The West Wilts Magazine - December 2017 by Lisa Rockliffe

DECEMBER 2017 // ISSUE 100

FREE

MAGAZINE

MERRY CHRISTMAS! CELEBRATE WITH ALL THE FAMILY AT WHITEHALL GARDEN CENTRE

CHEF's TABLE

WHAT THE REGION’S CHEFS ENJOY AT XMAS

WELCOME TO OUR

th 100 EDITION

THERMAE BATH SPA GIFT VOUCHER OFFERS

CHRISTMAS WISH LIST GIFT IDEAS FOR THE FAMILY

+ LISTINGS GUIDE LUXURIOUS LEFTOVERS XMAS DECORATIONS & MUCH MORE

FOOD & DRINK // INTERVIEWS // HOME & GARDENS // HEALTH // COMMENT

YOUR LOCAL VILLEROY & BOCH STOCKISTS

VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM IN BATH

5 The Shambles, Bradford on Avon BA15 1JS t 01225 309110

12a Trim Street, Bath BA1 1HB t 01225 308060

www.bathroomsatno5.co.uk

contents Published by Wired Publishing Editor Lisa Rockliffe Contributors Craig Gates-Mutton, Phil Rockliffe, Neil Mortimer, Andy Diffey Advertising Enquiries Andy Diffey e: andy@wired-publishing.co.uk t: 01225 807775 General Enquiries e: info@wired-publishing.co.uk t: 01225 807775 www.wired-publishing.co.uk Address 20 Azalea Drive, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 9GG This magazine is printed on paper sourced from sustainable forests. Please recycle it when you are done, or pass it on! The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by the failure of an advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions or misprints. Reproduction of this magazine in whole, or in part is strictly prohibited wihout prior permission of the publishers. Front Cover: courtesy Whitehall Garden Centres

December 2017 // issue 100

elcome to our December edition. It’s our final issue of 2017 and also our 100th edition overall! We started the magazine in September 2009 and back then this seemed a long way off! Over that time we’ve seen big changes domestically and abroad, as well as in our small part of the world. One thing that persists though is a sense of pride in our region, and a determination from residents to ensure they support local retailers and producers. That is no more so than over the festive season, the most important time of year in the retail sector. With this in mind head to our Christmas Wish List (p38), which is choc-a-bloc with gift ideas for every member of the family - all of them from local independent retailers. As well as shopping til you drop we’ve ideas on spa days at Thermae Bath Spa (p4) and Homewood Park (p68), a fantastic feature on what our local chefs will be eating this Christmas (p21) and some great recipes to use up those turkey leftovers (p33). All of that and more is packed into our centenary edition. Merry Christmas everyone!

Lisa Rockliffe, Editor Follow us on Twitter... @westwiltsmag Read online... www.westwiltsmag.co.uk

in this issue... LOCAL LISTINGS What’s on in December

LOCAL NEWS Round up of news & events

FOOD & DRINK The George Hotel & Granary Food News Eat The Seasons Leftovers Recipes

18 28 32 33

FEATURES Gift ideas from Thermae Bath Spa Taking great winter photographs At the Chef’s Table Christmas Wish List

4 18 21 38

38 HOMES & GARDENS Christmas decoration ideas Getting your house in order

54 58

HEALTH & WELLBEING Abney & Baker Care Learn to Swim with PfP The Spa at Homewood Park

64 66 68

BATH RUGBY The latest from Bath Rugby

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Quiz, wordsearch & sudoku

COMMENT The Last Word

74 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

| local news

A great gift idea from Thermae Bath Spa

If you are looking for a special present, you might like to consider a gift voucher from Thermae Bath Spa.

ocated in the heart of Bath, Thermae is a remarkable combination of ‘old and new’ where historic spa buildings blend with the contemporary design of the New Royal Bath. Here you can bathe in the UK’s only naturally warm, mineral-rich waters, just as the Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago.

The Twilight Package lets you relax in the early evening in the open-air rooftop pool

A Thermae Welcome (£36 or £40) is a great introduction and includes access to the indoor Minerva Bath, the new Wellness Suite, the Springs Restaurant and the openair rooftop pool with spectacular views over the city. The use of towel, robe and slippers is also included.

“A Thermae Together package (£199) is ideal for a couple or two friends who want to spend time together” One of the most popular options is the Twilight Package (£48 for one or £90 for two people) which lets

you relax in the early evening in the open-air rooftop pool before enjoying a delicious meal & glass of wine in the Springs Restaurant. A range of spa packages are available as gift vouchers and offer great value for money. Valid Mondays – Fridays, they have the option of a choice of spa treatments and a delicious meal in the Springs Restaurant. For example, a Thermae Harmony at £99 includes a 4-hour spa session, a 2-course meal along with a choice of a Hot Stones Vichy

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treatment, a Watsu massage or a Reviver Massage & Body Scrub. Other packages include a Thermae Together (£199) which is ideal for a couple or two friends who want to spend time together and enjoy a Couples Massage or Tailor-Made Facial. Gift vouchers can be purchased in person, by telephone or online. For full details, please call 01225 331234 or visit the website. • ThermaeBathSpa.com

| events

local

listings DECEMBER 2017

MELKSHAM ASSEMBLY HALL

Market Place, Melksham, SN12 6ES Box Office: 01225 709887 melkshamassemblyhall.com

Gwilym Simcock, Wiltshire Music Centre

WILTSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE

JETHRO: BULL & BONKERS TOUR 14 December, 7.30pm Tickets: £20 Enjoy a memorable evening with Jethro and take a peek into the circus lurking deep within the mind of probably the greatest comic storyteller ever to grace the stage.

Ashley Rd, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1DZ Box Office: 01225 860100 wiltshiremusic.org.uk

BACK TO THE 80’S CHRISTMAS PARTY 15 December, 8pm Tickets: £10 Everyone bring their best 80’s fancy dress and dance moves and party the night away.

Pound Pill, Corsham, SN13 9HX Box Office: 01249 701628 THE ROYAL BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER poundarts.org.uk 12- 23 December, 7.15pm Tickets: £15 (Concs £7.50) JOHNNY COPPIN: ALL ON A (As Live) A young girl’s enchanted WINTER’S NIGHT present leads her on a wonderful 8 December, 7.30pm Christmas adventure in this beautiful Tickets: £12 (Concs £11) ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky’s Johnny Coppin presents a warm magnificent score. festive evening of traditional carols and new songs, together with stories, GBH BIG BAND / CANTAMUS folklore and superstitions. Joined by 17 December, 7.30pm Paul Burgess on fiddle, recorders and Tickets: £16 (Concs £10) stories, and Dick Cadbury on guitars Quite simply, Christmas wouldn’t be and vocals they are bound to get you the same without this concert! into the festive spirit!

JACK & THE BEANSTALK 19 December, 4pm & 7pm Tickets: Adult £10, Children £5 Everything you want to see in a pantomime and more; beautiful costumes, set and scenery, an outrageous Dame, naive Jack and Jill and a captivating story line to entertain all ages.

THE ARC THEATRE Trowbridge, BA14 0ES Tel: 01225 756376 arctheatre.org.uk

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK 5-8 December, 2pm & 7pm Tickets: £8 (Concs £6)

A giant of a panto! Come and join Jack on his adventures in the sky. A hilarious new pantomime for all the family.

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GWILYM SIMCOCK 9 December, 7.30pm Tickets: £18 (Concs £9) The 20th Anniversary launch concert with saxophonist Rob Buckland, a string quartet and local choirs.

BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST 20 December, 7.30pm Tickets: £15 (Concs £7.50) This Christmas-themed show mixes traditional folk music with music hall, classical and jazz, topped off with lashings of wry humour guaranteed to send you home with a smile.

POUND ARTS CENTRE

SNOW PLAY 16 December, 12noon & 3pm Tickets: £8 (Concs £7) £28 family In this wonderful, interactive play you can join the showdown between Winter and Spring over who gets to stay and who has to go away… snowball fight included! Age guidance 3+

send your listings to info@wired-publishing.co.uk

ock, ntre

| events Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, Cheese & Grain

Tickets: £16 (Concs £10.50) The Merlin Theatre is also showing a live screening of The Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.

inventive arrangements.

CARA DILLON: UPON A WINTER’S NIGHT 21 December, 8pm THE ATHENAEUM Tickets: £22 CENTRE Come and join Cara Dillon for a 18-20 High St, Warminster, BA12 9AE wonderful evening of Christmas songs. Box Office: 01985 213891 theath.org.uk

CHLOE TYGHE & GUILLEM MITCHEL 16 December, 7.30pm Tickets: £9 (Concs £8) Guillem and Chloe will be showcasing their collaborative EP, Winter and the Night which will include wintry tunes as well as acoustic Christmas covers. FROZEN SINGALONG (Cert PG) 21 December, 2pm Tickets: £7 (£6 u16s) ‘For the first time in forever’ you can ‘Let it Go’ and sing your heart out at The Pound’s Festive Frozen Singalong. Fancy dress is encouraged and loud voices are a must!

WARMINSTER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 9 December, 7.30pm Tickets: £8 (Concs £7) The orchestra and guest performers performing a selection of classical favourites, sing-a-long carols and other festive tunes. Bring your best singing voices, reindeer hats and tinsel!

DICK WHITTINGTON 16 – 24 December, 2pm & 7pm Tickets: £13 (Concs £11) Dick Whittington and his cat seek fame and fortune. Will they find the streets of London paved with gold? Frozen Singalong (PG), THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL: A Pound Arts Will Dick win the hand of the WARMING TALE FOR WINTER lovely Alice? Will he defeat the evil 23 & 24 December, various times King Rat? Tickets: £8 (Concs £7) £28 family The Last Baguette Theatre Company transport you to Victorian London in this retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale. Laugh, cry and be inspired by this wonderful winter warmer. Age guidance 5+

MERLIN THEATRE

Bath Rd, Frome BA11 2HG Box Office: 01373 465949 merlintheatre.co.uk HANSEL & GRETEL 7 – 16 December, various times Tickets: £12.50 (Concs £8.50) A delicious festive family treat! THE ROYAL BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER 21 December, 7.15pm

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CHEESE & GRAIN

5 The Bridge, Frome BA11 1AR Box Office: 01373 455420 cheeseandgrain.com

NEELD ARTS CENTRE

High Street, Chippenham SN15 3ER Tel: 01249 446699 neeld.co.uk A CHRISTMAS CAROL 3 December, 4pm Tickets: £15 (Concs £10) A stunning adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic festive tale, A Christmas Carol. VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET PRESENTS ‘SLEEPING BEAUTY’ 8 December, 7.30pm Tickets: £19.50 (Concs £16.50) A classic fairytale set to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, stunning choreography, beautiful costumes all combine to portray the struggle between good and evil. 4 STARS DANCE: WHEN THE STARS COME OUT 10 December, 2pm & 5pm Tickets: £9.50 (Concs £8) Follow the dancers through a journey of dreams, nightmares and a few unexpected surprises in When The Stars Come Out.

STEELEYE SPAN 9 December, 8pm LACOCK ABBEY Tickets: £22.50 Lacock, Chippenham SN15 2LG Formed in the summer of 1969, Tel: 01249 730459 Steeleye Span have transported the everyday music of the people into the nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock world of stadium gigs and gold discs. CHRISTMAS AT LACOCK From 30 November, 11am ELIZA CARTHY & THE WAYWARD FREE (normal admission applies) BAND Christmas trees, traditional 13 December, 8pm decorations, a festive trail, and Father Tickets: £22 Christmas (booking essential) are all Remarkable as much for the quality heading to Lacock this year. and range of her singing as for the

send your listings to info@wired-publishing.co.uk

CHEESE &GRAIN SAT 2 DEC 10AM FRI 8TH DEC 8PM SAT 9TH DEC 8PM SUN 10TH DEC 6PM WED 13TH DEC 8PM MON 18TH DEC 8PM TUE 20TH DEC 8.45PM THU 21ST DEC 8PM FRI 22ND DEC 8PM SAT 23RD DEC 8PM SUN 31ST DEC 8PM 6TH & 7TH JAN SAT 13TH JAN 8PM FRI 19TH JAN 8PM SAT 20TH JAN FRI 26TH JAN 8PM SAT 27TH JAN 8PM ND

BOX OFFICE: 01373

455420

MARKET YARD, FROME, SOMERSET BA11 1BE

www.cheeseandgrain.com

FROME RECORD FAIR FREE ADMISSION RESURRECTION (STONE ROSES TRIBUTE) £15.50 STEELEYE SPAN £22.50 LUNGHI BABA’S & AZEEMA’S SUPPER CLUB £14 ELIZA CARTHY & THE WAYWARD BAND £22 JASON MANFORD SOLD OUT RETURNS ONLY ROOTS SESSIONS FREE ADMISSION CARA DILLON £22 NEVILLE STAPLE BAND £20 THE UNRAVELLING WILBURYS £15 NYE PARTY: THE UPBEAT BEATLES £20 MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION £6 adults OYE SANTANA £15 ED BYRNE £26.50 HOWARD DONALD DJ SET £20 MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND £20 ADV T*REXTASY £20 ADV

Cara Dillon

Ed Byrne

Howard Donald DJ set

| events AN AUDIENCE WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS 2, 3, 9, 10 & 16 December Tickets: £8 includes one adult plus normal admission charges Meet Father and Mother Christmas in their festive kitchen at Lacock Abbey. A unique experience in a cosy setting that is sure to please our young visitors.

VILLAGE PUMP FRIDAY FOLK

Lamb Inn, Mortimer Street, Trowbridge BA14 8BN villagepump.org.uk OPEN MIC NIGHT 15 December Tickets: £3

BRADFORD-ON-AVON FOLK CLUB at THE SWAN boafolkclub.org.uk Email: phil@deverall.on4free.co.uk Tel: 01380 870734 SINGAROUND 5 & 12 December FREE, 8pm CHRISTMAS PARTY 19 December

OTHERS ACOUSTIC OAK The Royal Oak, Corsham, SN13 0HF 7, 14 & 21 (Christmas Party) December Tickets: £2 Singers and spotlight nights. For more info go to The Acoustic Oak Facebook page WESTWOOD CHRISTMAS MARKET Westwood Parish Rooms, BA15 2AF 3 December, 11am FREE A variety of high quality stalls. Affordable prices, refreshments available, something for everyone.

7-9 & 13-16 December, various times Tickets: £10 For more information call 01985 850345 (option 6) or go to thewoolstoretheatre.org.uk. A CHRISTMAS CAROL Trowbridge Library BA14 8JN 8 December, 7pm The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company present a brand new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ festive fable. Call 01225 774306 or email info@townhallarts.co.uk CHRISTMAS CONCERT St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon BA15 1DZ 8 December, 7.30pm Tickets: Adults £8, Children £4 Hosted by Con Brio a mixed voice choir from Bradford on Avon with Winsley School Choir and St Laurence Cello Ensemble. Proceeds in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance. For more info call 01225 350641 or see conbriovoices.org.uk WELCOME CHRISTMAS Paxcroft Mead Community Centre, Hilperton BA14 7GW 9 December, 7pm Tickets: £6 Monies raised from the concert, presented by Songbirds Ladies Choir, will go to supporting music bursaries for young people in Wiltshire. For more details call 01225 753175. CORSLEY FESTIVAL CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT St Margaret’s Church, Corsley BA12 7QE 10 December, 7.30pm Tickets: Adults £12.50 Children £5 The concert includes Britten, Holst and Bach and in the second half a selection of traditional carols and modern Christmas songs with some audience participation.

SING AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE TREASURE ISLAND PANTOMIME Tithe Barn, Bradford on Avon BA15 1LF Woolstore Theatre, Codford, BA12 0NE 17 December, 4pm

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FREE Following on from a very successful event last year Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust are once again hosting a ‘Sing Around the Christmas Tree’, a free family event with the Courage Youth Choir leading the singing. Everyone welcome.

THE THREE HORSESHOES Frome Rd, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LA Tel: 01225 865876 All gigs are FREE and start at 9pm

SHOOTING THE CROW 3 December CANTALOOP 8 December BOOTHILL ALL-STARS 9 December THE MIKE HODDINOTT CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA 10 December GHOST OF THE AVALANCHE/ 7 CROWNS 15 December ALKAHEST/DRIFTT 16 December ASPIRATION NATION 17 December FRENZY 21 December HAMMERVILLES 22 December FAR CUE 23 December

WILTSHIRE FARMERS MARKETS BRADFORD ON AVON Last Sunday of each month, 10.30am-2pm, Lamb’s Yard DEVIZES 1st Saturday of each month, 9am – 1pm, Market Place WARMINSTER 1st Friday of each month, 9am – 1pm, Central Car Park

send your listings to info@wired-publishing.co.uk

PET CREMATION SERVICE

Your pet has died... What do you do next? • Personal service • Dignity at all times • Guaranteed individual cremation • Collection from client or vet • Remains returned within 48hrs

Unit 2, Westdale Nurseries, Holt Rd, Bradford on Avon BA15 1TS

01225 86 94 49 www.charliesparlour.co.uk

Fresh from the Forest! � Traditional Trees

�

Potted & Rooted � Large Trees � Nordman Fir

Frazer Fir Mistletoe & Holly � Wreaths � Logs in Bags

FREE REINDEER DUST! RODE DEPOT: Off the A361 between Frome & Trowbridge SatNav BA11 6PE

Tel: 07870 466179

LONELY THIS CHRISTMAS?

For a professional & personal service call 0800 180 4788 carolinecrowther.com

Open daily from 2 December, 9am until dark

WHILE STOCKS LAST! www.o-christmas.co.uk

| local news

roundup

All the latest news and events from West Wiltshire and beyond!

WHITEHALL WINS BEST DESTINATION GARDEN CENTRE

Whitehall Garden Centres are delighted to have won the Garden Centre Association Christmas Competition for 2017 as the best destination Garden Centre in the Wales and West area at their Lacock garden centre. The prestigious awarding body has a strict and in-depth criteria for this category, which includes points of sales, visual merchandising, ambience and many more. Whitehall competed with centres from around the Wales and West area who were not only independent like them, but national garden centres too. Speaking of the award, Claire Self, Director of Whitehall Garden Centres said: “Whitehall Garden Centres each year strive to create the wow factor for our customers, and truly bring the magic of Christmas. We are very pleased to receive this award.” Whitehall is a family run business since 1864, and now has three award

Whitehall now operate three garden centres across the region

winning garden centres, in Lacock, Whitchurch and most recently, in Woodborough. Recognised as having one of the leading Christmas departments as well as a fully stocked farm shop where you can pick up everything you need for a great festive feast including a range of beers, wines

and liqueurs, local meats (including turkey), pickles and chutneys - ideal for Boxing Day - and festive sweet treats and desserts. Add to that their award winning grotto and real ice rink, and Whitehall Garden Centres have everything you need for a magical Christmas. • whitehallgardencentre.co.uk

FATHER CHRISTMAS SET TO VISIT BRADFORD ON AVON The Lions Club of Bradford on Avon is once again organising its Christmas float visits to Bradford on Avon and its surrounding villages. Father Christmas, with his sleigh and reindeer, and accompanied by Lions Club members, will be visiting various

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areas throughout Bradford on Avon and local villages in December. The visits commence with Northleigh, Bancroft, Leigh Park, Berryfields and Sladesbrook area on Monday 4 December and Santa is coming to BOA culminate in a trip

to St Laurence Road, Avonfield Avenue and Southville Road area on Monday 18 December. As well as being a great opportunity for youngsters to get out and meet the man himself, it’s a wonderful opportunity to raise money for good causes. See the full line up of destinations and timings on the Lions website and please give generously. • boalions.org.uk

local news |

RUN THE BATH HALF FOR TEAM DOTTY The Bath Half Marathon 2018 takes place on Sunday 4 March 2018 and is the most popular city centre road event in the UK. Dorothy House Hospice Care would love you to join Team Dotty and be part of it! Dorothy House has 105 Silver Bond places, which are available on a first come, first served basis for £35 each. Alternatively runners who already have their own independent places will be fully welcomed on board too! All runners will receive an exclusive Dotty vest or T-shirt plus sponsor

forms and of course the fabulous support from Team Dotty! The charity will have a marquee in the runner’s village on the day with refreshments, lots of cake and the ever-popular free leg massages. There will also be a cheering squad along the route to support all the amazing runners along those 13.1 miles. For further information or to sign up visit the website or email emily. knight@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk. • teamdotty.org

Do you fancy the challenge of running the Bath Half in 2018?

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AT AVEBURY MANOR

Visitors to National Trust’s Avebury Manor will be able to experience Christmas through the ages this festive season as each of the manor’s rooms is decorated to show how Christmas was celebrated during the era of its setting. Guests occupying the Tudor parlour and bedrooms would not have celebrated Christmas as is done today, but would have instead marked the time feasting and decorating with extra candles and natural evergreens such as holly, ivy, yew and mistletoe. In Georgian times there would have been sumptuous feasts, and the Edwardian kitchen would have been filled with extra pies and game. In one of the manor’s more popular

rooms - the 1930’s drawing room - the Christmas tree would have been richly decorated, along with paper chains and paper lanterns, accompanied by the sound of contemporary music. Avebury Manor will be decorated for Christmas until 1 January. More information about the seasonal events is available online. • nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury Georgian children at Avebury Manor

GOUGHS UP FOR FIRM OF THE YEAR

One of Wiltshire’s leading law firms, Goughs Solicitors is delighted to announce that it is a finalist in two categories of the Gloucestershire & Wiltshire Law Society (GWILS) Legal Excellence Awards 2017, namely “Law Firm of the Year” and “CSR Firm of the Year”.

These awards will be taking place in the society’s 200th year and celebrate the achievements of the legal profession across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The ‘Goughs Values’ initiative was put forward for nomination and involved the creation of a trust based environment and a shared vision to help inspire employees. Goughs’ aim is to foster an engaging, high performance culture celebrated through reward and recognition. The winners will be announced at a three-course, black tie dinner at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park in late November. Kevin Basnett, Managing Partner of Goughs Solicitors said ’We are very pleased to be nominated as finalists in not one, but two categories and are proud to be recognised as one of the leading law firms within both counties. This year has also seen the firm secure the Law Society’s law management quality mark, Lexcel, for the sixth consecutive year and we were one of only eight firms nationally to have been shortlisted for the prestigious Law Society Excellence Awards in the category of “Excellence in Law Management”. “Being nominated for these awards reflects the hard work, dedication and investment that has taken place throughout the firm and motivates all of our employees to take positive action to live up to our values and demonstrate them in everything we do.” • goughs.co.uk THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

| advice

Winter Photography With the help of Lacock Photography’s FIONA TURNBULL you can take some fantastic shots this winter… Winter can provide the perfect backdrop for taking stunning images

lively atmosphere of a winter, city evening. To achieve this effect, you’ll want to use a low F number, or just set your camera to portrait mode.

THE GREAT INDOORS

pring, summer and particularly autumn are all popular times of the year for photography, but winter always seems to get left out in the cold. Winter photography undoubtedly presents more challenges than the other seasons: low light levels, rainy days and frosty fingers to name but a few, but like anything in life, the best results often come from overcoming obstacles. So, this winter, instead of putting your camera into hibernation, try out these top tips for winter pics and uncover those hidden, photographic gems that the season has to offer.

tricky for any photographer, so shoot in raw format so that you can make exposure and colour adjustments when you come to edit your winter pics. When photographing those inevitable snowball fights, always increase your shutter speed to produce a frozen action shot!

CITY PHOTOGRAPHY

Although the natural world may turn brown and bare in the winter, urban spaces, especially at night, come alive with the bright lights of shops, traffic and festive bulbs. When out and about this year, practise your portrait photography, and use the glowing city streets for a moody READY, SET, SNOW! Who doesn’t love snow? Waking up to backdrop. Have a go at mastering your garden transformed into a winter the Bokeh effect, that is creating a wonderland is enough to put anyone soft-focus background made up of blurred light spots, to capture the in a good mood. If you’re lucky enough to have snow this year, or are planning a wintry getaway, why not have a go at capturing the beauty and excitement that snowfall brings. A top tip for snow photography is to head out early: warm sunrise tones will stop your snowy landscapes looking dreary, and the snow will be fresh and footprint free! Shooting snow is

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If the weather outside is frightful, why not capture those cosy, lazy days we all love about the season. Some photographers are wary of indoor photography, and feel they need a studio to get great results. But don’t worry! By following a few simple tips, stunning inside shots are achievable from the comfort of your own home. If you’re photographing a still life scene, such as your famous winter soup or a stack of favourite rainy-day books, the best way to achieve a professional looking snap is to use a tripod, as it will enable you to fine tune your composition and produce a super sharp image. Take advantage of natural light sources, by positioning your subject by a window, and pay extra attention to your background: remember to clear away that household clutter! Online course booking and Christmas gift certificates are available for all courses on the website. • lacockphotography.com

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food & drink |

Frome’s hidden gem

There’s a lot more to The George Hotel in Frome than first meets the eye...

he George Hotel in Frome is a much loved inn in the heart of the town. Wadworth owned, it is renowned for the quality of its ales – as you might expect – its friendly staff, and tasty pub food. What you may not be aware of though is that The George also boasts a popular coffee shop and a fantastic self contained private hire venue called The Granary.

The Granary is a fantastically equipped and affordable venue for your celebration

NO.5 COFFEE SHOP No. 5 Coffee Shop is a coffee house for the real coffee lovers, serving the very best Brian Wogan coffee blends. They also offer a wide range of world teas, homemade cakes, brownies, fresh sandwiches and panini’s, all available to eat in or take away. Even better? They’re open daily from 8am to 6pm.

THE GRANARY Situated towards the rear of the George Hotel, The Granary is the newest and hottest place to be in Frome right now. Open Fridays and Saturdays with DJs and live music it’s a great place to head for a fun night out. The Granary is a completely self-contained venue, boasting its own bar, sound system and dancefloor and is perfect for

any intimate event, wedding or party. Private hire is available from £150 and is available any night of the week, all year round. It is the

perfect venue for Christmas and the team can also offer a buffet to keep everyone partying for longer!

“The Granary is a completely selfcontained venue, boasting its own bar, sound system and dancefloor”

For more information please call 01373 462584, email georgehotel@wadworth. co.uk or pop in and speak to a member of the team, you won’t be disappointed. • georgehotelfrome.co.uk THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

THE

WESTBROOK NEW YEAR’S EVE MENU Six Courses just £55 per person APERITIF

A glass of Prosecco on arrival

STARTERS

Pork & Brandy Pate Baked Kelston Park Brie (v)

ENTRÉE

Cornish Crab & Sole Fillet Cornish Sole with Cep Mushrooms Cep Mushroom Risotto (v)

MAINS

Beef Wellington Sandridge Farm Pork Tenderloin Poached Smoked Haddock Free Range Chicken Breast Spiced Butternut Squash Pie (v) All will be served with a selection of chips, new potatoes and local vegetables

DESSERTS

Poached Plum & Sherry Cheesecake Toffee Apple Crumble Chocolate Fondant Exotic Fruit Eton Mess Marshfield Farm Ice-Cream

CHEESE & BISCUITS

A selection of cheeses will be available for you to help yourself to after your meal

CALL FOR AVAILABILITY & TO BOOK! Bromham, Chippenham,Wiltshire SN15 2EE tel 01380 850418 www.westbrookbromham.co.uk

food & drink |

AT THE CHEF'S TABLE Want to know what the professionals are cooking this Christmas? We caught up with chefs from some of the region’s most popular eateries to ask what they’ll be cooking this Christmas…

LEIGH EVANS

THE METHUEN ARMS, CORSHAM

love a nice port with cheese too. What is your favourite dish from your Christmas menu? I’d have to say our crispy goose dish. It’s so seasonal and festive, and of course, it’s really tasty too! Where do you source your Christmas produce from and do you have any favourite local suppliers? We use Ruby & White butchers who are based in Clifton. They have great quality meat sourced from the local area.

What is your favourite food and drink at Christmas time? You can’t beat a mince pie, and I

ALEX STEVENS

THE OLD HAM TREE, HOLT What is your favourite food and drink at Christmas time? I like a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and don’t scrimp on the pigs in blankets! What is your favourite dish from your Christmas menu? Our slow-braised beef in red wine is a real winner; it’s really rich and luxurious for Christmas. Where do you source your Christmas produce from and do you have any favourite local suppliers? We use a variety of suppliers but

What’s on your shopping list at Christmas? our favourite has to be Stiles the Butcher of Bromham, a traditional family butchers who only serve the best of the best.

Plenty of booze, naturally, along with lots of meats and pickles. Are you open on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and do you have any offers over the festive season? Yes we are open. We’re already fully booked for Christmas, but feel free to pop in between Christmas and new year as we’ll be offering a great menu, and it’s a great excuse to let us take the stress out of cooking for you! What is your favourite Christmas tipple? Ooh, a nice vintage port. • themethuenarms.com Well, it has to be a mulled wine, the ultimate winter warmer. • theoldhamtree.com

What’s on your shopping list at Christmas? A turkey baster. Are you open on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and do you have any offers over the festive season? We are open as usual on Christmas Eve and between 12-2pm on Christmas Day for pre-Christmas dinner drinks. What is your favourite Christmas tipple? THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

| food & drink

SCOTT GALLOWAY

HOMEWOOD PARK NR BATH

I enjoy more blue than Cheddar and a nice bottle of port to wash it down. What is your favourite dish from your Christmas menu? It has to be the main event that stands out as my favourite. Nice crispy roast potatoes, honey glazed vegetables, sticky braised red cabbage and chestnut stuffing complemented by beautifully tender turkey breast and leg and delicious gravy to top it off.

What is your favourite food and drink at Christmas time? My favourite food at Christmas has to be a good cheese board.

ANDY WALTERS

THE RED LION, WOOLVERTION What’s your favourite food and drink at Christmas time? I enjoy real ales and at Christmas

Where do you source your Christmas produce? and do you have any favourite local suppliers? Our meat is supplied by Bartletts & Sons Butcher in Bath and our vegetables come from A.David. Both are great to work with. What’s on your shopping list at Christmas? I particularly enjoy a pint of Bishop’s Tipple. To eat? Something different given the amount of turkey I see in December - for me it is a Lamb Masaman Curry (homemade of course!). What is your favourite dish from your Christmas menu? There are a few – but from our Celebration Menu it has to be Venison Casserole and from our Christmas Day menu the pan fried Snapper. Where do you source your Christmas produce and do you have any favorite local suppliers? All our meat comes from awardwinning Walter Rose Butchers and our veg is supplied by family run business Arthur David.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

On the rare occasion that I’m not working I normally head back to Scotland to spend time with the family. Over the years the traditional turkey has fallen out of favour to a good roast beef joint. Are you open on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and do you have a dining offer over the festive season? We are open all the way through the festive period and have a Christmas package and a New Year package. We will be running our festive lunch menu and festive afternoon tea from the last week in November. What is your favourite Christmas tipple! After port and cheese it would have to be a nice glass of whisky by the fire. • homewoodpark.co.uk What’s on your shopping list at Christmas? Someone to cook my dinner!! Are you open on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and do you have a dining offer over the festive season? We are open over both Christmas & New Year – but advise that people check our website for details and if they want to eat to book in advance! What is your favourite Christmas tipple? A nice glass of Malbec with dinner and afterwards a glass of Glenrothes single malt when I am sat in my favourite chair with my feet up!! • redlionwoolverton.co.uk

ENJOY YOUR

Christmas Celebrations WITH US

CALL TODAY ON 01373 830350 TO BOOK

CHRISTMAS EVE

Join us for an evening of friends, family & festive fun!

NEW YEARâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EVE

Celebrate with fantastic food & drink, with great company & fun atmosphere

01373 830350 | www.redlionwoolverton.co.uk | Bath Road, Woolverton, Somerset BA2 7QS

| food & drink

ALEX VENABLES

THE GEORGE AT WOOLLEY What is your favourite food and drink at Christmas time? I enjoy a classic Beef Wellington, Dauphinoise potatoes, honey root vegetables and a great bottle of St Emillion. What is your favourite dish from your Christmas menu? I really love our crab and lobster souffle, followed by treacle cured fillet of beef, parsnip puree and Peter Rabbit carrots. Where do you source your Christmas produce and do you have any favourite local suppliers? Our meat comes from Church Farm at Broughton Gifford.

SEBASTIEN ROUXEL

SEBASTIEN'S BISTRO, BRADFORD ON AVON

What’s on your shopping list at Christmas? Plenty of good red wine. Are you open on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and do you have a dining offer over the festive season? Yes we are open on both evenings, on Christmas Eve we offer an a la carte menu, open fires and chat. On New Year’s Eve, we’re opening “Café Rene”, serving a classic French dinner menu of truffles, crab, foie gras, beef fillet and partridge. And afterwards there’ll be music and dancing. What is your favourite christmas tipple? Port or Sauternes. • thegeorgebradfordonavon.co.uk seafood platter with champagne for lunch. It was no hassle to prep, and very communal, everyone would share from a giant plate in the middle of the table. What is your favourite dish from your Christmas menu? It’ll have to be the confit duck leg, with Lyonnaise potatoes, fried sprouts and Chantenay carrots with a green peppercorn sauce.

What is your favourite food and drink at Christmas time? Growing up by the coast in Brittany, we used to have a

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Where do you source your Xmas produce and do you have any favourite local suppliers? I like to vary suppliers, so if the standard of produce from one drops over time I’ll go with the other. It’s good to keep them on their toes! A consistently good supplier has been our coffee. We use Dusty Ape, based in Hilperton. In a market saturated with chains, it’s great to have such a unique and dependable

company on our doorstep. What’s on your shopping list at Christmas? All about the food... Smoked salmon, cheese, and if we’re pushing the boat out... truffles! Are you open on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and do you have any offers over the festive season? We are closed over Christmas Day and New Year. We use the time over Christmas and New Year to make our annual visit to family in France. However in the run up to Christmas, we do have our set party menu of 2 and 3 course options along with a complimentary prosecco cocktail. What is your favourite Christmas tipple? Japanese single malt whisky. • sebastiens.co.uk

We’re open from 9.30am for coffee and breakfasts

NOW TAKING CHRISTMAS PARTY & NYE BOOKINGS

The George is the perfect place to visit for local ales, top quality wines & fantastic food from our award-winning chef Alex Venables.

ITALIAN GOURMET DINNER

NEW YEAR’S DAY LUNCH

Friday 8th December £35pp Lunch around the fire, comfort food to The perfect Christmas party get together enjoy with the family, and board games for the children. BOOK NOW! NEW YEAR’S EVE Tables from 12 noon. Enjoy a classic French supper followed by music and dancing. Did you know? The George is dog friendly 01225 865650 | 67 Woolley St, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1AQ | thegeorgebradfordonavon.co.uk

CHRISTMAS

An award-winning coaching inn, set in a historic Wiltshire market town, immediately beside the stately home and gardens of Corsham Cour t, and just 8 miles from Bath.

NOW TAKING CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS FESTIVE MENU 2 Courses £29.50 / 3 Courses £36 per person Available 27th November until 23rd December

CHRISTMAS LUNCH £80 per person NEW YEAR’S EVE £95 per person Tel: 01249 717060

2 High Street, Corsham SN13 0HB

themethuenarms.com

| food & drink

KEVIN FRASER

What’s your favourite food and drink at Christmas time? A delicious beef Wellington with a nice full bodied reserva Rioja has to be the total Christmas luxury.

a couple of local suppliers to provide us with turkey. We use two local suppliers for our vegetables, V & P Collins which is literally a stone’s throw away (you can see their fields through the window while you enjoy your Christmas dinner) and Lovejoys, who use a number of local growers.

What is your favourite dish from your Christmas menu? I particularly like the rack of lamb - served pink - with all the Christmas veg. Stunning.

What’s on your shopping list at Christmas? Lots of great local cheese and a bottle of Graham’s 20 year old tawny port to help wash it down!!

Where do you source your Christmas produce and do you have any favorite local suppliers? Our lamb comes from Royal Wootten Bassett, pork fillet is from Sandridge Farm, right here in the village and we use

Are you open on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and do you have any offers over the festive season? We are open all over Christmas and new year including Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve - be sure to book ahead though!

ADAM WIERCIAK

What’s on your shopping list at Christmas? I would always suggest a whole ham. You’d be surprised how easily you go through it, and it’s great with bubble and squeak or if unexpected guests arrive.

THE WESTBROOK, BROMHAM

THE BARGE INN, SEEND

What is your favourite food and drink at Christmas time? I have always had a sweet tooth, so any of the delicious desserts or sweet treats go down very well with me! What is your favourite dish from your Christmas menu? I like them all(!) but the slow cooked beef brisket is probably my favourite. Where do you source your Christmas produce and do you have any favourite local suppliers? We use Walter Rose Butchers in Devizes for all our meat and also Wings of St Mawes in Cornwall for seafood.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

What is your favourite Christmas tipple? That Rioja I’d have to say, but the port is a pretty close second! • westbrookbromham.co.uk

Are you open on Christmas and New Year’s Eve and do you have a dining offer over the festive season? We are open 365 days a year, have a fabulous Christmas party menu all through the festive season and on New Year’s Day our lunch serves as the perfect hangover cure – hair of the dog springs to mind! What is your favourite Christmas tipple? In am not a big drinker but at Christmas time the Hungarian

dessert wine Tokaji is a personal favourite. • bargeinnseend.co.uk

sebastien’s BISTRO 2 Bridge Yard, Kingston Mill, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1EJ

celebrate CHRISTMAS at sebastien’s 2 courses £22.95, 3 courses £27.95

incl complimentary prosecco, raspberry & pomegranate cocktail on arrival (Christmas set menu applies to pre-booked parties of 6 or more)

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 2pm & 6pm - 9pm 01225 938284 sebastiens.co.uk info@sebastiens.co.uk

Situated on the picturesque Kennet & Avon Canal The Barge Inn offers excellent food, great Wadworth beers, an extensive wine list and much more. It really is a pub for all seasons.

WEDNESDAY SPECIAL

Two Fish & Chips just £18.95! HAM GREEN, HOLT BA14 6PY

Christmas Menu

LUNCH 2 courses £16 | 3 courses £20 DINNER 2 courses £17.95 | 3 courses £21.95 Served 1st December – 23rd December. Pre-bookings only.

Starters

Smoked salmon & dill pâté Creamy tomato & basil soup Baked Camembert

Mains

Roast turkey with all the trimmings Beef braised with red wine & cranberry Homemade nut roast Smoked haddock, salmon & cod in a creamy dill sauce

Desserts

Traditional Christmas pudding Homemade chocolate brownie Homemade coffee crème brûlée Homemade sticky toffee pudding FOR BOOKINGS PLEASE CALL 01225 782581 OR EMAIL THEOLDHAMTREE@GMAIL.COM WWW.THEOLDHAMTREE.COM

BOOK NOW FOR XMAS

Christmas Party menu now available

Three Courses £24.95 Two Courses £20.95 Bar Open Mon - Sat 11am - 11pm Sun 11am - 10.30pm

Food Served Mon - Thurs 12pm - 2.30pm & 6pm - 9pm Fri - Sun 12pm - 5pm & 6pm - 9pm Sign up to our mailing list and get £5 off your food bill when you spend £20! Details on our website.

Tel 01380 828230 www.bargeinnseend.co.uk

Seend Cleeve, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6QB

PUB

| food & drink

Exciting times at Whatley Manor Dining Room,where Niall Keating has created an outstanding, original gastronomic tasting menu.

Grey’s Brasserie offers a menu of delicious British comfort food

ow is a very exciting time at Whatley Manor. Not only has Grey’s Brasserie had an extensive refurbishment but the hotel has also launched The Green Room, an exciting new multi-functional space overseen by talented chef, Laetizia Madsen. Grey’s new look features comfortable banquette-style seating, handsome leather-clad walls and a lovely

neutral colour scheme. It is an informal restaurant where Head Chef George Dingle, collaborating with Executive Chef Niall Keating, showcases a delicious array of British comfort dishes and a fine, traditional Sunday roast. Open daily, Grey’s has become a favoured dining destination for locals and hotel residents alike, offering a more casual alternative to The

The Green Room was previously a low-key private function space, but is now a vibrant new hub for food and drink enjoyment. Laetizia Madsen joins Whatley Manor from Benu in San Francisco - and her new role overseeing The Green Room is an opportunity to personalise the space with her international cooking flair. The newly kitted-out kitchen/ bar is a showcase environment for a full programme of lunches, dinners, demonstrations, tastings, tutorials, and small music events, while also being available for exclusive private hire. A diary of events can be checked on the website. • whatleymanor.com

Xmas orders at Hartley & Neston

t Hartley & Neston Farm Shops they have enjoyed a great year, as manager Tom Bowles explains. “We’ve had another amazing year and are so very grateful for the wonderful support from all our customers. We hope everyone enjoys a thoroughly deserved, over-indulgent festive season!” Hartley & Neston are taking Christmas orders until 15 December

Both farm shops are particularly busy at this time of year, when people stock up on fantastic local produce for the festive season and stop by for a coffee and a catch up with friends and family. Customers have until the 15 December to get their Christmas orders in, which can be collected up until midday on Christmas Eve from either shop. The butchers at Hartley have just been awarded ‘Best Local Meat’ at the Bath Good Food Awards along with receiving a ‘Highly Commended’ award at the national UK Sausage Week competition. Along with their homemade sausages they have their dry-aged Aberdeen Angus beef - reared at Hartley Farm - and beautiful free range turkeys from Castlemead

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Farm in Radstock. Not forgetting homemade mince pies, christmas puddings, pork pies and regional cheeses all from the deli! Order forms are available online or in the farm shop or you can call for more information on 01225 864948 (Hartley) or 01225 700881 (Neston). On the website you’ll also find details on their Christmas opening hours and some great events you can get involved in. • hartley-farm.co.uk • nestonfarmshop.co.uk

“Both farm shops are particularly busy at this time of year, when people stock up on fantastic local produce for the festive season”

| food & drink

New look for The Swan

n November The Swan in Bradford on Avon closed for a bar and restaurant area makeover. The renovation is sympathetic to the building and celebrates its history, with walls now adorned with old photographs and other memorabilia and the whole bar given a more traditional feel. The owners of The Swan have spent time searching for old photographs and other items, with support from The Wiltshire Archive

centre, Ex Libris Books and The Bradford on Avon Museum. “There are photographs that some of our customers might recognise but there are quite a few that none have seen including some from our customers’ private collections.” Stated James Sullivan-Tailyour. “We also found accounts books from the 1950s and letters from the early 1960’s, which we have made some efforts to restore and which are now on display”. The makeover also extends to the restaurant. Over the last five years The Swan has created a reputation for its authentic, freshly prepared Thai food and following the refurbishment the restaurant now boasts a stronger Asian identity to highlight the popular food offering. Alongside The Swan’s new look there is also an increase in the range of

beers, lagers and ciders on offer. The pub will also be offering a guest ale; its first, ‘Fireside’, is a great winter ale which fits perfectly with The Swan’s large open log fire. There are still some limited spots available for The Swan’s popular Christmas parties – call 01225 868686 for details on their delicious party and carvery options! • theswanbradford.co.uk

Refit at The Three Horseshoes

fter six years of ownership, it was time to give the Three Horseshoes a sympathetic refurbishment. Not wanting to deprive the locals of their pub for too long the building team turned around the renovation in

just 10 days. During this time they stripped and replaced the slate roof, overhauled the kitchen, laid a new parquet floor, installed new toilets and redecorated throughout. To finish off new furniture and some final details have also been added.

The chefs have been busy too and have updated the menu, while retaining the pub’s favourites. New additions include seafood risotto with prawns, mussels and squid and a delicious fillet of beef Wellington. Christmas is just around the corner and the pub is taking bookings for Christmas parties from £19.95 per head and bookings are also being taken for Christmas Day. Call 01373 832211 to book or find out more. • threehorseshoes.uk.com

“Not wanting to deprive the locals of their pub for too long the building team turned around the renovation in just 10 days.” 30

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

THE THREE

HORSESHOES

From leather jackets to suits, work boots to shiny shoes and mohicans to combovers, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get a warm friendly welcome at The Three Horseshoes.

Live Music with Friday & Saturday night bands, and Sunday afternoon acoustic sessions. Good selection of Real Ales available too Beer Garden | Pub Games | Real Log Fires | Parking Next to Bradford on Avon Train Station Frome Road, Bradford On Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1LA

Tel 01225 865876 | Find us on Facebook

THE SWAN HOTEL BAR & RESTAURANT

COME & VISIT OUR NEWLY REFURBISHED BAR & RESTAURANT

Xmas Parties

BOOK YOURS NOW!

PARTY & CARVERY MENUS AVAILABLE

Traditional

Authentic

SERVED EVERY WEEK

BOOK YOUR TABLE NOW

SUNDAY CARVERY THAI & PUB CLASSICS

The Swan Hotel & Restaurant Church Street, Bradford on Avon BA15 1LN Telephone: 01225 868686 | www.theswanbradford.co.uk

| food & drink

eat the

seasons Keeping you in the know as to what is coming into season each month is NEIL MORTIMER from Lovejoys Wholesale...

or Lovejoys Wholesale this is our busiest month by far. With Christmas parties going on all over the area it is all hands on deck. We are selling stacks of locally produced vegetables to local farm and village shops in the area too.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Brussels sprouts are a key ingredient in every Christmas meal. The best way for you to buy your sprouts for Christmas is on the stalk. You can buy them a few days in advance and they will stay lovely and fresh and you will have one worry out of the way. Our sprouts come from a farm in Sherston and can be found in the shops we serve as well as in the local pubs and restaurants we supply. If you find them a little strong you can also try the sprout tops - they are sweeter and like spring greens in texture. Parsnips are an important crop in Wiltshire’s horticultural history. As a child growing up in Bromham I realised quickly that parsnips were the most important vegetables in our lives, and they featured on our plate almost every day in some shape or form.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

The parsnips we supply today still come from Bromham and the taste is second to none. Other vegetables

good clean and oil so they’re in top shape for storing over winter and ready to go next spring.

“Other vegetables to feature prominently for Christmas, and all grown in Wiltshire, are carrots, curly kale, swede and maris pipers, just what you need for perfect roast potatoes.” to feature prominently for Christmas, and all grown in Wiltshire, are carrots, curly kale, swede and maris pipers, just what you need for perfect roast potatoes. On your veg patch you could plant fruit bushes now as well as rhubarb and strawberry plants, conditions permitting. Another job to do in the garden is to give all of your tools a

Talk again in 2018! Email me with any of your veggie questions at any time on neil@lovejoyswholesale.com.

Neil @lovejoysuk @LovejoysLarder • lovejoyswholesale.com • lovejoyslarder.com

recipes |

Luxurious Leftovers Christmas lunch leftovers don’t have to be boring. Try these delicious recipe ideas from RIVERFORD this festive season.

Leftover Turkey Pho with Greens & UDON NOODLES Serves 2

✃

Ingredients 700ml chicken or turkey stock 2 tbsp tamari 1 tsp coriander seeds 1 star anise 2 whole cloves 1 onion 1 carrot 15g ginger 160g dried udon noodles 250g leftover turkey, shredded 100g cabbage, sprouts or leftover greens, shredded 1 lime 1 fresh chilli, thinly sliced handful fresh coriander handful fresh mint hoisin sauce

Method Warm the stock in a saucepan. Add the tamari and spices. Bring to a simmer. Fill another pan with salted water and bring to the boil. While the water heats, peel and coarsely grate the onion and carrot. Peel and coarsely grate the ginger, too, skin and all. Add them all to the pan of stock. Simmer gently, so the liquid is hardly bubbling, for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the noodles in the boiling water until just cooked. Drain and cool immediately under cold water. Keep to one side. After 20 minutes, strain the broth

through a sieve into an empty saucepan, pressing as much liquid as you can out of the vegetables. Bring the broth back up to a simmer. Add the turkey and greens and simmer for 4 minutes. Meanwhile, divide the cold noodles between 2 deep bowls. Cut the lime into wedges. Ladle the broth, turkey and greens evenly between the bowls. Serve with the chilli, herbs, hoisin and lime on the side. Scatter, tear, squeeze and swirl them into the broth, to taste. Chef’s Tip This works equally well with leftover beef, pork or chicken. THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

| recipes

Crushed Carrot Salad with Crispy Spiced Chickpeas & Yogurt Dressing Serves 2

Method Preheat oven to 200°C. Drain the chickpeas and rinse under cold water.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Tip them into the clean tea towel and pat them as dry as you can.

half the chopped parsley to the tray. Mix well and leave to cool slightly.

Place the chickpeas in the roasting tray with 2 tablespoons of oil and season well with salt and pepper. Mix well and spread them out so they are one layer deep. Roast for 20 minutes. Giving them a turn twice during cooking. They should be a golden nutty brown. Remove early if they look like burning.

Give the carrots a rough bash with a wooden spoon or potato masher. You want to lightly smash them into coarse pieces. Mix them with the honey and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Make the dressing by whisking the mustard and half the garlic with the yogurt. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in the mint. Remove the chickpeas from the oven. Add the cumin, paprika and

Mix the crushed carrots with the spiced chickpeas, red onion and watercress. Divide it equally between 2 plates. Spoon the dressing across the salad. Scatter over the almonds, remaining parsley and a little lemon zest. • riverford.co.uk

✃

Ingredients 1 tin chickpeas 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 garlic clove, crushed 120ml yogurt small handful of mint, chopped 1 tsp cumin 2 tsp smoked paprika handful of parsley, chopped 600g leftover roasted carrots ½ tbsp honey 1 lemon ½ red onion, finely sliced 50g watercress 40g flaked almonds, toasted

THE

Farmhouse INN

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

CHAPMANSLADE

CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU 2 COURSES £19.95 / 3 COURSES £23.95

STARTERS Your wedding day should be the best day of your life, filled with happiness, for you, your family and friends. Our Wedding co-ordinator, Janet Harris, will be delighted to work with you to ensure your wedding reception is truly memorable. Frome Road, Southwick, Nr Trowbridge BA14 9QD t 01225 764366 e the.farmhouse@btconnect.com www.farmhousesouthwick.co.uk

Award Winning, Family Run, Farm Shop Established for over 30 years Selling Quality Local Produce Open Daily 9am – 6pm 9.30am – 5pm on Sundays HOME & LOCALLY REARED FRESH MEAT, POULTRY & GAME HOMEMADE SAUSAGES, BURGERS & FAGGOTS

Christmas Orders Now Being Taken

Goat’s cheese and minty pea quiche topped with walnuts served with mixed leaf salad Braised lamb shoulder served with garden peas, pea shoot salad and a minted vinaigrette Smoked haddock pot with tomatoes, chives topped with Gruyere served with crusty bread

MAINS Roasted bronze turkey larded with smoked Pancetta, white wine gravy, roast potatoes, roasted vegetables, greens, pigs, chestnut and apricot stuffing and bread sauce Fillet of beef wellington, mushroom duxelles, red wine reduction (£7 supplement) Vegetable wellington, spinach, nut roast, stilton, mushroom served with cheese sauce Seafood risotto with prawn, mussel and squid topped with pea shoot and parmesan

DESSERTS Christmas pud served with brandy ice cream Dark chocolate and orange fondant served with clotted cream ice cream

Premium Christmas Trees Now On Sale LOCAL CHEESES & HOME COOKED MEATS LOCALLY GROWN VEGETABLES, FRUIT & SALADS HOMEMADE CAKES & PIES LOCALLY MADE CHOCOLATES & FUDGE FINE WINE, LOCAL ALE & CIDER PRESERVES & CHUTNEYS GIFT HAMPERS

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

Mulled wine, fruit and nut semifreddo with almond praline

The Christmas party menu is available from November 4th until December 23rd with booking & pre-order only

01373 832211 threehorseshoes.uk.com

Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary Saving stray & unwanted dogs since 1958

S.L. Corden & Sons

Merry Christmas Everyone! Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary is a small independent animal rescue organisation. We are a non-destruction sanctuary for abandoned and unwanted dogs. Our dogs are all vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, neutered and chipped, and looking for loving new homes

Open Daily 10am – 12.30pm & 2pm – 4.15pm Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary, Priory Rd, Ascot, Berks SL5 8RJ

01344 882689 | pineridgedogs@yahoo.co.uk Registered Charity Number 256728

We are a traditional hardware store with a modern twist. Come to us for... • Household Items • Ironmongery • Paint • DIY • Electrical • Key Cutting • Gardening • Camping Equipment • Sugarcraft • Gifts • Tools

THE CHRISTMAS SHOP IS NOW OPEN! 4 High Street, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 9AE 01985 212115 | s.fraser2@btconnect.com

We bring the showroom to you... Fabulous new kitchens & makeovers at competitive prices

Call 01225

459 559 to arrange a no obligation home visit

Customer reviews at checkatrade.com/premierkitchendoors

| gift guide

LOUD & CLEAR

Itek 5-in-1 Headphones, £12.49 GM Davies 01373 822431

HIT THE SKIDS

Skid Pan Gift Voucher, £95 Drive-Tech Ltd • 01249 783010

BAG FOR LIFE

Yoga Bag, was £9.99 now £8 Knees • 01225 754161

JUMP FOR JOY

Wool Cashmere Mix Star Jumper, £55 By The Way 01225 868888

SALT-n-PEPA

Tala Salt & Pepper Set, £30 Brown’s Hardware 01225 862236

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gift guide |

SCATTER CUSHION

FEEL THE FORCE

Country Matters Jack Russell Cushion, £14.99 SL Corden & Sons • 01985 212115

A BIT PUZZLING

Star Wars Drinks Bottles £4.99 each GM Davies • 01373 822431

3D Puzzle Vase, £17.99 Trowbridge Garden Centre 01225 763927

THE DUCK STOPS HERE

Duck Door Stop, £13.99 Trowbridge Garden Centre 01225 763927

Stuck for gift ideas this Christmas? Fear not, we’ve options for everyone in the family, all sourced from local, independent retailers...

HEAVEN SCENT JUST A SNIP

Ergo Deadheader, £9.99 Avonfield Gardens 01225 571331

Reed Diffusers, £11.95 each By The Way 01225 868888

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OUR CHRISTMAS SHOP IS NOW OPEN

COME & VIEW OUR FESTIVE DISPLAYS AND DECORATIONS The Granary, Pound Lane, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1LF Email: info@thegranaryboa.com Tel: 01225 867781 www.thegranaryboa.com

Great Gifts for the home this Christmas at Browns

BROWNS HARDWARE AND IRONMONGERY Bradford on Avon’s longest established independent hardware store

PURVEYORS OF

• HOUSEWARES • CLEANING PRODUCTS • ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING • TOOLS • DECORATING & DIY • GARDENING Opening Times

Monday to Saturday 8.30am - 6pm Sunday & Bank Holidays 10am - 4pm 30 Silver St, Bradford on Avon BA15 1JX

01225 862236

Christmas at

CHRISTMAS DISPLAY NOW OPEN! Christmas Trees, Gifts, Lights, Children’s Toys, Decorations, Wreaths, Garlands & much much more! Find us at 288 Frome Rd, Trowbridge BA14 0DT trowbridgegardencentre.co.uk 01225 763927 Also home to The Bay Tree Café, Garden Affairs, Room to Groom, The Nail Emporium, Premium Tubs, Paul’s Double Glazing Repairs, Hair by Debs Tye-Duck & Kalahari Kitchen

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE HERE

CHRISTMAS TREES ON SALE NOW!

BEAUTIFUL PLANTS ALL GROWN ON BRITISH NURSERIES

• Bedding & Annuals • Perennials • Veg & Herbs • Trees & Shrubs • Climbers • Roses PLUS: Pots & Planters • Compost • Fertilisers & Chemicals • Bulbs & Seeds • Tools • Sundries OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Monday - Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm

www.avonfield-gardens.co.uk

Marsh Road, Hilperton, Wiltshire BA14 7PL Tel 01225 571331

| gift guide

SHEAR JOY

Burgon & Ball Precision Shears, £37.99 Avonfield Gardens • 01225 571331

ALL ACTION

itek Action Pro Sports Camera, £29.99 GM Davies • 01373 822431

THE DAILY GRIND

Tala Pestle & Mortar, £TBC Brown’s Hardware 01225 862236

GOBBLE GOBBLE

Walton Lifestyle Turkey Lurkey Tea Towel, £5.79(TBC) Strawberry Blue • 01225 920290

UPCYCLING

Genesis Crois de Fer 10, £999 TT Cycles • 01225 867187

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SMELLS GOOD

Vineyard Fragrance Candles, £19.50 Strawberry Blue • 01225 920290

gift guide |

TEA TIME

Countryside Collection Tea Set, £9.99 Trowbridge Garden Centre 01225 763927

BARREL OF LAUGHS Kilner Drinks Barrel, was £15 now £12 Knees • 01225 754161

FURRY FRIENDS

Haflinger Slippers, £45 Footloose • 01225 571474

SNUGGLE UP

Snuggable Microwaveable Hotties, £12.99 Trowbridge Garden Centre 01225 763927

GOLDEN TRIANGLE

‘Emilia’ Moonstone & Onyx Triangle Earrings, £22 Haus • hauslife.co.uk

PUT YOUR FEET UP

Fairtrade Footstool, £48.50 The Granary • 01225 867781

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Davies of Westbury DIY, Gardening & Cook Shop

For all your needs around the home, both inside & out • DIY • Tools • Gardening • Plumbing • Heating • Logs & Fuels • Electricals • Decorating • Cooking • Sugarcraft

EVERYTHING FOR THE HOME & GIFTS! FREE DELIVERY TO WESTBURY & SURROUNDS OPEN Monday to Saturday 9am - 5.30pm (Sunday CLOSED)

24 Edward Street, Westbury, BA13 3BD

Tel 01373 822431 www.daviesofwestbury.co.uk

STRAWBERRY BLUE

footloose LADIES SHOES

We stock a wide range of quality ladies shoes, boots, handbags & accessories

WONDERFUL GIFT IDEAS INSTORE NOW Lamb Yard, Bradford on Avon

An emporium of gifts for every occasion

christmas shop now open! 6A The Shambles, Bradford on AVon

01225 920290

strawberrybluehome.co.uk

01225 571474 HAFLINGER SLIPPERS

Â£

| gift guide

Pho

HANDBAG HEAVEN

CLOGS AWAY

Haflinger Slippers, £60 Footloose • 01225 571474

a STAR is born

Handmade in BOA Bag, £59 The Granary • 01225 867781

Little Star 14ct Gold Bracelet, £13.95 Haus • hauslife.co.uk

STUD U LIKE

‘Aura’ Labradorite & 14ct Gold Studs, £16 Haus • hauslife.co.uk

MUGSHOT

Mr Forgetful Mug, was £13 now £10 Knees • 01225 754161

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CHECK MATE

Wine & Chess Gift Set, £12.50 SL Corden & Sons • 01985 212115

CANDLE LIGHTS

Temerity Jones Scented Candles, £10.99 The Granary • 01225 867781

gift guide |

SNAP HAPPY

Photography Course Gift Voucher, from £50 Laock Photography • 01249 730571

CUSHION COVER

Handwoven Kilim Cushion, from £56 Haus • hauslife.co.uk

OVEN READY

Sophie Allport Oven Gloves, £17.99 Strawberry Blue • 01225 920290

LUNA LANDING

‘Luna’ Labradorite & Hammered Gold Earrings, £26 Haus • hauslife.co.uk

EASY CHEESY

Tala Blue Fondue, £15 Brown’s Hardware • 01225 862236

HIP FLASK

Thermos Bullet Flask, £9.99 GM Davies 01373 822431

LIGHT THE WAY

Urban 350 Bike Light, £44.99 TT Cycles • 01225 867187

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Bathrooms at No. 5 would like to wish all our customers past present and future a very

Merry Christmas If you have a bathroom dream, come and see us in 2018 and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll help you turn it into reality.

B 5 The Shambles, Bradford on Avon BA15 1JS t 01225 309110

12a Trim Street, Bath BA1 1HB t 01225 308060

www.bathroomsatno5.co.uk

BRADFORD ON AVON OPEN DAY...Thursday 7 December, 5pm ‘til 9pm... Drinks, Nibbles & Special Offers...

COME & FIND US IN OUR NEW STORE LOCATED BEHIND SAINSBURY’S • • • • •

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BIKE & CANOE HIRE STILL FROM OUR FROME ROAD STORE... EAT

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01225 868068

01225 867187

01225 865049

www.thelockinn.co.uk

www.towpathtrail.co.uk www.widbrookbarns.co.uk

SHOP

www.ttcycles.co.uk

01225 867187

TT CYCLES, UNITS 6-8, ELMS CROSS BUSINESS CENTRE, ROWDEN LANE, BRADFORD ON AVON BA15 2AY

The Old Filling Station 400 Ham Green, Holt BA14 6PX t 01225 783527 / 782408 e info@pwasltd.com

NEW HOLT SHOWROOM NOW OPEN NOW OPEN

UNTIL 8PM EVERY THURSDAY

Opening Hours Mon-Fri 9.00-5.30pm (until 8pm on Thursdays) Sat 9.00-5.00pm

www.pwasltd.com

Fulham Showroom 196 -198 Wandsworth Bridge Rd, London SW6 2UE

Tel 0207 610 6111

SOVEREIGN DAMP & TIMBER LTD

CHRISTMAS TREES IN STOCK NOW!

We offer a comprehensive service for all kinds of damp proofing, basement waterproofing, timber treatment and specialist replastering.

Neatly crafted sheds or summerhouses in a huge range of styles and sizes. Delivery Only or Delivery & Installation PLUS: Decking, Fencing & Gates tel 01249 716161 or 01225 811222 Email: ross@sovereigndpc.co.uk www.sovereigndpc.co.uk 1 Ingoldmells Court, Edinburgh Way, Leafield Ind Estate Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9XN

LANDSCAPING SERVICE AVAILABLE FULL TURFING SERVICE / SUPPLY ONLY

t 01225 769145 / 01225 302687 m 07881 496923 office.tdeaconltd@aol.co.uk tdeaconfencingandlandscaping.co.uk

Dunkirk Business Park, Southwick, Wiltshire BA14 9NL

Allsop Carpets & Flooring • Carpets • Vinyl • Naturals • Wood Flooring

Amtico Eden Oak

www.allsopcarpets.co.uk | 01373 463866 or 07887 953014 Corner Garage, Christchurch St West, Frome BA11 1EB

Using British Manufacturers & Suppliers

| house & home

Statement Lighting

Invest in some new string lights, light up wreaths, scenes or shadow boxes WeRChristmas wooden pyramid Christmas trees £14.99, amazon.co.uk

WeRChristmas cotton ball string lights £14.99, amazon.co.uk

All Decked Out Give your house a great festive update this year with some fab on trend decoration ideas, courtesy of SUE COLEMAN from Perfect Rooms.

Think Hygge

The trend for all things scandi continues... WeRChristmas reindeer candle holder, £14.15, amazon.co.uk

Silver Metallic Stag Napkins £3.49, gingerray.co.uk

Modern Metallics

Think copper, rose gold and bronze

Christmas tree light £40, notonthehighstreet.com

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Stelton oil lamp £69.95, cloudberryliving.co.uk

Hardy copper candlestick £14, eclectdesign.com

O OFF W EE O BA PE R N !

FOR GREAT DESIGN IDEAS, COME & VISIT OUR

INSPIRATIONAL SHOWROOM AT SILVER STREET, GASTARD, SN13 9PY

FEATURING

New furniture ranges, Vincent Sheppard, Whitehead Designs, Bespoke Furniture, Curtains & Blinds, Interior Design, Fabrics & Wallpaper, Flooring, Gifts Customer parking is available in front of showroom

• www.perfectrooms.co.uk • Tel: 01249 716445 • perfectrooms@btconnect.com

E.J. SHANLEY & SON [TROWBRIDGE] LTD West Wiltshire’s Most Trusted Estate Agent * * Based on hundreds of customer reviews on Trustpilot

Find our what your house is worth using our FREE quick online valuation tool! Visit www.EweMove.com/Trowbridge or call 01225 430776

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43 Shails Lane, Trowbridge 43 Copheap Lane, Warminster

WILTSHIRE‘S LEADER IN SKIP HIRE

GREAT OFFERS IN STORE ALL YEAR ROUND! 01985 847031 | sofacoplus@yahoo.co.uk | sofaco.co.uk | 15 George Street, Warminster, BA12 8QA

OPEN TO RETAIL & TRADE SPECIALIST SUPPLIERS OF QUALITY BATHROOMS & BATHROOM PRODUCTS

We are the number one source for heating and plumbing in Trowbridge and surrounding areas. We can supply a huge range of products: RADIATORS BOILERS CYLINDERS UNDERFLOOR HEATING SHOWERS COMPLETE BATHROOM SUITES ACCESSORIES

FIND LUXURY BATHROOMS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES 01225 765000

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Offering beautifully designed kitchens, or kitchen replacement doors, with a FREE innovative design & planning service • Stunning ranges including Contemporary, Traditional, Painted, Gloss and more • Expert Design & Installation • Appliances from the Industry’s Leading Manufacturers • The Homemaker Customer Care & After Sales Service 5-6 George Street, Warminster, Wilts BA12 8QA 01985 219200 | www.myhomemaker.co.uk

| house & home

Declutter your life!

Professional organiser TRACY MARQUISS from Marquiss Home Management has some great tips about getting your house in order - just in time for Christmas! you to do it again - fail to complete it and you can easily get despondent. DO YOU THINK A MESSY DESK CAN HAVE AN EFFECT ON MENTAL WELLBEING? When people become overwhelmed with the clutter on their desk it has a negative effect definitely. People don’t know where to start, procrastination kicks in and subsequently reduced efficiency and heightened anxiety. Adopt a clear desk policy and spend 10 minutes at the end of the day filing papers and tidying things away.

Make a ‘To Do’ list manageable to increase your chances of completing it!

WHEN YOU FIRST MEET A CLIENT HOW IS THE CLUTTER AROUND THEM MAKING THEM FEEL? Clients often feel embarrassed and anxious about clutter. It affects their social life as they feel unable to have visitors over and stop unexpected guests at the door. We are all inundated with bills, statements, catalogues and mailshots these days - many clients hide paper and other clutter away in drawers and cupboards, but it is like an elephant in the room and becomes an emotional drain. The clutter mounts up, with many clients unsure what to keep and what to recycle or shred. And at this time of year, when so many of us are expecting visitors over the festive season, it can easily get overwhelming. WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE FOR STAYING ON TOP OF CLUTTER? Once complete, the best thing to do is tidy little and often and keep clutter to a minimum.

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WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE DOING FILING? Reduce the amount of paper by signing up for online paperless utilities and banking. Recycle junk mail immediately and sort all your remaining mail into two piles: File and Action. File and Action as necessary. HOW USEFUL ARE LABELS WHEN ORGANISING THINGS? Very! Concertina files with each section labelled are ideal for regular households. Try labelling plugs in multi-sockets so they are easy to locate and labelled coat pegs and baskets in hallways encourage children to place coats on hooks and hats/gloves/books and school bags in baskets.

WHAT BENEFITS DOES BEING ORGANISED BRING? Lots! You have more room to store the things you really need and more space to breathe. Perhaps most importantly you save time; time spent getting ready, looking for things and tidying up. What’s more there’s no embarrassment when inviting friends over or receiving unexpected guests. Declutter and you create happier, calmer, less stressed homes and offices. DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE EMBARRASSED ABOUT THEIR CLUTTER? Absolutely!! But they don’t need to be - Call 07516 925276 or email marquisshomemanagement.com@ talktalk.net today and get your life organised NOW!

HOW DO YOU SUGGEST PEOPLE MANAGE ‘TO DO’ LISTS? • marquisshomemanagement.com Make them manageable! A long list can have a negative effect by highlighting how much you haven’t done. Keep it to a maximum of 5 tasks - the rest can wait. Finish a ‘To Do’ list and satisfaction will encourage

| business

Should you be marketing in December? PAUL TAGENT, director of Bath Marketing Consultancy discusses the merits of advertising and marketing around Christmastime.

o it’s full steam ahead now as we’re heading towards the “Silly Season” leading up to a well-earned break with the family. But what does this mean for your marketing? Should you switch off what you’re doing or increase your activity to make sure you’re on the radars of your prospects for the start of the next year?

doing much business in December? How many people will be looking at your advertisement or doing searches for your services during the Commercialmas period, sorry Christmas period.

Obviously if you operate in the Retail sector, this time is vital to your business so I’d suggest turning the tap up as high as it can go. But in Tough decision and there are Business or Professional Services, I arguments for doing both. If you take can’t say that the festive period is a Paul Tagent your foot off the marketing pedal great time to be more visible. If you’re and coast until January, you may able to continue a presence on social to that drinks party. Make a few calls and Tweet a bit, and when it comes “December could be a month where the people to the smart phone, don’t turn it off you’ve been trying to get in front of all year are completely; maybe just check it from time to time!!

more susceptible to your approaches”.

well find it harder to get back on the right radars. Traditionally, eshots and companies having January sales increases the moment the empty champagne bottles are put in the recycling so you might find yourself at the back of the queue. On the flip side, December could be a month where the people you’ve been trying to get in front of all year are more susceptible to your approaches. I recall doing a great deal on Christmas Eve once with an MD of a large firm simply by crossing paths at a business networking drinks party by chance! If you turn up your marketing tap, how many people will actually be paying attention and see the result? How many people are simply not

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

media, maybe add a blog item to your website and possibly make contact with your client base (NOT by general eshot), then I would think this would suffice. If your budget stretched to allow advertising, there are some very good deals to be had advertising in local media as salespeople are looking to increase their sales commission before the end of the year! To many of us December should be a time to re charge as there are a lot of organisations who shut down before 24th December and don’t open again until 3rd January. If, like me, you own and run a business, time away from your smart phone is very limited in a calendar year so take advantage of this time of year. Ease back slightly, but stay visible. Go

Have a great Christmas everyone and from me and my team at Bath Marketing Consultancy, have a break… if you can. Bath Marketing Consultancy is a multi-award winning, approachable, professional and full service marketing company. • bathmarketingconsultancy.co.uk

ABD

ABD CARE FP_A5 Dummy Gridmaster 27/05/2015 09:58 Page 1

| health & wellbeing

Abney & Baker

A fresh approach to getting care at home.

dedicated team members; something SERVICES INCLUDE: they believe is key to providing the best customer experience to their Personal care: Regulated by the clients. Care Quality Commission, clients get help in their own homes Mr Willis says: “We set out to build a with everything from bathing company that provided the service and dressing to medication and I was looking for but couldn’t find. preparing meals. Our core value is respect and we Having identified there was little believe by keeping this at the heart Social support: Abney & Baker gets spare capacity available to people of how we work we can provide a clients out to see friends, attend social who had to fund their own care and positive and life-enhancing service events, appointments and do the support, Abney & Baker set out to that will help our clients achieve shopping. They have even helped fill that gap and offer private clients more, remain living confidently clients get to a day at the races! a service focused on quality and and independently at home, and personal attention. With its motto continue to be engaged in their local Domestic support: Clients are given Together We Care - Abney & Baker communities.” help with running their homes, works very closely with clients and including housework, cleaning, their families to provide a service that The company currently has 35 laundry, managing the bills, dog enhances their lives. team members and a leadership walking and shopping. team with more than 25 years of The key to achieving this has been experience in the sector. Relief visits: Unpaid carers need investment in their staff. Abney & a break and Abney & Baker can Baker made the commitment offer companionship visits, or to be a Living Wage stand in while carers take time for Employer and themselves. provides a tailored training plan for all Activities for life: A new staff that sees them service, launched in response working towards to feedback and research, professional offering activity-based visits to qualifications keep people engaged in hobbies from the and provide social interaction. day they join the To contact Abney & Baker just company. call 01225 952200, email These are support@abneyandbaker.com just two of or complete the online form on the ways in their website. which they aim to hire and retain • abneyandbaker.com highly trained, an Willis set out to find a private homecare provider for a close relative and ended up launching a business with a new approach to its staff and clients. Two years on, Abney & Baker is blazing a trail in private client care across West Wiltshire, Bath and beyond.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

| health & wellbeing

Learning to swim

Learning to swim is an essential life skill – learn or improve your technique and stamina with the help of the team at your local Places For People swimming pool.

national syllabus of learning to swim for primary school aged children. All seven stages offer fun and exciting lessons developing all the skills needed for children to be competent, confident and safe in the water.

PRE-SCHOOL LESSONS

When your child has completed the Learn To Swim Pathway they will For more information contact your have the opportunity to choose from nearest pool. a number of other aquatic activities such as; competitive swimming, CONTACT DETAILS rookie lifesaving, synchronised Bradford on Avon Swimming Pool swimming and water polo. (nb. Tel: 01225 862970 activities vary between sites). In Melksham Blue Pool addition to the weekly lessons sites Tel: 01225 703525 also run intensive lessons during the school holidays. This gives children Trowbridge Sports Centre the confidence to practice new Tel: 01225 764342 skills and embed the skills they are Warminster Sports Centre learning in their ongoing lessons. Tel: 01985 212946 One to one lessons are also available Westbury Swimming Pool for children who would benefit from Tel: 01373 822891 more individual support.

Sessions begin at 3 years upwards and aim to build the foundation for a lifelong love of water. Some sites (Bradford on Avon, Westbury Pool and Melksham Blue Pool) also run parent and baby classes, a fun and supportive way of getting little ones used to water.

SWIMMING LESSONS FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN PfP Leisure run a weekly lesson programme that takes place 50 weeks of the year. The Learn to Swim Awards are divided into progressive stages. They make up the core,

ADULT SWIMMING LESSONS

f you can swim you can enjoy all of the exciting activities that the water has to offer. PfP Leisure offers lessons – all taught by qualified teachers - for all ages. They work to Swim England’s LearnTo Swim pathway in all of their sessions.

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AQUATIC SKILLS LESSONS

Adult lessons are available at all sites. The lessons are suitable for everyone, whether you have a fear of the water, haven’t been swimming since school or are looking to refine your technique ready for an event.

Trowbridge Chiropodist Peter Wilkinson M.Inst.Ch.P

IMPROVING YOUR FOOT HEALTH

MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER

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Call today to make an appointment

Tel: 01225 571030

www.trowbridgechiropodist.co.uk Find us at: 13 St Georges Works, Silver St, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8AA

Find us on Facebook: Trowbridge - Chiropodist Follow us on Twitter: @TrowChiropodist

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‘Without the support and care from our carer we couldn’t have coped, she was brilliant!’

Care in the comfort of your own home Do you require long term/short term live-in care, specialist care or respite? You have the option to remain in the comfort of your own home whilst receiving care tailor made to your needs and preferences. For more information please call: 01452 526150 Free care assessment within 24hrs (Ts & Cs apply)

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| health & wellbeing

Twinkle Twinkle Little Spa!

Enjoy a pre-Christmas treat with a friend this festive season at The Spa at Homewood Park.

hristmas is coming (whether you’re fully prepared or not!) so why not unwind and relax with a day at a spa? The Spa at Homewood Park is currently offering a fantastic package that’s ideal for a pre-Christmas treat with a friend - and it’s available up to New Year’s Eve!

The Spa at Homewood Park has a great festive offer

The Twinkle Twinkle Little Spa package offers full use of the spa facilities, before indulging in a festive two course lunch or full afternoon tea plus a relaxing 45 minute Back Cleanse and Back Massage

“The Twinkle Twinkle Little Spa package offers full use of the spa facilities, before indulging in a festive two course lunch or full afternoon tea” treatment per person. As well as that The Spa will also give you 25% off any additional treatments booked and taken in the spa and a £10 gift

voucher to spend on some essential home pampering items! All for only £150 for two guests!

THE SPA DAY INCLUDES: • 4 hours use of the spa facilities for both guests • Festive 2 course lunch or Afternoon Tea per person • 45 min treatment for 2 guests • 25% off any further treatments • Use of robes, towels, slippers & a locker for your day • A £10 product voucher to spend on some essential home pampering Call today on 01225 809225 to book your relaxing spa day. • homewoodpark.co.uk/spa

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

| bath rugby

BATH MAKE WINNING START TO ANGLO-WELSH CUP After the first two rounds in the domestic cup competition, Bath Rugby sit at the top of their group having won two from two.

n terms of priorities, it easily ranks third on the list, and perhaps that explains why in recent seasons it has appeared that Bath haven’t taken the Anglo-Welsh Cup that seriously. That changed this year though as Bath ground out two tricky victories to leave them well placed to progress to the semi finals.

Historically, Bath have done well in the domestic cup competition, and lead the way with 10 wins overall in its different guises. That is all very much history though, and Bath haven’t won the cup since 1996 when they beat Leicester 16-15 in the final. In fact, they haven’t even made the final of the competition since 2005, when they were runners-up to Leeds Tykes. Often seen as a development competition, in recent years the cup has been won by Leicester Tigers (current holders), Saracens (2015) and Exeter Chiefs (2014). For Exeter it was a first ever top tier trophy, and has served as a springboard for greater successes, not least in winning last season’s Aviva Premiership. And when Saracens won the crown in 2015 they were captained by a certain Maro Itoje, who hasn’t done too badly since. Perhaps it is seeing the achievements of these teams that has led to Bath taking the competition more seriously. On 4 November, they went away to London Irish and won against a strong Irish line up. The following

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TICKETS FOR TOULON

Freddie Burns has started both Anglo Welsh games

week at The Rec, they came from behind to win a thrilling game against Leicester Tigers 33-31 with just seconds left on the clock. The win leaves them top of Pool One witn 8 points, ahead of both Wasps and Gloucester. The next round sees Bath take on Newcastle at The Recreation Ground on Saturday 27 January. Win it, and a place in the semi finals should be theirs.

There are still a few tickets remaining for Bath’s home game against Toulon on Saturday 16 December. Following two wins in the opening two rounds of the competition, this double header against the three-time European champions has all the makings of a pool decider. Toulon, now coached by Fabien Gathié, are also two from two. With the likes of Ma’a Nonu, Duane Vermuelen, Bryan Habana, Facundo Isa and Chris Ashton in their line up, the match is set to be one of highlights of the season. Go to the website or call the ticket office to book your spot.

• bathrugby.com

UPCOMING FIXTURES To buy tickets call the Ticket Office on 0844 448 1865 or go to the website. 2 December

14:00

Exeter Chiefs

9 December

15:15

Toulon

ERCC

16 December 17:30

Toulon

ERCC

23 December 15:00

Sale Sharks

29 December 19:45

Wasps

5 January

Worcester Warriors

19:45

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Tea Break Teasers COVER STAR WORDSEARCH

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HENSON MCCLOUD WARNER WHITE WIGGINS

WIN A £10 NEXT VOUCHER! Email your answers to these trivia questions to comp@wired-publishing.co.uk by 23.12.17 to be in with a chance of winning a £10 Next Voucher. Good luck!

Q1: How many issues of The West Wilts Magazine have been published? LAST MONTH’S SOLUTIONS Wordsearch missing word: MONTREAL Quiz answers: 1: Bonn 2: Fiji 3: Marrakech 4: 1995 5: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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Q2: The Hundred Days War was a sub-conflict within which country’s civil war? Q3: Who plays Lincoln in The 100? Q4: Whose portrait is on the obverse side of an American $100 bill? Q5: In what month of what year will we publish our 200th edition? Be sure to include your contact details so we can get in touch with you if you are our winner!

EAT

The Lock Inn Café has been home of the famous Boatman’s Breakfast since1990. The café offers a vast lunch, snack and evening menu, a canalside garden, good beer, wines and coffee. Our Kitchen is open All Day, Every Day. Frome Road, Bradford on Avon BA15 1LE

www.thelockinn.co.uk • 01225 868068

PEDAL/PADDLE

Bike and Canoe Hire on the Kennet and Avon Canal is available from Towpath Trail. We have high quality bikes, trailers, canoes and everything else the family may need for a day messing about on the level and traffic free canal towpath including snacks, ice creams, barista coffees and a range of cycling and canal giftware. Frome Road, Bradford on Avon BA15 1LE

www.towpathtrail.co.uk • 01225 867187

SLEEP

Widbrook Barns offers self contained, comfortable B&B barns and family suites. Families, couples, singles and business travellers are all most welcome. Guests also have the option of more unusual Gypsy Caravan and Shepherd’s Hut stays. Widbrook, Bradford on Avon BA15 1UD

www.widbrookbarns.co.uk • 01225 865049

SHOP

Our newly expanded TT Cycles store is now Wiltshire’s premier bike shop with a vast range of parts, clothing and accessories and possibly the most extensive range of bikes for all disciplines.We have a fully equipped workshop (and Shimano Service Centre) to service or build your bike, or just help to keep you on the road. Finance and Cycle Scheme available too. Elms Cross Business Park, Bradford on Avon BA15 2AY

www.ttcycles.co.uk • 01225 867187

| last word

For we are jolly good fellows...

appy Birthday to us! Happy Birthday to us! Happy Birthday dear u..us! Happy Birthday to us! Hurrah…it’s our birthday!! Believe it or not this is our 100th issue. We are 100 not out…we are into three figures and all those other things you say when you reach this auspicious milestone. Obviously we have been checking the post every day for our telegram from the Queen but nothing yet, I am beginning to think she might have forgotten, she is quite busy though so maybe she’ll send a combined Christmas and birthday card.

when you get up, when you lie in, essentially when you do anything… totally worth it though. We also got married, in 2011, and chose a fantastic place to do it. Let me give you some clues. It’s an utterly bonkers place with lots of drunk people walking round 24 hours a day… That’s right… Vegas! No not TrowVegas, although it could be, right?! We got married in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A, in the same venue as Britney Spears, Frank Sinatra, Sinead O’Connor and Buffy The Vampire Slayer…although not at the same time of course (though that could probably be arranged if

“It was fantastic, completely mad, but fantastic. We flew to L.A. rented a convertible Ford Mustang and drove through the desert to Vegas listening to American rock on the stereo.” Our first edition was way back in September 2009, so just over 8 years ago and a fair bit has changed since then. We lived in a flat in Bath at the time but we now live in Trowbridge. The flat was lovely but we needed more space as another big change had taken place…we had a child. So, with child in tow we headed back to our hometown of TrowVegas. We now have two children and the addition of small peeps to the family brings about the biggest change of all …you have to be a grown up!! You have responsibilities and not just to yourself, you have to take someone else into consideration when you go out, when you stay in,

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you asked them). It was fantastic, completely mad, but fantastic. We flew to L.A. rented a convertible Ford Mustang and drove through the desert to Vegas listening to American rock on the stereo. Once we got there we checked into The Venetian, a hotel so big that you have to get an elevator to the area where you get the elevator to your suite, they don’t do rooms, it’s so big they only do suites!! At some point during the weekend we took a trip on a Gondola with an opera singing Gondolier inside the hotel on an actual canal….that’s right I said inside the hotel…nuts. Any of you that have been to Vegas will

know of what I speak. The craziness is actually pretty benign, there is just so much of it that it can be quite overwhelming at times. My favourite bit was in the early morning, walking up and down the strip at 6am with my iced coffee, yes it was that hot. Almost all the punters from the previous nights revelries had gone home and the next shift of nutters were still in bed so it was about as quiet as it was going to get and it is actually quite beautiful and just for a split second peaceful….and then a load of drunkards roll, shouting and blinking in the sunlight, out of a casino and you remember where you are… Nutsville, U.S.A. Lots of other momentous things have happened since we started up. For instance Gordon Brown was our Prime Minister at the time and Barack Obama had only been President for a few months. We now have our second female leader in Theresa May and the Americans have Donald Trump… Donald Trump, well that just proves that life really can be stranger than fiction. Bearing that in mind I am going to check the post as that telegram could actually turn up after all!!

Phil Rockliffe