The Visitor Magazine Issue 407 October 2017

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

Issue 407 October 2017

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s first ever crowdfunding campaign has exceeded its £5000 target for its Perry Mead Wildflower Project.

See page 7 for details.

Photograph by Matt Sweeting.

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In Passing...

W

HEN FRIENDS from afar come to stay they always ask me whether there are any new attractions in Visitorland worth a visit. This year my immediate answer has been Westlands Entertainment Venue, next door to the Sports and Fitness Centre on Westbourne Close in Yeovil, and one morning we went there for coffee and a nose around. We agreed that the district council has done a superb £4 million job in transforming the former sports and social club into a classy venue for concerts, parties, meetings and conferences, and were pleased that this autumn sees the launch of film and theatre ‘Screenings in the Ballroom’, complete with comfortable sofas and armchairs for the viewers. The lounge bar is open for food and drinks from 10.00am daily except Sundays, and with free parking it makes Westlands an attractive place to meet and chat. My friends rated it highly.

However, they took a lot of persuading to visit the second new attraction on my list.

The thought of spending an hour or two in a brush museum didn’t have the appeal of Westlands, but as soon as they stepped into Hillbrush they were captivated. They hadn’t realised that rural Mere is the home of one of Visitorland’s unsung industrial success stories, the Hill Brush Company – an unfamiliar name to them because its products are marketed through the trade rather than direct to the public. Its specialist brushes and cleaning equipment are exported worldwide for use in the dairy, food production, catering and hygiene industries and in hospitals and equestrian establishments.

Founded in Mere in 1922 in a small workshop on Castle Street, these premises soon proved to be too small for the thriving business so it rented Lordsmead Mill, a disused silk mill on the River Shreen, but outgrew this too and moved to a greenfield site at Woodlands Road in the mid-1930s.

Members of the founding Coward family are still involved in running the business, which now has more than a hundred employees, and they masterminded the company’s latest

move earlier this year – to purpose-built premises on a larger site at Norwood Park on the western edge of the town between the bypass and the old A303.

Part of the new premises houses the Hillbrush visitor centre, a spacious and attractively furnished open-plan area divided into a museum, a bistro and a shop stocked with a selection of luxury cleaning and grooming products. We spent much more time browsing round the museum than we had anticipated because it contains so much to see, including vintage brush machines, videos and display boards full of archive photos and informative facts and figures.

We chose coffee and cheese scones from the bistro’s extensive, tempting menu and if it hadn’t been raining we could have enjoyed them on the outdoor sun terrace. Hillbrush is open daily from 8.00am until 6.00pm on Monday to Saturday and 4.00pm on Sunday, and admission is free. My friends loved it.

NN.

Advertising Deadlines

November Issue published Thursday 26th October Deadline Friday 13th October

PO Box 1, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7BP

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

Proprietor Helen Dunion

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

© The Visitor Ltd. 2017

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

CONTENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED - 50 ANTIQUES & COLLECTING - 41

BED SPECIALIST PRIZE DRAW - 37 BOOK REVIEW - 47 BUSINESS - 29

CARING for the ELDERLY - 8

CROSSWORD - 50

DASH-CAM REVIEW - 42

FESTIVE VENUES & MENUS - 22 GARDENING - 38

HOUSE & HOME - 30 LEISURE - 15

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.

LOOKING GOOD & FEELING FINE - 26 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES - 4 MOTORING - 42

MUSIC for the MONTH - 16 NOTICE BOARD - 16 PAPERCHASE - 47

PHONE-A-FIRM - 48

PUBS - 44

THEY SAY - 46

WINE & DINE - 43

YEOVIL business focus - 18

Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR October 2017 3

Mentioned in

Dispatches

Exciting Times Ahead for New Students joining Strode College

Over a thousand new students joined Strode College in Street last month to study A Levels and vocational qualifications.

Progressing from school to college is an exciting and positive next step, and these young people can be confident that at Strode they will benefit from the highest quality teaching and support and go on to enjoy successful futures.

Strode is an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ college. Students are taught and supported by specialist staff who are highly skilled at helping students to realise their potential, maximise results and achieve success. This year Strode students gained the best ever high grades and another outstanding set of results.

Strode College provides specialist post 16 education and training and delivers a wide choice of A Levels; excellent vocational

qualifications, valued by universities and employers; and Apprenticeships, where young people can earn and learn at the same time.

Pupils who are in the final years of school and thinking about what to do next can find out more about college life and courses by visiting the Strode College Open Evening, Tuesday 17 October, 6.00pm8.30pm. To find out more and to register online visit: www.strodecollege.ac.uk, call 01458 844400 or simply turn up on the night.

Attend Black-Tie Dinner with Inspirational Guest Speaker Simon Weston CBE and help The Apollo Swimming Club

For over 40 years, The Apollo Swimming Club has been helping people exercise. Originally founded to help children increase their physical activity after orthopaedic operations or after periods of immobilization in splints, the club’s membership of just over 90 now consists of more adults than children, with many different kinds of physical disability. Members comprise both people who have a permanent disability and those who have sustained an injury from which they will eventually recover.

Members pay a small amount for membership and pool sessions and

the club raises as much money as they can with stalls at local fetes, but they do rely heavily on grants and donations.

The club’s minibus desperately needs replacing. They use the vehicle to collect members who have difficulty with transport from their homes to pools (swimming at Goldstones Leisure Centre, Yeovil on Saturday mornings and Sherborne Boys School Sports Centre on Tuesday evenings), swimming competitions, sailing at Sutton Bingham Reservoir during the summer and other social events.

The club also transport a group of members to the NASCH Woodlarks summer camp at Farnham in Surrey every year.

To raise money, the Apollo are holding fundraising events including a black-tie dinner at the Haynes International Motor Museum on Friday 3rd November.

The evening will consist of a delightful three course meal with Inspirational Guest Speaker Simon Weston CBE, a live auction, tombola and musical performance.

It’s going to be a delightful evening for a wonderful cause. If you’d like to attend, please contact Sue Bullivant on 01935 427876.

Tickets are available now. £45.00 per head and tables are for a maximum of ten guests.

To find out more about The Apollo Swimming Club, please visit www.apolloswimming club.org.uk

For further information about membership, please contact Jackie Rowbottom, Membership Secretary, who will always be pleased to help with further information. Tel: 07709 244611.

TKA Celebrants

To honour the life and commemorate the loss of a loved one, TKA Celebrants offer a professional and personal service.

Each individual has a range of experience and emotions that is unique. At the end of a life, the family may wish to consider an alternative yet appropriate ceremony for the funeral. A personal memorial service specifically tailored to reflect the character of the person who has passed away, focusing on their thoughts and values and those of their family.

We welcome the participation of those involved. Music, poetry, hymns, readings and songs can be chosen to suit the occasion.

With the celebrant there to lead, help and advise, the service can be a truly meaningful and memorable experience.

TKA Celebrants are based in Yeovil, Somerset and are available throughout the South West, particularly in South Somerset and West Dorset. If necessary, travel further afield can be arranged.

The Visitor

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

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4 THE VISITOR October 2017

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ANDREW BARCLAY TRADITIONAL FAMILY BUTCHERS

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We also stock a variety of Fine Local Cheeses, Homemade Cakes Desserts, Pies, Pasties, Scotch Eggs, Milk, Jersey Cream Mere Fish Farm Products, Annamma’s Curry Sauces, Cooked Meats A Selection of Dry & Sweet Biscuits & Condiments

ORDERS TAKEN FOR OUR MEAT FROM NORTH CADBURY VILLAGE SHOP & MAIDEN BRADLEY VILLAGE SHOP  WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS 

THE VISITOR October 2017 5

Mentioned in

Dispatches

Windows of opportunity: Somerset manufacturer celebrates 40 years

In 2017 Yeovil-based West Country Windows is celebrating 40 years of being in business and as one of a handful of Somerset manufacturers with a business that is still run by two of the same directors who set it up in 1977; it holds a particularly unique position in the double glazing sector.

When the idea of West Country Windows was born in 1977, directors Ken Ashplant and Tim Earle remember the world as a very different place. Tim recalls the first Concorde flight between London and New York – something which was of particular significance to him as he was studying and living in the USA at the time.

Meanwhile, Ken, who is West Country born and bred, was busy honing his skills as a carpenter and joiner at a national double

6 THE VISITOR October 2017

West Country Windows celebrates 40 years of being in business.

L – R Directors Tim Earle and Ken Ashplant.

glazing company, but when he became more involved with the research and development side of the industry it was apparent that there were a number of problems that were not being properly addressed. Ken says he saw his ‘window of opportunity’ and together with Tim and a third director Tony Hamilton (who later retired through ill health) formed West Country Windows.

In the late seventies the firm was located in Glenville Road, Yeovil, in an old gloving factory,

moving to its current premises at Goldcroft, Yeovil in 1980. In those days the market was all about aluminium windows, but that was soon to change with the arrival of UPVC. In a market that has traditionally been the province of big national companies at one end and small ‘one man’ bands at the other, West Country Windows has stood out as a business that has grown organically, taking time to see what is really important and actually

manufacturing its products in the UK rather than sourcing them from large manufacturers churning out thousands a week.

Ken comments, ‘I think that part of our success can be attributed to our emphasis on having control over the product from start to finish. We firmly believe in controlling the quality of everything we do. Around 90% of the market comprises one man bands, often builders, who are buying in from a range of big trade suppliers more often governed by price than quality or performance.’

An important factor contributing to the success of the business is the firm’s loyal staff, many of whom have been with West Country Windows since the 1980s. Factory Manager Anthony Smith, known to everyone as “Tommy”, is a prime example.

Joining the business as part of the YTS (Youth Training Scheme) at age 15, he has never left and now relishes the role of Factory Manager which means he organises and oversees the workforce, making sure they are adhering to the high quality standards that has ensured the success of the business.

Another ‘lifer’ is Office Manager, Angela Walker who

Mentioned in

Dispatches joined in 1983 and said it’s more like working for family than going into the office. She emphasised how both directors are always on hand to help staff with any issues or problems and how supportive they are of their team both in and outside the work environment.

Angela said, ‘Both Ken and Tim are always here and that has really helped to build the feel of the business; we are all in it together and everyone feels they have a role to play in making the company successful and working as a team.’

With nearly 40 employees, West Country Windows has built a really well managed, close-knit team which is essential when keeping up with the demands of the industry. Ken is proud of their loyal customer base and the fact that they regularly see repeat business. ‘What’s so interesting is we are often asked to fit windows for the same family as they move from house to house.

Then we are asked to do the same for their children as they have grown up and had families of their own.’

However the market is not just about double glazed windows, and one of the biggest sellers for West Country Windows is its wide range of conservatories which can be constructed from UPVC, aluminium or wood, and come in a fabulous range of styles and sizes. Tim said, ‘When we started we probably only sold a handful of conservatories, and the market didn’t really start to take off until the late 1990s, but now they are one of our most popular products.’

Keeping up to date with current trends is particularly important for the business and they have seen the market change to become more of a design and fashion choice rather than a distress purchase because the house is freezing! Ken says, ‘The power of programmes like Grand Designs and other lifestyle programmes and publications play a really important role in

shaping what people are going to ask for.’

Popular trends at the moment include an emphasis on colours – particularly greens and greys, plus solid insulated roofs for conservatories, sky lights and bifolding doors.

Ken and Tim are confident that whatever trends the future may bring, they will rise to the challenge and continue to exceed the expectations of their customers. As a way of saying thank you they are offering up to 40% off selected products, plus the opportunity to recall memories of those heady days of transatlantic Concorde flights with the chance to win £5,000 in holiday vouchers for any destination in the world. See the website, www.westcountry windows.com for more details.

Stanchester Quire

Stanchester Quire will be performing ‘Songs of Somerset’ on Friday 29th September from 7pm at Merriott Church, TA16 5PS. Tickets, £6, including a glass of wine, are available by phoning 01460 78461.

For information about booking the Community Quire for a concert, or if you are interested in joining them for an evening, please email stanchester quire1@gmail.com or phone 01935 822287. New members are always very welcome.

format, as well as liaising with designer and printers – all according to your budget!

For more information contact: 01458 223251, enquiries. mandybloom@gmail.com

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s first ever crowdfunding campaign set to transform grassland into wildflower meadow

Somerset Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce that it has exceeded its £5000 crowdfunding target for its Perry Mead Wildflower Project. Thanks to over 150 members of the public, an amazing £5,630 was raised for the Trust’s Perry Mead Wildflower Project which will go towards overall cost of completing the project which is £9500.

The crowdfunding campaign also caught the attention of local business Golledge Electronics, who then pledged a further £1000 to help secure the project’s success, alongside generous donations from an anonymous donor and one of the Trust’s own area groups who were also inspired by the project.

This wonderful new project now has the funds to improve habitats for Somerset’s bees and butterflies, which will help

reverse the shocking decline in pollinators over recent decades.

The money raised will be used to collect seeds from flower-rich fields at Babcary Meadow Nature Reserve and sow it onto a speciespoor field at Perry Mead Nature Reserve, transforming a mainly grass field into a diverse mix of flowering plants and grasses; perfect food for Somerset's bees and pollinators to enjoy.

Since the 1930s we have lost 97% of our wildflower meadows, and with it lots of our pollinators.

This is bad news for us as we rely on them for food – one in every three mouthfuls of food is down to them. And it’s not just the 250 species of bees that put the time in – it’s butterflies, moths, flies

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Mandy Bloom – Professional Memoir Writer

If you have always wanted to tell your life story, a Somerton based journalist can now help you.

Mandy Bloom was trained in the 1980s, and in the 1990s wrote a weekly column for the erstwhile Fosse Way Magazine. She has also produced features for national publications and the Western Daily Press magazine, interviewing dozens of local people over the years.

Mandy was recently commissioned to write a fulllength memoir for local entrepreneur Richard Stone, founder of Beehive Self Storage.

She carries out personal interviews which are then transcribed and edited, and illustrated with old photographs.

Depending on the length of the story, she can advise on the best

PROFESSIONAL MEMOIR WRITER Now taking commissions for autumn 2017 Begin your story here

 01458 223251

enquiries.mandybloom@gmail.com THE VISITOR October 2017 7

Mentioned in

Dispatches and various other insects such as beetles and wasps. Now we can repay the favour and make sure they have the habitat they need to survive and thrive.

For more information on creating meadows and the work of Somerset Wildlife Trust, please visit www.somersetwildlife.org

LOCAL STORE FOR SHOOTERS!

Yeovil now has ‘Reactive Target’ Manufacturer with a shop full of shooting goodies

on the Lynx Estate with parking (opposite Wickes) BA20 2HP. They have a range of pellets, Airsoft Gun Gas & range of 6mm BBs, CO2 cartridges (12 & 88g), 4.5mm BBs (metal) & provide 300 bar Clean Air refilling service (for guns and tanks) as well as quite a few other filling and gun maintenance goodies including Gun Rests.

As well as their own Reactive Targets – currently taking the shooting industry by storm, they stock other popular reactive brands – Firebird Exploding Targets, Shoot-N-C, Darkotic, Self Adhesive Target Spots (any size available), Shoot‘n’Smash Chalks, PDT Zeroing Cards & re-setting Metal Targets & Spinners.

You can also buy online at www.customtargets.co.uk

Custom Targets on the Lynx Estate, Yeovil is a ‘Reactive Target’ manufacturer with a shop full of shooting goodies!

E VERGREEN Making everyday life easier

Do I need a Stairlift? – If you have difficulty getting up and down stairs you are not alone.

The decision to install a stairlift is sometimes a difficult one to take but, when compared with the alternative of moving or living on only one level of their home, many people have found a stairlift to be their preferred solution.

Why choose us? – Suttons Stairlifts aim to provide an ethical, reliable and prompt service to their valued customers.

Thanks to personal recommendations from satisfied customers referring them to their friends and relations we have achieved a solid reputation for integrity and exceptional service.

We have worked hard to establish an affordable, dependable and honest service to be proud of.

Suttons Stairlifts is now a wellestablished family-run company committed to providing expert advice with a no-pressure selling policy, guaranteed!

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

Our Products and Services We offer a range of new or refurbished Handicare stairlifts for either straight or curved stairs in the Somerset and Mendip area.

We also offer a rental option for straight stairlifts.

We also provide fast and efficient maintenance and repairs on all supplied stairlifts, as well as an annual service and safety check to keep your stairlift running as smoothly as the day it was installed. We also offer

servicing and safety checks for stairlifts not installed by us, as well as repairs and removals at a very reasonable cost. Whilst stairlifts are very simple to use, they are mechanical devices and benefit from annual servicing and maintenance to ensure they continue to run efficiently.

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

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

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

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

Shepton Mallet based Installation – Repair – Services

8 THE VISITOR October 2017

E VERGREEN - Care for the Elderly Careline – 24 hour help at the touch of a button

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

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

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

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

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

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

To find out more on how Careline can help, contact 01935 479815 or visit www.careline southsomerset.co.uk – see their advert for further details.

The Old Rectory (Bramley Care) welcomes a special visitor

The Old Rectory residents enjoyed a visit from Eddie the Barn Owl as one of the many stimulating events and entertainments organised for residents. It was a great experience and a real treat to be able to see such a lovely animal up close.

The Old Rectory is one of two excellent quality residential care homes operated by Bramley Care.

Eddie the Barn Owl with residents from The Old Rectory.

The other is Bramley House in Mere. Bramley Care prides itself on the highest standard of care and facilities offered to residents and works within the Gold Standards Framework ensuring residents receive the highest standard of care.

Alongside their residential homes, Bramley Care also provides care at home. Their bespoke, quality care enables

older people to remain living in the comfort of their own home.

Bramley Home Care’s holistic approach supports the needs of their clients and promotes independence, while maintaining dignity, privacy and respect.

For more information about Bramley Care, visit www.bramleycare.com or telephone them on 01747 855844 to discuss your requirements.

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

Do you ...  Live alone or sometimes feel at risk?  Have elderly, frail or infirm dependents?  Worry about their safety in an emergency?  Want to help them maintain their independence?

Careline provides help at the touch of a button, which can be worn as a pendant or on a wrist strap, and dials through to our team 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.

Through Careline, you can enjoy the independence of living in your own home, secure in the knowledge that emergency help or advice is available at your fingertips.

We offer a free demonstration and if you are happy with it, our staff can fit the unit for you immediately.

Contact us on 01935 479815 careline@southsomerset.gov.uk www.carelinesouthsomerset.co.uk Initial connection / setup fee £32.85* Hire and monitoring £3.84 per week *waived if on certain benefits

THE VISITOR October 2017 9

E VERGREEN - Care for the Elderly Simply Bathrooms and Bedrooms of Sherborne

Hansgrohe shower items with flush to ceiling mounted fixed shower and hand held slider, expertly fitted by Simply Bathrooms and Bedrooms of Sherborne’s specialist team.

10 THE VISITOR October 2017

Simply Bathrooms and Bedrooms of Sherborne design, supply and install a wide range of bathrooms, wetrooms and WC’s complete with stunning showers, enclosures, sanitary ware and taps to meet every taste and budget. They are specialists in wetroom design and installation and will ensure it is as safe as possible. They offer various styles and designs of shower grating to horizontal or vertical waste gullies, and will accommodate your bathing needs.

They are suppliers of Bette antislip flooring which offers the perfect support when showering.

These floors are available flush to the floor or with a raised threshold, the anti-slip coating is permanently fired on and they are easy to clean. If you do have reduced mobility, a wetroom may offer a bathing solution, and being on one level makes wheelchair access easier.

Simply Bathrooms can transform your bath or shower room to suit you, even if that

means putting in something very different. Rooms which currently have a different use can be converted into bathrooms, shower rooms or wetrooms. They can project manage from start to finish and have years of experience and a truly excellent level of customer service.

Their showroom has a number of inspirational examples from their range, so why not visit them to discuss the design for your new bathroom? If you have any questions about their products or services, please call them on 01935 817111 or visit www.simplybathandbed.co.uk

Co-op Funeral Planning

Peace of mind for you and your family with a pre-paid, inflation proof funeral plan.

Thinking about your own funeral is never an easy thing to do, but by planning ahead you can spare the people you love difficult decisions at a painful time.

With average funeral costs soaring well above the rate of inflation, it makes strong financial

E VERGREEN - Care for the Elderly sense to consider a pre-paid funeral plan. The cost is guaranteed at today’s prices and inflation proof, protecting you and your loved ones from rising costs.

The experienced team at The Co-operative Funeralcare will guide you through the different options and provide a free, no obligation quotation to review in your own time.

To find out more, visit your local Co-operative Funeralcare home in Gillingham or Shaftesbury.

Beechwood House

Set in land scap ed ga rd ens, Beechwood House Care Home in Yeovil, provides a very high standard of residential care for 28 elderly people, all having ground level, en-suite rooms.

Established for more than 18 years, their aim is to provide a caring and comfortable home for people who feel unable or do not wish to live on their own any longer.

Two sitting rooms and two conservatories allow residents to enjoy either a quiet period of

reflection, to meet visitors or to participate in the activities on offer. The cooks prepare excellent home-cooked cuisine and special dietary requirements are catered for. Should you require them to order, collect and administer medication, they will gladly do so.

They want residents to maintain their way of life, whilst knowing that help is available whenever they need it. Above all, treat Beechwood House as your home. Please call Sandra Barclay, Manager, on 01935 472793 for more details

Royal Voluntary Service in Sherborne and area

Originally founded in 1938 as the Women’s Voluntary Services for Air Raid Precautions, their services have evolved into providing practical help for older people, to enable choice, independence and dignity so people can enjoy an improved quality of life - all with the help of around 2,000 volunteers in Dorset.

They work with older people

who are vulnerable and isolated or in danger of becoming isolated from their local community. They recruit and train volunteers to deliver a wide range of services, identified by older people as something they would like/ need such as befriending support, running small errands, accompanied walks, lunch clubs, social clubs and Home Library Service (HLS).

They have a superb support network of fundraisers who bake, knit, sew, craft and donate items to RVS which are then sold at local businesses, Tourist

Information Centre, market stalls and other events to raise funds for their befriending and other non-commissioned services. These generous contributions assist them in making their services sustainable, which means they can continue to deliver support to older people and to reach a wider network of people in danger of becoming socially isolated. You may well have seen their famous penguins on display at a local library, on Facebook and at RVS events around Dorset. Knitting patterns are available from the office.

Care Home for the Elderly

60 West Coker Road, Yeovil BA20 2JA Call SANDRA BARCLAY, Manager on 01935 472793 for an informal chat

email: info@beechwoodcarehome.co.uk • www.beechwoodcarehome.co.uk

THE VISITOR October 2017 11

E VERGREEN - Care for the Elderly Sherborne Home Library Service:

All libraries in Dorset have a team of dedicated Royal Voluntary Service volunteers who are able to visit on a regular basis, choosing and delivering the books you want from the library to your home, free of charge.

Large print books and talking books can also be delivered.

This service is funded by Dorset Library Service, and delivered by the Royal Voluntary Service. It is available to anyone who cannot easily get to their local library, and can be provided on a temporary basis as well as long term.

All Royal Voluntary Service volunteers are DBS checked and receive ongoing training and support.

If you are interested in finding out more about any aspect of the RVS and its work, please contact the local office on 01305 236666.

If you are interested in the Home Library Service please contact Maria Jacobson, RVS Service Manager Dorset Home Library Service, tel. 01305 236666 or e-mail maria. jacobson@royalvoluntary service.org.uk

South Cary House

Situated in the pretty market town of Castle Cary, South Cary House is a Grade II listed Georgian property set in its own grounds of approximately one acre.

This comfortable care home offers a relaxed and welcoming environment for its residents, with a strong emphasis placed on the preservation of dignity, privacy and respect for each individual's choice of lifestyle.

South Cary House is within walking distance of the town and there is also a convenient regular bus service to Yeovil and Shepton Mallet. Should you wish to travel further afield trains go to London and Plymouth from Castle Cary railway station.

Local business is crowdfunding to train care home staff to embed music into their care plans

Dorset based business Musica Music and Wellbeing CIC are crowdfunding to raise money to enable them to train local care home staff on integrating music into their care provision.

Across the UK there are currently 433,000 older or physically disabled people living

St. JOHNS’ HOUSE Residential Home, Sherborne, Dorset An opportunity has arisen for persons above pension age to live in this beautiful house. We have a number of vacant rooms, all ensuite and unfurnished, including a flat suitable for a couple. A monthly contribution is payable to include all meals, housekeeping and laundry. We are not a care or nursing home, but promote independent living for all residents who are in good health with good mobility. you are welcome to visit and have a look around, just give us a call.

in residential care homes.

Shockingly there are currently 850,000 people living with dementia. Through their own extensive research they know that older people who take part in musical activities can find it very beneficial. Listening to music can help to reduce agitation and anxiety, and improve cognitive function and communication.

They also understand that unfortunately care homes don’t always have the budget to enable this type of activity and that is why Musica Music and Wellbeing CIC want to help.

Owner Rosanna Mead quotes ‘We are passionate about making a difference to the lives of older adults and their family with our own music workshops and by doing this project it will allow us to extend this into further venues.’

Musica Music and Wellbeing CIC workshops are interactive, stimulating and fun and include a range of musical activities including warming up, instruments and singing. They also use the music for the adults to reminiscence.

Rosanna quotes, ‘We are on the lookout for individuals and businesses to donate where they can to enable the crowdfunding to be fulfilled.’

For more details and to donate, please visit the website: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/musicin-care-homes Please also visit the Musica

Music website for further information: musica-music.co.uk The campaign ends at 13:30 on 16th October.

Local Man Brings Award Winning Care Company to Yeovil

Home Instead Senior Care, an award-winning care company which specialises in providing non-medical care for older people in their own homes, has been brought to Yeovil by Ashley Gray, from Martock.

The company will be looking to create at least 50 new jobs caring for clients across Yeovil, Sherborne, Bridport, Crewkerne, Langport, Somerton, Castle Cary, and the surrounding areas.

Following a career in the finance sector in London, Ashley moved to the South West with his wife, a local doctor at Yeovil hospital, and their three children.

Ashley had always been aware of the social care sector and about some of the issues it faced. He also realised that within this sector he could make a positive impact on people’s lives in his local community.

Ashley commented, ‘I set up the Home Instead office as I firmly believe that the ageing process should not equate to losing one’s identity or dignity. I feel that older people (like the rest of the population) are entitled to maintain their independence and remain in their own familiar environment, if they so wish. For families it can be such a worrying

Dental Design Limited

 Please contact: 01935 813245 or email: assistantmanagers@hotmail.co.uk

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12 THE VISITOR October 2017

Trudie or Nia on 01458 253888

E VERGREEN - Care for the Elderly time when an older parent suddenly needs help and support to continue with their daily lives.

At Home Instead, we will be helping people to find the right kind of care and support for their loved ones and importantly provide them with much needed peace of mind’.

He added, ‘My ambition is for excellence within the care provision sector. We match our clients to their caregivers based on common interests to help build long and trusting relationships and maintain continuity of care.

What is most important is that we give ourselves the time to care.

We can get to know and understand our clients, which is really important for their wellbeing. We also care for our caregivers, they are so important, and of course, a happy team means happy clients.’

Home Instead Senior Care is an award-winning company with a first class reputation for quality.

Services are tailored to the individual needs of each client and would typically include companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, post-discharge care, personal care, medication reminders, shopping and errands.

If you would like to enquire about their services, either for yourself, a family member or a friend, or become a caregiver, please call 01935 577030 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/yeovil sherbornebridport

Diamond Hearing Services

Diamond Hearing Services are now able to showcase the latest hearing aid technology at a new clinic being held at, Mendip Mobility, 146 High street, Street, Somerset, BA16 0ER. Tel. 01458 448355 This clinic is for people who have hearing aids or for those who are just starting out, to raise awareness about how people can improve their hearing which is an area often overlooked.

Diamond hearing services are an independent group of hearing aid dispensers with over twenty years’ experience in hearing health care beginning when all aids were analogue and being able to provide the latest ‘in the ear’ style of aid that were not available through the ‘NHS’ at that time.

They have witnessed many changes within the hearing aid industry and believe that hearing

Step inside! Regency Mobility in Crewkerne have a wonderful selection of mobility scooters, walking and living aids, rise and recline chairs and so much more.

Walkin g Sticks

Home Visits

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We have a wonderful choice of

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10 Falkland Square CREWkERNE, TA18 7JS  01460 271172

www.regencycareandmobility.co.uk

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

THE VISITOR October 2017 13

EMBRACE EFFORTLESS HEARING

E VERGREEN

Every Wednesday 10am – 1pm at Mendip Mobility Street Store

Between

Daily Tests will be available throughout the week if necessary

 FREE HEARING TESTS (home visits available)

 Ex Street Bloom customers welcome

 Demonstrations of the latest hearing aid technology

 Hearing aid service and repairs on all makes

instruments have reached an alltime best in digital, programmable aids now being able to connect directly to mobile phones and offering a full hearing experience utilising today's available technology.

They are able to provide hearing instruments from all manufacturers at lower than average prices to most high street chains whilst offering the same commitment to excellent after care and patient satisfaction maintaining a high level of professionalism.

Please call to make an appointment to see how they can help your hearing in a friendly customer focused environment.

Home visits are also possible.

AHM Installations are specialists in bathroom adaptations

AHM Installations is a family run business with more than 15 years’ experience in installing quality bathrooms that give their customers a home to truly feel comfortable in.

They offer bathroom adaptations for those with mobility issues and have a simple three step route to transform your bathroom: quotation, design and installation. Simply contact them today to get started.

With a free survey, bespoke bathroom and wet room designs that give a safe and stylish way to live at home at a reasonable price, and a qualified team with a vast knowledge and expertise of bathroom and wet room installations, they’ll take care of the finer points before, during and after their service, giving you a stress free experience.

Virtually any bathroom can be transformed into a wet room, and wet rooms offer better accessibility if your mobility is limited. Physical limitations no longer mean you have to choose a shower rather than a bath, as walk in baths are now available.

Please visit www.ahm installations.co.uk or call today on 01823 729564 for further information / to arrange a quote.

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Discounts for over 60s, SSAFA and Ex-Service Personnel

Mendip Mobility

146 High Street, STREET Somerset, BA16 0ER Tel: 01458 448355

14 THE VISITOR October 2017

Call now to arrange a FREE survey and quote

Tel: 01823 729564

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

The Gartell Light Railway

With summertime coming to an end and the nights drawing in, why not enjoy one last trip on Sunday 29th of October on the Gartell Light Railway before they close for winter maintenance?

After this last open day, railway owner John Gartell’s locomotive ‘Mr G’ will be fully stripped down for its 10 year major overhaul, whilst track and signalling maintenance will take place through the winter, together with vegetation clearance to ensure they are clean and tidy for the 2018 season.

From their base at Common Lane Farm, they travel up to and then along the trackbed of the Somerset and Dorset Railway, which closed over 50 years ago.

They have three 3-coach trains running every 20 minutes from 10.30am until 4.30pm.

They will have both of their steam locomotives in action plus one diesel.

You can find them off the A357 at Yenston, between Wincanton and Henstridge: just look for the signs. They have a large free car park. Go and enjoy food and drink in their café or just spend the day riding or watching the trains.

You will find their volunteer staff

friendly and helpful to make your day enjoyable: they are fully trained to ensure you have an enjoyable day. You are welcome to see inside their two signal boxes, which control the trains and ensure your safety, just like full-size trains.

Fares are Adults £8.00, Seniors £7.00, Children under 14 £5.00 and family tickets (2 adults and up to 2 children) £22.00.

Please see their advertisement for details or go online at newglr.weebly.com

The Late John Brookes

Many of our readers will remember John Brookes, whose wonderful poetry featured in The Visitor for many years. His family has kindly donated copies of his book, Verses Private & General, to use as prizes in the competition featured below. All you have to do is to send your name and address by post or email to receive a copy, (first come, first served).

John Brookes passed away in December 2004.

Driving Challenge at Henstridge

Somerset MIND are holding a driving challenge at Henstridge Airfield on Saturday 30th

Hansons Fabrics & Crafts have lots of ideas for Christmas. Go along to their Crafty Christmas Saturday on 7th October and pick up some suggestions and tips for making your own decorations.

Enjoy one last trip on the Gartell Light Railway this year (before they close for winter maintenance) on Sunday 29th of October!

THE VISITOR October 2017 15

October Notice Board DITCHEAT

St Mary’s Magdalene Church, Harvest Festival with decorated Wheelbarrows, Saturday 14th October, 2.00 – 5.00pm and Sunday 15th October, Harvest Service at 11.00am (non communion), followed by buffet lunch. Free. Donations for Church Fabric.

ILCHESTER

‘Art In Ilchester’ 30th September and 1st October, 10.00am – 4.00pm in the Town Hall. Selected Somerset artists.

Café open.

LYDFORD-ON-FOSSE

Comedy & Curry Night. Wednesday 4th October. The Cross Keys Inn, Lydford-on-Fosse, 8pm – 11pm. Five comedians and compere Pete Phillips. Free curry and lots of laughs. Tickets £15 from the Cross Keys Inn, 01963 240473.

LYDFORD-ON-FOSSE

Acoustic Jamming Session. Come and join in! Wednesday 11th October, 8pm.

Cross Keys Inn, Lydford-on-Fosse, 01963 240473. FREE ENTRY. Every second Wednesday of the month.

LYDFORD-ON-FOSSE

Halloween Party Saturday 28th October, Cross Keys Inn, Lydford-onFosse, 01963 240473. Fancy Dress and spooky goings on. Great food.

Music – Funky Dumpty 9pm. FREE ENTRY.

MARSTON MAGNA

Marston Magna Village Hall, Saturday 14th October, 2.30pm.

NEARLY NEW BAZAAR. Fantastic bargains in clothing, books, bric-abrac, shoes, handbags, jewellery.

MARTOCK

Roger Marks’ Cornish Armada Jazz Band, return visit, 7.30pm, 19th October, Parish Church, playing popular tunes 1880 – 1960. Tickets £9 on door / £8 from 01935 822706.

Accompanied children under 16, free.

NORTON-SUB-HAMDON

Saturday October 28th, Jumble Sale at the Village Hall (TA14 6SF). Many bargains. Doors open 11.00am.

Admission 50p (children free). For details contact Jennie on 01935 881718.

WINCANTON

Early Christmas Fair. Tuesday 17th October, 10.00am, Wincanton Racecourse Marquee. Entry £3, free parking. Somerton and Frome Conservatives supporting Marie Curie.

ADVERTISE YOUR NOVEMBER EVENT HERE

A listing under our Notice Board costs just £5 for 20 words.

Send details of What? When?

Where? to The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BP. All entries to be pre-paid. Extra words 30p each. Deadline for November issue, Friday 13th October.

16 THE VISITOR October 2017

September. £20 a person with the exciting opportunity to drive tractors, police cars, harvesters, tanks and more. Contact Jenny Flory 01460 63614 for more information.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Please note that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the art exhibition due to be held on 7th – 8th October at Apple Barn, Great Street, Norton sub Hamdon, TA14 6SG (advertised in the September Notice Board) has been cancelled.

The exhibition will be held at a later date, to be confirmed.

Somerton & Frome Conservatives Early Christmas Fair

The Early Christmas Fair will be held on Tuesday 17th October at Wincanton Racecourse Marquee from 10.00am to 3.30pm. Entry £3, free parking.

There will be over 30 stalls selling ladies fashions and accessories, jewellery, homeware, gifts, gardening goods, books and food as well as raffles and tombola. Lots to tempt the early Christmas shopper.

Café Bleu will be serving coffees and cakes, followed by lunches of

SEPTEMBER ...

Saturday 30th BILLY NO MATES (9pm) – Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi

OCTOBER ...

Friday 6th Friday 13th Friday 27th

BARRY PAULL (Elvis) – Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil UTTER CHAOS (9pm onwards) – Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil RAY JONES BAND (8.30 ‘til late) – Catash, North Cadbury

AN ADVERT IN THE PUB PAGES ENSURES A FREE MENTION HERE !

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

By John Osborne  Answers can be found on page 47

1. Who made their debut in 1979 with ‘Sultans of Swing’?

2. ‘Atomic’ was a 1980 hit for whom?

3. ‘Transformation’ is the latest recording from whom?

4. Who sang about ‘Me and Mrs Jones’ in 1973?

5. How do we best know Eilleen Regina Evans?

6. Which country did Helen Reddy come from?

7. ‘Jennifer Eccles’ was a 1960’s hit for which band?

8. Lyric; ‘Your friends with their fancy persuasions don’t admit that it’s part of a scheme’

9. Who made the album ‘Stanley Road’?

10. ‘Blackbird’ appeared on which Beatles album?

Question Impossible ‘Keep on Dancin’ was the first hit for the Bay City Rollers (1971) but which American band had the original 1965 hit?

Great Quotes in Music (95) “Being famous was extremely disappointing for me.

When I became famous it was a complete drag and it still is a complete drag.”

– VAN MORRISON –

homemade soup, poached salmon or freshly sliced baked ham with salads and topped off with delicious desserts. There will be a wine bar.

Organised by Somerton & Frome Conservatives, the fair will also be supporting the local branch of Marie Curie who do so much to help people coping with terminal illness.

Beaminster Museum

The exhibition ‘Wood you know?’ which explores the local history of woodlands, wood and woodworkers will continue at Beaminster museum until Sunday 29th October, along with a brand new exhibition entitled ‘300 years of Freemasonry’, which celebrates the Tercentenary of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Opening times are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and bank holidays 10.30am until 4pm.

Sundays 2pm until 4.30pm.

For more details, please visit their website www.beaminster museum.wordpress.com or ring telephone number 01308-863623 (answerphone message).

I.T. for the Terrified

For all your computer training needs. A skill-sharing, informal, community project. Run by a Committee – Staffed by Volunteers.

I.T. for the Terrified meet at Cheddar Village Hall, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3RF for their computer training sessions, with an ethos of friendly, informal, relaxed and individual help to use your computer, tablet or smartphone.

They can cover most topics on most devices. If you need the use of one of their machines, please let them know as this can be arranged.

Their opening hours are flexible, because they have The Visitor CAN BE READ ONLINE: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

POPPY

Registered No. 219279 under the Charities Act 1960

APPEAL Patron: Her Majesty The Queen

Castle Cary 2017

Collection Weeks AREA TDC 04

28th October – 11th November We look forward to your support EN QU IR IES TO

Poppy Appeal Organiser

Tel: 01963 350700

different trainers with different skills on different levels on different days, and need to work round when the hall is available, but they will arrange an appointment to suit both parties as quickly as they can.

Appointments are essential and cost £20 for a two-hour session.

Contact them at I.T. for the Terrified on telephone number 01934 741751 (usually goes to answerphone), email them on: itfortheterrified@btconnect.com or visit their website: www.it fortheterrified.co.uk

Beetlecrushers

Local clog and step dance group, the Beetlecrushers, have had an enjoyable summer providing demonstrations and workshops at festivals, garden parties and Brownie group meetings: nevertheless, September and October are also busy months with further festivals at Lyme Regis, Swanage, Langport and Priston and appearances at Wells Food Fair and Midsomer Norton Railway Station. As well as the usual free Autumn beginners course at Binegar, plans are afoot

to try a new local daytime course with times and venues to suit demand.

If you are interested in either of these beginners’ courses, please email beetlecrushers @hotmail.com or ring Ann on 01373 812227. See www.beetle crushers.org.uk

Mere Literary Festival October 9th – 15th

The long established Mere Literary Festival begins its third decade this month with the emphasis on writers and stories from Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset.

The festival opens on home territory with the biography of pilot Robin Bowes, killed in an aerial dog-fight display at Stourhead Gardens in 1995. His story is told by Geoff Pridmore who grew up on the Longleat Estate and was a witness to the crash. Wiltshire features again later in the week in the poetry and prose of Edward Thomas as his story and links with the county are told by Mere Drama Society.

One of England’s greatest

maritime disasters took place off the Dorset coast and is vividly recounted by Philip Browne in his biography, The Unfortunate Captain Peirce and the Wreck of the Halsewell. Peter Tait, former headmaster of Sherborne Preparatory School and a longtime Thomas Hardy devotee, discusses his latest book on the county’s most famous author.

Entitled The Well Beloved, it is about the women in Hardy’s life and fiction.

Popham was a 16th century Somerset lawyer and he is the subject of a talk by James Bradnock. The county is also represented by Joyce Lewis who talks about her life as a missionary, and by Rosie Jackson who will lead a Poetry Workshop.

Other events include Rachel Crowther talking about her latest novel; the community lunch; a gardening talk by Christine Stones; a film night; a children’s event; a lighthearted evening with Brian Freeland which is a must for all theatre lovers; poetry readings and the results of the 2017 Poetry Competition.

Full details of events are in the published programme or on www.merelitfest.co.uk and tickets can be booked on 01747 860475.

Win Free Tickets to THE FESTIVE GIFT FAIR at the NEC Birmingham which takes place from 16th - 19th November 2017

Celebrating its 22nd Christmas in 2017, The Festive Gift Fair in Birmingham is a super way to get into the Christmas spirit! With 350 stalls packed with gift and decoration ideas, delicious food to try before you buy and live music acts to keep you entertained along the way, this event makes Christmas shopping easy! You’ll find gifts for everyone from babies and teenagers to adults and senior citizens and there is even a Present Crèche for you to store your festive finds while you absorb and enjoy the atmosphere. The Visitor has four pairs of tickets to give away.

Simply enter the competition below for your chance to win!

MERE LITERARY FESTIVAL 9 th – 15 th October

The local literary festival with stories from Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset Details in the ... Big Green Programme and on ... www.merelitfest.co.uk • Book on 01747 860475 In aid of the charity - Mere & District Linkscheme - No:1062328

This illustration by Quentin Blake from the book Matilda by Roald Dahl is available from Martock Gallery. ‘Nine Hundred and Seventy Four', Official Collector's Edition Print, edition size 595, image size 260mm x 210mm. Framed price £130.00

‘One Child Isn’t Enough’ illustration by Quentin Blake from The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl Official Collector’s Edition Print • Edition size 595 Image size 260mm x 210mm • Framed price £130

Martock Gallery Open: Monday – Friday 9.00 – 5.00, Saturday 9.30 – 4.30

Water Street • Martock • Tel: (01935) 823254 • www.martockgallery.com

THE VISITOR October 2017 17

YEOVIL – business focus The new Magnetic Therapy Bed from Sweet Dreams is available from Fit & Furnish, Yeovil. Photo shows drawer option.

Magnarest Latex 2000 is available from Fit & Furnish

The Magnarest Latex 2000 is a magnetic therapy bed with a superb 2000 count pocket springs and added latex for better sleep.

The magnetic field within the mattress cover is proven to reduce stress, increase deeper sleep and relieve aching muscles and joints, while latex is yielding and supportive like memory foam, yet so much cooler.

The bed is available as ‘3 Store’ which means half-ottoman and a drawer, offering the best of both storage worlds. The front end lifts up and there is a drawer either side at head end. That’s in addition to three ottoman types,

and sprung edge or platform top with or without drawers.

You can choose from three colourways for the divan base.

Normal prices are £599.99 for the 4ft 6” option and £659.99 for the 5ft option.

New Saskia Grey is also coming in! Normal prices as follows: 4ft 6”: £399.99, 5ft: £439.99, 6ft: £499.99.

Visit Fit & Furnish in store at 25-26 Market Street, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1HZ or online www.fitandfurnish.co.uk Telephone 01935 412811.

Focalflames Fireplaces

Welcome to Focalflames Fireplaces! We’ve always stuck to the belief that staying small and personal and specialising in our field means a much more professional and responsive service to our customers! And with over 15 years’ experience in the industry we pride ourselves on providing high quality, great value services, with FREE home consultations, and even our very own showroom opening soon! With expert advice to help you make the right choice at a budget you are happy with, we will not be beaten on price! So why don't you give us a call or TEXT today for a free no obligation quote on 07931 918947.

Yeovil Auto Tuning

18 THE VISITOR October 2017

Do you have a caravan – are you looking for storage? Yeovil Auto Tuning now have a sister company, Pen Mill Storage (adjoining their premises), who offer secure caravan storage.

The services offered by Yeovil Auto Tuning include repairs, servicing, engine tuning and MOT testing incorporating class IV, and Class VII light vans. A collection and delivery service is available. They are also very pleased to offer repairs to classic cars!

Yeovil Auto Tuning is a family run business, established for 35 years.

Proprietor Colin Frost runs the business with his wife Anita and their experienced mechanic, Jamie.

Find them on the Pen Mill Trading Estate where there is ample parking. Also operating from the same premises is Eclipse Custom Campers, converting VW Transporter T4 and T5 vehicles.

YEOVIL – business focus

Crossroads Pet Supplies

Have you discovered Crossroads Pet Supplies? Situated on the Yeovil to Sherborne road, this shop is packed from floor to ceiling - hutches and cages, toys and leads, beds and bowls, seeds and shampoos! All can be found here.

Whether you like to feed the wild birds or have a pet at home, you can get all your animal feeds from Crossroads.

Why not call in? There is ample free parking right outside the door: ideal if you are purchasing food in bulk.

Hider Heating

Hider Heating, established since 1973, is an expert in the plumbing and heating sector, working with estate agents, letting agents and the general public in the Somerset area.

They offer their customers all aspects of plumbing and heating including: full central heating installation; boiler repairs and servicing; bathrooms; landlord gas safety certificates and general plumbing.

Their Gas Safe registration number is 700 so you can see that they have been in the business a long time, giving you confidence that only the highest standard of workmanship is offered as standard - they also have great testimonials.

Samaritans are recruiting volunteers

Samaritans' vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Every six seconds, someone contacts Samaritans, and every 90 minutes someone takes their own life. Three times more people die by suicide than from road traffic

John Stanley (left) with his son Jack, project manager, of J2 Tiles, Yeovil.

VISIT OUR EXTENSIVE TILE SHOWROOMS

 Quality Floor & Wall Tiles

Two Floor Showroom On Site

 Distributors of Grespania and other leading brands  Professional fitting service  Kitchen Installations now available

 Free Measuring & Estimate  Design Advice

 Supply & Fit or Supply Only  Full Range of Sanitary Ware, Basins, Baths, etc.

CALL IN TODAY PUBLIC & TRADE WELCOME Open: 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm Saturday FREE PARKING OUTSIDE THE SHOP

J2 Tiles, Unit 16, Venture 20 (Opposite Wickes)

● ● ● ● ● ●

Yeovil Auto Tuning  

CLASSIC CAR REPAIRS Established Repairs and Servicing Specialists OVER MOT Testing – Classes IV, V and VII also Motorhomes 30 YEARS Engine Tuning ● Brakes, Clutches, Gearboxes Competitive Rates ● Professional, Reliable, Friendly Service Specialising in VW T4 + T5 Vans Revo Engine Re-Mapping (VW and Audi Group)

 COLLECTION & DELIVERY SERVICE 

9 Oxford Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 426515 / 01935 411946

Lynx West Trading Estate YEOVIL, BA20 2HP

 01935 472088 · www.j2tiles.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 41a West Coker Road, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2LY

THE VISITOR October 2017 19

YEOVIL – business focus

accidents and men are three times more likely than women to end their own lives.

Yeovil and Sherborne Samaritans are part of a national network of Branches. We are ordinary people with a shared belief that talking to those who are struggling to cope or are in distress offers a vital lifeline to many.

From 25, The Park in Yeovil, the team of around 100 Samaritan volunteers help maintain a 24/7 national service

to ensure that whenever someone finds their life unbearable they can pick up the phone and talk to a person who cares.

Every death is a tragedy and anybody who has experienced suicide in their family knows the devastating impact it has. We’re trained to listen and to probe. We explore people’s problems with them. We care and we listen.

Many callers say how much we’ve helped them.

And like the callers themselves, Samaritan volunteers come from

A VERY SPECIAL VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY

all walks of life. We would love to hear from you if you would like to be able to make a difference and take on this demanding community role.

Appleby and Childs

Appleby and Childs, independent masons, has been serving the area in and around Yeovil for over 130 years.

We are an independent family run business offering the best in service, choice and quality.

We specialise in bespoke memorials, and also offer a cleaning, renovation and memorial insurance service.

A free brochure is available on request.

‘Let our Family look after yours’.

John Hamblin

John Hamblin, Master Cabinet Makers and Antique Furniture

Restorers, are a family-run business based in Yeovil with over 50 years’ experience in antique restoration and repair.

They carry out repairs to all types of furniture including releathering of desk-tops and bureaux, refinishing dining table tops and French polishing.

They are also cabinet makers and create bespoke fine furniture to your requirements and specifications, including libraries / bookcases.

They are highly regarded in their field, with many customers returning again and again, and recommending their services to family and friends.

If you would like to enquire about any of their services or visit their workshops, they would be delighted to hear from you.

Unit 6, 15 Oxford Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate, BA21 5HR. Telephone: 01935 471154.

Yeovil Samaritans, 25 The Park, Yeovil, BA20 1DG 01935 414015 (ansaphone) or www.samamaritans.org

John Hamblin, Master Cabinet Makers and Antique Furniture Restorers, are a family-run business. Find them at Unit 6, 15 Oxford Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate, BA21 5HR.

John Hamblin

Bespoke Furniture Makers Furniture Restorers French Polishers

Fine furniture made to your personal requirements and specifications, including bookcases and libraries Re-leathering of desktops, bureaux etc.

Dining table tops refinished

— A family run business established for over 50 years —

Unit 6, 15 Oxford Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate YEOVIL, BA21 5HR  01935 471154 • jhamblin101@gmail.com

20 THE VISITOR October 2017

YEOVIL – business focus

Railway mural completed at Yeovil Country Park

Visitors to one of Yeovil’s most popular Country Parks can now be dazzled by an amazing piece of artwork that has been completed over the summer. As part of the V3 Involve Visit Volunteer, Heritage Lottery Funded Project at Yeovil Country Park, a fantastic

mural has been painted on a concrete covered stretch of wall alongside the current cycleway which follows the original route of the former railway line, adjacent to the site of the old Hendford Halt Station. The mural, painted by Bristol artist Jody Thomas, depicts the heritage and wildlife of Yeovil Country Park. Huge train wheels

Flowers make a wonderful gift – Sunday 1st October is Grandparents Day. Whatever the occasion, contact Andrea’s Florists of Yeovil. Your local Interflora agent.

Norris Body Repairs

Norris Body Repairs is a familyrun business near the town centre which carries out car body repairs, paint work, restoration and MOT welding work. Large and small jobs welcome.

If you have an insurance claim you can choose where your car is repaired and Norris Body Repairs offer a friendly alternative to the larger body shops. Richard Norris has over 20 years experience in the industry and will ensure you receive individual attention – together with a free estimate and highly skilled repair.

Norris Body Repairs carry out welding work on vehicles that may have failed their MOT. Call Mary Norris to book your car in for repair today or call in for a free estimate.

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loom out of a cloud of steam and a Wallace Aircraft, manufactured by Westlands, soars overhead. A kingfisher dives down towards an otter sheltering near a cluster of yellow flag iris, whilst bumblebees and butterflies float around foxgloves and bluebells. A giant ladybird and beetle crawl up the wall and a bat swoops down from

above. A pair of breeding swans are depicted with their cygnets.

All are watched over by a green woodpecker, the emblem for Yeovil Country Park. Pop along to Ninesprings to see the mural for yourself. It’s only a short walk from the Ninesprings Café along the former railway cutting towards Lysander Road.

Ward & Sibley Family Jewellers of Yeovil. In addition to diamonds, Ward & Sibley stock a wide range of coloured gemstones.

Free customer parking at the rear of the shop.

Flowers say so much!

 “Thank You”  “Well Done”  “Congratulations”...

BOUQUETS • ARRANGEMENTS • PLANTS

Andrea’s of Yeovil

As an extra treat why not add Balloons, a Box of Chocolates, or a Teddy?

78 Middle Street YEOVIL • BA20 1LT  01935 706526

THE VISITOR October 2017 21

Festive Venues & Menus

22 THE VISITOR October 2017

THE VISITOR October 2017 23

Festive Venues & Menus The CATASH INN North Cadbury • BA22 7DH

Christmas Party MENU now available (minimum 6 people) 4 Courses + Tea / Coffee ... only £19.95 per person Christmas Day  4 Courses including Carvery Main Course ... only £44.95 per person

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Spaces are limited and booking is essential Please phone or email for your menu and booking details

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Skittle Alley

Bar – Dining – Accommodation

Christmas Menu 2017

Available from Friday 1st December until Saturday 23rd December

TO S TA RT

Sweet potato and lentil soup with croutons and homemade bread

Crispy aromatic duck, cucumber, spring onion, mini pancakes and hoisin sauce Home cured beetroot, gin and pink peppercorn Mere trout gravadlax with a horseradish crème fresh and rye bread Devilled mushrooms on toasted ciabatta MA INS

Traditional roast turkey with clementine stuffing and pigs in blankets Pan fried fillet of pork with spiced apple compote and a cider sauce

Sautéed strips of beef in a wholegrain mustard and whisky sauce with rice Local venison, red wine, thyme and chestnut casserole Smoked haddock rarebit with roasted tomatoes

Chestnut mushroom, Camelot blue cheese and port topped with puff pastry P U D D INGS

Traditional plum pudding with brandy sauce

will appear in our

NOVEMBER ISSUE Published: Thursday 26th October Deadline: Friday 13th October

DECEMBER ISSUE Published: Thursday 23rd November Deadline: Friday 10th November

Pear poached in mulled wine with sorbet

New Year Celebrations ...

Burns Night ...

CHRISTMAS / JANUARY ISSUE Published: Thursday 14th December Deadline: Friday 1st December

Mini cheeseboard of west country cheese

Or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Ginger and lemon lovely with brandy snap twirls topped with a christmas hat (a ‘lovely’ is a traditional Dorset pudding) Cointreau and Belgian chocolate mousse with chocolate orange ice cream 2 courses £20.50  3 courses £25.50

£5 non refundable deposit required per person at time of booking

24 THE VISITOR October 2017

To book your advert in The Visitor

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Pre-Christmas Party Menu Prop. Paul T. Rowsell

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THE VISITOR October 2017 25

Looking Good & Feeling Fine

Family Health with

Jenna Evans

Bone & Joint Care

At this time of the year it gets a little colder and many of us may find ourselves creaking a little more! So let’s take a look at some of the best supplements for strong and mobile bodies.

Turmeric – This is a fantastic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that has gained much coverage in recent years. If you have any kind of injury or inflammation, turmeric can be a useful addition to your medicine cabinet. Tablets are freely available but it is also popular to use the powder, mixed up into a milky drink. I use a tsp of good organic, fair trade powder (not your usual supermarket packets of the spice - I want to make sure it will have plenty of nutritional punch!) blended with almond milk, warmed or cold. There’s a much studied molecule in turmeric called curcumin which is thought to be responsible for many of this spice's medicinal effects. Curcumin, however, can be poorly absorbed so here’s a few tricks for getting the most out of your home-mixed turmeric products. Add some fat – curcumin is fat soluble so add a tsp of coconut butter to your milk to boost absorption. Also, black pepper – this contains piperine which is commonly added to turmeric supplements to increase

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26 THE VISITOR October 2017

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Boswellia – This prized Ayurvedic herbal medicine is used to treat inflammatory and spasmodic conditions such as arthritis, bronchitis, bursitis (all the ‘itises’!) and asthma. As such, it actually combines very well with our first herb, turmeric.

Devil’s Claw – A useful antiinflammatory for the winter months, especially for people who find their conditions such as rheumatism become more aggravated with cold, damp weather.

MSM – Methyl sulphonyl methane, a sulphur containing compound with a special affinity for the connective tissues, skin, hair and nails. MSM is a popular supplement for joint health and is thought to help prevent the cross linking of collagen and elastin fibres, thereby preventing wrinkles. I used MSM once as a joint support and I can only say my nails and hair were the thickest and strongest they had ever been while on this supplement!

Boron – Boron seems to aid healthy bone formation in two ways. Firstly by improving the utilisation of calcium which is likely to be due to its oestrogenic activity – very important for post-menopausal women concerned with the health of their bones. Secondly it has been suggested that Boron helps convert Vitamin D into its most active form, which is needed for the proper absorption of Calcium.

Calcium – Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body making up about 1.5 – 2% of our body weight. Unsurprisingly 99% of the body’s calcium can be found in the bone.

Bone tissue is not inert. It is

continually being built up and broken down to maintain a balance between healthy bone levels and the calcium circulating in the blood. As well as being a major component of bone, it is the calcium levels in the blood that (along with phosphorus) trigger hormonal releases that maintain the levels of calcium in the bone.

Vitamin K – The protein osteocalcin binds calcium into the bone matrix making it essential for bone formation. Vitamin K is necessary for the activation of osteocalcin. When there is a lack of Vitamin K, osteocalcin is inactive and cannot bind calcium to the bones. This leads to poor mineralization of bones and an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. Levels of Vitamin K have been found to be low in patients with osteoporosis and Vitamin K supplementation appears to reduce urinary excretion of calcium in postmenopausal women.

Magnesium – Most of the magnesium in the body can be found in the bones. As in the muscles and nerves, magnesium regulates calcium in the bones and teeth. Magnesium may also increase the activity of Vitamin D, which also aids calcium absorption. These days it is generally considered that magnesium is as important for bone health as calcium. As a muscle relaxer, magnesium can be helpful whenever twitches, cramps and spasms may be present and is one of the minerals most commonly considered deficient in the general population. One of my favourite ways to use magnesium is as an oil massaged into the skin. This is thought to be a more easily absorbed form of the mineral and can also be used to target problem areas. Great for tense muscles

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too, try massaging magnesium oil your skin in the evening, before bed – or even better, get someone else to give you a massage!

Magnesium can also be useful for improving sleep.

Vitamin D – The major function of Vitamin D is to regulate Calcium and Phosphorus blood levels. Vitamin D is involved in the resorption of calcium to the kidneys and bones and the absorption of calcium from the intestines. This facilitates the healthy calcification of skeletal tissue. It is well known that a deficiency in Vitamin D causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Rickets is characterised by softening of the bone tissue leading to bowed legs, slowed teeth formation and bone malformation etc. Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with musculo-skeletal pain.

Supplemental high doses have been used to provide antiinflammatory benefit and relieve pain.

Jenna Evans ©2017  Ceres Natural Foods are having a ‘Joint Health’ month in-store during October. Pop in for exclusive offers and samples. 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.

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Amour Lingerie, Wincanton

which are flattering, comfortable and versatile.

Also new to the boutique are Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew room diffusers in several scents, Doris and Dude bamboo fabric

Whatever your body shape or size, Amour Lingerie in Wincanton will have underwear to make you feel fabulous. Sheer elegance and total comfort go hand-in-hand with Elomi lingerie.

Full figured women can enjoy total fit and support in a range of sophisticated looks, featuring specially designed underwires and soft cup styles in sizes 32 to 48, DD through to K cup. Other labels stocked include Fantasie, Marie Jo, Wacoal, Freya, PrimaDonna and Mimi Holliday.

Amour have stunning, silky nightwear and beautiful perfumes alongside bras and briefs in an array of colours and styles. Shopping in store means that you can get expert advice on size and fit from their friendly team.

Visit Amour at 7 Market Place, Wincanton to discover their enchanting collection.

start thinking about what to give as Christmas presents. The festive season will be here before you know it, so visit Preview now and enjoy the autumnal fashion and gift ideas in store.

Exciting New Season Collection Now Arriving

Fashion Boutique Wincanton

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New collections are arriving almost daily at Preview, Wincanton, from several fashion houses including Frank Walder, Just White Shirts and Danish brand Micha. Recent additions include Robell needle cord trousers in rich gem stone colours

gents socks in bright colours and designs, and beautiful scarves from Tilley and Grace. These are just few of the things at Preview that would make perfect gifts.

October is the perfect time to

and introducing ...

Zenia This check jersey dress by Micha is available from Preview Fashion Boutique, Wincanton.

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

Exquisite New Autumn Collection Now In NOW STOCKING

Elomi lingerie is available from Amour in Wincanton.

Pictured is the Matilda plunge bra and brief in purple.

7 Market Place Wincanton ▪ BA9 9LL

 01963 32808 ▪ www.amour-lingerie.co.uk THE VISITOR October 2017 27

Looking Good & Feeling Fine Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie, Shaftesbury Dates for your diaries

On Thursday 5th October Lydia from Brax will be in store, customers will receive a free gift with each Brax purchase (while stocks last).

Then 16th October – 28th October is bra fitting fortnight, representatives from lingerie designers will be in during this fortnight.

Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie, 30 High Street, Shaftesbury. Call 01747 852444 for further information.

What’s keeping the South West awake? Secrets of Living Well revealed in landmark study

A new label can be found at Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie this season: Mat de Misaine.

The inaugural Sainsbury’s Living Well Index, based on a nationally representative study into how Britons feel about their quality of life, reveals the factors associated with living well – and uncovers significant gaps. Sleep quality has the strongest association with Britons’ quality of life – for the typical Brit, improving their sleep to the level of those who are living best would be equivalent to them having more than four times as much disposable income. In the South West one-in-three (34 per cent) say they feel well-rested just some of the time. Only one-in-four

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(29 per cent) in The South West say they regularly feel well-rested.

The Index, created by Sainsbury’s in partnership with leading researchers Oxford Economics and the National Centre for Social Research, aims to define, measure and track what it really means to live well in the UK today.

It has been commissioned to help the retailer understand and engage on the aspects of everyday life that are holding people back.

In the first study of its kind, researchers asked a nationally representative panel of 8,250 people questions covering 60 different aspects of their behaviour, how they live and how they feel.

The Index covers everything from their support networks and relationships with friends, families and communities, to how people feel about their jobs, their quality of sleep and the strength of their finances. The same panel will be questioned every six months, enabling Sainsbury’s and researchers to track the effects of how we live on how we feel, individually and as a nation, as well as providing unique insights into the lives of Britons today.

The average Briton has a Living Well score of 62.2 out of a maximum of 100. Those in The South West had a score of 63.1 the study found – above the typical national score.

Those living best are defined as the 20 per cent of the population with the highest scores – falling between 72 and 92. By comparing the lifestyles and behaviours of those living best in Britain with the typical Briton, the Sainsbury’s Living Well Index has revealed the critical factors behind living well.

Income has surprisingly little impact on how we feel. For the typical Brit, a 50 per cent rise in disposable income contributes to just a 0.5 point increase in their Living Well score.

In contrast, controlling for age, income, or personal health, a good night’s sleep has the strongest association with how well we feel we are living. Over time, the research aims to understand the big gaps dividing the nation, and whether associations are causal.

Five factors that separate a typical person from those living best:

28 THE VISITOR October 2017

A Good Night’s Sleep: Sleep was the strongest indicator of a broader sense of wellbeing,

controlling for other factors.

Sex Life Satisfaction: Across the population as a whole, just over a third (35 per cent) said they were fairly or very satisfied with their sex lives.

Job Security: For the typical Briton, their perceived level of job security is another important differentiator to those living best, suggesting that the peace of mind this can bring contributes significantly to how well we feel we live.

Health of Close Relatives: For the typical person, worries about the health of close relations emerges as a significant barrier to living very well. The analysis found that worries over the health of close relations contributes a difference of 1.75 points between the typical Briton and those living best. In the South West, people said their quality of life was diminished most by concerns over the health of their parents.

Community connectedness: Stronger connections with the people we share a community with is an important factor for those who experience the highest quality of life in Britain.

Mike Coupe, Sainsbury’s CEO, said: ‘Our ambition is to help our customers to live well. We’ve launched the Sainsbury’s Living Well Index to help us better understand what ‘living well’ truly means to people across the UK today. The Index will help to inform how we run our business and will also help us uncover and engage more boldly on the issues that concern people most in their everyday lives.’

To better understand the results and seek guidance on what action can be taken on the key factors holding Britons back from Living Well, Sainsbury’s has formed the Living Well Advisory Group. This panel of experts will help the business understand how it can use its resources to improve the way in which colleagues, customers and the communities Sainsbury’s serves live.

To take part in a simplified version of the Sainsbury’s Living Well Index, get a personal Living Well score and to receive simple suggestions for actions to improve it, you can go to www.about. sainsburys.co.uk/living-well-index The methodology of the Index is available on the Sainsbury’s website.

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

Somerset businesses turn out in force for Bank of England’s annual economic update

Around 60 business people attended this year’s Bank of England Update, held on 5 September at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.

Organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce, and held in association with the Institute of Directors and the Bank of England, the annual breakfast event is one of the most popular on the Chamber’s events calendar.

The Bank of England's Deputy Agent for the South West, Geoff Harding, provided insight into the current economic situation and the Bank’s views on the prospects for the British economy over the next two to three years.

He covered a range of topics including household consumption; consumer spending; employment rates; the effects of the depreciation in sterling; inflation rates; and consumer and business confidence.

In particular, he spoke about the role of the Bank’s Financial Policy Committee, the projections for growth and inflation; the yield curve, including market expectations of short term interest rates; and the Monetary Policy Committee’s main assumptions.

Following the event, Somerset Chamber Board Director Helen Lacey said, ‘The Bank of England Update was a really enjoyable morning, very informative and useful. We had a great turn-out with a number of new delegates joining us for the first time, and we’ve received some very positive feedback about the event overall.’

Chamber Patron Weston College sponsored the event and Dave Crew, Director of Business Growth, said, ‘Weston College

were delighted to sponsor this high profile event in the Somerset business calendar. The Bank of England event continues to attract business leaders and provide a useful economic update, in particular the projections for economic growth and consumer confidence.’

Rob Cadwallader, Partner at Milsted Langdon, was one of the delegates at the event. He commented, ‘As popular as ever, it is always interesting to hear how the Bank of England is seeing things and to put some context around the challenges facing businesses here in Taunton and Somerset. We continue to live in interesting times.’

Somerset Chamber of Commerce is one of only five accredited Chambers in the South West and 52 in the whole of the UK. It works closely with the British Chambers of Commerce to make sure Somerset businesses stay well connected at both a local and national level, and that the voices of the Somerset business community are heard at all levels of government.

better access to markets and customers, whether physical or technological. The right infrastructure in the right place and at the right time has the potential of unlocking significant economic capacity.

‘We therefore very much welcome Chris Grayling’s announcement to upgrade the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down, also known as the Stonehenge bottleneck. With quicker journey times and reduced congestion, this development will bring major long term economic benefits for

the South West. In conjunction with improvements further down the A303 in Somerset, it will certainly provide a boost for all sectors of the economy.’

PROMOTE your BUSINESS HERE ...

 Deadline for the November issue: Friday 13th October  Publication date: Thursday 26th October PLEASE CALL ...

 01963 351256

Somerset Chamber welcomes Stonehenge upgrade announcement

Somerset Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the latest plans for the £1.6 billion A303 upgrade near Stonehenge, published recently by the Department for Transport.

Chief Executive, Dale Edwards, said, ‘Somerset Chamber has long campaigned for government to provide our businesses with

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THE VISITOR October 2017 29

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30 THE VISITOR October 2017

The Dimplex MicroStove – small but perfectly formed.

The Dimplex MicroStove

Small but perfectly formed, Dimplex’s Optiflame® MicroStove is ideal for adding much-needed extra warmth into your living room or home office.

Compact yet powerful, the freestanding cast iron-style MicroStove measures just 42cm tall but packs an impressive punch with a 1.2kW heat output. Its log-effect fuel bed is designed to replicate a traditional woodburning stove – but as it is electric, you can enjoy instant heat at the flick of a switch.

With two heat settings, the lightweight MicroStove can easily be unplugged and moved from room to room to suit your needs.

Its compact design means it can fit neatly practically anywhere, and is especially ideal for use where space is limited.

Or, if you want to make a new

focal point in your living room, Dimplex also offers a MicroStove Suite; a contemporary readyassembled suite featuring the MicroStove Optiflame electric stove. Measuring 753mm high by 860mm wide, this modern fire surround perfectly frames the MicroStove and will instantly add that homely feel.

To keep your home feeling cosy, the MicroStove features Dimplex’s Optiflame technology, the world’s most popular electric flame effect, which can be used independently of heat. Simply plug in and relax!

MicroStove Optiflame Electric Stove. Height 420mm; width: 350mm; depth: 220mm. ERP: £69.99. MicroStove Suite. Height 753mm; width 860mm; depth 270mm. ERP: £199 For further information, please visit www.dimplex.co.uk or call 0800 028 6122.

Cards-only success at cashless recycling sites

Card-only cashless recycling sites in Somerset are proving a strong success.

Long-term trials at two sites were rolled out to all 16 locations at the start of September, and no problems have been reported after the first week of use among thousands of visitors.

Almost all recycling site payments are now taken only on credit, debit and charge cards.

The only exceptions are paying at the Reuse Shop within Taunton (Priorswood) Recycling Centre, and the £2 cash entry fees for Crewkerne and Dulverton community recycling sites.

A Somerset waste Partnership spokesman said: ‘Both customers and staff found the new payments easy to operate, just as in any retail outlet, and it is already becoming routine.

‘If anyone thinks they may have a site payment problem, they should see staff before unloading.

‘The switch from cash to cards does not involve any changes in prices or any new charges.’

Following many months of successful trials at both Chard and Taunton recycling sites since 2016, councillors from all six Somerset authorities agreed the move to card-only payments.

Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards, Visa Electron and Diner’s Club, including contactless, are all accepted, enhancing efficiency, security and the safety of staff.

Card payments are taken at all recycling sites for charged-for materials classified as nonhousehold but brought in by residents: hardcore, soil, gas bottles and tyres.

Unusually, 10 sites accept a wide range of businesses paid-for commercial waste, while in a separate scheme, 10 sites take residents’ paid-for vehicle parts for recycling or disposal.

Plastic-only payments are taken for ‘Revive’ soil conditioner composted from Somerset’s garden waste and sold at £4 for a bag and £10 for three bags by every recycling site.

The system for paying for domestic asbestos and plasterboard online in advance at the Somerset Waste Partnership website is staying unchanged.

Recycling sites highlighted the

Dreamscape Kitchens

Plastic’ll do nicely: customers have made an easy switch away from cash.

Dreamscape Kitchens, founded by Nick Garrett in 2004, is a bespoke furniture company based in The West Country with a niche in kitchen design, manufacturing and fitting. We pride ourselves on delivering a professional service from the first consultation right through to the after-care of the product. Our ethos is on customer satisfaction, therefore, we work closely with our clients to create the perfect kitchen to fit your individual needs. Dreamscape Kitchens offers a stunning collection of luxury kitchens that are hand-crafted, using the finest woods and materials. We also have off-the-shelf kitchens for those on a smaller budget. End Kitchen Envy – Choose Dreamscape Kitchens.

change to card payments for weeks in advance with flyers, signage and advice from staff to customers.

Details of all recycling sites, from opening hours to materials taken and links to lists of charges, can be found at http://www. somersetwaste.gov.uk/sites/

The Visitor CAN BE READ ONLINE

www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Dreamscape Kitchens - a bespoke furniture company with a niche in kitchen design, manufacturing and fitting.

www.dreamscapekitchens.com

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

Kitchens • Libraries • Studies • Bedrooms • Architectural Joinery THE VISITOR October 2017 31

Don’t have a bonfire in your rubbish bin

Families planning Guy Fawkes Night celebrations are being urged to stop discarded ash or fireworks turning their rubbish bin into a hazardous bonfire.

Somerset has seen a series of rubbish-linked fires in recent months and years, each one almost certainly due to residents inadvertently throwing away

high risk items into their bin or black sacks.

Discarded ashtray contents may have caused a Chard bin blaze that put a house at risk, while the suspects for starting a landfill fire near Castle Cary include hot ash, a battery or an aerosol.

A Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) spokesperson said: ‘Fires can kill. Families must be alert

FROM CONCEPTION TO COMPLETION

to the potentially fatal risks of putting the wrong things in their bin after bonfire night.’

Ash, embers, barbecues and ashtray contents must be completely cool or drenched with water to avoid fire risks in bins, rubbish vehicles or on landfill sites.

Fully-spent fireworks must be soaked in water and then they can be disposed of in rubbish or

taken to a recycling site to be put in the general waste.

Misfired or part-spent fireworks must be soaked in water overnight or longer, until properly sodden, and the manufacturer or supplier should be contacted for guidance on disposal.

All batteries must be recycled at a recycling site or high street collection point, while aerosols

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32 THE VISITOR October 2017

Friendly fire: waste errors could lead to dangerous blazes in your rubbish.

can, when empty, be recycled with cans in kerbside weekly recycling boxes.

For more advice, search for bonfire at the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service website www.dsfire.gov.uk/ - or see RoSPA’s Safer Fireworks website - www.saferfireworks.com/.

On a tastier note, bonfire night can cut food waste by using up leftovers, from baked potato fillings to extras in anything-goes hotdogs; great recipes at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com For more ideas about low-waste high-safety celebrations, see www.somersetwaste.gov.uk

SJH Carpets

SJH Carpets have a wonderful selection of carpets and flooring including naturals, vinyls, woods, laminates, tiles and luxury vinyl tiles (including Kardean, Moduleo and Harvey Maria).

They supply and fit Roger Oates runners, Crucial Trading floorcoverings, Rubber Flooring and all traditional carpets. Their knowledgeable staff can assist you through the difficult selection process and help you choose the right product that best suits your needs. They deliver and install at a price that competes with all the national chains.

They offer a full measuring and fitting service on shutters and blinds, and work with Luxaflex to provide the latest designs, technology and safest window coverings available.

Their fabric department in Wincanton has an extensive fabric library stocking Prestigious Textiles and Chatsworth Fabrics, and they offer a bespoke curtain and blind service, a free measuring and estimating service and professional and helpful advice.

Customer satisfaction means

everything to SJH, and they offer their full attention from selection through to end of installation care. They have local, employed fitters and 20 years plus industry experience.

Call SJH Carpets today and get your free estimate for your upcoming flooring project. Find the flooring that perfectly matches your needs and unique personal style.

SJH Carpets, Wincanton, have a wonderful selection of carpets and floorings as well as an extensive fabric department.

THE VISITOR October 2017 33

Condensation and damp

Homemaker, Shaftesbury: where you will find inspiration for your kitchen, the heart of your home.

34 THE VISITOR October 2017

If your home has damp or condensation, a dehumidifier could help. There are things that you can do to reduce the risk of condensation and damp: It may be useful to consider the ventilation in your home as condensation may be due to a lack of ventilation.

Dry clothes outside rather than inside or, if this is not possible, place wet clothes on an airer next to an open window.

Open a window when bathing or use an extractor fan and wipe down wet surfaces.

Cover pans when cooking, use an extractor fan or open a window and close the internal kitchen door.

It might be worth having your gutters / downpipes checked to ensure that they are clear, and have your plumbing and appliances checked for leaks.

Ensure that your tumble drier is vented properly.

To reduce the risk of mould growth (which may be caused by condensation and damp), you should also keep your furniture away from walls.

Consider installing a dehumidifier, an appliance which draws excess moisture from the air.

It is important to remember that, like excess moisture, a lack of moisture can cause problems to your home and to your health.

Please seek advice from a building professional / your doctor before making significant changes to your property or to your lifestyle.

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Homemaker

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it makes sense that you want to love it. It can be a hub and a haven: a place for cooking for family and friends, chatting over coffee or an evening glass of wine, and for children to do their homework after a busy day at school.

Homemaker know that not everyone is the same, so they are there to help you choose the kitchen that best suits your requirements. There is a style to suit all tastes, from very contemporary styles and bold colours to the more traditional painted finishes. They offer a personal service and have years of experience.

Whether you’re into DIY or would prefer to sit back as they design, supply and install, Homemaker have a kitchen to fit your home and your needs. Their showroom in Shaftesbury will inspire you, and their custom kitchen design service will ensure that the end result is the combination of a truly beautiful kitchen that is also completely practical and user friendly. You will get value for money and a quality product with them.

Homemaker are also able to supply a wide range of kitchen appliances from leading manufacturers. So, whether you want a new kitchen designed and installed or a new appliance, look no further than Homemaker.

Contact 01747 851 476 for their Shaftesbury branch. Also in Warminster and Bath.

Autumn, winter and our homes

As the temperature drops and the nights draw in, we tend to retreat into our homes more often, in the hope of a hug from our four walls.

As more time is spent in our houses, so too is more money as we turn up the heating, and turn on more lights for longer than in the warmer, lighter months we are by now missing.

A lot of heat is lost through draughts and windows, especially if you’ve got single glazing.

Double glazing can reduce the loss of heat from our properties, and this may lead to lower bills.

Although installing double glazing is initially more expensive than paying your energy bills, as more heat is retained within your property it may lead to reduced costs in the long term. Plus, there are environmental benefits as, if you are not turning on the heating for as long, or up as high, less fuel will be used.

Many people associate double glazing with UPVC, and this is a very popular material with which to manufacture these frames, double glazing can also be installed in wooden or aluminium frames.

A natural product, wood may be a good choice for the environmentally minded homeowner, while UPVC may be favoured by those with little free time as it requires less maintenance and upkeep than wood.

If you cannot have double glazing: perhaps you have stone mullion frames or live in a Listed building, secondary glazing could be a good option for you.

As well as thermal improvements, double and secondary glazing may offer a reduction in sound from the outside entering the property, which, particularly if you live in a busy area, could offer you a more peaceful ‘hibernation’, and the added security that could also be a result of their installation may help you rest easier.

Don’t keep everyone out, though, as the more people there are in your home, the warmer it will be.

Cooking further adds to the heat in our homes, so why not dust off your cookery books and perfect a recipe to impress your friends with at a dinner party at home? Decamp to your local for an after

dinner tipple to top off the evening.

Just remember to switch off the lights and appliances that you don’t need while you’re not there!

Farrow & Ball to launch limited edition paint tin in celebration of new wallpaper collection

Leading British paint and wallpaper specialist, Farrow & Ball, has announced it will be unveiling a limited edition paint tin to celebrate its new floral wallpaper collection launched in September.

The renowned craftsmen, who are known for their traditional methods in producing paint and wallpaper, will only create 1,500 floral themed paint tins in one of its new wallpaper designs.

The unique floral tin will be designed in Farrow & Ball’s new Hegemone wallpaper design, with its name taken from the Greek goddess of fruit and flowers, the colourful pattern features a spray of petals printed in Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue, Dix Blue and Old White.

Customers will be able to visit their local showroom to purchase the limited edition tin, which will be available in Wimborne White Estate Emulsion until the end of October.

The tin comes in a 2.5 litre size, perfect for planting leafy herbs or filling with fresh flowers after a decorating project.

Alongside its Hegemone wallpaper, Farrow & Ball will also be launching Atacama, a playful botanical design named

after the flowering South American desert and Helleborus, Latin for the hellebore flower and its largest wallpaper motif yet.

The new wallpapers are available to purchase from

showrooms, stockists and online at farrow-ball.com from 7 September and are available in seven colour ways.

To find your local showroom visit farrow-ball.com

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THE VISITOR October 2017 35

Your bed and lying in it

Everyone feels better after a good night’s sleep. It’s not just the amount of sleep that we get that is important, but the quality.

From our concentration to our weight, it well-known that adequate sleep is important for our health and wellbeing.

A good bed and mattress could be important factors in the quality of sleep that we get. Allergies, back problems and tossing and turning at night have all been attributed to mattresses, so it is important to find the right one for you. Firmness is a subjective thing and not every mattress will be suitable for every frame, so do try before you buy and seek advice in

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store. If you share your bed with your partner, make sure you both go along to look at options as it needs to be right for both of you.

Some mattresses are available with different firmness ratings on either side, making it possible for you both to get out of the right side of bed each and every day!

If we’re getting enough sleep, we will be spending around a third of our lives in the land of nod, so it is important to have a suitable vessel in which to do it!

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Ian Crossland has over 25 years’ experience working in traditional crafts. Ian initially trained as a cabinet maker and moving on to restoring leaded windows and since 2006 has run a very successful property maintenance business.

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36 THE VISITOR October 2017

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THE VISITOR October 2017 37

GARDENING MONTHLY

by Richard Cumming Orchard Park

IT’S HARD not to want to hang on to the last few rays of summer – I’m really guilty of that as I rush off for a late summer break to find just a few more sunny days! So, the autumn equinox is now past and the primitive within us is hoarding fuel and fat for the winter. That’s the way it is, and no matter how civilised our society is we can’t and shouldn’t escape from that seasonal routine.

October is often the best autumn month with reasonable weather, some clear sunny days and cool nights that encourage the leaves on so many plants to do their autumn thing! Drawing sugars back from the leaves to the stem to store over winter, letting green turn to yellow, orange and red. Brilliant!

Big activity in the garden now

is bulb planting, and if you have never done any bulb planting before, I offer the following tips and suggestions. You will see bulbs in the garden centres now and again in the spring. The early flowering bulbs need to go into the ground now and the less hardy summer flowering sorts get planted in spring. You will also see a lot of bulbs in pots, in flower, from February onward. It’s not a bad way to plant especially if you want quick colour or you’re not sure how the bulbs in the packet will actually turn out, but it is a more expensive way to go about things and you miss out on the whole bulb planting thing as there is a lot of magic involved here by putting a dry bulb into the ground and waiting for it to make a show in 3 or 4 months’ time. Sheer magic!

First step is to plan by deciding where you can plant bulbs, the time you want them flowering and the soil conditions. A lot of bulbs, like bluebells and anemones, live naturally on the woodland edge, under the canopy of deciduous trees, flowering early grabbing the moment when there is light and space before the trees get their leaves. Other bulbs grow in wild meadows or on mountain slopes.

All in all there are bulbs for every location. The people who select, grow and package bulbs are usually very good about telling you what the bulbs in a packet will do: the height, time of flowering and conditions. The picture on the front is generally reliable so what you see is more or less what you’ll get.

Loose bulbs can be cheaper and will have information alongside to tell you what they are.

Quality is important; choose firm undamaged bulbs of a good size for that particular variety as small bulbs may not flower in their first year.

Most bulbs like reasonable soil with adequate drainage as they will rot if they sit in water all winter. Poorly drained clay soils

can be more challenging but the addition of well-rotted or bagged compost, and a little sharp sand or grit immediately underneath a bulb will make the difference.

If soils, or lack of it, is a real problem, then bulbs and containers are a natural match.

Bulb planting depth is crucial; as a rough guide if you measure the bulb from base to tip and multiply by 3 then that should be about right. So, you could be planting 6” deep for a lot of bulbs especially daffodils. This is important to allow them to develop properly and get established. Shallow planted bulbs will mostly flower but will be more as temporary displays.

Daffodils, crocus and hyacinths are best planted in October whilst tulips are best in November. A lot of bulb growers offer combinations of bulbs: be aware these probably won’t all flower at the same time so the picture on the packet of a crocus and a tulip together is unlikely to happen.

However, they will flower in sequence and give a spread of colour over a longer period and that can work really well.

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October’s Plants of the Month

We are surrounded by fantastic colour in foliage and while every season has elements that make it special, autumn is really something special. Colour is the key ingredient and plants that offer exciting or attractive colour effects through their foliage are essential elements in creating a garden that is outstanding now.

Add this to the fact that autumn is an ideal planting time with the soil still warm and workable – autumn planting is usually more successful than at any other time of year.

So, here is a selection of autumn glories for you to choose for your garden.

Parrotia (Persian ironwood) is grown for its peeling bark, attractive autumn colour and subtle winter flowers, all of which make it a great choice for autumn and winter. Parrotia persica is available in both a full size form, which can achieve a height and spread of 8m and 10m respectively and a miniature form (Parrotia persica ‘Pendula’). In this form, it only grows to 1.5m in height and 3m spread.

Cornus florida, or Flowering dogwood puts on a great show in autumn when its mid green summer leaves turn to red and

purple. This tree reaches a height and spread of approximately 6m and 8m respectively.

Sorbus aucuparia, also known as Mountain ash or Rowan is a real autumn glory as its berries, which have been developing through late summer, fully ripen. Its foliage also provides a spectacle in the garden as its leaves turn red and yellow.

May reach 15m in height and 7m spread.

Liquidambar makes a moderate sized tree grown primarily for its autumn colour.

Depending on species and variety, leaves can colour yellow, orange red or purple or variations on this. Liquidambar orientalis can reach 6m in height. Other species and varieties can be bigger.

Euonymus alatus or winged spindle is striking in autumn when its leaves turn dark red.

This dense, bushy, deciduous shrub, is ideal in either a shrub border or on its own as a specimen plant. This plant achieves an approximate height of 2m and a spread of 3m. There is also a compact variety available, Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’, reaching a height of 1m is a great option for smaller gardens.

If you’ve never planted a tree before, take some advice on selection and planting when you buy. There are good leaflets on offer to cover tasks like tree and shrub planting. Check that there’s space for your tree to grow in the intended place and that

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the soil is suitable for what you’ve got in mind. Most trees should do well on most fertile, humus rich garden soils, though Liquidambar and Cornus prefer a neutral to acid soil. If planting primarily for autumn colour, try to choose a sunny position.

Jobs for the month

It’s a real mixture of jobs at present. At the time of writing, the weather has been cool and damp but no early frosts, so crops can still be taken from the fruit and veg garden. The last few climbing beans, marrows and winter squash, leafy salads and tomatoes and the late ripening apples and pears. I would love to say that I was harvesting Florence Fennel but another failure this year as the plants all went to seed. This is becoming a regular event – but next year, I’ll

crack it! Next year!

Still in the ground and should be OK, are late sown carrots, parsnips, celeriac, leeks, and winter brassicas. The latter suffered a bit from caterpillar damage but I think I am on top of that now. Late planted purple sprouting and spring cabbages should be checked to see if the little buggers are still there.

Winter soil preparation can wait until November unless you are going to use a green manure which will germinate now, cover the soil over winter to be dug in next spring to provide organic matter and feed for next year’s crops. An ideal green manure mix would be rye grass and vetch: ready blended seed is available from most garden centres.

This is a big compost making month for me with so much material to work with. It never

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THE VISITOR October 2017 39

ceases to amaze me that what goes into a compost heap reduces and changes to this wonderful dark crumbly compost that brings life to soil. Pure alchemy.

Important thing is to break down fibrous material and mix it with softer sappy bits. Ideally leaves and twigs going through a shredder mixed with grass clippings or weeds. That mix heats up well and breaks down fast. If you haven’t got a shredder, then a rotary mower is just as good and helps clear the leaves from the lawn. From the garden, you can use most plant material except for anything diseased and persistent perennial weed roots such as bindweed or dandelion.

If the mix is right, then it will heat up and weed seeds will be destroyed but if you aren’t confident of your composting skills leave the seed heads out.

The other essential is worms. My compost bins are jam packed with small stripy tiger worms that gobble down everything that goes into the bin! They then seem to retreat to a dark corner when the Introducing

job is done and wait for the next load.

Perennial borders can be tackled now, lifting and dividing overgrown clumps before replanting, with some of last year’s home-made compost!

Tender plants that you are particularly fond of, should be lifted and moved to protective winter quarters, although most of the hardworking summer flowering plants are probably exhausted by now and might just be better replaced with fresh stock next spring, especially if winter protection is hard to provide. In recent years we have seen the hardest frosts in November, and if you have to put expensive energy into a greenhouse then a plant really has to be worth saving.

Then there’s the grass. It is getting late to sow but new lawn mixes available will germinate at lower temperatures than was previously possible so careful choice is important. Turf laying is possible anytime provided the ground is properly prepared and

Aspen 2 FRT pre-mixed 2-stroke alkylate petrol Aspen 4 alkylate 4-stroke alkylate petrol

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 … that one hour of mowing your lawn with normal petrol emits the same amount of toxic emissions as a modern car running for 33 hours and that normal fuel station petrol is made from over 100 ingredients, of which most are toxic?  … that normal pump petrol contains ethanol which is aggressive to plastic, rubber and soft metal and absorbs moisture in the air?

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40 THE VISITOR October 2017

not waterlogged or frozen. Mossy lawns can be scarified, then aerated, top dressed and fed with an autumn lawn feed. So that’s raking over with a spring-tined rake, pushing a fork into compacted areas and wriggling it a bit to ease the soil, then spreading and levelling a lawn dressing made from top soil mixed with sharp sand. There are machines to hire that make the job a bit easier and I think I am going to get one this year to save my poor aching back!

Aspen Fuel is available from Ben Johnson Garden Machinery, Shaftesbury

Aspen Fuel, made from surplus gases from the refining process of crude oil, is purer than normal pump petrol. Aspen comes in two varieties: Aspen 2 FRT pre-mixed 2-stroke alkylate petrol and Aspen 4 alkylate 4-stroke petrol, both of which are available in one or five litre measures.

Aspen 2 FRT is a pre-mixed 2stroke high performance ethanol free alkylate petrol. Blended at 50:1 and designed to work in all air-cooled engines that require a

pre-mixed oil/petrol blend, this fuel burns cleanly with virtually no carbon build up and as it is pre-mixed, you can be sure that your 2-stroke machine is getting the correct oil mix, helping your machine last longer!

Aspen 4 is designed to be used in small engines such as generators, stoves, outboard engines and is ideal for your lawnmower as it reduces emissions and can be left in the tank without affecting the fuel system!

Aspen can be stored for 3-5 years without ‘going off’, is a kinder fuel free of solvents, sulphur, olefins and benzene, and does not contain ethanol which can affect parts in the fuel system.

Manufactured in Sweden since 1988, Aspen 2 FRT and Aspen 4 are clean and storage stable, and are now available for you to buy from Ben Johnson Garden Machinery, Shaftesbury.

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Barnsley comes to Crewkerne

A rare piece of Arts and Crafts Furniture is to be sold by Lawrences Auctioneers of Crewkerne.

‘Made by the celebrated furniture maker and designer Sidney Barnsley, this large sofa is a superb example of his work,’ says Simon Jones at Lawrences.

‘The oak sofa has chamfered splats on the back, curved arms, and exposed pegs and joints. It passed through the Gimson family until the 1980’s, then it was given to Sir Anthony Denny who lived at Daneway House in the late 20thc and subsequently the Priests House in Muchelney, Somerset.’

Simon added, ‘Sidney Barnsley furniture appears very rarely in a uct ion wit h m ost it em s in

museums or private collections, so we are expecting a great deal of interest from collectors.’

The sofa will be included in Lawrences October Fine Art Sale on Thursday 12th October, and is expected to make £6000 – £8000 in auction. For further details about this sale please contact Simon Jones on 01460 73041.

Quillon House Antiques at Bruton Decorative Antiques Fair

Quillon House Antiques will be exhibiting at Bruton Decorative Antiques Fair at The Haynes Motor Museum, BA22 7LH, 13th – 15th October 2017.

Please visit brutondecorative antiquesfair.co.uk or telephone 01278 784912 for further information about the Fair.

18th century brass barrelled flintlock blunderbuss by Warner of London.

Quillon House Antiques, Bruton.

Available from Quillon House Antiques, Bruton: 19th century ceramic copy of the Ancient Roman Dog of Alcibiades.

A large sofa made by the celebrated furniture maker and designer Sidney Barnsley is to be sold by Lawrences Auctioneers of Crewkerne on Thursday 12th October.

Antiques Fairs

•

Chasty Cottage Antiques

•

Saturday 30th September & 21st October Digby Hall, Hound Street, Next to Library SHERBORNE • DT9 3AA 9.30am – 4pm • Trade 8.30am • Admission £1

Future Date: Saturday 11th November  01963 370986 www.chastycottageantiques.co.uk

THE VISITOR October 2017 41

MOTOR ING

VINTAGE Motor Cycling

IN RECENT YEARS our seasons seem to have extended later into the year. October now and well into autumn but we can still expect some good weather to enjoy our old vehicles. Certainly the events seem as prolific as ever. Starting with the Somerset Section they will have a guest speaker at their club night at Cossington on the 5th.

They have their Cornish Weekend from the 6th to the 9th. A skittles evening takes place on the 14th, and the Autumn Leaves Run is on the 15th and starts from Bishop Sutton. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section just have their club night at East Stour on the 9th. The Dorset Section start the month with their Lunch Meet at West Stour on the 4th. Next will be the first of a series of rides called Winter Runs, and will be on the 8th and starts at Sherborne. Club night on the 11th at Henstridge will be the ever important Annual General Meeting. Lastly on the 28th they all return to West Stour for the Breakfast Meet. More details can be had by ringing 01935 872528.

Recently I had the pleasure of going to the Cotswolds to meet the participants taking part in the Anglo Dutch event. This event is organised one year somewhere in England and the following year it will be somewhere in Holland.

This is not strictly a Vintage Club event but the onus of organising it usually falls to VMCC members.

It takes place over four days and on each day there is a good ride calling at places of interest. All machines taking part must have been made before 1915 which means the youngest machines are 103 years old. This years event was based upon the Agricultural College at Cirencester. Around forty machines were present and almost half were ridden by our friends from Holland.

Virtually all the bikes had large single cylinder or V twin engines.

For the technically minded it was the variety of transmission systems which fascinated me. The crudest type being the single speed with no clutch. This means stopping the engine at most junctions and then push starting again when it is all clear. Next comes the single speed job with a clutch or free engine position. This of course means the machine can come to a stop without needing to stop the engine. More sophisticated again are those with a three speed gear contained within the rear wheel hub. We now have a free engine position with the addition of three gears which greatly increases the hill climbing ability. These hubs are a larger and stronger version of what most of us had in our pedal cycles. Lastly comes the proper three speed gearbox which has the same attributes as the three speed hub, but it can handle a more powerful engine and usually has a kick start mechanism as well.

The bikes being used in the Cotswolds had representatives of all these types of transmissions.

It was also noted that all the Dutch machines appeared rather tatty and totally original, but that would be a false impression. You know that mechanically they must be in first class order to cover the mileages and use they get. The nickel plating is dull and

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42 THE VISITOR October 2017

rusting and made to look aged and yet beautifully preserved.

The paintwork looks as though it has not been touched for the last 100 years and yet new paint has been applied and discoloured and distressed to give that authentic look. They all seem to be masters of this craft because all their bikes looked perfectly original. It does of course take a great deal more skill to make the finish look worn and a hundred years old rather than make it look like new and shiny. I know this to be true because even I can make a part look new and shiny.

My photograph this month I hope illustrates these skills admirably. In the foreground is a Humber of around 1910 vintage and behind that is a Rover of a similar age. Get the spy glass out and have a look at the picture to see if you think either bike has been fully restored.

As I write this article I am preparing for a short trip to the Isle of Man. Our visit is to spectate at the Classic racing and between while we will participate in the VMCC riding events. I find the Island a fascinating place with old and new combining. The Victorian seafront at Douglas contrasting with modern buildings elsewhere.

The modern rail and travel infrastructure contrasting with the steam railway and horse drawn carriages along the Douglas promenade. The racing there is always spectacular and is proper road racing, as opposed to track racing. A ride or two around the 37 ¾ mile circuit is a must and will take me at least an hour and a half, whereas the racers do the same lap in around 18 minutes. My average is about 30 miles per hour and theirs is around 120 miles per hour, it just shows my inadequacies.

Rod Hann.

Philips ADR 810 Dash-Cam Review

Having not used a dash-cam before, I was slightly worried that I might have difficulty in setting it up, and this fear was not allayed when I noticed that the Philips ADR 810 does not come with instructions or a memory card (at least mine didn’t). So, after getting my hands on a MicroSD memory card and inserting it into the dash-cam, I was ready to roll.

One initial complaint is that the power cable is not very long therefore you can’t tuck it around the edge of your dash, meaning you have a cable dangling down in the way (I’m sure in smaller cars this isn't a problem, but I have quite a large car and, for me, this is an issue). Another snag is the self-adhesive fixing for windscreen attachment - why no suction mount? Poor design for those who wish to use the dash-cam in multiple vehicles.

Initially, it seemed the menus are quite hard to operate, but then I noticed the red light was flashing on the screen, so assumed it was recording and off I went.

After my little drive, I loaded the video onto my laptop and was surprised by the good-quality, stable footage of my journey. The ADR 810 has a 156° super wide angle lens to get a good view of what’s going on around you. The images are clear, meaning that if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, you will have proof of what happened: handy for insurance claims.

Pros: Light, good-quality footage and wide angle lens.

Cons: Expensive, feels cheap for price, no instructions, confusing menus, no suction mount.

So to conclude: the Philips ADR 810 Dash-cam does do the job it’s supposed to. It captures 1080p Full HD video in colour and uses a wide angle lens. It’s at the higher end in terms of pricing, but not build quality.

There was a time when Philips was considered a major player in consumer electronics, but that day has passed. If you are someone who likes to stick to brand names (the dash-cam market is littered with products of companies you’ve never heard of), the ADR 810 could be the one, but I would have to recommend looking at a Garmin as an alternative option, as for similar (and often less) money, you get a much better product.

B Hanson.

The appeal of apples

MUCH AS I MIGHT enjoy the products of someone else’s labours, when it comes to gardening I have neither the interest nor the skills to demonstrate the green fingered talents that others seem to possess in abundance.

With autumn now having us firmly in its grip, I am planning to attend as many harvest events as I can a manage to fit in; as I pray for God’s good grace in ensuring a fine harvest for our local farmers and producers, the recent weather conditions in the Atlantic are a sober reminder of just how powerful nature can be.

Somerset is of course synonymous with cider and some years ago, having an ancient cider apple tree in the garden, in a fit of enthusiasm I purchased my very own manual apple press, conjuring up visions of serving up homemade cider to friends; but not before a storm blew down the apple tree! Lesson learned.

I have since donated the press to Chard Museum for their harvest event this month, and now buy my cider from one of our many producers nearby.

As the nights begin to draw in though, and a distinct chill causes our breath to emit little puffs of steam, my thoughts turn to something more warming than the cider for which Somerset is renowned.

I just love Mulled Cider. Along with the tantalising aroma, I find that the warmth from cupping my hands round the glass is very comforting. Recipes abound but I always feel that simple is best.

Unless you want to boil the alcohol away (in which case why not just use apple juice instead?) heat the cider gently in a large pan with a piece of root ginger, a stick of cinnamon, orange zest, a few cloves and some allspice and leave for around 20 mins., so that the flavours can infuse. Make the recipe your own.

I always like to include an extra alcoholic kick in mine and there can be few of us who have not sampled, or at the very least, heard of, Kingston Black, the popular aperitif produced by the Somerset Cider Brandy Company and Burrow Hill Cider. Available widely at £8.85, 50cl., 18%abv.

Although intended to be served chilled as an aperitif, I find that

a good slug of this perks up my mulled cider no end.

There are written records of cider brandy being produced in England as far back as 1678 and Burrow Hill has been pressing cider for over 150 years and licensed to distil the cider into Somerset Cider Brandy since 1989; the first cider distilling licence in recorded history. In 2010 Somerset Cider Brandy was re-instated as a legal term and the farm has now also gained PGI-Protected Geographical Indication status, making Somerset Cider Brandy legal in Europe and providing an appellation contrôlée, much like their French cousins in Calvados, where I am fortunate to own a converted barn.

Apples are the starting point for both cider and Cider Brandy and there are many varieties, mainly grown by local producers with small orchards. Often it is a blend of several varieties of cider apple that are used together, to harness the sweet, sour and bitter elements of each.

As with wine making, the art of blending the different varieties of fruit is key to the craft of cider making and distilling.

My favourite tipples this autumn will certainly include both Cider Apple Brandy and Calvados.

Somerset Cider Brandy, 20yr. old, £48.10, 50cl., 42%abv. is matured in small oak barrels, which gives a lovely, rich, mellow and smooth finish. Just one barrel is bottled each year and released on Apple Day, which this year falls on Saturday 21st October.

For those wanting to ‘chill out’, Somerset Ice Cider, £12, 50cl., 13%abv., described as "cider on steroids", might fit the bill nicely.

It is made by freezing apple juice and removing the ice, giving a naturally concentrated juice, which is then fermented into Ice Cider. It has a unique flavour combining the bitter-sweet yet sharp qualities found in a traditional vintage cider apple.

And then we have Calvados.

Unavailable to the general public, I confess to being rather partial to my neighbour’s home-distilled offering, which comes in at a whopping 70%abv.; certainly not for the feint-hearted.

Commercially though there are a number of producers whose brands are readily available in

our supermarkets. Price will naturally be a reflection of quality, but as with all things, a lot does depend on your personal preference.

Three that I have tried and enjoyed are:Chateau de Breuil “fine” (VS) Calvados, £28.75, 40%abv.

This award winning Calvados is aged for at least 2 years in cask.

Père Magloire VSOP Pays D ’ Au ge Cal vad os , £ 3 4 .9 5 , 40%abv. Established in 1821, and previously owned by Champagne producer Veuve Clicquot, it is now owned by a family company from Normandy.

This VSOP is deliciously fruity, after spending at least 4 years in oak casks.

Christian Drouin Selection Calvados, £29.54, 40%abv. This is youthful and exceptionally fruity with notes of cinnamon, spice and apples. Great for long drinks and cocktails.

LP-V.

Great taste for great pies!

SOMERSET FOOD producer Jon Thorner’s has been awarded a total of 5 Stars from the Great Taste Awards for their fabulous pies!

Their Creamy Steak & Peppercorn Pie was awarded a prestigious 2 gold stars, and the Blue Cheese Lattice, BBQ Pulled Pork and Steak & Stilton Pie a fantastic Gold Star each.

Great Taste, the world’s most coveted food awards, which celebrates the very best in food and drink, announced the Great Taste stars of 2017. There were 12,300 products judged by over 500 of the most demanding palates, belonging to food critics, chefs, cooks, restaurateurs and producers, as well as a whole host of food writers and journalists.

Great Taste is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers. As well as a badge of honour, the unmistakeable black and gold Great Taste label is a signpost to a wonderful tasting product, which has been discovered through hours and hours of blind-tasting by hundreds of judges.

Every single Jon Thorner’s pie continues to be individually filled and hand crimped in their kitchen near Shepton Mallet, giving them their authentic handmade look and taste. Their focus has always been on British, high welfare and quality meat, which continues to make their pies a flavour step ahead of the rest.

If you are visiting the Wells Food Festival on Sunday 8th October, Jon Thorner’s is a main sponsor and will have stalls at the event offering their award winning pies and delicious West Country gourmet burgers – the event is free and starts at 10.30am.

THE VISITOR October 2017 43

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

168 Hendford Hill YEOVIL

“It’s a drag, it’s a bore, It’s really such a pity To be looking at the board, Not looking at the city”

FIRST PERSON to tell me the above song gets a free drink. Last month Carol correctly identified ‘To make you feel my Love’, which, as you pop pickers should know was written by Bob Dylan.

Some sad news to start with this month. Michael Hunt (Mike to his friends) has passed away.

Mike was a well know character in and around The Quicksilver.

In fact he was pretty well known in and around most of the town.

Mike had his moments, but he always enjoyed a good laugh, loved his football, and was great to have in any pub quiz team – especially when the questions were about music where he would be surpassed by very few.

R.I.P. Mike.

We had a couple of good parties this month at the top of the hill. Gary Malloy celebrated his 40th here in style. Friends from near and far turned up to have a good old knees up. Well done Gary!

We had a bit of an all day-er here when Brian Hussey celebrated his 80th. In the afternoon we had a little bit of a tea party: you know a few sandwiches, teas, coffees, some cakes. This slowly developed into the evening do which was a full on Karaoke Party. I don’t know where Brian gets his energy from but he really went for it.

Congratulations Brian. Happy 80th birthday!

Wayne & Corrinne became M r. a n d M r s . P i t h e r a n d celebrated here at The Quick.

Congratulations and well done to you both.

On 6th October Barry Paull will be bringing his ELVIS SHOW here. Tickets are £5 and the proceeds go to The Hospice.

On the 13th we have Utter Chaos live in the bar. It’s a free gig and starts at 9pm.

And looking forward to next month on Friday 3rd we have The FOO FIGHTERS Tribute Show in the function room. It’s a free gig but well worth a visit see you next month.  TOOT TOOT!!!

BOOkINGS

 01935 424721

44 THE VISITOR October 2017

The

Pub Pages

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

A HUNDRED YEARS? My Grandson repeats. He sounds a little bewildered by such a figure, and who can blame him? He still has to reach double figures and the fact I entered this world exactly 100 years after the railway reached Yeovil is much too large a figure for him to take on board. We are on the site of Yeovil's first station, opened in 1853, and cross what is now the car park of the 'B&M' supermarket where I show him how the line continued toward Town Station, and where the brick-lined cutting still looms large. After the obligatory photograph on my phone we head into the store. Taken over from PC World and Allied Carpets in Lysander Road, and what a friend perhaps a little unkindly describes as 'a cross between

Poundland and Lidl' there are some bargains to be had. For us it hosts some pleasant surprises in the beer department; 'Innes and Gunn' Oak Barrel Aged Beer in 660ml bottles (6.6%ABV) for starters, Guinness Original, Newcastle Brown, Marston's Pedigree, and the one we've come for; 'Owd Roger', also by Marstons. We pick up the last three bottles and head for the till, carefully steering No.1 Grandson the long way round to avoid the power tools (I'm sure that boy is going to be an engineer).

'Owd Roger' is a strong beer, weighing in at 7.4%ABV, and whilst not 'real' is a joy to behold, and brewed with a recipe believed to be 500 years old. It 'offers an explosion of rich fruit flavours with a dry bitter-sweet finish' as it says on the brewery site. It is quite a rarity on the cask scene (unless you know better, dear reader) but luckily the bottled version is a treat to the palette.

Warning: treat with respect.

The next paragraph is for us chaps only! Ladies; please skip this one.

Fellow IPA drinkers! Do you suffer from gynaecomastia?

Personally, I prefer not to say, but that's the correct term for Man Boobs, or 'Moobs' if one is in polite company. An article recently in the 'Independent' claims that this is caused by hops in beer, and apparently half of us blokes will get moobs because they're down to diet and lifestyle, and hops are a part of this. This alleged concern of the writer is that the explosion of new

breweries producing a plethora of India Pale Ales could be having a detrimental effect on our manly figures. This style of beer is wellhopped (or should be, as it was originally created for the long journey to India). The article goes on to explain that the hoppy ales contain phytoestrogens, which are compounds that naturally occur in plants, and whilst they help you get to sleep at night and can be of aid to women going through menopause, they also contribute to man boobs and what’s known as “brewer’s droop". This refers to the erectile dysfunction some men experience after drinking too much. Do we take any notice of these continued health warnings?

No, of course not, and as a contributor to the on-line discussion claims, one would have to drink such quantities to make this happen we would die of alcohol poisoning well before anything significant sprouted from our chestal areas. Not only that, but as it is calculated that 70% of us will not heed advice on how much we could or should not drink it's all a bit pointless showing concern. Is this any wonder, when we get so much conflicting advice? Meanwhile, I can categorically state that I shall not be heading off to Marks and Sparks for a bra fitting ... honest.

(An associated article claims that a couple beers could be better than paracetamol for a headache.

Like I say; is it any wonder we ignore advice?)

On to skittles and the return of the winter leagues. In our first game we managed to snatch defeat

BARRINGTON BOAR

Traditional Village Freehouse and B&B

Our lovely pub can be found in the picturesque and tranquil Somerset village of Barrington, just 2 miles from the market town of Ilminster.

The village has some of the most beautiful ham stone thatched cottages in the county, and is also the home to the National Barrington, Ilminster Trust property of Barrington Court, which was used recently Somerset, TA19 0JB for the filming of the BBC production of Wolf Hall. We can be Tel: 01460 259281 found in the heart of the village just opposite the beautiful Email: barringtonboar@outlook.com 13th century church of St. Mary the Virgin. www.barringtonboar.co.uk Bar open

Monday 6.00pm to 9.00pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 12.00 Noon to 2.30pm and 6.00pm to 11.00pm

Saturday 12.00 Noon to 12.00 Midnight Sunday 12.00 Noon to 9.00pm Food is available

Tuesday to Sunday 12.00 Noon to 2.00pm Tuesday to Saturday 6.30pm to 9.00pm

The Boar has a far reaching reputation for serving fresh quality food prepared by our young and innovative kitchen team. We have an interesting and varied menu for diners to choose from, along with a great selection of real ales, ciders, lagers and wines to complement your food, or for just having a relaxing drink.

If you are looking for a romantic break, a base for touring the area or a comfortable place to stay on business, then our 4 en suite bed and breakfast rooms would be perfect.

Clean and comfortable, with flat screen TV, free WIFI and tea and coffee making facilities, they are a home from home.

 10 minutes from A303 and M5.

40 minutes from Lyme Regis, West Bay & Beer

The

Pub Pages

from the jaws of victory in the last hand, thanks also to a pathetic score from the captain (Er, hang on ... that's me!) Just when one needs to just hit one's average score then the alley becomes bumpy, the balls mysteriously are no longer round and the pins just won't fall down. It was very strange that all seemed okay for the rest of the team.

A little birdie tells me that the Kings Head in Merriott has found a new lease of life under the ownership of Mike and Julie Cable. I am grateful to Julie for spending some of her valuable time chatting on the phone and having a little boast about her pub! She is clearly very proud of what they have achieved since taking over the pub - saving it from being turned into two cottages – and I would wager there would be a distinct possibility they could be expensive second homes and barely occupied. Viewing their website I see several reasons for a visit, even if it's a little outside our normal Saturday night radar! Furthermore, although not mentioned on the web-site, they have two skittle alleys (so now I'm excited) and they get plenty of use as well. Is two alleys at a pub a rare thing?

Well I know of no others, perhaps you do, dear reader.

'Real ales and gin' – methinks both daughters will be accompanying us on a fact-

The

finding trip and I look forward to being able to report back on this fine hostelry.

Speaking of gin, I finish this column having just visited the Ship Inn at West Stour and we noted that there was an extensive gin list. No space this month to elaborate this time, other than it was a very pleasant experience and we congratulate the personable Gavin on getting his pub into the Good Beer Guide again!

I recall a school motto that went something along the lines of 'We are all born equal – after that; it is up to you'. Whilst I am a great believer in egalitarianism, the fact is, there are great divisions in society and no-one really has the answer on how to close that divide, and some I have no doubt do not want that distance narrowed. So at one end of society we have those drinking champagne (no thank you) and at the other end, some drink cheap supermarket cider (also, no thank you).

Luckily we have the great English Pub, a place that can be a great leveller, where conversation and opinions can be enjoyed and expressed respectively, and even tattoos compared. Whilst change continues apace in the hospitality industry and taking account we have lost a third of all pubs in about the last 4 decades or so, it would be a brave man who would predict what will happen in the next 100 years. I would like to think that the Great British Pub will still be around being that great leveller, and not for the first time do I finish with this great quote from naturalized Frenchman Hillaire Belloc 'When you have lost your taverns and inns, drown your empty selves, for you will have lost the last of England.'

I'll drink to that!

Lord Nelson

Rectory Lane Norton Sub Hamdon

Mark, Helen and staff welcome you to ‘THE NELLY’

GOOD FOOD – GOOD BEER – GREAT ATMOSPHERE

 Tuesday & Wednesday is STEAK NIGHT and we now offer ...  Gammon Steak with Honey & Mustard Sauce Chicken Pesto, Salad and Chips Steak, Chips, Peas, Tomatoes and Mushrooms TWO Meals and a Bottle of Wine – £30

 Roast Lamb for TWO on Sunday – NOW £19.95  Pork or Beef – £10.95 each

 Paella & Sangria every Thursday Night – £14 per person 

Monday to Friday: 2 Course Lunch – £8 • 3 Course Lunch – £12

COURTYARD  BEER GARDEN AT REAR AMPLE PARKING OPEN ALL DAY FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Tel: 01935 881473 www.thelordnelson.co.uk

AROUND THE

H O U S E S

IN YARLINGTON ... new managers, Jon and Gill Gould are settling in at The Stags Head ... calling all ghouls and ghosties - be sure to join in the fancy dress party fun at The Catash Inn, North Cadbury on 27th October ... traditional Sunday Lunch served noon – 2pm at The Walnut Tree, West Camel ... always a warm welcome at The Orchard Inn, Galhampton where bookings are now being taken for Christmas parties ... beautiful en-suite rooms available at The Natterjack Inn, Evercreech Junction ... have you got your ticket yet for the Comedy & Curry Night at The Cross Keyes, Lydford-on-Fosse? ... and you’ll always find a choice of tasty real ales at The Rose & Portcullis, Butleigh.

Don’t forget you can enjoy a 2course Simple Supper for just £10 a head on Tuesdays at The Montague Inn, Shepton Montague ... with the half-term school holidays coming up in October don’t forget the play area for the little ones, if you’re dining at The Hunters Lodge, Leigh

The

Common ... you’ll find a ‘lovely’ pudding on the Christmas menu at The White Lion Inn, Bourton ... and in Gillingham, bookings for Christmas are now being taken at The Grill House.

Idling on to Ilchester where you’ll find there is free fishing for residents if you’re staying at The Halfway House, Chilthorne Domer ... super lunch deals Monday to Friday at The Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon ... in West Chinnock the famous game casserole will be available on Christmas Eve at The Muddled Man ... The Kings Head in Merriott has found a new lease of life under the ownership of Mike & Julie Cable ... real ale drinkers will enjoy the choice of ales at Dinnington Docks, Dinnington, Ilminster ... you’ll find an interesting and varied menu, in fact something to suit all tastes, at The Barrington Boar, Barrington ... private dining rooms available for corporate or family celebrations at The Firehouse, Curry Rivel ... live music on 30th September with Bad Dog No Biscuit at The Old Pound Inn, Aller ... and finally, don’t miss the live music with Billy NoMates at The Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi on Saturday 30th September.

Wyndham Arms

KINGSBURY EPISCOPI nr. MARTOCK SOMERSET TA12 6AT

OPEN ALL DAY EVERY DAY

DELICIOUS HOME COOKED FOOD Served Lunchtime & Evenings SUNDAY FOOD now available ...

12noon – 3pm and 6pm – 9pm Traditional Sunday Roast • Choice of 3 Meats Served 12noon – 3pm

   CHRISTMAS MENU





BOOKING from Monday 4th December ... ‘til Friday 22nd December See our website for full selection www.wyndhamarms.com



LIVE MUSIC

Saturday 30th September ... from 9pm — BILLY NO-MATES —

Tel: 01935 823239

THE VISITOR October 2017 45

They Say

RACING with SEAN at WINCANtoN Friday 20th october and ...

Sunday 29th october Sunday 5th November FIREWoRKS Adults £5  Under 12s £3 BBQ available

Friday 10th November PAESCHENDALE CoMMEMoRAtIVE DINNER Every Monday StEAK NIGHt

That Richard Holloway of Chiselborough has seen a toucan on his farm ... but was it after he’d had two-cans?

That an apology is owed to Yeovil’s own ‘Annie Oakley’ as she was just doing her job.

That when it comes to horticulture, Queen Camel’s Mrs White grows exceedingly perfect roses, just as one would expect, with her name being Rose.

That in future, Mr & Mrs TeasyWeasy of Yeovil and Castle Cary will be flying to Spain from Bournemouth Airport, where, we understand a more refined class of traveller can be found.

That Debs Mitchell, landlady of The Camelot pub in South Cadbury, has hit the big 50.

That Anita Young, the fast lady of Shaftesbury, has been told by her close friend UJ to slow down, now that she is a white van driver.

That Chronicler does not do The Visitor Prize Crossword.

That engineer and wood fanatic Garry Thomas of Evercreech has now turned his hand to baking.

That Anita Dunion of Tatworth has been helping in the garden.

That Tou-can play at that game in Chiselborough.

That congratulations go to Mr. and Mrs. Brian Lee, of Castle Cary, who recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary with a trip to London and lunch at The Ritz.

Vinny enjoys a pint at Prince of Wales, Ham Hill, Stoke Sub Hamdon

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

Every tuesday SIMPLE SUPPER

Delicious 2 Course Set Menu for only ££10 10 per head

Every Thursday SURF & tURF NIGHt Monday – Friday 2 CoURSE LUNCH SPECIALS

Home-Made Food Served 7 Days a Week

Real Ales - Garden Skittle Alley

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUB Serving Sensibly Priced Food & Drink

Dinnington, Nr. Hinton St. George • Tel 01460 52397

The CATASH

£10 per head

INN

North Cadbury • BA22 7DH

HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS PARTY With LIVE MUSIC from THE RAY JONES BAND Friday 27th October • 8.30pm ‘til Late Prizes for best costume • Free admission

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

Saturday 25th November • 10am ‘til 4pm Raising money for CLIC SARGENT (helping kids with cancer) Pitches available • Please call or email for details

Large Beer Gardens

46 THE VISITOR October 2017

 North Cadbury 01963 441531

Skittle Alley

BOOK REVIEW

Now That’s What I Call Yeovil

By Bob Osborn Amberley Publishing, 2017 96pp paperback ISBN 978-1-4456-7169-7 £14.99

The 1960s, 70s and 80s saw great changes in Yeovil, and this book of more than 170 photographs captures many of the changes while they were taking place.

Many older residents will doubtless remember some of the sights and sites that have been lost to redevelopment and many of the shops and businesses that have changed hands since those days. Local historian Bob Osborne provides thoughtful introductions to each section, which cover lost buildings, redevelopment, shopping, leisure, transport and green spaces, as well as informative captions to each picture, making the book a fascinating history of Yeovil in the three decades.

Within those decades the face of the town centre changed dramatically and acres of new housing were built on the periphery. Glovers Walk and the Quedam Centre were built, Middle Street was widened with the demolition of the ancient George Inn, the railway through

Yeovil Town station was torn out, Reckleford was transformed into an urban dual-carriageway and extended along a new Queensway, a new hospital was built at Kingston, the football club’s famed sloping soccer pitch was covered by a new Tesco superstore, the swimming pool at Huish was replaced by Goldenstones Leisure Centre . . . All these and much more are pictured in the book and will surely revive memories and provoke discussion.

The format of the book restricts the layout of the photographs to two to a page, which is a pity because some would benefit from enlarging rather than being inspected through a magnifying glass to appreciate the details, while a few contain so little of interest that they don’t really warrant the amount of space they occupy. Most are colour photos, and although the quality of some of them is rather poor, what they reveal justifies their inclusion.

Sadly the garish typography and colours on the cover, repeated inside at the start of each section, make the book look cheap and nasty. It’s not nasty – it’s full of interest, as I hope my review has shown, And it’s certainly not cheap. At almost £15 for 96 pages the price will probably deter all but those with an avid desire to wallow in a bit of Yeovil nostalgia.

Roger Richards.

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.

the end bit...

PAPERCHASE

A SHORTER column than usual this month. I forgot to cancel the newspapers before setting off for a fortnight’s holiday so there was a pile of papers waiting to be read when I returned. They’re still waiting! The thought of seeing the usual depressing mixture of misspellings, grammatical errors, misused words and missing or misplaced text was enough to dampen my enthusiasm. These are all things that ‘once upon a time’ would have been picked up by a watchful proofreader or subeditor before they found their way into print, but the former no longer exists on our local papers and I’m not sure what role the latter plays in these days of direct input from the reporters’ computers. Things like the headline in the 14th August issue of the Western Daily Press (pictured below) which ignited my anger. As former Times and Sunday Times editor Harold Evans wrote in his book for aspiring journalists, ‘where headlines are wordy, vague or confused, the newspaper seems to be in its dotage’.

I picked up a copy of the Autumn issue of What’s On Somerset to read on the train and

Solution to September

Sudoku

was suitably impressed. This quarterly freebie has grown to 64 pages and it certainly lives up to its title, providing a useful overview of what’s on in Somerset and fairly extensive events listings (although these rely on event organisers providing the information). It also contains a goodly number of short features on topics as diverse as bees and beekeeping, fermenting grains and vegetables, the re-opened Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury, Somerset Arts Weeks and making cricket bats. It proved to be a good read, well written and presented and mercifully free from typographical atrocities. Pick up a copy if you see it around.

My holiday companion, who lives in the Midlands, brought me a copy of Nottingham Drinker to read on my return journey. This 48-page A4 magazine is published bi-monthly by the Nottingham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale for its members, but it is also freely available in pubs in the city and surrounding towns and villages. In full colour and printed on glossy paper, it’s packed with news of local pubs, breweries, cider-makers and relevant events and even includes a feature on cooking with beer. Just the sort of magazine that would be a welcome addition to Visitorland’s range of publications.

If, while I was away, I missed anything that warrants a mention in this column, no doubt some readers will let me know.

Simply send the details or a press cutting from any of our local or regional newspapers or magazines, quoting the publication name, issue date and page number, to me at The Visitor, PO Box 1, Castle Cary BA7 7BG. Your contributions are always welcome.

Chronicler.

ANSwERS TO POP MUSIC QUIz on page 16

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

‘Dire Straits’ ‘Blondie’ Van Morrison Billy Paul Shania Twain

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Australia ‘Hollies’ ‘How Long’ – Ace Paul Weller The Beatles (‘White Album’)

Question Impossible ‘The Gentrys’

THE VISITOR October 2017 47

PHONE - a - FIRM • PHONE - a - FIRM

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KILN DRIED LOGS

November Deadline Friday 13th October • 01963 351256 BUY NOW – SAVE £££s

 Kiln Dried Logs 1 Dumpy Bag £150  Kiln Dried Logs 2 Dumpy Bags £250  Kiln Dried Logs 3 Dumpy Bags £350  Kiln Dried Logs 3 Nets £25.50  Kiln Dried Logs 6 Nets £48  Kiln Dried Logs 10 Nets £75  Kindling Wood 3 Nets £10  Kindling Wood 5 Nets £15  Kindling Wood 10 Nets £27

Domestic Appliances

Pe

PREMIER ELECTRICS Est. 34 yrs COVERING THE SOUTH LOCALLY

Kitchen Appliance Sales & Repairs

Ø Repairs to all leading brands of Kitchen appliances Ø 12 months guarantee on all repairs Ø Diagnostic work charged unless work undertaken Ø 24 hour service Ø OAP discounts

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

Taylors Domestic

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

Ridge View, Penmore Road Sandford Orcas DT9 4SE

Professional repairs by qualified engineer on most makes of appliances.

01963 220366

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

Roofing

Maintenance

ANDY DOWN

Repoints & Property Maintenance Building repoints using industrial vacuum to limit dust release ...

“Great job, less mess”

Also patio repoints & general building maintenance

Tel: 07817 879359

Email: down532@hotmail.com 12 years’ experience in the trade

Prices Include V.A.T. kiln Dried Logs  Burn More Efficiently Give More Heat  Light Easily  Burn Cleanly

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY ... with all orders over £50

Online Ordering Available www.logs4fuel.co.uk

 01458 251476

Transport & Storage

The key to all your storage needs!

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

01963 440045 www.sparkfordstorage.com

• Open 7 Days a Week • 20 Years Established Family Business

• Modern Burglar-Alarmed Warehouses • Professional & Reliable Service

• Removals To and From Storage • Self Store with Easy Access

• Cubicle and Crate Storage • Friendly, Helpful Staff

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

Say you saw it in The Visitor

48 THE VISITOR October 2017

For all your roofing requirements

Flat Roofing • Tiling Slating • GRP Roofing

All New Work Fully Guaranteed

For further information & estimates contact Allan Carey

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

Roofing

Bourton Roofing Co. Slate  Tiling  Flat Roofing.

UPVC Fascias  Guttering FREE ES T I M AT ES

 01747 840064

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

DEADLINE for ADVERTS for the November Issue is Friday 13th October

Locksmith

ANYTIME LOCKS

24-Hour Locksmith Key Cutting and Boarding Up

MOBILE 07709 433922 PHONE 01963 359516

PHONE - a - FIRM

Fires / Chimneys / Stoves

SANDPITS

Multifuel Stoves ... over 200 on display Chimneys Relined ★ Full Installation Service

www.misteroven.co.uk

Say you saw it in The Visitor

HETAS • OFTEC • GAS SAFE

✴ Chimney Sweeping Service ✴

Showrooms Open: Monday to Friday 8am – 5.30pm and Saturday 8am – 4.30pm

Email: enquiries@sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk www.sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk

High Street, Curry Rivel, Langport  01458 251476 The Visitor can be read online … www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

SCENES

Artist Materials & Gallery

 Picture Framing  Restoration  Large Selection of Prints and Paintings  Greeting Card Blanks High St. Gillingham Tel: 01747 824050 www.scenes-online.co.uk

Taxis

TAXI

Sue

Mob: 07711 572038

www.taxiatcastlecarystation.co.uk

Fires / Chimneys / Stoves

07921 074602 • 01749 677440 • Solidfuel3@aol.com

Regular advertising brings results

ADVERTISE in FULL COLOUR this space could be yours for

£40.46 inc. VAT

Mister Oven

Independent Oven Cleaning Specialist Ovens - Hobs - Agas etc

Tel: 01935 475065 Mob: 07752 695264

HEATING & HOME STORE

Framing

Oven Cleaning

Clean Ovens Domestic Ltd Independent Oven Cleaners Covering Somerset and Dorset

AGAS • RANGES • OVENS HOBS • EXTRACTORS Eco-Friendly Materials Used

Experienced + Fully Insured Friendly Staff

Tel: 0800 7076629 Mobile: 07563 693145 www.cleanovendomestics.co.uk

Fuel Storage Tanks

Bryan G. Paulley Ltd

Domestic / Commercial Installations / Replacements

Plastic / Metal Tanks • Temporary Tanks Leaking Tanks • Tank Cleaning / Moving / Disposal Above or Below Ground Tanks • 24 Hour Call-Out

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

Plumbing & Heating

Caricatures for Special Gifts

(for 3cms x 2 column)

Tel: 01963 351256 – to book your space

Fire & Security Alarms

THE VISITOR October 2017 49

Classified Ads

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

For a Box Number please add £2.

Payment can be made by Cash, Cheque, Postal Order, BACS, Credit / Debit Card.

✽ If you require a receipt a s.a.e. must be enclosed with payment, or your email address.

Prize Crossword No. 372 Set by Frank Butler

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG – to arrive by Friday 13th October.

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

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Tel: ......................................................................... Cheque Enclosed for £ .................... Minimum £5

Wanted

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

Daves Tools - Tel: 01935 428975

R E D U N D A N T M O T O R M O W E R S , rotavators, chainsaws, strimmers, cement mixers, etc. Tel: 01460 77844.

GUNS WANTED for cash. Any size, any condition, make or model. By registered firearms dealer. Tel: 07970 742471.

O L D M O TO R C Y C L E S WA N T E D .

Any condition, collected. Cash paid.

Tel: 07779 366005.

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

Passport Photographs

PASSPORTS – passports – passports – also studio sittings, and golden weddings.

Any time to suit you. Easy parking opposite The Quarry Inn. Tel: Graham Cox, Photographer, 01458 223769.

Personal

www.country-link.org.uk COUNTRY LINK SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel: Andy 01225 834834 or Val 01749 342918

GENUINE GUY, 60yrs, out-door type, seeking lady, country, farming, small holder type, for friendship. Yeovil area.

Tel: 07922 740616.

Catering / Mobile Bars

HARRY’S MOBILE BARS, all occasions, weddings, parties, etc. Tel: 01747 825553 harry@bars4u.plus.com www.harrysmobilebars.co.uk

Services

HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN RUBBISH CLEARED, old sheds / outbuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844.

WOULD YOU LIKE to tell your life story?

Contact Mandy Bloom, professional memoir writer, on telephone 01458 223251 or via enquiries. mandybloom@gmail.com

Storage

Special Occasions

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

HAPPY 1st WEDDING ANNIVERSARY to Jason and Tammy Hoddinott on 22nd October.

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Steve Putt on 20th October and Heather Byron on 21st October.

RECORDS WANTED:

VINYL wanted from the ‘60s to the present day most genres required including rock and pop, folk, progressive etc. GOOD PRICES PAID.  Please call Rod on 01823 480369.

50 THE VISITOR October 2017

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

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27 28

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Across: 7.

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32.

Non-absorbent object is dark.

[5-4] Combines black suit. [5] Aide sung an arrangement of Lamb of God. [5,3] Some nab a customer’s payment, including counting frame. [6] Continent as I agree to hide. [4] Ah, settee reordered by culture vulture. [8] Run away or keep closed. [4] Parish I mixed up with a blimp.

[7] Accountant, taking paper 52cm x 40cm to school? [7] At first, all birds laid eggs, becoming skilful. [4] Who, caught in a sale, looks at things in general? [2,1,5] One edition includes what is necessary. [4] Zealous, in hard-entry course.

[6] Stage as child grows up or golfing aid. [8] Repeated at WI celebration. [5] PC hem idea rewritten and ordered to appear. [9]

9. Fish in the lower range. [4] 14. Late coming back with others.

[2,2] 15. Headless pairs with ships’ companies were a driving force in the sky. [9] 17. Pensioner, confused by last initial, finds a jewel. [4] 19. Workshop furniture looked at presiding judges. [8] 21. Put in the middle, Terence confused on first of December.

[8] 23. Dime bet ordered late in the day. [3-4] 25. Sworn boat had held it. [4] 27. Chest I find strange morals in.

[6] 28. Bury between. [5]

Solution to Crossword 371

Down:

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2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Drops behind standards. [5] Happens when officer begins cursing. [6] Bah, I daub artfully for the emirate. [3-5] Lard I am mixing for an officer.

[7] Lost blood about everyone and made pale. [8] O, bit I tame confusion almost too late. [5,4]

THE WINNER of our September Crossword

... was Mrs. G. Wareham of Charlton Musgrove, who chose to spend the £10 voucher at Andrew Barclay Butchers, Wincanton.