The Visitor Magazine Issue 508 March 2026

Sixty years ago, on Monday 7th March 1966, British Railways closed the former Somerset & Dorset Railway from Bath to Bournemouth and from Evercreech Junction to Highbridge. The final scheduled services had run on the previous Saturday, and on the Sunday the lines had been traversed by special trains chartered by (and filled with) railway enthusiasts. Then all fell silent until the demolition men moved in. Visitorland towns – Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Wincanton and Sturminster Newton – and numerous villages along the routes were left bereft of rail communication with the wider world, a link that had served them for more than a century.

Until the early 1960s the S&D was an important route with express trains conveying holidaymakers from the Midlands to the south coast and freight trains carrying coal from the pits around Radstock and milk destined for London from local creameries, as well as a considerable tonnage of other merchandise. Evocative images of these busy days exist in the many photographs and cinefilms captured by enthusiasts, notably Bath businessman Ivo Peters, and published in books and on DVDs.

Some structures escaped demolition and were put to other uses, and in 1995 the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust was able to acquire the site of Midsomer Norton station, north of Shepton Mallet. Here the members have restored the station buildings, rebuilt the signal box, established a museum and shop and offer train rides on a mile or so of the line, sometimes hauled by a steam locomotive. And in 2005 the North Dorset Railway signed a 99-year lease on Shillingstone station, south of Sturminster Newton, where volunteer enthusiasts have lovingly restored the former station buildings, signal box and cattle dock to recreate the atmosphere of a typical S&D village station. They have relaid a short stretch of track and plan to start running trains on it this year, possibly on the anniversary of its closure.

At Yenston, near Templecombe, John Gartell has laid a narrow gauge line on an old trackbed where steam-hauled trains can be enjoyed at regular open days. The trains are operated in the same way as their fullsize counterparts, with every train movement governed by an array of signals controlled from two signal boxes, making it a working museum of traditional railway practice. Railways evoke nostalgia. Nowadays preserved lines and locomotives are major tourist attractions, and most of the tourists are not railway enthusiasts. Many are parents or grandparents showing children the railways as they themselves like to remember them, conveniently forgetting that in the steam days of 60 years ago the trains were dirtier, noisier, slower and less frequent than they are today on the surviving rail network. These sites on the long-closed S&D provide insights into local history for youngsters and evoke nostalgia for the older generation, despite the absence of express trains steaming through. Consult their websites for the dates and times they are open.

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© The Visitor Ltd. 2026 ( Items marked ©GT are the copyright of Geoff Thompson)

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLASSIFIED 34

ANTIQUES 14

CROSSWORD 34

FOR ALL THINGS IN SPRING 18

GARDENING 28

GOLDEN YEARS Care of the Elderly 15

HOUSE & HOME 20

LEISURE 22

LOOKING GOOD 23

MENTIONED in DISPATCHES 5

MOTORING 26

PHONE A FIRM 33

POP QUIZ 22

PUBS 30

REMEMBER WHEN 32

SUDOKU 22

THE BIGGER PICTURE 24

THEY SAY 31

WINE & DINE 27

Cartoons by GEOFF THOMPSON

Mentioned in Dispatches

Tethered Lines; Matter Becoming - Solo Exhibition by Fiona

Campbell

FIONA Campbell opens her solo show featuring new and recent sculpture, plus live demonstrations. Using reclaimed materials and labour-intensive processes, the work engages with interconnectedness,

transformation, and precarity through gestures of care and repair. Fiona will be showing some of her smaller Stilt Structures, amongst drawings and other sculptures. Built from found, discarded and recycled materials - wood, metal, textiles, and fragments salvaged from everyday life, works are stitched and assembled through slow, repetitive methods, reflecting vulnerability and resilience, and celebrating the resourcefulness embedded in making.

27 February – 8 March 2026 at No.6 Bruton, 6 High Street, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0AA. Open Thurs–Sun, 10am–5pm.

Retraction Notice:

In the February 2026 issue of The Visitor there was a mis-informed reference to councillors at Castle Cary Town Council. After fact-checking it was found that the quote was incorrect and the wording had been unfortunately manipulated to bring into question the functioning of CCTC.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Royal Voluntary Service volunteer receives Dorset High Sheriff Award

The RVS Lunch Club in Sherborne received a surprise visitor on Tuesday 3rd February: Callum Bremner, Dorset High Sheriff, joined the volunteers and guests to present Lunch Club coordinator Rabiah Jackson with a High Sheriff Award.

Mr. Bremner spoke about Rabiah’s lifelong commitment to voluntary service, both here and abroad. She joined the RVS more than 15 years ago and has been leading the Lunch Club in Sherborne since 2014, transforming the club from a small weekly gathering of around 10-20 members and four volunteers into a thriving, wellsupported community resource. Today, the Lunch Club meets fortnightly and supports 48 members, with the help of a wonderful and committed team of around a dozen volunteers and the backing of local businesses,

including Hunt’s Food Group Ltd, who generously support the venue costs.

Rabiah’s work has had a profound and lasting impact on the lives of older members of the Sherborne community. Through her leadership, warmth, and tireless commitment, she has created not just a lunch club, but a place of connection, dignity, and belonging for those who might otherwise feel isolated.

To find out more about the Lunch Club and the work of Royal Voluntary Service in Dorset please contact the Dorset RVS Office on 01305 236666, or email maria.jacobson@royalvoluntaryse rvice.org.uk. More information on Royal Voluntary Service can be found on the website of The UK National Volunteer Charity / Royal Voluntary Service.

Former Savior Convent School pupils celebrate 50 years of reunions this May Former pupils of mid Somerset Savior Convent School in Shepton Mallet will be celebrating 50 years of school reunions at the Crossways Inn, North Wootton on Thursday May 21st at 12.00.

In 1976, seven years after the school had closed, a one off reunion was held. This was so popular that it became an annual event. The school is remembered with great fondness and appreciation

The ethos and education experienced by former pupils, cemented lasting friendships and memories. At the reunion the memories of many plays and concerts at the school are shared. Pupils were fortunate to be taken to professional concerts and theatres. Visits to Switzerland, Paris, Florence, Rome and Milan were also experienced. The kindness and care of the sisters is remembered by all. Sister Marie Agnes, Sister Ann Joseph, Sister Helena, Sister St Foy and Sister Jacqueline, to name but a few. The lay teachers are also remembered

Many people are unaware that the Saviour Convent School, a thriving boarding and day school, existed in Shepton Mallet for

more than 60 years. On St George’s day 1908 Rev Mother Patrick led her group of sisters from France to Shepton Mallet, Sister Albertine, Sister Rafael, Sister Joseph Marie, Sister Theophile, Sister Solange, Sister Frederick and Sister Geraldine, set about the task of establishing a convent school at Langhorne House in Paul Street together with its parkland.

By 1930 the number of pupils had risen to 50, sadly in 1932, just as the school was flourishing, Rev Mother Patrick died. Rev Mother Patricia was appointed to succeed her, she had been one of the schools first pupils. Her father, was a local builder and in 1934 his company built the new junior school, the family home was on Compton Road. In 1947 the school expanded, acquiring a House at 57 High Street. This provided a new home for the ‘Senior House’ as well as additional class rooms and dormitories for the boarders, the garden adjoined Langhorne Park, thus providing easy access for the pupils

Langhorne park also provided the pupils with a hidden oasis of country park and self-sufficient smallholding, everything from vegetables to friendly cows. Mr Tully and Sister Etienne looked

after this side of the school, tending the gardens and providing produce for the school kitchen. Flowerbeds through the seasons enhanced the extensive lawns, wild garlic snowdrops by the footpaths enclosed by an arboretum of trees leading to a holy grotto. The school lake completed the idyllic scene.

The number of pupils both day and boarding continued to grow. In 1962 the new assembly hall was completed and opened. This was followed in 1967 with a new wing comprising an art room, domestic science kitchen and a biology laboratory. In the last school magazine 1969 the headmistress Sister Marie Agnes wrote:

“It has been our privilege to help and guide over 2000 pupils over the last 60 years. We however can look back with happiness on the loyalty and affection of our many pupils past and present”.

Clarks Village achieves stellar Golden Quarter Clarks Village has delivered a strong ‘Golden Quarter’, with sales and footfall up year-on-year and performance exceeding national retail benchmarks.

The Somerset shopping outlet, located in Street, experienced strong consumer demand during the final months of 2025 –traditionally known as the Golden Quarter – in the run up to Christmas.

Total Golden Quarter footfall at Clarks Village rose by 5.7% year-on-year, significantly outperforming the British Retail Consortium (BRC) national benchmark, which fell by 0.3%. This generated an increase in sales of 4.7% year-on-year, compared with the national benchmark of -0.2%, supported by strong seasonal momentum and the outlet’s experiential offering.

Key trading dates were particularly successful for Landsec-owned Clarks Village,

THE BUT TERCROSS TEAROOMS

Market Place, Somer ton (01458) 273168

Cakes & Scones Morning Coffee, Cream Teas

Served 12 – 3pm

Open: Tue – Sat 9am – 5pm

contributing to a stellar retail performance across the season.

Black Friday, often regarded as the unofficial start of Christmas shopping, was recordbreaking for Clarks Village. In 2025, the week of Black Friday saw the highest sales ever recorded in Clarks Village’s history, up 8.3% on the previous year. It was also its busiest Black Friday week, with footfall up 3.9% year-on-year.

On Christmas Eve, footfall was up 4% year-on-year, with a significant sales uplift of 14%. Meanwhile, Boxing Day also saw a 3% rise in footfall and 19% rise in sales.

Gifts, toys, and cards was the strongest performing category at Clarks Village over the Golden Quarter, with sales up 10.9% year-on-year. Recent additions to the outlet include The Gift Company and local artisan offer The Handmade Boutique, both of which opened ahead of the Christmas season.

Clothing was the next-best performing category, with a yearon-year sales increase of 5.1%, supported by new additions from Pro:Direct, which opened its first

physical store at Clarks Village, alongside Scamp & Dude, Castore and Hackett.

Leisure and hospitality also played a key role in performance, demonstrated by a 21% growth in sales for Clarks Village’s Festive Ice Rink. Open between November and January, the 500square-metre undercover ice-skating rink aimed to create memorable experiences for guests as part of the outlet’s experience-

led strategy. This latest season saw the ice rink’s first themed evenings and was launched with the World’s Biggest Elf Skate –a free family event which aimed to set the record for the greatest number of ice-skating elves. December also saw the creation of new guest attraction ‘Lando Lane’ – a tribute to racing driver and local hero Lando Norris, to celebrate his F1 World Championship win.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Flourish at Farleigh Road

Foodhall named as Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2026 Finalist

Flourish at Farleigh Road’s speciality Foodhall has been named a finalist and one of the UK’s specialist standout retailers at the Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2026. The awards, championed by Fieldfare and delivered in partnership with The Grocer , shine a spotlight on the most inspiring independent food retailers across the UK.

One of the UK’s only B Corp retailers, the Flourish Foodhall at Farleigh Road was recognised as a business that champions British produce, sustainable sourcing and exceptional customer experience. Finalists were selected following a detailed judging programme, with hundreds of entries reviewed by a panel from across the retail, wholesale and wider food industry.

Flourish at Farleigh Road

opened its doors in November 2024, the sister site to Flourish at Glenavon Farm which opened in Saltford in 2021. In March 2025, Flourish opened its own Production Kitchen at Farleigh Road, supplying both sites with homemade scotch eggs, sausage rolls, sponge cakes, cookies and more using local ingredients.

Samantha Riddington, General Manager of Farleigh Road, said:

“We are thrilled to have been named as a finalist alongside so many other fantastic independent retailers, especially in our first full year of trading as Flourish at Farleigh Road. As a people and planet-focused business, being a finalist at the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards is a huge

achievement for the whole Foodhall team”

Winners will be revealed live on Monday 13th April during the Farm Shop & Deli Show, part of the award-winning UK Food & Drink Shows.

View the full list of 2026 shortlisted finalists and find out more about the Awards here: https://event.farmshopanddeli show.co.uk/retailer-awards.

A £5,000 grant from Somerset Community Foundation helps connection to isolated adults in Chard Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) has awarded £5,000 to support Watch CIO’s weekly peersupport sessions in Chard. The

funding helps adults experiencing loneliness and social isolation build confidence, connect with others, and feel less alone.

Led by lived-experience facilitators and volunteers, Watch CIO’s sessions give participants the chance to form friendships, gain resilience, and access ongoing support within their community.

“Watch CIO provides a lifeline for people who might otherwise go without support,” said Clare Stephen, Programmes Manager at SCF. “Adults in Somerset face the longest waits for mental health treatment in the South West, making safe spaces to talk, share experiences, and connect locally more important than ever.”

The grant came before Time to Talk Day on 5 February, which highlighted the importance of conversation and community in protecting mental wellbeing.

“I know from personal

Mentioned

in Dispatches

experience how isolating mental health challenges can feel,” said Julie Matthews, founder and CEO of Watch CIO , who was awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to mental health in Somerset.

“It’s easy to believe that no one else understands. Through peer support, people quickly realise they’re not alone, and that shared experience helps build confidence, resilience, and hope.”

To help more local people thrive, donate to SCF’s Somerset Wellbeing Fund , which directs gifts to grassroots initiatives across the county. Visit: www.somersetcf.org.uk/wellbeing.

Dorothy House returns with Award Winning Men’s Walk to Support

Dorothy House is back with its incredible Men’s Walk to Support that creates a space for men to speak about their experiences of grief and bereavement as well as keeping active and staying outdoors. Men from all over the Dorothy House patch are signing up to get involved in this event and raise vital funds for end-oflife care in their area.

Join Dorothy House on Saturday 14 March 2026 for the Men’s Walk to Support. Team up with your brother, your son, your dad, your best mates, or take on the walk solo – it's up to you! The Men’s Walk to Support is an 8mile walk for men aged 8+ to join in solidarity, share their life journeys together, and raise vital funds to help Dorothy House provide crucial end-of-life care for the local community.

And NEW for 2026, and in celebration of the Hospice’s 50th Anniversary, there is a 25-mile route starting at The Bridge Inn, Horton Road, Devizes. Taking place on the same day, those taking on this incredible challenge will join up along the Kennet and Avon Canal with the 8-mile walkers and finish at Bath Pavilion too.

The walk starts at 7am in Devizes and 11am from Dorothy House, Winsley, and participants will set off on the route that follows along the canal and finishes at Bath Pavilion - in time to watch the day’s Six Nations matches.

Whether someone you knew

has died, you’re dealing with a life-limiting illness yourself, or just want to come together to celebrate a man in your life, Dorothy House would love you to join in this special walk for a great time and a great cause.

Best of all, you get to celebrate your epic achievement with a

well-earned free pint and food in the Pavilion at the end!

Last year, only 26% of those engaging with Dorothy House’s Bereavement Support Services were male, so the Hospice knows creating a space for men to come together to talk is so important. According to research done by

charity Sue Ryder, 80% of men feel alone in their grief and 52% admitted to bottling up how they were feeling from those closest to them during the grieving process. The Men’s Walk to Support aims to make a small but tangible difference for men in the community.

Event details: Entry is £28 and all participants receive a free event t-shirt along with their free drink and food at the end. To help raise vital funds for the Hospice, participants are encouraged to raise as much as they can to help Dorothy House continue to provide free end-of-life care. Last year’s event raised an incredible £115,000 and they’re hoping to raise even more in 2026!

So, whether you’re walking to

Mentioned in Dispatches

show your support for Dorothy House, in memory of a loved one or because you’re in their care today – dust off your walking boots and sign up today by visiting dorothyhouse.org.uk or search for Men’s Walk to Support!

Sara Pascoe, Ed Gamble, Flo & Joan and more join the Wells Comedy Festival 10th anniversary line-up

The Wells Comedy Festival has announced its second round of shows to welcome huge names, festival favourites and incredible new talent to the celebratory tenth anniversary festival.

Sara Pascoe (star of Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo, The Great British Sewing Bee ) returns to Wells with a brand new work-in-progress show and Taskmaster champion, co-host of mega-hit podcast Off Menu and host of The Traitors: Uncloaked and Taskmaster the Podcast Ed Gamble joins the bill.

Festival favourites Flo & Joan return as does the legendary Paul Foot and renowned political

comedian Mark Thomas brings a new work-in-progress to Somerset.

2025 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Sam Nicoresti brings her winning show to Wells, as does Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominated Toussaint Douglass, with his acclaimed show Accessible Pigeon Material

Also announced are returning favourites Stuart Laws, Ian Smith - with his Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated Foot Spa Half Empty and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated Katie Norris.

Tickets are selling fast for the festival’s gala performances

which will feature incredible lineups of festival acts.

All Cedars Hall gala shows are BSL interpreted. Plus the very special 10th anniversary gala on Sunday 24 May, with profits split between charities Vision Action and Wells Foodstore

All shows on sale at www.wellscomfest.com.

Wells GAC host charity fundraising concert

The popular Wells mixed-voice community Good Afternoon Choir welcomes Wriggle Valley Jazz Band as their special concert guest at St Thomas’ Church (Wells) on Saturday March 22, at 3.00pm (doors open at 2.30pm) for a very special charity fundraising concert.

The Wells Good Afternoon Choir are led by Ruth Jenkins, accompanied by Sheila Ross, and are busy preparing their programme for the concert which will support Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance . The air ambulance provides life-saving pre-hospital critical care to those in urgent need across Dorset and Somerset. They are a vital part of the community that relies on support to be there for critically ill and injured people when every second counts.

The Good Afternoon Choirs were started by Bath-based music man Grenville Jones 17 years ago and there are now 32 across the South West of England, South Wales and London, with over 1,400 members ‘Singing in the Afternoon’.

If you are interested in becoming a member, there are no auditions to join and your first rehearsal is free, come alone or with a friend! Wells Good Afternoon Choir meets every Tuesday afternoon from 2pm-4pm at St Thomas’ Church, Wells. Everyone is welcome to come

along to meet Ruth and the members of the choir, where the emphasis is on singing and having fun. You can find out more at www.goodafternoonchoir.org. Special guests for the concert will be the wonderful Wriggle Valley Jazz Band, a group of local musicians from the Sherborne area, who play a variety of traditional jazz music as well as old favourites and other tunes which they have adapted in their own ‘trad jazz’ style.

Entry to the concert is priced £10 in advance from gac.ticketlight.co.uk or call 0844 888 9991 and on the door (cash/cheque only).

Grenville, the Choir Founder, says:

“This will be another very special charity fundraising concert for our choir members. It will be a great afternoon of song and music for the Choir who very much look forward to welcoming the Wriggle Valley Jazz Band to entertain you.”

Radio Ninesprings appoints new Breakfast Presenter and Programme Manager Radio Ninesprings - local community radio station for Yeovil and South Somerset - has announced two senior appointments, led by a significant new voice on Breakfast.

Vicky Welton has been appointed as the new Breakfast Presenter on Radio Ninesprings, taking on one of the most highprofile slots on the station. Female presenters remain under-

Mentioned in Dispatches

represented at breakfast time in radio across the UK, making Vicky’s appointment a notable moment for the station. Vicky is already a well-known and trusted voice to listeners, having presented ‘The Home Run’ on Radio Ninesprings from 3 to 4pm weekdays since 2020. Alongside her radio work, she is an established professional photographer and has been named South West Wedding Photographer of the Year five years running.

Radio Ninesprings Station Manager, Steve Haigh said; “Breakfast is the most important show on any station, and Vicky has absolutely earned this opportunity. She connects with listeners, understands the rhythm of radio, bringing warmth and welcome to all her shows. We’re proud to have her leading our breakfast output.”

Radio Ninesprings has named Ross Owen Williams as its new Programme Manager. Ross has

presented Drivetime on Radio Ninesprings from 4 to 7pm weekdays for the past six years and is widely recognised as a champion of local music and emerging artists. He is also a published author of seven books and the writer of the feature film ‘Winter Ridge’.

Both appointments see Vicky and Ross stepping into roles previously held by South West radio legend, Steve Carpenter. Steve will continue at Radio Ninesprings presenting his ‘Classic Years’ programmes weekdays at 10am with an evening repeat at 9pm, and on Sundays from 2 to 4pm.

Paying tribute to Steve Carpenter’s contribution, Steve Haigh said:

“Steve Carpenter’s influence on Radio Ninesprings and on radio

in the South West has been immense. He’s built something special here, and we’re delighted he’s staying with us on air. These appointments are about building on the foundations he’s put in place.” Steve Haigh added; “The changes that we’ve made underline Radio Ninesprings ongoing commitment to strong local community broadcasting, distinctive voices, and programming that reflects the community we serve.

Carymoor Environmental Trust celebrates 30 years Somerset-based environmental charity Carymoor Environmental Trust is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades of environmental education, conservation and community action.

To launch its anniversary year, the charity welcomed Sarah Dyke MP alongside members of the school council from Castle Cary Primary School, highlighting Carymoor’s long-standing commitment to educating young people and inspiring care for the natural world.

Founded in 1996 by a small group of local enthusiasts, Carymoor began with a clear and ambitious vision: to help people live more sustainably and

reconnect with nature. Thirty years on, the charity has grown into a thriving environmental organisation, inspiring communities across Somerset to reduce waste, enhance biodiversity and care for the environment.

One of Carymoor’s most remarkable achievements has been the transformation of 80 acres of capped landfill into a flourishing nature reserve. Today, the site supports woodland, wetland and wildflower meadows, with staff and volunteers regularly recording 28 species of butterfly, including four priority species. Deer, rabbits, foxes and badgers are now a familiar sight across the reserve.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Carymoor’s nature reserve and eco buildings form the base for a wide-ranging environmental education programme. More than 3,000 young people visit Carymoor each year, many encountering wildlife and natural

habitats for the first time. Since the charity opened its doors, over 85,000 schoolchildren have taken part in visits and activities on site.

Children may spot a newt or a grass snake during their visitmoments that help spark a lifelong connection with nature. They also have the opportunity to visit a working Waste Transfer Station, giving them a first-hand understanding of waste issues and showing how everyday choices can make a real difference.

Carymoor’s Schools Against Waste project, delivered in partnership with Somerset Council, extends this learning into primary schools across the county. Through assemblies and workshops, children explore the 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recyclewith practical sessions on topics such as food waste and single-use plastics. Since 2018, more than 65,000 children have taken part in the programme.

Volunteers are central to Carymoor’s work, contributing more than 6,500 hours each year. Many volunteers are recovering from mental health challenges and gain confidence, connection and purpose through meaningful outdoor activity. Carymoor staff also teach traditional countryside skills, including hedgelaying, scything and coppicing, supporting both wildlife and wellbeing. Carymoor’s education and conservation work continues to have a lasting impact through schools, community groups and volunteers, creating a strong legacy of environmental care across Somerset and beyond.

Avalon Archaeology: Iron Age Roundhouse Launch

The official opening of the new Iron Age Roundhouse takes place at Avalon Archaeology on Saturday 21 March. Visitors will be able explore the latest replica building and learn more about Somerset’s prehistory with themed activities taking place.

The new reconstruction building is based on evidence from the Glastonbury Lake Village, where Iron Age communities built homes and canoes to thrive in the flooded environment of the Somerset Levels.

Glastonbury Lake Village was occupied for about 150 years at the end of the Iron Age, with a maximum of 20 houses at any one time. It could only be reached by water. Built on wet peat, these waterlogged conditions have allowed the remarkable preservation of wooden structures and objects that do not normally survive, making it the most wellpreserved Iron Age settlement yet discovered in the UK.

A team of experimental archaeologists at the South West Heritage Trust have worked alongside volunteers to complete the project over 12 months. Members of the public also contributed to the interior decoration at a prehistoric painting workshop. The building also features an authentic bread oven.

On Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March visitors can enjoy themed activities that explore prehistoric Somerset, showcasing the skills and technologies that shaped daily life on the Somerset Levels. This includes a chance to recreate part of the Sweet Track using Neolithic tools. Children have the opportunity to dress up in Iron Age costumes. Visitors

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will also see ancient woodwork demonstrations, and a reconstruction of a dugout canoe. Avalon Archaeology is open every Sunday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm and Saturdays during the school holidays. To find out more visit avalonarchaeology.org.uk.

Friends of Chard Reservoir

In spring 2025 a group of local residents responded to a poster asking for support at Chard reservoir and local nature reserve (LNR). Hannah Stanton, the Green Estates Ranger, harnessed their enthusiasm for this beautiful mixture of wildlife habitats including open water, woodland and wildflower meadows. The result of these volunteer meetings is that the Friends of Chard Reservoir (FCR) has been founded.

The Chard reservoir and local nature reserve has been lovingly

referred to as ‘Chard’s jewel in the crown’. The importance of such a beautiful natural area cannot be overstated. The residents of Chard and visitors from further afield enjoy such a wonderful resource. Whether for walking, fishing, dog walking or even attending the many events hosted by the ranger team. But there are many more people who could benefit with a few more resources being implemented. This is where the Friends of Chard Reservoir plan to help.

The LNR has huge potential as an environmental education resource. However, without basic toilet facilities, school and group trips are instantly assumed less viable once the lack of facilities is realised.

Within the constitution of the FCR the aims of the group are clearly defined, the essence of which is to facilitate greater community involvement, promote the nature reserve within the community, assist with fundraising and provide a friendly network of volunteers. Always ensuring no negative impact on the integrity of the LNR’s wildlife and habitats.

Membership of the FCR group will cost £10 annually, to include a free guided walk, seasonal newsletter and pack of 4

postcards. All are welcome to join the group. Full details are available in the first newsletter, which is available in numerous establishments around Chard or can be downloaded from: https://tinyurl.com/fcrnews1 or email: friendsofchard reservoir@outlook.com for information. Please follow the Facebook page called Friends of Chard Reservoir or follow the Instagram page at www. instagram.com/friends _of_chard _reservoir2025.

Tourbillon Triumph at Lawrences Winter Fine Art Sale

AN exceptional gentleman's 18ct gold automatic tourbillon wrist watch by Audemars Piguet proved a highlight in the recent Winter Fine Art Sale at Lawrences in Crewkerne, achieving a final price of £30,000* against a pre-sale estimate of £10,000-£15,000.

Elegantly housed in a signed gold oval case with a starburst dial, the watch offers glimpses of both the tourbillon and winding weight. Subtle reminders of the intricate craft within. The tourbillon, one of watchmaking's most celebrated complications, was historically designed to improve accuracy by counteracting gravity, but today it stands as a mark of technical capability. When paired with precious metal construction and limited production, such features create a powerful draw for collectors.

Competitive bidding reflected continued strength in the market for rare, complicated timepieces. Results such as this demonstrate

that buyers remain keenly focused on quality, rarity and craft.

Lawrences Auctioneers are also consigning items. Their specialists are on hand for a complimentary valuation ahead of their forthcoming sales. (*Price includes Buyers Premium).

Suffolk Antiques Fair unites top dealers showcasing vintage and antique treasures

Aspal Antiques at Stonham Barns Park, Suffolk’s premier leisure, retail and holiday destination will stage its fifth antiques fair on Saturday 14 March showcasing antiques and collectables for the home and garden including retro, vintage and other historical items.

The Aspal Antiques Fair will feature a range of established and start-up traders from the antiques sector in the region. It’s free entry to the public and attracts hundreds of buyers from across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

Aspal Antiques, which also operates Aspal Emporium

Antiques Centre as well as Aspal Reclamations is run by Alan Knight and Henrietta Lewis who have developed the business over the past decade attributing its success to being able to offer vintage and antique touches for home and garden refreshes.

The business has played host to Drew Pritchard from the TV Series Salvage Hunters who described Aspal Antiques as a ‘real breath of fresh air with products of undeniable quality which are highly affordable’, and the retailer has also had two visits from presenters from the Antiques Road Trip

Antique pieces are often reused or up cycled to become a new item of furniture. It might be that they are incorporated into a table or lampshade or simply painted in a new earthy or bold and vibrant colour. Antiques are hugely flexible, and items made from oak, cotton, rattan, wicker and metal, sit comfortably side by side in many homes up and down the country.

For further info on Aspal Antiques call 01449 797175 or visit www.aspalantiques.co.uk.

Avon Court Care Home kicks off the New Year with successful first exercise session

HC-One’s Avon Court Care Home in Chippenham, Wiltshire, has welcomed 2026 with energy and enthusiasm, hosting its first exercise session of the year – a fun and engaging event for both residents and staff.

The session proved to be a resounding success, bringing together residents and team members to enjoy gentle physical activity, promote wellbeing, and strengthen the sense of community within the home.

Activities were designed to improve mobility, boost mood, and support overall physical and mental health, helping residents start the year on a positive note.

Avon Court is committed to creating a vibrant and supportive environment where residents can enjoy meaningful activities that enhance their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. This first session of 2026 is just one of many planned events designed to keep residents active, engaged, and happy.

To learn more about Avon Court Care Home, visit their website at: www.hc-one. co.uk/carehomes/avon-court.

Regency Care & Mobility in Crewkerne - For a new lease of life

Regency Care & Mobility reliably provides a wide selection of mobility products and equipment to help make life easier.

Situated in Crewkerne, Somerset, their range of scooters, chairs, beds, and stairlifts are designed to get rid of the stigma that's associated with disability.

GOLDEN YEARS

They provide a range of items that help you or your loved ones maintain independence on a dayto-day basis.

Backed by more than 15 years of experience, they're Acorn™ approved and are always happy to provide professional advice. What's more, they also offer free home demos and delivery services so you don't have to worry about a thing.

This allows you to test the products to ensure that they're suitable before you go ahead with the purchase.

Alternatively, visit their friendly advisers in-store and try out the products.

Respite care that empowers you to plan ahead

Everyone loves a holiday, but what if you need expert care whilst away?

Short-term respite breaks in a residential care home combine a change of scene with expert, tailored care. Traditionally, respite breaks are only bookable at the last-minute, making it challenging to align time away with family plans.

Thankfully, Somerset Care’s book-ahead respite breaks can be secured months in advance at any of their 22 care homes across Somerset and Devon, with a small deposit to reserve your room and support package.

Somerset Care’s expert support ranges from assistance with washing, dressing and daily tasks, right through to hospitalstandard, round-the-clock nursing care. A care assessment is carried out at the time of booking, with your requirements reaffirmed nearer to your break, to ensure you can stay safe and enjoy your time away.

Whenever you choose to stay,

GOLDEN YEARS

and whether you stay for a week or longer, you can plan ahead with confidence, safe in the knowledge that your break will

include expert care tailored to your needs at the time of your stay.

Please visit the website

www.somersetcare co.uk/respite, or contact Somerset Care’s expert care advisors on 0800 817 4925 to book your break.

Highfield House, Castle Cary

Highfield House is completely dedicated to involving the people who live there in excellent care and support received by listening to, and acting upon people’s feedback. At the heart of Highfield House are their concerns for each person’s happiness, health, safety, well-being and dignity.

This is reflected by the Platinum Award achieved with the nationally recognised Gold Standards Framework April 2022 and awards for Care Home of the Year, and the award for Dementia and Palliative Care. They are also now rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission.

Their vision is to be a leader in providing a responsive care service where the standard of care and calibre of staff are second to none. The mission is to provide a safe, warm and friendly environment where excellent person-centred care is offered and where staff appreciate the unique qualities of each individual living at Highfield House.

Castle Cary.

HIGHFIELD HOUSE

Award Winning Residential Care Home

Passionate about providing EXCELLENT care and support in a homely environment.

Situated in the centre of Castle Cary we benefit from all the delights that Castle Cary has to offer within a short walk. Our calibre of staff is second to none and we are here to cater for each and every individual person.

Please feel free to contact us for any further information.

Telephone: 01963 350697

GOLDEN YEARS

Ilminster Warehouse, Ditton Street Ilminster Ilminster Warehouse was started in 1969 as a family run business and is still in the same family to this day.

They have an extensive bed area with Silentnight, Rest Assured, Highgrove and Moonraker on display.

With both Sherborne and Celebrity they cover recliners and dual motor lift and tilt electric chairs. They also have a great

range of chairs and sofas from Cotswold Chair Company made locally at North Petherton.

Sofas from British manufacturers such as Buoyant, Lebus, Furnico and Alstons. On display are several British made ready assembled bedroom ranges.

Delivery of furniture is free up to a 30 mile radius by their own friendly team. Find out more at www.ilminsterwarehouse.co.uk or by giving them a call on 01460 57247.

Could be reaching over 75,000 people.

To ADVERTISE in The Visitor CALL ... 01963 351256

April Deadline: 16th March

For all things in Spring

A new exhibition coming to Muchelney Pottery this spring ... Lines in Motion: Printmaking That Tells a Story by Paul Cleden 21st March – 30th May 2026 LINES in Motion bursts with the energy of Paul Cleden’s prints. Bold, flowing linocuts and multiblock prints turn everyday scenes into lively, dynamic compositions.

The exhibition offers a glimpse into his process, where gesture, line, and layering come together to tell stories. Visitors can feel the movement, rhythm, and life in each hand-pulled print, experiencing the storytelling that makes his work so distinctive.

Join them for a special launch event on Saturday 21st March, 10-4. Come and have first look at the new exhibition, meet Paul and watch him working on a new Muchelney Pottery inspired piece!

March is National Bed Month - sleep better with Sandys exclusive offers! Did you know we spend 1/3 of our life asleep? Getting a good, refreshing night’s sleep on a comfortable, supportive bed means you’ll look, feel, perform and concentrate BETTER. Upgrade your sleep this National Bed Month with the best-ever deals on Sandy’s extensive range of beds and mattresses currently in stock! All Beds and Mattresses are made by a National Bed Federation approved maker so you can be sure of the quality of their products.

Plus Mark Melbourne will be demonstrating on the potter's wheel in the workshop and there will be complimentary welcome drinks.

Muchelney Pottery, Muchelney, Nr Langport, TA10 0DW www.johnleachpottery.co.uk

Open Monday - Saturday, 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm. Date for your diaries ... their next OPEN DAY is Saturday 25th July 2026!

Throughout March, Sandy’s are celebrating the importance of a great night’s sleep with an exclusive discount of 20% off all bases and mattresses just for National Bed Month … FREE Delivery & Setup on all orders within the Blackmore Vale area. Invest in better sleep and wake up refreshed every day! Don’t miss out on these offers that are only available in March. Visit them in-store at Sandy’s Furniture Warehouse, Unit 3 Barracuda West Industrial Estate, Camp Road, Henstridge, Somerset, BA8 0TN.

For all things in Spring

Yeovil Beer & Cider Festival gears up for 2026

Taking place on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April, Yeovil Beer & Cider Festival is back at Westlands for its third year running and is an unmissable celebration of fantastic drinks, live music, and community spirit.

A Friday Evening (6pm –11pm) ticket is still only £12, a Saturday All Day (2pm – 11pm) ticket holds its price at £16, or purchase both at the same time for £25. Drink token prices are also keeping the same as the past couple of years at £2.50 each, meaning a pint costs as little as £5!

If you’re a fan of locally brewed drinks, this is your time to shine (or sip!). The festival will

showcase an impressive array of beers, ales, and ciders sourced from breweries both local and regional. Whether you’re a craft beer connoisseur or someone who simply enjoys a refreshing pint, there’s something for everyone. Expect everything from hoppy IPAs and rich stouts to refreshing, flavourful ciders. Tickets are on sale now at www.westlandsyeovil.co.uk.

Work commences on new 105-home development in Bridgwater LEADING developer Lovell and its partners Notaro New Homes and Somerset Council have officially broken ground on a brand-new development in the village of Durleigh, on the outskirts of Bridgwater.

Durleigh View, situated off Haygrove Road, is a £36.5 million development, spanning over three and a half hectares and forming the second phase of the existing Durleigh Gardens development. A total of 105 luxury new homes will be delivered, including 73 for open market sale and 32 affordable homes, and consist of a mix of timber frame and brickbuilt houses.

The new community will cater to all types of homebuyers and feature a range of high-quality three, four and five-bedroom

homes, including both two and three-storey properties, as well as 17 affordable one and twobedroom apartments.

With sustainability at its core, all of Durleigh View’s homes will be built with air-source heat pumps and equipped with electric vehicle charging points. A footpath approximately 150 metres long will be created next to the meadows and an otter holt will be constructed to support local wildlife.

The doors to two showhomes, a three-bedroom Conte and a fivebedroom Giganti, are due to open in the summer, and construction work on the development is expected to complete in 2029.

Anthony Vagges, regional managing director at Lovell, said: “We are incredibly proud to have broken ground on Durleigh View and to be beginning our exciting venture into Bridgwater.

Durleigh View will be an attractive, high-specification development, with homes of mixed tenures to cater to Somerset’s housing needs and built in line with today’s energyefficient standards.

“This development forms an important part of our growth plans at Lovell as we expand our area of operations within the county. We are looking forward to working closely with our partners Notaro to deliver these new homes to the highest standard, and to supporting the existing Bridgwater community.”

Joe Notaro, Managing Director of S. Notaro Limited, said: “This is a great moment of pride for us at Notaro, as we celebrate work commencing on Durleigh View. The wider development will consist of 186 new homes in total, with the existing Durleigh Gardens comprising of 81 homes, and we are very keen to work with Lovell to deliver this second phase to the same high quality.

“The homes here have been carefully designed with modern

lifestyles in mind, positioned in one of the village’s most desirable locations, and we are eager to watch this new community grow.”

Cllr Sarah Wakefield, Lead Member for Adults Services, Housing and Homelessness at Somerset Council, added:

“Seeing the second phase finally kick off on site is a real win for us at Somerset Council. It’s taken a while to get here, but our Affordable Housing Team, along with Notaro and Lovell, have put in an incredible amount of work to make sure these muchneeded homes could move forward. Today is an important milestone and I’m really looking forward to watching the development take shape.”

Durleigh View is located just two miles from the centre of Bridgwater, providing future residents with the best of rural and town living. The up-andcoming market town and Angel Place Shopping Centre offer great places to shop, eat and drink. Slightly further afield, residents will be able to enjoy shopping trips to Clarks Village, explore the stunning Cheddar Gorge and wander through The Quantock Hills, a beautiful National Landscape.

For families a range of schools are nearby, from St Mary’s Primary School to Haygrove School for secondary pupils, both less than a mile away from Durleigh View.

Excellently connected, Bridgwater also provides links to the M5, A38, A30 and A39, making it an ideal location for commuters. Bridgwater train station offers direct services to Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Bristol and Exeter in an hour or less.

To find out more about Durleigh View, visit https://newhomes.lovell.co.uk/ developments/durleigh-viewbridgwater.

City house prices soar as coastal locations suffer decline

The latest research from Property DriveBuy reveals that house prices in UK cities are significantly outperforming both coastal and countryside locations, rising by an average of 3.4% over the past year, well ahead of the wider UK market which has seen growth of 2.5%. And while countryside homes have also seen a price increase, the nation’s massively popular seaside hotspots have been stunned by price drops of up to -6.9%.

The research by Property DriveBuy analysed the latest UK House Price Index data for November 2025, comparing average annual house price growth across 20 major UK cities, 20 popular coastal towns, and 20 countryside locations to determine which has delivered the best returns for homeowners over the past year.

The research shows that the average UK house price has increased by 2.5% over the past year to reach £271,188, but the nation’s major cities have seen the strongest rate of growth of the three lifestyle offerings analysed by Yopa.

The average rate of annual growth across the 20 major cities analysed stands at 3.4% to create an average house price of £225,377, demonstrating a clear demand for urban living. This growth has been driven by particularly strong performance in Liverpool, where prices have grown by 8.5%, followed by Sunderland (7.4%) and Bradford (6.1%).

Strong growth has also been seen in Glasgow (5.8%), Edinburgh (5.7%), Newcastle (5.6%), and Manchester (5.3%), all of which saw price rises of more than 5% year on year.

Only two cities saw prices drop over the past year, with London’s

average falling by -1.2%, and Birmingham’s falling by -0.6%

Lizzie Price are shortlisted for prestigious award Lizzie Price Shading Solutions are proud to have been shortlisted as a finalist in the BBSA’s Best External Shading Installation category in the Excellence awards 2026.

At LPSS, they strive to exceed expectations and love bringing your ideas to life when it comes to outdoor living. For lovers of casual garden living, verandas offer unmatched charm and flexibility.

Glassrooms, on the other hand, appeal to those seeking a contemporary look, and a sanctuary, perfect for morning coffee, reading, or entertaining guests in style.

Both options can add significant value to a property. Folding arm awnings are perfect to shade your seating area and large windows from the intense heat of the sun. With many optional extras including heaters

Price Shading Solutions are offering free installation on all folding arm awnings ordered before 30th April 2026.

and lighting the use of this space runs into the evenings, creating spaces that not only extend our homes but also encourage us to slow down, and embrace time with friends and family, creating a happy environment.

LPSS are running a special

offer of free installation on all folding arm awnings ordered before the 30th April 2026, getting you ready for the summer. Get in touch by telephone: 07879 992000 or email: enquiries@lizzieprice shadingsolutions.co.uk.

New Country Music Festival set for Westlands this march

YOU may think of Westlands Entertainment Venue as the host to some of the town’s most popular events including Yeovil Literary Festival and Yeovil Beer & Cider Festival , to name a couple. However, on Saturday 28th March, the venue will hold Country West Fest, its first ever dedicated country music festival.

Country West Fest brings together a stellar line up of UKbased original Country artists across two stages. From heartfelt ballads to upbeat anthems, audiences will be able to enjoy the best of modern and classic country music in a fun and friendly all-day festival atmosphere.

Headlining the festival is Kezia Gill, with her brand-new album All On Red out now, and fresh from signing with Snakefarm Records, she’s guaranteed to take things up a gear. Having been crowned AMA UK Live Act of the Year in 2025, Kezia continues to prove why she’s one of the most

exciting live performers in the UK country and Americana scene.

Alongside Kezia, we will see Wood Burnt Red take to the Main Stage, a UK based four-piece band making waves with their electrifying blend of southern rock grit and country soul. With a sound that’s unapologetically bold with searing guitar riffs and powerful harmonies, these four are bound to get the crowd cheering for more.

The Acoustic Stage will welcome folk musical duo Elizabeth & Jameson. With both artists coming from backgrounds in traditional folk and folk-pop rock, their combined influences create a stunning folk-roots sound. Their original songs are rich in emotion, with storytelling at the heart of their lyrics, their tight harmonies are sure to leave audiences mesmerised. 2025 saw the release of their second studio album Way Out West which was followed by a UK-wide tour –don’t miss the chance to see them live in Yeovil at Country West Fest

The festival will open at 12pm and culminate in a special Country music DJ set from Frazer Mitchell, running through to midnight. A firm Westlands favourite, Frazer has appeared at many events held at the venue

– most recently headlining Yeovil Beer & Cider Festival 2025 Frazer always guarantees to pull a crowd, so be sure to catch him on the Main Stage. With the event fast approaching, tickets are available now at £35 per person. They can be purchased online via the Westlands website at westlandsyeovil.co.uk or by contacting the Box Office on 01935 422884. Whether you are a dedicated country music enthusiast or simply enjoy outstanding live performances, this promises to be a standout celebration of the genre. Audiences are invited to gather friends and join together at Westlands Entertainment Venue for a day of music guaranteed to keep toes tapping from start to finish. Please note that this is an 18+ event.

So, you think you know your Pop music, do you ?

By John Osborne

 Answers can be found on page 31

1) Way back in 1971, Bill Withers declared 'Ain't No ... '(what?)

2) 'The Living Years'. A hit in 1988 for which band?

3) Who is in 'Stitches' at the moment?

4) Who were the German Dance/electronic band who rattled on about 'The Model'?

5) Who was at Number 1, 25 years ago in March 2001 with 'Uptown Girl'?

6) In which year was this a hit?

'The Way I Want To Touch You' – The Captain and Tenille 7)Which member of the 'Eagles' sang about 'The End of the Innocence'?

8) 'Said I Loved You ... but I lied' – Who declared this, in 1993?

9) Who were 'Running in the Family' in 1987?

10) 'Ian Dury and the … (who/what)?'

Bonus Question:

Def Leppard, Pulp, Human League. They all originated in which English City?

Extra Bonus Question:

How did we best know the late Farrokh Bulsara?

Great Quotes in Music (149)

"The joy of music should never be interrupted by a commercial." - Leonard Bernstein

Image: Olga by Shefer/Shutterstock.com.

THIS month is the first part of our look at Rosacea. This chromic skin condition affects around 1 in 10. Rosacea mainly affects the face, is more common in women than men and more obvious on light skin. Depending on severity, symptoms can vary from mild annoyance through to being deeply distressing and embarrassing for the sufferer. Given the prevalence, I thought it was long overdue some attention!

Symptoms of rosacea include redness (blushing) on the nose, cheeks, chin, neck and chest. Feelings of warmth, burning and stinging may come with the flush. The blushing may come and go for a few minutes at a time at first, but over time there may be more permanent redness to the affected areas and your cheeks, nose and forehead may be red all

the time. Rosacea may cause tiny broken blood vessels to appear on the skin and you may get small pink/red bumps, sometimes filled with a yellow liquid. The skin may also be dry, sensitive and thickened. You may be prone to swelling around the eyes and crusty or sore eyelids and eyelashes. It is unclear what causes rosacea and many different ideas have been posited. We know environmental changes (hot/cold/dry) can aggravate, as can cosmetics and stress (of course!). The Demodex mite that lives happily on our skin has been suggested as a cause, with an increase in numbers triggering inflammation and sensitisation. Of course, that always begs the question – why did we become imbalanced?

Digestive disturbances have been associated with rosacea and certainly from a holistic medicine perspective we always return to gut health. H. Pylori bacteria in the stomach are thought to disrupt the 'good' flora, create inflammation and impact digestion. There is an idea that for some, the immune system is predisposed to having a stronger

reaction to whatever the triggers in an individual may be. It is important to get an official diagnosis from your GP or dermatologist - even if they won't necessarily be able to tell you why you have rosacea.

Common food/drink triggers include alcohol, spicy foods and hot drinks. Interestingly, caffeine may have a beneficial effect as some studies have found less rosacea reported among coffee drinkers. It's worth looking at underlying conditions such as histamine intolerance too. I always suggest people keep a food/mood diary to monitor symptoms and try to find their own causes.

This helps us narrow down and eliminate the triggers and become mindful of how our stress levels affect our bodies. On that note, as with more or less everything, looking after the mind and heart is also important.

When we have something visible on our skin, we can become fixated on our appearance (and you can bet it seems worse to you than it looks to others), a sure recipe for a stressy vicious cycle. This is where daily self care

practices – meditation, mindfulness, somatic therapies for trauma release, self massage etc. can be helpful. Find something that suits you and that you can practice every single day. Although exercise is a useful tool for expression and stress relief, be cautious with rosacea. High intensity exercise may aggravate. Try swimming (careful of chlorine!), a brisk walk or yoga.

Next month we'll cover lots of home remedies for rosacea, so join me then! In the meantime if you would like a sample food/mood diary – I have copies in Ceres, do pop by and ask for one.

© Jenna Evans 2026.

•Jenna is a Holistic Health Coach and creator of bespoke beauty products. She can be found on Facebook at ‘Alchemical Beauty UK’. Jenna is also a multi-award winning Product Advisor at Ceres Natural Foods, Yeovil.

To make an appointment, please pop in or call 01935 428791 for details. Always check with a health professional before making any dramatic changes to your diet and lifestyle or starting a new supplement, especially with any existing health conditions.

The Bigger Picture With Bridget Sudworth

RIGHT now, we all need boats. What a contrast to the proper weather of December/early January when cold mornings were the norm and frost ruled the start to the day. Now the ditches, streams and rivers are flowing with a great deal of water, currently coursing along the road surfaces because all else is already full. Wilfred has had to get used to regular baths after every walk; even when wearing his little red waterproof coat; mud slides up to his armpits and his feet look as though they have been dipped in chocolate! It’s a great mistake to be born white with cafe au lait patches! The poor farmers had drought last summer and now they won’t be able to plant seed for weeks while the ground dries out sufficiently to sow, not to mention soil nutrients being washed away. Nature can be so perverse sometimes.

In the meantime, years roll by and anniversaries are a constant. Three of particular interest have recently occurred, the first of these being on 26th January 1926 when John Logie Baird launched a new way of communicating with his invention, the ‘televisor’, a mechanical device for transmitting and displaying moving images. Not so different from the youthful movie pictures but this, under the auspices of the very young BBC, would provide a service within homes.

Television, as it became, has indeed changed the world, we all know that. JLB’s ideas were subsequently worked on by many others but the principle was his idea.

However, he had a very tough time, not least encountering massive resistance from Sir John Reith who ultimately became DG of the BBC and who opposed the idea of moving images that would

threaten the audio service already well established via BBC broadcasting. In Reith’s autobiography published later and after JLB’s premature death, he deigns to even mention him testifying to total opposition. Nevertheless, somehow we all grew up with the knowledge that Logie Baird ‘invented’ the telly perhaps because we still remember our homes without them. Their advent was a revelation of huge excitement.

Indeed, the coronation of Elizabeth ll was viewed collectively at a friend’s house with crowds of snotty kids sitting on the floor munching crisps while fussing mothers in the background passed round sandwiches and it wasn’t until my father fell off a high ladder causing a complex ankle break, that our household acquired one to keep him amused (even though there wasn’t much on in those days!) while being grounded for long weeks.

The second anniversary that caught my attention was the first commercial flight of that glorious but doomed plane, Concorde, in 1986. The very fact of it being supersonic rendered it finally unacceptable to foreign buyers, the victim of its own successpeople complained about it being noisy when supersonic overland so that could only be accomplished over the sea and was additionally massively polluting. The development of the plane, a French/Anglo operation hence the name Concorde , exceeded all budget predictions and sales to international airlines failed to materialise.

Much of the work on Concorde was accomplished at Filton so Bristol will forever be linked with it but for us, living in Bristol at the time, a special treat was enjoyed. The joy of seeing that steel bird flying low as it passed over from New York heading for Heathrow on the early evening return flight, with the lowering sun lighting up the underside and the seemingly ‘Hello, I’m home’ dip of the wings over our city, was totally memorable. Perhaps its final demise was fittingly dramatic - a tragic loss of life along with all the dreams.

The third anniversary, via Countryfile, celebrated the Menai Bridge, the first iron bridge to carry a road linking Anglesey to the UK mainland which opened

that prevails in the Menai Straits. Telford was responsible for an incredible opus of work in his lifetime, a brilliant, imaginative and daring engineer designing bridges, aqueducts, roadways, harbours and tunnels.

must have got fed up with going backwards and forwards but managed in most cases to lead thousands across, without losing too many downstream. In actual fact, they crossed roughly where the bridge now spans the river

resting briefly midway on Pig Island which Telford appropriated as the base for the prime support of the bridge. The cattle were on their way to the large mainland markets and the head drover, a trusted, licensed man of maturity, would carry large sums of money from local landowners to be banked in the city and then return carrying the market profits for the farmers.

A target for passing brigandsas they plodded the wide trackways over the hills, the drovers all welcomed the sight of Scots pines on the horizon which marked a place of rest for man and beast combined with blacksmiths to check the cattle feet, shoed for the journey with half moon ‘cues’ nailed to their cloven feet. Maybe there was a hostelry with a bed at least for the head drover while the rest of the company slept where they could.

A former neighbour near our first deeply rural abode, a drover called Roger Rogers, rented a nearby cottage but was used to sleeping in ditches especially after the cattle reached their

destination and he came home totally inebriated. His cottage had broken windows with cushions stuffed in to keep out the weather but one wondered why he bothered as he was in fact indifferent to such niceties and appropriately but sadly expired in a ditch. Droving was essentially peripatetic and did not lend itself to normal living. The advent of the railways changed everything although development of railway routes were hampered by the mountains of Wales hence droving endured there for longer but the old drover routes of mid-Wales are still apparent by their wide grass verges either side of the trackway with sentinel pine obvious in isolated places on hilltops.

With luck, larders are full of marmalade now and pruned fruit trees are all ready for a new season if they haven’t become uprooted with these wretched storms that keep coming in. Bulbs are showing and longer days herald better things perhaps so maybe spirits are higher than might be expected with all that is going on out there!

MOTORING

VINTAGE Motorcycling with Rod Hann

AS I write these few words it is the end of January. For weeks now the weather has been pretty awful, either frost and ice or rain, rain or more rain. None of which is of any use for us motorcyclists. I am having withdrawal symptoms for not riding for so long and the forecast is not looking too favourable. I find it rather depressing.

So, for my photo this month I have found a picture with blue skies, sunny and dry weather. It has lots of old bikes and people enjoying themselves, just the ‘pick-me-up’ I need. It was actually taken at the Dorset Sections Giants Run at Spire Hill near Stalbridge. The run has an entry of around 100 machines and all bikes must be equipped with girder forks which dates them roughly to pre 1940. The picture gives my soul a lift with a view of much better times to come.

The beginning of spring does indicate that better weather and more riding should be possible. The Somerset Section start the month with their club night at Cossington on the 5th and this will include a guest speaker. The next day and again at Cossington will be their Annual Dinner and Awards ceremony. On the 22nd will be the Spring Run from Welton and on the 28th will be their Autojumble at Winchester Farm, Cheddar (more on this later).

The Dorset Section start proceedings with the March Hare Run on the 7th and this goes from the Hillbrush Centre, Mere. On Thursday 12th will be the lunch meet at a place to be decided. Next on the 15th will be their Spring Run and this goes from Warden Hill Trading Post. The Wessex Veteran and Vintage Section will just have their monthly afternoon meeting on the 9th at Silton. The Wells and Westlands Classic Clubs have a busy month so for details check the respective websites.

As mentioned earlier the Somerset Sections Autojumble takes place on the 28th. The biggest event of its type held in southwest England, this is a must visit for all motorcyclists. Lots to see and buy and an opportunity

to stock up on all those consumables we all need. Half the event is under cover so even rain showers should not deter anyone attending. I will certainly be there and it affords an opportunity to catch up with friends you may not have seen during the winter, very social.

By the time you get this edition the Bristol Classic Bike Show will have been held so a fuller report will appear next time.

Another event worthy of note will be the Charterhouse auction of motorcycles on the 12th March. The action takes place at the Haynes International Motor Museum at Sparkford with viewing available on the preceding day. Always a good day out and worth it in case that machine you have lusted after just happens to be there and available. I should not be tempted, but I usually am, I must attend ‘just in case’.

I trust we are all in favour of new road safety measures, providing they are effective and actually do make our roads safer. Our government’s latest plans will cover a range of changes designed for this purpose. One expected change will be that all drivers over 70 years of age will need to undertake compulsory eye tests.

At the moment we self-certify that our eyesight meets the required standards every three years when renewing our driving licences. The law states that we should declare at any time if we have an illness or vision defect that could affect our ability to drive.

It has been established that the modern man or woman at 70 years is fitter than they have ever been. The road accident statistics do not show a rise in accident numbers for people in the 70 to 75 age group but there is a slight rise for those in the 75 to 85 age bracket with an even steeper rise for those aged 85 plus.

It is perhaps strange that the government is sticking with the 70 year old limit rather than raising it slightly. I think the main reason for some of these changes is to bring our legislation in line with what most of Europe and many other places around the world already do.

I presume these eye tests will be performed by opticians and I am now wondering if they can cope with the sudden influx of doddery old fools like me wanting their eyesight tested to make sure we all meet the standard that we all have to meet anyway. No doubt we will learn all about it in due time.

IT has been a miserable winter so far but there are only a few weeks to go until lighter days and warmer temperatures return, providing welcome relief for those who suffer from SAD (I am the complete opposite). In the meantime, whilst spending time in the outdoors lacks little appeal, I am content to stay at home, settle down by a roaring log fire with a glass of wine, or something stronger, to watch a film or two. Like a moth to a flame, I am naturally drawn to films about food and wine. Here are a few of my favourites to amuse and inspire you.

Probably my all time favourite is the 1987 film Babette’s Feast, based on a book by Isak Dinensen, and which won the Oscar that year for Best Foreign Language Film. This must rank as among the cinema’s most mouthwatering meals. I first saw this sensuous celebration of the pleasures of good food and drink whilst living in New York, where at the time of its release a prestigious restaurant in each city was chosen to recreate the meal. It cost an arm and a leg but is still one of the most memorable meals I have eaten. Devotees, with time and money on their hands could replicate this at home.

It is the tale of a Parisian chef displaced by the 1830s Communard uprising who comes to live as a servant to two elderly sisters in a frugal Christian community on Denmark’s Jutland coast. Initially she bends to their abstemious life and diet, and her services are warmly appreciated.

But when she wins 10,000 francs in the French lottery she is able to leave their service and return to France; she takes the opportunity to treat the community to a lavish, multicourse masterpiece of French cuisine and wines, including Veuve Clicquot Champagne and a historic 1846 Clos de Vougeot Pinot Noir.

The 2007 Disney film Ratatouille is a totally different kettle of fish, winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Suitable for children, it is one the whole family can watch. The title referring to the French dish ratatouille, also references the species of the main character, a rat. Without giving too much of the plot away, it is set mostly in

Paris, and follows the young rat Remy, who with heightened senses of taste and smell, dreams of becoming a chef like his human idol, the late Auguste Gusteau. He tries to achieve his goal by forming an unlikely alliance with the restaurant's garbage boy Alfredo Linguini, who he sees struggling to fix a leek soup he ruined. Remy sneaks in and improves the soup, which is served by accident and unexpectedly becomes a hit. Linguini persuades Remy to assist with cooking, which he does by controlling Linguini's movements like a marionette by pulling on his hair while hiding under his toque. This is probably the most watched of my favourite films ... excuse me while I go and make some leek soup.

I have also enjoyed the 2004 multi-award winning film Sideways, which follows two men in their forties, Miles, a depressed teacher and unsuccessful writer and Jack, a past-his-prime actor, who take a week-long road trip to Santa Barbara County wine country to celebrate Jack's upcoming wedding. Considered one of the best wine films of all time, it is known as the movie that almost single-handedly devastated Merlot for the wine world with one simple line … “I am not drinking any F*** Merlot”. Jack wants to sow his wild oats while the moody Miles wants to only enjoy the wine and decides to teach Jack how to taste wine. If on your travels you get to go to California’s Santa Barbara wine country you can visit some of the wineries featured in the film.

Other films on my hit list to watch include:

Somm , a 2012 American documentary which begins in the San Francisco Bay Area briefly touching on the history of wine and then following the attempts of four candidates to pass the challenging Master Sommelier examination, which has one of the lowest pass rates in the world.

The 2016 true-crime documentary Sour Grapes tells of a young, enigmatic Indonesian man, Rudy Kurniawan, who suddenly appeared in the highend wine scene, selling millions of dollars' worth of fake bottles. He manufactured counterfeit wine in his home, using cheaper wines mixed with older vintages and creating fake labels to make

them appear to be rare, expensive vintages. The focus is on efforts to stop him, by a billionaire collector and a winemaker whose wines were being forged. In 2012, the FBI raided his home and found a lab and bottles soaking in the sink with counterfeit labels. Rudy was convicted of fraud in 2013. It is estimated that thousands of his fake bottles may still be in private collections.

Wine enthusiasts will have heard of the ‘Judgment of Paris’, the 1976 wine competition when California wine defeated French wine in a blind taste test. The 2008 film Bottle Shock focuses on wine shop owner Steven Spurrier, a British expatriate living in Paris, played by Alan Rickman, who is concerned with how to save his business. He devises a plan to conduct a blind tasting to introduce Parisians to highquality wines from around the world. He travels to Napa Valley in search of contestants for his taste test, which proved difficult. At the competition, after tallying the scores from the eight Parisian judges, Spurrier is shocked to find that Chateau Montelena's 1973

Chardonnay had won the competition.

The report is featured in a Time magazine article, restaurants and wine shops are asked continuously for the wine. The resultant oenological epiphany forever changed the fortunes of Napa Valley wineries and the global wine industry as a whole. It would seem that French wines are not unbeatable. Somerset Wine Co. currently has the 2020 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay for sale at a mere £95 ... go on treat yourself!

New Roots, New Horizons

With Julie Haylock of Sandhurst Design

AS February tips into March, spring is here, bringing with it longer days, brighter skies, and that unmistakable promise of fresh beginnings.

For garden designers like me, this time of year is exciting. The ideas that germinated during the quiet winter months are ready to share, there’s a sense of adventure in the air, and I’m pleased to share them with you.

Two of the projects I designed at the end of last year were finished in time to add the structural planting of shrubs, trees and a selection of late summer flowering perennials and bulbs.

Now, as spring announces its arrival, the narcissus, followed by the alliums will come into flower as the shrubs and trees come into leaf, so it’s time for me

to get cracking and add the spring and summer planting in these gardens, ensuring they evolve with the seasons, offering colour and interest whatever the month creating a tapestry that never stands still.

Excitement is building as several new garden design projects I designed over the winter move from the drawing board to the hard landscaping phase. This is where vision becomes reality—patios emerge, pathways wind their way through borders, and features take shape, the magic begins as outdoor spaces are transformed, and sharing in this excitement with clients is one of the reasons I love what I do.

This year is especially meaningful—June marks my 10th anniversary since I retrained as a garden designer. It’s hard to believe a decade has passed, filled with hundreds of gardens, thousands of plants, and

countless cups of tea. Fittingly, I’ll be unveiling my 10th show garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the NEC, a design inspired by my very first show garden and a centenary bear, himself a symbol of enduring charm and gentle wisdom.

Preparing for the show is always a whirlwind—sketches, planting lists, and endless discussions with talented nursery teams, so if you’re heading to the NEC, I’d love to see you there!

One of my greatest joys is my weekly spot on local radio, From The Potting Shed on Radio Ninesprings 104.5 FM. Whether it’s a new planting idea, a behindthe-scenes peek at a project, or tips for keeping borders vibrant,

I have lots to share with you in the year ahead.

So, as we step into a new gardening year, I’m looking forward to the adventures that await in every garden, whether it’s a quiet corner revived with new planting, or a show garden blooming with imagination. Why not join me on this journey and remember, The Potting Shed door is always open!

Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil wins Local Garden Centre of the Year at GCA national awards

Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil has been named Local Garden Centre of the Year at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) 60th annual conference. Part of The Gardens Group, Brimsmore Gardens was presented with the award on Tuesday 27 January at Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire, during a Champion of Champions awards ceremony, which

celebrated the very best in the industry.

Following a year that saw the garden centre build upon its sustainability initiatives, such as introducing solar panels, biomass heaters and rainwater harvesting, Brimsmore Gardens was recognised on a national scale for its outstanding dedication to delivering excellence. As well as achieving the highest score in the Local Garden Centre Category across the whole of the UK, it also came 15th out of all of the garden centres in the country, including the larger destination garden centres.

Karen Hillard, manager of Brimsmore Gardens, commented: “The whole team works incredibly hard to create a warm and inviting space for gardeners of all ages and abilities to visit, while also striving to minimise our own impact on the environment. To have this hard work and

(L-R) GCA Chairman, Ben Harrison, Louise Burks, director of The Gardens Group, Sarah Edmondson, manager of Castle Gardens, Adam Wallis, site manager of Brimsmore Gardens, Alexa Blackmore, assistant manager of Brimsmore Gardens, Karen Hillard, manager of Brimsmore Gardens, Jon Nash, manager of Poundbury Gardens and Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group.

dedication recognised on a national scale is just brilliant, and is an achievement that we can all be proud of. We will display our trophy with enormous pride in the garden centre, and it will provide further motivation for us to continue demonstrating how gardening can be a force for good when it comes to both people and the planet.”

Brimsmore Gardens was also presented with another highly coveted trophy at the GCA Annual Conference, after taking the top title in the Christmas Display Competition in Local Garden Centre Category during December, while Castle Gardens in Sherborne and Brimsmore Gardens took second and third

place respectively for the Paul Cooling Environment and Sustainability Award.

In the Local Garden Centre Category, Brimsmore Gardens also took the top award for Best Farm Shop / Food Hall and came second for Catering, the Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup and The Outdoor Living Award – Best Outdoor Living Retailer.

In addition, Poundbury Gardens near Dorchester came third in the Local Garden Centre Category for the Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup and The Outdoor Living Award – Best Outdoor Living Retailer, meaning all three of The Gardens Group’s garden centres went home with a host of hard-earned accolades.

The Pub Pages

BEER & SKITTLES

'DODGE the pothole' has become a bit of a national sport, has it not? There's winners, and there's losers, and I guess we all win some and lose some, and this particular evening we managed to detect quite a few that needed attention.

Anyway, thus it was when my mate Phil and I headed off in the direction of Crewkerne to check out some of the pubs that yours truly patronised, back in my mad single days, long before Phil and his family came to the West Country.

It didn't start off well as the ‘Manor’ at North Perrott has now closed. We had many a game of Bar Billiards and darts here, plenty of decent beer, and although we were never fortunate to see the ghost, she now clearly has the premises to herself. I do recall the landlord's name being David, and his attractive daughter who sometimes served behind the bar. Was her name 'Melissa' or has my ageing memory become confused with a brilliant album track by The Allman Brothers Band?

Next was a pub at Misterton, ‘The White Swan’, also a goner, it would appear, although I note that appear to be affiliated to the premises opposite named ‘Cedric's’, retailers of West Country based vittles, including cider (somewhat inevitably) apple cake and marmalade. They were closed on this wet and unpleasant evening but I've pencilled in a visit as they are a small diversion off the route to West Bay and Phil's wife is partial to a cider. A few pictures can be seen of Cedric's emporium online. A couple hundred yards further on, also on the right, is ‘The Globe’. From the car we noticed a very large screen through the window showing football, parking was going to be no fun, so we decided to give it a miss. Another couple hundred yards on the right we came across ‘The Old Stagecoach’.

About a quarter century ago this establishment was owned and run by Belgian Anton Jordi and his Caribbean partner Dolores. To say we had fab nights here would be an understatement. One had to beware of the ‘Beer Fairy’ though; y'know – turn up at 6:15 and twenty minutes later you look at your watch and it's 12:30. If my reader has been with me long enough then he will recall a considerable number of reports regarding our visits here. With five draught Belgian beers and 31 bottled - plus the usual array of beers and ales we'd come to expect, a visit was always a blissful experience. In fact, as part of our 25th Wedding Anniversary celebration on 10th June 2003, we turned up for dinner in a 35 foot long American Limo! Happy Days! (Whether the online backnumbers of this fine publication will ever go back that far remains to be seen!) Now? Well it's a Bed and Breakfast, and although there is a bar, there's no real ale and of course, it's open to residents only. All those Belgian beers have gone, along with Anton and Dolores, but our photographs and memories will remain with us for the rest of our days.

Travelling further into Crewkerne we took the Chard road before hanging a left up Barn Street to find ‘The King William’. This is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular, and the number of beer mats and pump clips attached to the beams are testament to this. It's a true ‘locals’ pub, with no food available but clearly a regular and loyal clientele. To our surprise ‘Boddington's’ was available straight from the beer engine and an even bigger surprise was how tasty it was! Full marks to the cellar master, and to ‘Boddies’ (or rather JW Lees, who now brew it). The beer had become changeable and frankly we had avoided it for years. The cask

version had been abandoned by 2012, but now, it's back - and we can recommend it as still being the ‘Taste of Manchester’. The pool table is well used, as is the skittle alley, situated the far side of a courtyard drinking area, and my apologies to the ladies teams who very kindly paused their game to allow me to snatch a quick photo. They were a little vague on the league name (although they were able to reel off a few venues) one lady did think it was named ‘Henley League’ - a Hamlet just South of Crewkerne. Can you help with this one? We would love to add it to the incredible 'Map of UK skittle leagues' - do Google it and be amazed!

At the bar we soon engaged in ‘beer talk’ with the staff and locals and were privileged to meet ‘Jono’ owner and brewer of the ‘Tapstone’ brewery just a little way further down the A30 in Chard, so still in Somerset. Jono was clearly delighted to meet others who shared his passion and when he mentioned that his brewery produces an ‘Imperial Stout’ (see ‘Beer and Skittles’ passim) we almost jumped with delight, and were immediately gifted some of his branded glasses

- and invited to his Friday taproom events! Whilst the draught version is just over 4%, his canned version is a ‘proper imperial’ exceeding 10%. We’re also ordered(!) to inform him of our next visit to the ‘King Willie’ so a couple cans can be ready and waiting for us. Jono happily declares his beers are typical of the modern craft ‘hop-forward’ which as my reader has probably noticed, are not my real cup of tea. However, when there is a serious stout about, then it'll be a case of ‘make way; we're on the way’, and I look forward to the time when we can report back on our tasting (although we may well wait until the warmer weather and the prospect of an evening of beer and pizza outside of the Tapstone brewery). Let's hope Jono will have some pub games to keep us entertained too!

Heading back through Crewkerne we came to a halt opposite ‘The Crooked Swan’. This is almost a polar opposite to the ‘Willie’, with a good selection of ales and a limited but mouthwatering menu. We were delighted to be served by an ‘old’ friend of mine, Louise, who took time away from charming the birds off the trees to serve an excellent pint of ‘Otter’ !(I'm told it was excellent; I was on the ‘zero’ by then). All in all, an interesting evening. Luckily, we arrived home with the car more or less intact, with the steering and suspension relatively undamaged! To finish, a couple items arising from last time. The government promise of help on the rateable value of pubs is turning out to be pathetic. Take my word for it, and if you wish to know more, a Facebook ‘Grumpy Landlord’ details all what is being done for the trade (or not being done), indeed. What a surprise, said noone, ever.

Speaking of taxes, I was interested to read that

Wetherspoons pays in excess of £837,000,000 in taxes for its 794 pubs. This amounts to more than a million pounds per pub, when every tax is counted. Bear that in mind when you next visit any pub. That same report states that founder and CEO Tim Martin pays £20,000,000 in tax. It also states that now, at 70, he wishes to take more of a back seat. Considering a teacher back home in New Zealand told Martin he would amount to nothing (he named the chain after the teacher) I think he's done rather well - and good luck to him too. It does seem that a shortage of Guinness is shortly going to be a reality, as we mentioned last month. Once again I implore all you Guinness fans, young and old, if this happens then please don't abandon the style, but seek out the others which may have even more appeal. Taste is, of course, subjective, and beer fans can often argue that other stouts like Murphys, O'Hara's and many

craft independents surpass Guinness with their milk, oatmeal, chocolate and coffee versions without that bitterness so typical of Guinness. So don't be shy – give them a try! Cheers!

© P.A Baxter 2026 theskittlealley@gmail.com

They Say

That Wincanton’s Harriet Jane Lovegrove is well-travelled now that a gentlemen has put her name on the front of his vehicle. That in the Philippines, 'swimming with sardines' is a new take on 'swimming with dolphins', according to Mr Stuart Budden of Hoveton.

That as former Weymouth resident Mr ‘Rodney’ Hawkins approaches another birthday, his family are hoping for a fallfree year.

That anecdotes and stories relating to Roger Bastable of Yeovil, a colourful character, are being sought on Facebook in the hope of publishing a book … proceeds to the Alzheimers Society.

That tickets are now on sale at Norton Sub Hamdon village store for the popular pantomime Aladdin … oh yes they are!

That it is an end of an era, as Anthony Bucke of Crewkerne Antiques Bazaar announces his plans to retire.

ANSWERS TO POP MUSIC QUIZ

Mike and the Mechanics

Shawn Mendes

Kraftwerk

Westlife

Harry Chapin

Don Henley

Michael Bolton

Level 42

Blockheads

Last post

DO you remember the days when much of Visitor land had an evening newspaper, usually delivered to the local shops around 3.00pm?

The March 1996 Visitor reported that the Evening Post had recently been given a facelift with crisp colour photos, clean and clear typography and imaginative redesign of many of the regular features. But ‘the only pity is that its horizons no longer extend very far beyond Bristol’ and ‘long gone are the days when its masthead stated Somerset in front of Evening Post, when it had a Yeovil-based reporter, when it served Visitorland with its daily ration of local evening news’.

The writer wondered whether ‘TV and radio have killed the demand for regional evening papers in rural areas’ but thought it ‘more likely it’s the economics of newspaper production that have rendered rural reporters a dispensable luxury’. He concluded that ‘we can fork out our 27p to buy this handsome journal in Yeovil but can only be detached onlookers at the faraway events in and around Bristol that it records’.

Wincanton courts

tennis players

The latest phase in the development of the Sports Ground at Wincanton was revealed in the March 1996 Visitor. ‘The synthetic tennis courts and netball facility will be ready for use by the middle of the year and floodlighting will ensure year-round use’ thanks to financial support from the National Lottery

The report noted that ‘the Lawn Tennis Association wishes to use the facility as a development centre as very few facilities of this nature exist in the South West, and their support will provide part funding for a retained tennis coach’.

A golden oldie

1996 was the centenary year of the British motor industry and the March Visitor recorded that ‘to mark the occasion the Haynes Motor Museum has purchased a 1900 Clement Voiturette to add to its prestigious collection’. It

added that ‘the Clement is now the earliest car in the collection and will be among the first to start the 1996 London to Brighton run in November, driven by museum founder and patron John Haynes OBE’.

Mr Haynes was quoted as saying the Clement ‘illustrates the cottage industry technology used at the dawn of motoring’ and ‘is in excellent running order and is surprisingly refined considering its age’.

No quiet night out!

Thirty years ago, the Fountain Inn at Enmore Green in Shaftesbury had just been extensively refurbished by the owners Terry and Sally Claxton.

A feature in the March 1996 issue described the changes as ‘both imaginative and stylish’, but you might beg to differ when you read the details. The walls of the main lounge bar ‘are covered in newspaper cuttings from a diverse range of publications from the Visitor and Western Gazette to the Financial Times and the Sun – and there is an assortment of wallmounted machines dispensing nuts, gumballs and jelly babies’. And ‘over the bar are six satellite TV screens (plus a further two large screens elsewhere in the bar) tuned into either sport or the latest chart music’ and ‘a state-of-the-art juke box has also been installed with hundreds of CDs to listen to’.

So there is no chance of having a quiet pub conversation.

A first for Long Sutton Billed as ‘the first of its kind in the area’, a Film and Memorabilia Fair was to be held at Long Sutton Village Hall on 3rd March 1996.

Previewing the event, the March Visitor reported that ‘a wide selection of memorabilia will be on sale including pieces from old favourites such as James Dean, Dr Who and Star Trek ,

videos, toys, games, annuals, posters – it will all be there, and if you own a collection of videos that you’ve outgrown, why not sell them?’ Apparently there were still a few stalls available for hire. Would anyone buy video tapes nowadays, I wonder, and who still has the kit for playing them? Nobody I know! Roger Richards.

Cl ass ified Ads

Send details to: The Visitor, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, BA9 0BP or email: info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk. 30p per word (£5 minimum) pre-payment essential. Payment can be made by Cash, Cheque, Postal Order, BACS, Credit/Debit Card.

Personal Storage

STORAGE for furniture in locked cubicles. Lock-up garages to let. Tel: Sparkford Storage on 01963 440045 or 440526 or 440692

CONTAINER Storage 24/7 access. Outstanding rates. North Dorset. Tel: 07947 581541

Wanted

DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS, salvage, bygones and collectables. Daves Tools, Est. 1989. Tel: 01935 428975

SANDYS Warehouse, Gillingham 01747 822077. Wanted - collections of Hornby, Corgi, Dinky. Cash paid for right models. Somdor House, Gillingham SP8 4QA, sandysremovals@aol.com

SUBBUTEO wanted esp 1970s teams. mrchrisallen@aol.com 07774788791. 01344 453370

OLD BOOKS WANTED at Antiques & Interiors, 2 Market Place, Castle Cary, BA7 7AL. Tel 01963 351014

April issue booking deadline: 16th March

VEUF voudrais rencontre une femme pour améliorer mon Français et aussi pour camaraderie. Je suis pianiste. No text messages if possible 07485 200653

Monthly Subscription

Get your copy delivered each month for £30 per year. Send cheque to: The Visitor, PO Box 5522, Castle Cary BA9 0BP or Tel: 01963 351256

To advertise call 01963 351256 or email info@thevisitormagazine.co.uk

Prize Crossword No. 471

Set by Frank Butler

SEND COMPLETED ENTRIES TO: The Visitor Crossword, P.O. Box 5522, Castle Cary, Somerset BA9 0BP – to arrive by Monday 16th March

Correct entries are placed in a hat and the winner is the first name drawn. The prize for winning the Crossword is a £15 voucher to spend with any advertiser in this issue of The Visitor Please do not forget to state your choice of advertiser and your name and address.

Clues Across:

1. Exist between prohibition and prompt to cook outdoors [8]

5. Eastern market sounds fantastic [6]

9. Estimate the worth of a very soft lift [8]

10. She’s among crows and ravens [6]

11. Lo! Entice with voting opportunity [8]

12. German city and French headgear [6]

14. Glories use cash; about a pound, belonging to us [10]

18. Conspicuously and flatly embracing Mum’s Mum [10]

22. Ye (or ‘Ee) should find fictional donkey [6]

23. Read along rank - more meagre [8]

24. Doctor sick goon with tropical bird [6]

25. Royal elevation [8]

26. Odd Meg in a tizzy at the fair [6]

27. Tin’s rude as it butts in [8]

Clues Down:

1. Fiery jacket [6]

2. Artist at jetty with sword [6]

3. Extorts from the book [6]

4. Persistent opening [10]

6. No, Canada is wrong for a watersnake [8]

7. Finish hesitation, but first add supplement [8]

8. Stored at common ending of service [4, 4]

13. Once trifle seen in mirror [10]

15. Hurt with ‘Cancelled’ and ‘Finished’ [8]

16. Tot’s headgear for a tot’s state [8]

17. Discontinue meetings in favour of imp [8]

19. Fasten with some branch or other [6]

20. Bearing to shape around one gram [3, 3]

21. Alarming state: Little credit is repeated [6]