The Visitor Issue 495 February 2025

I n P assin g ...

February holds little to lift the gloom of Winter. The clocks don’t go forward until the end of March and Easter doesn’t show its face till 18th April. The best that the month has to offer is probably Valentine’s Day, the Christian festival of love created to pre-empt and ultimately replace the lusty pagan fertility celebrations of Lupercalia on 15th February.

One of my comforts in these dank days is the evocative smell from a large pan of home-made soup simmering gently on the stove in my cosy kitchen, usually the warmest room in the house. When root vegetables are plentiful and cheap, chunks of carrot, swede, parsnip, turnip, potato and onion, slowly softened in a flavoursome stock, provide a hearty, healthy, warming, filling soup. Eating seasonally doesn’t mean eating expensively.

The basis of a really nourishing and well-flavoured soup is stock and professional chefs advise saving every drop of water that remains after steaming or boiling vegetables and adding the fibrous outside leaves trimmed from cabbages and cauliflowers and the wellscrubbed peel of root vegetables. Or for chicken stock adding the carcass and giblets that remain from a roast. Simmer it gently to extract all the flavour and nourishment, discard the solids and it’s ready to use as stock for soups. However, for most home cooks the easier, quicker alternative is to use stock cubes or bouillon granules that are readily available in Visitor land shops.

A couple of decades ago when I first extolled in this column the pleasures of home-made soups, several readers reminded me that most vegetables and pulses, and some fruits and nuts, can be used to make soups. Look at what you’ve got stashed away in the kitchen and let your imagination run riot, they told me when they shared their own easilyprepared Winter favourites. Soften a

chopped onion in cooking oil, stir in a generous tablespoon of curry powder then add the stock, a chopped carrot and a peeled, cored and diced cooking apple, said one correspondent. Another suggested adding four ounces of dried apricots, four ounces of red lentils and a chopped potato to the stock. A lady who grows herbs in pots on her kitchen windowsill recommended adding a generous handful of fresh coriander to a stock of carrots and potato. Another said a tin of chopped tomatoes added to the stock, and some lentils to thicken it, made a lovely tomato soup tastier than any out of a tin from the supermarket.

Gently simmer the soup for around half an hour and when all the ingredients are well softened, most soups benefit from being puréed in a blender or food processor. Season it to taste and perhaps add a swirl of cream. Served with crusty bread and chunks of one of Visitor land’s tasty cheddar cheeses, it promises to be a meal to lift the February gloom.

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Published: 27th February

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

PO Box 5522, Castle Cary Somerset BA9 0BP

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© The Visitor Ltd. 2025 ( Items marked ©GT are the copyright of Geoff Thompson) facebook.com/thevisitormagazine x.com/thevisitormag

CONTENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED 34

ANTIQUES 29

CROSSWORD 34

GARDENING 28

HOUSE & HOME 20

HOBBIES & PASTIMES 15

LOOKING GOOD 25

MENTIONED in DISPATCHES 4

MOTORING 26

NOTICE BOARD 15

PHONE A FIRM 33

POP QUIZ 15

PUBS 30

REMEMBER WHEN 32

SPRING WEDDINGS 16

SUDOKU 15

THE BIGGER PICTURE 24

THEY SAY 31

VALENTINES DAY 22 WINE & DINE 27

Cartoons by GEOFF THOMPSON

Mentioned in

Dispatches

Muchelney Pottery Celebrates 60 Years (1965 - 2025)

THE 60th anniversary of Muchelney Pottery is certainly a landmark to be celebrated over the coming year! First is the release of a special commemorative mug decorated with a seal designed and carved by Ben Leach. These are available

to buy either online or in their shop which is open MondaySaturday, 10-1, 2-4.

Also for your diaries - Saturday 3rd May they launch an exhibition which celebrates some of the artists that have worked with John and the pottery over the years, followed on Saturday 26th July by the main celebration - a very special Open Day!

They hope to raise a mug with as many friends and supporters of Muchelney Pottery as possible in 2025 and look forward to welcoming you!

Find them at Muchelney, Nr Langport, TA10 0DW or visit the website www.johnleach pottery.co.uk.

Fabulous, final Festival of Snowdrops at East Lambrook Manor Gardens

Somerset’s famous cottage garden at East Lambrook Manor will be holding what may be its final annual Festival of Snowdrops as it is hoped new owners will take over in the spring. Enjoy a stroll through a beautiful winter garden and view the extensive collection of unusual snowdrops.

The celebrated plantswoman and gardening writer Margery Fish, who created the iconic cottage garden, was a fan of double flowers so it is not surprising that she was delighted by a gift of the double snowdrop,

Galanthus Ophelia . It sparked her interest in the genus and she became an avid collector of rare snowdrops, which she planted in an area she named The Ditch, fashioned from the drainage channel beteween two orchards.

“It’s such a welcome sight to see the sides of The Ditch carpeted with snowdrops in February,” says current owner Mike Werkmeister, “and it’s where all the unusual snowdrops named for previous owners were found, most notably G. ‘Margery Fish’. It’s the sight I shall miss most when I move.”

The garden has a collection of around 140 named varieties, and

Muchelney Pottery founder John Leach. Image: R J Whittick.

The Muchelney Pottery team celebrate 60 years this year.

Mentioned in Dispatches

these are used to make a special display in a raised bed enabling visitors to appreciate the subtle and often not so subtle difference between them all. The best time to visit is mid-February as, if the weather is warm as in 2024, the snowdrops can be over before the month is out.

Around 90 varieties will be on sale in the nursery along with hellebores and other spring plants and bulbs. `Sculptor Chris Kampf will be exhibiting his popular steel snowdrops.

The garden is open Tuesday to Sunday throughout February, 10am to 5pm. Garden entry £7.00, under 16s free.

The NGS Snowdrop Open Day is on Friday 14th February, with all entry money going to charity. No charge if just visiting the nursery.

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

‘The Ditch’ at East Lambrook Manor Gardens in February 2023. Image: Mike Werkmeister.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Great British Bake Off star returns to Brimsmore Gardens with interactive baking demonstration

Thursday 13 February

On Thursday 13 February, food writer, author and Great British Bake Off star, Val Stones will return to Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil for an interactive biscuit decorating demonstration and tasting. As well as talking about her love of baking and how that

led to her appearing on series 7 of the Great British Bake Off, Val will prepare and decorate a variety of sweet biscuits. While sharing tales about baking for her family, friends and colleagues, Val will invite members of the audience to measure, mix, knead, shape and decorate a batch of biscuits. There will also be a selection of Val’s homemade biscuits for the audience to enjoy during the demonstration.

Having always found comfort in baking and gardening, often using homegrown produce in her recipes, Val has gained a large following on social media and uses this profile to encourage people to find the joy in baking for others, regardless of expertise,

and to grow their own, no matter how big their outdoor space may be. The demonstration will start around 1.30pm in the garden centre and will conclude with a

Q&A and tasting, with a hot drink and savoury treat provided by The Apple Tree Restaurant. The event starts around 1pm and tickets are £15 each and are available at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil or online at thegardensgroup.co.uk. Advance booking is essential.

The Stanchester Quire February Concert

On Saturday 8th February, at 10:30am, The Stanchester Quire will be reconvening, at Leigh Village Hall, Nr Sherborne, DT9 6HL, for the Spring term when they will be learning some of the old songs from the South West of England depicting Love and Courtship

New members are always very welcome with the first session free and the ability to read music not essential as everything is learnt by ear.

For more information please email stanchesterquire2@ gmail.com. Singing is good for the soul!

Crewkerne to receive a new banking hub following a community request LINK, the UK’s Cash Access and ATM network, has confirmed that Crewkerne will be the latest town in Somerset to benefit from a new banking hub. The town has been recommended a hub following a community request from Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil.

Banking hubs are shared banking spaces, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to all banking customers.

When opened, the hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions. In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy. The banks work on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.

Crewkerne’s recommendation follows a community request to LINK, who determined that the town requires additional cash services to support local businesses and banking customers.

The banking hub will now be delivered by Cash Access UK. Over the next few weeks, it will begin to engage with the local community and will start to look

Val Stones.

Mentioned in Dispatches

for potential sites.

To date, LINK has recommended 179 banking hubs across the UK. Alongside Crewkerne, LINK has today recommended two more hubs following community requests. These will be located in Cowes (Isle of Wight) and Barnard Castle (County Durham).

Crewkerne is the fifth banking hub to be recommended in Somerset. This follows a recent hub opening in Wellington, with hubs recommended in Frome, Keynsham and Nailsea set to open soon.

More than 100 banking hubs are open across the UK.

Somerset Wildlife Trust recognises vital importance of volunteering with launch of brand new action plan

Somerset Wildlife Trust has a loyal and skilled team of volunteers – over 350 across nearly 40 different roles – many of whom have helped shape the organisation to become what it is today. In 2023, volunteers gave 12,533 hours to Somerset Wildlife Trust’s reserves, the equivalent of £144,995 of paid time.

Volunteering for Somerset Wildlife Trust enables the charity to achieve its strategic goals, which include protecting Somerset’s wild places, supporting nature to recover across the county and beyond, and engaging with local communities to help more people connect with nature.

Volunteers can benefit by gaining new experiences, boosting their wellbeing, and strengthening their connection to

their community — depending on their own motivations.

With volunteer recruitment more challenging than ever, at both a local and national level, Somerset Wildlife Trust has spent the last year researching volunteering across the UK, consulting with current volunteers and staff to help produce the charity’s very first Volunteer Action Plan. The plan represents Somerset Wildlife Trust’s five-year plan for volunteering, setting out how it hopes volunteers will support the Trust, how the Trust will support volunteers, and how volunteering opportunities will evolve.

Hannah Paddison, Volunteering & Community Support Officer at Somerset Wildlife Trust, says:

“Our volunteers are vitally important to us – without them we would cease to exist as an organisation. That’s why it's important that volunteering is recognised and valued as a key mechanism to achieving nature recovery and our Wilder 2030 strategy goals across Somerset. A massive thank you to everyone who contributed their time, opinions and expertise to developing this plan.”

Becky Fisher, Head of Engagement at Somerset Wildlife Trust, adds:

“Delivering our Wilder 2030 strategy with the help of volunteers requires us to develop an inclusive culture of volunteering, embedded across the Trust. We will be working towards achieving these commitments over the next five years, working with each team across our organisation to support staff and review progress on an annual basis.”

You can read the plan and find all our current volunteering opportunities by visiting the Somerset Wildlife Trust website: www.somersetwildlife.org/getinvolved/volunteering.

Wildlife expert Chris Packham with volunteers. Image: Helena Dolby.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Endangered Crafts for Young People

The Heritage Crafts Red List is produced annually by the Heritage Craft Association to assess the viability of traditional crafts. Amongst the crafts considered ‘endangered’ are brick making, hurdle making and hewing.

These activities and more, will feature in free workshops taking place at museums across

Somerset and at MAKE Southwest in Devon, to encourage the next generation to take part.

Laura Wasley, MAKE Southwest CEO said: “We are really excited to be working with Heritage Craft Association and South West Heritage Trust on delivering these free workshops. This will give young people a chance to connect and learn an endangered craft skill, working with old tools and techniques. A huge thank you to the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust for their support.”

Susie Simmons, Operations Manager, South West Heritage Trust Museums said: “We’re delighted to be providing an opportunity for children and young people to learn about these

traditional crafts that make up an important part of our rural heritage.”

On Monday 17 February young

people (aged 14-23 years) are invited to a Woodworking Workshop at Avalon Archaeology, Glastonbury, where they can discover woodworking techniques through time.

Participants will use flint, bronze and steel tools to experience how people made wooden objects, from the Stone Age to the Saxons. Amongst the crafts being taught is hurdle making.

Evidence of these woven wooden panels has been found on the Somerset Levels, where they were used by Neolithic ancestors. Participants will also try hewing; the process of shaping a log to create flat surfaces using only hand tools.

On Saturday 8 March families are invited to come along to a free Rag Rug Workshop at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, where they can learn about the history, how rugs were made, and have a go. The tradition of making rag rugs became widespread during the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century. However, by the 1920s the craft was dying. The necessity for thrift during World War II brought a brief revival and interest in the craft grew again in the 1980s. It remains a sustainable lifestyle activity, practised by many amateurs who enjoy making things, and a few professional rug makers.

On Saturday 22 March families are invited to attend a free Brick Making Workshop at Somerset Brick and Tile Museum, Bridgwater, where they can learn about this aspect to Somerset’s industrial heritage and have a go. The making of clay bricks by hand or in small batches is now an endangered craft. For nearly 200 years, brick kilns flourished across Somerset, fuelled by the Industrial Revolution. Bridgwater’s transport links helped make it a centre of production. The decline of the brick and tile industry began with

Mentioned in Dispatches

World War I and it was all but over by the 1960s. The kiln at Somerset Brick and Tile Museum was last fired in 1965 and the last brickworks in the county closed in Wellington in 1996.

The Heritage Craft Workshops have been organised by a partnership of the South West Heritage Trust (which runs the museums), MAKE Southwest, Heritage Craft Association and is funded by D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust. All children and young people must be accompanied by an adult. Workshops are FREE to attend, with a refundable deposit required for booking. Booking required via swheritage.org.uk

Tree-mendous effort -

Thousands of Christmas trees recycled in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice Care

On Saturday, 11 and Sunday 12 January, ranks of lorries, vans and trucks set off across Somerset to collect Christmas trees in return for donations to St Margaret’s Hospice! Braving winter’s chill, 150 volunteers set out to collect an astounding 2,065 trees - talk about dropped needles!

Proudly sponsored by Buses of Somerset, this year’s Christmas Tree Collection was extra special, marking the first major fundraising event in the 45th

anniversary year of providing free hospice care in Somerset. What a tree-riffic way to kickstart the celebrations! Now in its fourth year, St Margaret’s Christmas Tree Collection has grown and grown – unlike the old trees. This year, it raised an incredible £32,000, making it the most successful collection yet in supporting hospice care across Somerset.

Wrapped in winter coats, topped with St Margaret’s bobble hats, and armoured in an array of safety gear, the volunteers collectively spent over 1000 hours hauling thousands of Christmas trees to drop-off stations across Somerset. At these stations, local tree surgeons chipped them into mulch. The chippings were given to local farms, allotments, and the hospice gardens themselves to be used for pathways and as eco-friendly mulch. What a sustainable way to recycle your real Christmas tree!

The event is a shining example of community spirit across Somerset, bringing together people from all walks of life to support a shared cause. Many volunteers return year after year, drawn to the camaraderie and sense of purpose this fundraising event inspires.

The impact of this event goes far beyond recycling. The money raised during this event could pay for 426 visits from a Community Nurse. With 95% of St Margaret’s Care delivered directly in patients’ homes and living spaces, these visits provide holistic, compassionate and responsive care, enabling people to be supported in the comfort of their own surroundings.

St Margaret’s Christmas Tree Collection has raised an incredible £32,000 this year.

Dispatches

First official signs of spring spotted in key research project by Somerset charity Despite plummeting January temperatures and snowfall, the first official signs of spring have been spotted in a project run by Somerset charity The Field Studies Council.

In the depths of cold, dark winter, it’s easy to forget that new life is growing under our feet but citizen scientists across the nation have already spotted the first tangible signs that spring is on its way including daffodils and bumblebees.

The sightings have been logged

Citizens across the nation have already spotted the first tangible signs that spring is on its way including daffodils and bumblebees.

on the Signs of Spring Survey 2025 and more people are being encouraged to start recording a range of other species which indicates that spring is on its way.

The survey, which was conducted for the first time last year, is an initiative run by Williton-based environmental

education charity the Field Studies Council in partnership with the Royal Society of Biology. In 2024, more than 3,700 individual submissions were made by members of the public with the first sightings in early January.

An interactive live map of 2025 sightings shows the first daffodil

was spotted in Newtown, Wales, on January 1, the day the survey opened, and the first bumblebee was seen on January 5 in Bristol. Further sightings of spring biodiversity across the nation have since been added.

Helen Robertson, from the Field Studies Council, said: “The data we collect this year will be added to the 2024 survey information so we can start to build a picture of how climate change is impacting the emergence of spring biodiversity.

“The bigger the data set, the more accurate picture we can get of what is happening to the plants and insects that we rely on, so citizen scientists have a huge role to play. Anyone can take part, from school children to pensioners, and we will be collecting information from January through to the end of June.”

The Signs of Spring Survey asks members of the public to record when they first see 10 different signals of warmer weather, including daffodils and bumblebees.

Last year, snowdrops (1,160 sightings) and daffodils (828) were the most recorded signs, followed by hazel catkins (420), bumblebees (409), bluebells (245), butterflies (221), ladybirds (193), first cut of the lawn (125), frog spawn (119) and damselflies and dragonflies (36).

Helen added: “As expected, most – but not all - signs of Spring are spotted in the south first, then move north as the weather warms up.

“The results of the survey will help us to map trends over time, giving us definitive evidence of whether climate change is having an effect on our seasonal species. It is also important that we continue to monitor species such as butterflies and bumblebees, as their numbers continue to decrease across the UK due to loss of habitat and lack of green space.”

Susie Rabin, Associate Director of Communications and Public Affairs at RSB, added: “Spotting the positive signs of spring and noticing the changes of the season for the better is a great way for people to get outside.

“Almost like an interactive game, the survey helps us be more mindful of our surroundings as well as contributing important data to help us better understand nature’s rhythms and cycles around us.”

Sightings can be logged through the Signs of Spring portal at https://survey123 .arcgis.com.

Mentioned in Dispatches

For more information about the environmental work carried out by the Field Studies Council, as well as details of its wide range of residential and day field study courses, visit www.field-studiescouncil.org.

Monthly talks from the Arts Society Mendip

Tuesday 4th February: Fakes and Forgeries with Marc Allum. Marc is, himself, a collector of fakes, and will focus on our age-old fascination with faking and forging. Citing some of the greatest exponents and illustrated with challenging examples, you may never look at art or antiques in the same way again!

Tuesday 4th March: Three Baltic Capitals: Tallinn, Vilnius and Riga. Simon Rees, musician and tour leader, will introduce us to the capitals of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. All Hanseatic trading cities built in the North German style of

medieval architecture, each came under the rule of conflicting empires: Swedish, Russian and German, with their later buildings reflecting these different cultures.

The talks will begin at 11.00am in Croscombe Village Hall (and simultaneously via Zoom – a link will be sent to members and guests). Guests are welcome for a fee of £10.

The society always welcome new members - further details, including information about becoming a member and their full programme is available on the website www.theartssociety mendip.org.uk.

March issue deadline 17th February

Mentioned in Dispatches

Somerset Community Foundation awards over £350,000 to local communityowned businesses to help boost rural economy

Since 2020, Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) has committed over £350,000 to 5 communityowned shops, cafes, and pubs across Somerset, helping to launch and grow these vital local businesses and community assets.

Four of the investments have been made through SCF’s Social Enterprise Fund, which combines loans and grants for social enterprises and charities, so they can invest and grow the income they earn from selling their goods or services.

The awards were made to:

• Heart of the Village (village shop, café and pub), Stoke St Gregory: £100,000

• Halse & District Community Benefit Society (community shop), Taunton: £50,000

• Taunton East Development Trust (community shop), Taunton: £52,500

• 10 Market Place (new community retail incubator), Shepton Mallet: £120,000

Additionally, through SCF’s new Somerset Social Investment Programme , Stogumber Community Shop has been conditionally offered a £20,000 loan and a £10,000 grant to help fund a shopfit for their recently purchased premises.

This exciting opportunity comes after residents of the village raised an impressive £188,000 through a community shares initiative, ensuring their rural village continues to have access to a vital community shop.

Amelia Thompson, Senior Programmes Manager at Somerset Community Foundation, said:

“We’re really proud to have invested over £350,000 into community-owned shops and pubs since 2020. The resilience of these communities to come together and create socially run businesses in often very rural locations is brilliant. It’s great to hear how some of these organisations are now able to invest the surplus income into other community ventures, too.

“These cherished community hubs are the heart and soul of their villages – many of which were on the brink of closure before their communities rallied together to preserve them. Their survival and success stand as a

testament to the power of local determination and collaboration.”

You can find out more and arrange to talk to the team at Somerset Community Foundation about their Social Investment Programme and how it could aid your project by visiting somersetcf.org.uk/grantsfunding/details/somerset-socialinvestment-programme.

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

Heart of the Village (village shop, café and pub), Stoke St Gregory.

Dispatches

Yeovil nursery installs public defibrillator after fundraising efforts

A nursery based in Yeovil has installed a new defibrillator for public use after extensive fundraising efforts.

The Yeovil branch of Little Discoveries Childcare Ltd –owned by local education provider SS&L – had its new defibrillator installed last month after members of staff worked hard to raise the funds needed to facilitate the life-saving equipment.

The efforts were spearheaded by nursery manager Naomi Bartin, whose younger sister Sasha sadly passed away when Naomi was just a teenager.

“This is such a massive achievement and a personal one for me,” she said.

“When I was around 16 years old, my younger sister Sasha died at school - the school happens to be the same one we are based inside the grounds of.

“At the time, the school did not have procedures and the best

equipment in place to be able to deal with this situation - they did not have any defibs on site.

“This meant that by the time it took for an ambulance to arrive, gain access to the school, and find the sports field, it was unfortunately too late.”

Naomi explained the impact Sasha’s passing had on the community, and thanked locals for celebrating her sister’s life –something which “really helped” her family. She hopes the new defibrillator will fulfil her desire to give back to the local neighbourhood.

“Over the years, I have been keen to make sure that a practitioner should not be left in a situation where they cannot help with a cardiac arrest

KEVAN DAVIS Plumbing & Heating Ltd

situation,” Naomi added.

“The impact a defib can have on saving a life is huge. We are now so proud to say that Little Discoveries Yeovil has a defib on site that can support children and adults should it be needed, and has been made public to help our community.”

Little Discoveries has branches in Yeovil, Nunney, and Frome. Visit littlediscoveries childcare.co.uk for more information.

Local education provider SS&L offers a range of recognised childcare qualifications and courses – visit sslcourses.co.uk or email Amelia Thompson, Senior Programmes Manager: amelia.thompson@somersetcf .org.uk or call her on: 01749 344949.

Somerset Council progress with Octagon Theatre redevelopment

Somerset Council is actively progressing with the redevelopment of The Octagon Theatre in Somerset. The council

is working on submitting a revised Outline Business Case (OBC) to DCMS.

The total project cost is £15 million, with Yeovil Town Council contributing £3.75 million in principle. Due to the rising costs of borrowing and building that made the original project unviable, the refurbishment will be smaller than originally planned.

The project was paused due to changes following the General Election. Now, Somerset Council is moving forward with the submission of a revised OBC and a full business case.

Councillor Federica SmithRoberts, Lead Member for Communities for Somerset Council, said: “The Octagon Theatre redevelopment is a pivotal project that will modernise the venue for the whole of Somerset, making it a hub for cultural expression. Somerset Council is delighted to drive forward the redevelopment plans which will breathe new life into The Octagon Theatre.”

Services UK Ltd of Ashbourne House, Henstridge Trading Estate, Templecombe BA8 0TG is applying for a licence to use Unit 22A Henstridge Trading Estate,Templecombe BA8 0TG as an operating centre for 1 goods vehicle

Owner or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centres) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Quary House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.

Councillor Andy Soughton, Leader of Yeovil Town Council, added: “We recognise the importance of The Octagon Theatre and its value in providing vital services to the residents of Yeovil. We can now look forward to seeing this project move forward in partnership with Somerset Council, who will be delivering and managing the project and then handing the facility over to Yeovil Town Council to own and manage once complete. Many have wanted to see the venue re-open its doors to provide high-quality entertainment, and Yeovil Town Council is committed to helping deliver this for residents.”

Fundraising for The Octagon Theatre still continues, and you can get involved via the Name A Seat campaign. From as little as £150, you can have a personalised plaque on a seat within the new auditorium once it is developed. Contributing now means that you will be placed on a priority list and contacted to choose a seat for your plaque once the seating plan has been designed. Email westlandsyeovil@yeovil.gov.uk for more information on Name A Seat

Naomi Bartin with the defibrillator.

Octagon Theatre Auditorium.

February Notice Board

CASTLE CARY

Concert by renowned cellist James Halsey at All Saints' Church, Castle Cary, Sunday 23rd February at 4pm. Refreshments. Tickets from the Bookshop, Market House or Church website'.

MARSTON MAGNA

Indoor Car Boot/Table Top Sale, Sunday 23rd Feb 11-1 at Marston Magna Village Hall. Sellers From 10am - £5 a table. Buyers - From 11am - £1 per person entry. Teas, Coffees and bacon rolls available. Email: bookings.marston villagehall@gmail.com to reserve your table in advance.

ADVERTISE your March event here for only £5 for 20 words, 30p per extra word. Please email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk or tel: 01963 351256 by 17th February.

Sudoku by T. M.

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

By

John Osborne

 Answers can be found on page 31 

1) 'Dreamer' was a 1974 hit for which band?

2) 'Eternal Flame' was released by which girl band in January 1989?

3) Who headed down a 'Forbidden Road' in 2024?

4) In 2004 Duran Duran told us to ('Reach up for the) … ' what?

5) Name the American female who sang 'Baby Baby' in 1991.

6) 'West End Girls' was the first hit for which duo in 1985?

7) Who were the rockers behind those 'Tumbling Dice' in 1972?

8) With what instrument do we associate Georgie Fame?

9) Name the band that went up 'China Grove' in 1982.

10) In which year was the Beatles film 'Help' released?

Bonus Question:

Name the album from which the answer to Q:4 came from.

Extra Bonus Question: Roger Hodgson fronted which band?

Great Quotes in Music (136) "Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without." - Confucius

Christine Jewels:

Italian Language Services

Italian Language Services provides Italian tuition in both Somerset and Dorset and via Skype. Christine teaches classes which run weekly for 30 weeks a year beginning in September with breaks for Christmas and Easter. These classes range from absolute beginners to ‘A’ Level standard. There are shorter 10 week courses in Holiday Italian: these will give you all you need to know to order a pizza in Padova, to book a theatre in Torino or navigate a museum in Milano. Christine also teaches individuals or small groups, these courses can be tailor made to particular needs.

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

Answers to January

Sudoku on page 31

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

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

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

For a more versatile look

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

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

The Bakery Shed at Dorset Crafts & Treats.

Tracey, owner of Flowers & Home in Castle Cary can assist with all your wedding floral requirements.

Hopper’s Hat Hire of Yeovil

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

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

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

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

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

Clay Pigeon Shooting at AA Shooting School, Pimpern near Blandford

If you are looking for an exciting activity for a group of friends, then Clay pigeon shooting is an excellent choice.

A challenging and thrilling sport - shooting fast moving clay disks, safely guided by a qualified instructor, they supply all equipment and welcome Stag and Hen parties, groups of friends, and arrange corporate events. Regular school groups also enjoy the privacy of the location. surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Their layout offers a wide range of targets to suit all abilities. Plenty of fresh air and excitement, all equipment provided, safely supervised by qualified instructor.

Call Norman 07914 918395 or email: normanfuller shootinginstructor@gmail.com to arrange your day.

Alleycuts, Wincanton

Alleycuts is the hairdressing salon located at 45a High Street, Wincanton.

Alleycuts owner Rebecca is looking forward to welcoming both old and new clients for 2025, for all services, cuts, colours and perms, walk-ins are always welcome.

Rebecca enjoys doing wedding hair and hair-ups for any event. Bookings are via phone: 01963 34321, email: rebeccaalleycuts @outlook.com or Facebook: Alleycuts Wincanton.

Old Oak Farm, Curry Rivel Nestled in the picturesque Somerset countryside, The Award winning Old Oak Farm offers a one-of-a-kind wedding experience that combines rustic charm with modern elegance. From its beautifully landscaped grounds to its thoughtfully designed spaces, this venue is the perfect backdrop for couples looking to create unforgettable memories.

Old Oak Farm features versatile indoor and outdoor settings, ideal for both intimate ceremonies and grand celebrations. Exchange vows under the canopy of the mighty Oak tree in their purpose built oak folly or indoors beneath the twinkly fairy lights. Enjoy a cosy reception by the fire pit or a quiet drink in the secret garden, or dance the night away in the

Rebecca at Alleycuts in Wincanton enjoys styling wedding hair and hair-ups for any event.

Clay shooting - perfect for Hen or Stag parties.

Have your big day at the picturesque country venue Old Oak Farm. spacious event barn! With a capacity for up to 200 guests, the venue offers ample space while maintaining an inviting, personal atmosphere.

The venue owners have lovingly designed and created the venue over the last 14 years. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge in the wedding industry.

The venue boasts onsite accommodation for up to 42 guests, including three bespoke shepherd’s huts, a glamping cabin, a luxurious Honeymoon apartment and new to 2025, eight purpose built lodges. These spaces ensure your loved ones can stay and celebrate with you in style and comfort.

Exclusive hire includes access to indoor and outdoor furniture, decorative props, and lighting to bring your dream wedding to life. A dedicated, experienced wedding coordinator is also on hand to ensure every detail is flawlessly executed.

Old Oak Farm’s flexible catering options allow you to design a menu perfectly suited to your taste and budget, with every dish crafted to delight your guests.

Discover the magic of Old Oak Farm by booking a visit today. Fall in love with a venue where timeless elegance meets rural charm.

Ward & Sibley Jewellers of Yeovil

Ward & Sibley Jewellers is a wellestablished family run business offering a comprehensive range of engagement and wedding rings from their shop at 103 Middle Street, Yeovil.

Looking for that special ring? Then try Ward & Sibley - they not only carry an extensive range in stock but also take special orders. A bespoke service is also available to create a ring of your choice should you so desire. They

can also recommend the best style of ring to sit with your existing ring(s). If you are looking for gifts for the wedding attendants, you will find some very attractive pendants and earrings for the bridesmaids and stylish cufflinks, tankards and tie pins for the best man and ushers.

Gifts for the happy couple include a choice of crystal glassware and a wide selection of clocks, both traditional and modern. An engraving service is available to make the gifts extra special.

Ward & Sibley Jewellers offers good old fashioned service with over 70 years of serving the people of Yeovil and the surrounding area, along with a customer base all over the UK and abroad.

Their staff, with many years’ experience in the trade, offer friendly expert advice on all matters connected to sales and repairs.

WARD

Car Park at rear for customers while visiting the shop

Ward & Sibley - the jewellers of Yeovil.

South West to see big boost to downsizer housing stock

THE latest research from over50s property specialists, Regency Living, reveals that surging demand from downsizers has seen stock availability of one popular property type fall by as much as nearly -21% in the past year, however, 2025 is set to bring a boost to ‘for sale stock levels’, particularly in the South West, as more units make it to market.

The data reveals that: -

In Q4 2024, there were an estimated total of 5,455 park homes available across the market in England.

This marks a decline of -2.2% since the start of the year (Q1 2024).

On a regional level, six of England’s nine regions have seen availability decline in the past

year with the largest drop reported in the North East where stock is down -20.9%.

But even the nation’s most popular park home areas have seen availability decrease, including a -2.8% drop in the South East and a -0.7% drop in the South West.

Sales & Marketing Director at Regency Living, Tim Simmons commented:

“Park homes are becoming increasingly popular for a number of reasons. These include the fact that there is no stamp duty to pay on a park home which, given the stamp duty increase that is to be implemented from April, buyers can save a significant amount of money compared to buying a bricks and mortar home.

There's also the fact that park home demand is driven largely by downsizers, their relative

Winter Homes

affordability means they can be purchased without reliance on a mortgage, a draw which has grown in significance as mortgage rates have climbed.

Other benefits include radically lower energy bills than you get with a traditional home, and a myriad of lifestyle benefits such as safety, security, and a ready made community, all of which are hugely important to the nation’s downsizers.

But this high demand means that the availability of park homes has fallen which means some downsizers might struggle to secure a plot. The good news, however, is that 2025 is due to see stock levels increase thanks to new park home sites launching across the country.

At Regency Living, we’re on course to deliver a substantial number of new plots to the market over the coming months, including 126 plots across four

sites in Christchurch, Wareham, Cornwall and Rochester, as well as a further 12 plots in Kent.”

These little-known design mistakes will put off potential buyers, expert warns The first few months of the year are an important time for selling houses, with the peak in buyer activity usually happening in mid-February.

Carl Benson, DIY expert and owner of Suffolk Pocket Door Company reveals the lesserknown ways your home designs and renovations can cause issues for potential buyers and devalue your property.

Coloured bathroom suites

"Bold or outdated coloured bathroom suites can be a major turn-off for buyers. A simple, neutral white suite provides a blank canvas that allows potential buyers to easily envision the space as their own."

Excessive decking in the garden

"Too much decking in the garden can detract from the natural beauty of the outdoor space. It’s Linaimages/Shutterstock.com.

important to strike the right balance, as too much decking can look uninviting, while too little can limit the functionality of the garden."

Artificial turf

"Artificial grass may seem like an easy way to avoid lawn maintenance, but it can actually be off-putting to potential buyers as it doesn’t offer the same environmental benefits as real grass, it can fade over time and become unappealing, and get too hot under the sun."

Statement tiles

"Bold and unusual tiles may be a personal touch but this can alienate buyers who don’t have the same taste. Simple, classic tiling and neutral colours in kitchens and bathrooms will appeal to a broader audience and is easier for buyers to envision as part of their own style."

Bold walls

"Bright, dramatic colours on walls can make a space feel more personal, but they can also make it difficult for buyers to see the property as their own. Neutral tones are universally appealing and allow potential buyers to imagine the space with their own furnishings."

Hobby rooms

"Dedicated and cluttered hobby rooms, like home gyms or craft rooms, may not resonate with all buyers. It’s important to create a versatile space that allows prospective homeowners to imagine it being used in multiple ways, whether as a bedroom, office, or living area."

The Suffolk Pocket Door Company is a trusted provider of high-quality pocket door kits, offering a space-saving and stylish solution for any home. With expert guidance and a seamless ordering process, they work closely with clients and their chosen installers to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience, find out more at https://suffolkpocketdoor.co.uk

Lizzie Price Shading Solutions add new shutter to their range

Lizzie Price is excited to have launched a new shutter in their range to bring you the best in

choice and quality. They know customers want a highly durable product that is both water and impact resistant but retains the beauty and feel of real wood.

With this in mind the new range has been developed with a material combining the beauty and texture of real hardwood with the strength and durability of PVC, stronger than wood, lighter than MDF.

Lizzie believes Bonded wood outperforms every other material used in shutter construction, with the added benefit of being fully recyclable and environmentally friendly.

The new range has concealed tilt, interlocking mortice and tenon joints, rebated hinges and locking stiles, recessed magnets and concealed fixings as well as being available in 8 gorgeous colours all as standard for no extra cost.

Winter Homes

Why choose Lizzie Price to supply and install your shutters? They can assure you of highquality products, professional installation and first class service from start to finish. Contact them

on enquiries@lizzieprice shadingsolutions.co.uk or call 07879 9920000.

March issue deadline: 17th February

Lizzie Price.

Spice in the kitchen or the bedroom?

THIS Valentine’s Day, love may be in the air, but it’s also on the plate. According to a 2024 survey commissioned by the World Avocado Organisation, Europeans are choosing good food over good sex.

While 1 in 5 respondents revealed they prefer sharing good food with a significant other, only

13% said they’d rather enjoy good sex. Only 8% of women across Europe prefer good sex to good food, with 21% favouring a satisfying meal. On the other hand, men are more evenly split, with 18% preferring intimacy and 17% choosing food.

As Europeans age, their preference for good food grows stronger. Among Gen Z, 20% prioritise good sex—the highest

considering this to be either important or extremely important, compared to just 65% of Gen Zers and a respectable 75% of millennials.

Insights into the United Kingdom’s Valentine's Preferences

This survey uncovered some fascinating insights into the United Kingdom’s relationship with food and romance.

of any generation—but even they favour good food slightly more (21%). This preference for food continues to rise with older age groups, with less than 10% of Boomers and older age groups choosing intimacy over a delicious meal.

Interestingly, Boomers are also the generation that places the most importance on healthy eating, with around 80%

In the UK, 1 in 5 people prefer a hot dinner over a hot date! But things get juicier when you break down men’s and women’s preferences with both sexes having completely different appetites.

The ladies prefer spicy on their plate over spicy in the bedroom, with 23% choosing a tasty dish over a romantic romp. However, there are still 10% of women choosing good sex.

But men, are on a different page of the menu with 20% choosing sex over food. While only, 14% of men would swap the bedroom for the dinner table.

dusicam/Shutterstock.com.

phive/Shutterstock.com.

How to Elevate Plates (and Heart Rates) this Valentine’s Day

What makes food such a strong contender for romance? The answer may lie in the aphrodisiac qualities of ingredients like avocados. Known as a “fertility fruit” by the Aztecs, avocados were once prized as a symbol of love and passion—and science backs up their allure:

Getting Blood Pumping: The monounsaturated fats in avocados can support healthy blood flow, and cardiovascular health as well as an extra boost of energy.

Energy for Love: Packed with potassium, B vitamins and vitamin C, they can provide stamina and combat fatigue, whether in the kitchen or elsewhere.

Mood Enhancer: Avocados are rich in magnesium, which can help reduce stress and regulate the nervous system—perfect for a romantic evening.

Find love this year with Alison at Just Somerset Introductions February is the month for Valentines and those looking to find love and romance.

Are you single, looking to meet someone new and hopefully meet someone special this year? Spring is just around the corner snowdrops will be well out this month a good sign!

Would you like to get out and meet new people, maybe find your Valentine? People join for different reasons: to make new friendships, meet new likeminded people, dating and hopefully finding that special relationship. All ages including

younger members are welcome. You can broaden your social circle at this professional introduction agency, part of the the JIG group.

All clients are interviewed in their own home and are ID checked. One to one introductions are offered along with social events across the group.

If you are willing to get out there, meet people, come to socials, it then gives you a great opportunity to socialise. I’ve seen it happen, many meet at socials

as well as on a one to one basis if they have been chosen or visa verser.

If this has piqued your interest, have a look on our website for more information on how we work and testimonials plus membership fees. I look forward to hearing from you!

The Bigger Picture

With Bridget Sudworth

THE New Year began with the 100th birthday of the Shipping Forecast on January 1st 2025. Initiated by Robert Fitzroy in 1861 (Shipping Area 19 is suitably named after him), following his first shipping warning after a disastrous shipwreck off Anglesey, it was first broadcast by the BBC in October 1925. A truly significant date not only for the people at sea whose lives depend on it but also, via Radio 4, for those cosy in bed sipping tea in the early morning gloom and thanking their lucky stars that they are not aboard. Though, it must be added, very thankful indeed for the mariners who are passionate about life on the ocean wave. Not enough accolades can cover the wonders of the Shipping Forecast; it has inspired so much literature and music (Sailing By) that binds together a whole picture of seafaring over millennia that these days includes the RNLI, coastguards and airborne rescue services including too, the quite remarkable and sometimes forgotten total wonders of lighthouse engineers, who endured unspeakable risks to erect those breathtakingly beautiful and cunning structures that have saved so many. Rock lighthouses particularly were built in improbable but highly significant places like the Bishop Rock, the last sign of humanity off the Scillies before the wilderness of the Atlantic or the haunted Fastnet guarding the Western Approaches and witness to the terrible loss of life on that fatal race in August 1979. Their stories and those of their Trinity House Keepers enduring 3 month long periods of duty (if not prolonged ‘getting off’ by bad weather), provide so much material for history and imaginative fantasy.

A delightful book called The Shipping Forecast by Meg Clothier, a Christmas present (surprise, surprise!), has cleverly woven together facts with lovely humour and deep knowledge of the sea having herself undertaken marathon shipping journeys and of course, total dependence on the SF. I recommend it along with Horatio Clare’s book Down to the Sea in Ships which is an extraordinary journalistic exploration of container shipping going both east and west with startling resulting information. Clare calls the SF a ‘silent prayer’. It reminds me of the hymn about ‘those in peril on the sea’ intoned by a large group of school girls at evening service on dark Sundays many years ago; somehow the

very words managed to be a wakeup call to think really hard about what that meant. My much loved school, that place of singing, closed in 1960 and the magnificent building in which it was housed, a vast mansion built by the Montetiore banking family, was long ago demolished to make way partly for Gatwick Airport. But that’s another story packed with nostalgia.

You can’t get away from the weather, however - it’s always with us! We badly need those frosts and low temps whether or not one likes it cold and as I write this in January, we have certainly enjoyed some recent low temperatures.

A recent article explored the wonders of winter veggies and indeed, there is a vast range of things to eat at this time of year which makes planning for such a tempting comparison to providing free food for endless ‘others’ during the summer months. If one can get plants beyond the snail/slug stage, they will surely prosper in cooler weather when creature hazards

fade into Autumn although there are always pigeons lurking about looking for fresh greens! We do have some splendid spinach waiting to be picked - I tend to harvest a whole load of the stuff, stem strip, cook and then freeze as it’s wonderful to add to curries and quiches at short notice. And it’s marmalade season - hurrah! Seville oranges are with us now!

For dog lovers among you readers, yes, we have a new addition. Wilfred is an altogether surprising choice for former GSD owners. He comes from an excellent animal rescue centre who were totally age nondiscriminatory and being such a small dog, is a good companion for bracing but slightly shorter though certainly speedy walks (he goes along like a fluffy steam train), with his new slightly older Humans!

Wilfred is a ShihTzu. There! I’ve said it!! Very small lap dogs tend to be sneered at by Big Dog Owners - yappie and snappie is the usual summary but ShihTzu, meaning Little Lion, is an ancient, much loved breed for any

Bishop Rock. Image:

Winter veggies.

Fastnet lighthouse. Image: Mary Bray Photo/Shutterstock.com.

Wilfred wearing his Christmas present.

SF on mug.

courtly Chinese family. Wilfred has the capacity to be totally enchanting though has one or two unattractive little habits that are being trained out of him. The time will come when he can greet strangers and other dogs without barking rudely. Any myth about the breed being pretty little lap dogs can be dispensed with immediately as, frankly, if Wilfred is typical of the breed, then he has some very common habits and is little better than a ratter judging by the way he beats the living daylights out of Blue Rabbit and poor old Quacking Duck. But he has provided us with laughter and amazed interest at his beauty and smallness but with very feisty, doggie instincts and oodles of character.

We were very disappointed while seeking a new dog, to be confronted by the aforementioned discrimination (albeit only assumed, not proven) against older people wanting to adopt a dog. We are not in the first flush of youth but more than capable of taking on another dog particularly so since reputable rescue centres continue to ‘own’ the dog should disaster befall and request it be returned to them should those circumstances arise. St Giles Animal Welfare, who provided us with Wilfred, as with our wonderful local kennels, Happy Landings, never asked our age. We are extremely grateful and wish other rescue centres could be a little more flexible even though we fully realise that rehoming a dog is a big responsibility for any charity settling an animal that has suffered trauma at being cast out, a stray or unwanted for any reason. Furthermore, Wilfred’s new vet has endorsed my comments describing other dogseeker clients who encountered the same bias.

With reference to December and Christmas issues, it would be so good if Swanage Railway could benefit from Wych Farm as a maintenance depot since it has a railway line to serve the oilfield and which, ’ere long, could well become available. It would make a nice bit of joined-up-thinking though sadly, there isn’t much of that these days. Thank you to John Penny for his contribution. On that note - enough said. Our Editor indulges me too much and I mustn't rabbit on about dogs!

Don’t forget to buy your seeds, make your garden plans and Happy New Year to all - may it be more so than the one that has slipped below the horizon!

Family Health with Jenna

Evans

I HOPE 2025 is treating you well so far. We're back this month looking at pharmaceutical drugs. I hadn't settled on what the theme would be until I noticed a number of adverts for a weight loss programme featuring the infamous GLP-1 agonists. I think there's an alarming trend in pharmaceutical use for weight loss and seeing adverts for the usual January slimming that include the option to medicate bothered me greatly. I understand being overweight can be a complicated issue and may be the result of other health conditions and certainly the cause of others. For actual obesity, no doubt a full diet and lifestyle plan with your GP, plus emotional support and yes the drugs if done with full awareness of consequences may be a viable route. I'm concerned about normalising the use of a potentially dangerous drug to help people shift a few extra pounds. So let's have a look at what GLP-1 agonists are.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like receptor 1) agonists aka Semaglutide, are a class of drugs used to reduce blood sugar and aid weight loss. You may be more familiar by the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. GLP-1 is produced in our digestive tracts in response to meals, and is designed to signal satiety (fullness) to the brain & slow digestion, keeping us feeling

fuller for longer and helping manage blood sugar spikes. GLP1 agonists are derived from a modified compound found in Gila monster venom. And here's the rub – do you think something perfectly normal for a lizard to produce for its survival – Gila monsters may go months without food – injected into a human may have some side effects? Research from the USA seems to demonstrate that the reason people may give up using GLP-1 agonists are the side effects. It also seems to suggest that although some modest weight loss happens initially, it tends to stall and plateau. If you stop taking the drug? Back come the pounds. Also, a large percentage of weight lost may be lean tissue, not fat but you can be sure what you gain back will be fat! Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. Less common include gall bladder issues, kidney damage, increased heart rate, exacerbation of retinopathies and pancreatitis. And of course, 'Ozempic face', a term coined due to the sagging distorted appearance some users of this medication experience. And the fact that the makers of semaglutide – a Danish drug company called Novo Nordskhave been reprimanded by the UK pharmacy industry for inappropriate sponsorship and providing unbalanced information, should send further alarm bells ringing. Here are a few other weight loss drugs that were eventually banned (often with their manufacturers having known the hazards for years)Aminorex, Fen-Phen, Meridia

and Belviq. It worries me that these drugs may be the latest diet fad and not just a last resort. So what to do instead? It would be glib to say diet and exercise! Of course, those things are important but when we're talking about weight management, and health in general, I think it's all about the habits we form and finding a way of living that works for us. For instance, I often recommend people ditch the scales. Have you ever seen how a once a month weigh-in can become weekly, then daily then sometimes more than once a day! And each time a person's mood will be dictated by the reading. You don't ever need to put anyone on the scales to see if they are over or under weight and our clothes will certainly tell us if we've lost or gained an inch! We have some great resources at Ceres to help with blood sugar control & mood support. We see a lot of type 2 diabetics and people who have been told they are 'borderline', so do pop in and see if we can help. See you next month!

© Jenna Evans 2025.

•Jenna is a Holistic Health Coach and creator of bespoke beauty products. She can be found on Facebook at ‘Alchemical Beauty UK’. Jenna is also a multi-award winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil.

To make an appointment, please pop in or call 01935 428791 for details. Always check with a health professional before making any dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle or starting a new supplement, especially with any existing health conditions.

VINTAGE Motorcycling

with Rod Hann

I LIKE February as a month. It is a short month and its conclusion brings the end of true winter and the promise of better days ahead. That means better riding days for me and more use of my bikes. It also brings the Bristol Classic Bike Show at Shepton Mallet, but more on this later.

Club events continue with the Somerset Section having their club night at Cossington on the 6th and this will be the AGM. Next on the 16th will be Neil's Run from the Brookhouse Inn, Ditcheat. The Dorset Section start on the 9th with the Valentine Day Run from South Cadbury. Their club meeting at lunch time on the 12th at Pulham will be a lunch and guest speaker. Both these Sections will be represented at the show. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section have their club afternoon meeting at Silton on the 10th and this will be a very interesting talk on A Trip Through Tasmania . As usual more details can be had by ringing 01935 872528.

I am sure that both the Wells and Westland Classic Bike Clubs will also be busy but at the time of writing details were sketchy so I suggest you check out the respective websites.

Have a look at the picture this month and I guarantee that it depicts a machine you will not have seen before and made by a manufacturer you have never heard of before. Made in 1899 or 1900 the bike was made by the British Motor Traction Company in Coventry. I know nothing more on the company and have no idea if many of these machines were

MOTORING

made or indeed if the company made any other forms of transport or machinery. The gentleman seen holding the machine is George Beale who is very involved in the motorcycle side of Charterhouse Auctioneers.

The bike is however very interesting. It is in remarkably original condition, even down to the period rubber and canvas walled tyres. The engine is of an unknown make but may have been made by BMTC itself. The only missing part looks to be the leather drive belt. The engine has a side exhaust valve mechanically operated and an overhead atmospheric inlet valve. The carburettor is of the surface type and is located inside the petrol tank. Also housed within the tank to the rear of the saddle would have been an accumulator (battery) to provide the sparks,

and perhaps a few tools. The rear stand also becomes the carrier.

This machine has seen little use to have remained so original and must now be one of a kind. It was loaned to the Science Museum in 1933 by the owner and used as an exhibit for some years before going into their store. Recently the grandson of the original owner has received the bike back. It was collected from the Science Museum by Charterhouse Auctioneers and now retained by them in readiness for auction on the 13th March, 2025.

It now carries an estimate of £10-15,000 so if it should take your fancy then prepare to dig deep. My only concern is what any new owner will do with it. In full working order the bike would be useless in modern traffic so I suggest it is unusable, so should the new owner keep it as an ornament or perhaps give it to another museum for display? Either way it would be wicked to rob it of its originality. I would love to see it kept just as it is. I will certainly be at the auction to see what happens to it.

I mentioned earlier that it is show time again. On the 22nd and 23rd of February the Bristol Classic Bike Show returns to the Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet. The only event of this type in the southwest of

England it is a must visit for all motorcyclists in this region.

With around 1000 machines to inspect there are also trade stands, an autojumble, an auction of machines and special guests to be interviewed. In addition will be the usual catering facilities and the licensed bar. There is plenty to see and do to keep anyone occupied for one if not two days, and a very social occasion to meet friends and acquaintances. The VMCC main club and several of the local Sections will have displays, as do all local classic motorcycle clubs. For most of the weekend I will be helping to man the VMCC main club stand so drop by and have a chat. Also visit the many charitable stands, such as the Blood Bike people, who will be grateful for any contribution you can spare. They say there is no peace for the wicked, and with a busy few months ahead, I suppose that makes me one of the wicked ones. But I love it all and get excited by what is to come and I hope you derive the same pleasure from this hobby of ours.

George Beale with a bike made by the British Motor Traction Company.

A Toast to Love and a Sip of Romance for Valentine’s Day OBSERVING Valentine's Day links us with a long-standing tradition of celebrating love and affection across many cultures and generations.

It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate love and connection. It's a chance to openly show appreciation of your partner, friends, family members, and those who bring joy into your life; reminding them how much they mean to you. Acts of love, like exchanging gifts or spending quality time together, can deepen bonds and strengthen our relationships.

Whether it's a romantic dinner, a fun outing, or a cosy evening at home, the day can create cherished memories. It also offers an excuse to step away from the daily grind and prioritise joy, love, and connection with special gestures. It can be very effective in spreading positivity, whether through a kind word, a thoughtful card, or a sweet surprise.

Such acts of kindness and receiving love can also improve mood, reduce stress, and foster a sense of belonging and happiness. Planning surprises, crafting heartfelt messages, or creating personalised gifts allows you to tap into your creativity and enjoy the festive spirit. My choice would always be a festive beverage, whether alcoholic or not.

Nothing sets the tone for a romantic evening, like sipping something vibrantly ruby-red or a subtler pastel pink.

Whether you’re planning a quiet night in, hosting a party, or surprising someone special, these festive drinks capture the spirit of the day to make Valentine’s Day unforgettable; perfect for setting the mood.

Pink Lady

A timeless classic, Pink Lady is made with gin, apple brandy, lemon juice, and grenadine. The frothy egg white topping gives it a luxurious texture, making it perfect for an elegant evening.

Classic Love Martini

This cocktail combines vodka, cranberry juice, and a splash of orange liqueur for a tangy yet sweet drink.

Garnished with heart-shaped strawberry slices, it’s as elegant as it is flavourful.

Rosé Margarita

Mix tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and a splash of rosé wine for this creative twist on the margarita. Add a salt or sugar rim for extra flair.

Red Velvet Margarita

For a twist on the traditional margarita, blend tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and a dash of grenadine for a stunning red hue. Rim the glass with pink sugar for an extra festive touch.

Strawberry Champagne Fizz

Combine fresh strawberry purée with champagne for a bubbly drink that’s simple yet sophisticated. Add a whole strawberry as a garnish for a touch of elegance.

Pomegranate Rose Spritz

Mix pomegranate juice with sparkling wine or champagne for a bubbly delight. Add a splash of rose water for a fragrant finish that pairs perfectly with romantic dinners.

Cranberry Sparkle Punch

This family-friendly punch is made by combining cranberry juice, sparkling water, and a hint of lime.

Serve it in a large bowl with frozen cranberry ice cubes for a dazzling presentation.

Hibiscus Iced Tea

Brew hibiscus tea and sweeten it with a bit of honey. The natural pink hue and tangy flavour make it a refreshing drink option for health-conscious romantics.

Cherry Blossom Iced Tea

Brew hibiscus tea and sweeten it with cherry syrup. Serve over ice for a refreshing drink that echoes the romantic tones of cherry blossoms.

Rosewater Pink Punch

Mix rosewater, lemonade, and a splash of grenadine for a fragrant and sweet drink. Garnish with edible rose petals to enhance its floral appeal.

Watermelon Rose Cooler

Blend fresh watermelon with a splash of rose water and serve over ice. This hydrating and aromatic drink is as lovely to look at as it is to sip.

Pink Smoothie Bowl

Pink Lemonade Spritzer

This family-friendly favourite combines pink lemonade with sparkling water for a refreshing and fizzy treat. Serve in a pretty glass with a lemon slice for garnish.

Berry Bliss Mocktail

Blend strawberries, raspberries, and a splash of lemonade for a refreshing drink. Pour over crushed ice and garnish with fresh mint for a sophisticated non-alcoholic option.

Strawberry Milk

A nostalgic and creamy option, strawberry milk is easy to make with fresh strawberry purée, milk, and a touch of sugar. Serve it chilled with a heart-shaped straw for a charming touch.

Valentine's Day Hot Cocoa

Warm and comforting, this drink is made by mixing hot cocoa with a touch of red food colouring or beet juice. Top with whipped cream and heart-shaped marshmallows for a cozy treat.

Beetroot Latte

For a healthy and unique option, try a beetroot latte. Made with steamed milk, a touch of honey, and beetroot powder, this vibrant drink is both beautiful and nourishing.

Blend frozen strawberries, raspberries, a banana, and almond milk for a thick smoothie. Serve in a bowl and top with heart-shaped fruit slices for a nutritious Valentine’s breakfast or snack.

Garnishing Tips

Heart-Shaped Additions: Use a small biscuit cutter to create heart-shaped garnishes from fruits like strawberries or watermelon.

Colourful Rims: Dip glass rims in coloured sugar or edible glitter for an extra festive touch.

Florals and Herbs: Edible flowers such as roses, hibiscus, or violets, or fresh herbs like rosemary and mint can elevate the presentation of any drink.

These drinks are more than just visually stunning—they embody the passion and energy of Valentine’s Day. Whether you prefer cocktails, mocktails, or something in between, there’s a drink to suit every taste and occasion.

So, raise your glass and toast to love with a drink that’s as bold and beautiful as the holiday itself. Cheers! ❤

March deadline 17th February

Pink Lady. Image: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com.

With L.P-V

Life in the Shadows

With Julie Haylock of Sandhurst Garden Design

FERNERIES were made popular in the Victorian era when ‘Fern Fever’ inspired explorers to travel the world in search of new varieties to add to their collections.

Creating a fernery is the perfect solution for a dark shady corner of a modern garden under trees or along the side passage of the house, it is easy to create, looks great and provides the perfect home for wildlife. Even if there is no soil at all, ferns will grow happily in containers with suitable drainage, just remember to keep them watered.

Life in the shadows does not need to be dull. By using a selection of ferns that have fronds of assorted colours and textures, you can transform a problem shady spot into a green haven to enjoy all year round.

Remember to choose ferns that suit the soil conditions, dry or damp, and select your varieties accordingly. Visit your local garden centre or nursery, they will have a good selection and will be able to give you advice to help you choose.

A couple of my favourites are Asplenium Scolopendrium , the Harts Tongue Fern. This fern has spear shaped green leaves and grows happily in dry conditions under trees which is where you will see it on country walks, and Polystichum Setiferum or the Soft

Shield fern with its semi or evergreen soft lance-shaped fronds that un-furl from stalks of orange-brown scales and prefers a moist humus rich soil in full or partial shade.

Finally, if you have space why not upgrade your fernery into a stumpery by adding an old tree stump or some logs. Use additional soil if you need to and position your ferns in between, so they look natural growing in the nooks and crannies and finish off by adding another woodland favourite, the tall and elegant foxglove for the perfect natural look.

East Coker Gardening Club

2025 Programme

13 February: History of Forde Abbey and the Gardens with Dr Paul Bygrave. 13 March: Otters with Stephen Powles. 10 April: Remarkable Trees of Stourhead with Emily Utgren. 8 May: Shopping Evening at Brimsmore – 6pm.

17 May: Plant Sale - East Coker Village Hall - 10am to 12 noon. 12 June: S uccess with Houseplants with Gold Club speaker. 10 July: Out meeting Saturday 16th August: East Coker Flower Show, 2pm at the East Coker Hall.

11 September: The History of the Gardens at Athelhampton with Sophy Robertson and Owen

Davies. 9 October: Photography – Beautiful Bugs and more with Annette Beardsley.

13 November: Schoolbeanz with Lara Honnor, followed by Annual General Meeting.

11 December: Audio visual Presentation with David Moon. Monthly meetings are held at the East Coker Hall, Halves Lane, East Coker on the Second Thursday of the month commencing at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated

Annual subscription of £25 is due in January. Subs of £2 per visit are due on the night. Visitors £5. Contact: Helen Styles – 01935 862447.

By using a selection of ferns, you can transform a problem shady spot into a green haven to enjoy.

Bring on the Vintage! ASPAL Antiques at Stonham Barns Park in Suffolk – is preparing to stage its fourth antiques fair on 15 March to showcase antiques, collectables for the home and garden including retro, vintage and other historical items.

The Fair features a huge range of established and start up traders from the antiques sector in the region.

It’s free entry to the public and attracts hundreds of buyers from across the UK.

Find out more at www. aspalantiques.co.uk.

PASTIMES

• Established business paying BEST prices for old toys in any condition Of Sherborne (near the Abbey)

• Over thirty years of dealing in antique and Collectible Toys

Aspal Antiques Fair 2024 at Stonham Barns Park.

The Pub Pages

BEER & SKITTLES

STUFF! We all have stuff. Some have more stuff than others, although I'd wager not many people have very little stuff. According to the household authorities it's all my fault. Well, it would be! I guess she had a point, so recently, assisted by an offspring, we set to on various aspects of sorting this stuff. My part came into play when the bookcase was subject to a surprise attack, so springing to its defence I did my best, but being outnumbered two to one, I did well in managing to negotiate a truce, although bargaining was necessary.

So ... quite a few books disappeared off to the nearest charity shop, including several on world beers. I do have to admit they were somewhat out of date and therefore little point in retaining them, although they did look rather colourful on the shelves! There was quite a significant number by beer writer, the late Michael Jackson. He was somewhat of an authority on whisky as well, I believe. In amongst this plethora of beer books was one simply named 'The English Inn' also by Michael Jackson, from 1976. I have to admit I didn't even know it was there and certainly don't know where it came from.

With a title that is a gateway to many areas of interest within the pub, much of it is a generalisation, and perhaps more of a coffee table book than specialist, but with hilarious pictures of the fashions of the era and some useful snippets that will lead to your scribe following them up, it was sneaked back on the shelves whilst some distraction techniques were employed. Luckily, my vast collection of railway books remain unscathed.

Some quite staggering statistics were revealed recently. The number of pubs in the UK has dipped below 39,000 for the

first time ever, as in 2024 we lost another 400 for ever. Despite this, on the High Street, numbers continued to grow with the town of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire (population over 110,000) leading the way with 65 new outlets. Interestingly, other towns and cities have done the same, with Chatham, Chester, Blackpool, Coventry and Basingstoke as well as many others gaining outlets. I'm not privy to what type of pub, bar, micro-pub, cafe, bar or whatever these are, but hope that CAMRA will at least give us a clue and not dwell on the negative with detail of the lost venues.

Another interesting trend is the amount of low/no alcohol beers and lagers being consumed. In the 18-24 group almost 2 in 5 don't touch anything alcoholic. To even think that this would be the case fifty years ago when I was in that group is unbelievable! Many others go for low or no alcohol and often cite the reason to be designated driver. Some have stated that seeing these beers on bar-top fonts would encourage them to try more – I agree. I've sampled a few low/no alcohol drinks and generally I find them unimpressive although it is nice to have a beer in the hand whilst mingling with ones contemporaries. Guinness zero is probably the best so far, in my humble opinion. I do recall the days when brown ale was readily available and this, plus a low alcohol bitter, would make a 'lower alcohol' drink that was fairly good! If anyone has some ideas on a similar 'light split' I think we called it, then please do pop me a line (email address at the end).

The days of 'one more for the road' would appear to be well and truly behind us. Well, I would like to think that this was the case, but as one who is interested in safe driving and regularly studies driving techniques (I'm an advanced driver) there are

still those who have no respect for their own lives or the lives of others. I'll leave the subject there, other than suggest that an advanced driving course is worth the effort and money, not to mention the bragging rights!

How many pub-orientated games would you imagine there are? I'd not thought about it until I read though the section on games in the aforementioned Michael Jackson book. He estimated 'around forty' and whilst I am not going to spend time making a list, it is worth thinking about, as within the huge variety there's something for everyone, and more reasons for our wonderful hostelries to be used by us all. The atmosphere is now smoke-free, thanks to the ban from 2007 which I heartily support (although there is no way I would support a smoking ban in pub gardens, which was mooted quite recently, but fortunately rejected). Some activities may have disappeared for good, unless local groups have taken it upon themselves to revive them as in the 'Toad in the Hole' activities that are centred around the Sussex town of Lewes. Indeed,

Bat and trap. A substantial two-handed version.

as well as local leagues, 'World Championships' now take place with teams coming from St Albans (Masters Games!) and as far away as Scotland and Holland! Bar billiards is a game which I heartily endorse, but sadly the tables in the Visitor

P. A. BAXTER

On the bar at The Kings Arms, Thornford.

Toad in the hole.

Leicester skittles table.

The Pub Pages

BEER & SKITTLES

area appear to have been shut away in a quiet corner or vanished into thin air. Maybe you know better – please let me know. Thanks to the 'Pub Games' group on Facebook we have knowledgeable people who know about these things and recently one contributor posted a link to

the UK organisation, complete with a map of all known tables still in operation, which is quite something. Do take a look, and whilst at it, please do join the 'Pub Games' group, where we aim to increase pub patronage by playing those games.

CAMRA are an organisation which as we know promotes 'real ale', whilst simultaneously lamenting the closure of pubs and breweries. Worthy though this organisation is generally, there is no way on God's earth that everyone is going to drink ale in an effort to stop pub losses! What proportion of pub-goers drink ale? Looking at our own skittle team, only four of the ten regulars would always choose an ale if it was available and I believe that is a higher percentage than many teams. So by my brilliant deduction, getting two teams of skittlers through the door on a regular basis, all of whom will spend money over the bar is far

more productive toward saving pubs than simply just ale drinking!

After the 2012 Olympics in which Team GB did so well at cycling there was a great upsurge in interest in the sport, as well as social cycling. With the young Luke Littler setting the darts world on fire with his amazing world title, will we see an upsurge in the sport of darts again? I'd like to think so. It's been televised for some time as some of us of a certain age will testify, it appearing as part of the early 1970's show 'Indoor League' introduced by Fred Trueman, smoking his pipe and drinking beer – and it was broadcast as a children's programme! Darts became really popular on TV, and despite the dip when it was mercilessly lampooned by Mel Smith and Griff Reece-Jones it is now well back into the psyche of the British public. I was delighted to hear of some local leagues still going strong and again I encourage anyone with an interest in any pub related game to join the 'Pub Games' group. Exposure here has resulted in growth of interest and activity which has to be good for pub use and the social interaction that goes with it.

So the question remains; have you got much stuff? If so, why not take a look and see what's been hidden away for yearsperhaps even a bottle of 'Thomas Hardy Ale'. Now that really would be worth finding, particularly if it's been stored for 25 years. Nectar!

© P.A Baxter 2025 skittlealley@hotmail.com

That on the evening of his 80th birthday party in December, Dave Clark soon bcame known as the Tom Jones of Stoke Sub Hamdon.

That Gary Rendell and a lot of friends in Charlton Horethorne would like to say farewell to Ray, better known as Wom. RIP Wom from us all.

Getting through –then and now

HERE’S a happy memory from 1995 as reported in the February Visitor . ‘We have now come to expect that when phoning large organisations such as British Gas or Southern Electric we will speak to a trained operator who will key in our reference number while we speak and give us the information we seek almost before we’ve finished asking the question.

This sort of impressive efficiency almost makes us forgive the vast profit they are making from us.’ All has changed, and not for the better. Nowadays we have come to expect first a recorded message extolling the advantages of using the organisation’s website instead; secondly another recorded message telling us that calls will be recorded for training purposes; then a recorded choice of four or five buttons to press depending on the reason for our call; and finally an automated message telling us our position in the queue of callers and how long we are likely to wait before talking to a human.

Does this make you ‘forgive the vast profit they are making from us’? Of course not.

An absorbing shock report

A less happy memory appeared in the same issue. A national survey of more than 11,000 vehicles in October 1994 revealed that ‘one in four of Britain’s motorists are driving cars with worn shock absorbers’ and that ‘drivers of these vehicles are largely unaware that their shock absorbers need replacing and are therefore driving with a false sense of security’.

The Visitor report reminded readers that ‘a vehicle’s safety relies on having good tyres, brakes and steering but if the shock absorbers are worn out and not keeping the wheels in permanent contact with the road the safety of the vehicle and its passengers is seriously compromised’.

It pointed out that ‘the performance of a shock absorber deteriorates gradually and imperceptibly over time, during which the driver unwittingly

adapts his or her driving to compensate for the wear and worsening condition and handling of the car.

Original art on show in Bruton

A new art gallery opened in Bruton in February 1995.

According to a report in that month’s Visitor ‘ArtOriginals as the name implies will be displaying and selling works by a variety of artists, the majority of them being from Somerset’.

The report explained that proprietor Ann Taylor ‘is a potter specialising in ceramic sculptures and has established her studio, workshop and kiln at 19 High Street’. In the new gallery in the premises ‘around 20 artists will be showing their work ... which will include ceramics, oils and watercolours, tapestries, paintings on silk, photography and much more as time goes on’.

But ArtOriginals was fairly short-lived and the premises have had several occupants since then. Nowadays they are home to the town’s chemist’s shop (which we must now call the community pharmacy).

Riding the russet bridal train

‘This season sees a dramatic change in style for wedding gowns’, according to the February 1995 Visitor. The Spring Brides feature revealed that ‘making an appearance is the fitted jacket/bodice over a full skirt’ with ‘the jacket in a contrasting colour and materials such as velvet giving it the appearance a little like the elegant riding habits of bygone days.

In contrast the sleeker styles have also made a return, many with Bardotstyle necklines and softly draping trains.’ The feature also revealed that ‘colours

this season are quite strong russets, golds, Lincoln green and sapphire blue’.

Shattered illusion of antiquity

The February 1995 Visitor carried the news that South Somerset District Council planned to construct a car park in South Cadbury for visitors to Cadbury Castle. The reporter feared that this would ‘eventually be furnished with signposts and explanatory maps and noticeboards’, adding that ‘one of the delights of living in this part of the country is the way such mindblowingly historical and

significant features as Cadbury Castle can be found almost by accident, apparently unregarded and unrecognised’. For him ‘the total lack of any manifestations of official recognition make each visit to the site a very personal and deeply moving experience, tinged with the sense of being one of a select band of fortunate individuals who appreciate such gems of antiquity’. He admitted that this ‘is an illusion, but a pleasant one’ which would be shattered by the proposed car park.

Roger Richards.

Cl ass ified Ads

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

Storage

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

CONTAINER Storage 24/7 access. Outstanding rates. North Dorset. Tel: 07947 581541

WANTED:

Mobility Scooter

anything considered

Tel: 07970 742471

Wanted

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

SANDYS Warehouse, Gillingham 01747 822077. Wanted - collections of Hornby, Corgi, Dinky. Cash paid for right models. Somdor House, Gillingham SP8 4QA, sandysremovals@aol.com

SUBBUTEO wanted esp 1970s teams. mrchrisallen@aol.com 07774788791. 01344 453370

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

Personal

MARTIN, 65, would like to meet lady - Leo, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius or Gemini 55 - 70. Message Box No: 29

WIDOWER, retired civil servant HM Treasury, retired professional pianist, speaks French, seeks well educated intelligent lady for companionship. Message Box No: 31

VICTOR 67, Would like to meet lady 5471, slim-med build. Non smoker, in the Somerset area. Message Box No: 32

Prize Crossword No. 459 Set by Frank Butler

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO:

The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, Somerset BA9 0BP – to arrive by Monday 17th February.

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

Clues Across:

1. Electrician takes public garden aboard [6]

4. Ring Sal after support for idea put forward [8]

9. First guess lady’s name? [6]

10. Sunday typographer runs 100m [8]

11. Scar bonnet a little with diamond [6]

12. Cattle flight to impress 37½% of 26 [8]

14. and 18. Scarlett O’Hara’s last words: 24 hours hence the sun will shine again [8, 2, 7, 3]

22. Leading ace jumped and was plentiful [8]

23. The white upon the blue above as Civil Service briefly absorbs forte [6]

24. Quiet workman supports cause [8]

25. Straw hat for queen chasing vessel [6]

26. Project gallery without teeth [8]

27. Discovers King has poles [6]

Clues Down:

1. Wisdom lets neon, for example, return to a large town [8]

2. Night and thing, perhaps, mixed up [8]

3. Essential plank to play upon [8]

5. Attire pear and bring home [10]

6. Public relations is manuscript with colour-dispersion units [6]

7. Put support with sofa [6]

8. Bigger drink about right! [6]

13. Work against shop-keeper’s performance [10]

15. Place for a bell is cell to be rebuilt [8]

16. Read about fair trimmer [8]

17. Looks at metallic sources and finds ugly sights [8]

19. Example of member taking part in selling [6]

20. Church is not sweet, but something comes of it [6]

21. Nation disturbed to put cream on

Solution to Crossword 458

Winner of the January Crossword is Diana Sandom of Thornford who chose to spend the £15 voucher at Pastimes of Sherborne.