Somerset Weddings - What`s On Somerset

Transcription

museums
• theatre • heritage • parks • gardens • arts • holidays & travel • restaurants • events • sport
S merset
what’s on
places to go
things to do
so much to see
Spring2012 / issue 19
Somerset
Weddings
plan your special day in
our beautiful county!
Inside
Cricket Season Preview
Brown and Forrest Review
Somerset Levels Walk
The thrill is being there
workshops
& courses
See the Aircraft Carrier Experience and Concorde
RNAS Yeovilton,
Somerset, BA22 8HT
01935 840565
fleetairarm.com
contemporary & traditional methods
held on a traditional working willow farm
displays, workshops/courses,
talks & demonstrations, sculpture trail
for more information call
01278 691105
or visit our website:
www.musgrovewillows.co.uk
musgrovewillows.co.uk
Willowfields, Lakewall, Westonzoyland, Somerset TA7 0LP
whats on_musgrove141x98.indd 1
18/2/10 11:43:19
Historic Stores Farm Museum Acorns Café
VISIT A TRULY
HISTORIC
EXPERIENCE!
Where the past comes to life
Step back in time with a fun-packed trip to
Oakham Treasures.
Whether you’re 8 or 80, you’ll be fascinated by this
unique collection of memorabilia from days gone by.
There really is something for everyone, from the
thousands of items in the Historic Stores, to the
impressive display of historic tractors and farm
equipment.
Discover fully stocked and equipped stores from the
past, transported into the present day.
Marvel at the countless original items on display –
not just the packaging but the contents too, still fully
intact.
Immerse yourself in a fabulous and unique trip
down memory lane.
And if you’ve worked up an appetite by the end, you
can visit our fabulous Acorns Café.
Oakham Farm
Portbury Lane, Portbury, Bristol BS20 7SP
Tel: 01275 375 236
For more information visit
www.oakhamtreasures.co.uk
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm.
Just off the M5 at Portbury, Bristol.
Spring 2012
Spring Comment...
March - May
How would you define ownership?
Contents
In a rural county this question might bring images of acres,
grass and fields being galloped across in wild(e) pursuit of
uneatable animals. Whether in towns or villages you think
of boundaries, access or permission, things you can do
and things you can’t. At work, you may own a locker or
a drawer in your desk containing your lunch along with
this copy of What’s on Somerset, hidden inside a more
illustrious publication.
06
FEATURES
12
04 What’s on March
A review of March’s events
Common to all these images is the elephant in the room,
just one noxious overbearing word that is also found
in the Lord’s prayer – Trespass. It’s like a black granite
wall waiting around each corner, stopping our fun and
perhaps our sense of self-worth, particularly if it relates
to owning community relationships and social projects
rather than physical property. Put off, we disengage, then
the problems start.
06 Food & Drink
Holy Smoke
07 Food & Drink
21
This year sees the fifth birthday of What’s on Somerset and
in my opinion, a publication succeeds if the readers feel that
they own it, in some form. There are a few little techniques
within these pages that we use in order for you to own it
for longer than 60 minutes or so – in that way giving the
advertisers who fund it a better chance to gain your valued
business. But it’s not just your physical ownership of the
magazine I am talking about here, it’s your mental one.
Get Trendy, Go Green
08 Food & Drink
Take 2 Chefs
12 Yer Tiz
Somerlympics
Each issue, we have a number of arguments in the office
about how the magazine is put together. Such discussions
can bring out the most unappealing parts of my gutterlevel character, such as late-night telephone deals with our
graphic designer Natalie, and then sending it straight to
press whilst everyone else is at the pub.
28
14 What’s on April
A review of April’s events
16 What’s on May
A review of May’s events
In these five years I have tried to highlight ownership issues
about a few things, especially the arts. With all due respect
to purists and professionals who have perfected their
art over decades, the work is nothing if not accessible. It
should inclusive, not exclusive, a common ownership, even
if not exactly legal title. Otherwise it is no better than an
old master hidden selfishly in a secret gallery.
17 Supplement
Weddings
32
26 Sport
Cricket Season Preview
So you are involved and you do own things. And if you
send me something, you might see it in your magazine.
28 West End Review
GILES ADAMS
The latest shows
30 Gardening
Daily events twitter
@Giles_Adams
Seasonal updates
34 Walks
Post your own events for free on our
Facebook page www.facebook.com/WhatsOnSomerset
Badger Takes a Walk
MANAGING EDITOR
Giles Adams
published & printed by
Character Graphics, Taunton
to advertise in what’s on
somerset magazine
CO-EDITOR
Graham Pitman
address
56/58 Station Road (rear),
Taunton, Somerset TA1 1NS
Call Giles on 07952 896995
01823 441479 or email
whatsonsomerset@btinternet.com
for rate card and media pack
Cover Image
Martin Hill - Mick and Louise Daniels
at Hestercombe, www.hestercombe.com
food & restaurant EDITOR
Rosie Inge
...........................................................................
ART DIRECTION
Natalie Peter-Budge
Character Graphics
...........................................................................
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Paul Vale, Chris Inge, Badger
Charlett Goretzka, Richard Walsh,
John Horsey, Carina Lagnado,
Rebecca Pow, Caroline Tecks
...........................................................................
Telephone
01823 279008
email
whatsonsomerset@btinternet.com
website
www.whatsonsomerset.com
...........................................................................
What’s on Somerset is owned by Character
Graphics Limited. and Giles Adams. The views
expressed in this publication may not necessarily
represent those of What’s On Somerset.We
do not accept liability for any errors, mistakes
or omissions or for any services provided by
advertisers or for any contents of this publication.
All material within the magazine, whether
editorial or advertising, is copyright What’s On
Somerset Ltd and may not be reproduced in
any form without permission from the publisher.
Editorial articles in What’s On Somerset are not
dependentupon companies taking advertising
space therein.
Character
Graphics Ltd
Martin Hill - Cover photographer
Martin Hill has established his name
as a highly respected wedding and
portrait photographer both here in
the UK and across the globe. In 2010
he was presented with the prestigious
honor of having several images placed
within the top 10 in the world by
the ISPWP (International Society for
Professional Wedding Photographers).
Martin and his team work from
modern studios in the scenic County
of Somerset.
www.martinhillphotography.com
What’s on Somerset SPRING 2012
3
Ask your publican for a
Somerset pint
Whats on March
March
Until 17 Dec:
Bridport Arts Centre
exhibition of photos by
Marcus Harrison
Until 4 MAR:
Blackmore Farm,
Cannington. painting,
sculpture, photography,
ceramics and original
prints from 13 well
known West Country
artists. All held in the
magnificent medieval
house at Blackmore Farm.
Free entry, cafe, log fires
etc. open daily 10.30 to 5.
www.gallery4art.co.uk
SAT 3: Local Craft
and Produce Market
- Ilminster Arts Centre
Sat 3: £1 Plant
Sale, Walled Gardens of
Cannington 10am
SAT 3: SOMERSET
STORYFEST will be
springing into action this
March (3rd) and April (7th
& 8th) at the Museum of
Somerset, the Brewhouse
and Halsway Manor. See
www.somersetstoryfest.
co.uk for full details
SAT 3: -June 9th. The
Natural World
Through My Lens by
Victoria Hillman at
the Rural Life Museum,
Glastonbury. Free entry
SUN 4: History
Talk and Tour. Valerie
Quinn, a member of staff at
Thornbury Castle for many
years is a great authority
on the Castle’s history and
you will be thrilled by her
fascinating history talk and
tour. Arrive at 3.00pm in the
Tudor Hall for the talk and
tour this will be followed by
a delicious traditional Cream
Tea ~ £18.50 per person.
01454 281182
SUN 4: Plant Fair,
Forde Abbey near Chard
www.fordeabbey.co.uk
MON 5: 5th-25th:
Exhibtion at the
New Lutyens
Gallery, Hestercombe.
Tom Wood – mixed
media.
THURS 8: Garden
walk and Talk at
Montacute House.
2-3pm. Join a member of
our gardening team for a
tour of the gardens and
chat as you go. The ideal
way to walk of your lunch
from the the Courtyard
Cafe. Meet outside
reception Dogs on leads
welcome, 01935 823289
FRI 9: The Chapel
Lectures @ Ebenezer
Chapel, Riverside,
Burrowbridge TA7 ORE
Doors open 7.00pm for
7.30pm. Jenny Balfour Paul;
film & talk Something Blue
Cost £12.50 on the door
to include the talk, supper
and a glass of wine.
To book, email
ebenezerpresents@
ebenezerfilms.co.uk or
phone 07860 430035
before leaving to check
there’s room.
SAT 10: Jane Thorne
demonstrates Bobbin
Lace making at the Rural
Life Museum.
SAT 10: Until April 21st;
Flow – exhibition at
The Courthouse Gallery,
Somerton.
Spring theme of water, the
sustaining element for all
life and of equal artistic
and creative significance.
From shimmering textile
threads, reflective steel
surfaces and forms, fluid
silks and glassworks to
name a few - our makers
will explore the artistic
merits and inspiration
of this mesmerising
element. Producing
craft that captivates
the senses and offers
evocative interpretations
within a diverse range of
craft disciplines. www.
somersetguild.co.uk
SUN 11: Feltmaking
Workshop at
St Edmunds Hall,
Glastonbury. A Beginners
Special. Learn the basics
and then make a lovely
purse using the all-inone, no seams method.
10-3.30pm Details
and booking at www.
jennieloader.co.uk or
01458 834071
SUN 11: Wedding
Fayre in association with
Aspiritional Weddings,
Ston Easton Park Hotel
www.stoneaston.co.uk
WED 14: History
Tour and full
afternoon tea at Ston
Easton Park Hotel. 01761
241631
WED 14: Spinning
skills demonstration at
the Rural Life Museum
THURS 15: Mill
Demonstration Day
at Hestercombe. See
the beautifully restored
17th century watermill
with displays of mill
machinery and Country
House technology. Meet
the miller, see flour
being made and the
turbine and waterwheel
being demonstrated
in the Dynamo House
and Mill Room. Garden
admission fee applies.
Free for Members www.
hestercombe.com
FRI 16: Sublime Folk
Concert Glastonbury
Assembly Rooms, 8pm.
Doors open 7:15pm
for an 8pm start, finish
expected around 11pm
(ish) Featuring superb
singer songwriter Maurice
Dickson from Northern
Ireland and the sublime
Irish pipes of Catherine
Ashcroft. Plus the amazing
Stompin’ Dave Allen.
Adv. tickets £10 available
from Glastonbury TIC
(01458) 832954 online
tickets and more info:
www.sublimefolk.com
For Further Information
call David Allen on 01308
488387
SAT 17: until 30 Apr.
Songs of Somerset
based on the folk songs
of Cecil Sharpe Somerset
Crafts, Avalon Marshes
Centre, Shapwick Road,
Westhay BA6 9TT
Grand Opening
Saturday 17th March/
Demonstration Day
Sunday 25th March
SAT 17: March 17th,
18th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th,
25th: West Somerset
Railway Spring
Steam Gala. Six days of
wonderful travel behind
the giants of the steam
age including “Duke of
Gloucester” and “King
Edward I”. Museums and
workshops open. Model
railway displays and lots
to do and see along the
line. 01643 704996 or
www.west-somersetrailway.co.uk
SAT 17: until May 3.
Songs of Somerset
–In this exhibition, each
artist/craftsperson from
Somerset Crafts has
chosen a song from a
book of local folk songs
as a theme for a piece of
work. Avalon Marshes
Centre, Shapwick. www.
somersetcrafts.co.uk
SAT 17: Spring at
the Barn at the Tithe
Barn, Mells, Nr Frome,
BA11 3PN, 10-4pm.
Browse the 22 beautiful
stalls ranging from Spring
plants and flowers, Easter
decorations, cakes,books,
ceramics, jewellery,
decorative boxes, cushions,
handmade clothes and so
much more! The event
will blow away all of the
winter cobwebs and you
are guaranteed to leave
with a ‘Spring’ in your
step! www.springatbarn.
blogspot.com
SAT 17: 17-18th: Learn
Upholstery! at Ball
Hill Farm, off the A378,
between Curry Mallet
& North Curry. 10.0am
- 4.0pm, daily. Cost for a
weekend £70, to include
a light lunch. All standards
& levels welcome. Expert
tuition in small groups.
Well-equipped studio
with all tools provided,
and materials available
at cost.www.ballhillfarm.
org/upholstery.htm-, or
phone Nicky Gane on
01823490460 or email her
at timgane@tiscali.co.uk
17-18: and 22-25th:
Spring Steam Gala,
West Somerset Railway.
SUN 18: Mothering
Sunday Lunch and Tea at
Hestercombe.
SUN 18: Mother’s
Day portraits at
Bishop’s Palace Wells
11-4pm. Children can
enjoy dressing up in
medieval outfits and have
their photo taken against
a medieval backdrop.
Also check out the
new Bishop’s Table café
restaurant for Mothering
Sunday lunch.
SUN 18: Spring
walk for Mothering
Sunday, Knightshayes
Court (NT), nr Tiverton.
2-4pm £8.
MON 19 – 14 APR.
Branston Spring
Open 2012 at the
Ilminster Arts Centre.
Annual Open exhibition
attracting talented artists
from across the South
West. Expect variety of
work across all mediums.
Supported generously
by Branston Ltd. www.
themeetinghouse.org.uk.
TUES 20: 20th-31st:
The annual Spring
exhibition of
Taunton Art Group,
Taunton Library, inc
watercolour, oil, acrylic,
pastel and mixed media
paintings, drawings, prints,
3 dimensional works and
cards. Free admission,
original work for sale at
very affordable prices.
You will also have the
opportunity during the
exhibition to vote for
your favourite work of art.
www.tauntonartgroup.
co.uk
TUES 20: “MidSomerset Decorative
and Fine Arts
Society is open to
new members who are
interested in the Arts
in the widest sense Painting, Textiles, Heraldry,
Architecture, Literature
etc. The Society meets
at the Caryford Hall in
Castle Cary, normally
on the third Tuesday of
the month at 1100, with
tea/coffee and biscuits
available from 1030.
Lectures are illustrated
with large numbers of
projected illustrations.
Go along and enjoy the
friendly atmosphere in
a comfortable modern
hall. Pay at the door
and decide whether
to become a member.
Today’s meeting is entitled,
“Houses and Gardens
of Normandy”. These
reflect France’s history
and culture and close links
with England’s medieval
past, from fortified
chateaux through to
seaside villas and Arts
and Crafts houses. The
lecture is given by Helen
McCabe BA. For further
information contact
01963 350 527.
WEDS 21: Readers’
Group, Ilminster
Arts Centre. Spend an
afternoon once a month
with like-minded people,
a good cup of coffee and
a chat about the latest
‘read’. All book provided
by the library service.
2-4pm. £4 per session
(includes refreshments).
Information: 01460 55783.
www.themeetinghouse.
org.uk.
WEDS 21: The
Confident Gardener
– ‘Seed Sowing and Saving’
at Hestercombe, 9am1pm. In this workshop,
Claire Reid, Formal
Gardens’ Supervisor
shares her expertise and
knowledge of different
types of seeds, seed
treatment for germination
and types of compost to
get the best results. There
will also be practical work
in the garden showing you
how to save your seeds,
how to sow and tips for
aftercare. £15 including
garden admission. Booking
essential. Limited places.
01823 413923.
SAT 24: Antiques
and Vintage
Collectables Fair –
Ilminster Arts Centre
SAT 24: 24th
and 25th: Special
lunchtime opening of
the restaurant at the 3
Star Yarn Market Hotel
in the medieval village
of Dunster during the
West Somerset Railway
Spring Steam Gala. 01643
704996 or see www.westsomerset-railway.co.uk
To book at the Hotel ring
01643 821425
Send your event information to: whatsonsomerset@btinternet.com. See our website at: www.whatsonsomerset.com
*It is always advisable to check information directly with the venue
4 What’s on Somerset SPRING 2012
SAT 24: Falconry
Day at the Mount
Somerset Hotel, Henlade,
Taunton.
Enjoy a tea or coffee
before spending the day
handling and flying hawks,
falcons and owls. Savour
a three course lunch with
a glass of wine followed
by coffee and petit fours
before you head back
into the grounds for a
final flight. Please check
the forecast for the day
and dress accordingly. 11
am till 4 pm, £49.50 per
person 01823 442500
SAT 24: and 25th:
White Walk
weekend at Lytes Cary
Manor. Celebrate the
new season with a spring
stroll.Visitors can enjoy
the beautiful blossom
on Lytes Cary’s White
Walk and explore the
estate further with walks
along the river. Tracker
packs and childrens trails
will also be available.
Admission to the White
Walk is free, normal
admission charges apply
to house and garden.
01458 224471
SUN 25:
Demonstration Day
at Somerset Crafts,
Avalon Marshes Centre,
Shapwick. A unique
opportunity to watch
craftsmen and artists
at work. Stone carving,
machine embroidery,
jewellery making, painting,
pottery, silk painting,
and blacksmithing are
just some of the skills
on display by members
of the gallery. www.
SUN 25: Rare Plant
Fair at the Bishop’s
Palace Wells, all day.
SUN 25: Sunday
lunch with live music
at the Mount Somerset
Hotel, Henlade, Taunton.
Join us for a traditional
Sunday lunch and listen to
the delightful and sultry
voice of local singer Aero
Monaro accompanied by
pianist Bobby Monaro
who play popular music
from the 50’s to the
present. Price includes
a three course Sunday
lunch. £29.50 per person
01823 442500
SUN 25: NGS at
Wayford Manor,
Crewkerne TA18 8QG
MON 26: Exhibition
at New Lutyens Gallery
Hestercombe; Barbara
Hastilow and Jean
Thomas (Until 15th April).
Paintings
WEDS 28: Bumble
Bee Skeps willow
making course at
Musgrove Willows,
Westonzoyland. www.
THURS 29:
Wedding Planning
School at Ston Easton
Park Hotel. www.
stoneaston.co.uk
which would make a
perfect gift to give mum
for mother’s day to either
participate together
or to simply provide
mum with an afternoon
of entertainment. Jane
will demonstrate the
arrangement then help you
design your own creation.
This event also includes
FRI 30: Coloured
Pencil Workshop,
Learn how to blend
colours to produce a
range of textures at this
workshop led by Pauline
Longley. Please bring with
you a sharpener, small
drawing board and a
selection of artist-quality
coloured pencils. 10am3pm. £15. Information:
01460 55783. www.
Doug Allen,
BBC Wildlife
Photographer and
Diver , described by
David Attenborough
as the toughest in the
business, talks at the
Octagon,Yeovil, 2nd
March, @Bristol on the
6th March and Cheddar
Arts Kings Theatre on
22nd March.
FRI 30: NGS day at
Lytes Cary Manor. Join
the garden team for a
tour behind the scenes
and information on
managing your garden
at this time of year. Tour
at 2pm.
Admission tickets will
be donated to the NGS.
01458 224
FRI 2: Pete Canter
Quintet. Mainstream
standards and Blue
Note classics from a
band known for its
high-intensity, Hardbop
and Latin material. 8pm.
£12.Pre-show supper
£9.50 at 7pm. Ilminster
Arts Centre www.
FRI 30: Foundation Inspirational
Speaker Speaker Series
invites you to a special
evening with Michael
Collins Indisputably
one of the leading
clarinettists of his
generation, Michael
will be sharing his life
story. His dazzling
virtuosity and sensitive
musicianship have made
him one of today’s most
sought-after soloists
performing in concert
halls around the world
and is the Principal
Conductor of the City
of London Sinfonia”. At
The Chapel, Taunton
School, Taunton, TA2
6AD 6.00 for 6.30pm
Tickets: £15.00 per
person
FRI 2: and Sat 3:
‘Waves of Harmony’
debut performance at
Victoria Methodist
Church, Station Rd,
Weston-Super-Mare.
7.30pm Close harmony
acapella. Also appearing
‘Great Western Chorus’
Barbershop. £10 from
Playhouse Box office or
01934 643823
RSVP by Tuesday 6th
March 2012 Tel: 01749
344 949 e-mail ellie.
anderson@somersetcf.
org.uk Yeoman House,
Royal Bath & West
Showground, Shepton
Mallet, BA 4 6QN
Payment to: Somerset
Community Foundation.
SAT 31: Spring Plant
Sale at East Lambrook
Manor Gardens in
collaboration with The
Hardy Plant Society
Somerset Group 10-5pm
£4 entry
SAT 31: Floristry
demonstration at the
Mount Somerset Hotel,
Henlade, Taunton.
Join Jane, proprietor
from Taunton’s premier
florists, Eden, for a flower
arranging demonstration
a renowned Mount
Somerset afternoon
tea. 2.30pm for £36 per
person. 01823 442500
SAT 31: -15
Apr. Easter
Eggstravaganza at
Knightshayes Court (NT),
nr Tiverton. Children’s
trail and craft activities. £3.
Performance
SAT 10: Sam
Haywood (piano)
Cossington Village Hall
7.30pm
SAT 10: Dance
through the
decades 60’s and
70’s at Ivel Barbarians
Rugby Club, Dorchester
Road,Yeovil, 8pm In aid of
Animals Asia Foundation
£7.50 adv from 01963
350639 or 01935
863352/823178
SAT 10: JOINED
AT THE HIP at
Bridgwater Arts Centre
8pm. Reserved seats
£10 and £9 concessions
from the Arts Centre
Box Office (open Wed
– Sat) or at anytime
from co-host Roger
Collett 01278 451187. A
collection will be made
for Bridgwater Hospital
League of Friends.
WEDS 14: 14-17th
Oliver (Lionel Bart’s
musical by Selwood Academy,
a Specialist Arts School in
Frome) Merlin Theatre 7pm.
£7.50 (£5 conc.)
FRI 16: Chris Wood ,
Hornblotton Village HallA major figure in British
folk music and winner
of two Radio 2 folk
awards in 2011 (Folk
Singer of the Year, and
Best Original Song, for
‘Hollowpoint’). Tickets
£12 7.30pm www.
chriswoodmusic.co.uk
Info/book 01963 240282
SAT 17: Andy Cutting.
BBC Radio 2 Folk Award
Winner. David Hall South
Petherton £15, 8pm
SAT 17: The George
Washing ‘Machine’
Quartet. Improbably
named Australian,
eccentric vocalist and
dazzling violin master of
traditional jazz and swing
in the style of Stuff Smith,
is sure to delight all with
his humour and amazing,
fiercely swinging style.
8pm. £12.Pre-show supper
£9.50 at 7pm. Ilminster
Arts Centre www.
FRI 23: The
Brewhouse Theatre
in Taunton celebrates
its 35th birthday with a
series of events starting
tonight. James Taylor
Quartet 7.45pm. On
Saturday is Fireman
Sam, Sunday is Open
House including guided
backstage tours Other
events through the
week culminating in the
Birthday Gala, Saturday
31st March at 7.45pm.
For full details of this
special week see www.
thebrewhouse.net or call
01823 273810
WILLPOWS AND WETLANDS
NEW AD NEEDED
WILLOWS
&
WETLANDS
VISITOR CENTRE
For all things willow
Handcrafted basket ware for home and garden.
For our programme of willow related
workshops see our website or give us a call
Stoke St. Gregory, Taunton TA3 6HY T 01823 490249
E info@englishwillowbaskets.co.uk
www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk
Post your own events for free on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/WhatsOnSomerset
FRI 23: Ian Keable
- A magical evening of
entertainment, winner
of The Magic Circle
Comedy Award 2008/9.
MON 26: Wasted
(drama by Kate Tempest,
directed James Grieve.
suitable 14+) £10 (£5
conc.) Merlin Theatre
Frome 7.45pm
THURS 29: The
Guardians of
Martock Church
present Yeovil Concert
Band, in a programme of
film and show tunes and
light classics åtogether
with more jazzy items
by their Scrumpy Sax
Quartet.£8 door/ £7 in
advance from Martock
News, Martock Gallery
or 01935 822706
5
Food & Drink
food does so well in Somerset.
Passion of the producers and
Passion of the consumers.
Brown and Forrest was started
by Michael Brown in 1981 (see the
review of his book Moonlighting
in the next issue, describing his
foray into the business) who, having
learned how to smoke eel in the
simple wood-fired systems in
Germany, returned to Somerset and
built his first smoking ovens.
In 2004, he employed consultant
Jesse Pattison, a passionate
sportsman whose parents ran a
restaurant in Sussex but who vowed
he would never go into the same
business. As soon as he started
talking to him, Michael realised he
was the man he wanted to hand
over Brown & Forrest to. Since
Pattison knew he could only work
for himself eventually, and his wife
Charlie came from Muchelney just
up the road, he agreed, thinking it “a
cracking idea, even though it’s one of
the few professions when your smell
precedes you into the room.”
Eight years after Michael Brown
added Forrest to the company
name and launched Somerset’s first
smokery, Jonathan Newberry bought
a fridge and smoker and set up his
own business in the Chew Valley.
He started as an apprentice chef in
Bath College and has worked for the
American Ambassador in London and
at Hunstrete House and Ston Easton
among other top quality hotels. He
met his wife Alison at Gravetye
Manor and she will be running front
of house when their project at the
Wheatsheaf Inn at Stone
Allerton is finally
realised. As well
as the freehouse
liberation of
choosing their own
local beers and ciders,
they will build their
own bespoke smokery,
bakery and cooking school
and will create 10-15 jobs.
SM
But we mustn’t expect to keep it
secret here because the quality is too
good. Le Manoir aux Quatre Saisons,
45 Park Lane, Fortnum and Mason
and the Caprice Group all place
their orders for smoked food down
in Somerset. And we have not one
world-class smokery, but two.
H O LY
Passion. The reason why
He tried his hand at smoking
at Gravetye then, needing some
sunshine went to Bermuda for a
season. On their return, without the
necessary cash to open their own
restaurant, Jonathan bought a fridge
and a smoker and started supplying
smoked salmon to whoever would
pay for it. “Our first year’s turnover
was £14,000 but we didn’t need
a massive profit; for the last 18
years, we’ve had a good lifestyle and
I’ve watched each of my two sons’
nativity plays,” he said proudly.
“I’ve cooked at
Michelin star level
as a young chef,
but I now like
simple food.”
Jesse Pattison is to be congratulated
on his employment philosophy; he
met a young Tim Towill on the cricket
pitch and was immediately impressed
with his attention to detail. Brown &
Forrest put him through University
where he got a first in Business two
years ago; his hard work since then
will be rewarded with a Directorship
of the Company this summer.
Tim explained the process of hot
and cold smoking and from what
I understand, having listened to
Jonathan as well, there are no hard
O
By R
osie Ing
e
KE
and
fast rules,
except that beech
logs are lit and covered
with a layer of oak dust for hot
smoking, and hot embers are laid
on a small mountain of oak dust
for the cold process to take effect.
The dust never burns but it will
produce immense amounts of smoke.
Jonathan prefers to use pure oak
sawdust from first cut trees when
it’s still damp. The time taken for
each product varies according to the
weather and the strength of the wind,
where the ovens are placed in the
smokery, the thickness of the fillets
and a hundred other reasons. Tim
said it took him over a year to learn
the basics and he’s still learning now.
All the wood comes from sustainable
forests and both smokers buy their
fresh salmon from Loch Duart which
is hailed by marine conservationists
as the way forward for non-organic
salmon. But this isn’t the only food
that is smoked in Somerset. Jonathan
smokes trout, haddock, kippers, duck,
chicken, beef, bacon, shallots, garlic,
potatoes in their skins and cheese
(cheddar from Alvis, also goats,
French and Reggiano Parmigiano) and,
more unusually, oil, butter and cream.
He also double smokes salmon for
a more intense flavour for 45 Park
Lane restaurant in London. He tried
smoking pigs trotters for Martin
Blunos but they were very tough.
There were grim headlines a few
years ago saying eels would soon
be extinct: bad news for Brown &
Forrest since this was the company’s
best seller. “Misleading,” said Jesse.
“There has always been a good
supply in the UK because catching
eels isn’t a big industry here and
we’ve been working with the
Environment Agency for the last 15
years. No-one has ever managed
to breed eels in captivity – they still
need to go to the Sargasso Sea but
France and Spain totally disregard EU
rules and dredge their rivers. It’s not
surprising then that stocks are down
there.” Eels sell for £1000 per ton and
there’s a big market for elvers in Japan.
The latest fish introduced to the
smokery at Brown & Forrest is Arctic
char which is grown in Dorset; it
likes very cold, deep lakes and is
the size of a trout with white flesh
– a clean, pure tasting fish - which
develops beautifully. Among the 60
products put through the smoke,
Jesse has found lamb neck fillets from
the great butcher Evans in Langport
are very sweet and absorb it very
well. He intends to experiment with
scallops, crab and lobster with a light
smoke. He too will be expanding and
wants to extend both the restaurant
and shop and the smokehouse,
building a new cold smoker.
Both smokers agree that to
maintain their level of quality, the
businesses must stay comparatively
small. There’s no technology; no
electricity is used. Success comes
when you know your product as well
as your own teeth. Instinct and a
good eye take over and the perfect
taste comes from using the best
ingredients – added to which is the
most important component.
www.smokedeel.co.uk
01456 250875
Passion
Get Trendy: Go Green
By Caroline Tecks
Caroline Tecks was the Somerset finalist in the Carol Trewin Young Journalist Award 2011. Part of her prize
was a regular column in What’s on Somerset and her latest offering is a witty comparison between what’s
IN and Out – on the catwalks of Milan, Paris or London, or down the throats of the Gourmet Gliterrati.
Food and fashion have
gone hand-in-hand down
the leafy avenues of good
taste, bad taste and the
downright bizarre since
time immemorial.
Like so many spaghetti strands and
spaghetti straps, they are inextricably
intertwined. Coco Chanel (irresistibly
quotable if only for the chocolaty
resonance of her first name) famously
stated that ‘Fashion is made to become
unfashionable’.
Who am I to disagree with Coco?
Fashions and trends, by their very
definitions, are fleeting. They come and
go, be they sartorial or gastronomic - and
for that fact we must all be thankful.
The voluminous bustles and crinolines,
ruffles and pleats, frills and petticoats
of the Victorians were matched in
their ostentatiousness by the fare in
which they indulged. Although Queen
Victoria was apparently a fan of simpler
dishes, perhaps to match her austere
appearance, thick pies, ornate jellies
and heavily sauced meat dishes still
graced the tables of the image conscious
would-be glitterati. And, of course, a
1980s power lunch was not complete
without a 1980s power suit. Champagne
and shoulder-pads, Cinzano and chintz,
despite blue-sky thinking and salmon-pink
blazers it was a dark time for fashion, for
food, for taste.
Good taste, you see, is timeless. A quick
look at the catwalk for Spring/Summer
2012 will tell you that pretty much
anything goes these days – buyer beware.
Personally, I’m not going to attempt
a psychedelic stew or a vol-au-vent
fascinator purely for the sake of marrying
together palate and palette, edible and
‘editorial’, dah-ling... However, there is
hope for the fashionable foodie – reds
and greens. Think of a deep beetroot
burgundy, the dark greens of the kale,
spinach and broccoli, the fresh emerald
hues of peas, watercress and broad beans
and the deliciously two-tone pinky-red
radishes – these are the stand-out stars
of the season as far as I’m concerned.
Good taste can finally taste good.
‘Greens’ have an undeserved reputation
for being flaccid and boring. Having been
commanded to ‘eat your greens’ on pain
of house-arrest (or worse, having no
pudding) still puts many of my friends off
cooking them at all. This must change. I’m
not going to extol the virtues of these
iron-rich, vitamin-packed, über-foods
(super foods are so last season), because
as much as we’re told something is good
for us, we still have to want to eat it. I
implore you – make your greens the
stars of the show.
Don’t boil your broccoli for hours –
give it a quick simmer for ten minutes,
retaining the crunch and fresh taste, then
finish it off on the plate with some olive
oil and lemon juice. Alternatively, try it
raw (yes, raw) chopped up with toasted
almonds or those delicious little vinegary
capers in a salad. Replace your roast
potatoes on a Sunday with these gems:
after roasting halved beetroots for 30
minutes with rosemary and seasoning
(ideally in olive oil), toss in some radishes
and finish off in the oven for another
15 minutes. The result is juicy, tender
emeralds that ooze style and pack a
punch taste-wise. My personal favourite
is pea and broad bean soup. Blanch and
pod the beans to remove the slightly
bitter, tough outer skin and simmer
with fresh peas in a little stock with
onions, garlic and a celery stick or two
– then blend and season to taste. Whizz
together some watercress, lemon juice,
olive oil and pine nuts to make a peppery
pesto and swirl it through the soup (hot
or cold) to lift the flavour before serving
to your adoring fans.
The colour green symbolises freshness,
new beginnings and these days it
represents all that is good about local,
healthy, food-miles-free fare – so turn
over a new leaf, turn your friends
veridian with envy, and give greens a go.
Join us at the
Holiday Inn
Bristol Airport
for your
Sunday Lunch
take the stress away this Spring….
Join us for Family Sunday Lunches
2 courses at £9.95 per adult
children under 13 eat free!
This includes our delicious
Sunday carvery as well as a
selection of starters and desserts.
Available every Sunday
between 12pm and 4pm
Terrace area and children’s play ground.
Terms and conditions apply
When making the reservation, please quote What’s on Somerset
Sizzling Steak & s!
ht
Succulent FiSh Nig
NiNg
EvEry Friday & saturday EvE
Rump Steak or Deep Fried Fish
& all the trimmings including a
Bottle of House Wine red, White or rose
Super
Saver Lunches
2 Courses for
£27.00 FOr tWO
PEOPLE
Only
£10.00 Per
person
Restaurant & Bistro menu also available
**Vegetarian options Also Available**
Available Monday to Friday
in our bistro.
To book your table please email
reservations@hibristolairport.co.uk
or call 01934 861 123
Holiday Inn Bristol Airport
A38 Bridgwater Road, Cowslip Green, Wrington, Bristol BS40 5RB
Tel: +44 1934 861123 www.hibristolairport.co.uk
The Bistro is open daily from 12.00 – 2.30pm and 6.30pm – 9.30pm.
The Restaurant is open daily 12.00 – 2.30pm and 7.00pm – 9.30pm
each evening with the exception of Sunday Night.
The Walnut Tree Hotel, North Petherton, Ta6 6Qa
01278 662255
| www.walnuttreehotel.com
7
Food & Drink
Take Two Chefs
and Add Three Ingredients
South Somerset has a reputation
for good hospitality – and with
good reason. The Queen’s Arms in
Corton Denham is reached through
winding narrow lanes and stunning
countryside but the journey is
worth taking.
“Rhubarb and Custard”
Crème Brûlée
Head Chef James Cole has been
impressing the locals since September
2009 and produces modern British
food using all local, seasonal and fresh
produce – ingredients are measured
in metres, not miles. Their hens and
pigs travel the shortest distance, from
their own field. Attention to detail
comes with a wine recommendation
to go with each dish, written on the
menu. In keeping with their desire to
be very much part of the community,
Owners Gordon and Jeanette
Reid invited the pupils of Gryphon
School and St Andrews in Yetminster
to help with the choice of food and
design of the menu.
Pinch of ginger
Pink rhubarb, partridge and salmon are
the three ingredients that the chefs have
been asked to base their recipes on.
Chilli, Lime and
Coriander Salmon
Ceviche
Serves 4 people
200g thinly sliced wild Scottish salmon
2 lemons
2 limes
A bunch of coriander
1 shallot
1 red chilli
Pinch of salt
Pinch pepper
Pinch of sugar
Line a baking tray with cling film or
use a plastic tray. Lay the salmon
slices on the tray but do not overlap
them. Zest and juice the lemon and
limes into a mixing bowl. Deseed the
chilli and dice finely; finely chop the
shallot and coriander and add all the
ingredients, except the salmon into
the mixing bowl and add sugar, salt
and pepper to taste.
Spoon the mixture liberally over
the raw salmon; once covered, cling
film the top and put in the fridge
overnight to marinade. Arrange a few
slices on a plate, with a pea shoot
salad and vinaigrette.
Serves 4 people
Rhubarb Compote:
200g of fresh rhubarb
100g caster sugar
Pinch of cinnamon
Crème Brûlée:
beautiful building – Wells Cathedral.
Head Chef Leigh Say demonstrates
the passion of his previous teachers
(Raymond Blanc, Claudia Roden and
Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall) in his
kitchen at 15cAD, the Swan’s restaurant.
One of his suppliers just outside the
City who already provides his rare breed
meats of pork and lamb is establishing a
polytunnel to grow fruit and vegetables
specifically for him.
By Rosie Inge
Rhubarb and Custard
Crumble Tart with
Stem Ginger Ice Cream
Serves 6 people
500g forced rhubarb diced
70g icing sugar
400ml milk
50g caster sugar
6 egg yolks
2 vanilla pods
1 vanilla pod
8 medium egg yolks
50g caster sugar
600ml double cream
Rhubarb Compote
Wash and chop the rhubarb into oneinch pieces. Place in a saucepan, add the
caster sugar, ginger and cinnamon and
mix together. Cook on a gentle heat for
approx. 30 mins or until the rhubarb is
tender and the mixture has thickened,
stirring constantly to ensure it doesn’t
stick to the bottom of the pan. Once
cooked, set aside to cool down.
Breast of Partridge,
Mulled new Rhubarb,
Toasted Pecans and
Braised Chicory.
Serves 6 people
6 partridge breasts
50g cocoa butter (good substitute for
milk and butter in lactose-intolerant
recipes – can be bought online)
3 stalks of forced rhubarb, cut into 2”
lengths and tied in its own string
1 lemon
125ml Perry’s Cider
1 cinnamon stick
Crème Brûlée :-
1 bay leaf
Split the vanilla pod length ways and
scrape the seeds into a saucepan. Add
the double cream and bring it to the
boil. Put the egg yolks and caster sugar
into a mixing bowl and whisk until thick
and pale in colour. Once thickened, pour
in the hot double cream mixture and
continue to whisk until fully incorporated.
Pinch of pink peppercorns
Place the mixing bowl over a boiling
pan of water, continue to whisk with
a hand whisk, until the cream mix has
doubled and thickened. This should take
5-10 minutes to achieve. Be careful not
to over cook the mixture, as it will turn
into scrambled eggs!
Large knob of butter
You can use a wooden spoon to test
if it’s ready. Dip the spoon into the
mixture and draw a line with your finger
on the back of the spoon and if the
mixture either side of the line doesn’t
move, it’s ready.
Place 50g of the rhubarb compote into
a ramekin. Pass the cream mix through
a sieve and into a pouring jug, then pour
on top of the compote. Place in the
fridge overnight to set. To serve, dust the
top of each ramekin with caster sugar
and blowtorch the top until caramelised.
Serve with a short bread biscuit.
Set in England’s smallest City, The Swan
Hotel has an unparalleled view over
what is in my opinion, the world’s most
2 cloves
1 star anise
50g caster sugar
50g pecans
2 chicories
Glass of white wine
30g caster sugar
METHOD
Coat partridge breasts in cocoa butter
in advance and refrigerate for an hour
or so. Bring to a boil the cider, sugar,
cloves, bay, star anise, cinnamon and
peppercorns. Simmer for 5 minutes, then
add rhubarb, having coated the pieces
in the cocoa butter too and poach very
gently until tender.
Toast pecans lightly until golden. Cut
chicories lengthwise into four.
Melt butter with the glass of wine and add
sugar. Bring to the boil and add a squeeze
of lemon and poach chicory until tender.
Place the partridge breasts in a hot pan
and cook to colour. Turn over and finish
in the oven for a few minutes
Carve breast and serve hot with chicory,
nuts and mulled rhubarb.
Sweet Paste
115g caster sugar
227g butter
340g flour
1 egg
Crumb together by hand the butter
into the flour. Add the sugar. Mix
in the egg and enough milk to form
a soft dough. Allow to rest for ½
hour in the fridge. Roll out and line
a medium size tart case enough for 6.
Bake blind at 150o till cooked but no
colour. Allow to cool.
Toss rhubarb in a bowl with icing
sugar and place on a tray and bake
until al dente on a medium heat for
10 mins or so. Allow to cool quickly.
Mix sugar with eggs, warm the milk
and pour over egg mix and cook
gently until thick and creamy.
Place rhubarb in tart case evenly, add
custard, cover with crumble and bake
at 160o until golden brown.
For the crumble
175g self raising flour
110g demerara sugar
75g unsalted butter
Processor the butter, sifted flour and
sugar until it resembles bread crumbs.
If you don’t have a processor, in a
large bowl, rub the butter into the
sifted flour until it resembles crumbs,
then stir in the sugar.
Why
So Few Awards
for Somerset?
By Rosie Inge
South West Tourism Excellence Awards have recently been
announced and there is a glaring omission in establishments
from Somerset - Adam Fellows, below, included (Taste of
the West winners are included in the South West Tourism
Excellence Awards).
Congratulations are due to the South
Somerset Tourist Information
Centre at Cartgate on the A303 –
who have been singled out many times
before; Harptree Court was Highly
Commended in the Bed & Breakfast
and Guest Accommodation of the
Year and the RNAS Yeovilton
International Air Day won Silver
in the Tourism Event of the Year.
The entry process demands time
and thought but is a useful way of
reviewing what your business has
to offer the tourist. The benefits of
winning one of these awards are legion:
one previous winner from Torquay
wrote “... winning the county and regional
award has given our marketing efforts a
real boost... Interestingly, we have also seen
a massive jump in the number of bookings
from abroad and in particular Germany. An
unexpected benefit was that the process
of reflection revealed areas needing
development which, for us, meant creating a
much more useable accessibility statement.”
Somerset is one of the most beautiful
counties of Great Britain; we have
some of the very best raw ingredients
2
SATURDAY 23 JUNE 201
RNAS Yeovilton
International Air Day
won Silver in the Tourism
Event of the Year.
from our farms, fields, hills and seas
which our extremely talented chefs
turn into superb, dreamworthy meals;
the variety and natural beauty of our
surroundings is unsurpassed; we have
history, architecture and adventure
to offer, and the Land of the Summer
People have a welcoming smile to beat
all others.
Let’s show them next year.
Deadline for entries is July. Go for it!
www.swtourismalliance.org.uk
R E S TA U R A N T
Photo: nickcable.co.uk
.
H OT E L
.
GARDENS
Tickets: 08445 781 781
ay.co.uk
Online: www.yeoviltonaird
01823 441479
day from £135: Telephone
the
on
nds
sta
ion
ibit
Exh
Lucky Sheptonians
3*COURSES
for the
PRICE OF 2
At last, Wells-based Adam Fellows has been
recognized as better than all his peers in the West
Country, including Rick Stein and Michael Caines.
Readers of food magazine (yes, no capital ‘f’) voted him the
most popular local chef in their recent Awards. Quite right. To
watch his skill at the pass when, with a couple of deft flicks of his wrist he
creates a beautifully balanced masterpiece on each plate, is a joy not found
in many other restaurants. Last year, he and his French wife Martine, smiled
at the good citizens of Shepton Mallet, and opened a further restaurant
in the somewhat strange venue of Haskins Furniture Store. Persevere,
those in search of a culinary treat, and follow the outdoor garden furniture
until you see a large sign for ‘Goodfellows’. You will be rewarded with the
miraculous Gazpacho with crayfish tails, accompanied by the lightest brown
sesame seed bread, enjoyed by Adam’s customers for years in Sadler Street
in England’s smallest City. It’s very difficult to make your choice quickly, so I
suggest if you see Tuna Nicoise, Smoked haddock fish cakes or the Seafood
Platter (smoked salmon, big prawns and soused herring) on the menu,
choose one of them. You will be overjoyed by them all.
at LUNCH
Two afternoon teas for the price of one *
Every day of the week, we welcome you in from the cold and
into the warmth of Ston Easton Park to enjoy a sumptuous
afternoon tea by our log fires in our comfortable lounges.
Please quote WOS 12/11 when making your reservations.
*Offers apply Monday to Saturday.Valid until 31st March 2012.
Cannot be used inconjunction with any other offer.
Ston Easton, Nr Bath, Somerset BA3 4DF
Telephone: 01761 241631
Email: info@stoneaston.co.uk
www.goodfellowswells.co.uk/shepton_mallet_cafe.htm
9
Food & Drink
Review
If your enthusiasm for planning a
new kitchen evaporates as soon
as you walk into one of those
out of town warehouses, then
you are in luck.
Richard Johns Signature
Kitchens has just opened
a new showroom in Taunton
that breathes confidence, style,
creativity and affordability.
Richard Johns has over 14 years
experience of contemporary
kitchen design and offers a
personal one on one service
for those seeking fantastic, but
practical kitchens.
“I have long felt that there
was a lack of help for
customers in this area of the
market’, Richard explains at
the invigorating showroom
in Silver Street,Taunton, just
close to the East Reach/Street
junction. “It is easy to be put
off by traditional displays and
feeling that you are limited
by what choice is available. I
want to empower customers
and help them achieve
everything they want, when
planning their new kitchen.”
And it is all surprisingly affordable.
Richard is able to demonstrate
how some off the shelf kitchens
do not really present a better
deal, once you factor in the highly
realistic 3D computer aided design
drawings and full installation
service that he provides.
What’s on Somerset
reader offer
Richard is offering
What’s on Somerset readers
free installation on any new
kitchen purchased from
RJ Signature Kitchens.
<
Quote What’s On Somerset when
you call.
*Free installation covers dry fit only,
including removal and disposal
of existing kitchen. Excludes gas,
electrical and decoration works.
www.rj-signaturekitchens.co.uk
01823 330111
Change Perceptions
Upgrade this Inn
by Rosie Inge
Cast aside all previous preconceptions about the words
‘Holiday’ and ‘Inn’ when seen together. It looks the same
as all other establishments of the same name – the décor,
lighting, layout and music all seem the same, the restaurant
could better be called a cafeteria. But the Holiday Inn
near Bristol Airport produced one of the best meals
we’ve had in the county.
And it’s all down to the
staff. Murat Gumus, the
Turkish Maitre d’ has the
figure and face of a cuddly
toy but his knowledge
of wine is superb. His
enthusiasm for the
subject shines through,
and the fact that he wants
to take his Master of Wine exams
demonstrates that he knows he still
has much to learn. Aaron Marsh has a
culinary gravitas beyond his years and
has taken on the challenge of making
his restaurant the go-to place for
good food in and around Bristol. Our
16 year old waitress Laura wants to
be an accountant but I recommend
she stays in the hospitality business.
Raw food has no fears for me – my
father brought me up on cevice and
steak tartare, so my choice of starter
was easy. I shall remember the four
slivers of red Venison Carpaccio when
my teeth eventually fall out – the meat
was so soft and tender, dentures wouldn’t
be necessary. The three big Scallops
were the same yielding consistency
and instantly tasted of the smell of
the sea, well presented on a wooden
slab. Pheasant, partridge and venison
combined in the smooth Game Terrine,
served with little toasts and crispy lettuce
and piccalilli which was just a little too
sharp. The fishcakes were a little bland
but the accompanying sweet mustard
mayonnaise and dressing perked them up.
Murat introduced us to three superb
wines, the first a Chablis Vaudevey 1er
Cru which was a good match for the
strong venison, with a pronounced
long lasting finish.
For the main course, he
recommended Riva Leone 2005
Barolo, warm in the throat and
sending up red, ripe cherries which
was perfect for the Trio of Duck.
A tower of warm rillettes, a little
casserole of slow-cooked brown meat
and a smoked breast were absolutely
sublime; thin bamboo shoots and
water chestnuts were hidden under
the smoked meat and caramelized
stem ginger and mustard greens
cut through any fatty taste. Chris
normally wouldn’t contemplate black
pudding or turnips which was what
accompanied his Pork Tenderloin but
in the interests of a fair trial for all
the dishes, that was his main course;
the sauce tasted much
better than it looked (a
dark splodge of something
unmentionable!) but
the pork was a little
overcooked. Giles, being
of farming stock, was
delighted with the wide
spectrum of steak flavours
and textures in his Ribeye and the
stack of sumo chips, aioli and onion
rings kept him quiet for a while.
Murat kept his best til last. Niagara
Falls is the nearest point to the North
Pole where vines can be grown and
the Inniskillen 2002 ice wine exploded
all the myths linking Canada with wine
and mockery. The over-ripe, rotting
Riesling grapes are picked at night
and chilled but this nectar is served
at room temperature. ‘The Marmite
of wines’, he said but we were all
converts straight away and fell for the
marmaladey, zesty sweetness. Almost
too full for puddings, we managed to
share a Lemon Posset which silenced
me in the way a good panacotta can
and a sinfully rich Chocolate Terrine.
Even the glasses were special, sitting
perfectly balanced in your hand and
Murat explained that good wine needs
a good glass.
Sadly, this restaurant is never going
to be the most wonderful setting
for a romantic rendezvous but if you
appreciate really good food, and even
if you live outside the area, it’s worth
flying to Bristol just to experience
the creativity and enthusiasm here. I
gather that 98% of feedback has been
positive and I ask myself who’s the
two percent of idiots who don’t know
what’s good for them?
They must stop selling themselves
on their website and Google as
Best Value Hotel – change it to Best
Food Hotel.
Bridgwater Road, Cowslip
Green, Wrington BS40 5RB
01934 861123
Holiday Inn Bristol Airport
www.hibristolairport.co.uk
Some just sail with us...
others holiday with us
Cruise from Portsmouth or Plymouth to
northern Spain with Brittany Ferries and
uncover a truly magical destination with
the freedom to explore in your own car.
Discover Real Spain
Spanish Parador breaks
4 nights from £219 per person
Forget the crowded Costas, and instead choose
an authentic Spanish experience – in the
magniﬁcent north.
This spring, why not treat yourself to
a luxurious break with a difference,
with a stay at one of Spain’s famous
Parador hotels?
With breathtaking mountain scenery, historic
towns, stunning coastlines and lush green
countryside, this is a destination not to be missed.
These distinctive hotels offer visitors
unique properties, meticulously restored to
combine traditional character with modern
creature comforts and high-class service.
Your break begins on board
On board, our award-winning service makes
getting there all part of your break. Simply drive
aboard and enjoy ﬁne dining, elegant lounges,
chic shopping and entertainment before retiring
to the comfort of your cabin.
Choose from 22 Paradores in such places as Calahorra, Santillana del Mar,
Santo Domingo, Gijon, Leon and many more.
Your break includes:
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✓ 2 nights on board, including en-suite cabin accommodation
✓ 2 nights’ bed and breakfast at a choice of Parador hotels
Other lengths of stay are available – see website for details.
Visit brittanyferries.com/somerset
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The Olympics are coming,
but nowhere near us. So
let’s stage our own Games,
playing to our strengths,
legends and gold-medal
eccentricities.
Too far from london?
Unlucky in the draw?
Somerlympics, anyone?
The Olympics are everywhere. The jingoistic,
London-centric tabloids are counting down to the
opening ceremony, whipping us into a patriotic lather
of speculation about Phillips Idowu’s likely hair-colour
and the state of Paula Radcliffe’s metatarsals.
All this despite the fact that 99.9% of us will have
to watch the old whinger’s last hurrah on television.
Weymouth is the closest the Games will come to
Somerset, and if you don’t have the necessary aquatic
accreditation to follow Ben Ainslie & Co you will have
to be content with tracking some anonymous white
dots on the horizon.
This is one of the reasons critics like Andrew Gilligan
have taken issue with Lord Coe’s rosy-tinted vision of
a People’s Olympics that will embrace us all. Another
is the uniquely convoluted version of Get Me A
Ticket, in which very few did, or if they were lucky,
found themselves with back-row seats for the Greek
Wrestling having applied to watch Tom Daley dive.
Summer People, I hear your frustration and say to you:
don’t get mad – get even. Stage your own Alternative
Games and watch the world beat a path to your door,
charmed by the eccentricities we call normal life here,
beyond Planet London’s gravitational pull.
Unaccountably, cricket has been left out of the Games
though Twenty20 – the biff-bang-wallop version of
the sport – would surely captivate even those with a
teenage attention span. It is also something Somerset
does particularly well and so would be my sole
conventional choice for the “Somerlympics”.
With agriculture crucial to the county, and dairy
especially, it is high time that nocturnal favourite of the
Young Farmers, cow-tipping, was brought to a wider
audience. Teams of up to six would compete via the
usual hierarchy of heats, quarters, semis and final for
the medals. Marks would be awarded for tipping speed
and achieving a tip with the smallest number of, er,
tippers. There would be a bonus for any team upending
a bull, doubled if it was Spanish or an Aberdeen Angus.
With agriculture crucial
to the county, and dairy
especially, it is high time
that nocturnal favourite of
the Young Farmers, cowtipping, was brought to a
wider audience.
Weymouth, where the Olympic sailing will be held, is
in Dorset. But we have our own stern test of wind,
sail and tide. It is called Weston-super-Mud. In an
event named Long-Start Sailing, we would marry the
disciplines of tack, gybe and beat with an old-fashioned
Le Mans start, requiring the sailors to, ahem, dash to
their boats from the beach at low tide.
Staying with Weston and its well-know beach
attractions, we should stage a Donkey Derby &
Dressage. In this mixed-sex, two-stage event, riders
would be required to put their mounts through a
sequence of gracefully choreographed moves – bowing,
saluting with a raised foreleg, trotting in a figure-ofeight and finally hee-hawing God Save the Queen –
before lining up for the derby. Riders would have to
race their donkeys round an obstacle course of jumps,
chicanes, tunnels and a mud-pit before bending from
the saddle to pluck an ice-cream cone from the sand
without spilling the contents – all this against the clock.
No Olympics could or should be complete
without a Pentathlon. Drawing on Somerset’s
Arthurian tradition, I envisage a fivefold sequence
of events, beginning with pulling a fragile sword
from a refractory stone. This would be followed
by a tournament for which the “knights” qualify by
persuading a lady (not a wife or girl-friend) to give
them a favour – traditionally a handkerchief but bonus
points for something more intimate. Wearing their
entitlement, they enter the lists on their donkeys,
armed with a mop, and joust till there is a winner.
Muscles aching but with points still begging, the
jousters reboot as teams for an anything-goes tug
o’war – anything, that is, a Mordred would use to win:
itching powder in the opposition’s socks, laxative in
their food, stink-bombs under their feet.
This traditional test of brawn is followed by one of
brain, a Quest for the Unholy Grail, in which those still
standing follow cryptic clues around Somerset to find
an ancient cider sconce (Sample: where did a vandal
deprive The Queen of a traditional Christmas gift?).
The final quest for points comes with guessing where
to throw Excalibur in a large pond so that a lurking
sub-aquatic nymph can catch it.
It would not be the final event, though; that has to be The
Competitive Wassail, held in a large orchard, where teams
select their Lord of Misrule by giving spectators slices of
cake, one of which contains a bean. Some will inevitably
take longer than others – or struggle to carry an outsize
Lord (or Lady) to their “domain” in the orchard.
There, each team must serenade their Lord with a
tuneful rendering of the Wassail Song (dropped marks
for dropped notes) and find a tree with a piece of
toast hidden in its branches.
Finally, each team will split into two, with one half
looking for a hidden shotgun and the other for a
beaker and butt of cider. Whichever team is first to
bathe the roots of the tree, and empty both barrels
into its branches, wins.
Now, is there anyone out there who can help with my
application to the IOC? If Qatar can win the World
Cup without a stadium, why shouldn’t Somerset profit
from this unexpected, official sense of humour with a
winning pitch for the Somerlympics?
more possibilities
open mornings
28th April 2012 ( 2–13yrs) 9:30am – 12:30pm
7th May 2012 ( 2–18yrs) 9:30am – 12:30pm
Pupil transport is available from all areas
01823 703703
www.tauntonschool.co.uk
Somerset pint
Whats on April
April
Active Hestercombe
in the Easter
Holiday. Exciting,
fully supervised
activities in the Easter
School Holiday. Rafting,
climbing, woodland
skills, paintballing and
archery are just some
of the wide variety
of pursuits to enjoy.
Suitable for children 8
to 12 years (paintballing
12 to 16 years). Full
information and booking
– www.1610.org.uk
Until 15th April”
Easter Egg Hunt
at Hestercombe. Lots
of hiding places in the
gardens...see what you
can find! Tasty treats and
special Easter biscuits in
our Stables Restaurant
& Coffee Shop. Garden
Free for Members. Plus
£2 for the hunt. www.
hestercombe.com
SUN 1: April 1st to
May 31st (except
April 16th, 20th,
23rd, 27th and
May 11th):- West
Somerset Railway.
Regular steam train
services between Bishops
Lydeard and Minehead.
Enjoy the arrival of
Spring in the comfort of
a 1950’s railway carriage
on a “pink knuckle” ride
through the Somerset
countryside.
MON 2: 2-9th,
Easter Feast Trail
at the Bishop’s Palace,
Wells. Chocolate reward
for children who can also
sit in the willow dragon’s
nests 3-8yrs.
MON 2: 2-13th
Easter activities
at the Fleet Air
Arm Musuem www.
fleetairarm.com
TUES 3: Cookery
demonstration ,
Chocolate Heaven at the
Taunton. from 2,30pm,
£20.00 per person. Arrive
at 2.30 pm for tea and
coffee then into the
kitchen to learn about
everything chocolate
for award winning head
chef, Stephen Walker. The
cookery demonstration is
followed by a renowned
Mount Somerset Hotel
full afternoon tea. 01823
442500
TUES 3: 3-9th
11-4.30pm. Easter
egg trail at Barrington
Court. Sponsored by
Cadbury, this trail is
great outdoor fun and
is suitable for children
and adults. People of
all ages love the Easter
egg trails at Barrington
Court. Not only can you
walk (or run) around
this beautiful place
looking for clues and
answering the questions,
each paying participant
gets a great Cadbury
Easter egg. Accessible
for all. Children are very
welcome. Assistance dogs
only are welcome. £2pp
WED 4: Talent for
Textiles. A wonderful
array of antique and
vintage textiles to enjoy.
Come and browse,
come and buy! From
10am-4pm. Free entry
to buyers. Ilminster Arts
Centre.
WED 4: April 4th,
7th, 11th, 18th,
21st, 25th, May 2nd,
5th, 9th, 12th, 16th,
19th, 23rd, 26th,
30th:- Dunster
Castle Expresse.
Take the 10.25 steam
train from Bishops
Lydeard for a steam train
journey from Dunster
Station. From there a
road coach takes you
forward to the wonderful
Castle for an afternoon
of exploration before
your homeward journey
by coach and bus. 01643
704996 or see www.
west-somerset-railway.
co.uk
WEDS 4: and 5th
Robot Wars at the
Fleet Air Arm Museum
www.fleetairarm.com
WED 4: (and 11th)
Mill Demonstration
Day at Hestercombe.
Come and see the
beautifully restored 17th
century watermill with
displays of mill
machinery and Country
House technology.
Meet the miller, see
flour being made and
the turbine and
waterwheel being
demonstrated in the
Dynamo House and
Mill Room. Garden
Free for Members www.
hestercombe.com
THURS 5: Plant
Hunters of the
World at Knightshayes
Court (NT) nr Tiverton.
2-4pm. Collection of
Victorian botanic
explorers’ seeds and
cuttings.
FRI 6: 6th and 7th.
Kitchen Garden
Open days at Pennard
Plants- Come discuss
your vegetable growing
problems, wide range of
seeds and plants on sale.
www.pennardplants.co.uk
FRI 6: Easter trail
at Dunster Castle. Fri 6,
Sat 7, Sun 8, Mon 9 Apr,
11am-4pm. Our annual
fun-filled family weekend
of Easter activities and
mayhem sponsored
by Cadbury. Meet at
the ticket office. Wear
sensible footwear and
clothing. Children in
fancy dress are welcome.
There is some uneven
paving, and steep slopes
and steps in the grounds.
Dogs on leads welcome.
£2 per trail 01643
821314
FRI 6: and Mon 9th.
Enchanted Garden
Lanterns at the
Bishop’s Palace Wells.
Make your own lantern
with with Angela Morley
as part of the Museums
at Night evening taking
place on 19th May. All
taking part will receive a
free ticket to come back
and see their lantern
lit in the garden on the
19th May.
SAT 7: and 8th;
SOMERSET
STORYFEST at the
Museum of Somerset, the
Brewhouse and Halsway
Manor. See www.
somersetstoryfest.co.uk
for full details
SAT 7: Local Craft
and Produce Market
– Ilminster Arts Centre,
9.30-2pm
SAT 7: Floristry
Demonstration
Henlade. Details see
entry for Mar 31st
MON 9: Easter Bank
Holiday Monday
with Avon Owls at Ston
Easton Park Hotel; www.
stoneaston.co.uk
WEDS 11: Rag
Rugs at Ilminster Arts
Centre. Discover the
wonderful craft of rag
rug making with Gill
Wilkinson. Wednesday
1.15-4.15pm. £10 per
session. Information:
01460 55783. www.
THURS 12: Attic
& basement tours
at Dunster Castle. Thu
12, Thu 19, Thu 26 Apr,
11.30am-1.30pm, 2-4pm.
Join an expert guide on
these award winning
tours of the Castle’s
basements and kitchens.
Booking advisable
01643 821 314 Meet at
the ticket office. Wear
sensible footwear and
clothing. There is some
uneven paving in parts
of the castle and some
steep slopes and steps in
the grounds and castle.
Children are welcome.
Dogs on leads welcome.
Adult £6 Child £3
01643 821314
THURS 12: Mind
your manners! At
Killerton House (NT)
2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm &
3.30pm. Have you ever
wondered what life
was like as a butler or
parlour maid? Come
and experience for
yourself the strict
code of etiquette that
prevailed at the dinner
table of a wealthy
Victorian household
in this 10 minute roleplay session. Normal
admission applies. www.
nationaltrust.org.uk/
killerton/
FRI 13: Kitchen
Masterclass
Preparation at
Knightshayes Court (NT)
nr Tiverton. 2-4pm.
SAT 14: In
celebration of
HM The Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee
the Somerset Singers
together with the Wells
Voluntary Choir are
performing Elgar’s “The
Dream of Gerontius”
in Wells Cathedral 7.00
p.m. £20.00, - £10.00
(children half price)
– available from Wells
Cathedral Shop Box
Office: 01749 672773,
Wells Tourist Information
Centre, choir members
or by telephoning 01934
838676 and at the door.
SAT 14: West
Somerset Mineral
Railway Explorer:
Take the West Somerset
Railway train to Williton
for an onward guided
coach tour to see the
remains of the West
Somerset Mineral Railway
which closed over 100
years ago. A great day
out for historians and
lovers of the Brendon
Hills . Seatingv is limited
and advance booking is
essential. Contact 01643
704996 or see www.
west-somerset-railway.
co.uk
SAT 14: and 15th.
Garden and Craft
fair at Mooseheart,
Winscombe.BS25 1BB
£3.50 www.sandsevents.
info
SAT 14: 14-15th:
Heartland Old
Books at Knightshayes
Court (NT) nr Tiverton.
Second hand book sales
in the Stables courtyard.
SAT 14: 14-15th:
Also 28th and 29th:
Learn Upholstery!
at Ball Hill Farm, off the
A378, between Curry
Mallet & North Curry.
10.0am - 4.0pm, daily.
Cost for a weekend
£70, to include a light
lunch. All standards &
levels welcome. Expert
tuition in small groups.
Well-equipped studio
with all tools provided,
and materials available at
cost. www.ballhillfarm.
org/upholstery.htm,or
‘phone Nicky Gane on
01823490460 or email
her at timgane@tiscali.
co.uk
MON 16: Focus on
Fashion: Jewellery,
Killerton House
(NT)11.30 -1.00pm
and 1.30pm-2.30pm . A
chance to take al closer
look at some of the
costume jewellery and
hat pins and discover
more about Killerton’s
historic fashion collection
with Killerton’s Costume
Curator, Shelley Tobin.
A drop in event. Normal
killerton
SAT 14: Flowers/
Dragonflies/Stars
– willow making course
at Musgrove Willows,
Westonzoyland. www.
THURS 19: Home
and Antiques at Ston
Easton Park Hotel www.
stoneaston.co.uk
SUN 15: The 24th
Annual Daffodil
Show held by the
The Daffodil Society’s
Wessex Group, Henton
Village Hall near Wells
on the B3139. This is a
spectacular event and
the show is open both
to the public and to
people wishing to enter
blooms. If the latter,
the staging of exhibits
is between 8:30am and
11:00 am and there are
two classes especially
for those living in the
area; classes include
one daffodil of any
colour or variety and
three daffodils of any
colour or variety. The
show opens to the
public between 2:00pm
and 4:30pm. Entrance
is free but visitors are
encouraged to buy some
raffle tickets. Schedules
and further details can
be obtained from Derek
Phillips on 01761 435176
or by email at uncle.
ted@blueyonder.co.uk
MON16 – 28:
SGFA South
West: Members
Only Exhibition at
Ilminster Arts Centre
Work by members of
the Society, founded
in 1919 to promote
fine drawing in various
mediums including
original printmaking. If
you admire the precision
of fine draughtsmanship
then this exhibition is
for you. Open MondayFriday 9.30am-4.30pm.
Saturday 9.30am-2.30pm
(Exhibition open until
12pm on last day) www.
MON 16: Exhibition
at the New Lutyens
Gallery Hestercombe.
Botanical and Still life
watercolours by Jenny
Barron. Until 7th May.
FRI 20: Midney
Gardens, Somerton
TA11 7HR open for
National Garden Scheme.
FRI 20: St Michael’s
Music and Arts
present “The Budapest
Cafe Orchestra” who
will play an exciting
programme of folk based
music from Eastern
Europe inspired by music
of European gypsies. St
Michael’s Church Brent
Knoll TA9 4DG 7.30pm
Adult £ 14.00, Child £
5.00. 0845 224 9164 or
Brent Knoll Post Office
01278 760225
SAT 21: Community
Garden Launch at
the Bishop’s Palace Wells.
Sow herbs to take home,
swap seeds or seedlings,
coincides with RHS
National Garden Week.
SAT 21: and
22nd: Stumpwork
weekend at Lytes Cary
Manor. Inspired by the
beautiful stumpwork
mirror in the house,
a group of Lytes Cary
staff and volunteers have
formed a needlework
group that specialises
in the intricate art of
stumpwork. Come and
watch them whilst they
work and learn all about
this unusual item in the
Lytes Cary collection.
01458 224471
SAT 21: Falconry
Day Mount Somerset
Hotel, Henlade. Details
see entry for 24th March
SAT 21: Family
Festival, 11am to 2.15
pm at the Outfield at the
Recreation GroundPrior
to Bath Rugby v London
Wasps match. Free to all.
Activities for youngsters.
Food available to
purchase
SAT 21: Murder
Mystery Dinner
at Mount Somerset
Hotel, Henlade, Taunton
- Ready, steady, kill. 7pm,
£65.00 per person. Wartime
cookery demonstration
theme with actors from
Taunton thespians who
will mingle with guests
for an evening of murder,
mystery and suspense set
in Britain’s wartime 1940’s.
Price includes glass of bubbly
on arrival and three course
dinner with coffee. 1940’s
dress optional. 01823 442500
WEDS 25: History Tour
and Full Afternoon Tea
at Ston Easton Park Hotel
THURS 26: Cheese and
Wine Tasting Evening
at Thornbury Castle.
Thornbury Castle’s cheese
selection is quite renowned!
Therefore we have invited
our cheese supplier to come
and give you an insight to
what makes a perfect cheese.
£25.00 per person – arrive
6.30pm. We will serve a
selection of cheeses to taste
along with wines and port
to compliment them. 01454
281182
SUN 29: Feltmaking
Workshop at St Edmunds
Hall, Glastonbury. Felt
Art. Learn and use various
techniques to create a
piece of textile art to hang
on the wall or turn into a
bag or cushion. 10-3.30pm.
Beginners welcome. Details
and booking at www.
jennieloader.co.uk or 01458
83407
per person. Join us for a
traditional Sunday lunch and
listen to the delightful and
sultry voice of local singer
Aero Monaro accompanied
by pianist Bobby Monaro
who play popular music
from the 50’s to the present.
Price includes a three course
Sunday lunch. 01823 442500
SUN 29: Apple
Blossom Day event at
Orchard Pig, West Bradley
BA6 8LT www.orchardpig.
co.uk
SUN 29: Hestercombe
Book Fair 10.30-4.30pm.
The Provincial Booksellers
Association returns. www.
hestercombe.com
SUN 29: Sunday Lunch
with live music at the
Henlade, Taunton, £29.50
MON 30-12 MAY:
Ariana Heartsong
exhibits at the Ilminster
Arts Centre.
SAT 28: Buttercross
Vintage Market.
Parish Rooms and outside,
Somerton. Free admission.
Also Vintage workshops.
SAT 28: Antiques and
Vintage Collectables
Fair, Ilminster Arts Centre.
Performance
SUN 1: Paul Merton
“Out of My Head’, Octagon
Yeovil FRI 27: Soft
Furnishings: Curtain
Making 01460 55783. www.
themeetinghouse.org.uk
FRI 6: Mike Denham
SpeakEasy with Mike Snelling,
Ilminster Arts Centre www.
FR 27: National
Gardens Scheme at
Tiverton.
SAT 7: Po’Girl – 21st
century roots music. David
Hall, South Petherton 8pm.
FRI 27: The Chapel
Lectures @ Ebenezer
Chapel, Riverside,
Burrowbridge TA7 ORE.
Doors open 7.00pm for
7.30pm. Mike Jay; High
Society. Cost £12.50 on
the door to include the
talk, supper and a glass
of wine. To book, email
ebenezerpresents@
ebenezerfilms.co.uk or
phone 07860 430035 before
leaving to check there’s
room.
SAT 28: Level’s Best
Craft & Farmers
Markets at Montacute
House. 10-2pm. All your local
food and crafts at one quality
market.
SAT 28: Table Top
Sale – North Barrow,
Nr Castle Cary 10.30am
– 3.00pm. Refreshments
available. Proceeds in aid of
local villagers & St. Nicholas
Church, North Barrow
TUES 10: and 11th
The Hound of the
Baskervilles – Brewhouse
Taunton
FRI 13: The National
Youth Brass Band of
Great Britain, Octagon
Yeovil.
FRI 13: and 14th.
Showtime 2012 – A
Variety Show, Regal Theatre
Minehead
FRI 13: Phil Cool,
Bridgwater Arts Centre
SUN 15: Rat Pack
at Wellsprings Leisure
Centre, Taunton. Tickets £
19 Economy £25 VIP table
Showtime 7pm start. For
tickets visit www.toneleisure.
com/events Or call 01823
271271
TUES 17; Macbeth,
Brewhouse Taunton
FRI 20: Scott Hamilton
with Alan Barnes and
The Craig Milverton
Trio, Ilminster Arts Centre.
Legendary tenor saxophonist
Scott Hamilton plays lyrical,
melodic music in the style
of past masters such as
Hawkins, Webster, Sims and
Getz.
SAT 21: Steve
Tilston at Hornblotton
Village Hall. Steve is a
great songwriter, a great
singer and a great guitarist.
He is admired by critics
and musicians alike, and
we know he will delight
you. Check him out on his
website, then come and
see him in person! Tickets
£12/£10adv 01963 240282.
www.stevetilston.com
somerfest
Saturday 7 april 2012
Halsway Manor near Crowcombe, somerset
Jim Moray, James Findlay,
Emily Portman, 4square,
Dyer:Cummings,
sam Brookes, Pete roe,
Hot Feet, songs From
The shed and more.
01984 618274
| www.halswaymanor.org.uk
Post your own events for free on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/WhatsOnSomerset
SAT 21: The
Chilingirian Quartet
(String) Cossington Village
Hall 7.30pm
TUES 24: 24th-28th:
Sweeney Todd, The
Town Hall Bridgwater. 01278
662181
WEDS 25: 25-28th: The
Graduate by Terry Johnson,
from novel by Charles
Webb (Frome Drama Club
production; suitable 12
+) Merlin Theatre Frome
7.45 pm
£9 £7.50 conc.)
THURS 26: Gypsy
Fire – classical and gypsy
guitars, jazz-swing violin and
double bass – Bridgwater
Arts Centre
Photography: Kate Plumtree
A vibrant exhibition of fashion through the ages
inspired by the wildlife of Britain
QUEST CARS LTD airport taxis
Quest Cars have been transporting the people of Taunton
and Somerset safely since 1996. Whether it’s business or
pleasure we provide a reliable and professional
service Start your trip in the best possible way
with a Quest Cars transfer. 01823 400706,
www.questcars.co.uk
Designed and created by costume maker and textile artist Kate Plumtree
17 March - 7 July 2012
The MUSEUM of SOMERSET, Taunton
Free Entry
Open Tuesday–Saturday 10.00 am–5.00 pm
01823 255088 www.somerset.gov.uk/museums
15
Somerset pint
Whats on May
may
WEDS 2: Beginner’s
Basketry course
at Musgrove Willows,
Westonzoyland.
£75 inc lunch. www.
SAT 5: Wells 811th
May Charter Fair, in
the Market Place, with full
Civic Opening Ceremony
and Blessing of the Fair
at 11am. Followed by
sponsored Fair Buffet
Lunch at the Swan Hotel.
SAT 5: This year
Somerset Showcase
will again be held in the
historic town of Axbridge
and hosted by Axbridge
Chamber of Commerce.
The day begins at 10am
and will be a day of
family fun with plenty of
entertainment for both
children and adults. In the
evening the entertainment
gets into full swing with a
firework display and live
music in the square until
11pm when the day comes
to a close.
SAT 5: Garden
Festival Open Day
2pm-5pm at the Self
Realization Meditation
Healing Centre, Queen
Camel, Somerset. Tel.
01935 850266. www.
selfrealizationcentres.
org. Come and see our 3
acres of beautiful gardens!
Information on therapies,
Pure Meditation, courses
and retreats. Tickets in
advance or on the day
(sorry no unaccompanied
under-18s). All Proceeds go
to the SRMHC Charitable
Trust No 800412. Please
ring for further details.
SAT 5: Family Fun
Day at Hestercombe.
10-5pm A terrific day out
for all the family. Taking
place on the Orangery
Lawn, it is the perfect
setting to enjoy loads of
activities – Tug of War,
family challenges, Woodland
Skills, water sports on the
Pear Pond, Punch & Judy,
magic shows, face painting
and abseiling the climbing
wall. Plus – a variety of
foodand craft stalls and lots
of tasty treats from the
Hestercombe barbeque
grill. Garden admission fee
applies. Free for Members.
www.hestercombe.com
SAT 5: til June 9th: The
Life of Trees, exhibition
at the Couthouse Gallery,
Somerton. Designs in wood
including natural sculptures
and our annual display of
specially selected furniture
from Bridgwater College.
An exploration into this
sustainable material as a
source of great inspiration
for stunning furniture
design and how trees
continue their lives through
the artistic endeavours of
craftsmanship. Our annual
collaboration highlights the
wealth of emerging talent
found in Somerset and we
are proud to nurture and
encourage craftsmanship
for the future. www.
somersetguild.co.uk
SAT 5: until June 1st:
Colours of Somerset
exhibition by Bridgwater
artist Rod Downing at the
Avalon Marshes Centre,
Shapwick. An exhibition
of mixed media paintings
and prints inspired by
Somerset’s amazing
countryside. www.
SUN 6: and 7th
Enchanted Garden
Lanterns at the Bishop’s
Palace Wells. Make your
own latern with Angela
Morley.
SUN 6: Court House,
East Quantoxhead TA5 1EJ
open for National Garden
Scheme.
MON 7: Bank Holiday
Monday May 7th –
Maypole Dancing & Fete in
the Market Square, Wells.
For more information
contact cityofwellslions@
aol.co.uk
TUES 8: (+ 9th + 11th)
Charcoal Burning at
Hestercombe. A chance to
see how Hestercombe’s
charcoal is made. The kiln
is loaded on the first day,
lit on the second and the
charcoal is ready to be
removed on the fourth
day. This event is repeated
throughout the year and
charcoal is on sale in our
Shop, helping support the
sustainable management
of our woodland. www.
hestercombe.com
TUES 8: Exhibition
at the New Lutyens
Gallery Hestercombe.
Sara Dudman Paintings.
Until 28th May.
TUES 8: 8th-19th:
Blackdown Flower
Painters Exhibition
at Killerton House. 11am4.30pm. An exhibition
of exquisite paintings of
flowers displayed in the
Study in the house. Pictures
and cards on sale. Normal
killerton/
SAT 12: Victorian
Paper flower
arranging at the Mount
Somerset Hotel, Henlade,
Taunton, from 2.30 pm,
£36 per person. Join Jane
from Eden Flowers for a
Victorian paper wreath
making demonstration.
Make your own Victorian
paper wreath using
cleverly folded pages of
a book and a few pretty
finishing touches which
are transformed into this
lovely hanging decoration.
‘Very Vintage Chic’!. This
demonstration includes a
full afternoon tea. 01823
442500
SAT 12: Spring
Fundraising Ball in
support of St Margaret’s
Hospice ‘Mandalas &
Mountains’ Charity Trek at
Somerset County Cricket
Club, Taunton, 7 for 7.30pm.
Dinner, Dancing, Silent
Auction. Black Tie. £35
tickets from Jill Murray
07807 051897 or email:
jill.butt@hotmail.co.uk or
to make a donation for
Jill’s Himalaya Trek next
October:
SUN 13: Swedish
Car Day at Haynes
International Motor
Museum Sparkford. From
the country that has the
best rally drivers and the
safest cars in the world,
come along to see these
most excellent cars
at a day dedicated to
Swedish marques. www.
haynesmotormuseum.co.uk
SUN 13: Wedding
Open Day at
Hestercombe. 11-4pm.
Hestercombe dresses up
for a wedding to showcase
its beautiful venues for
wedding ceremonies
and receptions. A limited
number of handpicked
exhibitors will display
products and services
and the Hospitality Team
will be on hand to assist
in planning your wedding
day. Join us for canapés
and sparkling wine and
view our venues including
the classical Orangery,
romantic Temple Arbour,
grand Bampfylde Hall and
the rustic Woodland Barn.
Special offers available on
the day. FREE event.
MON 14: Little
Yarford Farmhouse,
Kingston St Mary TA2 8AN
open for National Garden
Scheme.
MON 14: Focus on
Fashion: hats at Killerton
House (NT)11.30 -1.00pm
and 1.30pm-2.30pm. A
chance to take a closer
look at some of the hats
in Killerton’s historic
fashion collection with our
Costume Curator, Shelley
Tobin, A drop in event.
Normal admission applies.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
killerton/
FRI 18: Exmoor Day
Out: Take the 10.25 steam
train from Bishops Lydeard
to Dunster station where
you will be met by a coach
for an old style afternoon
mystery trio around the
Moor complete with pub
stop for lunch.Your driver
is also an expert guide to
Exmoor . Sating is limited
and advanced booking is
essential. 01643 704996 or
see www.west-somersetrailway.co.uk.
FRI 18: until Sunday 20th
– Museums at Night,
an annual scheme where
various Museums engage
in evening and nocturnal
activities www.culture24.
org.uk
SAT 19: Museums at
Night 7-10pm Bishop’s
Palace Wells. Discover
the Palace at night! Enjoy
lantern lit gardens and
a lantern procession
hearing stories of Bishops
and dragons along the
way. Enjoy dinner in The
Bishop’s Table to warm
those tummies before you
head into the gardens.
Detailed times tbc and free
tickets for this event will be
bookable via the website or
over the phone nearer the
event. www.bishopspalace.
org.uk
SAT 19: Falconry Day
at Mount Somerset Hotel,
Henlade Taunton 01823
442500
SUN 20: (Also Sat
26th) Butterfly Trails
at Hestercombe. Join
the British Butterfly
Conservation team for
delightful and informative
butterfly trails in the
gardens, woods and
wildflower meadow
finding and identifying the
many beautiful butterflies
at Hestercombe. The
beauty of the gardens and
abundance of butterflies
and insects have made
these trails very popular.
Book your FREE place on a
morning or afternoon trail
– 11a.m. or 2p.m. Garden
Free for Members .www.
hestercombe.com
MON 21: The Olympic
Flame - the glowing
symbol of the greatest
show on earth - will be
coming to Taunton Deane
this year en route to the
London 2012 Olympic
Games. The Olympic Torch
will arrive in Somerset on
Monday May 21 and will
be carried through West
Somerset before arriving
in Taunton Deane where
the Borough Council is
hosting an amazing evening
celebration at Somerset
County Cricket Club.
TUES 22: Cookery
demonstration at the
Henlade, Taunton, from
11.30am, £29.50 per
person. Arrive at 11.30 am
for coffee then into the
kitchen to watch Stephen
prepare a superb three
course meal for you to
then take away and try at
home. Price includes coffee
on arrival, three course
lunch with a glass of wine.
01823 442500
WEDS 23: and 24th:
School Groups
Butterfly Trails at
Hestercombe 11am and
2pm. These are special
days of butterfly trails
specifically aimed at school
groups. The British Butterfly
Conservation team will
take groups on a trail to
identify the many beautiful
butterflies in the Gardens.
Learn about butterfly and
insect-attracting plants in
the garden and return in
the summer to participate
in the Big Butterfly Count.
Booking is essential as
space is limited. Contact
the Education Officer on
01823 413923 education@
hestercombe.com
THURS 24: Exhibition
at the Bishop’s Palace
Wells running until 25
November. ‘Treasure’.
Treasure’ will showcase
the extraordinary, rare
and personal artefacts
from across the Diocese
of Bath & Wells. Many
have never been on public
view nor had their stories
revealed before. Highly
recommended. www.
bishopspalace.org.uk
SAT 26: 26-28th:
Heartland Old Books
– secondhand book sales at
nr Tiverton.
SAT 26: Walk of Life
2012 – a positive walk to
celebrate life – DevizesBradford-on-Avon-Bath.
21 mile walk along the
K&A canal for the Forever
Friends Appeal www.
foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk
SAT 26: and 27th.
International Radi Control
Air Show at the Fleet Air
Arm Museum. A major
new event for the museum
www.fleetairarm.com
SUN 27: Sunday lunch
with live music at the
Henlade, Taunton, £29.50
per person. Join us for a
traditional Sunday lunch
and listen to the delightful
and sultry voice of local
singer Aero Monaro
accompanied by pianist
Bobby Monaro who play
popular music from the
50’s to the present. Price
includes a three course
Sunday lunch. 01823
442500
SUN 27: Classic Car
Day at Killerton House
(NT). 10am-5pm
Come and see the
wonderful range of rare
and unusual classic cars on
display in the parkland and
relax to the sound of live
jazz on the lawn. To enter a
classic car: £6.50 Please call
01392 881345 for further
information or to receive a
booking form.
Normal admission applies.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
killerton
MON 28: Exhibition at
the New Lutyens Gallery
Hestercombe,Val Bishop.
Paintings. Until 17th June.
www.hestercombe.com
Performance
TUES 1: and 2nd:
Swan Lake, the Vienna
Festival Ballet. Brewhouse
Taunton
SAT 5: Born in the
Gardens, Creative Cow. A
Comedy by Peter Nichols.
Regal Theatre Minehead 8pm
SAT 5: Wells
Cathedral School Big
Band – Strode Theatre
Street
SAT 5: The Searchers
– Memorial Theatre Frome
MON 7: Fairport Acoustic
Convention, The David Hall,
South Petherton. £20, 8pm.
TUES 15: Bristol Old
Vic Theatre School present
Cold Comfort Farm at
the David Hall, South
Petherton. £12.8pm
TUES 15: 15-19th
Beauty and the Beast
– Memorial Theatre Frome
MON 21: 21st - 26th
A Man for All Seasons
– Swan Theatre Yeovil
TUES 22: 22-25th All
my Sons by Arthur Miller,
Ilminster Warehouse
Theatre.
THURS 24: Carrying
the Torch – Brewhouse
Taunton
Ashley Oliver
WEDS 30: Bob Geldof,
Octagon Yeovil, 7.30pm
WEDS 30: Cold
Comfort Farm, Little
Theatre Wells
Runs 10th Dec – 1st Jan
01935 422884
www.octagon-theatre.co.uk
Somerset
Happy ever after
Weddings
Carina Lagnado
Dear brides and grooms to be, are
you about to get married? Just
engaged? Or are you thinking
about taking the plunge?
Whatever your reason to read
this, welcome back, we are
delighted to be producing
another wedding feature.
We needed no excuse as weddings are
such fun, so special and all so unique.
So much effort, time and planning are
involved with any wedding, small or
large, that every bride and groom should
be hailed as heroes for pulling off such a
mammoth emotional task.
Help is at hand. We are spoilt with
all the beautiful Somerset offerings
for weddings, with venues such as
Taunton School and Hestercombe,
Buff Spa for pre-pampering
and becoming a true princess
for the day (please see the
feature on page 21), Sassi
Holford wedding dresses, top
photographers, cake designers, stunning
florists, the list goes on. We are so lucky in
this day and age to have so many choices.
The bride and groom are able to choose any
theme, venue and style they want, whatever
makes their day truly beautiful and giving
them memories to cherish forever.
Carmel's Collection
Wedding and Occasional Accessories
Carmel’s Collection Ltd - is the premiere
bridal boutique in Sedgemoor.
We stock a wide range of wedding, bridesmaid
and prom dresses in sizes from 6 - 26 in a
kaleidoscope of beautiful colours.
We offer a professional measuring and fitting
service for all customers plus excellent advice
and guidance on style, size and the overall look.
To accompany any outfit we have an exclusive
range of accessories with jewellery, hair
accessories, hats and much more.
Our in house designer can create special
designs of fascinators, artificial flower
decorations and room dressing paraphernalia!
♥ Come and talk to us
about your big day
or event and we
will offer impartial
information, advice
and guidance to
make it particularly
special for you ♥
Call Pauline, Patricia, Julie or Lenka
Carmel’s Collection, 38 St Mary Street, Bridgwater, Somerset. TA6 3LY
Or alternatively e-mail us: sales@carmelscollection.co.uk
01278 424428|www.carmelscollection.co.uk
WEDDING EDITION SPRING 2012
17
The Castle Hotel
Renowned for its award-winning
food and celebrity chefs The Castle
at Taunton is a distinctive and
stylish venue for civil ceremonies,
wedding breakfasts and receptions
for up to 120 guests.
With a choice of five private rooms
to choose from you’re sure to find
one to suit your style and size of
celebration. From the intimate
Penthouse with its panoramic views
across Taunton and the surrounding
hills, to the elegant Music Room perfect for larger celebrations.
Menu choices are extensive, and you
can be assured of only the very best
of local produce, matched by a large
selection of wines.
Individually decorated
bedrooms provide comfortable
Taunton School
Set in the heart of Somerset, Taunton
School is a wonderful setting for
your wedding and reception.
The School boasts a stunning Chapel
onsite available for religious wedding
ceremonies, wedding blessings and
celebration of vows. The civil licence
offers a choice of beautiful rooms for
the civil wedding ceremony. All this
combined with a proven reputation
for high standard receptions tailored
to your every need, and some of
the best banqueting cuisine offered
in the South West; means Taunton
School provides a versatile and
unique venue for your special day.
accommodation for you and your
guests and the award winning
breakfasts are not to be missed!
The Castle team pride themselves
on attention to detail from the initial
enquiry through to your departure
and the experienced wedding
planners will assist you as much
or as little as you would like in the
preparations for your special day,
leaving you to relax and enjoy the
moment.
Each of the weddings at the Castle
are individually tailored to suit
your requirements, but inclusive
packages are available.
For more information telephone
Aimee on 01832 328303 or email
events@the-castle-hotel.com
Couples can enjoy a traditional
wedding from beginning to end or
can work with a dedicated wedding
planner to create the day of their
dreams. Whatever your vision
for this very important day, the
professional and experienced service
offered by the team at Taunton
School, can help you create a
personalised day to remember always.
For further information about
Weddings at Taunton School visit
www.tauntonschoolevents.co.uk or
phone a member of the Events Team
on 01823 703111 to discuss your
requirements.
Tel: 01823 328303
events@the-castle-hotel.com
www.the-castle-hotel.com
Couples can enjoy
a traditional
wedding from
beginning to end
or can work with a
dedicated wedding
planner
we make memories...
Nowhere organises weddings like the majestic Castle Hotel.
From the most intimate, to larger celebrations... our
reputation for outstanding food and drink, attention to detail
and warm hospitality ensures that you and your guests
will have a truly memorable day.
The Castle at Taunton, Castle Green, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1NF
Exclusive Reader Wedding Offer
Weddings at Taunton School are pleased to offer What’s On Somerset Readers an
exclusive ‘all inclusive’ wedding package for a fantastic ‘reader offer’ price of £4,250.
With this offer you can book and celebrate your wedding and reception on select dates in 2012 with Weddings at Taunton School. This offer includes; civil ceremonial suite,
which can be upgraded to a beautiful ceremony in the Taunton School Chapel (subject to terms and condition), greeting drinks following your ceremony, wedding reception
in the Old Library, 3 course formally served wedding breakfast, table wine, celebratory toast, floral decorations for the wedding reception tables, venue for the evening
celebrations including catering, cash bar and a disco until midnight for the evening celebrations. This offer includes Free Bridal Hair and Make Up (subject to terms and
conditions), is for a maximum of 50 guests in the day and up to 100 for the evening, additional guest can be included for a supplementary charge. This incredible package
offers What’s On Somerset Readers a fantastic saving of £1,200. Wedding Registration fees apply as a supplement to this offer which is subject to terms and conditions
obtainable from the Events department at Taunton School 01823 703111, events@tauntonschool.co.uk Offer bookable until 31st March 2012.
Real Weddings three-dimensional and far reaching
Whenever I take a Christian based
wedding, which remains one of the
great privileges of my life, I always
begin with some opening remarks
to set the scene such as ‘naturally the
main focus of being today is to bring
together in Christian Marriage through
vows and promises these two good folk
standing in front of me now. However,
although they will leave here with a
clear three-dimensional framework
for the rest of their lives together it is
possible that every one here today could
be equally blessed. By that I mean that
these two will be uniting you all, now
18 WEDDING EDITION SPRING 2012
currently two families and friends, into
a single bond of love and care. Let their
promises renew yours or clarify any
intended vows of your own that you
might consider making in the future.’
Immediately this start creates the
inclusive atmosphere and nature that
Christian Marriage embodies for
everyone present.
Many marriages have two splendid
dimensions of physical inter-action
and mental sharing processes both of
which are an integral part of marriage.
Christian Marriage presents a third and
all embracing, all sustaining dimension
namely a spiritual one which can give
direction, day by day insight and strength
to any marriage that life’s pressures can
challenge or threaten to de-rail.
I spend a lot of time in preparation with
couples on line sending them a monthly
‘thought to consider’ together, the replies
are very stimulating and encouraging. So
much so that when the day itself arrives
the service is not a hit or miss good
occasion but rather a time of fulfillment
and keen anticipation of their future
together and one publicly shared with
their loved ones.
Three dimensional
pictures stand
out clearly, so do
three dimensional
marriages!
By Rev. Ray Avent,
Taunton School
Create the dream...
Taunton School is the perfect venue
for a chapel wedding, civil wedding or blessing
and a formal wedding breakfast for up to 180 guests,
with evening celebration for up to 300 guests.
Speak to one of our experienced
wedding planners for further information
or to arrange a visit.
01823 703111
www.tauntonschoolevents.co.uk
What’s on Somerset WINTER 2011
19
couture wedding gowns by
Sassi Holford, Kate Sherford and Enzoani
designer head-dresses, veils
and wedding shoes
6 The Bridge, Taunton : 01823 256308
taunton@sassiholford.com
www.sassiholford.com
SASSI HOLFORD
Leading wedding dress designer Sassi Holford
answers some of those questions that you have always wanted to ask…….
Q: When you designed Autumn
Kelly’s dress for her royal
marriage to Peter Phillips, son of
Princess Anne, how long did you
have to keep the secret for?
A:The making of a royal wedding dress is, by
tradition, surrounded by secrecy. For seven
months only three of my most senior studio
staff and my London boutique manager knew
the real identity of the bride or the design of
her wedding gown.
Q: What inspired you to design
such a beautiful masterpiece?
A: Autumn was very self-assured about the
style and look she wanted which was a great
starting point for me to create the design and
the detailing and to select the fabrics.
Q: What prompted you to design
and create wedding dresses?
A: It was a happy accident when just finishing
at school I volunteered to make the dress for a
friend who had no budget for a ‘proper’ dress.
Though I clearly underestimated the task, it
was successful and led to a first commission
even though I wasn’t thinking of making
wedding dresses as a career!
Q: Are you originally from
Somerset?
Q: What is your favourite fabric to
work with?
A: No. Born in East London, and then via
Norfolk and North Devon before deciding
Taunton was the ideal place to locate my
business.
A: It changes every season as I discover
gorgeous new fabrics or work again with a
classic silk.
Q: Your beautiful eye-catching
shop in Taunton always has
stunning dresses in the window,
what makes you decide on a dress
to be in the window?
A: In both my Chelsea and Taunton boutiques
my managers and their staff use their market
knowledge and creative talents to dress the
shop windows every week.
Q: What is the longest train for
a wedding dress have you had to
make?
A: It wasn’t Autumn Kelly’s as hers was a
modest six feet. Some years before I made a
gown for a Greek wedding with a train well
over twenty feet long because she wanted it to
be ‘longer than Princess Di’s’.
Q: Every girl would love to wear
one of your creations; it must be
a defining moment seeing a dream
come true each time one of your
dresses is worn?
A: It will always give me enormous pleasure
and satisfaction to be able to create a bride’s
dream wedding gown.
Q: How many fittings does a
bride-to-be need normally have
at your shop?
A:We strive for perfection in the cut and
fit of my gowns and this means a second
fitting is usually only to check the smallest of
adjustments.We then carry out a final check
prior to the wedding day to make sure the
bride herself hasn’t altered in size or shape.
Buff
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each individual’s requirements,
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dress and final look.
Jade or any one of the other makeup artists and hair stylists can visit
your home or chosen venue to
prepare the bride and her bridal
party for the big day. They will spend
time with you discussing your dress
style, preferred colours and bridal
ideas, thus co-ordinating your makeup with your finished look. With her
fairy godmother wand in hand, Jess
went about her magic, applying the
fabulous up-to-date colours from the
Jane Iredale make-up range, which
is a mineral-based skin, eyes and lips
make-up known as The Skin Care
Make Up.
Photo: Sassi Holford
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skin and is even recommended by
With her fairy godmother
wand in hand, Jess went about
her magic applying the fabulous
up-to-date colours
’’
22-24 Station Road, Taunton, TA1 1NL
T: 01823 257445
F: 01823 326520
E: info@buffdayspa.co.uk
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T: 01823 257445
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www.buffdayspa.co.uk
21
INVITATION
TO VIEW
by Rosie Inge
Britain is a country of extraordinary houses – many
very old; some historic, others haunted, moated or
simply eccentric – but few are available to visit.
Britain is a country of extraordinary
houses – many very old; some
historic, others haunted, moated
or simply eccentric – but few
are available to visit. In a bid to
promote tourism, Suffolk County
Council recruited owners to a
pay-to-view scheme called Invitation
to View (ItV) and now the West
Country is following suit.
So successful was ItV that, five years
ago, its members took it over. They
run it as a not-for-profit enterprise
with its own organisation and central
reservation number (01206 573948)
which individuals or small groups can
call to book a tour of houses listed on
the website (www.invitationtoview.
co.uk) or in a growing number of
regionalised brochures.
There are 70 houses in the scheme,
16 of them in the West Country.
Proprietors pay £75 for annual
membership and set their own
entry fees for visitors, which include
a personally conducted tour of the
house and grounds, and tea or a snack
lunch depending on the time of day.
“The delight of ItV is that it opens
the front door of houses you wouldn’t
otherwise get to see and meet owners
who are often as extraordinary as
their houses,” says founder-member
Leslie Geddes Brown.
Her own house in East Anglia is a
moated, medieval manor, populated
by artefacts from all over the world.
In a contrast typical of the variety
on offer, it differs in period and scale
from the first Somerset member
Martin Dearden’s Georgian mansion,
Pennard House, set on the last
south-facing slopes of the Mendips.
“The house has been in my wife’s
family for 400 years,” says Martin,
“and for 200 years it has been home
to a branch of the Napiers, who
joined the family tree when Andrew, a
well-known London horse dealer and
cognac smuggler, met the heiress to
the Pilton and Pennard estates.”
As well as period furniture,
the house is full of portraits by
distinguished artists. Together
with the rooms – some reputedly
haunted by a young woman in a
grey dress – Martin will show guests
the extensive grounds, which include
a Victorian swimming-pool, and
the ancient Coach House, recently
renovated as a venue for weddings,
before serving tea on the terrace.
“You could say that Pennard House
is typical of the ItV offer,” says Leslie,
“but you’d have to add that ItV is
unlike anything else on the tourist
market. It provides privileged access
to private gems and a personal
audience with their owners or family.”
Kilver Court is the second Somerset
member - the old Showerings
(Babycham – remember?) HQ
which Roger and Monty Saul took
over for their Mulberry HQ. When
they sold the company, they kept
the buildings and they have installed
shops selling spelt and meat etc
(grown at Sharpham Park) with
a cosy little restaurant, plus an
upmarket retail outlet. Francis
Showering liked what he saw at
Chelsea Flower Show so much that
he bought the whole gardens, lock,
stock and stone, and installed them
at Kilver Court under the, now
disused, viaduct. (One visitor said
that she had been evacuated during
the war and arrived by train, across
the viaduct; every morning she
rushed up to the viaduct, hoping to
see her mother coming to collect
her). Monty will conduct the tour
herself, after offering visitors a
private lunch in the Boardroom
which overlooks the garden. She
will give them the history of the
gardens/Babycham and of Mulberry,
and of her life as a Dior model
before she met Roger.
Invitation to View are actively
recruiting members with unusual or
historic houses in the West Country
to create a thematic Property Trail
that further illustrates the cultural
diversity of the region. Sixteen
properties have kickstarted the
project in Devon and Cornwall and
new properties can be included in
the website.
For more information, contact
Pat Jacobs on 01284 827087.
Walnut Tree Hotel
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overnight accommodation for the Bride and Groom
For more information please do not hesitate to contact Annette Saunter
or Claire Marie Clapp on either
01278 662255 or sales@walnuttreehotel.com
87 Fore Street, North Petherton, Somerset TA6 6QA
www.walnut-tree-hotel.co.uk
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38 St. Mary Street
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Website: www.webbingtonhotelandspa.co.uk
Facing your music
with your heart
and your head
I once heard a famous politician explain on Desert
Island Discs that there were parts of Wagner’s
music that he could not listen to anymore, as he
found the experience too emotional.
Most of us will never have the chance
to broadcast our list of favourite tunes,
whether or not they have pronounced
emotional resonance. We are left
to our own imaginary performance,
which really is better, as you can take
your stories and fantasies to your
own secret and secluded mental
destination, unsullied by the judgement
of others. Go on, list your top 10
and gorge yourself on an afternoon
of self-gratification, alone. Close the
windows and doors, pour yourself
something suitable and listen. If you
haven’t laughed and cried by the end
of the process you have either not
concentrated enough…..or you’ve lied
to yourself about your memories.
Pushing your emotions around the
plate is so much easier to music.
Sometimes it can be too easy. I have
played the organ at many of life’s
key ceremonies – baptisms through
weddings to funerals. I play ‘em in and I
play ‘em out. Most of the time, people
want to hold it together. It doesn’t
always end up that way.
We do not need Hollywood to
confirm the wide range of emotions
swimming around at a wedding,
indeed celluloid could not even
scratch the surface of what has been
brought to the party. You could fill
the day with musical triggers to these
emotions that set forth an ongoing
cacophony of snivelling and wailing,
drowning out all the key moments
that you have tried your hardest to
protect.
As for yourself, is it wise to play that
one piece of music that always sets
you off – you know, the one that was
playing one summer’s day in 1983
when you slipped on the rug, throwing
the goldfish bowl through the open
window, underneath which dad
was using the bark mulcher, thereby
pebble-dashing Goldie all over the
front wall?
Weddings
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Music can transform the
happiest day of your life, and
choosing it together can be
one of the most coveted parts
of planning your wedding.
Just go careful…
and don’t rush it.
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www.hestercombe.com
23
Somerset
Landscapes
by Rachel Adams
r
u
o
l
o
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r
e
t
a
W
in
Cheddar Galleries run a
“Somerset Landscapes
in Watercolour” course.
One short form fill later my
friend Gil and I were committed.
The holiday included 3 nights
accommodation at the Webbington
Hotel with all meals included, and
instructor-lead tuition at three
outdoor painting locations. Having
been an armchair would-be artist for
many years, I dusted off my paints,
brushes and paper, compared them
to the art materials list (deciding to
risk a few divergences), and prepared
my excuses for poor performance.
Kick off was 6pm on a Wednesday
evening at the Webbington, when
we met the other attendees along
with Mathew Clark from Cheddar
Galleries and Mathew Palmer our
charming boyish-looking instructor,
who had a good collection of jokes
to keep us entertained. Immediately,
everyone relaxed, they were a
very friendly bunch of people.
Watercolour seems still to attract
the older generation, though as
Gil commented “Sadly the age gap
between us and the rest has diminished
over the years.” As a group we made
our introductions, with most people
claiming novice level of competence
in watercolours. Mathew Clark was
chief organiser and provided each
of us with a nifty little spiral-bound
book. The book contained maps,
directions and programme for the
course. No problem if you didn’t
have a car since he arranged lifts
to locations, and train stations for
arrivals and departures.
The first morning brought a worrying
sky, and threatened drizzle. But with
some determined optimism we
all convoyed off to Blagdon Lake,
to paint in the beer garden of the
New Inn. This must be the best beer
garden in the whole wide world.
I was so struck by the view, that I
temporarily forgot my nervousness
about painting. However, I need not
have worried. Mathew Palmer has a
paint-along style of instruction, he
mixed colours and painted the sky,
we lined up behind him then
followed his instructions, after
sky came hills with the same careful
colour guidance and tuition, and so
on and so forth; until by end of the
day everyone had a beautiful picture.
The only breaks in painting were to
receive coffee and tea sustenance
and forage into the pub for lunch.
All that painting is exhausting.
In the evening we relaxed in the
Webbington Hotel pool and sauna.
Gil being a Londoner couldn’t get
over how people in the hotel spoke
to us in polite conversation, though
it was a bit surreal talking to the man
(a local) in the sauna in the dark (the
light had broken) about the stars,
views and sunset that could be seen
on the terrace at the Webbington.
The views were amazing to us,
and since it was cloudy we heard
from him the stars and sunset
(weather conditions permitting)
also get an ‘amazing’ rating.
The two following days were
focussed on artistic endeavours. We
went to Cheddar to paint Cox’s Mill
Hotel (currently sadly empty) and
Priddy to paint around the common.
By day three my radical streak was
surfacing and I wasn’t following the
paint-along instructions, but breaking
out into my own adventure. Colours,
compositions, and techniques were
all running amok, causing havoc with
the finished product, but liberating
my free spirit.
It was sad to finish the course, and
leave the other budding student artists,
Mathew the teacher, and the care
of Cheddar Galleries. However, the
journey home was full of inspiration,
and determination to keep the pursuit
of artistic happiness going…
01934 744188
www.cheddargallery.co.uk
2012: The Jubilee, The Olympics,
The Langport Festival!
OK so it may not be quite on the same scale as the Olympics or tap into the national
consciousness in quite the same way as the Jubilee but Langport has much to celebrate.
What may to the casual visitor appear
to be a quiet country town has a great
surge of creative energy running just
under the skin. Pull away the veneer
of staid stone houses and gentility and
there is a lot happening. So in summer
last year a group of townsfolk got
together with the idea of taking much of
what was already happening in the town
and putting it together as a festival.
Andrew Lee, editor of local newspaper
the Langport Leveller was amazed at
just how much went on in the town.
“When the paper started in 2010 I did
wonder if we would ever find enough to
write about; how wrong can you be? There
is so much happening in Langport. Other
towns around Somerset had festivals well
and truly on the county events calendar,
it seemed really surprising that Langport
didn’t have its own annual festival.”
The festival dates have already been
set. It will run from 2nd to the 10th
June to make the most of the Jubilee
weekend. Julia Gadd a Town Councillor
(who is setting up an author evening)
explains; “Because the town already has a
successful walking festival which was going
to be on 9/10 June we wanted to offer
something for the people visiting the town.
The Walking Festival people have been
very supportive and we are grateful to
them for that.”
The Town Council got on board from
the start and it didn’t take a long time
to start getting events lined up. First
out of the blocks (well it is Olympic
year in case you hadn’t noticed)
was a 3 venue art exhibition in the
Potting Shed, The Library and the
Parrett Centre, closely followed by the
Langport Leveller running a short story
competition. Andrew Lee commented
“It is great how rapidly things have started
to come together, lots of people have
got together to put events on, but we’d
really like to establish a Walter Bagehot
Memorial Debate in All Saints Church
next to where he is buried, that would be
the icing on the cake.”
Meanwhile the business group have
also got involved as well and are
planning to put on a food market on
during the festival week. Other events
will include a story telling session, films
presented by the community cinema,
history walks through the town, the
community choir in concert, live music,
a couple of open mic sessions with
a poetry evening too. And they are
hoping that the local mummers can be
booked to perform in the town garden
with at least one theatre production
there during the week as well.
The full line up will be finalised with
the production of the festival brochure
in March. In the meantime you can find
out more from the Langport Festival
facebook page or by writing to the
Langport Leveller:
levellereditor@gmail.com.
Tea Rooms & Garden Shop
WHAT’S ON
• £1 Plant Sale
•Easter Egg Hunt
•Mothering Sunday
•Somerset Garden
Festival
StartsSaturday
3Marchfrom
10am
Sunday18March
•Easter Plant Sale
-30%offplants
Friday6-Monday
9April
EasterSunday
8April
Saturday19&
Sunday20May
•£1 Plant Sale &
National Gardens
Scheme Open Day
Sunday3June
WalledGardensopendailyfrom3March,10am–
5pm.Don’tmissthespecialoffersavailableinour
GardenTeaRoomsandGiftShop.
Church Street, Cannington, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2HA.
Tel: 01278 655042 www.canningtonwalledgardens.co.uk
Fornewsandoffersfinduson
and
South Somerset Cycle Rides
Whats On Som Spring Ed Jan 2012.indd 1
27/01/2012 15:19
from the Langport & River Parrett Visitor Centre
Cycle hire for all the family
Cycle sales, accessories and repairs
Gateway to the South Somerset Moors
FREE cycle trail route maps available from the shop
Bow Bridge Cycles Open Daily 10.00am - 5pm
Westover, Langport 01458 250350
www.southsomersetcycling.co.uk
Knightshayes in spring
31 March-15 April 2012
Join us this Easter for a chocolate
eggtravagaza at Knightshayes. Sponsored
by Cadbury’s, there will the usual trail for
clues, to allow you to work up an appetite
for you eggciting prize at the end.
Price: £3 per child
All Weather Family Fun
Great Value Family Tickets
Call: 01884 257381
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayescourt/
http://www.facebook.com/Knightshayes
Bringing Motoring to Life for over 25 Years!
Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 7LH
01963 440804 www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk
Registered charity number 205846.
25
Sport
Cricket
season
Preview
Somerset County Cricket Club
was founded way back in August
1875 following a match between
the Gentlemen of Devon and the
Gentlemen of Somerset
Somerset County
Cricket Club was
founded way back in
August 1875 following
a match between the
Gentlemen of Devon
and the Gentlemen of
Somerset, and since
then they have enjoyed
considerable success
- although they had
to wait a long time to
sample it! Somerset lifted their most recent
trophy in 2005 when Graeme
Smith led them to victory in the
Twenty20 Cup, since when they
have come very close in each of
the one day competitions but
haven’t managed to get their hands
on the silverware. The County Ground favourite said:
“The top division of the championship
is a tough competition and we have
got some good teams in there who
have been joined by Surrey and
Middlesex who were both promoted
from the Second Division at the end
of last season.” There is however one competition
that Somerset has never won
in their history, and that is the
County Championship, which for
many supporters of the summer
game is the blue riband event
because each of the 16 games is
played over four days, making it a
marathon rather than sprint event. “We are going to have to start off
well and try and get many victories as
we can early in the season to
give ourselves a chance of winning
the title.” However when they did lift their
first silverware - in 1979, they did
it in style by winning the Gillette
Cup and the John Player League
in successive days much to the
delight of their trophy starved fans. The Cidermen have come very
close, none more so than in
2010 when they tied on points
at the top of the table with
Nottinghamshire, but had to
settle for second place in the end
because the midland county had
won one more game. More was to follow and between
1979 and 1983 Brian Rose led
the Cidermen to five one day
successes. It was to be another 18 years
before they tasted further
success in 2001 when under
the captaincy of Jamie Cox
they won the Cheltenham and
Gloucester Trophy, a game that will
remembered for the contributions
made by local hero Keith Parsons
who was presented with the Man
of the Match Award. 26 What’s on Somerset SPRING 2012
He went on: “We are one of the
few counties who have never won the
championship so it’s the ambition of
everybody at Somerset to try to cross
the line in that competition.” “At the moment we just want
to cross the line in any one of
the competitions, but if we could
choose just one then the county
championship would be the one
we’d pick.” The Somerset attack will be
boosted for the first two months
of the season by the addition
of South African bowler Vernon
Philander who has made a real
impact on the Test scene during
the winter.
Somerset have also recruited big
hitting West Indian all rounder
Chris Gayle for the Twenty20 Cup
this season to join their already
strong batting line up and will be
hoping that he will be the one to
see them to another success in
that format of the game.
‘‘
This season Somerset begin
their hunt for the elusive County
Championship with a home game
against Middlesex on Thursday
April 5th. “The last two seasons we have lost
both of our opening matches in the
championship, so we will be trying
to rectify this situation in 2012.
Hopefully we can put that this year.” Marcus Trescothick has made no
secret of the fact that he would
love to be the first Somerset
captain to win the Championship
but he knows that his team faces a
tough summer of cricket if they are
to get their hands on the trophy. Trescothick added: “Middlesex will
present us with a good challenge to start
with and will be well up for it because
they haven’t been in the first division
for a while so it will be a good contest
to play against them down here in the
opening four day match of 2012.”
By Richard Walsh
“We are going
to have to start
off well and try
and get many
victories as we
can early in
the season to
give ourselves
a chance of
winning the title.”
Olympic
Torch Relay
In just a few weeks
Somerset towns will be
bustling with activity
as hundreds of visitors
are expected to line the
streets to cheer on the
torchbearers and take part
in a multitude of sporting
activities.
Monday 21 May
Porlock
Minehead
Dunster
Carhampton
Washford
Williton
Taunton (Evening celebration)
Tuesday 22 May
On Monday 21 May, the London
2012 Olympic Torch Relay, just three
days into its 77 day tour of Britain,
will enter West Somerset from
Devon. Taunton, the county town,
also has the honour of hosting an
evening celebration culminating
in the lighting of a ceremonial
cauldron. This free event is
sponsored by the official Olympic
Partners and will be hosted by
Somerset County Cricket Club.
Taunton
Ilminster
Yeovil
Ilchester
Somerton
Street
Glastonbury
Coxley
Wells
Croscombe
Shepton Mallet
Frome
Southwick
Trowbridge
Bradford on Avon
Bath
Bitton
Longwell Green
Hanham
Bristol (Evening celebration)
Ticket details will be released
shortly and a facebook page, www.
facebook.com/TauntonTorchRelay
and Twitter account: @tauntontorch
have been set up to ensure those
who are interested can hear news
as soon as available.
Race Meetings
Taunton
Wincanton
Thurs 1st March
Thurs 8th March
Mon 12th March
Fri 9th March
Wed 28th March (Ladies Day)
Sun 25th March (Children’s Day)
Thurs 12th April
Thurs 5th April
Sun 22nd April (Countryside Day)
Sat 12th May (Arabian)
nied
Accompa
Under
18’s
free
www.wincantonracecourse.co.uk
Thurs 10th May (Evening and live music)
Children’s Day
Tues 15th May (Ladies Day)
Point to Point fixtures
4th March
Taunton Vale Harriers
Kingston St Mary
11th March
Blackmore & Sparkford Vale
Charlton Horethorne
17th March
Quantock Staghounds
Cothelstone
1st April
Cotley
Cotley
7th AprilPortman
Badbury Rings
8th April
Tedworth
Barbury Racecourse
9th April
Taunton Vale Foxhounds
Kingston St Mary
15th April
West Somerset Vale
Cothelstone
22nd April
Seavington
Littlewindsor
6th May
Devon & Somerset Staghounds
Holnicote
7th May
Cattistock
Littlewindsor
12th May
Minehead Harriers & W Somerset Holnicote
16th May
Weston & Banwell Harriers
Cothelstone
For further details on point to point races check www.pointingwessex.co.uk
Masco
Race in at
of Childr id
en
Trust ’s
Sunday 25th March
Free children’s behind
the scenes tour, meet
the jockeys, running
Junior Jumpers
race on the track and
much more free entertainment.
WINCANTON’S
Places for the tour must be booked in advance.
Free
ag
goodie b ren Call 01963 32344
ild
for all chttend
a
o
h
Advanced: Grandstand £11 Premier £16
w
Advanced prices close on 20th March
Gates open 12 noon
On the day from £13
Booking fees may apply
Enquiries 01963 32344 • 5 mins from the A303
Ticket hotline 0844 5793014
27
by Paul Vale
west end
by Paul vale
Review
It’s all change again in theatreland as
two shows will be closing their doors to the public in April this year.
After glowing notices and only weeks after announcing
winter, at his wealthy friends’ luxury Long Beach Island
(Swan Lake, Zorro), Daniel Crossley (Mary Poppins) and
Scarlett Strallen (Witches of Eastwick, Mary Poppins),
that the production had broken even for its run at the
apartment, Charlie has hit rock bottom on his 35th
Singin’ In The Rain is set in Hollywood as the movie
Gielgud, Ladykillers is closing on April 14. Another show
birthday. Away from the rest of the world, this perfect
industry is on the verge of releasing the first talkies.
that opened over two years ago at the Savoy again to
escape is interrupted by a motley parade of misfits who
Based on the original screenplay and adaptations by
rave notices, chiefly for its star Sheridan Smith, Legally
show up and change his plans. The play had a moderate
Betty Comden and Adolph Green and with songs by
Blonde will also be closing on April 7. A show closing
success Off-Broadway but for the West End transfer
Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed the show is filled
of course, is not necessarily a bad thing and one of the
Braff, who wrote the play, will also star in the lead role.
Firstly this last with classic
those
wishingincluding
to see liveGood
theatreMorning,
actually live
can
is at
actually
numbers
Make
most problematic issues in the West it
End
the enda little bit like tetris,
month
has seen the
book tickets until April 17th.
If you fancy a comedy a little closer to home then
why
computer
‘Em Laugh,You Are My Lucky Star and of course, the
of the twentieth century – with itsthe
legacy
of mega-game. A show good
announcement
of
notcan
try only
the Menier Chocolate Factory? This March
they
enough
thetowest end
unforgettable Singin’ In The Rain.
long runs, was finding an available theatre
in for
which
several extensions
are opening
with Mike Leigh’s classic black comedy,
actually
make
it
into
the
west
end
if
and one major
showcase new work.
Much darker in tone is Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece
Abigail’s
Party. Now 35 years old, Abigail’s Party
there is a suitable theatre
available
closure,tells
that of
Todd – The Demon Barber of
Dirty Dancing
the
Whilst it might not all be new work opening
season,
the story
get- atSweeney
for it tothis
move
into. with
this of
in Beverly and Laurence Moss’s disastrous
Paul Vale with Lee Mead
Fleet Street, which opens for a limited run at the
there are a healthy slew of imaginative
and
entertaining
as the predatoryAldwych.
Beverly if you wish
mind,
there
is a constanttogether
line upwith
of the neighbours
to catch the last few
Aldelphi Theatre in early March. Another transfer from
revivals to choose from, should you shows,
decide tooften
visit the
moves intoo,
on Angie’s husband, Tony. This production
from Broadway
performances of this dance musical live on stage, then
Chichester, Sweeney Todd is set amongst London’s seedy
capital ahead of the Olympic Gamessimply
this summer.
at
the
Award-Winning
Menier
features
Jill
Halfpenny
waiting to move in. this is
book quickly as the show they called ‘critic-proof’ – it
the Wizard of oz – andrew Lloyd Webber,
side streets and laced
withhope
Sondheim’s
characteristic
Danielle
and michael
Crawford
Legally
role sales before
often a process that can(Coronation
take yearsStreet, Eastenders,
had already
takenBlonde)
2 millionininthe
advance
The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of
Photomusical
by Gabrielle
Crawford
wit and dark humour, the
depicts
Todd’s savage
opening, closes in July.
Beverly.
and although the goldenofage
of the
One Man, Two Guv’nors is transferring from the
quest for justice and retribution after years of false
long-runners such as Les Miserables
extensions
have been announced
for The Children’s
Musicals
are and
always
lookingby
forthe
a good
home inowner
the
Adelphi on The Strand to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.
If your tastes are a little
more conservative
then you
imprisonment.
Aided
abetted
pie-shop
and Phantom of the Opera
may be a
Hour
at the
Comedy staring Keira
Knightley and
west end and there are certainly two new ones that
One Man, Two Guv’nors by Richardthing
Bean of
is athe
reworking
may
like
to
check
out
Being
Shakespeare
at
the
Mrs
Lovett,
he
sets
out
to
avenge
the
wrongs
done
to
past, it does allow for
elizabeth Moss. this nervy drama focusing on lies
are causing a good deal of excitement in London at
of the 18th Century comedy The Servant
of Two
Trafalgar
Studios, which opens in early March. Written
and histhefamily.
a greater
turn-over of talent,
both
and the cruelty of deceit set in a girl’s boardinghim
school
moment. Wizard of Oz opens at the Palladium
Masters by Carlo Goldon. The production
at and creatives.
by Jonathan
staring
now Simon
run untilCallow
May. (Waiting
in March staring Michael Crawford in the title role,
in termsopened
of stars
theBate and will
Originally Hannah
openingwaddingham
at the Theatre
Royal, Drury Lane
the NT with James Corden in thecurrent
lead roleline
of Francis
who has made quite a career already out of
as the wicked witch of the
up of shows For
thisGodot),
Spring
in 1980 thewest
show
Quilleyprogramme
as Todd and
Love
Never
Dies, Andrew
Lloydto
webber’s
sequel
andfeatured
thanks toDenis
the television
Henshall to uniformly glowing notices
and
whilst
being
Charles
Dickens,
Being
Shakespeare
brings
life
in London is a highly eclectic mix
Hancock
asRainbow,
Mrs Lovett
andHope
in a assubsequent
to his hitcharacters
Phantom of the
Operaashas
undergone Sheila
a
Over The
Danielle
Dorothy.
Corden stayed with the production for
a
brief
tour
Shakespeare’s
unforgettable
as
well
the
that simply could not have been
series of changes since it opened in March lastrevival
year. at the
Produced
by Andrew
Lloyd
webber
the musical
National
Theatre
in 1993
starring
Alun
and a triumphant return to the West End,
this transfer
real manago.
behind the legend.
predicted
twelve months
Finally it closed for a couple of weeks for someArmstrong
major
features
additional
songsWhilst
by the Lord
himself, movie,
and Julia
McKenzie.
the recent
now features his understudy Owain Arthur in the role
re-working under the auspices and new direction
joined by his original writing partner tim rice.
It is interesting to seefrom
thatBill
there
are two new major
directed byMeanwhile,
Tim Burton
starred Johnny Depp and Helena
Kenwright and is now booking initially until
with a lot less of a fanfare, George Stiles
of Henshall, with support from Jodie Prenger (Oliver!,
musical openings taking
place
in
the
West
End
that
are
Bonham
Carter,
this current
starsBetty
musical
January 2012.
and Anthony
Drewe’s revival
new musical
Bluetheatre
Eyes
Spamalot) and Hannah Spearritt (Primeval).
actually transfers from the Chichester Festival Theatre.
in April
the novello.
BasedHairspray)
on the movie
chameleonopens
Michael
Ballat(Aspects
Of Love,
as
end of the rainbow
A Private
Function,
this new
work
stars
Street
a particularly
sinister
Sweeney
Todd
and
theCoronation
wonderful
Fans of the US actor Zach Braff (Scrubs) are looking
Firstly the stupendous Singin’ In The Rain opened
Photo by nobby Clarke
favourite Sarah Lancashire and League of Gentlemen
Imelda Staunton
(Guys & Dolls, Entertaining Mr Sloane) as
forward excitedly to the opening of All New People
in February and the Palace Theatre and is currently
star reece Sheersmith in the roles made famous by
the suspicious
pie-making
Mrs Lovett.
at the Duke of York’s in February. In the dead of
booking until September 2012. Staring Adam Cooper
Maggie
Smith and Michael
Palin.
Polly rae
in the hurly
Burly show
Photo by
William Baker
One of the hottest tickets in town this season has
been for tracie Bennett’s turn as Judy Garland in
Peter Quilter’s play End of the Rainbow. Set at the
time of her last visit to the UK, six weeks before
her death, End of the Rainbow opened in
november last year to great critical acclaim
and has now extended to its run at the
trafalgar Studios until May.
Sheridan Smith has now left her epic run as
elle woods in the musical hit Legally Blonde at the
Savoy and in a characteristic change of pace, joins
the cast of terrence rattigan’s Flare Path, directed by
trevor nunn at the Haymarket as part of a season to
celebrate the author’s centenary. Flare Path, inspired
by rattigan’s time in the rAF during world war ii also
stars Sienna Miller and James Purefoy and is currently
scheduled to run from March 4th.
there is much excitement surrounding the opening
of Frankenstein at the royal national theatre this
season. Directed by Danny Boyle (Train Spotting) and
starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes) and
Jonny Lee Miller (Train Spotting) alternating the roles
of the Baron and the Monster, this adaptation of
Mary Shelly’s gothic horror will be filmed and
broadcast to the nation as part of the national
theatre Live programme.
28
What’s on somerset winter 2010
28 What’s on Somerset AUTUMN
SPRING 2012
2011
Musical entertainments have been flourishing in the
west end since Buddy! the musical opened 25 years
ago. Million Dollar Quartet is a dramatisation
of a real-life jam session between elvis Presley,
Cast from
All New
Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis
andPeople
features some great tunes such as Long tall Sally,
Great Balls of Fire, Blue Suede Shoes and See You
Later, Alligator. Meanwhile at the Arts theatre
Woody Sez, a celebration of the life and music of
American folk singer woody Guthrie, is wowing
audiences with its simple but highly emotional style
of storytelling.
Finally, from an entertainment point of view, i for
one shall be heading for the Garrick theatre in March
for Polly Rae’s Hurly Burly Show. Directed by
william Baker, the man responsible for some of
Kylie Minogue’s most outrageous concerts, this show
will be the first time a burlesque will have landed in a
major west end theatre in almost 50 years.
Certainly, reading through the listings, this season has
to be one of the most diverse, exciting and eclectic
i have ever come across in 15 years of reviewing.
London Show & Attraction Tickets
Berrys Coaches can now
offer the facility to book
London theatres and attractions.
Go to: www.berryscoaches.co.uk
and follow links.Then book your seats
to London on our Superfast Service.
The Book of Summers
This novel makes you want to snuggle
down into a duvet and wrap your hands
around a mug of hot chocolate.We dream
of those white frosty winters, but when
they’re finally upon us, we yearn for the
sun, the warmth and the beauty it holds.
The Book of Summers by our local author
Emylia Hall, will give you a breath of
summer.
A part of us almost forgets what this
season can promise us: a change of heart, a
new style, even a new direction, this story
helps us remember what those summers
are capable of, what it can beg us to do,
what it can pull us through.We ourselves
open the holiday albums and can almost
smell those moments in the sun. In the
prologue, Marika “turns the pages and she
disappears, into the sun-filled days.” How
many times have we done this?
This story is written in the first person
narrative and has such a credible voice
... is born of childhood memories;
some real, many imagined
that it’s almost like we’re
picturing a film in our
minds, forgetting that we’re
reading from the pages
of a book. I tilt my hat to
Emylia, for she is truly a
fantastic writer.There’s
not a moment when you
trip over a sentence,
or find yourself pulled
out of the story from a
description that doesn’t quite
fit.The carefully constructed sentences and
breathtaking story of revisiting a haunted
past, whether the protagonist, Beth, wants
to or not, is guaranteed to keep you hooked
until the very end.
“I know this much; the old hurts never go. In
fact they’re the things that shape us, they’re
the things we look to, when we turn out roughshod, and messy at the edges.”
By Charlett Goretzka
Chamber of Commerce Events
Tues 13th March. Stress at Work, breakfast meeting at Clarke Willmott, Blackbrook Park
Avenue, Taunton. £15 members, £20 non members.
Michael Eavis to be Special Guest
at this year’s Sustainability Show.
Michael Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury Festival and well known for his interest in
the environment, will be Special Guest at the Sustainability Show this year, held at Queen’s
College on Sunday June 17th. Michael recently had solar panels fitted to the roof of his cow
shed, which generates enough electricity to power 40 homes. He is also looking at ways of
making the Festival energy self-sufficient.
www.sustainabilityshow.org.uk
Weds 21st March. Meet Morrisons – includes a tour of the new distribution site. Bridgwater
TA6 4FG. £15 members, £20 non members. 7.45am.
29th March. Next Generation – The art of networking TBC
Weds 18th April. Business to Business Dinner. 7 for 7.30pm. Cleave Hotel Wellington. £28
members, £38 non members
Bookings can be made at the Chamber website www.somerset-chamber.co.uk or email
events@somerset-chamber.co.uk
A man outstanding in his field - Michael Eavis
29
Gardening
Hestercombe
... full of surprises
The View from
East Lambrook
Gardening through the seasons with
John Horsey
We Welcome back to East Lambrook Manor
Gardens, where spring is now with us although
the winter was so mild it seemed as though
it was starting at Christmas. However we can
now enjoy the full range of bulbs, blossom
and other early flowering perennials as
our forgotten treasures appear. The staff
and volunteers are fully occupied keeping
the garden tidy and Tom is very busy in the
nursery keeping up with all the customers
eager to buy from his exciting new range of
plants.
There is much to do in the vegetable garden
where a whole range of seeds can be sown.
It is always a good idea to put some cloches
down to warm and dry the soil before sowing.
Hardy plants such as broad beans and parsnips
can be sown as soon as the ground is ready,
but wait with subjects such as runner beans
which will not tolerate a frost, unless you can
protect them with fleece or a similar cover.
You can now take softwood cuttings of Dahlias,
Argyranthemums and Fuchsias, trimming them
off below a leaf joint and inserting in seed
compost around the edge of a pot. Water
them well and keep them in a warm shady
place covered with a plastic cover which will
maintain humidity and speed rooting.You can
also now sow a range of annual flowers for
colour later in the year and do not forget the
later outdoor sowings of hardy annuals which
will give such a show next spring.
Established herbaceous perennials can be lifted
and divided which will invigorate them as well
as increasing your plant numbers. Remember
to give the herbaceous border a good cover
of garden compost or other mulch to retain
moisture, smother weeds, feed the plants as
well as look attractive. Another important
maintenance task is to get supports around
the plants before they get too tall.
Our new East Lambrook Diploma has been
very successful and in the autumn we had to
run the first year over two days as there were
so many applicants. The students have been
busy planning and designing their gardens,
sowing many vegetables and annual plants. The
wildlife garden is now looking good with spring
flowering plants and the pond is again full of
tadpoles. They are particularly enjoying their
garden walks which identify a range of plants
flowering in the garden, and they can learn
how to grow them to their full advantage.
The students are also developing their own
propagation area where they will carry out the
full range of propagation techniques.
We are now also starting a Certificate in
Garden History which will look at the range
of garden styles from the very first Persian
gardens through to the present day.
If you would like to
ask any horticultural
questions, to have a
talk to your gardening
club or to hear about
the gardening courses
being run here at
East Lambrook
please e-mail me
at jonatrivendell@
btinternet.com, or
visit www.johnhorsey
horticulture.co.uk
• Glorious gardens
• Fabulous food
• Gorgeous Gardens
Shop & Plant Centre
• FREE entry to
Visitor Center, picnic
and play areas
• Dogs welcome
Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon
Fitzpaine, Taunton TA2 8LG.
Hestercombe
paradise restored
www.hestercombe.com
by Mary-Anne Robb
Leaping into Spring…
The year is marked by the changing of the
Seasons. The rise and fall of the sap marks
the passage of the Gardener’s year. Life in the
garden has begun.
February, March and April, a time of catching
up on all the winter tasks that have not been
completed. The climbing roses have been
pruned; now is the time to tackle the shrub
roses. A rule of thumb starts by removing
any dead wood; cutting out any branches that
cross over, letting in light and air, spur back to
an outward facing bud and reduce the rose to
the required height. Spray the ground around
the shrub with a weak solution of Jeyes Fluid.
Feed with a rose fertiliser covering the area
with three inches of wood ash, this helps to
keep the dreaded black spot at bay.
Prevention is the best form of defence. Next
spray with Armillatox. Spraying is an emotive
issue, all the propiterial brands seem to have
little effect, so I resort to other methods!
In March panic sets in when I see all the seeds
that have not been sown, I stagger sowing the
sweet peas from November until the tenth of
March for a long flowering season. I pinch out
when the fourth leaf has formed to create a
bushy plant. This Spring I am determined to
sew my favourite annual, the glorious spider
plant Cleome spinosa earlier than normal,
perhaps in so doing it will reach 5ft as it does
in its native South America instead of 2ft at
Cothay. I persevere each year but it doesn’t,
I think, like our heavy clay soil; despite all the
TLC we give it!
With the cold killer winds that one gets in
March, I try to hold back from planting until
the ground is warmer, the plants just hang
about miserably or damp off – wait till balmy
April, then go for it – which we are going to
do in our own new herbaceous border.
It is not too late to prune Wisteria, take it
back to two buds, the same goes for Campsis,
Chinomoles, and other shrubs that require
winter pruning.
The garden has well and truly woken up in
April especially the hairy bittercress, that
ephemeral nightmare of a weed which seeds
all the year round. I feed my box hedges in
early April and anything else which needs a
boost, folia feeding with a strong sea weed
product called Marinure.
Here at Cothay we are just about to prune our
avenue of Robinia suedo acacia umbrackulifera.
In previous years we have not pruned them
hard enough; keeping our fingers tightly crossed
we will reshape by taking off four foot. I will say
a prayer to my gardening guardian angel.
Other jobs include planting up my containers,
clipping the lavender - working from dawn till
dusk, remembering that work is the rent you
pay for the time you spend on earth and as
Kippling said ‘A garden is not made by saying
oh how lovely and sitting in the shade’.
Cothay Manor & Gardens
Email: Cothaymanor@btintenet.com Tel: (01823) 672283 www.cothaymanor.co.uk
Cothay Manor
Historic house & gardens
The magic of Cothay lies not only in its
great age but also in the timeless atmosphere
which surrounds it, for Cothay is seemingly
beyond time.
One of Somerset’s finest historic houses, Cothay is surrounded by twelve
acres of magically romantic gardens that are open to the public.
The garden season at Cothay starts on 1st April and runs through to the
end of September. The manor is open to groups by appointment throughout
the year. To visit the manor as an individual two tours run on most Sundays
throughout the garden season at 11.45 and 2.15. Tickets may be pre-booked.
09 Apr | Gardening Course
No 1 of 6 with Mary-Anne Robb.
Planting pots for year-long interest and
innovative staking. Advance sales only.
£40 (includes lunch)
16 Apr | Gardening Course No 2
of 6 with Mary-Anne Robb. (details as
9th April)
14 May | Gardening Course No
3 of 6 with Mary-Anne Robb. Practical
Horticulture including: Preparing the
Garden for Summer; Planting and
Establishing Plants; Sowing Annuals.
Advance sales only. £40 (includes lunch)
19 May | Fundraising event in
support of Horatio’s Garden Appeal
for the Duke of Cornwall Spinal
Treatment Centre. Mary-Anne Robb
will give a talk on the history of the
Manor and the recent development
of the Gardens. Advance ticketing only
through www.ssit.org.uk
25 May - 27 May Cothay’s 5th
Fine Art, Decorative and Antiques
Fair. Timings (Summer) Fri 12 noon 6pm; Sat 10am-5pm/Sun 10am-5 pm.
Stands inside the Manor and within
marquees on the Cothay lawn(s). Food
and refreshments in the Tea Room all
day. Entry £5 (Includes full access to
the gardens (normally £7)). Make a
day of it!
27 May **** Please note there will
be no Sunday House Tours on this day
due to the Fine Art, Decorative and
Antiques Fair (see event entry above)
running over this weekend ****
09 Jun | The Festival Players
perform Shakespeare’s Richard
III. Keen to select a ‘royal’ play for
½ Monkton Elm ad
the Jubilee year, in this their fourth
performance at Cothay, Michael Dyer
and his cast promise an action-packed,
fast-paced ‘royal’ story for the Jubilee,
with pageantry & fanfare! With
numbers increasing every year, it might
be wise to book in advance for this
one. Box office (01823) 672283 or
Cothaymanor@btinternet.com.Tickets
£14. Doors open 6pm; “curtain up” at
7pm. Bring a picnic and rugs. www.
thefestivalplayers.co.uk
16 Jun | Garden, Food and Plant
Fair in support of The Daisy Garland
– A Journey of Hope for Children with
Epilepsy. 10.30am – 5.00pm. www.
thedaisygarland.org.uk
25 Jun | Gardening Course No 4
of 6 with Mary-Anne Robb. Summer
Propagation to include perennials and
half-hardy perennials. Advance sales
only. £40 (includes lunch)
09 Jul | Gardening Course No 5
of 6 with Mary-Anne Robb. AM: Plants
for difficult places. PM: Interesting
Climbers & Scramblers; their general
use in the garden. Advance sales only.
£40 (includes lunch)
14 Jul | Rebecca Hollweg In
Concert at Cothay. An early evening
concert of light jazz and melodic songs
from a critically acclaimed singersongwriter and her excellent musicians.
“Just a beautiful sound, great vibe…”
Janice Long on BBC Radio 2. www.
rebeccahollweg.com.
24 Sep | Gardening Course No 6
of 6 with Mary-Anne Robb. Autumn
Propagation to include seed collecting
and sowing. Advance sales only. £40
(includes lunch)
Greenham, Nr.Wellington, Somerset,TA21 OJR
01823 672283 |
www.cothaymanor.co.uk
31
It’s a Family Affair
By Rebecca Pow
For many exhibitors, like the Hill
family of Decoy Pool Farm, Nyland
near Cheddar, showing is a family affair.
Dad, Nick, is well known for breeding
and showing pedigree Limousin cattle
clocking up an enviable clutch of
champions over the years, not only at
the Royal Bath & West but all over
the country. It’s pretty impressive,
coming from a county council small
holding with a suckler herd of 40
animals. But Nick has long had a taste
for showing, entering his first Bath &
West aged 13:
‘I was showing there before I could drive.
I started with goats, my mum and dad
used to drop me off and I would set up
my camp bed and sleep with the goats!
I bought my first pedigree Limousin in
1988 and things have gone from there.’
Art. Love. Home.
Contemporary art under £4,000
affordableartfair.co.uk
Following hot on his heels now
though are Nick’s twin children Lottie
and Archie, now 9, and they started
showing even earlier than their father
did. Archie was just 6 when he entered
his first Young Handlers Calf class and
Lottie started a year later aged 7. It’s
a tough competition where not only
the animals, but the entrant’s handling
ability and knowledge come under the
microscope. In his first year, Archie
won not only the under 10 class but
the under 16 and 25 classes too and
ended up as reserve champion overall.
Both children have set their sights on
doing well again this year, Archie with a
WIN!
l
Roya
to the
tickets and West
Bath ow
Sh
r ya
nB
so
Ja
An incredible 3274 cattle, pigs, sheep
and goats took part in last year’s
show. It is a fantastic shop window
for farmers to show off their breeding
stock and their produce and for
visitors it’s a wonderful snap shot
of rural life. The livestock are always
a magnetic attraction strutting their
stuff like Britain’s Next Top Models.
Getting an animal into show condition
however is no mean feat involving
consummate skill and hours of training.
ot
o:
Bristol
18 – 20 May 2012
Brunel’s Old Station
Temple Meads
nt
The Royal Bath & West Show
may seem a long way off, but all
over Somerset farm animals are
being put through their paces in
a bid to win the many coveted
prizes at this year’s show.
Ph
Left to right: Nick Hill, Lisa Hill, Lottie Hill,
Archie Hill and Joshua Sprague.
Limousin calf, and Lottie hoping to
enter a Belgian Blue as Nick explains:
‘Once the calves leave their mothers they
are hand reared by the kids.They practise
after homework, tying up, walking,
grooming.The earlier they start with them
the better, even a calf can be quite strong
for them and they must have a one to
one relationship as soon as possible. It’s
quite funny, the calves are outside and
they hear the kids as soon as they come
home from school, they have a very
special relationship.‘
What about eventually having to sell
the calf when they grow up?
‘Aah’ replies Nick, ‘they are all still
here. It’s girls only, no boys allowed
because we would never be able to
part with them.’ Instead they stay on
the farm for breeding. In fact the calf
that Archie first won with at the Show,
has had her own calf and both will be
shown together this year which will
definitely be something to look out
for if you visit the show.
The children also show chickens and
ducks at the Bath & West and even
decorated eggs. As a team, together
with their father they’ve regularly
won the Stock Presentation Awards,
(the animal, the stand and the owners
are all judged!) confirming that for
the Hills, successful livestock showing
really is a family affair.
Royal Bath & West Show,
Wed May 30th – Sat June 2nd.
www.bathandwest.com
etition tickets for this year's show
We have a limited number of comp
NOT a breed of Cattle
Q: Which of the following is
de Island Red
Rho
c)
a) Limousin
eford
Her
d)
us
Ang
n
rdee
b) Abe
hics (address page 3) before May
Send your answer to Character Grap
1st
Power to
the People
By Giles Adams
It’s there every day, whether or
not you can see it. The effects of
the sun are with us every day.
I am no scientist, although I do
know that the orange ball thing
that pops up over my brother’s
cow shed on many mornings is
about 93 million miles away and
that distance seems about fine for
the moment.
Some people have a warm financial
feel about them as they witness
this process. They have invested
in solar panels and have taken
advantage of a government scheme
called the Feed-In Tariff, which
essentially means the Government
will pay you for all the electricity
you generate. Additionally, as the
panels generate electricity, the
electricity is free to be used, with
any excess sold and exported back
to the National Grid via the fuse
board for someone else to use.
Many panels around Somerset have
been erected by Solar Systems at
Ashill. Philip Grabham founded
and continues to own an electrical
contracting business that has been
operating for almost 30 years and
it was the new technology and the
green issues, as they became more
relevant in the electricial field,
which enthused and excited Philip’s
determination to create a business
in the solar industry.
“It was a logical extension to
our existing operation” Philip
tells me at their offices near
Ilminster. “Although there was
some awareness of solar panels,
we started the business before
the new government scheme
was introduced, and since have
been inundated with enquiries.
The business has grown rapidly,
with the benefit of customer
recommendations. We now have a
large portfolio of installations that
includes ground mount systems,
village halls, medical centres and
the beautiful church at Selworthy!
Customers need careful guiding
on what is the best system for
their particular circumstances. This
involves a survey of the existing
roof. We are very respectful of
people’s property which has always
been important over my years
as an electrical contractor’ Philip
continued.
The recent turbulence in the
industry has unsettled the market
and it is hoped consumers
will have a clearer view about
the Feed-In Tariff from March.
However, solar panels have come
down in price and installing a
system remains a strong financial
investment. There is no doubt
the trend for energy prices is up
and analysts forecast energy bills
to climb year after year. Installing
a system whilst the Government
Feed-In Tariff (which is guaranteed
for 25 years) is available makes
financial sense to help offset rising
prices.
Prospective customers can visit
the main office and warehouse
to see different types of panels
for themselves and summer
brings a number of outside shows
where a casual chat about the
most common questions can be
addressed.
‘‘
“We will be exhibiting at
many of Somerset’s most
popular shows this summer”
Phil advises, “including the
Sustainability Show at Queen’s
College on June 17th and a
few days later on the 23rd
at Yeovilton Air Day. It gives
us the chance to explain the
latest subsidy situation and
also how quickly the panels
themselves are evolving.We
can give examples of payback
periods and also demonstrate
the latest on how you can
monitor how much power the
panels are generating with a
straightforward programme
on your computer.”
’’
www.solarsystemslimited.co.uk
01823 481329
33
South Moor
Hill Cider Farm Ancient cider press at Burrow Cider Brandy
the birthplace of Somerset
Thorney
t
re
ar
rP
ve
Ri
River Isle
❷
Midelney
❸
West Moor
❶
Lower Burrow
Burrow HIll
Farm
❺
Stembridge
❹
The Walk
Kingsbury
Episcopi
on a typical
takes a breather
Badger poses and th on the walk
tpa
foo
Southay
East
Lambrook
❻
Distance 4 to 10 miles
Signpost directing you across
the many
orchards in the area
Minimum time up to 4 hr
Level of difficulty easy
Refreshments food & drink available at pubs and a tea room
Parking on street
Public Toilets none
The Imposing Church of St Mar
tins at
Kingsbur y Episcopi
Badger takes -two villages on
the edge of the Somerset Levels
This walk is flat and easy, but can be very
muddy in bad weather so take those
“wellies” with you.The full walk is about
9 miles and will take about 4 hours or
this can be shortened to about 4 miles,
a circular walk taking in the villages of
Kingsbury Episcopi, Stembridge and East
Lambrook - see map for details.
THE WALK
From the Wyndham Arms in Kingsbury
Episcopi, 1, turn left along Silver Street
and bear left to West End.Turn left just
before a thatched cottage to follow a
narrow, enclosed path between a farm
yard and another thatched house. Cross
a stile and walk ahead to reach a stile
in the hedge opposite.Turn right along
Hutchins Drove and follow the track as
it turns right and then left. At a crossing
track turn right to cross a bridge and
continue to a crossing path.Turn left and
walk through two fields.Turn right to
reach a road and left towards Thorney
Bridge, 2.
Just before the bridge turn left and
follow the raised bank of the River
Parrett for over a kilometre to the
pumping station.Turn left, walk past the
buildings and cross a bridge.Turn left
along Southmoor Main Drain for almost
a kilometre to Midelney Bridge. Cross
the bridge and turn right to follow firstly
the River Isle and then the Westport
Canal to Westmoor Bridge at 3.
Turn left along the road to reach Burrow
Hill Farm. Go through the double gates
just past the farm entrance and cross a
field to a gate opposite. Go through a gate
on the left and keep the hedge on your
left to cross a bridge.Turn right and follow
the hedge uphill. At the top go through a
gate on the right and bear left to cross a
double stile.Turn right along a path that
skirts around Burrow Hill. Climb to the
top of the hill to admire the view at 4.
turn left. Cross a road and continue into
East Lambrook, pass the pub and Manor
Gardens. At the end of the village turn
left through a kissing gate at 6.
1950s by the late Margery Fish and are
full of rare and unusual plants.The 17th
century malthouse now houses a tea
room and gift shop.
Walk with the River Parrett on your left
through two fields. Cross the second
bridge and keep the river on the right
through two fields to reach a road
at Gawbridge Mill.Turn right and at a
junction turn left.
Burrow Hill Cider & Somerset
Distillery
Now descend to the road and turn left.
Pass Burrow Hill Cider and continue to
pass a cottage on the right, 5.
In 30 metres turn right over a stile.Turn
left and walk along the field edge. At
the end of the field turn right and soon
cross a stile on the left. Cross to a stile
straight ahead and keep the river on the
right to reach a footbridge. Keep to the
right hand side of a field to reach a kissing gate, then follow an enclosed path to
the village street.Turn left to return to
the Wyndham Arms, 1.
For the short walk cross a stile on the
left and cross a field to a track beside
a bungalow leading to a road.Turn
left, then right beside Rose Villa signed
Church Path.Walk across two fields and
cross a double stile on the left. Follow
the field edge to a track and continue
ahead. Cross a road and walk across five
fields and along a track to return to the
Wyndham Arms.
For the full walk go right through a gate
and walk through two fields. Cross a
stile and follow the hedge on the right
for 30 metres, cross a stile and walk to
the road.Turn left and after 50 metres
turn right through double gates and
walk through three fields. Cross a stile
and walk half left to a gate at the top left
hand corner of a large field.Turn right
along a track and at a crossing track
PLACES OF INTEREST
This farm is famous for producing the
famous Cider Brandy. In 1989 Somerset
Cider Brandy was awarded the first full
cider distilling licence in recorded history.
Cider has been sold here for 150 years
and is produced from 40 varieties of apple
all grown locally. In all over 100 varieties
are grown in the traditional orchards
around the site.There is also a shop
selling the famous brandy and ciders.
Muchelney
The village of Muchelney is near
Kingsbury - famous for the ruins of the
Abbey but also the the potter John Leach
whose shop is open all the year round.
Kingsbury Episcopi
FOOD and DRINK
While in Kingsbury take a look at
the Church of St Martin which dates
from the 14th century, built of local
Hamstone it has an imposing 99ft tower
and dominates the village.
Their are two excellent pubs on the
route both serving excellent food and
drink,The Wyndham Arms in Kingsbury
and The Rose and Crown at East
Lambrook - for Real Ale drinkers the
Wyndham Arms serve an excellent
choice of about 4 ales - perhaps after
visiting this establishment the shorter
walk may be more appropriate.There
is also an excellent tea room at the
gardens at East Lambrook
East Lambrook
East Lambrook Manor’s Grade 1 listed
gardens are internationally known as The
Home of English Cottage Gardening.
They were created in the 1940s and
Character
Graphics Ltd
looking for...
innovativedesign
qualityprint
precisefinishing
...call us
S merset
what’s on
we design and publish the
magazine you are reading
places to go
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01823
279008 www.charactergraphics.co.uk
ST. MARY’S CHURCH
so much to see
SPRING2012 / ISSUE 19
Somerset
Weddings
plan your special day in
our beautiful county!
Inside
CRICKET SEASON PREVIEW
BROWN AND FORREST REVIEW
SOMERSET LEVELS WALK
TAUNTON
SAT 21ST APRIL 2012
Design & Artwork • Litho Print • High Spec Digital Print • Finishing • Posters & Leaflets • Exhibition Stands • Mailing Solutions
CONCERT: 7:00PM – CARRIAGES: 10PM
A wonderful opportunity to hear
international musicians led by
Exmoor based Tamsin Waley-Cohen
on violin together with Bartholomew
LaFollette on cello and Tom Poster
on piano.
ST. MARY’S CHURCH, TAUNTON
SAT 21st APRIL 2012
CONCERT: 7 :00PM – CARRIAGES: 1 0PM
REFRESHMENTS IN THE INTERVAL
ENTRANCE IS FREE
Donations are most welcome.
To reserve your seats please email
events@gocommando.org.uk
The Honeymead Ensemble are returning to St Mary’s
Church by popular demand following their superb
performance last year
A wonderful opportunity to hearinternational musicians
led by Exmoor based Tamsin Waley-Cohen on violin
together with Bartholomew LaFollette on cello and
Tom Poster on piano.
ENTRANCE IS FREE
Donations are most welcome.
To reserve your seats please email
events@gocommando.org.uk
35

Somerset Weddings - What`s On Somerset

Transcription

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