Sherborne Times March 2024

A MONTHLY CELEBRATION OF PEOPLE, PLACE AND PURVEYOR

TABLE FOR 30

with Jules & Steve Horrell of Horrell & Horrell

Try as we might to hold back the driving maul that is our eldest son, there is no pretending that he’s our little boy anymore – the college tours, interviews and offer letters are all too real. It’s an entirely selfish response of course. We’re proud as Punch and delighted that he’s so eager. We’re also just wondering where on Earth the last 16 years have gone. Dinnertime discussions these days revolve around predicted grades, travel arrangements and career choices – our younger son, taking mental notes between mouthfuls, grateful these concerns aren’t yet his. We talk about ikigai (as I have here in a past edition) – the Japanese concept of a life well-lived. If we can do what we love, what we’re good at and what is of value to the world while also being paid for it then we might just have things nailed.

In many ways, little old Sherborne Times is a celebration of lives well-lived. From schoolchildren to CEOs, I am forever inspired by the contributions of our writers. As Edward Workman of The Newt offers this month: ‘Keep your head up and your eyes open, be curious and grasp every opportunity.’

Ikigai might be a tall order but why not reach for it?

Have a great month.

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

@sherbornetimes

Editorial and creative direction

Glen Cheyne Design

Andy Gerrard

Photography

Katharine Davies

Features writer

Claire Bowman

Editorial assistant

Helen Brown

Social media

Jenny Dickinson

Print

Stephens & George

Distribution team

Jan Brickell

Barbara and David Elsmore

Douglas and Heather Fuller

The Jackson Family

David and Susan Joby

Mary and Roger Napper

Jean and John Parker

Hayley Parks

Mark and Miranda Pender

Claire Pilley

Caspar Sheffield

Joyce Sturgess

Ionas Tsetikas

Lesley Upham

Paul Whybrew

PO Box 9701

Sherborne DT9 9EU

07957 496193

@sherbornetimes info@homegrown-media.co.uk sherbornetimes.co.uk

ISSN 2755-3337

Sherborne

certified paper. It goes without saying that once thoroughly well read, this magazine is easily recycled and we actively encourage you to do so.

Whilst

CONTRIBUTORS

Annabel Abbs

Rebecca Anderson-Deas Dorset Chamber Orchestra

Elisabeth Bletsoe Sherborne Museum

Richard Bromell ASFAV Charterhouse Auctioneers and Valuers

Mike Burks

The Gardens Group

Paula Carnell

Samantha Cook Mogers Drewett Solicitors

David Copp

Rosie Cunningham

Barbara Elsmore

James Flynn Milborne Port Computers

Simon Ford

Craig Hardaker Communifit

Andy Hastie Yeovil Cinematheque

Sarah Hitch

The Sanctuary Beauty Rooms and The Margaret Balfour Beauty Centre

Richard Hopton & Mark Greenstock

Sherborne Literary Society

Steve Horrell Horrell & Horrell

James Hull

The Story Pig

Steve Hurley Oxley Sports Centre

Sherborne Town Council

Paul Jones

Dee Dee Kick

Spring Tide Crafts

Thomas Langley

Sherborne School

Milly Lawrence BVMedSci

BVM BVS MRCVS

Kingston Equine Vets

Jeremy Lee

The Sherborne

Lucy Lewis

Dorset Mind

Georgie MacDonald

Sherborne Prep

Jude Marwa

Paul Maskell

The Beat and Track

Tom Matkevich

The Green Restaurant

Sandra Miller BSc, MSc, BCNH Dip, FDN-P Wholistic Health

Gillian Nash

Mark Newton-Clarke

MA VetMB PhD MRCVS

Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

Jan Pain

Sherborne Scribblers

Hilary Phillips

Hanford School

Ashley Rawlings

Savills

Mark Salter CFP

Fort Financial Planning

Jonathan Simon

Church of the Sacred Heart & St Aldhelm

Liz Somerville

Val Stones

Edward Workman

The Newt in Somerset

ARTIST AT WORK

No. 64 Paul Jones, Beneath & Beyond

50 x 40cm, mixed media on canvas board, £2,600

The paintings that I am now exhibiting at The Sherborne are a selection of the work accomplished during the past decade. None is dated as the painting process is to me an ongoing learning process where I enjoy adjustment and change.

After teaching in the Midlands I moved to Dorset, a decision that changed my creative life. Discovering Cranborne Chase, almost on my doorstep and the magnificent coastline, has informed my work with endless inspiration. One challenge was how to emulate the fossil-laden surfaces redolent in the chalk downs and cliffs. The solution was in my past. I had been taught ceramics so I created a way of making textures through heat, actually setting fire to heavybodied white acrylic paint, controlling the blistering etc then layering and mark-making until I achieve the desired textures. I will also contrast the texture with areas of porcelain-like smoothness. My paintings

are labour-intensive and I will work on two or three pieces at a time.

My practice is to base my work on drawings and photographs made on my walks. In the studio I will develop these references, abstracting and re-inventing, sometimes altering the scale, recreating a small rock into a cliff formation or as in the painting above, creating an ambiguity - landscape or seascape?

pauljonesartist.co.uk

Prior to the official opening in late spring of The Sherborne, Dorset’s newest venue for the arts, LAND WORK is a selection of recent and new works by Paul Jones. Strictly by appointment only, limited spaces available. Bookings via thesherborne.uk

Produced by Dorset Visual Arts for The Sherborne

ON FILM

Andy Hastie, Yeovil Cinematheque

When we choose the next season of films each year at Cinematheque we like to, if possible, include a timeless classic of World Cinema for our members. For our current season, we thought we should look for something fifty years old (from 1973 at the time of selecting) and quickly realised what a fertile year this had been for cinema.

From the US came Martin Scorsese’s breakthrough Mean Streets, Sam Peckinpah’s Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Terrence Malick’s Badlands, making stars of Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, and George Lucas’s American Graffiti, whose profitability as a box-office hit enabled Lucas to raise finance for his next project in 1977… Star Wars.

From the UK we saw The Wicker Man, written by Anthony Shaffer (of Sleuth fame) and directed by Robin Hardy, now a cult favourite, and Nicolas Roeg’s wonderfully spooky Don’t Look Now, from the Daphne du Maurier short story. Into Europe for Fear Eats the Soul, Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s take on the romance developing between an elderly German woman and a much younger Moroccan migrant worker, Francois Truffaut’s tribute to filmmaking La Nuit Americaine (Day for Night), and Frederico Fellini’s autobiographical Amacord. I would thoroughly recommend any of the above you may not have seen from this productive year but we eventually

Spirit of the Beehive (2023)

agreed on Victor Erice’s beautiful Spirit of the Beehive, which we show at the Swan Theatre on 6th March.

Victor Erice is a 1940-born Spanish film director, and this, his best-known work, was made during the Franco years and set in rural 1940s Spain. It brought him instant and widespread acclaim and is an audacious critique of the disastrous legacy of the Spanish Civil War. As Luis Bunuel had also set out to do himself, Erice managed to make a film attacking the authoritarian rule in power in Spain under the very noses of Franco’s regime. Set in a small Castilian village haunted by betrayal and menace, it follows a travelling cinema’s screening of James Whale’s 1931 Frankenstein. Seven-year-old Ana becomes fascinated by Boris Karloff’s monster and obsessed with meeting this initially gentle creation. When she comes across a wounded political fugitive hiding in a local abandoned farmhouse, the impressionable Ana takes him to be the wandering ‘spirit’ of the Frankenstein monster. This beautiful dream-like allegorical tale portraying a child’s attraction to a different world became a huge influence on Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

‘Remarkable...a haunting mood piece’ Tony Rayns, Time Out.

‘Imaginatively conveys the mysteriousness of everyday life from a child’s perspective. The result? Spellbinding’ Tom Dawson, Total Film magazine.

Incidentally, Victor Erice, now in his eighties, has just released his first feature film in thirty years- Close your Eyes (2023), a beautiful tale of loss, grief and the exquisite power of cinema, of which, he is truly a leading exponent.

A worthy classic for March at Cinematheque.

cinematheque.org.uk swan-theatre.co.uk

Visit Cinematheque as a guest for £5, or take out a membership for the rest of the season. See website for details.

Wednesday 6th March 7.30pm

Spirit of the Beehive (1973) PG

Cinematheque, Swan Theatre, 138 Park St, Yeovil BA20 1QT Members £1, guests £5

Sleepless:

Discovering the Power of the Night Self

Talk and signing with author Annabel Abbs

Tuesday 19th March 6.30 for 7pm Winstone’s Books, Cheap Street, Sherborne

Tickets £2 available in-store or online at shop.winstonebooks.co.uk

winstonebooks.co.uk

CONFESSIONS OF A THEATRE ADDICT

Rosie Cunningham

The play, A Mirror, written by Sam Holcroft, directed by Jeremy Herrin and starring Johnny Lee Miller, is back in the West End by popular demand, having enjoyed a sold-out show last year at the Almeida Theatre. The subheading for the play is This Play is a Lie, and it is. When you are led to believe that you are watching a wedding taking

place, it quickly becomes apparent that this was a front to something else entirely different, which the ‘authorities’ would condemn as subversive and could prove fatal for all those involved. This is ultimately a satire about censorship, full of frustration, confusion and non-sensical authoritarian edicts. So different from any other play that it is hard to pin down

Jonny Lee Miller, Geoffrey Streatfeild and Tanya Reynolds in A Mirror at the Almeida Theatre Image: Marc Brenner

the message. Lee Miller plays Čelik, a frankly menacing and physically dominating character who is manipulative and Machiavellian, veering between someone used to being in power and getting their own way, and a meeker man who masks his sexual longing for his young assistant. For me, the play was too long and seemed to meander in parts. On until 20th April, prepare to expect the unexpected.

I absolutely loved A Wife For All Reasons at the Sherborne Studio Theatre, starring the six wives of Henry VIII, who individually make the audience privy to what it means to be married to the king, surrounded by manipulative court figures, whose only role is to provide a male heir to an increasingly elderly, unsavoury and unstable Henry. By chance, the author Stephanie Easton, was attending the same performance and was accompanied by three of the original ‘queens’ from The Torrington Players who originally performed the play in 2019 and 2020. The play was interspersed with poetry and song and was such an enjoyable evening. The next APS production is Theft, billed as a witty thriller, in June.

My Neighbour Totoro is on at the Barbican until 23rd March. This is a celebration of the 1988 animated feature film, staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company and produced by Joe Hisaishi. If you know the film, you understand the cult following that this international production enjoys all over the world, winner of six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards. The enchanting story follows the magical fantasy world of childhood and how the power of imagination can be transformative. I walked out saying to myself that what I had seen was ‘utterly bonkers’ but, oh my word, the audience were enthralled throughout, and I felt chastened that I had not allowed myself to embrace something outside my comfort zone.

I know that I keep mentioning that I enjoy watching ‘on demand’ productions if I can’t get to see the real thing. There is so much coming up at the local cinema – Madam Butterfly from The Royal Opera and Swan Lake from the Royal Ballet in March and April. I saw a fabulous production of She Stoops to Conquer from the Orange Tree Theatre for a snip of a normal theatre price. Try something new.

trafalgartheatre.com

aps-sherborne.co.uk

barbican.org.uk

CARRY AKROYD

LANES, FIELDS AND HEDGES

8th – 27th March

TWO KITES

ACRYLIC

Art & Culture

IPLACE

Liz Somerville, Artist

n the last few years, my life has dramatically changed. From living on my own in Crewkerne I’m now married and live halfway up Eggardon Hill Fort near Bridport. Eggardon has always been one of ‘those’ places for me. I’ve been coming here regularly for the last 20 years to clear my head – it’s often windy –to breathe and to remind myself of the land, sky and sea of West Dorset. You can see a fair chunk of it from up here. A number of my prints have been inspired by this view and the light and the colour.

After years of working, my life now means that I can afford to sit and stare for a bit and I’ve been thinking about how to develop my work and in what direction to take it. This is a luxury, I know, but valuable time nonetheless. I want to develop the way in which I make my prints, the way I apply colour and also my choice of subject. Landscape is central to almost every piece that I make and more recently, trees. Trees have characters, some trees anyway, and a way of being, of inhabiting a space.

Last year I was offered a solo show by Kelly Ross of The Art Stable. I decided to make 10 new prints and approach them in a new way, adopting some of the ideas that I’d had while sitting and staring. Many of the techniques I’m using I’ve used before but I’ve developed them. Sometimes it’s felt like I’m conducting a ridiculous orchestra – if everything comes together and plays its tune in the right place it’ll be ok, otherwise, total chaos. There is more paint applied before and after printing, wood and linocut mixed up together in the same piece, more varnish masking and caustic soda etching and more using anything that leaves a mark. And more people. >

Art & Culture

So, it’s about Place. Place is explained as ‘a particular point, or area in space, a location’. A sense of place goes further and describes a specific place to which there is an emotive bond or attachment. It can reflect mood, encourage or discourage.

The places I’ve chosen are places of reflection, discussion, contemplation or argument. It may be under a favourite tree with a picnic table and a view; an ornate summerhouse set in a glade below a hill; a beautiful midsummer evening next to a tree; a house built in a clearing high up on a Norwegian mountain; two trees growing together on the edge of a fjord.

While doing these prints I’ve been listening to fairy tales by Hans Christian Anderson; fantastical and extravagant stories that in the end always relate to basic human behaviour and instinct. That’s why I’ve included people in some of the prints and sometimes those people are in disagreement or doubt; discord in the midst of bucolic harmony.

23rd March – 20th April Place

The Art Stable, Child Okeford DT11 8HB. New hand-coloured prints and watercolours by Liz Somerville Open Thursday-Saturday 10am-3pm. theartstable.co.uk

The Summer House, hand coloured linocut, 70.5 x 85 cm

DORSET CHAMBER ORCHESTRA INVITES YOU TO THE DANCE

Rebecca Anderson-Deas

Dorset Chamber Orchestra will be performing their annual Concert for Youth on Saturday 9th March at 4pm in St Mary’s Church, Dorchester. This year’s concert is themed around Weber’s famous Invitation to the Dance, our opening piece. We will be joined this year by Sherborne’s Jon Valender, for a performance of Liz Sharma’s Dancing with Dogs. Some of you may recently have had the pleasure of hearing Jon’s production of Mozart’s Idomeneo in Sherborne Abbey, as featured in the February edition of the Sherborne Times.

We are putting in a special call to the vibrant community of dog lovers who stroll through town and out onto the Sherborne Terraces, Purlieu Field and Blackberry Lane. Dancing with Dogs is a set of dances celebrating the often hilarious bond between humans and their canine companions, written by Liz Sharma, a long-time performer and friend of the orchestra. Here is a piece to put a spring in your step as you shake off winter.

The orchestra will be welcoming over 35 young local players to join us in many of the works, including a solo violin contribution from Bournemouth violinist Yu-Le, and we will be

Phakorn Kasikij/Shutterstock

performing a new work by Adam Vasilko, a music student at Bournemouth School for Boys.

Also featured in the programme will be Russian Dance and Dance of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre.

Dorset Chamber Orchestra (DChO) was founded in 1987 by Robert Jacoby, the orchestra’s Music Director Emeritus. We perform four concerts a year, all held at St Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester.

Over the past 30 years, the orchestra has been privileged to provide a concerto platform for more than 80 student and young professional musicians. Many of these have gone on to establish illustrious professional careers. Rebecca Gilliver, principal cellist of the London Symphony Orchestra was soloist at the orchestra’s second-ever concert in 1987 and then again at its 30th Anniversary Gala Concert in 2017. Natalie Clein, cellist and artistic director of the Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival, made her debut with DChO at the age of 15, a year before winning the BBC Young Musician and Eurovision Young Musician of the Year competitions. More recently the orchestra was joined by Jennifer Pike, violinist and youngestever winner of the BBC Young Musician in 2002. Cordelia Williams, pianist and winner of the BBC Young Musician 2006 and Laura van der Heijden, cellist and winner of the BBC Young Musician 2012 have also played with the orchestra.

Based in Dorchester, the orchestral players are drawn from across Dorset and beyond. The orchestra offers high-quality performances of a wide range of classical music in a part of the county not regularly visited by professional orchestras and within easy reach of Sherborne.

Walter Brewster took over as Music Director in 2015, when Robert Jacoby retired, and conducts all performances.

One of the season highlights is always this annual March concert for younger people, supported for many years by the orchestra’s Patron, Martin Clunes OBE. Recent performances with him include Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Kleinsinger’s Tubby the Tuba, and Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals.

Saturday 9th March 4pm

Dorset Chamber Orchestra – Concert for Youth St Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester DT1 2HJ

Adult entry £13, under 18s £1. Tickets available via the orchestra’s website at dorsetchamberorchestra.org

6th March: The Three Great Game Changers of 19th Century Opera: In the 19th Century three men revolutionised the art form in very different ways; Verdi, Wagner and Puccini.

COUNTER CULTURE

Paul Maskell, The Beat and Track

No. 29: Wrong Speed RecordsDancing to the Beat of their Own Drum

THE FREE WESSEX ARTS AND CULTURE GUIDE EVOLVER MAGAZINE

Pick up your copy at arts venues, galleries, museums, art shops, cafés, libraries and tourist information centres (etc) throughout Dorset, Somerset, East Devon, West Wiltshire, Bristol and Bath Or subscribe online at: evolver.org.uk

Instagram: evolvermagazine

It’s not often that you find a record label that excites with every release. Wrong Speed Records does just that and more. While bigger labels are putting out new artists regularly, they do little to shake the foundations of music itself. They often seem content with just adding a few more grey tiles to the roof knowing many more and it will simply cave in. Wrong Speed not only shakes the foundations but also knocks walls down, paints the kitchen black and builds a nuclear bunker in the garden.

Wrong Speed Records, the brainchild of Joe Thompson and Chris Summerlin (both of Hey Colossus fame) exists between the chaos of Shropshire and the small Somerset town of Street. An independent label with a strong DIY ethic, it’s the home of an eclectic roster of bands and artists from all over the UK with a few US contributors to boot. This is a label that above everything puts out quality music. It doesn’t concern itself with genre or the latest industry trends. If it’s good music and shakes those foundations, it gets released. Due to this strong independent manifesto, the label is home to an array of exciting, groundbreaking and quite frankly bloody good bands including the likes of Hey Colossus (heavy experimental rock), Gum Takes Tooth (techno), Big Break (hardcore), Enablers (post-hardcore), Haress (folk), Bloody Head (hardcore), Sweet Williams (indie), Colossal Squid (electronic), All Structures Align (post rock) and so many more.

During last summer, Joe and Chris ran the Wrong Speed Fest at the King Arthur in Glastonbury. Tickets for the event literally sold out within seconds of going online and the lucky punters were not disappointed. As an example of the label’s prowess, first up on the Friday was one of my personal favourites Colossal Squid. Colossal Squid is Adam Betts, an insanely amazing drummer, multi-instrumentalist and

producer. Drumming for the likes of Squarepusher, Three Trapped Tigers and Goldie among others, his material as Colossal Squid is drum- and loop-heavy based chaos and insanity with a twist of lemon. Breaks, industrial sounds and melodic synth lines all make for an incredible listen and an amazing spectacle to watch. One man, one drum kit and some triggers. I was told to get there early as Adam was rushing off after his set –‘He has to play drums for Pulp tomorrow in Finsbury Park’. Sorry…what?

So, a host of genres and a real DIY ethic help this label stand out. They have a penchant for great packaging, vinyl including fanzines, stickers, flexi discs, just like the good old days before you let your phone tell you what to listen to. Last year was an incredible year for Wrong Speed with some immense releases and live shows all across Europe. This year looks to be no different as new albums by new bands are on the horizon, another fantastic festival showcasing the label’s roster looms and a book launch by Hey Colossus/Henry Blacker/Reigns member Tim Farthing including an accompanying Reigns album. A big year ahead and a great future for independent musc with the likes of Joe and Chris pushing boundaries and making things happen.

thebeatandtrack.co.uk

Tuesdays 7pm-8pm

Under the Radar

Abbey 104. The Beat and Track’s Paul Maskell often joins presenter Matt Ambrose on his weekly radio show, bringing you the best new sounds from established underground artists and new and rising acts from across the world. Listen live on 104.7FM or online at abbey104.com

How Britain Broke the World: War, Greed and Blunders from Kosovo to Afghanistan, 1997-2022

Talk and signing with author Arthur Snell

Wednesday March 13th 6.30pm for 7pm

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne Tickets £10 members, £12 non-members from Winstone’s Books or www.sherborneliterarysociety.com

Mondays 11am-12.30pm

Nature Writing for Fun

Sherborne Library, Hound Street

Fun creative writing exercises, using nature and the outdoors as inspiration.

Mondays 1.30pm-3.30pm

Craft and Chat Group

Sherborne Library, Hound Street

Bring along your current project and meet others.

Mondays & Thursdays

1.30pm-4pm

Sherborne Indoor

Short Mat Bowls

West End Hall, Sherborne 01935 812329. All welcome

Mondays 2pm-5pm &

Tuesdays 7pm-10pm

Sherborne Bridge Club

Sherborne FC Clubhouse, Terrace

Playing Fields. 01963 210409 bridgewebs.com/sherborne

Tuesdays 10am-12pm

Fine Folk Dancing

Charlton Horethorne Village Hall

£3 per session. Beginners welcome. 01963 220640.

Every last Wednesday

Military History Talk via Zoom

£5, information jameskrporter@aol.com

Every 1st Thursday 9.30am

Netwalk for Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

Pageant Gardens. @Netwalksherborne

Every 2nd & 4th Thursday 10am-12.30pm

Castleton Probus Club

The Grange, Oborne, DT9 4LA

New members welcome.

WHAT'S ON

edwardhiscock6@gmail.com

Thursdays 2pm-5pm Rubber Bridge

(September-April)

Sherborne Bowls Clubhouse, Culverhayes car-park 01963 210409 bridgewebs.com/sherborne

Thursdays 2pm-4pm & Fridays 11am-1pm

Digital Champions Sessions

Sherborne Library, Hound Street. Bookable sessions for help with basic skills using your own device or a library computer. sherbornelibrary@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Thursdays 7.30pm-9.30pm

St Michael’s Scottish Country Dance Club

Davis Hall, West Camel

£2. New starters very welcome. 07972 125617 stmichaelsscdclub.org

Fridays 3.30pm-5pm

Children’s Board Games Club

Sherborne Library, Hound Street Drop-in for children age 5 and over.

Every Saturday 7.30pm-10pm

Whist Drive

Trinity Church, Lysander Road, Yeovil BA20 2BU. £5 including raffle. Contact Nigel 01935 862325

Until Sunday 28th April 12pm-2pm

Exhibition ‘Present Tense’ Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Durslade Farm, BA10 0NL. Free entry to gallery and garden. hauserwirth.com

Saturday 2nd 7pm

Destination OperaMozart’s ‘Idomeno’ Sherborne Abbey

Tickets from destinationopera.co.uk

Wednesday 6th 3pm and 7pm

Talk ‘The Three Great Game Changers of 19th-Century Opera’ Digby Hall, Hound Street £10 for non-members theartssocietysherborne.org

Wednesday 6th 7.30pm

National Theatre Live – ‘Vanya’ Leigh Village Hall DT9 6HL £10 in advance, £12 on the door ticketsource.co.uk/leigh-village-hall

Wednesday 6th 7.30pm

Yeovil Cinematheque –Spirit of the Beehive (1973) PG Swan Theatre, 138 Park St, Yeovil BA20 1QT. Members £1, guests £5 cinematheque.org.uk

Friday 8th 7pm

Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance

Talk - Lord Mark Sedwill

Merritt Centre, Sherborne Girls School Tickets via sva.sumupstore.com

Saturday 9th 10.30am

Wincanton History Day Wincanton Museum, 5 High Street, Wincanton. Free family events all day. wincantonhistorysociety.com

Saturday 9th 4pm

Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert for Youth

St Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester DT1 2HJ

Tickets £13, 18 yrs and under £1 (see preview page 16)

Sunday 10th 6pm

RNLI’s 200th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving Sherborne Abbey.

Don McCullin

Kassia St Clair

Hilary Bradt

Bijam Omrani

Davina Quinlivan

Katie Carr

Benedict Allen

curated by Rory MacLean

5th - 7th April

Nick Danziger

Monisha Rajesh

Noo Saro-Wiwa

Tim Hannigan

Caroline Mills

Brian Jackman

Tom Parfitt

Everyone welcome. 07786 907672 chriscopeland777@btinternet.com

Tuesday 12th 8pm-9.30pm

Singing Bowl Soundbath

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road DT9 3LN. £15 please book in advance 01935 389655 ahiahel@live.com

Wednesday 13th 11am

Probus Club of Sherborne

Talk - ‘A Life in Death’ with Clive Wakely

The Grange Hotel, Oborne DT9 4LA probus-sherborne.org.uk

Wednesday 13th 6.30pm for 7pm

How Britain Broke the World: War, Greed and Blunders from Kosovo to Afghanistan, 1997-2022

Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne. Talk and signing with author Arthur Snell. Tickets £10 members, £12 non-members from Winstone’s Books or sherborneliterarysociety.com

Thursday 14th 8pm

(preceded by the AGM at 7.45pm)

Talk ‘The Death of Nelson –The Painting by A.W. Devis Examined’ Digby Hall, Hound Street

Members free, visitors £5 sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

Friday 15th 8pm

Story-Telling TheatrePiece of Work

Yetminster Jubilee Hall. 01935 873546. £12, £5 u18s. Suitable 14+ (contains discussion of suicide). artsreach.co.uk

Saturday 16th 10am-12.30pm (last repair 12.15pm)

Repair Cafe

Cheap Street Church Hall, Sherborne Bring household items to be repaired and avoid landfill. repaircafesherborne@ gmail.com or @repaircafesherborne

Saturday 16th 7.30pm

Sherborne Chamber

Choir Duruflé Requiem

Sherborne Abbey. Tickets £5 to £18 from sherbornechamberchoir.org.uk or 0333 666 3366.

Sunday 17th 3pm

Wessex Strings Concert

Cheap Street Church, Sherborne Tickets £10 from Winstone Books Sherborne (cash only) or £12 on the door. 18 and under free.

Thursday 21st 2pm

Talk - ‘Sylvia Townsend Warner: Writer, Feminist and Activist in Dorset’

Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, DT9 3NL. £5, free to members of Sherborne Museum. Tea and cake provided.

Thursday 21st - Sunday 24th

Photography Exhibition of Graham Booth

The Studio Sherborne, Old Yarn Mills studiosherborne.uk

Thursday 21st - Sunday 24th 10am-6pm (Sunday 10am-4pm)

Open Weekend

Old Yarn Mills, DT9 3RQ

Multiple venues selling art, antiques, coffee, wine and beers.

Friday 22nd 2.30pm

Musical Tale ‘Anne BoleynWolf at the Door’

Nether Compton Village Hall. 07866 140288. £12, £5 u18s, £30 family artsreach.co.uk

Friday 22nd 7.30pm

Julian Gaskell & His Ragged Trousered Philanthropists‘Broadside Bangers’ Chetnole Village Hall

Sherborne Chamber Choir

Conductor

Sherborne Abbey

Saturday 16 March | 7.30pm

01935 873555. £12, £5 u18s Suitable 12+. artsreach.co.uk

Saturday 23rd (until 20th April)

Liz Somerville - Place

The Art Stable, Child Okeford DT11 8HB. New hand-coloured prints and watercolours. Open Thursday-Saturday 10am-3pm. theartstable.co.uk (see page 12)

Saturday 23rd 7pm

Ensemble Hildegard

Singing a Capella

St Peter’s Church, Stourton Caundle DT10 2JN. Tickets £10 from 01963 362692 vinny@barleyclose.co.uk

Sunday 24th 12pm-5pm

National Garden Scheme

Dorset - Open Garden

Frankham Farm, Ryme Intrinseca DT9 6JT. Tickets £7, children free. Light refreshments. ngs.org.uk

Sunday 24th 1.30pm-4.30pm

Sherborne Folk Band

Digby Memorial Hall. Suitable for all levels and all instruments. info@sherbornefolkband.org sherbornefolkband.org

Wednesday 27th 11am

WHAT'S ON

Hedge’ with Jennifer Morisetti

The Grange Hotel, Oborne DT9 4LA probus-sherborne.org.uk

Sunday 31st 2pm-4pm

Singing Bowl Soundbath

Oborne Village Hall, DT9 4LA £15 please book in advance 01935 389655 ahiahel@live.com

Sport

Sherborne RFC

The Terrace Playing Fields Dorchester Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NS

sherbornerfc.rfu.club

Men’s 1st XV

Saturday 2nd

Royal Wootton Bassett II (A)

Saturday 16th

Corsham (H)

Saturday 23rd (2.30pm KO)

Dorchester (A)

Sherborne Football Club

The Terrace Playing Fields Dorchester Road, Sherborne,

sherbornetownfc.com

Men’s 1st XI

Saturday 2nd Lymington (H)

Tuesday 5th (7.45pm KO) Christchurch (A)

Saturday 9th Hythe & Dibden (H)

Saturday 16th

Baffins Milton Rovers (H)

Tuesday 19th (7.45pm KO)

Hythe & Dibden (A)

Saturday 23rd

Petersfield (A)

Tuesday 26th (7.45pm KO)

Laverstock & Ford (A)

Saturday 30th

Portland (H)

To include your event in our FREE listings please email details – date/ time/title/venue/description/price/ contact (max 20 words) – by the 5th of each preceding month to listings@homegrown-media.co.uk

21-24 MARCH

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION GRAHAM BOOTH the STUDIO

Thu/Fri/Sat 10am - 6pm Sun 10am - 4pm

Old Yarn Mills, Sherborne DT9 3RQ

Exhibition continues unitl the 14th of April, visitors are very welcome by appiontment, to arrange a viewing please contact: studiosherborne@gmail.com

ANTIQUES OPEN WEEKEND

UNIT 10

Wilkie Antiques Antiques & Decorative @wilkieantiques

UNIT 13

Mary Hossack Antiques Decorative Antiques & Brocante maryhossack.co.uk

March

Thursday 21stSunday 24th

Opening Times

Thur/Fri/Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 10am-4pm

Free Parking Coffee Van. Wine. Beer

UNIT 15

Studio Sherborne Artist Studio & Gallery victoriayj.com

UNIT 10 + 11

Molecula Modern Design & Antiques molecula.co.uk

UNIT 17

Holtby & Co Antiques & Decorative holtbyandco.uk

SHERBORNE DORSET DT9 3RQ

20TH CENTURY DESIGN . ANTIQUES . ART . LIGHTING FURNITURE . BROCANTE . DECORATIVE ITEMS . GIFTS

MARKET KNOWLEDGE

DEE DEE KICK, SPRING TIDE CRAFTS

Welcome to The Sherborne Market!

What brings you here?

I traded at Sherborne Market throughout last year and I really enjoyed it! The atmosphere, the friendliness of the people and how well it is organised brings me back this year.

Where have you travelled from? Bridport.

Tell us about what you’re selling

I sell locally sourced seashells which I handcraft into decorated ones. These come in different shapes and sizes; queen scallops, scallops, clams, oysters and giant oysters. Many customers use my shells for hanging decorations, jewellery trinkets and table centrepieces. I also create seagrass pictures, some inspired by the beautiful landscapes of Dorset.

Where and when did it all begin?

Back in January 2021, as we entered another lockdown during COVID-19, I was determined to keep myself

occupied and stay creative! Living so close to West Bay, made this easy for me. My husband’s friend, who is a fisherman, asked us if we wanted any scallops to eat. After we ate them, I had an idea… instead of just throwing these beautiful shells away, why don’t I do something with them?

I experimented with different crafting techniques until I perfected it and then Spring Tide Crafts was born.

What do you enjoy most about selling at markets?

Meeting and talking to new people. I also enjoy meeting other like-minded traders.

If you get the chance, which fellow stallholders here in Sherborne would like to visit?

I always love visiting The Compton Candle Company and seeing what new scents they have created.

Where can people find you on the market day?

My stall is always situated on Abbey Road – do feel free to come and say hello!

springtidecrafts

Hand picked & selected artisan market

featuring local producers, suppliers, amazing food, arts and crafts.

Markets held between 10am - 3pm on the dates below.

April 21ST

May 19th

June 16th

July 21st

Aug 18th

Sept 15th

Oct 20th

Nov 17th

Dec 15th

10am - 3pm

Our town’s much-loved Grade I listed Georgian building on Newland has for some time now been on Historic England’s ‘At-Risk Register’. However, as most of you know from our monthly column or will have witnessed each time you pass by, Sherborne House has undergone a remarkable transformation since its acquisition by the Sherborne House Trust in 2018. The vision behind this transformation, which is on the brink of completion and gearing up to welcome visitors this spring, is not merely to resurrect a historic structure but to breathe life into a thriving cultural, community hub – an art gallery with a difference.

The brainchild of the late Michael Cannon, a successful local entrepreneur and a visionary with a passion for the arts, The Sherborne aims to be a dynamic arts centre fostering creativity, community engagement and a celebration of the diverse talents from Wessex and the Southwest. It will also be somewhere to gather, meet, eat, drink and be inspired. Michael’s dream extended beyond restoring bricks and mortar; it was to create a vibrant space that would lure both locals and visitors from afar, injecting a renewed spirit into our charming market town.

The focal point of The Sherborne’s mission is to showcase the best of artists and makers from the region. This commitment will be evident in the array of major selling art exhibitions that will be carefully curated by Dorset Visual Arts (our lead arts partner) to attract a broad audience. The doors of The Sherborne will be open to all, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for everyone.

But The Sherborne is not just about exhibitions; it’s a haven for interactive and engaging arts events and activities. From hands-on workshops to thoughtprovoking talks, we’re aiming to captivate minds and foster a continuous learning environment. The learning programme promises an immersive experience, facilitating diverse art forms, while the educational programme will collaborate with schools and educational institutions across the region.

As The Sherborne gains momentum and credibility, it aspires to expand its horizons. National touring exhibitions, international collaborations and contributions from artists further afield will enrich the cultural tapestry, making us a destination for culture vultures and enthusiasts alike. Both the beautiful Thornhill mural, which forms part of our Listed status, and the decorative staircase that adjoins it have been

painstakingly restored. Having spent many years behind closed doors, the iconic mural staircase will now be available for everyone to experience.

Beyond the canvas and sculptures, The Sherborne will offer a sensory delight through its restaurant and bar, both designed to be relaxed and comfortable environments and tailored to entertain. Here, locally sourced ingredients and drinks take centre stage, through a modern British menu that champions regional producers. Al fresco dining on the terrace and a secluded inner courtyard provide the perfect backdrop for culinary experiences during the summer months.

Step into The Sherborne’s shop and you enter a curated space filled with handcrafted treasures, seasonal gifts and everyday indulgences. The collection showcases the very best of Dorset, alongside sustainable brands, promising a shopping experience that resonates with the ethos of the gallery – a passion for the arts, makers and the changing seasons.

The Sherborne is not just about appreciation; it’s about active participation. We’re equipped to host a myriad of events, from event cinema screenings to live music recitals, literary talks, art house films and theatre performances. Our stunning spaces are available for private hire too, offering a picturesque setting for parties, conferences and weddings. The Georgian reception rooms, grand pavilion and sculpture garden create a romantic backdrop for those seeking a unique and charming setting for their special day.

Ascend to the top floor and you’ll find a flexible workspace, a haven for creativity where desks can be hired on a regular or ad hoc basis. The carefully designed gardens surrounding The Sherborne are not just aesthetic but also serve as a canvas for permanent and touring sculptures from renowned artists, adding an extra layer to the cultural experience.

Michael and I became firm friends when I took over and refurbished The New Inn at Cerne Abbas (a pub he had previously owned) and it is a great honour that he chose me to realise the vision he saw in Sherborne House. It’s not just a restoration project; it is a renaissance, a revitalisation of culture, art and community spirit. The Sherborne promises an immersive journey through the best of the region’s artistic endeavours and a commitment to creating an inclusive community. A beacon of creativity in the heart of a historic town and we can’t wait to welcome you in.

thesherborne.uk

FINANC IAL PRUDENCE AND ENHANCED PROVISION FOR SHERBORNE

Cllr Suresh Jeganathan, Finance Portfolio Holder, Sherborne Town Council

In January’s council meeting, Sherborne Town Council agreed to raise the 2024/25 Band D Council Tax by £21.84 over the year or £1.82 per month. The town council froze its share of Council Tax last year, in response to the cost-of-living crisis, which continues to affect us all. The reality of town council operations planned for the forthcoming financial year means that this couldn’t be repeated.

Being very aware of the current financial difficulties facing councils up and down the country we cannot be complacent about the finances of Sherborne Town Council and wish to maintain them in a healthy condition, whilst we strive to enhance provision locally.

So, where is the money spent? Largely on the facilities which we, as residents of Sherborne benefit from. Most noticeable are the exceptional outdoor spaces that the town council maintains such as the Terrace Playing Fields where our children take their first steps playing football, rugby, cricket or tennis and of course where our town’s youth and adult teams train and play. Also, the money is spent on our nature reserve, gardens and outdoor spaces which are all central to our physical and mental well-being.

Since being in post our Responsible Finance Officer has further developed the regular reporting and management of the council’s finances. This information is now easier to interpret and this has been acknowledged with the town council receiving a recent accreditation for good governance, financial reporting

and general management. This in turn should help to reassure us all that the council is well managed. The town council was also recognised at a national level – a finalist in the 2023 Council of the Year (NALC) Star Council Awards – for its focus on green ethics, innovative initiatives and improved communication as set out in its 2019 Forward Plan. Much of the plan has been achieved and a new plan will soon be developed.

This council has stood up and made key financial decisions during its term of office and done well to earn the grants it has acquired as well as issuing grants to local community organisations. Moving forward and under the next administration, the town council aspires to have its home at The Manor House fitted with renewable energy sources, following the success of the green energy project at The Terrace Playing Fields.

We have entered an election year and all of us as voters will be asked to make our choices at both a local and national level. Last year, my predecessor in this role, Cllr Taylor wrote about the importance of solidarity to the health of our communities; that we are all in this together. ‘Tax’ is not a dirty word in that context.

Whether councillors or not, we need to know that the pound or two from our pockets and the grants received and given are being wisely spent on our town community and its assets.

sherborne-tc.gov.uk

SUPER SERIES TRIATHLON

Three races, plus a final in a friendly, community-based sports setting. Perfect for newcomers and seasoned athletes. For more details, please visit www.oxleysc.com/superseries or contact us on 01935 818270 or osc_info@sherborne.com.

UNEARTHED

Samantha Pearcey, aged 16 & Oliver Walsh, aged 12, Leweston School

Both inspired by Strictly Come Dancing, Samantha and Oliver took to the dance floor to learn Ballroom and Latin dance, Samantha at age 7 and Oliver at age 10.

With a musical ear, attention to detail and dedication, Oliver practises three times a week and has mastered set routines in ten dances. He particularly enjoys the competitive aspect, taking part in two types of competition; Supadance and IDTA. Throughout the year, Oliver attends regional competitions but the highlight for him is the finals in Blackpool. Last April he came 5th in the IDTA National Ballroom Final in the Winter Gardens. Additionally, in December, he was a valuable member of Yeovil Dancentre’s U12 top team, winning the National Juvenile League against 26 other teams and placing 3rd in the Ballroom competition.

This year he moves up to the Junior U16 category with more complicated steps but Oliver is ready for the challenge!

Samantha trains at Caron Parry School of Dance and she particularly enjoys the lively energetic dances, Quickstep and Jive. Dance has improved her confidence, which proved helpful when taking on the role of Catherine of Aragon in Leweston’s production of Six. She competes across the country in ISTD Medalist and Open competitions.

Samantha has achieved fantastic results in the Junior U16 category in the last year, including being crowned Champion in Latin at the ISTD Grand Finals in the Winter Gardens Blackpool, securing 1st and 2nd Ballroom at Champions of Tomorrow Blackpool and placing 1st at the Ballroom South of England Championships.

Samantha has recently moved up to the adult category and is thrilled to have already qualified for the 2024 ISTD Grand Finals to be held in November. She is dancing at the South of England Championships this month before taking time to focus on her GCSEs.

EASTER ACADEMIC COURSES AT SHERBORNE SCHOOL

GCSE Revision Courses

For all students looking to boost their exam confidence and achieve their best possible grades

All courses include:

6 hours per day of teacher-led tuition

Focussed study on 3 subjects

Exam question practice

Study tips

Organisation and revision techniques

Courses run between Monday 25 March and Friday 12 April 2024

1, 2 or 3 week options are available

boarding is also available

Find out more

Email: spring@sherborne.org

Call: 01935 814743

Website: www.sherborne-international.org

Children’s Book Review

Harry Blandy, aged 6, Leweston Prep

Green: The Story of Plant Life on Our Planet

by Nicola

Davies, illustrated by Emily Sutton (Walker Books, £12.99, hardcover)

Sherborne Times reader offer price of £10.99 from Winstone’s Books

Iloved this book because it’s a very important story about how plants keep our world in balance and have created the world we live in today. I found it so interesting to learn about photosynthesis and I really loved the illustrations because they helped to explain how this works. One thing I didn’t like was learning that we are creating so much pollution in our world and endangering our forests and oceans. I think this book is great because it shows how important it is for us to work harder to protect our forests and oceans. I think everyone should read this book because it’s so interesting and has a very important message for us.

07808 400083

info@katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk

www.katharinedaviesphotography.co.uk

THE SECRET LIFE OF A MATRON

Georgie MacDonald, (much-loved) Matron, Sherborne Prep School

What did you do before becoming a Matron at Sherborne Prep?

I was a nursing sister in General Practice before becoming a matron and my specialism was respiratory medicine and child health. I worked as a school nurse many years ago too and in some way shape or form, despite a few diversifications (one of which was to follow a dream and run my own Chambre D'hôte for nine years, in the Charente region of France), I always seem to end up working with children and young adults, which I enjoy immensely. France will always have a special place in my heart – it was a beautiful experience and one I feel fortunate to have had.

What made you want to be a matron?

When I returned from France in 2020, I realised that going back into the nursing field after nine years away would necessitate going back to University and studying all over again. This was something that did not appeal to me at this time in my life so when I saw an advertisement for matrons at Sherborne School Newell Grange Campus, to work on the Sherborne International Summer Course, I applied, delighted at the chance to work with children again and the rest, as they say, is history. I would not want to work in any other field. I consider myself lucky to have a job that I love with my whole heart.

What would a ‘normal’ day involve?

No two days at Sherborne Prep are the same however, most of my time is spent looking after the health and wellbeing of all the children, day and boarders alike. I have the medical needs of the children to attend to and all the admin that goes along with that. My day can range from cleaning up grazed knees to accompanying a sick child or a child with an injury to hospital. Matrons oversee all of the medical needs of the children and any appointments to dentists, for example, are arranged by us.

I have a special relationship with all the children but I do keep a little extra aside for the children who board

at the Prep; those who come from overseas especially as they can feel a little homesick and they will occasionally spend lunchtimes just hanging out in my office, having a chat and enjoying a little sugary treat when required!

I work closely with the Housemaster, Dan Patching, and we keep each other on the straight and narrow! Dan is a huge support to me and we work well together. We also have three postgraduate students who help out in the boarding house. We are a tight team and we have a lot of fun with the children at the weekends. The girls in the boarding house particularly enjoy our Saturday afternoon shopping trips to town when somehow ice cream seems to always be involved!

What does your office/cosy space look like?

My office is a good size with a very comfortable sofa (so the children tell me) and a desk for my computer with many secret cupboards and drawers with all manner of tools that help me in my role as Matron! I have a locked medicine cupboard, three to be exact, and I also have supplies and a secret noodle cabinet...!

What is your favourite part of your job?

There is not anything that is my favourite thing to do because in all honesty I just enjoy spending time with young people; their energy and enthusiasm for life is contagious. It can be incredibly busy at times but what is absolutely lovely, is when a year group performs their play – that is a real treat.

What is the most unusual thing that a child or children have come to you for?

Oh, that is a great question! There was one occasion when a student came running up to see me, very out of breath – he managed to tell me that one of our members of staff had been knocked out by a rogue cricket ball! I won’t mention any names but this gentleman knows who he is and all I can say is that although a bloody/broken nose was obvious, he was not unconscious, although perhaps a little dazed!

Do you take on any other roles around the school/support any trips etc?

I am the pitch side first aider during rugby season and you will find me on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons wrapped up like a snowman with my big, red medical bag!

sherborneprep.org

Image: Katharine Davies

CREATIVITY AND CHILDHOOD

Hilary Phillips, Head, Hanford School

We have just opened a new art barn at Hanford. It’s a beautiful conversion of an old building and the activities that go on in there are truly amazing. As well as teaching all the usual artistic skills that you would find in a school, the girls also learn how to felt, weave, knit and sew, completing projects such as making a pair of pyjamas, designing and completing a dress and the juniors, of course, because it’s Hanford, make a large felt horse, complete with tack!

In these times when the arts are getting pushed further and further down the school curriculum list, we took the decision to invest in the creative arts. You may think that this means that we already have a floodlit astroturf, a performing arts centre with a fully equipped theatre and a sports centre complex, complete with a climbing wall. Well, no, we don’t. Not that the girls

suffer – we have plenty of space for sport, plays and gym and we climb trees, not walls. We decided that what is really key to foster and nurture is creativity. By having a welcoming space in the heart of the school where art is first and foremost, we set the tone and expectation for spreading creativity throughout all we do.

Chatting with employers, it’s interesting to hear what they want in their new young employees. It’s not a suite of top GCSE and A-level grades followed by a first-class degree from a distinguished university. What they want is a decent sort of person, one with a brain, initiative, energy and enthusiasm but above all, someone who is going to get on with people. Someone who can give a reasoned opinion, evaluate, disagree well, give and accept an apology and work as part of a team. Most importantly, they want someone with a creative mind who can solve problems.

We have all seen or read about technology taking over our lives and how it will soon render us obsolete; how AI is on the rise and if we are not all using it then we will be left languishing in the dust. Of course, we are going to need to understand how to use the tech around us but we also need to be able to use it to empower our own thinking.

And so back to creativity. I recently heard a talk by Ben Edmonds who used to be Principal Engineer at Dyson. There is nothing that man can’t make with a piece of cardboard! If you don’t believe me, look up his Inventor Club. He summed up what our approach should be to fostering creativity in our children. In essence, if we tell children what to do and how to do it then we take the power away from them. They will end up doing exactly what we can do and what is the point in that? Ben encourages us to accept the fact that children are geniuses and can figure things out by themselves, they just need some support and a little guidance. What they need in huge amounts is a belief in their own abilities. Here are his four key bullet points:

• There is no one way to solve a problem –

there are hundreds

• No idea is a bad idea

• I could help you but I believe that YOU can do it

• Don’t tell me what you can’t do. Don’t tell me what you’ll never be able to do until you’ve tried 10,000 times! I believe in you, and I believe you can do it! (then I help them to help themselves and they are set free!)

I love this approach and know from experience that not only does it pay dividends, it also feels great. Making things with our hands, getting satisfaction from making things work and not giving up – all these things are so good for our mental health.

So this is why we have creativity woven into everything we do here and why we will be continuing to ensure it is embedded in our curriculum. Everyone is creative in their own way and everyone has something to give. We will make sure that we always look for ways to simplify things but also work to make ideas and projects more complex and challenging.

hanfordschool.co.uk

Images: Amelia Johnson

Saturday 27th April

Independent boarding and day school for girls aged 7 to 13

“Offers

FULL CIRCLE

Every other Monday I join a company induction to introduce myself to a host of enthusiastic new starters. It’s my opportunity to put a face to a name, hear a little about each individual and field questions. Last week, a young kitchen porter, fresh out of college and full of ambition, asked me how I became the Chief Executive of The Newt in Somerset. Being the first time that an employee had asked me this in such a direct way, it caused me to reflect on my journey and recount it in a way that might be interesting and useful to the inquisitor. My career has been far from conventional, in a professional development sense, but conversely, through a multitude of experiences, I have perhaps become uniquely qualified for the role I play at The Newt.

At school, I was nothing more than average. I was capable at most things but never really excelled, and from a surprisingly early age I remember people quoting, ‘Jack of all trades, master of none.’ This is a label that has followed me ever since and can be traced to an innate

curiosity and resourcefulness. From school, I went to the University of Reading to study Fine Art. The course allowed me to study three subjects in the first year so I stretched my mind with Philosophy and History of Art. Following bruising criticism in my second-year tutorials, the path all artists tread, I dropped the practical and focussed wholly on the historical – majoring in History of Art and Architecture.

I helped pay my way at university with two holiday jobs, that I returned to every Christmas and summer. During the day I worked at Stonehenge when the visitor attraction was little more than a collection of huts with a tunnel to the monument. I had the austere title of Custodian of the Stones and spent my time between the ticket office, shop and tour guiding. In the evenings I worked a few shifts at Threshers wine shop, where, like most students, I enjoyed familiarising myself with an array of alcoholic drinks.

I confess it was only in my last year at university that I discovered the joy of academia when socialising at the

Edward Workman, CEO, The Newt in Somerset

Image: Dave Watts

pub evolved into study groups and debating. I applied myself to learning in a way that I hadn’t done before, developing my interest in the subject beyond curiosity.

Little thought was given to what I would do at the end of my studies and before long I found myself back at Threshers. One afternoon, Mary, the manager, told me she was retiring and thought that I might like to take over the running of the shop and, without much hesitation, I agreed. Some basic manager training followed and in no time, I was the licence holder, with a wine and spirits certificate and a staff of five. I loved the job; the commercial workings of a small business excited me and I imagined myself as an entrepreneur. In less than two years, one shop turned into three, there were trips abroad for fine wine tasting and I competed to win company sales incentives.

A future in retail beckoned, confirmed when I successfully won a place on the Waitrose graduate management programme. But it wasn’t to be, a week before starting I returned my uniform and resigned from my position. My first passion was calling and I took a major diversion back towards the art world.

I wrote a letter to Madeleine Bessborough at the New Art Centre sculpture park near Salisbury, volunteering to do any task she could find for me. Madeleine rewarded my enthusiasm with the task of painting the farm gates. Far from discouraged, I painted those gates with gusto and so started what I have since come to think of as my modern apprenticeship.

For those of you who don’t know Roche Court, I encourage you to visit. The Georgian house surrounded by gardens, fields and woodland is the perfect setting for changing exhibits of modern British sculpture. During my time there, I was given the opportunity to try my hand at countless things. With the official title of Gallery Technician, I was part handyman, groundsman, farmer, carpenter and woodsman. In addition, I would often scrub up and help at opening dinners, art fairs and special events. I travelled to far-flung places to install sculptures by artists such as Richard Long and Barbara Hepworth. I learnt to weld, de-horn cows and coppice woodland. Roche will always have a special place in my heart, not least because I also met my brilliant wife there.

Taking the project management skills I had developed – one of the last things I did at the sculpture park was oversee the installation of Anthony Caro’s Millbank Steps made with 120 tonnes of Corten steel – and embarking on another diversion, I left

"Keep your head up and your eyes open, be curious and grasp every opportunity."

Roche to join my father’s quantity surveying practice, Dadson and Butler. He enticed me over by telling me about a project he was working on with an art dealer so I set about learning how to quantify and manage construction projects. As a practice, we were fortunate to collaborate on some outstanding architecture and I often found myself recalling my classical art studies. Working with Quinlan Terry demanded that you could tell your ‘Ionic’ from your ‘Corinthian’. After a few years, I was made a partner. I had built a small base of loyal clients, one of which was the mysterious art dealer, who turned out to be Iwan Wirth. Much to my father’s annoyance, his earlier foresight regarding my motivation was proven accurate when I left Dadson and Butler to join Hauser and Wirth.

With the guidance and trust of Iwan and Manuela Wirth, I spent the next five years travelling the world building art galleries, restaurants and hotels. I helped found a new company and had my first taste of being named CEO, even if I was initially the only employee. Without any formal training, I relied on my wits and resourcefulness to navigate challenging situations in unfamiliar lands and had a huge amount of fun along the way.

Then came The Newt, a dream job for any aspiring CEO; a place full of opportunity and unexpected turns, providing new experiences for many hundreds of people, whether that be a job, apprenticeship, schools programme, training initiative or visitor workshop.

And so, we come full circle, back to our young kitchen porter. Did I bore him with this whole long story? No, I mentioned just enough to make a point that I thought would be useful: keep your head up and your eyes open, be curious and grasp every opportunity. If you work hard and have some good fortune, you may well end up at a place that fits you rather than shaping yourself to fit the place.

thenewtinsomerset.com

100KM IN ONE DAY

Thomas Langley , Lower Sixth, Sherborne School

Oddly enough, the idea of doing ultra-marathon distance running has been something I have wanted to do for two years now. It all started when I completed Ten Tors with Sherborne School, in 2022. From this, I fell in love with Dartmoor.

Living in Devon meant I could frequently go on long trail runs which I very much enjoyed, and I was also inspired by Kevin Sinfield who had just completed his 7 in 7 Challenge (seven ultramarathons in seven

days), to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease Association. Kevin Sinfield’s running challenge, pushing himself whilst raising much-needed funds for a charity, was of great inspiration to me.

After a little thinking, I planned a series of personal challenges which I wanted to complete in 2024 but I needed to pick a charity. It was then November 2023 and after I watched the BBC Children in Need live event on TV and knew that this was the charity which

"I remember telling my parents that I was intending to run 100km in one day for Children in Need. Their initial reaction was shock"

seemed a perfect fit for what I was planning.

I remember telling my parents, two weeks before Christmas, that I was intending to run 100km in one day for Children in Need. Their initial reaction was shock, as to them it seemed to have come from nowhere but once they realised I was serious they rapidly mobilised into support crew and we got straight into organising the challenge.

In preparation for the run, I began to increase the distances of my regular runs, to build fitness and endurance whilst ensuring my feet became accustomed to hours in trainers! I set up an Instagram page dedicated to promoting the run and charity, which instantly gained significant interest.

I started my run early on New Year’s Day when some people were likely still up and the first thing I did was apply blister plasters, as I knew this would make or break my run! Before the run, I had made myself aware of the 100km world record, which is 6h5m35s, 16km/h pace or a 19 minute 5km. This speed was out of the question. However instead, I estimated that the run would take me about 14 hours.

For large periods of the run, it was very lonely. Sometimes I would go two hours without seeing a single person but the motivation of the challenge and what I had set out to do, kept me going. At kilometre 50 I received large amounts of support from some volunteer friends from the Park Run community –this was a highlight for me and offered some muchneeded motivation.

The tough moments came around kilometre 65 onwards as the weather closed in and the rain became ever heavier. I could feel the blisters forming... With the conditions becoming quite extreme, I wasn’t sure I would complete the run and my dad stepped up to run the last 15 kilometres with me as support.

In one day, the Just Giving page received more than £650 in donations, which meant we had reached our goal of £1,000 – in the days following this, the total increased to £1,472. I am motivated to continue my year of challenges for charity. I plan to do six more runs this year, with increasing difficulty.

My next run is set for the 9th of March, which will be 200km in two days. Fingers crossed for better weather!

sherborne.org

To find out more and to support Thomas with a donation, please visit justgiving.com/page/100kin1day-thomaslangley

Image: Emma Thompson

DISCOVER | EAT | SHOP | STAY | CELEBRATE

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...

Upcoming Events & Workshops

Mother’s Day Lunch - Sunday 10th March

Secret Garden Easter Trail - Friday 29th March to Sunday 14th April

+44 (0)1308

424116 symondsburyestate.co.uk

Symondsbury Estate, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6HG

DRAWN TO THE LIGHT

Mullein Cucullia verbasci

Gillian Nash

Streamline in form, the beautiful Mullein flies from late March to mid-summer in southern counties. A large moth with a wingspan of up to 45-50mm in shades of brown, black and buff, it is sometimes found hidden and well camouflaged amongst woody vegetation in its resting pose until it resumes its flight again at dusk. Its wideranging usual habitat includes calcareous grassland, woodland clearings, roadsides, marshy ground, and unmanaged areas.

Occasionally also seen away from wild places, adult moths may be attracted to parks and gardens in search of suitable larval foodplants on which to lay eggs. As its name suggests, mullein is the favoured plant but

water figwort and buddleia may also be chosen. The, at first tiny, larvae emerge from May to July. Once fully fed the conspicuous striking by now large larvae are often found feeding in plain sight during daylight hours with little need for camouflage or concealment; striking yellow, black and white colouration is a warning that they would be distasteful to birds. Eventually descending to pupate, a tough cocoon is formed underground where it may remain for up to five winters.

The Mullein is a resident and widespread species and may grace our gardens, visiting flowering plants. As the evenings warm, a stroll around scented shrubs by torchlight may reward you with the sight of nectaring moths - perhaps with even a Mullein amongst them.

Cosmin Manci/Shutterstock

SWIFTS OVER SHERBORNE

Simon Ford, Land and Nature Adviser

We will all have something which reminds us of summer. For some, it might be the smell of newly mown grass, for others it may be the sound of leather on willow at a village cricket match or the soft cooing of a wood pigeon in a nearby tree. However, for me, I have one of those moments when I sit in our garden in the heart of Sherborne and hear the raucous screech of a group of swifts, hurtling overhead. They are truly the sound of summer! >

Like a group of unruly teenagers, they fly at spectacular speeds across the rooftops of Sherborne, dodging chimneys, trees and the Abbey tower in search of a tasty flying insect. Due to their speed, they are notoriously difficult to count but last year I estimated about 18 birds overhead in the middle of town and occasional ones elsewhere in Sherborne.

Swifts are incredible birds – flying at up to 79 mph, they eat, bathe, mate and even sleep on the wing. They pair for life. They tend to arrive in early May in Dorset, after a flight from southern Africa, via the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean, where they stock up, before continuing north. It is estimated that a swift will fly an unbelievable 36,000 miles in a single year and can hoover up 20,000 insects every day to maintain their energy. By August, the birds are already returning southwards to warmer climes, with their young.

Unlike their distant cousins, the swallows and house martins, they do not land on telegraph wires and only land for one purpose; to nest. Indeed, they have such short legs and such long wings, that if they inadvertently fall to the ground, they are unable to launch themselves. This means, that a juvenile swift, once it leaves the nest, is unlikely to stop for a breather again for the next three years, come rain or shine!

Swifts would have historically lived in holes on cliff faces or maybe hollow trees, but for millennia, they have lived in buildings, with their many voids and gaps. They particularly favour tall buildings such as churches, castles and towers, partly because they can avoid predation, but also because it allows the babies to launch themselves, before hitting the ground. Although they are sometimes found in rural areas, swifts do appear to prefer towns and cities, where they group up to hunt. I have noticed that swallows and house martins tend to be more commonly seen in the countryside, over farmland and nesting in barns and under the eaves of cottages, where they build their nests of mud, as opposed to swifts.

From a distance (because that is pretty well the only time you will see them), swifts appear to be black, with long, sickle-shaped wings and a forked tail. Although if you are lucky enough to see one close up, they are actually a sooty brown colour, with a white throat. They may fly incredibly high in fine weather but in cool and rainy weather, they may swoop a few feet above the ground, or they will come low to drink from lakes and streams, skimming the surface.

Swifts are now on the ‘Red List’ and are globally threatened. They have declined by 60% in the UK since 1995 and I have noticed a year-on-year drop in numbers in Sherborne. This is due to several factors but is primarily due to the use (abuse) of insecticides and loss of flowerrich meadows in farming and also the blocking up of holes in buildings, where swifts have traditionally nested. Inadvertently, work to make our houses more thermally efficient, has had an adverse impact on swifts.

With this in mind, a group of local people have set up ‘Swifts Over Sherborne’ (SOS), swiftsoversherborne.co.uk to try and reverse the decline and to provide new nesting sites for them. Working with the community, we would be keen to encourage people to make a home for swifts. In particular, we would like to see simple ‘swift bricks’ installed in all new-build homes and other buildings in the area. These are simple and cheap to add to a house when it is being built and could make a real difference. It is also possible to ‘retrofit’ swift boxes, made of wood or composite to the underside of eaves of existing houses.

There are several suppliers of swift nest boxes such as Natural History Book Society nhbs. com or the RSPB online shop. We are also hoping to work with Castle Gardens in Sherborne, who may supply boxes to buy. Alternatively, for those people who are handy, then it is perfectly possible to make their own box and there are instructions online.

There are a few things to consider when putting up boxes. A south-facing aspect is too hot and will dehydrate chicks. The box should ideally be at least 4.5 metres high to allow the young to fly out freely and to deter predators. It is best not to put a box amongst vegetation as this may be used by predators to climb up and catch swifts. Also try and provide a clear uninterrupted approach to the box, avoiding things like tree branches and wires. If you are really keen, you can also play a swift attractant call, although this is not essential.

If you are unable to put up a swift box and you have a garden or some land, please consider keeping an area slightly wilder to encourage flowering plants and shrubs, which in turn will attract insects and then all those animals and birds which rely on them for food.

We are very pleased to be in discussion with Sherborne Abbey regarding the installation of some swift boxes within the tower and that, if the project is successful, these will be incorporating viewing cameras so that visitors can see the activity. We are also working with several other local people and organisations to see if we can get more boxes around the Sherborne area. We are also hoping to hold some events and talks to promote swift conservation, which will be advertised locally.

We would love people to get involved and make the Sherborne area a hot spot for these beautiful and endangered birds.

Thursday 11th April

Swifts over Sherborne Project Launch

Sherborne Abbey

Visit swiftsoversherborne.co.uk for details

Thursday 18th April 7pm

Saving Our Swifts and Local Biodiversity – How Can We Help?

Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne

A talk from one of Britain’s top swift experts, Edward Mayer

Homemade refreshments supplied by the Climate Cafe will be available from 6.30pm

Alberto Novo/Shutterstock

A TOXIC RELATIONSHIP

Carnell,

Iam saddened to have to still be speaking and writing about neonicotinoids and bees as the UK government has yet again allowed for emergency use of these toxic insecticides for farmers to use growing sugar beet.

In recent years, the use of neonicotinoid pesticides has sparked significant controversy due to their adverse effects on both human health and the environment. Despite mounting evidence suggesting their harmful impacts, the UK government has recently reinstated the use of neonicotinoids under emergency measures, raising concerns among scientists and environmentalists alike. Neonicotinoids are a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine. They are widely used in

agriculture to protect crops from insect pests but their systemic nature means they are absorbed by plants and can persist in the environment long after application. Every part of a plant grown using these chemicals becomes toxic to insects and the nicotine element makes them addictive to the insects they poison. This persistence poses a significant risk to beneficial insects and other organisms, including birds and mammals. One area of concern is the use of neonicotinoids in flea treatments for dogs and cats. Studies have shown that neonicotinoids can accumulate in the environment and contaminate water sources, putting aquatic organisms such as fish and amphibians at risk. Additionally, neonicotinoids

Paula

Beekeeping Consultant, Writer and Speaker

Tiwilina/Shutterstock

can persist in soil and vegetation, further exposing wildlife to their toxic effects. Research conducted by Dr Dave Goulson and his team at Sussex University has highlighted the detrimental impact of neonicotinoids on bee populations. All bee species play a crucial role in pollinating many of the crops we rely on for food, making their decline a cause for serious concern. This isn’t an issue for honeybees alone. Many solitary and bumble bees have their nests and larvae beneath the surface of the soil, exactly where 94% of the runoff of neonicotinoid-treated seeds leech. Neonicotinoids have been linked to decreased foraging behaviour, impaired memory and learning abilities, and reduced reproductive success in bees. I often wonder what effects would show in humans ingesting food grown with the treated seeds. This question prompted a quick internet search, where sadly I found that studies are finding traces of neonicotinoids in human hair, breast milk, nails and teeth – there is even an association with neurological toxicity and diabetes.

The blame can’t lie only with farmers – they are under maddening pressures and ultimately we are all responsible for purchasing food grown using the treated seeds. Many people are unaware of the extensive use of these chemicals not only on crops but also on our garden plants and flea treatments for our pets.

Many gardeners and homeowners unknowingly expose birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects to these toxic chemicals by using neonicotinoid-treated seeds, sprays or soil ‘improvers’. Despite efforts to educate the public about the dangers of neonicotinoids, their widespread availability and lack of labelling requirements make it difficult for consumers to make informed choices. The decision to reintroduce neonicotinoids under emergency measures has raised questions about the government’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. While proponents argue that neonicotinoids are necessary for pest control and crop production, critics warn that their short-term benefits may come at a steep cost to biodiversity and ecosystem health. Alternative pest management strategies, such as integrated pest management (IPM) and organic farming practices, promote ecological balance. The reapproval of neonicotinoids highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing agricultural productivity with environmental conservation. Despite this reapproval, so few of the British population knew about this ‘vote’, let alone were consulted. If things don’t change very soon, we will be

in the same situation as the Sichuan province in China, where overuse of toxic chemicals killed all the insects. Now, the massive pear-growing region depends on humans to pollinate the blossoms by hand.

The beekeeping community has been the main force against the repeated ‘emergency use’ of the chemicals, understanding the effect it has on our bees. I spent many days in Montreal in 2019 at Apimondia listening to scientists sharing their devastating research on the effects of individual neonics and combinations on bee colonies. The crops that use the treated seeds are sunflowers, rapeseed, corn, wheat, soy and sugar beet. After that conference, I vowed never again to eat non-organic corn. Despite being mostly organic, nachos and tortilla chips were an occasional treat! Thank goodness organic popcorn and crisps are available, if you care to search!

The irony with the current British situation is that sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp) is grown here for the production of sucrose, sugar, for human consumption. A majority of beekeepers also feed their bees sugar in the form of a syrup or fondant, therefore bees are getting a double exposure. I even remember a beekeeper once telling me that it was dangerous to feed bees organic sugar – I forget the reasoning… I believe it was the same beekeeper who told me that everyone knows that sugar and honey are the same. I knew he was wrong on that point, yet it took another 11 years for me to think up the perfect retort; ‘If they really are the same why do we go to so much trouble to harvest honey?’ Sugar beet is the eighth most-grown crop globally, which gives you an indication of how exposed we all are to consuming it one way or another.

The government has at least faced a barrage of criticism for its decision, going against the recommendations by both the Health and Safety Executive and the government’s Expert Committee on Pesticides, thus appearing to disregard scientific consensus. The Pesticide Collaboration, a consortium comprising various environmental and health-focused charities, are gearing up to challenge the government’s decision. This coalition, which includes prominent organisations such as RSPB, Breast Cancer UK, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace, recently met to outline their expectations for the forthcoming national action plan.

This spring, as we all spend more time in our gardens or walking out in nature, let’s consider how we can individually counter the impact of these toxic chemicals.

paulacarnell.com

OBJECT OF THE MONTH

THE TATTING SHUTTLE

Elisabeth Bletsoe, Curator, Sherborne Museum

Sherborne Museum is committed to preserving artefacts relating to old or forgotten crafts; three are currently represented in a small display of macramé, hairpin lace and tatting. All seem to be undergoing a revival and several inspirational videos can be found on YouTube.

There are two types of the hand lace technique known as tatting. One is where the thread is repeatedly knotted over the shank of a long needle, then pulled off at the end of a sequence - this is known as needle tatting. Shuttle tatting involves tying double stitch knots, such as cow hitch and lark’s head, onto a foundation thread that is shaped into loops, chains and picots to form an intricate and organic pattern. The shuttle is pre-wound with thread and held in one hand, while the other hand holds a long pin or crochet needle – sometimes this is attached by a small chain to a ring worn on the thumb.

Tatting has a long tradition, once accredited to sailors and the knotting involved in their net-making skills which, while practical, also incorporated some decoration. The art of knotting in textiles, however, was originally inspired by the work of the Chinese and Ancient Egyptians. The technique involved creating successive knots so that the work resembled threaded beads or tiny pearls. It gradually spread throughout Europe where ‘knotting’ became a craze among the C18th upper classes. The transition from this craft into tatting was a complex one but, in its turn, it developed and reached a peak in popularity in early C19th Europe. Renoir’s iridescent genre painting, Girl Tatting (1906) shows a domestic scene harking back to the traditions of Boucher and Chardin; a cropped, seated figure completely focused on her exacting task.

The shuttles are often quite beautiful in and of themselves. They can be intricate, made from ivory, bone, horn, silver or wood, inlaid with mother of pearl

or painted with miniature detailed scenes. The points are smooth and even and set closely with pins fitted so the heads are perfectly flat and will not catch in the thread. In Germany, tatting was known as Schiffchenarbeit or the ‘work of the little boat’, a reference to the shuttle’s shape.

Weldon’s Practical Needlework Vol 4 (1889) defines the word ‘tatting’ as derived from the French tâter, to touch: ‘the feel or touch of the stitches passing through the fingers is sufficient to enable an experienced tatter to know if it be rightly done, the work need not occupy much thought and can be taken up or laid down at any moment, for the stitches once made are perfectly safe and cannot by any possibility become loose or unravelled....’. Weldon goes on to explain how the lace produced was largely employed for borders and edgings for trimming underclothes and baby linen: ‘pretty collars and cuffs....much used for dessert d’oyleys, antimacassars, pretty and durable trimmings for pinafores, aprons and summer washing dresses.... tatting worked with silk in the style of passementerie is handsome for vests and the panels of dresses.’

Tatting was also known as ‘beggar’s lace’ as it used shorter scraps of thread than knitting or crochet. It was popular in Ireland during the famine in 1879; in times of economic hardship, women sold their work to dressmakers who were willing to purchase such adornments for high-fashion costumes. Since there was no need for equipment beyond the simple shuttle, the endeavour was suited to remote areas with little industry and few employment options.

sherbornemuseum.co.uk

Sherborne Museum is currently open on winter hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm. Admission is free although donations are welcome.

WALKING THROUGH TIME

Barbara Elsmore

Let me take you on a walk back through time beginning in the present day by entering Tinneys Lane from Newland. Stay on the left past the three cottages and note the stone wall at the back of the last cottage as this marks the lower boundary of the area we are going to explore. Next, you will come to a little stone building which is home to a chiropractor and beyond is the Youth Centre opened by Prince Edward in 1990. This has now had ‘and Community’ added to its title and caters for varied activities. Alongside is an intriguing little round building fabricated in 2015, mainly from straw bales and recycled materials, with a sedum roof that turns a magnificent shade of bright green in early summer.

Beyond the courts and the football pitch is a quiet area where a carved memorial by a local artist remembers Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson MBE, Olympic gold medal-winning yachtsman who tragically lost his life while pursuing the calling he was so passionate about. Andrew lived with his family in one of the houses of ‘Fosters Field’ – a title given by the developer of the 92 properties built around curving streets and pedestrian walkways. The names of the streets offer clues to what came before as Francis Walk and Lush Path refer to former headmasters, Miller Way to a teacher and Bede and Dunstan Streets refer to school houses. When Foster’s School outgrew its premises in Hound Street a site was sought for a new building and in 1938 a contract was signed with E G Wilkins of Marnhull. Construction began in July 1938 and the new school opened in October of the following year. The cost was £20,864.

School Drive is positioned on the original vehicular entrance to the school where cyclists would stream in at the start of the school day. To the left and leading straight ahead was a narrow footpath, screened from the school by a high fence, where the hockey players of Lord Digby’s School would walk to their pitch

Image: Courtesy of Sherborne School Archives

laid out across the top of the site.

The school building itself began directly to the right of School Drive and extended along the current pathway. If you stand today where the original foundation stone is set into the curving stone walls that replicate the original brick walls, you are looking towards the main doorway to the school building with the foundation stone set above. Stone steps led up to the entrance where the celebratory school team photos were taken over the years. The remainder of the large site was set out with tennis courts near the stone building, which became the domain of the groundsman, and a football pitch in the same area. A further soccer pitch, cricket pitch, running track, long jump and pavilion were situated beyond the school building and parallel to Tinneys Lane.

Now we travel back to the 1920s when the Sherborne Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club occupied a space around the stone building and the hockey field came into being. The remainder of the area was mostly pasture. In 1929 Nora Symes, a pupil at Lord Digby’s School recalls, ‘I was playing hockey, never a favourite occupation of mine, when Mr Littleton Powys came over the fence of his garden (Quarry House in The Avenue) at the half time whistle and asked permission to show us a rare nest in his hedge. It was that of a shrike and its larder of bees.’ Around the same time, Ruth Gervis set up her easel and painted Elms in Flower which depicts the area as very much part of the surrounding countryside. There are a couple of buildings in the painting (which is now in Sherborne Museum), with one of them being the stone building. Mrs Gervis lived in The Avenue and taught Art firstly at Sherborne School then at Lord Digby’s School.

Further back we go to a very important day in July 1907 with a report in the Western Gazette: ‘After a lapse of three years, that well-known fixture, “The Sherborne and South of England Horse Show”, was held again, the venue being a field in Newland. The show is open to Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Devon and Gloucestershire and there was a substantial prize list, the money given amounting to over £2OO. Mr S. H. Benjafield, of North Cheriton, was responsible for the construction of the 85’ long grandstand capable of seating 350 persons. There were 43 covered horse boxes, 100 open horse pens and a dozen more for brood mares. The jumps comprised hurdle, gate, brick wall, brushwood and water.’ A photographer was on hand to take a wide view of the event.

Finally to 1834 when a large estate map of Sherborne was surveyed and drawn by Edward Percy for Earl Digby. At the same time a town plan was produced for Sherborne itself and the area we have been examining is shown as four tracts of land (approximately fifteen acres in total) belonging to Earl Digby and leased to tenants. These are included with another eight tracts between Coldharbour and Tinneys Lane and have annotated over them all - ‘Field Walls’. The piece of land where the stone building stands is leased to Elizabeth Hoddinott and listed as: ‘Tinneys Lane Stall and Yard’. Having travelled back nearly two hundred years we discover that this small stone building has remained constant and useful throughout.

BIDDER'S REMORSE

Richard Bromell ASFAV, Charterhouse Auctioneers

As you might expect my home looks and feels familiar to my Sherborne salerooms. That is to say full of character, occasionally dusty and sometimes chaotic and messy!

This is an accumulation of nearly 40 years working in antiques and collectables for auctioneers up and down the country. Many are what I lovingly refer to as ‘auction rejects’. These include chipped pottery jugs and three-legged chairs, none of which people wanted and were inexpensive.

Mrs B tries to curtail my collecting and buying. I am sure occasionally she likes what I buy – it clearly suits her and not only me as we have been happily married for 33 years.

Working in an auction house is like working in a sweet shop although after all these years I am not sick of it and face temptation at every auction. Whilst I am prone to buy the odd lot or two, rarely have I suffered ‘bidders remorse’ and recently I was asked to value a railway station board which reminded me of the one lot which I bid on, didn’t buy and suffer badly from bidders remorse.

The lot in question was an enamel Sherborne station ‘running in board’ (a platform sign bearing the station’s name) I cannot remember when it came in for auction but it was probably nearly 20 years ago. Running in

boards are large and this one was from memory 8 or 9 feet long. Not having much wall space at home and thinking about being happily married for many more years stopped me from going all in on the bidding and that was a shame. I cannot remember what it sold for or where it ended up – hopefully locally.

So what reminded me of this board – another station running in board! This one is similar to the Sherborne board as it has the same lovely Southern Railway green enamel colour. Named Southampton Yard it’s a big one. So big that it was made in two parts, strangely not in equal parts or with Southampton and Yard in a part each.

The owner, who lives near Andover, read about our specialist auction of automobilia and enamel signs. He travelled to Charterhouse on one of our valuation days and happily entered the board into our 3rd April sale of automobilia and enamel signs.

Estimated at £700-£1,000, it is not for me Mrs B tells me. And she is correct as I do not have any connection to Southampton but many will and I am sure it will have many admirers who will want to bid on and buy the sign.

charterhouse-auction.com

Richard, flanked by Charterhouse staff David and Amanda with the Southampton Yard enamel station board

Forthcoming Auction Programme

Classic Motorcycles at Haynes

14th March

Classic Cars at Haynes

27th March

Wrist & Pocket Watches

3rd April

Automobilia & Enamel Signs

3rd April

Sporting Items

4th April

Pictures & Books

4th April

Asian Art

5th April

Antiques & Interiors

5th April

To treat all clients with the same courtesy irrespective of wealth or budget.

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The Joinery Works, Alweston

Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5HS

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Email: info@fcuffandsons.co.uk

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DESIGNERS AND MAKERS OF BEAUTIFUL FINE BESPOKE JOINERY SINCE 1897

HORRELL & HORRELL

Words Claire Bowman

Photography

Katharine Davies

After the long dark days of winter, few things are guaranteed to gladden the heart like the first signs of spring – crocuses peeking through the soil, catkins dangling from the hedgerows, drifts of snowdrops bobbing their heads cheerfully in the sunshine. For Jules and Steve, the husband-and-wife team behind Somerset’s buzziest new dining experience, Horrell & Horrell in Sparkford, it’s a recent foraging expedition they’re most excited about. >

With a new Easter menu for March, chef Steve now has the new-season wild garlic for his homemade focaccia and freshly picked nettle tips for a velvety nettle and wild garlic soup. In the wood-fired oven of his outdoor kitchen, a shoulder of home-reared lamb sizzles gently, ready to take its place on the table alongside bowls of spring greens and sea salt potatoes. To finish off, there’s Yorkshire rhubarb crostada with bon honey cream for pudding and a cheese board comprised of Montgomery Cheddar, kitchen garden chutney and sourdough discard crackers – the cheese so local that it’s made on the estate backing onto their land. It’s this commitment to simple, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients that lies at the heart of everything Steve and Jules do.

Last year, having worked together for ten years at the Roth Bar & Grill in Bruton – Steve as chef and Jules as front-of-house – the couple made the ‘now or never’ decision to break out on their own. Unsure whether to open another restaurant or try something else entirely, Steve suggested a few supper clubs in the 400-year-old cow barn sitting empty at the bottom of their garden and, after some minor renovations and a sprinkling of interior design magic, he put the word out.

‘We launched in July last year and our barn suppers were really well received. People just kept on booking,’ says Jules. ‘We had planned to finish in September but then we were asked: “Can we book a dinner in November?”, “Can we book a Christmas party?”, so we went through until Christmas. We had a lot of local people and then the word started to spread further afield. We also had some good press, which filtered out too.’

With help from their grown-up family, Steve and Jules serve a four-course feast to 30 diners every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, and also host private parties and Sunday lunches. With reservation slots released every three months, it’s a smart person who gets in early.

One of the appeals of Horrell & Horrell is the decor – more Provençal brocante than traditional restaurant, with a long trestle table that runs the length of the barn. Beneath the old corrugated-iron roof, vintage kitchenware collected over the years line every inch of the walls, from dough troughs and glass medicine bottles to enamel water pitchers and French bottle driers, many of them sourced from Shepton Mallet flea market and Sherborne Antiques Market. In fact, so many people want a little piece of Horrell & Horrell >

to take home with them they have added a little garden shop, where diners can browse the homemade preserves and pickles, vintage finds and favourite garden wares while they enjoy an aperitif.

Drawing on their years in hospitality (the couple met while working for Robin Hutson at Bristol’s Hotel du Vin in their twenties and went on to put At the Chapel in Bruton on the culinary map), Steve and Jules had a clear vision for Horrell & Horrell from the start. ‘We knew we didn’t want to be a restaurant. And one of the reasons we wanted to do BYO is because we never wanted that conversation break at the table,’ explains Jules. ‘When you’re chatting and having a nice time you don’t want to keep pausing when someone asks if they can pour the wine. So we tell everyone to bring whatever they want to drink and we provide the glassware and the ice, without interruption. And it’s really jolly to see people sharing drinks and chatting away to the person sitting next to them. We light the big wood burner and provide blankets on the back of chairs but we also tell people to dress up warm.’

Similarly, you won’t be handed a menu with a long list of dishes the moment you sit down – whatever is fresh, local and seasonal is what will appear on the table, the provenance of each dish thoughtfully explained by Steve. ‘The way we look at it is like you’re coming to our home,’ says Jules. ‘You wouldn’t be invited around to friends for dinner and phone up the week before to find out what’s on the menu. That allows us to use all the produce from the garden and from suppliers all around us when they’re at their absolute peak.

‘We’ve got a really wonderful grower in Sparkford called Cam, who keeps us supplied with the most

amazing produce all year round. We keep it superlocal by buying our strawberries from Chilton Cantelo, asparagus from Red Barn Farm and mozzarella from West Country Water Buffalo. We also have our own lambs, a little orchard with apple and quince trees and a hedge behind the kitchen, where we pick blackberries. What we also find is that people who dine at the table often say to us, “Oh, I’ve got an apple tree, come round and pick my apples.” We had a lovely couple from Corton Denham say to us last year, “We’ve got a fig tree, would you like to come and get the figs?” We roasted a huge tray of them.’

According to Steve, it’s also the element of surprise –the not quite knowing what to expect when they arrive at Horrell & Horrell for the first time – that people love. ‘Having parked up in the cricket pitch, they’ll stroll down the lane, come through a back gate, and see the cow barn and the little Plankbridge writer’s hut beside it and think, “Where are we? What’s going on?”, says Steve. ‘But then they’ll come in and there’s Jules handing them a homegrown rhubarb spritz and you see them with smiles on their faces, walking around the table, Instagramming everything. It’s really heart-warming.’

Although clearly a lot of commitment and hard work, the Horrells seem as enamoured by their new culinary adventure as they were at the start. ‘At the end of the night when everyone’s gone home, we’ll sit down with the children, have something to eat and swap stories about the evening,’ beams Jules. ‘We enjoy it so much that we always say if we ever won the Lottery, we’d do this all for free.’ horrellandhorrell.co.uk

NETTLE AND WILD GARLIC SOUP

Steve Horrell

Nettle and wild garlic season are upon us so we gather our baskets and gloves and venture out to forage their bright green tips just as they emerge, before heading home to make this delectable, bright green soup. The first shoots of wild garlic can be harder to define for the amateur forager and are often confused with lords-and-ladies, which is a similarlooking but highly poisonous weed. It’s, therefore, safer to wait until the leaves are fully out, then rub between the fingers – there is no question which is wild garlic, due to its pungent scent.

Ingredients

2 tbsp of oil (we use a local rapeseed oil)

25g butter

1 onion, 1 carrot, 2 sticks of celery and 1 leek –all finely diced

1 medium-sized potato, peeled and cubed

1.2 litres of hot vegetable or chicken stock

300g freshly picked, washed and chopped nettle leaves, stalks discarded

200g freshly picked, washed and chopped wild garlic leaves

3 tbsp double cream

Salt and pepper to season

Method

1 Heat the oil and butter in a large saucepan. Add the onion, leek, celery, carrot, potato and a good pinch of salt – stir the mix, letting it sweat gently for 20 mins until everything is cooked and soft. Stir often so that the vegetables do not catch on the bottom of the pan.

2 Pour in the hot stock and cook for 10 minutes on a medium heat.

3 Add the nettles and continue to stir until they soften then add the wild garlic and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

4 Remove from the heat and using a stick blender, blend half the soup. Add the blended mix back to the pan with the rest of the soup. Blending half the soup gives it thickness but also retains some texture.

5 Return to the heat, add the double cream and season to taste.

6 We serve the soup drizzled with olive oil and, later in the season, garnished with wild garlic flowers.

COMPETITION

WIN DINNER FOR TWO AT

Simply answer the following question:

What poisonous weed is similar in looks to wild garlic when it first emerges?

Answers by email to hello@horrellandhorrell.co.uk

The winner will be drawn at random on Easter Sunday.

T&Cs: Spaces subject to availability. By entering this competition, you are subscribing to the Horrell & Horrell mailing list and will receive future monthly newsletters. Subscribers can unsubscribe at any time.

This

Monday

GROW YOUR OWN

Mike Burks, Managing Director, The Gardens Group

There has been a high level of interest in growing one’s own fruit and vegetables for many years now. For some, this has always been the case but many people have been drawn to growing their own, leading to a rise in demand for allotments after many years of decline.

There are many varied reasons for this increased interest and their coincidence was probably the trigger

which got the ‘craze’ going. One reason has been born from concerns about how supermarket food is produced and what chemicals are used in that process. Whereas many gardeners are now organic, most want as little pesticide used as possible and at least in one’s own garden there is an awareness as to what has been used.

There is also the issue of food miles which will be down to zero, unless your allotment is a long way

distant. And then there is the option of using noncommercial varieties which may not have the yield of those grown commercially but may well have better flavour and will mature at varying rates, suiting most households. There is also the freshness issue and that will help maintain flavour plus with all that effort you have put in, surely it’s going to taste fabulous!

Fruit and vegetables can be grown in the ground,

in raised beds and increasingly popular is growing in pots on the patio – there is now a good range of varieties available for such growing methods. Such plants will perform several functions in the garden, including being ornamental which is certainly possible with fruit such as blueberries and all manner of vegetables including oak-leafed lettuce.

Growing crops on the patio has other advantages, for example, it is easier to protect the crops from pests with the use of horticultural fleece on tender crops, which is also great frost protection or netting say strawberries to prevent attack from birds. It also allows for the soil condition to be controlled with purpose-made vegetable composts now available or perhaps the use of ericaceous compost to allow the growing of blueberries. The latter are wonderful plants with interesting flowers and also great autumn and winter colours as well as the fruit. For best crops have more than one plant, as it will ensure better pollination and larger crops.

Frosts can still be around until the end of May (but still be wary until the end of the first week in June) so until that time protect tender plants, such as peppers and aubergines by having them in a greenhouse or in the conservatory to start with. The aubergine is a very ornamental plant as well as being edible with purple flowers that are offset by sage green foliage. The fruit is of course purple and egg-shaped on most varieties but look out for a variety called Pinstripe with smaller, rounder fruit striped white and pinky purple.

Peppers are also good fun. The standard large, fruited varieties are great and I find them most useful in terms of eating. However, some of you may be braver and like testing the taste buds. If this is the case then have a go at the thinner-fruited hot chilli peppers or perhaps the dumpy Cheyenne type, which are excellent for pots.

Tomatoes too are ideal for pots. Although some of the traditional varieties are of course possible, I prefer the cherry types as the flavour can be so much better. Gardeners Delight is a favourite still but I prefer Sungold which is orange/yellow fruited. The flavour is just great. Lots of people were raving about the mini plum tomato variety Rosada that we also grew and liked.

Root crops can be grown on the patio, especially varieties, such as Parmex Carrot a ball variety and Turnip Rubin, another quick maturing dwarf variety. These are tougher than the pepper and aubergine and so can be started sooner.

thegardensgroup.co.uk

Image: Katharine Davies

THINK FAST

Sandra Miller BSc, MSc, BCNH Dip, FDN-P, Wholistic Health

Here we are in Lent, traditionally a time of fasting. Alongside emerging research, an interest in fasting for health has been on the rise and you may well have heard about it. Michael Mosley first brought this to our attention through an episode of Horizon in 2012 (available on iPlayer entitled Eat, Fast and Live Longer) which I might re-watch for old times’ sake and to remind myself of where it all began for me. This was my first significant introduction to fasting for health and, at the time, seemed revolutionary. I was drawn in by the compelling scientific evidence presented and felt I must adjust my ‘eat regularly’ maxim as a result. I even had a go myself. I had been very successful in losing baby weight with Slimming World but developed an irrepressible desire to eat some healthy fats in the form of nuts and was not able to shift the last

pounds. I felt stuck. I embarked on Michael Mosley’s 5:2 regime recommended in the documentary which meant eating no more than 500 calories on two days per week. Not only did my unneeded weight drop off but I felt fantastic too! The day following the fast I would always feel more at ease in my mind and thinking. However, in time I began to value the benefits less and feel the pinch of the sacrifices more. Even though I had joined a Facebook group for 5:2, sticking with it long-term became a struggle. Eventually, the consistency of my fasting lifestyle ebbed away. I would find excuses not to add in fasting days to my week. I lost metabolic flexibility and the idea of going without food seemed like a really big ask! My body knew it was no longer biochemically well set up to handle longer periods of time without food and so it didn’t want to try. Just like muscle groups which

haven’t been asked to work for a while, my biochemical pathways were not primed or ready for action.

The turning point for me was reminding myself of what I was missing out on by not utilising this lifestyle habit. I listened to several podcasts made by various experts, all with slightly different perspectives and areas of specialist knowledge. There was a consistent message of how radically transformative fasting can be. What varied was the cohort of patients or clients in whom they had seen these transformations come about. Over time, shorter fasts, such as 16:8 (eating within an 8-hour window within each 24) can result in vastly improved blood sugar control. Longer fasts can drive a kind of dopamine receptor reboot which can positively impact mood and motivation. As the Horizon programme title suggests,

there are longevity benefits to be had. In periods of fasting the body seeks to up its game by increasing the output of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which literally makes you better able to learn and think. The body starts upregulating its ‘programmed cell death’ (apoptosis) function directed towards cells that are old and not functioning properly which helps clean up the act of any organ or body system of which they are a part. Being armed with up-to-date knowledge and gathering others seeking a similar healing path gave me enormous motivation to do what was necessary for change. These factors are still vital elements of what helps me create change and consistency as necessary.

The beauty of regular fasting is that adaptations occur which promote normalisation of appetite control. It generates a real love of richly nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables while reducing the desire and capacity for sweet treats. I believe that fasting can attune us to messages of insight that might otherwise be crowded out. These can prove to be gateways to healing and wholeness too. I also believe that times of eating that celebratory meal or birthday cake have their place because ‘there is a time for everything’ and fasting actually greatly increases my enjoyment in these celebratory times. What is glorious is to not feel mastered by either feasting or fasting.

If you are inspired by what you have read here please be advised that I recommend you seek help and support in safely creating a fasting (and feasting!) lifestyle. If you have a history of eating disorders, fasting may not be right for you at all. Even if this is the case please be encouraged that there are literally dozens of other healing diet and lifestyle practices that are still open to you. At the very least venture slowly and only under supervision.

Anyone looking to try fasting should do so gradually. The adaptations that make fasting not just achievable, but also healing, take a little time to kick in. In the same way, you wouldn’t expect your body to be capable of a marathon before successfully completing a 5k, trying longer fasts (24 hours or more) without working up to them could be equally demoralising or damaging. Most people generally encounter little problem with slowly lengthening their regular overnight fasts to 16 hours. I have seen many people incorporate this pattern with little trouble whilst gaining huge benefits in multiple areas. Fasting isn’t all about deprivation; there’s a huge amount to be gained too.

wholistichealth.co.uk

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Open lunch and dinner Wednesday to Saturday, and Sunday lunch

BUTTER BEAN, RAINBOW CHARD AND WILD GARLIC STEW

Butter beans are a fantastic, healthy ingredient that can soak up so much flavour. Wild garlic is now coming into season and can be found in forests and hedgerows throughout the south-west. This robust stew is delicious served simply with some good crusty bread or when accompanying pan-fried chicken, guineafowl or firm white fish such as cod.

Ingredients Serves 4

250g dried butter beans

150g rainbow chard, cut into even pieces

50g wild garlic leaves

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 shallots, chopped

500ml chicken or vegetable stock

10g fresh parsley, finely chopped

10g fresh dill, finely chopped

5 tbsp olive oil

½ lemon, juiced

Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Method

1 First, soak the dried beans in water overnight or for at least 8 hours. Rinse and set aside.

2 Place a large saucepan or casserole dish on a medium heat with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Add the shallots and minced garlic cloves and cook until softened but not browned. Add the soaked beans and stock to the pan and bring to a simmer. Place on the lid and cook for around 25 minutes or until the beans are tender. Add a splash of water if it seems a little dry.

3 Once cooked, add the chard and wild garlic to the dish. Mix well and simmer for a further minute or until the chard stems are also tender.

4 To finish, stir through the fresh herbs, 3 tbsp of olive oil, lemon, plenty of black pepper and salt if needed.

greenrestaurant.co.uk

Tom Matkevich, The Green

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EAT, DRINK, AND ENJOY THE VIEW

FROM FIELD TO TABLE

A Dorset cafe with a difference, we champion homegrown and celebrate nature. Meet our Tamworth pigs, feast on our artisan pizzas, homemade produce and enjoy our idyllic views.

OPEN

Saturday & Sunday 10am-2.30pm

Friday pizza night (booking essential) 5pm-8pm

Lavender Keepers

Sandford Orcas

Sherborne

DT9 4FG thestorypig.co.uk

Get in touch with

James or Charlotte

07802 443 905 info@thestorypig.co.uk

Image: Katharine Davies

THE CAKE WHISPERER

Val Stones

BETTER BONES BROWNIES

Iam always seeking to develop delicious, sweet recipes that are healthy for my bones. This recipe came about when I was researching the best legumes and nuts to support bone health. I love tinned butter beans as a vegetable as part of a meal but they are good for cake-making and power balls. Butter beans are high in protein and calcium, and have a huge amount of vitamins and other minerals. I enjoy dark chocolate and nut butters so I thought I would use the sweet potato brownie in my recipe book as a starting point.

If you wish to be decadent, add a few crushed chocolate mini eggs when the brownie comes out of the oven and, voilà, an Easter brownie you need not feel guilty about – well only a little!

What you will need

A small saucepan to heat the nut butter

A brownie pan 8 inch by 8 inch lined with parchment and greased

Ingredients Makes 12-16

150g tinned butter beans or frozen butter beans, defrosted, mash fine or blitzed in a food processor until smooth

270g almond butter

1 cup/8fl almond milk

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon

50g self-raising flour

40g cocoa powder

15g baking powder

4g fine sea salt

100g chocolate chips plus more for the top 130g granulated sugar or xylitol

Method

1 Set the oven for 160C fan,180C conventional, 325F gas

2 Gently heat the nut butter in a saucepan until easily stir-able.

3 Whisk the softened nut butter with the mashed butter beans, almond milk and vanilla extract in a large bowl.

4 In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and cinnamon and pour the dry ingredients into the butter bean mixture.

5 Add the sugar and chocolate chips then fold in until all combined.

6 Pour into the prepared pan and smooth out evenly, you can use an offset spatula dipped in water to do this. Sprinkle on a few extra chocolate chips.

7 Bake in the centre of the oven for 20-25 minutes.

Tips

• It will look a little underdone but when you shake the pan the centre of the brownie should wobble – it firms up as it cools.

• When cooled if it is still too gooey let it sit in the fridge for a few hours before storing in an airtight container. This is best eaten within 3 days but freezes well for one month.

bakerval.com

A MONTH ON THE PIG FARM

James Hull, The Story Pig

What shall I write about Charlotte?’ I say. It’s the beginning of February, on a filthy, rainy day and I have to transport myself forward to March and beyond. But, actually, I don’t find that difficult – I’m always thinking and dreaming ahead!

Normally I write with calm and quiet, often early

in the morning with only the radio gently burbling away for company. Today is different. I am trying to concentrate while all around me are electricians moving things, talking loudly on the phone, drilling holes and generally making their presence felt. ‘What are they doing?’I hear you wonder. Well, the realities of our lovely, cuddly, rural idyll are less idyllic and

cuddly than you might think.

They are fitting security cameras, alarms and security lights. The reality is we have been burgled, broken into and animals stolen and slaughtered numerous times over the last few years. Yes, out here in the beautiful countryside. Country life is not quite as warm as you think – rural crime is running at record levels. It’s a sad fact that now every van that drives down our lane is a suspect first. What a world we live in.

When I was growing up on a farm, tractor keys were never removed from the ignition from one year to the next, doors were left unlocked and your dog was always safe. We now hope to feel a bit safer – the plus side is we will be able to see who is trampling on our lavender too!

But, back to March, the month of almost peak hope. Spring is coming and by the end, it’s here. Snowdrops, small wild daffodils and primroses with the only yellow we like, burst through the cold earth. The light changes, on sunny days we farmers can see the grass grow – it shines with a new depth of green. The days stream ahead of us and my head torch starts to gather dust in my man drawer again. The mud recedes and I feel happier and full of hope for the coming months. Our lavenders will imperceptibly turn a beautiful soft green, soft fleshy growth bursting skywards. We will move back outside and our customers will come and enjoy the garden and view again – its spring beauty mesmerising all of us. The feeling of hope springs eternal and, as I write, it makes me feel excited.

The pigs love this time of year too – sun and wind on their backs as they explore their paddocks from end to end. If it’s dry, they will start to lie outside, still with their thick winter coats. The spring sunshine

can be quite warm and they, much like ourselves, are happier in this weather. We breed all year round so there is no spring abundance of piglets. As I write we have had 5 sows farrow with really good litters, all with 8s and 9s. That’s really good for our Tamworth crosses so I’m very happy with that.

We are starting to build a huge new garden over the next few months. It will be a work in progress and you will see it develop slowly – not too slowly I hope but I fear it will take some time! I’m not going to describe it yet. We can see it in our heads and our drawings but we want to savour the secrecy for now.

So March is the month of hope. We have endured the floods, the storms and the dark and thank goodness for nature – the most amazing gift that comes free. We should never take it for granted – it’s life itself.

This brings me nicely to write a little follow-up to my January article where I laid my soul bare. I am one who always wears my heart on my sleeve so, to me, it was not hard to write. The response from our customers took me slightly by surprise though. The warm words and looks deep into my eyes from the other side of the coffee machine have often put a lump in my throat. A quick thank you from me but a slightly wavering voice shows me how much these life events affect us and how deeply we store them. So to all who thanked me for writing it, thank you to you for your kind words (especially Claude, 94, with huge hands and the most gentle of smiles and warm words) – it means a lot. So I will leave it to all of you to decide whether I write better with peace and quiet or a room full of mayhem and beeps!

thestorypig.co.uk

WEDDING PLANS

David Copp

Wedding season approaches and orders are being placed across the country for drinks of choice. It’s one of many decisions to be made and a potentially expensive one at that. There is though nothing quite like a good glass of fizz to cheer the soul and toast the happy couple.

During my training in Champagne with Duval Leroy, Monsieur Roger Duval, head of the family, made a point of asking me to sit next to him at lunch every day. ‘That lot,’ he said pointing to the younger generation further down the table, ‘like the fizzy stuff but I want to show you vintage champagne.’

Thus I learned very early how to distinguish ‘the fizzy stuff’ from vintage Champagnes. I make no bones about preferring the latter. However, the great vintages often took 7-10 years to mature in bottle. Which made them very expensive. I would include great vintage Champagnes from Krug, Pol Roger and other great houses, as real ‘wonders of the world’.

Champagne’s best vineyards are strictly limited and that makes their best wines very expensive. Fortunately for us, many other wine growers outside Champagne aspired to make good sparkling wines and we now have a wide choice of very well-made sparkling wines from all over the world.

HMVart/iStock

I am pleased to report that many of the new producers took the trouble to go to Champagne to study their methods. They learned the importance of finding the right type of soils, making the wine carefully and carving out deep, cool, chalk cellars to allow them to mature usually for 18 months or more.

Most of the leading wine-producing countries now offer fine sparkling wines. In England, we have several that are considered world-class in terms of quality. It sounds incredible that we should make the claim, yet we have several handfuls of gold medals from major international competitions to prove it. Full marks to our producers for finding chalky soils, cool climates and French vines. English sparkling wine is making a name for itself worldwide. However, there are also truly excellent sparkling wines made in France, Spain, Italy and Germany as well as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, New York State and California. Competition has kept prices sensible and I hope those planning to get married this year will find the quality and the prices they seek.

Bonnay, Cremant de Bourgogne NV – £19.95

Delectable bubbles from Burgundy, using the same production method as Champagne but at a fraction of the cost. So much more interesting than Prosecco too!

Lightfoot & Wolfville Brut 2016, Nova Scotia – £32.95

Complex Chardonnay & Pinot Noir dominant fizz from Canada’s chilly west coast, made all the more enjoyable by 8 year’s ageing in bottle.

Joiy Shimmering Bubbles NV, Australia – £4.95 (250ml can) Unashamedly frivolous fizz for enjoying anywhere, anytime!

Jamie Wynne-Griffiths, The Drinksmith thedrinksmith.co.uk

For Leading Ladies...

Our

Animal Care

SIZE MATTERS

Mark Newton-Clarke MAVetMB PhD MRCVS, Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

Bigger isn’t always better and small is beautiful…a couple of English idioms with which we are all familiar. And like many sayings, not universally true. For instance, last month I mentioned Mousa, a pussy-cat with a urinary problem, happily not a serious one in his case but it could have been due to the unfortunate anatomy of the male cat’s urethra; it’s too narrow! That’s mainly the reason it gets blocked with crystals and sludge from the bladder, causing urinary retention, which is a critical emergency. So any male cat seen trying to pass urine without success needs to be examined as soon as possible. Bigger is better for a urethra!

Another example might be the width of the small intestine. Perhaps not something many people dwell on, at least not until your dog starts vomiting and an x-ray shows an object lodged in the intestine causing an obstruction. There’s another design fault here, that of being able to swallow something that successfully navigates the oesophagus, only to get stuck in the narrower small intestine. Dogs in particular are prone to this, the last case in the Sherborne clinic only this week with a screw-cap from a wine bottle firmly wedged in poor Vinny the spaniel’s gut. We couldn’t work out what it was from the X-ray as only the rim of the cap was visible and appeared oval-shaped, which in hindsight we realised was due to the oblique angle of view. Kate and the team of nurses worked their magic and Vinny has made a complete recovery after a long and complicated operation. So when it comes to urethras and intestines, stuff gets stuck so size clearly matters.

On the other hand, for wounds and tumours small is beautiful. We see a lot of both and although a wellrepaired and appropriately-treated big wound can heal as quickly as a small one, surgical time increases costs and extensive tissue damage increases complication rates. The size and location of a lump or bump can have as major an effect on prognosis as the type of tumour. For example, a melanoma’s size (in dogs and cats these are not sunlight-induced) is a critical factor

for successful treatment, as larger (greater than 4cm) tumours frequently metastasise. A large fatty-tissue tumour (a lipoma), on the other hand, will have a similar prognosis (good) as a small one, although obviously time and effort spent on removal means it’s a bigger deal, surgically and financially.

When it comes to lumps and bumps, or any other disease come to that, the problem is they don’t come with labels attached. Although some tumours have a characteristic appearance, the only way to identify the nature of the beast is either by cytology, where a few cells are taken using a needle; or by histology, a more accurate technique of microscopic examination of a biopsy. The former is quick and easy but sometimes unreliable. The latter is much more reliable but often requires a general anaesthetic and a surgical procedure similar to removing the lesion in its entirety. So that’s what we do in many cases to save the patient from returning for another procedure. The downside of this is without a specific diagnosis, surgical planning of

Kirill AK White/shutterstock

margins is not possible. By this, I mean how much tissue to take out around the tumour in an attempt to remove all abnormal cells and this in turn may depend on the location. It’s tricky to take a big lump off a small toe as there’s no spare skin left to close the resulting wound. So for lesions on distal extremities or near critical structures like eyes and lips, small is most definitely beautiful.

Our bodies and those of our pets, along with all other animals, are governed by the laws of physics, although which set of laws is most useful at the time seems to depend on size. Although Quantum theory may hold sway in the sub-atomic world, Newton’s traditional laws of motion and Taylor’s work (and others) on fluid mechanics explain the phenomena we experience in the macroscopic world. This might seem irrelevant to medicine but in fact, the behaviour of our blood as it flows through the heart and blood vessels is critical to prevent a very common affliction of humans and cats, that of thrombosis. The story behind blood clotting is fascinating but I’ll confine myself here to

what happens when blood stops flowing smoothly and becomes turbulent, which can happen in an enlarged or fibrillating heart. Both can be caused by underlying heart disease but atrial fibrillation commonly occurs spontaneously in humans. As a result, there is a tendency to form blood clots (thrombi), which can in turn block arteries in the limbs, lungs and brain. Little thrombi are trapped in the lungs or other capillary beds and can be broken down by the fibrinolytic system, our counter-balance to blood clotting. Big clots in the brain cause strokes and in the lungs pulmonary thrombosis, tragically both quite common in humans. Cats tend to suffer thrombosis of the arteries in the pelvis (the iliac arteries) which sadly can be as catastrophic. That’s why we feel for femoral pulses and warm paws in lame cats.

So…size matters. May you and your pets’ tubes stay wide, your blood clots small and your hearts just the right size! newtonclarkevet.com

Animal Care

THE LATE GESTATION MARE

Milly Lawrence BVMedSci BVM BVS MRCVS, Stud & Equine Veterinary Surgeon, Kingston Equine Vets

Now that we come to early spring, Thoroughbred breeders will have been welcoming foals over the last couple of months. The first of January is the official date of birth for Thoroughbred foals in the UK, so it is preferable to have a foal born as close to New Years Day as possible, although not before as a newborn in December would arguably be a ‘yearling’ by New Years Day!

Horses are seasonal breeders, receptive to breeding at certain times of year to ensure the timing of birth is optimal for the foal’s survival, with regard to food availability and ambient temperatures. While we can provide warm stables and ample food, for other breeds we would plan to see our foals on the ground a little

later into the spring, as the grass gets going and the days are longer and warmer.

Feeding the Pregnant Mare

We are all familiar with the expression ‘eating for two’ but in early pregnancy, horses’ nutritional requirements aren’t that different. Owners should strive to keep their horses in an appropriate body condition in general, for a variety of reasons but in particular, broodmares that are too thin or too fat may have reduced conception rates, difficulties foaling, poorer colostrum quality (first milk) and foetal insulin resistance (which could impact future health and athletic performance).

From the fifth month of pregnancy, there is a

slightly increased requirement for protein for placental development but overall energy requirements don’t increase much until the final three months, when 75% of foetal growth occurs. A foal’s birth weight is roughly 10% of the dam’s (mother’s) weight, therefore in late gestation, the mare should gain net weight to reflect this. Those that don’t will be utilising their own energy stores to grow their foal, an important resource when energy demands increase further in lactation (milk production).

The expression ‘eating for two’ is therefore apt for this time period, where, in order to meet the increased energy requirement in the last three months, the mare must eat more. This does however coincide with the

time that the foal is the largest and so proportionally there is less room in the abdomen to fill the digestive tract. The mare may not physically be able to eat enough forage therefore more energy-dense feed should be provided with feed offered in smaller meals throughout the day.

What to Feed

Forage should make up the majority of the diet, in the form of quality hay, haylage or grass. Horses should have a daily intake on average of 2% (in terms of dry matter) of their body weight in forage, which equates to 10kg per day for a 500kg horse. Towards late gestation the mare, may not manage more than 1.5% for the reasons outlined above therefore the remaining 0.5% should be in the form of a concentrate feed. Diet should be tailored to the individual with all factors, such as body condition and laminitis risk, taken into consideration.

In early gestation, forage alone should meet the energy and protein needs of the mare but a targeted stud balancer can be added to ensure an adequate supply of micronutrients (including vitamins and minerals). For the later stages, a commercial, balanced stud mix should meet the requirements for the concentrate feed, providing energy in the form of oils and fibre in addition to cereals. Supplementing vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids may also be beneficial.

Other Considerations

Preventative healthcare includes dentistry, worming, vaccinations and foot care, and is important to consider in the context of the pregnant mare. It is best to plan foot trimming and farriery to avoid the last month where the mare is her heaviest and will find it harder to stand on three legs for long. ‘No foot, no horse’ is not limited to athletic horses, broodmares feet should not be neglected in order to prevent cracks, separation and under-run heels which may progress to more serious conditions and divert her resources from raising a healthy foal.

Many relevant vaccinations are administered in mid to late gestation, following protocols to increase relevant antibodies in colostrum. These should be planned in advance, particularly if you wish to take your mare to a stud to foal.

For the experienced stock person, these are everyday considerations but for those newer to breeding, prevention and planning is always, always, always better than cure!

kingstonequinevets.co.uk

Marc C/Shutterstock

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A BRIGHT FUTURE

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

The hair and beauty industry is one of the fastest moving and progressive industries to be in and forever will keep us on our toes! 2024 is no different, with emerging trends that will impact and transfer into our skincare, hair, make-up and fashion.

Pinterest’s annual Pinterest Predicts report is out for 2024 and gives a not-yet-trending insight into trends to have on your radar. The site is widely used by people planning for the future by creating mood boards or just ‘pinning’ images of looks or ideas they like. Therefore it is perfectly placed to observe the frequency of consumer searches on any word or collection of words.

Blue make-up and soft, blue prom looks are top hitters and involve research searches for ‘fun blue nails’ (+260%), ‘blue eyeshadow’ and ‘aqua make-up look’ to name a few.

Big bold hair, featuring braids and large buns, will be supported by larger-than-life sculptural and chunky jewellery. Metallics and chromes in cool, silver tones are resonating in fashion and home styling, particularly with Generation Z and Millennials. In beauty, nails continue to be a focus for this hot metal trend with metallic French tips and lavender chrome nails, oyster nails and nude chrome nails increasing in popularity. Updated French manicures feature with neon French tips and double French tips for a fresh look.

Summer make-up trends showcased a return to brown-toned elegance complimenting sunkissed skin. Strong blusher is a key trending look with red, coral and bold blush looks all seeing a huge rise in searches.

Cherry cola lips claimed a top searched spot on Google searches with an increase of 2,215%. This lip look draws inspiration from the rich, deep colours of a cherry cola drink. It is created by lining the lips with a brown or nude lip liner and then infilling with cherry red lipstick and finishing with a flirty shine.

Body care skin routines are having a ‘Head to Glow’ moment with a +1025% uptick in searches. Luxury and advanced body lotions that do more than just moisturise and serious protective SPF products to retain a youthful skin appearance are researched. Neck-down skincare, physical relaxation and well-being having been identified as boosting our important self-TLC, are therefore trending strongly.

Peach Fuzz has been revealed as Pantone’s colour of the year for 2024. Described as ‘a compassionate and nurturing soft peach shade conveying a heartfelt kindness’. Expect to see the high street turn peach in fashion and household soft furnishings, with make-up and nail colour choices following suit as we head into the warmer months.

A further researched lifestyle trend is Blue Beauty. Blue Beauty is the new sustainable beauty movement with a very focused agenda on encouraging beauty brands to make sure their products are safe for the environment, ocean safe, sustainably sourced and that they minimise their carbon footprint. The movement goes further to encourage brands and consumers to consider the impact of packaging particularly on our marine life. More and more brands are offering refillable products and many products can be put in your household recycling. There is a consumer shift, with people wanting to buy from socially conscious brands who consider, and minimise, the impact that their product has on our total environment. This is the trend we can all get behind.

thesanctuarysherborne.co.uk

margaretbalfour.co.uk

LEVERAGING SPRING FOR MENTAL HEALTH

As winter makes way for spring, there are tangible mental health benefits that can come with embracing the upcoming spring season. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, spring provides opportunities to enhance well-being. Here are some top tips for making the most of spring to support your mental health.

Nature Mindfulness

Scientific studies support the positive impact of nature on mental health. Exposure to natural environments has been linked to reduced stress levels and improved mood. Incorporating nature with mindfulness practices, such as going on mindfulness walks in green spaces, can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being.

Sunlight and Vitamin D

Increased sunlight in spring contributes to the

body’s production of vitamin D, a key factor in mental health. Research suggests that exposure to natural light helps regulate circadian rhythms and positively influences serotonin levels. Spending time outdoors during daylight hours, even if it’s just a short walk, can play a role in mitigating symptoms of depression and promoting a more balanced mood.

Gratitude Journaling

Psychological studies have explored the impact of gratitude practices on mental health. Gratitude journaling, focusing on positive aspects of life, has been shown to correlate with increased life satisfaction and reduced symptoms of depression. Spring provides ample cues for gratitude – from the blooming flora to the longer days – making it an opportune time to adopt this evidence-based practice.

Lucy Lewis, Dorset Mind Ambassador

Seasonal Activities

Engaging in seasonal activities isn’t just a leisure pursuit; it can contribute to mental well-being. Research supports the positive effects of activities like gardening on stress reduction and mood

Art of Confidence

improvement. The sense of accomplishment derived from these activities can also positively influence one’s mental state.

Mindful Eating

Mindful eating practices, rooted in mindfulness-based interventions, have demonstrated benefits for mental health. Paying deliberate attention to the sensory aspects of food consumption, such as taste and texture, can enhance the overall dining experience. Spring, with its array of fresh produce, offers a fitting time to adopt mindful eating habits, potentially contributing to a more mindful approach to daily living.

Social Connection and Outdoor Recreation Spring provides an optimal backdrop for fostering social connections, another key element in mental health. Engaging in outdoor recreational activities with friends or family, such as picnics, sports or nature outings, not only promotes physical activity but also contributes to a sense of community and social wellbeing. Research indicates that social connections play a crucial role in buffering against stress and supporting mental health, making spring an opportune time to combine outdoor recreation with social interaction.

In summary, there are many possible mental health benefits associated with embracing spring. As we transition into spring, these evidence-based strategies can serve as tools to promote mental well-being in a tangible and sustainable manner.

If your mental health is making it hard to function, please contact your GP. For more information and wellbeing resources, visit dorsetmind.uk. In a crisis? Don't delay, call 999 or Connection on 0800 652 0190. The Samaritans are always there to listen, call 116 123.

Anna Pasichnyk/Shutterstock

EXTRACT

Sleepless: Discovering the Power of the Night Self by Annabel Abbs

(John Murray, £16.99 hardcover)

Sherborne Times reader offer price of £14.99 from Winstone’s Books

Sleepless is a book about a journey I neither planned nor prepared for. A journey I never expected to take. A journey that would once have terrified me. It’s about a journey into darkness and sleeplessness. Even these two simple words – darkness and sleeplessness – are freighted with all that we have come to fear and loathe. Inevitably, my journey was precipitated, rather than chosen.

And yet, despite my frequent fears, I found a world that was utterly new, one that soothed, intrigued, distracted, enticed and exhilarated. To my surprise, the inhabitants of this strange and unfamiliar place became my companions. They ranged from the tiniest of nocturnal insects, to the stars above, to women who welcomed a darkness thicker and purer than we have ever known. But, of all my companions, none astonished me more than my Night Self.

Sleepless is about the Self we find at night. In recent years it has become evident that we humans are subject to manifold and constant circadian change. Chronobiologists have discovered that our bodies and brains behave differently according to the time of day, and that we all work to a set of biological patterns, often referred to as our circadian rhythms or simply our body clock. This 24-hour clock is bound to light and dark, day and night, and etched so deeply in our biology that we cannot shake it off.

In nocturnal darkness, the contents of our blood, breath, bones, saliva and skeletal muscle change. We produce different hormones, which rise and fall according to the hour. Breast cancer cells divide more quickly. Our muscles weaken. We metabolise alcohol more slowly. Our bones are rebuilt. Our fat cells, kidneys and intestines operate with a peculiar sluggishness. Dead cells are shed from our skin. Our temperature falls. Our appetite fades. Our blood pressure drops. Thanks to a litany of metabolic, cardiovascular and endocrinal alterations, we are physiologically different at night.

suns07butterfly/Shutterstock

Our brains are altered too, most notably as they cycle through a series of sleep stages. But early investigations into the awake-at-night brain suggest that it too swims in an altered sea of biochemicals, making us feel different, rendering us (as the writer Virginia Woolf once put it) no longer quite ourselves.

For women (who are twice as likely to experience insomnia as men), these endless shifts are compounded by barely understood infradian rhythms and hormone change, adding to the complexity of our nights. Awake in the purring, softly melancholic darkness, we are no longer our Day Selves. We are subtly altered, our brains now wired for nocturne.

Women are also powerfully and disproportionately affected by the absence of light. Dwindling illumination penetrates our brain, nudging it into a heightened state, amplifying our inner voice and compounding the alterations that strike after dark. All of which is to say, we are different. We are our Night Selves. I didn’t know it at the time, but my Night Self was to become a powerful instrument of consolation and imagination, of healing and hope.

Sleepless is not a paean to insomnia. Rather, it is an attempt to remove some of the anxiety that now accompanies not sleeping, to understand why we don’t always sleep, and to remind ourselves that women throughout the ages have suffered from periods of sleeplessness, and survived, even thrived. It seems to me that insomnia is neither illness nor affliction, but our body and brain’s attempt to express and comprehend loss and absence. This could be the loss of someone we love or the loss of darkness, silence, rest.

For millennia, women have snatched time from the night – to write, paint, learn, reflect –finding a solitude, creativity and productivity rarely available during daylight. For millennia, women have endured sleepless nights caring for the young, the old and the sick. Indeed, new research suggests that females may be in possession of uniquely robust circadian clocks that enable us to do this, without as much detriment to our health as headlines suggest. And yet, our relationship with darkness is fraught with complication. While private darkness has long been female territory, public darkness has invariably been male space. And so, this book is as much an exploration of our fractious relationship with the dark as it is a deeply personal account of what happens when we accept our night wakings, embrace our Night Self and open our hearts to the disappearing dominion of darkness.

annabelabbs.com

Tuesday 19th March 6.30 for 7pm

Sleepless: Discovering the Power of the Night Self

Winstone’s Books, Cheap Street, Sherborne

Talk and signing with author Annabel Abbs

Tickets £2 available in-store or online at shop.winstonebooks.co.uk

We all have a voice; we just aren’t all in a position to use it. Our external situation, our inner fears, our background, our position in society, our ability to express our thoughts... these are just some of the factors that affect how much we can connect with the power of our voice. To be able to command attention and respect through our words, to feel listened to and valued, to influence decisions and actions is a privilege that I used to take for granted.

Considering the size of the tumour compressing my heart I expected to be transferred to Bristol for a biopsy ASAP. What actually followed was a period of inaction as I lay in bed in a ward in Yeovil Hospital, waiting. Opposite me were two ladies, Jean and Mary. They bonded over their discovery of Mini Cheddars and their struggles with getting enough sleep. Sometimes Jean cried because she didn’t have anyone at home and she was scared. Mary calmed her. I enjoyed watching them become friends.

Days later, Jean was moved to a different ward. This was painful to watch. She was confused, ‘I like it here. I don’t want to leave my friend.’ But they wheeled her away until I couldn’t hear her saying, ‘Where are you taking me?’ anymore. I wished I’d asked the nurses to let her stay with Mary and her Mini Cheddars where she felt safe.

I was told my biopsy would happen within the next couple of weeks because with cancer there is a two-week window where the prognosis won’t change. I argued that the only time this could be an absolute truth was if it was terminal, otherwise, if they didn’t know what the tumour was, how could they know whether it would grow or spread or not over the next fourteen days?

I’ve since learnt that the NHS two-week urgent

referral policy was scrapped later in 2023 and replaced with The Faster Diagnosis Standard – the target being patients with symptoms would be diagnosed within a month. But what if your cancer is spreading so fast that you don’t have that long? What if you only have a few days?

Whilst waiting for my biopsy appointment the bruising under my ribs spread. I asked one doctor why this was happening – he looked at me blankly and said, ‘I don’t know. We didn’t learn about that at medical school.’ The swelling in my neck increased and spread to my face. When I asked various doctors if they could see how swollen I was they replied, ‘It’s hard to tell – we don’t know what you normally look like.’ When I asked why I was getting more breathless, no one knew. I met each inadequate answer with a polite smile, a ‘thank you’ and a ‘sorry for asking’. (I am British after all.) I’m also usually happy to speak my mind so I’m not sure why I became so muted when my life was at stake.

Emil noticed that I was turning blue and the gravity of my situation hit me. Along with it came the realisation that if I wanted to survive, I had to stop waiting to be saved and do something myself. I had to take responsibility. So, I found my voice and I started to shout.

‘No one is taking this seriously. Look at me…I’m going blue…I have a tumour compressing my heart and it’s getting worse…I need another CT scan…why is no one taking me seriously?’ As one doctor started to tell me to calm down and stop overreacting, a nurse swooped in and said I was being moved. ‘I’ve heard you and I’m not going to leave your side.’ She got me squeezed in immediately for another scan and hurried the results through. It showed the tumour had grown significantly, compressing the vessels to my heart

Tim UR/Shutterstock

even more. Blood clots and a rapidly growing tumour squashing my vital organs meant I had more than one critical condition and everyone knew if something wasn’t done quickly, I would die. I shouted again and demanded more urgency.

I finally got to see an oncologist, I told him I needed him to act. He explained that without the biopsy to tell us what type of cancer I had, treatment couldn’t start but that there weren’t any available slots and he worked within a system – even with two critical conditions, if there wasn’t a bed there wasn’t a bed. ‘What if that means I’ll die?’ I asked. He shrugged, ‘Then, unfortunately, you’ll die.’ And I knew this was the truth. I was experiencing what we so often read about; a system that is overwhelmed, staff that are overworked, an NHS that is on its knees. But this was my life. So, I told him that wasn’t good enough, none of it was good enough. I shouted until he heard me. An hour later I was told my biopsy had been booked for the following day. I was given a strong dose of steroids, which reduced the inflammation, relieving the pressure on my heart. The swelling went down, the blue tint disappeared and I could breathe.

The oncologist popped in again and said, ‘You look like a different person. Those steroids are definitely working – that makes us think it’s a lymphoma. You were right to shout…without those steroids, you wouldn’t have made it past tonight.’

As I lay in my hospital bed listening to others around me struggle to find their voice, I willed them on. No, the man opposite isn’t here with chest pains, he’s here with head pains that feel the same as the brain bleed he had a few months back. No Jean doesn’t have anyone to come and collect her – she lives alone so please don’t put her on another ward. Leave her here with Mary just for a bit longer. And no, I don’t normally look like this. I have a tumour the size of two fists compressing my heart and I need immediate attention.

Finding my voice saved my life. Had I stayed silent I wouldn’t be here today. This is something the nurses and doctors at Yeovil Hospital all agree on. I now have the utmost appreciation for the fact that I had the strength to find my voice and the confidence to use it. I am conscious that not everyone in this world is able to. If you don’t have the strength to shout for yourself, ask someone to shout for you. If you see someone without a voice, and you find yourself able, maybe lend them yours.

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Exercise classes

Running groups Personal training

A DISTANCE FOR ANYONE TO TRI

Steve Hurley, Centre Manager Oxley Sports Centre

You will most likely know that triathlon is a multi-sport endurance event consisting of swimming, cycling and running, with athletes competing for the fastest overall completion time. What you may not be aware of, is just how many variations of this simple format are available and accessible to everyone.

Triathlon is made up of many distances including Super Sprint, Sprint, Standard, Middle and Long Distance. These events can take approximately 15 minutes up to 17 hours to complete! The shorterdistance events are perfect for someone who has never tried a triathlon before or may have a limited amount of time to train. Then you have those who compete in long-distance triathlon often known as Half Ironman or Full Ironman which demands the utmost dedication. Ironman athletes live among us swimming at the crack of dawn, pounding the pavements and Zwifting (an indoor virtual cycling platform) in their pain caves! However, most triathletes are just juggling the commitments which come along with everyday life and trying to fit in a training session when they can. For me, I have never regretted a training session that I did, just the ones I didn’t!

These were always the traditional events to enter. However, a few years ago Super League Triathlon tried a new format to test athletic ability and increase viewer excitement. They introduced some new rules and sometimes changed the order of the disciplines, runbike-swim for example.

In 2023 the Arena Games was held changing the format of triathlon even further by introducing real life and virtual reality blended racing. Athletes would swim in a real pool and then complete the cycling and running elements on a static bike and treadmill respectively. This allowed the whole race to take place within the same venue.

Whichever distance or format of triathlon you get involved with I’m sure you won’t regret it. Rather than trying the next fad diet or a short-term exercise regime, why not make the switch to a sport which is essentially a healthy lifestyle? Once you’ve decided on an event to participate in, you can then look at creating a plan. Develop a routine that suits your lifestyle and preferences. Whether you prefer training alone, being within a class environment or joining a local club, find a routine that you enjoy and can stick to. Try to incorporate a little bit of each discipline or focus on your weaker element. You do not need to commit to hours of training per week – 3-4 hours are a good starting point and see where it takes you. Triathlon is an excellent cross-training sport with its three disciplines, meaning you always have an interesting training programme.

This summer Oxley host a Triathlon Super Series with distances of 300m Swim, 4km Cycle (on a static bike) & 2km Run. They will also be holding instructor-led workshops in the run up to the series for anyone wishing to work on a particular discipline. Vist oxleysc.com/superseries or contact the centre for more information.

Images: Trevor Pearce

STAND AND STRENGTHEN TO IMPROVE YOUR BALANCE

Craig Hardaker BSc (Hons), Communifit

Image: Stuart Brill

It is so important to stay strong, more so to slow down the negatives of the ageing process – one of which is a lack of balance. If we can stand safely then we should look to perform strengthening exercises whilst standing. We work closely with the fall prevention team at Yeatman Hospital in an attempt to reduce the number of falls in Sherborne and the surrounding area. Standing whilst exercising can help to maintain strength whilst improving our body-weight distribution and helping us to improve our balance, thereby reducing the chances of falling.

Weekly exercise classes will help improve balance, strength, mobility and flexibility. We do however need to supplement classes with practice in our own time to maximise the benefits. Here are some of our favourite exercises undertaken whilst standing that may help you improve your balance.

Squat

Standing a shoulder’s width apart, keep your back straight, head up and look forward. Bend your knees over the toes whilst bringing your bottom behind you. If you feel comfortable, try bringing your arms out in front of you whilst your knees are bending and move your arms back down whilst your legs straighten. If you find you are very wobbly, please hold on to a secure object for support.

Calf raises

Holding onto and standing behind a solid chair, bring your feet close together. Lift your heels off the floor, putting weight through your toes. Try and keep the

body in an upright position without leaning forward.

Knee raises

Standing sideways to a solid chair, bring the knee closest to the chair up slowly to a 90-degree angle. Keep the back straight and head in an upright position. Once you have reached the 90-degree angle, bring the foot slowly back down without touching the floor. Turn around and repeat with the other leg.

Heel flicks

Standing sideways to a solid chair, place the knees tightly together and then bring the heel closest to the chair up towards your bottom. Try and aim for a 90 degree angle before returning your foot to the floor slowly and in a controlled manner. Turn around and repeat with the other leg.

Side steps

Holding onto and standing behind a solid chair, step sideways with one foot, followed by the other. Once completed, change direction and repeat. Maintain the upright position, head looking forward, and make sure you pick your feet off the floor – don’t slide!

For each exercise try and complete 10 repetitions three times with an approximate 30 seconds rest in between each of the 10. Please be careful and if in any doubt or anything feels uncomfortable, you should stop immediately.

Good luck…and enjoy!

communifit.co.uk

A POSITIVE APPRAISAL

Ashley Rawlings, Residential Director, Savills

As we head into spring, there is a feeling of optimism in the air, with a busier-thananticipated start to the year and a promising number of new launches in the pipeline.

I live locally and, having worked in the Dorset and South Somerset property market for over 20 years, 2023 was undoubtedly one of the more eventful years, with rising interest rates and the increase in the cost of living leading to changeable conditions and pressure on prices to soften. Despite this backdrop, the resilience of our local market has shone through, bucking some of the national trends.

The average house price actually saw a small increase of 2.8% in the last year, taking it to £410,400 – an increase of 27.4% over the past five years. House prices in Sherborne have remained largely unchanged over the last year, with a dip of just -0.3%, to £368,500. Over the last five years, house prices here have risen by 10%.

Across Dorset and South Somerset, prime property prices (broadly the top 5-10% by value) did see small falls of about -2.3% in 2023, although they still remain 9.4% higher than in March 2020, before the beginning of the pandemic.

Speaking to rural agency colleagues, the farmland market in the area is also proving robust, with the average value for grade 3 arable land in the South West increasing by 7.7% in 2023 to £9,900 per acre, compared to a 1.9% increase across Great Britain for the same period, to £8,700 per acre.

Over the coming months, prime regional prices are likely to start recovering as mortgage markets continue to improve. However, with affordability remaining stretched, we will see continued price sensitivity in some markets, with cash buyers expected to continue

to play a significant role.

Underlying demand for best-in-class and appropriately priced properties remains strong, with 21% more buyers registering with us during 2023 to purchase a property outside London, compared to 2019, before the pandemic.

Sherborne and the surrounding area appeal to a good range of buyers. Family homes with plenty of outdoor space, close to excellent schools and with good transport links remain in strong demand.

Downsizers are also particularly active in the market – having sold a country house and now seeking something a bit more manageable and with amenities on the doorstep. The area continues to attract those from further afield who want to be in the town for the convenience – with a train line into London - but just a stone’s throw from glorious open countryside. The eagerly anticipated opening of the landmark arts and events venue The Sherborne will serve as a really good draw to the town and I think will further strengthen the area’s appeal.

Despite the seasonality of the property market being turned on its head for the past few years, with traditionally quieter times of the year still very active, spring always marks a turning point, particularly when it comes to country homes. With gardens and outside spaces springing back to life at last and property starting to look its best both inside and out, many might be thinking of bringing their homes to market.

The best advice I can offer is to price your property realistically in line with the most recent comparable sales. With a professional marketing campaign, a good quality home in a good location should attract interest.

We know land in Dorset

thethe lay of

Our in-depth knowledge of Dorset, combined with our global access to buyers, means we’re well placed to find the perfect match for any property. So if you’re thinking of selling, we’d love to meet you and your home.

We know your area, because it’s our area too.

TO BUY, OR NOT TO BUY?

Samantha Cook, Partner, Residential Property, Mogers Drewett, Sherborne & Wells

The thought of buying a home is as exhilarating as it is daunting, especially for first-timers. It can also get the pulse racing if upgrading to a larger property or downsizing. With the property market constantly evolving and values rising and falling, a common query we hear is…’When is the right time to invest in property?’

With a possible change to minimum deposits, this question gains even more significance. At the time of writing this article, we’ve yet to hear if the Spring Budget is to introduce the already rumoured and reported 1% deposit mortgage. If the 1% deposit becomes a reality, it could help those caught in the rental sector to finally secure their own home.

Many renters are finding it impossible to save, a situation made worse by the cost-of-living crisis. If there’s a supply of affordable housing it could help to change the dynamics of property investment, making it a good time to assess the long-term benefits of home ownership over short-term risks. So, let’s look at those risks and the upside to buying your own home.

Long-term Benefits over Short-term Risks

Investing in property should always be viewed through a long-term lens. Despite the fluctuations in values and potential economic downturns, the history of property investment shows a general trend of appreciation over time. The benefits of building equity and the security of owning a home often outweigh the short-term market volatility.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Home

To help navigate the decision-making process, here are a few key pros and cons of buying a home:

Pros:

1 Equity Building: Each mortgage payment is a step towards owning your property outright, akin to a long-term savings plan. If you’re confident with DIY or trade skills you could consider a property that needs work and immediately add value. [See

Homes Under the Hammer for tips!]

2 Stability: Homeownership offers stability and security, providing a permanent place to call your own.

3 Investment Potential: Over time, property values typically increase, offering the potential for a return on your investment.

4 Creative Freedom: Owning your home means you can customise to your tastes without the landlord’s permission. If budget and planning permissions allow, you can also extend your home.

Cons:

1 Upfront Costs: The initial costs of buying a home, even with a 1% deposit, include stamp duty, professional fees and other expenses. Be sure to cost it out.

2 Maintenance Responsibilities: Homeowners are responsible for all maintenance and repair costs, which can be unpredictable. Ensure you obtain full structural surveys on any prospective property to avoid buying an unexpected money pit!

3 Market Risk: Property values can fluctuate, which might affect your investment in the short term. Don’t panic – economic conditions impact many aspects of our lives.

4 Less Flexibility: Selling a home and moving is a more complex, less flexible process than ending a rental lease.

The Outlook

While it’s important to carefully consider your financial situation, regular monthly outgoings and preparedness for the responsibilities of homeownership, the current market can still offer opportunities for prospective buyers.

mogersdrewett.com

END OF TAX YEAR PLANNING

Mark Salter CFP, Chartered FCSI, Fort Financial Planning

The end of the 2023/24 tax year is fast approaching and with more tax likely to be payable by most of us in 2024/25, it’s your last chance to take full advantage of your tax-free allowances and exemptions. The list below will help you take advantage of some of these and remember they must be used on or before 5th April 2024 which falls on a Sunday this year.

ISA Allowance

The annual Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance is £20,000 per person (£40,000 for a couple!). There is no difference in limits between a stocks and shares ISA and a cash ISA so you can save the entire £20,000 in a cash ISA or invest it in a stocks and shares ISA. Alternatively, you can have a mixture of the two, providing you don’t exceed the £20,000 limit.

The benefit of ISAs is that you don’t pay income tax on the interest or dividend and they are not subject to capital gains tax. Investors will be paying more tax next year as the dividend allowance reduces to £500 and the capital gains tax allowance is cut in half to just £3,000.

Lifetime ISA (LISA)

These ISAs help younger people save to buy their first house or if they don’t use it to buy a house, it can be used for retirement. You have to be between 18 and 40 to open a LISA and you have the option of a cash LISA or a stocks and shares LISA. The maximum you can invest is £4,000 which receives a government bonus of 25% (up to £1,000). Any contribution to a LISA forms part of your £20,000 ISA allowance.

Junior ISAs

Just like ordinary ISAs, there are Junior Individual Savings Accounts known as JISAs. They can be opened for children under 18 who don’t have a Child Trust Fund account. The child can take control of the

JISAs from the age of 16 but cannot withdraw from them until they are 18. The annual tax-free JISA allowance is £9,000 per child.

Pension Allowance

In the 2023/24 tax year, you are now able to place up to £60,000 into a pension (subject to UK relevant earnings). Any past years’ pension allowance which had not been used up can be carried forward but only for the last three tax years. Using your pension allowance can significantly reduce the earnings you get taxed on, possibly bringing your earnings for tax purposes down into another tax bracket.

Please bear in mind that individuals with high earnings (adjusted income above £260,000) need to take care as the annual allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 above this limit and professional advice is essential.

Income Tax

For those individuals whose earnings are in and around the tax band thresholds, some last-minute planning may be tax efficient. Up until 5th April you can earn up to £50,270 without going into the 40% tax band (personal tax-free allowance of £12,570 + £37,700). If your income exceeds £50,270 then additional pension contributions may be worth considering as higher rate tax relief may be available.

Capital Gains Tax

The annual CGT exemption is £6,000 for 2023/24 tax year. If you have unrealised gains, you may decide to dispose of some before the end of the tax year to use up your annual exemption before it reduces even further. As far as possible it is important to use the annual exemption each tax year because, if unused, it cannot be carried forward.

HOW WE RECEIVE THE INTERNET AND THE CHANGES TO COME

James Flynn, Milborne Port Computers

Let’s look at the mechanics first! Old-fashioned broadband (ASDL up to 8mb/s or ADSL+2) comes into your house from the telephone exchange, along the copper telephone wires above and then down into your house to the master telephone socket. The speed starts off at roughly 24 Mb/s (megabits per second) and depletes the further the distance is from the telephone exchange.

If you’re on fibre broadband from the cabinet (or FFTC), it comes into a green box on the side of the road at a max speed of 80 Mb/s and then travels via the copper telephone wires above your house and again to the master telephone socket. The speed you receive again decreases the longer the distance is and depletes at a much quicker rate.

The newest way of getting broadband to your house is via broadband to the premises (or FFTP). It uses fibre cables all the way into your home. This means it can deliver ultrafast broadband speeds up to 900 Mb/s. FTTP isn’t available everywhere yet but it’s being installed up and down the UK.

In December 2025, BT hope to turn off ADSL and only allow us to have ADSL+2, FFTC and FTTP internet services. But what does this actually mean? As per usual in the UK, it is very hard to get an actual answer but from my point of view, it means that you will no longer be able to use your home telephone over the copper wires and the telephone will need to be over the internet or a system called VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). This means you will still keep the same internet router but you will need to get a home telephone

that plugs into your router rather than your phone line. By 2027, BT hope to have ADSL+2 and FFTC all shut down for internet connections and just have FFTP. This means you will need to upgrade your broadband service and a company will need to dig up the road outside your property to install broadband to it. You have probably seen this happening already in towns and cities en masse and sometimes making hard work for residents by closing whole roads and making a mess. But wait… What happens if you live in a rural area? Well, I think you might be a little out of luck with FFTP because I doubt the government will pay to run a cable all the way out to the property but I could be wrong. So, your options are either a 4G or 5G router, which is a mobile phone signal that appears to be getting more reliable (although we don’t know the real effects of a 5G signal yet as it is still so new), or satellite-based system which from a couple of customers I have spoken to is a little costly upfront but very reliable in the long run.

So, what should you do? Well, this is going to happen at some point so, if you live in a village or town and they are offering you FFTP, have a look at the cost as whilst they are installing in other properties it may be cheaper now for you than digging the road up (again) in 2027. If you live rurally check the 4G in your house as this may be quicker now compared to ADSL+2 or check with a satellite provider to see what speeds and costs are like.

computing-mp.co.uk

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TREASURE TROVE A

FAIRY TALE

Jan Pain, Sherborne Scribblers

Old Jethro had lived in his thatched cottage for over fifty years and in that time had owned a few Border collies, though none as faithful and intelligent as his current one, Patch. It was a tiny house they shared, two up, two down, with a large garden which was his pride and joy. The views over the hawthorn hedge took in buttercup meadows and distant mountains where, it was rumoured, fairy folk had lived for thousands of years.

Jethro was unsurprised by this because he already knew he had sprites living in his potting shed, often telling unbelievers he had fairies at the bottom of his garden. They would sing to him and give valuable advice if he was feeling sad and lonely. He liked nothing better on chilly days than lighting the paraffin stove in the shed and sinking into his old rocking chair with Patch at his feet. He always thought his fairies should have better domestic arrangements than those afforded by this humble abode but then he reflected that the dear little creatures were ethereal and could make themselves invisible in a trice. One minute they would be perched on a rafter and the next, in a puff of smoke, they were gone!

In his world of make-believe, Jethro had just as much enthusiasm for his garden gnomes who, naturally, lived outdoors. The only snag was, unlike the fairies, they never spoke, though they were very aware of his presence, looking out for him if they felt anyone delivered an unkind word or did something spiteful. They would ensure that the miscreant paid the price by casting a warning spell, such as a nasty dose of ‘flu’, a broken leg or an outbreak of spots. Although mischievous, they were never mean and only wanted to spread the milk of human kindness from their own little world in the garden.

Roger was their chief and spent all day by the pond, catching enough goldfish to feed his three friends and, occasionally, Queen Mabs, the most revered fairy, with whom he was madly in love. Since he was dumb, he could only make little gestures about his feelings and await her effusive thanks by fluttering around his head and caressing his long white beard and pointy red hat.

As it happened, this relationship was to benefit old Jethro more than he could have imagined, when one day the bailiff was sent by the Lord of the Manor with unwelcome news.

‘Well, old man,’ he exclaimed (which immediately infuriated Roger by its over-familiar rudeness. If he could have spoken, he would have said, “Try SIR!”) ‘my master has sent me to tell you that he intends to sell your cottage and instructed me to give you six months’ notice. This should be ample time for you to find somewhere else to go. You’ve a sister living in the village, haven’t you?’

Jethro was flabbergasted.

‘Can I ask you why, Mr Bailiff? I keep the place spick and span and have lived here for the best part of my life.’

‘Ha!’ exclaimed the messenger. ‘That’s just the point. This is a tied cottage, tied to the landlord that is, and since you finished working for him he’s never demanded more than a peppercorn rent.’ (If you think that’s a strange word to use, think about peppercorns and how tiny they are!)

‘Now,’ continued the bailiff, ‘he needs to sell the cottage for a realistic sum so that his son can live here. There’s no way you could afford to buy it… (at which point Roger bristled with indignation again at such impertinence) so start thinking about clearing out!’ With that, he

turned on his heels and strode away.

Poor Jethro was totally dejected. With Patch on his heels, he went down to the shed with a pipe of tobacco and a thermos of hot tea. To his consternation, he could feel the tears coursing down his cheeks as he sank into the rocking chair. Within seconds, Queen Mabs floated down from the rafters on a red spotted handkerchief and gently dried his eyes.

‘Don’t give in, dear Jethro,’ she said. ‘You are a good man and my powers of foretelling the future indicate that all will be well. Of course, these things don’t normally happen overnight and I need to get to the negotiating table.’ With that, she disappeared in her customary manner through a broken roof tile into the outside world.

The enraged Roger was holding a council of war, presiding over his fellow gnomes. Communicating with frenzied gestures, it was apparent to Queen Mabs that a plan had already been hatched.

‘Roger,’ she said, ‘I don’t know if fairies are older than gnomes, or vice versa, but we’ve got a thousand years’ experience of how to fix a crisis. One thing I do know is that traditionally gnomes are keepers of treasure and I have a sneaking suspicion there could be some of it in this garden!’

Roger’s rosy cheeks coloured even more deeply, being addressed by the object of his desire. He waved his fishing rod in the air, as a man would cast for a trout, and allowed the hook to fall onto a nearby bank of daisies.

‘A sign, I have no doubt,’ breathed Queen Mabs. ‘I detect something in the fact it’s a BANK!’

Mysteriously, the next morning, a tempting bone appeared amongst the daisies and Patch was in a burying mood. He scrabbled long and hard on the bank unearthing, as he did so, hundreds of coins that glinted in the sunshine like a golden waterfall. Thunderstruck, Jethro stood at the cottage door, surveying the scene.

‘It’s raining sovereigns,’ he gasped, at which point Queen Mabs alighted on his shoulder.

‘Forget the laws about treasure trove,’ she whispered. ‘Fill some sacks and drip feed this into various savings accounts. After that, you can approach the Lord of the Manor with an offer he can’t refuse!’

Kingston

SHERBORNE TRAVEL WRITING FESTIVAL PREVIEW

The Race to the Future

by Kassia St Clair Richard Hopton, Sherborne Literary Society

Early in the morning of 10th June 1907, five motor cars were drawn up on the parade ground in front of the French Legation in Peking. Surrounding them was a large crowd of well-wishers: colonial officials, diplomats, soldiers and some curious locals as well as the odd stray dog. At 8.57 Madame Boissonnes, the wife of a French official, started the race, and the five cars, engines roaring and exhaust billowing, drove through the Legation’s gates, hung with tricolours, out into the city’s streets.

This was the start of the Peking-Paris race, a wildly ambitious, even foolhardy, attempt to drive 8,000 miles halfway across the world in cars which were, by any later standards, completely inadequate for the demands of the journey ahead. Kassia St Clair’s latest book tells the extraordinary story of the race and the compelling cast of characters who competed in it. She will be appearing at the Sherborne Travel Writing Festival on Saturday 6th April to talk about her book and tell the epic story of the race.

The Peking-Paris race was not the first long-distance motor race but it was by far the longest, most ambitious yet conceived. The first, an 80-mile event run between Paris and Rouen, took place in 1894 and spawned a host of imitators over the next few years. In 1903 the Paris-Madrid race was called off after the first day in which eight people were killed. Marcel Renault, founder of the eponymous car-maker, died as a result of injuries sustained during the race.

The Peking-Paris race was promoted by a French newspaper, Le Matin, to prove that ‘with an automobile, one can do anything and go anywhere’. At that time, the French considered themselves the leaders of the world’s nascent car industry so the newspaper’s initiative was motivated as much by nationalistic one-upmanship as by the wish to organise a sporting spectacle. The result Le Matin desired above all others was a French win.

The five cars facing the starter varied enormously in size and power. At the time, the received wisdom had it that smaller, lighter vehicles would be best suited to rough terrain, a theory this race would largely discredit. The smallest, lightest and least powerful car in the race was the Contal Mototri, which could muster only 6 hp and was, moreover, a three-wheeler. Indeed, a photograph of the Contal shows it looking more like a handcart than an intercontinental touring car. There were two 10 hp De Dion-Boutons, a French marque, a 15hp Spyker from the Netherlands and a 40 hp Itala, an Italian car which was much the biggest and most powerful in the race. All five cars were heavily laden with luggage, fuel, and water.

The drivers and passengers were an equally mixed bunch: the Itala was owned and driven by an Italian aristocrat, Prince Scipione Borghese. The prince, whose many illustrious ancestors included a pope, was a complex character, sensitive and cultured yet imbued with ‘self-reliance, aloofness and … ruthlessness’. One of the De Dion-Boutons was driven by Georges Cormier, the owner of a Parisian car dealership, while the driver of the Spyker was Charles Godard, whose boasting, vanity and lack of caution did not endear him to his fellow competitors. Indeed, one of them described him as ‘a penniless scoundrel’. The race was covered by two journalists, Jean de Taillis for Le Matin and Luigi Barzini for The Daily Telegraph and Italy’s Corriere della Sera, who filed regular dispatches by telegraph as the race progressed.

The problems began almost the moment the cars left

the French Legation: within an hour, two of the cars had gone missing. By the three-hour mark, the ‘pace was glacial: slower than walking’. Soon, the competitors had to negotiate the steep-sided Nankou gorge through which the cars were ‘not driven but dragged, pushed and even carried’. The French party hired a gang of 150 men and several mules to get their cars through the gorge. As St Clair writes, ‘The contrast between the seamless, smooth and speedy ideal of the automobile and the tedious, grinding reality could scarcely have been more marked’. And ahead of them lay the Gobi Desert, thousands of miles of Siberia, the Ural Mountains and much of western Europe.

It’s a terrific story. The competitors displayed courage, stamina and sheer dogged determination in abundance, with many a slice of luck, good and bad, along the way. The race also proved the durability of the cars: only the Contal failed to finish, having withdrawn within ten days of the start. The winner crossed the line in Paris on 10th August, precisely two months after leaving Peking.

St Clair’s fluent retelling of the story of the race is in fact only half the book. The other half of it consists of eleven essays covering a medley of subjects bearing, to a greater or lesser degree, on the race and the development of the car. Thus we are offered, inter alia, a potted history of the Russian empire around 1900, an account of the development of the telegraph, the rise of mass manufacture in the automotive industry and the importance of the First World War in the rise of motor transport. It is fascinating to note in view of the efforts now being made to eliminate the internal combustion engine that in 1900 electric engines powered one-third of all the cars on America’s roads. Perhaps electric cars are not quite the innovation we think.

Saturday 6th April 7pm-8pm

Kassia St ClairThe Race to the Future

Powell Theatre, Abbey Road, Sherborne DT9 3AP

The award-winning cultural historian and the author of The Secret Lives of Colour retraces the 1907 Peking-Paris automobile race. For tickets and information visit sherborneliterarysociety.com/ travel-writing-festival-2024

ACROSS

1. Mischievous sprites (4)

3. With undiminished force (8)

9. Musical composition (7)

10. Spring flower (5)

11. Perform below expectation (12)

13. Complete (6)

15. Pivot (6)

17. In a carefree manner (12)

20. Feeling of boredom (5)

21. State of the USA (7)

22. Coming into view (8)

23. Large bag (4)

1. Incorporates (8)

2. Yearned for (5)

4. Subtle variation (6)

5. Style of blues (6-6)

6. Israeli city (3,4)

7. Delude (4)

8. Radishes grin (anag) (12)

12. Listen to again (4,4)

14. Beat easily (7)

16. Recover (6)

18. Minute pore (5)

19. Allot a punishment (4)

ELITERARY REVIEW

Mark Greenstock, Sherborne Literary Society

Empireworld: How British Imperialism

Has Shaped The Globe by Sathnam Sanghera (Viking, Penguin Books, £20)

Sherborne Times reader offer price of £18 from Winstone’s Books

M Forster’s A Passage To India celebrates its centenary this year. When was the last time we felt genuinely proud of the British Empire? We may not do so after reading Empireworld. Published less than three years after Empireland, as a sequel to that blistering and award-winning study, this 250-page essay seeks to move one of the hottest controversies of our time into new territory. Sathnam Sanghera is a well-known writer and journalist born in Wolverhampton and living in North London, with his family roots in the Punjab. Though not a professional historian - he finds his recent election to the Royal Historical Society ‘surreal’ - he delves into a huge range of primary and secondary sources, displayed in a further 200 pages of bibliography and notes (many quite long) with a helpful index. His aim is to move on from ‘the myopic, crusty old debate over whether the British Empire was good or bad’ or a bit of both, to what the historian Kim Wagner calls ‘nuance, complexity and a multiplicity of perspectives’. ‘If your response as a British person is to feel...that guilt and shame are somehow being solicited, you’re missing the point –history does not care about anyone’s feelings’.

In his ‘Introduction: Spot the Colonial Inheritance’ the author makes an entertaining journey from New Delhi to London imagining what things would look like if India’s Prime Minister Narenda Modi really achieved his stated intention to ’decolonise’ his country from any connection with the British Empire.

From there he groups his material into seven chapters, threading his narrative on personal visits to India, Barbados, Mauritius, Nigeria and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, whilst interviewing key figures in the field of empire studies. Finally, he wonders if our royal family could revive the flagging Commonwealth by turning it into a truth-and-reconciliation forum.

Sanghera gives a host of examples, sometimes graphic, of the brutality, violence, exploitation and sheer selfishness associated with colonialism and imperialism. Racism and slavery get the full treatment. He argues that vast swathes of the modern world are how they are because of the British Empire and its contradictions are capable of undermining any thesis you care to present; for instance, the British Empire ‘both instilled chaos and spread democracy’. This is an important and generally responsible analysis but one we may not be capable of absorbing easily in a culture where opinions are getting increasingly polarised, sound bites and generalisations are the order of the day and invective is gaining ground over rationality. Since Empireland Sanghera has had plenty of people ‘shouting him down at literary festivals’. Perhaps the very contradictions he espouses militate against clear and dispassionate thinking. For this reason, though, it’s required reading if one wants to be abreast of an area of acute anxiety for our times.

sherborneliterarysociety.com

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

Jonathan Simon, Church of the Sacred Heart & St Aldhelm

Last month, on the 14th of February, many of us will have celebrated St Valentine’s Day. Traditionally a day for romance, for red roses, for candlelit dinners; a day for lovers to celebrate their relationship.

This year 14th February was also the first day of Lent - Ash Wednesday. At our Ash Wednesday mass we are marked on our foreheads with ashes, as a sign of repentance, because Lent is the 6 week period from Ash Wednesday to Easter in which we prepare ourselves, by fasting, prayer, and alms-giving, to remember the crucifixion and death of Christ on Good Friday; and then to celebrate his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

I was wondering how we would cope with two very different occasions at the same time but that sort of conjunction of opposites is often what life is like. When we are mourning the loss of those we love, we are sad; yet as soon as we start to talk about our memories of the ones we have lost we find ourselves laughing at things they said and did.

The reality is that life is never just either good or bad. There are always things to give thanks for, as well as stuff that has gone wrong in our lives. When it comes to our personal relationships with our partners, and our personal relationships with God, we so often make mistakes, by not communicating very well, by being a bit selfish and by not giving the time to each other that we should.

The relationship that each Christian has with God, just like the relationships we have with wives and husbands, is a relationship of love. So when we wear the ashes on Ash Wednesday, it is because we love the God who loves us and we are saying sorry for our failure to express our love, our failure to live out that love as deeply as we wish to. When we celebrate our love for our partners on St Valentine’s Day we are expressing our love and commitment to them.

At root, all the good things in our lives are expressions of love; whether we are thinking of our lovers, our families, our friends or our God. I have no doubt that most people of other religious faiths and those with no religious faith at all, would agree that what is really important in our lives is the love that we share with others. In the next four weeks of Lent perhaps we could all try a little harder to make our love a bit more real, by the things that we do and say, in all our relationships.

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