The West Wilts Magazine - March 2018

MARCH 2018 // ISSUE 103

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CHARMING CROATIA SOAK UP SOME CULTURE

ENJOY OUR 14-PAGE FAMILY ACTIVITY GUIDE

WIN

LY A FAMI N O S A SE TO TICKETOD! BOWO

HONESTY DIET LISA RILEY’S DELICIOUS & HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS RECIPES

+ LISTINGS GUIDE SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY ALLSOP CARPETS & MUCH MORE

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

FENCING AVAILABLE FROM STOCK AT

SYDENHAMS TIMBER CENTRE MAIDEN BRADLEY NOW IN STOCK SHEDS & SUMMER HOUSES! ALSO STOCKED… Capping Rail Fence Posts Fence Panels Railway Sleepers Pegs Raised Bed Timber Engineered Oak Flooring Wheelbarrows Wood Preservative Flooring Accessories Carcassing Timber

Backing Rail Gravel Boards Wire Fencing Decking Scaffold Boards Hardwood Timber Vinyl & Laminate Flooring Safety Equipment Hand Tools MDF & Plywood Sheets Pine & Oak Panels

Arris Rail Featheredge Sand, Cement & Gravel Decorative Gravels Green Oak Roofing Felt Gates PAR/Joinery Softwoods Paint Brushes Skirting & Architrave Ironmongery

Tel: 01985 844771 Email: Sales.MaidenB@sydenhams.co.uk Bradley Lane, Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire BA12 7JR

www.sydenhams.co.uk

contents

March 2018 // issue 103

S

Published by Wired Publishing Editor Lisa Rockliffe Contributors Craig Gates-Mutton, Phil Rockliffe, Neil Mortimer, Andy Diffey, Katie Thomson 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: SS Great Britain/Being Brunel

pring is here at last! The days are lengthening, the temperatures are rising (albeit reluctantly) and Easter is on the horizon. Yes, half term may only just be over but the Easter holidays are already coming into view - if you need ideas on how to entertain your lot over the school break head first and foremost to our Family Activities guide on p35.

If your healthy eating regime didn’t get off the ground in January don’t worry, March is as good a time as any to start shifting those pounds! Our recipes this month (p26) come courtesy of Lisa Riley’s new Honesty Diet cookbook, which contains the recipes and secrets to how she lost an incredible 12 stone!

If you are already dreaming of sunnier climes then head to p48 for our feature on beautiful Croatia. Plus we speak to the travel experts at Holidays & Cruises (p52) in Bradford on Avon about booking breaks and excursions this year.

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With plenty more to get your teeth into, and a great competition to win family tickets to Bowood House & Gardens (p46) you best get started, and don’t forget to put your clocks forward on 25 March either! Enjoy.

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

in this issue...

Holidaying in Croatia Spring Photography

48 56

HOMES & GARDENS Downside Nurseries Active Plumbing Supplies Allsop Carpets

54 62 66

BATH RUGBY The Anglo Welsh Cup

78

26 30 32

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Win a family season ticket to Bowood House & Gardens Quiz, wordsearch & sudoku

46 80

35

COMMENT The Last Word

82

LOCAL LISTINGS

What’s on in March LOCAL NEWS Round up of news & events Thermae Ten FOOD & DRINK Food News Eat The Seasons Healthy eating recipes from Lisa Riley’s new book Honesty Diet Meet the Chef at Woolley Grange Chalford House Hotel FEATURES All aboard for Easter fun

48

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CHEESE &GRAIN SAT 3 MAR 8PM WED 7TH MAR 7.30PM SAT 10TH MAR 7.30PM SUN 11TH MAR 8PM WED 14TH MAR 8.45PM FRI 16TH MAR 7.30PM SAT 17TH MAR 7.30PM SUN 18TH MAR 7PM THU 22ND MAR 7PM FRI 23ND MAR 7PM SAT 24TH MAR 8PM SUN 25TH MAR 3PM SUN 25TH MAR 8PM FRI 30TH MAR 8PM SAT 31ST MAR 10AM SAT 31ST MAR 8PM SUN 1ST APR 7.30PM SAT 7TH APR 8PM RD

BOX OFFICE: 01373

455420

MARKET YARD, FROME, SOMERSET BA11 1BE

www.cheeseandgrain.com

LEGEND - A TRIBUTE TO BOB MARLEY £14 ADV GINGER WILDHEART £15 ADV UK GUNS N ROSES £16.50 ADV MARCH LUNGHI BABA’S & AZEEMA’S SUPPER CLUB £14 ROOTS SESSIONS - PHIL KING FREE ENTRY GLITTER BALL - DRAG NIGHT £15 ST PATRICK’S PARTY £5 BRAHMS REQUIEM £15 LLOYD AND ROSE BUCK: OUR LIFE WITH BIRDS £16 LIVEWIRE AC/DC VS LIMEHOUSE LIZZY £22 ADV THE PRETTY THINGS & DR FEELGOOD £20 CSF WRESTING £10 ALBERT LEE & HIS USA ELECTRIC BAND £20 THE WURZELS GOOD FRIDAY SHOW £17.50 SPRING MAKERS MARKET FREE ENTRY THINK FLOYD £22 LISA’S ARMY GIG £15 ADV THE MANFREDS £22.50 ADV

Livewire AC/DC vs Limehouse Lizzy

CSF Wrestling

The Wurzels

| events

local

listings MARCH 2018

MELKSHAM ASSEMBLY HALL

Market Place, Melksham, SN12 6ES Box Office: 01225 709887 melkshamassemblyhall.com DIRE STRAITS: UK 9 March, 7.30pm Tickets: 16 A six piece band featuring some outstanding musicians performing Dire Straits’ most famous songs.

COCO (Cert U) 24 March, 10.30am Tickets: £4 Adults, £3 Child Despite his family’s ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming a musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz.

Desperate to prove his talent he finds himself in the stunning and colourful Land of the Dead.

TOWN HALL ARTS

Trowbridge Town Hall, BA14 8EQ Tel: 01225 774306 trowbridgearts.com CICATRIX – CALL AND RESPONSE Until 15 April, 10am The artists Henny Burnett, Susan Francis, and Prudence Maltby created the exhibition Cicatrix to explore the scarred landscape of Salisbury Plain in commemoration of WWI.

perform in The Old Court Room on these youth-friendly music nights.

WILTSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE

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

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

COMPLETE MIX MUSIC SHOWCASE 16 March, 7pm Tickets: £5 (Concs: £2) A dynamic and engaging mixture of genres performed by Wiltshire College students in live music performance including rock, country, pop punk and grime.

THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY 18 March, 2pm Tickets: £10, Family £26-£36 From your five a day to the latest weight loss plan, consumers have been presented with some remarkable dieting plans down the years but none so delightful and memorable as the one enjoyed by the old lady in this nursery rhyme.

TROWBRIDGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 17 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £17.50 (Concs: £8) A programme featuring Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite No 2 and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

LONDON SINFONIETTA 23 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £16 (Concs: £8) Professor Jonathan Cross and musicians from the London Sinfonietta explore the rethinking of musical possibilities that took place in the 1960’s in the context of social and political upheavals.

LADY MAISERY 24 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £15 (Concs: £7.50) Traditional tales showcasing the power, beauty and vitality of song.

Coco (U), Melksham Assembly Hall

UNSIGNED 16 March, 7pm Young musician Alice McNeil will invite more unsigned young talent to

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

| events CLAIRE MARTIN OBE 25 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £15 (Concs: £9) For one night only Claire Martin OBE and pianist Jason Rebello join WYJO as guest soloists for a concert guaranteed to wow jazz lovers old and new.

THE ROYAL BALLET : BERNSTEIN CENTENARY TRIPLE BILL (AS LIVE) 30 March, 7.15pm Tickets: £15 The Royal Ballet celebrates the centenary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth with an all-Bernstein programme from choreographers Wayne McGregor, Liam Scarlett and Christopher Wheeldon.

POUND ARTS CENTRE Pound Pill, Corsham, SN13 9HX Box Office: 01249 701628 poundarts.org.uk

THE THING THAT CAME FROM OVER THERE 9 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £12 (Concs: £10) Inspired by the horror movies of the 1950s, this is a fast-paced rollicking ride mixing paranoia, suspense and hilariously gruesome deaths.

DOCTOR FAUSTUS 10 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £12 (Concs: £10) An unquenchable desire for fame drives the scholar Faustus to learn the magic of the dark arts.

ROBIN INCE - PRAGMATIC INSANITY 16 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £15 (Concs: £14) Robin’s new stand up show is a clash of two cultures: a joyous romp through his favourite artists and strangest scientific ideas.

MERLIN THEATRE Bath Rd, Frome BA11 2HG Box Office: 01373 465949 merlintheatre.co.uk

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CARMEN – ROH 6 March, 6.45pm Tickets: £16 (Concs: £10.50) A far-from-traditional version of Carmen, incorporating music written by Bizet for the score but not usually heard.

THE ATHENAEUM CENTRE

AND THEN THEY CAME FOR ME 8 March, 11am & 7.45pm Tickets: £12.50 (Concs: £10.50) A multimedia play that combines videotaped interviews with Holocaust survivors with live actors recreating scenes from their lives as teenagers during WWll.

VICTORIA & ABDUL (Cert PG) 21 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £5.50 Late in her reign Queen Victoria encounters a young Indian clerk named Abdul. After becoming friends Victoria announces him Indian Secretary - much to the consternation of her courtiers.

SEMIRAMIDE – THE MET 10 March, 5.55pm Tickets: £16 (Concs: £10.50) Semiramide, Queen of Babylon, defies bad omens and supernatural threats in her quest to find a worthy successor to her late husband.

H.M.S. PINAFORE 23 & 24 March, 7.45pm Tickets: £10.50 (Concs: £8.50) Set aboard the good ship “Pinafore”, this comic operetta tells the classic tale of star-crossed lovers and is a delight not to be missed.

BERNSTEIN CENTENARY ROYAL BALLET 27 March, 7.15pm Tickets: £16 (Concs: £10.50) The Royal Ballet celebrates the centenary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth with an all-Bernstein programme.

COSÌ FAN TUTTE – THE MET 31 March, 5.55pm Tickets: £16 (Concs: £10.50) A co-production with English National Opera, this clever vision of the battle of the sexes is set in a carnivalesque environment inspired by 1950s Coney Robin Ince, Pound Arts Island.

18-20 High St, Warminster, BA12 9AE Box Office: 01985 213891 theath.org.uk For full listings go to the website.

An evening with Martin Kemp, Neeld Arts Centre

NEELD ARTS CENTRE

High Street, ChippenhamSN15 3ER Tel: 01249 446699 neeld.co.uk BIG FISH LITTLE FISH FAMILY RAVE 10 March, 1.30pm Tickets: £7.50, free for non-walking infants Set sail with the Big Fish Little Fish family ravers and their shipmates Camp Bestival as they bring a rave for families with 0-8 year olds.

AN EVENING WITH MARTIN KEMP 26 March, 8pm Tickets: £20 Judge on BBC1’s recent Let It Shine series, Martin Kemp is best known for being one of the founding members of Spandau Ballet. An intimate evening where Martin talks about his career and answers questions from the audience.

CHEESE & GRAIN

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

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

VERITY BARTLETT Professional Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies

Modern & traditional floral designs to suit every budget We offer the complete floral wedding service, providing all you require to make sure your wedding flowers are everything you deserve.

Give us a call to let us help make your big day your happiest day.

Covering Wiltshire and beyond for Weddings, Corporate Events & Charity Fundraisers

“There to do your worrying for you”

BOOK YOUR MOTHER’S DAY FLOWERS TODAY! 11 Church Walk, Trowbridge BA14 8DX

01225 719393 www.ab-fab-flowers.co.uk

CONTACT

07754 193592 info@itoast2you.co.uk

| events cheeseandgrain.com For full listings go to the website.

UK GUNS AND ROSES 10 March, 8pm Tickets: £16.50 UK Guns N Roses are indisputably Europe’s top Guns N Roses tribute.

BRAHMS REQUIEM 18 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £15 Classical Sunday presented by Frome Voices.

BRADFORD-ON-AVON FOLK CLUB AT THE SWAN boafolkclub.org.uk Email: phil@deverall.on4free.co.uk Tel: 01380 870734 SINGAROUND 6 & 20 March FREE, 8pm

FLY YETI FLY 13 March, 8pm FREE Acoustic duo Lorna Somerville and LIVEWIRE AC/DC vs LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Darren Fisher. Blending sensitive vocal 23 March, 7pm harmonies with intricate guitar, mandolin Tickets: £22 and harmonica arrangements.

Two of the best tribute acts in Europe are Back in Black and Back in Town!!

GEOFF LAKEMAN CSF WRESTING 25 March, 3pm Tickets: £10 The superstars of CSF Wrestling return to Frome for another hard hitting family friendly wrestling spectacular!

THE WURZELS 30 March, 8pm Tickets: £17.50 The Wurzels are back for a massive Somerset show!

PRESTBURY SPORTS BAR The Close, Warminster, BA12 9AL Tel: 01985 847070 prestburysportsbar.com

All gigs are FREE and start at 9pm

EL TORO 10 March Classic rock anthems & mashup covers.

THE SMOKIN HOTSHOTS 17 March 1950’s rock n roll.

SMACK THE 80’s 24 March The greatest 80’s pop classics.

THE REASON 31 March Pop and rock from the 50’s to present day.

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27 March, 8pm FREE One of the most accomplished performers on the rare Crane duet concertina, playing English folk songs, Irish tunes and his own compositions.

OTHERS ACOUSTIC OAK The Royal Oak, High St, Corsham, SN13 0HF 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 March Tickets: £2 Singers and spotlight nights. For more info go to The Acoustic Oak Facebook page.

VELASQUEZ: AN ILLUSTRATED TALK Wallington Hall, Church Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LN 4 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £4 An Illustrated talk by Paul Chapman with a particular focus on Las Meninas. Call 01225 862670, email meganandjoyce1882@gmail.com or visit boaarts.org.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Village Pump Friday Folk Lamb Inn, Mortimer Street, Trowbridge 16 March Tickets: £3 villagepump.org.uk

EASTER EGG HUNT AND EASTER BONNET COMPETITION Victory Field, Pound Lane, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1PD 2 April, 10am A free event for children up to 12 organised by The Lions Club of Bradford on Avon. For details call 01225 865851 or visit boalions.org.uk.

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

THE FORGETTING CURVE + HEAD NOISE 9 March DRAGSTER + THE SETBACKS 10 March URBAN COHORTS 11 March THE TROUBLESHOOTERS 16 March THE BOOTHILL-ALLSTARS 17 March THE WORRIED MEN 18 March REBEL HEROES 23 March HONEY + WOLF NOTE 24 March THE LEWIS CRAVEN BAND 25 March

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

LET LOVE BLOOM THIS SPRING

image © Steve Nash

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

2 hrs

LARGE SPACIOUS CONFERENCE ROOM ADDS GRAVITAS TO ANY EVENT

✃

FREE PARKING

WWM047

THE LAVERTON - MAIN HALL

LOWDEN

Bath Road, Shaw, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 8EZ

* NOTVALID IN CONJUNCTIONWITH OTHER OFFERS.VALID ON SATURDAYS BEFORE 8PM. EXPIRY DATE 30.04.18. ROAR

✃

Boardroom or individual round table set up available • Quality wireless projector • Surround sound system • Kitchen e bookings@westburytowncouncil.gov.uk t 01373 822232 www.thelaverton.co.uk

‘AN EXPLORER’S LIFE’

Talk & Lunch Sir David Hempleman-Adams

is a British industrialist & adventurer and is the first person in history to reach the geographic & magnetic North & South Poles as well as climb the highest peaks in all seven continents, The Explorers Grand Slam.

LATER IN THE YEAR: 11th April at Midday a talk & lunch ‘The Wonder of Bees with Richard Rickitt’ Tickets £25 includes two course lunch 16th May at Midday a talk & lunch ‘The Curious Gardener with Anna Pavord’ Tickets £25 includes two course lunch

Wednesday

14th

at Midday

March

Tickets £25

to include two course lunch

2nd June at 7.30pm an evening with 'The Hot Potato Synapators’ Tickets £20 includes welcome drink & canapes

Tickets for all events are available through the main tills at Lowden Garden Centre T: 01225 702345 E: info@lowdengardencentre.com

| local news

roundup

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

DAUNTSEY’S TACKLES THE DW CANOE RACE

At Dauntsey’s School they like a challenge – and there cannot be a much greater test of courage, endurance and perseverance than the Devizes to Westminster canoe race (the ‘DW’), which Dauntseians have now been entering for more than 40 years. It is certainly not for the faint-hearted.

regular dunkings in a freezing canal, blisters on your blisters… these are just a few of the difficulties that participants must overcome in both pre-race training and the event itself. In return, DW paddlers come away with lifelong friendships and memories of an experience like no other.

Breaking the ice to get started, being chased by angry swans,

“It’s a very bonding experience, paddling that distance with

Dauntsey’s pupils will be attempting to canoe from Devizes to Westminster over the Easter weekend

someone. I have strong memories of tanking down the Henley mile with waves pelting over the front of the canoe. It was exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure,” remembers Old Dauntseian, Helen Hagelthorn.

Exhilarating and terrifying sums up most paddlers’ feelings, along with an overwhelming sense of achievement. “The whole experience was incredible, extremely tough but worth it for the feeling as we paddled under Westminster Bridge. I still think of it every time I cross that bridge,” says Ellie Hewlett.

This Easter, 14 Lower Sixth pupils from Dauntsey’s will be setting off yet again from Devizes early on Good Friday morning to race 125 miles to Westminster. They will compete against teams from many British schools and competitors from around the world. We wish them all well.

• dauntseys.org

ITOAST2YOU - THERE TO DO YOUR WORRYING FOR YOU! If you’re organising a wedding, corporate or charity event, a professional toastmaster will give you peace of mind; and your event that extra something special.

Verity Bartlett; a member of the Association of the UK School of Professional Toastmasters, has provided toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies services to clients as diverse as Blenheim Palace, the British Army and Brooklands Museum.

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As a qualified events planner she will dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t’ to keep your event on time and on track. You’ll be able to discuss your event in detail at pre-event meetings in the comfort of your own home or workplace and itoast2you will keep you informed at every stage. To make your event stand out from the crowd call Verity on 07754 193592; email info@itoast2you. co.uk or see her website.

• itoast2you.co.uk

local news |

EVENTS AT THE MARQUEE AT LOWDEN HIRE THE LAVERTON There is a lot going in the marquee at Lowden Garden Centre this year. On Wednesday 14 March local adventurer Sir David HemplemanAdams will be hosting a fascinating talk and lunch entitled ‘An Explorer’s Life’.

On Wednesday 11 April local beekeeper Richard Rickett is giving a talk on ‘The Wonder of Bees’. An entertaining talk about bees and beekeeping will be followed by a two course Lunch.

Wednesday 16 May organisers will be welcoming Anna Pavord to Lowden. Anna is a gardening correspondent having written for numerous newspapers and magazines, she is also the author of many books on plants and gardening, her talk is entitled ‘The Curious Gardener’.

Syncopators’. Straight from the roaring 20s, these three eccentric English gentlemen present a side splitting musical revue of tip top jazz & classic vaudevillian comedy.

Join us for the funniest jazz you will see, tickets £20 to include arrival drink & canapes.

Tickets to all the events are available at the Garden Centre main tills, 01225 702345 or email info@ lowdengardencentre.com • lowdengardencentre.com Richard Rickett will be discussing bees and beekeeping on 11 April

• Board room or individual round table setup available.

Saturday 2 June at 7.30pm sees Lowden welcome ‘The Hot Potato

• Quality wireless projector and surround sound system. Flip charts.

‘TRIBE’ PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

Tribe 3 © National Trust Images / Lori Vrba

This period venue is well equipped with a modern kitchen, a piano, full range of audio and technical services, hearing loop, licensed bar, conference facilities, disabled access and WiFi. It has has a range of 5 beautiful, traditionally styled meeting rooms to choose from, from a small function for 20 people or a larger for 170 people.

THE LAVERTON OFFERS:

All the talks start at midday and cost £25 to include a two-course lunch.

This new exhibition at The Fox Talbot Museum in Lacock is co-curated by artist Lori Vrba, is a collaborative exhibition of photography by mid-career professional artists. Their work is a narrative, addressing issues of family, history, love and loss.

The artists are a group of women from all over the US drawn to the romantic notion of story-telling, memory, nostalgia, the natural world and family.

‘Tribe’ is on display at the Fox Talbot Museum in Lacock until Sunday 20 May and is free with normal admission to the property.

For more details on events and exhibitions at the Fox Talbot

IN WESTBURY

The Laverton gives a warm welcome to guests for a variety of corporate events from a private, intimate event to larger corporate functions, whether large or small, informal or formal. This unique venue, a 19th century Italianate gothic palazzo, is an ideal location for meetings, conferences and events, as its conveniently located just 5 minutes from Westbury High Street.

• Free WiFi • Fully equipped kitchen included in hire. Two hours free parking.

To find out more or to enquire about The Laverton’s availability contact Westbury Town Council on 01373 822126 or email bookings@ westburytowncouncil.gov.uk • thelaverton.co.uk

The Tribe exhibition runs until 20 May

Museum you can follow them on Twitter: @foxtalbotmuseum.

• nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

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| local news

Thermae Ten

New for 2018, Thermae Ten at Thermae Bath Spa is a great value way of making use of one of the region’s most beautiful spas.

The Thermae Ten gives you ten visits to Thermae Bath Spa to use throughout the year

T

he Thermae Ten is a great new way of visiting Thermae Bath Spa and enjoying excellent value for money.

Valid Monday – Friday, the voucher covers ten visits over a period of 12 months from the date of purchase and represents a saving of over £100.

What makes it even better is that the voucher is transferrable and enables you to redeem up to two spa sessions per visit – i.e. you can treat a friend every time you come!

The Thermae Ten incorporates a 2-hour session which gives full access to the main spa facilities, including the new Wellness Suite, the natural thermal waters of the indoor Minerva Bath and the openair rooftop pool with its spectacular

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“The Thermae Ten incorporates a 2-hour session which gives full access to the main spa facilities, including the new Wellness Suite, the indoor Minerva Bath and the open-air rooftop pool” views over Bath. You can even use the Thermae Ten as part-payment to one of the many spa treatments that are on offer.

So you can decide whether you keep it yourself or gift it to another person. It’s the perfect present for anyone in your life who loves spas or needs regular relaxation - the question is, can you bear to give it away?

You can purchase the Thermae Ten online or call the Reservations team on 01225 33 1234.

• thermaebathspa.com

Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary Saving stray & unwanted dogs since 1958

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• 1958 - 2018 • th

A N N I V E R S A RY

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 10:00 - 12:15 & 14:00 - 16:15

Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary, Priory Rd, Ascot, Berks SL5 8RJ

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

| slocal wen news lacol

The photography professionals

D

avid Wiltshire Photography has over 40 years experience in the ever changing world of photography. David Wiltshire started the business in 1971 having previously worked for a large photographic business in Oxford.

As a long established and successful company with a creative and experienced team, David Wiltshire Photography specialize in wedding photography, but that’s not all.

As well as that they also carry out great photographic work with local schools, military photography, PR and product work.

a fully equipped instant and next day printing lab. Another great success over the last few years has been their web kiosk, where customers can upload pictures to print on their professional printing equipment for as little as 15p per print.

To find out more pop into their studio, at 14 George Street Warminster or call 01985 213376.

You can also visit them on Facebook to view their latest special offers.

• davidwiltshire.co.uk

David Wiltshire Photography do lots of professional photography work with local schools

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T

Perhaps you are after something a little different though? If that’s the case you could pop across the road to The Fleur De Lys, a great village pub at the heart of the community.

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F ot rebmevoN dr32 music on the last Saturday of the month htiw strats radnelac evitsef ehT eno dand netthere ta dluoiscalso uoyaycharity levitanretlA • georgeinnnsp.co.uk quizsenight ta aznagavartxE samtsirhC eht irevrato C slook amtforward sirhC ylito maon F eht fo • fleurdelysnsp.co.uk yadsendeW morf esuoH doowoB yreve tnaruatseR enrublehS eht ni The Fleur de Lys is a real locals’ local ht52 yadirF ot rebmevoN dr32 .rebmeceD ht81 ot ht4 morf yadnuS fo ssenoihcraM ehT .rebmevoN ot ytinutroppo laedi eht na si sihT ot esuoH eht snepo enwodsnaL wow laer a roF .seitivitsef eht trats retniw dloc eht gnirud cilbup eht yaD samtsirhC etarbelec ,rotcaf .ralucatceps gnippohs a rof shtnom htiw doowoB fo trofmoc eht ni morf weiverp gnineve eht dnettA a dna sepanac dna engapmahc stekcit ,rebmevoN dr32 no mp8-4 eht ni laem esruoc-eerht suoiciled .tnaruatseR enrublehS ht42 no syad gnippohs lluf rof ro ,51£ rebmevoN ht52 dna )mp7-ma01( egatnavda ekat dluoc uoy ,yllaniF ro yad eht no 8£ stekcit ,)mp3-ma01( .dekoob-erp fi 6£ ,syaD apS retniW lufrednow eht fo evitsef fo rebmun a era erehT doowoB ta gnineppah sthgiled Itevoffers itseF amselection orf ,troseRofflWadworth oG & apS ,letoH aleseand taviguest rP ot )0ales 5.81from £( aeall T nover oonrthe etfA country ylimafasa well rof tcas efrdarts, ep ,gnskittles iniD evand itseaF pool table. .noitYou arbecan lec yalso napwatch moc rothe ytrSix ap Nations on their big screen TVs.

THE GEORGE INN Norton St Philip

Serving Great Beer since 1397...

The George, a Grade 1 listed building, is situated in an idyllic setting with beautiful views across the local village green and 14th Century Church.

This 700 year old inn is a feast for the eyes and boasts every traditional comfort as well as great tasting food & drink.

High Street, Norton St Philip, Nr Bath BA2 7LH tel: 01373 834224

georgeinn@wadworth.co.uk www.georgeinnnsp.co.uk

| food & drink

Easter treats at Allington Farm Shop

specialty grocery items. Whether you are looking for locally produced ingredients to make your own creations or something delicious, quick and ready to eat, you are sure to find it at Allington. Easter gifts include a great range of local handmade chocolates, including eggs, chicks and bunny rabbits, and beautiful bespoke gift hampers.

Allington Farm Shop is stocked with local handmade chocolates and bespoke hampers

A

llington Farm Shop near Chippenham has been established since 1981. Run by the Reynolds family, who have been tenant farmers at Allington Bar Farm for 3 generations, this awardwinning farm shop specializes in

quality, home and locally produced food. The farm shop boasts a fantastic range including; fresh vegetables and fruit, an in house butchery, a delicatessen counter as well as many locally produced store cupboard essentials and

Once your shop is complete, be sure to pop into their licensed café, which serves farmhouse breakfasts, chef cooked meals, homemade cakes and afternoon teas. The green fingered among you may also wish to pop into Allington Garden Shop next door, which has some wonderful plants and beautiful hanging baskets that can be made up to order.

• allingtonfarmshop.co.uk

Enjoy gourmet dining at The George

T

he George at Woolley was renovated and reopened in 2015 as a pub offering everything from top cuisine to a friendly local bar. It is particularly renowned for its gourmet wine dinners and convivial Sunday lunches, where, among other treats, whole herb roasted chickens are served at the table.

Before taking on the helm at The George, chef and owner Alex Venables spent the previous thirteen years at the award-winning Tollgate Inn in Holt, and before that headed up the kitchen brigade at Lucknam Park, retaining its coveted Michelin star. With a career spent in top restaurants his food pedigree speaks for itself. His dishes are classical British with a modern feel and he puts provenance and seasonality at

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the core of every dish, using produce when it is at its peak and making full use of the wealth of local suppliers.

The last Thursday of every month is their Supper Club, costing £25 for four courses with an optional wine flight. These dinners feature the best of seasonal ingredients and local The George has a great reputation for its seasonal cuisine

produce to create a sumptuous four course supper. Next up on 29 March is ‘Spring has Sprung’, offering the best of British spring produce. The events are very popular so booking ahead is advisable - reserve your spot by calling 01225 865650.

• thegeorgebradfordonavon.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)

Order Now for the Easter Weekend!

HOME & LOCALLY REARED FRESH MEAT, POULTRY & GAME HOMEMADE SAUSAGES, BURGERS & FAGGOTS Easter Orders Now Being Taken

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

We’re open from 9.30am for coffee and breakfasts

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

MOTHER’S DAY

THURSDAY SUPPER CLUB

Sunday 11th March Enjoy a special lunch menu plus there’ll be a gift for all the ladies.

FINAL SPOTS REMAINING!!

29th March ‘Spring Has Sprung’ 4 courses £25 feat. new season lamb 26th April ‘It’s All About The Fish’ 4 courses £25 feat. South West fish

01225 865650 | 67 Woolley St, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1AQ | thegeorgebradfordonavon.co.uk

THE

Farmhouse INN

Frome Rd, Southwick Nr Trowbridge BA14 9QD

The Farmhouse Inn is a beautiful 17th century pub offering a wide variety of good home-cooked food, as well as superb real ales and fine wines.

Take our Google Map tour today!

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 Every Wednesday, lunch and evening enjoy 2 Main Course fish & chips for only £18.95!

Available Monday to Thursday until 31/03/18.

175ml glass of house wine or your choice of lager or beer

*

Tel

01225 764366

email: the.farmhouse@btconnect.com www.farmhousesouthwick.co.uk

The Red Lion

W O O L V E R T O N

BEERS, BEERS, BEERS!

If you can’t decide which great Wadworth beer to drink, we offer 3rd of a pint tasting.

Bar Open

Sign up to our mailing list and get £5 off your food bill when you spend £20! Details on our website.

Homecooked food served every lunchtime & evening. We also offer a dedicated gluten free menu.

Enjoy great Wadworth beers – unsure what you like? We offer a third of a pint taster.

Traditional Sunday roast with a choice of meats for only £10.95

Tel 01380 828230 www.bargeinnseend.co.uk

“An ideal stop off on the A36 between Warminster & Bath”

Mon - Sat 11am - 11pm Sun 11am - 10:30pm Food Served Every Day 12noon - 5pm & 6pm - 9pm PLUS Fri-Sun BBQ 12noon - 8pm

Seend Cleeve, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6QB

A

PUB

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

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NEWLY REFURBISHED!

FREE Glass of Wine or Pint with Every Steak Meal!

| 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...

A

s I always mention in this edition, thank goodness January and February are out of the way as far as crops are concerned. With all the wet weather we have had there is no way the growers will be planting like normal.

One of our growers that gets over this problem is our micro herb grower Teeny Greeny, who grows young shoots and salad leaves under cover with supplementary lighting.

If you have an allotment or space in your garden put aside for vegetables now is the time to think about what to sow e.g. peas, carrots, beetroot, parsnips, broad beans and leeks.

Don’t rush because the soil needs to get to 40°F or around 5°C. You can buy a soil thermometer from good garden centres.

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On the local vegetable front there are leeks, purple sprouting, parsnips, kale, beetroot and swede too look out for this month in your local farm shops and greengrocers.

Our sister company, Lovejoys Larder, is following with our strong ethos of procuring and selling local produce to our restaurants and hotels. If you are out dining locally be sure to ask where the produce used in your meal has come from - you will find good chefs try to use seasonal items as they are then supporting local growers, reducing their food miles and getting the best tasting ingredients! The Larder has secured a wonderful ice cream from Lacock Dairy and an amazing artisan Gelato (like ice cream) from a passionate producer in

Cirencester. The Larder also stocks quinoa from the local BathFarmGirls, Bath Harvest Rapeseed oil and the New Macdonald Farm coloured eggs from near Bath. If you are a local producer and would like to speak to us about supplying your wares be sure to get in touch!

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

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.

Serving food every day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and open all day for tea, coffee and delicious homemade biscuits & pastries‌ Tel: 01249 717060

2 High Street, Corsham SN13 0HB

themethuenarms.com

| recipes

Honesty Diet Goodness

This month’s recipes are from LISA RILEY’S new book, HONESTY DIET, in which she lets us in on the secrets behind her incredible 12-stone weight loss.

Thai Courgette & Carrot Salad

Serves 2

Method Mix all the dressing ingredients in a non-metallic bowl or jug.

Pop into the microwave and heat on full power for 30 seconds.

Remove stir and replace for a further 30 seconds. Set aside to cool down.

For the Dressing 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter 1 tsp lazy garlic 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp clear honey 1 tsp sesame honey 1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil

Using a vegetable peeler, create ribbons of carrot and courgette and place into a large bowl. Add the red peppers, chilli and onions.

Season with salt and pepper and toss well. Add half of the dressing and toss to coat everything.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Serve the salad in bowls with the remaining dressing on the side.

✃

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Ingredients 2 carrots 2 courgettes (green or yellow) 1 red pepper, thinly sliced Half a red chilli, thinly sliced 2 spring onions, sliced diagonally Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Quinoa & Halloumi Salad

recipes |

Serves 2

Ingredients 120g Quinoa 6 slices of Halloumi cheese 3 spring onions, thinly sliced into rounds 8 cherry tomatoes, halved 1 red pepper, diced into 1cm chunks 10g fresh coriander chopped Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper Extra coriander leaves, to garnish For dressing 1 tbsp olive oil Juice of 1 lemon, freshly squeezed 1 tsp clear honey Method Start by cooking the quinoa according to the packet instructions.

Once cooked, drain and transfer to a mixing bowl, set aside.

Cook the Halloumi slices under the grill for 4-5 minutes on each side until the cheese is slightly charred.

Make the dressing in a small bowl by whisking the oil, lemon juice and honey together, season to taste. Add the onions, tomatoes, red peppers and coriander to the quinoa. Add the dressing and combine well. Check the seasoning and add more if needed.

Divide the quinoa mix between two shallow bowls or plates. Place the Halloumi slices on top of the quinoa and garnish with some extra coriander.

✃

Lisa Riley’s Honesty Diet is available now, published by Michael Joseph, priced at £16.99 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

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| recipes

Skinny Turkey Burger with Celeriac Chips Serves 4

Method Preheat the oven to 230° C. Mix all

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the burger ingredients, except for the olive oil, together in a large bowl.

Divide the mixture into four equal amounts and shape into burgers. Put them on a plate, cover and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

curry powder and sea salt, and coat the chips well.

Spread the chips on to a large baking tray, leaving space between them. Cook in the oven for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and Peel the celeriac by slicing off the top cooked through. and bottom and using a sharp knife to remove the tough skin. Cut into Remove the burgers from the fat chips. Blanch the chips by boiling fridge and brush with the olive oil. them, uncovered, for 2 minutes.

Place under a preheated grill and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side.

Drain the chips and then place them Dress your burger with the lettuce, back in the saucepan. Add the oil, tomato and onion.

✃

Ingredients 250g minced turkey 3 spring onions, finely chopped 1 tsp lazy garlic 2 sundried tomatoes, finely chopped 1 tbsp fresh flat-leafed parsley, finely chopped 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped 1 teaspoon olive oil, for grilling 4 Lettuce leaves and slices of tomato and onion, for topping

✃

| food & drink

Meet the Chef This month we caught up with JETHRO LAWRENCE, Head Chef at Woolley Grange Hotel, to talk Masterchef: The Professionals, cooking for Simon Rogan, and barbecuing all year round!

What was your first job in catering?

I started at 16 after being inspired by my school work experience placement as an ‘eager to learn’ apprentice in a hotel in West Wales.

Whilst most of my peers were out socialising I was working 70 hrs plus weeks for £70 a week. But that did not put me off and I was driven to learn and work my way up the ladder.

Where have you worked previously?

Most recently in the Lake District as sous chef and acting head chef for Simon Rogan at Rogan & Co., a 3 rosette restaurant in Cartmel and sister restaurant to 2 Michelin star L’enclume.

It was a phenomenal experience; I got to work with some of the top chefs around. Simon’s ethos regarding innovative cooking, foraging and his amazing farm has set the bar so high for other restaurants, it is so refreshing.

Previous to that I had head chef roles at Bristol’s The Muset and Cowshed restaurants.

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Do you have any favourite local suppliers?

We have some great suppliers in the South West, but my favourite is on our doorstep; our walled garden. It is amazing to see your ingredients growing and for guests to be able to walk around and see the vegetables that hours later could be on their plates. We plan in winter what is going to be produced for the spring and summer and we’re also looking at introducing more animals; I have my eyes on some rare breed Mangalitza pigs. It’s all very exciting.

competed against each other! It was tougher than I thought it’d be. It’s a genuinely good but hard competition.

I reached the quarter finals. I like to push myself as much as I can; cooking for the judges then the critics in the later rounds was a great experience.

What is your favourite dish on the current menu?

I have two. A starter with venison tartare, charcoal oil, some different purees representing what would traditionally be in a tartare and peppery nasturtiums. It’s served in a jar filled with smoke to create a bit of theatre. The other is a main course of lemon sole, brown shrimp, sea vegetables, borage, lovage and a whey and caviar sauce. It’s so delicate.

When you cook for friends, what’s on the menu?

It’s nearly always low and slow, BBQ and slow cooker all year round. I think I did a 14 hour brisket last time.

What is the most memorable event you have cooked for?

Masterchef: the Professionals 2014.

My partner and I are both chefs and Jethro’s favourite lemon sole dish

Which local pubs and restaurants do you like visiting?

With a newborn and a toddler at home we’ve not done much exploring recently but a few to mention would be Gidleigh Park, Talbot Inn, Grillstock, Poco, Casamia and The Pony & Trap.

What techniques are you experimenting with at the moment?

I’ve fairly recently learnt about fermenting food, it’s something that really excites me. It’s so simple but transforms raw state ingredients above and beyond. If you ferment radishes, they take on an amazing lightly pickled strawberry taste, It’s amazing! Fermenting is a great way to deal with gluts in the garden and has great health benefits too.

And your guilty pleasure?

I love a good burger!

To make a reservation at Woolley Grange restaurant call 01225 864705.

Woolley Grange Hotel, Woolley Green, Bradford on Avon BA15 1TX • woolleygrangehotel.co.uk

THE

WESTBROOK

Bromham, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2EE

tel 01380 850418

www.westbrookbromham.co.uk

FOOD SERVED ALL DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK COME AND TRY OUR GREAT VALUE LUNCH MENU AVAILABLE MONDAY-FRIDAY 12-5PM. 2 COURSES JUST £13!

Kevin & Louise invite you to visit the beautifully refurbished Westbrook. It offers an inviting bar, a beautiful sun deck, garden and a new children’s play area. The menu is bursting with superb value traditional pub classics and top notch specials.

• FULLY REFURBISHED • FRESHLY COOKED FOOD • DAILY SPECIALS • FAMILY FRIENDLY • LARGE GARDEN • CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA • REAL ALES • CAR PARK

NEW LOOK , NEW MENU, NEW WESTBROOK!

Enjoy The Great Atmosphere At

The Organ Inn After a long day what could be better than a warm welcome, a convivial atmosphere & a glass of something you fancy?

REAL ALES & CIDERS (Find us in The Good Beer Guide)

4 ever changing real ale pumps, ciders and perrys on draught plus lots of bottled options showcasing the best of local and national independent breweries.

Plus quality wines, lagers and spirits & traditional bar games.

Tel: 01985 211777 | OVER 21s | www.theorganinn.co.uk 49 high st, warminster, wiltshire ba12 9aq (just a 5 minute walk from the railway station) OPEN 4pm-12midnight monday to friday, 12noon-12midnight saturday, 4pm-11pm sunday

| food & drink

Chalford House Hotel This family run hotel in Westbury has recently employed a new restaurant team and added a beautiful conservatory to cater for dining and events.

Ashley and Rachael have run Chalford House for five years

range of 28 day aged steaks and grills and their traditional Sunday roasts.

If you are looking for somewhere for friends, family or colleagues to stay, the rooms at the Chalford have all been recently refurbished and are individually styled. All rooms are ensuite - with some offering a wet room - and there’s also a purposely built disabled room. Free WiFi, flat screen televisions and free parking also are provided.

C

halford House Hotel is a 20 bedroom hotel and restaurant in Westbury, owned and run by Ashley and Rachael. The couple have been hoteliers in the town for the past 30 years, previously having run both The Garden House and Westbury Hotel. They are now celebrating five years at Chalford House.

The hotel has recently extended its dining and function capabilities with the addition of a beauftiful conservatory seating an additional 25 people which enables the hotel to cater for parties, conferences and weddings for up to 80 .It offers stunning views across the countyside. Food is served daily from 12 to 2pm and 6 to 9pm in both the restaurant and bistro.

The bistro offers a more relaxed dining environment and is also dog friendly with a roaring open fire on cold days.

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Ashley and Rachael have recently brought in a new restaurant team, led by experienced head chef, Grant Harris. Grant has created menus that combine exciting innovative new dishes as well as traditional classics using the finest, seasonal Wiltshire produce. Grant says, “We aim to home-produce as much as possible

“Grant has created menus that combine exciting innovative new dishes as well as traditional classics using the finest, seasonal Wiltshire produce.” for the best quality and to reduce food miles. Our cakes, breads, soups, sauces and accompaniments are all produced in our kitchen, using herbs and vegetables grown in our gardens when in season.” Particular highlights to look out for are the

The family are proud to be custodians of Westbury’s only hotel and have a long history of serving the community and local businesses. Call 01373 822 753 to make a reservation or to book an event or special occasion and they will be more than happy to discuss your requirements.

• chalfordhousehotel.co.uk

THE THREE

HORSESHOES

From leather jackets to suits, work boots to shiny shoes and mohicans to combovers, you’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

Quality food freshly prepared for you

PRIX FIXE LUNCH MENU Available Monday to Saturday

from only £9.50 Serving food 7 days a week

Mon to Sat 12-2.30pm & 6-9pm, Sun 12-5pm 99 The Strand, Semington, Trowbridge BA14 6LL t 01380 870263 | e restaurant@lambonthestrand.co.uk

www.thelambonthestrand.co.uk

Chalford House Hotel

A FAMILY RUN HOTEL, RESTAURANT & BAR IN WESTBURY OPEN LUNCHTIMES & EVENINGS, OUR RESTAURANT, BISTRO & CONSERVATORY OFFERS A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL EVENTS, CATERING FOR UP TO 80 PEOPLE. • CONFERENCE FACILITIES AVAILABLE • LUNCHTIME & EVENING MENUS • DAILY SPECIALS • TRADITIONAL SUNDAY ROASTS • DOGS WELCOME 114 Warminster Rd, Westbury, BA13 3PR | 01373 822753 reception@chalfordhousehotel.co.uk | www.chalfordhousehotel.co.uk

activities |

ALL

ABOARD

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EASTER BREAK WITH THESE GREAT ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES.

The SS Great Britain has a new Being Brunel museum

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| activities

ACTIVE TROWBRIDGE

TROWBRIDGE If you are struggling for childcare across the school holidays then Active Trowbridge can definitely help! They have a choice of themed holiday clubs that can cater for your child, whatever their interests.

With Fun Days, Soccer School and the dance-based Camp Fusion, the camps are designed to be fun, entertaining and great for developing skills and confidence.

From just £13 per day, they are also tremendous value for money.

Contact 01225 765072 or see the website to find out more or to book. activetrowbridge.co.uk

Active Trowbridge Fun Days are great value

BEING BRUNEL

BRISTOL Set alongside Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the new Being Brunel museum will celebrate the life and legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, revealing fascinating insights into his life as well as his engineering achievements. On display will be more than 150 objects, many of which have never been seen before by the public. The museum will also include vivid recreations of three historic spaces; step back in time to Brunel’s London office in 1840 or take your place at his dining room table and choose which dinner guests the engineer should invite to secure investment.

The museum will feature many more interactives for all ages, including a shaking 1830s railway carriage and a chance to step inside the mind of the iconic engineer, with sights, sounds and even smells to help tell his amazing story. To complete your visit, step in front of a replica of the huge chains that launched the SS Great Eastern and recreate the most famous photo of Brunel for yourself! ssgreatbritain.org

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BOWOOD

CALNE Four days of Easter-packed fun, masses of open space and fresh air awaits you at Bowood House & Gardens. Explore the beautiful grounds with the Spring Trail… taking you through the Arboretum, down to and around the lake and back to the historic House, look among the endless daffodils and winding paths, you may just see the Easter bunny! A hop, skip and a jump away is Tractor Ted’s Little Farm where children can meet friendly farm animals, see chicks hatching and watch Tractor Ted’s real action films. Outside, there is

“Four days of Easterpacked fun, masses of open space and fresh air awaits you at Bowood House & Gardens.“

outdoor play equipment including a mini tractor track and diggers in the little digger den, all conveniently located near the Treehouse Café.

Bounce over to the Adventure Playground, aimed at children up to the age of 12, it features a Pirate Galleon, aerial walkways, several thrilling slides, a huge scramble

Bowood’s adventure playground

ENIGMA SCHOOL OF POTTERY EASTER WORKSHOPS

Classes take place on 28th, 29th & 31st March, 10am-12noon Make and decorate an Easter model or coil pot in clay OR choose from a range of ready-made ceramics to paint your own (£25 including all materials) 15 Vicarage Street, Frome BA11 1PX

Tel 07791 699770

Find details on www.enigmapottery.co.uk

TFI

| activities net and perhaps the most famous and popular of all, the death slide with an exhilarating 19ft vertical drop! Children will be entertained for hours! Normal House & Gardens admission applies. bowood.org

kids during the school break. Gift vouchers, starting at just £36, open dated and valid for 18 months make great gifts too. For more details see the website or call their team on 01249 783010. drivetechltd.co.uk

CASTLE COMBE CIRCUIT

ENIGMA POTTERY

CASTLE COMBE The Castle Combe circuit’s season opening ‘Howard’s Day’ race meeting on Easter Monday, April 2, sees Castle Combe’s home grown championships return. In addition, following the huge success of the Castle Come Hot Hatch Challenge last year, it makes a welcome return for 2018.

Further highlights include the 750 Motor Club Locost, 750 Motor Club Formula Vee and the BMW Car Club who are competing in their first ever race! The action starts at 8.30am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 12.25pm. Admission prices are £15 for Adults and £10 for OAPs, whilst accompanied children under 16 are admitted free. ‘Paddock Transfer’ is free if the tickets are purchased in advance. For more information, visit the website. castlecombecircuit.co.uk

FROME Jenny Barton opened Enigma Pottery Studio and Gallery in Frome in 2001. The studio is situated at the bottom of a picturesque walled garden in Vicarage Street. As well as creating beautiful tableware, tiles, occasion tiles and commissions, Enigma also offers ongoing classes and popular one-off workshops.

For instance, over Easter they are running three classes (on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday from 10am to 4pm) where you can make and decorate an Easter model or pot in clay (£10

DRIVE-TECH

CASTLE COMBE Drive-Tech Ltd are Skid Control, Karting and 4x4 Off Road experts.

Based at Castle Combe Circuit their ultimate driving experiences will help you build individual skills, increase your confidence, improve your personal safety, raise your awareness and provide white knuckle tension, all at the same time!

Any motorsport fan would love pushing their driving skills to new limits and there are options for everyone aged 10 and over – perfect for entertaining the

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Haynes’ Easter Egg Hunt

“As well as creating beautiful tableware, tiles, occasion tiles and commissions, Enigma also offers ongoing classes and popular one-off workshops.” including firings) or choose from a range of ready-made ceramics to paint your own. Find out more on the website or call for details or to book on 07791 699770. enigmapottery.co.uk

HAYNES MOTOR MUSEUM SPARKFORD, YEOVIL The Haynes International Motor Museum is always a great place for the whole family and enthusiasts alike to visit and between Saturday 24 March and Sunday 8 April they are offering an Easter Trail with springtime bunnies around the

Minutes from the A303. Post code: BA22 7LH

MARCH MADNESS

Packed with Events & Activities Buy Tickets Online: himm.co.uk

| activities

Hidden Woods host holiday camps based around bushcrafts and outdoor activities

whole Museum with a reward at the end, and from Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April there is the now famous Motorland Easter Egg Hunt with Bentley Bunny, which runs in the morning and afternoon.

All these events and activities are offered at no extra cost over the normal admission price. South West Karting at Haynes have the go-kart circuit set up and especially for over the Easter holidays. Mums and dads can watch or have a go too. See the website for further details and Ts & Cs. himm.co.uk

HIDDEN WOODS

FARLEIGH WOODS, NR FARLEIGH HUNGERFORD Based in 80 acres of ancient woodland on the Wiltshire/ Somerset border, Hidden Woods offers an exciting range of outdoor activities. It’s the perfect place to connect with nature in a fun, adventurous and quite magical way.

Their Easter holiday clubs run from 26 to 29 March and 3 to 5 April and

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are suitable for children aged 5 and over. The activities follow the forest school ethos of facilitating child-led learning and discovery and which activities they get stuck into will be largely determined by the group, the weather and other factors on the day, but the usual adventures

“Hidden Woods is the perfect place to connect with nature in a fun, adventurous and quite magical way.”

include bushcraft, environmental art, woodland crafts and games and campfire cooking. The club costs £35 per day. To find out more or book your adventure visit the website or call 01373 823832. hiddenwoods.co.uk

HOPE NATURE CENTRE

SOUTHWICK, NR TROWBRIDGE Hope Nature Centre is a great place to take the family during the holidays. Open 7 days a week, it’s unbelievable value: costing just £3.50 per adult, £2.50 per child or a family Hope Nature Centre is great value and has an Easter trail

FUN ART CLASSES FOR CREATIVE KIDS!

• Weekend & holiday classes & workshops • Qualified art teacher • Small class sizes • Ages 4-7 & 8-11 • Based in Trowbridge Call/text Lise Macdermott on 07505 621858 to view her home studio or to find out more

pocketpicassos.co.uk

| activities ticket (£9) gains entry for two adults and two children.

There’s Rabbit Village to explore as you enter the park and the route round, which is wheelchair accessible, introduces you to goats, sheep, Shetland ponies, donkeys, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, emus and alpacas. You can buy bags of food to give the animals too. En route there are other things to keep little ones amused should they need it, including trampolines, playhouses, climbing frames, and a recently refurbished miniature golf course.

Better still, over Easter there is an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids.

It’s great fun, allowing kids to work off some of their inexhaustible energies whilst grown ups wander round the park and admire the scenery. After your animal park adventures you may wish to stop off at the popular Squirrels Tea Room, a country style log cabin that serves hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes, freshly cooked lunches and, if the weather demands it, ice creams! hopenaturecentre.org.uk

HUBNUB CENTRE FROME

The HUBnub Centre is a unique space for the community to enjoy, set in a beautifully renovated former church.

Inside you’ll find a contemporary gallery showcasing artists’ work curated locally and from afar. The gallery surrounds the ever-popular Rye Bakery cafe where you can enjoy a delicious pizza or pastry with a coffee whilst your children enjoy the play area. During the Easter holidays they have lots of great events for families to enjoy including “Music for Miniatures’ on Saturday 24 March and ‘The Three Billy Pigs’ by puppeteers Noisy Oyster on Saturday 31 March. All events and classes can be found on the website or join them on Facebook.

hubnubcentre.com

POCKET PICASSOS

TROWBRIDGE Pocket Picassos is for children who love art and want to expand their knowledge and skill in a fun and friendly environment. Run by art teacher and artist Lise MacDermott (BA PGCE MA) children learn to make art in lots of different mediums including painting, drawing, collage and sculpture, with classes themed HOLBURNE MUSEUM to cover different artists, styles BATH and movements; from graffiti to Sunday 25 March is Holburne photorealism; the Renaissance to Museum’s Easter Eggstravaganza (from 12-4pm)! Whatever the weather, the Postmodern. At a maximum of 5 be transported to sunnier climes Explore the K&A canal with with fun activities inspired by the Towpath Trail museum’s latest exhibition covering the work of Anthony Fry. Decorate an Easter egg inspired by traditional Indian patterns. You might also want to consider their Holiday Art Camps for 5-11 year olds. Run from 26 - 29 March and 3 - 6 April from 9am-4pm, the camps are packed full of fun with creative activities inspired by the Museum’s collection and exhibitions. The camps cost £38 per day with a £15 discount for booking 4 consecutive days. holburne.org

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Pocket Picassos is perfect for children who love art

children per class, a child’s individual thoughts and ideas can be explored and made.

A 5 week term time course runs for 2 hours on Saturdays; with separate groups for 4-7 and 8-11 year olds; they cost £40 for a 5 week block of two hour sessions. Over Easter the 3 day holiday club runs from 10am-1pm and costs just £30 for the course. It runs from 3-5 April for 4-7 year olds and from 10-12 April for 8-11 year olds. Call/ text Lise on 07505 621858 to discuss or arrange a visit. pocketpicassos.co.uk

EASTER BUNNY 30th March 15th April

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| activities

MILL ON THE BRUE

Mill on the Brue offer residential and day summer camps

ROVES FARM

SHRIVENHAM, NR SWINDON Spring is wonderful time of year to get out into the countryside and visit a working farm. Over 400 spring lambs will be have recently been born at the farm and you’ll find them skipping around the fields and barn!

The ever-popular Roves Farm Easter Bunny will be back to his old tricks from 30 March to 15 April. Hop on a family-friendly tractor ride around the farm to be entertained by this mischievous bunny! Plus enjoy a full day of indoor and outdoor

“The ever-popular Roves Farm Easter Bunny will be back to his old tricks from 30 March to 15 April.“ activities including egg collecting, meeting and feeding the animals in Pets’ Corner and making fluffy Easter chicks. Kids can also let off steam in the indoor and outdoor play areas. rovesfarm.co.uk

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TOWPATH TRAIL

BRADFORD ON AVON The Kennet & Avon Canal towpath offers traffic free and easy cycling for all the family. Stretching from Bristol to Reading, through and along hills and valleys, the cities and towns along the way offer an interesting backdrop to the wonderful country path.

Towpath Trail is the original bike and canoe hire on the canal. Operating from Frome Road in Bradford on Avon, their bikes are in good condition – all less than 6 months old – and are ideal if you and the family want to head off to Bath (10 miles) or Devizes (12 miles), home to the famous Caen Hill lock flight.

There are also child trailers, trailer bikes and child seats for hire should you need them. Alternatively, you might want to take to the water in a canoe. Their canoes are very safe and easy to use and can be paddled solo, or can accommodate mum, dad and two children, the choice is yours! towpathtrail.co.uk

BRUTON, SOMERSET Summer holidays should always be fun and are a great time to make new friends, discover more about yourself and achieve something different. For six weeks kids have no rigid timetable, a sense of freedom, independence, long days, laughter, exploration and hopefully even a bit of sun!

This is where Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre based in Bruton, Somerset, fits the bill. Not only are there loads of exciting and challenging activities and tasks to try, including two huge zip wires, a daring high rope and canoeing down the River Brue, there’s the chance to make great friends, and enjoy some delicious food too. The whole programme breathtakingly brilliant!

You can come for a day Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm in the summer holidays from 23 July, or opt for a one or two week residential summer camp beginning on 8 July. All details are on the website or ring 01749 812307 or email info@ millonthebrue.co.uk to learn more. millonthebrue.co.uk

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| competition

Win a Family Season Ticket to Bowood HOuse & GARDENS! The new season at Bowood House & Gardens begins on 28 March

B

owood House & Gardens is the perfect place for a family visit, and it opens to the public for its 43rd year on Wednesday 28 March! Over Easter be sure to visit the Easter Eggstravaganza, which runs from Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April, 11am to 5pm. Help name any newly born chicks, or find the hidden golden eggs, explore the beautiful grounds - you may just see the Easter bunny! At Tractor Ted’s Little Farm you’ll find lambs and piglets, with petting times throughout the day.

And if your little ones still need to let off steam the exhilarating adventure

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playground and soft play areas should do the trick!

COMPETITION TIME! Bowood House & Gardens have been kind enough to offer us a fantastic prize for one of our readers to win - a family season ticket worth £169! With a family season ticket you can visit as many times as you like during the 2018 season, which runs from 28 March until 4 November inclusive.

Admitting 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children, they are a great value way of making the most out of one of our best local attractions. As well as the main prize, we also have two family day tickets, each worth £38.25, to giveaway. A day ticket allows entry during the 2018 season to Bowood House and Gardens, the beautiful grounds, the Adventure Playground, the Soft Play

Palace and Tractor Ted’s Little Farm at Bowood, on the day you have selected to visit.

For your chance to enter all you have to do is email your answer to this simple question to comp@wired-publishing.co.uk, remembering to include your name and contact details.

BOWOOD HAS BEEN OPENING TO THE PUBLIC FOR HOW MANY YEARS? Email your answer now. Good luck!

T&C Closing date for entries is 25.03.18. Entrants must be over 18. The winning entry will drawn at random from the entries received. Prizes are as stated and are non transferable. No cash alternative will be offered. We add entrants to our mailing list and may pass on details to Bowood so they can get in touch with you with exclusive offers. If you would prefer your details not to be used please state NO INFO on your entry. Day and season tickets are valid for House & Garden entry but do not allow entry into third party events.

| travel

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Pula’s main attraction is a stunning 1st Century Roman amphitheatre

travel |

CHARMED BY CROATIA This month KATIE THOMSON soaks up the ancient culture and stunning natural landscapes of Croatia.

C

roatia captures something in the heart - it is at once both beautiful and so ramshackled - the coastline undulates and twinkles, great bays of deep blue level off to form pools of emerald, teal and aquamarine, punctuated by rocky outcrops and rugged terrain. The coastal towns are filled with rows of bleached houses with terracotta roofs, sunbaked and dilapidated, the slow pace of life articulated by the gentle bump of fishing boats in stony bays. Hikes uncover swathes of wildflowers that offer a delicacy at odds with the rugged terrain whilst the towns bear the marks of its complex history.

As a part of my undergraduate degree, I was lucky enough to spend three months studying in Venice. As well as learning about the Italian masters, much of the course comprised of Venice as a political powerhouse, its influence stretching over vast regions and other countries around it. The appeal of discovering what lay on the other side of the Adriatic never left me, and so it was with great excitement I embarked on a trip to Croatia to engross myself in the food, culture

attraction is the astonishing 1st century Roman amphitheatre, foreboding and beautiful, the crowning glory of the cityscape. The Croatia itself has seen seismic Romans recognised Pula’s important shifts over its history, and this is strategic position, and the relative especially true of Pula, our first similarities of its terrain and climate, stop. The Romans are certainly not least to create wonderful wine responsible for the most prolific and famous Istrian olive oil. As period of building in the city, well as exploring the arena (you including beautiful arches said to can scrabble around the rocks and have inspired Michelangelo. The imaging what it might have been city’s history unfolds around you like to be a spectator here 2,000 and the bricolage of architectural years ago), the site has an excellent styles is worth exploration on foot exhibition on this history, including - we then rewarded ourselves with lunch in the forum square, complete the olive oil trade. with classic Istrian ham and truffle As alluring as the city is, we wanted pasta - made all the better by the to stay on Istria’s world-famous surroundings. coastline, so the base for the first four nights of our trip was the Alongside some truly lovely Park Plaza Arena Hotel, a modern architectural gems, Pula’s primary and the dramatic scenery I’d heard so much about.

Park Plaza Arena Hotel

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| travel hotel perfectly located as a base to explore Pula. Ideal for families, the hotel is only 5 minutes’ walk from one of the area’s premier attractions - a fantastic aquarium and turtle rescue centre.

platters loaded with seafood, hearty pasta like Fuži and needle macaroni, delectable filled pastry štrukli, grilled meats on skewers and fresh vibrant salads of shredded vegetables utterly delicious.

After a few days relaxing, we were ready to explore Croatia’s famous national parks. Although this is a country with deliriously beautiful coastlines, it was the freshwater that was calling. We set out toward Krka National Park, significantly smaller than its more famous sister Plitviče Lakes, but with the added bonus of being able to swim in the aquamarine waters. We hired a car, but the drive was still a long one - touching five hours. It does take you through some truly special viewpoints though and is certainly worth the journey - take the full day to do it and explore at leisure.

Highlights of the road trip include visiting the ‘world’s smallest town’ of Hum (the last 2015 census lists 21 inhabitants) with its mountaintop church and Opatija, a stunning coastal town that looked like it could slot easily into the Côte d’Azur - complete with pastel buildings, sea water bathing pools and a caféstrewn promenade.

From Krka we ventured on to the Plitviče Lakes - perhaps a misleading name as the real draw here is the incredible network of waterfalls.

As beautiful as Krka park is, by far the most astounding sights were within Plitviče and its 90-plus waterfalls, lakes and pools. It teems with life, with shimmering carp and ephemeral dragonflies, the gentle hum of frogs and the calls of birds fighting to be heard above the roar of the waterfalls.

The thing we really appreciated on every venture into a new town was the amazing food and generous hospitality of our hosts - from cafés to roadside taverns, the dishes were consistently delicious, fresh and home-cooked. Meals are often accompanied by cries of “jedi, jedi” - “eat, eat” - sharing food and drink plays a big part in the culture, which speaks both to the nature of Croatian hospitality and to the quality of local produce. Its history of occupation is spelled out from these dishes and the cuisine changes with the districts - fresh

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During the final drive along the coast, I began to say goodbye to these glorious shores, having fallen in love with Croatia in only a week. Something about this country touched a deep nerve - it

has so much to offer - breathtaking landscapes, great natural swimming, glorious sunshine, bountiful history, interesting architecture, incredible wine, delicious seafood...I could go on, but instead I’ll just implore you to see it for yourself.

TRAVELLER’S TIPS The local currency is the Kuna (HRK) but many hotels also accept payment in Euros.

Many airlines fly directly to Pula - we flew from Bristol with Easyjet, with prices from around £220 return per person when flying in mid June.

If you can then hire a car - it gives you greater flexibility to explore. If you are going to stay in the Park Plaza Arena for your full trip though there is little need as it is has good transport links.

• visit-croatia.co.uk

“Croatia has so much to offer - breathtaking landscapes, great natural swimming, glorious sunshine, bountiful history, interesting architecture, incredible wine, delicious seafood...I could go on” Plitviče Lakes are an astonishing sight

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| travel

Holidays & Cruises Before you book your next city break, excursion or summer holiday be sure to speak to the experts at Holidays & Cruises in Bradford on Avon.

“Convenient and local pick up points throughout the region mean the Travel Club really is on your doorstep.

Members can relax knowing they do not have to worry about organising anything and the Travel Club motto ‘It’s not just the journey or the destination, it’s who you are travelling with’ says it all.

H

olidays and Cruises is an independent agency based in Bradford on Avon. They are real industry experts and can help organise anything from a city break on a budget to a luxury long haul holiday or honeymoon. They are backed by Freedom Travel Group, a Thomas Cook consortia, and are members of ABTA, the UK’s largest travel association.

Co-founder and joint director Sherina Hale, who runs the business with her partner Steve Plummer, says, “Our independent status means we can present a broader selection of operators and types of getaways.

We cater for all styles of holiday from standard packages to tailored arrangements. We build holidays to match the collective interests of friend and family groups, and with years of experience in the industry we can help with those little touches that will ensure your holiday feels extra special. One of our unique features is our ‘home collect’ service to Bristol and Heathrow airports and to cruise terminals at Avonmouth

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and Southampton. We offer them as a courtesy when booking with us, subject to terms and availability.

“Whilst we enjoy our successful status as a high street independent travel agent, our business model also includes a specialist group division for private coach holidays for clubs and societies and group cruising, plus our hugely popular escorted coach day trip and touring programme, with pick ups from Bradford on Avon, Holt, Melksham, Corsham, Calne, Chippenham, Devizes, Warminster, Westbury and Trowbridge.

TRAVEL CLUB Holidays & Cruises offer customers the chance to enjoy travel by coach, rail and cruise with their ever popular Travel Club. Steve Plummer explains, “The Travel Club gives members the opportunity to visit exciting locations and interesting places around the UK and Europe and is the perfect club for people who enjoy seeing new things and spending time with friends without having to worry about the travel logistics.

“Membership of the Travel Club costs just £10 a year per household and offers a range of benefits including monthly mailings and updates and discounts on advertised prices across all holidays and days out. And if you aren’t a member but you see an excursion or holiday you like the look of, don’t worry you are still more than welcome to join us!”

Contact Sherina for you personal travel arrangements on 01225 875725 (opt 1) or the Travel Club on 01225 865725 (option 3). You can also visit www.travelclub.coach or pop into their travel office at 32 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon.

• holidaysandcruisesforyou.com Sherina Hale

| gardens

Downside celebrates 50 years of growing great plants Downside Nurseries has an enviable reputation as a nursery for true garden lovers, and this year it reaches a landmark anniversary.

Helleborus Argutifolius

contact page of the website and it is signposted from the B3109.

If you haven’t visited before, you’ll probably be surprised that there are more than 2000 varieties and sizes of plants and trees listed, giving a huge selection. Take a look at the 360°online tour on their website to give you a flavour.

Plants always make a wonderful longlasting gift so why not pop in and pick up the perfect present for Mothering Sunday or Easter, a birthday or anniversary? Choose from herbaceous perennials, ornamental or fruit trees, shrubs, seasonal bedding, topiary and vegetables that will thrive in your garden.

Plants account for nearly 100% of all sales so you can be sure of

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quality, choice and value for money.

Whether you want to plant up a completely new garden, a border,

“Plants always make a wonderful longlasting gift so why not pop in and pick up the perfect present for Mothering Sunday?” or container for your patio, they’ll have just the right plants for you.

They’re open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. Directions are on the

Pulmonaria Blue Ensign

The nursery is perfectly situated to combine with a visit to the National Trust’s Westwood Manor and the stunning Peto Gardens at Iford Manor. For more information call 01225 862392 or take a look on the website, where you can also sign up for the latest news and updates from the nursery.

• downsidenurseries.co.uk

images © Christina Cornish

D

ownside is a traditional family-run retail, working nursery set in over three acres situated in Upper Westwood, between Bradford-on-Avon and Iford/Freshford. The Young family have been running Downside Nurseries since the beginning, and have earned an enviable reputation for being ‘The Gardener’s Nursery’.

And this year is extra special, as it marks the 50th anniversary of plant growing for the nursery.

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE HERE

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• 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

| gardens

A guide to great flower photography Get out in the garden and take some cracking snaps this spring with a little advice from FIONA TURNBULL at Lacock Photography… along a reflector or anything that can be used to shield your scene, and if it really is a losing battle, don’t be afraid to move the great outdoors inside! For indoor flower photography, have a go at using a monocoloured sheet as a backdrop, so as not to distract focus from your budding star!

A

fter a long and rainy winter, there’s no better way to celebrate the return of sunshine than grabbing your camera, getting outside and capturing some of nature’s finest work: flowers! So, this year, make sure your springtime shoots always turn out bloomin’ marvellously by following Fiona’s top tips for floral pics!

GET UP CLOSE & PERSONAL Photography is all about elevating the small things in life, and this idea is particularly relevant to flower photography, as much of a nature’s beauty can be found in the detail. Try getting some close-up shots of a single petal, leaf or bud; and for some added flower power, focus on droplets of water to make

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Focusing on droplets of water can make your image spring out

your image really spring out from the page!

GONE WITH THE WIND Although nature offers many photographic treasures, it also creates a few obstacles. When it comes to flower photography, wind is the enemy! You’d be surprised by how even the slightest breeze can impact your image! To conquer this natural nuisance, always bring

CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE To make your flower image stand out from the crowd, experiment with your point of view, and explore innovative angles: have a go at photographing from below your subject to unearth an interesting perspective. Also try focusing your shot through another flower; the second flower will transform into a colourful haze and createa wonderfully artistic feel to your botanical snap!

Online course booking and gift certificates are available for all courses on the website.

• lacockphotography.com

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| house & home

Build a better bathroom Active Plumbing Supplies specialises in supplying plumbing products for trade and retail customers, stocking anything to do with bathrooms and heating.

Find high quality suites from top manufacturers cheaper than you’ll get at the big name stores

outlets for superior quality products.

We also offer free local delivery. As part of the personal touch we provide we can point people in the direction of plumbers for certain jobs. We can recommend the best company to speak to depending on the demands of a particular job. You don’t get that from your big DIY warehouses.”

“The latest trends focus largely on integrated bathroom furniture; clean cabinets with simple knobs and handles ensure the space looks clean and tidy, with pipework kept out of sight.”

A

s well as supplying everything from showers, baths and sinks to radiators and toilets, Active Plumbing Supplies also offers advice to customers unsure about how they want to design their bathroom. They stock top brands including Tavistock, Heritage and Bristan, and have a huge choice of suites to choose from including traditional and contemporary designs - and all at competitive prices. The latest trends focus largely on integrated bathroom furniture; clean cabinets with simple knobs and

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handles ensure the space looks clean and tidy, with pipework kept out of sight. Furniture also has the benefit of providing much needed storage – especially useful if your smallest room is particularly cosy.

Manager Martyn Johnson said, “We are more than happy to help customers with any plumbing advice they need. The showroom helps gives people ideas for how they can transform their bathroom or cloakroom, all at prices that are far better than you’ll find from the bigger

Along with all these extra services, Active Plumbing Supplies can also help with the design of your new bathroom, and can produce 3D layouts of how your chosen suite might look in your space. To find out more pop into see them in the Riverway Industrial Estate in Trowbridge or call 01225 765000.

The showroom is open six days a week, Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 12noon.

• activeplumbingsupplies.co.uk

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| food & drink

Spring Cooking Demo Pop into Knees Home & Electrical in Trowbridge for a free Neff cooking demonstration on Saturday 17 March.

D

o you want to make your home cooking even better?

Are you thinking about a kitchen upgrade and considering Neff appliances? Or maybe you’re already a Neff convert and want to learn more about your appliances?

Visit Knees Spitfire store in their brand new kitchen studio as they welcome back Neff Home Economist Alison Haigh. Alison will be giving a masterclass on how to get the most out of some fantastic Neff appliances including induction hobs, combination steam ovens and Neff multifunction ovens. There will be lots of chances to ask Alison questions while sampling some of the delicious dishes. If you are updating your kitchen or simply a food lover looking to get the best from your Neff oven then this is an event not to be missed. Knees also offer a price match Promise

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so you can be sure you get a great deal if you are looking to buy a new appliance.

THERE WILL BE TWO SESSIONS: 11.00am – 12.30pm SET DEMONSTRATION Alison will be working her way through several recipes using the full range of Neff appliances.

Be there for the whole session to get maximum knowledge and inspiration.

1.00pm – 3.30pm WALK IN SESSION Turn up for whole or part of the demonstration. Comments from customers who were at Alison’s last demo at Knees: “I had a Neff oven installed last year as part of my new kitchen. Alison’s demonstration was so helpful and I feel that I now really use my new oven

to its full capacity – to be honest, I had no idea it could do so much.”

“Alison was a lot of fun, she has lots of energy and it was great to see a professional at work. I came away with loads of ideas.”

Join the next free demonstration at Knees Home and Electrical at Spitfire Retail Park in Trowbridge on Saturday 17 March, starting at 11am.

• knees.co.uk

| house & home

Picking the perfect carpet If you are looking at replacing your carpet it’s easy to get confused by the options available. With a little know how though getting the right one for your home should be simple.

W

hen it comes to picking carpet one of the main decisions is choosing whether to go for wool or man-made fibres. If you are struggling to pick between them it’s important you’re aware of the different carpet types and their benefits.

When times are tough and purse strings are tightened, it can be tempting to go for the least expensive flooring option but whilst this is tempting, the cheapest option might not last if it’s not the right type of carpet for the room. Brian Allsop, founder of Allsop Carpets & Flooring, has been working in the industry for 30 years. He says: “How a carpet looks and performs is dependent on the fibre content. It has a bearing on durability, appearance, feel, practicality and price. Where in the home it is used is important too, busier areas will naturally need a more durable flooring. Any good carpet retailer should be able to discuss the options with you and explain the benefits of one carpet over another.”

WOOL VS POLYPROPYLENE Wool is an excellent natural fibre that offers superb resilience to wear and general soiling. It is mainly used on its own in a pure 100% form for loop pile carpets or in 80% blends with nylon and polypropylene in cut pile to improve its wear properties.

If you’re looking to carpet the hall, stairs or landing opt for a hard wearing practical carpet - like a wool mix blend - that maintains its appearance. It pays dividends to spend slightly more for

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Cormar Carpets - Primo Excellence range

higher quality carpets in areas which get a lot of footfall and soiling.

either a wool mix or a heavier weight polypropylene.

Polypropylene is a great ‘family friendly’ fibre and ideal for children’s bedrooms or playrooms where sticky fingers and spills are common. Here, an easy to clean 100% polypropylene carpet, which is dirt and stain resistant and bleach cleanable is ideal.

Allsop Carpets has an extensive range of carpets and holds accounts with many of the UK’s leading Carpet manufacturers and wholesalers including Brintons, Cormar Carpets, Alternative Flooring, Axminster Carpets and more. Visit their showroom in Frome to find out more and to discuss your requirements or call 01373 463866.

Bedroom carpets do not receive such regular use, so carpets with more luxurious qualities can be used.

For living or dining rooms look for

• allsopcarpets.co.uk

Allsop Carpets & Flooring

• Carpets • Vinyl • Naturals • Wood Flooring

Cormar Carpets Avebury in Tidworth Stripe

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

Using British Manufacturers & Suppliers

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| legal & financial

Will 2018 bring a solution to the frightening cost of elderly care?

We asked ANDREW DOUGLAS, a partner at Awdry Bailey Douglas Solicitors who specialises in elderly care, for his views.

IS THE STATUS QUO FRIGHTENING?

and the subject of Long term Care and to find out the answers to reform proving to be too difficult is questions that need answering yes. This is because the Cabinet office email Andrew Douglas or his team Yes! This is true not only because has announced that the government on ajd@awdrys.co.uk or call 0800 understanding the system is will publish a Green paper on the 072 8636. The firm has offices complicated but because the costs subject by summer 2018. That said in Marlborough, Royal Wootton are such that if a person needs a the announcement was by Damien Bassett, Devizes and Chippenham. care home facility then bar £14,250, Alternatively, take a look at their 100% of a person’s assets - including Green who has since resigned from office. Jeremy Hunt now heads up website. their house - can be used to fund the cost. This position is much worse a new styled department for health than Inheritance Tax, where only 40% and social care meaning that he may • www.abdcare.co.uk is taken by the government when “if a person needs a care home facility then bar your assets exceed current nil rate band thresholds. In fact, the cost £14,250, 100% of a person’s assets - including their of long term care is so frightening house - can be used to fund the cost.” that people may well escape having to pay inheritance tax if they get or may not be in charge of reform involved in the system of long on a different basis namely joining term care without having made up healthcare with social care. This appropriate preparations. uncertainty is before one mentions the lobby who simply want National DO POLITICIANS HELP? Unfortunately there does not appear Insurance to rise to fund the problem whilst forgetting that the to be any clear vision or joined up shortfall in National State Pensions thinking. At the time of the last is fast becoming one of the nations snap election the Tories policy was biggest problems. So yes there is a that people should fund their own road map but will it lead anywhere costs save for their final £100,000, remains the big question! including their house. The Labour Party proposed the creation of a National Care Service combined with WHAT IS BEST TO DO? £8bn being put into social care over Understand the existing rules under the next 5 years, whilst the Lib Dems The Care Act 2014 and proceed accordingly. Waiting or doing wanted a 1p rise in income tax. nothing in relation to social care is not the best option. This approach IS THERE A FUTURE ROAD MAP FOR SORTING only results in people not being organised and paying more.

THE CRISIS IN LONG

TERM ELDERLY CARE?

The answer subject to Brexit not proving to be too time consuming

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If you want to know more, then for a free appointment

Andrew Douglas

| health & wellbeing

Turn back time

A

Feel younger, rejuvenated and more self confident after a visit to Face2Face Medical Cosmetic Beauty Clinic in Trowbridge.

s we age many of us, men and women, lose selfconfidence. Whilst many are happy to embrace the changes that inevitably come to us all as we get older some struggle to adapt to the lines, wrinkles and sags that arrive on once youthful skin. One of the secrets to good self-confidence is pride in our appearance, so if you have lost yours Face2Face could help.

“As well as offering a skilful, caring and professional service, Face2Face’s costs are among the most competitive in the whole of the South West.”

Face2Face Medical Cosmetic Beauty Clinic has vast experience in making a difference to the way men and women look and feel about themselves. Their medical experts can smooth out facial lines non-surgically, by using safe and proven injectibles (Botulinum Toxin and non-permanent fillers) and give you a more defined jawline and even reshape your chin and nose. In only an hour or so, their procedures can give you back that “youthful” image; enhancing your cheeks, filling out and plumping up hollows and lines around your eyes and mouth and by giving you fuller lips, if you so desire.

Microdermabrasion and Dermal Rolling are other options to pursue if you

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are alooking to appear more youthful. Increasingly popular, these treatments, which remove damaged and unhealthy skin cells can be done during an office lunch break. A patient can arrive at the clinic, have a consultation (approx 15 minutes), have a microdermabrasion and walk out with fresh and glowing skin.

Just speak to one of their friendly members of staff, who’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and arrange for a FREE consultation.

Face2Face Medical Cosmetic Beauty Clinic is based in Trowbridge at Unit 4 Stone Mill, next to the Shires

Shopping Centre (upper storey car park) via a covered well lit walkway, with access also from ASDA car park.

Come in for a warm welcome and a discreet chat in total confidence.

See for yourself how it is possible to turn back the clock and boost your self-confidence. Call 01225 761824 or email face2faceclinic@ymail.com to arrange an appointment.

• face2faceclinic.com

Trowbridge Chiropodist Peter Wilkinson M.Inst.Ch.P

IMPROVING YOUR FOOT HEALTH We can help with...

• corns • calluses • hard skin • ingrown toenails • footcare for the elderly, diabetics & those with poor circulation • advice & support Member of the Institute of Chiropodist and Podiatrists

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

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| bath rugby

THE SEARCH FOR SILVERWARE

T

With the Anglo Welsh Cup semi finals and finals taking place this month, Bath have their best chance this season of winning a trophy.

he last time Bath Rugby won any silverware was in 2008 with their victory in the European Challenge Cup. That is their only first team trophy for a decade. Following such a drought it is unsurprising that the club has shown greater interest than before in this year’s Anglo Welsh Cup, a rather maligned competition that has often found itself being used as a testing ground for up and coming players rather than a genuine first team competition.

With four straight victories in the pool stages Bath have qualified for the semi finals as top seeds and face Northampton Saints in a home semi final on Friday 9 March, ko 7.45pm.

Tickets are still available for the game as we go to press, with prices starting at £21 for adults and just £6 for children. The game is also live on BT Sport. Should Bath win they will face the winners of Exeter v Newcastle Falcons in the final on Sunday 18 March at Kingsholm. Tickets for that game are available now from the Gloucester Rugby website gloucesterrugby.co.uk and the match will also be screened live on BT Sport.

“With four straight victories in the pool stages Bath have qualified for the semi finals as top seeds and face Northampton Saints in a home semi final on Friday 9 March” 78

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Freddie Burns will be looking to win the Anglo Welsh Cup for the second season running

THE CLASH

On Saturday 7 April, they will take on Leicester Tigers at Twickenham for the second season running. Almost 62,000 people went to HQ to watch the game last year, which Bath won 27-21 after Anthony Watson scored the winning try late in the game.

If you want to be there there are still tickets available from just £5 for juniors and £15 for adults from bathrugby.com/tickets or on 0844 448 1865.

Bath Rugby have broken through the 45,000 ticket mark for The Clash.

• bathrugby.com

Leading the charge for Bath in the competition will be Freddie Burns.

His experience, combined with the unerring accuracy of his goalkicking, have put Bath within one game of their first final since the 2014/15 season. Freddie will be looking to win the competition two years running after helping steer Leicester Tigers to victory in last year’s competition.

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

2 March

19:45

A

Harlequins

AP

TV

9 March

19:45

H

Northampton Saints

AW

TV

18 March

15:00

A

Exeter/Newcastle

AW

TV

23 March

19:45

H

Exeter Chiefs

AP

TV

7 April

14:00

H*

Leicester Tigers

AP

TV

15 April

15:00

A

Saracens

AP

28 April

15:00

A

Gloucester

AP

* The Clash, to be played at Twickenham

TV

| puzzles

Tea Break Teasers TERRIER WORDSEARCH

What/who is missing from the grid?

AIREDALE AUSTRALIAN BEDLINGTON BORDER BULL CAIRN FOX JACK RUSSELL KERRY BLUE PIT BULL SEALYHAM SKYE

SUDOKU

EASY

STAFFORDSHIRE WELSH YORKSHIRE

WIN A £10 NEXT VOUCHER! Email your answers to these trivia questions to comp@wired-publishing.co.uk by 23.03.18 to be in with a chance of winning a £10 Next Voucher.

Good luck!

Q1: What canine award did Pickles the dog receive for recovering the World Cup in March 1966?

Q2: What was the title of the first Lassie film, released in 1943?

LAST MONTH’S SOLUTIONS Wordsearch missing word: RABBIT Quiz answers: 1: Money 2: February 16th 3: Luck 4: 15th day 5: San Francisco

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Q3: What was the name of the first Blue Peter dog?

Q4: What breed of dog is Scooby Doo generally agreed to be?

Q5: What are the two distinct breeds of Welsh Corgis?

Be sure to include your contact details so we can get in touch with you if you are our winner!

| last word

I want a half term too!

T

he first thing to say this month is that I love my little girl, I love my little boy too but he is much too young for this to be about him…. yet!! She has just turned five years old and so has been at school since September which means that I have just dropped her off after just her second half term (The first one didn’t really count as our son was being born and was kind of consumed by that rather large event). I don’t know why this should be different from any

gymnastics on one day, we also managed to off load her to Nanny’s house, took her shopping to Cribbs Causeway for some new trainers and school shoes on another day and even endured a peak time visit to softplay. Unfortunately, apart from Nanny’s house (which she didn’t want to leave), all went down like a lead balloon. Nothing we did seemed to hit the spot and if it did then it didn’t for very long.

We would start off all having fun but after about 20 minutes myself and my wife would be looking at our watches to see if somehow,

“Despite my suggestions to the contrary my daughter is actually very well behaved and is pretty much no trouble at all but she is five years old and part of the job description of a five year old is to push you as far as they possibly can to see what they can get away with” other holidays, the Christmas hols weren’t that long ago, but for some reason it was much more difficult this time. Maybe the excitement of the impending Christmas festivities counteracts any thoughts of playing up and of course we, as parents, have the ultimate bribery tools at that particular time of year….presents and Santa. What bargaining chips do we have in February? “If you don’t stop behaving that way then I wont take you to the cold, wet and windy park” or “If you don’t stop behaving that way then I won’t take you to Weston-super-Mare”? Not really things that will put the fear of God into them are they!?

We tried to be good parents - we really did, we signed her up for

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magically, time had moved forward an hour or so and we could get away with leaving and going home to lie down in a darkened room for a while…it never had.

all week - no doubt they’d been dreading coming back in as much as we’d been longing for it!

Despite my suggestions to the contrary my daughter is actually very well behaved and is pretty much no trouble at all but she is five years old and part of the job description of a five year old is to push you as far as they possibly can to see what they can get away with. They’re like those velociraptors in Jurassic Park who are constantly testing for weak spots. If you, as a parent, could also have a half term at the same time, a week free from everything else you have to do perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad but, obviously you still have to work, cook, clean and - in our case - look after a 4-month old baby so it’s never just a week of fun, which is what the kids want.

When your little ones are young everything seems to go by so quickly; you don’t want them to grow so fast, but sometimes, at the back end of two hours of non-adult conversation or after they’ve just I could tell when I met the other had their third meltdown in as parents in the playground on the many shops, you just wish it could first day back that we were not be you, a very large G & T and your alone. It was almost a reverse favourite (adult) person with the feeling from when I was at school. hours stretching out in front of you Then I always looked forward to and nothing to do….bless their the last day of school; every kid had beautiful, little hearts. an extra spring in their step and was just that little bit more chipper.

Now you feel exactly the same on Phil Rockliffe your kid’s first day back. You could almost hear the sighs of relief all round as parents watched their the little darlings being welcomed back by the wonderful teachers who will be looking after them