This magazine has never expressed a party political leaning but instead has delighted in commenting on the foibles of candidates in local and general elections regardless of their party, and on the policies that the successful candidates have endeavoured to enact. With this is mind it’s timely to comment on the outcome of July’s general election. The pundits and pollsters were proved right in predicting a landslide victory for the Labour Party, but thanks to our strange electoral system that hasn’t meant that the party amassed vastly more support than the other parties – it received only around one-third of the total votes cast. Nor did it attract a significantly larger proportion of the votes than in the previous election – just a smidgen over 1% more. Is a massive Commons majority healthy for Parliamentary democracy if a significant proportion of the electorate find themselves under-represented or even unrepresented, we have to ask.
All of Visitorland apart from the Mere, Gillingham and Shaftesbury areas is now represented by Liberal Democrat MPs –shades of 2010 when David Laws, David Heath and Tessa Munt represented this area. Their successors – Adam Dance, Sarah Dyke and Tessa Munt (back again) – have been joined by Edward Morello whose West Dorset constituency includes the Sherborne and Sturminster Newton areas. All four must ensure that they are easily accessible to all of their constituents and that they listen carefully to the ideas and views of the under-represented who didn’t vote for them.
Although the 72 Lib Dem MPs make up 30% of the Commons opposition the Visitor would not want them to oppose the Government simply for the sake of it. Many of the measures announced in the recent King’s Speech are to be welcomed although all need careful scrutiny. The devil’s in the detail and unintended consequences of policies can be painful, so scrutiny is an important job for the opposition. So is
lobbying for action on issues that need strengthening or have been overlooked, such as cleaning up the local environment, supporting the agricultural community, providing adequate NHS dental services, improving public transport and giving fairer funding to local government, all of which are of great importance in Visitorland. And the threats posed by climate change must ever be at the forefront of their minds.
The Labour Party’s major areas of strength are in London, the West Midlands, South Wales, the North of England and the Scottish lowlands. It will be all too easy for the Government to devote most of its attention to these areas and ignore the issues affecting rural areas like Visitorland. The ousted Conservative Government took our support for granted and paid the price at the election. Our new Lib Dem representatives must make sure that the Labour Government doesn’t make the same mistake of making Visitorland’s needs a low priority.
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September Issue Deadline: 19th August Published: 29th August
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CONTENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED 38 ANTIQUES 20
CHILDREN’S WORLD 18
CROSSWORD 38 GARDENING 32
GILLINGHAM & SHAFTESBURY SHOW 22
HOUSE & HOME 29 LOOKING GOOD 20
LEISURE 17
LETTERS 4
MENTIONED in DISPATCHES 5
MOTORING 30
NOTICE BOARD 17
PAMPER YOUR PET 28
PHONE A FIRM 37
POP QUIZ 17
PUBS 33
REMEMBER WHEN 36
SUDOKU 17
THE BIGGER PICTURE 21 THEY SAY 33
WINCANTON Business Focus 25 WINE & DINE 31
Cartoons by GEOFF THOMPSON
In passing Sir,
I have just read your inside page. I couldn't agree more about how people travel through Somerset, not realising how amazing the people and History of our great County really is!
I run the History Hut at Low Ham, which is all about showing other aspects of Somerset, not just the beautiful scenery, food and drink.
Roger Evans’ book, Somerset's forgotten Heroes, Mac Hawkins’ book, Somerset at War , and Somerset's Bloody History , are
just a few of the resources that can open people's eyes to just how important this County has been, and still is. I could go on ... but I wouldn't stop for ages!
Karen Cook Low Ham
Save Wincanton High Street
Sir,
I appreciate that we need housing and the Labour Government will have a serious impact on housing development in the future. However, employment is the life blood of any Town.
The proposed 650 houses at
KILN DRIED LOGS
six
Curry
Langport TA10
Hook Valley Farm will provide jobs for the developers who have their own work force and once the development has been completed the workers will disappear and the local economy will suffer.
This development is short sighted, what Wincanton needs is investment to once again attract people with money who will spend it locally.
The old factory could be developed into luxury flats valued in excess of £1m, with luxury facilities.
The old Health Centre and Cale House could be converted into flats.
The land to the rear of Cale House could be developed together with land on Common Road. Such residents would be within walking distance of the
THIS SIZE ADVERT COSTS JUST £15 PER MONTHShouldnʼt you be advertising here?
High Street. Whereas the residents of Hook Valley will need to drive, why would you drive into Wincanton when it is easier to drive to Castle Cary or Sherborne who have better facilities.
Hook Valley Farm would be ideal for an 18 hole golf course with pitch and putt, including driving ranges, this would provide long term employment and would also be of benefit to Holbrook Manor and The Newt Somerset.
I expect the majority of the 6000 residents of Wincanton are unaware of what’s at risks with such a development.
Objection to such a development at Hook Valley Farm needs to be registered before the end of September 2024.
Margaret Grant, Wincanton
Bruton Art Society’s Annual Exhibition, to be held in the Memorial Hall, King’s School Bruton 17-24 August
HAVING celebrated Bruton Art Society’s 70 years since it began last year, they now move on to the next decade with their 71st Annual Exhibition.
This will again be held in the beautiful Memorial Hall, King’s School Bruton, with thanks to the Headmaster, and is open to the public from the 17th to the 24 August, 10 - 4pm including Sunday.
The strength and size of the exhibition has grown over the years and last year 152 members exhibited their work with 1,200 visitors over the week.
“This is a reflection of the many amateur and professional artists we have here in the region, which provides and maintains the high standard of work which we are proud to promote”.
Bruton Art Society are also very grateful to their sponsors who
support the different awards on offer during the Exhibition and they certainly could not produce a show of this size without their dedicated volunteers who step up each year to help.
www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk
Bruton Art Society’s 71st Annual Exhibition runs from 17t - 24 August at King’s Memorial Hall in Bruton.
MAX FOOTE Associates Ltd
Chartered Certified Accountants
2 Bailey Hill Castle Cary BA7 7AD Tel: 01963 351052
Business and limited company accounts, self assessment tax returns, VAT, Payroll, Book-keeping and Training
Personal and professional service
Heritage Café – Catching up on Past and Present
As part of a new project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Red Brick Building will be setting up and hosting a regular Heritage Café for older people in Glastonbury and beyond. The team at the Red Brick Building hope that this will provide a welcoming and friendly place for people to gather, socialise and share their memories of Morlands and Baily’s. There will, of course, be tea, coffee and cake!
This project builds on work done last year at the Red Brick Building. The 2023 local heritage project, part of Historic England’s ‘Everyday Heritage’ scheme, explored the memories and experiences of people who had worked at Morlands and Baily’s – two large sheepskin manufacturers in the Beckery area of Glastonbury. Due to that project’s success, further funding has been secured from the Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, the new project Morlands and Baily’s:
Industry and Community in Glastonbury and Street will provide more opportunities for local people to meet and share their memories of Glastonbury’s industrial heritage. This informal café will support older people and provide a sociable and relaxed place for them to chat and enjoy each other’s company.
As well as work, Morlands was a place of friendship. Photo courtesy of Siobhan White.
Project co-ordinator Alison Horgan commented:
“We were bowled over by how many people came forward to share their memories of Morlands and Baily’s last year. We’d love to hear from others and would also encourage people with a connection to Morlands or Baily’s to come along to the Heritage Café at the Red Brick Building to meet old friends and make new ones.”
THE BUT TERCROSS TEAROOMS
Market Place, Somer ton (01458) 273168
Homemade Cakes & Scones Morning Coffee, Cream Teas Lunch Served 12 – 3pm Open: Tue – Sat 9am – 5pm
She added: “We noticed that in some ways, this remarkable part of Glastonbury’s history has been forgotten. We think it is really important to honour the people who made such a huge contribution to our local community and economy and to share their stories far and wide. The Heritage Café will also provide a valuable social focus for anyone who is interested in local heritage.”
The Red Brick Building, originally part of the Morlands factory, is now a community owned social enterprise. It offers a vibrant space for all delivering music, arts, education and enterprise with hire spaces, coworking desk and offices. Any profit is used for community impact initiatives in the building and the community garden.
The café will be held on the last Friday of each month between 10am and 12.30pm at the Red Brick Building, Morland Road, Glastonbury, BA6 9FT and is free and open to all. There will be a different focus at each session with plenty of time for chat, laughter and refreshments. The café will start at the end of the summer, with the first session being on Friday September 27th. If you would like more information or have any questions, please get in touch with Alison Horgan via email on heritage@redbrickbuilding.co.uk or phone 01458 899564. You can also find out more about the Red Brick Building by visiting its website www.redbrick building.co.uk.
Courses at Carymoor
Carymoor is an environmental charity based on a former landfill site near Castle Cary. For the past 25 years they have turned the site into a unique nature reserve and welcome around 4,000 children every year for environmental education. As well as educating children they also run a range of courses and events for adults and families. Join pottery clubs, learn to weave a variety of beautiful willow baskets, or make willow stars and wreaths ready for Christmas. All
Members of the Morlands Fire Brigade, 1970. Photograph from Morlands Magazine.
Mentioned
in Dispatches
of the courses can also be bought as gift vouchers for that perfect eco-friendly gift. They are also running an arts and crafts holiday club for children aged 712 in August. Visit www. carymoor.org.uk to find out more.
on a recent basket making course at Carymoor with their finished baskets and dragonflies.
East Lambrook Manor Gardens - inspirational in August
“When in doubt, plant a geranium”. So wrote Margery Fish, the renowned plantswoman and gardening writer, in her first book We Made A Garden , first
published in 1956 and republished once again in June this year. The book is full of good advice and has inspired generations of budding gardeners to pick up a trowel and head out into the garden and it has encouraged many to visit her inspirational cottage garden at East Lambrook Manor to see for themselves the garden she created in the 1940’s and 50’s.
The garden has changed little and is loved by visitors for its cottage garden abundance and its ability to inspire with planting ideas for their own plot. The house and garden, which have had three private owners since Margery Fish’s day, are currently on the market once again so, with its future uncertain, now is the time to visit before it is gone.
Margery Fish started a small nursery in the 1950’s and today the nursery, which now bears her name, still thrives offering an ever changing and tempting selection of cottage garden favourites for visitors to choose from.
Garden, nursery and café open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am5pm. East Lambrook Manor Gardens, Silver Street, East Lambrook, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5HH Tel: 01460 240328 www.eastlambrook.com.
Learners
East Lambrook Manor Gardens, nursery and café are open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm.
Mentioned in Dispatches
15 years of CISPP (2009 – 2024)
The Carnivals In Somerset Promotion Project (CISPP) was formed in 2009 by a small group of carnival folk who were very concerned that the unique heritage of the Somerset Illuminated Carnivals could be lost in the future unless efforts were made to encourage more people to take part through the means of education and entertainment. CISPP is now celebrating its 15th anniversary of successful and sustainable activities. These have been, and continue to be: the mobile exhibition van; schools’ visits; creating educational, entertainment and promotional carnival DVDs; producing and disseminating an annual carnival promotional dates leaflet; and supporting carnival in general throughout the year.
In 2009 the CISPP group successfully applied to The Heritage Lottery Fund to
purchase a van for use as an exhibition vehicle which has now made over 100 school visits and has attended over 20 events and
carnivals in most years since.
In 2011 CISPP organised an oral histories day where young and old talked and shared
carnival experiences. In 2011 they were filmed for the BBC at Ilminster carnival for an episode of Britain’s Heritage Heroes with John Craven and Jules Holland. In 2012 CISPP took part in the opening ceremony of the Olympics at Weymouth where a 10-minute film showcasing illuminated carnival was shown. In 2013 CISPP produced a DVD featuring the history and evolution of carnival carts over the years which was updated in 2017.
CISPP was awarded a second lottery grant to make another DVD Walking Your Way Into Carnival depicting the history and evolution of masqueraders in carnival from 1605 to 2014. Other DVDs produced using archive footage are: ‘have a cracking good carnival Christmas’, ‘scary carts’, ‘cirque de fun’, ‘we are the champions’, ‘nearly the champions’ and ‘best of the rest’, plus a celebration of bygone clubs USB 1980s-2020s.
In 2015 CISPP obtained a third lottery grant to buy a satellite dish and to have training to run live webcasts from their carnivals which continued for several years. Also in 2015 CISPP collaborated with playwright Malcolm Martin who wrote a play set at Wells Carnival called Kingdom of the
Mentioned in Dispatches
Ice Bear. CISPP also created a carnival comic book with professional cartoonist Nick Roberts. Virtual carnivals kept the spirit alive during 2020 and 2021 when the carnivals were unfortunately unable to take place due to the Covid pandemic.
Sculpture in the garden at East Lambrook Manor throughout August and September
A late summer addition to the much-loved cottage garden at East Lambrook Manor will be a display of beautiful metallic garden sculptures by the multi-
talented Somerset sculptor Chris Kampf.
Kampf trained as a jewellery designer and silversmith and worked in this field for several years before the desire to work on bigger things inspired him. He began by designing several sculptures based on ferns, which were a big success, and he now enjoys the freedom of working on a much larger scale than in his earlier career.
The inspiration for Kampf’s work comes from nature. The humble hedgerow has given him the opportunity to expand on his plant-based theme with cow parsleys, teasels, grasses, wild roses and ferns influencing his designs.
More recently garden flowers have been introduced, such as rudbeckias, alliums and snowdrops. His steel snowdrops have proved to be a big hit with ‘galanthophiles’ at East
Lambrook’s annual Festival of Snowdrops in February and they are now sold by the garden throughout the year - proving that you can have snowdrops in your garden all year round, albeit metal ones!
His sophisticated plant-form inspired metalwork will be suitably sited throughout the beautiful gardens, bringing a
touch of excitement at a time of the year when the abundance and lushness of early summer is beginning to give way to the mellowness of the approaching autumn. The exhibition will run throughout August and September.
Garden, sculpture exhibition, nursery and café open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm.
Metallic sculptures by Somerset sculptor Chris Kampf are on display at East Lambrook Manor Gardens throughout August & September.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Photography enthusiasts invited to submit their best shots of wildlife, nature reserves, and landscapes in anniversary photography competition
As part of Somerset Wildlife Trust’s ongoing 60th anniversary celebrations, nature lovers of all ages are being encouraged to submit entries to the charity’s special anniversary photography competition. Participants are being asked to capture the spirit of Somerset in one of three categories: Landscapes and Habitats, Nature Reserves, and Wildlife.
Six winners will be selected, each receiving a year’s free Somerset Wildlife Trust membership. One overall winner will also be chosen, who will receive the top prize of a private guided tour at Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve, the Trust’s flagship reserve in the heart of the Somerset Levels. On top of these fantastic prizes, the six winners, along with a number of shortlisted entrants, will also have the chance to see their
photographs exhibited at the Trust’s 60th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will be taking place in November this year.
The closing date for entries is 1st September, and all photos must be taken within the county of Somerset. The contest will be judged by a panel of experts, including Victoria Hillman, a professional macro wildlife photographer, and representatives and volunteers from Somerset Wildlife Trust Kirby Everett, Head of Marketing Communications at Somerset Wildlife Trust, says:
“We’re thrilled to be celebrating our 60th anniversary with this photography competition, as it’s always inspiring to see so many amazing photos taken on our patch. As a Trust, we’ve been working to protect and restore Somerset’s wildlife and wild places for six decades now, and
this competition will help us highlight some of those incredible landscapes and diverse species that make Somerset such a special place.”
Victoria Hillman, professional wildlife photographer, says: “Somerset is an incredible county, with amazing nature and wildlife. Being out in nature surrounded by wildlife is the most calming feeling for me, and being able to capture that in a photograph creates memories of that moment and provides inspiration for other art forms.”
To enter the competition, and for more information, visit the Somerset Wildlife Trust website: www.somersetwildlife.org/photocompetition.
Gardens Open for Charity - August
NEW: CHANTRY FARM
Phillips Hill, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton DT10 1NU. Contact: Ivan & Sue Shenkman Chantry Farm is a new opening and offers a series of gardens surrounding the 16C Farmhouse and three renovated barns. Designed by Justin Spink there are colourful long borders, walled gardens, swimming pool area, cutting and vegetable gardens. Espalier fruit trees, pleached hornbeam and weeping pears divide the areas. Fields with mown paths and beautiful views. Seating and wheelchair access.
Open: Sun 18 Aug (1.30-5.30). Adm £8, chd free. Home-made teas. Visits also by arrangement Apr to Sept for groups of 10 to 20.
Location: Between Shaftesbury & Sherborne. From the A30 turn W at East Stour to Marnhull on the B3092. After the Crown pub turn 2nd R onto New St. After 1m at the L bend Chantry Farm is on the R.
GLENHOLME HERBS
Penmore Road, Sandford Orcas, Sherborne DT9 4SE
Contact: Maxine & Rob Kellaway Paths meander through large, colourful beds inspired by Piet Oudolf. Featuring a wide
Mentioned in Dispatches
selection of herbs and salvias along with grasses, verbena and echinacea. Planted with wildlife in mind and alive with pollinators. The garden also features a beautiful natural swimming pond. A mixture of grass and firm gravel paths.
Open: Sat 10, Sun 11 Aug (104). Adm £4, chd free. Home-made teas.
Location: 3m N of Sherborne. Please see directions on our website & type Glenholme Herbs into Google maps to find us as the postcode will take you to the wrong location.
HILLTOP
Woodville, Stour Provost, Gillingham SP8 5LY
Contact: Josse & Brian Emerson
Summer at Hilltop is a gorgeous riot of colour and scent, the old thatched cottage barely visible amongst the flowers. Unusual annuals and perennials grow alongside the traditional and familiar, boldly combining to make a spectacular display, which attracts an abundance of wildlife. Always something new, the unique, gothic garden loo is a great success.
Open: Sun 11, Sun 18 Aug (26). Adm £4, chd free. Home-made teas.
Location: 7m N of Sturminster Newton, 5m W of Shaftesbury. On B3092 turn E at Stour Provost Xrds, signed Woodville. After 1¼m thatched cottage on R. On A30, 4m W of Shaftesbury, turn S opp Kings Arms. 2nd turning on R signed Woodville, 100 yds on L.
ARDHURST
Nash Lane, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton DT10 1JZ
Contact: Mr & Mrs Ed Highnam. The garden has been 7 yrs in the making. Plantsman’s content and borders in reconstruction, large netted vegetable area, water harvesting, and all work in progress. A riot of colour in Aug/ Sept. All plants for pollination and year-round interest. Tall grasses and varied fruit trees. Parking in field indicated. Parking in driveway for wheelchair access, though driveway is rough & assistance will be needed. Rest of garden laid to lawn, patio at rear for shade.
Open: Sat 24, Sun 25 Aug (15.30). Adm £7, chd free. Home-made teas, Wine. Location: 3m N of Sturminster Newton. From A30 E Stour, B3092 3m to Marnhull, Crown Inn on R. Turn R down Church Hill, follow NGS yellow signs. From Sturminster Newton, 3m into Marnhull, turn L down Church Hill, follow yellow signs.
BLACK SHED
Blackmarsh Farm, Dodds Cross, Sherborne DT9 4JX
Contact: Paul & Helen Stickland
Over 200 colourful and productive flower beds growing a sophisticated selection of cut flowers and foliage to supply florists and the public for weddings, events and occasions
throughout the seasons. Traditional garden favourites, delphiniums, larkspur, foxgloves, scabious and dahlias alongside more unusual perennials, foliage plants and grasses, creating a stunning and unique display. A warm welcome and generous advice on creating your own cut flower garden is offered. Easy access from gravel car park. Wide grass pathways enabling access for wheelchairs. Gently sloping site.
Open: Sun 25 Aug (1-5). Adm £5, chd free.
Location: From Sherborne, follow A30 towards Shaftesbury. Black Shed approx 1m E at Blackmarsh Farm, on L, next to The Toy Barn. Large car park shared with The Toy Barn.
CASTLE RINGS
Donhead St. Mary, Shaftesbury SP7 9BZ
Contact: Michael Thomas
Small, long garden in two parts laid out beside an Iron Age hill fort with spectacular views. A formal area with colourful planting and pots is followed by a paved area with more pots and steps leading through informal planting. Topiary, roses and clematis on tripods.
Open: Sun 25 Aug (2-5). Adm £5, chd free.
Location: 2m N of Shaftesbury. A350 Shaftesbury/Warminster road, past Wincombe Business Park. 1st R signed Wincombe & Donhead St Mary.
Entries subject to change –latest info at www.ngs.org.uk.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Hatch House Open Garden
Saturday 31st August in aid of Salisbury Hospice Charity
Idyllic Hatch House in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, by the kind permission of Sir Henry and Lady Rumbold, will once again hold its annual Open Garden on Saturday 31st August.
This is a great event for all the family and a chance to see the 17th Century walled Dutch garden with amazing views over Charity Open Garden at Hatch House takes place on 31st August.
Spencer Mulholland. the Vale of Wardour. There are a wide variety of stalls to browse from books to collectables and the clothes marquee as always, a magnet for bargain hunters and now boasts a tent for ladies and a tent for gentlemen, making shopping and browsing much easier.
All proceeds will again go to the Salisbury Hospice Charity Over the years this event has raised thousands and thousands of pounds to help the charity continue its valuable workwww.salisburyhospicecharity. org.uk. Admission per person: Adults - £5, Children - £2. Opening Times: 11am-4.30pm. Tea/coffee and cake tent, Pimms tent and BBQ by Compton McRae.
www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk
Garage sale - Saturday morning - August 3rd ... and August 10th, 10am - 1pm Due to downsizing, Furniture etc. Beds, chairs. bureau, desks. Cabinets, bedside tables, trolleys, garden bench and more available at Norton Sub Hamdon TA146SN.
Everyone welcome. For more information please contact Malcolm Reid on 01935 881241. All monies made will be shared between Norton Community Shop, and Norton Village Hall.
Chorale21 - a new Choir for Somerset
A new choir is about to burst onto the Somerset scene: Chorale21 will bridge the gap between a choral society and small chamber choir.
As a medium-sized choir (about 40 singers), rehearsing in Glastonbury, Chorale21 will sing diverse repertoire from the Renaissance to the 21st century. The first concert (April 2025 in St John’s, Glastonbury) will include James Whitbourn’s moving Requiem Canticorum. Written in 2010, and accompanied by organ and saxophone, this warm, lyrical piece is typical of some of the undiscovered music that Chorale21 will champion.
Photo
Mentioned in Dispatches
Aimed at singers with some experience, Chorale21 will be directed by Matthew Redman. Matthew is Director of Music at
St John’s Glastonbury, often plays the organ at Wells Cathedral and is well known as a choral conductor. His rehearsals are animated, ground in solid musical understanding, yet fun and uplifting.
Chorale21’s first event will ‘Come and Sing Handel’s Messiah’ (the choruses). This will be held on Saturday 23 November in the Catholic Church Community Hall, Cheddar.
Commenting on the plans, Matthew said:
“I am very excited to be leading this new choir; there is so much music out there waiting to be heard. Of course we will sing some tried and tested favourites as well, but Chorale21 will always include something written this century in every performance”.
Details of how to join, how to sign up for the November ‘Come & Sing’ and concert plans can be
found on the Chorale21 website: www.chorale21.org.uk or by sending an email to info@ chorale21.org.uk.
With adverts from just £15+VAT per month, shouldn’t you be promoting your business here?
Matthew Redman at Blossom's of Wells, where the organising committee hold their planning meetings and eat excellent cake!
August Notice Board
Bruton
Bruton Art Society – 71st Annual Exhibition. Sat 17 – Sat 24 August 2024. King's Bruton Memorial Hall, BRUTON BA10 0ED. Free entry 10-4 daily Affordable Art from the best Regional Artists.
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 33
Bruton
Saturday, August 17th - Bruton & District Horticultural Society 99th Annual Show 2.30pm Details on brutonhorticultural .org.uk.
Somerton
Somerton Group of Artists 2024
Art Exhibition and Sale of Works. Tuesday 3rd- Friday 6th September(10am-4pm) Saturday 7th (10am-3pm) at The Parish Rooms, Somerton TA117LZ. Free admission.
So, you think you know your Pop music, do you ? By John Osborne
Answers can be found on page 35
1) Who sang along with Queen with their hit 'Under Pressure'?
2) 'Africa', 'Hold the Line' and 'Rosanna' all came from which band?
3) Name the year in which David Bowie's single 'Starman' was first released.
4) George Benson said 'Never Give Up on a …' what?
5) How do we best know Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta?
6) Name the band who has been riding a Bus quite recently.
7) Lyrics “I got a job with Stanley, he said I'd come in handy”
8) Which Beatles song spent two weeks at number one in August 1964?
9) 'Constant Craving'. A single from which female?
10) What duration of time were the Bare Naked ladies banging on about?
Bonus question
How many times have The Who had a number one single?
Worth a Guess Bonus Willie Nelson is still performing. How old is he?
Great quotes in Music (160)
“I've been told that Wagner's music is better than it sounds” – Mark Twain
Summer dating with Alison at Just Somerset Introductions
Hello everyone, with most of us making the most of the longer summer days what a great way to enjoy them and meet someone new too! I cover Somerset, we are also in Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Devon. It all starts with an initial chat on the phone and we interview all clients in their own homes.
People meet at the socials as well on one to ones, a great
alternative to online dating where you don’t know who you are meeting. We do coffee meets, NT, gardens and houses, theatre and music events, bowling, pub lunches to name a few. We offer a professional, caring and confidential service. We cover all ages 25+ and younger ones are welcome! Take a look at our website for more information and testimonials too. What are you waiting for? What price happiness? Look forward to hearing from you.
Castle Cary & Ansford
Carnival Society Sunday Funday, Sunday 18th August
PLEASE come and support
Castle Cary & Ansford Carnival Society at their Sunday Funday, on Sunday 18th August at Castle Cary Rugby Club, BA7 7PF, 125pm.
There’s fun for all the family with a car show, displays from Castle Cary Majorettes, an array of stalls, musical entertainment,
bouncy castle, cake stall and a car boot.
The barbeque will be stoked, the bar will be open and the kettle will be on. Only £1 per person entry and free car parking.
For more information go to the Facebook page www.facebook .com/CaryCarnivalSociety or the website at www.ccacs.org.uk. If you would like a stall, to enter a car or a car boot then please do
message them on Facebook or the website. Hope to see you there.
The race is on, how many stamps can you collect? Ten new stamping stations and five new collection points have been added to the Somerset and Exmoor Coast Trail Passport
Following the successful launch of the passport in autumn 2023 it has been reprinted, in time for the summer season, with the addition of new stamping and collection points. The passport has maps, route details and space for walkers to record their memories and collect stamps from forty-five cafes, pubs, hotels, galleries and shops along the way.
Isobel Pring, King Charles III England Coast Path Officer for Somerset, said:
“We are encouraging everyone to join our guided walk at the Somerset & Exmoor Coast Festival: eighty miles in eight days! Each walker will receive a passport at the beginning and be
encouraged to collect as many stamps as they can during their trip. Take a look at the walks at www.eventbrite.com/cc/80-milesin-eight-days-challenge-walks-31 74409.”
The free passport can be collected from the National Trust at Brean Down, visitor information centres at Burnhamon-Sea, Watchet, Dunster, Minehead and Porlock and Bridgwater Town Hall and new for this year Burton Springs Holidays and Fishery, Thomas Poole Library (Nether Stowey), Williton Library, Watchet Community Library and Minehead Library.
Ian, from Burnham-on-Sea information centre, reported that: “the passport has been very popular and we hope the interest will continue to grow as more people discover our beautiful coast.”
At the other end of the trail, at Minehead information centre, Sally told us:
“People have been pleased to receive a Somerset and Exmoor
These ten new stamping stations and five new collection points have been added to the Somerset and Exmoor Coast Trail Passport.
Coast Trail Passport. One person visiting the area from Winchester walked from Minehead to Blue Anchor collecting stamps on their way. Other people, who were excited to pick up the passport, planned to walk the full route over time. It has certainly helped to encourage people to walk along and enjoy the King Charles III
England Coast Path.”
Passport holders are being encouraged to share images of themselves at each of the stamping points using #SomersetExmoorCoast.
Details of all the collection and stamping points, along with exclusive offers for passport holders, can be downloaded here www.somerset.gov.uk/coastpath.
Summer camps at Mill on the Brue, Somerset’s favourite Outdoor Centre
The Summer holidays are here! Mill on the Brue can entertain your children in the perfect setting where they will meet other children, be outside all day, try new or familiar activities, all on a digital detox!
Mill on the Brue can definitely help at their family run Centre, based just outside Bruton, South
Somerset. They have been offering residential activity holidays for over 42 years to children from 8 – 15 years, or Adventure day camps for 8 - 12 years - they really know what children like!
The days are packed with fun, exciting and challenging activities; have a look at www.millonthebrue.co.uk to see the wide range, all set in their beautiful 25 acres of river, woodland and fields.
It’s a place of freedom, discovery and learning more about the environment, guided
by fun, friendly and experienced instructors. And the meals! Delicious, homecooked, using many of their own organically grown vegetables and fruit. Plenty of seconds too!
Children staying for a week or more arrive on a Sunday afternoon and depart after a special prizegiving on Saturday afternoon.
Camps started Sunday 14th July and run until Friday 23rd August. Day camps are Mondays to Fridays, from 8.45am until 5.00pm and run until the 21st August 2024.
Mill on the Brue, a family-run activity centre for children have been offering residential activity holidays for over 42 years.
Alfa Romeo Spider from Absolutely Fabulous up for auction this August with estimate of £26,000 - £30,000 FORCED to economize and with Harrods no longer delivering, Edina gives up her chauffeur driven Daimler and buys ‘the smallest car she could find’.
Causing mayhem, goaded by Patsy, on the roads of Holland Park enroute to the supermarket, later clamped outside Harvey Nicholls’ front door, she is eventually arrested at the wheel with the parcel-shelf groaning with champagne and designer shopping bags.
The Ab-Fab Alfa Romeo Spider is being auctioned at The Silverstone Festival on 24 August.
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Family Health with Jenna Evans
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THIS MONTH I'll be taking a little break from my series on medications. There's been a recurring theme coming my way these past few weeks and as you know when that happens I like to explore it further in these articles! That theme is memory – or rather forgetfulness! It seems many of us are feeling a little frayed of brain lately – we've even had people leaving things in the shop at a rate exceeding many fold normal levels. Whatever the reasons – and there are many possibilities – this can be a frightening symptom. We're all aware of increasing rates of dementia and many of us have nursed loved ones through harrowing cognitive decline. Stress, bereavement and tiredness can also make us more forgetful – and there's certainly plenty of those things going around at the moment. So here are some of my top tips and remedies for a happier brain.
Use it or lose it – I think there can be no doubt now that keeping the brain and body active helps maintain peak fitness. I think exercising the brain with puzzles regularly is a great idea. I'm a cryptic crossword girl myself but whatever keeps you having to think and problem solve is good. Physical activities involving memory and co-ordination are great too – like dancing.
Feed the brain – Our brains are mostly fat and very energy hungry indeed. Although the brain can use carbs and fats for fuel, there is increasing evidence that certain fats – such as MCTs in coconut – are an excellent brain food. The omega 3 family of fats aid the structure and function of the brain and nervous system. We also know that diets high in unrefined real foods and low in processed rubbish tend to reduce the risks of dementia. Phosphatidyl-choline and
phosphatidyl-serine are two special fatty acids that are associated with higher cognitive function. These can be useful supplements when dementia is a concern. It is also worth noting that anticholinergics are associated with memory decline. These includes medicines used to treat urinary incontinence, asthma, allergies, COPD, gastrointestinal issues, insomnia and Parkinson's disease.
Herbal Helpers – If stress and grief are involved, give your nervous system plenty of support with herbs such as Ashwagandha & Passionflower. Rhodiola can be great for an all round boost when energy is depleted or if you're studying for exams. Brahmi, an Ayurvedic herb, is gaining much attention and seems to help boost memory and recall as well as having anti-anxiety effects. Ginkgo Biloba is an old favourite, especially with age. Rich in antioxidants and revered for boosting circulation to the brain, Ginkgo may even be of benefit after a stroke. Rosemary, lemon balm and sage are another three great herbs. Try rosemary as an essential oil to sniff while studying and when sitting exams. Lemon balm to bring calm & clarity. Sage can be used for general cognitive function but may be especially helpful for menopausal ladies – it's great for preventing hot flushes and improving mood too.
Nutrient Nourishment – Keep topped up with B Vitamins to support the nerves and energy, and magnesium to help promote relaxation and restful sleep (the glycinate form is very popular for this). The amino acid theanine can be very helpful when agitation, anxiety and even panic attacks are present.
Mostly be kind and patient with yourself – and other people too! See you next month!
WITH the demise of our beloved old dog, Luca, the nature of this article will change as he is no longer one of the focal points of the garden. His legacy, however, lives on as walking him locally (although we had had him for 3 years previously) has given me the opportunity to think and look as well as converse with other walkers (not all dog owners) about random, mostly environmental matters which naturally concern us all. Luca was an integral link during lockdown, having moved to a new village on the first Lock Down day. Knowing no one was absolutely no handicap to exploring the new walks and meeting our neighbours - mostly those with dogs! Those friendships continue.
Our indulgent Editor at The Visitor has offered me the freedom to expand my topics; regular readers might have noticed that I have already been off piste with topics rather than just those concerning our plots. I have promised not to rant, rabbit or ramble so discipline will be required to attend to the subjects in hand.
Glastonbury will have been and gone by the time you read this article and if any readers, like us, live within the proximity of this amazing international festival, you will know all about closed back lanes, guards at every corner, endless notices along the main roads, speed restrictions and trails of camper vans making their way to Worthy Farm. The first festival was a fairly minor affair held in 1970 and after the birth of our 2 boys in subsequent years, the seed was sown by us dragging them round the early days of the festival for them to become total devotees over the years, now no longer in nappies and pushchairs (!) but actually responsible for becoming part of the building team creating this extraordinary piece of outdoor theatre.
The demographic of festival goers is amusing to note - many of the now middle aged punters arrive in classy camper vans or fly into local airfields. How times have changed and yet, have they? Nobody can avoid getting older but may still love the fun they
get from such events.
The affairs of Glasters, as it’s affectionately known, are different from so many other festivals in that they pay their headliners poorly but do give enormous sums to charities from their proceeds and indeed, people buy their tickets at the beginning of the year with no idea who Emily Eavis might be able to line up for the prime slots. Those who do consent to perform do so for love more than money which is why they failed to procure Taylor Swift, for example, as her fees were very high and not accompanied with love! The bonus, however, concerns the televising of the headliners which hugely promotes their record sales post performance. Plus of course, being at the head of that massive, supportive, pulsating crowd which for a performer, is indeed very heady stuff. However, that is not all that goes on at Worthy Farm. I was alerted recently to a news clip on Radio 4 about the research work that has been going on there that has produced some astonishing results. Michael Eavis is also a farmer and has a 1000 strong dairy herd who produce a great deal from the back end that needs attention.
(Vegan festival lovers should read this!) Slurry does have benefits. Combined with waste silage and processed on site in
their anaerobic digester, biomethane is produced which contains hydrogen and graphene. Blended hydrogen is added to the farm power and heat plant while graphene will be sold and used to improve materials like electronics and sports equipment; its full potential is as yet unknown. This discovery is enormous as it contains huge savings on tons of carbon dioxide and is apparently something of a global first.
Will they be able to include some of the tons of litter that is left behind as well? Festival goers are specialists in leaving things behind despite the massive array of skips into which it could all be chucked. Recycling is paramount.
Talking of chucking rubbish, while cleaning my loos the other day, I couldn’t help but reflect on all the junk we throw down which has to ultimately go somewhere.
I am not talking about the obvious but the medicinal drugs we swallow and cleaning materials we all use, many of which break down into nasty chemicals (Forever Chemicals) that become an intrinsic part of the liquid element, impossible to remove. Ultimately it reaches the sea.
At the recent Hay Festival, Dieter Helm talked, among other things, about us all complaining over the terrible pollution of our rivers and seas. But actually, we are all to blame. So why are the Planning Authorities quite happy to continue granting planning permission for large housing estates when local services are already under pressure and incapable of dealing with the increase? While no one is denying the need for more housing, will the new government be able to think laterally about the impact on the precious countryside of yet more houses? Maybe we should have a contingent of prefabs to tide us over - they did pretty well after WW2 and some are still standing, even listed Grade ll !! Pity all the council houses got sold under Thatcher!
The election campaign has provided us all with a number of laughs of mixed hysterical desperation and real mirth! The
results were predictable but whoever you voted for, you can’t deny that a change was needed and we look forward to the new PM moving mountains. I feel sorry for Larry the Downing Street cat as An Other will be moving in and sparks could fly from No 10 as well as the House which may exceed all that Nige of Clacton has to throw at the government!
Most refreshing pre-election was ‘The Rest is Politics’ on telly with Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell who were able to discuss all aspects of forthcoming political changes with great cordiality, humour and enlightenment. Perhaps they should run the country together should the going get tough!
We recently spent a weekend in North Herefordshire where we used to live and were able to include some ‘memory lane’ walks. The fields still display wonderful wide headlands up there alive with wildflowers which was not the case when Luca and I went on one of our last walks down here, both of us grumbling about the footpath which had been totally ploughed out forcing us to pick our way over lumps of hard earth. Some ploughing even reached the hedgerow roots.
Fingers crossed for wildlife and the countryside! Onwards and upwards!
Off to the sea via rivers!
Slug food?
Slurry producer!
IICON stage which my grandson built this year!
Headland full of wildflowers.
Get set for two great rural days out in Dorset
THE annual Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show returns on Wednesday August 14th and Thursday August 15th for two great days of rural attractions.
This renowned agricultural event, organised by the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society, is celebrating 30 years at the Turnpike Showground in Motcombe, so this year promises to be even more special.
Expect a line-up of stunning attractions - livestock parades, agricultural and countryside exhibits, equestrian events, vintage machinery and cars, charming steam engines, live bands, a funfair and many other exciting attractions.
As well as an array of rare and unusual sheep and cattle, this year welcomes Joseph’s Amazing
Camels to the main arena. These famous hump-backed beauties have been featured on TV and in films including Disney and Marvel movies.
The main ring is also home to pocket-rocket Shetland pony racing, competitive showjumping and the not-to-be-missed Grand Parade of Livestock which showcases the region’s finest farm animals.
The Show offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the heart of Dorset’s rural community with a host of countryside activities and sports such as hilarious ferret racing, dancing sheep, skilled gun dog demonstrations and magical falconry displays.
This year, the Heavy Horse Village makes a welcome return where you can witness the majestic beauty of these magnificent creatures adorned in
their decorative harnesses as well as see them compete.
One of the most stunning sights at the show is the Horticulture Marquee which
welcomes over 1,500 entries including flowers, vegetables and cookery! Which lemon drizzle cake will you vote for?
There’s a host of fine
Dorset
Camels in Dorset? Star guests at this year’s Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show on 14 & 15 August.
food and drink on offer too. Indulge yourself in locally produced cheese, cake, cider, coffee, flapjacks, gin and so much more.
The Show welcomes dogs on lead and mobility scooters are available for hire on the day. Children up to age of 15 FREE entry. Visit www.gillinghamand shaftesburyshow.co.uk.
Lizzie Price
Shading Solutions
The British summer is a rollercoaster of hope, optimism and despair, hoping for that perfect mix of sun by day and rain overnight to keep our gardens watered. The reality is that the best laid plans for that lunch outdoors or the family BBQ on Sunday is often spoilt by our weather patterns. At Lizzie Price Shading Solutions they have you covered with their range of
Awnings, Verandas and Sail Shades all designed to not only shade the sun but to also expand your outdoor living area keeping you dry when the showers appear allowing you to continue with your plans.
Why not come and visit them at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show on the 14th & 15th August to have a glass of bubbles, discuss your requirements and see what they have to offer, and let’s hope the sun has got his hat on when it comes to the show.
Lizzie Price Shading Solutions offer Blinds, Shutters, Awnings and so much more. Email: enquiries @lizziepriceshading solutions.co.uk or visit www.lizzie priceshadingsolutions.co.uk. Tel: 07879 992000.
Wessex Internet
Wessex Internet is excited to be supporting the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show once again. Situated on stand A61, the team will be on hand to answer any planning and access questions you have, and their machineryincluding the mighty mole plough - will be on display.
This area is the heartland of their ultrafast broadband network, with customer support teams based near Blandford. Over the next few months, they’ll also be available in new communities including the Stours, Bourton and Zeals,
Iwerne Minster, Fontmell Magna, Sutton Waldron and Durweston, the Tarrants and the Winterbournes. Speak to their friendly team at the show to see if they can connect your home or business.
They’d also love to meet people with existing telecoms, agriculture or construction experience who would be interested in joining their growing company. They offer great pay, benefits and promotion opportunities.
Wessex Internet’s mighty mole plough – visit their stand to see it in person.
Lizzie Price.
Homemaker - the kitchen is the heart of the home - visit their stall at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show to see how they can help you The kitchen is the heart of your home, so creating an attractive and functional kitchen is paramount. They offer ranges from traditional English or modern German manufacturers. There are plenty of fabulous styles to choose from whether you are looking for handleless, modern, gloss or shaker style kitchens they can cater to any taste.
Ranges come in an array of colours and finishes, with clever storage features to make the most of your kitchen no matter the size. Let them help you create the perfect kitchen for your home at sensible prices.
Homemaker can also supply a
wide range of appliances from leading manufacturers including Bosch, Neff, Siemens, Smeg, Fisher & Paykel and Hotpoint They offer a fast and efficient delivery service usually within 24 hours from stock.
Visit them on their stand at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show , or find them online at www.myhomemaker.co.uk. You can call the Shaftesbury store 01747 851476 or Warminster 01985 219200.
Moo-vellous animals will be on display at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show 2024 that takes place at the Turnpike Showground, Motcombe near Shaftesbury on 14 & 15 August.
Wincanton Business Focus
Wincanton Motorsport Ltd
THE garage was set up in 1995 by John Goulding and has grown into one of the area’s most trusted and long-established independent garages. Today, the large, clean workshops are home to a team of six members of staff who all share John’s vision of providing exceptional expertise and unrivalled workmanship at a fair and down-to-earth price.
They have some of the latest repair and diagnostic equipment along with five ramps and two MOT testing bays including motorcycles. A tyre and tracking bay with a large stock of tyres. At Wincanton Motorsport as well as having years of experience servicing and repairing all makes and models of cars including EV and commercial vehicles up to 3.5tonnes, they provide almost everything you’d expect from a main dealer apart from the price tag.
They go the extra mile to ensure your visit is as hassle-free as can be and, where possible, they offer a courtesy car .
They’re open five days a week and are easy to find; just off the A303 in Wincanton and you’ll always receive a warm, friendly welcome from the team. There’s even free wi-fi and a coffee machine in the comfortable waiting area and an EV charging point for customers with electric vehicles.
Rebecaa Vincent Nutritional Therapist and Health Coach
As a Registered Nutritional Therapist and Health Coach
Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel better and improve their quality of life, with simple, sustainable, evidencebased changes that build to have a big impact!
Rebecca works primarily with people with chronic conditions and long-term issues, unpicking what nutritional and lifestyle factors could be influencing the symptoms they are struggling with and putting together an easy to implement, personalised plan to support their needs, coaching them through the process to feel
better and more in control of their health.
Rebecca sees clients for 1-2-1 consultations from her office in the centre of Wincanton, as well as holding online consultations for those further afield, and offers a free introductory call to discuss your needs.
could be reaching an estimated 75,000 readers
Rebecaa Vincent Nutritional Therapist and Health Coach.
Wincanton Business Focus
Camelot Photographic is celebrating 37 years trading this month
Having started as a video hire shop, the business progressed into photographic printing and quality picture framing services.
With 25% OFF Picture Framing there’s never a better time to get your art framed or reframed and with choices of over 1000 mouldings there’s something for everyone!
Also offered is Instant photo printing from your mobile or media, Cine/Video to USB, Digital Photo restorations, Poster printing, Giclee Fine Art Prints, frames and accessories, camera sales and much more.
Digital coded passports and ID Photos can also be done while you wait.
Visit Graham and Nikki at the Church Street store for specialist advice and friendly service.
Otter Garden Centre
Visit Otter Garden Centre in Wincanton for everything you need in your garden and home. There is currently 15% OFF
Otter Garden Centre in Wincanton stock everyhting you need for your garden and home.
selected garden furniture sets at your local Otter store. This limited time offer so make sure you don’t miss out.
You will find everything on your garden wish list when you visit Otter Garden Centre, Wincanton including stylish garden furniture, gardening accessories, clothing, gorgeous gifts, bird and wildlife care and lots of seasonal goodies to choose from.
Sit back and relax in their coffee shop to enjoy homemade lunches, snacks, drinks and cakes.
Otter specialise in supplying their garden centres with homegrown plants, grown in their 3 well established nurseries. 80% of Otters plants are home-grown to ensure they are the highest quality for you.
You will find Otter Garden Centre Wincanton, just 5 minutes
off the A303 on the Wincanton –Bruton Road, Wincanton, BA9 8HA. Find out more at the website www.ottergardencentres.com.
Market Place Wincanton with the iconic Post Office built in 1796.
Studio H Photography, Wincanton PAMPER your pet with a studio portrait. Studio H Photography love animals and Trixie
photographs most of the pet portraits and understands that they are very much a part of the family too!
You can include pets in your
family portraits, or they can photographed alone - they deserve all the attention too sometimes! Studio H are currently waiving the normal session fee on all pet portraits (saving £29). Trixie and her husband Graham photograph Weddings, Families, Newborns & Headshots. Contact Trixie to find out more on 07584-195311 or via email at trixie@studioh photography.co.uk.
North Dorset Cat Care
Do you hate taking your cat to the cattery and are worried about the price of cat sitters?
Well now you can have your cats looked after in the comfort of your own home by a fully insured DBS checked confirmed cat lover.
As cats remain in their own homes keeping them at ease, cat lover Carol will only look after 6 cats at a time so they can get full
North Dorset Cat Care look after your cat in your own home.
Bretts Pet & Wildlife Supplies in Old Market Car park, Sherborne.
attention, including any medicinal needs.
Carol charges per visit rather than per pet, and it’s not just cats as she will also look after rabbits, guinea pigs, and hens too. You can be assured your pets are in safe caring hands as she is a fully insured animal lover and DBS checked.
To get your pet care booked please call 07917 612233 or email catzarewow@gmail.com.
Find out more at www. northdorsetcatcare.co.uk.
Bretts (C Brett & Son), Pet & Wildlife Supplies in Sherborne
Bretts (C Brett & Son) Pet and Wildlife supplies is situated in the Old Market Car park in Sherborne and is a long established business.
They have a large range of wild bird food and feeders to cater for all types of birds. They have an extensive range of dog and cat toys, plus all the usual pet foods, beds, leads and accessories, hedgehog and wildlife foods and supplies etc.
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5.15pm, Sat 9am-4.45pm. Tel 01935 812107.
Many Brands of Dog & Cat Food Stocked Dog & Cat Treats, Toys & Beds
Small Animal Foods, Treats Hay and Straw
Wide Selection of Wild Bird Food & Feeders
ORDERS WELCOME
If there is something you require which we don’t stock, we will endeavour to order it for you
Local housebuilder donates £1,000 to Sherborne Food Bank
A LOCAL housebuilder, Persimmon South West, has made a donation of £1,000 to the Sherborne Food Bank as part of its Community Champions initiative.
The donation was recently marked by a visit from Rob Clark, Land & Planning Director for Persimmon South West, to the Food Bank's Depot at South Western Business Park.
Rob Clark presented the donation to Sally Baxter, Depot Manager, and David Kemp, Chair of Trustees, to support the Food Bank’s ongoing efforts to provide emergency food delivery within a 78 square mile area around Sherborne. The Sherborne Food Bank plays a crucial role in addressing food poverty and hunger in the local community, delivering essential support to families and individuals in crisis.
David Kemp, Chair of Trustees at Sherborne Food Bank, expressed his gratitude, stating:
“This is enormously helpful to ensure that the weekly delivery of food to the doorstep of those in need can be achieved by the
Depot Manager, Sally Baxter, and Persimmon’s Land and Planning Director,
various volunteer teams on a dependable basis.
“We benefit greatly from the generosity of individuals, businesses, groups, churches, and schools, and this is a welcome donation from Persimmon Homes, which will support our ongoing work in the local community.”
Sherborne Food Bank relies on the support of volunteers who collect food from donation points, sort food at the depot, pick and pack parcels, and help with deliveries and events. Those interested in joining the friendly team of volunteers can find more information on the Sherborne Food Bank's website. Local donation points can be found at Sherborne Abbey, Cheap Street Church, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, The Co-operative, Hunt’s Supermarket and Dike & Son, Stalbridge. In addition to individual donations, the Food Bank appreciates the support from fundraising efforts and nominations as Charity of the Year by various organisations. To fundraise, make a donation, or set up a direct debit, supporters can visit the Sherborne Food Bank's JustGiving page.
Persimmon South West’s Community Champions initiative continues to support local causes and communities, donating over £24,000 a year to organisations across the region.
Karen the proprietor at Brunel Pet Centre.
Rob Clark.
VINTAGE Motorcycling with
Rod Hann
AUGUST already and the summer season of riding is in full swing. My hope is that the weather is kind and we are all out and about enjoying our old bikes. August is a busy month for all clubs so the events to enjoy are as follows.
Starting with the Somerset Section of the VMCC on the 1st their club night at Cossington will be a talk about the East Somerset Railway. Next on the 4th will be the Tiddler Run held at Aller. On the 9th 10th and 11th they have a stand at the Thruxton round of the British Super Bike racing weekend. The 15th will see an evening meet at Catcott and lastly on the 18th will be the Codgers and Dodgers Run from Watchfield.
The Dorset Section commences things with the Border Run from Shaftesbury on the 11th. Club night at Pulham on the 14th is an Evening Run and this will start at 6pm. Next on the 18th will be the Tiddlers and Larger Friends Run from King Stag. Lastly on the 25th will be the August Run starting from Henstridge. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section start the month with their Woodshed Run on the 4th and this starts from Silton Village Hall. At the same venue on the 12th their club afternoon will take the form of an auction of motorcycle related items. For more details ring 01935 872528. The Wells and Westland Classic Clubs are similarly busy so see their websites for details.
Another event which may take your fancy happens over the weekend of the 24th to 26th August. This is the Shillingstone Bike Fest and takes place at Haywards Bridge Farm. I believe this will be the first such event to be held there. There is three days of motorcycles, camping, live bands, a licensed bar plus food and beer tent. If this is your kind of thing then I suggest you ring 07783 663616 for more details. Proceeds will be going to the Air Ambulance
Regular readers will know that I have a fascination for all oddball creations that man has invented.
MOTORING
My picture this month shows a Verdel machine dating from 1912. The picture was taken recently at the Banbury Run (a report follows later). The Verdel has a five cylinder, overhead valve, engine of 750cc capacity. The bike is of the style of a board racer or cycle pacer of that era. Only one such machine was ever made. The bike is a runner and fast for the pre First World War period. It is now owned by the Sammy Miller Museum down at New Milton and is on display for anyone's inspection.
Thereafter information on the Verdel is rather sketchy dependent upon which source of information you choose to believe. Some sources suggest it was made in France but this is unlikely. Other sources believe it was made in Clitheroe in Lancashire where the same man made the Packer machines. Almost certainly it was made as an engineering experiment for aircraft use but somehow found its way to motorcycle experimentation. With no clutch and only a one speed transmission it must have been made solely for cycle pacing as I find it doubtful that it was taken to America for board racing duties. Whatever its true history was it still stirred my interest and I will study it further when I next visit the museum.
The VMCC's premier event of the year has always been the Banbury Run, which is an event organised by the national club.
This event caters for machines made before 1931 and attracts an entry of 300 riders. In past years the entry had to be restricted to 500 and entries were selected by ballot. Oversubscription always meant a waiting list of people who were disappointed not to get a ride but hoped to get a vacancy when someone dropped out.
Now centred at the National Motor Museum at Gaydon in Warwickshire riders from all over the country, and some from abroad, gather each June to take part. It is a timed Navigational Trial so it is a competitive event but I always opt out and go just to enjoy the ride and the atmosphere it generates. I had not ridden this event for several years, although I have done it in excess of 30 times before, so this year I decided to attend once more.
It is quite a sight to see 300 machines assembled at the start. Riders have a choice of three routes of varying lengths and
difficulty. The routes cover some beautiful countryside in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire and the exquisite villages to be seen there. Two of the routes make riders climb the famous Sunrising Hill which was used as a test hill by manufacturers in days gone by. The hill is quite steep and long but preceded by a sharp bend at the bottom which restricts the speed of attack. Many hundreds of people gather there to watch the ascent and when some riders need to get off and push there is plenty of willing helpers to complete the task. This year I went up to the steepest part only to find the traffic stopped in front of me, caused by bikes being pushed and blocking the way, but I managed to pull away again and complete the challenge.
Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed the day and cannot wait for next year. You may wish to have a go or even attend to spectate.
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1912 Verdel five cylinder 750cc.
Swiss Wines – the world’s best kept secret
ONE OF the joys of being intimately involved in the food and wine world provides the opportunity to travel and explore different cultures. This summer I was invited to present at the American Association of Wine Economists annual conference, held in Lausanne, giving me the opportunity to exchange ideas with experts from 22 countries around the world and be exposed to a wide range of wines.
There is something about exploring a country through its wine, and in Switzerland the thrill of discovery is greater as so little is known about it worldwide.
Switzerland, renowned for its timepieces, stunning landscapes and world-class chocolate and cheese, also boasts a rich and diverse unexplored wine culture. Nestled between France, Italy, Germany, and Austria, Switzerland benefits from a unique blend of influences and microclimates, contributing to its wines’ distinctive character. Despite its small wine production, Switzerland offers a treasure trove of exceptional wines. The venue for the conference was the world renowned EHL Hospitality Business School and over four days we were offered over 130 wines from almost 80 producers. Swiss wine production dates back to Roman times, but it was during the Middle Ages that monasteries played a pivotal role in advancing viticulture, as monks cultivated vineyards and honed their winemaking techniques. Over centuries, the Swiss have maintained and refined these practices, leading to the high-quality wine production.
Wine consumption is part of the Swiss culture. The population of 8 million love their wine so much that only 1% of production is exported, making it hard to find on international shelves. It is one of the top 10 countries in terms of wine consumption per capita. They consume three times the national production, importing a lot from neighbouring countries. Switzerland has a very diverse terroir and climate, leading to significant variety, with a number of indigenous, international, and modern crossbreeds establishing themselves successfully. Even within Swiss wine regions, there
is depth and difference. This diversity is a plus for wine enthusiasts who can enjoy shifting vineyard landscapes and grape varieties from one canton to the next, but it poses some difficulty in establishing an international reputation. Given the small size of the country, it becomes very difficult for each canton to market itself individually.
Switzerland’s prime native variety, Chasselas, the ubiquitous local white grape, is just one of 252 grapes grown across their wine regions, which are divided into six main areas, each with its own unique terroir and grape varieties.
Chasselas accounts for approximately 26% of the national surface area of vineyards. Recent genetic studies have led experts to believe that Chasselas originated in the Lemanic Region (Lake Geneva region) with documented references dating back to the 17th century. Its wonderful characteristics – floral bouquet, apple and pear aromas and abundant growth – make it an all-round favourite. It is crisp and fresh and ages wonderfully. Chasselas also adapts well to climate warming; hot years, such as 2015 and 2017, have yielded fantastic prize-winning wines. The traditional Swiss fondue recipe includes the addition of Chasselas in the cheese mix.
Valais, the largest and most significant wine region, is known for its dramatic Alpine scenery and diverse microclimates. The Rhône River flows through this region, providing ideal conditions for grape growing. Valais has a number of fantastic indigenous varieties including Fendant (the local name for Chasselas) and Petite Arvine, as well as international staples, such as Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The warm and sunny, Italianspeaking canton of Tessin is well known for its Merlot. The cooler and dryer canton of Graubünden for its Pinot Noir.
Vaud, situated along the northern shores of Lake Geneva, is famous for its terraced vineyards offering breathtaking views and the lakes and hillsides of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lavaux. In addition to Chasselas, Vaud also produces excellent Pinot Noir and Gamay wines.
Geneva’s close proximity to France influences its winemaking traditions and styles. Known for its innovative and experimental approach to winemaking, it is the most diverse canton with many French varieties, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, thriving here. The Swiss crossbreed, Gamaret, is also being widely adopted.
Ticino, located in the Italianspeaking part of Switzerland, is renowned for its Merlot, as the Mediterranean climate allows it to thrive, producing rich and fullbodied wines, in addition to other grape varieties, contributing to the region’s dynamic wine scene.
Neuchâtel, particularly known for its unique Oeil-de-Perdrix, a pale rosé made from Pinot Noir, also produces excellent Chasselas and Pinot Noir wines, characterised by their elegance and finesse.
Three Lakes (Trois Lacs), encompassing the areas around lakes Neuchâtel, Biel, and Morat, is known for its diverse offerings; the mild climate and fertile soils produce outstanding Chasselas, Pinot Noir, and a variety of white and red blends.
Switzerland has a lot to offer, and when visiting it certainly makes sense to include some oenotourism, with many vineyards offering tours and tastings. With careful planning you can taste some unique wines; be sure to insist on drinking local wherever you go and don’t miss the annual Fête des Vignerons in Vevey, a UNESCO-recognised festival.
These Swiss wines are available in the UK from online retailers:
Chasselas Belles Filles la Cave de Genève, 2022, 12.5%abv., £20.07
Refreshing and light, this is distinguished by floral touches
and sweet aromas of honey and white flowers on the nose. The ideal companion for summer dishes such as platters of cold meats, fish or cheese dishes.
Jean-Rene Germanier Vetroz Fendant Les Terrasses, Valais, 2023,12%abv., £22.68
A lovely cuvée, with a complex nose of floral honey, yellow plum and a hint of minerality. Subtle and mineral with just enough acidity to make this perfect as an aperitif or with seafood.
Blaise Duboux Villette Les Murets, Vaud, 2021, 12%abv., £25
A round, lightly herby, grapey and appetising white from the village of Epesses, close to Lausanne. Good with fondue, raclette or other cheeses.
Cave De La Côte Chasselas Romand, 2022, 11.5%abv., £18.99
From vineyards in the cantons of Vaud and Geneva, a classic dry white with aromas of lime blossom. The palate is pleasingly full with juicy white peach and pineapple notes and a creamy yet refreshing texture.
Cave De La Côte "Expression" Gamaret / Garanoir, Switzerland, 2021, 14%abv., £19.99
A dry red wine blend of Gamaret and Garanoir; two varieties launched in 1990. Gamaret lends a spicy, peppery and black fruit note, while Garanoir provides structure and soft tannin. Partly matured in oak, expect a mix of blueberry, blackcurrant, blackberry and red cherry on the nose with smoky hues and a touch of nutmeg spice.
L.P-V at the American Association of Wine Economists annual conference in Lausanne.
With L.P-V
It’s a Wrap!
With Julie Haylock of Sandhurst Garden Design
SINCE OUR return from BBC Gardeners’ World Live, here at Sandhurst Garden Design life continues to be busy with talks
for Gardening Clubs and new design projects. I mentioned last month, I am recording a regular garden themed segment for Radio Ninesprings, in Association with Brimsmore Garden Centre, which is broadcast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and available on catch-up on their website www.radioninesprings.com which you might like to listen to with your cornflakes?
We had an amazing time at BBC Gardeners’ World Live and were supported by visits from
friends, family and clients as well as making new friends. The weather during the garden build was challenging. We had rain showers on most days and a strong breeze to contend with. It is not easy planting in those conditions, especially when you are on a tight schedule, but Andrew and I got the job done,
and we were immensely proud of the finished result.
During the building of the garden, I celebrated my 60th birthday, one that I will not forget in a hurry and not the most conventional way to spend a big birthday. BBC Gardeners World presenter Adam Frost was exhibiting his own garden at the
Fiona Walsh Photography.
show, and he kindly agreed to have his photograph taken with us, and even gave me a cheeky birthday kiss! The show was well attended with around 92,000 visitors over the 4 days enjoying lots of things to see and do, including the huge floral marquee, live music, stalls, and the BBC Food Show which runs side by side with the gardening show with celebrity chefs doing cookery demonstrations.
We were awarded a Silver Merit for our garden, just missing gold but we were delighted to hear all the lovely comments about the garden and how the size was relatable to visitors’ own gardens with take home ideas they could try in their own space.
As I have said before, exhibiting a show garden is a massive team effort and so many people play their part in making it possible. I would like to thank Jon and Chris from GSL Southwest who did all the hard landscaping elements of the garden. A massive shout out to Palmers Garden Centre (Yeovil) who generously sponsored the plants for the garden supplied by Dayspring Plants of Exeter, and Rainbow Plants of Ottery St. Mary who kindly loaned us the trees and taxus balls.
Allgreen (Masters of Stone)
based in Yeovil generously supplied the oak setts we used to bring detail to the area around the water bowl, and The Gardens Group who supplied a selection of David Austin roses, as you cannot have a garden called Stop and Smell the Flowers without roses, can you?
And finally, thanks to Kevin Brown of The Metal Workshop based in Yeovil for all the Corten steel items in the garden, the moon gate, bug hotels and Reflect sign, they certainly bought the WOW factor to the garden. Until next time,
Julie
The Pub Pages
BEER & SKITTLES P. A. BAXTER
BLOKES don't do shopping. I mean; we don't, do we chaps? I think it must be in our DNA ... although sometimes there are aspects that over-ride this condition. I've found that this is generally a sudden primal urge to search for beer when we're out with the better half. Strange, that, isn't it? This urge has been noted to be most strong when we are visiting independent shops, and particularly at Dikes Supermarket in Stalbridge. Having close relations in the village (or is it a town?) just as night follows day, I head off to make a mannedlanding at the beer section. The chap in charge here is Richard, and having been trained by a 'larger' supermarket, he was the ideal candidate to take on the responsibility of beer purchaser (and cider) for Andy Dike. Richard is a personable fellow and likes to chat and advise if you're searching for something that suits your palate. He claims that Dikes have a larger choice than any other outlet for miles, and I'm not one to disagree! Something else that took my interest was the choice of curries (I'll take a pass on that this time) but the Household Authorities pointed out the huge range of crisps available, and to tempt us, they're not in one place but in various stands around their lovely shop.
So if, like me, you like to have a few beers and packets of crisps at home for those emergencies, this is our first call. Oh - and the staff are pleasant and helpful as well!
A while ago Salvage Hunters was a regular tea-time telly watching spot for us, until the host became a little irksome and the programme thus became confined to history (in our house, anyway). One thing that stuck in my mind is that he'd said to his side-kick that 'Collectors are the hardest to buy from; they're collectors, not dealers'. As you may have guessed,
Solution to July Sudoku
The Pub Pages
BEER & SKITTLES
yours truly falls into the 'collectors' category, and that statement is definitely a truism!
Recently I purchased three shove ha'penny boards from three separate dealers in the space of a fortnight. I told the Boss that they were 'calling out to me', but I don't think she believed me.
I did have to admit that I somewhat regretfully sold just the one about two years ago, but my excuse is that it was to a pub who wanted to get the locals playing. Luckily I was not too distressed by my actions – the Landlady softened the blow by pouring me a pint for delivering it, and although I did cry myself to sleep
that night, it's alright; I'm almost over it now, thanks for asking...
An interesting game that I would wager most of us would have never seen, in a pub or anywhere else come to that, is one that appears to be a very large Bagatelle. In fact the eBay vendor described it as such but on posting this to my 'Pub Games' group on Facebook, expert games historian James Masters recognised it as something very different, viz: 'Interesting fact - it's not actually a bagatelle at all. It's a game of the type that was sometimes called Cockamaroo although it has other names such as Russian Bagatelle. This game was played with two balls, a red and a white. The red ball started on the playing field and the idea was to aim at it with the white so
that it gets dislodged and tumbles through the wire field to score in addition to the white. Red counted double. How do I know it's one of those tables? The red ball's starting point can be seen near the very top of the playing field. Such games appeared at least as early as 1849 and lasted into the 20th C before dying out completely'.
Thank you James. It would therefore seem to be very rare indeed.
We are fortunate to have James on our group and he makes some valuable contributions. Please feel free to join as well, do. (See 'Masters Games' on the 'net, suppliers of pub games as well as many types). A couple editions of this fine tome ago we mentioned the advent of 'Brewery conditioned ale' which has been seen on handpumps at the bar.
What is this imposter? Well it doesn't fall within the category of 'Real Ale' according to CAMRA. The ale is still drawn via a handpump, but it gets 'a little help' from what amounts to what some might call 'top-pressure' for there is indeed a gas which helps keep it from going off, and there is no secondary fermentation happening in the cask (or keg, we must call it, for that it what it is).
CAMRA are thus not happy, as the fact it is delivered via a handpump, associated with 'Real Ale' since time began, is tantamount to fraud according to CAMRA policy. I can see their point, however, and we came across this product for the first time recently whilst skittling at The Yellow Wagtail, Yeovil. Landlord Adam was most forthcoming and helpful, explaining the whys and wherefores, particularly the advantages as he's had to dump many-a real ale that's gone off, it having a much shorter life than keg. This, however, can give him two weeks in the cellar and frankly, I found it very pleasant.
Yours Truly and Mark Shirley indulge in a game of 'Twister'. Who's paying for the beer?
The choice for the consumer is thus; an ale that was on it's way out/undrinkable, or the 'brewery conditioned ale' where one could virtually guarantee a good pint right to the end of the cask/keg. To my mind, there is no choice –keep it! However, let us be assured that it is always labelled correctly.
If you have any opinions on this or any other subject raised in this column, do feel free to drop me a line (email address at end).
Over the years I've been most fortunate to meet and be introduced to some friendly and interesting people involved, in one way or the other, in the wonderful world of pub games. The late Arthur Taylor who wrote three fine books on the subject put me in touch with Mark Shirley, which led to a firm friendship. Mark is responsible for the marvellous
Celebrating 25 years
Your hosts, Mick and Garry welcome you to
The MUDDLED MAN
Lower Street, West Chinnock
A charming country inn serving home cooked fayre lunchtime & evening
Years of serving
P. A. BAXTER
Bagatelle sold on ebay.
On the bar at the Yellow Wagtail.
blog 'Shove it, Chuck it, Toss it' and whose writing style and eloquence I envy! His articulation on the subject of pubs and games are weaved together with social changes over the decades, and he enhances the blog with some fine and inventive photography. He has returned to making contributions after quite a long break and I can highly recommend a visit to his site.
There is even an index so particular games can be researched. Mark and his partner Karen live in the East Midlands and travel about by train if at all possible to visit some more of the far-flung places whilst researching our favourite subject.
We had the pleasure of their company a few years ago and I signed Mark on, thus allowing him to partake in his first experience of West Country alley skittles. Despite being somewhat nervous about letting the team down, he helped us to victory that evening. We even have pictures to prove it!
Please do take a look at Mark's extensive site, you won't be disappointed. That's it for this month. It's late at night, so time for a small bottle of beer and a packet of crisps ... Cheers!
Mahogany veneered shove ha'penny board with white sycamore inlay - nice!
Vinny - cynical as ever!
They Say
That it’s a fantastic 'well done' to Tom Bennetts of Shepton Mallet and fellow pod-caster Reg of In The Dog House podcast, who recently raised sixteen thousand pound by holding a Charity Auction for Motor Neurone Disease.
That Mike Hodder of Yeovil thought the England team played swimmingly … just like otters … when it was a 5 o'clock kick-off and not 8pm, Mike!
That congratulations go to 9 yearold Chloe Collings of Castle Cary for winning a Gold Medal in the Shot Putt event at the Ace School Athletics Day in Exeter Arena.
That following pulling a Hamstring, Peter Callaghan of Norton Sub Hamdon, wore his shorts for a few days, so he could display the bruise, and get ' the sympathy vote.' Especially when doing his job as Vegetable Monitor at Norton Community Shop.
That Traffic Wardens can sometimes be subjected to a lot of criticism when doing the job they are paid to do, but when circumstances dictate they can be helpful and understanding, as was shown recently in Wells.
That a Crewkerne resident was recently surprised to learn after a trip to the cobbler that she had been wearing a size 4 and a size 6 sandal quite happily for the past few months.
That Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins should look out - a certain Chiselborough resident has found her voice - especially when there’s a glass of Prosecco to be enjoyed.
That the church roof was recently raised at Odcombe during the ordination of Rev'd Coelette Parks.
Answer to the bonus question: They've never had a Number One, somewhat surprisingly.
Worth a Guess bonus: He is 91 and yes, still performing!
Fears in store
IN A ‘Focus on Wincanton’ in the August 1994 issue the Visitor reported that the new Safeways supermarket ‘is going up now’ and ‘construction is already above ground’.
It noted that ‘many of the town’s shopkeepers are expressing their fears about the effect that the new superstore will have on the town’ and that ‘visions of the future range from a street full of empty shops to at best an uneasy maintenance of the status quo.’
Local author Rodney Legg is quoted as speaking ‘for perhaps the silent majority of nonshopkeepers’ in saying that ‘without the new Safeways the town would become a backwater, local people would continue to go elsewhere for their weekly shopping and having made the journey to Yeovil or Gillingham they would tend to pick up their other needs there as well’. The report added that ‘Safeways have agreed to keep their present Wincanton town centre store open for at least the next five years’ and ‘have signed a firm undertaking not to include a pharmacy in the new store’.
Now in 2024 this is a Morrisons store, a Lidl supermarket has been built on the adjacent site, and the town centre store is a Coop grocery.
What’s in the water?
These days nitrates and phosphates are major concerns for environmentalists, rivers authorities, farmers, house builders, local councils and their planning departments. But they’re not a new problem.
Thirty years ago in its August 1994 issue the Visitor reported that there are 72 nitrate vulnerable zones in England and Wales, explaining that a zone is one where the level of nitrates in the water supply either exceeds or is in danger of exceeding the EC regulatory level of 50mg/litre. ‘Two of the zones are in South Somerset, at Castle Cary and Milborne Wick,’ it reported, adding that ‘Wessex Water’s sources at both these locations have effectively had to be taken out of service because of the high level of nitrate’.
Ringing the changes
The August 1994 Visitor carried the warning that ‘by April 16th next year all UK area codes (STD codes) will have changed, in most cases by simply inserting 1 after the initial 0, thus 0749 becomes 01749 and 0963 becomes 01963 and so forth. However some area codes will change completely, the most important of these for people in the West Country being Bristol which will change from its present code of 0272 to 0117. At the same time all Bristol numbers will be prefixed with a 9.’ The report explained that ‘every telephone, fax machine, exchange system, auto-dialler, mobile phone, alarm system etc will have to be reprogrammed between August and April’ and that the changes are ‘the result of the rapid growth in information technology in this country’ which has meant ‘the UK is coming close to running out of available codes’. With this change ‘we should have enough numbers to last us well into the next century’. It concluded by telling readers: ‘Don’t forget to alter the numbers on your letterheads and stationery.’
Putting local back into local government ‘Wincantonites need no longer feel remote from their District Council Masters in Yeovil’, announced the Visitor its August 1994 issue. ‘The old Rural District Council offices in Churchfields, Wincanton, have been reopened as South Somerset District Council, Area East,’ it stated. They have been ‘spruced up inside’ and are ‘now a hive of activity’, according to the report, adding that ‘the offices are staffed fulltime to handle at a local level housing matters, building control and planning’ and on four mornings a week ‘it is possible to find a real live planning officer there’. In the
Visitor’s view ‘this has to be a good thing as all the local people who have an axe to grind on planning matters (and there are quite a few) will be able to buttonhole the people who do at least influence the council’s decisions, even if they don’t themselves make them’. With the creation of the Somerset Unitary Council last year and with the parlous state of local government finances (not just in Visitor land) the concept of local offices has been ditched and Churchfields has been sold off.
A
path of good intentions
Thirty years ago in the South Somerset Local Plan the line of
safeguarded with the long-term aim of using it as a recreational route. A report in the August 1994 Visitor explained that ‘parts of it have already been sold off, back-filled and built over, but efforts will be made to link the remaining sections by footpaths’ as ‘walking old railways is a popular pastime’. The writer wished the council’s Leisure and Arts Department success with the project but added ‘please don’t do anything other than clear a path through the brambles, and NO tarmac!’. Since then there has certainly been no tarmac – and sadly no sign either of any paths through the brambles.
Roger Richards.
Cl ass ified Ads
Send details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, BA9 0BP or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk. 30p per word (£5 minimum) pre-payment essential. Payment can be made by Cash, Cheque, Postal Order, BACS, Credit/Debit Card.
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SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel: Andy 01225 834834 or Lynda 07970 922762
Services Storage
HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN RUBBISH CLEARED, old sheds / outbuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844
September Deadline: 19th August
STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles. Lock-up garages to let. Tel: Sparkford Storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692
SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, Somerset BA9 0BP – to arrive by Monday 19th August.
Correct entries are placed in a hat and the winner is the first name drawn. The prize for winning the Crossword is a £15 voucher to spend with any advertiser in this issue of The Visitor Please do not forget to state your choice of advertiser and your name and address.
Clues Across:
1. Boom call boxing [8]
5. Gift of ancient coinage [6]
9. Listener to object, reducing potential to zero [8]
10. Anther and filament tame between poles [6]
11. Not stale, the end of music [4, 4]
12. Hop one is led by those wishing to mislead [1, 5]
14. Umbrage - tear around self transmitted [10]
18. Wonder with esteem, or maid ain’t [10]
22. Shafts with channel not wide (except the beginning!) [6]
23. Direct vision about backward art [8]
24. Getting better; for example, hiding a sin [6]
25. So, nothing in Forth, certainly [8]
26. 157½° about par and a little thin [6]
27. Piston bearing; remit around shopping area [5, 3]
Clues Down:
1. Southern city gets bigger [6]
2. A+ the other way [6]
3. Put up again: He and Gran are confused! [6]
4. Prime ordinal hole where players end up [10]
6. To tie and remedy [8]
7. Tidy mule mane for Messiah [8]
8. Tawny brown men with striking pins in a clavichord [8]
13. Bang bench, the place to make comments [6, 4]
15. Dishonourable person declares corpses [8]
16. Physician having endless row in Asia is sweet and pleasing [8]
17. Sketches wind rags [8]
19. Young lady’s manuscript getting bad deal [6]
20. Take no notice of nothing in chaotic reign [6]
21. Almost married, needed scratching! [6]
Solution to Crossword 452
of
Winner
the July Crossword is Alan Tawse of East Coker who decided to donate his £15 winnings to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Thank you Alan!
