CASTLE CARY

THE FACE OF almost every shopping centre has changed down the years, partly in response to people’s changing shopping habits, partly to counter the competition from out-of-town retail parks, mail order and internet shopping, and partly to tap into an affluence undreamt of in the first sixty years of the last century. Castle Cary has fortunately been spared the nearby presence of a large supermarket and still boasts a multiplicity of independent retailers selling high-quality goods and offering friendly personal service. There are few signs here of the dull uniformity of most of the national chains.

Among Castle Cary’s numerous independent businesses are gift shops including the renowned Needful Things, ladieswear boutiques, a long-established Wine Wizzard, the recentlyopened Wonderful Garden Company, a store hiring and selling all manner of vintage items, and even art galleries! Self-sufficiency and prosperity are

Market House, Castle Cary.

evident in the range and quality of the town’s many shops and the weekday hustle and bustle on High Street, Fore Street and Woodcock Street. Butcher, baker, greengrocer, ironmonger, bookseller, grocers, delicatessen and more can all be found in the centre, and on Tuesday mornings a street market is held at the Market House.

So Cary is an ideal town to scour for gifts for any occasion –even Christmas! When buying gifts I look for those old-fashioned virtues – quality, originality and value for money – and those are what I found in abundance. I saw so many gift ideas that this article could end up as little more than a long list, and even then I would probably have failed to mention something special. Whatever you’re seeking, the chances are that you can buy it in Castle Cary. And when you’re windowshopping in the town it’s worth remembering that until the late 18th century most of the properties in Cary were twostorey, built of rough local stone and thatched – the front part of the George Hotel remains as an example. And behind the 19th and 20th century facades of some of the town centre shops are buildings dating from earlier centuries, especially on busy Fore Street that stretches from the Market Place to the horsepond and is lined with a broad range of small shops.

Development and the changes it brings are nothing new in Cary. The mid and late 19th century gave the town not only a lot of new housing, shops, factories, the gas works and the railway station but also many prominent and much-loved buildings including the Market House. And by that time the town had already spread tentacles of development towards Ansford. Now, in the current century, the town is expanding

westwards with extensive new housing development on both sides of Station Road, and some of the properties are already occupied. Population growth could spell good news for the town’s shop-owners and many local organisations but the increasing volume of traffic it generates could be bad news for the alreadycongested town centre.

The size, architectural style, materials and appearance of many of Cary’s buildings help to explain how the town changed and expanded in the last 300 years. According to the district council planners, its charm lies in ‘the intimate groupings of buildings, changes in ground level and the alignment of buildings on the medieval streets, and its rich historic environment has been recognised by the town’s four designated conservation areas and many listed buildings’. Charm can mean different things to different people, so the best way to judge is to pay a visit.

Its location certainly sets the scene, nestling beneath Lodge Hill and overlooking the expansive flatlands of Cary Moor. So does the golden local stone of so many of its buildings. And with its abundance of independent

The White Hart, Castle Cary. retailers – high-quality specialist traders too numerous to mention by name – Castle Cary retains the charm of a traditional market town.

It’s easy to see why it has acquired such a high reputation as a shopping centre. And there’s much of historic and architectural interest in the centre to see too, including the Flemish-style Market House dating from 1855, the thatched George Hotel opposite which was certainly there in 1673 and probably a lot earlier, the 1779 pepper-pot lockup on Bailey Hill behind the Market House, and the nearby handsome house built in 1767 that is now the Post Office.

The 21st century café culture has embraced the town, which is well-provided with cafés, restaurants and pubs, all of them a far cry from the bland 21st century Costa and Starbucks. Near the top of High Street the long-established Bakehouse coffee shop and restaurant is a popular

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venue for shoppers, and opposite is Home café with plenty of vegetarian options. The Place coffee shop and the George Hotel have a prominent presence on the Market Place, while at the bottom of Fore Street Denela’s bakery provides hot drinks and tempting cakes for shoppers.

The White Hart provides good pub grub. And there might well be others that I failed to spot on my stroll through the town. All contribute to the charm of Castle Cary. Roger Richards.

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Pinsents - The Deli in Castle Cary Nestled in the centre of the popular market square of Castle Cary, you’ll find Pinsents, a charming and bustling local Deli, one you might expect to find on a fashionable London high street. However, on-trend and cool aesthetics aside, The Deli is a thoroughly inviting and welcoming space to shop for

delicious produce and those hardto-find ingredients.

Opened four years ago and recently expanded, owner Charlie Pinsent is passionate about bringing an extensive variety of tempting culinary delights to his sociable hub in Castle Cary. In stock, in addition to local produce, there are distinct Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences. Therefore, it’s easy to be inspired

not only by freshly baked bread, the range of local and continental cheeses and made-that-morning seasonal salads, but also exotic spices such as Persian Sumac and Aleppo Pepper.

Recently featured in the Deli: An Umbrian Lentil, Kale, Sweet potato & Local Apples Salad dressed with Dijon & Honey, the long-awaited Vacherin Mont D’or fromage and a Farro, Butternut Squash, Roasted Fennel & Raddicchio Salad. The current best-seller is a rather enticing and spoonable Gorgonzola; perfect for a late-autumn picnic,

The Deli is certainly the quintessential place to go for an original Christmas Gift, luxury hamper or simply for a yummy treat. George’s Greengrocer and Fruiterer In the backdrop of the hustle and bustle of busy London and Bristol Markets, George was learning the art of fruit and vegetables from the young age of 12. Several years on, George and Lauren decided to open George’s Greengrocer and Fruiterer in the heart of thriving Castle Cary.

With George bringing with him a wealth of experience, together with Lauren, a talented and highly skilled local florist, they opened their doors for the first time in 2017. The local produce on offer at George’s is sourced from some of the best growers in and around Somerset, ensuring the fruit and vegetables are consistently of the highest quality

Making you hungry? Inside Pinsents Deli, Castle Cary.

A great selection of fresh fruit, vegetables and more are available at George’s.

1 Park Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7EQ George Cronk • 07483 890119 • georgiec@live.com

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George and Lauren of George’s Greengrocer and Fruiterer.

and beautifully fresh.

Whilst wholeheartedly supporting our local growers, George takes pride in also offering more diverse and exotic fruitage and vegetables. George travels to Covent Garden at least twice a week so customers are able to choose from an exciting and inspiring selection of items; perfect for special and signature dishes. To compliment the range further, fresh Italian produce is also frequently sourced from Milan.

During lock-down, the friendly and helpful team at George’s worked diligently to deliver an immense number of crucial fruit & veg boxes to the local areas.

George and Lauren continue to offer their popular box scheme with delivery to many surrounding areas. The scheme involves simply completing a form on which you can select exactly what you want in your box, whilst setting your budget to suit you ideal for busy lives.

Find George’s Greengrocer and Fruiterer at 1 Park Street, Castle Cary and also on Facebook.

Battens Charitable Trust supports the arts The Battens Charitable Trust is continuing to support performing arts charity, Dorchester Arts, with a £4,500.00 donation.

For the past 30 years,

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Dorchester Arts has engaged tens of thousands of people in a wide variety of arts events – from huge outdoor events to small-scale children’s theatre. Dorchester Arts not only brings a variety of stage performances to the area, but engages community groups of all ages in Arts activities.

It is not a surprise that the arts industry has been hit hard over the covid-19 crisis with performances halted and plans for the foreseeable future cancelled.

Dorchester Arts said: ‘The continuation of Battens Charitable Trust's funding is a generous and far-sighted gesture in these difficult times for the arts. The support will enable us to move towards reopening next year in the strongest way possible, and we are very grateful!’

The Battens Charitable Trust was set up in 1985 to enable grants to be made to registered charities and for charitable purposes in Somerset, Dorset and adjoining counties. Ray Edwards,

Director at Battens Solicitors and Trustee of the Battens Charitable Trust said: ‘Supporting local charities and the community has never been more important. We are delighted to be able to make a donation to Dorchester Arts through this difficult period.’

For more information on the Battens Charitable Trust, apply for a grant, donate or leave a legacy in your will visit www.battens.co.uk/battenscharitable-trust.

Lockdown inspires town cookbook A new cook book, launched on 20th October in the Bailey Hill Bookshop in Castle Cary, captures the culinary tastes and skills of a Somerset town during lockdown, while raising funds for the parish charity.

The Cooking Pot was the brainchild of Cary resident Karin Hurd, who was inspired to turn first-time publisher when she saw the remarkable way in which the town pulled together in the face of the Coronavirus lockdown,

mobilising scores of volunteers to shop and collect medicines for vulnerable residents. ‘I wanted to raise money to help the volunteer groups to continue their valuable work’ explains Karin ‘and I thought that a charity cookbook was the perfect way of doing that. After all, many of us had more time to get creative in the kitchen and food became an important focus for households quarantining together’.

As well as recipes from local residents, the book also includes stories about the people who run the food and drink retailers in Castle Cary, such as Pinsents Deli, Burns the Bread and the Somerset Wine Co. amongst many - ‘Cary’s food shops rose

HIGHFIELD HOUSE Outstanding & Award Winning Residential Care Home We are passionate about providing EXCELLENT care and support in a homely environment. Situated in the centre of Castle Cary we benefit from all the delights that Castle Cary has to offer within a short walk. Our calibre of staff is second to none and we are here to cater for each and every individual person. Please feel free to contact us for any further information.

Telephone: 01963 350697 Email: manager@highfieldhouse.net www.highfieldhousecastlecary.com magnificently to the logistical challenges of lockdown so it was important they were featured in the book’, notes Karin. ‘Also included are some of the artisan producers from the local area who also supply our town.

I loved learning about the real people behind the businesses and hope that readers will enjoy that too.’

Over 130 recipes and stories have been arranged into wittily titled chapters such as Bread & Breakfast, Fancy a Dip?, Birds of a Feather and there’s even a section for the four-legged members of the family (after all, they were in lockdown too!).

With an eye catching cover, designed by Molly Martin, and colour photographs by, among others, Castle Cary photographer Dave Watts and 14 year old budding photographer Sophie Goggs, The Cooking Pot looks as good as the recipes it contains and is sure to become a must have on kitchen shelves in Cary and beyond.

‘Produced from scratch in just six months, the cookbook was a rewarding learning curve and it has turned into something much bigger than I imagined (168 pages!) but I believe it has captured an important moment in Cary’s history. The best thing is being able to give something back to our wonderful community and to support the work of Castle Cary’s Town Charity, which does so much to help people in need in the town. I hope that people enjoy reading it as much as I have gained pleasure from producing it’.

The Cooking Pot costs £10 and is on sale at Bailey Hill Bookshop in Castle Cary.

The Cooking Pot costs £10 and is on sale at Bailey Hill Bookshop in Castle Cary. Highfield House, Castle Cary where staff appreciate the unique Highfield House is completely qualities of each individual living dedicated to involving the people at Highfield House. who live there in excellent care and support received by listening Needful Things to, and acting upon people’s feed Needful Things are ready for back. At the heart of Highfield Christmas and this year, more House are their concerns for each than ever, they are working hard person’s happiness, health, safety, to raise a smile to lift our spirits well-being and dignity. at this difficult time.

This is reflected by the Beacon As you walk their one-way Status achieved with the route around 4 rooms you will nationally recognised Gold encounter an enchanted forest; a Standards Framework and tree of glass; a pink pig tree! and Awards for Care Home of the Year, a traditional Highland tree … and the award for Dementia and step a little futher to discover a Palliative Care. snowy/frosty tree, a tree full of

Their vision is to be a leader fairies; another full of mexican in providing a responsive care colours and llamas! … and that's service where the standard of just half way around! By the time care and calibre of staff are you've completed their woodland second to none. The mission is to walk you will have seen the owl provide a safe, warm and friendly tree; the nutcracker tree; a environment where excellent traditional Red/Green/Gold tree person-centred care is offered and and a Scandi themed area

The Shed is full of individual reclaimed antiques, furnishings and linens from across the UK and worldwide. complete with ski's and trolls, people on Thursday evenings, so elves and robins! With all the even if you're a nervous shopper Christmas essentials from right now, they can make it fun scented candles, garlands & for you … ring 01963 351352 for wreaths, advent candles and details. Let's have a little light advent calendars, crackers & hearted fun! … it is 'the season napkins … 3D Christmas cards, to be Jolly', after all. musical scenes and snow globes, merry-go-rounds, wall scenes and Reiki Healing at even a singing nutcracker! Come Heal and Sole Holistics on in and have some fun, they're Heal and Sole Holistics offer open as usual Mon to Sat 9.00 to Distant Reiki and Reiki in person, 5.00 and from 12th November you a system of natural healing that can book a half hour private is thought to have been practiced shopping experience for upto 6 around the world for thousands

of years. Reiki is a complementary therapy that is believed to improve just about any aspect of life, from physical health to emotional well-being as well as bringing about stress reduction and mental clarity.

Ten reasons to try Reiki in person or a Distant Reiki treatment... 1. Reduces stress, anxiety and depression 2. Calms the mind and relaxes the body 3. Aids sleep 4. Eases pain 5. Strengthens the immune system 6. Helps bring about inner peace and harmony 7. Aids people through the grieving process 8. Increases mobility in cases of pain/injury 9. Speeds up recovery from surgery, long term illness and cancer treatment 10. Increases intuition and creativity

For more information or to book a treatment, please call Heal and Sole Holistics on 01963 350639 or visit their website www. healandsole.co.uk.

The Shed_Somerset in Pithers Yard, Castle Cary Like many other businesses, Covid has certainly ‘tried and tested us at our best’ says Carly, owner of both The Shed_Somerset and hair stylist and owner of neighbouring Franklin Hair SPA.

The guidelines of Covid and safety of clients have been a huge concern when reopening in July, which was coupled with the sad news of Nicholas Johnson retiring.

This, however, gave Carly the opportunity to let her creativity shine, whilst keeping the wellbeing of her clients in mind and maintaining the personal touch she is dedicated to achieving even in these challenging circumstances.

The Shed, which is full of individual reclaimed antiques, furnishings and linens has been a huge passion of Carly’s for years. With the help of some fantastic dealers, beautifully crafted pieces are sourced from all over the UK, Europe and beyond.

With a selection of inspiring pieces displayed fortnightly in The Shed, there is a warm and inviting browsing space to enjoy.

Dave Hoddinott FULLY QUALIFIED BUILDER ESTABLISHED 1973

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Castle Cary Post Office

Cards, Stationery, Diaries, Calendars, Soft Toys Medici, Ling, Caspari, Woodmansterne, Noel Tatt and many more Christmas Cards & Boxes  Lamy Pens

 Euros & Dollars on Site: all other currency next day  Travel Insurance  Passport Checking  Top-Ups  Banking  Bill Payment - Car Tax - Post Office Homephone - etc.