The Visitor Magazine Issue 409 December 2017

SANDPITS

HEATING & HOME STORE

Everything for your hearth and home

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

Issue 409 December 2017

FREE copy Your

        

Over 200 appliances on display Multifuel stoves and cookers Full installation service Weekly promotions Chimneys relined – cowls fitted Fireplaces created Home accessories Logs Chimney sweeping

Also: LIVING PRETTY Tea Rooms & Interiors

Stockists of Clearview Stoves

High Street, Curry Rivel, Langport,TA10 0ES

 01458 251476 • www.sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk

LOVE IT OR HATE IT: It’s in the genes.

MARMITE LAUNCHES ‘BORN LOVER’ AND ‘BORN HATER’ jARS TO MARK GENETIC TASTE PREFERENCE LINK. See page 21 for details.

In Passing...

E

ARLy onE morning at the beginning of november I had to scrape ice from the car windscreen before I could set off.

Can it be winter already, I asked myself, for only six weeks had elapsed since the start of autumn. It seems to be commonly accepted that autumn starts at the equinox on or around 23rd September when the day and night are of approximately equal length, but we don’t wait for the solstice on 21st December, the shortest day of the year, to declare the onset of winter. Wildlife doesn’t wait either. Swallows traditionally start their annual migration to the warmth of South Africa as early as St Francis’s Day, 4th october. And Bewick’s swans usually begin their migration from Russia’s arctic weather to the relative warmth of an English winter at much the same time.

This year october was generally mild and sunny, so much so that many Visitorland lawns and some of the garden plants – and all of the weeds – were fooled into thinking that spring had come and, with renewed vigour, they produced new growth and the occasional flower. Halfterm week in late october saw families sunning themselves on the beach at Lyme Regis and Weston-super-Mare, and Hallowe’en celebrations and the first of this year’s carnival processions were blessed with mild (if not entirely dry) evenings. And the arrival of the first swans from Siberia was around a month later than usual, on 9th november.

The arctic weather seems likely to follow close behind them, although temperatures are unlikely to be so severe.

In the Christian calendar St Simon and St Jude’s Day on 28th october is said to mark the onset of wet and windy winter, and tradition tells us that ‘ice in november to bear a duck’ brings ‘nothing afterwards but slush and muck’. Very different to the bleak mid-winter of Christina Rossetti’s 19th century carol when ‘earth stood hard as iron’ and ‘snow had fallen, snow on snow’.

But prolonged snow is a rarity in

Visitorland these days, unlike the big freeze of 1962 /63 which lasted from Christmas until March and produced snowdrifts that topped the hedges. Stories abound of people being marooned in trains and cars, of the enormous problems of getting the milk collected from remote farms, and of village schools being closed for weeks on end. The reality is that our world is warming up with potentially disastrous consequences, and unless all nations, including us, mend our unsustainable ways, Visitorland’s winters in the years ahead will be warmer but very wet and windy.

And when will the seasons change this year? I suspect we all have our own ways of knowing when winter is here. For me it’s when I switch the central heating on and leave it on – and when I feel the need to put a vest on under my shirt.

NN.

Advertising Deadlines

January Issue published Thursday 14th December Deadline Friday 1st December

PO Box 1, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7BP

Tel: (01963) 351256, 351998 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk facebook.com/thevisitormagazine twitter.com/thevisitormag

Proprietor Helen Dunion

Accounts, Advertising, Editorial and Subscriptions Rachel Hancox Production Manager Jeff Farrow

© The Visitor Ltd. 2017

(Items marked ©GT are the copyright of Geoff Thompson)

CONTENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED - 50 ANTIQUES & COLLECTING - 23

CASTLE CARY’S BIG CHRISTMAS - 9 CHRISTMAS GIFTS - 19 CREWKERNE - 38

CROSSWORD - 50 FESTIVE FOOD & DRINK including WINE & DINE - 6

FESTIVE VENUES & MENUS - 30 GARDENING - 44 HOUSE & HOME - 16 LANGPORT - 24 LEISURE - 40

NOTE TO ADVERTISERS Advertisements are accepted subject to our standard terms and conditions as printed on our rate card, available upon request. We cannot guarantee any specific page or position, but will always do our best to comply with clients’ wishes.

ARTWORK Artwork & design by our production department and photographs taken by our photographers are the copyright of The Visitor Ltd.

Clients or agencies supplying artwork or images should send uncompressed TIFs, JPEGs or PDFs, 300 dpi minimum if actual size, or at a higher resolution if smaller than size required, along with a hard copy print-out.

For advertisement sizes see our Rate Card.

The views expressed in articles & letters contributed to this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

LOCAL POST OFFICES & VILLAGE STORES - 11 LOOKING GOOD & FEELING FINE - 33 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES - 4 MERE - 11 MOTORING - 29

MUSIC for the MONTH - 43 NOTICE BOARD - 40 PAPERCHASE - 47 PHONE-A-FIRM - 48 PUBS - 42 SHERBORNE - 34 SOMERTON - 26 THEY SAY - 44

WINCANTON - 12

Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISIToR December 2017 3

Mentioned in

Dispatches

Bramley Care now offers companionship

The Bramley Care companionship service is now available between 9am and 3pm and comprises spending some quality time with a friendly member of the Bramley Home Care companionship team.

This could be just for a chat over a cup of tea or having a companion for support while out and about.

This companionship service complements the bespoke, quality care at home that Bramley Home Care already offers. Bramley Home Care’s holistic approach supports the needs of their clients and promotes independence enabling older people to remain

living in the comfort of their own home.

Bramley care also operates two excellent quality residential homes, The old Rectory in Stalbridge and Bramley House in Mere. The old Rectory is a specialist home providing a peaceful safe haven and the highest standard of care specifically tailored to individuals includ ing t hose liv ing wit h dementia. This beautiful home has recently completed an extensive programme of refurbishment of its facilities and now offers exceptionally spacious and beautifully refurbished rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Bramley House in Mere has also benefitted from substantial investment into its facilities to include a new orangery and beautiful walled garden with walks and pond.

For more information visit www.bramleycare.com or telephone us on 01747 855844 to discuss your requirements.

Bramley Care: Home Care, residential homes and companionship.

4 THE VISIToR December 2017

Date of annual concert announced and tickets on sale now

The Mid Somerset branch of RAFA (Royal Air Forces Association) and the 1955 (City of Wells) Air Cadet Squadron are delighted to announce the date of their annual concert and that tickets are now available.

The concert will take place on the evening of Wednesday 13th December 2017 in the purposebuilt Concert Hall, Millfield School, Street with seating for 350 people. The annual event is now in its 20th year and promises to be every bit as enjoyable as past events.

The concert is by The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment which has been entertaining audiences since its formation in 1942. With a selection of beautiful classical pieces and fun festive tunes, there is something for everyone and this is seen by many as one of their traditional Christmas events.

The concert raises vital funds for local Air Cadet Squadrons in Wells, Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury to support some of the many activities undertaken by the young people who are members. In addition, there is a collection at the end of the concert and this year’s selection of charity for the collection is Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity

for veteran’s mental health.

Paul Branson, Chair of the Concert Committee said, ‘We hear year after year from both regulars and newcomers how much they enjoy the concert, the talent of the band and the quality of the venue. This year promises to be as good as ever and we’re happy to see high interest in tickets already.’

Tickets, £15 each, from Millfield School, Street Tourist Information Centre and local Air Cadet Squadrons. Please call 07986 593360 for more information.

Red Berry Recruitment charity collection

Red Berry Recruitment is an award-winning recruitment agency with offices in Shepton Mallet, yeovil, Bridgwater and Cardiff. With our expertise and in-depth knowledge of the recruitment industry, we pride ourselves on supplying high calibre temporary and permanent staff to some of the South West’s leading organisations. Every year Red Berry Recruitment conducts a charity collection to help provide for those in need over Christmas. This year our Shepton Mallet office is collecting for The Salvation Army Food Bank, our yeovil office is collecting for CAP, and our Bridgwater office is collecting for Taunton Association

Mentioned in

Dispatches for the Homeless. Donations of tinned foods, drinks, or fire retardant blankets will be hugely appreciated by us and the charities we are supporting. For more information on Red Berry Recruitment and our Christmas charity collection visit: www.RedBerryRecruitment.co.uk

Singers and shopping vouchers launch Shaftesbury’s Christmas countdown

Shaftesbury’s Community Choir and children from six local schools will provide the star attraction at the town’s Christmas lights switchon. In the past, celebrities have turned on the lights. But this year, Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce, who are organising the evening, want to put the community back at the centre of the celebrations.

Chairman David Perry said, ‘Visitors would often drive long distances to Shaftesbury to see our star guest. But as soon as the

celebrity had spoken, they would leave. We were beginning to lose a sense of community spirit.’

At 6pm on Monday 4th December, Shaftesbury’s High Street will be filled with Christmas music as the Town Band accompanies Santa from the Football Club to his Town Hall grotto.

The combined choir of up to two hundred singers will lead a seasonal sing-a-long. The children will count down to the launch of the lights.

Children’s fairground rides and traction engines will provide additional colour to the seasonal sights and sounds. There will also be street food stalls, mince pies and mulled wine. For the first time, many retailers will be handing out vouchers that can be redeemed for a 10% saving in the New Year.

Choir raises over £1000 for pancreatic cancer

A cheque for £250 was presented to a representative of the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at a recent meeting of South Somerset Choral Society. This sum was in addition to the retiring bucket collection at the Choir's last concert for charity – making a total of over £1,000.

The Choir's next concerts for charity will be held on Monday

THE VISIToR December 2017 5

Mentioned in

Dispatches 18th and Tuesday 19th December at The Minster, Ilminster and will feature a programme of seasonal music to include carols and readings. Money raised will be shared between the MS Society and Mind. Tickets are £8 in advance (£10 on the door) and can be obtained from Harriman’s in Ilminster or by calling 01458 259079: also from Choral Society members and the website www.southsomersetchoralsociety. org.uk

Seven Extreme International Marathons for the Dorset Runner who had never run

Just one year ago running never really featured in Laura Jones’s life. now she is halfway through a challenge to run seven marathons around the world within a year and raise £10,000 for The Jonny Wilkinson Foundation and The Scout Association.

SturFit gym, where Jones does much of her training, will be closing its doors on 2nd December to hold a 7-7 Challenge to raise money for Laura’s chose charities.

Laura is calling on everyone in the area to come and take part in the event! Get involved and clock up a few miles, raise some money, or just enjoy some of the cake and a sports massage.

INDEPENDENT FUNERAL CELEBRANT

A professional personal service to celebrate life Tony K Archer tony@tkacelebrants.co.uk 07877 528827

Independent, personal memorial services driven by the wishes, beliefs and values of the deceased and their family

A. J. WAKELY & SONS LTD Independent Family Funeral Directors • Golden Charter Pre Paid Funeral Plans • 24 Hour Service

• Private Ch apel of Rest

Golden Charter Brochure available on request Clive Wakely Dip F.D. M.B.I.E.

The Old Police Station, Carrington Way WINCANTON BA9 9JS Tel: 01963 31310

6 THE VISIToR December 2017

Kimber’s Farm Shop and The Somerset Trading Barn

Christmas morning full of anticipation – sitting on the stairs waiting, peering outside through chinks in the curtains. As children we had to wait until Dad had finished milking to see if Father Christmas had visited during the night. Mum would read us the Christmas Story of Jesus’s birth sat up in bed. This tradition has continued with my children 35 years on. This year they are already checking the skies for Father Christmas! Breakfast of scrambled egg and Mere cold smoked trout with buttery toast sets us up for the day.

Every other year we have Christmas together, Mum, Dad, 6 siblings, respective partners and 13 children, in all 27 for dinner. Preparation for the festivities is aided by our family whatsapp, sharing veg prep, roasting potatoes, making stuffing, pigs in blankets, bread and cranberry sauces and our tradition of braised celery. of course, the main event is one of our free range turkeys. This year, so there will be plenty of leftovers, it will be 30lb+. Being game dry hung for 10 days the turkey is succulent and moist, a 30lb turkey will only take approximately 4.5 hours in an Aga or 180 degree oven. no water is used in the preparation of our birds for the table, therefore there are not the unsafe bugs sometimes present in standard poultry. Use a thermometer – if the turkey at the thickest part of the breast meat above the wing is 65 degrees after resting its perfect. All our turkeys come with a cooking tips leaflet. orders are now being taken for Christmas meats and hampers. Also available are our free range geese, gammons and Angus beef, lamb etc.

The Samaritans are our chosen charity this year. With 15% or £4.50 of every ‘After Dinner Hamper’ going to support their wonderful work over the festive period. This hamper is available to collect or to have sent to loved ones across the UK. Please see website for details. www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk

A Jon Thorner’s Christmas

Jon Thorner’s has launched a new-look Christmas Food brochure for 2017. The stunning photography showcases the fantastic new Christmas range this award-winning butcher has to offer this year, such as their West Country Beef Roulade, which is stuffed with spinach and mushrooms and topped with herb butter, or the Italian-inspired stuffed loin of free range pork.

If you are interested in finding out more about their Christmas range, you can join Jon Thorner’s at their Christmas open Evening on Friday 8th December from 4pm to 8pm, where you can discover festive foods from a range of local suppliers.

Complimentary mince pies, mulled cider and hot chips are a certainty.

Plus they are giving away 3 hampers worth a total of £95 in a free prize draw on the night!

Bridge Farm Shop, Pylle, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6TA.

THE VISIToR December 2017 7

Wines for roast dinners

When I recently heard that Red Tractor had launched a campaign calling for us all to ‘Save Sunday Lunch’, I knew we were in trouble. Such marketing initiatives are always in response to falling sales, no matter what the sector.

I am of an age to remember when as a family we would all sit down to a Sunday roast. In our case it was usually chicken, unless it was a special occasion, because money was always tight.

It was the one time in the week, long before Sunday became just like any other day of the week, that we would all gather round the table together; with the promise of a post-prandial snooze in front of the fire for the adults, while we were assigned to washing up duties. nowadays, people are much more likely, if they have Sunday lunch at all, to troop down to the pub. no slaving over a hot stove, or piles of washing up to get to grips with; but, no cold leftovers for Monday either!

8 THE VISIToR December 2017

In this fast paced 24/7 society, we all lead quite different lives now. The latest news, that a good old British Sunday roast no longer even makes it to the top five of our favourite dishes, has been like a call to action for me.

With a bit of planning and careful shopping, a Sunday roast does not necessarily have to be time consuming or expensive.

So, this month, I feel honour bound to make an effort to support our local meat industry and enjoy once more a roast with all the trimmings.

To encourage others to follow suit, here are my suggestions for matching wine styles; compensation for all of that hard work in preparing a feast fit to remember.

When we think of a Sunday roast, beef is probably the meat that comes most readily to mind, if for no other reason than that it provides the perfect excuse to enjoy a proper yorkshire pudding. Go easy on the horseradish though, as it will kill any wine.

Beef doesn’t need a big, heavy hitting wine to ‘beef it up’. Many of the popular new World wines produced from single grape varieties can be full of alcohol, and ‘full on’ in terms of flavour but I prefer something a little more subtle. you can’t go wrong with a full-bodied, dry red wine, such as a straight forward Bordeaux Claret. Where Bordeaux is concerned, it is the blend of grape varieties used (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec) that give the wine more interest and the presence of tannins works well with a succulent joint of beef.

Alternatives such as a Rhône red, an Argentinian Malbec, or a Spanish Rioja with some age will also work well. one plea from me; if you like your meat cremated then choose something other than beef, it is a crime to cook it to death.

Although it is not my favourite meat, any time someone mentions pork to me, my first thoughts leap towards the lovely crunch of a bit

of crackling; it is something I can never resist, despite having broken three teeth on it in recent years. Where pork is concerned, there is always the constant argument as to whether or not it counts as a red or white meat.

Pork is very versatile, lending itself to all kinds of preparation so the choice of wine is very much an individual one, according to how the animal was reared, the cut you are eating and how you choose to prepare it. Whilst pork tenderloin can be a bit dry, other cuts will respond well to a wine that can cut through the fat. For a traditional roast joint, a light red such as Beaujolais or Pinot noir with its earthy character, will not disappoint. If opting for a white wine, and with a lovely roast gammon joint in mind, I would stay away from an oaked wine; an uncomplicated Chardonnay will do the job nicely, but my personal favourite is a dry Gewurtraminer. For those of us who like a bit of apple sauce on the side, a local cider would be the perfect match.

Chicken is often the cheap and cheerful option for a Sunday roast, especially if you have a crowd to please and are on a budget. Do be mindful though that, unless you opt for a supermarket vacuumed-packed bird on special offer, a really good free-range chicken can set you back around £15 but the difference in taste is remarkable.

A roast chicken to me means a crispy crackly skin, the parson’s nose, which we all used to fight over as children, and my favourite bit, the wings. Fullbodied whites are the way to go here, and for something a bit different, I find Viognier or a white Rhône are a good match.

If, however, you choose to opt for a tried and trusted Chardonnay which, due to is versatility, seems to have an affinity with many foods, it is worth looking at some of the wines now emerging from Chile and Argentina.

Last but not least, my favourite meat of all, lamb. I confess that I find the ubiquitous lamb shank a bit of a bore, if for no other reason than that I prefer my meat rare. Give me a rack of pink salt marsh lamb or a leg of lamb cooked over a spit with lashings of garlic and rosemary and I am transported to heaven. Lamb can be expensive but a pot roast shoulder can be delicious, and a good old-fashioned lamb neck stew is just the job for a cold winter’s day (saves on the washing up too!). Roast lamb can stand up to a rich, full bodied red and goes brilliantly with a spicy, peppery Shiraz. For a real treat, splash out on a fine bottle of red Rioja Reserva, a premium Californian red Zinfandel or a grand cru St-Emilion from Bordeaux. Watch out for the mint sauce, which can alter the taste of any wine.

LP-V.

Bower Hinton Farm Shop

First Christmas trees arriving for Sat 2nd Dec. non-drop only to start with. Prices held from 2016 (ie. a 6’ – 7’ non-drop is £30.50).

Christmas lines are now in at Bower Hinton Farm Shop and include festive tipples such as sloe gin, mulled wine, mulled cider, fruit wines and traditional ciders. orders are now being taken for locally reared turkeys, poultry, game and red meat, fruit and veg. Just pick up an order form – then drop it in and your order will be ready when required. Plenty of home grown fresh veg available now and for Christmas. Potatoes by the sack £5. A Christmas hamper filled with local cheeses, ciders, wines and meats would make a lovely Christmas gift. Call in today and see the complete range.

Andrew Barclay Traditional Family Butchers

The meat in Andrew Barclay Butchers in Wincanton’s High Street is naturally reared and sourced locally where possible, delicious beef, pork and lamb!

Have you ordered your festive bird yet? This Christmas they will be selling their usual wide range of poultry – turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese. Game – pheasant, pigeon, partridge, mallard etc. and all cuts of venison. Home cooked hams, home made sausages, chipolatas and cocktail sausages, and their very popular home dry-cure bacon.

Locally made cheeses are stocked along with Wadman’s world famous cream from their Jersey herd and free range eggs. you’ll find lots of other delicious things too.

The friendly and helpful staff will be pleased to serve you, but if you can’t get in to Wincanton orders are taken at north Cadbury and Maiden Bradley Village Stores. orders are now being taken for Christmas and the new year.

See advert on page 4.

Bower Hinton Farm Shop - Martock CHRISTMAS TREES

Castle Cary’s Christmas!

Needful Things, Castle Cary

needful Things of Castle Cary is turned once more into a magical Christmas extravaganza! This year they have excelled themselves with twelve beautiful colour themes for your Christmas trees; one for each of the 12 days of Christmas. They include an enchanted forest; a Swan Lake theme; an English country Christmas, a Swedish grey / natural theme and a stunning copper and burgundy one! There’s a white, silver and gold tree and a traditional children’s Christmas tree with the most delightful guardsmen, telephone boxes and post boxes on it!

Make sure you don’t miss Big Santa, who makes a welcome return this year ... be sure to hold his hand for good luck!

There are wonderful fairies and elves, with mischievous faces and twinkly eyes! The Egyptian hand blown glass baubles come in a multitude of colours and as ever, they have some funny and quirky baubles too, such as pink flying pigs with pearl necklaces! And glittery gold pumpkin carriages!

Look out for the humming birds and so much more: crackers; candles; napkins and of course, Christmas gifts for all: stocking fillers; gifts for men; lotions and lotions and their luscious Italian soaps! Fabulous gift bags and wraps complete the look! oooooh go on ... call into Cary and visit needful Things for all your seasonal treasures and treats!

Needful Things

Needful Things have a wonderful array of Christmas decorations & gifts.

For all the Magic of Christmas ...

Traditional and Nordman Fir 6 – 7 Foot Non Drop £30.50 * Traditional £18.50

V Local Turkey - Geese - Red Meat - Hams etc - Hampers V V Fruit & Veg Boxes - Sprouts - Dairy Produce - Christmas Cakes & Puds V OPEN: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm OPEN: Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd December 9am – 5pm • Sunday 24th 9am – 1pm

Just off the B3165 at the top of Bower Hinton Tel: 01935 827743 • www.bowerhintonfarmshop.co.uk

7 High Street • CASTLE CARY • BA7 7AN Tel: 01963 351352 • www.needfulthings.uk.com

THE VISIToR December 2017 9

Castle Cary’s

Castle Cary’s Big Christmas

Christmas is kicking off in Castle Cary with the stunning Saturday Switch-on event at 4pm on 2nd December, when the town’s Christmas lights will be officially turned on! Following this, on Thursday 7th December Castle Cary seems like the place to be as Castle Cary’s Big Christmas, a very special event, will be taking place between 5.30pm and

9pm. The wonderful array of independent businesses will be taking part in an evening of late night shopping and festive celebrations and will keep their doors open until 8.30pm! There will be a lantern procession to open the Big Christmas event which will set off from the Horsepond and reach the Market House for 5.30pm. During the evening there will be a hog roast,

The Market

Garden

Christmas!

plenty of mince pies, mulled wine and hot chocolate to get you into the festive spirit. Father Christmas will be arriving at 7.15pm with presents for all the children. There will be carolsinging and all sorts of live music throughout the evening so come and join in the fun and do a little Christmas shopping in Castle Cary. Don’t forget that High Street, Market Place and Fore Street roads will be closed from 4pm until 10pm!

Always a good choice of fresh fruit & vegetables ... place your Christmas order now!

Fresh Flowers, House Plants, Planted Pots, Fruit Baskets, Gardening Gifts CHRISTMAS TREES O WREATHS O HOLLY

TAKE THIS ADVERT TO THE SHOP TO RECEIVE A SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON ANY GARDENING WORK During January & February

Hart House, Fore Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BQ Office 01963 31226 • Quotes 07738 524254 • Shop 01963 350650 http://threecountieslandscaping.co.uk

Merino/Cashmere wrap just £49.99 ... the perfect gift this Christmas!

Available from Oxford Mill.

MAX FOOTE Associates Ltd

Chartered Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors 26 Lower Woodcock Street Castle Cary BA7 7BH Tel: 01963 351052

Business and limited company accounts, self assessment tax returns, VAT, Payroll, Book-keeping and Training Personal and professional service

10 THE VISIToR December 2017

Friday 1st December at 7.30pm at All Saints Church, nunney, near Frome – an evening of Christmas songs with some special guest soloists. Tickets £8.

Tel: 01373 836218. Fundraising for All Saints Church roof fund.

Friday 8th December at 7.30pm at the Methodist Church, north Street, Castle Cary – an evening of Christmas songs, including some light hearted readings relevant to the joys of Christmas. Programmes £8 on the door - refreshments included.

Fundraising for the Methodist Church and the choir. www.castlecarychoir.org

Three Counties Landscape & Tree Services and The Market Garden

Floristry  Bouquets  Weddings  Funerals — FREE LOCAL DELIVERY —

Three Counties Landscape & Tree Services @ Julian Shave

Castle Cary Choir Christmas Concerts 2017

With 30 years of experience, Julian Shave and his nVQ certified team offer a range of services including walling, water features, patios, tree planting, pruning and lawn care. Julian and his team can also supply you with an appropriate planting scheme for your garden and are able to help you source harder to find plants.

The Market Garden supplies the town and surrounding area with fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, house plants, planted pots, fruit baskets, gardening gifts and more.

The shop is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and is now taking orders for Christmas trees, wreaths, holly and festive floral arrangements, logs and kindling.

With delivery service available, pop in and pick up an order form or call 01963 350650.

V Christmas in Mere VV V

VV

Jeans Electrical, Mere

Christmas has arrived at Jeans!

Their selection of traditional and LED Christmas lights is sure to get you feeling festive. Mains operated and battery powered selections in stock, there is sure to be a set there that will light up your life!

If you’re looking to illuminate

your home even further, Jeans have traditional electric light bulbs in stock and available to order while stocks last. of course, they are also stockists of energy efficient and LED light bulb alternatives.

It’s not just lights that Jeans can offer to get you in the festive mood: they have a wonderful range of stocking fillers and

presents, too. From torches and tools to clocks and radios, you are sure to be able to pick up something for your friend or loved one. With digital and traditional (analogue radios) and headphones and earphones, music lovers are covered. They can also help you beat the cold with a good selection of electric blankets and utilities

Support Your Local Post Office Glastonbury Post Office

Glastonbury Post office is run

by Gerald Cross together with one of his two sons and five other members of staff. Having run this busy Post office for over sixteen years, Gerald and his staff are well known to their customers and offer a friendly and helpful service.

If you are planning a winter break don’t forget you can get your travel insurance, travellers cheques and currency from the Post office.

Christmas is looming so remember to send your overseas parcels and cards off in plenty of time.

such as ice scrapers! So, this December, visit Jeans Electrical of Mere! you won’t be disappointed. Tel: 01747 860215.

The Victorian Christmas Street Fayre

The Victorian Christmas Street Fayre in aid of Cancer Research will be held on Friday 1st December. At the event, the town Christmas lights will be switched on. Father Christmas will be visiting, there will be festive stalls too!

MERE POST OFFICE &

NEWSAGENT Offer a wide range of ...

CHRISTMAS IDEAS

A wonderful selection of Christmas and Greetings cards await you at Waltons of Mere together with festive gift wrap and decorations.

Sweets & Chocolates Toys & Gifts Large range of Cards for all occasions ‘Roses’ + Other Sweets £4.45 per tub while stocks last  Pay Your Bills Here  Post Office: 01747 860245 Shop: 01747 860256

JEANS

OF MERE EST 1916

DOMESTIC APPLIANCES Internet prices on your high street!

To beat the Christmas rush, make sure you post before the recommended last posting dates

 UK

Tuesday 19 December Second Class and Royal Mail Wednesday 20 December First Class and Second Class Tracked Thursday 21 December Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed and Royal Mail First Class Tracked

 International Standard (formerly Airmail) Saturday 2 December Wednesday 6 December

Africa, Middle East Cyprus, Asia, Far East and Eastern Europe (except Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia) Thursday 7 December Caribbean, Central & South America Saturday 9 December Greece, Australia, New Zealand Wednesday 13 December Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland Thursday 14 December Canada, Finland, Sweden, USA Friday 15 December Austria, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland Saturday 16 December Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg

 British Forces Post Office (BFPO)

Monday 27 November Monday 11 December

Airmail to Operational BFPOs Airmail to Static BFPOs

Manufacturers include: • Beko • Miele • Humax • Smeg • Zanussi • Electrolux • Glen Dimplex

SAME DAY DELIVERY ON STOCK DOMESTIC APPLIANCES ORDERED BEFORE 5pm ... within 20 mile radius of BA12 6DD

AERIAL, FREESAT & SKY INSTALLATION

          

Repairs New installations Upgrades Realignment DAB installations Retunes Magic Eyes FM radio aerials Sky & Sky HD Freeview Freesat & Freesat HD Major credit cards accepted

01747 860215

Salisbury Street, MERE, Wiltshire, BA12 6HB sales@jeanselectrical.co.uk • www.jeanselectrical.co.uk

Also: Chapel Showroom, Boar Street, BA12 6DD

THE VISIToR December 2017 11

Welcome to WINCANTON

HIDDEn AWAy from the noise and bustle of Wincanton’s High Street is the Community Peace Garden, a sheltered suntrap in fine weather. A narrow passage off the High Street near the Dolphin Hotel leads to the Quaker Meeting House and the garden, and it is here that I’m writing some notes about what I had seen on my walk through the town. nowadays its retail area stretches a goodly distance from here, down the High Street to the Market Place and beyond to the Lawrence Hill Business Park off the roundabout by the A303. The High Street is well provided with independent traders offering a wide range of goods and services, among them an independent offlicence with an interesting selection of wines, beers and spirits, a cobbler, a family butcher, a wholefoods store, several ladieswear shops and the long-established Jerry’s Electrical store.

Bespoke • Corporate • Events Parties • Weddings • Sympathy Local & Nationwide Deliveries

01963 32367

11 Church Street, Wincanton, BA9 9AA

12 THE VISIToR December 2017

Part of the handsome old building on the corner of Market Place and North Street is now the premises of Amour Lingerie.

of equal interest are some of the buildings they occupy. In May 1707 a great fire destroyed no fewer than 44 buildings in the town, which in those days stretched only from around the Market Place down to the river.

The Market Place continued to be the hub of the town after rebuilding, with cottages crammed into the streets radiating from it – Mill Street, north Street, South Street and Church Street – but those with money built grander houses and sometimes business premises up the stony hill that is now the High Street. And the turnpiking of this main road in 1756, what became the old A303, added to their prosperity and gradually generated more development further up the hill, especially in

the early 19th century.

Many of the buildings are worth a closer look: these are just a few of them. The premises of the Cunning Artificer’s Discworld Emporium, full of wonderful objects that owe their inspiration to the writings of Terry Pratchett, was built as a house in the early 1800s and was occupied by the parish curate for 35 years. nearby, the red-brick arches that provide the frontage for the thriving Papertrees office supplies and newsagency business are all that remain of Ireson Garage that opened in 1917. It was demolished in the early 1970s to make way for a supermarket and small shopping precinct off Carrington Way. Across the road, next door to the independent Divine Wines, is the house that served as

Wincanton’s first hospital from 1900 to 1922. By that time the hospital had outgrown 18 High Street, to be relocated in Pine House a few doors up the street.

Part of these premises later became the shop now occupied by Wincanton’s Cobbler.

Another former garage is nowadays a shopping arcade. In 1878 Charles Woodcock set up as a coachbuilder near the bottom of the High Street, and as the petrol engine began to make its presence felt he transformed the business into motor engineering and sold petrol and cars. Since 1986 Woodcock’s garage has been the Applegarth shopping mall and has recently been given a facelift. The front units are now occupied by an audio and collectables dealer and a ladies boutique and dress agency. nearby, where the High Street runs into the Market Place, you can be tempted by the delights in the Lemon Tree Delicatessen and Alex Appleton’s jewellery shop. Both buildings date from the mid-18th century but the latter was largely rebuilt in 1848.

The Market Place still retains much of its period charm with many of the elegant old buildings having been renovated in recent years. The handsome building on the corner of the Market Place and north Street, judged by many to be the best piece of architecture in Wincanton, had been constructed in 1837 to replace the White Hart inn, which certainly dated from 1678 and possibly as far back as the 1550s, although it had been rebuilt after the great fire of 1707. Renovation of the building started in earnest in 1992 and nowadays it is the premises of an estate agency and Amour Lingerie.

The building housing the post office was originally one of the

Welcome to WINCANTON

town’s coaching inns, the Trooper.

The present structure was erected in 1796 to replace a former inn on the site, and it survived as an inn until 1872. It was then run as a temperance hotel by James Sweetman from 1873 until 1878.

Subsequently it has served as a tailor’s shop, a ‘domestic bazaar’ and a grocery before finally being occupied since 1974 by the post office which also sells a large range of gifts and greetings cards.

The Ironmonger-sibthorp contemporary art shop occupies a small part of the former Greyhound Hotel which dates from the mid-18th century. For many years it was one of the town’s principal coaching inns but it was delicensed in 1957. The former stabling and coach houses at the back were converted into a pretty mews around 20 years ago and named Greyhound Close.

The next-door shop, erected in the mid-19th century, was for many years occupied by newsagents, booksellers and stationers, the most famous being George Sweetman who researched and wrote copiously about the town and published his invaluable History of Wincanton in 1903. It’s now the home of Preview fashion boutique, full of stylish ladies outfits and accessories.

The Town Hall on the corner of the Market Place dates from 1878, built after a fire had totally destroyed the previous one erected in 1769. originally the ground floor facing South Street was an open arcade intended for a market but this never happened and in 1893 the openings were filled with doors and windows.

The adjacent shambles facing the Market Place were demolished in 1878 and replaced by the building now occupied by the Lovington Bakery and Café.

To celebrate the festive season the town’s Chamber of Commerce has organised a Wincanton

Wild Cardz of Wincanton are selling charity Christmas cards.

Why not purchase some lovely cards and help a worthy cause?

Extravaganza for the afternoon of Saturday 2nd December, and weather permitting it promises to be a good reason for visiting the town, doing a bit of Christmas shopping and looking at some of these historic buildings. A visit to Santa’s Grotto, an elf hunt and fairground rides should keep the children happy, and for everyone there will be entertainers performing, the shops will be welcoming with special offers and the Christmas Tree lights will be switched on at the end of the afternoon. And as the town is well provided with cafés, restaurants and pubs catering for most tastes and pockets, you’ll be spoilt for choice for refreshments.

Roger Richards.

Amour Lingerie

If you’re concerned that your loved one won’t know what to get you this Christmas, allow Amour Lingerie to allay your fears with their Christmas Wish List Service.

Here’s how it works: you pop in to the shop in Market Place, Wincanton and browse Amour’s gorgeous range of lingerie, nightwear, dressing gowns, loungeA END CAL

RS

wear and perfume, and advise Jane and her team of your favourite pieces. Then just tell your friends and family that you’ve made it easy for them (especially if wrapping is not their forte as Amour will even gift wrap): all they need do is choose which of your stunning selection they want you to find under the tree on Christmas morning!

With beautiful lingerie from designers such as PrimaDonna, Lise Charmel, Marie Jo and Wacoal, and nightwear from £42, Amour is the perfect place to start feeling festive and fabulous. open until 6pm on Saturday 2nd December – Wincanton Christmas Extravaganza!

The Pilgrim Singers plus special guest

The Pilgrim Singers, with special guest mezzo-soprano Marta Fontanals-Simmons will present their Christmas concert 'Ring the Christmas Bells' at SS Peter & Paul parish church, Wincanton on Saturday, December 16th 7.30pm, tickets £10 to include refreshments (children free) from Divine Wines, Wincanton. All proceeds to The Growing Space.

Wild Cardz

DIAR

IES

35 High Street, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9JU • Tel: 01963 31234 CARDS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Christmas Cards for all your Relations and Friends • Boxed Cards • Charity Cards Hologram 3D Christmas Cards • Wrapping Paper • Gifts • Party Items • Confetti Latex Balloons and Helium Foil Balloons • Crepe / Tissue Paper • Table Decorations Napkins • Stocking Fillers • Wool & Accessories • New Gift Items Arriving Regularly Christmas Party Bits: Poppers – Hats – Earrings – Spray – and much more!

TOYS CAN BE ORDERED FROM OUR COLOUR BROCHURE Find us on Facebook

Clementina of

WINCANTON has closed

_______________________

Thanking all our past customers for their business

THE VISIToR December 2017 13

14 THE VISIToR December 2017

Welcome to WINCANTON

Wincanton & District Gardeners Association

Wincanton & District Gardeners Association is affiliated to the RHS and is a member of the Somerset Federation of Gardening Clubs. The objectives of the association are the promotion and advancement of horticulture and friendliness.

Members enjoy many benefits

such as, discounts on seeds and sundries, regular events, outings and talks. Its Annual Flower Show is held in September, which in 2017 attracted record entries, and has a variety of classes ranging from novice, Vegetables, Fruit and Flowers to Handicraft and Homecraft. new members are always welcome and can enjoy all the benefits of

membership for just £5 per annum. If you would like further information on the association or its activities please contact the Secretary, Tel: 01963 33160, who will be pleased to assist.

The Visitor CAN BE READ ONLINE

www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

 Personalised Christmas Cards  You supply the photo – we can do the rest!

New Christmas stock now in ...

HALF PRICE BOOKS ] NATIONAL BOOK TOKENS ]

Books to suit everyone!

Humour, Cookery, Fiction, Childrens Books + more!

‘Pass My Parcel’ Amazon Collection & Delivery Parcel Point Promotional Supplies Banners  A-Frames  Posters  And More

33 High Street • Wincanton OPEN: Monday – Friday 6.30am – 5pm, Saturday 6.30am – 2pm, Sunday 6.30am – 12noon

Tel: 01963 32356 • www.papertrees.co.uk

THE VISIToR December 2017 15

Fit & Furnish, Yeovil

Fit & Furnish have a brilliant range of furniture at amazing prices whether you’re looking for a painted bedside table, a stunning bed with plenty of storage space or some colourful upholstered chairs to accompany your dining table. As well as having such great choice they have a team that is so willing to help, they will deliver anywhere and their Facebook page is full

IAN CROSSLAND

Specialist External Lime Pointing on Period Property Restoration of Timber Windows

Tel: 01935 411813 Mob: 07811 070498

Over 20 years’ experience

For a friendly reliable service please give me a call

of positive comments regarding speedy deliveries and excellent customer service.

Currently, Fit & Furnish are offering an amazing deal on their beautiful upholstered chairs which are available in eight different colours. Each chair is £99.99 but when you purchase four or six chairs together you will be offered a fantastic discount. Ask in store to find out more about the deal.

Fit & Furnish also have a great offer on their white gloss top and stainless steel base MET extending dining table and four accompanying faux leather Irma chairs. If purchased together, one of the chairs will be yours for free!

This means that the table and chairs normally sold at £859.99 will be discounted by £100 and can now be bought for just £759.99!

If you’re looking for a stylish and comfortable sofa, Fit &

Furnish have a stunning corner suite that is the perfect statement piece for your living room.

Available in both fabric and leather, you can have the corner suite in fabric for £1799.99 or in leather for £2299.99. This Natuzzi Ghibli fabric or leather sofa is electric reclining and is designed for your comfort as it has five adjustable headrests. If you’re looking for something similar but a little smaller, the sofa is available in fabric as a two seater at £849.99 or as an armchair at £649.99!

Please visit their website www.fitandfurnish.co.uk for full stock information, delivery options and further deals. For contact information, see their advert inside the front cover.

Sandpits Heating & Home Store

Sandpits Heating Centre has a range of beautiful products in store for your home or that special Christmas gift this festive season. The cosy showrooms are perfect environments to explore the variety of appliances and

FROM CONCEPTION TO COMPLETION With over 30 years of building experience — NO HIDDEN EXTRAS —

All works completed by our experienced and reliable team

SERVICES INCLUDE but not limited to: Project Management ★ New Build Planning ★ Loft Conversions Carpentry ★ Roofing Ground Works ★ Refurbishment Renovation ★ Commercial Property Maintenance ★ Joinery

All aspects of Building and Maintenance All Insurance Works Undertaken

Contact us for a free estimate

(01935) 808456

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

Winter offers at Fit & Furnish, Yeovil.

See advert inside front cover!

17 ec sd vi

www.dreamscapekitchens.com

Dreamscape Kitchens, Unit 5, Lydford Business Park East Lydford, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 7HA  01963 240000 Dreamscape Kitchens: serving up memories since 2004

Kitchens • Libraries • Studies • Bedrooms • Architectural Joinery 16 THE VISITOR December 2017

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 Tel / Fax: 01963 371715 Mobile: 07802 393344

Say you saw it in The Visitor

home accessories on offer. Among the working wood burning stoves, you can discover Sandpits’ lovely range of rugs, display ladders, umbrella stands, bunting, scented candles, festive firelighters and gorgeous cushions that will transform a home in both comfort and style.

An item that would make an especially unique present is the newly-stocked Cast Iron Hot Potato Cooker. The Hot Potato Cooker is simply placed on top of a wood-burning stove and will slow cook your potatoes within 23 hours. It is an incredibly eco-friendly way of cooking and not only cooks crispy potatoes but can also bake bread and make popcorn, why not use it to roast chestnuts this Christmas? The cast iron cooker is available in Standard size for £30 or in Large for £40 and is an excellent gift for those looking for a fun and efficient cooking experience.

At Sandpits there is also the perfect home accessory to help reduce your running costs and fuel bills this winter. The heat powered Ecofan sits on your wood

stove and convects heat around your room instead of leaving it to rise towards the ceiling away from the living area. The Ecofan not only hugely improves the heating effectiveness of wood burners, it is also powered by heat from the stove so helps to warm a room in

VISIT OUR EXTENSIVE TILE SHOWROOMS

 Quality Floor & Wall Tiles

 Distributors of Grespania and other leading brands Season's Groutings

... to all of our customers past and present and a big “thank you” for your continued support

 Professional fitting service  Kitchen Installations now available

 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 9am – 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 December 2017 17

AP Kitchen Solutions

FOR YOUR NEW KITCHEN

a very economical way. The Ecofan is available in a variety of different models ranging from £74 to £140 depending on size and operating temperature.

The helpful and friendly team at Sandpits will be pleased to

 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

 01935 849559 or call at our showroom

To discuss your personal requirements contact Adam

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

Bathing a problem? We can help

Simply affordable solutions for bathing needs

Wet rooms • Walk in showers • Walk in baths Waterproof wall panelling Product and installation guarantee Slip resistant safety flooring Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets Established family business Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms Discounts for over 60s, SSAFA and Ex-Service Personnel

Call now to arrange a FREE survey and quote

Tel: 01823 729564

info@ahminstallations.co.uk • www.ahminstallations.co.uk Showroom at: Blackdown Garden Centre, A38 West Buckland, Nr. Wellington, TA21 9HY

18 THE VISITOR December 2017

answer any questions and offer advice on appliances that would best suit your requirements.

Together with Living Pretty and Kate Macey Design, Sandpits have nearly everything for your hearth and home under one roof.

Together with Living Pretty and Kate Macey Design, Sandpits have nearly everything for your hearth and home under one roof.

See their adverts in Gift Guide, Langport and on our front cover.

Ward & Sibley Jewellers

When you visit a jewellers shop it is more often than not for a special occasion, such as

Christmas being on the horizon.

At Ward & Sibley Jewellers of Yeovil the friendly and knowledgeable staff ensure that

you receive a personal service whether you are buying a small thank you gift – or an elegant diamond ring.

Being an independent retailer, they offer a very individual choice of jewellery. There is something to suit all tastes and budgets from contemporary costume jewellery through to bespoke pieces.

Whilst diamonds are always a firm favourite as gemstones, at Ward & Sibley you will find a comprehensive range of precious and semi-precious stones. If you are seeking a particular stone please ask.

Why not call in today – a free

gift wrap service is available to ensure your gift looks extra special.

Christmas Gifts at Preview, Wincanton

Find the perfect Christmas gift at Preview, Wincanton. From Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew room diffusers in several scents to Doris and Dude bamboo fabric gents’ socks and beautiful scarves from Tilley and Grace, there is sure to be something perfect for your friends or relatives.

Open 10am – 5pm, Monday – Saturday. Find them at Market Place, Wincanton.

Hansons Fabrics & Crafts have so many ideas for home-made Christmas gifts, cards and decorations. Visit them to discover your festive inspiration. You can even pick up a free pattern.

THE VISITOR December 2017 19

Careline – 24 hour help at the touch of a button

Worrying about being alone, or feeling at risk could be a thing of the past for elderly or vulnerable residents, thanks to the South Somerset District Council-run Careline service.

Careline provides an emergency alarm pendant that can be worn at all times, which links to their control centre where specialist trained staff are on hand to answer calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Many elderly and vulnerable residents are already benefiting from the reassurance that help is at hand at the push of a button, and relatives can enjoy peace of mind.

Careline staff are fully trained to respond to calls from those in need, with experience in handling thousands of calls a year from a wide range of people including people who are elderly, frail, disabled, young or anyone feeling vulnerable. They support people being discharged from hospital or recovering hospital patients

and those working or living in isolation. Their staff will call a doctor or an ambulance, the police or friends and family within seconds of pushing the Careline button.

South Somerset Careline are also working in partnership with the Fire Service to provide free Home Fire Safety Visits and install free Careline-linked smoke detectors to all customers. If fire or smoke is detected, a call will be triggered automatically to the Careline control centre, who will summon help immediately.

They offer a free demonstration and, if you’re happy with it, their staff can fit the unit for you immediately.

To find out more on how Careline can help, contact 01935 479815 or visit www.careline southsomerset.co.uk Kate Macey Design is located in the snug at Living Pretty. From upholstery and bespoke lampshades and cushions to

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

Live alone or sometimes feel at risk?

Have elderly, frail or infirm dependents?

Worry about their safety in an emergency?

Want to help them maintain their independence?

Careline can provide help at the touch of button, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year! Through Careline, you can enjoy the independence of living in your own home, secure in the knowledge that emergency help or advice is available at your fingertips.

For all NEW INSTALLATIONS booked before 31st January 2018 through this advertisement, we will WAIVE our INSTALLATION and SET-UP FEE! Please quote this advert when you contact us.

We will visit you in your home to demonstrate Careline; if you are happy with it, our staff will fit the unit for you immediately.

Contact us on 01935 479815 careline@southsomerset.gov.uk www.carelinesouthsomerset.co.uk

Initial connection/setup fee £32.85* Hire and monitoring £3.84 per week *waived if on certain benefits / special Xmas offer 20 THE VISITOR December 2017

jugs and mugs, picture frames and candles, lamps, rugs, mirrors, clocks and lambswool throws. If you’d like a pause from shopping, you won’t have to brave the weather for nourishment, as Living Pretty’s Tea Room has a very tempting menu. For a really pleasurable shopping experience in a warm and welcoming environment, this is an ideal choice.

Kate Macey Design at Living Pretty, Curry Rivel

Make someone’s Christmas this year ... by setting them up with Careline Do you …    

Grand Illusions vintage chalk paint, designer fabrics by the metre and fabric books to browse, this is a treasure trove sure to inspire your interior design aspirations. From design advice to bespoke soft furnishings, Kate Macey Design is certain to help you to achieve a cosy, country vibe in your home.

There are Christmas gift ideas galore here, including beautiful

The Snug at Living Pretty, Curry Rivel, where you will find Kate Macey Design. Bespoke soft furnishings you’re sure to fall in love with.

Love it or hate it: it’s in the genes. Marmite launches ‘born lover’ and ‘born hater’ jars to mark genetic taste preference link

Marmite has launched limited edition ‘born lover’ and ‘born hater’ 70g jars, following a landmark scientific study that has discovered the reason why we love it or hate it – proving that the answer is in our genes.

Coined ‘The Marmite Gene Project’, the ground-breaking study has scientifically shown that people are born genetically more likely to be lovers or more likely to be haters of Marmite and conclusively shows that there is a genetic foundation to Marmite taste preference.

Cementing its reputation as the most loved and hated product of our generation, the nations

most divided breakfast spread has also changed its iconic packaging to the new genetic themed look across all glass jars and squeezy bottles.

What’s more, fans of the spread will be able to personalise the 250g glass jar for their fellow lover and hater friends and family, via the Marmite website.

Brits can become part of this monumental discovery; Gene Test Kits are also available to buy from https://social. marmite.co.uk, so people can discover for themselves whether they were born Marmite lovers or haters.

For those that don’t fancy providing a DNA sample, they can still take part at www.tasteface.marmite.co.uk.

Users simply log on and have a sample of Marmite to hand, either from a jar at home or FREE sample that they can order when logging in. Taste Face uses facial analysis to determine if users are ‘born a lover’ or ‘born a hater’ based on their facial expression when tasting the

spread. A percentage will also be shown upon completion of the test, so Marmite fanatics will be able to see if they are 100% a true lover and visa versa for haters.

A variety of lover and hater filters are also available to personalise the result, produced in a GIF format.

For those who would like to share their results with the world and be part of the conversation, tag @marmite on Twitter and use the hashtag #MarmiteGene.

The Marmite Gene Project limited-edition 70g ‘born lover’ and ‘born hater’ jars are available until 11th December from Co Op, Poundland and Poundworld, RRP £1. The Marmite Gene Project themed jars are available nationwide from all major

supermarkets across the Marmite range, starting at a RRP of £1.75.

Personalised jars can be purchased from https:// social.marmite.co.uk for £4.99.

Flowers always make a wonderful gift. Send flowers this season through Andrea’s of Yeovil.

THE VISITOR December 2017 21

Wardon Hill Trading Post

You will find Wardon Hill Trading Post on the A37 Dorchester to Yeovil road on the old Clay Pigeon site. It is filled with over 50 Traders selling a variety of items from Antiques, Vintage, Collectables, Craft and so much more. The warm and inviting shop is all on one level with plenty of free parking so an ideal place to while away an hour or two without feeling rushed.

With Christmas just around the corner it is a great place to find that unusual gift for someone special and while you are shopping why not visit the Emporium Tearoom which offers breakfast, light lunches and lovely homemade cakes & cream teas.

If you would like to join them as a trader they have a couple of spaces available to rent. Please get in touch.

Opening times are Tuesday – Saturday 9 – 5 and Sunday 9 – 4 although you will find them very flexible and customer focused. If you arrive before 5 they are more than happy to stay open for late arrivals.

Custom Targets, Yeovil

Buying for men! We all know when chaps want something, they don’t wait for birthdays or Christmas, which is fine until it comes to buying them something for an occasion so they end up with socks!

Anyone who has an airgun can now get affordable fun reactive targets locally (Yeovil, opposite

Wickes) as well as air refills, pellets, BBs gun rests, maintenance kits, airsoft gas, servicing & repairs & lots more.

Our Christmas offer is ANY of our standard targets (pictured) AND our metal target stand for just £20!

You can buy in store here at our Yeovil shop, or just call us for a quick phone order.

Alternatively, you can go online: www.customtargets.co.uk So, surprise him, and get him something to really make him smile!

Reed & Russell Flowers

Reed & Russell Flowers create a wide range of fresh and artificial Christmas arrangements.

They offer a selection of wreaths and gorgeous fresh flower arrangements and can send flowers worldwide.

Pop into 11 Church Street, Wincanton to discuss your requirements, or call 01963 32367 and one of the team of friendly florists will be delighted to help.

Why not order now and arrange for delivery on the date you would like?

Reed & Russell Flowers, Wincanton create a wide range of fresh and artificial Christmas arrangements.

50% off entry to major exhibitions.

Buy as a gift for a friend or family member, and with the 'plus one' option members can also take a different guest to each visit Every National Art Pass sale directly supports UK museums and galleries through the Art Fund Venues that allow free entry with NAP in the South West: Ashburton Museum, Beckford's

Tower and Museum, Bruton Museum, Cotehele Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre, Dorset County Museum, Fashion Museum, Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery, Jersey Museum and Art Gallery, Kingston Lacy, Knightshayes, Lydiard House, Museum of East Asian Art, National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Pendennis Castle, Penlee House Gallery and Museum, Royal Cornwall Museum, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum - Teign Heritage, The Museum of Bath Architecture, The Salisbury Museum, Torquay Museum, Torre Abbey Historic House and Gallery, Tyntesfield and Wiltshire Museum.

Individual membership: £65 (with Plus One + £35). Under 26 membership: £32. Family membership: £107.

For more information or to purchase a pass visit: https://www.artfund.org/nationalart-pass.

To be in with a chance of winning a pass, send your name and address to: Art Pass Competition, PO Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BP

The National Art Pass is the perfect present for cultural lovers, or for those who seem to have everything! Find out how you can win a pass below

It also offers something for everyone, no matter where they live in the UK. National Art Pass provides free entry to over 240 museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK, as well as

The National Art Pass is the perfect present for cultural lovers.

Antiques, Vintage, Collectables, Craft and so much more ...

OVER 50 TRADERS • TEAROOM PLENTY OF FREE PARKING

Open Tuesday – Saturday 9am – 5pm / Sunday 9am – 4pm

WARDON HILL TRADING POST A37 DORCHESTER – YEOVIL • DT2 9PW

22 THE VISITOR December 2017

01935 83069 / wardonhill@gmail.com / Facebook

or alternatively email info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Closing date: December 8th 2017, good luck!

Give the gift of comfort!

Are you stuck for ideas for Christmas gifts? This year, why not give your loved ones the gift of comfort.

At the top of our Christmas wish list are Cosyfeet’s Super-soft Bed Socks. Designed to keep the coldest feet warm, these snuggly socks are luxuriously soft and have a loose top for extra comfort.

We also love their cosy Gripped Socks. Available in Berry and Charcoal, they’re perfect for padding around the house or snuggling on the sofa. Other great stocking fillers include pampering rose and lavender products and high-quality handkerchiefs. They also have a fabulous range of cosy, extra roomy slippers that are specially designed for swollen feet.

The Cosyfeet shop is based at the Tanyard on Leigh Road in Street.

Bruton Antique Shop has some lovely gift ideas - jewellery, silverware and much more.

Beautiful Jewellery...

Just one of many gift ideas from

5 High Street, Bruton. Tel: 01749 813264

There are lots of gift ideas at Papertrees, Wincanton. Books are always a wonderful choice of present – for children and adults.

Furniture  Jewellery  Collectables  Decorative Art Jewellery Making  Repairs  Restringing

Open: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10am – 5pm December: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10am – 5pm Dave & Mike wish all their customers a very Merry Christmas

THE VISITOR December 2017 23

Festive LANGPORT

Langport prepares to welcome you to a sparkling 2017 Christmas

Plans are afoot in Langport for a very festive season in this popular and vibrant market town.

The town offers more than just the opportunity for some wonderful Christmas shopping.

Langport’s Christmas festivities really starts on Saturday 2nd December when the annual Christmas Fair and Fireworks will be held in the town centre.

The Christmas Fair is intended to complement businesses already in the town and boasts over 40

vendors who will be set up on Parrett Close and around The Angel and Ridgway Hall.

A wonderful selection of stalls has been booked with everything from art, accessories and gifts to tasty treats and mulled cider.

The Christmas Fair will run from 14.00 – 18.30 and most of the businesses, shops & cafes will remain open until 18.00.

Muchelney Pottery

The Christmas kiln firing has been unpacked and the shop is full of gift ideas – from mugs, jugs and bowls to casserole dishes,

garlic pots and sauce boats.

The Muchelney Pottery range of kitchenware pots is handmade

by John Leach, Nick Rees and Mark Melbourne and fired in the three-chambered woodfired kiln.

The kiln reaches a temperature of 1320 degrees centigrade which gives the pots their distinctive toasted finish.

As well as the functional range of pots, in the gallery you will find signed ceramics by John,

Nick and Mark as well as paintings (Tanya Hinton), sculpture (Nick Durnan), jewellery (Holly Webb) and baskets (David Drew) in the Christmas Exhibition.

Find out more at www.john leachpottery.co.uk or by calling 01458 250324.

Muchelney Pottery shop and gallery open Monday – Saturday, 9 – 1, 2 – 5 (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day).

SUTTON UPHOLSTERERS Re-upholstery Specialists Antique, Modern and Contract

] Curtains ] Roman Blinds ] Loose Covers ] Re-upholstery ] Bed Spreads & Cushions ] Tracks & Poles ] Window Blinds ] D.I.Y. Supplies

Large selection of fabrics, modern & traditional including ... Sanderson, Romo, Linwood and Villa Nova Expert advice from over 30 years experience

Picts Hill, LANGPORT • Tel: 01458 252492

They say it’s difficult to find a

GOOD GARAGE

River Parrett

so here is a map to help you ...

Westover Trading Estate

L MC

A378

Langport

Curry Rivel

NEW AIR CONDITIONING SERVICING

Servicing & Repairs on All Makes of Car Citroën and Peugeot Specialists

Collection & Delivery Service • Courtesy Car Available Full Electronic Diagnostics

Pre -M.O.T. Preparation Work Undertaken NEED A CAR WASH OR A VACUUM?

Our Car Washes & Car Vacuum are the most powerful for miles!

Open 24 hours 7 days a week

Batteries ★ Tyres ★ Exhausts

Open Monday – Friday 8am – 5.30pm • Saturday Appointments Only

LANGPORT MOTOR COMPANY Prop. Richard White

WESTOVER TRADING ESTATE LANGPORT, SOMERSET, TA10 9RB

Tel: 01458 251100 • Email: langportmotors@btconnect.com

24 THE VISITOR December 2017

Pictured: John Leach on wheel, Muchelney Pottery.

Photograph by Fran Stothard.

L ANGPORT

Start feeling festive with Living Pretty, Curry Rivel

Living Pretty is the perfect place to ease yourself into Christmas.

Browse their range of beautiful homewares and gift ideas and replenish yourself in their tearoom.

Festive Afternoon Tea is available from 12pm, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1st – 23rd December. Enjoy finger sandwiches, sausage rolls, tartlets and pastry parcels, freshly baked scones, warm mince pies and yule logs with a pot of Twinings tea! £15 each or £20 each with a glass of fizz.

On the 23rd December, dig in to Living Pretty’s Festive Brunch from 8am – 11.30am. Bucks Fizz on arrival and a choice of delicious dishes from the menu: Farmhouse or Veggie breakfast, pancakes with maple syrup and bacon, or a bagel: smoked salmon and scrambled egg or bacon and scrambled egg.

Don’t miss out: book early as spaces are already filling up.

Please call 01458 253357.

With gorgeous gifts such as festive tea-towels and oven mitts, scented candles, clocks, mugs, cushions, bunting, rugs and umbrella stands, you’re sure to have a successful shopping trip complemented by some real ‘me’ time.

For more information please visit www.livingpretty.co.uk

Living Pretty Festive Afternoon Tea

Available Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays from 1st to 23rd December from 12pm Pot of Twinings Tea

Selection of Finger Sandwiches: Chicken Breast with Tarragon Mayonnaise Free Range Egg & Watercress * Home Cooked Ham & English Mustard Cheddar Cheese & Festive Chutney Crispy Sausage Shed Sausage Roll * Brie & Cranberry Tartlet Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese & Dill Parcel Freshly Baked Mini Scones with Homemade Jumbleberry Jam & Clotted Cream Warm Frangipane Mince Pie * Chocolate Brownie Yule Log

Rifleman Firearms

Looking to try something new this winter? Then why not have a go on our air rifle range!

Located on the Somerset Levels, Rifleman Firearms is home to a 90-yard air rifle range with 100’s of targets set from just 15-yards and all the way out to 90-yards! Complete with an onsite shop staffed with seasoned shooters with over a hundred years of collective experience between us, all ready to answer any questions and ensure you have a fantastic, safe and memorable experience.

The firing points are covered, heated and floodlit, perfect for the winter months and has

Local Free Range Devon Red Beef

£15 each * £20 each with a Glass of Fizz

Living Pretty Festive Brunch On Saturday 23rd December 8am — 11.30am Bucks Fizz on Arrival

Festive Farmhouse Breakfast £12.50 / £15.50 Sausage, Bacon, Free Range Egg, Bubble & Squeak, Mushrooms Grilled Tomato, Baked Beans, Toast, Tea or Coffee

Veggie Farmhouse £12.50 Veggie Sausage, Free Range Eggs, Bubble & Squeak, Mushrooms Grilled Tomato, Baked Beans, Toast, Tea or Coffee Pancakes, Maple Syrup & Bacon £10.50

Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Egg Bagel £11.50 Bacon & Scrambled Egg Bagel £10.50

THE OLD BAKERY • HIGH STREET CURRY RIVEL • SOMERSET • TA10 0ES Tel: 01458 253357 • info@livingpretty.co.uk

For more information please visit www.livingpretty.co.uk

 Free Range Local Pork

Award Winning Chicken from Radstock and much more available Try our Homemade Sausages and Home Cured Bacon New Freezer Range  Granny Gothards Ice Cream Christmas Gifts

 Saturday 23rd December OPEN ‘til 6pm 

 Sunday 24th December OPEN 8am ‘til 12noon 

THE VISITOR December 2017 25

L ANGPORT

disabled access on site with toilet facilities and refreshments also available.

Come and enjoy a ‘Have-A-Go’ session which includes an hour shooting, gun hire, unlimited pellets, lane hire and tuition all for just £25.00. It’s the perfect opportunity to try something new and is suitable for all the family!

If you’re already a keen shot, then bring your own gun along or you can hire a top-quality PCP from us to get you on your way.

The shop is home to a huge variety and range of brands to cover every aspect and discipline of shooting from air rifles, rifles, shotguns, pellets, ammunition and accessories and much more for the beginner to the experienced shooter regardless of your chosen field.

We can even host your birthday, hen or stag party and provide you with a unique corporate entertaining experience for your most deserving new and existing customers & clients.

The Visitor CAN BE READ ONLINE

www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Various refreshments can be provided from simple cakes to luxurious buffets or, by arrangement, a full sit-down meal provided by the award winning Brown & Forrest Smokery who are situated on site.

If you’re looking for a fun weekend or holiday activity or unique party experience to remember, then why not have it hosted at Rifleman Firearms air rifle range? So, if you’ve never held a gun before or are a keen shooter give us a shot this winter and we look forward to seeing you soon. www.riflemanfirearms.com Tel: 01458 253700.

See advert page 21.

Langport Area Business Group bags £2000 from carrier bag charge fund

Langport Area Business Group is delighted to announce that it has bagged £2000 from a Tesco funding scheme. Thanks to this initiative ‘Langport in Bloom’ aims to continue to improve the outlook of Langport’s high street and green spaces with decorative planting, barrels and hanging baskets, as well as more unusual planting arrangements to delight shoppers, residents and visitors.

Dental Design Limited The Bow Dental Centre, Langport

Affordable private dental treatment all in one place!

A practice for all the family!

81 Bow Street, LANGPORT Somerset, TA10 9PR

WE HAVE A FULL PROFESSIONAL DENTAL TEAM

PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING SERVICES — General Dentistry Implant Surgery • Holistic Dentistry • Safe Metal Filling Removal Specialised Denture Clinic run by Clinical Dental Technicians All supported by an Onsite Dental Laboratory with a Professional Team of Dental Technicians PLEASE CALL AND TALK TO ...

Trudie or Nia on 01458 253888

26 THE VISITOR December 2017

Somerton

ORD, BATTISCOMBE & ELWES is a company name that will probably be unfamiliar to most of today’s residents of Somerton. But a century ago it was certainly well known, for they were the town’s brewers.

Until the early years of the 20th century almost every small town had its own brewery, and Somerton was no exception.

Somerton Brewery was established by Mr Ord sometime between 1840 and 1850 on West Street on the site now occupied by the Brunel shopping precinct, and by the 1880s it was supplying pubs up to 40 miles from the town and had its own pubs as far afield as Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Yeovil and Hatch Beauchamp. In the early days everything was transported by horse-drawn drays and the brewery employed six or seven draymen. The stables were nearby on the site of the Assembly Rooms at the Unicorn Hotel, a well-preserved 16th century building and one of the many that draw visitors to Somerton.

Water for making the beer was drawn from a deep well on the site, but all supplies of grain and coal had to be brought in by road from Langport, which was the nearest railhead until the railway reached Somerton in 1906. The horses were later replaced by steam lorries. As well as making and bottling beer the brewery produced a locally-famous concoction called Garratt’s Mixture which, it was claimed, cured everything from pneumonia to in-growing toenails. Its ingredients were a well-kept secret but I am assured that they were certainly potent!

Sadly the brewery found it increasingly difficult to compete with larger concerns and closed down in 1923. The buildings were used subsequently by Cow and Gate for storage purposes and most were eventually demolished in 1985 to make way for the Brunel precinct. The remains can be seen on West Street. In bygone days the entrance to the brewery was through the arch that now leads to the shopping centre and

Christmas in Somerton

the house on the left of the entrance, now part of the pharmacy, was occupied for some years by a Cow and Gate employee. The barbers shop on the right of the entrance was also part of the brewery and was where the drays were checked in and out.

The Brunel Shopping Centre currently houses a selection of independent shops including Cobbs wholefoods store, Brunel Pet Centre and the Dress Circle dress agency as well as Somerton’s excellent Williams supermarket. And a stroll along West Street from here to The Triangle reveals numerous other fascinating shops including Overt Locke’s showroom packed with everything the DIY and garden enthusiast could want, together with plenty to please the homemaker, the housewife, the gift-hunter and the home brewer and winemaker. With Christmas fast approaching, a browse round the shops on West Street is sure to provide plenty of gift ideas.

In the opposite direction, towards the Market Place, three vacant shops and the Old Court House on the right were shrouded in scaffolding when I visited in

The Brunel Shopping Centre of West Street, tucked away in old brewery buildings, houses a selection of shops as well as the independent Williams supermarket.

early November. A major redevelopment is seeing them transformed into retirement apartments, small shops and a health studio, and their location so close to the Market Place

seems certain to attract residents and businesses. Behind the scaffolding and still open despite

the disruption was Behind Clouds, the long-established source of quirky handbags, belts, shoes and suchlike.

I have always thought of Somerton’s Market Place as quintessentially English. The 17th century butter cross and former town hall in the centre are surrounded by a fascinating variety of buildings, almost all built in local blue lias stone and with long histories. On the north side stands the parish church with its handsome tower. Parts of the church date from the early 13th century, and its 16th century timber roof is one of the finest in Somerset and well worth a look. To the left of the front gate to the churchyard stands the Ladysmith Memorial Hall, better known as the Parish Rooms, and behind them is the former manor house built in 1661 for Sir John

THE BUTTERCROSS TEAROOMS

Market Place, Somerton (01458) 273168

Homemade Cakes & Scones Morning Coffee, Cream Teas Lunch Served 12 – 3pm Open: Tue – Sat 9 – 4pm

The Dress Circle Dress Agency

QUALITY FASHION ITEMS WANTED TO SELL ON A COMMISSION BASIS Wedding hats, wedding outfits, cruise wear and good quality casual wear and accessories, accepted every day ...

10am - 4pm Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm Saturday

For large quantities collections can be arranged

4 Brunel Shopping Centre Somerton TA11 7PY  01458 273485

THE VISITOR December 2017 27

Christmas in Somerton

Strangways which originally occupied the whole of the west side of the Market Place. After Sir John’s death the house was divided and subsequently the southern end (nearest West Street) became an alehouse or inn. In 1876 the Wilts and Dorset Banking Company took over the lease and in 1911 the property was purchased by the bank and became a branch of Lloyds Bank in 1919. The frontage, somewhat out of character with most of the other buildings on the Market

28 THE VISITOR December 2017

Place, was put in at some point in the late 19th century. The only part of Sir John’s house to survive as a dwelling is the northern part, still called The Manor House.

To the right of the churchyard gate the broad pavement is home to the town’s war memorial and the tables and chairs outside the Buttercross Tearooms that tempt customers to enjoy their refreshments in the sunshine.

Further along is the 17th century Market House, occupied until recently by the Market Bar and Bistro, with its two oriel windows on the first floor. The tree-line road northwards from the Market Place, Broad Street, was formerly called Pig Street and in Somerton’s distant past it saw considerable agricultural activity.

In the 18th century a pig market was a regular event in this broad thoroughfare.

Former coaching inns occupy much of the other two sides of the Market Place. The Red Lion on the eastern side is mainly 18th century but contains traces of a 17th century building at its southern

end. It is an important listed building and has been sensitively converted into apartments and town houses. On the south side the adjacent Globe and White Hart inns stand on the site of an Anglo Saxon castle that was rebuilt to serve as the county gaol in early medieval times. The White Hart is certainly of medieval origin and allegedly incorporates some of the walls of the ancient castle, but it was refronted in the 19th century.

The Globe was built in the early 1600s or thereabouts – the earliest documented mention is 1616.

In the run-up to Christmas Somerton will be staging a variety of festive events and the atmosphere in the town centre will be enhanced with decorations, lights, carol services and events.

You can find full details on www.somerton.co.uk Somerton is a joy to visit at any time of year, whether for shopping, admiring the architecture or simply ambling round and imbibing the atmosphere. This month the spirit of Christmas is an added bonus.

Roger Richards.

Top Notch Vintage, Somerton. Vintage clothing and accessories for men and women.

MOTOR ING

VINTAGE Motor Cycling

I START THIS MONTH with good news. I have previously mentioned the Tortoise and Hare Run organised by the Wells Classic Motorcycle Club. This Run has always been organised to raise funds for charity with the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance being the beneficiary.

This year's event raised a splendid £4,500 and this has been presented to the charity’s representative. The first Tortoise and Hare Run was organised in 2011 and that raised £400. Now seven years later the total so far presented amounts to over £16,000. This has been an excellent effort by the Wells club and I congratulate them, and I am sure in the knowledge that the recipients are grateful for all such donations.

December and another year has flown by, but events continue though more sparsely. The Somerset Section have a Bring and Buy for their club night on the 7th at Cossington. Just three days later they will be back at Cossington for the Christmas Run and Lunch. This is followed on the 27th by Ashley's Run from the Pecking Mill Inn at Evercreech.

The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section just have their Annual Dinner instead of their club night on the 11th. The Dorset Section have a Lunch Meet at West Stour on the 6th and the club night at Henstridge on the 13th is a Social Evening and Buffet. On the 17th will be the Christmas Run and Dinner at Leigh Village Hall, then finally on the 30th they return to West Stour for the Breakfast Meet. In addition both Somerset and Dorset will be having a gathering on New Years Day. All very social and convivial so if you need more details then ring 01935-872528.

As I write these words at the

Pictured: An Ariel Ace, made locally near Crewkerne.

end of October it is unseasonably mild but often rather damp and dank and the roads seem filthy as the farmers, in their huge tractors, make the best use of the time available before the winter weather really sets in. Every time you go out the bike or car seems to get plastered in mud, and the grass on our lawn is still growing profusely as I continue with the weekly ritual of mowing. I do however like this time of year because I can sneak into the workshop and get on with a bit of restoration work. With being away so much in recent months it is nice to be able to make at least some modest progress with the latest project.

My Humber is taking an awfully long time to take shape and lately I have been tackling the gearbox. It is a grease filled box which has not been disturbed since it was made 99 years ago.

The outside is covered with a film of grease and road grime which has congealed into a hard crust and needed a hammer and chisel in parts to break that crust off of

GLIDEROL GARAGE DOORS

All garage doors are different, so as a roller door specialist, (I don’t replace windows, etc.) I can survey, quote and install to your requirements and make the most of your garage opening, as generally no frame is necessary. With the option of automated operation with remote control, a top quality garage door need only be a phone call away.

G.H. SALES. Tel: 01935 891414

the casing. The inside of the chasm was filled with solidified grease which needed scraping to remove. It took me one and a half days to clean all the bits but once washed and dried the gears remain in a good serviceable condition and even the bearings still run true and silently, despite having lived in such hostile conditions. Those engineers certainly knew how to make stuff and make it well.

My picture this month I hope reflects the fact that I like all aspects and ages of motorcycling.

I have written before of the resurrection of the motorcycling industry within this country. It does take various forms to reach everyone's differing interests. The picture shows an Ariel Ace made locally near Crewkerne. Perhaps better known for the Ariel Atom cars these days but they are producing these fine machines in small numbers. They are using Honda engines and transmissions

but the remainder is all their own, and very high tech it is. The materials and systems used are bang up to date and I am told the riding of the machine is fantastic.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder of course and you can judge that for yourselves, but this is an excellent machine. Note the return to a form of girder fork at the front, a system first used around 1910, but this is very much updated. It does show that in basic engineering terms there is little that is radically 'new' that has not been tried before. Good luck to the Ariel company.

Royal Enfield, an ex-British company now owned and made in India, have made a strong resurgence in recent years and will shortly be offering a new model. It is an all new twin cylinder machine built on traditional lines and could well find favour amongst the British buyers.

Rod Hann.

Caravan Storage

THE VISITOR December 2017 29

West Stour • Nr Gillingham • Dorset • SP8 5RP

Festive Venues & Menus

The versatile menu at The Ship Inn caters both for those who want a hearty sandwich and a pint, to those who want to enjoy a full three-course meal with a decent bottle of wine.

Our dishes are a blend of the traditional and the not so familiar, with a specials board and fresh fish board that offer further daily choices. We pride ourselves on using local and seasonal ingredients as much as possible and all dishes are freshly prepared and cooked to order. ______________________

Christmas Menu 2017 3 courses £24.95 / 2 courses £18.95 (coffee & mince pies included) BOOKINGS & PRE-ORDERS ONLY Available Lunch or Evening from 1st December to 24th December 2017

Starters

Roast shitake mushroom soup, truffle oil, Parmesan crouton, freshly baked homemade bread Game terrine, cranberry chutney, freshly baked homemade pistachio bread roll

Smoked trout & cream cheese mousse, Melba toast, pickled beetroot, grapefruit gin salsa

Haloumi & watermelon filo parcel, apple aioli, pea shoots

Mains

Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays in December Lunch & Supper available from 6th December 2017 Wild Mushroom, Thyme & Smoked Garlic Soup Severn & Wye Valley Smoked Salmon with pickled radish, pea shoots, horseradish crème fraiche and toasted sourdough

Roasted Beetroot, Fig, Walnut & Goats Cheese salad with a blackberry balsamic reduction

Ballotine of turkey, sausage apricot & sage stuffing, cranberry jus, pigs in blankets, bread sauce, roast potatoes, fresh seasonal vegetables

Duck Liver Parfait with toasted brioche and spiced grape chutney

Roast butternut squash stuffed with Orzo, kale & goats cheese, sage crème fraiche, dressed salad

Pheasant, Cider, Leek and Chestnut pie

Pork belly braised in apple juice, bubble & squeak cake, buttered curly kale, beetroot compote, mulled cider jus

Fillet of plaice, stuffed with King prawn mousse, citrus butter sauce, smoked haddock Mascarpone & chive risotto, dressed salad Braised venison shank, port & blueberry jus, celeraic mash, fresh seasonal vegetables

Desserts

Traditional Christmas pudding with warm brandy custard & vanilla ice cream Sticky toffee & pear pudding butterscotch sauce, crème anglaise

Dark chocolate, black cherry & Amaretti trifle Clementine cranberry & pistachio Eton mess

Tel: 01747 838 640 • Fax: 01747 838 640 Email: mail@shipinn-dorset.com Website: http://www.shipinn-dorset.com

30 THE VISITOR December 2017

O O O O O O

Breast of Turkey wrapped in bacon with lemon and sage stuffing, pig in a blanket and turkey gravy Rib Eye Steak with red wine jus (£5 supplement per person) Monkfish with Proscuitto in a saffron cream and samphire

Red Lentil, Herb & Westcombe Cheddar Loaf with caramelised red onion jus All served with Firehouse roasties, roasted root vegetables, brussels and mulled wine & apple braised red cabbage O O O O O O

Passionfruit & Winter Berry Mess

Firehouse Christmas pudding with Ameretti Clotted Cream Rich Chocolate & Honeycomb Cheesecake with caramelised clementines West Country Cheese Board with Firehouse chutney, biscuits, grapes & celery O O O O O O

2 Courses, Coffee and Firehouse Festive Fours £28

3 Courses, Coffee and Firehouse Festive Fours £36

Pre-order and £10 per head deposit required • Tel: 01458 887447 Email: hello@thefirehousesomerset.co.uk • www.thefirehousesomerset.co.uk

Christmas Festive menu Lunch & Dinner £19.50 two course  £ 24 three course  Pre-order only

************ Lightly spiced parsnip and somerset cider soup smoked duck macaroni cheese with Cornish gouda spanish ham with avocado, english goat cheese and marinated tomatoes smoked salmon with celeriac and sour cream coleslaw Deep fried crispy portabello mushrooms with blue cheese fondue ************ roast turkey breast with all the trimmings Pan fried hake with bubble and squeak and a horseradish cream sauce slow cooked beef cheek with red wine, thyme and shallots served with a root vegetable gratin smoked pepper risotto with a kale and pumpkin seed pesto Grilled chicken breast with haggis mash, leek fondue and a grain mustard sauce ************ vanilla panna cotta with sour cherries Warm sticky toffee pudding with crème anglais Blackcurrant sorbet with meringue and cream truffled Cornish brie and Dorset blue vinny cheese with crackers, chutney, celery and grapes

Over stratton south Petherton ta13 5LQ  01460 240906

royaloakoverstratton.co.uk

ROYAL OAK OV ER S T RAT TO N

LARGE CAR PARK

THE VISITOR December 2017 31

Festive Venues & Menus

Aller • Langport TA10 0RA

Starters

Curried parsnip soup with Cajun walnuts, served with onion soda bread

Bruschetta topped with sweet chilli cream cheese, gin cured salmon and citrus salad Mushroom and blue cheese pâté with spiced pear chutney and toasted olive bread Slow roast belly pork sat on black pudding with a sticky ginger beer sauce

Main Courses

Roast turkey with pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, chestnut & cranberry sausage meat stuffing, gravy and fresh vegetables Baked whole hassleback aubergine with beef tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, finished with fenugreek and sea salt, served with mint salad and new potatoes Roast chicken fillet wrapped in chorizo, served with red and yellow pepper sauce, new potatoes and fresh vegetables

Cod loin wrapped in Parma ham sat on a roasted cherry tomato and basil ragu with new potatoes Boozy beef and Guinness pie, topped with cheesy mash and served with fresh vegetables

Desserts

Christmas pudding with proper custard

Vanilla baked cheesecake served with a warm spiced toffee apple sauce and clotted cream vanilla ice cream Rich chocolate torte with blood orange sorbet

Trio of desserts ... Black Forest bread and butter pudding with a dark chocolate orange brûlée, finished with a shot of alcoholic trifle Cheese and biscuits with port, Somerset Brie, Dorset Blue Vinny and Wookey Hole cheddar Two Courses £19.50 • Three Courses £26

The Lord Nelson

Rectory Lane, Norton-Sub-Hamdon, Yeovil, Somerset TA14 6SP Telephone: 01935 881473

32 THE VISITOR December 2017

Christmas Day 2017 Menu STARTERS

Smoked tomato & red pepper soup, roasted pine nuts & sour cream, served with crusty bread Shredded confit duck, pork and green onion rillettes served with toasted ciabatta and a Cointreau & star anise sauce Lemon sorbet amuse-bouche

MAINS

Roast West Country turkey, goose fat & thyme roast potatoes, bacon wrapped chipolatas, honeyed parsnips, seasonal vegetables & gravy Cod loin wrapped in pancetta, dauphinoise potatoes, seasonal vegetables, grain mustard & dill cream Pearl barley & wild mushroom risotto, sauté beetroot, wilted kale, basil oil

SWEETS

Traditional Christmas pudding, brandy sauce, vanilla ice cream Cinnamon apple crumble, clotted cream, passionfruit syrup A selection of ice cream Petit fours and coffee

 3 courses £59.50 per person • (children under 10 £29.00)   2 courses £49.50 per person • (children under 10 £24.00) 

To include a cracker and a welcome drink of buck’s fizz or soft drink A discretionary 10% service charge will be added to your bill Takeaway available

 01458 250469 E: info@oldpoundinn.com www.oldpoundinn.com

Family Health with

Jenna Evans

Seasonal Super Spices

There’s a distinct nip in the air and frosty mornings are rolling in – the festive season must be approaching! Is there anything more evocative of Christmas than when you catch the scent of sweet and pungent spice? So this month we’re taking a look at three of my favourite super spices - cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.

Cinnamon – surely a super health hero of the spice world.

This common flavouring agent has a long history of medicinal use treating everything from digestive distress to respiratory problems. There are over 200 varieties of cinnamon, with Ceylon considered to be the best and ‘true’ cinnamon. Some varieties are known as cassia. We know that cinnamon is a sedative for smooth muscle and is carminative, making it a useful digestive aid when cramps and spasms are present. It has antimicrobial effects making it a popular remedy in tea form to treat coughs and colds. Brew up with a little honey and ginger on a cold winter night for a gently warming tonic. Cinnamon is most commonly used in supplement form to support blood sugar regulation and heart health.

Some research has demonstrated effects reducing fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and ‘thinning’ the blood. It is also loaded with antioxidants, so add a healthy sprinkle to your Christmas cakes and lattes.

Cloves – Most famous as a reliever of toothache, cloves are a fantastic anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory. They have been used to treat all kind of infections and inflammations in the digestive tract from colic to parasites. In Indonesia they make an insect repellent by sticking cloves into oranges – sound familiar?! Cloves contain high amounts of eugenol, a compound studied for possible protective effects against environmental pollution and joint inflammation. As an essential oil,

cloves have analgesic, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, hormonal, relaxant and nerve tonic properties. The buds of this evergreen tree are distilled to produce a spicy oil. Aromatherapy uses include treating althlete’s foot, toothache, rheumatism, dyspepsia and colds. Using clove in an oil burner, on its own or with sweet orange oil, never fails to make me feel festive at Christmas.

In fact, if you’re looking for a great gift this year, diffuser oil burners are fantastic. They work incredibly well, are economical to use and who doesn’t like a fragrant mist forming from a colourful light changing base unit? A little bit of magic and a must for aromatherapy lovers! Cloves can be irritating as an oil so use with caution at a low dilution.

Nutmeg – Long used as a food preservative and anti-septic, nutmeg was hailed by Elizabethan physicians as a cure for the plague. Nutmeg does indeed have valuable antimicrobial effects as well as being soothing to the gut and anti-inflammatory for the joints. Nutmeg should only be used at culinary levels as it possesses hallucinogenic and toxic properties when consumed in large amounts. However in smaller doses it may be prized for its sedative and calming effects.

Jenna Evans ©2017.  Ceres Natural Foods are having ‘Seasonal Survival’ months in-store during November & December. Pop in for exclusive offers and samples. 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 multiaward winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil. To make an appointment, please pop in or call 01935 428791 for details. 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.

Spring wedding outfits are arriving at Preview, Wincanton!

When a loved one gets married, it’s only natural that you want to feel your best. Confidence is key for social events, particularly when the photographer’s lens is pointing in your direction: a rather likely scenario when you’re a member of the wedding party!

At Preview of Wincanton, spring wedding outfits from

Condici, Luis Civit of Barcelona, Izabella, Tina Taylor and Michaela Louisa are arriving. So, whether you are mother-of-thebride, mother-of-the-groom, another family member, or a friend, you’re certain to find an outfit to make you feel wonderful.

Condici designs are quite simply stunning: beautiful tailoring in silks and other high end fabrics, in a range of beautiful colours. Outfits from their Spring/ Summer 2018 collection are arriving at Preview and prices start at £779.00. Hats to complement also available from £199.00.

Luis Civit, Barcelona is the perfect choice for soft, tailored pieces. Ideal for weddings or any special occasion, their two-piece outfits start from £799.99 from Preview.

Izabella offer gorgeous occasion-wear. Their two-piece outfits are available from £315.00.

Tina Taylor is a well-known label and the perfect choice for wedding or garden party guests.

Condici designs. Simply stunning occasion-wear arriving at Preview, Wincanton.

Fashion Boutique Wincanton

Spring Wedding Outfits Arriving

Market Place • Wincanton  01963 31676 www.previewwincanton.co.uk

THE VISITOR December 2017 33

Known for their stunning floral print dresses coupled with a block colour bolero, these two-piece outfits are truly gorgeous. From £229.00.

And Michaela Louisa outfits are ideal for weddings and special events. Their outfits start from £249.00.

With these beautiful designs, you’ll be looking forward to the wedding as much as the bride!

So, visit Preview Fashion Boutique at Market Place, Wincanton and start thinking about the exciting year to come.

Open from 10am – 5pm, Monday – Saturday.

Making everyday life easier

Do I need a Stairlift? If you have difficulty getting up and down stairs you are not alone. The decision to install a stairlift is sometimes a difficult one to take but, when compared with the alternative of moving or living on only one level of their home, many people have found a stairlift to be their preferred solution.

Why choose Suttons Stairlifts?

They aim to provide an ethical, reliable and prompt service to their valued customers. Thanks to personal recommendations from satisfied customers referring them to their friends and relations Suttons have achieved a solid reputation for integrity and exceptional service. Suttons Stairlifts is now a well-established family-run company committed to providing expert advice with a no-pressure selling policy, guaranteed!

Peace of mind: In addition to being approved dealers for Handicare, Suttons Stairlifts are also approved members of the Trading Standards Buy with Confidence Scheme. You are also choosing an ISO Quality Approved product that conforms to the ethical business practices required by the British

Healthcare Trades Association.

Products and Services: Suttons offer a range of new or refurbished Handicare stairlifts for either straight or curved stairs in the South West. A rental option is available for straight stairlifts.

They provide fast and efficient maintenance and repairs on all supplied stairlifts, as well as an annual service and safety check to keep your stairlift running as smoothly as the day it was installed. They also offer servicing and safety checks for stairlifts not installed by them, as well as repairs and removals at a very reasonable cost. Whilst stairlifts are very simple to use, they are mechanical devices and benefit from annual servicing and maintenance to ensure they continue to run efficiently.

All Handicare stairlifts have safety sensors on the power pack and footplate; these are designed to stop the lift if it meets any obstruction. There are also optional features such as a powered swivel seat and powered folding footplate; these can make using a stairlift even easier by allowing you to operate these functions at the touch of a button.

It is a popular misconception that stairlifts are fitted to the wall, they are usually fitted to the staircase itself. Most lifts will only take between 2-4 hours to install.

What happens next? Suttons will visit you to survey the staircase and conduct a user assessment leaving you the brochure and prices so you can make the decision in your own time. They aim to fit your stairlift within a week of your order or, where possible, within 2 days subject to availability.

With their inclusive and comprehensive 12 or 24 month warranty and 365 day coverage you can be assured of a first-class and personal service from Suttons.

SHERBORNE

The customer comes first at Godden & Curtis, television and audio specialists

With so many television programmes on during the festive season, you won’t want to miss out on any of them: smart TVs and freeview recorders allow you to watch when you want!

Godden & Curtis sell and install TVs and various other electricals such as DAB radios, including Roberts popular retro range: a great choice for a Christmas gift.

They can also transfer cinefilm, videos and slides to DVD, which is a wonderful way to bring the past into the present. If you know someone who would like to bring old memories to life, this could be the ideal Christmas gift for them!

If your electrical equipment is in need of some TLC, look no further. Godden & Curtis also offer audio visual repair and servicing including televisions, video recorders, hi-fi systems and even vintage guitars amps.

They have been offering a wide

range of services for over 47 years and have been at their current premises in Greenhill, Sherborne since 1972. Visit the shop or send them an online message via their website to find out how they can bring memories, music and entertainment into your life this Christmas!

Sherborne Festive Shopping Day: Sunday 3rd December

‘Tis the season once again when Sherborne comes alive with festive cheer! Christmas lights begin to twinkle all over town; and the fabulous Sherborne Town Band and choirs of carol singers serenade the locals and tourists alike as they spread ‘Joy to the World’ on Sherborne Festive Shopping Day. So don't get your tinsel in a tangle – make sure you’re in town on Sunday 3rd December to enjoy the festivities!

Festive Shopping Day is organised by volunteers from Sherborne Chamber of Trade, and supported by Sherborne Town Council, Battens Solicitors, Hunts Accountants, Sherborne

PROUD TO BE STOCKING LOEWE TV’S CALL IN FOR A DEMONSTRATION

As a well established TV and radio shop, Godden & Curtis have been offering a wide range of audio visual sales and repair services for over 47 years.

Installation – Repair – Services

34 THE VISITOR December 2017

Established in 1968 as a radio and black and white TV shop in Newland, we moved our business to our current premises on Greenhill in 1972.

We have continued to deliver the high standard of service and great prices that our business was built on.

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

SEASONAL SHERBORNE

Preparatory School, Sherborne Girls, Abbey104 FM and both of the town’s Rotary Clubs. The town's increasingly popular ‘Love a Local Christmas’ event is freeentry, takes place between 10am and 4pm and offers a fabulous family day out, whilst raising awareness for many local charities.

During the day, the town puts on a whole host of different musical, fun and entertaining activities for all ages. This year includes morris dancing from Hobos Morris, clog dancing from the Treacle Eaters, and choirs from Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Prep and Leweston – not to mention the wonderful Sherborne Abbey Choir. With face painting and balloon animals to entertain the children (and the big kids!) there really is something for all ages.

And look out for one of Father Christmas’s very own reindeer walking tall through the town!

The main shopping area of Cheap Street and Digby Road are both closed to traffic to allow for the street entertainment, market stalls and much more, with Abbey104 FM broadcasting live all day from the Conduit.

Delicious local produce will be available, and pop up shops and stalls will offer individual and imaginative gifts for all the family. Every year, the shops outdo themselves with their beautiful Christmas displays and window dressings, and are full to bursting with gift ideas for even the most difficult person to buy for! The town’s many coffee shops, pubs and restaurants are alive with people enjoying delicious festive treats, and the grown-ups can even enjoy a glass or two of mulled wine whilst soaking up the seasonal atmosphere.

Say you saw it in The Visitor

Father Christmas will once again be taking up residence in his grotto outside the Post Office, and every little visitor he sees will receive a gift from him (in return for a small entry fee of only £2).

Carol services will be held in the Abbey throughout the afternoon. Visitors are welcome to attend, and to enjoy the stunning backdrop of its spectacular ceiling-high Christmas tree and traditional Nativity scene. Cheap Street Church stages its ever-popular Christmas Tree Festival too, featuring dozens of twinkling trees, all delightfully and individually decorated.

Castle Gardens’ award winning Christmas display is just five minutes’ walk from the centre of town and will be open to visitors until 6pm that day.

For those who enjoy something a little different, visitors and locals alike can take a gentle guided stroll around Sherborne with Blue Badge Guide Cindy Chant, and learn more about the town's fascinating history. The walk starts at 2pm outside the Tourist Information Centre in Digby Road and costs just £5.

There is no need to book – just turn up!

The parade along Cheap Street is always the highlight

of the Festive Shopping event.

Everyone is invited to join in the parade, which gathers at the top of Cheap Street at 4pm, and culminates in the illumination of the Christmas tree lights at the Conduit. The day ends just in time for visitors to join Sherborne Abbey's annual family-friendly Christingle service at 5pm. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Keep up to date with the latest news on Facebook @shopinsherborne and Twitter @SherborneCOT.

The Visitor

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

THE VISITOR December 2017 35

SEASONAL SHERBORNE Wessex Music

Wessex Music is located in the picturesque market town of Sherborne. They have over 600 new and used instruments in stock, along with sheet music, accessories and gifts. They offer musical instrument hire, honest friendly advice and have an excellent reputation for high quality instrument repairs and servicing carried out in their on-site workshops by Tim & Gary who are NAMIR

36 THE VISITOR December 2017

accredited instrument repair professionals with over 20 years’ experience.

They provide exceptional levels of service to all musicians and you are always welcome to call or visit them where you'll find expert, friendly advice and sometimes even free coffee.

Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday. Telephone 01935 816960 or visit www.wessexmusic.com

SEASONAL SHERBORNE

Hand-Made Craft Market

The Hand-Made Craft Market, organized by Gilli Salmons, is returning, for the third time this year, to the Digby Hall (next to the Library) Hound Street, Sherborne, on Saturday 9th December 2017, 10.30 am – 3.30pm. A good chance to get those Christmas presents!

These traders only sell hand-

made goods, made by themselves.

The range is very wide and includes embroidered gifts and contemporary textiles, together with beadcraft, chainmaille jewellery, children’s clothes, crocheted sculptures, felted bags and hats, fishing flies, fused glass, gemstone and silver jewellery, household textiles (tea cosies / oven gloves), keyrings and wine

glass charms, needle-felted pictures, wood turned gifts, and wooden keepsake pictures and plaques.

In addition, teas and cakes are available for you to enjoy. Entry free. Disabled facilities. Car parking (£1 from the meter inside the hall).

Concert in aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

The Mill Singers present a Charity Seasonal Concert in aid of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance on Saturday 9th December at 7pm at The

Methodist Church, Cheap Street, Sherborne. Adult tickets are £9, and entry is free for children under 14. Festive music and grand raffle plus refreshments available.

Tickets are available from either 01258 821576, from Winstone’s Bookshop or on the door!

Antiques Fairs Chasty Cottage Antiques

•

•

Saturday 16 th December Digby Hall, Hound Street, Next to Library SHERBORNE • DT9 3AA 9.30am – 4pm • Trade 8.30am • Admission £1

Future Date: Saturday 20th January  01963 370986

BREWERS GARAGE LTD www.chastycottageantiques.co.uk

AIR CONDITIONING • DIAGNOSTICS TYRES • MOT SERVICING • REPAIRS Telephone

01935 812720

Pop in and see the kitchens on display at Sherborne Kitchens: pictured is Ashbourne Masterclass in dust and light grey.

Western Ways Yard Bristol Road, SHERBORNE, Dorset DT9 4HR

THE VISITOR December 2017 37

Crewkerne

Crewkerne Late Night Shopping

CREWKERNE seems to have become an amazing destination for Antiques ... in the last three years alone, there have been five new antique shops in the town making a total of eleven independent antique centres and shops. Gift shops, craft shops, restaurants and five top quality charity shops also line the streets of this ancient market town.

Its 15th century church and wealth of Georgian buildings lends itself to the sale of antiques, gifts and all thing collectable and artisan. All these independent shops offer personal service and are opening late on the four Thursdays before Christmas until 8pm.

You can always park all day in Crewkerne for just £2, but on street parking will be free for our late night shopping events. Come and see for yourself – a warm welcome awaits you.

The Visitor

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

Christmas is coming –but so is the Self Assessment deadline. Advice from Chalmers & Co

It is that time of year when we are all starting to concentrate on the festive season. But as a small business owner with year end accounts and a self-assessment tax return to do by 31st January 2017, it is also time to make sure that your affairs are in order.

You need to remember Santa is never late and neither should you be where the Tax Man is involved.

So, if you need help, we at Chalmers & Co would be happy to assist you. All you need to do is give us a call or send us an email now, and then relax at Christmas in the knowledge that your accounts and tax returns are in good hands.

And as our Christmas present to you we would like to offer you, free of charge, no catch, our new App. This can be downloaded from the App Store, just search ‘Chalmers Accountants’ and start using the many useful features and calculations.

HOMEFAYRE

WE ARE OPEN SUNDAYS and every day for ...

Christmas Lines ... now in Trees  Crackers  Festive Tableware Toys  Gifts  Giftwrap  Cards

Ready Made Curtains

Professional Alteration Service Available Big Range of Haberdashery & Wool Towels  Cushions  Throws

Beautiful Bedding

We stock a superb range of ...

Duvet Covers, Sheets & Pillow Cases All Sizes  All Colours Everything for the Home and More

Pet Food

Loads of Special Offers  Wild Bird Food Huge range of Pet Beds & Accessories

D.I.Y. & Garden Requisites • Bakeware • China • Arts & Crafts — OUR STOCK CHANGES REGULARLY —

Homefayre, 22 Market Street, CREWKERNE  01460 72650

Also at 38 THE VISITOR December 2017

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

Christmas in Crewkerne something small can make a big difference to our everyday lives, and Regency has an extensive choice of gifts suitable for your friend or loved one sure to show you care. Whether mobility aids such as walking sticks or frames, gifts to aid comfort such as slippers and dressing devices,

presents relating to health and leisure such as supports or exercisers, or items to help around the home such as reachers, page magnifiers and multi-openers, there is sure to be something that will help someone find every day life more comfortable.

Pool side pride: Crewkerne Aqua Centre manager Neil Sturtivant with director Angie Singleton, lifeguard Alyson Priest and directors Claire Saxby and Rusty Jackson.

Everything you need for your festive home, including a naughty elf! Homefayre of Crewkerne.

Community pool stays afloat for two decades

Crewkerne Aqua Centre, an all year round swimming facility thought never to hold its own financially, will mark its 20th birthday on December 1st, firmly in the black. Thanks to sheer determination by a core team of trustees and a huge community effort, it has become a valuable resource to improve the health and well-being of all ages and abilities in the locality and the envy of many other towns.

The charity controlled swimming pool, opened by HRH the Princess Royal in 1997, has in fact surpassed all expectation with its popularity and turnover; a tribute to the dedicated team of trustees, staff and volunteers who run it with as much passion now as ever. Princess Anne had graciously returned for a second visit to mark the centre’s 10th anniversary and the opening of an ‘Active Lifestyle’ extension, despite admitting she personally hated swimming and could not imagine anyone wanting to do it at 6:30 am. She was invited again this year but was unavailable to visit.

The management team are currently planning ‘surprises and delights’ for the community to celebrate this special landmark and swim cards with a retro photograph of the centre on them are being issued.

Regency Care & Mobility, Crewkerne

Regency Care & Mobility have lots of things you can give as gifts for making life easier! Even

Walkin g Sticks

NEXT TO COSTA COFFEE AND WITHIN EASY REACH OF MAIN CAR PARK

Home Visits

Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Call in and see us at

10 Falkland Square Crewkerne, TA18 7JS 01460 271172

www.regencycareandmobility.co.uk

“If you can’t come to us we will come to you”

THE VISITOR December 2017 39

December Notice Board EAST COKER

Christmas Concert: The Phoenix Voices. Saturday 9th December, East Coker Church, 7.30pm, Tickets £6.00 / £3.50. Telephone 07762 724602 for tickets.

WINCANTON

The Pilgrim Singers charity Christmas concert with special guest mezzo-soprano Marta Fontanals-Simmons will present their Christmas concert ‘Ring the Christmas Bells’ at SS Peter & Paul parish church, Wincanton on Saturday, December 16th 7.30pm, tickets £10 to include refreshments (children free) from Divine Wines, Wincanton. All proceeds to The Growing Space.

Wags & Whiskers, Bruton

Wags & Whiskers are a professional dog walking and pet sitting business based in and around Bruton. Founders Hannah and Sonia have a huge love of animals of all shapes and sizes and will treat yours as their own, ensuring they are loved and cared for. Both Hannah and Sonia are DBS checked and fully insured for your peace of mind.

Whether you have a hectic lifestyle and work takes you away from home, are going on holiday or just need someone to take your pet for good, regular exercise, Wags & Whiskers are there to support you and your pet to ensure needs are met. They are able to walk dogs individually or in groups and to go to your house to offer various pet

SHERBORNE

Craft Market at The Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne.

Saturday, 9th December 2017, 10.30 am – 3.30pm. Hand-Made Refreshments.Entry free.

Disabled facilities. Parking.



ADVERTISE YOUR CHRISTMAS / JANUARY EVENT HERE

Wags & Whiskers owners Hannah and Sonia. Animal lover Hannah relocated to Bruton after a career in buying at Harvey Nichols and product development. Sonia is a practicing mid-wife who loves dogs and the outdoors.

Sun 3rd, Sun 10th, Sat 16th, Sun 17 th & Sat 23rd December BOOKINGS VIA WEBSITE

www.yeovilrailway.freeservers.com OR TELEPHONE 07501 189065 • £9.50 each adult /child • £9 each for parties of 8 or more • £12 each on the day subject to availability • Babies under 12 months old free of charge

Once again running over five days, the Santa Specials at Yeovil Railway Centre offer a great family occasion in the run up to Christmas with pre-booking highly recommended to avoid any disappointment.

The visit begins with a steam train ride and then visitors make their way to the Visitor Centre which is transformed into a magical place with snow and bubble machines enhancing the experience. After a visit to see Santa in his Grotto (with a present for the children), seasonal refreshments are also included in the ticket price.

More details and photos of previous years can be viewed at www.yeovilrailway.freeservers. com where bookings can also be made online. Alternatively telephone 07501 189065 and leave a message for a return call.

Main Line Steam is also booked to visit the Centre on Thursday 14th December so the volunteers will all very busy in December! See the website for up to date details.

The Stur of the Moment, Sturminster Newton

‘Highlights for us have been welcoming Big John Carter and friends to play to a packed house at our cafe-boogie sessions during the Boogie Woogie Festival, the positive feedback we have received for our pop up bistro simple suppers, and the friends of the library afternoon teas, especially the recent Tudor themed event.

‘We hope you will continue to support us and we very much look forward to welcoming you all back for another year at the Stur of the Moment.

‘Please remember we do not serve fast food but fresh food as fast as we can.’

Racing at Wincanton on Boxing Day (Tuesday, December 26th)

As we embrace all things festive, a date for everyone’s diary is racing at Wincanton on Boxing Day (Tuesday, December 26th).

This ever popular raceday attracts around 10,000 racegoers.

Tickets are available online and children aged 18 and under go free when accompanied by a paying adult. Here’s our six top tips for racing at Wincanton on Boxing Day: 1. Buy your ticket(s) in advance. This event does sell out.

2. Leave home early. Gates open at 10:30am with the first race off at 12:25pm. There’s so much to enjoy on-course, it’s highly advisable to arrive early.

3. Wear something warm and comfortable. Wincanton is a rather windy course and has a country dress-code – for comfort and practicality!

4. If you’re one of the first 150 racegoers arriving at Wincanton, head to the racecourse office on arrival to collect your free Wincanton 150 Years limited edition, collector’s postcard.

5. Get involved and LIKE, SHARE and COMMENT on

SANTA SPECIAL ***** Yeovil

Price includes steam train ride (subject to availability), seasonal refreshments, a visit to Santa's Grotto and a selected present for the children. Charity No 1043581.

40 THE VISITOR December 2017

Santa Specials at Yeovil Railway Centre

After a very busy year, Tim and Frankie at The Stur of the Moment would like to wish all their customers a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

‘We have enjoyed meeting you and thank you all for your continued support during the past year’, say Tim and Frankie.

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 Christmas / January issue, Friday 1st December.

Yeovil Railway Centre, Yeovil Junction, BA22 9UU

sitting services for animals that are best cared for in their homes.

Wags & Whiskers offer flexible hours, competitive rates and will travel up to 5 miles from Bruton.

They also have transport so they could offer pet taxi services should they be required. See their advert for contact information.

Find us at: Bath Road, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1AS •  01258 471808 • Email: sturofthemoment@gmail.com

Wincanton Racecourse’s social media posts and include #WincantonRaces in your posts 6. Come racing again! We have 11 fixtures in 2018 to enjoy!

A Very Victorian Christmas at Somerset Rural Life Museum

This winter Somerset Rural Life Museum will be stepping back in time for ‘A Very Victorian Christmas’, a two-day event on Saturday 2 December and Sunday 3 December with special free entry. Visitors will witness a Victorian household preparing for Christmas with the Farmhouse decorated and the team dressed in authentic Victorian costume.

Children can discover the magic of Christmas past in Santa’s Grotto, and receive a quality-wrapped present. There will be fun-packed activities for a crafty Christmas too. Children can make Victorian Christmas decorations, crackers and paper snowflakes and take them home as gifts for family and friends.

Throughout December families can also enjoy the Children’s Christmas Trails around the Museum.

On Sunday 3 December the Museum will also be holding a jolly sing-and-dance with Beetlecrushers, a foot-tapping, clog and step dance group who perform at folk festivals around the country in Victorian and Edwardian inspired costume.

Visitors to ‘A Very Victorian Christmas’ can also enjoy a last chance to see the temporary art exhibition FARM by Kate Lynch, featuring more than 40 paintings and drawings made on local farms. It’s on until 3 December.

The Museum is offering special free entry for this two-day Christmas event. Booking is essential for Santa’s Grotto (£5 to include a present) on 01458 831197 or SRLM@swheritage. org.uk Somerset Rural Life Museum is part of The South West Heritage Trust, an independent charity that protects and celebrates our rich heritage.

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

By John Osborne  Answers can be found on page 47

1. Who sings lead vocals on 'Yellow Submarine' by the Beatles?

2. 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life' said who in 1972?

3. Who is banging on about something 'Perfect' at the moment?

4. Which band were 'Born to be Wild' in 1969 having had a 'Magic Carpet Ride' in 1968?

5. Name the group that had 'Needles and Pins' in 1964.

6. The 'Stylistics' once said that 'You Make Me Feel ... ... ' What?

7. Name the Canadian lady who declared she was 'Head Over Feet' (Clue: Released 1995)

8. Beatles lyric: 'I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me'

9. 'I Will Always Love You' comes from which film starring Whitney Houston?

10. Whose 2009 album was entitled 'Reality Killed the Radio Star'?

Question Impossible 'Tears' by Ken Dodd, was the biggest selling single of 1965, but who first recorded it?

Great Quotes in Music (97) “Every time you pick up your guitar to play, play as if it's the last time” – ERIC CLAPTON –

THE VISITOR December 2017 41

Pete Lambden & Staff welcome you to .....

168 Hendford Hill YEOVIL

“Time and again I tell myself I’ll stay clean tonight But the little green wheels are following me Oh no, not again”

FIRST PERSON to tell me what song the lyrics above come from wins a free drink. Last month my reader from Ealing in London, Lisa Hudson, correctly identified ‘Something Better Change’ by The Stranglers.

We have had another good month here at the top of the hill.

Lucky for us that people still want to go down to the pub for a good old fashioned Quiz Night. Two local firms have put on quizzes this month and both were resounding successes.

Screwfix held a quiz to raise money for the Screwfix Foundation and what a total: they achieved over £1600. Then the very next evening The Jones Group held a music quiz with over 120 in attendance and managed to raise over £1800 for the St Margaret’s Hospice. So well done to you all.

This month another publican has decided enough is enough and is leaving the trade. Kelly has worked extremely hard at trying to make The Railway Hotel work but in the face of mounting rent, electric, gas and rocketing repair bills, and with virtually zero help from the pub company that own the building, she has decided to move on to pastures new. I wish you all the best Kelly, we both know that you gave it a bloody good go.

Next month to celebrate my birthday on the first Friday (1st) we have Mr D’Arcy performing live in the bar. On the 8th we have Paul Smith doing his solo show. On the 15th we have the fabulous Greg Agar all the way from Australia just to play for us. He is fabulous so don’t miss him.

This year on New Year’s Eve we are having a 70’s / 80’s Fancy Dress Disco – tickets are £15 and include supper. They are available from the pub now.

See you all next month.  TOOT TOOT !!!

BOOKINGS

 01935 424721

42 THE VISITOR December 2017

The

Pub Pages

B EER & S KI TTL ES P. A. BAXTER

OKAY; so you've cast your eyes over my monthly writings and perhaps you are still wondering why I go on about the Great English Pub, real ale, and yes, pub games. Apart from the fact that the pub is such a wonderful, unique establishment, it is good for your health, not just the fact (yes, fact) that beer and wine in sensible, regular quantities are good for the human body, but the social side of pub visits as well.

Interacting with people whether they are just pub friends or close friends in a convivial atmosphere is essential to one’s well-being.

Remember; the English pub is one of the few places where us normally reserved English people will talk to anyone without fear of rejection! It should go without saying that real ale is good for the economy as well. Recent research has turned up some interesting facts: one job in brewing creates 18 in pubs, one

in agriculture, one in the supply chain and one in shops. So with the number of breweries still increasing, it follows that the variety in the beer strengths and styles increase too, and now we can enjoy over 10,000 named beers! It has emerged that real ale drinkers are likely to go for a better and more up-market choice of food on a pub menu, and consequently spend more in a pub than other drinkers, and are happy to spend more on quality beers. More reason to encourage pubs to stock real ale.

One of the best-known names amongst the small breweries in this region has to be Butcombe.

This brewery was founded by the late Simon Whitemore in 1978 and, despite the challenges of getting things established, it has become a very popular beer with more brews continuing to be added to their portfolio. One of the recent beers we tried was ‘Rare Breed’ which, on the pump clip, carries some credit for Adam Henson who appears on a country-inspired programme on the tellybox. Coming in at 3.8%, it is more of a session beer and is pleasant but doesn't quite do it for me as does their flagship brew. I note from their website that Ashton Press from the Long Ashton Cider Company has been a part of the Butcombe business for the last 12 years. Not being a cider drinker, I'm afraid I will have to leave it to your good selves to formulate an opinion on this product. Still, with Butcombe I see that they have acquired a further eight pubs, in addition to ‘The Carpenters Arms’ (Chilthorne Domer) and another in the Visitor area, ‘The Lime

Vinny contemplates his Christmas Lunch options

Kiln’, allegedly at Long Sutton, Langport or wherever, dependent on which publication you read. I guess it’s nearest to Knole, but let’s say ‘off the A372, about three miles west of the A303 from Podimore’. Set back nicely from the road, this historic inn has much going for it, with the main bar steeped in history including a massive fireplace, settles and beams, and a separate more recent restaurant. We have dined here many times, although infrequently, and recently whilst the females of the species decided some sci-fi was more interesting than a night out, us chaps headed there for an excellent meal and excellent pints. The menu here is extensive with multiple blackboards as well as traditional menus, so choosing was a bit of a challenge. However this was successfully overcome and we were attended to by the charming Bryony, who not only coped with the blokey banter but gave as good as she got! There were three Butcombe ales available, the two mentioned earlier plus Butcombe Gold. The Otter ale which we have seen here previously was no longer available but I can only hope that the new owners will reintroduce at least one guest ale outside of their own portfolio now and again.

Ring! Ring! Having spent my entire working life in the telecoms industry I have seen many changes. Something that was brought to my attention on a recent visit to another lovely old pub, and although Olde Worlde it may have been, when the phone rang, horror of horrors, a ghastly pseudo-classical electronic noise shattered the ambience. Oh dear!

I had to agree with my fellow diner; it does indeed spoil the atmosphere, especially if it is allowed to go on and on and ... well you get the picture. It’s not ‘rocket science’ to have an old-fashioned bell (with the cordless phones on silent). So, if you own a lovely old pub and agree with me (which I hope you do) pop me a line and I’ll see what I can do to help (no charge for advice; I'm retired!).

When is a pub not a pub?

When is a wine bar not a wine bar and not a pub? I do have some opinions and questions that went unanswered on a recent visit to Crewkerne, where our elder daughter and I paid a visit to ‘Oscar’s’ in the town square.

It has a historic interior and exterior – and a visit will have one scratching the bone-dome in wonderment! Decent food and drink for a touch over twenty quid made a pleasant lunch-time, although as the driver, I didn’t

The

Pub Pages

sample either of the ales on draught. I note that the 2018 CAMRA Good Beer Guide has two entries for this town, but this is not one – did the CAMRA tasters visit or did the ‘Wine Bar’ label put them off? (Answer not known at this juncture.) I would recommend a visit; after a tour of the pubs, of course! I asked the management if the establishment was a wine bar, or a pub. The answer I got? ‘Yes!’ (Oh; and no, my daughter didn't pay. I guess it's what Dads continue to do.)

So as we head toward the festive period, it is interesting to note that apparently almost half of us are drinking less than we were a year ago. Ah, the joy of experts! But in truth, I do know many of us are indeed drinking less alcohol. Furthermore, in Scotland it is now going to be 50p/unit which will force prices

up in an effort to cope with their alleged drink problems, but will it happen here in the South? I would not like to say. Within the trade the talk is that the Big Thing this Christmas is likely to be ... soft drinks! Personally, although I love a decent beer, I find this encouraging as hopefully this will mean less idiots on the roads. I can but hope.

P.A.Baxter skittlealley@hotmail.com

The Firehouse Festive Christmas Eve Brunch

This year The Firehouse is hosting a wonderful festive treat for all the family as you are invited to join them for a very special Christmas Eve Brunch on the morning before the Big Day. With plenty of tasty tipples, Christmas cocktails, delicious classic breakfasts and even a special ‘Little Elves’ menu for the younger ones there really is something for everyone to enjoy.

The Firehouse is a perfect pre-Christmas venue with its toasty wood burner and traditional charm, so why not join them between 10am and 2pm on Sunday 24th December and start your Christmas early. Booking your brunch is essential, so call 01458 887447 or email hello@thefirehousesomerset.co.uk to reserve a table.

Every Monday

StEak Night

Ribeye, Pork Loin, or Salmon with Salad and Fries for only £10 £ 10 per head

Every tuesday

SiMPLE SuPPER

Delicious 2 Course Set Menu for only £10 per head

Every Thursday

SuRF & tuRF Night Monday – Friday

NOVEMBER ...

BOWIE FASHION (David Bowie Tribute Show) Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil Friday 24th SILVERBACK AN ADVERT IN Old Pound Inn, Aller THE PUB PAGES ENSURES A DECEMBER ...

FREE MENTION Friday 1st MR. D’ARCY HERE! Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil Friday 8th PAUL SMITH SOLO SHOW Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil Friday 15th GREG AGAR (from Australia) Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil Saturday 23rd GENERATOR ROCKS Old Pound Inn, Aller Friday 24th

2 CouRSE LuNCh SPECiaLS £10 per head

THE VISITOR December 2017 43

AROUND THE

H O U S E S IN SHERBORNE ... Dark Chocolate Fondant is a dessert to savour at The Green ...

Christmas Day Lunch just £36.99 for 4 courses at The Half Moon Inn ... food is served all day at The Pen Mill Hotel, Yeovil ... we couldn’t believe the size of the big red bow seen wrapped around The Bell ... don’t forget the charity function on Friday 24th November at The Quicksilver Mail (ticket event) in aid of St. Margaret’s Hospice ... 19 en-suite rooms available at The Halfway House Hotel, Chilthorne Domer ... if you fancy a cocktail try the Elderflower Twinkle at The Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon ...

The Cat Head Inn at Chiselborough is proving to be a popular place to dine ... the homemade Christmas puddings are maturing nicely at The Muddled Man, West Chinnock ... slow cooked Beef Cheek sounds like a winner on the Festive Party Menu at The Royal Oak, Over Stratton ... and dogs are welcome in the bar at Dinnington Docks, Dinnington.

Cruising on to Curry Rivel where a Christmas Market is being held at The Firehouse on Tuesday 5th December ... proceeds from the Christmas draw at The Old Pound Inn, Aller will go to Heavens Gate (the National Animal Welfare Trust) ... the New Year’s Eve Party at The Queens Arms in Corton Denham has magicians ... don’t miss the Christmas Craft Fair at The Catash, North Cadbury on Saturday 25th November, raising money for CLIC Sargent ... pan roasted Fillet of Hake with choritzo, cider and chickpea cassoulet is a tasty dish from the menu at The Stags Head, Yarlington ... groups of up to 50 can be catered for at The Orchard Inn, Galhampton ... all day brunch available at the recently renovated White Hart, Castle Cary ... if you’re visiting the area this festive season and need a place to stay, The George Hotel has 17 individually decorated en-suite rooms ... in Wincanton we find the cafe at The Dolphin Hotel is open to non-residents for breakfast from 9am weekdays and 8am weekends ... and finally ... when it’s cold outside try a warming bowl of homemade soup and freshly baked bread at The Ship, West Stour.

44 THE VISITOR December 2017

They Say

That according to a local trader, for a while it was almost impossible to purchase a single pint of beer in Castle Cary town centre, owing to a lack of available cash.

That at the time of writing, the search for those elusive ‘runners’ is still on-going in Chiselborough.

That ‘Granny’ flu is worse than ‘Man’ flu according to Wincanton’s Wendy Pugsley.

That Deano Lye of Queen Camel went to the doctors with a migrane and a bad back, but he can now stand to attention.

Get well soon from all at The Camelot.

That a good bus service is most invaluable in this day and age, especially as you grow older.

That Frome-based cancer support charity We Hear You has won Charity of the Year at the annual Somerset Business Awards.

That Paddy of School Lane, South Chard, has found impressions of Eastenders’ Sonia Fowler can be hard to swallow.

That ladies of Sturminster Newton are sporting new hair cuts after having their plaits removed for charity. They raised over £1000 to make wigs for children with cancer. Well done ladies!

That in an attempt to avoid a Hallowe’en carving, traffic in Castle Cary was temporarily brought to a halt when the Pumpkin Patrol made their daring escape across The Triangle – unfortunately their effort was not successful.

That Wincanton’s Hattie Burden thinks ‘give way’ signs should give way – they don’t!

That whilst enjoying a game at Wheathill Golf Club, a certain Chiselborough gentleman was somewhat surprised when a short-sighted crow mistook his ball for an egg … and flew off with it.

That on 2nd December, Dave Hoddinott of North Cadbury will join that prestigious Septuagenarian Club.

That during her Poppy collecting duties on Thursday 9th November, Castle Cary’s Ann Brittain lost her Royal British Legion Presentation Poppy Brooch. If anyone finds it, Anne would really appreciate it being left in the Tourist Office with the finders name and telephone number.

GARDENING MONTHLY

by Richard Cumming

Winter working?

Orchard Park

Short days and winter weather are the limiting factors. With a garden full of jobs that I had fully intended to do before the clocks went back, I am heading into the winter with a strong sense of guilt! Never mind, no one will know as I hadn’t actually made my work schedule public, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone. Best bet is to tackle any job that gives you a sense of achievement which can get you over the feeling of failure from

all the other jobs you just didn’t quite get to. For me it is clearing leaves off the lawn and tidying the borders. My usual technique is to mow over them (the lawns not the borders!) then either box off the debris or rake it up and into the wheelbarrow. This mix of chopped leaves and grass clippings makes the most fantastic compost within 9 months. It would be even quicker if I covered it up to keep the temperature up and the moisture in. However, I do have an army

Full ground preparation and laying service available

The Farmhouse, Somerton Door, SOMERTON, TA11 6JA Tel / Fax: 01458 272091 www.evergreen-turf.co.uk • info@evergreen-turf.co.uk

of little helpers, namely worms.

They multiply at an amazing rate, munching their way through the leafy material turning it into a friable mix for the other workers in the heap to breakdown further. A good compost heap should be teaming with life such as slugs, snails, woodlice, millipedes, earwigs and beetles along with fungi and bacteria; there’s a lot going on in a compost heap!

But Christmas will soon be here, and for a gardener the turning point of the year – the winter solstice. After that, you don’t have too long to wait before the days get noticeably longer and the quality of daylight gradually improves.

Meanwhile, National Tree Week is scheduled to run from November 25th to December 3rd.

If you need an excuse to plant a tree then this is it! There is, as they say, a tree for every garden no matter how small or how large the garden is. I have been lucky enough to have planted a lot of trees over the years, some with a special meaning for a person or an event; commemoration trees for birthdays, weddings, moving house and events, as well as very personal meanings – planting trees for my own family and watching them grow.

Then, from the plantsman’s point of view, I have planted some really special sorts of rare and unusual trees including I am proud to say, a Giant Sequoia dubbed the Wellingtonia as a tribute to the Duke of Wellington who had died shortly before the first seeds of the enormous conifer arrived in England in late 1853, carried in the bags of William Lobb who was an experienced

plant hunter working for the famous Veitch’s Nurseries of Exeter. This is a monster of a tree wit h t he la rg e st sp e cim e ns growing in California and approaching a height of 95m. At the other end of the scale, dwarf Japanese Acers qualify as some of the smallest trees next to the really short Dwarf Willow growing no more than a few inches in height.

Some great village projects have used trees to create a legacy to benefit future villagers.

National Tree Week is also a timely reminder to check the trees you already have, looking at newly planted specimens to make sure they will survive the winter storms, with stakes and ties secure.

Cymbidium orchids and the scented Jasmine. Humidity is good but overwatering is not. Cool growing plants generally use or lose less water. Place the plant on a tray or saucer containing a layer of gravel and keep that moist to create humidity around the plant. Cyclamen need their spent flowers removed; a little twist then a sharp pull will do it.

Azaleas and Jasmine will naturally drop their old flowers.

Warmer rooms where the temperature is more like 20°C are better suited to plants such as Poinsettia, Schlumbergia the Christmas cactus, Gardenia and Phalaenopsis orchids. Of these Poinsettias are the brightest but can be the hardest to look after as they hate draughts and

Plant of the Month

With Christmas almost upon us, indoor plants become an essential part of home decoration.

The starting point is the practical consideration of where the plant will be, and crucially room temperature and the amount of natural light available.

Most plants dislike being sat in a draught or having a dramatic change in temperature from day to night.

So what’s the choice? Well-lit but cool (10 – 15°C) conditions are great for Azaleas, Cyclamen,

Approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

QUALIFIED ARBORIST

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE AND DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL

TR EE PLA N TIN G

PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660

PLANT WORLD For the best plants!

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

Don’t forget! Early Deadline for Christmas / New Year issue!

Deadline: Friday 1st December Published: Thursday 14th December

G.M. AYRES

Tree Care & Garden Services A family business with over 25 years experience

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

Tree Services: Trees Felled, Trimmed, Shaped & Pruned Fruit Trees Pruned, Hedges Trimmed, Boxed & Shaped Shrubs Pruned and Shaped Free Written No Obligation Quotation • Fully Insured Work Guaranteed • Licensed Waste Removal Landscaping – Property Maintenance

FREEPHONE: 0800 0837152

Direct Line: 07789 326349 Email: garyayres653@gmail.com www.gmayrestreecare.com

THE VISITOR December 2017 45

Jobs for the month

overwatering with a vengeance. It is best to allow the top of the compost to dry out before dunking it in a bowl of water at room temperature for 10 minutes or so.

The Phalaenopsis orchids prefer to be misted at the base of the plant where the aerial roots are active whereas Gardenias and Christmas cacti are more easy-going.

Christmas plants make great gifts with Azaleas, Cymbidiums and Phalaenopsis top of the list.

A simple gift wrap transforms them into something special!

Short days, wet weather and falling temperatures are not encouraging but if you can get out then priority is to protect any vulnerable plants from extreme weather such as frost or flood. Saturated soils can cause more damage than plain cold weather. Drying winds from the north will damage foliage stems and flower buds on early spring flowering shrubs such as Camellias.

If it is practical to do so then horticultural fleece wrapped round and securely fastened is very much

For all your Garden Machinery  3 Year Warranty on all Cub Cadet Mowers

Ride-On Mowers from £1,649

Pedestrian Mowers from £299 Garden Tools

Unit 2, Beardly Batch Depot, Cannards Grave, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4NB Tel: 01749 343881 • www.moggsofwells.com S A L E S – S E RV I C E – R E PA I R

 Tools, batteries and chargers available to buy in sets or separately

Run all your 40v tools using one charger and a couple of batteries!

BenJohnson

G-Max cordless 40V Digipro 185mph (300km/h) Blower Vacuum with two 2Ah (72wh) batteries & charger GWGD40BVK2X £284.99

 Battery powered tools with full performance and power 

17d Wincombe Business Park Shaftesbury, SP7 9QJ Tel: 01747 851021

GARDEN MACHINERY www.benjohnsonmowers.com

46 THE VISITOR December 2017

have been applied last month; this is low in nitrogen but high in phosphates and potash to build strong roots and keep leaves healthy. It is too late to sow grass seed now but turf can be laid in all but frosty weather.

It’s the right time to move or plant new deciduous trees and shrubs, but be careful with evergreens as you do not want to damage their roots.

Next major job is going to be pruning and training. Older overgrown trees, shrubs or hedges can be brought back to shape by renovation pruning but I strongly suggest you do your research first to make sure you prune correctly.

Whilst you’re there, check tree ties and stakes for any specimens that still need support.

The veg garden is very quiet now, rough dig where you can, and protect any crops still in the ground from cold damage or pests; winter brassicas will be prime targets for hungry pigeons and rabbits! And with Christmas just around the corner, don’t miss out on adding a few good gardening tools to your Christmas list!

All types of Fencing

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

All Buildings are hand-made at Bourton using Scandinavian Redwood Shiplap Timber.

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

TELEPHONE 01747 840752

G-Max cordless 40V 20cm Pole Pruner and 51cm Hedge trimmer with 2Ah (72wh) battery and charger GWG40PSHK2 £234.99

Converts from blower to vac in seconds!

worthwhile. You can buy easy to use ready-made fleece covers that zip-up to provide good protection.

Cloche covers need to be well secured especially in the vegetable garden if you want to save precious crops from weather damage or feeding rabbits and pigeons.

Reasonable sized pots and planters should be moved to sheltered spots, and raised on flat stones or pot feet to allow water to drain away. Frozen wet compost can expand and split even the toughest pots. Bubble wrap round any pots you are worried about to give further insulation.

Lawns always need some attention. The autumn feed should

Christmas Trees

Wickhams Cross, Butleigh, BA6 8TP OPEN DAILY from 2nd December 9am until dark

O Fresh from the Forest O

✴ Traditional Trees ✴ Nordman Fir ✴ Mistletoe and Holly ✴ Potted & Rooted ✴ Fraser Fir ✴ Logs in Bags ✴ Large Trees ✴ Wreaths ✴ FREE REINDEER DUST

www.o-christmas.co.uk  07870 466179

the end bit...

PAPERCHASE

I WAS SADDENED to learn of the death in early September of Franchesca Dening, founder of The Conduit magazine and its editor for 16 years. Conceived as a monthly listing of ‘happenings’ in and around Sherborne, over the years it has expanded its geographical coverage to places as far away as Yeovil and Somerton and introduced short features on a range of topics as diverse as pet health, financial planning and wine. I seldom pick up a copy, being put off by its

garish design and pretentious air of self-importance, but I was interested to see how it is faring under the new editorship of Jane Adkins and Lauren Hill. So I took a look at the November issue and was pleasantly surprised. The typography and design have been toned down and tidied up to give the contents a unified feel, and the events’ listings seem to be more comprehensive and detailed than before. It’s a freebie I will certainly look out for in the future.

The 26th October issue of the Western Gazette carried a nice photograph of Melanie Wilson, the Olympic silver medallist rower, opening a new Aldi store in Gillingham. Surrounded by members of the local Scout Group who were handing out free bags of fruit and vegetables, she was reported as saying ‘it’s great to see Aldi supporting local causes’. However, I’m told that the residents of Gillingham were

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.

ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

on page 41

Ringo Stevie Wonder Ed Sheeran 'Steppenwolf' 'Searchers' 'Brand New' Alanis Morissette 'Norwegian Wood' 'The Bodyguard' Robbie Williams (produced by Trevor Horn!)

Question Impossible Rudee Vallee in 1929. The main theme is based on Delilah's aria from Samson & Delilah by Saint-Saëns

not suitably impressed, for Aldi’s proposed new store in their town had its planning permission refused earlier this year and Melanie and the Scouts were pictured opening a new store in Gillingham, Kent. How the story found it’s way into this Visitorland newspaper beggars belief, and clearly nobody bothered to check the facts first.

Just as nobody bothered to check the pages of the puzzles supplement in the 27th October issue of the Western Daily Press.

The entire contents of page 2 were repeated on page 3, depriving readers of the crosswords, word puzzles and sudokus that normally appear on page 3, as well as the solutions to the previous day’s puzzles. In a subsequent apology the paper blamed this on a ‘production error’, which is just an anodyne euphemism for carelessness.

You might recall my rant back in the summer about the editors of the Western Gazette and the Western Daily Press, both published by Local World, increasingly lifting chunks of each other’s papers and reprinting them unaltered. I gave as examples a car test drive, a gardening feature, an article about home security and a ‘property talk’ gossip column that all appeared in both papers in the same week. It’s still happening, and the trickle is

becoming a flood. Page 39 of the 9th November issue of the Western Gazette was devoted to book reviews, all of which subsequently appeared on page 21 of the 11th November Western Daily Press magazine supplement. The interview with Dawn French on page 38 of the Gazette reappeared on page 10 of the magazine, the vegan cookery article and recipes on pages 40 and 41 of the Gazette filled pages 14 and 15 of the supplement and three of the film reviews on pages 44 and 45 of the Gazette were lifted from the previous Saturday’s magazine.

The car road tests on pages 55 to 58 and page 61 of the Gazette were reprinted on pages 29 to 33 of 10th November issue of the Western Daily Press, and the two pages of ‘property talk’ in the Gazette’s Property and Living supplement were repeated wordfor-word, complete with the same photos, two days later in the Western Daily Press magazine.

If these newspapers are intent on this sort of recycling, the least they could do is lift articles from papers that are not available in its circulation area. Or if this is not possible, then to leave a respectable gap of several months to let readers’ memories fade. I sometimes wonder for how much longer it will be worth buying both papers.

Chronicler.

Solution to November

Sudoku

‘Open Sesame – no caps, no numbers, no special characters? That’s not a very strong password’

THE VISITOR December 2017 47

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

SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS

Your calling card reaching 60,000 readers

Small and Large Loads

 01963 351256

Tel: 07973 871708 Evenings: 01935 825506

... to advertise HERE

KILN DRIED LOGS

Christmas / New Year Deadline: Friday 1st December • 01963 351256

BUY NOW – SAVE £££s

 Kiln Dried Logs 1 Dumpy Bag £150  Kiln Dried Logs 2 Dumpy Bags £250  Kiln Dried Logs 3 Dumpy Bags £350  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

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. Sales & Repairs for Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Cookers, Tumble Driers etc.

Ridge View, Penmore Road Sandford Orcas DT9 4SE

Professional repairs by qualified engineer on most makes of appliances.

01963 220366

Email: taylorsdomesticappliances@gmail.com Covering the areas between Wincanton Castle Cary, Sparkford, Sherborne and Yeovil

Roofing

Computer Repairs

COMPUTER PROBLEMS? CALL  Computers-R-Us on 00000 000000

PROMOTE your BUSINESS HERE ...  01963 351256

Prices Include V.A.T. 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

The key to all your storage needs!

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

• Cubicle and Crate Storage • Friendly, Helpful Staff

High Street, Sparkford, nr. Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7QJ Tel: 01963 440045 / 440526 / 440692

Say you saw it in The Visitor

48 THE VISITOR December 2017

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

Roofing

Bourton Roofing Co. Slate  Tiling  Flat Roofing.

UPVC Fascias  Guttering FREE ES T I M AT ES

 01747 840064

... or 07866 296453 Email: info@bourtonroofing.co.uk

DEADLINE for Christmas / New Year Issue is Friday 1st December

Locksmiths

ANYTIME LOCKS

24-Hour Locksmith Key Cutting and Boarding Up

MOBILE 07709 433922 PHONE 01963 359516

PHONE - a - FIRM

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 The Visitor can be read online … www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

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

Taxis

Private Sue Hire

Mob: 07711 572038

www.taxiatcastlecarystation.co.uk

Fires / Chimneys / Stoves

07921 074602 • 01749 677440 • Solidfuel3@aol.com

Regular advertising brings results

ADVERTISE in FULL COLOUR this space could be yours for

£40.46 inc. VAT

Oven Cleaning Mister Oven

Independent Oven Cleaning Specialist Ovens - Hobs - Agas etc

Tel: 01935 475065 Mob: 07752 695264 www.misteroven.co.uk

Say you saw it in The Visitor

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

Fuel Storage Tanks

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

Plumbing & Heating

Caricatures for Special Gifts

(for 3cms x 2 column)

Tel: 01963 351256 – to book your space

Fire & Security Alarms

THE VISITOR December 2017 49

Classified Ads

Send Details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BP. 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. 374 Set by Frank Butler

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BP – to arrive by Friday 1st December.

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

5

9

14

15

18

19

21

.................................................................................................................................................................................. ..................................................................................................................................................................................

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

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.

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.

Wanted

DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, salvage, bygones and collectables.

Daves Tools - Tel: 01935 428975

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.

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.

C A R B U R E T T O R S , SUPERCHARGERS, AUTOJUMBLE, BSF taps and dies, and engineering tools wanted. Tel: 01747 850474.

Storage

STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles. Lock-up garages to let. Tel: Sparkford Storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692.

20 FT CONTAINERS available to rent in Castle Cary. Tel: 07582 154837. 

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH

Any size, any condition, make or model We collect in any area  Registered Firearms Dealer

Tel: 07970 742471

50 THE VISITOR December 2017

23

10.

11.

12.

13.

15.

18.

20.

21.

23.

25.

26.

27.

28.

24

28

Across: 9.

17

26

27

4.

16

20

22

25

1.

8

12

13

ADDRESS ..............................................................................................................................................................

7

10

11

NAME .....................................................................................................................................................................

6

Sounds like change in church. [5] One gate with it in to agree terms. [9] Some star bore tumult in place of trees. [9] A song with french and to follow french word. [5] Monotonous sound: Done about first response? [5] Pray poach assortment as biblical appendix. [9] Real nut takes no side in change. [7] Final one in broken ice is springy. [7] Drain worker has irritation in German article! [7] Set down in act behind time.

[7] Admiration of business share. [9] Prickly plants? Part of play in 10K. [5] Sound four vowels about D. [5] Everyone to back thick cord in one of many forms. [9] Fire meld I arrange in danger area. [9] Calendar fruit? [5]

6.

7.

8.

14.

16.

17.

19.

20.

21.

22.

24.

A tram rebuilt as a river. [5] Opposition as insect takes one way to you first. [9] Some text rarely shows more. [5] Run ten odd in the unknown. [9] Metal found and put in place. [9] Fish streams: They share the navigation. [2-7] Days of the train? [4-3] First David turned, then hung. [7] Danger signal in the manner of Royal Marines.

[5] Idiot stands back from article standing apart. [5] Small-holding for returning in empty chest. [5]

Solution to Crossword 373

Down: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Prohibition acted in our time is left behind. [9] A boat revised in prohibition. [5] Are rather mixed up type of metallic elements. [4-5] All bent stirred into a team game. [7] Hunted animals around marsh, giving yellow resin. [7]

The Winner of our November Crossword

was Mrs. Z. Turner of Castle Cary who chose to spend the £10 voucher at Needful Things of Castle Cary.