The Visitor Magazine Issue 487 June 2024

I n P assin g ...

Shaftesbury folk with very long memories will probably need no reminding that 2024 sees the 50th anniversary of an event that has had a lasting effect on the fortunes of their town. That event, lasting less than a minute, was the first screening of a television commercial for Hovis bread. For the benefit of younger readers I should explain that the advert showed 13-year-old Carl Barlow pushing his bike laden with Hovis bread up Gold Hill to deliver to customers’ homes, to the strains of a brass band playing Dvorak’s New World Symphony. The ITV advert ensured that Gold Hill would become Shaftesbury’s most famous sight, and tourists flocked to the town to admire and photograph the cobbled street, its picturesque cottages and the panoramic views over Dorset. And to spend money in the town during their visit and perhaps to stay overnight. Half a century later they still do.

Nowadays locations used for shooting television and film dramas often become tourist attractions in their own right, but rarely does this happen with short advertisements unless they are especially memorable for one reason or another. The Hovis advert was memorable because it evoked nostalgia for the Victorian and Edwardian times when almost all food retailers in country towns offered to deliver purchases to customers’ homes. So the home delivery services provided nowadays by most of the major supermarkets are nothing new. What is new is the massive increase in internet shopping, with its convenience and speed of delivery being clearly appreciated by busy households that have difficulty in finding time to visit the shops. As a consequence of this and the proliferation of edge-of-town supermarkets, traditional retailers have suffered such a drop in trade that many village and town shops have closed down, despite successive governments pouring money into schemes for regenerating market towns and giving hardship relief to rural businesses that are struggling to pay their business rates.

A potentially more serious consequence is that our increasing reliance on fresh food bought online is making air pollution significantly worse. Diesel-powered delivery vans from distant supermarkets pollute in a way that the delivery boy biking from the local shop never did. And because we are eating more and more chilled food, many delivery vans now carry fridges to store our fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish. Their cooling is usually powered by a secondary diesel engine which can emit far more pollutants than the main engine pulling it round. If supermarkets are to play their part in improving air quality they must be made to reduce their reliance on diesel fleets, not just the vans that deliver to our homes but also the juggernauts that deliver stock to their depots and stores.

The 1974 Hovis commercial went on to be voted Britain’s favourite advert of all time. Would the sight of a supermarket delivery van climbing Gold Hill in 2024 to deliver plastic-wrapped sliced loaves evoke the same affection. I doubt it!

Advertising Deadlines

July Issue Deadline: 17th June

Published: 27th June

NOTE

TO ADVERTISERS

Advertisements are accepted subject to our standard terms and conditions as printed on our rate card, available upon request.

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

PO Box 5522, Castle Cary Somerset BA9 0BP

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Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

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The Visitor Ltd. 2024 ( Items marked ©GT are the copyright of Geoff Thompson) facebook.com/thevisitormagazine x.com/thevisitormag

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CONTENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED 38

ANTIQUES 15

CASTLE CARY 24

CROSSWORD 38

GARDENING 30

GOLDEN YEARS Care of the Elderly 20

HOUSE & HOME 28

LEISURE 14

LETTERS 4

LOOKING GOOD 18

MENTIONED in DISPATCHES 4

MOTORING 35

NOTICE BOARD 14

PHONE A FIRM 37

PUBS 34

REMEMBER WHEN 36

SOUTH PETHERTON Business Focus 22

SUDOKU 14

THEY SAY 33

WEDDINGS 16

WINE & DINE 33

Cartoons by GEOFF THOMPSON

Extension to Caryford Hall Sir,

The extension to Caryford Hall is nearing completion and a sign outside credits those who have contributed including (I quote) Castle Cary Town Council' and 'Ansford Parish Council'. This is rather disingenuous as it is in fact the poor council tax payer who has footed the extra cost whether they choose to use

the facility or not. The tax burden for the County has risen 5% but astute householders examining their new bill will see a rise of 10% for local residents. Let us have rather less selfcongratulation from our local councils and a bit more honesty about the 20 year burden falling on taxpayers.

Dorian Wood Castle Cary

‘Opera in a Box’ perform Hansel and Gretel at Long Sutton Village Hall IMMERSE yourselves in the magic of Opera with Bristol’s talented ‘Opera in a Box’ team! Join them for a delightful performance of Hansel and Gretel , adapted from Grimms ’ fairy tale, sung in English and perfect for audiences of all ages. Experience an unforgettable evening of opera that will leave you spellbound! Hansel and Gretel , first performed in December 1893 retells the timeless fairy-tale of two siblings lost in the forest. Follow Hansel and Gretel as they discover a house made of gingerbread and fall into the clutches of a wicked witch. With a talented ensemble of musicians, artists and a topnotch production team, ‘Opera in a Box’ delivers a fully staged experience.

The production takes place on Saturday 29th June with doors opening at 6.30pm and

Guide Dogs South West is looking for Puppy Raisers to join its wonderful team of volunteers. This means looking after future guide dogs for the first year of their lives, socialising and giving them a loving home. It’s a hugely rewarding role with lots of support and training, plus you will meet lots of new people in your area who are raising pups. Volunteer Puppy Raiser, Ian says: Mentioned

performance at 7.30pm. Adults £15, under 18 £7.50. Tickets available from Upton Bridge Farm Shop, Langport Road, Long Sutton, TA10 9PZ or David on 01458 241335. Otherwise email any enquiries to geoff@ pring.org.uk. A fully stocked pay bar will be available (closed during the performance), so come early to enjoy a drink with friends and secure your seating. This performance is a fundraising event on behalf of Friends of Long Sutton Church, a registered Charity, whose sole purpose is to conserve and maintain the structure of Holy Trinity church, Long Sutton, a Grade 1 listed building dating from the 15th Century.

Calling all dog lovers! Could you volunteer as a Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs?

Mentioned in

Dispatches

“Having May has given me a purpose in retirement. May has encouraged me to get up, get going, keep fit and keep my brain ticking over. She has also brought me amusement, as she does something every day that amazes me or makes me smile. She has stolen everyone’s heart, a lot of people in the local community know her and love her”.

Guide Dogs South West relies heavily on volunteers to help improve the lives of people with sight loss.

Around 2 million people are living with sight loss in the UK. Guide Dogs supports people with a visual impairment to maintain their independence and live the life they choose. Guide Dogs Puppy Development Advisor for Somerset, Lucy Avery says:

“Puppy raisers are vital to Guide Dogs, every single guide dog puppy relies on a volunteer to help them go on to be a future life-changer. There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.”

What will I be doing?

• Preparing your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.

• Caring for and supporting your puppy at home.

• Socialising and introducing them to new environments.

• Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone - building up from a few minutes to four hours.

• Attending puppy classes, interacting with puppy raisers whilst building your training. What you'll get:

• The rewarding feeling of watching your puppy learn new skills.

• Knowing you're supporting people with sight loss.

• A loveable companion, proven to reduce stress and improve fitness.

• Being part of a friendly puppy raising community.

• A dedicated manager to support you.

If this sounds like something you are interested in, please visit the website to apply: www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-youcan-help/volunteering. For enquiries, please email: VolunteerSouthwestWales@guide dogs.org.uk.

New GP Service launched in Somerset

A new GP service is being launched in Somerset - to offer patients a different choice in challenging times.

Parkside – the private wing of Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton welcomed Dr Cerian Winter to its team in May.

The move has been prompted by the success of a similar project which has been running at Parkside’s ‘sister ward’ – The Kingston Wing at Yeovil General Hospital – and has seen a big demand.

Today Sarah Porter, Private Patients Business Manager at Parkside, said: “We have noticed an increase in the last six months of people ringing to see if we have a private GP service, with stories of long waits for an NHS GP appointment being top of the list.

“What is being offered now, both in Taunton and Yeovil, is designed to complement the existing NHS GP service and not replace it. The purpose is to fill the gap in the market where a patient requires a longer

KILN DRIED LOGS

Puppy Raiser Ian holding May.

Mentioned in Dispatches

consultation, a quicker or more convenient appointment, a second opinion or a service that is not available on the NHS.”

Dr Winter graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2008 and initially started her training in hospital medicine in the South West before changing careers to become a GP.

She qualified in 2021 and moved to Taunton, where she lives with her young family. She works in the NHS as a GP partner at Wellington Medical Centre four days a week and will now be working one day a week at Parkside.

Dr Winter – and Dr Charles Middle at Yeovil Hospital’s Kingston Wing – are also able to offer a well woman or well man service, for those who would like a general health check. They can also complete medicals, such as those needed for the DVLA or occupational health departments.

Parkside at Musgrove and the Kingston Wing at Yeovil District Hospital operate independently from the main hospitals but all profits go straight back into the NHS.

Sarah Porter added: “That is what makes our offering at Taunton and Yeovil different from any other private health provider. The patients benefit and so does the NHS.”

Cerne Abbas Open Gardens

In 1974 Cerne Abbas opened a few of its private gardens to raise money for a good cause. Fifty years, and 48 openings later they will open about 25 private gardens once again on 15th and 16th June from 2-6 pm. Last year’s event featured in the Chanel 5 series Dorset Country & Coast

The proceeds will be divided between two deserving causes to support an archaeological dig in Cerne and the restoration of the ancient church in Godmanstone. Entrance to all gardens is by a single day ticket which costs £8 for adults and accompanying younger folk under 16 are free. A few gardens are accessible on

wheelchairs and most gardens accept well behaved dogs on leads. There is a well-regarded plant stall and teas are provided by the local Youth Club, both commencing at 1pm.

Almost all gardens are within easy walking distance of the free car park and are located on maps distributed with the ticket.

The gardeners look forward to welcoming you to Cerne. Visit the website www.cerneabbas opengardens.org.uk.

Museum Welcomes New Café

Somerset Rural Life Museum has welcomed a new café provider with an established reputation as a family-run business that offers a warm welcome.

The Grain Store Café, located within the museum, is now run by father-and-daughter team John and Charley Higdon. The pair also run My Fine Deli, a café, restaurant, and deli on Glastonbury High Street. Customers can drop into The Grain Store Café for their daily brew and enjoy indoor or outdoor seating in the enclosed farmyard. The cafe is also ideally situated for visitors going to Glastonbury Tor. You don’t have to be visiting the Museum to go to the café and free-on-site parking is available to customers.

Charley said: “We are so excited to be expanding our business and look forward to developing The Grain Store Cafe into a bustling destination for local people and visitors to the town. The outdoor seating area

Dr Cerian Winter.

Cerne Abbas Open Gardens celebrates 50 years on 15th & 16th June.

THIS SIZE ADVERT

COSTS JUST £15 PER MONTHShouldnʼt you be advertising here?

offers fantastic views of the Tor and is a convenient stop off on the way to one of Glastonbury’s most prominent landmarks. We’re also conveniently placed to serve the Redlands estate, meaning that residents don't have to walk all the way to town to get a decent cup of coffee.”

The food on offer at The Grain Store Café showcases Somerset’s great-tasting produce. A variety of breakfast and lunch options are available, all made with fresh, local ingredients. The lunch menu includes light bites, ploughman’s, mezze boards, sandwiches, and homemade soup of the day. These include vegan and gluten-free options. Customers can also enjoy afternoon tea with indulgent cakes and scones, or perhaps a beer, cider, or wine in the

THE BUT TERCROSS TEAROOMS

Market Place, Somer ton (01458) 273168

Open: Tue – Sat 9am – 5pm

sunshine of the enclosed farmyard. The Grain Store Café is open Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm (Easter to 31 October) and Tuesday to Saturday (1 November to Easter). Find the café on Facebook @Grain StoreCafe.

Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury.

Mentioned in Dispatches

The joy of June at East Lambrook Manor Gardens

“There is no better month than June to visit the iconic cottage garden at East Lambrook Manor,” says Mike Werkmeister, who with his late wife Gail have owned and cared for the garden for the last sixteen years. “The garden is a joy to see in June as it’s when the garden reaches its summer peak and is simply sublime.”

The garden was created between 1939 and 1969 by Margery Fish, the celebrated

plantswoman and grande dame of English cottage gardening, and made famous through her many books. Her first book, We Made A Garden, written in 1956 and a veritable hardy perennial of gardening books, has just been republished for the umpteenth time.

In June, roses fill the air with scent and perennials, such as Margery Fish favourites hardy geraniums and Astrantia, are to the fore in the garden with Gladiolus byzantinus dotting the beds with vibrant splashes of cerise. Many cottage garden treasures can be bought in the garden’s excellent Margery Fish Plant Nursery.

The garden’s Malthouse Gallery is host to the annual summer exhibition of local watercolour artist Moish Sokal, celebrating 30 years of exhibiting in the gallery, and delicious cakes can be enjoyed in the Malthouse Café.

Garden, nursery, café and gallery open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm.

East Lambrook Manor Gardens, Silver Street, East Lambrook, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5HH. Tel: 01460 240328, www.eastlambrook.com.

East Lambrook Manor Gardens Nursery in June 2023.

The path leading to house at East Lambrook Manor Gardens.

Mentioned in Dispatches

We Made A Garden by Margery Fish ‘Crammed with good advice.’ –Vita Sackville West

A feminist manifesto? The blueprint of the modern cottage garden design? This timeless classic from one of the twentieth

We Made A Garden1956 First Edition.

century’s greatest garden writers, receives an elegant new edition. Whether you’re a cottagecore lover or a lifelong gardener, We Made A Garden is the landmark work on gardening and transforming wilderness into flora, by the immensely influential garden writer Margery Fish.

In this timeless book, Margery recounts her struggles in both landscaping and love, describing the pressures of her marriage alongside the demands of her craft when designing the popular public garden of East Lambrook Manor situated in Somerset, England. The gardens are now due to sell for the first time this century.

Accompanied by a foreword by Graham Rice, this beautiful book details both the joys and trials of creating a garden from scratch in the 1950s, covering everything from the most suitable hyssop for the terraced garden through composting, hedges and making paths to the best time to lift and replant tulip bulbs. Clashing with her husband Walter, who preferred a more suburban approach, Margery Fish writes with both ease and humour on their divided visions and how the creation of their garden brought them closer together.

A memoir-come-gardening guide from one of the most revered gardening writers of her time, this stunning new edition is perfect for any nature or garden lover and packs inspiration into every page for both the modern feminist reader and passionate horticulturalist alike.

Margery Fish (1892–1969) was one of the most admired gardeners and garden writers of her day. Her many articles and books inspired garden enthusiasts with her easy-to-read knowledge and observation. A passion for nature and an ability

to combine plants effectively in even the smallest space and in differing environments made her ideas relevant to all gardeners of her time, and an inspiration for future generations. Her garden at East Lambrook Manor in Somerset is still open to visitors today.

50 places available with Dorothy House for the Frome Running Festival!

Dorothy House is proud to partner with RunThrough, as they bring back the much loved Frome Running Festival on 18 August.

The Frome Running Festival returns this year, reinvigorated and with a new running director. The Festival will be hosting 5k, 10k and Half Marathon routes through the wonderful town and surrounding villages of Frome. All routes start and finish at the runners’ village, which will be hosted by the old showfield grounds.

As charity partner for the race, Dorothy House has 50 bond places up for grabs. These can be found on the website: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk. For any runners supporting the charity, they will receive some fantastic benefits, including a bespoke Frome runners vest or

We Made A Garden2024 reissue edition.

Mentioned in Dispatches

t-shirt to wear on the day. As well as this, the Hospice will have a stand in the runners’ village to welcome you when you arrive and also as you return from your run.

Steph Cox, Relationship Fundraising Lead at Dorothy House said:

“As a Frome resident myself and knowing friends and family who have taken part in the event previously, I am really excited to see it return with some fresh energy! We really appreciate the opportunity that RunThrough have given us and hope that as many local people as possible sign up and choose to support the Hospice. Being able to sign up to a local event, with money raised, supporting friends and family in the local area is what it’s all about. I can’t wait to support all of the runners on the day!”

Matt Wood, Co-Founder of RunThrough said:

“We're thrilled to support Dorothy House Hospice Care through the Frome Running Festival. Events like this play a crucial role in helping them continue their important work.”

If you’d like to sign up to take part in the 5k, 10k or half marathon for Dorothy House, call 01225 721480, email: events@dorothyhouse-hospice .org.uk or for more information check out the website: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk.

Good Afternoon Choir members singing for their charity

Choir Singing in the Afternoon is proving to be a big hit across the West of England, raising thousands of pounds for community groups. Last year (2023) across all the Good Afternoon Choirs (from Gloucester to Cornwall) the magnificent sum of just over £30,000 was raised. The Good Afternoon Choir members are now singing for the charities they will support in 2024.

Founder Grenville Jones has a world-wide reputation as a choir leader and as someone who advocates the health benefits of belonging in a choir.

He says:

“SINGING should be ON PRESCRIPTION.”

He is also well-known as founder of the Golden-Oldies Sing

and Smile Charity – now in its 16th year – with 120 daytime fun sessions in Church Halls and Community Rooms across England and Wales (Goldies Cymru). Sir Cliff Richard is the Charity Patron.

He started the community Good Afternoon Choirs in his

home City of Bath 15 years ago; choirs that sing in the daytime with no auditions and the accent on FUN singing, making friends and supporting local organisations with fundraising concerts. Over 1,000 people Sing in the Afternoon.

There are now 26 Good

Afternoon Choirs from GLOUCESTER to CORNWALL with more planned later in the year. Grenville takes four of the choirs himself and employs many talented freelance leaders and accompanists.

The Good Afternoon Choirs take place on: Mondays in Bristol, Frome, South Somerset and Truro. Tuesdays in Chippenham/ Calne, Churchdown (N.Glos), Cirencester/Stroud, Mid-Devon, Taunton and Wells. Wednesdays in Highworth/Shrivenham, Keynsham, Malmesbury, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Yate/Chipping Sodbury. Thursdays in Bath, Newquay, Norton Radstock, North Swindon, Thornbury and West Sussex. Fridays in Devizes, Falmouth, Westbury/Warminster and West Wilts.

Full details on all the choirs/rehearsal times etc. are all on www.goodafternoonchoir.org.

Over 1000 people sing in Good Afternoon Chois in the West of England and beyond.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Exhibition of New Watercolours by Moish Sokal 1st June - 20th July

Somerset artist Moish Sokal has returned from his extended personal journey to Israel and Australia. His watercolours will go on show celebrating 30 years of showing in the Malthouse Gallery of East Lambrook Manor Gardens on Saturday 1st June20th July in his exhibition ‘Into the Unknown’.

Following his wife’s sudden death, Moish set off to his native Israel “I had to touch base with where I grew up, see my family and my old friends”. He found moments of peace in painting the familiar sights of his neighbourhood in the old city. Moish left the country only hours before trouble erupted.

“The region I just left has

changed forever”.

In this personal journey, Australia was his next destination. “I have spent the best years of my life in Oz and I’m sure that my time here will be productive and health giving”.

The sunrise swims; feeling the ocean’s energy in his body and soul, then painting until dusk were indeed prolific and healing days. Venturing into the Australian bush and beaches to paint new scenes alongside photos from his many years of travelling, combine to make a handsome portfolio of new and exciting work

Moish also tackled a new subject matter: Flowers. “I never saw myself as a flower painter but I thought, its time!”

Included in his new work are many painted scenes of his favourite countryside in Somerset; the seasons marking the passing of time.

“I look forward to being back in the beautiful surroundings of East Lambrook Manor Gardens once again and I look forward to sharing my personal journey with you”.

The Psychodahlias will be at The Guggleton Farm Arts (The Gugg) in Stalbridge on Saturday 15 June - high energy music and party atmosphere … after all, it is The King’s Official birthday!

Into the unknown exhibition by Moish Sokal runs from 1st June until 20th July at East Lambrook Manor Gardens TA13 5HH.

Tea at Tinkers Bubble.

Winter sun over the levels.

June Notice Board

CHILTHORNE DOMER

Chilthorne Domer Open Gardens

3 miles north of Yeovil BA22 8RD Sunday 2 June 11am-5pm. Admission £7 adult. Free parking Refreshments Proceeds to YDH breast cancer appeal.

NORTH BARROW

OPEN GARDEN, Sunday 9th

June 11am - 3.30pm. North Barrow BA22 7LZ. Adults £3

Summer Dating tips with Alison at Just Somerset Introductions

Summer is just around the corner and now the weather is beginning to improve at last it’s a super time to meet new people. We offer a more bespoke dating experience to online dating and are different in many ways as we meet all our clients, so you can be assured we know everyone and they have to prove who they say they are. I do find some try online dating before coming to us for that personal service. Thought some info on what to look out for would help those trying online dating.

Romance scams are sadly not decreasing and if anything the scammers are more clever. There are many ‘red flags’ to be aware of and some many will already know. If they ask to chat on WhatsApp or via email very quickly, stay on site until you know them better. He maybe a widow, lost his wife and usually one child, a family member many need an operation. He maybe a

Children free. Refreshments, Plants, Produce. Proceeds towards Church roof repairs.

STALBRIDGE

The Psychodahlias will be at The Guggleton Farm Arts (The Gugg) in Stalbridge on Saturday 15 June - high energy music and party atmosphere … after all, it is The King’s Official birthday!

ZEALS

Zeals Charity Open Gardens Weekend. Visit 13 gardens in and around Zeals over 29th & 30th June. £6 (u16 free). Tickets, maps and refreshments available from Zeals Village Hall BA12 6NA (A303 Stourhead exit).

soldier, medical professional or oil rig worker. Not all pretend to be, they could be an ordinary profile but want to come to your country to marry you but need money first for a passport/visa. They might suddenly go away to work in a different country and then would need money to support a business idea or get supplies etc. Many of these will start off very slowly to gain your trust and say they have feelings for you very quickly and you’ve not even met. Very often they will ask for money in the form of an Amazon card or other card (they probably sell these on for more money) so if any person you are chatting to asks you for money please don’t. Block them and report on the site or to the admin of Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). If all of this sounds daunting and you wish to meet real people in person, one to one intros, come to social events please think about joining us! All details are on the website, have a look and I hope to hear from you soon!

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

By John Osborne

 Answers can be found on page 32 

1) 'Tears Dry On Their Own' came from which late female performer?

2) Who was in the charts fifty years ago this month in June 1974 with 'Judy Teen'?

3) 'Hey Little Girl' a 1982 single from whom?

4) 'Beg, Steal or Borrow' was the Eurovision entry in which year?

5) Who said they were 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' in 1997?

6) Who had 'Wild Honey' back in 1967?

7) What sort of 'light' was 'Travis' banging on about earlier this year?

8) 'Night Owl' a 1979 album by whom?

9) 'When You Are A King' predicted which band in 1971?

10) Name the song that includes the lyric 'Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque'?

Bonus Question: Who performed the song in Q4 and what position did it finish in the competition?

Anorak Bonus Question: 'Eight Arms to Hold You' was the working title of which 1960's album? (think logically here!)

Great quotes in Music (158) "... everyone was using tiny brushes and doing watercolors, while Jimi Hendrix was painting galactic scenes in Cinemascope. We are working in a field of mystical resonance, sound and vibration... that's what makes people cry, laugh and feel their hair stand up ... " - Carlos Santana

Sudoku by T. M.

Fill in the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers 1 to 9

Solution to May Sudoku on page 32

Stunning SS Jaguar pounces to take vintage Shamrock spoils THE FIFTH running of the much-loved Vintage Shamrock was another huge success. After four memorable days and more than 500 miles of driving adventures through the

enchantingly verdant Irish countryside, victory went to the stunning 1937 Jaguar SS100 crewed by Stephen Owens and Nick Bloxham – in reality, however, all those participating were the big winners!

INSTANT CASH FOR YOUR OLD TOYS!

PASTIMES

Of Sherborne (near the Abbey)

• Over thirty years of dealing in antique and Collectible Toys

• Established business paying BEST prices for old toys in any condition

Masters of Taste, Tradition, and Sustainability

Birchall Tea, passionate pioneers of the tea industry for over 150 years, continues to elevate the tea-drinking experience with its unparalleled blend of tradition, taste, and environmental responsibility.

to the national grid, embodying a commitment to a greener future.

Those magical names

Britains

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Email: info@pastimes-toys.co.uk

The origins of Birchall Tea trace back to 1872 and Captain Birchall George Graham, an officer with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who was posted to India where he served for a number of years. Once he finished his military career, he started a new career by growing tea in Darjeeling, and the seeds of a tea dynasty were planted. His dedication to his craft laid the foundation for what would become a family-owned UK tea company, continuing the unbroken tea tradition he started, to create the perfect blends we all enjoy today.

As a family business, Birchall Tea remains committed to upholding the values of quality and craftsmanship passed down through generations. Today, Daniel Graham, representing the fifth generation of the family, continues to steer Birchall Tea towards new heights of excellence.

Today, Birchall is one of the largest exporters of black teas from East Africa in the world. Birchall Tea's commitment to quality is evident in its strict tasting process, where over 5,000 teas are sampled every week to ensure only the most exquisite blends are selected, with only the top 1% being deemed good enough.

Central to Birchall Tea's ethos is its unwavering dedication to sustainability. Embracing innovation, Birchall Tea proudly operates the UK's first fully solarpowered tea factory. Through this initiative, Birchall Tea not only minimizes its environmental impact but generates twice the energy needed so also gives back

“We want to make the UK as passionate about good quality, great tasting tea as we are, whilst also having a positive impact on the planet. Our solar powered tea factory has already generated over 500,000kWhs, and this is just the beginning of Birchall Tea’s journey,” says Daniel Graham, Managing Director.

The brand's dedication to excellence is reflected in its unparalleled track record. Birchall Tea holds the prestigious title of the UK's most awarded tea for taste (Great Taste Awards), a remarkable achievement maintained for an unprecedented 13 consecutive years. This accolade underscores Birchall Tea's relentless pursuit of perfection, cementing its status as the gold standard in tea quality.

As Birchall Tea continues to redefine the tea-drinking experience, its legacy of taste, tradition, and sustainability remains unwavering, inviting tea enthusiasts worldwide to savor the essence of Birchall Tea in every cup. Daniel added:

“We want to make the UK as passionate as we are about good quality, great tasting tea, whilst also having a positive impact on the planet. Our solar powered tea factory has already generated over 500,000kWhs, and this is just the beginning on Birchall Tea’s journey”.

1937 Jaguar SS100.

Hooper’s Hat Hire of Yeovil

IF YOU are looking for an overwhelming selection of beautiful hats, hatinators and fascinators to HIRE, then a visit to Hooper’s Hat HIRE is a must.

Sally continually updates her already extensive collection with the majority being her own exclusive creations, so no chance of getting caught in the same hat as somebody else.

You will be amazed at her glamorous bespoke racing collection for those of you that enjoy a day at the races, Ascot is one of Sally’s busiest weeks.

You also have the option of having something made exclusively for you to purchase, to complement your outfit.

You will receive plenty of friendly help and advice to make the right choice for you. Sally’s showroom offers a very relaxed atmosphere and her main concern is that you are comfortable and happy with what you have chosen for your special day. Check out her facebook page for a small sample of what is on offer.

DON'T book your wedding on this date, experts warn Could 2024 be the year that England secures a win at the Euros? Well, data collected by football betting and news experts Footy Accumulators has shown that if England make it to the final, it’s the game that will conflict the most with summer wedding dates.

The research analysed ONS wedding data from 1999 to 2019 to determine which days typically hold the most weddings. These dates were then compared to the dates of the 2024 Euro games to

find out which games are most likely to be played on the day of a wedding, meaning that it's more likely you'll miss an England game if you’re in attendance.

The Euro 2024 final will take place on 14th July; on that date, between 1999 and 2019, 24,350 weddings have been held – more than any other day during the tournament, making it the most likely game in the Euros to be ruined by a wedding, meaning some fans may be swapping the aisle of a stadium for the aisle of a church. Overall, the odds of being invited to a wedding on the day of a possible England game are around 63 to 1.

England are currently the joint favourite to win the competition, with France, World Cup runnersup, being the other favourite according to most bookmakers. decades of data.

Where quality and personal service count

Extensive Range of Wedding Rings Special Orders Undertaken Wide Range of Bridesmaid, Page Boy & Best Man Gifts Jewellery Cleaning – ensuring your engagement ring sparkles on your big day

Sibley,

A vast selection of hats available to hire at Hooper’s Hat Hire, Yeovil.

Preview Fashion Boutique, Wincanton

The Spring/Summer collections have landed at Preview of Market Place, Wincanton. They specialise in Mother of the Bride/Groom outfits from head to toe, and have plenty of options for wedding guest attire.

Preview also stock daywear selections, going-away outfits that are perfect for holidays, evening cruise-wear, shoes and sandals, bags and accessories, all in a rainbow of colours. The best bit is it’s all under one roof!

Lizabella offers a mix of traditional Mother Of The Bride collections, as well as a softer feminine style that looks amazing on the Big Day. Elegant yet nonrestrictive and elevated for a wedding with smart shoes and a

range of hats/fascinators to mix and match with your outfit.

For a more versatile look Joseph Ribkoff can be worn again, day or night. Add the finishing touches with shoes and clutch bags by Lunar Allison offers lots of two-pieces, mostly in silks, with subtle prints in an array of soft to vibrant colours. Paz Torras is a natural and contemporary style that is both timeless and yet on trend. Easy packing for fabulous holiday looks.

Preview stock the latest collections from Adini, Foil, Robell, Failsworth of Manchester and Olsen, plus many more. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm.

Bridge Street Barber Shop

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 8.30am – 6.30pm Friday 8.30am – 7pm • Saturday 8.30am – 4pm

3 Retsel House, Bridge Street, STURMINSTER NEWTON Tel: 01258 472615 • Mobile: 07782 222590

Family Health with

Jenna Evans

CONTINUING our look at painkillers – this month we focus on paracetamol and codeine. These are two of the most commonly used painkillers (prescribed and OTC) in the UK. They can also be found together in Co-codamol.

Paracetamol is used for general aches and pains as well as a high temperature. It can be found in many cold and flu remedies, as well as Calpol for children. The most alarming side effect of paracetamol is liver damage. Even with added awareness, paracetamol is consistently responsible for a couple of hundred deaths in the UK each year, from overdose (accidental or deliberate).

There have been concerns raised about the overuse in children, with links to asthma, liver, kidney and heart damage. This is an easily available drug which needs to be treated with respect. Always follow the instructions carefully and read those drug inserts! If you have liver problems, kidney problems or regularly drink alcohol, paracetamol may not be for you. If you're taking paracetamol long term, think about bringing in some extra liver support with supplements such as milk thistle,

glutathione schizandra, and NAC. There is some evidence high pectin foods and the cruciferous veg family (cabbage, brussels sprouts etc.) can interfere with the absorption of paracetamol. Hibiscus tea may also be contraindicated.

This was a small study but it may be best, as always, to take pharmaceuticals away from herbs. Interestingly, high dose Vitamin C can prolong the life of paracetamol in the body. This may be a useful way for reducing doses but could also make the risk of overdose higher if used concurrently. Good to bear in mind as many people like to up their vitamin C during a bout of 'flu and this could be harmful if paracetamol based cold busters are also being used. There are many drug interactions with paracetamol including with bloods thinners, antidepressants and other pain killers. Codeine based medications are part of the opiate family and are commonly prescribed post surgeries, dentistry or for acute injury. The main concern is the high nature of addiction to opiate drugs which also include fentanyl and morphine. This is why they are generally only used for short term use. People can become addicted to the euphoric or sedative effects of codeine. It can also produce many undesirable effects.

On the rare time I have ever used a pain killer it doesn't go well. Ibuprofen makes me vomit,

aspirin and paracetamol seem to do nowt and codeine, well that's bye-bye pain, hello itching, nervous disruption and sleep paralysis! Codeine is a respiratory suppressant and as should not be used with alcohol or other sedating medications including herbs such as valerian, lemon balm and passiflora.

Codeine can also be highly constipating so drinking plenty of water with extra fruit and fibre may be advised – although not at the same time as taking your dose as this can interfere with absorption. Tannins can also interact, so avoid that cup of tea with your pain meds. According to Drugs.com, there are over 500 drugs codeine may interact with – always, always read those medicine inserts and talk to your pharmacist! If you think you have a dependency, seek help and do not stop the drug and go cold turkey.

Happy summer solstice, I'll be back with more next month!

© Jenna Evans 2024.

•Jenna is a Holistic Health Coach and creator of bespoke beauty products. She can be found on Facebook at ‘Alchemical Beauty UK’. Jenna is also a multi-award winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil. To make an appointment, please pop in or call 01935 428791 for details. 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.

Slymgym personal training

Slymgym personal training owned by ex British and world Ladies Physique Champion, Jane Carter has just opened its new private personal training studio based in Street.

The new training studio is fully equipped for all your personal training needs for one-to-one training but also couples whether it be partners, siblings or just a friend you’d like to train with.

It also comes complete with the latest in functional training equipment, the ‘total gym’ bodyweight trainer. A compact all in one solution for a complete body workout. With over 100 different exercises it’s perfect for delivering not only specific target areas but also a fantastic all over body workout for all age groups and fitness levels, along with cardio equipment everything is covered.

Jane also offers an online training service in the form of devising training routines/diets with weekly/monthly check-ins and remote sessions via zoom.

For more information or to book a free consultation visit www.slymgympersonaltraining .co.uk or call Jane 07980 808564.

WARD & SIBLEY

The Jewellers of Yeovil

Our repair section of the business is pleased to offer

& setting check on gemstone rings

 Complete refurbishment of jewellery –soldering charms onto bracelets, sizing rings, repairing chains, jewellery cleaning

 Watch repairs including battery replacements

 Jewellery handmade to your own design

 Seal, hand, and machine engraving  Valuations for insurance and probate

Pearl and bead re-threading

Ward & Sibley - the jewellers of Yeovil.

GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly

Nynehead Court

WHETHER your interests lie in gardening, baking, or keeping fit, Nynehead Court has something to offer.

Every resident at Nynehead Court is treated with the same high level of care, whether they are a permanent resident or simply on a respite stay. That means they receive the same personalised care, delicious meals

prepared by our chefs, and can participate in the varied activities programme planned by our dedicated activities staff.

The tailored grounds can be enjoyed throughout the seasons and the team of gardeners ensure that they are always looking their best, with the croquet lawn and putting green in constant use during the summer.

To discuss a respite or long-

term stay at Nynehead Court, telephone 01823 662481 or email manager@nyneheadcourt. co.uk.

Highfield House, Castle Cary Highfield House is completely dedicated to involving the people who live there in excellent care and support received by listening to, and acting upon feedback.

HIGHFIELD HOUSE

Award Winning Residential Care Home

Passionate about providing EXCELLENT care and support in a homely environment.

At the heart of Highfield House are their concerns for each person’s happiness, health, safety, well-being and dignity.

This is reflected by the Platinum Award achieved with the nationally recognised Gold Standards Framework April 2022 and awards for Care Home of the Year, and the award for Dementia and Palliative Care. They are also now rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission

Their vision is to be a leader in providing a responsive care service where the standard of care and calibre of staff are second to none.

The mission is to provide a safe, warm and friendly environment where excellent person-centred care is offered and where staff appreciate the unique qualities of each individual living at Highfield House.

Discover convenience and care at Yeovil's premier mobility shop!

Mendip Mobility Ltd is your onestop destination for all your mobility needs! They understand the importance of easy access and excellent service.

Located in the heart of Yeovil, their shop is easily accessible for everyone, whether you're coming from the town centre or

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

Mendip Mobility on Forest Hill, Yeovil.

The rear garden at Highfield House, Castle Cary.

GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly

surrounding areas. Trust their expert technicians to keep your mobility aids in top condition.

From routine maintenance to repairs, they ensure your equipment operates smoothly and safely. They proudly participate in the Motability Scheme, providing you with access to a wide range of mobility solutions tailored to your individual needs. Their dedicated team will guide you through the process, making it simple and straightforward to find the perfect mobility solution for you.

At Mendip Mobility, they are committed to enhancing your mobility and improving your quality of life.

Notaro Care Homes – caring when it matters most

Over the past 40 years, Notaro Care Homes have been building a reputation for delivering the highest standards of dementia and nursing care in their care homes across the South West. Their homes feature state-ofthe-art care technology and

facilities, and compassionate and caring staff. La Fontana Dementia Nursing Home in Martock features a sun therapy room and their Immacolata Dementia Nursing Home in Langport is situated amongst five beautiful acres.

Both homes feature petting farms, a unique feature that is the brainchild of their animalloving managing director and has become a feature across their purpose-built homes.

Notaro Care Homes listen to the needs, thoughts and wishes of residents to provide the best care possible.

Their reason for doing so is simple; to create a care package as unique as the individual they provide care for.

To find out more, please visit notarohomes.co.uk and see advert on the back cover of this magazine.

Notaro Care Homes - Immacolata House.

South Petherton: Business Focus

Opening Offers at Top Cut Barbers

TOP CUT Barbers are a new barbers that has recently opened at 6 St. James Street in South Petherton. They have a sister shop called H and D Barber, at

14 High Street, Yeovil BA201RQ. At both shops they have skilled and experienced, family trade barbers, offering a full range of quality gent’s and boy’s hair cuts, beard trims, shaves etc. They also offer cuts only for the ladies/girls, (no styling.)

Special opening offers available at Top Cut Barbers are Gents Haircut £13, Skin Fade £15, Kids Skin Fade £13, Kids Haircut £11, O.A.P £10, Hot Shave £12, One grade all over £11, Skin Fade & Beard Shave £27, Nose Wax £3, Full Service £30.

No appointment necessary. 07472 246197 Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm.

H.R. Hodge is your local TV & Audio specialists.

H.R. Hodge

Want a new TV but confused by all the options? Need an Audio System to give TV Shows, Films & Music the clarity they deserve?

H.R. Hodge can help - your local TV & Audio specialists, offering a range of TV & Audio from Panasonic, Loewe, Mitchell & Brown, Sonos and Roberts radio. They’re with you every step of the way, From help and advice through to installation and after sales support.

They also have one of the few remaining TV and Audio repair workshops at their premises in South Petherton for all your repair needs. Please feel free to give them a call or pop in store to see what they can offer.

Two Magpies Village Cafe

The Two Magpies landed in January here at South Petherton, on 26 St James Street, and are continuing to provide a space for all people of the community to enjoy.

All their cakes are homemade in-house by their resident baker, using fresh local produce. Their

specialities include breakfasts and lunches to eat in or take away.

They hold a Book Club every 1st Wednesday of the month in the evening for a cuppa and a book chat. Prosecco and Pudding nights are on 21st June, and 19th July, at 7pm. Bring your own bottle and enjoy some seasonal summer desserts. Please book yourselves in with Leah by calling 01460 419025 or message on social media @twomagpies villagecafe. Look out for more throughout the year. Open TueSat 9am-2pm.

The Bloom Wine Company

Pull up a chair in this welcoming independent wine and coffee shop nestled in the heart of South Petherton. The Bloom Wine Company has a curated selection of delicious fine wines and deli goods alongside artisan home and lifestyle pieces.

Special offers include 50% off and a free cup of coffee/glass of wine with Bloom’s loyalty scheme. 5% discount on Tuesday for senior citizens and carers. 10% discount on Wednesday for a 250ml glass of wine. 10% discount when you buy 6 or more bottles of wine, you can mix and match.

The space inside Bloom is available to hire for private functions at reasonable rates. Open Tue - Sat 9.30am5.30pm, til later on Wed and Fri. Come and have a coffee and buy your wine at 25 St James Street TA13 5BS. Email: donna@ thebloomwinecompany.com.

Somerset Chimney Sweep

The weather is warming up and now is a good time of year to get your stove, log burner or open fire swept. Somerset Chimney Sweep leaves your fireplace clean and ready to use, gives a thorough safety inspection, and a smoke test to ensure everything is working as efficiently and safely as possible.

Book your APICS sweep now by calling 07595 986830 or email somersetchimneysweep@ gmail.com.

Summer is a good time to get the chimney swept.

Inside Two Magpies Village Cafe.

Happy 10th anniversary to Lock Stock & Barber

There’s celebrations at Lock Stock & Barber who have been in South Petherton at 8 St. James Street for 10 years! They would like to thank all of their loyal customers, old and new, for their valued support.

The traditional barbers are open for appointments and continue to offer all of their usual services including haircuts, beard trims, hot towel shaves and luxury male grooming packages. You can book through the Booksy app, or call 01460 394659 /07894 083723. Open Tue-Fri 8am5.30pm, Sat 8am-2pm.

Eternal Kitchens

Eternal Kitchens, based in South Petherton, Somerset are passionate about kitchens and have 30 years of experience designing and making beautiful kitchens.

All the kitchens and furniture are made by them on site, using traditional time honoured

methods and their joinery workshop has been awarded an A++ certification for the buildings ‘green’ status. Eternal can also help you with other projects, such as Boot rooms, dressing rooms and wine cellars to name but a few. Find out more at www.eternalkitchens.co.uk.

Lock Stock & Barber at 8 St James Street are celebrating 10 years in South Petherton.

Let Eternal Kitchens design and build your dream kitchen.

Pull up a chair at Bloom - South Petherton’s wine & coffee shop.

IMAGES OF Castle Cary’s Market House with its honeycoloured stone have graced many a Somerset picture book and tourism leaflet, for it occupies pride of place in the centre of the town. The history of markets in the town goes back to the 14th century if not earlier. A market charter granted by King James I in 1614 allowed the town to hold a weekly Tuesday market and an annual fair on the Thursday before Palm Sunday but by 1780 the weekly market had long been discontinued. In contrast, down the centuries livestock continued to be sold with increased frequency in the town centre –the Market Place, High Street and Bailey Hill – until 1913 when a new market yard was opened behind what was until recently the Horse Pond Inn. But this was not a lasting success and closed in 1940.

A decade ago an attempt was made by the town council to revive the market and now, ten years later, every Tuesday morning the cobbled forecourt

and undercroft of the Market House revert to their original role as a general market, and it continues to attract a goodly number of stallholders and customers. Beneath the brightlycoloured awnings there are usually a fishmonger, a traditional baker with a tempting range of speciality breads and rolls, a greengrocer and stalls selling local meat, cheeses and chutneys, wool and haberdashery, soaps and smellies and more. It’s an undoubted success, something to celebrate in its tenth anniversary year and well worth a visit.

While there’s no doubting that the Market House is much loved by residents and visitors alike and adds much to the character

of the town, it is a comparatively recent building of no great historical significance. Completed in 1855 it occupies the site of an earlier market building dating from 1616, although some sources suggest that this had fallen out of use and been replaced by a brick dwelling-house by the time the Market House Company was formed in 1853. Built at a cost of £2,300, the new building was designed to provide a covered area on the ground floor for a new market, including some semipermanent stalls or ‘shambles’ where meat and diary produce were sold, and a couple of cells to accommodate the town’s trouble-makers. The floors above were intended for reading rooms and space for large meetings and social functions, and over the years they have been put to a variety of uses including a theatre, cinema and school of dancing.

But the market did not function

for long and by the early years of the present century the Market House had long outlived its original purpose. The ground floor was (and still is) home to the town council office and tourist information centre and the upstairs contains the town’s excellent museum. But for many years much of the space remained unused and disfigured by pigeon droppings, and the shambles were decaying and in need of restoration. Any suggestion of pulling it down and replacing it with something more suited to 21st century needs would be met with howls of protest, with me howling amongst the loudest.

Strange, then, to think that if the Market House were no more than a development proposal today, it too would certainly be met with howls of protest. ‘Out of keeping with the surroundings,’ protestors would say – and they would be right. The height of the Market House dominates the adjacent buildings, especially the cottage-style George Hotel opposite and the shops on The Pitchings, and the fussy Flemish style of architecture clashes with the simple Georgian symmetry of the nearby former post office on Bailey Hill. And although it is built of warm local stone it doesn’t match the white-walled shops on either side and across the road, or the red brick of the former Boyd Institute just round the corner on Woodcock Street,

Live music at the bustling Castle Cary market.

or the grey Keinton stone of the former Nat West Bank just up the High Street. ‘It will stick out like a sore thumb,’ they would add – and it does! It would never get planning permission today, but we love it.

After several years of community consultations, design work and fundraising, the building has been extensively renovated and adapted for 21st century uses. Roofing the back part of the shambles area and glazing the sides has created an area usable for a variety of events, exhibitions and displays – even weddings – with heating, toilet facilities, a small kitchen area, wheelchair access and seating for around 50 people. The impressive wooden doors from the undercroft to the shambles area have been retained, and the shambles themselves have been renovated and relocated. And Castle Cary’s tourist information centre and community office was given a new entrance – through a former prison cell which now gives visitors level access – while the other cell has been preserved and kitted out, complete with a ‘prisoner’, for all to see.

Castle Cary still displays the bustle of a thriving old market town and now lives up to this description. It has certainly developed in recent years into a mecca for shoppers seeking elegant, unusual, high quality goods and the town centre is packed with a remarkable variety of specialist traders. In the midst of them is the Market House, the town’s best-known building, which now provides residents and visitors with a wonderful, accessible community space right at its heart – and a weekly market!

Roger Richards.

The Market House Wedding Open Day

The Market House is delighted to be hosting their first Wedding Open Day in Castle Cary on Saturday 22nd June, 10am –3pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to see their unique, intimate venue set up for a ceremony and reception. You will also have the chance to meet lots of fabulous local

wedding suppliers; including Flowers and Home Somerset, professional wedding styling and planning from Scarlett Rose Events, Franklin Hair, Heather Alexandra MUA, Wedding Stationary, Vintage Wedding Dresses & Accessories, The Somerset Wine Company, Dorset Delights Catering, Wedding cakes and handmade floral place settings, cupcake wedding favours, The George Hotel’s mobile bar, Studio H Photography and even a barn owl trained as a ring bearer. Free entry with a complimentary glass of Buck’s Fizz on arrival! They look forward to welcoming you.

Needful Things

Bespoke interiors from Needful Things of Castle Cary can be classical, contemporary or completely extraordinary! They have the brands and the eye for colour, design and scale to help invigorate your home décor projects with something special. Talented curtain makers and blind makers with over 40 years experience and brimming with creative ideas.

Let them help you create the home of your dreams with their exquisite fabrics, wallpapers,

paints and soft furnishing accessories. They also offer statement pieces and occassional furniture, lamps, mirrors and pictures to add that finishing touch. So if you are planning a room or even a whole home makeover this Spring/Summer, do come in and discuss your ideas. They are always happy to help.

Brown & Daughters Fruit & Veg

A small Family run business that trade from their Market Stall every Tuesday in Castle Cary. They have been there since the Market started 10 years ago and love going there. The market organisers are amazing, their loyal customer are brilliant.

Quality service assured at Phillips Tyres, Castle Cary.

Inside the Market House.

They come out every week, whatever the weather to support local people. Brown & Daughters also attend Crewkerne market on Wednesdays, Shepton Mallet on Fridays, The Courtyard 38 Market Street, Wells on

Saturdays and Cheddar Market on Sundays. They always have fresh produce and a huge range of lovely fresh fruit, including sweet local Strawberries.

Minnie Me's

At Minnie Me's they aim to give everyone an experience that is tailored to their wants and needs. They have an area that is specifically designed for anybody who suffers with sensory overload or just wants a silent appointment, a salon that is very much autism aware and will go above and beyond to make everyone comfortable while within their premises.

“Autism, neurological disorders and mental health are a passion of mine as myself and my family have been affected by these things and in our experience they are not catered for nearly enough, and are not shouted about enough.” says Antonia Lever, salon owner.

Minnie Me’s is also wheelchair user friendly and have a portable ramp for easier access. They offer hair and nail services that are affordable for everybody as well as being very welcoming and friendly. A safe space where anybody and everybody is welcome, whether it's for an appointment or just somewhere to have a drink and chat. For more info visit: minnie-mes.co.uk.

Welcome to Miah’s Castle

F ancy a curry tonight? Miah’s Castle can tempt you by an unrivalled range of authentic and imaginative fusion dishes. Their food is cooked to the highest standards using only the best

Inside Minnie Me’s.

quality and freshest ingredients. Their approach to healthy cooking is that they don’t use any artificial colouring and try to minimise additives in their dishes.

Miah’s offer a takeaway service as well as an ambient, licensed restaurant, which offers a welcoming evening out, with catering for a table of two up to a group party of 52. Miah’s is also an ideal location for birthday celebrations, a special family gathering or catching up with friends. Career opportunity for front-of-house and kitchen staff, please call for details. To make your booking please call 01963 350425/351888. Open 5-10pm daily.

The Beauty Salon opens in

Castle Cary

A new business has recently opened and Ilizabeta & Zosie look forward to welcoming you to The Beauty Salon, an oasis of relaxation and tranquility in the beautiful market town of Castle Cary.

These two friendly beauticians are fully qualified and experienced, and offer a range of quality treatments at affordable prices for you to feel pampered and rejuvenated. There is a range of facials to suit all skin types, plus massages, Hopi Ear Candling, Ear Piercing, and of course the get ready for summer package of hair removal, eyebrows and lashes, and hand and feet treats. Pop in and see them at 6 High Street, Castle Cary BA7 7AN, Open Mon-Fri 95, till 8pm on Tue & Thurs by appointment, Sat 9-3, email: contact@thebeautysalon-castle cary.co.uk.

New Small Hall at Caryford Community Hall

On Saturday 20 July, Castle Cary and Ansford residents will mark the completion of a major extension to the Caryford Community Hall when the new part of the building is formally opened by Sir Michael Eavis. After the 2.30pm opening, residents can view the new rooms – such as the Small Hall shown

MAX FOOTE Associates Ltd

Chartered Certified Accountants

2 Bailey Hill

Castle Cary BA7 7AD Tel: 01963 351052

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

Personal and professional service

on the photo - and meet organisations which run activities in the hall. Costing around £600,000, the extension forms the second phase of a three phase project to expand and improve this popular facility. The extension has been funded by local fundraising and with grants from the National Lottery, DEFRA, the local councils, developers of new housing in the town, and several charitable foundations.

Miah’s Castle, open 7 days a week.

Inside the new Small Hall extension at Caryford Community Hall.

The Beauty Salon is now open.

June update from Lizzie Price Shading Solutions

protection from the sun’s rays and are one of the most effective way of reducing solar gain into your home. Ideal on large windows and doors.

They can supply a huge range of internal blinds to provide shade, privacy, and blackout to your rooms.

External roller blinds provide

SUMMER has finally arrived and at Lizzie Price Shading Solutions they can enhance your outdoor living areas with glass or polycarbonate roofed Verandas as well as folding arm motorised or manual Awnings. They offer shaded areas on patios or to shade the sun’s rays from entering your home, substantially reducing solar gain.

Lizzie Price offer a complete professional service from their home visit to installation of your new Blinds, Plantation Shutters,

Awnings, Verandas and so much more! Visit the website for more details by scanning the QR code on the advert below or visit www.lizziepriceshading solutions.co.uk. For site survey and no obligation quotation contact them via email at enquiries@lizziepriceshading solutions.co.uk or phone 07879 992000.

Spray Box - professional spraying and traditional painting services

Spray Box are based in Butleigh and offer professional spraying and traditional painting services throughout Somerset and the South West including Wells, Glastonbury, Frome & Somerton. They offer Kitchen and furniture finishing with spray and traditional techniques using high quality paint coatings in a number of finishes, including high gloss and matt. Thousands of colours are available across a

Lizzie Price.

variety of established brands such as Farrow and Ball, Little Green etc.

Give your aged kitchen a new lease of life with newly painted units. A huge saving on replacing your whole kitchen. Spray Box can spray paint your kitchen cabinet doors, drawer fronts, plinths, pelmets, panels and any items that can be removed and taken to their workshop to avoid disruption. Any items they are unable to remove, they are able to spray onsite using a state of the art dustless spray system.

Old tired looking furniture can be brought back to life with their re-spray services. They can spray most surfaces including wood, PVC, metal and various other materials, from large dining room tables to children’s chairs. They can collect and deliver the painted pieces back to your home. All commercial work considered including pub, hotel and restaurants.

They also have a team of highly skilled property painters and decorators able to spray new builds and period properties, from entire houses to individual rooms. Please get in touch for a quote.

Spray Box are based in Butleigh and offer professional spraying and traditional painting services across the South West.

Luca's Garden

with Bridget Sudworth

IT’S A crunchy business but it has to be done. Two pairs of red lily beetles on the job on the same plant need to be exterminated simultaneously with great skill - tricky with arthritic fingers but nevertheless, so highly motivated

is the perpetrator (me!) that the task is completed in double quick time with bodies smeared on the path! They are little devils to kill, resisting any squeezing and requiring a proper death by bodily division just to confirm! Should you misfire with your fumbling fingers, the little critters fall promptly upside down so you can no longer locate their shiny red backs but it’s either them or the blooms and I know which ones I want.

In actual fact, the garden is a battlefield at this time of the year and we have all been plagued with mega numbers of snails and slugs that hide below the rims of pots and strike when you go to bed munching their way through soft bodied foxgloves, healthy little hollyhocks and pretty fringed cosmos. Beating them all is well nigh impossible but ‘Strulch’ is helping along with various sized horticultural gravels plus standing the annually victimised hosta pots in trays of water. Anyone with really good hostas has to own up to using pellets which are tempting but I always fear them getting into the food chain even though they pertain to being organic. Stupidly perhaps, I like to think of our garden as a temple of purity!!

Luca doesn’t notice much on

his walks as his nose is always to the ground but the glorious summer foliage on healthy trees has sadly shown up those which are naked skeletons, either dying or dead ash trees. I remember years ago when it was first public knowledge that ash dieback was becoming prevalent, that I noted how many ash trees significantly adorned the hedgerows in North Herefordshire, our previous home, when walking other dogs, now gone. The trees will truly be missed nationwide leaving so many huge gaps along the byways. Others, meanwhile, seem to be particularly spectacular this year, especially the oak trees.

Luca has once again generously donated his fur for the nest builders. Stuffed into the cone on the top of the bird table, the residual fine strands

Erigeron wheel - in a local garden.

from grooming sessions are whipped out by sharp beaks and will no doubt be put to good use even though the hospitality of our nesting boxes has been shunned again this year. We have also greatly enjoyed lolloping (him, not me) through wonderful, unmown, waving grasses in our local young wood and when the wind ruffles the surface, it is not dissimilar to walking on an ocean.

Tasks are endless this month. Keeping an eye on the weather has, as usual, tempered everything and dodging the showers before sowing seeds is all a question of clever timing. Surprisingly, the ground has looked really dry at times so damp looking earth seems to be the right time to get cracking with anything that goes directly into the soil. As much as possible, I start everything in the greenhouse in order to keep control so there are many little French beans emerging like small prehistoric monsters from the compost soon to be hardened off outside. Everything, however, seems to be late this year which is ironic when you consider how mild the winter months have been. All the sweet peas are being replanted as the first batch had such a battle with cold nights and then been munched at by teeny weeny worms. My professional gardening guru (daughter-inlaw), has had similar problems which is a vague comfort!

Because of the apparent delay in growth, fund-raising garden

plant sales may be lacking in the usual choice of other gardeners’ surplus but if you have been attending to your house plants as well, there may be a mass of peace lilies looking for new homes! Facing a plant sale for our gardening club tomorrow, we are likely to be offering smallish items though folk with tunnels and large greenhouses may have been luckier with advancing their planting.

Summer bedding can be finished off now and pruning Spring flowering shrubs should not be forgotten once the flowering period is over. Hoeing is always necessary though it usually seems to mean hoofing out weeds with a trowel to remove the roots. The big enemies are the usual suspectsgoosegrass (though a good antiinflammatory for dogs, apparently), bind weed and

ground elder (brought to us by the Romans who ate the foliage, as well as mice rolled in honey and poppy seeds and roasted! Grrrrrr!!) After a day out yesterday when rain had fallen, I inspected a small wild flower bed in the early evening which was amassed with slugs, a whole family of them.

It seemed sensible to leave them there as they weren't actually doing any harm in that particular place but they are truly ubiquitous this year. I check pots regularly and find them secretly lodged in lots of sneaky places; they get hurled over the

fence into the adjoining orchard where, no doubt, their homing instinct brings them back!

As far as wildlife is concerned, we have been able to watch two shy deer feeding in the orchard as well as spotting two tiny field mice, very distinctive with their big round ears, playing in and out of the hedgerow roots. Both adult and young woodpeckers have been feeding on the bird table and a bold robin is almost ready to take grain from my hand. Our gardener spotted a slow worm which is comforting after my murderous action in the Spring. The brook is full of yellow iris blooming showily which is great as had they remained in the pond, they would have taken over all the space from the water lilies.

One evening, seated on the verandah with a glass of wine and absolutely no wind, Luca snoozing on the grass among the clover, total peace prevailed. There is nothing to compare with that. With so much talk about mindfulness and remedies for mental health being promoted and support and assistance required for mankind in general, I can recommend the above as a simple solution. Bear it in mind when the going gets tough!

Dogwood Kousa.

Yellow flags in the brook.

Clematis - with Julie Haylock of Sandhurst Garden Design Clematis makes the perfect climber for any garden. These popular plants are easy to grow and come in a variety of flower shapes and colours, with a cultivar to suit any aspect, and careful selection will guarantee that you will have at least one in flower in your garden from early spring until autumn.

For colour at the start of the year choose a species that flowers in late winter and into early spring like Clematis Cirrhosa ideal for a sheltered spot, with its freckled-cream bells followed by whiskery seedheads, and for early spring the vigorous evergreen Armandii with its glossy mid-green leaves and fragrant white flowers delicately scented of almonds will brighten the gloomiest of days.

From May to June Clematis Nelly Mosser with large pink striped petals will add a splash of vibrant colour to your garden and reward you with a second flush of flowers later in summer. And finally, my suggestion for a for late summer flowering variety would be Etoile Violette with its rich deep pink flowers which, once established will flower

prolifically into the autumn months.

If you do not have a suitable wall or fence for a climber, then a compact variety like Blue Dwarf can be grown in a container. Make sure the container has good drainage and use a soil-based compost, like John Innes no 3 with added grit and a short obelisk for support.

The best time of year to plant clematis is in early spring or early to mid-autumn. Choose a position in the sun and dig a hole to the same depth as the soil in the container. Make sure your hole is 30 – 45 cms away from the base of the wall or fence to allow for any guttering or roof hangover above that might limit the amount of rainfall that will reach the plant. Plant your clematis at a slight angle leaning towards the wall or fence and back-fill around the roots ensuring no air pockets.

Clematis like their heads in the sun and their toes in the shade. So, when you have finished planting use pebbles or summer bedding around the base of the plant to ensure the roots are kept cool and in the shade.

Ensure your clematis has a support to climb. Use a freestanding obelisk or a trellis panel attached to your wall or garden fence, and regularly tie in new stems with twine to help the plant establish.

Depending on which variety of clematis you choose you may need to prune the plant to keep it in

tip top condition.

Check the label to see which Pruning Group your variety falls into, to ensure you prune at the right time of year.

For more regular tips, advice, and news you can tune into Radio Ninesprings (104.5 FM Yeovil and South Somerset, 103.3 FM Wincanton and 107.6 FM Chard or online www.radioninsprings .com) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from the 7th June when you can hear From the Potting

Shed in association with Brimsmore Garden Centre and brought to you by yours truly. Until next time, Julie. Clematis Etoile Violette.

Amy Winehouse

Steve Harley and CockneyRebel

'Icehouse'

1972

'Savage Garden'

'Beach Boys'

'Gaslight'

Gerry Rafferty

'White Plains'

'King of Rock and Roll' – Prefab Sprout'

Solution toMay Sudoku

Sip into Summer: Exploring the Richness and Diversity of English Wines

IT IS no surprise that this month with English Wine Week on the horizon (15th - 23rd June) that my focus is on our native wines.

After such a wet and cold spring, as summer eventually begins to brighten up our lives, wine enthusiasts are often drawn to the crisp whites and refreshing rosés of continental Europe and beyond. Yet, tucked away in the picturesque landscapes of the English countryside are vineyards producing wines that rival their global counterparts in both quality and taste. English wines have been steadily gaining recognition, and this summer presents the perfect opportunity to explore their richness and diversity.

Long gone are the days when English wine was merely a novelty; I well recall whilst in my position as chef to the British Ambassador to the UN in the late 1980s the scorn I received for suggesting we serve English wines. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. Climate change, advancements in viticulture techniques, and the sheer determination of passionate winemakers have completely transformed the English wine scene. Our cool climate, once considered a hindrance to winemaking, is now viewed as an asset, lending a unique character to our homegrown wines.

From the rolling hills of Kent to the sun-drenched slopes of Cornwall, English vineyards benefit from diverse terroirs that contribute to the complexity of their wines. The chalky soils of the South Downs mirror those of Champagne, producing awardwinning sparkling wines with a distinctive minerality and elegance. Meanwhile, the milder climate of the southwest fosters the cultivation of grape varieties like Bacchus and Pinot Noir, yielding aromatic whites and delicate rosés.

English wines offer a symphony of flavours that reflect our country's diverse terroir and winemaking expertise. Crisp, zesty whites burst with notes of green apple and elderflower, perfect for al fresco dining on a warm summer's day. Rosés, ranging from pale blush to deep salmon hues, entice with aromas of strawberries and cream,

embodying the essence of British summertime.

While Champagne remains the epitome of sparkling wine excellence, English bubbly has made a name for itself on the global stage. Using the traditional method, where secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle, English sparkling wines exhibit fine bubbles and complex flavours reminiscent of their French counterparts. With accolades from prestigious wine competitions and endorsements from renowned critics, English sparkling wines are increasingly sought after for celebrations and special occasions.

Many English vineyards are committed to sustainability, implementing eco-friendly practices to minimize their environmental impact. From organic and biodynamic farming methods to carbon-neutral production processes, these vineyards prioritise environmental stewardship while producing high-quality wines. By supporting English winemakers, we can indulge in our favourite wines with a clear conscience, knowing that we are contributing to a more sustainable future.

Pairing English wines with seasonal cuisine enhances the dining experience, allowing flavours to harmonise and complement each other. Crisp, citrusy whites are the ideal match for seafood dishes, such as grilled prawns or lemon-infused salmon. Rosés, with their vibrant acidity and fruit-forward profiles, pair wonderfully with summer salads, charcuterie boards, and barbecue fare. For a touch of elegance, serve English sparkling wine alongside canapés or as an apéritif before a leisurely meal.

This summer, embark on a wine adventure and discover the richness of British wines. Whether you are picnicking in the countryside, lounging on a sun-drenched terrace, or celebrating a special occasion, let English wines elevate your summer experience. With each sip, savour the passion, craftsmanship, and terroir that define our burgeoning wine industry. Forget cheap and cheerful; in addition to high taxation, costly labour and other factors that contribute towards the price we end up paying for a bottle, think quality rather than quantity.

New Hall at Crouch Valley in Essex produces a crisp, classy, and textured Single Estate Bacchus. Its vibrant acidity and limey zestiness are offset by a tropical richness of passion fruit and papaya. 2022, £16.50

Denbies in Surrey has on offer a balanced, bright, crisp Pinot Gris full of orchard fruit with a delicious, honeyed richness. 2022, £24.95

Also from Surrey, Beare Green Winery, for their first release has a highly rated AAA Pinot Blanc, named AAA after Alsace and Alto-Adige, which is where the influence for this wine came from. It opens with fresh, clean, green orchard fruit on the nose with pear, apple and lightly floral notes laced with lime. 2022 £24.50

In Norfolk, Flint Vineyard’s Silex Blanc is a must-try, made from a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Blanc and 10% Chardonnay. 2022, £24.99

In Somerset 50-year-old Wraxall Vineyard, taken over by David Bailey and Lexa Hunt in 2021, has an Early Pinot Noir Rosé. Anticipate ripe summer red berries, with their signature crisp acidity that brings a refreshing

balance to it. 2022, £17.50. In Devon, near Axminster, Dalwood’s White, a blend of Madeleine Angevine & Solaris grapes, demonstrates brilliant freshness, vibrant fruit and tingling minerality. 2022, £15.00

When it comes to sparkling wines we are really spoilt for choice, but if you are happy to push out the boat, then the 2013 vintage of Nyetimber’s 1086 Rosé offers wonderful precision and refined elegance. A blend of 64% Pinot Noir and 36% Chardonnay, with 14% of the overall blend being red wine that has spent a brief period in oak. The resulting wine has notes of raspberry, cherry, and rhubarb, with hints of caramel and cashew nut. A mere snip at £175! Cheers to a summer filled with unforgettable wine moments!

L.P-V.

They Say

That after a lot of hard work The Sanctuary Beauty Salon at Sherborne is now under the same address, with extended premises, as their sister salon Margaret Balfour at Swan Yard ... beautifully connected. That the ever youthful John Newsome of Shepton Mallet becomes a nonagenarian this month … cheers!

That £10 for a large glass of vin ordinaire is enough to make you whine … equates to £30 a bottle.

That at Crewkerne Aqua Centre a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ is a good distraction for those perilously balanced at Karen’s Pilates class.

That masterpieces can be viewed at Somerton between 25 May and 1 June at the Parish Room near the Buttercross, all part of the popular Somerton Arts Festival.

That due to poor road maintenance pot hole-ing has recently taken on a whole new meaning!

That with global warming a constant threat Sprowton’s Mrs Janet Feakins like to be prepared, and has been known to keep water up her sleeve in case of emergencies.

The Pub Pages

BEER & SKITTLES

A. BAXTER

WE START this month with more good news regarding pub openings. Pubco, Whitbread are planning to reopen 62 pubs and refurbish a few hundred more. Yes, quite a change from the sixties and seventies when their 'Tour of Destruction' ripped the heart out of many towns and villages as they took over breweries to get the tied houses, then shut the breweries. 'Your favourite beers will still be available', they said – 'they'll be just brewed elsewhere'. A lie of course, as the beers were no longer brewed ('lack of demand', they said) and the standard 'Bland-o-fizz' gradually took over and replaced much-loved brands and styles. This is all welldocumented and CAMRA even produced T-shirts and posters illustrated with grave headstones listing the enormous number of breweries lost to this company. Thankfully, CAMRA were instrumental in fighting this, and whilst their success record on brewery closures, or the prevention thereof is pretty dire, the Great English public became more aware of what was going on. An excellent reference to happenings over the last fifty or so years can be found in the book Death of the English Pub , by Christopher Hutt. Sadly Mr Hutt

has shuffled off to that Great Eternal Pub, although he would probably not be surprised about just how many of his facts (and philosophies) can still be applied to today.

Further to the discovery that Aunt Sally has been played in Dorset in the past, I have received further communication that more has been going on than was initially believed. Once again, my sincere thanks go to Paul Kingston who has come across these gems. Aunt Sally was played at Weymouth Races in 1860 and it appears to have become very popular in Dorset at this time. By 1861 Cerne Abbas Foresters Society featured the game at their annual celebration. Also in 1861 a Rifle Corps event featured ‘the modern and popular pastime known as Aunt Sally’. Following this it appeared at numerous village Fetes and

annual events of Friendly Societies and Foresters Societies throughout West Dorset. The game also appeared in Brighton. 'A well publicised court case from 1858 concerned the Duke of Beaufort who was knocked over by a Mr Weatherly on horseback while playing Aunt Sally at Brighton Races. Clearly relying on the power of the law because of happenings whilst playing sport is not a new thing! Neither is it rare for the upper-echelons of society to play games perhaps normally associated with the proletariat, as one can see from the photograph. It was somewhat of a surprise to see that Greene King are in the early stages of building a new £40m brewery. The intention, they say, is to future-proof their business, and respond to their customers needs, with state-ofthe-art facilities etc. (ad nauseam) There's plenty more managerial double-speak on their web-site, which after being subjected to this over the last few decades I think most of us can see through, or at least just let it pass over our heads! I feel all these big brewers can be tarred with the same brush although despite this, Greene King did win Champion Beer of Britain a few years ago. Only recently I was able to have

a very agreeable pint of their IPA at a Wetherspoon's, and being a mere 3.2%ABV it was the perfect lunchtime pint. However, whilst it was labelled 'IPA', it clearly was not as such, for the style should be of a far higher gravity and also well-hopped (as it was when an 'India Pale Ale needed to be when sent on the long trip to said country). Such misnaming doesn't really help the cask ale cause in my opinion.

Sticking with the topic of Wethersoon's, our plan was to include this particular venue on a day-trip by train to Exeter, and a visit to the Cathedral (highly recommended by the way). Hopefully one of the Baxter crew 'put in a good word for me' whilst we were there. Be that as it may, and keeping our spiritual theme going, by mid-afternoon we'd retired to George's Meeting House, an 18th Century former chapel - now a 'spoons, in South Street. This pub is ‘listed’ as having special interest as an unaltered 18th-century chapel. It was built as a Unitarian chapel in 1760 and named after King George III, who had come to the throne that same year. It closed as a chapel in 1983 and had been converted to commercial use by 1987 and was most recently used as an antiques centre. It really is a special place and at this somewhat less-busy time of the day was a real privilege to take our time over our meals. The stain-glass windows are a joy and as it says in their blurb – it's unspoilt. I was stopped by the crew from climbing into the pulpit and giving a lecture on the evils of drink, which I thought was probably for the best, being as I still had a pint in my hand ... I know there are plenty of those who happily knock Tim Martin and his Wetherspoons empire, but

Ratling club skittle alley and Bat and Trap pitch alongside.

to use a popular and over-used expression, 'it is what it is', but one cannot knock it when there are four decent meals (two with pints included) and two cocktails all for just over fifty quid.

Of course, Wetherspoons is not a pub where one goes to have a game of darts or skittles, so we can lump them altogether as being non-starters when it comes to being community pubs.

Having a share in a community pub as I do, I intend to be at my first ever AGM as a shareholder in anything! Yes the Alhampton Inn is alive and kicking, and as always I salute those who have done so much both in front and behind the bar to make it all happen. It's quite something for a community to be able to re-open a 350-year-old pub less than a year after it closed. Do take a look at their website to see what is going on there. Community pubs have a fine record when it comes to sourcing local produce, supporting local businesses and employing helpful staff, many of whom can be volunteers, which is probably why their record for survivability is so high. The village of Alhampton just North of the town of Castle Cary, (where this jolly tome is produced) so it's easy to find and worthy of an evening spent there particularly now that the summer is coming on. I hope to see you there.

Last month one of the photos we featured was of the skittle alley at the Ratling Club, Aylsham, a village just off the A2, roughly equidistant from Canterbury to Dover. Yes, what you saw is correct; it's outside! Many of the alleys in the Dover area are either outside or have only basic covering. The game was brought to the area by a West Country landlord who took over a pub and was astonished not to find the game there, so he started it, and they never looked back! As far as I can ascertain both the mens and ladies leagues are going strongly still. To show how different things are just a couple of hundred miles away, not only is the alley outside, but this month we have a picture of the Bat and Trap pitch situated alongside. It might all seem a bit basic, but it's what 'brings them in', and hoping that your local is one of those being promised a reopening then we will see that it's those games with the fun, laughter, beer, friendly competition and banter that helps to 'brings them in'! Cheers!

© P.A Baxter 2024. skittlealley@hotmail.com

MOTORING

VINTAGE Motorcycling with Rod Hann

I START this month with the events which might interest you during June. The Somerset Section commence proceedings with their club night at Cossington on the 6th. This will be Ride a Bike Night. An early start at 6-30pm when a short ride will take place followed by tea/coffee and a chat and a welcome to any new members or anyone else with an interest in bikes of any age. Next on the 9th will be the Girder Fork and Rigid Frame Run from Sweets cafe. The 20th will see an Evening Meet at The Lamb Inn at Spaxton and lastly they are giving a Historic Display of bikes at the Thruxton race circuit.

The Dorset Section are equally busy with the Jeff Clew Memorial Run from Leigh hall on the 2nd, all will be welcome and Jeff's daughter will be there to present the prizes. On the 8th they give a display of bikes at Gillingham in Gear, and the club night at Pulham on the 12th will be a Fish and Chip Run which starts at 6pm. On the 15th (Saturday) will be the Somerset Levels Run starting from Blackmarsh Farm, Sherborne.

Lastly on the 30th will be the Chairman's Challenge Run from Thorngrove Garden Centre, always a bit of fun as the challenge is always a bit obscure.

The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section have their monthly meeting at Silton Hall on the 10th and hold the Beaded Edge Run on the 23rd. As always ring 01935-872528 for more details. The Wells and Westlands Classic Clubs also have a full calendar of events.

At the end of April I attended the Classic Bike Show at Stafford. One of the largest of such shows in the country. With around 1,500 road bikes on display, and probably 500 off road or road racing machines assembled in a separate paddock and then acres of autojumble and new parts for sale you will understand that attendees need two days to walk around it all. I never see the whole show as I spend time assisting on our club's stand.

The standard of bikes is always

outstanding and the variety of machines displayed always exceeds expectations. This show always seems to have something new and different. Of special interest to me this year was a machine resulting from a collaboration between two of Britain's highly esteemed makers. I have read about these bikes in the magazines but never expected to see one in the flesh. I just had to make it the subject of my photograph this month.

The bikes have been designed by Aston Martin (yes the car maker) and built by Brough Superior. It is basically a Brough Superior machine which has been highly tuned and built purely for track day use. The styling is ultramodern and the materials used very lightweight. The engine has been fitted with either a turbo or supercharger and the quality of engineering cannot be faulted. Creature comforts are minimal as one would expect. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder of course but pretty it is not, but purposeful it most certainly is.

Like Rolls Royce if you need to ask the price then you probably cannot afford it, but a starting price of around £250,000 is about right. A lot of money to thrash around a track but with a limited production run of just 100 machines I believe they are

virtually sold out. My order will not be seen on the books any time soon.

In the race paddock a selection of bikes are started up four times a day so visitors can hear them running. Crowds of people appear at these times to hear the racket. The noise levels are very high and ear muffs are recommended. Here I saw a classic Bianchi race bike. I took interest because all these Italian machines are rare but it happens my first road machine was a Bianchi, nothing like the race machine seen here.

Special guest at this year's show was Guy Martin. Ex racer and now TV presenter and record breaker. What a man he is. He was interviewed on stage and he came across as a very personable and down to earth sort of man. Absolutely fascinating to listen to and his exploits on two and four wheels are outstanding. I could have stood and listened to him talk for hours. His next goal is to break the British Land Speed Record. He wants to do 300 miles per hour and to do so he has bought a machine and doing all the modifications himself. He is an accomplished engineer. His biggest obstacle is finding an airport runway long enough for his needs.

He is a determined young man and I am sure he will succeed.

Cl ass ified Ads

Send details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, BA9 0BP or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk. 30p per word (£5 minimum) pre-payment essential. Payment can be made by Cash, Cheque, Postal Order, BACS, Credit/Debit Card.

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DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, salvage, bygones and collectables. Daves Tools, Est. 1989. Tel: 01935 428975

REDUNDANT MOTOR MOWERS, rotavators, chainsaws, strimmers, cement mixers, etc. Tel: 01460 77844

COLLECTIONS CDS and Vinyl LPs - must be excellent condition, most genres considered. Tel: 01458 834102/ 07704229979/email: tonyartony@aol.com

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Prize Crossword No. 451 Set by Frank Butler

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, Somerset BA9 0BP – to arrive by Monday 17th June.

Correct entries are placed in a hat and the winner is the first name drawn. The prize for winning the Crossword is a £15 voucher to spend with any advertiser in this issue of The Visitor Please do not forget to state your choice of advertiser and your name and address.

Clues Across:

1. Current small change abroad gives emphasis [7]

5. Sip seed and look down on [7]

9. Sticky bandage by about the final [7]

10. Most expensive, darling! [7]

11. Helper gets cosy scare [9]

12. Use 26 as part of latent error [5]

13. She returned unwell [5]

15. Rocky rampart to delay progress [9]

17. Original no amateur to use keyboard [9]

19. Teacher a muddled trout? [5]

22. Article produced by unsettled night [5]

23. Degrading a lower level of living [9]

25. I let cat damage window [7]

26. Way in with untidy singers [7]

27. Where to deliver poster with clothing [7]

28. Northern shafts losing width [7]

Clues Down:

1. Pad, Paul to clap [7]

2. Risk fifty in church [7]

3. Marks broken stone [5]

4. Point, er, promise underhand not joking [9]

5. Spread light around direct debit, papa! [5]

6. Announcement by tent teams [9]

7. Property of fast-moving heavy object, i.e. train! [7]

8. Learn half this; reorder and hold spellbound [7]

14. Hypotenuse next to a ship? [9]

16. Work eastern share of surgical procedure [9]

17. Two girls’ kneecap [7]

18. Left out me, ditto ... [7]

20. ... or teeth in addition [7]

21. Takes time off about tellurium, tries again [7]

23. Beast aids malefactor [5]

24. Agree, keen! [5]

Winner of the May Crossword is David Hoad of South Petherton who chose to spend the £15 at Buffalicious, Yeovil.