Welcome
to the March/April Edition of The Spark Magazine 2026 Issue 12 www.sparkmagazinesparkford.co.uk
In this issue, we are featuring The Market House in Castle Cary which is known as ‘The Jewel in the Crown’ of the town. There are plans afoot to renovate and modernise the upstairs area and this space will be accessible by a lift (subject to funding). See pages 45 to 47 for more details.
Many thanks to Tamsyn Gregory who has provided us with lovely artwork for this issue’s front cover depicting the Market House. There are more details about her on page 48.
Are you thinking of buying an electric bike this year? We learn more about them on pages 68 to 69.
Teals Farmshop was founded by Ash & Nick Sinfield in 2020 and we learn more about this adventurous couple on pages 12 & 13.
Naomi Miles is a young and talented local artist who specialises in acrylic paints.
There is more about her on pages 58 to 60.
A Mushroom Shop has been opened in Wincanton and we find out more about these adaptable fungi on page 36 to 38.
Are you looking to improve or learn Italian? Christine Jewelry is offering Italian Language Services for people wishing to improve their Italian, or others who just want to learn the basics for their holidays. See pages 18 & 19.
We are only able to publish The Spark Magazine due to the support of our advertisers and we would really like to thank them all.
Distribution: Jane Notley, Andy & Anne Voysey, Elma Wakefield, Justine Spacey, Anne Purdy, Helen Skinner, Victoria Rogers, Richard Sealey, Peter Bristow & George & Jill Lawson.
Thanks also to:
Flaydemouse Printers, Yeovil www.flaydemouse.com
TP Creates, Graphic Design www.tpcreates.com
The Spark Website Designed & maintained by Laura Tarling www.watermillmedia.co.uk
The Spark Firework www.freepik.com
GET IN TOUCH
Please get in touch if you have any events that you would like us to publish free of charge in the ‘Events’ Section of the May/ June 2026 issue of The Spark Magazine. Or, indeed, if you would like to take out a display advertisement. We will need all contributions and advertisements by the end of March and artwork (in high resolution 300dpi) by the 5th April at the latest.
jpbristowbristow@gmail.com 01963 361753
Sparkford Parish Council www.sparkford-pc.gov.uk
Chair: Jane Cattermull: jane.cattermull@sparkford-pc.gov.uk
Parish Clerk: Kaye Elston (App. 2/2026)
Vice Chair: Richard Sealey: richard.sealey@sparkford-pc.gov.uk clerk@sparkford-pc.gov.uk
Councillors:
Somerset Councillors: Paul Harcourt: paul.harcourt@sparkford-pc.gov.uk Henry Hobhouse
Larry Piper: larry.piper@sparkford-pc.gov.uk henry.hobhouse@somerset.gov.uk
Andrew Quick: andrew.quick@sparkford-pc.gov.uk p: 07970 867108
Trevor Tuck: trevor.tuck@sparkford-pc.gov.uk Kevin Messenger
Duke Westwood: duke.westwood@sparkford-pc.gov.uk kevin.messenger@somerset.gov.uk p: 07969 867108
USEFUL CONTACTS
Anne Tuck (Beavers) - 07538 502812
Victoria Rogers (Parish Hall) - 01963 440475
Caz (Playing Field) - 07841 470237
Karen (Playing Field) - 07506 250359
Jon King Brain (Cricket) - 0791 449 4330
New Parish Clerk
Stuart Cattermull (Church Warden) - 07492 907084
Rob Sage (Vale of Camelot Benefice) 01963 440432 or 01749 850934 (when working from home) Mon-Friday 9.30am-12.30pm office.valeofcamelotchurches@gmail.com www.valeofcamelotchurches.org
The Parish Council is very pleased to have appointed our new clerk who is Kaye Elston, and she takes over in February 2026. We have been incredibly grateful to Anne Tuck for standing in as our locum clerk since October. The clerk’s email is clerk@sparkford-pc.gov.uk.
New Village Hall Committee
We are looking for parishioners willing to join a new village hall committee. This will be a long-term project to design, plan and execute the building of a new village hall. We are looking for a wide range of skills from building, plans, application for grants and sponsorship, so if you believe you have the Knowledge, Skills and Experience to assist, please contact the parish clerk. The first meeting will be in April - date TBC.
Community Speedwatch
We now have 5 volunteers signed up for Speedwatch in the village. They are awaiting training before they will be seen on the High Street and the Avenue. Any further interested volunteers should register for the Sparkford scheme at: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/apply/community-speedwatch or contact the parish clerk.
Parish Committee Meetings
Parish Council Meetings are held in the Parish Hall on the first Monday of each month at 8pm (no meeting in August). Agenda and Minutes can be found on our website. Members of the public are welcome at the Parish Council Meetings, or if you have any comments or concerns, you can contact the Parish Council on clerk@sparkford-pc.gov.uk
Many thanks, Jane Cattermull, Chair, Sparkford Parish Council.
What’s on
at the Sparkford Parish Hall
Mondays 9am-12pm
‘O’ Gauge Trains
Would welcome new members!
Bob Harris: 01963 440167
Parish Council Meetings: 1st Monday of every month - 8pm
Monday & Tuesday Evenings (Term time)
Beavers / Cubs / Scouts
Anne Tuck: 07538 502812 www.sparkfordscouts.org.uk
Wednesdays
Art 2pm – 4pm
George Lawson: 01963 440551
Jaya Jaks Yoga 6.30pm – 7.30pm jayajaks21@gmail.com 07974 681422
Follow us on Facebook! Sparkford Parish Hall
Thursdays
Explorers
Somerset Mobile Library Village Hall Carpark: 15 January, 12 February, 12 March, 9 April, 7 May, 4 June, 2 July, 30 July 27 August 24 September 19 November 17 December
For further information visit: www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries or call Somerset Direct 0330 1232224
Chat ‘n’ Chill 11am – 1pm Pop in for FREE coffee, tea, cold drinks & biscuits! Everyone welcome. Help & Advice & Community Space.
Fridays Bingo Every 2nd Friday of the month
MAKE A BOOKING
If you would like to book the hall (£4 per Hour) or need further information, please contact Victoria Rogers, Bookings Secretary on 01963 440475
Please note that if you are having a party or event where you need some wine glasses, cutlery, crockery a and maybe even tables, we can hire them out to you for a small donation.
Forthcoming events March-April 2026
March
Scottish Country Dancing – St Michael’s Scottish Country Club – Thursdays until the end of June 2026 – 7.30pm –9.30pm at the Davis Hall, Howell Hill, West Camel BA22 7QX. First two visits free - £2 per session – £1.50 for members. Always a fun evening – come along and give it a try – a warm welcome is assured. No partner needed. Please bring a mug – tea, coffee & biscuits provided! www.stmichaelsscdclub.org or contact Secretary: Elspeth 07972 125617 elspeth_a_wright@hotmail.com
1 March Haynes Breakfast Club – French – 8am – 11am Haynes Breakfast Clubs are a hugely popular gathering for car enthusiasts, attracting over 500 attendees each month. Hundreds of vehicles are displayed across the main car park and paddock, with a limited number of spectator tickets available.
1 March Bath & West Showground – Giant Flea Market – 9.30am - £6 per adult, accompanied children free
3 March Tuesday Market – Castle Cary – 8.30am – 1.30pm
3 March Spiritual Discussion & Mediation – ‘Maymorn’, Laurel Lane, Queen Camel - 7pm – 07564 935581
5 March Chat ‘n’ Chill – Sparkford Parish Hall – 11am – 1pm – Pop in for a FREE coffee, tea, cold drinks & biscuits! Everyone welcome – Help, Advice & Community Space.
5 March Bingo – Sparkford Inn – 7pm – Rock Solid Production Events – Cash Prizes!
6 March Bath & West Showground, Wessex Pavilion (Ground Floor) – International Women’s Day - 9.30am Admission Free – Requires booking
6 March Bones for Life – Queen Camel Memorial Hall – 9.30am – 11am – 07564 935555
6 March Health & Wellbeing Walks – Meet at the Old School, Queen Camel @ 10am - Contact Georgina – walks@sasp.co.uk – p: 07599 654679
6 March Quiz Night – Sparkford Inn – 7.30pm – £1pp - Prize £50 Food & Drink Voucher to be spent in the pub
7 March The Brilliant BA22s (Pop) and Psychotronic Love Commandos (Rock) – Queen Camel Memorial Hall – 7pm – Tickets: £6 – Available from Committee Members or Queen Camel Shop – Tel: 01963 850135 or 01935 851642
7 March Castle Cary Vintage Market 10am – 3pm
8 March Bath & West Showground – Toy & Train Collectors’ Fair – 10.30am – 2.30pm from £5 pp
8 March Phantom of the Opera, with live. music by Minima – Caryford Hall, 3.30 for 4pm. Tickets £10 (advanced) £12 on the door – Visit: www.caryfordhall.co.uk for tickets and further information
10 March Arts Society Mid Somerset – Caryford Hall – Lecture on Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera – 9.30am – 12.30pm. Members £15 – Visitors £20 – Coffee & Cake – www.theartssocietymidsomerset.org.uk
10 March Spiritual Discussion & Meditation – ‘Maymorn’, Laurel Lane, Queen Camel – 7pm - 07564 935581
10 March Tuesday Market – Castle Cary – 8.30am – 1.30pm
12 March Bingo – Sparkford Inn – 7pm – Rock Solid Production Events – Cash Prizes!
12 March Somerset Mobile Library – Sparkford Parish Hall – 1.35pm – 2pm
13 March Health & Wellbeing Walks – Meet at the Old School, Queen Camel @ 10am - Contact Georgina – walks@sasp.co.uk – p: 07599 654679
13 March A Tribute to Coldplay – 7.30pm – A Sky Full of Stars – Westlands Ballroom. This spectacular live experience doesn’t just capture the sound and spirit of one of the world’s biggest bands—it makes you part of the show. £30 - £31.50
13 March Bones for Life – Queen Camel Memorial Hall – 9.30am – 11am – 07564 935555
13-15 Mar Antique & Collectors’ Fair – Bath & West Showground – 9am – 5pm – Entry: £10 from noon on Friday & £6 Saturday & Sunday
14 March Mother’s Day Event for Single Mums – 10am – 2pm – The Balsam Centre, Wincanton www.balsamcentre.org.uk
14 March Space Safari Drone Light Show - Bath & West Showground – 4pm – 7.30pm – Admission from £16.49
15 March Extended Lunch and a Little Treat for Mothers – The Queens Arms, Corton Denham
15 March The Sherborne Market, Sherborne – featuring local producers, suppliers, amazing food, arts & crafts 10am – 3pm – visit their website - www.thesherbornemarket.com
17 March Arts Society Mid Somerset Lecture on ‘The Glasgow Boys: Painting in Scotland 1875 -1914 – 11am Caryford Hall. Members Free – Visitors £8 – www.theartssocietymidsomerset.org.uk
17 March Tuesday Market – Castle Cary – 8.30am – 1.30pm
17 March Spiritual Discussion & Meditation – ‘Maymorn’, Laurel Lane, Queen Camel -7pm - 07564 935581
18 March Caryford Talks – Peter Sparkes, Chairman of the RLNI – Caryford Hall – 7pm for £7.30pm. Tickets £8 (advanced) or £10 on the door – Visit: www.caryfordhall.co.uk for Tickets & further information
18 March ‘The Wizard School for Compost Making ‘ Talk by Jeremy Hadyn – North Cadbury Gardening Club – North Cadbury Village Hall – 6.30 pm – All Welcome - £5 on the door for visitors
19 March Bingo – Sparkford Inn – 7pm – Rock Solid Production Events – Cash Prizes!
20 March Health & Wellbeing Walks – Meet at the Old School, Queen Camel @ 10am – Contact Georgina – walks@sasp.co.uk – p: 07599 654679
20 March Bones for Life – Queen Camel Memorial Hall – 9.30am – 11am – 07564 935555
21-22Mar Meditation Course Online – 10am – 5pm – 07564 935555
20-22Mar Food & Drink Festival – Bath & West Showground – 10am – Tickets (advanced) £6 or £8 On the Gate -15 & Under FREE
24 March Tuesday Market – Castle Cary – 8.30am – 1.30pm
24 March Spiritual Discussion & Meditation – ‘Maymorn’, Laurel Lane, Queen Camel – 7pm – 07564 935581
25 March The North Cadbury Women’s Group – a community group based in the Reading Room/Village Hall 10am – 12pm. Talk by Heidi Howcraft – Subject: Delphiniums, Doves and a Peacock bring a museum Alive
25 March Cinema in Caryford – The Choral – Caryford Hall – Doors 7pm for 7.30pm – Tickets £6 from Morrisons in Castle Cary
26 March Bingo – Sparkford Inn – 7pm – Rock Solid Production Events – Cash Prizes!
27 March Health & Wellbeing Walks – Meet at the Old School, Queen Camel @ 10am – Contact Georgina – walks@sasp.co.uk – p: 07599 654679
27 March Bones for Life – Queen Camel Memorial Hall – 9.30am – 11am – 07564 935555
27 March Movie – ‘I Swear’ – The David Hall, West Camel – 7pm for 7.30pm – Tickets £5 on the door : 16s and Under £3.50 – Licenced Bar, Tea & Coffee
28 March Young Driver – Bath & West Showground – A Road Safety Revolution for 10-17 year olds in Somerset Doors Open: 9.30am from £46.99
28 March Repair Café – 10am – 12.30pm – The Balsam Centre, Wincanton www.balsamcentre.org.uk
28 March Quiz Night – North Cadbury Village Hall – 7pm for 7.30pm - £8 including light supper Proceeds to Village Hall – Suggested 4-8 people – Cash Prizes for 1st & 2nd Teams Table Reservations advised by texting Claire on 01963 440474 or Email claire@sprydon.com
28 March Country West Fest – Westlands Centre, Yeovil – westlandsyeovil.co.uk – Tickets £35
29 March ‘That’ll be the Day” 7pm – Westlands Ballroom – 7pm - £30 or £28 (restricted view).
31 March Tuesday Market – Castle Cary – 8.30am – 1.30pm
31 March Spiritual Discussion & Meditation – ‘Maymorn’, Laurel Lane, Queen Camel – 7pm – 07564 935581
April
2 Apr Bingo – Sparkford Inn – 7pm – Rock Solid Production Events – Cash Prizes!
3 Apr Quiz Night – Sparkford Inn – 7.30pm –- £1pp - Prize £50 Food & Drink Voucher to be spent in the pub
4 Apr Castle Cary Vintage Market 10am – 3pm
5 Apr Haynes Breakfast Club 8am – 11am Aston vs Jaguar
5 Apr Giant Flea Market – Bath & West Showground – 9.30am - £6 per adult, accompanied children free
5 Apr Extended Lunch and Games Activities for the Children – The Queens Arms, Corton Denham
7 Apr Spiritual Discussion & Meditation, ‘Maymorn’, Laurel Lane, Queen Camel – 7pm – 07564 935581
7 Apr Tuesday Market – Castle Cary – 8.30am – 1.30pm
8 Apr Caryford Talks – Charles Dowding: No Dig Gardening – Caryford Hall – 7pm for 7.30pm – Tickets £8 (Advanced) or £10 on the door – Visit caryfordhall.co.uk for tickets and the latest updates
9 Apr Somerset Mobile Library – Sparkford Parish Hall – 1.35pm – 2pm
9 Apr Bingo – Sparkford Inn – 7pm – Rock Solid Production Events – Cash Prizes!
11 Apr Spring Market – The Balsam Centre, Wincanton 10am – 2pm - www.balsamcentre.org.uk
11-12 Apr The Big Southwest Wedding Fair – The Bath Showground – 10am – 3pm – From £5
12 Apr Sunday Sessions – Sarah McQuaid – Caryford Hall – Doors: 7pm for 7.30pm - £12 (Advanced) £15 on the door – Visit caryfordhall.co.uk for tickets and the latest updates
14 Apr Tuesday Market – Castle Cary – 8.30am – 1.30pm
15 Apr ‘Winter Borders’ a talk by James Cross – North Cadbury Gardening Club – North Cadbury Village Hall – 6.30pm – All Welcome - £5 on the door for visitors
15 Apr The Queens Arms, Corton Denham will be showing The Grand National at their bar.
16 Apr Bingo – Sparkford Inn – 7pm – Rock Solid Production Events – Cash Prizes!
16 Apr ‘Rave On’ – Westlands Ballroom – 7.30pm £26.50 - £27.50
17 Apr Live Music – The Brue Boys – 7.30pm – North Cadbury Village Hall – Licenced Bar -Tickets: Adults £10 – up to 16 - £5 – Available North Cadbury Village Store or www.ticketsource.co.uk/north-cadbury-village-hall
17 Apr Amy Lavere: Memphis ‘Sweet Soprano’ with Well Sexton – Caryford Community Hall, Castle Cary
17 Apr Yeovil Job Fair – 10.30am – 2.30pm – Westlands Entertainment Venue – www.jobfairsouthwest.co.uk
18 Apr 2nd2None Driving School – Bath & West Showground – 10am – 3pm – Admission: From £45 per 30 Minute session. Get behind the wheel from just 10 years of age and experience the thrill of learning to drive with our team of DVSA approved driving instructors.
19 Apr ‘Let me Entertain You’ – Westlands Ballroom – 7.30pm - £28 – 29.50 - A Tribute To Robbie Williams
19 Apr The Sherborne Market, Sherborne – featuring local producers, suppliers, amazing food, arts & crafts 10am – 3pm – Visit the website for news - www.thesherbornemarket.com
21 Apr Arts Society Mid Somerset Lecture – Caryford Hall – ‘The Beatles: Here There and Everywhere’. 11am – Members Free – Visitors £8
21 Apr Spiritual Discussion & Mediation – ‘Maymorn’, Laurel Lane, Queen Camel – 7pm – 07564 935581
21 Apr Tuesday Market – Castle Cary – 8.30am – 1.30pm
22 Apr The North Cadbury Women’s Group – a community group based in the Reading Room/Village Hall 10am – 12pm. Talk by Dr Francis Burroughs – Subject: Bristol Blue Glass
22 Apr Cinema in Caryford – Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere – Caryford Hall – 7pm for 7.30pm – Tickets: £6 from Morrisons, Castle Cary
23 Apr Bingo – Sparkford Inn – 7pm – Rock Solid Production Events – Cash Prizes!
24 Apr Bones for Life – Queen Camel Memorial Hall – 9.30am – 11am – 07564 935555
24 Apr Yeovil Beer & Cider Festival – Westlands Event Night - 6pm
24 Apr Movie – ‘The Choral’ – The Davis Hall, West Camel – 7pm for 7.30pm - £5 on the door : 16s and under £3.50 – Licensed Bar, Tea & Coffee
25 Apr Yeovil Beer & Cider Festival – Westlands All Day – 2pm start
25 Apr Barn Dance + Supper – North Cadbury Village Hall – 7pm for 7.30pm – Tickets: £14 – U16s £5 Light Supper Included – Available: North Cadbury Village Store or www.ticketsource.co.uk/north-cadbury-village-hall
25 Apr Repair Café – The Balsam Centre, Wincanton – 10am – 12.30pm - www.balsamcentre.org.uk
25-26Apr The Great British Landrover Show – The Bath & West Showground – 10am – 5pm – From £7pp
26 Apr Sunday Sessions – Pea Blen Theatre: Last Wednesday’s Work Shirt – Doors 7pm for 7.30pm Caryford Hall – Tickets: £12 Adults/£6 Age 14-16 – Visit www.caryfordhall.co.uk for tickets
28 Apr Tuesday Market – Castle Cary – 8.30am – 1.30pm
28 Apr Spiritual Discussion & Meditation – ‘Maymorn’, Laurel Lane, Queen Camel – 7pm – 07564 935581
30 Apr Bingo – Sparkford Inn – 7pm – Rock Solid Production Events – Cash Prizes!
GET IN TOUCH
Please get in touch if you have any events that you would like us to publish free of charge in the ‘Events’ Section of the May/June 2026 issue of The Spark Magazine. Or, indeed, if you would like to take out a display advertisement. We will need all contributions and advertisements by the end of March and artwork (in high resolution 300dpi) by the 5th April at the latest.
Jackie Bristow: 01963 361753
jpbristowbristow@gmail.com
p: 01963 401424 : email us: info@wrightfires.co.uk - 7 Market Place, Wincanton BA9 9LL - www.wrightfires.co.uk
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9.30am to 4pm. Saturday – By appointment. Closed Wednesdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. (appointments can be arranged outside these hours)
01935 472233
GOMASTER have been supplying bottled gas from our depot in Yeovil since the mid 1980’s.
We offer:
Free Local Delivery: Competitive Prices: Excellent Service: Free Fitting on Gas Bottles
Various sizes are available for domestic and commercial use. Propane Includes: 47kg, 19kg, 18kg : Butane Includes: 13kg, 7kg
Contact us today to discuss your needs and pre-order for delivery Visit Yeovil Hydraulics, 14 Gazelle Road, Lynx Trading Estate, Yeovil BA29 2PJ www.yeovilhydraulics.co.uk/our-brands/gomaster-gas
Meet Ash & Nick Sinfield
The Founders of Teals Farmshop
Ash and Nick Sinfield are not your typical business founders. Their journey to creating Teals Somerset grew from a lifetime of shared experiences, a love for people and place, and a belief that commerce can be a force for good.
Teals, a farm shop, restaurant, and community hub in South Cadbury, reflects their values: celebrating local producers, supporting the community, and championing sustainability in every aspect of the business.
The inspiration for Teals stretches far beyond Somerset. When they were young, Ash and Nick spent time in Africa,
where produce is sold from beautifully curated farm stalls. Saturday mornings were filled with the smell of warm bread, vibrant fruit crates, freshly pressed juice, and the hum of community.
Later, cycling across Africa, they encountered the same generosity on a smaller scale, stopping after long days to buy mango or pawpaw from family gardens along the roadside. These small cottage industries were lifelines for both farmers and travellers alike and they planted a lasting seed for Teals.
Teals Somerset was born from a simple observation: in South Somerset, a region
rich in energy, creativity, and exceptional produce, there were few meaningful places to stop, eat, and connect. Ash and Nick saw the opportunity to create something different: a kitchen, food market, and gift store rooted in its surroundings and designed to celebrate them. From the outset, Teals set out to make local the destination, drawing on a remarkable community of farmers, makers, and craftspeople.
Every detail, from the food served to the products on the shelves, reflects a deep commitment to the local economy and to championing those who do brilliant things as close to home as possible.
Too often, service stops are defined by what Ash and Nick call ‘hostage’ situations, places that rush the experience and dull the senses. Teals was created as the antidote: not a place
to pass through, but a destination in its own right; original, authentic, and deeply rooted in community. Their vision was to create a vibrant destination where guests feel enriched, welcomed, and connected.
Sustainability sits at the heart of Teals, from how the business was built to how it operates daily.
In early 2024, Teals certified as a B Corp™, formalising their commitment to people, planet, and purpose.
Since opening in 2020, Teals has grown a loyal following of locals. Whether sharing a meal with a friend, stocking up on groceries for the week, visiting a wellness class, charging a car or walking the dog, guests are always met with warmth and a much-needed respite from the daily hustle and bustle.
ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY. FRESH FOR SPRING.
Locally sourced favorites, seasonal produce, beautiful gifts and everyday essentials at Teals.
OPENING HOURS: 8AM TILL 6PM. 7 DAYS A WEEK.
1 ORCHARD LANE, SOUTH CADBURY, YEOVIL, BA22 7FS
A Mum’s Guide to Sparkford The Magic Children Find in Ordinary Places
By Sarah White www.whimsicalmumblings.co.uk
There’s something about Spring that makes even the most ordinary places feel different. After the dreary first months of the year, the magic slowly creeps back in. Days feel lighter, the air softer.
It’s time to come out of hibernation mode (I’m talking to myself too) and get outside.
Sparkford is quiet and peaceful, but full of small details and hidden corners. The magic is always there .. children just see it first.
They don’t need fancy outings or expensive experiences to fuel their imaginations. They find wonder in the everyday, in places adults often see as routine. Sometimes, all we need to do is slow down and let them lead.
The fields on the way to Queen Camel are always alive with sheep, lambs and occasional rabbits.
It’s easy to walk past without noticing. Children don’t move like that. They stop. They watch. They notice animals, movement that changes from day to day. Children see the everyday magic, adults see the everyday routine.
It’s often the in-between places that hold the most magic. Narrow alleys, winding footpaths, spots to pick wildflowers, or squeeze through overgrown hedges. Places that feel like secret gardens. Trees perfect for climbing, dens are built, the games of hide and seek last for ages. Fallen logs become cafés, restaurants, or pirate ships.
Quiet moments help create calm, grounded childhoods where creativity can flourish. When we let children set the pace, linger a little longer, or explore something that seems small to us, we show them their inner world matters. And that’s truly magical.
Craft Corner
Why not try this cute magical craft with your little ones? Turn wooden pegs and egg boxes into tiny fairies and let the magic begin!
Brenda Pay and I, Ted Marsh, would like to thank all our relations, neighbours and friends for responding to our request made on the computer prior to Christmas not to send us cards as we would not be responding, but the money saved with postage etc., would be donated to the Children’s Hospice South West. I have a Great Grandaughter who is being cared for in a residential home 24/7 at Highbridge.
I will be forwarding a cheque to them for £280.00 as a result. Thank you all.
Ted Marsh, Sparkford.
The Village Stores
Bob and Jackie New welcome you!
An extensive range of goods and services available
• Fresh meat from BARCLAY BUTCHERS of Wincanton. Daily delivery of a selection of meats and your orders taken.
• Selected local farm cheese including MONTGOMERY’S world famous Farmhouse Cheddar
• Frozen meals from OLIVE’S KITCHEN
• MOORES and BORDER biscuits in stock
• LONGMAN”S Farmhouse Butter
• Off Licence, including locally made Cider
• Fresh BREAD, PASTRIES & PIES baked on the premises
• Dry Cleaning with PUFFINS of Yeovil
• Groceries – Fruit & Vegetables & Milk
• Pet foods & household goods
• Hot drinks available
• Colour/Black & White Photocopying – Faxing – Laminating AND MUCH MORE...
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8am-6pm Monday-Friday 8am-1pm Saturday 9am-1pm Sunday
The Village Stores, North Cadbury BA22 7DW Tel: 01963 440201
We are excited to announce that after 18 years in Sherborne we have tripled the size of our showroom, offering you an even larger range of quality bathroom and bedroom products. Over the years we have built an exceptional reputation for product knowledge, customer service and quality workmanship
Italian Language Services
ITALIAN LANGUAGE SERVICES
provides a series of courses that can take students from beginners’ level through to GCSE and A level standard. Individual private lessons are available at all levels, these can be arranged in small groups if required. There are also one day Italian Language Workshops in Yeovil and special classes for Holiday Italian.
Italian Language Services has many years experience in designing and running courses at all levels. Christine Jewels is an enthusiastic teacher who gives individual attention to the needs and interests of all her students. She has a passion for the language and culture of Italy that influences everything she does. The courses are carefully designed and provide very high quality teaching to give a truly enjoyable learning experience.
Christine Jewels has been teaching Italian in Somerset and Dorset for twenty six years. She is a teacher of both adults and children having worked at Millfield School, Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School.
As well as teaching, Christine is an experienced translator. She gained a qualification in commercial Italian
whilst working in the aerospace industry.
Since then she has gained two degrees in Italian from the University of Bristol, an Honours Degree in Italian and History of Art in 1998 and a Master’s Degree in 20th century Italian Cultural Studies.
Christine has taught Italian from absolute beginners to A level. She has also coached undergraduates for examination re-sits. Her particular interests include 20th century Italian culture and the history of Italian art. Ci vediamo!
Italian! Touring in Tuscany? Escaping to Elba? You’ll need a course in Holiday Italian 10 WEEK COURSES STARTING SOON
For more details contact Christine Jewels www.italianlanguageservices.co.uk
01935 425958
NOW OPEN…
Tuesday – Saturday 8.30am – 4pm | Last food order at 3.30pm p: 0736750 6990 | email: e.j.silk@btinternet.com
Milkshakes: Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream £4 Bottles/canned drinks £2.50
Variety of cakes
Coffee & Cake £5 from 8:30am - 11:30am Soup & any Drink £6.50 from 12:30pm - 2:30pm
ALL DAY BREAKFASTS! & EXTENSIVE LUNCH SELECTION!
Galhampton ad.qxp_Layout 1 10/10/2023 12:23 Page 1
The Old School, Queen Camel, Somerset
Galhampton
Shop & Country Store
Animal Feeds and Bedding Timber Supplies
Tools | Hardware | Gardening Workwear | Logs and Gas
Local Food | Home Essentials
Open 7 days a week Mon-Sat 7 30am – 5 30pm | Sun 10am – 4pm 01963 440464
Family-run, rural country store on A359 between Castle Cary and Sparkford
Fir Tree Business Park, High Road, Galhampton, Somerset, BA22 7BH sales@galhamptoncountrystore co uk
Family run since 2010
Event Catering for all occasions.
Funeral Wakes, Anniversaries, Weddings, Drinks Parties
contact@dorsetdelightscatering.co.uk
07783 928532
www.dorsetdelightscatering.co.uk
Galhampton Village Hall
Planning an event, party or a fete, need any additional equipment?
We have Gala Tents, Gazebos, Lighting, Ext Cables, Chairs, Tables and a range of Kitchen Ware, Plates, Glasses & Cutlery and a lot more.
For the full range of items and conditions of hire, see our Web Site www.galhampton.com or email paul.carter@galhampton.com
All electrical items are PAT compliant.
May Day Bin End Wine Tasting and Sale Friday 1st May 2026 - 10.00am to 4.00pm
With new vintages and wines arriving in the Spring, we’ll need a helping hand to make warehouse space. Expect 30 wines open for tasting and discounts on bin-ends, damaged labels and end-of-line bottles. No need to book – just mark the date in your diary and pop in!
Yapp Brothers Wine Merchants Units 3A & 4, West 303, High Street, Sparkford, Somerset BA22 7JQ
sales@yapp.co.uk 01747 860423 @yappaboutwine
Open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Welcome to Karting at Haynes!!
Karting at Haynes is a go kart track neighbouring the prestigious Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford. With a wide range of go karts and events we will certainly have the karting experience that appeals to you.
The fast paced 400 metre track layout can offer mixed group sessions, exclusive track hire, and even kids parties. Our fastest karts boast speeds of up to 50 miles per hour giving our drivers the thrilling experience they’re looking for. Our karts are meticulously serviced to give the best experience possible. The 160CC cadet karts are designed for our
youngest drivers that can drive from 8 years old. Meanwhile our adult karts utilise larger 270CC units, an engine also used by our twin seaters. That’s right, we offer our drivers the chance to take a passenger out on track to experience the thrills together.
Now as much as our karts are kept to high standard, this wouldn’t mean anything if we didn’t go the extra mile to make you feel at home. Our staff are always happy to help in or out of the karts meaning you can focus on setting some blistering lap times around our circuit. With all this and more on offer from us, we will be expecting you to get your karting fix soon!
All aspects of Modern and Traditional Renovation & Plasterwork
Plastering•Limework •Floor Screeding Plumbing • Electrics • Carpentry Groundworks • Local Stone Masonry
Always happy to provide helpful advice and a free no obligation quotation.
Somerton Castle Cary Sherborne T: 01963 240185 or M: 07974185923
E:office@modernandtraditional.co.uk www.modernandtraditional.co.uk
• Quality Floor & Wall Tiles from Leading Brands
• Professional Fitting/Installation Service
• Design Advice
• Supply & Fit or Supply Only
• Full Range of Sanitary Ware, Basins, Baths
• Large Format Wall and Floor Tiles
Open: 8am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday 9am - 1pm Saturday Unit 16, Venture 20, Lynx West Trading Estate, Yeovil BA20 2HP p: 01935 472088 | www.j2tiling.co.uk
Flowers and Home Somerset
As Flowers and Home Somerset begins its fourth year of trading, we reflect on our journey in the heart of Castle Cary High Street. Owner Tracey has over twenty-five years of experience in the floral industry, having worked in various independent flowers shops, freelanced for wedding florists, and headed up the Academy for Floristry at a local land-based college.
“I think I’ve worked in every aspect of the industry – hotels, retail, education and wholesale. It’s so varied and exciting.” Tracey Commented, “Now, it’s wonderful to be part of the local community, creating and designing our own style of floral masterpieces for our wonderful customers.”
It’s always a busy day in the shop, with customers dropping in for a quick chat or to purchase gifts, arranging deliveries and discussing bespoke designs for every occasion. “It is so important to understand
the requirements of each of our customers to ensure we tailor the designs to them and the occasion.”
Alongside the day-to-day shop, the team are experienced in all aspects of floristry, Carly our senior florist has been selected to carry out mentoring and support with other flower retailers– to achieve the very best in service, design and business – which means she travels the county to visit shops.
“It’s a real privilege to work with other flower shops and learn from them too, sharing ideas and supporting one another is really important in our industry.”
Tracey also heads off to Wiltshire University College, to teach recreational courses to students across the county. “I really enjoy being back in the classroom again, and educating students about our wonderful industry, often people have no idea on the huge supply chain and infrastructure involved in our daily flower deliveries. I love our discussions we have on UK flower and Dutch markets, it really is an incredibly fastmoving industry”
The quirky flower shop specialise in bespoke bouquets and arrangements for any occasion, delivering smiles across Somerset to our customers.
The F & H team fast approach the busiest time of the floral year with Mother’s Day on 15th March , an ideal opportunity to discover your local florist!
It is so important to support your local florist and high street. You will always receive excellent service and go away with a unique design created just for you by professionals.
Meet Mary Temperley
Founder of MAKE Skincare, Langport, Somerset
MAKE Skincare provides a range of natural products for the face, body and bath.
MAKE has been built on the ethos that what we apply to our body should be “good enough to eat.” The company was founded after discovering some of the ingredients which go into some commercial beauty brands, often chemicals classified as carcinogenic and banned in foods, yet used liberally in the beauty industry.
Believing in the power of natural ingredients, the range has been designed using a variety of plant oils, essential oils, vitamins and extracts. Products are designed around the various functions so they work as well as they can for the purpose they are formulated for. This can be the need to absorb fast and deep into the skin in which case an an oil such as avocado is used, or to protect the hands against the elements in which case it is beeswax and jojoba oil.
Each product has been thought through and designed around function, as well as the quality and sustainability of the ingredients used. The addition of ingredients such as vitamin C , hyaluronic acid and a variety of other plant based extracts means the products pack a punch as well as looking and smelling delicious.
MAKE products are all made by hand and Mary grows the lavender at Burrow
Hill, her parents’ cider farm near Langport. She distils the lavender using a 100 year old copper still to produce a lavender hydrolate and essential oil which is used in several of the products. She also uses apple spirit made at the cider farm in room sprays and a sanitiser. Some products are refillable, with the most popular being Face Glow, a rosehip , moringa and vitamin E face oil with rose, geranium, sandalwood and lavender . Packaging is in glass or eco pouches, in a range of jewel colours which represent the various scent blends. Designed to be displayed on the bathroom shelf and not locked away, the products are a both affordable, sustainable and made with love.
Stocked at Teals Farmshop, and The Circus in Sherborne
PARTNERED WITH KARTING AT HAYNES
Orchard Park Farm, Hornblotton Green, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
Come and try your hand at one of our thrilling and exciting activities. We are located in Hornblotton Somerset, nestled on a cider farm with woodland surroundings Which is. Only a short drive from Karting at Haynes – we have plenty to offer the whole family!
What do we offer?
* Clay Shooting
* Paintball
* Archery
* Axe Throwing
* Rifle Range
* Cider Tasting and Tours
To discover more, please visit our website www.orchardparkactivities.co.uk.
Call the booking office at Karting at Haynes on 01963 400591 and one of the team will be happy to help!
A Fresh Take on Local Food & Wellbeing in Wincanton
Nestled on Wincanton High Street, The Mushroom Shop is a unique independent business bringing something a little different to the local community. Specialising in fresh gourmet mushrooms, dried produce, and carefully crafted mushroom-based products, the shop is rooted in a passion for quality, sustainability, and local food.
The Mushroom Shop focuses on growing and supplying a wide range of mushrooms that are rarely found in supermarkets. Customers can expect
to find fresh varieties such as Lion’s Mane, oyster mushrooms, coral tooth, and king oysters, all produced with care and harvested at peak freshness. When mushrooms can’t be sold fresh, nothing goes to waste — they are dried, ground, or transformed into new products, ensuring a sustainable, low-waste approach from start to finish.
What truly sets The Mushroom Shop apart is that many of its products are grown and made in-house. The shop has recently launched its first ever branded product: a 100% Lion’s Mane mushroom powder, made entirely from fruiting bodies grown by the team themselves, with no fillers or additives. This hands-on approach allows
customers to know exactly where their food comes from and how it is produced. Beyond fresh mushrooms, the shop also stocks a growing range of shelf products, including dried mushrooms, wellbeing-focused items, and culinary ingredients designed to inspire home cooks and food lovers alike.
Whether customers are looking to try something new in the kitchen, learn more about mushrooms, or simply support a local business, The Mushroom Shop offers a welcoming and informative space.
Community plays a big role in the shop’s ethos. By working with local food businesses and serving customers faceto-face, The Mushroom Shop aims to reconnect people with how food is
grown and prepared, while supporting the local economy.
With its mix of fresh produce, thoughtfully made products, and a genuine passion for mushrooms, The Mushroom Shop is quickly becoming a distinctive and exciting addition to Wincanton’s high street.
The Mushroom Shop, Market Place, Wincanton, Somerset BL9 9LL
Tel: 07471 153418
www.shopmushrooms.co.uk
Farming the same land for over 300 years. Home produced meats, bespoke butchery, a celebration of the West country!
24 individual traders of 2 floors, antiques, collectibles, curios, fabrics, upcycled. Stock changes daily so well worth a regular browse.
The Spark Reviewer, Mandy Bloom Jumps On Board
The Newt in Somerset Unveils New Afternoon Tea Experience
In Lovingly Restored Pullman Carriage,
‘The Maid of Somerset’
Mandybloom.co.uk
A rare century-old Pullman carriage has arrived at Castle Cary station. The Maid of Somerset invites you to step aboard and immerse yourself in the golden glow of Belle Époque travel.
The carriage is the latest addition to the Creamery, the Newt’s project to restore the old milk factory at Station Wharf. Built in 1912 as a hub for milk
delivery and cheese-making, the original building was completed the same year the Titanic set sail. Using imperial bricks, railway-themed seating, GWR green tiles and travel posters, the contemporary interior now weaves between the themes of 1920s railway and Atlantic Ocean travel. It even features Kate Winslet’s iconic
costume from the 1997 film Titanic.
But until now, the Creamery lacked one essential element – an actual railway carriage. In response, the Newt went one step further: they installed a short length of track and brought in a rare 1921 Pullman parlour car from Kent, and painstakingly restored it to outshine its former glory.
‘The Maid of Somerset embodies the wealth, optimism and confidence of the early twentieth century,’ explains Arthur Cole, Head of Programmes for the Newt in Somerset. ‘It was built during that brief but extraordinary pre-war period when anything seemed possible in travel, art and engineering.’
Originally serving as a First-Class parlour car, the Pullman now boasts restored panelled walls featuring intricate neoclassical marquetry, although Arthur explains the drying time needed for the heritage varnish delayed their progress considerably. ‘The interior has been recreated with love, sweat and tears.’
More than a century after the Maid hosted its first passengers, afternoon tea is brought to guests seated in plush armchairs, while ragtime music plays softly in the background. The Titanic inspiration is evident here too. The fine bone china was commissioned to replicate that used on the ill-fated liner, as was the silver cutlery and elegant wave-patterned glassware.
Today’s sandwiches are made with perfectly spongy sourdough and fillings such as Waterlip cheese, served alongside scones and exquisite
pâtisserie. Key ingredients are grown, foraged and produced at the nearby Newt estate and at the Creamery.
Arthur emphasises the Creamery’s ongoing connection with Castle Cary’s vibrant business community. ‘It’s a dynamic, forward-thinking town and one that gives us our sense of place,’ he explains. ‘Our visitors today see many of the same Victorian and Edwardian buildings that greeted railway passengers venturing into town a century ago. We want to embrace this historic relationship.’
Afternoon tea is available via prebooking only, Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm - 4pm, priced at £35 per person, or £45 with a glass of Sprankel, the Newt’s South African sparkling wine
✓ Plan ahead and pre-book your respite stay
✓ Secure booking with just a 25% deposit if booking more than two months in advance
✓ Your place is guaranteed, so you can plan with confidence*
✓ Book now and stay later - because your plans matter, and so does your peace of mind
*Terms & Conditions apply - see website for details.
The Market House, Castle Cary
Facebook: @themarkethousecastlecary
Instagram: @markethousecastlecary
The Market House is a beautiful Grade II* listed building dating from 1855, situated in the heart of Castle Cary, with good access and free parking nearby. Renovations in recent years have kept its characteristic charm enabling the space to be used as a multi-functional venue, be it a celebration, wedding, meeting, exhibition or talk.
The building benefits from Wi-Fi throughout and is available for hire with any combination of the three distinct spaces, offering a variety of options: The Shambles – boasts a fusion of modern architecture and original features, including stunning windows and original
flag stone flooring. Complete with glazed roof, underfloor heating, seating for up to 50 people, with additional standing room, a purpose-built servery and AV and projector equipment with the ability to host hybrid meetings, together with a hearing loop and microphone system.
From the Shambles step out to the covered ‘Undercroft’, which is the perfect overspill area for events in the Shambles and an ideal space for pop-up food vendors with access straight onto the cobbles adjacent to the High Street. Finally, the spacious Assembly Room on the upper floor, features a fabulous open plan setting suitable for larger events,
such as weddings, exhibitions, dinner parties or celebrations. In addition, on this floor, is the Billiard Room, which is the most recent area to undergo renovation and provides a fabulous space for private meetings and intimate dinner parties following the creation of a new compact kitchen, complete with oven and hob, microwave, hot cupboard, industrial dishwasher, fridge, and tea & coffee making facilities.
If you are looking for a distinctive location in the heart of Castle Cary for your event, celebration, wedding, meeting or funeral wake please contact Catrin Loxton by email markethouse.bookings@castle-
cary.gov.uk or call 01963 351763 to discuss your requirements and arrange a tour of our unique venue.
The Market House, Market Place, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7 7AH
T: 01963 351763
E: markethouse.bookings@castle-cary. gov.uk
W: www.markethousecastlecary.com
The Assembly Room
The Shambles
The Shambles The Undercroft
Tamsyn Gregory – Artist
07544 995204 www.tamsyngregory.art
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved colour, light, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. I’m an artist who creates joyful paintings and prints inspired by nature, busy towns, and colourful interiors — moments that remind us to slow down and really see the world around us.
After putting down my brushes for fifteen years, I rediscovered painting in the most unexpected way — through creating oil paintings on my iPad.
That small step completely transformed my life. It taught me that creativity doesn’t need the perfect studio or endless hours; it can begin anywhere, anytime.
Now, as a full-time artist with a studio
full of art materials, I share my work in galleries, shops, and art fairs, and I help others reconnect with their creative spark.
My workshops in digital art and acrylic painting encourage play, exploration, and joy.
For me, painting is an escape from the noise of daily life. When I’m immersed in a wild meadow or sketching a lively town scene, the world slows down. I notice the bees and birds, the patterns in the grasses, the light on old brick walls.
Through my art and teaching, I hope to bring that same sense of peace, curiosity, and fun into others’ lives - one brushstroke at a time.
Castle Cary Vintage Market
“Castle Cary’s popular monthly Vintage Market returns to The Market House on Saturday 7th March 2026, then on the following first Saturday of each month up to and including September. This event has been running since 2015 and has proved to be an exciting part of Cary’s community life, attracting visitors from far and wide. The market welcomes both regular traders and newcomers with a wide variety of antiques & collectables ranging variously through ceramics, glass, jewellery, tins, toys, garden architectural items, vintage fashions, fabrics, eastern rugs, maps, printed ephemera, local history publications, old advertising and a host more! Local community groups provide refreshments at the Market House every Saturday morning which is a longstanding Cary tradition and we always welcome them to assist in making our event go with a swing!”
VALE OF CAMELOT CHURCHES
SERVICES FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2026
VALE OF CAMELOT CHURCHES
SERVICES FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026
Date Location Time Service
Sunday 5th April
Officiant
For details of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Sunrise Services see the Vale of Camelot Churches website https://valeofcamelotchurches.org/
Yarlington 9.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Alison Parris
Queen Camel 9.30am Holy Communion (CW) Caroline Walker
West Camel 9.30am Holy Communion (CW) Rose Hoskins
Weston Bampfylde 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) Ron Wood
Sparkford 9.30am Service at Weston Bampfylde
South Cadbury 10.30am Holy Communion (BCP) Alison Parris
Easter Day
Sunday 12th April
Easter 2
Tuesday 14th April
Sunday 19th April
Easter 3
Sunday 26th April
Easter 4
Corton Denham 11.00am Holy Communion (CW) Rose Hoskins
North Cadbury 11.00am Holy Communion (CW) Caroline Walker
Sutton Montis 11.00am Holy Communion (CW) Ron Wood
West Camel 6.00pm Easter Praise Methodists
Galhampton 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) Nerissa/Caroline
Sutton Montis 11.00am Morning Worship Julie Ebsworth
West Camel 11 00am Holy Communion (CW) Caroline Walker
West Camel 6.00pm Methodist Service Methodists
South Cadbury 12 noon Holy Communion (BCP) Caroline Walker
Queen Camel 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) Rose Hoskins
Corton Denham 11.00am Morning Worship Ron Wood
North Cadbury 11.00am Sunday Worship Alison Parris
Sparkford 11.00am Holy Communion (CW) Rose Hoskins
West Camel 6.00pm Methodist Service Methodists
Yarlington 6 30pm Sung Evensong (BCP) Lesley Gillingham
South Cadbury 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) Ron Wood
Weston Bampfylde 9.30am Morning Worship Caroline/Christy
North Cadbury 11.00am Holy Communion (CW) Caroline/Julie
West Camel 6.00pm Methodist Service Methodists
Galhampton 6.30pm Evening Service Ron Wood
Vale of Camelot Churches - Lent Lunches
During Lent we will once again be holding Lent Lunches at Corton Denham Village Hall 12 noon on Tuesdays. The format will be similar to last year. The dates are 3rd March, 10th March, 17th March and 24th March. We will be basing our sessions on Stephen Cotterell’s book ‘The things He did.’ Donations towards the work of Open Doors https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/. If you are interested in coming along or finding out more about this please contact: Caroline Walker carolinehwalker@btinternet.com 07765 126355.
Brister&Son
Independent Family Funeral Directors
When your family suffers the loss of a loved one, we are here to support, guide and reassure you – every step of the way
Call Teresa or Daniel for an appointment on 01963 850165
Woodside Court, Sparkford, Somerset BA22 7LH Email: info@wsbrister.com www.wsbrister.com
From the Registers
Date Service
13th November Burial of Ashes
14th November Burial of Ashes
22nd November Wedding
29th November Wedding
1st December Funeral
2nd December Funeral
6th December Wedding Blessing
15th December Burial of Ashes
17th December Funeral
18th December Burial of Ashes
20th December Wedding
30th December Wedding
10th January Wedding
29th January Burial of Ashes
Name
Betty Spear
Peter Sidney Gray
Georgina Elizabeth Fox
Tobias Sebastian Habetha
Abigail Elizabeth Pitchforth
Matthew Philp Houghton
Denis George (Den) Ims
Venue (Parish)
St Michael’s, North Cadbury
St Michael’s, North Cadbury
St Michael’s, North Cadbury
St Michael’s, North Cadbury
St Barnabas, Queen Camel
Susan Heather (Sue) All Saints, West Camel
Agland
Lucy Trafford
Baran Ceylan
Katharine
St Michael’s, North Cadbury
Holy Trinity, Sutton Montis and Rachel Le Mare
Martin Ireson Coombs
Marion Elsie Doddington
Cordelia Florence Elizabeth
Duff
Archie Basil Stead
Evangeline Louise
Magdalen Newman
William Henry Maxwell-Hart
Zara Louise Speller
James Frederick Porter
Josephine Elizabeth Sally
Holy Trinity, Sutton Montis
Holy Trinity, Sutton Montis
St Michael’s, North Cadbury
St Michael’s, North Cadbury
St Michael’s, North Cadbury
Holy Trinity, Sutton Montis (Jo) Tabor
Introducing: Dom Blake from
Wessex Living Gardens
We are delighted to welcome Dom Blake from Wessex Living Gardens who will be joining us in the May/June issue of The Spark Magazine.
Dom will be presenting regular columns called ‘Gardening Time with Dom Blake’.
Dom’s work focuses on practical, nature-led gardening – soil health, seasonal rhythms, orchards, wildlife and how gardens change over time – written for people who want gardens that are productive, beautiful, and grounded in place rather than trend-driven.
For more information about Dom’s work visit: www.wessexlivinggardens.com
THE VALE OF CAMELOT GROWERS
Sparkford BA22 7JR
We are a small friendly family run business in Sparkford. We supply top quality products from beautiful plants including; perennials, pot and bedding and hanging baskets from mid April-July and Christmas trees and wreaths in December. We’re opening on Friday 10th April and our opening hours will be:
Monday-closed
Tuesday-closed
Wednesday-10am - 5pm
Thursday- 10am-5pm Friday-10am - 4pm
Saturday-10am - 5pm Sunday-10am-4pm
Tel: 07969 372979 info@valeofcamelotgrowers.co.uk
Book Review
by Claire Brooker, Bailey Hill Bookshop, Castle Cary
The Frozen People is a deliciously satisfying and original novel, part crime fiction, part fantasy, with echoes of Narnia and HG Wells thrown in.
As always, Elly Griffiths’ attention to detail creates people and places the reader can see and know, but in this latest book, she adds a further dimension of time travel, between contemporary London and the same streets and houses in 1850. It is clear that she loved researching and writing it, for it fizzes with energy and imagination.
The plot is intriguing: a top-secret police department is devoted to investigating historic cases so ‘cold’ that they are ‘frozen’, hence the novel’s title. This interplay between past and present holds mystery but also humour; the short, sometimes dated chapters ensure we’re engaged in the plot’s several strands, not confused or frustrated by them.
Central character and hero DS Ali Dawson is a talented police officer with an adult son, Finn and a characterful cat, Terry. Griffiths introduces Ali so effectively that we really get to know and care about her, with all her quirks,
hopes and fears, just as she did Ruth, in her best-selling Dr Ruth Galloway series.
I was devasted to read the last of this previous series, all 15 of them! Imagine my relief to find that Ali, in a totally different setting and profession, is as likeable as Ruth Galloway. Whether or not you have read an Elly Griffiths novel before, I commend this one to you as well-written, well-paced, great entertainment.
The next novel in the series, The Killing Time, will be published in February 2026.
I can’t wait….
Haddock Fish Cakes
Method:
1. Flake the cooked salmon discarding any skin and bones. Put it in a bowl with the mashed potato, melted butter and mustard and mix well. Stir in the dill and parsley and Lemon rind and juice. Season to taste with salt & pepper.
2. Divide the mixture into eight portions and shape each into a ball, then flatten into a round. Dip the fish cakes in flour, then in egg and finally in breadcrumbs making sure that they are evenly coated.
3. Heat the oil in a frying pan until it is hot. Fry the fish cakes in batches until golden brown and crisp all over. As each batch is ready, drain on kitchen paper and keep hot. Garnish and serve with Lemon wedges.
With thanks to Margaret Floate
If you have an easy recipe to share, please contact Jackie @ jpbristowbristow@gmail.com
Ingredients:
1. 450g/1lb cooked salmon fillet or smoked
2. 450g/1lb freshly cooked potatoes
3. 25g.1oz/2 tbsp butter (melted)
4. 2tsp wholegrain mustard
5. 15ml/1 tbsp each chopped dill & chopped Parsley
6. Grated rind & juice of ½ lemon
7. 15ml/1tbsp plain (all purpose) flour
8. 1 egg lightly beaten
9. 150g/5oz dried breadcrumbs
10. 60ml/4 tbsp virgin olive oil
11. Salt & pepper
12. Rocket & chives to garnish
13. Lemon wedges to serve
Sudoku
Issue 11 answers
NAOMI MILES
FINE ART
Naomi Miles is an acrylic realist painter based in Yeovil, inspired by the quiet beauty of everyday life. Her work focuses on finding the extraordinary within the ordinary, capturing vivid colour, texture and detail that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Working primarily with acrylics, Naomi is drawn to the precision that she can achieve with this medium. Her use of detail ensures that there is always something new to discover in her paintings, revealing something different with each look.
Naomi’s work most often centres around landscapes, with a particular love for coastal scenes. She is drawn to
landscapes for the quiet details they hold; the textures, light and fleeting moments we often walk past without noticing. Alongside her landscape work, Naomi also undertakes commissions, where she enjoys painting animals, particularly dogs, as well as family portraits.
Alongside her painting practice, Naomi will soon be a part of a familyrun art gallery opening in Bridport. The gallery will showcase work by family artists Sarah Miles, Naomi Miles and Jessica Miles, alongside a selection of artworks by other local artists, creating a welcoming space that celebrates creativity within the community.
Through her work, Naomi invites viewers to pause, reflect and appreciate the subtle beauty around them; offering moments of calm, wonder and quiet observation.
Naomi is open for commissions and enjoys working with clients to transform personal ideas or cherished memories into one of a kind artworks designed to be treasured.
CONSULT A PRIVATE GP
Consultations
Prescriptions
Blood tests & investigations
Cardiovascular tests
Cancer screening tests
Well woman checks, to include HRT prescribing, osteoporosis assessments, breast screening, smear tests as appropriate
Well man checks, including prostate cancer screening
Lifestyle & weight management advice and medication
Children and all ages welcome
Home visits available
The Poundbury Clinic Middlemarsh Street, Poundbury, Dorchester, DT1 3FD
The Kingston Wing, Yeovil Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 4AT 01935 609453
clinic@wessexprivategp.co.uk wessexprivategp.co.uk 01935 384234
We are proud to have been shortlisted as a finalist in the BBSA Best External Shading Installation category in the Excellence awards 2026.
At LPSS we 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 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, family, creating a happy environment.
We are running a special offer of free installation on all folding arm awnings ordered before the 31st March.
Tel: 07879992000 | Email: enquiries@lizziepriceshadingsolutions.co.uk
How to Sell in a Slow Market
Luke Pender-Cudlip, House Sale Consultant
pendercudlipproperty.com
Selling your home in a slow market can feel like trying to flag down a taxi in the rain while everyone else got the last Uber. Buyers — even in the best of times — are Olympic-level procrastinators. They’ll talk themselves out of a purchase for sport, kicking the can down the road with the gusto of a Sunday-league striker. But here’s the comfort: markets do change given time. Your job is simply to be on the front foot so that when the right buyer appears — and they will — your property is the one they go for.
At Pender-Cudlip Property, we guide vendors through the selling conundrums and dilemmas. Below are the fundamentals of giving your home the best possible chance of landing a committed, proceedable buyer.
1. Choose the Right Estate Agent
Every agent can put your home on Rightmove. That’s the bare minimum — like knowing how to boil water before calling yourself a chef. What actually matters is this:
• Who is giving you feedback — and when?
• Who will conduct viewings?
• Will you deal with one accountable human or whoever happens to be
manning the fort?
• How sharp, swift, and joined-up are their processes?
A good agent doesn’t just list your home. They marshal momentum. A poor agent simply uploads a few photos and hopes for the best — which is not a strategy, it’s a prayer.
2. Price: The Cold Bath of Reality
Price is the beating heart of any sale. Probe your agent on how they arrived at their recommended figure. Ask for comparables. Look at what actually sold, not simply what’s ambitiously lingering on the portals like unsolved riddles. In a sluggish market, aiming for the moon is a fast track to months of tumbleweed. Stand firmly on terra firma instead: a price that is realistic, evidence-based, and enticing enough to pull buyers through the front door rather than pushing them back to their laptops.
3. Prepare Your House (No Grand Designs Needed, Just Common Sense)
You do not need an architectural epiphany. You do need:
• Flaking paint sorted
• Leaky gutters fixed
• Anything suspicious or
scruffy addressed
Buyers are twitchy at the best of times. Give them the faintest hint of deferred maintenance and they’ll assume the entire house is held together with optimism and Blu Tack.
4. Prepare Legally — Before the Offer, Not After
The slowest sales are often not the ones struggling to find a buyer — they’re the ones where the paperwork is a shambles.
Do not wait for an offer before sorting:
• EPC
• Title deeds
• Boundary plans
• Septic tank compliance (if relevant)
• Any historic building approvals
• Your solicitor’s instruction
Be sale-ready early. The buyer will thank you. Your nerves will thank you. Your completion date will thank you.
5. Let the Agent Do the First Viewing
It is almost always better if the agent conducts the initial viewing.
Buyers make their minds up astonishingly quickly. The vendor enthusiastically opening every cupboard while extolling the virtues of the local dominoes club often clouds rather than clarifies.
However — and this is crucial — ensure your agent or their viewing assistant is fully briefed. An agent winging it through your property is part comedy, part tragedy and wholly avoidable.
6. An Offer! Lovely. But Don’t Open the Champagne Quite Yet
An offer is not a sale; it’s an expression of interest wearing its best suit. Before accepting anything, your agent must establish:
• Is the buyer truly cash if they say they are?
• Do they have a mortgage in principle?
• Are they in a chain? How long? How fragile?
• What is the status of each link down the ladder?
Accepting an offer without rock-solid clarity is like stepping onto a boat without checking if it’s tied to the quay.
7. Be Attractive to Buyers: Have No Onward Chain (or Be Clear About Your Timing)
Few things deflate a keen buyer faster than:
“Yes, we’d love to accept your offer — but we can’t move until we find somewhere ourselves.”
Be ready to go into rented if necessary. It’s not a defeat; it’s a tactical manoeuvre. Alternatively, finesse your sale and purchase by clearly stating from the outset that you will require a 2–3-month period between exchange and completion. This is entirely normal — but only if everyone knows the plan from day one.
Exchange dates slip. Completion dates creep. Clarity keeps everyone sane.
In Conclusion: Patience, Persistence, Proper Advice
I’ve been involved in thousands of house sales, and almost all of them — even the hair-raising ones — came good in the end.
Selling in a slow market is tough. But with the right pricing, preparation, agent, legal readiness, and negotiation strategy, you can turn a turgid situation into a tidy success.
Cycling in Our Area Why We Love Riding Here
By Neil Spinney
One of the things I love most about cycling in our area is just how easy it is to get out and enjoy a great ride. We’re lucky to have a real mix of quiet country roads, rolling hills, woodland trails and trafficfree paths, all right on our doorstep. Whether it’s a quick spin after work or a longer weekend ride, there’s always a route that fits the mood.
Cycling locally isn’t just about fitness, it’s about taking a bit of time for yourself. A short ride can clear your head, lift your mood and remind you why you fell in love with riding in the first place. You don’t need to be training for anything or chasing miles – sometimes it’s just about getting outside and enjoying the fresh air.
E-bikes have made a huge difference to how many people are riding around here, and I think that’s a brilliant thing. They make hills less intimidating, longer rides more achievable and mean you can ride with friends or family without worrying about pace. You still pedal, you still get the benefits, but there’s that extra bit of help when you need it. For a lot of riders, e-bikes have brought the fun back into
cycling.
Traditional pedal bikes still have a special place too. There’s something really satisfying about riding under your own steam, feeling every climb and earning every descent. Analogue bikes are simple, reliable and a great way to build fitness and confidence. For many riders, that direct connection between you and the bike is what makes cycling so rewarding.
At Rule 65 Cycle Shop, cycling is a genuine passion, not just a job. I’m Neil Spinney, and I ride these same local roads and trails myself. That means when someone comes into the shop for advice,
it’s based on real rides, real routes and real experience. Whether you’re choosing your first bike, thinking about switching to an e-bike, or just need help keeping your current bike running smoothly, I’m always happy to chat and help you find what works for you.
There’s no right or wrong way to ride. E-bike or analogue, fast or steady, long or short – what matters is getting out there and enjoying it. And if you ever want advice, a coffee, or just a bike chat, you’ll always be welcome at Rule 65.
Rule 65 Cycle Shop, 1 South Street, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 9DH
www.rule65.co.uk : info@rule65.co.uk : 01963 846221
BUMPS, TOTS & TODDLERS
If you have a little one, why not come along and join us on Wednesdays during term time in St Barnabas Church, Queen Camel from 10.00 am – 12 noon It is an opportunity for parents to meet and relax with a cup of coffee/tea and a piece of cake & for their little ones to explore and make friends. £3 per family - do come & join us! For more info call Morwenna Ford on 01935 850 300
SCOUTS (101/2 - 14 Years)
Tues. 7.15pm-9pm
Scott Austin
asl@sparkfordscouts.org.uk
CUBS (8 - 10¹/² Years)
Mon 6.30pm-8pm
Lucia Atkinson
csl@sparkfordscouts.org.uk
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
BEAVERS (6-8 Years)
Tues. 6pm-7pm
Anne Tuck
bsl@sparkfordscouts.org.uk
EXPLORER SCOUTS (14-18 Years)
Alternative Thurs.
Kevin Davis
sl@sparkfordscouts.org.uk
Please contact Anne Tuck on 07538 502812 | www.sparkfordscouts.org.uk
UK winter brings a variety of stormy weather that standard broadband can struggle to handle.
Switching to full fibre broadband from Wessex Internet not only provides unshakable reliability, but you’re also safe in the knowledge that worst case scenario and something does go wrong, you can speak to our friendly Customer Support Team based here in the heart of Dorset.
www.orchardinngalhampton.co.uk
Eat, sleep, entertain, celebrate at The Sparkford Inn
Fully Licenced for Civil Ceremonies
Twelve en suite bedrooms
Catering for up to 130 guests
Large function room with own bar, stage & facilities
Beautiful 18th century building with original features
Full packages available, with everything under one roof
Please ask for our latest brochure, or email us at Sparkfordinn.yeovil@phoenixpub.co.uk
High Street, Sparkford, Yeovil BA22 7JH www.sparkfordinnpubyeovil.co.uk p: 01963 440218
& Sharon Carter
Choose from a variety of burgers and seven different prime cuts of steak. Specialising in the Tomahawk steak.
Booking Advisable (especially at weekends)
Sunday Carvery 12pm - 4pm
Podymore Inn & Steakhouse, Podimore, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8JF
Whatsapp or Call on: 0772 679 8697 or 07850 798597 | Dogs Welcome Too!
On the Farm: Starring Betty the Sheep
With Katie Goodwin and her Family, Weston Bampfylde, Somerset
Ihave come to cherish the frosty mornings while I tend to the pony and his companion sheep, Betty. One of two sheep I bought in 2020 to start my flock, Betty is a magnificent Suffolk ewe, her stubborn streak rivalled only by Ethel, now two and a half. In her older age, Betty is retired from lambing and, having lost all her teeth, now relishes hot mash for breakfast and supper. Each night she tucks herself into the old stone barn, and every morning waits in the doorway to greet me. I find it fascinating, and am very proud, that we continue to make use of - and bring life to -a barn that once formed the foundations of the enterprise here, many years ago.
December and January have been particularly challenging months on the farm, with the usual obstacles to contend with: poor weather, mud, frozen water pipes... and more mud. However, since I last wrote, we’ve faced a different challenge – one we aren’t unfamiliar with, but which still managed to catch us off guard. Just before Christmas, our herd was shut down with tuberculosis, more commonly known as Bovine TB. Since then, Lewis and I have spent many an evening side by side at the kitchen table, buried in paperwork relating to the shutdown – which does make one wonder whether this is, in fact, a dairy farmer’s idea of date night.
For those unfamiliar with the process, cattle in the UK are regularly tested for TB using a skin test. On day one, the animals’ skin is measured at the injection site, before receiving two injections. Seventytwo hours later, the skin is measured again. If the difference between the two measurements exceeds a certain threshold, the animal will then either be classed as a Reactor or Inconclusive Reactor.
Following our most recent test, eight of our animals tested positive and were taken to slaughter, yet not one animal showed visible TB lesions at post-mortem. It is hard not to question whether a government-funded system that carries such financial, emotional and practical consequences is consistently providing the clarity and reassurance it is meant to deliver.
For now, the wheels will keep turning on the farm, alongside their fair share
of late-night form filling, amongst attempting to keep the farmhouse in one piece and the children happy.
Over at our heifer-rearing unit, the sheds are currently full of this season’s dairy calves, now fully weaned from milk, alongside last season’s replacement heifers. The older group has also been joined by Barry, our Aberdeen Angus bull, who is covering any animals that didn’t hold to their AI services.
By being more selective about which cows and heifers receive sexed semen, we’ve tightened our calving window, with all dairy calves now due within three weeks instead of the usual six.
This means a more intensive calving block this Autumn, but one that should, in theory, be more efficient and easier to manage.
For now, they’ll remain housed while we wait for the ground to dry out and the grass to grow before turning them out to graze this Spring.
I have noticed the Daffodils are already peering from the hedgerows, and birdsong is growing louder. As Beatrix Potter once observed, ‘The shortest day and longest night are behind us, and with them comes the promise of brighter days ahead’.
Shopping
Membership:
Pets Corner: Greyhound Spa Dog Grooming
‘We treat every dog like it’s part of the family, because we are family ourselves’
Based in Wincanton, our cosy, familyrun grooming salon pampers pups of all shapes and sizes.
Whether it’s a full groom or a quick wash, your furry friend will enjoy gentle, personalised care in safe and stress-free environment.
Bath & Blow Dry, Full Groom, Nail Trimming, De-Shedding & De-Matting.
St Giles Animal Welfare
St Giles Animal Welfare is a notfor-profit organisation dedicated to providing a safe, loving environment for animals who need our help. We believe every animal deserves a second
chance at their own happy ever after, and that is what we are committed to achieving.
Our mission is to advocate for animals in need and place their welfare at the heart of everything we do. We work to provide a better future for unwanted pets by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming them. Alongside this, we collaborate with our local community to educate and deliver community projects that help ensure animals’ needs are understood, respected and met. Only then can we truly give animals the second chance at life they deserve.
Based at St Giles Animal Centre in Wrantage, Taunton, we serve Somerset and beyond, working tirelessly to give every animal the opportunity of a happy ending.
To continue our vital work, we rely on ongoing fundraising. All money raised goes directly towards the running of the rescue and the essential community services we provide, including our Pet Food Bank and Education Projects.
We can only fulfil our commitment to the animals in our care with the continued support of our colleagues, volunteers, followers, sponsors and donors. Our shared love and dedication for animals is what drives St Giles Animal Welfare forward every day.
If you would like to help in any way, please visit our website to find out how you can get involved:
www.stgilesanimalwelfare.co.uk
Sparkford Cricket Club News…
We are very much looking forward to the 2026 Season!
Off the field we are very pleased with the completion of our Pavilion refurbishment. Thanks to Marcus Price for doing the works.
We have upgraded the Home and Away changing rooms with new showers, refurbished the Club area and also added two new toilets on the side of the building. We have replaced our perimeter fencethanks very much to Sparkford Parish Council and Aldo and his team from AG Fenced It for doing the works.
Will and Arthur Reeves continue to expertly care for our picturesque ground, maintaining it to a very high standard.
On the field we are looking forward to our Senior T20 Team playing in the East Somerset Premier League, mainly on Friday evenings. These will be social but
competitive local fixtures.
We have an u14s and an u16s (boys and girls) Junior Cricket Teams run by qualified coaches Oli Hand, Will Reeves and Stuart Cattermull.
Junior Training will be on Wednesday nights 5.30-7pm. U14s will play their league matches on Tuesdays and the u16s on Thursday evenings.
If you would like to play, volunteer to help in any way, or become a sponsor please see our social media channels - instagram or contact Oli 07834851065
OHCricketCoaching@gmail.com and Facebook @sparkfordcricketclub for club updates
Jon King Brain Chairman Sparkford CC
QUEEN CAMEL BOWLS CLUB
Off Englands Lane, Queen Camel, Yeovil, BA22 7NN
Are you looking for a new form of gentle exercise? Would you like to play a competitive and able game? Why not try Lawn Bowls and make some new friends at the same time?
We meet every Tuesday from mid-April until mid-September and also hold a number of social events throughout the year as well. All are welcome.
To find out more, please contact: howard. davies121@yahoo.com – 07957 834717
North Cadbury Tennis Club
North Cadbury Tennis Club is a public tennis facility situated in the village of North Cadbury. The club has two courts, holds a weekly club night during the summer and participates in the Yeovil & District Tennis League.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please check our website for details.
Non-members wishing to play can book a court, subject to availability, for a fee of £10 per court per hour.
Contact: Liz Ellis 079665 49714 www.northcadburytennisclub.co.uk
