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The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

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www.thameswoodvets.co.uk The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

FEBRUARY 2017

IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE

Editor’s Letter Welcome to February!

t looking February is the month when we star spring on and g rgin eme forward to the flowers not to me inds rem ers flow its way. Talking of ! 14th the on Day e’s forget Valentin all the With half term this month, check out re whe 10, e pag on details of Abbey Skate a into ed vert con is Malmesbury Abbey skatepark. ured in There are many other local events feat l event loca a have you if this month's magazine, just e, issu t nex the in ear you would like to app and w belo date e dlin dea the email it to us by tion in the we will do our best to give it a men Diary Dates. Until next time ...

Annie

Your Local

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5b Wood Street, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 0BZ Tel: 01249 811068 www. towncriermagazine.com Deadline for submissions for the March 2017 issue: 6th February 2017 Editor: contact@towncriermagazine.com Advertising: contact@towncriermagazine.com Advertising: carlene.sales@towncriermagazine.com Artwork: production@towncriermagazine.com CONDITIONS OF ADVERTISING: The Editor reserves the right to refuse any copy which she feels may not be appropriate material for print. No responsibility will be taken for any damage or loss of material caused by inaccuracy or omission of any advertisement. Artwork prepared by us remains the property of The Town Crier Magazine and reproduction in any form is expressly forbidden without prior permission from the Editor. We provide artwork free of charge and where possible we will adhere to your request on layouts and type, but we cannot guarantee an exact copy. If you wish to produce your own artwork to a specific layout, or have any changes to an existing advert, please ensure your copy is with us by the 1st of month prior to publication at the latest. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the The Town Crier Magazine.

For general enquiries please call Annie Harling on 01249 811068 or email: contact@towncriermagazine.com

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

Local Focus Local News and Events

10 Abbey Skate Skateboarding in Malmesbury Abbey 18 Valentine’s Day 20 Recipe Fudge 22 Pancake Day

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26 Gardening Home-made Compost

See page 24

28 Puzzle Corner Crossword & Sudoku 30 A Good Read Reconstructing Amelia and The World’s Worst Children

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ON W NE HAT A R ’S YO U

♥ Local Focus FEBRUARY 2017

What’s happening locally • News • Events • Charities • Clubs

Moravian Church Malmesbury Back in the summer The Town Crier ran an article about the former Moravian Church and the plans by the Friends of Athelstan Museum to rescue it, restore and convert it for use by the museum and indeed the whole community. Well things have moved on significantly since then so here is a progress report. And progress there has been!

Grittleton Village Hall with Rural Arts Touring Presents

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The thing that came from over there! Friday 3 March 2017

Spoof horror set in Antarctica with COMEDY and THRILLS galore. It’s a FAST PACED, QUICK CHANGE, MULTI ROLE PLAYING show with three actors playing over fifteen roles with visual gags, giant puppetry and a little live music…DO NOT MISS! GRITTLETON VILLAGE HALL doors open 6.30pm for 7.00pm start TICKETS - Jan on 01249 782798 dandjjeffcoate@btinternet.com Adults £8, Concessions £7, Children (under 16) £5, Family (2 adults/2 children £21 Target Age EVERYONE from approx. 8 years!

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Town Crier Magazine lTheHOME | FEBRUARY & GARDE 1 N 2017 l PETS

First let us talk money. ( Yes please, if you want to contribute to the appeal, don’t hang back. We still need funds.) The response from our members and the people of Malmesbury and round about has been tremendous; it is wonderful to have such support. Additionally we have just heard that we have been successful in obtaining a grant from the European Union which is designed to boost the rural economy, which, of course, improving the facilities the museum can offer will do just that. Taken together this means we have enough money to do a very basic scheme but we want to do much more than that. We want the building to be a pleasure to use, to draw people to it, to be a wonderful backcloth for the exhibitions and functions that will take place. Secondly our plans: these are coming along well. We are in discussion with the planners and so far all is well. We need to respect the integrity and historic nature of the old church but we’d like the new additions to be attractive in their own right as well as complementing the old. Our architect is producing some lovely ideas which we think will have real “wow” factor. We were very pleased with the large number of members and the general public who came to our open day and also the universal approval for the project and our plans; the church has a wonderful feel to it which we must maintain. Look on the websites for news of the appeal and how to donate: athelstanmuseum.org.uk and malmesburyappeal.co.uk

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What’s On

Diary Dates FEBRUARY 2017

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE Town Hall, Cross Hayes, Malmesbury, SN16 9BZ Tel: 01666 823748 Email: tic@malmesbury.gov.uk YOGA – NEW CLASSES Starting 23rd November – every Wednesday 6pm – 7.25pm Malmesbury Town Hall Book in advance – Chris Hewett 01453 834304/0781518161 chrishewettyoga@hotmail.com www.shaktichris.com MOVIES@MALMESBURY A United Kingdom (12a) – Monday 6th February 8pm & Friday 24th February 2pm Sully (12a) – Friday 10th February 2pm Ballerina (u) – Friday 10th February 5.30pm The Birth of a Nation (15) – Friday 10th February 8pm Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them (12a) – Friday 17th February 2pm Rogue One, a Star Wars Story (pg) – Friday 17th February 5.30pm Exhibition on Screen – I, Claude Monet – Tuesday 21st February 7.30pm Moana (pg) – Friday 24th February 5.30pm La La Land (12a) – Friday 24th February 8pm Royal Ballet – Sleeping Beauty – Tuesday 28th February 7pm Tickets available from Malmesbury Tourist Information Centre or www.oxboffice.com or use this link for more information www. malmesbury.gov.uk/cinema.html

MALMESBURY BRIDGE CLUB Evening bridge lessons, on Friday evenings beginning 20 January 2017. Come and learn the basics in comfortable surroundings at Athelstan House, Malmesbury No prior knowledge needed. Please register your interest by emailing your details to jimedwards2011@ hotmail.co.uk or phone Jim on 01666502914. The course will run for 21 weeks followed by 6 weeks of assisted play. Each session will cost £6 and there will be a oneoff cost of £20 for the English Bridge Union course book. Places will be limited to 12 people JAZZ AT MALMESBURY ABBEY Sat 4th February, 7:30pm, Malmesbury Abbey An evening of Classic Standards, Bluesey Ballads & Jazz Funk Grooves with Craig Milverton & his Legacy Band. Tickets £15, students £5 available from mamsmusic.co.uk or the Abbey Bookshop 01666 824924 ABBEY SKATE 15 - 17 February 2017 Malmesbury Abbey For more information see page 10. To book a session, parents and young people must visit: www. malmesburyabbey.com/skate SUNDAY LUNCH CLUB Sunday 19th February at The Wiltshire Golf Club and Hotel, 12.30 for 1pm. Do you find yourself on your own and that Sunday is an “empty” day? A new monthly get together is planned to have their first meeting on Sunday 19th February at The Wiltshire Golf Club and Hotel, 12.30 for 1pm. If you feel you would like to come along and have some good company along with a fine traditional Sunday roast call me to book a place. Lunch cost is £10.95 and there are no membership fees or fundraising, just good food and good company. Transport can be arranged if necessary. MALMESBURY FILM SOCIETY In The Heat of The Night, 19 Feb RAMS, 19 March I, Daniel Blake, 16 April £5, 7.30pm at St Mary’s Hall.

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

SWINDON WINTER IMAGE BONSAI SHOW February 26th 2017 Grange Leisure Centre, Grange Drive, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon SN3 4JY 1030am – 4pm Entry - £5.00 This show attracts visitors and exhibitors from all over the UK as well as a few from Europe. Some of the ‘Gold’ medal trees from the Chelsea Flower show display will be exhibited as well as 11 other clubs and Societies. A large number of traders selling everything needed for this hobby. For information www.swindon-bonsai.co.uk Chairman - Paul on 07982 401103

MARCH 2017

Malmesbury Fringe Theatre “THE VICAR OF DIBLEY” 2nd and 3rd March at 7:00pm 4th March at 2:30pm 7:00pm Malmesbury Town Hall The recently formed Malmesbury Fringe Theatre's inaugural performance will be "The Vicar of Dibley". A funny and cleverly adapted stage version of the TV show's best bits. Adapted and directed by Lucy Elmes and Linda Porter and cast with Malmesbury locals, it will be a night of hilarity and hymns (audience participation optional!) With all profits going to the Malmesbury Abbey Roof appeal and supporting other local charities,. Tickets available from the Summer Cafe, High Street, Malmesbury, or visit www. malmesburyfringetheatre.com. £7.50. £6.50 concessions (OAP, Students and under 18s). Bar and Mrs Cropley's snack stall available. Door Ajar Theatre present “THISBE” 4th March, Brinkworth Village Hall This is a comic sequel to Midsummer Night’s Dream and takes one of its most famous lines “the course of true love never did run smooth” to develop a highly entertaining what happened next tale involving many of the popular characters from the Shakespeare play. For tickets call 01666 510545, 01666 510045 or The Pound 01249 701628. Adults £8, Concessions £7. Bar 7.30pm, show starts at 8pm.

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What’s On

For the ninth year running, the 12th century former Benedictine Abbey in Malmesbury, is to be transformed from a working church to a skatepark, welcoming hundreds of young people over the February half term (15th-17th February). Building on the success of last year, we are adding a soft-play session for pre-schoolers on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th from 10.00-12.00. The skatepark is a collaboration between the Malmesbury Abbey congregation and the Nailsea-based Christian Skaters UK organisation. Since it began in 2009, abbey skate has become one of the premier youth events in the West Country. The organiser this year is the curate of Malmesbury Abbey, Rev John Monaghan. The general timetable of the week looks like this: Sunday February 12th (1pm-6pm): The morning congregation remove the chairs and lay down a doublethick wooden floor to protect the abbey’s stone and parquet flooring. A local farmer lends 100 straw bales, which are then bagged and tapped up by volunteers, to protect the abbey’s ancient mighty stone pillars. We then build the spectator’s staging. Monday 13th – Tuesday 14th February we have a Softplay extravaganza from 10am-12noon for the under 5’s. Tuesday 14th at around 7.30pm, the skate ramps, quarter pipe, and other equipment arrives and is set up – the skatepark transformation is complete! The event opens at 10am on Wednesday, February 15th, runs all day and into the evening on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with demonstrations from professional skaters and scooterers, and climaxes with a grand competition on Friday night starting at 7pm, with prizes courtesy of a variety of different sponsors. It is an action packed three days, with age-appropriate skate and scoot sessions for people of all abilities. Once the competition is over, an army of volunteers removes the skatepark, returns the bales, takes up the floor and returns the chairs. Each year they attempt to beat the previous record, and/or try to make it to the local curry house before it closes at midnight! For more information, or to book a session, parents and young people must visit: www.malmesburyabbey.com/skate Booking is NOW OPEN! 10

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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What’s On

Join a trek of a lifetime for Wiltshire Air Ambulance! IF you are looking for a new challenge in 2017 then Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s trek of the Great Wall of China could be for you. As well as taking on one of the most iconic landmarks on Earth, participants will be raising vital funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA).

Grange Leisure Centre

The charity hasGrange run overseas treks in the past, including Drive a Sahara Trek in 2015, but this is the first time it has Stratton St Margaret organised a trek Swindon to part of the Great Wall of China.Rebecca Wiltshire de la Bedoyere, Senior Fundraising Manager at WAA, said: SN3 4JY to offer this once-in-a-lifetime “We are absolutely thrilled experience, which is by far the most exotic overseas challenge we’ve been involved with. The Great Wall is Doors openedbucket 1030 am – 4and pm what better way to on many people’s lists experience it than on a guided tour with a small group of Entry - £5.00 like-minded people, whilst raising funds to help us save For information... lives across Wiltshire?www.swindon-bonsai.co.uk

Grange Leisure Centre, Grange Drive, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon SN3 4JY 10.30am – 4pm Entry - £5.00 For information www.swindon-bonsai.co.uk

“During the ten day adventure, participants will be able to enjoy Chairman some of the highlights this iconic structure has to - Paul on 07982 401103 offer, with breath-taking views of mountains, villages and farms, as well as having opportunities to explore Beijing and The Forbidden City. We’ll be heading off the beaten trail and away from the tourist hotspots to experience a real taste of China.”

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The 60km trek takes place from 21 to 30 September 2017. Led by an experienced guide the trek is for people with a good level of fitness.

February 2017

Monday, 6 February 8:00 pm A United Kingdom Friday, 10 February 2:00pm Sully 5.30pm Ballerina 8:00pm Birth of a Nation Friday, 17 February 2:00pm Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them 5.30pm Rogue One Monday, 20 February 8:00pm The Rolling Stones: Havana Moon Tuesday, 21 February 7.30pm Exhibition on Screen - I, Claude Monet Friday, 24 February 2:00pm A United Kingdom 5.30pm Moana 8:00pm La La Land Tuesday, 28 February 7:00pm Royal Ballet : Sleeping Beauty Tickets in advance from Malmesbury Town Hall, on the door or online from "Oxboffice" 2pm and 5.30pm £4 & £3 8pm £6 Exhibition on Screen & Royal Ballet £10 Tel. 01666 822143 12

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

Nicola Earle, of Malmesbury, who took part in WAA’s Sahara Trek, offered encouragement. She said: “Signing up to do a Wiltshire Air Ambulance trek is a great way to have an adventure in a part of the world you might not ordinarily have a chance of visiting and raise money for a really worthwhile cause. Nobody knows when they might require the services of Wiltshire Air Ambulance. The organisational aspects of the trek are taken care of which means all you have to do is get fit, raise money and then walk.” For more information about the trek visit the website at www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk/events/trek-thegreat-wall-of-china or call WAA’s fundraising team on 01380 739453 Trek The Great Wall of China and raise funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s lifesaving service.

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Local Focus

Kington St Michael Village Shop Set in the pretty village of Kington St Michael beside the church is a delightful village shop which is unique amongst community owned projects. Unlike some other community shops, Kington St Michael’s is staffed and managed totally by volunteers. It is an Aladdin’s cave of groceries, local produce, homemade cake; savoury pies, fast frozen locally sourced meat, poultry, bread and eggs. Their honey comes from hives in the village, and the jams, chutneys and cake are made a short walk from the shop – you can’t get more local than that. The fresh fruit and vegetables complete any meal you should wish to make. Wines, spirits, beers and ciders from local producers are also in stock There is a delightful small display that features hand crafted sterling silver jewellery, turned wood crafted items, fragrant candles and room diffusers from The Box Candle Company. Candle prices start at £3.95, which make them affordable for everyone. With wrapping papers, and a wide range of greeting cards available you have everything you need for that special gift. If you want to take the hassle out of queuing at a Post Office counter make use of their self-service Post Point facility. You can post UK signed for; next day delivery; small to medium parcels and letters to Europe and World Wide destinations. Stamps can be purchased from a friendly member of staff at the shop counter.

Ellen Blacker Health and Wellbeing Champion

Hello! Whilst on holiday last year, I saw an advert for a “Sunday lunch get together”. It was very informal, no fund raising, collections, membership etc. Its simply a group of people who are alone on Sundays for whatever reason, getting together to have a good meal in good company. In my travels, I know of a lot of folk, young and old, who feel the same, so……if this is you, get in touch! We had the first “pilot” lunch at The Wiltshire which was enjoyed by all who were there, come and join us or lets think about getting this going around all of our Community Area? Give me a call to chat it through. Note – this could be for YOU! No age limits, just a desire to have some company on a Sunday. Meanwhile, as ever, I am around for general help and support on a wide variety of issues including transport, mobility and safety around the home and reducing the feeling of loneliness. Give me a call on 07557 922020 and leave a message. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

In May 2017 the shop will have been trading for 10 years, and to recognise this the committee will be holding a celebration event on 20th May in the Village Hall.

Sunday Lunch Opening times: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm. Saturday 9.30am – 1pm. Telephone: 01249 750181 Club email: ksmvillageshop@yahoo.co.uk. SN14 6HX

Sunday Lunch Club

There is a car park next to the shop and disabled access. CCTV surveillance ensures security at all times.

www.facebook.com/kingtonstmichaelvillageshop

What are you doing on Sunday? For whatever reason, do you find yourself on your own and that Sunday is an “empty” day?

A new monthly get together is planned to have their first meeting on Sunday 19th February at The Wiltshire Golf Club and Hotel, 12.30 for 1pm.

If you feel you would like to come along and have some good company along with a fine traditional Sunday roast call me to book a place. Lunch cost is £10.95 and there are no membership fees or fundraising, just good food and good company. Transport can be arranged if necessary.

For more information please contact:

Ellen Blacker – Health & Wellbeing Champion Tel: 07557 922020 Email: ellen.blacker@wiltshire.gov.uk

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

For more information please contact:

Ellen Blacker – Health & Wellbeing Champion Tel: 07557 922020 Email: ellen.blacker@wiltshire.gov.uk

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Residents of Hill House say that it is their ... ‘Home from Home’ Hill House is a Country House set in open countryside once owned by the Chamberlain family. We offer nursing, residential, respite, day care and end of life care. Please give us a call if you would like more information on our lovely Home.

‘Person centred care sees residents as equal partners in planning, developing and assessing care to make sure it is the most appropriate for their needs. It involves putting residents and their families at the heart of all decisions.’ Norma & Chad Doveton (Owners of Hill House) The recently opened new wing has large living and dining areas overlooking the Dauntsey Vale. There are many new features including community coffee hub, bar, hairdressing salon, nail bar, ensuite shower in each room, large assisted bathrooms, WiFi throughout. The gardens are a magnificent feature of Hill House where you can enjoy peace and

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We continue to drive our Homes forward to achieve ever higher standards. We recognise training our staff is the key to providing the best care possible. Training also helps staff to achieve their personal goals, career development and to be happy and fulfilled in their work. We are looking for highly motivated caring individuals to work in our new Home and have several vacancies including Registered Nurses and Care Assistants. If you would like to be part of our team please call us on: 01666 822363

Hill House Care Home, Little Somerford, Nr Malmesbury SN15 5BH Tel: 01666 822363 email: hillhousemanager@gmail.com • www.countrycarehomes.co.uk

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

Local Focus

Malmesbury League of Friends donates £25,000 to Julia’s House Malmesbury League of Friends (MLOF) has made a donation of £25,000 to Julia’s House, which is raising funds to complete the first children’s hospice in Wiltshire. With no children’s hospice currently based in the county, local families caring for children with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses currently do not have access to the level of support, both at home and in a hospice, they urgently need. Julia’s House has had a children’s hospice in Dorset for more than 13 years and the charity’s nurses and carers have also been providing a home-care service to families in Wiltshire for three years. The new facility in Devizes, which is on schedule to open in Spring 2017, will be a homely, welcoming place for families to visit, but also a central base from which to operate a comprehensive, county-wide service throughout Wiltshire, including the Malmesbury area. With funding required to equip and staff the new Devizes hospice, donations are still badly needed. Only 5% of the total annual funding comes from government sources. Ian Wadley, Wiltshire Fundraising Manager for Julia’s House, said: “This is a wonderfully generous donation for which we are immensely grateful. It will make a huge difference to the care we are able to provide for local children and their families. Everybody at Julia’s House is sincerely thankful to MLOF”.

Ian Wadley, Julia's House Fund Raising Manager. David Hide, MLOF Vice Chairman and Robin Clark, MLOF Chairman Robin Clark, MLOF’s chairman, said: “We are delighted to support this appeal. We know of two local families who are already being helped by Julia’s House dedicated staff and there will surely be more in the future.” Julia’s House is currently supporting more than 30 families with expert care in their own homes across Wiltshire. MLOF provides funds to help local people with specific medical or care needs, which are not otherwise available from other sources. Typically, it provides badly needed items of equipment for use at the Malmesbury Primary Care Centre and Athelstan House Care Home.

“Thisbe” On the 4th of March, Door Ajar Theatre present “Thisbe” in Brinkworth Village Hall. This is a comic sequel to Midsummer Night’s Dream and takes one of its most famous lines “the course of true love never did run smooth” to develop a highly entertaining what happened next tale involving many of the popular characters from the Shakespeare play. Door Ajar are a talented new theatre company who devise and perform exciting shows that incorporate live music. This show also features BSL interpretation. For tickets call 01666 510545, 01666 510045 or The Pound 01249 701628. Adults £8, Concessions £7. Bar opens at 7.30pm, show starts at 8pm. This is a Rural Arts Wiltshire event. 16

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

Door Ajar Theatre p resent

“Thisbe”

The course of true love never did run smooth …… ..a sequel to A Midsum mer Night ’s Dream

A comedy drama wit h top qual music. Hu ity live gely entert aining! Tickets: Adu lts £8, Con cs £7, Child £5, Fa mily £21 (2 A+2C) Contact Yv onne on 01 666 510545 or Jo on 01666 51 0045

The show fe atu Interpretatio res BSL n

A 3D image of the Flight Room in WAA’s proposed new base.

£20,000 Target reached for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s new Flight Room! A 72 hour campaign to raise £20,000 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s new Flight Room has been achieved. The new Flight Room is planned for the Charity’s proposed new airbase on land at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, near Melksham, and will be where the pilots and paramedics co-ordinate their operational activities. The £20,000 needed for the Flight Room was raised online at the Big Give Christmas Challenge from 29 November to 2 December 2016.

“The £20,000 raised will ensure that the Flight Room at our proposed new base will be equipped to the highest standards for our aircrew. The new Flight Room will be at the heart of our new home and will be fitted out with state-of-the-art flight planning and mapping equipment to ensure we can still reach any part of Wiltshire within 11 minutes. It will enable our pilots and paramedics to have the specialist equipment and space they need to plan and prepare for each mission safely and effectively.

During the 72 hour period Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) staff and aircrew posted about the variety of work they do on the charity’s social media channels, resulting in more than 38,000 accounts reached on Twitter and a reach of over 35,000 on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

“There was substantial engagement by the public on our social media channels during the campaign, overseen by Natalie Luckham of Naturally Social, and we found that using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn was a great way to inform people about the variety of work that goes on by the aircrew and the charity team.”

Cheryl Johnson, Head of Capital Appeal at WAA, said: “The response to our Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign was tremendous and we’d like to thank everyone who donated, as well as our pledgers Jeffrey Thomas, Chairman of Hartham Park, and The Andrew Smiley Charitable Trust and match-funders, Candis. We had support from individuals, community groups and businesses.

A total of £21,590 was raised during the campaign and the excess raised above £20,000 will go to the Charity’s Airbase Appeal fund. If the Charity’s detailed planning application for the Outmarsh Farm site is granted it anticipates launching the Airbase Appeal across the county in 2017. Full details will be on the website www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day by Kate Duggan

ALENTINE’S DAY. Beloved by couples, greeting cards companies and florists the world over. But why do we give gifts and cards on February 14th? Valentine’s Day actually started as a Christian day to worship Saint Valentine, or rather St Valentines as there were several. The main one associated with Valentine’s Day was a priest in Rome, who is believed to have been executed on February 14th, almost two thousand years ago. Some historians believe that his crime was performing the marriage of Christian couples. The emperor at the time, Claudius II, was not a fan of the church and had supposedly forbidden people from marrying. It is said that he thought young men would be less prepared to die in battle if they had a wife at home to mourn them. Instead, he encouraged them to take several lovers. Valentine continued to perform marriage ceremonies in secret, but was discovered and sentenced to death. The story goes that Valentine healed the daughter of one of his jailers, and, on the day of his execution, left her a note, and signed ‘From your Valentine’. How much of this actually happened, we’ll likely never know. St. Valentine’s Day started to be associated with love around the 14th Century, when the idea of romantic love gained popularity. Geoffrey Chaucer referred to Valentine’s Day in The Parliament of Fowls, as a day when birds would meet their mate.

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

A poem by the Duke of Orleans, which he wrote for his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415, is believed to be the oldest surviving Valentine’s Day gift. The Duke wrote: Je suis desja d’amour tanné Ma tres doulce Valentinée (I am already sick of love My very gentle Valentine) However, it wasn’t until many years later that the giving of tokens of love on Valentine’s Day became commonplace. In Victorian times, cards were hand drawn, and hand cut. They would have been quite expensive, so were cherished and many still survive today. While February 14th is the most popular date for St. Valentine’s Day, the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates it on July 6th. Other cultures and countries have different festivals to celebrate love. Columbia, for example, has Dia de Amor y Amistad (Love and Friendship Day) on September 20th. Unlike Valentine’s Day, Dia de Amor y Amistad isn’t just about romantic love, however. People might invite friends over for dinner, and give small gifts to family members. Whether you’re celebrating with a loved one, heading out with friends, or doing your best to ignore the day altogether, we wish you a happy Valentine’s Day.

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Did you know our Conservatory restaurant was the first in Wiltshire to receive the Wiltshire Breakfast Award, given to restaurants serving at least five ingredients sourced from the county? This includes sausages and bacon from Sandridge Farm in Bromham, jams made in the village, honey from our bee hives and eggs from nearby Purton House. Dinner is served every Tuesday to Saturday (not Sunday or Monday) from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. We always recommend booking a table, particularly for Friday and Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch, but if we’ve got space we’re happy to welcome walk-ins. We always require 24 hours’ notice for Afternoon Tea bookings. We look forward to meeting you.

For more details visit www.peartreepurton.co.uk or call us on 01793 772100. The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

Food & Drink

Fudge

Make this as a treat for your Valentine. Pop it in a pretty box with a big bow and they will be yours forever…as long as you don’t eat it all first! A cooking thermometer is ideal but if you don’t have one use the method below. INGREDIENTS 100g butter 550g light muscovado sugar /or Demerara for a lighter flavour. 200g golden syrup 350ml double cream 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼-½ tsp sea salt flakes

METHOD

Line a tin about 23 x 23cm / 9 inches x 9 inches with grea seproof paper. M elt the butter, sugar, syru p and cream in a mediumsized, high-sided heavy-based pan. Keep stirring until the sugar has dissolv ed. Bring to a simmer (without stirring ) over a medium-low heat and cook, stirring only occasionally until it reaches 116C, sti rring more regularly aft er it reaches 100C and turning down th e heat if it begins to catch. Take off the heat and beat in the va nilla and salt with a wood en spoon, then co ntinue beating until the fudge has thicken ed and lost its shine. Add any ingredients su ch as raisins, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips at this point. Pour int o the tin and leave to set. Once it’s firmed up a little, after abou t an hour, slice into sq uares and leave to cool completely. Best kept refrigerated. If you don’t have a cooking therm ometer: Have a bowl of ice d water and a met al spoon ready next to the cooker. As the mixture begins to simmer beat it m ore regularly then pe riodically take ¼ - ½ tsp of the fudge mixtur e and plunge the coated spoon into the bo wl of iced water. Then (still under the water) use your fingers to roll the mixture into a little ball. When it forms a soft, pliable ba ll it’s ready to take off the heat and continue with the recipe. 20

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

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Food & Drink

Pancake Day More traditionally known as Shrove Tuesday, this is the Christian feast day before Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent. Lent is a time of sacrifice, so Pancake Day historically was the perfect time to use up ingredients such as eggs and fats which are intrinsic to pancakes. Historically Christians went to Church on Shrove Tuesday to seek absolution, otherwise known as shriving for their sins. So Shrove is taken from the word Shrive. A bell would ring to call people to confession and this became known as the Pancake or Shriven Bell. The date of Shrove Tuesday varies because it occurs 47 days before Easter Sunday which also alters year on year based on cycles of the moon. In the UK there are various traditions associated with this day in addition to the eating of pancakes. Pancake Races: One of the most famous races takes place in Olney in Buckinghamshire where is it believed the idea of the contest originated. It is said to be based on the story of a local woman who whilst she was making pancakes, heard the Shriven Bell and ran to church still wearing her apron and tossing her pancake in a frying pan to prevent it from burning. For this reason in Olney, racers must be local housewives or men dressed as such and wear an apron and a hat or scarf. During the 415 yard race they have to toss their hot pancake at least three times and the winner has to serve their pancake to the bell ringer and be kissed by him. Other variations of the race include the one held at Westminster School, where the cook tosses a huge pancake over a five metre bar in the playground and boys try to catch the largest piece in order to get a cash prize from the Dean. From the twelfth century onwards, Shrove Tuesday Football Games were played out in the streets and often referred to as mob football. Nowadays only a few games take place as highways legislation has prohibited playing football on the road since 1835. In Scarborough on Shrove Tuesday, it is customary for a large skipping rope to be in place and for up to ten people to be skipping at a time. In some other countries, this date is known as Mardi Gras and is marked by carnivals. These are still linked to the concept of celebrating the last day of ‘fat eating’ or ‘gorging’ before the commencement of Lent.

by Susan Brookes-Morris 22

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

PANCAKE RECIPE Over the years I’ve tried my pancakes with fruit, maple syrup, and a variety of savoury fillings, but I keep coming back to fresh lemon juice and a sprinkling of sugar...irresistible. Here is my own recipe for perfect pancakes.

INGREDIENTS

Don’t Forget Pancake Day February 28

115g (4oz) plain flour Pinch salt 1 large egg 285ml (half a pint of milk) 115g (4oz) butter, melted Juice from 2 lemons, strained Caster or Demerara sugar to taste.

To make the batter: sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Beat in the egg and a little of the milk until smooth. Gradually beat in the remaining milk and add 4 tablespoons of the melted butter. Cover the bowl and leave to stand for one hour. In a small non-stick frying pan heat some of the butter until sizzling, but taking care not to let it burn. Pour enough batter into the pan to coat the base evenly. Cook over a moderate heat until the pancake is light golden brown underneath and looks dry on top. Flip over (try to do this with style!) and cook the other side until golden. Continue until all the batter is used. The recipe should make 10-12 pancakes. You can keep the pancakes warm in the oven (Gas mark 1 / 140C) until they are all cooked, but in our house they’re barely out the frying pan before they’re scoffed. Serve with the lemon juice and sugar.

by Sarah Davey

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The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

Dancing Flavours is Wafaaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first recipe book full of vegetarian authentic Lebanese recipes. All recipes are simple, quick, tasty and healthy. If you are a confident cook or not this book is for you, also ideal for food lovers, people who work long hours and students alike. Wafaaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recipes are full of flavours of Mediterranean herbs and Middle Eastern spices but not hot so you enjoy the flavours of what you are eating. Rice, wheat, lentils, chickpeas, beans, nuts and vegetables are at the heart of all recipes. Which means you get all the nutrients your body needs without worrying about gaining weight. Wafaa has kindly donated one signed copy of Dancing Flavours to be won by one lucky reader. To be in with a chance of winning please email your name and a contact number to production@ towncriermagazine.com by 28.2.17. The Editor's decision is final.

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Gardening

Home-made Compost H

OME-MADE compost is a thing of wonder...when all goes well! But too often it goes horribly wrong and instead of rich, sweet, crumbly stuff we end up with a putrefying heap. For a long time I believed making great compost was beyond me. There are so many methods and myths, it all seemed too complicated. Well good news . . . it isn’t!

by Rachael Leverton

Size matters! A container should be 3ft /1m square minimum, preferably larger. This allows heat to build up inside the heap which aids the decay process. Position it out of the main line of sight, behind a shed or some tall plants.

IALS COMPOST MATER s rap sc Fruit and veg d tea bags Coffee grounds an dding plants Old flowers and be Compost Containers Garden clippings You can make your own. It’s Annual weeds s very easy apparently, using old Crushed egg shell ing (e.g. rabbit) dd be floorboards, posts and wire al im an Small , incl. tubes ard netting. Shredded cardbo Egg cartons Unfortunately I am to DIY what Lawn mowings elephants are to hang gliding so I opt for ready made bins. Check You can’t use: meat etc.) with your council as many offer Food waste (bread, s cheap bins to encourage recycling. Cat and dog faece s ve lea n ree If not, garden centres stock a good Everg nial weeds variety. Thick rooted peren 26

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

How to make compost I’ve tried several methods, including my late grandfather’s which involved careful layers of various ingredients and sprinkling on lime at intervals. It worked, but I’m a lazy gardener really and can’t be bothered with all the faff. This is my method, worked out through a combination of trial and error (lots of error!) Mix all material together so there is no concentration of any one sort Firm it all down, Moisten it Cover it with some old carpet to keep heat in and prevent evaporation If you start the process now, by Autumn you’ll be digging in your very own wonderful compost, dragged from the bottom of your heap. You’ll have done your bit for recycling and best of all ... it’s free!

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Puzzles

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Knowing how to go about getting a job can be tricky if you have limited experience in the job market, but here are five tips which will increase your chances of gaining employment. Network - Many people find jobs through people they know rather than traditional job adverts. Talk to family, friends and other people you know and ask if they are aware of any vacancies. Attract employers - Get potential employers to come to you. Post your CV online with various agencies and you could save yourself a lot of time and effort job hunting. Target companies - Look at the organisations which might make a good employer and concentrate on them. This may mean you only look at the big employers in your area or it might mean that you look into one sector but nationwide. Think positive - We all get a few knock backs when looking for work. Don’t take it personally if you are rejected or don’t even get a response. It’s probably not because of anything you have done wrong. Find hidden vacancies - Many jobs are landed before they are advertised but you need to act quickly. Look into internal recruitment and get friends to tune into their own company grapevines. It’s a good way of getting your foot in the door early. Knowing how to find a job is a skill in itself. Once you have been successful, the process becomes easier next time around. Happy job-hunting.

by Sarah Davey

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

ACROSS 7 Innumerable, unspecified amount (7) 9 Photograph, picture (5) 10 Girls’ hairstyle or a small cake (3) 11 Oval form (9) 12 Sarcasm, incongruity, used to comic effect (5) 14 Objects of attention or attack (7) 16 17th century Spanish warship (7) 18 Go into a place (5) 19 Aboriginal hunting weapon (9) 20 Type of seabird (3) 21 Perfect, desirable (5) 22 Feeling, sentiment (7)

DOWN 1 Effervescing, simmering (8) 2 Unlocked, unsecured (4) 3 Crisp salad vegetable (6) 4 Hesitate, waver (6) 5 Most contented or delighted (8) 6 Curve, twist (4) 8 Drab bird which sings beautifully (11) 13 Eyewitness, observer (8) 15 Caressing, soothing (8) 17 Calmly, smoothly (6) 18 Festive drink (6) 19 French creamy cheese (4) 20 Opposite of alkali (4)) Solutions to the crossword and sudoku on page 30

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Books

A Good Read

Reconstructing Amelia

The World’s Worst Children

.........................................................................................

...................................................................................................

by Kimberly McCreight

We all think we know our children. We think we understand what makes them tick and we like to think that they would turn to us if they were in trouble. But do we really know what is going on in their lives? Kate certainly thought she knew about her 15-yearold daughter, Amelia. As a young law student Kate found herself pregnant and saw the chance to have the one thing she had always wanted: love. And so, she raised Amelia – with the help of a nanny – qualified as a lawyer and became successful in her career. She appears to have everything. A comfortable home in a desirable part of Brooklyn, and a place at Grace Hall prep school for Amelia: the perfect life. Of course, perfection is fragile, and it doesn’t take much to bring Kate’s world tumbling down. She receives a phone call from the principle at Grace Hall. There has been an incident and Amelia is to be suspended for three days. She requests that Kate comes immediately to collect her from school. Dropping everything is not always an option, and public transport can sometimes let you down. Life can let you down far more than you can dare to imagine. She arrives at Grace Hall too late. Too late to collect her daughter; her only child who is now lying on the concrete, covered by a sheet. What could make a normal, happy 15-year-old jump off a building to her death? Alternating narratives draw us into the lives of Kate and Amelia, reconstructing the events that led to Amelia being on the roof of the school. Did she jump? Or is there something darker going on? Do any of us really know our teenagers? 30

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

by David Walliams

The quickest way to get someone to do something is to tell them not to. And as a reader you are certainly warned not to read this book. So of course, any child will pick this book up and do exactly the opposite of this advice. And they will certainly be glad that they did! Ten short stories make up this book, each one telling of the life of a particularly unpleasant child. In many ways it appears to be a straightforward case of morality. The unpleasant children don’t think things through and only behave in a way that THEY feel will be beneficial to them. Dip into a story at any point, or read the book from start to finish, it is entirely up to you. But be warned. These truly are the world’s worst children! There is Nigel Nit-Boy. He isn’t interested in superheroes, but super-villains and there are none with a super skill like his. Find out what happens when he gets trapped in the Natural History Museum over night. I’ll give you a clue: it isn’t pretty. Perhaps Grubby Gertrude is more your style. Sure, we all get dirty as children – making mud pies, or splashing in puddles. Gertrude takes this to the next level. So dear reader, enter if you dare and read this book...or don’t…the choice is yours.

Reviews by Willow Coby

Crossword & Sudoku solution page 28

FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING & RENEWABLE REQUIREMENTS Electrical: Rewires, Alterations, LED Lighting, Test & Inspecting, Domestic, Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Plumbing: Refurbishment, Central Heating, Hot Water & General Repairs, Wood Burners & Flue Installations Renewable: Solar PV & Battery Storage, Solar Hot Water, Air/Ground/Water Source Heat Pumps & Biomass Boilers Wilts Electrical Contracting Ltd, 10 Harris Road, Porte Marsh Ind Est, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9PT

Tel: 01249 812850

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

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017

MORE PROPERTIES

URGENTLY REQUIRED We have a waiting list of applicants looking for properties in Royal Wootton Bassett and the surrounding areas....

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If you are thinking of selling or letting your property, get in touch today.

01793 855 117 | richardjames.info 111 High Street | Royal Wootton Bassett | Wiltshire | SN4 7AU Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @RJEstateAgent

The Town Crier Magazine | FEBRUARY 2017