Salisbury Life – issue 226

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property ISSUE 226 / ANTIQUE INTERIORS 2016 / £3

MASSAGE THERAPY

CELEBRATING THE BEST IN SALISBURY AND WILTSHIRE

FOOD THAT CARES

GETTING RUBBED UP THE RIGHT WAY

FORGET MICHELIN STARS, THE POSH NOSH IS IN CARE HOMES ISSUE 226 / ANTIQUE INTERIORS 2016 / CARE HOME CUISINE

‘I WOULD WALK 500 MILES…’

ONE SALISBURY MAN WHO REALLY DID

GOLDEN OLDIES

THE WIPERS TIMES

CO-WRITERS IAN HISLOP & NICK NEWMAN TELL US ABOUT THEIR WW1 PLAY

EXPERT ADVICE ON ANTIQUE, VINTAGE AND RETRO INTERIORS

AND

D I N I N G AT C H A R T E R 12 2 7 / A F T E R N O O N T E A R E C I P E S / F A S H I O N T I P S F R O M R E P E R T O I R E

8

EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 226 / ANTIQUE INTERIORS 2016

ANTIQUE SPEAK

How to use vintage and antique pieces in your home

Celebrating Salisbury I love a good cheese pun as much as the next girl so when Wilton deli Archett & Garne took home an award at the Global Cheese Awards, I was brie-side myself. (‘Thankyouthankyouverrymush, I’m here every Friday, try the fish...’)

Sorry. Anyway, this issue is stuffed with the best of Salisbury. For a start, we let some of the city’s indie shops loose on our shopping pages to show us the things they love most from their stores. They’ll almost be upset if you want to buy them. We also get to the bottom of the eternal question: what’s the difference between antique and vintage? You need to know because the hottest interiors today are a beautiful blend of historic and modern. But for me, one of the most fun things to do for this issue was sit in a cafe in Salisbury with him-off-the-telly Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, co-writers and longtime friends, to chat about their new play The Wipers Times, which is a WW1 comedy drama showing at Salisbury Playhouse next month.

They are charming men and it’s an incredible, inspiring true story, read all about it on page 30.

Tamara Pitelen Editor tamara.pitelen@mediaclash.co.uk Tweet me @SalisburyLife

REGULARS / ISSUE 226 / ANTIQUE INTERIORS 2016 M EET T H E T EAM Editor Tamara Pitelen tamara.pitelen@mediaclash.co.uk Managing editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors: Bernard Bale, Anne Brison Advertising manager Hillary Thompson hillary.thompson@mediaclash.co.uk

30

Commercial director Steve Hawkins steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk Head of customer publishing Gary Tipp gary.tipp@mediaclash.co.uk

FEATURES

Production and distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager and production designer Christina West christina.west@mediaclash.co.uk

8 Golden Oldies

Antiques, vintage, retro...what does it all mean? How do you put it together in your home? We reveal

18 Care home cuisine

18

These days, the food in Salisbury’s top care homes is closer to Michelin than mushy

ARTS 25 Arts intro

Meet Sir Ted Heath of Spitting Image fame at a new exhibition

26 What’s on

For theatre luvvies, music mavens and arty types, it’s all happening in Salisbury this month

SHOPPING

BUSINESS

41 Shopping intro

55 Business Insider

30 Theatre

42 Editor’s choice

Love it! Salisbury’s indies pick their favourite in-store musthave

Cheese to please at Archett & Garne; under par with the birdie man of Salisbury Golf; fostering great businesses at Hector Merrywheather; Sarumite movers and shakers, and more...

FOOD

46 Special shop

PROPERT Y

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman chat with us about their new WWI comedy drama The Wipers Times

34 Restaurant

Impeccable cuisine at Charter 1227 from the skillful hands of Salisbury’s most likeable chef

37 Recipes

Afternoon teas of fruit scones heaped with cream, and carrot cake - you can’t beat a proper high tea!

Tall sculptured African beauties

Keeping Sarumites stylish since 2003, Repertoire is the go-to for top fashion in the city

HEALTH & BEAUT Y 53 Review

Mimosa Massage Therapy tried and tested

Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Salisbury Life, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

About MediaClash We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Salisbury.

We also publish foodie mag Crumbs. (www.crumbsmag.com, @CrumbsMag) and wedding title Vow (@VowMag).

Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help.

Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

62 Property showcase

A Georgian country mansion built in 2010 for a luxe rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle

DEPARTMENTS 7 48 66

Spotlight Society Salisbury lives

The gorgeous interiors image that graces our cover this issue is from Jemma and Mimmi over at Orchid Furniture. If there’s one thing those two Salisbury stylistas know about, it’s using beautiful antiques to create a jaw-dropping look. Find out more on page 8.

Salisbury & South Wilts Golf Club MEMBERSHIPS

A range of Memberships now available including: • Full (unlimited golf) and • Lifestyle (credit based).

SPECIAL OFFERS:

• 9 holes on our Bibury Course only £10 after 12 noon • Winter Membership Offer: only £225 – see website for details

VISITORS WELCOME

Bar and Restaurant open to the Public

18 hole par 71 Cathedral Course 9 hole par 34 Bibury Course Both courses maintained to a very high standard Free draining top quality downland golf w w w. s a l i s b u r y g o l f. c o . u k

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S A L I S B U R Y: I T S L I F E A N D T I M E S

Two of the original WW1 ‘sweetheart’ pin cushions made by wounded soldiers

REMEMBRANCE

SWEETHEART SOLDIERS Salisbury Cathedral is marking the end of the World War I Somme Offensive with a unique Remembrance exhibition called 100 Hearts for 100 Years.

Organised by the military charity, SSAFA Wiltshire, this exhibition runs from 4 to 24 November and features four original WW1 ‘sweetheart’ pincushions made by wounded soldiers as they recuperated from their injuries alongside 100 recreated hearts made by present day soldiers, veterans, military wives and schoolchildren.

For more: www.salisburycathedral.org.uk

Clockwise from above: Cathedral Stonemason Christian Sullivan and the damaged finial; A work in progress; Ta da! The finished finial

Clive Adlam and Salisbury mayor Derek Brown

COMMEMORATE

VC STONE LAID

RESTORATION

FINAL FINIAL

A paving stone to commemorate the award of Lt Col Tom Adlam’s Victoria Cross (VC) medal for gallantry was unveiled in Salisbury on 27 September.

It was 100 years to the day that Adlam undertook the action for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross ‘for most conspicuous bravery’ during WWI. The stone was unveiled by Adlam’s son Clive, who wore his father’s VC for the occasion, at the War Memorial in the Guildhall Square.

Salisbury mayor Cllr Derek Brown said Lt Col Tom Adlam was a remarkable man and “the commemorative stone is a reminder to us all that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when called upon to do so.”

Stonemason Christian Sullivan marked the end of his four-year-long apprenticeship at Salisbury Cathedral by laying the last stone on the latest area of a major repair programme.

Christian spent the two months carefully carving a copy of a damaged finial for the south east side of the Cathedral. The original finial was damaged as a result of Victorian restoration in which the masons used an iron pin to fix the finial to the stone below. The iron rusted and expanded causing the stone to split.

Nowadays Cathedral masons use stainless steel pins, which do not rust.

“It is amazing to think that my work is now up there and will be for the next few hundred years,” Christian said.

The current repair programme began 30 years ago and work on the spire, roof, north, south and west faces is now complete. Work is currently underway on the east end. If you’d like to help fund this repair programme, you can enquire about the Sponsor a Stone project. Contact Natalie Downing at Salisbury Cathedral on 01722 555122 or n.downing@salcath.co.uk

For more: www.salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk

For more: www.salcath.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 7

Antique speak

Vintage, retro, antique… what do these different terms mean?

How do you make the look work in your home? And what’s a ‘must have’ conversation piece? We asked Salisbury’s experts…

By Be r na r d Ba l e

ANTIQUE INTERIORS on knowing your space sizes. He says the first mistake people often make is not measuring up their home before trying to fit that fantastic grand piano into the front room.

“We all make mistakes of course,” Chris says, “and the most common one is to fall in love with the item and fail to notice that it is far too big for your space before you get it home.

“Visualise it in your home; in the very space you have in mind. It doesn’t matter how young or old the house is, period furniture will go with most properties but it comes down to personal taste. A piece of art, especially a statue, will give your room an extra dimension of interest.”

EASTERN INFLUENCES

Chinese antiques from Orchid Furniture

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE FLOOR. SUCH IS THEIR

PRESENCE THAT SOME PEOPLE HANG A PERSIAN RUG ON THEIR WALL

W

hat does the word ‘antiques’ conjure up for you? Beautiful objects made more valuable and rare by the passage of time or old stuff

that nobody wants any more?

What about vintage? Is there more to it than wine? And retro, what does that actually mean?

Let’s clear up all these definitions for a start.

Something is antique if it’s aged 100 years or older. If it’s aged 20 to 80 years, it’s vintage. Then there’s retro, which is often an item manufactured to look like it’s from a previous decade. At the moment that generally falls between the 1960s and 1980s.

These days, real or faux antiques are being used to striking effect in very contemporary interiors.

Antiques have that intangible presence, vintage is much younger, of course, and retro tends to be more for fun than anything else.

It can be a fine line though between a creative mix of old and new and a house that looks like a junk shop. So how do you make this look work in your home? And what kind of buy makes a great conversation piece?

To find out, we went to have a chat with a few of Salisbury’s experts on antiques and interiors.

Our first port of call was the Salisbury Antiques Centre where owner Chris Watts had some advice

In today’s interiors, rules about what goes with what are getting broken every day. Antiques from all over the world, from various eras, are being used alongside each other as well as with contemporary pieces. In particular, we are looking increasingly to Eastern cultures for inspiration and one item that can absolutely transform a room is an antique Persian rug.

Masoud Mazaheri-Asadi at Bakhtiyar of Stockbridge and London is an international authority on Persian carpets, their quality and how they work in any environment.

Persian carpets are not just something to cover the floor, says Masoud. “They are a work of art and should be carefully selected, just as you might select a painting.”

“You want something that will enhance your room, perhaps to act as a focal point but not to dominate. It’s not just about the floor. Such is their presence that some people hang a Persian rug on their wall.

“There are so many colour schemes and beautiful designs that making a choice can be difficult. It is important to picture your carpet or rug in your room with your furniture, not just on your floor.”

Taking our search a little further East, we come to China. It’s a place that’s very familiar to the owners of Orchid Furniture, Jemma Page and Mimmi Waugh. Much of the eye-popping furniture, curiosities and objets d’art that fill their Stockbridge showroom are the finest examples of Chinese antique furniture and modern craft.

Jemma and Mimmi travel regularly to remote areas of China, making personal visits to ensure they have total control on product design and development, as well as the opportunity to find exciting new designs and source antiques for their Mandarin Collection.

“Our clients have all kinds of homes. With a little thought, it is amazing to see how antique Chinese furniture can look at home in the most modern of houses as well as in old farmhouses,” Jemma says.

“The sheer craftsmanship and design of Chinese antique furniture is top class. Any piece will make a statement, commanding attention from anyone who visits as well as those dwelling in the home.  www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 9

ANTIQUE INTERIORS “All our antique furniture is genuine and if it has needed some restoration it is done by using the same techniques as the original makers.

Every item is taken apart and each individual component is cleaned, repaired and the whole thing put back together almost as good as new.

“With that in mind, it is better to visit a specialist like ourselves than try pot luck at a fair. No problem with fairs but it is good to really study the piece in the showroom, go home and consider the matter and then come back to buy if they wish.”

LIGHT AND EASY

Another Salisbury antiques expert who regularly travels to the Far East for stock is Marion Lightbown of Indigo Antiques in Manningford, Pewsey.

Along with her husband Richard, Marion has been importing and restoring antique furniture from India, China, Japan and Indonesia for more than 30 years.

“We like to help clients select the sort of pieces that we would have in our own home,” Marion says. “It’s difficult to make a serious mistake as long as you don’t spend too much money and you like the piece of furniture.

“Whatever your preference of period or origin, it’s very important to decide on the style. That will did dictate the colours of the palette for your room. Decide on a few pieces of furniture that follow that style then you can start thinking about the colours of the carpets and the curtains. Also consider the natural light. If it’s a small room, don’t dress it with dark carpets and curtains unless you want to make it feel small and cosy.

Marion also advises taking time to shop around and try different pieces out at home. Independent

retailers like Indigo often let a customer have a big purchase on approval, or at least exchange it if it doesn’t look right once you get it home. Browsing antique fairs and car boot sales is also a great way to get a feel for what’s out there in the market.

BUILD THE FOUNDATIONS

Another piece of advice is to pick the big purchases first and this comes from Susi Mason, who runs Casa Fina on Salisbury’s High Street with her mother Liz French.

“I would always start with the major purchases because you can buy new cushions if you need to but you don’t want to have to order another sofa.

Find something you love.”

Period pieces add another dimension of depth and history to interior design, Susi says.

“Be careful though when mixing furniture with a very distinctive style from eras such as high Victorian, art deco or mid century modern. Choose one style to add some interest in a room. That said, more classic styles of the Georgian and Edwardian eras will mix much more easily with each other as well as contemporary furniture or artwork.”

“I would also suggest that new house buyers should live in the home for several months before they make any major decisions,” Susi says.

“Gradually get a feel for a house; notice how you move around it and use the rooms. Anticipating this too early could lead to costly mistakes.

“Don’t try to be too matchy matchy but do have some overall theme or mood that runs through the room. Furniture should, where possible, be comfortable, beautiful and long lasting. Accessories can come and go but mix some better pieces with cheap ones and you should be OK. If you just want the odd piece, find an antiques or vintage shop where the buyer taps into a style that you like.”

Above: Susi Mason of Casa Fina; a vintage brass tiffin lunch box from Indigo Antiques; black desk from Orchid Furniture; Left: Casa Fina on Salisbury’s High Street 10 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

STREET ART

A beautiful wooden chest makes a great conversation piece, says Marion Lightbown of Indigo Antiques

IT WOULD BE A

MISTAKE TO BUY CHINESE ANTIQUES, ESPECIALLY FURNITURE, AS A

GROWTH INVESTMENT

IN A NUTSHELL

So, the experts are telling us to know our budget and stick to it; buy for love not for money (although hopefully your piece will grow in value); ask questions about an antique or vintage piece to unearth its provenance; check that the item functions - you don’t want a beautiful cupboard that doesn’t open or a grandfather clock that doesn’t tell time; beward of fakes, and, finally, enjoy what you’ve bought whether it be a rare antique, a vibrant vintage piece or just some funloving retro.

CONVERSATION PIECE

What kind of antique purchase makes a great conversation piece and adds a certain je ne sais quoi to a home? Here are some ideas…

LONG CASE CLOCKS For getting people talking, Salisbury Antiques Centre owner Chris Watts says you can’t go wrong with a long case clock.

“They always look good in a hallway,” Chris says. “They have a lovely feel about them, people just love to see them and most are extremely good time keepers if they are taken care of properly.

“A long case clock will look good anywhere whether you have an old farmhouse, a Tudor style property or a modern town house. They fit in and demand that you look at them and talk about them.

ARTS

PERSIAN RUGS Persian carpets are not just something to cover the floor, says Masoud Mazaheri-Asadi at Bakhtiyar of Stockbridge and London. “They are a work of art and should be carefully selected, just as you might select a painting,” Masoud says, an internationally acclaimed authority on Persian carpets.

“It’s not just about the floor. Such is their presence that some people hang a Persian rug on their wall. Shop carefully and go for the authentic.

Don’t settle for a cheap imitation. You will not only have a fantastic piece but with proper care, an item of beauty that will become a part of your family and last for a very long time.”

CHEST “A good first buy for a novice would be to purchase a box or a chest,” says Marion Lightbown of Indigo Antiques. “An antique chest has so many different uses. Use it as a coffee table or to put your TV on, hide spare duvets, store magazines, books or toys. The process of looking for a chest is a very good learning curve. First, look very hard to make sure it’s well made. Look at the bottom to make sure it is not likely to fall out. There are so many things you can learn from buying a chest and you will have it for years to come. We have a fantastic selection of Indian and Chinese boxes and chests at Indigo. Do come and have a look.”  www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 11

ANTIQUE INTERIORS Left: Desk and accessories from Orchid Furniture. Below: Owners of Orchid Furniture Mimmi Waugh and Jemma Page

“Shop carefully and go for the authentic. Don’t settle for a cheap imitation. You will not only have a fantastic piece but with proper care, an item of beauty that will become a part of your family and last for a very long time.”

NO REALLY, FORGET THE MONEY Chris Watts, Salisbury Antiques Centre “I think it’s always a mistake to look at antiques, vintage or retro as an investment. That does not mean that they may not be but the market fluctuates so much. The secret is to buy something because you really like it.”

TRAPS FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

What are the biggest mistakes made by beginners to the world of antiques and vintage buying?

Salisbury’s experts tell how to avoid the top traps for newbies…

FORGET PROFIT Jemma Page Orchid Furniture “It would be a mistake to buy Chinese antiques, especially furniture as a growth investment. It might grow in value but really it is an investment in ancient craft, quality and beauty.”

KEEP IT REAL Masoud Mazaheri-Asadi, Bakhtiyar of Stockbridge and London

SALISBURY ANTIQUES DIRECTORY

www.antiqueswebsite.co.uk/ chris-wadge-clocks

Beulah’s Vintage Attic Toogood & May Auctioneers, Salisbury Rd, Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire; 07810 688642; www.beulahsvintageattic. wordpress.com

Cranbourne Garden Centre Cranborne, Dorset; 01725 517248; www. cranbornegardencentre.co.uk

Bakhtiyar High Street, Stockbridge; 01264 811033; www.bakhtiyar.com Casa Fina 62 High St; 01722 326428; www.casafinasalisbury.co.uk Chris Wadge Clocks (Repair) 83 Fisherton St; 01722 334467;

Digger and Mojo Unit 9 Salisbury Road Business Park, Pewsey; 01672 562222; www.diggerandmojo.com Indigo Antiques Dairy Barn, Manningford Bruce; 01672 564722; www.indigo-uk.com Jonathan Green Antiques 37 Catherine St; 01722 332635; www.jonathangreenantiques.co.uk

DON’T BE IN A HURRY Marion Lightbown, Indigo Antiques “Take your time. Rushing in and trying to furnish too many rooms at once can lead to disappointment. Better to concentrate on one room at a time, and complete it. That way you are less likely to make mistakes. Dressing a room can be a bit daunting. My advice would be to strip the room completely of furniture so you have a blank canvas, and slowly put things back into it that you think will work together. Having the space does liberate your imagination.”

DON’T BE A SLAVE TO FASHION Susi Mason at Casa Fina “Classic furniture and fabrics can be dressed to create new looks. Quirky twists and colours can be added and changed when you tire of them but if you simply follow trends you might find yourself changing things because you feel that you ought to rather than because you want to.

“Go to trade fairs and scour trend forecasts and you’ll see just about everything so don’t get distracted by fashion.”

Lenny Roberts Antiques 49 Fisherton St; 01722 328079; www.facebook.com/ LennyRobertsAntiques

Salisbury Antiques Centre 94 Wilton Rd; 01722 410634; www.salisburyantiquescentre. com

Myriad Antiques and Collectables 54 Milford St; 01722 413595; www.myriad-antiques.co.uk

Salisbury Antiques Market 37 Catherine St; 01722 326033 or 01722 338487; www.salisburyantiquemarket. co.uk

Orchid Furniture The Old Barn, Sandydown, Stockbridge, Hampshire; 01264 811111; www.orchidfurniture.co.uk

The History Bookshop 98 Fisherton St; 07772 632517

Robert Bradley Antiques Little Toyd Farm, Rockbourne, Fordingbridge; 07780 604444; www.robertbradleyantiques.com

Woolley and Wallis Salisbury Salerooms 51-61 Castle St; 01722 424500; www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 13

Jonathan GreenAntiques

Hingstons of Wilton Where the past becomes your beautiful future

Come and browse our large showrooms - ANTIQUES PURCHASED -

WANTED Gold & Silver ANY QUANTITY ANY CONDITION

POCKET WATCHES • CHAINS • BRACELETS • RINGS • GOLD COINS • DENTAL GOLD • OLD TROPHIES • CUTLERY • TRAYS • SALVERS • ALL ITEMS OF SCRAP SILVER

jg@jonathangreenantiques.co.uk www.jonathangreenantiques.co.uk

01722 332635

The Antique Market, (rear of ground floor) 37 Catherine Street, Salisbury SP1 2DH

Come and visit us at: The Old Bell House, 2 Shaftesbury Road (A30), Wilton SP2 0DR Please see our website for details.

www.hingstons-antiques.co.uk Tel: 01722 742263

Asian Antiques & Interiors Dairy Barn, Manningford Bruce, Wiltshire SN9 6JW Tel: 01672 564722 • www.indigo-uk.com

WARDEN ASSISTED HOUSING If you are retired you may be eligible for sheltered accommodation with Salisbury City • Safe, warm and Almshouse & comfortable flats Welfare • Daily visit from your Warden Charities.

• Emergency support 24 hours a day • Communal facilities

If you qualify for Housing Benefit you may only have to pay a small contribution towards the weekly cost of living in an almshouse.

For further information look at our website: www.salisburyalmshouses.co.uk or call: 01722 325640

Non-surgical facial rejuvenation including dermal fillers & anti-wrinkle injections Experienced practising Doctor Clinics in Dorset & Salisbury

BEFORE

AFTER DERMAL FILLERS

Dr Claudia Morley MBBS MRCGP DFFP info@morleyaesthetics.co.uk | 01258 690789 |

www.morleyaesthetics.co.uk

Tasty treats at Avonbourne Care Centre, run

by The Orders of St John Care Trust

FOOD that CARES Cast aside any Dickensian visions of thin gruel and watery custard, food in 21st century care homes is more Michelin than mushy with residents accustomed to fine dining

By A N N E BR I SON

CARE HOME CUISINE

FOOD IS ONE OF LIFE’S SIMPLE PLEASURES, AND VITAL TO OUR WELLBEING, ESPECIALLY AS WE GET

OLDER

Pavlova is on the menu at Avonbourne Care Centre; pudding pleasures at Amesbury Abbey

F

ood in care homes has a bad rap. If you assume care home residents are fed a relentless diet of bland and mushy foods suitable for those relying on teeth they didn’t grow themselves, you can banish such visions from your mind because the food in care homes these days is of the highest standard. All those boomers who’ve spent their retirement years travelling the world on luxury cruises wouldn’t stand for anything less.

It’s not just about restaurant quality flavours and presentation though, it’s also about the specific nutritional needs of the elderly so many care homes have a team of chefs to ensure every meal is not only delicious but also reflects each individual’s likes, dislikes and dietary needs.

We spoke to the head chefs at some of Salisbury’s care homes to find out more about the new philosophy of food in care…

ALLENBROOK NURSING HOME

Head chef: Alan Samuel How do you see the role of food at your care home? As well as being one of life’s necessities, food should always be one of life’s pleasures too.

The food we provide is vital to the wellbeing of our residents and we aim to offer excellent cuisine, which also meets all of their nutritional needs.

Sum up your cooking ethos? I believe in good home cooking using local ingredients wherever possible.

What’s for breakfast? We offer a wide choice of breakfasts, ranging from a full English breakfast using local free-range eggs to toast and cereals with fruit juice.

Your main meal A game? One of our most popular meals is a tender chicken fillet in a rich

mushroom and tarragon sauce served with fresh vegetables and new potatoes.

How big a role does nutrition play in designing your daily menus? Nutrition plays a huge part in our menu planning. We have an in-house food and nutrition group, which includes nursing and care staff who contribute to the design of our well-balanced menu.

Allenbrook Nursing Home, 34 Station Road, Fordingbridge, Hampshire; 01425 656589; www.allenbrook-fordingbridge.co.uk

THE ORDERS OF ST JOHN CARE TRUST

Catering Manager: Rick Solomon How do you see the role of food at your care homes? Food is one of life’s simple pleasures, and vital to our wellbeing, especially as we get older and need a range of vitamins and minerals. It’s also a huge part of social interaction encouraging a sense of community, which is why our residents enjoy excellent cuisine in a beautiful dining room.

Tell us your cooking ethos? Healthy eating certainly doesn’t mean boring eating and a properly balanced diet contains a wide variety of types of food.

What’s for breakfast? A range of cereals, fresh fruit, full English breakfast, juices and smoothies – we talk to our residents regularly about their likes and dislikes, so we hope to cater as far as possible for everyone’s preferences.

Your main meal A game? Difficult to pick out just one dish, but a good coq au vin, tender pieces of chicken cooked in a red wine, shallot and mushroom sauce is always a favourite.

How big a role does nutrition play in designing your daily menus? All of our homes pride themselves on providing nutritious, seasonal home-cooked meals. We also offer homemade  www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 19

CARE HOME CUISINE freshly baked pastries and croissants, eggs however you like them, fresh fruit including ruby grapefruit, fresh berries and prunes.

Your main meal A game? A traditional French, old school, Beef Wellington. Prime baron of fillet steak sat on a wild mushroom duxelle, topped with a chicken liver terrine and wrapped in puff pastry.

Served with a rich, red wine reduction made from roasted beef bones and beef marrow, a real classic dish.

How big a role does nutrition play in designing your daily menus? All of our menus reflect the dietary requirements of our residents, these may need to be up-dated on a daily basis to ensure the food we are producing accurately meets those needs. There is a good relationship between care staff and the kitchen team, so our diet and nutrition folder matches the needs of each resident’s specific care plan. From time to time some of our residents require a fortified diet. The chefs will then enrich and fortify all foods served to these particular residents, whether this is by adding extra cream or butter to potatoes or sauces.

Amesbury Abbey Nursing Home, Church Street, Amesbury, Salisbury; 01980 622 957; www.amesburyabbey.com

GRACEWELL OF SALISBURY

Top: The dining room at Allenbrook Nursing Home. Above: A summer pool party with Amesbury Abbey

cakes and biscuits – with special treats for special occasions. And of course we cater for all types of special diets and cultural needs.

OSJCT Avonbourne Care Centre, 1 Mitre Way, Old Sarum, Salisbury; 01722 429400; www.osjct.co.uk

AMESBURY ABBEY

WE TRY AS A TEAM TO CONSISTENTLY

PRODUCE FRESH AND TASTY FOOD

Head chef: James Hoare How do you see the role of food at your care home? As a chef it excites me to cook using only the finest, locally sourced ingredients with no budgetary restrictions. Our residents have extremely high standards. In their earlier years they regularly dined in some of the best restaurants in the world, so their expectations are high. We try as a team to consistently produce fresh and tasty food that is both healthy and nutritious, and looks appetising on the plate. Our residents enjoy excellent cuisine together in a beautiful dining room, served by professional staff, who are respectful and courteous at all times.

Sum up your cooking ethos? Fresh food and ingredients, locally sourced where possible, cooked and served with love and passion.

What’s for breakfast? An a la carte menu including a range of organic cereals, full English breakfast, kippers, juices and smoothies, yogurts,

Head chef: James Butterfield How do you see the role of food at your care home? Food is one of the things our residents most look forward to at Gracewell of Salisbury.

Mealtimes are a great opportunity to socialise, and also to enjoy the range of delicious foods we offer. They are certainly a highlight of the day for residents and staff.

Sum up your cooking ethos? We are all about quality. Our food is always fresh, often offering a modern twist on traditional classics. We seek to use the finest ingredients, for example we share a butcher with the Queen!

What’s for breakfast? Breakfast is all about choice – we provide a full English for hungry residents, but also continental breakfasts, for example fruit and croissants, and a range of other popular options.

Your main meal A game? For me it has to be homemade beer-battered haddock and chips, with homemade mushy peas. It really does go down a storm, and we often have visitors coming in especially for it.

How big a role does nutrition play in designing your daily menus? Nutrition is a massive part of what we do. Gracewell was the first care provider to appoint a specific Head of Nutrition and Hydration, so it’s something the company takes extremely seriously. A huge amount of planning goes into creating menu options that are healthy and nutritionally balanced. We are constantly innovating to create food plans for every resident that meet their needs and keep them happy – and we are happy to take requests!

Gracewell of Salisbury, Shapland Close Bungalow, Wilton Rd, Salisbury; 01722 447100; www.gracewell.co.uk/Salisbury www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 21

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Feel the difference

Music/theatre/film/more

TED’S SPITTING CHIPS

Making a special guest appearance at the latest exhibition at Arundells is the puppet of former British prime minister Sir Edward Heath from iconic ITV satirical puppet show, Spitting Image.

Part of a year-long calendar of events to celebrate Heath’s centenary, the exhibition, entitled Edward Heath at 100 – A Life in Cartoons, reflects on his political life, including the rivalries with Margaret Thatcher, Harold Wilson and Enoch Powell that shaped his career.

Featuring work by 28 of the most respected political cartoonists of the late 20th century, their acerbic commentaries chart the nation’s history through the lens of one man’s political career over 51 years - from rows over immigration, the search for peace in Northern Ireland, the ups and downs of trade union and economic reform and, of course, Heath’s fierce battle for full British participation in the European Economic Community. Oh, how ironic. If you listen carefully, you may hear the creak of Sir Ted turning in his grave.

Edward Heath at 100 – A Life in Cartoons is on at Arundells in Salisbury Cathedral Close until 9 November; www.arundells.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 25

15 October – 14 November

It’s not just the baby who won’t stop crying in Kicking and Screaming; Boris Johnson plays with his train in People, and that naughty Victor Frankenstein is up to his old tricks of making people again

Exhibitions UNTIL 6 NOVEMBER

REFLECTION: GLASS Inspired by Salisbury’s medieval cathedral, nine artists were invited to create glass sculptures and installations to fit specific areas in the building and around the grounds; www. salisburycathedral.org.uk

UNTIL 9 NOVEMBER

EDWARD HEATH AT 100 – A LIFE IN CARTOONS An exhibition reflecting on Sir Edward’s political life, including the rivalries with Harold Wilson, Enoch Powell and Margaret Thatcher that shaped his career.

Featuring work by 28 respected political cartoonists from the twentieth century. Also making

a guest appearance will be the Spitting Image puppet of Heath from the iconic ITV satirical puppet show. Arundells, 59 Salisbury Cathedral Close; www.arundells.org UNTIL 25 MARCH

CONSTABLE IN CONTEXT For its major exhibition of the year, Salisbury Museum is showcasing one of the greatest masterpieces of British art, John Constable’s Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows, 1831. Aiming to put Constable’s painting in its historical and artistic context, the exhibition displays an array of paintings and images of Salisbury Cathedral from the 17th to the 21st centuries by a variety of artists; £8 adults, £4 children; www.salisburymuseum. org.uk

26 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

16 OCTOBER

21 OCTOBER-5 NOVEMBER

CHRIS DERUBEIS AT GALLERY 21 Come and meet one of America’s top selling artists and the man known as the King of Abstract Sensualism, Chris De Rubeis.

This is a rare opportunity to talk to one of the world’s most sought-after artists and view his latest work. From 1-4pm, RSVP to get on the guestlist, call 01722 324000; www.gallery21.co.uk

ARMY ARTS SOCIETY ANNUAL EXHIBITION Artwork by serving and retired soldiers as well as wounded, sick and injured soldiers from recovery centres. Every day except Sunday, The Young Galleries, Salisbury Library, Market Walk, 10am to 5pm. For further information contact Tana Knyvett at tanaknyvett@hotmail. co.uk

19 OCTOBER-7 JANUARY

22 OCTOBER–6 NOVEMBER

COASTLINES Exhibition of diverse pieces of art from paintings to glasswork, jewellery and sculpture, all inspired by rugged and beautiful coastlines, ports, estuaries, harbours, sea vessels and wildlife.

Rum’s Eg, 27 Bell Street, Romsey; www.hampshireartandcraft.org

PEOPLE An exhibition of contemporary portraiture by nine top UK portrait artists. Styles vary from large scale oil pieces to traditional portrait painting as associated with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters through to caricature artwork portraits created for

W H AT ’ S O N

the satirical TV news quiz Have I Got News For You. Also bronze sculptures by Rose Eva. Free admission. The Beaumont Gallery, Mere, Wiltshire; www.beaumontgallery.co.uk 29 OCTOBER

THE LEMON TIMERS: FROM EYE TO LINE Thirty works by 10 Salisbury artists who call themselves The Lemon Timers (because they start their weekly workshops with a series of life poses timed by a kitchen timer in the shape of a lemon). As well as life drawings and sketches, the group paints landscapes, still lives and abstracts using acrylics, watercolours and oils; www.fishertonmill.co.uk

Plays/Shows 17-22 OCTOBER

THE LADYKILLERS Posing as classical musicians, Professor Marcus and his gang of ruthless criminals rent rooms in the house of Mrs. Wilberforce, a sweet old lady, while they plan their latest bank robbery.

The first play of the new season at Studio Theatre in Ashley Road, The Ladykillers by Graham Lineham is a funny stage version of the classic Ealing black comedy.

Venue: Studio Theatre in Ashley Road. Tickets £10/£8 available from Salisbury Information Centre, tel 01722 342860 19 OCTOBER

MILES JUPP - SONGS OF FREEDOM From astronauts to sex, social media and hipsters, stand-up Mike Jupp hits the road in a freshly-ironed shirt and robust trousers to make sense of it all.

Ticket office 01722 434434; www.cityhallsalisbury.co.uk 20-22 OCTOBER

KICKING AND SCREAMING Like a tiny bomb exploding in the middle of your life, the baby arrives. Kicking and Screaming is an honest and funny show that looks at how priorities shift when we become parents. As well as evening performances, Salisbury Playhouse is hosting a ‘baby-friendly performance’ where there will be buggy parking, relaxed seating, and theatre goers are welcome to feed, change, comfort and interact

ARTS

with their child during the show.

Tickets 01722 320333; www. salisburyplayhouse.com 20 OCTOBER-5 NOVEMBER

FRANKENSTEIN Grotesque songs! Rude bits! It’s 1823 in Geneva. Deeply affected by his mother’s untimely passing and the death of Greg, his pet hamster, undergraduate Victor Frankenstein uses his best science-y skills to create life.

Monstrously rewritten by Living Spit’s Howard Coggins and Stu Mcloughlin, an irreverent duo known for inventive musical versions of historical figures and popular stories.

Tickets 01722 320333; www. salisburyplayhouse.com 26 OCTOBER

TIM FITZHIGHAM AS WILL KEMP To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, join Tim FitzHigham for wild Morris dancing, near death, arrest and injury as he takes on the challenge of the greatest stand up the world ever saw - Will Kemp.

Come along to laugh, and see Tim live (and amazingly still alive) in this one man Shakespeare stand-up comedy show. £6/£8; 6.30pm, Salisbury Museum; www.salisburymuseum.org 14-19 NOVEMBER

THE WIPERS TIMES Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s stage premiere of their award-winning BBC film The Wipers Times, which tells the extraordinary story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Somme in the first world war.

Defying enemy bombardment, gas attacks and the disapproval of top brass, The Wipers Times rolled off the press for two years right at the frontlines and was a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity. See page 30 for our interview with Ian and Nick. Tickets 01722 320333; www. salisburyplayhouse.com.

Music 22 OCTOBER

TWO PIANOS: DARK HILLS AGAINST A YELLOW CROCUS SKY

The award-winning Portrait of the Artist’s Wife by Lt Col Stewart Hill (retired); the unstoppable lads of The Wipers Times; an oil painting from The Lemon Timers.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 27

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W H AT ’ S O N

Embrace the warm colours of autumn, come and listen to Nicholas Woods and Gill Bolton play Sonata in F minor op.34

by Brahms, Suite no.2 op.17

by Rachmaninov, and Danses Andalouses by Manuel Infante; 4.30pm at St Martins Church, Salisbury; 01722 333288; www.musicinsalisbury.co.uk 22, 24, 26, 28 OCTOBER

TOSCA Idealistic lovers and ruthless villains set against a drama of political unrest. Puccini’s masterpiece of romance, drama and tragedy is sung by a cast of British and international opera singers, as well as local artists and children. Performed at 7.30pm at Medieval Hall, Cathedral Close.

Adult tickets £30 from Salisbury Arts Centre 01722 321744; www.celebratevoice.co.uk 5 NOVEMBER

2-TONE TRIBUTE TOUR Love a bit of ska? Oh yes! Dust off your pork pie hat then and get ready to go one step beyond with London-based Special Kinda Madness, a tribute band to the music of The Specials, Bad Manners and Madness. For tickets 01722 434434; www.cityhallsalisbury.co.uk 6 NOVEMBER

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM The annual concert for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal pays homage to Salisbury’s role as a centre for manufacturing Spitfires, hidden in sheds, garages, back gardens... Special appearance by the fabulous Spitfire Sisters, who will sing a Glenn Miller tribute; 3pm at Salisbury City Hall, tickets £14, all proceeds to the RBL Poppy Appeal; 01722 434434; www.cityhallsalisbury.co.uk 12 NOVEMBER

ECHOES FROM HOME A chamber music charity concert for Salisbury Trust for the Homeless at Salisbury Methodist Church. Tickets on the door £10; 01722 322278; programme details on www.fridabackman.com

Talks 20 OCTOBER

ANNE LYLES ON CONSTABLE’S LATE

WORK AND SALISBURY CATHEDRAL FROM THE MEADOWS A lecture by Anne Lyles on the paintings, watercolours and drawings Constable made after about 1825, with their looser, vivid handling. She will also examine the late Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows in the context of Constable’s mature style, and consider how it was viewed by his contemporaries as well as the changing reactions to the picture over time. £6/£8; 6.30pm, Salisbury Museum; www.salisburymuseum.org 20 OCTOBER

NADFAS AT NIGHT Do you have good taste in art?

NADFAS at Night is a new initiative for art lovers. This evening, David Philips gives a talk on what makes art socially acceptable and what makes it kitsch. Doors open 7pm, £10 tickets include a glass of wine or soft drink; Cavell Room, Sarum College, 19 The Close, Salisbury; 02074 300730; www.nadfas.com 24 OCTOBER

SIR CHRIS BONNINGTON LIFE AND TIMES Britain’s most famous mountaineer presents his life and times; 60 years in the mountains.

Original images, raw footage and a chance to hear from the man himself. For tickets, www. cityhallsalisbury.co.uk

Festivals 21-30 OCTOBER

CELEBRATE VOICE Nine days of opera, jazz, music theatre, folk stars, comic cabaret, an a capella night, family events and even a singing show for babies - you can even take part yourself in the singing weekend.

Some top picks include Puccini’s masterpiece, Tosca; BBC2 Folk Award winners the Sam Kelly Trio; jazz vocalist Ian Shaw, and cabaret artist Dillie Keane.

28 OCTOBER

VINTAGE MARKET It’s your last chance till 2017! The Salisbury Vintage Market finishes up for the year so get along for an eclectic mix of vintage, antique and bric-a-brac stalls from across the region. Also live music and street food. Salisbury Market Place; www.salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk

28 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

We will remember them with the sensational Spitfire Sisters; Lynsey Docherty shares the title role of Floria in Puccini’s Tosca, and take a trip back to 1979 on the ska train.

The Wipers Times

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman chat to us about their comedy play based on the true story of a WWI spoof newspaper published on the frontlines

By Ta m a r a Pi t e l e n

It’s an essentially

British thing to say ‘yes we can laugh in the face of death…’

30 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

T H E AT R E

The cast of The Wipers Times (photo by Philip Tull)

ARTS

Y

ou’ll know Ian Hislop from the telly. He’s the one with the razor-sharp quip at the ready on shows like Have I Got News For You but what you may not know is that he’s also one half of a top class writing duo that’s been going 44 years.

Nick Newman and Ian met as students at Ardingly College in Sussex in 1972 and have been writing together ever since. Mostly on Private Eye magazine where Ian has been editor since 1986 and Nick is a cartoonist but there’s also been scriptwriting on political satire series Spitting Image in the 1980s and sketches for The Harry Enfield Show, creating the character Tim Nice-But-Dim, and the BBC Radio 4 series Gush, a satire based on the first Gulf War. Their latest collaboration is The Wipers Times, a stage play based on the true story of a satirical magazine that was published

by British soldiers during the First World War. Initially a BBC dramatisation, Ian and Nick have now taken The Wipers Times to the stage and a tour is underway that finishes in Salisbury on 14-19 November.

In sum, The Wipers Times is the tale of Captain Fred Roberts and Lieutenant Jack Pearson who turned the horrors of the First World War into black comedy. Roberts was a British officer leading a small detachment of the North Midlands Derbyshire Regiment (aka Sherwood Foresters) through the ruins of Ypres in 1916 when he and his men discovered a printing press in a bombed out building. He thought, ‘why not use the press to produce a newspaper?’

Roberts saw it as an opportunity to take the men’s minds off “the attentions of Messrs. Hun and Co” and raise the spirits of his soldiers - and himself. The Wipers Times (named after how the soldiers pronounced ‘Ypres’) incredibly survives for the next two years against the odds and in the midst of bitter fighting, its comedy providing an antidote to the horror around them.

To find out a little more about the incredible story of the men who published The Wipers Times from 1916 to 1918 while fighting on the frontlines after finding an old printing press, we sat down for coffee and a chat with Ian and Nick while they were in Salisbury recently.

Salisbury Life: Whose idea was it to make a play out of these wartime events?

Nick: Ian did a documentary about 15 years ago about the First World War and came across The Wipers Times as part of that. He showed it to me and we both thought it was the most amazing story that we’d ever come across. We thought, what can we do with this? It seemed to us almost too good for a documentary and because we write together we immediately thought, ‘is there a way of getting what’s funny on the page, on to the stage?’

SL: So you’ve seen copies of the actual newspaper?

Ian: Yes, there are a few bound sets. The regiment’s got one and they turn up in old ladies’ attics. One delightful lady sent me hers, she found it and said ‘you’ll want this and it’s still got mud on it’.

Occasionally they turn up at auctions but you look at the price and think, ‘nope, it’s ok, I’ve got the general idea’.

Nick: The extraordinary thing is that the paper itself is an odd mix of spoofs and some terrible poetry but amongst all of that there are some fantastic jokes. It’s quite subversive. There are bits in it, like a letter from a fictional correspondent saying, ‘Dear Sir, under what circumstances is it permissible to shoot a superior officer?’ and he comes back with ‘almost all, there are always mitigating circumstances…’

Ian: And that’s really surprising, you think ‘blimey, that’s not the picture we had of life in the trenches’. The Wipers Times, we both thought, was funny then and it’s funny now. We’d have been happy to write those jokes. w www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 31

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T H E AT R E

Nick: Our initial thought was just ‘how do we bring their jokes to life?’ That was our starting point but once we got working on it we thought, ‘actually there’s another story here, which is about the men themselves who put it together’. Why did they put it together?

How did they do jokes in the middle of a war zone?

Ian: And how English is this! To find an old printer and, instead of smashing it up and using it to prop up a trench, you say ‘let’s produce a satirical paper!’ On a battlefield in 1916, why is that your first idea? It’s just a bonkers thing to do – and incredibly funny.

Nick: We’ve been talking about it a bit and there are similarities with the stuff that we do on a weekly basis for Private Eye. There are some situations where you’re hit with really tough news, like when Diana dies or 9/11 and it makes you think, ‘should we be doing jokes? What is the best response to this?’ but I think it’s an essentially British thing to say ‘yes we can laugh in the face of death…’

Ian: It’s like saying, ‘come on, what else you got?’

Nick: We’re not, I think, as a nation suited to mawkishness and this is the strength of The Wipers Times. There’s an awful lot of literature about the First World War, which is all about loss and tragedy and the futility of it all. That’s there in The Wipers Times, written between the lines, but the first reaction is to blow a big raspberry at the whole situation.

Ian: And that is, in its way, rather inspiring.

SL: How close to the actual events is your play?

Nick: All of it is true, we haven’t made up any of the factual detail although the order of events has been twisted around a bit. That was one of the great joys of the whole research process. Coming across these brief memoirs by our heroes made the reality so much richer. We already knew the basic bones of the story; that these men found a printing press and had this idea to produce this newspaper but the further we got into it, the more we discovered the importance of censorship at the time and how risky it was, standing up to this censorship that existed, as well as the importance of alcohol to the men on the frontline…

Ian: There’s a lot of booze in it…

Nick: Yes, they were big fans of booze and they really did fight against the Temperance Society who wanted to have all alcohol banned in the trenches. That’s another sort of battle going on on the home front, which we expanded on in the play. So beyond the initial story we discovered all these other conflicts, them against the brass hats, them against the Temperance Society and then, of course, finally, them against the Germans.

Ian: Then we find out that Roberts won the Military Cross and we now know he was mentioned in dispatches three times. Pearson won the DSO [Distinguished Service Order] twice and also the Military Cross. They were extraordinarily gallant.

Nick: Yes, it’s not as if they were doing this newspaper in safety well behind the lines. They were on the front line, going over the top, taking gun emplacements and being decorated for it.

Ian: They published 23 issues from about 1916 to 1918. There are gaps, of course, due to them being obliged to fight a war. And that’s the way they talk about it: ‘The damned high command will insist on us going and fighting from time to time.’ That was their sense of humour SL: What did you want the audience to take away from this play? I’m assuming you’d want to uplift people, lift spirits and hearts, give hope… and obviously we want to remember Roberts and Pearson; to be inspired by their story and possibly take elements of that courage into our own lives.

Ian: You put it very well, can you write all of that down and say we said it.

32 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Long-time friends Ian Hislop and Nick Newman co-wrote The Wipers Times

Nick: It’s an inspirational story. A story of survival in the most appalling circumstances and if people can take away that sense, that even at the bleakest moments of your life, you can make a joke...

That is the reality of the situation. You read about contemporary war zones and there is still an awful lot of humour amongst the troops.

Ian: Someone said that, with The Wipers Times, what they do is ‘determined flippancy’, which I think is a fantastic description.

They didn’t do it by accident, and they didn’t do it because they’re idiots or twits, they did it because it was how they wanted to survive. I’m always amazed to see films about the First World War. They’re very good and very moving but you don’t see a joke, you don’t see anybody smile and that’s not reality, is it?

Ian: We found this time after time. The British army wanted the troops to sing patriotic songs. They didn’t. They sang, ‘It’s A Long Way To Tipperary’ which is about an Irishman getting drunk in Piccadilly Circus and not knowing how to get home. It’s not a very uplifting song but it’s the song the troops liked. It’s funny and it made them laugh. The Wiper Times is an authentic voice of the trenches; it wasn’t written 30 years later in a novel, it was written that month and you can read it now.

Nick: And there are sketches in it that make your blood run cold because it’s an account of being about to go over the top and it feels so authentic and it is quite terrifying, but amongst all the tension and almost certain death as they’re about to go over the top, they are still making jokes and that’s a great tonic for the human spirit.

Ian: I think that’s why we admire Pearson and Roberts so much and, as you said, part of our doing it is to preserve their memory in a sense, it’s in their honour.

Nick: Neither of them received any recognition in their own lifetime, although The Wipers Times itself was quite famous for a brief window after the war. But Roberts should have come back to England and edited Punch, that’s what they should have done but they didn’t, Roberts was never published again.

Ian: He wrote a bit of a memoir but that didn’t get a publisher.

One of his relatives gave it to us; it’s unfinished but full of amazing stuff.

The Wipers Times is showing at Salisbury Playhouse from 14-19 November. Performances on Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.15pm; tickets £25 - £10, concessions available.

Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury; ticket sales 01722 320333; www.salisburyplayhouse.com

7 FISH ROW, SALISBURY 01722 412666 CELEBRATING 15 YEARS IN SALISBURY

High Street, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 6HF Telephone: (01264) 810366 www.gaynorstockbridge.com

34 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

R E S TA U R A N T

FOOD

Charter 1227

Casual contemporary British and European fine dining restaurant in Salisbury’s historic Ox Row, with views over the medieval marketplace

By TA M A R A PI T E L E N

W

arning: may contain excessive adjectives and mild fawning.

I’d already heard good things about Charter 1227 before climbing the staircase to the popular fine dining restaurant that’s nestled in the midst of Salisbury’s historic Ox Row and overlooks the city’s bustling market square.

Whispers of culinary wonders from various sources had already reached my ears and my interest was, as they say, piqued. I’d heard people sing the praises not only of the cuisine but also of the passion and general ‘such a nice guy’ness of award-winning chef proprietor Danny Bozic.

So it was with a certain level of expectation that myself and dining companion H took our patronage to 6-7 Ox Row one quiet Tuesday afternoon.

Let me state the obvious. At Charter 1227, it really is all about the food.

Exquisite food. Flavours that have been painstakingly and lovingly balanced, and recipes developed over time.

Yes, the décor is tasteful and the ambience serene. Yes, the tables are beautifully set with silver cutlery in triplicate and two wine glasses options carefully positioned to the right, just above the knife. That’s all very nice but ultimately this place is about a love of food.

For people who get passionate about inspiring food, Charter 1227 is like coming home. I’m serious when I say that the appreciation of food can take on almost religious levels of reverence, if you’re that way inclined. Danny calls his menu “contemporary British and European” and a couple of typical dishes are pan-fried scallops with suckling pig, Stornoway black pudding and white onion soubise; and the glazed crab ravioli with young spinach and aged parmesan au gratin. The latter is one of Danny’s best selling dishes and it’s a recipe he’s developed over 10 years.

Originally from Yugoslavia, Danny moved to England in 1994 and honed his skills in some of this country’s most prestigious restaurants, including Bath Spa Hotel and

WE DON’T FOLLOW TRENDS. I DON’T DO FOAMS AND JELLIES, I DON’T BELIEVE IN THAT. I WANT GOOD,

HONEST FOOD

Lords of the Manor Hotel in the Cotswolds. His approach to cooking is: “Keep it honest and simple. We don’t follow trends. We create good seasonal food. I don’t do foams and jellies, I don’t believe in that. I want good, honest food.”

For me, Danny is understating his culinary craftsmanship.

There’s nothing simple about perfectly cooked, pan-roasted cannon of lamb with braised shoulder, petit ratatouille, semi-dried tomatoes and pea fritter. That’s proper worldclass cheffing right there!

His food is artistry (this is where the fawning dial may be turned up to 11). It’s not just the tastes and textures that have been sensitively balanced; the presentation is also first class. Each dish placed in front of me by the immaculately dressed and mannered waiter Nick was like an artist’s canvas on which food was used in lieu of paint. A swirl of orange sweet potato puree is punctuated with flecks of ruby red raspberry essence.

Our dining experience was kicked off with the surprising arrival of an amuse bouche; a tall shot glass of warm celeriac puree and truffle oil. “Wow,” said H. “My bouche is amused.”

For starters, I had the sea trout fishcake with spinach and lime emulsion. H chose the Rosary goat’s cheese with tomato and basil fondue, beetroot and blood orange.

Both dishes were faultless. Expertly cooked, delicious and as beautiful as an Old Master oil painting. And we’d only just begun. H and I were excited.

For the main, I chose the roast duck breast with crispy confit leg, creamed leeks, sweet potato puree and blackberry muscat essence. H went off-piste. The ever-talented Danny whipped her up a bespoke dish of stuffed peppers and ricotta. Again, both dishes so expertly executed that I am in danger of exhausting my supply of adjectives and nauseating myself with my sycophantic worship at the altar of Danny.

I feel I must hunt high and low for something to criticise just to save face. It cannot be the desserts. They were beyond reproach. We shared a taster platter of four, comprising the crème brulee, vanilla and raspberry ripple, chocolate torte, and lime and raspberry posset. Peerless. If I can’t find fault with the desserts then, in the name of some kind of objective balance, it is the carnations that shall feel the stinging point of my critical arrow. Every table had a glass vase on it containing a carnation. For me, this flower belongs on a man’s lapel at a wedding in the 1970s.

Never let it be said this wasn’t an unbiased and impartial review.

DINING DETAILS Charter 1227, 6-7 Ox Row, Salisbury SP1 1EU; 01722 333118; www.charter1227.co.uk Opening hours Tuesday to Saturday, 12 noon till last orders at 2.30pm and 6pm till last orders at 9.30pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays Prices starters from £8, mains from £19.95 to £27.95 and desserts from £7.50; special early evening menu two courses £20 and three courses £25 Vegetarian choice one option in each category Drinks a decent wine and champagne menu with by-theglass from £16.95 as well as push-the-boat-out bottles such as Pol Roger Vintage 2004 for £110 Atmosphere semi-smart, casual fine dining Service professional, well -mannered and knowledgeable

www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 35

We’ve got Christmas cracked… have you?

There’s room for up to 25 for a Christmas lunch or dinner and up to 60 for drinks with nibbles or even a BBQ

Let’s get festive!

80 Crane St, Salisbury • 01722 410541 • @OAandCH Oldaleandcoffeehouse@buffandbear.com www.oldaleandcoffeehouse.com

RECIPE

FOOD

Afternoon tea Hebe Osmond, Clare Baines, Caroline Bromilow, and Susannah Ash

It's high time for high tea. Just think warm scones slathered in jam and clotted cream or a rich carrot cake with cream cheese icing... put the kettle on then

Carrot, apple, mango and banana tray-bake (Makes 16 portions)

T

he perfect afternoon pickme-up, says owner of The Borough Café Caroline Bromilow.

“You can vary the fruit in this tray-bake as long as you keep the quantities roughly the same,” Caroline says. “We’ve experimented with all sorts of things – butternut squash (or pumpkin) works well. We use a 24 x 35 cm non-stick rectangular tin (quite a deep one – about 5cm) for our recipe, which makes 16 generous portions. By all means halve the recipe and use a smaller tin! The recipe unusually uses oil instead of butter.

If you can’t get hold of fresh mango, you can buy it ready prepared in tins or pots at the supermarket.”

Ingredients: 350ml vegetable oil 350g light brown soft sugar (or use dark muscovado for a richer flavour) 6 eggs 2 small or 1 large banana (mashed) 3 small or 3 large apples (cored and grated) – about 280g 2 medium-sized carrots (peeled and grated) – about 200g 1 small mango, peeled, stoned and diced – about 100g Chopped zest of an orange

500g self-raising flour 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 tsp ground mixed spice The topping: 4 large tbsp cream cheese 2 tbsp lemon curd (or passionfruit curd – they do a delicious one in the National Trust Shop in Salisbury!)

100g sieved icing sugar Method: 1. Turn the oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan oven/Gas 4). Grease and line the tin with non-stick baking parchment. Combine the oil and sugar in a large mixing bowl and whisk until light – this is a good work-out for the arms but you may want to do it in a food processor instead. Beat in the eggs, one by one then add the grated apples and carrot, mashed banana and mango pieces and orange zest. Stir well.

2. In a different bowl, combine the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spice then fold into the wet mixture. The idea here is to try to retain as much air in the mixture

so don’t be over-zealous with your folding!

3. Turn the mixture into the tin, scraping out every last scrap with a rubber spatula. Level the surface then bake in the oven for at least 40 minutes or until a metal skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. You may want to extend the bake by 10 minute intervals and keep checking, depending upon your oven.

4. When the cake is done, leave to cool down for about 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Once it is cool it can be wrapped and frozen then iced once defrosted.

6. For the cream cheese frosting, combine the cream cheese and lemon curd then sieve the icing sugar in and mix until well combined. Don’t attempt to top the cake with the frosting until it is completely cool or you will just have a runny mess on top. Spread the topping evenly over the cake then pop into the fridge to allow the cream cheese mixture to cool and set a little.

7. Serve with a nice strong cup of tea – and relax… w www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 37

FOOD

RECIPE

Fruit scones (Makes 8)

N

othing says ‘high tea’ like a warm, just-baked scone with jam and cream and they’re a non-stop seller at The Borough Café says owner Caroline Bromilow.

“These fruit scones are incredibly popular in the café – through the colder months as well as in the summer as part of a cream tea,” Caroline says.

“The secret to a light, well-risen scone is to minimise handling and be as ‘lightfingered’ as possible. “They are best served warm with lashings of homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream – the order of which is up to you! You could substitute sultanas for dried cranberries or dried apricots if don’t like sultanas – or leave the dried fruit out completely.

We get all our dried fruit from Wilton wholefoods at Salisbury market.”

Ingredients: 450g self-raising flour 115g butter or margarine 85g caster sugar 85g sultanas 1 egg, beaten 200ml milk (or buttermilk if you prefer) Strawberry jam and clotted cream to serve Method: 1. Turn the oven on to 200ºC/180ºC fan/ Gas mark 6. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

2. Put the flour into a bowl, followed by the butter or margarine (best chilled) and rub in with your fingers until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar and sultanas.

3. Add the egg and then gradually and slowly add 150ml of the milk or buttermilk, gently mixing to a soft, dough-like consistency. Place the dough onto a floured surface, shape into a flattened circle then finish rolling out with a rolling pin to a thickness of 2cm.

4. Using a 7cm cutter (fluted or plain), cut out scones and place on the baking tray.

Gather together the trimmings and gently knead back into one piece, roll out and cut until you have the eight scones. (The results of the scones in the second rolling 38 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

are never as good as the first!)

5. Brush the scones (just the top or they will struggle to rise!) with the remaining milk and bake in the hot oven for 10 – 15 minutes until they are well-risen and a golden colour on top.

6. Serve warm with your strawberry jam and delicious, buttery clotted cream.

Recipes thanks to the team at The Borough Café, 70 The Borough, Downton, Salisbury; 01725 238083; www.theboroughcafe.co.uk

The Green Dragon A warm welcome awaits at our 14th Century village inn

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Thinkin g of buyin WOOD g a -FIRE OVEN? D PANAR Y can help .

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Baking courses for beginners and advanced Gain insight into the whole process of yeast fermentation Learn hand skills from a master baker Small tutor group with friendly atmosphere Take home your inspired produce Tour the working our mill Please contact us or visit our website for more information on the range of courses that we offer

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Fashion/gifts/stores/more

NECKING IT ‘When she walks, she’s like a samba, that swings so cool and sways so gentle…’ one look at these statuesque beauties and we were quietly singing Girl from Ipanema for the rest of the day. Not quite appropriate, admittedly. These elegant ceramic women are from Africa, not Brazil but frankly we don’t care. It’s their elusive air that has us gently humming that seductive bossa nova jazz hit of the 1960s.

The artist is Kent-based Tony Foard and, using a white clay, he hand builds the figures in sections, which are then raku fired and connected with pewter, wire and silver. As well as African women, Tony is influenced by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and fashion models swaying down the catwalk.

African women ceramic figures by Tony Foard, £350 each from Fisherton Mill, 108 Fisherton Street, Salisbury; 01722 500200; www.fishertonmill.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 41

1

2

3

INDIE FAVES

4

5

WE LET SOME OF SALISBURY’S MOST INTERESTING INDEPENDENT SHOPS FILL THESE PAGES WITH A FEW OF THEIR FAVOURITE THINGS

1. RING A DING DING

2. THORN IN A TEA CUP

3. TRUNK CALL

4. PULL UP A PEW

5. MARBLE ARCH

Stacking gold rings, £100 These beautiful handmade twig stacking rings with sterling silver bands and gold-set gemstones feature pink sapphire, blue topaz, amethyst, pink garnet and tanzanite; £70 per ring in a silver setting From Elinor Cambray, 75 New Street, Salisbury; www.elinorcambray.com

Tea cup plant pots, £25 Perfect as a gift or just lovely to have in your own home, a miniature rose in a charming porcelain tea cup – why stop at one?

From Gullicks Florists, 109 Fisherton Street, Salisbury; www.gullicksflorists.co.uk

Elephant sculpture, £270 Distinctively styled and intricately patterned terracotta elephant inspired by ceramic artist Pratima Kramer’s early life and travels in India From Fisherton Mill, 108 Fisherton Street, Salisbury; 01722 500200; www.fishertonmill.co.uk

The Heidi chair, £69 Personalised children’s Heidi chairs handcrafted by Hampshire artist John Miles.

Available in a range of wood types and sizes, the perfect gift for a child or grandchild From Rum’s Eg Gallery for commissions, 27 Bell Street, Romsey; 01794 511220; www.hampshireartandcraft.org

Mughal wall panels, £460 These striking marble panels from Rajasthan, India, are hand-carved in the Mughal style and would look great in a bathroom or hallway. Size 116 x 23cm From Indigo Antiques, Dairy Barn, Pewsey; 01672 564722; www.indigo-uk.com

42 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE

SHOPPING

6

8

7

10 9

6. POURING IT ON

7. BROOCH THE SUBJECT

8. TOOTSIE FRUITY

9. BEAR HUG

10. BALL GAMES

Pinch jug, £23.95 These dotty jugs with a cute dimple are handcrafted by Somerset ceramics artist Ken Eardley From Casa Fina, 62 High Street, Salisbury; 01722 326428; www. casafinasalisbury.co.uk

Elephant brooch, £39.99 Gorgeous handmade brooches – each one unique – made from Czech rhinestone smuggled inside ammunition cases in WWll From OSOboutique, 2 St. Thomas’s Square, Salisbury; 01722 323465; www.osoboutique.co.uk

Pineapple footstool, £79 We’re going bananas for these pineapple footstools From No44 Homeworks, 44 Fisherton Street, Salisbury; 01722 324773; www.no44homeworks. co.uk

Bernie the lazy bear cushion, £39

McAlson boxers, £30 For the discerning gentleman, these quality boxers from Belgium provide the, ahem, ultimate male comfort From Regent Tailoring, 73 New Street, Salisbury; 01722 335151; www.regenttailoring.co.uk

With soft velvet and faux fur, Bernie is huge and un-bearably cuddly, making him the perfect sofa buddy From Pure Comfort, 14 Winchester Street, Salisbury; 01722 322596; www.pure-comfort.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE II 43 www.mediaclash.co.uk I CLIFTON LIFE 69

Repertoire Sartorial style and expert service make this city centre boutique one of Salisbury’s gems Photo s by Joh n Rose

B

y its very nature, fashion is a beast that is ever morphing into something new and different. It’s dynamic, exciting and surprising, which is why Matt Sacco, the buying director for Salisbury clothing store Repertoire, is more passionate about fashion than ever after 22 years in the industry.

The first Repertoire store opened in Watford in the 1990s and today there are five sites across the South of England. Located in a 13th-century listed building at Fish Row spread over two floors, Repertoire Salisbury opened in 2003 and has been one of the city’s most fashion aware stores ever since.

Chiefly offering more than 50 high-end brands, Repertoire covers the entire sartorial spectrum, from classic Barbour and Belstaff jackets to slinky Body Frock dresses. Its men’s section is varied – as well as plenty of chic heritage-style outdoor gear they’ve got things like smart shirts and accessories by the likes of Eton and Hugo Boss; beautiful jackets from Holland Esquire; classic casual wear from Stone Island and Ralph Lauren; denim from Nudie Jeans; fine leather shoes by Jeffrey West, to name a few.

46 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

The women’s offering is no less extensive – from staple classics to pieces that pop, brands include American Vintage, Barbour, MaxMara as well as edgy new chic feminine brands like Hale Bob and Vilagallo. Repertoire is also the home for jeans and offers a wide range of Armani, Paige and Hudson denim.

“We are high-end, not disposable fashion and we prove that you don’t need to go to London for top brands.

“People are often surprised when they come in and see the range and quality we have. We hear new customers express surprise that we have sought after brands with limited distribution like Stone Island in Salisbury.”

Originally, Repertoire was only men’s clothing and the ground floor is still dedicated to men’s fashion but about 10 years ago women’s fashion was introduced and now the whole second floor is a haven of luxe sartorial goodies for women, with a stock that’s always changing.

Rosie Cook has been working in the women’s section from day one and says the typical Salisbury customer is a woman with sophisticated tastes who appreciates a classic look but also loves to experiment with a detail that sets

From staple classics to edgy new designers and time-proven favourites, Repertoire in Salisbury has been keeping Sarumites stylish since 2003

SPECIAL SHOPS

SHOPPING

WE ARE HIGH-END, NOT DISPOSABLE FASHION...

WE PROVE YOU DON’T NEED TO GO TO LONDON FOR TOP BRANDS

TOP TIPS RE P E RT O I RE ’ S T O P MUST- H AVE T IPS FO R AUT UM N / W I N T ER ...

1. Invest in a quality pair of jeans in the latest transcend fabric – and look after them by not washing too often; not washing in water hotter than 40 degrees, and turning inside out when washing.

2. For women, stay snug and stylish in a quilted jacket by a brand like Barbour and Armani.

3. For casual but chic style, another wardrobe staple for women is a wool poncho or wraparound cape. Cosy and gorgeous.

4. For men, a staple piece is the Chelsea boot, Jeffrey West does a beautiful one.

5. Also for men, the look in jeans is dry, dark denim. A good brand for these is Nudie Jeans.

an outfit apart. She calls it ‘contemporary with a twist’.

“The detail could be a belt by Elliot Rhodes or a cute crop jacket by Vilagallo.”

And this kind of advice and brand knowledge is what sets Repertoire apart. Rosie and Matt can advise on the cut of jean that will best suit your body, or the brand that’s most suited to the look you’re going for. It’s personal service, style advising and honest feedback that you just won’t get from your computer.

Repertoire, 7 Fish Row, Salisbury; 01722 412666; www.repertoirefashion.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 47

Adventures in party-going

SNAPPED! AC ROS S S A L IS B U RY, O N E S H I N D I G AT A T I M E

CELEB GLAM SLAM The stars were all out in Salisbury recently to celebrate the opening of Night Must Fall at the Salisbury Playhouse.

A psychological thriller written by Emlyn Williams and first performed in the 1930s, the play stars well-known faces from British television including Gwen Taylor, Niamh McGrady and Daragh O’Malley.

Corks were popped and canapés scoffed as cast members were joined by guests and Playhouse staff to celebrate a successful first night.

Since opening in Salisbury, Night Must Fall is now on a national tour of the UK. Photos by Lydia Stamps

Melissa Vaughan (cast member), Luke Sheppard (director), Niamh McGrady (cast member), Alasdair Buchan (cast member) and Will Featherstone (cast member)

Luke Sheppard (director), Sebastian Warrack (executive director, Salisbury Playhouse), Alastair Whatley (artistic director, The Original Theatre Company) and Gareth Machin (artistic director, Salisbury Playhouse)

Will Featherstone, Gwen Taylor, Niamh McGrady and Daragh O’Malley (cast members)

48 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Chris Harper (guest), Will Featherstone (cast member) and Luke Sheppard (director)

xxxxx

SOCIETY

FOUNDING FATHER

Lucy and Tim Barlow, Eric and Mary Williams

One of the founding fathers of Salisbury Arts Centre, it was a celebration of and a tribute to the work of Roger Townsend in September.

Born in Salisbury and a local councillor for 10 years, Roger helped start the Arts Centre in 1974 and was its chair for the first 10 years. So, to celebrate his 75th birthday on 11 September, the Arts Centre was the perfect location.

As well as his birthday, Roger wanted the event to celebrate the centre’s survival for more than 40 years. Guests included co-founder Jane Whittle and early artistic director Hugo Stewart, who succeeded Roger as chairman for another 10 years.

Other feathers to Roger’s cap include starting the Salisbury Festival in 1972/3 as well as being heavily involved with the evolution of the Salisbury Playhouse.

Photos by John Rose Photography

Lucy Spedo, Chris Sexton and Roger Townsend

Tessa and Rev Antony Claridge, Pauline Andrews, Roger Elliott

Debbie Rigg, Pedro Starkey and Geraldine Fairfax-Cholmeley

Gillian Mogg, Diana Hoskins, Patricia Seitz, Janet Cloarec and Maggie Lund

Kathy Smalley, John Webb, Cathy Crawley, Lyn Evans and Rupert Smalley

S H O P P I N G a d v er t isi n g feat ure

Meet the retailer Who are the people in your neighbourhood? We meet the friendly and hard-working people behind some of Salisbury’s most innovative independent shops

Gareth Thomas Cambridge Wine Merchants, 5 Winchester Street, Salisbury SP1 1HB www.cambridgewine.com

The best business decision you’ve ever made?

Taking on the franchise.

How would you like people to describe the shop?

The best place in Salisbury to buy wine.

Best business advice?

Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing.

Your favourite product?

Warner Edwards Melissa Lemon Balm Gin £40. A robust juniper core is enveloped by a beautiful citrus and mint layer that makes this gin fresh and distinctive with a delicate sweetness.

If you could have one other shop in Salisbury?

Goldsmiths at 33 Butcher Row, an absolutely stunning building.

If the money fairy gave you £20K what would you buy?

A state of the art Enomatic wine dispenser Plans for the future?

Moving to larger premises to incorporate a wine bar into the business.

Susi Mason

Sarah Haydon

Heather JAckson

Casa Fina, 62 High Street, Salisbury SP1 2PF www.casafinasalisbury.co.uk

Conker Boutique, 11 The Maltings, Salisbury SP1 1BD www.conkerclothing.net

Gullicks, 109 Fisherton Street, Salisbury SP2 7SS www.gullicksflorists.co.uk

Origins of the shop name?

Casa Fina grew out of the fashionable gifts and interiors shop Casa Pupo that opened in Pimlico in the 1960s. Pupo was the nickname of Jose Casasus who designed the beautiful Spanish rugs that the store was famous for and Josefina was his niece. Casa Fina means fine house in Spanish.

Why did you choose retail?

Things happen in life that urge you to live it to the full. I am a pure novice at retail and it’s a steep learning curve, but I love it. Sometimes you have to take that leap of faith.

Describe your personal favourite products...

Us girls at Gullicks love everything Christmas! It’s a magical time of year where we can really get into the festive spirit and create amazing designs including hand crafted blue spruce door wreaths decorated with sumptuous red berries, scented cinnamon sticks and frosted fir cones.

What do you like about trading in Salisbury?

Gullicks Florists loves trading in Salisbury firstly because of our wonderfully supportive customers both locally and other independent businesses.

Secondly, because Salisbury is such a beautiful city with stunning countryside and the impressive cathedral attracting a wealth of tourists who can access our pretty shop on their way to the bustling town centre as we are ideally located on the thoroughfare from the train station.

Plans for the future?

We will shortly be launching an exclusive Gullicks Signature range, which reflects all the shops favourite blooms and luscious foliages. The range will have a very natural and rustic style to it with earthy and eco-friendly aspects.

Why did you choose retail?

My mother decided to move to Salisbury and open Casa Fina in 1983 after falling in love with the shop in Farnham. It was a franchised business but after a couple of years we became independent.

What’s the best business decision you’ve ever made?

To revamp the shop completely at the begining of 2015 to concentrate on what we do best - stunning interior accessories and gifts.

Your favourite product?

Look out for an amazing gilt mirror topped with an eagle - a complete one off!

What do you like about trading in Salisbury?

I love the beauty and heritage of Salisbury and our customers have become friends.

50 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

How do you hope people describe the shop?

On the personal service offered and the enjoyment they have had from wearing an outfit bought in Conker.

Best business advice?

No regrets – move on.

What do you like about trading in Salisbury?

It’s a wonderful city that feels like a town and we are lucky to have many indies who add to the vibe. This should be encouraged to the hilt so we can tempt customers to spend in the local economy.

If you could have one other shop in Salisbury?

W. Carter & Son. What girl doesn’t love a diamond.

Your favourite product?

Part Two black and blue plaid trousers. I cannot wait for the arrival in November of a new label called Rosa And Me, pure cashmere Jumpers that are beautiful.

a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e S H O P P I N G

KAte Stacey

Dina Field

Jason Regent

Why did you choose retail?

I’ve had many years experience in high-end contract kitchens for developers such as Linden Homes and Berkeley Homes so when we moved to the area, I felt my interior design background would work for customers wanting a design-led style for their new kitchen.

Origins of the name?

OHJ are the initials of my children, Oliver, Hannah and Joshua.

Why did you chose retail?

It is not always the easiest of jobs but I love meeting people and helping them to make their choices.

Why did you choose retail?

My dream was to have my own clothing brand at age 11, so retail was the obvious option to promote my dream/brand.

in-toto, 21 Catherine Street, Salisbury SP1 2DF www.intoto.co.uk

Best business advice?

Be confident! You know your stuff!

Your own favourite product?

I am lucky enough to own a Miele steam oven and we have two working models on display here at the studio.

What do you like about trading in Salisbury?

Salisbury can hold its own against any other European city. I love the medieval streets and old buildings together with the feel of a contemporary city.

If the money fairy gave you £20K what would you buy?

I’d actually share it amongst our four children.

Plans for the future?

We’ll be holding four Miele cookery events in the next year, showcasing the Miele oven, the Maxi Steam oven and Induction hob cooking.

Masterchef finalist SvenHansen Britt is holding an informal cookery event and sit down ‘Come dine with me’ style evenings. So we can really show our customers what can be achieved with a new in-toto kitchen.

OHJ Bathrooms, 3 The High Street, Downton SP5 3PG www.ohjbathrooms.co.uk

Worst business decision?

Sharing business premises.

How do you hope people describe the shop?

That we listen and that they love their new bathroom.

What’s the best business advice you’ve received?

Good service is good business. Know what your customers want most and what your company does best.

Focus on where those two meet.

What do you like about trading in Salisbury?

We are in Downton which is a pretty and friendly village. we are well supported by the locals and customers who come from further afield.

If you could have one other shop in Salisbury, which one would it be, and why?

Either The Chocolate Shop or Cambridge Wine merchants. Need i say more?

If the money fairy gave you £20K what would you buy?

I would take the whole family on a holiday. Probably to San Francisco to visit my sister and her family.

Regent Tailoring, 73 New St, Salisbury SP1 2PH www.regenttailoring.co.uk

Your best and worst business decision?

Best: Moving to New Street in Salisbury, bigger premises.

Worst: Trying to do everything myself in the beginning.

How do you hope people describe the shop?

Somewhere you can get a complete make-over (personal styling) plus great gifts. A shop that doesn’t follow mainstream retail and fashion ideas.

What’s the best business advice you’ve received?

My dad told me to always keep an eye on cash flow.

Your own favourite product?

A tusting leather satchel.

Because of the great workmanship of this British brand, it could be passed down through the generations and will only get better with age. Of my own products, my Regent umbrella with the skull and crossbones is a favourite.

I have the design trademarked.

It’s like a best friend because it keeps you covered.

If you could have one other shop in Salisbury?

Stonehenge cycles. I love bikes and to be able to admire the ingenuity woud be great.

If the money fairy gave you £20K what would you buy?

A vintage 911 Porsche.

Phil Gosden

Salisbury Tile Store, Unit 2 Faraday Centre, Faraday Road, Salisbury SP2 7NR www.salisburytilestore.net

Why did you choose retail?

I ran my father’s business until he retired and have been in retail ever since. I actually wanted to be a game warden in Kenya, but you just have to roll with what life throws at you.

How do you hope people describe the shop?

For customers to say that they had fun in the shop is always nice but to have them say that we found the exact product for them is always the comment we like the most.

What’s the best business advice you’ve received?

I was told on opening the shop, ‘don’t look in your competitors window’. What’s the point of looking at what the competition is doing all the time? Grow your business as you want it to be.

If you could have one other shop in Salisbury?

Casa Fina. Fantastic shop, that encompasses everything that’s great about Salisbury indies.

If the money fairy gave you £20K what would you buy?

I would love to take the family on a safari in Kenya, just to show them where I was born.

Plans for the future?

Mrs Phil did turn to me last night at dinner and say, ‘I know you’re thinking about another shop’. I can’t recall the rest of the conversation as I was indeed thinking about another shop and the implications of staffing.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 51

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H E A LT H A N D BEAUTY

WE ENCODE OUR PROBLEMS ONTO OUR BODIES IN A MAP OF MUSCULAR KNOTS, ACHES, SPASMS AND STIFFNESS Massage therapist Trinh Nguyen throws her weight around

RUB AWAY THE STRESS

Healing massage therapy in the heart of Salisbury offers a salve to your weary body and mind

By TA M A R A PI T E L E N Photo s by JOH N ROSE

B

lissfully melted. This is the phrase that best sums up how I felt about 20 minutes ago at the end of a healing massage therapy session with Trinh Nguyen.

Earlier this afternoon, when I had walked up the stairs of Mimosa Massage Therapy at 4 St Thomas’ Square, I was like a lump of stale, hard cheddar, dried with age. By the time I left, I felt like a soft Camembert that’s been left at room temperature on a sunny day.

Having trained in the art of healing massage with Buddhist monks in her home country of Vietnam, Trinh views massage as a healing therapy for body and mind. As her nimble fingers skilfully knead out the knots in your shoulders and back, at some level she’s also working on the emotions that tied them there. This could be anything from

job stress to money worries and relationship pressures… one of the many myriad issues that the average person living on planet Earth copes with every day. Or doesn’t cope with, which is when we encode our problems onto our bodies in a map of muscular knots, aches, spasms and stiffness. Left unaddressed, they can lead to a plethora of other conditions, from joint pain to migraines.

In the 90 minutes I had with Trinh, there were times I felt so delicious that I floated off on a fluffy cloud. Other moments however were much more challenging as she worked on a particularly stubborn knot. But oh, when that knot releases, something in you shifts and the relief is palpable.

For me, the issues were in very knotted shoulders and a sciatica nerve that reached into my gluteal muscle. I won’t lie. When Trinh got to work on my left buttock, it proper hurt. At least I thought it did. I was gripping the bed and letting out small cries of pain but apparently this was nothing

compared to some of her clients for whom it feels “like a tiger biting the behind,” Trinh told me later. Goodness.

On the plus side, my spine was in good condition, according to Trinh. It’s the first thing she checks at the start of a session. On the look out for crooked spines and anything out of the ordinary, spine-wise, Trinh specialises in conditions such as spondylosis, slipped discs, sciatica, and persistent lower back pain. She’s also a dab hand with headaches and shows me a simple technique for addressing them. You basically press into both temples and push or pull upwards, depending on whether you’re doing it to yourself or someone else.

Trinh also uses a lot of healing oils in her work. At one point, she asked me to deeply inhale a special balm three times. It was a strong, heady but pleasant fragrance that I could almost feel permeating my brain.

Trinh moved to the UK from Vietnam in 2013. She came here with her British husband and in June this year, she opened Mimosa Massage Therapy alongside her friend and business partner Cheryl Dunford. The women share the premises at 4 St Thomas’ Square although Cheryl focuses on craniosacral therapy and meditation. Together, they are a sanctuary of wellness and calm in the midst of Salisbury’s hustle and bustle. So if you’re feeling a little worn or weary from life’s demands, go and see Trinh.

Trinh Nguyen offers massage therapy sessions for 30, 60 or 90 minutes including: Healing massage; Thai massage; deep tissue; back, neck, shoulder and head; persistent lower back pain; relaxing, spondylosis treatment and back; slipped disc and back, sciatica nerve and back, and foot massage.

Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm; 07469 210 392; mimosatherapy@outlook.com

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Tel: 01980 611083

Riverside House, Winterbourne Gunner, Salisbury SP4 6JG Where nothing is overlooked, except the scenery…

Daisy

Exclusive luxury boarding for cats as well as for small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and tortoise’s.

The perfect place for your cat to relax and enjoy their holiday, allowing you to do the same!

www.riversidecathotel.com

The Fovant Cattery “Designed for cats and their discerning owners”

VISITORS WELCOME

Please contact us to arrange a time.

An exceptional boarding cattery, built and run to International Cat Care standards, offering bespoke care for your cats.

Relax while you are away, knowing your pet is being professionally looked after by people who care.

Our guests enjoy our light and airy environment, a warm, comfortable chalet and wonderful views of the garden and wildlife.

15 minutes from both Salisbury and Shaftesbury.

Contact Debbie, Babs or James on 01722 714232 • info@thefovantcattery.co.uk

www.thefovantcattery.co.uk

Shake-ups/launches/intel/promotions

S A L IS B U RY G E T S S ER I O US

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE

“THE LAST

£500 OF MY HOUSE SALE BOUGHT A COMPUTER, PRINTER, DESK AND A CHEEKY CALL”

Sweet dreams are made of cheese; who am I to diss a brie?

A GRATE STORY

ARCHETT & GARNE’S CHEESY WIN Wilton delicatessen awarded at Global Cheese Awards Shout out to Wilton delicatessen Archett and Garne for taking home a runners-up trophy for the Best Local Independent Cheese Counter at the Global Cheese Awards in Frome last month.

The organisers send mystery shoppers to about 100 delis and farm shops within 25 miles of the show ground who score them on their cheese range, their knowledge and their standard of customer service.

Unlike most industry awards, the retailers aren’t nominated and do not enter themselves.

“The first we heard of it was when they invited us

to the dinner, as we had placed in the top four,” said Archett and Garne co-owner Tom Stobbs. “We are really pleased, especially as we have only been going for 10 months. And we came runners-up to the Fine Cheese Company shop in Bath, which as you know is fantastic, so we are extra pleased to be in such good company!”

The UK’s longest running cheese show, the Global Cheese Awards takes place in Frome every year. www.archettandgarne.co.uk

Which entrepreneur set her business up on a shoestring?

Find out more on page 57

5.8 THE BIG NUMBER

Why is Salisbury BID so proud of this number?

Find out more on page 61

www.mediaclash.co.uk I SALISBURY LIFE I 55

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SALISBURY

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BESPOKE COMMISSIONS REPAIRS MELT AND REMODEL JEWELLERY MAKING CLASSES MAKE YOUR OWN WEDDING RINGS

100 Fisherton Street | Salisbury | SP2 7QY rebecca@rebecca-jackson.co.uk www.rebecca-jackson.co.uk 07549837309

BUSINESS INSIDER

makes sense for you. Sessions up to three hours are ideal, doing this recently meant we were on site a few days but aided more people. Optimum training can be delivered by making it varied, relevant, happy and yes fun.

The journey so far?

My first key project was the SWBOYA 2012. From some 30 entries in 2012, I’ve worked with SpireFM to grow this up to 160 entries and over 700 attendees! We have also delivered events, awards, dinners, business solutions, charity clay shoots, golf days, etc.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

FOSTERING DREAMS Bigger! Stronger! Faster! Amanda Foster is in the business of nurturing and growing other Salisbury businesses

A

manda Foster wears a lot of hats.

These include business advisor, consultant, trainer, and events planner. To sum all that up in one sentence, she’s a “lady with mad ideas to inspire others” so whether you need to learn how to create a petty cash or timesheet spread sheet, or you need help with interview techniques or appraisal guidance, who you gonna call? Amanda at Hector Merrywheather – fun fact: a business named after her two dogs.

Co-founder of Hector Merrywheather Amanda Foster

Tell us about your business model?

My business partner Helen Bravery and I developed bespoke training options because all that was available were rigid package courses. We believe that training should be as individual as the person and their needs.

We don’t believe in wasting a whole day away from the office. Full day courses do not work – we can give you more productive training sessions of one or two hours.

We train you in your office, on your computer and using your software. This is important to ensure that it all

Any memorable moments with clients?

I remember training a lady well in her eighties - she hated the computer! ‘You cost me a lot of money Amanda,’ she said one day. I thought she was talking about the cost of the three sessions with me but she saw my concern and said, ‘No, I mean I can now shop online so I book holidays and go out a lot more!’

What are the latest trends in training?

The Cloud. Everyone talks about it but few take advantage of it. There are lots of courses online now but training is about people; we learn from people and this should not be forgotten. Sometimes you just need to be side-by-side to speak, listen, digest and then offer help, suggestions and encouragement.

Are you a local lass?

No, my phrase is ‘love brought me to Salisbury, now I love Salisbury!’ I moved down from Godalming, Surrey and now I don’t want to return.

How did your own business, Hector Merrywheather, come about?

It started four year ago with a trigger moment on the stage of Salisbury Playhouse when I was a judge of the South Wilts Business of the Year Awards (SWBOYA).

I just thought ‘what a great city, I want to meet more businesses here’. And since I’ve always loved training, encouraging and developing people and their ideas, I thought, ‘why not do this as a full time job?’

How did you finance your start up?

The last £500 of my house sale purchased a computer, printer, desk and a cheeky call to get work with the Chamber of Commerce and the South Wilts Business of the Year Awards – the rest is history!

On reflection maybe I could have done it differently but sometimes you just have to go for it – it felt liberating working for myself. Being self-employed can be lonely but that’s what great networking groups are for, such as the Chamber of Commerce.

WE DON’T BELIEVE IN WASTING A WHOLE DAY AWAY FROM THE OFFICE. FULL DAY COURSES DO NOT WORK

Future plans?

We have progressed from the spare room to an office and I am looking forward to both Helen and I marketing our workshops and training programmes to other companies. We have just completed an eight-week training plan for a large solicitors’ practice – which they loved. I want to do more of these courses as well as working with particular individual clients to help them be more productive. I want to grow our business to a small but effective team that’s big enough to deliver but small enough to care, we can then live up to our motto of ‘Giving you the advantage’ as well as making a positive difference to people, companies and a contribution to our wonderful city of Salisbury.

Surprise us…

I once helped find Queen Victoria’s toilet, which had been lost after improvements in Paddington Station.

That was when I worked for my family’s business, which was finding pipes, cables, drains and leaks.

www.hectormerrywheather.co.uk

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Designer Hania Southwell of in-toto Salisbury has received an award from the KBSA for her concept kitchen design. The judges commented “it has been exciting judging such a varied submission of kitchen designs, and we were especially pleased to see the young design talent in our industry. The KBSA really has the cream of the crop of current designers”

Come down to the showroom to see our fantastic new window display with fully working Miele appliances.

In-toto Kitchens Salisbury 21 Catherine St, Salisbury, SP1 2DF

Hania would be delighted to speak to you about your kitchen project, so pop in to the studio on Catherine Street for a coffee and chat.

Join us on Facebook facebook.com/IntotoSalisbury

01722 238177

T: E: salisbury@intoto.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/IntotoSalisbury

THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF TILES IN SALISBURY

OPENING HOURS Mon - Fri 07.30-17.00 Sat 09.00–17.00

www.salisburytilestore.net Salisbury Tile Store, Unit 2 Faraday Centre, Faraday Road, Salisbury SP2 7NR Also at: Unit 5, The Enterprise Centre, William Road, Nursteed, Devizes SN10 3EW

01722 325306

salisburytilestore@hotmail.co.uk

BUSINESS INSIDER

How did you get to this place in your career?

I have enjoyed competing as a professional golfer for many years and I’ve been a golf pro for nearly 30 years including times as a player, coach, club pro, and a rules official. I have travelled a lot, all over the world, but I’m always happy to come home to Salisbury.

What are your top tips for managing a team?

To respect everyone whatever their position; to listen to the team and involve them in my plans for the future.

If you could time travel back 10 years, what business advice would you give yourself?

Prepare more, listen more, learn more.

Plans for the future of the business?

My aim is to keep working to make the golf club more accessible and to seek more members and a greater diversity of members.

PHOTO BY JOHN ROSE

Do you switch off the emails evenings and weekends?

I generally avoid accessing work emails when I’m not at work, and I generally do not work at weekends.

Manager of Salisbury and South Wilts golf club Andy Beal

ON THE GREEN

THE BIRDIE MAN He’s always under par and he loves a good tee off. He’s Andy Beal and he’s manager of Salisbury and South Wilts Golf Club

I DO TRY TO LISTEN TO CUSTOMERS AND GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT WHERE POSSIBLE

H

aving travelled all over the world as a professional golfer himself, manager and secretary for Salisbury and South Wilts Golf Club Andy Beal is just the man to lead the Salisbury and South Wilts Golf Club on to bigger and better things.

Tell us about the Salisbury and South Wilts Golf Club The club was formed in 1888 and has always had a strong membership. We offer golf for all ages, male or female; we have a good cross section of members and I am pleased to say that we are generally known as being a friendly and welcoming club. We have a busy golfing schedule throughout the year with lots of competitions, inter club matches and many social events, and I am heavily involved in organising and running most of those. We are also becoming a popular venue for weddings and parties, and we have excellent meeting rooms and facilities that are used by local businesses.

How did you end up living in Salisbury?

I was born in Germany while my Dad was stationed there with the RAF. We moved to Salisbury when I was aged about three and I’ve lived in or close to Salisbury ever since.

Proudest business triumph?

Probably securing the partnership with Ridgeway BMW Mini this year, along with the success of our Business Partners programme.

How much time do you spend on marketing in comparison to practical?

I’m still learning about marketing – do you ever stop?

– but I think we are making progress in several areas including a bit of a website revamp that is about to go live. It also helps a lot to plan well for the short and long term.

Advice for other business managers?

I’m not sure I’m qualified to give advice but I do try to listen to customers and give them what they want where possible. I will also say that it is important not to be too reactive – it is good to take time to step back and think properly about what you are trying to achieve.

What did you plan to be when you grew up?

I got fairly serious about being a golfer after about a year of playing the game. My progress was quite quick and I had a good work ethic and an ability to concentrate well.

Which part of the Salisbury region do you call home and what makes it special?

I grew up in St Marks Road in town and have very fond memories of that. We have lived in Winterslow for 14 years now and I’m very happy to call that home.

Your favourite place to eat and drink in the Salisbury area?

I like having a drink at the bar at the golf club as well as in my sister’s pub, The Lions Head, in Winterslow. And my wife and I often enjoy lunch at the Thai Sarocha in New Street. www.salisburygolf.co.uk

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BUSINESS INSIDER

NEWS STORIES Our pick of the most exciting, intriguing or important local business stories happening right now

DISCOUNT HOMES FOR SALISBURY’S MILITARY

Drone zone: Westbury’s White Horse

NEW DRONE FILM PROMOTES WILTSHIRE Tony Rowe of Exeter Rugby Club, Lt Gen Sir John Lorimer of the Army Rugby Union and David Ritchie of Bovis Homes signing the Armed Forces Covenant

National house builder Bovis Homes has launched a discount scheme aimed at helping armed forces personnel in Salisbury and Amesbury buy a new home.

The scheme is available at Bovis Homes locations across the county with a focus on areas with military bases or large military communities.

This includes the company’s Salisbury and Amesbury sites, which are both close to key military sites like Salisbury Plain and Boscombe Down Military Airport.

Sales director for Bovis Homes’ Southern region Mary McHutchison says many military families are now moving back to this area from time serving and living abroad.

“It has never been more important to offer a simple and affordable home-buying option for those ready to settle here.

We’d encourage any serviceman or woman interested in taking advantage of the scheme at Amesbury and Salisbury to come and talk to us.”

The discount part of the scheme sees armed forces personnel (including reservists) receiving £500 off every £25,000 spent on a Bovis Home, as well as £500 towards legal costs and a package of extras including carpets and flooring. www.bovishomes.co.uk/information-on/ schemes-for-the-armed-forces

On your marks, get set, glow!

VisitWiltshire has launched a new campaign that, for the first time, focuses solely on digital channels after seeing a shift in how people search for information.

As part of the campaign, VisitWiltshire has released their second in a series of three drone films entitled Wiltshire’s Been A Special Place For A Very Long Time, which features spectacular aerial footage of Wiltshire from the air.

Targeting the UK short-break escape market, the campaign positions Wiltshire as an ideal destination for a well-deserved short break.

The campaign aims to attract at least £700,000 of visitor spend to the Wiltshire tourism economy.

VisitWiltshire won the best destination website in the Travelmole awards earlier this year. In addition, the first drone film, Wiltshire From The Air, had an estimated reach of 700,000 people across various digital channels. The campaign was paid for with a £5 million grant from the South West Tourism Growth Fund.

The new drone film shows views of Longleat, Salisbury Cathedral, Bowood, Abbey House Gardens, Stonehenge ATV, Wilton Windmill, Malmesbury Abbey, Stonehenge and Avebury, Old Sarum, Barbury Castle, Caen Hill Locks and some of Wiltshire’s famous White Horses.

To view the new film visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/timeforwiltshire

CHARITY RUN AT LONGLEAT Longleat Safari and Adventure Park joined forces with homeless charity Alabaré to launch its biggest and most ambitious fundraising event, Glow in The Park Longleat, a night-time 6km fun run.

About 3,360 runners gathered in the iconic grounds of Longleat to take part and the grounds were awash with neon sweatbands, tutus, and bright face paint.

“We were delighted to have

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the opportunity to host such an event on the Longleat Estate, which was both fun and helped raise vital money for a great local charity,” said Longleat CEO Bob Montgomery.

This year marks Alabaré’s 25th anniversary as well as Longleat’s 50th anniversary. Glow in The Park Longleat is part of a series of events taking place in 2016 to celebrate both milestones. www.glowinthepark.co.uk

BUSINESS INSIDER

A BIG HELLO This is where we highlight new appointments and promotions…

SALISBURY HAS REGION’S LOWEST SHOP VACANCIES Salisbury leads the South West when it comes to a low number of empty retail units.

According to new figures from the Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID), just 5.8 per cent of retail units in Salisbury city centre are empty compared to the national figure of 9.6 per cent and the South West figure of 7.4 per cent. This figure is for the quarter ending 31 July 2016.

Salisbury BID works with Springboard, the national statistical company, in collecting data locally and calculating its rates through surveying town and city centres in 450 UK locations. It is defined as the percentage of the ground floor units in the town centre that are vacant, and as a vacant unit that is not trading at the time of the survey.

“Like all towns and cities, we have seen a churn with a number of businesses disappearing whilst new ones come into the city,” says Steve Godwin from Salisbury BID. “We have over 600 retail premises across the city, and benefit from a diversity of nationals and 150 independents.

“At 5.8 per cent vacancy compared to Swindon at 12.4 per cent and Poole at 9.9 per cent, it shows that Salisbury remains an attractive place for businesses seeking to do business.” www.salisburybid.co.uk

Salisbury legal firm Sampson Coward has promoted its head of litigation and disputes, Matthew Knight, to partner and has hired solicitor Lisa Clark for its litigation and disputes department.

Matthew is a solicitor advocate, specialising in litigation and landlord and tenant matters.

Lisa has worked in litigation and dispute resolution, licencing and regulatory law.

Managing partner David Coward said: “Over the past years we have made a conscious decision to increase the size of our practice so this is part of our long term strategy.” www.sampsoncoward.co.uk

Salisbury-based Blencowe Scaffolding has hired former soldier Matt Roberts as the new operations director. Having served for 23 years in the British army, Matt has commanded armoured troops in barracks, in training and on operations. He has also worked in individual and collective training organisations and in various areas of capability development.

Matt is tasked with developing and implementing an overall marketing strategy that drives revenue.

“I look forward to supporting the board in taking Blencowe Scaffolding forwards,” Matt says.

Established in 1964, Blencowe Scaffolding Ltd is a scaffolding and scaffold supplies company. The firm operates from a head office in Salisbury, Wiltshire and from a further depot in Basingstoke, Hampshire. www.blencowescaffolding.co.uk

LEGAL Q&A Batt Broadbent’s Lucy Race on joint property ownership

BLUEBIRD CARE TACKLE LONELINESS

I jointly own a property but do not live there. I really need to sell the property to release my share but my co-owner is refusing to get out or to buy me out of the property – what can I do?

Wiltshire home care provider Bluebird Care is launching a recruitment campaign to tackle loneliness.

According to a recent poll carried out by Bluebird Care, about 1.3 million individuals across the UK to live with loneliness and 19 per cent of South West people spend more than a week alone.

“It’s shocking to read the results of the survey and we want to provide support to people who are lonely and need our services, says director of Bluebird Care (Wiltshire South) Jonathan Billinton.

“Many individuals in Wiltshire are vulnerable and lonely, all requiring help at home especially through the winter months. It is often our care assistants who offer companionship to people who may spend a lot of time alone so we need to recruit more care assistants.”

For more information about joining the Bluebird Care (Wiltshire South) team visit the website.

This type of issue is very common particularly for co-habiting couples who have ended their relationship. The first question is whether there is a document setting out the terms of ownership and how the property is to be dealt with in such an event; this is usually called a Declaration of Trust. If there is no such document or despite the document your co-owner still refuses to move out or buy you out then you will need to negotiate with them. You may do this through directly or through a solicitor. You could decide to attend mediation if your co-owner is willing.

If you are still unable to reach agreement then your final option is an application to the court for resolution.

The court will be able to make a direction for sale and will determine the shares held by each of you in the property. You are likely to require legal assistance and representation and this can be costly so try to negotiate directly with your co-owner prior to making such an application.

www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/wiltshire-south

www.battbroadbent.co.uk

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PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

BAYBRIDGE PARK A magnificent country house near Winchester with spectacular views and state-of-the-art facilities

By A N N E BR I SON 62 112I ISALISBURY CLIFTON LIFE LIFE I I www.mediaclash.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk

SHOWCASE

PROPERTY

COMPLETED IN 2010, THE HOME WAS DESIGNED IN A TRADITIONAL GEORGIAN STYLE AND A PEDANTIC LEVEL OF ATTENTION WAS PAID TO THE DETAIL

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PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

D

ear Elton and David, Posh and Becks, Berkshire or wherever is all very well if you like that sort of thing but we all know the property market is criminally over priced round that way and sadly you just don’t get that much for your millions these days.

Have you thought about a change of scenery? Somewhere decent and safe to bring up the kids? Because when we saw this place on the market near Winchester, we thought of you. Do you know Winchester?

It’s Hampshire, just a short clip up the M3 into London with plenty of room to park your helicopter. We think you’re going to fall in love with this place, it’s called Baybridge Park and if you squint it looks like something from that TV series Versailles but without so many of the French blokes poncing about in tights and high heels. There’s not so much of that in Winchester, of course what you do in the privacy of your 27 acres is your business.

Although a relatively new build completed in 2010, the home was designed in a traditional Georgian style and a pedantic level of attention was paid to the detail.

The house itself is set on an elevated position amidst some of the county’s most attractive rolling countryside, offering considerable privacy – we know that’s important to you. Any tabloid stalkarazzi hoping for a photo opportunity would be spotted a mile off. But before we get to the 11 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, the gymnasium, home cinema, games room, wine cellar and indoor pool with sauna and changing rooms and a kitchen that would make Jamie Oliver fall to his knees and weep, you might be interested in knowing that the area is well known for its first class education, nearby schools include Eton, Princes Mead, Twyford, Horris Hill, Cheam, Ludgrove, St Swithun’s School for girls, Winchester College, and Marlborough.

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A Hampshire country house for the 21st century

HOUSE NUMBERS

11

bedrooms

12

bathrooms

£8.5M price

1

indoor swimming pool

27 acres

But let’s talk about the house itself. For a start, it’s huge.

Set amidst landscaped garden and grounds, the main house covers about 20,000 sq ft and there’s also a separate selfcontained two-bedroom staff flat, a three-bedroom garden cottage and a three-bedroom lodge. So masses of room for nannies, butlers, yoga teachers and so on as well as enough bedrooms to host a football team for the weekend, should the need arise. It goes without saying that the house has been built to the highest standards and offers beautifully proportioned rooms that are ideal for large scale entertaining as well as a superb leisure complex.

Because it’s a new build with a nod to Georgian style, you get the best of contemporary design, with floods of light and space, along with the best of traditional design without all the flaws of historic homes - so no chilly draughts, weird creaks or low ceilings in the gorgeous wood panelled library.

The principal reception rooms include a morning room, reception hall, library, drawing room, dining room, open plan kitchen/breakfast room as well as a music/sitting room - plenty of room for pianos, Elton.

Five of the bedroom suites are on the ground floor while the master bedroom wing and five further bedroom suites are situated upstairs. To get to them, you could climb the elegant staircase from the light and airy reception hall but you can also take the elevator.

The sprawling grounds include a kitchen garden, garage block with five bays and planning permission for stables. If fishing is your thing, the area is also renowned for two of the country’s best chalk stream rivers, the Test and Itchen, as well as for sailing on The Solent. It is within easy reach of Newbury, Salisbury and Goodwood race courses. In case someone got a new racehorse for their birthday.

Edward Cunningham, Knight Frank Winchester Estate Agents; 14 Jewry St, Winchester; 01962 850333; www.savills.com

residential lettings & property management

property services

Professional to the core www.piccoloproperty.co.uk 01722 580059

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www.hectormerrywheather.co.uk 01722 346 269

S A L I S B U RY L I V E S

Q&A

H

e used to sell dodgy used cars in South Africa but now Mike de Gouveia is a Portuguese food chef at the Avon Brewery, the pub in Salisbury’s Castle Street that he runs alongside wife Michelle.

At the time of writing though, Mike had swapped his apron for walking shoes to spend a month trekking 500 miles from France to Spain to raise money for Dementia UK. [Cue The Proclaimers, ‘Well, Ah wud wark…’ etc] Tell us a little about your family and how you ended up in Salisbury…

My wife and I are South African born and we have three kids, Carla, Bianca and Fabian. I’m also a Portuguese citizen and very proud of my Portuguese roots. I used to have my own used car business in South Africa, selling dodgy secondhand cars but we decided to emigrate to England.

South Africa is a wonderful country that holds many cherished memories but the gypsy in me said it was time to move and see the world. We chose England because it offered my children the opportunities they deserved. We all love England and have no regrets. We first had a pub in Kent for five years then Marstons, our brewery, offered us the Avon Brewery and we fell in love with it.

Where’s home in Salisbury?

Home is the Avon Brewery. Salisbury has a special place in our hearts; we all love it here. My son goes to Bishops Wordsworth and has just passed his GCSEs with As in all the right subjects, so a proud father indeed. We have been made to feel so welcome here, and love the convenience of the city.

You’ve given the food at the Avon Brewery a Portuguese theme?

Yes, I have a passion for Portuguese cooking and have had since I started cooking at the age of six.

Our Portuguese food continues to go from strength to strength. When we first got here, we were ranked at 120 on TripAdvisor.com out of 200 Salisbury restaurants, now we’re hovering in the top 20.

So, you’re walking from Seville to Santiago to raise money for dementia, how long do you think that will take?

It will take 32 days to walk the 500 miles. I walk about eight or nine hours a day. I started in St Jean Pied du Port in France and cross over the Pyrenees into Spain, the destination being Santiago de Compostella. This route is called the Camino Frances. I have walked a total of 4,700 miles in four years, covering most of the Camino routes. I once walked for three months doing 1,200 miles through France and Spain. This will be my ninth Camino.

MIKE DE GOUVEIA

He can usually be found rustling up peri peri chicken at the Avon Brewery but recently chef Mike de Gouveia decided to go walking… for 500 miles Why on earth do you do it?

I don’t really know why I do it. On completing my first Camino in 2010, I promised myself, ‘never again!’ Four months later, I walked 150 miles with my son, who was then 12 years old. This time, it’s been two and a half years since my last Camino and I’m nervous – especially because I’m 10kg heavier. Nevertheless, it must be done, I know it’s going to hurt; they all do, it’s the way of the Camino.

Why did you choose dementia as your charity?

Both my parents passed away this year, within a month of each other. They both suffered from dementia, hence my chosen charity. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I couldn’t go back to South Africa to say goodbye. I’m hoping to raise in excess of £500 for Dementia UK, I am registered with Virgin Money’s Just Giving website.

What do you most enjoy about the walking?

The Camino has grown on me in ways that I cannot explain. The people, the spirit of it all, the absolute freedom of it. Just to be able to step away; to remove myself from this crazy world we live in, is enough for me to do it as long as I possibly can.

And I want to be an example to my kids, to show them that anything is possible, considering my overweight, diabetic condition when I first set off.

And what’s the worst part?

There is no worst part other than conquering yourself; it’s all in the head.

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Does your body complain about all the walking? Sore knees? Blisters?

My body complains almost as much as I do, so yes, I’ve had the blisters, cuts, sprains and then some. Now they’re just trophies. The pain moves around, I get used to it, almost embrace it. I’ve walked holes in my sandals.

What’s your most prized possession?

My collection of cookbooks.

Last time you cried?

Losing my parents made me cry. And I tend to cry a bit when walking.

Indulgence of choice or regrettable habit?

My indulgence of choice has to be walking alone.

Smoking is my regrettable habit, except when walking. I don’t smoke then.

Surprise us…

I once cycled solo 1,200 miles from Chennai to Goa in India, proving to myself and others that you can do most things if you put your mind to it. I’m not a cyclist, never have been.

To donate to Mike’s fundraising efforts for Dementia UK, go to www.uk.virginmoneygiving. com/MichaeldeGouveia (donations are still accepted after the event has passed); www.avonbrewery.com

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Autumn Sale Now On

Chester 3 seater Sofa RRP £1221 Sale Price £939

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Winchester 3 seater Sofa RRP £1429 Sale Price £1099

Stratford Italian Leather 3 seater Sofa RRP £1958 Sale Price £1399

Topaz 1400 Spring 150cm Divan RRP £1399 Sale Price £999

Please visit our spacious showroom to see a huge choice of British fabric upholstery and Italian leather upholstery, dining furniture, bedroom furniture and a large range of British pocket sprung beds. We offer a personal and friendly service to help you in your selections.

Order now for Pre Christmas Delivery Opening hours Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.00pm 14 Winchester Street, Salisbury, SP1 1HB • 01722 322596 www.pure-comfort.co.uk