The West Wilts Magazine - July 2021

JULY 2021 // ISSUE 136

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+ SAUCE RECIPES GARDEN REVAMP SPACE FOR NATURE GLAMPING AT WOOLLEY GRANGE & MUCH MORE

MEET THE HIDDEN CHEF BOA FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL 17 & 18 JULY

SUMMER TIMES LOADS OF GREAT FAMILY ADVENTURES TO ENJOY THIS SUMMER HOLIDAY

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

July 2021 // issue 136

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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: stylephotographs

espite the lingering restrictions, warmer weather has arrived and it finally feels like summer. And at The West Wilts Magazine we’re absolutely ready to dive right into it!

Kids have seen a huge amount of upheaval over the last 15 months or so, so they absolutely deserve a belting summer holiday. We have 8 pages of ideas for activities the whole family will enjoy (p33) and we also ventured over to Woolley Grange Hotel to see their fantastic new glamping site (p42) - it’s well worth staying at home for!

As well as glamping Woolley Grange has also opened a new pop up café and bar called The Hideout (p30) so we went over to take a look. The Hidden Chef Brasserie is a new Trowbridge restaurant that’s making waves on the local foodie scene - we met up with chef/patron Dean Toon (p20) to find out more. As well as that we look forward to the return of Bradford On Avon Food & Drink Festival! (p24).

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Away from that we talk about Trowbridge Eco’s Blue Hearts (p14) and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Middleton Down (p16). That, and a whole lot more including the return of some wonderful summer events. Enjoy!

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

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in this issue...

LOCAL NEWS Fairfield Farm College Open Air Theatre at Manor Farm Barber of Seville at Great Chalfield Rowden Brook Make Space for Nature

4 8 8 12 14

FOOD & DRINK Meet the Hidden Chef, Dean Toon Drinks Break BOA Food & Drink Festival Eat the Seasons Sauce recipes The Hideout

20 22 24 26 27 30

HOME & GARDEN Summer 2021 Interior Trends Garden Transformation

48 51

FEATURES Middleton Down Summer Activities Glamping at Woolley Grange

16 33 42

LEGAL & FINANCIAL Goughs

56

BATH RUGBY Bath End of Season Awards

60

HEALTH & WELLBEING Exercise as we get older Vitality Day Spa

58 61

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES That’s interesting...

62 Quiz, wordsearch & sudoku 64 COMMENT The Last Word

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local news

WORK EXPERIENCE WITH STANLEY BLACK AND DECKER

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tudents at Fairfield Farm College were able to enjoy a ‘hands on’ work experience session with a difference recently.

Due to COVID-19, the team at Fairfield Farm College have had to think of additional ways of providing students work experience opportunities.

students learnt about working in the technology sector and the different variety of jobs available. The students were then able to get hands on and learn about door access systems.

Building on from this, the students involved will undertake some remote virtual work experience sessions, carrying out product testing and The college, based in Dilton Marsh, providing feedback. Darren Barber, recently started working with Stanley Careers Manager at Fairfield Farm Black and Decker on various careers College said “We are thrilled to related projects, helping students be working with such an exciting gain confidence with current and company, and a massive thank you upcoming technologies. Recently, to Richard for taking the time to Richard from Stanley Black and visit our students, they thoroughly Decker paid the college a visit to enjoyed themselves”. run a technology workshop for five students. In this workshop, • ffc.ac.uk

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Students recently enjoyed a technology workshop

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local news

OPEN AIR THEATRE AT MANOR FARM

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very year, during open-air theatre season, Manor Farm in Corsley opens its gates for everyone to enjoy entertainment in the wonderful grounds of this historic Elizabethan Manor, in the shape of outdoor theatre performed

by a professional, equity-registered, open-air touring theatre company.

Nestled in the gardens, overlooking meadows and ancient copses, the play is set on a terraced lawn against a backdrop of stunning views. This

will be the 13th year Manor Farm has hosted the event and once again they’ve welcomed renowned outdoor theatre company Illyria to perform; this year audiences will be treated to a performance of HMS Pinafore.

This wonderful comic opera gets the complete Illyria treatment, faithfully performed by a reduced cast on a beautiful nautical set.

The event takes place on Sunday 1 August, at 2.30pm & 7pm. The event is a little different due to Covid restrictions. No seating will be provided, you must BYO (Bring Your Own) seating! Picnics are welcome and light refreshments will be available too, with proceeds going to local foodbanks. Tickets are £15, children (5-15yrs) £7.50.

Last year’s Wind In The Willows performance

• theelizabethanevening.com

OPERA AT GREAT CHALFIELD MANOR

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ossini’s ‘Barber of Seville’ is one of the most popular in the repertoire, and it is coming to Great Chalfield Manor on 6 & 7 August courtesy of Bath Opera.

Count Almaviva has fallen for Rosina and followed her to Seville (in a disguise that does not give away his nobility!). Rosina is the ward of Dr

Bartolo, who with the help of shady singing teacher Don Basilio keeps her bottled up planning to marry her for her money. Enter the barber and general fixer Figaro, who manages to get the Count into Bartolo’s house and into Rosina’s arms. It will be played in the original 17th century setting with wonderful costumes.

Bath Opera sing in English and have Chalfield Manor will be hosting Bath Opera on 6 & 7 August

replaced the musical recitatives with dialogue and also made a few cuts so the opera is not too long.

The opera is directed by Jane Clark, with musical direction by Peter Blackwood. Of the leading characters, Robert Felstead (Count Almaviva, tenor), Niall Hoskin (Dr Bartolo, baritone) and Edward Harper (Don Basilio, bass) are distinguished Bath Opera soloists. They are joined by visiting artists Katherine Cooper (Rosina, soprano) and Michael Lam (Figaro, baritone) to complete a very strong line-up.

Performances may be in the Great Hall or on the terrace, with picnics and wine in the gardens. Email chalfield@aol.com for more details.

• greatchalfield.co.uk

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Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary Saving stray & unwanted dogs since 1958

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

THE ELIZABETHAN EVENING at Manor Farm, Corsley st Sunday 1 August 2021, 2.30pm & 7pm

Tickets: theelizabethanevening.com | 01373 832113

Gates open 1hr before performance. Performance approx 2hrs (inc 20min interval) Cancellation in the event of dangerous weather only, when performance will be rescheduled. Tickets are non-refundable, except for cancellations due to COVID-19 Government mandates. Booking fees may apply.

Registered Charity Number 256728

Please bring your own seating/rug and warm clothes. Refreshments available, picnics welcome.

All profits to local food banks.

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Fri 6th & Sat 7th August, Curtain up 7.30pm The prestigious opera company is bringing Rossini’s ‘The Barber of Seville’ to Great Chalfield Manor this August.

Directed by Jane Clark with musical direction by Peter Blackwood, the production boasts a great cast of principals.

This is a popular opera for the experienced and first-time opera-goer alike - a hilarious plot, sung in English and with such enjoyable music!

Picnics and wine as usual! Contact Robert and Patsy on chalfield@aol.com for more details.

Great Chalfield Manor, SN12 8NH

www.bathopera.com

local news

BEAVERS & HIPPOS CO-HABITING IN THE UK

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Longleat is the first place in the UK where hippopotamus and beavers are sharing the same habitat for more than 100,000 years

n 1966 Longleat became world famous as the first drive through safari park outside Africa. Now it has created an even more unusual record as being the first place in the UK where hippopotamus and beavers are sharing the same habitat in more than 100,000 years.

home through the Estate back in October last year when I spotted something in the car headlights and I did a bit of a double take.

“At first I couldn’t quite work out what I was looking at, but it soon became very clear when I saw the huge paddle-like tail there was a beaver crossing the road in front of me!”

It’s thought the last time hippos and beavers were found together in the UK was during the Eemian period which also saw elephants and Beavers are large, semiaquatic monkeys roam the country. rodents native to the northern hemisphere. They once thrived here Mark Tye, Longleat Team Manager but were heavily hunted for their Lakes & Birds said: “I was driving fur, scent sacs and meat with the

last animal thought to have been killed sometime in the middle of the 16th century. In recent years, groups of animals have been released at sites across the country and their numbers are steadily increasing.

The news of their arrival at Longleat has been welcomed by Eva Bishop, Communications Director at the Beaver Trust.

"We were delighted to hear of the arrival of beavers in the woods around Longleat, an exciting moment for the whole team there to witness their return and activities in action,” she said.

Longleat hippos Spot and Sonia

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local news from our landscape for 400 years so we want to share this excitement with everyone,” she added.

The beavers are among a string of native wildlife returning to Longleat in recent years. Alongside wild otters, red kites, owls, kingfishers and several species of deer, two giant white tailed eagles have also started visiting the Estate; part of a reintroduction programme for the species based on the Isle of Wight.

Signs of beaver activity at Longleat

"The beavers are among a string of native wildlife returning to Longleat in recent years."

“They were here, they should be here and, if we can get the habitat right, why shouldn’t they be here again?” said Longleat’s Head of Animal Operations Darren Beasley.

“For decades we’ve been renowned for our exotic wildlife, but for me the return of these amazing native species is just as exciting,” he added.

Longleat's half-mile lake is an artificial water feature, which was dug by hand in the 18th century.

Mark Tye, Longleat Team Manager Lakes & Birds, checks the wildlife camera

“Beavers are a gift in these changeable times, for their potential water and wildlife benefits, so to follow them establishing within the Longleat surroundings will be fascinating.

“More exciting still, this will be the first time in over 100,000 years that beavers have co-existed alongside hippos in Britain, where they once

It was designed by Capability Brown, England's greatest landscape gardener. In 1804 it was further modified by garden designer lived together in the giant swamps of Humphrey Repton, who also created interglacial Europe. the artificial island at the centre of the lake. For more information on how “It is also exciting for the many beavers are bringing wildlife back visitors to Longleat who may be to Britain take a look at the Beaver seeing beaver evidence for the first Trust website, https://beavertrust.org. time; the gnawed willow branches or To find out more about heading to classic beaver-gnawed tree stumps.

Longleat this summer, and to book tickets, see the website.

“Beavers are one of the large herbivores that have been missing • longleat.co.uk

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 11

local news

ROWDEN BROOK

The first phase of new homes of REDCLIFFE HOMES' new development in Chippenham has just been released.

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he first of the new homes

by Redcliffe Homes at Chippenham's new 1000home Rowden Park development have now been released for sale, with three of the properties reserved by eager purchasers as soon as they became available.

The Cheltenham design

The new garden village and riverside park is located to the south of Chippenham between Patterdown and the River Avon, with land set aside for a primary school, allotments, a network of country and riverside walks, a country park and provision of a neighbourhood centre including community and leisure facilities.

The first phase of 114 homes by Redcliffe Homes, to be known as Rowden Brook, will provide a range of designs to meet the needs of a variety of home-buyers, from firsttime buyers to families with larger families who need a spacious home.

"Appealing characteristics include tree-lined streets, attractive landscaping & countryside views - all the hallmarks of a classic garden village"

into Chippenham town centre, and it’s already clear to see that this development will be very much part of the town, not just a newbuild Lorraine Kendrick, head of sales and marketing, said: “Rowden Park garden section tacked on to its periphery, in a setting where lots of footpaths village genuinely offers something and parkland combine to produce a not previously seen in this area – a genuinely green environment. community designed in the style of the Arts and Craft movement, with space, well-being and community as “Its proximity to the new primary school and village shop, and its guiding principles. easy access to the town and public transport links, will give “Appealing characteristics include environmentally-conscious residents tree-lined streets, attractive easily realisable alternatives to using landscaping and countryside views - all the hallmarks of a classic garden a car. village – and the neighbourhood features species-rich landscaping and “In addition, all the homes at Rowden Brook are designed and built with a host of ecological improvements. sustainability in mind, featuring energy efficient heating, highly “Just a short walk, run or cycle effective insulation - contemporary through Riverside Park, takes you 12

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homes combining innovation and technology with traditional features and finished to the highest standard.

“Of course, it's early days at the garden village, but anyone wanting to see just how great a Redcliffe Homes development looks when it's finished could make the ten-minute drive to see Park Place in Corsham which is now fully occupied and looking lovely."

A selection of 3 and 4 bedroom homes are currently available, with prices ranging from £329,000 to £422,000. Viewings can be booked by calling the sales office on 01249 470605. Opening hours are Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm.

• redcliffehomes.co.uk

local news

SPACE FOR NATURE This summer make your garden more wildlife-friendly by joining TROWBRIDGE ECO'S Space For Nature project.

on and start a nest, whilst the seed heads are picked off by goldfinches.

GREEN SPACE SURVEY

Can you find space for nature in your garden?

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rowbridge Eco’s Space for Nature project is all about raising awareness about the declining insect populations and how every person can do something little to help them recover.

The project is giving out free blue hearts for any residents happy to designate a part of their garden – a square metre of grass, a pond, a flower bed or a plant pot – to nature this summer. By doing so, you will join the 100+ households who have already pledged a patch.

They currently have over 1000m2 of space designated to wildlife across Trowbridge and surrounding villages and want to improve on this further.

TOP TIPS FOR YOUR NATURE PATCH • Leave the grass to grow from April to July • Plant bee-friendly plants like knapweed or teasel • Grow plants that flower at different times of year, for instance, 14

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a fruit tree blossoming in spring, comfrey during midsummer and rudbeckia/ daisies in late summer • A sunken tub or bucket into the ground can be a simple but effective pond. Make sure to have some rocks for things to crawl out • Create a hole in the bottom of your fence to create a hedgehog highway.

"The project is giving out free blue hearts for any residents happy to designate a part of their garden to nature this summer."

As one of our bigger killers of insects, there are no need for pesticides in the garden. Not only that, but you don’t have to get rid of all your weeds either, some are important for pollinators. Dandelions for instance are a great source of nectar in early spring so leave them be if you can, they provide queen bumblebees that much needed energy boost to carry

The Trowbridge Eco team are also keen to get feedback from residents on public green spaces and how council mowing could be changed.

The group wants to see more grass spaces left for nature but know many are used for recreational spaces across town so are looking to strike a balance. We believe many areas could have large strips of grass left to grow long during the summer and cut back in the autumn. To give your feedback there is a survey you can fill out on the website or on their social media channels. Alternatively you can find members of the Trowbridge Eco group at these Meadow Mania events: Elm Grove Park, Wiltshire Drive 4 July, 13:00 - 15:00 Paxcroft Brook, near Moyle Park 11 July, 10:00 - 12:00 Queens Road, Seymour 17 July, 10:00 - 12:00 Tyning Close, Broadmead 17 July, 13:00 - 15:00 If you have space to designate or can help us engage with local schools and landowners please email trowbridgeeco@gmail.com.

Trowbridge Eco’s Space for Nature Project has been kindly funded by Wiltshire Council’s Trowbridge Area Board and Wessex Water Recovery Grant through Wiltshire Community Foundation.

• trowbridgeeco.com

wildlife Middleton Down is a Site of Special Scientific Interest

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wildlife

MIDDLETON DOWN Next in our series of features on Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's 40 reserves is MIDDLETON DOWN near Wilton... IMAGES: Jeni Bell THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 17

wildlife Common spotted orchid

The land has changed little in over 1000 years

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he curves and dips of this peaceful and secluded reserve in the Chalke Valley offers stunning views across the countryside, but be aware that the slopes are steep to climb.

The reserve is a wonderful example of the traditional chalk downland that was once widespread in Wiltshire and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the rich variety of its grassland plants.

For 600 years the reserve formed part of the Wilton Abbey estate. At Dissolution it was transferred to the Wilton estate owned by the Earl of Pembroke. It was sold for the first time ever in 1919.

This land has changed little for nearly a millennium, with the downland being used to graze sheep. Today the reserve is grazed by the Trust's own Dexter cattle for most of the year. They create a varied structure of short and long grass, the best habitat for insects.

Since they acquired the reserve in 1988 biodiversity has increased.

Grazing also prevents invasion by scrub and coarser vegetation.

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wildlife

WILDLIFE From early May the slopes are a tapestry of yellow cowslips and early purple orchids. The display continues all summer, with the intense blue chalk milkwort, the early purple gentian and many orchids. These include common spotted, fragrant, pyramidal, bee, frog and autumn lady’stresses. Here too are clustered bellflower and the nationally rare dwarf sedge.

Its many butterflies include the rare Adonis blue, common blue and marbled white. Most are attracted by the trefoils and vetches that provide food for their caterpillars.

On late summer evenings glow worms sparkle on the slopes. These are not worms at all, but beetles.

The wingless females glow for a few weeks to attract the flying males, only to die soon after laying their eggs. Look out for a large, shiny oil beetle in early spring, or the narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth – a day-flying moth that looks like a bee.

Listen for the papery rustle of grasshoppers at ground level and the pure notes of the skylark above.

You may also spot buzzards and sparrowhawks flying overhead.

Wilton SP5 5DT Grid ref SU047238 • Not suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

• Dogs on leads are welcome.

• 24.42 hectares

f WiltsWild t @WiltsWildlife "Its many butterflies include the rare Adonis blue, common blue and marbled white."

• wiltshirewildlife.org Small blue butterfly

DIRECTIONS If cycling - Leave regional route 20 at Broad Chalke. Lock bike up in car park and follow walking directions below. www.sustrans.org.uk If using the bus - The 29 SalisburyShaftsbury service stops in Broad Chalke approx. every 1.5 hours.

From the Broad Chalke stop, follow the above walking directions to reserve gate. Visit salisburyreds.co.uk If driving - Travelling from Salisbury on A354 to Blandford. When you reach Coombe Bissett turn right on to Stratford Tony Road heading for Broad Chalke. Drive through Bishopstone and turn left on to Newtown which takes you into Broad Chalke. In village take left turn signposted for school and sports centre. Continue past school and Knighton junction. Continue along Bury Lane to Howgare Road and drive for about 2.5 miles to crossroads. Turn left onto Ox Drove and continue for 0.5 miles past farm buildings. Immediately after farm and before track fork, is parking area – please don’t block gates.

Walk down track for 0.25 miles and entrance to reserve is on right.

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food & drink

MEET THE CHEF

DEAN TOON, head chef/patron at The Hidden Chef Brasserie in Trowbridge, talks about the beginnings of the brasserie, his favourite dishes and his can't live without kitchen gadgets!

What was your first job in catering?

I was a kitchen porter at The Bay Tree Hotel in Burford. I remember it being a hard job with little or no let up so I was pleased when I got to do some cooking!

How did the idea for The Hidden Chef come about?

When restaurants closed their doors in March 2020, I had to think creatively about how I was going to stay doing what I loved. I created a 'heat at home' menu of haute cuisine and traditional classics, delivered to your door. The reaction was amazing! People have loved enjoying restaurant standard

"We are all about providing incredible food, made from the finest local ingredients."

food at home. And so The Hidden Chef was born and the latest chapter is the opening of The Hidden Chef Brasserie in St Georges Works, Trowbridge.

Dean opened the brasserie in May

Where do you source your produce?

We are all about providing incredible food, made from the finest local ingredients. We get all our seafood from New Wave Seafood - their fish is the freshest and best quality around.

Our veg we currently source from Heritage Fine Foods.

What's your favourite dish on the menu?

Our fillet of beef.

We serve it with a potato & thyme terrine, cauliflower and truffle purée,

braised morels, beef jus & grated black truffle over the top.

What's your top selling dish at the moment?

Our hand dived Cornish scallops, (pictured inset) they're delicious and just perfect for summer!

When you cook for friends, what is on your menu?

Unfortunately since starting the restaurant I haven't had the time, we have been inundated with bookings Usually a simple BBQ and a few drinks with friends is all I need.

Your favourite kitchen gadget?

It's my Vitamix, I just love it, I’d be lost without it, but running it very close is my Kitchen Aid. To book a table at The Hidden Chef Brasserie call 01225 754967.

• thehiddenchef.net

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Here at The Hidden Chef Brasserie we are all about providing incredible food, made from the finest local ingredients.

Locally reared meats, the finest vegetables from the region, incredible local cheeses and more, all matched with an exquisitely curated wine list.

Classic, traditional haute cuisine in a relaxed, informal setting.

The hidden chef brasserie

St Georges Works, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8AA We are open Wednesday to Sunday.

For bookings please call 01225 754967 or email reservations.thehiddenchef@gmail.com. www.thehiddenchef.net

fi

food & drink

GOBLET GLASSWARE SET OF 6, £54.99, WAYFAIR INFLATABLE FLAMINGO DRINKS COOLER, £9.99, AMAZON

SET OF 6 PLASTIC CUPS, £11.99, VON HAUS

TALL DRINKS COOLER, £149, LIME LACE

OMBRE SUMMER CARAFES, £18 EACH, ELLA JAMES

DRINKS BREAK

Enjoy al fresco drinks in the garden this summer with these great little buys...

TROPICANA GLASS MASON JAR (SET OF 4), £16.55, WAYFAIR

OSLO EUCALYPTUS WOOD DRINKS TROLLEY, £290, ELLA JAMES

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5L DRINKS DISPENSER, £22, GARDEN TRADING

THE BELL

AT S TA N D E R W I C K

YOUR HOSTS, LYN & ANDY HOBBS, WELCOME YOU TO THE NEWLY RE-OPENED RISING SUN.

OUR PICTURESQUE FAMILY PUB IS SITUATED IN THE HEART OF THE MENDIPS. With a large dining area, a pretty patio garden, and a new family garden, our newly refurbished pub welcomes dogs of all shapes and sizes too.

We’re pleased to offer a traditional yet varied menu, including a hugely popular Sunday Carvery, and a selection of cask condition Badger Beers.

OPEN Tues-Sat: 12noon-3pm & 5.30pm-10pm, Sun: 12noon-5pm

tel 01373 830413 | thebell-standerwick.co.uk

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A traditional English pub, The Rising Sun aims to be the best local around.

The menu offers delicious, classic British dishes using local and fresh ingredients, complemented by a great range of well-kept traditional ales, local gins and fine wines.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

• BEER GARDEN • HOMEMADE FOOD SERVED DAILY • LOCAL REAL ALES & CIDERS • GLUTEN FREE MENU • STEAK DEAL • TRADITIONAL SUNDAY ROAST • TAKEAWAYS AVAILABLE • LARGE CAR PARK 61 Woodmarsh, North Bradley, Trowbridge BA14 0SB 01225 776545 therisingsun-northbradley.co.uk

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THE

Farmhouse

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

INN

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.

LIVE MUSIC

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

Our award-winning family run pub is open daily for lunch & dinner, serving a wide range of homecooked meals using local produce wherever possible.

A traditional roast is available every Sunday, and look out for our Specials Board which changes daily.

We also offer a takeaway service.

ENJOY OUR LARGE BEER GARDEN Frome Road, Southwick, Nr Trowbridge BA14 9QD t 01225 764366 e the.farmhouse@btconnect.com www.farmhousesouthwick.co.uk

food & drink

BOA FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL RETURNS! Bradford on Avon Food & Drink Festival is returning to Victory Field on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July for a weekend of family foodie fun!

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hanks to a successful launch in 2019, this year’s festival will take place over two delicious days and promises to be packed with live cookery demos from chefs and experts, local food and drink, family entertainment, live music and lots more.

Organisers are looking forward to welcoming a fantastic selection of artisan producers for visitors to sample and shop from. They pride themselves on getting to know each and every one of their producers and love to showcase and celebrate some of the best regional food and drink. From cheese, chutneys and sweet treats to the finest festival street food, visitors won’t be going home hungry. There will be street food galore with many offerings to choose from and the brand new Home@BoA area where you can pick up treasures, clothes and homeware.

Festival Director Lotte Duncan explains, "We have Celebrity Chef demonstrations on our Big Cookery Stage - Master Chef Champions, Ping Coombes and Jane Devonshire, GBBO stars Steven Carter Bailey and Briony May are just a few of the fabulous chefs and bakers joining us.

"Then of course we have a Live Music Stage with an eclectic mix of local musicians, a Pub Garden, Julia’s House Children’s Activities for little ones and even a Circus workshop tent. Our producers will be interviewed over the weekend

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Bradford on Avon Food & Drink Festival is returning over 2 days

"From cheese, chutneys and sweet treats to the finest festival street food, visitors won’t be going home hungry." in our Food Glorious Food tent - so be sure to take a seat and listen to their stories of how they make their products - you might even get a taster! A fun Dog Show organised

by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is there for your prize pooches.

"And how about a chance to admire the brand new Bond Car! We have the one and only Aston Martin DBS Superleggera 007 Bond Edition - one of only 25 in the world and starring in the new film."

TICKET INFO The festival, which takes place on Victory Field, just a five minute walk from the train station, will be open on Saturday from 10am - 6pm and on Sunday from 10am - 5pm.

Entrance is £7 for adults and £3 for

children over 12. Under 12s go free!

Buy in advance and online and not only can you fast track through the gate on the weekend, but you also have the chance to WIN a Magimix Food Processor! (Ts & Cs apply).

Sign up to the festival newsletter for all the latest information and keep checking the website for features.

• scrumptiousfoodfestivals.co.uk

• Wadworth Real Ales • Pretty Beer Garden • Children & Dog Friendly • Takeaway service • Large Car Park • Smaller Portions Available OPEN: Wed - Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-4.30pm Food Served: Wed - Sat 12-2.30pm & 5.30-8pm, Sun 12-3pm Rule of 6 inside (or 2 families) & groups welcome outside in the covered garden. Please pre-book online or by phone

01225 782 581 • theoldhamtree@gmail.com

theoldhamtree.co.uk •

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HAM GREEN, HOLT, TROWBRIDGE BA1 4 6PY

A jam packed day of entertainment for all the family plus lots & lots of cheese!

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food & drink

seasons eat the

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

J

uly is a great month for salads and summer vegetables. The supermarkets now demand everything 12 months of the year, meaning we all start to expect everything to be available all year

few years, especially with the introduction of the heritage varieties.

It is all about colour and taste on a plate! I really enjoy talking to my passionate chefs who tell me about their amazing recipes. With

“I can’t believe how beetroot has become so popular over the last few years, especially with the introduction of the heritage varieties. ” round without stopping to notice how far it has travelled to reach our plates. At Lovejoys we always recommend waiting for the English season produce to start as it always has a better taste (and to be fair our growing season is now longer because of milder winters). Food miles should also be on people’s minds with so much traffic on our roads. It is important that we all look at where the produce we are eating has been grown or produced.

I can’t believe how beetroot has become so popular over the last

Instgram and Twitter you can see the enthusiasm they have and they definitely don’t mind sharing with their peers in the food world.

Beetroot has long been used as a dye. Anyone who has worn a white shirt and spilt some beetroot will know this well! The ancient Greeks cultivated beetroot around 300BC, they did not use the roots but ate the leaves. Why not try pickling some eggs using white vinegar and some red beetroot juice, they come out a lovely colour. Our grandchildren love to roll the eggs gently to de-shell them, they are very patient, much better at it than me!

They pop them in a kilner jar with some white or malt vinegar and away they go in a dark cupboard for a few weeks (Or until someone is desperate for a pickled egg!).

For those of you with space to grow your own, it is not too late to grow some fast growing crops like radish and carrot. If growing with little ones I find they love to plant seeds the come up quickly, some will show within a week. Always plant things that they can eat straight away, it keeps their interest, the winners in our family are the carrots - pulled straight from the ground, rinsed and eaten raw, and the new potatoes every child should dig for their own potatoes at least once. If you don’t have a garden, a small outside space and a large deep bucket will work.

Email me with any questions or queries as usual and I will do my best to help. Have a good growing month!

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

26 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

A BIT SAUCY

recipes

July is primetime for BBQs. This month FRAN STEVENS, aka The Food Wife, has some fantastic sauces and marinades that should ensure yours is super tasty.

SATAY MARINADE Enough to marinade 2 chicken breasts As soon as the sun is shining this satay recipe is perfect for marinating some meat and cooking on the BBQ. This quantity is enough to marinate two large chicken breasts, cut into strips.

✃

It is easily scaled up and works excellently with pork too. I love skewering the marinated pork with alternate pieces of fresh pineapple and then barbecuing.

Ingredients 1 heaped tbsp crunchy peanut butter 1 tsp soy sauce (gf if required) 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce Juice of 1 lime 3 lime leaves, roughly chopped (or use the zest of the lime) 1 lemon grass, bruised with the back of a knife and then finely chopped 1 inch of ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

Method Combine all ingredients together.

Coat the meat and allow to marinate.

Aim to do this the night before for ultimate flavour and then skewer and cook the next day.

Quick Tip If you are using wooden skewers be sure to pre-soak them in water so the sticks don’t burn on the barbecue.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 27

recipes simply add it to the end of your cooking of your fish or tofu. Serve with rice or noodles.

Ingredients 3 chillis, roughly chopped (including seeds) 8 fat cloves of garlic 2 tbsp vegetable oil 3 tbsp fish sauce 4 tbsp tamarind paste 2 tbsp water 65g palm sugar Method Begin by using a food processor to blitz the chilli and garlic into a rough paste.

In a wok, heat the oil over a medium high heat and then stir fry the chilligarlic paste for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Whether you’re using a barbecue sauce as a marinade or as a condiment, using a homemade one means you can tweak it to your own taste and also have the satisfaction of using something homemade. The quantity here is enough to marinade 500g-1kg meat or to store in the fridge for a week in a sealed jar for use as a condiment.

This is a basic recipe for barbecue sauce, and it’s sweet, so if you’re not a sweet fan, try halving the sugar/ syrup and taste, adding a little as you go. Of course you could always add a little something extra. Try some chilli flakes for a kick, or a little liquid smoke to bring that distinctive flavour of a real BBQ. Ingredients 150g tomato ketchup (gf if required) 35g cider vinegar 35g soft light brown sugar 35g maple syrup 15g Worcestershire sauce (gf/vegan if required; I used Henderson’s Relish which is both gf and vegan) 28 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Makes 270g (about a small jar) Method Simply combine all ingredients and stir until smooth. If not using immediately, store in an airtight jar in the fridge, for up to a week.

Thai Three Taste Sauce

Add the remaining ingredients and simmer until slightly thickened and the sugar fully dissolved. This may take three or four minutes. Stir frequently.

Remove from the heat and it is now ready to use on your cooked fish or tofu, simply add for the last minute or two of cooking.

Quick Tip Adjust the amount of chilli depending on your tolerance.

Serves 3-4 as tapas

A staple in many Thai restaurants, the three tastes here are salty, sweet and sour. The saltiness comes from the fish sauce, the sweet from the palm sugar and the sourness from the tart tamarind paste. There’s also a good punch of heat from the chilli and garlic.

This is more a stir fry sauce but it does make is an excellent accompaniment to BBQ fish or tofu.

Make a batch and if not using it all at once, divide into mini portions and freeze. This recipe makes the sauce which you can then add to your chosen Thai dish. Once made

✃

basic bbq sauce

✃

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

theswanbradford @stayswan swanbradford

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food & drink

THE HIDEOUT

Perfect for summertime dining with friends and family, The Hideout Cafe & Bar is a great new pop up serving freshly made food and artisan drinks.

B

ased in the glorious grounds of the Woolley Grange Hotel is the new pop-up Hideout Café and Bar. It has just opened to locals as well as hotel residents for morning coffee and cake (10am-noon) or you can pre-book a table for an informal lunch or dinner. To find the Hideout, simply following the Glamping signs on entering the hotel grounds.

The Hideout’s bar serves a mix of soft drinks (including homemade fruit syrups) and hot drinks, as well as locally inspired beer, cider, wines, Woolley Gin and alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. Perfect for a glass of something chilled with a bite of lunch.

For lunch, choose from pizzas from the pizza oven, burgers, homemade soup and salads from the Woolley Walled Garden, tartlets and other light bites. Vegetarians, vegan and gluten free diets are well catered for, as are children, who have a choice of a grazing plate, a child size pizza or pasta. You may also be tempted by freshly cooked waffles for dessert, dark chocolate pot or Luscious ice cream.

Between 3pm and 5pm, hang out in the bar, where you can enjoy a selection of homemade cakes or an indulgent cream tea with fresh scones and preserves.

Supper is served from 5pm with the last sitting at 7.45pm. There is a themed menu on each evening, ranging from barbecue to paella to freshly cooked pizzas and curries,

30 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

The Hideout is a fun, relaxed way to dine out this summer

"There's a different style of food on the menu each night – ranging from barbecue to paella and curries, followed by mouthwatering desserts" followed by mouthwatering desserts. As the night draws in, The Hideout comes alive, decked with festoon lighting and chilled music, you really will feel like you are on holiday! Choose a comfy spot to sit and while away the evening, or take your place around the large outdoor fire pit – perfect for toasting marshmallows. The menus have been designed by the hotel’s new award-winning Head Chef, Dean Westcar.

Sample lunch and evening menus can be seen by visiting the Eat page of the hotel’s website and scrolling down to The Hideout. To make a reservation give the hotel a call on 01225 864705.

• woolleygrangehotel.co.uk

Award-Winning, Family Run Farm Shop

Established for over 30 years selling quality local produce Open 7 days a week 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

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THE

WESTBROOK

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Bromham, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2EE

tel 01380 850418

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***BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY ALONG TO OUR FAMILY FRIENDLY PUB THIS SUMMER!*** 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 • TAKEAWAY AVAILABLE • LARGE GARDEN • CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA • REAL ALES • CAR PARK

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activities

SUMMER TIMES It may be different than usual, but with the gradual loosening of restrictions we can still look forward to six weeks of summer fun for all the family!

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 33

activities

HOPE NATURE CENTRE

H

ope Nature Centre is gearing up for a busy summer of sunshine (hopefully), ice cream and smiles, with a range of events planned, alongside the continued improvements being implemented across the 15-acre Animal Park.

Based just outside Trowbridge in Southwick Country Park, the charity has invested heavily in the attraction over the past 6 months, with a whole range of new additions and refurbishments. These include a brand-new adventure play area, new animal enclosures, a new outdoor seating terrace and tractor play area, as well as refurbishing and extending the café. The latest of these to launch is a brand new aviary, which opened at the start of June, featuring an array of colourful birds.

“Alongside our exciting new additions and refurbishments, we’re currently putting together an exciting array of events for the summer and beyond” said assistant manager Jane Ord. “We’re hoping to be able to run one of our famous fun days, as well as offering a range

of animal experiences, to allow people to get up and close with our wonderful Animal Park residents.”

For more information and to pre-book tickets, head to the website.

• hopenaturecentre.org.uk.

Hope Nature Centre is looking to offer animal experiences this summer

STONAR HOLIDAY CLUB

S

tonar School in Atworth will be running a Holiday Club for children aged between 3 and 11 from Monday 12 July.

Open to both existing pupils and those attending other schools, children will benefit from a range of daily outdoor and activities on

their vast 80 acre campus, run by a team of experienced, friendly and welcoming staff. A varied programme of activities includes sports, forest school, arts and crafts, drama, music and much more.

The school offers three different sessions - half day, short day and full day, to provide flexibility for parents, with discounts available if a full week is booked. The onsite catering team will also provide a fresh, healthy snack and lunch each day, meaning parents don’t have to make the dreaded lunch box each day! To find out more and to book online visit the website or for further information email admissions@stonarschool.com.

Stonar’s Holiday Club is open to all children aged 3-11

34 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

• stonarschool.com/prepschool-2-11-/holiday-club

local news

DRIVE-TECH LTD

D

rive-Tech Ltd are Skid Control, Karting and 4x4 Off Road experts. Based at Castle Combe Circuit (within easy reach of the M4 & M5) their ultimate driving experiences will help you build individual skills, increase your confidence, improve your personal safety, raise your awareness and provide white knuckle tension, all at the same time!

experienced instructors. Junior Karting sessions can be done as a ‘one off’ or drivers can progress and eventually get to race in Junior Championship Kart Races, it’s completely up to you.

Gift vouchers, starting at just £40, open dated and valid for 18 months make great gifts too. For details see the website or call 01249 783010.

• drivetechltd.co.uk

Kids karting is great fun for juniors aged 10-15

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

Junior Karting is for kids aged 10 – 15) and allows boys and girls to learn top class racing skills under the professional supervision of

HAYNES MOTOR MUSEUM

T

here’s lots of fun to be had at Haynes International Motor Museum with handson family activities running on selected days throughout the school summer holidays. With help from the Museum team, you can uncover the fascinating stories, facts, and quirky

characters behind the very first cars through to Formula 1. Plus, look out for special activity days as part of the brand-new Williams F1 exhibition to find out “Why an F1 car doesn’t fly like an aeroplane” with the Museum’s friendly Education team and their working wind tunnel.

There are lots of hands-on activities to try at HIMM

With brand new exhibitions to explore there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained from learning how a car works to Paint a Mini, the Top Trumps trail and brass rubbings. There is also a fantastic outdoor playground for mini motorists with coin-operated go-karts, an interactive garage and mini road system. Plus, if you are feeling competitive, the onsite Karting at Haynes track (booked separately) is also open for a fun family race. Special summer activities will take place on selected dates only, so please check the Museum’s social media channels and website for further details.

To book your family day out visit the website or call 01963 440804.

• himm.co.uk

36 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

activities

WILTSHIRE MUSEUM travelled ways increasingly valued.

The surrounding countryside encouraged artists to look beyond the hedgerows, railed fencing and wire strung posts to the diversity of the landscape and architectural materials.

Covid-safe measures are in place and pre-booking is recommended.

Entry for children under 18 is FREE. Check the website for opening times and booking info.

• wiltshiremuseum.org.uk.

The museum is hosting the Ways of Seeing Wiltshire exhibition this summer

© Cherhill White Horse, Christopher Hughes

Y

ou can explore 500,000 years of Wiltshire’s story at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes.

It features spectacular treasures dating to the time of Stonehenge and worn by people who worshiped inside the stone circle – a mustsee before visiting Stonehenge or Avebury. There are also fascinating displays of Roman treasure, the Story of Devizes and the Making of the Kingdom of Wessex.

The Museum’s summer exhibition “Ways of Seeing Wiltshire” features a large number of works from a collection recently acquired by the Museum, all around the theme of the Wiltshire landscape - from chalk hill figures to prehistoric remains.

As with the recent Covid lockdowns, the period between the two World Wars (1919-1938) saw less

COURT FARM COUNTRY PARK

O

pen for more than 30 years as a visitor attraction, Court Farm Country Park near Weston-Super-Mare is looking forward to a fun filled summer of entertainment for all the family. The Court Farm Country Park has lots of animals to meet

park has been voted runners up in the Farm Attraction Of The Year competition twice in recent years, an accolade that the attraction’s owner, Peter Gwyn, puts down to the friendly atmosphere and

excellent facilities. With over 25000sq ft of undercover attractions and playgrounds, all visitors can enjoy a day in the countryside come rain or shine.

If its animals you want – they have loads, from Shetlands and sheep to piglets and pygmy goats! Budding adventurers will love the Safari Jeep track. There are two large indoor adventure playgrounds, which suit all ages of children and there are lots of friendly animals on show too. With twice daily bottle-feeding shows kids can marvel at the antics of the farm’s baby animals, whilst the Tractor rides and a whole host of other goings on will leave your kids begging to come back soon. Court Farm Country Park is open daily from 10am to 5.30pm.

• courtfarmcountrypark.co.uk

38 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

activities

WILTSHIRE SCRAPSTORE

F

© Cherhill White Horse, Christopher Hughes

or an Aladdin’s cave of craft materials look no further than Wiltshire Scrapstore. Situated on Bowden Hill on the outskirts of Lacock, it is an award-winning, environmental and community charity. They collect clean, unused

materials from business, industry and the community otherwise destined for landfill.

Wiltshire Scrapstore actively promote and enable learning and enjoyment through creative

Wiltshire Scrapstore hold popular summer workshops

activities, thus enabling industry, young people, families and community groups to work together for a more sustainable future.

Everyone at the charity is committed to finding a new purpose for unwanted materials.

They have a large, talented team of volunteers that produce and upcycle many items from donated resources. They also offer creative workshops (and birthday parties) both inhouse and out in the community and have recently restarted their early year Make & Play sessions. They have also announced dates for their popular themed summer workshops. early booking is advised as places are limited - see the website for details.

• wiltshirescrapstore.org.uk

PICNIC IN THE MEADOW

F

rome Town Council’s Picnic in the Meadow is taking place on Sunday 11 July, 11am-2pm, and will be taking place in accordance with Covid restrictions.

Feel free to bring a picnic and a rug and really enjoy the meadow, all the organisers ask is that you take your rubbish home with you. There will also be an opportunity to support local charity Active and In Touch who will be running a cream tea stall or why not avoid a soggy sandwich and allow Event Horizon to create you a tasty picnic, anything from a grazing box with charcuterie, salady bits, to tartlets or scotch eggs, including sandwiches built with a filling of your choice. To secure your picnic box pre-order in advance by messaging Events Horizon on Facebook or emailing kerenhayden@gmail.com.

They will also have plenty of goodies for sale on the day too.

The picnic is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the meadow, enjoy some nature-inspired activities and for kids to play in one of the area’s nicest open spaces.

Activities are set to include: river dipping, sports day style races, mini beast scavenger hunt, archery, axe throwing, creative crafts with clay and kapla, willow crowns and creating your own bug hotel.

• frometowncouncil.gov.uk

Frome’s Picnic in the Meadow is on 11 July

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 39

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travel

STAYCATION IN STYLE Go glamping this summer with Woolley Grange's stunning new collaboration with The Pop-Up Hotel company.

The glamping suites by night

42 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

U

sually seen at the UK’s most iconic festivals such as Glastonbury, The Pop-Up Hotel concept blends the romance and thrill of glamping with the luxury and service you would expect from a luxury boutique hotel.

This summer Woolley Grange Hotel has launched their own new collaboration, with a view to the experience popping up in different hotels in the Luxury Family Hotels group in future years.

Nestled in the beautiful grounds of the hotel and located in the meadow directly parallel to the hotel, the site is a short walk away from Woolley Grange

travel itself and its south facing outdoor swimming pool, indoor spa and pool and OFSTED registered Den. Luxury Family Hotels and The Pop-Up Hotel team have worked together to create a collection of bespoke glamping suites under canvas, tailored specifically for Luxury Family Hotels guests. The result is a hugely successful design that has already seen them awarded a spot in The Sunday Times Top 21 places for luxury glamping this summer.

Simon Maguire, Managing Director, Luxury Family Hotels, explains: “We wanted to create a unique guest experience that gave new and returning guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in a stunning location without compromising on the quality of one of our hotel stays.

We are delighted that The Pop-Up Hotel has brought our vision of the perfect family glamping experience to life and we are really looking forward to welcoming families over the coming months.”

THE SUITES There are eight luxury glamping suites available. Each suite features one large master bedroom with a double bed dressed with crisp, cotton bed linen and bedside tables with atmospheric lamps. A second bedroom features two single beds, bedside tables and a book shelf featuring a selection of classic children’s books.

"Luxury Family Hotels and The Pop-Up Hotel team have worked together to create a collection of bespoke glamping suites under canvas"

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 43

travel Both bedrooms have direct access to a private bathroom with a flushing toilet, a contemporary standalone shower with hot and cold running water 24/7, and a separate wash basin. A selection of Bramley botanical toiletries and fresh, fluffy towels are provided to guests throughout their stay.

As well as the main bedrooms, the suites also offer a spacious living area featuring a comfortable couch, coffee table and standard lamp to make it extra cosy, making it a great space to kick back and relax.

Each suite also has a lockable sliding door, a range of lighting and power points for charging smartphones and other electronic devices. During colder spells (it is England after all!), electric heaters will be provided to warm the suites. The suites will include fresh flowers from the hotel’s gardens, a generous fruit bowl, picnic rugs, torches and a selection of lifestyle magazines to enjoy.

To fully immerse guests in the location, each suite also features an undercover private terrace with outdoor seating, perfect for reading a book, spotting local wildlife, enjoying a lazy sundowner or for

watching the children have the freedom to run around and play in safe and secure surroundings.

BREAKFAST DELIVERED Guests will be able to wake up each morning to a pre-ordered continental breakfast hamper - including homemade treats such as muffins, overnight oats, fruit and granola pots - delivered to their suite, along with freshly made flasks of tea and coffee. Alternatively, guests have the option of pre-booking and enjoying a full cooked breakfast in the hotel’s atmospheric restaurant.

THE BEST OF BOTH A stay in one of the glamping suites also allows guests access to all hotel facilities, including 90 minutes of complimentary childcare each day and full access to the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, the spa and treatment rooms and hotel babysitting service (charged on an hourly basis).

They will also be able to take advantage of a series of engaging and fun family activities which will change daily. These range from family yoga, flower crown making, treasure hunts, soft archery and star gazing.

AVAILABILITY & RATES Luxury Family Hotels collaboration with The Pop-Up Hotel is open now and will run until the end of summer (currently planned until the end of September). Rates start from £375 for one night on a B&B basis (midweek, term time), rising to £575 per night on a B&B basis for peak summer dates. Prices are based on four or five people sharing a suite, with a two-night minimum stay during peak periods.

Simon sums up: “After more than a year of restrictions on seeing family and friends, 2021 is going to be an important time for us to get together and enjoy a total change of scene and someone else to do the cooking! We’ve covered all the bases with this exciting new pop-up and have even added in a few planned surprises for our glamping guests to ensure we create a truly memorable experience for all the family. It’s going to be lots of fun!”

For bookings call 020 8076 5555 or visit the website.

Each suite has two bedrooms and a living area

44 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

• luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk

...keep safe and well

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house & home

SUMMER 2021

Sue Coleman from PERFECT ROOMS & INTERIORS gives us the lowdown on some of the most popular interior trends of the season...

C

ottagecore has already been a popular trend this year; it encompasses anything from country inspired homeware to floral patterns, rattan furniture and light colours. Cottagecore is a calming trend; ideal for the current state of society, bringing a peaceful interior setting into our homes just when we need it the most. It combines really nicely with a couple of other hot trends in pastels and gingham.

Gingham has been a popular trend in the fashion industry and has now made its way back into interior trends. The gingham pattern, particularly popular on The Great British Bake Off, is typically known for its striped, checked or plaid appearance. 'gingham' comes from the Malayan word genggang, or 'striped.' The gingham pattern is ideal for summer with its bright, cheerful appearance. This pattern is used in all sorts of homeware from picnic blankets to plates.

Hints of mint green, light pink, aqua blue, soft peach and pale yellow are all the buzz for spring and summer 2021. Paired with lots of whites and light wood, this colour combo offers a soft and soothing way to celebrate the sunny season with a nod to Scandinavian style.

The calming tones work really nicely with

48 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Cottagecore, or, for a more contemporary spin, you can style

"Cottagecore is a calming trend; ideal for the current state of society, bringing a peaceful interior setting into our homes just when we need it the most" these creamy colours with shiny metallics like copper and polished brass and add in some geometric prints and shapes.

We have recently opened a lovely new giftware store in Melksham, @ Home with Perfect Rooms.

Pop in and see us!

• perfectrooms.co.uk

From top to bottom: Set of 6 Wildlife Coasters, £20, Creature Candy; Cath Kidson Vintage Bunch Yellow Cushion, £34, The French Bedroom Co; Gingham tablecloths £11.99, Homescapes; Sophie Allport Bees Stoneware Nibbles Bowl, £8; Powder PInk Fireside Chair With Footstool, £1436, Ligne Roset

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gardens

GARDEN

Transformation

Since the pandemic began, our appreciation of our outdoor spaces has surged. This issue we catch up with a remarkable transformation that turned a derelict, overgrown plot on a steep slope, into a smart, tiered city garden.

PHOTOGRAPHY Kiera Williams Photography

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 51

gardens

Lanterns (on table, deck and fencing) all lights4fun.co.uk

The garden is terraced with gabions Before

D

o you have grand transformation plans for your garden but don’t know where to start?

We caught up with the owners of this amazing redesign, couple Daniel and Katherine, and found out their motivations for the change and how they went about the transformation on a budget.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THE GARDEN BEFORE AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO TAKE ON THE PROJECT...

Like many people, we were desperate for some outside space - our flat had a small courtyard but we wanted somewhere we could relax and be quiet and also be able to invite friends round to socialise.

The plot is actually an old piece of scrub land that backs onto the building's communal area. The whole site measures around 10m x 10m, and it's on a steep 52

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

gardens

slope. It came up for sale from a previous owner. Despite the state it was in, we snapped it up, knowing we could make something special.

which also minimised the amount of soil we'd need to remove from an inaccessible site - and to get a good balance between the hard and soft landscaping. We wanted somewhere lovely to sit and spend time but we wanted it to be nice and green too!

THE BEFORE PHOTO SHOWS THE LEVEL OF WORK NEEDED - WHERE DID YOU EVEN START? First things first there was a lot of We realised early on we would need professionals in - not only was the site overgrown and steeply sloping, it had a strange slab of hard-standing

clearance work - an old stump had to come out and then huge amounts of thick prickly brambles. Then it was on to a mix of excavating and filling the

"Alongside the borders, we really wanted a tree in the mix too - so we ordered a lovely small silver birch. It moves in the breeze so beautifully." in the middle. We enlisted the help of a garden landscaper and devised a plan to make a sociable space with lots of room for plants but also a big deck. The layout was designed to work with the slope -

various layers. The site had literally tonnes of stones in it, so it made sense for us to use gabions, the metal cages, as our retaining walls.

We wanted the space to be pretty low maintenance, so the bottom

section is a material called hoggin, which is a self-binding gravel (it’s mixed with cement). It creates an even, solid surface but it is also free draining, which was important as this was the lower section. It’s really good value for money too.

WHAT INSPIRED YOUR PLANTING SCHEME? We wanted this to be a good space for city creatures and insects - the planting includes lots of pollinatorfriendly plants to try and encourage them - in turn we have lots of birds coming into the garden now which is lovely. We filled the raised bed, created with sleepers, with a mix of topsoil and compost and filled it with hardy geraniums, perennial cornflowers, hylotelephium (formerly called sedums), a gorgeous Totally Tangerine geum, annual sweetpeas, alliums, salvias, foxgloves, thistles and a beautiful THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 53

gardens Continuing on the low maintenance scheme, it was essential that any outdoor furniture could stand up to the elements. The frame is powered coated aluminium and comes with a 7 year guarantee whilst the cushions are what is called ‘hydrophobic’ meaning they repel water - they’re UV resistant too. Essentially this means we can leave it out all year though we have bought a cover to protect it for when it isn’t in use.

HOW IS IT LIT? We don’t have a direct power source up here so instead we opted for a mixture of solar options from lights4fun.co.uk - their solarpowered lights have a great output given their diminutive size! We also have some festoon lights from there - these come in connectable 5m lengths so it’s great to have options to make the right size for your space.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The planting is all bee friendly

cow parsley with dark stems called Ravenswing. There is also some interest for early spring with lots of daffodils, hellebores, muscari and tulips and some cheerful violas in pots too. Either side of the deck is a lawn (perfect for our dogs to play) lined with box hedging - it frames the deck and gives the garden a nice symmetry.

composite decking from a company called NeoTimber - it has the natural look of wood to without the associated problems of cracking, splitting, warping etc. It also has a 25 year warranty which was perfect for us as we can make the best of it now, but if we move it also gives any future owner peace of mind.

Alongside the borders, we really wanted a tree in the mix too - so we ordered a lovely small silver birch from primrose.co.uk - it moves in the breeze so beautifully. We can pot it on as it grows.

Good garden furniture is a little hard to come by at the moment, but as soon as we saw the Salone range from Moda Furnishings, we knew it was the right one. Its modern lines look perfect against the tumbled Bath stone walls and the configuration of this set was the perfect size for our space.

THE DECK We went for a low maintenance 54 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

GARDEN FURNITURE

Like many people we'd love to get our hands on a firepit. Ideally we'd put it in the hoggin area in the bottom section with some more seating around it as that spot gets the last of the evening sun so is a great place to decamp to later in the day.

We have also left a portion of the plot unlandscaped - it's behind the bamboo screening. We hope to one day turn it into a private parking area.

As and when we get to do that we'll be taking a wildlife friendly approach, as it really hasn't been difficult to make our patch wildlife friendly as well as functional and beautiful.

IMAGES Cushions & throw: hauslife.co.uk Furniture: modafurnishings.co.uk Decking: neotimber.com Lights: lights4fun.co.uk Plants: Primrose.co.uk

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legal & financial

CREATING A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY Here is Goughs Solicitors with seven top tips on creating a Lasting Power of Attorney to protect your and your family's interests...

A

Lasting Power of Attorney is a document that allows a person to appoint trusted individuals to make important decisions about their health and welfare and/or their property and finances on their behalf.

1. While you are able, it’s important that you get your affairs in order.

Choose the best people to manage your affairs, in the event you become unable to do so. If you do not have anyone appointed, your family will have to make an application to the Court of Protection. This can be expensive and time consuming.

Once you have lost mental capacity you cannot make a Lasting Power of Attorney.

best interests. It is recommended to appoint more than one person so they can share the responsibility.

3. Professional attorneys Sometimes a family member might not be the best person to act as your attorney. Individuals can appoint a professional, such as a solicitor.

The professional attorney will act as a neutral third party and make unbiased decisions that are in your best interests. It is important to note that this usually involves a cost.

4. How your attorneys should act Think about how you would like your attorney to manage your affairs in different situations. For example, would you want your savings to be invested; under which circumstances 2. Appointing attorneys are you happy for property to be Consider carefully who you want to sold; if you need care how would you appoint as your attorney and have like this to be funded? Equally, your an open conversation with them to attorneys might have to make difficult ensure they are willing to act. You will decisions about your health and want your attorney to understand welfare. If you have specific wishes your wishes and what their around your care plans, medical responsibilities are. It's important treatment, or end of life wishes, it to note that your attorney’s main is important to have an open and role is to assist you and act in your honest discussion with them so that

"Consider carefully who you want to appoint as your attorney and have an open conversation with them to ensure they are willing to act."

your choices are clear and so that they can follow your wishes.

5. Seek professional advice Lasting Powers of Attorney can be completed on a ‘DIY’ basis. However, this can cause a number of issues, not only with having the documents registered correctly but also with being able to use the documents effectively when they are needed.

Here at Goughs, our professional private client lawyers are able to give the best advice surrounding the preparation and use of the Lasting Powers of attorney.

6. Keep your documents up to date As with a Will, you can change your Lasting Powers of Attorney if you want to, provided you have the mental capacity to do so. There is a set procedure to follow as any Lasting Powers of Attorney in place would need to be formally revoked.

It is a good idea to you should always review your Lasting Powers of Attorney if circumstances change.

Your choices around the people you want responsible for your finances and wellbeing may change, for example an attorney may pass away, your children may reach adulthood, or following a marriage or divorce.

7. Your Lasting Power of Attorney will die with you Lasting Powers of Attorney can only be used during your lifetime so it is essential you make a suitable Will to ensure your estate passes according to your wishes on your death.

• goughs.co.uk

56 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

health & wellbeing

THE BEST EXERCISES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Whatever your age, exercise is good for you. Older adults should do some physical activity every day, and the more you do the better!

make you breathe faster and feel warmer. Vigorous intensity activity makes you breathe hard and fast.

STRENGTH EXERCISES

Strength exercises are especially important as we get older

T

he best news is that any type of activity is good for you. The NHS advises that all adults aged 65 and over should aim to be physically active every day, even if it's just light activity.

Try to do activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility at least 2 days a week, whilst overall you should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity. If you aren't active already try to work up to this

There are many ways you can strengthen your muscles, whether you're at home or in a gym. If you've fallen or are worried about falling, doing exercises to improve your strength, balance and flexibility will help make you stronger and feel Light activity is moving rather than more confident on your feet. Speak sitting or lying down. Moderate to your GP if you have any concerns activity will raise your heart rate, and about exercising. level and overall try to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity.

"Moderate activity will raise your heart rate, and make you breathe faster and feel warmer."

LIGHT ACTIVITIES

MODERATE ACTIVITIES

VIGOROUS ACTIVITIES

• making a cup of tea • moving around your home • slow walking • cleaning and dusting • vacuuming • making the bed • standing up

• brisk walking • water aerobics • riding a bike • dancing • doubles tennis • pushing a lawn mower/weeding • hiking

• jogging or running • aerobics • swimming fast • riding fast or on hills • singles tennis • football • energetic dancing • martial arts

58 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Strength-training done regularly helps to build muscle strength and muscle mass and preserve bone density (which otherwise decreases as we age), independence and vitality. To get the benefits from strength exercises, you should do them to the point where you need a short rest before repeating the activity.

Examples of muscle-strengthening activities include: yoga, pilates, tai chi, lifting weights, working with resistance bands and doing body weight exercises such as pushups and sit-ups. Heavy gardening including digging will also help strengthen your muscles.

You can find a number of fitness videos on the NHS Fitness Studio website, as well as aerobics it offers yoga, pilates, strength building and much more.

• nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio

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bath rugby

BATH RUGBY SEASON AWARDS

Bath Rugby announced the winners of their end of season awards following the completion of the 2020/21 season.

B

ath Rugby’s 2020/21 campaign came to an end with a final day home victory over Northampton Saints that secured Heineken Champions Cup rugby next season.

The Blue, Black and White finished seventh in the Gallagher Premiership whilst making the semifinals of the European Challenge Cup, where they lost out to eventual winners Montpelier.

It has been a year of many highs, including several debuts for homegrown Academy players, and some lows, but one thing for certain is the whole group – players, coaches and staff – have continued to strive together.

Following the conclusion of the season, Bath Rugby has announced the winners of its end of season awards. Will Muir’s outstanding first stint in the XVs game saw him crowned the club’s Breakthrough Player as well as collecting the Try of the Season. The wing, who Josh McNally was named Best Forward

60 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Miles Reid was Players’ Player of the Season

“It has been a year of many highs, including several debuts for homegrown Academy players” crossed the whitewash seven times, The Players’ Player of the Season shares the Top Try Scorer award with award is a prestigious accolade hooker Tom Dunn. and this year it was awarded to the hugely talented Miles Reid, whose A powerhouse in the second row, consistently effective performances Josh McNally earned the Best - in an inconsistent Bath side - have Forward accolade with the everseen him called up to the England impressive Ben Spencer winning Best senior squad this summer.

Back. Both have been called up by Eddie Jones to prepare for England’s AWARD WINNERS summer fixtures against Scotland A, Top try scorer: Tom Dunn & USA and Canada.

Will Muir Try of the Season: Will Muir’s With injuries at fly-half, homegrown second try v Worcester Warriors (H) Senior Academy 10 Orlando Bailey Academy player of Season: stepped up to the senior squad Orlando Bailey and made his first starts in both the Breakthrough Player of the Premiership and Europe. He was Season: Will Muir awarded the Academy Player of Best Forward: Josh McNally the Season.

Best Back: Ben Spencer Supporters’ Player of the Season: The Bath supporters voted in their Zach Mercer thousands for their Player of the Players’ Player of the Season: Season. They recognised outgoing Miles Reid centurion Zach Mercer as their best performer in the 2020/21 campaign. • bathrugby.com

health & wellbeing

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ased in Bradford-on-Avon, Vitality Day Spa is an awardwinning family-run business that offers a range of relaxing and indulgent treatments including massage, facials and natural beauty experiences. The team of highly trained therapists promote a holistic approach to every treatment, ensuring each visitor is looked after as an individual - including after care - to help continue the beneficial effects of treatments at home.

The spa use innovative treatments that reflect the business’ green ethos and its dedication to the environment and natural products.

The owners also love working closely with local and independent businesses that share their passion

in providing the highest quality to their customers.

The Spa’s new Wanderlust Collection is going down brilliantly with clients old and new. The collection creates an opportunity to immerse yourself in some of the delights of the world right here in Bradford-On-Avon considering the current travel restrictions.

Indulge your senses in treatments that allow you to drift away to enchanting and exotic locations.

Inspired by and utilising the natural products occurring within landscapes around the world, they have created numerous treatments to transport you to remote global wonders from crisp mountains and

The Vitality Day Spa team

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To book call 01225 309356. The spa is open 7 days a week. For a full treatment menu you can visit their website or pop into the spa.

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01225 309356 • vitalitydayspa.co.uk • book@vitalitydayspa.co.uk • 8 Market St, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1LH THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 61

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. b) noise or a row c) a depression of spirits

2. REEVE

One pastime in particular speaks of generations of players with fine imaginations and plenty of time on their hands with this wonderful vocabulary:

3. BARM

Oche - the line behind which a player has to stand when throwing Spider - the metal web that divides the dartboard into sections Monger - a person who deliberately scores many more points than needed to win the game

a) careful or tight with money b) cheeky, impudent c) mild and damp a) to draw into wrinkles b) the second swarm of bees in the same season c) a tree bare of leaves or twigs a) a street brawl b) yeast c) a small cavity in a rock

4. LUMPUS

a) a scarecrow

62 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

DARTS

This and other grown-up indoor games are often to be found in that fine old British institution, the pub

Married man’s side - the left-hand side of a dart board (numbers 12, 9, 14, 11, 8, 16) which would get a reasonable score (the rationale being a married man should always play safe) Right church, wrong pew - hitting a double but the wrong number Slop - darts that score, but not where you wanted them Robin Hood - when a dart sticks into a previous dart Masonry darts - darts thrown such that they miss the board entirely and hit the wall instead Spray ‘n’ pray - darts thrown by an irate and less talented player, rather quickly Bunting - the art of throwing on your knees

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

CAN YOU GUESS THE CORRECT DEFINITION? 1. MEALY

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puzzles

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

LIONS WORDSEARCH

BIGGAR CURRY FALETAU FARRELL FURLONG

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Email your answers to these trivia questions to comp@wired-publishing.co.uk by 23.07.2021 to be in with a chance of winning a £20 iTunes voucher. Good luck!

Q1: Using the British and Irish Lions numbering system who was designated number 1 in 1888…

Q2: …and who was designated number 835, the last number used on the 2017 tour?

LAST MONTH’S SOLUTIONS Wordsearch missing word: PHAAL Quiz answers 1: Double onion 2: Goa 3: Mangoes 4: Black and green 5: Wholemeal flour

64 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Q3: When The Lions squad was first picked how many Bath Rugby players were included?

Q4: In which city will the first test against South Africa be played on 24th July 2021?

Q5: In which year will The Lions next tour South Africa after the 2021 tour is over?

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

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Lasting Power of Attorney

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A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives somebody of your choice the power to deal with your financial affairs if for any physical or mental reason you were unable to. It is the only document which gives this power but you can only complete one while in good health, so you need to act as soon as possible.

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last word

PARTY LIKE IT’S MY BIRTHDAY...

A

s I mentioned last time I have had a birthday recently, and last month my wife celebrated hers too. Despite the misgivings I mentioned about getting older, we still did the usual things, bought cards and gifts, tried to make sure we did something ‘special’ to mark the occasion and I have to say we both (I think both!) had a lovely time on our respective ‘big day’. It got me thinking though, it’s just not the same having birthdays as when you are a kid.

When I was younger my birthday was a HUGE deal. I would be excited about it for months beforehand; I’d count down the days from at least a month out. I’d have an extensive list prepared of all the things I wanted, not necessarily expensive things in all honesty, but the enthusiasm you have for things when you are a kid is so much more intense than as an adult. You simply HAVE to have it or the world will likely end.

My birthday joie de vivre was also shared by my family and peers.

I’d have a cake, a party, loads of presents. The sun would shine (it always does on the righteous after all!) and we’d all have a jolly good time. When did it all go wrong?!

Perhaps it’s when you start to want to celebrate your party with something a little more grown up than a bottle of Panda Cola and an enormous bag of Smiths’ Chipsticks.

66 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Your parents and siblings take a back seat and suddenly you’re off out celebrating with your pals by going on a big pub crawl instead.

It becomes far less about having an innocently good time and far

my face in fruit… My kids think it’s enormous fun - not egged on by my wife at all of course - to get hold of any large fruit (we’ve had pineapples and watermelons so far) and then assemble it into my face

“When I was younger my birthday was a HUGE deal. I would be excited about it for months beforehand; I’d count down the days from at least a month out.” more about being the focus of embarrassing dares (I think this is more a male thing to be honest).

with other fruit-based accessories – strawberries for ears, apple rings for my glasses and so on, you get the idea. Sure the joke might be on me but I’m getting pretty used to that!

And when you become a parent yourself, your birthday pales into insignificance compared to the Phil Rockliffe hullabaloo you make when your little carbon copies start celebrating their milestones. You spend the night before blowing up enough balloons to cover the living room floor and wrapping up a mountain of presents you hope will bring a big smile to their faces. You organise parties, you bake cakes according to the latest fad they’re obsessed with – hoping they don’t change their minds at the eleventh hour of course – and life comes full circle.

One upside I have found is that kids LOVE birthdays so much they get excited about celebrating yours. My 8 year-old takes planning birthdays particularly seriously, and likes to outdo herself year on year. She gets into cahoots with my wife planning what we are going to do and now includes a birthday breakfast… namely immortalising

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