The West Wilts Magazine - July 2016

JULY 2016 // ISSUE 83

FREE

The + OUTDOOR THEATRE SALAD RECIPES DEMUTHS COOKERY SCHOOL & MUCH MORE

LET’S GO OUTSIDE

magazine

WIN

A FAMILY SEASON TICKET TO THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

HOME INSPIRATIONS

THE BEST SPOTS FOR AL FRESCO DINING

CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

ALLFORSET

Summer SEE OUR 16-PAGE FAMILY ACTIVITIES GUIDE

FOOD & DRINK // INTERVIEWS // HOME & GARDENS // HEALTH // COMMENT

contents

July 2016 // issue 83

C

Published by Wired Publishing Editor Lisa Rockliffe Contributors Craig Gates-Mutton, Phil Rockliffe, Neil Mortimer, Andy Diffey Advertising Enquiries Andy Diffey e: andy@wired-publishing.co.uk t: 01225 807775 General Enquiries e: info@wired-publishing.co.uk t: 01225 807775 www.wired-publishing.co.uk Address 20 Azalea Drive, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 9GG This magazine is printed on paper sourced from sustainable forests.

Please recycle it when you are done, or pass it on!

The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by the failure of an advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions or misprints.

Reproduction of this magazine in whole, or in part is strictly prohibited wihout prior permission of the publishers.

ome rain or shine, this edition of The West Wilts Magazine is an absolute must for families. With 16 pages of ideas for days out, think of it as your summer survival guide. Options begin on page 41.

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If you like a grand day out be sure to enter this month’s main competition - to win a family season ticket to the American Museum. Find out more on page 15. Budding George Fords and Anthony Watsons might also want to head to page 78 to read about Bath Rugby’s line up of summer camps.

As well as fun with the family, summer affords us the opportunity (we hope) to indulge in some al fresco dining. We’ve done the hard work and scoured the region for some of the best spots to enjoy a bite to eat in the sunshine - see the fruits of our labours (!) from page 19.

Keen cooks will no doubt enjoy reading our review of Demuths Cookery School (page 36) and our recipes this month offer up some wonderful new salad ideas.

As well as all that you’ll find all your usual favourites squeezed into this bumper July edition. Enjoy.

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Lisa Rockliffe, Editor Follow us on Twitter... @wiredpublishing Read online... www.wired-publishing.co.uk

in this issue...

LOCAL LISTINGS What’s on in July

LOCAL NEWS Round up of news & events FOOD & DRINK Eat The Seasons Salad Recipes Meet the Chef at The Harp & Crown Demuths Cookery School HOMES & GARDENS Home Inspirations New Windows Pietra Wood & Stone

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12

28 29 32 36

58 62 66

FEATURES Al Fresco Dining Summer Activities

19 41

HEALTH, WELLBEING & LEISURE The StoneHouse Clinic

70

BATH RUGBY Bath Rugby Summer Camps

78

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Win a family season ticket to the American Museum in Britain Quiz, wordsearch & sudoku

15 80

COMMENT The Last Word

82

Front Cover: © Sergey Novikov

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CHEESE &GRAIN FRI 1 JUL 7.30PM SUN 3RD JUL 7PM TUE 5TH JUL (TBC) WED 6TH JUL 8PM FRI 8TH JUL 8PM SAT 10TH JUL 8PM FRI 22ND JUL 8PM SAT 23RD JUL 7PM THU 11TH AUG 7.30PM FRI 19TH AUG 8PM SAT 20TH AUG 12PM SAT 10TH SEP 8PM 30 SEP & 1 OCT FRI 14THOCT 8PM SAT 29TH OCT 8PM SAT 5TH NOV 6.30PM SAT 12TH NOV 8PM ST

BOX OFFICE: 01373

455420

MARKET YARD, FROME, SOMERSET BA11 1BE

www.cheeseandgrain.com

THE UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN £23.50 FROME SYMPHONY: POLOVTSIAN DANCES & SCHEHERAZADE £10 SHAKESPEARE RATTLE AND ROLL £7 BILLY BRAGG £22.50 FROM THE JAM £21.50 REEF £23 ADV OAS-IS & BLURD £13 CSF WRESTLING £10 / £35 NAHKO & MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE £17.50 NEVER 42 £15 ALL ROADS LEAD TO FROME 2016 £1O ADV U2 2 £13.50 FROME GIN FESTIVAL £10 ADV ROBIN TROWER £24ADV STEELEYE SPAN £22.50/£25 STEVE BACKSHALL’S WILD WORLD £19.50 / £15.50 CONCS WISHBONE ASH £19

Billy Bragg

Nahko & Medicine for the People

Steeleye Span

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY ‘Your Local Furniture & Home Accessories Store’ We sell a large selection of (Wiltshire made) painted, oak, pine and upholstered furniture, all made to order with a wide choice of finishes, fabrics and handles; displayed in room settings designed to inspire.

Find us in the Westway Shopping Centre in Frome (next to Ellenbray Toy Shop), come and browse the showroom displays. Colour Brochures available for furniture ranges.

Visit our Facebook page ‘Avalon Interiors’ (look for our leaf logo)

Avalon Interiors 01373 466414 | sales@avaloninteriors.co.uk Westway Shopping Centre, Frome, Somerset BA11 1AL

| events

local

listings JULY 2016

MELKSHAM ASSEMBLY HALL

Market Place, Melksham, SN12 6ES Box Office: 01225 709887 www.melkshamassemblyhall.com For full listings go to the website.

FILM: BATTLE OF THE SOMME 7 July, 7.30pm & 10 July, 2.30pm FREE Across the world, communities and individuals of all ages will come together to commemorate and remember the lives of those who lived, fought and died in WWI.

WILTSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE

present a modern passionate version of the classic tragedy.

Ashley Rd, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1DZ Box Office: 01225 860100 www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk For full listings go to the website.

WILTSHIRE YOUNG MUSICIANS’ SUMMER FESTIVAL 5 & 7 July, 7.30pm Tickets: £6 A concert at Wiltshire Music Centre.

LABELS 9 July, 8pm Tickets: £11 (Concs £10) Worklight Theatre’s award winning new show is a funny, moving and honest story about mixed heritage and immigration.

LOST TALES OF WILTSHIRE 15 July, 7.30pm DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG Tickets: £11 (Concs £10) (AS LIVE) - GLYNDEBOURNE 2016 The stories of Wiltshire are in danger!

17 July, 5.30pm Martha, Freddie and Gertie fearlessly Tickets: £15 journey across the county with a THE DRESSMAKER (Cert 12A) Wagner’s life-enhancing celebration of mission is to breathe life into the 15 July, 7.30pm wisdom, art and song. fading stories of yesterday and ensure Tickets: £6 the tales of now are still being woven In 1950s Australia, talented dressmaker THE AMADEUS ORCHESTRA into the fabric of the landscape.

Tilly returns to her tiny hometown to 21 July, 7.30pm right wrongs from her past.

Tickets: £25 THE REVENANT (Cert 15) An orchestral tour de force with 20 & 21 July, 7.30am, 11am CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Raphael Wallfisch.

Tickets: £7 (Concs £6) (Cert 12A) Virtuoso director Alejandro González 23 July, 10.30am POUND ARTS CENTRE Iñárritu’s follows Birdman with a Tickets: £4 Pound Pill, Corsham, SN13 9HX thrilling revenge western starring Political pressure mounts to install a Box Office: 01249 701628 Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio. system of accountability when the www.poundarts.org.uk actions of the Avengers lead to For full listings go to the website. collateral damage.

ANDRÉ RIEU’S 2016 MAASTRICHT CONCERT - LIVE SCREENING 23 July, 7pm & 24 July, 3pm Tickets: £20 The crowd-pleasing music, elaborate sets and Rieu’s charisma onstage have raised audiences of thousands to their feet to dance in the aisles.

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BRANAGH THEATRE LIVE SCREENING: ROMEO & JULIET (Cert 12A) 7 July, 7pm Tickets: £15 (Concs £14) The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company Live cinema season continues with a new vision of Shakespeare’s heartbreaking tale of forbidden love. Branagh and his team

André Rieu, Melksham Assembly Hall

Send your listings to info@wired-publishing.c.o.uk

| events

THE ATHENAEUM CENTRE

18-20 High St, Warminster, BA12 9AE Box Office: 01985 213891 www.theath.org.uk For full listings go to the website.

The Revenant (15), Pound Arts Centre

EDINBURGH PREVIEWS 27-30 July, 8pm Tickets: £9 (Concs £8) Some of the UK’s favourite comedians take a detour to Corsham on their way to Edinburgh, trying out their sets in exclusive double-bills. See the website for details.

KUNG FU PANDA 3 29 July, 4pm Tickets: £7 Concs £6 When Po’s long-lost panda father reappears, the reunited duo travel to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters.

Tickets: £7.50 (Concs: £5.50) Popular rhymes are brought to life using fruit, veg, and a variety of kitchen objects. The royal chefs show playing with your food is not always a bad idea!

DR PHIL HAMMOND 9 July, 7.45pm Tickets: £18 Doctor, comedian, writer and broadcaster Phil Hammond makes a welcome return to the Frome Festival with a new show shortly to appear at the Edinburgh Fringe.

PEE WEE ELLIS & THE FUNKA-NOVA QUARTET Bath Rd, Frome BA11 2HG 10 July, 7.45pm Box Office: 01373 465949 Tickets: £18 www.merlintheatre.co.uk Frome’s own Pee Wee Ellis and the For full listings go to the website. acclaimed Berlin based vocalist/ guitarist Peter Fessler present an AN EVENING WITH WILLIAM CHEUNG acoustic fusion funk and bossa nova.

6 July, 7.45pm Tickets: £12 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – William has been a keen ILLYRIA photographer for over three decades 20 July, 7pm and has been a member of the Tickets: £15 (Concs: £9.50) specialist photographic press for This heady brew of Shakespearian 30 years. confusion, magic and mischief is the perfect mix for a summer’s evening.

BRANAGH THEATRE LIVE SCREENING: ROMEO & JULIET (Cert 12A) RICHARD III 8 July, 7.15pm 21 July, 7pm Tickets: £16 (Concs: £10.50) Tickets: £16 (Concs £10.50) See Pound Arts Centre listing.

A debut live theatre screening of from the Almeida Theatre with Ralph HIGGLEDY PIGGLEDY PIE Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave.

9 July, 11am & 2pm

MERLIN THEATRE

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MR HOLMES (Cert PG) 6 July, 7.30pm Tickets: £5.50 Set in 1947, a long-retired Sherlock Holmes (Sir Ian McKellen) finds himself haunted by a 30-year old case.

A MOST WANTED MAN (Cert 15) 20 July, 7.30pm Tickets: £5.50 Based on John le Carré’s novel and starring the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, this is a contemporary, cerebral tale of intrigue, love, rivalry, and politics that prickles with tension through to its last heart-stopping scene.

LACOCK ABBEY

Lacock, Wiltshire SN15 2LG Tel: 01249 730459 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock Normal admission applies unless otherwise stated THE HOLLOW CROWN COSTUMES AT LACOCK ABBEY Until 4 September, 11am An exhibition of costumes from the hit BBC series, ‘The Hollow Crown: The War of the Roses’, including those worn by stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Keeley Hawes and Sophie Okonedo.

CAPABILITY BROWN - STITCHED THROUGH THE LENS Romeo & Juliet, Pound Arts Centre & Merlin Theatre

Send your listings to info@wired-publishing.c.o.uk

Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary Saving stray & unwanted dogs since 1958

Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary is a small independent animal rescue organisation.

We are a non-destruction sanctuary for abandoned and unwanted dogs.

Our dogs are all vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, neutered and chipped, and looking for loving new homes Open Daily 10am – 12.30pm & 2pm – 4.30pm

Open Day Saturday 6th August, 12-4pm Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary, Priory Rd, Ascot, Berks SL5 8RJ

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

| events Until 16 October, 10.30am Beautiful embroideries inspired by the landscape design of Capability Brown will be on display in the Stables tea room.

CHEESE & GRAIN

5 The Bridge, Frome BA11 1AR Box Office: 01373 455420 www.cheeseandgrain.com For full listings go to the website.

BILLY BRAGG 6 July, 8pm Tickets: £22.50 As part of Frome Festival the Cheese & Grain welcomes The Bard of Barking.

PRAYING FOR THE RAIN 8 July, 8pm Tickets: £12 Frome Festival at The Rook Lane Chapel.

GEORGIA LEWIS & FRIENDS 12 July, 8pm FREE Talented young multi-instrumentalist.

KATE & RICHARD HARRIS 26 July, 8pm FREE Well-loved local duo.

THEATRE RUSH: LOST TALES OF WILTSHIRE Saturday 23 July, 7.30pm Tickets: £10 / £5 Under-17s VILLAGE PUMP Barn Theatre, Kingston Deverill FRIDAY FOLK Lamb Inn, Mortimer Street, Trowbridge Call 01985 844385 or go to deverillsfestival.com for more info.

Doors open: 7.30pm

THE THREE HORSESHOES

OPEN MIC NIGHT 1 & 15 July Tickets: £3

Frome Rd, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LA Tel: 01225 865876 All gigs are FREE and start at 9pm

OTHERS

ALCHEMIST 22 July

SUTTON VENY FLOWER SHOW 50th ANNIVERSARY 9 July, 2pm Memorial Field, Sutton Veny BA12 7AP FROM THE JAM Showcasing talent in the competition 8 July, 8pm marquee, a variety of stalls and fun Tickets: £21.50 Featuring Bruce Foxton, From The Jam activities including dog show, bouncy give the kind of live performances that castle, climbing wall, classic cars and lots more! For more information visit sealed the reputation of The Jam all suttonvenyflowershow.co.uk. those years ago.

OPEN MORNING FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS 11 July, 10am Mill Street Day Club, Trowbridge, BA14 8BE Drop in to find out about the work of award-winning charity Alzheimer’s Support. The charity relies on OAS-IS & BLURD volunteers who offer a few hours each 22 July, 8pm week or month. For more information Tickets: £13 The battle of the Britpop tribute bands. visit alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk.

REEF 9 July, 8pm Tickets: £23 Reef are back, recapturing and updating the sound of their classic album, Glow.

BRADFORD-ON-AVON FOLK CLUB at THE SWAN

MUSIC CRUISE ABOARD ‘KENAVON VENTURE’ WITH ROB LEAR www.boafolkclub.org.uk 31 July, 6.45pm phil@deverall.on4free.co.uk Leaving from Devizes Wharf, SN10 1EB, Contact Phil Deverall on 01380 870734. cruising the K&A canal to Horton (and back!) returning approx. 10pm.

SINGAROUND Tickets: £15 includes a Fish & Chip 5 & 19 July supper for more information visit FREE, 8pm www.kennetandavonbrewery.co.uk.

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BRADFORD ON AVON LIONS CLUB ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION 7 August, 11am FREE For more details contact Keith Yates on 01225 863404.

DEAF HORSE 23 July THE LEWIS CRAVEN BAND 24 July THE EDSEL FURYS 30 July STEEL YARD BLUES 31 July

WILTSHIRE FARMERS’ MARKETS BRADFORD ON AVON 3rd Thursday of the month in Westbury Gardens, last Sunday monthly, 10.30am -2pm, Lamb Yard CORSHAM Every Tuesday, 9am – 1pm DEVIZES 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month, 9am – 1pm TROWBRIDGE 2nd & 4th Friday of each month, 9am – 1pm WARMINSTER 1st & 3rd Friday of each month, 9am – 1pm

Send your listings to info@wired-publishing.c.o.uk

WWM029

✃ �

* NOTVALID IN CONJUNCTIONWITH OTHER OFFERS.VALID ON SATURDAYS BEFORE 8PM. EXPIRY DATE 31.08.16. ROAR

| local news

roundup

All the latest news and events from West Wiltshire and beyond!

MANOR FARM ELIZABETHAN EVENING

After another success last year – Illyria Open Air Theatre return to the historic Elizabethan Manor Farm in Corsley, on 6 August to perform Ruddigore, one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operas. Illyria have a well deserved national reputation for outstanding performances so organisers are looking forward to another brilliant evening.

Of course, being Gilbert and Sullivan, everything gets mixed up in a topsy-turvy fashion.

Come and enjoy a delightful evening of open-air theatre in the gardens, savour a pre booked supper served by costumed serfs and wenches whilst being entertained by strolling musicians

The Gardens open at 5.30pm, Supper is served from 6-7pm and the performance begins at 7.30pm. Tickets are now available: Adults £14, Children £7, Supper £8.

For further information see the website or ring Claire da Costa on 01373 832113.

• theelizabethanevening.com Illyria will be performing Ruddigore, one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic operas

It starts in the Cornish village of Rederring. At his own wedding it is revealed that shy young Robin Oakapple is really Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, heir to Ruddigore and its attendant curse: that each Lord of Ruddigore must commit an evil deed every day or else die an agonising death. Add to this a beautiful, virtuous heroine, a dastardly villain, a troop of professional bridesmaids, an old retainer longing for past glories, a snake-in-the–grass sailor, a wild, mad girl and even some ghosts and so the story starts.

ACTIVE FESTIVAL TROWBRIDGE: SATURDAY 16 JULY

Active Festival, the annual sporting event hosted by Active Trowbridge, will take place on Saturday 16 July in Trowbridge Park from 11am–4pm. This year’s event will embrace the atmosphere of the Rio Olympics and Paralympic games.

This free community event will include a wide range of activities showcasing sports such as archery, football, sailing and triathlon; in addition to extreme sports

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including an outdoor caving unit and high ropes as well as providing access to a host of health and wellbeing providers. The Active Festival will also incorporate the Trowbridge Cultural Food Festival embracing the diverse community groups within Trowbridge. A full list of attendees and activities can be located on the website.

• activetrowbridge.co.uk/services/ active-festival

local news |

SHEEP & CELEBS AT FROME CHEESE DOROTHY HOUSE

For anyone attending the Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show on Saturday 10th September, they will be able to enjoy not just one but three bake offs – with celebrities, farmers and students - using cheese as a key ingredient. “We haven’t secured Mary Berry, but we plan to have a lot of fun with various people cooking recipes with a cheese theme - of course it had to be,” said new show secretary Julie Harding.

The Frome Cheese Show takes place on Saturday 10 September

Josh Eggleton, from the BBC’s Great British Menu, who is passionate about cheese and local produce, will be joining the show as celebrity chef.

Other new attractions this time include Bob Hogg’s Lamb National, while additionally Bob will be showcasing his sheepdog and duck display.

The show’s aim is also to raise £££ for charity and with this in mind it is supporting the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance as well as Hannah Francis’s cancer charity Wilberry Wonder Pony.

Tickets to the show are now on sale - you can buy online at and enjoy early-bird discounts, or call the ticket hotline at Frome’s Cheese & Grain on 01373 455420. If you live in Frome you can leave your car at home and catch the free coach service provided by Berrys.

• fromecheeseshow.co.uk

FOOD FEST @ NESTON FARM: 17 JULY On Sunday 17 July head to Neston Farm in Atworth for a celebration of all things food! They are setting up camp in their garden and surrounding themselves with the very best food, drink, music and activities that the South West has to offer! Throughout the day there will be food demonstrations from Kevin Baldwin, Rachel Demuth and Simi Reza, live music and fabulous food cooked on the Big Green Egg. Also on site will be lots of local suppliers showing off their wonderful produce! Learn more about the people behind the products, make the most of their free tasters and go home with bags full of fresh, local goodies and inspiration! There will be plenty to entertain the little ones too

HOSPICE OPEN GARDEN SEASON

including face-painting, bouncy castle, crafts and all that jazz! Tickets are £5pp and under 12s go free. The festival runs from 10am to 5pm.

To get your tickets pop into the shop, call 01225 700881or email cafe@nestonparkfarmshop.com • nestonfarmshop.co.uk

Can you think of anything better than having a relaxing walk around a garden that would normally be ‘out of bounds’, enjoying tea and homemade cake and supporting your local hospice all at the same time? No? Then we have exciting news for you ...

Dorothy House Hospice’s Open Garden Season is bigger and better than ever and invites you to do exactly that. Lots of wonderful hospice supporters are kindly opening their beautiful gardens to help raise much needed funds and enable the hospice to maintain the package of care given to patients and their families.

The gardens are scattered around the 700 square mile radius covered by the hospice – you can visit gardens in Bath, Frome, Binegar, Wingfield, Radstock, Chapmanslade, Chippenham to mention just a few - so there’s sure to be one near you!

If you would like any further information on any of the gardens, you can visit the website or phone the fundraising team for a booklet to be posted to you on 01225 721480. Call the same number if you would like to open your garden for Dorothy House in 2017, they’re waiting to hear from you!

• dorothyhouse.org.uk THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

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Sunday 4 September 10.30am - 4.30pm @ King George V Playing Fields,

Lowbourne, Melksham

Over 70 Stalls Live Music Chilli Eating Contest Boat Trips Balloon Release + Much More

FREE ENTRY

Saturday 3 September River Festival Only

THE THREE

HORSESHOES

From leather jackets to suits, work boots to shiny shoes and mohicans to combovers, you’ll get a warm friendly welcome at The Three Horseshoes.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE? For a professional and personal service call

0800 180 4788 www.carolinecrowther.com

Live Music with Friday & Saturday night bands, and Sunday afternoon acoustic sessions.

Good selection of Real Ales available too Beer Garden | Pub Games | Real Log Fires | Parking Next to Bradford on Avon Train Station Frome Road, Bradford On Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1LA

Helping you meet someone new in your area

Tel 01225 865876 | Find us on Facebook

Win

A FAMILY MAPLE MEMBERSHIP TO THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

S

WIN A FAMILY MAPLE MEMBERSHIP

ummer’s the perfect time to visit the American Museum – a hidden gem on the outskirts of Bath. Its grounds and parklands are wonderful to explore, and inside the manor house there’s a superb collection of Americana. The cafe terrace offers stunning views and is a great place to relax whilst the kids play on the lawn.

The An American Toy Story exhibition features a wonderful collection of toys and collectables from films and the Independence Day Fair on 2 July offers fun and games for all. There are workshops, talks, music and children’s activities all summer.

The American Museum In Britain is based at Claverton Manor near Bath.

For more information call 01225 460503 or take a look at the website for details.

• americanmuseum.org

competition |

The American Museum has been kind enough to offer us a great prize for our readers – a Family Maple Membership. Lasting for a year, our lucky winners will gain free entry whenever they wish to visit the museum during the season. The membership admits 2 adults (two named adults or one named and one ‘guest’ card) and up to five children up to the age of 18. As well as umlimited visits, members also receive the museum’s regular e-newsletter and an invitation to their annual Christmas party.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is email your answer to this simple question to comp@wired-publishing.co.uk, subject AM Comp. Please include your name on your entry.

HOW MANY STRIPES ARE THERE ON THE AMERICAN FLAG? Email your entries now. Good luck!

Ts & Cs: Closing date for entries is 31.07.16. Entrants must be over 18. Prize is as stated and is non-transferable. No cash alternative will be offered. We may pass your details on to the American Museum so they can contact you with relevant event information and special offers. We may also add you to our mailing list to receive an online edition of the magazine each month. If you would prefer your details were not used in this way please state NO INFO on your entry.

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THE

WESTBROOK

Bromham, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2EE

tel 01380 850418

NOW UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A £30 FOOD & DRINK VOUCHER! Kevin & Louise invite you to visit the beautifully refurbished Westbrook. It offers an inviting bar, a beautiful sun deck, garden and a new children’s play area. The menu is bursting with superb value traditional pub classics and top notch specials.

• FULLY REFURBISHED • FRESHLY COOKED FOOD • DAILY SPECIALS • FAMILY FRIENDLY • LARGE GARDEN • CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA • REAL ALES • CAR PARK

NEW LOOK , NEW MENU, NEW WESTBROOK!

local news |

New Owners for The Westbrook

K

evin and Louise Fraser have just taken over at The Westbrook, arriving from The Greyhound in Bromham, which they ran for nearly 10 years. Since taking the reins, the couple have gone about overseeing a complete renovation of this light and airy pub, creating a fresh, family friendly pub that will no doubt become widely known for its wide range of superb value traditional pub classics, including meat from the grill, chicken, vegetarian offerings and top notch specials. Their steaks are matured for 28-35 days to give a richer, more succulent, flavour, whilst their seafood is delivered from Wings of St Mawes in Cornwall.

During the summer, the pub’s beautiful new sun deck and garden will prove hugely popular,

particularly for families with young children who will love rushing around in the dedicated play area. On warm days they have a bouncy castle available to use too.

The pub is very family oriented, with small portions of many of the main courses available as well as favourites like burgers and pasta bolognaise – they have highchairs and children’s cutlery available too.

Find The Westbrook on the edge of Spye Park, on the Melksham to Calne road at Westbrook, just a minute from the Devizes to Chippenham road. To book a table, or find out more, call 01380 850418.

Also, ‘like’ them on Facebook for your chance to win a £30 food and drink voucher!

• Find them on Facebook

Melksham Food & River Festival

Y

ou can look forward to an amazing weekend of entertainment at the Melksham Food and River Festival on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September. On Saturday there will be boat rides on the River Avon as well as fun canoe taster sessions.

Also enjoy the fun and frolicsof the raft races; which team can get to the end without ending up in the River?! Sunday, meanwhile, sees over 70 stalls at the Food and River Fair, making it an absolute must for anyone with an interest in good food and local produce. Artisan food sellers will mingle with community old and new, from the fifties to the groups and children’s entertainers. present day. As well as that there’ll be boat rides, canoe sessions and A full programme of events will be diving sessions to watch as well. taking place, from the challenging So much to do and, best of all, chilli eating contest to the Modern Vintage band playing classic covers the entry is absolutely free! Come

on down and enjoy a fantastic weekend at King George V playing field at Lowbourne in Melksham.

See you there!

• Find them on Facebook THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

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BEAUTIFUL AWARD-WINNING VILLAGE PUB

biddestone arms

Fine Dining & Country Pub

•Award-Winning British Pub Menu • Finest Cask Ales • Superb Wines • Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Winner 2014 & 2015 01249 714377 | www.biddestonearms.co.uk | The Green, Biddestone, Nr Chippenham SN14 7DG

Recently renovated, The George is the perfect place to visit for local ales, top quality wines and fantastic food created by our award-winning chef Alex Venables.

• Cosy bar • Local produce & fresh fish • Large Garden • Dog friendly • Open daily from 9.30 for coffee & breakfast

NOW PEN ALSO O S Y A MOND

SET LUNCH 2 Courses £12.95 Monday to Saturday SUNDAY LUNCH Booking Essential! from £13.50 DELICIOUS AFTERNOON TEAS Available Friday to Sunday - Booking Essential!

Book your table today on 01225 865650

67 Woolley St, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1AQ | thegeorgebradfordonavon.co.uk

food & drink | Longs Arms, Steeple Ashton

LET’S GO

OUTSIDE

When the sun shines it’s great to be able to enjoy a meal or a few drinks outdoors. Here are a few of our favourite spots to while away the hours…

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| food & drink

THE ANGEL INN Upton Scudamore, Warminster BA12 0AG

The Angel Inn is a country pub, in the village of Upton Scudamore, refurbished with a new team and excellent food, sourced locally where possible from Wiltshire and surrounding farmers. They use seasonal meats, game, fruit and vegetables, ensuring the menu stays fresh and the ingredients are bursting with flavour. Enjoy your meal on their lovely terrace and bathe in some lovely evening sunshine. For great food on a budget, pop over Monday to Wednesday and enjoy a meal for two for just £25. On Monday it’s a homemade burger and a bottle of house wine, on Tuesday it’s fish and chips and a bottle of prosecco and on Wednesday it’s rib eye steaks and a bottle of house wine; all delicious and all superb value for money.

The Angel Inn

The summer menu boasts all your pub classic staples as well as lighter seasonal salads and boards, including antipasto and warm chickpea and roast pepper salad. A real favourite with regulars are their summer barbecues. Hear the sizzle and smell the beautiful aroma as they offer a fantastic range of BBQ food using meat from award-winning butchers Walter Rose.

01380 828230 | bargeinnseend.co.uk

01985 213225 | theangelinn.co.uk

BIDDESTONE ARMS

THE BARGE INN

The Green, Biddestone, Nr Chippenham SN14 7DG

Seend Cleeve, Melksham SN12 6QB

Situated on the picturesque Kennet & Avon Canal, The Barge Inn offers excellent food, great Wadworth beers, an extensive wine list and a beautiful setting on the banks of the Kennet & Avon canal. Over the summer, why not combine a visit with a walk or bike ride along the towpath?

If you want to eat really well, there are few better options than the Biddestone Arms. Here, it’s all about robust cooking that makes the best of delicious local ingredients. As well as an a la carte menu that boasts lots of pub classics, they are also renowned for their steaks and awardwinning pies. A warm welcome The Barge Inn

is guaranteed – they have been awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the last two years – and outside you can enjoy your meal in their pretty garden, where you can even partake in a game of boules.

01249 714377 | biddestonearms.co.uk

THE GEORGE 67 Woolley Street, Bradford on Avon BA15 1AQ

The George in Bradford on Avon is the perfect place to visit for local ales, top quality wines and fantastic food.

As well as a lovely interior and open kitchen, it has a sunny courtyard garden that’s ideal for catching some rays on a warm summer’s day.

“As well as a lovely interior, The George has a sunny courtyard garden that’s ideal for catching some rays on a warm summer’s day.”

Owners Alison Ward-Baptiste and Alex Venables have just celebrated a year in charge of The George and there is a lot going on over the coming weeks, including a Fish Dine & Demo on Saturday 16 July (£30 per head), Greek Night on Friday 29 July (£40 per head), a Pasta Dine & Demo on Saturday 13 August (£30 per head) and a Fish & Fizz evening (£55 per head), which includes a 7 course tasting menu with bubbles to complement on Friday 19 August. Be sure to book your spot!

01225 865650 | thegeorgebradfordonavon.co.uk

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THE ANGEL INN’S SEASONAL SPECIALS

EVERY MONDAY

EVERY TUESDAY

EVERY WEDNESDAY

DELICIOUS HOMEMADE SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER, SERVED IN A BRIOCHE BUN WITH RED ONION, TOMATO, HOMEMADE BACON & CHILLI JAM (GLUTEN FREE ON REQUEST) & SKINNY FRIES, WASHED DOWN WITH A BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE. FIZZ & CHIPS - A BOTTLE OF PROSECCO & CRISPY CIDER BATTERED FISH, TRIPLE COOKED CHIPS & MINTED PEAS. GLUTEN FREE. STEAK NIGHT, RIB EYE STEAK, TOPPED WITH A FIELD MUSHROOM, ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES, TRIPLE COOKED CHIPS & DRESSED SALAD (GLUTEN FREE). COMPLIMENTARY BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE.

ALL £25 FOR 2

www.theangelinn.co.uk - 01985 213225 Upton Scudamore, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 0AG

Situated on the picturesque Kennet & Avon Canal The Barge Inn offers excellent food, great Wadworth beers, an extensive wine list and much more. It really is a pub for all seasons.

WEDNESDAY SPECIAL

Two Fish & Chips just £16.95!

Ham Green, Holt, WiltsHire, Ba14 6PY

NEW SUMMER MENU New seasonal menu and BBQs. Look on our Facebook page for BBQ times and upcoming events. come & see us for Good value, HiGH qualitY food & friendlY, efficient service.

• Wadworth real ales • children & dog friendly • Pretty Beer Garden • large car Park • open all day • smaller portions available

01225 782581 // theoldhamtree@gmail.com www.theoldhamtree.com

Bar Open Mon - Sat 11.30am - 11pm Sun 11.30am - 10:30pm Food Served Mon - Thurs 12pm - 2.30pm & 6pm - 9pm Fri - Sun 12pm - 5pm & 6pm - 9.30pm Sign up to our mailing list and get £5 off your food bill when you spend £20! Details on our website.

Tel 01380 828230 www.bargeinnseend.co.uk

Seend Cleeve, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6QB

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THE LAMB ON THE STRAND The Strand, Semington, Trowbridge BA14 6LL

A family run pub and restaurant, The Lamb offers excellent food and drink in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere; their efforts having been rewarded with a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in 2015.

With its wonderful gardens, complete with children’s play area, The Lamb is a great summertime venue. They specialise in top quality, freshly prepared food and if you are watching the pennies their Prix Fixe Menu, available Monday and Tuesdays (except Bank Holidays) could be just the thing – enjoy two courses for £15.50 and three for just £20. Alternatively, their Wiltshire Tapas (£4.50 each of 3 for £11) are a great option when you fancy grazing in the sunshine. Also, keep an eye on their Facebook page for upcoming live music and barbecue evenings.

01380 870263 | thelambonthestrand.co.uk

THE LONGS ARMS High St, Steeple Ashton Wiltshire BA14 6EU

Based in an idyllic spot in the beautiful village of Steeple Ashton, The Longs Arms is a wonderful place for to enjoy a pint or two of Cask Marque assured real ale or for the whole family to enjoy a meal out.

The pub is well known for its delicious

The New Inn

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The Lamb on the Strand

home cooked food, with local suppliers including Ashton Farms and Walter Rose & Son butchers.

The menu changes regularly, always including a range of pub classics as well as seasonal specials.

There are tables overlooking the village at the front of the pub, whilst an 180ft enclosed rear garden provides the ideal setting for an English summer's day. The play equipment keeps the children occupied - allowing you to relax even more!

01380 870245 | longsarms.co.uk

THE NEW INN 80 Lower Westwood, Bradford on Avon, BA15 2AE

Set in a beautiful village of Westwood, The New Inn is a great place for family dining or romantic

evening meals. You can dine al fresco in their sun-trapped beer garden at the rear of the pub on a warm day, or inside enjoy the beautiful wooden beams and relaxing atmosphere. Pub classics such as ploughman’s, classic prawn cocktail, homemade lamb and mint burger, fish and chips and many more are served throughout the week and traditional Sunday roasts are on offer every weekend - dogs are welcome too.

01225 863123 | thenewinnwestwod.co.uk

THE OLD HAM TREE Ham Green, Holt, Wiltshire BA14 6PY

Landlords Steph and Sam, who took over the pub in June 2013, run a pub that offers a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and tasty, fresh good value food. The Old Ham Tree is a Wadworth pub, so you can expect to find a tasty pint. Their Cask Marque accredited beers include 6X, IPA, Horizon and Swordfish. They also have a range of ciders including Thatchers Gold, Stowford Press and Addlestones (perfect on a warm day) as well as lagers, wines, spirits and a full complement of soft drinks. Over the summer spend time soaking up some rays in the pretty garden, it gets the sun from late morning all the way into the evening.

Everyone is welcome at The Old Ham Tree; those with lighter appetites

Quality food freshly prepared for you

The Longs Arms is a charming pub serving fantastic ales for the discerning drinker and tasty food for the hungry traveller.

It’s a true English inn with a large, mature garden; great for relaxing and enjoying the tranquility of beautiful Steeple Ashton.

High Street, Steeple Ashton, Trowbridge BA14 6EU 01380 870245 | www.longsarms.co.uk

The perfect setting for a relaxing lunch or evening meal, The Lamb on the Strand has beautiful gardens overlooking the rolling fields of West Wiltshire.

Set on the A361 between Devizes & Trowbridge you are in for a real treat with fantastic food, fine wines, local ales, cocktails & our gourmet ‘Gin & Tonic’ menu.

Our 2 detached self-catering cottages are the perfect place when friends or family come to visit.

Check Availability & Book on our Website!

Our New Summer Menu is Now Available SERVING FOOD 7 DAYS A WEEK Lunch 12-2.30pm | Dinner 6-9.30pm

99 The Strand, Semington, Trowbridge BA14 6LL t 01380 870263 | e restaurant@lambonthestrand.co.uk

| food & drink The Poplars

truly special. When the weather allows there is an amazing terrace on the restaurant level that’s perfect for al fresco dining, on a long, lazy summer evenings. After much local demand The Three Gables is now also open on Sundays, offering a special lunch menu created by head chef Giacomo Carreca, with traditional Sunday favourites and a Mediterranean twist at the heart of the cooking.

01225 781666 | thethreegables.com

and children are catered for with the smaller portions menu and the family pooch is welcome too, so it makes a great stop off point on a walk. Open every day from 12noon, The Old Ham Tree is well worth a look for those who like good beer and tasty food that doesn’t cost the earth.

specials board to suit everyone.

Follow it up with a scrumptious homemade dessert. Food is served 7 days a week.

01225 752426 | www.poplarsinn.co.uk

THE THREE GABLES St Margaret St, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1DA

This delightful, independently run restaurant is one of Bradford on THE POPLARS INN Avon’s favourite destinations, and Shop Lane, Wingfield, Trowbridge BA14 9LN has gained a great reputation for its A warm welcome awaits you in this quality food, superb wines and warm quintessential English pub/restaurant. welcome, provided by manager Vito It is a well established family run Scaduto and his team. business, part of the Wadworth Estate, which prides itself on serving The ground floor, lounge bar is great food in a friendly relaxed the perfect place to relax in, whilst atmosphere. That is why it has been the restaurant, situated on the first awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate floor, has elegant furnishings and of Excellence for the last four years. an unbeatable view of the river, ensuring that any occasion becomes When the sun shines you can sit in The Three Gables the large garden where you might be lucky to catch a game of cricket and enjoy the wonderful sound of leather on willow. Or simply sit and enjoy the tranquillity of the English countryside with a pint of cask marque accredited real ale or a glass of wine from around the world. The ground is available for private hire for BBQ’s, rounders or cricket. Why not venture inside to sample delicious homecooked food?

Head Chef Ben uses locally sourced ingredients wherever possible and there is always a choice on the daily 01225 782581 | theoldhamtree.com

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THE THREE MAGPIES Sells Green, Seend, Melksham SN12 6RN

This traditional English pub offers a great range of real ales and fine wines. It is a homely, happy pub and they have a terrific team of staff waiting to welcome you. The Three Magpies can be found midway between Devizes and Melksham on the main B365 and it offers excellent seasonal homemade food, seven days a week. On warmer days you can make the most of the large beer garden and children’s play area (this place is really family friendly), and pop in on Monday or Wednesday lunchtime and enjoy a 2 course lunch for an amazing £7. Enjoy fish on Fridays? They offer a lunch consisting of two fish & chips, bread and butter and a pot of tea for just £10 – outstanding value!

01380 828389 | threemagpies.co.uk

The Green, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 7DG

Whether you are after a lunchtime special or an evening drink, drop by to relax and try one of our traditional range of ales, superb home cooked food and homely atmosphere. + Recently Refurbished + Traditional Real Ales + Dog Friendly + Large Garden + Play Area + Cream Teas

01249 713305 | whitehorsebiddestone.co.uk

Traditional family run village pub

Open for lunch & dinner seven days a week serving homecooked food with accredited Cask Marque Wadworth ales •Ample Parking • Bar • Two Restaurants •Award-Winning Gardens • Cricket Pitch • Real Ales t 01225 752426 e poplarsinn@gmail.com w wwwpoplarsinn.co.uk

| food & drink

Whatley Manor

“When the weather is fine, you can enjoy your meal on the Kitchen Garden terrace, which is surrounded by borders filled with fragrant herbs and vegetables.” Le Mazot at Whatley Manor is the perfect setting for al fresco summer dining. Menus focus on seasonal produce, locally sourced Easton Grey, Malmesbury SN16 0RB whenever possible and created by The brasserie at Whatley Manor, Le the same expert kitchen team as Mazot, serves lunch and dinner every the award winning restaurant ‘The day of the week. When the weather Dining Room’, overseen by head chef is fine, you can enjoy your meal on Martin Burge. Why not combine your the Kitchen Garden terrace, which visit with one of the Whatley Manor is surrounded by borders filled with Garden Tours? Running on 12, 18, 25 fragrant herbs and vegetables. It

WHATLEY MANOR HOTEL & SPA

The White Horse

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July and 1 August, you can enjoy a private tour of the beautiful grounds from gardens and maintenance manager Andy Spreadbury. The day, which includes a two-course lunch, costs £44 per person.

01666 822888 | whatleymanor.com

THE WHITE HORSE The Green, Biddestone, Chippenham SN14 7DG

Known traditionally as ‘the pub by the duck pond’, The White Horse at Biddestone is without a doubt one of the most picturesque public houses around. Drop by to relax and try their Cask Marque recommended ales, superb home cooked food and excellent homely atmosphere; all of which add up to make the White Horse that little bit different.

Head over and you can enjoy a delicious lunch in the newly refurbished restaurant or snug. And if you have room left for pudding you can add a homemade dessert.

Then enjoy a play in the giant back garden or a walk down to the village duck pond. Takeaway ice creams and cream teas are available too!

01249 713305 | whitehorsebiddestone.co.uk

THE THREE GABLES

At The Three Gables, we offer accomplished cooking at affordable prices: a modern menu with Mediterranean influences, using fine local produce and classic techniques.

ENJOY AL FRESCO DINING

ON OUR BEAUTIFUL TERRACE THIS SUMMER

NOW OPEN FOR SUNDAY LUNCH WEEKDAY SET LUNCH 2 Courses £14.00 | 3 Courses £18.00 St Margaret’s Street, Bradford on Avon BA15 1DA | 01225 781666 | thethreegables.com | info@thethreegables.com

| food & drink

eat the

seasons I

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

f you grow vegetables or fruit in your garden or if you have an allotment, you should be enjoying the fruits of your labour. If not, a visit to your local farm shop or store should whet your appetite with a large range of local and English produce on offer at this time of year.

It is not too late to sow beetroot, lettuce, spring cabbage, beans, radish, carrots and turnips.

When harvesting your own crops don’t leave it too long to pick them as they are always best when young! Feed your tomatoes regularly and always water when it’s hot.

It is Lovejoys 20th anniversary and we have been busy celebrating! The winner of the bike was Chef Richard Synan from The Weaving Shed in Bradford on Avon.

I’d love to see photos of your homegrown salads, email them to neil@lovejoyswholesale.com or tweet them to us!

Being grown commercially for Lovejoys customers from Bromham and the local area are: heritage beetroot and carrots, spring cabbage, peas, broad beans, mange tout, bobby beans, courgettes and broccoli.

Also there are plenty of salads! - Tomatoes, cucumber and all sorts of different lettuce such as baby leaf salad, pak choi, spinach, little gem, cos, lollo rosso and oak leaf, not forgetting organic watercress and all the different kinds of herbs.

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@lovejoysuk Find out more at www.lovejoyswholesale.com

recipes |

Summer

SALADS Enjoy delicious, healthy salads with a difference this summer. The recipes, as usual, come from Waitrose.

Summer Salad withSesame Dressing Serves 4

�

Ingredients 2 aubergines, thickly sliced Extra virgin olive oil spray 400g can chickpeas, drained & rinsed 1 red onion, very thinly sliced 140g pack Waitrose Watercress, Rocket & Spinach 2 tsp Cypressa tahini 1 tsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, crushed Juice of ½ lemon 100g light salad cheese, crumbled ½ x 25g pack fresh mint, roughly chopped 4 wholemeal pittas, toasted, to serve Method Arrange the aubergines on a grill pan and spray lightly with olive oil. Grill for 4–5 minutes on each side until tender

and nicely browned. Quarter each slice and transfer to a serving bowl.

Add the chick peas, red onion and salad leaves and toss well. For the dressing, mix together the tahini, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice with 1 tbsp water until well blended.

Scatter the cheese and mint over the salad, then drizzle with the sesame dressing. Serve with toasted pittas.

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| recipes into pieces and scatter over the top of each salad along with the nuts, and serve.

Chef’s Tip The flavours in this dish would also work well with griddled halloumi in place of the goat’s cheese.

Mediterranean Tuna & Giant Cous Cous Salad Serves 4 Ingredients 150g wholegrain cous cous 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp sun dried tomato paste Squeeze lemon juice 70g wild rocket 100g cherry tomatoes, quartered 6cm piece cucumber, halved, deseeded and thinly sliced 80g can John West Tuna Infusions Chilli & Garlic 2 salad onions, thinly sliced Method Cook the cous cous in a large pan of boiling water for 6–8 minutes until tender. Drain well.

Serves 4

Ingredients 2 tbsp white wine vinegar Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 tsp clear honey 1 red chilli, deseeded & finely chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 600g courgettes 220g tenderstem broccoli spears, halved 1 tbsp olive oil 200g Chèvre Blanc 50g hazelnuts, roughly chopped 85g baby kale or rocket leaves

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Method Place the vinegar, lemon zest and juice, honey, chilli and garlic in a large bowl and whisk together. Thinly slice the courgettes and add to the bowl, turning to coat in the dressing. Chill for 10–15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the broccoli in a pan of boiling water for 3 minutes until tender. Drain and cool under running water.

Mix together the olive oil, sun dried tomato paste and lemon juice. Drizzle over the couscous and set aside to cool, then chill until ready to serve.

Toss together the dressed couscous, rocket leaves, cherry tomatoes and cucumber. Divide between 2 serving plates and top with the tuna and salad onions.

Line a baking sheet with foil, brush lightly with oil and top with the goat’s cheese. Add a drizzle of oil, a grinding of black pepper and scatter over the nuts. Grill under a high heat for 3–4 minutes until golden.

Divide the leaves, broccoli and marinated courgettes between 4 serving plates. Break the goat’s cheese

�

Courgette salad with grilled goat's cheese

| food & drink

Meet the Chef This month we caught up with the new head chef at the Harp & Crown in Gastard, DEBBIE NICHOLLS, to talk bouillabaisse, local suppliers and takeaways!

What was your first job in catering?

Years ago at The Pear Tree, Whitley as a commis chef. The head chef back then had just done a stint with Gordon Ramsey and he had picked up a few of his traits! I was only there for a short time and luckily that didn’t put me off cheffing!

Where have you worked previously?

I worked at the Linnet at Great Hinton and Somerset Arms in Semington. Then I moved to London for 3½ years and worked in some amazing gastro pubs including The Pig & Butcher in Angel and St John’s Tavern in Archway, where I learnt the most technical skills and gained confidence in my ability. Everything was homemade right down to the ketchup. We would get whole pigs in and butcher it down. Working in London also made me realise what kind of pub I would like to aim for.

What is the most memorable event you have cooked for?

What was the first dish you masCooking for Tom Kerridge in two tered? cooking competitions I entered 6/7 Bouillabaisse…and if it is on a menu years ago; I also got a tour round his in a restaurant, I will always order it to kitchen. compare it to mine.

When you cook for friends, what’s Do you have any favourite local on the menu? suppliers?

I like to cook home comforts like a Lovejoys for fruit and veg as I have spag bol or a roast dinner but my always used them when working in friends want me to cook fine dining.

Wiltshire so just made sense to use Chicken liver parfait, Beef Wellington them again. Beavans for meat, they and chocolate fondant has been one are always so accommodating when of my menus for a night with the girls.

I ask for unusual things What’s your favourite kitchen What is your favourite dish on the gadget? current menu?

My new oven…when it arrives this Goats cheese and vegetable terrine week! The one I have at the moment with wild garlic pesto. It’s a simple has a mind of its own and we often dish but it’s full of flavour. fall out!

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And your guilty pleasure?

An Indian takeaway or a Chinese if I’m hungover!

To make a reservation at the Harp & Crown call 01249 715697.

• cascadepubs.co.uk

NEW CHEF, NEW MENU! Enjoy all homemade, seasonally changing food

Lunch & Dinner Menu Homemade Bar Snacks Real Ales Sunday Roasts Cocktails Children’s Menu

Excellent Ciders Great Wines Hot drinks

• Large beer garden • Car parking • Family Friendly with children’s play area • Large conservatory available for private functions • Free WiFi

OPENING TIMES BAR 6pm-11pm Mon, 12pm-3pm & 6pm-11pm Tues-Thurs, 12pm-3pm & 5pm-11.30pm Fri, 12pm-11.30pm Sat, 12pm-10.30pm Sun KITCHEN 12pm-2.30pm & 6pm-9pm Tues to Fri, 12pm-3pm & 6pm-9.30pm Sat, 12pm-3pm Sun

BOOK A TABLE TODAY ON 01249 715697 e harpcrowngastard@cascadepubs.co.uk w harpandcrowngastard.cascadepubs.co.uk

Velly Hill, Gastard, Nr Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9PU

| food & drink

‘Fast & Delicious’ Cooking LISA ROCKLIFFE headed over to Bath to take on a half day course at Demuths Cookery School.

D

emuths is a vegetarian cookery school based in Bath that grew out of Rachel Demuth’s hugely popular eponymous restaurant. The school is based in Terrace Walk and enjoys beautiful views out across to Parade Gardens. A beautiful Georgian building, the ceilings are high and the rooms bright and fully equipped with induction and gas hobs and everything you need for a good day’s cooking.

With interest in vegetarian and vegan cooking as high as ever, the school runs a series of classes to suit all cooking abilities and they have a vast array of options to choose from, including Middle Eastern, Far Eastern, Mexican, South American, Japanese and European cooking. All courses promise to leave you bursting with inspiration

promised to be perfect for busy lives, creating colourful dishes in mere minutes. The workshop was run by Lydia Downey.

After introductory coffees and homemade biscuits (yum), there was no time to waste; with five dishes to make over the course of a few hours, there’s a lot to fit in.

Thankfully, with time at a premium, the prep is nearly all done for you (there’s no washing up to worry about either!)

The course I chose was a Fast & Delicious half day course that

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Over the course of our half day me

Despite there being a lot to go through, at no point did Lydia, a skilled cook and excellent tutor, make us feel rushed. Quite the opposite in fact. There seemed all the time in the world available to talk ingredients and techniques, to ask questions and, above all, to taste. Dishes and their

“All courses promise to leave you bursting with inspiration and ideas to create fresh, modern food that everyone, not just vegetarians, can enjoy.” and ideas to create fresh, modern food that everyone, not just vegetarians, can enjoy.

like Labna – a Middle Eastern staple that can be flavoured to accompany a sweet or savoury dish.

origins were explained, unusual ingredients and their uses were discussed and you learnt some great little tips – like passing natural yoghurt through muslin to create a beautiful cream cheese-

and my fellow tutees created a ‘Turkish Gözleme with Ezme Salad and

food & drink | Tzatziki’, ‘Puy Lentils with Roasted Summer Vegetables & Salsa Verde’, a ‘Ribbon Salad with Griddled Halloumi’, a ‘Quinoa Primavera’ and, to finish, ‘Strawberries with Mint Syrup and Scented Labna’. All were surprisingly easy to make and all packed a punch. With summer now here all were brilliantly suited to eating outdoors or, for accompanying a barbecue – not even the most ardent carnivore could resist.

I was the only non-vegetarian on the course. But like most that doesn’t mean I don’t cook some vegetarian dishes. In fact, it was all the more reason why I needed the course. For those of us who rely on meat or fish to be the star of a dish, vegetarian cooking can easily, if lazily, be viewed as a poor relation.

Here I was shown exactly how to make sure that doesn’t happen with a selection of tasty dishes that expanded my repertoire and made me feel differently about how I cook and the

ingredients I use. Even better – when you leave they give you a pack complete with the recipes you have made so you can recreate them at home. And I’m pleased to say I’ve done just that; I’ve even tried some of the variations they suggest too. Great result all round!

To find out more about the courses available at Demuths, and to book, see their website or call 01225 427938.

• demuths.co.uk

Strawberries with Mint Syrup and Scented Labna

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activities |

ALLFORSET

Summer IN NEED OF INSPIRATION FOR THIS YEAR’S SCHOOL HOLIDAYS? HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO SOME OF THE BEST ATTRACTIONS, EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS ACROSS THE REGION. THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

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| activities

AMERICAN MUSEUM

Summer’s the perfect time to visit The American Museum – a hidden gem on the outskirts of Bath. Its grounds and parklands are wonderful to explore, and inside the manor house there’s a superb collection of Americana. The cafe terrace offers stunning views and is a great place to relax whilst the kids play on the lawn.

The An American Toy Story exhibition features a wonderful collection of toys and collectables from films and the Independence Day Fair on 2 July offers fun and games for all. There are workshops, talks, music and children’s activities all summer. Open Tuesday – Sunday 12 noon – 5pm (café and gardens open from 10.30am). Closed Mondays except during August and Bank Holidays.

• americanmuseum.org

BATH POSTAL MUSEUM

Visitors can discover the fascinating story of the post from clay mail to email. There is a large collection of items connected to the city of Bath’s major contribution to the development of the national postal

service. Two 18th century far-seeing Bath men, reproduced on film, appear from portraits to explain how they were involved. Also explained is how their innovations were copied internationally. Further exhibits include a display of rare air crash covers dating from 1923 – 1938 accompanied by a separate display of related photographs and a display of attractively embroidered postcards sent out by troops during WWI. You can also view the history of the British postal wall box, from 1854 - 1998 showing original examples. Please check the website for their new opening times and other visitor information.

• bathpostalmuseum.co.uk

BOUNCE-A-ROO AT THE CIVIC

Weather over the summer holidays can often be unreliable so why not bring your family down the Trowbridge Civic Centre over July and August and let your kids bounce away their energy at ‘Bounce-A-Roo’s Summer at the Civic’?

On selected dates each week Bounce-A-Roo will be opening the doors introducing you to an awesome indoor inflatable play centre. With bouncy castles, ball Bowood

ponds, a disco dome, mega slide and differently themed castles, Bounce-A-Roo promise the bounce of a lifetime! They will also be providing a great selection of soft play in a designated toddler zone and debuting a brand new didi car track! On some dates there will also be special visits from your children’s favourite storybook characters. Keep updated on all the latest goings on via Facebook.

• bounce-a-roo.co.uk

BOWOOD

A stunning Georgian stately home set in hundreds of acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscape and gardens, Bowood has been home to the Lansdowne family for over 260 years and carries with it a rich and fascinating history. For kids over the holidays, the adventure playground has it all - high adrenalin rope walks, amazing slides, pirate galleon, flying foxes and the ‘death slide’ combine to create hours of fun. For younger children, a soft play area is available, whilst Tractor Ted’s Little Farm is a lovely petting zoo for younger visitors, where they can meet friendly farm animals and have fun on the outdoor tractor track and mini diggers.

• bowood.org

BUSH FARM BISON CENTRE

See bison, elk, raccoons and guanacos at Bush Farm Bison Centre. Bush Farm is a working farm tucked away at the southern end of the little village of West Knoyle (near Mere), just over a mile from the A303.

As well as seeing the beautiful animals it is also a lovely venue for a summer walk that takes the visitor through the tree gardens. There are some 30 acres of mature oak woods

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Native American Pow Wow 9 & 10 July Enjoy a day out at Bush Farm and see elk, raccoons, guanaco, rhea and chipmunks as well as the bison! Wander around 30 acres of oak woodlands with picnic & play areas and woodland camp pitches with fire pits.

REFRESHMENTS & LIGHT MEALS AVAILABLE West Knoyle,Wiltshire BA12 6AE 01747 830263 | www.bisonfarm.co.uk Open until end of September Wednesday-Sunday & Bank Holidays, 10am-5pm

| activities

COURT FARM COUNTRY PARK

Open for more than 25 years as a visitor attraction, Court Farm Country Park in Banwell, near Weston-super-Mare, is looking forward to another fun filled summer of entertainment for all the family. The park has been voted runners up in the Farm Attraction Of The Year competition twice in recent years, an accolade that the attraction’s owner, Peter Gwyn, puts down to the friendly atmosphere and the excellent facilities the farm now boasts. With over 25000sq ft of undercover attractions and playgrounds, all visitors can enjoy a day in the countryside whatever the weather.

Cotswold Motoring Museum

with mown paths, secret gardens and wide grassy clearings for you to wander or just sit in and enjoy glimpses of the wonderful wildlife that surrounds you. There are also woodland camp pitches with fire pits to enjoy too. The Bison Centre and Farm is open from 10am - 5pm Wednesday to Sunday from April, including Bank Holidays until the end of September. Plus there is also the Annual Pow Wow to look forward to on 9 & 10 July, with music, drums, stalls and great fun to be had. Call for details.

• bisonfarm.co.uk

COTSWOLD MOTORING MUSEUM

For a vintage family day out, all roads lead to the Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection. Nestled in the quaint and picturesque village of Bourtonon-the-Water, the Cotswold Motoring Museum has seven galleries packed with classic cars, motorbikes, caravans and vintage motoring items as well as a unique

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and fascinating toy collection and motorsports exhibition. The museum is also home to the famous children’s television star Brum.

This year the Cotswold Motoring Museum is inviting football fans to take a journey back in time for a nostalgic look at the year England won the World Cup in 1966. The exhibition includes World Cup memorabilia such as flag, images and displays about the tournament as well as a full size replica of the Jules Rimet trophy. The ’50 year flashback’ exhibition also relates the story of Pickles, the clever dog who found the trophy after it had been stolen from an exhibition display!

• cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk

Court Farm Country Park

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

• courtfarmcountrypark.co.uk

DRIVE-TECH LTD

With junior and adult karting, 4x4 off roading and skid pan, Drive-Tech offers exciting and fun driving experiences for everyone aged 10 and over at any time of the year. Their courses are suitable for all levels. For kids aged 10-15, the karting track provides a safe controlled environment for young people to learn racing skills whilst

| activities

Drive-Tech Ltd

having a fantastic time! Adult karting (suitable for anyone aged 15 and over) takes place in Drive-Tech’s high speed karts. At top speeds racing feels as real as it gets and on the outdoor track drivers must adjust their driving skills to meet the conditions. Challenge friends and family and hone your skills - this is a serious step up from indoor karting.

Another outdoor adventure, and one that’s ideal for a corporate day out, is 4x4 off roading, which takes place on their purpose built course. The terrain is treacherous and the excitement is huge! To find out more see the website, or head along to Trip Advisor and search drivetechltd to see what visitors say about them!

• www.drivetechltd.co.uk

HOLBURNE MUSEUM

This summer the whole family can head over and enjoy activities inspired by the Holburne Museum in Bath’s latest exhibition, Stubbs and the Wild (25 June – 2 October 2016). The exhibition delves into the visionary 18th century world of George Stubbs through his realistic animal studies and sublime fantasy pieces. The exhibition presents the early encounters between polite Georgian society and the wild

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creatures and places depicted in Stubbs’ work. Keen young artists are also more than welcome to sign up for the Summer Art Camp. Aimed specifically at 5-12 year olds, the camp offers creative activities inspired by the Museum’s collection and exhibitions, led by an experienced team of artists. The days cost £36 per day per child, call 01225 388568 for details.

• holburne.org

which is wheelchair accessible, then introduces you to the other animals in the park, including goats, sheep, Shetland ponies, donkeys, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, baby emus and alpacas. You can buy bags of food to give the animals too – a guarantee of some one to one moments with the animals as you go round. There is also an aviary housing lovebirds, finches, budgies, parrots and beautiful owls. En route there are other things to keep little ones amused should they need it, including a new and improved play area, trampolines, playhouses, climbing frames, a miniature golf course and a fairy wood. It’s great fun, allowing kids to work off some of their inexhaustible energies whilst grown ups wander round the park and admire the scenery.

After your animal park adventures you may wish to stop off at the popular Squirrels Tea Room, a country style log cabin that serves hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes, freshly cooked lunches and, if the weather demands it, ice creams!

• hopenaturecentre.org.uk

"This summer the whole family can head over and enjoy activities inspired by the Holburne IFORD MANOR Manor has a Grade One Listed, Museum in Bath's latest Iford internationally renowned, Italianate exhibitions." garden famous for its tranquil

HOPE NATURE CENTRE

Hope Nature Centre in Southwick is a great place to take the family during the holidays. Open 7 days a week, it’s unbelievable value: costing just £2.50 per adult, £1.50 per child or a family ticket (£7) gains entry for two adults and two children.

Small children will love Rabbit Village, which has rabbits large and small as well as guinea pigs and oh-so cute little degus. The route,

beauty. Designed by architect and landscape gardener Harold Ainsworth Peto, who lived there from 1899 to 1933, this unique and romantic hillside garden is characterised by steps, terraces, sculpture and magnificent rural views. It is open to the public from April to October.

From midsummer through to early August, the gardens and cloister play host to a series of opera performances and jazz concerts, as well as a series of free “3-to-tea”

EAT Enjoy breakfast lunch and dinners, craft beers, wines & much more at The Lock Inn CafĂŠ beside the Kennet & Avon Canal. www.thelockinn.co.uk 01225 868068

PEDAL OR PADDLE TT Cycles is a premier bike shop offering sales and servicing whilst Towpath Trail offers bike and canoe hire. www.ttcycles.co.uk 01225 867187

SLEEP Widbrook Barns offers self contained, comfortable B&B barns in private grounds plus Gypsy Caravan stays. www.widbrookbarns.co.uk 01225 865049

| activities concerts on Sunday afternoons by amateur and not-so-amateur artists.

Throughout the quiet, rural valley there are also beautiful walks along public footpaths, offering a complete escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life and a fine extension of your day out at Iford.

• ifordmanor.co.uk

Photographer of the Year 2016 (16 July – 11 September). Normal admission applies. Open daily, 10.30am-5.30pm.

• nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock

MILL ON THE BRUE

Mill on the Brue is the best kids’ summer camp ever, residential or daily. Residential camps start on Sunday 10 July, day camps run Mondays to Fridays. There are themed days, Army, Pirates Lacock Abbey is a great location and Olympics 2016 as well as two for a family day out. The garden normal activity days weekly. With a and grounds are in full bloom, maximum of 12 kids in each group and the woodlands invite you to and two instructors they have Mill explore and play on rope swing, on the Brue’s 25 acres to roam! Kids stepping logs and huge ancient tree try five/six activities in a day, and love stumps. There are family trails and the delicious, homecooked filling events and outdoor family theatre, lunches. The exciting, fun, activities including ‘Danny, Champion of the cover canoeing to high ropes, World’ on 28 July. archery to assault course, rafting, tree climbing, tunnelling, crossing During the summer holidays they the river, zip wire, clay oven cooking, open the discovery den in the Tudor water slide, the list is endless. TV? Courtyard every Monday, Tuesday Computer games? No way! and Wednesday, helping families get closer to nature together and 50% of children return year after complete some of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ (50things.org. year as it becomes their own summer tradition. Parents remark uk) with workshops and activities. that their children are more Plus there are there summer independent and more confident, exhibitions to visit, which include an exhibition of costumes from the returning home grubby, tired and very happy!

BBC series ‘The Hollow Crown: The • millonthebrue.co.uk War of the Roses’ and Underwater

LACOCK ABBEY

Roman Baths

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ROMAN BATHS

Enjoy a unique experience by visiting the Roman Baths by torchlight on a summer’s evening.

The site is open until 10pm every evening in July and August (last entry 9pm). As darkness falls, the ruins of this vast Roman building are an awesome sight. By the light of flickering torches, you can walk on 2000 year old pavements, providing a truly magical atmosphere.

Stop for dinner or a glass of wine in the Pump Room restaurant or Roman Baths Kitchen. The Pump Room is open for dinner in July and August; book on 01225 444477.

Alternatively you could opt for the Twilight Tour and Dinner package.

Explore Roman ruins under flickering torchlight, discover fascinating facts from your guide and then relax with a 3-course dinner at the Roman Baths Kitchen. All for £39.50 per person. Book on 0844 847 5256 or email tourism@bathtourism.co.uk • romanbaths.co.uk

STEAM

There’s hands-on action at STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway – this summer. Located right next to Swindon’s Designer Outlet, the Museum is bursting with things to see and do for all the family. Among storytelling displays, you’ll find legendary steam locomotives, a train simulator and Signal Box, as well as many hands-on exhibits. The museum has also just welcomed King George V and City of Truro, two superb locomotives that will play a key part in celebrating Swindon’s 175th anniversary as a railway town. One of the highlights of the summer will be a performance of the Railway Children on 20 August.

For more information call 01793 466646 or see the website.

• steam-museum.org.uk

| activities bikes and child seats for hire should you need them. Alternatively, you might want to take to the water in a canoe. Their canoes are very safe and easy to use and can be paddled solo, or can accommodate mum, dad and two children, the choice is yours!

• towpathtrail.co.uk

WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY West Somerset Railway

TAFF VALLEY

Have you ever thought of taking yourself or the family Quad Biking or Gorge Walking or have a go at Archery or Clay Pigeon shooting?

If the answers ‘yes’ then Taff Valley Quad Bike and Activity Centre offers all of these set in the beautiful Taff Valleys just outside Cardiff.

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

None of the activities require any experience as full training is given by qualified instructors, making it fun for all the family. Why not try the new Ultimate Woodland Assault Course, which will challenge both mind and body! The obstacles cover running, climbing, jumping, crawling, swimming and balancing elements with the aim of testing teamwork and endurance. Perfect for everything from a family adventure day to a corporate team building exercise, the new assault course is a great addition to the activities available at Taff Valley.

• adventurewales.co.uk

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TOWPATH TRAIL

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

Towpath Trail is the original bike and canoe hire on the canal. Operating from their bike shop TT cycles in Bradford on Avon, their bikes are in good condition – all less than 6 months old – and are ideal if you and the family want to head off to Bath (10 miles) or Devizes (12 miles), home to the famous Caen Hill lock flight.

There are also child trailers, trailer

England’s longest heritage railway is the West Somerset which runs its services over the 20 miles of route between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead. Steam trains operate until October.

As well as the daily timetable, West Somerset Railway also runs a series of special events throughout the year. These include the ever popular Days out with Thomas from 1 -3 July, Exmoor Rail on Saturday 6 August and The Dunster Castle Express. Running on Saturdays and Wednesdays, it offers a full day out with a steam train ride and a visit to the 1000 year old castle.

Other attractions include catering trains with fish and chips, cheese and cider and cream teas. More information can be obtained from and bookings made via telephone on 01643 704996 or the website.

• west-somerset-railway.co.uk

Inspire of Warminster Live Music in the Park, Saturday 16 July, 1pm–7pm The ‘Inspire of Warminster’ live music festival takes place in Warminster Town Park on Saturday 16 July from 1pm to 7pm. The headline act is State of Quo, regarded as one of the country’s best Status Quo tribute bands. Local acts Ben and Tim, Outline and Chloë-Marie will be performing, along with Six Feet Above and Rose Between Two

Thorns from Kingdown School. Ben and Tim and Chloë-Marie will also be giving free music workshops in the Lakeside Community Centre.

Refreshments will be available from the award-winning Organ Inn, the Field Kitchen and the Pavilion Café, or just bring your own picnic and sit and relax on the bank, enjoying the sounds.

Offering beautifully designed kitchens, or kitchen replacement doors, with a FREE innovative design & planning service • Stunning ranges including Contemporary, Traditional, Painted, Gloss and more • Expert Design & Installation • Appliances from the Industry’s Leading Manufacturers • The Homemaker Customer Care & After Sales Service 5-6 George Street, Warminster, Wilts BA12 8QA 01985 219200 | www.myhomemaker.co.uk

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• www.perfectrooms.co.uk • Tel: 01249 716445 • perfectrooms@btconnect.com

| house & home

Celebrating 10 years of

Home Inspiration Home Inspirations Ltd, the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and home study specialist based in Devizes, has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of trading.

a

T

he directors believe the huge success of Home Inspirations is due to their expert knowledge, seamless installations, high standards of work and customer care that is second to none which in turn has earned them a very enviable reputation. They were approved as a Which? Trusted Trader two years ago and have many independent glowing reviews on the Which?

Trusted Trader website.

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Carole Gould, Director, says, “Which? is a trusted household name so all our customers enjoy the reassurance that they are dealing with professionals who are experts in their field and with a company that takes great pride in having nothing less than happy satisfied customers�.

To help guide customers through the design and planning process Home Inspirations use the latest computer aided design system

enabling them to view their potential projects in virtual realistic images. Also available in their showroom, based on the Hopton Park Industrial Estate, are working appliances for customers to touch, feel and experience.

For example they can see for themselves the responsiveness of a Neff Induction Hob or a Quooker Hot Water Tap in action making hot drinks on demand. They always encourage customers to lie in the baths for a comfort test or

Home Inspirations specialise in the design of kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and home studies

house & home | sit on a shower seat and imagine themselves using it.

The showroom has a range of displays from contemporary to traditional styles to suit all tastes and budgets. They can offer a one-stop-shop as they carry flooring, tiles and lighting, plus they also offer a fitting service which can encompass all aspects of installations including plastering, electrics and plumbing.

To see for yourself head over to the showroom. They are very easy to find on Hopton Park Industrial Estate and have plenty of parking directly outside. To find out more call 01380 728644.

• homeinspirationsltd.co.uk

“To guide customers through the design and planning process Home Inspirations use the latest computer aided design system enabling them to view their potential projects in virtual realistic images.”

THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE

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| house & home

Let the sun shine in

A

Warminster based specialists New Windows are confident they can find the right style of conservatory for you.

quality, bespoke conservatory or orangery makes a significant addition to your home and lifestyle. All New Windows products are designed and made to the right specifications to ensure that, all year round, you can fully enjoy, appreciate, and feel completely comfortable in your new room, no matter the weather.

If you’re looking for something more unique, why not turn your extension into a beautiful garden room with a solid tiled roof option? A tiled roof is the latest conservatory innovation where the roof is fully insulated, helping regulate the temperature to allow you to benefit from your extension all year round, and it’s tied into your home’s current roofline.

New Windows also offers a variety of glass specifications to choose from, whether you’re looking for some privacy, more security, or energy savings. Ranging from enhanced thermal efficiency with their tripleglazing to laminated toughened glass, and even self-cleaning glass, New Windows can help you make the right choices for your lifestyle.

Already have a conservatory but wishing you could upgrade?

It couldn’t be easier with New Windows! They follow a simple three step system, making the whole process quicker and far cheaper than a full replacement.

Step 1 – Remove They take down the roof, windows and the PVCu frame of your existing conservatory

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A tiled roof is a great way of making your conservatory usable all year round

“Ranging from enhanced thermal efficiency with their triple-glazing to laminated toughened glass, and even self-cleaning glass, New Windows can help you make the right choices for your lifestyle.”

Step 2 – Replace They install a brand new frame, thermally efficient windows, your chosen roof, and a choice of French, Patio, or Bi-Fold doors.

Step 3 – Relax They take away all the mess, leaving you to enjoy your brand new conservatory.

Finally, New Windows offers fantastic finance options to all customers.

Option 1 – Spreading the Cost Your product will be payable over 1-2 years with a 20% customer deposit.

Option 2 – Deferred & Preferred Customers are able to pay nothing for 6 months, with options to defer payment until such time, or spread the bill over monthly payments with representative 5.9% APR. However you’d like to pay for your new conservatory or orangery you can rest easy knowing you’ve made the right choice for your home. Pop into their lovely new showroom on Station Road in Warminster, next to Waitrose, and they can help bring your project to life. Alternatively call 01985 215566 to find out more.

• newwindowsltd.co.uk

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Using British Manufacturers & Suppliers

| house & home

Pietra Wood & Stone

If you are looking for a beautiful new floor or stunning wall tiles, head over to Holt and speak to the experts at Pietra Wood & Stone.

Pietra can help both domestic and commercial clients

S

ituated in the charming village of Holt, Pietra has been supplying and installing quality surfacing products for over 13 years. The company prides itself on the range of products it can offer to both the residential and commercial market. There is also a full fitting service available to help make your project hassle free.

“Choosing your new floor or wall tiles is not easy; the staff at Pietra can help to guide you through the process.”

Staff at Pietra are just as happy speaking with individual customers - or, if they prefer, liasing directly with their architect/interior designer - to find the ideal product for your space. Not only that, but with another showroom in Fulham, they are also at the forefront of the new

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up and coming designs being introduced in to the interiors world.

In recent months their Holt showroom has been extended and refurbished, enabling clients to view a selection of stone flooring, porcelain wall tiles and engineered wood flooring in a relaxed atmosphere where friendly, knowledgeable staff will help you find the right product at the right price. Choosing your new floor or wall tiles is not easy; the staff at Staff are happy to work direct with customers or liaise with their architect or designer

Pietra can help to guide you through the process to ensure you know you have made the right decision. Once you have made your choice, they can also install it for you to guarantee a stunning, top quality finish. So, if you are thinking of modernising your home, call in to see them and they will be happy to help. Call 01225 783527 or email info@pietrawoodandstone.com to find out more.

• pietrawoodandstone.com

The Old Filling Station 400 Ham Green, Holt BA14 6PX t 01225 783527 / 782408 e info@pietrawoodandstone.com

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Also visit J Alex Brown Hardware, Ironmongery, Decorating & DIY, Gardening & More 30 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire Tel 01225 862236

| health & wellbeing

Treating long term pain The StoneHouse Clinic in Corsham draws in people looking for answers to their chronic (long term) pain from all over the South West.

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imon Barnes, the clinic’s musculo-skeletal specialist physiotherapist says, “Living with say, back or shoulder pain, every day can be very debilitating and distressing. Sometimes they have gone to many different specialists and therapists and none have been able to make a substantial difference – that’s where we can help. I saw a patient recently that had been involved in a car accident a year previously, and was still suffering with excruciating lower back, hip and neck pain. She had had to lower her working hours and was reliant on painkillers. I was able to identify that the accident had shunted her pelvis out of alignment and was causing the rest of her symptoms. Within a few sessions she was feeling much better, and although we are still working with her, she has been able to return to full time work and stop taking painkillers, which has made a great difference to her life.”

The specialist musculo-skeletal doctors can also perform ultrasound scans to help diagnose the issues and administer steroid injections to help provide relief from arthritis, tendonitis, frozen shoulder and bursitis. The clinic’s physiotherapists can use a variety of different modalities to help relieve pain.

Treatments include manual therapy, acupuncture and electrotherapy.

They also provide practical advice on supports and exercises to help you return to full health.

A great strength of the clinic is it’s 1-to-1 pilates teachers. Its teachers are all trained physiotherapists or

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The clinic can help with many forms of chronic pain, including frozen shoulder

“The clinic’s physiotherapists can use a variety of different modalities to help relieve pain.” osteopaths, giving them unique insights into the human body and how it works. This also leaves them ideally-placed to give tailored pilates exercises to suit each individual and any condition they may have. Beth Borthwick, senior physiotherapist and pilates instructor says, “When people have suffered with long term pain and injury, a gentle introduction into exercise is perfect for them, and pilates is fantastic for working on control, strength and stamina”.

Niki provides massages in the tranquil rooms at the clinic. She says, “Massages help you feel relaxed and can ease muscular tension, a common problem in long term pain”.

If you are suffering with long term pain, and are looking for a diagnosis, you should in the first instance book an appointment with Simon Barnes, a specialist musculo-skeletal

physiotherapist. He will assess you and recommend treatment, either with himself or with another member of the team. Pilates appointments are from £25, massage appointments from £30, and initial assessments by the specialist are from £40.

The clinic can be contacted on 01249 700417 or further information is on the website.

• stonehouseclinic.co.uk Musculo-skeletal specialist physiotherapist Simon Barnes

Trowbridge Chiropodist Peter Wilkinson M.Inst.Ch.P

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www.trowbridgechiropodist.co.uk Find us at: 13 St Georges Works, Silver St, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8AA

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Our friendly team of Chartered Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Doctors and Pilates and Yoga Instructors want to help you with your pain or injury. We treat everyone from the young to the very old, the unfit to GB athletes, and patients travel to us from all over the South West.

• Physiotherapy & Osteopathy for injuries to your • NEW! Injection clinic with specialist doctors treating bursitis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, back, neck, shoulder, hip, upper & lower limbs achilles tendonitis and more • Physiotherapy for sports injuries & rehab from surgery

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• 1-to-1 Pilates and Pilates classes to strengthen, lengthen & tone

Hartham Park | Corsham | Wiltshire | SN13 0RP T 01249 700 417 | E enquiries@stonehouseclinic.co.uk W stonehouseclinlic.co.uk

| later life

The elderly and the ‘elephant in the room’

The system and the funding of care is a hot topic but what about injuries accidents and abuse? We asked ANDREW DOUGLAS, a partner at Awdry Bailey & Douglas Solicitors who specialises in elderly care, for his views...

WHY THIS SUBJECT? Because as a topic it is not high on the agenda when talking about elderly care.

WHAT IS INVOLVED? Injuries and accidents happen at any stage in life. That said, some injuries and accidents are common

disabled, incontinent or immobile.

There are four different types of bedsore. They are estimated to cost the NHS between £43 -£374 a day.

Bedsores can result in infection and can kill. In 1986, 117 death certificates listed bedsores as a cause of death. Again they are often caused by lack of resource and

There are some 12,000 falls a year by people over 65... They often happen because of frailty, lack of mobility and difficulties with vision.

- although not exclusive - to the elderly. Specifically those related to falls, bedsores and elderly abuse.

WHY ARE FALLS RELEVANT? Because they are the most frequent and serious type of accident for people over 65. There are some 12,000 falls a year by people over 65. 32% happen in the home, 27% in residential institutions and 40% on the street. They often happen because of frailty, lack of mobility and difficulties with vision. A percentage happen in residential and other healthcare institutions often because of lack of resource, not enough staff employed and lack of training.

WHY ARE BEDSORES RELEVANT? Because they are avoidable and occur most in those who are elderly,

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If you want to know more, and would like a FREE APPOINTMENT in order to find out answers to the questions that need answering, please email Andrew Douglas or his team on ajd@awdrys.co.uk or call on 0800 072 8636. The firm has offices In Marlborough, Royal Wootton Basset, Devizes & Chippenham. Alternatively visit their website.

• www.abdcare.co.uk

training in the residential care and other health care institutions.

WHAT IS ELDERLY ABUSE? There is no legal status or definition. Although not exhaustive it can be physical, financial, psychological, discriminatory or sexual. Abuse is on the rise and can be by a caregiver, provider to include health providers, neighbours, relatives or others.

WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES? Dependent on the issue the remedies can be damages for falls and bedsores.

For elder abuse damages may well be relevant but also injunctions, reporting to the Care Quality Commission and the local authority safeguarding board.

Andrew Douglas

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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.

To make an appointment for a home visit please telephone:

01225 400060 Head Office: Redbridge House, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3EW www.wtponline.co.uk | david@wtponline.co.uk | 01225 400060

e s n .

EXCELLENT CARE IN LUXURIOUS SURROUNDINGS • Beautiful, individually styled, en suite bedrooms • Art Deco cinema • Brasserie with restaurant style menu • Café bar & traditional themed pub • Room service • Friendship lounge • Dedicated library • Outdoor terraces for socialising • Hair & beauty salon • Pet shop & Sweet shop • Indoor garden area • Gym

NEW EXTENSION OPENING SOON Blenheim House is opening a BRAND NEW EXTENSION to provide the highest level of specialist nursing, dementia and residential care with an emphasis on the whole person, taking into account their individual and personal needs.

Whether you’re looking to make a lifestyle decision, or you are in need of nursing or dementia care, Blenheim House is the home for you.

Why not join our Blenheim House family?

We are currently recruiting. If you or a friend are looking for an exciting career opportunity, please contact us on 01225 896220.

27 Shurnhold, Bath Road, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 8DD Email blenheimhouse@majesticare.co.uk Web www.majesticare.co.uk

| bath rugby

BATH SUMMER CAMPS Every year the Bath Rugby Community team hold a variety of skills camps and clinics in different locations around their community area.

T

he camps encompass both technical and tactical aspects of the game. All activities are fun based, but with a focus on the development of all camp goers, whatever their level. Each age group’s coaching is specifically tailored to meet the needs and requirements of that exact age group, with camps ranging from Under 7s to Under 16’s.

Masterclass sessions see kids being given expert tuition from Bath players

In the last year they have introduced a new masterclass coaching session, highly enough and encourage any whereby the children attending kid with a passion for rugby the camp have some expert tuition to attend!” from some of the Bath Rugby First Steve Sheppard, Father oF camp attendee Team and Academy players, giving the children the opportunity to SUMMER CAMPS learn from the pros.

Venue: North Dorset RFC WHAT THE Tue 26th & Wed 27th July PLAYERS SAY Ages: 6-12 years & 11-18 years (girls) “Attending a Bath Rugby COST: £60 (£30 girls) Premiership Rugby Camp is a great way of learning new skills and Venue: Swanage & Wareham RFC making new rugby friends.”

Tue 2nd & Wed 3rd August Guy Mercer, Bath Rugby Ages: 6-16 years COST: £60

WHAT THE PARENTS SAY

“I want to thank you and your amazing team for putting such a fab camp at Beechen Cliff School at the end of August. My son said on the first day that he was pushed but he loved it! He always manages to learn something new at your camps and takes that back to his club rugby.

His teachers at school have phoned me to say how impressed they are with his attitude and the skills that your camps have helped him with!

So thank you!! Please pass on our gratitude to your team. I cannot recommend your rugby camps

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Venue: Wellington RFC Wed 10th & Thu 11th August Ages: 6-12 years & 13-16 years COST: £60 Venue: Wells RFC Tue 16th - Thu 18th August Ages: 6-12 years & 13-16 years COST: £90 Venue: Walcot RFC Tue 23rd - Thu 25th August Ages: 6-12 years & 13-16 years COST: £90 • bookings.rugbycamps.co.uk

| puzzles

Tea Break Teasers FRANCE WORDSEARCH

What/who is missing from the grid?

ANTOINETTE BASTILLE EQUALITY FRATERNITY GUILLOTINE LIBERTY LOUIS MARSEILLAISE NOTRE DAME PARIS REPUBLIC REVOLUTION ROBESPIERRE TERROR VARENNES

SUDOKU

MEDIUM

WIN A £10 NEXT VOUCHER! Email your answers to these trivia questions to comp@wired-publishing.co.uk by 23.07.16 to be in with a chance of winning a £10 Next Voucher.

Good luck!

Q1: On what date does the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2016 start?

LAST MONTH’S SOLUTIONS Wordsearch missing word: MILLER Quiz answers: 1: Russia 2: Spain 3: Stade de France, Paris 4: Gianni De Biasi 5: Super Victor

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Q2: Who is headlining The T in the Park Festival on Sunday 10th July?

Q3: In what country is The Roskilde Festival held?

Q4: Which Irish festival are Big Country playing at on 3rd July 2016?

Q5: Which, world famous, music festival happens here in West Wiltshire during July?

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

| last word

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

A

re you a person of a certain age? More pertinently are you a man over 50? I am and one of the things that seems to happen to men over that age is that they develop a new skill I will call sleeping at the drop of a hat. Women don’t seem to be troubled by this and younger men, while enjoying a snooze in a comfy chair, don’t seem to drop off any time they are left unattended for more than three minutes. I can - and have - fallen asleep at the doctor’s surgery, while waiting for my wife to come out of the changing room in M&S and in the cinema among other places.

Falling asleep in the cinema isn’t too outrageous I suppose, it is dark after all, until you realise that, once the concession stands have been visited, you have paid upwards of £20 to have a nap.

mouth drops open and I am covered in the stuff.

The story that prompted me to start writing this was told to me by a bemused wife of a good friend. He is also of a certain age and lives in Trowbridge, was going on holiday with his wife to a cottage in Yorkshire.

They both had the previous day off to get everything ready so hadn’t had a particularly hard or busy time of it. My friend was driving and even arranged for a small afternoon sleep just so he wouldn’t be tired for the journey. They packed all the bags into the car, did a final check for snacks, drinks, maps (this was before Satnav) etc. and set off. Admittedly Yorkshire is a long way and, even with the extra snooze, my friend started to get a bit sleepy so suggested they should pull over and his wife should drive for a bit. They had reached…. Semington….yes, that’s

“Falling asleep in the cinema isn’t too outrageous I suppose, it is dark after all, until you realise that, once the concession stands have been visited, you have paid upwards of £20 to have a nap.”

It wouldn’t be quite so embarrassing if I was a quiet, sedate kind of sleeper.

I am not. Luckily I don’t move around too much but I can be a tad on the vocal side, and there may be a small amount of dribble involved….and when I say small I mean… well you get the picture! Can someone explain this please? I haven’t dribbled in my sleep, to my knowledge anyway, since I was a baby and now all of a sudden it is like a drool switch has been flicked. No sooner have my eyes closed than my

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right, Semington! He had become so tired driving from Trowbridge to Semington that he felt he might be a danger to himself, his wife and other road users so it was probably time for her to take the wheel. By the time they switched seats he had covered about 4 miles.

I wonder if it is actually a medical condition, or whether life just becomes that much harder and therefore more tiring the older you

get. I am well aware of the fact that I no longer bound around the place like the gazelle I once was. It takes much more effort just to get around these days so maybe where once I used to feel tired after a big workout I now get snoozy just from the daily stress and strain of getting from one place to another. Walking from the kitchen to the sitting room with a cup of tea and a biscuit and then having to actually raise your legs to the ‘put your feet up’ position can be exhausting and everyone likes a bit of a nap after such strenuous exercise don’t they?!

We are going on a family outing this weekend and I will be driving. I think I may try to break some records and make it to Melksham before I have to swap the driving duties!

Phil Rockliffe

TRADITIONAL VALUES.

MODERN TOUCH. www.cheverellwood.co.uk