The West Wilts Magazine - October 2022

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

Welcome

I’m wriring this month’s introduction just a few days after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The world seems the same and yet so different without her seeming everpresence. Last weekend I sang ‘God Save The King’ for the first time and was surprised to find myself deeply moved by the language of an anthem I’ve heard and sung a thousand times before.

The queen was given an extraordinary state funeral befitting her position as the longest-serving monarch in our history. She led us with dignity, elegance and an incredible dedication to service and her loss has been felt deeply by people across the country, whatever their background. Now, as we move forwards, we shall no doubt see her son, Charles III, bringing the same dedication to service to the role.

As for our October edition we have some wonderful features for you to enjoy, from a bumper autumn interiors special (from p39), to an interview with local potato grower Derek Robinson (p36). We also have cheap eats recipes from The Food Wife (p33), a Christmas party booking guide (from p21) and we discover the first ever Wiltshire Wildlife Trust site at Blackmoor Copse (p58). So as usual there is lots to tuck into. Enjoy!

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Lisa Rockliffe, Editor

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LOCAL LISTINGS

What’s on in October 8

LOCAL NEWS

Little Kickers 13

Visit Corsham 14

The Bradfordians new play 14

Trowbridge Museum events 14

American Museum dinosaurs 16

The Pound this half term 16

FOOD & DRINK

Roasted Lemon Café 30

Eat the Seasons 32

Cheap Eats from The Food Wife 33

FEATURES

Lacock Photography courses 18

Christmas Cheers 21

Meet The Producer Derek Robinson 36

Home Pride feature 39 Blackmoor Copse 58

HOME & GARDEN

Garden jobs for October 56

LEGAL & FINANCIAL

The Residence Nil Rate Band explained by Wansbroughs 63

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Vitality Day Spa 67

BATH RUGBY

New club captain Ben Spencer 68

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES

Win a seasonal veg box from Lovejoys 32

That’s interesting... 70

Quiz, wordsearch & sudoku 72

COMMENT

The Last Word 74

listings local

MELKSHAM

ASSEMBLY HALL

OCTOBER 2022

Market Place, Melksham, SN12 6ES Box Office: 01225 709887 melkshamassemblyhall.com

MAJESTY

21 October, 8pm

Tickets: £28 (Concs £25) Majesty are, quite simply, one of the biggest and best Queen tributes in the world.

POUND ARTS CENTRE

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

LARKHALL

8 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £10 Larkhall presents a show combining new, classical, piano compositions with live visuals which are created by his music as he plays.

GONZO MOOSE: IS THAT A BOLT IN YOUR NECK?

14 & 15 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £14 (Concs £12) Suitable for audiences from ages 8 to 80, the show is packed full of hilarious slapstick, verbal wit and magical illusion.

ROCK THE TOTS: SPOOKY FUN

17 October, 11am & 2pm

Tickets: £7 (under 2s go free)

Don’t worry - nothing too scary for the babies and littles... or grown-ups for that matter! But there will be some

seasonal bangers - think Monster Mash, Thriller and The Cranberries to name a few.

ADRIEN BRANDEIS

19 October, 1pm

Tickets: £8

Adrien Brandeis is a pianist, composer and arranger based in Paris who is musically very open, his influences are multiple!

CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS

20 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £12 (Concs £10) One of the best loved and most prolific female duos to come out of this country.

LADY NADE

21 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £12 (Concs £10)

Lady Nade is soaring into Autumn with her Folk and Americana chart top third album release ‘Willing’.

JESSICA FOSTEKEW: WENCH

22 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £14 (Concs £12)

Jess was nominated for the Dave Edinburgh Comedy Award with her last show Hench, and she won Best Show and Best Breakthrough Act in the Chortle Awards 2020.

TOWN HALL ARTS

Market Street, Trowbridge BA14 8EQ

Tel: 01225 774306 trowbridgetownhall.com

THE FINN COLLINSON BAND

8 October, 8pm

Tickets: £10

The Finn Collinson Band seamlessly blend old and new music, creating a refreshingly innovative take on contemporary folk.

AN EVENING AT THE MUSICALS 2 19 October, 7pm

Tickets: £9 (Concs £6)

Show tunes from old and new hit musicals including Westside Story, Chicago, Sound of Music and more.

LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN

22 October, 8pm

Tickets: £7

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

Lady Nade (Pound Arts)

image © Steve Nash

Lucky Number Seven have worked their way up to being the prominent local grunge-rock band in Trowbridge.

HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA:

START THE SIRENS

29 October, 8pm

Tickets: £5

Local band Start the Sirens perform two sets. One of original material and one of classic covers!

WILTSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE

Ashley Rd, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1DZ

Box Office: 01225 860100 wiltshiremusic.org.uk

JENEBA KANNEH-MASON

7 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: from £10.50

Finalist in the BBC Young Musician Keyboard Category in 2018, nineteenyear-old Jeneba Kanneh-Mason has cemented herself as one to watch.

THE ROYAL BALLET: MAYERLING

12 October, 7.15pm

Tickets: from £10

This Royal Ballet classic depicts the morbid obsessions of Crown Prince Rudolf set amongst the oppressive glamour of the Austro-Hungarian court in the 1880s.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE: AIDA

16 October, 2pm

Tickets: from £10

Power struggles and toxic jealousies amidst a modern, totalitarian state.

KATHRYN TICKELL & THE DARKENING

21 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: from £13

The band bring some of the oldest Northumbrian tunes and songs to life, intermingling them with new material and binding it all together with contemporary resonance.

LEONORE PIANO TRIO

22 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £21

Chamber music delights from composers old and new.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE: LA BOHÉME 23 October, 2pm

Tickets: from £10

In Paris, 1900, penniless writer Rodolfo believes that art is all he needs until he meets Mimì, the lonely seamstress who lives upstairs – and so begins a timeless love story.

INSPIRING BACH

29 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: from £12 Spiritato return to WMC with a concert featuring music and composers admired by Bach himself.

NEELD ARTS CENTRE

High Street, Chippenham SN15 3ER

Tel: 01249 446699 neeld.co.uk

OLD TIME SAILORS

6 October, 8pm

Tickets: £15

A night of sea shanties, rum, dancing, shenanigans and good times.

THE TOM PETTY LEGACY

15 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £18

Experience Europe’s No. 1 tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW

20 October, 2.30pm

Tickets: £14.25

Delve into Eric Carle’s bright and colourful world as his beloved stories are transformed from the page to the stage.

GARY DELANEY: GARY IN PUNDERLAND

23 October, 8pm Tickets: £21.50

Dive into a rabbit hole of great jokesstar of Live at the Apollo and sell-out sensation Gary Delaney is back!

THE ATHENAEUM CENTRE

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

THE DUKE (Cert 12)

5 October, 7.30pm Tickets: £5.50

The uplifting true story of a good man who set out to change the world, and managed to save his marriage.

THE UNRAVELLING WILBURYS

15 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £18

The Unravelling Wilburys play the songs of 1980s supergroup ‘The Traveling Wilburys’ and also dip into the back catalogue of each of its’ members.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT!

25 – 29 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £15

This heart-warming, uplifting adventure where all involved find far more than they ever hoped for.

FROME MEMORIAL THEATRE

Christchurch St West, Frome, BA11 1EB Tel: 01373 462795 fmt.website

SUGGS: WHAT A KING CNUT – A LIFE IN THE REALM OF MADNESS

8 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £30

After his first tour-de-force, smash hit, sell-out tours with ‘My Life Story’, Suggs is treading the boards again.

THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY

29 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £23.50

The biggest and the most successful theatre show celebrating the lives and career of Folk/Rock sensation Simon and Garfunkel.

CHEESE & GRAIN

5 The Bridge, Frome BA11 1AR

The Duke, cert 12 (The Athenaeum Centre)

Box Office: 01373 455420 cheeseandgrain.com

MOSCOW DRUG CLUB

6 October, 8pm

Tickets: £14

A curious musical place where certain elements of 1930’s Berlin Cabaret, Hot Club de France, Nuevo Tango & Gypsy Campfire meet.

MAD DOG MCREA

8 October, 8pm

Tickets: £20

A unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music.

BLANCMANGE

15 October, 7pm

Tickets: £28

British electronic band Blancmange first broke through in the early 80’s

with their mix of synthesiers and surrealism.

NED BOULTING - RETOUR DE NED

16 October, 7pm

Tickets: £28

A very rough guide to the tactics (pedal faster) and challenges (not pedalling fast enough) needed to win the biggest bike race in the world.

STEELEYE SPAN

18 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: from £29.50

Led by the iconic vocals of Maddy

Prior and with a six piece line-up featuring some of the most skilled musicians on the UK music scene.

BETH NIELSON CHAPMAN

19 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: £32

Beth’s Fall Tour is coming to the Cheese & Grain!

FLEETWOOD BAC

21 October, 8pm

Tickets: £16.50

The UK’s most authentic Fleetwood Mac tribute show.

THE FREDDIE & QUEEN EXPERIENCE

28 October, 8pm

Tickets: £16.50

The Freddie & Queen Experience return by extremely popular demand.

LIGHTNING SEEDS + BADLY DRAWN

BOY

29 October, 8pm

Tickets: £36.50

The iconic band from the ’90s plus the Mercury Prize-winning singersongwriter Badly Drawn Boy.

Send

VILLAGE PUMP

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

THE OFTEN HERD

7 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: from £10

Bluegrass band The Often Herd transcend the traditional boundaries of the genre.

MATT OWENS

21 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: from £8

British born singer-songwriter and musician Matt Owens first came to prominence as a founder member of indie-folk band Noah and the Whale.

MIKE DENNIS

28 October, 7.30pm

Tickets: from £6

A classically-trained violinist whose boyhood love of Run DMC, Beastie Boys, and Gangstarr led him to create a unique kind of string-heavy hip hop.

OTHERS

SHAKESPEARE LIVE: COMEDY OF ERRORS

Various venues: 15-22 October. See website for venues and times.

Tickets: £14

Coming soon to Frome, Corsham, Calne, Chippenham and Bath, this sparkling farce is a roller coaster of wit, romance, physical comedy and mistaken identities, as two sets of twins cause mayhem in ancient Ephesus when their lives and loves become almost inextricably tangled. shakespearelive.com

HANDEL’S CORONATION ANTHEMS

15 & 16 October, see website for venues and times.

Tickets: £12

Bradford Choral are performing Handel’s Four Coronation Anthems at Holy Trinity Church in BOA and at St Mary’s in Steeple Ashton with an interlude by celebrated organist Peter King. Email secretary@ boachoral.org.uk. boachoral.org.uk

to

Ned Boulting (Cheese & Grain)

Little Kickers teaches football in a fun, pressure-free environment - giving children a positive introduction to sport as a whole. With the right coaching football can stimulate imagination and aid early development skills such as learning colours and numbers, taking turns, sharing, growing together, following instructions and playing as part of a team.

Little Kickers has four different classes tailored to different age groups from 18 months - 8 years. Every class is structured slightly differently to accommodate the specific age groups. Little Kickers believe in a ‘Play not Push’ policy that helps children settle in without the added pressure and expectation to succeed with a fun-filled football programme created in a pressure-

free environment, guided by high quality coaches who are qualified sufficiently to be able to deliver classes to your children.

Little Kickers West Wiltshire classes take place on Saturday mornings at John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge.

Little Kicks (18months - 2½yrs): 9.15am-10am Junior Kickers (2½ - 3½yrs): 10.10am-10.55am Mighty Kickers (3½ - 5yrs): 11.05am-11.50am

Mega Kickers (5 - 8 yrs): 12 noon-

TIME TO DISCOVER CORSHAM

The historic market town of Corsham sits on the edge of the Cotswolds and is the perfect spot for a visit at this time of year. Discover Corsham Court (corsham-court.co.uk) with its free-to-wander glorious parkland; perfect for an early-morning autumn walk. Then, a short, treelined stroll from the Court takes

you towards the Pound Arts Centre, Corsham’s gallery, theatre, cinema and café bar (poundarts.org.uk), with a great programme of events coming up for the last part of the year, including November’s Magic and Mayhem Festival. Or you can head off for some retail therapy and early Christmas shopping: Corsham’s independent shops offer everything from collectible comics to gloriously different gifts. You’ll also find delicious places to warm up in front of a roaring fire as you stop for a drink and something to eat .

And there are peacocks… lots of peacocks! Come and discover Corsham this autumn – there’s two hours’ free parking to enjoy too. See the website or find Corsham Town Council’s Facebook page for more info. • visit-corsham.co.uk

BLITHE SPIRIT

The Bradfordians drama group’s next production is being performed from 3-5 November at St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon (7.30pm).

Following the dramatic production of ‘Macbeth’ in the Tithe Barn in late June, the Bradfordians next production promises to be more light-hearted.

Fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine has re-married but is haunted by the ghost of his first wife Elvira, who has been called up by a visiting ‘happy medium’ Madame Arcati. As personalities clash, humour ensues, and Charles is confronted with new spirits to contend with. For tickets go to the Wiltshire Music Centre website or call 01225 860100.

• thebradfordians.com

HALLOWEEN AT TROWBRIDGE MUSEUM

At Trowbridge Museum

you can discover 1000 years of the town’s history. Discover how Trowbridge was shaped by the scale of production and quality of its West of England woollen cloth and became the county town of Wiltshire.

Explore the diverse and exciting programme of activities, art and craft workshops, free exhibitions and talks. Whether it’s art and craft workshops, free exhibitions, local events or engaging talks, you’ll find them all at Trowbridge Museum.

During the half term break, children can enjoy a variety of free activities including Children’s Crafts (25 October), Trick or Treat Baskets (26 October), Ancient Egypt History Day (27 October), Pumpkin Carving (28 October). Then on the evening of Friday 28 October head along in

your scariest outfits for ‘Stumpy’s Spooktacular Night In The Museum!’ Join the spooks parade outside the museum door (there will be a prize for the best costume), then enjoy a torch lit spooky museum hunt and strange goings on in the museum. There will be Halloween themed

games and crafts and a selection of suitably revolting refreshments for you to enjoy! 5.30pm – 7.30pm. Suitable for ages 6 plus (all children must be accompanied by an adult) £5 for one child or £8 for two.

• trowbridgemuseum.co.uk

Kids can enjoy lots of fun activities at the museum

A peacock in Corsham parkland

© Viki Hess

image © Roy McDine

DINOSAUR DAY OUT THIS HALF TERM

On Sunday 2 October the American Museum & Gardens will host a free Dinosaur Day Out in partnership with Bath Children’s Literature Festival. Visit the fantastic exhibition, Hatching the Past: American Dinosaur Explorers, and dress up as a mini palaeontologist, grab a magnifying glass and follow the footprints into the past. You’ll

discover jaw-dropping dinosaur skeletons and lots of hands-on activities including our super fun dig pits. Enjoy dinosaur storytelling, family craft activities and the Children’s Garden and parkland, as well as delicious street food stands.

This Halloween children can visit dressed in a favourite costume throughout October half term for a real American Trick or Treat experience. During 22-30 October, follow a child-friendly trail through the historic Manor House on a scavenger hunt for magic potion ingredients. Tiptoe though spooky rooms where a visiting witch and wizard have made themselves at home and collect a Halloween teat. Explore the decorated autumnal gardens and find the creation station in the Stables for seasonal activities.

And it’s never too early to begin planning Christmas! This festive season sees the return of The Enchanted Garden of Light from 1-31 December, a sparkling trail of illuminations throughout the spectacular grounds. Early booking is recommended.

• americanmuseum.org/Christmas

HOLIDAY FUN AT THE POUND

The fantastic worlds of literature and theatre collide this October half-term at The Pound with stage adaptations of two beloved children’s books as well as a celebration of one of the world’s greatest authors!

The week kicks off with Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers, an

interactive and immersive show from Get Lost and Found. All over the world Roald Dahl’s words are disappearing! Help The Ancient Guild of Taletenders save the stories before they’re gone forever! 24 October, 11am & 2pm (Ages 6+).

Then there’s Christopher Nibble, an uplifting story of one guinea pig’s

selfless undertaking to help halt the disappearance of the delicious dandelion from the town of Dandeville! Adapted from Charlotte Middleton’s book by Tops Turvy Theatre, expect handmade puppets, original music and stunning scenery. 25 October, 11am & 2pm (Ages 2-7).

Finally, Long Nose Puppets and Annie Brooks present DU IZ TAK? A tiny tale told by tiny creatures about BIG ideas. Come and peer into a miniature world of little puppets in this funny, imaginative, and thoughtprovoking show about the cycle of life. 26 October, 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm (Ages 5+).

For tickets and more show information visit the website, email box.office@poundarts.org.uk or call 01249 701628.

• poundarts.org.uk

Get Lost and Found: Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers

SEASONAL SHOTS

Fiona Turnbull, co-owner of LACOCK PHOTOGRAPHY, talks about why autumn is her favourite time of year to take photos, especially in Lacock village.

Seasons are particularly important to photographers, greatly impacting the atmosphere of the photos you take. Summer means endless light, warmth, hustle and excitement, spring is all about flower shots, symbolising new plans and possibilities, and winter, due to the short dark days, results in inspiration being harder to come by (unless it is snowing of course!). To me, despite the predictable bittersweet nostalgia at the end of summer, I actually take more photos in autumn than any other season, and here are just a few of the many reasons why:

MORE TIME

A consequence of autumn’s shorter days is longer blue and golden hours. The sun’s trajectory being much lower means the time of golden light and long shadows are significantly longer than in the summer. Having this bigger window of opportunity is so useful when I happen upon a special photo opportunity - I’m not dashing about to make the most of it, I can relax and take my time,

enabling me to compose the very best shot.

Lacock, being such a tourist hot spot, is very busy over summer, but things dramatically quieten down with the cooling days. When taking photos of Lacock’s wide streets, historic buildings and gentle rural landscapes, less people around is definitely an advantage! The peaceful air around the village gives you the space to focus on your images, which in turn results in more accomplished photos.

CHANGEABLE WEATHER

We Brits are known for chatting about the weather, and although we might complain about too many rainy days, I think our weather’s evershifting states makes life a little more interesting. Whilst taking photos of Lacock Abbey over the summer, the bright light and blue sky always make for an attractive image, but all my photos come out pretty much the same. Photographing this same

scene throughout the autumn, with varying backdrops of dark clouds, rainbows, drizzle, mist and fog, the tone of my photos changes from one day to the next and there’s something quite special in that.

AUTUMN COLOURS

Autumn is full of beautiful rich reds, golds and oranges, and these colours contrasted with green fields and blue skies always make for a breathtaking image. The heart of Lacock village looks particularly lovely on an autumn day, with colourful leaves collecting on antiquated streets setting off the redbrick, timberframes and rubblestone of Lacock’s seven centuries worth of buildings. Just when you think Lacock can’t get any more picturesque!

Lacock Photography is running lots of photography workshops coming up, so have a look on our website if you’d to join us in Lacock for a memorable autumnal day out.

• lacockphotography.com

As Lacock gets quieter, so it gets easier to photograph its streets, buildings and landscapes

Autumn is full of rich reds, golds and oranges

Wiltshire Inns features two historic town centre properties that both offer character and charm alongside a warm friendly welcome. Both hotels are great places to head for drinks with friends or to enjoy some tasty homemade food in a friendly atmosphere.

The Swan Hotel is a charming grade II listed coaching inn located in Bradford on Avon near Bath.

Known locally for its traditional pub food and selection of ales, The Swan is also home to The Thai Chilli Restaurant renowned for serving mouth-watering authentic Thai cuisine and pub classics 7 days a week. It is open for breakfast from 8am and serves food all day until 9pm.

The Swan also offers 12 stylish and well-appointed rooms making it the ideal place to stay when visiting Wiltshire or Bath.

This gorgeous 14th century coaching inn is a great place to socialise. With a mix of local residents, hotel guests and tourists the inn has a vibrant atmosphere with animated conversation, live entertainment and plenty of comfortable seating.

The bar offers a range of local beers and is renowned for its fine selection of whiskies and spirits including over 20 gins for you to sample at your leisure!

The hotel also boasts The Thai Chilli Restaurant, where the team of Thai chefs serve up delicious homemade Thai food alongside the pub’s traditional menu.

Cheers

Here are some great venues for catching up with friends and family this festive season...

THE BREWERY INN

Seend Cleeve, Seend

As well as taking bookings for Christmas parties inside the pub, The Brewery Inn also has some fab fully heated yuletide pods available for hire to celebrate in style. When it comes to food, this village pub specialises in great tasting traditional fare, and this is evident throughout their Christmas menu; it is full of classic Christmas combos and is available from 26 November23 December. So expect starters like warm bread and farmhouse pâté, traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings and of course delicious Christmas pudding with brandy cream to finish! See their Facebook page for further details!

01380 828463 | fb.com/breweryinnseend

to accommodate parties large and small (up to 30 as a group). Their three-course menu will offer all the usual favourites including turkey, Christmas pudding et al and there will be inviting options for vegans and vegetarians too.

01225 832137 | dogandfoxinn.com

FARMHOUSE INN

Frome Road, Southwick

This family friendly destination in Southwick is great for Christmas get-togethers. The pub, which has a 5* Scores On The Doors rating from Wiltshire Council, is open daily for snacks, lunch and dinner, serving a wide range of homecooked meals and using local produce wherever possible.

smoked mackerel paté with melba toast and chutney to start, slow pot roast of beef with horseradish dumplings for mains and raspberry & meringue roulade for pudding. 01225 764366 | farmhousesouthwick.co.uk

THE OLD HAM TREE

Ham Green, Holt Landlords Steph and Sam run a pub that offers a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and tasty, fresh good value food. It is a Wadworth pub, so you can expect to find a tasty pint, and their Cask Marque accredited beers include 6X, IPA, Horizon and Swordfish. The pub itself is grade II listed, with lovely features that include a cobbled carriageway, exposed beams and brickwork and two wood burning stoves.

THE DOG & FOX INN

Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon

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 this Christmas they are available

With their dedicated function room and large car park, The Farmhouse is also an ideal venue to host a Christmas party – call and speak to Janet, their events co-ordinator –for more information. Their menus start from £23.95 for 2 courses and £27.95 for 3 and include the likes of

They are now taking Christmas bookings, offering a menu that includes traditional crowdpleasers like prawn cocktail, roast turkey and Christmas pudding as well as a delicious sounding smoked salmon and dill pâté, homemade fisherman’s pie and sticky toffee pudding. They can cater for parties up to 32, and the prices are great value too. The menu will be served from 1 – 24 December, and spaces are filling up fast. The menu is priced at £24 for 2 courses and £29.50 for

"With their dedicated function room and large car park, The Farmhouse is also an ideal venue to host a Christmas party"

The Brewery Inn has fab heated pods

The Old Ham Tree is known for its warm welcome and tasty food

3 and their smaller portion option offers 2 courses for £20 and 3 courses for £24.

01225 782581 | theoldhamtree.com

THE OLD BELL

Market Place, Warminster

The Old Bell sits in the centre of Warminster and offers a great selection of local beers alongside premium lagers and ciders. It is also known for its great selection of whiskies and spirits including over 20 gins for you to sample with your choice of mixer!

During the winter months the large open fire is lit daily providing a wonderful atmosphere in which to enjoy drinks and food and the hotel offers a variety of private dining and reception areas that lend themselves to a great Christmas party. From an intimate dinner party to an elaborate shindig, they have an environment fit for every occasion.

When it comes to food The Old Bell offers locally sourced produce, beautifully prepared dishes so expect fantastic traditional fare from their Christmas menu which will be online ASAP! To find out more email info@ oldbellwarminster.co.uk

01985 216611 | oldbellwarminster.co.uk

THE RAVEN Poulshot, nr Devizes

The Raven is a much-loved traditional village pub at the heart of the village of Poulshot, strongly supported by the locals and recommended by those who appreciate traditional hospitality, good beer, and local, seasonal food.

Alongside real ale from the nearby Wadworth Brewery, The Raven is also proud to serve produce from the local farm shop, including Poulshot Lodge Farm’s own grass-fed beef.

Throughout December, a special Christmas menu will be available with something for even the most discerning palette. Highlights include confit lamb shoulder and duck leg pie with roasted sweet potatoes, Scottish salmon wellington, and of course the traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings.

RISING SUN LACOCK

32 Bowden Hill, Lacock

The Rising Sun is an old, stone-build country pub with a farmhouse kitchen, original flagstone floors and a huge 5-acre garden. The Christmas party menu is priced at £22.50 for two courses or £27.50 for three and includes traditional fare as well as options like beetroot, prosciutto and goat’s curd salad, roast fillet of hake and dark chocolate and peanut caramel tart.

The Raven

"Throughout December, a special Christmas menu will be available with something for even the most discerning palette."

Make sure you leave room for the sticky toffee Christmas pudding with brandy set cream, eggnog brûlée, or 70% Belgian dark chocolate tart. Whether you choose two dishes for £28.95 or three for £33.95, there is plenty of Christmas cheer on tap.

01380 828271 | theraveninnpoulshot@gmail.com

Set on top of a hill, it has wonderful scenic views and boasts cosy, weatherproof dining pods. With space for up to 10 diners your group can enjoy the views for lunch or dinner from the restaurant menu whatever the weather! To book email hello@risingsunlacock.co.uk or call 01249 730363.

01249 730363 | risingsunlacock.co.uk

The Rising Sun's dining pods have amazing views

RISING SUN NORTH BRADLEY

Woodmarsh, North Bradley, Trowbridge 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.

Their Christmas menu is full of crowdpleasers like homemade Silton and broccoli soup, a choice of turkey or topside of beef with chipolatas and pigs in blankets and Christmas pudding with brand butter and your choice of cream or custard. Priced at £19.95 for two courses and £35.95 for three courses it is great value, and children under 12 are half price!

01225 776545 | therisingsun-northbradley.co.uk

and access to an outdoor terrace for a fun, safe environment for a simple festive shindig!

01225 868686 | theswanbradford.co.uk

THREE DAGGERS

Westbury Road, Edington

With a pub, inn, farm shop and microbrewery the Three Daggers is well worth the trip over to Edington near Westbury. Holding two AA rosettes, it was the AA Pub of the Year England 2019 – 2020.

parties they can offer either Festive Nibbles and drinks or a sit down meal, catering for groups of up to 50 people. Depending on your party’s size you can eat in the restaurant or opt for one of the exclusive dining spaces for a more private celebration. Call the team or email hello@threedaggers.co.uk for more details or to book!

01380 830940 | threedaggers.co.uk

THREE HORSESHOES

High Street, Chapmanslade

The Rising Sun, North Bradley

THE SWAN HOTEL

1 Church Street, Bradford on Avon Bradford on Avon’s famous town centre hotel is open all year round, and their Alpine Bar is a great venue for an informal Christmas get together. It has fun après ski atmosphere, indoor and outdoor space, mulled wine, hot chocolate, special cocktails and fun food all in a unique alpine setting.

Alternatively for a party with drinks and finger food you can also book the Cellar Bar. It is available with a fully stocked bar and includes a sound and light package, all you need is a device with your own playlist (or they can even provide that!) and you have an amazing party venue with plenty of space

The pub offers a warm welcome and cosy snug for dining as well as a light and airy conservatory. There’s a private dining and meeting room, and beautiful countryside views are all around. When it comes to Christmas

The Three Horseshoes is a charming country pub in the heart of the beautiful village of Chapmanslade between Frome and Westbury, just off the A36. The pub offers comfortable seating around an inglenook fireplace and benefits from extensive views through the valleys of Cley Hill and Longleat, and a stable conversion with a mezzanine level that lends itself perfectly to hosting private parties.

Over the years, this fully refurbished freehouse has gained an impressive reputation for its freshly cooked food, its carefully selected range of beers and wines and its friendly, efficient service. If you are looking to celebrate in style they offer tasteful decoration, a tantalizing menu and a warm festive atmosphere. Their party

“Their Christmas menu is full of crowdpleasers like homemade Silton and broccoli soup”

The Alpine Bar offers an après ski atmosphere in Bradford on Avon

The Three Daggers is warm and inviting

CHRISTMAS

MENU

2 COURSES £25 / 3

STARTERS

Celariac, Chestnut & Truffle Oil Soup w. herby croutons

Bloody Mary Mayo Prawn Cocktail w. brown bloomer bread

Treacle Mushroom & Spinach Arancini w. salad sour cream & chive

Wholegrain Mustard & Honey Glazed Chicken Wings w. rocket

MAINS

Roast Turkey wrapped in panchetta with pigs in blankets & all the trimmings

Herb Crusted Cod Loin w. buttered new potatoes & seasonal veg

Treacle Cured Roast Beef in Yorshire Pudding (served rare)

Vegan Tart w. roast tomato, butternut squash, spinach, sautéed new potatoes, house salad garlic espuma & beetroot toille

DESSERTS

Lemon & Lime Posset

Christmas Pudding w. brandy cream Syrup Sponge w. custard

Profiteroles filled with cream & served with chocolate sauce

menu is available until December 23rd and they can accommodate parties up to 70 people. Dishes include all the usual festive fare plus the likes treacle mushroom and spinach arancini start, herb crusted cod loin for mains and lemon and

lime posset for pudding. Tempted?!

01373 832211 | threehorseshoes.uk.com

THE WESTBROOK

Westbrook Road, Bromham, Chippenham

Under the stewardship of owners

Kevin and Louise Fraser, The Westbrook has established a great local reputation for its wide range of superb value pub classics, including meat from the grill, chicken, vegetarian offerings and top-notch specials. They are also super family friendly, with lots of play equipment for kids, as well as a great children’s menu, small plates, cups and cutlery.

The Westbrook is now taking bookings for the festive season and their Christmas menu (2 courses £29.99, 3 courses £34.99) caters for everyone, with classic options oak smoked salmon mousse, roast turkey and Christmas pudding plus great alternatives like roasted rack of lamb and festive crème brûlée –delicious!

Find The Westbrook in Bromham, a minute from the Devizes to Chippenham road.

01380 850418 | westbrookbromham.co.uk

ROASTED LEMON

We hear you have recently opened a new cafe in Bath...?

Yes we have a new coffee shop in Sydney Gardens, which sits at the end of Great Pulteney Street near the Holburne Museum. We are based at the main entrance of the gardens, which have recently been renovated and look fantastic. It is a great place for families - it's a beautiful setting and has lots for children to explore. We've been here all summer and will be staying on site all through autumn and winter - we have a menu full of warming stews and soups coming soon.

What's on the menu?

We have stayed true to our Roasted Lemon roots so we are serving Greek delicacies, our famous lemonade, vegan baklava, homemade pasties and light lunches. You can also find pitta wraps - classic Greek street food - cakes and some British style cakes with a touch! We have some vegan options available and treats for children too. We are also open for breakfasts so you can grab a coffee and breakfast bap on the way to work or maybe pick up one of our Mediterranean style sausage rolls to have for lunch!

Can we eat in?

The cafe is small so we don't have any indoor seating, however there are a few tables available and people can enjoy their coffee and lunch in the beautiful gardens!

Do you still offer catering?

Yes we can cater for special events like birthdays, corporate buffets, wedding receptions and wakes.

We also offer family meals and pre-ordered bespoke menus including things like Greek pies (spanakopita, feta pie etc) and traditional Greek puddings like baklava, bougatsa and more.

Where do you source your ingredients?

We use great local ingredients wherever possible. I love shopping and buy our meat from S&L Banable Butchers and my vegetables from

Superstokes, both on Moorland Road in Bath. I want to support small local shops that have great products.

What size parties can you cater for? I can cater from small groups up to 60 people.

To find out more call 07429 239606 or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

• roastedlemon.co.uk

Lisa Rockliffe caught up with chef/patron of Roasted Lemon MARIA GRIGORIADI to find out more about her brand new cafe...

Roasted Lemon's new coffee shop in Sydney Gardens

Enjoy coffee and cake in the beautiful gardens

Roasted Lemon also offers a catering service

seasons eat the

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

The rainfall we had at the beginning of September did the power of good to all leafy vegetables, even late crop potatoes that were still green and growing benefited after all the extremely dry weather we’ve had. As I write in mid-September we could benefit from another downpour! They say what goes up has to come down eventually, but it will probably come all at once and be too heavy for the soil to absorb!

October is an important month for our potato grower to lift his entire crop and store for winter. Read our Meet the Producers interview with him in from page 36. He grows Maris Piper for us, which is most preferred by our chefs for their quality. They are a great potato for roasting, chipping and mashing. Other varieties are available for the same use but Maris Piper remains a favourite.

Autumn raspberries take centre stage now as UK strawberries are starting to phase out.

Autumn vegetables are now abundant whilst salads are moving down the pecking order. We will be promoting local squashes

gave them. It is often hard to remember by next summer (for me anyway!). After such a dry year if you have any guttering on your shed or

“Life around the garden and allotment is all about harvesting, reflecting and planning for next year.”

and pumpkins to our customers, restaurants, hotels and cafes. Root veg will have matured to its best although we know parsnips and sprouts taste better after the first frosts. (More on that next month).

Life around the garden and allotment is all about harvesting, reflecting and planning for next year.

I suggest thinking back on the crops that were easiest to grow for the best return! If you tried something this year that did not work at all, maybe give it another go with a different variety. For those of you with small space and maybe you have used grow bags, this is often the best way to grow tomatoes and cucumber, just spend some time thinking about the variety you grew this year and how much sun or shade you

garage it’s well worth investing in a water butt if you don’t have one, so you’re full up ready to go next year.

Two of my favourite foraging crops are crab apple and horseradish, plenty of recipes for these online, even great YouTube videos if you prefer to watch.

Neil neil@lovejoyswholesale.com @lovejoysuk @lovejoysuk

• lovejoyswholesale.com

WIN A VEG BOX!

For your chance to win a delicious veg box full of seasonal goodies simply email photos of your beautifully carved/ decorated Halloween pumpkins to enquires@lovejoyswholesale. com by 31.10.22. Lovejoys can also arrange for the winner to have a look around their warehouses to see how all their fresh veg makes it from farm to fork.

CHEAP EATS

This month FRAN STEVENS, aka The Food Wife, offers up some delicious inexpensive meals to try this autumn - they all take 30 mins or less to make too!!

MUSHROOM & SPINACH CURRY

Serves 6

This curry is vegan and gluten-free so suitable for a range of dietary requirements. It’s also super tasty and warming so ideal for these cooler autumn evenings. Make sure you only add the spinach at the very end to ensure it keeps its bright green colour.

For a creamier curry, replace the creamed coconut block/vegetable stock mix with a 400g tin of coconut milk, and make up to 700ml with vegetable stock or water.

Ingredients

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 white onion, thinly sliced

650g mushrooms, cleaned & halved

2 inches of ginger, grated

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tbsp ground coriander

1 cinnamon stick

5 tomatoes, roughly chopped

150g red split lentils

700ml vegetable stock (vegan/gf if required)

75g creamed coconut block (added into the vegetable stock)

200g spinach (fresh / frozen)

Salt to taste

Method

Begin by gently frying the onions in the coconut oil, until soft. Next add the mushrooms and allow them to cook a little, soaking up any of the remaining oil.

Stir in the ginger and ground spices and cook out for a minute. Next add the tomatoes and lentils, giving everything a good stir, then pour in

the vegetable/coconut stock. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the lentils are soft (about 20 minutes).

Finish by adding the spinach. If using fresh add a handful at a time and allow it to wilt into the curry, before adding the next handful, and so on. Season to taste with salt and then it is ready to serve with rice or flat breads.

SWEET POTATO, SQUASH & RED LENTIL SOUP

Serves 8

This is a big vat of soup which is simple to make but warming on these cold days. It is lightly spiced, packed full of vegetables and pulses and when blended has a lovely and smooth, almost velvety consistency.

The soup is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan so it is suitable for a range of diets and is also fairly low on calories too (I worked it out to be below 200 calories a portion).

Ingredients

2 tbsp oil

1 white onion, roughly chopped

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground ginger

700g sweet potato, peeled and roughly cut into large dice

400g butternut squash, peeled and roughly cut into large dice

250g red lentils

2 litres vegetable stock

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Heat a large pan on a medium heat and add the oil and onion. Cook for

about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the spices and stir, cook for about 30 seconds and then add the vegetables, lentils and stock.

Bring to a simmer and then cover with a lid and cook until the vegetables are softened and the lentils are soft (about 25-30 minutes).

Blend until smooth and then season to taste.

SWEET PEPPER SAUCE

Serves 4-6

Often in supermarkets you’ll find bumper bags of peppers, which are smaller or misshapen and so are sold in bulk at a much cheaper price. Usually there will be a plethora of green peppers in these bags, but the other day I found ones full of red and yellow peppers. I knew exactly what I was going to do with them; make a versatile sweet pepper sauce that would be the perfect accompaniment to pasta, or lamb, or a firm white fish.

Here is the recipe; it can be scaled up or down as necessary and it can be portioned up and frozen. We had it

stirred through pasta and adorned with pieces of soft goats cheese and fresh basil. It was really delicious. I’m looking forward to the next time I find such a bag, as I’ll definitely be making this again!

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil

1 red onion, finely sliced

Approx. 700g peppers, halved, deseeded, cut into thin strips

3 cloves garlic, crushed/minced

2 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp sweet paprika

3 tomatoes, cut into small dice

1 tin of tomatoes, chopped

A pinch of sugar

1 tsp red wine vinegar

Salt and pepper

Method

Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and add the onion. Cook gently for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

Next add the peppers and continue to cook and stir for 20 minutes.

Stir through the garlic, herbs and spices and cook for a further five minutes.

Add both types of tomatoes, along with the vinegar, sugar and seasoning and cook for 10 more minutes.

• thefoodwife.co.uk

BOYDS FARM

Lovejoys Wholesale's NEIL MORTIMER speaks to DEREK ROBINSON from Boyds Farm in Corsham, supplier of all their Maris Piper potatoes!

How did the family come to settle in Corsham?

My father and his siblings came over from Northern Ireland during The Troubles and all started farming in various areas of the UK. My father Andrew settled in Corsham.

Why Corsham?

There were limited farms for sale and my uncle actually ended up in Scotland! My father chose Corsham as the soil was good and he liked the area. We have Cotswold soil here, and it is especially good for potato

growing, albeit rather stony. Thankfully modern machinery can deal with that.

What varieties do you grow? We grow Marfona, Wilja, red Desiree and Maris Piper (Lovejoys has most of our Maris Pipers).

Our chefs really love Maris Piper as they are so versatile. How are they grown?

We plant in April as soon as the soil becomes warm enough, harvested in

September/October and stored inside throughout the winter. By the following summer they are all gone ready for the next crop.

"Like many farms we also now have a small farm shop where you can come and buy our potatoes by the bag"

What does the farm specialise in Besides growing potatoes and cereals we breed pedigree Hereford bulls! Like many farms we also now have a small farm shop where you can come and buy our potatoes by the bag and we run a bed and breakfast too.

Who in the family is involved in running the business?

Robert my son and Sally my wife

Derek with one of his Hereford bullsThey grow a few varieties of potatoes

are active in the business and they both run the farm with me. Sally was in a farming family near Calne so understands the industry and ‘living on the job’ so to speak. It is nice to work alongside your son but it is impossible to go on holiday together when there are livestock to be tended to every day.

When are your busiest times of year? Spring and autumn are our busiest times for planting and harvesting respectfully. They are also our favourite times of year, particularly the spring as it is good to get planting after the winter months.

Do you enjoy what you do? We do, it is all we know and we do it because we love living and working the land.

We've talked about Maris Pipers but which is your favourite potato variety? Wilja is our family favourite and of course the best way to have them is roasted!

What are your biggest worries as a farmer? Our biggest worry is always the weather, will we get enough rain, will we get enough sun, then will we get disease in the crop etc. All aspects of farming has its worries!

We hope you have enjoyed this piece on Boyds Farm, one of our main suppliers. They are a really reliable producer that never lets us down. If you are a chef who would like to talk to us about using Boyd Farm's lovely produce in your menus please get in touch via lovejoyswholesale.com where you can see our full range of products.

Boyds Farm supplies almost all of Lovejoys potatoes

Boyds Farm also breeds pedigree Hereford bulls

HOME PRIDE

If you are looking to improve your home this autumn/winter then some of these local experts are sure to be able to help...

Annie Sloan wall paint in Tyrian Plum, fireplace and skirting in Oxford Navy

FURNITURE & DESIGN

AVALON INTERIORS

Westway Shopping Centre, Frome Running a local furniture making business for over 30 years means that Sarah, owner of Avalon Interiors, knows their well-designed and well-made furniture will stand the test of time in any home.

Specialising in made to order painted pine and oak cabinet furniture, Avalon Interiors offers a large selection of furniture for the whole home in choices of paint colours and oak finishes few can rival.

With all the cabinet furniture being made in their own local workshop, using solid wood, you can be confident of the provenance and hand-made craftsmanship that goes into each piece.

"Specialising in made to order painted pine and oak cabinet furniture, Avalon Interiors offers a large selection of furniture for the whole home"

Avalon’s showroom displays are set out in stunning inspirational room sets designed to help you explore the many options available. They are enhanced with home accessories from around the world like mirrors, lamps, cushions, throws and much more. The relaxed environment enables you to browse at your leisure and the friendly staff are on hand to answer any questions you may have. As well as a large range of standard pieces across several differently styled collections, any item of furniture can be customised to precisely match your requirements. They also offer free local delivery. 01373 466414 | avaloninteriors.co.uk

5 TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION WITH STEPHEN GRAVER

1. Think about what inspires you Bring along your inspiration to give us an idea of what inspires your love for design, colours or textures. If you’ve no idea where to start, don’t worry. Our first meeting will find out more about what you like and don’t like and how you want to use the living space and then guide you through potential styles, colours and textures to create your vision.

2. Have an open mind It’s great to have ideas and a vision for your space. We encourage you to be a part of the process as much (or as little) as you want to be. Our job is to listen to you and provide unique solutions that are tailored around your lifestyle and needs.

3. The b-word Consider your real budget before you arrive and be open about it! This is absolutely not to give us a target to work towards, but so that designers don’t waste your time with products that don’t fit your needs.

4. Textures and colours Think about your current home

ELITE BEDS & MATTRESSES

1&2 Windsor Drive, Devizes Elite Beds and Mattresses has a wide selection of beds, mattresses and bedroom furniture for sale at the lowest prices.

Elite’s sales staff have almost 20 years’ experience providing expert advice to help you get the best bed for your budget. Meanwhile, their buyers ensure they stock top quality ranges including Hypnos and Dormeo, providing the best possible comfort at the most competitive price.

Elite has a wide variety of products to choose from, whether you’re after

décor, furniture and even your clothes. Do you see bright colours and clean lines? Or do you see warm tones, natural materials and classic themes? To compliment your existing palette or establish a space that evolves where you can be braver and bolder in your choices to really make a statement?

5. Making every day easier Think about the little things that would help to make your day flow more smoothly and how it influences your appliance or design choices. Consider what ‘challenges’ you want to resolve and let your designer consider the solutions. • stephengraver.com

a new mattress, an ottoman for your living room or a racecar shaped bed for your little one. You can buy from the showroom in Devizes or online, and they even offer FREE next day delivery on hundreds of beds, mattresses and designer furniture. The showroom is open MondaySaturday 9am to 5pm and evenings and Sundays by appointment. 01380 887943 | elitebedsandmattressesdirect.co.uk

A Deep Sleep divan from Elite

Stephen Graver can transform your home

PERFECT ROOMS & INTERIORS

Silver Street, Gastard At Perfect Rooms & Interiors, they take pride in their reputation for quality, hand crafted work, and great customer service. Established by Sue Coleman, who has more than 30 years’ industry experience, they have expanded from tailor-made soft furnishings to home accessories, wall coverings, flooring, furniture supply and an inhouse upholstery and furniture making service. They also supply furniture brands Whitehead Designs and Vincent Sheppard and top lighting brands.

Perfect Rooms specialises in soft furnishings including tailor made curtains and blinds, made in their own local workroom. They stock a number of branded fabrics, wallpapers and paints in their Gastard showroom, less than a 5-minute drive from

“Perfect Rooms specialises in soft furnishings including tailor made curtains and blinds”

the centre of Corsham, and they co-ordinate with trusted tradespeople to provide decorating, flooring and carpentry services. Whether a small or full interiors project, they can help. They also offer a range of coffees and teas to complement a variety of homemade cakes. Whether you are interested in having a consultation or perhaps just passing by, pop in for a browse and treat yourself to a coffee!

As well as Perfect Rooms, if you fancy a trip to nearby Melksham they also have @Home with Perfect Rooms, a boutique home interiors store offering designer home furnishings, fabrics, homeware, blinds and curtains and more.

01249 716445 | perfectrooms.co.uk

SOFA CO PLUS

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

As well as sofas, you can also expect to find mirrors, lighting, throws and cushions plus they are now displaying home office desks and chairs and some exclusive pieces of artwork; offered in amazing colours to brighten any room. Now is an ideal time to pop in and take a look – Tom will put the kettle on! 01985 847031 | sofaco.co.uk

THE ROSE GARDEN

41-42 Vallis Way Frome

The Rose Garden is a local independent design studio that supplies paint, wallpaper and fabrics from well-known brands such as Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Mylands, The Sanderson Design Group, Designer Guild, Johnstones, Paint and Paper Library and more, most of

which can be mixed while you wait.

The Rose Garden is equipped with a dedicated design studio and a huge array of tools to help you put together your perfect design in a calm and friendly environment. Not only that but you can also arrange a one-to-one consultation with one of the owners, Jemima or Jennie, both of whom have a wealth of knowledge and experience along with a passion for interior design. They will soon be introducing home visits where they can help you visualise your ideas in situ.

As a company they are dedicated to selecting brands that are passionate about being environmentally sound, with the businesses they stock paying attention to their carbon footprints and selling low VOC and environmentally friendly products. 01373 228388 | rosegardenfrome.com

The Rose Garden is a local independent design studio based in Frome

Sofa Co is an independent furniture store

Perfect Rooms & Interiors

Perfect Rooms & Interiors provide a superior design service that fuses your ideas and our creative expertise.

With a passion for interior decor, we create stunning design schemes that will complement your home or business.

All aspects are covered from floor to ceiling including paints and wallpapers, curtains and blinds, luxury fabrics, upholstery and designer flooring to appeal to your tastes.

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS

ACTIVE PLUMBING SUPPLIES

Riverway Industrial Estate, Trowbridge Active Plumbing Supplies supplies plumbing products for trade and retail customers, stocking anything to do with bathrooms and heating.

Active Plumbing Supplies also offers advice to customers on bathroom design and layout. Manager Martyn Johnson said, “We are more than happy to help customers with any plumbing advice they need. The showroom helps gives people ideas for how they can transform their bathroom or cloakroom, and our staff are also on hand if customers want any tips or advice on their design. We also offer free local delivery.”

Along with all the other services it provides, Active Plumbing Supplies can also recommend plumbers to customers who have jobs that need doing and provide contact details for them. Mr Johnson added: “As part of the personal touch we provide we can point people in the direction of plumbers for certain jobs. We can recommend the best company to speak to depending on what they need doing. You don’t get that from your big DIY warehouses.” 01225 765000 | activeplumbingsupplies.co.uk

BATHROOMS AT NO. 5

5 The Shambles, Bradford on Avon When it comes to innovation and stunning design, Bradford on Avon’s Bathrooms at No. 5 offers all you could possibly need all under one roof. The company, which has been established for over 10 years, has a boutique style showroom that combines a fantastic range of products with a warm, professional service and innovative approach to bathroom design and installation.

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

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

LARA WILLMORE from AXFORD INTERIORS has over 15 years Interior Design experience. Here she suggests a few reasons you might consider calling in an interior designer…

You can spend hours searching through social media, flicking through design magazines and traipsing around home stores. The ideas are there – but something is missing? How do you find a way to make the different elements cohesive and fit the brief? Do you know your brief?

While searching for inspiration and ideas, we often miss the crucial point – why are we actually re-doing this room? What is the function of the space and is it practical? Your home should not only look amazing and suit your needs, but it should also be a reflection of your personality and style. Add to the mix the trends and looks that inspire you and we have a basis to begin.

When you hire a designer, their main aim is to assist you to realise the brief and bring the elements together for you to achieve the solution while also considering budget. While the process can seem daunting, they will use their experience and contacts to get you to the end point quicker, take away the stress or the time-consuming web browsing and effectively hold

your hand through the creative process! Redesigning a room should be a positive experience, exceptional interior design doesn’t happen through chance.

At Axford Interiors we offer various levels of design advice depending on what you need. From a full room layout and designs to mood boards and colour schemes, to a collection of fabric and wallpaper samples and a bit of advice to finish the room. It usually always begins with a cup of tea and a chat! Give us a call and see how we can help you.

07749 707056 | axfordinteriors.co.uk

Active Plumbing Supplies has

An interior designer can help focus your ideas and bring them together

fuss, yet with the maximum care and expertise.

01225 309110 | bathroomsatno5.co.uk

FORMOSA

Ham Green, Holt Formosa offers a full design, supply and installation service with a friendly, knowledgeable and personal approach. The design team can guide you through the process of designing and creating the room of your dreams whilst the installations manager can liaise and organise the fitting of your perfect space. Between them they have more than 60 years' industry experience and share a passion for design and quality.

With a large stunning showroom in Holt, between Bradford on Avon and Melksham, Formosa has the necessary experience and tools to create the perfect kitchen, bathroom or bedroom with you, no matter your budget or style. They work with top UK brands like Crown Imperial & Lifestyle and Quantum Kitchens featuring Origins, Aluma and Elegance ranges. When it comes to bathrooms, they offer luxury brands such as Catalano, Villeroy & Boch, Novellini shower enclosures, Adamsez baths, Vado

& Flova brassware and accessories alongside many others. They can also help with flooring, supplying both Karndean vinyl flooring and Villeroy & Boch tiles. You’ll find examples of all these companies’ ranges on display within the showroom, and they also have a large range of samples to help with creating a mood board for those all-important finishing details.

01225 308541 | formosakbb.co.uk

by Quantum as well as their Hacker Kitchens, custom made in Germany. The latest solid quartz, acrylic and timber worktops are stocked too. If you are looking for a change but need some ideas as to what you could do, or even if you know exactly what you are looking for, pop into their newly refurbished showroom in Warminster to take a look around.

01985 219200 | myhomemaker.co.uk

HOMEMAKER

5-6 George Street, Warminster Homemaker is a family owned independent company supplying kitchens and electrical appliances from all the major manufacturers from their shops in Warminster and Shaftesbury. As an independent Homemaker pride themselves on giving good reliable local service to their customers at very competitive prices. As well as stocking a great range of top appliances, Homemaker is probably best known their British made kitchens

PM BINES

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

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

Whatever you have in mind, give PM Bines a call or email marble. bines@btconnect.com and they can invite you in for a chat about your requirements.

01225 782888 | pmbines.co.uk

"Homemaker pride themselves on giving good reliable local service to their customers at very competitive prices."

PM Bines' craftsmanship is renowned

Formosa offers a full design, supply and installation service

CARPETS & FLOORING

ALLSOP CARPETS

Corner Garage, Christchurch Street West, Frome

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

01373 463866 | allsopcarpets.co.uk

Some people like to browse by themselves whilst others like a little help. Whatever your needs sales representative Alli will be on hand to help you to create the space you are dreaming of.

They supply various tiles, ceramic, porcelain, large and small that can be installed inside and out and as an official Karndean supplier, they can supply LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) a stylish alternative to floor covering, available in wood and tile effects.

They have recently added another LVT option from Distinctive Flooring, giving customers even more choice!

If you are installing yourself

TILE & FLOORING

Yeoman Way, Bradley Road, Trowbridge

At Tile and Flooring Trowbridge they pride themselves on offering a one-stop solution for all your needs. From your walls to your floors, they can help you transform your home. They have a wide selection of example tiles and vinyl in store so you can see and feel the quality and its true colour plus their sample service allows you see your chosen wall or flooring coverings in situ.

Tile & Flooring also carry all the equipment to get the job done including adhesive, grouts, spacers and tools!

01225 760044 | tileandflooringtrowbridge.co.uk

ZERO DRY TIME

Home visits

Zero Dry Time specialises in cleaning carpets and hard floors, making your home a clean, green and stain free environment. Their cleaning solutions are designed to minimize drying time and maximizing your time to enjoy your home.

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

Alternatively your furniture that could do with a spruce up. Zero Dry Time can help with upholstery too. Their cleaning system works on all manner of fabrics, including leather, and is also designed to dry almost immediately, so you don’t have to wait to use your furniture again. Call free for a free no obligation quote. 0800 180 4116 | nick.coyle@zerodrytime.com

"Zero Dry Time dry clean carpets with a solution that is safe for your baby, family, pets and allergy sufferers."

Cormar's Apollo Comfort available at Allsop Carpets

The Tile & Flooring showroom

DIY & MAINTENANCE

DAVIES OF WESTBURY

24 Edward Street, Westbury

If you are busy with DIY this autumn then head to Davies of Westbury. A family run business for over 40 years, they are very experienced serving the local community. Their DIY department is fully stocked, plus they have logs and fuel to keep you cosy as the days get colder. If you are redecorating they stock a large range of both well-known brands such as Stanley, Harris and Dulux and budget decorating supplies as well as a range of Weathershield, gloss and satinwood. If you are tidying up in the garden they keep a wide variety of gardening products to suit your every need including high quality brands like Wilkinson Sword or Faithfull.

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

0845 291 6015 | daviesofwestbury.co.uk

EJ SHANLEY & SON LTD

Trowbridge & Warminster

If you are having works done on your home or garden, consider giving EJ Shanley & Son a call to see about a skip. A family run business for over 50 years, they can provide you with a reliable and professional skip hire service. Their extensive range of skips mean they can accommodate any request for waste removal. They have a huge fleet of lorries and a large selection of skips and compactor bins for hire, as well as roll-on roll-off bins, a car breakers yard and a metal reclamation centre.

01225 753333 / 01985 213348 | ejshanley.co.uk

MAGIC SPARKS

Home visits

If you need a local electrician for a domestic or commercial project then give Magic Sparks a call. Owner Dan offers a free no obligation quotation and can help with the likes of EICRs (Landlord certs), fuse box upgrades, full rewires, smart controls and EV car charging installations. He can even help with kitchens and bathrooms, garden and outbuilding work. Magic Sparks covers Wiltshire and Somerset so give Dan a call and arrange a visit to your project.

07525 841700 | fb.com/magisparkselectrical

If you are looking to invest in your home then give P F Parsons Ltd a call to discuss your project. Whether you want an extension or conservatory with doors that open out onto a beautiful new patio, new kitchen or bathroom or just update your property do contact P F Parsons Ltd to discuss your ideas. They have an extensive portfolio available to provide inspiration and it can always be viewed on their website.

01747 820422 | pfparsons.co.uk

SOVEREIGN DAMP & TIMBER

Ingoldmells Court, Edinburgh Way, Corsham

Sovereign Damp Proof & Timber Ltd is based in Corsham and has been providing services throughout the South West since 1981. Established for 40 years, they are renowned for their high quality of workmanship and reliability.

PF PARSONS LTD

Home visits

P F Parsons Ltd Building Contractors are based in Hindon and have been established for 37 years. The company carries out all types of building work including New Builds, extensions and refurbishments, property maintenance, garden rooms, conservatories and patios.

"If you need a local electrician for a domestic or commercial project then give Magic Sparks a call."

P F Parsons Ltd carries out all types of building work

Before and After Sovereign Damp & Timber

Sovereign offer injected damp proof courses, timber treatments including beetle infestation, wet rot and dry rot treatments, basement waterproofing (including Delta membrane systems) and general maintenance.

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

01249 716161 | sovereigndpc.co.uk

WINDOWS & BLINDS

HARPER’S BLINDS

Home visits

Edward Harper first opened the doors to Harpers back in 1964, first in Westbury and later in Trowbridge. Not far off 60 years later and he is offering a complete home service with free measuring and fitting and samples supplied.

They have a huge range of fabrics available to choose from and all kinds of blind options from Roller and Venetian to expertly made Roman blinds and curtains. They even offer Perfect Fit options, and with 50 years in the business, are true experts in their field – this is a business built on recommendation. For a free no obligation quotation call Edward today.

07305 293716 | harpersblinds.co.uk

NEW WINDOWS

Station Road, Warminster

With energy prices so high there has never been a better time to replace faulty or leaky windows and doors. By replacing single glazed windows and doors with energy efficient glazing you could save hundreds of pounds a year on your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, make your home less draughty and insulate your home against unwanted outside noise.

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

"They have a huge range of fabrics available to choose from and all kinds of blind options from Roller and Venetian to expertly made Roman blinds and curtains."

Harper's Blinds

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

01985 215566 | newwindowsltd.co.uk

THE SHUTTER SPECIALIST

Home visits Rob Cole is The Shutter Specialist. Covering Wiltshire, Somerset and Hampshire, Rob has been designing and installing beautiful bespoke shutters since 2015. The process begins with an initial consultation that takes around an hour to complete, with no high-pressure selling tactics involved. Rob says, “On the rare occasion shutters are not suitable I will tell you, I would rather not make a sale than have an unhappy customer. My business is built upon recommendation, and that means doing what is right for each customer and their home. Designed and installed correctly, shutters will last a lifetime – they are a great investment.”

To arrange a no obligation free consultation call Rob today or go to his Facebook page to see a selection of finished installations.

07887 938623 | salisburyshutters@gmail.com

The Shutter Specialist has been designing and installing bespoke shutters since 2015

GARDEN JOBS

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

7 Prune climbing roses If left, climbing roses can become a tangled mess of branches with very few flowers. Although often considered complicated, rose pruning is not difficult if you follow this guide. Advice can be found on the RHS website.

1. Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants Division will guarantee a plant identical to the parent and is the most common method of propagation. It is also good practice to divide established crowns about once every five years if they have become weak or overcrowded.

2 Cut back perennials that have died down Trimming perennials after flowering finishes in autumn helps improve their appearance and flowering. However, you can leave some stems over winter to provide homes and food for wildlife, and then trim back in spring.

3 Divide herbaceous perennials

Most perennials benefit from division every two to three years to maintain health and vigour. If you want to increase the number of plants you have by dividing them, the task can be done more regularly.

4 Move tender plants into a greenhouse or conservatory A conservatory is the ideal place for overwintering tender perennials and marginally hardy plants from the

garden. Tropical plants and exotics can be moved inside during autumn after a spell in the garden through the summer months.

5 Plant out spring cabbages Plants from seeds sown in July/ August can be planted out now. Space 10cm (4in) apart, in rows 30cm (1ft) apart, then thin out to 30cm (1ft) apart in late February/March.

6 Harvest apples, pears, grapes and nuts If handled carefully and placed in the right environment, fruit from your garden may be stored for several weeks, or even months. So, with a little planning, you could be eating your own apples at Christmas.

8 Finish collecting seeds from the garden to sow next year Collect ripe seed on a dry day, as soon as the seedheads ripen. This is often indicated by a colour change from green to brown, black or red, but must be before they open and shed their contents.

9 Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges in mild areas You can continue to mow the lawn so long as the grass is still growing. Keep mower blades high so the grass looks neat but isn’t weakened by being cut too short as temperatures fall.

10 Renovate old lawns or create new grass areas by laying turf Autumn is the time to examine lawns for signs of summer wear-and-tear, and treat if necessary. At this time of year, any treatment has time to take effect before temperatures fall and growth stops.

Divide herbaceous perennials to maintain vigour and increase your stocks

Harvest and store apples, pears, grapes and nuts

BLACKMOOR COPSE

In recognition of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's 60th anniversary, this month we are focusing on its first ever reserve, BLACKMOOR COPSE near Salisbury.

Blackmoor Copse is a hugely important habitat for wildlife

© Steve Day

Nestled off a country lane six miles east of Salisbury lies Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s first ever nature reserve. Sixty years ago, Blackmoor Copse is where it all started, and the Trust has been the proud custodian of this wildlife-rich area since its beginnings in 1962.

Blackmoor Copse has been a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1971 and is one of the most important woods in Wiltshire for wildlife, particularly for rare butterflies and dormice. The gently sloping site is criss-crossed by woodland paths and has a circular route for easy walking. In 1998, the Trust bought the neighbouring five hectares of White’s Common, which now forms part of the nature reserve. Although not part of the SSSI, it is rich in flowers.

This month, visitors can enjoy the first shades of autumnal colours in the trees, kick through drifts of fallen leaves, forage for berries and spot a multitude of fungi.

In spring and summer, glades and paths are sprinkled with wildflowers such as violets, primroses, bluebells and common spotted orchids. The flowers attract a host of butterflies – out of a total of 59 species of

butterfly found in the UK, around 25 species can be found on this one nature reserve! Keep an eye out for the spectacular purple emperor, the pearl-bordered fritillary, the silverwashed fritillary and the Duke of Burgundy.

Dormice scamper through the tree canopy in their hunt for fruit and nuts. Look for nibbled hazelnuts on the woodland floor and the occasional nest box among the branches. Shy muntjac, roe and fallow deer hide among ancient oak trees.

In spring, King Charles pond is a popular breeding place for common toads and newts. In summer, dragonflies and damselflies dart above its surface.

Throughout the year, the copse is home to well-camouflaged woodcocks; if you hear any drumming it will be the great spotted woodpecker.

To prepare for your visit, you can find all the pre-arrival information you need here: www.wiltshirewildlife. org/blackmoor-copse-salisbury.

Salisbury What3Words: ///fell.workloads.chap

• Free & open to visit 24 hours a day

• Dogs on leads are welcome

• Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs

• Can be wet in places

• Total hectares: 36.81

• wiltshirewildlife.org

"Blackmoor Copse is one of the most important woods in Wiltshire for wildlife."

Blackmoor Copse is home to dormice and rare butterflies

King Charles pond is a popular breeding ground for toads and newts

Pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly

© Steve Day

© Steve Day

© Chris Riley

THE RESIDENCE NIL RATE BAND TAX RELIEF EXPLAINED...

Kathryn Smith Cowap, a Partner at Wansbroughs explains how our home, often our most valuable asset, may hold a potentially valuable tax relief.

WHAT IS IT?

The Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) is a tax-relief available to the estates of deceased UK homeowners who have left their property in their Will, or as part of an intestacy, to a direct descendant on their death.

WHO ARE DIRECT DESCENDANTS?

Direct descendants include children (including step-children, and adopted children), grandchildren or other linear descendants and the spouses or civil partners of linear descendants.

Nieces, nephews or siblings are not considered direct descendants.

HOW MUCH RELIEF IS AVAILABLE?

The RNRB is currently capped at £175,000 for estates worth less than £2million. The amount of available RNRB is reduced by £1 for every £2 by which an estate exceeds £2million. The RNRB may also be transferred between spouses and both allowances used on the second death if it was not previously claimed, creating a combined relief of £350,000.

HOW DO I CLAIM RELIEF?

The RNRB must be claimed directly from HMRC during the administration of an estate.

If you would like more information on the RNRB, please contact Wansbroughs on 01380 733300 or at wealth@wansbroughs.com. • wansbroughs.com

Partner Kathryn Smith Cowap

The team at Vitality Day Spa excitedly invite you to visit on Monday 3 October to meet classical singer Carly Paoli! Find out more about her sensational career, including her Royal Variety performance and her many other incredible experiences, whilst enjoying light refreshments and nibbles from 12:30–15:00.

There are certain moments within the year when stress levels can elevate. One of these is the resumption of busy lives following the summer holidays when returning to work and school can be a little full on. At this time we need moments to ourselves to relax and fully embrace the change of season. Vitality Day Spa’s ‘Hello Autumn’

offer adds a little upgrade to some of their most popular treatments.

For only an additional £5, you can upgrade the following treatments for an extra 10-minutes and enjoy something a little extra:

Personally Designed Facial (£63 for 50-minutes) & additional foot scrub & massage (with upgrade).

Three Point Massage (£62 for 50-minutes) & additional hand scrub & massage (with upgrade).

Indulgent Hand or Foot Care (£65 for 60-minutes) & additional shoulder & neck massage (with upgrade).

All of these are available to enjoy until 31 October 2022.

• vitalitydayspa.co.uk

NEW

Bath Rugby has confirmed Ben Spencer as club captain for the 2022/23 season. The 30-year-old has made over 50 appearances for the Blue, Black and White since making a try-scoring debut against London Irish in 2020.

Spencer is favourite with supporters, winning the Bath Rugby Supporters’ Club Unsung Hero and Player of the Season awards, and is a determined individual who drives high standards within the group.

Ben has previously held a leadership role at the club and has previous experience of being on-field captain during his time at The Rec.

“Ben is a fantastic player, but most importantly a fantastic man,” Head of Rugby Johann van Graan said.

“He is a highly respected individual in our squad and cares deeply about his teammates, the support staff and Bath Rugby.

“On the field he is a competitor, leads by example and is a quality communicator, not only through word but via his actions too.

“Ben is consistent in his approach week-by-week and continues to push everyone to be the best version of themselves. We are delighted he will be our captain for the 2022/23 season.”

On being given the captaincy, Spencer said: “I’m hugely proud and honoured to be captain of the club.

“Ever since I joined the club it’s been an aim of mine to be in the leadership group. There are a lot of strong leaders within this group and

hopefully we can work together this year and get the boys firing.”

EUROPEAN CHEALLENGE CUP

European action for Bath this season will come in the form of the European Challenge Cup. 20 clubs – eight from the United Rugby Championship (URC), six from the TOP 14, five from the

Gallagher Premiership and South African side the Cheetahs (who are competing on an invitational basis) will be taking part in this year’s competition. Bath’s draw is excitingcoming up in December are backto-back fixtures against Glasgow Warriors and Toulon.

Before that though Johan van Graan’s side need to put right a bad start to the season if they are to encourage fans that real improvements have been made after finishing bottom of the premiership last season.

• bathrugby.com

Bears

Ben Spencer has been named club captain this season

half BEN SPENCER

Johann van Graan

CAN YOU GUESS THE CORRECT DEFINITION?

1) NURT

a) to ignore

b) nothing

c) to nourish

2) RUNAGATE

a) a coward

b) a tramp

c) an urchin

3) SLADE

a) ill-balanced, shaky

b) a ridge in ploughed land

c) the last and least willing sheep to be sheared

4) QUIDDING

a) chewing the cud

b) bemused

c) pargeting; waterproofing plastering applied to building walls

SINISTRAL

(of or on the left side or the left hand.)

Most of us are right-handed. Once again, it’s the odd ones out who get noticed. Left-handed people have been variously described as mollydukered, corrie-fisted and skerryhandit (Scotland); car-handed, cack-handed and cowie-handed (North East dialect): kay-fisted, kibbo, key-pawed, high‘ammered, caggy-ont (Lancashire):

cuddy-wifter (Northumbria) kay-neeaved or dolly-posh (Yorkshire dialect); keggy (East Midlands) and Marlboroughhanded (here in Wiltshire), while awk (1440) is an old English word which means ‘with or from the left hand’ and thus the wrong way, backhanded, perverse or clumsy (hence awkward).

Of course the word 'sinister' also derives from the Latin word for left-handed. The association of the directional left with evil is likely attributed to the dominance of right-handed people within a population and consequently the strangeness of motions made from the left side of the body.

Power of

WILL PRICES: £75+VAT SINGLE, £100+VAT

If you have money or property and become unable to deal with your affairs because of an accident or illness your assets may be frozen. If you have a stroke, or develop Alzheimer’s, your family may have to apply to the courts to deal with your affairs. This can be expensive, may take a year or more to complete and a large sum of money may have to be deposited with the courts!

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

TEA

ROMAN EMPEROR WORDSEARCH

SUDOKU EASY

Q1: In what year did the Western Roman Empire come to an end?

Q2: When did Julius Caesar die?

Q3: In ancient Roman cities, what was the marketplace and meeting area called?

Q4: Who was the emperor during the first year of the Pax Romana?

Q5: Which dynasty was founded by Vespasian? Be sure to include your contact details so we can get in touch with you if you are our winner!

THE END OF THE ELIZABETHAN AGE

Iunderstand you will not be reading this until October. I’m writing though on the 20th September, the day after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and although this piece at the back of our magazine is usually a fairly light hearted affair I feel as if it would be remiss of us not to at least reference in some way the end of the second Elizabethan age.

It was also solemn, poignant and incredibly moving.

As you would expect the Royal Family looked terribly upset and given that they are so used to keeping their emotions in check that they were so visibly distraught was a measure of the loss they clearly felt. Yes she was our Queen but first and foremost she was their

“ Yes she was our Queen but first and foremost she was their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.”

It is a measure of the esteem in which she was held that so many people queued for so many hours to pay their respects while she was lying in state. The whole nation came to a standstill and many, many people were very, very emotional, upset and distressed at her death. It seemed like the whole world was watching as the funeral took place, the BBC says that an audience of 4 billion people watched the coverage worldwide. It would be interesting to know, I think, how many people in the world actually have access to the footage! Given that there are approximately 7.7 billion people in the world what percentage of those that could watch actually did…my guess is that it would be pretty high.

For those who did watch it was an incredible spectacle of pageantry and a worthy celebration of the longest-serving and greatest monarch the world has ever seen.

mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother.

King Charles III now has the reins and then after him, all things being equal, it will be King William V. They have a big job to do, keeping the monarchy relevant to a whole new generation of people, many of whom weren’t born in this country and following in the footsteps of someone who was beloved by so many and respected by all.

Like many people I never met the queen but she always seemed to me to be a good egg. Somebody you could rely on and depend upon to do the right thing and always be there. That she now isn’t is a cause of sadness for me and for many others.

I have no idea whether there is life after death or not but the Queen was renowned for the strength of her faith. That means she is now

reunited with Prince Philip, her husband and soul mate for 73 years. What a lovely thought.

Rest easy Your Majesty and thank you for your unstinting and unwavering service to this beautiful little country of ours!

Phil Rockliffe