Town Crier Magazine November 2020

NOVEMBER 2020

FREE TO TAKE

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

GET COSY!

WITH A FIRE PIT!

Let’s all indulge this Christmas!

FEEL THE

LOVE

WE WILL REMEMBER

HUG A TREE

Why do we wear a poppy?

Let's Get Cracking!

This Christmas!

HEALTH & BEAUTY - HOME - LOCAL NEWS - PETS - TRADE SERVICES

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NOVEMBER 2020 CONTENTS

W

ell folks h e r e we are again.... r e a l l y w h e r e does the time go?

Seriously, and where is it going? The clocks have gone back, the nights are now darker and the colder weather is upon us . . we need to find some things to lighten up our lives!

So, looking on the bright side ‌ let the Town Crier spread a little joy with our bumper Christmas feature. None of us know what Christmas will bring with lockdowns and Tier systems so it's up to us to make Christmas as good as it can be. Things that make us feel good and warm.....food, food and more food!

Delve inside and feast your eyes on our latest recipes, delicious cocktails, and tips from making alternative mince pies to traditional cheese straws [always a favourite with me and the girls in the office] and of course dont' forget to shop local. There are some lovely gift ideas and by shopping local you don't even have to travel far!

Being outside is a great mood booster, a visit to Bowood and their 'hugable trees' could just be the ticket to give you that extra boost you are looking for.

Never underestimate the hug from a furry friend either and with Bonfire Night fast approaching they need lots of special care to keep them

FOOD LOCAL NEWS The Fast And The Foodies - Car Perfect Christmas Cake 23 The 4 Show Comes To Trowbridge Recipe To Make This Month!

Benger Primary School Pickled! - How To Make A 8 Sutton 26 Get Children Enjoy Forest School Batch Of Pickled Onions Awards To Wiltshire Anyone? Delicious 44 Gp Surgeries 29 Cocktail Peach & Vanilla Flavour Charity Will Writing Scheme Christmas Punch - Ideal For 46 Returns This Month 33 The Festive Season

22

Getting Into The Christmas Spirit - Food, Drink, Gifts & More!

50

Fireworks Season - Doesn't Need To Stress Your Pet

Editor: Annie Harling contact@towncriermagazine.com Sales: Clair Gallie clair.gallie@towncriermagazine.com Artwork: Sam Lapham contact@towncriermagazine.com Photography: Paul Stallard Accounts: Victoria Lovell accounts@towncriermagazine.com

Est: 21 yrs

With the winter months now approaching ....let's indulge a little!

Read it all inside. Enjoy!

An n i e X

HOME & GARDEN

36

Pomander: Orange/ Clementine Sticky In Things

27

Christmas Candle Making A Homemade Gift

35

Recipe: Cheese Straws - Ideal With A Dip!

36

Are We A Nation Of Upcyclers?

43

Get Cosy With Firepit This November

54

Garden View This Month Rhubarb

56

The Most Huggable Trees At Bowood

10

Brain Benefits - Brain Health & Physical Health

Our European neighbours believe making the most of being outside, no matter what month it is, so a firepit could be the answer and make a lovely focal and talking point. Keep warm, toast marshmallows, make some hot chocolate, find those fleecy throws and get cosy underneath the stars.

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FEATURES Will Remember Them 10 We Why We Wear Poppies 18

safe and calm through the fireworks.

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and the team!

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www. towncriermagazine.com @localtowncriermagazine

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. Deadline for submissions for the December 2020 issue: 10th November 2020.

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THE FAST AND THE FOODIES New Car Show Comes To Trowbridge

The Fast and the Foodies – a brand new car exhibition complete with street food – is coming to Trowbridge on Saturday 14th November.

Part of plans to foster a vibrant new quarter at Innox Mills, the event will feature super cars, sports and classic cars, plus a variety of street food stalls.

From some of the newest Lamborghinis, Porches and Ferraris to classic British and American cars such as the Capri, Mustang, an American hot rod and a 1933 Austin, there will be all kinds of models on display.

The event has been organised by the Innox Mills site owners in partnership with Driven Life, a Wiltshire-based community for car enthusiasts, and The Anonymous Travellers Market. Running from 10am-2pm next to Trowbridge Station car park, social distancing measures will be in place at the event to protect both visitors and stallholders.

“We’re excited to be bringing this latest event to Innox Mills, which should prove a hit with car enthusiasts, street food lovers – or anyone simply looking for a great day out,” said Jonathan Dean, Director of Innox Mills.

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“With so many events cancelled this year, we want to give people the chance to experience something different, while offering a taste of what’s to come at Innox Mills. Our plans have a big emphasis on leisure, food and drink and we hope that the Fast and the Foodies will help to show Trowbridge off as a great place to spend time in.”

The popular Innox Market runs in partnership with The Anonymous Travelling Market and takes place on the third Sunday of each month. Typically visited safely by around 3,000 people, the market features handmade arts and crafts and vintage clothing, plus street food, fresh produce and local craft spirits, ciders and ales. Live music and a trampoline activity for children has also been added recently.

Further events at the site will include a Christmas Market from 4-6 December, which will see the historic warehouses opened up for the first time in over a decade to give a sample of how the new Innox Quarter will look and feel like. www.innoxmills.co.uk

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TROWBRIDGE

News

LIGHT UP THE (VIRTUAL) SKY THIS CHRISTMAS It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to fireworks (though things may be a little different this time around), and Trowbridge Town Council are looking for your paintings or pictures of fireworks to be featured in a virtual display that will be shown online as part of the town’s virtual Christmas Lights Switch-On. The plan is to show these images on Saturday November 28th – details of how to watch the broadcast will be available soon.

In the meantime, we’d love to receive your images of your paintings (a photo from a camera phone will be absolutely fine – but please make sure that it’s a high-resolution JPG or PNG) – please send them to us at events@ trowbridge.gov.uk by Friday November 6th.

TROWBRIDGE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Due to the current situation with Covid-19 and the uncertainty surrounding large outdoor events, Trowbridge Town Council have made the difficult decision to cancel the live Christmas Lights Switch-On Event for the town this year. Instead, there will be a ‘virtual event’ on Saturday 28th November, at 7pm.

Everyone hopes it will be a fantastic display of community spirit, magical lanterns, a very special online fireworks display and, of course, the switch-on itself! Whilst there will be no live event this year it’s hoped that the community of Trowbridge can still be encouraged to get involved – please follow on Facebook to get up-to-date information on how you can get involved over the coming weeks.

We all know we are having to do things a little differently this year, but we didn’t want to miss out on seeing the beautiful lanterns lighting up Trowbridge again this winter. Whilst we can’t have a parade this year, we are still offering Covid compliant workshops and will have kits available for you to create your own masterpieces at home! We would then like you to display your lanterns in your home or business to help us Spread Light Throughout Trowbridge. www.trowbridge.gov.uk 6

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TROWBRIDGE TOWN COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP Trowbridge Town Council Environmental Working Group had another extremely positive meeting in early October. The working group is made up of local environmental organisations, individuals concerned with environmental matters and town councillors from across the spectrum, to coordinate and assist each other in trying to make Trowbridge a greener, healthier and happier place for everyone.

After discussing the need for local green energy production, it was decided that the group and by extension hopefully the full Town Council will push for any development resulting from Trowbridge winning the £23 million Future High Street Fund bid to incorporate renewable energy creation.

This could be from heat pumps, for example, and could act as an exemplar and a catalyst for more schemes throughout the town.

Matt Callaway from Trowbridge Eco and Kez Garner from Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce informed the group that they had been able to secure thousands of trees to be planted in November and February. The idea is to plant 2021 trees in and around Trowbridge for the year 2021 and there will be a big push to get the local community involved.

This will be a fantastic way of bringing the whole community together enabling everyone to make a positive contribution to the effort of tackling climate change and the ecological emergency on a local level.

Would you like to become involved with the Trowbridge Town Council Environmental Working Group?

The group is made up of local environmental organisations, individuals concerned with environmental matters and Town Councillors from across the spectrum who coordinate and assist each other in trying to make Trowbridge a greener, healthier and happier place for everyone.

There are so many people in our community who volunteer and give up their time for free to try to improve the towns environment and this group is designed to help assist them as well as build on the environmental policies the Town Council has already put in place. Meetings are open to anyone.

We meet about once a month and are currently doing so over Zoom, due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation.

If you would like to take part in the next meeting which is scheduled for Thursday 12th November at 7pm, please email chris.hoar@trowbridge.gov.uk who will send you the Zoom link closer to the time.

Hope to see you there if you can make it.

Building Bridges with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is aimed at people furthest from work, to help them move one step closer to employment – through confidence building, skills development, training programmes/education and experience, ultimately leading towards work.

We work with anyone who lives in Wiltshire, to be eligible you need to be 18 years or older and not currently working, you can be on a zero hours contract but have had no income from it for the last 3 months and you must have the legal right to work in the UK. We offer weekly support by phone, email and post, our own locked Facebook group and carry out regular 1:1s. Our activities include Mondays a resilience workshop, Wednesdays a wildlife activity and Friday is craft activities, all materials and instructions are supplied, we even produce simple videos. If you need support for your next step, we can offer access to training, to job search and to inwork support.

Building Bridges is a partnership of over 18 organisations which have come together to deliver the Building Better Opportunities Programme. Through our partners and other supporting organisations, we have access to a wide variety of training from basic Maths, English and IT, to start-up courses on selfemployment.

We can help you to make the most of your situation during the recovery post Covid 19, read about our project and how we can support you remotely. Contact us now

We can support You!

The Building Bridges project offer Free Training, Support, Experience to people aged 18 and over, across Wiltshire, who are currently job seeking or out of work.

The Building Bridges Team have adapted the programme during the Covid-19 Pandemic. You can complete the course through:  Distance learning  Fun activities posted to you  Soft skills support e.g. help designing your CV and support with job searches The Team stays in touch with you using:  Email  Phone  Post  Our own locked social media group 

Face to face meetings where/when possible

For more information contact: Ralph Harvey

Phone: 07702 802945 Email: ralphh@wiltshirewildlife.org or buildingbridges@wiltshirewildlife.org

Building Bridges is a partnership of organisations, led by Community First, that has come together to deliver the Building Better Opportunities Programme across Swindon and Wiltshire.

The project has received up to £6.4M of funding from the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

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Children at Sutton Benger C of E Primary School enjoy Forest School facilitating, noticing what the children engage in and seeing what their enquiring minds want to explore. Realistic and feasible practical activities are on offer that involve an element of challenge, are multi-sensory and promote positive relationship building. The social and emotional aspects of learning embed each session. This helps build resilience, self-confidence and positive wellbeing, whilst also exposing children to managed risk, relevant to each child and the activity, such as lighting fires and using tools; opportunities they would not have in any other setting. Sessions are led by Miss Moseley, the year 4 class teacher and forest school leader, a passionate believer in children having the opportunity to learn in and about the natural environment and engage creatively in their learning.

Children at Sutton Benger C of E Primary School have been enjoying weekly forest school sessions at a local woodland. Every Wednesday, the children spend two hours immersed in nature, learning new skills and engaging in free play.

The woodland is the children’s classroom and they are encouraged to study and engage with the resource rich environment in a variety of practical ways. The emphasis is on the children independently instigating activities and adults

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Remembrance...

In Rememberance...

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We will remember them Why do we wear a poppy?

Scarlet poppies grow wild all over Western Europe wherever the soil has been disturbed. The battles of the First World War churned up such vast areas of earth that millions of poppies germinated and bloomed, often around the bodies of the fallen soldiers.

A Canadian surgeon called John McRae wrote the poem In Flanders Fields in which the poppies symbolise the deaths of those who fought. It is a haunting memorial to those soldiers who have died in any war.

Why do we have a two-minute silence? It was on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month that the guns of World War I fell silent. Four years of fighting and devastation finally ended. The following year ceremonies of remembrance took place on what was known as Armistice Day. An Australian journalist, Edward George Honey first proposed a respectful silence to remember the dead. He wrote a letter to the London Evening News which was brought

to the attention of King George V. The king then issued a proclamation which called for a two-minute silence.

These days Armistice Day is known as Remembrance Sunday and is a chance to honour the fallen soldiers of all conflicts.

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Progressive Wiltshire law firm Awdry Bailey & Douglas completes the lease of their new Swindon office

Commercial, Employment, Family Law and Private Client services to the local community throughout Swindon and the surrounding areas.

Tim Hotchkiss, Partner and member of ABD’s Management Board, who have overseen the completion of the lease, commented “Geographic expansion is one of the firm’s key strategic objectives. Whilst we already offer our services remotely, through video calls, over the telephone and via email, we understand that being able to access your lawyer in person, in an easily accessible, COVID-19 secure environment, is still highly valued by our clients.

Being part of the local community is important to us at ABD. Our new Swindon office will enable us to offer easy access to our highly qualified lawyers, who are here to provide not only the trusted, personalised and high quality legal services we are renowned for, but also to help and support local people, local businesses and the wider community as a whole.”

Awdry Bailey & Douglas, one of Wiltshire’s leading law firms is delighted to announce that they have recently completed the lease of their new office in Swindon as part of the firm’s continued expansion plans.

The newly built, well specified office is part of the Swindon Gateway North business park on Latham Road, adjoining the B4534 Lady Lane and the A419 dual carriageway. The office provides dedicated car parking spaces, is easily accessible via Junction 15 of the M4 and is conveniently located close to the Orbital Shopping Park and the David Lloyd sports and leisure club.

The new office, which is due to open in early 2021, will provide a full range of legal services, including Conveyancing, 14

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Coronavirus in the words of children Local author, Gemma Clatworthy, author of The Girl who Lost her Listening Ears has released a new book in support of NHS Charities Together.

She carries on her theme of lockdown literature and has gathered over 100 responses from children about what they think of coronavirus, lockdown and how school is different now. All of the author proceeds from this book will be going to NHS Charities Together.

Gemma says: “I have really enjoyed putting this book together and reading all of the wonderful responses, which range from heartfelt to hilarious. We all have something to thank the NHS for, so I feel privileged to be able to support NHS Charities Together with this project.”

Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together says: “It’s really affecting to read children’s responses to coronavirus in their own words, to see the impact this virus is having on their lives. We’re so grateful to Gemma for donating the proceeds from this book to support NHS staff, volunteers and patients as they battle the virus themselves.”

For more details, find Gemma Clatworthy on her website or via Instagram or Facebook.

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17 69

Brain Benefits

By Louise Addison

Brain health is as important as physical health Over the past few decades neuroscientists have discovered that the grey blancmange-like structure between our ears is capable of adapting, healing, rewiring and even renewing itself. What’s more, we can make changes which positively impact the health of our brain, and science has given us some interesting ways to do this.

Juggling Various studies found that volunteers who participated in a juggling exercise improved connections in areas of their brains involved in visual and motor activity. Furthermore, the changes were still present several weeks after they stopped. The researchers chose juggling becasue it's a complex skill, but other complex activities would also work, for example: salsa dancing, life-drawing or learning a musical instrument. The key is that the new skill you choose to learn should be unrelated to what you normally do. It should take you out of your comfort zone.

Tasks which involve genuine concentration, such as studying a musical instrument, playing chess, juggling, and dancing, are associated with a lower risk for dementia. Dancing, it turns out is particularly good as it is both physically and mentally challenging.

Learning a new language is also good for a brain workout, causing an increase in grey matter in the areas related to the use of language.

18

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Sleep For those of us who love our beds it's good news; sleep is necessary for brain health. It's not such good news for people who struggle with insomnia and disrupted sleep though.

Poor sleep is linked to rapid reductions in brain volume, so your brain actually shrinks.

Areas of the brain dealing with language, balance, maths and decision-making were the most affected. Poor sleep causes protein build-up in the brain, which negatively impacts brain cells. Sleep repairs and restores brain function, so improving sleep habits is important for brain health. Experts suggest between 7–8 hours per night as optimal. If you feel you aren't sleeping well it's important to talk to your doctor as underlying issues such as snoring, or high levels of anxiety, may need to be addressed.

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Gift vouchers available – any denomination or treatment; you dec There’s something so satisfying about

Creamy Mango

Facebook: www.facebook.com/harmonyholisticscalne crafting at home. Whether you’re making cards for loved ones, gifts for friends or just something delicious for yourself, you can’t Yvette Baker MAR MFHT beat the feeling of saying “I made that” 07850 414271 01249 821119 and whiling away an hour or two doing something constructive. www.harmonyholisticscalne.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/harmonyholisticscalne See www.wbswim.info for availability

Body Butter

Weigh the mango butter in a bowl www.towncriermagazine.com 19 Melt the butter over a pan of boiling water

Water Babies Back in the pool with confidence Water Babies is thrilled to announce that, after pausing swimming classes due to COVID-19, lessons are back up and running and we’re now taking bookings for our next term starting November.

Following the Government announcement that swimming pools could open from 25th July Water Babies worked tirelessly to make sure that local families could return to their baby swimming classes once again. We’re pleased to say we have classes running across the region and very robust COVID policy in place to keep our wonderful clients and staff safe.

Measures include: •

Adapted lesson plans to maintain adequate levels of social distancing within lessons

•

Reduced class sizes where appropriate to allow space in the pool to socially distance

•

Swimming teachers have been inducted in the latest national guidance for providing first aid and CPR

Counterpoise Wellness Clinic

•

Adapting the user flow of pool facilities to allow safe waiting spaces and one-way flows

“We are so excited to finally be back in the pool doing what we do best. Teaching babies the life-saving skill of swimming. It has been an unprecedented time for us all and we have all come together as a team to make sure that we make it through this pandemic even stronger than before.”

The loyalty from our customers and staff has been overwhelming and really appreciated.

Water Babies welcomes all children below the age of 5, giving them the opportunity to learn a skill for life, with a program taught by the besttrained baby swimming teachers in the world.

Every teacher is passionate about teaching little ones how to swim and cannot wait to start swimming again.

For more information on our classes visit our availability page at www.wbswim.info or give us a call 0117 94 66 919

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Personal Fitness Coaching Weight Loss & Nutrition Private Gym Membership Fit Over 50 Plans

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Hair Services Calne’s Premier Joico Salon Joico Colouring centre Creative cutting Brazilian Smoothing treatments Relaxing Shiatsu massage chair

Bespoke Hair Design & Beauty Salon Look & Feel Fantastic

Beauty Services HD Brows LVL Lash Lift & Tinting Gel Manicure Pedicure Lycon Waxing

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Strictly complying to the government’s guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19.

Providing Hair and Beauty services, to protect the health and safety of our clients and our amazing team.

Come and see us in our new salon for all your requirements NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

01249 660263 9 EMERY GATE, CHIPPENHAM WWW.LA-BARBER.CO.UK

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21

Getting into the

Christmas Spirit Food

22

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Drink

Gift Ideas

Smooth the surface of the cake and then make a dip in the centre. Take a strip of brown wrapping paper and wrap around the cake to form a collar. Secure with string and bake the cake in the oven for 1 hour.

Ingredients 450 gram (1 lb) fondant icing 275 gram (10 oz) butter, softened 225 gram (8 z) soft brown sugar 6 medium eggs, beaten 275 gram (10 oz) plain flour, sifted 2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg 2 teaspoon Ground Ginger 1 teaspoon Cinnamon Ground 1 teaspoon Mixed Spice 100 gram (4 oz) ground almonds 350 gram (12 oz) currants 350 gram (12 oz) raisins 350 gram (12 oz) sultanas 175 gram (6 oz) cherries, chopped 175 gram (6 oz) mixed peel, chopped 50 gram (2 oz) almonds, roughly chopped Zest and juice of 1 lemon 2 tablespoons brandy 2 tablespoons apricot jam 450 gram (1 lb) marzipan

When ready to decorate, turn the cake upside down and place on a cake board.

Knead the marzipan and break off some small pieces. Roll them into sausage shapes and use to fill any gaps at the base of the upturned cake.

Christmas Cake

Bursting with festive flavours of orange, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, this rich and fruity Christmas Cake is one of the most luxurious bakes of the year. With complex flavours and a dark dense texture, this indulgent cake is a perfect addition to your Christmas!

Pre-heat the oven to 170°C, 325°F, Gas Mark 3. Grease and double line the base and sides of a 20.5cm (8") loose bottomed round cake tin.

Reduce the temperature to 140°C, 275°F, Gas Mark 1. Bake for a further 2½-3 hours. Cover the cake with greaseproof paper to prevent the top from over browning, if necessary.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly before turning out of the tin. Peel away the lining paper and prick the base with a skewer. Pour the brandy over and then wrap in greaseproof paper and foil and store in an airtight container until ready to decorate.

Warm through the jam and brandy in a saucepan and brush over the surface of the cake. Roll out the marzipan and cut into a round, the same size as the circumference of the cake, then carefully lift on top. Knead the fondant icing and roll out on a lightly icing sugar covered surface. Again cut to the same size as the circumference of the cake, brush the marzipan with a little brandy and lift the icing over. Smooth well.

We recommend baking your Christmas cake in November and then storing until 1-2 weeks before Christmas, when you can decorate it. Remember that after you have decorated your cake you should store it in a non-airtight container to prevent the icing from going soggy.

Enjoy!

Makes one 20.5cm (8") round cake.

Method Cream the butter and sugar together until pale. Gradually beat in the eggs, adding a little of the flour if necessary. Sift the remaining flour and spices together and fold into the mixture. Stir in the remaining dry ingredients and lemon and spoon into the prepared tin. www.towncriermagazine.com

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There is no doubt that this Christmas will be different this year!

So how will you be searching for the perfect gifts and how will you choose to shop this festive season? Whatever your plans our smaller retailers will all have worked hard to source the best range of Christmas goodies for you, so do try to shop small and local where you can. At Spotty Dog Farm Shop you can shop 7 days a week, come late night shopping or even get up to 5 friends and have the entire Farm Shop and our Christmas Courtyard to yourself for a while. Here are some of our top recommendations: Thistle & Black Pepper ‘Well Groomed’ Gift Set £24.95

For Him...

Box Steam Brewery Piston Broke Craft Beer Saxby’s Plum Cider Harry’s Cider Dabinett

For Her...

Wiltshire Christmas Liqueur Poulton Estate Bulari Sparkling English Wine

Sports Soaps in a Tin £6.50

Men’s Bamboo Socks and Bamboo Socks Gift Boxes £6.95-£24.95

Sea Kelp Marine Spa Gift Set £15.00

Foxdenton Gin Gift Set

Traditional Christmas Cakes & Puddings...

Huffkins Christmas Cakes – Chocolate Orange, Cherry & Pecan, Date & Walnut, Apricot & Almond Small or Large or Gift Set of 4 Small Cakes in all 4 flavours

Baby Monster Puppets £14.99 Frugi Fairisle Jumper £33.00 Sizes for 12mths5 years

We also have a huge selection of our range online 24

WWW.SPOTTYDOGFARMSHOP.CO.UK

www.towncriermagazine.com

Artisan Food & Drink Pampering Thoughtful Gifts | Natural Pampering Children’s Toys Toys Cards & Stationery | Children’s more...

Artwork & so much more...

We prefer prefer to to source source our our range range from from the the We best available available locally locally & & from from smaller smaller best businesses wherever wherever possible! possible! businesses

week 10am-4pm 10am-4pm Open 7 days a week delivery to to SN10/SN11 SN10/SN11 Free home delivery (our automated automated Food Food & Bromham (our

be found found on on our our website). website).

Order Form can be

Order online AT: www.spottydogfarmshop.co.uk www.spottydogfarmshop.co.uk hello@spottydogfarmshop.co.uk Email US: hello@spottydogfarmshop.co.uk Follow us: Facebook/spottydogfarmshop Facebook/spottydogfarmshop Instagram/Spottydogfarmshop Instagram/Spottydogfarmshop

01380 720002 720002 Call us: 01380 Lower Farm, Farm, Devizes Devizes Road, Road, Find us at: Lower

SN10 2LX. 2LX. Also Also home home to to the the fabulous fabulous Rowde, SN10 Cow Café Café & & Ice Ice Cream Cream Parlour Parlour Rowdy Cow

www.towncriermagazine.com

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Pickled Onions Ingredients: Spiced Vinegar: 600 millilitre (1 pint) vinegar 1 tablespoons Pickling Spice Mix Pickled Onions: 900 gram (2 pound) button onions, skinned 50 gram (2 ounce) salt 450 millilitre (ž pint) water 600 millilitre (1 pint) Spiced Vinegar Preparation: 15 mins Method: Place the vinegar and Pickling Spice in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Leave to Cool for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible.

Strain.

Place the onions in a bowl. Mix together the salt and water. Pour over the onions. Leave for 24 hours. Drain and rinse.

Lydiard Turkeys The turkey season so far!

Back in March when I ordered the turkey chicks we were just approaching lockdown and we hoped things would be back to normal for Christmas turkey season.

So it was with some trepidation that on the 1st of October we finalized and activated the online shop and our turkey newsletter was emailed out to previous customers. Thankfully it was good news, in fact turkeys are selling at double the rate of last year! And, people appear to be ordering similar sizes to previous years, which is a relief.

Our attention now turns to getting ready for processing. All our regular pluckers are still aiming to join us but some live out of the area so could be subject to potential restrictions, were expanding the area used for their safety but it will be a shame to lose the social and cultural feel of this traditional job.

We’re also assuming that a drivethrough collection will be the easiest way to manage things over the collection days. Thankfully our farm has two entrances in off the road so people will be able to drive right up to the butchery fridge, be given their turkey before heading out the other way. We will of course still be giving out gallons of mulled wine and hundreds of mince pies!

The perfect Christmas turkey

Pack tightly into clean jars.

Pour over Spiced Vinegar. Seal jars.

www.lydiardturkeys.co.uk 01793 881215 26

www.towncriermagazine.com

Homemade Scented Candles

The ideal Christmas Gift If you love giving handmade gifts at Christmas time, you can’t go far wrong with a Christmas Candle. They are fun and easy to make and will give hours of pleasure.

What you will need: A pack of soy wax designed for candle making, available in many craftshops or online.

A pack of candle wicks. The length will be dependent on the size of your containers.

Fragrance oils such as ginger, cinnamon, frankincense, orange, cloves, and mandarin A spatula | Clear glass jars A medium sized pan and a mixing bowl A thermometer Two pencils or a pair of chopsticks Instructions

your fragrance. Typically, fragrances are sold in small bottles with a measuring drop on top. Follow the outlined instructions on the candle wax packages on how much scent should be added. Simply pop drops of your fragrance into the wax while stirring.

Step 4: Attaching the Wick Attach the wick to the bottom of your jar, prior to pouring in the melted wax. Simply attach the wick by dipping the base end into the melted wax and placing it into the bottom of the jar.

Step 5: Pouring the Wax Before pouring allow your wax to cool to 140°C, as this is the best temperature to pour. Check the temperature using your thermometer. Slowly pour the hot wax into your jar, while holding the wick in an upright and centred position. Do not pull on the wick. Remember to leave some wax in your pan for topping up your jar later. At this stage you can add other bits to the wax to enhance your candle, such as petals, candle die to make your own colours.

WARNING: Be careful not to burn yourself with the hot wax. Wear oven gloves if necessary.

Step 1: Measuring the Wax Before you start, make a clear, clean space on your worktop and protect the surface you don’t want to get everything covered in wax! Measure the amount of wax you need to fill your jar. Double this amount since that is how much you will need to melt for each of your candles.

Step 2: Melting the Wax Pour the measured wax into your pan and place on a low heat. It will take between 10 and 15 minutes to melt fully. Stir frequently using a spatula to ensure even melting.

Step 3: Adding Scented Oils Once your wax has melted completely, add

Step 6: Securing the Wick The wicks should not move in the wax, they should be secured in place as the wax cools.

You can use two pencils, a pair of chopsticks laid down across the top of the candle jars.

By sandwiching the wick in between the chopsticks or pencils, the wick will stay centred as the wax cools and hardens.

Allow your wax to cool for at least four hours at room temperature (ideally about 25°C).

Step 7: Topping Up the Wax Topping up your wax is necessary when your cooled wax in the jar develops holes or cracks. Simply reheat the remaining wax, pour it evenly to cover and let it harden.

Step 8: Cutting the Wick Ideally, candle wicks should protrude about half an inch or less. If the lit wick flickers or develops a tall sooty flame, trim the wick further. For the aromas of the candles to grace your living room effectively, you need a stable flame that is not sooty. www.towncriermagazine.com

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COLLECTION DAILY FROM SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER; 10AM – 4PM

Pecan Crumble Mince Pies Ingredients 325 gram sweet shortcrust pastry 400 gram (14 ounce) mincemeat 1 teaspoon Mixed Spice 50 gram (2 ounce) pecans, crushed 25 gram (1 ounce) soft brown sugar 25 gram (1 ounce) butter, softened 50 gram (2 ounce) ground almonds pinch Cinnamon Ground icing sugar for dusting

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins Pre-heat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas Mark 4.

Dust work surface with flour and roll out the pastry to a thickness of approximately 3mm.

Using a circular cutter cut bases to size and place into a none stick patty tin.

Mix mincemeat with the Mixed Spice, place a tsp of the mincemeat into each base. Don t overfill or the mincemeat will run over the sides.

Mix the pecans with the sugar, butter, almonds and Cinnamon. Sprinkle over the top of each mince pie. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is cooked and golden. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then dust with icing sugar and serve.

FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES Choose your own tree; cut for you or dig your own – don’t forget to bring a spade!

Ready cut trees available – order in advance and just come and collect!

Holly, Mistletoe and Wreaths available

DON’T FORGET WE SELL DRY SEASONED LOGS Estate Office, Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9DG estateoffice@charltonparkestate.com www.charltonparkestate.com Tel: 01666 822146

QUIZ Y EVER AY D N SU

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www.thewiltshireyeoman.co.uk

Chilmark Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 9DD

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Peach & Vanilla

Brûlée

Cocktail Anyone?

In this modern cocktail, fresh peaches meet caramelized and creamy flavours for the perfect layered sip. Brûléeing – or burning – the vanilla syrup and peach slices brings this classic dessert to beverages.

Ingredients Vanilla Brûlée Syrup: 175 gram (6 ounce) sugar, divided 125 millilitre (4 fluid ounce) plus 1 tablespoon water 1 Vanilla Pod Peach Brûlée: 1 peach, cut into 8 wedges 50 gram (2 ounce) sugar Peach and Vanilla Brûlée Cocktail: 275 millilitre (9 fluid ounce) peach schnapps 1 lemon juiced 500 millilitre (17 fluid ounce) ice cubes 1 tablespoons double cream Method For the Vanilla Brûlée Syrup, mix half of the sugar and 1 tbs of the water in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook on a medium heat

for five minutes or until the syrup is a dark caramel colour. Remove from the heat and slowly add the remaining water.

Once the mixture is no longer steaming, add the remaining sugar and the Vanilla Pod, cook and stir on medium heat until all the sugar is dissolved. Blend together so all the Vanilla Pod is pureed into the syrup and set aside.

For the Peach Brûlée, toss the peach wedges and sugar in a medium bowl until they are well coated. Arrange the peaches in a single layer on a large shallow foillined baking pan. Grill one side of each peach wedge for three to five minutes, or until lightly browned then set aside.

For the Peach and Vanilla Brûlée Cocktail, mix 4 of the brûléed peach wedges, peach schnapps and lemon juice in a large cocktail shaker. Top with ice and cream.

Cover and shake until it is well mixed and chilled. Strain into 4 cocktail glasses. Garnish the rim of each glass with the remaining brûléed peach wedge. Slowly pour about 50ml of the Vanilla Brûlée Syrup over each peach wedge and into the glass. (The syrup will sink to the bottom of the glass.)

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Christmas at

ALLINGTON BAKERY

HAMPERS Stuck for Christmas gift ideas? If so, why not send a bespoke hamper tailor-made to your requirements. Pay us a visit, email or telephone to place an order. If you’re stuck for ideas, then we will put you in touch with one of our hamper artists who can give you some inspiration!

Our bakery section includes, award winning handmade fresh bread from Hobbs House Bakery and Bakers Corner, Homemade Sponge Cakes as well as an indulgent selection of locally made Cakes, Meringues, Biscuits & Pies and Fresh, Gluten Free Bread, Cakes & Biscuits.

DELICATESSEN Turkey, Ham & Cranberry Pie 454g £6.75

Cheese – Baby Stilton Truckle £42.90

Award Award Winning, Winning, Family Family Run Run Farm Farm Shop Award Winning, Family Run Shop Farm Shop Established for over over 30 Farm years Award Winning, Family Run Shop Established for 30 years Established for over 30 Selling Quality Local Produce Established forLocal over 30 years years Selling Quality Produce Open 9am – 6pm (9.30am – 5pm on Selling LocalLocal Open Daily DailySelling 9am – Quality 6pmQuality (9.30am –Produce 5pmProduce on Sundays) Sundays) Open Daily 9am – 6pm (9.30am – 5pm Sundays) Open Daily 9am – 6pm (9.30am –on 5pm on Sundays) HOME HOME & & LOCALLY LOCALLY REARED REARED FRESH FRESH MEAT, MEAT, POULTRY POULTRY & & GAME GAME SAUSAGES, BURGERS & FAGGOTS HOME HOMEMADE & REARED FRESH MEAT, POULTRY & GAME HOMEMADE SAUSAGES, BURGERS & FAGGOTS HOME & LOCALLY LOCALLY REARED FRESH MEAT, POULTRY & GAME CHRISTMAS MEAT ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN HOMEMADE SAUSAGES, BURGERS & FAGGOTS CHRISTMAS MEAT ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN HOMEMADE SAUSAGES, BURGERS & FAGGOTS CHRISTMAS MEAT ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN

CHRISTMAS MEAT ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN

LOCAL LOCAL CHEESES CHEESES & & HOME HOME COOKED COOKED MEATS MEATS LOCAL CHEESES & HOME COOKED LOCALLY GROWN GROWN VEGETABLES, VEGETABLES, FRUIT MEATS & SALADS SALADS LOCALLY FRUIT & LOCALLY GROWN VEGETABLES, FRUIT & SALADS & HOMEMADE CAKES & PIES PIES LOCALHOMEMADE CHEESES CAKES & HOME COOKED MEATS HOMEMADE CAKES & PIES LOCALLY MADE CHOCOLATES LOCALLY MADE CHOCOLATES LOCALLY GROWN VEGETABLES, FRUIT & SALADS FUDGE LOCALLY& CHOCOLATES &MADE FUDGE CAKES & PIES FINE WINE, & FUDGEALE FINE HOMEMADE WINE,&LOCAL LOCAL ALE & CIDER CIDER FINE WINE, LOCAL ALE & CIDER PRESERVES & LOCALLY MADE CHOCOLATES PRESERVES & CHUTNEYS CHUTNEYS PRESERVES & CHUTNEYS GIFT HAMPERS HAMPERS & FUDGE GIFT www.allingtonfarmshop.co.uk 01249 658112 Allington Bar Chippenham, GIFT HAMPERS www.allingtonfarmshop.co.uk TEL: 01249 658112 Allington Bar Farm, Farm, Chippenham, SN14 SN14 6LJ 6LJ FINE TEL: WINE, LOCAL ALE & CIDER

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www.allingtonfarmshop.co.uk TEL: 01249 658112 Allington Bar Farm, Chippenham, SN14 6LJ www.towncriermagazine.com

PRESERVES & CHUTNEYS GIFT HAMPERS

TREES We have a reputation for our fantastic selection of the highest quality real Christmas trees from independent UK growers. We have a large range of sizes and varieties and a range of Christmas Tree Stands.

On sale from 28th November Prices from £15

BEER WINE SPIRITS We have a carefully handpicked selection of BEERS, WINE & SPIRITS

• • • • •

Wedding and Funeral flowers Flowering House Plants Cyclamen Bouquets made to order Same day delivery service

Perennial and Seasonal Plants We take most major credit cards

Tel: 01249 814505 27 High Street, Calne

www.mariasfloristcalne.com

TURKEYS Orders are now being taken for Christmas!

As well as home-reared turkeys, the butchery specialises in local free-range cockerels, chickens, geese, ducks and home-cooked hams, all cuts of pork, beef and lamb as well as local seasonal game, dry-cured bacon and gammon joints and homemade sausages.

The Toy Tree at Townsend Farm in Horton is your local ‘one stop shop’ for toys, puzzles, games and gifts for all the family. From adorable gifts for newborns to challenging puzzles up to 2000 pieces, board games that can be played by the whole family to craft activities that can be enjoyed individually, The Toy Tree caters for all ages and is the perfect place to find unusual and interesting presents for the child in your life!

The shop is open Monday-Friday 10am-12pm for drop-ins, and appointments are available from 9am to 3.30pm daily as well as evenings.

Please email to book an appointment: enquiries@thetoytree.co.uk

www.thetoytree.co.uk All Christmas orders are for collection from the Farm Shop on the 22nd, 23rd or 24th December.

Please see our website for more details: www.allingtonfarmshop.co.uk

The Toy Tree, The Old Granary, Townsend Farm, Horton, Devizes, Wiltshire. SN10 3NE www.towncriermagazine.com

31

Christmas Tree Biscuits

Is your Christmas tree needing a little extra magic this year? Get the kids in the kitchen and get them baking these irresistibly spicy Schwartz Christmas biscuits. A beautiful blend of fiery ginger and warming cinnamon makes these Christmas biscuits the perfect finale to a festive feast as well as pretty decorations for the tree.

Ingredients 450 gram (1 pound) plain flour 2 teaspoon baking powder 4 teaspoon Ground Ginger 2 teaspoon Cinnamon Ground Sea Salt 200 gram (7 ounce) caster sugar 250 gram (9 ounce) unsalted butter, diced 4 tablespoons golden syrup 1 large egg, beaten Preparation 15 mins Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time Sift the flour, baking powder, ginger and cinnamon into a mixing bowl. Season with a little Sea Salt. Add the sugar and butter and rub in with your fingers until the butter is

32

absorbed and the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Mix the golden syrup and egg together and then stir into the mixture with a wooden spoon. Bring together with your hands and knead very gently to form a smooth, stiff dough. Shape into a ball and cover in cling-film.

Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm up.

Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas Mark 4.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and cut into quarters, allowing you to work with each quarter at a time. Keep the remaining dough in the refrigerator until you are ready to roll it.

Roll out the dough to a thickness of approx.

3mm and cut into festive shapes. Place the biscuits onto baking sheets lined with greaseproof paper. Bake the biscuits for 12-14 minutes until golden brown, remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack.

Using a wooden skewer, make a small hole in each Christmas biscuit whilst they are still warm. Once completely cooled, decorate as desired, then tie a ribbon through the hole and hang on the tree. Serve up with a mug of spicy cinnamon eggnog.

Christmas Punch

Spice up the party with this rich Christmas punch with a magical blend of red wine, cranberry and classic mulled wine flavours.

Mix aromatic allspice with zesty dried orange peel, then follow up with cassia, cloves and nutmeg, making this the perfect alternative festive drink. Serve your Christmas punch with fresh fruit and orange peel and let the merrymaking begin!

e-motion e-bikes At e-motion we have some lovely new ebikes to tempt you this Christmas. Wispers new Wayfarer range are now in stock, and new models from Raleigh, Haibike, Gazelle, Batribike and Juicy are arriving all the time. There is a wide variety of choice, over 50 models in store. You can be sure it’s safe to visit as we have sanitizer and masks if you forget yours. We are continuing to operate on an appointment basis with one person or bubble in the shop at a time, which seems to work well, enabling us to give customers our undivided attention. Don’t worry if you’re passing and don’t have an appointment, we’ll do our best to see you. Happy cycling!

Ingredients 1 x 75 cl bottle red wine 600 millilitre (1 pint) cranberry juice 300 millilitre (1/2 pint) apple juice 2 tablespoons caster sugar 2 Mulled Wine Spices , Sachets Garnish: sliced orange, chopped apple

Prep time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan.

Heat to just below boiling point and keep at this temperature for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove the sachets and garnish with fruit.

Make this year's dinner extra special with our Christmas inspiration.

www.towncriermagazine.com

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Orange/Clementine sticky in ings Ingredients 2 Whole Star Anise Oranges, lemons or limes Masking tape Toothpicks or wooden skewers 1 jar Whole Cloves , (will cover approx. 2-3 pieces of fruit) 2 Cinnamon Sticks 2 Whole Nutmeg Ribbon Preparation Use masking tape to mark out where you want to tie the ribbon on the fruit - oranges look great with a criss-cross formation, lemons and limes work well with ribbon tied around the middle of the fruit.

Then, using the toothpick or wooden skewer, pierce evenly spaced holes into the surface of the fruit around the masking tape and insert

34

the Cloves. Leave a small gap between each one as the fruit will shrink when dried.

When the surface of the fruit is covered with Cloves, remove the masking tape and place onto a wire rack.

Put Cinnamon Sticks, Star Anise and Whole Nutmeg onto a baking tray and place the wire rack on top. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 130°C, 275°F, Gas Mark 1 for about 4-5 hours, or until the fruit has darkened and dried out.

Alternatively, place the fruit in a paper bag and pop in a warm airing cupboard for 3-4 weeks to dry out.

Allow the pomander to cool, then wrap the ribbon around the gap left by the masking tape. Tie in a bow or loop for hanging.

Cheese Straws These delicious cheese straws are simple to make and are sure to go down a treat at any drinks party or as a simple appetizer at a dinner party.

They taste great on their own or when accompanied by a variety of dips and can be served hot or cold – what could be simpler?

Ingredients 100 gram (4 oz) butter, softened 225 gram (8 oz) plain flour ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt 100 gram (4 oz) Cheddar cheese, grated 1 egg yolk 1 teaspoon Season-All Pre-heat the oven to 230°C, 450°F, Gas Mark 8.

Method Rub the butter, flour and Salt together until it resembles breadcrumbs. Mix in the cheese and egg yolk until a soft dough.

Roll out to a rectangle 18 x 25.5cm (7 x 10 inches). Sprinkle over the Perfect Shake Season-All Special Blend and cut into approximately 24 fingers. Transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet and cook for 8-10 minutes until golden. Allow to cool on a cooling rack before serving.

Ideal as a snack or with dips. Great to serve with warming soups at bonfires or on Halloween.

At Bazaar we have a wide range of exciting products for you to choose from, as a gift or a treat for yourself.

We also stock a wide range for Cake Decorating Albums & Photo Frames Bags & Scarves | Home Scents & Candles Glass Vases | Paperweights & Ornaments Purses & Wallets | Soft Toys & Teddy Bears Gifts for Baby & Wedding Ladies & Mens Toiletries | Mugs Newly furnished with new lines added!

Visit us soon!

5 The Strand, Calne, SN11 0RB (By the Library) • Telephone: 01249 813380 www.towncriermagazine.com

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HOME Britain has become a nation of ‘upcyclers’ – with two thirds of adults eagerly fixing, customising and repurposing old household items Britain has become a nation of ‘upcyclers’ – with two thirds of adults eagerly fixing, customising and repurposing old household items.

A poll of 2,000 adults found the most popular items to revitalise are bookcases, plant pots and shelving – followed by bedside tables, desks and dinner table-style chairs.

A spokesman for GiffGaff said: “As the study shows, transforming old items has really taken off in the UK. “And because there are many benefits it’s easy to see why – not only is this activity creatively fulfilling and money saving, it’s also fantastic for the environment because it reduces waste.

“Another appealing aspect is that you have something completely unique at the end of the process – which suggests people are perhaps tired of the same old offerings you might find in shops.”

The study also found eight in 10 adults ‘hate’ seeing perfectly good household items simply thrown away. As a result, 72 per cent routinely try and find a use for old objects where they possibly can. But half of adults believe upcycled items are more aesthetically appealing than items typically found in stores or online, while two thirds think they have more character.

Other popular items to bring back from the brink include armchairs and sofas, crates, bikes and light fittings. Ceramics, hat stands and old sinks have also been given a new lease of life.

ARE WE A NATION OF

‘upcyclers’ A third of those polled actively seek out items to work their magic on, including old jars, mirrors and cushions, and have given a new lease of life to seven items on average.

More than three quarters of those polled, by GiffGaff, have even fixed up old tech items including lamps, phones and old televisions.

For 53 per cent, the appeal is transforming something old into something ‘new’, as they adore the process of bringing items back to life while 55 per cent like upcycling because it saves money.

But many are restoring old gadgets and gizmos to limit e-waste with 83 per cent concerned about the environmental impact of disposing of old tech.

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don't bin it, recycle it!

It also emerged 42 per cent want to expand their repertoire by being able to fix-up a greater range of old tech.

Our professional and experienced team are here to assist with the clearance of properties, garages, sheds and waste collections. For more information, please contact us.

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At the moment, when a gadget breaks or stops working completely, a third will arrange for someone else to restore it, but 23 per cent will simply throw it away and buy a new one.

And while 72 per cent of those polled via OnePoll will give away, sell or simply hold onto an unwanted item, 14 per cent will bin it, even if it is still working.

A spokesman for GiffGaff said: “E-waste is a massive problem but the fact 83 per cent are concerned about it shows that most people are aware of it – which likely wasn’t the case just a few years ago.

“Consumers are realising that tech items can still serve a purpose for someone else if not themselves. And this is important because the issue of e-waste is not going to go away anytime soon.”

GiffGaff has partnered with content creators passionate about all things refurbished, recycled or upcycled to share their knowledge and top tips.

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Bassett’s No. Sales & Lettings Agent, 1 & 2 Windsor Drive, Devizes, SN10 2TH. Tel: 01380 887943 covering Swindon and surrounding areas.

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Alan Hawkins Estate Agents Ltd Wiltshire SN4 7AA 26/26a High Street Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshirewww.alanhawkins.co.uk SN4 7AA

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7 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home 40

Open windows and allow movement and replenishment of air to stop the build-up of harmful chemicals. The exception to this is if you live on a main road in a city. In this case open windows at night when there's less traffic. You'll sleep more easily in a cool room as well.

Plants can remove some toxic pollutants from the air. The effect isn't huge, but a few plants in your living space will have a positive effect on air quality.

When cooking, make sure you have your ventilator fan on.

Don't smoke inside – smoke hangs around for a long time, and toxins impregnate soft furnishings.

Be careful with cleaning products.

They often produce volatile organic compounds. Be even more careful with air fresheners, which can irritate asthmatic conditions Wooden flooring can be good for air quality, providing you sweep daily.

Carpets retains more dust deep in their pile and are often treated with formaldehyde-donating chemicals, which decrease air quality. Dust mites too can live in carpets, as well as soft furnishings. Their faecal droppings can trigger allergies and asthma.

High humidity can make a home prone to mould spores. Minimise humidity by ventilating or using a dehumidifier and treat mould on walls promptly. Consider having a fan fitted in the shower area or open Order by 4pm for free same day delivery. a window and wipe down all wet We deliver until 9pm! surfaces after use.

By Sarah Davey

www.towncriermagazine.com

We are working with COVID SAFE procedures.

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Fencing & Automation Contractor Wyatt & Sons Fencing Ltd have been a family run business since 1989 and have been supporting the fencing industry for over 30 years with installation, supply and repairs.

Gate Automation

Wyatt Fencing are expanding their range of automation and have appointed Paul Johnson as there Automation Manager to oversee the Automation Department. Paul has completed both the GateSafe and DHF Diploma in gate safety and bring years on industry knowledge and expertise to the department. “Our focus is to provide a safe gate system to all users and the public, educating owners with the safety standards and testing methods so they can enjoy their asset safely for many years to come� – Paul Johnson We offer Installation, Maintenance, Risk Assessment, Call outs and Repairs.

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Gate Safe Aware Installer - Membership Number 1819 All gates are fully tested to comply with the Machinery Directive. Ensure your gates meet the standards today by requesting a risk assessment and survey.

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Contact us today for advice or a quotation.

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Socialising outside for safety in a pandemic is fine during the summer but can it still be done in November?

Try a fire pit! A fire creates a focal point at an outdoor gathering. People love to gather around fire. Add a few rugs, mugs of hot chocolate or mulled wine and some marshmallows for toasting and you have the making of a snuggly evening under the stars.

While a wood-burning fire pit can be the perfect backyard addition if you have close neighbours or live in an area with restrictions on wood burning, buy a propane or natural gas model. A fire pit lights up the night in a cosy way that can be complimented with candles in jars or fairy

Fire Pit

lights. Fancy garden lighting in the world can’t compete with the flickering of flames.

Don't worry if you have a small garden, a firepit is still an option, and you're closer to the drink cabinet for refills!

Tell friends to come dressed warm and bring a blanket. In Norway, where they entertain outside all year round there is a saying, 'There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes!'

Safety first: Fire pits should be at least 10 feet from your home or other structures and don’t it beneath a tree or awning.

Don’t put a wood-burning fire pit on a deck.

If you want to use your deck choose a gas fire pit which won’t send out sparks.

Educate your kids about fire safety, and always supervise children around an open flame, even when you’re sure they know the rules.

Keep a container of water, a hose, sand, or a fire extinguisher on hand whenever you light up the fire pit.

www.towncriermagazine.com

43

Awards to Wiltshire GP Surgeries with Best Support For Unpaid Carers GP practices in Wiltshire that are providing the best support to unpaid carers have been recognised in the Wiltshire Investors in Carers GP Accreditation Scheme.

The awards recognise and celebrate those Wiltshire GP practices who have met a number of requirements, including maintaining an up-to-date carer register, having a carers’ lead and providing clear information and flexible appointments for carers.

This year, the highest number of GP surgeries yet received awards - 46 in total. 30 of these were given the highest possible award of Platinum, up from 28 last year.

Kim Hiles, Practice Manager at Hathaway Medical Centre in Chippenham said: “The partners and managers at Hathaway Medical Centre are extremely proud of all the hard work Ingrid and Louise have put in over the past year to achieve our Platinum Carers Award.

“They are fantastic Carers Leads working consistently hard for all of our carers. This year it has been particularly challenging, but they have adapted and successfully achieved the highest award once again for Hathaway - thank you.”

This is the eighth year that Carer Support Wiltshire has coordinated the awards, which were set up to ensure more consistency in the support carers receive within GP practices. The awards are funded by Wiltshire Council and the NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

Tracey Cox, Chief Executive, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It is so important to identify carers in our community and to provide them with the right support and help that they need. I am pleased that so many more GP practices across Wiltshire are providing this support and being recognised for their efforts through this great Accreditation Scheme.”

In previous years the awards were handed out in person as part of an awards ceremony. This year’s awards were given virtually and videos of the practices receiving their certificates are being shared this week on social media at #GPCarerAwards and on the Carer Support Wiltshire website.

The full list of awards can be found at https:// carersupportwiltshire.co.uk/news/awardspresented-to-wiltshire-gp-surgeries-with-bestsupport-for-unpaid-carers/ www.carersupportwiltshire.co.uk 44

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ARTS SOCIETY NORTH WILTSHIRE The Arts Society North Wiltshire is still up and Zooming! We have a full programme for the year plus some added bonuses via the internet.

At present all our lectures are on line and members are contacted via email to give them the link. Our membership is only £46 a year which transcribes to £4.60 a lecture which is considerably cheaper than any other online art lecture. So if you are not already a member you can download a form from tasnorthwilts.org.uk of phone our membership sec. on 01225 707534.

All lectures are on the first Wednesday of the month at 11am.

November 4th Art of the Steal: Nazi Looting in World war 11 by Shauna Isaac December 2nd pantomime: a very British Feast

by Gilks Ramsay

TOWN HALL MOVIOLA We are sorry to say that we will are unable to show any films in Calne Town Hall until at least February next year when we hope to start again. Thank you for supporting us in the past.

From the team.

Press Release

turday 6th July 2013, DL Windows was proud to launch its new showroom on Malmesbury Road ppenham, Wiltshire. The fantastic weather and combined offer of a free BBQ certainly helped the day a huge success, bringing in many new customers to see the range of windows, doors an rvatories on offer.

Mayor of Chippenham, Sylvia Gibson, dropped by to visit the new showroom. “It was lovely to see evelopments with this local company,” she said. “I would definitely consider using DL Windows in ture when I need new windows”.

onting from Chippenham was the proud winner of a £500 voucher to be used on any windows o and Susan Howell won a round of Golf for 4 people at Bowood Golf Club.

day, Duncan Hames, MP for Chippenham, visited the showroom and met the staff. He said “It is couraging to see the development of local businesses that is able to provide new employment in DOORS CONSERVATORIES • ROOFLINE toughWINDOWS economic times.•It’s great to see• DL Windows taking on two apprentices and providing tw young people with the training and support they need as they begin their working lives.”

Why choose us?

not come and see the new showroom for yourself? Come and browse the complete product rang • Family run business been right trading Wiltshire sincebrand 1968 ‘Inspirational Living @ DL’. There high quality products for allthat’s budgets upinto the luxury thing for everyone, whatever your glazing needs!

• Directly employed, professional tradesmen

• 10 Year Guarantee s, it’s about excellent customer service, fantastic products in all price ranges and meeting people want advice on how to best improve their homes, saidbudget Managing Director, Malcolm Lyus.

• Highest quality products at a price that suits ”your

Wedo offer a complete range energy efficient our products A asto standard wanted •to something extra forofour existing and ratings future on customers.

We with wanted add value to t ience and show that we understand how important it is to take time over deciding • We guarantee all our customers a Price Match Promise - we will beat any like for likewhich quoteproduc ght for your home. That’s why we have really worked hard to create a welcoming environment at • Fensa howroom. ” Registered Company

ndowsDLisWindows located at 127 in Wiltshire and Wiltshire the showroom is open Ltd, 1AMalmesbury Clark Avenue,Road, PorteChippenham Marsh Industrial Estate, Calne, SN11 9BS ay-Saturday 9am-5pm by appointment.

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ct us on 01249 464999 or have a look at our website, www.dl-windows.co.uk

Charity Will-writing scheme returns for November RUH Will Month is returning in November to help the general public make or update their Will at a reduced cost. You can now book your appointment for November to have your Will written with local legal firms.

Ten firms across Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset, including Wiltshire-based Goughs Solicitors and Farnfields in Warminster, are offering their time and support towards the Will writing scheme.

Costs for a standard single Will have been discounted to £125 or £175 for standard Mirror Wills.

This special fee is donated to the RUH’s fundraising charity, The Forever Friends Appeal to support patient care at the RUH. Jan Witt, Legacy Manager, The Forever Friends Appeal said: “It’s easy to take part in this offer, simply call any one of the participating solicitors listed on our website and make an appointment for November, quoting ‘RUH Will Month’. At the meeting the solicitor will guide you through the process and will ensure that your Will reflects your wishes.”

This year funds raised by the initiative will be put towards the charity’s Speech and Language Special Appeal, raising £50,000 to purchase a portable machine to assess patients who have swallowing difficulties. The equipment will enable therapists to provide an alternative bedside assessment – reducing the waiting time to attend the X-ray clinic which can sometimes take a number of weeks.

The need for the mobile equipment has become even more pressing during The COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who have been on a ventilator have a 30% chance of suffering from swallowing difficulties. So, having this machine will really help the speech and language therapy team to assess COVID patients, either in ITU or in other parts of the hospital.

Catherine Cawley, Clinical Specialist and Speech and Language Therapist, RUH said: “Being able to eat and drink without a second thought is something most of us take for granted. But sadly many people have problems swallowing. Having this machine will be a game changer – we will be able to give our patients a quicker diagnosis, recommend treatment and reduce the possibility of further medical complications.”

If you would like more information regarding the scheme please contact Jan Witt on tel: 01225 825819 or email: jan.witt@nhs.net.

46

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E. WOOTTEN & SON A DIGNITY FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Funeral Director Jennifer Dip FAA, Dip FD, arranger Sue and the team at E. Wootten & Son pride themselves on their traditional ways and set the highest standards for the funeral profession. We will help you and your family through one of the most difficult times in your lives with compassion, respect, knowledge and openness. We will guide you every step of the way to ensure that the funeral you choose for your loved one is both personal and unique.

Our caring services start from just £1995 (Plus third party fees) Bereaved families can rest assured, knowing that their loved one is being cared for within our purpose built premises, which include:

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E. Wootten & Son have their own fleet of vehicles on site which consist of a Mercedes E Class Hearse complemented with a matching limousine. Our private ambulance is fully equipped to ensure the journey into our care is dignified and respectful.

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Visit our website: dignityfunerals.co.uk/e-wootten-and-son/calne for full information and to watch our Dignity with Distinction video

E. WOOTTEN & SON WILL ALSO ASSIST YOU WITH: • 24HRS A DAY SUPPORT • MEMORIALS • PRE-PAYMENT FUNERALS PLANS.

Transform your life in the home you love Just imagine in just a few short hours, we can make stairs a much safer place by installing a stairlift.

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49

Fireworks Season Doesn’t need to be this stressful and traumatic for your pet

You’ve probably felt like you’ve tried absolutely everything to keep your pet calm and soothe them during firework season, and for some pets, the loud bangs, pops and fizzles outside the house can turn them into a nervous wreck, something we’re very familiar with in our clinics.

Clients regularly ask us what they can do and if there are any other options than those they’ve already tried to keep their pets calm when there are fireworks near the home, and for some it’s a truly exhausting and upsetting experience to not be able to comfort your pet, and let them know there really is nothing to worry about.

Did you know that during a PDSA PAW Report done in 2018, over 40% of owners reported their dogs as being scared of fireworks? That’s 3.6 million dogs!

Thankfully, anti-anxiety medications have come a long way in the treatment of noise phobias, and many clinics like our will have vet nurses who are champions of treating pets with noise phobias, who will happily have a consultation or call with you to talk about how you can comfort & calm your pet during firework season.

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If you want to end firework fear in your pet rather than merely managing it. Gradual desensitisation is your best hope. It can take a great deal of time and patience, and it shouldn’t be rushed, but your veterinary clinic will be able to offer you advice and guidance to get your pet to a point where they no longer run for cover at the first few home firework displays in your neighbourhood.

As the season tends to span a far greater length of time than the usual 5th November Guy Fawkes night, we hope it’s good for you to know that there are other options available which will mean you and your furry family member can have a more peaceful couple of months in the midst of all the noises outside.

For any advice or guidance from us specifically, call Thameswood Vets on 01793 526780 or speak to your registered veterinary clinic for help.

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51

Pretty Perfect Pooch A third of dog lovers would pick their pet over their partner - if they were forced to choose between the two.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the nation’s dogs are responsible for three disagreements a week in British households.

The poll of 2,000 dog owners also found four in 10 admit to giving their pooch more affection than their other half. While 42 per cent even claim their pup deliberately intervenes when their partner tries to initiate a HUG.

The research was commissioned by dogfriendly country pub chain Chef & Brewer, whose brand manager Heather Moore said: “It’s no secret that Brits love their dogs, but we were surprised to find out just how far that love extended. Dog owners love nothing more than treating their pets, either with snacks or taking them somewhere they’ll love. Our research shows that for some couples, the four-legged friend can take the starring role in the relationship.”

An eighth of the population have even seen their relationship reach an ultimatum of ‘It’s me or the dog’ and 38 per cent say if they introduced their canine to a new partner and the dog didn’t like them, it would be a sign the relationship was doomed. But on the other hand, one in four would break up with someone if they felt a dog obsession was getting out of hand.

MALMESBURY 01666 823165 823165 MALMESBURY 01666

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will advise you of what to expect on will advise you of what to expect on arrival—a few things have changed arrival—a few things have changed We are running an appointment-only We are running an appointment-only system to regulate numbers for all system to regulate numbers for all Please visit with one adult per pet Please visit with one adult per pet wherever possible, and wear a face wherever possible, and wear a face covering when entering our clinics covering when entering our clinics Please respect social distancing Please respect social distancing guidance at all times to keep everyone guidance at all times to keep everyone protected and feeling comfortable protected and feeling comfortable

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Grittenham Grittenham Grooming Grooming

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More than 4 in 10 adults who let the dog sleep in the bedroom claim this has had a negative their love lives. Following Fridges -impact Freezerson - Cookers - Microwaves - Dryers the findings, Chef & Brewer, has launched a competition to win the ‘ultimate romantic doggy weekend away ’Pet owners will get the chance to win an overnight stay at one of REPAIRS - SERVICING - Iwhere NSTALLATION SALES their dog-friendly hotels, human- and canine can enjoy a meal in a cosy pub and bond over a country walk, as well as a £500 cash prize. Heather Moore continued: “Our doggy weekend away is perfect for those Email: who want info@stevesapplianceservices.co.uk to spend a bit of quality time with their four-legged friend”.

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Rhubarb rhubarb

GARDEN VIEW Rhubarb is a reasonably easy trouble-free plant to grow. It is also a handsome plant, with large leaves and striking red stems, and who doesn't love a rhubarb crumble?

The trick is to choose the right spot.

Ideally it needs to be planted in full sun but if your garden is very sheltered it will tolerate partial shade.

Don't plant it anywhere where it might be in the way, disturbed, or need to be moved from. Rhubarb has an extensive root system and prefers to stay put, for at least a decade, so give careful thought to the spot.

Rhubarb dislikes wet soil, so make sure it's well-drained. Dig in plenty of organic matter a month or so before planting. It’s generally easier and more productive to grow rhubarb from crowns (divided plants) rather than seed, and from now until Christmas is the perfect time to plant.

Dig a hole a little wider than the rhubarb crown in your prepared ground. Plant so that the growing tip is about an inch /2.5 cm below the surface. Firm the soil well around the roots to removed air pockets. Water well and mulch with organic matter, avoiding the growing tip.

During the growing season keep the area around the plant free of weeds and give an occasional good soaking in prolonged dry periods. Remove any flower heads that appear in the spring. Flowering will weaken the stems.

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If the crown rots, your soil was too wet, but following all the advice I've given earlier should prevent this happening! Harvest time is May until July, but rhubarb is a long-term investment so don't harvest it during the first year. It needs that full first year of growth to establish a strong root system. Second year leave at least five strong stems when you harvest. After that you can leave three or four stems each time. You should get 2-3 crops per season.

Remove only the largest stems when picking and wait till the leaves have fully opened. Pull gently from the base with a slight twist. The leaves are poisonous but can be safely composted.

Once your rhubarb is established you might want to try a forced crop for sweeter more tender stems.

Rhubarb is forced by growing it in the absence of light in a microclimate slightly warmer than the outside temperature. You can start forcing in January for best results. Remove dead leaves and weeds from around the crown and add a layer of straw or shredded paper to warm the emerging shoots and to protect them from frost. Then cover the crown with an upturned dustbin or large crock pot to cut out all the light. The rhubarb should be ready for harvesting 8 weeks later.

Happy gardening!

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THE MOST HUGGABLE TREES AT WILTSHIRE’S BOWOOD Head Groundsman Geoff Partridge names his favourites for some autumnal arboreal affection, as nature trails are traced out for children to follow.

With human touch and hugs in shorter supply since March, the boost to body and soul that comes from tree-hugging is being encouraged far and wide. The first ‘Tree-hugging World Championships’ were held in Finland this August and Iceland’s Forestry Service has been urging its citizens to head outside and embrace a tree to reduce social isolation and anxiety. Closer to home, the call to indulge in some arboreal affection this autumn is also being made by Geoff Partridge, Head Groundsman at Wiltshire’s Bowood (between Calne and Chippenham) as he urges children to get to know trees better and explore the wide open spaces at Bowood.

‘While we may not be able to hug those outside our household bubbles, the touchy-feely bark of a Bowood tree can certainly compensate in these times,’ says Geoff. ‘With our arboretum featuring trees of all ages and sizes, from saplings to Bowood’s 23 ‘champion’ trees – the largest or tallest of their kind recorded in Britain and Ireland - visitors should keep an eye out for the ones that take their fancy.

‘The ideal starter tree for a youngster to nuzzle up to would be an Acer; it’s small enough for a toddler to embrace completely and call it their own, while

its growth is established enough not to require a protective shield as saplings do.

‘One of the acers is in fact classified as a ‘champion’ tree: the Acer rubrum October glory.

Twenty-two metres high and with a diameter of 69 centimetres, it is to be found on the northern perimeter of the pinetum, among a group of acers.

It was planted here in 1977 to mark the Silver Jubilee year.

From Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November, there will be an Autumn Adventure Trail mapped out for children, inviting them to explore the arboretum following a scarecrow and pumpkin pathway. ‘As they make their way along this passage of discovery, kids should also look out for Acorns and Conkers on the ground, pick them up, feel them and marvel at how oak and horse chestnut trees once began.’

Geoff also singles out Redwoods for a hug with some 20 of them spread out across the grounds.

‘With its soft red and downy bark, a Redwood is very appealing. Some are the ideal size for a couple to embrace together while others with a greater circumference are large enough to require a family group to wrap their arms around.’

‘Capability’ Brown landscape in the frame at Bowood. Photo: www.andreajones.co.uk

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Autumn captured across Bowood’s lake. Photo: www.andreajones.co.uk

Geoff continues, ‘Look out also for the yellow leaves, white peeling bark and medium size of Silver Birches. Through a gap in the pinetum you can spy a large plantation of them along the northern rim of the Pleasure Grounds.

‘The grandeur of champion trees will be better appreciated from a distance to bring them into full visual frame. The ‘champion’ Cedar of Lebanon is Bowood’s most stately and historic tree and our archives contain the docket recording that 22 cones were ordered between 1768 and 1769, each priced at one shilling - £5 in today›s money.

It is one of those cones that has produced the ‘champion’ cedar that today stands at 39 metres high. With a diameter of 215 centimetres it would take a very large family to extend their arms around it completely. Alongside its heady scent, its textured and rugged bark is well worth a caress.’

Yet Geoff has words of caution too for trees to be admired with the eye rather than by touch.

‘The Monkey Puzzle tree is such an example with its spiky surface while the Chinese fir known as the Cunninghamia Lanceolata has prickly (as ‘lanceolata’ is translated) leaves. Both are 10 meters apart, clearly social-distancing from each other! There are needles to avoid on the group of three Californian nutmeg trees. The indigenous people of North America once used their needles for tattooing, it must be remembered.’

Having begun work as a groundsman at Bowood aged 18, Geoff’s detailed knowledge of Bowood’s arboretum has been acquired by ‘learning on the job’ over the past 36 years. During this time

he has been actively involved in tree planting – a Bowood tradition that spans almost 300 years: from when ‘Capability’ Brown first landscaped the Estate’s parkland and with every generation of the Lansdowne family since then. In the past 40 years alone over one million trees have been planted across the Estate. Bowood’s arboretum features 700 different species alongside the 23 ‘champion’ trees. Dating back to the 1840s, the pinetum’s layout is inspired geographically with various species placed according to the longitude and latitude of their natural habitat.

Bowood will undoubtedly be a magnet for all ages keen to enjoy the great outdoors this autumn, mindful of the parkland’s wide open spaces.

The Adventure Playground (for children up to 12 years old) and the Partridge Play Pen (created out of Estate timber by Geoff for the undersevens) also add to Bowood’s attractions when out-of-school and over this half-term. (For visitor numbers to be safely managed, entrance tickets must be booked online ahead of arrival at www. bowood.org/bowood-house-gardens/tickets/). The 43-bedroom Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort – a mile away from the House & Gardens and with its own dedicated entrance onto the Estate then further expands on the appeal of Bowood as a UK staycation choice.

The ideal destination to #EscapetheEveryday: www.bowood.org Twitter - @BowoodHouse; Instagram - @bowoodwiltshire; Facebook - Bowood House & Gardens www.towncriermagazine.com

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Me Before You by Jojo Moyes 26-year-old Lou Clark still lives with her parents in the quiet market town she grew up in. Almost deserted in the winter the town’s one draw is an old castle and when we meet Lou, she works in the local tea shop serving the coach loads of tourists who come to visit.

With a quirky dress sense Lou never really feels as if she fits in and as a teenager longed to travel the world. However, circumstances meant that she could never bring herself to leave.

After losing her job she reluctantly takes a job caring for Will, a young quadriplegic man injured in a motorcycle accident several years earlier. She is told the job is just for 6 months and despite a rough start she decides to stick it out and soon an unlikely bond develops between Lou and Will.

A romantic novel this also deals with the sensitive issue of disability and the descriptions of Will’s day to day life are well-written with brutal honesty and little sensationalism. Things take a darker turn when Lou learns the reason why her contract is only to be for 6 months and she sets out to bring Will new experiences and remind him of the simple joys of life: not easy for a wheelchair bound man whose ideal way to pass the time before his accident was skydiving or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

As a reader you are drawn into the lives of these characters and the development of their relationship is believable.

In the hands of the wrong writer this plot line could turn out to be very twee and cliché but Moyes does not fall into this trap. The resulting novel is engaging, difficult to put down and will lead you to appreciate the small wonders of life.

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green Continuing with the theme of personal relationships in the face of illness comes The Fault in Our Stars the hugely successful teen novel exploring the impact of teenage cancer on the lives of two individuals.

16-year-old Hazel has cancer and is, reluctantly, convinced by her parents to attend a support group for others in her situation. Amongst the other patients there is Augustus, a 17-year-old boy who lost a leg to cancer. The two begin talking and agree to read each other’s favourite books. Hazel’s book is a novel by a Dutch writer about a young girl with cancer: Hazel sees many parallels to her own life here. Augustus is angry after reading the book and discovering that it doesn’t have a nicely wrapped up ending. There is no conclusion, no neat package, no ending: happy or otherwise.

Of course, life has an ending, but it often isn’t happy or neatly wrapped up. Hazel becomes aware of her fears about getting close to others. She is afraid that when she dies it will hurt them, and this naturally affects her relationship with Augustus.

This moving novel deals with issues that most of its teen readers won’t have yet faced in their lives. As a teenager you often feel immortal. You feel as if life is stretching out ahead of you and death is the furthest from your mind. Hazel and Augustus, along with the other young people at the support group view life differently. There is no expectation that everyone will make it to the next meeting. No one is immortal.

With a huge teenage following and a successful movie adaptation this novel stays with you long after the closing paragraph.

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