The West Wilts Magazine - January 2023

LISA ROCKLIFFE Editor

e: lisa@wired-publishing.co.uk

JANUARY ‘23 ISSUE 154

Published by Wired Publishing

Editor Lisa Rockliffe

Contributors

Fran Stevens, Phil Rockliffe, Neil Mortimer, Andy Diffey, Adam Jacot De Boinod

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Andy Diffey

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Front Cover: Grey Heron

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Welcome

Happy New Year everybody! January takes its name from the Roman god Janus. He is associated with new beginnings (as well as gates and doorways) and is often shown with two faces, one looking forward and one looking back. In the spirit of looking onwards, welcome to our first edition of 2023!

Getting fitter, eating better, and taking better care of ourselves in general is a perennial new year’s resolution topic and with the state of the world at the moment, self-care in all its forms has seldom seemed more important. Our ‘Your Good Health’ feature begins on p55.

The circumspection that comes in a new year has also inspired our Later Life & Retirement Planning feature - it is so essential to us all and well worth a read from p33.

If you fancy getting out and about and trying somewhere new, there can be few better things to do for body or soul than taking a wander around a wildlife haven like Lower Moor. find out more about this beautiful Wiltshire Wildlife Trust site from (p30).

As well as these features we speak to Fiona Turnbull from Lacock Photography (p14), have information from Chippenham Museum and Trowbridge Museum (p18), cover the latest events and exhibitions at Wiltshire Creative and Holburne Museum (p20) and much more besides. Enjoy!

Lisa Rockliffe, Editor

LOCAL LISTINGS

What’s

LOCAL NEWS

Marlborough College Summer School 16

Twelfth Night at Chippenham Museum 18

Christmas events at Trowbridge Museum

Wiltshire Creative spring line up

Alberta Whittle at Holburne Museum

FOOD & DRINK

The

FEATURES

HOME & GARDEN

LEGAL & FINANCIAL

HEALTH & WELLBEING

BATH RUGBY

© Carol Gadd

listings local JANUARY 2023

MELKSHAM

ASSEMBLY HALL

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

MELKSHAM RECORD FAIR

29 January, 4pm FREE

The record fair is back with more sellers, more vinyl, more memorabilia, more everything!

WILTSHIRE MUSIC

CENTRE

Ashley Rd, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1DZ Box Office: 01225 860100 wiltshiremusic.org.uk

WEST OF ENGLAND YOUTH ORCHESTRA

1 January, 7.30pm & 2 January, 3pm Tickets: £16 Concs £8

Celebrate the new year in the company of WEYO and three rising stars of the classical music world. Karen Ní Bhroin is joined by two fabulous young singers for an evening of opera and musical theatre. The programme will feature operatic classics from Carmen, La Bohème and La Traviata, as well as musical favourites from West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast and Les Miserables and many more!

ANDRÉ RIEU IN DUBLIN

15 January, 2pm

Tickets: £16 Concs £9 An evening of music and dance on the big screen. Start 2023 in style with

André Rieu in Dublin.

BRADFORD ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL DAY

21 January, 11am

Tickets: £22 Concs £12 Bradford Roots returns for a day of great music to warm away the winter blues. A true feel-good event, Roots is synonymous with community spirit, local talent and an inclusive atmosphere.

THE ROYAL BALLET: LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE

25 January, 7.15pm

Tickets: £16 Concs £9

A modern Mexican classic of magic realism. When Tita and Pedro fall in love, family tradition prevents their marriage: Tita must remain unmarried to care for her mother. Tita’s emotions

are transmitted to others through the food she prepares, and as her mood and life change, the consequences for all those around her become ever more startling.

POUND ARTS CENTRE

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

EMMA ABBATE & JULIAN PERKINS: DUALITY

11 January, 1pm

Tickets: £8

Pianists Emma Abbate and Julian Perkins have given duet recitals at many prestigious venues including the Royal Opera House. Hailed for their ‘impressive playing’ by BBC Music Magazine, they have recently released send your listings to

André Rieu in Dublin, Wiltshire Music Centre

Carl Maria von Weber’s complete piano duets on an original Viennese fortepiano for Deux-Elles.

SIMON BRODKIN: SCREWED UP

14 January, 7.30pm Tickets: £14 Fresh from his sold-out Edinburgh Fringe run world-famous prankster and Lee Nelson creator Simon Brodkin is back with an outrageous new stand-up show.

ROCK THE TOTS: AROUND THE WORLD

16 January, 11am & 2pm Tickets: £7

Come along with your wee adventurers for a fun, musical journey. Suitable for children aged 0-6 and their adults.

CAN CORSHAM BECOME WASTE FREE?

24 January, 7.30pm Tickets: FREE A talk lead by Corsham Climate action about what really happens to your recycling.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: THE CRUCIBLE

26 January, 7pm Tickets: £15

Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power. Captured live from the Olivier stage at the National Theatre.

ALISON WEIR: QUEENS OF THE AGE OF CHIVALRY

27 January, 7.30pm Tickets: £14

Using personal letters and wonderfully vivid sources, Alison evokes the lives of five queens: Marguerite of France, Isabella of France, Philippa of Hainault, Anne of Bohemia and Isabella of Valois.

CHARM OF FINCHES

28 January, 7.30pm Tickets: £14

Sister duo Charm of Finches from Melbourne, Australia, make haunted tunes about love, grief and

whispering trees; indie folk with many stringed things.

TOWN HALL ARTS

Market St, Trowbridge BA14 8EQ Tel: 01225 774306 trowbridgetownhall.com

MORE THAN A FELINE

6 & 7 January, 7.30pm Tickets: £15 Start the New Year with a smile on your face, come and watch Living Spit’s take on Puss in Boots.

MEMORIAL THEATRE

Christchurch St West, Frome, BA11 1EB Tel: 01373 462795 fromememorialtheatre.org.uk

GARETH GATES IN THE BEST OF FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS

28 January, 7.30pm Tickets: £32.50

A spectacular celebration of timeless music from one of the biggest-selling groups of all time.

NEELD ARTS CENTRE

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

HIS WAY - THE FRANK SINATRA STORY! 14 January, 2.30pm Tickets: £20

Robert Habermann sings the unforgettable songs and tells the remarkable story of Francis Albert Sinatra – from band singer to 1940’s pop idol.

SIMON & GARFUNKEL: THROUGH THE YEARS

21 January, 7.30pm Tickets: from £18.50 Critically acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest tribute shows, Simon & Garfunkel Through the Years continues to delight audiences across the globe.

send your listings to info@wired-publishing.co.uk

Emma Abbate and Julian Perkins, Pound Arts

Charm Of Finches, Pound Arts

ALADDIN-GROWN-UPS ONLY!

27 January, 7.30pm Tickets: £19

Have you ever watched a pantomime and wondered what mischief the cast would get up to if there weren’t any children in the audience?

THE ATHENAEUM CENTRE

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

MINARI (12A) 11 January, 7.30pm Tickets: £5.50 The ambitious Jacob relocates his Korean-American family to 1980s rural Arkansas to start afresh and live the American Dream.

TOP GUN: MAVERICK (12A)

25 January, 7.30pm Tickets: £5.50

After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell is back where he belongs, as a test pilot in the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School.

ALL FLOYD: THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON 28 January, 7.30pm Tickets: £20

All Floyd have meticulously recreated the sounds and effects from the original album to convey the very

essence of the original recordings and live shows.

CHEESE & GRAIN

5 The Bridge, Frome BA11 1AR Box Office: 01373 455420 cheeseandgrain.com

WESSEX MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

7 & 8 January, 10am Tickets: £6, children go FREE The show, held at their usual venue the Cheese & Grain, features a wide variety of layouts both Steam and Diesel, British and Continental, always something for everyone.

ABSOLUTE BOWIE

13 January, 8pm Tickets: £18.50

Absolute Bowie will take you on a musical journey through the greatest hits of David Bowie.

BRUCE JUICE - THE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TRIBUTE BAND

20 January, 7.30pm Tickets: £15

Bruce Juice are bringing a range of unique features to live gigs in the UK.

CEILIDH FUNDRAISER FOR FROME’S MISSING LINK

27 January, 7pm Tickets: £17

Come whirling and birling to the authentic sound of The Bigger Little Biggar Band.

MANIAC STREET PREACHERS VS STEREOIRONICS

28 January, 8pm

Tickets: £16.50

Maniac Street Preachers and Stereoironics come to Frome for a double-bill of Welsh rock!

OTHERS

TWELFTH NIGHT

7 January, 10.30am FREE

Chippenham Museum, 10 Market Place Chippenham BA13

On Saturday 7 January the museum explores all things Saxon. With the help of some inspiring re-enactors and a special performance by poet and musician Nick Harper, learn about life during the Anglo-Saxon period and discover Chippenham’s Royal connections and its role in the events of 878AD. More information and booking on the website. chippenham.gov.uk/chippenhammuseum

BEYOND GOLD - AN EVENING WITH GAIL EMMS MBE

26 January , 7.30pm

Tickets: FREE, booking essential Warminster School, Church Street, Warminster, BA12 8PJ

A former world badminton champion, five-time gold medallist and Olympic silver medallist, Gail reflects on a career that saw her rise to the pinnacle of her sport. warminsterschool.org.uk

send your listings to info@wired-publishing.co.uk

Top Gun: Maverick (12A) The Athenaeum

Absolute Bowie, Cheese & Grain

© Ash Tree Lake Photography

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY

With January the busiest month of the year for booking holidays, FIONA TURNBULL, co-owner of Lacock Photography, gives her top tips for travel photography to help you take the very best holiday snaps in 2023.

Try creating an alternative postcard shot that tells an authentic story of a place

monument. For me, the best travel photographs are about storytelling and portraying an authentic perspective of a place. So, don’t try to make your photos Instagram perfect by cropping out people or unsightly objects like rubbish on the street, try making these things a feature of your composition!

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Ialways ask my students what their motivation is for coming on a course, and a lot of the time people say they’d like to improve their travel photography, in preparation for an upcoming trip. So, if you’ve got an exciting excursion on the cards, do get in touch with us and we can recommend a workshop that will best suit you! In the meantime, here are a few of my top tips for travel photography to get you in the holiday mood!

CAMERA EQUIPMENT

Let’s start with some practical advice. First of all, you don’t need a digital camera to take stand-out holiday shots; photography is really not about having the best, most expensive equipment! So if you have a decent camera on your phone, don’t be afraid to use it! However, if you do have a digital camera and don’t mind carrying it around with you, your vacation snaps will be better quality, and therefore more likely to stand

the test of time. When I’m on holiday, I always pack my digital camera but only take one lens (my 24mm-105mm kit lens), as I don’t want to be overloaded with equipment. The 24mm-105mm lens enables me to take a great variety of images, it works well with landscapes, portraits and gives me a bit of a telephoto which helps with close up images.

AN ALTERNATIVE POSTCARD SHOT

When my daughter went on a trip of a lifetime to Egypt a few years ago, she asked my advice on getting the ultimate photograph of the pyramids. I suggested that whenever photographing iconic landmarks, try and put your own personal spin on things. My daughter took this idea and instead of attempting to replicate the perfect postcard shot, she decided to include fellow tourists, guides and local workers in her images, and so portraying a modern and personal view of this ancient

My favourite travel photos to take are close ups, I love elevating the little details of a foreign place. For example, when I visited Madeira last year, I took many close up shots in one wonderfully vibrant old street, which had hundreds of colourfully painted wooden doors. I of course took the travel magazine snap of the whole street, but my most treasured images of old town Funchal explored the details, focusing on a particular mural, decorative doorknob or even the flaky paint. One of the joys of travel photography, and indeed of travel itself, is observing the ordinary details and subtle differences of the places we visit.

To book a workshop with Fiona please see to the website.

• lacockphotography.com 1) do

One of the joys of travel is observing the differences in the places we visit

DISCOVER, CREATE, LEARN, CELEBRATE

If you’re looking for ways to make the most of your summer in 2023, look no further than the MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE SUMMER SCHOOL.

and recitals, outdoor theatre and comedy, to Gala Nights in the stunning Memorial Hall. This year they will be joined by Judge Rob Rinder, Countryfile’s Adam Henson, and will enjoy diverse musical performances from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, The Treorchy Male Voice Choir and the fantastic Abba tribute, ‘Revival’ amongst many others.

To browse the full line-up of courses and entertainment and book your place, visit the website.

• summerschool.co.uk

Between 9 July and 5 August 2023, the Summer School is bringing you what promises to be our most exciting year yet, with a vast array of courses & activities for all ages and interests. With fantastic entertainment, superb food & drink and all to be enjoyed in the magnificent surroundings of Marlborough

College, it is your chance to discover, create, learn and celebrate.

With adult courses ranging from’ Astrophotography’ to ‘Painting like Monet,’ ‘Picture Framing’ to ‘Japanese Cooking,’ and ‘Fly Fishing’ to ‘Greek in a Week,’ Summer School offers over 400 ways to discover, create and learn.

There is also a fantastic programme of activities for three to 17-year olds including a ‘Watersports Activity Week,’ ‘Drone-Coding,’ ‘Horse Riding,’ and an exclusive ‘Aston Villa Academy Training Camp.’

Summer School is not just about learning and discovery; it is also a celebration of the finest food prepared by our talented chefs, of delicious cocktails served by the bar team, and an exciting timetable of entertainment; from lectures

“Summer School is not just about learning and discovery; it is also a celebration of the finest food”

The Summer School has activities for

all the family

Rob Rinder is one of this year's special guests

talented

START 2023 AT CHIPPENHAM MUSEUM

On Saturday 7 January head to Chippenham Museum for their annual Twelfth Night celebration. With the help of some inspiring re-enactors and a special performance by poet and musician Nick Harper, learn about life during the Anglo-Saxon period and discover Chippenham’s royal connections and its role in the events of 878AD.

This winter exhibition celebrates the best in contemporary printmaking and the INK on PAPER PRESS, founded in Wiltshire by artist Amy-Jane Blackhall. This free exhibition ‘Contemporary Print & the Ink on Paper Press’, which runs from 10 December until 25 March, features works by Royal Academicians Emma Stibbon and Ann Christopher, alongside other innovative printmakers including

Celia Cook, Ian Chamberlain, and the late Michael Pennie. All of the prints on show were recently acquired through the Golder-Thompson Gift to Chippenham Museum.

Drop in during February half term for free family activities including printmaking on Tuesday 14 February and a special Canal Day on Thursday 16 February with the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust.

Chippenham Museum, a Chippenham Town Council facility, is open

Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm including bank holidays, with free entry. Find out more on the website.

• chippenham.gov.uk/chippenhammuseum

JOIN ‘THE WILD WAY HOME’ PROJECT

Trowbridge Museum is very excited to share news about a project starting this new year. Aimed at children, ‘The Wild Way Home’ is Trowbridge Museum’s contribution to the national ‘Wild Escape’ project, which aims to unite hundreds of museums and schools across the country in a celebration of UK wildlife and creativity.

‘The Wild Way Home’ is a collaborative project that shines a spotlight on the varied nature of the museum’s collection, focusing on its connection to nature, wildlife and the planet, delivered through a creative series of themed participative activities.

The project, which will run across England, is led by The Art Fund

and financed by the Arts Council England.

As an example of how Trowbridge Museum will be used as a starting point for events, the Hilperton Brownies and the 1st Hilperton Rainbow group are going to create some oral history around a mammoth tooth they have in their collection. They will also ‘redesign’ Trowbridge to make it suitable for Stumpy, the museum’s

beloved sheep mascot, who is due to ‘escape’ from the Museum (shh!!) and will need a habitat to live in!

THE WILD WAY HOME ACTIVITIES

Activities will include creative craft and poetry sessions, biodiversity surveys, online activities and much more. For instance, each week the museum will post activities and challenges on their dedicated Facebook group page. All you have to do is complete them and share a picture of your creations! The museum’s successful award from the Art Fund means all the activities can be offered for free to participating groups. The project runs through to 22 April.

• trowbridgemuseum.co.uk

Snowfield by Emma Stibbon

Trowbridge Museum

1000 years of history to explore as well as a full events programme for the winter season.

image © Roy McDine

SPRING AT WILTSHIRE CREATIVE

Wiltshire Creative is delighted to be lifting spirits in February with an Alan Ayckbourn classic ‘How the Other Half Loves’ (9 February - 4 March) inviting audiences into a comedic world of dysfunctional marriages, domestic drama and infidelity. Artistic Director Gareth Machin directs one of Ayckbourn’s best loved plays, set in the 1970s –

his follow up to Relatively Speaking, which previously staged at Salisbury Playhouse in 2019.

Following this the company will co-produce Noel Coward’s ‘Brief Encounter’ (31 March - 22 April), with New Wolsey Theatre in association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre – a dazzling adaptation of this renowned love story by Emma Rice.

Wiltshire Creative is also very excited to present ‘The Tempest’ (24 May - 4 June) in Churchill Gardens. Residents are invited to take part in this fantastic outdoor theatrical event – in either a backstage capacity or, for those interested, a chance to perform alongside the professional cast too.

Gareth Machin said: “We are really looking forward to these superb productions at the Playhouse and co-producing with New Wolsey Theatre for Brief Encounter and our outdoor production of The Tempest will be a real treat.”

Alongside these in-house offers, there are some fabulous visiting works both at the Playhouse and Arts Centre, check out their website for more details.

• wiltshirecreative.co.uk

JANUARY AT HOLBURNE MUSEUM

There is an exciting new exhibition starting at Holburne Museum this January: ‘Alberta Whittle: Dipping below a waxing moon, the dance claims us for release’ runs from 27 January to 7 May. This major exhibition, Whittle’s first museum show, combines new worksculpture in the form of limbo dancers, poetry and existing film. Barbadian-Scottish artist Alberta Whittle, fresh from representing Scotland at the Venice Biennale, explores a variety of themes including hospitality, relaxation and post-colonial healing alongside some uncomfortable truths about Britain, Bath, and the Holburne.

You can also sign up to see Alberta Whittle in conversation with curator Will Cooper about her exhibition.

This event takes place on Friday 27 January at 7pm (Tickets £10). Drawing on their long-term working relationship, the conversation will explore Whittle’s practice of promoting self-compassion and collective care as key methodologies

in fighting anti-Blackness, and how these ideas manifested in this beautifully thought-provoking new show. Tickets are available through the website.

• holburne.org

Alberta Whittle

LEARN NEW SKILLS IN THE KITCHEN

The Cooking School is a unique culinary school at The Old Silk Works in Warminster offering cooking lessons, gift vouchers, children’s parties, team building and private hire of a modern kitchen space.

Fully accessible, the Cooking School offers a warm, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere complete with an informal dining area to enjoy your culinary creations with new-found friends. Whether you are a kitchen novice or worthy of a Masterchef title, you will find a lesson or a course to help you improve your skills in the kitchen. You might even find the kitchen is familiar to you – it has been used as a filming location for many shows throughout 2022 with more to come in 2023!

The team of chefs at The Cooking School have been hand-picked for their passion for food, creativity and ability to inspire in the kitchen. Take a journey around the world on one of their ethnic cooking lessons, find out how to select and make the perfect steak or learn how to make simple, satisfying midweek suppers

for the whole family. As well as grown ups, they also offer cooking workshops for children, as well as group bookings (including birthday parties for adults and children and hen/stag parties). Call 01985 213214 for more information.

• thecookingschool.com

brush up on your cooking skills this year!

THE GREYHOUND BROMHAM

We are a multi-award-winning country pub and restaurant serving delicious homemade food with an ethos of excellent quality ingredients and good value for money. We have a vibrant bar, charming restaurant, beautiful beer garden with covered areas, a cosy dog-friendly snug and a crackling open fire in winter.

OPEN: Tue: 12pm - 9.30pm, Weds & Thu: 12pm - 10pm, Fri & Sat: 12pm - 10.30pm, Sun: 12pm - 4.30pm

High St, Bromham, Wiltshire SN15 2HA 01380 850241 | thegreyhoundbromham.co.uk

Have you visited our sister pub……?

THE GEORGE INN SANDY LANE

We offer a delicious West Country Carvery, served daily alongside our tasty pub-classics menu. We also have a great range of draught beers, quality cask ales and wines on offer. You can enjoy your meal in our oak-beamed orangery, which looks out over our lovely beer garden and the countryside beyond.

2 CARVERYS FOR £20

(T&Cs apply. Available throughout January & February 2023, excluding Sundays. For tables of up to six guests)

OPEN: Weds to Sat: 12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 9.30pm, Sun: 12pm - 6pm

Sandy Lane, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2PX 01380 850403 | georgesandylane.co.uk

seasons eat the

Keeping

The beginning of a new year is a great time think outside the box, reflect on the last 12 months and to pay a visit to all our local producers, checking everything is on track for the new year. Sometimes we stick with the same plan as last year. Otherwise we sort out new deals and organise them to grow new crops for us. It is amazing that every new year a new supplier with something different to offer knocks on our door.

If you know of any local producers or growers who maybe might like to work with us please do pass this on to them. Here is a little about a ‘Day In The Life’ of Lovejoys.

the orders for the pickers to sort and load. The first of our drivers arrives at about 5.30am to take the vans out on their deliveries all around the area. The vans go off in 15 minuteintervals. Then the day team

As a company we carry out rigorous checks to ensure every single product that reaches us is of the right quality and standard so that when it arrives to our customers it is as perfect as it can be. There are many procedures in place to make sure this happens, such as temperature checks, labelling and visual quality checking. We work 24 hours a day to achieve this. The working day starts at 12.01am with the night manager processing all

come in to ready the warehouse for new produce to arrive, be checked and put away in the right place in the fridges. All the fridges need to be a certain temperatures for salads, dairy, herbs and vegetables, whilst some items such as avocados, bananas, sage and basil, are harmed by the cold. The office team come in and deal with all our administration tasks and answer queries from customers old and new. In between all of this we are out on the road visiting our customers or speaking to people we have had enquiries from. At the end of the day the evening staff come in to input the orders that have been left on the system during the day. Some chefs put their orders in for the next day after evening service has ended. Then the night team come in and it all starts over again!

We have had five generations and have a terrific team of people to

perfect what we believe to be an exceptional service. We have testimonials from long standing customers who agree so we must be doing something right. Putting the last couple of horrible years behind us we are looking forward to a busy 2023!

ALLOTMENT GROWING

It’s not too late to plant garlic cloves and onion sets or to prune apple and pear trees, spurs can be thinned out on step-overs, and condons. It is also time to get new seed catalogues for inspiration for what you might want to grow this year. As always please email me with any of your veggie questions!

Neil neil@lovejoyswholesale.com.

@lovejoysuk @lovejoysuk

• lovejoyswholesale.com

“The first of our drivers arrives at about 5.30am to take the vans out on their deliveries all around the area.”

VEGANUARY RECIPES

This month FRAN STEVENS, aka The Food Wife, suggests a great snack, main meal and pudding to try if you are trying out Veganuary!

KOREAN-SPICED NUTS AND SEEDS

Makes approx 1kg

I recently catered for a group of friends, providing nibbles to accompany some delicious wines from Cru Wines in Bradford on Avon. One of the savoury offerings were these Korean-spiced nuts and seeds, an experiment which turned out really well!

This recipe uses the Korean red pepper powder Gochugaru for a warming glow. You can of course adjust the quantity to achieve your desired heat (this quantity was by no means hot) or you could use different spices to your taste. The maple, oil and salt quantities will provide the right amount of coating for whatever you choose to coat 1kg of nuts and seeds.

I used 800g of mixed nuts and 200g of mixed seeds in my recipe, this ratio had enough seeds to allow them to cling to the nuts for added taste and texture.

Ingredients

1 tsp fine salt

4 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp coconut oil

4 tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper powder)

1kg mixed unsalted nuts and seeds (I used cashews, almonds, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and linseeds)

Method

Melt the maple and coconut oil together ( this can be done on a hob or in a microwave).

Mix this with the salt and chilli. Add

the nuts and seeds and then stir to ensure everything is coated.

Spread on a lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven (180°C fan) for 20-25 minutes (checking occasionally to make sure they aren’t burning) until they are toasted.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container (this way they should stay fresh for a couple of weeks).

SWEET POTATO & CHICKPEA CURRY

Serves 6

I’ve been trying to work more vegetarian recipes in to our diet, and this has become one of The Food Husband’s favourites. It is so satisfying that you really don’t miss the meat! This recipe is actually vegan, gluten free and best of all, delicious. It is mild in heat but rich in spices and is pleasingly creamy, though lighter on calories due to the relatively small amount of coconut milk used.

Whilst this recipe serves 6, I will make a batch for the two of us and freeze two extra meals to enjoy later. I simply defrost in the fridge for 24 hours and gently reheat to serve. I like to serve this with brown rice, cooked according to the pack instructions.

Ingredients

1 tbsp coconut oil

2 onions, diced

2 garlic cloves, finely diced 2 inch ginger, peeled and diced

3 tsp cumin seeds (ground if preferred)

1 tsp mustard seeds (ground if preferred)

1 tsp ground turmeric 2 tsp garam masala

2 cloves 8 cardamom

2 pieces of cassia bark or cinnamon

2 small handfuls of curry leaves

Small tin coconut milk (160ml) 300ml vegetable stock

3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

2 tins of drained chickpeas Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Melt the coconut oil on a medium heat and add the onion, garlic and ginger. Soften for a couple of minutes and then add each of the spices, stirring to ensure they don’t burn.

Add the small tin of coconut milk along with the vegetable stock

(ensure you use a gluten free stock if you need to keep the curry suitable for those with a gluten intolerance/ allergy).

Add the cubed sweet potato and simmer until tender (this should take about 10 minutes).

Five minutes before you are ready to serve the curry add the 2 tins of drained chickpeas to the pan, and heat through. Season as necessary (be aware that the stock you have used may well be salty enough).

This week I served it with some homegrown Swiss chard, roughly sliced and sweated in a little coconut oil with a crushed garlic clove, ¼ tsp of dried chilli flakes, ½ tsp coriander seeds and ½ tsp of ground cumin seeds. Delicious.

DARK CHOCOLATE & TAHINI BANANA MUFFINS

Makes 12

This ticks so many boxes, a stunning flavour combination, dairy-free, vegan and gluten-free (if needed) so lots of dietary requirements are catered for, so hopefully everyone is happy with the result.

Best eaten fresh but still gorgeous eaten over a few days, just refresh them by giving them a short zap in the microwave (10-15 seconds should do it).

Ingredients

3 large/4 medium very ripe bananas, mashed 70g vegetable oil

120g dark soft brown sugar 100g tahini

270g (gf if required) plain flour (add 1/3 tsp xanthan gum if using gf flour) 30g cocoa powder

2 tsp baking powder (gf if required) 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (gf if required)

100g dark chocolate (gf & vegan as required) broken into 24 pieces

Method

Preheat oven to 190°C fan and line a 12 hole muffin tin with paper cases. Lightly combine the banana, oil, tahini, sugar, cocoa, flour (plus xanthan gum if gluten-free), baking powder and bicarbonate of soda in a bowl. For a light muffin minimal mixing is required.

Fill each muffin case with a heaped tablespoon of the batter. Top each with a piece of chocolate and then cover with the remaining muffin batter. Top each with another piece of chocolate.

Bake for 25 minutes and then remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm. You could also sprinkle a few sesame seeds on the top of each before baking.

• thefoodwife.co.uk

LOWER MOOR

Lower Moor nature reserve, located in the Cotswold Water Park in north Wiltshire, was opened by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in 2007 and is the gateway to Clattinger Farm, Oaksey Moor Farm Meadow and Sandpool nature reserves. From Lower Moor, you can walk into the other reserves and explore a landscape of fascinating contrasts.

The Lower Moor nature reserve is a mosaic of three lakes, two

brooks, ponds and wetland scrapes linked together by boardwalks, ancient hedges, woodland and meadows. Mallard Lake is the nature reserve’s biggest lake, spanning 9 hectares, and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its distinctive aquatic plants, which include rare stoneworts.

Large populations of wildfowl swim in the lakes - great crested grebe, teal, shoveler duck and goosander to name a few. In the

winter months, frequent visitors to the lake also include herons, kingfishers and cormorants to the delight of birdwatchers young and old. You can enjoy the birdlife from hides at Swallow Pool and Cottage Lake – the latter is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. On

We begin the new year with a visit to LOWER MOOR, a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Site of Special Scientific Interest in North Wiltshire.

A heron watches on from the lakeside at Lower Moor

"In the winter months, frequent visitors to the lake also include herons, kingfishers and cormorants."

© Carol Gadd

sunny days, see if you can spot the emperor, southern hawker and downy emerald dragonflies.

There is plenty for young explorers to discover, including a replica Iron Age hut, bug hotels, pond dipping stations and rubbing posts scattered throughout the reserve and within

the Trust’s wildlife learning area – a fantastic resource for education groups and volunteer groups run by the Trust.

After a circular walk around the nature reserve, why not pop into the Trust’s on-site Dragonfly Café, overlooking Cottage Lake, for tea?

From there you might be lucky enough to spot an otter whilst biting into a delicious slice of lemon drizzle from inside or out on the veranda.

For those who want to explore the complex further, we recommend a wander over to the connecting Clattinger Farm nature reserve, which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its fabulous wildflowers and is part of a Special Area of Conservation. Visit in late April to see thousands of delicately patterned snakeshead fritillaries on display or walk through the meadows in June to see even more beautiful wildflowers such as meadow saffron and orchids. In winter, wading birds such as teal, lapwing and snipe forage on the wet meadows.

To prepare for your visit, you can find all the pre-arrival information you need at: wiltshirewildlife.org/ lower-moor

Lower Moor near Oaksey

What3Words: movie.boost.harnessed

• Wheelchair access to one bird hide and across the boardwalk to Mallard Lake. From this point, the footpath can be muddy

• Dogs on leads welcome

• Total complex 126.18 hectares

• Dragonfly Café on site, open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-4pm

• wiltshirewildlife.org

One of the lakes at Lower Moor during winter

An otter family at Lower Moor

Snakeshead fritillaries at Clattinger Farm

© Stephen Davis

© Emma Kirkup

© Carol Gadd

Dragonfly Café & Visitor Centre

© Savannah Brown

Lasting Power of Attorney

PROMOTION

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.

LATER LIFE

FROM RETIREMENT PLANNING TO CARE HOMES AND MOBILITY, THERE ARE MANY THINGS TO CONSIDER AS WE GET OLDER. HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST LOCAL PROVIDERS…

CARE HOMES & RETIREMENT VILLAGES

CHANTRY COURT

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

Just like any village, Chantry Court has a range of facilities to help meet residents' needs and add to the feeling of community and companionship. These include a first-class restaurant with sun terrace, bar, lounge, library room, hair salon, cinema, doctor’s facility and therapy rooms. Those keen on keeping a full social diary can partake in clubs, musical events and resident led activities and trips can be arranged inhouse. There are group quizzes and games and a library (with full Internet access) further making the village environment at Chantry Court perfect for residents to do exactly as they please.

The village staff are here to support residents 24/7 with a wide range of

services, and they have an in-house registered domiciliary care service operating across the village to provide personal care if, and when, required. Properties can be bought outright or rented on a short or long-term basis. To find out more call 01373 828800.

• chantrycourt.com

CARE AT HOME EVERLIFE

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

They will provide support, company and friendship and are trained to recognise there may be a need for more personal care and support and can help you with your more

intimate daily routine such as washing and getting ready in the morning. They can also provide more intensive care following an illness, discharge from hospital or long-term caring needs. Call 01225 719333 to find out more.

• everlife.co.uk

SAFE CARE

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

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

Should you require further information, please don't hesitate to get in touch and their friendly team will be pleased to assist you with any queries you have. They operate 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

• safecare-wiltshire.co.uk

Safe Care

SOMERSET CARE

When you’re seeking support to remain independent in your own home, the most important thing is that you receive the support you need to live the life you choose.

Whether you need help with domestic tasks or meal preparation, support with medication or personal care, or simply a helping hand to get out and about in the community, receiving the right care and support can be life-changing. When your needs are taken care of, you are free

Chantry Court is in the heart of Westbury

EverLife can support you in your own home

"They are a friendly local family-run business that puts people first."

to pursue your hobbies and interests, and live life to the full.

As a major care provider in Southern England and one of the largest not-for-profit care companies in the UK, Somerset Care's community care teams across Wiltshire, Somerset, B&NES and Devon can help you to remain safe, happy and

healthy in your own home. They can support you as much or as little as you would like, as all care is tailored to you and your individual needs. What matters to you matters to them; wherever you are on your care journey, they are committed to supporting you every step of the way.

• somersetcare.co.uk

SELF-CARE, MOBILITY & SUPPORT

BUSY BEES

Busy Bees is a local, friendly and reliable cleaning and garden maintenance company, based in Frome. Busy Bees has established a large client database of over 2800 customers since 1998 and that continues to grow on a daily basis.

Their services include domestic cleaning, offering a regular cleaning visit or a one off deep cleaning service (they adapt to your individual requirements), carpet and upholstery cleaning, ironing, garden maintenance (regular or one off visits) and pressure washing of paths and driveways. The variety of services available makes them ideal if you are struggling with some everyday household tasks, or simply want to relax knowing your home and garden will stay clean and tidy.

Live the life you choose at home with Somerset Care

Busy Bees is a local, friendly cleaning and garden maintenance company

All staff provided by Busy Bees are experienced, uniformed, trained, fully insured, Covid-compliant and employed directly by Busy Bees. The company prides itself in providing a flexible approach to suit their customers’ needs, while offering a wide range of services. With one telephone call they can lighten your workload, so don’t delay and give them a ring on 01373 455911 to discuss further.

• busybees2000.co.uk

LIFE & MOBILITY SOLUTIONS

This family run mobility equipment supplier has four local showrooms, one in George Street, Warminster, another in Trudoxhill near Frome, another in Shepton Mallet and a recently opened branch in Melksham. Life & Mobility Solutions supply all major mobility equipment including rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds, stairlifts, mobility scooters, living aids and much more. They have over 30 years’ experience within the industry and can offer help and advice on most things connected to your mobility.

Owner Mark Cawthra and his team believe in presenting you with all the options, so you can make an informed decision on what is best for you. They carry products from all the leading manufacturers but are not tied in with any one of them, meaning they can offer you clear, impartial advice. Call to find out more or visit their independent

"Life & Mobility

major mobility equipment including rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds, stairlifts, mobility scooters, living aids and much more."

showrooms. If you are unable to get to any of these, they also offer a free home visit and delivery service – get in touch to find out more.

• lifeandmobility.co.uk

SOUTH WEST HEARING CENTRE

South West Hearing Care, which provides private hearing care services across Somerset, has recently opened a new hearing centre in the centre of Westbury. The centre offers patients a purpose built sound proofed testing facility.

South West Hearing Care's branches are fully independent meaning they are not tied to any manufacturers so clients are always advised freely

and with educated, clinical expertise. They specialise in the provision of latest custom-designed hearing solutions not available through the NHS. This can include hearing instruments but also tinnitus management, hearing protection products and ear wax removal services too.

Consultations are by appointment; which can be arranged at your convenience. There is no pressure to purchase at any time, and they are happy to provide advice about a client’s long term hearing ability and associated quality of life. To make an appointment call 01373 823076 or head to the website.

• swhearingcare.co.uk

Life & Mobility have four local showrooms in Warminster, Trudoxhill near Frome, Shepton Mallet and Melksham

South West Hearing Centre has a new branch in the centre of Westbury

Solutions supply all

LEGAL & FINANCIAL

GOUGHS SOLICITORS

No-one wants to think about their demise, but have you considered just what might happen to you, your belongings and those left behind should something happen? Whilst the pandemic has given many of us a reality check, a staggering number of people still haven’t had a professional will prepared.

A Will ensures your wishes are acted on, upon your death. It also gives you a place in which to indicate how you might want your funeral to be carried out. Whilst this wouldn’t be legally binding, it does give your loved ones assurances that they are doing as you would wish.

Many people believe that if they don’t own a house or have a lot of money in the bank, that there is no point in having a Will. This simply isn’t true, your assets stretch much further than you might think and include personal possessions, bank accounts, life insurance and even digital assets.

Whilst digital assets remain legally undefined, common examples

have come to include social media, Spotify, iTunes, funds held with PayPal, eBay, any other financial interest (such as Cryptocurrency or online banking services), and so on.

Your executor(s) are the people named in your Will who will administer your estate. They ensure your wishes are followed. You can appoint almost anyone you want, but you will need to make sure they are over 18, trustworthy and capable of carrying out their role.

For more information on creating a Will that suits you and your lifestyle, get in touch with the Goughs Private Client Team, by visiting the website or emailing pcenquiries@ goughs.co.uk • goughs.co.uk

KINGFISHER IFA

How you choose to build up cash or other assets for your retirement is up to you. There is no doubt that saving, using the tax advantages and low cost of a modern pension plan, is the best way to build up the largest lump sum. Pensions have changed dramatically, now benefiting from far more freedom, flexibility and choice than ever before. The Government stakeholder initiative has slashed charges and

you no longer have to buy a fixed annuity or accept poor investment choice. Unspent pension funds can also now be bequeathed, often tax free, or you could take it all out to buy a Lamborghini - but watch out for the hefty tax such lavish spending would attract! Either way there is less excuse than ever before not to build decent sums confident you, or your heirs, will get to enjoy the proceeds! It is, however, vital to grasp your retirement provision will need to be in the hundreds of thousands of pounds before a decent income can be realised after you retire. This sounds daunting but there are things you can do.

Kingfisher IFA

Start now by reviewing any existing private pension arrangements you have to see if you can reduce charges and boost performance. Also ensure you are at least saving something every month via a workplace or personal pension plan or even an investment backed ISA. Do always take advantage of any free employer contribution boost which should be available to most workers.

When you reach retirement age do not undo all the good work by simply accepting the first annuity deal you are offered. There are now so many choices and so much freedom that it is easy to make the wrong choice and undo all your years of saving. By contrast Kingfisher IFA regularly deliver significant boosts to client’s income, as well as giving flexibility and control to those who seek professional advice,

"Pensions have changed dramatically, now benefiting from far more freedom, flexibility and choice than ever before."

Goughs can help you create your Will

making professional advice a great investment. As one of the region's most qualified and experienced IFAs Richard Salter, a Bradford on Avon resident and Partner at Kingfisher Independent in Trowbridge, is pleased to offer a no obligation free first meeting. Use this to help ensure you are on track, enjoying the best value for money and decent growth prospects as well as making the most informed retirement choices when the time comes. Contact Richard on 01225 308370 • richard@kingfisherifa.co.uk

W.T.P.

W.T.P., based in Bath, is a specialist firm offering professional Will writing services. Their directors and associates have over 40 years of combined experience in the profession, making them real experts in the field. All work is undertaken professionally, confidentially and at a time and place convenient to customers. You can visit their office on Lower Bristol Road, or, if you prefer, they can visit you in your own home at a time to suit you.

W.T.P. is highly experienced in all manner of requirements and estates of all sizes. Whatever your assets, you will want them to benefit your family rather than the state. W.T.P. provide a complete advice service that as well as ensuring your estate will be distributed as you wish, will also enable you to minimise the impact of inheritance tax or the amount social services can take to cover your care as you get older. Unlike solicitors, W.T.P. specialises in this small area of the law and charge a fraction of the price, and by contrast with many simple DIY Will kits, W.T.P. ensures your Will can be legally enforced. Their consultants are trained to advise and take your instructions by clearly explaining the legal and technical implications, free from jargon. To find out more call 01225 400060. • wtponline.co.uk

FUNERAL PLANNING THE CO-OPERATIVE FUNERALCARE

Provide peace of mind for you and your family with a bespoke funeral plan from Southern Co-operative Funerals.

None of us likes to think about the end of life, but by planning ahead, but we can spare the people we love from difficult decisions at a painful time. Their pre-paid, bespoke funeral plan can be tailored to your individual needs so you can choose exactly what you want. The cost is fixed and protects you and your loved ones from any rising costs.

Southern Co-operative Funerals:

• Are tailored to your individual needs

• Contain no hidden costs

• Offer flexible payment options

• Offer protection from rising funeral costs

• Ensure your money is safe

To find out more visit the website. • funeralcare.co.uk

"Provide peace of mind for you and your family with a bespoke funeral plan from Southern Co-operative Funerals."

WTP is a specialist firm offering professional Will writing services

A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION FOR YOU?

Anew year for many means making a New Year’s resolution. If your resolution for 2023 is getting your affairs in order, you might want to consider the following:

WILLS

You should review your Will regularly to ensure it reflects your circumstances and wishes. Since making your Will, have you had children for whom you need to appoint a guardian or grandchildren to whom you would like to leave a legacy?

LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY (LPAS)

Making LPAs does not mean that you have lost capacity to make decisions about your finances and/

or health, but it does mean that the necessary paperwork is in place should you lose mental capacity in the future. The alternative is a costly and lengthy application to court.

GIFTS

Subject to exemptions and reliefs, gifts made in the seven years before a person’s death are included in their estate for inheritance tax. If you intend to make a gift in 2023, bear in mind that making a gift sooner rather than later will start the sevenyear clock running.

If you’d like further advice or information, please get in touch with the Wansbroughs’ Private Client team on 01380 733300 or by email at wealth@wansbroughs.com.

• wansbroughs.com

Kathryn Smith Cowap

“You should review your Will regularly to ensure it reflects your circumstances and wishes.”

OCEAN HUES

Echoing the reassuring and relaxing colour of the sea, aqua is set to be one of the hottest shades of the season. Opt in with larger pieces of furniture wrapped in oceanic hues, or make it easier to incorporate into an existing scheme with smaller accessory items.

INTERIORS 2023

The new year gives us an opportunity to look at our spaces anew – here are our forecasts for some upcoming trends if you want to refresh your home.

ARCHES

Arched doors are big news in extensions and renovations, and the gentle curves are softening the hardened edges that have proliferated for so long. Use as a motif if you’re decorating, or as a shape for windows & doors if you’re renovating.

GET THE LOOK

1. Diamond Aqua Blanket, £55, weavergreen.com; 2. Blue Arches Ceramic Pot Cover, £24.99, giselagraham. co.uk; 3. Cliff & Ocean Art Print, £41.95, abstracthouse.com; 4. image © Studio McGee; 5. Eucalyptus No.92, victorycolours.co.uk; 6. Squishmeister Corner sofa £2845, loaf.com

SOOTHING PASTELS

While we might see a rise of deep and bold colors in 2023, certain spaces still call for a level of zen—and this is where pastels come back in. Think eucalyptus, mid-level blues, soft pink and putty taupes.

GARDEN JOBS

1. Recycle your Christmas tree by shredding it for mulch. Stack the chippings at the back of a border for a few months to rot down before using them to mulch around trees and shrubs. Pine needles make a particularly good mulch for acidloving plants like azaleas.

2 Clean greenhouses ready for spring It may not be the most glamorous of tasks but cleaning out your greenhouse and/or cold frame is important, greatly improving the growing environment for plants. By removing any algae, moss and grime it lets in more light and helps control pests and diseases too.

3 Dig over any vacant plots that have not been dug already. If you have clay soil though it is best to wait until the soil is dry enough so that it doesn’t stick to your boots when you tread on it.

4 Disperse worm casts in lawns. Earthworms are useful in the garden, including in most lawns, but if you have unsightly worm casts you can simply rake over them with an upturned rake and disperse the soil across the lawn.

5 Inspect stored tubers of Dahlia, Begonia and Canna for rots or drying out. They should be stored in trays of sand, coir or vermiculite, with the crown of the plant (where the stems join the roots) just showing

6 Prune apple and pear trees. Your aim is to take out a bit of old wood each winter, to stimulate new growth. But the majority of the fruiting wood should be quite young - 1 to 4 years old - as this is the wood

that fruits the best. Aim to create an open centre to your tree to allow more light into the canopy to ripen the shoots and fruit.

earlier than uncovered crowns. Crowns that have been forced should be left without pulling for the rest of that season.

7 Start forcing rhubarb For an early harvest of tender and pink rhubarb, cover the crowns with a layer of straw or bracken and cover over with an upturned bucket or a traditional clay rhubarb pot to exclude light. Stalks will be ready to pull 2-3 weeks

8 Keep putting out food and water for hungry birds. Feed regularly so birds will not waste vital energy visiting your garden when there is no food. Try to make provision for birds that feed on the ground as well as those who take seed from feeders. Also consider planting berry-bearing shrubs such as cotoneaster and pyracantha to fill gaps and provide an ongoing food supply for your avian visitors. And don’t forget to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch from 27-29 January!

Make sure you feed birds regularly so they don’t waste energy looking for food

Here is a list of jobs you can be getting up to in the garden this month...

“the majority of the fruiting wood should be quite young - 1 to 4 years old - as this is the wood that fruits the best.”

image © Freepik

Berry-yielding shrubs like cotoneaster are great for birds

You can force rhubarb from January

YOUR GOOD HEALTH

Improve your mind and body this new year with the help of these great local experts…

CHURCH STREET PRACTICE

Bradford on Avon

A beautiful 17th century building is home to the Church Street Practice. Their team is comprised of highly experienced practitioners, many of whom teach in their chosen field. The practice has 7 Osteopaths, an Acupuncturist, Psychotherapist, Reflexologist, Shiatsu practitioner, Massage therapist and Homeopath who provide treatment for a whole range of health conditions - 6 days a week. Everyone offers a free 15-minute appointment, if required, to discuss what type of treatment would be most suitable for your particular health condition. The receptionists are available 8.45am - 6pm Monday - Friday and 8.45am4pm Saturdays on 01225 868282.

The success of Church Street

problems. The practice is now fully open for face to face appointments and they are following all Public Health England and Institute of Osteopathy guidelines.

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

CLUB24 FITNESS

Westbury

Everyone is welcome at Club 24 Fitness! Whether you’re a regular gym goer or a complete ‘newbie’, their mission is to ensure you feel confident and welcome when training with them! They have a friendly team on site (including a gym dog!) who are available to help and welcome you daily!

Club 24 Fitness offers members 24/7 access, which works perfectly around any busy work or family schedule! As well as access, memberships include classes, use of the sauna, a free induction and training plan when you join (upon request), complimentary hot drinks and free parking. There is also a sunbed on site, and a team of personal trainers available for guidance and sessions if required. The gym operates on a no-contract basis, giving you the flexibility and freedom to come and go as you please!

Club 24 Fitness is committed to investing in new and improved facilities. As a result of member feedback, they regularly introduce new equipment to enhance the

Church Street Practice has a team of highly experienced practitioners

gym and workout experience. They have also just released their own merchandise and freshly made-toorder protein drinks.

If you join the Club 24 Fitness family in January 2023, you will receive a complimentary training session with one of their friendly, qualified personal trainers. Already a member? Refer a friend and you also qualify for a free personal training session! Get in touch for more information on 01373 864449. Ts and Cs apply!

• club24fitness.co.uk

FIRST STEP GYM

Corsham

Based on the Leafield Industrial Estate in Corsham, and open 7 days a week, First Step Gym offers a range of membership options to suit every lifestyle and fitness aspiration. They don’t believe that “one size fits all” when it comes to fitness clubs, so you can opt in as much, or as little as you like. What you are guaranteed

when you visit though is a fully equipped gym complete with Life Fitness cardiovascular machines and a comprehensive free weights area plus instructors on hand to make sure you’re getting the most out of each exercise. Two studios offer a wide variety of classes including spin, yoga and circuits, and they also have their own 15m swimming pool available too. And once you are done with your workout you can wind down in the sauna, or perhaps you’d like a treatment at their inhouse beauty studio? The choice is yours… Call to find out more on 01225 812612.

• firststepukgym.com

First Step offers a range of membership options

First Step Gym

JO BREWER KINESIOLOGY

Westbury

Jo helps clients of all ages achieve a healthier, happier life. Using non-invasive muscle response testing and other Kinesiology techniques Jo helps her clients ‘troubleshoot’ all sorts of health issues and provides solutions to facilitate natural healing and restore good health. Kinesiology can help unravel complex, chronic, or acute conditions by identifying and dealing with imbalances in the body which are the cause of symptoms, rather than treating symptoms alone.

Jo has recently joined forces with fellow Kinesiologist, Barbara Mastropirro, to form the South West School of Kinesiology, and provide Kinesiology Foundation Courses in the West Wiltshire region. If you have an interest in holistic health, either as a complete beginner or

as a current practitioner in another field, the Foundation Course will give you the skills to ‘read’ the body, reach the subconscious mind and target the root causes of health issues. Kinesiology enables therapists to find out and administer exactly what will help their clients, which may include physical techniques, energy work, identifying food intolerances, nutritional requirements, or emotional work. The next course starts January 2023.

• jbkinesiology.co.uk/kinesiology courses

FREEMIND EXECUTIVE COACHING

Telephone / Visits

Every January we all take on the New Year must-dos like kicking bad habits or pounding the gym. They are great life intentions, and super important in their own way, but what are your resolutions for your career?

Given the time you spend every week

Anthony from FreeMind can help you progress your career

“They don’t believe that “one size fits all” when it comes to fitness clubs, so you can opt in as much, or as little as you like.”

Club24Fitness offers members 24/7 access

Jo Brewer is a fully qualified kinesiologist

working, not forgetting time spent thinking about it, why not try something new this year and give your career a resolution as well?

Start by picking one thing you want to change; one single thing that will transform your working year. It could be anything: sharpening a skill, learning something new or boosting your confidence.

Write your goal down, list what steps are needed to achieve, and importantly when and how you can take them.

Be bold, be simple and make a difference to your career this year. For help doing just that get in touch with FreeMind. Call for an informal chat on 07973 294264 or email anthony@free-mind.uk. • free-mind.uk

RUSTIQ FITNESS

Winsley

Based on a beautiful farm near Bradford on Avon, RUSTIQ Fitness provides a training experience

in a way like no other. Set up within a real-life farmyard, they offer group classes that are held indoors or outdoors (weather dependent), with great trainers there to keep you motivated, even if you book a PT session. Sessions are 50 minutes long and scheduled at easy-to-make times like before or after school drop off and evenings, and include Yard (cardio bootcamps), Grip (strengthbuilders) and Combine (HIT sessions of strength and cardio). There are also specific classes available for mums and teens.

So, if you want to tone up, get back in shape and re-energize yourself this year be sure to get in touch now – you can head to the website or email info@rustiqfitness.com. • rustiqfitness.com

THE VITALITY STUDIO

Various Venues

Caring for your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing enables you to be there for others and live life to the full; you can’t pour from an empty cup. The Vitality Studio offers weekly yoga classes, massage and bodywork, wellness events, laughter yoga and menopause yoga. Yoga is more than just exercise. When the body, the mind and the breath move together deep physiological changes take place. The organs start to work more efficiently, muscles relax, the nervous system calms down and a deep sense of peace develops.

You don’t need to be able to sit cross legged or touch your toes. Come as you are. Develop a sense of freedom, vitality, confidence and focus, which you can take into your daily life. For more information head to the website or call Bruni Walker on 07989 674144.

The Vitality Studio

• thevitalitystudio.co.uk

"Develop a sense of freedom, vitality, confidence and focus, which you can take into your daily life."

Train in a real farmyard with RUSTIQ Fitness

The post-Christmas blues have arrived so why not treat yourself this new year to the latest treatment in the Wanderlust Collection at Vitality Day Spa in Bradford on Avon? Mountain Air is a delightful treatment that refreshes both mind and body using invigorating massage in partnership with soothing hot stones. Revitalising hands and feet with a salt scrub followed by a warm oil massage from a natural candle.

Mountain Air is just what is needed to kick start the new year, blowing away overindulgent cobwebs while creating a calm and warm environment to soothe a busy mind. Inspired by fresh, mountainous regions, the products include wild mint, tea tree, rosemary, and peppermint. Enjoy this 50-minute luxury for £75.

Mountain Air will be available until 26 March 2023. Book online or contact Vitality Day Spa directly - it would also make a fantastic Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day gift! Alternatively, gift vouchers are also available on request. For

more information about Mountain Air or any of the other treatments available at the Spa simply head to the website or give the team a call on 01225 309356.

• vitalitydayspa.co.uk

Mountain Air is available until late March, making it an ideal Valentine’s or Mother’s Day gift

image © Amber Louise Photograpy

Chris Cloete joined Bath Rugby in the summer of 2022 from Munster, bolstering the club’s power options in the back five of the scrum. His impact has been limited by injury but he should be back in action in the coming weeks...

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST RUGBY EXPERIENCE SO FAR IN YOUR CAREER?

Probably my stint when I played in Sri Lanka. It was very out of the ordinary, a great place and I made great memories there.

WHO INSPIRED YOU TO PLAY RUGBY?

My father. He played rugby throughout his career and he started me playing rugby when I was young.

WHICH BATH RUGBY FIXTURE ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?

Probably Bristol Bears, they are our closest neighbours so it will be good to face them.

WHICH SPORTSPERSON DID YOU MOST LOOK UP TO WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?

I really looked up to Francois Pienaar during the 1995 World Cup. I remember watching it on TV, they inspired a nation and it was a great memory for South Africa.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PRE-MATCH MEAL?

I wouldn’t say I have one, I tend to eat anything that I see, so whatever is served up!

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF RUGBY?

I have lots of hobbies, it’s a long list! Anything outdoors really, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, running with my dogs - loads!

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

A bit corny but just to never give up. When it’s tough it’s easy to quit; you never give up.

IF YOU COULD PLAY ONE OTHER PROFESSIONAL SPORT WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I’d play golf. You can play it til you’re about 85, it doesn’t take its toll on your body and it’s really enjoyable too!

FUNNIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN ON A RUGBY FIELD?

I have seen someone tie a guy’s laces together in a ruck. That’s pretty funny but it was at club level, you don’t get much of that at professional level!

bathrugby.com

1) FLITCH

a) a lean deer not fit to hunt b) a second swarm of bees c) familiar or intimate

2) QUOP a) to throb b) a fool c) to dispute

3) MANDY a) attractive b) frolicksome c) unreliable

4) GALLERED a) frightened b) amused c) furious

PHRASES EXPLAINED

Often we take for granted some of our well-known phrases. But their actual origins can raise eyebrows:

Round robin (coined in 17th century) signatures were originally arranged in a circle so no name headed the list and no one seemed the author of the protest (the robin does not refer to the bird but to the French rond for round and ruban for ribbon)

To pay on the nail (coined in 1596) from a practice in medieval markets where instant justice was dealt to those who reneged on agreements or cheated their customers. Eventually it was decided that accounts be settled at counters

(short pillars known as nails) in the open marketplace and in front of witnesses (payments were placed on these counters for people to see all was rectified)

On the shelf said of something no longer useful or desirable, especially of a woman past the age expected by which to have the opportunity to marry, it refers not to pawns laid on the shelf but to books no longer read and clothes no longer worn

Up the spout (UK slang: coined around 1894) from the spout (lift) used in pawnbrokers’ shops; when items were handed over in return for money they were sent ‘up the spout’ to the storeroom where they stayed until their owner could afford to redeem them

1C, 2A, 3B, 4A

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. ANSWERS

Image by Freepik

IT’S SNOW JOKE

There are a couple of things I’d like to address this month. The first is the cold and snow and how we ‘cope’….. very much in inverted commas….. with adverse weather. I am writing this on 12 December which is a Monday. We had a snowfall yesterday and the reporting in the local press was that some schools might close. I have two young kids so yesterday morning while it was still snowing we went out for a walk to our local playing field and, while being careful not to fall foul (ha ha, do you see what I did there?) of the inevitable dog mess had a great time generally mucking about throwing snowballs

that! I understand we don’t have enough severe weather to warrant spending hundreds of thousands on a snowplough that might sit unused for 5 or 10 years before it is needed but surely the gritters disperse enough of that inch or so of snow to enable us all to go about our business in a fairly normal manner without any closures or the like? I’ll leave this part with a question. How do the snowplough/gritter drivers get to work?

It’s that time of year again when a lot of people decide to make a resolution to lose weight, get fitter or just generally look after themselves a bit more. This decision is undoubtedly prompted by the

make myself a nice warming mug of hot choc (extra marshmallows and spray cream obvs... hung for a sheep as a lamb as I always say), snuggle under our lovely heated throw and stay there for the rest of the day. Sometimes my wife has to send a search party, consisting mainly of the kids, to see if I still exist under the massive pile of blankets and throws!!

It looks as though 2023 is shaping up to be an interesting if possibly quite difficult year for most of us so please keep your eyes and ears open for people who may be struggling over the next few months and if you cant be anything else just try and be kind.

Happy New Year

at each other, making a very small snowperson (he/she was so small working out what sex they were was definitely an issue) and just having a lovely, if rather nippy, time! The problem was though that there was very little snow. It looked beautiful and looked like there was more than there actually was but it was only about an inch or so deep. Not really enough for the usual snowy shenanigans, although both children decided to do ‘snow angels’ which quickly turned into mud/gravel angels and which meant a second wash in two days for the lovely, clean coats they had on... we didn’t save much on electricity yesterday I can tell you

fact that everyone overindulges during the festive period. To mitigate against the colder weather to come I started laying down my 2022/23 layer of fat in October. Like most folks though I’ll be trying to move a bit more to reduce my ‘insulation’ as we move towards spring. I exercise quite a bit, as regular readers will already know, but sometimes even getting out the door at this time of year can be a challenge!! There are moments when I have been going to the gym and, obviously, exercising indoors when I have got changed, had a quick look out of the window and decided I can’t even face the walk to the car. Instead I slope off and

Phil Rockliffe

“To mitigate against the colder weather to come I started laying down my 2022/23 layer of fat in October”