Acouple of times down the years the name Tom Rolt has appeared in this column. It’s here again because this year marks the 50th anniversary of his death in May 1974. Although trained as an engineer his life was largely devoted to writing more than 30 books on subjects as diverse as cars, canals, philosophy, biography and engineering history. But his legacy extends far beyond the written word.
Having an interest in railways, in 1947 he studied the details of the Transport Bill that would lead to the nationalisation of Britain’s railways and noticed that the Talyllyn Railway in Wales did not appear in the list of undertakings to be taken over. Perhaps the men from the ministry thought it had already closed, for the slate quarry it had been built to serve had closed after a rockfall in 1946. But Rolt knew that its principal shareholder Sir Henry Haydn Jones, the former local Liberal MP, had vowed to keep the railway running during his lifetime with just the two locomotives, four carriages and a brake van provided for the opening of the line to passengers in 1866.
Rolt knew too that it was the first narrow gauge railway to use steam locomotives from the beginning – others had initially used horse-power – and the first to be authorised by Parliament to operate a passenger service. Having so much historical interest he felt it was worth preserving, and when Sir Haydn died in 1950 he convened a public meeting at which a society was formed to try to take over and run the railway. The society was successful and in May 1951 the Talyllyn Railway became the world’s first volunteer-run preserved railway.
During the 1950s the rate of line closures and steam engine withdrawals increased and many railway enthusiasts, inspired by Rolt’s efforts at the Talyllyn, started to propose similar schemes on standard-gauge lines, with the first successful one being the re-opening of part of the Bluebell Railway in Sussex in 1960. The Beeching Report of 1963 brought an avalanche of line closures and many more preservation schemes, to
the point where the United Kingdom now has more than 170 operational lines of various gauges, nowadays known as heritage railways.
Some have only a few hundred yards of track while others extend to ten or even 20 miles. Some are run entirely by volunteers while others have grown into multi-million pound ventures with full-time staff to manage operations and support their volunteer workforce. All are part of the UK’s leisure and tourism industry and bring financial and other benefits to local economies. And all provide opportunities for volunteers of all ages to make new likeminded friends, learn traditional skills and gain the satisfaction of preserving part of our history and sharing it with the thousands who visit every year.
Here in Visitorland the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore runs a two-mile line with several restored locomotives; at Yeovil Junction the Yeovil Railway Centre has an operational locomotive turntable and the original 1860s shed where goods were transferred between broad gauge and standard gauge wagons; at Shillingstone volunteers have lovingly restored the former Somerset & Dorset Railway station buildings, signal box and cattle dock; and at Yenston John Gartell has a laid a narrow gauge line on the trackbed of the old S&D. These and all the other heritage railways stand as living tributes to the work of Tom Rolt who, by enlisting the support of people who would willingly give their time and money, started the preservation movement.
NN.
Advertising Deadlines
October Issue
Deadline: 16th September
Published: 26th September
NOTE TO ADVERTISERS
Advertisements are accepted subject to our standard terms and conditions as printed on our rate card, available upon request.
The views expressed in articles & letters contributed to this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.
Ferne Animal Sanctuary urgent appeal: £33,000 still needed to keep animals safe SOMERSET animal rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming charity, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, has raised over £67,000 since it announced an urgent appeal for life-saving donations in May, but still needs an additional £33,000 to ensure its operations can continue.
To date, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, which provides a safe haven for over 300 animals and relies on the dedication of 10 staff and several volunteers, has raised 67% of its £100,000 goal. However, with the Sanctuary’s veterinary and medical costs alone averaging over £6,300 each month and supplies such as bedding costing over £2,000 per month, there is still a long way to go to ensure Ferne can continue this level of care.
Kevan Hodges, Chief Executive Officer at Ferne Animal Sanctuary, comments, "I want to say thank you, on behalf of our animals in need and the amazing Ferne team, for the generosity and kindness our supporters and
the community have shown us since we announced our urgent appeal. We have passed the halfway mark in our target of £100,000 to see the sanctuary through the summer months, which is already making an incredible life-changing difference to our animals.
“We still have a long way to go, to ensure we can continue our animal welfare and care to the more than 300 vulnerable animals we home currently. Due to such difficult pasts, many of our animal residents are not suitable for rehoming, which puts them at greater risk if we are unable to maintain all our services as a charity. Please help if you can, no donation is too small. Thank you - from all of us here at Ferne Animal Sanctuary.”
Donations raised for the Ferne Animal Sanctuary urgent appeal have so far considerably improved
the lives of several animals in need, including saving the life of a seven-year-old Shar Pei girl, Jessi. With support of the community and donations, following the sad passing of her owner, Jessi found sanctuary at Ferne, narrowly escaping a euthanasia appointment at the vets the same day. The donations have also given recently rehomed pets like Labrador-crossbreed, Rocky, another chance in life. Ferne recently spent circa £6,000 on vital medical bills for Rocky’s hip replacement surgery, who is now making a full recovery and will be able to live a happy, pain free life. For animals like Rocky who are rehomed with a preexisting condition, Ferne provides lifetime support financially to the pet and its owner/s, in support of the animal’s ongoing care and welfare, beyond their days at Ferne.
Kitten rescued by Ferne Animal Sanctuary.
Dispatches
In addition to veterinary and bedding costs, the Sanctuary faces rising expenses for heating, shelter and maintenance. Without the necessary funds, the ability to provide a warm and safe environment for the animals is at risk.
In the past two years, the charity’s hard costs have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, with vet and medical bills rising by over 46%, feed and bedding rising by over 30%, utilities and compulsory professional fees rising by over 50%, and the cost of labour increasing by circa 20%. Ferne Animal Sanctuary has taken action to grow its income streams and reduce operational costs to offset the relentless rise in prices, however, the situation now sees the charity face an ultimate cash crisis.
To offer support to more than 300 animals at risk, please visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/ urgentappealforferne.
35 Glorious Years of Wincanton Choral Society
Exciting times are ahead for Wincanton Choral Society when they begin the 2024/25 season on September 9th.
There will be three concerts in this their 35th year- one in December in St. Luke and St. Teresa’s Church in Wincanton featuring Vivaldi’s glorious Gloria and Rutter’s Magnificat, followed at Eastertime by Bach’s St. John Passion, and ending with a truly celebratory evening of more relaxed music in King Arthur’s School in June. Why not join them on their Come and Sing day at the school in October to experience the inspiration that comes from their wonderful Musical Director Neil Moore? Details coming soon.
To find out more about that and the rest of the programme
this year go on to the website www.wincantonchoralsociety.co .uk, facebook.com/wincanton choralsociety or telephone Chairman Sally Greenhalgh on 01749 860457. Yes, that’s right, they do have a new Chairman, Alleluhia! Wincanton Choral Society are absolutely delighted that Sally has stepped into her old shoes – she did the job brilliantly from 2008 to 2012.
Wincanton Choral Society.
Mentioned in
Dispatches
How fit are you really? The scan that could save your life
A scanning service, which can detect dangerous levels of unseen fat inside your body, is now being offered at Yeovil Hospital – and patients are travelling from across the country to use it. One patient, musician and filmmaker James Hester, from Clevedon, says the information he discovered from his first scan has probably extended his life.
It is called DXA Body Composition Scanning and among other things it measures visceral fat around your organs, which if left unchecked can lead to type 2 diabetes, strokes, heart attacks or dementia.
Although James (47) thought he was fit and healthy, his first scan revealed visceral fat at levels that could have caused him serious harm.
So he set about changing his lifestyle, reducing his alcohol intake and adjusting his diet. And the next two scans revealed his fat levels had dropped significantly. Today he said: “I honestly think it’s been a life saver for me. External fat you can see, but visceral fat is something completely different. It can only really be seen with a scan like this.”
The scans are being offered via the Kingston Wing, the private wing of Yeovil Hospital, using equipment normally used to measure bone density. Patients pay for investigations or procedures, but any money raised goes straight back into the hospital, which means that every patient treated supports the wider local health economy.
Clinical Technologist Christopher James carries out the scans privately in Yeovil Hospital’s Radiology department, as DXA Body Composition Scans are not part of the NHS clinical pathway.
Christopher said: “This is certainly proving to be important preventative health care, the like of which isn’t being offered in many places. And we are finding patients are travelling from all around the United Kingdom to use it.
“We are noticing that, following the COVID pandemic, people have really started to look after their health and are aware of the
associated risks of high levels of internal fat.”
“And our patients are reassured that, although this is a private procedure, it is performed in an NHS hospital by a medically trained healthcare professional.”
It is a simple, painless procedure. People just lie on a scanning bed for seven minutes. It’s not enclosed like an MRI. And straight afterwards they get the results. James added: “I was in the hospital through choice –not necessity. But I’m so glad I took advantage of this scan. It could make a huge difference to my future health.”
The Kingston Wing can be contacted on 01935 384234 or www.kingstonwing.co.uk.
James Hester.
Mentioned in Dispatches
FleeceFest: A Unique and Youthful Event Coming to Glastonbury
There’s a brand-new event coming to Glastonbury’s Red Brick Building this September, and everybody is welcome.
FleeceFest , a day-time mini festival, is free and open to all. It’s been created by local young people, and there will be plenty to keep visitors entertained and amused, ranging from live music to craft activities and great local food. FleeceFest is happening on Saturday September 14th between 11am and 4pm in the beautiful Community Garden at the Red Brick Building.
The day will be jam-packed with things to do with some fantastic creative opportunities.
Local textile craftsperson Liana will be leading some simple and fun sheepskin craft activities and visitors can also design and make their own badges. As part of the project, a group of young volunteers have designed and
planned an impressive mural –this will be painted collaboratively on the day of FleeceFest and they are delighted that well-known local mural artist Jon Minshull will be there to guide and inspire. There will also be live music from local musicians, including the premiere of some new songs written in response to stories told by workers at the Morlands and Baily’s factories. If all of that leaves you feeling hungry, visitors can grab a tasty snack from local food stalls and just spend some time relaxing with friends and enjoying the atmosphere.
The event has been imagined and planned by a team of brilliant and creative young volunteers. They have worked together with Red Brick Building Heritage Project Co-ordinator Alison Horgan to develop an event that they hope will appeal to young people and encourage them to come and enjoy time together and find out more about their local community. And for anyone wondering about the name –FleeceFest – it is a nod to the heritage of the Red Brick Building which, until 1982, was part of the huge Morlands sheepskin factory. The event aims
to recognise some of this local industrial heritage, in particular the abundant craftsmanship that was supported by Morlands and Baily’s and the memories shared by people who worked there. The sheepskin industry was integral to Glastonbury’s economic and social success in the twentieth century and the Red Brick Building has been acknowledging and celebrating that in recent years.
FleeceFest is part of a national project called New Wave which aims to encourage younger people to take part in heritage-linked activities. It happens at the same time as the national Heritage Open Days festival which has become established as one of the country’s leading celebrations of our fascinating and diverse history and heritage. There are numerous events – talks, open days, tours and special openings – around Somerset and these are all listed on www.heritage opendays.org.uk.
FleeceFest – Saturday 14th September 2024; 11am – 4pm; Community Garden at the Red Brick Building, Glastonbury BA6 9FT. For more information please visit the website: www.redbrick building.co.uk.
The Community Garden at the Red Brick Building hosts FleeceFest on September 14.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Somerset
Art Weeks Festival
2024
The annual Somerset Art Weeks event, where artists across the whole of Somerset exhibit their work in a series of free exhibitions, is returning for 2024 with the theme of Landscape: Flux and Flow.
This year, it is a Festival year, meaning that artists have banded together to create group shows and installations in a series of exciting venues throughout the county.
The Mendip region has some of the Festival’s most intriguing exhibitions, in some usual locations that some audiences may not have known about but will be sure to put them on the map.
One such location is the Zig Zag Building, where a group of ten artists are exhibiting as a project called As Old As the Hills during the event. This unassuming yet historic Bauhaus building, opposite the Red Brick Building on the edge of Glastonbury, is a hive of creative activity with events, talks, and workshops happening year-round. In this latest show, ten artists have created large-scale mixed media installations and hangings, with incongruous juxtapositions, magical translucent layers, and dramatic light and shadows.
The Festival organisers, Somerset Art Works , have also sponsored a number of projects which they award each year as part of their Artist Development programme. This year, they supported a Mendip Hills-based project by Lotte Scott, whose work with charcoal and other natural materials is intrinsically tied with the landscape. Together with the Mendip Hills National Landscape, and the Henry Moore Foundation, Lotte is taking on an
ambitious project utilising an ash tree infected with dieback disease, and coated in limewash made from Mendip stone. The tree will be installed in a barn at Deer Leap near Priddy, before being turned into charcoal during the final weekend of the Festival. A truly innovative installation in a unique location.
In keeping with the theme of Landscape: Flux and Flow, there is also an art exhibition somewhere you might not expect - within a serene meadow. Jenny Waller, Rob Waller and Ros Seegobin are using a newly landscaped wildflower meadow as their setting and inspiration. Jenny will show upcycled textile art, Ros will have ceramics and sculpture on display, and Rob will showcase his photography and mixed media artworks.
For a full list of all 100 venues available to visit during the event, pick up a guide at any of the exhibitions listed, your local tourist information centre/library, or download the official SAW Festival App from the App store, or from the SAW website at somersetartworks.org.uk.
Manors and Water Mills of Norton and Stoke-subHamdon, an illustrated talk, presented by Dr John Ashton FRCGP in St Mary’s Church, Norton-sub-Hamdon on 20th September at 7:00 for 7:30pm
The annual ‘Pulman’ lecture was instigated in 2006 by the Norton Local History Group to commemorate the support that the late Reverend James Pulman gave to the village. On the demise
of the Local History Group, arrangements for the talk were taken on by the Friends of Norton Church with proceeds being used to maintain the fabric of the Grade 1 listed building. The talk has maintained its history focus and this year looks at past local Manors and Water Mills How many Manors and Mills used to operate in these areas ? Who owned which, and what was their place in English and local
David Kefford trying out work in the Zig Zag Building.
Giant Print by Nikki Allford.
Mentioned in Dispatches
history? How did the Mills work and who were the families that operated them?
If you would like to find out more go along to St Mary’s Church, Norton-sub-Hamdon at 7:00 for 7:30pm on Friday 20th September 2024 where Dr John Ashton FRCGP will provide an enjoyable insight in his illustrated talk.
Tickets at £5 are on sale in Norton Community shop and on the door on the night. A cash wine and soft drinks bar will be available.
National Garden Scheme
honours 30 Years of Knoll Gardens’ Open Days
Neil Lucas of Knoll Gardens, Dorset, has been honoured in recognition of 30 years of opening Knoll Gardens on behalf of the much-loved charity the National Garden Scheme (NGS), raising funds for Nursing and Caring charities.
To celebrate 30 years of opening for the NGS, further awards were given to other Dorset gardens for their longstanding NGS service at a recent ‘Thank you Party’ in the stunning grounds of Manor Farm, Hampreston. Alison Wright, NGS South West Regional Chair and Dorset County Organiser, presented the awards - which ranged from garden trowels to beautiful, brass sundials –assisted by other members of the
South West Team.
On receiving his award Neil commended the NGS and said that working with them had
made him realise the ethos of the charity was as much, if not more, about bringing people together than the gardens and plants themselves - both garden owners and those who enjoy visiting them, whether gardeners or not! He added that simply walking around a garden can really lift your soul, and that plants have the power to make us all feel that little bit better, whenever we choose to visit them.
You can visit the naturalistic plantings at Knoll Gardens from Wednesdays to Saturdays with this year’s NGS Open Day to be held on Friday 20th September, when admission charges will be donated to the NGS charity.
White Sheep Projects.
Haynes Heritage Engineering invites online car enthusiasts under the bonnet
Haynes Heritage Engineering is offering classic car enthusiasts a privileged online peek behind the garage door with the launch of a brand-new website and social media channels.
Located next to Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford, this
Beautiful gardens at Manor Farm. Image: White Sheep Projects.
Neil Lucas with the sundial awarded to mark 30 years of Knoll Gardens opening for NGS. Image:
Mentioned in Dispatches
premier classic car workshop specialises in the repair and restoration of classic, vintage, and specialist vehicles, as well as offering regular servicing and MOT testing. In addition to the website, Haynes Heritage Engineering has unveiled new social media channels dedicated exclusively to the workshop.
These platforms will provide clients and classic car enthusiasts with an insider’s view of the workshop’s day-to-day operations, featuring behind-the-scenes content, stories of ongoing restoration projects, and expert tips on maintaining classic cars.
By engaging with these channels, followers will gain unique insights into the intricate art of classic car restoration and the passion that drives the Haynes Heritage Engineering team. Uniquely, all profits from the workshop are used to further the Museum’s charitable purposes, supporting the preservation of automotive
history and educating and inspiring the next generation of automotive engineers and enthusiasts.
“We are excited to be able to offer people a privileged peek behind the scenes at what we do in the garage as part of this
exciting new online chapter in Haynes Heritage Engineering’s history,” said Nick Lockey-May, Workshop Manager.
“Whether you’re a car enthusiast or a prospective client, you can now explore our new online presence and follow us on
social media for a closer look at the work we put into our client’s cars.” he added.
Notable projects include the full restoration of a 1938 SS Jaguar, the full rebuild of an early series 1 E-Type and the bespoke transformation of a client’s Porsche 911 ex-race car.
Alongside client cars, Haynes Heritage Engineering is also very proud to be rebuilding the Museum’s 1961 Aston Martin DB4. This iconic vehicle is being restored to reflect its history, demonstrating the workshop’s commitment to preserving automotive heritage as part of the Museum’s preservation.
With a legacy that traces back to the world-famous Haynes Manuals and the Haynes Motor Museum, the workshop is renowned for its craftsmanship and dedication to preserving automotive history.
Haynes Heritage Engineering welcomes all client cars and invites people to book their MOT, service or repair.
For more information call 01963 440804 or visit www.haynesheritageengineering .co.uk.
October deadline 16th September
Haynes Heritage Engineering team fit the engine into the Aston Martin DB4.
Mentioned in Dispatches
BAG-A-BARGAIN'
Charity Fashion SaleSeptember 4th&5th for Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust
Organisers of the perennially popular Bag A Bargain sustainably-oriented sale of preloved fashion and accessories welcome members of the public on Wednesday, 4th September and Thursday, 5th September for this annual charity for the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust. Located in Longbridge Deverill, Warminster (BA12) the bi-annual pop-up style bazaar has become an eagerly anticipated event for savvy fashionistas in South Wiltshire.
Typically selling a wide selection of quality nearly-new designer and brand labels, accessories and jewellery, Bag A Bargain will also host exclusive pre-sale fashion and beauty Masterclass sessions with Milly Churchill (author of Know Your Style), Jennifer Morisetti (founder of Defashion Dorset) and
Karen Lockyer (International Makeup Artist and owner of Graceful Disgraceful). The Masterclasses will comprise style and beauty news and tips from each of the style gurus over a twohour period prior to the official opening times, enabling canny early-birds access to then scour the rails and ‘bag a bargain’. In addition, each of these specialists can be booked for a £10 fee throughout the sale period for an individual, 15-minute one-on-one consultation and/or purchase guidance.
Milly Churchill is the Closet Psychologist whose mission is to help ladies ‘rediscover the joy of dressing up and falling in love with their wardrobe all over again!’
Jennifer Morisetti is a passionate advocate for sustainable fashion and green (biophilic) home living. She organises and hosts a range of talks, workshops and events at her Hawkers Farm to educate and encourage women to support local and naturally produced clothing and embellish, repair, rewear, alter and recycle clothing.
Karen Lockyer is a makeup artist and beauty professional known for clean natural make up looks. She is a champion for the older face creating workshops and
her beauty blog which celebrates women midlife and beyond. Karen has worked for fashion and
shows, advertising and celebrity shoots.
GOLDEN YEARS – Care of the Elderly
Discover convenience and care at Yeovil's premier mobility shop!
MENDIP Mobility Ltd is your one-stop destination for all your mobility needs! They understand the importance of easy access and excellent service.
Located in the heart of Yeovil, their shop is easily accessible for everyone, whether you're coming
from the town centre or surrounding areas. Trust their expert technicians to keep your mobility aids in top condition.
From routine maintenance to repairs, they ensure your equipment operates smoothly and safely.
They proudly participate in the Motability Scheme, providing you with access to a wide range of
mobility solutions tailored to your individual needs.
Their dedicated team will guide you through the process, making it simple and straightforward to find the perfect mobility solution for you.
At Mendip Mobility, they are committed to enhancing your mobility and improving your quality of life.
Mendip Mobility on Forest Hill, Yeovil.
Notaro Care Homes – caring when it matters most
Over the past 40 years, Notaro Care Homes have been building a reputation for delivering the highest standards of dementia and nursing care in their care homes across the South West.
Their homes feature state-ofthe-art care technology and facilities, and compassionate and caring staff. La Fontana Dementia Nursing Home in Martock features a sun therapy room and their Immacolata Dementia Nursing Home in Langport is situated amongst five beautiful acres.
Both homes feature petting farms, a unique feature that is the brainchild of their animalloving managing director and has become a feature across their purpose-built homes.
Notaro Care Homes listen to the needs, thoughts and wishes of residents to provide the best care possible. Their reason for doing so is simple; to create a care package as unique as the individual they provide care for.
To find out more, please visit notarohomes.co.uk and see advert on the back cover of this magazine.
Regency Care & Mobility, Crewkerne
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're Acorn™ approved and are always happy to provide professional advice.
What's more, they also offer free home demos and delivery services 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.
Notaro Care Homes - Immacolata House.
Regency Care & Mobility in Crewkerne.
TASTES of the WEST
Kafé Fontana, Sherborne
SITUATED at the bottom of Cheap Street, Kafé Fontana offers both eat-in and take-away services to their regular customers and those visiting this picturesque town.
They welcome dogs and have seating inside, or outside if it’s nice. All of their cakes and scones are homemade on the premises. In the mornings they provide a good hearty breakfast, with salads, quiches and homemade soups also on the menu throughout the day. They have a selection of hot and cold drinks, are licensed and do some healthy smoothies too. If you have any
special dietary needs Kafé Fontana can still provide you with good tasty food. They also offer outside catering. Kafé Fontana is open Mon - Sat, 8am - 5pm, Sun 9.30am - 4.00pm.
Newlands Farm Shop
Newlands is a 3 generation family run suckler beef farm with freerange chickens, geese, ducks, pigs & sheep. The farm shop is stocked with locally produced and sourced goods including home reared meat! The cafe opened in October 2023, serving Breakfast, Lunch, Coffee & Cake Wednesday to Sunday!
Stay in your motorhome or caravan for £20per night, 5 serviced grass pitches, 16-amp electric hook-up, water and drainage. Families and well behaved dogs are very welcome!
Located at Newlands Farm on Common Lane in the village of Keinton Mandeville, Somerset, a 9 minute drive from Podimore roundabout off the A303. Take the A37 to TA11 6EW, visit the website www.newlandsfarm shop.com.
The Buttercross Tearooms
Situated in the heart of Somerton’s Market Place is the award-winning Buttercross Tearooms. They always source local foods and produce, make as much in-house as possible, and stick to a seasonal menu which ensures the freshest flavour. Buttercross Tearooms love welcoming back their customers as well as new passers-by. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, find out more at www.thebuttercrosstearooms .com.
The Bakery West Camel Ltd
The Bakery West Camel Ltd is a family run business that’s been here since 1912, with only 4 Master Bakers in that time. You can still get to The Bakery along the A303, it now has a separate road for access whilst the road
A selection of locally sourced products in stock at Newlands Farm Shop.
Kafé Fontana.
upgrade continues. Turn off at the Yeovilton junction and follow the sign.
The Bakery is open for daily fresh baked breads, rolls, a good selection of delicious cakes, bakes and savouries that are all made onsite. Also available are homemade jams, local honey, free range eggs, milk, butter and cheese. The Bakery sells it’s famous Lardy Cake all year
The Buttercross Tearooms.
round, which is a speciality to the West Country.
Joy and family are pleased to see all their locals still coming to The Bakery and how safe it is to travel to it. If it’s nice you can enjoy a picnic on their outside benches. Open Tue-Thur 6am5.30pm, Fri 6am-4.30pm, Sat 6am-1.30pm, closed Sun and Mon. Get your orders in by calling 01935 850450 or leave a message.
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
Dorset Ginger Company Earns Great Taste Producer Status
Poole based drinks maker, Dorset Ginger Company has wowed the judges again at the prestigious Great Taste Awards , winning recognition for their Apple Juice with a Ginger Kick and earning them the title of a Great Taste Producer.
The Apple with Ginger Kick is just the latest of their range to earn one or more Great Taste stars; in 2022 Dorset Ginger Original, Dorset Ginger Extra Strong, and Rhubarb with an Extra Kick were awarded stars, while last year Dorset Ginger Extra Strong with Cinnamon, and Raspberry with a Hint of Ginger were recognised. As a consistent winner of Great Taste, winning awards in three out of the last five years, The Dorset Ginger Company is now officially a Great Taste Producer.
The judges described the Apple Juice with a Ginger Kick as: “An
enticing, cloudy juice with a gentle aroma. A well rounded, sweet, fruity, clean apple flavour is enhanced by the natural spicy kick of well-judged ginger which is bringing complexity and rounded length to this tasty juice.”
All Dorset Ginger drinks are made with the finest ginger and ‘not from concentrate’ fruit juices. They contain no artificial flavours, preservatives, colourings, or sweeteners and are all suitable for gluten-free and vegan diets. Aimed at genuine ginger lovers they deliver a powerful ginger kick with every sip, leaving a pleasing warming sensation in the mouth, guaranteed to delight ginger connoisseurs everywhere.
All the Dorset Ginger drinks come in 75cl and 33cl sized glass bottles, both in cases of six for £33 and £16.50 respectively, available from www.dorset ginger.ltd - individual bottles can be purchased from farm shops and delis; the 75cl bottles retail for around £5.50 and the 33cl bottles for around £2.50. Gift packs of five 33cl sized bottles are also available for £18.15 and make great presents.
For more information and to purchase, visit www.dorsetginger .ltd.
The Bakery West Camel make everything onsite including its famous Lardy Cake.
Ham Hill Country
The Prince of Wales HAM HILL Country Park is beautiful all year round. The views are simply stunning whatever the season.
The Prince of Wales sits on the top of Ham Hill and is open all day, every day and are dog and welly boot friendly. There is plenty of outdoor seating, a marquee, and a covered area.
Inside there are two bars, a
restaurant and The Chapel Function Room.
They also have Amy's Garden that has its own bar and stage. In the cooler months they offer hot ciders and mulled wine. They offer local cask ales straight from the barrel and a selection of ciders. The Prince of Wales is proud to offer tasty, locally sourced food that is prepared on site.
Mike Manning Audio New to Stoke sub Hamdon, but not new to the area, Mike Manning Audio are proud to celebrate 37 years of trading in the Somerset area, starting with their original shop in Middle Street, Yeovil in 1987.
Their sole aim has always been to help customers make the right decisions when choosing their hifi (and home cinema) in order that they achieve the best sound, and most enjoyable, performance in their own homes.
They only stock and recommend products that they would, and usually do, use in their own homes. From quality radios for your kitchen etc, to full -blown top-end music (and audiovisual) systems they are the experts. Remember, Experience Counts! They also offer a service
Service Station for all your fuel plus a well-stocked shop selling fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, confectionery, papers, snacks and much more!
to copy your old videos, cassette tapes and films etc. to cd/dvd and memeory sticks ... keeping those old memories alive.
Rachel Gallon Holistic Wellbeing Practitioner
Rachel Gallon is a naturally gentle holistic wellbeing practitioner with 20 years experience offering sessions, events and classes at KIN studio to restore women to their natural rhythm.
Kinesiology uses bio-feedback from the body, bypassing the
MONTACUTE SERVICE STATION
(P L Warry & Sons) Montacute. Tel (01935) 822271
MURCO Fuels
Quality Used Car Sales
General Store & Shop: groceries, newspapers, flowers, bread, sweets, drinks, etc.
Montacute
The Prince of Wales at Ham Hill - where dogs and muddy boots are welcome!
Rachel Gallon Holistic Wellbeing Practitioner.
mental mind (where lie limitations and outdated beliefs) to achieve balance and harmony. Energy balancing gets you back into flow with vital energy to move from strive to thrive.
Intuitive guidance taps into your innate frequency, accessing Higher Self knowing. Nurturing allows you to feel safe and free to transform.
A special offer for busy mums juggling life once term recommences, Rachel is offering a complimentary aromatherapy spritz of Eddy Exhale with any September booking. Head to www.rachelgallon.com to explore further and book in.
Forward Dental Care
You will receive a warm welcome at Forward Dental Care who are situated on the new Martock workspace. They have a fantastic spacious practice offering routine private dental care, as well as specialist dentistry such as periodontal - (gum) therapy, implants and full mouth redesigns. They have a fabulous team of hygienists using the latest pain free, gold standard equipment to make your visit comfortable.
The friendly team of experts will support you and put you at ease through your journey at Forward Dental Care.
Please call a member of the
front of house team for more information on how to become a part of a wonderful place.
The Muddled Man, West Chinnock - a pub that's not a restaurant
The Muddled Man at West Chinnock is a welcoming family pub that's been run by the same real people for 24 years and is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Serving ‘proper pub food’ every day from soups to steaks. Sunday night-Thursday special of 2 x 8oz Rump Steaks for £30, Friday night special is traditional Real Ale battered fish & chips. Tasty gluten free batter is also available. Sunday Lunch on offer is traditional roast beef or pork with real gravy priced at £15.95.
Open Monday-Thursday 11am2.30pm/7pm-11pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 12noon-10pm. Food served 122pm/7pm-9pm.
Mick and Garry at The Muddled Man are celebrating 25 years in West Chinnock this year.
World record attempt at Vintage Tractor Show
The Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show will return on 910 November 2024 with an exciting world record attempt. The show will be a celebration of the many milestones for feats of engineering, including the 60th anniversary of Massey Ferguson's 100 series, and will draw enthusiasts from around the UK.
Tickets are available at: www.newarkvintagetractorshow. ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets.
Exhibitors can enter classes online at www.newarkvintage tractorshow.com/exhibitors.
PASTIMES
• Over thirty years of dealing in antique and Collectible Toys
• Established business paying BEST prices for old toys in any condition
The Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show will return on 9-10 November.
The Bigger Picture With Bridget Sudworth
BALANCE seems to be an oft repeated word of late. Perhaps it’s more to do with politics than anything else and maybe a result of the new government getting settled into their roles and wishing to make a splash with all those wild policies outlined during the election campaign. Ed Miliband has certainly nailed the apple cart to the barn wall by refusing any more licences for North Sea gas and oil extraction followed by confirmation that the proposed 2,500 acre site in Cambridgeshire for a vast wind farm on Grade 1 land will go ahead without further demur from any pesky locals shouting and waving banners.
It’s all so tricky, isn’t it? No one is denying the need for more green energy and the sooner we all accept that electricity isn’t simply at the end of the light switch and certainly isn’t free, the better for all! The recent ‘outage’ in America that disrupted energy supply for many critical organisations has served as a reminder that systems are fragile.
But building a wind or solar farm on good agricultural land flies in the face of any policy that may be hoping to reduce imports by growing more food on what is left of our green and pleasant. The same goes for housing development. Some people are quaking in their shoes at the thought of local fields being sequestered for development, forever destroying a loved view, allowing nosy pokes to peer through windows with crowded living, fertile land covered in unaesthetic solar panels and worse, which always gets forgotten, destroying yet more wildlife habitat. Why aren’t solar panels being put on rooftops as a matter of planning permission? Is it simply a question of
balancing things out, taking into account the unspoken fact that the UK is completely full up? The old adage comes to mind, ‘Small is beautiful’ so does the possibility exist whereby electricity could be supplied in smaller doses to serve smaller communities which might in time link up to provide a formidable national network that may solve more problems than one realises?
In our locality, a neighbouring farmer plans to turn a field of very low grade agricultural land into a small solar farm. This will serve the nearby cheese factory, with a portion of the project income flowing to the local community to support the likes of the village hall and school as well as local environment schemes. Local people are obviously acquainted with the scheme, there were no protests when the plan was introduced to the village long before planning was applied for and nobody has marched out waving banners. Benefit to all concerned is what rules the day. The headlands around the field will be nurtured for wildlife and vegetation and hedgerows will be thickened and allowed to grow naturally. Somehow, it all seems so totally different from the Cambridgeshire project; indeed, one welcomes the thought of delicious thick, high hedgerows with wild flowers and grasses being nurtured. Our farmer has ambitions to return fireflies (glow worms) to the area as he once knew them here when a boy. One can only endorse that aspiration. It’s all a question of balance, isn’t it?
The other day I bought some new clothes hangers packed together with minimal cardboard proudly proclaiming that they had been sustainably produced. A hollow laugh escaped when I
saw that they were made in China. If you care to read Horatio Clare’s book Down to the Sea in Ships whereby as a journalist, he travelled first east and then west in Maersk container ships to find out about the crews and the cargoes, you will be assured that many containers were filled to the brim with stuff that we used to make here but are now filled with rank rubbish, mostly plastic. Not very sustainable, I fear. But remember, we are trying to be green which means we no longer manufacture anything and continue to use fossil fuels from non-UK sources so nobody notices how naughty and hypocritical we are!
On a positive note, two interesting things cropped up recently. Bullrushes are used to make fabrics, not so different from other plant fibres including hemp, which is providing employment using local materials specially grown in the Great Fen. (Similarly, of course, willow is still grown in our Somerset Levels to make baskets and many things rushy.) Nothing new about materials used for making fabrics, however. When reading The Golden Thread by Kassia St Clair, I was amused to discover that the hairy, hoary Vikings on
their journeys west to practice a bit more rape and pillage (usually in Britain), used to drop their massive mainsail at night, made from wool, onto the sleeping bodies of the sailors to keep them warm. Rather salty, damp, heavy and certainly smelly, the raw wool was obviously still capable of shifting those longships, coupled with the rowing manpower, from one destination to another! (The sail would not be the kind of thing to knit by the fireside!)
Nature is just waiting in the wings and in spite of all the damage done world wide, is able to rebound with surprising vigour. A recently read article revealed how underwater sculpture in a very polluted fjord in Norway instantly attracted mussels and clams followed by larger and larger species leading to the predator fur seal who was the top of the food chain. All the while, the pollution was being filtered and cleaned and astonishingly, all this was accomplished in just over a year. Some of the sculptures are masses of people which must make for a spooky sight encrusted with corals and molluscs, should a diver go past! Hope still lingers on.
The Museum of Underwater Art in Isla Mujeres near Cancun in Mexico. Image: Shutterstock.com/Rob Atherton.
Family Health with
Jenna Evans
PICKING UP again this month with our series on pharmaceuticals. We'll be taking a look at one of the most controversial, overused and arguably downright dangerous families – antibiotics. The advent of modern antibiotics began during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Alexander Fleming quite famously first ‘discovered’ penicillin quite by accident. Roll forward a couple of decades and the mass production of penicillin and a boom in developing other antibiotics begins.
I'm sure we're all aware of the hazards over overuse and misuse of these drugs with the threat of antibiotic resistance but maybe you're not aware that concerns about this go right back to the days of Fleming? For decades we have had these warnings and yet still we seem to be very quick to prescribe antibiotics – and maybe even demand them ourselves when with a doctor? Add to this the massive use of antibiotics in animal farming, especially in more intensive (i.e. brutal, crammed and unsanitary) methods and concerns over the disposal of drugs contaminating our soil and water, and we really do have a ticking time bomb. Interestingly, while digging into statistics for this article I found an estimate from the World Health Organisation that in 2019 antimicrobial resistance was involved in nearly 5 million deaths – that's more than even the higher end estimated for Covid the following year! From my own observations over the years, I can say I see more people who are having repeated courses of antibiotics. Not only do they still have the original problem, they now have other issues from the side effects.
So obviously I fall into the school of thought that avoids antibiotics unless it actually is life threatening, and I would certainly exhaust all other options first for the common reasons they are prescribed –infections of the urinary system, respiratory system and skin seem to be three of the most common.
This is not me saying don't see your GP and don't take antibiotics – it's me saying be sensible and mindful of the power of these drugs. Now when you do take them, and I'm sure you will have heard this before, always finish a course. There's a good reason for that, and one that Fleming tried to make clear. If you don't wipe out all the bacteria, they have a better chance of adapting. Secondly, there are several groups of antibiotics, so take what you are prescribed – do not use somebody else's (yes that does happen!). Follow the instructions as always and be aware of any side effects.
The big 'drug mugger' impact to be aware of with antibiotics is disruption to the gut microflora. Those beneficial bugs that play all manner of roles in our bodies including aiding digestion, helping produce various nutrients and immunity. It used to be thought that there was no point in taking a probiotic supplement alongside antibiotics as they would be instantly wiped out but these days we absolutely recommend concurrent use – just take the good guys as far away from your antibiotic dose as you can. There are hundreds of products to choose from, pop into Ceres to get some personal advice. Also, up consumption of living foods such as live yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha and kefir. When the gut bacteria are disrupted it can negatively impact your production of vitamin B12 and vitamin K. A good high B12 complex and Vitamin K supplement may be a wise move after several rounds of antibiotics or if they've made you feel especially peaky.
If we do not respect these drugs as their creators warned and use them properly and effectively, they will not save our lives if we need them! See you next month!
•Jenna is a Holistic Health Coach and creator of bespoke beauty products. She can be found on Facebook at ‘Alchemical Beauty UK’. Jenna is also a multi-award winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil. To make an appointment, please pop in or call 01935 428791 for details. Always check with a health professional before making any dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle or starting a new supplement, especially with any existing health conditions.
WARD & SIBLEY
The Jewellers of Yeovil
Our repair section of the business is pleased to offer
FREE clean & setting check on gemstone rings THE CASKET, 103 MIDDLE STREET, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065
Ward & Sibley - the jewellers of Yeovil.
B’Active - fun & friendly fitness classes with Hayley.
B’Active and Pound!
GET fitter, stronger, healthier, lose weight, your workout in your own way. Pound is a cardio jam fitness session inspired by the infectious, energising and sweatdripping fun. Instead of listening
to music you become the music in this exhilarating full body workout that combines cardio, conditioning and strength training with yoga and Pilatesinspired moves using ripstixs and an exercise mat. Also B’Active with Hayley which is a little body conditioning using small weights and resistance bands etc., along the way to achieve full benefits. Get yourself booked into a local fun and friendly fitness class by calling Hayley on 07786 553889.
Christine Jewels Italian Language Services
Italian Language Services 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 advanced 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 private lessons for individuals or small groups tailored to particular needs can be provided.
NGS OPEN GARDEN:
Frankham Farm
Ryme Intrinseca, Sherborne DT9 6JT
Contact: Susan Ross MBE
Frankham Farm is a working farm (organic arable and livestock). Garden comprises 3½
acres, created since 1960 by the late Jo Earle for year-round interest. This large and lovely garden is filled with a wide variety of well grown plants, roses, unusual labelled shrubs and trees. Productive vegetable garden. Clematis and other climbers. Spring bulbs through to autumn colour, particularly oaks. Woodland walks.
Sorry, no dogs. Ramp available for the two steps to the garden. Modern WCs inc disabled.
Opening: Sun 13 Oct (12-5).
Adm £7, chd free. Light refreshments in our newly converted barn (no steps). BBQ with our own farm produced beef, lamb & pork, vegetarian soup, home-made cakes made by village bakers.
Location: 3m S of Yeovil. Just off A37 - turn next to Hamish's
farm shop signed to Ryme Intrinseca, go over small bridge and up hill, drive is on L.
Comment: A large farm garden with deep borders surrounding the lawns near the house and a large vegetable garden. They unusually have a wonderful range of tree species, some quite rare and planted a long time ago. Frankham is celebrating 42 years with the NGS this year. Well worth a visit in the autumn with all the well-established rare and mature trees. Entries may be subject to change – for latest information please check www.ngs.org.uk.
Frankham Farm.
September Notice Board
HORTON
Scottish Country Dancing every Tuesday evening at Horton Village Hall TA19 9QR from 7.309.30pm with refreshment break. £3.00 pay on the door. All welcome especially beginners. Further information from Anita at anitaandjim22@gmail.com or visit the website www.ashillscd .wordpress.com.
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 August Sudoku on page 31
MARTOCK
The Barnstaple Male Voice Choir, Saturday 21st September at All Saints Church, Martock; TA12 6JN, 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 at Guardianstickets@gmail.com /07547 213992/Martock Gallery/ Martock Newsagent (CASH ONLY); £12.00 at door. Visit www.martockonline.co.uk /events; www.facebook.com /martockguardiansconcerts. The Barnstaple Male Voice Choir is an internationally touring choir that provides a wide variety of music across all genres. A concert not to be missed.
So, you think you know your Pop music, do you ?
By
John Osborne
Answers can be found on page 31
1) What colour was the dress that Sugababes banged on about in 2005?
2) Lou Bega hit Number One in 25 years ago in September 1999 with which song?
3) John Roger Stephens is best known as … who?
4) Heavy D and the Boys once said 'Now that we …' what?
5) Reid is the surname of the twins who front The Proclaimers. What are their first names?
6) The Beatles third studio album was released in 1964. Name it. (Clue: film)
7) What item of clothing was David Dundas pulling on in 1977?
8) Jennifer Rush had the top selling single of 1985. Name it.
9) I Can Do It With A Broken Heart declares which female right now?
10) Name the band who sang about 'Lyla' in 2005.
Bonus question (worth a guess): How many members were in the very first line-up of Earth Wind and Fire?
Anorak Bonus:
What was the name of the 'Nowhere Man'?
Great quotes in Music (161):
"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was a musical fragmentation grenade, exploding with a force that is still being felt ... it changed the entire nature of the recording game - for keeps." - George Martin
Summer Dating with Alison at Just Somerset Introductions
Hope you’re all having a good summer which was a bit late this year - let’s hope we get some nice sunshine in September. It won’t be long and the summer days will be going into autumn, where has the time gone this year!
It’s a great time of year so enjoy the late summer, get out and about and meet new people. Being a member of the Just Introductions Group, means you can go to events across the group. It’s a relaxed way to meet people and broaden your social circle. I have known many couples who have met at a social and then gone on to meet up on a one to
one. We are an Introduction Agency for single people who are looking to make new friendships, get out dating and hopefully find a new relationship - an agency with the personal touch.
There are testimonials and videos from members on our new website. We cover all ages and are always looking for new members especially younger ones. As a member you have an Area Manager to help you throughout your membership. Every potential new member is interviewed and ID checked in their own home.
For more information on how we work please look at the website - what are you waiting for, give us a call!
September update from Lizzie at Lizzie Price
Shading Solutions
As we head towards Autumn and we can hopefully enjoy an Indian summer our thoughts may turn
towards getting our summer cars, caravans and motorhomes away for the winter months.
Lizzie Price.
Our range of carports can be free standing or lean to off the side of your home, and with optional sides are perfect for keeping your pride and joy dry and protected whilst not in use. You can also create covered walkways along the side of your home, keeping you dry when walking to and from garden buildings or your car. If you would like to extend your outdoor space to use all year round our range of glass or polycarbonate roof Verandas with optional sides, heating and lighting make a perfect addition to your home.
We offer a complete professional service from our home visit to installation for Blinds, Plantation Shutters, Awnings, Verandas and so much more.
Visit our website for more details by scanning the QR code or www.lizziepriceshading
solutions.co.uk. For site survey and no obligation quotation contact us on enquiries@ lizziepriceshadingsolutions.co.uk or phone 07879 992000.
9 top tips to make your property irresistible to homebuyers
Declutter - While it’s great for a home to look like a home, prospective buyers are also going to be drawn more towards tidy, well-ordered rooms. Sellers might want to think about tidying any unnecessary clutter. This could be from putting childrens’ toys into discreet boxes, to organising that bowl that has become a dumping spot for everything. While deciding what to tidy and what to keep on display for a viewing, it’s worth remembering that, often, the precious trinkets and objects that mean the world to you don’t have the same emotional pull for strangers. By removing these from sight for viewings, you’ll give buyers a chance to visualise how your house might become their home.
Don’t neglect the garden - You don’t need to be a green fingered wizard, or spend a lot of money landscaping and planting a stunning garden, but you should consider dedicating time to tidying your outdoor space before inviting people over for viewings. There are easy things you can do, like trimming hedges, cutting the grass, raking up leaves, and cleaning the patio tiles, that all make a big impact. Well kept gardens, front and back, show that a property has been cared for and gives a great first impression. Deep clean - Decluttering is good, however a proper deep clean is Shutterstock.com /Studio Romantic.
Fix and repairs - If you’ve got any faulty light switches, unfinished DIY projects, torn carpets or wobbly door knobs, it’s important to get them fixed before inviting prospective buyers to view your home. Buyers often want to know they can move in and not have to make any immediate improvements. Repairing these minor issues makes the home look so much more inviting.
also important when presenting your home to potential buyers. You can either dedicate a day to handling the deep clean yourself, or hire professional cleaners to come in and bring the sparkle back. This is about cleaning between tiles, under the fridge, scrubbing the hobs, the oven, and the skirting boards. It sounds like a lot of effort, however it’s worth it in the long run if it helps secure a buyer.
Fragrance - Smell is as essential to first impressions as anything we see with our eyes. If a home smells bad, it’s hard to move past and suggests the property hasn’t been cared for or cleaned. Bad smells can come from blocked drains, mouldy food, dirty cupboards, bins, and so on. Once these smells have been eliminated, you can also add some nice smells when buyers are due to visit, by doing things like baking bread, brewing coffee or getting an automatic air freshener.
Fresh paint - A new coat of paint will do wonders for the overall appearance of your home. It will help make the place look cleaner, brighter, and fresher. Neutral colours are always best - you need to allow for buyers to project their own vision on the space.
it away for the viewings, and if your cat uses a litter tray, think about cleaning it and storing it in a cupboard whilst people visit. Also, consider not leaving pet food bowls on the floor: for anyone who doesn’t live with pets, these smells can be overwhelming.
Final touches for a great viewing - Finally, some last minute presentation touches to tick off just before potential buyers arrive. Open all of the curtains (including the shower curtain), put the toilet seats down, clear empty dishes from the draining board, store away personal items such as toiletries, empty the bins, brush down the bread board, and run the vacuum around.
Ilminster Warehouse
Ilminster Warehouse was established in 1969 as a family run business and is still in the same family to this day. They have an extensive bed area with Silentnight, Rest Assured, Highgrove and Moonraker on display.
With both Sherborne and
Celebrity they cover recliners and dual motor lift and tilt electric chairs.
They also have a great range of chairs and sofas from Cotswold Chair Company made locally at North Petherton. Sofas from British manufactures such as Buoyant, Lebus, Furnico and Alstons. On display are several British made ready assembled bedroom ranges.
Delivery on furniture is free up to a 30 mile radius by their own friendly team.
Outdoor kerb appeal - As well as making sure the front garden is well-presented, first impressions and kerb appeal also rely on doors, windows, brickwork, gutters, and paintwork all being in good shape.
Don’t let pets dominate viewings - If you have pets, try not to let them dominate the home when people are coming for a viewing. If your dog has a large cage in the living room, consider packing
The Which Best Buy Hollingwell Cloud Zero Riser Recliner is available at Ilminster Warehouse.
VINTAGE Motorcycling with Rod Hann
AS I WRITE these words in late July we are enjoying a bit of a heatwave. Enjoy may perhaps not be the appropriate word here as like many others I dislike anything over 20 degrees C. But at least it is dry so I can take to the roads on my bikes without the necessity to wear layers of waterproof clothing. But by the time this is published September will be upon us and thoughts turn to things autumnal. Still there remains plenty of time to enjoy our old vehicles before winter.
My picture this month shows a very pretty Precision motorcycle dating from 1913. Few Precision machines exist but this one survives in Somerset and is used regularly by its proud owner. A little detective work can sometimes become very revealing, as in this case.
Frank Edward Baker founded the company in 1906 and it was based in the Precision Works in Birmingham, presumably that is why the name was adopted. He primarily made proprietary engines used for many purposes but they were also used in motorcycles and cyclecars. Mr Baker must have been a very successful businessman because by 1911 his works employed 800 people and at the Olympia Motorcycle Show in London that year his engines were used in 96 different makes of machines.
The works made a few complete machines using the Precision name only. Mainly the engines were used in other marques which gave rise to names such as Sun-Precision or Calthorpe-Precision or IvyPrecision and dozens more. The engines were also used in
MOTORING Yeovil
threewheelers including Morgan at one time.
Early in their history Precision also took over the Webley and Scott works to gain access to the machine tools. Webley and Scott are better known for the manufacture of air rifles and pistols. It is unclear what the works did during the war years but in 1919 Precision became part of the Beardmore group of companies and for several more years Beardmore-Precision bikes continued to be produced. It is believed that manufacture ceased in 1924.
Now Beardmore was a large group of companies which also made cars, aircraft, airships, ships and locomotives and many other things. That all sounds like a lot more research.
Turning now to riding events during the month of September and starting with the Somerset Section VMCC. On the 5th their club night at Cossington will be
a guest speaker and on the 14th will be their autumn Autojumble (more on this later) and then on the 15th they have the West Somerset Run from Wellington.
The Dorset Section start proceedings with the Big Road Run from Cranborne on the 1st. Next their club night at Pulham on the 11th will be a guest speaker.
On the 15th will be The Last of the Summer Wine Run from Hinton St Mary. The 22nd will see the Veteran and Vintage Run from Leigh Village Hall and lastly on the 28th (Saturday) is the Autumn Run from Sherborne. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section have their monthly meeting at Silton on the 9th. For more details on any of the above ring 01935 872528.
The Wells and Westland Classic Clubs are busy as usual so check their websites for details.
Going back to the Somerset Sections autumn Autojumble you will recall that this has always been in November and held at the Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet. Well this year
they have a new venue at Winchester Farm at Cheddar and the date has been brought forward to the 14th September. The new venue is located on the A371 and I am sure it will be well signposted.
Always a highlight of the year for all motorcyclists and for an entry fee of £5 you can inspect all the rusty metal (and of course some shiny stuff too) you ever wish to see, but lurking somewhere will be that elusive part you have sought for years. A wide range of essential needs will be on offer and lots of bits and pieces that you never even thought you needed. Top this off with good food, a bar, and the best of social days out will justify the modest outlay to get in.
Now my memory is not as good as it should be so I must start to make a shopping list of the bits I need, that will take the next six weeks, after that I shall go and thoroughly enjoy my day and still manage to come away with lots of goodies, none of which appears on my shopping list. But never mind as we shall all do the same thing again next spring.
1913 Precision which is used reguarly by its Somerset based owner.
With L.P-V
Sip the Seasons with Apples and Pears
NEVER a lover of sunshine and heat, my mood instantly lifts with the promise of cooler autumn days, not least because of the bounty that nature bestows upon us down here in the West Country as we approach the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.
As the seasons change, so too does my palate. Apple and pearbased alcoholic drinks have a long-standing tradition that dates back centuries, offering a delightful blend of fruity sweetness and intoxicating spirits. These drinks are perfect companions for cozy evenings by the fireplace or as refreshing sips as you bask in the last of the warm summer days.
The tradition of fermenting apples and pears into alcoholic beverages is rooted in history and has spread far and wide. Early European settlers brought their knowledge of apple and pear cultivation and fermentation techniques to the New World, where apple orchards thrived and this legacy endures today in a wide variety of forms, from apple ciders and brandies to modern concoctions like apple and pear cocktails.
Cider: Traditional apple cider is perhaps the most well-known apple-based alcoholic beverage. Made by fermenting apple juice, transforming the sugars into alcohol, the result can range from sweet to dry, still to sparkling. Ciders often carry the distinctive flavour of the apples they are made from and can vary greatly depending on the type of apples used.
Perry: Perry is the pear equivalent of cider. Made from fermented pear juice, it offers a unique and delicate flavour profile compared to apple-based drinks. Like cider, perry can be crafted in various styles, from dry to sweet.
Calvados: A sophisticated spirit made through distillation. Calvados, hailing from Normandy, France, is distilled from apple cider. This potent spirit captures the essence of its fruit and is best sipped slowly and savoured.
In recent years, mixologists and craft brewers have taken these traditional beverages to new heights, creating innovative cocktails and fusion drinks. Here
are some worth trying:
Apple and Pear Sangria: A refreshing twist on the classic Spanish drink, this fruity concoction combines apple and pear slices with white wine, brandy, and a hint of cinnamon for a delightful and colourful punch.
Cider Cocktails: Cider serves as an excellent base for cocktails. Try mixing it with whisky or bourbon and a touch of maple syrup for a delightful autumninspired drink or blend it with ginger beer for a zesty summer refresher.
Pear Martini: Infuse the elegance of pear eau-de-vie into a classic martini by combining it with a high-quality vodka, a splash of lemon juice, and a hint of simple syrup. Garnish with a thin pear slice for an extra touch of sophistication.
Alcoholic apple and pear drinks provide a delicious journey through the seasons, offering a wide range of flavours and styles to suit any occasion. If you are looking to expand your palate, seek out artisanal producers who craft small-batch apple and pear drinks, including vodka and gin. These often feature unique apple and pear varieties, regional influences, and distinct fermentation techniques.
Top of my list, in part because I like my alcohol to have some oomph, is Calvados. It does not come cheap, although you can pick up a bottle for around £25.
I have a friend in France who makes his own, which comes out at around 70%abv. – a bit like drinking rocket fuel!
Boulard Calvados Pays d'Auge XO 70cl. 40% abv., £59.99. Since 1825, five successive generations of the Boulard family have devoted all their life to crafting this XO Calvados Pays d'Auge. The originality of the XO Boulard comes from the careful selection of 40 varieties of cider apples from the Pays d'Auge.
Avallen Calvados 70cl. 40%abv., £39.95
This is a natural apple brandy from Normandy, made with an eye to environmental sustainability. On the nose this is fresh apples with a floral honeysuckle. The palate is host to a lingering toffee apple finish which leads to a rich warming finish with a hint of vanilla.
Dupont VSOP Calvados 70cl. 42%abv., £57.99
Etienne Dupont use three types of apples to get a great balance of flavour and offers a palate bursting with vanilla, dried fruits, and a long crisp classic Calvados finish.
Pocketful of Stones
Cider Brandy 70cl. 40%abv., £43.50
Pocketful of Stones have partnered with several independent Cornish cider producers who throughout the year release different variations, including Jonathan Gould, using apples from their Grampound Orchard.
Somerset Shipwreck 8-Year-Old Cider
Pommeau de Normandie Père Magloire 70cl. 17.5%abv., £28.60
If you are looking to reduce your alcohol content, then Pommeau might be the answer. It is the result of a judicious blend of the fresh must of cider apples and selected Calvados aged in oak barrels. Specific apple varieties are blended and matured in oak barrels for 3 years, giving structure, length, and a mellow well-balanced richness. It is slightly filtrated, so some natural sediments may appear. Best served chilled.
Calvados shares many similarities with apple brandy, but there are key differences. Calvados must be aged in an oak barrel for a minimum of 2 years before it earns its name. Apple brandy, however, can be produced anywhere in the world, but must be made exclusively from fermented apples.
Naturally, the flavour of Calvados varies according to the variety of apple used. Cider brandy is likewise diverse in its flavour profile; relying on a mixture of apple varieties to achieve unique results.
It would be remiss of me not to show loyalty and mention the amazing local home grown delights available to us.
Brandy. 50cl. 43%abv., £41
Aged for eight years in Allier oak barrels that were destined for the wine regions of South Africa. They were cargo on the MSC Napoli which beached in 2007 off the Devon coast. The barrels were put to good use on English soil to mature this excellent brandy.
Somerset Royal 5-Year-Old Cider
Brandy 70cl. 42%abv., £45.90
This has lost the apple character of Somerset Royal Pomona but is smoother and far more complex with a velvety palate and a sweet spicy aftertaste. It is very much an after-dinner brandy.
Somerset Royal Alchemy Cider Brandy 70cl. 42%abv., £78
The alchemist’s art is evident in Alchemy’s journey from their orchards to a unique golden spirit. A brandy with finesse and apple, mellow, smooth, and long on the palate.
Somerset Royal Pomona 50cl. 20%abv., £17.80
From The Somerset Cider Company, this combines fresh apple juice with apple brandy, which is then aged in small oak casks to produce a full-bodied warming digestif.
Somerset Kingston Black Apple Aperitif
50cl. 18%abv., £15.65
This blend of Cider Brandy and vintage cider produces a wonderful drink that is sweet with a flavour depth and quality that has become popular. It makes a superb aperitif or can be served with desserts.
Arbors
IF YOU are thinking about adding seating in your garden, consider an Arbor. The first question most people ask is, what is the difference between an Arbor, Pergola, and a Gazebo?
An Arbor has a pitched roof with two vertical sides, which can have trellis as support for a scented climbing plant, and usually has a bench-style seat, perfect for one or two people to sit side by side.
A pergola is a larger freestanding open structure made using vertical posts and horizontal beams to form an overhead canopy that can be positioned over a path or patio and planted with scented
climbers or left un-planted for an interesting architectural structure in a modern garden.
And finally, a Gazebo this is also a free-standing structure that has a domed or rounded roof supported by pillars and can be fully or semi-open with sides for privacy.
So now we know the difference, I am going to focus on the arbor and the benefit of adding one to your garden.
Arbors are available to purchase pre-made or in kit form in wood, metal, or a composite material to suit your garden style,
and your local garden centre will have a selection on display you can view to help you make your choice.
Arbors are usually rectangular in shape, some with built-in storage space under the bench seat, perfect to keep a comfortable cushion or throw. But, if you are looking for something a little bit bigger, then an ‘L’ shaped corner design makes clever use of space creating a cosy seating area, for up to four people.
When choosing the perfect location for your arbor here are a couple of things to consider. Do you want a shaded seating area, or a place where you can enjoy the warmth of the sun, or maybe you want some privacy on your patio if your neighbours overlook you and finally, ensure the chosen position is sheltered and out of any prevailing wind to enhance your comfort.
And remember, if you can view the arbor from inside the house it will create an interesting and attractive focal point from this angle too, particularly if it is planted with climbers, so take this into account before you decide on its final position.
Until next time happy gardening!
Great British Bake Off star coming to Brimsmore Gardens Thursday 19 September, 1:30pm On Thursday 19 September, food writer, author and Great British Bake Off star, Val Stones will host a baking demonstration and tasting at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil. While talking about her love of baking for her family, friends and colleagues and how that led to winning the hearts of the nation after appearing on series 7 of the Great British Bake
Off, Val will prepare sweet and savoury scones from her book, The Cake Whisperer
Having always found comfort in baking and gardening, often using homegrown produce in her recipes, Val has gained a large following on social media and uses this profile to encourage people to find the joy in baking for others regardless of expertise and to grow their own, no matter how big their outdoor space may be. The demonstration will start at 1:30pm in the garden centre and will conclude with a Q&A and tasting, with tea provided by The Apple Tree Restaurant. Tickets are £8 each and are available at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil or online at www.thegardensgroup.co.uk. Advance booking is essential.
Somerset Wildlife Trust, Glastonbury Town Council, and residents create bespoke climate plan to meet effects of climate change head on Somerset Wildlife Trust is pleased to announce the launch of a new Climate Adaptation Plan for Glastonbury, the first in a new series of toolkits to help communities across Somerset prepare for and adapt to the UK’s changing climate.
With Julie Haylock of Sandhurst Garden Design
Val Stones. Image: Katharine Davies.
With climate and nature emergencies being declared across the country, and the new UK Government recognising in their 2024 manifesto that these crises will be the greatest longterm global challenges, Somerset Wildlife Trust has been encouraging people across Somerset to prioritise climate adaptation — a process that involves preparing for the future effects of climate change, which may include extreme weather events such as flooding, heatwaves, and drought.
The Trust has been piloting a new process called Act to Adapt to help communities across Somerset better understand climate adaptation and the changes they can make to prepare for the climate extremes facing the county. Since October 2023, the charity has been working with Glastonbury Town Council, with funding from the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA), to complete the first new climate adaptation plan for Somerset, which has been created for Glastonbury through collaboration with local residents, business owners, and other organisations.
The final plan identifies four key themes and priority adaptation actions, chosen by Glastonbury residents, with comprehensive advice on how these changes can be implemented. The key themes identified in the plan are:
1. Planting more trees and plants
2. Adapting to flooding
3. Installing green walls and roofs
4. Engaging with local planning
Natalie Barnett, Climate Adaptation Officer at Somerset Wildlife Trust, said:
“Due to its long coast and large areas of low-lying land, Somerset is unfortunately one of the UK’s most climate-vulnerable areas, and it’s facing risks including sealevel rise, river flooding, and drought. Working with communities across Somerset through the Act to Adapt process has allowed us to explain what these risks might actually mean for people and businesses, and how their day-to-day lives might be affected. Climate change stirs deep emotions, but we can’t shy away from this crucial
conversation. Facing the reality of extreme weather and its impacts on our communities is essential. By normalising discussions about climate concerns, climate adaptation and encouraging action, we’re taking a vital step forward.
“This process has been all about working with communities — we’ve built plans around local concerns and ideas, which naturally leads to stronger communities, increased biodiversity, and improved wellbeing. It has been such a pleasure to have been involved in this project so far, and we’re absolutely delighted to be able to launch this Climate Adaptation Plan for Glastonbury!”
Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) Chair Councillor Mike Stanton added:
“Across Somerset floods have been increasing in intensity and unpredictability because of climate change. Hence why one of the new objectives in the SRA Strategy 2024-34 is to ‘increase the resilience of people, places and the environment to flooding, while adapting to climate change’. So the SRA has been helping people in Glastonbury to work together on local ideas for achieving that objective with this new Climate Adaptation Plan. It’s a fascinating piece of work. It covers many parts of the town, right down to individual ponds, bus shelters and toilet blocks. If you’ve been not involved so far, please do get involved now!”
Somerset Wildlife Trust and Glastonbury Town Council unveiled the final version of Glastonbury’s Climate Adaptation Plan at an in-person event on the 24th August, where Glastonbury residents were invited to see the plan, ask any questions they may have, and share tips and advice to start implementing key changes for the town, held at St John’s Church between 4:30pm – 7:00pm. Next year, the Trust will also be organising an ‘Adaptation Blitz’, where local people will be involved to come together to implement as many of the plan’s actions as possible.
You can download a copy of the final Climate Adaptation Plan for Glastonbury and learn more about Act to Adapt by visiting the Somerset Wildlife Trust website: www.somersetwildlife.org/act-toadapt.
The Pub Pages
BEER & SKITTLES
ALL too often we lament the passing of pubs, and this hurts more when it is a much loved local. A couple months ago I mentioned that one such pub – the Rose and Crown at Trent had been rescued from oblivion by an entrepreneurial couple and was open once again. Well at last I was able to find an excuse to make a visit, that excuse being to deliver the West Dorset CAMRA magazine The Giant's Pint. I was greeted by the charming Amelia, who together with her chef husband, Mal, have taken on this lovely old country pub. My intention was to 'pop in', but two and a half hours later I finally got away. The atmosphere was truly wonderful, with friendly staff and an excellent pint of Wadworth's 6X – my first from the cask for a very long time.
How's things on the pub games front you may ask? Well sadly the skittle alley was lost probably some forty years ago or more (I think it virtually fell down), but games evenings are planned and we're also hoping that the ghost of a former local customer won't interfere ... the pleasant garden may also await some summer games, although firstly perhaps we'll need a summer! Mal and Amelia do not come into the trade blind; for they both have experience in the hospitality industry, and so combining that experience with their youth, I believe that this pub will be taken 'back up where it belongs', and I look forward to sampling the fayre. All at The Visitor wish you good fortune!
On the subject of outdoor games, the Cross Keys in Wallingford, Oxfordshire was taken over by new management just over two years ago. One of the many improvements they made to the pub was to refurbish and reopen the Aunt Sally pitch. Whilst they don't yet have a team in any of the local Abingdon or Oxford leagues, they do run a
couple of annual tournaments. Landlord Dave Howse had a near perfect replica doll of himself made up, which the locals thoroughly enjoyed throwing sticks at to knock him off his post! (thanks to Dave Quinn for the report).
Whilst the number of licenced premises is still down considerably following the covid restrictions, there has been an increase from March to June by 0.5%. Now whilst that is merely a percentage, in real terms that mounts to in excess of 450, or more importantly, five per day! Long may this continue (source The Morning Advertiser). Incredibly, there are still around 1,750 small brewers in this country and whilst we have lost quite a few, and continue to see those numbers fall, the big brewers still have a stranglehold on the majority of outlets. I appreciate that you have no doubt in that statement being a truism as almost every pub has products from those big brewers - and no others.
The number of brewers continues to drop as the various tours of destruction continue. What's going on folks? When Marstons took over Jennings , Hobgoblin, Ringwood et al they were allowed to continue, yet now ... these no longer exist. So much is always happening in the
Birra Moretti. I think mortgages will soon be available in pubs to purchase a round!) Whilst CAMRA continue to trumpet their support for real ale, I fail to see how producing books on homebrew is going to help (as in a recent email from them). It was suggested to me by a fellow member of said organisation that they have 'lost their way'. Well there is a huge membership so support is there, and I know that local action by the grass roots membership continues to be dedicated to the cause by visiting pubs and quietly getting on with supporting them. There maybe no 'Campaign for keg beer' but these beers continue to outsell the 'real' stuff multiple times over. Indeed, sales of real ale continue to fall. We've all been served poor or even undrinkable ale at one time or another. Is it poor cellermanship and inferior beer quality, putting people off? Possibly; I guess if I knew the answer I'd be very wealthy by now! Let me know what you think.
industry it's impossible to keep up with it all. (Oh and by the way, Carling is now being outsold by
We mentioned last month about the sudden influx of shove ha'penny boards to my collection. Well to my surprise and delight there was another sudden influx, kindly gifted by Dale Wills, who contacted me via my 'Pub Games' site on Facebook (do feel free to join!) Not only that, but Dale, in a fit of extreme generosity, presented me with a 'Swanage
P. A. BAXTER
Dave Howse and Doll. Image: Dave Quinn.
Dale Wills with Swanage board.
board', a 4 foot 6 inch giant version used for play exclusively in the Purbeck and Swanage area of Dorset. A single plank of mahogany, the scoring areas are marked but are unlike any conventional board, with a scorer needing to be present to total up as the ha'pennies float their way into the almost football-pitch like area. Scoring is as follows: The four squares 1-4. Centre circlefive, nearest semi-circle ten, the far, twenty. Familiarity of the game is thus essential. Although it is in need of some attention and restoration as you can see, it is certainly do-able, and despite being an amateur wood-butcher myself, I feel that advice from those who know the right way to proceed is pertinent thus eliminating the possibility of mistakes, which would be followed by regret and guilt for be-spoiling such a wonderful object. Many thanks indeed to Dale for his most generous gift. A Swanage board is revered by collectors and hardly had I posted a picture on the aforementioned Facebook site when I received a request asking if I would sell. The answer was a firm 'NOPE!' and I think that may well be added to my will, to be passed onto a certain other enthusiast I know well ... Dale also very generously gave me three very old shove ha'penny boards in need of some restoration, two of which should be quite simple with which to proceed. I'm sure I can fit those in after restoring a 'Twister', building a table skittles and several more bats for Bat and Trap. Sitting around is something that will not be occurring!
What's your opinion on music in pubs? I was recently informed that a piano in a pub is outside the realms of licenced music being that it is not amplified. (Does that
mean a completely acoustic session is such too?) Allegedly more pianos are appearing back in pubs and that perhaps signifies a new era of sing-songs around the 'Old Joanna'.
Strangely we were reminiscing with a great friend of mine, Malcolm Lloyd, who had a professional career as one of life's 'un-sung' musicians, and it started in a pub - his first gig ever being at the Glovers Arms, Yeovil, around 1970-ish. His talent is undeniable, and he's accompanied our daughter and myself (and played at the other daughter's wedding) and he's still at it today. Personally, I thoroughly enjoy hearing any genre of music as long as it's played well (although as we know, karaoke and music are not synonymous!)
As to whether we'll be hearing raucous renditions of Knees up Mother Brown, Roll out the barrel
and Down at the Old Bull and Bush, once again, I wouldn't like to say.
However if we do, I'll be heading for the door pretty damn quick!
That Lynne Penny of Bradford Abbas is to be known from this day forward as 'The Orchid Whisperer'.
That John Mathew of Charlton Horethorne is putting on a great night of music at Charlton Horethorne Church starting at 7.30pm on Friday 27th September. If you don’t go you will miss a great night and the wine & nibbles at the end! That dinosaurs recently roamed the Quedam Centre in Yeovil, much to the delight of visiting children.
That at Crewkerne Aqua Centre the wind-down of the pilates classes is so relaxing, some people have been known to nod off.
That Langport's Bow Wharf Cafe do a lovely breakfast … but the mistaken addition of sugar instead of sea salt turned out to be ‘very interesting’ … should have gone to Specsavers That residents of more than one Dorset village enjoy naked gardening, and not just on the first Saturday in May.
That Landlady Amelia Moore at The Rose and Crown, Trent, met Father Christmas this past August, although she didn't recognise him in his disguise.
ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ On page 23 1) Red 2) Mambo No. 5 (a little bit of...) 3) John Legend 4) '...found love' 5) Craig and Charlie 6) 'A Hard Days Night' 7) 'Jeans'
8) 'The Power of Love' 9) Taylor Swift 10) 'Oasis' Worth a Guess bonus: Ten
Anorak Bonus: The 'Nowhere Man' was named 'Jeremy' as seen in the Beatles cartoon film 'Yellow Submarine'. The voice-over was none other than comedian Dick Emery.
Swanage finals night.
Solution to August Sudoku
Scoring area of Swanage board.
A burning issue
THE ‘Warm Homes’ feature in the September 1994 Visitor provides a stark example of how public opinion has changed over the last 30 years, largely in response to the perils of climate change. For it opens by reporting the publication by British Coal of ‘a free written guide to opening up a fireplace and installing an open fire’. Apparently it ‘provides clearly illustrated descriptions of fireplaces and chimney components ... and all items needed to meet current building regulations’.
Then comes news of a leaflet from The Solid Fuel Association, ‘the coal trade’s newest promotional organisation’, outlining ‘the variations that exist in terms of heat output, burning timescales and the level of ash produced’. The Association had devised a ‘housecoal quality standard star system’ which grades coals according to their performance in open fires, which at present ‘applies to bituminous (smoking) housecoals but it is also hoped that a similar classification scheme will shortly be established for smokeless anthracites and other domestic solid fuels’.
Barbers shop
Nowadays farm shops are an established and common sight in Visitor land’s countryside, often selling numerous products which have no connection with the adjacent farm. Thirty years ago it was the local butcher, greengrocer, delicatessen and high-quality grocers that one patronised for local produce, and in the September 1994 Visitor only one genuine farm shop was featured – Maryland Farm at Ditcheat, belonging to A J & R G Barber Ltd.
The report gives an indication of what the shop was like. Offering a wide choice of cheese and meat ‘the most popular cheese is always Maryland Farmhouse Mature Cheddar’ and ‘the traditional Wiltshire cured bacon has an excellent reputation and is produced at the company’s abattoir in Wiveliscombe from West Country pigs fed on whey from the local dairy farms’. Also on sale in the shop were butter, eggs, pork, beef, lamb, sausages,
faggots and offal, and ‘the staff are frequently amazed at how far afield customers travel to visit the shop’.
In the best of taste
With the previous item in mind it was good to read elsewhere in the same issue that ‘results from recent research carried out for the regional food group Taste of the West have revealed that local retailers are keen to stock locallyproduced food and drink’. According to the report ‘nearly 200 retailers responded to a questionnaire concerning the range of products stocked and their general opinions of regional suppliers and West Country specialities’.
For the West Country had become ‘a veritable Aladdins Cave of gourmet delights both traditional and innovative, such as wines, cider brandy, organic sausages, speciality farmhouse cheeses, oysters, yogurt and venison to name but a few’. The organisation had recently produced a Gourmet Food Trail leaflet detailing over 90 good food shops from Gloucestershire to Cornwall ‘dedicated to selling the very best speciality regional products’.
Mini-memories
Car enthusiasts will probably recall that 1994 marked the 35th anniversary of the Mini. A report in the September 1994 revealed that ‘when the Mini was first put on the market in 1959 it was doomed to be remembered as a ‘brick on roller skates’ but ‘thirty five years later the Mini is a household name with over five million cars sold worldwide’ and has now become one of the world’s best-loved automobiles.
It also revealed that John Cooper, creator of the Mini Cooper, had an additional reason for celebrating the anniversary the Cooper Racing Team’s victory
in the Formula One world championship, a victory repeated again in 1960.
Gone but not forgotten
Scanning ‘The Pub Pages’ in the September 1994 issue it’s sad to see advertisements for so many hostelries that are no longer with us. To revive nostalgic memories here is just a small selection. The Railway Inn in Wincanton announced that ‘we are now wheelchair friendly’ and that ‘the newly-refurbished skittle alley/function room is available to hire for private parties’.
Also in Wincanton the Red Lion
Inn boasted that ‘we are in the Good Beer Guide in recognition of our fine range of traditional ales’. At Upton Noble the Lamb Inn was staging a ‘mouse racing evening’ in aid of multiple sclerosis and was offering ‘authentic Indian curry suppers every Wednesday evening’, while the Pilgrims Rest at Lovington promised ‘traditional pub food’ as well as ‘Indian, Chinese and Pasta’. And the Horse Pond Inn in Castle Cary announced that ‘bookings are now being taken for Christmas Dinners’ – somewhat premature, methinks! 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.
Personal
www.country-link.co.uk COUNTRY LINK SOCIAL GROUP. Fresh air, fun, food and friendship. Tel: Andy 01225 834834 or Lynda 07970 922762
Storage
STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles. Lock-up garages to let. Tel: Sparkford Storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692
SANDYS Warehouse, Gillingham 01747 822077. Wanted - collections of Hornby, Corgi, Dinky. Cash paid for right models. Somdor House, Gillingham SP8 4QA, sandysremovals@aol.com.
Services
HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN RUBBISH CLEARED, old sheds / outbuildings demolished, etc. Tel: 01460 77844
Prize Crossword No. 454 Set by Frank Butler
SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO:
The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, Somerset BA9 0BP – to arrive by Monday 16th September.
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. 227g or 50p, see 12 [4, 1, 5]
6. The thing referred to is junction headgear [4]
9. Speaking unkindly out of hearing, reversing around part [10]
10. Weapon to join together [4]
12. 1, 29, 12, 1, 13, mix it up and make it nice, 19. Down, the 16! [4, 1, 5, 2, 8, 4, 4, 1, 5, 2, 7 ... 3, 4 ... 6]
13. Feel actor stirred up, see 12 [2, 7]
15. Flimsy dressing gown for eel in egg [8]
16. Mustela Nivalis, see 12 [6]
18. Time up to ascribe [6]
20. Vast lean six-footer captive [5, 3]
23. Blow it! A lot of brass [9]
24. Indian prince’s artist German? Yes! [4]
26. Ill-gotten gains returned with implement [4]
27. Commons with headless bloom by hospital and river [5, 5]
28. Players poured and set [4]
29. Pet pony fun, see 12 [2, 8]
Clues Down:
1. The bed holds a plant [4]
2. Ruler beneath a French lake is missing [7]
3. Short form might come to a vibration [12]
4. Emerging results [8]
5. Pensioner of a quarter-century [6]
7. Man has fifty cones with screwthreads [7]
8. Cover for board is extremes of truth about fit twerp [10]
11. Radio’s joint in state of near bankruptcy [12]
14. Clean, i.e. can’t spit! [10]
17. Loud meat water with flaming torch! [8]
19. Father departs, see 12 across [3, 4]
21. Some bad journey to take a break [7]
22. Warn with damaged pencil [3, 3]
25. In a high degree needing light for signal flame [4]
Solution to Crossword 453
Winner of the August Crossword is Pat Hollands of Ilchester who chose to spend the £15 voucher at Brunel Pet Centre, Somerton.
