The West Wilts Magazine - October 2020

OCTOBER 2020 // ISSUE 130

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contents

October 2020 // issue 130

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Published by Wired Publishing Editor Lisa Rockliffe Contributors Andy White, Fran Stevens, Phil Rockliffe, Neil Mortimer, Katie Thomson, Andy Diffey, Adam Jacot De Boinod 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: Pietra Wood & Stone

ctober always includes one of my favourite features of the year - our bumper home improvements special. Having spent so much time at home this year (!) it seems more relevant than ever and it’s positively chock-a-block with companies who can help with everything from blinds to bathroom suites and decorating to damp proofing.

Whatever your home needs you’ll find it from p29.

With continued restrictions on socialising and get-togethers you will no doubt be delighted to find out more about Demaine Artisan (p26). We caught up with chef Sean Demaine to find out more about his career in food and how he can bring the restaurant to you this autumn/winter.

See our Eat The Seasons page for your chance to win a pumpkin and veg box from Lovejoys (p22) and The Food Wife offers up delicious pasta recipes on p23. Plus our new feature on lovely Wiltshire Wildlife reserves continues with Green Lane Wood (p52).

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Turn the page to enjoy a great read and stay safe everyone!

Lisa Rockliffe, Editor

Follow us on Twitter... @westwiltsmag Read online... westwiltsmag.co.uk

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in this issue...

LOCAL NEWS Wiltshire Music Centre re-opens New sports on offer at Dauntsey’s Virtual Wessex Country Fair Not all heroes wear capes Halloween at Hope Nature Centre Farmhouse renovation at Fairfield College Marlborough College Summer School Celebrating 125 years of Stonar School

4 8 8 9 10 10 13 14

FOOD & DRINK BOA Beer Club Whitehall Vineyard Eat the Seasons Greek recipes Meet The Chef at Demaine Artisan

16 18 22 23 26

FEATURES Home Time Green Lane Wood The Christmas Decorators

29 52 54

LEGAL & FINANCIAL Goughs Solicitors Wansbroughs

6 58

BATH RUGBY Half term rugby camps return

60

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Win a veg box & pumpkin!

22 That’s interesting...

62 Quiz, wordsearch & sudoku 64 COMMENT The Last Word

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local news Wiltshire Music Centre is trying to raise £60,000 to support its Autumn Winter programme

WILTSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE RE-OPENS

Wiltshire Music Centre has reopened its doors after a 6-month shutdown and is bringing a new mini concert series this autumn/winter.

O

n Tuesday 1 September, the Wiltshire Music Centre reopened its doors to bring live music back to Wiltshire. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, renowned live music venue Wiltshire Music Centre has lain dormant for over six months.

On 18 March, all events and activities at the Centre were suspended until further notice and the enormous financial challenge that this brought about threatened their very return.

In July the Centre launched a £60,000 Community Fundraising Appeal to help to reopen the venue

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and deliver an exciting Autumn/ Winter programme that puts the community centre stage. With the closure impacting over 65,000 people who regularly play, teach, learn, listen and enjoy music through WMC programmes, the aim was to get back to business as soon as possible: to continue delivering vital creative community projects, reopen the Centre for community use, and deliver a mini concert series with opportunities for live and digital audiences alike.

With over £40,000 raised to date, Wiltshire Music Centre is now able

to take its first steps into turning these bold plans into reality. Funds raised through the appeal will enable the Centre to reprise its role as a vibrant and busy community centre, welcoming back teachers, students, choirs, ensembles and community groups for activities in the Centre’s nine teaching and practice spaces.

New measures have been put in place across the venue to keep visitors, musicians and staff members safe, including new room layouts and a one-way system, clear signage and hand sanitiser across the building, and the wearing of a face covering is mandatory too.

image © Ryan West

local news demonstrated just how important our role is as a community centre first and foremost.” Maud Saint-Sardos, Chief Executive.

following a major digital investment to enable high quality livestreaming from the WMC auditorium funded through a government Bounce Back

"Funds raised through the appeal will enable the Centre to reprise its role as a vibrant and busy community centre" From October to December, funds raised through the appeal will also enable WMC to deliver a dynamic mini concert series by world class jazz, classical and folk artists. Kicking off with a sensational night of jazz cabaret with star singer Claire Martin and Nikki Iles, and featuring our resident artists the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Tom Poster and the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, as well as award-winning folk group Leveret, the series will comprise 15 concerts performed live from the WMC stage.

“As a base for baby and toddler groups, a rehearsal space for local choirs and bands, a meeting place for invaluable support groups and with over 2,700 music lessons every year, WMC is almost never quiet!

We’ve missed the bustle of people coming into the building every day to enjoy music together, the hubbub of activity from young musicians and conversations in corridors between artists and teachers lending professional support to one another.

The exceptional past six months have

Priority booking for the new season opened for Friends in late September, with shows on sale to the general public from early October. News about booking will be released on the website and social media in the coming weeks.

With social distancing in place, live audience capacity will be limited for these events. However, during September, WMC’s recording studio will be transformed into a new state-of-the-art broadcast suite,

image © Kenny-McCracken

Claire Martin is among the performers coming to the WMC this autumn/winter

loan and donations from generous benefactors. Audiences will be able to tune in from home to experience the quality and joy of WMC’s visiting artists performing live from the WMC auditorium, which boasts one of the finest acoustics outside of London.

Eight concerts are planned to be broadcast, with ticket income from digital audiences together with funds raised through the Appeal helping to underpin the Centre’s community programmes.

“We are very proud to be able to present a mini season of live and online events in the coming months, and the opportunity to 'get back to normal' by inviting some of our regular artists to perform again on the WMC stage feels very special.

We also look forward to developing our online offer and to provide new opportunities to engage in music-making for both our concert audiences and wider community.

The transformational impact of our new live stream broadcast capabilities is very exciting and we will make sure that the online experience is as rich and interactive as the live one. We look forward to sharing the new season with you and to welcoming you back to the Centre very soon.” James Slater, Artistic Director.

To find out more the Autumn/Winter programme and about the appeal and how you can get involved, visit the website.

• wiltshiremusic.org.uk THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

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local news

LATER LIFE PLANNING IN 2020

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f 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that the future is incredibly unpredictable and has a way of suddenly creeping up on us. Whilst we can’t do anything to change that, we can plan for it.

Emma Taylor, Head of Private Client explains how Goughs Solicitors can support: “It is paramount to consider the financial implications that go handin-hand with later life. When making future plans it’s worth noting that the taxman will take 40% of your assets if you are liable to Inheritance Tax, but if you need residential care the Local Authority could take 100%.

Trying to plan your legal affairs and finances for later life can include minimising your Inheritance Tax

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liability, sorting out pre-paid funeral plans, setting up trusts for your family, protecting assets for future generations through a Will or appointing Attorneys to manage your financial affairs and to make health and welfare decisions on your behalf.

website for further information.

• goughs.co.uk

At Goughs we provide specialist advice, whether it’s to help navigate the complex issues of care costs or understanding the legalities around Wills, Trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney. The strategy will be different for each family, nonetheless, the best advice is to plan early and have the right practical advice.”

To make an appointment with Goughs Solicitors please call 01380 726913, email pc@ goughs.co.uk or head to the

Emma Taylor

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local news

NEW SPORTS ON OFFER AT DAUNTSEY’S

P

upils starting back at Dauntsey’s this autumn have been spoilt for choice with the range of sports being offered by the school. Traditionally hockey and rugby are the primary sports for the autumn term but, due to Covid restrictions, the sports coaches have had to be a little more creative.

fortunate to have such extensive grounds here at Dauntsey’s, meaning that pupils have a lot of space to spread out and enjoy the wide range of sporting activities on-site. The coaching team have really enjoyed putting together a varied programme this term and our new all-weather

athletics track has really come into its own.”

For further information about Dauntsey’s School and its sports programme, please go to the website.

• dauntseys.org

The new all-weather athletics track has come into its own at Dauntsey’s

The aim, particularly on Saturday afternoons, is to involve as many pupils as possible, within their social bubbles, in a variety of different sports, spread throughout the grounds and facilities.

Options offered to pupils include athletics, cricket, tennis, netball, football, outdoor dance, hockey, swimming, touch rugby.

Marcus Olsen, Director of Sport at Dauntsey’s said: “We are extremely

VIRTUAL WESSEX COUNTRY FAIR

S

alisbury Hospice Charity’s first ever virtual edition of their annual Wessex Country Fair, was a huge success raising £1,360 for Salisbury Hospice and over 2,000 people tuning in to watch the ‘Hospice Village’ chats with staff from the team.

The Wessex Country Fair is one of Salisbury Hospice Charity’s biggest annual fundraising events. The event, which is usually host to arena displays, craft stalls, demonstrations, children’s activities, the hospice tea and cake village and much more, attracts thousands of visitors each year, raising over £30,000 for the hospice. Due to Covid-19 they had to cancel this event, along with all their other fundraising events, which is having a

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detrimental impact on fundraising for the hospice. Abi Blake, Events Fundraiser said “As we were no longer able to host our fabulous Wessex Country Fair, we decided to go ‘virtual’ this year, and we can’t thank supporters enough for getting on board with it and enjoying everything on offer.”

Salisbury Hospice Charity’s Virtual Wessex Country Fair hosted an array of fabulous online fundraising games, craft

demonstrations, competitions, a raffle, an online shopping market, an opportunity to host your own garden get-together and talks from the fabulous hospice team.

Salisbury Hospice charity would like to thank everyone who hosted their own garden get-togethers, with fundraising games and delicious bakes. A special thank you goes to craft demonstrators Paige Alexandria, Gil Floral and Francesca Mclean for their amazing demonstrations.

If you missed out on this year’s Virtual Wessex Country Fair but would like to make a donation to the Hospice, please do so at: www. justgiving.com/campaign/ virtualwessexcountryfair • salisburyhospicecharity.org.uk

local news

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES

Superhero CARMELA CHILLERY-WATSON, her family and friends, have begun a 2,000 kilometre walk in search of Wonder Woman.

C

armela, 6, who lives with a very rare muscle wasting condition, has planned the special virtual challenge based on her favourite super-hero.

Carmela and her family are covering the distance from Devizes to Ravello in 30 days

It is 2,000 kilometres from her home in Devizes, Wiltshire to Ravello on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, the filming location of the new Wonder Woman film.

The family set off on 1 September and is aiming to virtually cover the distance in a 30-day challenge before the film’s premiere on 2 October.

Carmela’s mum Lucy will walk 300km of the total distance. Carmela is determined to walk up to 1km day and be pushed in her wheelchair by Lucy for the remainder. The family have enlisted some friends to join them to enable them to complete the full distance during the 30 days.

Lucy said: “Walking 1km a day is the equivalent of a marathon for her Carmela who cannot do things other children take for granted. With Day 1 done, I am so very proud of Carmela’s happy disposition throughout the treck. We 29 days to go, walking 10km daily with my help.

“She is unable to run, jump, walk up steps or curbs. She has lost the ability to lift her arms above her head and has lost the strength in her neck. Simple tasks like scratching her head, itching her nose and brushing her teeth are a real battle. Walking the distance will be a huge personal challenge.

"It is 2,000 kilometres from her home in Devizes, Wiltshire to Ravello on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, the filming location of the new Wonder Woman film" “But whilst her muscles are weak on the outside, her inner strength is unstoppable and her determination to live life to the full makes us all strong.”

She added: “Time is so precious for Carmela. She has lost five months in shielding and she desperately wants to complete her challenge before her condition robs her of her ability to walk. She is starting on the first day in September when she is also returning

to school, albeit just for a few hours.

“She is so determined to do all of this to raise money, so that Muscular Dystrophy UK can continue to provide care and research into conditions for children like herself.”.

• instagram.com/ carmelachillerywatson/ • justgiving.com/fundraising/carmelachillery-watson10 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 9

local news

HALLOWEEN AT HOPE NATURE CENTRE

A

fter a busy few months at Hope Nature Centre, attentions turn towards one of their favourite seasons, autumn!

We can look forward to crispy leaves, cooler days, and of course, brewing potions in time for Halloween!

From Friday 2 October through to Sunday 1 November, you can visit the Animal Park and help their resident witch brew her latest potion.

She is missing some ingredients, so it’s your job to keep an eye out for them whilst exploring the park.

Locate them all, and she may even give you a treat! During the October Half Term, there will also be extra activities for little ones to enjoy too, including crafts and more. To find out more, visit the events section of the website. They are open 7 days a week, 10am until 4.30pm, and advise pre-booking your tickets online especially during school holiday periods - as capacity is limited due to Covid.

The Hope Nature Centre Café is also open, serving up its usual selection of delicious breakfasts and lunches, as well as cakes and hot and cold drinks. It’s the perfect place for a catch up, and there are a variety of safety measures in place to ensure you have a safe visit.

There’ll be plenty of Halloween fun at Hope Nature Centre

• hopenaturecentre.org.uk/halloween

FARMHOUSE RESTORATION COMPLETE

T

he restoration of the Grade-II listed, 17th-century farmhouse at Fairfield Farm College is now completed, with students already benefiting from the new classroom and learning space.

Liddiard Builders worked tirelessly to The newly restored farmhouse has created a new classroom and learning spaces

finish the project in time for students to use when they returned from their summer holidays, and the project has been met with praise from both students and staff. The property has been completely re-fitted from the foundations up, as well as the fitting

of a new kitchen, bathrooms and all new furniture, so that students can learn independent living skills in a realistic environment.

The farmhouse has been an integral part of the history of Fairfield Farm College, being part of the village of Dilton Marsh for over 250 years. After its extensive renovation it is hoped that it will be around for many more years to come.

• ffc.ac.uk

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Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary Saving stray & unwanted dogs since 1958

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JANUARY 2020

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Alan Titchma rsh READ OUR EXCLUSIVE WITH A TRUE IEW NATIONALINTERV TREASURE

FOOD & DRINK // PUZ ZLES

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Call Andy today on � 01225 807775 westwiltsmag.co.uk

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 (if old enough), chipped, and looking for loving new homes

OPEN DAILY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (Office Hours: 10:00-12:30 & 14:00-16:30)

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

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

Foreign Languages Centre

Daytime, lunchtime and evening foreign language classes for members of the public. Enrolling now!

Arabic French German Italian Japanese Mandarin Chinese Portuguese Spanish We offer a wide range of foreign languages at beginner through to advanced level.

To find out more about the courses available, or to enrol, visit our website www.bath.ac.uk/flc and apply online or call 01225 383991.

local news

SUMMER SCHOOL '21 Whether you are a seasoned Summer School student or relishing the opportunity to do something different and delight in the social side of life again, you will be excited to hear that Marlborough College is welcoming bookings for 2021.

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he much-loved Wiltshire Summer School will return from 11 July to 7 August 2021 with more than 500 courses suitable for all ages and interests.

Develop a skill or an interest you discovered during Lockdown, enjoy the great outdoors after months at home or relax while the children are entertained for a week, this unique event offers something for everyone.

TIME FOR YOU All courses run from Monday to Friday and last for either five full or five half days giving you a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in a favourite pastime or try something new. Summer School is the ideal setting to learn and switch-off from your everyday. You will benefit from the knowledge and guidance of tutors who are experts in their chosen fields, as well as the support of your fellow classmates.

INSPIRATIONAL COURSES Summer School offers an inspiring programme of art, history and culture, wellbeing, country pursuits and life skills. Course titles for 2021 encompass everything from Back Garden Astronomy to Self-Care, Interior Design to the Archaeology of Roman Britain, Mankind Versus

The Summer School is open to all ages

Come to Summer School and develop a skill or interest learned in lockdown

"Summer School is the ideal setting to learn and switch-off from your everyday" the Planet to Yoga, Macramé and The Golden Age of British Film Comedy. There is also a wide choice of activities for three to 17 year olds, which working parents have the option to pay for using Childcare Vouchers or the new tax-free scheme, Childcare Choices. Games and Animation Coding, African Drumming, Learn to Play Polo, Infinity Spy Agency and the Horrible Histories inspired course, Gruesome Grub and Gory Stories are set to be popular choices for young people.

EXCELLENT HOSPITALITY Marlborough College offer the option of convenient accommodation throughout Summer School, ideal for friends and family joining you from further afield. In fact, with full board included in the cost, even

locals may be tempted to stay and take advantage of the indoor swimming pool, free admission to all entertainment and the delicious food served by the College’s talented chefs.

TOP CLASS ENTERTAINMENT Another highlight is the entertainment on offer to both Summer School students and the public. In addition to recitals, film nights and 5.15pm lectures on a range of fascinating topics, Gala Performances take place every Tuesday and Friday. 2021’s superb line-up features Kate Adie and Janet Street-Porter, outdoor family theatre from Illyria and music from Only Men Aloud, Andy Abraham, The ELO Experience and much, much more.

• summerschool.co.uk THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 13

local news

STONAR CELEBRATES 125 YEARS OF PIONEERING SPIRIT This year marks the 125th anniversary of the founding of Stonar School.

everyone is known, where pupils are expected to work hard, to be kind and to get involved in all aspects of school life.

Stonar is now a fully co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 2-18

H

istorically if you asked someone what they knew of Stonar School they would say “That’s the boarding school for horsey girls”, but as the School celebrates its 125th year it is clear that much has changed. Today, Stonar’s community of day and boarding pupils aged between 2 and 18 is made up of both boys and girls. While 40% of the school ride, you don’t have to be a rider to take full advantage of all that Stonar has to offer.

Matthew Way, Headmaster, comments: “Stonar was founded in 1895 in Kent by a couple who wanted to run a school that educated differently. The founders had a strong pioneering spirit and created a school that promoted equality in educational opportunity, offered an outdoor education and attracted a diverse range of pupils who benefitted from a focus on the individual. In all these respects, Stonar is still the same today.

We have a friendly community where

"As we celebrate our 125th year, we acknowledge the progression the School has made. In our Prep School we offer an innovative thematic International Primary Curriculum.

There is much focus on creativity, outdoor education and sport, aligned with ensuring all pupils are stretched to achieve their best academically. Pupils then progress to the Senior School where they complete the Stonar Diploma in Years 7 to 9, followed by a full range of GCSE and A Level subjects.

Stonar is offering limited pre-booked school tours in line with social distancing. To book a visit please call 01225 701741 or go to the website.

• stonarschool.com

"There is much focus on creativity, outdoor education and sport, aligned with ensuring all pupils are stretched to achieve their best academically."

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 15

food & drink

BOA BEER CLUB

BOA Beer Club is the brainchild of craft beer enthusiast LAUREN GUEST. Here she talks about how, together with Cru Wines, they are bringing great craft beers to Bradford on Avon and beyond!

W

e intended to launch BOA Beer Club back in March, the plan being to run face to face socials where we’d try new beers together. Lockdown put a stop to those plans of course so now we’re running with a Covidfriendly version instead!

Each week our range of hand selected craft beers from the South West and beyond will be available at Cru Wines, in store at Bradford on Avon and on their online shop, with next day delivery. Our new monthly beer subscription boxes launch this month so people can enjoy a box of limited edition beers as a treat to themselves or a loved one. We can also prepare gift boxes as birthday or thank you gifts, we can box up ‘South West Specials’, as well as specialist boxes such as ‘For the IPA fan’ and ‘UK latest beer launches’ for those wanting to taste the hot off the press releases.

When rules allow we will be running face to face beer education sessions and beer socials, these events are also available for booking in private events. We will also be running trips to breweries and organising a brewery day in Bristol where we will visit several breweries in one afternoon. Whilst we can’t do face to face meetings we do have some online tastings planned, where brewers will join us online to talk us through six of their beers whilst we taste at home.

The intention of our club is to get more people drinking better beer and create a beer drinking

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community that supports UK independent breweries. We will be working closely with all the breweries so we understand what ingredients they use, get our hands on their latest products as they launch and run Q&A sessions.

The club was founded by myself and Justin Wylde, who acts as Beer Curator. We have worked together in the drinks trade for over 12 years, which is where our mutual passion for craft beer bloomed. We've joined forces with Leanne from Cru Wines to bring the club to life, get the beers

available to people and provide a great event space upstairs at Cru. We will predominantly be working with local independent South West breweries but we will also be supporting UK wide independents such as Amity in Leeds, who launched during lockdown.

To find out more about BOA Beer Club see our Facebook page, fb.com/ BOABeerClub, or pop into Cru Wines on Silver Street to find out more.

• cruwines.co.uk

"The intention of our club is to get more people drinking better beer and create a beer drinking community that supports UK independent breweries."

Join the BOA Beer Club and enjoy great craft beers every month

food & drink

WHITEHALL VINEYARD

Whitehall Vineyard, founded by the Self family who own Whitehall Garden Centre, has recently won awards for its premium English wines.

W

hitehall Vineyard officially launched their first wines just last month but already the team is celebrating having been awarded 3 medals in The Independent English Wine Awards. The vineyards was awarded a gold for the Bacchus 2019, silver for the Charlotte May RosĂŠ and a bronze for the Madeline May Chardonnay. The team has worked hard on developing the vineyard and their range of premium wines over the last 4 years and a result like this makes all the hard work worthwhile. Charlotte Self commented: "We would like to thank Three Choirs for helping us and our viticulturist Burt Martin for their support and expertise to help us get where we are so far with the brand."

Whitehall Vineyard, established in 2016, is a family run vineyard overlooking the beautiful Avon Valley, situated in the historic National Trust Village of Lacock, UK. Founded by the Self family on Whitehall Farm, their family home for five generations since 1894.

The vineyard was planted on 23 April 2016 with 16,000 Rondo, Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay vines covering a total of 11 acres below Nethercote Hill, a local landmark that has now lent its name to the Pinot Noir/Rondo wine.

Charlotte continues: "The idea of planting a vineyard has grown from a passion for wine, growing and producing quality produce from our farm. We aspire to

"The team has worked hard on developing the vineyard and their range of premium wines over the last 4 years and a result like this makes all the hard work worthwhile." be your still wine of choice and be at the forefront of the English still wine movement that is up and coming."

You can shop the full range of eight premium English still wines via the website. • whitehallvineyard.co.uk 18

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BREAKFASTS, SNACKS, LUNCHES, AFTERNOON TEAS We’re an independent café based on-site at The Nursery, a highly reputable & beautiful garden centre in Hilperton.

We pride ourselves on freshly baked, homemade, locally sourced, delicious food.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm

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07762 201313 | info@avonfieldkitchen.com | avonfieldkitchen.com

THE

WESTBROOK

Bromham, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2EE

tel 01380 850418

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WINNER OF BEST FOOD & BEST OVERALL PUB IN THE DEVIZES CONSTITUENCY BEST LOCAL PUB AWARDS! Kevin & Louise invite you to visit The 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.

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

Opening Times: Wednesday - Sunday 9am-10pm Food Served: Wednesday & Thursday 9am - 3pm & 5.30pm - 8pm, Friday-Sunday 9am - 8pm

COME & SEE US FOR GOOD VALUE, HIGH QUALITY FOOD & FRIENDLY, EFFICIENT SERVICE.

REAL ALES & LIVE MUSIC 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.

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EVERY FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY Real Ales | 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

• Wadworth Real Ales • Pretty Beer Garden • Children & Dog Friendly • Open All Day • Large Car Park • Smaller Portions Available

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Monday - Saturday 12-9pm, Sunday 12-4.30pm Food Served: 12-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm

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H a m G re e n , H o l t , W i l t s h i re B A 1 4 6 PY

Award Winning, Family Run Farm Shop Established for over 30 years Selling Quality Local Produce

Open Daily 9am – 6pm (9.30am – 5pm on Sundays)

CHRISTMAS MEAT ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN

HOME & LOCALLY REARED FRESH MEAT, POULTRY & GAME HOMEMADE SAUSAGES, BURGERS & FAGGOTS

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

The Artisan fti

The perfect place to meet friends and family for drinks, delicious food or an evening’s entertainment.

Live Sport Watch the start of the new football season with BT Sport.

Opening Hours

Try our Menu A new selection of small plates....7 dishes for ÂŁ20 Plus book our delicious sunday lunch!

Mon - Thurs 11am-12am Fri & Sat 11am-2am Sun 11pm-12am

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Monday Closed Tues - Thurs 12pm-3pm & 6pm-9pm Fri & Sat 12pm-9pm Sunday 12pm-4pm

6, Christchurch St, West, Frome BA11 1EQ | 01373 300102 | the-artisan-frome.co.uk

The Angel

A 16th century coaching inn situated in the beautiful Wiltshire village of Heytesbury

Fantastic Sunday lunch.... Children eat free on Sundays!

Steak Night 7th October... 2-for-1 on all steaks!

We specialise in seafood... See our daily fish board!

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11am - 11pm, Sunday 11am - 9pm Food served: Monday to Saturday 12pm - 2.30pm & 6pm - 9pm, Sunday 12pm - 4pm

01985 841790 | angelinnheytesbury.com | High Street, Heytesbury, Warminster

seasons

food & drink

eat the

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

O

n many restaurant menus this month you will find Squash! The most popular varieties we supply to our chefs are onion, crown prince, butternut and the amazing looking - and tasting turban squash! All of these varieties of squash grow well in our climate except the butternut, which likes warmer climes to ripen properly. The spaghetti squash is especially good for people on low carb diets and can be used as a substitute for pasta, after it is cooked the flesh resembles spaghetti!

Don’t leave it too late to get your pumpkins for Halloween later this month. Widely grown in this country,

“Widely grown in this country, pumpkins originate in Mexico and date back more than 7,500 years.”

they originate in Mexico and date back more than 7,500 years. Did you know pumpkin flowers are edible and the fruit contains potassium and vitamin A? Another thing to love about this wonderful seasonal veg in all its variations.

For those of you who like to scan the hedgerows there are some lovely blackberries out there so it’s crumble time! These will only be good until the first frost or the hungry birds beat you to them. Hazelnuts are plentiful, sloes for sloe gin (drop me in your samples - only joking!) but please remember always follow responsible foraging guidelines - find them at woodlandtrust.org.uk.

If you have an allotment, you can plant out over-wintering onions and

garlic now, also broad beans, spring cabbage and purple sprouting plants but make sure you net the cabbage plants to stop pigeons eating them.

As always, now more than ever before, please buy local where you can to support the growers and the economy in the area as well as getting a great taste. They need you!

COMPETITION

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning a DELICIOUS SEASONAL VEG BOX & A HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN is email your answer to this easy question to enquiries@lovejoyswholesale.com by 26.10.20 so we have time to send you your prize before Halloween!

From what word does ‘pumpkin’ originate and what does it mean?

Email your answer now. Good luck!

Neil neil@lovejoyswholesale.com @lovejoysuk • lovejoyswholesale.com

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PERFECT PASTA

recipes

25 October is World Pasta Day. In celebration of this Italian favourite, why not try your hand at one or two new recipes? These delicious offerings come courtesy of FRAN STEVENS, aka The Food Wife.

‘NDUJA & PRAWN SPAGHETTI

Serves 2 ‘Nduja is a Calabrian spreadable spicy salami. If you’ve had the Spanish sobrassada before it’s very similar and could be used in its place.

Alternatively, you can always use chorizo.

The spicy sausage works beautifully with the sweet prawns, and the fat from the ‘nduja helps create the scant sauce which coats each strand of the spaghetti.

This is a super quick meal, ready in the time it takes to cook the pasta. Perfect for a weeknight.

Ingredients 150g spaghetti (gluten-free if required) cooked, according to the packet instructions (reserve a ladleful of the cooking water) 100g nduja, broken into pieces 16 king prawns, raw, shelled and deveined 1 fat clove of garlic, crushed 1 red chilli, diced

✃

Method While the pasta is cooking, place a frying pan over a medium heat and

add the ‘nduja. Cook until it releases its oils and starts to break up. Add the garlic and chilli and stir to avoid them burning.

Just as the pasta is cooked, add the prawns to the frying pan and cook on both sides.

Add the cooked spaghetti to the frying pan along with a ladle of cooking water to loosen the sauce.

Toss together until the pasta is coated.

Serve.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 23

recipes asked if this was all we had left in the cupboards. (It wasn’t, but I admit it was partly due to wondering how to use up some of the large block of Stilton I had in the fridge). Anyway, the result was rather delicious, and we agreed it should go on my blog and we’d be having it again soon!

Serves 6

I’ve been experimenting with more meat-free meals recently and had come across references to a bolognese made with lentils rather than minced beef. The type of lentil seemed to vary from red, to puy to green. Personally I would have thought red lentils would make it too mushy, so I suggest using puy or green (this is what I used).

I gave it a go and I have to say I enjoyed it. I’m not going to say that it was just like a beef bolognese but it was very tasty and it struck me that the sauce would also be good as an accompaniment to a piece of meat or fish instead of potatoes etc.

Whilst I won’t be trading in my normal bolognese I will definitely revisit this recipe and it is vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free, so perfect if you’re catering for a variety of dietary requirements.

Ingredients 2 tbsp oil 2 sticks of celery 1 onion 1 carrot 10 chestnut mushrooms 1 red pepper ½ leek 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 24 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

250g lentils (green/puy) 1 tbsp tomato purée 500g passata 500ml water 1 tbsp rosemary, finely chopped 2 bay leaves Salt and pepper Method Chop all of your vegetables into a fine dice (aim for the rough size of the lentils you are using).

In a heavy bottomed pan, heat the oil and add the diced vegetables. Soften on a medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes.

Add the rosemary and tomato purée and stir, cooking out the purée for a couple of minutes.

Add the lentils, passata, water and bay leaves, put a lid on and cook for about 30 minutes until the lentils are tender. Season to taste. Stir every five minutes or so, and add more water if necessary. Serve with spaghetti or accompaniment of your choice.

Method Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a heavy bottomed frying pan. Add the lardons and cook until golden.

Lower the heat and add the pear, cooking gently until soft and caramelised.

Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the cooking water. Add the pasta and water to the frying pan. Add the cheese and some ground pepper.

Stir until emulsified. Serve, with more Stilton crumbled over the top.

BACON, PEAR & STILTON PASTA Serves 2

I sent a text message to The Food Husband last week saying “we’re having pasta with bacon, Stilton and pear for dinner. Sound OK?” He

✃

LENTIL BOLOGNESE

Ingredients Olive oil 75g smoked lardons 2 pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1 or 2cm dice 75g Stilton, crumbled (plus extra for garnish) 150g pasta (gluten-free if required)

✃

WILTSHIRE YEOMAN

RELAX IN OUR LARGE BEER GARDEN! OR enjoy your meal or drink inside where we have introduced new measures for your safety and peace of mind.

LIVE MUSIC Most Sunday afternoons in the garden

Opening Hours Mon to Thur 4-10pm, Fri & Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-10pm ✦ Doggie friendly ✦ Open fire ✦ Delicious Sunday lunches ✦ Quiz every Sunday

f

Find us on Facebook for upcoming events

01225 765370 Chilmark Rd, Trowbridge BA14 9DD www.thewiltshireyeoman.co.uk

Henfords Marsh Warminster BA12 9PA thelodgewarminster.com

BAR

RESTAURANT

EVENTS

i The Lodge Warminster f The Lodge

FRESH AND CONTEMPORARY WITH A NOD TO TRADITION Opening Hours: Monday 6pm - 11pm Tuesday - Thursday 12pm-2.45pm & 6pm-11pm Friday 12pm-2.45pm & 6pm-11pm, Sat/Sun 12pm - 11pm Tel 01985 846300 // bookings@thelodgewarminster.com // info@thelodgewarminster.com

food & drink

MEET THE CHEF

SEAN DEMAINE owner of Demaine Artisan, talks about his start in catering, his favourite suppliers, signature dishes and cooking for other chefs...

What was your first job in catering?

My first job in the catering industry was as a pot wash in a local pub. The kitchen bustle intrigued me and it wasn't long before I was helping out with desserts.

Demaine Artisan can cater for all your dining events, offering everything from patisserie to Asian street food

Where have you worked previously?

I have worked previously for a private jet catering company, several well known gastro pubs and large hotels on the Wiltshire/Dorset border including a ten year stint in one as a head chef.

What was the first dish you mastered?

The first dish I can remember mastering was a braised beef and oyster dish that took me on to win the finals of the 1992 Student Chef of the Year at The Dorchester in London.

Where do you source your meat, poultry and veg and do you have any favourite local suppliers?

I source most of my meat and poultry from my local butcher in Westbury, and a couple of select farms. Fruit and vegetables I buy direct at the docks, along with exotics, edible flowers and micro herbs. I have some great online suppliers for modern day patisserie supplies like edible gold leaf, lustre sprays, and where possible I blend my own food colourings from vegetable powders. And there is just something about foraging for wild garlic, mushrooms and even wild strawberries (secret location)!

What is your personal favourite dish from your menu?

One of my most requested dishes, and one that has become somewhat of a signature, is my milk chocolate 26 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

ganache tart. It changes slightly with the seasons, in the summer it has honeycomb and raspberries, and in the winter it can have anything from pear sorbet, to crystallised ginger.

What is the most memorable event or family you have cooked for?

Over the years I have cooked for many celebrities and royals, the most memorable though are other chefs; there is nothing more nerve wracking than cooking for someone you have been inspired by.

"Over the years I have cooked for many celebrities and royals, the most memorable though are other chefs" What venues do you like visiting in your spare time?

Spare time is something that I don't have a lot of, but since lockdown I've managed to go on a mini street food tour of Bristol, which was awesome.

Your favourite kitchen gadget?

I'm not one for loads of gadgets, sure I like to use the sous vide and the smoker, but the one thing I can't live without are good quality saucepans.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Probably a kebab with lots of chilli sauce... ssshhhh!

To book Sean for your next event call 07771 333767. • demaineartisan.co.uk Sean's popular chocolate tart, served with blackberries and a pear sorbet

DEMAINE ARTISAN PRIVATE DINING | STREET FOOD | PATISSERIE

fti

www.demaineartisan.co.uk

07771 333 767

1 Church Street Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1LN 01225 868686 theswanbradford.co.uk

theswanbradford @stayswan swanbradford

AUTHENTIC THAI FOOD (prepared by our Thai Chefs)

Available Monday to Saturday Lunch & Dinner Thai Chilli Restaurant

Open 12 noon – 3pm & 6pm – 10pm (Thai Takeaway and local non-contact delivery service also available)

PUB CLASSICS MENU (available all day)

Monday to Saturday 12 noon-10pm, Sunday 4pm–9pm Cream Teas from served 3pm-5.30pm Our pub also offers a great selection of real ales, lagers, ciders, wines & soft drinks.

Come and enjoy them in our riverside garden!

homes special A beautful Dijon brushed limestone floor from Pietra Wood & Stone

HOME

TIME Make sure your home is looking its best this autumn with our fantastic 20+ page bumper home improvement special!

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 29

homes special

CARPETS & FLOORING ALLSOP CARPETS

Corner Garage, Christchurch Street West, Frome During the last 30 years, Allsop Carpets & Flooring has strived to deliver the highest quality and service as well as first class fitting with their own team of polite and friendly fitters. Through the years their commitment to their clients has led to a loyal customer base branching throughout the South West. So, whether you want a cosy carpet for your bedroom, or a sleek looking laminate for your living room, pop into their Frome showroom and you’ll find an extensive range of flooring including wood, laminate, sisal, coir, wool and synthetic carpets as well as rugs and remnants. You will find them at Corner Garage, Christchurch Street West (within Tonemar Express Beds).

01373 463866 | allsopcarpets.co.uk

"The showroom was recently extended and refurbished, enabling clients to view an even wider selection of stone flooring, porcelain wall tiles and engineered wood flooring" Pietra Wood & Stone PIETRA WOOD & STONE

The Old Filling Station, 400 Ham Green, Holt For a beautiful new wooden, stone or porcelain floor, speak to the experts at Pietra. Situated in Holt, just outside Bradford on Avon, Pietra have been supplying and installing quality flooring and surfacing products to homes and businesses for over 16 years locally and across the south.

30 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Allsops Carpets can help with carpets, laminates, wood flooring and luxury vinyl tile

The showroom was recently extended and refurbished, enabling clients to view an even wider selection of stone flooring, porcelain wall tiles and engineered wood flooring in a relaxed atmosphere where their friendly knowledgeable staff will help you find the right product. There is also a full fitting service available to help make your project hassle and stress free.

They appreciate choosing new flooring or wall tiles is not easy, but the staff at Pietra can help, advise and guide you so you get exactly what you want at the right price; they can even install it for you to guarantee a stunning, top quality finish.

01225 783527 | pwasltd.com

TILE HOUSE

Silver Street, Warminster Tile House Warminster opened in August and is a new family run bathroom and tile showroom situated on Silver Street, Warminster.

The showroom has been designed to offer inspiration through an extensive range of bathroom furniture and sanitaryware to suit all budgets and tastes from traditional to contemporary. The full installation

service takes away the hassle of coordinating trades people and trusted brands including Roca, Scudo and Heritage mean new bathroom choices can be made with confidence. The added benefit of a choice of quality floor and wall tiles from Porcelanosa, Minoli and others allows the customer to realise their bathroom dreams under one roof.

There is parking to the front of the showroom and a collection point to the rear. Tile House offers a warm welcome and a relaxed atmosphere in which to discuss your vision.

01985 804745 | fb.com/tilehouse.warminster Tile House opened in Warminster in August

Allsop Carpets & Flooring

• Carpets • Vinyl • Naturals • Wood Flooring

Gemini by Cormar Carpets

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

Using British Manufacturers & Suppliers

NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN IN WARMINSTER! Open: Monday-Friday 09:00–17:30hrs, Saturday 09:00–14:00hrs, Sunday Closed

A new family run bathroom and tile showroom offering an extensive range of bathrooms and tiles to suit all budgets and tastes, from traditional to contemporary.

FULL INSTALLATION SERVICE AVAILABLE We stock trusted bathroom brands including Roca, Scudo, Heritage as well as quality floor and wall tiles from Porcelanosa, Minoli and many more...

(Parking to the front of the showroom and a collection point to the rear.)

6 Silver Street, Warminster BA12 8PN Email: info@tilehousewarminster.com Tel: 01985 804745

homes special

Oriental Rugs of Bath has a vast collection of handcrafted carpets, rugs and kilims

INTERIORS & FURNISHINGS ORIENTAL RUGS OF BATH

Bookbarn International, Hallatrow Business Park, Wells Rd, Bristol Situated in the rolling countryside between Bristol and Bath, Oriental Rugs of Bath is home to a vast collection of authentically handcrafted carpets, rugs and kilims from the Middle and Far East, where these crafts have sustained their peoples for centuries.

The eclectic stock accommodates for the traditional taste of period properties alongside contemporary design and modern living. They pride themselves on offering a personalised service to ensure complete customer satisfaction seeing items in situ. They manage bespoke orders, helping to find appropriate sizes along with complementary colour schemes.

Additionally, they supply a selection of elegant furnishings and one off pieces of decorative furniture.

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Their specialist cleaning and repair services are renowned and they can be entrusted with the most valuable of oriental rugs and kilims - both antique and modern. Their expert restorers bring beloved woven heirlooms back to life by re-weaving and re-piling worn areas, as well as putting right minor blemishes. The cleaning methods employed are gentle and precise, to never damage the weave nor fade the colours.

01761 451764 | orientalrugsofbath.com

PERFECT ROOMS

Silver Street, Gastard At Perfect Rooms & Interiors, they take pride in their reputation for quality, hand crafted work, and great customer service. Established

by Sue Coleman, who has over 30 years’ industry experience, they have expanded from tailor-made soft furnishings to home accessories, wall coverings, flooring, furniture supply and an inhouse upholstery and furniture making service. They also supply furniture brands Whitehead Designs and Vincent Sheppard and top lighting brands.

Perfect Rooms expertise in soft furnishings includes tailor made curtains and blinds, made in their own local workroom. They stock a number of branded fabrics, wallpapers and paints in their Gastard showroom, near Melksham and Corsham, and they co-ordinate with trusted tradespeople to provide decorating, flooring and carpentry services. Whether a small or full interiors project, they can help. The showroom also incorporates the business Inspirational Bathrooms, Bedrooms and Kitchens so they really can cater for all your home improvement needs.

01249 716445 | perfectrooms.co.uk Perfect Rooms offers a great range of fabrics from top brands like Harlequin

homes special

SOFA CO PLUS

George Street, Warminster Sofa Co is an independent boutique furniture store based in Warminster since late 2009. It has established a reputation for supplying top quality sofas from some of the finest manufacturers in the UK, Europe and South Africa. There are beautiful UK built sofas, stunning leather sofas from South Africa and funky colourful designs from Spanish manufacturer Fama.

As well as sofas, you can also expect to find mirrors, lighting, throws and cushions plus they are now displaying a new solid oak dining range and some exclusive pieces of artwork; offered in amazing colours that will brighten any room. Alternatively, Sofa Co also offer a re upholstery service, from a seat pad repair to a full re-cover of a sofa.

Now is an ideal time to pop in and take a look – order your items now for pre-Christmas delivery.

01985 847031 | sofaco.co.uk

Bathrooms at No. 5 has been established for over 10 years and has an fantastic reputation for its beautiful bathrooms

professional service and innovative approach to bathroom design and installation. They can provide everything from a new mixer tap to the most contemporary bathrooms and wet rooms, all the while offering expert knowledge, guidance and advice throughout the process.

With the latest collections from Villeroy & Boch, Catalano and GSI Bathrooms, both contemporary and traditional tastes are comfortably catered for. And once you’ve settled on your perfect design, their expert in-house installation team will ensure it is fitted with minimum fuss, yet with the maximum care and expertise.

"It has established a reputation for supplying top quality sofas from some of the finest manufacturers in the UK, Europe and 01225 309110 | bathroomsatno5.co.uk South Africa." Sofa Co Plus CHEVERELL OF DEVIZES KITCHENS & Hopton Park Ind Estate, Devizes BATHROOMS Cheverell was founded in 1989

by cabinet maker Neil Straker as a BATHROOMS AT NO. 5 one-man operation. Over 30 years later, The Shambles, Bradford on Avon Cheverell has a stunning showroom When it comes to innovation and and state-of-the-art workshop in stunning design, Bradford on Avon’s Devizes and a highly skilled team of Bathrooms at No. 5 offers all you could designers and craftsmen. possibly need all under one roof. The company, which has been established They don’t do pre-pack one-size-fitsfor over 10 years, has a boutique style all; every project they undertake, be showroom that combines a fantastic it a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or range of products with a warm, studio, is bespoke, interpreting each 34 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

client’s requirements to produce unique spaces that work beautifully within their environments.

Their Devizes showroom is inspirational, and the ideal place to begin visualising your perfect space.

There is a large selection of work on display so you can look at styles, materials, colours and finishes and talk to their experienced designers about your project.

On the same site as the showroom is the workshop, where all their kitchens and furniture are handmade using traditional and modern joinery techniques with the finest quality materials, fixtures and fittings. Their craftsmen hand select materials to bring together the components that are needed for each project, giving you a finish that is second to none.

01380 722722 | cheverell.co.uk

DREAM DOORS

Silver Street, Bradford on Avon If you’re thinking of a new kitchen but are concerned about the cost, mess and impact on the environment then how about a kitchen makeover?

Kitchen makeovers have become increasingly popular as a more economical and environmentally friendly way of updating your kitchen.

O CO PE FF N EE DA BA IL R Y

FOR GREAT DESIGN IDEAS, COME & VISIT OUR

INTERIORS SHOWROOM

Bespoke Curtains & Blinds, Roller Blinds, Curtain Poles, Upholstery, Interior Design, Fabrics & Wallpapers, Flooring, Rugs, House Accessories New furniture ranges including Vincent Sheppard, Whitehead Designs & Pacific Lifestyle Measuring, Fitting & Decorating Services also available Find us at Silver Street, Gastard, Corsham, SN13 9PY We are just a 4 minute drive from Corsham Town Centre with free customer parking available

INCLUDES... INSPIRATIONAL BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS & KITCHENS • www.perfectrooms.co.uk • Tel: 01249 716445 • interiors@perfectrooms.co.uk

fi

MANY NEW ITEMS ...great prices all year round

fti

01985 847031 • sofacoplus@yahoo.co.uk • sofaco.co.uk • 15 George St, Warminster, BA12 8QA

homes special Instead of sending your old kitchen to landfill Dream Doors can leave your existing cupboard carcasses in situ and instead just replace the doors, drawer fronts, panels and trims. By replacing these fronts you can get a brand new look for less money, hassle and impact on the environment.

Another great option is a quartz overlay worktop. Quartz offers the stunning aesthetic of granite and marble and is a great choice for any contemporary kitchen thanks to its durability and natural resistance to mould and bacteria. Choose from a great range of finishes and colours, from a beautiful marble or flecked with different patterns for a luxurious design. Dream Doors design your worktop to fit your space and simply overlay the quartz over your existing worktop. To find out more pop into the Dream Doors showroom at 10 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon.

01225 282172 | dreamdoors.co.uk

"Instead of sending your old kitchen to landfill Dream Doors can leave your existing cupboard carcasses in situ and instead just replace the doors, drawer fronts, panels and trims. "

FORMOSA

Home Visits Formosa offers the design, supply and installation of beautiful quality kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms with a strong emphasis on local service and a friendly, personal approach. Owner Natasha Allin can guide you through the process of designing and creating the room of your dreams from start to finish in a series of enjoyable and relaxed consultations.

Natasha has the necessary experience and tools to create the perfect kitchen, bathroom or bedroom with you, no matter your budget or style.

With the latest CAD design software, and access to a hand-picked range of UK suppliers, you will be guided seamlessly through the process of your project, all from the comfort of your own home.

With a friendly and relaxed approach, and personalised support, Natasha aims to allow the customer to feel completely at ease when taking on such an important project within the home. An exciting new development is the opening of a new shop showcasing just some of the fantastic designs available. Coming soon, more news to follow!

07970 181502 | formosakitchens.co.uk

As well as beautiful kitchens, Formosa is now offering bathrooms and bedrooms too

36 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

HOLBROOK JOINERY

Park View, Sutton Veny, Warminster Owner Dan Williams and the team at Holbrook Joinery offer a truly bespoke service, delivering beautifully crafted, handmade kitchens and custom joinery solutions to clients across the South West. They tailor every element to your home and family life and only ever use the highest quality materials from managed and sustainable sources.

Holbrook Joinery offers contemporary, country and shaker kitchen designs in solid timber such as oak, maple, ash and walnut and in contemporary lacquered birch plywood. They can also give you a beautiful painted finish which can be sprayed or hand painted in any colour you like. A range of worktop options are also available from solid timber, crafted to fit your kitchen design perfectly, to granite and marble or the more modern look of solid surface tops such as Corian.

All kitchen cabinets and units are hand built in their workshop in Sutton Veny, near Warminster. They include features such as dovetailed drawers and concealed soft close hardware.

They can produce island units, larder units and integrated appliances, the list goes on‌

Holbrook offers contemporary country and shaker kitchen designs

NEW SHOWROOM OPENING SOON

Email: info@formosakitchens.co.uk • Tel: 07970 181502 • www.formosakitchens.co.uk

Traditional and contemporary kitchens and cabinetry Holbrook Joinery Ltd. holbrookjoinery@gmail.com // 01985 840689 // www.holbrookjoinery.co.uk

homes special

DPO Design prepares architectural drawings for a wide range of projects, from extensions to whole new build properties

So if you are considering a new bespoke kitchen or other joinery project, why not get in touch and organise a no obligation meeting to discuss your requirements?

01985 840689 | holbrookjoinery.co.uk

HOMEMAKER

George Street, Warminster Homemaker is a family owned independent company supplying kitchens and electrical appliances from all the major manufacturers from their shops in Warminster and Shaftesbury. As an independent Homemaker pride themselves on giving good reliable local service to their customers at very competitive prices. As well as stocking a great Homemaker design and sell whole kitchens as well as appliances

38 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

"As specialist stonemasons, PM Bines are equally at home working in marble, granite, quartz and sintered stone for beautiful kitchen worktops" range of top appliances, Homemaker is probably best known in the area for their British made kitchens by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Quantum as well as their Hacker Kitchens, custom made in Germany. The latest solid quartz, acrylic and timber worktops are stocked too. If you are looking for a change but need some ideas as to what you could do, or even if you know exactly what you are looking for, pop into their showroom in Warminster to take a look around.

01985 219200 | myhomemaker.co.uk

PM BINES

Lower Farm, Broughton Gifford Based in Broughton Gifford, PM Bines Ltd is a specialist stonemason that has been helping customers transform their kitchens, bathrooms and fire surrounds since 1985. A family run, locally-based firm, a large amount of their work comes from the immediate area, but such is the quality of what is

on offer, PM Bines’ skills are in demand across the country.

As specialist stonemasons, PM Bines are equally at home working in marble, granite, quartz and sintered stone for beautiful kitchen worktops, bathroom interiors, memorial stonework’s, fireplaces and a wide range of other unique pieces, with materials from Britain, Ireland and beyond used to ensure the finest finishes.

01225 782888 | pmbines.co.uk

DESIGN & BUILD DPO DESIGN

Home Visits DPO Design is a small consultancy that specialises in the preparation of architectural design drawings for a large and varied range of projects from domestic extensions, to new build homes, commercial and even agricultural buildings. For many

Offering beautifully designed kitchens, or kitchen replacement doors, with a FREE innovative design & planning service • Stunning ranges including Contemporary, Traditional, Painted, Gloss & more • Expert Design & Installation • Appliances from the Industry’s Leading Manufacturers • The Homemaker Customer Care & After Sales Service

NEWLY REFURBISHED SHOWROOM 5-6 George St, Warminster BA12 8QA 01985 219200 Longmead, Shaftesbury SP7 8PL 01747 851476 www.myhomemaker.co.uk

We provide high quality stonemasonry services to homes & commercial properties throughout Wiltshire & across the UK.

WE SPECIALISE IN

• Marble, limestone & granite worktops • Stone & marble fireplaces • Marble bathrooms • Stone restoration work • Bespoke work With over 35 years’ experience crafting in marble, granite, quartz & sintered stone you can trust P.M. Bines to complete your project to the highest standard. email marble.bines@btconnect.com tel 01225 782888 pmbinesltd.co.uk

Wiltshire’s Expert Stonemasons

homes special people, the planning process can be a daunting exercise and people often don’t know where to start. This is where DPO Design can step in and make the difference by acting as your agent with the local authority.

DPO Design deals with all kinds of projects, from garden room and kitchen extensions, side return extensions, annex buildings for multigenerational living, loft conversions and more. So, whatever project you're planning, be sure to contact DPO Design for a quote or browse the Facebook page for examples of recently completed work.

07748 801306 | dpodesign.co.uk

P F PARSONS LTD

Wylye Road, Hindon, nr Salisbury P F Parsons Ltd are based in Hindon and have been established for 35 years. The company carries out all types of building work including extensions & refurbishments, property maintenance, conservatories, garden rooms and patios.

"The company carries out all types of building work including extensions & refurbishments, property maintenance, conservatories, garden rooms and patios." P F Parsons Ltd If you are looking to invest in your home and garden then give P F Parsons Ltd a call to discuss your project. Whether you want an extension or conservatory with doors that open out onto a beautiful new patio, new kitchen or bathroom or just update your porch or entrance way into your home please call P F Parsons Ltd to discuss your ideas.

They have an extensive portfolio of photographs available which will provide inspiration and can always be viewed on their website.

01747 820422 | pfparsons.co.uk

STEPHEN GRAVER

Edington Road, Steeple Ashton Working from home has become a necessity over the last few months rather than a choice. If areas of your home are more makeshift from the dining table or the living room, it can

be hard to inspire productivity and motivation at the best of times.

Stephen Graver home offices are designed to inspire and motivate you and provide unlimited usage potential, from an additional working or living space, to the perfect garden retreat for working, exercise, eating alfresco or literally anything you need.

Their garden rooms rarely require planning permission so they make an excellent way of increasing the space you need efficiently. As you would also expect from Stephen Graver, they are awe-inspiringly stunning spaces of superior quality and craftsmanship and the design possibilities and shapes are endless.

The designs are truly bespoke to your needs and no two designs will be the same. Using an abundance of light, Stephen Graver can help you create a beautiful garden room or home office

40 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

homes special colour, texture and space designed and built entirely with you in mind, our stunning home offices offer the perfect option for home working.

Adding a bespoke outdoor kitchen can also provide another dining space in your home, the possibilities really are endless. Stephen Graver handle everything from start to delivery of the finished article, making it as easy as possible to provide you with exactly what you need, in an agreed timescale and to suit your budget. Whatever your space, they will make your home office the perfect working environment, that you won’t want to contemplate working anywhere else.

Your work-life balance could change for the better without even needing to leave your home.

have almost 40 years’ experience selling everything for the home – inside and out. If you’re redecorating they stock a large range of both wellknown brands such as Stanley, Harris and Dulux and budget decorating supplies. They keep the 50 most popular Dulux colours pre-mixed in stock, as well as a range of Weathershield, gloss and satinwood.

They also offer Johnstones retail, consisting of over 150 colours ready mixed in a range of finishes. Colour cards and guides are free for you to take if you can't decide on your colour while in store.

High St, Warminster Cordens in Warminster is a real fixture of Warminster high street.

A traditional ironmongers, the store is now so much more to local residents, and currently operates 10 departments over three floors, covering: kitchenware, DIY and paint mixing, ironmongery, tools, electrical, gardening, camping, locks and key cutting, sugarcraft and gifts.

Davies of Westbury also stock all the tools you will need for the job such as paint brushes or rollers, dust sheets or scrapers, they keep everything. Just pop into the shop and one of their staff will be very pleased to help you locate goods, or for practical or product usage advice.

As an independent firm, they are renowned for their helpful and cheerful staff, their knack for problem solving and their ability to source unusual items quickly. If you’re packing the garden up for winter they have everything you could need, and if you’re starting to think about getting ready for the festive season, they have that covered too.

The difference between a family run business and the huge superstores is that they can offer you more choice and a much more personal service – as well as free delivery in and around Westbury.

0845 291 6015 | daviesofwestbury.co.uk

S L CORDEN & SONS

01380 871746 | stephengraver.com

DIY & MAINTENANCE BROWNS HARDWARE Silver Street, Bradford on Avon If you need something for the home or garden as autumn and winter set in then head to Browns, Bradford on Avon’s independent hardware store. Don’t let its size deceive you, they have everything you need in store and if they don't they will try to get it for you! From paint to pruning shears and bird seed Browns’ will do their best to help you and they carry all the top brands too. And when you do pop in, you’ll be supporting a local independent business too.

01985 212115 | slcorden.com

01225 862236 | Find them on Facebook

DAVIES OF WESTBURY Edward Street, Westbury If you want to get busy on a DIY project head to Davies of Westbury to make sure you have everything you need. A family run business, they 42 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Cordens is a traditional ironmongers on Warminster high street

Call to find out more on

07748

801306

• Extensions • Conversions • New Builds • Maintenance • Property Refurbishment • Kitchens & Bathrooms

01747 820422

Unit 1, Wylye Road, Hindon, Salisbury SP3 6ER

enquiries@pfparsons.co.uk www.pfparsons.co.uk

We are a local business specialising in drawings for Planning & Building Regulation approval for new homes, domestic extensions and conversions

dpodesign.co.uk

S.L. Corden & Sons A family run business situated in the heart of Westbury

FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS IN & AROUND THE HOME • DIY • Hand & Power Tools • Gardening • Plumbing • Heating • Logs & Fuels • Electricals • Decorating • Cooking • Sugarcraft FREE DELIVERY TO WESTBURY & SURROUNDS OPEN Monday to Saturday 9am - 5.30pm (Sunday CLOSED)

24 Edward Street, Westbury, BA13 3BD

Tel 01373 822431

www.daviesofwestbury.co.uk

We are a traditional hardware store with a modern twist.

Come to us for...

Gardening Equipment | Outdoor Furniture Household Items | Ironmongery | Tools Paint | DIY | Electrical | Key Cutting Camping Equipment | Sugarcraft | Gifts 4 High Street, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 9AE 01985 212115 | slcorden.com | s.fraser2@btconnect.com

homes special

EJ SHANLEY & SON LTD Warminster & Trowbridge Sometimes nothing but a total clear out will do! If your home is in need of a deep clean, or if you are having works done, consider giving EJ Shanley & Son a call to see about a skip. A family run business for over 50 years, they have a huge fleet of lorries and a large selection of skips and compactor bins for hire, as well as roll-on roll-off bins, a car breakers yard and a metal reclamation centre.

01225 753333 / 01985 213348 | ejshanley.co.uk

HOWARD ROOFING

Home Visits Howard Roofing offers a professional, reliable and friendly service. They have over 10 years’ experience of repairing and re-roofing both traditional and modern roofs and specialise in residential roofing projects including leadwork, rubber roofing and guttering, working with natural slate and stone as well as modern roofing tiles.

Based in Castle Combe, Howard Roofing operates throughout West Wiltshire. Whatever the size of your job, get in touch for a free assessment and quotation without obligation.

07812 093962 | howardroofing.co.uk

waterproofing (including Delta membrane systems) and general maintenance.

They also offer re-plastering services - including lime based plastering approved by Listed Buildings and English Heritage, which makes it perfect for use on the beautiful old properties you find in the local area. It comes as no surprise that both the National Trust and Crown Estates feature on their list of regular clients, as well as local authorities, estate and lettings agents, housing associations and architects as well as the general public.

drying time and maximizing your time to enjoy your home.

Zero Dry Time dry clean carpets with a solution that is safe for your baby, family, pets and allergy sufferers. It’s great for removing stains and once finished will be ready for immediate use. They move your furniture (so you don’t have to) clean, and then move it back straight away. Your carpets are left DRY, deodorised, sanitised and smelling fresh. They are also able to clean all the other floors in your home and offer a fantastic wooden floor restoration service that doesn’t require sanding.

01249 716161 | sovereigndpc.co.uk

ZERO DRY TIME

Home Visits If your floors or upholstery is in need of some TLC this autumn then give Zero Dry Time a call. The company specialises in cleaning carpets, upholstery and hard floors, making your home a clean, green and stain free environment. Their cleaning solutions are designed to minimize

When it comes to upholstery, their cleaning agent works on all manner of fabrics, including leather, and is also designed to dry almost immediately, so you don’t have to wait to use your furniture again. Call free for a free no obligation quote.

0800 180 4116 | nick.coyle@zerodrytime.com

WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIES

"Zero Dry Time dry HARPER’S BLINDS clean carpets with a Home visits solution that is safe for Edward Harper first opened the your baby, family, pets doors to Harpers back in 1964, first and allergy sufferers." in Westbury and later in Trowbridge.

SOVEREIGN DAMP & TIMBER LTD

Ingoldmells Court, Edinburgh Way, Corsham Sovereign Damp Proof & Timber Ltd is based in Corsham and has been providing services throughout the South West since 1981. Established for 35 years, they are renowned for their high quality of workmanship and reliability.

Sovereign offer injected damp proof courses, timber treatments including beetle infestation, wet rot and dry rot treatments, basement 44 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Before Zero Dry Time....

& After...!

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

BLINDS & CURTAINS Expertly made to measure

FREE MEASURING & FREE FITTING • Roller • Venetian • Pleated • Wood Venetian • Perfect Fit • Roman Blinds & Curtains expertly made • Curtain Poles & tracks supplied

***** SPECIAL OFFER ***** VERTICAL BLIND UP TO 2M WIDE X 1.5M DROP ONLY £75 EACH (larger sizes available at extra charge)

tel 01249 716161 or 01225 811222 Email: info@sovereigndpc.co.uk www.sovereigndpc.co.uk 1 Ingoldmells Court, Edinburgh Way, Leafield Ind Estate Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9XN

HARPER’S BLINDS est. 1964

Phone Edward Harper - without obligation 01380 830769 / 07932 640996

For All Your Roofing Needs

E.J. SHANLEY & SON [TROWBRIDGE] LTD

Qualified Roofer Offering...

HOUSE OR GARDEN IN NEED OF A GOOD CLEAROUT?

Howard Roofing • Tiling • Stone Slate • Natural Slate • Leadwork • Repairs

CALL US TODAY!

Mob: 07812 093962 Office: 01249 782694 DeneHowardRoofing@gmail.com Based in Castle Combe, Wiltshire

MENTION WEST WILTS MAG FOR 10% OFF YOUR SKIP CALL TROWBRIDGE OR WARMINSTER

01225 753333 / 01985 213348 43 Shails Lane, Trowbridge 43 Copheap Lane, Warminster

www.howardroofing.co.uk

www.ejshanley.co.uk WILTSHIRE‘S LEADER IN SKIP HIRE

homes special Over 50 years later and he is offering a complete home service with free measuring and fitting and samples supplied. They have a huge range of fabrics available to choose from and offer all kinds of blind options from Roller and Venetian to expertly made Roman blinds and curtains. They even offer Perfect Fit options, and with 50 years in the business, are true experts in their field – this is a business built on recommendation. For a free no obligation quotation give Edward a call today.

01380 830769 or 07932 640996.

NEW WINDOWS

Station Rd, Warminster There is still time to organise the replacement of faulty or leaky windows and doors before the winter comes. By replacing single glazed windows and doors with energy efficient glazing you could save around £135 per year on your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, make your home less draughty and insulate your home against unwanted

"There is still time to organise the replacement of leaky windows and doors before winter comes."

New Windows

outside noise.

With over 25 years of continuous service, New Windows has a long-standing reputation for providing high quality products, all manufactured in the UK to a high specification. As well as installing top quality replacement windows, they are also specialists in conservatories, orangeries and contemporary bi-fold doors. What’s more, their team of expert fitters are all trained craftsmen and provide a friendly and professional service - tidily and without fuss.

Home Visits Shuttercraft Somerset makes light work of transforming your home with premium made-to-measure shutters and blinds. They are trusted to provide a friendly, dependable service throughout Bath, Frome and West Wilts. With a huge variety full customisable colours and styles, visit their website to view a gallery of inspiration for your home.

Based in Warminster, New Windows serves West Wiltshire, Bath and most of the South West. Call to arrange a free no obligation quote.

Shutters can transform the look of your space, and work brilliantly in any room, from a kitchen to a loft conversion.

They are fantastic in period properties, to make the most of beautiful sash windows, and can flawlessly enhance a bay window as well as being a stunning feature in their own right. Whatever your requirements, give them a call to book a free, no obligation home appointment. Their experts will discuss your options and provide you with a competitive quote for your consideration.

01985 215566 | newwindowsltd.co.uk

01225 941016 | shuttercraft.co.uk

Made to measure shutters can transform the look of your space

46 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

SHUTTERCRAFT

BROWNS HARDWARE & IRONMONGERY Bradford on Avon’s independent hardware store

TOP BRANDS AT BROWNS VISIT US FOR YOUR GARDEN ACCESSORIES

PURVEYORS OF... HOUSEWARES • CLEANING PRODUCTS • TOOLS • ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING • DECORATING & DIY • GARDENING Open: Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm & Saturday 9am - 3pm 30 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon BA15 1JX Telephone 01225 862236

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE HERE

GREAT SELECTION OF TREES & SHRUBS

BEAUTIFUL PLANTS ALL GROWN ON BRITISH NURSERIES

• Bedding & Annuals • Perennials • Veg & Herbs • Trees & Shrubs • Climbers • Roses

PLUS: Pots & Planters • Compost • Fertilisers & Chemicals • Bulbs & Seeds • Tools • Sundries OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Monday - Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm

f thenurseryhilperton

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

WESTBURY FENCING • All garden fencing supplied • New fencing installations • Hedge cutting • Fencing repairs

FREE QUOTATIONS AVAILABLE RENEW - REPAIR - READY FOR WINTER

Call 01373 822933 or 07506 373335

info@westburygardenfencing.co.uk www.westburygardenfencing.co.uk

wildlife

GREEN LANE WOOD Next in our series of features on Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's 38 reserves is GREEN LANE WOOD in Trowbridge...

image © Owain Shaw

The path at Green Lane Woods

T

In summer, look for butterflies such as the silver-washed fritillary, Duke of Burgundy, purple hairstreak, speckled wood and white-letter hairstreak.

Autumn offers striking leaf colour and fungi; and in January and February listen for the hammering of the great spotted woodpecker. The meadow is full of flowers from spring onwards scarce adder’s-tongue fern, common knapweed, and betony. It is light and

The wood connects with Biss Wood Nature Reserve and Green Lane Nature Park – why not enjoy a walk through them all?

"In autumn, look out for some of Biss Wood’s 389 species of fungi, including purple jellydisk fungus" 52

Wildflowers such as common spotted orchid, Solomon's seal, bugle, and St John's wort grow along the sunny rides. In autumn, look out for some of Biss Wood’s 389 species of fungi, including purple jellydisk fungus, lilac bonnet, green elf cup (which is a beautiful turquoise colour), and the yellow-coloured dog vomit slime mould – more pleasantly known as flowers of tan. damp beneath the pylons - ideal for wild angelica and ragged robin.

his ancient oak woodland was left to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in 1991 by its previous owner, who had lived in a cabin in the wood, and in 1998 the Trust purchased the wildflower meadow next to it. The open part of the wood is coppiced, encouraging woodland flowers such as Solomon’s seal, stinking iris, and the greater butterfly orchid to grow.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

in the canopy. Bechstein’s bats hunt for insects at dusk and you can see birds such as bullfinch.

In the woodland you can find birds such as nuthatch and jay. Look out for a treecreeper walking up the side of a tree trunk in search of food. Roe and muntjac deer are hard to spot but you might be lucky, and you may also see a grass snake or slow worm basking in the sunshine. The rare Bechstein’s bat also makes the wood its home, roosting in hollow or rotten trees or bird and bat boxes.

BISS WOOD

Biss Wood was clear felled and replanted in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It is now a mix of deciduous trees managed in the traditional way by coppicing. It is crossed with sunny woodland rides and ditches and also has a pond. In summer, purple hairstreak butterflies seek nectar high

VOLUNTEERING

If you would like to help with tasks such as coppicing, deer fencing, and ride management at Green Lane Wood, please fill in a volunteer application form at www. wiltshirewildlife.org/volunteer-with-us, specifying which of the following groups you’d like to join: • Green Lane Wood first Sunday of the month and/or Tuesdays (10am-1pm) • Biss Wood fortnightly on a Wednesday (9am-3pm) • Green Lane Nature Park fourth Saturday of the month (10am-3pm) Trowbridge, BA14 6GP OS map 143; Grid ref. ST 87420 57456 • Only suitable for wheelchairs in the nature park. The gates into the woods are tricky to navigate with a pushchair, impossible with a wheelchair.

• In the interest of wildlife, dogs must be on leads in the woods.

• 1.21 hectares • wiltshirewildlife.org

wildlife The great spotted woodpecker

DIRECTIONS

image © Darin Smith

If driving - Please park at: ST 87420 57456 (Huntingfield off Leap Gate Road) as the car parks off the A350 remain closed.

If using bus – Regular bus services to Trowbridge town centre. Route 66 town centre bus goes to Green Lane.

If cycling – see sustrans.org.uk THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 53

house & home

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS...

The Christmas Decorators are the leading suppliers and innovators of Christmas decorating; they specialise in making the festive season truly memorable.

D

ecember will come around again soon to end a year that many of us will never forget. The annual ritual of taking the Christmas decorations down from the loft begins. The scene in most households of any size paints a similar picture - dusting off the inherited tree angel, picking out the baubles that haven’t made it through storage or into this year’s colour scheme and getting the tree lights to work or making a mad dash to buy another set. That is just inside the house, outside the house is a whole other project management plan in itself and often a rush job because the most wonderful time of the year is also the busiest, especially for those hosting guests or organising events.

It’s situations like this that have made The Christmas Decorators the leading suppliers and innovators of Christmas decorating in over 2000 homes across the UK. Richard Green and Jonny Mundy lead the team who will light up the homes and businesses of the region over the festive season with breathtakingly beautiful lighting, trees, wreaths and garlands in stunning tailor-made designs to suit your home and taste, leaving you to enjoy

Get your home ready for Christmas, inside & out

54 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

The Christmas Decorators are leading Christmas suppliers and innovators

"the team light up the homes and businesses of the region with breathtakingly beautiful lighting, trees, wreaths and garlands in stunning tailor-made designs" irreplaceable time with your family and friends.

year, leaving memories long after Christmas is over.

From elegantly created sparkling tree-wraps, which look beautiful all year round, to illuminated driveways, and decorated doorways which have featured in the homes of a growing number of celebrity clients. Anything and everything is possible.

For themed parties, recreating the magical land of Narnia through the inside of a wardrobe, complete with a life-size Aslan the lion is a project the team are proud to have under their belt. Harry Potter and Hogwarts became the setting for another. There is really nothing the team cannot create for their growing list of clients.

Their beautiful lighting and exclusive ‘Glowsnug’ illuminated tepees are also now in huge demand all year round for weddings and other events.

For those looking for something more unique, a gigantic stack of huge colour-themed baubles or a pond with a floating twinkling illuminated star are just some of the displays the team have been asked to supply.

The only limit to what can be done is the imagination of the client as the team go out of their way to create the display of your dreams! And when it’s over, the team pack up and store everything until the following

Spaces are limited already so don’t leave it too late to speak to Richard or Jonny to start making this year’s memories – see the website for details.

• makechristmasmemorable.com

retirement

DOWNSIZE WITH EASE AT WADSWICK GREEN Wadswick Green now offers a 45-day pledge to give retirees the option of moving into their new home sooner than they believed possible.

D

ownsizing can be daunting for retirees, particularly when it comes to the sale of their home. The costs and worry associated with numerous house viewings, the stress of dealing with estate agents, and the uncertainty of the housing market can be a deterrent for many. Wadswick Green in Corsham offers a solution with a new 45-day pledge that gives an option to retirees to move sooner than they thought possible.

The sale of their current home is entirely handled by house buying partners National Property Trade, the process starts with a discussion of each resident’s personal situation on a confidential basis, to assess each moving situation. Future residents choose a convenient moving date to Wadswick Green, and their former home is then valued and surveyed

by National Property Trade and two independent local estate agents.

Wadswick Green's new 45-day pledge will help you move home in as little as 6 weeks

"Prospective buyers can book an appointment with a dedicated member of the sales team for a virtual viewing."

The home will then be put on the market, allowing the downsizers to move on to the next phase of their retirement quickly and easily. Rose Wiltshire, Sales Advisor at Wadswick Green, comments: “Coronavirus and the restrictions imposed really prompted the older generation to A RICS survey is undertaken prior to take a good look at their lives and their being presented with the guaranteed homes. Many want to downsize, move cash offer for their home. The offer to spacious beautiful grounds, and live is non-obligatory, and if accepted in a safe and secure community where National Property Trade will then buy care is available should they need it.” their home in cash, with payment guaranteed to be completed in as Featuring a mixture of one, two and little as 14 days. three bedroom apartments for over 60s, Wadswick Green offers residents a wide range of onsite amenities and social activities that help to boost their social life.

team. Activities and services were tailored, making sure everyone was safe, happy and stimulated. Viewing and appointment procedures have also been modified to ensure everyone keeps as safe as possible.

In addition, a new virtual appointment and viewing system has been put in place for prospective residents to be able to view in the comfort of their own home.

Customers are taken through the grounds and each room of a property so they can experience the interior of the home and see for themselves the real views that they will enjoy.

To find out more about the 45-day move in pledge call 01225 220948 or visit the website.

The village community at Wadswick Green adapted to ‘lockdown life’ very • rangefordvillages.co.uk/villages/ quickly with the support of the onsite wadswick-green 56 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

legal & financial

HOMEMADE WILLS: A FALSE ECONOMY Kathryn Smith Cowap, a Partner in the Private Client team at Wansbroughs Solicitors explains why professional advice is essential when putting in place your Will.

W

hile some homemade things can be a great success – a knitted scarf, a handcrafted table, a strawberry jam – others can be less so.

At Wansbroughs, we see many homemade Wills in the course of our work and as a result, we always recommend a professionally drafted Will.

I know you’re thinking, “Well, she’s a solicitor, she would say that, wouldn’t she?” but a professionally drafted Will avoids the many pitfalls we see every day within homemade Wills: • A Will making a gift of specific assets that no longer exist at death (such as a gift of the balance in your Midland Bank or Northern Rock account – remember those?)

• Improperly defined beneficiaries (you know who Clara is and where she lives, but will that be the case for those who have to find Clara after your death in order to pass on her inheritance?)

• If those left behind cannot trace a beneficiary, they might have to go to the expense of employing a specialist tracing agent. If that does not work, they may have to consider the expense of missing beneficiary insurance.

• You appointed your friend Geoff as your executor but unfortunately, he died before you, who acts now?

• The Will pack you bought online included sections you didn’t like or didn’t understand so you crossed them out – the repercussions of that might mean far more cost and uncertainty for those dealing with the Will after your death, and possibly even a partial intestacy meaning that the law takes over and your wishes may not be met.

• You wrote the Will so you would understand it, without all that flowery and complicated language that lawyers use. The reason we use that language? It is because it has been tried and tested in the Courts for decades (and in some cases centuries!). It works, and so by using it, we know your Will works.

58 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

When we meet family members for the first time after they have suffered the loss of a loved one, they always come to us with a sense of relief if their relative did take the time to obtain a professionally drafted Will that not only clearly sets out their wishes but also leaves no room for ambiguity or uncertainty. That is not always the case where a homemade Will is involved.

If you currently have a homemade Will and think it might be time to swap it for a professionally drafted one, please get in touch with us at wealth@wansbroughs.com or on 01380 733300.

• wansbroughs.com

"a professionally drafted Will avoids the many pitfalls we see every day within homemade Wills" Kathryn Smith Cowap

bath rugby

OCTOBER HALF TERM RUGBY CAMPS Bath Rugby is offering a full schedule of half term rugby camps across Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset...

ensuring every team’s squad strength has been fully tested.

Kids rugby camps return this half term

B

ath Rugby’s community coaches are pleased to be offering a full October half-term schedule, taking place at grassroots clubs throughout Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.

CAMP SCHEDULE

In their most recent match they had an incredible comeback against Gloucester at The Rec. They trailed 20-3 with 20 minutes to go, only to run out 31-20 bonus point winners.

Their final fixture, away at Saracens, is as tough as they come though. If they win, and make it through the semi finals they are played on 10/11 October and the final on 24 October For only £30 per day, your child will at Twickenham. Stuart Hooper’s first develop their confidence, decision (very long) season in charge has making, game understanding and certainly gone better than many Bath spatial awareness - and hopefully come home with a smile on their face. supporters thought it would. There is Go to rugbycamps.co.uk/bath to find even a growing confidence among them that they may even be in the out more and to book a spot. hunt for some silverware...

MONDAY 26 OCTOBER Supermarine RFC

BATH MAKE PLAY OFF PUSH

TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER Dorchester RFC

Very few expected Bath to be in the mix for the play offs when rugby resumed in August - most sports journalists even doubted they would finish in the top six. But Bath returned from the enforced break in superb form, winning 6 from 7 games, and it has pushed them right into contention for the Gallagher Premiership title. What has been most impressive has been the effort of the whole squad, with midweek games

WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER Frome RFC THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER North Dorset RFC FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER Lambridge Training Ground (Bath) Half-term camps will provide the perfect additional coaching for any budding rugby player, and also serve as the perfect introduction to rugby for any child looking to start playing.

RFU have progressed their ‘Return to Rugby’ roadmap, therefore, these camps will include aspects of contact within training, which is exciting for those hoping to develop that side of their game.

60 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

• bathrugby.com

Bath have been in great form since the restart

REARRANGED 2019/20 FIXTURES The following Gallagher Premiership games have been rearranged and will all be played behind closed doors. All matches will be shown on BT Sport...

4 Oct 15:00 A Saracens GP TV 10 & 11 Oct TBC TBC Gallagher Premiership GP TV Semi Finals 24 Oct TBC Twickenham Gallagher Premiership GP TV Final

CHURCH STREET OSTEOPATHY & COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH PRACTICE

Nestled in the heart of Bradford on Avon, our practice has served the local community and far beyond for over 25 years. The Centre is home to 7 very experienced Osteopaths.

OUR TREATMENTS INCLUDE...

ACUPUNCTURE COUNSELLING HOMEOPATHY MASSAGE THERAPY OSTEOPATHY

CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY

(treating babies, children & adults)

PSYCHOTHERAPY REFLEXOLOGY REIKI

We are open: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 6.30pm (Appointments available 9am - 6pm) Saturdays 8.30am - 4pm (Appointments available 9am - 4pm)

Think of beach sunsets and zesty cocktails whilst enjoying a full body Church Street Practice 15a Church Street scrub containing watermelon and Yuzu, followed by a full body wrap Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1LN containing green tea and mint leaves. To prolong this divine experience, up the treatment to 90 minutes and enjoy a full body massage using an oil Telephone 01225 868282 • www.churchstreetpractice.co.uk • enquiries@churchstreetpractice.co.uk containing lemon peel, black pine and rosemary 50 minutes, £60

V I TA LI T Y DAY S PA A sanctuary of relaxation in Bradford On Avon

10% OFF*

WITH BOA SHOP LOCAL CARD

*Autumn Glow treatment

- 90 minutes, £98 (a saving of £16)

Vitality Relaxation & Day Spa provides 5* luxury treatments and therapies in a tranquil and welcoming environment, at affordable prices.

Only 100% natural and cruelty free products are stocked and used in the spa, and they are sourced from a local company.

TREATMENT OF THE MONTH ‘AUTUMN

GLOW’

Specially designed for pure relaxation. Enjoy a refreshing cleanse & tone, a luxurious hot stone face, hands & feet massage and a heavenly inhalation and scalp massage, using an oil containing lavender, rosemary & gotu kola. 30 minute treatment £32 FULL TREATMENT MENU & DESCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE IN THE SPA & ON OUR

f PAGE

NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

01225 309356 • vitalitydayspa.co.uk • book@vitalitydayspa.co.uk • 8 Market St, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1LH

puzzles

THAT’S INTERESTING...

Each month ADAM JACOT DE BOINOD, former researcher from ‘QI’ and author of The Meaning of Tingo, poses a vocabulary quiz from our local Wiltshire dialect.

CAN YOU GUESS THE CORRECT DEFINITION? 1. LEACH a) a spur attached to the heel of a fighting cock b) wool taken from a dead sheep c) a strand of a rope

2. PLIM

3. RUCKSY a) muddy, untidy b) in the opposite direction, the wrong way

Polish: ćwir-ćwir

4. QUIDDLE

COWS Dutch: boeh Hungarian: bú Icelandic: mö

a) to complain b) a fussy person c) a large playing marble

ANIMAL SOUNDS

In Albanian, Danish, English, Hebrew and Polish, to name just a few languages, bees make a buzzing sound, and cats a miaow. However, no language but English seems to think owls go ‘tu-whit, tu-woo’ or a cockerel goes ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’.

And not everyone agrees about the birds and the bees either: BIRDS Finnish: tsirp tsirp Hungarian: csipcsirip Dutch: twiet twiet

HENS Turkish: gut-gut-gudak Arabic (Algeria): cout cout cout Swedish: kakaka OWLS Norwegian: uhu Russian: sova ukhaet Swedish: hoho

ANSWERS 1C, 2B, 3A, 4B

a) a lean deer not fit to hunt b) to swell out c) diagonally across from something else

c) badly formed or out of shape

PIGS Albanian: hunk hunk Hungarian: röf-röf-röf German: oink oink Dutch: knor knor Polish: chrum chrum

Balance

Coaching & Therapy

Peter Wilkinson

M.Inst.Ch.P

Help With • Financial/job worries • Family/Relationship problems • Stress & feelings of depression • Personal goals • Feeling stuck or overwhelmed • Wanting a way forward & much more...

You are in safe hands to talk about anything that is bothering you.

I am a qualified Coach, Solution Focused Therapist & Hypnotherapist.

Fiona Robinson 07801 436633 fiona@balancehypnotherapy.co.uk www.balancehypnotherapy.co.uk 62 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

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AUGUST 2018

// ISSUE 108

West Wilts The

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64 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

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last word

I

I’VE MISSED NOT LIKING PEOPLE

was hoping to be able to write something a little bit lighter this month! Perhaps the all pervading COVID-19 would have abated a bit and we could all get back to something approaching whatever the ‘new’ normal is.

Not only is that not the case but apparently, according to the Govt. scientists, things are getting worse and at the time of writing we may be on the way to some kind of limited/local lockdown scenario. Joy. I am, though, going to attempt to bring some levity to the situation….. we will revisit at the end of the piece to see if I have been at all successful!!

One of the things I’ve mentioned before whilst writing this column over the last decade or so is that, sometimes, not always but definitely sometimes, I don’t like people. Don’t get me wrong, I like the people I like (if you understand me) but people in general, if I’m totally honest I could take or leave. So when the lockdown was first happening and once I had got over the fact that the world was going to end and we would have no business and my children’s future was ruined (did I mention I have a tendency to catastrophise?) I was quite looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet.

the death broke out over toilet roll and hand sanitizer.

Oh yes, I was (secretly) quite looking forward to lockdown, the threat to life from catching Covid notwithstanding. I wouldn’t have to deal with people anymore for one at least not people I didn’t want to.

I could go about my daily business just actually speaking to my

“Don’t get me wrong, I like the people I like (if you understand me) but people in general, if I’m totally honest I could take or leave.” immediate family and then having Zoom chats with others and using the excuse of bad connectivity if I wanted to stop the conversation. I honestly thought that not having much contact with the outside world wouldn’t be too bad.

As it turns out humans are social animals after all… even me!! I’m not for one minute saying I missed all social interaction. Some of the, so called, humans I’ve had dealings with over my 55 years on this planet would definitely benefit from not being in my vicinity again, actually it would be me that would benefit most from that particular social distancing. I did however miss going to cafés and coffee shops and Admittedly at first I’d had visions just being recognised with a wave of trying to survive in some postor a “How are you this morning apocalyptic Mad Max world (see what I mean about catastrophising?) Phil?” I basically missed the nice people that populate my life and and knew I’d have no chance. No, to be honest I take for granted. The I’m more like Mad Maz, a slightly people on the school run that I see weird crazy hippy who’d last about 3 and a half seconds after a fight to twice a day, five days a week for 66 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

most of the year and for most of the last three years. The lovely couple who come up from Devon and sit in front of us at the rugby every home game. Joyce, a lady of a certain age, who frequents my coffee shop of choice even more than I do and for that matter Max and his team who are always unfailingly lovely to me and make me want to keep coming back. Loads and loads of really nice

people who I see most days and fail to recognise the beauty they bring to my life.

I think I did pretty well in bringing some humour into this piece given the current situation don’t you? Let’s see if I can keep it up next month.

No pressure!

Phil Rockliffe