The Visitor Magazine Issue 378 May 2015

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

Issue 378 May 2015

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In Passing ...

A

WEEK of hot weather at Easter almost fooled me into thinking that summer is just around the corner. But I was brought up to ‘never trust an April sunshine’ and to ‘cast not a clout ‘til May be out’, and in the past I have suffered some gardening catastrophes following late April frosts. I don’t grow much fruit and ‘veg’ in my garden, but as spring begins to turn into summer I always look forward to my first taste of fresh English asparagus, new potatoes, runner beans, tomatoes and strawberries.

My garden is quite small but there is always something that needs doing to keep it tidy and colourful. Thank goodness I haven’t got acres of farmland to care for.

Those of us who live in and appreciate Visitorland’s beautiful countryside – and those who come from afar to enjoy it and spend their time and money in it – owe a huge debt of gratitude to the agricultural community whose efforts keep it that way.

But it’s a shrinking community. Barely 5% of the area’s workforce are engaged directly on the land, and many of them receive a pittance for what they produce, a barrage of ill-informed criticism of the way they produce it and a welter of bureaucratic requirements that distract them from producing it.

Most of us demand cheap food and pretty countryside and leave it to this beleaguered minority to come up with the goods. But to sell cheap depends on the ability to buy cheap, so the supermarkets’ buyers squeeze the suppliers until it hurts them so much that they throw in the towel. Government policies and the major retailers’ practices over the past 60 years have accustomed us to cheap food, to the point where price bears little relationship to the costs of production, and the packaging and transportation account for a sizeable chunk of it.

Selling cheap also depends on the ability to pile it high and sell it fast – demanding large stores with a wide range and high turnover of goods. Bigger stores with bigger

car parks for more customers; out-of-town superstores on greenfield sites because few big town centre sites are vacant and they don’t come cheap. The smaller retailers, the family businesses and the sole traders who are the lifeblood of Visitorland’s towns and villages, have little choice but to adapt to the cut-price marketplace or shut up shop.

The alternative to ‘cheap’ doesn’t have to be ‘expensive’, it has to be ‘fair’, to give producers a fair return for their efforts.

And eating seasonally doesn’t necessarily mean eating expensively. When a product is in season and plentiful the law of supply and demand ensures that its price drops.

So there should be nothing stopping us from feasting on the superior flavours of fresh seasonal local produce without breaking the bank and without bankrupting the producers. And without buying from the superstores.

NN.

Advertising Deadlines

June Issue published Thursday 21st May Deadline Friday 8th May

PO Box 1, Castle Cary Somerset BA7 7BG

Ltd.

Tel: (01963) 351256, 351998 Fax: (01963) 350552 Email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk Website: www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk facebook.com/thevisitormagazine twitter.com/thevisitormag

Proprietor, Accounts & Subscriptions Helen Dunion Production Manager Jeff Farrow

Advertisement Manager & Features Editor Michelle Trulock © The Visitor Ltd. 2015

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

CONTENTS

Our FRONT COVER is almost entirely due to patriotism

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED - 48 ANTIQUES & COLLECTING - 23

BARRINGTON BOAR, Barrington business profile - 45 BUSINESS - 36

CROSSWORD - 50 GARDENING - 37

GILLINGHAM - 11

HOUSE & HOME - 15

ILCHESTER - in and around - 29 LEISURE & TRAVEL - 26 NOTE TO ADVERTISERS Advertisements are accepted subject to our standard terms and conditions as printed on our rate card, available upon request. We cannot guarantee any specific page or position, but will always do our best to comply with clients’ wishes.

ARTWORK Artwork & design by our production department and photographs taken by our photographers are the copyright of The Visitor Ltd.

Clients or agencies supplying artwork or images should send uncompressed TIFs, JPEGs or PDFs, 300 dpi minimum if actual size, or at a higher resolution if smaller than size required, along with a hard copy print-out.

For advertisement sizes see our Rate Card.

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

LETTERS - 5

LOOKING GOOD & FEELING FINE - 24 MENTIONED in DISPATCHES - 6 MERE - 10

MOTORING - 22

MUSIC for the MONTH - 28 NOTICE BOARD - 22 PAPERCHASE - 47

PHONE-A-FIRM - 48 PUBS - 40

THEY SAY - 44

WINE & DINE - 46

YEOVIL Independent Businesses - 30

Drawings by GEOFF THOMPSON

THE VISITOR May 2015 3

4 THE VISITOR May 2015

Letters To the Editor Leave our Puffin Signals alone!

S i r , O h how I hate it when politicians get involved in subjects about which they have very limited knowledge. In our local news recently, we had David Laws talking about bed closures in Crewkerne Hospital when there have been none and now one of our local councillors, Angie Singleton is making headline n e w s b y recommending the removal of the signal controlled pedestrian crossing in the middle of town, and replacing it with a Zebra crossing.

To my mind this would be madness as the current Puffin signal controlled crossing has a good safety record because it gives a positive indication to both pedestrians and traffic when they have the right of way, by using both vehicle and pedestrian detectors. Traffic is therefore only halted sufficient to enable pedestrians to cross, when the lights return to green for vehicles.

Likewise, pedestrians crossing the road during a gap in the traffic are detected so vehicles are not stopped unnecessarily.

Zebra crossings have none of these refinements, relying solely on the judgement of drivers and pedestrians. Also, pedestrians have the right of way on Zebra crossings so traffic would be stopped more frequently resulting in greater congestion not less, and an increase in accidents. In many parts of the country Zebra crossings are being removed and replaced with signal controlled crossings.

If our Town and District Councils are serious about reducing traffic delays in our town why do they not seek to introduce the one way system that has been talked about for so many years? It is ironic that

when the annual fair comes to town, requiring a temporary one way system, the traffic moves so much better.

I speak as someone with over thirty years employment with the Department of Transport working in traffic engineering and motorway control, and the development of traffic control equipment. When I reached retirement age I was Head of Electrical Engineering a nd Communications in the Department of Transport South East Network Management Division.

Perhaps our local councillors and our MP, can tell us what qualifications and experience they have drawn on to suggest such a retrograde step which could have serious and detrimental safety issues without any improvement in traffic congestion. Perhaps this was just a cynical publicity stunt during the run up to the elections in May. Ron Bond Whitehall Court Crewkerne TA18 7NW

Who will run our Town and Parish Councils post election?

Sir, One of the real challenges when representing others, especially at a local level, is that one often has all the responsibility, but no authority.

It is a situation that I frequently find myself in, and as a decisive person who likes to take action it is not a comfortable position to be in.

Now that the period for submitting nominations for the impending election have closed it has been interesting to note that, if the first indications are anything to go by, many local

communities will be left high and dry when it comes to representation on parish and town councils across the county.

The lack of candidates putting themselves forward will mean that in many cases there will be no election at all, and in some cases there will be no town or parish council if they cannot reach a quorum. The same sadly applies to school governors, where these posts are increasingly hard to fill.

This invariably means that people will be urged to put themselves forward for co-option.

Given recent complaints from some members of the public about those who sit on their local councils and governing bodies, not having been elected, I can only say ‘serves you right’.

The difficulty of getting people to stand has been a continuing trend in recent years, which is unsurprising. With less central funding available many communities are feeling the pinch. In the past they could rest assured that the small but important jobs that need to be carried out to maintain their towns and villages would be dealt with swiftly and efficiently by whichever service was responsible. Sadly, this is no longer the case as both county and district councils move inexorably towards carrying out statutory tasks only. The icing on the cake has all but disappeared.

This has largely resulted in a good deal of moaning and groaning, and a lack of acceptance that the world around us has changed. There are more of us and we eat more fast food, creating more litter, we drive more cars and go to more places more regularly so our roads need

more frequent maintenance; the list is endless.

Some, but not all, local communities have taken a proactive approach, and seeing parish councillors out and about helping to clear ditches and maintaining footpaths is now a regular sight. They embrace the responsibility of taking charge of their towns and villages, but get little thanks or recognition for it.

Somerset in particular is a county that is very popular for those moving down to live a more tranquil, peaceful existence away from the large cities where they have spent their working lives.

Many people also prefer to bring up their children here.

It is often these newcomers who decide to ‘get involved’ by becoming members of local committees. Their involvement can have a really positive impact, yet at the same time they are sometimes lambasted by those who were born and bred in the area for ‘taking over’. We can’t have it both ways. Yes, being involved in the community can certainly be a thankless task, and very time consuming.

There are times when the lack of urgency and the feeble, ineffective actions of our bureaucratic masters makes my blood boil. However, someone has to take responsibility, and when it comes to our own livelihoods we must continue to fight for what we want and deserve, even if it means putting our heads above the parapet or walking straight into the firing line. Trust me, I feel your pain.

Linda Piggott-Vijeh 3 Rectory Court Vicarage Hill Combe. St. Nicholas TA20 3NE

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THE VISITOR May 2015 5

Well Done!

Mentioned in

Dispatches

Easter Hamper Winner

A big thank you to everyone who entered our Easter Competition to win a Hamper. The answers were: 1. 1993 2. 25th March 2016 3. 31st March 2013 And the winner was Mrs A. Chapman of Lias Road, Street.

Accolades have been pouring in for local business woman, Linda Piggott-Vijeh, the owner of Hospitality Service consultancy Service Matters.

Her frequent presence coverage in both the local and national press has paid off for her local Rotary club. The Rotary Club of Ilminster has won the prestigious Marketing, PR & Communication Award, which is open to all 1800 clubs across Great Britain. The awards are held annually to celebrate the most effective PR in promoting the Rotary message.

Linda had entered the club for

CORRECTION

The Visitor would like to apologise for an error that appeared in our April issue.

On page 45 we stated that the former Angel Inn was converted into luxury apartments after being used by Sherborne School as a boarding house.

It was, in fact, redeveloped in 2000 into eight freehold houses, now in private ownership. Angel House, shown in the photograph above is currently for sale through the sole agents: 15 Cheap Street SHERBORNE, DT9 3PU Tel: 01935 812236

two awards, one for the club's bulletin, Cogwheel, and her entry for the PR Trophy, which won, is awarded to a club for 'an exceptional campaign which raises awareness, funding and membership'. The judges were impressed with the vast range of coverage achieved throughout the year, and identified the entry as a clear winner.

Said Linda, 'I am really thrilled that we have won the award. I now have to get myself to Belfast to accept it! For some years now I have been acting as the unpaid press and PR officer for many of the charities and other organisations in the local community, including Samaritans and Chard Museum. It is one of

the ways in which I can contribute to their success and help them to stretch their funding a bit further.

It seems ironic that the coverage we have received in the last year had nothing to do with winning any kind of award. To be honest I had never heard of the award before. It was all very last minute and sourcing all of the entries we had accumulated was a nightmare, taking me days.

To try to support local businesses in recent years I have also been running free workshops on how to market themselves and to maximise their opportunities.

It takes quite a bit of hard work and trying to get my colleagues to provide me with interesting stories can be like pulling teeth at times! I am very lucky that our fantastic local and regional press is so supportive.'

In store at HASKINS - SHEPTON MALLET

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6 THE VISITOR May 2015

THE VISITOR May 2015 7

Mentioned in

Dispatches

£360k Boost for Ansford Academy

Ansford Academy in Castle Cary will receive a grant of around £360,000 to improve its school buildings. This is part of an extra £367 million that the Government has allocated for investment in buildings at over one thousand schools across the country, the Condition Improvement Fund targets schools that need additional money for repairs or to help them expand. Ansford Academy has been granted the funds to improve water-proofing of its faculty buildings.

Investment in schools is key to the Government’s plan for education. £18 billion has been made available for investment in schools in England over this Parliament - more than double the amount Labour spent in its first two terms combined.

Community Art Cabin

Sherborne ArtsLink and Sherborne Youth Centre are delighted to announce the completion of their community Art Cabin at the Youth Centre, Tinney’s Lane, which will open in May. The Art Cabin is a sustainable, straw bale and wood building which grew out of the need for the Youth Centre to have a separate outside, inside space in which to run its therapeutic group work with young people.

Funding has been given by ArtsLink’s Big Lottery Funded TakepArt project which improves the lives of children, young people and families in the area by offering creative opportunities.

Around 100 people gathered to watch and take part in a ‘Walk of Witness’ up Castle Hill in Mere on Good Friday. Adults, children, dog walkers, and the goats now on Castle Hill all took part.

The whole building programme encouraged community engagement by offering build days when volunteers could go along, learn about sustainable building practices and take part in the building process. They were joined by members of the local Rotary Clubs, staff from Sherborne Waitrose store, groups from the Learning Centre, young people from the Youth Centre and many local individuals. The build was led by Huff and Puff Construction Ltd, specialists in straw bale construction.

Canine Partners

Would you like to help transform the life of someone with a disability? The Somerset Canine Partners puppy training satellite is looking for volunteer puppy parents to train puppies from between eight weeks old and 14 months to become canine partners - assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities.

The puppy parents need to be able to attend weekly puppy classes. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered and puppy food, toys, equipment, all veterinary

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For further information on becoming a puppy parent email Heather Loan at: somerset@ caninepartners.org.uk or call her on 07826 232727 or visit caninepartners.org.uk/somerset

Mendip Dance Club

Friends at the Chilcompton based Mendip Dance Club are really proud of the prowess of several of the club members. One, having recently completed a course in Bridgwater run by Mean Feet Dance which resulted in 5 public performances, has embarked on a further 12 week course with them. Three others were part of the on-going Touch Diaries research project, attending workshops in Bath and a third participated in the recent opening event at Bath University’s new purpose-built Arts and Management building for the Institute of Contemporary and Inter-Disciplinary Arts, having attended three intensive dance workshops on campus in the week leading up to the specially choreographed opening performance of Interlude. All have said that coming to classes at Mendip Dance has given them

the confidence and energy to find and try further dance opportunities. As part of Voluntary Arts Week starting on 15th May, the Tuesday class on 19th will be free to all participants aged 50 plus. For further details see the Club’s new web site at www.mendipdance. wordpress.com

Mere Cancer Research

Huge thanks to everyone who attended and bought some Magic Sunny Flowers at the Stars Appeal Fair - £145.00 raised.

The next event is the annual May Fayre on 16th May 10am 2pm in The Square, celebrating 1940's Mere and the 70th Anniversary of VE day. Over 20 stalls selling a wide range of treats and goodies, a static display of classic cars, emergency vehicles, tombola, raffle, books, kids toys, bric a brac, man shed table, cakes, pop up café and much much more!

Every penny raised goes to help towards research to beat cancer sooner. Last year £363m was spent on research and the goal (by 2025) is to have 3 in 4 people diagnosed with cancer surviving cancer. So please come and help.

A VERY SPECIAL VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY

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Find out more about our exceptional training programme and the chance to make a real difference at a VOLUNTEER INFORMATION SESSION on one of these dates: Thursday 28th May, 19.00 • Saturday 27th June, 10.00 Thursday 9th July and Thursday 23rd July, 19.00

We are keen to hear from anyone over 18 with time in the evenings and weekends. Call 01935 414015 and let us know when you are coming or email joinyeovilsams@gmail.com

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THE VISITOR May 2015 9

MERE - business focus

Jeans Electrical

Jeans of Mere are well known for their excellent choice of white and brown goods and as part of the Euronics buying group they supply goods at competitive prices and offer a Cash & Carry service or same day delivery on all stock items from their Chapel showroom in Boar Street.

Stocked in their Salisbury Street shop is a wide range of small electrical goods such as hairdryers, blenders etc. They are also stockists of Roberts Radios.

But Jeans are not just retailers of electrical goods, they endeavour to offer many other useful services to their customers.

They are stockists of Calor gas and can arrange delivery if necessary. You can rent a Bissell (experts in home cleaning) Big Green deep cleaning machine to

W NO EN P O

clean your carpets - easy to set up and use. They are agents in Mere for Laundry and Dry Cleaning with a twice weekly collection, and they also offer a gutter clearing and repair service, with a cherry picker for the more difficult jobs.

Don’t forget, they also sell quality second hand electrical appliances when available. Ring for details.

This & That

Call in and browse in the newly opened This & That – a vintage and collectables shop recently opened in Mere by Jane Donohoe.

Here you will find all manner of interesting items: vintage china and glass, small items of furniture, shabby chic, jewellery, books and prints. The stock is

THIS& THAT Vintage Collectables

An interesting collection of china, glass, jewellery kitchenalia, small furniture, and more!

HOUSE CLEARANCES  ITEMS BOUGHT & SOLD

Salisbury Street, MERE, BA12 6HE • Tel: 07745 766613

10 THE VISITOR May 2015

changing constantly and prices start from just £1.

Items are both bought and sold and a house clearance service is available. From old pharmacy bottles through to retro handbags visit This & That open 9 till 5 Tuesday to Saturday.

Mere Literary Festival Poetry Competition

Entries are now being accepted for the 2015 Mere Literary Festival’s Biennial Poetry Competition. The senior judge is Chris McCully, the well-known poet and lecturer, and editor of The Poet’s Voice and Craft.

There are good cash prizes for a poem of no more than 40 lines and a chance to shine at the festival in October when the results are announced.

Those living within a ten-mile radius of Mere have two chances for the one entry fee – the Open and Local sections. There are also junior sections for those aged 16 years and under, and special rates for block school entries.

Entry forms with full details, rules and entry fees are available at local libraries and outlets, or

can be downloaded from the festival website www.merelit fest.co.uk or send a sae to MLF, Lawrences, Old Hollow, Mere, Wilts. BA12 6EG. Proceeds go to the Mere & District Linkscheme - a registered charity (No:1062328) which majors on providing transport for medical and hospital needs in its local community.

Mere is looking up ... with new shop This & That opening ... a Main Model Post Office and now ... Doreen Lawley has organised a Flea Market that will open regularly on Saturdays at Mere Lecture Hall. Photo: George Jeans.

Gillingham

as the early 1960s concerns were being expressed about the growing number of motor vehicles on the streets and the congestion and parking problems they were causing. At that time Newbury,

High Street and The Square formed the main road through Gillingham from Shaftesbury to Wincanton, and the narrow Queen Street was the main road into Gillingham from Mere, the

Opened in 1989, Le Neubourg Way was designed to keep the growing volume of through traffic away from the town centre streets.

SOMETIMES, after a visit to Waitrose, the library or the petrol station, you need the patience of Job while waiting to turn right on to Le Neubourg Way. Gillingham’s relief road is usually

busy and often the gaps in the traffic are few and far between.

What the town centre streets must have been like before this road was opened in 1989 doesn’t bear thinking about. As far back

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Beyond Spring Corner, where Queen Street joins the High Street, the road to The Square is now a peaceful cul-de-sac flanked by a variety of interesting buildings, pubs and shops.

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A303 and the north.

In 1969 a proposal to build a bypass round the town was included in the consultation draft of the first Gillingham Local Plan, and when the final version of the plan appeared in 1971 it provided for a new road to the west and south of the town to keep through traffic off the town centre streets and provide access to the industrial area around Station Road. It was to take a further 18 years before this much-needed road was finally finished and opened amidst a row about its name. Why Le Neubourg Way, you might be wondering. Well, Gillingham had been twinned with this small French town in Normandy since 1977 and many local clubs, societies and individuals had subsequently enjoyed cultural and social exchanges and visits, so it seemed

appropriate to mark this international friendship in a tangible and permanent way. I’m told that the Town Twinning Association is still thriving, and with Gillingham’s population continuing to expand rapidly it seems likely that it will continue to do so.

The western end of the High Street and The Square now form a quiet cul-de-sac flanked by a variety of interesting buildings, pubs and shops, and much of Queen Street is now a fairly peaceful backwater linking the town centre and the housing estates in the Lodbourne area.

Sadly the southern end of Queen Street still provides one of the vehicular routes into the centre, despite it being narrow and flanked by some of the town’s most attractive old houses, including The Barton which

On Queen Street can be found some of Gillingham’s most attractive old houses, including The Barton which probably dates from the early 18th century.

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Gillingham

However, the town and its growing population did benefit from the 1963 Beeching Report.

Although little wayside stations along the line including Wilton, Dinton, Semley and Milborne Port were closed and the stopping

service was withdrawn, it was replaced by a faster, more frequent service that called at those stations that escaped the axe. So no longer did expresses speed through Gillingham on their way to London; no longer

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Looking west down Gillingham’s busy High Street the tower of the town’s parish church and the spire of the Methodist church are prominent on the skyline.

probably dates from the early 18th century. To its right is the Vicarage Schoolroom, a 19th century rebuilding of a former outbuilding of the vicarage, which appears to have medieval stone walls and incorporates stone window and door frames from the old church that was rebuilt in the 1830s. On the left of The Barton is Lime Tree House, another early 18th century property. Opposite is the parish church of St Mary the Virgin. A church has stood on this site since Saxon times, and although the present building is the result of the extensive 1830s rebuilding to increase the seating capacity from 220 to around 650, its chancel dates back at least to the 14th century and possibly earlier and has been subjected to very few alterations down the centuries. The chancel windows, piscina, font and original door are

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The post-war growth in the volume of road transport in Gillingham was not matched by a growth in the town’s population.

It had stood at 3,380 in 1901 and was still below 4,000 in 1961. And while road traffic increased, rail traffic was declining. Passengers to and from a town as small as Gillingham were never going to be very numerous, but freight was important to many businesses in the town and the surrounding agricultural area and the station goods yard was always busy. It closed in 1965 and nowadays, no matter how large the load, it all comes and goes by road.

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Lots to See and Do for all the Family. Fundraising for Equipment for our New Glasshouse – ring for more details BEAUTIFUL HANGING BASKETS FOR SALE OR FILLED TO ORDER HANGING BASKET WORKSHOPS Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th, and Friday 8th May, 2pm – 4.30pm ... book now!

Spring Bedding Plants own grown ✿ Extended range of Herbaceous Plants own grown TREES – SHRUBS – HERBS – SUNDRIES

Thorngrove Garden Centre was set up by Scope Scope exists to make this country a place where disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else. Until then, we’ll be here.

OPEN: 9am – 5pm EVERY DAY including SUNDAY

THE VISITOR May 2015 13

Gillingham

Sales, Repairs & Servicing of PCs, Laptops and Peripherals Excellent & Professional Service & Support 27 Years of Experience in Computers Established Reputation

18 Broad Robin, GILLINGHAM SP8 4PJ Tel: 01747 821063 www.ajscomputing.co.uk email:sales@ajscomputing.co.uk

One stop shop for all your computer needs

Hydraulic Hoses & Fittings For ...

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Plant Machinery • Civil Engineering Agriculture • Forestry

Replacement Hoses manufactured on the premises Extensive Range in stock Parkers Hose agents Hose Doctor 24-hour on site hose replacement Mobile Service – Nationwide Network

EMERGENCY CALL-OUT Wiltshire: 07970 621454 • Somerset: 07725 671203

J.H. ROSE & SONS LTD

Station Yard • GILLINGHAM • SP8 4PZ Tel: 01747 822514 “ Remember ... Roses for Hoses”

14 THE VISITOR May 2015

21 trains to London on weekdays with a journey time of just under two hours, and South West Trains is hoping to increase this still further when new timetables come into effect in early December.

The town’s population has now topped 11,000 and will continue to grow as more housing developments are completed. Although the train service makes commuting to Salisbury, Andover, Basingstoke and London a possibility for the new residents, many will want to work in their home town, and in last October’s Visitor I wrote about some of the business parks and trading estates that are making Gillingham such a thriving town. When I visited on a sunny morning in early April the shops on the High Street and Station Road were busy, and I noticed that Iceland has just opened a store in the town, adding to the choice already offered by Waitrose, Asda and Lidl. The path across Town Meadow from Waitrose to the High Street was being much used, with daffodils providing a colourful carpet between the path and the River Stour. I clambered down the steps opposite Waitrose to the river bank where a thoughtfullyplaced bench by the point where Shreen Water joins the Stour enabled me to sit in the sun and enjoy this pleasant sylvan spot

The train services from Gillingham station to Salisbury and London have never been as frequent and fast as they are today.

did a trip to the capital usually entail a change of trains at Salisbury, there being only a couple of through services each day taking around two and a half hours for the journey. From the mid-60s there were no fewer than 13 through trains and the journey was half an hour quicker. Since then the service has increased to

BOOKS! BOOKS!

We have the best selection of art books in the area ★ ½ PRICE SELECTION ★

HIGH STREET, GILLINGHAM Tel / Fax: 01747 824050

All Size Skips Available

email: scenesol@aol.com • www.scenes-online.co.uk

When hiring skips we can fill with aggregate - one delivery

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Call for enquiries Grab / beaver tail / tipper hire Screened or as dug soil Sand and gravel supplies 25 kilo bags Bulk bags Plant and tool hire All size deliveries Collected or delivered

Trade & DIY Welcome • Ring for enquiries • All rubbish clearance undertaken

Gillingham 01747 826107

Gillingham

in the centre of the town. I reflected on how different the town must have been half a century ago – and hoped for a

good long gap in the traffic when the time came to turn right on to Le Neubourg Way. Roger Richards.

Daffodils provide a colourful carpet between the River Stour and the path across Town Meadow to the High Street.

We have a suite to suit you!

House& Home

Interiors with style!

SOFT FURNISHINGS are part of the fabric of life. They add warmth, comfort and personality to your home, and are an important consideration in your interiors scheme. They need to be good mixers and curtains, Roman blinds and cushions especially will set the tone for any room and form the backbone of your décor bringing in colour, pattern, texture and mood.

Hillarys new Romans and curtains collection is a carefully curated choice of 184 fabrics where trend-led prints and modern classics meet to give a perfect style edit. An eclectic mix of designs sits comfortably alongside a perfect palette of muted hues, lush greens, cool blues and the arresting combination of silver and black.

The collection is a reflection of many diverse themes from the influence of soft watercolours and beautiful brushstrokes and globally inspired structured geometric patterns to Scandi effect motifs, distressed textures, checks, stripes and the organic form of leaf designs.

The combination of stripes and florals is a fresh and modern way to mix patterns. Balance the bold symmetry of stripes with the soft appeal of flowers. Vary the scale and size of the prints and choose similar colours to create harmony in the room. Pictured: Francesca Raspberry Curtains and Hatti Raspberry Roman Blind from Hillarys.

The designs and colourways in their core collection have to meet the aspirations of a wide range of customers with varying tastes in home décor and house styles.

‘Eclectic’ is a popular term in

Call in and see our comprehensive range, prices from only ...

NOW STOCKING THE

£790

RANGE

We have both suites & chairs fixed and recliners in a wide choice of fabrics

BEDS • BEDROOM FURNITURE SOFT FURNISHINGS • BLINDS & MORE

Gillingham Suite & Bed Centre 5 Riverbridge Parade High Street, Gillingham Tel: 01747 822724 www.suitesandbeds.co.uk

Gillingham Suite & Bed Centre have a comprehensive range of suites in stock and can now offer the popular Sherborne Range. Pictured is the Keswick 3 seater settee available in a wide range of fabrics.

Within SJH Carpets

The Tythings Commercial Centre Southgate Road, Wincanton

Professionally Made To Measure Curtains, Blinds etc.

Supply your own Fabric or choose from a ...

Superb Range of Fabric Books including Prestigious Textiles, Fibre Naturelle, and more!

Curtain Poles and Tracks, Haberdashery Ribbons, Threads, Cushions, Remnants, Linings etc.

Melody 07883 089 333

OPEN: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9.00am - 3.00pm (Thursday - Closed) Saturday 9.00am - 12.30pm

THE VISITOR May 2015 15

House& Home

When you think of soft furnishings, does your mind go straight to the living room or bedroom? With an increasing trend to entertain at home, the dining area is really coming into its own as a sociable and central part of the house. So where better to incorporate personality, colour and even drama with gorgeous fabrics? Pictured: Lundy Pistachio Curtains and Roche Olive Roman Blind from Hillarys.

interior design talk and moving away from anonymous minimalism and taking inspiration from different eras, textures and colours will all help to create a warm, inviting and individual home.

But as always with trends, find the one that suits you and your lifestyle. Window dressings and cushions are an easy and reasonably low commitment way to add personality to your room.

Fabrics set the tone for a room and curtains are often the backbone of a scheme bringing in colour, pattern, texture and mood.

A pair of drawn curtains for example can be a wall of colour in an otherwise plain scheme.

Whether patterned or plain, fabrics add a personal stamp.

We may be a united kingdom but divided we stand when it comes to decorating our homes.

Never have we taken such a diverse and individual approach to decorating our homes.

Ring 0800 916 6516 or visit: www.hillarys.co.uk for more information on curtains and blinds.

Decorating Trends for 2015

Decorating and looking for inspiration this Spring? Here are the latest fashion trends for 2015.

Solid paint wall colours and matching furniture are no longer in vogue. They’re a thing of the past when it comes to interior decorating fads.

Texture is all important for fabrics this season - wool, tweed,

leather, cowhide, silk, velvet, cotton - wonderful choices superb colours.

Gold is prominent and on trend this season when it comes to fixtures and fittings - bath taps, wall lights, table lamps, mirrors etc.

Blue is the most popular accent colour for interior decorating this year. Particularly indigo blue or deep navy as their deep natural hues become extra vibrant against warm earth tones.

Lastly, welcomed by everyone ... wallpaper is coming back in a big way, with more colours, more textures and bold patterns because everyone's dying to spice up their walls.

Need a new conservatory?

Replacement windows or doors? contact

TURNER WINDOWS SOMERTON LTD – of –

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

FULL RANGE OF Replacement Windows Replacement Doors Conservatories Fascia / Soffitt / Guttering Secondary Glazing

SERVICES ...

■ Window Repairs ■ Handles / Hinges ■ Misted Up Units ■ Garage Doors ■ Blinds / Fly Screens

QUALITY PRODUCTS All products adhere to as endorsed by celebrity world snooker champion Steve Davis

PERSONAL SERVICE No faceless sales team: Craig Turner (proprietor) will be happy to discuss your requirements, or alternatively call in to the showrooms

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

PVC-U Aluminium

FENSA Registered Company sales@turnerwindows.co.uk www.turnerwindows.co.uk

16 THE VISITOR May 2015

“This installation is the best we have ever had. You did what it said on the tin.

Your men started on time, your team of two (Jason and Alec) were courteous ... nothing was too much trouble ... took great care and left the house clean and tidy.

We employ an assortment of tradesmen and there are only two or three that we would endorse. Welcome to the club.” – David & Pam Watts (February 2013) Just one of many testimonials from satisfied customers ★ See online for further personal recommendations

Turner Windows of Somerton Ltd

Call 01458 272555

Unit 3 Bancombe Trading Estate, Somerton, TA11 6SB Today for a FREE no obligation quote

Blue is the most popular accent colour for 2015. Pictured: Bazaar Porcelain Roman Blind from Hillarys.

Velvet Interiors, Martock

Velvet Interiors opened its shop in Martock towards the end of 2013 and has built up a great reputation locally for its comprehensive home interiors service.

In addition to selling antique and painted vintage furniture, they also offer a furniture and

REPAIR SERVICE

★ All makes of TV repaired ★ On the premises workshop

★ Loan TV whilst being repaired

★ Estimates ★ Bench or field service

FULL RANGE OF PANASONIC TVS IN STOCK FOR SALE ... DO CALL IN

H.R. Hodge

Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm • Saturday 9am - 1pm

38 St. James Street South Petherton TA13 5BW  01460 240645

House& Home

Storage - even though you're happy with the basics, your accumulation of gadgets and materials might make extra storage a bonus. Refaced work Pictured right: Decor Amour of Sturminster Newton offers a wide range of services from alterations and repairs, through to upholstery and handmade crafts. From a card to a cushion. Do call in, the stock is constantly changing.

DECOR AMOUR

Inside Velvet Interiors of Martock.

kitchen painting service as well as antique furniture restoration.

They are stockists of Autentico Chalk Paints with around 30 of the 150 colours available for painting furniture always in stock. Autentico also make paints for walls, ceilings, outdoor furniture and lime plastered buildings and they can also supply these.

Velvet Interiors run twice monthly furniture painting workshops where you can learn how to create the shabby chic effect on your own furniture. The following workshops are all for beginners and take place from 1pm - 4pm on the following Saturdays: 2 May 2015; 16 May; 30 May and 13 June. The cost of £45 includes all materials, cake, coffee and biscuits Please ring 01935 823857 or email shop@velvetinteriors.co.uk to reserve your place.

Six Styling Tips ...

Granite Transformations offers handy hints for a kitchen makeover

Nothing dates a kitchen like worn worktops, damaged doors, stained grouting, cracked tiles and burned surfaces. But renovating your kitchen and bringing the décor bang up-to-date needn't cost the earth and could add upwards of 5% to the value of your property. To give you an idea, home makeover experts Granite Transformations have put together some handy hints for updating your kitchen décor.

Layout - if you're comfortable with your layout and its familiar oven-sink-fridge work triangle, then don't rip everything out and fit totally new units, with all the expense and disruption that entails. Instead, reface your work

surfaces with composite granite, quartz, recycled glass or porcelain composites that fit right over existing worktops and replace cabinet doors with new made-tomeasure fittings, leaving the underlying carcases intact. This also means no rewiring or new pipework, cutting installation costs by more than half.

Colours - your décor is a reflection of your personality and lifestyle, so a kitchen makeover gives an opportunity to ditch unfashionable or eccentric finishes and explore fresh colour and style directions. Black worktops can become white or bold colours, timbergrain cabinet doors can be transformed into high gloss acrylic and you can add splashes of brightness with glass mosaic panels or an island unit in a contrasting colour.

Remodelling means the choice is yours.

     

Bespoke Hand Finished Items Alterations and Repairs Upcycled, Recycled, Vintage and New Curtains — Blinds — Cushions — Quilts Bags — Clothing Furniture and Decorative Items

1 Market Cross House Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1AN

Rebecca: 01258 881208 • R.RABBETS@LIVE.CO.UK

THE VISITOR May 2015 17

House& Home

resealing, sanding, treating and polishing stone, timber and laminate worktops, then now is the time to choose a modern, maintenance-free composite material that is non-porous, flame-resistant and withstands stains, scratches, cuts, burns and knocks. Today's agglomerate granite, quartz and recycled surfaces look like luxurious natural stone, but need just an occasional wipeover to keep their sheen and come in a wide choice of colours.

surfaces and cabinetry enable a new central island unit, extra wall cabinets or a full-height storage cupboard to be integrated seamlessly into your new design.

There is also the option of glassfronted cabinets and drawers for displaying prized knick-knacks or extending a run of base cabinets into a right-angle peninsula end, complete with cantilevered worktops for a breakfast counter.

Practicality - if you have laboured in the past with

‘Treading The Boards’

Hand Embellished Canvas Limited Edition of 195 19” x 19” Framed

£395 Mark Spain

Prints ★ Paintings ★ Bronzes ★ Mirrors ★ Framing Passport Photographs ★ Prints to Canvas

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

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

Carpet to suit all tastes & budgets

Visit our new showroom to see our extensive range of flooring

■ Carpets ■ Vinyls ■ Naturals ■ Woods ■ Laminates ■ Tiles Also in store MMS SoftWincanton Furnishings Curtains & Fabrics ■ Blinds ■ Roll Stock ... vinyls & carpets now available

“Just nice people to do business with”

COCK & SON BUILDING CONTRACTORS Established Since1957

 Specialists in renovation and restoration of older properties

 Extensions and alterations undertaken

 Specialists in barn conversions

 Purpose built joinery, doors, windows, etc.

All Work Guaranteed

Tel: NORTH CADBURY (01963) 440931 Yard Office adj. Orchard Leigh, Long Street Galhampton, Yeovil, Somerset

18 THE VISITOR May 2015

Lidl

Southgate Road n

Also at: High Street, Tisbury  01747 871178

Fire Station

.T ow

SJH CARPETS, Southgate Road, Wincanton  01963 824418

Wi nc

Corner of Showroom

★ Free Estimate ★ Free Measuring ★ Professional Fitting by our own Expert Fitters ★ Friendly and Personal Service ★ Competitive Prices

Tythings Centre

NEW SJH

OLD SJH

Morrisons

Brighten up your wall with this attactive print. ‘Dancing on the Deck’, by Mark Spain, a hand embellished canvas limited edition of 195. The image size is 19” x 19” and the framed price is £395.00.

Just one of many prints available from Martock Gallery in Martock.

Splashbacks - you'd be surprised how a decorative, yet practical splashback can enhance or transform the look of a kitchen.

Choose a regular upstand in the same material to run around the worktops, protecting against dirt and bacteria, a half-height glass mosaic splashback that adds texture and sparkle, or perhaps an extravagant, full wall panel in large tiles or seamless sheeting. Modern, slimline agglomerate and polyurethanebacked mosaics will fit over

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

All works completed by our experienced and reliable team

Services Include but not limited to: Project Management ★ New Build Planning ★ Loft Conversions Carpentry ★ Roofing Ground Works ★ Refurbishment Renovation ★ Commercial Property Maintenance ★ Joinery

All aspects of Building & Maintenance All Insurance Works Undertaken

Contact us for a free estimate

(01935) 823346

www.countrybuild.co.uk • info@countrybuild.co.uk

House& Home

existing tiles and surfaces, making fitting a breeze.

Appliances - with the saving you enjoy from a makeover rather

than installing a new fitted kitchen, you should be able to splash out on selected appliances, sinks, taps and accessories to set

20% off kitchens, available at Homemaker of Shaftesbury, if you order before 31st May. Don’t delay, order today!

For a fresh new look in flooring take a look at the natural flooring display at SJH Carpets, Wincanton.

SEWING MACHINE SERVICE CENTRE Repairs & Servicing To All Makes - Domestic & Industrial Collection and Delivery Available

Embroidery Engineering Services

Suppliers of Computerised Embroidery Machines

Telephone: 01963 350068 • Mobile: 07947 725315 Email: robert_churches@hotmail.com UNIT 8, TORBAY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CASTLE CARY BA7 7DW

50-inch TV Full HD and Catch-Up Service only ... £599 Just one of many new Panasonic ranges now arriving ... DO CALL IN! SALES  SERVICE  REPAIR On-The-Premises Workshop Your Local Television and Audio Specialist

Greenhill, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 4EW  01935 813451

“Where the customer comes first”

THE VISITOR May 2015 19

House& Home

Mr and Mrs H from Yeovil won a Luxury Belvadere divan bed worth £700, in the Bed Specialist’s Free Prize Draw for March.

off your updated décor. The beauty of standard-sized kitchen units and white goods is that new items can be dropped into place with little fuss. So investigate new cooking technology like steam ovens, induction hobs, flush-mounted cookers and built-in microwaves, as well as undermount ceramic bowls and, going back in time, a deep butler's sink.

Ring 0800 044 5393 or visit: www.granitetransformations. co.uk for further details.

Households in the South West switching electricity supplier and saving millions

According to a report from the Department of Energy & Climate Change around £10.2 million was saved by 145,000 households in the South West in the last six months, simply by changing electricity supplier.

The figures, released as part of the ‘Power to Switch’ campaign, show that within the South West: *28,000 households in Bristol

saved around £2 million *20,000 households in Gloucester saved around £1.4 million *17,000 households in Bournemouth saved around £1.2 million *16,000 households in Plymouth saved around £1.1 million The ‘Power to Switch’ campaign encourages people to switch supplier and save money by visiting www.BeAnEnergy Shopper.com where millions of people can save around £200 - and some can save even more.

Nationally, during a four week period for the campaign, both gas and electricity switches through price comparison sites resulted in 130,000 households saving £38 million - an increase of 193% on the previous year.

Wrapping up the campaign, Energy and Climate Change

www.mobile-sandblasting

ASK AN EXPERT

A corner of the Living Pretty Interiors showroom - which can be found within Sandpits Heating Centre, Curry Rivel.

www.alberny.co.uk

albernysandblasting

CIS REGISTERED • FULLY INSURED • CSCS CARDHOLDERS 20 THE VISITOR May 2015

Secretary, Ed Davey, said: ‘Switching puts money back in people’s pockets – and, thanks to our reforms, thousands are taking advantage of cheaper deals and a more competitive market.

‘We want even more people to join the thousands who are switching and saving today.’

Energy and Climate Change Minister, Amber Rudd, said: ‘With 27 energy companies on the market and some fixed deals £100 cheaper than they were a year ago, there’s never been a better time to find a great deal, switch and save.’

The Government’s programme of energy market reform includes: Halving switching times - it now takes only 17 days to switch energy supplier down from 5 weeks last year Encouraging new suppliers on to the market – there are now 21 independent suppliers Legislating to back Ofgem reforms that force energy companies to make energy bills clearer – and providing information for customers about how to switch For more information about how to switch energy supplier visit www.BeAnEnergyShopper.com or call the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234.

Q. I have a garden building that is in quite a poor state and is in need of some TLC. What would you recommend, please?

Bryan G. Paulley Ltd Domestic / Commercial Installations / Replacements

Plastic / Metal Tanks • Temporary Tanks Leaking Tanks • Tank Cleaning / Moving / Disposal Above or Below Ground Tanks

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

House& Home

KITCHENS AND HOUSE RENOVATIONS We project manage from start to finish!

UR MS O T O I VIS OWRO SH

This attractive dining suite with six chairs is £799, rrp £999 and with four chairs is now just £599, rrp £799. The chairs are available in oak, leather or fabric and the table (flip-over) in two sizes 80cm -160cm and 120cm -150cm. Just one of the many bargains at Fit & Furnish in Yeovil Town Centre. Ample free parking outside the door.

A. As fashion has moved on from the traditional brown and red wood stains, we would recommend a breathable wood paint. These come in gloss, eggshell and flat matt with a large range of colours available.

City Decorating Supplies keep brush-out boards and samples of all their colours so you can find the perfect shade. The

quality of paint is fantastic with some products lasting up to 15 years! Paint is only as good as the surface it's going onto however, so preparation is key.

If you're unsure of how to prepare and prime your wood properly then take a photo and bring it into City Decorating Supplies, they'll be able to advise you properly.

City Decorating Supplies

QUALITY PAINT & WALLPAPER

No. 1 The Old Chapel Union Street WELLS BA5 2PU 01749 677299

Protect your Wood this Summer!

We have everything you need to prepare, clean and protect ...

The OSMO range includes stains, oils, varnishes, decking cleaner, fungicides, and wood revivers.

Stylish kitchens to suit you

■ Contemporary or traditional ■ Wide choice of finishes including – high gloss, wood and painted ■ Free planning ■ Free design service Malcolm Helyar Proprietor

“See our door library with 100s of colours and finishes”

New Kitchen? House Renovation?

We project manage from start to finish!

■ Plan and design ■ Undertake the construction work ■ Install and fit units / appliances ■ Electrics ■ Plumbing ■ Plastering ■ Complete on time – to a high standard O OU L INT C AL

R SHOWROOMS

TOD A

Y

HICKSON Wood Stain traditional solvent based stain

Exterior Painting

AR YE ME 15 ETI LIF

MYLAND, LITTLE GREENE, and FARROW & BALL stockists Paint mixed on the premises all sizes - all finishes

See our extensive range of Masonry Paints in a wide choice of colours

Open: Monday – Friday 9am – 6pm Saturday 9am – 4pm NEXT TO CAR PARK

SHERBORNE KITCHENS & HOUSE RENOVATIONS

The Old Bakery, Half Moon Street SHERBORNE, DT9 3LN Through the archway next to the Half Moon Hotel

Tel: 01935 817111

Email: sales@sherbornekitchens.com www.sherbornekitchens.com THE VISITOR May 2015 21

MOTORING

VINTAGE Motor Cycling

MAY IS HERE and the riding season is well under way with a plethora of events to choose from and interesting places to visit.

During May the Somerset Section has a guest speaker at their club night at Cossington on the 7th.

This is followed on the 21st by an Evening Meet at Weston Zoyland and on the 24th will be the All Day Breakfast Run from Spaxton Village Hall. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section has a Table Top Trial for its club night on the 11th and on the 31st will be the Shearstock Run at Shearstock, Gillingham. The Dorset Section starts with their Lunch Meet at West Stour on the 6th, then have an Evening Run on the 13th followed on the 17th by their premier event of the year which is the Weymouth Run which starts on the seafront. Lastly they have their Breakfast Meet back at West Stour on the 30th.

The Wells Classic Motorcycle Club have four events during May and the Westlands Classic Club have their big Spirit of the Sixties Run on the 10th, details of both these clubs are available on their web sites, for all other events ring me on 01935-872528.

All these riding events and yours truly cannot take part in any of them. In January I had the misfortune to be involved in a head-on car crash in which my left hand was injured and at present I cannot pull in the clutch

lever with that hand. Therefore I am grounded as far as riding is concerned and all heavy work has been delayed. I can however do limited jobs in my workshop and for the first time in several years I have actually done what I normally preach to others.

Mainly one handed I have serviced and cleaned and polished all my bikes ready for the summer ahead. All those normal running jobs have been done, that have been put off for far too long, and adjustments made so that with the addition of fuel all of them could be ridden with a few moments notice. Frustrating that the hand injury prevents me, better times must surely follow soon.

I love anything to do with motorcycles but I am particularly interested in the early machines of the 1920's and before. A few weeks ago saw the Pioneer Run organised by the Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club. This event is the equivalent of the car London to Brighton Run but the motorcycles actually start from Epsom Downs. Well this year saw the usual 300 entrants travel this well worn path to the coast and there has been much coverage in the motorcycling press. One entrant was a gentleman of 92 years and he rode a machine which was 102 years old giving a total combined age of 194 years, surely an inspiration to us all.

Locally the Wessex Section events all cater for these older machines and in June our national club has the Banbury Run where 500 entrants will use similar

GLIDEROL GARAGE DOORS

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

G.H. SALES. Tel: 01935 891414

BREWERS GARAGE LTD AIR CONDITIONING • DIAGNOSTICS TYRES • MOT SERVICING • REPAIRS Telephone

01935 812720

Western Ways Yard Bristol Road, SHERBORNE, Dorset DT9 4HR

22 THE VISITOR May 2015

things in life, so it seems I must feed her a diet of the expensive stuff. It all seems rather odd because when Trixie was made in 1935 there was no such thing as lead in petrol and certainly the quality of petrol was not as good as todays.

Rod Hann.

Bob Hoare.

machines around the Oxfordshire countryside. I hope to be among them. My picture this month shows a very content Bob Hoare from Stalbridge astride his very nice 1926 AJS machine. This and many others will be taking to our highways this summer. If you should see us then give us a cheery wave.

I have written several times of the problems associated with modern fuels containing ethanol.

In fairness I have had few problems personally, that is until now. My wife's Morgan threewheeler has however caused much concern and head scratching. In our twenty years of ownership the car has never been a problem to start and run sweetly. Even if left for up to six months it would start on the button and run properly. That is until recently.

Convinced our problems were caused by carburation I managed to obtain some spare carburettors and there followed an exercise in changing jets and various bits, cleaning everything thoroughly, and reassembly only to find that the problem remained. Next our thoughts turned to the ignition side of things. New points, condenser, HT leads, rotor arm, distributor cap and coil were all fitted and still the confounded machine, which answers to the name of Trixie, refused to start.

Next I drained all petrol from the tank, although it was not particularly stale, and refilled with fresh unleaded. Still it would not start and run. A squirt from a can of easy start and the engine fired up immediately and then of course stopped again. I then drained this fresh petrol out again. A trip to town saw the purchase of yet more fresh petrol, but this time we lashed out and bought the super unleaded variety, and put with it a dose of the additive used to counter the loss of lead. Refuelled once more Trixie decided she had had enough fun and immediately burst into life and ran fine. Like her owner she has obviously acquired a taste for the finer

May Notice Board

CHARD

Holistic & Craft Fair. Fancy Dress competition for children.

Saturday 23rd May, 10am until 4pm, Chard Town FC, Zembard Lane, Chard. TA20 1JL. Café Open. FREE admission. FREE Parking. Enquiries Anastasia 01460 351019.

CREWKERNE

Plant Hunters Fair 2015 at Lower Severalls, Crewkerne TA18 7NX on 4th May 10.30am till 3pm. Introducing Hurst Brook Plants, specialising in peonies, iris and perennials and other local Nurseries.Homemade refreshments available. Entrance £1.50 in aid of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. For more details contact Mary Pring 01460 73234.

DITCHEAT

Scavenger Hunt, 10th May 2pm - 4pm, Manor Inn Car Park. £1.50 pp entry, on foot and outside (includes chips when you get back). Any funds made for Church.

HENSTRIDGE

Blackmore Vale U3A, The Roman Army in South Somerset, Tuesday 5th May at 2.30pm Henstridge Village Hall.

Members £1.50, visitors £2.50, includes refreshments.

SOMERTON

Made in Somerset at White Hart Inn Wednesday 13 May 10am - 2pm. Come and buy wonderful artisan products. Tea, coffee, lunch available.

ADVERTISE YOUR JUNE EVENT HERE!

A list ing und er our Noti ce Board costs just £5 for 20 words send details of What? When?

Where? to The Visitor, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7BG. All entries to be pre-paid. Extra words 30p each. Deadline for our June issue, Friday 8th May.

Antiques, Vintage & Collecting

WWII Japanese Naval Officer's "dirk" dagger, with ornate metal fittings and ray skin handle. Available from Quillon House Antiques of Bruton.

Just 3 of the items in Lawrences Collectors Sale on 22nd May.

Toy Shop Collection comes out of store for the first time in 35 years

A huge and evocative collection of diecast vintage toys from the 1960’s and 1970’s are to be sold

by Lawrences Auctioneers of Crewkerne.

Formerly part of the stock of Webber’s Bike and Toy Shop in Taunton, these toys were retained by the owners when the shop closed in the 1970’s and they have remained in the family ever since.

Included are various model toys from the 1970’s in excellent condition, many still with the shop stickers on and perfectly preserved in their original boxes.

Some show that they were being sold for just 50p to £1 each.

The collection comprises dozens of Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Triang, Wrenn, Hornby, Britains and various others. The toys will be sold in a variety of lots with estimates ranging from £50-£150.

An interesting collection of glass and ceramics at Milly’s Antiques & Vintage, George Shopping Centre, Crewkerne.

Lawrences Auctioneer Simon Jones said, ‘It is very unusual to see vintage toys in such amazing condition. They have been very carefully stored and some of the items have never ever been opened! We are expecting a great deal of interest in this collection.

It is rare to find so many in literally untouched condition and anyone born in the late 1950’s and 1960’s will find much to remind them of their childhood here.’

These toys will be sold in Lawrences Collectors Sale, on Friday 22nd May. For further enquiries please contact Simon Jones on 01460 73041.

PASTIMES of Sherborne

We pay TOP PRICES for OLD TOYS any condition Trains • Cars • Lorries • Soldiers • Etc. Britains * Dinky * Corgi * Hornby Meccano * Tri-ang * Etc. Shop Open Mornings 9.30am – 1pm, Monday – Saturday

Tel: 01935 816072 • Mob: 07527 074343 HOME VISITS BY ARRANGEMENT

3 Westbury, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3EH

Quillon House Antiques

16 H IG H S TR EET , B RUTON  01749 812269

 17 th / 18 th C. Oak and Country Furniture  Arms & Armoury  Equestrian Paintings  Valuations Undertaken  Antiques Purchased

A pair of 19th century Polychrome Decorative Balinese Deity Figures

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm

THE VISITOR May 2015 23

Charity Event Raises £1,000

SHIRLEY ALLUM FASHIONS & Lingerie held a Fashion Show at the Grosvenor Arms recently in aid of Julia’s House Charity.

The day consisted of a fabulous afternoon tea followed by the latest Spring/Summer collections from Shirley Allum, this was then followed by a raffle. The event raised a fantastic £1,000 with all the proceeds going to Julia’s House. Thanks go to the wonderful models who gave up their time to help Shirley Allum put on this event, as do all the background helpers. It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all and a fantastic amount raised towards this worthy Charity.

The new collections can be viewed at Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie, 30 High Street, Shaftesbury or visit www.zebralingerie.co.uk

Get a Radiant New Look with a CACI Facial

If you are looking a bit tired and fine lines are appearing, why not try a CACI non-surgical facelift to tone and re-educate your facial muscles? In addition to toning and radiance CACI can also help with other skin problems such as acne and blemishes.

Another Little World in Yeovil is currently offering £10 off a CACI Ultra during May and June

Bespoke • Corporate • Events Parties • Weddings • Sympathy Local & Nationwide Deliveries

01963 32367

11 Church Street, Wincanton, BA9 9AA

The Dress Circle Dress Agency

QUALITY FASHION ITEMS WANTED TO SELL ON A COMMISSION BASIS Wedding hats, wedding outfits, cruise wear and good quality casual wear and accessories, accepted every day ...

10am - 4pm Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm Saturday

For large quantities collections can be arranged

4 Brunel Shopping Centre Somerton TA11 7PY  01458 273485

24 THE VISITOR May 2015

LOOKING GOOD - so why not give it a try? Tel 01935 350008 for further details, or visit their website. See advert in Yeovil Feature.

Family Health with

Jenna Evans

Making The Most of Your Medicines - Part 6

CONTINUING OUR REVIEW of drug-nutrient interactions, this month we’ll be taking a look at pain killers. Every household has probably got one (or more!) of these drugs knocking around in their cupboards and most people will use them at some time in their life. Pain killers can of course, be very helpful, especially in times of acute pain such as injury or for helping to manage chronic conditions that would otherwise challenge the quality of life.

Unfortunately, they have many down sides too - from side effects such as constipation, rebound pain, damage to the gut and even addiction. There are several groups of drugs and below we’ll take a look at a few of the more common ones and how they may interact with certain nutrients. Before we do that, let’s cover a few general points about these drugs and pain management. Firstly, as always, it is absolutely essential to follow the directions for use - some drugs such as paracetamol can be overdosed and others such as opiate medicines can dangerously lower the heart rate when taken with alcohol. Secondly, I see many people prescribed pain killers for chronic conditions who are uncomfortable with their long term effects and wish to find another way to manage their pain. It is always important to ask ourselves why we have any pain - now if you’ve broken a bone or pulled your back the answer is quite clear! In these cases, short term use of pain killers can be helpful.

For others, though, with chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, musculo-skeletal problems, sciatica, headaches, migraines etc., there may well be nutritional protocols and therapies that can really make a difference to pain. If you have chronic pain make sure you discuss all of your options with your GP and see what

kind of support is available to you.

If you want to investigate further the alternatives that may help, pop into your local health food store or speak to a local therapy centre. Lastly, there are many very painful conditions that may have no obvious signs - invisible diseases. They may not be at all life threatening but they are most debilitating and can have a hugely detrimental effect on a person's life. If you suffer in this way it can be hard to get people to understand how you feel or even get the help you need - please don’t give up trying and keep making yourself heard, attitudes are improving! If you’ve never suffered like this then try to understand the kind of impact chronic pain can have on a person's mood and quality of life - let’s all be understanding of other people's suffering.

Now let’s have a look a some common drugs and their interactions. First up NSAIDS Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. These medicines, which include Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Naproxen, may deplete nutrients such as Calcium, Vitamin C, Iron, Folic Acid, B Vitamins and Zinc.

Many of these nutrients are involved in energy production and immunity so as a minimum consider a good multi-vitamin.

They are also well known for damaging the stomach lining so supplements of good bacteria and the use of herbs such as aloe and liquorice can be helpful - if you have high blood pressure liquorice is contraindicated and if you are taking other drugs the interactions with these herbs will also need to

be checked. When taking NSAIDS it may be advisable to avoid supplements of known blood thinning nutrients such as Vitamin E and Gingko Biloba.

Codeine - Aside from being potentially addictive, codeine is also notoriously constipating. Stay well hydrated whilst using this medicine and consider trying prunes, psyllium husk or liquorice to help keep the bowels moving.

Your local health food shop can talk you through the options and find the most suitable remedy. The effects of codeine can be depleted by high tannin foods such as black tea, green tea and other herbs like witch hazel. To get the full effects it would be a wise move to avoid too many tannins whilst taking codeine.

Paracetamol - Can be damaging to the liver so some people recommend the supplementation of Milk Thistle alongside to help protect this valuable organ. High pectin foods - such as apples, hibiscus and cruciferous vegetables - can interfere with absorption, so are best avoided.

Tramadol and Morphine may both have a negative interaction with serotonin precursors such as L-Tryptophan and 5HTP which are therefore best to avoid. It is also theorised that morphine may also interact badly with sedating herbs (such as lemon balm & valerian), increasing the risk of drowsiness and disorientation.

This could also be theoretically true of all opiate drugs including codeine.

Diclofenac - Calcium and LTryptophan may be depleted, seek advice on supplementing. Stinging Nettle may enhance the effects, which could be beneficial, talk to your GP or pharmacist. White Willow bark (a herbal pain killer - may be a relevant alternative for

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some of you!) can decrease the efficacy of Diclofenac and should be avoided.

Amitriptyline - This antidepressant is also often used for pain management. May deplete Co-EnzymeQ10, an important energy nutrient, especially risky in older folks or those with heart conditions - seek advice about supplementing. Amitriptyline may be enhanced by the use of B Vitamins and L-tryptophan

LOOKING GOOD whereas St John’s Wort should be avoided and keep your tea drinking to 2 hours away from doses.

Gabapentin - An epilepsy drug, sometimes used to treat nerve pain. B Vitamins, Calcium and Vitamin A may all be depleted.

You may wish to consider supplements - especially of the B Vitamins as these are a primary ‘alternative’ remedy for the nerves!

If you want to explore your nondrug options, or for further information and support pop in to your local health food store for a chat. They should be able to make a few suggestions or send you in the right direction! Join me next month for part 7.

Jenna Evans ©2015.

Jenna is an 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. Find Ceres on Facebook as ‘Ceres Natural Foods Ltd’. 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.

Garden Party? Wedding?

If you have a special occasion looming on the calendar and are looking for the perfect outfit, pop along to Preview of Wincanton and Langport. Here you can find

a complete outfit under one roof.

The Ronald Joyce outfits for this season are stunning - sugar pinks, navy blue, floral and plain - dress and jackets that take you from day to evening. Preview have wonderful accessories to complete your outfit, stylish hats and fascinators, bags and jewellery.

If your diary date is a little less formal Tina Taylor pretty floral shifts and boleros are proving a firm favourite in a choice of colour ways including pink/grey and navy/ecru.

A good choice of stylish separates are available to create your own special look - so why not call in today. Friendly help always on hand.

Est. 1983 A LADIES ONLY SALON

Élégance

Beauty Therapy Clinic Sandie Barrett

M.B.A.B.Th.C. • C.I.D.E.S.C.O.

MAKE-UP WORKSHOPS

Tuesday 5th May or ...

Thursday 14th May 7pm - 9pm Aloe based mineral make-up 8b Church Street, Wincanton (01963) 34115

Simply Stunning ...

This attractive outfit from designer Tina Taylor is available from Preview of Wincanton and Langport.

our

Spring Wedding Collection ... for the complete outfit

fashion boutique & designer room

Market Place • Wincanton  01963 31676

Shopping Parade • Langport  01458 252010

“Bringing the West End to the West Country”

THE VISITOR May 2015 25

Craft & Garden Fair at Sherborne Castle

Craftworkers and garden suppliers will gather again at the grounds of beautiful Sherborne Castle on the May-Day Bank Holiday weekend.

Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 Sherborne Castle lies in the most beautiful gardens and parkland. Majestic trees, sweeping lawns and superbly planted borders surround the famous lake created by Capability Brown. There is an abundance of wildlife, far

BUY 1 CREAM TEA AND GET THE 2nd FREE To be redeemed only at the BUTTERCROSS TEAROOMS Market Place Somerton

Valid until 31st October 2015 - VM

reaching views and wonderful walks for dogs. This is the tranquil, magical setting of the Craft & Garden Fair to be held over the three day May-Day Bank Holiday week-end.

In large marquees erected on the lawns craftworkers will gather to show their latest designs and a new feature of the show is a wide variety of pottery.

The famous Eeles family will have a large display of exquisite ceramics, David Jones will show his domestic stoneware, Tim Huckstepp makes individually

THE BUTTERCROSS TEAROOMS

Market Place, Somerton (01458) 273168

Homemade Cakes & Scones Morning Coffee, Cream Teas Lunch Served 12 – 3pm Open: Mon – Sat 9 – 5pm

designed Ikebana containers.

New to the fair is Ali Herbert, whose work holds a great sense of gentle beauty. Ali uses porcelain with celadon glazes and stoneware with ash glazes. They are pots of the countryside.

Mark Evans will demonstrate chainsaw carving. A large selection of handmade jewellery handbags, designer hats and a host of other crafts will delight the visitor. Many of the craftworkers will demonstrate their skills and will be happy to give advice on how to take up a new hobby.

Plants, garden ornaments, garden furniture and garden tools will be of interest to the gardeners amongst us.

Children are not forgotten and will be entertained by Mr Merlin and Okey Dokey the Dragon.

There’s plenty of space for picnics or a choice of refreshments will be available throughout the days.

Entrance is only £5 and includes the Gardens and Grounds as well as the Craft & Garden Fair. Children under fourteen go free. With plenty of

free parking near the show, parking and facility for the less able, the Craft and Garden Fair at Sherborne Castle will be open on Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd and Bank Holiday Monday 4th of May from 10am-6pm. Dogs are welcome on a lead.

Join a Strollers Group at glorious Stourhead

An independent group of Strollers would like to invite all likeminded readers to join them at 10.30am, on the first Wednesday of each month, at the National Trust Restaurant, Stourhead.

After coffee, they will enjoy a stroll around the glorious garden, followed by an optional lunch.

The Trust team warmly welcomes this independent group.

An admission fee to the garden will apply for those group members who prefer to stroll with them on a casual, month by month basis, rather than as full members of the National Trust.

If you are interested, please contact Maggie Foot at maggie.foot@btinternet.com or telephone 01935 862300.

Delicious homemade cakes, just a sample of the wonderful delights on the menu at Living Pretty Tea Rooms of Curry Rivel (within Sandpits Heating Centre).

✱ SOLE SOLUTION ✱ 2RUDE ✱ LIVEWIRED ✱ FLATLAND BOOGIE BAND ✱ FREE CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT T I CK E T S Early Bird ‘til 22nd June ......... £8 After 22nd June .................. £12 5 – 15 Years Old ..................... £3 4 and Under ........................ FREE

BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR. DO NOT bring food or alcohol into the venue.

Sorry, DOGS are NOT PERMITTED. Challenge 25 – PLEASE BRING I.D. (Passport or Driving Licence) For full terms & conditions see our website: www.partybytheparrett.co.uk

26 THE VISITOR May 2015

Kingsbury Episcopi Rec TA12 6AX • FREE PARKING

Art Tea Zen

Located in Langport at the heart of the Somerset Levels, Art Tea Zen is a cafe full of charm and character. Its colourful, comfortable interior is the ideal place to meet friends for a chat or to chill out with a newspaper.

It serves great coffee and a variety of teas. Lunch can be enjoyed with a glass of wine, a beer or cider or a selection of cold drinks. All meals, cakes and biscuits are homemade. The menu is constantly changing and provides a great selection from vegetarian or gluten free options through to steak sandwiches for the carnivorous.

VE Day Celebrations at Bradford Abbas

There’s fun for all the family on Saturday 9th May from 12.30 until 5pm in the garden of The Rose & Crown, Bradford Abbas.

There will be a fly past by an old Dakota aircraft, fancy dress (for anyone who would like to join in) and military vehicles on display. Entertainment will be provided by the Wessex Military Band and the Stormtrooper Majorettes. There will also be a Hoopla stall, Cake stall, Tombola and a bouncy castle, plus a delicious barbecue.

All proceeds to Help for Heroes.

Go-karts are great fun for all the family - get out and about this summer! Local stockist Ben Johnson Garden Machinery of Shaftesbury

Andy & Clare Waller

LICENSED CAFE “Delicious food in relaxing surroundings” Open Monday to Saturday, 9am ‘til 5pm Sunday Morning, 10am ‘til 1pm

artteazen

105 Cheapside • LANGPORT • TA10 9PW  01458 250635 email: andy@artteazen.co.uk www.artteazen.co.uk @artteazen

Fun for all the family!

Summer Wedding? Garden Party?

Vintage China Hire

We provide the most beautifully and carefully selected pieces to ensure your event is truly awe-inspiring.

Despite being mismatched there is a sense of continuity and elegance throughout our collection. So if you have an affection for all things vintage and beautiful and would like to create an event which is both memorable and marvellous, please do get in touch and we can discuss your requirements whatever they may be.

GO-KARTS for all ages

“Buddy”

Delicious Finger Sandwiches Homemade Cakes, Scones and Clotted Cream All served on a Vintage Style Cake Stand with China Teacups and Saucers

Suitable for ages 3+ up to adults

John Deere BFR-AF

kate@livingpretty.co.uk • www.livingpretty.co.uk THE OLD BAKERY • HIGH STREET CURRY RIVEL • SOMERSET • TA10 0ES Tel: 01458 253357

Ideal for the garden and all terrain Get out and about

We Offer a Bespoke Outside Catering Service CAKES MADE TO ORDER

Somerset Afternoon Cream Tea For Two – £20

Prices from £99

“Buzzy”

... see our range

BenJohnson

Ben Johnson 17d Wincombe Business Park Shaftesbury, SP7 9QJ Tel: 01747 851021 www.benjohnsonmowers.com

THE VISITOR May 2015 27

Wincanton Choral Society 25th Anniversary Concert

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the Wincanton Choral Society is singing a Commemoration of WW1 on Sunday 17th May 2015 in the Wincanton Leisure Centre.

The performance will start with the Orchestra playing something many Radio 4 listeners will remember, the Radio 4 UK Theme Tune, a brilliant mishmash of British popular songs.

The performance will include the 'Spirit of England', Elgar's last choral work, which was

inspired by Laurence Binyon's famous post-war poetry. An inspiring and thought-provoking choral piece, 'Spirit of England' is a very powerful piece of music, and deserves to be much better known.

'Songs of the Fleet' by Stanford was written to celebrate the accession in 1910 of a new King (George V), who was a Navy man.

It's a light-hearted piece written by and for people with a love of the sea and with pride in the Royal Navy.

Musical director, S.K.

Sturminster House Tea Rooms & Restaurant

Courtyard Open Every Friday ...

Twistelton, was commissioned to write a choral piece for the anniversary performance. The choir will sing his very moving piece ‘The Argument of His Book’, based on a beautiful Finnish poem, written for Tenor (Paul Bradley) and Baritone (Philip Smith) soloists, SATB choir and orchestra.

Tickets for the performance are available from the Box Office: www.netaticket.co.uk or 01749 813899. Tickets £14.00 in advance (by 11th May), £15.00 on the door with under 18s £7.00 any time. Licensed bar.

Sturminster House Tea Rooms

With the better weather on the way Sturminster House Tea Rooms have now opened up their

MU IC M NTH O R S O F THE

Steak Night

Only £12 to include a Free Drink Bookings Only

Market Place STURMINSTER NEWTON Tel: 01258 471808

April 24th The New Beats - Rose & Crown, Longburton 24th Dub Liberators - Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 26th Peter Millson acoustic guitar (3.30pm) - Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon May 1st 1st 1st 2nd 3rd 9th 15th 15th 23rd 24th

24th 29th

28 THE VISITOR May 2015

courtyard – which is a real suntrap in which to enjoy your refreshments.

There are delicious homemade cakes such as spiced apple cake, coffee and walnut and lemon meringue cake.

The cream teas are always very popular and for a special occasion why not treat yourself to a High Tea (24hrs notice required) four types of sandwiches, four types of savouries, scones, cakes and chocolate for just £10. Gift Vouchers available.

A gluten free and a vegetarian menu have now been introduced.

Whether you are looking for a light lunch, afternoon tea or a delicious steak Sturminster House Tea Rooms is just the place. Visit Groupon for discount coupons.

Headland - Rose & Crown, Longburton Redhillbillies - Unicorn, Bayford, Wincanton Ray Jones Band - Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi Somerset Paddies - Unicorn, Bayford, Wincanton Flatland Boogie Band - Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon Guy Johnson - Rose & Crown, Bradford Abbas Tom Clements - Rose & Crown, Longburton Barry ‘Elvis’ Paull - Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon Black Magic Woman - Rose & Crown, Bradford Abbas Mat Roberts Band (from 2pm) - Dolphin, Wincanton Transitions - Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon The Link - Rose & Crown, Longburton

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

In and around

ILCHESTER The Lamb & Lark Limington

The Lamb & Lark Limington is situated just a couple of miles from Ilchester where landlord and landlady, Russell and Diane are celebrating their 10th successful year of trading this year.

They have earned themselves an excellent reputation for good home-cooked food and have something to suit everyone on their menu.

They have recently introduced a private hire mini bus service which can collect and deliver you to and from the inn at a very reasonable cost. It is also available for private hire such as airport trips.

Proving popular is their hog roast service for functions. This together with their outside bar facilities is ideal for weddings and other special occasions.

Maria of Just Maria - here you will find a wonderful selection of fresh and silk flowers, painted furniture and other interesting items, for the home and as gifts.

AP Kitchen Solutions offer a complete kitchen service - why not call in to their Ilchester showrooms and discusss your personal requirements.

AP Kitchen Solutions FOR YOUR NEW KITCHEN

Stunning flowers for every occasion

Bridal Accessories - Imaginative Gifts - Unusual Cards - Vintage Clothing Visit our Facebook page for details of

‘Annie Sloan Paint Workshop’

Painted Furniture - Decorative Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan

The Old Chapel, Church Street, ILCHESTER Tel: 01935 706121 • Mobile: 07837 385734

Lamb & Lark Russell & Diane welcome you to the INN KEEPING AT ITS BEST

Limington nr. Ilchester • BA22 8EG Tel: 01935 840368

Relax in our Beer Gardens ...

Choose from our extensive Home Cooked Menu Sunday Carvery choice of meats Carvery £8.95 • Under 3 yrs £3.25 • 3 – 10 yrs £5.95

Function Room ... wedding & private parties welcome Outside Bar and Hog Roast facilities Visit our website for full details

www.lambandlark.co.uk

 Kitchens replaced for a fresh new look – at a reasonable price

 Complete new kitchens designed to suit you

 Replacement doors – “don’t replace it, reface it”

 Huge choice of granite and quartz worksurfaces  Full range of accessories and appliances

 Full project management & qualified local installers  We offer an expert and friendly service

 01935 849559

To discuss your personal requirements contact Adam or call at our showroom

Northover, ILCHESTER, BA22 8LD www.apkitchens.co.uk

THE VISITOR May 2015 29

Yeovil Independent Businesses YEOVIL IS HOME to a wide range of independent businesses. So whether you’re looking for a new carpet ... replacing an old bed ... needing your car serviced or repaired ... or just fancying a cup of coffee ... you’ll find independent businesses that can help, both in the town centre and on the out-of-town trading estates.

Appleby and Childs

Appleby and Childs, independent mason, has been serving the area in and around Yeovil for over 130 years. They are an independent family run business offering the best in service, choice and quality.

They specialise in bespoke memorials, and also offer a cleaning and renovation service. A free brochure is available on request.

‘Let our Family look after yours’.

The Winking Frog Coffee Shop

The Winking Frog

The able2achieve Trust is a registered Charity and directly supports people with a learning difficulty and associated disabilities to be more independent, specifically in work related enterprises; The establishment of The Winking Frog Coffee Shop on Princes Street in Yeovil offers both training and supported employment opportunities for our learners, it is a safe but realistic

environment for vulnerable adults to access real work.

The Winking Frog is open Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4pm and Saturday 9am - 2.30pm, all cakes and food are homemade from local produce. able2achieve enables both specialist day provision (Coombe Farm, Crewkerne, telephone: 01460 279520) and support individuals living in their community as a registered and approved provider across the County.

We use organic and local produce

• Homemade Cakes • Light Lunches • Fair Trade Coffees

QUIRKY AND INNOVATIVE

 TAKE AWAY SERVICE AVAILABLE 

We use COOMBE FARM Dairy and Meat Produce and support other local independent businesses — WiFi available —

17 Princes Street, Yeovil • Tel: 01935 508151

Inside Harts Mobility, situated on Lyde Road, a family run business.

Here you will find a wide range of scooters, chairs and living aids.

Helpful advice always available. Free Parking outside the door.

HartMobility Yeovil Disability & Mobility Products

We offer the best service and the lowest prices in the

South West

★ New Scooter £595

★ Road Legal Scooter £1,495 ★ Reclining Chairs from £595 ★ NEXT DAY DELIVERY ● ● ● ● ● ●

Daily Living Aids Bath Lifts Walking Aids Wheelchairs Power Chairs Stair Lifts

01935 421111

E FRE NCE A R l INSU d lega oa for r sers u

Pre-owned mobility scooters and wheelchairs also available

1 Camborne Grove (Lyde Road) YEOVIL BA21 5DG www.hartmobility.co.uk

30 THE VISITOR May 2015

Scooter Servicing from £35 • FREE parking • FREE battery testing

Yeovil Independent Businesses

The Bed Specialist

The Bed Specialist at Huish is an independent family-run business that is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015.

To mark this auspicious occasion the Bed Specialist is holding a monthly Free Draw. They have teamed up with some leading bed brands to offer you some fantastic prizes, ranging from a top of the

range Vi-Spring mattress to luxury Devon Duvets, Ottoman storage beds and sofa beds.

You can be in with a chance of winning one of their super prizes - all you have to do is turn up at 106 Huish and pop your details into the special Free Prize Draw Box which can be found in store.

Simple!

Technology, manufacturing

processes and materials are improving all the time and having been in business for 50 years you can be sure of knowledgeable and friendly advice when choosing a new bed from The Bed Specialist, whose aim is to provide the best quality beds available at all prices.

Norris Body Repairs Ltd

Norris Body Repairs is a familyrun business near the town centre which carries out car body repairs and re-sprays.

If you have an insurance claim you can choose where your car is

repaired and Norris Body Repairs offer a friendly alternative to the larger body shops. Richard Norris has over 22 years experience in the industry and will ensure you receive individual attention – together with a free estimate and highly skilled repair.

They also specialise in vehicle restorations offering a chance for the customer to inspect and instruct as the restoration is carried out. Norris Body Repairs also carry out welding work on vehicles that may have failed their MOT. Call Mary Norris to book your car in for repair today!

NORRIS BODY REPAIRS LTD ■ Insurance Claims ■ Private Jobs ■ Restorations ■ Resprays ■ Welding Work

Ward & Sibley, the family jewellers of Yeovil where a friendly professional service is guaranteed. Don’t miss their Spring promotion!

WARD & SIBLEY

South Street • YEOVIL • BA20 1QQ Tel: 01935 411095

Email: norrisbodyrepairs@gmail.com • Fax: 01935 473119

The Jewellers of Yeovil

Our repair section of the business is pleased to offer

SPRING PROMOTION

Free clean & setting check on gemstone rings Offer Ends 31st May

 Complete refurbishment of jewellery –

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

 Watch repairs including battery replacements  Jewellery handmade to your own design  Jewellery re-modelled

 Seal, hand, and machine engraving

 Valuations for insurance and probate  Pearl and bead re-threading

THE CASKET, 103 MIDDLE STREET, YEOVIL Tel: 01935 474065 Car Park at Rear for customers while visiting the shop

THE VISITOR May 2015 31

Martin & Co

Before and after shots of a client - showing the benefits of using Caudalie products and CACI to treat acne. CACI non surgical facelift is also beneficial for toning facial muscles and improving skins apperance.

Another Little World (situated in the Emporium, Princes Street) are offering £10 discount off CACI Ultra during May and June - so why not give it a try?

Another Little World Natural Beauty Experience

CACI ULTRA PROMOTION - £10 off

During MAY and JUNE CACI tones facial muscles & softens fine lines, it can also improve acne, scarring, blemishes, hydration and oily skin Stockist of CAUDALIE Grapes of Beauty Visit website for full details of all treatments

At The Emporium - 39 Princes Street Yeovil - Somerset - BA20 1EG

Yeovil

Martin & Co in Yeovil has been shortlisted as a top 10 Letting agent in the South West (East) Region of the biggest estate & letting agent awards in the UK, known throughout the industry as THE ESTAS. Martin & Co has been recognised for its outstanding customer service to its clients by the largest and longest running award scheme in the UK residential property industry.

THE ESTAS determines the best estate and letting agents in the country through research carried out amongst customers who are asked a series of questions about the service they have received from their agent.

Yeovil Vintage Market

Following on from its previous success, Yeovil Vintage Market will be running monthly during

the spring and summer on the first Saturday of the month from 9.30am to 4pm in King George Street, opposite the Post Office.

On Saturday 2nd May visitors can browse at their leisure while enjoying an offering of cakes, savouries, tea and coffee and being serenaded by music.

Marie Ainsworth, SSDCs Market Co-ordinator said, ‘Visitors will enjoy browsing the assorted array of stalls including the very latest trends in ‘upcycled’ furniture, collectables, accessories and new and handmade items inspired by vintage style’.

Yeovil’s Vintage Market takes its inspiration from the vibrant and eclectic markets in Kensington and Covent Garden, creating a destination market with something for everyone.

All the latest information can be found on the Yeovil Vintage

01935 350008 - www.anotherlittleworld.co.uk Find us on

W E C O R D I A L LY

~ Invite You ~ TO JOIN US AT

FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER

Music, Vintage, Retro, Old & New MAY 2nd • JUNE 6th

KING GEORGE STREET YEOVIL Opposite The Post Office

JULY 4th • AUGUST 1st SEPTEMBER 5th

These attractive wall and floor tiles will add style to any kitchen available from The Tile Market, Yeovil.

The Tile Market

Ceramic Tile Specialists

◆ Wall and Floor Tiles Unit 1 Brympton Way Lynx West Trading Estate

YEOVIL BA20 2HP

email: thetilemarket@aol.com www.thetilemarket.webs.com

32 THE VISITOR May 2015

◆ Marble / Mosaic / Granite / Travertine Limestone / Slate ◆ Full Range of Adhesives / Sealants and Tiling Accessories in stock

 SHOWROOMS OVER TWO FLOORS 

Tel: 01935 426737

Open Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm

Yeovil Independent Businesses Market Facebook page at www.facebook.com/yeovilvintage market. For further information, please contact Marie Ainsworth, Neighbourhood Development Officer – Area South on marie.ainsworth@southsomerset. gov.uk, tel. 01935 462787.

Yeovil Auto Tuning

Due to expansion, Yeovil Auto Tuning recently moved to larger premises at 9 Oxford Road, on the Pen Mill Trading Estate, Yeovil – easily located and with plenty of parking.

Yeovil Auto Tuning is a family run business, established for 33 years. Proprietor Colin Frost runs the business with his wife Anita and their three experienced mechanics Jamie, Ross and Matthew.

They offer their customers a full range of services which includes repairs, servicing, engine tuning and MOT testing which includes class 1V, and Class V11 light Vans. They look forward to welcoming customers old and new.

Also operating from the same premises is Eclipse Custom Campers, converting VW Transporter T4 and T5 vehicles.

Focalflames

Welcome to Focalflames. If you've never had a woodburning stove then you've never experienced the amazing warmth they bring into your home. They're a fantastic addition to any room, providing many years of hassle free service while saving you hundreds off your expensive heating bills. As a new business with over 10 years

Western Flooring offers ‘from the roll’ carpets and vinyls at low prices. They have extensive showrooms over two floors on the Lufton Trading Estate, where there is free parking outside the door.

experience in the industry we pride ourselves on our professional, great value services, offering you FREE home visits and consultations, bringing the shop to you, helping you make the right choice, while supplying any make or model at TRADE prices! In addition, our new Home Sellers inspection & certification service is designed to help bring uncertified fireplaces up to regs ready for the open market, avoiding complications during conveyancing.

NOW STOCKING CARPET, VINYLS & ACCESSORIES Come and view our

NEW SHOWROOM fully stocked with samples of all types of flooring

Tel: 01935 473121

7 Armoury Road Lufton Trading Estate Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8RL OPEN: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

8am — 5pm 8am — 5pm 8am — 5pm 8am — 5pm 8am — 5pm 9am — 2pm

Guaranteed Cheapest In Town!

www.westernflooring.co.uk

THE VISITOR May 2015 33

Yeovil Independent Businesses  100s of rugs in stock

 Extensive range of quality carpets  Natural flooring specialists

... do call in!

34 Princes Street, Yeovil. Tel: 01935 478100

John Hamblin

CABINET MAKERS • ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORERS We are specialists in the repair & restoration of antique and modern furniture

 Bespoke Furniture made to customers specific requirements  French Polishing

 Re-Leathering of Desktops, Bureaux, etc.  Dining Table Tops Refinished

A family run business established for over 50 years

Unit 6, 15 Oxford Road, Pen Mill Trading Estate, Yeovil, BA21 5HR Tel: 01935 471154 • jhamblin101@gmail.com “We care for your furniture”

Above: Walter Wall Carpets of Princes Street is a family run busines - call in and see their complete range of flooring including a good choice of quality rugs.

Left: Work in progress John Hamblin in his workshop, where he can make a piece of furniture to your particular requirements - he offers a repair service too.

Below: The latest technology at Puffin Cleaners ensures a perfect finish every time on laundered shirts and blouses. Why not take advantage of their current special offer? Puffin Cleaners is situated in Bond Street (opposite Boots the Chemist in the High Street).

Parking is available at the rear of the shop. Proprietor James Briggs is pictured.

The Visitor can be read online …

www.thevisitormagazine.co.uk

34 THE VISITOR May 2015

Fit & Furnish

Yeovil

Fit & Furnish of Yeovil have an extensive range of furniture in stock. Suites, dining sets, kitchen table sets, bedroom furniture, beds, mattresses, occasional furniture and more. A range of Childrens' furniture is also stocked.

If you are looking for something in particular pop in - if it is not in stock they will try and source it for you.

Fit & Furnish is conveniently situated in the town centre in the old Vincent's Car Showroom building (just down from Marks & Spencer). There is ample free parking outside the door.

Why not call in or visit their comprehensive web site. See their advert on the cover.

Hider Heating

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

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

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

Pictured is Isabelle, proprietor of Crossroads Pet Supplies on the A30 between Yeovil and Sherborne. Here you will find a comprehensive range of animal feed for all your family pets, from goldfish to dogs!

Dog tired of high prices?

CROSSROADS PET SUPPLIES VISIT

SUPPLIERS OF

• Pet Foods • Bird & Pigeon Seeds • Full range of Toys, Hutches, Accessories

... all at competitive prices Ample FREE PARKING outside the Door Find us at Forward Garage on the main A30 between Sherborne & Yeovil

Tel: 01935 411859 .

HIDER HEATING

Specialists in Installation & Service

ALL TYPES OF PLUMBING Central Heating Systems, Boiler Replacement Landlord Safety Checks and Servicing Gas and Oil Established Over 40 Years Rely on us for all Plumbing & Heating Needs Specialist in Bathroom Designs including all Tiling & Electrics

Reg. No. 700

www.hiderheating.co.uk Tel: 01935 426209 • Mobile: 07836 773152 41a West Coker Road, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2LY

WILLS ARE NO PLACE FOR CUNNING PLANS

By Sally Manning

Lawyer in the Wills & Probate Department of Battens Solicitors in Sherborne

BLACKADDER’S Nursie, the late Patsy Byrne, hit the headlines recently when financial details of her Will emerged. Survived by five step-daughters after her death at the age of 87, she left four of them £20,000 each but the remainder of her estate – a £900,000 legacy - to the fifth step-daughter as well as gifts to charity.

According to media reports, her family say the money was left for the fifth step-sister to distribute as she saw fit as the actress wished to leave an element of flexibility. For example, in case one of the sisters was in greater need than the others.

All of the estate will be distributed equally between all of her stepchildren with the family confirming that they were all in complete consultation with no arguments involved.

Fortunately, this cunning plan has a happy ending, but not all estate disputes are resolved in such an amicable and fair way.

There are two main points to learn from this scenario: Firstly, when deciding how to distribute your estate, you should avoid flexibility in your Will; don't rely on your beneficiaries to ‘do the right thing’.

In our experience, we have found that too often clients want to gift a sum of money to someone, but then ask them to make a further payment to another person or charity, at their discretion. Asking people to make these onward gifts can work, but not always.

In these circumstances, beneficiaries are under a moral obligation rather than a legal obligation to make any additional gifts from their money.

Crucially, people’s circumstances can change over time.

Although at the time of making your Will your beneficiary may not appear to require additional finances, at the time they receive the inheritance their personal finances may have changed for the worse. In our experience we have seen that frequently, the onward gift is not made. We always advise clients that if they strongly want an individual or a charity to benefit from their estate they should unambiguously include the gift outright in their Will.

Secondly, according to media reports, one of the late Mrs Byrne’s stepdaughters suggested that her step-mother was not fully aware of the size of her estate.

Of course, we don’t expect clients to know the value of their estate to the nearest £100 but writing your Will is more difficult if you are not aware of how much you have to leave.

Obviously your estate can fluctuate, which is why we advise you to revisit your Will periodically. Another good reason for knowing the value of your estate is because it is a reliable test for whether you have the requisite mental capacity to make a Will. If anyone challenges your Will in court, your lack of awareness could be used as evidence against the validity of it.

Make sure your plans will be put into practice by allowing us to draft your Will.

Please contact Sally on 01935 811304 or sally.manning@battens.co.uk for more details about how we can help you.

Why not come along to one of our talks taking place in May:

Tuesday 12th May at 11.30am – ‘Lasting Power of Attorneys’ at the Veronica Room, The Balsam Centre, WINCANTON

Wednesday 13th May at 2pm – ‘Wills and How to Make One’ at the Cemetery Chapel, CASTLE CARY Tuesday 26th May at 11.30am – ‘Wills’ at the Veronica Room, The Balsam Centre, WINCANTON

Battens is also in Castle Cary & Wincanton on the following dates: Tuesdays 28th April and 12th & 26th May at the Veronica Room, The Balsam Centre, WINCANTON Tuesdays 5th & 19th May at The Shambles, Market House, CASTLE CARY

To book your place at one of our talks or make a Tuesday appointment please call 01963 834477.

www.battens.co.uk

Offices in Sherborne, Yeovil, Dorchester & Weymouth

 01935 814811

THE VISITOR May 2015 35

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL Robert Stone & Co.

Chartered Accountants & Tax Advisers in Ilminster answers questions from small businesses in Somerset Q1. My personal company operates from a little brick building at the end of my garden, which is heated with a portable gas heater. Can the company pay me for the cost of the gas bottles used for that heater, on top of the ‘use of home’ allowance of £4 per week?

Robert Stone replies:

The company can pay you the actual additional costs for using your home for business purposes instead of the £4 per week working at home allowance. You would need to record and calculate the additional running costs you incur for using the brick shed, but we can help you with that.

Alternatively, the company could pay you rent for the shed including an amount for heat and light, but you would have to declare the rent received on your personal tax return. This arrangement could also have implications for the tax due when you sell the whole property. We need to talk through the details.

Stationery, Cards and Gift Wrap

Office Equipment & Furniture Printer Inks and Toners Competitive Prices

FREE Local Delivery

See our extensive new range of

QUALITY NOTEBOOKS various colours / sizes / formats from Leuchtturm1917

Also Stockists of Lamy Sheaffer & Parker Pens Filofax & Collins Organisers Call at our shop ...

21 Cheap Street, Sherborne Tel: 01935 814225 or visit our website ...

www.midwest-office.co.uk

36 THE VISITOR May 2015

Q2. Which is cheaper: the company to take out a corporate health insurance policy for its employees, or each employee to take out personal health insurance policies and the company to pay the policy premiums on behalf of the employees?

Robert Stone replies:

Generally, a corporate health plan is cheaper than several individual health plans, but that would depend on the number of employees involved and their ages. The cost of the corporate policy must be divided between the employees covered and reported as a benefit in kind on their P11D forms. The company will pay class 1A national insurance contributions (NIC) at 13.8% on the value of the P11D reported benefit, and each employee will pay income tax on the reported value of the health plan.

If the company pays the premiums for the personal policies of the employees, those amounts are taxed as additional pay of the employees. Thus the company must pay class 1 NIC due from employers at 13.8%. The employees must pay income tax, as well as the employees' NIC at 12% on the amount paid for the policy premiums. The employer's class 1 NIC may be off-set against any available employment allowance (worth up to £2,000 per business) for the year.

Q3. I started trading as a hairdresser nine months ago and have made sales of

MAX FOOTE Associates Ltd

Chartered Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors 26 Lower Woodcock Street Castle Cary BA7 7BH Tel: 01963 351052

Business and limited company accounts, self assessment tax returns, VAT, Payroll, Book-keeping and Training Personal and professional service

£66,000 so far. I'm worried that I will have to register for VAT soon and lose 20% of my income directly to the taxman. What can I do?

Robert Stone replies:

The VAT registration threshold increased to £82,000 with effect from 1 April 2015. This is the maximum total sales you can make in any 12 month period before you are required to register for VAT. On your current sales pattern you will exceed the VAT threshold within the next three months.

Other than reducing your sales to keep the total below £82,000, perhaps by taking a break from work, there is nothing you can do to avoid the need to register for VAT. However, once registered you can reclaim VAT on things you buy for your business such as hair dyes, scissors etc. In your first VAT return you can also reclaim VAT charged on any services you used for your business within the six months ending with the VAT registration date and on goods purchased in the four years ending with the date of registration, as long as you still hold those items at the registration date. It is essential that the right VAT registration is entered on the VAT application form, we can help you with this.

TV advert boosts Somerset’s business credentials

SOMERSET’S PROFILE as a great business destination has been given a boost in and around London thanks to a recent advertising campaign on catch-

up TV channels.

‘Seize the Opportunity’ advert, commissioned by inward investment organisation Into Somerset, highlighted some of the impressive business people and businesses based in the county, including Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden, Glastonbury’s Michael Eavis and the global helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland. Targeting audiences within the M25, it featured on ITV Player and 4 on Demand from the end of October until the beginning of December last year, with a second wave on ITV Player throughout January 2015.

The advert was viewed more than 655,000 times across the two catch-up TV platforms, with the second phase in January generating a click-through rate to the Into Somerset website that is well above average and a 400% increase in website traffic. In addition, the advert generated almost 1,900 extra views via YouTube. Into Somerset’s Twitter following also increased significantly, with over 770 new followers located within the M25 catchment area.

The ‘Seize the Opportunity’ advert can be viewed at www.intosomerset.co.uk/seizethe-opportunity.htm Into Somerset provides advice and support for entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes that are considering moving all or part of their business to Somerset.

Since 2008, it has helped over 100 businesses relocate to the county, creating in excess of 1,100 jobs.

Dragons’ Den star and local business woman Deborah Meaden.

SOMERTON Over 100 Shops & Businesses

Visit our Business Directory

www.somerton.co.uk

GARDENING

GARDENING MONTHLY

by Richard Cumming Orchard Park

Warming up nicely!

THIS SPRING has been quite kind to us gardeners! True it was a bit on the cold side at first but has stayed dry and is warming up nicely. Blossom has been fantastic; cherries started off with the early flowering Myrobolan, then the purple-leafed sand cherries before the more ornamental Japanese cherries started their display. They have been glorious! Add the Magnolias and the ornamental pears and it has been an absolutely wonderful spring with no really serious frosts to spoil things. I am taking a chance here, predicting events but at the time of writing all looks well and I am hoping that the pear trees blossom will escape harm along with the plums and bush fruit, especially gooseberries and blackcurrants. That would mean a decent fruit crop worth investing in a little protection such as a fruit cage, to keep the birds off. All good, as they say, all good!

Plant of the Month

group of plants which originates from South Africa is also known under the common name 'African Daisy'. The genus Osteospermum belongs to the plant family Compositae (Asteraceae) or Daisy family, and the name comes from the Greek 'osteon' (=bone) and Latin 'spermum' (=seed): bone seed! They are mostly half hardy perennials or sub-shrubs so not generally winter hardy with the exception of Osteospermum jacundum, a low growing evergreen perennial which is usually hardy in this part of the world. ‘Osteos’ are usually propagated by cuttings or overwintered in a greenhouse or conservatory. The most frequent use for these colourful daisies is in tubs and planters; their bright colours giving a splash of colour to rival the pelargoniums and geraniums. They are easy to grow and will thrive in any decent compost or soil providing they have good drainage and good light. A regular feed and frequent deadheading will keep them in good heart for the whole summer, and when autumn comes you can either lift them to overwinter under-glass or recycle them through the compost heap.

Nothing goes to waste!

as their roots will not yet have travelled far enough to reach lower soil moisture as yet. By the same token don’t drown them by over watering. New gardeners often find it hard to reach a balance and in truth it is a skill that comes with experience.

After the winter you do need to watch for damaged growth; prune back as soon as you are sure that things have stabilised

and you can tell how far the damage has gone. Generally look for the first good healthy bud after the damaged growth. Root death is harder to spot especially where plants have been rocked by wind, and sat for long periods in waterlogged ground. These may suddenly collapse when the plant starts into growth – when the demands of the shoots exceed the ability of the roots to support it. Give encouragement in the

Jobs for the Month Osteospermums! Not the easiest name but some of the easiest plants to grow, this sun-loving

Warmth and moisture produce fantastic growth! Everywhere you look new shoots and leaves.

Young and freshly planted items will need a little care and support. Don’t let them dry out

The ‘Hart’ of your Garden!

Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds Compost • Feeds Pest Control • Pots Plants • Pet Supplies Aquatics

Harts Garden Shop

Station Road, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1BD 01258 472420 www.hartsofstur.com Open Monday to Friday 8am – 5.30pm. Saturday 8am – 4.30pm Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays

QUALITY FENCING PANELS AND TIMBER C L ANV I LL E SA WM IL L S LT D Clanville • Castle Car y (on the B3153)

Monday to Thursday - 8am to 5pm Friday - 8am to 4pm

Castle Cary (01963) 350881

THE VISITOR May 2015 37

GARDENING

well-rotted manure is ideal) which can be planted out in the middle of the month.

Weed control through regular hoeing is always the best approach - use it when the soil is dry so that dislodged weeds can’t root again. Keep the fleece handy in case we do get a cold snap.

Lawns - Feed, weed and kill the moss. Lightly fork the bare

patches and then rake in fresh seed covered with fine soil or loam based compost.

When you get to the herbaceous border - hoe off emerging seedlings, and mulch with wellrotted garden compost. Pot grown plants can be planted at any time, and don’t forget to provide support for the taller growing plants such as Delphiniums.

Orchard Park - full to bursting with plants and accessories for the garden.

form of a feed and mulch and they should recover. Even more important, don’t let spring planted trees and shrubs die for lack of water from the dry spring.

Soil moisture has taken a hammering, and young roots will be struggling to find enough water to keep the shoots going.

Same with newly sown areas,

seedlings do not like to get started and abruptly dry out.

In the vegetable garden, sow main crop carrots, swedes, spinach and lettuce. Sow runner and dwarf beans in trays or pots.

Sweet corn can go in provided the soil is in reasonable condition, and well manured. Make successional sowings of salad crops [every 14 days]. Prepare the sites for marrows, courgettes and pumpkins (a 1 ft hole filled with

Make the most of your garden all year round with the addition of a Garden Room - to find out more contact Sparkford Timber Buildings & Gates of Sparkford for more details. See their advert on the cover.

Ride-on mowers LARGE or small ... we have them all!

Rider 27M Compact Lawn Rider

Specimen Plants Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance for Corporate & Discerning Clients

www.superplants.co.uk 01963 348420

£ 1299

Suitable for gardens 48-inch twin blade, of up to 7½ acres. timed, cutter deck.

Briggs & Stratton Briggs & Stratton engine. engine.

5 Year 150 litre grass 320 litre grass Warranty collection capacity. collection capacity.

MAY PROMOTION Worth Approximately £300

£ 3699

FREE Tow Hitch  FREE Mulching Kit  FREE Heavy Duty Front Bumper ... when purchasing a Ride-On ATCO Mower

LEE HOLMES Garden Machinery

15 Cary Court, Bancombe Business Park, SOMERTON Tel: 01458 274261 • www.gardenmachineryrus.co.uk

All types of Fencing

• Gates • Trellis • Fence Panels • Tool Sheds • Summer Houses • Garages • Workhouses • Greenhouses • Field Shelters

All Buildings are hand-made at Bourton using Scandinavian Redwood Shiplap Timber.

Bourton, Gillingham on the old A303 Nr. Zeals For Free Survey/Estimate/Brochure

TELEPHONE 01747 840752

38 THE VISITOR May 2015

GT 48H Twin Lawn Tractor

GARDENING

The Tree Fern house is the retreat of Dave Root, owner of Kelways Plants Limited, Langport.

This is an excellent time for planting up ponds and marginal areas to give a good effect this summer. A mini pond in a tub is really effective, easy to create and looks attractive and interesting on a patio or terrace.

Roses are growing fast and must be cared for. Even though many modern varieties are less susceptible to black spot, they still do better if treated, and the first spray of the season is the most important. Best of all, feed your roses well, mulch liberally, and make sure they don’t go short of water in May and June.

Shrub borders – don’t touch summer flowering shrubs as all you will do is cut the next flowers off, but you can prune the early flowering shrubs such as Forsythia and clip the evergreens.

Pressure Builds at Kelways Plants for RHS Chelsea 2015

With less than four weeks to go until the 2015 Chelsea Flower Show opens its doors to the world, Kelways Plants is humming.

With over 23,000 plants being contract grown for 7 Main Avenue and Fresh Show Gardens, and many thousands of others ready

Full ground preparation and laying service available

The Farmhouse, Somerton Door, SOMERTON, TA11 6JA Tel/ Fax: 01458 272091 www.evergreen-turf.co.uk • info@evergreen-turf.co.uk

Approved contractor to Dorset & Somerset C.C.

for last minute additions and trade stands, the nursery is overflowing with plants.

Each day owner Dave Root and Nursery Manager Gary House walk the entire nursery, assessing the growth and development of each batch of plants. Daily decisions are made to move some plants to a cooler spot to hold them back and others to warmer brighter spots to speed them up. The nursery has at least 9 different growing areas and holding zones, each with a different environment. Plants for different designers and gardens sit side by side, all clearly labelled

for when the client visits.

‘Chelsea demands the best plants, and often this means sourcing outside the UK, particularly for the tropical, Australian and arid plants’ says Dave Root.

Particularly exciting for Dave is Kelways first ever Tree Fern exhibit at Chelsea, managed by Rob Parsons, the youngest floral exhibitor at the 2015 Show. In the Tree Fern Tunnel, fronds on some of the unusual species of Cyathea quietly unfurl, justly fitting of a prehistoric plant, and seemingly oblivious to the bustling activity around the nursery.

PODIMORE RECYCLING LTD R. W. PRINCE LTD

Suppliers of Quality Recycled Aggregates Top Soil – Crushed Concrete – Road Planings All Types of Limestone Aggregates Sand and Gravel – Decorative Aggregates Asphalt Plant / Asphalt Products – Hot Box Hire Grab Lorries – Tipper Hire – Muckaway

New Asphalt Plant Installed

20mm Base • 10mm Top Coats • 6mm Top Coats Lime Stone or Hard

Small Loads Collected or Delivered 7am – 4pm Daily • Monday – Friday ✴ Road Sweeper Hire ✴

Please call to enquire if we can help you with anything

PODIMORE RECYCLING LTD. Podimore,Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8JG Tel: 01935 849250 • Fax: 01935 849099 Mobile: 07973 844145 QUALIFIED ARBORIST

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE CARE AND DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL

TREE PLANTING

Say you saw it in The Visitor

PHONE: NORTH CADBURY 440660

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

GRAS und to scarif S & B R U ro g h g u y S TING ro 160 plant ing, orcha H C U T T I NG ROTAVA . Tel: 07659 550 rds, p ations s ad , Tel: 07 seed bed 659 5 playing fie docks, lds et 50160 c. lift h hig d an G IN MI NI DI GG 0160 dumper. Tel: 07659 55

Alan Dodge BSc

MOSS P spiking ROBLEMS , coring , Tel: 07 scarifying 659 550 160

G EANIN T H C L inting etc.

A P O P A T I chanical po e and m 59 550160 6 Tel: 07 THE VISITOR May 2015 39

GARDENING

The

Pub Pages

Plant World at Milton on Stour near Gillingham has a selection of plants and shrubs suitable for gardens big and small.

See their advert in the Gillingham feature.

NGS Garden of the Month May - Esotera Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st 11am - 5pm

Esotera is a 2 acre country cottage and wildlife friendly garden. You are led towards the first of three ponds, a home to Moorhens and Ducks, and a field meadow of blue and white Camassias, Snake Head Fritillarias and Ox-Eyed Daisies.

Around the bend you walk up the avenue of Malus Huphensis, under-planted with meadow flowers.

Straight ahead and through the white gate lies the vegetable plot,

TREE SURGERY SPECIALISTS Crown Thinning and Reduction Dead and Dangerous Trees Removed New Trees Supplied and Planted Tree Stumps Removed Approved Contractor to Somerset County Council and Local Councils

Phone B. P. MONTGOMERY for a FREE Estimate Tel: 01963 240532 Mobile: 07970 397248 Email: brutontreecare@hotmail.com

a large brick and timber greenhouse sits pride of place (usually filled to the brim).

A shepherd's hut nestles in the distant corner of the paddock, looking across the orchard of apples and pears with a scattering of cherries and other tree species.

Returning now to the flower garden, a large prairie herbaceous border surrounds a contemporary potting shed.

Passing under the Wisteria arch you arrive at the courtyard, one of many places to sit and relax and maybe enjoy homemade cakes with tea.

Children must be supervised at all times (not suitable for wheelchairs), Plants For Sale, Homemade Teas. Admission: £4.00, child free.

Contact Information: Andrew & Shirley Harvey, Esotera, Foddington, nr Babcary TA11 7EL. To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: http://www.ngs.org.uk Fencing & Gates Supplied and Erected by the

YEOVIL & SHERBORNE FENCING & GATE Co.

FREE Estimates • No VAT Pressure Treated Material 10 Year Guarantee

01935 330095

for all your Tool Hire Requirements including Mini Digger Hire and Garden Machinery Higher Farm, Sutton, Ditcheat Tel: 01749 860199 • Mob: 0777 163 2221

40 THE VISITOR May 2015

BEER & SKITTLES P. A. BAXTER

HOORAY for National Beer Day! At last a day for us ALL to celebrate the National Drink.

What? You mean you haven't heard of it? Well, to be honest, neither had I, but on receiving the April edition of the official CAMRA organ 'What's Brewing' the back page featured an article

by Sommelier Jane Peyton, who declares that June 15th is to be 'Beer Day Britain'. Now, as she rightly points out, every day is a beer day if you are a CAMRA member, but this is the chance for us all to celebrate the national

drink with more than a little style and panache. Jane, apart from being a beer sommelier is an author of several books, including 'Beer O'clock' and is currently the 'British Institute of Innkeeping's Beer Academy Beer Sommelier of the Year'. So with a title like that, Jane is clearly a lady who knows what she's talking about, and it is she who is responsible for the instigation of this great idea, to celebrate something we all like.

In her article, Jane goes on to say 'To me beer is Britain's greatest export because from the 17th Century British ships spread the desire for beer to all hemispheres of the world. More styles of beer invented in Britain are now brewed regularly around the world than those of any other nation.

These include Pale Ale, mild, brown ale, stout, porter, Imperial Russian Stout, and Barley wine.

What stellar reasons to celebrate beer and to recognize the role that beer and pubs play in Britain's GNH - Gross National Happiness' ... and so say all of us Jane!

Needless to say a website, Facebook / Twitter et al has been activated so do take a look at www.beerdaybritain.co.uk where there is more information and even free downloads available. So why has she picked this day in particular? After all, it is actually

The

Pub Pages

a Monday. Well, it is 800 years to the very day since the Magna Carta was signed. Indeed, Clause 35 of the Magna Carta states 'Let there be throughout our kingdom a single measure for wine and a single measure for ale and a single

measure for corn, namely "the London quarter"'. So what more of an excuse do we need? For on June 15th at 1215 (the time relating to the year of signing) beer lovers across our green and pleasant land will raise a glass to our beautiful National Drink. I encourage you all to join in, and whilst I realise that it is still a month to go, forewarned is forearmed!

It seems there is never a month that goes by without reporting here that yet more breweries have opened. This growth continues apace and whilst I shall not go into the latest in our own area, I would encourage you, dear reader, to explore your local pub to see what local areas are appearing at the

The Rose & Crown

Bradford Abbas • Tel: 01935 474506

Saturday 9th May: V.E. DAY CELEBRATIONS Fun for all the family! 12.30 – 5pm Live

... in aid of Help for Heroes Music with Guy Johnson from

9pm

Saturday 23rd May: Black Magic Woman

Sunday 31st May: Quiz ... in aid of Bradford Abbas Pre School

B&B

The

Sunday Carvery £9.95 bookings advised

Senior Citizen Specials Monday to Friday, 2 Courses – £6.95

Wyndham Arms

KINGSBURY EPISCOPI nr. MARTOCK SOMERSET TA12 6AT

A delightful country inn ... open all day - every day

DELICIOUS HOMECOOKED FOOD SERVED LUNCHTIMES AND EVENINGS  Traditional Sunday Roasts: choice of meats 

pumps. All this reduces beer miles significantly of course, as one pub not a million miles from us had beer delivered from Suffolk, via the distribution depot in Torbay! One wonders what effect, after all that rocking and rolling, standing still for a while and then rocking and rolling again, has on the beer, let alone the time to get it to the

drinker. It was part of the language of the drinker at one time to say 'Oh that beer doesn't travel'. How true that is I would not really like to say. We also report that beer consumption has dropped and continues to do so. Judging by the growth of breweries and their success, I would think that it is a drop in consumption from the

ROYAL OAK Chris & Jill welcome you to the ...

Over Stratton, South Petherton Tel: 01460 240906

A Charming Country Inn

Enjoy delicious home-cooked food in the relaxed atmosphere of this country inn

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY SPECIAL

SURF, TURF, SWINE and WINE NIGHT

TWO Rump Steaks ... or TWO Beer Battered Haddock ... or TWO Gammon Steaks, or ANY TWO with a Carafe of Wine £22.50 per couple booking advised

★ TRADITIONAL SUNDAY ROAST ★ £8.95 Main • £6.75 Smaller Appetite bookings essential to avoid disappointment

Unicorn Inn Freehouse

Unicorn Inn ~ The ~

Bayford

Wincanton • BA9 9NL  01963 34941

WE’VE DONE IT AGAIN!!!

Camra Heart of Wessex Real Cider Pub of the Year 2015 (and 2014)

AWARD PRESENTATION NIGHT Wednesday 6th May, 7.30pm

SKITTLE TEAMS

Celebrate with LIVE FOLK MUSIC & BUFFET ... after the Presentation A big “thank you” to our loyal customers for our continued success!

 FREE WiFi  No Charge for Cash Back   No Minimum Card Spend 

Large Boozy Battered Cod Chips & Peas with Tartare Sauce £6.00 per person

LIVE MUSIC Friday 1st May - Ray Jones Band 9pm - Midnight

Bank Holiday Special Weekend REAL CIDER FESTIVAL with LIVE MUSIC

Want a change of venue next season?

Why not try out our newly REFURBISHED ALLEY? Top Skittle Food and All Real Ales £3 pint

MAY FESTIVAL WEEKEND

Bank Holiday Monday ... the main bar and upstairs will be open and under the canopy there will be a choice of 15 Real Ales together with Thatcher’s Gold and Becks Vier The Wyndham will not be serving food on Bank Holiday Monday but there will be plenty of food outlets in the village on the day

Tel: 01935 823239

Please visit us on our website: www.wyndhamarms.com to see full menu details

— Every Friday —

— Saturday Evening Main Menu —

Friday 1st May, 9pm: The Redhillbillies Saturday 2nd May, 8pm: Somerset Paddies Cider Sunday 3rd May: Real Cider with Roast Lunch Choice of 3 Meats or Veggie Nut Roast £8.50 per person Excellent Real Ciders & Real Ales GOOD PUB GRUB Real Pub Atmosphere & Good Cheer FAMILIES WELCOME

THE VISITOR May 2015 41

The

Pub Pages

larger commercial mega-breweries that has dropped whose figures provide the overall statistics. Why do I say this? Yet again I read how

a regional brewer - St. Austell has just hit new records with 100,000 brewer's barrels (28.8 million pints!) being produced this past year, when just ten years ago they were celebrating 25,000 barrels. How many businesses (and I refer specifically to the megabreweries in question) have quadrupled their production since 2005? Also reported in the latest 'What's Brewing' is that the 'Drygate Brewing Company' of Glasgow has turned over in excess of £700,000 in its first year of trading. Furthermore, the CAMRA Member's Investment Club now has a value of in excess of a

Under New Ownership ...

staggering £19.3M. Clearly someone is doing something right.

Doubtless any of you good people out there in Visitorland who visit pubs will have noticed the word 'Craft' creeping in on all sorts of beer, and I do not mean just real ale pumps either. The word still has to have a strict definition in this country, although your scribe thinks there is an easy way to define it. If I may crave your indulgence for a short while; Craft Ale. Beer brewed with natural ingredients, no chemicals, no

adjuncts (i.e. rice!) and served to the customer in prime condition.

There; now that wasn't too painful was it? CAMRA has shifted their opinion to actually recognize the genre, although they have not exactly embraced it with open arms! The organization was set up to protect and promote 'real' ale beer that is still 'live' and had not been killed and then artificially injected with carbon dioxide and other gases. However, is CAMRA still the organisation it was? Is their raison d'être still relevant in

Vinny will do anything to satisfy his craving for chocolate!

ThE UnicoRn Ample Parking

6 Ensuite Letting Rooms

West Street • SomERTon • TA11 7PE

Delicious Home Cooked Food Served 7 Days a Week – Lunchtime and Evening 2 / 3 Course Set Lunch Menu from £8.95 Served Monday – Saturday Tuesday: Curry Night £7.95 Thursday: Steak Night 2 x 10oz Rump Steaks (Locally Sourced) and a Bottle of Wine only £25 Friday: Fish – Cod and Chips for Two £15 Sunday: Traditional Roast Choice of 3 Meats Served with Fresh Veg’ £8.95 Children £6.95 • Extra Large £11.95

FOOD SERVED ALL DAY FRIDAY SATURDAY & SUNDAY Function Room Available for Private Hire • Attractive Beer Gardens

Bookings Tel: 01458 272101

email: info@unicornsomerton.co.uk www.unicornsomerton.co.uk

The MUDDLED

MAN

Your hosts, Mick, Jean and Garry welcome you to

Lower Street, West Chinnock A charming country inn serving home cooked fayre lunchtime & evening

Enjoy the sunshine in our pretty beer gardens ...

SUNDAY LUNCH £7.95 - choice of roast Larger parties catered for

FRESH FISH Day Friday

... with home-made beer batter

STEAK SPECIAL - Two 8oz Rump Steaks £16.50 GOOD BEER GUIDE

Sunday to Thursday

DAILY SPECIALS • REAL ALE • SKITTLE ALLEY BEER GARDENS • ACCOMMODATION

Tel: 01935 881235

42 THE VISITOR May 2015

The CATASH INN North Cadbury • BA22 7DH

SENI Sunday 24th May: Special for Bank Holiday Weekend

Music in the Beer Garden from 3.30pm – 7.00pm with Loose Connections playing live FREE ADMISSION and FUN FOR ALL Beer and a Barbecue and a Quality Band ...

What could be better?

Large Beer Skittle Gardens

The

 North Cadbury 01963 441531

Lord Nelson

Alley

Rectory Lane Norton Sub Hamdon

Mark, Helen and staff welcome you to ‘The Nelson’

GOOD FOOD - GOOD BEER - GREAT ATMOSPHERE

Sunday 3rd May: Flatland Boogie Band

Sunday 10th May: Music Quiz ... hosted by Alice Hutching

Friday 15th May: ‘ELVIS’ Barry Paull Sunday 24th May: Transitions

Monday to Friday – Two Course Lunch £8

Tuesday & Wednesday – Steak Night – Two Steaks ... and a Bottle of Wine £30 COURTYARD  BEER GARDEN AT REAR AMPLE PARKING OPEN ALL DAY FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Tel: 01935 881473 www.thelordnelson.biz

The

Pub Pages

today's vibrant beer world? As the number of small breweries continues to mushroom is their usefulness as champion of the consumer now a case of 'job done, move on'? Indeed, they have diversified into 'saving' real cider, real Perry, and even doing their bit in protecting pubs. I therefore feel they really do have to embrace other types of beer, for if they do not they will in the long-term alienate the (vast) membership and even reject the wonderful beers that are available from Europe.

Who should ever think that the (dead) beer 'Kwak' on draught should be rejected on quality?

Certainly not the Baxter gang, that's for sure.

So whilst wading through this humble offering, hopefully, gentle reader, you have been inspired to

ROSE & CROWN

give real ale a try at your local pub on June 15th, even if you've never tried it before. Perhaps you are even inspired to try out one of the great games available in the majority of our Great Pubs as well?

Personally I would recommend sticking with cards, dart, skittles (obviously) backgammon (perhaps) but certainly NOT trying out the type of games that they may well have been playing in 1215, for bearbaiting, cock-fighting, dog-fighting and the like are now strictly off the list now. Yes, really they are!

AROUND THE

H O U S E S

IN BARRINGTON ... Barrington Boar Pie is a new arrival on the Menu at The Barrington Boar ... Fun Quiz Night at The Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice to be held on 2nd May at 8.30pm.

Teams of up to 6, £1 per entry raffle - all welcome ... delicious pork pies and pickle at The Pen Mill Hotel ... smart new cooker for Di at The Lamb & Lark, Limington where she has been so busy she has worn the old one out! ... Mary at The Rose &

~ The ~

Longburton • Nr. Sherborne • DT9 5PD

Friday 8th May Robyn Austin Performs Bach’s Movements 1 – 3 for Cello 3 Course Dinner plus Wines £50

Friday 12th June 200th Anniversary of Battle of Waterloo Dinner 4 Course Dinner plus Wines £60 Proceeds to Rifles Charity Check out our End of Season

MAY BAND NIGHTS

Wincanton Racecourse Deals

Friday 15th May: Tom Clements — ALBUM LAUNCH — Tom will be launching his new album “Roots, Morals and Other Life Choices” with his band consisting of Sean McGregor, Jack Shaughnessy and Adam Colwell.

Pete Robson will be warming up the crowd beforehand!

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

Friday 1st May: Headland

Steak Night Every Monday

Simple Supper Every Tuesday Delicious 2 Course Set Menu for only £10 per head

Friday 29th May: The Link

 ALL BAND NIGHTS START AT 9pm  For more information please visit

www.roseandcrownlongburton.co.uk or call 01963 210202

THE VISITOR May 2015 43

They Say

That when it comes to vehicle number plates to specify a trade, G. A. Phillips of Castle Cary has got it covered.

That it was another first (his 10th out of 13 races), for Phil Bridge at the recent Yeovil Montacute parkrun.

That some ladies from Cary went out on a spree - for a little break in sunny Torquay. All went well without even a tiff - until, one day they got stuck in a lift!

At the end of the day I’ve got one thing to say - your humour is great - so keep it that way!!!

That chivalry is not dead at the Quicksilver Mail in Yeovil - as the young(ish!) female bar staff escort the OAP Mike Matthews home! We also hear that after a long night in the Quicksilver Mail, Mike Matthews’ shoes were responsible for a very slow and wobbly walk home! The copious pints of Stella Artois and single malts consumed could not be blamed!

That notices in Latin and Greek have been posted at a Cambridge university college forbidding cycling and chaining bikes to the railings. Rival colleges have already scrawled corrections to grammatical errors in the ancient texts.

That in Bruton, when it comes to decorative figures, weight-loss is not necessarily a necessity.

That when in Portugal, it was a case of ‘speaking like a native’ for Steve ‘Beaker Choo’ Collings of Castle Cary when asking for a coffee.

That due to more water problems, plans could be afoot in Chiselborough to build an Ark

That an excited David Dewfall of Sherborne has recently completed his maiden trip - to London.

That thanks to six burly chaps, Sylvie Hamblin of Yeovil is now the proud owner of an 8ft bear - taking the total bear family up to five.

That in North Cadbury, it was a case of ‘now you see them ... and now you don’t ...’ for the elusive South Cadbury sack trucks.

That after an encounter with a cottage loaf, Fred Bailey of Chiselborough has been reduced to a grin rather than a beaming smile - roll on Christmas.

That Good Luck wishes go to Chris Lowe of Acorn Music, Yeovil - the end of an era.

44 THE VISITOR May 2015

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

168 Hendford Hill YEOVIL

“In a cafe or sometimes on a crowded street I’ve been near you but you never noticed me”

FIRST PERSON to tell me the above song gets a free drink!

Last month Clive White of Yeovil correctly named Bonnie Tyler and ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’  .

Had a nice bit of weather just lately and the light evenings have helped a few old faces come out to play again.

We had a super wedding here on the 11th when Ged and Alice became Mr and Mrs ... a great bunch of friends, nice bit of grub, a few drinks, and a karaoke show made for a super day. Well done you two and congratulations  .

Phil Elmore celebrated his 80th birthday here having a very nice lunch with family and friends. I worked with Phil in a previous life and it was great to see him. Well done Phil!

Talking of lunches, I really do believe we have probably the best value lunch menu in town! Everyday you can select from 10 different choices for just £5.75 all cooked here. No chicken ding served at The Quicksilver  .

Next month on the 1st AC / BBs are playing at the pub. It’s a free gig so get yourself down here and listen to the band! On the 15th the fabulous DT8 will be making a welcome return.

Gig tickets are £8 in advance and are selling well. Get yours now. On the 22nd The Innocent Bystanders will be playing live in the bar. And on the 29th Marc Venus and Onnika will be doing their thing.

And finally: last month we had that eclipse thing, so I went onto the internet and found out that one of the safest ways to look at it was through a colander.

I did that and I’m sure I strained my eyes.

The

Pub Pages

Crown Bradford Abbas is in for a busy time with the VE Celebrations Funday to be held in the pub gardens this month ...

Sizzlers are a favourite at The Crown Inn, Sherborne and at Longburton diners can enjoy a free dessert on a Wednesday at The Rose & Crown.

Dancing on to Dinnington we wish Roger farewell and good luck at The Dinnington Docks and we welcome new hosts ... tasty chicken satay at The Lord Nelson, Norton Sub Hamdon where Mr Brodie has transformed the kitchen with his magic brushes ... enjoy well-kept real ale at The Muddled Man, West Chinnock ... over fifteen ales to choose from at the May Bank Holiday Beer Festival to be held at The Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi ... enjoy lovely

views of the gardens when you dine in the Orangerie Brasserie at Ash House, Ash, Martock ... and in Somerton welcome to new host Shaun at The Unicorn where there is a Sunday Roast to suit every size of appetite.

Bumbling on to Bruton where Wednesday is Steak Night at Truffles Brasserie, 2 course steak meal £12.50 ... at The Montague Inn, Shepton Montague, a black tie dinner on 8th May accompanied by Cello ... brand new look for the re-opened Red Lion, Wincanton now with a Greek Theme - budding artists are invited to design a Greek Mural for the courtyard wall entries in by 10th May, see their website for full details, prize for the winner ... make a note in your diary for 24th May, Bank Holiday BBQ and live music at The Dolphin Hotel ... we send congratulations to The Unicorn at Bayford on being awarded CAMRA Heart of Wessex Real Cider Pub 2015 - this accolade was also won by them in 2014 ... and in Corton Denham there will be a Hog Roast at The Queens Arms on Bank Holiday Monday.

And finally ... don't forget to book your advert early for the June issue - we shall be out in time to promote your end of May Bank Holiday events.

Newly Opened ...

Meze at the Red Lion

Wine & Cocktail Bar 3 Market Place • Wincanton • BA9 9LD

Relax and enjoy authentic

Greek Cuisine ...

Choose from mouth-watering Meze Dishes

Something to Drink ...

WHY NOT try one of our renowned Cocktails?

COCKTAIL SPECIAL TWO FOR £10

WE HAVE an extensive range of Wine by the glass or bottle, plus a full selection of Lagers, Ciders & Ales!

Cream Teas & Coffees also served

 TOOT TOOT!!!

OPEN: Tuesday and Wednesday 4.00pm – 10.30pm Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 12noon – 11.00pm Sunday, 12noon – 9.30pm • Closed Monday

 01935 424721

Visit our website for further details: www.redlionwincanton.com Email: info@redlionwincanton.com

BOOKINGS

BOOKING 01963 31304

Double celebrations at The Barrington Boar Barrington!

STEVE CARR and his partner Amanda have two very good reasons to celebrate - firstly they are celebrating their first year of trading and secondly the recent road closures which have disrupted business are now complete and The Barrington Boar is well and truly open for business once more!

Whilst Steve and Amanda have only been at the Barrington Boar for a year, they both have experience in the hospitality trade. Amanda ran a restaurant and Steve successfully managed the well-known Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor for four years.

The Barrington Boar is situated opposite the Church in the pretty hamstone village of Barrington, just a stone’s throw from the National Trust’s Barrington Court. It’s a little tucked away but well worth finding! Dating back to the 17th century the inn has much charm and its imaginative, locally sourced menu has much to offer.

Head Chef is Kate Wilkinson who, with Amanda, is responsible for the everchanging menu.

Nearly everything on the menu is made on the premises - including the bread, relishes and handmade biscuits to accompany the desserts.

There is a core menu which offers something for everyone from light bites such as baguettes freshly filled with locally smoked salmon and cream cheese (£7.95) through to old favourites such as Beer Battered Cod with hand cut chips and peas (£10.95) and Pan Roasted Duck Breast with redcurrant jus, lyonnaise potatoes and vegetables £15.95.

There is always a daily specials board featuring seasonal dishes. Making an appearance shortly will be The Barrington Boar Pie, made from local wild boar.

Fresh fish is extremely popular with scallops, turbot, sea bream and sea bass featuring regularly.

Dishes such as Mackerel served with beetroot and horseradish and Sea Bream served with a brown shrimp sauce are sure to tempt you.

When dining leave room for dessert - all are made on the premises. Sticky toffee pudding, double chocolate brownies, vodka and mandarin pannacotta or for something a little lighter, elderflower and fresh berry jelly, the choice is ever-changing!

To accompany your meal there is a compact but well chosen wine list with prices starting from £14.95.

Sunday Lunch is very popular at the Barrington Boar and booking is strongly advised. There is a delicious traditional Sunday roast with a choice of meats, plus a vegetarian and fish option.

Main course is £10, 2 courses £14, 3 courses £18. Families are most welcome - there is a childrens menu and high chair available. There is also access and toilets for the disabled.

The inn has a welcoming ambience and with three log fires it is alway nice and warm on chilly evenings. Open plan in style it has wooden floors and walls bedecked with old photos and paintings and not forgetting the rather jolly boar’s head which sports different hats according to the calendar. Cunningly disguised behind the boar’s head is a cupboard which houses a wide screen TV for special sporting events.

Diners may sit where they wish, either in the bar area or the cosy restaurant. For those who like to relax whilst choosing their meal there is a comfortable seating area with leather sofas.

There is plenty of room to sit at the bar for those who like to enjoy a quiet pint - and you can be sure of a well kept one! Steve prides himself on his ales and as a freehouse is able to offer four real ales. Tribute, Exmoor and their own Barrington Boar ale plus a guest ale. Ciders include Thatchers and Cornish Rattler supplemented by local scrumpy in the summer.

Adjoining the main bar is an attractive function room/skittle alley which is available for private hire for special occasions such as birthday parties, weddings and wakes. It can seat 50 comfortably or up to 100 for a buffet. The french doors open out onto decking and the gardens - ideal in the summer. Amanda will be pleased to tailor a menu to suit your requirements.

Steve, Amanda and their team including family pet Elsie the Boxer, look forward to welcoming customers old and new and would like to thank all those customers who supported them throughout the road closure.

Whatever the occasion ...

The Barrington Boar!

Barrington Boar, Barrington, ilminster, Somerset TA19 0JB Tel: 01460 259281 Email: barringtonboar@outlook.com • www.barringtonboar.co.uk THE VISITOR May 2015 45

Mead

AS ALL of us Somerset residents gear ourselves up to celebrate our first ever ‘Somerset Day’ on May 11th this year, many will have been interested in recent news items and will be aware that this particular day was chosen because of its link to King Alfred the Great. Apart from his well known connection to burnt cakes, it was he who vanquished the Danes on this day in 872AD. Casting my mind to thoughts of a suitable beverage with which to celebrate such an auspicious occasion my research led me to that most ancient of alcoholic drinks, mead, which is thought to date back as far as 12,000 years ago. Surprisingly, its invention pre-dates both wine and beer, and as drinks go it is, especially when compared with modern concoctions, very simple.

Wine & Dine

Made from diluted honey, it is allowed to ferment to form this delicious drink. Traditional mead does not contain other wine or grape juice. If it does it should correctly be referred to as ‘Pyment’ rather than mead. If it is sweet, thick and cloying it probably has grape juice in it and is not a ‘traditional’ mead.

Although we may think of mead as being English, its history in our culture is not as well recorded as it is in other societies around the world, where mead has enjoyed a long history spanning many centuries, steeped in legend and mystery.

Its original popularity can largely be attributed to those

Farm Shops & Local Produce

Fresh English Asparagus!

Tasty Jersey Royals English Strawberries & Tomatoes ... TASTE the DIFFERENCE

Cut Flowers ★ Charcoal ★ Nuts & Snacks - £1 Packet

T & VINE ROO Prop. Sue McShane Your local independent greengrocer

Market Place, Sturminster Newton Orders Tel: 01258 472576

Bower Hinton Farm Shop - Martock Open Day: Saturday 23rd May 10am - 2pm Fine Food Tastings ...

Locally Sourced Wine – Cheese – Sausages Cakes – And More HOME GROWN STRAWBERRIES ... available 3rd week in May

Local Asparagus and Bedding Plants OPEN: Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm

areas where the land was not best suited to the cultivation of grapes.

Certainly the Vikings had a particular fondness for it.

Society readers will be interested to discover that the term ‘honeymoon’ is linked to the alleged custom of drinking honey based mead for a month (moon) after the wedding to ensure a male child. Besides its reputation for being an aphrodisiac it is also thought that mead may have medicinal properties.

For centuries monks were skilled in keeping bees and brewing but once the monasteries were dissolved they turned their attentions to other ways to generate income and to benefit from the combination of the two cottage industries.

Mead never really lent itself to large scale production as the production of honey was sparse and small in scale.

Whilst there is no doubt about the exceptional quality of our honey, problems with disease, and also the unpredictable nature of our fickle climate, mean that supplies are inconsistent. Sadly,

the same applies to the production of organic honey.

Fortunately in Somerset we have the benefit of a local producer of mead, Avalon Vineyard, near Shepton Mallet.

They are open year round and offer guided tours by prior arrangement, in addition to free self-guided tours and tastings.

Nestling comfortably on a sunny hillside overlooking the Vale of Avalon with a vista that includes the landmark site of Glastonbury Tor along with what is described as the ‘timeless tranquillity’ of the Somerset Levels, Somerset residents will be sure to enjoy a visit.

Avalon make organic mead but as it is practically impossible to keep bees anywhere in the UK that will not expose them to conventional agriculture methods, and the associated use of chemicals, they use imported honey from Brazil. It is not only cheaper because the bees can gather nectar from flowers all year round, but also because Avalon feels it is important to encourage organic production abroad, as it provides them with an alternative to agrochemicals and GM crops. The more organic products we buy, the more land is farmed sustainably by

The ORANGERY

BRASSERIE

Ash House Hotel, 41 Main Street Ash, Martock, TA12 6PB

Delicious lunches and dinners served daily ...

COFFEE SHOP

Why not pop in for a drink in our wonderful garden?

Just off the B3165 at the top of Bower Hinton Tel: 01935 827743 • www.bowerhintonfarmshop.co.uk

WINNER

Best Hotel Restaurant

01935 822036 theorangerybrasserie.co.uk

For further details & bookings telephone

46 THE VISITOR May 2015

... or visit

traditional methods.

Mead can be dry, medium or sweet (Sack) and pretty much anything in between.

Mead needs about a year in oak barrels to develop character, whilst Sack mead should really have at least four years to develop properly.

Alcohol levels will vary from about 7% if dry to about 15% for a good Sack mead. It makes an excellent aperitif and dessert wine and is best served chilled. Although it keeps well it should be kept cool and sealed to avoid oxidation.

Pure Honey Mead (Medium Sweet)

Simply diluted with water, the honey is fermented and then sweetened with more honey before being filtered and bottled. The organic honey used gives the mead a rich golden hue and it has just enough sweetness to bring out the full flavour of the honey, yet has a light, lemony finish. £8.95 12% abv.

Apple Mead (Medium Sweet)

To make this, organic honey is dissolved in their organic apple juice, fermented and then sweetened with more honey, before filtration and bottling. This is the mead that they fortify to make their Mead Liqueur, described as ‘Nectar of the Gods’ available at £13.45. 20% abv.

Stockists: County Stores – North Street, Taunton, Somerset. The Cheese and Wine Shop – South Street, Wellington, Somerset. The Langport Arms Hotel - Bow Street, Langport, Somerset.

Provender Delicatessen - South Petherton, Somerset. The Old Bake House – Cheap Street, Frome, Somerset. The Truckle of Cheese – High Street, Glastonbury, Somerset.

Martin's - Market Place, Castle Cary, Somerset. The Delicatessen - High Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. The Olive Garden Delicatessen, Hill Road, Clevedon. The Post Office, Fivehead, Somerset.

LP-V.

the end bit...

PAPERCHASE

When Rob Stokes took up his role as the Western Daily Press’s new editor on 9th March I wonder whether he knew that one of his first jobs would be to announce a price rise. It came in the 28th March issue when he informed readers that from 30th March each weekday issue would cost an additional 5p and the Saturday issue an extra 10p. You don’t need a very long memory to recall that the price of weekday editions rose from 55p to 60p on 16th September 2013 and increased again from 60p to 70p on 14th July 2014. Since the end of March they have cost 75p, so in 18 months the price of the newspaper has risen by 20p – more than 36%!

And the price of the Saturday issue rose from 80p to £1 at the beginning of December 2012, to £1.20 in September 2013, and to £1.30 from the beginning of April 2015, which is a 50p (a 62.5%) increase in 28 months. With the annual rate of inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index being around 2% these increases look somewhat excessive to say the least.

When he was appointed editor he was quoted as saying ‘I’ve known this paper since I was a schoolboy and am really looking forward to working with the excellent team of people who produce it’. His ‘excellent team’ appears to be in need of reminding that closer attention to detail would go some way towards justifying the price rises. Here are a few recent niggles. A headline in the business supplement in the 24th March issue proclaimed that ‘Energy giant gets £100,000 for overcharging fees at its power stations’. Quite the reverse! Ofgem made the energy generator repay £100,000 to the National Grid for overcharging it.

Then on 30th March the paper carried David Wood’s weekly transport column on page 17 – and carried exactly the same column again on page 17 of the 31st March issue. And on page 3 of the 31st March issue, under the headline ‘Fifth of trips to A&E are unnecessary’, it reported a claim that visits to A&E departments for minor issues are costing the NHS £290 million each year. Then on page 15, headlined illiterately ‘One in five A&E visit are unnecessary’, a slightly longer version of the same story appeared. There was yet more recycling in the 31st March issue. The lead story on page 10, headlined ‘Crash co-pilot had suicidal tendencies’, gave the latest news on investigations into the plane crash in the French Alps – and so did the story on page 15 headlined ‘Co-pilot who crashed plane had therapy for suicidal tendencies’.

Sudoku

by

T.M.

The 31st March issue was put together on the 30th of course, and someone in the newsroom must have been having a very bad day, for the 1st April issue carried this correction: ‘A court report in yesterday’s Western Daily Press headlined ‘Officer jailed for targeting women for sex’ contained an error. It mistakenly stated that Darren Heath has two children with his partner of five years. Heath is a father-of-two, but not the father of the children referred to.’

And today’s weather forecast in the issue of Saturday 11th April (pictured below) makes no sense at all. What was I saying about attention to detail?

Chronicler.

Solution to April

Sudoku

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

ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ

1. Ringo

on page 28

2. 'Wailers'

3. Bill Withers

4. George Benson 5. Sheena Easton

6. Peabo Bryson and

Roberta Flack

7. Desmond Dekker 8. Joe Jackson

9. Telly Savalas 10. 'Kiss'

THE VISITOR May 2015 47

Classified Ads

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

For a Box Number please add £2.

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

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Wanted

Storage

POSTCARDS, pop memorabilia, coins, badges, old toys, games, and anything military. Tel: Clive 01749 675456.

PASSPORTS - passports - passports - also studio sittings and weddings. Any time to suit you. Easy parking. Tel: Graham Cox, Photographer, 01458 223769.

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

T.V.

T.V. Sales / Service / Rental, H. R. Hodge, South Petherton. Tel: 01460 240645. www.hrhodge.co.uk

Personal

MALE 64, own house and car, likes meditation, music, trips out, old vehicles.

Seeks female companion / relationship.

Tel: 07762 461696.

GENT, 67, enjoys travel, theatre, National Trust, seaside, music, dancing. Seeks lady, non-smoker, easy going. Tel: 01458 440094.

Services

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

Advertising

EARLY DEADLINE for our June Issue, published Thursday 21st May, deadline Friday 8th May. Tel: 01963 351256 or email info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk.

48 THE VISITOR May 2015

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

Daves Tools - Tel: 01935 428975

ALL SPORTS PROGRAMMES and books, memorabilia and ephemera – especially football. Large collections welcome. Cash paid. Tel: Clive 01749 675456.

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

1960s / 70s PLASTIC TOY SOLDIERS, knights, cowboys, castles, garden. Timpo trains. Tractors. WW1 helmets, posters.

Tel: 07823 443474.

Mobile Bars / Catering

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

Dog Holidays

HOLIDAY FOR YOUR DOG. Let your dog stay with us when you are away. 24-hour attention and long walks. Fully licensed and insured. Vet approved. References available. Tel: 01963 240650.

Holidays

MEVAGISSEY Holiday Cottage - spacious accommodation in South Cornwall with views overlooking the quaint harbour and out to sea - sleeps 4 - enquiries 07971 782738 or polkirtforge@btinternet.com

Denture Repairs

Are you a denture wearer?

De to m nture smi ake y s o le a gain u !

Denture repairs while you wait ...

Terry New Denture Clinic

01458 210039

Home visits a speciality

Maintenance & Repairs

U CAN’T I CAN PAUL CHEDZOY Property & Garden Maintenance

Decorating, Gardening, Building and General D.I.Y.

 01935 472669

... or

07884 345511

email: ucantican07@aol.com

Trading for over 7 years CUSTOMER REFERENCES AVAILABLE

• • • • • • • • •

SERVICES

Exterior and interior decorating Gutters cleared and cleaned High level painting and cleaning Conservatories washed down Removal of disused sky dishes and cabling Repointing of stone and brickwork Patios cleaned Many other jobs undertaken No V.A.T. competitive rates for seniors

Contact JAMES CADE on 01963 34272 or 07967 307179

While You Wait Collection & Delivery Denture Advice Mr. C. Dunn

Registered Dental Technician

01749 812585

www.dunndental.co.uk

TV Aerials

DAVE PARMITER AERIALS TV AERIAL SERVICE SATELLITE / VIDEO SYSTEMS CCTV SYSTEMS - PERSONAL SERVICE

Tel: YEOVIL (01935) 422088 or mobile 07850 405433 NO CALL-OUT CHARGE

Framing

SCENES

Artist Materials & Gallery

« Picture framing « Restoration « Large selection of prints & paintings « Greeting Card Blanks High St. Gillingham Tel 01747 824050 www.scenes-online.co.uk

Services

GOOD POTATOES

Takeaway Bags of Coal • Calor Gas Car & Van Rental Competitive Prices

Anchor Hill Service Station WINCANTON 01963 32609

PHONE - a - FIRM

Transport & Storage

The key to all your storage needs!

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

01963 440045 www.sparkfordstorage.com

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

• Modern Burglar-Alarmed Warehouses • Professional & Reliable Service • Removals To and From Storage • Self Store with Easy Access • Cubicle and Crate Storage • Friendly, Helpful Staff

PARKS

ROOFING LTD.

SLATING & TILING SPECIALISTS

Specialists in period and listed properties

WANTED Reliable Person to deliver

MAGAZINE ...

once a month, door to door in Ilminster Town Centre

Tel: 01963 351256

Plumbing & Heating

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

Roofing

Situations Vacant

Leadwork Chimneys Fascias Gutters Flat Roofs

26 Stembridge, nr. Kingsbury, Martock TA12 6BN Telephone: 01460 240229 • Mobile: 07917 411961

Tel: 01747 861479 Mob: 07561 120828 For all your roofing requirements

Flat Roofing • Tiling • Slating GRP Roofing All New Work Fully Guaranteed

For further information & estimates contact Allan Carey

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

Bourton Roofing Co. Slate  Tiling  Flat Roofing.

UPVC Fascias  Guttering F R EE ESTIMATES

 01747 840064

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

Communications

34 White Road, MERE, Nr. Warminster Wiltshire, BA12 6EX

Email: mead208@btinternet.com

Domestic Cleaning

Amanda Chedzoy Domestic Cleaning Services  Experienced  Trustworthy  Reliable  References Available

Tel: 01935 472669 Mobile: 07990 041322

Fire & Security Alarms

Clock Repairs

CLOCK REPAIRS Antique and Modern Clock Repairs.

Free pick up and delivery 40 years experience

Tel (01935) 477582

WESTLINE COMMUNICATIONS

Business Telecom Specialist For All Your Telecom Needs For free, friendly & professional advice call ...

John Penny on 07976 967349 www.westlinecoms.co.uk

THE VISITOR May 2015 49

PHONE - a - FIRM

Prize Crossword No. 343 Set by Frank Butler

Building

Dave Hoddinott FULLY QUALIFIED BUILDER - ESTABLISHED 1973

• Renovations & Extensions • Roofing + Carpentry • Plumbing & Heating • Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiling • Painting & Decorating FRIENDLY and RELIABLE SERVICE • Electrical Contracting

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 1, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BG – to arrive by Friday 8th May.

Correct entries are placed in a hat and the winner is the first name drawn. The prize is a £10 voucher to spend with any one advertiser in this issue of The Visitor.

Please do not forget to state your choice of advertiser and your name and address.

1

8

13

24 hour emergency call out • email: hoddaz@hotmail.com

15

Removals

Decorating

IRS Decorations Internal & External Painting



For a friendly & professional removal service  HOUSE CLEARANCES  European & Worldwide Shipping Available

01458 741725 07740 298343 www.midsomersetremovals.co.uk

City & Guilds Qualified Priced Work or Day Work from ... £80 per day Taking Bookings for External Work All Materials at Cost Free Estimate and OAP Discounts

Tel: 01935 849274 07782 353713

Domestic Appliances

Pe

PREMIER ELECTRICS Est. 34 yrs COVERING THE SOUTH LOCALLY

Kitchen Appliance Sales & Repairs

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

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

Taylors Domestic

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

Ridge View, Penmore Road Sandford Orcas DT9 4SE

Professional repairs by qualified engineer on most makes of appliances.

01963 220366 Email: info@tda.uk.com

Covering the areas between Wincanton Castle Cary, Sparkford, Sherborne and Yeovil

50 THE VISITOR May 2015

Oven Cleaning mister oven Independent Oven Cleaning Specialist Ovens - Hobs - Agas etc

Tel: 01935 475065 mob: 07752 695264 www.misteroven.co.uk

Clean Ovens Domestic Ltd Independent Oven Cleaners AGAS • RANGES • OVENS HOBS • EXTRACTORS Tel: 0800 7076629 Mobile: 07563 693145

www.cleanovendomestics.co.uk

3

4

5

9

11

Competitive Prices ✳ No VAT ✳ No job too big or too small

 01963 440256 / 07974 844682

2

6

7

10

12

14

16

17

18

19 20

23

21

24

26

10.

11.

12.

13.

15.

17.

20.

23.

25.

26.

27.

28.

25

27

Across: 8.

9.

22

Strange ruse for an employer! [4] Murder: Half comes back.

That’s the spirit. [3] Irritated as broken tide flows around empty church. [6] Bird found in beach. Ought to be obvious. [6] Muddled, state ‘tit is most untidy.’ [8] Arrange to hate your leeks and flee. [4,2,4,5] All the afforestation around conceals a depot. [7] Pieces of pie found on shattered path over a grave. [7] Baronet, nothing lost, about mega-basin confused by offers downstairs. [7,8] Old horse, swallowed six, ate at last: Now you can find the way.

[8] It’s material that 80% of Alice is in the company. [6] Howzat? A soft chime? [6] Nonsense returned at Glastonbury. [3] Sloughed off hut. [4]

28

6.

7.

14.

16.

18.

19.

21.

22.

24.

Some act. I veto running. [6] First bear to look back, finding source of honey. [4] Cap, initially halved, to drink like a dog. [3] Eat? Chew up and drink it. [3] Eternal (No clocks needed). [8] Expresses disapproval with things. [7] Leaders GI used with disturbance. [6] Panic Kelly concealing metal.

[6] As record is inserted, look out for the heights. [4]

Solution to Crossword 342

Down: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

A maths mixture may catch your breath. [6] Aren’t around adhesive discussion. [8] Golly Archie! Coal analysis is a way to study the past. [15] No. 1 tome rising with feeling.

[7] Ancient Briton with N. Yorkshire river before appointment with Jack perhaps sent to share a view. [7,8]

THE WINNER of our April

Crossword was E. T. Parsons of Wincanton, who chose to spend the £10 voucher at Andrew Barclay Butchers of Wincanton.

Chameleon

Over 20 displays on view in our showrooms ...

Bedrooms Kitchens Home Office

Designed to suit your requirements

■ FREE design service ensuring best use of space

■ Extensive choice

■ Excellent quality – sensible pricing ■ Traditional and modern styling

■ A family-run business

“Transform your home” with ...

bedrooms • kitchens • home office

5 & 6 Bancombe Court, Bancombe Road Trading Estate, Somerton, TA11 6SB

Tel: 01458 272699

steve@chameleonbk.co.uk • www.chameleonbk.co.uk AMPLE FREE PARKING

Sandpits Heating Centre MULTIFUEL STOVES, COOKERS & FIREPLACES

Showroom & Working Models on Display Over 200 on Display + Selection of Fireplaces Full Plumbing, Heating and Flue Liner Installation

Call today to discuss your personal requirements

Visit our Showrooms - Open 6 Days a Week High Street, Curry Rivel, Langport, TA10 0ES Tel: 01458 251476 • Fax: 01458 253505 HETAS OFTEC www.sandpitsheatingcentre.co.uk LARGE CAR PARK AT REAR OF PREMISES

Visit our Tea Shop, Living Pretty Do call inn ... an interesting port of call

Sparkford, Yeovil Somerset, BA22 7LH 01963 440414 www.sparkford.com

Celebr

20 Years

ating

Anniversary Special

To mark our 20th anniversary we are giving ...

20% OFF ALL KITCHENS Ordered before 31st May