCHESTER COMMUNITY

62 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Dowell Street, Honiton.

01404 45006.

THE MILITARY MUSEUM OF DEVON AND DORSET

CREWKERNE & DISTRICT MUSEUM

BLANDFORD MUSEUM

THELMA HULBERT GALLERY, ELMFIELD HOUSE

Barrack Road, Weymouth.

01305 766626.

Whitcombe Road, Beaminster.

01308 863623. wordpress.com

SIDMOUTH MUSEUM

Hope Cottage, Church Street, Sidmouth. 01395 516139.

PORTLAND MUSEUM

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

SEATON MUSEUM

www.keepmilitarymuseum.org.

TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS MUSEUM

Tolpuddle, nr Dorchester.

01305 848237.

TUDOR HOUSE

3 Trinity Street, Weymouth.

01305 779711 or 812341.

Top Floor, Seaton Town Hall, Fore Street, Seaton. 01297 21660.

www.weymouthcivicsociety.org.

SHERBORNE MUSEUM

Abbey gatehouse, Church Lane, Sherborne. 01935 812252.

Sutton Poyntz Pumping Station, Sutton Poyntz, Weymouth.

01305 832634

www.sherbornemuseum.co.uk.

www.wessexwessex.co.uk.

SHIRE HALL MUSEUM

WATER SUPPLY MUSEUM

WEYMOUTH MUSEUM

High West Street, Dorchester.

01305 261849

Brewers Quay Hope Square, Weymouth. 01305 457982

www.shirehalldorset.org

www.weymouthmuseum.org.uk

On Screen - In and Around the Vale THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER Nostalgic Cinema: 42nd Street (U) 2pm Tickets £3.80 includes tea and biscuit. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Wonderstruck (PG) 116 mins Wootton Film Club, Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, Doors open at 7pm, film showing at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 on the door.

Swimming with Men (12A) 11am Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts. com.

The Captain (15) 7.30pm Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com.

FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER Phantom Thread at 8pm Tickets: £5. No concessions. The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA www.thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240 340.

Johnny English Strikes Again (PG) – Film Picnic Night at The Gateway, Seaton.

Tickets £6. Book online (no booking fee) at www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk, by phone (01297 625699) or in person at The Gateway, Fore Street, Seaton EX12 2LD. SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER Murder on the Orient Express (12A) 11am Bridport Arts Centre www.bridportarts.com.

The Bookshop (PG) 2pm www.bridportarts.com. Bridport Arts Centre.

MONDAY 3 DECEMBER The Happy Prince presented by Moviola in the Beaminster Public Hall. 7.30pm (doors open 7pm) Tickets at Yarn Barton 01308 862715 Or 01308 861746, £5 (in advance) £5.50 (on door).

The Greatest Showman (PG) Odcombe Movie Night at 8pm. Village Hall doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 in advance, £6 on the door Phone: 07934 737104 for tickets.

TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER Victoria and Abdul 11am Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com.

BLUE: A Documentary Film – the day the sea changed Starts 7pm, £5 Electric Palace. www.electricpalace.org.uk.

Redoubtable Doors open 7pm for 7.45pm film. Bridport Film Society, Bridort Arts Centre www.bridportfilmsociety.co.uk.

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER Arthur Christmas at 4pm Shire Hall, Dorchester. Visit shirehalldorset.org.uk or call 01305 261849.

THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER Sense and Sensibility 11am Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com.

Happy End Clapton & Wayford Village Hall, doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start.

Ring Mick Wilson on 01460 74849 or Di Crawley on 01460 30508.

FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER The Greatest Showman shown by Milborne Movies. Doors and Bar open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm at Milborne St Andrew Village Hall.

Isle of Dogs (2018) (PG) Crewkerne Community Cinemas at Wadham School and start at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7pm.

Tickets are £6 for visitors. Membership is £25 a year for 9 films.

SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER On Chesil Beach (15) Halstock Village Cinema at Halstock Village Hall. Tickets £6 from Halstock Shop or on the door.

Join your friends at 7pm for 7.30pm each month.

MONDAY 10 DECEMBER Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (PG) 7.30pm Bridport Arts Centre www. bridport-arts.com.

TUESDAY 11 DECEMBER Ladies in Lavender 11am. £6 includes a hot drink and tickets Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com.

WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER Glenn Miller Story £2 including tea and mince pies. Start time:1.45pm, Finish time: 4pm. Age UK Dorchester, 4 Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester DT1 1 PW. Dunkirk Supper and film night, £30 for welcome cocktail, 2 course supper and film ticket. Dinner at 7pm and film at 8.30pm.

Alexandra Hotel, Pound Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3HZ. 01297 442010. www. hotelalexandra.co.uk.

The Polar Express at 4pm, Shire Hall, Dorchester. Tickets and info: £4 per child (parents watch free.) Visit shirehalldorset. org.uk or call 01305 261849.

THURSDAY 13 DECEMBER Woman in Gold 11am £6 includes a hot drink and tickets, Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com.

FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER Elf (PG) Shown by Cinechard at 7.30pm in Chard Guildhall. Doors open at 7pm.

For this film only £2 each for adults and children from Chard PO, Barrons and Eleos or online at ticketsource/cinechard, or on the door on the night.

Early Man presented by Petherton Picture Show 8pm. Tickets: £5. No concessions.

The David Hall, Roundwell Street, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5AA. www. thedavidhall.org.uk 01460 240340.

The King and I (12A) at The Gateway, Seaton. Doors open 6.30pm, screening starts 7pm. Tickets £12.50 adv/£15 door (if available) online (no booking fee) at www.thegatewayseaton.co.uk, by phone (01297 625699) or in person from The Gateway, Fore St., Seaton EX12 2LD. The Bromley Boys (Cert. PG) will be shown by T & F Movies in Tatworth

Memorial Hall at 8pm. The doors open at 7.15pm The entrance charge is £4.50.

SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER Santa Claus the Movie at Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall at 2pm. Tickets are £2 to include a drink and popcorn for children. Adults free, refreshments available.

Tickets available on 07702 746034.

WEDNESDAY 19 DECEMBER Your choice! at 4pm, Shire Hall, Dorchester. Tickets and info: You choose the final Christmas film. £4 per child (parents watch free.) Visit shirehalldorset. org.uk or call 01305 261849.

THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER The Man Who Invented Christmas (PG) 11am Bridport Arts Centre www.bridportarts.com.

White Christmas 2pm £6 - includes Coffee and Mince Pie. Bridport Arts Centre www.bridport-arts.com.

FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER Nostalgic Cinema: It’s A Wonderful Life (U) 2pm £3.80. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton. co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG) 7.30pm Adult £6.80, U16 £5.80 Family of four £22. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www. beehivehoniton.co.uk Box office 01404 384050. Also 22 Dec. SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG) 11am Adult £6.80, U16 £5.80 Family of four £22. The Beehive, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ www.beehivehoniton. co.uk Box office 01404 384050.

Dunkirk Supper and film night, £30 for welcome cocktail, 2 course supper and film ticket. Dinner at 7pm and film at 8.30pm.

Alexandra Hotel, Pound Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3HZ. 01297 442010 www.hotelalexandra.co.uk.

Arthur Christmas Family Film night, £7 per adult / £5 per child includes popcornfilm at 6.30pm. Children’s supper available from 5pm (pre booked). Alexandra Hotel, Pound Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3HZ 01297 442010 www.hotelalexandra. co.uk.

THURSDAY 27 DECEMBER Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Comedy Cert:PG . It’s 1979 and Donna embarks on travels throughout Europe. In the present day, Donna’s pregnant daughter, Sophie, dreams of renovating a taverna & reuniting with her mother’s old friends on the Greek island of Kalokairi. Tickets £5 Info: 01404 831207 Doors 1.30 for 2pm The Bradshaw Meeting Room, Thomas Whitty House, Silver Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AH.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 63

PERFORMANCE TUES 27 NOV TO 31 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, High Society, film, 11am: Lee Nelson, Serious Joker, comedy, 8, and 19 Jan. LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Paines Plough in Pop Music, 7.30.

WEYMOUTH, College Bay Theatre, Gracefool Collective in This Really Is Too Much, solo show, 7.30.

WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Gracefool Collective in This Really Is Too Much, physical theatre and dance, 8.

THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER BATH, Chapel Arts, Jim Moray, 8.

BRIDPORT, Electric Palace, Bad Manners, 8.

BRISTOL, Old Vic, A Christmas Carol, to 13 Jan. Tobacco Factory, The Borrowers, to 20 Jan. HONITON, Beehive, 42nd Street (1943), 2pm: James Alderson, comedy, 8.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, The King and I, recorded screening, 7.

SIDMOUTH, Sidholme Music Room, Helen Porter solo, Constant as the World, 7.30. (with supper) WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, You Win Again, music of the BeeGees, 7.30.

FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Jazz Cafe, Kaja Draksler, piano, 8.

Electric Palace, Dreadzone, 8.

BROADMAYNE, Village Hall, Townsend in Ragged Trousered Philanthropist’s Magic Lantern Show, 7.30. AR DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, King For a Day: The Nat King Cole Story with Atila, 8pm.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, The Elvis Years.

GREAT TORRINGTON, The Plough, Harry and Chris Save the World, jazz, rap, comedy.

HONITON, Beehive, Tankus the Henge, 8pm.

ILMINSTER, Arts Centre, Zoe Gilby and her Quartet, jazz, 8.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Green Ginger in The Intronauts, comedy and science, 7.30.

PORTLAND, Royal Manor Theatre, Norwich Puppet Theatre in The Frog and the Princess, 6pm. AR STAVERTON, Parish Hall, Charlie Bicknell, Shameless Angel, cabaret, 8.. ViA WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, Rolling Stones Story, 7.30.

SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER BOVEY TRACY, South Devon Music, Sarah McQuaid.

BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Charlie Bickness in Snow Angel, cabaret, 8.

BURTON BRADSTOCK, Church, Narthen, Hark Hark A Winter’s Light, seasonal songs and carols from the North, 7.30. AR EXMOUTH, Pavilion, One Night of Queen, Gary Mullen and the Works.

HONITON, Beehive, Elvis in Trouble, with Darren Boyce, 7.30.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Martin Taylor and Martin Simpson, guitars, 7.

PORTESHAM, Village Hall, Norwich Puppet Theatre in The Frog and the Princess, 6pm. AR SIDMOUTH, Parish Church, Sidmouth Music, Emily Sun, violin, Jennifer Hughes, piano, Schubert, Grieg, Faure, Tchaikovsky, 3.

SOUTH PETHERTON, David Hall, Noble Jacks, foot stomping folk, 8.

TAUNTON, Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Gordon Hendricks is Elvis, 7.30.

WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, Katy versus Taylor, The Secret Showdown, 2 and 6.

SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Murder on the Orient Express, film (2017) 11am: The Bookshop, film, 2pm.

Electric Palace, Don Quixote, ballet from the Bolshoi, 3pm.

CERNE ABBAS, Village Hall, Norwich Puppet Theatre in The Frog and the Princess, 3pm. AR EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Love DistrAction, Human League tribute.

SEATON, Gateway, Don Quixote, ballet from the Bolshoi, 3pm.

SHIPTON GORGE, Village Hall, Townsend in Ragged Trousered Philanthropist’s Magic Lantern Show, 7.30.

AR MONDAY 3 DECEMBER BEAMINSTER, Public Rooms, The Happy Prince, Moviola film.

BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, The History of Bridport Arts Centre with Sandra Brown, 6pm.

BUDLEIGH SALTERTON, Salterton Playhouse, Salterton Drama in The Hound of the Baskervilles, to Sat, 7.30.

DORCHESTER, Plaza, Dorchester Film Society, The Florida Project.

EXETER, Northcott, Jack and the Beanstalk with Steve Bennett, to 6 Jan. TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Victoria and Abdul, film, 11am: Redoubtable, Bridport Film Society, 7.30.

BRISTOL, St George’s, Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band, Carols and Capers, 7.30.

PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, Lyric, David Walliams’ Awful Auntie, to Sat, various times: Drum Studio, The Gingerbread Man, to 19 Jan. WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, Russian State

64 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Ballet in Swan Lake, 7.30.

YEOVIL, Westlands, Hazel O’Connor and Breaking Glass, the film, Q&A and live performance, 7pm.

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Chapterhouse in A Christmas Carol.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Marine Players in A Christmas Carol, to Sat, 7.30, Sat mat 2.30.

PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, Drum Studio, Wardrobe Theatre in Rocky Shock Horror, comedy drag boxing musical, to 30 Dec. WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, Russian State Ballet in Giselle, 7.30.

THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER EXETER, Northcott, Semi-Toned, All the Trimmings, university acapella, 7.30.

University Great Hall, BSO, cond Antonio Mendez, Alexei Volodin, piano, Russian Winter, Mussorgsky, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Show of Hands.

HONITON, Beehive, Antony and Cleopatra from the National Theatre, 7pm.

ILMINSTER, Warehouse, IES in David Copperfield, to Sat, and 13-15 Dec, 7.30, Sat 8th mat 2.30.

SEATON, Gateway, Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason, cello and piano, 7pm.

FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Living Spit in Nativity, 7.30.

Electric Palace, Thea Gilmore, singer songwriter, 8.

DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Mad Dog Mcrea, 8pm.

HONITON, Beehive, The Sound of the Sirens, Exeter duo, 8pm.

ILMINSTER, Arts Centre, A Tribute to Bessie Smith with Julia Titus, Mike Denham and Steve Graham, 8.

SIDMOUTH, Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth Town Band Christmas concert, and Sat, 7.30.

SOUTH PETHERTON, David Hall, St Agnes Fountain, and Sat, 8.

TINCLETON, Gallery, Duncan Honeybourne and Katharine Lam, classical piano duo, and Sat. WEST BAY, Church, The Ridgeway Singers and Band, West Gallery Carols, 7.30. AR Sladers Yard, Ann Gray and Pam Zinnemann-Hope, poetry and music, supper 6.30, performance 8pm.

YEOVIL, Octagon, Aladdin, to 6 Jan. SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, The Nutcracker from the Royal Ballet, 5pm.

Electric Palace, Genesis Visible Touch, tribute, 8.

PERFORMANCE DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Living Spit in The Nativity, 8.

EXETER, Corn Exchange, Aladdin, various times, to 1 Jan. Belmont Chapel, Exeter Chamber Orchestra, The Snowman, the film with orchestral accompaniment, 6.30.

HONITON, Beehive, Nutcracker recorded from Royal Ballet, 4pm.

MARTINSTOWN, Village Hall, Near-taTheatre in Christmas Time, 7.30. AR SEATON, Gateway, Livewire AC/DC and The Thin Lizzie Experience, 7.30.

WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, The Real Thing and Richie Sampson, 70s soul and disco, 7.30.

SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER EXETER, Northcott, London Festival Opera in A Christmas Night at the Opera, Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Gilbert and Sullivan, etc, with dinner, 8.

SEATON, Gateway, Seaton Choral Society, Christmas concert inc choruses from Messiah, 4pm.

WEST LULWORTH, Church, The Ridgeway Singers and Band, West Gallery Carols, 4pm. AR YEOVIL, Westlands, Christmas with the Military Wives, 7.30.

TUESDAY 11 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Ladies in Lavender, film, 11am: Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella on film, 7.30.

EXETER, Cathedral, Exeter Philharmonic Choir, Chaconne Brass, Milly Forrest, soprano, Carols in the Cathedral, and Wed, 7.30.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Exmouth Town Concert Band.

WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Terror in the Tinsel, Christmas murder mystery dinner.

THURSDAY 13 DECEMBER BATH, Theatre Royal, Peter Pan, with Jon Monie and Paul Nicholas, to 13 Jan: the egg, Snow Mouse, to 20 Jan, various times.

BRIDPORT, Electric Palace, The King and I, recorded at London Palladium, 7pm.

DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Dorchester Film Society, Lover for a Day. WEYMOUTH, College Bay Theatre, student showcase spectacular, 1 and 7.30.

YEOVIL, Westlands, Laughing Boy Comedy Club, 8.

FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Jazz Cafe with Petites Annonces, 8pm.

FRAMPTON, Village Hall, The Churchfitters, Christmas Cracker, 7.30. AR HONITON, Beehive,The Standing Waves, 8.

ILMINSTER, Arts Centre, The

Magnificent 7, jazz, 8.

PLYMOUTH, Theatre Royal, John Partridge, Samantha Womack and Andy Ford in Dick Whittington, to 12 Jan. POWDERHAM, Castle, Powderham Consort and Divertimento, Messiah, 7.30.

SEATON, Gateway, The King and I, recorded at London Palladium, 7pm.

SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, La Traviata from the Metropolitan Opera, 5.55.

Electric Palace, Lost in Disco, Christmas party, 8.30.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Joey the Lips.

HONITON, Beehive, Near Ta Theatre in Christmas.Time, 7pm. ViA ILMINSTER, Arts Centre, The Maiastra String Quartet, led by Arisa Fujita, Haydn, Shostakovich, Dvorak, 7.30.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, The Snowman and A Charlie Brown Christmas, 2.30: Comedy club, TBC, 8.

SHERBORNE, Haydon Church Studio, Duke Garwood, singer-songwriter, 8.

SOUTHAMPTON, Mayflower, Dick Whittington, with Steve McFadden, Joe McEldery, Bobby Davro, Sheila Fergusson, Andrew Ryan, to 6 Jan. SOUTH PETHERTON, David Hall, Belshazzar’s Feast, folk, 8.

WEYMOUTH, Pavilion, Dick Whittington, to 5 Jan. YEOVIL, Westlands, Back to the 80s with Best of Wham, 8.

SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER CHARLTON DOWN, Herrison Hall, The Ridgeway Singers and Band, West Gallery Carols, 4pm. AR DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, The Last Baguette in The Little Match Girl, 1.30 and 4.30pm.

STOCKLAND, Village Hall, Figure of Speech Multi Media in Theseus and the Minotaur, music, puppets and video, 4pm.

ViA WINFRITH NEWBURGH, Village Hall, The Churchfitters, Christmas Cracker, 7.30.

AR MONDAY 17 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Bridport Young Performers Scholarship in Annie, and Tues, 7.30.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, La Traviata, recorded from the Metropolitan Opera, 5.55.

TUESDAY 18 DECEMBER EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Jethro - the Count of Cornwall, comedy.

WEDNESDAY 19 DECEMBER EXETER, University Great Hall, BSO, cond Pete Harrison, Last Night of the Christmas Proms.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Band of HM Royal Marines.

THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, The Man Who Invented Christmas, film, 11am: White Christmas, (1954), 2pm.

DORCHESTER, Corn Exchange, Somerleigh Players in Ayckbourn’s Season’s Greetings, to Sat, 7.30.

EXETER, Barnfield Theatre, Exeter Little Theatre Co in Robin Hood, to 5 Jan, various days and times.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, FAB Beatles Christmas party.

HONITON, Beehive, Mad Dog McRea, 8.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, The Last Baguette in The Little Matchgirl, 6.30.

FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Buddy Holly and the Cricketers Holly at Christmas, 7.30.

DORCHESTER, Wolfeton Riding House, Lost Tale Theatre in Lost Lore, storytelling, and Sat, 7, Sat mat 4pm.

EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Rule the World, Take That tribute.

HONITON, Beehive, It’s A Wonderful Life, Capra 1946 film, 2pm: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Disney film, 7.30, and Sat 11am.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Antony and Cleopatra recorded from the National Theatre, 7pm.

SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Arts Centre, Soap Soup Theatre in The Snow Baby, 2pm.

EXETER, Northcott, Paddleboat Theatre in Hansel and Gretel, to 30 Dec, 11am.

LYME REGIS, Marine Theatre, Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, free, 7pm.

SIDMOUTH, Parish Church, The Isca Ensemble with Emmanuel Bach and Joel Munday, violins, 7.30.

YEOVIL, Westlands, Back to the 80s with SClub, Big Brovaz and Booty Luv, 8.

SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER BRIDPORT, Electric Palace, The Nutcracker, from the Bolshoi, 3pm.

MONDAY 24 DECEMBER EXMOUTH, Pavilion, Trio Entertainment in Aladdin, to I Jan, various dates and times.

SATURDAY 29 DECEMBER SIDMOUTH, Manor Pavilion, SADS in Treasure Island, pantomime, to 5 Jan, various times.

MONDAY 31 DECEMBER SOUTH PETHERTON, David Hall, New Year’s Eve ceilidh, 8.15.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 65

PREVIEW On Stage - In and Around the Vale

St Agnes Fountain now sell out so quickly that their Christmas event is a two-date concert at South Petherton’s David Hall

Elvis to Mad Dog McRea HONITON

THERE is a wide range of music at Honitons Beehive centre in December, beginning on Saturday 1st with Elvis in Trouble.

Darren Boyce, performing with his band, Trouble, pays tribute to the King, re-creating the voice, the moves and the costumes, transporting the audience back to some of Elvis’s greatest moments.

Sound of the Sirens on Friday 7th are Exeter-based duo Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood, who combine agile guitar-playing, soaring harmonies and lyrical, heartfelt songwriting. Support: comes from Samantics, described as “a next-generation one-man band, multi-instrumental, nerdy hip-hop.”

The Standing Waves, who released their debut album, Early Reflections, in 2017, come to the Beehive on Friday 14th. They are supported by the West Country singer Sadie Horler in a rare show with her full band.

Festival favourites Mad Dog McRea come to Honiton on Thursday 20th with their rousing self-penned songs of adventure,

drinking, love and life, and traditional songs of gypsies, fairies and legless pirates! The band is also at Dorchester Corn Exchange on Friday 7th December.

Christmas with Churchfitters VILLAGES

THE multi-talented trio of folk musicians, The Churchfitters, whose instruments include a musical saw and a double bass made from scrap metal, have three Christmas dates with Artsreach including Frampton village hall on Friday 14th December and Winfrith Newburgh on Sunday 16th.

The three virtuoso musicians strut their stuff on a stage overflowing with instruments—flute, banjo, dulcimer, tin whistle, guitar, ukulele, stand up dustbin bass and a sackful of percussion.

Packed with a mouth-watering selection of favourites from their regular repertoire, interlaced with traditional and original festive songs and Christmas carols, The Churchfitters promise a Christmas Cracker of surprises, novelties and jokes.

Feast of Festive Folk SOUTH PETHERTON

SOUTH Petherton’s David Hall is one of the region’s finest venues for traditional and contemporary folk music, and the December programme is always eagerly anticipated, not least for the annual visit by St Agnes Fountain.

The music programme for the festive season begins on Saturday 1st with Noble Jacks playing for a Chance to Dance event. With the fiddle leading the charge, this band has a take-no-prisoners high-energy attack which has been taking club and festival crowds by storm from Glastonbury to Cambridge and more.

St Agnes Fountain now sell out so quickly that their Christmas event is a two-date concert, on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th at 8pm. Since 2005, the “Aggies” have brought their Christmas show to the David Hall, giving Christmas songs a good, if respectful, kicking. They bring sparkling musicianship, humour and heartfelt renditions of your favourite Christmas tunes as well as original songs. The line-up is founder member, Da-

One Great Leap JUST two weeks after launching its first-ever Crowdfunder campaign, Dorchester Arts has announced that the initial £5,000 target has been achieved to stage a spectacular community event, Arts Apollo—One Giant Leap, as part of the “Moonbury Rings” celebrations in July. With the success of the first target, Dorchester Arts has three weeks to reach the next target of £7,500.

Apollo—One Giant Leap! will take place in the dramatic neolithic henge of Maumbury Rings, and will be a musical celebration for the whole community describing the dra-

matic events of the Apollo 11 space mission in July 1969.

Over the coming year Dorchester Arts will work with the creator, local composer Geoff Edge, as well as writers, producers and musicians to create a spectacular outdoor performance by Dorchester’s children (and adults) to celebrate this lunar anniversary. More than 2,000 children will be involved in the project through workshops in schools, with a 500-strong choir performing on the night.

Mark Tattersall, Dorchester Arts’ direc-

66 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

tor, says: “We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us so far, it has been an incredible journey. We have had such fun creating our Crowdfunder video, with fantastic support from the young actors at Dorchester Youth Theatre—and if we reach our second target of £7,500 we can involve even more of the Dorchester community.”

Every donation—big or small—really helps, so anyone wishing to donate should do so through the Crowdfunding page at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/apolloone-giant-leap

PREVIEW vid Hughes; Chris Leslie (Fairport Convention) and Chris While and Julie Matthews (Radio 2 Folk Award Winners).

The following weekend, on Saturday 15th, Belshazzar’s Feast bring a Christmas-themed show that mixes traditional folk music, seasonal material, their usual touch of classical and jazz with a bit of pop and music gall, topped off with lashings of wry humour.

Together, Paul Sartin (of Bellowhead and Faustus) and Paul Hutchinson (of Hoover The Dog) wow audiences across the UK with their eclectic and eccentric mix of tunes and between songs chat.

Sunday 16th is an acoustic night when all styles and forms of performance are welcome—not just music. If you wish to perform drop an email to folk@chriswatts. org to secure a slot.

The David Hall’s musical year ends with a New Year’s Eve ceilidh on Monday 31st from 8.15pm with Jigs for Gigs. Booking is essential by Friday 14th December—there will be no tickets available on the night.

The Frog and the Princess TOURING

NORWICH Puppet Theatre, one of only three theatres dedicated to puppetry in England, comes to Dorset on a four-date tour with Artsreach on 30th November to 2nd December.

Using traditional and contemporary puppet craft, the company offers a fresh, poignant twist on a familiar Brothers Grimm’s fairytale, The Frog and the Princess. The story explores the meeting of cultures and what happens when a Princess deems a Frog unworthy of being her friend, just because of what he is.

Director Rene Baker says: “I hope these humorous characters with flaws, foibles and feelings will display traits that children will recognise and empathise with as they watch the Princess and the Frog’s journey from rejection to friendship and the discovery that deep down they are not so very different after all.”

The Frog and the Princess is at Portland’s Royal Manor Theatre, on Friday 30th November at 6pm, Langton Matravers village hall, at 11am and Portesham village hall, at 6pm on Saturday 1st December, or in Cerne Abbas at 3pm on Sunday 2nd.

The Little Match Girl DORCHESTER AND LYME

LONDON, Christmas Eve. Freezing cold.

Struggling through the snow, the Little Matchgirl strikes a match in her desperate efforts to keep warm ... the little flame flickers into life showing fantastic Christmas visions.

Wiltshire-based physical theatre company The Last Baguette brings a magical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic winter story, to Dorchester Arts at the Corn

Exchange on Sunday 16th December at 1.30pm and 4.30, and Thursday 20th at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis.

On the Little Matchgirl’s dark and chilly journey, we meet talking turkeys, dancing rats, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their chattering Christmas tree.

The Last Baguette, a company in residence at Pound Arts, Corsham, uses visual story telling, live music and puppetry to bring this poignant story to life for contemporary audiences.

Lost Lore by Firelight WOLFETON

THE uniquely atmospheric Riding House at Wolfeton Manor near Dorchester will be the setting for Lost Lore, a magical evening of sound, animation and storytelling from new Dorset company Lost Tail Theatre on 21st and 22nd December.

Lost Lore, performed by Lost Tail Theatre, uses brilliant sound design and enchanting animation, to transport the audience to a world of witches, princesses, tricksters and sorcery.

The Riding House is unheated so you are advised to wrap up warm, bring a blanket and gather around the fire for a spellbinding and unforgettable journey into the magical world of ancient Celtic folklore.

The performances are at 7pm on Friday 21st and 4pm on Saturday 22nd.

McKellen at 80 LYME REGIS

SIR Ian McKellen, one of the greatest actors of his generation and a major film-star for his Lord of the Rings performance, is coming to the Marine Theatre at Lyme Regis as part of his nationwide tour of 80 solo shows at theatres large and small, to celebrate his 80th birthday in 2019.

The star will make his first ever appearance on the Marine stage on 3rd July. The money raised from the tour will go towards specific projects at the various venues. Sir Ian says: “I’m delighted to be making my debut in Lyme Regis as part of the UK tour celebrating my 80th birthday... I’m pleased that all profits will support the youth theatre and help update the Marine’s dressing rooms.

See you there, I hope!”

The fundraiser instantly sold out, and is part of a wider programme of raising money for the historic venue, that includes seeking new patrons, sponsors, and Theatre Friends.

Sir Ian explained the event “The show starts with Gandalf and will probably end with an invitation to act with me on stage. Inbetween there will be anecdotes and acting.

Live theatre has always been thrilling to me, as an actor and in the audience.”

Theatre Director Gabby Rabbitts said “We were so pleased when Sir Ian’s team rang the Marine. It’s delightful to work with him

to raise money for the venue. We’d love to meet new potential patrons and sponsors that would like to work with us in our wide programme of fundraisings. We can’t wait to share this special event with the community.”

With six Olivier Awards, a Tony, a Golden Globe, two Oscar nominations, four BAFTA nominations, and every major theatrical award, Sir Ian McKellen is a true national treasure.

Other West Country dates for Sir Ian McKellen include Bristol Old Vic, 19th-20th February, Bath Theatre Royal, 24th March, Exeter Northcott, 1st July and Poole Lighthouse, 2nd July.

Narthen BURTON BRADSTOCK

NARTHEN, featuring Barry Coope and Lester Simpson of Coope Boyes and Simpson, Jo Freya of Blowzabella and Fi Fraser of The Old Fashioned/ Polka Works, comes to St Mary’s Church at Burton Bradstock on Saturday 1st December.

The quartet is known for sumptuous four part harmonies, as well as piano, accordion, fiddle, soprano sax, ukulele and whistles.

Packed full of polyphonic a capella carols and other gorgeous seasonal songs and tunes, Hark Hark! reflects all aspects of the winter season, from the beautiful carols of North Yorkshire, Derbyshire and beyond, to the more irreverent nature of certain side of the festive feast.

Threaded together with a hotch-potch of stories, poetry and jokes, the show is also a celebration of the variety tradition, with nods to music hall as well as folk music past and present.

Comic Christmas Capers BRIDPORT AND DORCHESTER

BRISTOL-based comedy acting duo Howard Scoggins and Stu McLoughlin are back in Dorset with their irreverent retelling of the Nativity, at Bridport Arts Centre on Friday 7th December and at Dorchester Corn Exchange the following night..

Following their triumphant and hilarious reworking of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in 2016, Howard and Stu tackled what they describe as “the second greatest Christmas story ever told.”

With the usual mix of silly songs, pitiful puppetry and more Biblical befuddlement than you can shake a figgy pudding at, Living Spit’s Nativity promises to be an unmissable cornucopia of Christmassy tomfoolery.

Christmas Time MARTINSTOWN AND HONITON CORNWALL’S Near ta Theatre puts the “cell” back into celebration with the musical comedy show, Christmas.Time, back on tour in December, coming to Martinstown village hall with Artsreach on Saturday 8th

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 67

PREVIEW December at 7.30pm and the Beehive centre at Honiton on Saturday 15th at 7pm.

Shut up in their prison cell, Charlie and Toby are feeling low, and why wouldn’t they? It’s Christmas Day and they’re serving time at Her Majesty’s pleasure. But why shouldn’t they be having a Merry Christmas in spite of their incarceration? What’s stopping them from creating Christmas around them? Absolutely nothing! And so they set off on their festival of carols, Claus, Christ and custody!

Written by Miracle Theatre’s Ciaran Clarke, and directed by Simon Harvey (Kneehigh), Christmas. Time is a musical comedy for all the family. It’s a fantastical adventure through Dickens, pantomime, musical, Christmas dinner and Christmas films!

West Gallery Christmas TOURING

THE Ridgeway Singers and Band are back with more traditional and new West Gallery carols and music this Christmas, starting at West Bay on Friday 7th December.

The group, led by storyteller and musician Tim Laycock and multi-instrumentalist Phil Humphries draws on the rich resources of locally collected folk songs and West Gallery carols, but the concerts always include new work, often by Tim or Phil and sometimes by members of the choir.

Traditionally sung by village choirs in English country churches, and celebrated by Thomas Hardy in Under The Greenwood Tree, the music of the West Gallery continued for centuries until the innovations of the organ and harmonium.

If it hadn’t been for Hardy and latterly Tim, Phil and groups like the Mellstock Band, the old West Gallery musicians who played the fiddle, the cello and the serpent might have been no more than a footnote in history. Hardy wrote evocatively in both his poetry and his stories about the music and the musicians that he knew as a boy.

This year the Ridgeway Singers’ seasonal programme will include songs from Puddletown, Durweston and Hinton St Mary manuscripts, together with newly composed carols in the West Gallery tradition. Interspersed with some sparkling instrumental pieces and midwinter stories, plus a few Ridgeway favourites, expect a heart-warming seasonal celebration of all things Dorset!

The concerts begin on Friday 7th at St John’s Church, West Bay, at 7.30pm, followed on Sunday 9th by an Artsreach event at Holy Trinity, West Lulworth, at 4pm, St Nicholas, Winterborne Kingston, on Friday 14th at 7.30pm, and a second Artsreach event at Herrison Hall, Charlton Down, on Sunday 16th at 4pm.

The Ridgeway Singers and Band’s new

Soap Soup Kitchen bring The Snow Baby to Bridport Arts Centre on December 22nd

CD will be available at the concerts or order from Mike Lofthouse, email mikelofthouse@btinternet.com or telephone 01305 265374.

The Snow Baby BRIDPORT

DEEP in the remote snowy forest an icy wind blows and snowflakes fall from the sky ... Soap Soup Theatre brings the enchanting children’s show, The Snow Baby, to Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday 22nd December at 2pm,.

Doris and her Bear Man live on a hill in the forest, alone but happy. Wrapped up in a snowy smother, they are in love. But when the snowstorm comes, Doris’ Bear Man disappears! How will Doris survive by herself in a forest plagued with nothing but bad weather and a cloud of hungry crows?

Soap Soup Theatre, working with Tessa Bide, uses beautiful puppetry and imaginative storytelling and music to tell this gentle, magical show exploring family, love and loss.

the audience on a musical journey inspired by the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club de France, including forgotten French chansons from Charles Trenet to Georges Brassens.

Vocalist Jipe Gerardin leads a band with three guitars, plus bass and violin. Established in 2005, Petites Annonces has played many venues including London’s gypsy jazz mecca, The Quecumbar and the prestigious March Manouche Festival in Wales.

Hard-Knock Life for BYPS BRIDPORT

BRIDPORT Young Performers Scholarship group tackles one of the most popular of all musical—Annie—for this year’s show at Bridport Arts Centre on 17th and 18th December.

Set in the Great Depression, it is the story of brave young Annie, stuck in the miserable orphanage run by the dreadful Miss Hannigan. Her luck changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks.

But spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…

The Tony award-winning book and score includes It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow.

This is Bridport Young Performers Scholarship’s eighth Christmas show—100 per cent of the profits will go to the BYPS fund, supporting talented young performers to pay for tuition in performing arts to help them reach their dream.

Thea Gilmore BRIDPORT

SINGER-songwriter Thea Gilmore comes to the Electric Palace at Bridport on Friday 7th December as part of her acoustic Christmas Party tour, singing songs from her acclaimed album Strange Communion.

Since releasing her debut as a teenager nearly 20 years ago, the Cheshire-based singer-songwriter has gained global acclaim for making music of extraordinary beauty and rare honesty and insight.

Strange Communion (2009) won critical acclaim for its collection of seasonal songs ranging from joyful to meditative, from introspective to darkly humorous. The 2018 tour includes material from that album, as well as diverse and individual versions of Christmas classics.

Petites Annonces BRIDPORT

LOVERS of Django Reinhardt-style Left Bank jazz are in for a treat at the next jazz cafe at Bridport Arts Centre on Friday 14th December.

Dorset’s own Petites Annonces will take

68 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Noel James coming to Lyme Regis December 15th

Britain’s Got Talent Comedian LYME REGIS

NOEL James, an experienced performer on the stand-up circuit and a semi-finalist in Britain’s Got Talent, headlines Lyme Regis Comedy Club at the Marine Theatre on Saturday 15th December.

Noel has been performing stand-up for a long time with shows at the Edinburgh Fringe dating back as far as 2001, and he is well known on the comedy circuit.

He is known for his absurdist take on comedy. The Independent said of him that he “stands out like a droll giant in a comedy land of trite dwarfs.”

GP-W

Health&Beauty Home Library Service available DO you know someone who loves reading but can’t get to the local library?

They may be entitled to use the Home Library Service, which can organise the delivery of library books to their home by volunteers. This is a free service, available to anybody who cannot easily get to their local library, and is delivered by Royal Voluntary Service volunteers every 3 weeks. Books are chosen individually for each reader, and large print and talking books are also available.

For more details speak to your local library or contact Royal Voluntary Service on 01305 236 666, email dorsetwiltshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or visit www.dorsetforyou.com/libraries

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 69

Dorset branch of national network wants new trustees THE world is full of gloom and bad news, yet here in Dorset some great things are happening.

The Volunteer Centre Dorset (VCD) is bringing more people into volunteering within the community than ever before. They are part of a national network that helps voluntary and community organisations recruit and manage volunteers, and assists those interested in volunteering to find fulfilling and enjoyable opportunities.

They also run their own projects. For example, their achievements at HMP Guys Marsh are seen as best practice and are being exported to other prisons, while the Dorset Community Credit scheme, which supports those with learning difficulties to become involved in the community, is recognised nationally as an example of an innovative and effective way of working.

They have even more ideas to develop and have set out an ambitious management plan to take them forward. They now need to recruit

to their small, friendly and dynamic Board of Trustees. Could you be one of those trustees?

Do you have strong commitment and passion for their charitable objectives?

Would you be able to be a positive support to the VCD team, working effectively as a member of a team of trustees?

Do you have good judgement and an ability to think creatively?

Do you have a range of life experience?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then The Volunteer Centre Dorset like to hear from you. The organisation would especially welcome talking to people of any age, gender and background with expertise in fundraising and income generation, marketing, communications and media. But equally they need individuals with an open mind, broad life skills and a desire to be involved. The law requires charity trustees to be at least 18 years of age and not disqualified by reasons of unspent convictions, such as dishonesty or bribery, or for other non-financial

reasons such as being disqualified as a director or insolvent.

Although based in Dorchester, VCD operates Dorset-wide (excluding Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) and is enhanced by a broad base of trustees from across the county, offering local perspectives and insight.

They ask that trustees will contribute at a board meeting every second month and occasional meetings and functions around those.

This is a volunteer role.

The website, www.volunteeringdorset.org, offers up to date details of what they do, latest news and introduces the team.

VCD wants to take their work to the next level and raise their impact across the community in Dorset. If you would like to help as a trustee please contact VCD by e-mail, telephone or dropping in: The Coach House, Acland Road, Dorchester, DT1 1EF. Telephone 01305 269214 or email info@volunteeringdorset.org

Charity reports rise in serious referrals THE south west region saw the largest increase in ambulance call outs for children suffering a mental health crisis in the whole of the UK. From 936 in 2013 numbers increased almost fourfold to 3628 in 2017 (figures obtained by the Times published October 9th) South West/ Dorset charity Family Counselling Trust which provides low cost counselling for troubled families is seeing proof of this everyday.

New research reveals a huge rise in a) referrals where children have been refused help from the NHS child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) b) the seriousness of children’s illnesses (more depression, self harm and anxiety) c) the age at which referrals are made (up from 8.5 to 11.5) FCT Founder and Chair Robert Montagu says: ‘We are now seeing more secondary school age children who have serious problems (anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, self harm etc). They have frequently been refused help when they were younger (and easier to help) as NHS services have been reduced and children’s mental health needs have increased. ’ For more information or to offer a donation visit www. familycounsellingtrust.org 70 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Services&Classified FIELD WANTED Local resident seeks field to buy, one -two acres. Sea view essential. Everything else flexible. All options considered. Please telephone :- 07508106910

CURTAINS

MUSIC TUITION

Little Curtains.

Handmade Curtains, Blinds and Cushions.

Contact 01308 485325 or 07443516141

Nov 18

Dec 18

SURFACE PREPARATION

Alberny Restoration In-house blast cleaning for home and garden furniture, doors and gates.

Agricultural/construction machinery and tooling.

Vehicles, parts and trailers etc. 01460 73038, email allan@alberny.co.uk, FB Alberny Sandblasting

LOGS Seasoned hardwood logs £100 / load. Call 01308 458339.

DECORATING

Dec 18

Quality decorator.

General maintenance.

Over 40 years experience.

Fast friendly service.

Phone Gary 07719 477828 Mar 19

RESTORATION Furniture restoration.

Antiques large and small carefully restored. City and Guilds qualified, ten years experience in local family firm. Phil Meadley 01297 560335

One bed flat for rent.

Eype near Bridport £100 pr wk email littledownhouse@gmail. com/07817586683

Office/studio/consulting toom to let. Central Crewkerne. email carl@ veryold.co.uk

FOR SALE Calling grandparents!

Unique handmade dolls house -1.3m tall- little ones hide inside! Roof, chimney remove for transportation. 4rooms, stairs to attic, windows, doors open - hours of peace! £250 01460 234581

Sink/taps, Royal Dolton w:56cms d:42cms. £20.

Padded Headboard for single bed, dusky pink, w:90cms, as new, £20. Two cane chair as new, £35. Solid antique pine door. h:183cms. w:87cms d:3cms only £50. Small antique stripped pine door,

Professional guitar tuition. www. guitarentertainment.co.uk Tel: 01460 57391

Dec 18

Piano, violin, theory tuition at your home.

Highly qualified teacher.

20 years experience.

Adults and children welcome. Beginners to advanced. Dr Thomas Gold 07917 835781 Feb 19

Jan19

Feb 18

TO LET

RGT/LCM Examiner offers Electric and Acoustic Guitar Tuition.

Beginners to Advanced.

All Grades. charliemason3@btinternet. com Tel:07759 603912 01297678691

FRAMING Professional Picture Framing. Small jewellery repairs. Firebird Studio 19C South Street Bridport.

Contact 01308 422758

PROOF READING Proofreading, editing, transcription, secretarial for writers and businesses.

Excellent references.

Penny Dunscombe Jan 18 07825339289

GARDEN HELP Mandy and Andrew Cave Garden Maintenance. All aspects undertaken. If you need help then please ring 01460 221319 or mobile 07855 250382 / 07980 043548 email andrew_ cave@btinternet.com

Sept 18

HEDGELAYER Traditional Hedgelayer.

Devon + Dorset style.

Clearance and coppice work also undertaken. No job too small. Call Roly; 07961 967471 Jan 19

SHEDS Ex-display sheds.

Gardenrooms, stables, fieldshelters, garages, summerhouses, anything to order. 01935-891195Feb 19

WANTED Suitable dry space to use picture framing equipment. Bridport area, garage etc 07784 942979 Secondhand tools wanted. All trades. Users & Antiques. G & E C Dawson. 01297 23826. www.secondhandtools. co.uk.

Feb 19

Vinyl Records all types bought and sold, Rock Pop Jazz Classical always required. Excellent price paid Roy 01308 458077 clocktowermusic.co.uk Oct 18 Bridport Postage stamps. Private collector requires 19th and early 20th century British. Payment to you or donation to your nominated charity. 01460 240630.

Jan 19

Vintage & antique textiles, linens, costume buttons etc. always sought

by Caroline Bushell. Tel. 01404 45901.

a topper. £70. Tel 07762460951. To collect.

Vermont coal effect gas stove in bottle green enamel £85.00.

0129722603 Pentax camera and accessories. Camera SLR SP 500. Pentax 28mm and 55mm lenses.

Hoya telephoto HMC zoom macro 100300mm. Weston Master IV light meter. In cases, plus carrying case. £95.

01460 234755 Flat bed trailer.

4-wheels. Braked. 2400 kilos capacity. Ifor Williams axles. Ally sides (need fitting).

Heavy duty ally ramps.

2 spare wheels. Flat bed 9’5” X 5’2” plus draw bar. £950. Tel: 01460 234755 (near Chard)

Oak Table early £20th century Jacobean-style.

Very good condition 6’x 2’8”. Additionally two leaves 2’8” x 1’1”.

Photos available. £400 Nr Ilminster 01460 259023 Canon Starwriter 25 electric word processor/ typewriter with memory tapes,training manual and carrying bag. All in good condition. £45.00 Wood filing trays (2) £10.00. Large Cellotape dispenser £10.00. Cork Notice boards (2) £5.00 each. French Language training course in Book form with discs. As new. £15.00. Tel 01297680560 Yamaha electric acoustic Guitar, 12 string, vgc £160. Tel 01297 553368

WANTED Dave buys all types of tools 01935 428975

Jun 19

FOR SALE h:158cms w:70cms d:3cms with latch. £40. single panel bath screen, right hand h:1450mm, w:750mm, d: 6mm, tempered glass, aluminium, silver, original price £249, sell for only £45. Images available. Contact: 07776135775.

Hot water cylinder.

1200 X 450 Indirect vented copper cylinder, originally £314, however, only £60 or nearest offer. Installed for 3 months the removed, £60. Cooke and Lewis shower enclosure 1000x1900mm silver effect sliding door, 6mm clear toughened safety glass (new £619) + rectangular resinlite tray (new £239) + Easy plumb kit (new £138)

As new, still boxed / wrapped, reduced to £350. Contact: 07776135775.

Multiyork 2 seater settee plus 2 chairs, mid to dark green self patterned fabric, removeable cushion and arm covers. Good condition. House move and relunctantly no longer required. £150.

Tel 07762460951. To collect.

Ikea Malkolm office/ desk swivel chair, cream faux leather, as new.

House move and no longer required. £40.

Tel 07762460951. To collect.

Ikea queen size bed, 60x80” with headboard and mattress. In very clean and good condition as has been used with

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 71

FOR SALE

FREE ADS for items under £1,000 Classified advertising in The Marshwood Vale Magazine is normally 95 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 all 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 –

Kinzo bench bandsaw with guide accessories and spare blade suitable DIY £35.00 07743 456171 Large wire extending child fire guard £10.00.

01308 427681 Early Learning wooden dolls house £10. Ladies low heal leather shoes size 6½ Carvela, Spanish and Italian designs, 39½, 40. Excellent condition, reasonable offers accepted. Photos tel:-01935 863954 Men’s Navy Blue Regular Fit Suit Worn Once Jacket. Chest 48in Short. Trousers Waist 42in. £50. Men’s Black Woollen Cashmere Top Coat By M&S Autograph. (Worn Once).

Chest Size 38-40. Cost £125. £60 ono. Ladies New Navy Blue Quilted Jacket by “Joules”. Size (Small) 14. Cost £89. £45ono. Ladies Brown Check Country Jacket by twiggy with velvet collar

and elbow patches. Size 12. £20. Ladies Black and White Stripped Jacket by M&Co. Size 12. £15. Ladies Dark Brown Leather Jacket

by M&S. Size 12. £40. Navy Blue Suede Peeptoe 3” Heel Shoes.

Size 6/39. (Worn once) as new. Cost £55, Except £25ono. Black Velvet Pumps (Embellished Toes). As new. Cost £25, Except £10. Phone 07855235116 after 6pm.

500w halogen portable spotlight with spare bulbs. Would light up the Albert Hall - ideal when decorating. £5. 01300 341637 Earlex wallpaper stripper, robust and efficient with wallplate and hand held shield for awkward areas. £5.

01300 341637 Stockmans style long waterproof mens cape coat. Lightweight fabric (not the heavy waxed version) and lined.

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 Weycroft. The winner was Elaine Cull from Fordington, Dorchester.

72 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

FOR SALE Dark green with storm pockets. Brand new with all tags as unwanted gift (wanted but wrong size) - size medium,110cm long. Worth more but will accept £35. 01300 341637.

Brand new and boxed stainless steel carron zeta 90 kitchen sink. £50 Tel. 01297 300270 Robert Sorby 447 universal sharpening system for bench grinder, excellent condition, boxed with angle gauge and fitting instructions £80 Tel. 01297 300270 Two cream leather Ikea Poang chairs, seat webbing in need of attention, £40 the pair.

Tel 01297 553368 Acoustic dreadnought Guitar with spruce top, good sound £40. Tel 01297 553368 Ladies quality Jack Murphy waterproof coat, size 10/12, as new £50.

Tel 01297 553368 Garage door 196cm square with garador electronic remote control £99 07905302938 IKEA First Bed Gulliver 70x160 + guard rail Good condition Vyssa mattress £50 East Lambrook Photos available 01460 242071 07834 550899 First Bed Mothercare Extending min 140x76cm Max 190x76 Mattress for max size £50 East Lambrook Photos available 01460 242071 07834 550899 Victorian brass fender 2 one large and one to fit small fire place Plus fire dogs Photos available £100 East lambrook 01460 242071 07834 550899 Kenwood Chef attachment. Mincer fine and course cutters. Good condition East lambrook 01460 242071 07834 550899 Vintage Fur stoles 2 Good condition ideal for drama group. Bargain

£25 East lambrook 01460 242071 07834 550899 Original Wipac 12v/60s Spot light Re chromed £15 East lambrook 01460 242071 07834 550899 Kane-May(km) 3000 Electronic Temp Recorder with 2 probes.

9 Thermo couplings + Control £15 East

PEOPLE AT WORK lambrook 01460 242071 07834 550899 Nissan Juke 2014/15 fitted rubber boot liner, never been used £25, tel 01297 680206.

Professional Magic for sale £5 to £50 due to retirement, list available on 07834718099, Weymouth.

PERSONAL

David Mounstephen, photograph and words by Catherine Taylor

DAVID MOUNSTEPHEN

ELECTRICAL

BUILD

DAVID Mounstephen has been working at Yandle & Sons Ltd in Martock since he was 18 years old. Straight from college he already had a love for the company that he would come to run as Managing Director, following on from his father, and his grandfather before that. Today, the original sawmill has diversified under David’s management and includes a timber shop, a woodworking centre selling all and any tool conceivable that a woodworker may need and a café which the locals love. There is also a store selling haberdashery, paints and craft materials and a gallery which stocks an impressive array of different pieces from local artists as well as a learning hub. It is this expansion from the still operating sawmill that has kept Yandle and Sons Ltd a thriving business.

Originally, Yandle & Sons Ltd only dealt with English Elm and made coffins which were sold wholesale. But with the onslaught of Dutch Elm disease, the business was under threat almost overnight. David and his father looked to put the sawmill to use in other ways and found a gap in the market for oak caskets to house ashes from cremations. These caskets also led to making the handles for coffins which, until then, had been made from non-biodegradable materials. David’s love for retail gave him the confidence to introduce the craft shop, somewhere which could entice anyone visiting whose head wasn’t turned by the woodworking emporium. The café was a natural progression after that, providing somewhere for people to meet, with the recent addition of a table for anyone who would like company to sit at and meet others.

Decidedly a family business, David still meets with his father at his parents’ house every lunch time. They are joined by David’s nephew, his designated heir to the business. Together, the three generations around the table discuss business and new ideas, all while enjoying mother’s cooking; her roasts are top of the wish list. And when evenings and weekends allow, David retires to his farmhouse in Martock which he moved to in January, after a long spell commuting from Bristol. Back in the village where he was born, he allows himself time to explore his love of painting. Possibly one day we may spy one for sale in the gallery if his humility would allow it.

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 73

FOR SALE The Cerne Abbas Giant. Unframed signed numbered print by David Bethel RWA. 42X36 cm. £145.00 ONO. For further details 01460 220924 Slide, suit toddler, wooden slide folds up for indoor use. Ideal present for rainy day, can store behind the sofa £25 ono tel 01297489567 2 White wood Outside back doors, half glazed, plus unused door jamb.

Good condition. £35 each ono buyer collects or could transport to near address. tel 01297489567 Antique for sale. A superb example of an antique oak plank coffer/ blanket chest, candle box present. Good solid construction and with all the signs of its great age, the photos do not do it justice so please feel free to inspect .42” long, 14.5 deep and 24 high Photos available £380. 01460 55105 Kirby upright vacuum cleaner. Very little use.

Just serviced. With tools and spare bags £400 01460 242251.

Trailer £150 ono. Steel frame, suspension brakes very heavy, adaptable would make front for Shepherds Hut. Maiden

STORAGE

74 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 Tel. 01308 423031

Newton 01300 321405.

Victorian dining chairs.

2 pairs mid green velvet upholstery £95 ono 07740 872474.

2 Bee suits large and medium, with hats and veils £70 each 01460 64653.

Phillips Tandem 15 years old. Seat and derailleur gears need adjustment buyer to collect please £80 call 01305 751962.

Toyota Yaris 14” steel wheel £5 orwith 175/70x14 tyre £15 01308 868250 (Burstock).

Brand New Continental 175/70x14 Tyre on Corsa Rim £20 01308 868250 (Burstock).

2 x sets new bedlinen single ‘Harrods’. 3 x white duvet covers double kingsize, 1 x kingsize emb sheet. 2 x kingsize floral duvet covers. 6 x pillow case floral £50 ono 01297 678692.

Christmas Trees large!

8-10ft and bushy!

Choose now collect later £10 minimum.

Donations to Autism Wessex 01308 868250.

Kawaski 5.5HP Vertical shaft, electric start, mower engine running well, mower fell apart! £20 01308 868250.

Honda 15Y Esaystart mower good working order £45 01308 868250.

Mirror – Classic ornate Giltwood Frame with bevelled glass 36”x27” £80 01305 783202.

Ladies coat – Creenstone 12-14 Length 47” Mongolian fur collar + cuffs £75 01305 783202.

Yamaha B-55 Electone Organ free to good home also 3ft6in Divan with headboard GC 01305 263651.

Large pet carrier as new £10. Also dog ‘tray’ for Retriever size dog 01404 41717.

Brass Rubbers 11”x31” Sir Robert De Bunes Acton Suffolk 1302.

Margret Peyton 1484 Seeham Church £10 Cambs 01305 425459.

Light weight wheel chair new £150 ono 01460 239321.

Rocking Horse by Ian Armstrong Chestnut Good original condition little use at Grannys £325 ono 07876550056 Salwayash.

Piano stool, quite useable but needs some TLC, free. Hahn ceiling rack Large rectangular 100 x 52cm natural pine, excellent condition £55 (new price approx. £200) 01460 52289.

FOR SALE Ladies Ski boots size 5, good condition, very comfortable. Cheaper than boot hire! £20 07542171829.

One pair wooden gates field style 49”x43” £45.

One pair metal gates 45”x37” £45 01460 281386.

Skoda Yeti Roof bars cost £135 sell £60, Rubber mats £30, Galvanised steel balustrade 32”H 104”L £50 01308 863060.

Rollei P355 Projector and screen and stand all vgc only £25 the lot 01297 20750.

Wrought Iron Ornamental Antique lamp, coloured glass panels needs wiring for modern use 01308 898611.

Henry Vac/Cleaner HVR 200 new motor VGC all extra parts of equipment included £50 01297 552557.

Pashley TRI 1 Adults folding tricycle.

Shimano gears. Low mileage. One careful lady owner! Red £375 01297 489525.

Ercol drop-leaf small coffee table light golden-colour. 1950s retro. Lovely restored finish. £220 01297 551408.

2 Wickes wardrobe sliding doors. 220mm x 732mm to fit Wickes tracksets. VGC free to good home, ring for more details 07884252915.

Vintage toner amplifier with denton warfdale speakers £60. Vintage zeiss icon contax 35mm camera+ 50mm lens £150 01305 767271.

Micklem multi-bridle standard horse size (brown) excellent condition little used £50 Ilminster 01460 52289.

Parker Knoll Baslow stripe two 2 seater settees plus matching foot stool still current genuine reason for sale £995 01308 861474.

Hay for sale £4 per bale 01460 239569.

1938 Motor show magazine A4 size 196 pages new cars at £195 each fascinating £35 ono including p&p collectors item 07594687485.

Home office mobile suspension files carrier chromed steel frame 27”L x 17”W x 20”H with wood cladding.

Good condition £35 01297 680560.

Chest freezer GWO Electrolux 21.5” x 21.5” square, 33.5” high £40. Belling tabletop cooker 2 rings 18.5” x 15”sq 5”high £20 buyer collects 01308 867335.

Schwinn fast back S frame pro racing bike carbin forks & seat stem.

Spare set of wheels tyres excellent condition.

Bargain at £175 ono.

Mobile storage centre made by Stanley excellent condition £10 01460 220178.

Guernsey, mens large, navy winter weight attractive cable design. £60 01460 30371 Superb heavy shearling flight jacket dark brown, fleece light fawn. Mens large. Zip-up ultra warm. £450. 01460 30371 Lightweight soft leather jacket, lined, sand colour, med-large.

Multi pocket. Orvis

CHIMNEY SWEEP £250. Matching lined waistcoat. £25 01460 30371 Artists oil colours, Windror & Newton. 64 x 21ml tubes. Full series spectrum. Unused and boxed. 01460 78359 4 hardwood external doors. Partly double glazed. Brass butt hinges. Kirkpatrick handle c/w keys.

Bespoke sizes. £40 each door 01460 220885 Free roll black alkathene water pipe, suitable for grden cloches. 01308 427479 J Taylor coat 12-14 Debenhams. Brown washable suede, fur inside sleeves. £50 ono 01308 456830 Four seasons water proof raincoat. Size 12-14 lines slate blue £50.00 01308 456830.

Gerry Webber edition Germany med brown 3/4 coat quilted lines.

V warm size 14 £50.00 01308 456830 Yamaha electric keyboard 5 octaves, 61 full-sized keys, stand, rst, power supply £30 01935 475487 Bunk beds solid pine.

Designed and handmade by craftsman. Complete with mattresses if required more details £200 phone 01297 443930

To advertise on these pages telephone 01308 423031

CHIMNEY SWEEP

Tel. 01308 423031 The Marshwood Vale Magazine December 2018 75

L AWRENCES AUCTIONEERS

SOME HIGHlIGHtS FROM OUR £1.1m AUtUMN AUCtIONS

£26,840

£17,000

£15,250

£13,400

£10,900

£10,200

£9,500

£8,780

£6,830

£6,340

£2,920

£2,860

£5,360

£2,680

£3,530

£2,310

£3,290

£2,300

£2,190

£1,340

OUR WINTER FINE ART AUCTIONS WILL INCLUdE

Silver • Jewellery & Watches • Ceramics & Glass • Oriental Works of Art • Pictures & Prints Clocks • Furniture • Rugs & Carpets

GENERAL SALES EVERY WEdNESdAY AT 9.30AM 600-900 lOtS, £20-300

HOME VISITS WITHOUT CHARGE OR OBLIGATION Contact our team of specialists on  enquiries@lawrences.co.uk ( 01460 73041 lawrences.co.uk The Linen Yard, South Street, Crewkerne TA18 8AB