Sherborne Times February 2018

FEBRUARY 2018 | FREE

A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR

QUEEN BEE with Emma Goss-Custard of Honeybuns Bakery

sherbornetimes.co.uk

WELCOME

A

way from the civilised streets of stone and glass, Sherborne’s earth churns underfoot. We slip and slide through sodden soil, tired of the dark and yearning for spring. “All in good time,” whisper the trees, “all in good time.”

And so to February. Zigging perhaps where others might zag, we take an alternative slant on Valentine’s Day and share our love of bugs, courtesy of resident enthusiast Lloyd Davies. We meet ex-London photographer Nicholas Goodden, drawn back to his Sherborne roots and love for the outdoors, as he embarks on an exciting restoration project. Katharine and Jo meanwhile take us to Honeybuns where we hear tales of cakes sold from a bicycle on the streets of Oxford and how they found their way to Dorset.

Have a wonderful month.

Glen Cheyne, Editor editor@sherbornetimes.co.uk @sherbornetimes

CONTRIBUTORS Editorial and creative direction Glen Cheyne Design Andy Gerrard @round_studio Sub Editor Elaine Taylor Photography Katharine Davies @Katharine_KDP Feature writer Jo Denbury @jo_denbury Editorial assistant Helen Brown Illustrations Elizabeth Watson @DandybirdDesign Print Pureprint Distribution team David Elsmore Christine Knott Sarah Morgan Mary & Roger Napper Alfie Neville-Jones Maggie Pelly Claire Pilley Geoff Wood Contact 01935 315556 @sherbornetimes editor@sherbornetimes.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk

Homegrown Media Ltd 81 Cheap Street Sherborne Dorset DT9 3BA Sherborne Times is printed on Edixion Offset, an FSC® and EU Ecolabel certified paper. It goes without saying that once thoroughly well read, this magazine is easily recycled and we actively encourage you to do so.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither Sherborne Times nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without prior permission from Sherborne Times.

Additional photography: contributor's own, Shutterstock and iStock 4 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Simon Barber Evolver Magazine @SimonEvolver evolver.org.uk Simon Barker Knight Frank @kfsherborne knightfrank.co.uk Laurence Belbin laurencebelbin.com David Birley

Loretta Lupi-Lawrence The Sherborne Rooms thesherbornerooms.com Sasha Matkevich The Green Restaurant @greensherborne greenrestaurant.co.uk Lotte Micklethwaite Sherborne Girls @sherbornegirls sherborne.com

Elisabeth Bletsoe Sherborne Museum @SherborneMuseum sherbornemuseum.co.uk

Mark Newton-Clarke MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Newton Clarke Veterinary Partnership @swanhousevet newtonclarkevet.com

Richard Bromell ASFAV Charterhouse Auctioneers and Valuers @CharterhouseAV charterhouse-auction.com

Kitty Oakshott Upstairs Downstairs Interiors @updowninteriors updowninteriors.co.uk

Mike Burks The Gardens Group @TheGardensGroup thegardeneronline.co.uk

Alanda Phillips Leweston Prep @LewestonSchool leweston.co.uk

Michelle & Rob Comins Comins Tea House @cominsteahouse cominstea.com

Lindsay Punch Lindsay Punch Styling @stylistmum lindsaypunchstyling.co.uk

Gillian M Constable DWT Sherborne Group @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom Glencairn House Clinic glencairnhouse.co.uk doctortwrobinson.com

David Copp Jenny Dickinson Dear to Me Studio, Fine Stationery @DearToMeStudio deartome.co.uk

Jessy Smith BSc (Hons), MSc Phys, MCSP, HCPC registered The London Road Clinic @56londonroad 56londonroad.co.uk

Eleanor Farr Oxley Sports Centre @OxleySports oxleysc.com

Paul Stickland Black Shed Flowers @NaughtyDinosaur blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk

Jimmy Flynn Milborne Port Computers @MPortComputers computing-mp.co.uk

Val Stones @valstones bakerval.com

Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.)

CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS Fort Financial Planning ffp.org.uk Paul Gammage & Anita Light EweMove Sherborne @ewemoveyeovil ewemove.com Peter Henshaw & Mike Riley Riley’s Cycles @rileyscycles rileyscycles.co.uk @DCNSherborne dcn.org.uk Sarah Hitch The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms @SanctuaryDorset thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk Justin Hopkins Mogers Drewett Solicitors @mogersdrewett md-solicitors.co.uk

Jonathan Stones Sherborne Literary Society @SherborneLitSoc sherborneliterarysociety.com Jono Tregale St Paul’s Church @StPaulsSherb stpauls-sherborne.org.uk Fernando Velazquez Sherborne Preparatory School @Sherborneprep sherborneprep.org Sally Welbourn Dorset Wildlife Trust @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk Bridgett Wilson Sherborne Scribblers Wayne Winstone Winstone’s Books @winstonebooks winstonebooks.co.uk

60 8

What’s On

FEBRUARY 2018 52 Gardening

111 Tech

18 Shopping Guide

60 HONEYBUNS

112 Folk Tales

20 Wild Dorset

66 Food & Drink

114 Directory

26 Family

77 Animal Care

118 Sherborne Scribblers

36 Art

80 On Foot

119 Literature

38 History

82 Cycling

120 Crossword

40 Renovation

84 Body & Mind

121 Pause for Thought

42 Interiors

100 Property

122 Out and About

50 Antiques

109 Finance

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 5

SA Don’t miss the big Yeovil Audi

Over 300 New, Demonstrator and Approved Used models across the Audi range.

Don’t miss out. Visit yeovilaudi.co.uk/sale

Yeovil Audi. Look No Further.

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Audi range: Urban 16.1-65.7 (7.5-4.3), Extra Urban 30.4-83.1 (9.3-3.4), Combined 23.0-76.3 (12.3-3.7). CO2 emissions: 287-97g/km. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Optional wheels may

ALE Yeovil Audi Houndstone Business Park, Mead Avenue, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8RT

01935 574981

yeovilaudi.co.uk ď‚ ď‚‚

affect emissions and fuel consumption figures. Images are shown for illustration purposes only. Offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Accurate at time of publication [December 2017].

@elizabethwatsonillustrations 8 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

FEBRUARY 2018 Listings

____________________________

____________________________

Friday 2nd 11am

Every Monday 2pm-3.30pm

Sherborne Snowdrop Service of

‘Feel Better with a Book’ group

Remembrance and Thanksgiving

Sherborne Library, Hound Street. Do you

Sherborne Abbey. Hosted by Sherborne

enjoy listening or taking part in shared

example of organisations working

Bach St John Passion

bereaved. All are welcome. Members of

With Sherborne Schools’ Choral Society.

love classic stories and poems and would reading aloud with a relaxed, small and

friendly group? The group is free and you

can attend as regularly as you wish. Contact Sherborne library on 01935 812683

____________________________ First Thursday of each month 9.30am

members and visitors are welcome. 01935 474626 theartssocietysherborne.org.uk

____________________________ Wednesday 7th 7.30pm

together to support those who have been

Sherborne Abbey DT9 3LQ

staff from Weldmar Hospicecare, Marie

Tickets £10, £12, £15 available from

Curie, the Yeatman Hospital and Cruse

will take part in the service which will be followed by refreshments.

____________________________ Saturday 3rd 2.30pm

Cheap Street. Want to meet other small

T E Lawrence:

use the footpaths around Sherborne or

Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA.

talk. It’s free, we just ask that you bring

talk by Susan Vincent. New members

business owners and entrepreneurs? We

his life & friends in Dorset

quieter areas of the town to walk and

Blackmore Vale & Yeovil NT Assoc.

as well as helping others to do the same.

secrets buried in its soil. £5. New

Churches Together, this is a marvellous

Netwalking

the desire to move your business forward

working at the site of Butrint to unlock

welcome. Annual fee £5. 01935 425383

3rd January from Sherborne School

Reception, Abbey Road. 01935 812249 tickets@sherborne.org

____________________________

bvyntmembership@outlook.com

Wednesday 7th 7.30pm

____________________________

I, Daniel Blake

Instagram yourtimecoaching Twitter @

Monday 5th 2.30pm

Cinematheque at Yeovil College

____________________________

Castle Gardens Garden Centre, New Rd

Find us on Facebook @yourtimelifecoaching yt_coaching for updates

A Year On The Veg Plot

First Thursday

Free talk. 01935 814633

of each month 2pm-3.30pm

____________________________

“My Time” Carers’ Support Group

Tuesday 6th 10am-12pm

The Shielings, The Avenue DT9 3AJ.

Information and Benefits Advice

A passionate plea for social justice.

Ken Loach's multiple award winner

shows a visit to the DWP turning into a

Kafkaesque nightmare. Non-members £5 01935 421905 cinematheque.org.uk

____________________________

Drop in for a coffee, cake and a chat.

Surgery & Coffee Morning

Thursday 8th 2.30pm

Good company, advice, information,

(doors open at 2pm)

relaxed atmosphere and more, just for

The Rendezvous, Cheap St Church DT9

Sherborne Museum Winter

you! For more information call Sarah

3BJ. Age UK Dorchester is working to help older Sherborne residents to

Talks Series - “Pack Monday:

maximise their benefits entitlements

Sherborne’s Living History”

and to obtain information and advice on all matters pertaining to the over 50s.

Raleigh Hall, Digby Road. With the

Age UK Dorchester on 01305 269444

Museum’s president, Dr. Katherine Barker. Admission £5 (free to

01935 601499 or Richard 01935 816321 ____________________________ Thursday 1st 2.30pm Container Gardening Castle Gardens Garden Centre, New Rd DT9 5NR. Free talk. 01935 814633

ageukdorchester.org.uk

____________________________

members of Sherborne Museum).

Tea and cake provided.

____________________________

Wednesday 7th 2pm & 8pm

Thursday 1st 7.30pm

Archaeological

Thursday 8th 2.30pm

Bowjangles - The Quest

Adventures in Albania

Sherborne District

for Excalibow

Digby Hall, Hound Street DT9 3AA.

Gardeners’ Assoc. Meeting -

we will follow a team of archaeologists

Digby Hall, Hound Street DT9 3AA.

Chetnole Village Hall. 01935 872998. £10, £6 u18s artsreach.co.uk

Arts Society talk by Louise Schofield -

____________________________

A Year Through The Lens

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 9

WHAT'S ON Talk by Mr Paul Sturgess. 01935 389375

A Ralegh Ramble

Tuesday 13th 10.30am-3.30pm Julia’s House Craft Day

Thursday 8th 2.30pm

Meet outside Castleton Church DT9 3SA (limited parking). Be regaled by

historic tales of Sherborne’s adopted son

Castle Gardens, Garden Centre, New Rd

Sir Walter Ralegh (original spelling of

For info: 01935 814633

____________________________

____________________________ Seed Sowing & Potting On

Castle Gardens Garden Centre, New Rd Free talk. 01935 814633

‘Raleigh’) and his time in the town, with

Wednesday 14th - Friday 16th

£5 per person, no booking, just turn up.

Gosmina Circus Skills

____________________________

Castle Gardens, Garden Centre, New Rd

Blue Badge Guide Cindy Chant. Only

1.30pm-4.30pm

sherbornewalks.co.uk

Open Workshop

Martock Parish Church, TA12 6JL. Tickets

Sunday 11th

DT9 5NR. Juggling, diablos and more.

For information hckmlewis@talktalk.net

Charterhouse, The Salerooms, Long

Thursday 8th 8pm

Allard Palm Beach cars produced. See

Wednesday 14th 6.30pm

charterhouse-auction.com

Historian Earl Spencer

history of the Dorset Regiment from

Monday 12th 9.30am-3.30pm

Earl Spencer will be talking about his

Copson. SHS members: free, non-

Funky Felt Wrist Warmers with

____________________________

Digby Hall, Hound Street. West

Wednesday 14th doors open

District meet on the 2nd Monday of

ArtsLink Flicks -

£15 payable in advance. New members

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road

____________________________

unexpected friendship between Queen

____________________________ Thursday 8th 7.30pm Mike Denham’s Sunset Cafe Stompers with Hamish Maxwell £8 from 01935 822706 or £9 on door.

Classic Car Auction

____________________________

St DT9 3BS. Inc. one of only 72

Sherborne Historical Society Talk: The Dorset Regiment Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA. The

Free family event, no tickets required.

01935 814633

____________________________

website for catalogue. 01935 812277

Come and Meet

____________________________

Winstone’s Bookshop, 8 Cheap Street

the C18th to the C20th, by Christopher

West Country Embroiderers -

members: £5 sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

tutor Tracey Bartlett

Friday 9th

Country Embroiderers Sherborne &

7pm for 7.30pm show

each month with an optional workshop

Victoria and Abdul (PG)

very welcome. Details: Ann 01963 34696

The extraordinary true story of an

Free Facial Friday The Sherborne Rooms, 56 Cheap Street.

Free 30-minute facials, booking essential 07545 328447

____________________________

new book To Catch a King Charles 2nd Great Escape, tickets £2

____________________________

Victoria and Abdul Karim, a young

Friday 9th 7.30pm

Monday 12th 7.30pm

No Petticoats Here

(doors & bar 7pm)

Village Hall, Nether Compton DT9

MOVIOLA:

and musician Louise Jordan tells the

Leigh Village Hall. Starring Judy Dench.

who challenged expectations. £10 (U16

British history. £6 on the door, interval ice

& 1.30pm-3.30pm

____________________________

Digby Hall. Free art and craft sessions

clerk from India. £6 from Sherborne

TIC, pre-film supper £12. 01935 815341

4QE. Award-winning singer, songwriter

Victoria and Abdul (PG)

stories of inspirational women of WWI

One of the least expected friendships in

Thursday 15th 10am-12.30pm

creams. leighvillage.org.uk/events/index.php

Family Arts Buffet

Saturday 10th 9am-11am

Monday 12th 7.30pm

Community Big Butty Breakfast

Sherborne Insite Lecture:

where families can be creative together.

Alweston Village Hall. A community

Incarnation

Children’s activity table, preserves, cakes.

Canon Eric Woods will explore the

£6). 01935 413220

____________________________

event organised by Folke Church.

Memorial Hall, Digby Road DT9 3NL.

Food Bank collection at the hall

mystery of the Incarnation. £5 from the

____________________________ Sunday 11th 2pm 10 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Parish Office: 01935 812452

____________________________

sherborneartslink.org.uk

____________________________

For accompanied children under 12. No need to book, just come along. If busy,

entry is not guaranteed. 01935 815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk

____________________________ Tuesday 20th 7pm Sherborne Literary Society -

FEBRUARY 2018 Words with Wine Raleigh Hall, Digby Road. An

evening with Crispin Black MBE

Children

____________________________ Every Friday during term-time 1.45pm-3pm

Please share your recommendations and contacts via facebook.com/ Sherborne-Parents or mail@ sherborneparents.com

Trent Toddler Group

____________________________

1st Saturday of the month

- Scottish Wildlife Encounters

Sundays 11am-1pm

10.30am-12pm

Catholic Church Hall, Westbury.

Art Club@Thornford

Sticky Church

Presented by Brian Pettitt. New members

and visitors always welcome at a cost of £3,

No 1 Wheelwright Studios, Thornford

Cheap Street Church Hall. FREE group

to include refreshments. 01935 814692

DT9 6QE. Aimed at youngsters with

a passion for art who want to improve

children making, stories, songs contact

MPhil. Tickets £5 from Winstone’s Bookshop or on the door.

____________________________ Wednesday 21st 2.30pm Sherborne WI talk and slide show

____________________________ Wednesday 21st 7.30pm Dorset Wildlife Trust - Sherborne Group ‘Climate change: Antarctic in a Global Context’ Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road.

Prof. Mark Tatchell. Admission £2.50 -

their drawing and painting. Fun and

informal. 8 years and upwards welcome.

for more details

____________________________

for playgroup and primary school age 01963 251747 for more details

____________________________

All materials provided. £15 for 1 hour

Friday 16th 11am-12.30pm

email alicockrean@gmail.com or visit

1 Church Lane, DT9 3BP. Annual

____________________________

museum. Bring your favourite teddy and

or £30 for 2 hours. Call 07742 888302,

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

alicockrean.co.uk for more info.

treasure hunt for bears hidden round the

tea/coffee available. New members and

Mondays 2pm-2.30pm

____________________________

Free session includes a story, a song and a

visitors welcome 01935 872774

Sherborne Library Craft

Wednesday 21st 7.30pm

craft run by a staff member

The Olive Tree

Trent Youngs School. Call 01963 850496

____________________________

a snack. Quizzes, picture games, touchyfeely story books and nursery rhyme

box. Room for some buggies and baby changer available.

____________________________

Cinematheque at Yeovil College. A

fable of the environment and family loyalty. A journey from Spain to

Talk: The Plague 2000BC

old tree. Non-members £5 01935

Digby Hall, Hound Street DT9 3AA

____________________________

where it came from and is it still about?

Germany to retrieve a thousand-year-

to 2000AD

421905 cinematheque.org.uk

Dr Tim Mason asks what the plague is,

Thursday 22nd 2.30pm Propagation Castle Gardens, Garden Centre, New Rd

SHS members: free, non-members: £5 sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

DT9 5NR. Free talk. 01935 814633

Friday 23rd 7.30pm

____________________________

Townsend Productions -

Thursday 22nd 7.30pm

We Are The Lions Mr Manager

Sherborne Floral Group -

Halstock Village Hall

In-house Floral Demonstration

01935 891744. £9, £6 u18s, £25 fam

& Workshop Catholic Church Hall, DT9 3EL

artsreach.co.uk

01935 813316 for info.

Saturday 24th 6-10pm

____________________________

Other Side in conversation with

Thursday 22nd 8pm

the team behind The Frome

Sherborne Historical Society

Independent Market

Church Studio, Haydon, nr Sherborne DT9 5JB. A series of free talks, live

performances and screenings in support of Sherborne Food Bank. Music from

PILOTE. Alternative, emotive edibles

from THE BAKEMONGER. Tastings, dumplings, samosas and bakes from

COMINS TEA. Handcrafted spirits,

liqueurs and cocktails from FORAGER

SPIRIT. Suggested voluntary donation £7. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 11

WHAT'S ON com or visit alicockrean.co.uk for more info.

Learn how to get radiant skin, boost

Cinematheque at Yeovil College.

Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am-12pm

price £10. 07545 328447

an acting couple (rehearsing Death of a

The Julian, Cheap St, Sherborne.

Sunday 25th 1.30pm-4.30pm

Non-members £5 01935 421905

info@theslippedstitch.co.uk or online

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road

____________________________

by ear, experiment with chords and

Wednesday 28th 7.30pm The Salesman

____________________________

vitality and do the digital detox. Ticket

Modern Iran under the microscope as

Knit & Natter at The Slipped Stitch

Salesman) relocate to a new apartment.

To book call 01935 508249, email

Sherborne Folk Band workshop

theslippedstitch.co.uk

DT9 3NL. Learn to play folk tunes

cinematheque.org.uk

____________________________

Planning ahead… ____________________________ Saturday 3rd March 10am-4pm Linocut Printmaking Digby Hall, Hound Street DT9 3AA £50/£45 Friends of ArtsLink. 01935 815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk

____________________________

Workshops and classes

Thursday 1st 7.30pm Shape & Style Class Sherborne Venue. Save time and money when shopping by only trying on and

buying clothes you feel good in. info@ lindsaypunchstyling.co.uk for more info

____________________________

arrangements. Suitable for all levels and all instruments. £10 in advance or £12

on the door. Contact Julia 01935 817905 laurelswift.co.uk

____________________________

____________________________

Fairs and markets

Saturday 3rd 10am-4pm

____________________________

Investigating Ink

Thursdays and Saturdays

Digby Hall, Hound Street DT9 3AA. A

Pannier Market

drawing or painting, enabling them to

____________________________

workshop suited to anyone who enjoys

The Parade

explore the use of ink for its versatile

Thursday mornings 9.00am-11.15am

Friends of ArtsLink. 01935 815899

Church Hall, Digby Road

____________________________

Every third Friday in

Tinney’s Lane Youth Centre, Sherborne.

Thursday 8th 7.30pm

each month 9am-1pm

A fun, supportive and therapeutic class

Colour Analysis Class

Farmers’ Market

with movement specifically designed

for those experiencing the symptoms

Sherborne Venue

Cheap Street

of Parkinson’s. These sessions, led by

Boost your confidence by learning how

to bring out the best of your features by

____________________________ Thursdays 2.30pm-4pm (no session on 15th Feb) ArtsLink Parkinson’s Dance

fully trained specialists, are finished

with a cup of tea and social time. Free with donations welcome. New people

welcome. Find out more from ArtsLink

qualities of line, tone and colour. £47/£42

Country Market

sherborneartslink.org.uk

____________________________

wearing colour and how to make the

most of colours you already own. info@ lindsaypunchstyling.co.uk for more info

____________________________

01935 815899. sherborneartslink.org.uk

Thursday 15th 7.30pm

____________________________

Make-up in 10

Thursday evenings 7.30pm-9.30pm

Sherborne Venue. Look good and feel

Art Club@Thornford for Adults No 1 Wheelwright Studios, Thornford

____________________________

great by learning a quick, everyday

and flawless make-up routine, with 10

Every third Saturday 9.30am-4pm

lindsaypunchstyling.co.uk for more info

Church Hall, Digby Road. New, second-

per session (tuition only) or £15 (materials

Friday 16th 7pm

613356 colinbakerbooks@btinternet.com

07742 888302, email alicockrean@gmail.

The Sherborne Rooms, 56 Cheap Street.

DT9 6QE. Tutored art with Ali

Cockrean. Suitable for all abilities,

including beginners. Pay as you go, £10 included). Limited places. Please call

12 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

make-up products in 10 minutes. info@

Monthly Book Fair

____________________________

hand and antiquarian books. 01803

Winter Skin Radiance Workshop

____________________________ Every fourth Saturday

FEBRUARY 2018 (exc. April & December) 9am-4pm

Etape Sherborne Cycling Club or text

Sherborne Town FC

____________________________

Premier Division. Raleigh Grove, The

Mike 07443 490442

1st IV. Toolstation Western League

____________________________

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Saturday 10th 10am-4pm

7.30pm–8.30pm

Terrace Playing Fields. sherbornetownfc.com

Fleamarket

Mixed Touch Rugby

Memorial Hall, Digby Road DT9

Sherborne School Floodlit Astroturf,

and crafts. An old fashioned fair for

welcome. £2 per session, first four

Saturday 10th

call Jimmy on 07887 800803

Saturday 17th

Saturday Antiques & Flea Market Church Hall, Digby Rd

3NL. 1000s of collectables, antiques everyone. Free entry. 01749 677049 westcountrycraftfairs.co.uk

____________________________

Sport ____________________________ Every Sunday 9am

Toolstation Western League Premier Division 3pm start Saturday 3rd

Ottery Lane. DT9 6EE. Novices very

Welton Rovers v Sherborne (A)

sessions free. Visit sherbornetouch.org or

Sherborne v Warminster (H)

____________________________

Keynsham v Sherborne (A)

Sherborne RFC

Tuesday 20th 7.45pm

1st IV. Southern Counties South Division.

Cheddar v Sherborne (A)

Gainsborough Park, The Terrace Playing

____________________________

Fields. pitchero.com/clubs/sherbornerfc Saturday 3rd

To include your event in our

Digby Etape Cycling Club Ride

Yeovil v Sherborne (A)

FREE listings please email details

From Riley’s Cycles. 20 - 30 miles,

Saturday 17th

(in approx 20 words) by the

Sherborne v Blandford (H)

5th of each preceding month to

bike recommended. Facebook: Digby

____________________________

gemma@sherbornetimes.co.uk

average 12 to 15 mph. Drop bar road

DAYS OUT & HOLIDAYS with TAYLORS COACH TRAVEL

Short Breaks

Day Trips

____________________________

____________________________

Diana: Her Fashion Story,

Cardiff Shopper

Kensington & Afternoon

Saturday 14th April

Tea at Harrods

Adult £21.00, Club £19.00

11th - 12th May

____________________________

____________________________

2 Days - £195.00

Tiverton Horse Drawn Barge

Compton Acres & Poole

____________________________

Saturday 28th April

Sunday 27th May

Harry Potter Weekend

Adult £32.00, Club £30.00

Adult £23.50, Club £21.50

14th July - 15th July

____________________________

2 Days - £155.00

Crab Fest, Salcombe

____________________________

Sunday 6th May

Brussels –

Adult £22.00, Club £20.00

Carpet of Flowers

____________________________

17th – 20th August

Lynton & Lynmouth

4 Days - £365.00

Sunday 13th May

____________________________

Adult £21.00, Club £19.00

____________________________

____________________________

2018 Day Excursions & Holiday brochures available.

To join our mailing list please call the office on

01935 423177 www.taylorscoachtravel.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 13

PREVIEW In association with

Image: Laure Prouvost

The Land We Live In - The Land We Left Behind 20th January - 7th May Hauser & Wirth, Durslade Farm, Dropping Lane, Bruton, BA10 0NL.

Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm (February), 10am - 5pm (March - May). 01749 814060 hauserwirthsomerset.com

Curated by Adam Sutherland, this ambitious survey exhibition

Land We Left Behind tells the story of humanity’s evolving

rural. The presentation features over 50 international artists and

Viewers will have the opportunity to engage with the themes of

explores the contradictory nature of society’s relationship to the creatives, as well as works on loan, by artists working from the

1500s to the present day, including Paul McCarthy, Beatrix Potter, Carsten Höller, Laure Prouvost, William Holman Hunt, Samuel Palmer, Frank Lloyd Wright, Marcus Coates, Fernando García-

connection to the land, our perception of, and reliance upon it. the exhibition through a series of participatory artists’ projects and practical presentations, such as aquaponics, fermentation, goat milking and cheese making.

Dory, Mark Dion, Roni Horn, Aaron Angell and Mark Wallinger.

Image courtesy of Laure Prouvost and Grizedale Arts

to 21st-century urban ruralists, The Land We Live In - The

evolver.org.uk

With protagonists ranging from 10th-century anchorites

14 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

CHURCH STUDIO HAYDON DORSET In conversation with the team behind

THE FROME INDEPENDENT MARKET Music from

PILOTE SATURDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 6PM - 10PM

Alternative, emotive edibles from THE BAKEMONGER Tastings, dumplings, samosas and bakes from COMINS TEA Handcrafted spirits, liqueurs and cocktails from FORAGER SPIRIT Music from

FOLLOW THE SUN

“Immersive, transcendental soundscapes exploring the widths and depths of dark and light”

SATURDAY 24TH MARCH 6PM - 10PM

Authentic Sri Lankan curries from HARI HARI Tastings, dumplings, samosas and bakes from COMINS TEA Drinks and cocktails

A series of free talks, lectures, live performances and screenings in support of

Suggested donation £7

P E O P L E W I L L S T A R E M A K E I T W O R T H T H E I R W H I L E

CHINTI AND PARKER WILDFOX CRIME LONDON DUFFY 360 CASHMERE VELVET COCOA SKULL CASHMERE PENELOPE CHILVERS ASH BELLA FREUD MIH SUNDRY OPEN 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

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PHONE 01935 816551

PROUD TO BE STOCKING LOEWE TV’S CALL IN FOR A DEMONSTRATION As a well established TV and radio shop, Godden & Curtis have been offering a wide range of audio visual sales and repair services for over 47 years.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP Greenhill, Sherborne, DT9 4EW Tel: 01935 813451

16 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Established in 1968 as a radio and black and white TV shop in Newland, we moved our business to our current premises on Greenhill in 1972. We have continued to deliver the high standard of service that our business was built on.

www.goddenandcurtis.co.uk

At the

Corn Exchange

Working from our workshop in the beautiful Dorset countryside we offer bespoke sewing services and professional interiors advice.

Bursting at the seams with sample books from luxury fabric houses we welcome all enquiries.

Luxury made to measure curtains and Roman blinds Tailor made cushions Patchwork quilts Measuring and fitting service Free estimates suzynewtonltd M: 07899 754455

T: 01258 818180

E: creative@suzynewton.com

Dutch Barn, Stoke Wake, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 0HE sherbornetimes.co.uk | 17

Shopping Guide

Barbour men’s Chelsea boot, £125, Sporting Classics

Cara velvet pumps, £100, White Feather

SHOEGAZING

Jenny Dickinson, Dear To Me Studio Tired of trudging around in thick socks and muddy wellies? Time to start writing next season's wish list of Sherborne's spring footwear. deartomestudio.com 18 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Högl glittertex shoes, £189, Diva

Soludos elephant espadrilles, £78, Circus

Soludos espadrilles, £89, Circus

Knitted baby booties, £10, Ginger & Pickle sherbornetimes.co.uk | 19

Wild Dorset

KING OF THE RIVERSIDE

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May Franklin-Davis, DWT Volunteer

ew birds are as elusive as the Kingfisher, in part due to their low population numbers, their ability to fly extremely fast and their shy nature, making them difficult to spot. They are smaller than you might expect, with their average length being 16-17cm. Those with a keen eye and patience will be rewarded with flickers of vibrant orange and blue, often hovering above the water of canals, rivers and streams, hunting for prey.

With populations found across Europe, Asia and Africa their numbers have slowly risen in the past few decades; this is thanks to various conservation efforts to help the species flourish. There is also a wider understanding of the impact pollution is having on rivers and how this can be prevented.

Kingfishers are vulnerable to harsh winters and human changes to their habitats. A particularly cold spell of weather can be detrimental to the Kingfisher’s breeding cycle. Although they can reproduce quickly, with mating occurring two times a year on average, their chicks have a high mortality rate even in the best of circumstances. In general, only half the fledglings of each breeding season reach adulthood. The life-span of this enchanting bird is between five and seven years. However, only a quarter of the population survive more than a year which leaves little chance for individual birds to partake in successive breeding seasons.

When hunting, the Kingfisher is adept at becoming streamlined for maximum speed; with a dense build, round head and long bill they are perfectly designed for diving. They are even equipped with a third, transparent, eyelid that closes over their eyes upon entry to water. Their most common targets are small fish such as Sticklebacks, which they swallow whole and head first, and water-based insects.

Next time you find yourself on a country stroll near a river, take a moment to pause and you may well find yourself in the company of a king of the riverside.

FACT FILE: • The average wingspan of a Kingfisher is between 24 and 26cm.

• Kingfisher chicks can eat between 12 and 18 fish a day while still in the nest.

• When building their nests, rather than heading for the trees, Kingfishers will burrow into the soft soil along the riverbank, making a hole roughly 60-90cm long. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 21

Wild Dorset

SHERBORNE DWT

Gillian M. Constable, Dorset Wildlife Trust Sherborne Group Committee

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he Sherborne DWT group has its February meeting on Wednesday 21st at 7.30pm in the Digby Memorial Hall. Our speaker is local research biologist and ecologist Mark Tatchell, who has given excellent talks to the group in the past. His title this time is ‘Climate Change – Antarctica in a Global Context’. Each year since 2005 Mark has been to Antarctic as a wildlife guide, observing the recent changes there and also taking wonderful photographs.

Above is one of Mark’s photos entitled ‘Adelies Uplifted’. We shall have a very interesting, and probably thought-provoking, evening.

The committee has decided to try a different format for the meetings this year. From about 7.10pm a glass of wine or soft drink will be available for a contribution.

This will give attenders a chance to interact and discuss any local wildlife sightings. The talk will start at 7.30pm and continue uninterrupted by a coffee/tea break. At the end there will be the usual question and general discussion session. This will enable the meetings to finish slightly earlier.

Have you completed the RSPB Big Garden

22 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Image: Mark Tatchell

Birdwatch for this year? All the data submitted by citizen scientists are a very valuable research tool. The DWT Species of the Month (see DWT website) also helps to provide information about the distribution of species in the county. Siskin was their January species; we find they appear in the garden later in the spring.

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Bird Trends for 2017 has a report indicating that greenfinch sightings have dropped 59% in just 10 years, primarily due to the infection trichomonosis. This statistic is based on data received from BTO’s various citizen science surveys. One of their surveys is the Garden Birdwatch survey and it led us to look back at some of our early data for the survey. During the period late 2000 to 2007 we recorded greenfinch in our garden for every one of the 367 weeks we submitted data. There were 5 other species in this category: blue tit, robin, house sparrow, chaffinch and collared dove. These 5 species are still seen every week but in the last 3 months of 2017 we only saw greenfinch twice - on one of these occasions there were two together. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

ARE YOUR RETIREMENT PLANS ON COURSE? Contact us for a pension review.

PETER HARDING WEALTH MANAGEMENT Principal Partner Practice of St. James’s PlaceWealth Management

40 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8JG Tel: 01747 855554 9 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PU Tel: 01935 315315

www.peterhardingwm.co.uk

Partner Practice represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Peter Harding Wealth Management is a trading name of Peter Harding Practice Ltd.

Wild Dorset

Love Bugs Lloyd Davies

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he word ‘Bug’ has many meanings: an object of terror, a computer or machine fault, a hidden microphone, a disease-causing virus or bacteria, and finally almost any small invertebrate creepy crawly. However, in the world of invertebrates, bug has a scientific meaning. True bugs or Hemiptera are one of the orders of insects. They come in many shapes and sizes but all have mouthparts that form a piercing tube or beak for sucking in food. Usually these mouthparts are used for sucking plant juices but not all are vegetarians, with some feeding on caterpillars or other insects. One or two are parasites of humans, such as the bed bug which uses its sharp piercing mouthparts in combination with anaesthetic and anticoagulant saliva to suck human blood while we

sleep. Many true bugs live in the Sherborne area, often looking like other types of insect. Water boatmen, water crickets, water scorpions, pond skaters, aphids, scale insects, plant and leaf hoppers and many small cicada-like creatures found in local gardens and ponds are all examples of bugs.

One of the most striking groups of bugs seen locally are the Shieldbugs. Looking a little like beetles they are large - up to about half an inch in length - and the different species can be identified by their colourful markings. Unlike beetles, which develop from an egg to a grub to a pupa and finally to an adult, bugs develop from an egg into a nymph which looks like a miniature adult and then goes through a series of moults until maturing as an adult.

Birch Shieldbug - Elasmostethus interstinctus

Red-legged Shieldbug - Pentatoma rufipes

After overwintering, adult Birch Shieldbugs mate and lay eggs in spring; these hatch and feed on the seeds and leaves of birch, maturing as adults by late summer.

These Shieldbugs overwinter as nymphs and feed on trees such as Oak and Hazel in spring. By the time they are adults in mid-summer, their diet has broadened to include caterpillars as well as fruit. Eggs are laid in late summer and hatch in the autumn.

24 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Hairy or Sloe Shieldbug - Dolycoris baccarum

Common Green Shieldbug - Palomena prasina

Adult Hairy Shieldbugs emerge in spring and their offspring are not fussy about which plants they feed on, sometimes sloe but often members of the rose family.

They mature by August.

The eggs of this species are laid in summer and through into autumn, and the newly-hatched nymphs feed on many sorts of trees. The adults in the spring are bright green but become much darker in autumn and winter.

Hawthorn Shieldbug - Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale

Bronze Shieldbug - Troilus luridus

The nymphs of Hawthorn Shieldbugs hatch in time to feed on their main food source, Hawthorn berries. They become adults during the autumn and darken in colour before hibernating and mating in the spring.

This woodland species has a bright metallic look, especially as a nymph as shown. Both spring nymphs and the adults that mature in summer are predatory, feeding on insects - especially caterpillars - as well as plants.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 25

@elizabethwatsonillustrations 26 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

UNEARTHED LIAM BEARD, AGED 18 The Gryphon Sixth Form

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iam has enjoyed the spotlight from a young age. A keen actor from the age of 4, he loves performing and involving the audience emotionally in his performances. His love of acting has continued throughout his education and he is now studying Drama at A level (as well as History and Maths) at The Gryphon Sixth Form.

His enthusiasm and natural ability resulted in him being asked to direct The Gryphon Sixth Form’s Pantomime at Christmas, and after reading the script he decided to re-write the whole show himself.

Snow White Goes Wrong was a festive take on the famous The Play That Goes Wrong. Liam wrote, produced, directed and acted in the show, which featured other Sixth Formers both in the cast and providing sound and lighting.

Liam says he’s naturally drawn to comedic roles but also enjoys the more serious side of acting. He chose to study History as well as Drama as he felt it would help him with the context of twentieth century plays.

Liam has been at The Gryphon since Year 7 and has been a keen participant in all the school productions, the last one being Footloose where he took on the comedy role of Will Ard, and he was also involved in last year’s Rock Challenge.

He is a member of Yeovil Youth Theatre and came second in the Sherborne Schools’ Acting Competition in April 2017 with his monologue - judged by Keeley Beresford from the Bristol Old Vic. In 2015 he won the David Beach Award for Star of the Future award, and was nominated again last year for the Best Male (16 and under) category.

Liam is currently applying to drama schools with the aim of pursuing a degree in acting. Among his chosen destinations are some of the best acting schools in the country including Guildford School of Acting, the Bristol Old Vic and Italia Conti. The highly competitive application process will see Liam having to audition with a variety of monologues, songs and original pieces.

He hopes this qualification will help him on his way to acting in TV or film, or even the West End. He’s also a dab hand on the guitar - Bohemian Rhapsody being a particular favourite! gryphon.dorset.sch.uk/sixth-form

KATHARINE DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY Portrait, lifestyle, PR and editorial commissions 07808 400083 info@katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk www.katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 27

Family

BRINGING HOPE

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Lotte Micklethwaite, Sherborne Girls

n October of this year, a joint Sherborne schools trip to India will be taking place. 15 pupils from The Gryphon, Leweston and Sherborne Girls will be travelling to Delhi to volunteer at ASHA, a charity that works with those living in the slums of Delhi. The aim of our trip is to work alongside the community, to support them and to enhance our understanding of their lives. We will be participating in activities such as teaching English and basic computer skills, painting and resourcing a community centre, helping children with arts and crafts, participating in musical entertainment and learning about the culture in India.

ASHA tackles all the issues that can keep slum dwellers trapped in poverty. Their programmes help slum residents gain access to healthcare, financial services and education, and make it possible for them to make long-term, positive changes to their lives. The charity also helps to raise awareness about the gruelling situation that millions of Delhiites live in, showing politicians, who are often oblivious, the conditions in which they live. We will help the work of this ground-breaking charity during the trip and will donate the money which we are raising to one of the many life-changing projects that ASHA runs.

Since September we have been meeting regularly to discuss and organise how to raise money; this has the added benefit of helping us get to know each 28 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

other better and also forging a stronger inter-school community. As well as raising money, these events will also greatly assist our ability to work well as a team once we arrive in India. So far, we have walked down the catwalk at Leweston to model some of India’s beautiful fashion, including saris, turbans and, of course, lots of jewellery. We will be holding a school fair for the students at The Gryphon at the end of March and arranging a curry night at Sherborne Girls later this year. Additionally, all the schools are having non-school uniform days where pupils pay a small sum to be allowed to wear home clothes. We are hopeful that the funds we raise will help to make a difference in Delhi.

Volunteering also provides us all with a chance to forget about schoolwork and focus on doing something for others, which we all really enjoy! As a group we are all extremely excited to be visiting India, most of us for the first time, to witness and experience a way of life very different from our own comfortable lifestyles. It will be a privilege to be able to be part of the project and will be an eye-opening experience that will teach us many skills, which we will doubtless all carry with us throughout our lives.

If you would like to find out more about this project and the work of ASHA, please visit asha-india.org

Awarded “Most forward thinking Prep” in The Week magazine Schools Guide

...Building Firm Foundations

For more information or to arrange a visit please contact the Registrar Charlotte Carty 01935 810911/registrar@sherborneprep.org/www.sherborneprep.org

Dawn Chorus Breakfast

Sketching Owls

Photography Workshop

The Art of Enjoying Nature

Astrophotography Workshop

Needle Felting

Beekeeping Course

Stained Glass Workshop

Wild Learning

Book a course or workshop with Dorset Wildlife Trust and enjoy learning something new about the natural world.

Visit: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/events & www.kingcombe.org

DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST Photos © Dawn Blight, Ken Dolbear, MBE Julie Herring, Sarah Morrish, Matthew Le Breton, Carla Taylor & Paul Williams.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 29

Family

THE TANGIBLE SUCCESS OF THE CREATIVE MIND

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Einstein, 1931 Fernando Velazquez, Head of Art, Sherborne Prep

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he benefits of encouraging critical thought and artistic expression are currently emerging to be acknowledged more than ever as powerful educational tools. Many view art as an integral element of education, however few identify it as a core strength which contributes towards personal development in the contemporary workplace.

Creativity should not be viewed as an add-on to ‘real’ learning, it should be effectively integrated within all aspects of scholastic endeavour; perhaps now is the time to think and reconstruct academic studies for a new future?

Maybe confusion remains over the concept of ‘creativity’ itself ? There exists two predominant myths: firstly, that creativity is only about the arts; secondly, that one is simply ‘born’ creative and we are thus either creative or not.

It is understandable that people struggle to grasp what creativity actually is, as it is particularly difficult to define. Terms such as ‘Big C Creativity’ and ‘little c creativity’ can be linked to the concepts of ‘High creativity’ and ‘ordinary creativity.’ Individuals such as Einstein and Beethoven might be considered to be of ‘High Creativity’ whereas many psychologists now describe ‘little c’ as focusing on the resourcefulness of ‘normal’ or ‘non-artistic’ people to innovate and take action. Perhaps this is a key to understanding the relevance of creative work in our schools? Creativity is a process that may or may not result in an end product; it is about everyday life, jobs and economics as much as visits to art galleries.

In his popular Ted Talk of 2007, Ken Robinson 30 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

predicted that most of the students in our classrooms today would be entering a workforce that none of us could visualise; learning a specific skill-set does not hold the value in today’s world that it once did. How then can art and creativity assist our children towards achieving practical and tangible success in their careers?

There is currently a global awakening among schools and businesses to the concept of providing courses in creativity. Many of the biggest and most successful businesses in the world now practice ‘The

20% rule’ - a commitment to allowing employees to devote 20% of their work-time to thinking creatively and exploring new ideas. This trend towards valuing creativity extends beyond the big tech companies that have long treated ‘innovation’ as a buzzword; a 2010 survey of over 1500 executives found that creativity is valued as the most important business skill in the modern world.

Creativity is no longer broadly perceived as exclusive to artists and musicians. It is identified as a crucial skill

to master and the reason to encourage our children to welcome any creative experience with confidence, secure in the knowledge that they are achieving far beyond the artwork itself, questioning and responding to new information. A celebration of the creative mind holds the potential to realise true innovation and progress, directly from the epicentre of education, reaching towards tangible success for our children. sherborneprep.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 31

Family

LESS

Alanda Phillips, Head of Prep and Early Years, Leweston Prep

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ur children are laden with gifts and objects from the moment they join our world, weighed down by the weight of the latest ‘must-have’ toys. A multitude of objects claim to make parenting easier, from baby room thermometers to bottle warmers.

Yet previous generations managed to rear their children without all these objects. The tide does seem to be turning a little, however, and many of us are choosing to question the love of objects that pervade our childrearing, rejecting many of them in pursuit of a simpler childhood for our children.

A friend recently moved to the countryside from the city. I suggested that we meet for a walk and she enquired how long the walk, around 3 miles, would take, confessing to a real anxiety about how to keep the children entertained when out with ‘nothing’ for several hours. However, with trees, streams, muddy puddles and undulating slopes, the wintery countryside soon convinced her that it had much more to offer than any object that she could have provided. The children merrily splashed, ran and laughed, enjoying their simple entertainment.

32 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

We need more of this for our children; more of the outdoors, more of the imagination, more of the conversations and that all comes from providing them with far less. The amount of imaginative play that children engage in has dwindled over the years to a point where we often now have to ‘teach’ the children to pretend; we need to strip away the mountains of toys around them to enable their imaginations to return to the fore. Children don’t need a plastic tea-set when they can use rocks as cups, tree slices as plates and collected pine cones, stones and acorns as play food.

In the 1980s children spent nearly four times as much of their recreational time outdoors, playing with friends and being active, as children nowadays. Our children now are often confined to their homes due to our concerns for their safety and cleanliness, and the availability of modern technologies. Families often say that time is limited and that they are unable to eat together or enjoy a walk together, but most people manage to find time for social media or television. Perhaps we just need to reassess what it is that we and our children really need.

When we encourage our children to think, to believe,

to play, to imagine, to create, we open up their eyes to a future full of potential. A jigsaw puzzle can only be completed in one way, but a den in the woods can be created in so many ways.

Here are my top ten tips to have less and be more: 1 Clear out your children’s toys. If the object offers something that they cannot get from anything else, keep it, but otherwise question why they need it.

I guarantee that the children will play more with fewer toys.

2 Give experiences. Rather than giving toys for birthdays and Christmas, try something like an annual pass for Longleat, or a swimming membership. The gift of family experiences and memories will be far greater than any object.

3 Play in the woods. Take your children out into the woods and take the time to play. Don’t have a plan, just follow their lead.

4 Visit a Forest School. If you’d like to learn how to make the most of outdoor learning opportunities, or you feel that your child needs some help to reconnect with the outdoors, look out for Forest School sessions in the local area.

5 Go to the beach on a cold day. Watch the sea roll in and out, talk and walk and let the children play... with nothing.

6 Lead by example. Have at least one day each week when you put away your mobile phone, tablet and computer and just spend time with loved ones.

7 Spend time outdoors every day. Start small and just walk in a different direction for ten minutes or lie in a park and watch the clouds.

8 Think of others. Engage in some random acts of kindness and help to make the world a better place.

9 Become object-neutral. Every time that you bring a new object into your house, take something that you no longer use to charity.

10 Get bored. Make sure that your children have down-time, with nothing to do, so that they learn to entertain themselves, preferably with no electronics and only limited toys during that time.

Leweston Prep now has a fully accredited Forest School. Parent and Toddler Forest School sessions take place on a Thursday morning from 10.00-11.00am and cost £1.50 per session.

Contact marketing@leweston.dorset.sch.uk for more details. leweston.co.uk

Pirate Party For children starting Reception in September and their siblings

Saturday 17 March 10am - 12 noon Join us for this fun filled, pirate themed party.

Dressing up welcome and prize for the best costume.

For more information please contact us on office@leweston.dorset.sch.uk or 01963 210783

A top class education at a price that might surprise you www.leweston.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 33

Family

Children’s Book Review

Wayne Winstone, Winstone’s Books, Independent Bookshop of the Year 2016

Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone (Simon & Schuster Children’s) £6.99 Exclusive Sherborne Times reader offer of £5.99 from Winstone’s Books

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his story is absolutely entrancing. As soon as I began reading I was swept away on a journey filled with dangerous enemies and monsters but finding new friends, hope and a sense of belonging. Open up the pages and you too will be taken on a wonderful adventure with Ice Queens, Eagles, Erkenbears, inventors and magic.

Filled with magnificent characters and stunning settings, Abi immediately transports her reader effortlessly to the harsh, wild landscape of Erkenwald where an evil Ice Queen is gradually stealing voices. A Queen intent on driving division between tribes, dissolving all trust and compassion until all are pitted against each other.

The Ice Queen has imprisoned Eska in a cursed Music Box at Winterfang Palace. In her quest to take full control of Erkenwald the Ice Queen must steal Eska’s voice but, in one unguarded moment and with a little help from a stranger, Eska is able to escape. Finally free but finding her memories have deserted her, Eska

must find out not only where she belongs but also why her voice is so important to the Ice Queen. With the Queen hunting her and the freedom of Erskenwald at stake, Eska must try to convince the tribes to work together again to free all the imprisoned voices and bring an end to the Ice Queen’s rule.

Abi is a gifted storyteller; she creates magic with words and brings to life the world of snow-capped Never Cliffs, Mountain Ghouls, Sky Gods and tribes that must remember how to work together in order to save themselves. Just wonderful and a book which I believe will confirm Abi’s place as one of today’s greatest children’s authors.

‘A shimmering thrill-ride of a book. I loved every page.’

Lauren St John ‘A dazzling snowstorm of an adventure, with hope at its heart.’

Emma Carroll winstonebooks.co.uk

Talk and Signing with Historian

'Independent Bookseller of the Year 2016’ 8 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PX www.winstonebooks.co.uk Tel: 01935 816 128

Earl Spencer Wednesday 14th February 6.30pm Tickets £2, available in store

COLOURING PAGE sherbornetimes.co.uk | 35

Art

We’ve had some good days of late but unfortunately life sometimes gets in the way, making it impossible to get out and paint.

I have, however, spent some time walking the ramparts of Cadbury Castle. I did many drawings and decided to work from those in the studio.

Being observant and really looking while drawing enabled me to fill in any gaps in my memory when working away from the subject.

Whereas I love to paint outside, studio work does give you the freedom to play with the colours, to create something that might be as one remembers or completely different.

I walked around twice, drawing as I went. Most of the time I was alone up there; the farmer arrived on his quad bike to check on the cattle and we had a natter, then I was left to my own devices for the rest of the day.

This painting is much as I recall the experience whilst I was there. I wanted to get the sense of space and height one feels at Cadbury and I think this one has worked quite well. I like to see the sharpness of the greens when winter sunlight plays over the landscape. I worked on a 16”x16” format and cropped my drawing a little to suit. I didn’t want the line of ramparts to lead out of the picture too 36 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

much as it was the distant hill with the trees atop that I wanted to focus on, that and the busy sky.

By contrast, another recent painting, a 12” x 10” painted on location at Moreton, near Dorchester, has more of an enclosed atmosphere. Here, in a small clearing, I came across a bonfire of autumn leaves. It was the sunlight on the blue smoke that first caught my eye. I wanted to capture the feeling and smell of the fire crackling, the smoke and flames, and leaf mould on the damp woodland floor. The strong colours of the flames contrasted with everything else and seemed brighter than perhaps they actually were. That is what the artist, in my view, is supposed to do: to bring out whatever aspects moved them to paint in the first place. There were a few autumn leaves still on the branches and the sun picked them out every so often. All these components made this, for me, an attractive subject to paint. It wasn’t long before the groundsman came along pushing a barrow with more leaves, which he dumped on the blaze. Instantly the atmosphere changed and the magic disappeared.

I had managed to gather everything I wanted in the hour or so I was there and was ready to pack up.

In the end it was fortunate because it stopped me fiddling and over-working it, a blessing in disguise. laurencebelbin.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 37

History OBJECT OF THE MONTH

VELLUM FRAGMENT, C. 1485 Elisabeth Bletsoe, Curator, Sherborne Museum

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his nine-inch-long scrap of vellum with barely legible writing was found by a local workman, Mr Hussey, in 1855 during the restoration of the Old Vicarage by the Reverend Harston, in a wall between two stones, four feet from the floor. Since the refurbishment, the original wall is now that of the present dining room. A complete transcription was made “after considerable pains” by Mr Albert Way of the British Archaeological Institute who found the vellum to contain a series of prayers and rituals, recommended by the Pope, to ward off the sweating sickness that became rife in Britain during the first year of the reign of Henry VII. Mr Way believed that it dated, therefore, to the year 1485.

The vellum, now in the museum’s Abbey case in the Gardner gallery, is framed with its transcription. The “curious discovery” made many of the local papers and excited discussion in several ecclesiastical journals. The transcription reads: “Be it known to all Christian men and women that our holy father the pope hath very knowledge by revelation what medicine is for the sickness that reigneth now among the people. In any wise when that ye heareth of this Bull first say in the worship of God, of our Lady and Saint Martin, 3 paternoster, 3 Ave and a Creed and the morrow after immediately hear your mass of St. Martin, and the mass while say ye the psalter of our Lady and give one offering to St. Martin, what that ever ye will, and promise ye to fast a year on bread and water whiles that ye live” The vellum was perhaps hidden within the wall in order to protect the inhabitants of the building from sweating sickness which was a sudden and violent

38 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

illness that terrified the nation, appearing at different intervals during Tudor times to claim many lives, particularly those of the upper classes. The attack rate among monks and the clergy was particularly high. The Sudor Anglicus or “English Sweate” first affected Britain then spread into Europe with a series of five devastating outbreaks between 1485 and 1551. Its aetiology remains uncertain since it seemed to disappear entirely after 1578, although current speculation suggests it might have been an ancient form of rodent-borne hantavirus. Contemporary accounts describe a strange premonition of oncoming horror, followed by a violent headache, flu-like shivers and aching limbs. A raging fever was complicated by pulse irregularities and cardiac palpitations. Death appeared to occur due to dehydration and exhaustion.

As one commentator wrote: A newe Kynde of sickness came through the whole region, which was so sore, so peynfull, and sharp, that the lyke was never harde of to any mannes rememberance before that tyme.

This tiny fragment serves to remind us that disease was perceived as engendered from a spiritual dimension, as divine punishment, which could be appeased by heartfelt prayer. We are also made acutely conscious of the great difficulty and fragility of life in this era of armed conflict and tumultuous change.

The Museum is currently on winter opening hours: Tuesday and Thursday mornings 10.30am-12.30pm. sherbornemuseum.co.uk

The Joinery Works, Alweston Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5HS Tel: 01963 23219 Fax: 01963 23053 Email: info@fcuffandsons.co.uk

www.fcuffandsons.co.uk

DESIGNERS AND MAKERS OF BEAUTIFUL FINE BESPOKE JOINERY SINCE 1897

Renovation

RESTORING BALANCE Nicholas Goodden

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n October 2017, my wife Chrystall and I moved out of London for a better life in my native Dorset.

After 18 years in the capital I felt I needed to refocus my priorities. Climbing the never-ending career ladder was never going to fulfil us; we had known that for a long time. We certainly took a cut in our income but being rich was never the dream we chased and instead we have gained something very precious: time.

We both were successful, freelance professional photographers back in London but, with a slower pace here in Dorset, we can now explore our creativity on a daily basis. Creativity is like a muscle — you need to train and use it regularly or it will inevitably shrink.

We will continue to collaborate with top brands and companies as photographers, but we also have many side projects that we wish to dive into. One particular project I’d like to share with you is our 19th century shepherd’s hut restoration.

Back in the late 19th century it wasn’t uncommon for an estate to have a shepherd looking after their livestock and, in order to do so, the shepherd needed shelter, especially during lambing. Our dark green shepherd’s hut was manufactured by Farris Huts (Coombe Bissett), a reputable hut company, and was used in Compton just outside Sherborne until the mid-20th century. It was retired after World War II and used for storage, eventually being left to slowly age and inevitably fall apart. At some point in between it was also used by the gamekeeper.

These “sheds” on cast iron wheels can still be found dotted around the West Country but very few of these century-old relics remain in good condition. In the ‘60’s and ‘70’s quite a lot of scrapping took place in Britain and many huts didn’t survive, as they were taken apart.

These days there is a renewed interest in these huts, 40 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

which strangely cross over the gap between historic buildings and classic vehicles. A quick Google search will reveal many which have now been transformed into tiny bed and breakfast places; they do indeed make for a quirky little accommodation.

And this is exactly what we intend to do: to renovate the hut sympathetically. We will keep as many original parts as possible, retaining the external beatenup look of the green corrugated iron which covers it, whilst at the same time transforming the interior into a cosy little retreat.

The biggest challenge is our lack of experience but

that’s also what excites us about life in general - taking on what may seem like a slightly over-ambitious project and proving to ourselves that we can do it and learn a lot in the process.

As we enter 2018, we’re ready to hit the ground running - provided we get the occasional sunny spell here and there which would be very welcome! Our first step, on the first day of the year was to empty the hut, a real treasure trove of fascinating old objects, family photos, chests and fabric which had been there for over 50 years. As we progress and take the hut apart in the coming weeks, we will establish whether every single

part can be saved or if any of it needs replacing. Our photography skills will be of great help as we document every step and every single part; this will allow us to put it back together when our memory fails us!

We’re excited for 2018 and hope you will be curious to find out how we intend to save this piece of Dorset history in the coming months.

Follow Nicholas and Chrystall’s progress on Instagram and Twitter @gr8thingstodo greatthingstodo.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 41

@elizabethwatsonillustrations 42 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

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Interiors

PT My World

STYLE THAT WILL GROW WITH THEM

R

Kitty Oakshott, Upstairs Downstairs Interiors

edecorating children’s bedrooms can often be a difficult task. It is important to choose a design that will grow with them, as both their interests and fashions will change.

Start, perhaps, with smaller accessories such as a linen lampshade with a bright trim; this can add a bit of fun to a neutral room. Team this with colour-coordinating cushions and these can then be updated at a later stage with little money and effort.

If you are looking for a more dramatic look, wallpapers are a great choice. There is a brilliant range of magical children’s wallpapers on the market, from trees and stars to animals, clouds and geometric patterns.

46 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

There are also some lively borders that can be added to a simpler paper; again, this can be removed or revamped later. Wallpapers in neutral tones with metallic highlights can look stylish in a nursery or an older child’s bedroom. These can be teamed with brighter coloured fabrics and accessories for a more youthful feel.

Stripes can work for both girls and boys; picking a colour such as green or grey can work for either gender.

Don’t be afraid to mix stripes and checks, and even throw in a spot for a fun mix of colours and patterns.

Brightly coloured striped curtains or blinds adds a childlike touch without feeling babyish. Scatter cushions and floor cushions can be great for kids; a reading corner

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There is some fabulous lighting available which can also be a great addition. What about a brightly coloured anglepoise lamp or a bedside light inspired by their favourite animal? Choose a design both you and they will love, which will stand the test of time, and you are sure to create a magical haven that will be a pleasure to play in. updowninteriors.co.uk

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Antiques

First time in the market, the medals awarded to Private Edward Bailey sold for £1,500 after a bidding battle by the family

FAMILY MATTERS

W

Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers

hether selling a single item or complete house contents, the main purpose of coming to auction is to sell for the best possible price.

Over the years we have achieved some fabulous results with items that have come from the most unassuming of places. A chipped Italian maiolica plate was found hanging behind a kitchen door in a Somerset cottage and sold successfully for £565,000. A Chinese porcelain censer from the next village over, found on the top of a wardrobe, sold for £154,000.

In 2017, my favourite lots which exceeded expectations included a classic Jaguar XK120. Having been in the same family for a long time, it sold for just under £82,000 – an opportunity narrowly missed out on by my good friend Nick G! Another favourite find was a 17th century Japanese Momoyama chest, found in a warehouse in Reading, which sold for over £68,000. As a general rule, if you have to ask a client to sit down before telling them how much their item made, it’s been a good day.

However, it is not always the big glory lots which bring a smile to me when wielding the gavel on the rostrum.

Recently, we were instructed to auction a group of four medals. They were awarded to Private Edward Bailey from South Petherton. He served for both Queen and King, having seen action in the Boer War (18991902) and then the First World War. As a professional soldier, he kept his head down, worked hard, and was fortunate enough to make it out the other side.

Moving forward nearly 100 years, the medals had remained in the family until they came though the Charterhouse reception door on one of our regular specialist 50 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

valuation days. The owner, who had never known Edward Bailey but was a distant family relation, decided to auction the medals so that a new owner could cherish and enjoy the medals more than him, as he kept them in a drawer.

They were entered into one of our regular collector’s auctions and estimated at £400-500. This estimate took into consideration which campaigns he took part in, his rank, regiment and what other similar medal groups have sold for.

Before an auction we work hard to market all our lots via the appropriate channels, but this lot received slightly more attention than I had expected. It then transpired that there were several other modern-day relatives of Private Bailey who got wind of his medals going under the hammer. Keen to secure them, we discussed the various bidding options with the interested parties.

These include live internet, commission and telephone bidding with, of course, bidding in person.

As an auctioneer, on the day we can tell a lot from people’s body language. Bidders generally look disinterested until shortly before the lot they are interested in comes up – some even try to look disinterested when they are bidding!

The bidding started off at the bottom end of the estimate and quickly rose by a couple of hundred pounds, at which point a bidding war broke out between two family members. After protracted bidding, the hammer fell to the great-granddaughter of Private Edward Bailey.

She had travelled up from Cornwall for the auction and paid £1,500 to acquire her ancestor’s honours. A great result for our client, and a meaningful one for the buyer. charterhouse-auction.com

CHARTERHOUSE A u c t i o n e e r s & Va l u e r s

A 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, in current ownership since 1969 £80,000 - £100,000

We are now accepting entries for our forthcoming auctions: Classic & Vintage Motorcycles Sunday 4th February

Classic & Vintage Cars Sunday 11th February

Silver, Jewellery & Watches with a selection of Wine, Port & Whisky Friday 16th February

Contact Richard Bromell or Beverley Garrett for advice and to arrange a home visit The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne DT9 3BS | 01935 812277 | www.charterhouse-auction.com

Next Auction Next Auction Next Auction Auction Next Auction Next Auction Next Auction 16 October October 2014 16 2014 9 July 2015 30 November 2017 October 2014 Athelhampton House 9 July 2015 30 2017 816November March 2018 16 October 2014 Athelhampton House Athelhampton House Near Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7LG

Athelhampton House Near Dorchester, Dorset, DT27LG 7LG House NearAthelhampton Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 Sale starts at Midday Near Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 Near Dorchester, Dorset, DT27LG 7LG Sale £14 starts at Midday Catalogue price – admits two (by post £16) Vintage & Classic Cars, Motorcycles, Catalogue price £14 – admits two (by post £16) Sale starts at midday Historic Commercials, Automobilia & Memorabilia Vintage& & Classic Classic Cars, Cars, Motorcycles, Vintage Motorcycles, Vehicles to be atCars, approximately 2pm Historic Commercials, Automobilia & Historic Commercials, Automobilia &Memorabilia Memorabilia Vintage & sold Classic Motorcycles, Catalogue Price £14 (admits two) By post £16.

Historic Commercials, Automobilia &. Memorabilia

1969 MG C GT. £22,000 - £24,000

Vintage & Classic Cars, Motorcycles, Historic Commercials, Automobilia & Memorabilia

1933 Aston Martin 1.5 Litre Long Chassis 4 Seat Tourer

1956 Lancia Aurelia B201967 GT Volvo Series P1800S 6 2.5 V6 Coupe by Pininfarina

Guide: £125,000 – 135,000 Brian R. Chant For further information contact Sold: £17600 70000 1956 Lancia Aurelia Guide: B20 GT£60000 Series 6–2.5 V6 Coupe by Pininfarina Station Road, Stalbridge, Dorset, DT10 1933 Aston Martin 1.5 Litre Long Chassis 4 Seat Tourer 2RH 1967 Volvo P1800S Guide: £60000 70000 1956 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Series 6–Contact 2.5 V6 Coupe

by R. Pininfarina Brian Chant: Guide: £125,000 –Station 135,000Road, Stalbridge Sold: £17600 Guide: –2.5 70000 Brian Chant: 1956T: Lancia Aurelia363353.

B20 GT£60000 SeriesF: 6Contact V6 Coupe

by R. Pininfarina 01963 01963 363626 Dorset, DT10 2RH Station Road, Stalbridge Guide: £60000 –Contact 70000 Brian R. Chant: E : info@dvca.co.uk W: www.dvca.co.uk T: 01963 363353 Dorset, DT10 2RH E: info@dvca.co.uk E: info@dvca.co.uk

E: info@dvca.co.uk

1964 Volvo 121 Four Door Saloon. £16,000 - £18,000

Station F: 01963 363626 Contact Brian Stalbridge R. Chant: T: 01963 Road, 363353 Dorset, DT10 2RH Station Road, Stalbridge F: 01963 363626 W: www.dvca.co.uk T: 01963 363353 F: T: 01963 01963 363626 363353 F: 363626 W:01963 www.dvca.co.uk

Dorset, DT10 2RH W: www.dvca.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 51

@elizabethwatsonillustrations 52 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Castle Gardens, award-winning garden centre and restaurant Everything you need to enjoy your garden all year round

We’ve got a great series of talks in February Each talk will start at 2.30pm and they are all FREE to attend Thursday 1st Container gardening Thursday 8th Seed sowing and potting on Thursday 15th A year on the veg plot Thursday 22nd Propagation

Free February half term events 13 February from 10:30am - 3:30pm Julia’s House Craft Day at Castle Gardens Wednesday 14 and Friday 16 February from 1:30pm - 4:30pm Gosmina Circus Skills Workshop Juggling, plate spinning, diabolos and so much more See in store for more information Open Monday-Saturday 9.00am-6.00pm Sunday 10.00am-4.30pm (tills open at 10.30am) Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NR

Fleur Provocateur Wedding and Event Flowers 07760 106305 | www.fleurprovocateur.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 53

Gardening

CLEAN UP YOUR HOUSE

G

Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group

ardening can have many health benefits, such as getting us out in the fresh air, growing nutritious fruit and vegetables, helping us to relax or to become more active. I actually read the other day that planting a tree uses more muscles than a full workout in the gym! What may be less well known however, are the benefits that having plants in the house can offer. NASA has carried out a whole series of studies on the benefits of plants. Why NASA you may ask? Presumably because gardening outside in space is a little tricky!

The research has shown that plants in the home can dramatically improve the quality of the atmosphere by removing toxic chemicals that are found in modern living, such as cigarette smoke, carbon monoxide, and various allergens and chemicals released by household cleaning fluids. NASA’s findings suggest that toxin levels can actually be reduced by 87% in just a 24-hour period.

A further benefit especially in modern, air-conditioned, centrally heated and double-glazed homes is an increase in humidity levels, which has the knock-on effect of reducing mild ailments such as colds and sore throats.

All of this inevitably makes for a better environment in which to live.

Further studies show that stress levels decrease in such environments, and although plants in hospital are frowned upon in the modern day, it seems that they are set to make a return because of their stress-reducing properties.

As homes become smaller on average and many are built without gardens (or if they do have a garden, it’s not very large), houseplants play an important role. Very much in fashion right now, houseplants are used as ornaments, bringing life into the home. The advantage they have over an ornament is that they are a living thing that needs nurturing, which has its own health benefits.

Houseplants also are being used more and more in offices and workplaces, with research carried out at the University of Exeter showing that creativity and inventiveness increases dramatically in offices which have plants. Other studies show that plants can also have a positive impact on productivity, concentration and mental capacity.

Houseplants are now very trendy and many cutting-edge fashion outlets, restaurants and hairdressing salons are dripping with them. The interesting thing about plants is that they are addictive and so this is a trend that could run for a while. If you are thinking, “Well I’ve been growing houseplants for years” then you’re a trend-setter, ahead of the curve, on message and very much in the zone! thegardeneronline.co.uk

54 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 55

Gardening

THE PLOT HATCHES

Diary of a First-Time Flower Farmer

T

Paul Stickland, Black Shed Flowers

here’s never a boring month at Black Shed but the imminent arrival of spring is a really special time of the year for us all. 2017 was pretty amazing and we have very exciting plans for 2018. We’re expanding our range of gorgeous cut flowers and bringing hundreds of square metres of new beds into production.

People loved our Pick Your Own Sundays last year, so we’ve redesigned the site to cater for these popular family days. As a result, we’re completely surrounded by new life: cuttings are sprouting and bulbs are pushing eager noses above ground. Last year’s perennials are showing fresh and thrilling signs of growth. We’re planting seeds by the thousand, imagining drifts and spires of colour later in the season. The polytunnel and cloches are brim full of tray upon tray of seedlings growing on in the shelter, waiting for the weather to improve and for the soil to warm up so that they can be planted in the rich deep earth here at Blackmarsh Farm.

Very soon our foliage plants, trees and shrubs will be arriving. We’ve set aside a large area to grow this indispensable ingredient of any cut flower farm. It’s a big investment in time, space and money but one that we have to make as soon as possible, as it will take some years for these slower-growing shrubs to reach a size where we can harvest the amounts that we will need.

There’s a simple flower farmer’s rule: you should grow one third focal flowers, one third fillers and one third foliage.

Focal flowers include Dahlias, Foxgloves, Delphiniums, Larkspur, Cosmos, Rudbeckias, Echinacea, Zinnias and Scabious. We won’t be growing Roses, Peonies or Lilies. Roses can be quite fickle and take years to establish, by which time the chosen varieties may have fallen out of fashion. They are also really expensive to buy! Peonies are similarly costly and only flower for a couple of weeks. Lilies have been plagued by the handsome but deadly Lily Beetle in recent years. If we need these flowers, there are plenty of specialist British growers who can supply us via the Flowers From The Farm network.

Fillers are really important and you need a huge amount all season long! Luckily there’s plenty of choice: white, primrose, terracotta and pink Achillea, Amaranthus plumes and tassels in green, pink, tan 56 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

and burgundy. Umbellifers are great, (hedge parsley is lovely), Ammi and Orlaya are staples, along with the carrot relative Daucus and florist’s Fennel. Perhaps more unusual is Didiscus in pale blue, pink and white. We love Linaria, Nicandra, Nigella, Salvia viridis in pink, white and violet, Cornflowers in all shades of blue and mauve, Corncockle in white and lilac, our pretty native Scabious, Knapweeds and fashionable Gypsophila and Verbena.

Grasses are another essential part of the mix for us as they give such vibrancy and rhythm to arrangements and bouquets. Great blocks of Pennisetum, Eragrostis, Deschampsia and Molinia look as stunning in the field as they do in bouquets.

For foliage we’ve ordered native Hornbeam and Beech, Field Maple and Birch, which will form hedges to offer us and our plants some shelter from the wind as well as providing some fine foliage for us. Cornus and Willow for their flaming stems, Eucalyptus and Cardoon for their gorgeous structural greys and blues, Lavenders and Rosemary for scent and colour, Pittosporums with their delicious dark stems and shining leaves, Photinias for their glowing red young growth and Sarcococca for winter foliage and scent when you need it most. Also, my favourite rare evergreen Phillyrea for sheer elegant sophistication, and the florist and bride’s choice, Hydrangeas in palest green and white. Long tendrils and sprays are in fashion and a lot of florists have asked for climbing plants such as Jasmine, Clematis, Ivy, annual and perennial Sweet Peas, Nasturtiums and Hops. Box too: the ever suave Buxus sempervirens and unusual treats such as the shining, large-leaved rotundifolia to the rare and interesting harlandii and balearica. Then there’s the children of an elegantly branched variety spotted decades ago deep in the woods above Sherborne...

It’ll take years to achieve the range of flowers and foliage that we desire and we’re far from the garden we dream of but we can’t wait to see how the flower field is going to look in this our second and much anticipated season. blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk instagram.com/paulstickland_

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 57

FENCING | GARDEN DESIGN | LANDSCAPING | TIMBER STRUCTURES | LAWNS | PAVING

New garden plans for the New Year?

We are experts in design, hard landscaping, planting and maintaining gardens. We also offer one off services; lawn maintenance, weeding, pruning and tidying. Have a look at our website to see a showcase of recent works BEAUTIFUL GARDENS | DESIGNED | BUILT| MAINTAINED

www.queenthorne.garden Call: 01935 850848

58 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

At Bill Butters Windows we offer total window, door and conservatory solutions. Based in Sherborne, Dorset, we manufacture, supply and install high quality aluminium and uPVC products using market leading suppliers to service both the retail and commercial sectors.

For more information visit our website or come down to the showroom.

Unit 1a > South Western Business Pk > Sherborne > Dorset > DT9 3PS T: 01935 816 168 > sales@billbutterswindows.co.uk > www.billbutterswindows.co.uk

COMFORT FOOD Words Jo Denbury Photography Katharine Davies

T

ucked away down a bumpy, pot-holed track in Holwell, near Sherborne, is the mulitpleaward-winning business, Honeybuns. Owned

by Emma Goss-Custard – you couldn’t ask for a better name – it produces the most delicious gluten-free and vegan cakes imagineable.

Arriving at the farm you could be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into an Enid Blyton story. In the yard, swirly signage abounds and there’s a pop-up shop called the Bee Shack that’s a haven of vintage ware: large, colourful teapots nestle up beside brightly painted mugs and pretty tablecloths. Much of the testing for new cakes takes place in the kitchen and currently it’s for Valentine’s Day with a batch of heart-shaped biscuits ready to go in the oven. And it’s here in the Bee Shack that you can visit on certain dates to taste and buy Emma’s cakes. >

60 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

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62 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Emma lives with her husband and two sons in the farmhouse across the path from the Bee Shack. Her home exudes the same warmth and delight as her cakes: the low-ceilinged, flagstoned kitchen is full of the paraphernalia of family life and there are large cosy sofas by a fireplace big enough to sit in. And, of course, an Aga which keeps the house warm in winter.

At the centre of this wonderful, welcoming home is a woman with huge energy who has worked her way from cycling over one hundred miles a week selling cakes and sandwiches, to building a nationally recognised brand supplying supermarkets and airlines. ‘After studying for a PGCE at Oxford I just knew that teaching was not for me,’ she explains. ‘My tutors even offered to find me a parttime job to get me started but I knew I couldn’t do it.’

‘As a student, I used to cook for my housemates in return for them typing my essays,’ Emma says. ‘I’d also been brought up to earn my own living and, after not going into teaching, I needed to cover my rent so I decided I would make sandwiches and cakes and sell them to office workers. One of my greatest influences was Dan Schikenstanz, the award-winning master baker and founder of Degustibus Bread in Oxfordshire.’

‘I bought myself a heavy old post office bike and cycled around the town selling the sandwiches and cakes. It soon became apparent that the cakes were more popular so I stopped the sandwiches. Then a few people who were coeliac or had a gluten allergy asked if they could eat the cakes so I went home and researched the flours they could tolerate.’

As fate would have it, Emma also realised she had a connection with gluten-free ingredients. Her grandmother had travelled to northern Italy in the late 1940s and had come across cakes made using polenta, ground almonds and pistachios. ‘These flours are naturally gluten-free,’ says Emma, ‘but when the recipes for them were handed down to my mother, she adapted them to use wheat flour because it was cheaper and easily available in the 1970s. When the recipes were given to me, with some trial and error, I eventually turned them back to their original form. I found that generally, recipes using the original ingredients were more flavourful and had lots of lovely textures.’ And so Honeybuns was born.

Emma grew up in Grimsby, one of four children. Her father had been a fisherman who left school at the age of 14 to join the boats. By chance, a local teacher took him under his wing and encouraged him to continue his studies and pursue an education. He did this and > sherbornetimes.co.uk | 63

64 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

eventually Emma’s father went to Cambridge University.

‘Consequently, education was hugely important in our family,’ says Emma, ‘although we were always expected to earn our own living once we reached 18.’ Emma went to London University to study English and later to Oxford for her post-grad. Sadly, her mother died when she was young. This left her bereft but perhaps it also left her with a determination to succeed.

Exercise is her other source of energy. She runs daily with her two dogs because, in her own words, ‘I need to be physical. It keeps my mind and body fit and I love the mud, it cleanses the soul.’ This year the Honeybuns team are competing in the Dorset Jurassic Coast Challenge in aid of Marie Curie. The company is very much a team and Emma has purposely kept it small. ‘We’ve been approached by investors, but they are looking for a return – you sell out and then get tied into working with them, for a few years at least. That’s not what we’re about. We don’t want the flashy lifestyle. The challenge is to keep growing in other ways, and to continue to be innovative.

It’s not simply about increasing volume. You don’t have to keep on getting bigger – one of our fundamental beliefs is that it’s much more important to get better.’

In 2004 her husband Matt, a computer programmer, joined the company. Matt is from Dorset and the two met in Oxford, but after a brief spell living in Guildford they made the decision to move to Holwell. ‘We wanted to live somewhere rural where we could source as many ingredients locally as possible, but it was also about lifestyle.’

They bought Naish farm in 2001. ‘The move was just horrible,’ recalls Emma. ‘It was over Christmas and we had to use a cattle truck from Wincanton to move our belongings and also get organised to send out a batch of cakes by New Year. But we did it with our very committed team, many of whom are still working here.’

Emma believes they are incredibly lucky to have found the farm. It was owned by the Vining family who kept a small herd of cows. ‘Since buying the farm, I have purposely tried to be gentle with the repurposing of the buildings,’ she says. ‘Nick Vining has become a great friend and it was he who helped me convert the chicken shed into the Bee Shack.’

‘What’s very important to me is that Honeybuns has become a community hub and we even have several employees who are able to walk to work. But what I love most about this area of Dorset is its pioneering spirit. It’s a very creative county with one of the highest rates of self-employment in the country, and that is something that I am very proud to be a part of.’

The Bee Shack pop-up shop – selling delicious gluten free cakes, home baking mixes and gorgeous gifts – is open 9.30am -12pm on the first Saturday of the month, January to December.

Honeybuns, Naish Farm, Stony Lane, Holwell, Dorset DT9 5LJ honeybuns.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 65

@elizabethwatsonillustrations 66 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Valentines Day 14th February 2018 Six course taster menu £50.00 per person

Food Serving Times Mon - Fri 12-3pm, 6-9.30pm.

Saturday 12-9.30pm. Sunday 12-8pm The Queens Arms, Corton Denham, Sherborne DT9 4LR T 01963 220 317 E relax@thequeensarms.com @TheQueensArmsPub @QueensArmsPub www.thequeensarms.com

COFFEE BREAK Kafe Fontana 82 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3BJ @kafefontana kafefontana 01935 812180 kafefontana.co.uk

Old School Gallery Boyle’s Old School, High Street, Yetminster, DT9 6LF @yetminstergalle 01935 872761 yetminstergallery.co.uk

Oliver’s Coffee House 19 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PU @OliversSherbs Olivers-Coffee-House 01935 815005 oliverscoffeehouse.co.uk

The Three Wishes 78 Cheap Street, Sherborne, DT9 3BJ 01935 817777 thethreewishes.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 67

Food & Drink

THE CAKE WHISPERER Val Stones

RED VELVET ROSE CUPCAKES

A

s I was born on Valentine’s day (Val, Valerie) I’ve always been expected to make my own cake. I love making cupcakes and these are really special. I’m keeping this recipe simple but there are two ingredients that you may need to go online for: rose syrup and rose petal jam. These two ingredients turn a simple cupcake into a delight, a Turkish Delight.

Makes 24; halve the recipe if you only wish to make 12 68 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

You will need:

One or two 12-hole muffin baking tins. A large piping bag, a disposable one if you have it. A 6-point star nozzle (number 844) (or you may wish to use a six-point star - it’s a choice thing!). Digital scales (if you don’t have them, treat yourself to a set in the sales or online.

They aren’t too expensive and so easy to use). Line two 12-cup muffin tins with muffin cases. Try and find some cases with a Valentine’s theme.

Ingredients

200g eggs 200g caster sugar 200g soft margarine 150g self-raising flour 50g cocoa powder 6g baking powder Pinch of salt 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 dessertspoon of Christmas red colour paste (do not use liquid colour as this won’t give the depth of colour) For the rose buttercream icing 600g icing sugar 200g unsalted butter 50g cream cheese 2 tablespoons rose syrup or 2 tablespoons of rose water (if you use rose water you will need to colour the buttercream with a few drops of pink food gel) For the cupcake filling 1/3 of the buttercream 3 tbsp rose petal jelly Decorations You may wish to add love hearts, rose petals or crushed dried raspberries or strawberries.

Method:

1 Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.

Place the eggs, sugar and margarine into a stand mixer bowl (or use an electric hand mixer), add the flour mixture and mix on a low speed until fully combined.

Switch off the mixer and add the dessertspoon of food colouring. Turn to a low speed to let the colour spread throughout the mixture, then turn the mixer to almost

full speed and beat for two minutes. Place the muffin tin on the digital scales and “zero” the scales. Into each muffin case place 40g - 42g of mixture. Place in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, checking after 18 minutes. They should look slightly rounded, firm, and if you listen to them they will only make the odd sizzle.

Place on a rack to cool.

2 While the cupcakes are cooling make the buttercream: Place the butter and the cream cheese into the stand mixing bowl and beat on medium speed to combine the two. Continue to beat on medium as you add the icing sugar a dessertspoon at a time. Stop every now and then to use a plastic scraper to scrape the buttercream from the sides of the bowl. When the icing sugar is almost all in the bowl, switch off and add the rose syrup (or rose water and pink colour) and beat until fully combined, then add the rest of the icing sugar as before and beat for another 6 minutes. You should have a pink buttercream that is light, fluffy and stands in peaks. If you need to add a little more colour or icing sugar, do it at this stage.

3 Place 1/3 of the buttercream into a separate bowl and stir in the 3 tablespoons of rose petal jam. With a sharp serrated knife held at an angle, cut around the top of each cupcake so you make a hollowed-out middle. Into each hollow place a dessertspoon of the rose petal jam buttercream and gently press the “lid” back on. Don’t worry if you see a little of the buttercream, you will cover it with the piped topping.

4 To finish place the piping nozzle into the piping bag and stand the piping bag in a jug to support it while you half fill it with the remaining buttercream. Hold the piping bag vertically over the middle of a cupcake about a centimetre above the sponge. Steadily squeeze the piping bag while moving the nozzle to the edge of the cupcake and continuing to make a whorl of icing, then take the piping around the previous whorl to bring it back to the middle. Stop squeezing the piping bag and lift the nozzle away from the cup cake. Repeat until all the cakes are completed - you will need to refill the bag. Then onto each one add a topper of your choice. You may wish to add some gold spray to give the cupcakes that extra bling.

Thank you to all the lovely people who smile and say hello to me when I do my shopping in Sherborne. bakerval.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 69

Food & Drink

A JOURNEY TO SRI LANKA AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SOIL (Part Two) (first shared through the Soil Association, July 2017) Michelle and Rob Comins, Comins Tea House

I

dalgashinna began life as a tea estate in 1984. It quickly became one of the pioneers of organic tea farming and was certified Organic back in 1989.

This pioneering nature was further exemplified by it being categorised as Biodynamic since 1999. More on what this means exactly later.

Rob visited this estate a few years ago and was shown around their Biodynamic production area by the highly knowledgeable and generous manager Gnanasekaran Rajaratnam. This began at the compost area which, we are certainly not ashamed to say, was very exciting to us soil enthusiasts. This is where the quality starts, this is the food that the tea plants need to thrive. Each pile is assigned a number and has the start date of its existence 70 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

followed by the date of each time it is turned carefully written on its sign. A mixture of chopped-up green material and cow dung, each pile is left for 3 months to mature, being turned every two to three weeks, before it is used on the land.

Next Rob stopped at the CPP Hut (Cow Pat Preparation Hut). This is where the manure collected from cows is placed in special pits and developed. By controlling the conditions, only the ‘good’ bacteria are allowed to develop. Good bacteria doesn’t smell, bad bacteria does. We can vouch for this as a handful of aged dung was handed to Rob to smell. It smelt slightly floral.

When this dung is ready, it has egg shell powder and rock dust added to it along with the bio preparations I

minerals and herbs are used to help restore and harmonize the vital life forces of the farm and to enhance the nutrition, quality and flavor of the food being raised

will explain next. It is then added to water and sprayed on the leaf, to both protect and nourish it.

Rob was also treated to a visit to the Liquid Manure Hut. Again, no smell greeted him when the lid was removed. His attitude towards cow waste was changing...

Then the tour thrust Rob headlong into a new world. We had previously researched Biodynamic farming in a broad sense but had not seen it in such detail first-hand. Before we dive in, a little explanation is needed. Biodynamics was first developed in the early 1920s and is based on the spiritual insights and practical suggestions of the Austrian writer, educator and social activist Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). The Biodynamic Association website describes it as follows: “Biodynamic farmers strive to create a diversified, balanced farm ecosystem that generates health and fertility as much as possible from within the farm itself. Preparations made from fermented manure, minerals and herbs are used to help restore and harmonize the vital life forces of the farm and to enhance the nutrition, quality and flavor of the food being raised. Biodynamic practitioners also recognize and strive to work in cooperation with the subtle influences of the wider cosmos on soil, plant and animal health.”

The manufacture of these ‘preparations’ was what Rob was just about to be immersed into. He was first shown to a shelter where various preparations had been buried, again to develop this ‘good bacteria’. Cows’ horns filled with manure, cows’ bladders filled with Yarrow flowers, cows’ intestines stuffed with Valerian flowers plus many more combinations are buried for 6 months according to the Biodynamic calendar (buried in October, dug up in March). This calendar takes into consideration the interaction of the planets and constellations with the earth. This covers a wide range of effects - from the simple day/night and the seasons of the year to the more subtle, such as the effect of the moon on the tides and groundwater rising to the surface when there is a full moon. The latter leads to a greater amount of sap in the tea leaves when plucked at full moon, which has a positive effect on the flavour.

It is undeniable that all the methods above do much to counteract the problems discussed earlier. Using composted prunings to fertilise the land, creating natural pesticides and solutions to fight disease, all mean that the soil is maintained, allowing it to do what it does best support the growth of some of the finest black tea you can drink. Come by the Tea House and taste for yourself! cominstea.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 71

Food & Drink

HALIBUT BRAISED IN CIDER WITH BACON, SHALLOTS, GIANT COUSCOUS AND THYME

Sasha Matkevich, Head Chef and Owner, The Green with Jack Smith, Apprentice Chef

Ingredients Serves 4

4 halibut steaks with the bone in (approximately 200g each) Rapeseed oil for cooking 75g unsalted butter 6 large banana shallots, peeled & cut in half 12 garlic cloves, peeled 2 sprigs of thyme 70ml cider vinegar 700ml local cider 700ml fish stock 200g streaky smoked bacon lardons 150g giant couscous 4tbsp flat leaf parsley, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 72 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Method

1 In a large, wide pan fry the bacon lardons until crisp. Gently remove the bacon and set-aside to cool.

2 Return the pan to a medium heat and add a drizzle of oil and half of the butter. Add the shallots and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes.

3 Add the vinegar and let it bubble until reduced to almost nothing.

4 Pour in the cider and reduce by half.

5 Add the fish stock and bring to the boil.

6 Skim off any impurities from the surface and add the thyme.

7 Simmer for 5 minutes.

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8 To cook the fish, place the halibut in the liquor and cover with foil.

9 Cook over a low heat for 6 minutes.

10 Carefully turn the fish and add the couscous.

Cook for 8 minutes, then take off the heat.

11 Remove the foil, gently pour off the braising liquor into a saucepan, place over a medium heat and whisk in the remaining butter.

Add the chopped parsley and bacon.

12 Pour the liquor back over the fish and serve at once. greenrestaurant.co.uk

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Food & Drink

WINE WRITERS David Copp

74 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

W

et and windy winter weather is the time for wine enthusiasts to think about catching up on their wine reading. Over the years I have been lucky enough to meet and learn from many of the famous golden oldies of the past such as André Simon, Warner-Allen, Cyril Ray and Michael Broadbent but my own generation has produced some of the very best.

Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson, Clive Coates on Burgundy, Stephen Brook on Bordeaux and California, and James Halliday on Australia, are widely read and respected. They are read because they are authoritative, know their subject inside out and have the extra advantage of knowing the world’s greatest winemakers very well.

Today there is a new breed of excellent wine educators and informers. The doyenne, Jancis Robinson, one of the most respected wine critics in the world, has been the Financial Times wine correspondent since 1989 and is the author of her own Purple Pages.

Tim Atkin, Oz Clarke, Jane Anson and Old Shirburnian Peter Richards are other well-regarded critics and writers. And there are many excellent bloggers such as Jamie Goode, Chris Kissack and Tom Cannavan.

Nowadays, there is no shortage of factual information available to us and I note with delight that more and more people of all ages are following wine courses.

There is also an extensive range of online services for those who invest in wine. It makes sense to get expert opinion on wines that may cost several hundred pounds a dozen. Decanter Magazine is staffed with experienced Masters of Wine: Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate and Fine Wine Review are all for advanced specialists.

However, the wine writing I want to draw your attention to is not so much the educational or hard factual information that many enquirers want or need.

It is writing with sensitivity about the people and places where wine is made: about communicating the human response to the problems of making fine wine. If I may boast a little, my own book, Hungary: Its Fine Wines and Winemakers, was shortlisted for the Louis Roederer International Wine Book of the Year for this very reason.

I told my gifted Picture Editor, Bianca Otero, that I wanted my readers to be able to look into the eyes of the winemakers I was writing about: to be able to imagine they were alongside me during the interview.

The very best wine writer I have ever come across is Hugh Johnson. It is no coincidence that his name has sold more wine books than anyone I know. Neither is it a coincidence that all his peer group admire him.

Some more than others. But when it comes to writing

polished prose without pretention he is, by far, the leader of the field.

Not only does Johnson write well, he writes with the understanding that the reader will have his own point of view and doesn’t want to be corralled or marshalled to an ‘expert’s’ opinion. It is as though Johnson sees his task as simply making the reader aware of the delights that a particular region, landscape or winemaker has to offer.

I found The Story of Wine the most enjoyable and satisfying of his many books and it is one of the cornerstones of my library. Normally a quiet and peaceful man, I think I might be inclined to violence if anyone tried to steal my copy. However, when I recently checked with Amazon, ‘very good used’ copies were available for 1p plus postage. If you want a real book bargain, this is it.

Johnson’s great gift is for sharing his enthusiasm for his subject. Wines are made to be shared. The association with hospitality, warmth and companionship is always there and he has the talent as a writer to often use a single word that sums up what he has to say.

The other wine books I have really enjoyed for the quality of the writing, and which I would commend for your consideration, are The Wine Atlas of the World, a superb reference book initiated by Johnson but now taken over by the admirable Jancis Robinson: Jancis’ hugely scholarly Wine Grapes, a brilliant work: and The Oxford Companion to Wine which she edited.

Most of my own scribbling was for the business rather than consumer press: the two best books about the business of wine I have read are Bordeaux: People Power and Politics by Stephen Brook and The Winemasters of Bordeaux by Nicholas Faith. I have also immensely enjoyed Sherry by Julian Jeffs, a quite wonderful book now in its sixth edition, and two of the Mitchell Beazley guides, Stuart Pigott’s Touring Mosel and Rheingau and Hubrecht Duijker’s Touring Burgundy.

At a recent annual luncheon of the Pickwick Club (a bunch of old wine trade people, many of whom are jolly and rosy-cheeked like Dicken’s original) I canvassed other nominations. Asa Briggs excellent historical appraisals of Victoria Wine and Alec Waugh’s Merchants of Wine were mentioned but no-one seriously challenged Johnson.

Quite incidentally, the motto of our Pickwick club is cogito sumere potum altere, not to be confused with René Descartes cogito ergo sum. For those too late for Latin at school our motto translates as, ‘I think I’ll have another drink.’ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 75

OUT NOW

Available across Bridport and beyond.

Read online at bridporttimes.co.uk 76 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Pet, Equine & Farm Animals

• Operating theatres • Digital x-ray • Nurse clinics • Separate dog and cat wards • Laboratory Kingston House Veterinary Clinic Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3DB

Grove Dene Veterinary Clinic The Forum, Abbey Manor Park, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 3TL

Tel: 01935 813288 (24 hours) Email: sherborne@kingstonvets.co.uk

Tel: 01935 421177 (24 hours) Email: yeovil@kingstonvets.co.uk

Mon-Fri 9.00-10.30, 16.30-18.00 Sat 9.00-10.30

Mon-Fri 8.30-12.00, 14.00-18.30 Sat 9.00-12.00

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Free registration appointment for new clients when accompanied by this advertisement

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Sherborne Surgery Swan House Lower Acreman Street 01935 816228

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www.newtonclarkevet.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 77

Animal Care

THE HEART OF THE MATTER Mark Newton-Clarke, MA VetMB PhD MRCVS, Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

S

ounds like it could be a subject on “Just a Minute” and not just because Nicholas Parsons’ heart is clearly in good shape! Heart disease has been a top human medical subject for some years and some of that research and experience has filtered down to veterinary medicine.

It is now commonplace for us to scan dog and cat hearts with ultrasound (echocardiography), take ECGs and analyse blood samples for signs of cardiac disease.

Heart disease in dogs and cats has similarities and differences to humans. The biggest difference is the relative unimportance of coronary disease in our pet 78 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

animals, obviously quite the opposite to us. The heart is quite a simple structure, derived from the folding of a tubular blood vessel in the embryo, then subdivided into 4 chambers. The heart itself is made up of muscle (the myocardium), arteries that take the pumped blood away to the lungs (pulmonary) and the body (aorta) and veins that carry blood back to the heart. There are also one-way valves between the chambers and in the arteries. Dogs and cats get problems mostly with these three structures, the muscle, the great arterial vessels and the valves.

When puppies and kittens come in for their first

the heart has a massive reserve capacity and so can lose a high proportion of function before its owner suspects there’s a problem

vaccinations, we always listen to hearts to check for rate, rhythm and murmurs. Most of us have heard of a ‘heart murmur’ but perhaps its meaning is obscure. It is an abnormal noise that the heart makes as it contracts or relaxes, often caused by excessive blood turbulence.

Common causes are stress and excitement (so-called flow murmurs as they are not associated with structural defects) and they often come and go. However, heart murmurs can also be a sign of heart disease and I dread that moment when, after listening long and hard to a pet’s chest, I look up to see the owner’s face and have to break the news that something sounds wrong.

However, it is important to realise that heart disease does not mean heart failure. The good news is that the heart has a massive reserve capacity and so can lose a high proportion of function before its owner suspects there’s a problem, especially if you are a cat that spends 23 hours out of 24 snoozing on your favourite cushion.

The bad part is that heart disease and its ultimate conclusion, heart failure, often presents late as signs are slow to develop. Again, we meet the concept of the ‘treatment window’ whereby a disease is diagnosed too late for treatment to be fully effective.

There is good news! We now have a blood test that predicts myocardial disease in dogs and we offer it to all medium- to large-sized (especially giant) breeds from middle age onwards and to all cat owners where a murmur is present. Myocardial disease is notoriously tricky to diagnose in the early stages but identification using the ProBNP blood test followed by an ultrasound can pave the way for significant improvements in life expectancy and quality on certain medications.

Screening for leaky valves in the heart is more straightforward as the majority cause murmurs, such as abnormalities of the major arteries. Matt has spent several years practising echocardiography in cats and dogs and we now have a brand-spanking-new ultrasound machine to help him give your pet the best assessment. There are Kennel Club schemes to screen certain breeds for inherited heart disease (common in the King Charles spaniel and Boxer, amongst others), and with the advances now available in general practice, hopefully we can look forward to more of our pets living longer and more active lives.

If you would like to know more about screening your pet for heart disease, don’t hesitate to call the surgery and we will be happy to advise you. newtonclarkevet.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 79

On Foot

THE SHERBORNE COUNTRY WAY

“Y

Bill Brown

ou can see for far enough.” I remember my father saying as we stood on a hill top. I’ve always liked that rather quaint sentiment because it suggests that there is no need to be able to see any further! Anyway you’ll certainly be able to “see for far enough” this month as I take you up over four high hills on the next four sections of the Sherborne Country Way. Last month we finished up in the Rose and Crown at Trent: it is from there we shall resume our circular walk around Sherborne. However, before hitting the hills, there is something we really must do, and that’s to visit St. Andrew’s church, just opposite the pub. Like St. Mary’s back in Bradford Abbas, it is superb. Before entering, ‘remove any pattens or clogs’ you may be wearing: inside you will be greeted by beautifully carved pew ends, a fine screen, glorious stained windows and much, much more.

Continue through this splendid village, past the Manor House where Charles 11 hid whilst ‘on the run’, turn right at the corner where there is a cottage with amazingly tall chimneys stacks. Where the road turns left, continue ahead and take to the hills. At the top of Charlock Hill cross over the B3148 and follow the lane opposite to Sherborne Golf Club. Here turn left down the side of the golf course to the hamlet of Holway.

As you leave Holway there is a fine life-sized wicker bull looking up to the Corton Ridge, and what an excellent ridge walk it is. You’ll certainly be able “to see for far enough” from up here. The views are exhilarating: don’t rush, enjoy picking out the landmarks: Corton Denham church stands out magnificently down on your right, but what about the distant hills – surely that must be the unmistakeable Glastonbury Tor? In another direction, are they Polden Hills, The Mendips or even the Quantocks?

As you near the end of this walkers’ delight your eye will increasingly be drawn to the isolated hill in front of you, the fabled Cadbury Castle. I tell the story of this

80 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

hill, so steeped in Arthurian legend, in the full guide to the SCW (details on how to obtain a copy are at the end of this article) so I won’t go into it here. All I will say is that in order to escape the sound of the thundering herd of traffic on the A303 walk around the rim to the far side and sit on the peaceful ramparts overlooking the little village of Sutton Montis. Here is a delightful place for a picnic: you can trace the route that brought you here along the Corton Ridge and look forward to the next section up over the Sigswell plateau. Should you doze off and dream of King Arthur don’t worry, but do make sure you are fully awake when you descend the steep track down to South Cadbury.

To reach Sigwells, walk a short distance back towards the Corton Ridge, climb a stile on your left and make your way up towards the head of a truly magnificent valley. On your way you will pass close by mounds that are all that remains of the medieval village of Whitcombe. At last, after a really sharp pull up through a wood, you finally come up to Sigwells, a small hamlet and the highest point on the whole of the SCW – 188 metres, or if you prefer, as I do, 616 feet. It was up here that the first evidence of bronze being made in this country, was discovered. There are also ghosts of a more recent past: HMS Heron was an airfield established up here in World War Two to take the pressure off the Royal Navy’s airbase in Yeovilton. There are now vast views ahead as you cross the plateau and make your way down into a deep grassy valley to Charlton Horethorne where the King’s Arms awaits thirsty walkers!

I do hope you will join me next month as we complete our journey back to Longburton.

You can buy a copy of the Sherborne Country Way at Winstone’s and the Abbey bookshops as well as the Tourist Information Centre in Sherborne for £2.95.

As well as full details of the route, it is packed with information to aid your enjoyment. At least £1 of every booklet sold will be given to the Macmillan Cancer Unit in Yeovil Hospital.

Image: Jay Armstrong sherbornetimes.co.uk | 81

Cycling

WIND IN YOUR SAIL

Peter Henshaw, Dorset Cyclists’ Network & Mike Riley, Riley’s Cycles

82 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

D

orset is not big on mountains but is pretty good on hills. In fact, I can’t think of any parts of the county that can really be described as flat, or even flattish. Perfect country, in other words, for an electric bike, because one of the biggest attractions of adding an electric motor to pedal power is that the battery helps you waft up hills without so much as breaking sweat. Of course, you still have to pedal but hey, you’re getting some exercise, and getting it the easy way into the bargain.

A bitter north-westerly was blowing as I headed out of Rileys on their Volt Burlington, a step-through town bike which comes with lights, sturdy rack and mudguards.

It might be designed for shopping or biking to work, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t also be up to a morning of seeking out the steepest hills around Sherborne.

Bradford Abbas and Yetminster passed pretty quickly, but my goodness it was cold – mostly wind chill, but that’s really no comfort when you’re pedalling into the teeth of a chilly gale. Fortunately, the Burlington, along with every other Volt, has a choice of four power levels to cope with this sort of thing. Or you can leave it in automatic, which gives full boost the whole time.

It sounds complicated but it’s not – as with any other modern electric bike, when you stop pedalling the power automatically switches off, then comes back on again when you get back on the pedals.

After the long and steady pull up past Chetnole, we popped out at Holywell and turned east for the first serious climb of the ride – Batcombe. It turned out to be a cinch, partly because the wind was now behind me, mostly because I’d put the Volt in automatic mode, so it zoomed up the hill as if it wasn’t there. Now the easy thing would have been to carry on along the top of Batcombe, enjoying the views. But I couldn’t do that, this being a road test, so I turned left down the very steep and treacherous descent into Batcombe village, then back up the equally vertiginous climb away from the Friary. It must be 1 in 4 at the top; I remember coming this way on an underpowered 125cc scooter once. It wilted within sight of the summit and my passenger had to get off and walk.

No such problems for the Volt, which did its zooming thing again, though the battery meter had depleted somewhat. Volt claim a range of ‘up to’ 60 miles for the Burlington. That’s ‘up to’ in the same sense that car adverts used to claim ‘up to’ 60mpg, but we all knew that you’d be lucky to get half that round town. It’s the

same with electric bikes, as range is affected by all sorts of things – a tubby, lead-footed rider in hilly country will get far fewer miles than a slender waif wafting across the Somerset Levels. And cold weather doesn’t help.

Still, having climbed to the top of Batcombe a second time, the hard-working Burlington did have time to recover as we freewheeled down to Dogbury Gate, then cruised north before turning left and back to Yetminster.

There was one more hill I wanted to do, and it was a big one. Lillington involves a climb of over 100 metres, which doesn’t sound very much - say from the bottom of Cheap Street to Barclays. The trouble is, they’re vertical metres, which I can tell you are a lot bigger than the horizontal ones.

I’m happy to say that the Volt did carry me to the top, though having made the summit its little battery meter started flashing ‘empty’ at me, having covered 26 miles. The good news is that batteries do recover a little after a short rest, and after freewheeling down Sherborne Hill this one had just enough juice to take me home for lunch then back into town. A bigger battery with more range is available. Total distance covered: 31.5 miles. It’s not that best-case 60, but I was seeking out the biggest hills I could find. Or, as we like to say in these parts, mountains. PH ____________________________________________

From the workshop The hills on this test are the steepest we could think of locally and are testing the limits of the bike when climbing, so it is not a real-world representation of the range. To put things into context, I would be pushing a conventional bike at the top of the Friary route and one unfortunate rider training for a trip to the Alps actually tipped backwards attempting the steepest section! The battery did recover a bit more after Peter returned to the shop, and in warmer conditions with less wind the range would improve. The nice thing about Volt bikes is that they are decent bikes to pedal without the electric assist, so running out of power near the end of your ride is not a disaster. A pleasant option to extend your ride is to carry the small charger with you and ask a friendly café owner if you can charge the battery while you recharge your energy with coffee and a cake. MR rileyscycles.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 83

@elizabethwatsonillustrations 84 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Valentine’s Day February Offer

For the perfect Valentine gift, treat your loved one or yourself to a wonderfully calming Full Body Lava Shell Massage for only £35 throughout February.

We are also offering complimentary beautiful Valentine’s Day gift wrapping on any gifts purchased.

Gift vouchers available

1 The Green, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3HY T: 01935 389688 E: bookings@ameliarosebeauty.co.uk www.ameliarosebeauty.co.uk

Wedding Fayre Sunday 18th March 2018

Canapés & Bucks Fizz on arrival.

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Body & Mind

PUCKER UP

Sarah Hitch, The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms

L

aughing, talking, smiling, kissing – we put our lips through constant daily workouts so it’s no wonder they need a bit of TLC. The skin on our lips is thinner than any other skin on the body – a mere 3-5 cells thick, hence why it’s the second place to show ageing after the eyes. Lip skin also has fewer oil glands, making it very vulnerable to dryness, dehydration and chapping. The only source of moisture to the lips is saliva, which drives out natural oils from the skin around the lips. As a result, moisture evaporates from the lips much faster than from skin, causing lips to dry out easily.

Lip balms may be a popular quick fix but they could be contributing to the issue. Heavy mineral oil-based balms can confuse the lip tissue and reduce the production of natural barrier protection. The result is an addiction to the lip balm, as without it your lips seem to have none of their own natural protection. This manifests as severely parched tight lips, flakiness, and possibly splitting and bleeding of the lip skin. Therefore you slather on more of the ineffective grease and so carries on the addictive cycle.

86 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

So, avoid the highly available mineral oil- or petroleum-based lip balms, as they do nothing for your lips but make them feel oily. Instead seek out nourishing lip treatments rich in plant oils which hydrate and support your natural barrier. Use conditioning emollients such as Shea Butter, Sesame Extract and Vitamin E to improve hydration and the perceived volume of your lips. Hyaluronic Acid and Indian Gentian reduce skin fragility and help minimise fine feather lines by smoothing and plumping the mouth area.

The main muscle of the lips orbits the mouth and as it contracts, the skin puckers. If the lips are drier, fine feather lines can develop and this is further accelerated by smoking and sipping through straws - and probably kissing!

It is normal for lips to suffer progressively decreased volume, as we lose about 1% collagen a year from the age of thirty. This collagen loss impacts on the strength, tone and volume of the lip tissue and lessens the fullness of the lips.

It’s a good habit to apply a lip balm to your lips each morning, perhaps after brushing your teeth, to

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keep them smooth and possibly prepare them for a make-up product. Regular use of a conditioning treatment on the lips and mouth area at night can also reap rewards. In the same way as we apply an eye product at night to maximise our skin’s healing and rejuvenation, the area around the mouth requires the same support.

Apply a rich overnight treatment around the mouth and over the lips. Massage gently into laughter lines to improve skin tone around the mouth and defend against further deterioration.

Show your lips a little love and maybe someone else will too...

During February we are offering 15-minute Dermalogica Lip Smoothing Skinsolver treatments for £10 (£10 redeemable off Dermalogica product purchase or Full Dermalogica Facial treatment during the month). Please call 01935 815085 to book or pop in and see us. thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk

"Leave the house confident in the colours and shapes that make you, you"

Colour Analysis, Shape & Style, Consultations, Wardrobe Re-styling, Personal Shopping, Online Shopping, Mens Styling, Bridal Packages, New Mum Styling, Colour & Style Parties, Skincare & Makeup Advice, Gift Vouchers Available 07969 557004 INFO@LINDSAYPUNCHSTYLING.CO.UK WWW.LINDSAYPUNCHSTYLING.CO.UK sherbornetimes.co.uk | 87

Body & Mind

WHAT TO WEAR Lindsay Punch, Stylist

I

n January, I was approached by a number of women speaking too harshly of themselves: of their size, their body shape and their frustration with none of their clothes fitting. They all said, “I really need your help sorting out my style Lindsay, but not until I have lost weight.” In order to lose weight successfully you need to have a great deal of willpower, which means that dieting is as much psychological as physical. Feeling good about yourself is a positive first step on the path to achieving your goals, so if your goal is either to lose weight or lead a healthier lifestyle, why not start that journey by recognising you can feel fabulous in your clothes just as you are, no matter what shape or size?

In February, when ladies have fallen off the New Year diet wagon, I often get approached again by those who then want to learn how to dress their shape. By dressing in clothes that flatter your figure you will become more familiar with your body and how to choose outfits that suit you. It can also be a real boost for your diet and confidence. I often hear, “Nothing fits me, I can’t find anything to suit my strange shape,” and it saddens me 88 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

how often women are completely defeated by their wardrobes. The average woman is not sized like an ultra-thin model so when the fashion industry showcase their shapeless collections and declare that to be “on trend,” the shop floors become dominated by clothes the average girl with curves finds unflattering. So you see, it’s not you that is the problem, it’s the clothes!

We are all unique in shape, size, colouring and style personality. It therefore causes retailers no end of headaches as they try to stock clothes that can be worn by everyone. The truth is, there is no one shop where every item of clothing is going to suit you, whether you’re a size 8 or a size 28. It is certainly true that curvier women will have more trouble finding clothes that flatter them. Many shops simply do not cater for everyone’s size; this is my bugbear when it comes to personal shopping for clients and I now often resort to an online personal shop for more choice. The good news is, when you know how to dress for your body type it will help improve your relationship with clothes whether buying online or in the shops.

As much as I am a believer in embracing your body and showing off your shape, it is normal to have some areas of your body you prefer to downplay. In my experience, minimising a fuller waistline tends to be the most common goal. Ladies who are dieting and self-conscious about their midriff often try to make themselves invisible – they hide underneath baggy and ill-fitting clothes that only add volume. There will be days when pulling on a big baggy jumper and leggings is comforting, however try not to make it a daily occurrence. Instead, learn how to emphasise the positive aspects by following the natural curve with more fitted and tailored pieces. This does not mean it has to be skin tight! Think about an outfit in which you felt fabulous. Was it a dress, or trousers, and do you save these for best? Even if you have not reached your goal weight, it does not mean you cannot dress up to show your best self and wear your favourite piece.

There are illusion tricks you can use to balance out a curvier waistline. Here are my top 5 tips: 1 Support your waistline with high-waisted bottoms.

2 Balance out your top and bottom halves with straight leg or bootcut trousers/jeans or A-line skirt shapes. However, if you love a skinny style and feel confident in it, go ahead and rock it anyway!

3 Layer with tailored jackets and outwear to create a nipped-in waist. Jackets and blazers are rarely done up these days and an open jacket also creates a panel down the middle which gives you a defined waistline.

4 Avoid shapeless, long tunic tops. You may feel hidden but this shape only creates a column look which adds more volume. Go as short as you dare to go with tops; it creates definition in your waist and lengthens the legs.

5 Use accessories and colour to draw attention away from areas you are conscious of; this can be a shorter statement necklace or a colourful pair of shoes!

If you look and feel good now, just think how fabulous you are going to feel when you have reached your goals!

If you would like to find out more about dressing your shape, Lindsay offers 1-2-1 or group sessions and details can be found here: lindsaypunchstyling.co.uk/events

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LONDON ROAD CLINIC Health Clinic • Acupuncture • Osteopathy • Counselling • Physiotherapy • EMDR Therapy • Shiatsu

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Tel: 01963 251860

www.56londonroad.co.uk Email: info@56londonroad.co.uk 56 London Road, Milborne Port, Sherborne DT9 5DW Free Parking and Wheelchair access sherbornetimes.co.uk | 89

Body & Mind

THE CHAIRMAN

Loretta Lupi-Lawrence, The Sherborne Rooms

A

re barbershops good for men’s health?

Our quaint and quiet little sanctuary, The Sherborne Rooms, is based above our busy and vibrant brother company, The Sherborne Barber.

The two businesses work closely together as well as apart, and that usually comes as a surprise to most, given our business matters are so different. But are they?

Barbershops have been around since c.3500 BC and are well known for their history of blood-letting, leeching, dentistry and enemas as well as male grooming! Our symbolic barber pole is red and white to signify the blood and bandages used during these times. The name barber itself means beard, from the Latin word ‘barba’, and ‘barbarians’ was a name used during that period to describe tribes who were indeed bearded.

Moving into the here and now of barbering, and the range of conversation in the barber’s chair is very diverse.

90 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

The chair is a place for honest conversation, a trusted and safe haven, especially as what’s said in the chair stays in the chair. The barbershop is often a forum for discussion and banter among those waiting; friendships can be formed, and customers walk away with some new stories to tell and new debates heard. The barbers hear it all, from more general topics to politics, sport and men’s health.

Our Sherborne Rooms’ therapists are constantly being called upon to impart advice and direction for both body and mental health. This is a million miles away from the early blood-letting barber ‘surgeons’ (and thank goodness for that!) but there is still a connection. The barbershop still seems to be the place to air men’s health concerns, a place where other men will not judge. Our barbering team often refer their customers to our therapy team for back pain, sports injury, counselling and nutrition and I personally get a fair amount of skincare queries but it is

always the barber making the connection.

Men’s health often does not get enough coverage but inside the barbershop it is a topic that is discussed daily. Conversation about blood pressure, mental health, body aches and pains and so much more. Our barber team are grateful to have a team upstairs to whom they can refer queries, and to be able to offer a different type of service to customers.

Here are some of the basics to get started on: • An MOT from a doctor/deep tissue therapist/ osteopath is a good place to start.

• Take a good vitamin specifically designed for men.

Try the Men’s Health supplement from Neal’s Yard Remedies which will help with the reduction of tiredness and fatigue as well as protecting the cells from stress. Plus add in the Rebalance, which is a cocoa superfood blend helping the body and mind adapt to stresses and strains in life.

• Encourage sleep as well as time away from the stresses of normal life.

• Exercise – it’s recommended to do about two and half hours a week.

• Cut down on alcohol and caffeine – over stimulation can confuse the body’s natural functions.

• Use a range of hygiene products to stimulate the senses. Try Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Invigorating Body Wash and hair shampoos, Fudge styling products and Apothecary & Dear Barber beard shampoo & oils. Being wellgroomed will always lift a mood.

• Go to your barber, get a cut and chew the cud – after all, a problem shared is a problem halved!

The Sherborne Barber is a walk-in barbershop, no appointment necessary, and open Monday to Saturday.

Grooming products available from the shop.

Join Loretta at her ‘Winter Skin Radiance Workshop’ at the Sherborne Rooms on Friday 16th February from 7pm. Learn how to get radiant skin, boost vitality and do the digital detox. Ticket price £10.

Free Facial Friday - 9th February. Free 30-minute facials, booking essential. 07545 328447.

Bespoke Valentine’s vouchers available for both The Sherborne Barber and Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. sherbornerooms.com

OPENING HOURS: Monday: 8.30am ~ 5pm Tuesday: 8.30am ~ 5pm Wednesday: 8.30am ~ 5pm Thursday: 8.30am ~ 5pm Friday: 8.30am ~ 5pm Saturday: 7.30am ~ 4pm Walk in, relax. No appointment necessary Hair & Beard care for sale Barbering team this month Henri, Sadie, Shawna, Helen & Tom

Order your Neal’s Yard Remedies here This month at the Sherborne Rooms: Free Facial Friday 9th February 30 minutes Winter Skin Radiance workshop Friday 16th 7pm How to get radiant skin, boost vitality & do the digital detox. £10 a ticket Call to book a free skin consultation Bespoke Valentine’s vouchers available Booking Essential for all the events Call for more information or booking on

07545 328447 email sherbornerooms@gmail.com or visit www.sherbornerooms.com

56 Cheap St, Sherborne DT9 3BJ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 91

Body & Mind

KEEP ON MOVING

Eleanor Farr, Oxley Sports Centre

A

s a sports centre, our New Year message was all about ‘Jumping into January’, the merits of keeping active throughout Christmas and not eating too much. I am, however, very aware that I write this at my desk having been quite sedate over the past few days. Having successfully navigated friends and relatives over the Christmas period with various bugs and colds, I came down with a whopper to start the New Year! The reality is that during the winter months it is not just our festive season of feasting that can cause problems for our health but the prolonged inactivity of sitting on sofas and at desks which can compound health issues. It’s this double whammy of much more food than we need and a more sedate lifestyle that can be quite dangerous for us if left unchecked.

In recent years more and more research has been done to show that people who have animals are less prone to heart disease and other diseases as they grow older. It seems that this could be because they have to get out to walk the dog even when the rain is sliding down the window and they would rather be curled up by the fire.

92 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

February is National Heart Week in the UK. Spearheaded by the British Heart Foundation, one of their primary goals is to get people active and keep their hearts healthy. They have many resources online to help with this and they have an excellent booklet called “10 Minutes to Change Your Life, Time to Get Moving” which I do recommend having a look at if you want to become more active and track your progress.

So, we know we need to get out and do more exercise each week, 150 minutes per week actually, but what can we do if we have desk jobs that don’t allow us to move as much as we’d like? Emails, wheels on office chairs and a lack of time all conspire to keep us seated as, ergonomically, we keep everything at arm’s reach.

There are plenty of novelty items out there to help us, from things to strap onto wrists and alarms that tell you to get up every hour to adjustable desks that allow you to stand or sit for work (yes, they exist). You could keep moving by something as simple as getting up to check the printer, putting the kettle on, stretching or rolling your shoulders every now and again or running

FEBRUARY

HALF TERM ACTIVITIES MONDAY 12 FEBRUARY FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY 8-14 years Morning, Afternoon and All Day options available £9.60 per session, £17 per day or £68 for the week

For more information please call reception on 01935 818270 or go to www.oxleysc.com Bradford Road, Sherborne DT9 3DA

ok of ou o t Ac ur for tiv Ea de iti ste ta es r ils

oxleysc.com/shape-up

Activities include: Snorkelling, Kids Zumba, Arts and Crafts and Many More

Lo

up the stairs instead of walking when you need to see a colleague. Yes, they are simple but do we do them? Of course, we know we should do a class or go for a walk twice a week but adding little changes every day can still make a big difference to our health and well-being.

If you want a simple office routine to inspire you to get up and move about in the office, Oxley Sports Centre’s fitness team have developed the Power Five for you. Five essential moves which counteract the concave shape that the body can fall into when craning over a keyboard and working hard. The aim is to get the blood flowing and open up the front of your body increasing productivity and relaxing you. They form part of our free online resources which are aimed at improving health and well-being locally.

Give them a go - keep your heart and body healthy this February.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 93

Body & Mind

A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION TO KEEP Jessy Smith, Physiotherapist, BSc(Hons), MSc Phys, MCSP, HCPC registered London Road Clinic

A

s we enter February, all good intentions of keeping our New Year’s resolutions are starting to fade. The January detox and exercise regimes are losing their appeal. Therefore I wanted to tell you about a unique and safe form of exercise with benefits to all that is easy to practice throughout the year.

Many of you will have heard of pilates. Others will picture balletic moves and poses in lycra and think it’s not for them, but please read on.

It was developed by German-born Joseph Pilates while working in a hospital during the latter part of the First World War. He attached springs to beds of the immobile patients aiding movement of their limbs and adding resistance to improve their strength, developing a piece of equipment called ‘the reformer’ which is still very much in use today.

Contrology, as it was originally called, was then developed further in New York and taken up primarily by dancers recovering from or trying to prevent injury.

So what does pilates involve?

Joseph Pilates based his work on three elements: breath, whole-body health, and whole-body commitment – with the whole-body encompassing mind, body and spirit.

Mat-work and equipment pilates aims to balance out muscular asymmetries, correct postural dysfunctions, and improve balance, coordination, and breath control. The exercises work to simultaneously develop your muscular flexibility and your strength.

Many of you will have heard the term ‘core strength’.

This refers to the ability to control the position and movement of the trunk over the pelvis, allowing the transfer of force and motion to the lower limbs. It primarily involves the deep abdominal and lower back muscles, and the correct patterning of the gluteal, hamstring, quadriceps and hip flexor muscles that 94 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

control pelvic movement.

Low back pain is incredibly common and represents the leading cause of disability in those under 45 years.

Improving the strength and endurance of the muscles around the spine has been found to reduce pain and disability among those with back pain. Hence ‘clinical pilates’ evolved, adding an additional element of clinical knowledge and anatomy, and this is now taught by many physiotherapists for specific conditions.

So why pilates?

Using minimal equipment and space, pilates is easy to incorporate into your day, whether practising independently at home, or in a class or gym. It can be practised by all ages and fitness abilities, whether working on balance and posture for older adults or developing a greater level of stability in athletes for more physically demanding sports. Pilates is also highly recommended for ante-natal and post-natal women, supporting the musculoskeletal changes taking place during and after pregnancy.

Working as a physiotherapist I have always been fascinated by the specificity of the movements in pilates, and the subtle use of intrinsic muscles that we rarely train. By carrying out a full biomechanical assessment, the prescription of the exercises are specific and directly related to the client’s goal.

Exercising and strengthening doesn’t mean training for a marathon, or competing at high-level sport. It does not have to be of a high intensity or velocity; mostly, it has to be enjoyable!

If you would be interested in finding out more, please call The London Road Clinic on 01963 251860 or e-mail Jessy directly at jessyphysio@gmail.com 56londonroad.co.uk

CONQUERING THE WINTER BLUES Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom, GP and Complementary Practitioner, Glencairn House

W

e are now in the grips of winter. The cold, wet and dark is upon us: don’t you just love February! For many of us the net result of this toxic cocktail of conditions is a good dose of the Winter Blues, also known as SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is a common condition that affects 6% of adults; 2% of the population in Northern Europe have severe depression resulting from SAD. SAD was written about as far back at 1845 but not formally recognised until the 1980s. It is now classified as a variant of depression. Scientists have discovered a hormone, melatonin, that is naturally produced in all of us during the dark; this has a mood altering and sedating effect, bringing on malaise and lethargy, all features of depression. The longer we are in the dark, the greater the melatonin levels, the more SAD – oh February, you have a lot to answer for!

There are a number of strategies and remedies that reduce or prevent SAD. As the root cause is lack of light it makes sense to top-up your UV exposure. A winter sun holiday will help but a Light Box is more realistic and affordable! (Up to 1000 lux – the greater the lux, the better the effect and less time exposure needed). Studies have shown that 20-30 minutes in front of a light box on a daily basis reduces the incidence of SAD. It usually takes several weeks before you notice an improvement – try to be patient. It is worth persevering as light therapy helps approximately two thirds of patients. Go online to find one – they cost about £30.

Dietary measures are helpful to address SAD. Studies have shown Vitamin B, Vitamin D, the mineral Selenium and omega 3 fish oils are of benefit. A mixed, balanced diet containing fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains, as well as oily fish (salmon and mackerel) will ensure adequate intake of all these food components.

Vitamin D is made in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight but this is in short supply during the winter months. Top-up with a Vitamin D supplement - either alone or as part of a multi-mineral/vitamin - but don’t forget that eggs and milk are also good sources of Vitamin D. This ‘sunshine vitamin’ will also support your immune system and bone strength.

The depressive thoughts of SAD can be reversed by taking exercise. A hearty walk, swimming, running, cycling at least 5 times per week will generate endorphins, the ‘natural high’ chemicals. Exercising with a friend or club introduces a social element which is also a natural tonic for SAD. The herbal medicine St John’s Wort has been shown in studies to be effective in mild to moderate depression. Check with your GP that other medicines you may be taking are not going to clash with it.

Homeopathic medicines are also effective through the holistic approach; the ‘whole person’ is taken into consideration in order to arrive at the prescription individualised to the patient.

If the simple measures listed do not seem to be helping, seek advice from your GP who will be able to gauge your depression. A short course of an antidepressant from the Prozac family may be needed to dig you out of the pit and get you thinking more constructively again. Talking therapies and counselling, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, may also be needed to reverse and extinguish those negative thought patterns. With SAD you can feel very alone, but always remember that you are not. SAD is very common and there are always friends and family who want to help. doctortwrobinson.com glencairnhouse.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 95

Brister&Son Independent Family Funeral Directors

When your family suffers the loss of a loved one, we are here to support, guide and reassure you – every step of the way Call Daniel on 01935 812647 100 Lenthay Road, Sherborne DT9 6AG Email: daniel@wsbrister.com www.wsbrister.com

A J Wakely& Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons - 24 Hour Service -

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16 Newland, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3JQ Tel: 01935 816817 Please contact Clive Wakely or a member of the dedicated team for any advice or guidance 96 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Why not say it with better hearing this Valentine’s?

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HEARING APPLIANCE SERVICE HEARING AIDS, BATTERIES

Tel: 01935 815647 Girlings Complete Hearing Service | 4 Swan Yard | Sherborne DT9 3AX

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The Old Vicarage Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6HL

01935 873033

care@tovic.com

We are delighted to announce that following our recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission we have been awarded a rating of Outstanding. This means we are in the top 1% of care homes in England.

The Old Vicarage CQC overall rating

28 January 2016

Set in its own secluded, beautifully landscaped gardens, woodland and meadow, and with stunning views overlooking the Dorset countryside, it’s hard to resist the charms of the Old Vicarage. As soon as you step through the front door of this charming country house, you’ll discover an oasis of comfort, warmth, calm and relaxation.

Our highly trained staff ensure that everything - from the mouth-watering food and drink and the stylishly cosy bedrooms to the wide range of activities - will make the Old Vicarage truly a home from home. We have been recognised by the Cinnamon Trust as being one of the best pet friendly care homes in the country.

To arrange a visit please call on 01935 873033 or email care@tovic.com

Live for today and plan for the future

Sherborne Office

01935 817903 James Mobile

07824 389750 Lucinda Mobile

James Oliver DipPFS CeMAP Independent Financial Advisor Pensions and Retirement Planning • Investments • Inheritance Tax Planning • Mortgage and Equity Release • Life Assurance and Protection

james.oliver@ssfs.co.uk

07791 094 551 www.ssfs.co.uk

Lucinda Warren CeMAP BSc (Hons) Independent Mortgage Advisor Mortgage • Life Assurance and Protection • Buy to Let Mortgage

lucinda@ssfs.co.uk

Strategic Solutions is a trading style of Strategic Solutions Financial Services which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, number 525733. Principals: Kevin Forbes: Jefferson Fawcett: Giles Wellington: Allan Cruse.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 99

@elizabethwatsonillustrations 100 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Nr Gillingham Lettings & Property Management

Independent Letting Agent representing town and country property throughout Somerset and Dorset

5 Tilton Court, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL T: 01935 816209 E: info@stockwoodlettings.co.uk

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Substantial three-storey property forming part of larger period house. Sitting room, modern kitchen, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, use of gardens, tennis court, swimming pool and grounds, parking and garage ÂŁ1,400pcm

Nr Sherborne Lovely cottage, now completely refurbished.

Dining hall, sitting room, kitchen, cloakroom, two double bedrooms, modern bathroom, garage and parking, enclosed garden.

ÂŁ950pcm

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 101

MARKET DRIVERS

H

Simon Barker MRICS, Partner, Knight Frank ere we highlight five key trends which will drive property markets over the next few years.

New transport infrastructure

Better transport links – rail, river, road and air – often provide the biggest and most obvious boost to an area’s appeal.

Transport investment over the next five years has the potential to open up a number of prime country markets, as well as supporting further growth in already established hotspots. Charlie Taylor, who heads up Knight Frank’s Bath office, notes that shorter journey times as a result of rail improvements and a Crossrail interchange at Reading will start to bring the whole of the West Country into the commuter belt. “There is every likelihood that this will encourage buyers to extend their net that bit further” he adds.

Placemakers

In towns and cities, areas that have changed due to infrastructure improvements – such as new transport links or even large-scale regeneration – usually see an increase in demand. This trend is mirrored on a smaller scale in more rural markets, where the opening of a new boutique hotel from a well-established company, members’ clubs or restaurants can put an out-of-the-way rural spot firmly on the map.

The part-time commuter

Technology improvements including fast, reliable internet have meant that working from home for all or part of the week is a viable option for many, cutting down on both commuting time and travel costs. Those who can be flexible in the way they work are often happy to extend their search outside the magical ‘one-hour train ride to London’ zone, especially if they are only

102 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

travelling into the capital for one or two days a week.

We expect such buyers to be an added driver of the market, particularly in rural prime markets where they can take advantage of the relative price differential as well.

Try-before-you-buy tenants

Changes to Stamp Duty back in late 2014, which increased purchase costs for properties at the top end of the market, have understandably made buyer’s price sensitive.

The cost of Stamp Duty on the purchase of a £3 million property is £273,750, rising to £363,750 if it is a second home or additional residence. As a result, a number of would-be buyers are now opting to rent for a year or two before committing to a purchase.

This allows families to settle into the locality before actually making a full-time move, but also means that when they come to buy, they are familiar with the area and their local market, and are often approaching a purchase as a cash buyer.

Turnkey country homes

Turnkey properties, homes which are the opposite of ‘doer-uppers’ and are in pristine condition, are becoming an increasingly attractive proposition for buyers looking to purchase in the country. The rising cost of construction has weighed on demand for homes which need some work done, but agents report an increasing interest in ‘ready-to-go’ properties.

This ‘flight to quality’ among prime buyers means competition for the very best homes is likely to be strong and may result in premiums relative to the local area being achieved as a result. New developments on the edge of popular towns and villages are also seeing increasing levels of interest and we expect this to continue. knightfrank.co.uk/sherborne

Our clients say...

“A professional team produced a stream of viewings resulting in a sale within 8 weeks.

Fantastic people to work with and definitely knew the market locally.”

Vendor

 “Luke and his team have been very impressive in this transaction - knowledgeable, proactive and ultimately securing a great result for both buyer and seller.

I look forward to working with you again.”

Solicitor

 “A huge thank you to Luke, Simon and the rest of the team at Knight Frank in Sherborne for helping steer us through the sale of our family home. We are happy that we chose to work with such an experienced and knowledgeable team.”

Vendor

 “We have today completed the sale of our latest project just outside of Gillingham. From conception we found the advice of the team at Knight Frank, Sherborne invaluable. Prior to completion they sold the property for full asking price. We constantly deal with a number of various agents in the Dorset area, but have to admit that they are head and shoulders above the rest. If you are considering selling I strongly recommend them being your first port of call.”

Developer

 “Pro-active, switched on well measured; seriously impressive agency. Luke Pender-Cudlip and Simon Barker are a pleasure to work with producing first class and timely results.”

Solicitor

 “A very big thank you to Simon Barker. He was supportive and helpful and committed to ensuring the purchase went as smoothly as possible despite a buyer dropping out.”

Vendor

 If you’re looking to move, please contact us.

We’d love to help you.

01935 590 022 sherborne@knightfrank.com

@KF_SouthWest KnightFrank.co.uk/sherborne

Property

MINIMUM ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS (MEES) Paul Gammage & Anita Light, Ewemove Sherborne

I

n April this year, new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) come into force. I’ve written about this before and the fact that non-compliance carries a fine of up to £150,000! So, it’s very worrying to read research by EON which suggests that 21% of landlords expect to have to spend over £1,000 on energy efficiency over the next 5 years. Even more worrying is research by LetBritain that suggests 34% of landlords still don’t even know that they have to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for their property.

The new regulations – a quick recap

The 2015 Energy Efficiency Regulations set out minimum energy efficiency standards for England and Wales. These regulations mean that, from April 2018, it will be unlawful to grant a new lease of a property if it has an EPC rating below E, unless the property is registered as an exemption. After 1st April 2023, landlords must register an exemption for any building with an EPC rating of less than E if they wish to let the building. EPCs let the person who will use the building know how costly it will be to heat and light, and what its carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be.

Mitigating the impact

Forward-thinking landlords have the potential to increase rental and asset value by making energy efficiency improvements and combining these with other upgrades. Having a highly energy efficient property (which therefore attracts lower bills) may make your property the stand-out property for potential tenants.

Check any existing EPC

If your property has an existing EPC, it will highlight cost-effective ways to achieve a better rating. This can be a good place to start a thorough review of your property’s

104 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

energy performance and identify areas for improvement.

Next, check the basics

Windows and doors. Poorly insulated windows can account for 10%+ of heat loss. Double glazed windows or secondary glazing can make a significant difference.

Secondary glazing is not quite as effective as double glazing but is more affordable. Also check areas prone to drafts such as doors, letterboxes and even keyholes.

Replacing old doors to exclude drafts (and improve security) can be a quick win.

Walls and lofts. Consider the construction of the property. Older properties with solid walls as well as newer ones with cavity walls can both benefit from additional insulation. It can be relatively easily applied and make a big difference to energy loss. Also, check the quality of the loft insulation and whether it is complete.

Loss of heat through the roof can amount to a quarter of a property’s overall heat loss.

Boiler. How old is your boiler? Is it regularly serviced?

It may be worth consulting a gas-safe engineer to ascertain whether it is worth investing in a new efficient boiler. Fitting thermostatic valves to your radiator is also worth considering.

Paul and Anita are delighted to announce the acquisition of MPP Lettings and Management Limited, This comes as EweMove Yeovil Limited approach their third birthday.

This acquisition, along with steady organic growth, pays testimony to EweMove’s hybrid model of cutting-edge technology combined with local expertise and good oldfashioned customer service. ewemove.com/sherborne

We have enjoyed 3 exceptional years growing our business and are delighted to announce our acquisition of MPP Lettings & Management Ltd in Yeovil. MPP has a loyal client base and a fantastic reputation for customer service. Business will continue as normal at MPP and EweMove from the existing Church St. premises in Yeovil Maximise your yield Achieve the highest net rent with no hidden extras

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One of the things our customers said which helped them decide was hearing real life stories from existing customers.

Anita Light & Paul Gammage, Branch Directors Call: 01935 350 350 Visit: www.EweMove.com/Sherborne

Property

ARE YOU READY FOR MEES? Justin Hopkins, Partner, Commercial Property at Mogers Drewett

F

rom 1st April 2018, landlords of commercial buildings with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of less than E will not be able to renew existing or grant new tenancies due to the implementation of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES). Introducing a new minimum EPC standard, 2018 will start the gradual retirement of the lowest F and G ratings. These will be truly phased out by MEES in 2023 - a move that the Government expects to impact approximately 18% of commercial properties that hold F or G EPCs. The repercussions for not complying with the legislation after the 1st April 2018 could be costly, as landlords can be fined up to a maximum of £150,000 if found in breach for three months or more.

Alongside the financial consequences of noncompliance, the reputational impact of not adhering to the legislation could also be a concern - especially for those with large property portfolios - as all breaches will be publicly accessible for at least one year on the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Exemptions Register.

However, there are several exemptions which, if registered, can help avoid non-compliance penalties.

For example, MEES does not apply to buildings where the EPC is over 10 years’ old or where there is no EPC. It also does not apply to tenancies of more than 99 years or buildings that do not require an EPC, such as

industrial sites or certain listed buildings. Due to the historic relevance of properties within Dorset and its surrounding areas, commercial landlords should seek legal advice to confirm whether their properties are within scope of the incoming regulations.

It is therefore essential that landlords prepare ahead of April, auditing their properties to determine which are eligible or exempt from MEES and where within the phased legislation each tenancy will be renewed.

Of course, the most immediate concern for property owners is often the cost of upgrading non-compliant properties. However, forward-thinking can allow any upgrades to be scheduled and accounted for by, for example, evaluating the property’s increase in value or the potential of green leases. Green leases allow for costs for improving a building’s energy efficiency to be shared between the landlord and tenant, as the improvements benefit both parties over the duration of a tenancy by offering lower day-to-day running costs to the occupant.

April 2018 will see the beginning of an energy efficiency journey for the commercial property sector.

To ensure that a building is MEES compliant and eligible for letting, landlords, especially those with larger portfolios, should seek guidance to establish if and when their properties will need to comply. mogersdrewett.com

THE LAW FIRM ON THE SAME PAGE Forward-thinking legal expertise on your doorstep Sherborne | Bath | Wells | Frome mogersdrewett.com | 01749 342 323

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Finance

REAL FINANCIAL PLANNING

Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.) CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS, Certified and Chartered Financial Planner, Fort Financial Planning

O

ver the course of the last year many of my Sherborne Times articles have endeavoured to explain the concept of Real Financial Planning.

At its simplest, Real Financial Planning is identifying how much money you really need for the rest of your life and then identifying the steps that need to be taken to make sure that your money will last as long as you! The fact is the majority of people have no idea where they are heading financially. They may have assets, investments, and/or high levels of income, but most people have no idea what it all means, or what sort of financial future awaits them.

Having an insight into how much money you actually need can be enlightening. It can put you in control.

Knowing how much is enough will give you the freedom to live your life smarter. After all, life is not a rehearsal; it needs to be lived to the full.

The Number is the amount of money you need for the rest of your life – not just to survive but to live it to the full. It’s different for each of us, of course.

Once you know your Number the next step is to build a lifelong strategy for investing your money. A strategy that is based on sound academic principles rather than the latest fad, and which will stand the test of time.

There are seven key components of a sound lifelong investment strategy – ‘The Art and Science of Investing’ as we like to call it.

Asset allocation The overwhelming factor in determining investment performance.

Rebalancing Keeping an investment portfolio’s risk and return profile on course.

Lowering costs The one factor guaranteed to improve returns.

Behavioural coaching Avoiding the costly mistakes of giving in to fear and greed.

Tax allowances Tax-efficiency is key to getting the best results Spending strategy Crucial to maintaining the value of a portfolio in retirement.

Total return versus income Making the most of a portfolio for both income and capital.

Over the coming months we will address each of these areas.

I am often asked why Fort Financial Planning uses the phrase “Real Financial Planning”. A real financial planner provides “comprehensive planning” taking into account ALL of your circumstances, i.e. the cost of your current and desired lifestyle, your long-term objectives, all your assets, all inflows, all outflows, your Wills and Powers of Attorney. In other words, their job should be to show you what is going to happen to your financial bucket – making sure that you never ever run out of money in any circumstances (including the doom and gloom scenarios). Sadly, most financial planners (they used to call themselves financial advisers) don’t do this; they are simply product salesmen. ffp.org.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 109

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110 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Tech

T

here are a lot of fish in the sea despite what we’re told, and there are new ones born every day. The same is true of humans and, while we don’t live in the sea, cyber-criminals come fishing for us every day. Just like in the sea, you can go trawling and pick up all sorts in your net pretty randomly, or you can stand in the shallows and pick off individual fish with your spear. Computer bods have changed the names a bit with a snazzy “Ph”, but the principle is just the same.

Phishing is a scam by which an Internet user is deceived by an e-mail message into revealing personal or confidential information which the scammer can use illicitly to get money or sell on to third parties. The emails appear to come from any number of ‘genuine’ sources such as banks, building societies, couriers and large on-line retailers such as Amazon and John Lewis, and they ask you to log-in to verify your details… don’t!

If you receive an email with an attachment that you were not expecting but that is perfectly plausible, always be suspicious. Or if you get a similar email with a link to ‘view’ a document or invoice… don’t. This is just spam email and you should delete it. It doesn’t mean that your email has been hacked, simply that your email address has been harvested by some virus on somebody else’s computer and you can expect to get more spam emails in the future. Exercise caution!

Spear Phishing is a much more targeted attempt to steal sensitive information such as account details or financial information from a specific victim or company, often for malicious reasons. This is achieved by acquiring personal details about the victim such as their friends, home town, employer, locations they frequent, and what

they have recently bought online. The attackers then disguise themselves as a trustworthy friend or company to acquire sensitive information, typically through email.

This is the most successful form of acquiring confidential information on the internet. If you ever get a begging email purporting to be from a friend in trouble, you can be certain it’s not genuine… if they were in real trouble, they’d phone you!

And lastly there is Smishing (SMS Phishing) where victims have reported receiving text messages purporting to be from their banks advising them that new direct debits have been set up. The messages ask victims to contact the bank on the number provided if these direct debits haven’t been authorised. When the victim contacts the “bank” they are asked to provide personal details. Fraudsters then take control of the account and send payments to themselves on-line. You should always call your bank using a number from a bank statement or a verified source, not a text message. Scam text messages can take any form, and are not always from banks. They are very convincing as they use the victim’s full name and can contain clickable links that take you through to a fake website, where you are asked to enter your username and password. Always enable two-factor authentication on your account for better protection where possible.

As always, if in doubt, DON’T, but you know where to come if you need help.

Coming Up Next Month… Broadband Speeds! computing-mp.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 111

FOLK TALES with Colin Lambert

LEIGHTON MARGETTS Strawberries in Winter

Did you know?

• The Murano strawberry was first sold exclusively by Sainsburys in 2014. It’s now the most widely sold strawberry variety in the UK. • A strawberry has about one and a half times more genes than a human - 35,000. They’re also Octoploid (have eight sets of chromosomes).

• Very few British strawberries are grown in the ground.

The modern way is called the Table Top system: plants are grown inside coconut husks, in raised beds.

• To protect the plants and fruit from being eaten, special carnivorous insects, so small they’re invisible to the naked eye, are brought in to devour any planteating pests.

• Leighton keeps bugs to feed locusts which then feed his pet tarantula and scorpions. He’s also an expert in growing strawberries.

Six years ago, my daughter bought me the book Offgrid by Nick Rosen. Last summer my plans changed dramatically (see ST Nov 17) and I found myself needing a hobby for the winter. “Why not cover the rear of my kitchen with a lean-to, get some lights, trays, coconut husks and grow strawberries?” I wondered. I log into Amazon, find the kit, go to check-out and…

Please be patient - all will become clear.

112 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Leighton is a Sherborne lad, the youngest of six and a twin. Sadly, from the age of four, along with his twin brother, he was placed into foster care near Crewkerne a pattern that repeated itself until his 16th birthday when he began his own life’s journey.

However, not before his love of plants and insects was born. His third set of foster parents grew their own stuff and their house was full of spiders. He’s kept them as pets from an early age.

Sort of expelled from school, they let him return for GCSEs which enabled him to join Cannington Horticultural College, Yeovil campus. Leighton was in heaven. He studied livestock, domestic pets, birds and exotics, which were accommodated in a specialist Tropical Room.

“So just how do Chromosomes [Plants] make love?”

I enquire.

“When people pluck the blooms of a plant, they’re actually dismembering its reproductive organs! The ‘male’ portion is the pollen-loaded stamen, while the eggholding pistil is the ‘female’ part.” Yikes!

“Most plants sprout bisexual flowers (with both male and female parts) but some grow separate male and female flowers. The wind, animals or water carry pollen to a sticky female stigma. The grains germinate and grow downward towards the ovaries. Eventually, they bump

into some eggs and seeds are born.”

Leighton graduated with flying colours but, with a big student loan and bills to pay, he opted for a job as a barman and kitchen porter in the Half Moon, Sherborne. At twenty, he took a job as a head chef in Guildford. Two years later he was assistant manager in Cambridge, then Sheffield, then Camden Lock, London. London was a struggle and six months later?

You guessed it, the Half Moon, Sherborne!

The travel bug returned, New Zealand beckoned but a lass from Thornford entered his life, they fell in love, got engaged and then, oops.

A night of celebration ended in Yeovil hospital after Leighton jumped over a wall and shattered both heels.

Meanwhile Kari, wife-to-be, is about to give birth, as Leighton spends the next 8 weeks in hospital followed by three years off work and four operations.

Leighton smiles, “I had one of the most wonderful experiences of my life to date.” “Tell me more” I say.

“The accident meant Kari went back to full-time work and I became a house-husband. Nappies, parent groups - I loved it. I developed a special bond with Imogen that I will treasure forever.”

“Back to work time?” I enquire.

“I couldn’t stand for long periods but by chance (no such thing as coincidence) I was offered some part-time

work with Somerset Hydroponics. I discovered farmers put barley seeds in plastic trays and sprout them with water for winter animal feed. They can produce up to three crops per year using polytunnels, lights, ground coconut husks. Most supermarket fruit and veg is grown hydroponically.”

“Within a few months it became a full-time job.

We’ve been into local schools and colleges and I now have three large displays to manage and plants to grow. I love it; at last my college learning is paying dividends.

Kari and I married, had a second daughter. My pets include Bearded Dragons (lizards), corn snakes and scorpions, which are very high in protein and eaten in many parts of the world.” One happy bunny, methinks.

Oh yes. You will recall, I log into Amazon, add to basket, go to check out and … I notice the supplier is Somerset Hydroponics! Why not go direct and get it cheaper?

And that’s how Leighton and I meet. I bought my kit much cheaper and six months later Sheila and I are self-sufficient in parsley, coriander and spinach, and we have flowers on our strawberries. I love it.

Thank you, Leighton, for sharing your Folk Tales with me. I’ve been given a glimpse into the future of sustainable food production.

Have a great February. Sheila and I will be in Aberdeen, not on honeymoon, as she starts her Mistletoe therapy instead of Chemotherapy. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 113

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Tel: 01935 814946 114 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

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116 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

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REBIRTH OF A NATION (Part I)

A

Bridgett Wilson, Sherborne Scribblers

s we enter a new year, some of us will turn our attention and hopes to new beginnings.

This must surely be uppermost in the minds of all Zimbabweans, a country close to my heart and where I lived for many happy years.

In a frenetic week, the elderly President Robert Mugabe decided to fire his vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in a disagreement over policies and because he was standing in the way of Mugabe’s wife, Grace, becoming the next President. There was a general uproar among the people, and the military called for President Mugabe to resign. It appeared that the generals were determined to have a peaceful transition so did everything by the book and were reluctant to call it a coup. This was obviously to ensure prospects for re-instituting maximum international financial support from the World Bank and the IMF. However, the people were excited at the thought that the many years of oppression, murder, lack of economic direction, food, money, unemployment and general dissatisfaction with the way the country was being run, might be coming to an end. They flocked into the streets, cheering and carrying posters saying, ‘away with Mugabe’. The army and the police joined in these premature celebrations. The people’s main concern along with the generals, was that the country should not be run by a Mugabe dynasty as Grace is hated for her extravagance and attitude.

Mugabe was placed under house arrest while the army decided on the procedure to adopt to get rid of him. He was threatened with impeachment if he would not resign.

After some days of negotiation, no doubt involving the future of his wife as well, he agreed to make a speech indicating that he would stand down in the interests of the nation.

In the event, he made a different one saying the country was going through difficult times and he would discuss all this at the upcoming congress at the end of the year. Everybody was stunned. The army reiterated their demand that if he did not leave by the following day they would start proceedings. The next morning, in Parliament, a letter from Mugabe was read out by the Speaker announcing that he would resign immediately.

The streets were full of jubilant people dancing, chanting and telling the Press that they believed this would be a rebirth of their beloved Zimbabwe. Their expectations for immediate change are enormous. They want employment, food and safety.

Unfortunately over the years all effective opposition to Mugabe’s Zanu PF party has been met by violence. The prospective leader of the Opposition, Morgan Tsvangirai, was beaten up badly on many occasions and is now ill.

So the military have elevated the fired Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, (known as ‘the crocodile’ because of his predatory inclination to keep submerged then strike without warning) to be the new president until elections can take place next year.

Continues next month.

118 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

Literature

LITERARY REVIEW Jonathan Stones, Sherborne Literary Society

Talking to My Daughter About The Economy: A Brief History of Capitalism By Yanis Varoufakis (Bodley Head) £14.99

T

Exclusive Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £13.99 from Winstone’s Books

he author of Talking to My Daughter About The Economy: A Brief History of Capitalism was for many years a professor of economics in Britain, Australia and the USA before becoming, for a few months in 2015, finance minister of Greece during that country’s battle with the European Central Bank (as well as the European Community’s more powerful members) and attempting to rescue its debt-ridden economy. He is currently Professor of Economics at the University of Athens and speaks to audiences worldwide as co-founder of the Democracy In Europe Movement.

In this short book, Varoufakis sets out to answer his then ten-year-old daughter Xenia’s deceptively simple question: ‘Why is there so much inequality?’ In doing so, he launches the reader on a vertiginous sweep through the history of mankind’s journey towards what he describes as today’s ‘market society’. In a nutshell, Varoufakis’ history goes like this: in origin mankind enjoyed the sort of precolonial bliss which he ascribes to aboriginal Australian culture before the arrival of the British. Elsewhere, fear of starvation enforced the invention, through necessity, of agriculture, which in turn gave rise to what we now call ‘the economy’. We developed better tools and accumulated more grain than we could eat; in other words, a surplus. Hence the need for writing to record who owned what and who owed what to whom. He lays out the origins of money in the simple terms he has promised: it was invented he says to record debts, which means that money and debt have marched together since antiquity.

But in Varoufakis’ view, the invention of these marvels has led to the present dystopia. They caused the change in concept from experiential value to market value, and everywhere this conflation was accompanied by the need for more and greater debt. This in turn created such ills as the enclosures, mass slavery, and industrialised war.

What went wrong? Varoufakis is clear that when societies with markets became market societies, mankind lost its way.

Money was transformed from being a means to an end to an end in itself. The central part of the problem he says (perhaps inevitably) is the Banks. A world full of debt is the perfect environment for unlimited speculation. The banker creates money out of thin air and borrows from the future. Unchecked, the inevitable spiral of bubbles and crashes which this creates will eventually be followed by the ruination of the planet.

The solution, which he proposes to his daughter at the end of the book, and the only way the ruthless shorttermism of the rich minority can be circumvented, is through state intervention. The degree of conviction with which this will be received is likely to depend most on the reader’s personal position along the political spectrum.

Varoufakis tells all this with great verve, using stories such as the Faust and Frankenstein myths as well as more contemporary parables such as ’Bladerunner’ and ‘The Matrix’. It’s exhilarating to read, if at times a questionably bumpy ride. sherborneliterarysociety.com

Talk and Signing with Historian

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Women, men and children

JANUARY SOLUTIONS

ACROSS 1. Animal skin (4) 3. Mythical creature (8) 9. Item used by asthma sufferers (7) 10. Queen's favourite dog (5) 11. Dissatisfaction (5) 12. Drop sharply (7) 13. Supplied or distributed (6) 15. Finch (6) 17. Copy; mimic (7) 18. Trunk of the body (5) 20. Musical times (5) 21. Works in an amateurish way (7) 22. Not long ago (8) 23. Large group of people (4) 120 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

DOWN 1. Head of the government (5,8) 2. Lindsay ___ : US actress (5) 4. Continent (6) 5. Intensely painful (12) 6. Rowers (7) 7. Teasingly (13) 8. Repetition of the same sound (12) 14. Of enormous effect (7) 16. Pertaining to the teeth (6) 19. ___ Witherspoon: actress (5)

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

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Reverend Jono Tregale, St Pauls Church

o sooner was Christmas over, trees taken down, and baubles and tinsel put back in the attic, than the shops began selling Easter eggs. Yes, there is space given over to Valentine’s Day merchandise, but Easter eggs appeared at the beginning of January. I’m not a big fan of this; not just because I’m that odd breed of person (or so my family tell me) who doesn’t like chocolate but because I think we’re missing something if we rush too quickly from the celebrations of Christmas to those of Easter.

In the rhythm of the church’s year something happens in between and it is called the season of Lent. Many will celebrate Shrove Tuesday with the consumption of far too many pancakes, some of which may even be tossed as high as the ceiling, but its significance is really just in being the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, an opportunity to use up foods which would then be fasted from until Easter. For many people Lent has come to mean little more than failed New Year’s resolutions – a time to think about giving up something which we feel might not be so beneficial to us. It’s common for people to forgo chocolate during Lent (after all, more than enough is consumed at Easter) or even alcohol (well on Monday to Thursday at least). But Lent is meant to be about so much more. Lent is about preparing for Easter, as Advent is a preparation for Christmas. It is a time to take spiritual matters particularly seriously – to be honest about our own failings and to reflect on the hardship that Jesus went through for the sake of others. It includes the encouragement to make decisions to live in a more generous and kind way following the example of Jesus. So it’s not just about giving up things but can be about generosity and acts of kindness towards others. Why not sign up to 40acts.org.uk, a church-backed online resource during Lent which provides ideas and inspirations for how we can do just that? Each day during Lent (forty days, not including Sundays) an email will arrive in the morning with a generosity challenge (an ‘act’) and a short bible-based blog. Each act is designed to sharpen your awareness and give you practical ways to stretch your generosity. The Gryphon School, Sherborne School for Boys, Sherborne School for Girls and Leweston School have all signed up to the 40acts challenge. Lent could be a time when not only do you lose calories by giving up chocolate but also when you experience the joy of making a real difference in someone else’s life. An obvious suggestion from me, as someone involved in the food bank, is not to buy yourself a treat at the supermarket but instead donate essentials for those in real need in our local community. And perhaps if you want to know more about Lent why not pop into a church sometime during the run-up to Easter and discover why Jesus continues to inspire so many people to generosity?

40acts.org.uk stpauls-sherborne.org.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 121

OUT AND ABOUT

F

David Birley

riends often say how lucky we are to live in Sherborne. When I ask them why, they mention the Abbey, the castles, our lovely old houses and shops, and the beautiful surrounding countryside. All of which I of course agree with, but I point out that they have missed out the most important fact. This usually brings a puzzled frown to their faces as they try to think of what they have missed. It is the people I explain, the people who live in our town and work in our shops and offices.

The people of Sherborne are such a friendly and caring community. You won’t find the hustle and bustle of our big cities here, yet things get done just the same as, and probably better than, in the cities.

Our shopkeepers are great at knowing their customers and what they like. I am frequently told that a shop has had a delivery of a food item that my wife might like or there is a new design of sweater or some other accoutrement that would be suitable as a present for my wife. They also make a fuss over my dog Rosie which is a sure way to my heart - and wallet!

There is also so much to do; it is impossible to be bored in Sherborne. Our annual U3A fair has a plethora of activities in which you can get involved and it pays to get there early as many are oversubscribed. Our Music and Literary Festivals attract an audience from far and wide. Theatre-wise there is the APS, the Amateur Players of Sherborne, and I am looking forward to seeing productions in their new theatre. Alternatively, if you would prefer a walk around the town, our Blue Badge guide, Cindy Chant, will show you some hidden gems combined with fascinating historical detail. Our Tourist Information Centre can tell you about all that is going on and any upcoming future events, and you can also buy tickets there. Just across the way is Pageant Gardens, where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll or in the summer sit and enjoy a concert by our excellent town band.

In my year as Mayor I tried to get involved in as many community events and activities as possible. Not only was this a lot of fun, it was also so rewarding getting to know the town and learn of all the wonderful voluntary work that goes on.

Organising our event to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday and then 2017’s follow-up event, the Summer Festival, gave me the opportunity to visit our shops and offices. I visited over two hundred premises, often on several occasions, to discuss their support for our event and to learn about their businesses.

I shall be calling on them again shortly to ask for their support for this year’s event which is on 16th June in Purlieu Meadow.

122 | Sherborne Times | February 2018

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