The Visitor Magazine Issue 401 April 2017

Your local independent monthly journal  01963 351256 www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Issue 401 April 2017

FREE copy Your

In Passing ...

I

CAN’T REMEMBER when I last heard anyone singing or whistling while they worked. And communal singing seems to be dying out apart from at football matches, in choral societies and in churches. Social song sessions in the pub and family musical evenings at home are largely things of the past, and the gulf has widened between those who produce and perform songs and those who listen to them. A passive audience can get the music of its choice in an instant thanks to the internet and electronic gadgetry and dump it again just as quickly. No need to memorise the words, learn the tune and be a part of the music.

In the days before the gramophone and wireless most people sang, and many of them had large repertoires of songs learnt mainly from their families and friends and itinerant musicians. Some of these songs were very old, having been passed down from one generation to another, while others were much more recent compositions that people picked up and sang because they resonated with them. And the best of the new songs continued to be sung and passed into the oral tradition, just as some of the 1960s’ songs of Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs, Ralph McTell, Richard Thompson and others are now integral parts of the repertoire of many 21st century singers in folk clubs.

In the early years of the last century Visitorland was a fruitful source for collectors of songs directly from the singers – farm labourers, gardeners, quarrymen, blacksmiths, weavers, dressmakers and suchlike. Between 1903 and 1916 Cecil Sharp visited well over a hundred places in Somerset and collected songs from no less than 358 named individuals, writing down the words and notating the tunes (and photographing the singers). These survive in the library of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. In recent years charismatic young performers like James Findlay, Jim Causley and Lucy Ward have sparked a renewed interest in songs from the English folk tradition and nowadays they can be heard and enjoyed from time

to time at arts centres, theatres and folk clubs in several Visitorland towns. And sometimes, I’m pleased to say, people join in the choruses.

Locally there is no shortage of young creative talent. Listen to the performers in the region’s clubs and festivals – singers, songwriters and accomplished instrumentalists, all pursuing their chosen musical genre individually and in a fluid assortment of bands and groups. Some are revitalising the traditional music of the British Isles; others are reconnecting with the roots of the blues, or fusing links with the music of other cultures, or simply giving musical expression to their experiences of 21st century life. How many of their creations will pass into the oral tradition and be sung by the people of Visitorland a hundred years from now only time will tell, but that will define whether or not they have become folk music.

NN.

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CONTENTS

Our FRONT COVER is almost entirely due to Lavender & Co.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED - 66 ANTIQUES & COLLECTING - 48 CREWKERNE business focus - 36 CROSSWORD - 66 GARDENING Spring Bonanza - 49 GLASTONBURY - 30 HOUSE & HOME - 39 LEISURE & TRAVEL ... out and about over Easter - 19 LETTERS - 4 LOOKING GOOD & FEELING FINE ... a new look for spring - 14 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES - 6 MOTORING - 32 MUSIC for the MONTH - 26 NATIONAL PET MONTH business focus - 34 NOTICE BOARD - 26 PAPERCHASE - 63 PHONE-A-FIRM - 64 PUBS - 58 SHERBORNE - 9 STREET business focus - 27 THEY SAY - 61 WINE & DINE - 62 Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR April 2017 3

Letters to the Editor

Ansford Academy

SIR, this (the following article) is for our year 11 controlled assessment in citizenship.

We are trying to raise as much

awareness as possible so that palm oil becomes less of a problem in the future.

We are hoping to contribute to the campaigns that are going on to stop deforestation for the palm oil plantations.

This will also help our controlled assessment.

Casey Hobson and Charmayne Hooper, Year 11, Ansford Academy

Palm oil what is it?

Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil made from palm trees in the rainforest. Malaysia and Indonesia produce and export 85% of all global palm oil. Palm oil accounts for 35% of the world’s vegetable production.

What is palm oil used for?

Palm oil is often used in many products such as lipstick, pizza dough, shampoo, gravy granules and some chocolate – all items that we wouldn’t associate with palm oil.

Environment!

Rainforests are destroyed so that palm oil plantations can be created for all of the above products and more. Most people who destroy the rainforest use slash-and-burn practices. These often become uncontrollable, resulting in smoke filling the air,

causing air pollution which causes climate change and is wrecking our world today.

Animals affected by it!

It is estimated that between 1,000 – 5,000 orangutans are killed each year so that you can wear makeup and enjoy the luxuries you have at home. This is devastating. Would you like it if your place of living was destroyed? In the last decade the orangutan population has dropped by 50%. Many other animals and humans are also affected by palm oil plantations taking over the south of the world. For example: pigmy elephants, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhino and the tribes in the rainforest.

What Charities are helping!

• • • •

WWF Orangutan foundation Rainforest foundation Trees for life

What can you do to help?

If you want to help these poor animals and ensure that they have a home in the future, then please donate to the charities listed in this article.

If you want to help save any of these animals in any other way you can go onto the charities’ websites and adopt an animal, giving it the chance of a secure future.

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THE VISITOR April 2017 5

OUR FRONT COVER

Mentioned in

Dispatches

I Can Run 7

LAVENDER & CO open their single estate lavender field on Easter Monday 17th April and again on selected dates during the spring and summer. The field, on the slopes of the Mendip Hills near the historic town of Axbridge is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and a short distance from the popular destinations of Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury and Wells. Do drop by and see them!

On site refreshments and shop. Opening times 11am – 4pm. Free entry and parking. www.lavenderandco.co.uk  Lavender & Co, Single Estate

Lavender, Axbridge ... the aroma of lavender is in the air and the views across the reservoir are spectacular.

Dorset based, novice runner Laura Jones sets sights on world’s highest marathon, and takes on 7 marathons on 7 continents in one year.

Her challenge starts with the London Marathon in April, followed shortly after by the Everest Marathon. She will also run 26.2 miles in freezing Antarctica and tropical Mt Kilimanjaro, as well as races in Banff (Canada), Patagonia (Chile), and Rottnest Island (Australia).

Alongside her personal goals, Laura will be taking this opportunity to raise money and awareness for two charities close to her heart – The Scouts and The Jonny Wilkinson Foundation.

For more information and to keep up to date with Laura’s journey please visit: www.icanrun7.com Laura is currently seeking headline sponsors. If you’d like to support her challenge then please contact her on: laura@monixadventures.com

Nature Reserves Fund returns to safeguard Somerset’s wild places and best loved wildlife

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Somerset Wildlife Trust highlights the impact that seasonal work has on the health of our local wildlife and asks for more help to secure habitats through uncertain times.

Somerset Wildlife Trust is pleased to present the return of its successful Somerset Nature Reserves Fund. Launched in 2016, the Fund was established to raise money to safeguard some

Dorset based Laura Jones takes on 7 marathons on 7 continents in one year. Photo: Snow running by Laura Jones.

of Somerset’s most iconic landscapes and precious wildlife, and has already helped achieve some enormous gains for wildlife across the county. The Trust hopes that this year it will be able to do the same with the help and support of wildlife lovers across Somerset who will hopefully kindly donate this year.

Tim Youngs, Director of Land Management, sets the scene, “In Somerset we are incredibly lucky to have some amazing habitats from internationally renowned wetlands, ancient woodland, species-rich grassland, and magnificent meadows, each requiring specific conservation programmes in order for the unique biodiversity to not only survive, but thrive.

“Our nature reserves within these special places are the

bedrock upon which we are able to deliver critical conservation work and, to ensure these special places are kept healthy, an incredible amount of planning and resource is involved - our reserves cost nearly £2,000 a day to maintain, which is a significant outlay. And, as the seasons and weather change we have to continually adjust and fine-tune our work and habitat programmes, such as grazing management – with the failure to provide the necessary feeding and breeding grounds at certain times potentially having detrimental consequences for species the following year.

“Having extra funds not only means that we can continue with our practical conservation work on our reserves, but helps us to be prepared for what the future

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Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Somerset Nature Reserves Fund returns.

Pictured: Hazel Dormouse. Photo : James Maben.

Mentioned in

Dispatches may hold. We will be able to respond faster and provide on the ground solutions when we are faced with unforeseen challenges – such as Ash dieback.”

The Fund last year supported some amazing results for wildlife and was critical in conserving habitats for populations of some of Somerset's most charismatic wildlife, from Otters to Dormice.

The county is now the stronghold for Bittern, with five booming males recorded last year on Somerset Wildlife Trust’s National Nature Reserve Westhay Moor, thanks to the restoration of their reedbed habitat. And the Trust’s Green Down Reserve now holds 36% of the UK population of Large Blue Butterfly.

Katie Arber, Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Director of Fundraising and Marketing adds, “It is very clear from the response we received last year that Somerset Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves are held dear by many people.

Somerset’s wildlife is part of what makes living, working and visiting the county so special. Our members and supporters have always been generous and we hope that they will give what they can again for what is a very important fundraising initiative for the Trust. We also hope the wider public and local businesses who value their green spaces, and understand and appreciate their value in their lives, will support the Fund and help us ensure Somerset remains a wildlife rich county.”

For more information on the Fund and some examples of where monies raised will be spent, please visit Somerset Wildlife Trust’s website: www.somersetwildlife.org/reserve sfund Any gift given to The Somerset Nature Reserves Fund will go directly to wherever the need is greatest on Somerset Wildlife nature reserves, ensuring that they are kept in the best possible condition to support wildlife and conservation goals.

You can donate securely by card on their website at somersetwildlife.org/reserves fund or by telephoning 01823 652429. Every donation, whatever the size, will make a difference.

Somerset Care wants your vote!

Somerset Care has been shortlisted in the National Lottery’s People’s Project for their ‘Memories with Music’ project.

They are one of the final five projects in the ITV West Country East region and stand to gain up to £50,000 of additional funding if they are one of the three projects in the region that receive the most votes.

Voting is now open and closes on 3rd April.

You can vote for Somerset Care at the following address: https://www.thepeoplesprojects.or g.uk/projects/view/memorieswith-music

Further smoke detector funding secured for Careline customers

South Somerset Careline has secured a further £5,000 in funding from Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service to work in partnership to improve home safety.

The grant has been awarded to increase safety in the homes of South Somerset District Council’s Careline’s customers.

In 2015, Careline was awarded an initial grant to help pay for the installation of smoke alarms in customers’ homes.

In the past year, 156 people were referred to the fire service for a Home Safety Visit. 149 free smoke detectors which link directly to Careline’s control centre were installed. A direct link to Careline ensures customers will always receive an immediate response in the case of smoke or fire.

The new funding will enable Careline to continue to support vulnerable people by installing a further 250 smoke detectors directly into people’s homes.

Station Manager, Matt Evans from Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said, “We are really pleased to be working so successfully in partnership with South Somerset Careline.

Working together we will continue to help vulnerable people in our community to make their homes safer.”

Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Careline said, “We are extremely grateful to the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service for the further funding they have put in to this fantastic initiative. Ensuring more residents of South Somerset have smoke alarms installed is a job well done and increases the safety of our residents.”

Crew Manager, Mike Toop added: “I think of it as the three

‘M’s’, which are memory, mobility and medication. They all will affect how a fire could start in the first place, but more so it affects how someone might react when a smoke alarm activates.

With a smoke alarm fitted the resident might not register the sound, but Careline would and a response would be ensured.”

Careline provides help at the touch of a button and gives that little extra support to people who want to remain living independently for as long as possible while bringing peace of mind to their family and friends.

The service provides an emergency alarm pendant that can be worn at all times, which links to their local control centre where emergency staff are on hand to answer calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Relatives can enjoy peace of mind that their loved ones are safe and will get an immediate response whenever they need it.

A free demonstration in the home can be offered and, if you are happy with the service, their staff can connect and set up the unit immediately. The Stepping Stones service provides the alarm free of charge for 6 weeks for patients referred to them when they are discharged from hospital.

Alarm rental and monitoring is just £3.82 a week.

To find out more about how Careline can help, please call 01935 479815, visit www.careline southsomerset.co.uk or email careline@southsomerset.gov.uk For more information about fire safety in the home you can visit www.dsfire.gov.uk/YourSafety/ SafetyInTheHome or call 0800 05 02 999.

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We offer a free demonstration and if you are happy with it, our staff can fit the unit for you immediately.

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THE VISITOR April 2017 7

Mentioned in

Dispatches

GHOST – The Musical

The Strode College Theatre Company brought all the romance and magic of this classic love story to life with their latest musical production, ‘GHOST – The Musical’.

From the opening bars from the live band, skilfully headed up by musical director, Matt Holmes, and performed by Strode College students and staff, the show was brimming with energy, enthusiasm and young talent.

The stunning music, a catchy allnew score written by multi Brit-award winner Dave Stewart and Grammy award winning Glen Ballard, got the audience toe-tapping from the outset and the script, written by Bruce Joel Rubin, was based on his Oscarwinning 1990 film.

Charmaine Bray, Performing Arts teacher and director of the show, said: “We have really enjoyed working on a more contemporary show this year, and there are lots of interesting twists in the stage production of ‘GHOST – the Musical’ that don’t occur in the film. The students have especially enjoyed the challenge of creating some of the special effects.”

The Strode College Theatre Company is part of the programme of enrichment activities and includes students from all areas of the college.

Harry’s Cider opens its doors to the public on Saturdays

Award-winning craft cider company Harry’s Cider has announced that it will be opening its doors to the public on Saturdays.

Visitors will have an opportunity to sample and buy a variety of ciders, as well as meeting the family behind the business, including cidermakers Harry Fry and his son Toby.

Harry and Toby have their own orchards in Long Sutton, from which they produce and process Harry’s Cider, meaning they have total control over the end product.

Their ciders have won numerous awards over recent years including medals from the Taste of the West Awards, the British Cider Championships and the globally recognised, industry-led International Cider Challenge. In addition, Harry’s Cider was awarded 2016 Champion Cider

8 THE VISITOR April 2017

from the South West of England Cidermakers’ Association (SWECA).

Harry said, “We’re very much looking forward to opening our gates to the public and inviting them to try our sparkling and traditional ciders. We've also introduced a mulled cider that has been extremely popular over the colder months.

“We’re a family business and we’re very proud of what we do so this will be a nice opportunity for visitors to have a look around, chat to us about how we make our ciders, and sample some that they may not be familiar with.

We hope people will pop in to say hello and give us their feedback, as well as possibly buying a bottle or two to take home.”

Harry’s Cider will be open on Saturdays only between 10am and 4pm, until the end of the year. It is located at Littlefield Lane, Long Sutton, TA10 9NS. For further information, visit www.harryscidercompany.co.uk

Roman arms & armour Langport & District History Society Talk Report

The Society’s March meeting featured a talk by John Smith on Roman arms & armour.

Describing himself as “the most unique archaeologist in Britain … I wear what I study,” he illustrated his talk by displaying – and wearing! – accurate reproductions of the artefacts he was discussing. His talk was framed through the Roman occupation of Langport and the wider Somerset and included debunking myths about how Roman soldiers dressed, the weapons they used, Roman methods of conquest and described the range and purposes of the various items which made up the Roman military uniform, from the helmets, down through tunics, cloaks and footwear to the range of body armour. John showed a wide variety of weapons used by the invading Romans and answered questions about the Roman occupation, how it ended, and the importance and current state of archaeology, even managing to get in references to the A303 and Stonehenge!

The next meeting will be on Monday 3rd April when Lesley Sutcliffe presents a talk on The life & times of Dr Jonathan Toogood, founder of Bridgwater Hospital. It is free to members: non-members £2. Contact Sue Standen (01458 273471, suzannestanden471@btinternet. com) if you are interested in joining the Society. Follow the History Society at

Nico the gorilla with a bunch of spring flowers at Longleat.

Picture: Phil Yeomans BNPS.

@langporthistory, and on its website: https://sites.google. com/site/langportheritage/home

Floral bouquet signals spring is in the air for Europe’s oldest gorilla

Longleat’s oldest resident, Nico the gorilla, received a bouquet of daffodils from keepers to signal spring is finally on its way.

As well as being the oldest gorilla in Europe, Nico, who is believed to be at least 55, is also thought to be the second oldest male gorilla in the world.

Despite his apparently grumpy expression, keepers at the Wiltshire safari park say the 180kgs lowland silverback is actually extremely gentle and still very active – in spite of his advancing years.

“Although he is now a very old man, Nico is still extremely active and in amazingly good condition considering his age,” said keeper Mark Tye. “He was definitely intrigued by the bunch of daffodils, although he did initially throw them away, perhaps because he was hoping they were going to be bananas.

“Despite his enormous size and strength, Nico can also be extraordinarily dexterous, and to see the way he held those delicate flowers in his gigantic hands was quite special,” he added.

Keepers are unsure of Nico’s exact age. He arrived at Longleat in the 1980s from Switzerland and the likelihood is that he is actually even older.

The gorilla, who lives on an island in the middle of a lake at Longleat, has a purpose built, centrally-heated house, complete with classical pillars and satellite television.

At over half an acre in size, Nico’s island home also includes plenty of space for natural foraging as well as outdoor facilities for play and relaxation.

There are also a series of landscaped lookout stations, giant tree trunk climbing frames, and a set of heavy-duty tyre and net swings.

Built in 1804 by leading landscape gardener Humphry Repton, the island was part of major alterations made at Longleat by the second Lord Bath.

SHERBORNE TOWN A HIGHSPOT in Sherborne’s cultural calendar is always the annual Sherborne Festival, staged mainly in the Abbey over the the long weekend from 29th April to 2nd May. Now in its 18th year, the festival programme is primarily musical and caters for a broad range of tastes from choral and chamber music to jazz and contemporary classical music, the exception being a one-woman show comprising extracts from the novels, poems and letters of Jane Austen. Other venues hosting festival events include Cheap Street Church and Castleton Church. When I visited the town in mid-March I was told the tickets were selling fast for some of the performances as the festival attracts audiences from a wide area, so take a look at the complete programme on www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org or pick up a copy from the Tourist Information Centre on Digby Road and book without delay. An added attraction is that admission is free for more than two-thirds of the events. but early arrival is

Tickets for Sherborne Abbey Festival events can be bought at the Tourist Information Centre on Digby Road.

recommended to get a seat.

Sherborne is also inching closer to becoming a centre for the visual arts. For several years in the early 2000s Sherborne House on Newland, a large family home dating from 1714 which housed Lord Digby’s Grammar School for Girls from 1931 until 1993, was

used as an arts centre and contained works of art including murals on the walls of the staircase hall by James Thornhill who also painted the inside of the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. But this was not financially viable and the house and grounds are reverting to residential use. Plans

have now been drawn up to build a new arts centre on the opposite side of the road, on land behind Paddock Gardens that was previously the school’s tennis courts, and they are certainly impressive. The proposed building is designed to house one large and two small galleries, an arts shop, a restaurant and a tourist information centre and is intended to become a major visitor attraction.

But the plans are not without their critics because the main entrance would be through Paddock Gardens, owned and managed by the town council but originally developed by local residents. Which is why I chose March 13th for my visit so that I could eavesdrop a public consultation being staged by the council, and where I heard other objections including car parking problems in the nearby streets and the desirability of retaining a tourist information presence close to the Abbey and railway station. However, most people I heard were strongly in favour of

THE VISITOR April 2017 9

SHERBORNE TOWN the proposals, so with a bit of goodwill on all sides I hope these problems can be resolved before a planning application is submitted later this year, for an arts centre of this calibre would be an undoubted asset to the town.

The consultation was staged in Digby Hall on Hound Street, but the town council’s offices are next door to Sherborne House on Newland in the imposing Manor House, thought to be the oldest house in the town. This 15th century building was much restored and altered in the early 19th century, but the medieval

oriel and window above the doorway on the south face was installed in this position after being removed from a gable on the eastern front when this was re-fronted in Gothic style.

Newland was originally a new borough created in 1227 by Richard le Poore, Bishop of Salisbury, to house the freemen of Sherborne. In England in the 12th and 13th centuries the population was increasing significantly and the economy was expanding, providing wonderful opportunities for making money.

Landowners, from the king down

to bishops, abbots and relatively small provincial lords, saw the prospect of a considerable increase in income from allowing towns to be built on their land, and they issued charters granting certain rights and privileges to the new

communities that would live in them. So it was in Sherborne, and the original charter survives in the Public Records Office. A short way beyond Manor House is Newland Garden, a triangle of land on the right, which was the

Sherborne’s medieval castle was largely destroyed following a siege in 1645 during the Civil War and the ruins are now cared for by English Heritage.

10 THE VISITOR April 2017

SHERBORNE TOWN new borough’s market place. At its apex, roughly where the telephone box now stands, was a stone cross where borough court proceedings took place, and close by would have been the stocks and other punishment apparatus.

At the far end of Newland, at Castleton, are the ruins of the original Sherborne Castle, built in the early 12th century and granted to Sir Walter Raleigh by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. He quickly found it impossible to

convert the medieval castle into a modern home so in 1594 he started to build a new castle on the site of a hunting lodge on the opposite side of the river. The old castle was largely destroyed following a siege in 1645 during the Civil War and the ruins are now cared for by English Heritage. The castle grounds reopen on 1st April – for opening days, times and entry charges phone the custodian on 01935 812730. By the castle gates stands the church of St Mary Magdalene,

built there in 1601 by Raleigh to replace a medieval church on the other side of his ‘old’ castle. Some rebuilding took place in 1714 but the church still contains some items brought from the original medieval church. It’s well worth a look. Raleigh’s ‘new’ castle also reopens on 1st April. It has been much extended since his time and inside there is much to see and admire. Outside, around the 50acre lake created by Capability Brown in 1753, are 30 acres of gardens with sweeping lawns,

HOME CARE PROFESSIONALS WANTED Bramley Home Care – Opening in Sherborne

The Abbey Pharmacy on Cheap Street dates from the 18th century but the windows on either side of the shop entrance are early-Victorian and the other ground-floor window of matching design was installed as recently as the late 1980s.

Bramley Home Care is expanding their existing, high quality service to cover Sherborne and surrounding areas. We wish to recruit care professionals to join us in providing consistently reliable and outstanding quality care to our customers. We offer full training, support, competitive hourly rate, paid travel time and career development opportunities. Full or part-time. Contact Amanda or Kristie for an informal chat on 01747 855844 www.bramleycare.com

THE VISITOR April 2017 11

SHERBORNE TOWN borders and specimen trees. For admission details contact the Digby Estate office on 01935 813182.

If you’re interested in Sherborne’s history a visit to the town’s excellent museum is always worthwhile. Exhibits include maps, photographs, prints and facsimiles of medieval documents as well as an extensive collection of tools, implements and relics. You’ll find it tucked away in the Abbey Gatehouse behind Bow Arch off Cheap Street, with

opening times currently 10.30am till 4.30pm daily from Tuesday to Saturday. And to find out more about the people of Sherborne’s past, pop into the Somerset and Dorset Family History Society’s research centre in the 17th century building next to Bow Arch. There you’ll find the fruits of society members’ own research into local families as well as town and village histories, and you could well be tempted to pay the small annual subscription to join.

The research centre, which is currently seeking old photographs of people and places in the two counties, is run entirely by volunteers, so if you’re intending to visit, log on to www.sdfhs.org or phone 01935 389611 to check when it is open.

Roger Richards.

Antiques Fairs

•

Chasty Cottage Antiques

•

Saturday 8th and 29th April

Digby Hall, Hound Street, Next to Library SHERBORNE • DT9 3AA 9.30am – 4pm • Trade 8.30am • Admission £1

Future Date: Saturday 27th May  01963 370986 www.chastycottageantiques.co.uk

Flame Lily Tearoom Within Acreman Street Antiques Centre Light Lunches – Snacks – Cakes – Teas and Coffees Gluten Free & Vegetarian Options Available

 EASTER WEEK SPECIAL 14th – 21st APRIL  A delicious selection of Easter Treats £ 20 for two including a beverage of your choice

121 Acreman Street, Sherborne, DT9 3PH • Tel: 01935 815568

ACREMAN STREET ANTIQUES & INTERIORS ——— SHERBORNE ———

FREE CUSTOMER PARKING

An ecletic mix of interesting and unique pieces from antiques to retro’ and 20th century

 Jewellery, Silver, Decorative Items for House & Garden   45 dealers in over 4,500 square feet over 2 floors   Flame Lily Tearoom on the premises 

Open 7 days a week: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 4.30pm

121 Acreman Street, SHERBORNE, DT9 3PH  01935 508764 • www.acremanstreetantiques.co.uk

12 THE VISITOR April 2017

SHERBORNE TOWN Royal Voluntary Service Home Library Service

Do you like to read? But find it difficult to get to the library to get new books?

Sherborne Library has a team of dedicated Royal Voluntary Service volunteers who are able to visit on a regular basis, choosing and delivering the books you want from the Library to your home, free of charge. Large print books and talking books can also be delivered.

This service is funded by Dorset Library Service, and delivered by the Royal Voluntary Service. It is available across Dorset to anyone who cannot easily get to their local library, and can be provided on a temporary basis as well as long term.

All Royal Voluntary Service volunteers are DBS checked and receive ongoing training and support. As well as the Home Library Service, the Royal Voluntary Service can provide befriending, help with shopping, and other things you might need

– just get in touch and find out how they might be able to help.

They are currently looking for more volunteers to join their team to deliver in the Sherborne area. You need to be a confident driver and have the use of a car.

Mileage is paid at 45p per mile.

If you are interested in either receiving the Home Library Service or becoming a volunteer, please contact Maria Jacobson, Royal Voluntary Service Manager Dorset Home Library Service, on 07786 635154 or 01305 236666, or e-mail Maria.Jacobson@royalvoluntary service.org.uk

Television and Audio Sales and Repairs

Greenhill • Sherborne • Dorset • DT9 4EW Tel: 01935 813451 • www.goddenandcurtis.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2017 13

Family Health with

Jenna Evans

Digestive Intensive

Last month's article on SIBO certainly had a great response from you, so with that in mind let's take a quick tour of digestion and some of the best supplements to aid a happy tummy.

‘You are what you eat’ or more accurately ‘you are what you eat, digest and absorb’. When our digestive systems are not functioning optimally we may become ill, even if we are eating healthily. In holistic healthcare, we look to efficient digestion as the foundation of good health.

The process of digestion starts before food is even in our mouths, with the sight and smell of appealing edibles stimulating the flow of saliva. When we begin to chew the salivary enzymes start to break down our food. When food reaches the stomach, hydrochloric acid and proteases are released to break down protein. The liver produces bile to aid in the digestion of fats and the pancreas produces yet more enzymes to continue this process in the small intestine. As food passes through the small intestine, tiny folds in the lining, which have a surface area of a

tennis court, absorb nutrients and block the uptake of unwanted substances such as bacteria and chemicals. When all the nutrients have been absorbed the remaining water, bacteria and fibre pass into the large intestine where water will be absorbed and the stool is formed.

Many factors can influence the health of the digestive system including stress, age, pathogens in the gut, lack of water, lack of fibre, lack of nutrients (B6 and Zinc, for instance, are required to make stomach acid), food intolerances and lack of exercise.

Let's take a look at a few of my top remedies for good gut health.

Probiotics – These are the friendly bacteria that actually outnumber the cells in our bodies around 10-1, so look after them!

Probiotics aid with preventing infection, protecting the lining of the bowel and supporting digestion. They also influence our mood. Most people are familiar with taking a course of probiotics after antibiotics, but these little helpers can be useful for managing digestive conditions, urinary infections, immunity, depression and allergies. They are a foundation product in the management of digestive disorders.

Peppermint – Often taken as a digestive tea, peppermint is great for dealing with cramping, spasms and wind in the gut. Peppermint tea is a popular choice at mealtimes with tablets and powder being a very useful treatment to have on hand or to take with you when heading out for a meal.

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14 THE VISITOR April 2017

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L-Glutamine – Essential for the repair and growth of your gut lining. L-Glutamine is used in the treatment of leaky gut, where the usually healthy epithelial lining of the intestine has become damaged. This means larger particles such as bacteria, food molecules and chemicals pass through the lining. There are many conditions associated with leaky gut including allergies, candida and chronic fatigue.

Digestive Enzymes – Supplementing with digestive enzymes can be a revelation for some people. Digestive enzyme activity often appears to be compromised especially in those with digestive health issues, poor diets or in the elderly. This is another foundation product for gut healing. Symptoms such as bloating, heaviness and wind can be greatly alleviated.

Milk Thistle – The Liver plays an important role in digestion via the production of bile. The Liver has many functions in the body digestion, metabolism, storage, detoxification - so it’s vital to keep it in tip top condition. Milk Thistle is a wonderful liver tonic and should be considered as a digestive helper, especially where poor fat metabolism is an issue.

In fact, every now and then a little course of the liver loving herb could benefit most of us.

Valerian – Sometimes drugs such as Amitriptyline are used for sufferers of IBS to help relax the tissues of the gut. Think of valerian as a herbal alternative to this drug and a great remedy for treating stress and anxiety a double whammy for IBS sufferers.

Activated Charcoal – An oldschool remedy for dealing with

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intestinal gas. Activated charcoal has been heated to create little spaces, or pores that can help trap chemicals and carry them from the body. Although not a

Cheery and cool - cotton trousers in navy and white from Hatley available from Needful Things of Castle Cary.

long-term solution to poor digestion, it can bring great relief with painful trapped wind. It will turn your stools black though, so be prepared!

Aloe Vera – Has antiinflammatory, wound healing and immune supportive properties.

Aloe vera as a juice has long been a prime digestive healing remedy.

Considered to be nutritive and soothing to an inflamed gut, IBS, Crohn’s Disease and Colitis sufferers may all wish to try this healing herb.

Slippery Elm – If you’ve ever mixed this herb with water you’ve seen the mucilage rich jelly produced. A wonderful soothing, nourishing remedy for the digestive tract. Popular for all irritated and inflamed conditions from heartburn to IBS. Best taken blended with water or a plant based milk.

Psyllium – A great gentle herbal laxative. Psyllium must be taken with plenty of water. It absorbs and swells and its fibre sweeps through the colon creating a soft stool. Psyllium can be used

daily where bowel regularity is an issue.

Jenna Evans ©2017  It's Digestive Wellness Month in Ceres Natural Foods during April, so do pop instore for more information and great deals on supplements.

Jenna is an Holistic Health Coach and creator of bespoke beauty products. She can be found on Facebook at ‘Alchemical Beauty UK’. Jenna is also a multi-award winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil. To make an appointment, please pop in or call 01935 428791 for details. Find Ceres on Facebook as ‘Ceres Natural Foods Ltd’. Always check with a health professional before making any dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle or starting a new supplement, especially with any existing health conditions.

are proving popular, together with a broad range of 'easy wear' crops and floaty linens in striking patterns and bold colours. All at affordable prices and with friendly staff on hand to help you choose. So why not pop into Needful Things for all your Spring Fashion needs? Affordable style for all tastes and ages.

Needful Things

Spring fashion has burst into bloom at Needful Things this season. So many new lines from Hatley, Pomodoro, Intown, Ellamoda and At Last! These fun-filled brands are helping this delightful clothing store with bright and colourful ideas for your Spring look. Soft peaches, powder blues and a classic nautical navy & white collection

HRH The Duchess of Cambridge featured in Vogue. Top £39.99 available at Oxford Mill of Castle Cary.

Clothing, accessories and fine toiletries for women & men

The Market Place, Castle Cary, BA7 7AG • Tel: 01963 350230 www.oxfordmillclothing.co.uk email: oxfordmillcastlecary@gmail.com

THE VISITOR April 2017 15

Hooper’s Hats, Yeovil

For hats, hatinators or fascinators to hire or purchase, visit Sally at Hooper’s Hats in Yeovil. Her extensive collection is exclusive to her, or Sally can make a creation to complete your outfit and for you to purchase.

Hooper’s is an eye opener into the vast range of designs available.

The choice, colours and styles are overwhelming.

With lots of helpful advice on offer you will have a very pleasurable experience. There are also exquisite clutch bags to match, again to hire or to purchase.

Visit her website www. hoopershats.co.uk and browse her gallery for a small sample of what is on offer, or telephone for an appointment or more info on 01935 706555.

A touch of luxury at The Beauty Barn

Luxury Manicure A real treat for hands and nails.

Hands are exfoliated and a firming, hydrating masque is applied. Heated mitts help products to penetrate deeper to condition dry skin. Tidying of cuticles and nails and a relaxing hand massage revives tired hands. Perfectly finished with application of a Vinylux colour of your choice.

Luxury Pedicure This luxurious, pampering treatment nourishes tired, aching feet. Exfoliation followed by a mineral clay foot masque hydrates dry skin, then heated boots and a foot and lower leg massage leaves feet feeling exhilarated. Cuticles and nails are tidied, finished off with application of Vinylux colour polish.

Treat yourself today.

we may start thinking about planning our summer holiday.

While the last thing many of us feel like doing is thinking about donning a bikini and hitting the beach after spending the winter months holed up inside, now really is a great time of year to consider going for a new look. Whether its opting for a slightly healthier snack or

introducing a bit more movement into our every day lives, the smallest of changes can have a big impact on how we feel about ourselves. One fantastic way to give yourself an instant boost is to invest in well-fitting, quality under-garments. What we wear underneath our clothes is crucial to our shape and silhouette, so the last thing to scrimp on is your

Unusual Jewellery at Hansons Fabrics & Crafts

With a “Yo Yo” template you can create a wide range of items from scraps of materials.

Necklaces can be made incorporating beads or, using the larger templates, a waistcoat.

For the home, Yo Yos can be used to decorate cushions, lamps and more.

Toys, decorations, bunting and pin cushions can all be made using the versatile Yo Yo. Free patterns are available for some of the items.

Go on, give it a try! Visit Hansons Fabrics & Crafts of Sturminster Newton.

A new look for spring

Spring, for many people, is linked to positivity: the weather is getting better, we are able to start spending more time outside, and

Inspirational ways to use a “Yo Yo” from necklaces through to cushions.

Call in and see for yourself at Hansons Fabrics & Crafts of Sturminster Newton.

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1 Trent Court, Trent, Sherborne, DT9 4AY

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skimpies. The support we get from our swimwear is also very important as, when we brave the beaches or parade by the poolside, this is often all we’ll be wearing.

Of course, a kaftan or sarong will be your best friend when you’re heading to the bar, and a pair of

stylish sandals can elongate your legs and provide a touch of glamour.

Looking forward to times when we’ll be wearing less than we normally do, now is a wonderful time to make sure we are preened to perfection. Fingers, toes and

torsos on show, now’s the time to make appointments for waxing, facials, manicures and pedicures, or whatever beauty treatments get you looking and feeling your best.

This season often goes hand in hand with an increasing number

of appointments in our social diaries. Weddings and formal occasions, while absolutely delightful, can lead to a spot of anxiety. Feeling good about ourselves can encourage confidence, and when we’re feeling good, we look even better.

Beautiful jewellery never goes out of fashion! Visit Ward & Sibley Family Jewellers of Yeovil.

EST OVER 70 YEARS

Step out in style – an exciting new range of spring/summer sandals and shoes in a cheerful range of colours and styles at Behind Clouds Shoes of Somerton.

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Add some colour to your wardrobe with our exciting sandal range Handbags & accessories Call in and see our individual choice

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WARD & SIBLEY The Jewellers of Yeovil

AS GOOD AS NEW! Our repair section of the business is pleased to offer:

 Complete refurbishment of jewellery –

soldering charms onto bracelets, sizing rings, repairing chains, jewellery cleaning

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VALUATIONS for insurance and probate

For a prompt, reliable & friendly service THE CASKET 103 MIDDLE STREET YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065

Car park at rear for customers while visiting the shop

THE VISITOR April 2017 17

Make sure you look your best from head to toe, taking time to choose the perfect outfit and accessories to go with it. Hats, shoes, jewellery and accessories can really pull an outfit together and make it something extra special. Everyday wear needn’t be boring either: you really can have it all these days, so why not be comfy-chic in bright and colourful easy-wear.

This time of year is also a brilliant opportunity to start making yourself feel good from the inside out by doing good deeds for others. There are lots of fundraising events going on at the moment, which is wonderful to see, especially when times are so hard for so many people. Last month, Comic Relief gave us plenty of reasons to smile, though the causes themselves may make you want to cry. Not only will giving to others make their lives better, it also helps the person donating feel good too. And even without spare funds, there are plenty of ways we can give our time to help raise money.

This April, make some time to treat yourself both inside and out, and look forward to looking and feeling even better for spring, summer and beyond!

Professional former students inspire the next generation of hair and beauty students

Around 100 hair, beauty, nails and barbering students benefitted from the expertise and

18 THE VISITOR April 2017

know-how of industry professionals, who visited Strode College for its ‘Industry Day’ recently. A broad and diverse range of workshops and demonstrations were held at Strode’s specialist salons and students had the opportunity to see different techniques and meet and ask the industry experts questions. All the professionals originally trained or were current students at Strode College.

Angie Cinicola, Head of Hair and Beauty at Strode College, said: “Our aim with the Industry Day is to motivate and inspire our students, and to make sure they keep up-to-date with the current industry trends, products and techniques, so that they are equipped with professional standards of skills and knowledge, ready to succeed in their careers. They will benefit enormously from the business and careers advice they get from these industry experts.

“I feel incredibly proud to see former students returning as professionals – it’s fantastic to see how they have advanced in their careers since studying at Strode.”

Erica Czerny (from Wells and previously at The Blue School, Wells) is currently studying Hairdressing. She said: “It’s been a brilliant day. Taking part in the hair wefting was so different to anything I’ve done before. I really love studying hairdressing at Strode. There are lots of

opportunities for one-to-one tuition and events like Industry Day are really inspiring. I plan to work in a salon after I finish studying with a longer term plan to teach hairdressing, so it was really helpful to speak to some of the professionals today.”

Sophie Dilligent, Assistant Manager at Rookery Manor Spa in Weston Super Mare, previously studied Beauty Therapy at Strode College. She delivered spa demonstrations to the students during the Industry Day: “I really enjoyed my time as a student at Strode, the teachers were always so friendly and helpful - so it was fantastic to come back as a professional to offer the students hints and tips on how to be successful at work.”

Elegance Beauty Therapy Clinic, Wincanton

Elegance Beauty Therapy Clinic, which has been established in Church Street for over 30 years, has recently moved to Dancing Lane. Easy to find right behind the school playing field and with ample parking right outside, the new salon offers all the same treatments as before including waxing, electrolysis, facials, manicures ... in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Proprietor and Beauty Therapist Sandie Barrett looks forward to welcoming clients both old and new.

An official opening is planned in the summer – watch out for details!

Shirley Allum Fashions and Lingerie

Spring is on its way, which reminds us of all the new season’s fashions and hats. New brands for 2017 for that special occasion, especially weddings, Izabella – Ella Boo. Also, find an enormous range of beautiful hats! You are sure to get a match to complete the outfit.

If you would like to be a little more casual and just add accessories you will find Shirley Allum Fashions and Lingerie are stockists of Olson, Sahara, Blank, Just White and Piece of Blue.

They also stock Chalou and Personal Choice, sizes range from 16 to 28.

The shoe department is expanding by the day with Ugg, Fitflop, Fly, Birkenstock, Riva and Crocs and they have handbags by Radley.

As always you will find a great selection of Joules, Seasalt, White Stuff, Brax, and N.Y.D.J. jeans.

And new for spring 2017 is IN WEAR: a beautiful collection of black lace dresses, and red and black tops, bomber jackets, black ankle trousers to mention but a few.

Shirley Allum Fashions and Lingerie Charity Event

Join us for a fun 2 days on Friday 31st March and Saturday 1st April and help raise money for BRAIN TUMOUR RESEARCH. You could win a fabulous POSH HAT for that special occasion (up to the value of £100). No matter what the invite, we have an outfit just perfect for you with a huge array of hats to match.

We will be selling raffle tickets and the staff will be wearing fun hats. We look forward to seeing you. Can’t join us? Like and share us on Facebook, enter to win a posh hat.

The Gartell Light Railway

Everyone enjoys a leisurely train ride, especially behind a steam locomotive on a narrow gauge line. Such a line exists at Yenston near Templecombe where a 2 foot gauge line, privately owned by the Gartell family, is open to the public on a limited number of days during the spring summer and autumn. The line runs along an unspoilt part of the old Somerset and Dorset Railway, which ran from Bath to Bournemouth.

You can bring all of the family for a fun day out, riding the trains, picnicking or indulging in food and drink in our cafĂŠ and we have a large free car park. Our site is signposted from nearby roads when we are open.

We normally run 3-coach trains hauled by 2 steam locomotives and one diesel, so there is plenty of variety and bad weather is not a problem as our coaches are fully enclosed and two of our trains can carry disabled visitors. Our only limitation is that we cannot

All the colours of the rainbow! A stunning range of hats for all occasions at Shirley Allum Fashions of Shaftesbury.

Inside the cosy Stur of the Moment CafĂŠ, Sturminster Newton where you can enjoy a delicious cream tea! Four legged friends also welcome.

THE VISITOR April 2017 19

accommodate large dogs in the trains.

Our volunteer staff are fully trained to ensure your safety and enjoyment.

Our first open day this year is Easter Monday, April 17th and the following one on Bank Holiday Monday 1st of May when we are open at 10 o’clock with trains running every 20 minutes from 10.30 until 4.30. Fares are Adults £8.00, Seniors £7.00, Children under 14 £5.00 and family tickets (2 adults and up to 2 children) £22.00 Please see our advertisement for details or go online at newglr.weebly.com

May Bank Holiday Festival at Kingsbury Episcopi

Good news! Although the popular May Festival had to be cancelled this year there will still be plenty happening at Kingsbury Episcopi.

The Wyndham Arms has a weekend festival and everyone is welcome.

Saturday the 29th April there is live music with Pete Holden –

20 THE VISITOR April 2017

pop/rock and reggae from 9pm – midnight in the bar.

Saturday 29th through to Monday 1st there will real ale and traditional local cider bars. On May Bank Holiday Monday, Langport based Fine Tuned Brewery will be present with a chance to meet its owner, Pav. Food will be served on Saturday and Sunday as normal (Sat 12noon-3pm and 7pm9.30pm). Sunday 12noon until 9pm (inc. choice of 3 roasts served until 6pm).

Monday 1st – enjoy the sound of reggae performed by Angelo from midday until 5pm in the bar.

Food will be served from 12noon until 9pm with a specials board to include some Caribbean dishes – booking advised.

Brympton House and Gardens, Yeovil, BA22 8TD

Once again, in 2017, Brympton House near Yeovil will be opening it's doors to the public. Visitors are invited to have a guided tour of the house on TUESDAYS (11am to 4.30pm) from 2nd May until the end of September.

The history of the estate starts from the year 1220 when the D'Evercy family took occupation of the land. From that time until the mid 1990s only three families owned the property and were responsible for the house as we see it today.

The house is still earning a living. This limits access but the current owners, with the help of a small group of volunteers, are happy to tell visitors the fascinating story of the estate and the people who lived there.

Visitors are also welcome to visit the extensive gardens where a recent survey and listing of trees has been undertaken. We can now provide details of the most interesting trees which have been identified and tagged.

Proceeds from tours will be used to continue the work of reestablishing and improving the gardens including planting new trees.

Art Exhibition

“A Sense of Place”, an exhibition of work by Laura Jolliffe, will be

at Shaftesbury Arts Centre from 26th April to 2nd May.

Castle Cary Museum Dates to Note

Monday 3rd April 2017 The Museum opens for its new season and the main exhibition is: "Celebrating 40 years of Castle Cary Carnival Club".

Saturday 8th April 2017 A Very Special Coffee Morning Why don't you pop along to the Castle Cary Museum Coffee morning for a chance to see some of the coins from the Castle Cary Civil War coin hoard. The hoard consists of 152 silver half-crowns, shillings and sixpences of Edward VI, Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I. It was buried in 1644 or 1645. The coins were found in 2006, and this is the first time they have been available to view so close to where they were discovered. They will be on show between 10am and 12noon in the Market House shambles. The

Portable Antiquities Scheme’s Finds Liaison Officer will also be there to identify and record any objects you might have found, perhaps whilst metal detecting or walking the dog. To round off the Special Day relating to the Cary Coins, they have a Talk in the Methodist Church at 2.30pm given by Maureen Wincott.

A Concert for Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s Awareness Week in Wincanton is to be launched with a Memorial Hall concert by the Pilgrim Singers on Sunday 9th April, 7.00 pm The object of Parkinson’s Awareness Week is to build public support for research for a cure for Parkinson’s, a condition which affects one person in 500 and strikes people of all ages. It is over 50 years since there has been any significant new drug discovery and the various treatments and therapies currently available, such as deep brain stimulation, at best only mask the symptoms. They do not reverse or slow down the progression of the disease. There is as yet no cure. There are many exciting avenues being investigated but they all require funding. Parkinson’s Awareness Week aims to boost the profile of this need amongst the many competing claims for support from the wider public.

The concert is being promoted by the Wincanton Parkinson’s Branch. Tickets to include interval refreshments, £10 from Wincanton Post Office, Divine Wines or by phone from 01963 33837.

Mere Literary Festival

MLF announce their Poetry Competition organised by Pennybank Writers supporting Mere and District Linkscheme, sponsored by Freebird Campers

– www.freebirdcampers.co.uk All poems, on any subject of no more than 40 lines. The Festival runs from 9th to 15th October.

Closing date for entries is 26th June. Entry details – From Local Libraries or s.a.e. to Poetry Competition, Monkswell Cottage, Mill Lane, Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6DA or www.merelitfest.co.uk.

Judges:Adult Section – Dawn Gorman who will judge every poem. Read more on her website www.dawngorman.co.uk Local Awards (10 mile radius of Mere) – Jenny Wilding, Curator Mere Museum.

Junior Section – 12 years and under – Angela McDonald – has a passion for Genealogy.

Castle Cary Choir Spring Concerts 2017

On Friday 7th April at 7.30pm there will be a concert to raise funds for Christian Aid at Castle Cary Methodist Church, North Street, Castle Cary. Tickets are £8 in advance (£10 on the door) and include refreshments.

Available from the Market House Information Point, Bailey Hill Books or from David Osborne on 01963 351275.

Then, on Friday 12th May at 7.30pm the choir will be performing at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Charlton Mackrell. Tickets are £8 on the door or from the Post Office in Charlton Adam with a donation for refreshments. The concert is in aid of the Charlton’s Churches.

For more information see www.castlecarychoir.org

The Hinton Festival in Hinton St. George

Friday 21st April, in the Village Hall, Hinton St. George, 7.30pm.

Jazz pianist Mike Denham will be entertaining us together with

trumpeter Andy Dickens, Ragtime, New Orleans and New York swing. Tickets £12.

On Thursday 4th May in conjunction with Concerts in the West, Hinton Festival are presenting a concert by a young group, The Maxwell String Quartet in St George's Church.

RAVEL String Quartet in F, BRITTEN String Quartet No 2 in C Op. 36, BARTOK String Quartet No 4 Sz91.

Tickets £15. Doors open at 7.00pm, refreshments by donation.

Tickets from Hinton village shop and Dorothy’s Tea Room.

Email: hintonstgeorgefestival @gmail.com or call the Box Office on 07500 532543

Ceilidh in Crewkerne with the fabulous 'BANTER'

A ceilidh, organised by 'Creative Crewkerne' to celebrate the second year of decorating the town with pom-poms, is to take place on Friday 28th April from 7.30pm at Maiden Beech Academy, Lyme Road, Crewkerne, TA18 8HG. Individual tickets are £10, or a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children under 16) is £25. A licensed bar has been applied for.

BANTER are: Melodian virtuoso Simon Care, Nina Zella on keyboards and Tim Waller on drum and trumpet.

Check them out on YouTube ‘Feast of Folk Banter’.

For further info, email crewkernepompom@gmail.com or tel 07877 206124.

Excitement builds for the Shepton Sunday Market

Following on from the success of the first Shepton Mallet Sunday

Market in November, a regular Sunday market is now launching in the town.

The huge success of the November market and the positive knock-on effect to shops in the High Street, has encouraged Helen Reader, Mendip District Council, the market organisers, and Shepton Town Council to make this a regular event.

The first Shepton Sunday Market of 2017 took place on March 19th in the Market Place from 10am-3pm and will continue to run on the third Sunday of every month, including Easter Sunday, for 12 months.

A variety of stalls will be available selling everything from hot food and drink to crafts and vinyl.

For more information on the Shepton Sunday Market visit www.sheptonmarket.co.uk you can also find it on Facebook @SheptonSundayMarket

Mendip Decorative and Fine Arts Society - What’s on in April

Exeter Cathedral: A Portrait of Decorative Gothic. Mark Cottle will talk to Mendip DFAS illustrating why Exeter Cathedral is a high point in medieval cathedral building and defining its Decorative Gothic style. The Society meets at the Bath and West Bar & Restaurant, B&W Show Ground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN at 11.00 am, Tuesday 4th April. Details: www.mdfas. org.uk. Guests Welcome. Contact 01934 862435.

Dance for Caundle Marsh Parish Church

There will be a dance on Saturday

THE VISITOR April 2017 21

1st April from 8pm - 11pm at Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne. Band Van Rouge will play live music from the 60s to the present day. Tickets, £8.00 each or two for £15.00, are available from Sherborne Tourist Information Centre, Digby Road.

(Telephone 01935 815341), Abbey Shop, Abbey Close, Sherborne or from Ken Loder on 01935 813967.

Bring your own refreshments.

Proceeds go to Caundle Marsh Parish Church.

Milborne Port Opera to stage “Into the Woods”

If you go down to the woods tonight, prepare to be entertained.

The award-winning Milborne Port Opera, famed for its Gilbert & Sullivan productions, is changing tack this year and staging the Tony-winning Broadway musical “Into the Woods” in the Milborne Port Village Hall, the week after Easter.

The show, written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, is a spellbinding musical which intertwines the story lines of several traditional Grimm fairy stories, with some dark twists and turns. “Be careful what you wish for” might be a very appropriate sub-title.

The musical direction is in the capable hands of Caroline d’Cruz, who has been responsible for many successful shows at Milborne Port and elsewhere.

Promote Your MAY BANK HOLIDAY Events Here!

– MAY ISSUE –  Published  Thursday 27 th April  Deadline  Thursday 13th April

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22 THE VISITOR April 2017

The cast features some familiar faces, but also a lot of new talent.

“Into the Woods” was staged on Broadway in 1987, and has since been performed all over the world and turned into a film by Disney. Its huge number of awards is a testament to its entertainment value, and Milborne Port audiences will be delighted.

The show runs from April 1922, the week after Easter. You can book tickets online via www.mpopera.co.uk The booking process is simple and quick, with no complicated log-in procedures.

Stars of the West End in Somerset

On 28th and 29th of April, Michael Sterling, Producer of Bespoke Musical Events, is returning to the Somerset village of Haselbury Plucknett where he

has lived and worked in the past.

With three other experienced performers, Jo Gibb, Thomas Sutcliffe and Marissa Dunlop, he will stage two concerts with songs from Musicals such as Cats, Chicago, Wicked, Grease, Starlight Express, Phantom, Les Miserables and High Society. A truly glittering occasion, not to be missed, in aid of funds for the church of St Michael and All Angels. Tickets £18 and £15 from 01460 76450 or haselbury-churchconcerts@outlook.com

WhereWestBegins creates film events at Somerset venues supported by the BFI with National Lottery funding

Community Interest Company WhereWestBegins has been funded by National Lottery and BFI to provide 35 film events

across three venues in South Somerset.

Over half of their film events (a combination of screenings, talks and workshops) are aimed at children and young people.

WhereWestBegins is a not for profit community interest company. Tickets are reasonably priced at £4 for concessions £8 for adults and all the workshops and talks are included in this price. The participating venues for 2017/18 are Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Westlands Yeovil, and Wincanton Town Hall, and there is a great range of film events programmed.

Bruton’s Youth Cinema Foundation is running a workshop on filming (for Key Stage 2 and above) with Yeovil’s Castaways Theatre Group performing a medley from “Bugsy Malone” – with a screening of the

‘It's Only a Bee’ by Mackenzie Thorpe – limited edition giclee print, edition size 295. Image size 61cm x 33cm. Framed price £525.00.

Martock Gallery of Martock.

STARS OF THE WEST END ... with

Songs from the Shows at ...

Haselbury Plucknett Church, TA18 7RE Friday 28th and Saturday 29th April • 7.00pm Tickets £18 from haselbury-church-concerts@outlook.com or  01460 76450

‘morning snow’ by

mackenzie thorpe

Limited edition giclee print Edition size 295 Image size 61cm x 51cm

 Framed price £595

Martock Gallery Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.00, Saturday 9.30 - 4.30

Water Street • Martock • Tel: (01935) 823254 • www.martockgallery.com

film afterwards at all three venues. Charlie Chaplin’s seminal film “Circus” will screen at Hauser and Wirth and Wincanton Town Hall with Frome Circus Stars providing a circus skills workshop in juggling, tightrope and ball walking.

You can learn how to make special effects in film with the SFX manager of “A Field in England”, how to make the best vampire bite using fruit after a screening of Thomas Alfredson’s “Let the Right One In” and Rhashan Stone (Writer of City Hall, The Eighth Day, Lost and Found, and Actor in Black Mirror, Bodies, The Smoke, Agatha Raisin, Mutual Friends) talks after a screening of “The Wave” about a social experiment in fascism in a high school that goes horrifically wrong, and could not be more timely.

WhereWestBegins will be recruiting and training a part time projectionist and a young film programmer over the course of the year in order to

develop their capacity to deliver film events.

For a full list of events on the schedule, or for more information, please visit http://where westbegins.org.uk

Wells Comedy Festival in association with Brothers Cider: More shows announced for 2017

Richard Herring, Angelos Epithemiou, Barry from Watford and more join Somerset’s weekend-long comedy fest, plus more chances to catch Stewart Lee, Sara Pascoe and James Acaster.

The Wells Comedy Festival in association with Brothers Cider – which takes place over the bank holiday weekend of May 26-28 – has just announced a bunch of new shows, with lots more comedians heading to the heart of Somerset.

Joining the previously announced line-up are Cheddar’s very own Richard Herring – performing a work-in-progress and his hugely popular podcast

– Angelos Epithemious (‘Shooting Stars’) and Barry from Watford’s two-hander, the gloriously inventive Ben Target, mighty talented Twitter supremo Rhys James and WCF favourite Lou Sanders.

There are also extra shows announced for Stewart Lee and Sara Pascoe, plus James Acaster – who is already performing three different shows over the weekend – has added a preview of his forthcoming book tour, ‘Classic Scrapes’.

In just a few weeks, the Wells Comedy Festival in association with Brothers Cider has already sold more tickets for this year’s event than it did for the entire 2016 festival.

Ben Williams, founder and producer of the festival, said: ‘The response to this year’s festival has been overwhelming so far. So much so we’ve had to add extra shows as many have already sold out. I’m incredibly excited to welcome this many comedy shows to Wells. Now, I just have to wait until May...’

Matthew Showering, Chief Executive of Brothers Drinks Co Ltd – the festival’s headline sponsor – said: ‘As a local business, we are proud to be sponsoring the Wells Comedy Festival 2017, and are excited to be serving our range of locally made ciders at the event. Our brand has a long history of supporting the arts in the local community and we are delighted to have the opportunity to be involved with this fantastic celebration of comedy talent from across the country.’

Tim Lethaby, editor of the Wells Journal – the festival’s official media partner – said: ‘I am delighted that the Wells Journal will again be the official media partner of the Wells Comedy Festival in association with Brothers Cider. Last year’s line-up was great, but the comedians coming this year will take the event to another level.

There really is comedy for everyone, even people with a terrible sense of humour, like me.

At the Wells Journal, we look

THE VISITOR April 2017 23

forward to supporting the festival and helping it raise the profile of the city.’

Tickets for Wells Comedy Festival in association with Brothers Cider shows are on sale now from www.wellscomfest.com

Stompin’ Dave at The David Hall 2017

Stompin’ Dave Allen returns to the David Hall on Friday 7th April. The Dorset based Stompin'

Dave is a vocalist, multiinstrumentalist and dancer. He sings and plays guitar, banjo, fiddle, harmonica, piano and tap dances in an old-time, flat-footing style, often whilst simultaneously playing and singing.

“Stompin’ Dave is a master of all kinds of American roots ... a formidable musician and a true original.” The Daily Telegraph.

Advance tickets, £10, are available from The David Hall

Taster Pot, Muchelney Pottery, Spring Sale 8th – 22nd April at least 20% OFF all kitchenware pots, in store only. Open Monday – Saturday, 9am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm (inc. bank holidays) www.johnleachpottery.co.uk

Drayton Street Fair

Saturday 2nd September 2017 11.00am – 4.00pm Craft & Local Produce  Stalls Wanted  FR EE PA R K ING

01458 251687 (day/evening) 24 THE VISITOR April 2017

for further details

Stompin’ Dave is a master of all kinds of American roots.

01460 240340 or from www.thedavidhall.org.uk Doors open at 7.30pm, show starts at 8pm. Tickets on the door are £12. Find more information and links at www.stompin store.com Dave’s website.

South Petherton Combined Arts Society Choir Spring Concert

The Choir will be presenting its Spring Concert on Saturday 8th April at 7.00pm in the Parish Church, South Petherton, under the baton of conductor Roger Stacey. This year they will be performing Rutter: ‘Feel the Spirit’, Duruflé: Requiem and Fauré: ‘Cantique de Jean Racine’.

Tickets are £10 (under 16s free) and are available from N & D News, choir members, or phone 01460 241467.

Get Creative at Black Swan for BBC’s Nationwide Event

Black Swan Arts will be taking part in BBC’s nationwide Get Creative event on Saturday 8th April, from 2pm – 4pm, alongside

'The Future Can't Wait', an exciting show of exhibits from 30 MA postgraduate students across four disciplines – ceramics, fashion and textiles, fine art and visual communication.

5 Artisans who hold studios at the centre will be offering dropin taster workshops for adults and children. Jewellers, Linda and Yasemin of Studio 2 will be offering free interactive jewellerymaking demonstrations where all ages from 8 years to adults will have a chance to have a go at cutting and texturing metal, forming silver wire into intricate patterns and adding gold touches (keum boo) to sterling silver. Lila Streether will be in Studio 1 painting flowers and fruit.

Visitors will be welcome to 'have a go' at doing a small painting.

Jack Perkins will be demonstrating an Illustration technique using fine liners and watercolour washes to bring instant flair and colour to your ink drawings and will be encouraging you to have a try.

In Suzi Waterworth’s ‘Porcelain

So, you think you know your pop music, do you?

By John Osborne • Answers can be found on page 63

1. Name the trio who had ‘A Horse With No Name’.

2. Who joined Peter Gabriel on his single ‘Don’t Give Up’?

3. Lyric; ‘Check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords’.

4. Name the only No.1 for ‘Right said Fred’.

5. ‘Kool and the Gang’ and Scott Walker both sang about which young lady?

6. ‘Crossfire’ is a 2010 single by which American?

7. Name the last Beatles single to get to Number 1 in the 1960’s.

8. Bob Segar and the ... ?

9. Leee John headed which 80’s camp band?

10. Where did the ‘Deep Blue Something’ have their breakfast?

Bonus Question Name the year for Q2.

Question Impossible Explain why Joe Walsh and Ringo Starr have connections outside of the music industry.

Great Quotes in Music (91) “I believe musicians have a duty, a responsibility to reach out, to share your love or pain with others.”

— JAMES TAYLOR —

bead painting taster-workshop' she will demonstrate how an unglazed porcelain bead can be decorated, and participants can have a go, using basic acrylic paints (suitable for age 10+).

Also for ‘Get Creative’ from 24pm, there will be free drop-in workshops in the Long Gallery as part of Black Swan’s exhibition 'The Future Can't Wait', which runs from 18 March15 April, with a preview on Friday 17 March at 6-8pm to which all are welcome. The exhibition showcases emerging artists from Bath Spa University.

Curated by two students on the MA Curatorial Practice course, a key element of the exhibition is to interact and engage with the local community, particularly children, as they are our future.

For their debut in Frome, MA artists invite children to explore the exhibition that introduces art from a range of disciplines.

Artists will offer unique creative activities and sensory experiences for the children to make and be inspired, including origami, textured collages or mini sculptures. Children will be encouraged to look, touch, participate, have conversations with MA artists, explore their ideas and be part of the exhibition. The children’s creations will be exhibited online as the exhibition progresses – a chance to collaborate and expand the show together.

'The Future Can't Wait' addresses the issue of uncertainty in a time of political, economic and environmental upheaval. Dr Andrea MedjesiJones, course leader on the MA Fine Art course and an artist herself, says: “It is hard to envisage what the future holds or indeed looks like. Can the future exist at all, and if so when does it start? There are no easy answers, but one thing is certain – the future can’t wait."

On Saturday 8 April, from 2pm – 4pm Somerset Skills &

Learning will also be offering the op p ort unit y t o get crea t iv e outside.

For more information visit www.blackswan.org.uk To follow Black Swan Arts Get Creative projects, visit twitter #GetCreative and visit BBC getcreative-weekend. Black Swan Arts, 2 Bridge Street, Frome, BA11 1BB.

An event-filled April at The David Hall

Saturday 1 April at 8pm. Steve Tilston & Jez Lowe, UK Acoustic/Folk songwriters Tickets: £16 Full, £15 Concessions.

Friday 7 April at 8pm.

Stompin’ Dave. Dorset-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and dancer. Tickets: £10 Advance. £12 on the door.

Saturday 15 April at 8pm.

Richard Digance – Golden Anniversary Tour. A celebration of his 50 years of songs supported

by Acoustic duo, The Broadside Boys. Tickets: £16 Full, £15 Concessions.

Thursday 20 April at 8pm.

Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman – one of the UK Folk scene’s most enduring partnerships. Tickets: £15 Full, £14 Concessions.

Saturday 22 April, 7.30pm – 11pm. Acoustic Night. All styles and forms of performance welcome – not just music. If you wish to perform please drop us an email at folk@chriswatts.org to secure a slot.

Saturday 29 April at 8pm.

Seckou Keita. Variously described as a 'griot (praise singer), composer, djembe master, virtuoso and pioneer', Seckou is a rare type of musician, seated in tradition whilst constantly pushing the boundaries of his art.

Tickets: £16 Full, £15 Concessions.

For tickets email boxoffice @thedavidhall.org.uk or visit www.thedavidhall.org.uk or call 01460 240340.

ALPACA EXPERIENCE

This 90 minute experience gives you the opportunity to visit their home, learn about their needs, requirements and to take them on their walk.

0 – 6 years FREE (but MUST be accompanied by a person over 16 years paying £15) 6 – 16 years £10  16 years and over £20  FORCES DISCOUNT available  PERSONALISED VOUCHERS are also available To book: info@caryalpacas.co.uk or 01458 224611 or 07767 692286 www.caryalpacas.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2017 25

Bath Camerata’s 30th Good Friday Concert in Wells Cathedral

THE BUTTERCROSS TEAROOMS

MARCH ...

Friday 31st

BARRY PAULL (Elvis) Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil

Saturday 1st

TRANSITIONS Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon BB TIM from 9pm Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil ROSS KIRK from 3pm (Frank Sinatra & The Rat Pack) Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon BUD MARTIN from 9pm Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil ONE TREE HILL Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon LIVE WIRED (Free Gig) from 8pm Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil ALAN DREW from 9pm – 12pm Wyndham Arms, Kingbury Episcopi PETE HOLDEN from 9pm – 12pm Wyndham Arms, Kingbury Episcopi FLASH HARRY Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil SOULVILLE Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon

APRIL ...

Friday 7th

Sunday 9th Friday 14th

Saturday 15th Sunday 16th

Tuesday 25th

Saturday 29th

Sunday 30th Sunday 30th

MAY ...

Monday 1st Friday 5th

ANGELO from 12noon – 5pm Wyndham Arms, Kingbury Episcopi HELL’S BELLS (AC/DC Tribute) Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil

Yarlington Fringe (free community event)

Yarlington Fringe free community event will take place on Friday 28th, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April 2017.

All events are funded by your support of the food and beer tents: there will be a BBQ, a beer festival and Chapel Cross Tea Room will be on tour. There is no need to book just come and enjoy yourself.

On Friday, there will be a barn dance with ‘Just Desserts’ flown in from Flagstaff Arizona.

On Saturday, there will be

Homemade Cakes & Scones Morning Coffee, Cream Teas Lunch Served 12 – 3pm Open: Mon – Sat 9 – 5pm

26 THE VISITOR April 2017

music all day, the world famous duck race and Langport Mummers, and various workshops including giant puppet making and drumming.

In the evening, local band ‘New Ocean’ will be playing.

On Sunday there will be music all day, various workshops including ukulele, and back by popular demand, ‘Circus Beezercus’ workshop and performance.

For more information please phone: Jane Braybon on 01963 440660 or email her at janebraybon@uwclub.net

8th YARLINGTON FRINGE Friday 28 April – Sunday 30 April th

Market Place, Somerton (01458) 273168

AN ADVERT IN THE PUB PAGES ENSURES A FREE MENTION HERE !

Thirty years ago, the newly formed chamber choir, Bath Camerata, gave its first ever concert in Wells Cathedral – on Good Friday 1987. It was a performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion and it was free of charge to attend, with a retiring collection for the Wells Cathedral Music Fund. The concert was such a success that the choir were invited back, and they’ve given free concerts on Good Friday in this magnificent building every year since. To date Bath Camerata is very proud to have raised over £40k for the Wells Cathedral Music Fund.

So, thirty years and hundreds of pieces of music later, the now multi award-winning chamber choir, under the baton of its conductor Benjamin Goodson, is heading to Wells on 14 April to give its 30th Good Friday concert as part of the Cathedral’s devotional weekend for Easter.

Bath Camerata’s programme for their concert this year will include Herbert Howells intensely personal Requiem, a work perfect for this most poignant day in the Christian calendar. Also featured are Schönberg’s virtuosic masterpiece Friede auf Erden (Peace on Earth), Henry Purcell’s funeral sentence Hear my Prayer O Lord, four beautiful motets by the French composer Maurice Duruflé, and music by Brahms and Nystedt.

Bath Camerata’s concert takes place on Good Friday, 14 April, at Wells Cathedral, and is supported by the Hillman Partnership. Doors open at 7pm, and the music starts at 7.30pm.

The concert is free of charge, and there will be a retiring collection for Wells Cathedral Music.

Visit the website www. yarlington-somerset.co.uk or check out the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ yarlingtonfringe.

th

A Festival of Art, Music, Drama, Dancing & Beer “Top family entertainment in a bucolic setting” LIVE MUSIC All Day  Craft & Music Workshops Demonstrations  Children’s Entertainment

All events are free and funded solely by our food & drinks sales

www.yarlington-somerset.co.uk Jane / Dave 01963 440660

Lavender & Co. Single Estate Lavender, see cover and page 6 for details.

April Notice Board DITCHEAT

EASTER FAMILY BINGO Thursday 6th April doors open 6.30pm, Ditcheat Hall, £2.00 entry includes tea, coffee, squash & biscuits. Any funds made for church.

MARTOCK

20th April in the church at 7.30pm Yeovil Concert Band, Director Tom Griffin (who directed Yeovilton Military Band here in February) playing film & show tunes, classics & marches.

Tickets £8 on door or £7 from 01935 822706.

WINCANTON

Sunday 9th April 7.00pm Wincanton Memorial Hall.

Pilgrim Singers Concert for Parkinson’s. Tickets £10 Wincanton Post Office or 01963 33837.

ADVERTISE YOUR MAY EVENT HERE ...

A listing under our Notice Board costs just £5 for 20 words.

Send details of What? When?

Where? to The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BP. All entries to be prepaid. Extra words 30p each.

Deadline for May issue, Thursday 13th April.

STREET business focus

Floorcrafts

If you are looking for a new carpet or new flooring look no further than Floorcrafts of Street. A family run business with 30 years’ experience, you can be sure of personal and friendly service plus an excellent choice - and all at sensible prices.

There is always a selection of rugs in stock to choose from.

Remnants are also on sale.

Call in today - find them in the Bayliss Centre with free parking outside the door.

Specialist sixth form education: more choice, more opportunities, more success

Strode College in Street specialises in sixth form education, so the curriculum, teaching, support and ethos of the college is focused on helping 16-18 year olds achieve their full potential. This is evident in the College's ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report, the consistently excellent results and student progress, and also in the breadth of

opportunities and choices that Strode students benefit from.

Having opportunities in life is generally considered to be a positive thing, especially if we are shown how to make the most of those opportunities. One way that Strode is putting this into practice is by encouraging students to take four A levels subjects rather than limiting them to three.

National research* shows that students who study four AS/A Levels, on average, do significantly better than those who study just three; and they get more UCAS points towards their university application. Also, studying four AS/A Levels in the first year at college gives students more choice in their second year; to start with only three means

Strode College offers great opportunities.

Isla Inspired - organic clothing for children aged 0 to 5 years.

Fiona Burrows (pictured) founder of this new business together with daughter Gabby Costello.

THE VISITOR April 2017 27

STREET business focus

that if they don’t do well in one subject, they have no choice about which subjects to continue with.

Strode college even finds that for some students their fourth subject choice ends up being the one they most love and decide to pursue at university and as a career.

Strode College Principal, James Staniforth says: "Encouraging students to choose four AS/A Levels instead of three is

consistent with Strode’s studentcentred ethos of wanting to provide the best education, teaching and support for our students. More choice, outstanding student progress and good results, combined with more UCAS points, maximises our students’ potential, giving them an advantage when applying for university."

For more information about studying and applying to Strode

College call 01458 844400 or visit: www.strode-college.ac.uk *Advanced Level Performance Systems.

Street Cellular

Street Cellular is one of the few independent mobile phone specialists left that are unbiased

to which network or mobile you have. Established for over 26 years you can be sure that they have expert knowledge and experience.

In addition to selling a wide range of mobile phones, both new and used, they also offer a fast repair service for most models

Filled to overflowing! Knitting yarns of every hue, summer fabrics and more. Crispin Crafts & Haberdashery of Farm Road, Street.

HAVE YOU FOUND US?

Crispin Crafts & Haberdashery A family run business for 30 years

A wide range of CRAFT MATERIALS For your Easter Project  Felts  Beads etc.

GIFT Vouchers

~ ~ ~ SUMMER FABRICS ~ ~ ~

Fabric  Crafts  Haberdashery  Knitting Yarns  Ribbons Call in and see our extensive range

8 Farm Road, Street, Somerset, BA16 0BJ

NOW Opposite The Crispin Hall – towards Clarks Village AT Tel: 01458 447655 • Email: crispincrafts@outlook.com

Shape up this summer!

Lingerie ............................

Cycling? Walking? Jogging? Keep in shape this summer with the support of a sports bra, available both wired and non wired from Panache in sizes B – H cup. Oomph and Lift of Street.

MOBILE PHONE SPECIALISTS

and

Sports Bras & Swimwear that will fit and flatter  Professional Fitting Service 

Leading brands include ... Panache ~ Charnos ~ Lepel Mastectomy Bras ~ Girls First Bras ~ Miracle Suits

Vestry Court, Vestry Road, STREET LOYALTY CARDS AVAILABLE

 01458 898952 • Turn by William Hill – opposite Living Homes

28 THE VISITOR April 2017

 Unlocking Service  iPad Sales

 Unlocked Handsets  3G Tablets

 Phone, Tablet & Laptop Repair  Full Range of Accessories  Data Recovery

 E-Cigarettes and E-Liquids 

Pay monthly, pay as you go & Sim only

5 The Bayliss Centre, Street • 01458 841741 website: www.streetcellular.com email: sales@streetcellular.com

STREET business focus

including iPhones and iPads and Galaxy Tab’s – normally with a same day turnaround – whatever the problem, from unlocking to liquid damage.

There is a choice of tablets and accessories and they are now stocking smart watches.

For those trying to cut down or quit smoking, e-cigarettes and

accessories are now also available from Street Cellular.

Mendip Mobility

Mendip Mobility Ltd (established in 2007) aim to provide excellent service and quality value for money products to their customer base! With retail outlets in Street and Frome in Somerset, their

extensive range of quality branded mobility products enable you to see the equipment first hand.

Mendip Mobility Ltd are to keen to spend time with everyone who comes through their doors to make sure you get exactly what you require. Discuss your options and needs, provide demonstrations both in store and at home to make sure the products you purchase are perfect for your needs.

Their staff are knowledgeable, friendly, but not pushy! You are

able to order some of their products directly via the website, but their advice is that it is always better to come in to the shops and see for yourself and ensure that what you are getting is what you need and want!

They are also able to process applications for the supply of “Motability Scheme” equipment, arrange insurance cover for certain products and have a top notch servicing and maintenance team offering an excellent fast, efficient aftercare service.

Exciting range of gift ideas at Brights of Street - including Lily Flame scented candles and English Pewter. Pictured: James Bright.

THE VISITOR April 2017 29

SATURDAY 3rd June promises to be a big day in Glastonbury.

It’s the date pencilled in for the reopening of Somerset Rural Life Museum, one of the town’s major visitor attractions. Run by Somerset County Council, the museum at the corner of Chilkwell Street and Bere Lane depicts the social history of the area and the development of many local crafts, trades and industries but has been closed for major refurbishment since April 2015. The museum occupies a medieval barn built originally to serve Glastonbury Abbey’s home farm, and an adjacent Victorian farmhouse and outbuildings. The magnificent Abbey Barn dating from the 14th century is huge – 93 feet long and 33 feet 9 inches wide externally – and has seen only sensitive minor alterations to make it more accessible, especially for those in wheelchairs, and more suitable for the sorts of activities and

Glastonbury

No visit to Glastonbury is complete without browsing the impressive number of shops catering for ‘alternative’ lifestyles.

events that have helped to make the museum so popular. Major changes in the farmhouse have created additional exhibition space by opening up more areas on the ground and first floors,

Edward Howells Associates Limited

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provided better access to the orchard and added better visitor facilities including a welcome area, shop and café. Confirmation of the reopening arrangements, subsequent opening days and times, and forthcoming special events and demonstrations, will be posted on www.somerset rurallifemuseum.org.uk. For further information phone 01458 831197.

Another of the town’s major tourist attractions is Glastonbury Tor. The panoramic views from St Michael’s Church on the top of the Tor are well worth the steep climb to 525 feet above the levels that were once a watery wilderness, and it is easy to see why it was settled as far back as the Dark Ages, if not earlier.

Easy, too, to believe the legend

Willowfields, Lowerside Lane, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 9GY 01458 831020 28 High Street, Butleigh, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8SY 01458 850654 or Street 01458 443677 Pound Pool, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 6LZ 01458 272297 or Langport 01458 250509 www.forseyandson.co.uk

30 THE VISITOR April 2017

that it was once the stronghold of Melwas, King of Somerset. There is no car parking on Wellhouse Lane near the foot of the Tor, but a bus service from the town centre to the Tor footpath recommences on 1st April and runs daily until the end of September. It leaves every half-hour from 9.30am until 7.00pm from the car park on Magdalene Street by the Abbey and returns from the Tor 15 minutes later.

I recommend taking the bus up to the Tor and walking back down through the town so that you can nose into some of the nooks and crannies and browse round the shops. One nook you shouldn’t miss is the Chalice Well and Gardens at the junction of Wellhouse Lane and Chilkwell Street. The well, one of the oldest continuously-used holy wells in the British Isles, is steeped in legend linking it to the chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper, reputedly brought to Glastonbury and buried here by Joseph of Arimathea. It’s set amidst gardens in the vale between Chalice Hill and the Tor and is open daily from 10.00am till 6.00pm.

But if you’re in immediate need of something to quench your thirst after climbing the Tor, your oasis is just a few yards further down Chilkwell Street in a building thought to date from the 16th century – the Rifleman’s Arms.

Before you enter, turn round and take a look at the cottages opposite, several of which also date from medieval times and still retain some period features. If you choose to walk back to the centre via Chilkwell Street and High Street you will pass three of Glastonbury’s finest buildings – St John’s Church, The Tribunal and the George and Pilgrims, one of the finest surviving medieval inns in England.

No visit to Glastonbury is complete without exploring the Abbey grounds and visitor centre, about which I have written in previous articles, and browsing the impressive number of shops catering for ‘alternative’ lifestyles.

Some of them deal in complementary medicines, relaxation and healing aids; others sell mystic books and suchlike; some are full of arts, crafts and clothing from the local area and from overseas; others retail organic produce and healthy foods. They give the town centre

Glastonbury is a fascinating place to browse for unusual gifts, foods, books, clothes and home furnishings, not just on the High Street but also tucked away in nearby arcades, lanes and yards which can be fun to explore.

G. M. Ayres Tree Care and Garden Services

Glastonbury based G.M. Ayres are fully qualified tree surgeons who also carry out a wealth of services such as landscaping, driveways / patios and paths (e.g. surfacing, paving and tarmacking) and, of course, garden maintenance. They are a family run business established in 1965 by Gary’s father and taken over by Gary in 1985. Sam, Gary’s son-in-law, joined the business in 2013. Their reputation is of paramount importance to them and therefore they do not contract in any outside labour: customers deal with G.M. Ayres staff only.

They are professional from start to finish, aiming to complete most quotations within 24 hours of an initial enquiry and striving to leave all completed contracts clean and tidy. They want customers to be left with the memory of the professional workmanship experienced, not to be left with the mess and untidiness that some companies leave behind.

As a result of their customer focused approach, much of their

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Go Wild at the Red Brick Building!

Over 100 breath-taking photos of British wildlife are on show from Monday 3rd April to Monday 1st May at the Red Brick Building, Glastonbury.

They’ve teamed up with the British Wildlife Photography Awards and Somerset Wildlife Trust to bring you the best of the

entries from the 2016 competition.

From dancing jellyfish to diving ducks, botanical beauties to preening puffins, the show features spectacular images showing biodiversity at its best.

“This is the first major photography exhibition we’ve brought to the Red Brick Building and we’re the only venue in Somerset hosting it” said Tim Knock, Arts and Event Manager.

“It’s a great opportunity for the whole family to see some amazing images of British wildlife.”

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, Simon Nash, said “We’re delighted to be working with the RBB to share some of the country’s best wildlife photography. Somerset has an amazing diversity of wildlife and habitats, including nationally important wetland sites in the Avalon Marshes. We hope this exhibition will inspire more people to experience and care about Somerset’s wildlife, and raise awareness of the Trust’s role in protecting it.”

So, if nature is the soul of life, come and feast on these images.

You won’t find them flocking together anywhere else in Somerset!

A donation of £3 is suggested for entry to the exhibition. 25% of all donations will go to support Somerset Wildlife Trust’s work in t he count y a nd 7 5 % will nourish the RBB enabling it to bring more events and exhibitions to the local community.

Offices at: Glastonbury, Castle Cary, Shepton Mallet and Cheddar

11 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 8DL Tel: 01458 832510 • Fax: 01458 832202 Email: glastonbury@bgw-solicitors.co.uk • www.bgw-solicitors.co.uk t e l e p h o n e • g a s • e l e c t r i c i t y • wat e r • g i r o t r a n s a c t i o n s

glastonbury post office and class cards

35 High Street Glastonbury BA6 9HG

Telephone 01458 831536

moneygrams • budget cards

G.M. AYRES

Tree Care & Garden Services

work is for regular clients or comes via recommendation from their loyal customer base.

G. M. Ayres endeavour to provide such a high level of customer service that you need never search for another tree care or garden service provider again.

No job is too big or too small. Why not contact them today?

stationery • accounts • stamps

a unique character and make it a fascinating place to look for unusual gifts, foods, books, clothes and home furnishings, not just on the High Street but also tucked way in nearby arcades, lanes and yards which can be fun to explore.

Several pay-and-display car parks are located close to the High Street and are best approached along Northload Street from the relief road that skirts the western edge of town.

The large car park behind St John’s Church contains a large canopy used nowadays for a farmer’s market on the fourth Saturday of each month. This was originally part of the town’s railway station, but the last train, an enthusiasts’ special, pulled away from Glastonbury towards Evercreech Junction on Sunday 6th March 1966. By then the goods yard had been closed and the passenger service reduced to just two trains a day in each direction, and it is hard to believe now that a railway ever served the town. The platform canopy remains as a permanent reminder, refurbished and reerected in the car park in 1985 when the derelict station was flattened.

If you’re in need of refreshment after exploring the town centre you will find an abundance of interesting and attractive cafés, restaurants and pubs on High Street, Northload Street, Benedict Street and Magdalene Street, some looking delightfully continental with tables and chairs on the pavement for their customers to enjoy a drink in the sunshine. It would be invidious to recommend one in particular because it seems that the town caters for almost all tastes, from organic wholefoods and the strictly vegetarian to chickenand-chips and pie-and-a-pint.

And the ever-popular traditional afternoon teas!

Roger Richards.

Glastonbury

greetings cards • holiday insurance • foreign currency • pension payments

THE VISITOR April 2017 31

MOTOR ING

VINTAGE Motor Cycling

SPRING IS HERE and with better weather promised it is important to get those machines back on the road and being used.

To that end I start this month with the events in the hope that I encourage some activity and participation. The Somerset Section start off with their club night on the 6th, which will be a guest speaker. Next they have the two day Cheddar Weekend on the 8th and 9th, based, of course, at Cheddar. Lastly they have their four day Twin Dragon Run from the 22nd to 25th, this is a four day touring expedition into the beautiful Welsh countryside. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section have their club night on the 10th, and on the 23rd will be the Hinton St Mary Run which starts at the Village Hall/Cricket Club. This is such a pretty venue and always a good ride, an event to be

Dating from 1929, this machine uses a conventional engine and gearbox but very few other standard features.

recommended. The Dorset Section have their Blandford Run on the 2nd which starts at the Corn Exchange in the Market Place. The Lunch Meet at West Stour takes place on the 5th. Next is a guest speaker at the club night on the 12th. The month ends with the Breakfast Meet back at West Stour on the 29th.

The Westlands Classic MCC are also very active during April. On the 16th they have a Classic Cruise to the Jail Cafe at Portland, next on the 22nd they ride to Caen Hill Locks at Devizes, and on the 30th they have a ride to Gospel Pass in rural Wales. Similarly, the Wells Classic MCC have a run to Cotswold Airport on the 2nd and on the 16th there is a Sunday Run to the Big Pit Mining Museum. I am sure there is plenty there for everyone to enjoy.

For more details on any of the

above ring 01935-872528.

My picture this month shows a machine very different from what is regarded as normal.

Dating from 1929 this machine uses a conventional engine and gearbox but very few other standard features. It has a form of swinging arm rear suspension, not innovative but still well ahead of its time. It also has sliding tube front forks which have a form of hub steering. The forks have two pairs of parallel tubes with many swivel joints. In good condition these forks apparently gave good steering control and a smooth ride, but the inevitable wear soon reduced these facets. The makers of these machines were the Osbourne Engineering Company (always known as OEC) and were made at Gosport in Hampshire.

Derisory comments soon reduced the OEC name to mean Oddball Engineering Contraptions which

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32 THE VISITOR April 2017

G.H. SALES. Tel: 01935 891414

MOTOR ING

is very unfair. At least they were bold enough to experiment and try something different. They also made entirely conventional machines as well, which for such a small company probably kept them in business from 1901 to 1954. The featured machine has been restored to a fabulous condition.

I have written before in these columns of the smaller British makes being reborn once more.

Brough Superior and Hesketh have been active again for a few years but new models will show a resurgence for these makes, and all this will take place in this area. Moto Corsa have had premises at Ashmore in Dorset for several years but they are shortly moving to much larger premises at the Old Brewery, Wyke Road, Gillingham. They hope to be open around Easter time subject to the planning authorities and builders. They have agencies for machines made

by Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Norton and Energica, in addition to the Brough Superior and Hesketh motorcycles. The latter two makes will actually be built locally when the whole jigsaw is in place.

The new Hesketh models will

feature American S & S engines with Baker transmissions which are all well tried and tested components. Various models will be available to suit all types of motorcycling and all tastes.

Similarly, the new Brough Superiors will feature new models but all machines will be individually made to each customers wishes and specification so each one will be slightly different. Both makes will be using the best possible components sourced from around the world. Bespoke tailoring but this time in metal.

Moto Corsa's new premises are vast and will house showrooms, workshops and a cafe large enough to seat one hundred people. Should you be in the market for a new or second-hand machine from the higher end of the market then this will be the place to visit. I will certainly be taking coffee there so I can drool at the machines on display. This is not a new venture but an expanding one and I wish them every success with it. Now I am off home to get the bent pocket knife and the piggy bank to see what lies within, but I suspect I already know, but I can dream.

Rod Hann

This carport has oak support posts, oak beams and oak braces.

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It will house showrooms, workshops and a large café.

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THE VISITOR April 2017 33

National Pet Month NATIONAL PET MONTH, now in its 28th year, is a nationwide celebration that promotes responsible pet ownership and helps people raise much-needed funds for UK pet charities. It’s easy for anyone to get involved, from social media chats using the hashtag #NationalPetMonth to organising or attending events.

Pets play a valuable role in our lives and National Pet Month’s main theme this year is ‘There’s a pet out there for you’, highlighting that there is a pet out there for everyone, whatever

walk of life you’re from, but it’s important to choose the best fit for your lifestyle.

This year National Pet Month is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Tesco Bank Pet Insurance who have become 2017’s headline sponsor.

Michael Bellingham, Chairman of National Pet Month is thrilled to welcome Tesco Bank on board and is calling on all UK pet lovers to get involved.

He said: “It’s fantastic to partner with Tesco Bank for National Pet Month’s 2017 campaign and we are looking forward to working with our Tesco colleagues to promote responsible pet ownership, as well as to celebrate life with our pets.

“National Pet Month is an umbrella charity, offering a fantastic opportunity to join together to celebrate our country’s great love of pets, to remind us of the importance of taking good

Your dog, horse or bird captured in oil or pastels by Carole Anne Adlington.

The Visitor CAN BE READ ONLINE: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

34 THE VISITOR April 2017

1st April – 1st May 2017

Always a good choice of pet beds from Crossroads Pet Supplies of Yeovil.

care of our pets and to help people raise funds for the UK’s incredible pet charities who help so many pets in need.

“Check out our five simple ways to get involved during National Pet Month, whether it’s to raise awareness or raise funds.

We can promote what you do through our social media channels and the events map on our website – www.national petmonth.org.uk” David McCreadie, Managing Director of Tesco Bank said: “We understand just how important our customers’ pets are to them and that’s why we are supporting National Pet Month. National Pet Month is both a celebration of the joy pets can bring, but also a great reminder of our responsibility to look after them. Over the coming m o nt hs, we will b e he lp i ng customers take better care of their pets by hosting a number of Pet Roadshows at stores across the UK that customers can come along to. These will offer people the chance to see vet led demos on topics such as brushing your

pet’s teeth and grooming and to ask questions on all things pet related.”

National Pet Month launches on Saturday, April 1st with a Twitter virtual launch party between 4pm and 6pm, where pet fans can join in the fun online, talk all things pet and enter our competitions where there’ll be some awesome prizes up for grabs.

Look out for your Twitter party ‘invite’ on our social media channels and search for #NPMLaunch and #National PetMonth to be part of the launch on April 1st.

National Pet Month 2017. Photos courtesy of National Pet Month.

National Pet Month

Five simple ways pet fans can join in National Pet Month

1st April – 1st May 2017

1. Register as an NPM supporter on their website http:// www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk /_members/ It’s free and only takes a minute.

2. Follow on social media and let’s talk pets: www.fb.com/ NationalPetMonth, www.fb.com/JoinScratching Post (cat fans), www.fb.com /JoinParkBench (dog fans) and on Twitter @NatPetMonthUK

Look out for regular blogs, competitions, fun facts, news from sponsor Tesco Pet Insurance and lots more!

3. Tell your friends about National Pet Month and get your local vet practices, pet shops, businesses and pet charities involved by staging a fundraising event for a favourite UK pet charity sponsored dog walks, pet themed fairs and fetes, a take your dog to work day or a pet friendly church service are all great fundraisers.

4. Get your kids’ school involved.

With valuable input from TV vet Marc Abraham, we have great pet themed lesson plans which can be downloaded from http://www.nationalpetmonth. org.uk/schools 5. Have an inspiring rescue pet story to share? Tell us about it and you could feature on the NPM blog. Email stories @turquoisetiger.co.uk

National Pet Month is a registered charity. For more information go to www. nationalpetmonth.org.uk For more information on Tesco Bank Pet Insurance go to http://www.tescobank.com/petinsurance/ You can follow 2017’s headline sponsor on Facebook @tesco.bank and on Twitter using the handle @TescoBankNews

Top 10 tips for responsible pet ownership

1. Think carefully before getting a pet and learn about its special requirements.

2. Ensure your pet is sociable and well trained.

3. Provide a nutritious and well

National Pet Month’s main theme this year is ‘There’s a pet out there for you’. Photo courtesy of National Pet Month.

balanced diet.

4. Provide suitable housing and bedding.

5. Clean up after your pet and worm it regularly.

6. Protect against disease. Your vet can provide you with advice.

7. Prevent unwanted litters and neuter your pet when appropriate.

8. Groom your pet regularly.

9. Control your pet and ensure it is properly identified.

10. Take out pet insurance for dogs, cats, rabbits and horses to cover against unexpected veterinary fees and third party liability.

Brunel Pet Centre

Brunel Pet Centre

Conveniently situated in the Brunel Shopping Precinct next to the free car park is Brunel Pet Centre.

Here they stock a wide range of “health / natural” food for your family pet such as Nature’s Way, James Wellbeloved and Burns dried foods suitable for all ages.

Lovejoys wet food and Natures Menu frozen foods are also stocked. Healthy treats include pig ears and knuckle bones. With spring upon us, now is a good time to protect your pet from fleas / ticks and for worming – treatments are on sale.

There is an excellent choice of

wild bird food including, sunflower seeds, peanuts and niger seed – ensuring you attract a variety of birds into your garden.

Fish foods, small animal feed and bedding are also stocked.

Beds, toys, leads, shampoos and accessories can all be found at Brunel Pet Supplies.

Why not pop in and see for yourself – and meet Lacey the spaniel!

Say you saw it in The Visitor

5a Brunel Shopping Precinct — SOMERTON — Tel: 01458 274980 Email: info@brunel-pets.com Website: www.brunel-pets.com

Many Brands of Dog & Cat Food Stocked Dog & Cat Treats, Toys & Beds Small Animal Foods, Treats Hay and Straw Wide Selection of Wild Bird Food & Feeders ORDERS WELCOME

If there is something you require which we don’t stock, we will endeavour to order it for you

Dedicated to excellence in animal care for over 100 years

Small Animal, Farm & Equine

★ 24 Hour Emergency Service provided by our own staff ★ and Healthy Pet and Healthy Horse Schemes available CASTLE CARY  01963 350307 YEOVIL  01935 474690 info@delawarevets.co.uk • www.delawarevets.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2017 35

CREWKERNE ~ a business focus

Antiques Bazaar

Germany in the 1930s is fascinating for so many people.

Not least the politics, the social changes and the world-changing military events which followed.

A trader at Antiques Bazaar, Crewkerne is dispersing a collection of 1930s figurines, some depicting competitors in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. These are original and absolutely unique.

The most striking is a German military officer in the showjumping events, which he won.

Sadly, he was killed in action in Poland in 1940. Another depicts a young female javelin Olympian, and yet another, a very stylised Germanic canoeist in a canoe.

These items have a very wide appeal, crossing historic interests with sporting, equestrian, military and social interests.

The military show jumper is the most expensive at £400, but there are a number of more modestly priced pieces available.

What a great excuse to spend a few hours at Antiques Bazaar, Crewkerne – open 7 days a week. www.antiquesbazaar.co.uk

Regency Mobility

Regency Mobility always have a comprehensive stock of both new and used scooters in stock to suit all requirements and there is an on-the-premises workshop for servicing. Should a customer be unable to visit their Crewkerne shop they are happy to make a home visit. They are stockists of the Cosyfeet range of ladies and gents footwear and slippers which are proving extremely popular.

36 THE VISITOR April 2017

1936 Olympian figurine – Antiques Bazaar, Crewkerne.

In addition, they offer a wide range of living aids, walking sticks and rollators.

Situated in Falkland Square, Regency Mobility is within easy distance of the car park and next door to Costa Coffee. If you are looking for a scooter or need advice, call into Regency Mobility who will be pleased to assist you.

Mike Ayers

Mike Ayers, a registered guitar tutor, has been teaching the guitar for over 20 years. Many readers will know Mike from when he and his wife ran Mike’s Music in the George Precinct, Crewkerne.

Mike teaches all ages and abilities from his home in

CREWKERNE ~ a business focus

Crewkerne - including up to exam standard. (Higher level pass grades 6 and upwards gain points towards UCAS.) Whether you want to learn the guitar for pleasure, or to pass an exam, give Mike a call on 01460 75663.

AllGlass & Glazing come to you

From the very start, AllGlass & Glazing will take the hard work out of your home improvements.

All you need do is pick up the phone and they will do the rest: their approachable and efficient office staff will arrange a time for Sarah, their friendly and knowledgeable sales person, to come to you. At your convenience, Sarah will visit your home to provide you with a no – obligation quotation. She can also answer any questions you might have about the products and services that AllGlass offer. There is no hard-sell, just a chance for Sarah to determine what you’re looking for and a quotation provided.

Established in 1986, and still

run by the family who started it, AllGlass & Glazing have more than thirty years’ experience in the field and pride themselves on quality products and a job well done. AllGlass & Glazing: it’s all good!

Chatter Cino

Have you discovered this friendly little coffee shop?

Chatter-Cino of Merriott, near Crewkerne offers delicious homecooked food much of which is locally sourced. Enjoy a breakfast from 8.30 until 12noon plus daily specials such as lasagne and homemade soup, and wonderful homemade cakes and tray-bakes.

Afternoon teas with scones and jam or if you prefer something savoury, cheese scones and chutney, both are firm favourites.

Bread is freshly baked on the premises and gluten free bread is also available.

Children’s parties are most welcome. Special occasion cakes can be made to order.

Just pop in to discuss your requirements. Homemade

chutney now stocked. Open 8.30am until 3.30pm.

HomeFayre

HomeFayre is open seven days a week. They sell a diverse range of products – household, DIY, gardening, toys, soft furnishing, greeting cards, pet food and more!

With spring upon us it is time for gardening and they have a good choice of seeds, pots of all

shape and size, fence cover, pest control and sundries, all at sensible prices.

Spring cleaning? Give your home a fresh new look with a coat of paint. Choose from a comprehensive selection plus brushes, white spirit, etc.

Ready-made and made-tomeasure curtains in a range of colours and designs are available together with poles and hooks.

Chatter~Cino

A hidden gem serving ...

breakfast – light lunches – soup homemade cakes – daily specials ... to eat in or take away

 FRESH BREAD DAILY 

Childrens parties welcome Cakes made for all occasions

Open Monday – Saturday 8.30am – 3.30pm

10 Lower Street Merriott, tA16 5NL Enquiries telephone

Alice on 01460 76659

THE VISITOR April 2017 37

CREWKERNE ~ a business focus

Quality bedding and towels, cheery cushions, oil cloth off the roll and more! Do call in. The stock is changing regularly - but low prices remain the same!

Chalmers & Co., Accountants making tax digital ... Is your business ready?

Pots galore at HomeFayre, Crewkerne – ideal for the gardening season ahead.

digitally, paper returns will be a thing of the past.

It will still be necessary to make an annual return to make any necessary adjustments and to confirm the completeness and accuracy of information submitted during the year.

HOMEFAYRE We are open Sundays and every day for ...

Garden Sundries

Pots  Troughs  Pest Control etc.

D.I.Y. Requisites

Paints  Hand Tools  Screws

Beautiful Bedding

We stock a superb range of ...

Duvet Covers, Sheets and Pillow Cases All Colours  All Sizes

Ready Made and Made-To-Measure Curtains

Extensive Range of Towels, Pet Food China, Arts & Crafts, Bakeware ... and more!

— OUR STOCK CHANGES REGULARLY —

Homefayre, 22 Market Street, CREWKERNE  01460 72650 Also at:

Buy & Save, High Street, CASTLE CARY (Not open Sundays)  01963 350969

38 THE VISITOR April 2017

These regulations will affect both property owners and the self-employed if your business has a turnover (not your profit) of more than £10,000. You will need to keep your records digitally. You can do this using either a desktop or cloud based accounting

package (not just a spreadsheet) that is capable of uploading information to your digital tax account at HMRC, every quarter.

HMRC are unlikely to provide free software but it is likely that free software will be available to the smallest businesses.

Chalmers

&CO

As we approach the end of another tax year on 5 April 2017, there is just over 13 months before HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) "Making Tax Digital" (MTD) initiative will come in to force. This initiative will bring significant changes to the way businesses are required to report their profits to HMRC. Instead of annual returns to HMRC, businesses will be required to make quarterly returns. The plan is that these returns will need to be submitted to HMRC within one month of the quarter end. The other major changes are:  Everyone will be given a digital tax account by HMRC; and  Returns must be made

chartered accountants

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Personal & Business Tax Advisors Business Start Ups Payroll Bureau Accounting & Audit Specialists Full Business Support Services VAT Returns & Advice

Free initial consultation

A personal and friendly approach to business that will work for you Visit our website at

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info@chalmersaccountants.co.uk Offices at Yeovil, Crewkerne & Langport 01460 279000

WITH EASTER JUST AROUND THE CORNER, perhaps you are due to have friends or guests to stay, or just want to perk your living space up during the traditional period of new beginnings. Whatever the reason, its a great time to think about some home improvements.

Seeing is believing

When buying furniture, it makes sense that you’d want to see it ‘in real life’ before determining whether to buy it or not. Visiting a furniture store is a wonderful way to see, touch and experience the items they sell.

Furniture stores are also brilliant places to buy matching pieces, or to ensure that all the items you choose complement each other, which can bring a really polished look to a room.

When buying a bed, its only natural that you want to test how firm the mattress is and compare it with others before deciding if it is fit to be yours for the next seven years! Again, visiting a shop gives you this option, one you simply don’t have when shopping online.

Bedroom furniture from Fit & Furnish, Yeovil

Fit & Furnish of Yeovil are pleased to offer the Belgrave range of bedroom furniture.

This range of furniture is available in 11 styles, 12 finishes including oak, cherry and French oak and 24 handle styles!

To make choosing simpler Fit & Furnish have a display unit so you can compare each option.

So pop in and create your dream bedroom furniture.

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Contact us for a free estimate

(01935) 823346

www.countrybuild.co.uk • info@countrybuild.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2017 39

Don’t be drawn in by Council Tax scammers

Residents are being warned to be wary of Council Tax scams that may be prevalent in the next few weeks as bills are delivered to households.

The offer to reduce your Council Tax banding, reduce your monthly payments or claim money back for a small fee may sound enticing, but it’s more than likely that you have been contacted by a scammer who is only interested in getting money or your bank details out of you.

One scam currently in operation that has been highlighted to South Somerset District Council asks for you to confirm your bank details in an email to receive a refund for your previous years Council Tax bill. The email even gives a telephone number to call which is a direct line to the Council Tax Team at Oldham Council, making it appear even

more genuine.

There are key things to check when you receive communication about Council Tax. The following might help you to identify whether you are being scammed: When writing to you, South Somerset District Council will address the letter directly to you rather than to ‘the occupier’ or ‘sir/madam’; We will never ask for your bank

account details on the phone or via email, to refund overpaid council tax.

Many scams involve asking for a fee to see if your Council Tax banding can be lowered. This is a service that can be done for free.

Council Tax bands are set by the Valuation Office Agency and can only be changed under certain conditions. Details can be found at www.gov.uk/council-taxappeals Ian Potter, Revenues Manager at South Somerset District Council said, “Many scams are highlighted to the Council and we try to inform residents when they are brought to our attention because ultimately it's you, the resident, who may lose out.

“If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax bill and need help, speak with a member of the Council Tax Team on 01935 462462 who will be able to offer help and advice.”

Councillor Peter Seib, Portfolio Holder for Finance & Legal Services added, “If you are due a refund of overpaid Council Tax we will do this automatically. You can check your Council Tax band with the Valuation Office for free.

In either case don’t let a scammer con you.”

If you are unsure of who you are talking to and instinct tells you something is not quite right, hang up, call 01935 462462 and check with a customer advisor whether the name of the person who called you really does exist.

If you have given over personal details, we would advise you to call the Police straight away on 101 and report the matter as an identity theft scam. The Police will also direct you to the Action Fraud helpline on 0300 123 2040.

ACF WINDOWS

ANDY FELTHAM

uPVC REPlaCEmEnT WinDoWs, DooRs, ConsERVaToRiEs, WooDEn FRamED WinDoWs, FasCia BoaRDs, ClaDDing, guTTERing, aluminium WinDoWs & DooRs ETC.

The Old Well House Shepherds Hill, Buckhorn Weston GILLINGHAM, Dorset SP8 5HX The Gallery Collection from the Belgrave Bedrooms range at Fit & Furnish, Yeovil.

40 THE VISITOR April 2017

Tel / Fax: 01963 371715 Mobile: 07802 393344

Keep your feet on the ground

The weather is indeed improving, but it certainly isn’t summer yet.

Underfloor heating is a wonderful way to heat your home for many reasons, not least that it brings a touch of luxury to your abode.

Having your tootsies being nicely warmed just by standing up whilst making a cup of tea or preparing lunch would most certainly make the morning routine less painful.

Underfloor heating uses radiant rather than connective heat, so it transfers heat directly rather than relying on the circulation of air.

Warm toes, consistent room temperatures and no clumpy radiators cluttering up your treasured living space. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Quality at home

Most of us spend a lot of time at home, so it makes sense that we want to feel good about it.

Choosing quality fabric and wallpaper when updating interior

design gives you an excellent basis for turning your house into a home. Style and quality often goes hand-in-hand with wellknown, established brands who have years of experience in the business.

Ask for advice when browsing in store: discussing your ideas could make you aware of things you hadn’t previously thought of.

You can also get assistance with hanging the curtains! What could be better?

customers for a very good reason: The opulence and style of these wonderful fabrics and papers speak for themselves. From subtle tones to rich deep colours and with textures and detailed embroidery which never fails to engage you, these fabrics have a timeless appeal and exude classic good taste. "We know exactly, who, of our existing clients will be attracted by these new

additions to our offer and are enjoying their reactions to these sumptuous designs" explains John Lawrence, "But what we are also delighted about, is the number of new customers, already fans of these great brands, that we are meeting since we took them on board."

Needful Things offer free advice, free estimates and free curtain hanging so, do pop into

Needful Things Interiors Castle Cary

Needful Things Interiors of Castle Cary have recently added three key fabric and wallpaper brands to their portfolio: Colefax & Fowler, Jane Churchill and Manuel Canovas. These exquisite, top end brands have enabled Needful Things Interiors to offer a broader range of fabrics to suit all tastes. Owners John & Alison Lawrence acknowledge that these long established brands have a massive following and are popular with the most discerning

APRIL PROMOTION

No VAT to pay on underfloor heating kits ~ Offer ends 30th April ~

 Quality Floor & Wall Tiles

 Distributors of Porcelanosa and other leading brands  Professional fitting service

OPEN AS NORMAL OVER EASTER

 Free Measuring & Estimate  Design Advice

 Supply & Fit or Supply Only  Full Range of Sanitary Ware, Basins, Baths, etc.

CALL IN TODAY PUBLIC & TRADE WELCOME Open: 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm Saturday Free parking outside the shop

J2 Tiles, Unit 16, Venture 20 (Opposite Wickes)

Lynx West Trading Estate YEOVIL, BA20 2HP

 01935 472088 · www.j2tiles.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2017 41

Bryan G. Paulley Ltd

Domestic / Commercial Installations / Replacements

Plastic / metal Tanks • Temporary Tanks leaking Tanks • Tank Cleaning / moving / Disposal above or Below ground Tanks • 24 Hour Call-out

Tel: 01963 363870 • Mob: 07836 502683 office@bgp-oiltanks.co.uk • www.bgp-oiltanks.co.uk

This attractive sofa and chair is just a sample of the wide range available from Ilminster Warehouse of Ilminster and their sister warehouse at Crockerton.

Carpet to suit all tastes & budgets

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42 THE VISITOR April 2017

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their Castle Cary store to browse their samples and discuss your plans or ring them on 01963 351352 to arrange a measure and quotation.

Ilminster Warehouse and Crockerton Furniture Centre

Ilminster Warehouse store being 28,000 sq ft and Crockerton Furniture Centre 40,000 sq ft, (both over 2 floors), means they have something for everyone.

Ilminster also stock DIY, Electricals and decorating supplies including Dulux paints (which can be mixed on site).

They have a wealth of experience and knowledge gained over many years in the furniture retail business. Crockerton has over 40 suites and beds on display to suit your budget. With Mark at Ilminster and Janie at Crockerton or one of their staff always around to help and advise, you can make your purchase a pleasant and easy one.

Unlike other stores they will not chase you around the shop.

Take your time to wander at your own speed.

Having two stores they are firm believers in buying stock at the right price so therefore offering you the customer the best deal they can. Neither stores run sales as they believe in a good quality product at an honest price all year round. They pride themselves on their customer service, they want you to come back and buy from them again and tell your friends and family.

Both stores offer free delivery within a 30 mile radius of the store and ample free parking outside the door.

If you need any further information please visit the stores or give them a ring. They are always happy to help.

a lick of paint, a tester pot is a fantastic way for you to see if a colour is right for you before you buy litres of it!

It can be difficult sometimes, on a piece of cardboard or a screen, to see how the colour will

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44 THE VISITOR April 2017

Traditional craftsmanship and finest quality from London’s oldest paintmakers

Established in 1884, Mylands is Britain’s oldest family-owned and run paint and polishes manufacturer. Over four generations, they have quietly but proudly crafted quality paints and wood finishes in Lambeth, South London.

Originally supplying to trade only, Mylands has been a best kept secret amongst interior design professionals and scenic artists for over 130 years. Their long standing association with the film, television and theatre industry has seen their paints featured in some of the world’s most successful productions.

Over the years, Mylands’ knowledge, expertise and dedication have earned them a reputation amongst the most discerning and demanding clientele. In 1985, Mylands was awarded a coveted Royal Warrant – the ultimate seal of approval.

Today, Mylands’ paints are available direct to the customer in a comprehensive range of interior and exterior paint finishes for all their decorating needs. Local stockist, City Decorating, Wells.

Inspirational Exterior Colour Schemes from Mylands Exterior Paint Finishes

Exterior Masonry A hardwearing, weatherproof and mildew resistant paint with a matt appearance for use outdoors on walls, brickwork and render.

Extremely durable it resists fading, cracking, peeling and dirt pick-up.

Wood & Metal Range A beautiful paint available in three classic, flawless finishes; Matt, Eggshell and Gloss suitable for use on interior and exterior

The perfect choice ...

wood and metalwork.

For best results and a superior, longer-lasting finish, use Mylands coordinating Primer Undercoat, specially developed to provide the perfect foundation for optimum performance and results.

Specialist Coatings

Mylands produces a comprehensive range of specialist wood coatings including polishes, oils, wax and varnish, accompanied by a selection of high quality tools and decorating accessories.

Colour Matching

Mylands bespoke colour matching service allows you to create your own colour. Their expert team of colourists are highly skilled in the art of paint blending and will match to almost any existing paint, swatch or fragment of colour.

 Always test colours in situ as colours can change according to their surroundings. www.mylands.com

You can have it all

Many people enjoy the appearance of traditional things in their home, but with energy efficiency and the cost of fuel being such important factors, these items sometimes seem unfeasible for the home.

However, many modern multifuel stoves, cookers and fireplaces can offer the wonderful traditional appearance you know and love, but with modern-day technological advantages that make them cost effective, energy efficient and eco-friendly.

If you don’t long to bring the past into the present but prefer something more up-to-date, you can remain resolutely modern in your choice by tailoring the products to suit you and your lifestyle. These stoves, cookers and fireplaces come in a range of style, colour and fuel options, so whether your taste is traditional, modern or somewhere in-between, there will be something perfect for you and your home.

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Get your DESIGNERS GUILD tester pot refunded when you buy 5 litres or more of your chosen colour

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THE VISITOR April 2017 45

AP Kitchen Solutions

FOR YOUR NEW KITCHEN

Easter ‘all change’ for collection days

Every household in Somerset will have Easter waste day changes, with pick-ups due on Good Friday 14 April taking place on Saturday 15 April.

No collections on Easter Monday 17 April mean all that

week's kerbside services are one day later, including Friday pickups on Saturday 22 April.

All recycling sites remain on their usual schedules, with nine sites open on Good Friday 14 April, and all 16 on Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

 Kitchens replaced for a fresh new look at a reasonable price  Complete new kitchens designed to suit you

 Replacement doors – “don’t replace it, reface it”

 Huge choice of granite and quartz worksurfaces  Full range of accessories and appliances

 Full project management and qualified local installers  We offer an expert and friendly service

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To discuss your personal requirements contact Adam

Northover, ILCHESTER, BA22 8LD www.apkitchens.co.uk

46 THE VISITOR April 2017

One day later: make a note of your recycling and rubbish pick-ups.

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THE VISITOR April 2017 47

Antiques Roadshow at Minehead Railway Station

It’s time to dust off your treasures for a great, free day out as BBC One’s ever- popular Sunday evening programme Antiques Roadshow comes to the West Somerset Railway at Minehead Railway Station on Wednesday 17th May. The doors open at 9.30am and close at 4.30pm. Entry to the show is free, everyone is welcome, and no tickets or pre-registration is required. For parking arrangements please check their website.

Many of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists will be on hand to offer free advice and valuations to visitors, who are invited to raid their attics and bring along their family heirlooms, household treasures and car-boot sale bargains for inspection by the experts.

Antiques Roadshow presenter Fiona Bruce, who marks her

Antiques Roadshow is coming to Minehead Railway Station on Wednesday 17 May

tenth year presenting the programme, said: “The best part of working on Antiques Roadshow is that we never know who or what is going to turn up on the day. The visitors, the objects they bring, their stories and the location all combine to make a fabulous experience that we aim to capture for the viewers. If you are a fan of Antiques Roadshow, curious to see behind the scenes, or just fancy a day out, I would urge you to dig out your treasures and come along - we’d love to see you!”

Quillon House Antiques 16 H IG H S TR EET , B RUTON  01749 812269

 17 th / 18 th C. Oak and Country Furniture

 Arms & Armoury  Equestrian Paintings  Valuations Undertaken  Antiques Purchased

Case pair  of French 19th century target pistols

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10.00am – 5.30pm

Wardon Hill Trading Post

Antiques Roadshow celebrates a special anniversary this year and its visit to the West Somerset Railway at Minehead Railway Station will take place exactly 40 years to the day of the very first recording. On May 17th 1977, the cameras rolled at Hereford Town Hall, as presenter Bruce Parker and expert Arthur Negus welcomed the first visitors.

Visitors are welcome to just turn up on the day, but if they have an item with a particularly unusual story attached, or perhaps an interesting collection, or large items of furniture, they can let the team know in advance via the ‘Share Your Story’ link on www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow Alternatively, email: antiques.roadshow@ bbc.co.uk or write to Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR. Antiques Roadshow Executive Editor, Simon Shaw said: “Our Antiques Roadshow at Minehead Railway Station on Wednesday 17th May marks the start of our 40th anniversary filming, and we feel the locations this year are some of our most beautiful and

historic yet.

“Our team of experts and Fiona love nothing better than hearing people’s stories and seeing what items they bring, so we hope as many people as possible come to Minehead Railway Station and enjoy what our visitors consistently tell us is a fantastic day out. Even after 40 years, the magic formula of surprising some lucky guests with exciting news about their treasures is still a thrill for us, the visitors and the viewers.”

Please note this is an exterior event, so advice to all visitors is to dress accordingly. More information on planning your visit, frequently asked questions, and parking information, can be found at: www.bbc.co.uk/ antiquesroadshow

Wardon Hill Trading Post between Dorchester & Yeovil

Wardon Hill Trading Post are now in their second year of trading and going from strength to strength. This year they will be holding weekly fairs starting with Antiques on 9th April followed by craft, mystic, collectors, food, militaria, books and toys to name a few.

All fairs will be held in a marquee adjacent to and entered from the main building that is already home to over 50 traders selling a variety of things from Antiques collectables crafts and so much more.

With stock changing regularly there is always something new to be found. There is plenty of free parking & a cafe on site making it a great place to while away the hours.

Located on the A37 midway between Dorchester and Yeovil and open 6 days a week Tuesday – Saturday 9 – 5 & Sunday 9 – 4 you are sure to find something.

over 50 trADerS

Free Parking & Cafe A37 DorCHeSter – YeoviL Dt2 9PW Open Tuesday – Saturday 9am – 5pm / Sunday 9am – 4pm

We are looking for StALL HoLDerS for a variety of fairs to be held each weekend this year antique / mystic / Collectors / militaria / Book / Toy / Food / Flea

For a full 2017 Calendar or to Book a Stall please contact us on

01935 83069 / whtpost@yahoo.com / facebook

48 THE VISITOR April 2017

Late 19c watercolours Udaipur School depicting Indian maharajas by Mukesh Sharma - individually priced.

Quillon House Antiques, Bruton.

Spring into the Garden ...

GARDENING MONTHLY

by Richard Cumming Orchard Park

THINGS ARE HOTTING UP, well alright warming up. Day length is increasing and the clocks have sprung forward. April is the most popular month for queries on the RHS website with gardeners of every description finding issues that need a bit of helpful advice. Garden Centre’s such as ourselves are often the focus of gardening questions, partly because we have such a range of plants and plant care products that all need a bit of explanation! Gardening really kicks off now and we all want to get the most out of our time and effort.

Orchard Park has just taken part in a gardening charity event raising funds for Greenfingers who create really special gardens for childrens’ hospices all over the

country. The horticultural industry has the same generous outward looking attitude that most gardeners have, and businesses like ours, all over the country, take part in something called Garden Re-Leaf day.

Different things take place, for us it was a 24 hour plant-a-thon with staff from the garden centre creating all sorts of indoor and outdoor planters, which were then sold, and the funds raised going to Greenfingers. A great experience especially planting in the dead of night, as the rain died away and the skies cleared to allow the bright moon to appear.

Planting by moonlight – absolutely magical experience.

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With new growth coming there is a group of plants that can really create an exciting start to the growing season. Japanese maples are the perfect choice of tree for any small, compact or courtyard garden. Their character and appeal makes them ideal for creating a focal point in your garden, brightening a shaded corner, or elegantly overhanging a pool or water feature.

Many acers are commonly called Japanese maples, but their parents could be derived from several different species including Acer japonicum, Acer palmatum, Acer shirasawanum or others.

Among them are some extremely slow-growing forms, with trees remaining a small, manageable size without the need for regular pruning.

With their Eastern origins in Japan, Korea and China, these small trees are suitable for developing gardens with Oriental themes and designs, choosing other suitable planting partners for them, like ferns, hostas,

bamboo, azaleas, camellias, and more.

Their natural shape and growing habit of branches make Japanese maples an ideal choice of small tree for gardens or growing in large patio pots. Their leaf shapes, sizes and colours vary immensely. Many have a broad palm shape, but these are often divided and dissected into the most delicate and intricate forms.

Add to this their wide range of colours; from deep greens to yellow, gold, purple or even variegated patterns and you have immense variety to choose from.

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Spring into the Garden ...

While some green or purpleleaved varieties will tolerate an open position in full sun, this can scorch the more delicate foliage of golden, variegated or dissected forms. A sheltered site is more suitable, and particularly one that provides shade during the hottest part of the day and protection from drying winds.

Japanese maples put on a show right through the year, starting as soon as foliage unfurls in spring and continuing until their autumn transformation into shades of gold and bronze before they eventually fall.

With dozens of marvellous Japanese maples available from

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nurseries and garden centres you'll be spoilt for choice when picking one to add a little maple magic to your garden.

Top Maples for any garden

To help you choose the best varieties with outstanding garden performance always look for ones that have received an Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from the Royal Horticultural Society. Here are some of the most widely available AGM varieties:  Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood'  Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki'  Acer palmatum ‘Sango-Kaku'  Golden Shirasawanum maple (Acershirasawanum ‘Aureum')

Top tips for growing Japanese Maples

1. Choose a sheltered site where trees are protected from late spring frosts, cold winds and scorching summer sun.

2. Maples prefer well-drained soil containing plenty of compost to lock in moisture and ensure the ground never dries out.

3. Spread a deep mulch of leaf-

mould, compost or shredded bark over the soil around maples to retain moisture and reduce annual weed growth.

4. For growing in containers choose large and stable terracotta pots with several drainage holes in their base.

Line pots with a sheet of plastic before filling with compost to reduce water loss through the sides.

5. As trees can remain in pots for several years it's best to plant them using a loam-based John Innes No.3 compost with extra grit added to ensure good drainage. Do remember that established trees will need repotting into larger pots every few years.

6. Keep the top of the compost a few inches below the pot rim to make watering from above easier, covering the surface with a mulch of pebbles or ornamental gravel.

7. Water regularly with collected rainwater, and stand pots in saucers of water to provide a reservoir for trees to take up

each day during hot, dry periods.

8. Tree roots can be susceptible to frost damage in winter, so either move pots to sheltered sites or wrap with bubble polythene insulation.

Jobs for the month

Annual and perennial weeds, both those that have recently germinated as well as those that have grown over winter, need to be dealt with now before they get too well established. Brambles are the toughest and best tackled with a sharp narrow spade – dig down and pull the prickly stem out. If cut back they then quickly regrow. Creeping buttercup should be either dug up with a fork or treated to a touch of weedkiller. Glyphosate in dry weather is very effective. Same goes for bindweed and couch grass but beware even small sections of root left behind will grow into new plants. Annual weed seedlings are easily hoed off but wait for a dry day.

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50 THE VISITOR April 2017

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Spring into the Garden ...

susceptible to damage by late frost but small trees, and covering with fleece, can protect fruit plants and bushes. Blossom lost now is a fruit crop lost later!

Roses are growing very fast now, and climbers and ramblers are sending out long new shoots that need tying-in, especially if they are to be part of the future framework of the plant.

With the soil warming up, you can sow pretty well anything outdoors now without fear of it being killed by cold or rotting off.

Hardy annuals, herbs and wild flower seed are all worth a chance.

You probably should have done this last month, but check that all the pruning is done, feed hungry summer flowering shrubs and roses with something like Toprose or Vitax Q4, and if you can, add a mulch of well-rotted compost or manure to the surface around the plant. This will help to retain moisture in the summer as well as improve the soil. Early flowering shrubs such as Forsythia, and evergreens such

as Viburnum tinus can be cut back now to retain shape and control height.

Lawns have really had a hard time this winter and moss is a major factor in killing off lawn grass. Treatment is essential, with either moss killer or lawn sand, which will turn your treasured green patch black, followed by raking out or scarifying. The next step is either a feed and gentle recovery or if really bad, over-sowing with grass seed. Avoid cutting too short until it is growing well again.

As for the veg’ garden, seed potatoes should be planted, parsnips sown, leeks sown or even planted out. Tomatoes,

approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

sweet corn and courgettes can be sown under protection to plant out when the conditions are right.

Not many spare moments this month! Enjoy!

Honeymead Garden Society gives thanks to the generosity of Peter Simons (Baltonsborough / Barton St. David)

Honeymead Garden Society is a group of keen gardeners who work the land on Honeymead Lane between Barton St David and Baltonsborough growing delicious fruit, vegetables and beautiful flowers.

The society is sincerely grateful to Peter Simons who donated the

land to the Society in 2009.

Thanks to his generosity and vision for the site, the Society has managed to create over 50 allotments for local people to enjoy. In November, the society pledged a thank you to Peter and his wife Nanette and invited them along for the unveiling of a fantastic bench for all to enjoy (see photograph). Sadly, in recent weeks both Peter and Nanette have passed away, but Honeymead Garden Society and all the budding horticulturalists who will grow there in the future, exercise, grow vegetables, make new friends and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful surroundings scenery and wildlife

QUalIFIeD aRBoRISt

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Utilise the generous grants now available to restock neglected woodland or areas of wasteground

THE VISITOR April 2017 51

Spring into the Garden ...

that lives in the River Brue which runs alongside the plots will be eternally grateful for Peter's generosity.

They would also like to thank all the local organisations who have helped fund projects to provide a better site for the members. Honeymead aims to create plots for as many local people to enjoy as possible and will soon be embarking on creating plots for less physically abled gardeners by raising plots using reclaimed railway sleepers.

If anyone wishes to enquire about the availability of plots please call the Honeymead secretary on 01458 850734.

Subscribe to South Somerset District Council’s Garden Waste service with ease

Do you love gardening but dislike the time, mess and cost of putting garden waste in your car and driving to the recycling site?

The fast, clean and cheap alternative is a subscription to South Somerset District Council's efficient garden waste collection service.

You get a roomy wheeled bin that is easy to fill as you walk it around your garden, saving time and energy going back and forth. And the bin holds your garden waste neatly in a corner; no more messy piles of rubbish blowing in the wind.

Wheel your bin outside for the fortnightly collection and their staff will empty it, leaving you to sit back and smell the roses instead of using fuel and time going to the recycling centre.

They collect flowers, plants, grass cuttings, leaves, hedge trimmings, almost all weeds, and even branches up to four inches across, and compost them in Somerset.

Subscriptions start from 1st April each year. You can join the service during the year, but the full fee will apply. Refunds cannot be issued for cancelling the service during the subscription period.

From 1st April 2017 there are two options available: A 12 month subscription is £53.50. This service remains good value and offers a quick and easy way for your garden waste to be collected and composted.

A 24 month subscription is £100. They are continuing to

offer a 2 year option as last year it proved popular with customers. They are able to offer a discount as they save money by reducing their administration and postage costs. In addition, 24 month subscribers will be protected from any possible price increase in the second year of their subscription.

To join the Garden Waste Collection service or visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/garden waste or call 01935 462462.

Alternatively, customers can apply to use compostable garden sacks, which currently cost £26 (£26.50 after 1 April 2017) for 10 sacks. These sacks can be left out for collection each fortnight on the collection day for garden waste for the property.

Councillor Jo Roundell Greene, a representative from South Somerset District Council on the Somerset Waste Board said, “Having a collection for your garden waste is so convenient and

Honeymead Garden Society members with Peter Simons.

Full ground preparation and laying service available

The Farmhouse, Somerton Door, SOMERTON, TA11 6JA Tel / Fax: 01458 272091

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Large or Small Loads Bagged or Loose Delivered or Collected Sub Soil / Rubble Removed

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52 THE VISITOR April 2017

Garden statues, furniture and pots outside Acreman Street Antiques and Interiors (incorporating Lily Flame Tea Rooms) – made famous recently after a customer mowed into them and didn’t stop!

PLANT WORLD For the best plants!

For all your gardening needs

Do Call In • Open 7 Days a Week • Ample FREE Parking

Milton On Stour, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 5QA Tel: 01747 824015

THE VISITOR April 2017 53

Spring into the Garden ...

the cost of about £1 a week outweighs the time and fuel costs you’ll save. By signing up to the service today, you will also be helping to protect the environment.”

Customers can leave as many sacks out for collection as needed depending on how much waste they have produced that fortnight.

Mendip Hills Group of SWT Plant Sale and Open Garden

Saturday 6th May 10:30am to 1.00pm.

Plants, cakes, exhibitions, raffle, activities for your children.

Easy parking in field opposite. £2 including coffee or tea. Protecting Somerset’s Wildlife for the Future. Somerset Wildlife Trust, 134 Wellington Road, Taunton TA1 5AW. Tel: 01823 652400 www.somersetwildlife.org

Tinhouse Home and Garden

Tinhouse Home and Garden is a small family run business based close to Somerton in Somerset.

They have for sale a good selection

of garden items, antiques and vintage / retro furniture and other collectable items.

They concentrate on reclaimed garden furniture, garden planters, statues, pots, birdbaths, sundials and have many other garden items for sale. They have a selection of impressive mould cast stone busts and wall plaques from a local artist. Open Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday from 10.30am until 5pm. (available at other times but please contact them first).

They are always looking to purchase more stock items of a similar nature, please contact them if you have any items for sale – cash paid.

They offer a free delivery and collection service for goods in the local area.

Tel: 01458 241298. Mob: 07971 244441. E-mail: tinhouse homeandgarden@outlook.com Web: www.tinhousehome andgarden.co.uk Find them on Facebook.

Sutton Road South Hill Somerton Somerset TA11 7JG

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Approximately 11⁄ 3 miles from Somerton Town Centre heading South on B3165 towards Long Sutton.

Popular South Somerset plant fair

On Saturday 13th May from 10.00am to 4.00pm Yarlington House, between Castle Cary and Wincanton, hosts for the largest Charity Specialist Plant Fair in South Somerset with 30 nurseries and garden related stands. With specialist nurseries attending from throughout the South of England, this plant fair is a must for keen plant buyers and gardeners alike. Along with specialist clematis, and other interesting climbers, there will be salvias, peonies, palms and ferns for sale. Other nurseries will be selling wild flowers, plants for shade and for the first time this year, Edulis Nursery will be bringing an eclectic mix of rare and unusual edible plants.

Access to the pretty Manor House garden, which is not normally open to the public, is included in the entry of the plant sale at £3. There will be refreshments available

throughout the day. This year, the Count and Countess de Salis have chosen the Church of St. Luke and St Theresa in Wincanton to benefit. Yarlington House is on the edge of Yarlington village, just follow the plant fair signs or use your sat nav (postcode BA9 8DY). For more information and a list of exhibitors go to www.plant fairs.com

Somerset Wildlife Trust launches ‘Wildlife Gardens’ initiative

The county’s most dazzling and inspiring wildlife gardens open to the public to fundraise for Somerset Wildlife Trust, and inspire us to use our own gardens to help wildlife on our own doorstep.

Somerset Wildlife Trust is delighted to launch ‘Somerset’s Wildlife Gardens’ – an initiative that will see nine of Somerset’s finest examples of gardens specifically designed to support our county’s best-loved wildlife opening their doors to the public to enjoy.

The gardens, spread across the county, as well as being stunning

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Our plants are healthy and happy Our service is friendly and snappy You’ll come with a smile, You’ll linger a while, Then leave with a bootful of plants!

ALSO FARM SHOP

Open: Monday – Saturday 9am – 6pm Sunday 10am – 6pm OPEN BANK HOLIDAYS

Lower Odcombe

On the Montacute – Yeovil Road

Tel: 01935 864166

54 THE VISITOR April 2017

Greensleeves Nursery at Odcombe, on the outskirts of Yeovil - here you will find an excellent choice of healthy plants and shrubs.

Spring into the Garden ...

in their own right, each showcase unique features that provide special homes for our best loved species - from small mammals and pollinators, to birds and pond-dwellers. They hope to inspire visitors to take away ideas for things they can do in their own gardens, school playgrounds, or office gardens to provide a secure home for wildlife.

Whilst all very different, the gardens have one thing in common – owners who are passionate about their gardens and happy to open them in order to inspire others and to support the Trust’s work. They will be on site, alongside Somerset Wildlife Trust staff, to offer advice and tips as well as delicious tea and cakes for visitors. The entry fee is £4 per adult, (free for children aged 16 and under), and all hosts will donate the proceeds to Somerset Wildlife Trust to support its work across the county.

Emma Jones, Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Community Fundraiser, explains, “56% of the UK’s species are in decline. Our wildlife need pathways upon which to travel to and through the county in order to feed, breed and find new homes. Our own gardens, whether large or small, in the town or in the country literally act as safe, green

stepping stones for this to happen. It’s the little things we do on our own doorsteps that can have a collective impact for wildlife and, whilst the Somerset Wildlife Gardens initiative showcase the very finest examples of wildlife friendly gardening, in each of them there are things that we can replicate in our own space.”

“Even if you are not a gardener at all, getting outside and connecting with nature is good for our health and well-being and the gardens are absolutely fabulous places to spend an enjoyable afternoon and a great way to get to know your local area, so please do come along to one near you.”

Somerset’s Wildlife Gardens

1. Sherborne Garden, Litton, Radstock, BA3 4PP Host Pamela Southwell May 21st 2017 at 10:30-17:00 Sherborne Garden is a romantic and enchanting garden, with a peaceful and timeless feel.

Created from agricultural land, and spreading over four acres, it’s a true labour of love. Come along to wander across the striking bridge and explore the winding paths - perfect for children to scamper along and to find secret hideaways in unusual trees.

2. Ball Copse Hall, Brent Knoll, Highbridge, TA9 4DF Host Sue Boss July 2nd 2017 at 12:00-17:00 Ball Copse Hall boasts one of the most breath-taking views of the Quantock and Polden Hills in the County. It is easy to understand why it was chosen as a military hospital in the war, as the hope was that the views would heal all. Thanks to the rare ‘crinklecrankle’ walled garden which provides a warmer temperature, there are some unusual plants to be found, such as a huge kiwi tree from New Zealand. You’ll also find a wildlife pond, home to Great Crested Newts, and bee hives nestled under the beech trees.

3. Broomclose, Porlock, Minehead, TA24 8NU Hosts David and Nicky Ramsay 17th and 18th June at 13:0017:00 Broomclose is a stunning Arts and Craft house with a garden classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is divided into idyllic pockets, from the Camelia Walk to the vegetable garden, and has a stunning view over the Vale of Porlock. As there is a milder eco-

climate here you will also find unusual sub-tropical trees and plants. It has been described as “bee heaven” by local beekeepers due to the huge array of beefriendly plants, and you will be able to see the bees and their hives in the garden. David, garden host and passionate beekeeper, will be around to answer your questions on this incredibly important aspect of conservation.

4. Model Farm, Perry Green, Wembdon, Bridgwater TA5 2BA Hosts Dave and Roz Young 9th July at 13:00-17:00 Model Farm is a beautiful four acre garden that has been lovingly created in the last seven

ROTAMOW

 Grass Cutting

Paddocks, Plantations Scarifying Lawns

 Rotavating

Rough Ground to Seed Bed

 Mini Digging

And High-Lift Dumper

 Patio Cleaning Paths, Drives, etc.

07659 171551

YaRlInGton hoUSe

By kind permission of The Count & Countess de Salis

16TH SPECIALIST PLANT FAIR & OPEN GARDEN Saturday 13th May • 10am – 4pm

This curved seat and planters will enhance a corner of any garden.

Just a sample from Shepton Classic Stone of Shepton Mallet.

a wonderful DaY oUt for GaRDeneRS and a great opportunity to buy those plants you’ve always wanted

A large selection of plant stalls by specialist growers from all over the South West A selection of unusual annuals on the Yarlington House Stall

Raffle, Cake Stall and tombola Delicious Refreshments available all day

entrance Fee £3 (under 16s free) • FRee paRkInG

Proceeds to the Church of St. Luke & Teresa, Wincanton Yarlington house, Yarlington, nr. Wincanton, Ba9 8DY

THE VISITOR April 2017 55

Spring into the Garden ... years. You can explore the wonderful wild flower meadow, stunning flower beds and the incredible 700 trees, which have all been planted by the owners on what was once agricultural land. Don’t forget to find the fabulous wild life pond too. On the day there won’t only be the chance to wander through this amazing garden, but you can explore the plant sale, display of vintage engines and local cider makers, as well as get involved in croquet on the lawn.

This attractive water feature runs off of a battery so no wiring is required.

Just one of a range available from Bruton Country Centre of Bruton.

5. The Miller’s House, Nunney, Nr Frome, BA11 4NP Host Caroline Toll May 27th at 11:00 to 16:00 If you would like to see a beautiful wildlife pond then don’t miss the chance to come to the tranquil garden at Miller’s House, where you will find an atmospheric mill pond which is often visited by dragonflies. The Miller’s House is set in a small valley near the fabulous Nunney Castle. You can take a wander along the wild paddock at the bottom of the garden next to the river, from the leat to Nunney Brook, where you can find a perfect paddling spot and a ‘Butterfly bank’ - an amazing bank on the river covered in wildflowers and grasses.

6. Vellacott Cottage Garden, Lawford, Crowcombe, TA4 4AL

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Wisteria Yard, West End, BRUTON, BA10 0AR Enquiries: 01749 812743 • www.brutoncountrycentre.co.uk

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• Gates • Trellis • Fence Panels • Tool Sheds • Summer Houses • Garages • Workhouses • Greenhouses • Field Shelters

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Bourton, Gillingham on the old A303 Nr. Zeals For Free Survey/Estimate/Brochure

TELEPHONE 01747 840752

56 THE VISITOR April 2017

Hosts Kevin and Pat Chittenden June 4th at 13:00-16:00 Vellacott is the archetypal Cottage Garden. The surrounding Quantocks and Brendon Hills make Vellacott feel like a floral oasis, a paradise for all wildlife.

Paths lead you through abundant plants, up to the top where you can find peep holes in the hedges to enjoy the spectacular views – and along the way find the very contented chickens too. Around the garden you will discover many salvaged, historic gardening relics including a Shepherd’s hut that Kevin and Pat are renovating. Vellacott is a peaceful, joyous space.

7. Hillcrest Garden, Curload, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton TA3 6LA Hosts Charlotte and Charles Sundquist June 24th and 25th at 14:00 to 17:00 Hillcrest is a five acre garden with so many special places within it that everyone can find a perfect spot to sit and contemplate, although the lawn is said to be perfect for cartwheels! It has incredible far reaching views overlooking the Somerset Levels, where you will spot Glastonbury Tor and Burrow Mump – although Hillcrest has its own standing stone that you can get up close too. Don’t miss the chance to visit the very large wild flower meadow leading down

Spring into the Garden ...

Somerset’s Wildlife Trust’s ‘Wildlife Gardens’ initiative. Picture shows Broomclose, Porlock. Photo: Neil Hepworth.

to an enormous wildlife pond, full of dragonflies and bee hives - with a bee expert on hand to answer any questions you may have about the essential garden visitors.

8. Bracondale Garden, Staplehay, Trull, TA3 7HB Host – Richard & Jackie DentonCox May 14th at 12:00-17:00 Bracondale is a wildlife haven in Staplehay with a wonderful pond full of frogs, and a meadow that will be in full bloom in time for your visit. You will also find an array of stunning trees including, Persian Ironwood, Redwood, Chinese Tulip tree and Blackgum.

9. Badbury Flowers, Badbury Dairy House, Isle Abbots, TA3 6RS Host Helen Toon 11th June at 11:00 to 15:00 Badbury Dairy House is a Flower Farm, and Helen the host, is a flower farmer. Helen supplies brides to country markets with stunning floral displays created from her own flowers grown from seed. Come along and be inspired by beautiful home grown flowers – and there’s also the chance to take away your own posy!

Can you grow the tallest sunflower?

Get involved with Overt Locke’s fun competition this year and you could win a £20.00 gift voucher to spend in store. Why not make it a fun family project? Sow sunflower seeds in March or early April and with careful tending,

it’s possible to grow an amazing sunflower over 9ft! The sunflowers can be grown either in your garden at home, at a friend or relative's house, on an allotment or even as part of a project at school. Simply post or email a photo of your sunflower showing its true height before the end of August along with an entry form available in store. The winner will be announced and notified in September. To help, spend over £10.00 in store before 13th April and we will give you a pack of sunflower seeds absolutely free!

Overt Locke, West Street, Somerton, Somerset TA11 7PS Tel: 01458 272626 Email: marketing@overtlocke.co.uk

Lee Holmes pictured with son Sam who joins him in the business at Lee Holmes Garden Machinery of Somerton. Sam is attending an engineering course at Evesham College. Sam will join both Lee and Vernon Loader who are fully qualified engineers.

We’ll help you get your garden ready this year

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LEE HOLMES Garden Machinery 15 Cary Court, Bancombe Business Park, SOMERTON 01458 274261 • www.gardenmachineryrus.co.uk

THE VISITOR April 2017 57

The

Pub Pages

B EER & S KI TT L ES P. A. BAXTER

A FULL ENGLISH PINT! I always feel that one knows where one is with a pint, and I dread the day when or if we are forced to ask for 'Point five of a

litre please Landlord!' I may not be any good at hard sums, but I am rather peeved as almost all the bottled beers available these days tend now to be 500ml. Why we had to change to some Johnny Foreigner measurement for bottled beers I consider nothing less than a rip-off, as effectively the price is thus raised by a good 10%, which at least proves my m a t h s i s n' t q ui t e s o b a d . . .

However, an informant tells me that no less a company than Morlands is now delivering the classic 'Old Speckled Hen' in 568ml bottles – a proper full pint.

Whilst said brewery goes back to 1711, it was swallowed up by Greene King in 2000. There is nothing new about this sort of thing of course. Indeed, Morlands themselves also acquired many brewers in the 19th Century and subsequently changed its name to United Breweries, then back

to Morlands and continued to do so after WW2 when it took over several more brewers. 'Hen' is one of the beers that is almost as good in bottles as it is from the cask, and we usually have a few ready for the unexpected urge to open a bottle or two - we even have the rather attractive glass in which it should be served. So, look out for those bottles labelled as a proper pint.

One of my gripes is that we may pay for a pint in a pub but we don't always get one. We may moan about the price of petrol (the best part of seven quid a gallon at the moment I'm guessing) so if we were knowingly getting less than the requisite amount for our money we'd be onto the Weights and Measures authorities pretty damn quick. The price of beer however more likely about £26.00 a gallon, yet how many of us complain if we are shortmeasured? CAMRA estimate that the British drinker pays for £1,000,000 of fresh air every day.

To prove this to oneself, it can easily be done at home. Take a 500ml bottle of beer and pour it into a pint glass. How far from the top is it? Perhaps not that far, but I would wager that I am not the only one who has had a measure of beer served in a pub that even falls some way short of that! According to those in the trade, anyone who feels they are being short-measured should have their pint topped up 'with good grace', although it would be better not to have to ask, would it not.

Our local will often say 'give it a moment and I'll top that' if the

BARRINGTON BOAR

Traditional Village Freehouse and B&B

Our lovely pub can be found in the picturesque and tranquil Somerset village of Barrington, just 2 miles from the market town of Ilminster.

The village has some of the most beautiful ham stone thatched cottages in the county, and is also the home to the National Barrington, Ilminster Trust property of Barrington Court, which was used recently Somerset, TA19 0JB for the filming of the BBC production of Wolf Hall. We can be Tel: 01460 259281 found in the heart of the village just opposite the beautiful Email: barringtonboar@outlook.com 13th century church of St. Mary the Virgin. www.barringtonboar.co.uk Bar open

Monday 6.00pm to 9.00pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 12.00 Noon to 2.30pm and 6.00pm to 11.00pm

Saturday 12.00 Noon to 12.00 Midnight Sunday 12.00 Noon to 9.00pm Food is available

Tuesday to Sunday 12.00 Noon to 2.00pm Tuesday to Saturday 6.30pm to 9.00pm

58 THE VISITOR April 2017

The Boar has a far reaching reputation for serving fresh quality food prepared by our young and innovative kitchen team. We have an interesting and varied menu for diners to choose from, along with a great selection of real ales, ciders, lagers and wines to complement your food, or for just having a relaxing drink.

If you are looking for a romantic break, a base for touring the area or a comfortable place to stay on business, then our 4 en suite bed and breakfast rooms would be perfect.

Clean and comfortable, with flat screen TV, free WIFI and tea and coffee making facilities, they are a home from home.

 10 minutes from A303 and M5.

40 minutes from Lyme Regis, West Bay & Beer

beer is a little lively, but I objected when I visited a pub recently where the beer was pulled harshly through a swan neck making the top half more like shaving foam.

What's the answer? I ask for 'only a small head on that please' which usually works. Of course if I was a stroppy type I'd proffer 50p less than the asking price and when asked for the rest of the money say 'When I get a PINT I'll pay the full amount'. Not that I would, obviously ...

A regular correspondent recently presented me some very interesting information culled from his newspaper regarding the threat to pubs of increases to business rates. A point I particularly noted (and ignored by the mainstream media) is that pubs pay 2.8% of the total business rates bill on 0.5% of the total turnover. As I write things are still up in the air, and as we all know so many pubs are just about managing (also noting we've lost more than 8,000 in the last decade) so an increase in the rates could be that proverbial last nail in the coffin for many. I thus have a lot of empathy for the landlords and pub owners – but this is no excuse to short measure your pint. Indeed, if I am short measured I am less likely to return with our entourage, hence it could be called a case of shooting oneself in the foot!

Group marketing and sales director of 'Bidfood', Andy Kemp, says that younger drinkers do not want to patronise 'stuffy restaurants' which he thinks gives a greater opportunity for pubs to capitalise on this growing market, particularly for craft beer outlets.

Promote Your MAY BANK HOLIDAY Events Here!

– MAY ISSUE –  Published  Thursday 27 th April  Deadline  Thursday 13th April

 01963 351256

info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

The

Pub Pages

Perhaps not visiting a restaurant is something to do with price as well, methinks? Nevertheless, getting that 18 – 24 age group into one’s pub is an increasing problem apparently, as we have briefly covered before in these columns. CAMRA has been reportedly doing their bit by encouraging the younger generation into pubs to join in organised games, something that has my full approval. I have yet to see evidence of this in the official organ of said organisation.

Incidentally, CAMRA have recently passed another milestone now with a membership of 185,000.

Do traditional cask ales appeal to the young? Well we have seen that expensive re-branding by Marston's take place, but are still awaiting word of results or at least an indication. Surveys of drinkers about how they prefer to pay could also contribute to the turnover of a licensed premises.

As we (allegedly) head toward a cashless society it would appear that 70% prefer to pay by card and 75% are happy to use the card contactless; about which your scribe happens to be still out with the rest of the jury. Furthermore, 20% say that they would go elsewhere if cards cannot be used.

Use of cards cost the recipient and not the user (generally) so turnover and profit clearly has to be higher to cover this. On a night out skittling or with a couple friends I would always use cash but inevitably use a credit or debit card if there is larger amount to pay when food is added. What do you do and your preferences? Do let me know.

Does re-branding come into pub names as well? Not living far from Sherborne we do the rounds of this historic town on occasion, with a visit recently to 'The Teddy Rowe', an establishment we knew as 'Skippers' and formerly 'The Traveller's Rest'. We paid a lunchtime visit where we were served by the charming Brogan (yes, it's an Irish name) for beer under three quid a pint and a very pleasant meal. A Wadworth's house, this has undergone some

tasteful refurbishment and comes with approval from the Baxter crew. Our last pints at The Crown were well under three quid (St Austell Ales) and at The Digby Tap a week or so ago, where the usual extensive range (four beers all from different brewers) varied from a miserly £2.20 to a still very reasonable £2.80. No wonder it was busy even at mid-week visit!

It's always interesting / laughable (delete as you feel fit) as to what the scientific community can come up with.

Evolutionary scientist professor Robin Dunbar at the University of Oxford has followed a group of 30 people from childhood to adulthood, and says going to the pub is what holds male friendships together. Women, he says, need to talk to maintain friendships, but blokes need to 'do stuff', like going to football – and going to the pub. There may be more than just an element of truth in that, but rather than spend a lot of time reading the report in detail, I'm off out to the pub for skittles with the lads – and we shall make jolly sure that our pints are full ones!

PAB skittlealley@hotmail.com

AROUND THE

HOUSES IN CASTLE CARY Monkey 47 Gin from the Black Forest in Germany. ‘47’ comes from the number of botanicals used in this complex gin, which is also brewed

to 47%; Just one of 40 gins available at The George Inn ... film night Wednesday 19th April Star Wars – Rogue One at The Queens Arms, Corton Denham... and welcome to new hosts at The Crown Inn, Sherborne, where authentic Mediterranean dishes are now available.

Wandering on to Wells where Jason Porter is the new head chef at Sadler’s Brasserie ... have a drink for Emily at The Red Lion, West Pennard and help to raise funds for

The

fundraisingforemily.org ... The Natterjack at Evercreech Junction is now open on Sunday evenings ... Steak Night every Thursday at Truffles Brasserie, Bruton ... plenty to keep the kids amused at The Hunters Lodge, Leigh Common ... and always a good choice of ciders at The Unicorn, Bayford.

Winding on to West Chinnock, early booking is advised for Easter Sunday Lunch at The Muddled Man ... Charity Quiz nights and supper proving

Lord Nelson

Rectory Lane Norton Sub Hamdon

Mark, Helen and staff welcome you to ‘The Nelson’

GOOD FOOD - GOOD BEER - GREAT ATMOSPHERE Saturday 1st April: Transitions

Sunday 2nd April: Quiz

in aid of

RNLI

hosted by

Shaun & Lindsey

Sunday 9th April: Ross Kirk – Frank Sinatra ... and the Rat Pack, 3.30pm start Saturday 15th April: One Tree Hill Sunday 30th April: Soulville

Monday to Friday – 2 Course Lunch £8 – 3 Course Lunch £12 Tuesday and Wednesday – Steak Night 2 Steaks and a Bottle of Wine £30

COURTYARD  BEER GARDEN AT REAR AMPLE PARKING OPEN ALL DAY FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

ADRIAN & KATE INVITE YOU TO

THE NATTERJACK INN FREEHOUSE

Tel: 01935 881473 www.thelordnelson.biz

Now re-opening SUNDAY EVENINGS

Food Served 12noon – 3pm Choice of three roasts including our popular slow roasted brisket

Simple Suppers Menu 6.30pm – 9pm ... something to suit everyone

Ever Changing Real ale Selection

EXCELLENT ACCOMMODATION

9 EN-SUITE LETTING ROOMS Disabled Access - Viewings Welcome

email: natterjack@btconnect.com Website: www.thenatterjackinn.co.uk

letting Rooms: book online or call for availability and prices

the natterjack Inn, nr. evercreech Junction evercreech, Somerset, Ba4 6na

telephone: 01749 860253 or Facsimile: 01749 860757 for full event and menu details

THE VISITOR April 2017 59

The

Pub Pages

popular at The Cat Head, Chiselborough ... Sophie at The Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon was “flushed” when she thought gold fish would drown in water ... welcome to Bex and Ian new hosts at The Royal Oak, Over Stratton ... and Greek Gourmet Travellers menu 6th April at the New Farm Restaurant ... Thursday night is Curry Night at The Brewers Arms, South Petherton ... don’t to forget to cut out the coupon this month and get a FREE DRINK at Dinnington Docks, Dinnington ... excellent accommodation at the Barrington Boar, Barrington.

Yomping on to Yeovil where kids can eat free at Prime Kitchen on Easter Sunday (see ad for details) ... brides should make a diary date to visit The Wedding Event to be held at The

Northover Manor, Ilchester on the 6th April ... hog roasts available from the Lamb and Lark, Limington ... fresh homemade cakes sold on the bar all day at The Black Swan, Langport which are even more delicious when accompanied with an excellent hot chocolate, Lavazza coffee or loose tea from the Wiltshire Tea Company ... and hot out of the stone fired pizza oven, The Firehouse, Curry Rivel, offers delicious takeaway pizza.

Vinny gets some fishing tips down at his local.

Gearing up for Cars, Coffee and Cake at The Queens Arms

As a convoy of vintage cars, sports cars and supercars sets a course for Corton Denham in Somerset this spring, The Queens Arms has announced a day of automobile appreciation on Monday 1 May. Open to everyone from classic car aficionados to eager young enthusiasts, The Queens Arms’ Cars, Coffee and Cake event will take place at Corton Denham Manor House Garden on Bank Holiday Monday, from 11am until 5pm.

With pre-1966 classics sitting side-by-side with soft tops and supercars, this will be the perfect place for petrol heads of all ages to see, hear and smell these iconic vehicles in all their glory.

Visitors will be kept well fuelled

by The Queens Arms’ awardwinning kitchen team, serving up coffee, cake, gluten-free treats and soft drinks all day, alongside flame grilled fare from the barbeque, as the exhibitors fire up their engines. A menu ranging from black bean marinated sirloin steak and spicy pork ribs to seared tuna loin and grilled haloumi will set taste buds racing, all served with

a choice of salads from the pub’s own kitchen garden, located just a stone’s throw away within the grounds of Corton Denham Manor House Garden itself.

The owners of Corton Denham Manor House Garden will be requesting a donation of £3.50 per person to the RNLI in return for opening up their gardens for this day of family fun.

Cars, Coffee & Cake Day To be held at Queens Arms / Corton Denham House BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 1st May 11am – 5pm

BBQ, Coffee and a Range of Cakes on Sale 11am – 5pm Cars attending include:  Ferrari 250 GTO  Porsche RSR  Racing Jaguar XK120  Jaguar 220  Alfa 4C  MGC - GT  Mercedes Brabus  Jaguar E type  Panther

So, whether you have a car to bring, an interest in cars or are looking for a family day out, why not come along? Tour of Corton Denham Gardens optional for £3.50, money raised will go to RNLI.

Corton Denham, Sherborne, DT9 4LR www.thequeensarms.com Please call 01963 220317 to book Or email relax@thequeensarms.com

60 THE VISITOR April 2017

TheQueensArmsPub

@queensarmspub

They Say

That Paul & Nicola (Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum) Sherrell of Castle Cary were pleased to have a man from the council to demonstrate how to 'switch on' the hot water.

That Bradford Abbas Variety Club has adopted the Phoenix as its logo, after their players and supporters put in a sterling effort on staging another brilliant show after a near disaster earlier in the year. A Big Thank You to all.

That among the pearls of wisdom on the Stur of the Moments dailies board – is that the colour orange was not named until the 1600s which is why despite having an orange breast the Robin is called a robin red breast – look and learn next time you are in Sturminster Newton.

That Jane Smith of Yandles Woodworking, Hurst, Martock is well and truly “cut out” for promoting the West Country!

That congratulations go Langport who recently entered the Great British High Street Awards and were runner up in its category, pipped at the post by Pateley Bridge.

That John JR Richards of Wincanton is “programmed” to think that value for money is when you have nothing to show for it.

That Brian Watson of Charlton Musgrove models ear muffs.

That “consumer” Lin Penn of Shepton Mallet knows where to go to get the most Easter bunnies for her money.

That Mark (beep! beep!)

Schtomski of Wincanton goes quite quickly – allegedly.

That weekend warrior Jan Farrah-Bennetts of Wells when holding Lidl ham up to her sleeve is feeding her fitbit.

That in Pylle a new oven raised the roof at Jon Thorner’s.

That Easter Eggs were very much in abundance at North Cadbury Primary School Easter Fair on Saturday 25th March.

That contributions to this column are always welcome by post, email, telephone, carrier pigeon etc. but anonymous entries will not be published.

Pete Lambden & Staff welcome you to .....

168 hendford hill YeoVIl

“So look into my face Marie-Claire And remember just who you are Then go and forget me forever ‘Cause I know you still bear the scar”

FIRST PERSON to tell me the song above wins a free drink. Last month S t u a r t P i t t f r o m We y m o u t h correctly identified ‘One Man Band’

by Leo Sayer.

This month I have some sad news but I also have some good news.

The sad news is that another member of the Yeovil Town team of the 60’s has passed away. Dave Taylor played in the same team as my dad when I was a little boy. He is Yeovil’s top scorer of modern times with over 280 goals. When I was little I could never understand why Dave wasn’t playing for England, he scored so many goals. He went on to play for Bath City again with my dad and we all used to travel to the matches together. Dave really is a local footballing legend. He will be missed.

Some good news now: we had two weddings at the pub this month. Dan and Danielle became Mr. and Mrs. Roy. We had a super party here when these two celebrated with their friends. We had some nice food, a few drinks, a little bit of music ... all in all a fantastic day. Well done you two!

We had another couple who tied the knot this month and unbelievably no one knew they were going to do it! Jim and Lucy have been together for 15 years and they decided to get married with the minimum amount of fuss. They disappeared for the day with two witnesses down to Williton Registry Office and got married, came back to the pub on a Friday tea time and announced to the world that they were now Mr. and Mrs. Criddle.

Well as you can imagine there was pandemonium and everyone was celebrating the great news: one of the best Friday nights we have had.

Congratulations to you both.

Next month we have some great music for you. On the 7th April we have the welcome return of BB Tim live in the bar from 9pm. On the 14th Bud Martin will be live in the bar from 9pm. On Easter Sunday we have Livewired in the function room: this is a FREE gig doors open at 8pm.

And on the Bank Holiday Sunday 30th of April we are going to have a bit of a do to help me celebrate being here for 15 years. We have a fantastic band from Bristol called Flash Harry – just google them to see what they are all about – and we are going to use the evening as a fund raiser for the St. Margaret’s Hospice.

The gig is FREE entry but we will be having a raffle and lots of fun. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Finally a bit of advance notice ... on May 5th HELLS BELLS are back with their AC/DC tribute show.

Tickets are available from the pub.  TOOT TOOT !!!

BookInGS

 01935 424721

THE VISITOR April 2017 61

Proper Class

Pie-maker Jon Thorner’s has continued the award success with a Champion win at the National British Pie Awards!

Their Steak & Kidney Pie was awarded the highest accolade in its category and named the Class Champion – beating hundreds of other contenders.

The awards are a national celebration of British pies and hosted by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association. Pie-makers from across the country entered their tastiest pies in a bid to wow the judges; a team of culinary professionals and industry experts were looking for fantastic flavours and perfect pastry.

As well as the Class Champion for their Steak & Kidney pie, Jon Thorner’s, which is based near Shepton Mallet, also received a

Jon Thorner (l) being presented the award by category sponsor Melton Mowbray BID representative (r)

further 11 British Pie Award commendations for flavours such as Brisket & Horseradish, Steak

Bar & Grill dining at its best EAT IN or TAKE AWAY

100% Grass Fed West Country Beef Burgers all ingredients locally sourced

Burgers — Grills — Salads Vegetarian Dishes ... and more!

childrens menu available

Families Welcome

EASTER SUNDAY

FREE CHILDS MEAL when accompanied by an adult purchasing a main meal

STUDENT OFFER

 PRIVATE PARTIES

Open: Monday – Thursday 11.30am – 9.00pm Friday – Saturday 11.30am – 10.00pm Sunday 11.30am – 8.00pm

48 Princes Street YEOVIL • BA20 1EQ

62 THE VISITOR April 2017

Tel: 01935 471569

& Stilton, Creamy Chicken, Smoked Bacon & Leek and Sweet Potato & Goat’s Cheese Pie. Founder and managing director Jon Thorner attended the lunch ceremony and was presented with the award by category sponsor Melton Mowbray BID. He was

overwhelmed by the accolade and said, “I just can’t believe what a great year it has been already – I feel our pies have really made a place for themselves in the food sector, we’ve seen phenomenal growth in sales. We are really proud of what we have achieved.”

Bower Hinton Farm Shop ~Martock Open Easter Saturday 15th April (Closed Good Friday and Easter Monday)

Delicious Fresh Fruit & Vegetables NEW SEASON ASPARAGUS

Local Meats and Sausages  Cheeses  Cream Ham Hill + Perry’s Cider  Lyme Bay Wine and more!

BEDDING PLANTS & COMPOST Normally Open: Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm

Just off the B3165 at the top of Bower Hinton Tel: 01935 827743 • www.bowerhintonfarmshop.co.uk

the end bit...

PAPERCHASE

I FELT A PANG of sympathy for NN who writes the ‘In Passing’ column at the front of this magazine. After last month’s issue hit the streets he received an email from a reader asking ‘where do you get your info from to present this garbage as truth?

The BBC perhaps, or is it the Daily Express?’, adding that the column was ‘so typical of the type of crap journalism spun by the lies of the mainstream media’.

The correspondent ended by asking NN to ‘provide factual evidence please from reliable sources’, without indicating which sources he regards as reliable.

The email has ended up on my desk because it raises pertinent questions about how journalists do their job and the extent to which they are limited by editorial control, questions that are as relevant to our local and regional newspapers as they are to the nationals and the BBC. For a revealing account of media bias and influence, read ‘Murdoch’s World: The Last of the Old Media Empires’ by David Folkenflik (ISBN 978-1-61039-089-7), but don’t let it exaggerate the power of the press. For example, readers of the print edition of the Daily Mail comprise just over seven per cent of adult Britons – a small proportion of the population who could be influenced by that paper’s slant on the news (or ‘lies’ if you disagree with it).

In my young day the reporters on local newspapers trawled numerous sources for news.

Important were regular contact with the police, fire and ambulance services, careful reading of numerous press releases and agenda papers for council meetings, and interminable hours sat in magistrates’ courts and committee meetings of countless local bodies, but most important of all was being out and about on the ‘patch’ listening to local people, picking up leads to potential stories. Decisions about which stories to investigate in depth and which ones to run without much questioning were a matter of individual judgment

based on experience and the advice of colleagues. But times have changed, and nowadays the local paid-for titles employ too few reporters and pay them peanuts, so they stay for a few months then go before they have had time to learn much about the area, the issues and the personalities.

Many – probably most – journalists working for the national dailies started their careers on local papers. Those who have progressed to subediting know that all newspapers, whether grounded in high politics or low farce, are the end result of editorial selection, text editing and presentation. As Harold Evans wrote in ‘Essential English for Journalists, Editors and Writers’ (ISBN 0-7126-6447-5), ‘words have to be read and assessed, types assigned, pictures selected, headlines written, news and entertainment organised in time for it to be printed and in forms that people will read’. If people don’t read it, then they have failed in their job, but it doesn’t amount to ‘crap journalism’. Remember that early last year the Independent, not by any stretch of the imagination a title noted for spinning lies, ceased to publish a print edition and now exists only as an online newspaper. Circulation had dropped to around 40,000 copies a day and was still falling, and the paper was losing money hand over fist, so the digital edition was clearly thought to be its only hope for survival.

If you want to see a piece of crap journalism, take a look at this headline from the Western Daily Press of 11th March. Surely the sub-editor should have spotted this gobbledegook before it went to print.

Chronicler.

Sudoku

by

T.M.

Fill in the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers 1 to 9.

Solution to March

Sudoku

Answers to Pop Music Quiz on page 25 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

‘America’ Kate Bush ‘Sultans of Swing’ – Dire Straits ‘Deeply Dippy’ Joanna Brandon Flowers ‘The Ballad of John & Yoko’ ‘Silver Bullet Band’ ‘Imagination’ ‘Tiffany’s’

This Month’s Bonus Question 1986 Question Impossible They are brothers-in-law as they married sisters. Joe to Marjorie Bach and Ringo to Barbara Bach.

THE VISITOR April 2017 63

PHONE - a - FIRM • PHONE - a - FIRM

Logs

Barn Stored Seasoned

HARDWOOD LOGS

 Seasoned Hard & Softwood Logs  Kindling – Briquettes – Coal  Various Load / Log Sizes

Check our website for COMPETITIVE PRICES ... FREE DELIVERY

Tel: 01458 251529 • Mobile: 07789 204232

Full details on our website: www.msmfirewood.co.uk

KILN DRIED LOGS

BUY NOW – SAVE £££s

 Kiln Dried Logs 1 Dumpy Bag £130  Kiln Dried Logs 2 Dumpy Bags £234  Kiln Dried Logs 3 Dumpy Bags £330  Kiln Dried Logs 3 Nets £25.50  Kiln Dried Logs 6 Nets £48  Kiln Dried Logs 10 Nets £75  Kindling Wood 3 Nets £10  Kindling Wood 5 Nets £15  Kindling Wood 10 Nets £27 kiln Dried logs  burn more efficiently give more heat  light easily  burn cleanly

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY ... with all orders over £50

ONLINE ORDERING AVAILABLE www.logs4fuel.co.uk

 01458 251476

Transport & Storage HENSTRIDGE SELF-STORAGE

OUTSTANDING RATES Tel: 07947 581541 Say you saw it in The Visitor

Framing

SCENES

Artist Materials & Gallery

 Picture Framing  Restoration  Large Selection of Prints and Paintings  Greeting Card Blanks High St. Gillingham Tel: 01747 824050 www.scenes-online.co.uk

Fires / Chimneys / Stoves

SANDPITS

HEATING & HOME STORE

Multifuel Stoves ... over 200 on display Chimneys Relined ★ Full Installation Service HETAS • OFTEC • GAS SAFE

✴ Chimney Sweeping Service ✴

Showrooms Open: Monday to Friday 8am – 5.30pm and Saturday 8am – 4.30pm Email: enquiries@sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk www.sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk

High Street, Curry Rivel, Langport  01458 251476

Domestic Appliances

Pe

PREMIER ELECTRICS Est. 34 yrs COVERING THE SOUTH LOCALLY

Kitchen Appliance Sales & Repairs

Ø Repairs to all leading brands of Kitchen appliances Ø 12 months guarantee on all repairs Ø Diagnostic work charged unless work undertaken Ø 24 hour service Ø OAP discounts

TELEPHONE: 01935 609300 / 01747 470212 / 01460 220660 / 01458 298212 For your nearest technician

Taylors Domestic

Appliances Ltd.

Glazier Windows & Doors Engineer Glass & Sealed Units Handles & Hinges Gasket & Seals Repairs • Servicing

Ridge View, Penmore Road Sandford Orcas DT9 4SE

Professional repairs by qualified engineer on most makes of appliances.

01963 220366

01458 851020 07563 623604

Email: taylorsdomesticappliances@gmail.com Covering the areas between Wincanton Castle Cary, Sparkford, Sherborne and Yeovil

Builders

Dave Hoddinott FULLY QUALIFIED BUILDER - ESTABLISHED 1973

• Renovations & Extensions • Roofing + Carpentry • Plumbing & Heating • Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiling • Painting & Decorating • Electrical Contracting Competitive Prices - No Job Too Big or Too Small FRIENDLY & RELIABLE SERVICE

Tel: (01963) 440256

Oven Cleaning

Mister Oven

Independent Oven Cleaning Specialist Ovens - Hobs - Agas etc

Tel: 01935 475065 Mob: 07752 695264 The Visitor CAN BE READ ONLINE:

www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

64 THE VISITOR April 2017

GLASS CORP

Sales & Repairs for Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Cookers, Tumble Driers etc.

www.misteroven.co.uk

07921 074602 • 01749 677440 • Solidfuel3@aol.com

Glazing

24 hour emergency call out

Clean Ovens Domestic Ltd Independent Oven Cleaners Covering Somerset and Dorset

AGAS • RANGES • OVENS HOBS • EXTRACTORS Eco-Friendly Materials Used Experienced + Fully Insured Friendly Staff

Tel: 0800 7076629 Mobile: 07563 693145 www.cleanovendomestics.co.uk

May Deadline Thursday 13th April • 01963 351256

PHONE - a - FIRM • PHONE - a - FIRM

Transport & Storage

The key to all your storage needs!

Plumbing & Heating

Fully Insured Storage at Highly Competitive Rates Call us today for a quote!

01963 440045 www.sparkfordstorage.com

• Open 7 Days a Week • 20 Years Established Family Business

• Modern Burglar-Alarmed Warehouses • Professional & Reliable Service • Removals To and From Storage • Self Store with Easy Access

Locksmith

• Cubicle and Crate Storage • Friendly, Helpful Staff

High Street, Sparkford, nr. Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7QJ Tel: 01963 440045 / 440526 / 440692

Roofing

tel: 01747 861479 Mob: 07561 120828 34 White Road, MERE, Nr. Warminster Wiltshire, BA12 6EX

email: mead208@btinternet.com

For all your roofing requirements

Flat Roofing • Tiling Slating • GRP Roofing

All New Work Fully Guaranteed

For further information & estimates contact Allan Carey

01963 33528 / 07885 723915 Email: allancarey541@hotmail.com

Bourton Roofing Co. Slate  Tiling  Flat Roofing.

UPVC Fascias  Guttering FREE EST IMAT ES

 01747 840064

... or 07866 296453 Email: info@bourtonroofing.co.uk

Services

GOOD POTATOES

Say you saw it in The Visitor

ANYTIME LOCKS

24-Hour Locksmith Key Cutting and Boarding Up MOBILE 07709 433922 PHONE 01963 359516

Regular advertising brings results

ADVERTISE in FULL COLOUR from as little as ...

£20.37 inc. VAT

(for 3cms x 1 column)

Tel: 01963 351256 – to book your space

Caricatures for Special Gifts

Takeaway Bags of Coal • Calor Gas Car and Van Rental • Competitive Prices

Anchor Hill Service Station WINCANTON 01963 32609

Fire & Security Alarms

THE VISITOR April 2017 65

Classified Ads

Send Details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BG. 30p per word (£5 minimum) pre-payment essential.

For a Box Number please add £2.

Payment can be made by Cash, Cheque, Postal Order, BACS, Credit / Debit Card.

✽ If you require a receipt a s.a.e. must be enclosed with payment, or your email address.

Prize Crossword No. 366 Set by Frank Butler

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG – to arrive by Friday 14th April.

Correct entries are placed in a hat and the winner is the first name drawn. The prize is a £10 voucher to spend with any one advertiser in this issue of The Visitor.

Please do not forget to state your choice of advertiser and your name and address.

1

2

3

4

9

10

11

12

5

6

7

8

15

16

17

13 14

NAME .....................................................................................................................................................................

ADDRESS ..............................................................................................................................................................

18 19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

.................................................................................................................................................................................. ..................................................................................................................................................................................

Tel: ......................................................................... Cheque Enclosed for £ .................... Minimum £5

Personal

www.country-link.org.uk COUNTRY LINK SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel: Andy 01225 834834 or Val 01749 342918

GENT 60, outgoing, G.S.O.H., 5ft 9ins, non-smoker, solvent, no ties, O.H.A.C. Likes meals out, holidays, gardening, places of interest. Seeks special female friendship / relationship. Photo please.

Box No. 5, The Visitor, P.O.Box 1, Castle Cary, BA7 7BG

JUST SOMERSET INTRODUCTIONS. Bringing people together. Call Alison Tel: 07584 250285, www.justintro ductionsgroup.co.uk

Catering / Mobile Bars

HARRY’S MOBILE BARS, all occasions, weddings, parties, etc. Tel: 01747 825553 harry@bars4u.plus.com www.harrysmobilebars.co.uk

Services

HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN RUBBISH CLEARED, old sheds / outbuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844.

Storage

STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles. Lock-up garages to let. Tel: Sparkford Storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692.

Wanted

DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, salvage, bygones and collectables.

Daves Tools - Tel: 01935 428975 POSTCARDS, pop memorabilia, coins, badges, old toys, games, and anything military. Tel: Clive 01749 675456.

ALL SPORTS PROGRAMMES and books, memorabilia and ephemera – especially football. Large collections welcome. Cash paid. Tel: Clive 01749 675456.

R E D U N D A N T M O T O R M O W E R S , rotavators, chainsaws, strimmers, cement mixers, etc. Tel: 01460 77844.

SU PETROL PUMP and carburettors, superchargers, older chassis engines, axles and gearboxes, BSF tools, taps and dies. Tel: 01747 850474.

GUnS WanteD for cash. Any size, any condition, make or model. By registered firearms dealer. tel: 07970 742471.

Passport Photographs

PASSPORTS - passports - passports also studio sittings, and golden weddings.

Any time to suit you. Easy parking opposite The Quarry Inn. Tel: Graham Cox, Photographer, 01458 223769.

Special Occasion

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to Linda Silk on 11th April, and Laura Dunn on 14th April.

RECORDS WANTED:

VINYL wanted from the ‘60s to the present day most genres required including rock and pop, folk, progressive etc. GOOD PRICES PAID.  Please call Rod on 01823 480369.

66 THE VISITOR April 2017

Across: 1.

4.

9.

10.

11.

12.

14.

18.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

Ado about a GI’s slow movement. [6] Uninformed with grain not stirred up. [8] Stab letter containing pill. [6] Taut, Tess arranged for laws.

[8] Secure firmly with some clash upon the cymbals. [4,2] Genes hop around this poison gas! [8] Priest’s net mix has the quality of looking good. [10] Oat I mixed in cinema wasting away. [10] In Paris, she swallowed bulb, breaking into bloom! [8] Choose detectives in river. [6] Rich cube assortment is angelic. [8] Lowest values found in vermin I marvel at. [6] Under-parts of a microscope stirred up guests with half of base. [8] Centre of late arrangement. [6]

8. Ted set out and tried. [6] 13. Forming glossy surface, telling about name with no time. [10] 15. Wake evil mess in the manner of the ocean. [8] 16. Causing splits, four is included in dive. [8] 17. All in one piece around hesitation to work together. [8] 19. As parts of Cuba are surrounded, a counter shows.

[6] 20. Agent aboard bus, reversing, is splendid! [6] 21. Bar, put about sharply. [6]

Solution to Crossword 365

Down: 1.

2.

3.

5.

6.

7.

Mammal of pale tone? [8] Amused about pencil ratings and caught unawares. [8] Why? We hear in quiet placing in unfair state. [8] Bring hessian bag to be fired.

[3,3,4] Rising disease in a river is blunt. [6] Two articles on maiden sung chorally. [6]

THE WINNER of our MARCH CROSSWORD

... was Mr. R. J. Stapleton of Yeovil who chose to spend the £10 voucher at Taylors Coach Travel of Yeovil.