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TownCr er Magazine JANUARY 2016

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HAPPY NEW YEAR! IN THE JANUARY ISSUE

Editor’s Letter Happy New Year to you all!

as break, I hope you had an enjoyable Christm h! muc too and didn’t over indulge ns At this time many of us make resolutio Year to change our lives, so In this New keep issue we look at many ways you can e and recip soup your resolutions, a healthy of ing Talk . year new gardening tips for the not why s bird the et forg ’t the garden, don ch - see take part in the Big Garden Birdwat 24. e pag on le the artic items of We are always interested in receiving sion in inclu for ers read our local interest from we e issu this in ple exam for e the magazin rs, dere Wan shire Wilt from les artic received ors. auth l Wilts and Berks Canal Trust and loca for ng ethi som Why not join them and write the Town Crier in 2016! Until next time ...

Annie

Local Focus Local News and Events

18 Wiltshire Wanderers Explore Wiltshire - and keep fit! 20 Puzzle Corner Crossword & Sudoku 24 Big Garden Birdwatch 30th - 31st January 26 Gardening Gardening Resolutions 28 Recipe Red Lentil & Caramelised Onion Soup 30 A Good Read Girl on the Train. Midnight for Charlie Bone & Usbourne Healthy Cookbook 34 Making your New Year’s Resolutions

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TownCr er Magazine

The Stables, Fishers Brook, Calne, Wilts. SN11 9HB Tel: 01249 811068 www. towncriermagazine.com Deadline for submissions for the February 2016 issue: 9th January 2016 Editor: contact@towncriermagazine.com Advertising: contact@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.

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

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ON W NE HAT A R ’S YO U

Local Focus JANUARY 2016

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

Forever Friends Appeal Walk of Life The 10th annual Walk of Life will take place on Saturday 14th May 2016.

Canal Trust celebrates a National Award Local restoration charity, The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, is celebrating after receiving a commendation award in the Canal & River Trust’s Annual Living Waterways Awards ceremony in London. Representatives of the Trust travelled to the impressive venue Church House Conference Centre Westminster, their rail travel very generously sponsored by Great Western Railways. See full story on page 16

The Walk of Life, proudly sponsored by Kier Construction, is an annual event that challenges men and women across Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire to walk 21 miles along the Kennet and Avon canal between Devizes and Bath; walkers can choose to raise funds for the RUH Cancer Care Campaign, or a ward or department of their choice at Bath’s Royal United Hospital. The walk was created in 2008 in memory of Vanessa Kyte – a remarkably inspirational mum, daughter, sister, wife and friend who was diagnosed with cancer in the year 2000. People are now being encouraged to sign up early for 2016 so they can start kick start their training and fundraising. Early bird registrations are now open for the 2016 Walk of Life at a discounted price of £15 per place when you sign up online via The Forever Friends website before 31st January 2016. To sign up for the 2016 Walk of Life online visit: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk or call the events team on 01225 825823 for more information.

Movies@Malmesbury Lady in the Van (12a) Monday 4th Jan 8pm & Friday 22nd Jan 2pm Brooklyn (12a) Friday 8th Jan 2pm & Monday 18th Jan 8pm Fathers & Daughters (15) Friday 8th January 8pm Carol (15) Friday 22nd Jan 8pm Tickets available from Malmesbury Tourist Information Centre or www.oxboffice.com www.malmesbury.gov.uk/cinema.html

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

From left to right: Dianne Young, Vanessa Kyte and Nicola Noble get ready for the very first Walk of Life in 2006. Vanessa sadly passed away a year later in 2007, having raised £100,000 for the RUH Cancer Care Campaign.

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What’s On

Diary Dates JANUARY 2016

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE Town Hall, Cross Hayes, Malmesbury, SN16 9BZ Tel:01666 823748 Email: tic@malmesbury.gov.uk ARTISAN & FARMERS’ MARKET every Friday in the Market Cross Malmesbury 9am-3pm LINE DANCING Cotswold House, Gloucester Road, Malmesbury Thursdays 7.30-9.00, weekly £30 for block of 7 sessions, or £5 per session All levels welcome. For further info or to book a place contact Tracey T: 07835467551, E: traceygorrod@ btinternet.com Facebook page: Malmesbury Line Dancing Group THE NORTH WILTSHIRE VILLAGE FLOWER CLUB Meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month in Crudwell Village Hall at 7.30pm – Contact Gill on 01666 824813 for details MALMESBURY MORRIS meets every Thursday at Corston Reading Room at 7.30pm New dancers and musicians very welcome LEARN TO CROCHET – DOLLY BOBBINS CLASSES & WORKSHOPS 2015 Various classes and workshops running from August 2015 For Beginner/Novice/Improver/ Intermediate Crochet/Crochet Square Joining/Bunting/Flowers/ Understanding Charts/Mandalas/ Dollies/Knitting Cost £15 for adults. £10 for children. Further information of all dates and times; Email: dollybobbins@hotmail.com Telephone: 07835467551 www. facebook.com/dollybobbins.co.uk ZUMBA FITNESS! Salsa, Jive, Cha-Cha and much more No experience necessary Mondays 9.15 – 10.15am £5.50 per session. Contact Becky for more information 07837 930986 8

MOVIES@MALMESBURY Lady in the Van (12a) Monday 4th Jan 8pm & Friday 22nd Jan 2pm Brooklyn (12a) Friday 8th January 2pm & Monday 18th January 8pm Fathers & Daughters (15) Friday 8th January 8pm Carol (15) Friday 22nd Jan 8pm Tickets available from Malmesbury Tourist Information Centre or www. oxboffice.com. More info at www. malmesbury.gov.uk/cinema.html

OUTDOOR LAMBING 8 Jan 2016 to 25 Jan 2016 Roves Farm Visitor Centre, Swindon Our 120 ewes will be lambing in the field next to the visitor centre see plenty of lambs skipping across the field. Tel: 01793 763939 www.rovesfarm.co.uk VICTORIA ART GALLERY, BATH Tel: (01225) 477244 Grayson Perry: The Vanity of Small Differences exhibition runs from 9th Jan – 10 April 2016 01225 477244 www.victoriagal.org.uk/

A BIRD WALK AROUND COATE WATER Saturday 16 January 10am Coate Water, Swindon Our traditional winter walk round Coate Water at a time when wildfowl are at their most numerous and attractive. A good variety of woodland birds should also be seen. Meet at Coate Water car park. Booking is essential. Cost: £3.00. Contact: Robin Griffiths (01793) 751081 / 07761 290725 www.wiltshirewildlife.org FEBRUARY 2016

RICHARD NAVARRO: FIREWATCHING Friday 5th February 2016 Kington Langley Village Hall, Church Road, Kington Langley, Chippenham SN15 5NJ 01249 750362 events@klvh.org www.klvh.org Tickets: £7, £6 conc. Virtuosic violin, swirling a cappella singing, bouncing bass lines and unforgettable melodies - this is music that will move the feet and enrich the soul. Richard

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

juggles violin, trumpet, piano and percussion to bring to life his original songs in performances that sparkle with wit and creativity. Writing and performing with double bassist Nicholas Thurston, Richard is a master of the loop pedal, allowing him to build spellbinding arrangements through the layering of his voice and instruments live on stage. The duo’s live show features extraordinary visuals including illustrations and animations specially written for the songs.

GINGERBREAD RACE 13-21 Feb 2016 Call for times Roves Farm Visitor Centre, Swindon Bringing the classic story to life with a twist... ‘Drive, drive as fast as you can, you can’t catch me I’m the Gingerbread Man’. Tel: 01793 763939 www.rovesfarm.co.uk SHOWSTOPPERS 12th February 2016 7:30 pm The Neeld, Chippenham A brand new musical comedy is created from scratch at every single performance of this award-winning show. Each night, audience suggestions are instantly transformed into an all-singing, alldancing production, always with unpredictable and hilarious results! Tickets £14. Tel: 01249 446699 http://www.neeld.co.uk/event/ show-stoppers-the-musical/ HALF TERM WORKSHOPS 16-18 February 2016 Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre Make and Do Sessions. FREE Just drop In. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Please book with museum for more information 01249 705020 www.chippenham.gov.uk BOWOOD WEDDING FAYRE 2016 28th February, 2016 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Free Come and join us for some wedding inspiration at the Bowood Wedding Fayre. Come along and start planning your magical day. For more information contact 01249 822228 or visit: www.bowood.org

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The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

What’s On

Allum’s Antiques Almanac 2016

Richard Navarro: Firewatching Friday 5th February 2016 Virtuosic violin, swirling a cappella singing, bouncing bass lines and unforgettable melodies - music that will move the feet and enrich the soul. Richard juggles violin, trumpet, piano and percussion to bring to life his original songs in performances that sparkle with wit and creativity. Writing and performing with double bassist Nicholas Thurston, Richard is a master of the loop pedal, allowing him to build spellbinding arrangements through the layering of his voice and instruments live on stage. The duo’s live show features extraordinary visuals including illustrations and animations specially written for the songs. Kington Langley Village Hall, Church Road, Kington Langley SN15 5NJ 01249 750362 - events@klvh.org www.klvh.org Tickets: £7 full, £6 conc.

Chippenham-based BBC Antiques Roadshow specialist and author Marc Allum, is pleased to announce the publication of his latest edition of Allum’s Antiques Almanac. The new 2016 instalment brings you to up to date with a selection of unusual facts, tasty titbits, anecdotes and hot topics from the worlds of art and antiques. Penned in Marc’s inimitable style, this is an essential read for anyone with a passion for the material trappings of history. Published by Icon Books www.iconbooks.com @iconbooks £16.99 Available from Amazon and at all good bookshops. website: www.marcallum.co.uk twitter: @Marc_Allum

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The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

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What’s On

Grayson Perry: The Vanity of Small Differences Victoria Art Gallery, Bath 9 January - 10 April 2016

Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery will display Grayson Perry’s The Vanity of Small Differences, a series of six large, exuberant tapestries that explore the British fascination with taste and class, in the new year.

The tapestries, measuring 2m x 4m each, were created for the BAFTA award-winning Channel 4 Series All in the Best Possible Taste with Grayson Perry, which first aired in June 2012. The series follows Perry as he embarks ‘on a safari amongst the taste tribes of Britain’ to gain inspiration for his work. Inspired by William Hogarth’s A Rakes Progress, the tapestries chart the ‘class journey’ made by young Tim Rakewell, and feature many of the characters, incidents and objects that Perry encountered on journeys through Sunderland, Tunbridge Wells and The Cotswolds for the TV series.

The Bath & North East Somerset Council-run Victoria Art Gallery will host the first regional exhibition of the tapestries in the south of England – previously they have been displayed in London, the north of England and overseas. The works were gifted to the Arts Council Collection and the British Council by the artist and Victoria Miro Gallery, London, supported by Channel 4 Television, the Art Fund, Sfumato Foundation, and AlixPartners.

Grayson Perry said: “I am hugely pleased and proud that The Vanity of Small Differences will be shared by the Arts Council and British Council Collections because this means the work will be able to travel all around the country and the world. Thanks also to the Art Fund, Sfumato Foundation and Channel 4; their support means the tapestries now have a chance to reach a very wide and varied audience. Of all the pieces I have

made this was the one I conceived from the outset as a public artwork. I hope that wherever it goes it not only delights the eye but also sparks debate about class, taste and British society.”

Cllr Patrick Anketell-Jones, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “We are delighted that the Victoria Art Gallery will be the first southern venue outside London to host The Vanity of Small Differences. The exhibition will give local residents and visitors a chance to enjoy these important and exciting works by one of the UK’s best-known artists.”

This is the third occasion the Victoria Art Gallery has displayed works created and selected by the former Turner Prize-winner. In 2009-10 the Gallery hosted the Perry-curated Unpopular Culture exhibition, then just last year it acquired his ‘Map of Days’, a selfportrait in the form of a walled city, for its permanent collection.

Tickets are £4 for adults, £3.50 for seniors and full-time students, and free for children and Discovery Card holders.

A fully illustrated hardback catalogue will be available at the Victoria Art Gallery shop, featuring colour reproductions of the tapestries along with photos of the artist’s sketches and preparatory materials. Special exhibition price £14.99 (RRP £17.99). A pack of six notecards based on the tapestries will also be available from the gallery shop (£7.50).

To accompany the exhibition tour, the Arts Council has launched an app for iPad and iPhone with commentary from the artist, art historical references, a guide to the works and a detailed zoom facility. Buy from the App Store (£2.29). Detail from Expulsion From Number 8 Eden Close 2012. Copyright Grayson Perry. Photography: Stephen White.

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

Local Focus

Face the Flames for Forever Friends Appeal Are you brave enough to walk barefoot over red hot embers smouldering at over 1000 degree Fahrenheit? The Forever Friends Appeal are currently looking for people to take part in the challenge of a lifetime – a Firewalk on Sunday 20th March 2016 at 6pm at Bath’s Lansdown Cricket Club.

One of last year’s firewalk participants braves the coals in support of the RUH Cancer Campaign; Photo:Vik Martin www.vikmartin.co.uk

The Firewalk is being organised in association with Time4Change and its founder Cliff Mann, the most experienced firewalking instructor in Europe. The entry fee for the event is £30 and all participants are expected to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship towards the RUH Cancer Care Campaign, or a ward or department of their choice at the hospital. The Forever Friends Appeal’s RUH Cancer Care Campaign is currently over half way to achieving its aim of raising £8.5 million, which will contribute vital funds to the building of a pioneering new Cancer Centre for the Royal United Hospital in Bath. Events & Community Officer at the Appeal, Emily Lynch says: “Taking part in a Firewalk is an incredible way to challenge yourself,

increase your confidence and overcome your fears while making a real difference at the Royal United Hospital. Last year’s Firewalk raised over £6,000 for the RUH Cancer Campaign, as well as other wards and departments at the hospital. Back by popular demand, this is the second year that the Appeal has organized a Firewalk and as such, we’re encouraging all of our supporters to face their fears and raise money to help us transform care for patients and their families at the RUH”. Places are limited and online entries are now open! To sign up online today and make a real difference to patients and their families at the RUH, please visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk or contact Laura Pearce on 01225 821535.

Sainsbury’s spread festive cheer Swindon’s homeless charity, Threshold, received a preChristmas boost at Sainsbury’s Stratton store on 9th December in the form of much needed items such as clothing, tooth brushes and washing essentials, as well as tins of chocolates. Lyn Cuss, Resettlement Team Leader for the charity, was delighted to receive the donation, saying ‘This is fantastic timing and will greatly help us give our homeless a chance to keep warm and clean over the festive period.’ For Sainsbury’s, Stratton Store Manager Val Atwill added ‘We are already involved with 14

Threshold and we donate a regular supply of bread for use in their kitchens, so we know that these items will be put to very good use at this very busy time for them.’ Barrie Matthews PR Ambassador

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

Steven Donohue (Threshold) and Trish Carter (Sainsbury’s) to the left of the tree, while Val Atwill and Barrie Matthews (Sainsbury’s) flank Lyn Cuss of Threshold on the other side.

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Local Focus

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust celebrates commendation in National Awards LOCAL RESTORATION charity, The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, is celebrating after receiving a commendation award in the Canal & River Trust’s Annual Living Waterways Awards ceremony in London. Representatives of the Trust travelled to the impressive venue Church House Conference Centre Westminster, their rail travel very generously sponsored by Great Western Railways. The Trust was entered in the Education & Learning category for the Melksham, Calne & Chippenham Branch’s project based around Pewsham Locks, including two Heritage Open Days, when volunteers and supporters of the Trust swapped their hard hats and overalls for cloth caps and period costumes. They brought the heritage site to life for local schoolchildren and residents, by leading practical activities and telling stories of the people who lived and worked there when it was a thriving industrial hub. The certificate of commendation was accepted by newly appointed Chairman Roderick Bluh who thanked everyone who had been involved in the project. He said: “We were delighted to be part of such a prestigious occasion which included projects such as the amazing 30 metre high Kelpies near Grangemouth. The Trust is very aware that it would be impossible to organise events without the help and involvement of many volunteers, individuals and community groups. “We are also very grateful to Great Western Railways for their assistance, and the Heritage Lottery Fund for supporting our project through the Sharing Heritage scheme. 16

“We hope that this recognition by the Canal & River Trust will convince even more people to join us in our dream of restoring the Wilts & Berks Canal.”

music from the Butty Boys, canal food to taste, and Frankie the canal horse made the day for many as he paced up and down the towpath in his harness and bonnet.

The ceremony was also attended by Trust Directors Kath Hatton, Chris Coyle, and newly appointed CEO Jonathan Till, and some of the team from the Melksham, Chippenham & Calne Branch who had organised the project. Dave Maloney, chair of the local Melksham, Chippenham & Calne Branch, said: “We are delighted to have achieved this national recognition. The project was really ambitious and we were thrilled that it was so successful.

“This was our first major heritage event, but we will continue informing and involving the local community in our plans to restore Pewsham Locks and the adjoining canal. We are a very friendly bunch and would love local people to come along and see what we are doing to provide a beautiful community amenity. Many people already enjoy the walk along the towpath to Lacock, and for those who haven’t yet visited, you will be delighted to discover this lovely stretch of unspoilt countryside so close to our town.

“I will never forget the Open Days, especially the sight of over a hundred Chippenham school children in Victorian costume enjoying hammering, sawing, clay puddling, painting, and learning the stories of the canal people. Our volunteers were brilliant, dressing up as characters, telling their stories and leading fourteen different activities over two days; there were canal arts and crafts to see and try, folk

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

“Since the Heritage Open Days in 2014, volunteers have completely rebuilt the collapsed Cocklemore Brook Culvert, and made a start on restoring Top Lock as well as completing many smaller projects along the local stretch.” For more information or to get involved visit the websites: www.melkshamwaterway.org.uk www. wbct.org.uk

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Local Focus

Wiltshire Wanderers

The new year is always a time of reflection and trying out new ideas and resolutions to keep fit.

N EXCELLENT WAY to get fit, make friends and to explore and see the wonderful county of Wiltshire is by walking on foot. Within Wiltshire there are five Rambler groups split down geographical lines and one additional group which covers the entire county for younger walkers. There’s no better way to enjoy the company of like-minded people than on a Ramblers walk. Walks are sociable, fun, healthy and are great way to explore near you and further afield. Wiltshire Wanderers are a friendly, welcoming walking group that covers Wiltshire and the immediate surrounding counties, for people roughly between the ages of 20 and 50, although any age is welcome. We cater for all lengths of walks, from the small 4 milers to 26 miles or more. Wiltshire Wanderers are affiliated to the Ramblers. We would insist you become a Ramblers member there’s valuable discounts available so the membership pays for itself, and you gain insurance cover. We generally allow new walkers to come out a maximum of 3 times before they must become Ramblers

members. For those walkers on tight budgets, the Ramblers does offer membership for those on benefits/low incomes. Our walks are generally on a Sunday morning starting from 10 or 10:30 am. We are not a group for children or disabled (in wheelchair) walkers, though walkers with dogs are welcome, provided they are well behaved and on leads. We generally go to the pub for a drink and sometimes an optional meal after the walk, so if you want to join us, you may want to bring some money We offer a short new walkers walk every two months, as a gentle introduction to the group, for those new to the Ramblers, as well as longer walks and pub walks where we stop at a pub for lunch. The group advertises its walks on the Wiltshire Ramblers website as well as using social media such as Facebook and Meetup websites. Please remember to wear good walking clothing such as walking trousers, wet weather clothing is also advisable (water proofs top

Walk Leader Courses Like any voluntary organisation, Wiltshire Wanderers requires people to freely volunteer their time to plan, pre walk and lead walks of any length for walks throughout Wiltshire and in neighbouring counties. We urgently require new walk leaders to spread the load as we have only have two regular walk leaders covering the whole county. 18

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

If you want more walks, then why not volunteer to put some on for us. Wiltshire Wanderers provides at regular times of the year, New Walk Leaders Workshops, covering all the basics enabling YOU to lead walks with the group in a confident and safe manner, increasing your walking enjoyment as well as giving something back to the walking community. It also looks good on your CV.

and bottom, gaiters etc), good stout walking boots with ankle support with or without walking socks, and please also remember to bring plenty of water with you on our walks. Sometimes it’s advisable to bring an extra pair of shoes and socks to change into after our walks if the walking boots are muddy, for you to enter pubs or your car home. Please do not wear jeans as if they get wet they take ages to dry and are not ideal for walking in. There is a wealth of useful information on suitable equipment and clothing available on the Ramblers website. Visit Wiltshire Wanderers Walking Programme Website at: www. ramblers.co.uk/programmes/ online.php?group=WE50 Facebook: www.facebook. com/#!/groups/wiltshirewanders/ Meetup Group: www.meetup. com/Wiltshire-Wanderers-YoungRamblers-Walking-Group/ Membership Secretary on email: wiltshirewalker@hotmail.com Tel: 01249 464 325 (Ansafone) Tel: 07796 987 134 (Mobile) The group offers a buddy system whereby new walk leaders are mentored and supported by our existing experienced walk leaders. We offer incentives to new volunteer walk leaders, e.g. £5 WH Smith Gift vouchers when volunteers complete their training and further incentives when they have successfully led a number of walks throughout the year.

Wiltshire Wanderers offers an extensive range of benefits for any would be walker: 1 Any ability of walker is welcomed - walks are graded from easy to strenuous. 2 We offer up to 2 walks a month, all over Wiltshire and surrounding counties, and will also do joint walks with other local walking groups. 3 Our walks vary between 5 and 16 miles in length. 4 During summer months we offer shorter 4 to 6 mile walks on Tuesdays/ Wednesdays. 5 Car sharing is available if you do not have a car, or lifts from bus stops/railway stations. Ring the walk leader prior to the walk, and he/she will arrange transport to share on transport costs. 6 Long weekend trips away staying in Bunk Houses, Campsites (Tents) Youth Hostels, and Self Catering Cottages. 7 Overseas Walking Holidays - The group has been to Black Forrest Germany, Corfu, Croatia, France, Malta, Tenerife with others planned. 8 The group sometimes puts on walks run by other walking groups such as the LDWA - Long Distance Walkers Association for walks over 16 miles, typically 26 or 35 mile challenge and National Trail and local long distance paths walks.

JOIN THE RAMBLERS! For more information go to: www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/ find-a-walk.aspx

9 The group organises regular social events such as birthday parties, Christmas Meals, Beer Festivals and other socials throughout the year.

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

Local Focus

Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Proposed New Home

PUZZLE CORNER

WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance (WAA) has submitted an Outline Planning Application to Wiltshire Council for its proposed new home. The operations centre is proposed to be built at the charity’s preferred site on land at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, (immediately south of Hampton Park West Industrial Estate). The new home would enable the charity’s helicopter, aircrew and office staff to be on one site. Currently the helicopter and aircrew are based at a hangar at Wiltshire Police Headquarters in Devizes, while the charity team is based at offices on Porte Marsh Industrial Estate, Calne. The lease on the hangar runs out on 31 December 2017 and the lease on the offices runs out at the end of January 2018. The charity held a period of public consultation, including a drop in event at Trowbridge Rugby Club on 12th August 2015, about the proposals to build its new home at the Outmarsh Farm site. Now the charity has agreed to purchase the 12.6 acre site, subject to planning permission being granted. Mandy Clarke, chairman of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “The feedback we received during our public consultation was overwhelmingly positive and re-affirmed our view that the Outmarsh Farm site was our preferred location. It is centrally located in Wiltshire, which would enable our helicopter to reach all parts of the county within 11 minutes. “As Melksham does not have an ambulance station, we believe that Wiltshire Air Ambulance would provide enhanced medical cover for the area. As well as responding in our helicopter our paramedics, who have advanced medical skills, use a Rapid Response Vehicle (car) to attend medical emergencies, including road traffic collisions, heart attacks and strokes. Our proposed new home would be a purpose built, future proof facility for our helicopter, aircrew and charity staff.” If planning permission is granted, the charity will hold a public consultation event before submitting a Reserved Matters Planning Application to Wiltshire Council detailing the proposed layout and design of the site. The planning application - reference number 15/10766/OUT - can be viewed online at www.wiltshire.gov.uk

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

ACROSS 1 Loss of hair (7) 5 Royal male (4) 8 Permit (5) 9 Musical performance (7) 11 Curved structure (4) 12 Noblewoman (8) 15 Backless seat (5) 16 Jack in a pack of cards (5) 19 Contemplate (spiritual) (8) 21 Egyption goddess (4) 23 Small onion (7) 25 Flat-bottomed boat (5) 26 Grasp, clutch (4) 27 Proof of payment (7)

DOWN 2 Assigned (9) 3 Daybreak (4) 4 Ordinary, unremarkable (6) 5 Ornamental fish (3) 6 Approaches (5) 7 Underwater detection device (5) 10 Slapstick circus performers (6) 13 Listen surreptitiously (9) 14 Mail service (6) 17 Effigy, maybe bronze or marble (6) 18 Benefit, advantage (5) 20 Volatile flammable liquid (5) 22 Adept, capable (4) 24 Chop, clip (3)

Solutions to the crossword and sudoku on page 30

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Pets

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Dr Emma Pemberthy BVM BVS MRCVS Small Animal Vet

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, love is at the forefront of most people’s minds, but it may also be on your pet’s mind. 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 and 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 routine 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.

We are now able to offer laparoscopic speys for routine bitch neuters, which means less invasive surgery and a faster recovery! 22

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

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!

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The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016 4/7/2014 11:28:11 AM

Wildlife

Big Garden Birdwatch by Debbie Singh-Bhatti

This year the Big Garden Birdwatch takes place on the weekend of 30th and 31st January. It started back in 1979 when the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) invited its junior members to count the number of birds in their gardens over a weekend in winter. The aim was to work out the ten most common birds in the United Kingdom, and thanks to childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TV programme Blue Peter, thirty four thousand youngsters took part! The Big Garden Birdwatch has taken place every year since, with over half a million people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; adults as well as children - regularly taking part. Last year, more than 8.5 million birds were counted, with house sparrows being the most common sighting, followed by starlings, blackbirds, blue tits and wood pigeons. The annual survey has identified that certain species of bird are on the decline (such as house sparrows and starlings) whilst others are on the increase (for example blue tits and wood pigeons). By monitoring trends in this way, problems can be spotted early and first steps taken to put things right. To take part, you need to watch for one hour the birds that land in your garden or local park, record the highest number of each bird species you see at the same time (not over the entire hour, as you may end up counting some birds twice), then report back your findings. For more details on how to get involved, visit: www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdwatch 24

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

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The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

Gardening

Gardening Resolutions by Rachel Leverton

I’m a sucker for resolutions. I make loads every year though I have to admit I break most of them too. But it’s January and time for a spot of gardening self-improvement. To this end here are my gardening resolutions. 1. I will take a daily walk around my plot and pull out a few weeds as I go. I will not wait until I can’t stick a pin between the dandelions. Let’s face it gardeners are great procrastinators. But by doing a little and often we can keep our plots looking spick and span. 2. I will not leave seed sowing until it’s too late! This is my personal nemesis. I get carried away by all the glorious seed catalogues, order dozens of packets then pop them in a drawer and forget about them. 3. I will plant all the plants I buy from a nursery as soon as a get them home and definitely before their flowers drop off and they turn up their little green toes. Plants bought from a nursery, especially those in cell pack, are 26

already in less than ideal conditions and letting them dehydrate further will make for a sick, leggy plant more prone to disease.

6. I will start another compost bin.

Preparation is the key here. I will make sure I have the correct pots, enough potting compost and the time to spare before I buy.

It’s not difficult and will help the environment as I’ll be able to recycle even more of my waste vegetable matter. There are small drums and bins which will suit even the tiniest spot.

4. I will clean my gardening tools at the end of each day spent gardening.

7. I will help wildlife by making sure I provide habitats for birds, bugs and beasties.

This is sensible because dirty tools can spread disease. Mild bleach (one part bleach to 10 parts water) or an organic cleaner, which I prefer, will make sure they’re ready for use next time.

Any effort I put in will be repaid tenfold. A garden is a little ecosystem. If it functions well there will be natural pest control, pollination and soil conditioning.

5. I will buy another water butt and water my plants faithfully, particularly my pots. Lack of water produces weak root systems. If I know I won’t have the time I’ll buy an irrigation system.

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

Those are my resolutions. You may have different ones and that’s fine. I’m sure we’ll break a few along the way but no-one said the path to perfection, particularly gardening perfection was easy.

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The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

Food & Drink

High fibre lentils promote heart health, lower cholesterol, provide vegetable protein, stabilise blood sugar, and are rich in iron and B vitamins. We love combining these earthy gems with the deep, roasty, slightly sweet flavour of caramelised onion. This soup will gently warm your stomach and keep you satisfied. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an American recipe so uses cup measurements. An American measuring cup is one which holds 240ml liquid, so any cup in your cupboard which is about that volume will do!

Recipe taken from The Soup Cleanse by Angela Blatteis and Vivienne Vella. Reviewed by Kate Duggan 28

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

Red Lentil and Caramelised Onion Soup Warming, nutritious and surprisingly filling, this soup is the perfect meal to come home to after a brisk winter’s walk Serves: 4-6 Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 shallots, diced 4 cloves of garlic, chopped 3 carrots, diced ½ teaspoon turmeric powder ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 beetroot (yellow ideally), peeled and diced 6 cups vegetable broth/stock 1¼ cups of red lentils 1 teaspoon of sea salt, plus more to taste ¼ teaspoon of pepper, plus more to taste 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 10 cardamom pods or 1½ teaspoons ground cardamom ½ teaspoon coriander powder

Detoxes can be a great way to get back on track, but most aren’t exactly pleasurable. Who wants to sip cold juices, or nibble on some lettuce when it’s so bloomin’ cold out? The Soup Cleanse is a great alternative. Choose from a range of detox programmes, starting at a oneday mini-cleanse, and lots of very tempting recipes, from Red Lentil and Caramelised Onion Soup to Pumpkin Miso Soup.

Method Heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When it dances, add the shallots, garlic, carrots, turmeric and cinnamon. Cook until the shallots soften and the mixture becomes aromatic, about 3-5 minutes. Add the beetroot and vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the lentils and reduce the heat to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper and continue cooking at a simmer for 15-25 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and the vegetables are tender. Prepare the caramelised onions while the soup cooks. If using cardamom pods, crush them (the bottom of a pan works nicely) and remove the seeds. Grind the seeds into a powder with a mortar and pestle. Heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and heat until the oil dances. Add the onion, cardamom and coriander. Keep the heat high so the onions begin to brown, stirring continuously. If the onions start sticking to the sides of the pan, add a little water. Continue cooking for 10 minutes, or until the onions are caramelised and golden brown. Reduce the heat if necessary to keep them from burning. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Fill bowls with soup and top with a tablespoon of onions and serve, or simply stir the onions into the soup.

It’s that time of year when many of us feel a bit bloated and start to wish we maybe hadn’t eaten quite so many mince pies. The effects of a few too many glasses of wine and selection boxes, are all too apparent in our hair, skin and energy levels.

Soups are a great way to get a real hit of veggies, providing lots of vitamins, minerals, fibre and protein, with no added ‘junk’. They’re usually low-calorie, so can help with weight loss, as well as helping you to detox and boost your energy. While the book focuses on soups, it does include other healthy meals, snacks and drinks. Baked Wild Salmon with Avocado, Ginger and Mango Salsa anyone? Unlike many health books, The Soup Cleanse is easy to read, and enjoyable. There’s no lecturing, or nagging, just great advice and 50 recipes to choose from. Kate Duggan

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

Books

A Good Read Reviews by Willow Coby

Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins .................................

Praise for this novel, first published at the beginning of 2015, has spread like wildfire and it has become THE book to read. So just in case you are one of the few that hasn’t succumbed to this thriller, why should you pick it up? Whether you are a regular commuter, like the central character Rachel, or not, you will easily be able to identify with the opening section. How many times have you sat on a train and looked out of the window into the garden or kitchen windows of the houses that back onto the tracks, as you speed past on your way to your final destination. As you catch glimpses into a life that you don’t know, do you wonder about the people that occupy those houses? Rachel doesn’t have to wonder. She passes familiar houses every day and purposefully looks for Jess and Jason, a young professional couple who live a perfect life. She knows them and is in many ways envious of their relationship. Seeing them in their garden is a moment of comfort as her own life is falling apart. But is all as it seems? On one day, as the train slows down at a signal by the house, Rachel notices that something is amiss. Suddenly she is sucked into a

Crossword & Sudoku solution page 20

nightmare that seems destined to reveal everything, and that will shock you as her commuter journey turns out to be anything but normal. It’s a small world, but when that world comes crashing down around you, it becomes all too clear that this small world is a lot smaller than you first thought.

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

.............................................................................................. It is now nearly a decade since the last Harry Potter book was published, and a new generation are quite rightly discovering this wonderful world of wizards and magic. Just like the generation before them, they are left with a void after reading them all, and so where do they turn? The Charlie Bone series of books may well be just what they are looking for. Published in 2002, Midnight for Charlie Bone is the first of this eight book series. Charlie is a fairly normal 10 year old boy. His father died when he was little, and he lives with his mum and two grandmas, and hangs out with his best friend Ben. One Friday Charlie hears voices coming from a photograph, and then his whole life changes. He learns that his three unmarried greataunts, known as the Yewbeams, are going to fund his education and a private school called Bloor’s Academy. Charlie is not happy about this: he knows the school to be a stuffy place for geniuses, and he certainly won’t fit in there. But the Yewbeams are insistent: and besides, they pay for his mum’s living expenses and so he really has no choice. They explain to Charlie that he is ‘endowed’ and can read the minds of people in photographs. Everyone at Bloor’s Academy has a talent. Charlie’s father went there and he was a musician. But what is Charlie’s talent? Placed in the music department at Bloor’s, despite having no musical talent, it becomes clear that there is another group of children at the school who are all endowed with some mystical magical talent. Soon he finds that he was born into a world he never knew existed.

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

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Books

BILLY THE BALL! A new series of books for children written and illustrated by local author Lizzie Brinkworth. Lizzie Brinkworth was born in and has always lived in Wiltshire. One of three sisters, Lizzie was inspired by the bedtime stories her father, a Wiltshire farmer, made up about a ball called Billy. The stories he created, stayed with Lizzie and she had a desire to share the friendly characters with other children. So Lizzie secretly wrote and illustrated her first Billy The Ball story, ‘Billy the ball’s big bounce’ and surprised her dad, mum and sisters with a copy. The look on her dad's face was priceless. Lizzie has since gone on to publish three more stories, ‘Billy The Ball Down On The farm’ , 'Billy The Ball and The Lost Pirate’, and 'Billy the ball's space adventure!' Billy the ball is joined by his friends who are all balls from different sports. There's Freddie the football, Nicki the netball, Timmy the tennis ball and Roger the rugby ball and many others. Together, they go on adventures in Bounce Town. The books have received the following review from Mumsnet - "The story lines are simple, yet engaging and the illustrations are bright and friendly. Pre-schoolers will love the friendly characters and colourful pictures and KS1 children will enjoy how the story unfolds and helping Billy the solve problems along the way. For more details visit www.billytheballbooks. com or Billy's facebook page www.facebook.com/ billytheballchildrensbooks

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

The Usbourne Healthy Cookbook by Fiona Patchett

...................................................................................... Trying to get children to eat healthily can be stressful, to say the least. It can feel that the healthier a meal is, and the longer it takes to prepare it, the less chance there is that the kids will eat it. One way to tempt them is to get them involved with the cooking. Kids are far likelier to eat something if they’ve had a hand in making it. There are a few healthy kids’ cookbooks on the market, but one of the best has to be The Usbourne Healthy Cookbook. Recipes are easy to follow, with clear step-by-step instructions and plenty of photos and illustrations. They’re not too complicated either; some can be completed by a child on their own, while others require a bit of help from adults. There are plenty of main dishes, along with desserts and drinks. Some recipes tempt kids with food they’ve likely tried, such as fruit salad or chicken fajitas, while others may encourage them to be a bit more adventurous. Children are taught about nutrition, portion size and the importance of a varied diet as they learn to cook. A bonus is that the book is spiral-bound, so lies flat, making it much easier to keep in place when they’re cooking. With any luck, it’ll inspire them so much that they’ll be cooking for you regularly, while you relax in front of the TV with a glass of wine. (We can but hope, can’t we?)

by Kate Duggan

Kitchen Makeover

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For your FREE loft survey & quote please call Gary on 01225 300207 or visit www.access4lofts.co.uk The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

New Year

Making your New Year’s Resolutions by Kate Duggan

ID you know that people have been making (and breaking) New Year’s Resolutions for more than 4,000 years? Some historians believe that the practice dates back to the Babylonians. Their New Year began in springtime, with a festival dedicated to the rebirth of the sun god, Marduk. The Babylonians believed that making promises to the gods would help them start their New Year off on a positive note. The Romans kept the tradition up, although they changed the date of the New Year to January 1st. These days, New Year’s Resolutions tend to focus on self-improvement, whether it’s eating healthier, quitting smoking, or getting a new job. Millions of us make a resolution each year, but only 1 in 10 people stick to it. If your resolve is already wavering, here are a few tips to help you stay strong:

Write it down Writing down a goal and reviewing it regularly improves your chances of success by up to 95%! Involve other people Tell people what your aim is, and ask them to help. Will your partner join you on your healthy eating mission? Do you know someone who fancies going jogging with you? Have a plan A goal isn’t enough; you need to know how you’re going to get there. Resolving to exercise more? How many times a week are you going to work out? What combination of exercise are you planning to do? Do you need to get anything in place to help you achieve your goal, such as a new tyre for your bike? Break your goal into smaller ones So you want to lose two stone by your summer holiday. How many pounds do you want to lose this fortnight?

Remind yourself why you’re doing it Do you want to make more money so that you can buy a house? Do you want to be healthier so that you can watch your kids grow up? Make it pleasurable There are usually more ways than one to reach a goal. You don’t have to join a gym to get fit, for example; you could take up a dance class, or try karate. Keep track of your progress Create a spreadsheet, download an app, or just celebrate each small success on Facebook. Give yourself rewards along the way Save the money you’d normally spend on cigarettes or chocolate and treat yourself with it at each small milestone. Get back on the wagon We’re only human, so we all slip up sometimes. One fry-up doesn’t mean you also have to skip the gym. Think about why you slipped and consider how you can stop it happening again. Good luck!

The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016

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The Town Crier Magazine | JANUARY 2016