Arts & Entertainment Book Review Loving Spirit by Linda Chapman After a tragic accident, fourteen-year-old Ellie finds herself on the other side of the world living with her mean and grumpy Uncle Len who she has never met before. The days before her are deemed to be filled with misery and loneliness, as she cries herself to sleep wishing for home and her parents who she will never see again. That is until she unexpectedly buys an abused and scared horse
‘Spirit’ at a horse auction. At last she can begin to be happy again. Ellie learns to connect with Spirit in a way that allows her to see his memories; memories of being ill-treated and hurt by past owners. Will this friendship between two broken hearts and souls last? Or will it end in disaster? Linda Chapman had created a world for Spirit and Ellie that brings them together through descriptive and detailed writing…..this book is recommended for all horsey lovers, is an easy read, mildly sad in some
parts but has a happy ending. Aimed at readers age 10+. Keziah lives in Blandford with her parents and siblings, attends Knighton House Prep School and loves books, tennis, netball and riding. She hopes that her monthly book reviews will inspire other children to pick up a book and read…
CUTE! Steve Joyner sent us this pic of his grandson to cheer us all up
MISS CHRISTMAS NAUGHTY ELF AND FAIRY Modern and traditional carols and fun. Outside social distancing. Lifting our spirits. Contact Suzanneh43@hotmail.co.uk, 07590 546095 or 07879 956614
MP in call for musician support A local MP has called on the government to help selfemployed musicians and other creative industries during the pandemic. Speaking in two separate House of Commons debates, David Warburton – MP for Somerton and Frome – cited music events such as Somerset’s Glastonbury Festival and the Cheese and Grain in Frome as huge contributors to the cultural, social and economic life of the region. Mr Warburton stressed the urgent need for government support and proposed a Tourism and Social Resilience Fund to support those venues unable to access Income Support Scheme funding. He also called for the urgent implementation of an empty seat subsidy to help venues remain economically viable until audience number restrictions can be lifted. He told the house Frome’s Cheese and Grain, a Social Enterprise, member-run, registered charity is now forced to consider making 40 60
CALL FOR SUPPORT: The Cheese and Grain at Frome and, inset, MP David Warburton
of the venue’s 53 staff redundant. Having been closed for eight months, independent venues such as The Cheese and Grain are now at high risk of insolvency. He also called for an indicative date from the government as to when full re-opening would be permitted, and highlighted
the plight of self-employed musicians, one third of whom are currently unable to access the Income Support Scheme due the unique way their industry is structured. Mr Warburton said: “If we don’t help these businesses, they really will go under, they will be devastated. I wrote to the Minister and suggested we have a Tourism
and Social Resilience Fund with targeted support and grants to carry these businesses through the winter. I also proposed the furlough scheme should be extended for businesses unable to open. “We must keep changing lives and supporting those whose business it is to change lives.”
