The Visitor Magazine Issue 442 September 2020

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

Issue 442 September 2020

What flavour ice lolly does a Red Panda enjoy?

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In Passing...

O

ne warm afternoon in early August I went to Shepton Mallet.

I mention it because it was the first time since mid-March that I had ventured more than seven miles from my home. With almost everything being in lockdown for three months or more, and with the Government allowing only essential journeys, there was no reason to go any further. So I looked forward to the 11-mile trip to Shepton for a business appointment with an excitement well beyond its worth, although I admit it wouldn’t have been my chosen Visitorland destination for a journey of such assumed significance. For decades it has received a bad press, with respected local newsman the late Alan Goode once describing it as ‘the shoddiest, near lifeless remnant of past commercial glory of any town on the Mendips’.

Shepton developed down the centuries along the bottom of a river valley, with the church and market close by on the southern slope. It was there, close to the source of water power, that were built the mills, factories, breweries, large houses for the owners and managers and terraces of smaller cottages for the workers. So with an hour or so to spare during my visit I played the tourist and explored part of the town centre on foot and found that it still retains some of its historic charm, especially in the area to the north-east of the Market Place.

The Market Place has a magnificent hexagonal Market Cross dating from 1500, ancient ‘shambles’ market stalls reconstructed in 1919 and an ornate Victorian fountain and lamp standard. The parish church, financed by wealth generated by the medieval wool industry, has a 14th century tower considered by many to be one of the finest in Somerset. Down the hill around Leg Square are the handsome homes of wealthy 18th century clothiers, the long terrace of weavers’ cottages on Garston Street, the tower of the former Town Mill and the Kings Arms, known locally as ‘The Dusthole’ from the days when it was frequented by workers from the nearby quarry.

Demolition, adaptation, new building and a touch of gentrification down the years have changed the area’s character but, overlooked by the bare stone walls of the former prison, it remains a fascinating corner of the town.

These remnants of Shepton’s past glory are anything but shoddy, and much of the praise for creating this conservation area and assisting with its preservation must go to Mendip District Council.

Several Visitorland towns are noted tourist destinations in their own right, but most of the others, like Shepton, contain corners of historical or architectural interest that repay exploring. These are often tucked away off the main roads, and some towns have produced guides to help you find them.

So when you are next planning an afternoon out, think perhaps of Crewkerne or Langport, Sturminster Newton or Mere, instead of the more obvious local destinations.

NN.

Advertising Deadlines October Issue published Wednesday 30th September Deadline Friday 18th September

PO Box 1, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7BG Tel: (01963) 351256, 351998 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk facebook.com/thevisitormagazine twitter.com/thevisitormag Editor Max Dunion Advertising/Features Editor Sara Danesh-Pour Managing Director Helen Dunion © The Visitor Ltd. 2020 (Items marked ©GT are the copyright of Geoff Thompson)

CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED ‑ 30 ANTIQUES ‑ 23 BOOK REVIEW ‑ 12 CROSSWORD ‑ 30 GARDENING ‑ 26 HOUSE & HOME ‑ 17 LEISURE ‑ 13 LETTERS ‑ 4 LOOKING GOOD ‑ 14 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES ‑ 4 MOTORING ‑ 22 NOTICE BOARD ‑ 13

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

PHONE‑A‑FIRM ‑ 28 PUBS ‑ 24 REMEMBER WHEN ‑ 28 SUDOKU ‑ 13 THEY SAY ‑ 25 WINE & DINE ‑ 21

Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR September 2020 3

Letters to the Editor Castle Cary’s Giant’s Bed

Sir, What a joy - to read The Visitor in print again. Tributes should be made to the Dunion family in keeping this historic and iconic independent monthly journal a treasure for us. I also thank all advertisers for supporting and funding this unique magazine.

By chance I was researching the history of the name of Castle Cary and I discovered an article

by A. S. Macmillan in a 1922 carnival programme for Castle Cary. In it he referred to The Visitor in 1907 in which it was stated that Castle Cary means ‘Giant’s Castle’ and Lodge Hill, Castle Cary known as the ‘Giant’s Bed’. What an ingenious and quite probable description.

Congratulations to The Visitor team in this difficult Covid-19 Lockdown and long live The Visitor.

Gordon Stockman MBE Galhampton Somerset

4 THE VISITOR September 2020

Mentioned in

Dispatches 'DO Try This at Home!'

LIVE fun for Somerset families from Children's World

The Children's World team are excited to announce 'DO Try This at Home!' - an ongoing pop-up programme of LIVE workshops and performances, designed to inspire creative and educational activities that can also be done at home. Based at Paddington Farm, Glastonbury, the weekly workshops are available for families in Somerset at a cost of only £2 per household.

Charity Director Kristen Lindop said, ‘After a period of uncertainty it's great to be back in the community! Thanks to funding from the Glastonbury Town Council Youth Committee 'DO Try This at Home!' is already up and running - in August we've had an amazing range of workshops: poetry with Chris Redmond, balloon science with Ballonatic, juggling with Higher Beings and our famous juggling

‘DO Try This at Home!' - an ongoing pop-up programme of LIVE workshops and performances, designed to inspire creative and educational activities that can also be done at home.

Trustee, Haggis McLeod, and a brilliant Mojo Moves session with Rare Species. And, thanks to further funding from Somerset Skills & Learning and the Somerset Community Foundation, there's a lot more fun to come, including magic, storytelling, hooping and puppetry!’

To comply with social distancing, and look after our community, places for each workshop are strictly limited to only 5 households at a time and must be booked in advance. For up to date information on the weekly workshops and how to book follow the Children's World

Facebook Page or contact us at Children's World at info@childrensworldcharity.org / 07449 825750 to be added to our 'DO Try This at Home!' mailing list.

Local mental health service secures £28,000 of funding towards system upgrade

After a rapid increase in demand for mental health services across the county during recent years Dorset Mind recognised the importance of storing its data required to run its service safely and securely.

Working with over 30,000 people, the charity successfully

Mentioned in

Dispatches applied for £28,000 worth of funding from Talbot Village Trust towards the implementation of a new data management platform.

Dorset Mind is a self-funded charity that facilitates a wide range of services across the county to support recovery from mental ill health. It educates people about positive wellbeing and challenges the stigma surrounding mental health that can stop people accessing support at their time of need.

Speaking about the importance of the new system, Marianne Storey, Dorset Mind’s Chief Executive, said: ‘We are extremely grateful to the Trust for recognising the significance of helping us develop and put into practice our new data management system.

‘Moving forward, this will impact how we design our support options for local people, by evaluating and learning from recorded outcomes. We’re excited that we will finally be able to

Marianne Storey, Chief Executive at Dorset Mind .

accurately measure responses and outcomes. This will ensure we can evaluate the effectiveness of our support services, to continue providing high-quality mental health support across Dorset.’

Talbot Village Trust meets biannually and is accepting applications for funding from both previous and new applicants in the area before the Trustees next meeting in spring 2021.

Please go to www.talbot villagetrust.org for more information.

Mendip habitats ‘fit for the future’ thanks to Aggregate Industries funding

Somerset Wildlife Trust is pleased to announce that it has received a grant of £13,312 from Aggregate Industries through their Local Partnerships Development Fund for ‘Mendip Habitats Fit for the Future’ - a new project that will enhance and increase the range of woodland habitats in the Mendips, improving the diversity of woodland flora in order to benefit creatures such as hazel dormice

and silver-washed fritillary butterflies.

The funds will enable the Trust to undertake critical woodland management work in woodland areas of the Trust’s Cheddar Wood Nature Reserve, and also restore hedgerows and calcareous and neutral grassland habitats in East and West Mendip - near Callow Rock Quarry and Cloford Quarry - which will allow specialist plants to flourish, supporting bees and butterflies.

A special butterfly bank will be created at Shute Tip which will use limestone aggregate sourced from the quarry. This will benefit populations of small blue butterflies, as it expands the small patches of kidney vetch in

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THE VISITOR September 2020 5

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Mentioned in

Dispatches the area - the butterflies’ sole foodplant. Aggregate Industries staff, Somerset Wildlife Trust volunteers, members and local people will all have the opportunity to learn rural skills such as coppicing and hedgelaying which, as well as contributing in terms of physical work, will enable them to learn something new and benefit their own physical and mental wellbeing through being active and spending more time outdoors.

Lila Morris, Mendip Conservation Officer at Somerset Wildlife Trust said: ‘Aggregate Industries has been an amazing supporter of our work in Mendip over the years and we are very grateful to continue to receive funding from them to continue our vital habitat work.

‘It will allow us to improve a variety of habitats across the area for important and rare species such as hazel dormice and silverwashed fritillary and small blue butterflies, and ensure that they are there for people to enjoy long into the future.’

Spark Somerset working to improve health and wellbeing in South Somerset

Local charity, Spark Somerset, is working to improve health and wellbeing in South Somerset, by supporting the local voluntary and community groups that offer vital health and wellbeing support, identifying gaps in provision, and developing new groups and activities where needed. Through this work, a gap has been identified in support for unpaid carers aged between 18 and 60 years and living in the Rural Practice Primary Care Network which covers Bruton, Wincanton, Castle Cary, Queen Camel and Milborne Port. In partnership with the Carers

Silver-washed fritillary. Photo: Don Sutherland.

Champions at the local GP surgeries, they are conducting a survey to help them better understand what services and activities might be needed.

They would like to hear from anybody who is: Caring for a family member who has a disability, long term physical or mental ill health, or struggles with substance misuse, aged between 18 and 60 years, registered with any of the GP surgeries in Bruton, Wincanton, Castle Cary, Queen Camel or Milborne Port.

Sue Crisfield, Spark's Social Prescribing Co-ordinator, said: ‘We would really like to know what kind of information, advice and support local carers feel they need’.

To take part in the survey, visit www.sparksomerset.org.uk/ carers-survey. For a paper copy, you can email support @sparksomerset.org.uk or call 01458 550973, the deadline for the survey is Friday 18th September. To find out more about local health and wellbeing support, visit www.well beingsouthsomerset.org.

pandemic, the spud supplier had to cancel its fundraising events this year including its big annual 100-mile sponsored cycle.

However, it will now be taking part in a walking, running, cycling and canoeing challenge to see if the team can virtually make it around the world in 80 days.

Staff from all its sites will be boosting their fitness and raising much-needed funds for Children’s Hospices South West, which provides palliative, respite, end of life and bereavement care for life-limited and terminally ill children and their families.

The challenge started on

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Branston races against clock to travel the world in 80 days

Ilminster potato supplier Branston plans to virtually travel around the world in 80 days to support its charity of the year, Children’s Hospices South West.

Due to the coronavirus

THE VISITOR September 2020 7

Mentioned in

Dispatches Saturday 8 August and runs to Monday 26 October, with staff aiming to cover more than 300 miles a day.

Branston Charity Cycle 2018.

Every year Branston raises funds for a charity of the year at each of its sites and in 2019 the team donated an impressive £35,000 for St Barnabas Hospice, St Margaret’s Hospice and Maggie’s Centre. If you’d like to donate to Children’s Hospices South West please visit, www.justgiving .com/fundraising/branstonaround-the-world-in-80-dayssouth-west.

themselves, either by hand, or on a typewriter or computer, I can transform their manuscript into a hardback or paperback book.

There is no minimum length for a memoir and while most people want to order ten or more copies of their book, clients can just have a single copy produced for posterity if they wish.’

Mandy Bloom Memoirs

A Somerset based memoir writer is offering her professional editorial services to people who have been writing their own life story during lockdown. Mandy Bloom from Castle Cary has previously assisted dozens of clients by recording, writing and producing their memoirs for them to pass down to younger generations. As many people have been working on their own stories over the past few months while self-isolating due to Covid-19, she is now helping them to produce illustrated books from their writing.

Most of the books also feature a selection of old images from their family albums, which Mandy can scan and enhance.

‘People are always amazed how well these old photographs reproduce in a modern publication and the resulting images can bring memories of their ancestors alive. The oldest photograph I have come across so far dates back to the mid 1800s, this was a faded sepia print which became much clearer after being digitally scanned and professionally printed.’

‘Many of my clients were born around the time of the Second World War, which means that their grandparents would have

A typical old photograph used .

been typical Victorians. There are some lovely memories of their grandmothers wearing austere black dresses, and their grandfathers with pocket watches. There are also descriptions of everyday household chores, food rationing and how families made do with less. If these small details of everyday life aren’t recorded now, a time will come when these memories will have vanished forever,’ she says.

Book by Stephen Creaney of Tintinhull co-ordinated and produced by Mandy Bloom

Mandy provides a full editing, design and print service and can help with organising information to ensure the book flows well. ‘I am still working (within social distance guidelines) with people who prefer to meet me and tell me their story verbally, but if people have written their story

8 THE VISITOR September 2020

Needful Things, located in the historic market town of Castle Cary

Needful Things interiors, gifts and clothing are all to be found at 7 High Street, Castle Cary.

This pretty store is crammed to bursting with decorative ideas for you and your home.

Since everyone has been busy doing their DIY over lockdown, Needful Things Fabrics and Curtain Making service has been very busy helping people with the finishing touches for their homes.

So if you are seeking inspiration and a friendly, professional service for Curtains, Blinds, Poles & Tracks, or Wallpaper and Paint supplies, do come into 7 High Street and find their fabrics and interiors department with over 400 patternbooks to inspire you.

Free measure and quotes within a 25 mile radius and they are happy to work in all of Somerset's neighbouring counties too.

Fabric suppliers include Sanderson, Colefax & Fowler, Jane Churchill, Romo, James Hare Silks, Zoffany, Harlequin and Manuel Canovas, to name just a few. Paint brands include, Little Greene, Sanderson, Zoffany and Paint & Paper Library and they usually arrive within a day, except weekends.

Once you've chosen your perfect fabric and paint colours, why not browse the rest of their store for the perfect lamp, mirror or picture to complete your home's new look? See you soon at Needful Things…everything you need for your home, all under one roof!

advice. What's more, they also offer free home demos and a delivery service, so you don't have to worry about a thing. This allows you to test the products to ensure that they're suitable before you go ahead with the purchase. Alternatively, visit their friendly advisers in-store and try out the products there.

Mentioned in

Dispatches Regency Care & Mobility reliability assured Regency Care & Mobility reliably provides an assortment of mobility products and equipment to help make life easier. Situated in Crewkerne, Somerset, their range of scooters, chairs, beds, and stairlifts are designed to get rid of the stigma that's associated with disability.

They provide a range of items that help you or your loved ones maintain independence on a dayto-day basis. Backed by more than 15 years of experience, they are Acorn™ approved and always happy to provide professional

Tall order keeping residents chilled out

Keepers at Longleat Safari Park have come up with a selection of unique ice lolly flavour combinations to keep their exotic animals chilled out over the summer.

For the park’s resident group of Ring-tail lemurs, keepers have devised a watermelon based treat, while the red pandas have their very own pear and apple flavour lollies, complete with their very own stick.

The Rothschild’s giraffe has

This Ring-tail lemur enjoys a watermelon based treat.

been officially designated as Near Threatened in the IUCN (the International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species, which means it may be threatened with extinction in the near future.

Giraffes are the tallest animals

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in the world. Fully-grown male giraffes can grow to heights in excess of five and a half metres.

They can reach speeds of up to 56 kilometres per hour and, in captivity, can live to be 25 years old.

The name lemur itself derives from the Latin word ‘lemures’ which means ghost and probably came from their nocturnal habits, ghost-like appearance and mournful-sounding cries.

In the mornings the ring-tailed lemur sunbathes to warm itself.

It faces the sun sitting in what is frequently described as a "sunworshipping" posture or Lotus position.

Like their famous namesakes the giant pandas, red pandas are increasingly endangered in the wild. The species was officially designated as ‘Endangered’ by IUCN in 2008 when the global population was estimated at about 10,000 individuals. Found in Nepal, Bhutan and China, they live among bamboo forests and spend much of their time in trees.

Taylor & Co Lettings is launching on the 14th September 2020

A new style of letting agency is coming which will revolutionise the industry and shake up the somewhat outdated services being offered to landlords.

The Taylor & Co team explain

Mentioned in

Dispatches that after a combined time in the industry of 15 years, they felt that the current models of service being offered to landlords were inflexible to their needs and often created in a way which served the agent rather than the landlord.

To combat this, Taylor & Co Lettings is launching on the 14th September 2020 and their expert team have spent lockdown creating and curating a new hybrid model which tailors to landlord’s requirements. Their brand new ‘Listing Only’ service gives landlords an opportunity to market their property for a oneoff fee of £50. This means that a property can be listed on Rightmove and their website and new tenants sourced for only £50!

If at any point landlords find they require additional services, there is the option to choose and upgrade to just the ones needed from the extensive list offered.

Alongside this they will also offer a traditional full management service, which has proved to be popular for landlords who prefer more of a hands-off approach. For further details, please call 01747 416 516 or email info@taylorlettings.co.uk.

Buy the Best, Buy British, Save Jobs’ campaign

For the first time in history, organisations and businesses across Britain’s furniture industry are joining forces for a special campaign.

The ‘Buy British Furniture Event’ is a month-long initiative promoting British home furnishings this autumn. Haskins Furniture is exceptionally proud

to be a part of this campaign. It will promote the ‘Buy the Best, Buy British, Save Jobs’ message for retailers like Haskins Furniture who are an independent family business, employing local people.

The ‘Buy British Furniture Event’ is a British Furniture Confederation (BFC) scheme, which is being organised and promoted jointly by the British Furniture Manufacturers Association (BFM) and the National Bed Federation (NBF).

Jonathan Hindle, Chairman of the BFC, said: ‘Many companies have been enjoying brisk business in the past couple of months, but there is much uncertainty as to whether it will be sustained into the autumn.

‘In recent manufacturing industry surveys, feedback worryingly indicates that some companies are considering redundancies across their workforces. Many retailers too will be looking closely at costs’.

Haskins Furniture is no exception and while the doors were closed, Haskins was forced into finding ways to reduce costs. Jade Haskins, Retail Director of Haskins Furniture in Shepton Mallet added ‘now more than ever do we need our local customers to shop local and support us, we have worked very hard over the last 80 years to provide great products with even better prices and we pride ourselves on

The gardens at Shute House. Photo: Historic England Archive.

exceeding customers’ expectations. We strive for this to continue even in these uncertain times’.

The campaign is to focus on supporting British manufacturing - tapping into consumers’ current natural desire to buy local and support British jobs at risk.’

Haskins Furniture will be highlighting to customers which products have been made in Britain with some fantastic offers instore and online.

Post-war garden in Dorset protected

The gardens at Shute House near Shaftesbury is one of a variety of post-war gardens and landscapes across England that were added to the National Heritage List for England on Friday 21 August 2020.

Nationally, 20 landscapes have been granted protection and added to the Register of Parks and Gardens, part of the National Heritage List for England.

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They include Campbell Park, which connects the grid-planned new town of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire with the wide pastoral landscape beyond, and Beth Chatto’s gardens in Colchester, Essex, seven acres of former wilderness transformed by her ‘right plant, right place’ philosophy.

The private garden at Shute House was designed in stages by leading post-war landscape architect Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, between 1969 and 1988, and later in the 1990s. It is considered to be one of his greatest designs, marking the end of an extraordinary seven-decade career.

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THE VISITOR September 2020 11

Dispelling the myth surrounding single parents with Sara Danesh-Pour HABITUALLY, films and books have -rather unhelpfullyportrayed the ‘perfect’ family unit - quite fixedly- as a two-parent household. This, many consider, is unrealistic and out of touch.

Thankfully, what we now see increasingly depicted is an exploration of the challenges and nuances of complicated family life (Sex Education and Atypical are my favourite Netflix shows in this regard, amongst many others).

The 2.4 dogma remains, but perhaps is not considered the norm - or what we aspire to at all costs - any longer. Families are increasingly blended and there simply is no ‘norm’.

However, whilst we are indeed seeing fictional, multi-faceted characters and families on our screens, in all their colourful and fascinating forms, there is still a discernible feeling and prejudice when the subject of single parents comes up in the media and in journalism.

One could postulate that negative connotations of single parents apply far more to women than men, however recent studies, involving the collection of qualitative and quantitative data, have suggested that a significant proportion of male single parents have experienced this prejudice in some form too.

Interestingly, a senior researcher at the University of Huddersfield posed the question ‘Why do single parents still suffer stigma when one in four children grow up in a single-parent family’. According to the same 12 THE VISITOR September 2020

University website, a poll in 2014 found that 74% of single parents have in fact experienced stigma.

Myths and prejudice surrounding single parents is often unfounded and unhelpful.

One’s identity is not defined by this label, nor should it be.

Knowledge of relevant statistics can indeed challenge many of these preconceived notions. For instance: 70% of single parents work. And the average age of single parents? It’s 39.

Whether it’s by choice or led by tragedy, there have been some remarkable single parents in history. Marie Curie raised her two daughters alone after the death of her husband (one of her daughters went on to co-win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry) and J.K Rowling of Harry Potter fame. And there are many, many others.

But it would be a crime to forget how unmarried mothers were frequently condemned to mental asylums as recently as the mid 1900’s. Often labelled as neurotic, immoral and poor; single mothers were judged a blot on one’s escutcheon and ousted from society.

Have attitudes changed? Well, naturally that’s a yes. However, the stigma can still feel pervasive and ever present. Co-parenting between separated parents or lone-parenting can be extremely beneficial and immensely positive. In many cases, it provides a calm and happy childhood for the children involved.

Therefore, our focus should be on creating a happy and healthy dynamic for our children regardless of the shape that takes - two parents, one parent or ten.

Whilst there will always be studies and research supporting the traditional two parent family unit, studies just as valid (if not more so) highlight the wide range of benefits resulting from a family unit that offers an abundance of love, care and acceptance.

Surely these are far more important priorities to focus on rather than an outdated conception of how a family should look.

BOOK REVIEW

With

Phillip George I HAVE read two books this month.

The first is ‘Dissenters’ by Liz Hutchinson, a historical novel set in Frome at the end of the 17th century when the woollen trade was feeling the first pangs of industrialisation. It includes the story of the development of some of the earliest workers' cottages in England, now the Trinity Street and Selwood Road area where I did a paper round in the 1960s.

Dissenters: Conscience and Corruption in 17th-century Frome

by Liz Hutchinson Paperback, 276 pages Hobnob Press ISBN1906978832 £10.72 at amazon.co.uk

The author, although a newcomer to Frome, has found the pulse of the town with some of its dark corners, and many of the old family names I grew up with.

The 17th century dissenters were more religiously inspired than now and could perhaps have looked forward to a move to the New World, by choice, rather than as an alternative to hanging.

However, not all the characters in the book escaped the latter penalty.

When, as children, we played in the ‘fields’ at Adderwell, collecting jam jars of slowworms and baby poisonous snakes; and damming the brook to re-enact The Dam Busters film we had just seen, we could not have imagined that someone would write a book involving our

favourite playground. Had the book been known to us then, we would most certainly have included its anti-hero Josh Whittock as one of our role models.

A nice book especially if you know Frome, and its continuing dissentient demography.

Swimming with fishes

by Rasheda A. Malcolm Paperback: 328 pages Jacaranda Books Art Music Ltd ISBN: 1909762458 £7.99 at amazon.co.uk

The second book is ‘Swimming with fishes’ by Rasheda A. Malcolm, whom I met at the London Library last September.

This book is set in Jamaica and London with something of a romantic slant. Reading it, I felt a bit like Detective Inspector Poole on his first visit to St Marie in ‘Death in Paradise’.

It is a charming book, set mainly at the bottom of the hill by the sea. It has a strong message, based on good humour, and cultural and spiritual diversity. The uncertainty of the eventual outcome takes the reader through to the last paragraph. Well done Rasheda.

As Columbus would say, ceci est un manuel de survie pour les Caraïbes.

To ADVERTISE in The Visitor CALL 01963 351256

September Notice Board YEOVIL SUPER SATURDAY, Saturday 19 September 10 - 4pm.

Town Centre, Free entry. Lots of craft, arts, food and drink stalls and tons of activities for all ages.

Advertise your October event here from just £5 for 20 words!

(30p per additional word). Send event details by 17th September to: The Visitor Notice Board, PO Box 1, Castle Cary, BA7 7BP or email: info@thevisitor magazine.co.uk.

Dating in a time of Covid 19

Having just come out of a week of extremely hot weather (and it’s certainly been a good summer which has helped during these difficult few months of the virus), Just Somerset have had a couple of socially distanced outdoor socials, for a few members, one that was very hot and the other unfortunately a bit wet!

How good it was to meet up with members that hadn’t seen eachother for several months. It was good to catch up and notice how good it was for everyone to be able to meet up again.

It gave a chance to re connect with other human beings, build that connection again which is so important in these difficult times.

It is good now that some restrictions are being lifted and hopefully things will improve as the weeks go on.

Now, in a way, is an ideal time to get out and make the most of the last few weeks of the summer.

Think what do you want to achieve if you are single and

haven’t been out much in recent weeks. Dating is a bit unnatural at this time with social distancing, but you will come out of this more bonded and gives you the chance to get to know someone better. See this time as a golden opportunity - we can still build that connection with people.

Just Somerset believe when you meet someone and as you talk you can sense if that connection is there.

All members are interviewed in their own homes and checked.

Just Somerset can go and see clients following the covid guidelines. They can offer one to one introductions or you might meet someone you get on OK with at a social. It just takes that first phone call, have a chat and then meet up for a coffee to see how it goes - you never know! So if you are single and this is of interest have a look at the Just Somerset website www.justintroductions group.co.uk for more information or give Alison a call on 07584 250285.

Sudoku by T.M. Fill in the grid with the numbers 1 to 9 so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the numbers 1 to 9. Solution to July Sudoku on page 19.

Italian Language Services, celebrating 20 years!

Italian Language Services, celebrating its 20th anniversary, provides Yeovil based Italian tuition. Christine teaches classes which run weekly for 30 weeks a year beginning in September with breaks for Christmas and Easter.

These classes range from absolute beginners to ‘A’ Level standard.

There are also shorter 10 week introductory courses called Holiday Italian, these run throughout the year as and when they are required. For those that cannot attend a regular class, Christine can also provide private lessons for individuals or small groups tailored to particular needs.

When things return to normal Christine will resume the one day Italian workshops which include a 3 course lunch.

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

By John Osborne  Answers can be found on page 25  1) Who hit the charts ten years ago this month with 'Hey Soul Sister'?

2) Who made the album ‘Scullery’?

3) In 2008, James Blunt decided to sing about which year?

4) ‘No More Heroes’ declared which band in 1977?

5) Name the supergroup trio what lived in a 'White Room' in 1968?

6) Which of the Beatles sings lead on ‘Act Naturally’?

7) In which year were 'Maroon Five' reading their 'Maps'?

8) ‘Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash, new car, caviar, four star daydream, think I'll buy me a football team' - Name the band and song!

9) Who sang about ‘Cowboys and kisses’ in 2001?

10) Rocky Sharpe and the …?

Italian Courses 30 week courses for all levels in Yeovil For more details contact Christine Jewels

This month’s anorak bonus question.

During the David Bowie song 'Young Americans' they briefly burst into a Beatles song Name the song and the album from which Beatles album it came.

Great Quotes in Music (121) 'To make a rock'n'roll record, technology is the least important thing' – Keith Richards.

www.italianlanguageservices.eu

01935 425958 THE VISITOR September 2020 13

Family Health with Jenna Evans SO AS THE new abnormal continues to rumble on, this month I’m talking about anxiety.

Unsurprisingly, I have seen a massive surge in people coming to ask for help with their anxiety in the last few months.

A few have been expressing general health anxiety but I have to say many are scared about the lock-down and its myriad damaging effects. As the evidence mounts that coronavirus may be akin to a bad seasonal ‘flu, our massive overreaction to its presence has certainly created a pandemic – a pandemic of fear.

Here are a few of the things I’m recommending to help us through.

Express – It’s good to talk - and cry and scream - generally let out however you’re feeling in a safe way with supportive people. It can be very difficult for some of us to learn how to do this. To share, to be raw, to be vulnerable.

We may be recognising that what we’re feeling is extreme or illogical and try to rationalise it away.

I certainly spent many years doing that and I can tell you it does not work! If you don’t feel you have anyone to talk to, please seek help from your GP or a support group. It may also be

helpful to find other outlets – try writing, drawing, dancing, singing – you don’t have to consider yourself to be ‘good’ at any of these pursuits, this is about expression not competition.

Helping tools may include EFT (‘Tapping’), Havening, Hypnosis and TRE (Trauma Releasing Exercises). There are lots of brilliant resources online for all of these modalities.

Be Kind – Kindness, surely one of the most important qualities we can possess? If we had more kindness, more compassion the world would be in a much better state. But how many of us are kind to ourselves?

It’s often true that we give ourselves a much harder time than we do our friends. So today make a vow to be your own best friend. Whenever you hear any critical mental chatter, ask yourself if you would say that to your friend or your child?

Find a technique to nip these programmes and triggers in the bud as they arise. You could say ‘delete programme’ to yourself; or take a moment to do some conscious breathing; you can pin the words to an imaginary board in your head and process them later with one of the techniques from above. Find whatever works for you and repeat, repeat, repeat!

Consistency is key.

On that note I would like to say that when you do find a process that works for you, you may very well still have good days and bad. And that is OK! We can have a huge tendency to start to beat ourselves up because we’ve somehow failed to be happy all the time. What a waste of our time and energy that is!

Herbal Helpers – We have lots of wonderful herbs that can help with stress, anxiety and depression. Some of my favourites are ashwagandha, passiflora, lemon balm & valerian. All great nerve soothers.

The supplement theanine can be excellent for anxiety and panic attacks. A good B complex is pretty much essential when stressed. Hypericum and 5HTP should be considered for depression. As always, please pop

by Ceres to have a chat about your needs.

Empower – Knowledge is the antidote to fear. And we have been deliberately and repeatedly scared this year. The mainstream media have a lot to answer for here and I know many of you have simply switched off and stepped away from their perpetual panic machine. But for true empowerment we need to step towards good, independent sources of information.

There are many if you know where to look but I’d start with the work of Professor Carl Heneghan from the Centre for

Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford University (the guy who pointed out the way PHE were recording deaths was somewhat over egging the death count).

The most important thing I can say to anyone in that darkest of places, that pit of anxiety, is that this isn’t forever. No matter how hopeless it seems or how helpless you feel, you can get through this.

And I speak as someone who has been there and has found her way through. Please be kind to yourself, seek help and hang on in there. You will shine again.

• 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, 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.

An extensive selection of hats available for hire at Hooper’s Hat Hire of Yeovil.

Hooper’s Hat Hire YEOVIL 01935 706555 • www.hoopershats.co.uk 14 THE VISITOR September 2020

Ward & Sibley The Jewellers of Yeovil

Ward & Sibley first opened in 1946, just after the second world war and became a limited

company in 1951. In 1959 they moved to The Casket 103 Middle Street Yeovil where they still trade today 61 years on.

Ward & Sibley offer good old

Now in stock at Shirley Allum Fashion - the Freya Erin Collection.

There’s also a massive 1/2 price end of season sale, sizes 8 - 26.

All Fly Shoes and Riva 1/2 price, selected other brands 1/2 price including Flitflop, UGG and more. Massive reductions throughout the store. Lingerie Offer: - buy 2 bras and save 20% Sale lasts 2 weeks only!

fashioned service based on the 69 years it has served the people of Yeovil and surrounding area, along with a customer base all over the UK and abroad.

Their staff, with many years experience in the trade, can offer expert advice on all matters connected to Sales and Repairs.

Your health is paramount to them during these challenging

times, therefore you can rest assured that the shop and all stock are fully sanitised and safe.

Currently they are open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm.

They also offer customer car parking at the rear of the premises to make visiting them even easier.

A friendly and professional service is offered at Ward & Sibley, the family jewellers of Yeovil.

WARD & SIBLEY The Jewellers of Yeovil

Our repair section of the business is pleased to offer

SEPTEMBER PROMOTION FREE clean & setting check on gemstone rings (ends 30/ 09/2020)  Complete refurbishment of jewellery –

soldering charms onto bracelets, sizing rings, repairing chains, jewellery cleaning

 Watch repairs including battery replacements  Jewellery handmade to your own design  Seal, hand, and machine engraving  Valuations for insurance and probate  Pearl and bead re-threading THE CASKET, 103 MIDDLE STREET, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065 Car Park at Rear for customers while visiting the shop THE VISITOR September 2020 15

Healthy Heart Tips,

by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK we eat. Having too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to a build-up in your arteries, which puts you at a higher risk of having a heart attack.

Keeping a check on Cholesterol

Cholesterol travels around the body in our blood and it is present in our cells. We all need some cholesterol to stay healthy, but high levels of cholesterol can increase our risk of heart disease.

Nearly half of all adults in the UK are estimated to have high levels of cholesterol in their blood.

Many people are unaware that their cholesterol is high because there are usually no symptoms.

In this healthy heart tip, we explain what cholesterol is and we provide some tips for keeping your cholesterol levels healthy.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance made in the liver and it is present in foods, such as eggs, liver and prawns. Cholesterol is needed in the cells of our body. It helps to make vitamin D and some hormones which keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

Cholesterol also helps our digestive system process the fats

There are two main types of cholesterol

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) more commonly known as ‘bad cholesterol’ and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) more commonly known as ‘good cholesterol’. Too much ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. The role of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol is to transport excess cholesterol back to the liver. Therefore, it is important that you have enough ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and not too much ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol in your blood.

sausages, cakes, biscuits, butter, lard, hard cheeses (e.g. cheddar), and foods containing palm or coconut oils. Replace foods high in saturated fat with foods containing unsaturated fats such as, olive oil, rapeseed oil, nuts, seeds and oily fish (e.g. salmon and mackerel). Aim for at least one portion of oily fish each week.

Stop smoking

Eat more fibre

It is recommended that men and women avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol each week.

Information on alcohol units can be found on the OneYou website: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/for-yourbody/drink-less/know-your-alcoho l-units/

High fibre foods can reduce your risk of heart disease and help lower the amount of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol in your blood. Good sources of fibre include fruit and vegetables (eat at least five portions every day), brown rice, wholemeal bread, oats, beans and pulses.

Get active

Aim to do 150 minutes of moderate exercise (e.g. brisk walking, swimming or cycling) or any activity which gets your heart beating faster. Active people have increased levels of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol meaning their bodies are good at removing the ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol away from the arteries.

Reduce your alcohol intake

Take a test

It is recommended that adults over the age of 40, or anyone at high risk of heart disease should get their cholesterol levels checked. If you want a cholesterol check, you should speak to your GP. Anyone can have high cholesterol and it is very common.

There are usually no symptoms so, unless you get a test, you may be unaware of your risk of developing heart disease.

What can I do to maintain a healthy cholesterol level?

The cholesterol we eat in food has little impact on the level of cholesterol in our blood. Making some simple changes to your lifestyle can help reduce your cholesterol.

Reduce the amount of fatty foods you eat

Saturated fat increases the amount of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol in your blood. Saturated fat is found in foods, such as meat pies,

Aim for at least one portion of oily fish each week.

Physio Centre Re-Opened in Shaftesbury

Achy after lockdown?

Help available now!

Physio Centre RE-OPENED! Guinea Court, 6 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, SP7 8AR

Call 07596 477222 help@physiocentre.co.uk www.physiocentre.co.uk 16 THE VISITOR September 2020

Smoking reduces the levels of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol in your blood and this can result in higher levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. If you would like to stop smoking, you can get help from your GP or the NHS Stop Smoking Service.

It has been tough for everyone during lock down whatever their situation. Some people have done a lot less exercise than usual.

Some have done a lot more, extra walking, gardening, cleaning etc.

As the NHS has focused hugely on the virus and saving lives there has been a reduction in availability of treatment for much else especially those annoying aches and pains or recovering after an injury. Folk have also been reluctant to find help because of fear of Covid 19.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has now given us

guidelines. This enables the Physio Centre in Shaftesbury to reopen for hands-on treatment of muscle and joint problems where face to face is suitable.

Jacqueline Flexney-Briscoe is delighted to be able to help patients deal with their longstanding, and more recent problems at the Physio Centre.

The environment is made safe by seeing one patient an hour and then cleaning before the next. At the moment the centre is open in the mornings Mondays to Fridays for pre-booked appointments, so contact Jacqueline if you need her help on 07596 477222 or email help@physiocentre.co.uk.

Property viewings up almost 30% in July following Government stamp duty holiday announcement

DATA published by Andrews, the south of England property group, shows instructions and viewings were up substantially in July 2020, as the stamp duty holiday announced by the Government early in the month gave the market a welcome shot in the arm.

Viewings were up 29% last month compared to June 2020, with physical viewings up 45%, as buyers returned to the market in their droves, keen to take advantage of the stamp duty threshold being increased to £500,000.

There were almost 6,000 viewings in July - around 200 a day - compared to just 20 in April, with a third of those viewings still carried out virtually. Offers made and accepted (SSTC) by sellers were up 12% last month.

Instructions were up by more than a fifth (22%) in July versus June, as sellers saw an opportunity, despite strong economic headwinds, to push through a sale with plenty of motivated buyers around.

There were 560 instructions last month across Andrews network of 48 branches, as lockdown restrictions were eased.

This compares to the 55 instructions in April, the month after the Government announced the start of lockdown.

Valuations were also up a third (33%) in July, with 879 carried out last month. Only 8 valuations were booked in during the whole of April.

David Westgate, Group Chief Executive, Andrews Property Group, commented: ‘What a difference four months makes. In April viewings and instructions across the industry fell off a cliff as the country was gripped by coronavirus and the Government asked us to stay at home. But the rebound has been swift as lockdown eased and the Chancellor’s stamp duty announcement at the start of July

gave the market a timely boost.

‘Buyers and sellers alike have shown renewed vigour in the past six weeks. With a lengthy window of opportunity to purchase before the stamp holiday comes to an end, we expect buyer activity to remain buoyant over the coming months. And we saw an immediate uplift in valuations and instructions since stamp duty was frozen, with sellers keen to take advantage of motivated buyers and more confidence to list thanks to stable house prices.

‘It won’t be all plain sailing from here, but the Government has shown how important it sees a healthy and stable property market for the general wellbeing of the overall economy. And house prices have proven to be extremely resilient in the past when faced by strong economic headwinds, which suggests the market is well placed to cope with some potentially heavy bumps in the road ahead.’

SJH Carpets

The fabric department in Wincanton has an extensive fabric library stocking Prestigious Textiles, Bill Beaumont and Chatsworth Fabrics.

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

SJH Carpets have a wonderful selection of carpets and flooring including naturals, vinyls, woods, laminates and luxury vinyl tiles (including Karndean, 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.

Customer satisfaction means everything to SJH, and they offer

The fabric department in SJH Carpets has an extensive fabric library stocking Prestigious Textiles, Bill Beaumont and Chatsworth Fabrics.

Fabric Department

Visit our ...

IN WINCANTON

And choose at leisure from our extensive fabric library ...

WE ARE PLEASED TO OFFER  Bespoke Curtain & Blind Service  Cushions  Poles and Tracks  Free Measuring & Estimating Service  Professional and Helpful Advice  Range of samples from all manufacturers Bill Beaumont Textiles  Chatsworth Fabrics Luxaflex Shutters & Blinds  Prestigious Textiles

INWOOD BUILDING & JOINERY Extensions, renovations, and all your building work needs Over 30 years experience

Contact Dave on 07507 841 780

experience. For a new look in 2020 call SJH Carpets today and get your free estimate for your upcoming projects.

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

Wincanton

Tythings Commercial Centre Southgate Road Wincanton, BA9 9RZ  01963 824418 wincanton@sjhcarpets.co.uk www.sjhcarpets.co.uk

Also at: High Street, Tisbury, SP3 6LD  01747 871178 North Street, Langport, TA10 9RH  01458 887301 THE VISITOR September 2020 17

DIY Divide: UK Women Carry Out More DIY Jobs Around The Home Than Partners NEW RESEARCH reveals that female homeowners spend an average of 156 hours a year carrying out DIY tasks, whilst men spend significantly less (120 hours).

Vast majority of females admit they feel confident undertaking DIY tasks they know their mothers and grandmothers’ generations wouldn’t have taken responsibility for. Lockdown had a significant effect on the amount of DIY tasks completed by females, with almost three quarters admitting they’d taken control of the majority of DIY tasks themselves since March The team at home interiors specialists www.Hillarys.co.uk conducted the research as part of an ongoing study into Britons and how traditional gender roles are being challenged around the home in a post-COVID 19 economic climate. More than 2,300 females took part in the survey, all of which confirmed they were homeowners, in a relationship, living with their

male partners and between the age of 21-40.

When initially asked to state whether they or their partners carry out more DIY, the majority of females (47%) admitted they did, whilst 28% said their male partners took on more jobs, and the remaining quarter (25%) stated tasks were shared equally between both genders. When asked to state roughly how many hours per month both they and their partner spend on tasks around the home, it averaged that women spend around 156 hours per year on DIY, compared to just 120 hours for men.

When given a choice of DIY jobs they do around the home more than their partner the below came out on top: •Building flatpack furniture 52%, •Putting pictures up around the home - 44%, •Painting - 36%

Richards Chimney Sweeping & Stove Installations • Chimney Sweeping • Stove Installations • Fitting/Replacement of Cowls • Chimney Rebuilds/Maintenance • CCTV Inspections HETAS Registered and fully insured

Tel Luke: 07984 371757/ 01305 319721

FROM CONCEPTION TO COMPLETION With over 30 years of building experience — NO HIDDEN EXTRAS —

All works completed by our experienced and reliable team

SERVICES INCLUDE but not limited to: Project Management ★ New Build Planning ★ Loft Conversions Carpentry ★ Roofing Ground Works ★ Refurbishment Renovation ★ Commercial Property Maintenance ★ Joinery All aspects of Building and Maintenance All Insurance Works Undertaken

Contact us for a free estimate

(01935) 808456

www.countrybuild.co.uk • info@countrybuild.co.uk 18 THE VISITOR September 2020

•Repairing things around the home - 28%, •Upcycling furniture - 17%.

Respondents were then given a wider list of tasks from around the home, and asked to state if they or their male partners took the lead on each, with the gender split emerging as follows: •Gardening - 50% of men vs 50% of women •Cooking - 63% women vs 37% of men •Household cleaning chores - 74% of women vs 26% of men •Washing/laundry - 56% of women vs 44% of men •Ironing - 52% of men vs 48% of women •Car maintenance - 77% of men vs 23% of women

When relevant respondents were asked to state the biggest reason for why they typically carry out more DIY than their partners, ‘my partners laziness’ (41%), ‘I’ve more free time than my partner’ (33%) and ‘wanting to show others I am capable’ (26%) emerged as the most commonly given answers. Furthermore, almost 9 in 10 agreed that they feel more confident undertaking DIY tasks they know their mother and grandmother were unlikely to have attempted themselves, with the most prevalent examples including fixing toilet issues (42%), wall painting (31%) and changing fuses (26%).

When asked to analyse how attitudes towards DIY were altered during the recent lockdown, almost three quarters of females (73%) admitted they had taken on the majority of DIY tasks in the home since March, citing ‘furlough’, ‘boredom’ and ‘additional cash saved from elsewhere’ as the biggest reasons behind this.

Lucy Askew, spokesperson for www.Hillarys.co.uk, said: ‘Although DIY is often perceived as being the ‘job of a man’ it’s good to see this being challenged by younger generations.

Hopefully soon DIY stops being thought of as a gender role but more as something that anybody can do’

Creating Extra Storage in Your Loft Space

To get a nicely, de-cluttered home you need lots of good, accessible storage. An often over-looked space which is ideal for storage is your loft.

Firstly, you need to see if the space is large enough, particularly the roof above the ceiling joists is high enough for you to store things. The current building regulations stipulate that 270mm of loft insulation is required which can eat into your available headroom. If you do not have this depth already you should top it up. There are alternative insulation types which provide the same level of insulation for less depth although these are more expensive so seek professional loft storage expert advice here.

The solution to achieving the recommended insulation and still allowing a great floor area for storage is to fix the loft boards to a raised deck rather than fix them to the joists. You must ensure that warranties for new

build homes are not affected.

LoftZone StoreFloor is proven not to invalidate these warranties, when fitted by an authorised installer, as it raises the new loft floor allowing additional insulation to be added without it being squashed. It also allows an air gap under the boards which is necessary to avoid condensation and damp in the loft.

The final advantage of Store Floor is that, while being light, it is incredibly strong so storing slightly heavier suitaces etc is not a problem.

Once loft storage is achieved, easy access and sensible lighting is essential to make the most of the space. Enlarging your loft hatch, adding a safe and easy-touse ladder, and adding simple lighting turns your musty loft into

a really usuable space at a relatively low cost.

Foundations Up Contruction Ltd, trading as Loft Boarding South West, have been installing Loft Zones Store Floor for almost 4 years. Using only qualified carpenters for loft boarding they have hundreds of happy customers. Priding themselves on being a local, family firm they are happy to offer free loft surveys to confirm the suitablity of your loft for stroage.

Homemaker, Shaftesbury and Warminster

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so creating an attractive, comfortable and particularly welcoming space is paramount.

Your kitchen can be a hub and a haven; a place to cook for family and friends, chat over coffee,

Homemaker stock Smeg products including range cookers and fridges in the iconic 50s style.

relax with an evening glass of wine, and for children to do their homework after a busy day at school.

Established in 1992, Homemaker are a family run independent kitchen designer, offering outstanding customer service and competitive prices.

From contemporary and bold colours to the more traditional painted finishes, they are here to help you choose the kitchen that best suits your requirements and style.

A personal and bespoke service is offered by the highly skilled and experienced in-house team who love helping you create your

perfect kitchen, from the initial vision to the installation.

Homemaker supply a wide range of cookers and appliances from leading manufacturers such as Bosch, Hoover, Belling, Smeg and Samsung amongst many others and also offer a fast and efficient delivery service, usually within 24 hours from stock.

You can find further details instore and on their website at www.myhomemaker.co.uk.

You can also call 01747 851 476 for the Shaftesbury branch or 01985 219200 for the Warminster branch. The Shaftesbury branch has a large free car park.

THE VISITOR September 2020 19

Which Rude Street Names Add the Most Value?

When house-hunting, many Brits don’t pay much attention to the road name, but research by sellhousefast.uk can reveal that the first line of your address can affect how much your house is worth. In fact, some street names increase your property’s value by up to £800,000, so it’s well worth considering a street name when looking at purchasing your next property!

Upon examining hundreds of rude road names across the UK, SellHouseFast UK found that the property average on these roads increased the value of your home by £44,460.20 on average.

20 THE VISITOR September 2020

The naughtiest road name with the highest added value, is one of America’s favourite swear words ‘jackass’.

‘Jackass Lane’ has an average selling value of £869,866.50 and is the most popular in both London and the South East of England.

Gardening friendly, ‘hoe’, came in with an average value increase of £205,298.31 and is the most popular in the South East of England, making the South East of England home to some of the naughtiest street names.

Other names that increased property values, along with their most popular regions, are as follows:

SUMMER SPRITZERS

AS MUCH of a wine lover as I am, wine doesn’t quite hit the spot when the heat rises. I find that I am looking for a more refreshing tipple. Whilst Pimm’s is of course the summer favourite for many, after a glass, or two, I find that I am looking for something else to quench my thirst.

I recently discovered Sipsmith’s Original London Cup (29%abv. £17). Like Pimm’s, this is still gin based (gin incidentally has no carbs. for those watching their weight) but the infusion of Earl Grey tea, borage, lemon verbena and a host of other botanicals provides added interest.

Trying to shed those Coronavirus Kilos, I am a recent convert to soda water, and a slug of your favourite booze topped up with soda, loads of ice and slice of lemon or lime is refreshing, and low in calories when compared with wine or beer.

Also available is Maj Sacred’s Rosehip Cup (18%abv. £24.95).

As a rule, I tend to favour bitter flavours and find many of the flavoured spirits and soft drinks on the market too sweet, so this, made with English rosehips & rhubarb, Spanish orange and Peruvian ginger fits the bill nicely.

Wine cocktails, often devised to improve the taste of unpalatable wines, are another option to consider, offering a lighter alternative to spirit-based ones.

I would recommend a ratio of 2 parts wine to 1-part mixer, adding a dash of Angostura bitters and a twist of citrus peel before topping up with sparkling mineral water such as San Pellegrino.

For those who prefer bubbly to still wine, a Venetian Spritz is just the job, made with 2 parts Prosecco to 1 part Aperol or Campari, and as much soda water as suits your palate.

For something with a bit more punch to it, the HI-Life Spritz, originally created for British Airways High Life Magazine, is a mix of equal parts white wine, gin and St. Germain elderflower liqueur, topped up with soda water.

My all time favourite cocktail though has to be a Negroni, usually made with equal parts, Gin, Campari, and Red Vermouth; substituting a dry sparkling wine for the gin works a treat.

Visitors to Spain will of course be familiar with the archetypal Sangria, for many the ultimate wine cocktail, redolent of

sunshine and outdoor eating.

Now available to buy readymixed, I find these versions too wimpy for me. It is a very forgiving and flexible cocktail, and great for a crowd, which I make using a bottle of cheap Spanish red plonk, to which is added a smidgen of sugar, a good slug of brandy, or Cointreau, and finished off with orange juice and soda water.

Rooting through the drinks cupboard (I am the proud owner of an original 1930s walnut cocktail cabinet, which I acquired for just £5) there is often a half used bottle of cream sherry or port lurking at the back. Equal parts of either with tonic, a dash of Angostura, and garnished with a twist of orange peel makes a lovely summer drink.

Whilst we still live under the cloud of Coronavirus, those who are able to gather for sociallydistanced get togethers may want to revert to ready-mixed cans, which are a great way to minimise washing up and avoid having to share glasses.

I liked the idea of Wild Gin And Perry Spritz (5.4%abv. £14.94 for four) which includes elderflower, sloe, plum and ginger wine.

Fans of iced tea will also enjoy Tipsy Iced Tea Vodka (5% abv. £39.50 for twelve) made with British vodka, gooseberry,

elderflower and earl grey tea.

They also offer Basil Blush Vodka for the same price, flavoured with strawberries and, unsurprisingly, basil.

East London Liquor Co.(£20 for a variety pack of 12) offers a London dry grapefruit-infused G&T (5%abv.), also available in a low-alcohol version (0.5%abv.), rum and ginger or vodka and rhubarb.

The Uncommon wine spritzer, (5.5%abv., £4.99) has to be the prettiest can of all, with grapes sourced from the south-east, and offering award-winning wines with sparkling water and English botanicals. They are dry, light and refreshing with no added sugar. Alfie, a white spritzer has cucumber, rosemary, elderflower and lemon verbena, and Peggy, their rosé version, has strawberries enhanced with mint, rose, hawthorn and lavender.

A last word; one of the challenges with restricted access to shops etc. over the last few months has been the overreliance on online shopping.

Admittedly, I usually prefer to eyeball anything I am buying and to be honest many of the websites leave a lot to be desired; two key targets, to my dismay, are M&S and Waitrose, both littered with inaccurate information.

L.P-V.

Chill-Out Somerset For all your refrigerated trailer requirements, outside events, etc.

CONTACT : Martyn Jones 07973 433586 EMAIL : chilloutsomerset@yahoo.com

THE VISITOR September 2020 21

MOTORING VINTAGE Motorcycling with Rod Hann ANOTHER MONTH has gone by and we are still in Lockdown despite a few relaxations of the restrictions. As September arrives a few more freedoms have been granted to us but not enough and/or too late to save our 2020 season of riding and enjoying the events that had been planned.

Several Sections within the VMCC have however now started a few impromptu runs where we all meet at one venue, but still keep our social distance, before riding off in groups of six bikes to do a simple ‘follow-the-leader’ route and with a stop somewhere for a coffee or a bite to eat.

We may or may not then return to the start and meet the other groups. So far these runs have proven very popular and so will continue until things return to normal. I expect other clubs are doing likewise. It does at least bring some continuity back to club life.

When not riding for the pleasure of it then I am back in the workshop doing my own thing, which at the moment means making progress on the ‘Special’ I am building. I wrote last time of this project and made mention of the many clever

engineering people there are doing similar things.

One project has recently been brought back to my attention. In the world of classic motocross in recent times one make of machine has been winning all before it.

With very talented riders on board these machines have definitely been the machine to have.

Under the banner of PDS two very clever engineers have built these very quick and successful machines. The men concerned are Martin Perrett from Buckland Newton and Mike David from Yeovil. They have learned from experience that if you take a highly modified Triumph engine and cut off the gearbox and then a KTM engine unit and cut off the engine you can then weld the Triumph engine to the KTM gearbox and make a new power unit.

It sounds simple enough until you realise that the primary drive is by direct gears so the spacing of these two parts must be very precise to allow the gears to mesh. It also means that the engine must turn in the opposite direction from normal. Therefore the head and valve gear are back to front which means retiming the camshafts.

The reversed head brings the exhaust ports to the rear of the head allowing for some straight pipes to make up the exhaust.

The carburettor is now in front of the engine and because of the

GLIDEROL GARAGE DOORS

Have a close look at the photograph to see the quality of the build.

frame geometry the carburettor is now very downdraught for better breathing.

These very trick engines are then housed in a modern type twin shock obsorber frame, either from KTM or Maico, which itself has been very much modified.

The clutches are from KTM and are housed in a cover which is partly alloy and carbon fibre.

Ignition systems are modern electronic.

These machines are beautifully engineered and a great credit to their builders. The engines produce good power but the success in motocross results not from sheer horsepower but more by the way the power is delivered.

Good torque delivery is more useful to the rider than outright power. Have a close look at the photograph to see the quality of the build.

So successful have these machines proved that number five is now in use and as each machine is a development from the one before there will never be two bikes the same. These

bikes are not for sale and built purely for the pleasure of the builders and their riders. If you ask the question Why? the usual answer is 'because we can'.

The next question of course is What's next? Well number six is already under construction and will be more trick than the last.

This one will be of monoshock design with the same powerplant except I understand that fuel injection is being considered.

The difference this time will be that the machine will be used in the modern open classes and of course will be pitted against brand new bikes from the major manufacturers.

If they gain even some success in that class that would be such an achievement for a small concern building their own machines in a workshop at Buckland Newton.

When the motocross events start again I suggest it would be so good to attend and give them a cheer to help them along. I am sure we wish them good luck for the future.

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

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22 THE VISITOR September 2020

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Antiquities finding new appeal

LAWRENCES in Crewkerne are discovering that ancient art is finding new appeal at auction. In the auctioneers’ summer auction, a Persian tinned copper bowl, probably from the time of the Safavid dynasty (1501-1736), tripled expectations to make £1,060; and an Egyptian wooden and painted ushabti figure (guardian worker in the afterlife), dating from the 2nd millennium BC, exceeded hopes to make £1,750.

‘Antiquities is a broad and academically complex field,’ explains Lawrences’ director, Neil Grenyer.

The auctioneers have a number of interesting lots destined for their forthcoming autumn auctions. A slender Egyptian alabaster cosmetic jar with raised ridge below the rim, from the Middle Kingdom (early 2nd Millennium BC) stands 8cm high and is estimated at £200-300. A fragmented Mesopotamian

foundation cone, with the cone head and a small part of the text remaining, just 9cm high, is guided at £200-300.

A Mesopotamian baked clay cuneiform tablet, from the late

3rd Millennium BC, with clear wedge-shaped cuneiform text on both sides and a complete end, about the size of a small paperback book is expected to make £300-400.

Lastly, an Egyptian polychrome painted wood sarcophagus mask from the lid of an anthropoid coffin - painted in ochre over gesso, with yellow for the skin tones, black for the eye and brow detailing and white for the sclerae - has the preserved portions of the broad wig painted in black and some of the original dowels remain.

This is from the late Dynastic Period, after 600 BC, and the auctioneers are hoping for £400600. Entries are invited until early September. Contact Neil Grenyer for advice on 01460 73041 or email neil. grenyer@lawrences.co.uk.

INSTANT CASH FOR YOUR OLD TOYS!

Egyptian polychrome painted wood sarcophagus mask from the lid of an anthropoid coffin.

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With a wealth of knowledge and experience, the team at John Hamblin are highly skilled in making and restoring furniture, working with you to provide a professional and impressive service, whilst being outstanding value for money. With John Hamblin, you are safe in the knowledge your furniture is in the safest of hands. Located on Penn Mill Trading Estate in Yeovil, there is ample parking to make visiting John Hamblin even easier.

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

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I am keen to buy all coins, banknotes & tokens No lot considered too small, including unwanted foreign money and out-of-date UK currency Please call me, or use the ‘contact me’ page on my website DAVID AYLING Mobile: 07799 880312 Email: dave@dwjayling.com Website: www.somersetcoins.com THE VISITOR September 2020 23

The

Pub Pages

BEER & SK ITTLE S P. A. BAXTER The game best known to us aficionados as 'Northampton skittles'.

IF YOU are the regular readers of this column then 'thank you' without you I'd be lost, and I'm sure you both realise that we have covered many of the great games played at our beloved pubs of Great Britain. Also you've noticed, I'm sure, how the column has become international, with reports from America and Australia. This month we move up to include another country that is part of the Commonwealth – Canada!

I've been corresponding with

Dave Rothwell in Ottawa for a couple of years and now thanks to the wonder of electrickery and screens we had a jolly good chat about our mutual interests. I've included a couple of photos that say more than any amount of words could, and I'm sure they are pretty much self-explanatory.

As you can see Dave and his contemporaries play the game best known to us aficionados as 'Northampton skittles'. He was introduced to the game on the first visit from his home country

Technology has reached the game with the scorer no longer using a piece of chalk, but a laptop and the score pops up on the screen!

24 THE VISITOR September 2020

and was immediately hooked!

Over the following months a table was constructed and installed in the local pub with the intention of 'getting them in' on the quiet night of the week (Monday), an action I have advocated for our hostelries for many years.

Technology has reached the game with the scorer no longer with a piece of chalk but a lap-top and the score pops up on screen!

Wow! As someone who once played league 'Five-pin' in Canada (yes, yet another version of the game) this all came at a good time for Dave as the dreaded 'age-related' ills that attack our bodies was making it harder to play. Dave, a skilled woodworker, is heading toward the time when he can spend more time making tables, pins and cheeses for his fellow countrymen and perhaps even make the game a national sport, and let's face it, Canada is a big country!

Many of our pubs may not have the amount of room for the size of a Northampton skittles table but I am willing to wager that many could quite easily fit in the smaller Kent 'Daddlums' table or the Dorset 'Drubbers' version which take up about the same space as a bar billiards table when not in use, and would only require the few yards extra for the throwing space when there is activity. Has your pub got the game yet? No? Pop me an email (below) if you wish to see what we can offer.

Last month we gave another mention to the game of 'Boule' or 'Pétanque' as it is more properly known. I've been delighted to hear from a CAMRA member Paul of the Heart of Wessex

Branch who kindly added a few pubs to my list of those who play this addictive game. The Bennett Arms at Semley, The Plough at Manston and The Stapleton Arms at Buckhorn Weston all have rinks, pistes or whatever you wish to call them, although the last mentioned is up for sale at the moment so unfortunately the future is a little uncertain.

The Bennett Arms has a wellused rink and the pub is managed by a CAMRA member and parttime brewer for the Wriggle Valley Brewery. Speaking of the Wriggle Valley (think ‘Chetnole’ here) their own local magazine is excellent and a couple years back even featured the junior section of the local boules club on the cover (the magazines can all be found online).

My own interest in the game was sparked some years ago and at that time a set of boules were hard to source in this country, so we had a couple of competition sets brought in from France at enormous expense. Now it's very easy to find them for sale, so make sure you always have a set in the car ready for play at that pub without a piste or a wedding party where everyone is standing around waiting for the photographer to get his pictures before the reception (and yes, we have and we did...!)

A games historian has somewhat controversially stated that Francis Drake was playing boule and not bowls prior to defeating the Spanish Armada. It's an interesting theory which has got its merits, but I'll leave that discussion for another time...!

Cheers! © P.A. Baxter 2020. skittlealley@hotmail.com

Freehold riverside pub near Glastonbury brought to market through Christie & Co

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, is delighted to bring to market The Sheppey Inn in Glastonbury, Somerset.

The Sheppey Inn is a freehold inn and restaurant, with a popular riverside beer garden and terrace (seating 150), linked trade areas with vaulted dining (seating 180), and three boutiquestyle letting bedrooms. This sale offers the potential for new owners to create additional letting accommodation.

The business sits in a quirky 17th Century former cider house, which occupies a substantial two storey building. Popular with visiting Londoners, nearby towns people and locals alike, the pub has a reputation for craft beer, local ciders and live jazz and folk music. The business offers modern British food plus an indoor wood fired BBQ, the sales of which make up approximately 60 per cent of the business’s trade.

The pub stands in an elevated position in the beautiful wilds of

The Sheppey Inn with it’s riverside garden is on the market at £950,000.

the Somerset levels, four miles from the towns of Glastonbury and Wells. It is also nearby to several nature reserves and RSPB sites at West Hay, Shapwick and Ham Wall, which attract thousands of wildlife enthusiasts each year, and are particularly popular in the winter months when many visit to watch the spectacular starlings roost.

The Inn has been owned by Mr Mark Hey since 2010, and has since undergone major works and refurbishments, including a full

re-roofing, the addition of underfloor heating and a vaulted roof in the barn, rewiring, extending the bar servery and bringing the toilets indoors. In 2018, Mr Hey created the pub’s letting rooms, which took the business to a new level, significantly increasing profits and building a regular customer base from outside of the local area. He has also developed a significant social media presence for the pub, which currently has almost ten thousand Facebook

Vinny is making the most of things

followers and a large number of Twitter and Instagram followers.

Mr Hey has decided to sell in order to permanently relocate to Portugal where he and his wife have a house. He comments, ‘It is with great sadness that we will say goodbye to The Sheppey. We have seen year on year growth since we opened in 2010, and the pub has turned into a bit of a must go tourist destination for visitors to Somerset but it also has a big regular following from the local communities especially from Bristol and Bath retaining its integrity. I’m always happily surprised at the demand for quality products like natural wines, craft beers and, of course, artisan cider by our customers.’

The Sheppey Inn is on the market for an asking price of £950,000.

They Say That the wait for the first Saturday, 1st May 2021, is faaarrrrr too long for many Dorset gardeners.

That Long Sutton village shop is now open 7 days a week.

That life has become a series of puzzles for Lynne Penny of Bradford Abbas.

That the Castle Cary Tuesday Market has been popular during the summer months.

That best wishes for a speedy recovery go to Rodney Hawkins of Lagos.

That Mrs Janet Feakins of Sprowston is now the proud owner of three mobile phones.

ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ on page 13 1) 'Train' 2) Clifford T. Ward 3) 1973 4) 'The Stranglers' 5) 'Cream' 6) Ringo 7) 2014 8) 'Pink Floyd' - Money 9) Anastacia 10) 'Replays' Anorak Bonus Question: 'A Day In the Life' from 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'

Solution to August

Sudoku

THE VISITOR September 2020 25

Luca's New Garden with Bridget Sudworth PHEW! We’ve had a few scorchers to contend with this last month. Crazy temperatures and once again, we are back to a drought situation necessitating constant watering preferably in the evening which tends to conflict with wine time!! In spite of the shortage of rain, vegetable plants have turned into triffids massive growth on purple sprouting, courgettes and Jackand-the-Beanstalk runners.

Maybe we overdid the horse manure at the beginning of the season.

Luca abandoned all his dens (thank goodness) and preferred to sleep in the coolest room in the house - his various water bowls round the garden are regularly changed not only to serve him but also the birds and insects who are in constant need of fluid with no puddles to sup from.

Roll on the possibly cooler days of September when some proper gardening jobs can be

accomplished without the need to plan the day for working in the coolest time, i.e. getting up at dawn to do an hour or so before breakfast. Or worse, needing to rest in between jobs! One of the loveliest months of the year, September always brings promise of new things, winter plans, plant and bulb ordering and schemes to bring changes for the following year. Occasionally, one gets a scent of winter in the coolest moments which can be tantalising. It’s a good month to buy seeds too; should the dreadful threat of C-19 spikes rear their head again, at least by buying in advance, there won’t be panic to find what you want when everybody else is looking for the same thing.

Help Yourself: This mouse enjoys a nice meal in the sunshine.

Making chutney this month?

It is also the month of real harvesting which generally results in stained fingers from

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stoning Victoria plums for jamming or freezing, cutting up endless onions and apples to make chutney and telling the tomatoes to hurry up and get on with fruiting so the greenhouse can be cleared. The courgettes are always rather overwhelming being fairly large in quantity to accommodate while you’re thinking about what to do with them but there are many ways to keep them as soup, yet more chutney or even as a cake - yes, I have a recipe from a kind neighbour for courgette cake! It’s not so dissimilar from carrot cake when you think about it.

With cooler days, perennials can be divided once the dead heading has been done so you can see what you’ve got and as the leaves begin to fall, they can be collected up to add to the compost heap rather than leave them to rot on the ground and, among other things, added to the compost heap, will offer richer shelter to toads over the winter.

September is also a good month to plant new shrubs though of

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

course, the soil needs to be suitably moist to aid the digging of holes in which to put them.

Once the greenhouse is clear of tomatoes and associated plants that may not have grumbled too much about temperatures of 40 deg C such as ours has been, then cleaning can commence before winter sheltered plants are stored there. I always put my geraniums in the greenhouse over winter lifted from their individual pots and packed together with loose soil in large flower pots, they seem to be fine with milder winters. Should it get cold - and when did we have one of those winters? Covers of bubble wrap seem to be sufficient to protect them.

Talk of winter may seem premature but the season changes are one of the beauties of our weather system in the temperate zone and each season brings its own joys and surprises.

One can become wearied by the daily round of duties in the garden after intense weather and one year, I became so bored with watering tomatoes which were growing outside, that I pulled up the whole lot, stripped the fruits and made masses of Green Tomato Chutney. Fortunately, our busy family are great fans of the stuff so it all goes to good homes. To say nothing of forthcoming sales when the village halls reopen their doors.

Roll on the month!

Kilver Court Secret Gardens

The 3.5–acre garden, created in 1800s and restored in 1960s by the Showering family, boasts undulating lawns, herbaceous borders, a lake, mill pond and a Chelsea Gold Medal winning rockery with waterfalls designed

by George Whitelegg in 1963.

All this takes advantage of the most stunning backdrop, the Grade II listed viaduct built for the historical Somerset and Dorset railway. Visitors can wander by the millpond, exploring the formal and informal Gardens and enjoy, on the north side of the gardens, a replica of the splendid Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winning rockery, commissioned by the Showering family in the 1960’s, where a gushing recirculated

The 3.5–acre Kilver Court Gardens were created in 1800s and restored in 1960s by the Showering family.

stream flows from pool to pool over a variety of rocky outcrops and waterfalls into the lake.

All this is set against the stunning backdrop of the Charlton Viaduct and the recently replanted 100m border beyond, a stunning example of planting using the colourist

theory - but with an interesting twist - the foliage is the predominant feature in the scheme rather than the bloom!

The rockery as well as some slopes are not accessible by wheelchair but can be viewed from the garden.

Facilities include: plants for

An abundance of flowers at Kilver Court ... 3.5 acres to explore!

sale, refreshments in the café next to the plant nursery, coaches.

Disabled Information: Wheelchair Access - Some slopes and rockery not accessible for wheelchairs but can be viewed.

Disabled parking in lower car park.

NGS opening details: Thursday 10th September from 10am-4pm. Pre book your tickets online from 7th September from www.ngs. org.uk.

Admission: £7.50, children free. Telephone: 01749 340410 or email: info@kilvercourt.com.

Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet BA4 5NF. Directions: Directly off A37 road to Bath, opp Cider factory in Shepton Mallet. Entry to all NGS gardens is by pre-booked ticket only, these are obtained through the website: www.ngs.org.uk, where they may be purchased. Confirmation of purchase is by email.

BenJohnson GARDEN MACHINERY

MOWERS LEAF BLOWERS HEDGE TRIMMERS SALES, SERVICE AND SPARES

17d Wincombe Business Park, SHAFTESBURY SP7 9QJ 01747 851021 www.benjohnsonmowers.com THE VISITOR September 2020 27

Remember when ...

30 years ago from The Visitor archives Little choice

For many people confined to their ho m e s d uri ng the Covid -19 restrictions, an important source of information and entertainment has been the television with its huge choice of channels. But 30 years ago satellite TV was still in its infancy and the September 1990 Visitor carried a brief comparison of the available systems, Sky with its round receiver dish and BSB with its ‘squarial’. ‘BSB offers five channels (Sky has seven) with five more coming when their next satellite is launched. Two are entertainment channels – Now and Galaxy – which compare favourably with Sky’s Lifestyle and Sky One because they include more English shows.

BSB’s Sports Channel is also ‘more English’ in content, but Sky offers both Screensport and Eurosport.’ The report adds that both systems have a movie channel (on subscription only) and a music channel but ‘BSB does not have a news channel – one of the big successes on Sky’.

Making your mark

The Visitor’s motoring column reminded readers that from 1st October 1990 they would be able to buy their own registration marks. ‘All buyers of H-registered cars have the opportunity to create a “select registration” consisting of the annual prefix letter – H this year – followed by a number from 1 to 20 and then any three letters to complete the mark,’ it reported. ‘H1 JIM, for example, would set you back £2,500 plus an £80 assignment fee’ but ‘less personal plates such as H17 JBP start from £200’. The reporter, Patrick Dunion I do believe, added that ‘the nearinvisible silent majority can think of better things to do with £200’.

Not so noisy

Back in the February issue I recalled the furore unleashed by Haynes Motor Museum’s proposal to use its 1km demonstration track for kart racing and car sprinting (where cars race against the clock rather than against each other), with an irate resident of South Barrow complaining that it would ‘inflict an intolerable noise assault on those living in Sparkford, South and North Barrow, Queen Camel and South and North Cadbury’.

28 THE VISITOR September 2020

The September 1990 Visitor reported that ‘the amount of noise generated by karters during the first race meeting must have been a disappointment to protesters’ with a Sparkford resident likening it to ‘the gentle hum of bees’. The report concluded that ‘for many of the competitors it was an enjoyable day: a good track, a marvellous venue, and a well-organised event. And for spectators too it was fun and hopefully not so noisy that the future of kart racing here will be in jeopardy.’

PHONE - a - FIRM

A grand stand at the racecourse

Racing of a different kind made the headlines in September 1990 – the imminent completion of the Hatherleigh Stand at Wincanton Racecourse. This new multipurpose grandstand was designed to give panoramic views of the course and the surrounding countryside, with the top floor devoted to private viewing boxes, the middle floor providing covered seating behind glass plus food and drink bars for all spectators, and the ground floor being a large room suitable for wedding receptions, parties, dinner dances, exhibitions and suchlike. It can also be divided into three separate units for race sponsors and corporate entertaining. The official opening of the Stand was on 11th October at the first race meeting of the season, and it remains a prominent feature on its hilltop site north of the town.

Pub memories

Pub adverts often contain reminders of times long gone. In September 1990 the Catash Inn at North Cadbury was proudly announcing a new non-smoking area in its restaurant, and the Butt of Sherry at Mere was claiming to provide the cheapest pint for miles. ‘A choice of SPA Bitter or Super Mild at only £1 per pint – even less in Happy Hour (5-6pm Monday to Friday)’.

The White Hart in Castle Cary was inviting readers to get involved in its pub quiz league.

‘Every other Sunday throughout the winter until May’, it stated, seeking teams of up to four players. And the Miller’s Inn in Wincanton announced that ‘the old routine of skittles, darts and pool leagues are about to start again’. In Visitorland’s pubs nowadays few games leagues survive, the entire premises are non-smoking, and a pint of decent beer at less than £4 is indeed a bargain.

Roger Richards.

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

DEADLINE for October Issue is Friday 18th September

PHONE - a - FIRM • PHONE - a - FIRM Dave Hoddinott TV & AUDIO SPECIALISTS SINCE 1968

● SALES ● SERVICING ● REPAIRS ● INSTALLATIONS Greenhill, Sherborne, DT9 4EW Tel: 01935 813451 www.goddenandcurtis.co.uk

FULLY QUALIFIED BUILDER ESTABLISHED 1973

• Renovations & Extensions • Roofing + Carpentry • Plumbing & Heating • Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiling • Painting & Decorating • Electrical Contracting Competitive Prices No Job Too Big or Too Small FRIENDLY & RELIABLE SERVICE

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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

SCENES

Artist Materials & Gallery A family firm in the centre of Sherborne

Flexible sizes and prices from £50 per month www.sherbornestorage.co.uk 07398624975

The Visitor can be read online www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

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

To ADVERTISE in CALL 01963 351256

Bourton Roofing Co. Slate  Tiling  Flat Roofing.

UPVC Fascias  Guttering FREE ES T I M AT E S

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

SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS Small and Large Loads Tel: 07973 871708 Evenings: 01935 825506 THE VISITOR September 2020 29

Classified Ads Details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BP or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk. 30p per word (£5 minimum) pre-payment essential.

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

Personal

For Sale

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

SHEPHERDS HUT for sale, 12ft. £3500.

Telephone evenings only between 6-7pm, 07813 864844

JUST SOMERSET INTRODUCTIONS. Bringing people together. Call Alison Tel: 07584 250285, www.justintro ductionsgroup.co.uk MARTIN, 62, would like to meet lady 4070. Taurus, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius. Tel. 01258 472910 AN EXTRA INCOME with minimum effort.

For details please visit www.doubledeal.co.uk, if joining please quote reference 001NK

Storage STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles.

Lock-up garages to let. Tel: Sparkford Storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692

Services HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN RUBBISH CLEARED, old sheds / outbuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844 YOUR ADVERT HERE, from £5 for 20 words. Email: info@thevisitor magazine.co.uk or tel: 01963 351256

Prize Crossword No. 406 Set by Frank Butler

19

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, fP.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BP – to arrive by Friday 18th September.

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.

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

Daves Tools, Est. 1989. 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 CLASSICAL AND JAZZ LP RECORDS: CDs also considered. Tel: 01458 834102 / 07704229979 / email: tonyartony @aol.com AUTOMOBILIA, AUTOJUMBLE, woodworking and engineering tools. Tel: 01747 850474 POSTCARDS, pop memorabilia, coins, badges, old toys, games, and anything military. Tel: Clive 01749 675456 A L L S P O RT S P R O G R A M M E S a n d books, memorabilia and ephemera – especially football. Large collections welcome. Cash paid. Tel: Clive 01749 675456 PETROL OR DIESEL GENERATORS. Any make/model, we collect in any area.

Top prices paid in cash. Tel: 07970 742471

Across: 1. To provide for feline hesitation [5] 4. True spare holes [9] 9. Timidly nearly (not quite fully) about you in Calais [9] 10. Plant-based substance in which evil is found after scripture lesson [5] 11. Dispute broken up after lady left: How it ended? [5] 12. Command after man heard to shop by post [4-5] 13. Transfixed by scamp having drink with daughter [7] 15. Graduate hugging representative becoming reddish-purple! [7] 18. Note awakens complaints [7] 20. Strange creed with exercise to go before [7] 21. Neat timer to conclude with [9] 23. Steer clear of a vacuum [5] 25. Animal arrived last first [5] 26. Quiet inhabitant of 7 in the chair [9] 27. Coal-fired vessel has shattered beam with mammal about [5-4] 28. Ceremonies where spirit escapes in part [5] Down: 1. Firm point melting and muddling [9] 2. Reverses acts [5] 3. Floor site uppermost in the house [4-5] 4. Because total supported by notes, taken for granted [7]

5. Delightful place where smiley takes a turn [7] 6. Hill, thus trunk [5] 7. Dwelling on the matter of team taking second-half chance [9] 8. Less crazy, but makes an error in part! [5] 14. Sequence of events supporting 0.035oz [9] 16. Soldier ordered near ridge [9] 17. Dates once and concocts tales! [9] 19. Bad actor enters - Oops! Wrong way! Good for clean-up! [7] 20. Excuse before words [7] 21. Watch sound of blood-suckers [5] 22. Religion revealed by mix-up in the mails [5] 24. Unconcealed floating voter [5]

Solution to Crossword 405

Winner of our August Crossword Was Zo Turner of Castle Cary who chose to spend the £10 voucher at Needful Things, Castle Cary.

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH SOS TO ALL AIR RIFLES AND PISTOLS, ANY MAKE OR MODEL WE COLLECT IN ANY AREA, TOP PRICES PAID IN CASH

07970 742471 30 THE VISITOR September 2020