The West Wilts Magazine - January 2021

JANUARY 2021 // ISSUE 133

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West Wilts The

JANUARY CHALLENGE

TAKE IT ON FOR DOROTHY HOUSE

Going

Vegan VEGANUARY RECIPES FROM THE FOOD WIFE

MAGAZINE

PRIME TIME OUR LATER LIFE & RETIREMENT SPECIAL

GET THE LOOK

A GUIDE TO MODERN RUSTIC INTERIORS

+ RUSTIQ FITNESS VITALITY DAY SPA BEAUTY WISH LIST THE TILE HOUSE & MUCH MORE

A WALK IN THE WOODS

EXPLORING WILTSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST’S RAVENSROOST

FOOD & DRINK // PUZ ZLES // HOME & GARDENS // HEALTH // COMMENT

EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN | COMPLETE INSTALLATION

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

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contents Published by Wired Publishing Editor Lisa Rockliffe Contributors 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: Ravensroost

January 2021 // issue 133

W

e’ve made it out of 2020! That in itself is cause for celebration as we look forward to, hopefully, better times to come. If the last year has taught us anything though, it’s to enjoy those simple pleasures, the first of which is a good walk. We continue our exploration of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s 40 reserves with a visit to the beautiful ancient woodland at Ravensroost (p18).

The new year is a time for reinvention. If you want to take on a challenge then Dorothy House’s January Challenge (p6) could be perfect - it’s a great way to get active and raise money for a fantastic cause at the same time! The Food Wife offers up some great recipes if you are thinking of trying Veganuary (p27) and we also caught up with Rustiq Fitness’ Arron CollinsThomas to talk qigong and a lot more (p31).

One of our most popular features every year is our retirement guide. It makes a welcome return this January (p35) and is filled with useful information for anyone planning for later life, from the financial to the social.

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There’s that and lots more besides, just turn the page to enjoy your first edition of 2021. Happy New Year!

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

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in this issue...

LOCAL NEWS The January Challenge Haynes International Motor Museum Butterfly Home Help St Margaret’s Prep School Aqua Sana Spa

6 8 12 14 16

FOOD & DRINK Fairfield Farm Shop & Café Allington Farm Shop The Swan’s new alpine bar Eat the Seasons Veganuary recipes

22 22 24 26 27

FEATURES Ravensroost 18 Arron Collins-Thomas interview 31 Prime Time 35

HOUSE & HOME Wadswick Green The Tile House Modern Rustic interiors

48 50 52

HEALTH & WELLBEING The Beauty Wish List Church Street Practice Vitality Day Spa

56 58 58

BATH RUGBY Half term camps return

60

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES That’s interesting...

62 Quiz, wordsearch & sudoku 64 COMMENT The Last Word

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...keep safe and well

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local news

TAKE ON THE JANUARY CHALLENGE Take on the January Challenge and walk or run off those Christmas pounds and support DOROTHY HOUSE at the same time!

S

o many of us begin each new year with a plan to get fitter and healthier. And how many of us actually stick to those goals?

Instead of relying on dwindling willpower, why not set your sights on getting fit and raising money for a great cause at the same time and take on the January Challenge?!

WALK OR RUN? YOU DECIDE...

If you decide to take on the January Challenge simply choose which option you want to go for and start wracking up those miles. You can walk or run your way through 100km (60 miles) and you have the 31 days of January to do it in.

Take part solo or work as a team, it's entirely up to you! Register on the Event Brite website (search for the January 100k Challenge) for your ticket and get going. It's entirely free to enter and is a great way to kick off 2021 on active, positive note!

GET FUNDRAISING

Get fit and raise money for Dorothy House at the same time this January

"If you decide to take on the January Challenge simply choose which option you want to go for and start wracking up those miles."

Once you are signed up Dorothy House will send you helpful tips and ideas to make it as easy and possible to raise money, and they'll be on hand with advice and support should you need it too.

mobility for one of their patients. £104 would pay for all three - a fanastic achievement. Should you raise over £300 you will even receive an exclusive I'm a Challenge Champion hoodie!

YOUR DONATION

Nobody has been left unaffected by the challenges of Covid, and charities like Dorothy House are no different. Whilst continuing to offer fantastic care services, they've had to handle the cancellation of all their big fundraising events.

By taking on a challenge like this you are helping to provide much needed care for those with a life limiting illness and their families right here in West Wiltshire.

COUNTS Once you're all signed They say every little up create a fundraising helps and it really page on JustGiving or does. £20 could pay GivePenny and this for an house of care will make it easier for in someone's home, others to donate. Also providing support remember to tell your and comfort through family and friends the night. £28 could about it on social page for a session of media. They can make a donation to your challenge and/or couselling support at the most even take on the 100k challenge for difficult time. £56 could pay for a physiotherapy visit to help restore themselves!

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• dorothyhouse.org.uk

local news

KIDS GO FREE

I

Book a visit to Haynes International Motor Museum this January and kids can go for free!

f 2020 taught us anything, it’s what matters most: supporting each other and sharing time with family. Like so many independent museums in the UK, Haynes International Motor Museum has had an incredibly challenging year and now more than ever they need some support. One way to do that is to buy a ticket and visit, but at this time of year they also understand that local families might need a little help too. That’s why children aged 15 and under can visit the Museum for free until the end of January 2021. This is a saving of up to £9.50 per child.

The Museum has undergone some extensive changes during 2020, investing heavily in both redesigning the layout to ensure visitor safety and social distancing, as well as introducing some brand new exhibitions including ‘Williams F1: The Drivers and the Driven’. However with the further challenges a second lockdown has brought there is a need for the Museum to be financially and operationally efficient, whilst not compromising on either visitor safety or the experience. So the Museum, as well as offering free tickets to all children, will also be temporarily adjusting their opening hours, with the Museum and Café open Friday to Sunday only, from 10am to 4.30pm.

Chris Scudds, Museum CEO commented, “It’s been a tough year for so many organisations, not least independent Museums and charities such as ourselves,

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Haynes has a new Williams exhibition

“The Museum has undergone some extensive changes during 2020, investing heavily in both redesigning the layout as well as introducing some brand new exhibitions including Williams F1: The Drivers & The Driven” but we must never forget that it’s also been super hard on so many families too. By supporting families in the South West with our offer of free child entry, we hope that the local community will support us by simply taking up this amazing offer.

If you are able to come and see us, whilst of course adhering to all restrictions, we’d absolutely love to see you. We’ve got some wonderful exhibitions ready and waiting to share with you!”

To arrange a visit the Haynes International Motor Museum, please check local government restrictions and pre-book your tickets online.

• himm.co.uk

The museum has undergone extensive changes

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local news

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Could 2021 be the year you start a fulfilling new career?

It could be if you get in touch with BUTTERFLY HOME HELP.

weekend off, giving you a better work/life balance. They also offer competitive pay including travel time and mileage. They guarantee hours and don’t offer zero hours contracts (unless you want one).

They also have fantastic training and development opportunities, so you can take advantage of these too. The management team believes that if they care about their team they in turn will give the best care for their clients, so you will find Butterfly Home Help a friendly and supportive environment to work in.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD CARER?

W

ith 2020 firmly behind us 2021 brings a chance to start a new chapter.

Butterfly Home Help, a wellestablished care provider in Wiltshire, is offering a variety of job roles within their busy team, helping to provide home care and support. If you are looking for a job that makes a real difference, then this could be the role that you are looking for. Their care team undertakes over 1000 care visits each week, so the work is varied as well as rewarding.

Established in 2008, Butterfly Home Help is the vision of Anne and Eric Pelling. Their vision is to provide outstanding care to the local people of Bath and West Wiltshire, as well as being a wonderful place to work. To power this vision, there is a passionate and energetic team that are focused on delivering outstanding care services.

Butterfly Home Help offers a wide

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range of care services, and can range from weekly visits, to those needing help every day. They believe that if it matters to you, it matters to them, and this is central to both their carers and their clients. By joining their team, you will be able to wake up every day knowing that you are making a difference, helping to enable clients to live more independently, in surroundings they are familiar with. No two days are the same when working with us, and some of the services you could be helping with include: shopping and meal preparation, support with medication, personal care, transport for appointments and companionship.

FLEXIBILITY, JOB SECURITY & TRAINING There are so many reasons to join the team at Butterfly Home Help.

They offer a huge range of flexible hours, also offering staff every other

At Butterfly Home Help they look beyond qualifications and look more at your qualities. If you are caring, reliable, trustworthy and positive, they could have a position available for you. Make a change for the better in 2021, and apply to join the team at Butterfly Home Help. You can find out more information and view the latest vacancies on the website.

• butterflycare.co.uk/jobs

"Their care team undertakes over 1000 care visits each week, so the work is varied as well as rewarding."

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local news

INSPIRING EXCELLENCE Led by headmaster LUKE BROMWICH, the children at ST MARGARET’S PREP SCHOOL in Calne are working hard to be the best they can be.

H

eadmaster Luke Bromwich arrived at St Margaret’s in September 2019 knowing the school had all the right ingredients to give every child an excellent start in life but was determined to drive them to be the very best they could be.

The children at St Margaret's are encouraged to challenge themselves in a supportive environment

He came with a masterplan that he expects every teacher and pupil to embrace as the whole school works towards inspiring excellence. Mr Bromwich said: “When I arrived at St Margaret’s I realised I was taking over an already very successful school but I believed we could do even more to help children to be the very best they can be.

“This was by developing the skills for learning which are all about communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. This sits alongside developing the traditional values of kindness, respect, integrity, courage, curiosity and perseverance.

Our children, with the support of staff and parents, have been incredibly resilient over the past months and shown many of these attributes.”

He said: “I want lessons to be vibrant, dynamic and exciting. But the pupils have to also take responsibility and challenge themselves. They need to be able to explain in what way they have shown one or more of the six traditional values in what they have done.

“Have they had the courage to put forward a point of view, the curiosity to find out more about a subject and the perseverance to stick with something they find difficult?

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“I want lessons to be vibrant, dynamic and exciting. But the pupils have to also take responsibility and challenge themselves.”

“I have a very strong staff but I want to be the type of Head who leads by example. I may not be an expert in everything, but I will know the right person to go to who is.”

He is happy to throw himself into all aspects of school life and could not resist challenging his older pupils to a race when a climbing wall was erected as part of an outdoor day of learning. He enjoys a wide range of sport and believes in supporting his pupils in the many diverse activities offered at St Margaret’s.

“The children learn from competitive situations and realise they can’t always win but they can persevere and try to improve. They can say I showed kindness and respect to a member of my team or the opposition, integrity and fairness

in the way I played and courage to keep going.

“The most important thing is that we put the child at the centre of what we do. In the classroom if there is a teacher who is spending more time talking than listening to what children have to say then that is something that needs to change.

Learning needs to be dynamic.

“I don’t want inspiring excellence to just be a concept. I want it to be something that everyone can evaluate, explain and embrace in everyday life here at St Margaret’s.”

St Margaret's is hosting a virtual open event on Thursday 4 February, see the website for details.

• stmargaretsprep.org.uk

local news

AQUA SANA SPA WINS BEST LARGE SPA! AQUA SANA SPA at Longleat has been named the best large spa in the UK!

A

qua Sana Longleat Forest is celebrating after being named Large Spa of the Year at the Professional Beauty Awards 2020. The spa was also awarded the title of South West & Wales Spa of the Year.

The prestigious Professional Beauty Awards are a key fixture in the beauty and spa industry – this year, they took place online after having been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Forest Cavern

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Aqua Sana Longleat Forest Spa Manager, Kadey English, said: “It’s an absolute privilege to win these awards and a testament to the hard work that went into transforming Aqua Sana Longleat Forest. It’s a real accolade for the team of therapists, spa hosts and spa attendants who

continue to make this such a special spa, every single day.”

The spa’s win follows a £6m investment in 2019, which saw the spa undergo a full refurbishment and reopen in January 2020 to rave reviews.

"Aqua Sana Longleat Forest draws its inspiration from different aspects of nature, incorporating the surrounding forest and natural world into the spa experience."

local news

Aqua Sana Longleat Forest draws its inspiration from different aspects of nature, incorporating the surrounding forest and natural world into the spa experience. It’s also home to two exclusive experiences – the Forest Cavern and Moonlight Steam Room.

The unique Forest Cavern replicates the feeling of discovering a cave nestled deep within a tropical forest. Infused with pomegranate and myrrh, and with the soothing background noise of trickling water, the space is designed to

create a tepidarium-style heat and the design draws on the Wiltshire landscape, taking inspiration from the many caves found within the local area.

The Moonlight Steam Room, which is accompanied by a Moonlight Shower to continue the benefits, carries the forest theme through and replicates the sensation of being in a darkened tropical forest, with a dusky glow from the light of the moon. The experience harnesses lunar power to transport guests through the colours and sensations of dawn and dusk, leaving them stimulated, refreshed and soothed.

The spa is spread across five ‘zones’ – Nordic Forest, Hot Springs, Volcanic Forest, Forest Immersion

and Treetop Nesting – each celebrating different aspects of nature through a spectrum of sounds, colours and infusions.

Due to the coronavirus restrictions, Aqua Sana Longleat Forest is currently only open to guests on a Center Parcs break.

• aquasana.co.uk

Moonlight Steam Room

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 17

wildlife

RAVENSROOST WOOD & MEADOWS Next in our series of features on Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's 40 reserves is RAVENSROOST WOOD & MEADOWS near Malmesbury...

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wildlife

Ravensroost is an ancient woodland, which means it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600

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wildlife

R

avensroost Wood is full of interesting wildlife and history and you can walk into surrounding wildflower fields for a contrasting experience. To the east are Ravensroost and Avis Meadows, and to the north are Warbler and Distillery Meadows.

RAVENSROOST WOOD The wood’s northern section is a fine example of ancient woodland, meaning it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600AD. The south was almost completely cleared from the mid-1600s to make way for agriculture, before being replanted in the 19th century. The Trust bought the wood in 1987.

You will find the rare wild service tree at Ravensroost Spot birds like goldcrests in the winter, and enjoy the Dawn Chorus in spring

One of the rare ancient woodland tree species found here is the ‘wild service’ tree, also known as chequers.

In the past its berries were used to make alcoholic drinks.

Follow the surfaced path, known as the Jack Smith Ride, through the wood until you come to the Shooting Hut. This was built in the 1930s and auctions were held here to sell coppiced wood. Lots of smaller rides criss-cross the wood and there are ponds.

The western field of Avis Meadows is particularly colourful and contains pignut, pepper-saxifrage, oxeye daisy, devil’s-bit scabious, meadow vetchling and betony. The meadows are surrounded by mature Come for the Dawn Chorus in May and listen to warblers, blackcap, wren hedgerows. They contain plenty Ravensroost Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is fantastic and treecreepers sing for their mates. of blackthorn, which is the food plant of the rare brown hairstreak Bats, including pipistrelle, forage at for birds. Winter is a good time to butterfly’s caterpillar. dusk and in autumn more than 450 encounter foraging birds such as species of fungi can be found here, redwing and nuthatch. The tawny Sixteen species of dragonflies such as the jellied mass of brain and damselflies are drawn to the fungus.

The Shooting Hut ponds in the middle of Ravensroost RAVENSROOST & AVIS Meadows. Barn owls nest in the vicinity and forage over the MEADOWS Wildflower-rich grasslands are some meadows. owls are at their noisiest in December as they start to pair bond. Great and lesser spotted woodpeckers start drumming in January.

of the most threatened habitats in the country and in this chain of six meadows we cut the hay in late summer and follow it with grazing to help the flowers spread.

20 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

DISTILLERY & WARBLER MEADOWS The Distillery Meadows are a reminder of how the countryside

wildlife You'll find more than 450 species of fungi in the woodland

huge, thick hedges stuffed with species that provide an important early supply of food for insects and birds such as thrushes, chiffchaff, bullfinch and goldfinch.

Since the Trust took over the reserve in 1990 they have continued to farm traditionally with careful grazing and hay cutting.

Malmesbury Grid ref SU241877 • Not suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs other than the surfaced central ride.

• Can be very muddy.

• Dogs on leads are welcome.

• Total hectares: 97.11 • wiltshirewildlife.org

DIRECTIONS

looked in the pre-war era, when it was covered with small, traditionally managed family-run farms. The meadows take their name from a failed distillery venture.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Mushroom Ground and Ring Ground are also SSSI designated, and provide rushy damp grassland along the stream.

The best fields for wildflowers are Wood Ground for green-winged, heath spotted and common spotted orchids; Hill Ground for common knapweed and sneezewort; and Ten Acres for yellow rattle, bugle and saw-wort. It has carpets of dyer's greenweed, which is actually bright yellow. Each field is a designated

Warbler Meadows are a recent addition to the reserve and connect Distillery Meadows to Ravensroost Wood, creating a green corridor that allows wildlife to move safely. By joining up wildlife-rich land in this way the Trust is creating a ‘Nature Recovery Network’.

"Ravensroost Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is fantastic for birds."

Some butterflies found here include orange-tip, common blue, holly blue, meadow brown, brown hairstreak, white-letter hairstreak, red admiral, white admiral and silver-washed fritillary. Surrounding the fields are

If cycling - Follow National Cycle Route 254 northwards from Callow Hill along Wood Lane and then left onto Queen Street. After about one mile leave Route 254 and turn right towards Minety and then left at next crossroads. Reserve is just under 0.5 miles on right. Visit. sustrans.org.uk If using the bus - Number 31 from Malmesbury to Swindon via Brinkworth. Visit www.wiltshire. gov.uk/parkingtransportandstreets If driving - The reserve is located about 1.5 miles north of Brinkworth. From Royal Wootton Bassett take the B4042 Brinkworth and Malmesbury Road. Take first right after the motorway underpass, onto the B4696 signposted to Ashton Keynes and Cricklade and follow it northwards.

After two miles take the second left signposted to Garston.

Go straight on at next cross roads (after a further mile) and Ravensroost car park is just under 0.5 miles on right.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 21

food & drink

SUPPORTING FAIRFIELD FARM SHOP

F

airfield Farm College is a specialist college for students with learning disabilities.

Vocational learning is at the heart of what they do at the college, and students can learn customer care

skills at the on-site café and farm shop. The farm shop offers a range of fresh produce, cupboard essentials and a post office. Students can learn a variety of skills whilst working in the farm shop; helping to stock the

Fairfield Farm College helps students with learning difficulties learn vocational skills

shelves, serve customers, and take payments on the till. The café offers a range of hot drinks and snacks, and delicious breakfast and lunch options. Students help prepare and serve food and drinks, and learn a variety of customer service skills whilst spending time in the café.

Both of these facilities, as well as a are based on-site at the college in Dilton Marsh, and are widely used by local people.

By using the farm shop and café you are helping to give their students the experience they need to build their confidence, with the long-term goal of obtaining a job. You can find out more about what they do and the facilities they have on the website.

• ffc.ac.uk/services

CONTACTLESS COLLECTIONS

D

uring lockdown, Allington Farm Shop has been working hard to keep their customers and staff, safe. They have put measures in place to provide a

safe shopping environment in-store and also provide collection and delivery services too. They have also remained open 7 days a week for your convenience.

Allington Farm Shop offers a quick turnaround on collections so you get it in top condition

Situated near Chippenham, the Reynolds family have been tenant farmers at Allington for three generations and their awardwinning, family-run, farm shop has been established since 1981.

Specialising in quality, home and locally produced food, the farm shop boasts a fantastic range including; fresh fruit and vegetables, an in-house butchery, a delicatessen counter as well as many locally produced store cupboard essential and speciality grocery items.

If you would like to make an order for collection simply head to their website and follow the instructions.

They have a two day turn around time on all collections to ensure you have the freshest of products.

• allingtonfarmshop.co.uk

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Award Winning, Family Run Farm Shop Established for over 30 years, selling Quality, Local Produce Open 7 days a week Orders now taken for Minimum Contact Collection & Delivery Email orders to sales@allingtonfarmshop.co.uk

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

food & drink

THE ALPINE LODGE IS NOW OPEN

The Swan Hotel in Bradford on Avon has opened the doors of their new alpine bar, perfect for a warming drink and bite to eat on chilly winter nights...

P

erhaps we cant go skiing this year but The Swan Hotel is bringing a taste of the slopes to Bradford on Avon with the opening of their Alpine Lodge!

The alpine bar is serving delicious chalet-inspired food & drink

Decked out to look like a chalet bar somewhere in Switzerland or Austria you can enjoy a homemade hot chocolate, gluhwein (mulled wine), hot mulled Cider and to complement The Alpine Bar will be offering cheese fondues and 'bratwurst mit frits'; they have even imported the German curry ketchup traditionally served with the dish to make it more authentic!

"The Alpine Bar will be offering cheese fondues and 'bratwurst mit frits'" "We wanted to make something fun and festive for people to enjoy, it's been a tough enough year for everyone and we wanted to provide something to the local community to transport them away from their daily life. We are also using this to support a Charity, The Aldershot Snowsports for the Disabled Club, who do an amazing job giving those who might not normally have the opportunity to try snowsports to do so in a safe environment, they even have an annual holiday taking club members for a weeks' skiing."

Said James Sullivan-Tailyour, owner of The Swan Hotel.

The Alpine Lodge was created during the November lockdown 24 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

by the staff - an amazing team effort supported by Travel Options 4 U travel agent in Bradford on Avon in conjunction with Inghams.

There will also be opportunities to help and support the Aldershot Snowsports for the Disabled Club, with fun activities throughout the time that the Alpine Bar is open.

The team hope to be able to keep the Chalet open throughout the winter and look forward to welcoming you! Further information

is available from the hotel's website or by calling 01225 868686.

• theswanbradford.co.uk

THE

WESTBROOK

Bromham, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2EE

tel 01380 850418

www.westbrookbromham.co.uk

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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...

T

he less said about 2020 the better! We are just hoping this new year is going to be a gradual improvement especially as we get into the spring. Hopefully it will become clearer to our growers what to plant, so we can get back to normal with some of the specialist crops that our chefs like to get from us - like micro herbs for which sales completely dried up last year.

At the moment we have had some fantastic local vegetables, plus some new funky ones around!

They have been around for the last couple of years, we have tried to make them a little more popular this winter. They are kalettes, which are a small sprout size, kale pieces, rainbow chard and variegated kale. The last two are particularly good for bringing in some different colours to the plate. We have also always got

the good old traditional vegetables such as celeriac, sweet potatoes and butternut squash, the latter almost as popular as potatoes.

“The sprout is obviously a brassica but it is anybody’s guess when someone mutated it from the original cabbage...

Most Belgians believe they’re Italian!”

The vegetable of the month is the Brussels sprout! The sprout is obviously a brassica but it is anybody’s guess when someone mutated it from the original cabbage. It is believed that they originated in Belgium where they were sold in markets as early as the 13th century. Most Belgians believe they’re Italian but we know that sprouts were

mentioned in Belgian market regulations as long ago as 1213!

Hope you have a good January/ February, get outside as much as possible in these darker days, tidying your gardens or allotments and doing all of those winter jobs that are never very appealing until you get out (if you can) on a fine day and feel better for it afterwards.

As always if you have any ‘growing’ questions please do email me, I reply to all my emails. You can also follow all the goings on at Lovejoys on Twitter and Instagram.

Happy new year!

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

26 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

recipes

Try

Veganuary Whether you want to go vegan, or simply want to reduce your meat intake, Veganuary is a great way of introducing some delicious new recipes into your repertoire. These come courtesy of FRAN STEVENS, aka The Food Wife.

1 tbsp cider vinegar 8 tbsp BBQ sauce (see below for how to make your own) 400g chopped tomatoes 2 tins of young green jackfruit in salted water, drained Salt and pepper Method Sweat the onion and oil together in a large frying pan over a medium heat, until soft.

Add the spices and chipotle paste and stir for a minute before adding the BBQ sauce, vinegar and tomatoes.

BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Known for being a really good meat alternative I’ve long been curious to try jackfruit and recently decided to give it a go. I picked some up a couple of tins in the supermarket and, as I was making a vegetarian meal for friends who had just had a baby, thought this would be a good time to make something with it.

✃

The jackfruit came in chunks, which, when simmered down in the BBQ sauce, became soft enough to easily pull apart with fork to create, what looked like, pulled pork.

Serves 4-6

All the flavour here comes from the tomatoey sauce. The jackfruit adds bulk and texture. As we weren’t being strictly vegan we had ours loaded into brioche buns, but it would also be good served with rice.

Ingredients 1 tbsp oil 1 red onion, finely chopped 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp smoked paprika 2 tsp chipotle paste (or use a chilli sauce such as sriracha)

Add the jackfruit and a splash of water. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat and cover with a lid. Cook for 30-40 minutes until the jackfruit is soft enough to shred with a pair of forks. Taste and season as necessary with salt and pepper.

Once shredded leave the lid off and cook for another 10 minutes or until the sauce is thick and slightly sticky.

Serve in buns or with rice. Great with coleslaw on the side.

To make your own BBQ sauce...

Mix 100g tomato ketchup, 2 tbsp soft light brown sugar, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp Henderson’s relish (or Worcestershire sauce if you don’t need it vegan/gf) and 1 tbsp cider vinegar.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 27

recipes reserved cooking water and stir or toss together to create a light silky sauce that coats the pasta.

Serve with a green salad and the remaining parmesan sprinkled on top.

Marinated Olives Olives make a great snack and they are a favourite nibble with drinks in our house. I like to buy a jar of olives in brine, sometimes stuffed, sometimes plain, but then jazz them up at home.

Serves 4

This is a 15-minute meal which is bursting with fresh flavours. A word of warning on the chilli though, do make sure you put in the right amount for your (and your guests’) tastes.

Heat the oil in a frying pan over a low heat and gently soften the garlic slices, ensuring they do not colour.

Add the zest of the lemon along with the chilli flakes (remember to do this to taste).

Ingredients 3 cloves of garlic, crushed or sliced Herbs of your choosing (I used 1 tsp dried oregano and 1 sprig of fresh thyme) ½ tsp chilli flakes Jar of olives Olive oil

I used orecchiette as the shape is perfect for this sauce and it is so pretty, Two minutes before the pasta is ready, but use one of your choice, spaghetti or linguine would both work well and add the broccoli to the pasta water. are easy to get your hands on.

Drain the pasta and broccoli (reserving a little of the cooking If you are making this as a vegan water) and add to the frying pan, or dairy-free meal then omit the along with half of the parmesan and parmesan and if you are making this the lemon juice. Add a little of the gluten-free then use a suitable pasta.

Method Drain the jar of olives of their brine.

Ingredients 300g pasta 2 tbsp olive oil 4 cloves of garlic, finely sliced 1-2 tsp chilli flakes 250g tenderstem broccoli, roughly chopped into 1 inch pieces 1 lemon (zest and juice) 50g Parmesan, grated

Makes 10 smallish portions

Method Start by cooking the pasta according to the packet instructions.

28 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Add the aromats (garlic, herbs and chilli), top the jar up with oil, and then replace the lid. Give it a good shake, and store in the fridge (they will last a few days) until ready to use.

Daal

Daal is a wonderfully warming spiced comfort food. It’s cheap to make, this one is quick to prepare (and then you can just leave it to cook with little interference), it freezes well and is rich in fibre and protein, low calorie, glutenfree and vegan.

Its versatility means it’s perfect on its own (although you may want a bigger portion!), great served with rice or parathas or as part of a thali (try it with

✃

Broccoli Pasta with Lemon & Chilli

The version below is just an idea, you can switch up your aromats; try lemon zest and rosemary as a combination.

You can then use the flavoured oil in salad dressings too!

(I noticed one available in M&S) or alternatively a Biscoff spread. The muffins are quick to put together and take just 25 minutes to bake.

They are best eaten on the day they are made (not really a hardship!) although could be refreshed in the microwave for a few seconds. As with all muffin recipes, minimal mixing is required to achieve a light sponge.

the sweet potato and chickpea curry recipe on my blog).

Add the rinsed yellow split peas and vegetable stock and bring to the boil.

I make a big batch and then portion it up and freeze it, so once defrosted it can be quickly warmed up for a quick and easy, yet very satisfying meal.

After 10 minutes a foam will have developed on the surface. Skim this off and then place a lid on the pan and lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

Ingredients 1 tbsp coconut oil 2 onions, medium dice 2 green chillies, roughly sliced 2 green chillies whole, pricked a few times with the point of a knife 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and finely diced 6 cloves of garlic, finely diced 1 tbsp coriander (ground or seeds) 1 tbsp cumin (ground or seeds) 1 tbsp garam masala 1 tsp ground turmeric Small handful of curry leaves 500g yellow split peas, thoroughly rinsed in cold water 1.5-2l vegetable stock Salt and pepper

Cook for about an hour (stirring every so often and adding more water if required), until the lentils are soft and tender. Then use a potato masher to crush them (you can remove the 2 whole chillies at this point, or leave them in for extra heat). If there is excess liquid you can leave the lid off and simmer for a further 15 minutes.

Method In a large pan heat the coconut oil on a medium heat. Add the onion and sliced chillies and then soften, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.

Ingredients 3 large very ripe bananas, mashed 60ml vegetable oil 120g light soft brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 300g plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 12 tsp chocolate hazelnut spread (plant based if vegan) Method Preheat oven to 190°C fan and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.

Lightly combine the banana, oil, sugar, vanilla, flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda in a bowl.

For a light muffin minimal mixing is required.

Half fill each muffin case with the batter. Top each with a teaspoon of chocolate hazelnut spread and then cover with the remaining muffin batter.

Season to taste, remove from the heat Bake for 25 minutes and then remove from the oven and allow to cool on a and allow it to thicken slightly. wire rack.

Garnish with fresh coriander, and/or freshly fried chillies and garlic.

Banana Muffins Banana with a Chocolate Hazelnut Haze lnut Filling Makes 12

Here we have a vegan muffin stuffed with a decadent filling of chocolate Add the garlic, ginger, whole pricked chillies, spices and curry leaves and stir hazelnut spread. If keeping this totally vegan, use a plant-based spread for a minute or two.

✃

✃

recipes

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 29

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health & wellbeing

HEALING FROM

WITHIN

PERSONAL TRAINER AND GYM OWNER ARRON COLLINS-THOMAS DISCOVERED THE ANCIENT MEDITATIVE PRACTICE OF QIGONG, WHICH HAS ENRICHED HIS OWN LIFESTYLE AND TRANSFORMED THE HEALTH OF SOME OF HIS CLIENTS. WE CAUGHT UP WITH ARRON TO DISCUSS THE AMAZING MODERNDAY BENEFITS OF THIS CENTURIES-OLD PRACTICE. THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 31

W

interview

ith so many of us finding ourselves burnt out with stress, feeling sluggish, suffering with chronic pain or just feeling the effects of pandemic fatigue, it's more apparent than ever that it is our lifestyles that need re-centring. Rather than using a 'pill for an ill', more people are beginning to understand that our movement and diet patterns are the single biggest determiner of our sense of wellbeing. This more lifestyleorientated approach is what rang true for Arron when he discovered Traditional Chinese Medicine and a branch of movement practice called qi gong. We caught up with him to discuss its myriad of benefits for mind and body.

Many of us will have heard of Tai Chi, but what is Qigong and how does it differ?

Qigong is a fundamental pillar of Chinese medicine. It is classed as a form of internal exercise. Internal exercise is any combination of slow, considered movements with breath and mental engagement, another example of this would be yoga.

Qigong is, quite simply, the ultimate self-healing technique. By learning to manipulate qi around the body, you rejuvenate and energise, lower the heart rate and blood pressure and support the immune system.

their focus. Its roots can be traced back to the 8th century BCE, i.e.

10,000 years ago. By the 3rd century BCE, this practice had crystallised into the beginnings of qigong as it is today. Despite its ancient roots, it’s as relevant to modern life as it has been for millennia.

Qigong and Tai Chi are similar in many ways with one of those being that they are both working with energy and the qualities of energy.

Tai Chi specifically in the context of a martial art, and qigong more broadly to every area of life.

Tai Chi is actually a form of qigong and they are often going to look quite similar. Within both practices you are going to see slow, purposeful movements, a focus on breathing, a balanced posture, and so on.

They are both seeking to work with energy and its manipulation around the body, it's just that sometimes the intention of how that energy is used will be different.

As more of us realise the detrimental effects of stress on our sense of wellbeing, Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM techniques are beginning to come to the fore again – how did you begin your journey into this discipline? Is it now something you practice every day?

I found Traditional Chinese Medicine through a good friend and Chinese If you’ve done a martial art or tai chi, doctor Katie Brindle. I used to be her the wide stance and relaxed, flowing personal trainer and every time she movements of qigong may be spoke about Chinese Medicine it just familiar. Qigong forms the basis of all made sense to me. It's a much more martial arts, so before trainees learn preventative style of treatment and how to fight, they will always study it. focuses on pillars of health we know are so important - like circulation.

It was invented as ‘dynamic It also teaches us to identify and meditation’, to allow Taoist masters address specific imbalances without to keep their muscles relaxed, supple having to resort to drugs. and strong after hours of sitting I took it upon myself to start some meditation but without breaking studies in the area and became 32

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

qualified in Tui Na (Chinese acupressure massage). In that course they taught us some simple but incredibly effective Qigong moves to protect our energy when healing sick people. I loved it. The moves were so calming and energising and it was something I had never really known about before so it intrigued me. After that I found myself a Qigong master and have been studying and teaching Qigong for 8 year now.

I'm lucky I get to teach Qigong almost every day so I get a lot of practice in and many of the moves are simple, so you can do just 2-3 minutes when you get a moment throughout your day. It really is an accessible practice, even for really busy people.

"Qigong is suitable for everyone! There are so many forms that there is something for everyone no matter your age, ability or health condition."

health & wellbeing What are the benefits?

Qigong has been shown in research studies to offer the following benefits: • Reduces anxiety • Reduces cortisol and stress hormones • Reduces systemic inflammation • Improves immune function • Improves sleep quality • Reduction in blood pressure • Supports cardiovascular health • Promotes relaxation • Improves mood • Positive effects on bone health • Pain reduction for arthritis, neck pain and fibromyalgia • Improves cognitive function Can different forms of movement target different parts of the body or certain health complaints?

There are many forms of Qigong out there and within the forms there are specific moves that target certain parts of the body and particular health concerns. One of the forms I teach in particular is all about healing the body, mentally, physically and emotionally through a sequence of moves. The form is called 12 Rivers.

In Chinese medicine there are 12 main organs and each organ has an energy channel (river) that relates to it. In this form we have 12 moves, one for each river that, when done in a specific order, helps to balance and harmonise the organs, postures and emotions.

Is it suitable for everyone?

Qigong is suitable for everyone!

There are so many forms that there is something for everyone no matter your age, ability or health condition.

There are seated forms, standing forms and more dynamic forms for people who want to feel like they have had more of a ‘workout’.

It’s said that ‘motion is lotion’ – does Qi Gong help with keeping

the body supple and overcoming other painful conditions like swelling and arthritis?

'A moving hinge never rusts.'

Hua Tuo c. 200 Movement, like regular Qigong practice, lubricates the joints, moves the blood and Qi, strengthens the bones and soft tissues. Qigong can help reduce inflammation therefore helps with pain reduction.

I have had some great responses with clients who have arthritis. In just a few weeks they often gain more range of motion and move with less pain in general. One person recently noted that they have seen

a 90% improvement in their arthritis symptoms.

Where can we find out more?

I teach with RUSTIQ Fitness at Church Farm in Winsley near Bradford on on Avon, and at TONIQ Life in Bath. You can pay per class, so you can just opt for Qigong if that's what you're looking for, or you can choose one of our membership passes which means you have access to all our classes, all week. To find out more head to our website or social media channels.

• rustiqfitness.com • toniqlife.com THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 33

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later life

PRIME TIME From retirement planning to care homes and mobility, there are many things to consider as we get older. Here are some of the best local providers…

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 35

later life

CARE HOMES & RETIREMENT VILLAGES CHANTRY COURT

cinema, doctor’s facility and therapy rooms. Those keen on keeping a full social diary can partake in clubs, musical events and resident led activities and trips can be arranged inhouse. There are group quizzes and games and a library (with full Internet access) further making the village environment at Chantry Court perfect for residents to do

Suitable for everyone from retiring downsizers to those looking for assisted living, Chantry Court comprises 68 individual properties ranging from the smallest 1-bed apartment through to luxury "The village staff penthouse suites and a 3-bedroom are here to support 2 storey lodge house. The village is residents 24/7 with located within the heart of Westbury, a wide range of enabling residents to have maximum services" Chantry Court independence and access to the town’s amenities as well as 24/7 exactly as they please. support just in case they need it.

The village staff are here to support residents 24/7 with a wide range of Just like any village, Chantry Court services, and they have an in-house has a range of facilities to help registered domiciliary care service meet residents' needs and add operating across the village to to the feeling of community and companionship. These include a first provide personal care if and when required. Properties can be bought class restaurant with sun terrace, bar, lounge, library room, hair salon, outright, or rented on a short or The beautiful communal gardens at Wadswick Green

36 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

long-term basis. To find out more call 01373 828800.

• chantrycourt.com

WADSWICK GREEN Wadswick Green, the modern and popular lifestyle village for the over-60s in Corsham, has a range of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments to buy. The interiors boast an openplan layout that creates an inviting and comfortable atmosphere, and some offer views across the gardens and village. Set among 25 acres of landscaped, beautiful grounds with mature trees and wildlife ponds, Wadswick Green village is designed with residents’ enjoyment and wellbeing in mind.

At the heart of the village is the Pavilion, with The Greenhouse restaurant, swimming pool and gym, croquet lawn and boules pitch. To find out more see p48, call 01225 584500 or visit the website.

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later life

Abney & Baker invest in their staff to ensure they are highly trained and dedicated team members

CARE AT HOME ABNEY & BAKER With offices in Bath and Melksham, Abney & Baker work closely with clients and their families across West Wiltshire to provide a care at home service focused on enabling clients to continue living happily, confidently and safely at home.

The key to achieving this has been investment in their staff.

Abney & Baker is a Living Wage Employer, helping them to hire and retain highly trained, dedicated team members; something they believe is key to providing the best experience for their clients.

a call on their website to find out more about your options.

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"Abney & Baker is a Living Wage Employer, helping them to hire and retain highly trained, dedicated team members" BUTTERFLY HOME HELP

Butterfly Home Help provides the highest quality care services across Bath and West Wiltshire. Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, they offer a flexible home care service, which can be as frequent Services include social and domestic as you need. At Butterfly Home support, personal care, relief visits Help, they strive for the very best and activities for life, which offers professional care, tailored to you. activity-based visits to keep people engaged in hobbies and provide Butterfly is a well-established family social interaction. Contact Abney run business that has been helping & Baker on 01225 536400 or book local people since 2008. They have 38 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

a fantastic reputation and offer the highest quality care and support to anyone who is elderly, unwell, or living with physical disabilities.

They have a fantastic, caring team focused on helping you live more independently, and delivering outstanding care services.

If you would like to find out more on what services are on offer, simply head to the website or get in touch by calling 01225 835888 or emailing info@butterflycare.co.uk.

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For more information please get in touch.

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later life Carewatch staff can help with many of the tasks in everday life that can become difficult

Safe Care will be there when you need them - they operate 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

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MOBILITY & SUPPORT BUSY BEES CLEANING SERVICES

CAREWATCH

SAFE CARE

Enjoying good quality life experiences, especially in the current climate, is important to everyone.

These include being able to maintain independence, having control over decisions that affect our lives, maintaining health, learning and maintaining skills and having the respect of others around us. This is important in every area of our lives especially in our own homes. This is where Carewatch can help. The dedicated staff work within their local communities assisting those who need extra help and personal care to do those activities that have become more difficult. The care and support worker can help in many ways providing assistance, reassurance and encouragement to meet the challenges of everyday life.

Safe Care was established in 2004 and has expanded over the years to meet the demand of the services we provide. They are a friendly local family-run business that puts people first.

They will provide support, company and friendship and are trained to recognise that there may be a need for more personal care and support and can help you with your more intimate daily routine such as washing and getting ready in the morning. They can also provide more intensive care following an illness, discharge from hospital or long-term caring needs. Call 01225 719333 to find out more.

• carewatch.co.uk 40 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

You can have care cover ranging from one visit a week to several visits a day. They cover Trowbridge, Bradford-on-Avon, Melksham and surrounding villages.

Should you require further information, just get in touch and their friendly team will be pleased to assist you with any queries you have.

Safe Care offers a range of care packages to help with everyday tasks

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Life & Mobility Solutions supply all major mobility equipment including rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds, stairlifts, mobility scooters, living aids and much more. They have over 30 years’ experience within the industry and can offer help and advice on most things connected to your mobility.

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So, whether it is for corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, footcare for the elderly, diabetics and those with poor circulation or just advice and support I can help.” showroom at 17 George Street, Warminster.

If you are unable to get to the showroom, they also offer a free home visit and delivery service – call 01985 843035 to find out more.

• lifeandmobility.co.uk

Life & Mobility Solutions has a showroom in Warminster

Owner Mark Cawthra and his team believe in presenting you with all the options, so you can make an informed decision on what is best for you. They carry products from all the leading manufacturers but are not tied in with any one of them, meaning they can offer you clear, impartial advice. For instance, they are proud to have the new Cabin Car MK2 in stock. This fully enclosed British built cabin car goes a step further than your average mobility scooter. Road legal with a top speed of 8 mph, it has all the features and refinements you’d find in a car, powered by a reliable 1400-watt electric motor. You can travel up to 30 miles in comfort and style off a single charge. Contact them to arrange a test drive or to find out more visit their independent

"They carry products from all the leading manufacturers but are not tied in with any one of them, meaning they can offer you clear, impartial advice."

Life & Mobility

42 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

TROWBRIDGE CHIROPODIST Feet have a rough time of it. They carry us the equivalent of five times around the earth in an average lifetime, yet we give them less attention than they deserve and, if we play sports on a regular basis, Peter Wilkinson has been a chiropodist for over 20 years

Peter is a Member of the Institute of Chiropodist and Podiatrists and is registered with the Health Professions Council too. The clinic follows strict hygiene standards, with appointments spaced out to ensure patients do not come into contact with each other and to ensure any necessary cleaning can be carried out. The clinic is situated in lovely premises in Stallard Street, in the centre of town, with ample parking available nearby in The Shires. To make an appointment call 01225 571030 or email trowbridgechiropodist@gmail.com • trowbridgechiropodist.co.uk

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Howard Roofing For All Your Roofing Needs

Qualified Roofer Offering...

• Tiling • Stone Slate • Natural Slate • Leadwork • Repairs Mob: 07812 093962 Office: 01249 782694 DeneHowardRoofing@gmail.com Based in Castle Combe, Wiltshire

Phone: 07940 261734 Email: info@classiclandscapesandecopools.co.uk

fb.com/classicgardeners

www.howardroofing.co.uk

P.M. BINES W I LT S H I R E ’ S E X P E R T S T O N E M A S O N S P.M. Bines Ltd offers a wide range of commemorative stonework, from simple cremation plaques to individually designed headstones and full memorials, carved from a variety of stone including granite and marble.

Our skilled craftsmen can also renovate existing memorials, as required.

With over 35 years’ experience crafting in marble, granite, quartz and sintered stone you can trust P.M. Bines to carry out any work sensitively and to the highest standard.

KITCHENS | BATHROOMS | FIREPLACES | MEMORIALS e marble.bines@btconnect.com t 01225 782888 w pmbinesltd.co.uk

later life Wansbroughs can help you organise a LPA

An independent IFA like Richard Salter can help make your money go further

LEGAL & FINANCIAL "When you reach KINGFISHER IFA How you choose to build up cash or other assets for your retirement is up to you. There is no doubt that saving, using the tax advantages and low cost of a pension plan, is the best way to build up the largest lump sum. Pensions have changed dramatically, now benefiting from far more freedom, flexibility and choice than ever before. The Government stakeholder initiative has slashed charges and you no longer have to buy a fixed annuity or accept poor investment choice. Unspent pension funds can also now be bequeathed, often tax free, or you could take it all out to buy a Lamborghini - but watch out for the hefty tax such lavish spending would attract! Either way there is less excuse than ever before not to build decent sums confident you, or your heirs, will get to enjoy it!

retirement age do not undo all the good work by simply accepting the first annuity you are offered." Kingfisher IFA

charges and boost performance.

Also ensure you are at least saving something every month via a modern flexible pension plan or even an investment backed ISA. Do take advantage of any free employer contribution boost which should be available to most workers.

When you reach retirement age do not undo all the good work by simply accepting the first annuity you are offered. There are now so many choices and so much freedom that it is easy to make the wrong choice and undo all your years of saving.

By contrast Kingfisher IFA regularly deliver significant boosts to client’s income, as well as giving flexibility and It is vital to grasp that your retirement control to those who seek professional provision will need to be in the advice, making this time well spent. hundreds of thousands of pounds As one of the regions most qualified before a decent income can be and experienced IFAs Richard Salter, realised after you retire. This sounds a Bradford on Avon resident and daunting but there are things you Partner at Kingfisher Independent can do. Start now by reviewing any in Trowbridge, is pleased to offer a existing private pension arrangements no obligation free first meeting. Use you have to see if you can reduce this to help ensure you are on track, 44 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

DON’T DELAY; WHY NOT MAKE YOUR LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY TODAY? You may well have heard of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) and thought to yourself “they sound like a good idea, I’ll get around to making them one day”, but what happens if you leave it too late?

If you don’t make LPAs and subsequently lose mental capacity, it may be necessary for a friend or family member to make an application to the Court of Protection to be appointed as your deputy so that they can manage your finances and possibly your health affairs.

While making LPAs is a relatively swift, cost effective and straightforward process, obtaining a deputyship order involves a complex application which can take months to be processed and is often extremely expensive.

Wansbroughs can help with both LPAs and deputyship applications so whatever your circumstances, get in touch via wealth@ wansbroughs.com, telephone 01380 733300 or visit the website.

• wansbroughs.com

Kingfisher Financial Planning INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISERS

Offering good, honest, advice to help you make the most of your money

SPECIALIST IN RETIREMENT & INVESTMENT PLANNING

ALSO • Critical Illness, Life Cover & Estate Planning • Chartered Financial Planner

01225 308370

richard@kingfisherifa.co.uk

Contact RICHARD today to find out more!

• Fully independent • First meeting at our expense www.kingfisherifa.co.uk

19 Timbrell Street, Trowbridge, Wilts BA14 8PP

later life enjoying the best value for money and decent growth prospects as well as making the most informed retirement choices when the time comes.

Contact Richard on 01225 308370 to find out more.

• richard@kingfisherifa.co.uk

"W.T.P., based in Bath, is a specialist firm offering professional Will writing services."

W.T.P. W.T.P., based in Bath, is a specialist firm offering professional Will writing services. Their directors and associates have over 40 years' combined experience in the profession, making them real experts in the field. All work is undertaken professionally, confidentially and at a time and place convenient to customers. You can visit their office on Lower Bristol Road, or, if you prefer, they can visit you in your own home at a time to suit you.

W.T.P. is highly experienced in all manner of requirements and estates of all sizes. Whatever your assets, you will want them to benefit your family rather than the state. W.T.P. provide a complete advice service that as well as ensuring your estate

Co-operative Funeralcare have local branches in Warminster & Frome

46 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

will be distributed as you wish, will also enable you to minimise the impact of inheritance tax or the amount social services can take to cover your care as you get older.

Unlike solicitors, W.T.P. specialises in this one area of the law and charge a fraction of the price, and by contrast with many simple DIY Will kits, W.T.P. ensures your Will can be legally enforced. Their consultants are trained to advise and take your instructions by clearly explaining the legal and technical implications, free from jargon. To find out more call 01225 400060.

• wtponline.co.uk

FUNERAL PLANNING CO-OPERATIVE FUNERALCARE The Southern Co-op Funeral Plan is tailored to your individual needs so you can choose exactly what you want. The cost is guaranteed and inflation proof, protecting you and your loved ones from ever-rising costs.

The average cost of a funeral has soared well above the rate of inflation in recent years and is expected to rise further. By choosing to plan now, you are paying at

today’s prices. Whether the funeral takes place in 5 or 10 years’ time, there will be no extra or hidden costs to your partner, relatives or executor.

An easy payment scheme allows you to spread the cost from 1 to 10 years through monthly instalments, securing the cost for a fixed monthly payment.

The Southern Co-op Funeral Plan is valid in over 1,100 Co-operative Funeralcare branches across the UK and includes a 28 day cooling off period for complete peace of mind. To find out more, visit one of their local branches in Frome or Warminster or visit the website.

• funeralcare.co.uk

P.M. BINES LTD Based in Broughton Gifford, P.M. Bines LTD are proud members of The Guild of Master Craftsmen.

To them this means approaching every project, big or small, with the same expert care and attention.

They use their skills to the best of their ability when designing and creating personalised stoneworks, monuments, kitchen tops and bathroom vanity tops. Their workmanship is unmatched throughout Wiltshire and beyond.

They offer a wide range of commemorative stonework, from simple cremation plaques to individually designed headstones and full memorials, carved from a variety of stone including granite, marble and English stone. Their skilled craftsmen are also able to renovate existing memorials, clean and restore indistinct writing and can add additional lettering on headstones, as required. With more than 35 years’ experience, you can trust them to carry out your works with precision and sensitivity.

• pmbinesltd.co.uk

later life

TAKING MORE CARE

Growing numbers of downsizers are favouring properties offering on site care.

The team at Wadswick Green can scale residents' level of support up and down

R

etirement properties with onsite care facilities are expected to see an increase in popularity due to more retirees needing assistance following the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest government reports confirms that the number of over-65s requiring care will rise by more than a third to over 1 million in 2035. Meeting the demand for assisted living is Rangeford Villages’ Wadswick Green, the lifestyle village for over 60s in Wiltshire. The village offers its residents tailored personal care plans via its Rangeford Care service, which means a team of professional carers is on call 24/7.

As Pamela is generally self-sufficient and Rangeford Care encourages independence, Pamela agreed to gradually decrease the care after two weeks. Under careful supervision, the care team reduced their visits from three times a day to once a day. “I’ve finally gained back most of my independence and have now been able to reduce my care to a mere welfare call. This means a carer calls me once a day to ensure that I’m ok. I know that I require further surgery in the future and having experienced the care team’s brilliant and reliable service has given me real peace of mind that I’ll be looked after,” Pamela says.

Whilst some retirees need regular care, others might require sudden and temporary assistance. This was the case for Wadswick Green resident Pamela Lacey, who had been coping with osteoarthritis but never required any care. This changed when she was diagnosed with arthritis in her feet. She comments: “I needed surgery after which I found myself totally dependent on Rangeford Care for two weeks. Even though it was a temporary measure, having the onsite care team has proven invaluable.”

Angela McKimmie, Sales and Marketing Director at Rangeford Villages comments: “Moving into a retirement property is the ultimate step on the property ladder, which means the property needs to be a perfect fit for the buyer’s current and future needs. The knowledge of having care available is a highly prioritised criterion that we witness amongst buyers, whether they require it at the time of moving in or not.”

48 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

The Village is made up of both Courtyard and Pavilion apartments,

all boasting an open-plan layout that creates an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. Each home features spacious kitchens with engineered, high-quality hardwood flooring and the latest Neff appliances.

The living rooms offer a choice of wooden floors with energy efficient underfloor heating, whilst wide entrances and lifts as well as highefficiency double-glazed windows provide a bright and friendly feel.

Interested buyers are invited to book an appointment or take part in a virtual tour with their friendly team on 01225 584500. Alternatively you can visit the website for further information.

• rangefordvillages.co.uk/villages/ wadswick-green

later life

images © Pete Helme Photography

"The living rooms offer a choice of wooden floors with energy efficient underfloor heating"

The Wadswick Green showhome

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 49

house & home

BUYING A BETTER BATHROOM

New business TILE HOUSE in Warminster offers a great range of bathrooms and tiles and now a full design and installation service too.

Tile House has bathroom ranges to suit all styles and budgets

W

hen it comes to updating, completely changing or adapting your bathroom the choice available can become a minefield. We all have different tastes, needs and budget so there is one place you should visit, Tile House in Warminster.

serving the Warminster, Westbury and Frome areas as well as the surrounding villages. The showroom is welcoming, bright and clean with several carefully designed beautiful bathroom displays to inspire and cater for all budgets.

DESIGN & "At Tile House we are a INSTALLATION one stop shop for your Partner Pippa Donson says, "At Tile bathroom installation House we are a one stop shop for your bathroom installation and and tiling needs."

Located at no 6 Silver Street, Warminster, Tile House opened in Augsut 2020 and is a new family run bathroom and tile showroom 50 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

tiling needs. We understand how overwhelming the choice and range of products can be. The internet is a good place to browse the kind of styles you like, but it is so easy to

become tangled up by the sheer weight of options. That is where we come in. We can guide you through every step of the process of creating your ideal, personal space by offering a measuring and full installation service. Our product suppliers are carefully

house & home selected to include well-known brands like Roca, Victoria & Albert, Scudo and Ideal Standard. The range of sanitaryware, brassware and accessories we can offer means there is something for everyone."

complete your project. Alternatively, you can take full advantage of the competitive tiling service.

are all about, so if you are looking to create a beautiful new bathroom pop in and see us."

SHOWER PANELS

• facebook.com/6silverstreet

TILES

Shower panelling is a very popular product for changing the look of a bathroom and shower area. The sleek finish and easy clean qualities of this product make it a very popular choice in today’s homes.

Tile House has a fine selection of panels that give an instant update to your shower suite.

Tiles for the home are also a very personal choice and Tile House has that covered too. You can browse the carefully chosen displays of ceramic, porcelain and mosaic tiles from trusted names Porcelanosa, Minoli, Johnson, Waxman & Gayfores. If you wish to do the tiling work yourself, they stock a range of quality grouts, adhesives and trims from trusted brands Mudd and Genesis to support and

"We are so happy to be here in Warminster offering this much needed service." Pippa continues.

"Since August we have been welcoming people through our doors and find our customers are looking for a bespoke service catering to their needs that is available locally. Quality products, quality workmanship and a polite and friendly service are what we

Tile House have also just launched a new CAD service. This service enables the customer to visualise exactly how their chosen bathroom suite will look in their home.

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 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 51

house & home

GET THE LOOK KATE THOMSON from Haus, shows you how to re-create the Modern Rustic aesthetic in your home.

image from Studio McGee

52

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

W

hat do you get when you mix mid-century modern furniture with rustic materials and accents? A perfectly modern rustic look! Kate, the founder of online homewares company Haus, delves into how you can achieve the look in your home.

house & home A living room from House Seven Design

NEW TO MODERN RUSTIC STYLE? You’ve probably seen it before and just didn’t know what to call it. It involves comfortable but streamlined furniture, natural elements, earth tones, and reliance on rustic materials and decor. This style is all over

"Comfort is key with this look. So, the largest pieces of furniture in any modern rustic room should be streamlined but never skimp on comfort."

Instagram and Pinterest, and brilliant designers like Amber Interiors and Studio McGee often design rooms that you could easily say are of this style.

COMFORTABLE FOUNDATIONS

Boston Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table, £314, Modish Living

Comfort is key with this look. So, MID-CENTURY the largest pieces of furniture in MODERN ACCENTS any modern rustic room should be Once the comfortable foundation is streamlined but never skimp on laid, introduce a more mid-century comfort. In living rooms, start with or eclectic vibe. It may seem odd to cosy oversized sofas. In bedrooms, opt mix these styles - but the contrast for plush, upholstered beds.

Bubble Vase, £40, they create is what makes For a dining room, look for an Garden Trading this look so dynamic and oversized, rustic wood dining fun. When we are able, try table around which big groups hunting down the originals can gather. at car boot sales, auction houses and charity But, while prioritizing shops, or alternatively, comfort, make sure high street the furniture lines are independents are a clean and simple to great place to find keep the look modern. more individual pieces.

An easy place to add in different styles is with your accent furniture.

Think of an eclectic woven leather armchair or a coffee or bedside table with an antique flair. In dining rooms, pair your farmhouse dining table with more modern seating, like Wishbone or Eames shell chairs.

CONVERSATIONAL LAYOUTS A family-friendly style by nature, modern rustic interiors often have more symmetrical layouts that are geared toward large gatherings and facilitate conversations. (Hence the huge, rustic dining table we THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 53

house & home suggested.) This is where the look leans more rustic and formal rather than modern and eclectic.

NATURAL TEXTURES When bringing the modern rustic style to life, we love the opportunity to play with textures and different materials. This keeps a room looking liveable and approachable. Look for natural materials like seagrass, jute, ceramics, leather, and live-edge woods then mix and match them together in one space, incorporating them in furniture, lighting, and decor accents! This helps the room feel dynamic and visually interesting.

Sapri Velvet Lounge Chair, £595, Cuckooland

We love introducing lots of texture with soft furnishings too - think of fringing and tufts plus artisanal products like the gorgeously tactile mudcloth cushions, with their handwoven texture and abundance of prints and patterns.

INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING With modern rustic, light fixtures are often industrial with sleek, streamlined forms that are sculptural in nature. Look for matte black or antique brass options, or even rattan and include multi-level light sources.

Shop the range of artisanal homewares on our website.

• hauslife.co.uk

This Tom Howley kitchen is full of modern rustic charm

54 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Mudcloth cushions, Haus

SOVEREIGN DAMP & TIMBER LTD A family run business situated in the heart of Westbury

FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS IN & AROUND THE HOME

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

• DIY • Hand & Power Tools • Gardening • Plumbing • Heating • Logs & Fuels • Electricals • Decorating • Cooking • Sugarcraft FREE DELIVERY TO WESTBURY & SURROUNDS 24 Edward Street, Westbury, BA13 3BD

tel 01249 716161 or 01225 811222 Email: info@sovereigndpc.co.uk www.sovereigndpc.co.uk

www.daviesofwestbury.co.uk

1 Ingoldmells Court, Edinburgh Way, Leafield Ind Estate Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9XN

OPEN Monday to Saturday 9am - 5.30pm (Sunday CLOSED)

Tel 01373 822431

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

health & wellbeing

BEAUTY

HOT LIST STA RT 202 1 WI T H S O M E G R E AT SELF CARE CHOICES...

AMPLIFY YOUR SKINCARE This product really amplifies the effects of your skincare products. Use the side with silicone bristles to gently deep cleanse your skin while stimulating collagen production; then turn the device around to use the side with the heated Silver or Gold massage plates to open the pores and help your skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin.

PMD Clean PRO Gold (£225) and PMD Clean PRO Silver (£179), uk.pmdbeauty.com

S K I N S AVI O U R Give your skin the ultimate hydration treat with the Ultimate Moisturising Honey Overnight Mask. Enriched with propolis extract, a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps to soothe stressed out skin, as well as natural beeswax. This can be used in three different ways, making it one of the hardest working products in your kit. It can be used as an overnight mask, as a wash-off mask, or a thin later as a morning moisturiser. £23, beautybay.com

PINPOINT PRECISION Nicknamed 'The Ferarri of Tweezers' by Bobbi Brown and a recent favourite of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, they have become a must-have beauty tool. Rubis made their name crafting precision tweezers exclusively for the Swiss watch industry. 25 years ago they branched out into beauty tools using the same factories and skilled craftsmen and as a result they can't be matched for quality. £21.50 cultbeauty.co.uk 56 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

B O TA N I C A L S COLLECTION N O W

O N L I N E

STERLING SILVER AND GOLD VERMEIL JEWELLERY WITH SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES - FROM £10 | hauslife.co.uk

health & wellbeing

COMMITMENT TO GOOD PRACTICE

A

beautiful 17th century building is home to the Church Street Practice in Bradford-on-Avon. Their team is comprised of highly experienced practitioners, many of whom teach in their chosen field. The practice has 7 osteopaths, an acupuncturist, psychotherapist, reflexologist, shiatsu practitioner, massage therapist and homeopath who provide treatment for a whole range of health conditions 6 days a week. Everyone offers a free 15 minute appointment, if required, to discuss what type of treatment would be most suitable for your particular health condition. The receptionists are available 8.45am - 6pm Monday - Friday and 8.45am 4pm Saturdays on 01225 868282.

The success of Church Street Practice comes from a commitment to

explore each individual’s health issues and treatment options professionally and honestly. With over 150 years of shared practice experience their practitioners have a wealth of helpful treatment approaches to support most health problems. The practice is now fully open for face to face appointments and they are following all Public

Health England and Institute of Osteopathy guidelines.

To make an appointment please contact 01225 868282 or email enquiries@churchstreetpractice. co.uk. See the website for more information.

• churchstreetpractice.co.uk

Church Street Practice can help with a huge range of health conditions

ENJOY A WINTER WONDERLAND

F

ollowing the chaos of 2020, self-care is something we should all be making efforts to ensure we practice, even if it is only occasionally. There are certainly worse ways to start a new year, allowing yourself to relax, restore and rejuvenate after a hectic festive season. That’s why if you treat yourself to Vitality Day Spa’s Winter Wonderland treatment you’ll also receive a discount for a future treatment. After all, we all need something to look forward too.

Managing Therapist Georgie Barnes explains: “Our Winter Wonderland treatment is so sublime that stress and worry will all melt away whilst you are engulfed in pure and utter relaxation and tranquillity.

The experience starts with a full body scrub that floods the room

58 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

with a sweet buttery scent of pear, inspiring thoughts of English meadows and warming desserts.

After your skin has been renewed and softened allow your body & mind to completely let go as it is cocooned into our soothing selfheating chocolate wrap. Formulated with cocoa beans, this wrap is stimulating to the skin as well as relaxing and nourishing, the perfect combination to warm your heart, body & soul.”

Call 01225 309356 or email book@ vitalitydayspa.co.uk to schedule an appointment. The spa is open 7 days a week - Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sundays 10am to 4pm. Evening appointments available upon request. If you book in for a Winter Wonderland treatment you’ll receive 20% off

your next treatment (it must be booked before departure to qualify for the discount).

• vitalitydayspa.co.uk Self care is so important in these stressful times

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)

Church Street Practice 15a Church Street Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1LN Telephone 01225 868282 • www.churchstreetpractice.co.uk • enquiries@churchstreetpractice.co.uk

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

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.

NEW YEAR OFFER

Book in for a Winter Wonderland treatment and receive

20% OFF YOUR NEXT TREATMENT (Discounted treatment must be booked before departure. Offer only valid during January 2021)

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

bath rugby

COMMUNITY CAMPS THIS FEBRUARY

Bath Rugby has announced the schedule for its half term rugby camps, including a new girls only option.

GIRLS ONLY CAMPS In addition to their usual mixed rugby camps, Bath Rugby will also be launching brand new girls only camps during the half-term at Wells RFC & Lambridge Training Ground (Bath).

Bath Rugby’s community camps are set to return this February

B

ath Rugby’s community coaches are offering a full February 2021 half-term schedule, taking place at grassroots clubs throughout Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.

CAMP SCHEDULE Monday 15 February Frome RFC Mixed Camp Tuesday 16 February Wells RFC Mixed Camp & Girls Camp Wednesday 17 February North Dorset RFC Mixed Camp Thursday 18 February Wimborne RFC Mixed Camp Friday 19 February Bath: Lambridge Training Ground Mixed Camp & Girls Camp Half-term camps will provide fun and engaging coaching for any budding rugby player, in addition 60 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

to the perfect introduction to rugby for any child looking to start playing.

The camps will include aspects of contact within training, which is exciting for those hoping to develop that side of their game. For only £30 per day, your child will develop their confidence, decision making, game understanding and spatial awareness.

Bath Rugby are also now including an Introduction to Strength and Conditioning within the half-term camps, to help teach and develop new movements on and off the ball.

These camps will be for the U13-U16 age grades and will take a similar approach to our mixed camps looking to develop game understanding, attack and defence skills and an introduction to strength and conditioning.

• rugbycamps.co.uk/bath

CLUB MEMBERSHIPS With the current restrictions, the only way to have access to tickets for Bath’s home games is to buy a Adult Club+ Membership. They are exclusive to 2019/20 Season Ticket Holders, cost £80 and offer priority access to the Matchday ticket ballot as well as a BT Sport Match Pass and much more. For full details on Club+ and other membership options please go to the website.

• bathrugby.com

2020/2021 FIXTURES All Gallager Premiership fixtures will be shown live on BT Sport until full crowds are allowed to return.

TV 3 Jan 15:00 A Leicester Tigers GP TV 8 Jan 19:45 H Wasps GP 17 Jan 13:00 H La Rochelle HCC TV 23 Jan 13:00 A Scarlets HCC TV TV 29 Jan 19:45 A Bristol Bears GP TV 6 Feb 14:15 H Harlequins GP

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. SHINGLES a) small worthless apples remaining on the tree after the crop has been gathered in b) small squares of oak which covered church spires c) small low clouds in a clear sky

2. KECK

3. BOBBISH a) without thought, headlong b) more on one side than on the

writers and others have added yet more categories:

4. NAUMPEY

pink (1975) secretaries and other clerical staff steel (1980) robots gray (1981) skilled technicians; employees whose jobs combine some white- and some blue-collar duties green (1984) environmentalists gold (1985) professionals or those with in-demand skills; employees over 55 open (1988) people who work at home dog (1991) priests frayed (1995) workers having trouble making ends meet black (1998) miners (especially coal miners) and oil workers

a) the last and least willing sheep to be sheared b) a weak foolish-minded person c) anything badly formed or out of shape

COLOUR CODED WORKERS

Nowadays many jobs can be seen as either white or blue collar, where the former are those that wear a suit and work in offices, and the latter those getting their hands dirty in a boilersuit. The designation white came first, in 1921, and blue followed in 1950.

Since then imaginative business

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

a) diagonally across from something else b) to retch c) careless, reckless, happy-go lucky

other, ill-balanced, shaky c) in good health

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

TOP BRANDS AT BROWNS VISIT US FOR YOUR WINTER WARMERS...

...INCLUDING WOOD, FUEL, FIRE LIGHTERS, MATCHES, TORCHES & MORE...

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

62 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

puzzles

TEA BREAK TEASERS What/who is missing from the grid?

RIVERS WORDSEARCH

AVON BANN CLYDE DEE EDEN

GREAT OUSE NENE SEVERN SPEY TAY

THAMES TRENT TWEED URE WYE

WIN A £20 iTUNES VOUCHER! SUDOKU

EASY

Email your answers to these trivia questions to comp@wired-publishing.co.uk by 23.01.2021 to be in with a chance of winning a £20 iTunes voucher. Good luck!

Q1: How long is the River Severn in km?

Q2: Which is the longest tributary of the River Trent?

LAST MONTH’S SOLUTIONS Wordsearch missing word: COWBOYS Quiz answers 1: The Green Bay Packers 2: Cleveland 3: Tom Brady, 6 4: New Orleans, 7 5: Chicago Bears v Dallas Cowboys

64 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Q3: Which is the longest river entirely in England?

Q4: At which place does the River Tweed empty into The North Sea? Q5: Where is the source of the River Wye? Be sure to include your contact details so we can get in touch with you if you are our winner!

fi

Kitchens

Renovations

Timber Frames

Domestic & Commercial work undertaken Call for a free quotation 07979 153241 www.carpentryplus.org

last word

ANNUS HORRIBILIS → ANNUS MIRABILIS...?

U

sually at this time of year I would sit down to write my little piece with an idea of perhaps looking back on the year just gone and picking out some bits and bobs I can find a bit of humour in. A few things that might lighten the mood going into January which, let’s face it, after the festive season, can be a bit bleak.

A bit drab, dull, wet and grey. It has proved very difficult to do that this year. 2020 has, without doubt, been one of the most unpleasant years I can remember. That doesn’t mean there weren’t good things to came out of the ‘annus horribilis’, to borrow a phrase from our Queen, that was 2020 (Note to self: make sure I spell that first word correctly!!!).

The way that people came together to support each other and the new found respect for key workers being just two examples. I can only speak from personal experience but being able to spend a lot more time with my wife and children was a definite bonus… not all the time obviously, sometimes it seemed as though the spawn of Satan himself had somehow managed to break all the rules and protocols to take up residence in the Rockliffe household.

Thankfully these moments were few and far between though and overall it was quite an enlightening experience.

bit forward looking. A bit of positivity rarely hurts and (apparently) can even be good for you. So let’s try to make a list of things that are going to go well in 2021, things to look forward to!

One of my jobs every month (usually) is to compile the Local Listings pages in our magazines. In a usual month I am writing this a week before we put together a three or four page Christmas so by the time you read guide to all the things happening in this events that are mentioned may this fabulous area of the county. The have already been cancelled or, small theatres, art centres, pubs and glass half full, they may have been village halls are all mentioned, as are confirmed as going ahead!!! First of all has to be the vaccine. I know there the local not-for-profit societies and clubs. There is so much happening are people that are worried about

“A bit of positivity rarely hurts and (apparently) can even be good for you.

So let’s try to make a list of things that are going to go well in 2021” this and, if you are one of those, that’s your prerogative. It just means I’ll get mine sooner. Personally I’d queue for a long time to get the vaccine.

Frankly though if I was prepared to queue almost into Trowbridge Park to be able to shop at Tesco back in March then it’s fairly obvious I’d queue for anything!!! Then there is The Olympics, held over from 2020, in Tokyo. The British and Irish Lions in South Africa in the summer.

Glastonbury Festival, also in the summer, if that’s your thing…

I can’t imagine anything worse to be honest but each to their own.

Rather than the big events though it’s the little things I’m looking As we stumble into 2021 with no real forward to. The smaller events that, in usual times, are ticking along, idea as to when we might get back generally under most people’s radars, to something resembling normality and which all contribute towards I guess we have to try and be a little 66 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

that undefinable thing that we call community. The cultural and social things we do as human beings that make us who and what we are.

each month we struggle to find room for it all. It’s been awful not to be able to do this since March when you realise it means the cultural vibrancy we have on our doorstep has all but disappeared, thankfully only temporarily.

So 2021 may not be quite as we might have expected but surely it could just be an ‘annus mirabilis’ (again, remember the correct spelling!!) rather than a ‘horribilis’?

Phil Rockliffe