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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

MARCH 2017

IN THE MARCH ISSUE

Editor’s Letter Welcome to March!

ch edition Spring is nearly here – and in our Mar en at gard r you in do we look at things you can 26. e pag this time of year - see e in handy Flowers from your garden will com ch we whi for Mother’s Day on 26th March feature on page 28. tions this We have received some great contribu groups month from local artists and music for all the 8 e check out the Diary Dates on pag sending for all you information. Many thanks to them keep se plea – in ideas to the magazine coming! Until next time ...

Annie

Local Focus Local News and Events

20 Why do we change the clocks? Spring Forward on 26th March 22 Recipe Garlic and Herb Prawns 24 A Good Read Decluttering the KonMari Way 26 Gardening Spring has Sprung 28 Mother’s Day 28 Puzzle Corner Crossword & Sudoku 30 Save your Sight Looking after your eyes

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ON W NE HAT A R ’S YO U

Local Focus MARCH 2017

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

Andy Comley goes back to his roots Swindon male choirs joint concert For the first time ever two renowned and award winning Male Choirs will share the same stage at Swindon’s MECA on March 25th 2017 where Swindon Male Voice Choir and The Wessex Male Choir will host an evening of top quality music and entertainment. The concert promises a sparkling programme of classic male choir pieces along with popular songs from the world of Musical Theatre and Opera. Wessex Male Choir’s chairman Guy Edwards says; ‘We are thrilled to share the stage with one of Swindon’s longest established and much respected choirs. This will be an exciting evening of music with a few surprises and we look forward to singing some rousing joint numbers with over 100 voices – it will a sound to stir the soul!’ The two choirs will be joined by The Cirencester Kingshill Advanced Singers led by Jon Driver, the Head of Music at Kingshill school and principal accompanist for the Wessex.

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Andy explained why he has now set his sights closer to home. “I believe in community, and arts provision for all, and I understand that the local hall can be an important place for people to meet and create social ties.” However he also has artistic reasons for moving out of the town. “I want an intimate atmosphere for my music, where there's no distraction, and the audience can focus and be transported musically, and I’ve found it in small rural halls” The gigs are sit down-lights out-spotlight on affairs, and Andy says that this format makes for an immersive evening for the audience and performer alike. “People have been responding really well and we’ve had some really great feedback.” Andy will be playing with double bassist Dave Bulbeck at Aldbourne Memorial Hall on Saturday 11th March 2017. Doors open at 19:00 for 19:45 start. Advanced tickets only, £10 online at www.andycomley.com.

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Doors open at 7.00pm and tickets for the event are priced at £12.50 and are on sale now from Swindon Central Library, Regent Circus, from the Wessex on 01285 869955 and Swindon MVC on 01793 822495 or tickets@wessexmalechoir.co.uk or Swindonmalevoicechoir@msn.com.

Singer-songwriter Andy Comley has moved out of the usual venues and headed back to his roots, by embarking on a tour of rural halls.

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What’s On

Diary Dates MARCH 2017

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE Town Hall, Cross Hayes, Malmesbury, SN16 9BZ Tel: 01666 823748 Email: tic@malmesbury.gov.uk DOLLY BOBBINS CLASSES 1 Day Course – Saturdays, 4th March and 8th April 10am to 4pm £45 including materials & refreshments. Please contact Tracey on dollybobbins@hotmail. com or 07835 467551 MOVIES@MALMESBURY Monday, 6 March 8:00 pm Manchester by the Sea Friday, 10 March 2:00pm La La Land 5.30pm Monster Trucks 8:00pm Jackie Monday, 20 March 8:00pm Lion Tuesday, 21 March 7.30pm Exhibition on Screen The Artist’s Garden Friday, 24 March 2:00pm Jackie 5.30pm The Lego Batman Movie 8:00pm Loving Thursday, 30 March 7:15pm Madame Butterfly (Opera) Tickets in advance from Malmesbury Town Hall, on the door or online from www.oxboffice.com Tel. 01666 822143 Exhibition of art and photography “DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS” 7- 16 March 2017 John Bowen Gallery, Town Hall, Malmesbury SN16 9BZ Monday to Thursday 9:00 to 4:45. Friday 9:00 to 4:15, Saturday 10:30 to 4:30. Closed Sunday. Free Admission The painting, photography and assemblage of Maureen Hawkridge, Mike Hawkridge and Alison King. Exhibiting for the first time in the 8

same gallery space Maureen, Mike and Alison will show you their differing viewpoints on the world about us. See page 10. MORRIS DANCING 'TASTER' SESSION Saturday March 11th between 10.30 and 12.30pm If you enjoy dancing, or play an instrument, and would like to give Morris dancing a try, we would love to see you at Corston Reading Room (next to the Radnor Arms car park). Just pop in on the day, or ring 01666 825769 for more information. PLANT SALES for the Brain Tumour Charity 11th March from 9am until noon Autumn Tearoom, Oaksey Village Hall 25th March from 9am until noon Market Cross, Malmesbury We will also have some books for sale at both sales. MALMESBURY ABBEY MUSIC SOCIETY Saturday 18th March 2017 7.30pm Malmesbury Abbey Music Society is bringing the Chamber Philharmonic Europe to Malmesbury Abbey. The orchestra was founded 2006 in Cologne/ Germany to encourage talented young musicians from the 18 European nations. A fresh and spirited ensemble, they delight in engaging with the audience and are a joy to listen to. The consistently positive response from audiences, press and critics to their performances and repeat bookings to concerts and festivals attest to the outstandingly high artistic level of their performances. The concert starts at 7:30pm and the ensemble will perform: H. Wolf, Italian Serenade; J.N. Hummel, Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra in E - Flat Minor; J. S. Bach, Concert for Violin and Orchestra A Minor; W.A. Mozart, Divertimento F Dur; G. Faure Pavane Op 40 and E. Greig, Holberg Suite Op 40. Tickets £15 (£5 students) and full information from mamsmusic.co.uk, Abbey Bookshop and 01666 824924

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

Western Players present “DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER” a comedy by Marc Carmoletti, adapted by Robin Hawden Weds 15th- Sat 18th March 7:30 To be staged at Swindon Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Swindon SN1 4BJ. Tickets £10 and concessions £9 from boxoffice@westernplayers. co.uk 07575 711522. MALMESBURY FILM SOCIETY RAMS 19 March I, Daniel Blake 16 April £5, 7.30pm St Mary’s Hall BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL 21 March Swindon, Wyvern Theatre 22-23 March Bath, Komedia The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is back in the UK. The short films, starring the world’s top adventurers on exciting journeys in mind-blowing destinations, are selected from films entered into the Banff Mountain Film Festival held every year in Canada. This year’s UK and tour includes 14 hugely diverse films, featuring tales of high-adrenaline action to poignant environmental documentaries. For more information and to book tickets see www.banff-uk.com. See page 14. MALMESBURY SINGERS SPRING CONCERT Sat 1st April, Malmesbury Abbey. The highlight of the evening will be the ‘German Requiem’ by Brahms and works by Bruckner, Rheinberger, Schumann and Strauss will also be performed. The choir (conductor Iain Duffin) will be joined by soloists Lesley-Anne Rogers and Christopher Monk and accompanists Helen Coombs and Nick Thorne. Tickets available from Malmesbury Abbey Bookshop or by email: tickets@malmesburysingers. co.uk (Adult £15, Student/Child £5). See page 16. Royal Wootton Bassett Choral Society THE CRUCIFIXION by J Stainer Monday 10th April, 7.30pm Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. Royal Wootton Bassett Free Admission, Refreshments Retiring Collection.

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What’s On EXHIBITION OF ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY

“Differing Viewpoints” The painting, photography and assemblage of Maureen Hawkridge, Mike Hawkridge and Alison King Tuesday 7 March to Thursday 16 March 2017 John Bowen Gallery, Town Hall, Malmesbury SN16 9BZ Monday to Thursday 9:00 to 4:45. Friday 9:00 to 4:15, Saturday 10:30 to 4:30. Closed on Sunday. Free Admission

Maureen’s paintings capture moments that have inspired her, from evocative scenes of Venice to boats and seascapes, using colour and simplified forms; as well as painting she assembles driftwood sculptures of birds and nautical scenes. Mike is a photographer who makes monochrome and colour images that look beyond the surface appearance of the subject to reveal the beauty in modern structures and other forms. Alison has evolved a unique and personal representation of her experiences and memories, using graphic imagery to create a theatrical effect. Exhibiting for the first time in the same gallery space Maureen, Mike and Alison will show you their differing viewpoints on the world about us.

L-R: Three Gondolas by Maureen Hawkridge , Cloud Nine by Mike Hawkridge and Dancing Cranes by Alison King

March 2017

Movies@Malmesbury Monday, 6 March 8:00 pm Manchester by the Sea Friday, 10 March 2:00pm La La Land 5.30pm Monster Trucks 8:00pm Jackie Monday, 20 March 8:00pm Lion Tuesday, 21 March 7.30pm Exhibition on Screen The Artist’s Garden Friday, 24 March 2:00pm Jackie 5.30pm The Lego Batman Movie 8:00pm Loving Thursday, 30 March 7:15pm Madame Butterfly (Opera) Tickets in advance from Malmesbury Town Hall, on the door or online from www.oxboffice.com 2pm and 5.30pm £4 & £3 8pm £6 Exhibition on Screen £10 Tel. 01666 822143 10

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

Malmesbury Abbey Music Society On Saturday 18th March 2017, Malmesbury Abbey Music Society is bringing the Chamber Philharmonic Europe to Malmesbury Abbey. The orchestra was founded 2006 in Cologne/Germany to encourage talented young musicians from the 18 European nations. A fresh and spirited ensemble, they delight in engaging with the audience and are a joy to listen to. The consistently positive response from audiences, press and critics to their performances and repeat bookings to concerts and festivals attest to the outstandingly high artistic level of their performances. Concert starts at 7:30pm and the ensemble will perform: H. Wolf, Italian Serenade; J.N. Hummel, Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra in E - Flat Minor; J. S. Bach, Concert for Violin and Orchestra A Minor; W.A. Mozart, Divertimento F Dur; G. Faure Pavane Op 40 E. Greig, Holberg Suite Op 40. Tickets £15 (£5 students) are available from mamsmusic.co.uk, Abbey Bookshop and 01666 824924

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

tranquillity sat on the terraces. We have introduced a new person centred software system to ensure a high standard of record keeping and enabling staff to spend more time with residents.

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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

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What’s On

Swindon & Wiltshire Tetbury Art Society Women in Business celebrates 40th Anniversary Conference 2017 Exhibition Sat 29 April – Mon 1 May 2017

The Enterprise Network has announced Red Shoe Biz Academy founder, author and entrepreneurial expert Rebecca Jones as its keynote speaker for the Swindon & Wiltshire Women in Business Conference 2017.

Jones is an inspirational female entrepreneur and has focussed on the meaning of success for women in business since she launched her first business at the age of 19. Moving from the failure of that first attempt, she dedicated herself to researching and refining the skills and mindset that women in business need.

“Success for women in business is all about confidence in yourself and your business idea” said Jones. “If we want to grow and improve our business, we need the mind-set and attitude to do it. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to share my thoughts and experience at the Swindon and Wiltshire Women in Business Conference” she added.

This year sees the 40th anniversary of our foundation, which will be celebrated with a special competition of paintings of Tetbury, in various media, to be judged by the President of The Royal West of England Academy at the Preview evening. The prize for the winner has been sponsored by various local art outlets. The exhibition is open from Saturday 29 April until Monday 1 May 2017 at The Market Hall, Tetbury 10 am - 5 pm. The Society meets regularly throughout the year with at least six professional artists demonstrating, trips to various exhibitions and in-house workshops. We have three art exhibitions a year - our main exhibition one for members’ work is over the early May Bank holiday, followed by one on the August Bank holiday and finally a table top sale near Christmas.

Relay For Life comes to Swindon

Hosted by The Enterprise Network (TEN), the conference is celebrating International Women’s Day, showcasing entrepreneurial talent from across Swindon and Wiltshire and providing a forum for learning, sharing and connecting.

With a packed programme of speakers, interactive workshops, networking and exhibitions, the event will build on the success of previous years to provide support, advice and motivation.

Jol Rose, Development Officer at The Enterprise Network said: “We are delighted that Rebecca will be joining us to speak at the Women in Business Conference. Her story is one of ambition and true entrepreneurial spirit that will inspire and motivate all who attend. The aim of the day is to create a collaborative environment. We want to help people build lasting connections as well as to provide great advice that can help businesses on the road to success.”

The Women in Business Conference takes place on Wednesday 8th March 2017 at the Bowood Hotel and Spa. Tickets cost just £35 per person which includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Further details and ticket reservation online at www.theenterprisenetwork.co.uk/women 12

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

We’re bringing Relay For Life to Swindon and we need YOU to help. Relay For Life is a year-round team fundraising challenge bringing communities together to beat cancer. Teams of family and friends fundraise for life-saving cancer research, then join a 24-hour celebration where they take turns to walk around the track through the night, showing that together we are stronger than cancer. If you’re looking for a new challenge and would like to get involved with a community event that really will help to beat cancer? If so, then we want to hear from you! Lucy Walker, Wiltshire Local Fundraising Manager Lucy.walker@cancer.org.uk 07733 225 563 Website: relayforlife.org.uk/swindon Facebook: Relay For Life Swindon

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What’s On Ines Papert, Senja Island, Norway © Thomas Senf

21 March - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon 22-23 March - Komedia, Bath The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is back in the UK and Ireland for 2017, with more screenings and more action than ever before. “It’s fantastic to be back with our biggest tour yet – a reflection of the enormous appetite for adventure that UK and Irish audiences have,” says Tour Director Nell Teasdale. “The Banff Tour is more than a series of exhilarating film nights. Each screening offers a real sense of community, bringing together people with a wide range of outdoor passions. And we guarantee that viewers will leave with new enthusiasm and inspiration for their own adventures too!” The short films, starring the world’s top adventurers on exciting journeys in mind-blowing destinations, are selected from hundreds of films entered into the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival held every year in the Canadian Rockies.

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

This year’s UK and Ireland tour includes 14 hugely diverse films, featuring everything from tales of high-adrenaline action to poignant environmental documentaries. There’s also a significant focus on women in adventure; and the collection stars a number of UK adventurers, as well as athletes and escapades from all over the globe. The films are split between two different programmes, each lasting about 2½ hours, with free prize giveaways at each screening. The tour is part of the wider Banff World Tour, which travels the globe each year, visiting nearly 50 countries and reaching more than 400,000 people worldwide. The full film programme is available at www.banff-uk.com/films. For more information and to book tickets see www.banff-uk.com.

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Local Focus

Brahms Requiem at Malmesbury Abbey Malmesbury Singers Spring Concert will take place on Saturday 1st April at 7.30pm in Malmesbury Abbey.

The programme also features music by Bruckner, Rheinberger, Schumann and Strauss.

for her captivating and evocative performances, sensitivity and thoughtful interpretation.

The highlight of the evening will be a performance of the 'German Requiem' by Brahms, in which the choir will be joined by soloists Lesley Jane Rogers (soprano) and Christopher Monk (baritone) and accompanists Helen Coombs and Nick Thorne.

"I took as my inspiration the period in the latter half of the nineteenth century, a time of immense change, great scientific advances and yet also uncertainty and upheaval in Europe and America. The other pieces were chosen because they are contemporary with Brahms, who would have been familiar with the music and in most cases personally acquainted with the composers," explained Iain.

Baritone soloist Christopher Monk is a member of the male voice a capella group, The Song Men. Sacred singing has always been an important part of his life - he has held lay clerkships in Edinburgh, Gloucester and, most recently, Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum - but he enjoys the opportunity to explore widely different styles of music which singing with The Song Men offers. Christopher will perform selections from Schumann's song cycle, ‘Dichterliebe.'

"The Requiem, written following the death of the composer's mother, is one of the great Romantic choral works and allows the chorus to take centre stage. This arrangement for one piano, four hands, is by the composer and gives us the opportunity to sing a more intimate performance than is possible when accompanied by a full orchestra," said Iain Duffin, musical director.

Soprano soloist Lesley Jane Rogers, who last sang with the Malmesbury Singers in Verdi's Requiem in 2013, will perform 'Morgen' from Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs. Heralded as one of the most versatile soloists of today, Lesley Jane is renowned

Tickets cost £15 for adults £5 for children and are available from The Abbey Bookshop, choir members or by e-mail: tickets@malmesburysingers.co.uk

Malmesbury Area Community Trust

Over the last 2 years the former Malmesbury Community Trust has expanded its grant giving activities to include all this parishes and communities within the area covered by the Malmesbury Area Board.

We have provided financial support for play equipment on a local playing field; funding to assist a tennis club to expand its playing activities and support for Malmesbury’s Athelstan Museum.

The Malmesbury Area Community Trust is a registered charity which allocates sums of money to those on low or restricted incomes, or in financial need in the Malmesbury Community Area and also provides grants for community activities and projects.

We have helped local people by providing aids for older and disabled and essential household equipment such as a water boiler and play equipment. Additionally we have helped with school uniforms, school trips and musical instruments.

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

We have also launched a scheme to help apprentices in their early years in work. Through a small sister charity known as the Elizabeth Hodges Charity (Malmesbury) which is nearly 300 years old, help has been provided for people of all ages to further their education. For further information visit www.mact.org.uk. Alternatively contact Phil Rice on 01666 824007 or email him on philrice@ lineone.net

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Local Focus

The Sky’s the Limit for music-maker

The Cricklade Band The Performance Band events list for the year has filled up quicker than ever and, among all our community events, sees us returning to Bath, Chippenham and Swindon bandstands and Westonbirt too. BandAcademy continues enthusiastically with our student youngsters and not-so-youngsters taking part in several community events of their own and also joining the Performance Band in concerts. If you like the sound of all that the band does then please check out our Facebook page. Saturday 18 March – Spring Table-Top Sale, somewhere in Cricklade*, 11am to 1pm. If you're a Table-Top seller, please call 01793 750516 to book your table, still at just £5. Setting-up is from 10am. If you're a Table-Top browser, who knows what you might find? The band itself will have our famous eatin or takeaway home-made cake array, tea, coffee, games of chance and a raffle or two. *Watch out for posters or check with Facebook to find out where!

Sienna Sky from Malmesbury has taken her love of dance to the extreme by writing and recording her debut download single, Hypnotised (By The Beat), which she describes as her ‘hymn to rhythm’. Sienna was inspired to compose the electronic dance track after spending years dancing as a pastime and as a career: “The lyrics and the tempo of ‘Hypnotised’ are a real reflection of how dance has changed my life. Not only has it been my passion since I was a little girl, but it’s also a wonderful occupation, a great way to keep fit and a brilliant opportunity to make new friends. Now the whole thing has snowballed and the new song is taking my life in a completely new direction.” The new single has been produced by well-known Wiltshire broadcaster and composer, Dan Chisholm: “The challenge with ‘Hypnotised’ was to produce a track which would best highlight a very catchy pop song, but one which would make people want to dance. We chose a tempo (126 bpm) commonly used by producers of electronic dance music, but resisted overloading it with heavy synthesised sounds and technology. I wanted a fresh sounding track, so I added acoustic and electric guitars which wouldn’t usually feature in electronic dance music.” The track was mastered at the world-renowned Abbey Road studios in London, made famous in the 1960s by The Beatles. Looking after the recording was Britain’s leading mastering engineer, Geoff Pesche, who has helped create albums and singles by international artists such as Kylie Minogue, Coldplay, Basement Jaxx and The Shires. Now Sienna is hoping a little of that musical magic will leave a new generation entranced. Hypnotised (By The Beat) by Sienna Sky can be downloaded on iTunes. 18

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

Sunday 2 April – Spring Show – ‘Housewarming’ – probably at the Town Hall, Cricklade at 7.30pm. A concert of music you’ll know and love, also with the up-and-coming musicians of BandAcademy doing their bit too. Watch for the posters and Facebook details - tickets are just £4, available from Cricklade’s Council Office in the High Street.

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Springtime Spring

Why do we change the clocks? By Susan Brookes-Morris

T’S time to turn the clocks forward an hour at 1 am on 26th March. This time when sunrise and sunset are one hour later on the clock is known as British Summer Time, or Daylight Saving Time. It is believed that the concept was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 in an essay entitled; ‘An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light.’ Ancient civilisations had already been adopting similar concepts however by adjusting their routines in accordance with the sun’s schedules. The first official modern use of Daylight Saving Time was in Ontario in 1908, and several other Canadian cities followed. At around the same time MP Robert Pearce proposed a bill in the House of Commons based on work done by British Builder William Willett around moving the clocks eight times a year to achieve similar results. This was rejected. 20

Germany became the first European country to introduce Daylight Saving Time in April 1916. Its rationale was that the use of artificial light would be reduced and thus there would be more fuel for the war effort. Britain followed shortly after in May 1916. Daylight Saving Time is now utilised in over 70 countries world wide although dates of implementation and clock adjustments vary. The main benefits of Daylight Saving Time are said to be: The opportunity to make better use of natural daylight The ability to conserve energy that would otherwise be used on artificial light A decrease in road accidents because roads are naturally lit during the time when most vehicles are using them Some studies such as one carried out by the Belfast Telegraph also claim that the extra hour

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

of daylight means that tourists stay out longer and spend more money - an extra £6.34 million in Northern Ireland alone. Some are not in favour though. For example, traditional dairy farmers claim Daylight Saving Time disrupts milking routines. This mainly affects developing countries as elsewhere milking is automated. Some research has also shown that there is a greater risk of people having accidents or being the victims of crime because they leave their houses in the morning when it’s still dark. Some studies have suggested that in the first few days after the clocks go forward there are more heart attacks too. Finally for those of us who struggle to remember when we turn the clocks forward and when they go back, this little phrase may help: ‘Spring Forward, Fall Back,’ as the time when clocks go back always happens in the Autumn. This year in the UK, the date when Greenwich Mean Time will begin again is 29th October.

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ituated at Church End Purton, we are perfectly placed on the edge of the Cotswolds and a few short miles from Swindon town centre. Whether it’s a simple lunch or a special dinner, our Conservatory Restaurant is a great place to treat yourself. We specialise in modern English cooking using the very best of fresh and local ingredients.

A sample menu could include: STARTERS: Trout & Smoked Salmon Timbale Baked Capricorn Goat’s Cheese Jerk Chicken Ballotine MAIN COURSE: Griddled Scottish Beef Fillet – with devil led butter, girolle mushrooms & potato cake.

Steamed Lemon Sole & Dill Mousse – with smoked eel & potato bon bon, lemo n, caper, chilli buttered kale. Rosemary & Thyme Crisp Polenta – with wild creamy mushroom ragout, courgette ‘spaghetti’ and roasted toma toes. DESSERTS: Black Cherry Tiramisu Mango Parfait

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Did you known 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 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. 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.

Serving an individually priced a la carte menu at lunch and dinner, with a range of daily lunchtime specials available from just £12. There is also a full three course Sunday lunch available for £25 and dinner is served five days a week (not Sunday or Monday). Dishes do change as seasonal local produce is available and we can cater for dietary needs including gluten free – we ask guests to tell us their specific needs at time of booking if

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

Food & Drink

Garlic and Herb Prawns A light and tasty supper

Preparation time: 25 minutes + marinating time Cooking Time: 5-6 minutes Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS 12 Raw prawns in their shells Juice of half a lemon 2 Garlic cloves - crushed 3 tbsp Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill 3 tbsp softened butter Salt and pepper

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

METHOD

Rinse the prawns . Use a sharp knife to slice along the back of each prawn from head end to tail and remov e the thin black int estine. Mix the lemon ju ice with the garli c, herbs and butter to form a paste. Season we ll with salt and pepper and spread the paste over the prawns. Leave to marinate for 30 m inutes. Preheat a frying pan. Fry the praw ns until cooked, tossing th em several times to distribute the he at evenly. Turn out on to wa rm plates and dr izzle with the juices from th e pan. Serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread.

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Spring Clean

Decluttering M

the KonMari Way

ARIE Kondo is a Japanese ‘organising consultant’ whose method for decluttering is taking the globe by storm. Called KonMari, the method is actually pretty straightforward. If something you own doesn’t ‘spark joy’, get rid of it. Simple right? KonMari isn’t for everyone, and Kondo certainly has a few somewhat bizarre suggestions. (Seriously, who has the time to unpack every item from their handbag, every evening?) But most of her advice is practical, easy to follow and actually makes a lot of sense. She also dips into the psychology of why we hold on to things, and why we should let them go. Kondo recommends collecting every item in a particular category and going through them in one go. So, for instance, you’d lay every item of clothing you own on the bed or floor, pick up each one and 24

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

if it doesn’t ‘spark joy’ add it the charity pile. With this approach, you get the shock of realising just how much stuff you actually own, and are more likely to discard items than if you just flick through them when they’re in a drawer. She does, of course, make some concessions for items you really need but that don’t particularly spark joy. The main idea is that you should stop hoarding stuff that you might use one day, clothes that you only ever wear when the washing pile is teetering over, and items you feel guilty about getting rid of. Kondo also has some good advice when it comes to what to do with the things you keep. She advises against buying expensive storage solutions, and using shoe boxes to keep things tidy instead. She also recommends storing things vertically, e.g. folding clothes so that they can be stacked on end, meaning you can see them, rather

than having them buried under other items. I’ve found this useful, to an extent. It does mean I can find a black t-shirt easily, but that I might have to unfold several black t-shirts to find the one that has the motif I want. Kondo lives alone, and it does feel sometimes that her method is mainly aimed at other single adults. She recommends leading by example, the idea being that if you get rid of clutter, your family will follow you. That has not yet happened in my house I have to say. Nevertheless, I have got rid of several bin bags and boxes full of ‘stuff ’ since reading her book and have felt surprisingly relieved about doing it. If you fancy trying the KonMari method for yourself, her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, can be ordered from most libraries and book stores.

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ALENTINE’S Day is behind us once again; at this time of year we are reminded to focus on showing our love for others. However, it also provides a neat link to draw the focus of pet owners to the benefits of neutering – after all, your pets enjoy socialising too! Neutering your pet is essential for population control and to stop the flow of homeless kittens and puppies to already overcrowded shelters. Puppies reach puberty at a variable age, usually between 5 & 12 months though some (especially large breed dogs) may fall outside this range. Many people believe that it is important for bitches to have at least one season, however there are pros and cons. Neutering before the first season dramatically reduces the risk of mammary cancer. Neutering later will still be beneficial, but not as much as if we did it before that first season. Additionally, unneutered bitches are at risk of a condition called “pyometra”, in which the uterus becomes full of pus and the bitch becomes very sick. This requires an emergency operation to remove the uterus and is more dangerous for your pet than a spey, so we would always recommend neutering your bitch if you can. The only exception is

for large breed dogs; if we neuter them before their 1st season there is a risk they may develop urinary incontinence – in these breeds we would recommend allowing them to have one season before booking in for a spey. If your bitch has had a season, then we normally wait 3 months after the last season to do the operation. This is because female dogs undergo a pseudopregnancy (false pregnancy) after their season, and neutering them during this period can cause this to be prolonged, which is not ideal! If they have any milk present in their mammary glands on the day they are booked in for their spey then we wouldn’t operate at that time for the same reason. For some time now we have been offering our laparoscopic “keyhole” speys for routine bitch neuters, which means less invasive surgery and a faster recovery! For male dogs we recommend castration from 6 months of age, though we would usually wait until about 12 months of age (unless they are showing some of the naughtier boy behaviours!). However, if they are showing any nervousness, it may be better for them to hang on to their testicles for longer as the testosterone these produce will help them become more confident. Castrating males prevents any testicular diseases (including cancer) and significantly reduces the risk of prostatic infection and enlargement. It may also reduce the tendency to wander in search of females in heat … Kittens usually reach puberty at 5-8 months of age, though some females may be able to have a litter as young as 4 months old! Cats that are not neutered will mate with any other unneutered cat, including their family members, so even if you have a brother and a sister, you may still end up with kittens! Cats do not need to have a season or a litter in order to be healthy, and actually, neutering cats at a younger age is associated with reduced risks of road traffic accidents and certain infectious diseases – it may also help stop your cat fighting, and spraying urine in the house. Additionally, for younger kittens, the operation is often easier and faster and they bounce back really quickly, so it is well worth neutering them whilst they are still quite young. Neutering animals may reduce their metabolic rate, so they will need less food after the operation, but neutering itself will not cause the animals to become fat provided you manage their calorie intake in later life. With the benefits far outweighing the risks, we would definitely recommend neutering your pets to help them live a long and happy life! The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

Gardening

Spring has sprung by Rachael Leverton

HE other day someone said to me, ‘You are so lucky, you have a beautiful garden.’ I thanked her of course, but I really wanted to say, ‘Luck has very little to do with it. A beautiful garden does not happen by pure chance. It takes a bit of work and planning.’

fade. If you haven’t already pruned your bush roses, now is the time. Leave about an inch of last year’s growth to encourage bushiness and lots of flowers. Shrub roses don’t need such radical treatment but would benefit from losing a third of their old, thick, woody stems.

As the spring equinox looms, the trees blossom and daffodils bloom. The garden is waking up from its winter sleep and is full of promise. I am excited to be outside in it but I’m aware for non-gardeners it can seem daunting when everything (including the weeds) starts growing at once! So where to begin? There are three fairly simple tasks which will get you off to a flying start.

Then a bit of lifting is required. Lift congested clumps of snowdrops while they still have leaves showing.

Pruning is the first task. It’s time to hard prune late-flowering shrubs like Buddleia, Leycesteria and Lavateria, but only if the risk of hard frost is past. Spring flowering plants such as Forsythia and Winter Honeysuckle should be pruned immediately the flowers

If you have a bit of a slug problem like I do grow them in pots. Pots also have the advantage of protecting the bulbs. I hate slicing through them accidentally when hoeing. And pots mean you can grow them even if you only have a balcony.

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

Finally, stay on top of the weeds from the outset. If you leave them, weeding quickly becomes an insurmountable chore. But of course gardening is about planting things and one of the best things to plant now is lilies.

There are loads of varieties to choose from. Three bulbs fit nicely into an 8inch / 20cm pot and five fit into a ten inch / 25cm pot. I’ve found terracotta pots best because lilies are tall and terracotta provides enough weight to prevent them tipping over. Lilies need a well-drained open planting mixture so I use a mixture of potting compost plus a soil-less multi-purpose compost. The bulb tips should be a couple of inches below the compost. Keep in a sheltered spot and water when the surface of the compost looks dry. Once the buds have formed, feed weekly with dilute tomato food until late summer. When the blooms fade, cut the stems down and place in a sheltered spot. Each spring, scrape away a couple of inches of compost and add fresh mixture, then repeat the instructions above. Treated like this your lilies will reward you for three or four years before they need re-potting.

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Puzzles

PUZZLE CORNER

Mother’s Day

HIS year we celebrate Mother’s Day on 26 March. You may not realise, but Mother’s Day happens on the fourth Sunday of Lent and originally had religious traditions attached to it. In the sixteenth century, it was a celebration of the ‘mother church’ and people would return to the church in which they were baptised or where they attended as a child. Thus families would be reunited. This was known as going ‘a mothering ‘or Mothering Sunday. It was commonplace for the Lent fast which prohibited sweet, rich foods and meat to be lifted a little and for a Simnel cake to be shared. Years later, youngsters working as servants were given an annual day off to visit their mothers and would take gifts. This was called ‘Mothers Day.’ The celebrations of Mothering Sunday and Mother’s Day have generally combined into one annual occasion. The first official Mother’s Day was organised by Ann Jarvis in 1908 in West Virginia as a memorial to her mum. By the 1920’s however Ann had become disillusioned by the commercialism of the day and especially the common use of printed greetings cards. Celebrating the day became less popular. It wasn’t until the second World War when soldiers wanted to acknowledge their distant mothers, that the day grew in popularity once more.

by Susan Brookes- Morris

Your Local

TownCr er Magazine Your local monthly magazine PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS HERE

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www. towncriermagazine.com 28

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

ACROSS DOWN 1 Nightclub entertainment (7) 1 Supported, sustained (7) 4 Strange and frightening (5) 2 Decorative breast pin (5) 7 System for detecting aircraft (5) 3 Tropical bird with large colourful beak (6) 9 Vertical, erect (7) 4 Mistake (5) 10 Passivity, paralysis (7) 5 Constant, uniform (7) 11 Emperor, king, monarch (5) 6 Go inside (5) 12 Tyrannical dictator (6) 8 Relative size of two values (5) 14 Priest or religious leader (6) 13 Assist financially (7) 18 Plentiful (5) 15 Strict reason (5) 20 Gaunt, exhausted (7) 16 Intricate musical solo (7) 22 Scottish pouch worn with a kilt (7) 17 Become different (6) 23 Ceremonial headdress (5) 18 Passage in supermarket (5) 24 Item in a diary, or notebook (5) 19 Before the expected time (5) 25 Spiny Australian egg-laying mammal! (7) 21 Keep away from (5) Solutions to the crossword and sudoku on page 30

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Save Your Sight! by Angela Fitzpatrick

OST people don’t think about their eyes much until something goes wrong. It’s important to understand what happens to our eyes as we age. Your optometrist does so much more than provide spectacles. The following conditions are all detectable by optometrists during a routine eye examination. Cataracts These are caused by clouding of the lens inside the eye. They are not painful but vision may be smudged or blurry. Diabetics and those taking certain medications are more at risk, but in most cases they are caused by old age. Most cataracts may be treated successfully by surgical removal then replacing the cloudy lens with a clear, artificial one. Glaucoma

If detected early Glaucoma can be controlled with eyedrops, and in some cases surgery. Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Remember… Unlike teeth, eyes do not usually hurt when there is something wrong. Generally, the earlier an eye problem is detected, the easier it is to treat. If you drive, it is your responsibility to make sure you satisfy the legal visual requirements. Book an eye examination today.

This is a condition in which the optic nerve at the back of the eye is damaged. It is usually though not always, caused by raised pressure inside the eyeball. 99% of Glaucoma sufferers experience no symptoms until significant damage to their sight has occurred.

Crossword & Sudoku solution page 28

The risk becomes more significant once you are over 40 and it increases with age. Anyone with a family history of the disease is more at risk, along with diabetics, very short-sighted people and anyone from an AfroCaribbean background.

This happens when the delicate ‘seeing-cells’ at the back of the eye stop working. It usually affects both eyes. The risk of getting it increases with age but poor diet, too much sun-exposure and smoking are all contributory factors. You are also more at risk if there is a family history of the condition.

There are two types: Wet AMD is rarer and can be treated if caught early, and dry AMD, which is currently untreatable. The progress of dry AMD may be slowed by increasing the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables consumed and by stopping smoking. Diabetes This is not an eye disease but eye problems are among its most significant complications. An optometrist will check for signs that the blood vessels of the eye are leaking or not working properly. If problems are discovered then you will be referred for laser treatment at your local hospital. Even if you are not Diabetic and your eyesight seems fine it is important to have the health of your eyes checked at least once every two years, as changes may happen without you realising. You have just one pair of eyes, and they have to last you a lifetime, so take care of them.

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2017