Rwb town crier malmesbury march 16 final small

Covering MALMESBURY, ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT and villages

Your Local

TownCr er Magazine FREE

www.towncriermagazine.com

MARCH 2016

Happy Easter

Hobbs House Bake ry now open in Malmesbury - se e inside

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MARCH 2016 IN THE MARCH ISSUE

Editor’s Letter Welcome to March!

this We have a first day of Spring feel to s Day her’ Mot with and e, azin mag th’s mon ch Mar in g and an early Easter both fallin th! mon this to ard there is plenty to look forw e There’s quite a lot on the Easter them Hot the g tryin ut abo how th this mon ry in Cross Buns Recipe from Hobbs Bake Malmesbury.

Please read the article on page 18 from s for the Linda Buckland about Hearing Dog ged chan Deaf, and how her dog Fidgey has her life.

Please One more thing - we have moved! w. belo ress add new our of take a note Until next time ...

Annie

Your Local

TownCr er Magazine 5b Wood Street, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 0BZ Tel: 01249 811068 www. towncriermagazine.com Deadline for submissions for the April 2016 issue: 9th March 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.

For general enquiries please call Jake Fortune on 07725 191206 or email: jake.sales@towncriermagazine.com

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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Local Focus Local News and Events

22 Puzzle Corner

Crossword & Sudoku 24 Recipes

Hot Cross Buns

Banana & Walnut Loaf 26 Easter

Who put the chocolate in Easter Eggs 30 Gardening

Lovely Lilies (and some pruning) 32 A Good Read

The Joy Luck Club & Emily Feather

and the Enchanted Door 34 Spring Clean

Organise your life

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Rewires Extensions / new build Fuse boxes Security / outdoor lighting Fault finding Electrical testing and inspection Lighting & sockets

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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ON W NE HAT A R ’S YO U

Local Focus MARCH 2016

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

Official opening of Hobbs House Bakery in Malmesbury The new Hobbs House Bakery in Malmesbury was opened on 28th January by the Mayor of Malmesbury.

Hobbs House are very excited to be bringing their award winning handmade bread to the people of Malmesbury as well as a selection of freshly made cakes and sandwiches and their own blend coffee roasted by Extract Coffee Roasters.

Visit them at 3 High Street, Malmesbury, call on 01666 822355 or visit their website hobbshousebakery.co.uk for more information and recipes. See their recipe for Hot Cross Buns inside this magazine - just in time for Easter!

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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10:55:05 7 The Town Crier Magazine | 23/10/2015 MARCH 2016

What’s On

Diary Dates MARCH 2016

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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 welcome.

LEARN TO CROCHET – DOLLY BOBBINS CLASSES & WORKSHOPS 2016 Various classes and workshops 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 VICTORIA ART GALLERY, BATH Tel: (01225) 477244 Grayson Perry: The Vanity of Small Differences exhibition runs until 10 April 2016 01225 477244 www.victoriagal.org.uk/ MALMESBURY COMPUTER CLUB Every Wednesday 3.30-5pm (Term

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

Time only) Starting on Wednesday 13th January at Malmesbury Library Get free help using your computer, bring your own computer or tablet or use one of the library computers THE MAYOR’S CHARITY BLUES NIGHT Friday 4th March 7.30pm Malmesbury Town Hall, tickets £12, available from the Town Hall In aid of Carer Support Wiltshire RURAL ARTS WILTSHIRE – UTTERLY STUTTERLY Saturday 5th March, doors open at 7.30pm. Brinkworth Village Hall For ticket information please call 01666 510545 or 01666 510045 or Pound Arts 01249 701628 ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT ORCHESTRA SPRING CONCERT March 5th 2016 Royal Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall, 7.30pm. Our programme will be an evening of Mozart, conducted by Alan MacRae, including: Overture to Don Giovanni, Flute and Harp Concerto, with guest artists harpist Jenny Broome and flautist Andrew Rabbitt Musical Joke. Interval with raffle in aid of Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council Mayor’s Charity: Help for Heroes. Symphony No 40 Eine Kleine Nachtmusik FREE GOLF TASTER SESSIONS at Minchinhampton Golf Club Starting in March 2016 For more information please contact William Lee at w.lee@ mgcnew.co.uk or call 01453 833866 A TALK ABOUT ‘FINE CELL WORK’

BY ALISON SAUNDERS Tuesday 15th March, 7.30pm Little Somerford Village Hall, SN15 5JW. Fine Cell Work is an organisation that trains prisoners in skilled, creative needlework. £5 for visitors.

HISTORY OF THE THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL A one-day-course to be held on Saturday 19th March 11am-4.40pm At the British School Room, Cliff Road, Sherston. Fee £25 to include tea and coffee. For more information please contact David or Muriel Bridge 01793 764834

DOLLY BOBBINS – LEARN TO CROCHET/IMPROVERS 1-Day Course - 19th March, 23rd April and 21st May £45 including materials & refreshments There are also many other venues and courses available, please contact Tracey or call into the Town Hall for a programme of classes & workshops MALMESBURY FILM SOCIETY PRESENTS: Taxi Tehran 20th March 7.30pm Slow West 17th April 7.30pm At St. Mary’s Hall, the Triangle, Malmesbury, £5 per film no booking.

WILTSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST – HEDGEHOGS AND THE ENVIRONMENT Tuesday 22nd March, 7.30pm at the Malting Hall, Malmesbury Town Hall £3 suggested donation, refreshments provided Come and learn how to make your garden a haven for hedgehogs.

APRIL 2016

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ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT Saturday 16th April at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Royal Wootton Bassett Music includes: Gloria - Vivaldi, Hallelujah Chorus - Handel, Bach, Rutter and Laurisden. With LYPCS Youth Community Choir and Orchestra. Starts 7.30pm. Free Entry – Refreshments – Retiring Collection.

RECYCLE YOUR BRA! A WORKSHOP Saturday 23rd April, 10-4pm Little Somerford Village Hall, SN15 5JS. This workshop will involve decorating and recycling/upcycling a bra with embellishments, stitch and embroidery. 10% of all workshop fees are donated to charity. £35 for visitors ELKSTONE VILLAGE GARDENS OPEN DAY Sunday 5th June 2pm – 6pm www.elkstonevillage.co.uk Many attractions as well as beautiful gardens to visit. Adults £5, children free, car parking free.

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We’ve hired over 100 people in the last 12 months, and we’re still looking for great talent. For more details on our roles, see our website: www.goodenergy.co.uk/about/join-the-team Or contact a member of our team – jobs@goodenergy.co.uk You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

9

What’s On

‘NIGHT WATCH’

by Lucille Fletcher

Wednesday 9th March – Saturday 12th March at Swindon Arts Centre Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment Elaine screams as she sees the body of a dead man in the window across the way.

The police are called, but find nothing except an empty chair.

From this point on, the plot moves quickly and grippingly as those involved – Elaine’s old friend and house guest Blanche; the inquisitive and rather sinister man who lives next door; and the nosy German maid Helga – all contribute to the deepening suspense and mystery of the play as it draws towards its riveting and chilling climax.

To find out more about how to see this play, The Western Players have a website at www.westernplayers.co.uk with more details.

The play runs from 9th – 12th March 2016 at the Arts Centre in Old Town, Swindon at 7.30pm nightly. Tickets are only £10 (£9 concessions) and are available by calling 07575 711522 or email: boxoffice@westernplayers.co.uk.

Wiltshire OnLine FREE Computer Help Do you want to know how to Get Online or, do you need help with your computer?

Wiltshire Council has a large team of volunteers known as Digital Champions who provide FREE basic computer help in their local community.

If you have your own computer, laptop, tablet etc, a Digital Champion will come and visit you at home. Or, if you prefer, one of our Digital Champions will meet you in a nearby pub or cafe provided there is Wi-Fi available.

If you haven't got your own equipment we can arrange for a Digital Champion to meet you in your local library where there are computers you can use free of charge.

Wiltshire OnLine also has a number of Computer Clubs across the county run by volunteers, you can use their equipment or bring your own. There is no commitment and this service is also free.

If you are interested in receiving free basic computer help please contact the Wiltshire OnLine team using one of the following methods.

Telephone: 03004560100 Email: digitalinclusion@wiltshire.gov.uk Web: www.wiltshireonline.org

Movies@Malmesbury The Lobster (15) – Monday 7th March 2pm Snoopy & Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie (u) Monday 7th March 5.30pm The Danish Girl (15) Mon 7th March 8pm & Fri 11th March 2pm The Car Man (15) – Tuesday 15th March 7.30pm Dad’s Army (PG) – Friday 18th March 2pm Goosebumps (PG) – Friday 18th March 5.30pm The Revenant (15) - Friday 18th March 8pm Listen to me Marlon (15) – Mon 21st March 2pm Royal Opera House – Boris Godunov (12A) Monday 21st March 7.15pm Tickets available from Malmesbury Tourist Information Centre or www.oxboffice.com www.malmesbury.gov.uk/cinema

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

11

Local Focus

Quality Checkers now in Wiltshire!

A team of people with learning difficulties turned detective last year to take part in a new project to check the quality of residential care homes providing support for other people with learning difficulties.

For the team of Quality Checkers who took part it meant an opportunity for training, learn new life skills, and to take part in a project which is designed to improve services.

For the two organisations involved, Healthwatch Wiltshire and Wiltshire People First, it meant an increase in the awareness and understanding of what it’s like for people with learning difficulties living in a Wiltshire care home and to test an inclusive approach to engagement and volunteering.

The team of Wiltshire People 1st Quality Checkers visited 11 care homes and spoke to residents, empowering them to speak out about their experiences. On the whole they were impressed with what they saw and heard and produced informative reports which included recommendations for improvements after each visit.

Wiltshire now has a team of trained Quality Checkers available who could be called upon to check the quality of other services.

Healthwatch Wiltshire is encouraging services to make use of this valuable resource.

A report which sums up the pilot project and the 11 individual visit reports are available on the Healthwatch Wiltshire website.

An easy read summary and a description of the project is also available from Wiltshire People 1st.

They are available in hard copy on request.

Lucie Woodruff at Healthwatch Wiltshire said, “Healthwatch Wiltshire was approached by people with learning difficulties who wanted to volunteer with us.

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

Above: The team of Quality Checkers with Dr Sara Nelson from Healthwatch Wiltshire We were delighted to work with Wiltshire People First to test out a new approach which meant we could include people with learning difficulties in our important work.

When we are assessing the quality of services we always ask the people who are actually using the service about their experience. This project enabled us to do this”.

Angie Carmichael, Director of Wiltshire People 1st said: “We were very pleased to work with Healthwatch Wiltshire on this innovative project, developing the skills and confidence of our members, who as experts by experience were enabled to take on important roles checking out services and providing valuable feedback. We are keen to work with other agencies and expand the Quality Checking service further”.

One of the Quality Checkers said “ I liked being part of this project, having the training to become a Quality Checker and doing a visit, it’s really helped me get new skills and understand things better…. it’s also been good to see what life is like for people living in homes too”.

For further information please call 01225 434218 or email info@ healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk or visit www.healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk or contact Wiltshire People 1st on 01380 871900, or email admin@ wiltshirepeople1st.org.uk website www.wiltshirepeoplefirst.org

Healthwatch Wiltshire is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in Wiltshire. Healthwatch Wiltshire is an independent organisation which has an important role in assessing the quality of health and social care services today and influencing the design of services for tomorrow. We want to make sure that the people who use these services have a say in how they are shaped and that their overall views and experiences are heard and taken seriously. Healthwatch Wiltshire is part of the Healthwatch national network, established by the Government to ensure local patients and users have a greater input to shaping local services.

‘Your voice is our voice!’

Healthwatch Wiltshire CIC is a community interest company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with company number 08464602. The registered office is at Unit 5, Hampton Park West, Melksham SN12 6LH

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www.thameswoodvets.co.uk The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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Local Focus

Social enterprise Business against Poverty joins forces with Inspire

Pound Arts The Pound, Pound Pill, Corsham, SN13 9HX 01249 701628 / 712618 For more information visit www.poundarts.org.uk

FREE FRIDAY: EYES FOR GERTRUDE FRI, 18 MAR 2016 A British female duo who write fullhearted, unforgettable songs shaped around observations of the everyday.

BREACH THEATRE: THE BEANFIELD SAT, 26 MAR 2016 It's been 30 years since the Battle of the Beanfield, a brutal crackdown on the annual Stonehenge Free Festival with bloody violence and mass arrests. Armed with camera, map and homemade riot gear, Breach set out to mark the anniversary. Part of Theatre Fest West 2016. Supported

by Arts Council England.

RAISED EYEBROWS THEATRE CO.: THE LITTLE BOOKSHOP BOY WED, 30 MAR 2016 A boy falls out of a book and the pages slam shut behind him. He's lost and doesn't seem to know which story he belongs in. There's only one way to fix that - time to dive into another book and see if he fits.

THEATRE UNDERTOW: IN THE BELLOWS SAT, 2 APR 2016 Theatre Undertow present a workin-progress of their new theatre and storytelling show, In The Bellows, made during a weeklong residency at The Pound SCRATCHWORKS THEATRE: NEL SAT, 2 APR 2016 Nel is a Foley artist. She brings films to life through sound. In her world a tyre-screech is a hot waterbottle and an epic fight scene is a symphony of snapping celery and frozen cabbages. But her real world isn't turning out so well.

GONZO MOOSE: GREAT SCOTT! THU, 7 APR 2016 - SAT, 9 APR 2016 Antarctica, 1912. Captain Scott and his men perish in their attempt to reach the South Pole. But what if this isn’t what actually happened? What if the truth has been covered up for more than a hundred years? What if they actually perished whilst saving the world from aliens?

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Business against Poverty has teamed up with Inspire – formerly Wessex Chambers of Commerce - to strengthen support for business growth within the region.

Both organisations offer opportunities for businesses to meet through networking opportunities and high quality seminars, many of which are subsidised or offered free of charge.

What sets this partnership apart is its focus on sustainable business Bill Huxley, director of BaP practice. Business against Poverty (BaP) is a business enterprise that drives: profitable, ethical and sustainable growth for the benefit of its members and society. Its memers come from across the south west and London and membership is growing rapidly. Its funds support the humanitarian work of the Wiltshire-based charity People against Poverty.

Bill Huxley, director of BaP said: “As the economic climate evolves, businesses are increasingly required to demonstrate their focus on social purpose, corporate social responsibility and ethical practice. “This new relationship with Inspire shows this in action. Our accreditation kite-mark differentiates our members from their competitors; it says something significant about who they are and their business values.”

Many businesses support a charity and as these decisions can be difficult, it often results in piecemeal support or no effective support at all. Business against Poverty is unique in leading the way as an ethical social enterprise for the UK business community.

Through membership of Business against Poverty, members receive: • Ready-made corporate social responsibility statements which help companies align their values and aspirations with ethical business practice.

• An accredited kite-mark which is the BaP logo which is becoming recognised as a symbol of trust and alignment with strong community values and support.

• Investment in many poverty relief projects, run by BaP’s front-line charity People against Poverty, at home in Wiltshire and internationally in areas of extreme need.

The future is also bright for Inspire and the local business community with substantial funds being injected from European sources in 2016. As part of this, local business strategies will be expected to contain an ethical policy and this is where Business against Poverty will be able to help.

Elaine Harvey, head of client relationships at Inspire, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Business against Poverty to work with local businesses looking to grow and contribute to both the local and global economy. “There is so much support available, both ethical and practical.

Inspire and BaP have a wealth of expertise on offer.”

Expertise on marketing, accounting, strategy and legal advice is also available through the Inspire Team. If you would like to find out more call 01225 355553 or e-mail team@inspirebiz.co.uk

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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15

Local Focus

New Team Member at local Heating and Plumbing Company Laura Gough-Karaoli is a new team member at Wiltshire’s leading heating and plumbing specialists.

The 35-year-old has joined John Williams Heating Services, based in Chippenham, as an administrator.

She is now one of a team which works across Wiltshire and the surrounding area.

Laura was previously working in the travel industry in Greece before making the move back to the UK and into a role within the Chippenham-based firm.

She said: “I was attracted to John Williams Heating Services as it’s a family-run local business within a tight-knit, efficient team and I like that kind of working environment.”

Laura now lives in Pewsham with her husband Ilias and their children Elsie, aged five and Christos, aged three.

John Williams Heating Services is based on the Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate in Chippenham and is now in its 11th year of business. The company has won multiple business awards and is a Which? Trusted Trader and is registered with CheckATrade. com. For more details visit www. jwheating.co.uk or contact John or Debbie Williams on 01249 709024

WILTSHIRE WALKERS’ SAHARA SUCCESS EIGHT people who completed an adventure of a lifetime by trekking across the Sahara Desert have raised £12,143 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA).

The trekkers walked up to eight hours a day for a week in southern Morocco last October. Temperatures reached over 30 degree Celsius and the trekkers were led by local guides while camels carried their supplies.

Valerie Whistler, a teacher at Haydon Wick Primary School, Swindon, and who lives at Coates near Cirencester, was one of the trekkers. Pupils and colleagues at her school helped her raise money for WAA. She said: “It was my first trek in Morocco and raising money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. It was a truly marvellous experience. It was well organised and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Wiltshire Air Ambulance is absolutely fantastic.”

Alex Moss, of Hilperton, Trowbridge, who took part with his partner Alex Thomsett, said: “It was an awesome experience and we did it with a good bunch of people and it was for a great cause. It was well organised and supported and it made fundraising fun. Wiltshire Air Ambulance is essential, anyone of us could need it if we suffer a medical emergency or accident.”

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

The Sahara Trek was organised by Adventurous Ewe and due to the success of it, WAA will be organising an overseas challenge in 2017.

Rebecca de la Bedoyere, Senior Fundraising Manager at WAA and who also took part in the Sahara Trek, said: “Trekking the Sahara was truly the experience of a lifetime.

Camping out under the stars, climbing the dunes at dawn to watch the sun rise and singing with our Berber guides by the camp fire are all moments that will stay with me for a long time.

“My fellow trekkers were fantastic company and a pleasure to spend time with. I’m so grateful to them for their commitment and efforts. Planning is already underway for our next overseas challenge in 2017 and I hope people will be inspired by our amazing Sahara trekkers to take part and help keep our helicopter and crew flying.”

Photo: (l-r) James Young of Adventurous Ewe, Valerie Whistler of Coates near Cirencester, Katie Ahmed of Swindon, Luke Hosken of Trowbridge, Rebecca de la Bedoyere, WAA Senior Fundraising Manager, Nicola Earle of Malmesbury, Steph Orchard of Swindon, Alex Moss of Trowbridge and Steve Riddle, WAA Paramedic.

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Any transfers of shares to a connected person – apart from a spouse – means the shares must be valued at market value and Capital Gains Tax may be due – so a tax calculation will be needed.

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Peter Bromiley ACA @AMSAccountancy AMS Accountancy Ltd. www.ams-accountancy.co.uk 01793 818400 The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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Pets

Hearing Dogs for the Deaf Purton’s first HD Partnership

CHANGING LIVES Almost 11 million people in the UK are deaf or have a hearing loss. That’s 1 in 6 of the population and the problem is growing. By 2035 there will be more than 15.6 million people with hearing loss in the UK, including 45,000 deaf children. Deafness is not only a congenital condition or a result of ageing. Hearing Loss can be sudden, and frightening – a result of an accident, illness and even pregnancy. Deafness can happen to any of us, at any time.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People trains hearing dogs to alert deaf adults and children to important sounds and danger signals, providing independence, confidence and companionship.

However deafness is more than just hearing loss. Hearing dogs also help to relieve the stress, isolation and loneliness that deafness can often bring.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is the only UK charity offering this life-changing support to deaf people. We receive no government funding and rely entirely on public donations.

OUR CHALLENGE With our number of applicants increasing year on year we are continually working to train more hearing dogs to meet the demand. This enables us to transform the lives of more severely deaf people forever. Each £5,000 we raise allows us to start a puppy on an 18-month journey to becoming a hearing dog of the

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

future. In addition to providing practical assistance, hearing dogs encourage social inclusion and provide longterm psychological benefits.

As well as training hearing dogs to provide a practical solution to independent living, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People also works hard to raise awareness of the issues surrounding this hidden disability.

A hearing dog is only as effective as the society in which it operates. We seek to educate service providers and the general public about the importance of access and inclusion to our recipients and their assistance dogs. We are the largest hearing dog training centre in the world, and have been developing our expertise for over 30 years.

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP In total it costs £40,000 for the breeding, training and lifelong care of each hearing dog for the expected 10 years of its working life. We support our recipients with training, welfare and healthcare advice, also assistance on issues regarding access and inclusion. Throughout, they have a dedicated team to rely on, whatever their concern or query.

OUR PARTNERSHIP Let me tell you how the Hearing Dogs charity has turned my life round. I have been deaf

since childhood and always struggle to hear properly, even with my hearing aid, a lot of times it was not enough, so I’ve always been rather shy and quiet and not so confident. All that changed the moment Fidgey arrived on our doorstep, she has made a huge difference to my life. She is my ears, my shadow, my guide, my companion, and my support when I am on my own with her. An added bonus is she has fitted in wonderfully into our little family and is best friends with our 11 year old chocolate Labrador Molly, I am really happy with Fidgey and feel so, so lucky.

Fidgey has been with us for 7 months now and she is such a sweet soul, so willing to please and is absolutely brilliant at alerting me to sounds I cannot hear, e.g. alarm clock, doorbell, cooker timer, mobile text tones, smoke alarm, etc. Her favourite alert is the alarm clock in the mornings, as soon as it

buzzes, she comes over to me and gently puts her paws up on the bed and she knows there will always be a nice reward for getting me out of bed, so there’s no more excuse for being late for work, as there is no ‘snooze’ button on Fidgey. She’s also given me more confidence to go out on my own and she is a very good ice breaker, wherever we go, people are always coming up to us and are so amazed to see how well behaved Fidgey is and asking about the HD charity, she does love being made a fuss of, the only thing is that it takes us much longer to get round the shops, etc.

We always try and support the fund-raising events that are going on in our area and hope to raise more awareness of the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity and of course, more funds, so that many more lifechanging partnerships between hearing dogs and deaf recipients can and will happen.

I have recently joined the network of registered speakers on behalf of the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf charity and will be happy to come and talk to your school, group or association about this wonderful charity. Further information can be found on-line: www.hearingdogs.org.uk Look out for a fund-raising event in the coming months - “Paws for Coffee”.

Linda Buckland & Fidgey linda.buckland@wrcplc.co.uk

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

19

Pets

ADVERTISING FEATURE ADVERTISING FEATURE

Microchipping Dr Grace Thomas

BVMedSci (Hons) BVM BVS MRCVS

www.georgevetgroup.co.uk 01666 823165 If lost please return to…..

From 6th April 2016 it will become a legal requirement for all dogs over the age of 8 weeks old living in England to be microchipped. This change has come into play for many reasons but most importantly to increase the likelihood of owners being reunited with their much loved pet.

Why should we microchip?

As microchipping becomes a legal requirement for dogs in England it will bring about many benefits to owners, pets, breeders and veterinary surgeons alike.

Although not yet a legal requirement for cats, the benefits are equally as important.

First and foremost, it will greatly increase the likelihood of reuniting owners with any lost pet and provides greater peace of mind. Any stray animal found and handed in to a veterinary practice/ local shelter will be scanned for a chip; once we have the identichip number, it’s possible to contact the database, obtain the owner’s contact details and quickly inform them that their pet has been found.

The introduction of this new law this will help reduce what is an incredibly worrying time for owners and pets alike.

Secondly, the new law promotes responsible ownership. Thirdly it will help to tackle puppy farming in the United Kingdom and puppies should already be microchipped before being sold. In addition to this, microchipping will also enable us to report hereditary health problems in pedigree animals with greater ease therefore increasing the overall health of various breeds affected.

What does microchipping involve?

Microchipping is a routine procedure which is completed quickly and easily with your vet in three simple steps.

Rice

A typical identichip

Your vet will first check for the presence of any existing chip using a microchip scanner. If a chip has been previously placed then you are covered as long as your current details are up to date with the data records held; otherwise an applicator (containing the chip) is placed into the scruff of the pet and the chip inserted. Your vet will then re-scan to ensure the chip reads correctly and complete the necessary form containing pet details and owner contact information.

The whole process is as easy as one, two, three. As the owner, you will then be given one copy of the form to send to the database company and one to keep for your own records, the veterinary practice will also keep a copy. It then becomes your responsibility to advise the database records of any changes to contact details thereafter.

When can I have my pet microchipped?

Microchipping at the George Vets can be performed during consultations when your vet will also perform a thorough health check before placing the identichip.

Alternatively, if you are planning to neuter your pet or undergo any other routine procedure, the microchip can be placed whilst under anaesthetic.

What if I don’t have my dog microchipped by April?

From 6th April 2016 a dog will be considered microchipped when both a chip has been placed and the ownership details have been registered on an approved database. Therefore if a dog is not microchipped, or ownership details are not kept up to date, then the owner may be served with notice. As yet, details are sketchy about how the local authorities plan to do this!

As time is running out, if you are any doubt as to whether your pet is chipped ask your vet to scan your animal. Remember to keep your details up to date with both your veterinary practice and the identichip database. It’s a small investment for a lifetime’s peace of mind for you and your family.

Wishing you all a happy Easter and please remember to keep any chocolate out of reach of your pets!

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

21

Puzzles

PUZZLE CORNER Vegetable Plants, Patio & Basket Plants, Seasonal Fresh Fruit & Veg, Bedding Plants etc. Trade and Retail Hanging Baskets made to order.

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Tel: 01249 720522 Mob: 07794 515938 www.meadowfarmnurseries.co.uk info@meadowfarmnurseries.co.uk

ACROSS 1 Material used to make tents (6) 5 Skimpy knickers! (6) 8 Earth, compost (4) 9 Green vegetable (8) 10 Bendy fruit (6) 11 Hard yellowish tooth deposit (6) 12 Area, region (4) 14 Frozen water (3) 15 Nip, chomp (4) 16 Expression, brief utterance (6) 18 Lightweight waterproof jacket (6) 20 Sticky insect trap (8) 22 Barrage, bombardment (4) 23 Undercover, secret (6) 24 Brine (6)

DOWN 2 Odour, scent (5) 3 Group of houses, rural community (7) 4 The Beatles sang about a yellow one! (9) 5 As well, also (3) 6 Coveted film award (5) 7 Dashing, debonair (7) 11 Dictionary of synonyms and antonyms (9) 13 Shakespearean play (7) 15 House of ill repute! (7) 17 Bramley, Granny Smith, Cox (5) 19 Extra-terrestrial (5) 21 Container, vessel (3)

Solutions to the crossword and sudoku on page 29

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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Buddy’s Raw Dog Food

by Sandra Adams, Owner I set up Buddys last year as I have been feeding my own dogs raw food for a number of years. I adore dogs and belong to a rescue organisation called German Shepherd Rescue Elite, as a result I have a few rescue canines myself.

One German Shepherd I adopted came from Ireland, he was only 18 months old but had been used as a guard dog. He was utterly useless as he is just a ball of soppy fluff. They chained and beat him to try and make him vicious.

When he got to me Buddy was only 24kg, and he is supposed to be a big dog. His coat was manky, and you could see his ribs even though he is a semi long haired dog. Using my raw food recipes he put on weight (40kg) and now looks a picture of health. That is when I set up Buddy’s Raw Dog Food.

My website has information about why owners should change their dog’s food. All my products are locally sourced, from farmers, abattoirs and butchers.

For more information call: 07880 331492 or visit: www.buddysrawfood.com

Prepared Raw, Delivered Raw and Eaten Raw ... just as nature intended

..using only the finest ingredients from local farms.

Complete meals start from £0.80 per 500g Treats e.g. tripe sticks, honey pigs ears start from £0.50 per bag.

For a happier & healthier canine call Buddy’s today….

Tel: 07880 331492

buddysrawmeat@hotmail.com www.buddysrawfood.com Buddy’s, Sherston, nr Malmesbury, Wiltshire

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

23

Recipe

Banana and Walnut Loaf Method

Tea Time Cake!

Preheat oven to 180C / gas 4. Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin.

Mash three bananas to a pulp and chop the fourth.

Preparation time: 20 Cooking time:

minutes

60-70 minutes

Ingredients

225g plain flour 2 level tsp baking powd er 80g softened or spread able butter 1 large egg (beaten) 110g caster sugar 4 medium bananas (pe eled) 50g walnuts (chopped) Zest 1 lemon Demerara sugar for spr inkling

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

Sift the flour and baking powder together into a separate bowl. Add the butter, egg and caster sugar. Using a mixer mix everything together for a minute or two. Add the mashed and chopped bananas and briefly whisk them into the mixture. Fold in the chopped walnuts and lemon zest.

Spoon the cake mixture into the prepared tin. Sprinkle with Demerara sugar.

Place in the pre-heated oven so that the top of the tin is in the centre. Bake for 60-70 minutes until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes then turn out on to a cooling rack.

This cake is good served warm with crème fraiche, cold, or even toasted.

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25

Easter

Who put the chocolate into Easter Eggs?

E

ASTER WITHOUT chocolate eggs would be like Christmas without presents. Simply unthinkable! And yet the tradition of giving chocolate at Easter is relatively recent, dating back 120 years or so to the late nineteenth century.

Easter is a Christian festival that commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Occurring in Spring, which is regarded as a time of renewal and birth by many faiths and cultures, the egg has been used as a symbol of birth and fertility since well before Christianity.

Originally painted bright colours to celebrate the sunlight of spring, decorating and colouring eggs became popular during the Middle Ages, when they were dyed red to symbolise the blood of Christ.

Forbidden as a food during Lent, eggs were hardboiled, decorated and then given to children at Easter as good luck symbols.

In the eighteenth century, pasteboard or papier mache eggs with small gifts inside became popular and by the nineteenth century these had evolved into cardboard eggs covered in silk, lace or velvet and fastened with ribbon. Faberge produced its first egg in 1883, and elaborate eggs made from silver and gold, ivory and porcelain - some inlaid with jewels followed.

The first chocolate eggs were made in France and Germany in the early nineteenth century, not long after the first eating chocolate was invented (prior to this chocolate was enjoyed as a drink). But the chocolate couldn’t be moulded and early eggs were solid.

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

Chocolate eggs didn’t truly gain in popularity until Cadbury entered the market in 1875. Their early eggs were made from dark chocolate with a plain, smooth surface. Filled with dragees (small, hard sweets), they were decorated with chocolate piping and marzipan flowers. The range gradually increased until in 1893 Cadbury was producing 19 different lines, but it wasn’t until 1905 when the company introduced Cadbury Dairy Milk that the sales of Easter eggs really received a boost.

All-chocolate eggs did not immediately replace the novelty eggs of the Victorian era, however, and Cadbury continued to produce a fancy cardboard egg filled with chocolates until the early 1930s.

The first crème eggs appeared in 1923 as a forerunner to the Cadbury Creme Egg, launched in 1971. An instant hit, it has now become Cadbury’s most popular egg, with over 500 million being made every year, though shell eggs still form the largest sector of the Easter egg market.

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

27

Recipe

Hot Cross Buns Serves 16 - Perfect for Easter!

This is our family recipe to an enriched dough and significantly crossed at Easter.

You will get a better spring to your hot cross buns if you bake them on one of our ultimate baking stone.

New to baking why not try our white dough recipe too.

If you knead help with our hot cross buns recipe why not come on one of our cookery courses where all your questions can be answered by one of our expert teachers.

Should you have any spare why not use them in our bread and butter pudding recipe.

We love our hot cross buns recipe, fresh out of the oven or lightly toasted oozing with butter. www.hobbshousebakery.co.uk/recipe/hot-cross-buns/

Method Grease and line a high sided baking tray with greaseproof paper.

Weigh all the dough ingredients into a big mixing bowl.

Stir together with a firm hand and wooden spoon.

Once the dough has come together turn onto a flat surface and knead for 15 minutes, until your dough is smooth and vital.

Gently work in the fruit and zest.

Nestle your well worked dough back into the big mixing bowl, cover and rest in a warm place until it has doubled in size, or for 30 minutes, whichever is first.

After this, cut the dough in half, then divide and divide again until you have 16 equalish pieces.

In the palm of your hand, firmly round the pieces so they stand pert on your baking tray, a fingers width between them.

Again, cover the tin and leave in a toasty place until your buns have doubled in size: 30, 40, 50 minutes.

Heat your oven to 210째C. Whisk together the piping mix ingredients in a jug, ensuring there are no lumps, and pour into a piping bag.

Cross the buns by piping a lattice of the piping mix across the length and width of the tin.

Bake the buns. The very moment they have golden tops and bottoms whip them out and brush with the bun wash.

Around 12-15 minutes.

Serving suggestions: Eat while still warm from the oven, smothered in butter and, if you please, jam.

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

Ingredients Dough 680g strong white flo ur A big pinch of sea salt 70g organic golden cas ter sugar 80g soft butter 15g mixed spice 1 organic egg 270ml warm water 30g of fresh yeast (15g of dried) Crossing mix 100g strong white flo ur A pinch of salt and a pin ch of sugar A knob of butter 100ml water The fruit 80g currants 80g sultanas The chopped zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange Bun wash 1 eggcup of boiling wa ter 1 pinch of mixed spice 2tsp of sugar

Crossword & Sudoku solution page 22

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

29

Gardening

Garden View Lovely Lilies (and a spot of hard-pruning)

T

HE first day of spring this year is officially March 20th. Trees are blossoming and daffodils are in bloom. The garden has woken up from its winter sleep and is full of promise.

losing a third of their old, thick, woody stems.

But promise is not enough. A beautiful garden does not happen by chance. So what are the top jobs for March gardeners?

Pruning features large! Hardprune those late flowering shrubs like Buddleia, Leycesteria and Lavateria, but only if the risk of heavy frost is past.

Finally, stay on top of the weeds.

If you leave them, weeding quickly becomes an insurmountable chore.

Spring-flowering plants such as Forsythia and Winter Honeysuckle should be pruned immediately the flowers 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

Lift congested clumps of snowdrops while they still have leaves showing.

Ok, we’ve dispensed with the hard work, now it’s time to look ahead.

I have one word for you ... Lilies.

I always thought they were tricky to grow, and so they proved, mainly because my garden doubles as a slug sanctuary!

Then I had an epiphany. It dawned on me that if I grew them in pots, slug prevention would be easier, plus I didn’t run the risk of slicing through the fat, scaly bulbs or tender shoots with my hoe while enthusiastically weeding my plot.

Even better, it means you can grow them even if you only have a balcony.

There are loads of varieties in the garden centres right now.

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 they provide enough weight to prevent these tall plants tipping over.

Lilies need an open planting mixture which drains well 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.

There are a plethora of colours and scents available, so there is a lily for everyone. Try them. I guarantee you’ll be as in love with lilies as I am.

by Rachel Leverton

30

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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31

Books

A Good Read The Joy Luck Club

by Amy Tan

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

Growing up in a typical English town this novel made a huge impact on me when I first read it. The colourful characters seem such a world apart from what I was familiar with and yet it is a story about all of our lives and a woman’s relationship with her mother.

In 1949 four Chinese immigrant women in San Francisco agree to meet up each week to play mah-jong, calling themselves the Joy Luck Club. Here they discuss the lives they left behind in China and the dreams and hopes they have for their daughters as they embark on their new lives in America. Whilst not strictly speaking short stories, each chapter tells a different aspect of their lives.

The first half of the book tells of the lives of the women in the Joy Luck Club. We learn of their lives in China. An-Mei Hsu whose mother left her to become a concubine to a rich merchant and Lindo Jeng who was forced to marry someone she didn’t love.

We then learn of their daughters and their new lives growing up in America, in a culture that seems alien to the world their mothers are describing. Here lies the clash of cultures which leads to friction between mother and daughter. The older generation feel as if they are losing their daughters to American culture and the younger generation do not feel as if anything their mothers talk about is relevant to their lives.

Sound familiar? You don’t need to be a Chinese immigrant or growing up in America to relate to the universal themes that Tan weaves into her debut novel. It is about learning to understand the people that fill our lives and accepting that they only have our best interests at heart. It is about learning that our parents too are real people, arriving in the present through a series of events that have shaped them and made us who we are too.

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

Emily Feather and the Enchanted Door

by Holly Webb

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

Have you ever felt as if you just don’t fit in? Where even your own family seems different to you? This is how ten-year-old Emily Feather feels. She looks different to her siblings with her dark hair. It is true that everyone looks a bit different (even her older twin sisters aren’t identical) but Emily just can’t shake the feeling that there is something about her that sets her apart from the rest of the family. Her best friend Rachel points out that she is the only one not named after a bird, but surely there is more to it than that?

Emily lives in an unusual house. Her dad, Ash, is an author, writing fantasy books. The house seems as if it could have come straight out of one of his books. Her room is in the old attic at the top of a rickety flight of stairs, with ornately carved mirrors on the landing.

Sometimes it even feels as if the walls have moved: but that would be silly as Emily knows that can’t happen.

One day she is passing one of the mirrors and sees a strange reflection in it. A girl with green skin is staring back at her and that is just the start of a series of events that will completely change Emily’s life. It turns out that she was right. She IS different from the rest of her family, but not in any way she could have possibly imagined.

Holly Webb is better known for her novels books about animals and has written over 90 books for children. However this book, the first in a new magical series, shows that she is just as adept at writing about fantasy worlds. Aimed at readers aged 8+ this is a lovely introduction to traditional fairy mythology. It does take a while to get going and the titular enchanted door doesn’t appear until the final quarter of the book. This is clearly intended to introduce the reader to Emily’s world which is then explored in future books.

Reviews by Willow Coby

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Local People, Local Knowledge Paul Vitti joins the Richard James team Throughout my 38 years in the property business, the last 27 of which have been as Paul Vitti Residential I have developed a vast knowledge of all the aspects of the sales and lettings industries, specialising particularly in Royal Wootton Bassett and North Wiltshire area. Time stands still for no one however and a change of life beckoned so I recently reached an agreement with Richard James Estate Agents, one of the fastest growing and most successful independent agents in the area. Working together to encompass both our strengths in the property industry and providing a first class service to past, present and future clients.

I have known Richard for many years and we are both equally as excited to venture together in continuing to grow the business and evolving within the local community of Royal Wootton Bassett.

Pop in and see me and meet the Richard James team at 111 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett.

For more information about the services we offer visit richardjames.info

Paul Vitti Richard James team at work in the Royal Wootton Bassett office

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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Spring Clean

Organise Your Life

by Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Some people seem to be born more organised than the rest of us, but we can all develop habits that will make for a more organised and productive life.

Here are five to consider.

Write Things Down Don’t try to remember everything. From shopping lists or ideas for home decor, to important family or business dates, or goals you’d like to achieve - write them down!

Do It Now The longer you wait to do something, the more difficult it will become. Putting in the effort to get things done as soon as possible will make your life less stressful and less demanding.

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The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

Give Everything a Home Knowing where to find a thing saves time and frustration. Decide where things belong, label the space if necessary but NEVER designate a storage space as “miscellaneous!”

Get Rid of Clutter Schedule regular clear outs to go through the items in your inbox, cupboards or drawers. Only keep things you really need and use, which will clear the way for greater creativity and productivity.

Delegate Responsibilities Whether at home or work, delegate as much as you can. Organised people know how to share the load.

No person can do everything, but everyone can do something. This is a great way to help others grow and develop too.

The Town Crier Magazine | MARCH 2016

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ING

SELL F O G N I K THIN

RTY? E P O R P R G YOU N I T T E L R O

Contact your local property experts today on

01793 855 117

rwb@richardjames.info | richardjames.info Royal Wootton Bassett office 111 High Street Royal Wootton Bassett Wiltshire SN4 7AU Opening hours Mon-Fri: 9:00am – 6:00pm Sat: 9:00am – 4:00pm

The| Town Magazine | MARCH 2016 Old36Town TownCrier Centre | Wroughton | West Swindon | Highworth | East Swindon | Faringdon | Royal Wootton Bassett