Town Crier Magazine December 2018 by Town Crier Magazine

TownCr er DECEMBER 2018

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Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Malmesbury, Royal Wootton Bassett , Marlborough, Devizes and Melksham

Meet Paul Martin from BBC's Flog It! Our Top Gifts for

Christmas

Christmas Wishes From our Advertisers

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WISHES FROM US ALL! WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON l FOOD l HEALTH & BEAUTY l TRAVEL l HOME & GARDEN l PETS

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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MAIN SECTIONS

CON T E N TS DECEMBER 2 018

Christmas Wishes 46-47 Health & Beauty 66-69

Gardening 71-75 Motoring 76-79 Building & Home Improvement 78-89

LOCAL FOCUS 8 4

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter

Pets 62-65

What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck?A Christmas Quacker!

Sticky Gingerbread

Well it is that time of year again! I just thought we'd start with a different opener to every other month and it is the season to be jolly!!! Feast your eyes on our Christmas edition. You will find inside festive recipies, a christmas shopping guide (if you haven't yet made a start) and some indulent boozy recipes for the grown-ups.

ENTERTAINMENT

We have an interview with the lovely Doug Wiltshire who has reached the grand old age of 100. Also an invterivew with Paul Martin who many of you will recognise from the TV series Flog it! And of course much much more.

FOOD 41 38

Christmas Tipples

Editor Annie raises money for Macmillan's Brave The Shave Malmesbury man wins speaking award

34 16 58

Dates for your diary Celebrity Interview with Paul Martin from Flog It!

I would like to say a big thank you for your continued support throughout the year. To our advertisers, and of course our readers.

Book review: A few of our really good reads

A massive thanks to my team for their help and dedication, Richard, Victoria, Clair, Sam, Jenny and not forgetting Fiona, Paul and Jo, all of whom help to make the Town Crier Magazine one of the best magazines around the area.

FEATURES 44 54 20 90

Feeding a Crowd at Christmas Meet Doug Wiltshire Christmas iTraditions

MOTORING 76

We all wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year! Look forward to seeing you in 2019.

Auto biography - we review the Volvo V60

Christmas Poem

from Annie

TRAVEL 60

& the team!

Crete - The largest, most southerly Greek Island

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

5b Wood Street, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 0BZ

Tel: 01249 811068 www. 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. Deadline for submissions for the November 2018 issue: 10th December 2018

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G L O C A L L Y • N E W S • E V E N T S • C H A R I T I E S • C L U B S

LOCAL

December

Focus

Malmesbury man wins speaking award I spend as much time teaching people to believe in themselves as I do the art and science of public speaking. This matters because when we stand up and speak we can change our lives, our businesses and our world. Most people attend one of our courses because they lack confidence speaking in public. By the time they leave we have not only boosted their confidence but they have become far more effective and engaging speakers and presenters.

When Malmesbury resident Mark Faithfull was stopped trying to (accidentally) smuggle a knife into the houses of parliament, little did he realise that this dinner table anecdote would turn into a keynote presentation that would take him to the finals of the 2018 Speaker Factor competition run by the Professional Speaking Association, and be awarded the South West Regional Speaker of the Year 2018. Now Mark has established the Malmesbury Speakers Academy to help other people to share their stories and communicate effectively.

I believe everyone is a great speaker, they just don’t believe it yet... 4

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Malmesbury Speakers Academy runs short workshops and all-day master classes for speakers of all experience levels – from novices to seasoned professionals. Public courses are held either at Charlton Business Park on the outskirts of Malmesbury, Wiltshire or in the heart of Bristol. Private courses are also provided for local businesses who have several people to train and require some customisation of the content. The most popular event is the two hour Speak with Confidence workshop which is focused on helping people overcome anxiety and stage fright, and runs every month. A list of upcoming courses is available at: www.malmesburyspeakers.com/calendar As well as teaching public speaking, Mark also provides keynote and after dinner presentations focused on the themes of Leadership and Unleashing your Potential. He is known for his relaxed and humorous delivery while delivering valuable insights and practical lessons. For more information: www.malmesburyspeakers.com www.markfaithfull.com

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

DIXON HEALTH CHIROPRACTORS

open new chippenham clinic

Earlier this year, Dixon Health Chiropractors merged with Healthcare 2000, run by local chiropractor Michael Copland-Griffiths. The merger represents the coming together of Peter Dixon and Michael under the banner of Dixon Health, nearly 35 years after they first worked together.

On the 19th of December, they will be hosting an open evening for the general public, so please feel free to pop in for a mince pie and drink, and have a look around the beautiful new space.

The team provide a comprehensive chiropractic service to the people of Wiltshire, with clinics also in Bradford on Avon and Devizes. In September, Dixon Health moved Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practice (Chippenham Chiropractic Clinic) from his premises at the Hathaway Surgery into their brand new, purpose-built clinic at 1 The Causeway, Chippenham. After months of careful renovations on the listed building, Dixon Health has opened its doors and the end result is outstanding.

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G L O C A L L Y • N E W S • E V E N T S • C H A R I T I E S • C L U B S

LOCAL

December

Focus

Annie Raises £460

Macmillan cancer support

Brave The Shave As you know, I did the Brave The Shave in November to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. We had a great day. Clair put on some nibbles and decorated the office and it was a fun time. I am are pleased to say we managed to raise £460 towards this great cause. I would like to say a big thank you to Sue from Hair and Beauty by Solo who graciously came to the offices to do the cut and make a donation. I would also like to thank everyone who donated and the people that came in to support me. Brave The Shave is a campaign which has been running since 2015 and has to date raised £16.8m. Participants sign up, pick a Brave The Shave date and then get sponsorship for it. Some who take part in the challenge can opt for their hair, if suitable, to be donated to the Little Princess Trust which provides real hair wigs to children and young adults with cancer and other serious illnesses. Thank you again for all your dupport and kind donations.

Annie

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN STILL DONATE TO EDITOR ANNIE'S FUND RAISING PAGE For more details visit https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk Anyone who still wishes to donate can visit Annie's personal giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/annie-harling 8

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Create new traditions this December LacocktoAbbey Add someatcolour Gather around the enormous your weekend this abbey Christmas tree in the festive courtyard on at Thursdays and Fridays, autumn Gibside join in with Victorian carol singing and explore our annual community Go crunching through fallen leaves and discover a forest Christmas tree festival in the abbey teeming with wildlife and autumn colours, with walking routes for all ages and abilities. cloister.

Call 01249 730459 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your

helps usTrust to look 2018. after special <in the region> <like ©support National Theplaces National property property Y and Proeprty Z> in for ever, for everyone. Trust isX,an independent registered charity, number 205846. © National Trust 2016. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust #nationaltrust Photography © National Trust Images. #nationaltrust Images\Chris Lacey.

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Run for patients at the RUH Bath Half Marathon: Sunday 17th March 2019 Make every step you take from now until March count for patients & families cared for by the Royal United Hospitals Bath, by joining The Forever Friends Appeal’s Bath Half team today! You can choose to run for any ward, department or campaign that is close to your heart and in return for your superhero efforts to support local people, you’ll receive your own RUH team running vest, fundraising and training support plus an invitation to the celebrations in the marquee (celebrating YOU and the charity’s 20th year of fundraising!)…not forgetting, the biggest cheers on race day in the RUH’s home city! Charity places are now available for £35, with a pledge to raise £175 for our patients. To join the team, please visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk or contact Maddy in the Events Team on 01225 825823. If you already have your place, we would love to welcome you on board too, just get in touch!

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Robins with a tuneful voice, cheeky attitude and bright red breast!

If you were asked to name a bird iconic for this time of year, I’m guessing the robin would be at the top of your list. Robins are with us throughout the year, but many people only begin to really notice them around Christmas time. The robin’s association with the festive season is believed to have begun when scarlet-jacketed postmen were delivering Christmas cards, and the similarly-coloured robin redbreast soon became linked to this tradition. Their tuneful voices, along with their cheeky attitudes and bright red breast, have endeared robins to the British public.

In 1960 they were crowned the UK's national bird. But don’t be fooled by their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and can be quite vicious and quick to drive away intruders. Males may hold the same area throughout their lives and will even attack a bundle of red feathers or their own reflection if they mistake it for another robin. Males and females look identical, but young birds have no red breast and are spotted with golden brown growing their red feathers after their first molt. These small but confident birds are also known for following the gardener around as the soil is being turned over, waiting for tasty earthworms or other small invertebrates to be revealed.

You can do three things to help robins – provide food, water and shelter. Simply putting out a bird bath or a dish of water is great, make sure during the cold months this is prevented from freezing over. As for food, the robin will happily eat a range of seeds, suet or fat balls and are particularly fond of mealworms. Mealworms are packed with moisture and protein. You can also provide fruit, or pieces of fat such as crumbled cheese or buggy nibbles. Piles of logs and leaf litter will house plenty of spiders and other small animals that robins can find during the winter. Ivy is also great, providing shelter and invertebrate food during winter and spaces for robins to nest in spring. An open fronted nest box placed on a wall, shed or tree will give them somewhere to nest in and raise their young during the spring and summer and potentially somewhere to roost in during the winter. Make sure you place the box out of the wind and rain, usually a NorthEasterly direction is best. Allow a clear flight path to the box but make sure it isn’t in a too obvious place where it can easily be found by predators or disturbed by people. Robins will also nest in hedges so planting with wildlife in mind is also extremely beneficial.

For more information on robins and how to give nature a home visit www.rspb.org.uk

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

FROM ALL THE STORES AT BOROUGH PARADE THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR CUSTOM AND WE WISH YOU A WONDERFUL FESTIVE SEASON. FOR THE LATEST STORE OFFERS, GIFT IDEAS, EVENTS & COMMUNITY NEWS VISIT BOROUGHPARADE.CO.UK DAVID CHRISTOPHER GLOBAL WEST

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F O O

Our aim for the night is to bring the business community of Chippenham together to rejoice in the achievements made so far in a fun and lively setting, highlighting Chippenham on the map as one of the most thriving business areas in Wiltshire

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The 2017 and 2018 awards were a huge success. With local sponsors, local entrants and a true sense of community, we invite you to join us for another event to showcase the talents and achievements of the business community in our town.

Chippenham Bid Business Awards

Returning for its 3rd year, the Chippenham BID Business Awards is the largest B2B event in Chippenham. This an event to celebrate the achievements of businesses in and around Chippenham and raise its profile as a place of thriving independent and global business.

Thursday 21st February at the Neeld Community and Arts Centre Closing Date For Entries 5pm Friday 14th December

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

THE TOWN CRIER MEETS . . .

Paul Martin

The Wiltshire-based TV presenter who loves his home county

AUL MARTIN has been a familiar face on our tv screens for 18 years as the main presenter on the popular BBC day-time series Flog It! and more recently with his family in Countryfile Diaries. As Flog It! comes to an end, Paul is focussing on three new projects for 2019: • His new book Paul Martin’s World of Antiques. • His new series – Make Me A Dealer • His new gallery. It was more than 18 years ago that an antiques dealer, musician and art lover was spotted by a BBC researcher who wandered into his gallery in Marlborough. Paul Martin was more surprised than anyone when he was asked to do a screen test for the BBC as there was talk of a new antiques show on the horizon.

experienced incredible things and worked with hundreds of incredible professional people.” Although Flog It! has sadly been axed by the BBC, it will be on our screens during 2019 as the series has already been filmed. Yet this won’t be the last we see of Paul as a new series has just arrived called Make Me A Dealer. Screened for the first time in November 2018, this series sees ordinary people, with Paul’s support and advice, try to be a dealer using their own money. “People often say to me – about many antiques programmes that we do it the wrong way around, by buying an item retail from a shop or antiques show or centre and then selling it wholesale at an auction. This new show isn’t like that. Here the contributors use their own money and they have to act as a

“I had no thought or desire to be on the television,” Paul said. “Yet when the time came I took the opportunity and what flowed from that was something beyond my imagination. “It led to 18 incredible years on Flog It! where I’ve travelled up and down the country, all around the UK, visited incredible places, incredible homes and I’ve seen and 16

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

dealer does every day, assessing what to buy and what not to buy, bidding for the items they want, setting themselves some goals, and then selling those items for a profit. “It’s been utterly fascinating for these first 20 programmes to see what some people have – and haven’t done – we’ve met some real characters and two have even gone on to work as fledgling dealers as a result.” Also in November, Paul has published his latest book Paul Martin’s World of Antiques by Bonnier Books, “I love this book,” Paul said. “I think it’s the best book I’ve written. It was a way to remember the exciting things I’ve done and seen while working all over the UK on Flog It! which is a very special programme. It’s special because ordinary people are central to it. I talk about the gems we’ve spotted over the years and some of my fellow experts are also in the book sharing their stories – Adam Partridge, James Lewis, Phillip Serrell.

“The best thing about Flog It! has always been the people. From the labourers to the craftspeople, their objects and their stories. Even if the object itself is not valuable, the story can be priceless.”

Photos by Paul Stallard of www.candidpictures.co.uk

“I’ve found people do have pride in our country and civic pride in their own area, they are proud of their history and their local history and that has become evident over and over again up and down the country.” Paul, who lives near Devizes, with his wife Charlotte and their two children is still as passionate about antiques as ever – with a particular love of furniture and natural history. His home sports several skeletons – all of which have a story to tell. This has led him to make a huge decision – to open up a gallery again, this time in Corsham’s High Street, also reinforcing his deep relationship with his home county of Wiltshire. “We are so lucky to live here. It’s a beautiful county and we’re surrounded by heritage and history from ancient to Victorian – yet we are so convenient to transport links to get us around. I love living here. “I’ve never stopped loving antiques

and for some time have wanted to get back to the business of dealing again. I’m a person who buys and sells from the heart and I already have some wonderful objects. When this opportunity arose, I decided the time had come to take the plunge.” The new shop is currently being refurbished. It will be named Paul Martin’s Table Gallery and will be a place where anyone can come in and browse, chat and talk antiques and collectibles with Paul or a member of his team. TV will still be a big part of Paul’s life.

WIN A SIGNED COPY OF "MY WORLD OF ANTIQUES" We are thrilled to announce that Paul Martin has kindly donated one signed copy of his book My World of Antiques which you could win by sending your name and a contact telephone number by email to: production@ towncriermagazine.com by 31st December 2018. The Editor’s decision is final.

“With Make Me A Dealer, Countryfile Diaries and other projects on the pipeline, there’s still a lot of tv going on. For me though it was also time to get back to enjoying passing on antiques, objects which have a story and show real craftsmanship – both those with history and the contemporary which will have a history. It’s time for me to be a dealer once again.” The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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s a m t s i r h C Traditions

By Tracey Anderson

Christmas is all about traditions, but why do we hang stockings, eat chocolate logs and drink eggnog?

Stockings – Noddy Holder belting out, ‘Are you hanging up your stocking on the wall?’ is a Christmas tradition in itself. There is no official explanation of why we hang socks up for Santa though. It probably derives from a tradition of leaving out hay-filled shoes on December 5, the eve of St. Nicholas’ feast day. Children would wake to discover that the hay they left for St. Nick’s donkey had been replaced with treats or coins. Snacks for Santa – Whether it’s milk & a cookie or sherry & a mince pie, when we leave goodies for Father Christmas we’re possibly participating in a tradition that some scholars date back to ancient Norse mythology! According to legend, Odin had an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir. Kids would leave treats for Sleipnir, hoping that Odin would favour them with gifts in return. Carolling – You might suppose this is a centuries-old tradition but although the songs go back hundreds of years, visiting neighbours to bid them good luck and good cheer by singing for them didn’t happen until the Victorian era. Evergreen decorations – Before

Christianity people decorated their homes with evergreens in the winter as a reminder that spring would return. Christians adopted the tradition and decorated evergreen trees with apples to represent the Garden of Eden. The practice really took off when the public learned that Queen Victoria had a decorated Christmas tree as a nod to her German husband’s heritage.

The Yule Log – Yule logs also predate Christianity. As part of winter solstice

celebrations, Gaels and Celts burned logs decorated with holly, ivy, and pinecones to cleanse themselves of the past year and welcome the next one. The practice changed over time and eventually edible representations of the log appeared, which is why we eat chocolate logs today!

Eggnog – Historians agree that 'nog’ was

probably inspired by a medieval drink called ‘posset’, a milky drink made with eggs, milk, and sometimes figs or sherry. These were all pricey ingredients, so it was a bit of status symbol to offer it to guests. No-one seems to know for sure why it’s called ‘nog’, but it maybe from the old word ‘noggin’ which was slang for a wooden cup.

Mistletoe - This was associated with

fertility and vitality by Celtic Druids because it blossomed even during the most frigid winters. Quite how we got from that kissing under the mistletoe is a mystery, but we do know that it began in the 18th Century and started with guests kissing the hand of their host under the mistletoe, then became progressively more personal over the decades that followed!

Advent calendars - The modern advent calendar, with its little doors containing sweets or small gifts, began with Gerhard Lang in the early 1900s. His inspiration was a calendar that his mother made for him when he was a child, featuring 24 coloured pictures attached to a piece of cardboard. Christmas Cards – In these days of high

postage costs, texts and emails, plus more environmental awareness this tradition may be at risk of dying out. Christmas cards are a surprisingly recent tradition anyway, with the first formal card only hitting shelves in 1843.

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Ask AMS 70+ videos on YouTube Search ‘AMS Accountancy’

How to delay being VAT registered VAT registration is a problem for small businesses who sell to the general public. When annual turnover exceeds £85,000, they must register for VAT, paying 1/6th of gross sales to HMRC. However, there are ways to avoid/delay registration:

Restrict annual turnover to less than £85,000 by; limiting customers, closing up for holidays etc. It seems drastic but it prevents a big loss of profits.

Incorporate into a Limited Company; this resets the VAT turnover to zero – and buys more time before having to register. However, if the threshold is exceeded during any 12 month period, it will be forced to register for VAT.

Split the business into two; into Limited Companies, where one or both are below the VAT threshold, saving a lot of VAT. It’s vital that each is autonomous, with separate costs, staff, premises, literature etc. and sound reasons for the split (say geographical or a new market). If the split is artificial, HMRC will treat all sales as being for one business for VAT threshold purposes. Peter Bromiley ACA

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Nishaan wins the AMS Christmas card competition! Nishaan Singh, Year 6 of Lawn Primary School, Swindon, has won the AMS Accountancy Ltd. annual Christmas card design competition this year. The title of his lovely picture is ‘Christmas Eve’. Nishaan won a £25 Amazon voucher and AMS donated £250 to the school. Barbara French, Head of Marketing at AMS said ‘A big thank you to Kelly James, Head Teacher and Emma Jelley, Deputy Head Teacher for allowing us to run this competition again this year - it’s so special.’

Jason Elms

Local Carpet and Vinyl fitter Over 20-years’ experience Can supply & fit Tel: 01249 658740 Mob: 07584 576077

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BATHROOMS AND WARDROBES FROM INSPIRATIONAL BATHROOMS www.perfectrooms.co.uk • Tel: 01249 716445 • perfectrooms@btconnect.com The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

E. Wootten & Son Funeral Directors Established 1926

Funeral Director Jennifer Dip FAA, Dip FD and the team at E. Wootten & Son are at your service and set the highest standards for the funeral profession in terms of care of clients and their loved ones. We help our families through one of the most difficult times in their lives with compassion, respect, knowledge, openness and personal care. 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:

E Wootten & Son Funeral Directors

• Qualified and discreet personnel. • Private, homely and comfortable arranging rooms. • Quiet and private Chapel of Rest. • Fully equipped purpose built mortuary facilities. • Private parking for convenience and discretion.

1 North Street Calne SN11 0HQ 01249 812258

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.

47 Market Place Chippenham SN15 3HU 01249 709048

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.

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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Bazaar Gifts & Cards 5 The Strand, Calne, SN11 0RB (By the Library)

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

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Telephone: 01249 813380

LEADING BRANDS AT GREAT PRICES 1 & 2 Windsor Drive, Devizes SN10 2TH • Tel: 01380 887943 The Wendy House, 3 Farrell Close, Cirencester • Tel: 01285 897426

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FREE LOCAL DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE PARKING OLD BED / MATTRESSES DISPOSAL SERVICE AVAILABLE

www.elitebedsandmattressesdirect.co.uk The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Calne Evangelical Church Sunday Service times: Family Service 10.30am (crÃ¨che available) Evening Service 6.00pm

Weekly activities: House Groups vering Calne and Surrounding COVERING CALNE villageS Tots 'n' Dots - toddler group Tuesday Club - primary school age Shipway ANDluke SURROUNDING Glow - 9-12 years T. 07595449480 e.VILLAGES sweep@sootybrushes.co.uk Lazer - senior school age www.sootybrushes.co.uk Luke Shipway See church notice board or website, T. 07595 449480 or contact us via email sweep@sootybrushes.co.uk calneevangelicalchurch@yahoo.co.uk www.sootybrushes.co.uk or ring 821754 for more information. find us on facebook

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

COME AND SEE US

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Angel Bauble Bells Boxing day Candle Carols Eggnog Elf Epiphany Fairy lights Gingerbread Gold Grinch Holly Ivy

Mince pies Mistletoe Myrrh Nativity Reindeer Scrooge Sleigh Snowman Stocking Tree Wassail Wreath

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Top Gifts

THIS CHRISTMAS Whether it's for a secret santa or a special someone who has absolutely everything, here are some gift ideas; unusual, funny and a bit off-the-wall.

Crossword Puzzle Mug £12.95 Complete the crossword while having a cuppa. Then download a brand-new set of clues from the app and try again.

Chocolate Covered Bacon Yes really! So wrong...yet somehow so right!

GraviTrax Starter Set (around £50) GraviTrax is a super-cool marble run for the 21st Century. It encourages the use of imagination and is great for teaching kids (and adults) about gravity, magnetism, and kinetic energy. You can use the tasks and blueprints included to help you to get started but you’ll soon be designing your own tracks. This is trickier than it might appear and is great for encouraging problem-solving skills. There’s even a GraviTrax app to allow you build and test a track before building it in the real word.

Elasti Plasti (under £15) So many kids love slime and this stuff is great. It’s super-expandable and you can make giant bubbles with it. As a bonus it’s non-sticky so parents will love it too, or at least not hate it!

LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Express (around £75) The Harry Potter books remain perennially popular, and LEGO is always a hit so combine the two and you have a winning Christmas gift. There is a nice solid train, five mini-figures plus Dementors.

Monopoly ‘Cheaters ‘edition (£20-£25) Almost everyone has at least one game of Monopoly at Christmas so ring the changes with the Cheaters edition. It encourages players to fake a dice roll, steal money and even skip rent. Ok… maybe it’s not in the spirit of Christmas but it sounds more fun than normal Monopoly.

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Fingerlings Untamed Dinos (under £20) This year is all about the dinosaurs! There are several different Raptors, and word was out at time of printing that there may be a T-Rex one released just before Christmas!

Fidget Toys A fidget toy is the perfect gift. Magnetic balls which can be played with and used to sculpt shapes, or fidget cubes which have a different activity on every face and fit into the average pocket make great gifts.

Unusual clock (£10-£40) From projection clocks to light-up colour-change clocks, there's a funky time piece for almost everyone.

MATTHEWS OF MALMESBUR Y Est 1880

INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTORS Care and compassion when you need it most

PERSONAL SERVICE 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Interest free pre-payment funeral plans available. Covering Malmesbury, Royal Wootton Bassett, Tetbury and surrounding villages.

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7 Burnham Road, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 0BQ

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T: 01249 813871

1 Stanier Road | Porte Marsh | Calne | SN11 9PX

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

When in a care home is it possible to defer paying for your elderly care home fees? We asked Andrew Douglas, Partner at Awdry Bailey & Douglas Solicitors who specialises in elderly care, for his views on this issue? Surely you cannot defer payment of fees when in a care home? Surprising though it may sound it is a fact that if after a financial assessment by the local authority it is the case that a person is unable to pay all their care home fees from their income and other assets (which must fall under the upper capital limit of £23,250) other than through the sale of their home then in those circumstances a local authority must offer them a deferred payments agreement.

KINGSTON HOUSE Residential Care Home For the Older Person

Residential and Specialist Dementia Care All rooms with En-Suite facilities Caring, Professional staff and a lively environment Regular trips on our Minibus Eden Alternative registered home Visitors always welcome Lansdowne Crescent East, Derry Hill, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9NT Tel: 01249 815555 Fax: 01249 818928 E-mail: kingston@greensleeves.org.uk

Is there an authority for what you say? Yes, sections 34-36 of the Care act 2014 and The Care and Support (Deferred Payment) Regulations 2014. This is a must requirement by a local authority provided they can obtain a first registered charge against a person’s title to their property or another form of adequate security. If adequate security cannot be provided then in those circumstances a local authority cannot enter into a deferred payments agreement

For further details, please contact the Home Manager

What can be deferred? The amount agreed for care costs plus the local authority’s administration charges and interest.

Johnson & Daltrey

How much can be deferred? There is an upper limit which can be deferred and which is 90% of the equity value of the property. From this value is deducted the lower capital limit which every person is allowed to keep namely £14,250. When the deferred payments reach 50% of the equity the local authority should revalue.

Independent Family Funeral Service

Is interest charged? Yes at the prevailing market gilt rate plus 0.15%. Interest is charged on a compound basis meaning that the charge is rendered on the loan outstanding and accumulated interest.

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When is the loan repayable? It is repayable on the sale or disposal of the property or 90 days after the date of death of the person concerned. Additionally the person concerned can terminate the arrangement at any time. To know more and for a free appointment to find out answers to the questions that need answering email Andrew Douglas or his team on ajd@awdrys.co.uk or call on 0800 072 8636. The firm has offices In Marlborough, Royal Wootton Basset, Devizes & Chippenham. Alternatively visit our website www.abdcare.co.uk

1 Beach Terrace, Calne. SN11 0RD. (01249) 821200 112 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett. SN4 7AU. (01793) 851400 21 High Street, Malmesbury. SN16 9AA. (01666) 822200

www.johnsonanddaltrey.co.uk

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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As the winter nights draw in â&#x20AC;&#x201C; have you ever fancied the idea of a wood burning stove for your cosy snug or open planning living space? Do you want to enjoy the feel of a fire warming up your living room and creating a focal point in your home? John Williams Heating Services are now able to install and service wood burning stoves. They are an accredited supplier with Worcester Bosch which offer the Greenstyle Hanbury and Greenstyle Bewdley models. However the team can also fit models by other manufacturers to suit your taste and style. When thinking about having a woodburning stove there are some questions you may wish to consider. Does my home need to have a chimney? Stoves can be installed in homes with or without a chimney, however a flue is needed to safely remove the smoke, hot gases and other by-products created when wood burns.

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FUNERAL SERVICE Calne

What can I burn in the stove? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important the wood has less than 20% moisture. Any higher and it will not generate as much heat, create particle build up in the flue or chimney and blacken the glass of the door. Be aware many materials can give off dangerous fumes indoors and generate harmful environmental emissions. Do not use painted, varnished, glued or pressure treated wood, driftwood or engineered wood such as MDF. Do I need planning consent or building regulation approval? Fitting, altering or replacing an external flue or chimney, or having work done which affects a chimney, is likely to need building regulation approval. Planning consent is not normally required as long as certain conditions are met.

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Tel:01249 811333 The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

The Perfect Cheeseboard

By Tom Hancock

How much cheese? - Allow about 100g-125g (3½-4oz) cheese per person if your cheeseboard is being served after a meal, or slightly more - 150g (5oz) per person if you’re serving it as a snack/light meal. Which cheese? - Three or four cheeses is enough – more than that and there’s too much for the palate to enjoy. The cheeses should be different styles, textures and flavours. Cheddar, Stilton and Brie is a classic combination, as it mixes a hard, soft and a blue. Why not go totally British with a traditional West Country Farmhouse Cheddar matched with Cropwell Bishop, a wonderful robust blue, and maybe Bath Soft Cheese, which is gorgeously gooey and mushroomy in flavour. It’s nice to put one wild-card cheese on the board like a citrussy goat’s cheese or meaty smoked cheese like St James.

Drinks - After a meal a sweet fortified white wine is always good. You could even try a whiskey, or a gin and tonic. If the board is going to serve as a light meal, then beer or cider is a good choice. A note on storage - Store in a cold room or the bottom of the fridge, wrapped in waxed paper if possible This allows the cheese to breathe. Let the cheese to come up to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving for maximum flavour.

Crackers - A good oat biscuit, cracker or artisan bread will complement the cheese. Add a chutney - look for unusual brands at farmers’ markets, and some apples or grapes.

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Ingredients:

This makes a beautiful food gift for a hamper at Christmas, or just bake and enjoy for yourself.

2 tsp baking yeast 175ml warm milk 1 large egg 75g caster sugar 1 and half tsp salt 75g buter 350g bread flour 50g currants 50g sultanas 50g red glace cherries (quartered) 6oz diced mixed peel 7oz marzipan 1 tsp icing sugar Half tsp ground cinnamon Toasted almond flakes to serve on top

Method: Dissolve the yeast in a small bowl with the warm milk. Let it stand until it turns creamy for about 10 minutes.

Lightly oil a large bowl. Put in the dough and roll around the bowl to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place. It should take about an hour to double in size. Grease a baking tray. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the marzipan into one long strip and place in the centre of the dough. Fold the dough over to cover it, pinching the seams together to seal. Place the loaf with the seam at the bottom onto the baking tray. Cover with the damp tea towel and let it rise for about 40 minutes until the size has doubled again. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes at 180oc then reduce the heat down to 150oc for another 30-40 minutes or until golden brown. Once cooled on a cooling rack, dust the loaf with the icing sugar, sprinkle with cinnamon and decorate with the toasted flaked almonds.

Stollen

Using a large bowl, transfer the yeast mixture and add the egg, sugar, salt, butter and 3/4 of the bread flour. Beat well then slowly add the remaining flour until all combined. When the dough is mixed, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in the dried fruit and continue kneading until the dough is smooth. This will take up to 10 minutes.

CAKE

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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Preparation time15 mins (prep. time) Cooking time1 hour (cooking time) Serves 12

Ingredients

450g/1lb Wholemeal plain flour 20g/1oz Ground ginger 10g/2tsp Mixed spice 10g/2tsp Bicarbonate of soda 100g/4oz Soft brown sugar 200g/8oz Butter or margarine 350g/14oz Black treacle 100g/4oz Golden treacle 10g/2tsp Caraway seeds 300ml/12floz Milk 4 Eggs, beaten 50g/2oz Root ginger, peeled and thinly sliced 1 Lemon, juice and cut zest into thin strips 1 Orange, juice and cut zest into thin stripped 100g/4oz Caster sugar

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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Place the flour, ginger, spice, bicarbonate of soda and brown sugar in a large bowl and mix well. Melt the margarine, treacle and syrup on a low heat, and then add the caraway seeds and gradually beat in the milk. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Add the eggs and mix well. Pour the liquid mix into the dry mix and use a balloon whisk to beat together. Pour the mixture into two 1lb (450g) loaf tins and bake for about 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Place the lemon and orange juice in a pan, add the sugar and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and add the ginger and lemon and orange zest. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven and drizzle over the liquid from the pan then scatter over the ginger and peel.

Its been a fantastic season so far for growing turkeys, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve enjoyed the long hot summer and dry autumn out in our orchard feasting on damsons, apples, elderberries and their particular favourite stinging nettles!

The perfect Christmas turkey

We have a simple philosophy here at Lydiard Turkeys, we just focus on two things, animal welfare and producing the best tasting turkeys possible. Our free range bronze turkeys are substantially older than most Christmas turkeys which means they carry more fat - essential for cooking. Combine this with our hand plucking and temperature controlled game hanging in the on site processing facilities means i'd like to think you will have never tasted a turkey so good!

Lydiard Turkeys 3 top tips 1 Always buy a whole turkey - Whole turkeys can be as small as 4kg but its the best value way to buy and they always have the most flavour

www.lydiardturkeys.co.uk 01793 881215

2 Cook your turkey breast side down so all the juice and fat drains through the breast meat while cooking

3 Use a meat thermometer - Once your turkey is up to temperature remove from the oven and rest it. Additional time only dries it out. 70c for a quality turkey, 80c for a super market turkey and always test in the thickest part of the breast.

Spiced Parsnip & Apple Soup

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Festive Cosmopolitan A stylish and delicious Christmas hit with your guests 500ml vodka 500ml ginger wine 1 litre of cranberry juice Freshly squeezed lime juice Fresh lime zest for garnish Sliced stem ginger Mix the vodka and ginger wine in a jug. Stir in the cranberry and lim juice. Add in some stem ginger. Pour into long glasses and decorate with lime zest

Mulled Wine We all need a little warming up at Christmas and mulled wine is great for bringing that festive smell and warm feeling to your home and social events! You will need: 1 750ml bottle red wine 1 large cinnamon stick (or 2 small ones) 2 star anise, 4 cloves 1 lemon 4 tbsp caster sugar Put the whole bottle of red wine, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, lemon zest and sugar into a large deep pan. Cook on a low heat for 10 mins. being careful not to boil. Remove from the heat and cool for about 30 mins. This allows the mixture to infuse. To serve, slowly warm up on a low heat (without boiling) and pour into mugs or glasses. Enjoy!

Mimosa Simple and easy when entertaining guests this Christmas 1 chilled bottle champagne or prosecco Juice of 1 freshly squeezed orange Fill glasses half way with the champagne or prosecco and top with orange juice. Decorate with a thin peel of orange rind.

Orange & Cranberry spritzer Freshly squeezed Smooth orange juice Smooth cranberry juice Sparkling elderflower drink Mix together the juices, Slowly pur in the elderflower but be careful as it gets fizzy! Mix well and serve as a long drink over ice

Christmas Punch

Frozen cranberries Mix cranberry juice with the juice of the orange and Cranberry juice lime. Smash up a bag of frozen cranberries and put Blood orange juice a small amount at the bottom of each glass. 1 fresh lime, lemon and orange Add a wedge of lime and orange along with a sprig Fresh mint of fresh mint then pour in the mixed juices up to half Bottle of Appletise way, topping up with alpletise to give it fizz! The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Ingredients

uououououououou

200g unsalted butter 200g golden caster sugar 1 large egg Half a tsp vanilla extract 400g plain flour plus a bit for rolling 500g pack of ready to roll fondant icing Honey, for sticking 100g royal icing sugar Silver balls and white sprinkles A snowflake cookie cutter

Method Heat the oven to 200c/gas 6. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Put the butter (softened) into a bowl and beat it until creamy. Beat in the sugar, then the egg and vanilla and finally the flour to make a dough. Add a little more flour if it is sticky then chill for 20 minutes in the fridge. Roll the dough out thinly to about 4mm on a lightly floured surface and cut out your snowflakes.

uououououou 42

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are beginning to go golden. Leave to cool for 5 minutes then remove from the parchment. Cool completely. Roll out the fondant icing thinly. Use the same cutter to stamp out the icing. Brush each biscuit with honey and press the icing onto the top.

Mix the icing sugar with enough water so that you can pipe it and then add patterns onto the snowflakes so that you can add silver balls and sprinkles to decorate.

Christmas Party

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT Food served 7 Days per Week from 12 noon Cask Ales Gin Menu Regular Entertainment

T: 01249 248304 E: info@thebugandspider.co.uk 221 Oxford Rd, Calne SN11 8AW

Spiced Parsnip & Apple Soup Apple & Parsnip Crisps , Curry Oil & Crusty Ro ll Duck & Orange Pate Toasted Ciabatta, Red Onion Chutney, Caram elised Orange Prawn & Crab Cocktail Crisp Leaves, Smoked Paprika Marie Rose, Tom ato & Chive Salsa, Granary Slice Melon & Wiltshire Ha m Honeydew Melon, Ra spberry Coulis, Shave d Ham, Mint Syrup HHH Roast Turkey Braised Beef Bordelais e Herb Crusted Cod, Pro secco & Dijon Sauce Wild Mushroom & Nu t Roast All served with pigs in blanke mashed potatoes and ts, Yorkshire pudding, roasted and a selection of seasonal vegetables HHH Christmas Pudding & Brandy Sauce Trio of Desserts Mango Cheesecake, Ch ocolate Brownie, Raspb erry & Prosecco Trifle HHH Coffee & Mince Pies £19.95

Award Winning, Spiced Family Run Farm Shop Parsnip and Apple Established for over 30 years 700g Local ParsnipsProduce (chopped) Selling Quality Butter – 5pm on Sundays) Open Daily 9am – 6pm40g (9.30am   1 tbsp Oil 2 Onions (chopped) HOME & LOCALLY REARED FRESH MEAT, POULTRY & GAME 2 Cloves Garlic (crushed) HOMEMADE SAUSAGES, BURGERS & FAGGOTS 1 litre Veg Stock

Soup

Home Reared Christmas Turkeys1 Apple – Orders now being taken

1 tsp Ground Corriander tsp Ground Cumin Join us for ourus Christmas Events Join for1our 6 Cardamon Pods (remove pods and crush black seeds) th Nov Tasting Day on Saturday Christmas Shopping Evening 1 tsp24 Ground Turmeric 1 tsp 7 Ground Shopping7th Evening DecGinger Friday DecFriday 5pm -th8pm Salt and Pepper

- Heat the butterMEATS and oil in a heavy pot, cook the LOCAL CHEESES & HOME COOKED onions until they are soft. LOCALLY GROWN VEGETABLES, FRUIT & SALADS · Add the garlic and spices and cook for 2 mins

HOMEMADE CAKES & PIES · Add the & parsnips, stock and season. Leave to simmer LOCALLY MADE CHOCOLATE FUDGE for about 30-40 mins or until the parsnips are soft. FINE WINE, LOCAL ALE & CIDER · Liquidize the soup. PRESERVES & CHUTNEYS · Peel and grate the apple, add to the soup and GIFT HAMPERS simmer for 24 another 2-3 mins and then serve th November  Premium Christmas Trees on sale from Premium Christmas Trees now available Garnish with parsnip crisps and crème fraiche www.allingtonfarmshop.co.uk · TEL: 01249 658112 Allington Bar Farm, Chippenham, SN14 6LJ

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

FEEDING A CROWD AT

WHETHER IT'S THE GRADUAL INCREASE IN FOOD PRICES OVER THE PAST YEAR, OR YOUR DESIRE TO CUT BACK ON FOOD WASTE, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE INCENTIVE NOT TO OVER CATER AT CHRISTMAS. BUT JUST HOW DO YOU WORK OUT HOW MUCH FOOD & DRINK YOU NEED WHEN YOU’RE FEEDING FAR MORE PEOPLE THAN USUAL? WE'VE COME TO THE RESCUE.

Roasties - Everyone loves roasties! Allow 250g of potatoes per person, so 2kg for eight people. Stuffing - You need to allow 100g of stuffing per person, so that’s at least 800g for eight people! With stuffing it's better to have more than run-out, and it's great on turkey sandwiches later! Sprouts - Unless you are a sprout-lover allow 80g per person – or 650g for eight people. If you do have any leftover they go great in bubble and squeak for boxing day brunch. Carrots and other roast or steamed veg - 80g-100g is about right for any serving of vegetables, so you need 800g combined for eight people. I allow more because lots my family are vegetarian.

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Turkey - Allow approximately 500g per person. This doesn't mean that you'll get 500g of meat each, simply that to get a good portion size you need to allow this much turkey-weight per person. So, if you want to feed 8 adults your turkey should

be at least 4Kg, more if you want leftovers. Roast beef or pork - If the joint is off the bone, allow 250g per serving – so 2kg for eight people. Allow 350g per serving for roasts on the bone – so around 3kg for eight.

Gravy - 125ml per person is enough for a normal family, but if your relatives are like mine and treat gravy as a food group then allow double. You can always freeze leftovers for an easy addition to midweek suppers.

Christmas Pudding - A 900g pudding will be plenty to feed eight.

Cranberry Sauce - At least 50g per person. I'm sure I eat more than that though!

Unfortunately, there isn't one shopping list to suit all families, but this is a good basic guide; adapt it to suit your own catering preferences.

Bread Sauce - 75ml seems to suffice because not everyone likes it, but those that do LOVE it. Around 600-700ml is usually enough.

Custard - Treat it like gravy. 125ml per person unless your family are the type that can't stop pouring!

Happy feasting!

By Tracey Anderson The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

SEASONS We thank you for your custom in 2018

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Press Release

aturday 6th July 2013, DL Windows was proud to launch its new showroom on Malmesbury Road ippenham, Wiltshire. The fantastic weather and combined offer of a free BBQ certainly helped e the day a huge success, bringing in many new customers to see the range of windows, doors an ervatories 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 uture when I need new windows”.

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

riday, Duncan Hames, MP for Chippenham, visited the showroom and met the staff. He said “It is ncouraging to see the development of local businesses that is able to provide new employment in DOORS CONSERVATORIES • ROOFLINE e toughWINDOWS economic times.•It’s great to see• DL Windows taking on two apprentices and providing tw e 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 ething for everyone, whatever your glazing needs! • Directly employed, professional tradesmen

• 10 Year Guarantee us, 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 rience and that we understand important it is to- take time over • Weshow guarantee all our customershow a Price Match Promise we will beat anydeciding like for likewhich quoteprodu ght for your home. That’s why we have really worked hard to create a welcoming environment at • Fensa howroom. ” Registered Company

indowsDLisWindows located at 127 in Wiltshire and Wiltshire the showroom is open Ltd, 1AMalmesbury Clark Avenue,Road, PorteChippenham Marsh Industrial Estate, Calne, SN11 9BS day-Saturday 9am-5pm or by appointment. Tel: 01249 464999 Email: info@dl-windows.co.uk www.dl-windows.co.uk

act us on 01249 464999 or have a look at our website, www.dl-windows.co.uk 48

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

On Saturday

Celebrating

50 Successful

e n

Years

n wo

ge e is

the ucts t

D L windows in Calne are proud to be celebrating 50 magnificent years in business this year. The company was founded by Doug and Bet Lyus in 1968 and is now in its third generation of stewardship. As the business grew Doug was joined by his four Sons and four further companies bearing the DL name opened across the South West. The company prides its self on being small enough to care about every customer but being big enough to cope with any size of job it undertakes. MD Malcolm Lyus who took over from his father, has now semi-retired and has stepped down as manager, handing the successful baton onto his son Adam. Adam has been in the industry for 15 years and is looking forward to following in his Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Grand Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footsteps. One thing Adam is very keen to continue with is the reputation that Doug, Bet and Malcolm instilled. The company prides itself on undertaking a variety of installations in the commercial and domestic markets offering a superb choice of products, supported by a friendly customer service approach with a no pressure sales policy. You can even still find Malcolm in the newly refurbished showroom helping out with the Sales. So if you are considering home improvements why not come down to our showroom on the Porte Marsh Industrial estate in Calne and allow us to advise you on our great products. www.dl-windows.co.uk

Press Release

Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018 49 y 6th July 2013, DL Windows was proud The toTown launch its new showro

DIARY DATES December WINTER WARMER

PETER AND THE WOLF

Saturday 1st December 7.30pm – 10.30pm Little Somerford Church

Wessex Concert Orchestra Sunday 2nd December at 3pm Corn Exchange Devizes

Come and join us for an intimate fairy lit showcase of the region’s finest acoustic music. Licensed bar, mulled cider, homemade mince pies and classic festive raffle

Tickets £10 – Pauline Cameron 01249 720910

A Christmas family concert for old and young alike! Christmas favourites including Sleigh Ride, Troika, carol sing along and soprano festive arias. This is a matinee concert for all the family, children are free when accompanied by an adult. Ticket availability and prices are as follows:Tickets £12 (£10 concessions) Up to 2 children free per paying adult From Devizes Books or www.wco.org.uk

MARDEN HOUSE RECITAL Sunday 2nd December 2018 at 3.00 pm Marden House, Calne Joseph and Daniel Tong - piano: Joseph Tong is not only an accomplished soloist having performed both concertos and recital programmes in the UK and around the world but is also renowned for his Duo with Waka Hasegawa. Tickets: £14 Adults, £1 Full-time Students. Available from: Calne Information Centre, www.marlboroughboxoffice.co.uk or at the door. More information at www.mardenhouseconcerts.co.uk

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

HALLELUJAH IT’S CHRISTMAS

MONDAY 10th - SUNDAY 16TH December, 2018 10AM - 4PM ST ANDREWS CHURCH CASTLE COMBE

Saturday 8th December, 7.30pm Malmesbury Abbey

Christmas refreshements, raffle, selection of Pop-Up Stalls including cakes, preserves and puddings.

Handel’s Coronation Anthems and Highlights from the Messiah. Tickets - Adult £15 Student/Children £5 Available from Malmesbury Abbey Bookshop, choir members or email tickets@malmesburysingers.co.uk

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Trees kindly sponsored by local Companies and Clubs

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Email: andyrids@aol.com www.compasssecuritysystems.co.uk The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

DIARY DATES December ELLES BAILEY Saturday 15th December at 8pm The Goods Shed, Tetbury

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT CHORAL SOCIETY

Tickets £14 from www.shed-arts.co.uk or 01666 505496

CHRISTMAS CONCERT CAROLS - READINGS Soloists Thomas Keen-Tenor Thomas Wheeler - Baritone

MONDAY 10TH DECEMBER

Royal Wootton Bassett Orchestra

CHRIS T M AS CONCERT with Cantanti and St. Bartholomew’s Primary Academy Choir

The Methodist Church Royal Wootton Bassett

Starts 7.30pm Refreshments

Retiring Collection

pul

a r C h r i st

mas Music

& S i n ga l o n g C a r o l s

fo r a l l t h e

fa m

ily

Saturday 15th December 2018 7.30pm St. Bartholomew & All Saints Church Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7BQ

WORLD CLASS MUSICIANS IN MARLBOROUGH Sunday 20th January Memorial Hall - Marlborough College 3 pm ( Doors open at 2.15 pm) Violinist Jennifer Pike who won BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2002 when aged 12 (youngest ever) and then performed at The Proms aged 14 and has built an international reputation since then. Tickets from Box Office on 01672 893566 or

mccstickets@marlboroughcollege.org

CARLY PAOLI CHRISTMAS CONCERT December 21st 2018 St.John The Baptist Church, Devizes Local resident and classical star Carly Paoli will perform an exclusive Christmas concert for Caenhill Countryside Centre to raise funds for their Devizes charity. Carly Paoli has shared the stage with Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras to name a few. This year she was nominated for a Classic BRIT award and was BBC music day ambassador.

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Tickets: Adults £8, Students & Under 16’s FREE Tickets available on the door or reserve by email:

contact@rwbo.org.uk www.rwbo.org.uk rwborchestra

MALMESBURY CONCERT BAND PLAYS TWICE OVER CHRISTMAS Friday, 7th December & Saturday, 15th December Market Cross from 7.20 – 8.00pm as part of the popular annual Christmas Shopping Evening . The Malmesbury Concert Band will be playing a selection of Christmas favourites and carols twice in the run-up to Christmas. The Band will also be playing carols in the Market Cross or Birdcage Walk, from 11am – 12 noon. While the band is playing, the Mayor, Cllr Fran Vandelli, will be collecting money for her charities. More information about the band is available on its web site: www.malmesburyconcertband.org.uk

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23/10/2015 2018 10:55:05 53 The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER

Meet Doug Wiltshire

Celebrating a century of living in the county which bears his name â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or vice versa!

The Town Crier Magazine | NOVEMBER 2018

OUG WILTSHIRE was born on November 16 1918, just a few days after the end of the First World War in Seagry, near Malmesbury and he has stayed in the area throughout his long life. A son of a big family, he’s never married however he has been celebrating with family including two brothers and two sisters, all over 80 and friends who laid on a party for him last month - one of several events to mark his 100th year.

with two of my brothers. This was in Upper Seagry. I also cut the grass verges, starting with my own and a neighbour’s and ended up cutting all the grass verges from my house right up to the allotments. I also helped to re-roof the village bus shelter and generally looked after any area in the village that needed it. This meant Seagry won Best Kept Small Village on numerous occasions, some say, mainly down to my efforts.

Where are your favourite places in Wiltshire? That’s easy. My favourite places are: - Bowood House in the spring for the rhododendrons. - Stourhead House and Gardens in the summer. - Westonbirt Arboretum in the autumn for the colours.

Doug shares some of his life with us and what comes shining through is his love of this county, his village, gardens and all things fauna.

What have been some memorable highlights during your life?

Where were you born?

- Seeing the two Spitfires in training which crashed - (this happened on Sunday April 6 1941 when two pilots, John Brewster, 24 and Harold Williams, 23, both died when they were practising dog fights in their planes. They are buried at St Giles Church, Stanton St Quinton).

So many yet if I had to choose three, they would be: - Being able to buy my own house.

In a house now called ‘Polkerris’. My parents were Vivian Oscar and Fanny and I was one of 16 children. I went to school in Lower Seagry until I was 11 then on to school in Great Somerford until I left school aged 14. What was your profession?

Photo by Paul Stallard of www.candidpictures.co.uk

There’s been so much building, the arrival of the M4 motorway and thousands of houses built in the surrounding area.

I started working with my father and brother as a gardener at Hungerdown House, Seagry (an Edwardian large house in Upper Seagry built in 1914). However I suffered an accident causing me to lose my fingers on my left hand when I was just 15 years old. I also worked for many years, until I took early retirement to care for my elderly mother, at the gravel pit in Christian Malford. Do you have any hobbies or passions? My main hobby was growing vegetables on the allotment along

What did you do during the Second World War? I couldn’t join up due to the loss of my fingers so I was in the Home Guard and I can confirm it really was just like Dad’s Army!!! How has the village changed in your lifetime? It’s at least three times bigger than when I was growing up – unrecognisable from my youth.

- Witnessing the fire which destroyed Seagry House when Lady Cowley unfortunately lost her life – (Seagry House was largely destroyed by fire in 1949 when it was occupied by Lady Clare Crowley who was the widow of Henry Earl Cowley who had died in 1919). Do you have any advice for living a long life? I have no particular tips I can only tell you what I do myself. I do not drink or smoke. I always plan ahead for the next season in the garden, I keeps myself busy and I don’t look back!

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

BOOK Review 1

‘The Last Mile’ by David Baldacci

David Baldacci has been prolific in producing dozens of modern, gritty, American detective novels. This is a sequel to ‘Memory Man’ but I do think readers could pick up the background easily, two more books already follow, ‘The Fix’ and ‘The Fallen’. The story follows an FBI task force investigator, Amos Decker, a man who can forget nothing due to an injury as an American Football player. Melvin Mars is a man on death row who needs to dig deep into his past to find out the truth behind his incarceration. It’s a very American thriller with some very staged dialogue, lots of guns and criminology but I really enjoyed the idea of a man blessed and cursed with perfect recall. A tale of twists and turns that kept me reading. Published by Pan ISBN 1447277538

3 58

‘Sometimes I Lie’ by Alice Feeney My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me: 1. I’m in a coma. 2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore. 3. Sometimes I lie. One of the most intriguing beginnings evolve into one of those psychological mind-twisting books that divides readers. The literary equivalent to marmite, you will either love it or hate it!

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

There are an awful lot of novels like this on the market, but Feeney has a fresh style and creates characters and backgrounds that are believable, even if the narrative is hard to navigate at times. I admit, I had to re-read the ending. I wouldn’t want to outline anything here that would spoil the story, so I will just recommend it wholeheartedly, just don’t blame me if you read it twice. Published by HQ ISBN 0008225354

‘Miss You’ by Kate Eberlen

This is a heart wrenching roller-coaster of a romance. Tess and Gus are meant to be together, they just keep missing one another. The pair have a fleeting moment in Florence in 1997 when they are both eighteen, Tess is interrailing across Italy and Gus is on holiday with his parents, before University. Eberlen then takes us through moments in the next sixteen years when both characters face difficulties in their lives, teasing us with near misses and crossed paths for the duration of the book. Anyone who has read David Nicholls’ ‘One Day’ will thoroughly enjoy this little bit of escapism, serendipity and romance. Published by Pan ISBN 1509819959

Bringing Your Dreams to Life with BSB renovations are capable of project managing and completing both domestic and commercial renovation projects including both structural and internal changes. Our project manager Lee phillips has over 25 years experience within the shop fitting and renovation sector, and along with Director Ben Buckwell they have the knowledge, experience and contacts to deliver projects on time, on budget and more importantly beyond customers expectations.

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

TRAVEL GUIDE

Crete

CRETE has something for everyone. The largest, most southerly Greek island, is family friendly, yet sophisticated and cosmopolitan, with three large, lively cities, but there are still many tiny rural villages which ooze traditional Cretan charm and warmth from it’s people. Crete has so much more besides beaches. Almost 5000 years of civilisation have left a legacy of worldclass archaeological sites - Palace of Knossos - Koules Fortress - Fortezza Citadel - Samaria Gorge to name but a few.

Chania lies on the west of the island and boasts a fabulous Venetian Harbour with tavernas hugging the water’s edge offering mouth -watering Mediterranean cuisine. This island is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers, you can easily spend a day hiking through the Samaria Gorge or visit the Lassithi Plateau, the land of 1000 windmills - when I first visited over 40 years ago you could still see some of the white sails, alas not so these days. The air is pure and it is a quiet place for the soul, with snow still on the mountains in summertime it is bliss to sit and watch the eagles soaring against the bluest of skies. ELOUNDA is a personal favourite, when I first visited this village many years ago, the only mode of transport was donkeys with a few trucks, very different from today. But the families that I met then are still there with their children now running the family Tavernas and offering the same warmth and generosity as their 60

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

parents and grand- parents always did. Yes the village has grown but it still has a heart and is a busy little place with day trippers arriving early morning on their way to Spinalonga - a former leper colony which closed in 1957 - it makes for a very interesting boat ride along the coast from Elounda, then a tour of the island learning of it’s history and about the poor unfortunate souls who were sent there. Afterwards a lovely lazy fish lunch can be enjoyed in Plaka just across the water from Spinalonga. The fresh octopus from the morning’s catch can be seen hanging in the breeze. It is a beautiful place for walkers, the mountainous scenery is stunning and you can easily lose yourself for a day exploring the villages just above Elounda - Mavrikiano has some lovely eateries nowadays, with the same stunning views over the bay that were always there - Pano Elounda is a quiet village where the friendly elderly locals watch you with uncertainty, few speak English which just adds to the charm of these lovely people. It is lovely to learn a little Greek and I have spent many afternoons at Maria’s Kafenio, she is 88 years old, and just loves the company, supplying you with local wine and beer and endless tiny dishes of meze, dolmades, tomatoes ripened in the sun, feta, grapes from her vine - bless you Maria ! You will find Cretan hospitality unforgettable.

For more information about Crete please feel free to contact Sadie at Pebbles Travel on 01249 447488

Trust Your Local Independent Travel Agent to find your perfect holiday Whilst the internet is great … we believe in personal service with full financial protection Martine & Sadie look forward to meeting you all soon

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Ye ar, and look forward to seeing ev eryone in 2019. Pebbles Travel are a member of ABTA and an Accredited Body Member of Hays Travel Limited, so you can book their services with confidence. Please feel free to contact us for any quotations required, or if you are just looking for guidance, we will be more than happy to point you in the right direction. Opening hours : Mon to Fri 09:30 - 17:00 Sat 09:30 - 13:00 After hour appointments can be made. Pebbles Travel can offer the following; • Family Holidays • UK Breaks • Single’s Holidays • Northern Lights Experience • Weddings Abroad • Honeymoons

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

‘Tis the season to be jolly careful Dr Jake Thomas BVM BVS MRCVS

www.georgevetgroup.co.uk The George Veterinary Hospital, Malmesbury 01666 823165 The George Veterinary Group, Royal Wootton Bassett 01793 852458 It is a truly wonderful time of year celebrating together with our loved ones and our homes will soon be full of decorations, presents and delicious foods. Whilst we tuck into a selection of festive treats, it is important to remember that some of these can be harmful to our beloved furry friends. For our curious pets the new smells can be very intriguing. However, to avoid emergencies this festive season take a moment to inform your family of the potential risks to your pets. Chocolate: Whilst we can treat ourselves to a chocolate or two from the tree, it is important to remember that, even in very small amounts, chocolate can be toxic to dogs. If sufficient amounts are ingested, vomiting and seizures can result, so be careful when hanging chocolates on the tree - stick to the higher branches and keep selection boxes well out of reach. Grapes and Raisins: These can cause kidney damage in some dogs and possibly cats. It is impossible to be sure exactly which dogs will be affected by the toxin, but the damage is permanent and occurs within 72 hours of ingestion. For that reason, contact your Vet immediately if your dog gets their paws on the mince pies, Christmas cake or Christmas pudding. Macadamia nuts and Peanuts: Nibbles and pre-dinner snacks are popular at family gatherings. However, they can cause gastrointestinal upsets and sometimes even neurological signs in our furry friends.

Alcohol: Alcohol is well known for its effects on our balance and coordination. These effects can be even more severe in our companions due to their small size. With Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties just around the corner, keep an eye on your drinks, to prevent them falling into the wrong paws! Onions, Shallots, Garlic and Leeks: These can cause damage to red blood cells in our pets, resulting in anaemia. Even if cooked, damage can occur and yet it may take a few days for signs to show. Keep leftovers out of reach and don’t be tempted to offer your pet any of the remaining stuffing or onion gravy! Xylitol: Xylitol is in different household foods from chewing gum to the sweeteners used in home baking and teas and coffees. Ingestion can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels or even liver failure in dogs. Plants: Several seasonal plants have the potential to make our pets feel ill. Mistletoe, holly and ivy can all cause retching, salivation and potentially vomiting though are rarely more serious, except in bunnies. Rabbits are highly sensitive to ivy and may prove fatal if eaten. Poinsettia is often mistakenly believed to be very toxic to cats, though it may make them feel quite sick. Decorations and Wrapping Paper: Although we have highlighted what foodstuffs our pets may sneakily munch on whilst our backs are turned, there are other ingestible items to be mindful of in December particularly including wrapping paper, candles and the packaging from gifts. Don’t forget: While some pets may love all the excitement, other pets prefer a quieter life. Having somewhere they can retreat for peace and quiet is important – placing treats and toys in their safe place means they can also enjoy the holidays and join you when they feel ready. Whilst we hope that you and your families enjoy a very happy and event-free Christmas, we remain available 24 hours a day for emergencies should you wish to contact us for advice or treatment. If you do think your pet has eaten something it shouldn’t have, don’t mull it over; please contact us as soon as you can for advice. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Grittenham Grooming is a small, friendly Dog Groomery based in a home environment, just outside Royal Wootton Bassett. We provide a personal, one-to-one service and style the dog to client preference. • Certificated, licensed for Dog Care, fully insured Dog Grooming specialist. • Established 1994 • Wash and Dry for a ‘bit of a freshen up’ • Complete groom out and de-matt. • Ears cleaned, nails trimmed and gland cleared • Pick up before you leave for work and drop off after you‘re home from work available.

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Dogs are our passion at Grittenham Grooming and our main concern is the dogs’ welfare at all times. Airedales • Bischons • Westies • Scotties Spaniels • Retrievers • Labradors • Poodles to name but a few . . . For bookings, further information and prices, please contact Sally. If you would like to know more about us and our free range doggy boarding see the website:

www.doggidayz.co.uk Little Ivy House, Grittenham SN15 4JU t: 01666 510298 m: 07747 077783 email: sockwell@btconnect.com The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Festive Pets Though Christmas is a fun time for humans, even we can feel overwhelmed. For our pets Christmas can be confusing, a bit scary and even dangerous. Here are the top reasons for emergency vet visits over the festive period, and how to avoid them.

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www.thameswoodvets.co.uk The TheTown TownCrier CrierMagazine Magazine| DECEMBER | DECEMBER2018 2017 6567

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

The Mill Beauty Studio Thank you to all our clients for your continued support through the year. We wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to another exciting year ahead adding new treatments and welcoming new clients. As a thank you we are offering

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

the space centre | Porte marsh | calne wiltshire sn11 9Bw

GARDEN Themes Jobs for December • Plant up winter containers and place in prominent places • Ventilate your greenhouse if you have warmer days to reduce the risk of disease but also check that the heaters are working too. • Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and any remaining root crops. • Reduce the watering of houseplants. • Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing.

Have a go! • Get your beds ready! For those with heavy soils this is the best time to dig them as they should be softer, but nonetheless it’s still hard work so space the digs out a little to save your back. If you’re digging over a vegetable patch take this perfect opportunity to turn in some compost. Well-rotted manure or even composted bark is perfect to add in ready for your next seasons planting.

Top T ip! • Create a breathing hole in your pond by putting a rubber ball into the water before it freezes. Once the ice forms you can remove it. You may need to use a few if you have a particularly large pond. Don’t be tempted to smash ice as it could kill fish or other wildlife.

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

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Mulches Bark

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orsham Landscapes and General Building • • • • • • •

Brick & Stone Work Block Paving & Patios Gravel Driveways Extensions & Concreting Drystone Walling Dropped Kerbs Fully Licenced Tarmacing

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Garden Design Fencing & Decking Turfing & Treework Chimney Repairs Flooding Solutions Ponds Made To Shape

Tel: 07557 569785 or 01225 811010 The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Garden Fencing To Be Proud Of Gone are the days of repairing, treating or painting your garden fence. Virtually zero maintenance fencing is here!

ColourFence â&#x20AC;˘ ColourRail â&#x20AC;˘ Gates We firmly believe that ColourFence is the best general garden fencing product on the market today, and not only is our product great, our service is too. Our goal is to give you fencing that is attractive and remains fit for purpose without costly and time consuming annual treatments. Furthermore, you get full peace of mind as ColourFence is guaranteed for 25 years. ColourFence garden fencing comes in a range of colours to suit any garden environment with the option to suit any garden big or small and can come with the option of a decorative trellis for a touch of style. Our gates are manufactured from a combination of Colorbond steel and high quality pregalvansied powder coated square tube. They can be mounted free standing or as an extension of your Colourfence fencing.

Call Ivor for more information on 01225 650284 www.colourfencebath.co.uk 74

The Town Crier Magazine | NOVEMBER 2018

Garden Services

BOOK NOW FOR REGULAR OR ONE-OFF AUTUMN TIDY-UPS. LEAF CLEARANCE, HEDGE SHAPING, BORDERS CUT BACK & TIDIED. JANUARY FRUIT TREE PRUNING, APPLE & PEARS. FOR A FULLY INSURED EXPERT WITH PLANT KNOWLEDGE CONTACT:

Luke Brooks 07737 003716 FREE ESTIMATES

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

AUTO BIOGRAPHY

Volvo V60 By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist.

At first glance, you think the new Volvo V60 is the V90. Then you get closer and realise it's smaller than its brother. The cars look very similar, and that's a good thing because they're both handsome. If you put both models next to each other, I bet you'd agree with me that the V60 beats the V90 in terms of attractiveness. Why? Because it's more compact and as a result, the car looks more taut and athletic. But the new estate has far more about it than sex appeal. The outgoing V60’s boot has been superseded by a load area that’s the biggest in its segment. Open the tailgate, and 539 litres of cargo capacity greets you. Crucially, the fresh V60 beats its German foes in this area. The BMW 3 Series Touring’s boot only offers 495 litres and Audi’s A4 Avant manages just 505-litres. The Swede is longer than the Audi and BMW too, meaning there’s decent room for four adult occupants. 76

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

A fifth person could squeeze into the middle of the back seat, but a prominent transmission tunnel hump hampers leg room. In the front, all looks classy and relaxed, with a dashboard that is mainly digital. There’s not as much metal or wood in the V60 when compared with the V90 - instead, you get soft plastics. However, this doesn’t rain on the parade - everything still looks solid and well screwed together.

Behind the wheel, the new V60 is planted and comfy. I was handed the keys to the 190PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder D4 model. The diesel engine pulls like a train with zero to 62mph arriving in 7.9 seconds. Top speed is 137mph. It’s an efficient unit too, returning a claimed average of 61.4mpg. The new estate car's ride is excellent, primarily due to the flexible suspension system, and the steering weights up well from 40mph. These two things alone make the 2018 model V60 a delight to drive. It's entirely suited to the UK's roads, making it an ideal commuting machine. Thanks to its general roominess, it’s also a perfect family vehicle. The new Volvo V60’s spec is a bit of a downer. From launch, there are only two levels of trim - Momentum and Inscription. Happily, the more athletic R-Design and elevated Cross-Country variants will soon join the party. And while the V60 is well kitted-out with

features like LED headlights, sat-nav and a portrait touchscreen, other alluring accessories, such as semi-autonomous driving aids and Apple CarPlay, are on the options list. These can make an already costly car even more expensive to buy or lease. Still, you should have the V60 on your shopping list if an estate car is what you're after – especially one as eye-catching and accommodating as this.

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

OPTION TWO As Option One PLUS: Remove Wheels & Check Front Brakes Replace Air Filter. Emissions Test INCLUSIVE

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MAUNDRELL ROAD, PORTE MARSH INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, CALNE, WILTSHIRE SN11 9PU 78 The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018 78

OPTIONS

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calnehalfpricetaxi.com The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

HOME

t n e m e v o r p Im SERVICES

GENERAL BUILDER Extensions - Refurbishments Roofing - Flat & Pitched Flat Roof Problems? Specialist Registered Installer of RUBBERBOND Flat Roofing Systems with a proven life expectancy of 50 years plus and a twenty year guarantee.

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

www.priorandcompany.com Prior and Marden joint advert.indd 1

Your local independent builders merchant Our friendly helpful staff are here for the tradesman and DIY enthusiast alike.

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018 CBS Towncrier 156x222 April.indd 1

03/04/2014 13:38

here...

TRADE

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At the Town Crier we like to support our local businesses and traders. Why not advertise your business here. Get in touch with us for a quote at :

contact@towncriermagazine.com or call us on 01249 811068 82

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

EARTHMOVING SERVICES Natural Stone General Builders Walling & Paving with 20 years Kitchens & Bathrooms experience Alterations & Repairs Extensions | Conversions | Patios

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07500 832198 or 01249 817082 contourscarpentry@hotmail.co.uk

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

All Home Improvements

Ged Byrne

Professional Handyman Services • Renovation, Restoration, and Repairs of old and new buildings, small and large, Domestic and Business • External and internal painting and decorating

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pbplastering.pb@gmail.com 84

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Plastering, Painting and Decorating, Coving, Artexing All general maintenance. NO JOB TOO SMALL

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Wilts Electrical Contracting Ltd,  Positive Input Ventilation [PIV] 10 Harris Road, Porte Marsh Ind Est,  Heat Recovery Ventilation [MVHR] Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9PT *New build, refurbishment, retrofit *Full design, install and/or commissioning

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where reputation matters

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

For all your electrical needs: • Re-wiring • PAT Testing • Extra Sockets • Fault Finding • Lighting • Free Quotations • Electrical Installations • Testing & Inspection • Consumer Unit Changes

email: maxcolbourne@me.com

Steve’s Appliance Services

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email: maxcolbourne@me.com www.cortonkennelsandcattery.co.uk Email: info@cortonkennelsandcattery.co.uk 86

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Steve’s Appliance Services

All prices include VAT All areas in Wiltshire serviced. Free Quotes. Call out charge £45 inc. VAT for first hour.

Tel: 01249 811313 Mob: 07859 931177 Email: graham.gas@btinternet.com Replace it with an automatic insulated roller shutter. Gain space on your drive. Win more precious space in your garage.

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STEVE COWLEY For all your Plumbing & Heating

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White Horse Roofing Ltd

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The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

Specialists in all roofing, Upvc fascias, soffits and guttering, leadwork, chimneys and sundry works for your home or business enquiries@mardenroofing.co.uk The Courtyard, Bath Road, Shaw, Melksham SN12 8EF

www.mardenroofing.co.uk 26/01/2015 14:03

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Tel: 01249 812158 Mobile: 07860 366880 The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

A MERRY SNOOZY SANTA Santa awoke with a headache, He opened one eye and he said, “O heck, is it that time already ?” Turned over – and fell out of bed ! Mrs Clause was down in the kitchen, And busily making mince pies. When her husband walked in She just had to grin, As she couldn’t believe her own eyes. For Santa was still in his nightshirt, His big black boots on the wrong feet, She said, “Dear man, you look quite a treat!” He plonked himself down in his armchair, And stretched his legs out to the grate. He yawned, scratched his head, Said,”I fell out of bed, Then said,”O dear, I think I am late!” He stared round the room and looked puzzled, And asked “Why aren’t the elves helping dear ?” And then looked at the clock And it gave him a shock, It said Christmas was not even near ! His wife with her eyes full of laughter “It’s too early yet dear,” she said. She gave him a mince pie, and with twinkling eye, Said,”Come on now, back up to bed!” Soon the walls rattled with Santa’s snoring, As he curled up and went back to sleep. He dreamed of the toys he’d be making, And didn’t waste time counting sheep. The next time he prized his eyes open, The sound of his elves filled the air. They hammered and glued while his wife cooked more food, And he knew that in time he’d be there. With his magic sack bulging with goodies, He harnessed the reindeer and smiled, “I really have had a good sleep now, The best one I’ve had in a while.” As the snow gently fell ,the soft peal of a bell Rang out as he flew on his way. While all children slept, down the chimneys he crept,

Once again Christmas Eve had gone well: …………..Jo Deacon…@ ….2018 90

The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018

t: 01249 655077

t : 01249 655077

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Westbrook Farm, Draycot Cerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5LH Located just off junction 17 of the M4 The Town Crier Magazine | DECEMBER 2018