Salisbury & Avon Gazette 12/12/22

See the 6m-high statue honouring those who served at Antrobus House

A SCULPTURE honouring the struggles of those who served in both World Wars will remain in situ in Amesbury until at least April next year.

The Hauntings is a six metre-tall sculpture made from scrap metal, resembling a weary soldier returning from battle in The Great War (1914-1918).

Designed to evoke the fragility and suffering of those who survived the war and returned to an uncertain and difficult future, it was created by Martin Galbavy and Chris Hannam of Dorset Forge, after being commissioned by Jo Oliver.

It is now at Antrobus House, in Amesbury, after a chance encounter at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in 2018.

Phil Monk, a trustee of Antrobus House, saw it and was struck by a resemblance between the face of the sculpture and that of Edmund Antrobus.

Four years later, it arrived in August and has since been seen by hundreds of young people around Remembrance, and will be on display to visitors until April at the earliest.

Anyone hoping to see The Hauntings, which is made of old horse shoes, bed springs, brake discs, spanners and more, should log on to www.antrobushouseamesbury.co.uk for details of open days and how to book.

Building society plan in city centre

A BUILDING society is set to move into a landmark Salisbury building.

As previously reported in your Gazette, a planning application has been submitted to redevelop the Grade II* listed building at 12-15 Oatmeal Row, creating four new flats in the top two floors, with retail space on the ground level.

Now, an application has been submitted by the Atlas Planning Group on behalf of Yorkshire Building Society and St Barts Finance for signage and internal alterations to the building.

“This application seeks advertisement consent and listed building consent for internal alterations to the ground floor retail unit and the erection of replacement non-illuminated external

signage,” the application said.

“Internally, the proposals would see the existing retail floor subdivided into a practical, modern office space. The

alterations would include the creation of new internal walls and doors but would not involve the removal of any existing features of significance.

“External signage on the building’s three outwardly facing elevations is also proposed. This signage would be non-illuminated.

“The shopfront is also proposed to be re-painted, although this element of the proposals is not considered to require listed building consent as the painting of this part of the building would not affect its character as a building of special architectural and historical interest.”

The application will now be considered by planners at Wiltshire Council.

For more details, and to comment on the scheme, log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk and search for planning application reference number PL/2022/08587.

The Hauntings looms over the grounds of Antrobus House

Picture: Antrobus House

An application for signage has been recieved

Emma’s gruelling 200-mile trek for hospital after cancer treatment

A FORMER cancer patient has marked the 10th anniversary of completing her treatment with a 200-mile walking challenge for charity.

Emma Fortescue completed a round-trip walk of the catchment area of Salisbury District Hospital as a way to thank those who treated her.

Her effort has raised more than £6,300 for the hospital’s charity, the Stars Appeal.

“I wanted to do it for me and to do something positive to mark the 10th anniversary of my treatment and raise money for the Stars Appeal,” she said.

“I also wanted to do something to thank the doctors and nurses for their amazing skills and dedication in helping me to get better and show how lucky we are to have this wonderful hospital.”

The 59-year-old started the walk at the Stars Appeal headquarters at the hospital on September 1. However, just days after setting off, blisters thwarted her efforts and she was forced to rest up to allow her feet to heal.

“That was a challenge because I had got myself so psyched up to do it and after day four I suddenly had to re-evaluate it and was not able to carry on as I had envisaged,” she said.

Despite the setback Emma, supported by her husband Anthony and dog Mabel as well as friends who joined her on

some of the stages of the journey, was soon back on track and did one or two walks a week of around 14 miles a day, which took her from Salisbury through to areas including Ringwood, Blandford, Westbury, Devizes, and back to the hospital.

And she said the day she completed the challenge, November 18, was a very emotional experience.

“I think it just hit me because I had thought that I probably wouldn’t be here in the 10 years and I am, so I’m very lucky,” she said.

Emma, who lives in Gussage St Michael, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2012 and had a mastectomy as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

It was a scary time for her and her family, which she said was made easier thanks to the Stars Appeal.

“A lot goes through your mind and it is the fear about having cancer and telling your family,” Emma said.

“Our son had just set off travelling so having to tell him and my girls, 10 and 12, who were so young was very hard. I thought I’m not going to see them grow up but the care from everybody at the Hospital was phenomenal.”

During her treatment, she benefited from projects funded by the Stars Appeal which included free aromatherapy sessions.

“When I had the first round of chemo there was an aromatherapist who the Stars Appeal fund,” she added.

“I was terrified but she was so calming and reassuring. It’s nice to be able to keep things like that going. It made such a difference to me.”

Emma has so far raised more than £6,300 for the Stars Appeal, which will go towards supporting other cancer patients and enhancing facilities on the Breast Unit and Pembroke Unit at the Hospital. She also volunteers for the charity in a variety of roles including in the Stars Appeal Bookshop.

She thanked everybody who helped her to raise such a fantastic amount for the Stars Appeal.

To make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ emma-fortescue4. For more information about the Stars Appeal visit www.starsappeal.org

£70 help for pensioners to pay bills

MORE than 9,000 pensioner households in Wiltshire should have received £70 in their bank accounts.

Those on low incomes received the additional Discretionary Energy Rebate payment by the end of November, the remaining money from the fund.

The money was automatically paid into the householder’s bank account, listed as a

payment from Wiltshire Council.

The council has made almost 153,000 standard energy rebate payments to households across the county and a further 1,400 discretionary energy rebate payments to low-income households.

Take up for the discretionary rebate scheme has not been as high as expected and the council has decided to pay the

remaining £667,000 to low-income pensioners who were in receipt of council tax reduction, as of November 10.

Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of the council, said: “These households are more reliant on warm homes and spend proportionately more of their available income on utility bills than working age households.”

Emma celebrates with staff after completing her mammoth walk for the Stars Appeal

Creative Pamela delights after £250 win in our supermarket giveaway

A GAZETTE reader is celebrating after scooping the second £250 prize in our supermarket giveaway.

Pamela Hanan, of Crane Lodge, Salisbury, was delighted to be picked as the winner in our £500 giveaway - following the £250 already handed to mum-of-three Martina Morling.

Retired Ms Hanan said she was planning to spend her money in the build-up to Christmas.

“It’s such a surprise to win, I never thought it would be me,” she said.

And she said the win continued the positivity she felt towards the Gazette, having become a regular reader.

“There is so much in there, I think it’s really good,” she said.

“When you look through, it is just full of what’s going on. It’s really good.

“I’m not on the internet, I leave that to the younger

people, so it is really good to have something to read with so much inside.”

Gazette’s £250 boost for food bank

THIS time of year is among the busiest at food banks up and down the country.

And Salisbury is no exception, with volunteers and staff at the charity working hard to make sure everyone enjoys a fun festive period.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, demand at food banks and other charities is rapidly growing.

And in a bid to help, your Gazette decided to issue a further £250 giveaway, this time to help those in need in Salisbury and the surrounding area.

We handed the cash to the food bank in

Salisbury as they were continuing to prepare for a series of Christmas event and the busiest time of year.

“It has been crazy in recent months,” said manager, Maria Stevenson.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have so much support in the community, but we really need it at the moment, to continue giving.

“This donation is much appreciated and will really help. Thank you so much.”

For more details on the Salisbury Food Bank, and how you can get involved, log on to salisbury.foodbank.org. uk.

Creative Ms Hanan is currently busy making costumes for a local amateur dramatic

group, so her win was a welcome distraction from the busy, pre-panto period.

Pamela Hanan with her £250 prize and her copy of the Gazette

Picture: Salisbury & Avon Gazette

Salisbury Food Bank manager Maria Stevenson with the donation

Picture: Salisbury & Avon Gazette

Street cleaning and maintenance services now ‘in-house’ at council

STREET cleaning and the maintenance of parks and open spaces is now being handled by Salisbury City Council.

The move, which sees services previously provided by contractor Idverde, came into force on December 1.

It will see all services provided solely by council employees, in a bid to improve efficiency and ensure the teams are locally controlled.

However, the council has now warned there may be some issues during a ‘teething period’, as the authority continues hiring to ensure the teams are fully staffed.

Cllr Annie Riddle, one of the leaders of the council, said: “I am pleased that after much planning and preparation the change to a fully in house Streetscene and Parks Team takes place this week.

“The council are determined, once the teething period is over, to deliver a local, focussed and effective high standard of

cleanliness and good upkeep of the city for those who live in, work in or visit the city.”

The move comes after it was announced a number of city centre bins would be removed in a bid to stop them overflowing due to staff shortages on teams emptying them.

Cllr Riddle added: “This is because we don’t have the manpower to empty all the bins and we do not wish to see them overflowing onto the streets.

“The bins that are most commonly used will remain in place, along with our new recycling bins in the city centre.”

People are urged to dispose of their rubbish considerately.

In October 2020, the council agreed the services should be brought in-house.

However, it warned reduced staff numbers were an ‘unavoidable consequence of the period of transition’.

“Obviously, this will in turn,

New NHS control centres to tackle winter crisis

SPECIAL ‘control centres’ have gone live in the south west to manage the NHS as winter pressures grow - including in Dorset.

The centres aim to help getting patients into beds more quickly and ease winter pressures using data to identify where people would be best treated.

They are able to divert ambulances to another nearby hospital with more capacity, or identify hospitals that need extra support.

The healthcare control centres are among measures announced as part of the NHS winter planning in October alongside falls response teams, additional bed capacity and new hubs dedicated to serious

respiratory infections.

Across the South West, each of the seven integrated care systems has a dedicated 24/7 operation where teams, including senior clinicians, can track data in real time to help them make quick decisions in the face of emerging challenges.

It is hoped working this way will mean sites are able to respond to live issues and plan for pressures over weekends, bank holidays and other wider public events or dates that can affect services.

Recent statistics show more than 19 out of 20 adult general and acute beds in the South West were occupied in the week to November 20, many by patients fit for discharge.

temporarily result in a slightly reduced level of service,” a spokesperson said.

“Some workers who previously worked for Idverde

will transfer across to Salisbury City Council and will bring their experience of working in the city with them which will really benefit the team.”

The city council’s Streetscene and Parks Team will take on the duties prevously provided by outside contractors

bring endless benefits, they really do’

Meet flower arranging’s answer to David Beckham - at Salisbury Cathedral...

ANYONE who visits a cathedral in England will, at one point or another, remark on the flowers on show.

Nowhere is this more common than at Salisbury, where displays delight all who attend, prompting selfies from even the most self-conscious visitor.

But who is behind such displays?

Well, it turns out that at the helm in Salisbury is the David Beckham of flower arranging, Michael Bowyer.

The 69-year-old is renowned the world over for his skills, has won gold medals at Chelsea, arranged for royals and was awarded an MBE for his work.

He has been national president of NAFAS - the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) - for the last two years, a judge in world flower shows, a demonstrator around the world and gives talks to

flower clubs up and down the country all year round.

Earlier this year, Michael’s displays were seen by billions - yes, billions - around the globe as he was in charge of two arrangements at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, at Westminster Abbey.

“As a child, I was brought up to enter competitions,” he explains. “My dad entered his veg and my mum entered flower arrangements.

“When I got my own garden for the first time I did the same and I enjoyed the flower arranging side of it.”

The enjoyment soon became a passion for Michael and in 1986, he qualified as a demonstrator with NAFAS.

“Through my family, I developed a love of gardening and exhibiting,” he said.

“Demonstrating was something I wanted to do since joining Shaftesbury Flower Club.

The 69-year-old, whose

“Then, in 1993, I qualified as a national demonstrator, able to demonstrate at any of the

1,000 flower clubs across the country.”

‘Flowers

An arch in the cathedral cloisters - popular with selfie takers

favourite flower is ‘the one I have in my hand’, soon decided he was going to ‘make a go of this’, founding a flower business in Salisbury which he ran for around three decades.

Meanwhile, his talks and workshops continued to go from strength to strength, becoming a ‘senior’ talker and eventually a teacher, training judges and demonstrators around the world, as well as assuming the roles himself.

“I was lucky enough to judge at two world flower shows and very lucky to judge the first flower show in Estonia after they broke free from Russia,” he said.

“I have also judged in India, Barbados and demonstrated in Canada, New Zealand, Spain and more.

“When the national association was 50 I was made a national associate and for the last two years I have served as national president.”

But it is in Salisbury where his heart lies, overseeing around

45 flower arrangers at the cathedral, who come from across the region.

He has coordinated five flower festivals at the cathedral, each drawing hundreds of flower arrangers and 20,000 visitors.

“The major flower festivals usually take three years to plan,” he said.

Something Michael has spearheaded through his work at the cathedral and beyond, is the move away from the use of plastic foam by flower arrangers.

“We went foam-free two years ago,” he said. “The last flower festival was entirely foam-free.

“It’s a huge thing. It’s going back to the skills of flower arranging in the 40s and 50s.”

Such are Michael’s skills in the area, last year he was invited to take part in an exhibition in London celebrating the work of florist, Constance Spry.

“I tutored there on how to do

flower arrangements in the style of Constance Spry.”

Constance was a renowned arranger for the royals and Michael has himself been thrust into the royal spotlight in recent times.

In April last year, through his role of national president, he took on flower arrangement duties for the Duke of Edinburgh Memorial Service at Westminster Abbey.

And in September, he returned to the Abbey to create two arrangements for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Watched by billions around the world, Michael endeavoured not to be overcome by the status of the event.

“It was a huge honour,” he said. “But I did have to cut that out and concentrate on the job in hand.

“I just had to focus and treat it as I would any other arrangement.

“But it was certainly something to hear it was being watched by something like two

billion people around the world. There were a lot of TV crews there.”

So what next for flower arranging? Michael, unrelentingly positive, says the future is bright for the skill.

“During lockdown, what’s become clear is the simple handling of plants enhances your mental state, it really does.

“For example, the Alzheimer’s Society is doing work with patients, because flowers and foliage bring back memories for people.

“There are endless benefits to our mental health.”

So hold on to those flowers and enjoy them. You never know where they might take you. And when you visit Salisbury Catherdal, see if you can get a selfie with the tremendous displays - and perhaps even get a glimpse of the David Beckham of flowers.

“Well, I certainly don’t have the money or a wife who designs clothes,” he says, laughing.

Michael ‘backstage’ at the cathedral

Last posting dates before Christmas

ROYAL MAIL has announced the dates for posting if you want to ensure your package or card gets to its destination before the big day.

Friday, 16th December

Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy

Monday, 19th December

2nd Class

2nd Class Signed For Royal Mail 48

Wednesday, 21st December

1st Class

1st Class Signed For Royal Mail 24

Royal Mail Tracked 48

Thursday, 22nd December

Special Delivery Guaranteed

Royal Mail Tracked 24

Friday, 23rd December

Special Delivery Guaranteed with Saturday Guarantee

At the time of writing, industrial strike action is due to take place on December 14 which will cause disruption to postal services. More information can be found online: www.royalmail.com

Salisbury station ‘green’ travel upgrade link opens

REPRESENTATIVES of South Western Railway (SWR), Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire College and University Centre and Co Bikes were at Salisbury station recently for the launch of the station’s new cycle hub

The hub is a joint project between the organisations and will provide 74 cycle parking spaces and an e-bike docking station. It was officially opened by Cllr Tom Corbin, Mayor of Salisbury, who is also a SWR train driver.

The hub marks the first phase of forecourt improvements, which SWR is part-funding the £360,000 costs through its Customer and Communities Improvement Fund, as well as the sustainable onward travel options at its stations that it hopes will reduce the number of unnecessary car journeys.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, cabinet member for transport, said: “We’re really excited that the new cycle hub and e-bike docking station is now open providing visitors and residents viable, environmentally friendly alternatives to the car for their journey to and from Salisbury railway station.

“A key part of our business plan is investment in cycle routes to connect our local communities and to provide options for different modes of

transport. To outline our commitment to this, we have put in a Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) bid for a further three e-bike hubs in Salisbury.”

Wiltshire College and University Centre is installing a Co Bikes docking station at its Salisbury Campus to improve the green travel offer for students and staff arriving at the station.

Steve Campion, deputy principal corporate resources at Wiltshire College and University Centre, said: “We are excited to be able to offer our growing student population at our newly refurbished Salisbury campus a sustainable way to travel around the city.

“The e-bike option provides a nine-minute connection from campus to station, using Salisbury’s established cycle network. This will also help support the health and wellbeing agenda that we promote to all our staff and students.”

Helen Scholes, marketing and partnerships at Co Bikes said: “We’re delighted to launch our first e-bike hub in Salisbury in partnership with South Western Railway.

“Our data shows that, of all the e-bike trips taken this year, over a third started or ended at a train station, demonstrating how well bike share and trains

Wilton Christmas lights switched on

By Rosie Redmond

WILTON TOWN boasts what could be the tallest living Christmas Tree in Europe, some 66 (19.8metres) feet high standing in the Market Square.

Wilton Town Square was crowded for the lighting of the tree on December 2nd. It looked magnificent when lit up.

The evening made for a wonderful festive start to the season: the front of The Greyhound was wrapped in a large red ribbon, Reeve the Baker was selling Christmas biscuits and mince pies, Wilton

Parish Church had a stall selling handmade decorations, and a local choir sang carols and Christmas classics while people sipped on mulled wine and ate delicious pulled pork buns from Salisbury Hog Roasts.

Father Christmas arrived in his sleigh pulled by two reindeer at which point a long queue of patient children formed, waiting to see the main attraction.

The Mayor, Cllr Andrew Kinsey launched the ceremony, introducing local celebrity Gary Nunn: “Gary has been a great ambassador to the town. He has been

integrate with one another. I look forward to working with Wiltshire Council on further hubs around the city.”

Andrew Ardley, SWR’s regional development manager for the west of England, said: “Rail travel is one of the most environmentally friendly mass transport options and so SWR is delighted that this project is now a reality, giving customers using Salisbury station sustainable and practical travel options for their onward journey as well as a secure place to store their own bikes.

“This scheme is only the first stage of a much bigger improvement planned for the forecourt.”

chairman of the carnival and the Christmas tree lighting for many years and organised the lighting of the tree so it is an honour to have him switch on the lights in 2022.”

Representatives from the bodies involved in the prjoect were at the station for the launch Credit: SWR

Town’s Mayor, Cllr Andrew Kinsey

Snow comes to Salisbury as machine brings festive cheer

SNOW HAS been forecast for several locations around Salisbury city centre in the run-up to Christmas.

This festive season, the team at Salisbury BID is making sure that dreams of a white Christmas become a reality by deploying a snow machine.

The snow machine has already been popping up at various locations across the city, including in The Maltings, The Old George Mall, Guildhall Square and Salisbury Cathedral.

Andy Milton, snow ranger at Salisbury BID, said, “We wanted to bring some festive cheer to the city this Christmas and what better way than by making it snow. We hope it will bring a smile to the faces of the shoppers in Salisbury.”

The snow machines have been used on multiple TV and film sets to create magical, realistic, snow scenes.

Some of the projects that feature the snow include Miley Cyrus’ ‘Adore You’ music video and festive adverts for McDonald’s, Waitrose, M&S and Cadbury’s.

The machine uses a biodegradable, non-toxic, nonstaining and dermatologically tested snow fluid which is safe for people, the planet, pets and wildlife. It will continue to pop up in pedestrianised areas of the city so that children and adults alike can enjoy the magic of snow at Christmas.

Of course, the snow machine weather forecast is dependent on the actual weather forecast and is subject to change at any moment.

With that in mind, here’s the schedule in the run-up to

The snow machine has already brought festive spirit to the city

Christmas, weather permitting: Thursday, 15th December 4pm at Old George Mall Thursday, 15th December 6pm at Salisbury Cathedral Saturday, 17th December 1pm at Salisbury Cathedral Saturday, 17th December 3pm at The Maltings Saturday, 17th December 4pm at Old George Mall Monday, 19th December 4pm at Guildhall Square Tuesday, 20th December 4pm at Old George Mall

Winchester Street Christmas competition

BUSINESSES on Salisbury’s Winchester Street are running a competition in December.

By spotting letters in participating shop windows, shoppers can enter a draw to win a hamper filled with goodies from the shops involved, including vouchers and products with an approximate total value of £200.

The draw to find a winner will be made on social media with the winner contacted on Wednesday, 21st December, in time to collect the prize at Salisbury’s late night shopping event. Prizes include:

● Victorian hand thrown terracotta pot with iron hanging made by Jams.

● A goody bag from Clearway Pets

● Box of goodies from Blueberry Den

● Vouchers from The Therapy Centre, Dusty Apron, Compleat Artist, Sisters Wardrobe, Jacquis Sunbeds, JAMS and Classical Beauty.

● Dog care and accessories from Boo Bears.

● Prosecco candy canes, crystal lucky dips and seed bomb from Stuff Emporium.

● Glass and rum from Artisan

Mayor’s Christmas Card winner announced

A selection of some of the prizes that will be on offer in the Wincehster Street Christmas Competition

As reported in the last issue, the mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Tom Corbin held a Christmas card competition recently.

He encouraged local children up to the age of 13-years-old to design his annual Christmas Card.

The cards will be sent locally and to various overseas destinations such as the Sister Cities in Maryland USA and the Twinning Cities of both Xanten and Saintes.

The entries were judged by the mayor with Farran, aged 6, judged the winner for their entry ‘Racing Reindeer’.

Cllr Corbin said: “A huge thank you to everyone who took part in my Christmas card competition. I had a great time looking at all the fantastic entries and it was difficult choosing as the standard was so high this year.

“I chose Farran’s entry because it was bright, colourful and had a great personality and imagination – well done Farran.”

Fordingbridge area festive recycling and rubbish collection details

MOST HOUSEHOLD recycling and rubbish collections in the New Forest district will go ahead as usual over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

However, there will be some changes to collections:

Clear recycling sacks and black rubbish sacks

Collections due on Monday, 26th December 2022 will be collected on Monday, 2nd January 2023.

New Forest District Council (NFDC) will collect extra recycling and rubbish from affected households on the 2nd.

Glass box

Collections due on Monday, 26th December 2022 will be collected on Saturday, 31st December 2022.

Garden waste

There will be no garden waste collections between Monday, 26th December 2022 and Friday, 6th January 2023. Garden waste collections will resume as usual from Monday, 9th January 2023.

All other collection days will stay the same.

Reusing and recycling Christmas waste

NFDC is reminding residents to add empty aerosols, plastic bottles, tins, cans, card and paper to clear recycling sacks. If not reused, greeting cards and plain brown gift wrap can be added to clear recycling sacks, but any embellishments such as ribbons or sticky tape need to be removed first. The majority of gift wrap is

not suitable for recycling in Hampshire because it contains a mixture of plastic and foil.

Christmas tree recycling

NFDC’s Christmas tree recycling drop-off points are returning from Saturday, 31st December 2022 to Sunday, 15th January 2023.

Residents can drop their real Christmas trees off at selected sites across the district and the council will recycle the trees by chipping them to create mulch. The mulch will be used locally.

Last year, over 6,000 Christmas trees were dropped off at the sites for recycling.

List of Christmas tree drop off locations, include:

● Burley – Burley Coach Park, BH24 4AA

● Fordingbridge – A338 Slip Road Car Park, SP6 1AW

● Ringwood – Furlong Long Stay Car Park – follow signs to designated area, BH24 1AT

Residents are asked to remove decorations from trees before

taking it to a drop-off point.

Trees must be left in designated fenced bays only and placed at the back to avoid blocking the entrance for others.

Trees left in car parks and other locations not designated for Christmas tree recycling, will be counted as fly-tipping.

Customers who subscribe to NFDC’s garden waste collection service can recycle real Christmas trees under 6ft, as long as trees are chopped up to fit in garden waste sacks, and to not exceed the 20kg weight limit for sacks.

Residents can read more information online at https:// newforest.gov.uk/

Credit: Nick Fewings/Unsplash

Avlaki Olive Oils

Rocketship flies the flag for literature

Ovington

NEARLY three years ago, on February 19, 2020, Jo Boyles and Russell Mardell decided to set up Rocketship Bookshop on Bridge Street in Salisbury.

Jo had previously worked at Waterstones for 15 years, where she built a library of knowledge and passion for children’s literature.

She also wanted to support local Wiltshire writers and turn the premises into a bookshop again, as it had previously been run as a bar by different owners.

“There hasn’t been a local bookshop in Salisbury for a long time, and the building we are now in used to be a bookshop in the 80s and 90s. It was called The Everyman Bookshop,” says Jo. “So it is great to fill this space with books once more.

“My daughter came up with the name to show how we look to children’s futures and how we can enrich their lives with books.

“The biggest challenge was a month after we opened, as we went into the first lockdown. We did many risk assessments but couldn’t predict a global pandemic.

“We weren’t originally planning to sell online, so we had to create the online service within days. Despite the panic at the time, it was a positive experience, as it opened us to a new audience.

“We highlight books you can’t find via social media or supermarkets, as a wealth of children’s books by amazing illustrators deserve to be seen.

“This year we have made a list of our favourite picture books published in 2022. There are so many brilliant picture

books that you won’t see anywhere else.

“We also have a local author section. Kristina Stephenson, who wrote the Sir Charlie Stinky Socks Series, has greatly supported our shop by making many appearances.

We had a few workshops with Jo Clarke, who has supported us with readings and signings of her book, Libby And The Parisian Puzzle. She did a creative workshop about how to write mystery stories.

“We also had Hannah Moffat, who wrote Small and did a workshop based on her book.

“We love hosting storytelling events, so throughout December, I am doing Christmas story readings from 10am onwards.

“We also have Christmas card decorating workshops. They are all free to attend and low-key,

because we love to have people come in and enjoy activities. We like seeing returning and new faces, so we welcome anyone to come along.”

https://rocketshipbookshop.co. uk/

Over the festive period Kids Go Free at The Salisbury Museum every day!

Pick up a children’s activity pack from reception and follow the Tudor Trail through the museum, on a Tudor hunt! You can make your own Tudor house, complete word searches, and get creative with lots of colouring and crafts.

*Terms & Conditions Apply: Free admission for under 16’s from MondaySunday – standard admission for accompanying adults. Does not include special events. Maximum 4 children per adult.’

From now until 2nd January. Pre-booking not required.

(Salisbury Museum is a charity. No 289850)

Words and photo by Tristan

Jo Boyles is passionate about books for children

Making ethical, earth-friendly soaps

Words and photo by Tristan Ovington

WHEN Roxy Eastland started trading in July 2022, she wanted a name that told people they could trust her soaps.

“I also wanted to show people that they can use the soaps to live a more ecological and ethical life,” says Roxy.

Based in Winterslow, she is the owner of Down To Earth Soaps and is on a mission to help people see soap’s oftenoverlooked, yet powerful benefits.

But making soaps takes a lot of time.

“I have a lot on my plate, with two kids, one 19-year-old daughter at college in Southampton and one 13-year-old homeeducated son. My husband sometimes helps wrap soaps, too,”she goes on.

“Creating the soaps involves making them in set moulds, turning them out overnight as they set, and the next day, I slice them by hand as they are pre-cured.

“I have to wrap them by hand in wood pulp that looks like plastic but is home compostable, which is the highest grade of compostability. Even my inks and adhesives are home compostable, so the packaging is

completely environmentally friendly.

How did Roxy get her business up and running?

“There is a lady who runs an online course just for soap makers, and over lockdown, she did her course for free.

“My mum, Sheila, also helped me financially. Wiltshire Council runs an organisation called Outset, which helps small businesses make business plans online. This was a good discovery.

What are Lasting Powers of Attorney and why do I need one?

Like Wills, lasting powers of attorney (LPA’s) are an essential part of estate planning. Why? While wills only come into effect once a person has died, LPAs are effective if someone is still alive but no longer able to function normally.

LPAs allow you to nominate a trusted person called an attorney. They can make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so.

An LPA gives the attorney the authority to act on your behalf. Both financially and with matters pertaining to your health and care. It goes without saying that attorneys must be people you trust. But what happens if someone doesn’t have an LPA? If you lose mental capacity a bank would freeze all accounts – including any in joint names. Even family members would not be able to access them at first.

Obtaining access to the accounts requires a long, drawn-out application to the Court of Protection, and this is a far more expensive process than getting an LPA in the first place.

There are two types of LPA document – one that covers financial matters and the other health. You should get both types of LPA drawn up as soon as possible, well in advance of when – or if – they might be needed.

Book an appointment with a Maplebrook Wills by calling 07832 331594

“Without a ‘lasting power of attorney’ document created in advance, families can find themselves locked out of an ailing loved one’s finances and facing a complicated court process to be appointed their ‘deputy’, with fees running into many thousands of pounds.”

Chris Tennant, Oakwood Wills

“They ran a three-day online Zoom course and provided a consultant that I could refer to for regular updates. Outset helped me feel optimistic about the direction in which I was heading.”

Roxy makes soaps for most occasions and occupations.

“Mild As Milk is my bestseller. It contains goat’s milk, calamine and colloidal oatmeal. It is perfect for sensitive skin and even licensed for babies,” she says. “We also sell Workshop Soap to help get grease off your hands and Potting Shed Soap to help return the moisture to your skin that soil takes away.

“I love to make environmentally friendly essentials for myself, so I was excited about how to make soap. Self-sustainability is important to me, and I like the feeling that I could make everything if I wanted to. I make my laundry detergent and toothpaste.”

For those wondering what Down to Earth soaps are like, receive a free sample if you join the company’s mailing list.

https://downtoearthsoaps.co.uk/soapsample-giveaway

Roxy Eastland holding soaps from her Down to Earth range

The number of businesses opening in Salisbury is bucking the trend

A NUMBER of businesses have opened in Salisbury in recent months with more set to open in the run-up to Christmas.

Despite the current economic backdrop and the challenges being faced by many businesses across the country, nine new businesses have opened their doors in the city since October.

Dan Collins, business manager at Salisbury BID said, “It’s really encouraging to see so many new businesses opening in Salisbury.

“The fact that these businesses have chosen to open in our city shows they see great potential in Salisbury.”

Salisbury BID offers these introductions:

Eggfree Cake Box

Eggfree Cake Box opened its first store in East London in 2008. The company now has over 195 branches with its Salisbury store set to open soon on Catherine Street.

The company founders follow a strict Lacto-Vegetarian diet and their cakes are made using the finest quality ingredients which are, unsuprisingly 100% egg free.

Calendar Club

Calendar Club has been a seasonal addition to Salisbury’s Old George Mall for the past 15 years and this year will be no different.

Calendar Club specialises in retailing calendars, diaries, planners and gifts during the busy Christmas shopping season. This year its shop will be open on New Canal until mid-January.

Coffee#1

Coffee#1 is a chain that loves to champion its local surroundings. In its Market Place store you’ll find wall murals which explore the city’s 800 years of history.

Coffee#1 prides itself on serving great coffee made by talented baristas, in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Fragrance Shop

The UK’s largest independent fragrance retailer opened its Salisbury store at the end of October. From Dior and CoCo Chanel to Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren, The Fragrance Shop in Old George Mall sells mainstream and luxury fragrances at affordable and accessible prices.

Glamour Girl

Looking to upgrade your wardrobe this winter? The women’s fashion retail outlet, Glamour Girl, opened in the Old George Mall at the end of October. The company aims to bring exceptional style to shoppers far and wide.

Magnet

The fitted kitchen specialist, currently based on Churchfields Industrial Estate, is set to open in the city centre in December. The kitchen retailer will move into the former Burger King premises on the High Street.

Nicky Joyce Hair

A new independent hair salon has opened on Fisherton Street specialising in balayage

blondes and low maintenance colour. Find Nicky Joyce Hair at 100 Fisherton Street.

Progress Bar

As featured in the last issue of the Gazette, Progress Bar on Endless Street is a safe and inclusive venue for the LGBTQ+ community. The café and bar serve snacks with a choice of coffee, wines, spirits, cocktails, draught beers and soft drinks.

The venue will also have events, music and entertainment over the coming weeks.

Snappy Snaps

Photo and digital specialists Snappy Snaps is the latest addition to Butcher Row. Its core service is the developing and printing of films in colour, black and white, slide processing and providing reprints and enlargements.

The shop will also offer all other photo and imaging services. Keep an eye out for the store which is opening soon.

Triple Two Coffee

After a short closure, Triple Two Coffee on Blue Boar Row is set to reopen under new ownership in December.

The franchise coffee shop hopes to bring something exciting to the city and alongside the new owners, there will also be a current refurbishment and a fresh menu.

The good news continues into the new year with Everyman Cinema due to open on Endless Street in Spring 2023 and Primark set to open in the summer of next year.

Popular city restaurant to shut for the winter months amid rising costs

THE owners of Salisbury restaurant, Allium, have announced that it will close for the winter months due to increased food and energy costs.

The decision was made after the government failed to offer guarantees of support for the hospitality industry following the Autumn Statement.

The restaurant opened just before the pandemic struck and has managed to survive the lockdown periods, but has decided that the economic environment is not conducive to remaining open.

It will close on December 23 with its spring reopening date yet to be confirmed.

The decision follows similar decisions by other high profile restaurants in the city, with Wilding being the latest to cite rising costs a its reason to close.

A spokesperson said: “Owing to the rapidly rising costs facing small businesses like ours, we have decided, in line with many other hospitality businesses, to close for the winter months which is when trade

is at its lowest.

“The rate at which food and energy costs are escalating would threaten the continued viability of Allium during the winter ‘lean period’.

“We will remain open until December 23, after which we will closely monitor the economic climate in order to decide when we can reopen.

“We would like to thank all our guests who have supported us so far, during what has been an immensely difficult few years for hospitality businesses.

“We look forward to being able to welcome you back in the spring.”

The sky’s the limit for Wasp Logistics

Ovington

One industry that is booming despite the upcoming recession and the fallout of the previous lockdowns is logistics.

It was for this reason that 29-yearold entrepreneur Simona Smelkova, CEO and managing director of Wasp Logistics, saw the industry as an excellent field in which to start her own business. Her story begins above the clouds.

“I was a flight attendant for four years,” explains Simona. “I wanted to own a business from the age of 16, but I didn’t know what kind.

“When Covid struck in 2019, the aviation business stopped for over a year, so my time as a flight attendant ended. But then I found an opportunity to do covid test collections for Royal Mail which my uncle Adrian Forbes suggested, and I enjoyed. I drove long distances between Gosport, Southampton and Salisbury.”

Simona is a multi-talented businesswoman and continued spinning many career plates during this period. “While working at Royal Mail, I continued

to pursue my pilot’s licence, which I completed in seven weeks.

“Royal Mail made me notice that despite covid, the logistics industry was booming. I suggested to my uncle that we start a logistics business, as he had previously run businesses in South Africa.

“He guided me, for which I will always be very grateful. I then got a loan via a government organisation called Start Up Loans and established Wasp Logistics on August 3, 2022.”

Despite the busy nature of logistics, Simona often pauses to reflect on why her

role is essential to others. “We had a consignment from Southampton Hospital of blood samples that needed to be delivered ASAP to Bristol. As I was collecting the sample, I saw into a small children’s ward for children with cancer.

“When I meet the people who benefit from our services, it reminds me why we must be successful: to help people and to improve their lives by delivering items they need quickly and safely. It made me realise why what I do is essential. I will never forget that experience.

“Everyone has dreams and goals, but you always need an alternative route if the first doesn’t lead you to where you want to be. I have always succeeded as I never gave up and always adjusted the route to my goals.”

The next step for Wasp Logistics is to transport consignments via aircraft.

“Now that I have my private pilot licence, I can work toward the commercial one and begin the levelling up of services for Wasp Logistics.

“I will take the same care and efficiency as all our other services but through the air.”

Words and photo by Tristan

Simona established Wasp Logistics in August

Politics

PM has no long-term energy policy

AN AGREEMENT by the European Union, supported by G7 countries and Australia, to impose a price cap on oil prices to “… prevent Russia from profiting from its war of aggression against Ukraine…” is to come into effect from December 5.

The aim is to “…support stability in global energy markets and to minimise negative economic spillovers of Russia’s war of aggression, especially on low and middle-income countries, who have felt the impacts of Putin’s war disproportionately…”

This is welcome news. Action that reduces the loss of life and destruction in Ukraine, and simultaneously reduces widespread misery caused by the detrimental impact of inflated energy costs, is a step in the right direction.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the UK would not waver in its support and would continue to look for new ways to “…clamp down on Putin’s funding streams…”

Unfortunately, energy giant BP does not share that commitment according to the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s

economic adviser Oleg Ustenko. Ustenko has written to BP’s chief executive, Bernard Looney, to demand the British company cut ties with the state-controlled Russian firm Rosneft, nine months after announcing its intention to leave the country.

The FTSE 100 company vowed to end its shareholding in late February after Russia invaded Ukraine. BP has a 19.75% stake in Rosneft, one of the Kremlin’s most important oil assets.

Ustenko has called on BP to exit Russia entirely after the fossil fuel firm was offered

a £580m dividend by the oil giant Rosneft.

The Labour MP Margaret Hodge, said: “Britain is trying to close down Russia’s oil market, yet BP is colluding with it. Any dividends going to BP should be repurposed by our government to help with the reconstruction of Ukraine.”

While a reduction in domestic energy costs will undoubtedly benefit everyone, once again we have an energy company continuing with unethical profiteering.

The sooner we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and move more rapidly towards renewable energy the better.

However, once again it is apparent from the latest rift within the Conservative party over the decision whether or not to lift the ban on onshore wind energy development that the government has no clear policy, long-term plan, or strategy to identify exactly how that is to be achieved.

Declaring a climate emergency is meaningless with a lack of investment and commitment to prioritise renewable energy.

There is little indication of either from the government.

How to solve the ambulance crisis...

THIS week, a resident told me they had watched an elderly lady trip outside Waterstones on the High Street and badly injure themselves.

So badly an ambulance was called for. The poor lady then waited two and a half hours for assistance.

Unfortunately, this story is not unusual; we all know someone who has struggled to get help via our local hospital.

The Conservative government is to blame for the deterioration of our ambulance delays, which had led to significantly longer waiting times in recent years. In fact, the average response time has increased by 63% for Category 2 calls since 2019. This means that a person who suffers a heart attack is, on average, waiting over 55 minutes for help in Wiltshire.

This data was obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Liberal Democrats, and we are calling for urgent action to tackle local ambulance delays and support our hospital.

Paramedics on the frontline do an incredible job day in day out, looking after people in their time of need. But our overstretched NHS services are collapsing under the strain of years of neglect under this chaotic Conservative government.

Charleston Lib Dems Parliamentary Spokesperson for Salisbury Constituency

According to the data obtained, the longest someone has had to wait to be admitted into Salisbury’s A&E was over 29 hours.This is appalling and no reflection on our NHS staff but a chilling demonstration of the strain they are facing right now due to shoddy policy decisions.

I am calling for a five point winter plan to address the ambulance crisis:

First, we must address the dangerous staffing levels by launching a campaign to retain, recruit and train paramedics and other ambulance service staff.

Second, we must enable those who are medically well enough to be discharged from hospital and set up with appropriate social care and support via a fully funded programme. There is quite literally no space

in our hospitals for incoming patients.

Third, hospital capacity must be increased, and new beds must come with increases in staff to care for those extra patients.

Fourth, expanded mental health support services would help people access appropriate care and reduce the number of call outs for ambulances for mental health reasons. Some hospitals have established ‘emergency mental health departments’ to achieve this.

Finally, Daisy Cooper MP has brought forward an Ambulance Waiting Times Bill that would require accessible, localised reports of ambulance response times to be published. This would ensure that ‘hot spots’ with some of the longest waiting times can be identified routinely.

I am proud to live in a country where anyone, no matter their age, employment status, income can access world-leading medical care, and it is heartbreaking to hear every day another NHS professional speaking on the radio about the dire state they are working in. I used to wonder what more needed to happen before this Government would take our health system seriously, but now I realise that a change of government is the only solution.

Cllr John Wells Labour Chair of Environment and Climate Committee (Salisbury City Council)

Victoria

Where creativity is the inspiration

ONE of the motivating factors for Pierre when he opened Compleat Artist art supplies in March 2022, was the part creativity played in inspiring people during the lockdown periods, helping to keep spirits high.

The shop’s opening night was exciting for everyone.

“It was perfect and I had so much support from nearby residents and businesses,” he said.

“Atiqul Hoque put me in contact with many people and the Chapel gave me their champagne glasses.”

But selling art supplies is not the only planned activity.

“I always want to add brand new ranges while stocking English-made brands.

“I have also had more workshops than I expected due to popular demand.

“The first is the Teens Sketch

Club on Wednesday evenings at the Sarum Studio in Cathedral Close. Eleven regulars come to this class and I have space for more. I provide all the materials and two hours of guidance for the fee.

“Another inspiring addition is the print room. This is equipped with lino cutters, etchers, and woodcutters so people can print their work and book the room privately.

“I have also set up workshops and clubs for this.”

But that’s just the start for Compleat Artist.

“We’re getting services up and running, such as custom canvas making, pigment grinding, homemade oil paint mediums, and much more.

“And I will soon apply for funding for art materials to

donate to schools that don’t have them.”

The future looks bright for Pierre, with so many ideas and plans.

“Like any artist, every day I get new ideas. You never know what might pop up next.

“I’m passionate about what I’m doing here, and my priority

is making all my ideas something everyone can enjoy.

“In February, I will be attending the huge Frankfurt Art Trade Show, where I hope to meet many other art supplies traders and increase the variety of my stock.

“I have learned much about how art materials are made and the science behind it.

“I plan to create my own line of handmade Compleat Artist branded products next year with everything I have learned.

“Above all, I love seeing people’s imaginations inflamed by art and how they improve their well-being throughout these challenging times.”

“I have many Christmas sets which give a taste of the variety of products I offer.

“These sets are designed to equip people with art supplies if they want to get into art fresh or back into it after a break.”

Pierre stands outside the shop he opened in March

Sarum Vision completes Wheels for Meals challenge

THE team at Sarum Vision were once again proud to organise a charity bike ride to support the local community.

For the second year running the charity bike ride proved a huge success, raising £4,230 for the Salisbury food bank.

Participants travelled from all over the country to support the cause and the nine-strong team completed a route of over 160 miles in two days taking in some of the best sights that Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset has to offer.

The ride started in Salisbury, travelled through the New Forest to Lymington and along the coast to Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck on the first day. The second day returned to Salisbury via Corfe Castle, West Lulworth and the North Dorset Cycleway.

As was the case last year, the value of donations made on the GoFundMe page was matched

by Sarum Vision, effectively doubling the contribution made to the food bank.

Matt Wakefield, one of the organisers and a consultant specialist at Sarum Vision said: “We are so thankful to everyone who supported our challenge. With your help we have raised over £4,000 for the Salisbury food bank.

“The Salisbury food bank does an incredible job helping our community and we felt donating funds would make a timely and tangible impact for those struggling in these difficult times.

“Hearing familiar stories of how some parents are going without to make sure their children had enough food to eat, is simply heartbreaking.

“No one should have to make such a sacrifice. We were so lucky with the weather as days before we set off the forecast was looking bleak.”

Naeem Haq, the other organiser and also a consultant specialist at Sarum Vision added: “I am delighted that the charity ride is going from strength to strength.

“The ride went very smoothly despite the larger group and we only had one puncture. We are so grateful to all who donated and we’re already looking forward to next year.”

Foodbank

said: “We are blown away by the support of Sarum Vision. Fund matching the donations was the cherry on the top of the cake.

“I’m always in awe of people who challenge themselves to support good causes – it’s so selfless. We simply couldn’t exist as a food bank without fundraisers like Sarum Vision.”

Maria Stevenson, Salisbury

manager

£300k funding secured to boost tree planting efforts across Wiltshire

ALMOST £300,000 will be spent on helping communities and landowners plant more trees in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Council, in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, successfully bid for the money from a Government fund to deliver coordinated and appropriate tree planting across Wiltshire and Swindon.

Councils have received a £294,800 grant from the Government’s Forestry Commission and DEFRA Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund.

The aim of the fund is to provide local authorities with financial support to bring on board the additional professional expertise they need to drive tree planting and woodland creation commitments.

The grant covers two years and will fund new dedicated Woodland Officers to work across Wiltshire and Swindon.

The officers will assist

communities and landowners with developing bids for grant funding for planting schemes; bring communities, partners, and landowners together to deliver tree planting on the ground; produce a woodland and tree strategy to guide further delivery of planting and more.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Wiltshire Council leader and cabinet member for climate change, said: “We’re delighted to have been successful in getting this funding. We are an ambitious council and this additional money will help us achieve our tree planting targets and ensure we continue to make

good progress as set out in our forward-thinking Natural Environment Plan.

“This is work we can’t do on our own and we’re looking forward to working with groups and landowners across Wiltshire to achieve our collective goal of maintaining and improving the natural environment.

“It’s in everyone’s best interests that we carry out this project successfully and this funding, together with the support of local people, will certainly give us the best opportunity.”

The funding will help deliver tree planting targets over the next two years that will see planting of 111 hectares of trees in 2023-24 and 222 hectares in 2024-25.

The council is keen to hear from local community groups and landowners across Wiltshire and Swindon who might be interested in working with the council to deliver the targets.

For more information contact Paul Robertson, senior landscape officer: paul. robertson@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Pollution fines re-invested in the environment

MONEY from fines handed out to water companies that pollute our rivers and seas will be re-invested in schemes that benefit our natural environment, under recent government plans.

Water companies were handed a record amount in fines for pollution incidents last year as part of ongoing action to hold rule-breakers to account.

Since 2015, the Environment Agency has concluded 56 prosecutions against water and sewerage companies, securing fines of over £141m.

At present, money from fines imposed by Ofwat and those arising from Environment Agency prosecutions is returned to the Treasury. Under the new plans, ringfenced funds will go

to Defra and will be invested directly back into environmental and water quality improvement projects.

This could include initiatives to restore water environments by creating wetlands, revegetating river banks and reconnecting meanders to the main channel of rivers.

Water minister Rebecca Pow said: “The volume of sewage being discharged into our waters is unacceptable, and can cause significant harm to our wildlife and sensitive habitats.

“It is right that water companies are made to pay when they break the rules, but it is also right that this money is then channelled back into improving water quality.

“Water company fines reached a record level last year, and moving forward these plans will significantly increase funding that will be used to recover, protect and enhance our natural environment.

“This is on top of the £56bn investment we’re requiring water companies to invest in improving our water infrastructure, as well as holding them to account through tough new targets.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt said: “These fines hold rule-breaking companies to account and mean record investment in our waterways. It comes on top of our requirement for water companies to invest in the natural environment.”

To crack down on water pollution, the government has boosted funding for the Environment Agency, with £2.2m per year specifically for water company enforcement activity, including at least 4,000 farm visits per year and 500 sewerage inspections.

Where water and sewerage companies are found to be breaking the law, they will face substantial penalties. This can include the Environment Agency imposing civil sanctions or pursuing criminal prosecutions, for which there can be unlimited fines.

CEOs and company directors may face prosecution where there is evidence and where it is in the public interest to do so.

New trees are set to be planted across Wiltshire Picture: Pixabay

Wessex Rivers Trust repairs public access spot on the banks of the Test

THE last of the volunteers have left Chilbolton Common following the completion of an ambitious restoration project.

Chilbolton Common, a site on the banks of the river Test in Hampshire, has two SSSI designations (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and is one of only a few places on the Test where the public can access the river.

There had been significant damage to the river banks causing the river to become over wide and slow, reducing the diversity and quality of habitat for fish and fauna.

Wessex Rivers Trust, with the help of a small army of volunteers and students from Sparsholt College, installed berms at strategic points along the river margins.

These bundled hazel berms will increase the sinuosity and diversity of flow of the river and narrow the channel in overly

wide areas, making the river more resilient to low flows.

They will provide a much more varied habitat, increasing the likelihood for growth of characteristic chalk stream plants; as well as creating emergent margins, providing cover for adult and juvenile fish and improving habitat for invertebrate species.

The project would not have been as successful without the hard work of the volunteers and students who gave their time. Volunteer, Martin Miles, said of his involvement: “I care deeply about the state of the aquatic environment and especially our wonderful chalk streams.

“It gave me an opportunity to help restore a piece of chalk stream into a more natural state.

“I thoroughly enjoyed building the berms and quickly seeing how the river started to repair itself, including seeing how quickly the trout and

grayling moved into the newly created habitat.

“It was also an opportunity to meet and work with other like-minded people who have the same passionate interest in

the environment.

“It was hard physical work, but thoroughly enjoyable and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to others”. www.wessexrt.org.uk/volunteer

New funding to plant trees in communities across the country in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth

FORESTRY Minister Trudy Harrison has announced that lead delivery partners of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) with half a million pounds in funding to plant trees in communities across the country in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

As part of the national tree planting initiative in Her Majesty’s name funding of £499,000 will be provided for a special programme of planting to be delivered by QGC Partners, including Trees for Cities, The Tree Council, The Conservation Volunteers and Earthwatch.

Working in cooperation with local authorities and communities, the funding will enable thousands of trees to be planted in over 60 locations across England, engaging

communities that have limited access to nature and green spaces. The projects include:

The Tree Council will plant 69,000 whips to create 14km of hedgerow in up to 50 locations, which will be chosen to increase biodiversity, local nature recovery and future flood alleviation.

Trees for Cites will extend their “Forgotten Places” programme across five areas that are nature-deprived, planting a total of over 5,000 trees.

Earthwatch will plant 1,800 trees to create three “Tiny Forests” in urban areas with low woodland cover. These will be dense, fast-growing native woodland the size of a tennis court.

The Conservation Volunteers will plant 1,500 saplings and

propagate native species, including 2,500 Oak acorns, in their nursery for planting in the future.

Harrison said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy is a fitting tribute to the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Trees are at the heart of our communities and today’s funding will ensure that thousands more trees are planted across the country in her honour.”

Forestry Commission chair Sir William Worsley added: “Healthy and productive trees play a vital role in tackling climate change and protecting biodiversity. They also make our towns and cities healthier, from improving air quality to providing mental health benefits, enriching quality of life.

CEO of The Queen’s Green Canopy, Dan Rex said: “The QGC is proud to be working with Defra and delivery partners to continue our programme of nationwide tree planting to honour the late Queen Elizabeth and build a greener environment for generations to come. This funding will make a significant difference to local communities in nature-deprived areas.

“As a partner of The Queen’s Green Canopy, Defra is proud to work with QGC delivery partners to bring together this special planting programme in honour of Queen Elizabeth to the benefit of local communities and future generations.

“The trees planted will become part of the living legacy.”

Volunteers helping to instal berms made of hazel to help stabilise the river banks

Credit: Wessex Rivers Trust

Farmers offered free workshops to help plan for grant changes

FREE workshops are being held to help farmers and landowners plan for changes to grant payments.

Between 2021 and 2027, the government will reduce and then stop Direct Payments, instead paying farmers to improve the environment, improve animal health and welfare, and reduce carbon emissions.

The first event to help people through the change is set to be held at Bishops Caundle Village Hall on December 14.

The information workshops are being provided as part of the Future Farming Resilience programme, which has expanded this year with an additional £2.6million of funding support from Defra.

Titled, Navigating the Agricultural Transition, the sessions provide a comprehensive overview of the coming changes and the options available as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments are

gradually reduced, before stopping altogether in 2027.

Further workshops will follow in the new year covering the whole of Dorset.

Those who attend the workshops and want to explore the impact of the changes on their business in greater depth also have the opportunity to take up the offer of one-to-one business support with experienced advisors.

The support offered through the project is free to any farmer or landowner receiving Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments. Farmers will be helped to take advantage of business opportunities, improve the environment, and reduce carbon emissions, the government says.

Cllr Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for economic growth, assets and property, said: “Ceasing of Direct Payments is the biggest change in farm support for generations and all farmers need

to think how they will adapt in the near future.

“This workshop will cover the timeline for how the Basic Payment Scheme will be reduced over the next few years, but also provide important information on a number of different schemes that will be available to those affected, as

well as options to improve productivity and increase profits.

“I strongly encourage all Dorset farmers and land managers currently in receipt of BPS payments to consider attending one these free workshops and keep an eye out as new sessions are added to the calendar.”

Farmers keen on hedgerows: Report

FARMERS would be keen to extend hedgerows in a bid to boost natureproviding the right support was on offer, according to a new report.

Charity, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CRPE), garnered more than 1,100 responses to its Farmers’ Hedgrows Report.

The results reveal a willingness of farmers to extend the UK’s hedgerow networkm, but that they are calling for more support from government to do so.

The results showed:

Almost 90% of farmers say hedgerows are important to them and their business, with the vast majority calling for more government support

As the government finalises details of ELMs funding, 70% of farmers say they’d plant more hedgerows given the right incentives

Providing a vital nature corridor on

farms was seen as the top benefit of hedgerows, followed by shelter for crops and livestock

Eight in ten farmers support a target to increase hedgerows by 40% by 2050 as a key climate and nature recovery goal

Tom Fyans, interim chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said: “Farmers could not have been clearer about the value they place on hedgerows - they really care about supporting wildlife and nature on their land.

“The government needs to tap into their enthusiasm by using ELMs to provide simple, accessible schemes that support farmers to look after their hedgerows for everyone’s benefit.

“The hedgerow network, in its expanse, is our largest ‘nature reserve’. It provides forage, shelter and shade for animals; habitat for pollinators and pest predators;

and absorbs carbon emissions while helping prevent both drought and flooding.

“That’s why CPRE is calling on the government to commit to the target of 40% more hedgerows by 2050.”

The findings show farmers are keenly aware of the benefits of revitalising nature on their land.

Farmers surveyed revealed a lack of funding was by far the biggest obstacle to planting and maintaining hedgerows, despite wildlife and nature corridors being seen as the greatest benefit of hedgerows by almost nine in 10 farmers.

Other benefits include providing shelter or shade for crops or livestock, providing a home for pollinators and pest predators –and more than half of farmers simply recognising that hedgerows enhance the beauty of the countryside, the CPRE said in the report.

The information workshops are being provided as part of the Future Farming Resilience programme

Free-range Xmas turkeys in short supply as bird flu measures continue

SUPPLIES of free-range birds – including Christmas turkeys – have been hit ‘very, very hard’ by the bird flu epidemic that has hit the UK, MPs have been told.

Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, told the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee this week (November 29) up to half of free-range poultry grown for Christmas in the UK has died or been culled.

Of the total 8.5 million to 9 million turkeys produced - not just those for Christmas - about 1.6 million had already died or been culled, he added.

Mr Griffiths was one of the industry experts interviewed by the committee, as it seeks to report on why this year’s outbreak has been ‘so serious and prolonged’.

Paul Kelly, of Kelly Turkeys, based in Essex, said there would be a shortage of free-range birds on shelves this Christmas.

Since October 2021, England has seen more than 250 confirmed cases of bird flu, and Mr Kelly said his business had lost around £1.2m after three outbreaks.

“For farmers it has been devastating,” he said. “The challenge for lot of smaller seasonal producers that produce Christmas poultry, they have their flock on their farm and

when it is infected, those turkeys will die within four days.”

Mr Kelly also called for the government to overhaul the compensation scheme for farmers hit by an outbreak. Currently, they are compensated for the number of fit and healthy birds after an outbreak. However, the committee was told entire flocks can have died before officials arrive to carry out a cullmeaning they receive no compensation.

Since November 7, flocks in England have legally had to be kept indoors in a bid to prevent the spread of bird flu in what the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said was the ‘largest ever outbreak of avian influenza’.

Announcing the measures, UK chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, said: “We are now facing this year, the largest ever outbreak of bird flu and are seeing rapid escalation in the number of cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across England.

“The risk of kept birds being exposed to disease has reached a point where it is now necessary for all birds to be housed until further notice.

“Scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks in all ways, from wild birds remain the best form of defence. Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands ... you must keep (them) indoors.

“This decision has not been taken lightly, but is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”

Farming NEW: SLURRY INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT

Symonds & Sampson’s Rural Agents have been studying the detail of the newly released Slurry Infrastructure Grant. Significant funding is available to pig, beef and dairy farmers Rural Agent Jack Denning-James from our Devizes office outlines the details. The grant will be available to pig, beef and dairy farmers whose farming systems produce slurry. It will help replace, build new or expand existing slurry stores to provide 6 months’ storage. This grant is competitive and will fund between £25,000 and £250,000 per agreement based on standard grant rates. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will award the grant to those projects that have the greatest environmental outcomes.

THE SLURRY INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT ONLINE CHECKER WILL OPEN ON THE 6TH DECEMBER 2022 WITH A CLOSING DEADLINE OF 31ST JANUARY 2023

You can use this grant for slurry stores including tanks, lagoons and concrete stores fitted with impermeable covers and large permanent bags. The grant will also fund items necessary for the basic functioning of new or expanded slurry stores, such as reception pits, slurry pumps and agitators. Some of the highlight payment rates are detailed below:

Further funding is available on a standard cost basis for pumps, choppers, pipework, transfer channels, agitators and safety equipment. The grant will not pay toward costs for obtaining planning, removing old stores, concreting yard areas and several other items. You will need to provide evidence regarding:

• The type of store you want to build

• The volume of storage you need to reach 6 months’ capacity (m3)

• The type of cover you will have

• How big the cover will be (m²)

• Other items their sizes (i.e., the number of wall mixers and volume of reception pit etc) Grant Rate (per m3) £31.50 £26.17 £10.08 £18.22 £72.74 £19.27 £32.17

If you are eligible and are successful in being invited for a full application you will need to provide additional detail to including information on soil suitability, capacity calculations and scaled drawings. The deadline for submitting full applications will be 28th June 2024. The RPA will assess business based on several environmental and financial targets and will include optional advice from your local catchment sensitive farming officer. The RPA will aim to either approve or reject applications within 60 days of submission. Priority will be given initially to schemes near Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and wetlands designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention (or Ramsar sites) and air quality priority areas. If successful, applicants will enter a five-year funding agreement during which time you must maintain 6-months’ slurry storage, keep slurry covered and produce and use a nutrient management plan. Applicants will be able to make up to three claims over the duration of the project and grants will be paid in arrears. Symonds & Sampson are able to help you through every step of the new Slurry Infrastructure grant including the eligibility checker, applying for planning permission for the new grant funding, sourcing finance if required and submitting full applications on your behalf. We expect this grant to be exceptionally popular and advise you make a start on the application as soon as possible if you intend to apply.

Please contact Jack Denning-James (01380 710535) or George Whittaker (01305 236237) for more information.

Gardening jobs for mid-December

Planting in December not only helps to burn off any festive over indulgence, it helps to get things in order ahead of the New Year. There’s nothing like a cold nipping wind on the cheeks to help clear the mind and concentrate your efforts.

If you have already bought a Christmas tree but haven’t put it up yet, stand it in water to keep it hydrated. Don’t forget to cut evergreen leaves, berried shrubs and seasonal flowers for use in Christmas decorations.

Focusing on spring, now is a good time to plant flowers for an early bit of colour in the garden and to help attract and feed the first pollinators. You’ll need to help seedlings out a bit by starting them under glass or in propagators with heat lamps.

If it’s really cold and miserable outside, this isn’t such a bad thing. After all, pottering in a shed or greenhouse while the elements go to town outside can be quite rewarding.

You can plant bare-root roses, ornamental trees and other deciduous shrubs outside this month, unless, of course

the soil is frozen or the site is exposed to high winds. Some trees will enter a dormant state, which helps them through the winter, ready to come alive as the weather improves. You can also start trees and shrubs, including cuttings, in containers under a cold frame or in an unheated greenhouse.

Sweet peas can be sown indoors. You can avoid damaging roots by planting them in a container before placing them in the soil.

Winter shrubs can be potted in sheltered areas. Try chimonanthus, sarcococca and Daphne odora.

Laurentia can be planted under glass in a position that receives plenty of sunlight.

Propagators really are your friend at this time of year. You can use them to grow geraniums from seed. Avoid direct sunlight. Snapdragons can also be sown under glass, ready to flower from early summer.

If you haven’t already, this is a good time to prune climbing roses, overgrown shrubs and hedges. You can cut these right back.

Hardier varieties of Cyclamens can be sown now. Soak seeds overnight to remove the protective coating and aid the germination process. Use small pots and don’t let them get too cold.

Protection

If you hang feeders you will attract a whole host of birds with hungry bellies and sharp eyesight who will enjoy picking off insects and other pests.

Bring your terracotta pots indoors if you can. If they are too big or if you do not have the space you can use bubble wrap to ward off the worst of the freezing weather.

If you can find a sheltered area for your outdoor pots this can help protect roots from damage. Straw or bracken can be piled around the base of climbing plants and any tender shrubs to act as a warm blanket against the cold.

If you have a pond, make sure you are keeping it clear of leaves and other debris. Don’t discard it straight away though, just in case anything has been hiding in it and needs to escape to freedom.

Brian’s Kitchens

Pets

No indulgence needed: How to keep your pets safe during the festivities

Food to avoid

Christmas is about indulgence and enjoyment. We often eat foods and drinks that might not be part of our diet for the rest of the year.

And we all love to treat our pets. But a word of warning: if you find yourself preparing or enjoying Christmas dinner, a cooked breakfast or some other delicious meal over the festive season, don’t be tempted to give in to those puppy dog eyes or cute kitten purrs.

Some of the foods we enjoy can be harmful to our furry friends and so to avoid causing them discomfort and yourself a vet bill, try to keep these foods away from your pets:

Chocolate

Chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs. It contains a stimulant called theobromine (dark chocolate has the highest content of this) which is toxic and can cause kidney failure.

The darker the chocolate the more serious the issue.

According to The Blue Cross, if you think your dog has eaten more than 3.5g of plain or dark chocolate or 14g of milk chocolate, they should be taken to the vet as soon as possible.

Macadamia nuts

All nuts should be avoided but macadamia nuts are the most toxic. If ingested they can potentially be fatal. Nuts can cause seizures and neurological problems.

Pigs in blankets

There may not be a dog on the planet, or perhaps a cat, that would turn away such a tasty delicacy, this is another Christmas day treat that contains too much salt and fat for your pet.

Grapes, raisins and sultanas

A trio of toxic treats, all of

which can cause fatal kidney failure, particularly for pets with underlying health problems.

As such, keep Christmas pudding and mince pies well out of the way.

Caffeine and fizzy drinks

Coffee beans, teabags and fizzy drinks should be kept out of reach as they can cause rapid breathing and heart palpitations.

Dairy products

Most pets find it difficult to digest the lactose in milk and cheese, so it’s a good idea to avoid these where possible.

Onions, garlic and chives

If fed to your pet raw, cooked or dehydrated they can affect their red blood cells and cause anaemia. Onions are particularly bad for a dog’s digestion.

Stuffing

While your pets would probably happily eat anything you offer them, stuffing should be kept away from them as it contains onions, garlic and herbs that may also cause upset stomachs.

Gravy

It might be tempting to offer gravy to your pets if you do treat them with safe foods, but you really shouldn’t.

It will be far too salty and fatty for them and can cause stomach upset, and digestive problems like sickness and diarrhoea.

Raw ingredients

Although raw dog food is increasingly popular, try to avoid feeding pets the things we cook with, such as fat trimmings, raw meat, raw eggs and raw fish.

These can cause salmonella or an unsettled stomach. With

cats in particular, too much fat can cause pancreatitis.

Xylitol artificial sweetener

Found in lots of sugar-free sweets and cakes, this can trigger sudden releases of insulin that can cause seizures and damage to the liver.

Skin and bones

Turkey skin, in fact most cooked bird skin, is much too fatty for your dog, while bones can cause internal damage.

If you suspect your pet of ingesting any of the above contact your vet immediately for their advice. Prompt action could be lifesaving.

What can they eat?

The good news is, your cats and dogs can be treated to a little skin and boneless white meat, like Christmas turkey and for dogs a small side of vegetables – green beans, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, peas and swede are fine in moderation (think what sprouts do to you) .

And if you decide to plate that up for your dog, you can safely add unsweetened cranberry sauce, as long as it has no added nuts and it is used sparingly.

Unsalted and unbuttered mashed or boiled potatoes can be given in small amounts as

starch can be difficult to digest, but avoid roast potatoes as they will contain too much fat.

Other things to avoid

There are a number of seasonal plants that you should keep away from pets, such as poinsettias.

The berries and leaves of holly, ivy and mistletoe are all poisonous to dogs and can cause stomach upsets. If you have these in your home, make sure they are in a place where your pets are unable to reach them and always pick up any that fall on the floor.

Christmas trees are a constant temptation to cats and dogs. Although they are not toxic, if the sharp needles are ingested they can cause internal damage.

Talking of Christmas trees

Cats love to play with decorations so try and avoid placing them on the very lowest branches. If you can, place the tree in an area where pets can’t jump onto the branches.

Secure the tree in a widebased pot or holder to avoid toppling. Using tin foil around the base will deter cats from climbing or clawing the tree.

Orange peel or citrus spray will also deter cats from causing too much mischief. Of course, anything dangly will be like a red flag to a bull.

Credit: Jessica Lews/Unsplash

How you can help homeless dogs this Christmas with the Dogs Trust

DORSET dog lovers are being urged to consider a charitable donation this Christmas to help those experiencing homelessness care for their canines.

Each year the Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, runs the Hope Project, bringing a bit of festive cheer to the pets of homeless people.

Running for 17 years, the initiative sees the charity distribute canine hampers of collars, leads, coats, treats and toys to dogs and their owners.

As well as the Christmas gifts, the charity provides free veterinary treatment to dogs whose owners are experiencing homelessness or in housing crisis.

Harriet Page, the Dogs Trust pets and housing manager, said: “Everyone knows that the bond between a dog and its owner is a strong one but for people experiencing homelessness, the bond is often unbreakable.

“Christmas can be an especially difficult and lonely time for people in housing crisis.”

This year, the Hope Project is hoping to deliver more than 2,000 Christmas parcels to dogs and their owners across the UK; a 24% increase in the number of parcels given out in 2021.

Over the next few weeks, Christmas parcels will be delivered to homelessness services in Dorset, including The Bus Shelter Dorset and Michael House, Bournemouth.

“Thanks to the generosity of Dogs Trust supporters, this year we will be able to help over 2,000 celebrate Christmas and support them into the New Year and beyond so that more dogs can stay with their owners,

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The scheme, and the other vital services provided by Dogs Trust, are only made possible thanks to the generosity of the charity’s supporters.

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hampers and offering free veterinary treatments, the Hope Project supports homelessness services to accept clients with dogs and helps them put in place practical guidelines.

Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.

Cryptic crossword

Across 6 I doze before end of shift? It’s not fitting (5)

Model’s in a shabby state rarely (6)

Eye, say, non-news component in paper (7) 10 Eastern lake is frightening (5)

Eye, say, non-news component in paper (7)

Eastern lake is frightening (5)

Show observation (4)

Old woman and married chap restricted type of creature (6)

Turn out former lecturer holding exercise (5)

Grapple with aspect of football (6)

Down 1 Posh woman with turn in charge of a starry group? (8)

2 Good man disclosed alcoholic beverage

Show observation (4)

Old woman and married chap restricted type of creature (6)

Turn out former lecturer holding exercise (5)

3 Sees heritage in part in Surrey town (5) 4 Difficulty say over a line that’s not permitted (7)

Grapple with aspect of football (6)

5 By the sound of it, detected rise (4)

Fearsome creature in crate, we hear (4)

6 Work finely in IT in inexhaustible fashion

Secure almost with hesitant expression reserve doctor (5)

Fearsome creature in crate, we hear (4)

Secure almost with hesitant expression reserve doctor (5)

Pasta making fine American sick on island (7)

A colour about college immediately (2,4)

Digested report of posh school (5)

Across

I doze before end of shift? It’s not fitting (5)

Model’s in a shabby state rarely (6)

Eye, say, non-news component in paper (7)

Eastern lake is frightening (5)

Show observation (4)

Old woman and married chap restricted type of creature (6)

Turn out former lecturer holding exercise (5)

Grapple with aspect of football (6)

Fearsome creature in crate, we hear (4)

Secure almost with hesitant expression reserve doctor (5)

Pasta making fine American sick

Place 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and boldlined 3x3 box. No digit maybe repeated in any dashed-lined cage, and each dash-lined cage must result in the given value when the stated operation is applied between all of the digits in that cage. For subtraction and division operations, start with the highest number in the cage and then subtract or divide by the other numbers in that cage

Pasta making fine American sick on island (7)

8 Republican fellow amid vote produces contemplative thought (10)

A colour about college immediately (2,4)

Digested report of posh school (5)

12 Dismiss a cross close to house (3) 13 Sound of feline in shed (3) 14 Ethics in Malta or Italy of a dubious nature 15 Key part of cooker and tin, say (7) 18 One awkwardly holding newspaper on a regular basis (5) 19 Flower in past eradicated (5) 21 Pleasing stimulus when touring Thailand

Wiltshire Creative announces its spring/summer 2023 programme

Wiltshire Creative artistic director, Gareth Machin and executive director Sebastian Warrack have announced the programme for spring/summer 2023.

Machin said: “I am thrilled to announce Wiltshire Creative’s upcoming 2023 season. We are really looking forward to these superb productions at the Playhouse and co-producing with New Wolsey Theatre for Brief Encounter.

“Our programme at the Art Centre is a varied array of one-to-two-night special events from improv to cabaret to Kate Bush. Finally, I am so excited to announce our outdoor production of The Tempest and would encourage all residents to get involved.”

Join the Mind Mangler as he returns to the stage following a reasonably good two-night run at the Luton Holiday Inn conference centre, suite 2b. Runs from March 13-14.

At the end of March, the same company will co-produce Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter, with New Wolsey Theatre in association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Directed by Douglas Rintoul, this promises to be a dazzling adaptation of the renowned love story by Emma Rice.

Heights. Whether a fan for decades or recently joined the shoal via the Stranger Things phenomenon, there has never been a better time to celebrate Bush with this joyful, unique and mind-blowing show.

An Evening Without Kate Bush is an award-winning show that has sold-out, critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe runs and enjoyed two Soho Theatre seasons.

Britain’s Got Talent’s The Noise Next Door will invite the audience to an evening of music and improv on March 23.

The quickest wits in comedy offer a side-splitting evening of hilarious off-thecuff songs, scenes and characters. The stars of Tonight at the Palladium (ITV1) will spin comedy gold out of all the things that the live audience, think are the best, worst and down-right weirdest things about Salisbury.

Churchill Gardens

Salisbury Playhouse

The season kicks off with Alan Ayckbourn’s How the Other Half Loves at Salisbury Playhouse. Directed by Machin, the story of dysfunctional marriages, domestic drama and infidelity is one of Ayckbourn’s best loved plays.

Set in the 1970s, it was his follow up to Relatively Speaking, which was staged at the Playhouse in 2019.

Three couples. Two dining rooms. One big mess. The lives of three couples frantically intertwine in this classic Ayckbourn comedy of confusion and chaos.

When one of the women arrives home suspiciously late one night, a chain of events unfolds drawing each of the couples ever deeper into hilarious misunderstanding. The play runs from February 9 to March 4.

In March, Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence will present the Mischief production of Mind Mangler.

This is the team that brought Good Luck, Studio to the Playhouse in 2022. The Mind Mangler’s solo spectacular is predicted to spiral into chaos as he attempts to read minds.

From the original cast of the multi award-winning sold-out smash hit The Play

When a chance encounter in a train station tearoom kindles a timid, yet passionate, love affair between a married doctor and a suburban housewife, the two are forced to question if it’s worth risking everything for the sake of love.

Tender and joyous, this show has all the drama of the original masterpiece with added live music, comedy and spectacle, taking you on a rollercoaster ride through all of love’s beautiful complications.

Salisbury Arts Centre

The Arts Centre has a varied line up featuring music, cabaret, and comedy.

In January, Moscow Drug Club will bring together elements of Berlin Cabaret, Latin Tinge, French musette and storytelling for one night only.

Combining their original material with songs by the likes of Jaques Brel, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Eartha Kitt, Moscow Drug Club delivers an intoxicating and intimate musical experience. You can catch the band on January 28 only.

On March 18, Sarah Louise Young and co-creator Russell Lucas pay glorious homage to the music, fans and mythology of one of the most influential voices in British music in An Evening Without Kate Bush.

Howl with the Hounds of Love and dance on the moors with Wuthering

Wiltshire Creative will present The Tempest in Churchill Gardens from May 24 to June 4. Residents are invited to take part in this outdoor theatrical event – in either a backstage capacity or, for those interested, there is a chance to perform alongside the professional cast.

This promises to be a stunning reimagining of Shakespeare’s fabulous tale and a journey deep into one of Salisbury’s most beloved parks.

A mighty storm shipwrecks a King and his entourage on an island of magic and mystery. It is a place of music and visions, surprising encounters and unlikely friendships. But what secrets does this island hold? Who or what is really in charge? And will the world ever be the same again?

This unique new show is an outdoor walkabout production, meaning our actors and community contributors will take you from scene to scene to different locations around the park.

Before booking please be confident that you can move around the park during the performance (approximately 1km).

That Goes Wrong, Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer star in this hilarious new comedy by Mischief.

Carsick band are the big winners at this year’s Salisbury Music Awards

Salisbury’s annual music awards took place at Brown Street recently with local band Carsick winning five awards including best band and best live act.

The group has enjoyed a breakthrough year with a number of live shows and national radio plays, including appearance on the BBC Introducing Live show.

As well as big wins for the band, brothers Joe and Jack Richardson enjoyed a memorable night. Joe won the award for best lead singer, while Jack won the coveted award for best guitarist. The band’s drummer winner, Tom

Armstrong, was also voted best in class for his craft.

The band looks set to have an exciting 2023 and will kicksart the year with its first headline tour of the UK, including a return to Brown Street for two nights in February (4th and 5th, tickets cost £8)..

The capacity crowd was treated to a host of live performances, beginning with Signature Vision, winners of best young band and ending with a triumphant set from the night’s big winners, Carsick.

Along the way there was catchy ska from The Intercepteurs, local poetry

group Poetika and an impressive set from winners of the best new band award, Love is Enough. Pyeshoppe and Pugwall played crowd-pleasing sets, while Effie performed a striped back set with Angela Collins.

Salisbury music legend, Tich Amey, was presented with an award by Mayor Tom Corbin to celebrate his lifetime contribution to Salisbury’s music scene.

As part of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, Amey scored a huge hit in 1968 with The Legend of Xanadu and has been a regular supporter of the city’s music scene ever since.

Brown Street gig guide

On Monday, 12th December, Salisbury Live presents: Remember The Future.

A celebration of young musical talent from Salisbury. Enjoy the future of live music. Free entry, 7.30pm.

Friday, 16th December, the borts Family Christmas Party, plus Vatican Romp, and Scab.

The band is celebrating the release of its debut album by hosting a classic end-of-year blowout with family and friends. Free poster prints (limited quantities). 7pm.

On Saturday, 17 December, The Zucchinis will be performing tunes by the Ramones, The Kaiser Chiefs, Levellers, The Clash and many other massive tunes. 5pm. https://www.brownstreet.biz

David Batchelor exhibition mirrors the colour and light of advent

The advent theme of colour and light bringing joy and hope to the world is echoed in a solo exhibition by the artist David Batchelor, currently on display in Salisbury Cathedral.

At the heart of the exhibition (and the cathedral itself) hangs a dazzling kaleidoscope of slowly turning spheres entitled Disco Mécanique, 2008.

This multicoloured galaxy of turning globes, created from thousands of plastic party sunglasses from Brazil, both absorbs and reflects the light and colour of the cathedral around it – and speaks to the joy and hope of the season.

David’s use of found and recycled materials compliments the cathedral’s commitment to the environment.

By contrast, Candela 2016, a work made of brilliantly lit

recycled bottles with a swag of wires sweeping upward behind, illuminates a dark corner of the North Quire Aisle, transforming the sombre space with its brilliant colours.

Salisbury Cathedral’s visual arts curator Beth Hughes said: “David is concerned above all things with colour, often taking found objects and transforming them to celebrate the myriad of hues found in the urban environment.

“Each sculpture presented here is in dialogue with the space as it either draws light from the cathedral to cast a wash of colour over the architecture or brings its own source of light drenching a hidden corner in vibrant colour.”

Along the nave and also high up on a niche are some of the artist’s most recent works, Concretos 2012-2022.

in

Created from vibrantly coloured offcuts and found materials embedded into a concrete structure, David took his inspiration from walls in Sicily where shards of coloured glass had been fixed into the mortar on top to deter intruders.

Luminous in colour and material, the Concretos respond to the natural light that filters in from the nave windows, sometimes opaque and sometimes transparent.

Artist David Batchelor said: “Colour is often overlooked in favour of line and form and yet it surrounds us all the time, particularly in a building like the cathedral, where light and space have been orchestrated for around 800 years.

This is what I have been doing since the 1990s, if on a more modest scale and after years of working in white-wall galleries the chance to exhibit

an extraordinary space like this is hugely exciting, but also a little scary.”

For those wishing to hear the artist speak, on Sunday, 15th January David Batchelor will be in conversation with art historian, writer and museum curator, Dr Alexandra Loske at the cathedral, with Beth Hughes moderating.

Tickets: Adults £10, free for U18s. Guests are invited to stay on afterwards for Evensong, which starts at 4.30pm.

David Batchelor’s exhibition is free with cathedral admission and will be on display until February 2, 2023

Artist David Batchelor looking up to one of his Candelas

Credit: Max Willcock

Top: Artist David Batchelor in conversation with visual arts director, Beth Hughes; Inset: a close-up of the slowly turning spheres entitled Disco Mécanique, 2008

Credit: Max Willcock

Young Gallery supporters create buzz with impressive exhibition

Words and photos by Katrina Ffiske

In the centre of Salisbury, the Young Gallery can be found on the first floor of the library in the Market Square.

Running until the end of December is an exhibition by many of the supporters of the gallery.

There was a buzz at the preview, held at the end of November, when artists, friends and art collectors gathered for the launch of this impressive exhibition.

The works include landscapes, portraits, sculptures, photographs and abstract works with many at affordable and reasonable prices.

Tim Chadsey, one of the gallery’s trustees was there to launch the exhibition: “Many of the supporters are volunteers from various walks of life and come together to contribute their expertise and time to ensure the gallery builds on recent successes,” said Tim.

“This exhibition is a way of thanking them for all their help, while the public gets to see a wide range of exciting, varied art from the local artists.

“The Supporters of the Young Group (SoYG) is a close-knit group without

whose tireless support our gallery couldn’t function.”

The mayor of Salisbury, Tom Corbin was there and commented on how lively the Salisbury art community is.

His comment rang true, as throughout the evening there was a wonderful warm atmosphere, with all the artists being very supportive of each other’s work and all very keen to see The Young Gallery flourish.

The gallery was established in 1913, opening with the original bequest by Edwin Young. The collection comprises approximately 535 watercolours, drawings and unfinished works of art, all executed by Edwin Young (1831-1913) who was a competent and prolific Victorian watercolourist.

The exhibition runs until December 31 and has many affordable artworks, which would make perfect Christmas presents.

Artists include John Bruce, June Cluett, Tracy Dovey, Judi

Glover, Steve Neville, Karen Welsh, Mylene O’Connor and Nick Phillips.

Clowise from top: Mylene O’Connor, John Brice, Steve Neville, Tracey Dovey

Salisbury’ s folk scene is thriving

A monthly folk open mic evening at Brown Street has attracted a wide range of local performers since it began last August.

It is an opportunity for folk musicians to take to the stage and perform, no matter how experienced or inexperienced they may be.

Organiser Hadrian Cook, who also plays bass in local folk band Maerefolk, who regularly perform at the events, said: “Well done Brown Street! Salisbury was once quite a centre for folk music and it can be again.

“We’ve been delighted by the number and range of performers who have come forward over the last few months, and look

forward to much more in the coming year.

“We are defining ‘folk’ very widely. It’s not only traditional songs and tunes, but also contemporary material. If you sing or play, come along and have a go.”

Future folk nights will be held on the following Wednesdays: January 11, February 8 and March 8.

Performers should arrive from 7pm to book their spot, with the event finishing at around 10pm.

For more information, follow Folk Open Mic at Brown Street on Facebook, or visit: www.brownstreet.biz

Plain Arts holds exhibition at Salisbury Library

If you are interested in art and want to see examples of the very best you can find locally then head along to the Plain Arts Winter Exhibition in Gallery 4 at Salisbury Library.

The exhibition is open to the public from Saturday, 26th November running through to Saturday, 7th January.

Plain Arts is one of the leading arts organisations for local artists in and around Salisbury and this exciting opportunity to exhibit in

Salisbury Library has attracted work ranging from painting, sculptures and illustration through to photography.

It provides a wonderful opportunity for local artists to exhibit in a terrific venue right in the centre of Salisbury.

It is also a fantastic opportunity for people to come down to the Library and pick up some unique and truly creative Christmas presents from an amazing range of the brilliant art that will be on display.

O come all ye festive poets

Have you ever burnt the turkey, wrestled a reindeer or received the gift from hell? Are you filled with festive fun and a desire to put your adventures to words?

Then you definitely have a story to tell and what better place to do it then at Poetika’s 2022 Christmas Event?

Whether you are on the naughty list for misbehaviour under the mistletoe or as innocent as freshly fallen snow, Poetika wants to hear your anecdotes of advent told large on its indoor stage on Tuesday, 20th December.

So, make sure you rehearse those lines, dig out your glittery glad rags and Christmas jumpers and join them for mince pies, Christmas crackers and a great deal of festive merriment.

On the night, open mic poetry will mix

with nativity festivities and all in front of a welcoming and enthusiastic audience.

So head along to the snug at Winchester Gate on the 20th. Sign up is at 7pm for a 7.15pm start for those who want to share their tale of festive cheer or mistle-woe.

Poetika:

Nicky Harris, Ria Rylatt -Chandaman and Jamie Lingham aka Caddie J,

Brown Street folk regulars Maerefolk

Challenges of a 32ft cathedral tree!

WE’VE all struggled at times when putting up our Christmas decorations - but imagine if your problem was a whopping 32ft-high tree!

That was the challenge facing workers at Salisbury Cathedral this week, when the Norway spruce was delivered from Longleat Forest - by lorry.

Richard Pike, the cathedral’s ecclesiastical joiner, supervised a team from the Works Yard as they carefully hoisted the tree into place at the West End.

By the afternoon, it was glowing with more than 1,000 LED lights.

The tree was delivered at 8am by Gyatts of Salisbury and was craned into position inside.

“Raising it to a vertical

position and securing it is a tricky business and requires a lot of experience and skill,” said a cathedral spokesperson.

“Fortunately, Richard Pike has plenty - this 32ft tree is the 32nd tree he has put in place here.”

The Cathedral’s massive 2022 tree was originally grown as a ‘nurse’ tree for small self-seeded oaks.

By letting the conifers grown tall, the Longleat forestry team protect the little oaks as they develop, using the taller trees to shield them from frost and bad weather, and creating a microclimate in which they can flourish.

The tree will remain in place until Candlemas (February 2), when the Church celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the temple.

The 32ft tree was delivered in the morning and by the afternoon was aglow with 1,000 LED lights thanks to the expertise of cathedral staff Pictures: Finnbarr Webster

The imposing view from atop the tree

Take part in the new Just For Girls multi-sport sessions in Salisbury

Recent studies tell us that girls are less active than boys at all ages, with English girls being among some of the least active in the world.

It is thought that only 16% of girls meet the UK physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate-tovigorous intensity activity each day.

We all know the benefit of a healthy lifestyle and how embedding these values in children will help provide a healthy sporting habit for life.

With this in mind, Salisbury City Council along with Magna Learning Partnership are providing a low-cost sporting opportunity for girls in school years 5 to 8 in the Salisbury area on Tuesdays from 4:305:30pm at Sarum Academy (term time only) starting in January.

Just For Girls Multi-sport will deliver games and activities alongside a variety of sports related activities such as hockey, football, cricket and dodgeball.

The club will be delivered by Ellie, from District Sports who will ensure that the children have an opportunity to try a range of activities. Alongside Ellie, additional coaches coming in to deliver specific sports where needed.

Participants will initially receive five free sessions and if they wish to continue can pre-book to secure their places at a cost of £3 per session (these will need to be paid for up front).

To run these sessions the organisers need volunteers to help, so if you would like to volunteer for some or all the sessions or if you would like more information related to this project and how you can help, please email tgailey@ salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk

To book your child’s free sessions, please go to: https://form.jotform.com/ BemertonHeath/SCCPRF

Just For Girls Multi-sport will deliver games, activities and sports

Credit: Danny Nee/Unsplash

Salisbury RFC girls pitch up and play sessions are a resounding success Latest rugby results

Salisbury RFC has declared its three pitch up and play sessions for girls attending local schools a resounding success after 50 girls tuned up over the course of three successive Sundays.

The sessions were advertised to schools, advertising the events as an introduction to rugby, for girls of all playing abilities.

Unsure of what the response would be, the club announced itself delighted that nearly 50 girls turned up over the three weekends.

One local school teacher even turned up with a minibus

full of pupils.

The coaching was undertaken by the club’s regular coaches with assistance from Luke Newton, the men’s 1st team captain.

The final session saw the return of local legend, and ex-England winger, Emily Feltham, who helped new players at the sessions pick up a number of skills. She also helped the current U16 team prepare for its forthcoming fixture.

At the end of the final session, the girls decamped to the clubhouse to enjoy Emily

talking about her pathway and life in rugby.

The Salisbury Girls Squad is enjoying a successful year in many ways, with its U16 squad having played its first fixture for many years back in November.

Salisbury RFC Men’s 1st XV were defeated 29-10 by Newbury at the end of November, before a 17-10 loss to Witney. The team is currently mid-table in Regional 2 Tribute South Central league.

The 2 XV lost recently 26-46 against Melksham, while the 3rd XV lost to Dorchester II. Fordingbridge RFC drew its most recent fixture 29-29 against United Services, Portsmouth in the London & SE Division Counties 2 Hampshire League.

The draw follows a loss and a win and leaves the club in mid-table.

A florist’s tip: affordable ways to dress your Christmas table

by Susanne Kennedy

This Christmas, more than ever, it is important to bring joy and happiness to your loved ones.

The dinner table is where the family gathers and where memories are made. A lovingly decorated table is where the festive spirit comes to life.

Here are some tips to make your seasonal tablescape special, yet sustainable and, very importantly, affordable: Go back to basics – have a look around the garden and pick what’s pretty. Twigs, seed pods, evergreen ivy berry, teasels and laurel, whatever catches your

eye can be used to decorate your table.

Appeal to all senses – bring the outside in with gatherings from your garden, forest or hedgerow. Use candles to bring warmth to your room, mixed in with the scent and texture of your foliage. Rosemary, sage, leyland cypress or eucalyptus will bring a lovely fragrance to any space.

Add fruits and nuts – dot around oranges (decorated with cloves for a Christmassy aroma), tangerines, figs and nuts to bring some colour to your table.

They look great among the green and they can be eaten with

the cheese course. At Milston Flower Barn we believe that less is often more. A festive table does not have to cost the world, in fact, it can be totally

free to create a magical table with treasures foraged on your doorstep.

info@milstonflowerbarn.co.uk / www.milstonflowerbarn.co.uk

Mushroom Wellington is your vegetarian centrepiece

If you are looking for a vegetarian centrepiece for your dinner table this festive season it can be easy to think of nut roast (and why not, I am a fan, hot or cold) or something shop bought.

While I always whip out my trusty nut roast recipe for Christmas dinner – yes, all the meat eaters who look pitifully at me beforehand always finish it off – I was called upon one year to find an alternative and found this excellent and fairly simple recipe on a website called Delicious Everyday (see website below).

Whereas beef wellingtons are notoriously difficult to get right, its vegetarian sibling not only looks brilliant, it tastes sensational as well. And you can tinker and tailor with the basic recipe as much as you want, adding, subtracting ingredients at will. If you can find dairyfree puff pastry you can also serve it to vegan family members and friends.

It really does look stunning, either served sliced or put on the table as a centrepiece.

Ingredients (to serve 4)

4 large portobello mushrooms, stalks trimmed (try to use mushrooms of the same size)

3 large onions peeled and chopped

3 tbs olive oil

300g baby spinach (or more if you prefer)

4 sprigs of thyme leaves, picked

1 shop bought puff pastry (vegan if you choose)

1 tbs Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to season

For the wash, you can either use milk, an egg wash or a vegan alternative

Things to note

You can make your own puff pastry, if you wish. But life is too short, so pop to the chiller cabinet of your local store and buy the ready-rolled variety.

You can avoid a soggy bottom (and you do want to avoid such a thing at this time of year) by patting everything dry and allowing each ingredient to go cold before you wrap the filling in the pastry.

Preparation time should be in the region of 10-15 minutes before a total cooking time of 50 minutes.

How to cook

Place a large frying pan over a low to medium-low heat.

Add the 1/2 tbs of olive oil followed by the chopped onion and reduce heat to low.

Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes, until the onions are golden brown. Keep an eye on them because you don’t want crispy onions.

Remove the onions from the pan, set aside to cool and return the pan to the heat.

Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted before removing from the pan. Set aside and leave to cool.

Increase the heat to medium/high and return the pan to the heat.

Add the remaining olive oil and place the mushrooms, top side down. Cook until

lightly golden (about five minutes) before turning over and cooking for a further five minutes or until golden.

Remove from the heat and drain on a paper towel top side up – they release liquid as they cool.

Transfer the onions, spinach and mushrooms to the refrigerator so that they can cool completely.

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (390 Fahrenheit).

Place a sheet of baking paper on the baking tray and place the puff pastry sheet on top. Spread half the cooled caramelised onions over the middle third of the pastry, making sure to leave an extra 2cm (¾ inch) border at the edge of the pastry.

Top with half of the baby spinach.

Spread the Dijon mustard over the mushrooms and season well with salt and pepper. Place the mushrooms on top of the spinach. Top the mushrooms with thyme and then the remaining baby spinach and onions.

Carefully roll the pastry over the top of the mushroom mixture until you have formed a log. Press down to seal the edges. Roll the log over so that the seam is now facing downwards.

Brush the top of the pastry with your chosen wash. You can add pastry designs if you wish.

Place the pastry back on the baking sheet and tray and place in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden and flaky.

It will look and smell amazing. Enjoy with roast potatoes and vegetables.

How many top chefs does it take to make the perfect roast potatoes?

ASK anyone and they will tell you the best way to cook the perfect roast potatoes. Some will have watched and learnt as their parents and grandparents made memorymaking and mouth watering roasties, others will swear by the time they followed the latest hot chefs twist on this all-time classic.

Traditionally, of course, roast potatoes are enjoyed with a Sunday roast, providing a unique texture and flavour point on an often brimming plate.

One of the best ways to enjoy a roastie, in my opinion, is just before closing time, after a few drinks, on a winter’s evening.

At least, I still have the memories of the pub in Bournemouth during my university days that would bring round dishes of hot, crispy and salty roasties that provided a surprisingly welcome and filling snack after an evening’s fun. You’ll need to trust me.

For what seems like a simple dish, there are many little tweaks and variations for you to try until you find the method that is just right for you.

I have my own method, honed through trial and error over many years and I swear that they are the best you’ll try. And you will, no doubt disagree.

Ingredients

I use maris piper potatoes, but King Edwards work well.

Vegetable, sunflower, rapeseed oil Butter

Method

If the oven is not already on, turn it on now.

The first trick is to peel your potatoes by slicing the skin off with a sharp knife (though I do also like leaving some skin on). You are looking for sharp edges –smoothness will not do.

Cut them into half, depending on the size of the originals. You don’t want them too small or too big.

Wash the peeled potatoes, place in unsalted water that just covers them and heat until boiling.

Leave them to boil or simmer vigorously for 5-10 minutes (if they start to break away at the edges remove from heat) and then drain using a colander.

The potatoes can be left in the colander to steam and cool. Keep the pan handy.

Meanwhile, place the tray you will use to roast the potatoes in the oven for a few minutes to warm up, then pour in either

vegetable or rapeseed oil. Leave the oil to heat for a few minutes. You want the oil and the oven really hot.

Tip the potatoes back into the pan, then take the tray out of the oven and carefully pour the hot oil over the potatoes trying to cover as many of them as possible, though there is no need to worry too much.

Now pour the potatoes and any residual oil back into the oven tray and add a very generous knob of butter. If you can, this is the time to try and get every potato surface covered with a little oil.

Then put them into the oven for 40-45 minutes, turning occasionally. They should be crispy on the outside, golden brown, fluffy on the inside and they will definitely smell wonderful.

What about the top chefs?

Now, you’ve probably read that and screamed, why, what, where, and more. This is my way and there are so many variations. Top chefs have their own trusted methods.

Heston Blumenthal rinses his potatoes for 5 minutes before parboiling. He adds rosemary, thyme and garlic to the roasting tray and uses beef dripping, cooking them for almost 90 minutes.

shaking up the edges of the potatoes, coating them in semolina and using goose or duck fat for extra crispiness.

Nigella prefers her roast potatoes to be small, suggesting this measure helps to maximise the crispy coating to fluffy filling ratio. She is another semolina convert, suggesting it is better to use than flour, though I hadn’t heard anyone suggest flour, until I saw the recipe on the Good Food Guide website.

She also likes to give them a shake in the colander to scruff them up a bit.

Waitrose suggests scraping the parboiled potatoes with a fork to help rough them up. It is the rough surface that the oil crisps.

Jamie Oliver likes to go full on rogue when it comes to his roasties. He parboils for 7 minutes, crushes the potatoes slightly with a masher and adds a number of flavour combinations – rosemary and garlic, clementine and sage or thyme and bay. And seasons ahead of the roast.

Tom Kerridge is perhaps closest to my recipe though he salts his water and poaches them for 10 to 15 minutes before roasting.

So there you go. The simplest of dishes with such a wide variety of methods to try.

How do you cook yours?

Gordon Ramsay suggests

By Rebecca Vincent

It’s only in recent years that I’ve come round to the idea of vinegar and anything that even remotely resembles a pickle.

But I like the idea of quick pickles because they don’t require much effort and the house doesn’t end up smelling of vinegar for ages after.

This recipe works with a myriad of different vegetables, herbs and spices, but this time I’ve chosen carrots and onions.

Carrots have been one of my favourite vegetables since I was a kid. They contain high levels of beta-carotene which we can convert into vitamin A, along with vitamins C, B6, K, biotin, thiamine and potassium.

Onions are a member of the allium family, along with garlic and leek, and they are a great source of vitamins C, B6, B1, K, biotin and chromium. They are also considered a prebiotic which means the dietary fibres they contain feed the beneficial bacteria within our gut.

Carrot and onion quick pickle

(Fills a 1 pint/16oz mason jar)

½ medium red onion

2 medium carrots

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp sugar

1 garlic clove

1 cup of water

½ cup of apple cider vinegar

Few sprigs of coriander

Flavour options: ginger, turmeric, dill, chives, lemon zest

How to make

Finely slice the red onion. Slice the carrots in half lengthways then finely slice on the diagonal.

Finely slice the garlic clove, then cut each slice into matchsticks and roughly chop the coriander.

and coriander in the jar.

a small pan, then add the salt and sugar, stirring until dissolved. Pour the water mix and vinegar over the vegetables.

put the lid on the jar and pop in the fridge for one hour. Then simply enjoy!

(Hons); BANT registered nutritionist; phone: 07515 019430

www.rebeccavincentnutrition. co.uk

Antiques & Collectibles

2,000-plus lots in Christmas sale

CLARKE’S Auctions at Semley expects to offer more than 2,000 lots of fine antiques and interesting items in its three-day Christmas Antiques & Collectibles sale being held from 28-30 December.

Lots for sale will include jewellery and watches, objects of vertu, English and European ceramics, glass, silver and silver-plated items, antique and modern furniture, rugs, paintings and taxidermy.

A large quantity of militaria will be for sale including dress swords and sword sticks, Persian and Islamic swords, 19th century flintlock rifles and an RAF Regiment bandsman’s drum.

The sale also features a 1912 Siemans War Games boxed set – the Army Manoeuvres of 1912 was the last military exercise of its kind conducted by the British

Army before the outbreak of the First World War – an 1879 pattern Royal Artillery Officer’s helmet belonging to Captain Harold George Howson MC CBE, and an impressive scratch-built clockwork model of HMS Nelson built by Vickers Armstrong in the early 20th century, fully operational and now housed in a museum-type display case.

Viewing for the sale is from Tuesday to Thursday 20-22 December from 9am-5pm and a colour catalogue will be available at the-saleroom.com and easyliveauction.com

Clarke’s is taking entries for future sales and enquiries for consignment should be made to Richard Clarke or Karen Marshall on 01747 855109 at the main offices on Kingsettle Business Park, Station Road, Semley, Shaftesbury.

Ariel 99 and not out

A 1923 ARIEL 9 Chummy motor car, one of just a couple in existence, has been consigned to the Charterhouse auction of vintage and classic cars on 9 March.

“She still looks great at nearly 100 years old,” said Richard Bromell. “The current owner, who bought her in 1968, has recently given up driving due to poor health. Although he is sad to let her go before her 100th birthday he is happy for the new owner to take her on adventures again.”

Over the past 99 years this rare Ariel 9 has had just four owners. The vehicle was purchased new by a Mr Atkins – a retired bank manager – but on its first or an early outing his wife had a heart attack and died in the car. He did not wish to use it after this and the car was laid up for a period of time.

Moving forward to 1968 and the current owner bought her for £500 from the A W F Smith

Motoring Museum auction conducted by Sotheby's. The auction catalogue, along

The 1-litre twin cylinder engine vehicle is today estimated to sell for £7,0009,000 in the Charterhouse auction being held at the Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford.

Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, Dorset, are available for help and valuations on 01935 812277 or via cars@ charterhouse-auction.com

with other history, comes with the car.

The 1923 Ariel 9 Chummy is estimated to sell for £7,000-9,000

Vintage wines in Interiors auction

DUKE’S Auctioneers, Dorchester, is holding its last auction of 2022 on 15 December at 10.30am.

Interiors auctions have become a regular staple in its diary and showcase an array of charming items, each sale delivering great results for single lots and large collections alike.

Notably a ‘Rosso Antico’ torso of a Roman emperor made £28,600 and a Meissen coffee service £16,250.

More recently, the Richard Pratley collection of English Furniture, Naïve and Folk Art achieved a very respectable sold rate of 97 per cent for more than 400 lots.

The next auction has an impressive collection of vintage wines and spirits including four bottles of Cadenhead's cask strength single malt scotch

whisky estimated at £3,000£4,000; 1995 Taylor’s vintage port (£100-£150) and an array of vintage Champagnes and wines.

Auction viewing begins on 10 December or a fully illustrated catalogue can be found online at auctions.com

Bidding is available online, by phone, by commission and in the room. For more information phone 01305 265080 or email enquiries@dukes-auctions.com

History

When Olivier graced the boards: book details history of the Playhouse

By Faith Eckersall

It’s not often you get the chance to see one of Hollywood’s greatest stars in Salisbury. But that’s what happened during the Second World War, when Vivienne Leigh – who played Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With The Wind – accompanied her husband, Laurence Olivier, to a humble former Methodist Chapel, just off Fisherton Street. Leigh was appearing in an AngloAmerican troop show at what was known as the Garrison Theatre – a venue which hosted shows for the troops – which eventually morphed into the Salisbury Playhouse.

Now, the history of how a Primitive Methodist chapel sparked the creation of one of the UK’s most respected regional theatres has been lovingly told in a new book.

Arthur Millie, one of two volunteer archivists at the Playhouse, has just published a history of the theatre, from its beginnings in 1869 as a place of worship, through its war years, to the Arts Theatre, and its current iteration.

The story covers the years from 19452000. “I could have written even more about the last 22 years but decided to stick with the first half century,” he says.

His researches have uncovered a wealth of detail about the famous thespians who have graced the town. They include Peter Ustinov, who got his first break in Salisbury, to Christopher Biggins, who started off as a stagehand at the Playhouse, before taking a number of panto roles, including, according to Arthur, that of a rat in Dick Whittington.

“Euan McGregor attended the Guildhall Acting School and his first acting job was at the Playhouse, in What The Butler Saw before TV and films took over,” says Arthur.

His book also recalls the hard work of the actors’ repertory company, which was often performing one play every week, while rehearsing the next.

He believes his book will help local people, and anyone who loves the theatre, trace the progress of the Playhouse; from its humble and hard-working beginnings, into the

cultural powerhouse it is today. The original chapel has been long-since demolished, although the name Chapel Place, just off Fisherton Street honours its heritage.

“It’s amazing to think of all that has come from the decision to use a nearderelict hall as a theatre,” says Arthur.

Twice Upon a Salisbury Stage: The Story of Salisbury Playhouse and its Two Theatres 1945-2000 is available from The Rocketship Bookshop in Bridge Street, Salisbury, or online.

Do you remember when it used to snow in Salisbury?

By Salisbury Museum

The Salisbury Museum image archive has a series of photographs taken in March 1965, well over 50 years ago now, that show what a white winter looked like.

I have chosen three of these photographs to illustrate just how much snow we used to have before climate change.

The first was taken in Amesbury, near the Anna Valley Motors petrol garage and shows a blackboard on an easel, in the middle of the road, with a

message written on it in chalk. The message says: “All roads blocked including

Woodford. Leave roads clear for snow plough.”

I suspect that even blackboard, chalk and petrol garages, as well as deep snow, will all be faint memories soon.

The second shows a Wilts and Dorset single decker bus which failed to stay on the road having slid into a field. Some

passengers appear to have left by the emergency door at the rear.

How many men does it take to rescue a bus – one with a shovel and 10 to watch?

The last photograph here shows what appears to be a Morris Minor well and truly trapped in snow. Three farmers on a cab-less tractor are riding along through the snow, very cold but moving.

What makes the photograph for me is the military officer on skis, taking his two dogs for a walk. It illustrates that the military are always prepared, and like farmers, can adapt to any circumstances.

Top: Author Arthur Millie with his book Left: The former Playhouse building in the 1950s

Volunteer, Alan Clarke (all photos courtesy of The Salisbury Museum)

Salisbury area bucks trend but fewer people identify as Christian in UK

The number of people identifying as Christian has decreased in England and Wales according to the voluntary census of religious identity carried out in 2021.

Participation was up from the previous survey from 92 to 94% (56 million responses). The decrease corresponded to an increase in the number of people reporting as having no religion.

For the first time in a census of England and Wales, less than half of the population (46.2%, 27.5 million people) described themselves as “Christian”, a 13.1 percentage point decrease from 59.3% (33.3 million) in 2011.

Despite this decrease, “Christian” remained the most common response to the religion question. “No religion” was the second most common response, increasing by 12.0

percentage points to 37.2% (22.2 million) from 25.2% (14.1 million) in 2011.

There were increases in the number of people who described themselves as “Muslim” (3.9 million, 6.5% in 2021, up from 2.7 million, 4.9% in 2011) and “Hindu” (1.0 million, 1.7% in 2021, up from 818,000, 1.5% in 2011).

Wales saw a 14 percentage point decrease in people reporting as Christian, from 57.6% in 2011 to 43.6% in 2021.

People in the Gazette area bucked the trend somewhat with most districts seeing higher numbers of people identifying as Christian than the national average.

Only Salisbury Bemerton had a lower percentage of people who stated their religion as Christian at 43.5% with

47.9% identifying as no religion. The highest percentage identifying as Christian was 58.9% in Great Wishford, the Woodford Valley and Porton, with only 33.9% stating that they had no religion.

Responding to the survey, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake, Bishop of Salisbury said: “While fewer people in the UK identify as Christian, we know from many other surveys that huge numbers of people are praying regularly and want to explore questions of spirituality and faith.

“The Church of England is there for everyone, in every community, regardless of whether people tick the box to identify as Christian or not.

“It offers space to think and reflect, as well as a place to both celebrate and mourn life’s

the first time in a census less than half of the population described themselves as “Christian”

events and challenges. This winter, Christians and parish churches in Wiltshire are also offering warmth and food as the church seeks to support people through the cost of living crisis.

“The census figures do present the Church and all Christians with a challenge to keep sharing the story of what our faith offers people in today’s world.”

Church group moves to Salisbury

Words by Katrina Ffiske

Trinity Church Salisbury has recently been set up by a group who decided to relocate from Southampton to Salisbury.

Intrigued to know what would make a group of people up sticks and move, I went to meet church leader Pete Bentley-Taylor.

Pete and his family have moved to Harnham. “Our group is very happy to come to Salisbury. Most of us were part of Christ Church Southampton and had a vision and desire to plant new churches in the south of England.

“Salisbury seemed a natural geographical progression. I led the team and we started with 27 adults and 13 children.”

Trinity Church is not part of the Church of England. It is an independent church and has no external authority structure. Its

main aim is to encourage members of the community, particularly the young, to learn the lessons that the Bible has to teach and to see the impact that Jesus makes to a community.

“We want to welcome people from Salisbury and the villages beyond,” Pete continues. “If anyone doesn’t know or understand what Christianity is all about, we’d love them to come along and learn with us.

“We believe that the Bible has something to say to people today, and that really is the most interesting book in the world. Many think that the church is for older people but we have found that many of the young are eager to join and learn, hungry to consider questions of truth.

“In our society, even though we are increasingly less religious, people are still searching for meaning and satisfaction.

“It may be through work, relationships, money or leisure, but so often these things don’t provide the happiness that we seek. It’s like there is a hole in our hearts that only God can fill it. We want people to come and consider these claims for themselves.

“Our services here in Salisbury are both historical and

contemporary, singing both old and new songs.”

Services are currently held in the hall at the South Wilts Grammar School and during the week they meet at individual’s houses for meetings. The church will be holding a Carols by Candlelight Service on Sunday, 18th December at 7pm.

trinitychurchsalisbury.org.uk

For

Services are currently being held at South Wilts Grammar School

Cathedral turns from darkness into light during spectacular service

More than 4,000 people attended the three spectacular Advent Processions, From Darkness to Light at Salisbury Cathedral at the end of November (Friday 25, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27).

Regarded by many as an unmissable prelude to the festive season, each service traditionally begins in total darkness and absolute silence, broken only when the Advent Candle is lit and a solo voice rings out across the ancient space of the Cathedral.

During each service, two colourful processions made up of over 100, including the Bishop of Salisbury, Dean of Salisbury, cathedral canons and 40-strong cathedral choir, make their way around the building with candles lit in their wake.

Worship ends in a blaze of colour and light as the processions come together and make their way from the High Altar to the West End during the final congregational hymn, with the medieval space glowing in

the light of 1,300 flickering candles. The Prisoners of Conscience window was illuminated in a gloriously blue at the East End.

The choir for this moving and magnificent service was conducted on all three nights by Salisbury Cathedral’s director of music, David Halls, with a plainsong choir singing from the West End Gallery. John Challenger, assistant director of music, played the organ.

Top: The Bishop of Salisbury with fellow bishops; Right: The final procession from the High Altar to the West End during the Darkness to Light Service

Credit: Max Willcock

Bishop of Salisbury launches new prayer for Advent

The Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake has launched a new prayer for the advent period, which was read at the recent From Darkness to Light service at Salisbury Cathedral.

Bishop Stephen said of the prayer: “Advent is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. Through this prayer we are praying for Jesus, the light of the world, to lighten the darkness around us.”

The prayer is available in a number of forms, including as a video, in British Sign Language and as a powerpoint presentation for school use. A video is available on the diocese site of the school children at Winterbourne Earls CE primary school

“Many of us are worried and fearful about what we may face this winter, with

rising bills and food prices and the continuing war in Ukraine,” Bishop Stephen added.

“Often we think there is little we can do but so many people turn to prayer in times of great difficulty and find in it the comfort and strength to carry on.

“This simple prayer, for use in church schools and congregations and at home, encourages people to come together to pray, to acknowledge their fears, and find strength and solace.”

An Advent Prayer for the Diocese

“Faithful God, your world is full of fear. Hunger, cold, and loneliness are all around.

Your children are hurting.

Into our darkness comes the child of Bethlehem –Jesus, the light who cannot be overcome. He is with us always.

He speaks words of hope and words of truth.

May his Spirit fill our hearts this Advent and awaken us to your purposes: making us generous in giving, active in serving, and alert to your reign of justice, mercy, and peace, which he calls us to bring to birth – here, and now.

Amen.”

Resources are available from www.salisbury.anglican.org/advent

Chorister ‘unseats’ Bishop Stephen during ancient Evensong tradition

At Evensong on December 4, 13-year-old Rory Law from Warminster was installed as the latest in a long line of Chorister Bishops at Salisbury Cathedral, unseating the Bishop of Salisbury for the duration of the 45-minute service.

During the Magnificat, sung by the cathedral choir, The Rt Revd Stephen Lake, Bishop of Salisbury, symbolically relinquished his staff, mitre and cope, and stood aside while Rory, wearing the Chorister Bishop’s robe, mitre and ring, stepped up into the Cathedra (or bishop’s throne).

Supported and robed by his retinue (a group of friends from the Cathedral School), Rory delivered a sermon, and led the choir and congregation in prayer.

Being chosen to be the Chorister Bishop marks the contribution made by a chorister to the choir and cathedral music. One of the youngest choristers to join the choir in 2019, Rory was just eight when he started singing in the cathedral, and has since gone from strength to strength.

Rory Law, Chorister Bishop said: “It’s such an honour to be made Chorister Bishop and something I will never forget. I love Christmas time at the cathedral anyway. It is the best music we do in the year and that makes it worth waiting until

Boxing Day to celebrate Christmas with my own family. Actually it’s quite nice spending Christmas lunch with all the other choristers and their families and being with school friends at Christmas time.”

In 2019 he took the part of the young St Nicolas in a performance of Benjamin Britten’s cantata, St Nicolas, given by Salisbury Music

Society and at last year’s midnight mass he sang the spine-tingling solo at the start of Once In Royal David’s City.

Rory has been involved in countless services during his time with the choir, including the renowned From Darkness to Light Advent Procession, the inauguration of Bishop Stephen Lake, and services commemorating the Queen following her death earlier this year.

David Halls, director of music at Salisbury Cathedral said: “Rory is a knowledgeable and intelligent singer, who is wise beyond his years and a great asset to the choir.

His year group was amongst those most affected by Covid-19 and the singing ban but, remarkably, they don’t seem to have been held back. The boys are singing particularly well at the moment.”

The Chorister Bishop or Boy Bishop tradition goes back to

medieval times, when a boy chorister held the office of bishop from the Feast of St Nicholas (the patron saint of children) on December 6 until the Feast of the Holy Innocents on December 28.

During that time, medieval child bishops could appoint clergy and distribute the church’s money as they saw fit.

The practice continued right up until the reign of Henry VIII who put a stop to the practice in 1541, declaring it a distraction from proper church business.

It was revived in its present form at Salisbury Cathedral in the 1980s and today the chorister is as likely to be a girl as a boy. Salisbury Cathedral appointed its first Girl Chorister Bishop in 2015.

Above: Chorister Bishop Rory Law with the Dean of Salisbury (L) and the Bishop of Salisbury

Below left: Bishop Stephen hands his crozier to Bishop Rory Credit: Finnbarr Webster

British Association of Removers Eco Friendly

Local charity awarded grant to provide counselling to young people

DO you know a young person who needs help with their mental health?

The Wiltshire Council Salisbury Area Board has awarded a generous grant of £5,000 to mental health charity Family Counselling Trust (FCT).

The grant will fund counselling sessions for 16 families with young people (aged 13-18 years old) from Salisbury and the surrounding areas.

FCT offers low cost, early intervention counselling to children, young people and their families (predominantly on lower incomes) in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire.

Young people and their families can apply for six counselling sessions with a

Words by Francesca Tyer

WITH the cost of living crisis becoming more prevalent, now more than ever it is important to cut back on costs.

Beyond trying to save on petrol use and energy bills, there are other, less common ways, to save yourself a little cash.

You don’t have to be creative to save money. Cook meals in

qualified and experienced psychological therapist at a contribution from just £5 per session.

FCT is an early intervention service treating mild mental health conditions such as anxiety, low moods and challenging behaviour.

And there is no need to visit the GP first, instead, help can be requested directly by visiting www.familycounsellingtrust. org/get-help.

Alison Sankey, chair of Family Counselling Trust Wiltshire said: “We are most grateful to Wiltshire Council for its generous grant. It has been a difficult few years for families due to the pandemic, the cost of living crisis, and the NHS being unavailable for milder mental health problems.

“We want local families to know that help is available for young people experiencing challenging times. Please do get in touch.”

If you know a young person

who is struggling with their mental health you can find out more about Family Counselling Trust, and how you can access or support their service at www. familycounsellingtrust.org

bulk and use leftovers for lunches or freeze them.

Make Christmas cards out of old ones – simply cut out and stick onto a new back.

For maximum efficiency, shop every three weeks. This will save petrol costs, minimise spending opportunities and ensure you use up the food already in your cupboards.

Don’t be too embarrassed to get your prostate checked out

Probus Club of Sarum welcomed retired BBC reporter Andy Jones to its meeting on November 25.

Andy, who had spoken to the club before about his long BBC career offered a very contrasting topic at the most recent event.

As a past sufferer from prostate cancer he gave a very erudite and memorable talk about the disease.

He reminded his audience that every 45 minutes somebody dies of the disease in the UK.

Considering that it may take as long as 15 years before symptoms spread there is ample scope for improved early intervention.

60% of men have prostate problems at age 60.

This proportion grows to 70% at age 70.

One of Andy’s key themes is, do not procrastinate because you are embarrassed.

Andy used a number of colourful home-made models to give his audience an appreciation of the physiological intricacies involved and to illustrate the variety of modern interventions.

He reminded the listeners that Herophilus, the Alexandrian physician, first identified and described the prostate gland in the 3rd century BC.

It took nearly 2,000 years for European medicine to catch up.

Andy’s talk was followed by lunch with the club members.

The club meets every other Friday at the White Hart Hotel. Its members are retirees who value intellectual stimulation as well as a sociable atmosphere.

The club welcomes guests and new members.

Call 01722 392 043 for more information on how you can visit a meeting or join the group.

If you are worried about a child’s mental health, support is available Credit: Katie Gerrard/Unsplash

Harnessing your breath can help you manage fight or flight response

THE stress response (‘fight or flight’) is how our body prepares us for danger. It’s initiated when our brain perceives a threat and sends stress hormones into the body to get us ready to fight or run.

However, our brains are not very good at differentiating between real and imagined danger (e.g. anxious thoughts or memories) and so our stress response gets switched on (or ramped up too high) when it isn’t needed, resulting in unnecessary tension in the body and mind.

This build-up of stress can result in anxiety and physical health problems like high blood pressure and a suppressed immune system if left unmanaged.

We all have a powerful, safe and free tool to help us manage stress; the breath. We can harness the power of our breath to teach our body that we are safe so that the stress response can switch off and our relaxation response can switch on.

Using our breath to elicit the relaxation response was first developed in the 1970s at Harvard Medical School by cardiologist Dr Herbert Benson who was largely credited with demystifying meditation. However, these techniques have been used by yogis and meditators for thousands of years.

Follow these steps to use your breath to support your body in its relaxation response:

● Sit quietly and notice your breathing

● Breathe through your nose if possible

● Breathe deeply into your belly – pushing it in and out so it inflates and deflates like a balloon

● Focus on elongating your exhale. You can count in for 4 and out for 6, 7 or 8

● Continue for a few minutes.

Taking a few minutes to breathe like this each day will help support you in moving towards lower stress levels and increased well-being.

To learn more about how to manage stress through meditation, mindfulness and breathwork, join Claire’s next 8-week course starting 9 Jan. www.clairesankey.com/events

Claire Sankey is a mindfulness, yoga and somatics practitioner who teaches individuals and groups to manage stress and anxiety.

Words and photo by Claire Sankey

Recruitment Campaign launched in bid to recruit more mental health nurses in SW

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to recruit more learning disability and mental health nurses in the south west.

NHS England South West (NHS SW) and Health Education England South West (HEE SW) have launched the #WeAreTheSouthWest initiative, which hears from a range of learning disability and mental health nurses as they showcase their roles and explain what they involve.

Highlighting what they love about their job and the opportunities available, it is hoped the initiative will boost applications in the region.

Mental health and learning disability nurses work in a range of settings, including hospitals, in the community, social care or in a residential or educational

setting.

They work to support people living with mental health conditions or learning disabilities and their families to ensure a high quality of life and enable them to live as independent and full lives as possible.

Natasha Teague, acute learning disability nurse at University Hospitals Plymouth, said: “I always knew I wanted to work in learning disability and so, when I left school, I completed a three-year undergraduate course in learning disability nursing at Queen’s University Belfast.

“Being an acute learning disability nurse is a very rewarding job. A standard day varies greatly; every day is so different, which is a fantastic

thing. We work with a range of patients in the hospital who have learning disabilities by supporting them with attending appointments, visiting them and their families and identifying any reasonable adjustments they may need, supporting their discharge and much more.

“For me, the most rewarding part of the role is supporting patients through their entire hospital journey, from admission right through to discharge. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to work with a wide range of health professionals; from consultants to physios, radiographers, the domestic team, the rest of the nursing team, health care assistants and more.

“I think, to become a learning disability nurse, it’s really important to have excellent communication skills - both verbal and non-verbaland to be creative, innovative and think outside the box.”

Danni Picot, mental health nurse and deputy ward manager of the mother and baby unit at Devon Partnership NHS Trust, said: “As a mental health nurse, I enjoy being part of a patient’s journey - seeing someone who is at the most vulnerable part of their life in a mental health crisis start to recover is really rewarding.

“I feel very privileged to have helped someone understand and recover from their mental health difficulty.

“To empower women on their journey as a new mum is a really unique position as you

are not only supporting that mother to bond with their infant but ensuring for that infant they are developing a secure attachment.

“Mental health nursing is a unique and exciting profession, there are so many opportunities to choose from and with new services developing all the time there is something that will suit anyone and what they want to get out of nursing.

“I would say to anyone aspiring to be a mental health nurse to keep focused on why they want to work in mental health, it may not always be easy but you can always make a difference.”

Christian Brailsford, regional head of nursing and midwifery at Health Education England South West, said: “Learning disability nursing and mental health nursing are two fantastic career options for people in the South West. There are a number of opportunities for learning disability and mental health nurses in the South West to work in a range of locations and settings. This includes the potential to work in the community, hospital settings, social care, residential or educational settings and more.

“There is a real need for more learning disability and mental health nurses in the South West and so, if you’re compassionate, have great communication skills and really want to make a difference, a career as a learning disability or mental health nurse could be for you.”

The campaign has been launched on social media

Recruitment

PART-TIME CARER / PA

East of Shaftesbury. For busy mother in wheelchair. Cheerfulness, kindness and flexibility more important than qualifications. Varied role as part of small team, with housekeeping, admin, personal care, meal prep, dog walks included. Strictly no smokers. 07790 524 241

P/T ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT required to join small busy team for varied office tasks supporting property managers and family business situated close to Gillingham, flexible working hours. Please apply with covering letter and CV to: forwarddevelopmentsltd@gmail.com

SKILLED TRACTOR DRIVER

Broadchalke, Salisbury, Wiltshire

Competitive Salary / No Accommodation

We are seeking a flexible, enthusiastic person to be a key worker in our well diversified, well equipped Arable & Livestock business. Duties will include:

All aspects of Combinable Crop Growing. Routine feeding, bedding & mucking out of beef enterprise. Helping with estate work, sheep enterprise & diversifications

Ideally you will have:

Experience in farm work. Flexible / adaptable approach. PA1 & PA2 Sprayer license. Telehandler certificate.

Please apply by email to: stoke.farms@farmline.com

Applications close on: 23rd December 2022

Complete care solutions

Assistant Bookkeeper

Bramley Care are currently seeking an Assistant Bookkeeper to join our team.

Flexibility around hours of work can be offered to suit the successful candidate.

Raising and sending customer invoices

Communicating with our customers and accountant

Maintaining an accurate record of financial transactions

Updating and maintaining the general ledger in Sage Bank account reconciliation to assert the accuracy of transactions

Qualifications and experience

2 years basic accounting experience with an understanding of accounting best practices

Knowledge of Sage-50 computer-based accounting systems and procedures

Advanced use of MS Office, especially Excel and Word Skills

Excellent communication, organisational and numerical skills

Excellent customer service skills

Self-motivated and pro-active, approachable, dependable, tenacious and confidential

Produce work with a high level of accuracy

If this is a role that sounds of interest to you then please get in touch. Further information and an application form can be found on our website.

bramleycare.co.uk 01747 855844

Receptionist

A bright, motivated and dynamic candidate is required to work on reception in one of the UK’s leading auction houses.

Reporting to the Senior Auctions Manager the role will offer the candidate an exciting career path and the potential to join a fast-growing organisation.

Desirable Experience and Skills

•Strong communication skills

•Ability to work to tight deadlines under pressure

•Impeccable telephone manner

•A friendly and sociable character

•The ability to prioritise

•The ability to be proactive and work on own initiative

•Computer literacy and familiarity with Office suite programs

•Experience of working in small teams

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

•Meeting and greeting clients

•Answering, screening, and forwarding telephone calls

•Responding to emails

•Taking payments

•Assisting with client collections

•Data entry

•Filing

•Diary management

•Postal management

Competitive salary (dependent on experience)

If you are interested in joining our dynamic team please send a 1 page CV and 1 page covering letter to Tallulah Barnett: tallulah.barnett@dukes-auctions.com

Closing date for applications is 10pm, Sunday 18th December

www.dukes-auctions.com

• Duke’s, Dorchester, DT1 1GA

• Tel: +44 (0)1305 265080

The role is to Manage all aspects of The Society especially the smooth organisation and running of its Events, The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show and Spring Countryside Show. This is alongside the management of the Event Venue, Turnpike Showground in Motcombe. The individual must be:

Innovative

For the full job description and to apply e-mail chairman@gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk or ring 01747 823955. This position consists of:

The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society is hiring for a Show Secretary & Events’ Organiser.

Ways to prepare your car for winter - and avoid getting a £1,000 fine

WITH winter conditions on the roads now in full swing, drivers are being warned to check their vehicles in a bid to avoid fines.

Among the faults which could land drivers in hot water is driving not being visible in poor conditions, which could lead to a £1,000 charge.

Although cars made after 2011 are fitted with automatic ‘daytime running lights’ (DRLs) for visibility, it is important to remember that all drivers should switch on brighter lights when necessary, the RAC said.

Drivers who fail to do this could be on the end of a large fine.

According to the Highway Code, all cars must have DRLs that switch on when the engine starts to help with road visibility and safety.

It is then advised that drives must turn on the vehicle’s dipped headlights and brighter rear lights to help other road users.

Are your lights ready for the winter conditions?

Meanwhile, there are other simple pieces of driving advice that if ignored could also end up in you getting a large penalty to pay.

Here are some important ones to remember:

Lightbulbs in headlights, brake lights and any other part of your car can blow at any time – and this can lead to fines from the police.

They can give you a £100 fine on the spot and three penalty points on your licence.

The police may also issue a ‘vehicle defect rectification notice’, giving you 14 days to show that you’ve fixed the problem.

According to the Highway Code, the minimum tread depth for cars is 1.6 millimetres around the circumference of the tyre and through the central three quarters of tread width.

Also, your tyres will be deemed illegal if they’re under or over inflated, so give them a check.

Should you get caught by the police you could be on the end of a £2,500 fine per tyre –meaning that you cold end up paying £10,000 in total.

This could also lead to three penalty points per tyre.

The Department for

Transport explains that all windscreen wipers ‘must be properly adjusted and maintained in efficient working order’ and that failure to do so could lead to dangerous driving scenarios.

This could lead to a £2,500 fine and three penalty points.

According to Section 34 of the Road Vehicles Regulations 1986, cars must be fitted with a windscreen wiper and washer capable of cleaning your windscreen at all times.

The rule ensures that drivers have a clear view of the road.

If your car has no washer fluid, you could be charged with careless driving, an offence where police have the power to issue an on-the-spot fixed penalty notice for £100 and three penalty points on your licence.

Damaged windscreens can have a serious impact on road safety.

The Highway Code says drivers should have a full view of the road ahead and glass should be maintained in a good condition.

If a police officer decides you’re using a vehicle in dangerous condition, you could face a £2,500 fine and three points on your licence.

Drink-driving campaign is underway

POLICE have stepped up patrols across Wiltshire in a bid to clampdown on drink-driving during the festive period.

Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit is working closely with partner agencies from the Road Safety Partnership, to target those who fail to abide by the law.

Officers from RPU will also be out and about in the community for a number of interactive sessions in various town centres to explain the dangers of drink and drug driving.

Acting Inspector Will Ayres said: “We hold a zero tolerance approach to drink and drug driving all year round, however, we know that as Christmas approaches everyone is getting into the festive spirit with lots of parties planned over the coming weeks.

“While we want everyone to enjoy the festivities as much as

possible, it’s really important that this is done safely.

“Please plan your journey home or have a designated driver within your group.

“Consuming alcohol or drugs before getting the behind the wheel of a car is not worth the risk.

“We see first-hand the devastation felt by families whose loved ones have been killed on our roads, often at the hands of a drink driver, and it is difficult to even put into words just how heart-breaking this can be.

“Please, don’t be responsible

for tearing a family apart this Christmas.”

The month-long operation targeting drivers under the influence of drink or drugs began on December 1 and will run for the entire festive period.

Last Christmas, Wiltshire Police arrested 45 drivers on suspicion of drink driving and 31 for driving under the influences of drugs.

And between January 1 and

October 31 this year, 583 drivers were arrested for drink driving offences and 329 for drug driving in Wiltshire alone – a total of 912 people.

The 2021 total was 1,071.

“Please remember that you may feel okay the morning after a big night out, but you may still be over the limit. Don’t put yourself, your passengers and other road users at risk,” A/Insp Ayres added.

2018

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Dorset doesn’t make the list as UK’s happiest places to live named in poll

DORSET did not feature in this year’s happiest places to live, according to a new nationwide survey.

Each year, property website Rightmove asks customers to tell them about where they live, asking what they love about their local areas, and what makes a place really feel like home.

Now in its 11th year, more than 21,000 people responded in towns, cities and villages up and down the nation.

Residents score their local areas on things like community spirit, and how much access they have to nature and green spaces, as well as artistic and cultural activities.

This year’s study is set against a backdrop of rising cost-of-living concerns,

and a sense of belonging is what people valued most among the survey’s happiness measures.

“Our Happy at Home survey really shows that the things that make people happy to live in their area are not so much the physical aspects of that area but more the personal aspects, such as our sense of belonging, the community and the people,” says property expert Tim Bannister, from Rightmove.

“The last few months have undoubtedly been difficult for many, and as we learned during another difficult period in 2020, this is often when we look to our local area and community for support and happiness.”

So, which locations in Great Britain have

been voted the happiest by the people that live in them?

Here is the full top 10 of happiest places in 2022, according to the latest Rightmove survey.

St Ives - South West

Galashiels - Scotland

Woodbridge - East of England

Hexham - North East

Perth - Scotland

Harrogate - Yorkshire and The Humber

Anglesey - Wales

Bury St Edmunds - East of England

Stirling - Scotland

Cirencester - South West

St

Property prices fell in November

THE average price of a house in the south west fell by 1.8 percent in November, new figures reveal.

Property firm Rightmove’s House Price Index for November showed the average cost of a house in the region was £386,357.

That compares to the national UK average, which also dropped - for only the second time this year - to £366,999, a fall of 1.1 percent.

According to the index, it takes an average of 37 days for sellers in the south west to find a buyer.

Elsewhere, Wales and Scotland saw the largest drop in prices (down 3 percent and 2.2 percent respectively), while every region saw a fall.

The north east is the most affordable part of the country in which to buy a house, according to the data, with an average asking price of £179,504 (down 1.6 percent).

“Even though we’ve seen a drop in the region this month, the average price of a home is still 9.1% higher than during the same period in 2021,” a Rightmove

spokesperson said.

The east of England saw the smallest drop in prices, down just 0.1 percent, to an average of £424,884.

The West Midlands is the area where properties are selling fastest, with sellers waiting just 36 days to find a buyer, at an average price of £284,908, down 1.4 percent.

“Asking prices have risen 9.6% annually,

but are still well below the national average,” the spokesperson added.

The south east remains the second most expensive region in England, behind London, with an average price of £485,847, though that fell by 1.8 percent compared with the previous month, according to the report.

London itself saw average house prices fall by 1.9 percent, to £682,422.