Sherborne Times February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 | FREE

A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR

RAISING THE BAR with The Clockspire

sherbornetimes.co.uk

WELCOME

T

he quagmire underfoot remains, with the occasional biting frost transforming the squelch to a welcome crunch. Daylight lingers in crystal clear skies, and despite the chill, our more enterprising of birds continue to sing their hearts out.

And so to February‌ Laurence Belbin is on the move, Leweston take charge of the book club, Suzy Newton sets the table and John Walsh rescues a sinking cow. We also meet Marie Hutchings of Sherborne School, Terry Hawrylak of The Hub CafÊ and welcome back David Birley with the first in his new series of interviews. Katharine and Jo meanwhile take a hop and a skip to Milborne Port and meet the team behind the remarkable, newlyopened Clockspire restaurant.

Have a great month.

Glen Cheyne, Editor glen@homegrown-media.co.uk @sherbornetimes

CONTRIBUTORS Juliana Atyeo

Editorial and creative direction Glen Cheyne Design Andy Gerrard @round_studio

Simon Barber Evolver Magazine @SimonEvolver evolver.org.uk Laurence Belbin laurencebelbin.com

Natalie Howell Mogers Drewett Solicitors @mogersdrewett md-solicitors.co.uk James Hull The Story Pig @thestorypig thestorypig.co.uk

Sub editors Jay Armstrong @jayarmstrong_ Elaine Taylor

Lucy Beney MAMBACP London Road Clinic 56londonroad.co.uk

Photography Katharine Davies @Katharine_KDP

Adrian Bright Sherborne Community Church sherbornecommunitychurch.org.uk

Lucy Lewis Dorset Mind @DorsetMind dorsetmind.uk

Feature writer Jo Denbury @jo_denbury

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

Sasha and Tom Matkevich The Green Restaurant @greensherborne greenrestaurant.co.uk

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

Suzy Newton Partners in Designs @InteriorsDorset partners-in-design.co.uk

Paula Carnell @paula.carnell paulacarnell.com

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

Editorial assistant Helen Brown Illustrations Elizabeth Watson elizabethwatsonillustration.com Print Pureprint Distribution team David Elsmore Nancy Henderson The Jackson Family David and Susan Joby Christine Knott Sarah Morgan Mary and Roger Napper Alfie Neville-Jones Mark and Miranda Pender Claire Pilley Ionus Tsetikas

David Birley

Cindy Chant Sherborne Walks @sherbornewalks sherbornewalks.co.uk Malcolm Cockburn Sherborne Scribblers Rachel Cole Dorset County Hospital Charity charity@dchft.nhs.uk Gillian M Constable DWT Sherborne Group @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk David Copp Rosie Cunningham Jenny Dickinson

1 Bretts Yard Digby Road Sherborne Dorset DT9 3NL 01935 315556 @sherbornetimes info@homegrown-media.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk Sherborne Times is printed on an FSCÂŽ 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.

Sherborne Times does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication.

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.

4 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Jimmy Flynn Milborne Port Computers @MPortComputers computing-mp.co.uk Andrew Fort B.A. (Econ.)

CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS Fort Financial Planning ffp.org.uk Craig Hardaker Communifit @communifit communifit.co.uk

Marie Hutchings Sherborne School @SherborneSchool sherborne.org

Simon Partridge BSc SPFit spfit-sherborne.co.uk Mike Riley Riley’s Cycles rileyscycles.co.uk Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom Glencairn House Clinic glencairnhouse.co.uk doctortwrobinson.com Freddie Salisbury Sherborne Preparatory School @Sherborneprep sherborneprep.org Claire Smith clairesmith-aeriallandscape.com Paul Stickland Black Shed Flowers @NaughtyDinosaur blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk Jonathan Stones Sherborne Literary Society @SherborneLitSoc sherborneliterarysociety.com Val Stones @valstones bakerval.com

Andy Hastie Cinematheque cinematheque.org.uk

John Walsh Friars Moor Vets friarsmoorvets.co.uk

Terry Hawrylak The Hub Cafe

Sally Welbourn Dorset Wildlife Trust @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Sarah Hitch The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms The Margaret Balfour Beauty Centre @SanctuaryDorset @margaretbalfourbeautycentre thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk margaretbalfour.co.uk

Anita Wingad Community Catalysts communitycatalysts.co.uk

66 8

What’s On

FEBRUARY 2020 48 Antiques

116 Tech

16 Film

52 Interiors

118 Directory

18 Theatre

58 Gardening

120 Community

20 Art

66 THE CLOCKSPIRE

124 In Conversation

24 Shopping Guide

74 Food & Drink

126 Short Story

26 Family

84 Animal Care

128 Crossword

36 Environment

90 Body & Mind

129 Literature

38 Wild Dorset

106 Property

130 Pause for Thought

44 History

115 Finance sherbornetimes.co.uk | 5

THE EASTBURY HOTEL Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3BY Tel: 01935 813131 Email: relax@theeastburyhotel.co.uk www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk

Reconnect this Valentine’s Day Indulge in quality time together, with luxury spa treatments, a rejuvenating couple’s massage and a dip in the hydrotherapy pool.

Enjoy a candlelit 7 course tasting menu in our award-winning Seasons Restaurant.

Spend the night in one of our gorgeous double rooms and enjoy a lovely Dorset cooked breakfast the following morning.

Packages and offers available. Please contact us for details on 01935 813131 or relax@theeastburyhotel.co.uk

elizabethwatsonillustration.com

Thinking of letting your holiday home?

We know that your holiday home is just that – a home.

That’s why our local team is dedicated to managing your property with the same care and attention you would. With tailored services to suit your needs, you can be as involved as you like, so why not get in touch today?

01929 448 708 enquiries@dorsethideaways.co.uk dorsethideaways.co.uk 8 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 Listings

From Sherborne TIC, Digby Rd. With

01935 601499/01935 816321

walk. £8 cindyatsherbornewalks@gmail.com

Fridays 2pm

____________________________

Sherborne Health Walks

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd

Wednesdays 1pm

Leaving from Waitrose.

taichilessons47@gmail.com

Sherborne Abbey. Free. Retiring collection

____________________________ Mondays 10am-11am T’ai Chi & Chi Kung

Blue Badge Guide Cindy, 1½-2-hour

____________________________

DT9 3NL. £7. 07517 183277

Lunchtime Organ Recital

____________________________

____________________________

3rd Sunday of month until 17th

Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

May 1.30pm-4.30pm

10am-2pm

Sherborne Folk Band Workshop

Sherborne Lunch Club

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd, DT9

Raleigh Hall, Digby Rd. 01935 814680

____________________________ Thursdays 1.30pm-2.30pm The Sherborne Library Scribes

Free. 07825 691508

____________________________

3NL. Suitable all levels/all acoustic

instruments. £12.50 incl. refreshments. info@sherbornefolkband.org

____________________________

Sherborne Library, Hound St.

Saturday 1st 2.30pm

01935 812683

History, Dereliction & Restoration

reading aloud with a small, friendly

Thursdays 2pm-4pm

Blackmore Vale & Yeovil Assn (NT).

Mondays 2pm-3.30pm ‘Feel Better with a Book’ Group Sherborne Library, Hound St. Shared

Writing group for sharing & discussion.

The Kennet & Avon Canal:

____________________________

Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA.

group. Free. 01935 812683

Seniors Digital Drop-in

____________________________

for Help with Technology

2nd Monday of month

Sherborne Library, Hound St.

Saturday 1st 6.45pm

____________________________

Leigh Village Hall, DT9 6HL. Tables of

9.30am-3.30pm West Country Embroiderers

01935 812683

Digby Hall, Hound St. New members

Non-members £5

____________________________ Quiz Night & Supper 6 @ £7pp. Tickets: Bridge Stores, 01935

welcome. 01747 840279

83397 andrew@sandagraham.com

____________________________

____________________________

Last Monday of month 5pm-6pm

Tuesday 4th 11.30am

Bookchat

Royal Voluntary

Sherborne Library, Hound St.

Service Lunch Club

Lively book discussion group

____________________________

1st Thursday of month 9.30am Netwalking

1st & 3rd Tuesdays 6pm-8pm Dorset Mind - Sherborne Wellbeing Group

Raleigh Hall, Digby Rd.

01935 593539/07502 130241

____________________________

From Sherborne Barbers, Cheap St.

Tuesday 4th & 11th 1.30pm-4.30pm

owners & entrepreneurs. FB: Netwalk

Process (Braden Maxwell)

Twitter: @yt_coaching

Free. sherborne.org

Free walk & talk for small business

Art Exhibition:

Sherborne; Instagram: yourtimecoaching;

Oliver Holt Gallery, Sherborne School.

____________________________

____________________________

Costa Coffee, Cheap St. £3 incl.

1st Thursday of month

Tuesday 4th 7pm

free drink. dorsetmind.uk/services-courses/

2pm-3.30pm

Jason Lewis, Explorer

west-dorset-support-groups/

“My Time” Carers’

____________________________

Support Group

Quarr Hall, Gryphon School, Bristol Rd.

Tuesdays & Thursdays 10.30am

The Shielings, The Avenue, DT9 3AJ.

Explore Historic Sherborne

Advice, coffee & chat.

£6/£5 from jasonlewisexplorer.eventbrite. co.uk, Winstone’s & STIC

____________________________ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 9

WHAT'S ON Wednesday 5th 3pm & 7pm

____________________________

Strings Lunchtime Recital

Charlie Waite: The Making

Saturday 8th 8pm-11pm

of Landscape Photographs

Dance: Ballroom,

Cheap Street Church, Sherborne.

Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA.

Latin, Sequence

____________________________

£5 includes tea/coffee. Over-18s.

Don’t Dine Alone

____________________________

DT9 6EX. Free. Bookings: 01935 818577

Free. sherborne.org

____________________________

£7 theartssocietysherborne.org.uk

Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA

Friday 14th 5pm-6.30pm

Thursday 6th 11am-12pm

01460 240112 dancewessex.co.uk

Trinity Manor Care Home, Bradford Rd

of ‘Time to Talk Day’

Sunday 9th 2.15pm

____________________________

Sherborne Library, Hound St.

Understanding Sherborne

Saturday 15th 9am-11am

Free. 01935 812683

South of the Abbey

Community Big Butty Breakfast

____________________________ Thursday 6th & 13th

Butterfly House, Castle Gardens,

DT9 5NR. £5 sherbornewalks.co.uk

Alweston Village Hall. Children’s activity

____________________________

____________________________

Dorset Mind: The Importance

1.30pm-4.30pm Art Exhibition: Process

Tuesday 11th 7.30pm

(Braden Maxwell)

Rock & Roll Photography

Oliver Holt Gallery, Sherborne School.

with Gered Mankowitz

____________________________

Limited tickets. yetminster8@gmail.com

Free. sherborne.org

Bradford Abbas Village Hall. £5.

Thursday 6th 7.15pm

____________________________

The History of Rope, Hemp,

Wednesday 12th 7.30pm

Twine & Sail in the South West

Sherborne Schools’

Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA.

Choral Society Concert

sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

01935 812249 tickets@sherborne.org

Non-members £5

Sherborne Abbey £15/£12/£10.

____________________________

____________________________

table, preserves/cakes, Food Bank collection

Friday 7th 11.30am

Wednesday 12th 7.30pm

Snowdrop Service of

Sherborne ArtsLink Flicks:

Sunday 16th 8am

Remembrance & Thanksgiving

Downton Abbey (PG)

The Sherborne 5k Run Series

Cheap Street Church, DT9 3BJ.

Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA.

Terrace Playing Fields. Registration 8am,

____________________________

sherborneartslink.org.uk

Entry fee £10, children under 14 £1.

01963 210548 revdlesley@aol.com Friday 7th 1.45pm

Tickets £6 from TIC. 01935 815341 ____________________________

Pianist’s Lunchtime Recital

Thursday 13th 1.30pm

Cheap Street Church. Free. sherborne.org

Talk: Our Common Ground

____________________________

warm up 8.25am, run starts 8.30am.

All welcome. Proceeds to charity.

Sign up at communifit.co.uk

____________________________

Digby Memorial Hall Digby Rd.

Sunday 16th 9am-1pm

01935 812252 sherbornemuseum.co.uk

Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA.

Thursday 13th 2.30pm

____________________________

Non-members £5. Includes refreshments

Eco Fair & Supermarket

____________________________

07708 372251

Care & Maintenance

Sunday 16th 11am

Friday 7th 5.30pm-8.30pm

of Trees & Shrubs

Explore ‘Romantic’ Sherborne

Check Your Conkers

Digby Hall, Hound St, DT9 3AA.

Meet outside TIC. 3-mile dog-friendly

____________________________

sherbornewalks.co.uk

Vineyards, Digby Rd. Prostate Cancer

UK Charity Event: haircuts/beard trims, cocktails, raffle

10 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

£2 non-members

Friday 14th 1.45pm

circular walk £8. 07989 453966

____________________________

FEBRUARY 2020 Sunday 16th 2pm

World Wildlife Rescue

The Unforgettable Walter:

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd

Sherborne’s Adopted Son Castleton Church DT9 3SA. £8.

DT9 3NL. £3 non-members

____________________________

Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA.

£5 includes tea/coffee. 01460 240112 dancewessex.co.uk

____________________________

07989 453966 sherbornewalks.co.uk

Thursday 20th 10am-4pm

Sunday 23rd 2pm-4pm

____________________________

Sharandys Birds of Prey

Divine Union (Crystal &

Tuesday 18th 11.30am

Castle Gardens, New Rd DT9 5NR.

Tibetan Bowl) Soundbath

____________________________

4LA. £15/£13. 01935 389655

Royal Voluntary

Free. 01935 814633

Oborne Village Hall, DT9

Raleigh Hall, Digby Rd.

Thursday 20th 7.15pm

centreforpuresound.org

Service Lunch Club 01935 593539/07502 130241

From Foundry to Foreign Office:

____________________________

The Life of Arthur Henderson

Monday 24th -

Wednesday 19th 2.30pm

(1863-1935), Labour Party Leader

Saturday 29th 7.30pm

WI Talk: Paul Stickland,

Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA.

Table Manners

sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

DT9 4BL. £10. Students £8

Black Shed Flowers Catholic Church Hall, Westbury, DT9 3RA. £4 includes refreshments

____________________________

Non-members £5

Sherborne Studio Theatre, Marston Rd,

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

Friday 21st 2.30pm-5pm

Monday 24th 7.30pm

Wednesday 19th 7.30pm

Tea Dance: Ballroom, Latin,

Insight Lecture

DWT Talk: Secret

Sequence

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd, DT9

Wednesday 12th February

SHERBORNE SCHOOLS’ CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT 7.30pm - Sherborne Abbey Haydn – Te Deum in C Haydn – Missa Sancti Nicolai Mozart – Requiem Sherborne Schools’ Choral Society and Orchestra Lucy-Anne Allen leader James Henderson conductor Tickets £15, £12, £10 Sherborne School Reception Abbey Road 01935 810403 or tickets@sherborne.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 11

WHAT'S ON Please share your recommendations and contacts via FaceBook @sherborneparents ____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

Mondays 2pm-2.30pm/

Tuesdays 9.15am,

Wednesdays 7pm

2.30pm-3pm

9.55am & 10.35am

Pre-natal Fit

Helen Laxton School of Dance

Monkey Music

Tinneys Lane Youth Club. Ballet

Scout Hut, Blackberry Lane. Booking

Oxleys Sports Centre

helenlaxtonschoolofdancing.com

co.uk/area/frome-yeovil-and-weymouth

Fridays 9.30am-11am

____________________________

Bishops Caundle Toddler Group

Mondays 2.30pm

Tuesdays (term-time)

Baby & Me Yoga

10am-11.30am

All Saints School, Bishops Caundle

Leweston School. £6

Tuesday Toddlers

Fridays 7.15pm Shindo Wadokai

Mondays 4pm

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd. £1.50 per family.

Karate Club (age 5+)

____________________________

Sherborne Primary School.

1st Wednesday

Sherborne Dance Academy, North Rd. 07769 215881

helenlaxtonschoolofdancing.com Mondays 4pm

babywearingsouthwest.co.uk

Cheap Street Church Hall. Free.

Oxley Dance Studio. Ballet/Tap/

Wednesdays 9.30am

01963 251747

stardustdanceschool@gmail.com

Oxleys Sports Centre.

Saturdays 10.15am-11am

Mondays 5pm

for toddlers & pre-schoolers.

____________________________

____________________________ Helen Laxton School of Dance

essential. 01935 850541. monkeymusic.

Facebook.com/EBPTSquatsandTots

____________________________

____________________________

Ballet, street dance, hip hop.

Babywearing South West Sling Clinic

1st Saturday 10.30am-12pm

____________________________

Booking essential.

Sticky Church

____________________________

Playgroup & primary age children.

Stardust Dance School

____________________________

Modern dance. Reception-Yr 4.

Core & Restore

____________________________

Facebook.com/EBPTSquatsandTots

Grapplers United

____________________________

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Karate Classes

Wednesdays 9.45am

Westend Hall, Littlefields.

Squats & Tots

Unit B, Western Ways Yard, Bristol Rd

____________________________

Facebook.com/EBPTSquatsandTots

____________________________

DT9 4HR. £25/month. 1st session free

£5 (45min session)

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd.

07909 662018

Mondays & Wednesdays

____________________________

Saturday 1st 2pm-3pm

6.30pm-8.30pm

Wednesdays 10.30am–12pm

‘Yer a Quizard, Harry’

Tinney’s Youth Club

Truth Be Told Intergenerational

Tinney’s Lane, DT9 3DY. Ages 11-16.

Toddler Group

Sherborne Library, Hound St, DT9 3AA

____________________________

£2.50 per family. Includes child lunch.

Thursday 20th 10.30am-11.30am

gemmagillard@hotmail.com

Woodland Stories & Crafts

____________________________

Free. Harry Potter quiz & crafts

£1. FB: Tinney’s Youth Club

Abbey View Care Home, Bristol Rd.

Tuesdays (term-time) 9.30am

Booking essential. 07713 102676.

Tree-mendous

____________________________

Sherborne Library, Hound St.

Baby & Toddler Group Nether Compton Village Hall

____________________________

____________________________

Free. 01935 812683

____________________________

12 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 3NL. £5. insight.sherborneabbey.com

Wheelwright Studios, Thornford.

Art Vessels with Jennie Loader

Wednesday 26th 7.30pm

07742 888302 alicockrean.co.uk

£68/£61 Booking required.

____________________________ How the Earth

All abilities, including beginners.

Digby Hall, Hound St DT9 3AA.

____________________________

01935 815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk

Shaped Human History

Weekly

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd,

Creative Courses & Workshops

____________________________

01935 815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk

____________________________

____________________________

DT9 3NL. £2. sherborne.scafe@gmail.com

Various venues in Sherborne.

Yoga/pilates

Friday 28th 1.45pm

____________________________

Mondays 10.30am-12pm

Soloists Lunchtime Recital III

Tuesdays 10am-12pm & 2pm-4pm

Yoga with Gemma

Cheap Street Church, Sherborne.

ArtsLink Fizz! Art for Memory

Longburton Village Hall. 07812 593314

____________________________

Booking essential. 01935 815899

Free. sherborne.org

Wingfield Room, Digby Hall DT9 3AA

Friday 28th 2pm-3pm

sherborneartslink.org.uk

John Bradshaw: Guide Dogs Talk

Wednesdays 10am-11am &

Free. 01935 812683

Thursdays 6pm-7pm

____________________________

Guided Meditation & Relaxation

Friday 28th 7.30pm

Tinneys Lane Youth Centre. Breathing

Chetnole Village Hall. In aid of St

Peter’s Church. £10. 01935 873742

____________________________

____________________________

Sherborne Library, Hound St.

Matt Harvey, Poet & Humourist

gemski81@hotmail.com

exercises/mindfulness techniques.

07817 624081 hello@yogasherborne.co.uk

____________________________

boulterjs@yahoo.co.uk

Wednesdays 2pm-4pm &

____________________________

Thursdays 10am-12pm

Mondays & Wednesdays

Saturday 29th 2pm-3.30pm

The Slipped Stitch Workshops

Just Breathe Yoga & Qigong

Ancestry Workshop

The Julian, Cheap St. 01935 508249

Chetnole & Corton Denham.

____________________________

____________________________

Trinity Manor Care Home, Bradford Rd

DT9 6EX. Free. Bookings: 01308 425037 ____________________________

Planning ahead ____________________________ Tuesday 3rd March 11.30am Royal Voluntary Service Lunch Club Raleigh Hall, Digby Rd.

01935 593539/07502 130241

____________________________

Workshops & classes

theslippedstitch.co.uk

07983 100445 justbyoga@outlook.com

Thursdays term-time

Mondays-Sundays

9.30am-11.30am

Yoga with Emma

ArtsLink Fizz! Art for Parents

Venues - Sherborne, Milborne Port,

St Paul’s Church Hall/West End Hall (two sessions). Free art/craft sessions

for parents/carers of primary school-

age children. Booking required. 01935

Thornford. emmayogateacher@gmail.com emmareesyoga.com

____________________________ Mondays-Sundays

815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk

Hatha Yoga

Thursdays 2.30pm-4pm

beginners welcome. hello@yogasherborne.

____________________________ ArtsLink Fizz! Parkinson’s Dance Tinney’s Lane Youth & Community

Meditation & relaxation. Small classes, co.uk FB: @yogasherborne

____________________________

Centre. Free dance class/social time for

Tuesdays 10am-11am

01935 815899 sherborneartslink.org.uk

Stourton Caundle Village Hall. 07403

Art Classes & Workshops

Saturday 29th 10am-4pm

____________________________

with Ali Cockrean

ArtsLink Workshop:

____________________________ Weekly

people who live with Parkinson’s.

Vinyassa Flow Yoga

____________________________

245546 sarahlouisewilliams@yahoo.com Tuesdays 1.30pm-2.30pm

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 13

WHAT'S ON Chair Yoga

Country Market

Sherborne Town FC

West End Hall, Sherborne.

Church Hall, Digby Rd

First XI Toolstation Western League

01935 389357 annamfinch@yahoo.co.uk

Every 3rd Friday 9am-1pm

____________________________

Farmers’ Market

DT9 5NS. sherbornetownfc.com 3pm start

Tuesday evenings

Cheap St

Saturday 1st

____________________________

Bristol Telephones (A)

Iyengar Yoga

Every 4th Saturday 9am-4pm

Saturday 8th

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd

Vintage Market

Almondsbury (H)

With experienced teacher Anna Finch.

Saturday 15th

01935 389357

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd

Lebeq United (A)

____________________________

07809 387594

____________________________

Saturday 22nd

Wednesdays 8.30am-9.20am

Saturday 15th

Corsham Town (A)

Vinyassa Flow Yoga

Quarterly Book Fair

Saturday 29th

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd. 07403

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Rd

Oldland Abbotonians (A)

____________________________

Saturday 15th 9.30am-4pm

Wednesdays am,

Antiques Fair

Thursdays am & Fridays pm

Digby Hall, Hound St, DT9 3AA

No experience necessary.

& Friday mornings

245546 sarahlouisewilliams@yahoo.com

Yoga with Suzanne Sherborne venues. Especially suitable

____________________________

____________________________

Division 1. Terrace Playing Fields,

____________________________

____________________________

for aged 50+. 01935 873594

Sport

____________________________

____________________________

Wednesdays 2pm-3pm

Tuesdays & Thursdays

Classic Mat-based Pilates

7.30pm–8.30pm

Charlton Horethorne Village Hall. £7.50.

Mixed Touch Rugby

____________________________

DT9 6EE. £2 per session, 1st 4 sessions

First XV Southern Counties South.

____________________________

sherbornerfc.rfu.club. 2.15pm start

07828 625897 ali@positive-postures.co.uk

Sherborne School pitches, Ottery Lane

Sherborne RFC

Fridays 4pm-5pm

free. 07887 800803 sherbornetouch.org.uk

The Terrace Playing Fields, DT9 5NS.

Classic Hatha Yoga (beginners) Charlton Horethorne Village Hall. £7.50.

Sundays 9am (from Abbey gates)

07828 625897 ali@positive-postures.co.uk

& Wednesdays 6pm (from Riley’s)

Saturday 1st

____________________________

Digby Etape Cycling Club Rides

Royal Wootton Bassett (H)

Fridays 6pm-7pm

Average 12mph for 60 minutes.

Saturday 8th

sherbornecycling.club

Saturday 15th

Evening Yoga All abilities. Emphasis on relaxation.

07768 244462

____________________________

Fairs & markets

Drop-bar road bike recommended.

Salisbury (H)

____________________________

Windsor (H) Saturday 29th Trowbridge (A) ____________________________

____________________________

To include your event in our FREE

Thursdays & Saturdays

listings please email details – date/

Pannier Market

time/title/venue/description/price/

The Parade

contact (max 20 words) – by the

____________________________

5th of each preceding month to

Thursdays 9am-11.30am

listings@homegrown-media.co.uk

14 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

PREVIEW In association with

PIP UTTON: ‘AND BEFORE I FORGET I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU’ Pip Utton is one of the best-known and most respected solo

of seeing their mum gradually die from Alzheimer’s three

Adolf, Chaplin, Maggie, Churchill, Hunchback and Dickens

Pip takes the audience on a journey full of smiles, laughter,

performers in the world. His award-winning performances of have toured in more than 26 countries to great acclaim,

winning many awards for both writing and performance.

years after a diagnosis at 68, and on Pip’s intensive research, respect and tears. Tissues recommended!

Recently he received the Stage Special Award for Excellence,

evolver.org.uk

influence on world monodrama’ and a Lifetime Achievement

Sunday 9th February 4pm

‘contribution to World Theatre.’ This brand new, moving and

I Love You, I Love You’

Alzheimer’s disease, not only on the sufferer but on family,

£10/£6. 01300 348247 artsreach.co.uk

the Valery Kashnov International Award for his ‘lasting

____________________________________________

Award from the Turkish Ministry of Culture for his

Pip Utton: ‘And Before I Forget

affectionate performance is about the devastating effects of

Memorial Hall, Piddletrenthide, DT2 7QF

friends and carers. Based on his and his brother’s experiences

____________________________________________ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 15

Film

ON FILM Andy Hastie

3 Faces (2018)

C

inematheque’s season moves into the new year with two excellent films from two fascinating directors. On 12th February we show Robert Guédiguian’s French family drama, The House by the Sea. Known for his political activism and by many as ‘French cinema’s Ken Loach,’ Guédiguian’s films are always in the social realist genre. Most are set in or around Marseilles with an ensemble cast drawn from the same small pool of actors with whom he has worked for over 30 years.

The House by the Sea concerns a picturesque villa and a restaurant above a bay near Marseilles, owned by an old man nearing death. His three adult children gather by his side for his last days. It is time for them to weigh up what they have inherited of their father’s ideals, and the community feel he has created around this magical place. However, the arrival at a nearby cove of a group of refugees throws these moments of reflection into turmoil.

16 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Guédiguian’s films always raise moral dilemmas: the cast cleverly plays out the various options and the viewer is left mulling over the eventual outcome for days afterwards - the sign of an engaging, thoughtful film.

A beautifully observed ensemble piece... deeply satisfying. ( John Bleasdale, Cinevue) This layered, nuanced family drama... is a treat for fans of French arthouse cinema. (Geoffrey Macnab, The Independent) On 26th February we show Jafar Panahi’s latest film 3 Faces, which won the Best Screenplay Award at Cannes in 2018. This brilliant Iranian director is rightly recognised as a leading figure in world cinema. Often falling foul of the Iranian authorities, he was forbidden to leave Iran to collect his Cannes award for this film and has regularly been imprisoned or put under house arrest for making his films, but he bravely ignores the ban and carries on regardless. His films are known for their humanist

The House by the Sea (2017)

perspective on life in Iran, focusing on the hardships of children, the impoverished and especially women.

In 3 Faces an actress is distraught when she comes across a young girl’s video plea for help, after her family prevents her from taking up her studies at the Tehran drama conservatory. The actress abandons her shoot and persuades Panahi to help track the girl down. They travel by car to rural Northwest Iran where they meet the charming and generous folk of the girl’s mountain village, but also discover that old traditions die hard. This deceptively simple tale slowly reveals wider truths.

Jafar Panahi’s witty and reflective drama... elegantly shows masculinity and patriarchal roles are just as constructed as roles in a film. (Ed Potton, The Times) Jafar Panahi’s quietly engaging, quasi-realist parable is full of intelligence and humility, with a real respect for women and female actors. (Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian)

Cinematheque films are shown on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the Swan Theatre, Yeovil. You are welcome to come as a guest first if you are considering joining. All details are on our website. cinematheque.org.uk swan-theatre.co.uk ____________________________________________ Wednesday 12th February The House by the Sea (2017) 12A Wednesday 26th February 3 Faces (2018) 15 Cinemateque, Swan Theatre, 138 Park St, Yeovil BA20 1QT Members £1, guests £5

____________________________________________ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 17

Theatre

CONFESSIONS OF A THEATRE ADDICT Rosie Cunningham

I

was not a great fan of Hollywood ‘stars’ doing their West End stage ‘thing’ until I read recently that many actors who have trained at RADA are fed up with the Marvel movie parts being offered to them and want to go back to real ‘method acting’. I think that we, the public, are also rather tired of synthetic, ear-bashing, retina-challenging, inane blockbusters too.

2020 theatre is full of big names to draw in the wider public, such as James McAvoy and Jake Gyllenhaal.

I remember going to a Harold Pinter play last year and, because Danny Dyer was in it, the theatre crowd was very different - much younger and restless, some finding the play too long to sit through. Nine to Five, the musical, at the Savoy Theatre likewise has drawn in a new fan base with the appearance of Louise Redknapp, Amber Davies (Love Island) and now, Michael Hasselhoff. I took my daughter and we really enjoyed the production. Bonnie Langford, for me, completely stole the show. It’s booking until May. Have fun!

The Boy Friend, written by Sandy Wilson, is on at The Chocolate Menier Factory in Southwark until 7th March. This bit of musical fluff is funny, tuneful and hugely uplifting. When launched, it made a star of the unheard-of Julie Andrews. If you enjoy a musical and love the 1920s, then The Boy Friend, is for you.

The storyline is thin: rich girls at a finishing school on the French Riviera flirt with rich boys and end up getting engaged, with a few ups and downs and many 18 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Image: Manuel Harlan

songs and dances along the way. All ends happily.

There are many good performances and the quality of the singing and dancing is excellent - appreciate the fast-moving, athletic, Charleston and Tango intricate dances with choreography by Bill Deamer, one of Britain’s leading period choreographers. I absolutely loved the charismatic partnership of Maisie, played

by Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson, and Bobby van Husen, played by Jack Butterworth, fresh from Hamilton success. That man is going places and his star is definitely in the ascendance! Tiffany Graves also played a rather excellent naughty Hortense, the maid. The pairing of Adrian Edmondson and Issy van Randwyck as Lord and Lady Brockhurst was hilarious. What Ade does with an ice cream cone is award-winning and Issy’s fan-scene, with accompanying facial expressions, brought the house down.

There is much to see and do in the Southwark area.

Apart from theatre, there is Borough food market, a must to visit, and Tate Modern, which has free entry. There are exciting things happening at the Tate Modern. The Dora Maar exhibition, the surrealist photographer and Picasso’s muse and lover, is on until 15th March. The Royal Academy also has a Picasso and Paper exhibition on until 13th April which includes letters, illustrated poems and photographic collaborations with Dora Maar. Are these two venerable institutions both working in tandem now?

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Art

20 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

AN ARTIST’S VIEW Laurence Belbin

T

his article, like all my others, is being written a month before publication, therefore I can honestly say the day I painted this first picture (left) was one of the few sunny days we’d had.

The location is on the A30 at Ansty. As some of you may have noticed, my work is changing and has been in this evolving state for quite some time now. It is always difficult to identify where one’s direction is going, so it is very important to follow whatever comes to light. I think that if you don’t try things you never know what you are suppressing. I am always out drawing and my drawings, generally, are line with very little shading. I like the line and the simple shapes I find in the landscape. It is a conscious decision to try and keep the first lines I make, along with others made during the painting process.

It’s not easy to change but you can’t stop it. Standing in front of the subject and trying to simplify and avoid putting in too much detail is a challenge. I rough out positive construction lines to establish composition and then concentrate on the tones. I manipulate colours and shapes and am quite happy to rearrange them to achieve my goal. I feel I have captured the atmosphere of light and space without being too fussy. >

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 21

The second painting (above) was worked up from a drawing I’d made outside and painted in the studio. This way of working means you can approach it slowly as there is no changing light or any of the other difficulties you face working en plein air. Here is where manipulation and rearranging of the elements comes more easily.

I condense or elongate fields and make hills steeper if it helps give the impression of the undulating landscape I’m trying to portray. Our Dorset landscape and the neighbouring counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Devon provide a wealth of opportunity to exploit the lay of the land. We get good skies and cloud formations, wonderful light and an array of useful 22 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

colours in the fields. There is no shortage of inspiration.

So, I am working through new ideas and using different colour combinations, trying to interpret what I see from life and from my sketch pads, of which I have a vast quantity going back years!

This is not the first time a major change has taken hold of me. It happens every now and again. Usually the difference is slight and only really noticeable to me but, when one does get a strong urge, one must do something about it and just see where one ends up. I can’t stay still and I can’t go back. Exciting times ahead! laurencebelbin.com

ARTIST AT WORK No. 16: Claire Smith, Kimmeridge Bay Dorset Coordinates 50°36’34”N 2°7’39”W, £850, Oil on gesso, 20” x 17”

I

was born and raised in Sherborne and completed an Art Foundation course at Yeovil College. Following that, I gained a BA(Hons) in Ceramics at UWIC Cardiff before returning to the area and I now work as an artist, gilder and fine art restorer. My ceramic and gilding knowledge has helped me to create reflective and highly tactile surfaces which display how I see the landscape, enabling me to better connect with it.

My paintings are highly influenced by my love of the natural world. Landscapes in particular have always inspired me with the ever-changing seasons bringing dramatic transformations of light, colour and form.

I’m fascinated how the landscape alters from region to region, rural to urban, natural to man-made. Especially diverse and inspiring are the rugged rock formations found around the coastline in comparison to the

geometric shapes often found near rivers.

When viewing aerial landscapes, the view is abstracted and I find the dominating blocks of colour and texture intriguing. They create a patchwork of contrasting shapes which I recreate by layering gesso and oil onto interlocking blocks of MDF to represent segmented aerial landscapes.

I am creating some new work specifically based on the Dorset landscape and coastline for Dorset Art Weeks in May which I will exhibit at Elementum Gallery in South Street, Sherborne. I will also be exhibiting at the Mulberry Tree Gallery in Swanage this summer.

I currently have work on show at Elementum Gallery. cs.gildsmith@gmail.com clairesmith-aeriallandscape.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 23

Shopping Guide

Mindful Crochet by Emma Leith, £12.99 Alpaca, silk and cashmere wool £18, The Slipped Stitch

Instead of a card - Ten Poems, Winstone’s Bookshop £4.95

Origami bunting, Elementum Gallery £13.95 Corita Rose bag, Circus £65

NEW ROMANTICS Jenny Dickinson Sherborne has some LOVE-ly things for you and your certain special someone this month.

24 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Poetry books, Elementum Gallery from £7.99

Perfect match, Circus £6.50

Lovebirds, Partners in Design £65

Shakespeare on Love pop-up, Winstones Books £5

Pocket handkerchief, Circus II £25

Wooden board, £7.95 mini pitcher, £18.50 salt pot, £19.50, Susie Watson Design sherbornetimes.co.uk | 25

elizabethwatsonillustration.com 26 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

R

FO

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TH N

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CE PRIMA

RY

S

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Thornford Primary School

H A N F O R D A GIRLS BOARDING & DAY PREP SCHOOL

Reception places available for September 2020 For more information or to arrange a private visit please contact the Headteacher, Mrs Neela Brooking on 01935 872706 or email office@thornford.dorset.sch.uk Ofsted “Outstanding”, SIAMS “Outstanding” School Games Gold Award Boot Lane, Thornford, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6QY www.thornford.dorset.sch.uk

H A N F O R D A GIRLS BOARDING & DAY PREP SCHOOL

LEAP INTO OUR OPEN MORNING Saturday 29th February 2020 9.30am-1pm call Karen on 01258 860219 or email admissions@hanfordschool.co.uk

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Places are FREE - for information or to book call 01258 860219 or email admissions@hanfordschool.co.uk www.hanfordschool.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 27

UNEARTHED Annabelle Martin, aged 17 Sherborne Girls

N

ot every 17-year-old gets their own slot on local radio but that’s exactly what Annabelle Martin, sixth-former at Sherborne Girls, has managed to do.

Her interest in radio broadcasting stems back to when, aged 12, she plucked up the courage to apply to Ujima Radio – an African and Caribbean community radio station in Bristol – and began reading news and weather reports. The encouragement and training she received helped her make contacts at Abbey104, where she now presents a weekly Sunday show.

Her infectious love of radio inspired her to set up and run the Radio Club at Sherborne Girls. She has trained another six girls in presenting and interviewing skills so that, when she moves on to university, the club can continue and hopefully there will be someone to step into her shoes at Abbey104!

Ever the radio journalist, she managed to squeeze in some interviews on a recent school trip to work with the ASHA charity in India.

She was fortunate to be granted access to interview Sir Dominic Asquith, the British High Commissioner, as well as the founder of ASHA, Dr Kiran Martin. Despite her nerves, she recorded professional, in-depth interviews which offered listeners back home a first-hand insight into the problems and challenges facing young people growing up in Delhi.

For now, Annabelle is focussing fully on her forthcoming A Levels; she is studying English Literature, Religious Studies and Business Studies along with an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) on ‘Inequalities in the Workplace’ and has an offer to study Journalism at the Cardiff University. asha-india.org ujimaradio.com abbey104.com sherborne.com

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

28 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Where

Aspiration

Grows

01935 810911 or registrar@sherborneprep.org

www.sherborneprep.org

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 29

Adopt us Fall in love this Valentines Day and Adopt a red squirrel or seahorse www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop

DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST

Photos © from the top: Studland Bay by Tony Bates MBE & Spiny seahorse by Emma Rance, Brownsea island by Margaret Osborn & Red squirrel by Paul Williams.

Family

Children’s Book Review Molly T, Leweston Prep School, Year 5

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell-Boyce (Pan Macmillan) £6.99 Sherborne Times reader offer price of £5.99 at Winstone’s Books

C

osmic is a dazzling book written by the amazing author Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

Liam Digby is just a normal, ordinary 12-year-old boy. Well, almost normal. The only difference from other boys is that Liam is extremely tall. Some people even think that he is a young man (the facial hair also helps). He makes a friend called Florida and somehow

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ends up in space.

I like this book because it makes me believe that Liam Digby is just a normal boy leading a normal life but to whom something extraordinary happens. The action begins when Liam finds himself training to be an astronaut and there’s an awesome bit at the end.

If you like adventure stories then you will love Cosmic.

Enter the best-selling, award-winning universe of Frank Cottrell-Boyce

Family

GETTING PRACTICAL Freddie Salisbury, Head of Science, Sherborne Prep School

‘W

hat are we learning about today?’ the children often ask (and sometimes shout!) as they bounce into the lab for their Science lesson. Their enthusiasm for learning is evident; like Albert Einstein, they are ‘passionately curious’.

As a teacher, my planning is always a balancing act between making sure that the curriculum is covered, the concepts I am trying to get across are remembered and the lessons are interesting and fun. Science is one of the best subjects to teach as the learning can be based around a practical activity. This requires all styles of learning (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing Preference, and Kinaesthetic) and ensures that the different needs of each child are met.

Practical work also teaches life skills, teamwork being the obvious one. Each step of the method must be carefully followed, with the chemicals measured accurately and used in the correct order, and this requires independence, good organisation, discipline and control. Perseverance can also be required, especially when practicals do not go to plan and need to be repeated.

The Science department at The Prep has devised a programme that uses and develops these skills as pupils progress through the school. By the time they are in Year 8, they are competent scientists who can follow instructions with minimal input from the teacher and are able to plan their own investigations. Getting things wrong is part of the learning process and it is such a pleasure to see the joy on the pupils’ faces when their next experiment is a success.

The Association for Science Education (ASE) has been promoting practical science recently as it had noticed a gradual decline in the number of practicals undertaken by pupils. Virtual experiments have started to replace the real thing in many schools as they are more convenient, require little preparation, need no risk assessment and are cheaper. However, there is no substitute for hands-on learning in science. The current drive for STEM subjects is reinforcing this message and our future scientists, engineers and mathematicians need to have had relevant experience at school to form solid foundations upon which they can build at university.

The Science department regularly reviews how the curriculum is delivered and reflects on what makes a good science department. I received the ASE’s poster Good Practical Science in the post during the last week of term and, as I read through each of the 10 benchmarks it lists, indicating best practice for practical science, I was pleased to see that we already cover them all.

At Sherborne Prep all pupils have access to well-equipped and resourced, age-appropriate laboratories with teachers who are passionate about their subject and who plan purposeful and varied practical science lessons. Hopefully, some of these children will become the engineers and scientists of the future, with an independent approach to problem-solving and an ability to apply their knowledge and skills to new situations or challenges as they help to improve our world. sherborneprep.org

32 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 33

Family

Image: Josie Sturgess-Mills

34 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

SIX WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY THIS WINTER

‘T

with Marie Hutchings, Nurse Manager, Sherborne School

is the season to be germy. However, there’s no need to suffer when the temperature drops, thanks to these top tips for winter wellbeing from Sherborne School’s Nurse Manager, Marie Hutchings. Marie has overseen Sherborne School’s Health Centre for the last five years, leaving a senior nursing position in the NHS to throw herself into Sherborne life. If you want the inside track on staying healthy over the winter months, she’s the person to ask.

‘We always see an upturn in engagement with the Health Centre over the winter months,’ Marie reports.

‘It’s inevitable, especially in a school environment, that as germs fly around, pupils and staff pick up illnesses.’ That said, there are ways to keep illness at bay and improve your mental wellbeing at the same time. Here are six of Marie’s best tips for winter wellbeing.

1. Get plenty of sleep

‘Sleep hygiene is an important discipline, and we work hard to educate Sherborne’s pupils about this,’ says Marie. Her advice is to get a solid seven to eight hours every night, making sure you go to bed early and avoid electronics once you’re tucked up. ‘If you need help to unwind, read a book or do some relaxation exercises, but avoid using a phone or tablet device. The light from the screen will actually stop you feeling sleepy, meaning you’ll struggle to drop off.’

If wakefulness is a problem for you, Marie has another great piece of advice. ‘Write down your worries when you wake up. Putting things on paper helps your mind deal with them, meaning you can move on and get back to sleeping.’

and her team of four nurses is administering the ‘flu vaccine. ‘The strains included in the vaccine change every year, ensuring it offers the best possible protection from the illness,’ she reports. ‘Obviously there are no guarantees, but having the jab massively increases your chances of emerging from winter unscathed.’

4. Eat well

It’s obvious, isn’t it? If you eat a good diet, rich in vitamins and minerals, you’ll find it easier to survive the germy onslaught of winter. ‘Our canteen at school offers a really good diet for pupils, helping them eat healthily while also enjoying the occasional treat,’ says Marie.

‘With the addition of regular advice on eating well, we help our boys get the right balance for their fast-growing minds and bodies.’

If you struggle to get fruit and vegetables on board because of the pressures of modern living, Marie has a handy tip. ‘Make soups and smoothies to take into work.

They’ll give you a good boost of nutrients and are perfect for eating on the hop.’

5. Exercise regularly, and do it outside

We all know the benefits of a decent walk, and Marie says it’s more important than ever to get out in winter. ‘It can be hard to squeeze in some fresh air with the shorter days, but even a 15-minute walk through town will give you a boost and you’ll most likely run into friends along the way,’ she says. ‘Exercise is good for mental and physical wellbeing. That’s why we encourage all of our pupils to try a variety of sports and find the one they love.’

2. Be disciplined about screen time

6. Make time for yourself

On the subject of mobiles, Marie says another good tip is to be disciplined about screen time, even during the day. ‘Various educational studies show that mental wellbeing can be affected by too much use of a mobile device. If you try to limit yourself, you’ll gain all sorts of advantages, including enjoying more free time. ‘Plus, by not having your eyes fixed on a phone all the time, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of Sherborne in winter!’

Winter may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it puts huge pressure on time. That can make it difficult to carve out some precious moments for yourself. Marie believes it’s essential to stop and stare every so often, or do something you love. ‘Pupils at Sherborne are really busy, but we always encourage them take time out,’ she reports.

‘Recharging your batteries is crucial to staying healthy.

It helps your body fend off the barrage of bugs circling around in winter and makes you feel happier too.’

3. Have a ‘flu jab

One of the key activities at this time of year for Marie

sherborne.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 35

Image: elizabethwatsonillustration.com

Environment

DESTINATION: A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

I

Juliana Atyeo ‘Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish has been caught, and the last stream poisoned, will we realise we cannot eat money.’ (Cree Prophecy)

t is New Year’s Day 2020 as I write this, and I’m aware that by the time these words appear in print, February will be beginning. The very name of this column makes reference to the future and in so doing acknowledges that today’s choices and actions will play a part in times to come. Thinking about the significance of time and the fact that the New Year epitomises hope for a fresh start, it is apposite to note that a number of scientists and environmentalists have dubbed 2020 as ‘the super year’, the year which will be make or break for the planet. By the time you read this article, one twelfth of the available time for meaningful change will have passed.

It is now widely accepted in the scientific community that various environmental crises are accelerating faster than had been previously acknowledged and that the consequences of these threats will be more severe than anticipated. As I write, the Australian wildfires rage uncontrollably, 36 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

devastating the land and resulting in loss of life. Brazil, meanwhile, experienced a 77% increase in wildfires in 2019, compared with the same period in 2018; over half of these fires were in the Amazon region, resulting not only in biodiversity loss and extinction of species but also contributing further to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. In fact, on 20th August, smoke from the Amazon wildfires was said to have ‘turned day into night’ in Sao Paulo, some 2,500 miles away. Perhaps less prominent in the news were the unprecedented summer wildfires in the Arctic region which released 50 megatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As Greta Thunberg famously quipped, ‘our house is on fire.’ Supporting this perspective, the World Meteorological Organisation states that the period between 2015 and 2019 is the warmest five-year period on record and that, since 2015, almost every heatwave bears the hallmark of climate change.

Besides the increasing severity and occurrence of wildfires across the globe, the temperature rise has caused a critical decline in sea ice, particularly in Greenland and in the Antarctic region, and this in turn has led to sea-level rise which, together with tropical storms (also a consequence of climate change), has resulted in humanitarian and economic catastrophes in places including the Bahamas and Mozambique.

The terrifying reality is that it is not just climate change that poses an existential threat but also species extinction and biodiversity loss, air and water pollution, the water crisis, the impact of deforestation and, last but certainly not least, soil degradation.

Against this backdrop of devastation, several powerful world leaders openly deny the reality of climate change and other eco threats which are being expedited by human activity. Outrageously, leaders of two of the countries which have been horrifically affected by wildfires refuse to see any correlation between human activity and the climate crisis. Bolsonaro, the president of Brazil, who has actively encouraged the deforestation of the Amazon, has supported his foreign minister’s stance that climate change is a ‘Marxist plot’, whilst Australia’s leader, Scott Morrison, who dismissed the recent IPCC reports, failed to attend the UN Climate Action Summit in September. Meanwhile, Trump’s blatant climate denial is so extreme that it might almost seem comedic, were the threat that his policies pose to environmental security not so catastrophic. Perhaps, considering that in 2018, oil and gas lobbyists spent £100million lobbying US politicians, it is not surprising that the US government chooses not to scrutinise the biased ‘evidence’ they are presented with. One of the six necessary objectives to curb the environmental emergency cited recently in a letter signed by eleven thousand scientists from 153 countries, is to ‘leave fossil fuels in the ground’. Although there is progress being made in renewable, clean energy, the truth is that globally, we are not in a position to cease our reliance on fossil fuels overnight and expect to enjoy the same privileged lifestyle to which a section of humankind has become accustomed. Together with investment in renewables, we will have to adjust our expectations, understanding the difference between need and greed. Similarly, the proposition of halting forest destruction – another focus of the letter – is anathema to Bolsonaro who views Amazonian deforestation as an economic right of Brazil. Another area explored in the letter focused on the necessity of ending population growth – global population has grown from 1 billion in

1800 to 7.5 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow to 8.6 billion in 2030. Whilst the environmental consequences of such growth are obvious in terms of the resources required to feed, house and nurture all of these human beings, it is an area which is difficult to openly debate as it is seen as a suppression of liberty. The letter (mirroring other evidence-based, peer-reviewed pieces of research) also called for a shift in diet, minimising the consumption of meat and dairy, and relying more heavily on plantbased foods. Again, this ideal is met with scorn by those outraged that their traditions and individual freedoms are under threat, but perhaps more powerfully it is blocked by lobbyists from the meat and dairy industries who wield significant power in the USA and Brazil.

There are two key threats that will potentially stop change in environmental policy and action from happening in time. The first is rooted in power structures which are designed to allow a comparatively small section of the population to become ever richer through the exploitation of both people and planet. Arguably, our global economy, which defines success as growth, is no longer fit for purpose. In continuing to view success in this manner, we are borrowing from Planet Earth and from our children’s future; the interest of this debt will be far too great to ever pay off. The second threat is borne of an increased sense of personal liberty which has morphed into a form of self-entitlement where the rights and desires of the individual trump the wellbeing of others and of the planet. The blurring of lines between genuine human rights and freedoms which must be respected absolutely and the ‘right’ declared by some to make choices which pose a distinct threat to environment security can be observed in any conversation about proposed changes in societal behaviour to support the health of the planet.

With 2020 being cited as the make or break year, and with the power lying where it does, it is unsurprising that many people feel impotent, even resisting personal change because they believe it to be too small to be significant. However, I believe there has never been a more urgent imperative to act positively. Through informing ourselves of the environmental realities that stretch across the globe and considering how our local actions impact upon the planet and its inhabitants, we can choose to act consciously in the here and now in order to at least endeavour to safeguard the future for ourselves and for others. We can choose to be part of the solution or part of the problem. One thing is certain: in 2020, there is neither time nor space to sit on the fence. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 37

Wild Dorset

A GOOD SPOT FOR WILDLIFE

A

Sally Welbourn, Dorset Wildlife Trust

s 2020 unfolds, Dorset Wildlife Trust is asking the residents of Dorset to keep track of wildlife on their doorsteps. The Species of the Month species list for 2020 is shaping up to be a really interesting one, with mammals, plants, birds and insects to spot in your garden, or local green spaces (including nature reserves!). All you need to do is let us know when you see something.

For February, we’re asking for sightings of the lesser celandine flower – a true sign that spring is on its way. This flower is in the buttercup family and is one of the first spring woodland flowers to appear. It’s also a really important early source of nectar for emerging pollinators such as queen bumblebees, who will need an energy boost! After flowering in May, the plant enters a six-month dormancy. They can be found along streams, in hedgerows and in gardens.

Looking ahead to March, as spring starts to pop up everywhere, we’re looking for sightings of the blackcap. With one of the most melodic bird songs, the blackcap is very distinctive. Not surprisingly, the males have a black cap, and the females have a brown cap. They have a rich, flute-like song and can often be heard calling from dense scrub in early summer. They used to be considered a summer visitor but they are fast becoming known as a resident bird, spending winter in the UK more and more. Some ‘stop over’ in the UK, rather than migrating all the way to the Mediterranean; possible reasons for this include milder winters and supplementary garden feeding in the UK. Although a woodland bird, blackcaps are frequently seen in gardens and parks, or anywhere with good shrub cover.

By letting us know what’s been seen, and where, in Dorset, you are helping conservationists identify trends and create management plans for wild spaces in order to help wildlife thrive where you live. If you would like to take part in the Species of the Month project, you can sign up on our website to receive the e-newsletter and find out which species we're looking for each month.

FACTS: • Lesser celandine flowers close at night. It is believed this is done to reduce the rate of grazing by deer and slugs. They also close for protection when it rains, which is why they have been believed to predict the weather!

• Blackcaps are nicknamed the ‘mock nightingale’ due to their varied song.

dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/species-month 38 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Victor Tyakht/Shutterstock

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 39

SHERBORNE DWT

Gillian M Constable, Dorset Wildlife Trust Sherborne Group Committee Member

T

he February meeting of Sherborne DWT Group will be on Wednesday 19th when our speaker is Pauline Kidner, the Founder of Secret World Wildlife Rescue who has been doing wildlife rehabilitation for over 30 years. She will be talking about the variety of species cared for at Secret World, including a Yellow-nosed Albatross. She writes From the smallest mouse to the large Red Deer, every animal is given the best care with the aim of returning them to the wild.

Hear about the huge dedication of staff and volunteers at this centre who care for wildlife every day of the year. Secret World runs purely on donations and cares for over 5,000 wildlife casualties every year.

DWT meetings take place in the Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, at 7pm for 7.30pm. Drinks and nibbles are available, for a small fee, from 7pm, giving time for wildlife conversation. Non-members of DWT are most welcome.

With the start of better weather, you might possibly want to do something out in the fresh air. Have you considered joining a work party? DWT currently require volunteers at Kimmeridge Bay and the Chesil Centre.

Details of other volunteering possibilities are available by contacting the DWT Brooklands Centre. Dorset Butterfly Conservation also has regular work parties developing butterfly sites. At our November meeting we learnt about the efforts of Surfers Against Sewage 40 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Image: Richard Austin

Wild Dorset

to collect plastics waste from beaches. They run regular beach clearing work-days – details on their website.

In February 2015 we had a field meeting to the Slimbridge Wetland Centre. It was wonderful seeing all the wintering birds and the reserve’s resident populations of non-native species. Our visit included a talk about the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust’s spoon-billed sandpiper (spoonies) breeding project which is based at Slimbridge.

In late December there was a delightful picture in The Times of two spoonie chicks which had been hatched at Slimbridge. Way back in spring 1996 we were fortunate to join a birding trip to Hong Kong to observe the spring wader migration and spoonies were the red-letter species.

The observation hides, over-looking Deep Bay, Mai Po, were accessed through a guarded anti-immigrant fence followed by a wobbly walk on a floating path formed of planked oil drums. On the third visit to the hides, on Easter Sunday, with thousands of waders of all shapes and sizes sweeping in to feed on the mud before departing for NE Russia, the cry went up, ‘Two spoonies!’ Trying to direct the excited throng of birders to locate two tiny spoonies amongst the 1000s of waders was not simple but eventually everyone was crying, ‘Yes, found them.’ We were privileged to see two of the world’s rarest waders. sas.org.uk dorsetwildlifetrust.org.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

Wild Dorset

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Paula Carnell, Beekeeping Consultant, Writer and Speaker

Ratikova/Shutterstock

T

he winter months are a time for patience where beekeeping is concerned. Weeks of wet and cold weather mean that we’re lucky to catch a glimpse of our bees as reassurance that they are surviving. Despite the darkness inside the hive, the gradually longer daylight hours mean that preparations are beginning for a busy summer ahead.

42 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

When the sun does come out and the temperature climbs above 10 degrees, we can catch the bees on cleansing flights. Bees don’t soil inside their hive and so they make the most of any breaks in the weather to clear out any debris. Bees die throughout the year but during the winter they die inside the hive, dropping from the cluster as age and cold take their toll.

It can be disconcerting seeing a pile of dead bees outside your hive on a bright, sunny January day.

Observations from outside the hive can give you a good indication on what is going on inside. Dead bees and debris will mean that the bees are keeping their hive clean and healthy, and not allowing bacteria to build up.

When it’s too cold to take the ‘rubbish’ out, bees will propolise any possible contaminants, as was discovered

by Minnesota University when a whole mouse was found totally embalmed with the bees’ own antibacterial gum. Propolis is also used to block any gaps in the hive, preventing draughts or predators from entering whilst they are a smaller colony and in ‘torpor’.

After the winter solstice on 21st December, the queen begins preparations to start laying again. The worker bees prepare the wax cells for new eggs and, when the days are bright and warm enough, they fly out in search of nectar and the all-important pollen.

This is where we, as gardeners, can be of most help.

Bringing pollen into the hive stimulates the queen to lay eggs. Without sufficient pollen the brood will not be able to increase in size to produce a colony strong enough to collect all the nectar needed for honey stores through the coming winter. Bees also need the nectar for fuel, enabling them to fly and collect pollen. Most importantly, but often forgotten, bees need nectar to make wax. The wax comb is crucial to ensuring there is enough clean space for the brood and for nectar to be stored.

Alder, now found less often in the wild, is a great source of pollen for bees through the winter months.

Hazels, when left untrimmed, provide a copious number of flowers every other year. For the flower lovers, crocus, winter aconite, japonica and snowdrops all provide nectar and pollen along with my favourite, hellebores, or Christmas rose. If planting hedges, think about a flowering box, viburnums or even a common gorse (great for protection from badgers!) I have a large clump of rosemary and delight seeing bees on its winter blossom.

At The Newt in Somerset, where I take care of their bees, the Parabola walled garden has a large sweep of trailing rosemary. The buff-tailed bumble bee will often make an appearance amongst its lilac flowers, along with any honey bees braving the weather. On any sunny winter’s day this is the best spot for bee watching.

When I was in Canada in September for the international bee conference ‘Apimondia’, I visited some of the honey producers around Quebec. As you can imagine, they experience some pretty chilly winters

there. The smaller beekeepers have locally adapted bees that they leave out throughout the winter, wrapping the hives in insulating materials, even snow, to protect them.

The larger companies have a business to run and hence, with 6000 colonies, wrapping them in blankets is not going to be efficient. They have devised vast warehouses where the colonies are placed, piled high on top of each other. The units are sealed tight, preventing any flying on the sunny days. The temperature is set for a constant 5 degrees and only when the winter chills are deemed to be over the bees are moved back out into the orchards and meadows, usually in March. It was quite shocking to see thousands of brightly coloured hives all piled up together, however if we want our early fruits pollinated and honey for our toast, this practice is necessary.

By importing new queens from the Southern states of America, colonies can be built up rapidly and then rented out for pollination services. The southern queens are used to warmer climates and so are ready to start laying straightaway, rapidly increasing the brood size of these bees. Unfortunately, this practice has seen great losses in bees, not from the storing in large warehouses but from the pollination of crops of treated seeds. The corn crops now popular in Canada, along with the soy, apples, blueberries, and cranberries are so toxic they are killing the native pollinators, making the need for honeybees all the more vital. Thankfully there are still some wild blueberries growing which the smaller beekeepers take advantage of, maintaining the health and wellbeing of their smaller apiaries of bees. It certainly made me think again about foods that I hadn’t realised were both genetically modified as well as highly toxic for bees. Sadly, there isn’t a large enough demand for organic cranberries, or blueberries. I am sure this is due to most consumers being completely unaware of agricultural practices.

Whilst all the bees in Canada are still in torpor or locked in warehouses, our bees are starting to awake, the bumble queens gradually emerging from their winter hibernation. Sunny February days are the best for spotting solitary and bumble bee queens in your garden or along the hedgerows. It’s also the perfect time to find wild honey bees in woodlands. As you walk through the woods, keep an eye on the branches of trees for a cluster of black dots - bees on cleansing or first foraging flights.

Once the leaves appear, they can be harder to spot. Do let me know if you find any! paulacarnell.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 43

History

duncan1890/iStock

POSTING A LETTER IN 1635 Cindy Chant, Blue Badge Guide

T

his month, although I am in a hurry to write about coaching days, I must first discuss the mail coaches and tell you about the famous John Palmer.

A public postal service was first introduced in 1635. Letters were carried between ‘posts’ by mounted post-boys and delivered to the local postmaster. The postmaster would then sort out the letters for his area and hand the rest to another post-boy to carry onto the next ‘post’. This was, of course, a slow process and the post-boys were an easy target for robbery, however the system remained unchanged for almost 150 years.

John Palmer, the son of a wealthy brewer, was intended for the Church, but this was not to be and he entered into the management of his father’s theatre business. In his quest for performers, he travelled the country and felt that the service then offered by the post-boys was less than adequate. It was Palmer’s dream that a network of mail 44 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

coaches should be set up to cover the whole country, the main point of his argument being that the mail coaches would cost no more than the post-boy system. He would never have succeeded in this bold plan without the enthusiastic support of William Pitt, the newly elected Prime Minister, who sided with Palmer against the wrath of the officials of the Post Office. They never forgave this outsider for interfering in their territory.

Palmer thought his new method could benefit the postal system. The network was to be paid for by private finance and the Post Office would pay threepence a mile – the same as the post-boys. The mail coaches were to be exempted from the turnpike charges and allowed to carry fee-paying passengers.

On 2nd August 1784, the first of Palmer’s mail coaches started its journey from Bristol to London via Bath. The system was such a success that it spread with great rapidity. Punctual, efficient and amazingly well

Not everyone approved of such high-speed travel, and many people were convinced it was bad for their health, damaging to the human brain and could potentially cause sudden death! organised, it became a revolution and, within fifty years, mail coaches were covering twelve thousand miles in Britain every night!

Palmer knew what he was doing and he wanted success, recognition and position. Two years later in 1786 he was appointed Controller General, a position of considerable influence; in addition, he was paid a huge salary and a percentage of the Post Office Revenue.

By 1797 there were forty-two mail coaches established in Britain with more than 4000 miles of the countryside covered. The mail coaches had demonstrated that they were much more cost-efficient than the post-boys. The total service now cost the department a little over £12,000 a year as opposed to around £24,000 previously. Not everyone approved of such high-speed travel, and many people were convinced it was bad for their health, damaging to the human brain and could potentially cause sudden death!

At the age of 50, Palmer’s enemies in the Post Office engineered his dismissal but, again with the help of his friend William Pitt, he managed to retain his pension of £3,000 a year - a huge sum in those days. Palmer’s achievement did not go unrecorded and a mail coach halfpenny was struck in his honour, bearing the date of 1797. The inscription on the reverse reads, ‘To J Palmer, Esq. This is inscribed as a token of gratitude from benefits received from the establishment of mail coaches.’ Palmer had his portrait painted by Thomas Gainsborough and received the freedom of eighteen cities to whom he had helped bring prosperity. He represented Bath in Parliament from 1801–1807 and died in Brighton in 1818. He was laid to rest in the Abbey Church in Bath.

Next month, I will tell you more about the mail coaches, the mail guards, and the protection they carried – the blunderbuss. And I may even mention highwaymen who brought terror to travelling. sherbornewalks.co.uk

FREE HOME VISITS Specialist Neil Grenyer will be in the Sherborne area on THURSDAY 27th FEBRUARY to value your antiques

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lawrences.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 45

History OBJECT OF THE MONTH

THE PAGEBOY’S UNIFORM Elisabeth Bletsoe, Curator, Sherborne Museum

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his splendid costume is one of the glories of our textile collection and particularly significant to the town. It consists of a military-style jacket of maroon broadcloth, lined with white satin and quilted in the upper body. The blue-grey velvet cuffs are deep and finished with lace.

The whole is heavily trimmed with gold braid, decorative flapped pockets and domed shank buttons each bearing the crest of a wolf statant. It would have been worn with its ivory satin waistcoat, fine woollen knee breeches in cream, cream silk stockings and black patent leather slip-on shoes with scarlet heels. The ensemble was completed by a jabot with a flounced frill of lace with a rose motif, a pair of white kid gloves in the French style and a military lanyard of cord covered with satin ribbon finished with a magnificent bow.

Who was this unique outfit created for? On the inside neck of the jacket is an Ede & Ravenscroft label, with the words ‘Master McCreery’ handwritten in ink. The donor was recorded in 1991 as Lady Lettice McCreery of Stowell Hill Cottage, near Horsington.

The uniform was in fact made in 1953 for Charles Anthony Selby McCreery, the donor’s son, then aged 11, who acted as a page to Alan Francis Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke KG, GCB, OM, GCVD, DSO and Bar (1883-1963) on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation. Alanbrooke had been Senior Officer of the British Army. He was Chief of the Imperial General Staff during the Second World War and was promoted to Field Marshal in 1944, being the foremost military advisor to Winston Churchill and co-ordinating the British effort in the Allied Victory of 46 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

1945. He served as Lord High Constable of England during the Coronation, a role called out of abeyance only on such occasions.

Charles’s father, General Sir Richard Loudon McCreery GCB, KBE, DSO, MC (18981967) had been decorated for leading the last cavalry action of WWI. He married Lettice in 1928. During the Second World War he was Chief of Staff to General Sir Harold Alexander; later he commanded the British Eighth Army. His mother was Emilia (Minnie) McAdam, whose family had strong associations with Sherborne and, due to an acrimonious relationship between his parents, Richard spent much of his childhood with her at Greenhill House, playing the role of young Prince Alfred in the great Pageant of 1905.

He retired from the army in 1949 after a distinguished career to live in what had become the new family home in Stowell Cottage. He was remembered by the Royal family at the Coronation, as one of the eight Windsor grey horses that pulled the gold State Coach was named ‘McCreery’ in his honour; Sherborne commemorates him also in McCreery Road.

And what became of his son, the young pageboy who wore this extravagant uniform? He went on to study at Eton, progressing to New College, Oxford where he read Philosophy and Psychology. From 1996-2000 he was a lecturer in experimental psychology at Magdalene College, Oxford and in 1993 received a doctorate in recognition of his work.

The museum is currently on winter opening (see website for details). Admission free, donations welcome. sherbornemuseum.co.uk

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Antiques

WINNING LOT Richard Bromell, ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers

I

have never been one for entering competitions.

Mrs B. ‘does’ the National Lottery but I assume we have never won anything as she would probably have told me by now. My eldest sister once won a holiday (to Spain or Portugal, I really cannot remember). I think she had a wonderful time; it was certainly very hot out there. Unfortunately, when she returned home, she had terrible sunburn!

I am always up for buying a raffle ticket or two, or a strip - not necessarily to win anything but to support the cause or charity. If I win a bag of bath salts or a bottle of wine, then it is always a result. One of the most memorable items I won in a raffle was a cake. My late father, who served with the Coldstream Guards, would receive tickets to see the Trooping of the Colour via the Coldstream Guards Association, which he was proud to be a member of. We would go to London in a coach and, on one occasion, I won a cake in the raffle on the way home. I cannot remember what the cake was exactly, although I suspect it was a Victoria sponge, nor do I remember what happened to the cake, but it was a big deal to a 6-year-old.

Moving forward to the end of 2019, a Devon client contacted us about a bottle of whisky she had won in a competition. Being honest, I was a little jealous; it easily tops the cake I won back in the 1970s. The whisky she 48 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

won was a bottle of Whyte & Mackay. This well-known, Glasgow-based company has been producing blended whisky, and other alcoholic beverages, since 1844. Today the market for whisky (from Scotland) and whiskey (from Ireland) remains strong, with collectors looking for special bottles. One very, very special bottle of Macallan 1926 whisky sold recently for £1.45million, or about £50,000 a dram!

Sadly, the bottle our client won is not one of these, however, it is still pretty special. It’s a rare 50-year-old bottle of Whyte & Mackay and was created to celebrate the company’s 175th anniversary. They produced just 1,500 of these bottles which they gave away as an online prize. To win, you purchased a promotional 70cl or 1ltr bottle of Whyte & Mackay blended Scotch and entered the bottle’s unique code into the brand’s website, which is exactly what our client did. Whilst she enjoys the occasional tot of whisky, she was pleased to hear the bottle of whisky she won could sell for £1,000 and entered it into our whisky, wine and port auction coming up in February.

However, if like me, you fancy winning one of these bottles worth thousands of pounds, then we are all too late as the entry deadline was 31st December 2019! charterhouse-auction.com

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Choose from a variety of colours, styles, glass and furniture options for a truly personalised entrance to your home.

As a Solidor approved installer, all of our Solidor composite doors are manufactured at our factory in Sherborne.

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

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CHARTERHOUSE Auctioneers & Valuers We are now accepting entries for our forthcoming auctions: Classic & Vintage Motorcycles 2nd February Silver, Jewellery & Watches 6th February Georg Jensen suite £300-500

Whisky, Wine, Antiques & Interiors 7th February

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

Classic & Vintage Cars 9th February

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Interior fabrics with fantastic savings! www.thefabricbarn.co.uk • Call: 01935 851025 50 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

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Decorating choices can seem overwhelming Let me help you choose your paints and wallpapers eleanor.gloriouspaint@gmail.com 07582 218 858 52 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Showrooms: 4 Cheap Street Sherborne DT9 3PX Tel: 01935 508 100

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Interiors

Taika series, 0.3L bowl

IITTALA

ART ON A PLATE

F

Suzy Newton, Partners in Design

inland’s Iittala Company was founded in 1881 by a Swede named Petrus Magnus Abrahamsson who brought the original Iittala workforce over from Sweden as Finland had a lack of skilled glassblowers at that time. Abrahamsson was a notoriously quarrelsome man who eventually lost control of the company, however it was his vision that brought the Iittala Company into being.

What began as a glassworks company in 1881 quickly became a Finnish household name, as Iittala put the values of timeless design and flawless functionality into each of its products. Today, most Finns own some Iittala items; dinnerware products are just some of the many valued objects that are often passed down from generation to generation. Iittala believe objects should be distinctive, combinable and multi-functional, with lasting design that inspires individual use and expression.

Meaning ‘Magic’ in Finnish, ‘Taika’ are Iittala plates that have been turned into stunning works of art.

Finnish artist Klaus Haapaniemi designed the Taika pattern in 2007 and it’s quickly become a favourite among fans of Scandinavian design. The imagery of fanciful foxes and owls inhabiting a whimsical forest is a daring deviation from the simplicity of traditional Nordic design but it pays homage to Finland’s wonderful wildlife and is scaled back by simple shapes of the Iittala plates.

Though the stunning collection has the look and feel 54 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

of fine china, it has the qualities of daily dinnerware; each porcelain piece is freezer-, microwave-, oven- and dishwasher-safe. It comes in variations of white, black and blue as well as red during the winter holiday season.

A special anniversary edition was recently released to celebrate a decade of the design. The plates also make fantastic art when hung on the wall.

The colourful style of the Taika series probably surprises those for whom Iittala is the epitome of traditional Nordic functionality and simple designs. The Taika tableware series evokes memories that seemed to have been forgotten long ago, influenced by nature and folklore with a modern twist.

‘At the start of the design process, I wanted to create a rich collection of products with a strong Nordic aesthetic. I also wanted to include playfulness and mysticism,’ Klaus Haapaniemi reflects. ‘To me, the shape dictates how the pattern is used. I was inspired by Art Nouveau-style compositions where the pattern is in a controlled collision with the shape of the dish.’

Taika offers a completely new facet to the previous Iittala range but still takes into account the principle for which Iittala is renowned, making it easy to mix and match pieces from the various ranges. When intermingled with glass plates and plain matt finishes, the Taika plates create a unique and personal collection. partners-in-design.co.uk

Taika series, 41cm serving plate sherbornetimes.co.uk | 55

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HALF TERM EVENTS

Have a go at Seed Sowing

Monday 17 - Friday 21 February Gardeners of all ages can sow seeds at our potting benches to grow at home.

Sharandys Birds of Prey Day

Thursday 20 February 10am – 4pm Get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.

FREE TALKS & EVENTS

Orchid Day

Saturday 15 February, 11am and 2.30pm Care talks and clinic with Ian Parsons, Vice President of the British Orchid Council.

Furniture Week

Saturday 22 February - Sunday 1 March 15% off garden furniture.

Spring Talks

Open Monday-Saturday 9.00am-6.00pm, Sunday 10.00am-4.30pm (tills open at 10.30am).

Start at 2.30pm, each Thursday 6 February - Climbing Plants 13 February - Get set for Spring 20 February - Strawberries and other soft fruit 27 February - Exploring peat alternatives

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Gardening

60 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT THYME

G

Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group

ardening is a whole lot easier if we don’t battle against nature; by this I mean choosing plants that will naturally flourish in the conditions that you have in your garden. Gardening in harmony with nature will allow plants to grow more happily, be more resistant to pest and disease, and be in much better shape to withstand any extreme weather conditions that may arise.

One element to consider is soil type, so it is important to establish the pH of your soil and whether it is acidic or alkaline before you get started. The pH of the soil will determine which plants will grow easily and which will struggle.

There are some excellent testing kits to determine the soil’s pH but, in fact, a quick discussion with some of your gardening neighbours or a tour of the neighbourhood to see what is growing locally will give you the clues you need.

Most of the soils in the Sherborne area are alkaline, although that’s not to say that there aren’t other types. There are some soils in Longburton that are acidic and some of the gardens attached to the oldest properties in the town are neutral or slightly acidic but, for the most part, we are an alkaline area. That means that plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias and Pieris will struggle if left to their own devices in our soils. It is possible, however, to grow them with ericaceous compost, the right fertiliser and the addition of sulphur. What’s more, they can be successful if taken out of the soil and grown in pots and watered with rainwater.

What makes up the soil is also a big consideration. Most of our local soils are clay-based, meaning they are slow to warm up in the spring but will take longer to cool down in the autumn. Clay-based soil tends to get waterlogged over winter and then hard baked during a dry summer but it will hold onto nutrients. With the addition of humus in the form of compost and mulches they can become very useful soils. Another soil type is sandy, which is quick to warm in the spring but will also cool down sooner in the autumn. Sandy soil is free-draining, which might be an advantage in the winter, however it will dry out quickly in the summer, causing problems.

The aspect of the garden too will be a factor. South-facing gardens tend to be warmer and will have higher light levels than north-facing gardens. More local factors, such as overhanging trees, also need to be considered. Silverleaved plants such as Lavender, Rosemary and Santolina love hot, dry, sunny conditions and if you have a south-facing garden, free of overhanging trees and with a sandy soil, these would be a good choice. However, in a north-facing garden with a wet, heavy clay soil the same plants will struggle. Plants that will enjoy clay soils include Hydrangea, Fuchsia, Hardy geraniums, Mahonia and Cotoneaster and many more, so there are plenty to choose from.

Get the right plant in the right place and life in the garden will be a whole lot easier.

Marina Andrejchenko/Shutterstock

thegardensgroup.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 61

Gardening

DIARY OF A FLOWER FARMER

S

Paul Stickland, Black Shed Flowers

pring is coming. I wish it would hurry up - though not too much. There are many tasks to do and the weather is not helping. Even with the benefit of our reciprocal Christmas gifts of ridiculously expensive but deliciously warm thermal wellies, insulated waterproof trousers and the usual multiple layers of jumpers, body warmers and storm-proof jackets, the simplest of tasks have been challenging. Soil conditions are poor; it’s too wet to hoe or plant and any weeds extracted are accompanied by muddy clods of precious topsoil that we would rather keep in our beds than hurl onto our ever-growing compost heap. Our little tractor and trailer have been such a help carting this mountain of spent stems and weeds, as we clear the beds for the season to come. There’s been a fair bit of removing that most pernicious and cunning weed, couch grass.

Luckily it’s quite easy to identify, both above and below ground, made even more so given the fact that our dog Murphy loves to eat it and often finds hidden clumps that we’ve failed to spot.

We use woven landscape fabric for our paths and couch grass loves this; it provides a shortcut to its next habitat. Lifting the fabric reveals its network of sharp-tipped brown and white roots, thankfully quite close to the surface, enabling it to be gently teased out while trying hard not to leave any sections, eager to colonise afresh. This fabric also speeds the spread of our perennial nettle, Urtica dioica, whose pink and yellow rhizomes and stolons progress unseen at great speed, out of sight and mind.

Until we started the flower farm, despite years of gardening and a great deal of weeding, I had only come across the familiar and ubiquitous perennial stinging nettle. You may be familiar with the term, ‘grasp the nettle’, referring to the fact that if you grab this nettle with conviction, speed and strength, you rarely get badly stung. Oddly, I don’t dislike the sensation; it was, in fact, used by the ancient Egyptians to treat arthritis. However, I was in for a shock when we discovered a different nettle, the small or annual nettle, Urtica urens, growing at Blackmarsh Farm. It looks very similar at first sight but grasping this nettle is not to be recommended at all! It’s vicious, with an almost electric pain which lingers for at least a day, quite different from its more common cousin.

Needless to say, we’ve become adept at spotting the quite subtle difference between the two types.

It’s actually a rather handsome plant, with richer green leaves and, in keeping with its enhanced powers, sports very much more noticeable and larger stinging hairs on its leaves and stems.

Luckily it doesn’t spread like its cousin and is quite easy to dig out, so is less of a nuisance.

Our winter tasks are not all outside, we’ve started sowing this year’s annuals and new perennials. We’re keen to get them started but don’t want to start too early, as we don’t want them sitting in their pots too long, using up precious space in the tunnel. Hence, we tend to sow the perennial species such as Aquilegia, Astrantia and Thalictrum first; these germinate best if exposed to some degree of cold, even frost. Then we’ll start on the hardy annuals such as Antirrhinums that we didn’t sow in the autumn before the less hardy half-hardy annuals, the Zinnias and Cosmos. It’s the thought of all these summer treats that keeps us going through all this winter weather. Not long now! blackshedflowers.blogspot.co.uk paulstickland_

62 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 63

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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 65

THE CLOCKSPIRE

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Words Jo Denbury Photography Katharine Davies

here is something special about a restaurant in the moments before service begins. Like a preshow stage set, I watch as props are arranged, the mood manipulated and final, considered touches applied. Backstage, beyond the glint of silverware, voices can be heard, and incredible aromas begin to fill the room. The excitement mounts. Very soon an expectant audience will be seated, the curtain will rise and this immaculate space will burst into life.

Katharine and I are lucky enough to be visiting the recently opened Clockspire Restaurant in Milborne Port.

Today this impeccably restored and entirely rejuvenated building is aglow in winter sunlight, its hamstone walls and lush interior beaming with pride. >

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Top of the bill here are chef, Luke Sutton, general manager, Massimiliano Mannella and restaurant manager, Thomas Gammella. Berkshire-born Luke began his career at the Michelin starred L’Ortolan before moving on to (the also Michelin starred) Woodspeen, under chef John Campbell, who incidentally, along with Alessandro Fasoli, is now one of The Clockspire’s managing directors. The Woodspeen carved its name as a restaurant-cum-cookery school, utilising its own kitchen garden, and Luke is keen adopt a similar minimum-miles approach to his own seasonal dishes.

Luke’s love for all things culinary began with family trips to France. ‘My family always had great holidays, particularly in the Loire region. We were encouraged to try new foods and I remember being inspired by our visits to the food markets there.’

‘Massi’ hails from the countryside of Liguria, and after five years studying the restaurant business on Italian home soil he made his way to London, where he became the general manager of Ramsay’s London House restaurant.

Restaurant manager, Thomas, began work in restaurants in Milan at the age of 16, while still at school.

After graduating from the E. Maggia Hotel Institute in Piedmont he went on to work full-time in a number of

restaurants in Milan, before realising that ‘Italy was too small for me’ and he felt the need to spread his wings.

Thomas moved to the UK and began work at, The Woodspeen as a commis waiter before working his way up to restaurant manager. It was here he met Luke and in 2018 and 2019 was awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence from the Royal Academy of the Culinary Arts.

With Luke now heading up a kitchen of his own he is liberated to experiment with new flavours and methods. ‘People come to try new combinations and explore the food that we serve,’ he says. One such item is Luke’s parmesan custard and cep puree, finished with elderberries – that he hand-picked last autumn – and a 14-year-old balsamic. While dreaming up the menu for The Clockspire’s 70-cover dining room, Luke made a committed effort to visit as many local suppliers as possible. Wasabi is sourced from the watercress beds in Broadmayne and meat from the acclaimed Brace of Butchers in Poundbury to name just two. Within weeks of opening last autumn Luke was thrown headlong into the Christmas season and then fatherhood with the birth of his first child - a daughter, Aurora. It’s been a heady few months and is only now that Luke can take stock of all that has been achieved. > sherbornetimes.co.uk | 69

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Currently the menu includes a number of signature local and far flung pairings such as wood pigeon (sourced via a nearby shoot), served with black pudding, kohlrabi and apple (£12). The hand-dived scallops, pork cheek, smoked pineapple and lime (£16) is another dish embracing fresh, simple ingredients with a playful twist.

As Luke says ‘people like simple food but not every day.

We want to offer challenging, unusual ingredients.’

Luke admits he is ‘not really a meat eater’ which might go some way to explain his sublime harvest tart with purple sprouting, truffle, mascarpone and hazelnut (£19) and the inspirational dessert of beetroot parfait. ‘It works very well in the winter when there are a shortage of berries,’ adds Luke. These confident flavour combinations are succinctly articulated in menu descriptions comprising of often just four ingredients.

‘It encourages the diner to discuss the menu with the waiting staff and creates an interaction between customer and kitchen which is important,’ explains Luke.

Massi’s experience gleaned from managing London House shines through in his attention to detail and welcoming gusto. The Ramsay influence of a congenial restaurant run like a well-oiled machine is very much in evidence. The glass is crystal, the service attentive but never over-bearing, and then there is the bar...

Upon climbing the stairs to the gloriously well-stocked mezzanine bar, guests are treated to an awe-inspiring view of the vaulted ceiling that stretches across the main hall below. The bar itself is intimate — sun-drenched by day and cosily lit by night, it offers a wonderfully vibey space in which to explore the cocktail list.

Thomas, Massi and Luke are thrilled to be part of the team behind the revival of the building. Otherwise known as The Medlycott Centre, it was built in 1864 and originally home to the local school. Over the years

it then played host to a number of businesses before falling into disrepair. In 2015 Mike Fisher of Studio Indigo and his partner Lord Charles Allen acquired the nearby Ven House, and not long after noticed that The Medlycott was up for sale. ‘We got access,’ explains Mike, ‘and discovered that it was a magnificent building but had been butchered and divided up into office units.

We liked the idea of giving something back to the local community and as our two passions are buildings and food we decided to buy it and turn it into a restaurant.’

‘Our aim was to restore the building as faithfully as possible,’ he continues. ‘When we gave the planning presentation in the village, 200 people turned up. Everyone had a story about the school and were particularly passionate about the clocktower and the bells. So we made a point of reinstating the bells and renovating the clocktower.

We knew the vaulted ceiling was the vital component to the look of the building so we chose low-level seating because we wanted people to enjoy the volume [of the hall].’

Mike and his team have certainly returned the space to its former glory while introducing a calm, elegant aesthetic that is justly loyal to the original architecture.

The addition of the bar above the kitchen is an exciting space, tempting guests to within reach of those stunning timber vaults.

It was through Mike and his partner’s friend Alastair Storey (recently voted most powerful influencer in the hospitality industry), that they came to connect with John Campbell and eventually Massi, Thomas and Luke.

Now, having created the space, hand-picked the team and opened their doors, all that remains is for you to cross the threshold and experience Milborne Port’s very own gourmet destination. Encore! theclockspire.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 73

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74 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

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Let someone else do the shopping, preparing, cooking and all the washing up The George Albert Hotel is delighted to offer a Sunday Lunch Carvery. Always featuring two freshly cooked joints of meat with all of the trimmings and homemade Yorkshire puddings. A choice of freshly prepared starters both hot and cold and of course a selection of sumptuous desserts to tempt and delight you.

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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 75

Food and Drink

THE CAKE WHISPERER Val Stones

SPICED CINNAMON CAKE Image: Katharine Davies

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he days are starting to lengthen but the weather is still wintery so using warming spices in a cake makes for a comforting treat. This recipe came about when I was on the Christmas Bakeoff which required me to produce ‘the taste of Christmas’. I wanted to flavour some mousses with mincemeat and the mincemeat needed to be produced in 30 minutes and then ‘blitzed’ to be folded into the mousse mixture. I also made miniature mince pies and they needed to be filled with fine mincemeat. I developed a cooked mincemeat that is included in my recipe book as part of a frangipani tart and which, when blitzed, is very versatile. It can be folded into mousses, custard for trifles or made into a delightful Christmas ice-cream.

Last November I made rather too much of this mincemeat and, although it will keep until next Christmas, I began thinking about other uses for it which is how this cake came into being. I made a simple Victoria sponge, added a little cinnamon and vanilla 76 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

then folded in the blitzed mincemeat. I made a creamy filling flavoured in the same way and presented it to the family and friends. It was an immediate hit. My husband said it was the best cake developed so far.

What you will need

Two 9-inch loose-bottomed baking tins Ingredients for the cake Makes 12-16 slices (all the ingredients should be at room temperature)

340g eggs (out of shells) 340g caster sugar 300g soft margarine + 40g unsalted butter 340g self-raising flour plus a little for dusting the baking pans 10g baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 level teaspoon cinnamon 2 rounded tablespoons of finely blitzed mincemeat*

Cream filling

300ml double cream 1 rounded tablespoon of dried milk powder 1 rounded tablespoon icing sugar and a little extra for dusting 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 heaped tablespoons of blitzed mincemeat* To make the cake

1 Set the oven to 160C, 180C, gas mark 4.

2 Grease and line the baking tins using butter or vegetable oil. I use silicon circles in the bottom of my tins and only grease the sides.

3 Place the eggs, sugar, margarine, butter, flour and baking powder into a bowl. Beat them for one minute with a hand-mixer or in a stand mixer then allow to rest for one minute, then beat for two more minutes.

4 Continue to beat the mixture for another 2 minutes until light and fluffy, then fold in the cinnamon, vanilla and mincemeat. Share the mixture between the baking tins.

5 Bake in the oven for 35 minutes before checking whether they are too noisy. Listening to a cake is an important thing to do. If the cake is too noisy (a crackling noise) it means that the cake isn’t baked as there is still molten liquid cake mix. So the cake needs more time in the oven, another two minutes should do. Your cake is baked when you can only hear the odd crackle.

6 Place the tins on a cooling rack for two minutes and then transfer the cakes onto the racks to cool completely.

To make the filling and assemble the cake 7 Place the chilled cream in a stand mixer bowl or you can use an electric hand-mixer. Add the dried milk and the icing sugar and beat gently for one minute then leave for one minute to allow the solids to dissolve in the cream. Beat the cream until it reaches not quite stiff peaks and fold in the vanilla and the mincemeat.

8 Place one of the cakes on a cake plate or a board, having first placed a little cream on the base to hold the cake firmly.

9 Using a spatula, spread the cream onto the cake.

If you wish, you can place the cream in a piping bag and snip 4cm from the top so that you can pipe the cream onto the cake, starting at the outer edge and spiralling the cream into the middle.

10 Place the second cake on top of the first and press down lightly.

11 Dust the top of the cake lightly with icing sugar.

This cake will store in the fridge for up to 3 days in a cake box (so that the fridge items don’t taint the cream).

If you are freezing the cake you can open-freeze it and then place it in a box where it will keep for up to a month, however it is best eaten fresh. *use the mincemeat recipe from my Frangipani Tart (Sherborne Times, January 2018 and also available on my website). bakerval.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 77

Food and Drink

Image: Josie Sturgess-Mills

SIMNEL CAKE

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Terry Hawrylak, The Hub Café, Sherborne School

erry Hawrylak has worked at Sherborne School’s Hub Café since 2013 and prides himself on serving fine bakes to the School as well as wider community. Terry relishes its location, because it gives him the chance to foster meaningful relationships with Sherborne’s staff and pupils.

“We are very much a part of the School,” he says, “The boys come in to buy hot drinks or our renowned Curly Wurly panini throughout the day, and it’s a great way to find out what’s going on in their lives.

78 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

As you’d expect of a City and Guilds-qualified baker, Terry is at his happiest in the kitchen. He makes all of the cakes and tray bakes on offer in the café, always using the freshest ingredients. Special items like his mince pies are a hit in the weeks before Christmas, but the thing for which Terry is really revered is his skill as a baker of bespoke celebration cakes. “I enjoy craft stuff, so love making cakes for special occasions,” he says.

“Customers tell me what they’d like and I bake it and decorate it to order.”

Terry’s cake-baking skills are demonstrated in the weeks before Easter, when he turns his hand to making Simnel cake. Although often eaten on Easter Day, it is traditionally a treat for Mothering Sunday, which falls on 22 March this year. In the 17th century, when people came home to visit their families on the fourth Sunday of Lent, they would bring a Simnel cake to break their pre-Easter fast.

A Simnel cake consists of two layers of fruitcake separated by a layer of marzipan. It has another disc of marzipan on the top, with 11 balls to represent each of the Apostles apart from Judas. It is one of Terry’s favourites, and has proved very popular when offered to customers at the Hub Café.

As it happens, Terry’s connection with Sherborne goes back far longer than the nearly seven years he’s been in post. He was born at the Yeatman Hospital and most of his family and friends live here. Terry’s mother was a member of the domestic team in School House, continuing the tradition, his son is now serving an electrician’s apprenticeship at the School.

Ingredients

250g (9oz) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra to grease grated zest of 2 unwaxed lemons 250g (9oz) golden caster sugar 4 large eggs, beaten 250g (9oz) plain flour ½ tsp ground mixed spice 75g (3oz) ground almonds 50g (2oz) candied citrus peel, finely chopped 150g (5oz) organic currants 300g (11oz) organic sultanas 75g (3oz) natural glacé cherries, halved 100g (3½oz) icing sugar, plus extra to dust 600g (1lb 5oz) almond paste or ready-made white marzipan 2tbsp thin honey, warmed 1 egg, beaten, to glaze Method

1 Heat the oven to 170C/150C Fan/Gas Mark 3.

2 Grease a 20cm (8 inch) round, 7.5cm (3 inch) deep cake tin and line with greaseproof paper.

3 Using a stand mixer or hand-mixer, beat the butter and lemon zest until very soft. Gradually add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in the eggs until evenly incorporated.

4 Sift in the flour and mixed spice then add the almonds, candied peel, currants, sultanas and

5

6

7

8

cherries. Fold together, using a large metal spoon, until evenly combined. Set aside.

Roll out 200g (7oz) of the almond paste/marzipan on a surface dusted with icing sugar, to make an 18cm (7 inch) round.

Spoon just over half of the mixture into the greased and lined tin. Smooth the surface and put the almond paste round on top of the mixture. Cover the almond paste with the remainder of the mixture.

Smooth the surface, make a slight hollow in the centre then brush the whole surface lightly with cold water.

Wrap a double layer of brown paper around the outside of the tin (to prevent the cake burning) and secure with string. Bake for 1¼ hours. Cover with greaseproof paper and lower the oven setting to 150C/130C Fan/Gas Mark 2 and bake for a further 1½ hours or until cooked to the centre.

Leave to cool in the tin for 1 hour, then turn out onto a wire rack to finish cooling. If not decorating straightaway, wrap in greaseproof paper and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

To decorate

9 Roll out 200g (7oz) of almond paste/marzipan to make a 20cm (8 inch) round and cut a 7.5cm (3 inch) circle from the centre. Add this piece to the remaining almond paste/marzipan. Brush the top of the cake with honey, place the almond paste/marzipan ring on top and press down. Use fingers to crimp the edge.

10 Divide the remaining almond paste/marzipan into 11 or 12 pieces and shape into oval balls. Brush the ring on top of the cake with beaten egg, position the balls around the ring and then brush them with egg.

11 Put a disc of foil over the exposed centre of the cake and put under a hot grill for 1-2 minutes to brown the almond paste/marzipan.

12 Mix the icing sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of warm water until smooth. Remove the foil from the cake and pour the icing onto the exposed centre. Smooth with a palette knife and leave to set.

13 Tie a yellow ribbon around the side of the cake before serving.

The Hub Café at Sherborne School is open Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm, and 8am – 3pm on Saturdays. sherborne.org @SherborneHub sherbornetimes.co.uk | 79

Food and Drink

SEA BASS AND KOJI MISO SOUP WITH KIMCHI AND FRESH GINGER Sasha & Tom Matkevich, The Green Restaurant

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his recipe is very popular at home and I’ve been asked by my daughter to write it down so that she can make it herself whilst at university. It’s an easily prepared, thick and nutritious Japanese soup known in many cultures as ramen. If you’re unable to find wild sea bass, you can substitute it with monkfish or gurnard. From my experience, a good quality prime cut of beef is usually well received too.

Ingredients

3ltr filtered water 10g dried kelp knots 10g Cornish sea salt 120g koji miso paste 60ml extra virgin olive oil 250g wild sea bass fillet, descaled, deboned and cut into chunky strips 250g dried egg noodles 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced 20g ginger, thinly sliced 2 spring onions, thinly sliced 250g medium-spice kimchi 1 large courgette, cut into thin strips 2 small pak choi, cut into thin strips 6 medium tea-stained eggs or simply boiled eggs, cut in half 12 small pieces dried nori for decoration 80 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Method

1 In a large, heavy-based pan bring the filtered water to the boil and add the kelp knots with 8g of sea salt and the koji miso. Using a large soup ladle, stir the miso well and reduce the heat. Simmer gently for 20 minutes.

2 Meanwhile, using a large frying pan on a medium heat, bring the olive oil to smoking state. Very gently place the sea bass skin side down into the hot oil. Add the thinly sliced garlic, ginger and spring onions to the frying pan. Season with remaining 2g of Cornish sea salt and cook for 3 minutes or until the garlic is just golden.

3 Take the frying pan off the heat and, using a palette knife or a spatula, turn the fish goujons skin side up.

Set pan aside.

4 Add the egg noodles to the miso soup, increase the heat and cook for four minutes.

5 Add the courgette, pak choi and medium spiced kimchi.

6 Now add the contents of the frying pan including the olive oil, stir gently and set aside for three minutes.

7 Using a large ladle, divide the soup between six large bowls and decorate each one with two halves of teastained egg and 2 pieces of nori. Serve immediately. greenrestaurant.co.uk

A MONTH ON THE PIG FARM James Hull, The Story Pig

I

used to run fast as a child: cross-country was my thing. Being small, slim and wiry carried me through the 1980s mud at a pace that would put me in the top few of our school year. Sometimes these things can come in useful as an adult.

It wasn’t a full-on cross-country race this time, more an extreme burst of adrenaline-fuelled speed as a Tamworth mother sow, fully grown and weighing 200kgs, charged at me, her mouth wide open. She was going to eat me alive if I didn’t get out of her reach. One of her month-old piglets had got himself trapped between two gates that we were using to make a piglet-sized pen that the mothers can’t get into and where we can start to feed the piglets solid food. I had always been a little wary of this particular sow; she was never very keen on me going near her piglets and would eye me with deep suspicion and a look that said, ‘Don’t come any closer!’

So, picture the scene: me on one side of the gate inside a straw-baled pig house, her the other side barking at me, and a screaming piglet. Every time I tried to free the piglet he squealed more loudly and she would charge at the gate going for me. Thank goodness I was the other side of the gate. However, it wasn’t just the piglet who was trapped; I was too! After about ten minutes of trying to free the piglet in between her trying to rip my arms off, she grabbed the piglet by the head and pulled him free, instantly he stopped screaming and ran off to tell his mates, leaving me with his mother. Normally at this point, once the screaming

has stopped, a sow would turn and go — but not this one. She stayed where she was. On my own (Charlotte had decided to hide on the floor behind the trailer in case the sow jumped the fence) and trapped, I weighed up my options: wait until she tired and went outside, climb over into her side with only a plastic bucket for protection — I didn’t fancy my chances! — or try and squeeze through the small window at the back of the house and make a run for it. This was my preferred option so, giving her one last glance, I sauntered casually to the window and, with as much nonchalance as I could muster, dived through the window. Landing in the mud outside, I jumped to my feet and looked back in through the window. The angry mother was nowhere to be seen... and then suddenly there she was, coming after me round the corner. That’s when the cross-country running came back to me as I flew over the muddy, rutted ground, clad in overalls, mud-clogged leggings and welly boots, the sow right behind me. Heart pounding, I cleared the electric fence with the sow so close to my bottom I could almost feel her breath. She stopped at the fence, thank goodness; clearly she respected that more than me. I collapsed on the floor, heart pounding, shaking but OK apart from a little dented pride.

We are still undecided if this is a trait that we want to encourage in our pigs or whether sausages beckon! One thing’s for sure: pig life is never a dull life! thestorypig.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 81

Food and Drink

FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE David Copp

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hose of you who watched the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan will know that the Japanese are able to organise top-class events and act as wonderful hosts to visitors. Perhaps some of you have already made travel arrangements for this summer’s Tokyo Olympic Games. Whether you are a couch potato, avid sports follower or a retiree with time to explore new adventures, I hope this very brief introduction to the Japanese drink culture will help you on your way.

Our liking for Japanese sushi and sake has been growing steadily. We Shirburnians may have to go to Bath, Bristol or Bournemouth to find Japanese restaurants and sushi bars but, when we do, it makes the jaunt far more interesting and a welcome change from ‘meat and two veg’.

The best-known Japanese drink, sake, is made from sakamai, a larger than ordinary table-rice plant which, like the vine, is quite fussy about the soil and climate it prefers. When the best rice has been selected, it is milled carefully to get rid of the husk, leaving a starch 82 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

core which can be converted into fermentable sugars, vitamins and proteins. This is washed in pure water then steamed and cooled. Koji mould, microbes similar to those in blue cheese, is added to break down the rice starch before fermentation. All this activity takes place under the watchful eye of the Toji, the master brewer who determines the style and quality of the brew.

In Japan the best Toji are regarded as artists and musicians. One of the most admired in recent times is Phil Harper, an Oxford graduate who went to teach in Japan as part of an exchange programme. He got so interested in sake that, when his teaching contract ended, he stayed on to become the first non-Japanese Toji. He is also the author of The Book of Sake: A Connoisseur’s Guide (2006) and makes the interesting comment that, ‘Toji must learn to be humble in the face of nature. Micro-organisms make the sake and things run at their pace, which is not necessarily the most convenient for human beings.’

GooGag/Shutterstock

Despite the fact that sake is brewed, the alcoholic nectar which emerges looks and tastes more like wine, with a panoply of flavours including soy, cedar, strawberry, lychee, mushrooms and sweetcorn. There are similarities with wine but sake is more nuanced, softer and more mellow. Wine tends to be more acidic and certainly more assertive in flavour profile.

Sake can be sweet or dry but the guiding influence is moderation, with no single flavour dominant.

Generally, sake does not improve with age and is probably best consumed within six months of bottling.

It is prone to oxidisation and should be stored away from light and warmth, preferably in a cool, dark larder. It can be served chilled or heated depending on the preference of the drinker. The heated version is often served in porcelain cups. The cooler version can be drunk on its own or mixed with other drinks to make cocktails.

On both my visits to Japan I warmed to the

Japanese drinks culture and took sake happily in pleasant ceremony. First, my welcome was confirmed, then delicate enquiry was made as to how I liked my sake: sweet or sour, more alcohol or less, hot or cold. I found it difficult to remember all the various sake style names mentioned but I do remember Honjozo as a highly ‘polished’ sake with some additional alcohol, and GinjoI or Diaginjo (both easier for Brits and Americans to pronounce) slightly less ‘polished’ but fragrant and fruity. All drinking is a matter of taste but I was utterly charmed by the welcome and manner of enquiry.

The normal strength for sake is about 16-18 abv – about the same as sherry. It is less acidic than wine; it doesn’t have the crispness of a good sauvignon blanc but it does have a distinctive flavour and I preferred to drink it as an aperitif or with delicious fresh prawns.

In more recent years Japan has begun to make strides in developing its own wine industry, despite its wet and humid climate. The ever-industrious Japanese have learnt to adapt vine pruning and trellising techniques to cope with high humidity; they ensure good ventilation which relieves the humidity that causes vine disease. Horizontal trellising has also proven to be very effective in reducing the impact of high winds in the typhoon season.

Japan vignerons are naturally keen to develop their own indigenous varieties. Koshu, a thick-skinned pink grape producing a crisp white wine, is most widely planted in Yamanashi province. Believed to be of Caucasian origin, it was brought down the Silk Road centuries ago. More recently the Japanese red hybrid Muscat Bailey A has adapted well to the Japanese climate. It buds late to avoid spring frost, ripens early, is disease-resistant and crops well. When blended with western varieties such as cabernets and merlot, it produces a full-bodied wine that has become increasingly acceptable.

Wine is no longer a novelty in Japan. Fine wine does well in restaurants. Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than Paris. Major investors such as Suntory lead the way. They understand the limitations of their own vineyards and concentrate on what they know they can do well, producing fragrant and fruity wines, lighter in style and alcohol - the very style, in fact, that is becoming preferable among Europeans wishing to lower their alcohol intake for health reasons.

I do hope the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are as successful as the 2019 Rugby World Cup and that we continue to expand our knowledge and experience of the food, drink and culture of this affable nation. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 83

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84 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

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• City & Guilds Level 3 qualified in dog grooming & dog behaviour • Dental hygiene and teeth cleaning • Puppy health checks

Available Monday-Friday 8-6pm Contact Sue 07920 044 930 sue@countrystyledoggrooming.co.uk www.countrystyledoggrooming.co.uk

The Pet Experience Training & Behaviour Ltd 1-1 Dog Behaviour Package 1-1 Puppy Behaviour Package Group Dog Training Classes New courses start on 29th February 2020 Sarah Easterbrook CoPAS GoDT, IACP Member Fully qualified dog trainer & behaviourist with over 25 years experience Phone now on: 07769 705807 Or email: sarah@thepetexperience.co.uk www.the-pet-experience.co.uk

Sherborne Surgery Swan House Lower Acreman Street 01935 816228

Yeovil Surgery 142 Preston Road 01935 474415

www.newtonclarkevet.com

Independent veterinary services for livestock in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire Collection points for livestock medicines and supplies at Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Blandford and Shaftesbury Please call the office on 01258 472314

www.friarsmoorvets.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 85

Animal Care

RAINING CATS AND DOGS Mark Newton-Clarke, MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

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ebruary is a funny old month. The grind of January and all its self-imposed austerity following the excesses of Christmas is over and, although there’s plenty of winter left in the tank, a glimmer of lighter and longer days is appearing. I can remember at least two mid-February weekends in the last few years when the weather was just amazing: T-shirt and shorts in Cornwall, an extra unexpected present. Maybe our topsy-turvy world of weather patterns will gift us another this month.

Some of you may wonder why a semi-retired vet who works part-time inside a clinic is so interested in the weather. Well, it certainly affects life outside the practice, we country-folk spending much of our time walking and then washing dogs. It also affects the veterinary workflow as different diseases thrive in certain conditions.

Anything air-borne loves the grey, the damp and the cold 86 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

so respiratory infections thrive at this time of year. On the other hand, the risk of leptospirosis in dogs increases in hot, dry weather when any surface water is an oasis for wildlife, attracting the rodents that carry the disease in their urine. Likewise, dogs seek out the same stagnant puddles to slake their thirst during a hot walk and it only takes a couple of laps to transmit this fatal infection.

As I sat down to write this monthly piece, my thoughts dwelt on an outbreak of illness in dogs that, hopefully, has passed and another that may focus our minds in the coming year. The former affected scores of dogs around Christmas and caused persistent vomiting.

Our clinics in both Sherborne and Yeovil saw significant numbers of sickly pets, only some of which were explained by the canine habit of eating first and asking questions later. The problem with the symptom of vomiting in dogs is it’s very non-specific: it could be trivial, it could be life-

Will Rodrigues/Shutterstock

threatening. Often, it’s not straightforward to rule out a foreign body lodged in the intestine, as bits of plastic and polystyrene do not show up on x-rays and, although ultrasound can help, gassy guts block the sound waves and make the scan difficult to interpret. Careful historytaking and clinical examination are always the starting points in the diagnostic process, a painful or distended abdomen immediately ringing alarm bells. Blood tests are necessary to check for pancreatitis, dehydration and electrolyte disturbances so intravenous fluids can be tailored to the individual patient. But when all that’s done, a good many cases remained undiagnosed. This is another example of ruling out the serious without being able to prove a specific cause, a situation commonly encountered in medicine. As with all cases where there’s uncertainty, monitoring and regular re-evaluation is the key to success and I’m glad to report all our vomiting

dogs recovered fully. I still don’t know the cause but a virus with an affinity for the canine gut is the most likely.

Now to an old problem with a new twist which also has a link to the weather. The threat ticks pose to our dogs and ourselves, by way of transmitting disease, is well-known. Lyme disease is a regular topic of conversation and almost everyone knows someone who’s been in contact with this potentially serious bacterium. Luckily, the culprit is not difficult to treat, as certain antibiotics are effective at eliminating the infection but it’s important to treat early for best outcomes. And therein lies the problem: Lyme is a difficult disease to diagnose in many human and animal cases and post-infection complications can affect almost any organ system. The news has just become worse as, in addition to the endemic problem of Lyme, we now have two new tick-borne diseases in the country, one of which can affect humans as well as dogs. Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection that has been present in Europe and other parts of the world for many years but not in the UK, up until now. Sheep ticks on the Dorset/Wiltshire border have been discovered to carry the virus, from where I have no doubt TBE will spread quite quickly.

This is a potentially serious disease in humans and dogs, able to cause inflammation of the brain. There is a vaccine for humans (that I received a few years’ ago before camping in Sweden) but it’s expensive and so far there is no equivalent for dogs licensed in the UK. It’s only a matter of time before a case of human or dog TBE makes the news; the clock is tick-ing!

The other unwanted addition to our island is a blood parasite called Babesia canis. Carried by ticks and transmitted by their bite, the disease bursts red blood cells and causes anaemia along with the problems haemoglobin causes when released from its protective packaging (red blood cells). This infection is so far confined to a certain tick species but that might change as we acquire not only new bugs that ticks carry but also new species of ticks, namely, the European brown dog tick. This has the capacity to infest homes rather than living in the open like our indigenous species that usually only feed when the weather is mild and wet.

So, my message for this spring is be tick-aware, both for yourself and your pets. There are some excellent antitick treatments available so if you need any advice, please do contact your vet. newtonclarkevet.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 87

Animal Care

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FARM VET John Walsh, BVSc Cert AVP DBR MRCVS, Friars Moor Vets

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mergency! Emergency! A large part of my job involves being on call for any farm emergencies.

Every night and weekend must be covered in case farmers call with an emergency. The out-of-hours rota is shared equally at the practice, with each night having a vet that is first on call and one that is second. The second on-call vet deals with any visits the other vet cannot attend.

88 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

The workload can vary massively with some nights being very quiet and others when the calls are non-stop. As you can imagine, this can be both very tiring but also extremely exciting, varied and rewarding. On a particularly busy Saturday over the Christmas period I was called to see a sick heifer, a sick cow, two calvings, a prolapsed uterus in a cow, a sick goat and conduct an investigation into the

stefbennett/Shutterstock

reason for an abortion in a beef animal.

There is one out-of-hours emergency that really sticks in my memory. One summer’s evening I was called by a farmer to attend a cow that had broken out of a field and stumbled into a bog, where it had panicked and sunk up to its neck in the mud. I arrived at the field to be greeted by the farmer, three fire engines and the Dorset animal rescue team. I had no trouble finding the field - I just followed the blue lights! The cow was a heavily pregnant dairy cow that had broken through a barbed wire fence and gone down a steep embankment where she had got stuck

in the bog. We had to be extremely careful not to cause her too much stress as that could have been a risk to her pregnancy.

After assessing the situation, we first put a halter on her head and attempted to coax her out; this, however, was unsuccessful as the bog was acting like a vacuum, pulling her down. She was well and truly stuck. Every movement she made, caused her to sink deeper. The only option was to get into the bog and try and loosen the mud all around her so that straps could be put under her belly to pull her out and release the vacuum. So, with ropes attached to us, five members of the animal rescue team and I had to cross the bog and get to the cow. We then had to start digging around her with spades to loosen the mud in order to make room for straps to be passed under her belly. Large metal hooks were then carefully positioned under the cow’s belly so that the straps could be attached and then pulled under the cow from one side to the other. This was repeated several times to give us enough straps to be able to support her weight. As you can imagine this was a very dangerous part of the proceedings because, had she panicked, she could have injured the fire crew or pulled one of them down into the bog. Once in position, the straps were attached to a long rope and, from the embankment, a team of 10 firefighters had the job of pulling her out.

So, whilst I held onto the rope that was attached to the cow’s halter to make sure she was safe throughout the procedure, the fire crew started a bizarre tug of war!

Inch by inch we started to make forward progress and eventually we pulled her to solid ground where she was able to stand and pull herself out of the last bit of the bog. Extreme care was then taken to guide her up the embankment, through the tangle of bushes and trees and to the safety of the field. I was particularly glad to see her make it to the field because, if she had become frightened at this stage, there was a risk she would run back down the hill and back into the bog!

I checked the cow over when she was quiet in the field and gave her some pain relief. We then had a debriefing from the fire crew to assess how the whole procedure had gone before everyone went home very tired and very muddy.

I am pleased to report the cow suffered no long-term ill-effects from the incident and she went on to have a healthy calf a few months later before rejoining the milking herd. friarsmoorsvets.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 89

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Raising

£850,000

To support the Appeal please contact us:

for the complete redevelopment of the Chemotherapy Unit at Dorset County Hospital

Tel: 01305 253215 Email: charity@dchft.nhs.uk

www.justgiving.com/campaign/ChemotherapyAppeal Registered Charity Number 1056479

90 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Karen Buckingham, Junior Sister, Fortuneswell Chemotherapy Unit: “We want everyone to receive their treatment in the way which suits them best and this appeal will make that possible.”

BALFOUR EST.1979

S WA N YA R D , S H E R B O R N E , D T 9 3 A X 0 1 9 3 5 8 1 6 1 7 7 W W W. M A R G A R E T B A L F O U R . C O . U K

Cycling

LOCAL CYCLING CLUBS

CAMARADERIE, BANTER AND SHARED ACHIEVEMENTS Mike Riley, Riley’s Cycles

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ince starting Riley’s Cycles in 2013 there has been a resurgence of folks enjoying organised group rides. This is a great way for new cyclists to learn the ropes and gain experience on getting the best from their cycling/bike. Although I’ve covered this subject before, it’s worth reviewing as I have become aware of other groups while some have declined. Clubs may be affiliated to national organisations, either Cycling UK or British Cycling. British Cycling clubs tend to be sporty, while Cycling UK (formerly the British Cycle Touring Club) is for long-distance riders. Information about local clubs can be found on their websites and many have Facebook and WhatsApp groups.

Split into 3 ability groups, the slowest are expected to keep up an average of 12mph and rides are planned to return before sunset (with optional après-ride refreshments in the Digby Tap). Frequent weekend rides are arranged as are social events with rides during the year. Winter spinning groups are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Sherborne CC

Dorset Cyclist Network

Also known as Digby Etape and affiliated to British Cycling, the group focusses on enjoying cycling and promoting wellbeing. Wednesday evening rides are organised in summer, starting at 6pm from Riley’s Cycles.

The DCN aims to promote cycling and its wider benefits. They meet at Culverhayes car park, Sherborne, for Thursday evening rides and Sunday rides in winter.

Suited to riders who enjoy a gentler pace and to novices/

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Caundle Velo

This group rides on Mondays and Fridays at 9am from Stourton Caundle; riders also join en-route. Monday rides are longer, around 50 miles, and include a tea break and lunch. The group plan great routes with decent refreshment stops and are good at communicating.

returning cyclists, there are membership benefits such as a regular printed newsletter and discounts at Riley’s.

Yeovil CC

A proper racing club, established in 1928, Yeovil CC organises and promotes time trials, road races and training rides (on Sundays). It is impressively well organised with high-calibre riders who include national and international level competitive cyclists.

Wincanton Wheelers CC

‘Wincanton Wheelers embraces all types of cyclists and pedal power machines. Young or old, hare or tortoise - all catered for.’ A good programme of rides all year round.

Bruton CC

Established in 2014, the club attracts a varied membership from Bruton and beyond, from racing cyclists, to social Saturday riders, young and old, and many in between. They ran their first Sportive in 2019 and are growing in numbers and organisation. Rides take place on Saturdays and Sundays.

Gillingham Wheelers

‘Gillingham & District Wheelers was founded in 1993 by a handful of enthusiastic cyclists and now has over 100 members. They consider themselves to be a social and sporting cycling club with a primary focus on road cycling.

Their members include social weekend riders through to racing cyclists, young to old and the in-between. They are affiliated to British Cycling, Cycling Time Trials and the Wessex Cyclocross League and openly welcome all cyclists.’ They also run hill climbs in autumn.

Blackmore Vale Cycling Club

‘Rides are led by members who know their area well, providing a range of varied starting points. They welcome new members and recommend coming to a Tuesday coffee meet if you would like to hear in more detail what we do.’ This became an independent club in 2018. They run weekend rides and weekday rides on Tuesdays.

Larger cycle shops will also have clubs for customers or sponsor a local club.

For those who cannot ride a normal bike and need assistance there is the Wessex Accessible Cycling Club based at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest on the Dorset/Hampshire border. They provide cycling opportunities for disabled people, their families and friends.

Group Riding Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts

• Fit mudguards; don’t spray riders behind you.

• Maintain your bike in good condition to avoid ‘mechanicals’ – you will be unpopular if folks have to stop on a cold, wet day when most breakdowns occur.

• Carry a roadside repair kit including inner tube, pump and tyre levers at least.

• Pick a group you can comfortably keep up with first and move up when it becomes easy.

• Learn calls and signals, they are short, easily recognisable clear messages like “Car front” and signals like left arm pointing out behind your back to show an obstruction.

• Be cautious of other riders and give them plenty of space. Avoid overlapping the back wheel of another rider (called half-wheeling).

• When riding in a “chain gang” you benefit from drafting riders in front, this is for experienced riders and only when conditions are suitable. If you are in a chain gang take your turn at the front.

• In some circumstances on a wide clear road, it is safer to ride two abreast and the Highway Code acknowledges this. Car drivers may be impatient, but you are within your rights and you are protecting them from making a bad choice. The group will be shorter and thus easier to pass safely when the road allows and vehicle drivers will be less tempted to squeeze by when choosing when to pass.

• Follow the ride leader’s instructions. Let someone know if you are leaving the group before the ride end. Introduce yourself at the start and exchange mobile phone numbers with the ride lead. With the best will in the world, riders do take wrong turns and become separated.

• Routes are often published in advance so familiarise yourself beforehand. Put an app on your phone or use a cycle GPS device so you can follow the route as you go.

I hope you will find a group that suits you and enjoy the pleasure of riding in company. sherbornecycling.club stourtoncaundle.org.uk/cycle.htm dcn.org.uk yeovilcc.com wincantonwheelers.co.uk brutoncyclingclub.com gdw.org.uk blackmorevalecycling.com rileyscycles.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 93

FEBRUARY HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES

Morning, afternoon and all day sessions available £10.50 per session, £19 per day or £76 for the week.

MON 17TH FEBRUARY – FRI 21ST FEBRUARY

8-14 years Climbing, Hamsterballs, Snorkelling and many more activities For more information and to book your place please call reception on 01935 818270 or visit our website www.oxleysc.com/holiday-activities Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3DA

Yeovil Sherborne & District

Join our team of amazing volunteers Volunteer with us To find out more and apply, visit

samaritans.org/volunteer Call 01935 478 746 Email yeovil@samaritans.org @Yeovilsams2 Samaritans of Yeovil, Sherborne & District is a registered charity.

94 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Health Clinic • Acupuncture • Osteopathy • Counselling • Physiotherapy • EMDR Therapy • Shiatsu • Podiatry and Chiropody • Soft Tissue Therapy, Sports

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LONDON ROAD CLINIC • Hopi Ear Candle Therapy • Bowen • Homeopathy • Light Touch Spinal • Facial Energy Release • Swedish Massage • Indian Head Massage • Pregnancy Massage • Nutrition

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Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm | Saturday 8am - 2pm | Booking recommended

01935 815501 | 6a Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PX Book your next appointment with me through Booksy.

Download the free app on Android and iOS.

Body and Mind

PROTECT, THEN PERFECT

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Sarah Hitch, The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms and The Margaret Balfour Beauty Centre

inter is well and truly here bringing with it crackling fires, woolly jumpers and dreams of sunnier days to come. However, when it comes to skin, the colder months are nothing but bad news. Lower humidity, sub-zero temperatures, icy winds and central heating on full blast strip the skin of its natural moisture leaving it vulnerable to dehydration and sensitivity. Temperature fluctuations leave the skin red and flushed as we move from freezing cold to warm and toasty. This impairs the skin’s natural barrier function and the lack of moisture in the air strips vital lipids from it, resulting in dryness, flakiness and a lacklustre, dull appearance.

Given all these issues its unsurprising that our skin struggles and that we need to make changes in our skin routine over the winter period. As skin starts to become more vulnerable over winter, some of the existing products that you have may prove not to be as effective as they once felt. It’s important to adapt a skincare routine as the seasons change - it’s all too easy to get stuck in the same routine, buying the same products year in year out, but that’s not necessarily of benefit to your skin.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body and has different needs at different times of the year depending on the climate, your diet and your health. Therefore, as the colder months get underway and moisture begins to seep from the skin, it is crucial that you use products that are rich in hydrating and nourishing properties. For instance, why not swap your usual moisturiser for a richer formulation to encourage moisture retention. It is in wintertime that you should try to use a conditioning serum applied under your day and night-time moisturisers. A serum is a cocktail of intensive ingredients that feed the skin valuable vitamins, minerals and key ingredients to give it a boost. Weekly, gentle exfoliation also helps prevent the build-up of dry, flaky skin that can make the face and body appear dull and reduce the absorption of nourishing products.

Sun protection is not just for summer months; it’s just as vital to protect against harmful rays during the winter months. If you are taking part in winter sports such as skiing it’s particularly critical to protect against the strong UV rays whilst on the mountain.

These little tweaks can make a big difference so do check in on your skincare routine with a professional and re-evaluate whether the products you are currently using are really making your skin feel as good as it should.

If the answer is no, or you’re no longer feeling the benefit of a product you’ve used for a while, then it’s time to review your beauty shelf and begin the year with a fresh look at skincare. thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk margaretbalfour.co.uk 96 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 97

Body & Mind

THE POWER OF CONNECTING AND OTHER TIPS FOR WELLBEING Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind Ambassador

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hroughout our lives we are bombarded with information about how to be physically healthy. Exercise, watch what you eat and make sure you have enough vitamins - useful information which can help us to prevent future physical health problems such as heart disease. However, when it comes to mental health, we are not taught as much about prevention and how to live a mentally healthy life. Instead we often wait until there is a concrete, diagnosable problem that requires treatment. Whilst treatment for any health problem, physical or mental, is very important, at Dorset Mind, we believe that mental health education is just as important as physical health education. So, just as you are advised to eat your vegetables and watch your blood pressure, the New Economics Foundation advises how to live life mentally healthy via ‘The Five Ways to Wellbeing’.

98 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

These five ways to wellbeing involve themes of social relationships, physical activity, awareness, learning and giving. A combination of these behaviours can help you to improve your wellbeing and, in some cases, prevent a mental health condition from developing. They can also be great tools to help you manage a mental health condition.

Connect

It comes as no surprise that research indicates how feeling close to and valued by other people is an important part of being mentally healthy. Our support groups are a great opportunity to connect and meet new people who are also interested in mental health, wellbeing and self-improvement. Other recommended ways to connect include speaking to someone new, putting aside five minutes to find out how someone really is or saving a conversation for when you are face to face.

more energy, sleep better and it can be a great way to set yourself a challenge. The exercise doesn’t need to be intense; it can involve getting off the bus a stop early, using the stairs instead of the lift or stretching out in the morning. Our wellbeing group includes educational workshops and explores the topics of exercise and mental health, amongst many other mental health areas.

Details of groups can be found on the Dorset Mind website and can be attended without referral.

Take Notice

Taking notice is about grounding yourself in the moment. Lots of brain power goes towards worrying about what has happened or what is going to happen, with little time to focus on being in the present. This is also called mindfulness and it’s a skill that can take time to develop, so it’s fine to begin with a little at a time. An easy method of doing this is to focus on the sensations as you brush your teeth: think about how the bristles feel on your teeth, what the toothpaste tastes like and the noise it makes. That’s just 5 minutes out of your day to begin with, but mindfulness can be extended to your commute by taking notice of the world around you, for instance seeing how the sun shines through spiders’ webs or hearing the noise of leaves beneath your feet.

Learn

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February is a particularly pertinent time to connect with others, as we mark Time to Talk Day. Every year, the annual campaign encourages the public to be more open about mental health by speaking up and listening to each other. Speaking up can truly change lives and even save them too. Dorset Mind will be promoting the campaign and encouraging the Dorset community to take part. This year the campaign will promote the well-known game, ‘Would you rather?’ to break the ice and encourage people to connect. Dorset Mind will also be speaking at libraries across the county on the day to raise awareness.

Be Active

Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety. It can also help you to think clearer, concentrate in school or at work, have

Learning enhances self-esteem and encourages social interaction. This shouldn’t just involve what you have to learn. Pick up a book about something that interests you or google things you’re curious about. Our wellbeing groups enable you to learn more about a range of mental health areas which are fascinating and include important life skills, both for yourself and the people you care about.

Give

Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.

Helping others is very rewarding, can make you more social and can help you to gain a greater sense of selfworth. Knowing that you were there for someone who needed help can be indispensable to improving your own mental health. Volunteering your time to support the mental health of others can be a great way to give something back to the community around you. Details on volunteering with Dorset Mind are on our website. dorsetmind.uk/get-involved/volunteer-for-us/ sherbornetimes.co.uk | 99

Body and Mind

For me, the hardest part of running is putting on my running shoes. On the rare occasion that I’m able to actually scale this psychological equivalent of a Tough Mudder and take to the streets (or more often the running machine, and yes, I know it’s not the same) I’m reluctant to stop. The benefits of running are well documented but all I know is, that as my body floods with post-run endorphins, I am in an infinitely better place than I was before. Here, our resident personal trainers Craig Hardaker and Simon Partridge offer advice on the training methods and principles to help you go that extra mile. GC

KEEP ON RUNNING Craig Hardaker, BSc (Hons), Communifit and Simon Partridge BSc (Sports Science), SPFit

Blazej Lyjak/Shutterstock

100 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Craig Hardaker Communifit

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e all know running is good for us. It improves the way we feel and look. Our heart gets stronger, our mind clearer and it’s great for weight control. Its benefits, however, go far beyond the obvious. In fact, there isn’t a system in the body that doesn’t benefit from running. From the top of your head to the tip of your toes, running will give you a total body workout and improve all aspects of your health. To improve your running, there are many different training methods; here are some of them.

Continuous training

With this method, you run at the same speed continuously. There are no rest periods and the intensity stays the same. This training method is easily the most popular with most runners. Running continuously for a set duration, such as 30 minutes, or distance, such as 5km, is the most common.

Continuous training will give you the foundations to complete a run of any distance. A looped circuit from start to finish is the best way to complete your continuous run.

Fartlek training

Fartlek running involves varying your pace throughout your run, alternating between fast segments and slow jogs. Unlike traditional interval training that uses specific timed or measured segments, fartleks are more unstructured. Work-rest intervals can be based on how the body feels.

Strength training

A structured, targeted strengthening programme can help to maximise your running performance. Although the main focus should always be running, using a variety of methods, it is crucial to include a strengthbased programme as well. Targeting key areas such as the legs and core can help you run faster, for longer.

Squats, lunges and the plank are the most common exercises performed by runners.

Running is suitable for almost anyone. So what is stopping you?

The Sherborne 5k Run Series continues on Sunday 16th Feb. Terrace Playing Fields, Sherborne. Registration 8am, warm up 8.25am, run starts 8.30am. Entry fee £10, children under 14 £1. All proceeds to charity. Sign up at communifit.co.uk

____________________________________________

Simon Partridge SPFit

Interval training

An interval running plan alternates between periods of intense, fast paces followed by less intense recovery periods. You push yourself close to your peak heart rate during a brief sprint, then allow it to fall back down as you slow to a jog. The intervals are specifically timed or measured segments. Using a stop watch for time or lamp posts for distance are great ways to accurately perform your intervals.

Hill training

Hill repeats are repeated short segments of hard, uphill running. They increase aerobic power, high-intensity fatigue resistance, pain tolerance, and run-specific strength. The ideal hill on which to run is one with a steady, moderate gradient of 4 to 6 percent. Hill repetitions are typically done at the end of the basebuilding period as a relatively safe way to introduce harder, high-intensity training into the programme.

Bristol Road is a perfect hill to use!

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hether it’s a 5km, half- or full marathon, every runner wants to know how they can run faster for longer. There is no simple answer. Like most things in life, results come from hard work and doing a variety of things well. This article discusses some of the training principles that will help you to run faster for longer.

Running efficiency

Running is a skill! Everyone can run but some people are more efficient than others. Improving your running biomechanics can make you run more efficiently. There are no shortcuts; the key to running further is to put in the miles. A good guide is to increase your mileage by 5-10% each week until you reach your desired distance. Keep these runs specific to the event you are taking part in: for a flat run, train on the flat; for a hilly run, train on the hills. > sherbornetimes.co.uk | 101

Body and Mind

Blazej Lyjak/Shutterstock

Many people make the mistake of running too fast on their steady, long and recovery runs, so when it comes to running their speed session, their legs are too fatigued, hence they cannot run fast enough to get the benefit from the session. Your steady and longer runs should be run at a pace where you can hold a conversation.

Speed sessions

My personal favourite are ‘hill sprints’. To build power in your legs and running speed, try sprinting up a hill for 1-3 minutes followed by a recovery walk or jog back down the hill.

Tempo sessions

Try to run close to your 10k run speed for 30-60 minutes depending on your fitness level. These sessions aim to push your lactate threshold (i.e. the point where your muscles are producing more lactate than your body can process) higher. Time trials are a staple training plan of many East African distance runners.

Strength and conditioning

Many runners are injured because of weak muscles, muscles not firing properly or muscular imbalances.

Strength and conditioning training can reduce the risk 102 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

of injury and improve your running efficiency. A sample session might include one-legged bridges, one-legged squats and squat jumps. The number of reps, sets and rest periods should be specific to the individual and the type of event. One of the most rewarding elements of coaching is writing specific programmes for clients running specific events.

Nutrition

Remember the old adage – you cannot out-train a bad diet. You need to fuel your training and body. A guide to filling up your supermarket trolley is to stick to the fresh food aisles and cook your meals from scratch whilst avoiding ready meals and highly processed food.

In conclusion

As a coach, I believe it is also important to remember to try and enjoy your running and then progress will be much easier. Whether you are doing all of these principles in your training or just keen to start a training plan, try to make small improvements on each of these.

Keep trying to train smarter and harder if you want to run faster for longer. spfit-sherborne.co.uk

HELPING TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD

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Lucy Beney MA MBACP, 56 London Road Clinic

he child is father of the man’ (William Wordsworth, My Heart Leaps Up, 1802) is widely believed to mean that what happens to us in childhood leaves an indelible mark on the adults we become. Now, a growing body of scientific evidence points to the importance of our early years - and the long-term damage to physical, mental and emotional health resulting from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

A breakthrough came in 1998, when Dr Vincent Felitti and Dr Robert Anda conducted a survey of over 17,000 ordinary Americans. Participants were asked about ten different aspects of adverse childhood experience, including emotional, physical or sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence, parental abandonment through divorce, separation or death, parental mental illness or addiction, parental imprisonment, and poverty. Their answers were examined against a variety of health indicators and the results were shocking.

About two thirds of respondents had had at least one adverse childhood experience; almost a quarter had suffered three or more. This was clearly linked to higher rates of physical illness, such as heart disease and cancer, as well as higher incidences of mental and emotional distress, addiction and incarceration. Subsequent studies have reinforced these findings across all ages, ethnicities and socio-economic groups.

The initial study was prompted by a chance discovery that, in many cases, destructive behaviour becomes a fix, a survival mechanism in the face of overwhelming and silent suffering. We now see that this is the backdrop to all kinds of self-harm and emotional distress. The question we need to ask is not, ‘What is wrong with you?’, but, ‘What has happened to you?’

The ‘toxic stress’ which results from living continually in fight-flight-freeze mode can alter a child’s developing brain architecture, affecting their concentration in school, confidence in new situations and leaving them highly anxious. They may not remember some of what has happened, however, ‘the body keeps the score’ (Bessel van der Kolk, 2014).

Much is now being done to try to take account of these findings in approaches to healthcare and education. We know that healthy relationships provide a significant buffer to adverse experiences, not just in childhood but throughout life. Listening to the experience of others, validating their feelings and forming a meaningful connection can lead to healing. Teaching emotional regulation, appreciating gratitude, building life skills, practising living in the moment and building supportive relationships can all start to repair the damage.

We need to move away from the superficial quick fix - identifying ‘problem’ children, adults and families and trying to ‘solve’ the presenting issue (quite possibly with long-term medication) - and move towards building wellbeing and connection in a wider sense. This needs to be a collective effort, involving us all - individuals, families, schools and communities - and should inform all aspects of policy. It is about looking at the whole picture, in an inclusive and non-judgmental way, and remembering that this is about us all.

Lucy Beney MA MBACP has recently taken part in additional training with the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, which is pioneering the development of programmes to address these issues. For more information, visit their website. developingchild.harvard.edu 56londonroad.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 103

Body & Mind

UNDERACTIVE THYROID

T

Dr Tim Robinson MB BS MSc MRCGP DRCOG MFHom GP & Complementary Practitioner

he role of the thyroid gland, situated at the base of the neck, is the regulation of energy production throughout the body. The thyroid gland does this by controlling the rate at which oxygen and sugar are used up, or metabolised, to make energy – the metabolic rate. Energy is essential for all the functions and processes that occur in the cells throughout the body. If the thyroid is underactive, the production of energy is reduced and the body systems slow down. This can present as a lack of energy, muscle weakness, weight gain, feeling cold, constipation, dry skin and deepening voice.

Underactive thyroid, a condition known as hypothyroidism, occurs in around 1% of the population and is commoner in women. It is an auto-immune condition in which the body’s own immune system makes antibodies that attack and destroy its own thyroid tissue. The trigger for this process is not fully understood and it cannot be predicted or prevented.

If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms of hypothyroidism you should consult your GP who will probably arrange a blood test to measure the level of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). This is the initial screening test for hypothyroidism and a raised level is diagnostic of low thyroid function. The laboratory may proceed to measure the thyroxine (T4) level if the TSH level is significantly raised. Some endocrinologists also request a measure of the T3 level – this is the active thyroid hormone that T4 is converted to in the thyroid gland. Most specialists maintain that this further test is unnecessary as treatment with replacement synthetic thyroid hormone is governed mostly by the TSH level, regardless of the T3 level. Another thyroid blood test that Dr Google may have informed you about is Reverse 104 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

T3 (rT3) which can accumulate if the conversion of T4 to T3 is impaired in extremely rare situations such as selenium deficiency and excess physical, mental and environmental stress. Reverse T3 is inactive and the theory is that it results in a low T4 level. As before, most specialists are very sceptical of this theory and advise treatment on TSH alone.

Another condition that has crept into the public arena is ‘adrenal fatigue’. The adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, secrete a variety of hormones that play important roles in maintaining the normal balance of the internal biochemical workings of the body. They are the chief glands responsible for the body’s reaction to stress. Addison’s Disease is a rare auto-immune disease in which the adrenals stop producing adrenal hormones such as cortisol. This can be tested by an early morning blood test taken at 9am. It is also suspected but not proven that long-term stress can weaken the adrenal function leading to ‘adrenal fatigue’. This is highly controversial and is often blamed by patients for their non-specific tiredness.

As the hypothyroid symptoms listed above are quite broad and considered non-specific for a single condition, your GP will probably want to request additional blood tests to exclude other conditions such as anaemia, diabetes, underdiagnosed metabolic conditions and perhaps even cancer, all of which can also present with tiredness and lack of energy. Stress, anxiety and depression may also present in the same way with a selection of non-specific symptoms, so a general review with your GP would be a wise precaution in these circumstances. doctorTWRobinson.com glencairnHouse.co.uk

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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Independent Family Directors and Monumental Mason 33 SparrowFuneral Road, Yeovil BA21 4BT Tel: 01935 479913 16 Newland, Sherborne, DorsetService DT9 3JQ -Tel: 01935 816817 - 24 Hour Please contact Clive Wakely, or a member of our dedicated team for any advice or guidance.

Private Chapels of Rest

Website.www.ajwakely.com

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 105

elizabethwatsonillustration.com

Lettings & Property Management

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

1 Horsecastles, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3FB T: 01935 816209 E: info@stockwoodlettings.co.uk

Corscombe ÂŁPOA

www.stockwoodlettings.co.uk

106 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Stunning detached farmhouse in idyllic rural setting, presented to a very high standard and offering a superb kitchen, three reception rooms, stores and utilities, three bathrooms, four bedrooms, extensive range of outbuildings, ample parking.

SHERBORNE’S AWARD-WINNING, PREMIUM PROPERTY DEVELOPER Consultancy, design, build and conversion projects completed to an uncommonly high standard, with a tenacious insistence on the finest craftsmanship and excellence in build quality

To discuss your project please contact 07970 634243 jandsbdesignandconstruction@gmail.com jsbdesignandconstruction.co.uk

New Year New Homes

If you’re thinking of moving this year, let us help you make your 2020 vision a reality Call our Sherborne office on 01935 814488 or come in and see us.

symondsandsampson.co.uk

Crafting quality timber buildings and gates since 1912 Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7LH Tel: (01963) 440414 | Email: info@sparkford.com | @sparkfordtimber | www.sparkford.com 108 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

HALF PRICE HOMES Pay for half, rent half, live life to the full With a new Platinum Skies home you’ll unlock one of life’s richest rewards: freedom to live and laugh a little more.

Luxury homes from £150,000*

Choose your stunning new home, pay for only half* Government-approved shared ownership scheme Free yourself up to enjoy a luxury lifestyle Invest in a home that meets your present and future needs Secure your new home without waiting to sell your old one Save thousands on stamp duty and agent’s fees

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Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA C ALL 01 2 0 2 01 2 5 5 2 VI S IT P L AT I N U M S K I E S .CO. U K /S H E R B O R N E * Based on 50% shared ownership. Age and eligibility criteria apply. You will also pay rent, service charges, ground rent and event fees. To fully enjoy the Platinum Skies lifestyle and long-term security, we recommend buyers have at least 85% of market value from the sale of their present property. Some images used in this advertisement are computer generated and for general guidance only. Platinum Skies is a Registered Social Landlord regulated by and registered with Homes England (No.4836). 170 Charminster Rd, Bournemouth BH8 9RL. The Platinum Skies family of businesses currently consists of three legal entities: Affordable Housing and Healthcare Ltd; Platinum Skies Management Ltd and Platinum Skies Living Ltd. Platinum Skies Living Ltd is a Registered Provider regulated by and registered with Homes England (no 4836).

Property

MOVING HOUSE

GETTING YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW Natalie Howell, Chartered Legal Executive, Residential Property team, Mogers Drewett

D

eciding to move to a new house and finding a place where you want to go is often the easy part, but where do you start with the practicalities? To help, here is a useful guide to make moving as easy as possible.

Finding an estate agent

Do some simple research and ask for recommendations from friends and family. Find out who operates frequently in your area, obtain comparison valuations and fees, and think about who will best represent you and your property.

Hiring a solicitor

It’s important to consider doing this as early as possible - don’t wait until offers have been accepted. It will pay to be organised! Seek out personal recommendations, as a local solicitor with experience of your market and similar properties is always valuable.

Collate all the practical information you have so it’s ready to pass on to your solicitor, for example, planning permission of works you have completed, warranties and guarantees, up-to-date service records for the electrics and heating.

Do not compare quotes on costs alone. A house is one of the biggest purchases you will make so it is important to protect it by receiving the best advice. A quote should be transparent and include all costs related to buying and selling. This will help you budget for the whole process including payments to be made at the end of your purchase such as Stamp Duty and Land Registry 110 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

fees which your solicitor will make on your behalf.

Survey

You should have a survey prepared before you commit to your purchase as it may reveal issues with the property that your solicitor may not be aware of. Again, ask for a recommendation and look for a surveyor with local knowledge. Ask your surveyor to copy their report to your solicitors to ensure that all appropriate enquiries are raised.

Getting a mortgage

Discuss your options with an independent mortgage broker who will search the available options to find your best deal. Mortgage lenders will assess your financial circumstances so it is important to avoid making any significant changes to your financial circumstances before applying for a mortgage, e.g. changing employment, applying for loans/credit cards, or changing address, as this could impact upon your credit score and ability to get a mortgage.

Confirm the date

During the legal process you will be in touch with the estate agents to agree on a completion date. The day you move will be confirmed when contracts are exchanged. Once contracts are exchanged, you will be able to confirm the date you are moving to your removal company, utility providers, employers and bank. mogersdrewett.com

SOLD

LOOK NO FEATHER Whether it’s our expert Property team navigating your house move, or our specialist Private Client team protecting your valued nest egg.

We’re here to get your ducks in a row.

mogersdrewett.com

J. Biskup

Property Maintenance Ltd

TO-DO LIST ✓ Kitchen & bathroom installation ✓ Tiling ✓ Flooring ✓ Wallpaper removal ✓ Painting and decorating ✓ Plastering

✓ Wall repairs ✓ Roof repairs ✓ Loft insulation ✓ Carpentry ✓ Window renovation ✓ PVC guttering and facia boards

BEST PRICES ON THE MARKET FREE QUOTATIONS SHERBORNE Tel: 01935 815712 • Mobile: 07912 145988 Email: jm.biskup@gmail.com www.jbiskup.com

Want to avoid challenges to your Will?

Your Will could be challenged after your death by a disappointed family member, possibly under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975, or because your Will was incorrectly signed, or if you were ‘unduly influenced’ or did not have the requisite ‘testamentary capacity’.

By having your Will drawn up by a professional significantly reduces the risk of a successful challenge being made against your Will after your death.

In addition to instructing a solicitor to prepare your Will, I would advise that you also prepare a letter setting out your reasons for making your Will as it is. This could explain why you had chosen to not treat your children equally for example. Such a letter is evidence of your testamentary capacity. It can also calm a situation down if a disappointed family member can see your reasons for acting as you did.

Depending on your age and whether you are suffering from particular medical conditions, a solicitor may also advise you to obtain a medical report on your testamentary capacity. It is easier for this to be done at the time, than for your Executors to request this after your death, which could be many years later.

No professional can guarantee that no one will challenge your Will, but the above ‘belt and braces’ approach will give you the most water tight Will possible.

If you are an Executor or beneficiary of an estate where there is a challenge, then my colleagues in the Dispute Resolution department can advise you.

For more information on Wills and Trusts please contact Naomi Dyer in the Private Client Team on 01935 811307 or naomi.dyer@battens.co.uk. For more information on Inheritance and Probate Disputes please contact Peter Livingstone in the Dispute Resolution department on 01935 846235 or peter.livingstone@battens.co.uk.

Specialist Legal Advice and Solutions

for whatever life brings - at home or at work

E: enquiries@battens.co.uk T: 01935 846000 Yeovil, Sherborne, Castle Cary, Dorchester, Wareham, Bath and London @BattensSol BattensSolicitors www.battens.co.uk

Your Life, Your Money, Your Future Trusted, professional, fee based advice We live in a complex world. At FFP we aim to remove complexity, replacing it with simplicity and clarity so that our clients can enjoy their lives without worry

FFP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Telephone: 01935 813322 Email: info@ffp.org.uk Website: www.ffp.org.uk

AHEAD IN THE CLOUD Our real-time cloud accounting solutions present you with a full picture of your financial position 24/7, allowing you to proactively plan and respond ahead of tax deadlines.

For a fresh take on your accounts, speak to Hunts

T: 01935 815008 E: info@huntsaccountants.co.uk W: huntsaccountants.co.uk @Hunts_Sherborne The Old Pump House, Oborne Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3RX

114 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Finance

PERSONAL FINANCE

THE MIRACLE OF COMPOUND INTEREST

C

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

ompound interest is a simple enough concept and can be genuinely life-changing.

According to Albert Einstein, compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world! The man with the big brain dubbed it, ‘the most powerful force in the universe’, and warned that, ‘he who understands it, earns it... he who doesn’t... pays it.’

While the origins of this quote are a bit fishy, never a truer word was spoken (or made up).

Research by the Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income suggests roughly a third of us are in that second category. We just don’t get it. However, you don’t need to be an astrophysicist with an IQ of 160 to figure it out. It is a simple enough concept and it can be genuinely life-changing.

What is Compounding?

When you give a bank or someone else your money, they pay you for having the use of it. This is called ‘interest’. If you leave that interest sitting in the account, it starts attracting interest all of its own. This interest-on-top-of-interest effect is called compounding. The exact same principle applies to other forms of returns such as dividends from shares. Over time, there’s a major snowball effect.

Eventually, the original amount you put in has been dwarfed by loads of interest.

Warning: Double-edged sword

If you owe someone money but don’t keep on top of repayments, the interest will compound in exactly the same way. However, we are going to focus on how to turn it to your advantage.

In for the long haul

Let’s say you have got £10,000 invested and you are earning a 7% return. By the end of the year, you have earned a little more than £700. It might seem like it will take an eternity to get rich on £700 a year but compounding returns really come into their own over longer time periods. Imagine that you put away that £10,000 at the start of your career, say, age 20, and then simply forgot about it. Fortyfive years later, that £10,000 would have become £230,000, without you so much as lifting a finger. ffp.org.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 115

Tech

Y

our email is just as important as any of your other IT services, so you need to ensure you’re getting the best value for money as well as the best possible service. There are many free email options on the market (Gmail, Hotmail etc.), plus those offered free by your ISP (BT, TalkTalk, AOL etc), but does it make sense to use them if you’re running a business or want to change your ISP? Paying for an email service means that you can easily send and receive emails through your own domain name, so you can have a professional email address such as ‘yourname@yourdomain.com’. It makes your company look professional and it will make your service seem more credible. If you’ve already got a website, then you should be able to get an email address to match. Don’t join those which advertise a website and then a free email address; it looks rather tacky.

If you pay to host your email through private server hosting, or through a service such as Google Apps or Office 365, then you will get a more reliable service compared to free email hosting. You will also have dedicated customer service and support; plus, the server you choose to host with will most likely have higher security in place. Additionally, services such as Office 365 offer extras - cloud storage and email access on the go for instance - which can be particularly useful if you need to access your email remotely.

The big advantage with a free service is that the service is free, and if you’re a small business who doesn’t 116 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

rely heavily on emails to get in touch with clients or customers, then you can most likely get by for a while by using a free email service. You don’t necessarily have to live with an ‘@gmail.com’ or ‘@hotmail.com’ domain either. Gmail easily lets you use their system to send emails from your own domain, however you need to have your domain set up to handle this. You can usually use the free email services that your Domain Name System (DNS) offers (usually limited to one free email address) to set up the initial server and then filter it through Gmail, Yahoo or whatever free service you want to use. However, these free services aren’t as secure and you’ll have to live with adverts in and around your emails. What’s more, if you’re on a free service, then your email may not be routed with priority.

If you’re a small business, a free email service might be attractive because you don’t have to deal with the cost of running an email server. However, it can cost very little to host email - some private servers can cost just a few pounds a month. Full packages such as Google Apps or Office 365 cost between £5 and £10 per month, so cost should never be a factor when it comes to ensuring the best email service.

The choice as always, is yours, but if you think you need advice, you know where to come.

Next month: Housekeeping: looking after your PC computing-mp.co.uk

Shop/Office To Let in Sherborne due to relocation

• Exercise classes • Personal training • 5k run series for local charities • Homes programme All age groups and abilities Call 07791 308773 @communifit

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Plu m b i n g & H e at i n g Lt d Local & reliable plumber. Gas Safe registered, fully insured • New build • Renovations • Boiler installations • Vented & unvented cylinder installations

• LPG • Bathroom installations • Free quotes • Competitive prices

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Walling, Landscaping & General Building All aspects of walling, stone & brick work, re-pointing, cladding.

Hard landscaping, whole garden construction, design, paving, fencing & decking. All general building, construction & conversions.

01963 361109 info@landscapeandbuild.com www.landscapeandbuild.com

T: 07885 420609 E: wills.plumbing@hotmail.co.uk

DAVE THURGOOD Painting & Decorating interior and exterior

07792 391368 NO VAT www.sherbornedecorators.com michellethurgood@sky.com

Competitively Priced, High Quality Carpets, Vinyls, Woods & Rugs SHERBORNE SHOWROOM NOW OPEN Unit 12, Old Yarn Mills, Westbury, Sherborne, DT9 3RQ A family run business established in 1998, we promise a highly professional level of service Tel: 07733 101064 or 01935 817885 www.lsflooring.co.uk

Yenstone Walling Ltd Dry Stone Walling and Landscaping All types of stone walling undertaken Patrick Houchen DSWA member CIS registered

01963 371123 07791 588141 www.yenstonewalling.co.uk

Suppliers and Manufacturers of quality Signage, Graphics and Embroidered Workwear

T: 01935 816767

info@swsigns-sherborne.co.uk www.swsigns-sherborne.co.uk

Unit 14, 0ld Yarn Mills, Sherborne Dorset DT9 3RQ 118 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

Wayne Timmins Painter and Decorator • • • • •

Interior & Exterior Fully Qualified 20 Years Experience Wallpapering & Lining Residential & Commercial

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All building work undertaken Extensions, Porches, House Renovations, Loft Conversions, Patios etc

01935 872007 / 07715 867145 waynesbusiness@aol.com

Contact David on 07507 841780

Covering South Somerset & North Dorset Small Business Support

Networks & Cabling

New PCs & Laptops

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Residential, commercial & heritage interiors Exterior work undertaken, paint spray finishes for new residential & commercial work

The Weighbridge • High Street • Milborne Port • DT9 5DG www.mpfix.co.uk

01963 250788

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A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR

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sherbornetimes.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 119

Community

A CATALYST FOR CHANGE

D

Anita Wingad, Community Catalysts

o you have an idea that could help people, those who are older or who have health needs?

Are you already helping people and would like to do more? Do you know such a person?

We know that there are a lot of people who need support and care in order to stay living happy, safe and fulfilled lives in their own homes. Do you have the right qualities and personality to provide that caring and supportive service? It isn’t just about personal care; it can be the companionship many are missing, help in the home with household chores, assistance to access and enjoy their garden, trips out for shopping and social time – it’s all about meeting the needs of an individual.

This free programme can help you turn your ideas into reality by offering a friendly and supportive point of contact, support to develop your idea, practical information on regulations, training, useful connections and much more!

There are many opportunities in your area to help you be in control of your career/home life balance and use your skills to help others have a better quality of life.

Here are some quotes from people we have already worked with: 120 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

‘I’m really pleased to be working with Anita from Community Catalysts. She has been there as a sounding board for my ideas and, when I was ready to make a start in developing my small business, she was encouraging and objective.’

‘My business offers people day-to-day support such as help with shopping, planning and cooking meals, help with domestic administration and keeping the home tidy. We also can bring creative activities such as art, craft and gardening to people at home.’

‘If you are ready for a new challenge or already run a small business and have lots of ideas about what people in your community need, Community Catalysts are the people to talk to.’

This free service is provided by social enterprise Community Catalysts and funded by Dorset Council. communitycatalysts.co.uk Anita will be at Sherborne Library on alternate Mondays from the 3rd February from 10am-12pm until 30th March. For details phone 07407 789131 or email anita.wingad@communitycatalysts.co.uk

SAMARITANS OF YEOVIL, SHERBORNE AND DISTRICT

I

f you have a reason to be in the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) at Yeovil District Hospital (YDH), you might be glad to know that a team of volunteers from the Yeovil Branch of Samaritans are on hand to offer emotional support. Though the core work of Samaritans is about being at the end of a telephone, the Yeovil Branch also gets out and about in the community, offering workshops and providing a listening ear in prisons, schools and colleges as well as A&E. The A&E team, led by Margaret Grundy, was first formed back in 2011. It continues to be a vital part of the branch’s community work and is currently staffed by eight volunteers. The team works in pairs on Monday afternoons and evenings, the busiest times of the week at YDH A&E, providing a service that over-stretched staff, despite their best intentions, simply don’t have time to offer themselves.

‘It’s not for every Samaritans volunteer,’ says Margaret. ‘It requires confidence and proactivity. You need to be able to identify those who are in obvious crisis and find a way of connecting with them. It could be either the patient or the person who has accompanied them to hospital. They may be in the waiting room, behind the scenes, or even outside the hospital, where somebody might just be too frightened or traumatised to make it through the doors. Normally it’s just as simple as a cup of tea. Tea is a marvellous way of persuading people to relax and open up. It can be a real ice breaker.

‘We are not there to judge or advise, we are there to listen - it’s what we’ve been trained to do - and to try and help someone through what can be a traumatic time. There are the immediate things to deal with, such as an injury, but often, once the patient has been assessed and is waiting for treatment, the longer-term repercussions of an accident start to sink in – how are they going to work, earn money, drive, even take the children to school?

All these things can be completely overwhelming.

‘It’s not just the patients and their families we are there to support. Quite often those working behind the scenes, YDH registrars and nurses in particular, need to sit down and open up. It helps them to re-group and gather strength for the rest of their shift at a stressful time.

‘All Samaritans’ work is challenging but it’s also immensely rewarding. To go home after a shift knowing that you’ve helped someone at a truly difficult time in their lives is a really good feeling.’

Could you volunteer with Samaritans? Our open evening takes place on the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm at Morley House, West Hendford. Call our information line on 01935 478746, email us at recruitment@yeovilsamaritans. org.uk or visit our website for more details. samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-yeovil-sherborneand-district sherbornetimes.co.uk | 121

Community

Members of the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust presenting £100,00 to the Chemotherapy Appeal with Mark Addison and Patricia Miller (Chairman and CEO of Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust) and members of the Chemotherapy Team.

THE CHEMOTHERAPY APPEAL AT DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL Rachel Cole, Fundraising & Communications Manager, Dorset County Hospital Charity

D

orset County Hospital Charity exists to enhance patient care at Dorset County Hospital (DCH). The Charity raises nearly £1,000,000 each year, launching and sustaining programmes over and above those the NHS can fund and raising money to improve care for the 300,000 patients treated annually.

The charity team works closely with nurses, doctors and other staff at DCH in order to fund wonderful facilities, pioneering medical equipment and research, thereby improving the hospital environment and supporting enhanced training opportunities to make DCH and its services the best they can be.

122 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

The Chemotherapy Appeal

Closely following on the heels of its successful £1.75 million Cancer Appeal, Dorset County Hospital Charity has launched a new £850,000 appeal to fund the complete redevelopment of the Chemotherapy Unit at DCH. This unit currently receives approximately 7,500 patient attendances each year which equates to over 500 individual patients, many of whom attend with a family member or a friend.

The Chemotherapy Appeal will provide the best possible environment for patient care, including increased space for individual patient treatment. This means that a family member or a friend will be able

to sit with patients while they are receiving treatment, something which is currently difficult to achieve due to the lack of space. In addition, there will be improved facilities for staff and an upgraded waiting area which will improve the experience for all relatives and carers on the unit.

Fundraising for the appeal is going well – half of the money has already been raised in just 12 months, putting the appeal well on track to achieve its full target of £850,000 by the end of 2020. Dorset County Hospital Charity is working in close partnership with the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust who recently donated £100,000 to the appeal.

Staff and Patient Views on the Chemotherapy Appeal

Karen Buckingham is an experienced Junior Sister on the Fortuneswell Chemotherapy Unit and is well known by many patients and their families, having worked on the unit for over 30 years.

Says Karen, ‘We always try to create a calm environment in the unit, without hustle and bustle, as this helps to promote a positive atmosphere for our patients and visitors. The new layout will be designed around the needs of all our patients and will help us look after them even better. The extra side rooms will also make a big difference to patients on all-day regimes as we know it can be reassuring for them to have their own en-suite facilities. We want to make sure the appeal creates the best possible environment for the future so that everyone can receive their treatment in the way which suits them best.’

Fran Arnold is a chemotherapy patient and also a major fundraiser for the hospital. During her chemotherapy treatment Fran wrote several poems as her way of saying thank you to the staff who had looked after her. Sales of her book have helped raise thousands of pounds to support the care of cancer patients at DCH. ‘This is a fantastic project,’ says Fran, ‘which will make a huge difference to people like me. Unavoidably, when you have chemotherapy treatment, it’s a very emotional time as everything is unknown. When the nurses and your family are able to be by your side you feel encouraged and protected.

‘The nursing staff are already outstanding but the changes the redevelopment will make will be the icing on the cake. It will make the physical and environmental aspect as good as it can be for people going through a testing experience. Cancer is a reminder that life is short and you have to make the best of every day.’

Karen Buckingham and Fran Arnold

Fundraising for the Chemotherapy Appeal

Many people have already supported the appeal including individual donors, families, community groups, local companies and members of staff at DCH. Fundraising events have included cake sales and coffee mornings, garden parties, auctions, concerts and physical challenges such as sponsored walks and marathons. Dorset County Hospital Charity is always looking for fundraising partners who wish to support the work of DCH. The charity can support all events and fundraisers with collection buckets and other fundraising collateral, and are always happy to give advice and support to those considering running a fundraising event.

If you would like to make a donation to, or fundraise on behalf of, The Chemotherapy Appeal please visit our ‘justgiving’ page, contact a member of the Charity Team on 01305 253215 or email us on charity@dchft.nhs.uk. justgiving.com/campaign/ChemotherapyAppeal sherbornetimes.co.uk | 123

IN CONVERSATION WITH

MAJOR-GENERAL JONATHAN HALL CB OBE DL David Birley

DB: What attracted you to a career in the army?

JH: My mother’s side of the family had army connections and perhaps a surprising reason is my interest in the history and pageantry of uniform. At the end of my career, I was entitled to wear five different uniforms, which is pretty unusual!

DB: You had a very interesting army career.

JH: Yes. In my thirty-five years I saw service in many parts of the world including Germany, Cyprus, Libya, Singapore and Northern Ireland. I had some lucky breaks and was able to make the most of them. We moved around a great deal and I am fortunate that my wife, Sarah, is a great home-maker. We met when we were both seventeen and recently celebrated our golden wedding.

My last serving appointment was as General Officer commanding the army in Scotland and Governor of Edinburgh Castle which was a great privilege. I had two roles, operational and representational. In the latter role I was very much involved in the life of Scotland such as the annual opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Edinburgh Tattoo and, towards 124 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

the end of my time, the return of the Stone of Scone from Westminster Abbey to Edinburgh Castle. We had a very busy life as we had frequent visitors sent by the Ministry of Defence who rightly regarded Edinburgh and Scotland as a very attractive destination for overseas visitors. We had over two thousand guests through our doors in three years.

DB: You then went to the Royal Hospital in Chelsea as Lieutenant Governor.

JH: I had eight wonderful years looking after about 350 men whose ages ranged from 65 to 102. When I arrived, the in-Pensioners lived in long wards which housed about 20 men. There were set bath times and the men had to slop out every day. This had to change and we raised ÂŁ35 million so that the men could have their own rooms with en-suite facilities. Lady Thatcher was a great help with the fundraising. She loved the Royal Hospital and was very good with the men. She regularly attended our church services and we got to know her quite well.

She used to ask us to lunch at the Goring Hotel and whenever she entered the dining room all the other

diners would spontaneously give her a standing ovation.

She was a great lady and very generous to the Hospital.

DB: What have you learnt along the way?

JH: A lot. Every day you learn something new.

For me, humility and the three CS - compassion, communication and comradeship - are very important.

Also, there is a fourth C – cheerfulness – as we only have one life and we must make the most of it.

DB: Is there anything you would have done differently?

JH: I wouldn’t change a thing. I have a great team partnership with my wonderful wife who is the strength behind me and we both do and achieve everything together.

DB: Let’s come on to other aspects of your life.

What are you currently involved in?

JH: I divide my life into three chunks, thirty-five years in the army, eight years at the Royal Hospital and this latest stage. I am involved in raising money for good causes and getting involved nationally with big charities, mainly military ones such as the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association. I was a trustee for fifteen years and every two years a reunion is held. These courageous people used to tell me they did not ask to be made a VC or GC, they just happened to be around at the wrong time. I am also involved in Blind Veterans UK, formerly known as St Dunstan’s, which is a wonderful charity.

What I find striking is that these unfortunate people don’t whinge or complain. They accept their lot and make the

most of life which is just marvellous.

I have stopped doing most things now, but I am involved in Diverse Abilities, which was founded sixtyfive years ago and is an unsung and little-known charity based in Poole which helps severely disabled people. I am helping to raise their profile and support their latest project named the Splash Appeal, which aims to raise £1 million for a hydrotherapy pool. I also helped to raise money for an MRI scanner at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. I am also currently advising Bournemouth University fund-raising graduates.

DB: What changes have you seen?

JH: Every day there are changes which are, on the whole, for the better. I am all for moving forward, change is a good thing; we must all strive to do better and improve ourselves.

DB: What attracted you to West Dorset?

JH: It is a lovely place to live. For many years we owned a house in the Chalke Valley near Salisbury, and, like many other military families, had lived in more than thirty houses before making our final move here to West Dorset.

DB: Do you have a personal wish?

JH: To keep going, to stay fit and have all my faculties. I don’t want for anything.

DB: Do you have a wish for Sherborne?

JH: We are extremely lucky to live in such a marvellous place and I hope the town continues to flourish. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 125

Robert Hurworth/Shutterstock

Short Story

THE FERRY MAN

T

Malcolm Cockburn, Sherborne Scribblers

hree roads lead to the north from Sydney. The most recent is a motorway built in the 1960s; I worked on it as an engineer. Alongside is the winding Pacific Highway, a wonderful drive with glimpses of estuaries and lagoons.

A third route north runs inland, further west from the coast roads, and winds through the bush, an unsealed dirt track. This was the road that the gangs of prisoners would have taken from Botany Bay to the highlands of New England, and here the Hawkesbury River retains its ferry crossing at Wiseman’s Ferry.

More recently I hired a motorcycle in Sydney. Firstly, to roar up the motorway and remind myself of the travails of construction through tortuous bluffs and valleys. We filled one valley to a depth of ninety feet and covered a large rock which had an aboriginal painting of a fish on it. No-one seemed interested in the protestation of a ‘Green’ pommie! Another day I revelled in the turns and twists of the Pacific Highway through dense bush country; it had become a biker’s weekend delight. Finally, I took a couple of days to explore the old 1800s road.

I boarded the ferry at Wiseman’s Ferry, a hamlet which is nothing more than a street of houses and a hotel on a spit of land embraced by a turn of the Hawkesbury

126 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

River. The tranquil scene of fields and orchards is sunk in a wide river valley enclosed by wooded bluffs. One man was in charge of the boat, opening the gates for a few cars, a van and my motorcycle. He immediately impressed me with his shaved head and simple clothes. He must have been in his early thirties and his eyes were calm and deep. As we crossed the river I struck up conversation with him and finished the morning with two or three return journeys when, between embarkations and disembarkations, he explained to me that he was a Buddhist by faith and how The Ferryman resonates in that faith.

The Buddha, during his wanderings in search of enlightenment around northern India, came to a river which could only be crossed by ferry. The ferryman demanded a fare for the crossing but the Buddha was penniless. The ferryman denied him boarding, whereat the Holy Man vanished and then reappeared on the opposite bank. In honour of this event, Buddhists in their saffron robes were henceforth allowed free passage on Indian ferries.

More seriously, in Buddhist scriptures, a river is the division between ‘Samsara’ (the endless process of re-birth and search for enlightenment) and ‘Nirvana’, the final state of enlightenment. Unlike Greek mythology in which Charon ferries the dead across the river Styx to Hades, there is no ferryman to Nirvana: just faith.

I left the ferry and valley of the Hawkesbury. Apart from occasional, tumbleddown wooden houses, the road became increasingly remote and enclosed by dense eucalyptus forest. After some miles, in a glade beside the road, I saw a little rock pool and beside it was a notice with words painted on a board. It stated, ‘Convicts’ drinking trough.’ Immediately my mind returned to Dorset and that notice attached to county bridges, ‘Persons injuring this bridge will be liable to be transported for life.’ Here I paused for thought before continuing my ride many miles up to the Hunter Valley, all the while my mind considering those prisoners.

It was most unlikely that anyone in Dorset was ever prosecuted for injuring bridges, however many other felonies of little worth ended in transportation.

Here my reverie took flight: was not the ferry crossing of that river the divide for those unfortunate people between the darkness they had endured and the light of a new beginning in the prosperous valley of the Hunter River and New England?

Today that valley is rich with vineyards and some of Australia’s best vintages; surely some are the work of convicts’ descendants? I left the bike at a vineyard and stopped to drink a glass of Hunter Valley Shiraz and to give thanks for a wonderful journey, and life.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by the horrific bushfires sweeping Australia and the emergency services that have been bravely battling the flames since last September.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 127

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JANUARY SOLUTIONS

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DOWN 1. Intelligent and informed (13) 2. Dog leashes (5) 4. Makes a sibilant sound (6) 5. Hillside (12) 6. Crazy about someone (7) 7. Affectedly (13) 8. In a hostile manner (12) 14. Jovially celebratory (7) 16. Country in Africa with capital Kampala (6) 19. Sweet-scented shrub (5)

Literature

LITERARY REVIEW Jonathan Stones, Sherborne Literary Society

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins (Tinder Press January 2020) £14.99 Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £12.99 from Winstone’s Books

‘A

Grapes of Wrath for our times’ froths the back cover. No, it isn’t, but it is a truly remarkable work of fiction; totally enthralling and viscerally exciting.

It challenges conventional perspectives in concerning itself with the fate of the Central and South American migrant (the ‘American Dirt’ of the title), principally through the characters of a young Mexican woman, Lydia, and her eight-year-old son Luca.

They are escaping from a notoriously violent narcotics cartel which has murdered sixteen members of their family in their home in Acapulco, following a newspaper exposé of the gang by Lydia’s journalist husband. We are spared the full horrors of the actual murder spree because our concentration is immediately centred on Lydia and Luca as they hide desperately behind a half-concealing shower wall in the house while the rest of the family is being gunned down in the yard outside.

We are then on the run with mother and son as the unintended survivors flee the cartel. Lydia’s plan is to find relatives living in Colorado, more than a thousand miles away. At first, she makes progress by local buses but soon realises that the narcos have roadblocks everywhere. She and Luca are smuggled by private minibus to the airport in Mexico City, where she tries to buy tickets for herself and Luca but is refused when she is unable to produce his birth certificate. At this point, Lydia and Luca have no alternative if they are to escape; they have to become ‘illegals’. ‘All her life she’s pitied these poor people. She’s wondered with the sort

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of detached fascination of the comfortable elite… that they would leave their homes, their cultures, their families, their languages, and venture into tremendous peril, risking their very lives, all for the chance to get to the dream of some faraway country that doesn’t even want them’.

Now she has no choice; she and Luca will have to flee on top of the nightmarish ‘La Bestia’: the freight trains the migrants ride across the length of the country.

The journey is a mission of terror, and tragedy awaits.

Violence and kidnappings are endemic along the tracks and, apart from the criminal dangers, migrants are maimed and killed every day when they fall from the tops of the trains; only the poorest and most desperate of people attempt to travel this way. Lydia must also make contact with a coyote, one of the migrant traffickers who, for extortionate sums, undertake to smuggle migrants across the border where, in turn, they are met by border patrols, and worse, vigilantes who treat the rounding up and murder of migrants as a blood-sport.

Whether both Lydia and Luca (an increasingly remarkable character in his own right) succeed against all odds in finding safety must be left for readers to discover for themselves; what is more certain is that, by the end of the compelling narrative, few will remain unaffected by this vivid and challenging work. sherborneliterarysociety.com winstonebooks.co.uk

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PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

A

Adrian Bright, Sherborne Community Church

s we move into February we are well into the first year of this new decade, a decade which promises to be exciting and fulfilling and which, as life experience seems to show, will pass quicker than the last. Is that an age thing?

This year I have promised to take my wife to the cinema to see a movie rather than waiting for it to be released as a DVD or on Netflix. The reason for this is that I recently heard a well-known film director being interviewed on Radio 4. He said that there are many ways to watch a film: • On a phone or tablet • On a laptop or PC • On the television or home cinema.

However, he stated that there is really only one way to appreciate and experience a film in its fullness and that is to watch it on the big screen.

And really that’s a bit like life itself.

Life can be experienced in many ways, some that instantly seem extremely exciting and fulfilling but which are short-lived. If you want the most out of life and want to truly experience life in all its fullness then, as a Christian, I believe there is only one way to do that, and that is to know the one who created you and His purpose for you.

A few weeks ago, over the Christmas period, churches were filled with people celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. I am sure that if a survey were to be taken around the country now it would show church attendance much lower. The celebration was about Jesus Christ who came to give us life in all its fullness. Life in all its fullness cannot be achieved if we involve Jesus in our lives only once or twice a year. Christ, Emmanuel, God with us has to be a daily experience.

My prayer for you this year and in the coming decade is that you truly appreciate and experience life in all its fullness by knowing Jesus Christ.

130 | Sherborne Times | February 2020

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