Sherborne Times January 2021

JANUARY 2021 | FREE

A MONTHLY CELEBR ATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR

A CHANGE OF TACK with Sherborne Equestrian

sherbornetimes.co.uk

WELCOME

B

eleaguered and bruised, with dirt deep beneath our nails, we peek tentatively over the parapet. Half expecting the thud of an arrow between the eyes, we are instead greeted by the kindly face of a brand new year. She (for it can’t be a ‘he’) extends her hand and offers gentle assurances. Then one by one we emerge, from behind bolted doors and upturned tables, uncertain, unsteady yet sanguine.

And so to January… Ali Cockrean embarks on a new project, Bev Jones makes a fresh start and Val Stones makes a batch of marmalade. Emma Tabor and Paul Newman clear the cobwebs, Mike Riley ponders the merits of mudguards and Andy Foster hides behind the furniture. Katharine and Jo meanwhile visit Sherborne Equestrian and meet the children being taught a very different kind of lesson.

Wishing you all a prosperous and positive 2021.

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

CONTRIBUTORS Editorial and creative direction Glen Cheyne Design Andy Gerrard @round_studio Sub editor Sadie Wilkins Photography Katharine Davies @Katharine_KDP Feature writer Jo Denbury @jo_denbury Editorial assistant Helen Brown Social media Jenny Dickinson Illustrations Elizabeth Watson elizabethwatsonillustration.com Print Stephens & George Distribution team Barbara and 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 Ionas Tsetikas

Catherine Allum Samaritans @samaritans samaritans.org Emma Bartlett Hazlegrove School @HazlegrovePrep hazlegrove.co.uk Deborah Bathurst Sherborne Literary Society @SherborneLitSoc sherborneliterarysociety.com Elisabeth Bletsoe Sherborne Museum @SherborneMuseum sherbornemuseum.co.uk Richard Bromell ASFAV Charterhouse Auctioneers and Valuers @CharterhouseAV charterhouse-auction.com Mike Burks The Gardens Group @TheGardensGroup thegardensgroup.co.uk David Burnett The Dovecote Press dovecotepress.com Paula Carnell @paula.carnell paulacarnell.com Cindy Chant Sherborne Walks @sherbornewalks sherbornewalks.co.uk Malcolm Cockburn Sherborne Scribblers Ali Cockrean @AliCockrean alicockrean.co.uk Gillian M Constable DWT Sherborne Group @DorsetWildlife dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk David Copp Rosie Cunningham

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.

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

4 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

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

CFPcm Chartered MCSI APFS Fort Financial Planning ffp.org.uk Andy Foster Raise Architects @raisearchitects raisearchitects.com Jenny Gibson MRCVS Kingston Veterinary Group @TheKingstonVets kingstonvets.co.uk Anne Hall Sherborne Town Council sherborne-tc.gov.uk Craig Hardaker Communifit @communifit communifit.co.uk

Andy Hastie Cinematheque cinematheque.org.uk Sue Hawkett Sarah Hitch The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms The Margaret Balfour Beauty Centre @SanctuaryDorset @margaretbalfourbeautycentre thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk margaretbalfour.co.uk Terri Hogan terrihogan.co.uk James Hull The Story Pig @thestorypig thestorypig.co.uk Bev Jones Company of Landscapers co-landscapers.co.uk Lucy Lewis Dorset Mind @DorsetMind dorsetmind.uk Sasha Matkevich The Green Restaurant @greensherborne greenrestaurant.co.uk Sean McCabe Mogers Drewett Solicitors @mogersdrewett md-solicitors.co.uk Mark Newton-Clarke MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Newton Clarke Veterinary Partnership @swanhousevet newtonclarkevet.com Simon Partridge SP Fit @spfitsherborne spfit-sherborne.co.uk Cath Rapley Lodestone Property @LodestoneProp lodestoneproperty.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 Val Stones @valstones bakerval.com Emma Tabor & Paul Newman @paulnewmanart paulnewmanartist.com Geoff Ward Sherborne Steam and Waterwheel Centre and Sherborne Science Cafe @SherborneSciCaf sswc.co.uk sherbornesciencecafe.com Sally Welbourn Dorset Wildlife Trust @DorsetWildlife dors etwildlifetrust.org.uk

64 8

Art & Culture

JANUARY 2021 54 Antiques

110 Legal

20 Community

56 Gardening

112 Finance

24 Family

64 SHERBORNE EQUESTRIAN

114 Tech

36 Science & Nature

72 Food & Drink

118 Short Story

42 Wild Dorset

80 Animal Care

120 Crossword

46 On Foot

86 Body & Mind

121 Literature

50 History

104 Home

122 Pause for Thought sherbornetimes.co.uk | 5

SHERBORNE INDIES YOUR TOWN'S INDEPENDENT RETAILERS AND BUSINESSES

ABACUS FINANCIAL OPTIONS

COMMUNIFIT

Exercise for all age groups and abilities.

Johanna Kemp, your local independent mortgage and insurance specialist. Helping with mortgages, equity release and protection.

Personal training, group training, outdoor bootcamps, running groups, over 50s exercise classes, charity events, mobile gym.

ECCO GELATO

Gelato and more, delivered to your door. Order by 8pm Thursday for delivery Saturday.

Long Street, Sherborne DT9 3BU

07813 785355 jk@abacusfinancialoptions.co.uk abacusfinancialoptions.co.uk

07791 308773 @communifit info@communifit.co.uk communifit.co.uk

01935 813659 philippa@ecco-gelato.co.uk @EccoGelato @eccogelatosherborne ecco-gelato.co.uk

FLY JESSE

GODDEN & CURTIS

MELBURY GALLERY

Big Winter Sale!

Television and audio, sales and repairs.

Buy 1 Get 1 Half Price on all baby & children’s clothes.

Happy New Year to all our customers

We are a bright and colourful shop selling a wonderful individual collection of clothes.

Lots of new clothing, jewellery and accessories arriving.

37 Cheap Street, Sherborne DT9 3PU

Greenhill, Sherborne DT9 4EW

@flyjesseonline flyjesse.co.uk

07718 253309 / 01935 813451 simon@goddenandcurtis.co.uk goddenandcurtis.co.uk

@shoplocalinsherborne #shoplocalinsherborne

Half Moon Street, Sherborne DT9 3LN @Melbury Gallery melburygallery.co.uk

OLIVER’S

THE PEAR TREE DELI

THE PLUME OF FEATHERS

Delicatessen & cafe open 9am-4pm, Monday - Saturday.

Open 7 days a week.

Delivery service available for birthday cakes and buffet lunches.

Delivery & take away service for sandwiches, coffees and cakes plus many more deli items.

19 Cheap St, Sherborne DT9 3PU

Half Moon Street, Sherborne DT9 3LS

01935 815005 @oliverssherbs @oliverscoffeehouse oliverscoffeehouse.co.uk

01935 812828 @ThePearTreeDeli @thepeartreedeli peartreedeli.co.uk

PURE HAIR

RILEY’S CYCLES

Pure Hair is the perfect place to relax and be pampered.

Riley’s is Sherborne’s long established cycle shop, providing a range of bicycles and e-bikes plus parts, accessories, clothing, repairs and servicing.

Established salon of 17 years.

Hair and Beauty Finalist 2019 & 2020.

Half Moon Street, Sherborne DT9 3LN

Trendle Yard, Trendle Street, Sherborne DT9 3NT

01935 814172 @purehairsherborne

01935 812038 info@rileyscycles.co.uk rileyscycles.co.uk

SHERBORNE WEB DESIGN

THE THREE WISHES

Your local ‘one-stop shop’ for everything that falls under the umbrella of web design; custom built for you.

Enjoy coffee and lunch in our garden and restaurant. Now open until 8.30pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Join us for Thai Night every Thursday.

118 Yeovil Road, Sherborne DT9 4BB

78 Cheap Street, Sherborne DT9 3BJ

01935 813241 info@sherbornewebdesign.co.uk sherbornewebdesign.co.uk

01935 817777 reservations@thethreewishes.co.uk thethreewishes.co.uk

16th Century pub serving Italian small plates. Authentic homemade dishes using some of the finest Dorset and Italian ingredients.

Half Moon Street, Sherborne DT9 3LN 01935 389709 theplumesherborne.co.uk

THE ROSE & CROWN TRENT

The country inn loved by locals and travellers for generations.

The perfect place to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the views or curl up on an winter evening.

Trent, Sherborne DT9 4SL 01935 850776 theroseandcrowntrent.co.uk

TROUVAILLE GALLERY

Discover a wonderful selection of unique handmade cards and gifts, created by local artists and craftspeople 24c Cheap Street, Sherborne DT9 3PX 07779 788465

@shoplocalinsherborne #shoplocalinsherborne

Art & Culture

ARTIST AT WORK

No.26: Terri Hogan Slipway ii – Cape Cornwall, 32x32cm, mixed media on board, £400

M

y paintings are about a sense of being in a specific place at a specific time, most of which are based upon the Cornwall coast, particularly that of the Lizard peninsula and the Penwith. I love these places and essential to my work is drawing outside at the location – I am then able to breathe in the energy of the sea, the shore and the beauty of the coastal landscape. The drawings are crucial to the development of my work and although the final paintings may not be a pictorial representation of the location, they are, for me, the essence of the place.

I frequently use the sand or cliff material from these locations in my work, thus another element of reality.

I make notes as I walk the cliff tops or beaches and it 8 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

reminds me of bird song, heightens what the ocean is doing – the colours, the light and sounds. The wilder the weather the better! My work is truthful – nothing is imagined, and I can trace the composition, colour and texture back to the original drawings and notes.

I work from a studio at Shave Farm, near Bruton, alongside other artists who also have studios there.

Last year was certainly a challenge, as I was unable to travel to Cornwall as frequently because of lockdown, but I have a huge bank of drawings, paintings, notes and information in precious sketch books, so my work continues… terri_hogan6938 terrihogan.co.uk

. o d e W Weddings at Leweston

Email: bawdenk@leweston.dorset.sch.uk ď‚ą Tel: 01963 211011 www.lewestonenterprises.co.uk/weddings

Art & Culture

ON FILM

A

Andy Hastie, Yeovil Cinematheque

s I write this, we are in the middle of a groundbreaking film anthology on the BBC. Artist and film director Steve McQueen has written and directed 5 films, the Small Axe series, reflecting Black British experiences from the late 1960s to the early 1980s.

This illumination of recent British history and from a black perspective gives representation to a community who have found that they are repeatedly missing from the mainstream narrative in cinema and television. As McQueen says, ‘We are missing from the conversation. Not to see yourself or any aspects of ordinary life that reflects your experience of growing up in Britain, that is just plain weird.’ These films have had huge success on this year’s festival circuit, being included in the Cannes and New York film festivals.

Lovers Rock, the second in the Small Axe series, tells of a teenage girl’s coming of age at a blues party in 1980 Notting Hill, and is based on the true story of McQueen’s aunt sneaking out of the family home on weekend nights to go dancing, partly as an escape from her strict religious upbringing. These parties were held in private houses all over London, primarily because at that time black people were not overly welcome in clubs, which were also expensive.

The dancing sequences stand out and are astonishingly filmed long scenes with the camera held low, weaving in and out of the dancers, fluidly moving alongside them. McQueen sees his role as speaking truth to power and telling stories that will otherwise go untold in official histories.

This series of films are all the more welcome as recent Black British cinema has rather dwelled on gang culture, drugs and violence, such as Noel Clarke’s Kidulthood (2005), and Adulthood (2008), and don’t represent the lives of the majority of black people in Britain today.

In the period before Steve McQueen’s Small Axe time frame - post war until the early 1960s, a few British filmmakers were concerned to deal with contemporary social issues, including race.

Most of these well-meant, earnestly told stories, set in working class inner-city communities, usually depicted inter-racial relationships and the problems encountered from them. Pool of London (1951) tells of a Black American seaman’s relationship with a white girl, which he eventually calls off because of others’ racial intolerance, whereas the black protagonists in The Wind of Change (1962), and Sapphire (1959) both are killed because of their colour. Flame in the Streets (1961) follows similar prejudice, while To Sir with Love (1967) ends on a more upbeat conclusion, with the black teacher finally proving his worth and being accepted by the East End school he works at. These films were genuinely trying to confront racial issues, but only from a white perspective, which makes the Steve McQueen series all the more necessary today.

Cinematheque is still patiently waiting to start up again at the Swan Theatre and, with a vaccine being rolled out, maybe early 2021 is now going to be possible. Let’s hope so…

Lovers Rock is available on BBC iPlayer, and all the other films can be bought on DVD or can be seen on Talking Pictures (Channel 81) as well. Stay safe. cinematheque.org.uk swan-theatre.co.uk

10 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

Small Axe, Lovers Rock (2020) Parisa Taghizadeh/BBC/McQueen Limited

To Sir, With Love (1967) sherbornetimes.co.uk | 11

Art & Culture

Jack Bannell in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. Image: Alex Harvey-Brown 12 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

CONFESSIONS OF A THEATRE ADDICT

H

Rosie Cunningham

appy New Year and I hope 2021 will be the best year ever. Here is a review of the best online sites to keep you entertained at home.

I have watched a couple of short plays on originaltheatreonline.com. The first was a very moving piece called Watching Rosie, written and performed by Louise Coulthard with ample help from Miriam Margolyes. The second was Mrs Goldie vs The World written and performed by Nicky Goldie. Great fun. Browse the selection of plays on the website – some free, some for a donation.

Blackeyed Theatre is one of the UK’s leading touring theatre companies, with years of experience of bringing high quality plays to towns and cities across the UK. Rather like Shakespearean touring players of old. Currently, you can watch The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, which was performed live, on demand for £18 until the end of January. A really great adaption and full of the vim and vigour of old London town in the 19th century. Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear, will be touring during the year. Visit the website for dates and venues.

Digital Theatre is for everyone. Working in partnership with Britain’s leading theatre companies, they capture live performances with high-definition technology. Become a member for a monthly fee or pay a one-off price to watch a performance. From Funny Girl with Sheridan Smith to All My Sons with David Suchet and Zoe Wanamaker, including Don Giovanni from Opera North and La Boheme from the Royal Opera House. Take a look at their catalogue. £7.99 for each performance.

Don’t forget NationalTheatreAtHome are now live streaming all their productions.

Subscribe to ntathome.com and pay either £8.32 per month or £83.32 a year for as many performances as you want to see.

Fane Online is similar but captures live-streamed events including talks and exclusive shows.

For example, A Night In With… Gabriel Byrne or Sandi Toksvig or Dawn French. All talking about their recent books or biographies. Priced from £8.33 for good entertainment.

Other things to look out for this year include The Art of Banksy, which is the world’s largest collection of privately-owned Banksy art opening in March in Earlham Street, Covent Garden.

Tickets cost £29.50 through ATG. Live theatre with Love Letters at Theatre Royal Haymarket with Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove - on until 7th February. They are also doing The Tiger Who Came To Tea in the summer holidays! World premiere stage production of Looking Good Dead, starring EastEnders icon Adam Woodyatt, is touring from May to September, adapted from the Roy Grace series by best-selling author Peter James. Looks gripping. Lastly the musical Anything Goes, new production of Cole Porter and P.G. Wodehouse, starring Megan Mullally and Robert Lindsay at the Barbican from 8th May. Watch out for the new movie adaption of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit on Sky Cinema and NOW TV from 15th January, starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) and Judi Dench as Madame Arcati. Directed by Edward Hall. I had a sneak preview, and it is hilarious.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 13

Art & Culture

THE ARTIST’S PERSONA Ali Cockrean

L

ike so many industries during this pandemic, the arts have taken a hard knock and, as an expressionist landscape painter myself, I wanted to do something practical to support the visual arts and, in particular, other practicing artists. During lockdown, that thought formed into an idea for a new project which has become The Artist’s Persona.

I wanted to aim the project at anyone with a passion for art, whether you are simply appreciating it or learning to draw and paint for the first time.

I’ve recorded compelling interviews and insights and also wanted to showcase high-profile established artists as part of the venture. The artists are all regular exhibitors at a range of prestigious events including the Royal Academy Summer Show, Discerning Eye and Threadneedle Prize and exhibiting with one or more of the eminent Mall Gallery groups such as The New English Art Club. Exciting emerging artists are also selected regularly for interviews.

Making the project accessible as a free member, via Facebook, was crucial to me. You simply need to register and then you can watch our full interviews, where artists working in a whole variety of mediums 14 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

Sea Bass with Fennel 40cm x 50cm, oil on canvas

and styles discuss their inspiration and processes. The interviews allow the artists to talk openly and honestly about their work and share their paintings – which I feel is very important.

I felt it imperative to provide an ‘enhanced service’ for a small fee under the umbrella of a ‘Private Members Club’ which offers more material and most importantly, supports ‘the arts’. The £5 per month fee is shared directly with the contributing artists and is needed more than ever this year in an already underfunded sector.

So, to whet your appetite, The Artist’s Persona will also be sharing taster snippets of our full interviews here in the Sherborne Times every other month. We’re kicking the series off with a look at a fabulous emerging artist, based in London.

Nick Yarker describes himself as a figurative artist.

He began painting as a young child while growing up in the Dorset countryside, and then as the Roger Fry art scholar at Clifton College in Bristol. A career in advertising took him all over the world, experiencing a wide range of cultures and colours from Abuja to Beijing, by way of Istanbul, Beirut and Islamabad. >

Andrea with Book 120cm x 90cm, oil on canvas sherbornetimes.co.uk | 15

Lemon Sole 40cm x 30cm, oil on canvas

In 2012, he spent three years training in classical portraiture at the renowned studio of Charles H Cecil in Florence, Italy. The days were long and rigorous as he worked, drawing and painting from life, in the tradition of the renaissance masters.

‘We would start at 9am with a model and study for the whole of that day in just the same workshop tradition as apprentices would have been taught in the 16th and 17th Century. Importantly, we were painting from life to the scale of life, understanding the techniques from the past that produce the life-size portraits celebrated at that time. It’s something that is more or less lost, and the Charles H Cecil studios is really one of the last places still teaching these methods properly.’

Nick’s mesmeric portraiture combines these masterful skills with a contemporary edge which imbues his work with a haunting timeless quality.

While observation from life remains the foundation of his artwork, Nick has more recently turned his attention to food-based still life. He describes how he looks for simple arrangements of shapes and colours which bring out the natural beauty of the subjects with the minimum of unnecessary detail. He concentrates 16 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

on honest, fresh ingredients that feed the eye as well as the pallet. As he says, carefully chosen simplicity defines both good cooking and good painting and is defined as much by what is left out as what is added.

‘I often completely eliminate the horizon by placing the objects on a flat surface so I can focus totally on colour, shape and pattern. I’ve also always enjoyed cooking and combining ingredients.

So, in my paintings, I put together combinations of food that could make a good recipe while celebrating each object individually. I try to tap into some of the cultural references around taste and smell and I’m particularly interested in the place where food and art and cultural associations all interweave.’

Nick’s influences include Morandi, Elizabeth Blackadder and Eliot Hodgkin, who have all looked for beauty in simple, carefully chosen arrangements.

To see more of Nick’s work, hear his full interview, and subscribe to The Artist’s Persona for free, visit Facebook and search The Artist’s Persona. alicockrean.co.uk

D I S C O V E R | E AT | S H O P | S TAY | C E L E B R AT E

Welcome to Symondsbury Estate, set in the beautiful Dorset countryside just a stone’s throw from the Jurassic Coast. Join us for lunch. Browse our shops. Visit the gallery.

Explore our fabulous walks and bike trails. Relax and unwind in our holiday accommodation.

Celebrate your wedding day...

New beginnings, new hope...

SY M O N D SBURY E S TAT E

+44 (0)1308 424116 symondsburyestate.co.uk Symondsbury Estate, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6HG

L I F E S T Y L E

B O U T I Q U E

OPEN 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM 33 CHEAP STREET, SHERBORNE, DT9 3PU PHONE 01935 816551

Affordable interior fabrics thefabricbarn.co.uk 18 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

01935 851025

Macro, micro or magnificent Minterne House Weddings, where anything and everything is possible

weddings@minterne.co.uk www.minterne.co.uk

Community

A GREENER SHERBORNE TO HELP FIGHT THE BLUES Anne Hall, Deputy Mayor & Open Spaces Portfolio Holder

S

herborne Town Council has a vast and varied area of open spaces to look after on behalf of the town’s residents. And these areas are increasingly vital for the health and wellbeing of our community, especially through the tough times of the COVID pandemic.

Pageant Gardens is in the midst of a major improvement programme to make it a more open and inviting space for everyone to enjoy. An additional access point has been installed in the boundary along Pageant Drive. This makes it easier for modern mobility scooters and double child buggies to get into the gardens. Over the summer, a recycling bin and a new water-filling station have been added to help reduce single plastic containers and to encourage recycling.

In late autumn, there was a flurry of planting flowering bulbs, designed to brighten up the dullest months and take us into the spring. I hope it will help lift the spirits of everyone who walks through Pageant Gardens regularly. Just casting our eye over beautiful flowers when we’re out for a walk always makes us feel better.

Plans are afoot to enhance the water feature in the gardens and soon we will be able to listen to the sound of water cascading over the rocks once again.

We are also working to finish refurbishment of the area surrounding of the bandstand. This will include new seating, so that residents and visitors alike can enjoy our very own Sherborne Town Band again during their busy summer schedule.

One green space which has been much busier during the COVID pandemic is the Terrace Playing Field and especially the dog walk on the Jubilee Copse, 20 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

along with the Terrace Meadow nature reserve. As part of their winter works programme, Sherborne Town Council’s grounds maintenance team will be installing new fencing to improve connectivity between the Copse and the Terraces.

Thanks goes to the team whose work over the last few months has included new stiles between fields on the terraces, to improve access and replacing the steps leading to the footpath at the Quarr, along with installing a handrail.

We are planting more trees to enlarge the Jubilee Copse area, with additional seating looking out over to Honeycomb Woods. The Terrace Meadow has a superb array of wildflowers including orchids along with insects and butterflies which are not generally seen around here. Both areas are looked after by the voluntary group EUCAN, who receive a yearly grant from the town council. They do a fantastic job maintaining these wonderful natural beauty spots for us all to enjoy.

Just below the Terrace Playing Field on the edge of New Road you will find a protected verge, again looked after by EUCAN. This small, seemingly insignificant strip of land is of special interest with native cowslips in the spring, closely followed by pyramidal orchids. And, nestled in along the A352, can be found the enchanting bee orchids.

Sherborne is only a tiny corner of England’s ‘green and pleasant land’, but our beautiful green spaces always bring a breath of fresh air and new life, especially in times of trouble. sherborne-tc.gov.uk

Community

WHY GIVING MAKES YOU RICH Cath Rapley, Lodestone Property

‘N

o-one has ever become poor by giving’ wrote WWII diarist Anne Frank. Based on this theory, Sherborne, with its population of just 12,000, must be very rich indeed, given that a quick Google of charities in Sherborne throws up at least 25 listings. From the British Heart Foundation, to RNIB Talking Book Service to the Sherborne Town Band, there’s a diverse mix of organisations catering for all aspects of life. But the one thing they have in common – apart from the need to fundraise – is volunteers.

‘We couldn’t survive without them,’ says Helen Da Silva Wood, the CEO of The Rendezvous, a charity which works with people aged 13-25, providing them with practical help and problem-solving like guiding through the benefits maze or helping them manage life as a young parent. What’s growing in demand, however, is one-to-one tuition in English and Maths (they teach a GCSE equivalent). ‘Volunteers are absolutely instrumental in delivering our learning programme,’ she iterates. ‘Before Covid, we had around thirty from a real range of backgrounds and ages – from graduates, to 22 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

early retirees who have moved down from London.’

These selfless souls give up their time and skills to help struggling young people cope. The charity was set up around 20 years ago by a group of locals concerned about the problems facing the under-25s.

While there is a very good local youth club called Tinney’s, Helen explains that The Rendezvous caters for ‘those young people who are kind of bounced out of there,’ she continues, ‘but that’s not because they are ‘bad’. Increasingly, we’re seeing a lot more who are so anxious, they can‘t cope in a large school setting.

Other people have been ill for a long time, missed a lot, which meant that they didn‘t get qualifications.

Some of them were dyslexic, without knowing, and didn‘t necessarily get the support they needed.’

Working with the charity to get their qualifications can really help turn their lives around and Helen adds, ‘it‘s really positive to see the self-esteem of the young person grow – they very often think that they will never ever in a million years pass maths or English, but when they realise they can, that’s amazing to see.’

Reading the research The Rendezvous has compiled on its work, it’s clear that their clients are hugely appreciative of the service. There’s a stream of glowing testimonials (all anonymous) like ‘The Rendezvous changed my life. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without them,’ plus case studies of young people who have transitioned from understudy to centre-stage confidence. But what’s in it for the volunteers? Vicki Addey, 60, affirms its rewards.

She started teaching maths with The Rendezvous a couple of years after moving to Sherborne from Winchester, following early retirement from teaching five years earlier. ‘It’s great to feel needed and to feel that you are doing some good,’ she says. ‘One of the most satisfying times this year was when I resumed teaching with one of my students over Zoom after the summer break. And I could see she had a new pencil case and had sharpened her pencils. She was ready to learn, which was very touching.’

There are other positives for Vicki too. ‘It’s a strange thing when you retire…’ she explains, ‘when

you’re working, all you want to do is to read the paper in the morning and then you get there and think Hmm, what am I going to do today? This gives me structure to my week.’ Vicki admits she’s a generally happy person, but also feels that volunteering keeps her cheerful - a result backed up by research. A 2018 study by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) looked into the impact of volunteering on volunteers, and found that those who give their time often have higher levels of mental health and emotional wellbeing, which actually seems to increase for the over 40s. A study based on The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) shows that volunteers who feel appreciated report a greater improvement in quality of life, life satisfaction, and a greater decrease in feelings of depression than those who do not.

Volunteering is also a great way to make new friends and integrate into the community, especially if you are new to an area, like Nick Chapman was, just over a year ago, when he and his wife moved from Twickenham to Sherborne. He’d recently retired from his GP practice and the couple had decided they no longer wanted to live somewhere congested. They settled on Sherborne, despite not knowing anyone apart from a few musician friends they’d made through the Sherborne Festival where, as musicians themselves, they’d also performed.

Through tutoring with The Rendezvous, however, the couple quickly became firm friends with fellow volunteer Vicki Abbey, also a musician, who lives round the corner and Nick is looking forward to meeting more volunteers once ‘normal’ socialising resumes.

So, charities like this do good all round. But with a £50,000 deficit in fundraising opportunities in 2020 and a loss of older volunteers who have been shielding, The Rendezvous faces a struggle in 2021 as they try to increase donations and find enough people to keep the cause going. Which is why we have elected them our chosen charity over the festive season and why you should consider giving your time too. After all, it might help you answer what Martin Luther King Jr called ‘life’s most persistent and urgent question.’ ‘What are you doing for others?’

For more information on The Rendezvous, look out for their new website launch at the end of January therendezvous.org.uk. lodestoneproperty.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 23

elizabethwatsonillustration.com 24 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

HANFORD

SHOW JUMPING AT HANFORD traditionally modern

Independent Boarding and Day School for Girls Aged 7 to 13 visit hanfordschool.co.uk or call Karen on 01258 860219

UNEARTHED Archie Atkinson, aged 12 Sherborne Prep

D

uring lockdown, Sherborne Prepper Archie made excellent use of his time to develop his twin passions of art and film-making. He produced an impressive amount of art over the spring and summer, inspired in part by Bob Ross and also Commando comic book art!

Archie is a huge fan of film directors such as Guy Hamilton and Steven Spielberg and was recommended the newly formed Lemonwedge online Film Academy.

The fantastic team at Lemonwedge took him through all the processes of making a short film: story boarding, filming, editing the final film. Over Easter, Archie and his sister Tilly made a number of amazing short films. They were also involved in a collaborative film, Happy Hotel, with other Academy members, believed to be the first ever socially-distanced film shot and edited in a week!

Archie had been planning a military beach landing film for months; props had been constructed and the film storyboarded, and he was finally able to get a few friends together to travel to Brean Sands and complete the filming.

His final edited version of the film was moving and truly awe inspiring. Fittingly, it was shown to pupils at the school on Remembrance Day. Archie is definitely one to watch in the future‌ look out Spielberg! sherborneprep.org lemonwedgefilm.com

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

26 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

Children’s Book Review Abigail, aged 9, Leweston Prep

A Really Short History of Nearly Everything

by Bill Bryson, £20.00 (Puffin, October 2020) Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £18.00 from Winstone's Books

A

short history of everything is a really good book because it explains nearly everything about science.

I think Bill Bryson is really good at splitting it into different sections and making the reader understand what he is trying to tell you. My favourite section in the book is the protons because I am amazed at all the numbers. I never knew there could be so many zeros. The book is also really beautiful, with lovely illustrations and sections of writing set out in a way that makes it nice

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

and easy to read.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I learnt so much about… everything! I absolutely recommend this book to any science lovers or people who just want to know more about science! This is not a read-it-in-a-day book because after reading a few pages, you just need to stop and take it all in. This is a childfriendly version of a short history of nearly everything.

I rate it 4 stars. leweston.co.uk

Expand your mind

Family

HOME FRONT Jemma Dempsey

I

am a 21st century Groucho Marx, I now belong to a club I’d rather not be a member of. But unlike that famous American comedian I don’t do witty quotes or cigars, tempting though a big, fat Havana is right now, if only just to twiddle in the corner of my mouth. Come on Mr. Marx, won’t you help me write my letter of resignation?

Being on the receiving end of bad news is, I imagine, like being a bull fighter. You stand tall and proud, determined to maintain an air of dignity, to take whatever the beast has to throw at you. But sat 28 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

clenching the arms of the chair in the ever so clean hospital surrounded by various half-faced doctors and nurses, my attempts at composure soon fizzle away once the words tumour and cancer fill the room. My red rag quickly turns into a white flag, a box of tissues hastily tugged at as the tears flow. I scramble to hold onto my journalistic training; listen closely for the relevant information, ask pertinent questions but the waves inside keep coming. Breathing hard, my mask makes my glasses steam up. I rip them both off. My wingman, the husband, sits glued to me taking notes and asking

Roman Samsonov/Shutterstock

the questions I can’t get out. I want to leave, run away like a child, but know this meeting is far from over, that this is just the beginning of something.

I didn’t ask to go on this journey, one which I suspect will be a rollercoaster, so I better get used to the idea. Thing is I’ve never liked fairground rides, always made me feel sick, even thinking about them makes me shudder. In fact, I’m usually the one you can find standing by the exit gate with the coats while the others whoop it up. The husband reckons I get fear and exhilaration mixed up, to which I’ve always snorted and

raised a Roger Moore eyebrow. What I’m more worried about is that the December surgery could necessitate the husband cooking Christmas dinner and I start considering my online options for ready-made chuck-itin-the-oven roast potatoes and all the trimmings.

‘But it’s a good prognosis’ the consultant says, a treatable cancer, ‘We’ll know more after the surgery.’ So, battered and bruised and feeling drunk on the news we leave the hospital and sit in the car where I cry some more because I don’t know what else to do. The thought of telling the children and my parents makes it worse, the drive home passes in a blur.

I wake super early the next morning and in darkness creep into the kitchen to make tea, failing to even disturb the snoring dog who as usual is asleep on the sofa, even though she has a perfectly comfortable bed next to the fire. I resist the temptation to start Googling and instead resolve to write about this life-changing experience, to journal my way through this unforeseen maelstrom. The children wake, and even though we told them the news last night, the morning routine with the usual bickering over breakfast, school uniform and lunch boxes continues as if nothing has changed. After dropping my youngest at school I go for a run, though I am now sorely tempted to blame my inability to get beyond week 4 of the Couch to 5k on the cancer now.

The next day I call a MacMillan nurse who congratulates me on staying away from the internet. ‘Do not google anything!’ she warns, ‘You’ll just tie yourself up in knots, every case is different, just listen to your consultant.’ I think she is wise and even though I am a journalist and every sinew in my body is itching to know everything about the cancer I have, I decide she is right because sifting through the millions of search results will be exhausting and I am already exhausted just from knowing I have cancer. The husband disturbs my reverie with a cup of tea. It is the perfect strength, the perfect temperature in the right mug. It’s like winning a game on a fruit machine, it happens rarely, and I tell him he has set a dangerous precedent which I will now come to expect on a daily basis.

As I drink my tea, my phone continues pinging as it has done since I started telling my friends and family my terrible news. Words of love and support fly in from all those around me and I feel truly blessed to have so many good people in my life. Tea and sympathy, I conclude, is not to be sniffed at. dempseycopy@gmail.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 29

Family

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER

A

Sherborne Prep

s important as education and exams are to future success and potentially one’s happiness, I would suggest that character is as, if not, more important: integrity, reliability and one’s ability to relate to and work with others. How we are measured and judged because of our choices and our actions is evident far more easily, and shapes our relationships with colleagues, friends and family, and them with us.

As a young, state-educated officer cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, I can now admit to being intimidated by the unassuming confidence and self-belief of my independently-educated colleagues - their apparent ease with which they related to and with others. And, as I progressed as a junior and then slightly more senior commander, I reflected on the differences and what gave them that ease and confidence with both themselves and others, often in alien and uncomfortable circumstances.

What was the formula that nigh on universally gave them that something extra?

At the very core of this journey of character development are a person’s foundations. The values that the community is founded upon, and operates within, together. Unless lived, practised and reflected upon, values remain words rather than the shared bonds that enable it to work and that through time, and osmosis, become an intrinsic part of one’s makeup. Independent schools’ foundations are their values.

Family and their support are, of course, a part of that process. But what is obvious as I now look at the formula from within, as a member of staff in an independent school, is that it is an individual progression – an alchemy of interactions and events – that are particular and available to every child. A heady mix of opportunities, class ratios and a breadth to their education allows a child to explore what and who they are, and whom they want to become. Increased exposure to the sport and outdoor learning serve as convenient vehicles to teach resilience, teamwork, leadership 30 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

"The greatest time to learn is reflecting on your mistakes, as even the best of characters can get it wrong."

Image: Katharine Davies

and collaboration and by enabling interactions and opportunities for discussion, children can reflect on decisions and importantly, mistakes and failures.

Teachers by their very nature are of course invested in their community and care about their relationships with parents, pupils and each other; and importantly, the relationships between the pupils. Making time to interact, communicate and to nurture, they gently guide, cajole and support reflection on the good and the bad. For the greatest time to learn is reflecting on your mistakes, as even the best of characters can get it wrong – a view that Barack Obama wholly subscribes to. It is here that I observe the teaching staff at their very best, aiding their charges to look inwards, to understand the

consequences of their decisions and actions, and gently supporting them to understand how to become a better citizen. And, hopefully on that journey to becoming one of good character.

Because in the complexity of a more transient and image-based society, those of good character will stand taller and shine brighter than their contemporaries that demonstrate that their values and characters are just words. Moreover, that being of good character and someone who others can rely upon when in difficult, and the not-so-difficult corners, will mean more than a perception created by social media. sherborneprep.org sherbornetimes.co.uk | 31

Our Pupils, seizing the opportunity www.sherborneprep.org

32 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

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Family

FINDING TREASURE IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD Emma Bartlett, Head of Lower School, Hazlegrove Prep

I

t is easy to believe that an excellent education is everything we need to succeed in life. However, education alone is not the key to success and happiness. We all need to believe that we are valued, or we will fall short of reaching our full potential.

Life is full of uncertainties, now more than ever before, and perhaps now is the most important time to prepare our children to deal emotionally with life’s challenges; to instil a greater confidence in their abilities, creating more resilience to enable them to fully engage in their futures.

Observing children is key to supporting them, 34 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

as a parent and as a teacher. Being able to spot challenges they face, whether frustrations, anxieties or sadness, is the first step to supporting a child’s emotional development. Communication between parents and school needs to be strong, consistent, and built on trust. One route that has seen great success is the setting up of ‘treasure groups’, which provide emotional support to children struggling to navigate friendships and/or feelings of anxiety or frustration.

The main aim of a treasure group is to share strategies or ‘tools’ to empower the children to respond calmly and positively to situations in which they may

"It is a powerful moment when a child realises that they are not on their own in feeling a certain way."

find themselves. With the help of a literal ‘toolbox’, the children explore each week a range of strategies from which they can draw. Creative, collaborative tasks help to combat negative feelings and give a forum to discuss ‘triggers’; these are the incidents that often start a chain of events that can lead to a child becoming distressed or angry. It is a powerful moment when a child realises that they are not on their own in feeling this way.

Over the past few years, I have seen the relief on a child’s face when they look around at the other children in our treasure group and realise they are not alone in struggling with emotions that often make their days, separating from parents, sleeping etc., so tough. Knowing that they are not alone allows the child a renewed confidence to share and to be heard.

From there, the group can learn and support each other in finding, testing and celebrating times when their ‘tools’ have enabled them to have better days and more positive experiences.

For many children, parents and staff having the correct language and terms that explore and explain feelings is vital. For example, using colours to explain feelings, especially for the younger and less articulate, is very useful. Being understood quickly offsets triggers and incidents of frustration or outbursts of anxiety. The tools shared can range from breathing techniques, to looking at how our brain works (fight or flight), looking beyond our problems by focusing on a positive to come.

Standing tall and using a superhero pose, along with more practical support (walking away and outside, water on hands, use of playdough to stretch and tug, kicking leaves etc.) to help regain composure and return to a calmer state of mind and in a better place to learn.

Role play too is key to helping break down social/family situations whilst looking at empathy, facial expressions and the importance of body language.

These sessions allow our children to grow in resilience, to learn that ‘you’ve got this!’ To know that it is ok to struggle and to have tough times, and to be able to use their tools to get them back on track. It is a privilege to be on this journey and to know these children so well and to share in the triumphs of playing a solo in a concert or coping better when a game is lost.

These skills are for life and I believe that with these skills explored now, the children’s future will be much healthier and happier. hazlegrove.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 35

elizabethwatsonillustration.com 36 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

150 YEARS OF CASTLETON PUMPING STATION Geoff Ward, Chairman, Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre and Committee Member Sherborne Science Café

D

espite its name ‘The Clear Stream’ in the midVictorian period, Sherborne was described as being most obnoxious! And with good reason.

In 1829, a gentleman from Salisbury visited Sherborne, and was not impressed. He wrote to his father ‘The lower part of Sherborne is a most obnoxious place. The stench in Half Moon Street is such as to cause ordinary gentlemen to vomit and ordinary ladies to be overcome by attacks of the vapours. Those persons living in this part of the town have become so used to this awful stench that they go about their daily work as if living in the middle of a fragrant flower meadow.’ At that time, Half Moon Street had a very deep sewer in it – so deep in fact that the residents complained that their wells drained into it. The Town Council’s solution was to dig their wells deeper, with the result that the sewer drained into their wells!

During the 19th century, cholera spread across the world from its original reservoir in the Ganges delta in India. Six subsequent pandemics killed millions of people across all continents. The current (seventh) pandemic started in South Asia in 1961, and reached Africa in 1971 and the Americas in 1991. Cholera is now endemic in many countries.

In Sherborne, the death rate was very high at 67.4 per thousand, triggering the establishment of Sherborne Board of Health and the appointment of an inspector with powers of enforcement to clean up the town, including the recruitment of ‘scavengers’ and the crucial supply of clean drinking water.

There were 12 scavengers who worked in two gangs

known as the ‘East Set’ and the ‘West Set’. They had two distinct tasks: 1 Emptying of closet buckets and transporting the ‘night soil’ to the manure fields.

2 Cleaning and flushing of the open sewers in the town. For this work, they were equipped with ‘small shovels on 10 feet long wooden handles.’ Each set had a 150-gallon water tank on a four-wheeled handcart for flushing the sewers.

The men worked from 3.30am until 12pm, 6 days per week. They were paid £1.3.6 per week and issued with 1lb. of carbolic soap.

With the knowledge that the polluted water supply was the cause of cholera, attempts to supply an alternative drinking water supply were unsuccessful and it was not until John Lawson was appointed to undertake a study and recommend a solution that the matter was resolved; his report is a masterful piece of work exemplifying the principle of the transfer of potential energy to work in the design of our large waterwheel.

The waterwheel provided potable water until 1952 when it was replaced by electrical borehole pumps and, through Wessex Water, continues supplying Sherborne and surrounding villages.

Learn more about Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre and Sherborne Science Café by visiting their websites sswc.co.uk and sherbornesciencecafe.com. Both Science Café and Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre hope to open again early in 2021 when COVID restrictions allow. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 37

Science & Nature

DOZING DORMICE Sally Welbourn, Dorset Wildlife Trust

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t this time of year, dormice will be curled up, sleeping the winter away. But what they may not realise is that a team of conservationists are working hard to monitor their numbers in Dorset, and provide the perfect habitat for them to survive in.

The conservation team at Dorset Wildlife Trust have been surveying for dormice on our nature reserves for many years, with nest box data on several reserves feeding into the national Dormouse Monitoring Scheme, run by PTES (People’s Trust for Endangered Species). But detecting the presence of dormice on a nature reserve isn’t an easy task, explains Living Landscape Ecologist, Steve Masters: ‘One way to find out where dormice are is to put nest tubes on a site and monitor whether they’ve been used… we move these tubes around different nature reserves, placing them in hedgerows or woodlands.’ In 2019, this technique had great success, revealing the presence of dormice for the first time on our Lorton Meadows nature reserve.

Alongside this technique, a new method is being trialled to track these tiny mammals. Steve explains, ‘Research by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust has been carried out to determine the most effective method of monitoring dormice, and it found their footprints were a good indicator. Dormice have many folds of skin on their feet which increases the surface area they cover, so their footprints are pretty unique.’ The tubes are created from drainpipe, cut into 40cm lengths, with a wooden insert and a tracking medium made from activated charcoal and olive oil, which is completely harmless to dormice. Dorset Wildlife Trust plans to expand this method of surveying in 2021, if possible. For now, dormice monitoring has been paused due to COVID-19. Once this work resumes, early autumn is the perfect time to start putting out tubes as this is when dormice are at their most active; foraging and moving around more, in preparation for hibernation.

The endangered hazel dormouse is facing many threats to their habitat.

They require good quality woodland or hedgerow, with a variety of species to enable them to find food all year round.

Dormice Facts: • When Dormice aren’t hibernating, they are hardly ever seen – in fact, they are nocturnal, spending most of the day asleep!

• Their favourite snacks are hazelnuts, berries and insects.

• Dormice can spend nearly three quarters of the year sleeping.

dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk 38 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

Image: Terry Whitaker 2020Vision sherbornetimes.co.uk | 39

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Science & Nature

SHERBORNE DWT Gillian M. Constable, Dorset Wildlife Trust Sherborne Group Committee Member

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wish everyone a very happy 2021 and lots of joy from trips near and far to delight in the wonders of natural history. In January, an afternoon’s local walk is likely to enable you to see a great sunset sky and observe some of our magnificent ancient oaks, covered in years of growth of ivy, silhouetted against the sky. On such a day, it is possible that it will be surprisingly warm and sunny around midday and you might be able to see your first butterfly of 2021.

A feature of the life-cycle of butterflies is that such delicate creatures can be seen in every month of the year. Different species have very different life-cycles; I cannot think of anything else in a country as small as ours which achieves this phenomenon. In January 2020, sightings of 5 species were reported to Dorset Butterfly Conservation, only three the previous year, and the first out in each year was the red admiral.

Currently, this species is the last one I have seen in the garden in 2020; it was on 13th November basking on a south facing wall on a scarce sunny day. If you are managing a local New Year wildflower walk, as 42 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

Image: Gillian M Constable

mentioned last month, perhaps you can also butterfly spot and send your records in to DBC. Already our winter flowering honeysuckles are in flower and will continue to bloom and spread perfume about the garden for many months. We have other shrubs coming into flower, but no other species manages to attract so many insects. The bumble bees love it. Our largest shrub is in direct line from the conservatory and on a sunny day we often sit there with binoculars and watch all the activity; an excellent winter activity. Nearby, a mahonia is coming into flower and a wander past on a sunny lunch time revealed a buzzing population of bumbles.

Did you see a swallow in late November? It seems that such sightings, particularly in the South West, are becoming more frequent. Stephen Moss, Somerset naturalist who has spoken at Sherborne Literary Society, recently wrote in The Observer of a sighting.

He believes the relatively mild autumn has encouraged more to remain here, but they must depart to survive. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

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Science & Nature

ADAPTATION

Paula Carnell, Beekeeping Consultant, Writer and Speaker

‘If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.’ Maya Angelou

F

or so many of us, it is a relief to start a new year and yet, if we continue to behave in the same way, we will for sure get the same results.

Despite the short days, miserable weather and other joys of January, I’ve always preferred it to the shortening days of autumn. January sees us past the shortest day, the first signs of life in snow drops, and hellebores and previous year’s festive bulbs sprouting in their new homes around the garden. January always offers new possibilities: a fresh start and optimism. The trick to happiness is maintaining that optimism into February!

January 2021 may well make us feel relief that 2020 is out the way, however it’s only past if we have learned from mistakes made and adapt to improve the coming weeks and months. Bees are constantly adapting and changing. Any beekeeper will tell you that no two years run the same, whether or not you perform the same care and duties with your colonies. This confirms that the bees must be changing quicker than humans. A colony may find a super crop of flowering blossom, send a larger contingent of bees out to collect the pollen or nectar, only to find it has been poisoned. As soon as they start to see the first fatalities, the bees share the 44 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

message to stop foraging there and to look elsewhere for a source. Accept the losses and move on.

Perhaps they are not so emotionally attached to each other, or their landscape, or maybe they are super connected and understand that to survive they have to adapt quickly. Complaining to the beekeeper that the tasty crop of rapeseed is killing them is going to take a long time to change the situation; the beekeepers may or may not be listening, then they may speak to the farmer, who may in turn decide to maintain that crop, or replace it. Either way, it will be a year before the crop is different, but many more before that soil is clean again.

The bees cannot start their year with a plan of what they will eat each week or month throughout the year, how many times they can swarm, or how much honey they will need or have spare. Could we live the same way? The past 12 months have seen us having to change our behaviour in many ways: the certainty of a holiday, or visiting family or friends, could not be planned ahead. Now we have left Europe, the expectation of bananas in February is also no longer certain.

Human western economies have been built up expecting and planning certainty, and then encouraging us

Images: ilanga-nature.com

to pay for insurance in case that certainty fails. 2021 could be the first year in generations that we have to accept that nothing is certain for our future, and how are we going to cope with that – both physically and emotionally?

As Maya Angelou says, ‘change your attitude.’ We could feel well justified to grieve our lost freedoms, health, and foods but at the same time, we could feel gratitude that we even had such choices in our lifetime.

I read yesterday how loss of freedom to travel was a wealthy western privilege. Around the world so many have not been able to travel when or wherever they wanted, often with no reasonable excuse. Visas withheld on the whim of a government official.

It’s the same with food. We expect a honey harvest from our bees; I am often asked ‘how much honey do you get from each hive?’ I can’t say. I won’t say anymore as it is a changeable quantity depending on so many factors out of my control. As I write this, in early December, I am watching pigeons working their way through all the berries on my holly tree. By tomorrow, there will be no berries for me to cut and use in wreathes, if I picked them yesterday, I would have sacks of holly sprigs covered in berries, and the birds would have had none!

This brings me on to eating local. I will always state that eating local honey is ‘best’. Bees foraging on the wild plants that grow near to your home will have the medicinal properties (in my opinion) best suited to those living in that environment. From the microbes in the soil to the air quality and water, all affect our digestion in complex ways. However, if our

bees need that honey more than the native humans, then that honey no longer becomes the ‘best’ choice.

When we make any decision, we can decide what qualities make something ‘best’ for us. For me, the best honey has many factors that influence its quality.

The beekeeper must be putting the welfare of their bees first. I then like to know that when purchasing that honey, the income supports the beekeepers and their community. I prefer small operations to the vast ‘factory farms’ of honey producers. The Madagascan, Mexican, Indian Ocean, and Bhutanese honeys are from small businesses. Selling their honey changes their lives. It allows children to go to school, roofs to be put on homes, and communities to have job security. To me, buying local doesn’t just mean local to me, but communities around the world that support their locality, not just in financial terms, but with their sustainability in agriculture and nature. We are living on a planet with countless ‘localities’ that need supporting.

We don’t think twice of buying coffee or citrus fruits from around the world, and honey should be the same, but let’s do things differently; let’s not blend all the local honeys into squeezy bottles via one large factory.

Let’s keep the local flavours and subtle floral sources so that we can taste the varieties of life. Many beekeepers will never have the freedom to travel like we have had, but their honeys can, and that is the way that we can support the world in a new way, which could make 2021 a very different year, but for sweeter reasons. paulacarnell.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 45

On Foot

46 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

On Foot

CHESIL BEACH AND DORSET RIDGEWAY RAMBLE Emma Tabor and Paul Newman Distance: 8½ miles Time: Approx. 3½ hours Park: Rodwell Row Car Park in Abbotsbury village Walk Features: An energetic walk for New Year along Chesil Beach, with the opportunity to explore the extensive history around Abbotsbury. The first section skirts the bottom of Chapel Hill and the west end of The Fleet before heading along Chesil Beach to West Bexington, with a steep return inland and a ramble along the Dorset Ridgeway towards Abbotsbury Castle.

There is a final steep descent into Abbotsbury.

Refreshments: The Clubhouse, West Bexington

E

ach month we devise a walk for you to try with your family and friends (including four-legged members) pointing out a few interesting things along the way, be it flora, fauna, architecture, history, the unusual and sometimes the unfamiliar. For January, we revisit Abbotsbury but this time heading west along Chesil Beach with the return stretch offering incredible views across Abbotsbury, The Fleet and Chesil Beach as well as inland. It’s a walk peppered with historical remains: a hillfort, a tithe barn, pill boxes, barrows and a limekiln. There is the opportunity to explore the remains of Abbotsbury Castle Hillfort while savouring the incredible view over St Catherine’s Chapel and The Fleet towards Portland. >

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 47

Directions

Start: SY 578 851 The car park at Rodden Row. 1 Head out of the bottom far right corner of the car park, between buildings, towards the tithe barn and children’s farm. Just after Abbey House on your left, take a footpath marked ‘Tithe Barn and Swannery’ and head down a path with the tithe barn and farm in front of you. At the bottom, turn right in front of the pond, then left onto a small road. Pass the front of the tithe barn; the road bends right and shortly forks. Take the right-hand fork, saying ‘Swannery Pedestrians’, and head down the road. There is a good view of St Catherine’s Chapel and Hill now ahead of you and the road soon turns into a track.

In a short while, after cottages on the right, look for a signpost to the right which says ‘Permissive Path to Coast Path’.

2 Turn right to go through some trees, over a brook and stile, emerging into a field. Turn left and follow the footpath around the bottom of the hill (do not take the footpath straight ahead of you). The route now skirts the edge of the Swannery grounds. The path reaches a drystone wall; go over a stile into the next field and continue around the base of the hill keeping the Fleet to your left. Here you can look across to the reed beds surrounding the Swannery and you will also notice dragon’s teeth, concrete 48 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

tank trap defences from WWII, at the end of Chesil Beach. This is a good place to see many birds including green woodpeckers, buzzards, kestrels, pied wagtails, little egrets and rooks. Continue along the footpath to reach a stile beneath another hill lined with Strip Lynchets. Go over this to meet a path by a brook.

3 Turn left onto the path and follow this as it bends towards the right with the bank of Chesil Beach now on your left. The path becomes gravelly as it meets the beach but soon ends and veers right into a car park. Turn left into the car park then walk through and out of the car park, past the café and toilets.

Take the single track road with a dead end sign and continue with the beach on your left. Keep an eye out for pillboxes to your left and right along here.

The tarmacked road eventually turns into a stony track and you will come to a National Trust sign for West Bexington. Continue along the track. As you approach West Bexington the track then joins back onto the beach and you soon reach a car park. The scrubland here is a good place to see stonechats.

4 Turn right into West Bexington and head uphill with The Clubhouse on your left - a good spot to break your walk. You will soon pass The Manor House on your right and then Tamarisk Farm on your left. Where the road bends sharp left,

go straight up the footpath to the right of the bungalow (not up Labour-in-Vain Lane) and follow the signpost for the Hardy Monument and Osmington Mills. The footpath climbs between hedges; look out for long-tailed tits along here. As you approach the main road, the path forks right with a sign to the Hardy Monument. Take this path, which veers round to the right with great views across the coast. You soon meet a seven-bar gate and a stile. Go over this continuing on the Hardy Way and then over Limekiln Hill. Stay to the right-hand side of the field. Keep level and ignore any paths to the side. You soon reach the remains of the Limekiln. Here, follow the sign for ‘Inland route’ up into a field then walk along the right of the field keeping the road on your left. Go through a small wooden gate; keep along the top past a sign for the Hillfort and pass another Hardy Monument sign with some burial mounds ahead of you. After the barrows, follow the drystone wall on your right to where it meets the road. Come off Tulks Hill, through a kissing gate and cross the road, heading towards Abbotsbury Castle which is now ahead of you.

5 Climb up into the castle - a good place to explore - and then head through the middle, past the triangulation point and out the other side, dropping

down onto a small road. The low winter light reveals many landforms along here. Cross the road to go through a small metal gate signed for Abbotsbury and the south Dorset Ridgeway. There are incredible views all around: over the Swannery and the decoy pond, Abbotsbury, St Catherine’s Chapel, along Chesil Beach to Portland and beyond, and then inland towards the Bride Valley and Bellamont House which formed part of last month’s walk.

Keep walking along the ridge, which opens out into a broad and easy ridge walk, until you reach varioussized metal gates with several footpath signs.

6 Take the path going slight right, leaving the ridgeway, and descend through a disused quarry.

There is another really good prospect across to St Catherine’s Hill from here and the other hills that protect and shelter Abbotsbury seem to suddenly appear. Go through a gate and then downhill across a field to another gate. After this, the path starts to cut into the hill and after passing through another gate, you enter a small holloway, lined with holly, beech and rowan. The path bears to the left, behind houses and then right to emerge on Back Street. Turn left and then after a few yards, turn right into Rosemary Lane which takes you back to Rodden Row and the car park. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 49

History

WHAT BECAME OF ALL THOSE HORSES? Cindy Chant, Blue Badge Guide

I

n the mid 1800s, there were more than 700 Royal Mail coaches and well over 3000 stagecoaches travelling well-worn routes around the country, transporting both people and goods. However, the best days of the ‘coaching era’ were now short-lived and the newly constructed railways were beginning to rapidly encroach on this style of travel.

The fashion for horse drawn carriages was losing its popularity. The railways were quicker and could carry more people and goods, although the smaller types of stagecoaches, which were more manoeuvrable, became indispensable for the shorter journeys not covered by the railways. So, there was no shortage of work for the 50 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

whitemay/iStock

many different trades which relied upon this traditional form of transport.

A vital link for this business, was the trade of the ‘job master’, which was similar to that of the manager of a car hire firm today. Some did contract work supplying clients with the best possible equipage, having hundreds of horses in their stables together with gleaming harnesses and highly polished carriages.

Others were just one-man businesses on hire to the casual trade. Many individuals and commercial firms found hiring coaches by the year, from a job master, a better alternative than owning their own coaches.

One of the major aspects of the job masters’

business was supplying horses. One London-based job master reportedly had 400 horses working in carriage and commercial work in the city whilst he also had over 2000 horses out on permanent hire. These were hired to people who had their own carriages and servants, but who preferred to leave the provision of horsepower to the expert. If a horse went sick or lame, they just notified the job master, and a replacement horse was brought around by the ‘cob boy’ immediately.

The job master not only had to maintain carriages and tack but also had to be a good judge of horse flesh.

He would attend fairs and shows around the country, bartering with the dealers, and on occasions bringing back up to 100 horses at a time.

Sadly, when a horse was old and tired, and unfit for work, it was often given a bullet in the knacker’s yard. However, those that were fortunate found work in other areas. Many retired to the beach and were employed by the emerging fashionable bathing machine businesses! The years of pounding cobbled streets would have given a droop to a horse’s shoulders, sores to his body and trouble with his legs. Would life at the beach be easier? The beach was an area where business was booming due to the increasing popularity of bathing in the sea. The new, much sought-after bathing machines were pulled down to the water’s edge by horses, where the occupants could then enter the sea unseen, and then they had to be drawn up again as the tide turned.

Each horse had several machines to move, so the proprietor had to ensure the last machine on the line was not left to float away on the tide. Many horses spent the day half submerged in the salt water of the sea. By the end of the summer, they were unrecognisable from the poor creatures that they had been. Many leg and feet troubles disappeared completely, and the proprietor could sell one or two of his rejuvenated stock to local farmers where they were used to pull farm equipment on the land.

The days of horses pulling heavy loads and transporting people around the country was now disappearing fast, and in its place, a new form of horsepower: the steam locomotive.

So this is the end of my life in the horse drawn world, now next month, I will offer you the story of the gasworks in Sherborne and then, to follow, something that you will all love – Dorset folklore and legends.

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sherbornewalks.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 51

History

LOST DORSET

NO. 7 BRADFORD ABBAS David Burnett, The Dovecote Press

I

n 1936, British Movietone News filmed five of the regulars downing their pints in the Rose & Crown, making both pub and men famous.

When the film was shown in Yeovil, they were treated as film stars.

There were certainly no worries about tiers in this publicity photograph of ‘Lads of the Village’, later issued by Eldridge Pope: from left to right: George Chainey (89), Sidney Parsons (83), Thomas Coombs (91), Samuel Ring (92) and James Higgins (89) – a combined age of 444. Of the five, Samuel Ring lived to be the oldest, dying at 96. Born in the village, he carried the Sick Benefit Club banner on ‘club days’ and never missed a day’s work in 76 years.

Lost Dorset: The Villages and Countryside 1880-1920, by David Burnett, is a large format paperback, price £12, and is available locally from Winstone’s or directly from the publishers. dovecotepress.com

52 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

OBJECT OF THE MONTH

THE DORSET OWL JAR

I

Elisabeth Bletsoe, Curator, Sherborne Museum

n the early C17th, just before the Civil War, Dorset cider was famous throughout the kingdom and during the C18th, writers highlighted more specifically the Blackmore Vale as a pre-eminent ciderproducing district. Looking at the old tithe maps and tax evaluation records, we can see that Sherborne and its satellite villages were once surrounded by acres of orchards. School logbooks show that local children were often absent in the autumn as they were needed to help with apple picking. Agricultural labourers’ wages were often paid in cider, particularly around harvest-time and although this was made illegal, this method persisted locally until at least the 1930s. Cider and cheese was the supper of choice after carol-singing and wassail traditions, which took place on 17th January, were also prevalent throughout the county with their own unique interpretations. This rare and beautiful little Dorset owl jar would have been carried on a thong round the neck for ease of drinking during thirsty tasks such as scything.

The importance of cider to our local economy was especially noted by Thomas Hardy in his famous novel The Woodlanders, who describes our locality as ‘extensive woodlands, interspersed with apple orchards.’ The hero of the novel is Giles Winterbourne who ‘was in the apple and cider trade... It was his custom during the planting season to carry a specimen apple tree to market with him as an advertisement of what he dealt in.’ Giles stands in the marketplace of Sheep Street (Cheap Street) in Sherton Abbas (Sherborne) ‘as he always did at this time of year with his specimen appletree in the midst, the boughs rose above the heads of

the farmers, and brought a delightful suggestion of orchards into the heart of the town.’ Driving through Sherton Park near the Castle, Giles point out to his former sweetheart, Grace, a farm ‘where they had a good crop of bitter-sweets; they couldn’t grind them all’. He nodded towards an orchard where some heaps of apples had been lying ever since the ingathering.

Most Dorset cider was very similar to Devon cider which is quite sharp and pale. As the orchards ran down, especially over the last century, most people grew dual purpose apples, suitable for eating as well, since they were the most useful; this didn’t produce such good quality cider but a distinctively thin one.

As you got closer to the borders you would get the influence of better quality cider apples, so that Sherborne cider was much more akin to Somerset cider: sophisticated and well-rounded, which in turn was influenced by Hereford. The apples used had wonderful poetic names like Sweet Sheep’s Nose, Buttery Door, Ironsides and Liberty Cap. Although our orchards declined from Victorian times and many were grubbed up in the 1960s, thankfully local cider-making is being revived along with the associated old traditions and once again, winning awards and commendations.

Sherborne Museum would like to extend warm good wishes for the New Year to all its followers, supporters, members and volunteers. Wassail! sherbornemuseum.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 53

Antiques

LOST FOR GOOD

Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers Two of The Four Seasons lead garden figures

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s a valuer, I spend a fair amount of time visiting clients and advising on their antique collectibles. Also, I am regularly asked to provide formal written valuations for insurance and inheritance tax, which is more commonly referred to as probate.

When carrying out probate valuations, I need 54 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

to look at everything and everywhere. Even after working in auctioneering for a few decades, I still find it strange to look through kitchen cupboards.

More often than not, there are tins of soup, boxes of porridge oats and half eaten packets of biscuits, but I do need to carry out my due diligence, keeping an open mind.

Those of you who have followed Charterhouse over the years, will probably know the most valuable item I have sold was an Italian pottery plate. I found it hanging on a kitchen wall in a Somerset cottage. Although chipped, it was an important piece of Renaissance pottery and sold for an amazing £560,000, so there can be interesting items lingering or lurking in kitchens.

Working in properties is often a game of playing ‘find the lost items’, with the kitchen being the room most likely to have lost items. Generally, we like to have sets of items, such as a set of silver cutlery which might be for a table setting of six, but often I will come across just five spoons out of the six.

I know we are (or rather most of us are) prone to losing items - keys in particular. There is nothing worse than being asked ‘where did you have them last?’ because if you knew this, you would know where the keys would be. Generally, after some time of looking for the keys, they are found, more often than not in a coat pocket.

I guess I can understand why there is the odd missing spoon, knife or fork missing from a set in

the kitchen. Being in daily use, they could well have been inadvertently thrown away in the rubbish when disposing of food wrapping or maybe taken a trip to the compost bin with some potato peelings. But what about larger items?

In our March auction of garden statuary and furniture, we have a good pair of cast lead garden figures of children. The figures are emblematic of the four seasons, and we have autumn and winter, but what happened to spring and summer?

Whilst it is difficult to accurately identify when they were made, I would date them to the early part of the 20th century. Quite how you can lose a heavy pair of garden figures is beyond me, but perhaps they were stolen, bombed out in the Blitz or even divided up having been specified in a will that two beneficiaries can have two each.

We will never know where they went, but if you do have the missing figures, we look forward to seeing you at the auction on 11th and 12th March where you will be able to reinstate the set! charterhouse-auction.com

CHARTERHOUSE Auctioneers & Valuers

Forthcoming Auction Programme

Silver, Jewellery & Watches Thursday 4th February Antiques & Interiors with a Selection of Wine, Port & Whisky Friday 5th February Classic & Vintage Cars and Motorcycles Wednesday 10th February Garden Furniture & Statuary Thursday 11th March Coins, Medals, Stamps, Clocks & Collectors’ Items Friday 12th March

A Coalbrookdale style fern pattern garden bench in our March two-day auction

Contact Richard Bromell for advice on single items and complete collections Valuations for Probate and Insurance

The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne DT9 3BS 01935 812277 www.charterhouse-auction.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 55

elizabethwatsonillustration.com 56 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

Planning for brighter days

As the nights begin to draw out, we can sow the seeds for beautiful blooms and bountiful veg patches in the weeks and months ahead.

Dahlias, pelargoniums and begonias can all be potted now with a promise of bright displays to come, while the potato year can also get underway with the chitting of seed potatoes.

With our social distancing measures in place, you can pick up your seeds, bulbs, pots and plants any day of the week, during our new opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am – 6pm Sunday: 10am – 4:30pm For those still stuck at home, you can place your orders by telephone or via our brand-new Online Store and we’ll deliver free within 25 miles.

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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 57

Gardening

THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF GARDENING

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Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group

would suggest that gardeners are interested in the environment (they are certainly interested in their own garden’s environment) and are keen to help improve the current situation. One of the areas that we need to collectively challenge is the amount of peat that we use as part of our gardening efforts. The reason for this is that it is sourced from ecosystems that have taken tens of thousands of years to form. Not only that, but more importantly, when peat is extracted, huge quantities of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere, so it’s really important that we cut right back on its use and quickly.

At The Gardens Group, we have been working at reducing the amount of peat that we use and the amount that we sell to our customers for many years. In our own nursey, we are now completely peat free and we have done this not just because it’s the right thing to do, environmentally, but because we can then speak with authority when advising customers on how they can grow in a peat free system.

We also work closely with the growers that supply us and listen to their advice around growing in peat free composts. Many are already a long way down the path, with some already completely peat free.

There is a dilemma though. It’s the same as when the move was from soil-based composts to peat-based compost in the 70’s and 80’s and I’ve been around long enough to remember that transition. Gardeners were very reluctant to move to peat and found it difficult in terms of its ability to stay wet and then its inability to retain some nutrients. However, in time they learnt these skills and were converted. Moving from peat to peat-free is a bigger leap. The watering needs closer

Bachkova Natalia/Shutterstock

58 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

monitoring and the feeding required is different too, so there is much learning to be done.

We feel that we need to take gardeners with us and so we have been steadily reducing the peat content of multipurpose composts and offering the, now reliable, peat free alternatives. This can’t be done overnight, as the cold turkey method will turn some people away from gardening completely to an easier pastime. This will be much worse for the environment. It is especially true for the 3 million people who have turned to gardening in the last year.

There are now some great brands, including Melcourt’s ‘Sylvagrow’, Westland’s ‘New Horizon’, Bord na mona’s ‘Happy’ and Evergreen’s Miracle Gro Peat Free, as well as some smaller but important brands, such as the Dalefoot peat free range.

We also see the peat debate as part of a bigger picture. We believe that the more of the population we can get gardening, the more that will naturally have an interest in the climate. As gardeners, they will notice when we get unusual weather events and will connect this to climate change. They will then start to make decisions about the whole of their lives as a result.

This is likely to include an interest in wildlife and this is especially enjoyable. When we go around visiting gardens, as part of our involvement with Dorset Wildlife Trust and the wildlife gardening competition, it is striking how many wildlife-friendly gardeners are also concerned about water conservation. They have systems in place for collecting water when there is plenty and are mulching for when it’s dry. They are also improving their soils by adding their own compost, which improves drainage as well as binding in carbon. They understand that if the soil is improved then plants grow healthier. And so, need less looking after and are more resistant to pest and disease attack as a result.

This all helps the environment but would never have happened had they not been inspired to take up gardening in the first place. thegardensgroup.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 59

Gardening

A FRESH START

Bev Jones, Garden Designer, Company of Landscapers

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New Year often brings new beginnings, resolutions and ideas to make changes; it is an ideal time to look at your garden with fresh eyes and make plans for improvements to your outdoor space to enjoy all year round. Whether you are setting out to create a new garden, develop one of several years standing, or entirely reshape a plot inherited from previous owners, careful planning can help avoid many pitfalls and ensure that you end up with the result you had in mind all along.

The importance of good garden design cannot be under-estimated. As an architect is pivotal in the successful layout, planning and efficient construction of your home, a good garden designer will make the most of your plot and the space within it, taking into account your preferences, wishes and the way you use your garden, whilst enhancing the natural landscape 60 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

and ensuring it fits into its surroundings. Investing in a well-designed garden would bring benefits and enjoyment for many, many years to come and add value to your property.

This is particularly relevant in the current circumstances where we are all spending more time at home and looking to our gardens to enhance our wellbeing, as well as being spaces in which we are working from home, playing, relaxing, using as outdoor gyms and hopefully, in time, entertaining our friends and family again! Having a beautiful garden to enjoy, whilst being outside in summer or indeed to look at from inside during the winter months and possibly at night too, brings immeasurable joy.

A good garden designer will take the time to visit your garden and listen to your ideas, needs and budget and of course, view what you have to work with. A

comprehensive site survey and appraisal will be carried out and a brief or ‘wish list’ drawn up and agreed to cover all the elements you and your family want in your new garden. Garden design is an art form, an empathy with human behaviour and practicalities. A sound knowledge of construction techniques is required as well as good creative and drawing skills, a natural eye for what looks and feels good, whether it be the curve of a border, the relationship between types of materials to be used or the right combination of trees, shrubs and perennials to create the desired effect. It is organising the marriage between man-made structures and nature.

Buildings predominately consist of straight lines; nature does not have any. The skill is to make them complement each other.

Garden design is an iterative process involving several meetings to discuss how concepts may work, given the designer’s experience and knowledge, as well as careful understanding of your preferences.

Discussions range from the new general shapes and layout of beds, lawns, patios and pathways to details such as types and patterns of paving, stone or brick for

walls, as well as thoughts on the effects to be achieved with the planting of new beds and borders. It’s an exciting time; ideas percolate through from both sides as the new garden takes shape. Three to four weeks is a usual timeframe for the new garden plans to be created as scale drawings for craftsmen to follow, or indeed for a landscaping team to implement.

The second consideration to any garden design is the most exciting part. The layout and the structure can be considered the foundation, the bare bones if you like; the planting is the icing on the cake! It is also the most exacting as there are many considerations to take into account: soil type and aspect; colour; texture; shape; height and foliage of the plants and the overall mood or feeling that is to be achieved to mention just a few!

It is also crucial to select plants that will thrive in the locality. We will go into this element in more detail next month. In the meantime, why not start considering how you could develop your own outdoor space and create more ‘living’ room? co-landscapers.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 61

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Wild Adoptions

Adopt an iconic seahorse or red squirrel today Visit: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/shop 62 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST Registered Charity No. 200222 Photos L to R © Paul Williams & Julie Hatcher

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SHERBORNE EQUESTRIAN Words Jo Denbury Photography Katharine Davies

‘F

rosty and freezing’ is how the weather forecast put it. Katharine and I have arrived at Sherborne Equestrian under a bright blue sky that belies our frozen toes. Ellie the collie and three shaggy ponies, Phoenix, Moonbeam and Abby, greet us in the paddock. Their owners, Bridget McMenemy and Phil Perry, have brought them in from the field in anticipation of a busy morning hosting a group of children from a local Dorset school. What Bridget and Phil have here is not a riding school but an equestrian therapy centre; a place where groups of children or individuals who have suffered trauma in some form or have special educational needs can come and be among animals and nature. >

64 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

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66 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

‘Horses (and that includes ponies) can teach us a lot about ourselves,’ says Bridget. ‘They provide a mirror of our own emotions.’ Talking to her about the work they do here reminds me of a story that Michael Morpurgo once told me. He hosts a similar place in Devon, where traumatised children from London come to stay. One boy was mute; he hadn’t spoken a word since an upsetting life-changing incident. When he went missing from supper, he was found sitting outside a stable chatting to the old 17hh horse who hung his head over the stable door and listened. Today we’re met

by Conor, a young boy who started at this centre about a month ago. He’s part of a group who have arrived to spend time with the horses. ‘When Conor first arrived, he was very quiet and withdrawn - troubled,’ says Bridget. The transformation is phenomenal. Today, he’s busy showing us around the centre and down to the yard to meet Phoenix, who is standing patiently, munching hay. After a quick groom, Conor pops Phoenix’s halter on and leads him round to the outdoor school to meet Kelly Thorn, the volunteer teacher.

What makes this place different from a regular equestrian school is that the children don’t ride the ponies, they work with them. They build up to what is called ‘join up’, a term used to describe the point where a bond is formed and the pony trusts the child enough to follow them around the school without rein or halter – a process is based on mutual trust. ‘The children have to learn to be quiet and calm,’ says Bridget. ‘A lot, when they first arrive, are angry and frustrated, but that changes over time.’ Conor is in the outdoor school with Phoenix, and Kelly is on hand to help and guide him through the practice. Conor begins by standing with Phoenix and stroking him. He learns to be conscious of his breath and movement, to not shout or make sudden movements. Then Conor turns, and Phoenix follows him around a short obstacle course. Both work as one and it is magical to watch. You can see how much Conor loves being around Phoenix and the pony rewards him in kind.

Then it’s time to relax but Phoenix has other ideas.

Like all ponies, he knows his own mind and leaves at a good canter, alone, around the school. At first Conor races after Phoenix shouting after him, but Kelly reminds Conor to be calm, to stand and wait. Conor stops and stands quietly in the centre of the paddock; eyes down, ignoring Phoenix because as Conor later tells me, ‘he’s kicking off.’ A horse will never intentionally canter into you, so Conor is completely

safe. Phoenix is showing off; in fact, I could have sworn most of it is for Moonbeam’s benefit, who is still stuck in the yard waiting her turn. Phoenix goes for a quick gallop along the rail, but then noticing that he is being ignored, stops. Ears pricked; Phoenix watches, then quietly walks over to Conor and allows him to slide on the halter. Conor is beaming as he leaves the school and can’t stop talking about the time they’ve had together.

Kelly used to have a horse at livery here (incidentally, they still run a livery as a side-line to the school) and after training for a Diploma in Equine Facilitated Learning, she gradually became more involved with the therapy aspect. She explains that when an individual or a group first arrive, they take the session very slowly: ‘They meet the horses and learn about their characters, then get to know them on their own and begin to find the pony with whom they connect. There has never been a child that hasn’t come out of the session relaxed,’ she adds.

‘When Conor first came, he didn’t speak, but a horse opens up when a child opens up,’ explains Kelly, ‘then the relationship builds.’ She continues, ‘now it’s my Phoenix, and Phoenix, as we have seen, is quite a lively pony with lots of energy. Conor has to learn it’s not about panicking, but about letting Phoenix have fun and then letting him calm down. Horses are highly emotional animals, but they expect so little of you and give so much; it’s about mutual respect because they will try their heart out for you – they are great teachers and teach us so much because they will openly give commitment. I see it happen with adults also who have PTSD or depression or grief. Horses will listen, they have a slower heart rate than humans and so, it’s calming just being next to them. What is different about this school is that it is built on trust and the relationships with the horses,’ says Kelly.

Before long, she has taken another group of boys into the school. The boys look unsure; it’s their first time, but very soon one of them has taken the halter and begun to lead Abby over a couple of poles. The ‘join up’ is a little way off but the first steps have been taken. Meanwhile, one of the boys has changed his mind and asked if he can do something else, so Phil steps in. Phil has had a lot of teaching experience.

He was a headmaster in Australia before he returned to the UK, where he came out of retirement, retrained as a Design and Technology teacher and went back into education. It was Phil who first became interested in equine therapy. He and Bridget had run a livery yard > sherbornetimes.co.uk | 67

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near Blandford, and they had three horses of their own while Phil did a bit of work with the Sherborne Learning Centre.

When the premises at Leigh became available in 2013, they decided to take the plunge: ‘We thought it would make more sense to have our own yard,’ explains Bridget, ‘as we had become more interested in equine therapy.’ ‘Our first pupil was John,’ explains Phil, ‘he was a youngster facing a number of difficulties and his mum had cancer – he felt he had no future. But then he came and spent time around the horses. He had a natural bond with them and now works as a groom. They’re learning skills that can give them opportunities.’ Today, Phil brings Daryl, the uncertain young lad, away from the group and into the yard to groom another horse.

As Phil says, ‘often they prefer to do the mucking out or working on the fencing. It doesn’t matter; they’re still outdoors and learning skills around the horses.’

Providing such an alternative inspired Bridget and Phil, along with manager Vicky Predeth, to open the Willow Banks Forest School in 2018. ‘We are here to give children who are unable to maintain a place in mainstream school, resilience and confidence,’ explains Vicky. The wooden classroom is nestled on a bank at the rear of the land close to a small wood. Nearby is a dipping pond and reed beds – hence the name – which are cut annually with the help of the children. They provide reeds for weaving structures such as baskets

and bird feeders made at the school. ‘The children learn heritage crafts here, skills that children often don’t have, and acquiring these skills gives them a confidence when they are back in school,’ explains Vicky. It’s an ideal combination with the equine therapy.

‘Our plan for 2021 is to raise sponsorship,’ says Bridget, ‘and to carry on building up the centre, so we have more room for students and volunteers.’ To see the likes of Conor flourishing in the company of these gentle creatures breaks and warms the heart in equal measure. ‘I just love giving these children an opportunity to be around horses,’ concludes Bridget.

Humans and horses have coexisted for millennia.

They have been put to work, ridden into battle, raced, rescued, admired and adored. They see through our shallow standards of status, ego and education and invite us to be at ease with our authentic selves. Rightly suspicious of man’s agenda, when we step down from our pedestals and open our hearts, a horse can demonstrate to us a value far beyond brawn and beauty. A horse’s capacity to heal and lead us to discover that same gift within ourselves, is just one of many lessons they can teach. It’s now for us perhaps to take less and listen. sherborneequestrian.co.uk willowbanksforestschool.com Some of the names in this article have been changed. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 71

elizabethwatsonillustration.com

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07854 163869 | help@sherbornefoodbank.org

The finest Tamworth quality and flavour, a taste of the past!

POP-UP SHOP

Open Every Saturday 10am - 2pm Lavender Keepers, Great Pitt Lane, Sandford Orcas, Sherborne DT9 4FG Please contact James and Charlotte Tel 07802 443905 | info@thestorypig.co.uk See more at www.thestorypig.co.uk

Enjoy a two course lunch for just £5

A local charitable group working hard to

#EndChildFoodPoverty Supporting free school meal (FSM) families from Sherborne area schools with vouchers for food supplies and providing hot meals during the school holidays. A helping hand in a difficult time makes a big difference.

To find out more information and make a donation, visit our Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/ stoptherumblesherborne Stop The Rumble is supported by The Fabulous Foundation, a local registered charity RCN: 1164111

Supporting Sherborne’s most vulnerable Enjoy a delicious 2 course lunch delivered fresh to your door

(Provided in microwavable containers to reheat at home)

Call our team on 07561 067381 or email communitykitchenteam@gmail.com to find out more

A big Thank You to our partners

Sherborne Community Kitchen is a charitable incorporated organisation. Charity number 1190451

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 73

Food and Drink

THE CAKE WHISPERER Val Stones

SEVILLE MARMALADE

Image: Katharine Davies

M

armalade is a very English breakfast thing; it’s sweet yet tangy and the orange taste goes perfectly well with warm buttered toast. I prefer homemade because it isn’t too sweet, and I can cut the orange peel to suit my personal taste – not too chunky but not too thin.

Marmalade isn’t just for putting on toast, it’s perfect on pancakes and I add it to fruit cakes.

You will need 10/11 jars – place them on a baking sheet and into a warm oven whilst the marmalade is being made.

Ingredients

This recipe makes about 10lbs.

3 lbs of Seville oranges Juice of 2 lemons 6 pints of water 6 lbs sugar 2 tablespoons of orange liqueur or whisky (optional)

What you will need

Method

A very large pan, at least able to take 10 pints A muslin cloth placed on a cereal bowl in which to place the pips. TIP – it is important to keep the pips and cook them with the marmalade as they are full of pectin that will help set the marmalade.

1 Wipe the fruit, cut in half and squeeze out the juice into the pan. Remove the pips and place them in the muslin.

2 Flatten each orange half, cut it finely into strips, and place in the pan.

74 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

Alliance Images/Shutterstock

3 Add the water, tie the muslin to make a bag and balance a wooden spoon across the top of the pan, fastening the pip bag onto the spoon (I use a peg). The bag should be dangling in the water to allow the pectin to be absorbed.

4 Simmer the orange mixture for about 2 hours, or until the water has reduced by about half and the orange peel is translucent.

5 Remove the muslin, making sure to squeeze out as much of the juice and remaining pectin as possible to the marmalade.

6 Add the sugar and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved, then bring to the boil.

Once boiling point is reached, turn the heat down slightly so a rolling boil emerges. Boil for 15 minutes.

7 Then, take a spoonful of marmalade and place it

on a plate and leave for 5 minutes to cool. TIP - to test whether the marmalade has reached setting point, push your index finger across the top of the marmalade on the plate. If the marmalade wrinkles and the finger trail remain clear, then the marmalade is set. If not set, allow to boil for a further 5 minutes and test again.

8 Once set, switch off the heat and allow the pan to stand for 15 minutes.

TIP - if you wish to add alcohol, this is the time to do it and you must stir in well.

9 Pot and cover the jars.

I try and leave the marmalade for at least two weeks before I use it, as the flavours get better with age. bakerval.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 75

Food and Drink

WINTER CHANTERELLES WITH ROASTED LANGOUSTINE RAGOUT Sasha Matkevich, The Green Restaurant

I

ts rustic appeal, yet very delicate flavour balance and perfect texture combination, make this one of my favourite dishes to cook.

Ingredients Serves 4

200g Puy lentils 200g pearl barley 200g cannellini beans 4 tbsp olive oil 2 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped 2 medium leeks, cleaned and roughly chopped 2 large onions, peeled and roughly chopped 2 large celery stalks, washed and roughly chopped 6 large garlic cloves, crushed 3 bouquet garnis 1 litre chicken stock 150ml olive oil 4 small rosemary sprigs 2 medium tomatoes, deseeded and cut into concassées or diced Cornish sea salt and white pepper 300g winter chanterelles, cleaned and trimmed 20 large langoustines, shelled and deveined Method

1 Soak the lentils, barley and beans in plenty of cold water and in three different bowls overnight.

2 Drain the pulses. Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in 3 76 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

3

4

5

6

7

8

Image: Clint Randall

different sauté pans and add one-third of the carrots, leeks, onions and celery to each pan, together with 2 garlic cloves and 1 bouquet garnis in each. Cook for 4 minutes.

Add the pulses (each type in its own separate pan) and pour in enough stock to cover.

Simmer until tender. The cannellini will need 25 minutes, the barley 20, and the lentils 10–15 minutes.

Remove the vegetables, garlic and bouquet garnis from the pans and discard. Combine all the pulses in one large pan.

Slightly heat the remaining 150 ml olive oil in a pan and add the rosemary sprigs, then leave to infuse over a low heat for 5 minutes.

Remove the rosemary and mix the pulses with the flavoured oil. Then, stir in the tomato concassée and seasoning. Cover and keep warm.

Heat 1tbsp of olive oil in a large frying pan and add the langoustines. Sauté for 1 minute.

Add winter chanterelles to the frying pan, season with salt and white pepper and roast in preheated oven (180C) for 4 minutes.

Divide the pulses among four warmed serving plates and top with the mushrooms and langoustines. Serve immediately.

greenrestaurant.co.uk

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

W

ell, Happy New Year to all. Never have we all been more glad to see the back of a year; 2020 will be remembered by many of us into our dotage - stories of folklore will be made and retold. At least, that’s what I hope… that we are near the end of us constantly talking about viruses, vaccines and bubbles. I hope that this is a blip in our world’s history. That we can put our masks away in the special drawer, consigned to collect dust and be pulled out every few years and remembered. I hope our world’s governments learn from this experience and that this is a once in a century event.

Here at the farm, we have one of the most exciting starts to a year I can remember. Our new cafe/shop is coming to Lavender Keepers. Opening in March... gulp; that sounded a long way off in September, but now in January, it is coming ever quicker. But it will be ok; you see, our shop and cafe is going to be small and cute, with the most amazing views. We will have our lavender and our garden to wow you, our friendly Indian runner ducks to waddle in front of you. We will have Charlotte, my gorgeous wife, to cook for us all and to greet you with her infectious smile and positivity, we will have bunting flapping happily in the breeze and our personalities will shine through. It will be real, and farm based. If we sell other people’s products, they will have the same ethos as us. We will try and showcase others, up and coming, knowing the struggles of starting off. We want to be

different and stand out. In the summer, we will do trailer rides to the pig fields – the dust will fly again.

We have a lot to do, and a lot to learn, to turn the farm into a visitor friendly area: to put gravel down instead of dirty hardcore; to learn how to make fantastic coffees; to get stocked with ice creams; to cut the grass, ever so often; to learn to answer all of the questions that will come, and to try and educate people to understand how their food can be produced.

Finally, to create somewhere all can visit, whether elderly and looking for a trip out, or a family with children looking to interact with nature and British farming and see piglets and lambs.

The beauty of all the farm shops in our area is that they are so different; there are ‘posh’ ones and ‘really posh’ ones; there are tiny ones and bigger ones; there are ones that aren’t really farm shops at all and then there’s ours, with added bunting, now that has to be good!

And, in the meantime, our pop-up shop that Charlotte and Sten are opening every Saturday between 10am and 2pm will be open for you all to visit. We would love to see you there and a massive thank you for all the lovely feedback we have had so far. Outdoor pig farming is not so much a pleasure in the winter as more a necessity to get through. Writing this and seeing the future has perked me up no end… thestorypig.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 77

Food and Drink

FIZZ

David Copp

I

like the word fizz. As a noun, it means effervescence; as a verb, it is used to express liveliness, exuberance, even joy. In wine terminology, it means sparkling or bubbly and it is associated with happiness. It is the traditional drink to welcome in the New Year.

In Champagne, we are told Dom Perignon first came up with the idea of sparkling wine. The truth is Dom Perignon’s superiors at Haut Villiers Monastery asked him to get rid of the bubbles because they caused bottles to explode, harming cellarmen and damaging the cellar. It is an Englishman, Dr Christopher Merret, who we really have to thank for solving the problem of exploding bottles.

He was pleased to do so because the English liked the bubbles, which caused a secondary fermentation in the bottle; they wanted the bubbles kept. This is where Dr Merret played his part. Dr Merret took the opposite approach to Dom Perignon’s superiors.

He focused on how to keep the bubbles. He realised a stronger bottle was required and, being a good scientist, he worked out that coal-fired furnaces would produce stronger glass than wood-fired. Equally important, he also realised that a better quality cork was needed to keep the wine in the bottle.

He found the answer in Portugal, our closest trading partner at the time: Portuguese cork was of a quality that kept the bubbles in and oxygen out. All it needed 78 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

Ian Edwards, Furleigh Estate. Image: Katharine Davies

was for someone to develop the idea of wiring the cork in so that it did not pop out.

There is absolutely no doubt about Dr Merret’s claims because he wrote a paper on the subject for the newly formed Royal Society.

Having said all that, there is no doubt that the French made Champagne famous throughout the world. Dom Perignon is rightly regarded as a great winemaker and the old monastery vineyards still produce some of the very finest Champagnes money can buy.

‘If I was a rich man…’ sang the fiddler on the roof.

If I was a rich man, I would buy vintage Champagnes from one the great houses and entertain my friends with a glass or two, but no more, at about 12 noon every day with one or two well-chosen nibbles.

I have to confess I was spoilt as a young student in Champagne. My charming mentor Raymond Duval told me to sit by him at lunchtime and not to get mixed up with ‘that lot’ he would say pointing, with a humorous twinkle in his eye, to his son, daughter-inlaw and grandchildren at the other end of the table.

‘They like the fizzy stuff.’

What he showed me was that ‘Champagne develops in the bottle even if it does lose a few bubbles.’ And to prove his point, he allowed me to share his daily ration of 1934 or 1937 vintage Champagne, served every day with lunch, while ‘that lot’ enjoyed the younger fizz.

I had another stroke of luck the following year

when playing for the Wine Trade Cricket X1. I took a few wickets and as we walked back to the pavilion, the umpire handed me my sweater and congratulated me, adding some of the most memorable words ever addressed to me. ‘I manage the Krug office in London.

If you are passing by, why not drop in for a glass,’ he invited. Over the next few years, I tasted most of Krug’s greatest vintages. And because I wanted to be asked again, I only stayed for one glass.

The greatest vintage Champagnes take an awful lot of beating. For a long time, they did not have much competition; the French made all the running, perfected the art and deserve their success.

But now, almost every wine-producing country makes its own sparkling wines and England is fast becoming a real competitor to France in the quality stakes.

Why? Because we have the same chalky downland soils on south east facing slopes, the same grape varieties, and our best winemakers have often learned their skills in France.

Climate change has helped enormously over the last few decades. The English grapes now ripen more fully, more often. But what is particularly pleasing is to find so many outstanding English winemakers, several of them in Dorset.

Langham Estate has just been awarded the International Wine Society’s Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year Award for its 2015 Blanc des Blancs. The IWS is a leading trade body and its award represents a considerable achievement. The judging procedure is extremely rigorous. Hats off to Justine Langham.

What impressed me was that in accepting the award he modestly commented ‘It is wonderful when everything you are trying to do comes right.’

Ian Edwards at Furleigh Estate is another very gifted vintner. He too has had his great day in the sun and his wines go from strength to strength. Ian also makes the wine for Stephen Spurrier at Bride Valley.

When lockdown allows, go and have a look at these magnificently sited vineyards when they are in flower.

And don’t forget Sherborne Castle estate, again a superb vineyard chosen with care, producing better fruit every year.

There is no doubt in my mind that along with Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, Dorset is well placed to produce top quality sparkling wine. The competition is greater every year.

Apart from the top-quality vintage wines, there is wider selection of sparkling wine than ever before.

Almost every wine-producing country around the world produces attractive sparkling wine: Prosecco and Spumante from Italy, Cava from Spain, Sekt from Germany and truly excellent wines from Tasmania, California, South Africa, the Loire Valley and Burgundy.

Because I worked in Burgundy, I took to Crémant de Bourgogne, often with a touch of Kir, and still enjoy the Ropiteau offering, not least because it is a well-made non-vintage wine for every day drinking that doesn’t disturb the bank balance too much. The great news is that there is a wider range of fizz than ever before at very affordable prices. Treat yourself to something nice this New Year and for great occasions but remember you can find excellent value wines from our wine merchants and supermarkets.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE Langham Winery’s Corallian Classic Cuvée, £27 Vineyards A delicious, award-winning Dorset sparkling that offers both freshness and complexity in

the glass. From notes of cut grass and apples on the nose, to a more complex ‘biscuity’

palate that has a touch of saline on the finish.

A great fizz to enjoy by itself, although it absolutely sings with oysters!

Maison Antech, Blanquette De Limoux Brut, ‘Cuvée Francoise’ Currently on offer, was £17 now £13 Vineyards For over five centuries, Maison Antech has

tamed the magical terroir of Limoux to make fine sparkling wines. Blanquette de Limoux wines are considered to be the first sparkling wines of France, dating before the discovery and elevation of the Champagne region.

Mauzac is the main grape required for this style of wine,

known locally as ‘Blanquette’. It’s incredibly fresh and is a fruity number from beginning to end, with apples and pears dancing on the tongue. Great for an aperitif ! vineyardsofsherborne.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 79

elizabethwatsonillustration.com 80 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

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

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www.newtonclarkevet.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 81

Animal Care

HOME SCHOOLING Mark Newton-Clarke MAVetMB PhD MRCVS, Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeon

T

his January, I am going to look forward rather than back and start planning for a new year.

With the prospect of our lives starting to return to normal, there is much to do, people to see, places to go! In the meantime, all those young animals that entered new homes last year are growing up fast. So, this month, I thought I would write about the potentially tricky time of our pets’ adolescence and young adulthood, rather than my usual tales of woe and old age.

It’s obvious there’s a huge difference between cats and dogs in terms of early learning and development.

Who can train a cat? Well, I know some people who think they can, but I’m pretty sure the feline mind is quite singular in its determination to do exactly what it wants. Occasionally, that coincides with the wishes of the owner, giving the impression of obedience. On the plus side, kittens teach themselves good toilet habits with very little help from humans (providing the right opportunities are given) whereas almost everyone with a puppy will recognise the image of standing in the rain, umbrella in hand, making encouraging noises 82 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

while puppy sniffs the breeze and frets about the cold, wet grass. Patience and reward are the keys to housetraining and remembering that dogs would prefer to urinate indoors, marking their territory and making everything smell nice and familiar. Human definition of ‘nice’ clearly differs from canine, illustrated by dogs’ attraction to anything faecal, to the point of eating it. I rest my case.

Toilet-training problems are really common, especially among the toy breeds and particularly in winter. Essentially, a preference has to be developed to ‘void’ outside and positive reinforcement with a gesture or a treat is really important. Problem comes when edible treats are not desired, never the case with a Labrador but often an issue with Poodles, amongst others. What’s more, an affectionate gesture is of little value if too much attention is lavished on that cute and cuddly puppy all the time by members of a doting family. Establishing boundaries to puppy behaviour and a hierarchy in the household early on in development is essential to give meaning to verbal and tactile rewards, even more

Cryptographer/Shutterstock

important for puppies disinterested in food treats.

So, what boundaries am I talking about? There are four ‘critical resources’ that dogs hold most dear: human attention/affection; food; places to rest/ sleep, and exercise/play. If you can control these four elements, your teenage puppy will be much easier to train and be more obedient. The importance of ‘obedience’ differs between the breeds, owners’ wishes and whether working with livestock or in field sports are planned. For the family pet, it probably means just sit, stay and come with little emphasis on the stay!

From my point of view, the most important aspect of obedience is to stop your dog dashing across a road to meet someone or something on the other side, ignoring calls and screams to ‘come here’, a phrase never used except in extremis and unfamiliar to most dogs! A few months ago, I was driving down Acreman Street towards the surgery and was approaching the zebra crossing by the Prep school. On the pavement to the right, a yellow Labrador on a lead was becoming very excited, looking across the road

at something I could not see. Although neither dog nor owner were planning to cross the road, I stopped anyway. Just as well, as a fraction of a second later, a large chocolate Labrador bounded straight across in front of my truck to meet and greet the other dog. A fleeting mental image of the damage a 2-ton truck can do to a heavy dog passed through my mind (I have seen a few examples) and I blessed the little measure of sixth sense I had that time to avoid a disaster.

Anyway, let’s get back to those all-important ‘critical resources’. Young dogs must earn affection as if it’s given all the time, it ceases to be a reward. An over-demanding puppy must be ignored until it stops demanding. Then and only then should it be rewarded with a word, a look or a caress. Even just eye contact for a puppy is a reward (they have your attention) but for an adult dog, especially the guarding breeds, it can be a challenge with an aggressive edge. So, be careful.

I know how hard ignoring a puppy can be, especially for a family with young children. However, you don’t need Von Trapp levels of control and of course, it depends on the personality of your particular dog. The other difficult boundary to establish is where puppy sleeps. Persuading children (and adults) to avoid using laps or sofas as puppy-beds is also not easy, but this rule can be relaxed later on if the other elements of control have been successfully applied. The same goes for food and play; be rigid for the first year, no human table food or scraps and start and stop games/exercise according to the human timetable. Taken together and practised consistently, control of the critical resources should help ease the transition from puppyhood to early adulthood.

I will not comment on whether a similar approach was tried on my children when they were growing up but some of you may draw a parallel between early development in humans and canines. If similarities exist, they reinforce the close relationship our two species have enjoyed over the millennia, although whether we have adopted canine behaviours or vice versa, I am not sure.

If you have any questions regarding your puppy or kitten’s early months, call us at the surgery. For animals who had their primary vaccines with us, we offer a free development check around 5 or 6 months where we can catch up on physical and behavioural progress and discuss subjects such as neutering, which I will turn to next month. newtonclarkevet.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 83

Animal Care

THE DANGER OF NEOSPORA Jenny Gibson MRCVS, Kingston Vets

P

icking up after your dog is not only good to prevent smelly surprises on your walk, but it is also crucially important in reducing the spread of a nasty parasite called neospora.

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that causes disease primarily in cattle, but can also affect goats, deer and camelids (alpacas and llamas) – although, this is far less common. The effects of the parasite in cows are abortions, stillborns and weak calves. However, in some cases there are no clinical signs in the calf, and they will appear normal.

Neospora is one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of abortion worldwide. It can be diagnosed by taking a blood or milk sample from the cow (ideally whilst pregnant or after calving). Or, a blood sample can be taken from the calf, preferably when the calf is under a week old. Alternatively, the parasite can be identified from the aborted material through laboratory testing.

Cattle can become infected in two different ways.

Firstly, cattle can ingest oocysts (the early, egg stage of the parasite) from contaminated pasture and feed. These oocysts originate from dog faeces and can survive for a long time in the environment. Dogs become infected when they ingest meat/tissue containing the parasite.

The parasite eggs (oocysts) are then shed in the dog’s faeces for 2-3 weeks. Subsequent infections of the dog do not result in shedding as the immune system fights the infection before the eggs are produced. Therefore, it is usually younger dogs that pose more of a threat to cattle. The second and most common route of transmission is from cow to calf during pregnancy, where both become infected for life, leading all subsequent calves (and their calves) to be infected or aborted.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for neospora in cattle so those tested positive will continue to abort or pass the disease on to their offspring. Therefore, breeding from them is not advised, especially if it is for replacement heifers and ultimately, it is advised 84 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

cctm/shutterstock

"Picking up after your dog is crucially important in reducing the spread of neospora"

to cull them from the herd. As a result, control of the disease relies solely on prevention through management and biosecurity practices such as disposing of aborted material both correctly and promptly, as well as ensuring all areas are cleaned and disinfected afterwards. In addition, farms should avoid buying in new livestock as it poses a risk of bringing an infected animal into the herd. Infected cattle should be culled or where cows are of high genetic value, embryo transfer can be performed to stop transmission of infection to the calf. Farmers should aim to ‘dog proof ’ cattle feed storage areas, and avoid dogs accessing calving areas.

Feeding raw meat to dogs should also be avoided as this is a common source of infection. Lastly, to pick up dog faeces immediately and dispose of it in appropriate bins.

If you do not have a bag, then try asking a fellow

walker or come back later to pick it up as chances are it will still be there!

The public’s role in reducing the spread of neospora • Always carry dog poo bags with you on walks so you can pick up your dog’s faeces promptly.

• Place dog faeces in allocated bins or take it home.

• Spread the word on why it is important to pick up after your dog.

kingstonvets.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 85

elizabethwatsonillustration.com 86 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

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Body & Mind

IN PRAISE OF THE HUMBLE MUDGUARD Mike Riley, Riley’s Cycles Anghi/Shutterstock

I

mentioned mudguards briefly in the last article.

Some may consider them a ‘Marmite’ option because you love or hate them. Die hard roadies and weight weenies will never be seen with mudguards on their bike and the subject is quite divisive in the cycling community.

When I was a youngster, Mum did not have much 88 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

to spend on a bike for my first adult bike, but she did the best she could, and I chipped in my savings and received a second hand, dark green Raleigh roadster for my 13th birthday. The first non-essential things to remove in a bid to make it look ‘cool’, and save weight, were the mudguards. Years later, a bicycle collector asked me for all the Raleigh pattern mudguards I could

supply because they were hard to come by. Looking at them with fresh eyes, I could see the elegance of the design where the front tapers to a fine tip finished with a chrome bulb and gold coach lines accentuate the shape; it would not look out of place on Flash Gordon’s spaceship.

Global Cycling Network’s YouTube channel has a section called The Bike Vault, where readers submit photos of their bikes to be judged ‘Nice or Super Nice’.

Bikes always had to be ‘naked’ - without mudguards to be considered, but recently the presenters talked of relenting and allowing winter bikes to be judged as well. This is a radical turning of the tide in the debate between mudguard users and non-users.

I had an opportunity to observe first-hand the effort put into authenticity when making period films, by using period appropriate props when the film crew used Riley’s Cycles as the prop store for the Far from the Madding Crowd remake of the Thomas Hardy classic. The BBC have recently been screening a series of films called Small Axe by Steve McQueen.

The films recreate 1970s and 80s life in Brixton, and McQueen has keenly observed details of all aspects of life including dialect and slang, clothes and fashion (flared trousers were a nightmare on a bike!), vehicles e.g. mark 1 Transit police vans and Cortinas. But what caught my eye was of course, the bicycle; I suspect if I watched each film again, I would see it was the same guy pushing the same bike across the road, but what showed me the producer had nailed it were the chrome, shortie mudguards. It was de rigueur for any young lad with a racer to have these; they were next to useless, but a ‘must-have’ style accessory.

Modern mudguards, or fenders as they are known in the USA, are more functional and there is a style to suit almost every bike. Roadies can compromise and fit a minimalist, Ass Saver, which clips under the saddle and saves a rooster tail of mud going up their back.

Mountain bikes have guards which can move with their suspension and though they don’t keep much muck off the bike, they perform the important function of deflecting mud from the rider’s face, so they can see where they are pointing their downhill missiles. Road bikes historically had very little clearance between the frame and tyre, so fitting mudguards was impossible, but modern split designs extend in front and behind the fork/frame to give good protection. The only bike that I have not found a satisfactory solution for is a mountain bike with a monoshock front fork.

Mudguards are made in a variety of materials, historically steel was most common, but by the 1950s Raleigh Lenton lightweights were fitted with Bluemels cellulose guards. I have a Lenton which still has the original guards, so they must have been fairly tough. An unusual set of fenders I am trying to find a project for are made from bamboo, and wood guards are also available. The most common material for modern mudguards is plastic; it is important to store these so they are supported, or they can warp and become difficult to fit correctly. For the weight weenie, a company in Poole sell carbon fibre guards manufactured by our friends at Ace mouldings. They cost over £100 a pair, but are strong, light and fit so snug to the tyre profile that you may not realise the bike is fitted with guards. Guards can be aesthetically pleasing and on Alison’s bike I have fitted hammered finish, polished alloy guards which are replicas of the iconic French Le Martelé design produced by Lefol.

It is worth noting that a front mudguard reduces the clearance for the toe of a rider’s shoe, and it is possible to clip the mudguard while turning the front wheel which can lead to a tumble. Some guards are fitted with a safety feature where the stay detaches from the frame if caught up. I have found these of limited use as they detach when you go over a bump and I must stop to reattach it. The fastenings seem prone to vibrating loose, so I regularly check them, to ensure the guard does not become detached while riding.

My pet hate with mudguards is when they shake and rattle or rub the tyre. I have a set of light alloy guards fitted on my bike for winter, but my frame has an unusual rear frame mount for the stays (the wire supports which attach to the frame) which means the guard is not held as firmly as I would like, and I will need to be creative to resolve this.

If you are looking for mudguards, make sure they fit firmly and securely to your bike and give as much protection as possible by going for the longest design that will fit, with a width greater than your tyre, but within the constraints of your frame/fork. Look at the mounting points on your bike and choose guards to suit; some bikes have threaded eyelets to attach the guard’s stays to and others have mounting points. To improve protection further, you can add a mudflap.

Stay safe! rileyscycles.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 89

Body and Mind

DEEP CLEAN

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

Becky Starsmore/Shutterstock

90 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

L

ook closely at your make-up bag and be honest – is it up to scratch and as clean as it could be? Most of us open our make-up bag, usually as a daily occurrence, and get on with the job in hand, looking past the chaos and detritus in order just to fix our face and get on with our day.

Well, give yourself 15 minutes and not only will you create a more organised make-up collection that stops the daily Where is it? It’s got to be in here - I used it yesterday issue, but also makes a more hygienic collection too.

Start with the big empty out. Tip or scoop the contents out in handfuls. Right… separate it roughly into the groups: foundation/bases; mascaras and liners; shadows; blushers/bronzers and lip products. Now clean out the bag itself; put it through the machine, if suitable, or give it a good wipe out with antibacterial wipes to restore order and cleanliness.

Hit each section with the following criteria: do I wear it? do I like wearing it? has it been open more than 12 months?

This may blast a whole load of things straight into the bin. For eye products, follow up with ‘has it been open more than 6 months?’ And if so, mascaras must also be shunned as bacteria can quickly breed in these formulas.

You may have a couple of different make-up bases in your bag depending on the season and therefore, what skin tone your skin is at that time of year. This could be the same product in two different shades that you can blend according to your current skin shade. Or it could be a lighter weight product for the summer months, when life is a little more home-based and expectation free. No problem with that, as long as the products have retained their rightful consistency and smell, they can be kept.

Mascaras, as discussed, should be given up to the bin if they have been open for more than 6 months to reduce the risk of a nasty eye infection. Eye pencils can be sharpened to remove dormant bacteria but be realistic; if it has gone cloudy or brittle, it too needs to go.

Eye shadows are more resilient to time, particularly if they are mineral-based as they are largely inert to bacteria growth. However, if you have crumbling powders or cracked crème bases, it is highly likely they are past their best. Wipe around the rims and lids of those you are keeping.

Blushers and bronzers follow a similar rule and although they are not applied as close to the eye, beware of any change in texture or scent which could result in blocked pores or irritation on the skin.

With lip products it is harder to be as decisive as we all need a choice for different occasions, season, outfit colour and mood, and so this can lead to having several shades and consistencies open and in use. Just be honest and, usually, the smell and taste when it’s applied will tell you all you need. Clean up those you are keeping with a wipe around the lip to remove lint and overspill.

Give your pencil sharpeners a wipe with tissue then a wash with hot soapy water. Make-up brushes should be washed once a month, if used regularly. Brushes can be washed in antibacterial hand-wash but if you have invested in high quality natural fibre brushes, follow with a little hair conditioner rinse to restore hydration and flex in the bristles.

Put it all back and next time you open up your bag, breathe a sigh of relief that everything is to hand and everything is fresh and ready to use. thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk margaretbalfour.co.uk

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 91

We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

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TAKE YOUR TIME

AVAILABLE ONLINE sherbornetimes.co.uk 92 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

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Body & Mind

‘MOVE YOUR MIND’ AND IMPROVE YOUR WELLBEING! Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind Ambassador

E

xercise has many well-known benefits for physical health, such as improving heart health, lowering cholesterol, and strengthening muscles and bones. But did you also know exercise is one of the best things you can do to protect and improve your mental health?

The weather may be frosty, and the nights may begin too early, but it is still possible for you to improve your health by incorporating more movement into your life. Read on to learn more about the benefits of exercise on wellbeing; easy tips to become more active, and how to be a part of Dorset Mind’s exciting ‘Move Your Mind’ campaign!

The benefits of exercise for mental wellbeing

The New Economics Foundation conducted research into ways that people can improve their wellbeing.

This resulted in five clear steps: learning, noticing, connecting, giving, and getting active. It is no surprise that exercise was one of these five key methods of increasing wellbeing, as it has been found to positively impact mental health in many ways, including: Improving sleep Being active can help regulate our sleep, which is vital for healthy mental wellbeing. This can happen by managing anxiety, wearing out our bodies, and improving our physical health.

Increasing self-esteem Exercise can enable us to set and reach goals, which is wonderful for our sense of personal achievement.

Getting into exercise can be challenging initially, but 94 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

Robsonphoto/Shutterstock

with a little perseverance, we can improve and feel better. This is a great lesson in resilience that we can apply to other areas of our lives.

Improving your mood Physical activity releases cortisol, which helps manage stress and anxiety, as well as endorphins that make us feel better and more energised. Additionally, if you have a lot going on, exercise can be a great distraction to help give your mind a well-needed rest.

Top tips for getting active

We all know it can be hard to get started with exercise, and even harder to maintain the habit once we’ve begun. Here are some top tips for increasing physical activity:

Don’t over do it If you’re feeling very motivated in the beginning of your exercise journey, it may be tempting to set difficult goals, such as many long gym sessions every week.

However, you are more likely to burn out if you set your goals too high. A more effective plan is likely to include short daily bursts of an enjoyable activity.

Work smarter, not harder You know yourself better than anyone. Are you more tired in the mornings or evenings? Do you prefer one activity over the other? Make a plan that enables you to fit activity into your routine at a time that suits you and your energy levels. Some people may prefer an early morning walk rather than an evening Zumba class, but everyone is different. Take some time to find out what

works for you; you’re more likely to stick at it if you enjoy the activity.

Join a challenge – like ‘Move Your Mind!’

Joining a challenge or campaign can help provide a sense of community and external motivation. ‘Move Your Mind’ is a campaign from Dorset Mind that encourages people to be active for just 30 minutes a day for the 31 days of January, in any way that suits them.

Signing up is free, but an easy fundraising goal of £31 is recommended – that’s just £1 a day!

Visit dorsetmind.uk/get-involved/move-your-mind/ to get involved, conquer those January blues, and raise money to help support the mental health of local people in Dorset. sherbornetimes.co.uk | 95

Body & Mind

DESIGNS FOR LIFE Catherine Allum, Samaritans

96 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

S

herborne illustrator and mental health advocate, Octavia Bromell is the creative force behind gifts which are on sale to raise funds for national suicide prevention charity, Samaritans.

The products have been designed to raise awareness for the Brew Monday campaign. Samaritans commissioned Octavia, to design their range of gifts, after being amazed by some artwork she kindly donated. Her beautiful creations are now helping to raise funds and awareness of the charity, which is a cause particularly close to her heart.

Whilst a university student and going through a particularly tough time, Octavia contacted Samaritans for the first time. Feeling overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts as she came home from a night out, she saw an advert for the charity and decided to call their helpline. Octavia recalls, ‘I remember thinking I don’t have anything to lose, so I’ll call them. I can say with a fair level of certainty that having someone to talk to at 3am for an hour, saved my life.’

Following that call, Octavia turned to drawing as therapy after a nervous breakdown and went on to be Adobe UK Creative Resident in 2019. She calls it a ‘full circle moment’ being invited to design gifts for Samaritans: ‘It was that dark period in my life that led me to drawing. From there, it opened the door to a completely different career path! For me, to be thriving in my career but also to be working with the charity who saved me, really means a lot.’ District Branch Director, Simon Hicks is delighted to be using such beautiful designs from a local, and very talented artist, who has such a passion and connection to the charity.

Yeovil, Sherborne & district branch of Samaritans will be kicking off Brew Monday on Monday 18th

January: the third Monday in January, which is sometimes known as ‘Blue Monday’ for being the most difficult day of the year. The branch will be turning this day on its head and into something positive by encouraging people to get together over a warming virtual cuppa and a chat.

Simon Hicks describes this winter as being ‘like no other.’ He says, ‘The challenges that many people face during this season have been felt more acutely this year with the pandemic. There couldn’t be a better time to reach out for a chat with someone you care about. It doesn’t have to be a Monday or a cup of tea - it’s just about taking time to really listen to another person, which can, in turn, help them work through what’s on their mind.’

It is essential to look after our mental health, and others’, by continuing to check in on anyone who may be struggling and encourage them to reach out for support whether it’s with a friend, family member or a confidential helpline like Samaritans. Volunteers are always there to listen, and they won’t judge or tell you what to do. Call for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org.

Anyone wishing to purchase Samaritans gifts designed by Octavia can do so online by visiting shop.samaritans.org.

To help Samaritans continue to be there for those who are struggling, Yeovil, Sherborne & District branch of Samaritans are asking anyone interested in volunteering to get in touch via email: recruitment@yeovilsamaritans.org.uk. Join the conversation on social media using #BrewMonday.

See more of Octavia's work at tinkoutsidethebox.com @tinkoutsidethebox sherbornetimes.co.uk | 97

Body & Mind

21 REASONS

Craig Hardaker BSc (Hons), Communifit

W

e would like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year, and personally thank everyone for supporting us in what has been a tough year for all. We are extremely proud to have helped keep people in all age groups fit and strong during these difficult times and look forward to continuing to do so in 2021. As we move into 2021 here are 21 reasons for staying fit: 1 Reduces risk of heart disease Regular exercise strengthens the heart and improves contractile function.

2 Reduces cholesterol Regular exercise has been proven to reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol levels (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).

3 Sleep better People who exercise tend to fall 98 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

asleep quicker and stay asleep longer, therefore an improvement in your overall sleep pattern.

4 Exercise is fun and enjoyable Yep, it’s really true.

There are so many different ways to ‘move’ that there is bound to be one you enjoy. Try making exercise more competitive, or social, if you need extra motivation. The hard part of course is getting started!

5 Improves self esteem Regardless of your body shape or size, regular fitness helps improve your self esteem.

6 Decreases back pain By increasing muscle strength and endurance, and improving flexibility and posture, regular exercise helps to prevent back pain.

Studies show that exercise is an effective treatment for recurrent low back pain.

Image: Stuart Brill

7 Exercise prolongs life Active people seem to have better life longevity.

8 Reduces blood pressure Not only does exercise reduce high blood pressure, it helps prevent it.

9 Increases metabolic rate Exercise will not only increase the total number of calories that you burn, but can also increase your resting metabolic rate, so you burn more calories while at rest.

10 Improves balance and coordination Your stability improves and also what is called your ‘kinaesthetic awareness’.

11 Advances energy levels Research suggests regular exercise can increase energy levels, even among people suffering from chronic medical conditions associated with fatigue like cancer

and heart disease. One study in 2006 showed the average effect of regular exercise was greater than the improvement from using stimulant medications, such as those that treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

Forget the extra cup of coffee, or energy drink, and go for a brisk walk, or workout!

12 Reduces risk of injury If you have a strong, fit body, the chances of injury significantly decrease.

13 Increases range of motion Flexibility can decrease stiffness in joints, and can decrease pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

14 Increases functional strength From getting out of a chair, to lifting an object off the ground, our bodies are able to perform daily activities better.

15 Increases insulin sensitivity Not only does getting in shape help develop insulin sensitivity (ability of muscles to uptake glucose), but helps prevent type 2 diabetes.

16 Reduces anxiety and depression Exercise is a great mood elevator to help you manage stress and reduce anxiety. The antidepressant effect of regular physical exercise is comparable to potent antidepressants like Sertraline.

17 Weight control While some research shows exercise increases appetite while others show exercises suppresses appetite, one thing is for sure regular exercise helps control weight.

18 Strengthens immune system Any doctor will tell you no pill or nutritional supplement has the power of regular, moderate activity in lowering the number of sick days people need to take.

19 Strengthens your bones Lifting weights helps prevent osteoporosis, which is so important because a shocking one out of two women will be diagnosed with osteoporosis.

20 Improves focus Exercise helps improve your brain’s ability to concentrate, remember, visualise, plan ahead, and solve problems.

21 Lose the hidden fat Just like the fat that leads to belly rolls and love handles, internal fat –called visceral fat – also can be prevented and eradicated with regular exercise.

So, there you have it – 21 reasons to get, and stay, fit in 2021 and just like last year, we are here for you! Let’s all hope for a calmer 2021 – stay safe, stay well, stay happy.

Team Communifit. communifit.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk | 99

Body & Mind

IMPROVE YOUR RUNNING IN 2021 Simon Partridge BSc (Sports Science), Personal Trainer SPFit

W

hether you are a seasoned runner or have taken up running as a result of the lockdowns, here are some suggestions to help you progress.

Slow Down

It may seem contradictory and, as a coach, I am always being asked to help clients run faster. But the key to reaching your running potential is to make the majority of your runs easy - something I will admit to being very bad at with my own training historically. This ‘easy’ running is the best way to develop your aerobic capacity, which is how your body delivers oxygen to your muscles.

The easiest way to determine your ideal pace is to develop your aerobic system to simply run at your ‘conversational’ pace – can you run and talk without shortness of breath?

Exercise physiologist, Stephen Seller found endurance runners got optimal training results when 80% of their training was at low intensity and only 20% at a high intensity.

Up the Mileage

Increasing the volume (frequency and distance) you run each week plays a big part in your improvement, but the key is not to increase too fast, especially if you want to avoid injury. A good rule to follow is to stick to an existing volume for 4 weeks. Then, when you are ready to increase your weekly mileage; it should be equal in miles to the number of times you run weekly i.e. an increase of four miles if you run 4 x week.

Improve with Intervals

This means short periods of high intensity running 100 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

with short periods of rest in between. This is designed to teach your body to use oxygen more efficiently, making your running more economical so you can run faster for longer. The key is to make sure your rest periods are long enough so you can run at the same pace for each interval.

Hill Training

Hill sprints are a great way to improve your running economy so you will need less oxygen to maintain a required speed. Running uphill means you have to run against gravity making it a great form of resistance training to improve leg strength.

Keep a Training Diary

Using running apps, such as MapmyRun and Strava are brilliant for recording your runs but keeping your own training diary can give you so much more. You can make notes about how you slept the night before, your resting heart rate each morning, what you are eating, and your training on other days. You can then identify trends and see what does and doesn’t work, producing improvement and preventing injuries.

Buy the Right Shoe, Use a Watch, Tier your Targets and Enter a Race

These are all topics that could be articles in their own right. But no matter why you run, or how far or how fast, let’s all enjoy ourselves out in the fresh air. Stay injury-free and I hope you improve as much as you want to. The very best of luck to you all in 2021. spfit-sherborne.co.uk

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Body & Mind

T

LOW ENERGY AND TIREDNESS

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

he complaint of lacking energy is a common problem in General Practice, which often leads to the request for a tonic… unfortunately, it is not quite that simple! It is important to realise that fatigue and lack of energy can be symptoms of an underlying physical condition such as anaemia, low thyroid, diabetes, liver or kidney disease as well as cancer. To exclude these conditions, it is important to seek advice from your GP in order to arrive at a diagnosis and treatment, if needed.

Having excluded treatable and sinister conditions, we are left with causes that are less easy to manage. These usually have some psychological or lifestyle component to them. Depression and anxiety with sleep disorder is extremely common. This may be due to bereavement, disharmony at home or work, as well as stress and tension. There seems to be an increase in this lately as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Treatment of depression and anxiety with medication and counselling to deal with their underlying causes must be considered to aid recovery.

Dietary measures are important to achieve maximal energy output. Healthy eating is important: a mixed and balanced diet which contains the correct proportion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats is needed. Make sure you get your omega 3 fatty acids in fish such as salmon and mackerel. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables are an important source of vitamins and minerals. If your lifestyle does not permit you to have a mixed, balanced diet, take a respectable multimineral/multivitamin supplement. Choose one that contains vitamin Bs that are responsible for many energy-providing metabolic processes in cells. A high fibre diet is also important for nourishing the ‘friendly’ bacteria in the gut – these play an essential role in supporting the immune system and also produce energy molecules called ‘short chain fatty acids’.

General lifestyle measures should be addressed. Excess alcohol intake will cause weight gain and strain on liver metabolism. Smoking is a risk factor for so many body processes and diseases that lead to fatigue and lack of energy. Stress management can be helped by taking up various mindbody techniques such as Yoga or Pilates. Mindfulness meditation has also been shown to be helpful in studies on stress. Regular exercise with vigorous walking, running, cycling will bring benefits both mentally and physically. It will also aid weight management through calorie expenditure.

Try to do 30 minutes daily on five days per week, as recommended by health guidelines.

Hopefully, some of this advice will help restore energy and combat tiredness. But don’t forget my initial advice: lack of energy can be a presenting sign of a number of medical conditions some of which can be serious. Visit your GP to have them excluded. If you follow this advice, I suspect you won’t be in need of a tonic! doctorTWRobinson.com glencairnHouse.co.uk

102 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 103

elizabethwatsonillustration.com 104 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

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Home

DRIVING ME MAD Andy Foster, Raise Architects

I

’m bored; it seems as if we’ve been playing ‘I spy’ for hours and I’ve had enough. My elder brother and sister have turned to browse comics, and I’m pressed between them on the rear seat of the family car. From the front, my schoolteacher mother tries some other games to keep her youngest entertained. To be awkward, I decide to shout out the make and model of passing cars; something I know she can’t do. Vauxhall Viva, Ford Cortina, Hillman Imp - ooh, hang on - I just spotted a Jensen Interceptor! I’m happy to bag that one.

It’s Sunday morning, and we’re driving to see our relatives in Manchester, a long journey we’ve done many times. As usual, the radio is on, and I’m forced to endure the kind of family programming reserved for this weekly slot: novelty songs, one-hit-wonders, DJ bad jokes and irritating jingles. Do the people at the radio station think that kids can’t discern the second-rate? If this is meant to help pass the time, it’s not working.

Then Mum turns toward me, hands cupped, mimicking a megaphone. She makes a siren-like noise and repeats several times in an automated tone: ‘This is your two-minute warning.’ But it’s not what you think; 106 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

it’s not a sign of impending punishment. I haven’t flicked a rubber band at my brother nor thrown my sister’s hair grip out of the window; none of the usual stuff. My parents are under instruction to tell me when we’re approaching a particular landmark. It’s a building that I can’t bear to look at, and on Mum’s signal, I pull my jumper over my head and dive behind the front seats to avoid it.

This is my earliest recollection of having an emotional response to architecture. Why this particular building provoked such a strong reaction, I’m not sure.

It was an industrial building designed in the Art Deco style. Long and low except for a central tower finished with a glazed crown reminiscent of a lighthouse. The tower’s final flourish was a sinister blade of concrete that arced over, unnecessarily, from the rear. I think I saw a monster in that ugly cranial crest, and I didn’t like it.

I never knew what the building was or its location, and I recently spent several fruitless lockdown weeks searching for it. Then I recalled my father mentioning ‘the East Lancs Road’ on numerous occasions, and I’d thought it slightly odd to name-drop a road in

jackscoldsweat/iStock

normal conversation. He was an engineer and liked to be associated with progressive thinking and developments. Hence it wasn’t much of a surprise to learn that this road - the A580 - was the first intercity highway in the country. Completed in 1934, the timing of its construction was about right; could my building have been built alongside it?

I had Dad’s collection of 1960’s Ordnance Survey maps, and I set about exploring our potential premotorway route. I discovered that there was a stretch of the A580 that we could have used, and this allowed me to narrow my search. It didn’t take long to find. It was the administration building to a clothing factory built for Burton’s The Tailors. I found some online photographs and immediately recognised the tower I had so despised. But seeing it now, it didn’t seem too bad. I wanted to dislike it more.

I discovered that my building had been designed by a reputable firm of architects best known for their more successful Hoover Building on the Great North Road in London. The company’s founder, Sir Montagu Burton, promoted his development as

a ‘garden factory’ and gave it the name ‘Burtonville’.

Perhaps he intended to follow in the footsteps of earlier enlightened industrialists such as Titus Salt, Lord Leverhulme and the Cadbury Family? I wanted to think so. But sadly, if you trace the lineage of the Burtons business forward from its early beginnings, you will find that the path eventually leads you to Arcadia.

Could anything be more ironic?

I returned to the site of the building to see what had become of it. The factory was demolished in the 1970’s and replaced with a ‘business park’, a muchused misnomer which conceals a terrible truth: that for many of us, the buildings where we are obliged to work, to do business, to shop and to socialise, are nothing more than steel-framed sheds surrounded by car parks, located behind security fencing, accessible only by private vehicles. We have travelled a long way to arrive at these dead-end places.

As I write, my hometown - a small, ancient city - is building a five hundred space multi-storey car park within its walls. In Kent, the government is constructing a 27-acre lorry park on verdant farmland.

How many bad decisions have been taken, by how many people to arrive at these wrong turns? As a child, I recoiled at the sight of what I thought was a monstrous building. But the monsters I failed to see were the vehicle in which I was travelling, and the infrastructure required to support it.

To my parent’s generation, the motor vehicle meant freedom; it was a symbol of progress. My generation embraced it in return for a comfortable life. But what an incredible price we have paid? Our town centres, ravaged by the motor vehicle in the 20th century, are now being hollowed out once more following the decline of high street shopping. Meanwhile, cardependent trading estates and out of town retail centres spread our mess over much broader terrain. And the child in me wants to pull my jumper over my head and hide behind the furniture.

The age demanded that we dance And jammed us into iron pants.

And in the end the age was handed The sort of shit that it demanded.

From The Age Demanded by Ernest M. Hemingway. raisearchitects.com sherbornetimes.co.uk | 107

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108 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

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Legal

EQUITY RELEASE Sean McCabe, Chartered Financial Planner, Mogers Drewett

2

020 was undoubtedly a challenging year for us all, with many people furloughed or sadly being made redundant and therefore struggling financially. While we all remain optimistic for a better 2021, many people will continue to feel the financial impact of last year for a while yet. As a result, equity release has risen in popularity as an option to provide some much-needed financial relief.

What is Equity Release?

The equity you hold in your property is the difference between the property value and the amount of debt you have secured against the property. An equity release plan will allow you to access some of this equity.

How does it work?

An equity release provider will provide you with either a lump sum or an income in exchange for part of the value of your home. This is achieved either using a type of mortgage, or by selling that portion of your home on the condition that you can continue to live there as long as you wish.

The minimum age for applying for an equity release plan is 55 and the debt only needs to be repaid from the 110 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

sale of the property either on death of the last applicant, or the last applicant entering a care home.

Why release equity?

You can use the funds released from an equity release arrangement for a variety of different reasons which could include: • Topping up your income • Helping children and grandchildren • Renovating or refurbishing your property • Buying a second property • Paying for holidays • Adapting the home • Funding hobbies and interests Equity release is not for everyone

Make sure you speak to an independent financial adviser or mortgage broker specialising in equity release to receive unbiased advice on whether it really is the best option for you and to ensure you are protected from pitfalls like negative equity. mogersdrewett.com

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Finance

M

THE EMOTIONS OF MONEY

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

oney underpins almost everything we want to accomplish in life: what we do, where we live, our lifestyle, financing a family, and so on. Our spending patterns are linked to who we are, and many people have a difficult relationship with money as a result.

Some common negative money emotions that can cause distress are: Fear and anxiety

Not having enough money to live the way we wish to, or in some cases to fund everyday essentials, can cause extreme stress and anxiety. In many instances, we may even be afraid to open our bank or credit card statements, as our financial reality feels too overwhelming.

Shame and guilt

We often worry that we have ‘wasted’ money on unimportant things. These feelings can be intensified when we share our finances with a partner, or when we inherit money from relatives. ‘Financial infidelity’ is common when people hide spending details from their partners.

Envy

Keeping up with the Joneses. Many people to go into cycles of debt to finance a lifestyle that will impress others.

Depression

Intense money struggles can lead to hopelessness and feeling trapped.

To keep these negative emotions from having a severe impact on wellbeing, we can use some of the following techniques: • Examine your emotions

Ask yourself searching questions about why you feel the way you do. Why did that recent purchase feel like 112 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

wasted money? How have your background and past experiences affected your relationship with money?

• Forgive yourself, and others

To get to a better relationship with money, you need to forgive what has gone before. Try to recognise where poor decisions were driven by negative emotions and accept that they are in the past. Commit to recognising those triggers if they come up again and have a plan to avoid repeating behaviours that have not served you.

• Face your fears

Having a complete understanding of your overall financial picture always helps. However frightened you may be, identifying all of your assets, liabilities, income and expenditure is an essential first step towards feeling more in control.

• Set some goals

Financial goals should be rooted in life goals. What is most important to you in life? Security? Time with loved ones? Adventure? Then, look at your current spending. Is it aligned with your life goals? How could your finances better reflect the future you desire? Avoid comparison with others: your goals are unlikely to be the same as theirs.

Seek out a financial coach to help elaborate your life goals and keep you accountable for taking steps towards them.

• Make your goals real

Goals are often long-term, and humans are not great at avoiding short-term impulses for long-term gain! It is useful to carry a reminder of your goals. It might be a keyring for your future house keys, a picture of your dream travel destination, or a mini vision board. When faced with a spending decision, look at this reminder of why you are saving. ffp.org.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

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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

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 113

Tech

THE SUBSCRIPTION WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN James Flynn, Milborne Port Computers

W

hen selling a customer either a new laptop or desktop, one of the first questions they ask is, ‘It comes with Microsoft Office right?’ followed by, ‘what anti-virus does it come with?’

These days, 99% of all new pre-installed Windows computers claim to come with Microsoft Office 365 and some sort of anti-virus. However, be careful, as this is just the software installed and not the actual subscription for the product. The anti-virus companies, normally McAffee and Norton, have paid the manufacturer of the laptop to have their software pre-installed. I would love to know how much they pay for this, but I imagine it’s not as much as Google pay Apple per year to be the default search engine on their products, which is between $8 billion and $12 billion!

When you go to activate the anti-virus software it will claim to be giving you a ‘good deal’, if you sign up via the program, as the software is already on the computer. When going through this process, somewhere will be an ‘auto renew’ option strategically placed, which can sometimes already be ticked for you, or you have to say that you don’t want to auto renew.

The issue with this feature, and what a lot people are unhappy about, is that they normally renew a few months in advance, and it costs more than your original subscription. My advice would be never to ‘auto renew’ because most of the time there is always a better option to be had manually renewing.

Office 365… before I go into this, Office 365 114 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

personal is for 1 PC and Office 365 Family is up to 6 PCs. So, think about whether you can share an Office 365 licence from a family member and therefore have a spare for you to use. We find it is rare that someone uses all 6 licences in a family, and so this could be a good way of saving money.

Like the anti-virus, Office 365 comes pre-installed on most new Windows-based computers. Sometimes, when you buy your device, you will get an Office 365 personal license key card which you can activate with a Microsoft account. Now, if your Microsoft account has your bank card details, they will try and tempt you when activating to auto renew, and you’ll get an extra month free. The issue with this is you have to renew at their price which is generally 20% more expensive than elsewhere.

As you hear constantly these days, by the likes of Martin Lewis etc., shop around and you can save money by not being tied into subscriptions and contracts. Put in your diary to look around every year, as although it might take some time, it undoubtedly will also save you money. The world changes so quickly that deals can be had if you shop around, and Office 365 and anti-virus is no exception.

If you think you need advice, the choice as always is yours, but if you need help making that decision, you know where to come. computing-mp.co.uk

Commercial Development Management Sales

LE T LE T

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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REOPENING 5TH JANUARY Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm We also have first class curtain alteration, making-up, loose cover and Roman blind services.

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Wayne Timmins Painter and Decorator • • • • •

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

01935 872007 / 07715 867145 waynesbusiness@aol.com 116 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

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

Dying without a Will.

Now that’s a real tragedy JOHN RAWLINS Legal Services

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• Wlll Writing • Powers of Attorney • Specialist Trusts • Home Visits 01963 23179 | 07957 845170 john@jprawlins.co.uk Ryalls Stud Farmhouse, Bishops Caundle, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NG www.jprawlins.co.uk | www.steelerose.co.uk

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Suppliers and Manufacturers of quality Signage, Graphics and Embroidered Workwear

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GARDEN & PLANTING DESIGN Free registration appointment for new clients when accompanied by this advertisement Kingston House Veterinary Clinic Long Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3DB Mon-Fri 9.00-10.30, 16.30-18.00 Sat 9.00-10.30 T: 01935 813288 (24 hours) E: sherborne@kingstonvets.co.uk kingstonvets.co.uk

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sherbornetimes.co.uk | 117

Short Story

A CROSSROAD Malcolm Cockburn, Sherborne Scribblers

‘P

AN PAN* Cherbourg Control, this is Golf Alpha Romeo Whisky Foxtrot; I have an engine problem over the sea - North East of Cherbourg.’

‘Whisky Foxtrot, you are clear for emergency landing at Cherbourg Maupertus.’

I turned to the passenger seated behind me, ‘Mike, we may be in trouble, the oil pressure has dropped to zero.’ At this moment, the steady beat of the engine changed to a rougher note and I knew that the oil pressure gauge must be telling me a bad truth. We were almost over the coast and the airport was several miles away to the West.

‘Cherbourg control, I must attempt a forced landing near Cap Barfleur.’

‘Message received Whisky Foxtrot, bonne chance!’

The landscape was filled with green fields, but they were all tiny. We were at 2,500ft which could allow a glide of at least a couple of miles. I set my sights on a field marginally bigger than the others - one which was free of boundary trees, just beside a crossroad.

‘Tighten your harness Mike, and brace against the bulkhead in front of you.’

As we lined up on the field, it appeared smaller and smaller the nearer we came; the engine stopped, the propeller stopped - there was a sudden quiet. The effect was as though an anchor

118 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

had been thrown out. Our descent steepened and I knew we were too low. I pulled back on the stick. Over the road, our tailwheel must have caught the telephone wires which arrested our flight. We were down! I only remember the total silence.

I opened the canopy and realised my mistake that should have been done before; what if we had been unable to exit and the aircraft had been on fire? But it wasn’t, and we shakily climbed from the cockpit onto the wing. Mike had bashed his knee but otherwise we seemed to be unharmed. There was a nasty crease in the fuselage and the plane lay precisely across the small road. At the nearby crossroad we saw a statue of the Virgin Mary; she overlooked a war memorial - we burst out laughing. The field we had failed to reach turned out to be not grass but carrots, a hopeless surface for a successful landing.

Just two days earlier I had collected the de Havilland Chipmunk from Exeter Airport where it had been undergoing its bi-annual ‘certificate of airworthiness’. The aircraft engine and fuselage should have been in tip-top condition. Michael Woodford, my passenger, had been our farm vet, but he was moving away from the mundane job of looking after Dorset dairy cows, preferring to study wildlife conservation abroad. The destination of our flight was to be Geneva where he was scheduled to attend a conference on the subject of conserving the rare Desert Oryx. We had cleared customs and submitted a flight plan at Hurn airport. What was in that flight plan I do not know. It would have been too far to reach Geneva without a stop on the way, but because my superstition was never to write the destination in my logbook until I had landed, I have no idea where our planned stop might have been, maybe it was Nevers.

Before long, the crashed Chipmunk was surrounded by onlookers and I have little memory of the course of events, until we were seated at the farmhouse, still wearing life jackets, with a feast hastily prepared by Madame. The good lady, remembering the war and crashing aircraft, had rushed to her telephone even as we fell out of the sky, but alas the line was dead; we had broken the telephone wires. Her number, Valcanville 3. The vegetable harvest was in progress on the farm and Michael happily found himself placed next to a pretty young girl whose job was to wash the carrots! The meal over, our next problem would be to get Michael safely to his conference in Geneva; Monsieur kindly offered to take him to catch the Paris train in Cherbourg. As we waved goodbye, I saw he was still wearing that life jacket.

The hospitality of those people was without bounds. I stayed a couple of days in the farmhouse while visiting the Lloyds insurance representative in Cherbourg and the flight and police officials at the airport. I was lent tools to remove the undamaged propeller then, finally, returned back to England on a Bristol Freighter aircraft, which in those days ferried cars and passengers between Cherbourg and Hurn. I boarded clutching the 6ft long propeller into the passenger cabin, much to the mirth of the crew and fellow passengers.

Recently, I returned to Cherbourg for a day-trip by ferry with friends and a car. On arrival at Cherbourg, we hastened along the coast for lunch at Barfleur. After lunch and a stroll, I suggested we still had time to visit the site of my crash and we delved into the maze of lanes. I described that crossroad and the war memorial overlooked by the statue of the Virgin Mary, but we never could find it and I wondered as we sailed home if it had all been a dream. * PAN PAN is the international urgency signal that a ship or aircraft is in a situation that is urgent but does not pose immediate danger to anyone’s life.

sherbornetimes.co.uk | 119

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

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Virtual Executive and Personal Assistant service.

Assisting small business and individuals with everyday business administration, from social media strategy and planning, ad-hoc projects, diary management, events, board meeting coordination and minutes.

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DECEMBER SOLUTIONS

ACROSS 1. Cease (4) 3. Admitted (8) 9. Malady (7) 10. Leaves out (5) 11. Small motor-racing vehicles (5) 12. Slim (7) 13. Change gradually (6) 15. Concurs (6) 17. Ancient parchment (7) 18. Remote in manner (5) 20. Ascended (5) 21. Morally right (7) 22. Sweet food courses (8) 23. Address a deity (4) 120 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

DOWN 1. Easily angered (5-8) 2. Lazy person; layabout (5) 4. Be preoccupied with something (6) 5. Art of planning a dance (12) 6. Diminish (7) 7. Suspiciously (13) 8. Persistence (12) 14. Argues against (7) 16. Agreement (6) 19. Happen (5)

Literature

LITERARY REVIEW Deborah Bathurst, Sherborne Literary Society

Parting Words: 9 Lessons for a Remarkable Life by Benjamin Ferencz with Nadia Khomami, £9.99 (Sphere 2021) Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £8.99 at Winstone’s Books

F

or many the Second World War is just part of school history lessons but here is a man who served in that war and at the age of 27 was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials. He went on to become a key figure in the establishment of the International Criminal Court. Now that Benjamin Ferencz is one hundred years old, he looks back over his life at these events and the lessons he learnt on surviving and persevering to achieve the things he considered important. The testimony of this centenarian brings these points in history alive and makes them almost tangible to the reader.

Benjamin Ferencz was born in 1920 in Transylvania into a Jewish family. His parents emigrated to America when he was only a few months old, to escape persecution. He grew up in poverty in New York. where he leant how to survive on the streets.

As a child he decided that there was a choice to be made between being a crook or being honest. His conclusion was that there were too many downsides to being a crook. He was also influenced by a John Wayne film, Angels with Dirty Faces, which made a strong impact on him. In this film two young men try to rob a train.

One escapes and becomes a priest, the other gets caught and continues with a life of crime. This made Benny wonder what causes one man to become a criminal while another is law-abiding. This question led his career.

Benny was clever and his school Principal arranged for him to go to a high school in New York for gifted boys which led on to the College of the City of New York

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

which was free. From there he went to Harvard law school after which he served in the US military and participated in the D-Day landings and the subsequent battles culminating in the battle of the Bulge. While at Harvard he had been a researcher to one of the Law professors who was writing a book about war crimes. At the end of the war when the Professor was approached to investigate war crimes he advised them to ask Benny who was then put in charge of gathering the evidence for the prosecution of the twelve trials at the Nuremberg court. During this time he discovered evidence of the Einsatzgruppen, a Nazi SS extermination squad, and an additional trial was held in which he was the prosecutor.

After the Nuremberg trials he was involved in negotiations of the treaty between the West German government and the new state of Israel for reparations post war.

On returning to America he entered legal practice but after a number of years he devoted his time to campaigning and lobbying for the establishment of The International Criminal Court.

There are many remarkable men and women who achieve important things in their lives but there are few who live to such an old age with the clarity of mind and memory to benefit us with their experience from 100 years of living. It is difficult to do justice to this powerful and readable book in a short review. It speaks for itself and is well worth the read. sherborneliterarysociety.com

Start as you mean to go on

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT Sue Hawkett

A

t the time of writing, I have no idea what will be happening when you read this in January 2021. Hopefully, we will have emerged from our latest tiered restrictions, the R number will be well below 1 and we will be able to greet one another in our town, coffee shops, our parks and commons and most importantly, in our homes. I wonder when we will be able to hug each other… The future is uncertain.

Throughout this strange time, one aspect of being human has been severely challenged - our connectivity with and to each other. We are designed and meant to live in community, in families, with neighbours; to have the companionship, warmth of love and fun of those we live with, learn from and work with.

The instinctive response of our communities to Covid-19 has been remarkable, loving and kind.

The NHS received a record number of volunteers eager and ready to do their ‘bit’ while furloughed or finding time on their hands. Charities have adapted their work or come into existence like our own Sherborne Community Kitchen. The way in which internet technophobes have found a way to master the technology and, as a result, the way in which we communicate has changed significantly. During the lockdowns, the number of people viewing church services on YouTube rose dramatically increasing beyond the average church building attendance. We needed to know that God cared and to make some sense of what was (and is) happening. We have come together as a community. We are resilient and adaptable people.

However, although much has been put in place to mitigate the enforced separation from one another, it has taken its toll and has had a resounding impact on many people’s lives.

This has been felt most keenly by those who are ill, elderly, live alone or in a care home, or have had a loved

122 | Sherborne Times | January 2021

one who has died. It is those who are grieving that I want to talk about. Because of the restrictions, access and time with loved ones has either been prohibited or restricted in hospitals, hospices and care homes. That important human touch has not been allowed and wearing PPE inhibited the closeness in being able to say goodbye.

Funerals have taken place but not in the same way.

The number of mourners allowed severely reduced, with the service sometimes being held outside and for a shorter time. The necessary emotion of grief and sadness has not been able to be expressed. It has been ‘bottled up’ and so the normal process has been interrupted. The need for people to be able to come together to express their grief in a quiet, safe place was demonstrated markedly by the attendance at the All Soul’s Service in the Abbey prior to the second lockdown. Although Covid-19 restrictions were in place, this did not deter those from across the town and villages coming to remember those who had died.

At this time of year, we usually hold the Sherborne Snowdrop Service for those who have been bereaved and find it comforting to share with others and to remember their loved ones. This initiative, hosted

by Sherborne Churches Together and supported by Yeatman Hospital, Marie Curie, Weldmar Hospice and Cruse, is open to those of all faiths or none and will still go ahead in a somewhat different form, if restrictions allow. Please look out for this on local social media and posters in shops. In times of grief and loneliness, it is our God who is the source and comfort we need. Let us call out to Him knowing He will answer.

Sherborne Snowdrop Service will be held at Sherborne Abbey at 11am on Thursday 4th February. For further details see local social media and posters or contact sherbornesnowdrop@gmail.com.

ED IT S E M IE L LI P AB COAIL AV

A new fully-illustrated history of Sherborne School

To order your copy of Old Yet Ever Young please visit www.sherborne.org/newsand-events/book-launch All net proceeds will go to Sherborne School

Green by name and nature

NIGHTLY 3 COURSE PRIX FIXE DINNER MENU

LO C A L LY S O U R C E D I N G R E D I E N T S S E A S O N A L P RO D U C E MICHELIN BIB GOURMAND WINNERS 2019 & 2020 Tuesday - Saturday Lunch 12pm - 2pm | Dinner 6pm - 9pm 3 The Green, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3HY 01935 813821 @greensherborne www.greenrestaurant.co.uk