The Visitor Magazine Issue 362 Christmas / January 2014

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

Issue 362 Christmas /January 2014

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In Passing ...

W

HAT ARE you having for your Christmas dinner?

Nowadays turkey is seen as the traditional Christmas Day fare of most Visitorland families but the tradition doesn’t go back much more than a century. Parson James Woodforde’s festive fare in the 18th century seems to have been roast beef. His diaries abound with details of what he ate, and it was beef nearly every Christmas throughout the second half of the century. For instance, he records that in 1764 at Ansford rectory ‘fifteen poor old people dined here as usual being Xmas Day. We had for dinner a large rump of beef of thirty pounds roasted, and three large plum puddings. Fine beef it was.’

An exception was in oxford in 1773 when Woodforde entertained 14 senior fellows of New College to Christmas dinner – ‘two fine cods boiled with fried soles round them and oyster sauce, a fine sirloin of beef roasted, some peas soup and an orange pudding for the first course; for the second we had a lease of wild ducks roasted, a forequarter of lamb and salad and mince pies’. In contrast, Thomas Turner, the village shopkeeper at East Hoathly in Sussex, records in his diary that on Christmas Day 1765 he dined on ‘bullock’s tongue boiled, a piece of beef roasted, a raisin suet pudding, turnips and potatoes’.

History has it that the turkey was introduced into this country from America in 1542 to satisfy the palate of King Henry VIII. But the seasonal favourites of rich English households in the 16th and 17th centuries were still goose, swan, bustard and peacock, while the poorer ones ate pork if they were lucky. Turkey plays only a small supporting role in the famous Christmas pie baked for Sir Henry Gray in 1770. Apparently its ingredients were ‘seven blackbirds, six pigeons, six snipe, four partridges, four geese, four ducks, two turkeys, two rabbits, two curlews, two woodcock, two ox tongues, with 20 pounds of butter and two bushels of wheat for

pastry’. I’ve no idea how many people this was designed to feed.

Even by Victorian times turkey was not the automatic choice for Christmas. The 19th century diaries of the Revd Francis Kilvert, while containing little culinary detail, mention a seasonal meal he hosted at Bredwardine vicarage in Herefordshire in 1879 for ten local farmers. ‘The dinner was very nice. White soup, roast beef, boiled chickens and ham, curried rabbit, stewed woodpigeons, beefsteak pie, potatoes and stewed celery, plum pudding, custard, plum tart, mince pies, apricot jam tart.’

But it was a turkey rather than a goose or a joint of beef that Charles Dickens had the chastened Scrooge send to Bob Cratchit.

And ‘God bless us every one!’ said Tiny Tim, a sentiment we extend to everyone in Visitorland as you tuck into your 21st century Christmas turkey.

NN.

Ltd.

PO Box 1, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7BG Tel: (01963) 351256, 351998 Fax: (01963) 350552 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk facebook.com/thevisitormagazine twitter.com/thevisitormag Proprietor, Accounts & Subscriptions Helen Dunion Production Manager Jeff Farrow Advertisement Manager & Features Editor Michelle Trulock Printed by The Blackmore Press © The Visitor Ltd. 2014

(Items marked ©gt are the copyright of geoff thompson)

Advertising Deadlines February edition published Thursday 30th January Deadline Monday 20th January Wells Frome • Shepton Mallet Glastonbury Bruton Street Castle Mere Cary Somerton Wincanton Gillingham langport ilchester Shaftesbury Martock Marnhull Sherborne Stalbridge • ilminster Stur. Newton Yeovil Crewkerne

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

ArtWorK Artwork & design by our production department and photographs taken by our photographers are the copyright of The Visitor Ltd. Clients or agencies supplying artwork or images should send uncompressed TIFs, JPEGs or PDFs, 300 dpi minimum if actual size, or at a higher resolution if smaller than size required, along with a hard copy print-out.

For advertisement sizes see our Rate Card.

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

CONTENTS Our FRONT COVER is almost entirely due to getting involved ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED - 44 ANTIQUES & COLLECTING - 32 ARTS - 7 BUSINESS - 10 CROSSWORD - 46 CYCLE BABBLE - 33 GARDENING - 40 HOUSE & HOME - 20 LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFTS - 12 LEISURE & TRAVEL - 32 LETTERS - 5 LOOKING GOOD & FEELING FINE - 34 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES - 7 MOTORING - 6 MUSIC for the MONTH - 32 NOTICE BOARD - 10 PAPERCHASE - 43 PHONE-A-FIRM - 44 PUBS - 35 SEASON’S GREETINGS - 29 SHAFTESBURY - 17 SJH CARPETS, Wincanton - 27 THEY SAY - 38 VALE of BLACKMORE - 14 WE HEAR - 10 Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014 3

ANDREW BARCLAY TRADITIONAL FAMILY BUTCHERS 45 High Street, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9JU Tel: 01963 34880

Our MeaT is NaTurally reared and SOurCed lOCally where possible

Andrew Barclay Butcher pictured, with prize winning lamb - locally reared by Sam Stables (right) of Charlton Musgrove. the lambs have been dressed in the old fashioned way by local slaughter man Norman Croft of Wincanton. Andrew Barclays Butchers pride themselves on quality locally sourced meats.

Order Now For The New Year Delicious Well-Hung Mature Beef • Succulent Pork & Lamb • tasty turkeys geese • Ducks • Chickens • Home Cooked Hams • We stock a Full Selection of game Our Own Dry-Cured Bacon • Large Selection of Cheeses • Homemade Sausages Curry Sauces • Free Range & Barn Reared Eggs • Wadman’s Cream

Orders Taken for our Meat at North Cadbury Village Stores DAILY DELIVERIES TO THE SURROUNDING AREA

We would like to thank all of our customers for their support during the year and wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

4 THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014

Letters To the Editor Where Are They Now?

Sir, unigate Dairies (formerly in Wincanton) are about to increase production of baby foods and exports to China, where relaxed family planning of ‘1 child plus’ will now be permitted for those remote rural areas that rely on children and combating an ageing population problem, to work the rice-fields and farms.

The expected increase in demand from China is a little too

late for old Wincantonians, of course, who still remember and lament the demise of their beloved unigate/Cow & Gate milk factory in the town.

I was raised on Cow & Gate milk powder produced in Wincanton same as the Dionne Quins and St. Neots Quads at the time.

I often wonder where they are now. I’d love to know - does anybody?

Norman Leeks Priams Close Cambridge

Italian Twinning Association, which will be held in the Parish Rooms, Somerton on Friday 31st January, commencing at 7.30pm.

Following a short business meeting which will review the year past, plans will be discussed for twinning visits in 2014, which it is hoped will include a youth visit.

This will be followed by a pizza and salad meal with a glass of wine and panettone. The evening will finish with a light hearted quiz.

Beverley & James Candy welcome you to

The Village Stores

Sir, All persons interested in Italian Twinning are invited to the Annual General Meeting of Sadlinta, the South Somerset •

email: jeremyhillfurnishings@hotmail.co.uk

Pine furniture including many smaller items to make your house into a home – plate racks, bedside cabinets bathroom cabinets and more!

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The Visitor

can now be read online: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Somerton Twinning

Jeremy Hill FUrniSHingS 01761 233842

Pre-booking for the meal is needed (phone 01458 273085) and for this there is a charge of £12 which may be paid at the door.

Chris Cox (on behalf of the committee) c/o 2 Camden Road Somerton TA11 6RN

• • • • • • • • •

NOrTH CADBurY • Tel: 01963 440201 Open 7 Days a Week An extensive range of goods & services available Fresh Meat from ANDrEW BArCLAY of Wincanton Daily deliveries of ‘Specials’ and your orders taken • Selected local farm Cheeses including ...

MONTGOMErY'S World Famous Farmhouse Cheeses • Cream from WADMAN'S famous Jersey herd SeaSon’S • LONGMAN'S Farmhouse Butter GreetinGS ANNAMMA'S CuISINE Curry Sauces - made locally to all of our FuDGES & BOrDErS Biscuits in stock customers FrESH BrEAD, CAKES, PIES & SAVOurIES ...

NOW MADE ON THE PrEMISES BY Our INSTOrE BAKEr groceries - Fruit & Vegetables & Milk delivered daily FREE HOME Pet Foods and Household goods DELIVERIES Faxing - Laminating minimum £10 Dry Cleaning with PuFFINS of Yeovil - Shoe Repairs Off Licence - Newspapers & Magazines, greetings Cards & Stationery Postage Stamps for home and abroad

SpecialiSt SerViceS

including

● Leather and Suede – cleaning & repairs also replacement zips ● Wax Garments – cleaning & rewaxing ● Wedding Dresses – cleaning & finishing also boxes available for long term storage

Of 18 fer th J en 20 anua ds 14 ry

● Repairs & Alterations to most garments ● Large Agency Network – contact us to find your nearest agent Maximum discount, cannot to be used in conjunction with any other offer, or discount cards.

Direct sale only - not available through Agencies.

Puffin Cleaners 17 – 18 Bond Street, Yeovil Tel: 01935 421238

17 / 18 Bond Street, Yeovil

Tel: 01935 421238 THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014 5

MOTOr I NG Driving Tips for Icy and Snowy Conditions

DoN’T RuSH ... allow yourself enough time to prepare your vehicle for the journey. If you have to clear snow and ice from the car it's important to clear it from the lights - front and back as well as from the windows and roof. Don't drive off like a tankcommander, with a tiny hole cleared in the windscreen. Clear all windows using a scraper and de-icer.

Remember to use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced. you may also use front or rear fog lights but these must be switched off when visibility improves as they can dazzle other road users and obscure your brake lights.

It's rare to need snow chains unless you live in an isolated area hit with heavy snow, and where the roads are not cleared. They

must be removed to drive on a metalled road without a reasonable covering of snow.

Consider changing to winter or all season tyres – these have a higher silica content in the tread which prevents it hardening at lower temperatures, and therefore gives better grip in cold wet conditions. use a cigarette lighter to warm a key for a frozen lock. Don't breathe on the lock, as the moisture will condense and freeze.

Plan your route to favour major roads which are more likely to have been cleared and gritted and put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in.

Allow extra time for winter journeys but be prepared for the inevitability of being late for work due to unexpected delays.

If you have room in the boot, a snow shovel and some sacking or

Servicing on all makes of Cars & Light Commercials General Repairs • MOTs • Welding

carpet cut-offs, will get you on your way again should you get stuck.

• Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving - stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow.

• Wear comfortable, dry shoes for driving. Cumbersome, snowcovered boots will slip on the pedals.

• Pull away in second gear, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.

• up hill - avoid having to stop part way up by waiting until it is clear of other cars or by leaving plenty of room to the car in front.

Keep a constant speed, choosing the most suitable gear well in advance to avoid having to change down on the hill.

• Down hill reduce your speed before the hill, use a low gear and try to avoid using the brakes. Leave as much room as possible between you and the car in front.

• If you have to use brakes then apply them gently. Release

Specializing in VW, Audi & SAAb Season’s greetings to all our customers with thanks for their support throughout the year T.R. AUTOS, Unit 1, Technine, Guard Avenue Houndstone Business Park, YEOVIL, BA22 8YE Tel: 01935 422364 • Email: enquiries@tr-autos.co.uk Website: www.tr-autos.co.uk

BREWERS GARAGE LTD AIR CONDItIONINg • DIAgNOStICS tYRES • MOt SERVICINg • REPAIRS Telephone

01935 812720

Season’s Greetings to all our customers

Western Ways Yard Bristol road, SHErBOrNE, Dorset DT9 4Hr

Servicing & repairs to all makes tyres - exhausts - m.o.t.s Number plates supplied and fitted Wishing customers past, present & future, a Happy Christmas ... and Safe Motoring for 2014!

6 THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014

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

G.H. SALES. Tel: 01935 891414

A company built on an excellent reputation

Yeovil Auto Tuning

• • • • • • •

eStabliShed oVer 30 YearS

Repairs and Servicing Specialists MOT Testing • Engine Tuning Brakes, Clutches, Gearboxes Competitive Rates Professional, Reliable, Friendly Service Specialising in VW T4 + T5 Vans Revo Engine Re-Mapping (VW & Audi Group)

Alexandra Road, Yeovil Tel: 01935 426515 / 01935 411946

A family-run business

Unit 3, Torbay Trading Estate Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7DT Tel: 01963 351540

the brakes and de-clutch if the car skids.

• Automatic transmission under normal driving conditions (motorways, etc.) it's best to select 'Drive' and let the gearbox do the work throughout the full gear range. In slippery, snowy conditions it's best to select '2', which limits the gear changes and also makes you less reliant on the brakes. Some autos have a 'Winter' mode which locks out first gear to reduce the risk of wheel spin. Check the handbook.

If you get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip. once on the move again, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.

all major credit cardS accepted

MOTOr I NG is a regular monthly feature in The Visitor

FEBRUARY ISSUE Print: Thursday 30th January Deadline: Monday 20th January Book your advert on: 01963 351256 or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

ARTS A local Diary

WIN TICKETS to the brand new Magic of Motown Baby Love 2014 Tour at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil on 8th February, 2014 CELEBRATING 50 years of uK number one hit singles, the Magic of Motown is coming to yeovil with its all-new Baby Love Tour and The Visitor has 2 pairs of tickets to give away.

Simply answer the question below and send in to win!

In 1964 The Supremes rocketed to the top of the British singles chart with the song Baby Love.

Incredibly, 100 more worldwide Motown number ones followed The Supremes’ lead.

Direct from the uSA, The Magic of Motown features 36 back-to-back massive Motown hits. The legend of the greatest record label in the world lives on.

Five-star performances authentically revive the style and sophistication of all your favourite Detroit legends. Chart-toppers from the Temptations, Four Tops, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie and of course The Supremes are among the classic songs revived.

Dazzling dance moves, glittering costumes galore and the incredible Magic of Motown band ensure an evening that’s uptight - alright - and out of sight!

Many new Motown classics have been added to the show’s already hit-packed score.

The first 2 correct entries drawn in the competition will win a pair of tickets to the show. To enter please answer this simple question: in which American city was the Motown label based?

Send your answer by email to info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk or on a postcard to: The Visitor Magazine, Magic of Motown Competition, P.O.Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BG. Do not forget to include your name, address and daytime phone number. Entries to be received

by Friday 17th January 2014.

There is no cash alternative.

Editor's decision is final.

To buy tickets contact: the Box office on 01935 422884.

Mentioned in

Dispatches Big Garden Birdwatch

The Big Garden Birdwatch is the biggest wildlife survey in the world! you can take part on your own or as a family, and you can even take part in your local park if you don't have a garden. To get involved, just pick an hour over 25-26 January 2014 and tell the RSPB what you see. It couldn't be easier! For more information visit www.rspb. org.uk/birdwatch

A Big Thank You

Gillingham Town Council held its Annual Christmas Parade and Festive Lights Switch-On on Friday 29th November when the Town saw the arrival of Father Christmas on his magical float supplied by the Lions Club.

A mild evening encouraged a larger crowd than usual to come out and enjoy the Parade which was lead by Gillingham Imperial Silver Band and followed by a large number of young people wearing their fabulous festive hats. The Carnival Princesses travelled in a vintage Bentley car, which is part of a local collection of classic vehicles owned by Mr Nick Baker.

The Anonymous Travelling Market on the Town Meadow was a great success.

The Mayor, with help of Harry Hurst and Keira Fellmann from Gillingham Primary School, switched on the lights on the beautiful 30ft Christmas tree sited on the Town Meadow.

Congratulations to Gillingham

Primary School as overall winners of the Festive Hat Competition and to the Brainwave charity shop as winners of the Best Dressed Window Competition. The Community Carol Singing was led

by Gillingham Arts Workshop.

Gillingham Town Council would like to thank everyone, including local organisations and businesses, which helped to make this year’s event such a success.

Post Office Planned for Westfield

The Westfield Community in yeovil looks set to have a new Post office counter in the area after the Co-op shop recently agreed to install the facility within the shop.

Westfield Post office on Coronation Avenue, closed its doors back in 2009 after its subpostmaster resigned the position.

The local community were left disappointed but not disheartened and wanted to find a way of resuming the service for the benefit of everyone in and around Westfield.

With a great deal of hard work collecting evidence and writing letters of support the Co-op have agreed to install a Post office Counter in their store on Stiby Road, Westfield in February 2014.

Councillor Ian Martin, Ward Member for yeovil West said, ‘The re-introduction of a Post office on to the Westfield Estate is the result of a classic example of all agencies (SSDC officers, Local Councillors, David Laws MP and the Westfield Community Association) working together to bring a much needed service back into the community.

We must also thank Po Counters for their resolve in wishing to keep a Post office on the Estate and the Co-op for stepping up to the plate and accommodating the new Post

office Local facility within their Stiby Road Store’.

Post office Limited will be undertaking a six week consultation on the proposal and once complete will release more details.

Cary Brook - Castle Cary

We have been so lucky over the years with ‘friends’ that come and visit us.

But there are two very special ladies - Anna (on the Piano) Shaw, who visits us once a month to play for the residents who love to sing the Old Time Songs, which bring back many happy memories for them. Anna has been visiting us for too many years to mention, firstly when her parents lived here, and she has remained a most wonderful friend to us all; and then our most recent volunteer, who also plays the piano, is Harriet. She just slips into the home and effortlessly plays the most soothing classical music, creating such a calming effect throughout the home.

WoUld like to THAnk all their generous customers for buying raffle tickets for their Christmas Hamper in aid of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal. Staff at needful Things suggested the raffle and then contributed festive food and drink to tempt people to take part and help those affected by this tragic event. together with their customers they have raised a total of £305 and the lucky hamper winner has been confirmed as Jenny Caines of Castle Cary.

THAnk yoU All for taking part and a very Merry Christmas from all of us at needful Things.

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 12.30pm, or by appointment

Morley House, Market Place, SOMERTON, Somerset, TA11 7LX • www.awruleandson.co.uk THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014 7

Mentioned in

Dispatches Let’s not forget the ladies of Churches Together, who pop in the first Monday of each month, to have a chat with the residents and who organise seasonal services, for prayers and song.

Thank you to all our friends and supporters – we have room for more, so if you would like to give a

couple of hours more or less per week/month, whatever – then please contact us on 01963 359700.

‘School in a Bag’ aid to help children in disaster hit Philippines

Somerset charity the Piers Simon Appeal is dedicating all of the money raised through its activities between 12th December and the end of December to help children in the Philippines following the recent devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan.

Based in Chilthorne Domer near yeovil, the charity runs the School in a Bag initiative, which provides

a. J. Wakely & SOnS lTd independent Family Funeral directors • Golden Charter Pre Paid Funeral Plans • 24 Hour Service • Private Chapel of Rest

Golden Charter Brochure available on request Clive Wakely dip F.d. M.B.i.e.

The Old Police Station, Carrington Way WinCanTOn Ba9 9JS Tel: 01963 31310

rucksacks full of stationery and resources to vulnerable children around the world.

The proceeds from the events will help to fund 1,500 ‘School Bags’ that will be sent to children in the disaster stricken Philippine islands at the end of December.

These events are: • Saturday 21st December, 6.00am to midnight – Big Bag Pack at Tesco, yeovil • Thursday 26th December, 10.00am start – Boxing Day Walk from Home Farm, Chilthorne Domer to Montacute and back.

The 1,500 SchoolBags are being sent as part of a container load of resources including children’s clothing and tools. This shipment has been organised by Cornish charity Shelter for Humanity, which has been working in the disaster affected area since a few days after the typhoon hit the Philippines. So far they have supplied some emergency relief tents as well as tools and materials to assist with the repair and rebuild programme.

The School Bags and other resources will be sent to Linao Central School, ormoc, which has 1,500 pupils, aged 5 to 12, and is currently being repaired and reroofed following the typhoon.

Due to partially reopen this

month, the school has lost the vast majority of its resources so the School Bags will allow teaching to resume, creating an invaluable opportunity to bring some routine back to the children’s lives. over 5,000 people died as a result of the typhoon, which hit the Philippine islands at the beginning of November. Current estimates indicate that 14million people were affected by the typhoon and about 4million people left homeless, with about 500,000 sleeping out in the open.

Further information about the events can be found at www.schoolinabag.org/blog.

Perrott Hill Open Mornings & Scholarship Day 2014

Against a background of traditional values, Perrott Hill has the time and space to ensure that every child achieves their very best. Class sizes are small and all children will be given the individual attention necessary to ensure that they flourish. We invest time in teaching manners and the common courtesies which are so often overlooked in the rush of modern-day life.

Perrott Hill’s Independent Schools Inspectorate Report october 2013 was outstanding, with the top mark of ‘Excellent’

Private nursing Care from £700.00 per week the Aurora Care group offers private nursing care in our Somerset nursing homes at prices from £700.00 per week

www.hendfordcarehome.co.uk 166 Hendford Hill, yeovil, BA20 2rg 01935 470400 info@auroracare.co.uk 8 THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014

our homes are spread across south Somerset and variously offer: ● 24 hour nursing care in purpose built accommodation ● Large single en suite rooms with ensuite wet rooms ● Comprehensive social programmes with several activities a day, designed to stimulate physically, intellectually and socially ● Restaurant standard dining in own rooms or dining rooms ● Frequent trips out in our own minibus ● Beautiful landscaped gardens with breathtaking views over the Somerset countryside

www.hurstmanor.co.uk Hurst, martock, TA12 6JU 01935 823467 info@hurstmanor.co.uk

www.elliscombehouse.co.uk Higher Holton, nr. Wincanton, BA9 8eA 01963 33370 info@elliscombehouse.co.uk

THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014 9

We Hear That special birthday wishes go to Castle Cary nonagenarian Mrs Elaine Brookes on 29th December.

That a new ‘micro-brewery’ has been established in Glastonbury producing a tasty mulled wine - but only for selected customers in the Castle Cary area.

That, this Christmas, even the Big Issue seller and his dog are feeling the pinch!

That a well-known German Supermarket chain is planning to increase its folio of u.K. stores, according to BBC news every Lidl helps!

That congratulations go to Adam Burgan, of yeovil’s octagon Theatre who has won Encore Magazine’s ‘Theatre Manager of the year’ for the second consecutive year.

That when his six numbers came up, the prospect of becoming a multi-millionaire was a dream come true for Lottery-player Richard Jones of Glastonbury unfortunately the six numbers were spread over the two lottery draws - Wednesday and Saturday.

awarded in each and every category. We encourage you to read the Tatler Schools Guide 2014 and the Good Schools Guide reports which capture our values and ethos.

Academic success at Perrott Hill is measured by 100% Common Entrance results and a record number of scholarships awarded to senior schools in 2013. Sport plays a large part in school life taking place 5 days per week; all children will perform on stage every year and the majority will also play one or more musical instrument.

Perrott Hill Spring Term open Mornings Friday 24th and Saturday 25th January 2014.

Perrott Hill Scholarship Day Friday 7th February 2014.

Academic, Sports, Art, Music, Drama and All Rounder Scholarships available.

To request a scholarship information pack, arrange a visit or to find out more information about Perrott Hill please contact the school on 01460 72051 or admissions@perrotthill.com

Competition Winner

The winner of the Wincanton Competition in last month’s Visitor was Mrs C. Edmunds of Dorchester, who chose to spend her voucher at S.J.H. Carpets.

That according to Ann of the old Red Lion, North Brewham, Tom’s speedy recovery is due to three things: to kind friends and customers; a diet of boiled fish and the love of a good woman!

January Notice Board

That it’s well done to Gillingham Town on their impressive festive lighting, tree and Christmas decorations this year - very eye-catching.

That Emily, daughter of John and Ally at Needful Things in Castle Cary, has created her first Christmas Window Display: The Pink one! Which has stopped people in their tracks and just goes to prove that there must be a 'Creative Gene' !!

That pop artist Rod Stewart is in the pink - and can be found in St. Margaret’s Hospice Shop in Wincanton.

That SJH Carpets of Wincanton are already building bridges to encourage trade with China with the oriental welcome in their new showrooms.

That due to the latest technology Sherborne Kitchens & Construction of Sherborne have coffee on ‘tap’!

That Pamela Anderson’s recent haircut is approved of by ardent Pammy fan John Hamblin of yeovil.

HENSTrIDGE

Blackmore vale U3A inaugural Meeting, Tuesday 28th January 2014, 2.30pm, Henstridge Village Hall. A selfhelp, voluntary organisation run by retired and semi-retired members, sharing knowledge and experience in a social atmosphere while enjoying a wide range of interest groups. Don’t be lonely come and make new friends. More information on 01963 370958.

ADVErTISE YOur FEBruArY EVENT HErE!

A listing under our Notice Board costs just £5 - send details of What? When? Where? to The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BG. All entries to be pre-paid, maximum 20 words.

Extra words 30p each. Deadline for February issue, Monday 20th January.

10 THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014

Business robert Stone & Co, chartered accountants and tax advisers in Ilminster answers questions from small businesses in Somerset Q1. In September 2013 I started working through my own company, but I haven't drawn a salary yet. Can I award myself tax free childcare vouchers as an employee of my company? I was previously on a salary of £50,000 with my former employer. Would that affect the amount of childcare vouchers I can receive tax free in this tax year? robert Stone replies:

As an employee of your company you can receive childcare vouchers. The other conditions of a childcare voucher scheme must also be met, For example, all other employees of your company should be offered childcare vouchers on the same terms. your previous salary is not relevant to the amount of tax free childcare vouchers you can receive from your current employer. If your expected salary for this tax year (don't include dividends or bonuses you may receive), will be less than the basic rate band pro rata over the rest of the year, you can receive the maximum of £55 of tax free childcare vouchers per week.

Q2. I act as a DJ for parties and other events. For themed parties (e.g. Halloween, 1970s) I wear clothes to suit the occasion. Can I claim the cost of those clothes as an expense in my self-employed accounts? robert Stone replies:

The Taxman will not allow a deduction for the cost of ordinary clothes, which are required 'for warmth and decency'. However, where the item is needed for safety purposes, like a hard-hat on a building site, the cost is allowable. The same applies for the cost of a costume worn to identify the person in a role, such as a barrister's legal wig and gown.

If your clothes amount to a costume for entertaining, then the cost is allowable. If you also wear those clothes for warmth and decency then the cost is not allowable. Try asking yourself: 'would I wear this when I am not

working as a DJ'. If the answer is 'yes', the cost is not allowable.

Q3. My company is considering purchasing a VW Caravelle for me to use as my family vehicle. It is sold by the commercial van centre rather than the VW car dealer. Does that mean the company can claim back the VAT on it? robert Stone replies:

VAT can only be reclaimed on commercial vehicles such as; lorries, vans, buses, or cars used for daily rental to customers or as demonstration vehicles in the motor industry. Irrespective of who sells the vehicle, if it is designed to carry people rather than goods is it a car not a van, unless it's a bus designed to carry 12 or more people. To qualify as a van it must have a payload of at least 1000Kg. If you have an urgent query, do not hesitate to contact Robert Stone on 01460 55661 or email your questions to: info@the visitormagazine.co.uk

New Year – a time to shed your inhibitions and shred your confidentials!

SToP! Before you start on the mince pies or find the festive garlands packed away in the furthest corners of the office filing cabinet, spare a thought for all that paraphernalia sharing the space with the tinsel. Isn’t it time you applied that New year aphorism, ‘out with the old and in with the new’ to old papers, documents and files cluttering up your office?

Max FOOtE associates Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors 26 Lower Woodcock Street Castle Cary Ba7 7BH tel: 01963 351052 Business and limited company accounts, self assessment tax returns, VAt, Payroll, Book-keeping and training Personal & professional service Compliments of the season to all of our clients

Business & Professional Did you know, since March 2000, information held in manual files and computer files such as discs and CDs relating to living individuals must be controlled, maintained and disposed of in a secure manner? And what’s more, non-compliance is a crime punishable by a prison sentence, so please do not under estimate your obligations.

The Act was introduced to give greater protection to individuals in the processing of their data and covers a wide range of personal information that may be recorded, including ethnic origin, religious beliefs, physical and mental health and criminal offences.

Another serious consideration is security, and most of us still like to have a hard copy of important documents for ‘safe keeping’. Whether the information is about pricing, new products, marketing or investment, if a competitor should get hold of it, it could damage your company and future business. Keeping confidential information secure should be a priority, even if it is no longer required.

At M & J Bowers we help businesses reassure their customers that they take security seriously. We offer both on site and off site ‘collect and destroy’ shredding service and there’s no need to worry about taking out staples or removing plastic wallets, our powerful shredding machines can cope with a whole mix of stationery, including Lever Arch Files.

If you run a small business,

Pictured here is Helen Lacey MD for Red Berry Recruitment and Mat Callaghan, the Operations Manager for the Lords Larder in Yeovil. Helen and her team from the Yeovil office felt this was whom they wanted to collect Christmas donations for this year. It’s a tough time of the year for many who have nothing, so doing a little something to bring festive cheer was what Red Berry wanted to do. With the help of the Western Gazette, The Visitor Magazine and all the clients, the donations were amazing, thank you to everyone who supported and donated. Mat said: ‘Many thanks for all the Christmas items you delivered to the Lord’s Larder this morning, truly an amazing result, please extend my thanks to all your clients, on behalf of all those we will help this Christmas.

maybe based at home, and think you don’t have enough material to warrant calling us out, then bring bags to our onsite shredder and you will receive the same standard of service and flexibility whether you have 10 bags or 1000. Prices start at around £40 for 10 bags of waste.

At this time of year there are an awful lot of people ‘pretending’ to be someone else and no one bats an eyelid. That’s right, Santa Claus is not all he seems, but genuine identity theft is no laughing matter. In 2010 CIFAS, the uK's Fraud Prevention Service, recorded over 89,000 cases of identity theft.

Criminals target personal credit information and you don’t want to discover your credit card has been funding the presents around someone else’s tree. you are not only responsible for your own but also any personal information you have about your customers. If this information should fall into the wrong hands not only will it affect your own credit rating but also damage your company's reputation.

So our advice is to start the New year as you mean to go on, resolve to shred your outdated documents making your business tighter and more secure so you’re all set for a brighter 2014. Happy New year from M & J Bowers.

The Visitor

can now be read online: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

USefUl chriStmaS GiftS for eVerYone ...

H Lamy Pens & gift Sets H Artists Materials H Collins Personal Organisers H 2014 Diaries H 2014 Calendars Gift Wrapof and The compliments the season GreetinG cardS Stocked to all our customers also cardmakinG itemS Call at our shop ...

21 Cheap Street, Sherborne Tel: 01935 814225 or visit our website ...

www.midwest-office.co.uk THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014 11



Papertrees

Papertrees of Wincanton recently held a book signing by local author Tobias Jones whose works include The Dark Heart of Italy, Utopian Dreams, crime novels The Salati Case and White Death and a true crime book about the tragedy of Elisa Claps called Blood on the Altar.

Death of a Showgirl, set in the murky world of Italian television, is his latest release. Signed copies are available at Papertrees

“I want to speak droo this magazine o' yors and tell thee folk var an' near, that I be still here in gillingham waitin' vor em to bring in they pictures that they av ad roled up zo long in their boxes, an let I vrame em. tell em not to cum in heaps an' bunches zame as they did last year but a few at a time. tell em I got a gert lot o'perty moldens to vrame em in, an' thank em all vor past favors var”.

High Street, Gillingham Tel / Fax 01747 824050 email: scenesol@aol.com www.scenes-online.co.uk

(subject to availability).

Papertrees have just taken stock of a wonderful range of books for Christmas including autobiographies from David Beckham, Alex Ferguson and Sharon osbourne.

There is a superb choice of childrens books to suit all ages many at half price. 

Bower Hinton Farm Shop

Why not give some festive cheer this Christmas.

Locally brewed Perrys Cider, Norcotts fruit ciders and Lyme Bay Wines can all be found at Bower Hinton Farm Shop together with local cheeses and a delicious array of preserves and pickles. Why not make up a hamper?

A tasty range of home grown vegetables and fresh fruit are always available.

New this year is their own reared pork - available as joints, sausages, chipolatas and sausagemeat - the ideal accompaniment to your Christmas Dinner.

The front of Scenes shop in Gillingham, painted by local artist Sue Hardy. Scenes have a good choice of prints, both framed and un-framed, on a wide variety of subjects - an ideal Christmas gift.

Bower Hinton Farm Shop - Martock

Festive Fayre

Own Reared Pork, Joints, Sausages, Chipolatas & Sausage Meat Own Grown Sprouts, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower Local Parsnips and Carrots Potatoes – 28kg and 12.5kg Sacks chriStmaS chriStmaS treeS treeS BeerS • WineS • CiderS • dAiry ProdUCe ★ Christmas Cakes & Puds ★ OPEN: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm • Open Sunday 22nd December • Christmas Eve 8am – 1pm

Just off the B3165 at the top of Bower Hinton Tel: 01935 827743 • www.bowerhintonfarmshop.co.uk to m e r al l rY c oU hri r c Stm US to a S me rS

Books - the perfect Christmas gift for all the family ...

New Christmas stock now in

HALF pRICE BOOKS  NaTioNal Book TokeNs 

Stocking Filler Toys & Games • Full Range of Stationery for Home and Office

GREETINGS CARDS • GIFT WRAp pARTY pOppERS • FESTIVE HATS & MORE open: Monday – Friday 7am – 5pm, saturday 7am – 2pm, sunday 7am – 12noon

33 High Street • Wincanton

tel: 01963 32356 • www.papertrees.co.uk 12 THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014

Flowers make a lovely gift - so why not call in at Mayflowers of Gillingham where you will find a wonderful choice - they will also send flowers locally, nationally and internationally, through Interflora.

Mayflowers Your local Interflora Florist

For a super selection of fresh cut flowers & plants visit us at ...

2a High Street, GILLINGHAM ... or why not order by phone or website?

Tel: 01747 824424

www.mayflowersofgillingham.co.uk

all major credit cards accepted

Stunning silver jewellery, hand made glass vases, ceramic pots, wooden figures, childrens traditional and soft toys, gifts for babies, rugs, stationery, cards and diaries. New in is a selection of

fair trade baskets and handbags plus ‘bags for life’ - so useful for shopping.

Clothing includes long sleeved hemp shirts, alpaca knitwear and extra soft bamboo socks!

This attractive arrangement is sure to please - just one of many available from Reed & Russell, Wincanton - Interflora agents. 

Crossroads Pet Supplies

knowledgeable and helpful staff inside!

your pet is a real part of the family so deserves a Christmas treat - of which there are plenty at Crossroads Pet Supplies on the Sherborne/yeovil causeway. Here you will find pet beds galore, sweet treats, hutches, toys, and pet stockings.

There is a good choice of wild bird seed and peanuts too.

A wide choice of dried and tinned pet food is always available and discounts are available on bulk purchases.

There is plenty of free parking outside the door and



One World

one World - such an interesting shop, with 6 showrooms over 2 floors stocked with beautiful and unique gifts from around the world - many fair trade.

Ward & Sibley of Yeovil are a family Jewellers - here you will find the ideal gift, from watches and clocks through to pendants and pearls.

Do call in. Situated at the bottom end of Middle Street.

Beautiful Gifts for Christmas ... ... whatever your taste or budget

UNSToppABLe Kevin Pietersen and his

LATe NiGhT ThURSDAY 19th December until 7pm opeN SUNDAY 22nd December

england Cricketer

Citizen Eco-Drive ...

Fuelled by light. Any light.

A watch that never needs a battery.

Be precise Be powerful Be UNSToppABLe

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

CUSTomeR CAR pARk AT ReAR oF Shop

WARd & SiBleY The Jewellers of Yeovil

01963 32367

The Casket, 103 Middle Street, Yeovil • Tel: 01935 474065

11 Church Street, Wincanton, BA9 9AA

17 St James Street South Petherton Somerset TA13 5BS 01460 241166



Season’s greetings to customers old & new



Dog tired of high prices? visit

CROSSROADS pET SUppLIES suppliers of

• pet Foods • Bird & pigeon Seeds • Full range of toys, Hutches, accessories ... all at competitive prices ample Free parkiNg outside the door Find us at Forward Garage on the main a30 between sherborne & Yeovil

Tel: 01935 411859 .

THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014 13

Vale of Heavy Horses Experience Days



Purchase a gift voucher for a friend or family member so that they have the chance to experience the thrill of working a gentle giant.

Swainsford Heavy Horses Experience Days are designed to give participants a taste of handling, harnessing and working with a heavy horse. Participants will learn how to harness a horse to pull an implement and to have the pleasure of driving a heavy horse in a cart.

Swainsford Heavy Horses - 10 horses which are Percherons and Coloured Draft ranging in age from 1 year to 21 years.

The courses are held on the farm at Broadwater Farm, Mere, Wiltshire close to the Dorset border.

The days are suitable for anybody over the age of 13 and cost £100.00, this includes lunch and refreshments. Discounts are available for two or more people

booking together or for additional days. For further information on their courses or to book or purchase a gift voucher visit www.workinghorses.co.uk, email richard@workinghorses.co.uk or contact Richard Branscombe on 01747 860879.

Enzo’s Hair & Beauty

Look your best this festive season with a visit to Enzo’s Hair & Beauty. There are plenty of Christmas Gift ideas too!

Nail sets from Jessica - ghd straighteners - make up - brushes and of course gift vouchers which can be redeemed against a treatment or product.

Sue and Sarah would like to thank all their customers for their support and good wishes during Sue’s absence, due to a back operation, and look forward to

seeing them all in the new year.

Enzo’s are pleased to welcome back stylists Gemma, who works Mondays and Fridays, and Caroline who works on Thursday.

Why not give them a call?

Marsh’s Electrical

Marsh’s is one of the longest standing members of Euronics which is the largest electrical buying group for independent retailers within Europe, ensuring prices and products for their customers remain very competitive.

Cartoon caricatures by Jeff Farrow.

The new shop premises of Williams Florist in Stalbridge for all your floral requirments.

Email: richard@workinghorses.co.uk • Website: www.workinghorses.co.uk

Station Road, Stalbridge Tel: Stalbridge 01963 362355

N EW SHOP now open

ChristmAs trees ... locally grown Nordman and Norway Spruce + holly, Wreaths and Posies

For the LADies ... our Floristry Department offers Cut Flowers, Bouquets, Arrangements & Pot Plants Deliveries throughout Christmas

 National Garden Gift Vouchers the perfect Christmas Gift  Large Free Car Park OPPOsite Open: 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday • Saturday 9am - 4pm • Closed Sundays www.williams-florist.co.uk

ghd

Straighteners

‘Wonderland’ and others

merry christmas to all our customers

Hair & Beauty Salon Market Cross StuRMinSteR newton tel: 01258 473123

 Sue, Sarah and Staff would like to wish clients  past and present, a very happy christmas ... and to thank them for their support and kindness during Sue’s recent operation  and look forward to seeing them all in 2014. 

 14 THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014



A family run business - Sarah and Ross Palmer the current owners say, “we are friendly, knowledgeable and personable to all our customers, which is important in an ever-changing environment. The electrical market in particular, is a difficult specialisation as the products and installations are always changing, so we are constantly training our staff to be up-to-date with the latest product and service

Vale of incarnations, this means we are supporting our customers with the latest product information available as well as keeping them abreast as to the market trends ... our staff, stay with us for many years (we have a combined 250

years worth of knowledge!) so you are guaranteed a friendly face and any problems, which may arise, are dealt with as efficiently and effectively as possible, hence our adage: ‘For Service Beyond The Sale.’

Hanson’s Fabrics & Crafts

If you have ever wanted to learn to sew Hanson’s Fabrics & Crafts

have a host of workshops lined up for the new year including:curtain making for beginners; make your own lingerie; fun with crochet and pattern adaptation and fitting to name but a few!

The latest Sew What’s New brochure is now out so call in and collect one today.

Hanson’s is full of craft ideas from card-making and Fimo through to jewellery and soft toys.

There is a wonderful selection of dress making fabrics, trims and accessories plus patterns to suit all abilities. you will also find an extensive range of knitting yarns and embroidery threads.

For all your fabric and craft requirements visit Hanson’s of Sturminster Newton - an amazing shop.

Starts Saturday 28th December

New website now live www.ebmarsh.com

THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014 15

free Spare pair

Vale of

with any frame from our £75 range or above

Eyes Right - opticians of Sturminster Newton and Gillingham for all your spectacle needs.

Bridge Street Barber Shop

Bridge Street Barber Shop is located on the first floor at Retsel House, Bridge Street, Sturminster Newton. Lee Rigby, an experienced, traditional barber has been trading there for ten years and has a good regular clientele. Lee’s opening hours means there is a time to suit everyone. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8.30am until 5pm, Wednesdays appointments only, Friday 8.30am until 7pm and Saturday 8.30am until 12.30pm.

Consession for oAPs. A range of shavers can also be found on sale.

is to be introduced shortly due to customers requests and to complement the other tasty dishes on the menu such as chilli and scampi. Lighter dishes such as jacket potatoes and deep filled sandwiches and sub rolls are also available.

A delicious a la carte menu is available in the evening, bookings only and private parties are welcome – menu to suit. (See website for sample menu).

Join Kirsty and Andy on New year’s Eve – all the family are welcome. Bar open from 7.30pm onwards – free buffet.

Shine Café Bar

eYeS riGht opticianS St. Audries Station Road, Gillingham tel: 01747 831010

3 Market place Sturminster Newton

tel: 01258 473992 loW priceS and QUalitY SerVice *30% OFF spectacles applies when choosing any frame from our £75 range or above. Excludes “free spare pair / prescription sunglasses” offer.

Pick up a leaflet or ask our staff for full offer details.

16 THE VISIToR Christmas / January 2014

Shine Café Bar, just off the Market Place in Sturminster Newton is run by Kirsty and Andy Jackson.

They are open 7 days a week for delicious home cooked breakfasts and lunch. Andy is an experienced chef and uses quality local produce. A lunchtime roast

Don’t forget the Harts of Stur famous winter sale starts on Friday 27th December - pick up a post-Christmas bargain!

Bridge Street Barber Shop Monday, tuesday, thursday 8.30am – 5pm Wednesday Appointments Only Friday 8.30am – 7pm • Saturday 8.30am – 12.30pm 8 retsel House, Bridge Street, STUrminSTer neWTon Tel: 01258 472615 • mobile: 07782 222590

cafe bar

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK ... for delicious homecooked breakfasts & lunches

Open evenings for party bookings and private functions Menus tailored to suit ✴ Join us on New Year’s Eve Market Cross, SturMiNStEr NEWtON  01258 472460 www.shinecafebar.com

SHAfTESBuRY’S Christmas Spectacular at the beginning of December was, by all accounts, a highly successful event attracting large crowds to see the Christmas lights switched on, take advantage of the late-night shopping and enjoy the entertainments and festivities.

Sadly I couldn’t be there, but when I visited the town later in the week I saw many of the shops adorned with festive decorations and could imagine the centre being ablaze with colourful lights from mid-afternoon.

The purpose of my visit was to explore Bell Street and the lanes off it. You might recall that in a previous article I wrote that the town’s street pattern has survived since medieval times – three roads, almost parallel and nowadays called Bleke Street, Bell Street and High Street, fanning eastwards from what was, until 1539, the abbey precinct. And three roads heading in the opposite direction: the steep and narrow Tout Hill, formerly the main route to Sherborne and the west country;

Bimport, along the northern boundary of the abbey precinct to the original Saxon burgh at Castle Hill, and Gold Hill / St James Street heading down the vale towards Sturminster Newton.

Nowadays the narrow Bell Street is home to several independent traders and the town’s Arts Centre. In medieval times it was called St Laurence

Street for here was the church of St Laurence, one of 11 built to serve the town in the 12th century when the Abbey was probably the wealthiest Benedictine nunnery in the country. Of these, only St Peter’s on the High Street remains, for it became the focus of the new protestant religion after the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 and was adapted and

Garden MaCHInerY

Shaftesbury

Festive decorations adorn many of the shops on Shaftesbury’s High Street.

01747 851021 Season’s Greetings to all our customers

Garden and aTV Power SaleS, Service & SpareS ● Mowers ● Garden Machinery ● Garden Tools ● ATVs

17d Wincombe Business Park SHAFTESBURY SP7 9QJ

www.benjohnsonmowers.com

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 17

The narrow Bell Street is home to several independent traders and the town’s Arts Centre.

enlarged in the mid-16th century.

A few yards along Bell Street from The Commons is the town’s tourist information centre, now run entirely by volunteers, which has a good stock of charity Christmas cards, local-interest books and gifts. Then comes a supermarket and car park on the site occupied for many years by the town’s important cattle market. Across the road in what was part of the market house is the Arts Centre, providing a varied programme of performances and films. Take a look at the list of future attractions and you might well be tempted to spend an evening here. In late January the

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY

Pick up a genuine bargain from stock at Homemaker One stop shopping for all your electrical needs!

COOKERS, RANGES FRIDGE FREEZERS WASHING MACHINES & much more Free Standing and Built-In Small Electricals & TVs

BESt CHOICE ...

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Longmead Industrial Estate Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8PL Tel: 01747 851476 • Fax: 01747 858996 shaftesbury@myhomemaker.co.uk www.myhomemaker.co.uk 18 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

pantomime ‘Aladdin’ is coming to complete the festivities with this traditional and much-loved form of entertainment. for details ring the box office on 01747 854321.

Just beyond the Arts Centre at 15 Bell Street is a fine example of an artist’s skill in signwriting on the double doors across the entrance to the Corita Rose furniture and furnishings business. Next door, one of the ancient cottages now houses a very tempting café and patisserie, and shortly beyond is an entrance to Swans Yard, home to a variety of art and craft shops and a café grouped around a small square.

The concept, according to the Swans Trust which manages it, is to provide a focus for craftspeople and artists of all ages and abilities and recreate Shaftesbury’s past reputation as a centre for artisan excellence.

Swans Yard can also be approached from the High Street.

On the other side of Bell Street, on the corner of the intriguingly named Parsons Pool, is the fashionably named Bright Blooms floral boutique displaying some very attractive arrangements.

Still heading east, the next landmark is Mr Punch’s Market on the corner of Bell Street and Mustons Lane. This longestablished emporium contains a surprising array of artefacts and curios – who knows what you will find in there! – so it is always worth a browse. Worth, too, making a detour down Mustons Lane to see the former Congregational chapel, a Grade II listed building that now houses an Italian restaurant. Originally built as a Presbyterian chapel in 1670, it was totally rebuilt in 1859 in a Corinthian style designed by architect Andrew Trimen, with four slim columns supporting the large pediment.

Back on Bell Street, just beyond the library on the right can be seen a blue plaque recording the site of William Lush’s Blue Coat School which,

Orchard cars

Local, Long Distance Airports, Parcels Merry Christmas to all our customers SturminSter newton

01258 472395

from the mid-1700s till 1870, provided free education, clothes and apprenticeships for poor boys.

To get back to the High Street at Angel Square take the right turn down the picturesque Angel Lane, which acquired its name from the Angel Inn that occupied the site of the post office in the 18th century and probably earlier.

Although Bell Street contains an interesting selection of small shops, the town’s retail core is the High Street, stretching from Salisbury Street in the east to The Commons in the west. Here you’ll find a good range of

fashionable ladieswear, clothes for men and boys, home furnishings, jewellery, chocolates, local-interest books, wines and spirits, locally-produced food and drink and gifts galore. So if you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet, Shaftesbury is certainly a good place to go for last-minute gifts. The choice ranges from the strictly orthodox to the distinctly unusual – new fads and fashions jostle with the tried and tested perennial favourites – so it is not hard to see why Shaftesbury has acquired such a high reputation as a

The BarBer Shop parsons pool, Shaftesbury Colin, Sandra & Louise would like to wish customers old and new a very happy Christmas!

Interesting shops are tucked away in unexpected corners of the town, including the picturesque Angel Lane.

01747 852850

SALE NOW ON of EX-DISPLAY KItCHENS To make way for our exciting new ranges!

Superb quality German made ex-display kitchens now at greatly reduced prices Hurry, first come, first served

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Homemaker Ltd, Longmead Industrial Estate Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8PL Tel: 01747 851476

A new kitchen for a fraction of the price!

www.myhomemaker.co.uk │ Also branches in Bath and Warminster THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 19

house & home shopping centre. Independent retailers offering high-quality merchandise – and service to match – far outnumber the soulless chain stores and cheapjack traders and give the town its special attraction. They are the mainstays of the town’s active Chamber of Commerce which organised the Christmas Spectacular.

And when you are ready for a cup of tea you’ll find that Shaftesbury is well endowed with cafés, restaurants and pubs. It

would be invidious to recommend one in particular, but if you’re interested in the town’s history you could consider the popular King Alfred’s Kitchen tearoom and restaurant housed in one of Shaftesbury’s surviving timberframed houses, or the handsome old Grosvenor Hotel, a traditional coaching inn that has been extensively refurbished in recent years. Or that very tempting café and patisserie in the ancient cottage on Bell Street.

Roger Richards.

WARM HOMES Going away this winter?

Beware of burst pipes!

If you plan to be away from home at Christmas or at any time this winter, it’s possible that your time away may coincide with a severe cold snap. With energy prices at record levels it will be tempting to save money and switch off the

heating while the house is empty but that might risk arriving back to find a flooded house or flat.

Why not follow the advice of the Heating Helpline and find a sensible compromise between keeping bills down and avoiding a burst pipe.

1. Don’t be tempted to turn off your heating altogether – cold weather can wreak havoc on water pipes so it’s best to keep your heating on low – around 10º C / 50º f.

Kevan DaviS Plumbing & Heating Ltd Reg. No. 177361

4 Fairview Terrace, castle cary Telephone: 07976 741029

Bryan G. Paully Ltd One of Shaftesbury’s surviving timber-framed houses is now the popular King Alfred’s Kitchen tearoom and restaurant.

domestic / Commercial Installations / replacements Plastic / Metal Tanks • Temporary Tanks Leaking Tanks • Tank Cleaning / Moving / Disposal Above or Below Ground Tanks

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

HiDer HeaTinG

Specialists in Installation & Service All Types of plumbing Central Heating Systems, Boiler Replacement Landlord Safety Checks and Servicing Gas and Oil established over 40 years Rely on us for all Plumbing & Heating Needs Specialist in Bathroom Designs including all Tiling & Electrics

Reg. No. 700

www.hiderheating.co.uk Tel: 01935 426209 • Mobile: 07836 773152 11 Hillgrove Avenue, Yeovil, Somerset

WarM WiSHeS For cHriSTMaS

SanD & Gravel

pre-pacKeD coal available

large and small loads Trade enquiries Welcome

We can deliver to your area inc. Castle Cary, Bruton, Sherborne, Wincanton etc.

For advice or information ring Tim or Heidi or call in and see us 20 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

house & home 2. If you haven’t already got one, consider having a programmable thermostat fitted; these give you complete control over your heating and usually have a holiday setting.

Better still is one of the latest generation of ‘smart’ heating controls that mean you can programme your heating via the internet from anywhere and anytime – this means you can also turn up your heating the day before you head home so you don’t return to a cold house.

3. Make sure all water pipes in the loft are insulated with preformed insulation.

4. Replace washers on dripping taps because if the taps freeze the pipe will become blocked.

5. If you’re leaving house keys with a friend or neighbour make sure they know where your inside stop valve is and check that it is working. They will need to get to it quickly if a pipe has burst.

6. Leave the loft door open to let the heat from downstairs circulate.

7. Insulate outside taps or turn them off at the stop tap or drain them before you go away.

8. fix any dripping taps or overflows. A build-up of ice can cause a blockage.

RE-UPHOLSTERY

Wide range of materials For all your re-upholstery requirements contact

DaviD J. Diment upholStererS CaStle Cary (01963) 351194 Units 1 & 2 Torbay Road Industrial Estate Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7DW The Visitor can now be read online: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

 Season’s Greetings to all our customers 

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 21

house & home AGA Cast Iron Stoves

for over 80 years AGA has remained at the forefront of engineering excellence. AGA stoves embody the best AGA traditions and employ the very latest technology.

When you invest in an AGA stove, you are acquiring a piece of history, a talking point and a centrepiece for your home. They are assembled by hand by skilled craftsmen, giving each one a personal touch and unique quality. Nothing is better for retaining heat than cast iron and nobody knows how to work with cast iron better than AGA. There are several styles to

choose from. The Stretton boasts a sleek design as well as being simple and easy to use. With 78.4% efficiency and a nominal heat output of 4.9kW (maximum heat output 7.4kW) it’s a great solution to owning a cast iron multi-fuel stove whilst keeping a focal point of a traditional fireplace. The Stretton can be positioned into a 16” or 18” fireplace.

Designed to the highest AGA standards, precisely engineered to give an extremely effective airwash system, it also has an adjustable secondary air-wash system to ensure the glass is kept clean.

SeWinG MacHine Service cenTre Repairs & Servicing To All Makes - Domestic & Industrial Collection and Delivery Available

Embroidery Engineering Services Suppliers of

Season’s Greetings

Computerised Embroidery Machines

Telephone: 01963 350068 • Mobile: 07947 725315 Email: robert_churches@hotmail.com UniT 8, Torbay indUsTrial EsTaTE CasTlE Cary ba7 7dW

22 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

The Stretton multi-fuel stove from AGA, perfect for those looking for warmth and style.

house & home The removable black handle, shaker grate, ash pan, fire fence and front ash tray all help to make the Stretton exceptionally easy to use - perfect for those looking for warmth and style.

The Stretton multi-fuel stove is also available in a dedicated smoke exempt version (SE). The low particulate emissions from the SE model mean that this product is fully approved to burn wood and solid fuel in smoke exempt zones, typically associated with urban centres of population. for more information of AGA stoves visit your local stockist Sandpits Heating Centre, Curry Rivel.

ecolibria.co.uk

Energy prices and thoughts about how to keep your home warm are the concerns of many this winter.

A maze of information is offered by the energy industry and the householder struggles to make sense of it.

Local company ecolibria.co.uk

was launched to provide online guides to cut through the confusion and maintain a warm, healthy home. The new web site gives straight forward advice on how to plan to stay ahead of rising energy and fuel prices.

Quick and easy energy saving tips at ecolibria.co.uk can make hundreds of pounds worth of savings every year. The guides offer the low down on the world of home generation and sustainable energy and helps you consider the options, so you can make the best informed choices.

A warm welcome awaits you at ecolibria.co.uk

Subscribe to ...

The Visitor

A year’s subscription for yourself, or as a gift, posted for just £18.  01963 351256 or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Genuine

SALE for

2 DAYS ONLY 20% OFF KITCHENS th th 27 28 December our quality range of ...

Friday

and

Saturday

9.30am – 4.30pm

★ nO DepOSiT requireD ★ Just call in and leave your details ...

You have until the 31st March to take advantage of this one-off only deal

NEW YEAR – NEW KITCHEN! Planning – Design Installation – Extensions Call in to our showrooms today!

KEMPF CONSERVATION SPECIALISTS IN REPAIRING DECAYED STONE & METAL FEATURES Over 30 Years Experience Residential and Ecclesiastical

01460 241288 • 07502 400986 Old fashioned craftsmanship at sensible prices Mullion Windows • Flagstones • Fireplaces Lime Plastering • Porches & Doorways • Brickwork Steps & Iron Railings • Metal Window Casements etc.

SHERBORNE KITCHENS & CONSTRUCTION

The Old Bakery, Half Moon Street SHerBOrne, DT9 3Ln Through the archway next to the Half Moon Hotel

Tel: 01935 817111

email: sales@sherbornekitchens.com www.sherbornekitchens.com THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 23

house & home Be Smart this Christmas!

Are you looking forward to all those re-runs of films that are shown year after year during the festive season - The Sound of Music, The Great Escape, James

Bond? Are you thinking of buying a new television set before Christmas or in the January sales and are you confused by the different types of televisions that are now available?

Well, it’s time for you to get Smart! If you keep hearing about Smart TVs but you don’t really know what they are or if they are what you want, here is a brief description to help you decide.

To put it simply, a Smart TV is one that connects to the internet, allowing you to browse the web and giving you access to online apps - all from the comfort of your sitting room. Smart TV also offers access to other TV and film service options, including BBC iplayer and Netflix - ideal if you don’t want to pay for a monthly TV package.

Your TV has to connect to the internet by connecting it to your router and broadband via an ethernet cable or wirelessly with Wi-fi. Some Smart TVs have Wifi built-in and some are Wi-fi ready. This usually means that you need to buy a separate Wi-fi dongle to access the Smart TV functions.

Panasonic’s Smart Viera lineup has a host of features and functions which provide the most intuitive and customisable user experience, according to the company, meaning all things you love are in one place. The ‘My Home Screen’ allows each user in the home to collect all their favourite content and apps in one place.

Smart Viera is designed to ensure the easiest Smart TV experience, says Panasonic. for more information visit your local stockists: Godden & Curtis, Sherborne, Town & Country Aerials, Gillingham, and H. R. Hodge, South Petherton.

The Mammoth performance range is scientifically proven to enhance your sleep

01747 826714 / 826721

A recent study by Dr Jason Ellis, a world leading sleep expert, proved that Mammoth mattresses enable you to fall asleep quicker,

ACF WindoWS anDy Feltham

 Season’s greetings to all customers past and present 

UPVC REPLACEMEnT WInDoWS, DooRS, ConSERVAToRIES, WooDEn FRAMED WInDoWS, FASCIA BoARDS, CLADDInG, GUTTERInG, ALUMInIUM WInDoWS & DooRS ETC.

The old Well House shepherds Hill, Buckhorn Weston GillinGHam, dorset sP8 5HX tel / Fax: 01963 371715 mobile: 07802 393344 24 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

house & home sleep for longer and enjoy your sleep more. What more could you want from your bed?

Tested under controlled conditions, 3 key sleep elements were tested on a particular group both at home in their own bed, and in a laboratory on a Mammoth Performance mattress.

The results were outstanding.

1. Sleep efficiency

Participants were monitored to measure the ratio between how long a person spends in a bed compared to how long they spend in a deep sleep.

On a Mammoth mattress participants improved their sleep efficiency by an average of 7% and moved up a clinical relevant zone, from poor sleep efficiency to a good sleep efficiency.

2. Sleep onset latency - how quickly you fall asleep

The test proved that participants fell asleep more quickly on a Mammoth mattress.

Continued on page 28 ...

Pictured right: Mammoth are the ultimate health mattresses and are endorsed by Olympians and the Chiropractic Patients Association. Local stockists Preston Beds, 106 Huish, Yeovil, see their advert inside cover.

For the best in sound & vision

5 Year tY Warran

c TV Panasoni

Partners to the Chiropractic Patients Association.

Your local

dealer

Wide range of televisions, Blu-ray & DVD Players & recorders MOSt WitH 5 Year WarrantY • COMPetitiVelY PriCeD Price includes local delivery, installation and removal of old appliance - excellent after sales service

rOBertS raDiOS always in stock On the Premises Workshop for repairs & Servicing simon and his team wish all their customers the compliments of the season and thank them for their support during the year.

Your Local Television and Audio Specialist

Greenhill, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4EW • 01935 813451

✔ recomendations - The vast majority of our customers  come from recommendation by happy customers

Endorsed by Olympians and the British Athletes Association.

✔ Quality - All our kitchens are of the highest quality  ✔ Choice - We have over 400 Kitchens to choose from. 

A dedicated Granite Room & Replacement door department.

✔ value - All our Kitchens are competitively priced  ✔ Design - We design your kitchen the way you want it 

RepaiR SeRvice ★ All makes of TV repaired ★ on the premises workshop

★ Loan TV whilst being repaired

★ Estimates ★ Bench or field service Full Range oF panaSonic TvS in STock FoR Sale ... do call in

H.R. Hodge

Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm • Saturday 9am - 1pm

38 St. James Street South petherton Ta13 5bW  01460 240645

based upon your individual requirements

✔ installation - We have some of the finest Kitchen 

installers and associated trades to be found locally

✔ experience - Together we have over 500 years experience  ✔ Showroom - You can visit our 2500 sq ft showroom  on Preston Road Yeovil - FREE oFF RoAD PARKInG oPEn 6 DAYS A WEEK

✔ honesty - Good old fashioned honest prices ... 

no ‘permanent sales’, ‘free fitting’ or other over-used sales gimmicks Why noT puT uS To The TeST?

01935 472100

town Centre

higher preston Farm, preston road yeovil, Ba20 2et (Just down from ASDA) www.kitchen-updates.co.uk

mudford

Kitchens & Updates Zoe’s Hair

ASDA

town Centre houndstone

preston road ilchester

retail park

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 25

house & home

Melody Brain, proprietor of MMS Furnishings, which can now be found within SJH Carpets on the Tythings Commercial Centre, Wincanton.

Within SJH Carpets The Tythings Commercial Centre Southgate Road, Wincanton Professionally Made To Measure Curtains, Blinds etc.

Supply your own Fabric or choose from a ...

Superb Range of Fabric Books including Prestigious Textiles, Fibre Naturelle, and more!

Curtain Poles and Tracks, Haberdashery Ribbons, Threads, Cushions, Remnants, Linings etc.

MeRRy CHRiSTMaS To aLL ouR CuSToMeRS Melody 07883 089 333

oPeN: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9.00am - 4.00pm (Thursday - Closed) Friday 9.00am - 3.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 12.30pm

designed with you in mind Kitchens for the way you are

Seb Davis with assistant Julie in the new showrooms of SJH Carpets in Wincanton.

Chameleon

Over 20 displays on view in our showrooms ...

❑ High gloss & modern ❑ Painted wood and traditional

bedrooms Kitchens Home office

We can design a kitchen for you

❑ FREE design service ensuring best use of space

❑ Refurbishing? ❑ Replacement doors?

We can give your existing kitchen a make over

❑ Extensive choice

Quality Kitchens - Sensible Prices Personal Service

❑ A family-run business

★ NO OBLIGATION qUOTATIONS

“Transform your home”

❑ Excellent quality – sensible pricing ❑ Traditional and modern styling

with ...

Home visit or visit our showroom Give Adam a call today to discuss your requirements ...

bedrooms • kitchens • home office

01935 849559

5 & 6 Bancombe Court, Bancombe Road Trading Estate, Somerton, TA11 6SB

AP Kitchen Solutions, Northover, Roman Road ILCHESTER BA22 8LD www.apkitchens.co.uk

steve@chameleonbk.co.uk • www.chameleonbk.co.uk

26 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

Tel: 01458 272699 Ample Free pArking

BIGGER PREMISES More Choice!

SJH CArpeTS of Wincanton was initially founded by Simon Howell who was later joined by business partners Seb Davis and John Calder - together they have successfully expanded the business and have premises in both Tisbury and Wincanton.

The Wincanton branch has now moved to bigger premises virtually next door to their former premises - with free parking outside the door. The new showrooms are light and airy and have double the floor space. This increased floor space has enabled them to show a wide variety of floor finishes and colours in situ and in the new year a comprehensive range of carpet from the roll will be stocked.

A complete range of flooring is available from man-made and wool carpeting to suit all budgets, most of which is sourced in Britain, through to natural flooring such as sisal, coir, wood and laminates.

Proving very popular is the luxury vinyl tile ranges from Moduleo, Vusta, Karndean, Amtico and Polyfloor. These are available in a wide choice of finishes such as wood and stone effect.

Designed to last, they are hard wearing, warm to the touch and, unlike laminates, absorb sound. for those who prefer wood flooring SJH offer the Woodpecker range which includes solid and engineered wood.

Ceramic and porcelain floor and wall tiles are available and a full range of accessories such as grouting, spacers etc., will be available in the new year.

A recent introduction to the carpet selection is the Roger Oates luxury stair runner range in a hardwearing flat weave, available in a wide range of colours and attractive stripes.

SJH Carpets offer a no obligation free measuring and quotation service and are happy to advise on the correct flooring for your requirements. In addition to the domestic market SJH undertake many commercial contracts such as safety flooring in schools and pubs and refurbishing hotels and rest homes.

They employ their own team of qualified fitters so you can be sure of a job well done.

In addition to flooring SJH Carpets are stockists for Luxaflex Blinds - Roman, Venetian, Roller etc. All types are available - made to measure and suitable for any room in the house, from the bathroom or kitchen through to a conservatory or french window.

Within the new SJH Carpets premises can be found MMS Soft furnishings (formerly of Church Street) who offer a bespoke curtain making and soft furnishings service.

SJH Carpets pride themselves on customer care and this, in conjunction with quality products, competitive pricing and helpful and experienced staff makes for a winning formula.

If you are thinking of purchasing a new carpet then visit SJH Carpets of Wincanton or Tisbury and see their extensive range. lidl

Fire Station

Large sh

owroom.

Woodpecker Flooring.

Morrisons

nc .t ow n

Southgate road

Wi

“ Wishing all customers, past present & future a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year”.

Seb Davis and founder Simon Howell.

neW SJH tythings Centre

OlD SJH

SJH CArpeTS

Southgate road, WinCAnTOn  01963 824418 Open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm Saturday 9am – 1pm

Wincanton

Also at: High Street, TiSBury  01747 871178 (closed Wednesday)

So much

choice.

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 27

house & home 3. Sleep enjoyment

Participants were asked to grade their nights sleep – on average they enjoyed their sleep 21% more on a Mammoth mattress.

The Bed Specialist of Yeovil stocks a range of Mammoth mattresses – they recommend you visit the store and try for yourself.

Mammoth is endorsed by the Chiropractic Patients Association.

Say you saw it in The visitor

need a new conservatory?

Replacement windows or doors? contact

TURnER WindoWS – of –

SomERTon LTd ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

FUll ranGe oF Replacement Windows Replacement Doors Conservatories Fascia / Soffitt / Guttering Secondary Glazing

ServiceS ...

■ Window Repairs ■ Handles / Hinges ■ Misted Up Units ■ Garage Doors ■ Blinds / Fly Screens

QUaliTy proDUcTS All products adhere to as endorsed by celebrity world snooker champion Steve Davis perSonal Service no faceless sales team: Craig Turner (proprietor) will be happy to discuss your requirements, or alternatively call in to the showrooms

A corner of the new, bigger showroom at Drapes Direct, Parrett Works, Martock - the curtain and blind specialist.

Drapes Direct

Drapes Direct of Parrett Works Martock have increased the size of their showroom. The showroom has hundreds of samples to browse through including Villa Nova, Romo, Prestigious, Ashley Wilde, Style and Kobe, for made to measure curtains and Roman blinds, plus at least a couple of hundred more samples for other types of blinds!

They are now installed in their larger factory unit and are in the process of completing lots of displays to show customers different options and allow people to see the quality of the products they produce, before they buy!

Plus they still offer home measuring and fitting, with an emphasis on helpful and personal service, so for quality curtains and blinds, keep it local and personal with Drapes Direct!

Closed for Christmas from 21st December until 6th January.

 Wishing customers old & new a merry Christmas 

cUSToMer SaTiSFacTion

pvc-U aluminium

“This installation is the best we have ever had. You did what it said on the tin.

Your men started on time, your team of two (Jason and Alec) were courteous ... nothing was too much trouble ... took great care and left the house clean and tidy.

We employ an assortment of tradesmen and there are only two or three that we would endorse. Welcome to the club.” – david & Pam Watts (February 2013)

is a regular monthly feature in

Just one of many testimonials from satisfied customers ★ See online for further personal recommendations

Turner Windows of Somerton Ltd

FENSA

Unit 3 Bancombe Trading Estate, Somerton, TA11 6SB

sales@turnerwindows.co.uk www.turnerwindows.co.uk

Today for a FREE no obligation quote

Registered Company

house & home

call 01458 272555

Keep warm this winter ... with underfloor heating! cUrrenTly on Special oFFer Suppliers of Thermonet and Comfort Zone – economical to run ... from as little as 1p a day subject to local tariff & type of equipment purchased Give us a call today

cary TileS

Unit 6, Torbay Industrial Estate, Torbay Road, Castle Cary Tel: 01963 359388 Open: Monday 9am – 2pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am – 5pm, Thursday 10am – 2pm Saturday 9am – 1pm (Closed Friday and Sunday) • Part of GWM Tiling

28 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

BooK your 2014 advertising now ... ring 01963 351256 or email info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

the key to all your storage needs!

Fully Insured Storage at Highly Competitive Rates call us today for a quote!

01963 440045 www.sparkfordstorage.com

• Open 7 Days a Week • 20 Years Established Family Business • Modern Burglar-Alarmed Warehouses • Professional & Reliable Service • Removals To and From Storage • Self Store with Easy Access • Cubicle and Crate Storage • Friendly, Helpful Staff

High street, sparkford, nr. Yeovil, somerset Ba22 7qJ Tel: 01963 440045 / 440526 / 440692

s Season to s g in Gree t nts ie t a all P Dawn & Staff wish all their clients a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ...

HAIR SALON 45a High Street WINCANTON  01963 34321

anDrew m. Knight registered osteopath Serving Castle Cary and Somerton for 26 Years at

manor lodge, Castle Cary tel: (01963) 351477 also at

Somerton Wednesday & Friday Mornings Email: osteopath@btconnect.com

care home 60 west coker Road Yeovil, somerset ... a quality rated home Manager: Mrs. sandra Barclay

 01935 472793

★ Tyres ★ Batteries ★ Wheels ★ Exhausts ★ Laser Wheel Alignments ★ Computerised Wheel Balance petrol & DieSel availaBle Wishing all our customers compliments of the season and looking foward to seeing you in 2014

the Centre garage caSTle cary tel: 01963 350243

eSSing HAirdr fort of m in the co home n w o your

all our wishing nds and rie F , ts n reside ues a Colleag as and tm s ri h C ar merry n e w ye a happy

Beechwood house

SpecialiStS in.

Fabrics & Crafts Thank you for your custom We wish you a Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year open as usual until monday 23rd December

Closed from Tuesday 24th December ‘til Wednesday 1st January inclusive

open as usual from thursday 2nd January 2014 open Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm

Station road, Sturminster newton Dorset Dt10 1BD Tel: 01258 472698 • Fax: 01258 473813

Sandra White moBile Hairdresser Would like to thank her clients for their support during the year. neW clienTs Welcome For an Appointment

Tel: 01963 351740 mob: 07870 230135

www.hansonsfabrics.co.uk

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 29

g all of wishin nts e our Cli f the ents o m li p m on Co s a e S Festive

riCharD p. Kemp B.a.

Solicitor Quality assured legal advice and services for private & corporate clients. open Saturday mornings

tel. (01935) 822572 31 north Street martoCK Somerset ta12 6Dh

TONY’S FISH & CHIPS oPen: Tuesday to Saturday Inclusive 12.00 – 2.00 • 5.00 – 9.30

ry Mer mas t s i Chr ll our a o t ts clien

Tel: 01747 826505 The Farmhouse Kingsmead Business Park Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5FB

cHrisTmas oPeninG oPen: Christmas Eve Tuesday 24th december ClOSED: Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th December re-oPen: Friday 27th december and saturday 28th december ClOSED: New Year’s Eve Tuesday 31st December and New Year’s Day Wednesday 1st January re-oPen: Thursday 2nd January

Wishing all of our Customers a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year Tel: 01458 272532 The Triangle, Pye Corner Somerton, Somerset

Compliments of the season to all advertisers, newsagents, delivery people, readers and contributors, and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year!

30 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

Sea s Gree on’s ting to ou s cust r ome rs open from 9am – 5pm every day until Christmas Eve when we close at 4pm.

Closed 25th December until 1st January inclusive.

Reopen Thursday 2nd January at 10am, then open from 10am – 4pm every day throughout January and February.

Thorngrove garden centre Common Mead Lane, Gillingham Dorset SP8 4RE

 01747 822242

Email: thorngrove.staff@scope.org.uk

Famed for fine food, real ale and excellent accommodation A big thank you to our loyal customers and many friends for all their help over the last year A vERY mERRY CHRiSTmAS from Tom, Ann & Staff

Golden Plaice FISH & CHIPS

Opening HOurs Tuesday - Saturday 12.00noon - 1.45pm and 5.00pm - 9.00pm

2 Station Road Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BU Tel: 01963 350566 Fred & Kim would like to wish all of their customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

NORRIS BODY REPAIRS LTD ■ Insurance Claims ■ Private Jobs ■ Restorations ■ Resprays seAson’s ■ Welding Work

greeTings to customers old & new

24 Hour recovery: 07792 380275

South Street • YEOVIL • BA20 1QQ Tel: 01935 411095

Email: norrisbodyrepairs@gmail.com • Fax: 01935 473119

CoCK & SoN BUILDING CoNTraCTorS EST SInCE 1957

• Specialists in renovation and restoration of older properties • extensions & alterations undertaken.

• Specialists in barn conversions • purpose built joinery, doors, windows, etc. all WORK GUaRanteeD

Thanking all our friends and customers for their support over the years and wishing them all a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year

tel: north CaDBury 01963 440931 yard office adj. orchard leigh, long Street galhampton, yeovil, Somerset

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 31

Make sure you stay safe this Christmas

With the festive period nearly upon us, South Somerset District Council is urging its residents to stay safe this Christmas and book taxis in advance of their evening out.

When the party is over and you need to get home, remember these guidelines about council licensed taxis: 1. Hackney Carriage Vehicles

have a white sign attached to the rear of the vehicle displaying the vehicle plate number and also have a plate displayed in the front window.

2. Hackney Carriages can ply for hire from designated taxi ranks and can pick up passengers who flag them down.

3. Private Hire Vehicles have a yellow sign attached to the rear of the vehicle displaying the vehicle plate number.

THE PROBUS CLUB OF YEOVIL ... is a club for retired and semi retired men who have had a professional, business, sales or engineering vocation, who would like to share some of their time with men from a similar background. We meet for a hour in the bar followed by lunch and then a speaker. We also have regular theatre visits, monthly walks, regular trips to places of interest and our Annual Dinner in October.

Partners are welcome at all events except the monthly luncheon.

If you are interested contact Michael Kerr on 01935 882609 or on email: michaeljohnkerr@yahoo.co.uk

Antiques -&Collecting

Beaminster Antiques, Vintage & Collectables Fair Saturday 11th January Public Hall Beaminster Dorset

Gold & Silver Jewellery Wanted

9.30am – 4.00pm

Best prices paid for wedding rings, pendants, chains, bracelets, and broken items, etc.

✱ next FAir ✱ Saturday 15 th February

Phone Jenny Martin Castle Cary

Bookings & Enquiries Meadow Fairs 01297 24446

01963 350733

Quillon House Antiques 16 HigH STreeT , B ruTon  01749 812269

Decorative early 20th C. French Console Table of small proportions

17th / 18th Century oak and Country Furniture Arms & Armoury • equestrian Paintings ✴ Valuations undertaken ✴ Antiques Purchased

Leisure 4. Private Hire Vehicles can only be booked in advance through an operator.

NEVER get in to a taxi that does not display an appropriate plate at the rear. It is not insured and may not be licensed. Ensure that the driver is displaying a council approved driver’s badge. For your own safety, always take a council licensed vehicle – the driver and vehicle have both been vetted.

Always ensure the meter is used in a hackney carriage. The meter shows the maximum by law that can be charged for the

MU

SI

C

journey from pick up to drop off.

Operators are perfectly entitled to charge below this but cannot charge more.

Nigel Marston, Licensing Manager at South Somerset District Council said, ‘Don’t let a good night out be ruined by an unlicensed taxi. Always book in advance or make sure you have the number of several local taxi firms stored in your mobile phone before going out.

Before getting in a taxi ensure the driver knows the destination and always sit in the back. Make sure that you’re picked up and

FOR THE

M

ON

TH

December 20th JULIE DUNN - Helyar Arms, East Coker 20th MATHEW ROCK - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 21st JOHN & CHRISTINE - Marston Inn, Marston Magna 21st JULIE DUNN - Helyar Arms, East Coker 22nd TIM PITMAN - Natterjack, Evercreech Junction 26th RAY JONES BAND - Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi 31st 60s NIGHT with ‘Dusty Springfield’ - Dinnington Docks, Hinton St. George 31st GUY JOHNSON - Natterjack, Evercreech Junction 31st JOHN RAMOND - (tickets) Marston Inn, Marston Magna 31st ALAN DREW - Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi 31st STORM (tickets) - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil An Advert in 31st ONE TREE HILL - Helyar Arms, East Coker the pub pAgeS January enSureS A Free 12th JORDAN LINDSAY - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil MentiOn here 17th THE VAN GRAHAMS - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil

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

By John Osborne • Answers can be found on page 43 1. Who were addicted to ‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’ in 1994?

2. Who had ‘A Glass of Champagne’ in 1975?

3. ‘You the first, my last, my everything’ was the only No. 1 for whom?

4. Which river did ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’ cross, in 1964?

5. Who made the albums ‘’The Stranger’ ‘Glass Houses’ and ‘Piano Man’ among many others?

6. ‘Echo and the …’?

7. How did we best know Melanie Jayne Brown?

8. Can you name the keyboard player behind ‘The Six Wives of Henry VIII’?

9. Lyric: ‘I feel like smashing his face in, yeah, that’d be fun’ quoth which charming ladies?

open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10.00am – 5.30pm

10. Name the rockers who declared they ‘Feel Like Making Love’ in 1975?

PASTIMES of Sherborne

Bonus Question Name the band that had the original hit of ‘Mama Told Me not to Come’ in 1970.

We pay top prices for old toys - any condition

Extra Bonus Question Name the Simon and Garfunkel song covered by ‘The Bangles’ (Clue: It was 1988)

Trains • Cars • Lorries • Soldiers • Etc. Britains * Dinky * Corgi * Hornby Meccano * Tri-ang * Etc. Shop Open Mornings 9.30am - 1.00pm Monday to Saturday

tel: 01935 816072 Mob: 07527 074343 HOME VISITS BY ArrANGEMENT

3 Westbury, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3EH 32 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

Question Impossible Who took their name from a German art movement, started in 1919?

Great Quotes in Music (67) “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain” – Bob Marley

& Tra vel dropped off somewhere familiar and well lit, however if you feel uneasy with the driver ask him to stop at a busy, familiar place and get out.’

Councillor Peter Seib, portfolio holder for Regulatory and Democratic Services said, ‘We all worry about people passing themselves off as taxis. Be safe, check the driver's badge and the vehicle plate if you can. Don't get ripped-off after your night out.

Local firms will often offer you a cheap fixed fare. Make sure the meter is running so you can see how much you saved against the maximum legal fare.’

AS 2013 COMES to a close, Cycle Babble takes a look back at ten of the biggest British cycling stories of the past 12 months. As they say on Strictly, in no particular order ...

A new sprint sensation is born ...

After the London Olympics saw Queen Vic hang up her lycra shorts, Britain needed a new female sprint star to step into Pendleton's shoes. We only had to wait six months. In February the 2013 track world championships were held in Minsk, Belarus. On the flight home, Becky James, a 21year old sprinter from Abergavenny, had two rainbow jerseys in her suitcase. James won the sprint and keirin beating established stars as Germany's Kristina Vogel and China's Guo Shuang.

Britain's sprint future is in safe hands.

Froome's early season success ...

2012 had been a historic year for Britain with Bradley Wiggins taking our first Tour win. This year all eyes were on Wiggins' team-mate, Chris Froome to repeat the feat. Wiggins had set up his Tour win by recording wins in Paris-Nice, Tour de Romandie and Critérium du Dauphiné and 12 months on Froome had similar success. Prior to July's big dance he recorded wins in Oman, Criterium International, Romandie and the Dauphiné. A fantastic haul in its own right. But more was around the corner.

You wait 109 years for one and then two come together ...

Britain had to wait for 99 editions and 109 years of the Tour de France before claiming its first

For more information on taxi licensing or how to stay safe this Christmas, please contact South Somerset District Council on 01935 462462 or ssdc@south somerset.gov.uk. You can also go online to our website www.southsomerset.gov.uk and press the ‘contact us online’ button.

Martock Local History Group

Making a return visit by special request is Sarah Villiers, author of Somerset Education and a most delightfully entertaining speaker.

Her talk entitled: Tough Teachers

in Tough Times: 19th century Village Schools, will take place on Tuesday 28th January 2014 at Martock C of E Primary School in Elmleigh Road.

She will look at the difficulties and village politics which teachers found themselves embroiled in, and look at the conditions in schools as well as teaching methods, and the problems of parents(!), showing how little things have changed!

Sarah can answer almost any question on education, and she will jog your memories about some of the old ways of teaching, both good and bad!

Light refreshments from 7pm, talk at 7.30pm admission / membership £2. Contact Will Aslett, Tel: 822 159 or eMail: cftpaslett@supanet.com

Cycle-Babble Tour champion. But just 52 weeks on from Wiggins' win, Britain had its second Paris podium topper. Wiggins may have blazed the trail but, if anything, Froome's win was more impressive. He was certainly more dominant. The way Froome rode away from his rivals on the daunting slopes of the Ventoux will be etched in our memories forever. He was untouchable.

Yorkshire to be the centre of the cycling world ...

We already knew that Yorkshire would host the Grand Depart of the world's biggest cycle race, but 2013 was when we were told the full details. In the week leading up to the Tour's opening stage Yorkshire will host a festival of pedal-power. Then, on 5th July, the pro's will take on 190km from Leeds to Harrogate. Stage two takes them York to Sheffield, before a third stage into London and a finish on the Mall. Yorkshire had better brace itself: the Tour circus is coming.

Cookson election starts a new era at the UCI ...

The election of former president of British Cycling, Brian Cookson, to the presidency of the International Cycling Union (UCI) feels like a breath of fresh air after the years of Pat McQuaid. Rightly or wrongly McQuaid had become synonymous with the Armstrong farce. Cookson has wasted little time in making his mark and the first few months seem to herald the dawning of an age of transparency. Time will tell of

course but, if you'll excuse the phrase, the signs so far are positive.

British world championship dreams turn into a damp squib ...

Who would have thought that dreams of a British world champion could be washed away by rain? But that was what happened in September. As Tuscany suffered torrential downpours, British hopes that Chris Froome would end the day in the rainbow jersey were not so much rained on as flushed out to sea. The British team started with eight riders and a dream; they ended with none and a nightmare.

Cue stern words from the lips of coach Rod Ellingworth.

The Tour of Britain continues to grow ...

This year's ToB was the biggest and best yet. Wiggins won the eight stage race that started in Peebles, Scotland, and ended in London. Wiggins took one stage along the way, Cavendish took three. Simon Yates completed the British-stage-win-hauls, claiming the Tour of Britain's first summit finish at Haytor on Dartmoor. Over 250,000 people reportedly lined the road for that stage through Devon, whilst a further 2.8m watched it on television, testament to the ToB's increasing pull.

And now it's (finally) the turn of the women ...

At long last the ToB organisers have decided that they ought to have a women's event to match

3rd January - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil

the men's. And so it was announced that 2014 will bring a national tour for women. Starting on the 7th May, the five stage race will depart from Oundle, Northamptonshire. It has been awarded a 2.1 status by the UCI, ranking it among the top women's races. It's a small but important step on the journey to improve coverage of women's cycling which struggles in comparison with men's racing.

More and more Brits are taking to the saddle ...

Cycling has been booming for a number of years but the good times are showing no signs of abating.

More and more Brits are hauling themselves into Lycra and taking to the road. It is a rare sunday indeed that many mini-pelotons aren't seen on our roads. The sport's national governing body reported in the summer that it is attracting nearly 3,000 new members every month, taking its membership to over 75,000 for the first time in its history. These days it is by bike that we roll.

Our women pursuit riders are out of reach ...

If there is one event where we Brits are totally dominant it is the women's team pursuit. In 2012 the dream-team of Joanna Rowsell, Laura Trott and Dani King blew away all-comers over 3000m. In 2013 the UCI added a fourth rider and a further 1000m. It has made little difference. Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald have joined the squad and if anything they are even more dominant, lowering the world record time and again this year. Their latest effort saw them clock 4:16.552, a full six seconds ahead of second-placed Canada.

Giles Belbin.

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 33

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 LOOKING GOOD & FEELING FINE

Family Health with

Jenna Evans Sleep

Seasonal Greetings and Happy New Year everbody! And to kick off a healthy 2014, this month I want to take a look at one of the foundations of wellbeing - sleep.

During sleep we move through several stages from light napping to the all important heavy REM (rapid eye movement) state. We may cycle back and forth through these stages throughout the night. I think most of us know how hard it can be to function at optimum after even one night of disturbed sleep and the longer it goes on we can reach a state of nervous exhaustion. Our quality of sleep directly impacts our emotional and physical wellbeing and the importance of a healthy sleeping pattern cannot be overstated. Maybe you’re one of the blessed few, who is away in slumberland as soon as their head hits the pillow. If you’re more like me however and prone to lying

awake in the wee small hours (maybe cursing the snorer next to you!) then read on. Here are my tried and tested top tips for a great night's sleep.

First up, make your bedroom your sleep sanctuary. That means no distractions - make it a computer, phone, games console and TV free zone. If you do have any of these things in the bedroom make sure they’re switched off a good hour before bed. Get into the habit of having a winding down period in the evening and a nightly routine that tells your body/mind that it’ll soon be time for sleep. Even reading in bed can be overstimulating for some people and I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re suffering from insomnia even if you may get away with it when you’re in a better sleeping

pattern. Make your room as dark as possible. This is key, as it is only in darkness that the pineal gland in the brain produces melatonin (from the amino acid tryptophan) and it’s the melatonin that gets us off to snoozeville. Try blackout curtains if you have light intruding from the outside world or perhaps you work shifts and have to catch your shut eye during the day. Make sure your bedroom is a comfortable temperature and as quiet as possible. Try earplugs or headphones with gentle music/white noise if it’s sounds that keep you awake. Perhaps most importantly don’t place too much expectation on yourself and start worrying about whether you’ll have a good night or not. This is hard I know, but only adds to the stressful cycle that sleep disruptions cause.

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Some experts recommend getting up if you haven’t nodded off after 15 minutes and doing something (like reading) in another room, until you feel sleepy and want to try again.

There’s a big element of retraining the brain and body if you haven’t slept well for a while so remember to be patient and go easy on yourself.

Next it’s time to ditch the caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine effectively takes away the brains ‘off switch’ so avoid caffeinated foods and drinks from early afternoon - you may even need to remove them entirely if you are very sensitive. You can feel the effects several hours after ingestion so it’s not always obvious that it was the afternoon latte or bar of chocolate that kept you up at 2 in the morning. Alcohol is another big no-no. Although some people find that it helps them get off to sleep (and may even use it as a kind of sedative), alcohol has a nasty habit of interfering with the deeper stages of sleeping, creating frequent waking - not a refreshing form of sleep.

Lastly, the remedies - first up it would seem that if you fed your pineal gland with the right raw materials (in this case the amino acid tryptophan), and added darkness then bingo! you should have melatonin and happy sleepers galore. If only it were as straightforward as that!

Unfortunately other amino acids compete with tryptophan and it may struggle to pass into the brain for utilisation by the pineal gland.

Luckily there is a supplement on the market made from pumpkin flour (for the tryptophan) and carbohydrate (to create a small blood sugar spike which shunts the tryptophan into the brain) which can be a very effectively way of inducing the bodies natural sleeping rhythms. A must try for chronic insomniacs. There are also several herbs traditionally used as sleep aids and you will find a combination of them in over the counter herbal

Forever Fashion Vintage for Life

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 LOOKING GOOD

sedatives. The most famous is Valerian, a widely used soporific herb that works wonders for many people. Valerian is often found in combination with another sedative herb, hops - in fact an old school remedy for sleep is a hops pillow.

Why not get some fabric and dried hops and make one to try yourself?

If you’re kept awake with your brain on ‘loop’ and can’t switch off your thoughts, the flower remedy White Chestnut could be for you.

Take it during the evening put some drops in water to keep by your bed throughout the night. The essential oils of lavender, marjoram and chamomile can be very calming, try a couple of drops on a tissue inside your pillowcase and take slow, deep breaths as you relax into bed.

Until next month, sweet dreams.

Jenna Evans ©2013.

Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil stock all of the remedies mentioned.

Jenna is available instore at Ceres to advise by 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.

The Five Things That You Must Address for a Long Healthy Future

When the wheel alignment on a car has been knocked, tyres will

wear quickly and unevenly. We replace the tyre and deal with the underlying imbalance to prevent further damage.

Symptoms are analogous to that worn tyre. Knee troubles for example often indicate an underlying cause such as faulty biomechanics. Hip pain, back pain and head-aches too. Lots of people get knee symptoms. Yet instead of doing something about it - like you do with your car – they accept and make do. Perhaps walking instead of running - for a slower rate of inevitable damage?

Personally I love to run and I enjoy the well-being benefits this brings. If an ache were to hold me back I would get the cause corrected! How often do you service yourself?

Besides a well-functioning skeleton and nerve system we need four other things: To eat well, move often and exercise, get rest and recuperation and have a positive mental attitude.

Most people do not realise there is usually a practical solution to the issues that hold them back.

Or they are stuck in the mind set of taking medication to hide symptoms. It can also be difficult knowing who to turn to, to get corrected. I believe that I am a good bet – an experienced pair of hands. Give me a call and look forward to some improvements for 2014. Dr Ben Gait DC Chiropractor @ Mendip Chiropractic Health.

“i’ve invested in 53 hours of additional training in 2013”

To be a better all-round Chiropractor * better FOr yOu ... better hipS, KneeS & ShOuLderS + SpineS i see better results + research found good practical care significantly reduces the need for surgery for arthritic hips Make me your 1st choice, call 01749 988046 dr. ben Gait dc @ mendip chiropractic health shePton mallet ● Read testimonials at: www.mendiphealth.com *In addition to a 5 year full time course and years in practice

New Class Starting

Mon

Tues

Weds

Thurs

6.30pm Odcombe Village Hall Old Road, Higher Odcombe nr. Yeovil

2pm Digby Hall Digby Road Sherborne

6.30pm Bucklers Mead Sports Hall

4.30pm Digby Hall Digby Road Sherborne

Beginner / Improver

Telephone: 01935 412104 Web: www.cordeliasclasses.com Email: cordelia.worsley@gmail.com

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6pm Bucklers Mead Sports Hall Beginner / Improver

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One to one sessions available

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5.45pm Digby Hall Digby Road Sherborne Beginner / Improver

Beer & sKittles P. A. BAXTER

AMONG all the emails I get, some are actually complimentary, yes, really. In fact one recently said it was very educational! I do appreciate the feed-back and comments and information about our wonderful pubs that we are privileged to enjoy in our country.

Well I do my best … so don’t forget our email address which is skittlealley@hotmail.com where we will be delighted to get all

The

types of comments.

Some of the feed-back has pointed me in directions of magazines that I might not ever have seen if it wasn’t for you lovely people out there in Visitorland – most recently I was loaned a copy of a magazine I had never heard of, The Country Gentlemen’s Association for starters, particularly I would certainly not class myself as such. The article in question, on beer, appeared in the latest issue ‘Festive 2013’ although my attention was first drawn to an advertising feature entitled Brilliant Board Games.

My eye was drawn to the ‘very old Canadian game of Crokinole’ which I had never heard of before, although it seemed to have a close relation in ‘Carom’ where pieces are flicked across the board. I think it would make a great pub game, though the price at £199.90 seemed rather high to leave a beautifully made wooden article lying around on a sticky pub table.

However, this was left well in the shade by a rather up-market version of that old favourite ‘Monopoly’ which is for sale at a mere £5000 … we won’t go there, as they say.

Lord Nelson Rectory Lane

Norton Sub Hamdon

Merry Christmas Everyone

gOOd FOOd - gOOd beer - greAt AtMOSphere

Mark, Helen and Staff ...

Would like to sincerely thank all their customers for their unwavering support throughout the year and for all their hard work in the many charity fund raising events.

Wishing you all the very happiest of Christmases and a happy and healthy New Year!

Bookings

Tel: 01935 881473

TRUFFLES Restaurant & Bistro 95 High Street Bruton, BA10 0AR merry christmas and a happy new year from your local, family run, restaurant Enjoy new yeaR’s eVe dinneR with a ... complimentary Glass of champagne Book early for your loved one’s treat this coming Valentine’s weekend 13th, 14th & 15th February Limited spaces for this weekend due to last years popularity

fRench buffet lunch every sunday ... so you can try the best of French cooking (Chef loves showing off on a Sunday)

foR ReseRVations tel: 01749 812180 www.trufflesbistro.co.uk

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 35

Guinness! Not only is that the case but the Chinese and American market are also enthusiastic consumers of their

products. Clearly then, we must look out for ‘Black Dog Mild’ and ‘Double Dog Stout’. The brewery still has a tied estate of about 40

And so, moving swiftly on to the reason I was loaned the magazine, we see a fascinating three-page article about Elgoods Brewery, which still stands and operates on the banks of the River Nene, at Wisbech, Cambs, and is run by Brewster’s – women brewers – who are the fifth generation of the Elgood family to be in charge. The three sisters are the first generation to be an all-female management team. I cannot recall ever being able to enjoy the privilege of tasting their beers, but as a little taster so to speak, in Russia their stout is considered to be a rival to

★

Sunday 22nd December TIM PITMAN Christmas Special 9pm Start

★

Tuesday 31st December NEW YEAR’S EVE “Bugsy Malone” Theme 3 Course Dinner + Entertainment

GuY JohNSoN Keyboard / Vocalist Tickets for Dinner £32.50 See our website for full menu details

Wishing all our customers health, wealth and happiness for Christmas and 2014

★

CLOSED Christmas Day Evening, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day Evening

Helyar arms

east Coker • yeovil • Somerset • bA22 9Jr Christmas Parties from £19.95 per person Jazz singer Julie Dunn singing Christmas Classics! on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st December

Christmas Day Lunch for £49.50 per adult and £24.95 per child Open from 12noon – 3pm

New year’s eve One Tree Hill playing live! a la Carte menu available (bookings for tables advised) ... no admission charge ~ OPeNING HOUrs ~ Monday to Saturday 11am – 3pm and 6pm – 11pm Sunday 12noon – 3pm and 6pm – 10pm

pubs – thankfully too small to be broken up by the beer orders of the late Eighties, so they can serve their ales at each of these outlets. Whilst all three ladies have two children each, it is too early to say whether there will be a blood line continuation, but let us hope that the brewery will continue for at least the next 220 years. Nevertheless, it seems that in the quest to try more forms of beer and boldly go where none of us has been before, we still have a lot of exploring to do. Now, can anyone tell the Baxter crew where we can get some of Elgood’s finest products – locally?

It’s all very well for CAMRA and their ilk to bang on about real ale and how much good they are doing for the industry, but it is no good if there are no outlets for the stuff. We all know that there are the best part of 30 pubs closing their doors for the final time every week, and whilst the rate of closure has slowed somewhat, we are still losing them. We also have that great paradox insofar as there are more breweries in action now than there was before the Second World War. We hear all about great beer festivals, local beer festivals, mini beer festivals, but little about how endangered a pub is – until it is quite possibly too late. Indeed, we see a pub open one day and closed the next, and no warnings! I know of at least one CAMRA member who stopped going to their local meetings as it was all talk of ales and their qualities rather than what could be done to keep their local pubs open. Campaigns that make ‘The Pub is the Hub’ are all well and good, as long as it gets them in through the door to spend money, and no I don’t even care if those spending money only buy lager, as long as real ale is catered for as well. We have seen landlords come and go in so many pubs throughout my own

Your hosts, Mick, Jean & Garry wish all their customers a very Happy Christmas ...

The MUDDLED MAN Lower Street, West Chinnock Christmas Day - Open for Drinks 11.00am – 1.30pm

Boxing Day - Buffet - £15 Saturday 28th December - Curry Buffet - £10.50 12.30pm – 2.30pm and 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Burns Night Supper - Saturday 25th January Cock-A-Leekie Soup * Haggis, Neeps & Tatties * Tipsy Laird ... or Cheese & Biscuits (Vegetarian Haggis available if pre-booked)

✴ Food is Served Every Day from 12noon – 2.30pm and 6.30pm – 9.30pm

function Room available for your corporate presentations / business meetings - call to book

info@helyar-arms.co.uk  01935 862332

HOME MADE DAILY SPECIALS • rEAL ALES • SKITTLE ALLEY • BEEr GArDENS

36 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

Tel: 01935 881235

drinking career, and some that seem to know all the answers when they come from a completely different part of the world, and think that the pub they take over ought not to even have skittles! The worst experience of this happened in our local pub where all the skittles teams were thrown out, but this action resulted in banner headlines on the front of the Western Gazette the following week - and the pub’s incumbent lasting a mere seven months. I firmly believe that for the majority of pubs, if you want to survive then you must have locals that will support you come hell or high water, and to get them into your pub on a regular basis then what better way is there than to have league games? I don’t mind either if it is tiddly-winks or tugof-war, and the latter must be a game worth reviving, surely? The ridiculous ‘themed’ pub seems to have blown itself out and hopefully the marketing men have gone away to try and ruin another industry – as long as they don’t come back. Why theme a pub like the African jungle, a fake Irish bar or a space station, (yes, really) when you are aiming your marketing at that narrow bunch of people who might find it faintly amusing until the next stupid trend comes along - and they head off to that establishment?

If one wants to attract people, why not leave it just like a proper English pub and keep the traditional games, and don’t mess with it! Rant over!

The

The Spring edition of This England a fine patriotic magazine aimed at ‘all who love our green and pleasant land’ was also passed on to me by one of my admirers (he lied; it was actually my Mum) and in this particular edition there is a two-page spread on ‘Old English Skittles’. Now, one can do no better than to ‘Google’ this on the Interweb, for there is quite a lot of information relating to this, including some fine video of this ultra-violent game taking place. I would recommend one try ‘London Skittles’ as a search, for there now is, sadly, only one place left where this incredible game is played. The pins are large and bulbous, the missile is a huge lignum vitae ‘cheese’ that is hurled from 21 feet away and even the scoring is different.

Without doubt it was once quite widespread but now confined merely to the Freemasons Arms in Hampstead. We must make a pilgrimage whilst there is still time. Please do also take some time over the seasonal holidays to take a look at this game, and find out exactly what they mean by ‘London Bridge’, ‘Portsmouth

Halfway House Inn Country Lodge

CHILTHORNE DOMER nr. YEOVIL

Tel: 01935 840350 • Fax: 01935 849006 • www.halfwayhotelyeovil.com

Christmas Day Luncheon ... a few spaces still available

New Year’s Eve – Full Menu Dining? Why not stay the night?

reduced rate Accommodation for Diners – 20 Ensuite rooms

Delicious Sunday Carvery – £7.95 REAL ALES • FUNCTION ROOM • LAKE & GARDEN • Proprietor: Paul T. Rowsell FBII

Road’, ‘open fender’ ‘hell’s gate’ and ‘cocked hat’ amongst many other terms. Who knows? We could even add them to the vocabulary of our own version of the game – I know our team has been doing so for some time.

So there it is - another ‘educational’ piece of writing. In truth, what the person actually said to me was educational; his exact words were ‘Well, that’s taught me a lesson …’ That’s the same thing, isn’t it?

Happy New Year!

AROUND THE

H O U S E S IN BARRINGTON ... The Barrington Boar offers nicely presented meals and cosy fires ...

The Royal Oak at Over Stratton is issuing its own currency - cut out the voucher this month and save £10 when dining ... The Bell Inn at Ash is flying the flag for the Glovers ... don’t forget ‘Dusty

Dean & Lou welcome you to the

Marston Inn Marston Magna nr. Yeovil

Join us for a delicious Sunday Carvery using quality local Somerset meats Main £7.50 • Two Courses £10 ★ Lunchtime Special Two Meals for £12 Monday – Saturday ★ Christmas Party Menu from £12.50 – bookings taken for January ★ Skittle ‘Friendlies’ with Food welcome ★ ★ Saturday 21st December: JohN & ChRISTINE – 9pm ★

New Year’s Eve Buffet & Live Music ... with JohN RaMoNd – £5 on door to include buffet

 01935 850020

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all our customers past & present

Market Bar & Bistro Market Place, Somerton

Remember ... Scrumpy Duck ... Braised Ox Tail Tapas ... and more … ?

Open daily for Lunch and Dinner (closed Sunday evening) Traditional Sunday Roast plus menu choice JANUARY SPEC IAL 2 Course Lunch £8.95 Monday to Friday Fiona, Duncan and Avril wish all their customers a very Merry Christmas and a happy 2014

Tel: 01458 272468 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 37

They Say That the window-dressing skills of Castle Cary’s Lawrence family are a joy to behold.

That Snow Globes are popular this year.

That congratulations go to Gillingham Primary School for being the overall winners of the recent Festive Hat Competition.

That the Tone Zone Gym of Yeovil will be able to promote themselves, as seen on TV, after a cameo appearance in the recent Come Dine With Me - Yeovil special.

That Portuguese visitors now realise that D. F. S. stands for we Deliver Foreign Sofas.

That Sally Meecham of Crewkerne is hoping to Monopoly-ise Steve over the festive period, if Santa has read her letter.

That a Parcel Force customer recently received a letter - to say they could not deliver their parcel because they did not have the correct address!

That there are blizzard conditions at Divine Wines of Wincanton.

That Castle Cary’s Big Christmas was pleased to have Somerset Sound complete with bus promoting the event.

That Chris Lowe of Acorn Music in Yeovil has just celebrated 40 years of trading - that certainly is a LP record!

That Mr Mould - the Wincanton Cobbler is wished a speedy recovery.

That congratulations go to Wyke Farms of Wyke Champflower who won Gold at the World Cheese Awards for their Extra Mature Cheddar - beating 2,700 entries from 30 countries around the globe. This brings the total of their awards and accolades won this year to an amazing 141!

That two of North Cadbury’s senior citizens are hoping that Santa Claus will be bringing them some thermal underwear this year.

That now the Tax Disc is being done away with, a new use for Guinness labels will have to be found.

That the recent high winds caused havoc with one of Castle Cary’s festive Christmas trees fortunately it came to a safe Landing on the pavement in Woodcock Street.

That our thanks go to all the 2013 contributors of our We Hear and They Say columns - please keep them coming in 2014.

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

168 Hendford Hill YEOViL “i wish you a hopeful Christmas i wish you a brave new year All anguish pain and sadness Leave your heart and let your road be clear” FIrST PErSON to tell me the above song gets a free drink last month it was John Penny from Bradford Abbas again who correctly guessed ‘The Chain’ by Fleetwood Mac. Greetings from the top of the hill. Well, its nearly all over for another year. Wow, where did that one go?

We have had a super month up here at The Quick’ - a couple of really good birthday parties including my own  ... a n d M i k e A t h e r s u c h celebrated his 50th here in style with his friends and a great band which he happens to play drums for. Well done Mike!

On Friday the 20th of December we have Matthew Rock playing his own fantastic style of entertainment and on New Year’s Eve we have STORM playing live, with a buffet, and its Fancy Dress, though as always here that is optional.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEBORAH  .

On the first Friday of January we have Karaoke in the bar. And on Sunday 12th in the afternoon we have Jorden Lindsay fresh from his travels entertaining us from 4pm – 6pm.

On the Friday 17th live in the bar we have The Van Grahams.

I would like to say a special t h a n k y o u t o a l l m y customers and staff who have helped me through another year. Trading conditions are still very difficult for the pub trade but hopefully we are through the toughest bit and we can all look forward.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful new year.  TOOT TOOT!!!

BOOkiNGS

 01935 424721

38 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

Springfield’ at The Dinnington Docks, on New Year’s Eve ...

Santa’s reindeer has landed at The Lord Nelson Norton Sub Hamdon - very festive fairy lights ... and dust off your kilts for the Burns Supper in January at The Muddled Man, West Chinnock.

Yomping on to Yeovil where it’s well done to Eddie and Alison at The Great Western, on achieving the Cask Marque for

their ales ... good luck to The Bell (aka the Hungry Horse) on their re-opening ... Mavis of Acorn Music enjoyed a lovely birthday meal at The Quicksilver Mail ... diners at The Halfway House Chilthorne Domer can stay the night at a reduced rate ... and Banana High will be appearing at The Black Horse on Saturday 21st December.

Cycling on to Street we find

Vinny enjoys a Kleftika Evening at The Queen’s Arms, Wraxall

Home-Made Food Served 7 Days a Week

Real Ales - Garden Skittle Alley

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB Serving Sensibly Priced Food & Drink

Steak Night Wednesdays £22.50 inc. Bottle of Wine 3 Meat Carvery every Sunday £8.95 Fresh Fish From Beer every Friday Get Your Tickets for NeW YeARS eve 60’s NIghT with ...

“Dusty Springfield”

Dinnington, Nr hinton St. george • Tel 01460 52397 email hilary@dinningtondocks.co.uk

taking the Jazz scene by storm is the Rich Bennett Band at the Wessex Hotel on Sunday 22nd December ... it’s all change at The Unicorn in Somerton ... Avril, Duncan and Fiona are having a busy first Christmas at The Market Bar & Bistro ... and visit The Natterjack Inn at Evercreech Junction for a funfilled night with Tim Pitman and his Christmas Show, on the 22nd December.

Breezing on to North Brewham to The Old Red Lion where Tom is now fighting fit - Ann and Tom would like to say a big thank-you to their many customers and friends for their kindness through the year ... in Bruton do you think Truffles Restaurant & Bistro should change its name? Let them know your opinion ... ask about the

Race Day Packages at The Montague Inn, Shepton Montague ... The Queens Arms, Corton Denham will be showing Wolverine on Wednesday 15th January ... if you’re too busy for a Christmas Party in December, The Marston Inn at Marston Magna are taking festive bookings for January ... Nick Tatham as seen on The Voice will be appearing at The White Post Inn, Rimpton ... The Catash Inn, North Cadbury is currently closed ... a warm welcome, friendly staff and good food at The Camelot Inn, South Cadbury. And finally ... it just remains for us here at The Visitor to remind readers to ‘support your local pub’ and to thank all our landlords and landladies for their continued support throughout the year. May you all have a Merry Christmas and a peaceful, healthy and prosperous 2014.

sean & suzy welcome you to the

montague inn

Shepton montague BA9 8Jw Tel: 01749 813213 Join us this festive season for good food and a warm welcome ...

ChriSTmAS PArTY menu Some dates in December still available Or why not come in January?

✴ OPen ✴ Christmas Day Lunchtime Boxing Day Lunchtime ▪ Boxing Day Evening New Year's Eve Evening New Year's Day Lunchtime

new YeAr'S eve ... filling fast!

4-course Dinner ▪ Live Entertainment Fireworks at Midnight Taxi home within 10 mile radius ... only £ 70

Simple Supper nights ‒ Tuesdays Steak nights ‒ Mondays Like rACing? Check out the Package for WinCanton RaCes at the Monty ...

Brunch at The Monty Premier enclosure Ticket followed by early Supper back at The Montague Inn ... only £35



Booking is essential: 48 hours notice ★ next RaCe Day saturday 4th January

BurnS nighT: 25th January 3 Course menu - £30 Haggis, neePs & tatties ... with Jocks in Frocks, Daggers in their Socks, plus a Nip with your Haggis and a Piper! sean, suzy & staff would like to wish all their customers the compliments of the season!

PLeASe ring for full details and bookings or email: info@themontagueinn.co.uk THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 39

GARDENING GARDENING MONTHLY

by Richard Cumming Orchard Park End of Year in my Garden

AS IN ALL regular columns at this time of year, there is the overwhelming tendency to want to review the past season. Should

Tree Surgery SpecialiSTS Crown Thinning and reduction Dead and Dangerous Trees removed New Trees Supplied and Planted Tree Stumps removed Approved Contractor to Somerset County Council and Local Councils

I resist? Hmm ... tempting but can I remember accurately enough what happened in the year. To be quite honest, days and weeks seem to pass with the speed of light; that’s about 671 million miles per hour, or quite fast. Memory seems to move slower than that so that it is hard to remember what has already happened. The brain processes information at an amazing rate, possibly about 20 million billion

Approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

bits of information per second, but how long does it take to find a memory amongst all the other stuff and clutter in there? This could be a cutting edge neurophysicalogical theory; I need to check my facts and develop the research a little further but will come back to you before I publish my potentially Nobel Prize winning paper!

So as far as I can recall, the early part of the year was quite mild with lower than average rainfall but then turned cold and remained cold for far too long slowing the spring gardening something awful. Nothing germinated because soil temperatures and light levels were inadequate. Then, everything changed and the world turned green! With no late frosts, the blossom lasted a long while and looked fantastic. We had a great fruit set which led to a

really good crop of top fruit. Some of the fruit bushes struggled but for me, gooseberries and redcurrants were stars. I must replant my old bushes this winter; I love gooseberries and to buy them fresh in the shops is difficult and pointless if you can grow your own, and redcurrants are just such a treat!

The year then moved on at a reasonable pace with a balance of rain and sunny weather. All in all, not too bad. Coming in to the winter we have really been spared the cold weather so far, but I have no doubt it will come so prepare for some cold days after Christmas, in January or February.

Good food is such a part of our lives now. We are bombarded with ideas for fabulous meals with many recipes way beyond our competence levels, but the overwhelming feeling is that

QUALiFiED ARBORiST

TREE PLANTiNG

Phone B. P. MONTGOMERY for a FrEE Estimate  01963 240532 Mobile: 07970 397248 Email: brutontreecare@hotmail.com ✴ Merry Christmas to all our Customers ✴

40 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE AND DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL

PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660

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

desire to have fresh fruit, veg and herbs within easy reach, from our very own patch and 2014 is going to be an even bigger grow-yourown year than ever. The essential thing is to start planning early with construction and preparation of raised beds, specially built containers or veg beds, or getting

hold of an allotment to grow on a larger scale if your garden is limited or dedicated to other uses such as the kids and the dog!

Plant of the month

With the dark months creeping in, there is no better time to spruce up your garden with

Moggs of Wells Showroom at Shepton Mallet where there is a good choice of new Garden Machinery (see advert inside cover). Also for sale some second hand machines including a Lawnflite 604 GLH Ride On Lawn Tractor, 30" cut, hydrostatic drive, rear discharge with grassbox, only 3 years old, £1099. A Hayter Harrier 56 pedestrian mower, 22" cut, variable speed rear roller drive with electric start £499. A Hayter Harrier 41 pedestrian mower, 16" cut, variable speed rear roller drive £325 and a Lawnflite 990SPO pedestrian mower, 18" cut, rear roller drive £180.

GARDENING Hellebores. Also known as the Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger), the Hellebore is a traditional garden favourite, making it the perfect choice for the Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) Plant of the Month for January.

With a colour range of pure white through to deep purple, pink, cream, yellow, and red flowers, Hellebores are guaranteed to light up a damp,

shady spot in your winter garden.

The genus Helleborus, compromises of approximately 20 species of herbaceous, evergreen, perennial flowering plants. They are often used for decorative purposes and are popular with gardeners for their early flowering period during winter and spring and are frost resistant, making them ideal for this time of year.

The most popular hellebores

QUALITY FENCING PANELS AND TIMBER CLANVILLE SAWMILLS LTD Clanville • Castle Cary (on the B3153) Monday to Thursday - 8am to 5pm Friday - 8am to 4pm

Castle Cary (01963) 350881

All types of Fencing • Gates • Trellis • Fence Panels • Tool Sheds • Summer Houses • Garages • Workhouses • Greenhouses • Field Shelters All Buildings are hand-made at Bourton using Scandinavian Redwood Shiplap Timber.

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

Telephone 01747 840752

Podimore Recycling Ltd Suppliers of Quality Recycled Aggregates

TOP SOIL / SUB SOIL Crushed Concrete All types of Stone • Sand • Tarmac Road Plannings and Screened Top Soil Small Tip for Clean Building Rubble & Bricks Small & large Quantities Collected or Delivered Site Clearance Specialist • Tipping Facilities Tipper lorries • 180° - 360° Excavators Fully Mobile Crusher and Screener hire Barns Down • Farm Yard Demolition Yards Crushed • Stone Supplied

Come and see Santa Claus!

DIGGER AND CRUSHER HIRE AVAILABLE Tel / Fax: 01935 849250 Mobile: 07973 844145

RECyCling FoR ThE EnviRonMEnT

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 41

GARDENING for garden use, however, are undoubtedly Helleborus orientalis and its colourful hybrids. They flower in early spring, around the period of Lent, and are often known as Lenten hellebores, oriental hellebores, or Lenten roses. They are excellent for bringing early colour to shady herbaceous borders and areas

between deciduous shrubs and under trees. Being often very tolerant of dry shade conditions and look fantastic planted in borders with snowdrops, Erythronium, Primula, Pulmonaria and Tiarella. They can also make good houseplants.

Hellebores do well in heavy, rich, limey soil that won’t dry out

in summer months. Their leaves die down in June or July, after when the plants should be kept cool and shaded until they begin to grow again in early spring.

They are also wildlife friendly and are a valuable source of pollen for early bees TV gardener David Domoney

for all your tool hire requirements including Mini digger hire and garden Machinery

is the celebrity champion for Hellebores this month. With a keen passion for horticulture, David started his career as a plant advisor in a garden centre, progressing through supervisor and management roles to becoming a plant buyer.

David said: ‘Flowering Hellebores make you wonder at the beauty and resilience of nature as they open beautiful flowers in the depth of winter.

The diversity of the colour and blooms together with integrated shaped emerald green foliage across many varieties make this a perfect first choice as the calendar year starts.’

Jobs for the month

There are usually a few days over the Christmas and New Year holiday that allow a bit of a work

higher Farm, Sutton, Ditcheat Tel: 01749 860199 • Mob: 0777 163 2221

Alan Dodge BSc

LOG cuTTinG

made easy!

Handy Log Splitter  ... including free stand - £229  STiHL MS170 12 inch bar chainsaw - £169 Handy Polydump cart  ... so useful - £89  Handy Shredder 240v - £89

Seasons greetings to all of our customers

LEE HOLMES

Garden Machinery

15 Cary Court, Bancombe Business Park SOMERTON

Tel: 01458 274261

www.gardenmachineryrus.co.uk 42 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

out in the garden.

Apart from digging parsnips and picking Brussels sprouts for Christmas lunch, essential tasks centre around clearing, tidying and pruning. Add planning to that and you have enough to take you through to the first spring heated sowing in January with tomatoes and early salads.

Clearing veg and ornamental gardens is straightforward. The things to leave are attractive seed heads, grassy plumes and

colourful stems of plants such as dogwoods that you will cut back in late March. Prune dormant trees and bushes that are not going to flower in early spring.

Fruit trees, bushes, canes and vines all need care and attention according to their type. This is where the garden books come out for appropriate instruction! There are also so many really good howto videos on YouTube that will guide you through the process.

Clear away diseased debris,

the end bit...

predominantly carry advertisements with the few articles being a very strange mixture – a full-page devoted to a recipe for making a Christmas pudding, a half-page piece on caring for your wellington boots and a similar-length piece on winter tyres, and short articles on getting your chimneys swept and the history of the Poppy appeal. Hardly a guide to the towns! I’ve no idea how long this publication has been going as it gives no issue number, but November’s was clearly not the first. It will, however, be the last that I bother to read.

In contrast, an invaluable free bi-monthly that reached its 14th issue in October/November is Yeovil Live. Slightly narrower than A5, thus being a handy size to slip in your pocket, it’s a 24-page guide to live music in and around the town, with a comprehensive events listing and news and reviews of performers and their performances. Most of the advertisements are promoting gigs or the availability of musical

Paperchase

A SURE SIGN that the economy is recovering is the emergence of new ‘free’ magazines financed by advertising. A new one to me is the Wincanton, Castle Cary and Bruton Guide, a slim A5-size publication, which I picked up recently thinking it was indeed a guide to the three towns. On closer inspection I discovered it is ‘delivered to over 4,000 homes (in the three towns and surrounding villages) every month’ and that this was the November issue. Published by Vale Advertising from a PO Box address in Gillingham, its 24 pages

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.

GARDENING and apply a winter wash on fruit trees to control overwintering bugs and early aphid attacks.

Planning is the big project; deciding cropping areas, selecting seeds and plants for another great gardening year!

Happy Christmas, enjoy the sprouts, see you in the New Year! instruments, tuition, CDs, studio facilities and suchlike, making the magazine a ‘must’ for anyone in the area who appreciates and wants to support live entertainment, especially when it’s provided by fledgling local talent.

This is a publication I will certainly look out for in future.

Of the other local freebies that I see only from time to time, the Mendip Times continues to impress me. This full-colour monthly now runs regularly to 100 A4 pages and succeeds admirably in its aim of celebrating life on the Mendips with features on local news, people, events and history. It has been around for getting on for ten years and is showing no signs of getting stale. Also seemingly thriving is the fortnightly Fosse and Mendip News, published from Glastonbury, which was launched a couple of years ago and always carries plenty of local news stories and features in its 40 A4 pages.

The reason I don’t see every issue of these magazines is that the copies have all been taken by the time I get to the shops, so they are clearly popular and well read. If Vale Advertising hopes to emulate them it should start including material of local interest in its local Guide.

Back in early September the Blackmore Vale Magazine advertised for a new editor to replace Fanny Charles who ‘retired’ at the end of June. Since then the acting editor has been Fiona Dart, and under her watch the magazine has been treated to

Solution to December

Sudoku

Suppliers of quality lawn turf Full ground preparation and laying service available Telephone Somerton 01458 272091 Mobile 07850 310998

some minor design improvements (which I very much welcome) and a drastic reduction in the number of reviews of stage productions (which I very much miss). And still no indication of a successor being appointed. Did anyone local apply, I wonder, and will they get appointed? Watch this space.

You will probably recall that Western Daily Press editor Tim Dixon justified last September’s 9% price increase of the weekday issues by promising more pages, more supplements and redoubled efforts to improve the quality of the content. In last month’s column I noted that the Tuesday eightpage travel supplement often consisted entirely of holiday advertisements with not a feature article in sight! In the 26th November issue this had shrunk to just four pages of adverts. And the Thursday eight-page business supplement in the 5th December issue turned out not to be a supplement at all. Pull out the eight pages and you’ve lost the two page television and radio guide and a page of puzzles from the body of the paper. So the business content had shrunk to just five pages. Mr Dixon’s promises are beginning to seem not worth the paper they were printed on.

Chronicler.

ANSWErS TO pOp MuSIC QuIz on page 32

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‘Oasis ‘Sailor’ Barry White The Mersey Billy Joel ‘Bunnymen’ Mel B rick Wakeman ‘Alisha’s Attic’ ‘Bad Company’

This Month’s Bonus Question ‘Three Dog Night’ Extra Bonus Question ‘Hazy Shade of Winter’ Question Impossible ‘Bauhaus’ THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 43

Send Details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG 30p per word (£5 minimum) pre-payment essential



Classified Ads

phOne - a - FirM

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Greetings

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19th December ... from the motley crew! xxx Passport Photographs PASSPoRTS - PASSPoRTS PASSPoRTS and i.D. Any legislative size. Any time to suit you. Easy parking.

Tel: graham Cox, Photographer, 01458 223769.

Mobile Bars / Catering hARRy’S MoBilE BARS, all occasions, weddings, parties, etc. Tel: 01747 825553 harry@bars4u.plus.com www.harrysmobilebars.co.uk QUiCKSilvER MAil outside bar facilities for any occasion. Call Pete on 07779 306751.

Wanted REDUnDAnT MoToR MoWERS, rotavators, chainsaws, strimmers, cement mixers, etc. Tel: 01460 77844.

DAvE BUyS All TyPES oF ToolS, bygones and collectables. Daves Tools Tel: 01935 428975.

Services hoUSEholD & gARDEn RUBBiSh ClEARED, old sheds / oubuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844.

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

Dog Holidays holiDAy FoR yoUR Dog. let your dog stay with us when you are away. 24-hour attention and long walks. Fully licensed and insured. vet approved. References available. Tel: 01963 240650.

T.V. Rental T.v. REnTAl - long or short term, domestic & commercial, up to 50inch plasma. h. R. hodge. Tel: 01460 240645.

REACHING OVER 60,000 READERS

Shouldn’t you be ADVERTISING HERE? Tel: 01963 351256

44 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

07921 074602 • 01749 677440 • Solidfuel3@aol.com

Domestic Appliances

Pe

PREMIER ELECTRICS Est. 34 yrs

COVErING THE SOuTH LOCALLY Kitchen Appliance Sales & Repairs Ø repairs to all leading brands of Kitchen appliances Ø 12 months guarantee on all repairs Ø Diagnostic work charged unless work undertaken Ø 24 hour service Ø OAP discounts

TELEPHONE: 01935 609300 / 01747 470212 / 01460 220660 / 01458 298212 For your nearest technician

taylors domestic

Appliances ltd.

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

Ridge View, Penmore Road Sandford Orcas DT9 4SE Professional repairs by qualified engineer on most makes of appliances.

01963 220366 Email: info@tda.uk.com Covering the areas between Wincanton Castle Cary, Sparkford, Sherborne and Yeovil

Clock Repairs CLOCk REPAiRS Antique and Modern Clock Repairs.

Free pick up and delivery 40 years experience

Tel (01935) 477582

Framing SCENES

Artist Materials & Gallery

« Picture framing « restoration « Large selection of prints & paintings « Greeting Card Blanks High St. Gillingham Tel 01747 824050 www.scenes-online.co.uk

TV & Radio Aerials DAVE PARMITER AERIALS Tv AERiAl SERviCE SATElliTE / viDEo SySTEMS CCTv SySTEMS - PERSonAl SERviCE

Tel: YEOViL (01935) 422088 or mobile 07850 405433 no CAll-oUT ChARgE

FEBRUARY DEADLINE

Monday 20th January  01963 351256

phOne - a - FirM

Electrical Contractors

Transport & Storage The key to all your storage needs!

Fully insured Storage at highly Competitive Rates Call us today for a quote!

01963 440045 www.sparkfordstorage.com

• Open 7 Days a Week • 20 Years Established Family Business • Modern Burglar-Alarmed Warehouses • Professional & Reliable Service • Removals To and From Storage • Self Store with Easy Access • Cubicle and Crate Storage • Friendly, Helpful Staff High Street, Sparkford, nr. Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7QJ Tel: 01963 440045 / 440526 / 440692

Roofing

PARKS

ROOFING LTD.

SLATiNG & TiLiNG SpeCiALiSTS

Specialists in period and listed properties

Leadwork Chimneys Fascias Gutters Flat Roofs

Security

26 Stembridge, nr. Kingsbury, Martock TA12 6BN Telephone: 01460 240229 • Mobile: 07917 411961

For all your roofing requirements

Flat Roofing • Tiling • Slating GRP Roofing All New Work Fully Guaranteed

For further information & estimates contact Allan Carey

01963 33528 / 07885 723915 Email: allancarey541@hotmail.com

Plastering

bourton roofing Co. Slate  Tiling  Flat roofing. uPVC Fascias  Guttering FREE EST iMAT ES

 01747 840064

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

Services East Lydford 01963 240185 or Mobile 07811 211586

Say you saw it in The Visitor

GOOD POTATOES

Takeaway Bags of Coal • Calor gas Car & van Rental Competitive Prices

Anchor Hill Service Station WinCAnTon 01963 32609

Denture Repairs

Are you a denture wearer?

De to m nture smi ake y s o le a gain u !

Denture repairs while you wait ...

TERRY NEW DENTAL

01458 210039

Home visits a speciality

Communications

DENTURE REPAIRS While You Wait Collection & Delivery Denture Advice Mr. C. Dunn

registered Dental Technician

01749 812585 www.dunndental.co.uk

WESTLINE COMMUNICATIONS Business Telecom Specialist For all your telecom needs For free, friendly and professional advice call ...

John Penny on 07976 967349 www.westlinecoms.co.uk

THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014 45

phOne - a - FirM Your Guide to Local Services Oven Cleaning

Maintenance and Repairs U CAN’T I CAN Paul chedzoy Property & Garden maintenance

• • • • •

Decorating, Gardening, Building and General D.I.Y.

 01935 472669 ... or

• • • •

07884 345511

email: ucantican07@aol.com

Trading for over 6 years CuSTOMER REFEREnCES AvAilABlE

Builders SomerSet Cleaning ServiCeS Established 2004

● Domestic Cleaning ● Commercial Cleaning ● Holiday Let Change-overs Regular Cleans and One-offs Professional and Efficient Service

Independent Oven Cleaning Specialist Ovens - Hobs - Agas etc

Monday 20th January  01963 351256

• Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiling • Painting & Decorating • Electrical Contracting

The Visitor can now be read online:

FEBRUARY DEADLINE

Competitive Prices ✳ No VAT ✳ No job too big or too small

Set by Frank Butler

Correct entries are placed in a hat and the winner is the first name drawn. The prize is a £10 voucher to spend with any one advertiser in this issue of The Visitor - please do not forget to state your choice of advertiser and your name and address.

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24 hour emergency call out • email: hoddaz@hotmail.com

Across 1.

5.

SeND CoMPleTeD eNTrieS To: The visitor Crossword, P.o. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG to arrive by Monday 20th January.

2

 01963 440256 / 07974 844682

www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Prize Crossword No. 327

1

• Renovations & Extensions FriendLy & • Roofing + Carpentry reLiAbLe • Plumbing & Heating ServiCe

www.misteroven.co.uk

 01458 201100

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46 THE VISITOR Christmas / January 2014

Large jar has a measure of speed with a broken oar. [7] Brief arrival in a corpse-cart may stop you. [7] rough drawing sounds as if a door's not shut. [5] Signature, initially as usual, got returned with damaged harp. [9] Short period before nothing American is very significant. [9] Bashful back-up for South American rodent. [5] Disordered genius, one short, has hot spiced diluted port. [5] At once aid me to change with time. [9] Success with tin and large mass at the racecourse. [9] Material in silly crate. [5] Simplistic, putting one in part of a church. [5] Some, following first loyal oath, become repulsive. [9] About time this page was sorted!

What's for lunch? [9] Seventeenth Greek letter, taking in short mammal. [5] Fainter returning to Kent: Quite a set-back! [7] Came out as one-tenth of a microjoule in short eastern sea.

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Betsy arranged to measure bits of information. [5] Little man, here in Paris, meets boy coming back intent on killing the king. [9] Some deem it a lyrical nation. [5] Give other accommodation on her return, near the river. [7] Vacuum liner perhaps, for ET's travel. [5,4] Legally required as gent takes case. [9] Mixing argon with inch, securing ship's position. [9] Mistral and gale or royal House.

[7] Nero, engulfed in aid, has a type of barometer! [7] Totally hidden in tin alloy. [2,3] Bilingual articles on which you may turn. [5] Shore arranged for riding. [5]

Solution to Crossword 326

Down 2.

25

Contact JAMES CADE on 01963 34272 or 07967 307179

FUlly QUAliFiED BUilDER - ESTABliShED 1973

Tel: 01935 475065 Mob: 07752 695264

email: somersetcleaning@hotmail.co.uk www.somersetcleaningservices.com

Exterior and interior decorating Gutters cleared and cleaned High level painting and cleaning Conservatories washed down Removal of disused sky dishes and cabling Repointing of stone and brickwork Patios cleaned Many other jobs undertaken no v.A.T. competitive rates for seniors

Dave Hoddinott

Mister Oven

Cleaning

SERVICES

4.

Confused bad portent with body part. [7] Pig, having eaten tram parts, takes article for mountain goose.

[9] Frequently concerned with ten.

[5] A station 'M' adjusted to find an expert in body structure. [9]

THE WINNEr of our December Crossword 326 was Ms. B. Hollingworth of Crewkerne, who chose to spend the £10 voucher at Acorn Music, Yeovil.

Summertime and the living is easy ...

Enjoy your garden to the full this summer come rain or shine with the addition of an attractive garden room!

Forster - traditional in style. The walls are timber frame clad with tanalised feather edge boarding all under a second hand clay double roman tiled roof. The joinery includes white painted, double glazed bi-fold doors and window. Internally the building is insulated and finished with plasterboard and skim.

Eaton - contemporary garden room. The walls are clad with maintenance free thermally modified timber all under a felt roof. Joinery as the Forster.

Internally, lined and insulated with TGV boarding.

SPARKFORD SAWMILLS Ltd, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 7LH

Tel: 01963 440414 • www.sparkford.com Visit our website to see our extensive range ... or call in to discuss your requirements