The West Wilts Magazine - April 2022

APRIL 2022 // ISSUE 145

FREE

West Wilts The

MAGAZINE

+ CLOTH ROAD ARTS SPRING IN THE PARK GREENTHUMB MATT CURTIS PHOTOGRAPHY

A DAY AT THE RACES WIN TICKETS TO BATH RACES!

FAMILY

FUN

8 PAGES OF GREAT EASTER ACTIVITIES + EXCLUSIVE OFFERS!

ALL ABOUT THE

DESTINATION GREAT LOCAL PUBS TO DISCOVER

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

FOR A BEAUTIFUL HOME VISIT OUR HOLT SHOWROOM

Ham Green, Holt, Wiltshire BA14 6PX Tel: 01225 308541 info@formosakbb.co.uk www.formosakbb.co.uk

Welcome

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s I write spring has most definitely sprung, and Mother Nature has gone beserk, bursting into life with such energy it is almost impossible not to feel joy at the mere sight of it. It is a wonderful time of year and I, for one, am determined to make the most of it!

LISA ROCKLIFFE

Editor e: lisa@wired-publishing.co.uk

APRIL 2022 ISSUE 145 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 w: wired-publishing.co.uk

In that spirit may I direct you to our two main features of this edition - Destination Pubs (p29) and Easter Activities (p45). Some places are worth going the extra mile for and our feature highlights some of the most outstanding pubs in the area when it comes to great food, the best real ales, wonderful settings, live music and more.

The Easter holidays start soon and after a couple of years of not being able to do that much we have the chance to make the best of it. We have 10 pages of great ideas of days out for the family as well as a fab competition to win tickets to Bath Races (p42), with the new season getting under way this month too.

As well as that we have great articles on photography, from learning to hiring the best professionals, great chocolateinspired recipes from The Food Wife (p39) and lots more besides. Enjoy.

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!

Lisa Rockliffe, Editor

Front Cover: © Bath Racecourse

Follow us on Twitter... @westwiltsmag

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.

Find us on Facebook..wiredpublishing Find an online version of the magazine and lots of extra content on our website.

westwiltsmag.co.uk

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 3

Contents LOCAL LISTINGS What’s on in April

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LOCAL NEWS Pound Arts Cloth Road Arts Week Stonar School Vanner Gallery Chippenham Food Festival Market Spring In The Park Melksham Assembly Hall Line Up Heywood House Dorothy House carers

13 14 14 16 16 18 18 20 20

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FOOD & DRINK Eat the Seasons Chocolate recipes

38 39

FEATURES Lacock Photography Matt Curtis Photography Bath Theatrical Destination Pubs Easter Fun

22 24 26 29 45

HOME & GARDEN Garden jobs for April Wadswick Green Tips for a greener lawn Stephen Graver Mr Tod’s House

39 42

56 60 62 64 66

LEGAL & FINANCIAL Goughs

70

HEALTH & WELLBEING Bluebird Care Vitality Day Spa

72 75

BATH RUGBY Bath Rugby Captain’s Run

76

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Win tickets to Bath Races That’s interesting...

Quiz, wordsearch & sudoku

42 78 80

COMMENT The Last Word 4 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

82

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All enquiries

www.wallingtonhall.co.uk

or John Pearson 01225 863666 / 07814 029546 Church Street, Bradford on Avon BA15 1LN

Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary

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For over 50 years, Garden Veterinary Group has been providing high quality, compassionate veterinary services in Chippenham and Corsham.

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

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

01249 653181 • 01249 716432

www.gardenvets.co.uk fi

Online booking & medication ordering available

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events

listings local

APRIL 2022

MELKSHAM ASSEMBLY HALL

Market Place, Melksham, SN12 6ES Box Office: 01225 709887 melkshamassemblyhall.com SIMON GOODALL & THE BOURNE AGAIN SHADOWS 2 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £18 Simon Goodall and the Bourne Again Shadows are widely acclaimed as the most authentic sounding tribute to Cliff Richard and the Shadows.

VOODOO ROOM 15 April, 8pm Tickets: £18 A celebration of the music of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton & Cream from a stunning power trio of fine musicians.

POUND ARTS CENTRE

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

disparate influences through a gothic soul and devil-may-care spirit.

CATHERINE BOHART 16 April, 8pm Tickets: £13.50 A blisteringly funny stand-up show filled with horrendous life advice, cheery nihilism and reluctant self-discovery.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: HENRY V 21 April, 7pm Tickets: £15 (Concs £14) Kit Harington plays the title role in Shakespeare’s history play. Captured live from the Donmar Warehouse.

AMY DUNCAN 23 April, 8pm Tickets: £12 (Concs £10) Enjoy a live performance from this bewitching Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

HOPE (15) w/ subtitles 28 April, 7.30pm

SAM CARTER 8 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £12 (Concs £10) Midlands-born guitarist and songwriter Sam Carter has earned a reputation for vivid songwriting and captivating live performances.

FREYA BEER 14 April, 8pm Tickets: £12 (Concs £10) Freya is inspired by art, literature, fashion and music and distils her 8 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Tickets: £7.50 (Concs £6) Maria Sødahl’s perceptive, heartfelt and deeply personal drama is one of the year’s richest and most rewarding films.

MISHRA 30 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £12 (Concs £10) A global folk collective whose Indian-influenced original folk defies definition.

TOWN HALL ARTS

Market Street, Trowbridge BA14 8EQ Tel: 01225 774306 trowbridgetownhall.com NERVENDINGS 9 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £6 A Wiltshire based alt-rock trio.

EROTIC SECRETS OF POMPEII 16 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £8 Erotic Secrets of Pompeii play wild, weird, angular music transmitted inspired by art rock and post-punk.

PROFESSOR ELEMENTAL 23 April, 8pm Tickets: £10 An award winning hip hop artist and accomplished host.

Freya Beer, Pound Arts

TOM JENKINS 30 April, 8pm The son of a sheep farmer, Tom carved his own path, taking the experiences of living in ex-coal mining communities with him into his songs.

Send your event listings to info@wired-publishing.co.uk

events

WILTSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE

Ashley Rd, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1DZ Box Office: 01225 860100 wiltshiremusic.org.uk MARMEN QUARTET 8 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £20, virtual ticket £10 One of the most impressive new talents on the chamber music scene.

SEVENS 10 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £18 (Concs £10) Inspired by Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance, and originally composed live music, SEVENS will explore the sacred and sometimes sinful significance of the number seven.

An American Western swing trio with a reputation for jaw-dropping live shows.

coach from deep inside a flooded cave in Northern Thailand.

VOCES8 29 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £22 (Concs £12) virtual ticket £10 The British vocal ensemble VOCES8 is proud to inspire people through music and share the joy of singing.

NEELD ARTS CENTRE

MURDER AT CHECKMATE MANOR 30 April, 7.30pm Tickets: Adult £10, Child £7 A hilarious whodunnit from Tisbury Arts Group. tisburyartsgroup.co.uk

High Street, Chippenham SN15 3ER Tel: 01249 446699 neeld.co.uk

A TRIBUTE TO EDDIE COCHRAN 17 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £21.57 Eddie Cochran died in April 1960 as a result of a road accident in THE ROYAL OPERA: LA TRAVIATA (LIVE) Chippenham. Sixty two years later, 13 April, 6.45pm The Bluejays will be keeping his Tickets: £16 (Concs £8) memory and his music alive with this Courtesan Violetta sings some of special evening of music.

Verdi’s most acclaimed arias in her poignant and passionate encounters TWIRLYWOOS LIVE! with Alfredo and Germont.

22 April, 1.30pm Tickets: £14.25 PERCY PENGUIN’S LIGHTHOUSE Join Great BigHoo, Toodloo, Chickedy, PARTY Chick and their friends as they discover 23 April, 3pm the wonderful world around us!

Tickets: £12 (Concs £7) A family concert, for 4-10 yr olds WOMEN IN ROCK and their families. Join the Galliard 23 April, 7.30pm Ensemble as they tell this wonderful Tickets: £20 story through words and music.

Featuring the songs of Cher, Blondie, Janis Joplin, Republica, Belinda HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN Carlisle, P!nk, Suzi Quatro, Tina Turner 27 April, 7.30pm & many more!

Tickets: £22 (Concs £12)

THE ATHENAEUM CENTRE

18-20 High St, Warminster BA12 9AE Tel: 01985 213891 theath.org.uk

VOCES8, Wiltshire Music Centre

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THE RESCUE (PG) 6 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £5.50 (non-members) The against-all-odds story that transfixed the world in 2018 – the daring rescue of 12 boys and their

THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON (12A) 20 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £5.50 (non-members) This heartwarming story follows Zak, a young man with Down’s syndrome, as he runs away from his nursing home to chase his dream of becoming a professional wrestler.

FROME MEMORIAL THEATRE

Christchurch St West, Frome, BA11 1EB Tel: 01373 462795 fmt.website COME WHAT MAY 8 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £27.50 An all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza as you enter the secret world of one of the greatest moviemusicals of all time….Moulin Rouge.

CHILDREN’S EASTER PARTY 17 April, 2.30pm - 5pm Tickets: £8 per child, adults FREE There will be party dances with PDJ Disco and each child will go home with an Easter Egg, a special guest appearance from Peter Rabbit and Peppa Pig and a raffle.

THE ILLEGAL EAGLES 22 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £29.50 This critically acclaimed show features the best from the Eagles’ catalogue.

CHEESE & GRAIN 5 The Bridge, Frome BA11 1AR Box Office: 01373 455420 cheeseandgrain.com RATRACE 8 April, 8pm Tickets: £16.50 For full listings go to each venue’s website

BOOKING OPEN SOON!!

...is back in full swing this year!

10th - 25th June 2022 Our fantastic line up includes Lesley Garrett, Darius Brubeck, Alfie Moore & lots more!

Tickets go on sale online on 29th April & from our ticket office in Devizes Books on 3rd May. Find the full programme & tickets on the website...

devizesartsfestival.org.uk ft

Multi-Award-Winning Family Run Chocolate Studio.

Chocolates engineered to perfection to provide the ultimate sensory experience.

Award-Winning Chocolates | Monthly Boxes Chocolate Masterclasses | Bake-At-Home Kits Advent Calendars | Wedding Favours Corporate Gifts & Much More...

Shop online or come & visit our Studio Open Thurs-Sat, 10am-2pm Poulshot Lodge Farm, Devizes SN10 1RQ www.hollychocs.co.uk | info@hollychocs.co.uk

events This energetic 9 piece ska band will ULTRABEAT & N-TRANCE (DJ Set) have you up on your feet and dancing 16 April, 8pm Tickets: £20 the whole night long.

Enjoy a night of amazing DJ sets from LEGEND - THE BOB MARLEY legends of the dance industry.

EXPERIENCE SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT 9 April, 8pm DINOSAURS? Tickets: £17 19 April, 2.30pm Seven great musicians and singers Tickets: £17 dedicated to the life and music of the Dr. Ben Garrod presents an late, great Bob Marley interactive, educational and highly entertaining show using film footage THE WURZELS from BBC’s Planet Dinosaur.

15 April, 8pm Tickets: £19.50 The Wurzels paved the way for Scrumpy n’ Western – a genre packed full of double entendre, mainstream parody and a comical folk style.

THE THREE HORSESHOES

55 Frome Road, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1LA Tel: 01225 865876 Find them on Facebook All gigs are FREE and start at 9pm THE SETBACKS + DEATHTRAPS + ANYMINUTENOW 8 April THE RADIO MAKERS 9 April THE SOUL STRUTTERS 10 April HELL DEATH FURY 15 April THE BUTT MONKEYS 16 April THE MODEL FOLK 17 April SAMANTICS 22 April STRAIGHT SHOOTER 23 April SNAKE SNAKE SNAKE 24 April THE BLUNDERS 29 April 12

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So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs, Cheese & Grain

THE COUNTERFEIT STONES 23 April, 8pm Tickets: £22 Why pay a fortune to see ants in a stadium when you can get up close and imitate with the faking brilliance of one of the most exciting live acts you’re ever likely to see.

ELIZA CARTHY TRIO 25 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £16 Twice nominated for the Mercury Prize, Eliza has performed and recorded with a diverse array of artists including Paul Weller, Richard Hawley and Peggy Seeger.

VILLAGE PUMP

The Lamb, Mortimer St, Trowbridge thepumptrowbridge.co.uk

HENRY WACEY 16 April, 7.30pm Tickets: £5 A talented folk rock musician from Frome.

THE PRESTBURY SPORTS BAR

The Close, Warminster, BA12 9AL prestburysportsbar.com All gigs are FREE! SUNSET OVERDRIVE 9 April, 8.30pm Sunset Overdrive are an 80s Hair/ Sleaze metal act bringing you the best of 80s rock.

PEOPLE LIKE US 16 April, 8.30pm A unique, exciting semi-acoustic covers band, playing an eclectic & varied mix of some of the best music ever written.

MR BON JOVI 17 April, 8.30pm Probably the world’s number 1 solo tribute act to Bon Jovi & Jon Bon Jovi

OTHERS OXFAM TEAM QUIZ The Scout Hut, St Margaret’s Hill, Bradford on Avon BA15 1DU Tel: 01225 866245 2 April, 6.30pm Tickets: £5 from Ex Libris Come in teams of up to 8 people or join a team when you arrive. No individual questions. Bring your own refreshments, tea and coffee available for donations. All profits for OXFAM.

ATHENAEUM SINGERS CONCERT The Minster Church, Church Street, GAVIN OSBORN Warminster, BA12 8PQ 8 April, 7.30pm 9 April, 7pm Tickets: £8 The concert features the lively Haydn Gavin makes his Pump debut favourite, Nelson Mass and Dona promoting his album, Scrolling Home.

Nobis Pacem, ‘Give us peace’ by FRAUDS Vaughan Williams. Retiring collection 15 April, 7.30pm for The Disasters Emergency Tickets: £8 Committee Ukraine Humanitarian With Lucky Number 7 and Binboy.

Appeal. athenaeumsingers.com Send your event listings to info@wired-publishing.co.uk

local news

HOP FOR JOY AT THE POUND ARTS

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his Easter, The Pound Arts Centre in Corsham is hosting a wide range of events that will have Easter Bunnies of all ages and sizes hopping with joy.

Cinema lovers can catch Will Smith’s BAFTA winning performance in King Richard and Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story, while younger viewers can look forward to Encanto and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

There’s a double helping of fun family theatre! Sing, learn and play in Musical Storytime with theatre maker Iona Johnson, or delve into not one but two fantastical nursery rhymes with The Three Billy Pigs.

One of the brightest comedic talents around, Catherine Bohart, will deliver a blisteringly funny new stand-up show, This Isn’t For You, filled with

Enjoy family friendly films like Encanto this Easter

horrendous life advice, cheery nihilism and reluctant self-discovery.

Enter the bewitching world of classically trained folk singer Amy Duncan as she serenades audiences with songs of childhood, dreams of escape, days drifting by and nights at home dancing with loved ones.

Escape to the West End

with a National Theatre Live screening of Henry V, starring Kit Harrington, broadcast live from the Donmar Warehouse.

Finally, there’s a whole bunch of crafty workshops, including making Easter Pom Pom Bunnies and even drawing real life chickens!

• poundarts.org.uk

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local news

CLOTH ROAD ARTS WEEK

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30 APRIL - 8 MAY

0 April - 8 May 2022 sees the ninth Cloth Road Arts Week – a FREE nine day visual feast in the form of an art trail, celebrating the superb creativity of talented local artists and artisans.

Our area has some outstanding countryside for you to enjoy as you travel between Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Melksham and the surrounding villages. You will be able to find galleries, workshops and individual makers’ studios, where artists will be delighted to meet with you to discuss their work.

start the trail, allowing visitors to get a taste of the artwork up close before deciding which artists to visit first.

Make sure you pay a visit to Trowbridge Town Hall Gallery, where you will find a central exhibition combining the work of artists participating in this years’ Arts Week.

The exhibition will be a great place to

This year sees the launch of the Cloth Road Young Arts; the work of Young Artists will be displayed alongside the listed artists and artisans at exhibits throughout the 2022 trail. Keep your eyes peeled for their fantastic artwork.

Cloth Road Arts Week allows visitors to meet artists and discuss their work

With group exhibitions, inspirational artists’ studios, an array of workshops and activities on offer, and a competition designed to engage your own young artists, there really is something for everyone. Find out more on the website or through social media @ClothRoadArtsWeek.

• clothroadartists.com

MUSICIANS THRIVING AT STONAR

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r Andrew Passmore was appointed Director of Music at Stonar in September 2021. Since then, he has made a great impact on the Music Department and the wider school with his knowledge and passion for his subject. He firmly believes music should be accessible to everyone, whether formally studying an instrument or not, and so every pupil has the opportunity to become involved in the department.

Dr Passmore has begun weekly informal concerts that encourage pupils and staff of any ability to perform in front of a small crowd.

It is clear to see the pupils’ boosted confidence in performing and socialising with new friends. In the Prep School, a termly Musical Showcase is held, where parents are invited to watch solos, duets and group performances. Recently, the

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school has acquired a harpsichord and electric organ, giving pupils an even wider variety of instruments to learn.

roles within the department and represent Stonar as members of local and international music ensembles.

As the department continues to grow under Dr Passmore’s vision, the future looks exciting for all young musicians at the school.

For the most talented musicians entering the Senior School, music scholarships are available and scholars are encouraged to play leadership • stonarschool.com

A new Director of Music has brough renewed enthusiasm for music across Stonar

local news

NO WOMAN IS AN ISLAND EXHIBITION

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he exhibition ‘No Woman is an Island’ at The Vanner Gallery in Salisbury is a curated collection of works by seven award-winning women artists: Cath Bloomfield, Phoebe Cummings, Nicky Knowles RWA, Debbie Lee, Rebecca Newnham FRSS, Sarah Purvey and Patricia Volk RWA FRSS.

Patricia Volk, Tangle

The diverse works on show will explore what it means to be a creative woman in the 21st century and the many challenges and opportunities these multifaceted and committed women face. No Woman is an Island sets out to discover their worlds and life experiences.

The exhibition is curated by Jacquiline Creswell, who was instrumental in developing the visual arts programme Visitors will be able to see a wide at Salisbury Cathedral, and runs range of disciplines on show, including painting, drawing, ceramics, alongside the Salisbury International Arts Festival 2022. sculpture and printmaking.

Find The Vanner Gallery at 45 High Street, Salisbury, it is open 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday and Mondays by appointment.

• vannergallery.com

CHIPPENHAM FOOD FESTIVAL MARKET

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alisbury-based ‘The Anonymous Travelling Market’ is working with Chippenham Town Council to bring Chippenham’s first Food Festival Market which will be held on the High Street on Easter Bank Holiday Monday 18 April, 9am to 3pm.

Chippenham’s First Food Festival Market will take place on Easter Monday (18 April)

Organiser Steve Dauwalder from The Anonymous Travelling Market said “We are pleased to be working with Chippenham Town Council on this project and a number of Bank Holiday Markets in 2022. The Food Festival Market is a preamble to perhaps a full blown food festival for

Chippenham for the future”.

The market will showcase local and regional produce along with artisan crafters. Most stallholders will be selling products that they have personally made or grown.

There will also be some interesting and quirky street food sellers on the day.There are still a few places remaining for retail traders and Steve can be contacted by phone on 07795 321535 or via email at info@theatm.co.uk.

The Anonymous Travelling Market has in the past worked with the town on their Christmas Lights Markets and in providing stallholders for Chippenham Folk Festival. The next Bank Holiday Market in Chippenham will be the town’s Jubilee Market on Thursday 2 June.

• theatm.co.uk

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15 APRIL — 30 JUNE 2022

NO WOMAN IS AN ISLAND Creative women in the 21st century

EXHIBITING ARTISTS: Cath Bloomfield, Phoebe Cummings, Nicky Knowles RWA, Debbie Lee, Rebecca Newnham FRSS, Sarah Purvey, Patricia Volk RWA FRSS

Curated by Jacquiline Creswell THE VANNER GALLERY 45 High Street, Salisbury SP1 2PB

vannergallery.com

local news

WARMINSTER’S SPRING IN THE PARK!

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n Sunday 1 May (10.30am – 4pm) Warminster Town Council is excited to welcome visitors to the beautiful Warminster Lake Pleasure Grounds to enjoy their big annual fun day, Spring In The Park. This year the event is even bigger and better with stalls around the lake selling crafts and treats and local charities providing activities and games. Bring your pooch and sign up for the popular dog show or watch the entertainment which includes a Bubbleologist, Donkey Rides, Morris Dancers, Maypole Dancing, Stilt Walkers, Punch and Judy and delicious food and drink. Children can play in the park and bring a costume to put their building skills to the test for fun and frolics on the lake. There for the brand-new space themed is a cash prize for the winning adults splash pad. raft race and children’s raft race email admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk to This year sees the introduction of book your place. raft races, where groups are invited

Spring In The Park is one of the highlights in the town’s calendar

Spring in the Park is a great day out run by Warminster Town Council and sponsored by 15 local independent shops and Twirls Sweet Treats.

• warminster-tc.gov.uk

MELKSHAM ASSEMBLY HALL LINE UP

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here is a truly eclectic line-up of events gracing Melksham’s Assembly Hall as we head through spring. On the live music side of things, the Sir Cliff-approved Simon Goodall & The Bourne Again Shadows kick off spring on 2 April, with the mighty Voodoo Room on Friday 15th. Voodoo Room storm through the back catalogues of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Cream with all the energy, power and sizzling excitement that these tunes demand. The UK’s top Adele tribute, Hometown Glory (aka Natalie Black), plays the Hall on 28 May, bringing her rich, soulful voice with her as well as a physical likeness that (especially after a drink or two) will have you wondering if you’re in the presence of the real thing.

The Hall is playing host to the everpopular monthly roller disco courtesy of Frome Roller, and 16 July sees

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the inaugural Melksham Record Fair take place. Add to that the return of psychic medium Nikki Kitt and Master of Matinee Nostalgia Neil Sands in May, various DJ nights and

Melksham’s first ever Pride festival on 12 June, and it’s clear Melksham is alive and kicking in 2022!

• melkshamassembly.co.uk

local news

A PLACE TO WORK, MEET & THRIVE

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eywood House is a historic Jacobean mansion, set within 30 acres of beautiful countryside, that’s been transformed into a hi-tech rural business centre with office space, flexible workspace, meeting and event space, all provided with a full suite of services.

It’s proximity to Westbury - with its direct rail connections to London -

makes it super practical whilst the site, surrounded by nature, offers peace and tranquillity alongside a buzz of business activity.

working. The well-appointed office spaces offer a fully serviced base for businesses. The quiet co-working area gives the perfect space to focus, and hot desking in the Conservatory A new online booking system allows provides a more social atmosphere. you to book facilities straight from the Meeting rooms are available to book website, and with a variety of flexible by the hour with a range of catering working options, it’s never been menus available. easier to manage a blended way of The onsite café serves delicious homemade food, teas and barista coffees whilst offering a unique environment for working, informal meetings, relaxing, and special events.

Heywood House is an exceptional work environment where you are sure to create great first impressions, attract new customers and grow your business. Call 01373 486800 or email landlord@heywoodhouse.com to arrange a visit.

Heywod House offers a wide range of office, meeting and event spaces

• heywoodhouse.com

CAREERS IN CARE AT DOROTHY HOUSE

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orothy House is hiring! They are growing their established Hospice at Home care team and have outstanding opportunities for compassionate individuals to join the team. Dorothy House believe that every person matters, every day of their lives. They operate a

community-based model of care, so in working for them you could look after people within your local area – giving back to your community.

They are a small team who support and enable each other to be the very best they can be, because all of us are better than any of us. Join

the Hospice at Home team - you can make a real difference, and add life to days.

“Every day is different and challenging, and I feel privileged to be let into the lives and homes of our patients.” (Elaine Kynaston, Dorothy House carer, 2022) “I cannot put into words what a difference your carers made at such a dark time, and I will always be truly grateful.” (Family of a patient, 2021) For more information about working for Dorothy house Hospice Care, please visit the website and search for ‘jobs’ or contact Talent Acquisition Lead: nicola.bullivent@ dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk or 07788 542312.

Dorothy House is growing their established Home Care Team

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• dorothyhouse.org.uk

photography

STUDENT SUCCESS!

FIONA TURNBULL, co-owner & tutor at Lacock Photography, visits a recent student & explores his experience at the Lacock-based photography training school.

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potting their signature blue shopfront along Corsham’s historic High Street, I appreciate how the jewellers, Coppins of Corsham, which has stood where it is for nearly half a century, feels completely built into the market town’s identity. I was visiting Simon Watters, a central member in the Coppins’ team, who had recently taken on the role of product photographer. In preparation, Simon had come to Lacock Photography for a personal coaching day, and I was keen to see how he was getting on.

Several times a year, I have the pleasure of helping business-savvy students take control of their commercial images. Every student who comes to us with this ambition starts out feeling a bit overwhelmed.

The main thing people seem to worry about is understanding the outwardly puzzling camera settings, writing it off as something that is simply beyond them. At Lacock Photography, we know this is never the case and have found that with a clear, focused and positive approach to learning, our students’ photos drastically improve in just one day!

Back at Coppins, Simon welcomes me into the immaculate showroom, twinkling with gemstones in pristine glass cabinets. We pass through the traditional looking workshop at the back, greeting the craftsman hard at work. Our final destination is the newly appointed and freshly decorated product photography room, and I have to say, I was rather impressed. The set up looked

"At Lacock Photography, we have found that with a clear, focused and positive approach to learning, our students’ photos drastically improve in just one day!"

Simon Watters embarked on a personal coaching day to improve his photography skills

Great photography showcases Coppins' beautiful jewellery

so professional. Simon’s new equipment, which included light boxes and a tripod, surrounded his expertly arranged product shot. Like all my other entrepreneurial students on the road to image independence, Simon had originally felt slightly daunted by the techy side of product photography. I was very glad to see him perfectly at home in the new studio, taking well lit, sharp and professional standard commercial images - clearly Simon had overcome any initial reservations!

If you are thinking about taking your business’s product photography into your own hands, a personal coaching day at Lacock Photography is a great place to start. Like Simon, you’ll be surprised by how quickly your knowledge and confidence can develop with a little guidance!

Find out more about personal coaching with Lacock Photography on our website.

• lacockphotography.com

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Visit our shop at 1 Church Street, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0BY or online at coppins.co.uk 01249 715404 | info@coppins.co.uk IN-HOUSE GOLDSMITHS | BESPOKE DESIGN | READY TO WEAR JEWELLERY

photography

EMOTION CAPTURE L

For images you can cherish for a lifetime speak to MATT CURTIS PHOTOGRAPHY. ocated in pretty Chinns Court in the centre of Warminster you will find the studio of Matt Curtis Photography. Working in photography since the late 1990’s, Matt offers a range of photo shoots of various styles from classic and fun family photography, to heritage and fine art portraiture, business profiles and head shots, pets and animals and much more.

Matt offers a wide range of photo shoots from his Warminster studio

“Being a professional photographer is quite possibly the best thing I can do,” says Matt, “and opening Chinns Court Studio has allowed me to be more creative in my own space. I love working with people in the studio to create images that will be proudly displayed on their walls. I’m happy "The best part of my job is seeing the to work on all kinds of projects from reactions when finished photos are revealed family shots to heritage and fine art for the first time" portraits, maternity and newborn shoots and I’m more than happy to To find out more about how Matt British Institute of Professional work with your much loved family pet. Photography for his wedding can help you get the best wedding and portrait photos feel free to portfolio. “Wedding photography give him a call, drop him an email is a very different discipline,” Matt “The best part of my job is seeing or call in to Chinns Court Studio. continues, “and can often be very the reactions when finished photos fast paced so experience and good are revealed for the first time and • mattcurtisphotography.com communication is essential. You knowing these portraits will be also have to remain calm with seen and loved every day for years He is also at home professionally the presence of mind to ensure to come is hugely rewarding. There photographing weddings the best moments of the day are is something timeless about a captured in the best way possible.” beautifully crafted classic portrait where the artist has used light and The recent pandemic has meant a lot shade in exactly the right place to of weddings have been postponed produce a stunning image and not or been limited in numbers. “I have just a snap. I am also inspired by really enjoyed the smaller weddings photographers like George Hurrell whose lighting was unconventional over the last couple of years,” Matt explains, “It has allowed me to work at the time but produced some closer with the bride and groom of the most memorable images to produce some stunning photos from Hollywood’s golden era.” that can take pride of place on their walls while group shots and Matt’s specialist area is in studio other informal portraits tell the shoots although he is also a story of the day in their album.” fully qualified Licentiate of the 24 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

photography

STRIKE A POSE

Book the D-Stress Room at BATH THEATRICAL COSTUME HIRE and enjoy a fun fancy dress party with access to 30,000 costumes!

Gather friends for a fun time at the D-Stress Room

W

hat a couple of years it has been. We've all been on an emotional rollercoaster with health and financial worries, isolation, lockdown and more. Anger chambers have unsurprisingly opened up - you go along and smash things up to relieve your frustration (a tempting option it must be said!) but perhaps more constructive is Bath Theatrical's new D-Stress room - laughter is the best medicine after all!

At the D-Stress Room you can head along with a few friends, have a dress up and a jolly good laugh, it's that simple! You can choose the ‘party box’ option or have the costumes themed. Opt for the party box and you'll get a couple of rails of top quality costumes of all types

"For a very reasonable charge, you can book a couple of hours to go along with friends, add some music, take a phone full of selfies and laugh your troubles away."

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There is a huge range of costumes to choose from

(there is a video on their Facebook page) or if you'd like you can choose a theme such as ‘Peaky Blinders’, Pirates, 70’s, Victorian; there are options galore - they have about 30,000 costumes in their warehouse!

For a very reasonable charge, you can book a couple of hours to go along with friends, play some music, take a phone full of selfies and laugh your troubles away. In their newly developed photography studio, ‘Studio 2’, they'll put out two rails of outfits and a trunk full of hats, boas and other accessories. The studio was developed during lockdown for use by photographers, professional and amateur alike, and it’s the only one around with a massive costume wardrobe attached! It's being used for product photography, models,

costumed portraits, still shots for music record covers. A soon to be released music video has recently been filmed there too.

The D-Stress Room is being booked for family reunions, ‘pre-exam de-stress’ for those doing GCSEs and A-Levels, team building days, hen parties, or like many, just a group of friends who needed to re-connect and have fun.

And it makes a great gift too - you can buy family and friends a voucher to have a fantastic experience to create memories for a lifetime and loads of photos to go along with it.

For more information you can contact Bath Theatrical Costume Hire via email at enquiries@ baththeatrical.com or call 01373 472786.

• baththeatrical.com

The only photo studio with a 30,000 costume wardrobe attached!

enquiries@baththeatrical.com | 01373 472786

BATH THEATRICAL COSTUME HIRE (est 1969)

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THE

C ROSS KEYS A

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D

E

The

Farmhouse

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

INN

Paul and the team invite you to The Cross Keys, a village pub offering a warm welcome & tasty homemade food.

SUNDAY CARVERY Served 12-3pm. Booking advised! Prices from £9.50

Adam, Janet and all the staff look forward to welcoming you to The Farmhouse.

We offer tasty homecooked food, superb real ales & fine wines in stylish, comfortable surroundings.

We’re an ideal venue for weddings & events with our large, beautifully-appointed function room.

• Large Function Room available for hire • Pool Table, Jukebox, Dart Board, Skittle Alley

BOOK NOW FOR MOTHER’S DAY & EASTER

✆ 01380 739567

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

High Street, Rowde SN10 2PN

www.crosskeysrowde.co.uk

f TheCrossKeysRowde

Toby Haynes

REAL ALES & LIVE MUSIC

AWARD-WINNING FAMILY BUTCHERS

From leather jackets to suits, workboots to shiny shoes & 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

Telephone 01225 865876 Find us on Facebook

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LYN & ANDY HOBBS WELCOME YOU TO THE RISING SUN We areTAKING a traditional country pub offering NOW EASTER ORDERS FOR tasty homemade food,PORK real ales & ciders LOCAL LAMB, BEEF, & POULTRY • Handmade PiesBOOKINGS & Sausages NOW TAKING • Traditional Meats & Game • Weekly FOR EASTER WEEKEND! Specials • 28-day Dry Agedserved Steaks • Beer garden • Homemade food daily • Local real TO ales US & ciders free menu COME FOR• Gluten FRIENDLY, • Steak deal •HELPFUL Traditional Sunday roast • Takeaways ADVICE • LiveOPEN music •8am-5pm Large carTue-Fri, park • Open 7 daysSat a week 8am-1pm 32Woodmarsh, High Street,North Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0HD 61 Bradley, Trowbridge BA14 0SB 01249 713253 • Find us on Facebook 01225 776545 therisingsun-northbradley.co.uk

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food & drink The Farmhouse is a lovely village pub with large garden a great food

ALL ABOUT THE DESTINATION After a tough couple of years we are all slowly starting to get used to venturing out again and making the most of some of our wonderful local pubs.

Here are some that are well worth going the extra mile for...

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food & drink

THE CROSS KEYS

High Street, Rowde SN10 2PN The Cross Keys is traditional pub in the centre of Rowde village that has recently come under new management. A real hub of the community, it offers everything you expect from a great local – proper Wadworth beers, regular quiz nights and live music, a pool table, juke box, dart boards, a skittle alley and tasty, good value homecooked food.

As well as being a friendly village local, their weekly carvery attracts diners from far and wide. Served every Sunday, you can enjoy a large plate for just £12.50 or a small plate for only £9.50 (children under 8 eat free with a paying adult too!). You get a choice of three meats and all-you-can-eat trimmings (nut roast and vegetarian gravy also available).

"As well as being a friendly village local, their weekly carvery attracts diners from far and wide." The Cross Keys Book early to avoid disappointment by phone or by popping into the pub. You can also get in touch via their Facebook page, fb.com/ CrossKeysRowde 01380 739567 | crosskeysrowde.co.uk

The Dog & Fox has a great town meets country feel

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THE DOG & FOX

33 Ashley Rd, Bradford on Avon BA15 1RT The Hilton family took the helm at the well-known ‘Dog and Fox Inn’ in Bradford on Avon in 2014. They have since built it into a popular destination for many locals and visitors, all of whom enjoy the pub that they have re-created.

All are welcome, whether they just want to pop in for ‘a swift one’ while walking the dog, to sit down and enjoy drinks with friends, or eat a good meal with a drink in a relaxing atmosphere. Delicious, freshly cooked food is available Thursday to Saturday (roasts are available every Sunday too) to eat in or takeaway, and there’s a pizza oven that gets fired up on sunny weekend days too. When the warmer weather arrives you can kick back and relax in the lovely garden, complete with play area for the kids, right on the edge of beautiful Wiltshire countryside.

£13.50 - £23.95. Delicious! With their dedicated function room and large car park, The Farmhouse is also an ideal venue to host a party, celebration or function – call and speak to Janet, their events co-ordinator – for more information.

01225 764366 | farmhousesouthwick.co.uk The Old Bell is re-opening this month

THE OLD BELL

42 Market Place, Warminster BA12 9AN After more than two years of closure The Old Bell will be opening its doors again from 11 April, under the new management of Wiltshire Inns, 01225 832137 | dogandfoxinn.com joining The Swan Hotel in Bradford THE FARMHOUSE INN on Avon under the same banner.

That means as well as excellent Frome Road, Southwick BA14 9QD accommodation within Warminster This family friendly destination town centre, local visitors can pop in in Southwick is a popular family and enjoy a traditional pub with an dining destination. There is a large impressive selection of ales, mouthgarden in which to soak up some watering authentic Thai cuisine and sun and the dedicated children’s menu will ensure your little ones eat pub classics 7 days a week. The Old Bell will also be open for breakfast well. The pub, which has recently from 8am and will serve food all day received another 5* Scores On until 9pm. And with lots of spaces The Doors rating from Wiltshire available for private events, it’s a Council, is open daily for snacks, great place to host a party too! lunch and dinner, serving a wide 01985 216611 | oldbellwarminster.co.uk range of homecooked meals and using local produce wherever THE OLD HAM TREE possible. The specials board is a Ham Green, Holt BA14 6PY firm favourite with regulars and changes daily giving you the perfect Landlords Steph and Sam run a pub that offers a friendly, welcoming excuse to return again and again! atmosphere and tasty, fresh good If you fancy pushing the boat out value food. The Old Ham Tree, which their juicy steaks, served on a hot has recently enjoyed a refurb inside lava stone, are fantastic. Available and out, is a Wadworth pub, so you all day they range in price from

Where town meets beautiful countryside

LYN & ANDY HOBBS WELCOME YOU TO THE RISING SUN We are a traditional country pub offering tasty homemade food, real ales & ciders

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR EASTER WEEKEND! • Beer garden • Homemade food served daily • Local real ales & ciders • Gluten free menu • Steak deal • Traditional Sunday roast • Takeaways • Live music • Large car park • Open 7 days a week 61 Woodmarsh, North Bradley, Trowbridge BA14 0SB 01225 776545 therisingsun-northbradley.co.uk

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We offer delicious food to eat in/takeaway from Thursday to Saturday and delicious roasts every Sunday.

Advanced booking is advised!

Open Tuesday to Sunday

33 Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon BA15 1RT

01225 862137 | dogandfoxinn.com | ft

The Old Bell Hotel is a charming 14th century coaching inn located in the heart of Warminster, on the edge of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB.

RE-OPENING MONDAY 11TH APRIL

Our traditional pub showcases an impressive selection of ales, mouth-watering authentic Thai cuisine and Pub Classics menus 7 days a week.

We are open for breakfast from 8am and serve food all day until 9pm. info@oldbellwarminster.co.uk | 01985 216611 | oldbellwarminster.co.uk | The Old Bell, 42 Market Place, Warminster, BA12 9AN

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food & drink can expect to find a tasty pint. If the spring weather is kind you can also soak up some rays in the pretty garden, it gets the sun from late morning all the way into the evening.

They have a great selection of homecooked food available and are particularly well known for their burgers and pies. If you are watching the pennies, their smaller portions start from just £7 for a main course, and on a Sunday you can enjoy the likes of roast beef and Yorkshire puddings from only £8.50! They also have a good selection of veggie and vegan options available and offer a gluten free menu too.

01225 782581 | theoldhamtree.com

"It offers delicious, classic British food complemented by a great range of wellkept traditional ales, local gins (49 of them!) and fine wines."

The Old Ham Tree is has a pretty garden in which you can soak up some rays

The Rising Sun

THE RISING SUN

61 Woodmarsh, North Bradley, Trowbridge BA14 0SB Lyn & Andy Hobbs, welcome you to the Rising Sun. A traditional English pub, it aims to be the best local around. It offers delicious, classic British food complemented by a great range of well-kept traditional ales, local gins (49 of them!) and fine wines.

As we move into spring, you can head to The Rising Sun for great live music from popular local bands.

Not only that but as a hub of the community you can enjoy regular events like raffles and pub quizzes. If you’re stopping for a bite to eat the menu is full of proper pub classics, freshly prepared and locally sourced.

If you love hearty pub fare at good value prices, this is the place for you!

The Sign of The Angel is a beautiful 15th century coaching inn

SIGN OF THE ANGEL

6 Church St, Lacock SN15 2LB Sign of the Angel is an awardwinning 15th century coaching inn located in the National Trust village of Lacock. The Angel has built a reputation in the area for providing great tasting food and drink in a relaxed, easy going atmosphere and encompassing the key elements of a traditional Inn - it also offers homely 01225 776545 | therisingsun-northbradley.co.uk rooms for those staying overnight.

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On sunny spring days the garden is a wonderful spot to spend some time, but if the weather isn’t so kind, inside is cosy and inviting. Open from 10am for coffee or tea and house-baked cakes, The Angel is then open through lunch, into the afternoon (where the cream teas are a delight!!) and then on to dinner.

Lunches provide the options of some classic British dishes or there is a set menu, which is great value

• Wadworth Real Ales • Covered & Heated Beer Garden • Takeaway service • Children & Dog Friendly • Gluten Free & Coeliac Menu Available • Large Car Park • Homemade Smaller Portions from £7.50 • B&B Accommodation

Please call us on 01225 782581 or book online OPEN: Wed - Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-4.30pm FOOD SERVED: Wed - Sat 12-2.30pm & 5.30-8pm, Sun 12-3pm

01225 782 581 • theoldhamtree@gmail.com • theoldhamtree.co.uk • HAM GREEN, HOLT, TROWBRIDGE BA14 6PY

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food & drink for the quality of ingredients and flavours offered.

The a la carte dinner menu offers a wide range of interesting dishes all freshly prepared from locally sourced produce. There is also a good variety of vegan and gf options to ensure everyone's dietary needs are met.

01249 730230 | signoftheangel.co.uk

THE SWAN HOTEL

1 Church St, Bradford on Avon BA15 1LN This renowned Bradford on Avon hotel is open all year round – for visitors they have stylish, well-appointed town centre accommodation and for locals there is a great pub, tasty food and also the option to enjoy some top live music too.

You’ll always find something delicious to eat or drink at The Swan, whether you’re looking for traditional pub classics or an authentic Thai experience. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offer a Sunday carvery and are also a great option for a coffee, or a light snack and a glass of wine or pint of local ale. In the summertime their terrace, right next to the River Avon, offers a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy a cold drink or al fresco dining.

Live music fans flock to The Swan’s Cellar Bar for its renowned live music nights, with folk, blues and even sea shanty sessions!

01225 868686 | theswanbradford.co.uk

THE THREE DAGGERS

Westbury Road, Edington BA13 4PG The Three Daggers is an awardwinning Great British Inn - an exceptional spot to eat, sleep and unwind. If you have family and friends coming to stay, or fancy staycationing close to home, their 34 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

rooms offer rustic charm with a calming neutral palate and hotelstyle comforts which create a home-from-home vibe. The three bedrooms at the inn are Coulston, Priory and Tinhead. Adjacent there is a self-contained kitchen and lounge which makes it ideal for exclusive use for a family or small group. The Spa Barn is just a step away from Edington Farm Shop and across the road from The Three Daggers pub. The spa offers a selection of treatments that will nurture your wellbeing in a gentle holistic way.

Tom Chesshyre from The Times says, "This is no ordinary country pub with rooms. First, it has its own brewery, then there’s the 'spa barn' with three smart treatment rooms, a swanky relaxation lounge, croquet lawn and outdoor hot tub and sauna.”

The Swan has a popular Sunday carvery - booking recommended!

Hell Death Fury, Straight Shooter and many more – see our listings pages for the full line up or call 01380 830940 | threedaggers.co.uk the pub direct. Pay a visit to their Facebook page and you’ll see from "Everyone and anyone the reviews what a following it has. As one recent reviewer said, is welcome at this “Fantastic proper pub, loved it, very eclectic boozer" The Three Horseshoes welcoming, friendly staff and locals” Sums it up rather nicely.

THE THREE HORSESHOES

55 Frome Rd, Bradford on Avon BA15 1LA In Bradford on Avon, right next to the train station, sits The Three Horseshoes pub. Everyone and anyone is welcome at this eclectic boozer, and it offers a superb range of well kept real ales and ciders in addition to the usual lagers, spirits and mixers you expect. It shows live sport on big screens and has loads of outdoor seating that makes it an ideal venue for meeting up with friends on a warm spring evening.

The main draw of The ‘Shoes though isn’t any of the above; it has an unrivalled reputation for fantastic live music. Over the coming weeks you can see more than 20 bands playing live, including The Setbacks, The Radio Makers, The Soul Strutters,

01225 865876 | Find them on Facebook

THE WESTBROOK

Westbrook Road, Bromham SN15 2EE If you have young children, you simply won’t find a better place to take them than The Westbrook. With its large garden and huge array of children’s play equipment, little ones can let off steam whilst you relax with a glass of something chilled.

The recently refurbished deck is seriously comfy, ideal for when you want to decamp for an afternoon!

The Westbrook offers great food; keeping the kids happy doesn’t mean compromising on eating well here. The set lunch menu, available Monday to Friday, is superb value and completely delicious. They also have a great selection of children's meals with homemade

1 Church Street Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1LN

01225 868686

theswanbradford.co.uk

theswanbradford @stayswan swanbradford

DELICIOUS SUNDAY CARVERY

Served every Sunday 12 noon – 3pm Reservations Recommended Vegetarian options available, dogs welcome

AUTHENTIC THAI FOOD (prepared by our Thai Chefs) Available 7 Days a Week Thai Chilli Restaurant Open 12 noon – 3pm & 6pm – 10pm (Thai Takeaway and local non-contact delivery service also available)

PUB CLASSICS MENU (available all day)

Available 7 Days a Week Open 12 noon – 3pm & 6pm – 10pm

Our pub also offers a great selection of real ales, lagers, ciders, wines & soft drinks.

The Three Daggers

The Three Daggers is an award-winning, great British inn - an exceptional spot to eat, sleep & unwind.

PUB | FARM SHOP | RESTAURANT | INN Brewery bar available for private hire Westbury Road, Edington, Wiltshire BA13 4PG 01380 830 940 | threedaggers.co.uk

food & drink The Westbrook is an ideal spot to take the family

and healthier options as well as nice touches like children’s cutlery, a simple idea so often overlooked.

Sundays are hugely popular too, with roasts from £13.50pp – booking essential!

01380 850418 | westbrookbromham.co.uk

"The recently refurbished deck is seriously comfy, ideal for when you want to decamp for an afternoon!" The Westbrook

THE WHITE HART

Lane End, Corsley, Warminster BA12 7NE Ideally situated for a stop off on the way to or from Longleat or Center Parcs, The White Hart at Corsley is a great little pub that offers a warm welcome from landlady Adelle and good hearty pub food thanks to head chef Stephen.

The pub features two restaurant areas at each end of an open plan 36 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

interior with a proper drinking bar space in between. Stephen runs a ‘fresh’ kitchen, nothing is frozen and everything is prepared and cooked from fresh ingredients. As well as his various forms of Yorkshire puddings – thanks to his Yorkshire roots - another of The White Hart’s specialities are Stephen’s authentic curries. He buys his spices direct from Asian supermarkets and makes authentic curries from across the Indian subcontinent and Asia.

At The White Hart nothing is frozen, everything is cooked from fresh ingredients

In the bar you’ll find a range of beers, including local real ales, and some more unusual options from further afield. They also have a selection of ciders on tap, all for under £4 a pint.

Adelle has a range of great events lined up for later in the year including live music, car club meetings and bulldog walks (it’s a dog friendly place!) to name but a few. Find them on Facebook for all the latest plans.

01373 832363 | whitehartcorsley.co.uk

THE

WESTBROOK

Bromham, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2EE

tel 01380 850418

www.westbrookbromham.co.uk

WELCOME TO OUR AWARD-WINNING, FAMILY-RUN PUB! Kevin & Louise invite you to visit The Westbrook. The menu is bursting with superb value traditional pub classics and top notch specials.

We also offer vegan, vegetarians and gluten free options.

• FRESHLY COOKED FOOD • DAILY SPECIALS • LARGE GARDEN • CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA & DEDICATED MENU • REAL ALES • CAR PARK

OPEN WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY

THE WHITE HART Lane End, Corsley, Nr Warminster BA12 7NE

fti SUNDAY ROASTS LIVE MUSIC & EVENTS

EVENING MEALS

BREAKFASTS & LUNCH

FRESHLY COOKED FOOD

ES

SUNNY GARDEN

• LIVE MUSIC • DOG FRIENDLY • NR LONGLEAT • COCKTAILS • NO FROZEN RUBBISH

www.whitehartcorsley.co.uk

01373 832363

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...

A

s the excitement of the forced rhubarb season comes to an end we turn our attention to asparagus. This is one of the few UK crops to maintain its short season making it hotly anticipated by our chefs each year.

we were brought up to have roast potatoes through the winter, switching to only new potatoes during the summer months, with peas, broad beans, runner beans etc.

These days ‘roasters’ go through the whole year in most households! A

“To complement asparagus just coming into season are Jersey and Cornish new potatoes, spring onions, bok choi, radish and some leafy salads.”

If this is a crop you fancy trying you will need some spare open ground as asparagus does not do well in containers. Patience is needed as you don’t reap any proper reward until year three after initially planting out the crowns. You can carry on cropping for the next 25 years after that though!

To complement asparagus just coming into season are Jersey and Cornish new potatoes, spring onions, bok choi, radish and some leafy salads.

Most of last season’s root crops are still available but this will be the last month for UK grown. If you love your root crops imported supplies will now take over so you can still enjoy your traditional Sunday lunch with parsnips. A modern take on Sunday lunch now seems to be roasting your root veg together including different coloured beetroots. In our household 38 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

big bone of contention in our family is the cauliflower cheese question, to have or not to have, with Sunday lunch!

If you having any growing space outside, from an allotment to a gro bag or a few pots here are some ideas for April.

Broad beans, carrots, radish,

beetroot and lettuce can now be sown directly outdoors.

As usual if you want to ask any questions about seasonal produce or your own growing questions just email me.

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

SWEET TREATS

recipes

This month FRAN STEVENS, aka The Food Wife, offers up some delicious chocolatey treats, the first two are also great to make with children.

CHOCOLATE JAZZIES Who doesn’t love a jazzy? Little pools of chocolate covered in colourful sprinkles. Living the dream!

These are as simple to make as it gets and I had fun making these with my two little ones.

✃

Ingredients 100g chocolate (your choice of white, milk or dark) 1-2 tbsp colourful sprinkles

Method Begin by lining a tray or baking sheet with grease proof paper. Ideally it needs to be able to fit flat inside a fridge or freezer.

Melt the chocolate. You can either do this is a bowl over a pan of simmering water (ensure the bowl is not in direct contact with the water) or in a microwave. If doing this in the microwave do it in 30 second bursts to ensure the chocolate does not

GREAT TO MAKE WITH KIDS! burn, stirring after each burst.

Use a teaspoon to carefully make little puddles of the chocolate on to the lined tray. Leaving a gap between each one to ensure they stay separate.

Next sprinkle your sprinkles on to the puddles. Allow to cool (a fridge or freezer is best) and then peel them off the grease proof paper and you have your finished jazzies!

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 39

recipes Over a medium low heat, melt the butter, sugar, syrup and cocoa together until smooth, remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.

In a bowl combine the crushed biscuits and sultanas, and then stir through the molten cocoa mix until fully combined. Tip into the lined pan and press out until it is in one smooth and level layer.

tiffin Makes16 squares A perfect non-bake ‘bake’ to make with children. Tiffin, or refrigerator cake, is a rich biscuity chocolate concoction which combines store cupboard and fridge ingredients to make a tasty treat. It’ll keep for up to a week in the fridge too (although I’ve never known it to last so long!)

Smooth over the molten chocolate and, if using, sprinkle over the marshmallows, pressing them gently into the melted chocolate. Cover and place in the fridge to set for a few hours. Once fully set, cut into 16 squares using a hot knife. Store in a sealed container in the fridge.

Ama maretto retto Dark Chocolate Truffles Makes approx 45

My final choice, these rich dark chocolate truffles, spiked with amaretto, is a rather more grown up You can turn it into a gluten-free and/ affair. I coated mine in a mix of milk and dark chocolate and then top or vegan treat, if required. You can vary the amount of biscuits used using with crushed amaretti biscuits. They are ridiculously rich, so you won’t be the lower amount will give a softer, fudgier tiffin, the higher makes a more eating too many (you can always scale down this recipe) but taste so solid tiffin. Both are good! wonderful that you will want to go Ingredients back for more!

150g butter/vegan baking block These can be made in advance and 75g caster sugar stored in the fridge for a good week.

75g golden syrup 30g cocoa powder Ingredients 160g-200g biscuits (I like using 300ml double cream digestives or rich teas) (gf/vg if 325g good quality dark chocolate (at required), crushed to a mix of powder least 70%), broken into pieces and chunks 75g butter, cubed 2 handfuls of sultanas 2 tbsp amaretto liqueur 200g dark and/or milk chocolate (gf/ Salt vg if required), melted Optional coatings: Optional: Handful of mini Cocoa powder marshmallows (gf/vg if required) 300g good quality milk chocolate (or a mix of milk and dark), melted and Method then cooled to 31°C. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with Amaretti biscuits, crushed grease proof paper.

40 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Method Heat the cream to boiling point and then remove from the heat. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes.

Add the butter, dark chocolate, amaretto and a pinch of salt to the cream. Allow to stand for two minutes and then stir until the butter and chocolate are completely melted and combined with the cream to make a smooth and glossy ganache.

Cover and leave in the fridge for a couple of hours until set.

Line a baking sheet or cooling rack with greaseproof paper.

Use a melon baller or a teaspoon and then your hands to roll balls of the set truffle mixture. Lay out on the greaseproof paper and return to the fridge to set.

Choose how to coat the truffles: either roll each in sifted cocoa powder for a bitter coating, roll in crushed amaretti biscuits, or dip in the melted chocolate and then use a fork to slide them back onto the grease proof paper, then top with a pinch of crushed amaretti biscuit.

Store in the fridge in a sealed container.

• thefoodwife.co.uk

✃

GREAT MAKE WITTOH KIDS!

✃

Award Winning, Family Run Farm Shop Established for over 40 years Selling Quality Local Produce Open 7 days a week

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

LOCAL CHEESES & HOME COOKED MEATS LOCALLY GROWN VEGETABLES, FRUIT & SALADS HOMEMADE CAKES & PIES LOCALLY MADE CHOCOLATES (IN OUR NEW CHOCOLATE COUNTER)

FINE WINE, LOCAL ALE & CIDER PRESERVES & CHUTNEYS GIFT HAMPERS

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Private Dining also available | Booking recommended

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Beanacre, Nr Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 7PU | 01225 703700 | reception@beechfieldhouse.co.uk | beechfieldhouse.co.uk

competition

WIN TICKETS TO BATH RACES! The new season gets underway later this month at BATH RACECOURSE!

B

ath Racecourse gallops into its first fixture of the British Flat Racing season on Thursday 14 April, with a day packed with high-quality action on the track. This hugely popular fixture is always a special moment as they welcome back returning race fans after the off-season. This year, it is extra special as it is the start of Bath’s first full season since 2019! They have an exciting calendar of events in store, with something for all the family to enjoy.

42 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Those who appreciate all things style and beauty will enjoy Bath Racecourse’s ever-popular Ladies Day on Saturday 11 June. For the music lover, longstanding indie icons James will be performing an outdoor show live after racing on Friday 3 June over the extra-long bank holiday weekend celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Then, in August, Somerset legends The Wurzels will be making it a proper day at the races, westcountry style!

For the kids, every race day gives them FREE entry but particular

fixtures such as the Bank Holiday Family Fun Day is sure to be all smiles as they can enjoy the free entertainment on offer, whilst parents can enjoy the on-track action. This is going to be a great summer for lovers of food and drink, with highlight days including the brand-new Rum & Reggae Race

"Ticket are now on sale for all of their season’s fixtures and can be bought online in advance."

competition

This is Bath's first full season of racing since 2019!

chance to enter future competitions online as they hold regular ticket giveaways.

• bath-racecourse.co.uk

COMPETITION

Enjoy all the thrills, excitement, and style at Bath racecourse by entering our competition for a chance to WIN 2 PAIRS OF TICKETS TO A SUMMER’S AFTERNOON OF RACING ON FRIDAY 20 MAY. All you need to do to enter is email your answer to this simple question to comp@wired-publishing.co.uk.

The calendar has events for all the family to enjoy

Nights and alongside Beer & Cider Festivals where you can enjoy a range of mouth-watering food and lip-smacking drinks right across the racecourse.

Tickets are now on sale for all of their season’s fixtures and can be bought online in advance. So, book now and get ready to enjoy every laugh and cheer with family and friends as your winning horse comes thundering down the home straight. Be sure to follow Bath Racecourse's social media for your

WHAT DO WE CALL THE PERSON WHO RIDES A HORSE IN HORSE RACING? A) A RIDER B) A JOCKEY C) AN EQUESTRIAN Email your answers now.

Good luck!

Ts&Cs: Closing date for entries is 30.04.22. Entries received after that date will not be counted.

Entrants must be 18 or over. Tickets have no cash alternative and are non-refundable.

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 43

family fun

EASTER TIME

MAKE THE MOST OF TIME SPENT WITH FAMILY WITH OUR ANNUAL EASTER ACTIVITY GUIDE...

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 45

family fun

DRIVE-TECH LTD

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

This family run business provides unforgettable driving experiences that make great gifts any time of the year for all your family and friends.

Drive-Tech offers options for anyone aged 10 and over

Their range of driving experiences make for a great fun family day out, offering thrills, skills and adventures including kids and family go karting.

They have vouchers available from £40 and they are valid for 18 months. For a gift that truly lasts see the website drivetechltd.co.uk or call this April bigger than ever. Over the weekend of 23 & 24 April, the their team on 01249 783010. grounds of the historic abbey will • drivetechltd.co.uk echo to the sounds of true medieval life as the breathtaking ruins form GLASTONBURY the background for markets, living ABBEY Glastonbury Get ready for fire eating, jousting and battles as the Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre returns Glastonbury Abbey will transform for its Medieval Fayre this April

46 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

history displays and medieval demonstrations.

Tolly Snell, Glastonbury Abbey’s Deputy Commercial Activity Manager, said: “Our Medieval

"Get ready for fire eating, jousting and battles as the Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre returns this April bigger than ever"

PLANT FAIR Sunday 1st May 2022

Great Chalfield Manor, Melksham SN12 8NH

SPECIALIST NURSERIES & GARDEN SUNDRIES Get your garden summer ready!

Teas, Fish & Chips, Delicious Cakes

10am to 4pm

£5 entry & children free

www.jamiesfarm.org.uk

Raising funds for Jamie’s Farm and for Friends of Great Chalfield who support the Arts & Crafts gardens with events

family fun Fayre has bounced back from the pandemic bigger than ever. There is going to be so much to see and do over that April weekend. We cannot wait to bring this exciting event back to Glastonbury in what has now become such a popular date in the abbey’s calendar.”

Hope Nature Centre's new Easter Egg Trail runs from 8-24 April

The Fayre opens between 10am and 5pm on both days across the entire Abbey grounds. Tickets start from just £7 for a day ticket and £10.50 for a weekend ticket.

More information and updates on the Fayre can be found on the Glastonbury Abbey website where you can also buy tickets.

Glastonbury Abbey’s Member Plus supporters get free entry to the Fayre as well as discounts or free entry to a range of other events throughout the year, as well as free, all-year-round access to the full 36-acre parkland and up to 15% discount in the Abbey shop and café. To become a Member Plus, which costs just over a £1 a week, visit the website. You can also buy event tickets and membership in the Glastonbury Abbey Gift Shop.

• glastonburyabbey.com

GREAT CHALFIELD MANOR

Nr Melksham Great Chalfield Manor has a couple of events lined up over the coming weeks that are great The Plant Fair is on Sunday 1 May

48 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

"Alongside The Easter Egg Trail, visitors can enjoy the Animal Park's new arrivals which include some incredibly cute Valias Sheep, three new Kunekune Pigs and many more."

Hope Nature Centre

for the whole family. The first is A Night of Medieval Mystery, Music, Mirth and Mead on Friday 22 April. Visitors can enjoy a walk around - and a picnic - in the beautiful gardens, be entertained

by Medieval music, laugh at one of Shakespeare's funniest pieces, eat a chunk of bread and enjoy a drink of mead. What more could you want?! Tickets are £10 for adults, children go free! Secondly on Sunday 1 May Great Chalfield is once again hosting its popular Plant Fair. Entry is £5 (children go free) and as well as the opportunity to get your garden ready for summer with wonderful plants and garden sundries, there are teas and cakes and great fish and chips to enjoy too! It’s raising money for Jamie’s Farm and Friends of Great Chalfield too so all in a good cause! For details on both events please see the website.

• greatchalfield.co.uk

HOPE NATURE CENTRE

Southwick, Nr Trowbridge Hope Nature Centre are egg-cited to be launching a brand-new Easter event this April. Running from 8 -24 April, visitors to the 15-acre Animal Park can take part in The Easter Egg Trail. Visitors will need to spot 6 giant Easter eggs hidden throughout the Animal Park, and if all 6 are found, the Easter Bunny will give them a special treat. Alongside The Easter Egg Trail, visitors can enjoy the Animal Park's new arrivals which include some incredibly cute Valias Sheep, three new Kunekune Pigs and many more. There is also the Adventure Play area and other parks that children will enjoy too.

The on-site café will be serving freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches, speciality hot drinks and tasty Easter treats. The café and Animal Park will be open daily, and tickets for the

family fun Roves Farm has a new Easter Bunny Trail to explore

TAFF VALLEY QUAD BIKE & ACTIVITY CENTRE Nr Cardiff Have you ever thought of taking the family quad biking or gorge walking or have a go at archery or clay pigeon shooting? If the answers ‘yes’ then Taff Valley Quad Bike and Activity Centre offers all of these set in the beautiful Taff Valleys just outside Cardiff.

This award-winning family business can arrange a variety of packages for individuals, families, corporate team building, hen and stag weekends as well as customised activity breaks through Wales Activity Breaks.

"None of the activities require any experience as full training is given by qualified instructors."

Taff Valley

Animal Park and Easter Egg Trail can be pre-booked online.

• hopenaturecentre.org.uk

ROVES FARM

Nr Swindon A new Easter Bunny Trail awaits at Roves Farm. Little explorers can follow the trail, finding clues along the way that lead them through animal paddocks and woodland to the Easter Bunny’s house. There they can meet the Easter Bunny and collect their goody bag.

Then hop along to Pet’s Corner to meet the friendly rabbits, guinea pigs and Pygmy goats – you can even try feeding the 50 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

goats during feeding sessions.

There will be lambs to see in the barn, plus Boer and Pygmy goat kids. Don’t forget to hop aboard a tractor ride around the farm too. And Scarrott’s Fun Fair will also be at the farm with teacups, carousel, bungee trampolines, giant inflatables and more!

After all that if you need a break then be sure to head to the café for homemade treats and drinks whilst children can explore the large indoor play areas. You can pre-book tickets on the website - use code WW20 for 20% OFF your general day tickets!

• rovesfarm.co.uk

None of the activities require any experience as full training is given by qualified instructors, making it fun for all the family. A recent addition is their Ultimate Woodland Assault Course, a challenge for both mind and body! The obstacles cover running, climbing, jumping, crawling, swimming and balancing elements with the aim of testing Taff Valley is great fun for kids of all ages

QUOTE FOR 15% OFF

22 WEST WILTS 20

Trowbridge Museum A whole new second floor & fantastic events programme to explore!

image © Roy McDine

trowbridgemuseum.co.uk

family fun teamwork and endurance. Perfect for everything from a family adventure day to a corporate team building exercise. And if you quote WEST WILTS 2022 you’ll receive 15% OFF too!

• adventurewales.co.uk

Trowbridge Museum is offering a range of free activities this Easter

TOWPATH TRAIL

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

Towpath Trail is the original bike hire centre on the canal. Operating from their new base at TT Cycles in Bradford on Avon (just behind Sainsbury’s), their bikes are in fantastic condition – all less than 6 months old – and are ideal if you and the family want to head off to Bath (10 miles) Explore the Two Tunnels route or Devizes (12 miles), home to the famous Caen Hill lock flight, whichever way you choose to go you can enjoy the peaceful

Towpath Trail offers bike and e-bike hire on the Kennet & Avon Canal

52

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

waterside, pretty picnic spots, children’s play areas and plenty of pubs en route where you can enjoy a well-deserved ice cream or a glass of something cold!

• towpathtrail.co.uk

TROWBRIDGE MUSEUM

Trowbridge Trowbridge Museum has a great range of activities for kids to try this Easter. On Tuesday 12 April you can make colourful Easter Baskets using simple paper weaving techniques.

In The Shires Shopping Centre in Trowbridge on Wednesday 13 April you can decorate an egg cup

or bonnet - a fun way to break up a busy shopping spree! Little green fingers will enjoy making miniature gardens on Thursday 14 April – you can share your growing garden on social media and tag #trowbridgemuseum! On Tuesday 19 April they're making pretty spring garlands from old egg boxes – you just need to bring along at least 3 empty cardboard egg boxes to help craft your little ones craft their garlands. And finally on Thursday 21 April kids can make a nice, easy pom-pom spring sheep from wool!

All events are free, see the website for timings and extra info!

• trowbridgemuseum.co.uk

BRADFORD ON AVON

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gardens

GARDEN JOBS

Here are some of the top jobs to be getting on with in the garden this month...

1. Sow hardy annuals, herbs and wild flower seed outdoors Sowing seeds outdoors is an easy, inexpensive and fun way to grow new plants. It’s ideal for a wide range of hardy flowers and vegetables.

This is your last chance to sow chillies

2. Tie in climbing & rambling roses Rose pruning ensures that plants grow vigorously and flower well each year. Although often considered complicated, rose pruning is not difficult if you follow the RHS guide.

3. Keep weeds under control Continue weeding as the soil warms up especially perennial weeds which will be starting to appear this month – if you get on top of them now, they’ll be easier to control for the rest of the year. Hoe regularly to prevent annual weed seedlings growing.

4. Start to feed citrus plants are quite hungry plants, so remove the top 5cm (2in) of old compost in late spring and replace with fresh to help kick stsart new growth.

5. Sow aubergines, chillis and tomatoes This is the last chance to sow aubergines, chillies and You can sow hardy annuals like nigella direct into the soil this month

tomatoes, which need a long growing season to do well. Sow them under cover. If you only want a few plants, you could wait until next month and buy plants at the garden centre.

6. Increase the water given to houseplants As they enter active growth, your housplants will need more water. Spring is also a good time to start feeding them; a liquid fertiliser can be applied once or twice a month, or a quarter strength can be applied at every watering during the growing season.

7. Feed hungry shrubs and roses Apply a general-purpose fertiliser at the rate recommended on the packet. Shrubs in containers need feeding from now until late summer.

8. Sow new lawns or repair bare patches Lawns are best repaired in spring or autumn, when the weather is damp and cool, as the lawn is most likely to recover well in these conditions. Clear away dead growth/ thatch and sprinkle new seed.

Alternatively cut out the damaged area and replace with turf.

9. Protect fruit blossom from late frosts Most top fruit and soft fruit are very hardy but once they start into growth in spring, flowers and buds are especially vulnerable to frost and may need protection to crop well.

10. Leave caterpillars for birds.

Avoid removing caterpillars from plants if you can – these are an essential food source for nesting birds such as blue tits and great tits, which feed caterpillars to their young. Also, don’t forget to keep bird feeders topped up this month.

56 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Wild Ivy

1981-2021 CELEBRATING

40

YEARS IN BUSINESS

James has spent more than 20 years designing & caring for gardens.

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07940 261734 • info_wildivy23@yahoo.com

A family run business situated in the heart of Westbury

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house & home

MODERN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

A

ward-winning later living specialist, Rangeford Villages, creates inclusive and dynamic lifestyle communities for the over 60s within safe, secure and beautiful surroundings. At their Wadswick Green development in Corsham, interested buyers have a choice of contemporary 1, 2 and 3-bedroom homes set within vibrant communities.

Combining future-proof homes with maintenance-free gardens and external upkeep, buying at Rangeford Villages offers residents the freedom to live life on one’s own terms. Rangeford’s communities have so much more to offer than just a home. At the heart of each community is The Pavillion, the hub of social activity, where residents can choose to take advantage of a Wadswick Green has extensive facilities and beautifully landscaped grounds

multitude of activities, events, and hobbies on offer.

Facilities at every village Pavilion are like a five-star hotel and could include a swimming pool, hydro pool, sauna, steam room, gym, bistro and bar, cinema room, activity rooms and a hair and beauty salon.

A guest suite is also available so friends and family can visit, and all villages are pet friendly.

Each of Rangeford Villages’ developments is located close to beautiful countryside and has an abundance to explore right on their doorstep. Wadswick Green is set within 25-acres of rolling Wiltshire countryside, 8 miles from Bath with beautiful, landscaped gardens. To discover more, see the website.

• rangefordvillages.co.uk

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01380 830769 / 07932 640996 sales@harpersblinds.co.uk 60 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

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gardens

SPRING LAWN CARE Now is the ideal time to give your lawn that tonic and TLC it deserves to ensure it returns to the peak of health over the coming spring and summer months.

G

reenThumb is the UK’s largest and most recommended lawn care specialist. Local franchise owners Graham Smith and his wife Ronnie take great pride in running a small business that cares for your lawn.

“Weeds are the bane of many lawns, and Springtime onwards is a good time to tackle them,” says Graham Smith “Spraying the lawn with a selective herbicide can rid it of dandelions, daisies and clover, as well as other weeds.”

GreenThumb customers benefit from five core treatments each year, inclusive of feeds, weed and moss controls, as well as a water conserver.

Customers can also opt to have additional treatments such as lawn scarification and aeration to keep their lawn lush, green and healthy all year round.

SPRING LAWN TIPS

GreenThumb’s pay-as-you-go treatments start from just £18, meaning there are no contracts to sign and customers can decide on the programme that suits their lawn and pocket.

Take a good look at the border plants, shrubs and trees – they all have a habit of encroaching on the lawn's space and weakening it by denying it light. Then... get the secateurs out!

For a free lawn analysis, contact GreenThumb today on 01249 653765 or via email chippenham@ greenthumb.co.uk.

• greenthumb.co.uk

“GreenThumb customers benefit from five core treatments each year” Before GreenThumb...

A few simple things to do as preparation for the coming season:

LAWNS DON’T LIKE SHADE

CLEAN UP Rake away dead leaves, twigs and branches. The less debris there is on the lawn, the healthier it will be, not to mention the real benefit from increasing its exposure to sunlight.

UP TO THE JOB? Before mowing, make sure your mower is up to the job by giving it a service. Importantly, make sure that the blades are sharp; dull mower blades won’t cut the grass cleanly, causing the grass tip to turn brown or look shredded – not a great look!

CUTTING EDGE and after!!!

Start mowing the lawn on the highest cut your mower allows, gradually reducing the height of the cut over the course of a few weeks, until the grass is between 1” and 2” tall.

EXTRA TIP Try not to remove more than a third of the height of the grass blade in one go as this will damage the plant.

62 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

house & home

MAKING SPACE

T

The need for additional space is more prevalent than ever and STEPHEN GRAVER can help you make the best of it.

he increase in property prices and the cost of moving has meant renovation has become more popular than ever. This has included remodelling kitchens and living spaces to work better for the family whilst constructing a new multi-functional space in your garden now features at the top of the post-pandemic wish list.

Bringing the outdoors in and adding other luxury features such as hot tubs, patio areas, firepits and outdoor kitchens has allowed us to appreciate outdoor spaces as a true extension of our homes. Some have even chosen to build it as a completely separate area to their normal living space, with an opportunity to go

Garden buildings are top of the post-pandemic wish list

"Bringing the outdoors in and adding luxury features has allowed us to appreciate outdoor spaces as a true extension of our homes." wild with their decorating scheme.

They can range from the height of luxury and opulence or be beautifully simple and natural in their elements of wood and reclaimed cladding with sand, cement or crushed marble. From eco cabins to indulgent glass works of art, demand has soared since lockdown with clients really appreciating the value of being able to accommodate an extra space in their existing home which can be a potential income stream or just more space to enjoy with family and friends.

Based in the picturesque village of Steeple Ashton, Stephen Graver has seen a change in how receptive clients are at using the space available to them in more innovative and exciting ways once they start to work with his team of

64 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

expert craftsmen in their awardwinning studio and showroom.

Stephen Graver’s trademark is exceptional quality design and delivery of outstanding interior projects. Every project is underpinned by outstanding craftsmanship from conception to completion and backed by exceptional customer service that has kept clients returning again and again for over 30 years.

Over 99% of Stephen Graver’s clients are from word-of-mouth recommendation and a visit to their unique countryside studio makes it clear to see why. Pay them a visit to see how they can bring your project to life.

• stephengraver.com

images © Pete Helme Photography

Stephen Graver has certainly seen a resurgence in the popularity of outdoor buildings for a number of uses: flexible home working spaces, exercise areas, overflow accommodation for visiting guests or just places to relax and bring us closer to the outside world.

house & home

MR TOD'S HOUSE

New to the market through Bath and Bradford on Avon agent COBB FARR this three-bedroom period property combines lovingly restored original features and the luxuries of modern living. placed for commuting to the M4 and the wider motorway network.

The larger village of Monkton Farleigh is just a mile away and provides a lovely country pub, The King’s Arms as well as Churchfield’s Primary School and St Peter’s Church.

The area is renowned for the quality of its private schools including Monkton Combe, Prior Park, The Royal High, Kingswood and King Edwards. Early viewing is a must, contact Cobb Farr on 01225 866111 for more information.

S

ituated in the hamlet of Farleigh Wick on the outskirts of Bath, Mr Tod’s House is a stunningly renovated home.

This period property has undergone a meticulous and careful renovation from an historic inn to a 3-bedroom family home which really has the wow factor, particularly the large vaulted kitchen and impressive principal bedroom suite.

The fully restored original features including large exterior finials, box sash windows, flagstones, stonework, feature fireplaces and exposed timbers, blend seamlessly with all the luxuries of contemporary living, such as bespoke double-glazed doors and windows, 3 phase power supply, underfloor heating, designer fittings and Cat 6 cabling.

Mr Tod's House includes a stunning master suite

station, secure gated entrance courtyard with a gravel pathway leading to a substantial south-west facing, enclosed and level garden with a large lawn, sunny terrace and lovely views of the surrounding countryside and “forest” recently planted by Brian May from Queen.

The house lies 6 miles from the centre of The UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath providing first class shopping and leisure facilities, and 3 miles from the centre of the charming Saxon market town of Bradford on Avon with its thriving independent shops and restaurants and well thought of secondary school, St Laurence. It is ideally situated to take advantage of all these amenities whilst enjoying countryside rambles straight from the front door.

The high-speed rail link takes 75 There’s ample courtyard parking for minutes from Bath Spa to London several cars with an E vehicle charging Paddington and the property is well 66 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Price: £995,000 • cobbfarr.com

"This period property has undergone a meticulous and careful renovation from an historic inn to a 3-bedroom family home which really has the wow factor"

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legal & financial

SECURE YOUR FAMILY’S FUTURE FOR GENERATIONS PHILLIP BOLTON, Head of the Private Wealth Sector at Goughs Solicitors, offers advice on estate planning for family business owners.

S

uccessful high net worth estate planning involves multiple elements, from tax planning to the use of trusts and Wills, and from prenuptial and postnuptial agreements to property acquisitions and disposals. Each element needs to be very carefully structured and integrated. Goughs Solicitors find practical solutions to meet our clients’ objectives in relation to tax efficiency, asset protection and succession planning.

Phillip Bolton

generations. It is possible to structure one’s estate to mitigate exposure to inheritance tax and claims on estates to enable the family business to have the greatest chance of successfully passing on to future generations.

I enjoy the challenge of such estate planning and the stimulation of working with families through the generations to ensure security of the families’ wealth. I always offer one fundamental piece of advice: everyone knows they need a Will, but I can’t stress enough the importance of ensuring it is up to date and sits alongside a lasting power of attorney.

Also, where families have businesses or partnerships, it is also essential to have shareholders and/or partnership agreements in place.

At Goughs we take the time to get to know you and your family before These topics are often of great importance to family business owners advising how best to protect your financial future. With a specialist with the members of the family who Private Wealth sector, we have have started the business (often the parents) having a strong desire to pass exceptional depth of knowledge the business on to a child or children.

Goughs can help you to secure your family's There are a number of threats that financial future could obstruct this desire, such as inheritance tax and claims made on estates. It can be very concerning for family members to learn such threats exist to the successful succession of their business through family

"At Goughs we take the time to get to know you and your family before advising how best to protect your financial future."

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among a variety of services to ensure they are always delivering the best advice to you.

OUR PRIVATE WEALTH EXPERTISE INCLUDES: • • • • • • •

Private Wealth & divorce Pre & post nuptial agreements Trusts Tax, estates & succession planning Wills and probate Estate planning, UK & abroad Purchase & sale of high value properties • All areas of non residential land & property acquisitions & disposals • Business succession planning, including business restructures, refinance arrangements & preparing shareholder agreements Don’t risk expensive mistakes. Choose Wiltshire’s largest wealth protection law firm. Get in touch today at info@goughs.co.uk, online or by calling 01249 712193.

• goughs.co.uk

health & wellbeing

BLUEBIRD CARE

Q

BLUEBIRD CARE provides the highest quality of home care, leading the field in customer service.

uality of care is the objective of Bluebird Care (Wiltshire North) supporting the towns and villages of West and North Wiltshire. Run by two local GPs and a nurse, it was clear from their experience how important good quality care was for patients’ health and wellbeing. We all want to remain in our own homes surrounded by the people and possessions we love, supported to live happily with dignity and respect.

In response to a growing need and increasing number of requests, they are expanding their live-in care provision. This is a less expensive way of having someone with you for the full 24 hours. You can stay in your own home and the care professional (who does not wear uniform) can take you out for walks or accompany you on local trips. Your live-in carer will be there for your evolving needs, whether they be: needing help with personal care and getting dressed, preparation of meals or providing Bluebird Care have developed a team companionship. You will be actively of highly trained, friendly professionals involved in identifying your needs whose mission is to provide the and making a care plan. highest standard of care, assisting and encouraging the independence of all Every Bluebird Care professional customers to live happily and safely in is fully checked and insured and their own homes. is trained for your specific needs

“With reassuring medical back-up readily available, they can offer reliable regular care ranging from companionship, personal and specialised care to 24 hour live-in care.”

and requirements. They have weekly supervision and access to management 24 hours a day.

Bluebird Care offer a health and wellbeing check including blood pressure, temperature and oxygen levels each week. Staying in your own home with 1:1 care becomes a far more attractive option than moving to a single room with shared carers and facilities.

Bluebird Care also provide a full domiciliary care service. This can provide a helping hand with household chores, personal care, or a companionship visit. All their home care services are tailored around your needs. And the domiciliary care services are not just here to support you at home, but to support you to continue living your life, the way you want to. They are able to take you to doctor’s appointments, to the shops, to meet up with friends and family - to support you to live an independent life.

With reassuring medical back-up readily available, they can offer reliable regular care ranging from companionship, personal and specialised care to 24 hour live-in care. They ask their care professionals to “Make a difference with every visit”.

All staff are carefully selected, trained and supervised.

Quality care makes a real difference. Get in touch for a free no-obligation home assessment from their friendly team on 01225 863565 or find them online.

Bluebird Care is run by people who understand the importance of high quality home care

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• bluebirdcare.co.uk

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health & wellbeing

NEW ‘EL DORADO’ TREATMENT

Inspired by the Americas, ‘El Dorado’ begins with a full body exfoliation with a brew of the finest Colombian coffee beans infused with intoxicating, antioxident rich green cardamom and bitter chocolate.

Enjoy warm oil being drizzled over your skin, full of the subtle sweetness of the cacao bean whilst indulging in a full body massage.

This is followed by a facial in which the regenerative powers of organic avocado oil will feed your face and neck with vitamins and minerals. The treatment, which lasts 90-minutes, is completed with the luxury of a pearl and gold face mask. The treatment is

available until 30 June and costs £98, massages and facials. They last 20-30 making it a wonderful treat for you or minutes and are ideal for grabbing a loved one. a moment of self-care when time is scarce! See the website for their full As well as their luxurious range treatment list. of treatments, Vitality Day Spa is also well known for their express • vitalitydayspa.co.uk

Vitality Day Spa offers luxurious and express treatments

image © Amber Louise Photography

V

itality Day Spa in Bradford on Avon has recently introduced a new limitededition treatment in the Wanderlust Collection, ‘El Dorado’.

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01225 309356 • vitalitydayspa.co.uk • book@vitalitydayspa.co.uk • 8 Market St, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1LH THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 75

bath rugby

EASTER CAPTAIN’S RUN

Bath Rugby is hosting a Captain’s Run during the Easter Holidays, giving young fans the opportunity to meet their heroes.

N

extGen Captain’s Run is returning to the Rec this April, providing families with the perfect day out during the Easter holidays.

The event will take place on Friday 22 April from 11.15-12.45 at The Recreation Ground. The event is a unique opportunity to come down to the home of the Blue, Black and White and watch the squad finalise their preparations ahead of the Gallagher Premiership tie at home against Northampton Saints. The session is FREE to attend with gates opening from 11.15am and training due to get underway at approximately 11.30am.

Bath Rugby is delighted to be working closely with Huboo to enhance the fan experience, introducing a free gift and goodie bag for all children attending. The entire Senior Squad will take part in a light training session on the pitch ahead of joining in fun games, Q&As and a signing session.

The session is FREE to attend and you can register now using the link on the website. The club has asked attendees to please register for all children who will be attending to ensure they have enough goodie bags.

Head along to the Captain’s Run and meet your favourite players

EASTER COACHING CAMP On Friday 22 April, there is also a grassroots coaching camp taking place on the outfield at the Rec – available for just £30.

All children aged 6-16 years are able to join the experience, designed for all abilities creating an inclusive and enjoyable environment. Starting at 9.30am and finishing at 3.30pm, all attendees will also be able to watch the Captain’s Run and meet the entire Senior Squad. Head to bathrugby.com/community/bathrugby-camps to book your space in the camp.

various locations throughout the Easter holidays. Venues include Frome RFC, Royal Wootton Bassett, Salisbury RFC and Dorchester RFC. Again go to the camps website to find a venue and time to suit you and to book.

• bathrugby.com

As well as the camp at the Rec, Bath Rugby is hosting other camps at

2021/2022 FIXTURES For ticket information and to buy tickets go to the website.

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2 Apr

15:00

A

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GP

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Northampton Saints

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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.

The Mazateco Indians of Oaxaca, 4) Mouch or Mooch CAN YOU GUESS

THE CORRECT DEFINITION? 1) Lottie

a) a street brawl b) wool taken from a dead sheep c) to sound as water trickling in a small stream

2) Raimy

3) Quirk a) a scarecrow made of old garments b) more on one side than on the other, ill-balanced, shaky c) to complain

GO WHISTLE

On the tiny Canary Island of La Gomera there is a language called Silbo Gomero that uses a variety of whistles instead of words; (in Spanish silbar means to whistle). There are four ‘vowels’ and four ‘consonants’, which can be strung together to form more than 4000 ‘words’ which can be heard at distances of up to 2 miles. This birdlike means of communication is thought to have come over with early African settlers over 2500 years ago.

Busy Bees

Mexico are frequently seen whistling back and forth, exchanging greetings or trading goods with no risk of misunderstanding. The whistling is not really a language; it simply uses the rhythms of ordinary speech without the words. Similar whistling languages have been found in Greece, Turkey and China, whilst other forms of wordless communication include the talking drums (ntumpane) of the Kele in Congo, the xylophones used by the Northern Chin of Burma, the banging on the roots of trees practised by the Melanesians, the yodelling of the Swiss, the humming of the Chekiang Chinese and the smoke signals of the American Indians.

SAFE CARE

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www.busybees2000.co.uk 78 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

ftli

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puzzles

TEA BREAK TEASERS SPRING FLOWER WORDSEARCH

What/who is missing from the grid?

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WIN A £20 iTUNES VOUCHER! SUDOKU

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Email your answers to these trivia questions to comp@wired-publishing.co.uk by 23.04.2022 to be in with a chance of winning a £20 iTunes voucher. Good luck!

Q1: The date on which we celebrate Easter every year changes how is this calculated?

Q2: Who was the Greek goddess of spring?

LAST MONTH’S SOLUTIONS Wordsearch missing word: BLYNAS Quiz answers 1: 2 March.

2: Maundy Thursday.

3: Sweet buns that are covered with icing and 4: Fat Tuesday.

5: The first Sunday in Lent, occurring after Ash Wednesday.

80 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

Q3: Beginning at the Spring Equinox, what is Nowruz?

Q4: Who said “You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming?”

Q5: On what date is Earth Day in 2022?

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last word

CALL MY BLUFF

E

ach year since 2014 (obviously not including 2020 for reasons that shan’t be mentioned here) I have attempted to enter the London Marathon. I have dutifully filled in my online form and sent in my entrance fee safe in the knowledge that with approximately 500,000 people applying for around 40,000 places the chances of me getting in were fairly slim (1 in 12.5 to be precise if those figures are correct). And every year they haven’t let me down and have firmly stated that ‘No you will not be dragging your slightly overweight and aged body around a 26.2 mile course in the fabulous city of London’. This year however they have properly called my bluff and come up with

place in late March each year and starts and finishes at the Coliseum.

She seemed keen to attend that one funnily enough.

It should be said, and regular readers will know this already, that I do run pretty regularly and have done a few half marathons in my time but a marathon, fairly obviously, is twice that length. I know how my poor old body feels after running for 13.1 miles so God knows how it is going to be after 26.2!!!

I have a little while until I have to start training in earnest so am endeavouring to lose a bit of weight first. I am currently a day in and I feel like I may have lost at least half a stone already. It may be wishful

“I know how my poor old body feels after running for 13.1 miles so God knows how it is going to be after 26.2!!!”

‘Yes you can drag that body around London even though it is eight years older than it would have been if we would have let you in the first time and, we notice, slightly heavier than previously’. I’m in. I have to run 26.2 miles on 2 October and look as if I am enjoying it at least a little bit.

I’m not going to lie, I had become quite comfortable with being a ‘lucky loser’. Another year passes and another rejection from London.

I had even had a conversation with my wife, the day before I found out, saying I wouldn’t be applying again after my inevitable rejection and would do one somewhere else…

Rome being the favourite, it takes 82 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

thinking but I’m sure I can see the beginnings of a six pack and the intense hunger I feel must have made some difference surely?

The training is quite a commitment.

You might think that training for a marathon could or would be just double the training you do for a half. Apparently not. In actual fact it’s quite different and a bit more intense. If I struggle though I should be able to get some wise words of advice from my family as my dad has done it a few times as has my sister. I’d like to be able to say that I’ll be trying to break a family record but my dad has done sub 3hrs and my sister has done just over which

is incredible. I, dear reader, will be happy if I can finish. Yes I just want to finish the thing - any time welcome!

Instead I shall have to be content with the family record for eating cake. I’m not sure there is one to be honest but if there is I’m confident I could break it!

I will, every now and then, keep you up to date with my progress and although I am a little apprehensive I am also looking forward to it enormously and, more importantly, looking forward to a huge, record breaking, cake at the end of it.

Phil Rockliffe