Somerset Life (March 2024)

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Year: 2024

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YOUR ESSENTIAL MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE COUNTY

Bake Off’s Briony

escapes to the country
at the Bath & West
Food Festival

somersetlifemagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024

GLASTONBURY’S
MasterChef at
the Queen of Cups

Foodie treats for
MOTHER’S DAY
Plus: Bottomless
blow-dries in
TAUNTON

Women hitting the

HEIGHTS of

SUCCESS
* Britain’s pioneering hot air balloonist
* Weston-super-Mare’s female tram driver
* Bridgwater’s wedding celebrant
* Fabulous Formica furniture goes Stateside

£4.50

March 2024

Somerset Life

March 2024

Somerset Life

WELCOME
from the editor
PHOTO:GRAHAMTROTT2023.

e’ve made it! The month of March is joyfully
here and with it comes the oicial start of
spring and the beginning of British summer
time. Not only do we see an improvement
in the weather and the length of our days; but we also
have two opportunities to celebrate the women in our
lives this month – so pop the champers on ice and enjoy
the merriment of March!
The irst day for charging your glasses is Friday
March 8 because it is International Women’s Day. By
acknowledging how women have made, and continue
to make, a positive change to our world, this annual
occasion gives us the opportune moment to celebrate the
incredible achievements of women from across our county
too. Obviously, it goes without saying that Somerset is
bursting with ‘Wonder Women’ so we’ve decided to cherry
pick some personalities from both our past and present
and share their stories with you.
Enjoy stepping into the historical worlds of Britain’s
irst female hot air balloon pilot and England’s irst female
tram driver; these two were certainly lying the lag for
Bath and Weston-super-Mare. And then, to honour the
women who are shining a light on Somerset today, not
only do we have a round-up of inspirational women from
our local business world, but we are also delighted to chat
with British designer Lucy Turner and TV presenter and
Great British Bake Of semi-inalist Briony May Williams.
Their talent and admirable tenacity has seen them
take their work abroad but as their interviews divulge,
they are both still irmly rooted to our glorious corner
of the West Country.
Speaking of talent, we certainly can’t forget the women
of the future either. Join us in conversation with 12-yearold Belinda Giford-Guy from Wells, who was recently
announced as the BBC Young Chorister of the Year,
what a superstar.
Your second opportunity for the chinking of glasses
this month is of course for Mother’s Day on March 10.
Whether you’re looking forward to being treated by your
loved ones or searching for some inspiration for spoiling
your own marvellous matriarch, we have sourced the
insider knowledge on the county’s top 25 tables. We’ve got
the low-down on the best spots for afternoon tea, dinner

Rachel Mead. Editor, Somerset Life

with a view, and even Michelin-rated restaurants – all
tastes (and budgets) are catered for. Or, if you prefer to
honour the day with some home baking instead, turn
to page 25 where you’ll ind Briony has kindly given us
a cake recipe which I think even I can conidently whip
up. (Spoiler alert, sorry Mum!)
And inally, for all you fellow lovers of the outdoors,
not only are we are inviting you to join us on our guided
walk of Mells but we are also recommending a visit
to the RSPB’s Ham Wall where the wetland wildlife
of the Avalon Marshes is awakening to the sound of
glorious bird song. Somerset is blessed with just shy of
4,000 miles of footpaths so perhaps I can also tempt
you to wander up Glastonbury Tor this March? You
can revel in the incredible views across our county
whilst enjoying the sight of playful newborn lambs who
joyfully signify that spring is most certainly in the air.
Enjoy your celebrations and your explorations
Rachel x
Email rachel.mead@newsquest.co.uk
@somersetlifemagazine
Somerset Life Magazine

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Somerset Life

Kate Robinson

Malcolm Rigby

Angharad Paull

In her role as scribe
to the spaniel
of satire, Kate is
the mouthpiece
for Cadbury
and his monthly
observations. P164

A trip to The
Quantocks uncovers
some curious tales
of moaning giants
and murder most foul
from the village of
Nether Stowey. P58

Enjoy top restaurant
picks with enviable
views in Bristol and
head to our pick of
great places where
children will be
entertained. P38 & 76

March 2024

INSIDE
March 2024

PHOTO:ZZZONESTUDIO

Lucy Turner Modern Marquetry is taking her Somerset designs to the States this April

10 58 68 104
FLYING HIGH
INTO HISTORY

DISCOVERING
NETHER STOWEY

300 YEARS OF
STOURHEAD WOMEN

FABULOUS
FORMICA

By Sally Smith
Let’s head back to the 1800s
and unveil the remarkable true
story of the daring Somerset
adventurer who astonished
society by becoming the irst
woman in Britain to ly solo in
a hot air balloon.

By Malcolm Rigby
In the latest of our Village Life
explorations across the county
we’re of to the Quantocks to
learn about a celebrated poet,
a cave-dwelling moaning
giant and a somewhat grisly
murder...

By Natasha Hopkins
Nestled on the Somerset/
Wiltshire border is the
Stourhead Estate. We look at
some of the women who have
made this esteemed property
their home over the past three
centuries.

By Rachel Mead
A stalwart of the 1960s
home, Formica is now an
instrumental part of North
Somerset-based Lucy Turner’s
Modern Marquetry – which is
enjoying growing international
success in the furniture world.

March 2024

Somerset Life

PLUS
26

MasterChef the
Professionals
We review the Queen of Cups
after chef’s TV success

Top Tables
Eight of the best restaurants
with knock-out city views

PHOTOQUEENOFCUPS

40 Time for tea
Who will play Mother at these
Top 12 afternoon tea spots?

ONLY THE VERY BEST

Sport
Rugby, football and
roller derby ixtures

In perfect harmony
Meet the BBC Young
Chorister of the Year

Night out?
Enjoy an evening out at one
of these Somerset events

Get Arty
Emma Bovill focuses on
the county’s sculptures

History Book
Somerset’s unsung women

Family Fun
Inspiration for entertaining
the kids or grandchildren

Racing Times
As excitement builds for
Cheltenham, we chat to
trainer Paul Nicholls

By Andrea Cowan
It’s Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day this month,
so celebrate at these go-to Michelin-rated restaurants.

BRIONY BAKES AT
THE BATH & WEST

PHOTOCIARAHILLYER

By Rachel Mead
There’s a new foodie festival
in the county this month. Join
Great British Bake Of’s Briony
as she gets cooking in the
Farmhouse Kitchen.

GOING TO THE
DARK SIDE

By Simone Stanbrook-Byrne
We meet the female Morris
dancers who are the very
embodiment of Somerset’s
enigmatic prehistory and all its
ancient myths.

128 Prime Cut
Meet the family behind
an award-winning Taunton
hairdressing salon

ON THE COVER

YOUR ESSENTIAL MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE COUNTY

Bake Off’s Briony

SOMERSET
LANDSCAPES

By Hannah Richell
International best-selling
author Hannah takes us
behind the scenes of her latest
novel and divulges how our
county’s landscape features in
her work.

Somerset Life

escapes to the country
at the Bath & West
Food Festival

somersetlifemagazine.co.uk MARCH 2024

GLASTONBURY’S
MasterChef at
The Queen of Cups

Foodie treats for
MOTHER’S DAY
Plus: Bottomless
blow-dries in
TAUNTON

Women hitting the

HEIGHTS of

SUCCESS
* Britain’s pioneering hot air balloonist
* Weston-super-Mare’s female tram driver
* Bridgwater’s wedding celebrant
* Fabulous Formica furniture goes Stateside

£4.50

Celebrating the arrival of spring
in Somerset with this spectacular
shot of newborn lambs at the
foot of Glastonbury Tor
Photo: Xen0phile, Getty

March 2024

somersetlifemagazine.co.uk

EDITOR
Rachel Mead
07966 257363
rachel.mead@newsquest.co.uk
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owen.jones@newsquest.co.uk
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Published in Somerset by Newsquest Media
Group. Registered oice 1st Floor, Chartist
Tower, Upper Dock Street, Newport, Wales,
NP20 1DW. Printed by Acorn Web Offset Ltd,
Normanton Industrial Estate, Loscoe Close,
Normanton WF6 1TW. Somerset Life adheres
to the Editors’ Code of Practice (which you can ind at pcc.org.uk/cop/practice.
html). We are regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
Complaints about stories should be referred irstly to the Editor by email
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should use the “report this post” function online next to the comment.

March 2024

Somerset Life

March 2024

Margaret Graham

WORDS:

This Somerset woman had certainly
shown the world that women could ly!

above:

left:

March 2024

Somerset Life

FOOD & DRINK
Celebrating the amazing tastes of Somerset
BAKING & BRIE

MASTERCHEF MAGIC

THE BEST OF THE BEST

We chat with GBBO semi-inalist
Briony May Williams

We review Glastonbury’s acclaimed
Queen of Cups restaurant

Fine dining awaits at Somerset’s
Michelin-rated restaurants

ESCAPE TO THE COTLEY

PHOTO:THECOTLEYINN

Nestled in amongst the stunning scenery of the Blackdown
Hills, a warm welcome awaits all at The Cotley Inn. With
roaring ires in the winter and a sun-soaked garden in the
summer, this truly is a venue for all seasons. The Cotley
Inn prides itself on serving award winning, locally sourced
dishes, and has a carefully curated and imaginative bar
menu. With two cosy and luxurious double rooms and
two elegant suites sleeping up to four, this really is the
perfect base for any country escape.
01460 62348 cotleyinnwambrook.co.uk

Somerset Life

March 2024

BRIONY MAY WILLIAMS

CHATTING
CHEESE
with
BAKE OFF
BRIONY
As we welcome the irst ever
Bath & West Food & Drink Festival
and The British Cheese Awards to the
county, Rachel Mead catches up with
TV presenter and Great British Bake Of
contestant BRIONY MAY WILLIAMS
who will be headlining the event

March 2024

Somerset Life

PHOTO:CIARAHILLYER

BRIONY MAY WILLIAMS

‘O

oo I do love Somerset Brie, so much so that I don’t
even bother putting it on a cracker!’ TV presenter
and Great British Bake Of semi-inalist Briony
May Williams is soon to grace the Farmhouse
Kitchen Stage at the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival this
month – and with this particular event also playing host to
the 28th British Cheese Awards, we ind ourselves laughing
that despite never meeting before, we have, within minutes,
formed a Somerset cheese appreciation club. ‘Somerset just
makes such a cracking brie, doesn’t it? I mean, it hardly
makes it out the wrapper before I’m chowing it down –
I love it!’ Briony’s giggle and sunny disposition are infectious
and it’s easy to see how her transition from teacher to TV
presenter was a natural move for this proud Bristolian. ‘I
taught French and Spanish to the boys at Queen Elizabeth’s
Hospital school in Bristol, I absolutely loved it, but after
having my daughter Nora, I knew that I wanted to stay at
home with her for as long as possible. It was during this
time that I found myself baking – my irst cakes were
awful mind you!’
After receiving several orders for birthday cakes from
her wider family and friends Briony realised that baking
had a calming efect on her, and so thought she’d apply for
Bake Of, ‘it was a huge surprise and a wonderful experience
to be in the tent for as long as I was – and it changed the

above: The British Cheese Awards will entice
all visitors to sample a variety of cheeses,
including Somerset Brie. Photo: Getty
right: The Gloucester Old Spot pub is a favourite
location for the screening of the Great British
Bake Off inals each year. Photo: Amy Devenish

March 2024

direction of my life. In fact, during my time in the tent,
one of the crew, Giorgia, said to me: “You’ll never teach
again!” and then I caught up with her again recently and
she said, “I told you!”.’
That’s not to say that everything landed in Briony’s lap
since she became a semi-inalist in the 2018 hit baking show.
‘Immediately after inishing the show, I was approached
by an agent but after six months they dumped me! I was
absolutely heartbroken. But then I got back in touch with
another agent I had met along the way, and it was all a
blessing in disguise. I absolutely believe that everything
happens for a reason and my new agent Andrew treats
everyone with respect. Plus, he’s a huge advocate for
promoting disability which aligns with me.’
Briony was born with a congenital upper limb diference,
known afectionately by Briony as ‘my little hand’; she
doesn’t shy away from talking about it, but equally she
doesn’t wish to be deined by it either, ‘During my time
in Bake Of I asked them not to highlight it, I wanted to
be there solely for my baking skills and to show that you
can just get on and ind your own way to do things even if
you do have a limb diference. But now I am proud to be
working with charities and using my contacts in TV to help
raise awareness. There has been a lack of representation on
TV and since I’ve been on screen, I’ve had messages from
parents with children who have hands like mine thanking
me for just getting on with it.’
Since her success on GBBO, Briony now regularly graces
our screens as a presenter on BBC One’s Morning Live
and Escape to the Country, as well as Channel 4’s Food
Unwrapped. ‘Food Unwrapped is amazing; I’ve ilmed
on location, being sent to Germany, Sweden, Norway – in
fact they’ve sent me everywhere where I don’t speak the

Somerset Life

PHOTO:BRIONYMAYWILLIAMS

‘Somerset just makes such a
cracking brie, doesn’t it?’
language!’ With the show busting food myths and getting
behind the scenes as to how kitchen cupboard staples are
made, Briony can often be uncovering unusual secrets
behind the food we eat: ‘I’ve deinitely learned so much
random stuf – but it’s a real joy!’ And with this experience
under her belt, it wasn’t long before she found herself talking
with the executives at the BBC about a possible presenting
job at Escape to the Country. ‘They asked me to record an
episode to see how it would go and I absolutely loved it!
The irst couple I met had been living on a canal boat and
they wanted to move to Somerset to be near their family
in Portishead so we were ilming in Uphill. They are just
the sweetest couple and after ilming that episode I really
wanted the job! I think this show brings out my strengths;
I love talking to people and helping people moving house
is a big deal so I really enjoy it.’
It’s no surprise then that Briony kept in touch with
the couple after the show, welcoming them to their new
Somerset house with a home-made cake. ‘You are genuinely
seeing people uprooting their lives and moving house or
relocating to a new area and I feel privileged to be able to
help people through this stage in their lives. It was lush
to catch up, sit in their garden and see them settling into
their new home.’
House hunting aside, Briony’s other regular slot on our
screens is on BBC One’s Morning Live. Joining Gethin
Jones and Helen Skelton, Briony makes VT’s (short ilms)
which can vary from baking a baked bean cake – ‘ it was

Somerset Life

a real challenge to make but it was delicious!’ – or focus
on more serious issues such as limb diference, ‘it was an
emotional ilm to make, but I put the idea forward and it
was an absolute joy to make. Representation matters, and
it’s an incredibly special community and right now, I feel
very lucky to be a part of it.’
In addition to her TV work, Briony is also a proud
ambassador for the charity Reach, which provides support
for children with upper limb diferences. ‘They were an
incredible support for my Mum when I was a kid. So, every
year I go along to their family event, and I’ll do a baking
demo.’ Closer to home, Briony is also an ambassador for
Paul’s Place, and Mind, two charities based in Bristol. ‘I’m
born and bred here; I am a very proud Bristolian, and I am
forever grateful for the support that the South West has
given me. Everyone was behind me during my time on
GBBO and it meant the absolute world.’
With so many family and friends wanting to watch Briony
on TV during her time on the GBBO, she approached her
local pub, The Gloucester Old Spot, which agreed to put
the show on the big screen so her family could all watch it
together. ‘In the end we used to get about 50 people turn
up for each airing, so I started baking what I was making
on that week’s show so that everyone could taste it as they
watched me on the telly!’ Since then, the TV production
company behind GBBO, Love Productions, hire the marquee
at the pub to celebrate the inal of every season. ‘It’s been
amazing, we’ve celebrated fellow Bristolians Giuseppe

March 2024

BRIONY MAY WILLIAMS

above: Andy Clarke will be hosting a Q&A with Briony at this
year’s Bath & West Food & Drink Festival. Photo: Dave McMeakin

Dell’Anno winning his series of GBBO and Tasha Stones
from the latest series too. That’s the thing with living in
Bristol, everyone is so supportive. I’ll never forget it when I
got hollered at by a bloke on some scafolding in Westburyon-Trym: “Oi! Briony! I bloody loved you on Bake Of!”.’
Carol Paris who is the chief executive of the Royal Bath
& West of England Society is very excited for Briony to be a
key part at the forthcoming festival: ‘We’re delighted to have
Briony opening this stage for the very irst time, bringing
her humour, warmth and exceptional baking skills to the
show. As one of the most recognisable faces on TV and a West
Country treasure, Briony will be sure to get our celebration
of the region’s food and drink going in the right direction!’
Briony is set to be joined by celebrity guests such as Andy
Clarke, Nigel Barden and George Egg, and attendees can
expect to hear top foodie tips as well as topical discussions
such as how to eat on a budget, and sustainability within
the drinks industry. Running alongside the talks and food
demos will be the British Cheese Awards. Now in their 28th
year the awards recognise and promote excellence in the
wide diversity of cheeses produced throughout the UK. And
with over 500 entries, there will be much competition for
these prestigious awards including many entrants from
our very own county.
‘We love cooking with local ingredients in our household
and you already know how much I love a Somerset brie!’
laughs Briony, ‘But in all seriousness, the Bath & West
Food & Drink Festival is a great way for local producers
to showcase their food and drink, and for people to try
something new. My husband and I have always loved a
food festival, in fact even the day before our wedding we
were wandering through a local food festival, enjoying a
bottle of red on the go and sampling all the fantastic food.
Who needs wedding stress when you’ve got a food festival
to explore?! The Bath & West Food & Drink Festival will
be a brilliant family day out too, and if you’re anything like
my husband and daughter you’ll ind something delicious
like Somerset Charcuterie and then you’ll make it a weekly
staple! We love nothing more than chowing down a cured
meats and local cheese board!’
The Bath & West Food & Drink Festival will take
place at The Bath & West Showground near Shepton
Mallet from March 23-24. Tickets are available to
purchase from bathandwest.com/tickets

March 2024

Somerset Life

Briony’s
Apple
Crumble
Cake
INGREDIENTS
Sponge
200g unsalted butter, softened
200g golden caster sugar
4 medium eggs
200g self raising lour
50g custard powder
2 apples (I used British Jazz)
1 tsp cinnamon

Crumble Topping
150g self raising lour
100g unsalted butter, cold
100g golden caster sugar
50g oats
50g demerara sugar

METHOD
1: Oven on to 180C. Grease
and line a brownie tin.
2: Core the apples (no
need to peel) then inely
slice. Place in a bowl, add
cinnamon and mix so that
all the slices are covered.
3: Make the crumble
topping. Cut the cold butter
into small cubes then, in a
mixing bowl, rub into the
lour until it resembles bread
crumbs. Mix through the
sugar and oats. Set aside.
4: Make the sponge. Beat the
butter until light and luffy
then add the sugar and beat
until smooth. Add 2 eggs,
beat, add half the lour and
the custard powder, beat then
repeat. Add the sliced apples
and fold through the batter
until they are well distributed.
5: Pour the sponge batter
into the prepared tin and
smooth down the top. Pour
the crumble topping over the
sponge then sprinkle on the
demerara sugar. Bake for
40-45 minutes until a skewer
comes out clean. Serve
warm with custard or ice
cream or store in an airtight
container for up to a week.

Somerset Life

March 2024

The Queen of Cups
The name ‘Queen of Cups’ originates from the art of
Tarot Card reading – an homage to the mystical history of
Glastonbury which still lives on in this iconic town today.
The character symbolises feminine energy, emotional
connection and compassion – all of which make up the
ethos and heart of this award-winning restaurant
WORDS:

March 2024

Emma Dance

Somerset Life

DINING OUT

lastonbury is famous for many
things – the Tor, the Abbey, the
Holy Thorn, its quirky shops, the
legend of King Arthur, not to
mention the world-famous music festival
that takes place just down the road. It’s not,
however, generally thought of as a foodie
destination – although that’s starting to
change thanks to the talents of Ayesha Kalaji,
executive chef and co-founder of the Queen
of Cups on Northload Street.
In 2022 Ayesha was named as winner
of the Middle Eastern Food of the Year
category at the BIH Spotlight Awards, which
celebrate and recognise exceptional talent
and achievement from Black, Asian, and
ethnic minorities working within hospitality,
food, and drink.
The Queen of Cups went on to be awarded
a Bib Gourmand in the 2023 Michelin Guide
and was shortlisted for ‘best newcomer’ at
the Estrella Damm Top 100 Gastropubs
2023. Then, at the end of last year, the 17thcentury pub turned modern Middle Eastern
restaurant was thrust into the spotlight when
Ayesha appeared on BBC 1’s MasterChef: The
Professionals, where she was described as a
‘ray of sunshine’ by judge Marcus Wareing.

You don’t have to be in the restaurant
long to see what Marcus meant. Throughout
service Ayesha stands at the pass, in full view
of the diners, checking each dish before it is
served, praising her team as beautiful plateful
after beautiful plateful is whisked away to the
tables of hungry diners. She exudes a kind of
positive energy, and no matter how quickly
the orders come looding in she remains calm
and in control, a smile on her face, and not
a sign of a smudge on her perfectly applied
dramatic eyeliner. And the orders really do
come thick and fast. With the dishes designed
for sharing, there’s an almost constant low
of perfectly-presented plates being delivered
to each table, and judging by the volume of
food coming out of the kitchen it seems that
everyone has had as much trouble narrowing
down their choices as we did.
Ayesha has created a triumphant menu
of dishes inspired by her Middle Eastern
roots, incorporating locally sourced produce
alongside more exotic and unfamiliar spices
and ingredients.
There’s a selection of nibbles and dips,
then a list of dishes, some of which are
more of a starter size, and the inal few more
like a main.
>

above:

A unique and cosy
vibe awaits inside
the Queen of Cups
right:

Ayesha Kajali’s
dishes are inspired
by her middle
Eastern roots.
Photos: Kate Field

Somerset Life

March 2024

LA LABEL (RIGHT)

left:

Creativity can be
found on the walls as
well as your plate.
Photo: Kate Field

below:

Your sharing plates
are created by the
talented executive
chef and co-founder,
Ayesha Kalaji.
Photo: Vicki Steward

‘Every dish that we tried at the Queen
of Cups was clever and creative, but
also comforting and full of heart’
We start our feast with a khobz tannour and Iraqi pita bread, with a harissa pumpkin
dip. The bread is sublime – the polar opposite
to the dry, cardboard-y supermarket pitas.
It’s enormous, but also light and lufy, with
lightly blistered bubbles that add a delightful
smokiness. Coupled with the sweet freshness
of the dip which has just enough harissa to
set the tastebuds alight, it’s just perfect and
I’m genuinely quite sad when it’s inished.
I’m instantly cheered though when the next
dishes arrive. Sahaweq spiced Jerusalem
artichokes with pickled foraged mushrooms,
whipped Westcombe ricotta and smoked
almonds are a revelation. The artichokes are
crisp on the outside, lufy and soft inside
and the spicing enhances their natural sweet
nuttiness perfectly. The ricotta is cool and
smooth and creamy, while the pickling on
the mushrooms adds a burst of sharpness
to cut through it all. It’s a masterclass in
balancing lavours and the kind of dish that
you just can’t quite leave alone. The seasonal
merguez on the day we visited were a beef
sausage, served with a horseradish tahini.
Horseradish and tahini might not seem like
a natural match, but Ayesha has worked her
magic and the result is a something beautiful
and creamy that starts with the warm
toastiness of sesame and inishes with just
a tickle of horseradish heat. It’s a very clever
28

March 2024

little dish and I slightly lament not saving a
sliver of my pita to mop up the tahini. Grilled
Nabulsi cheese with Persian black lime honey
and oregano is, we are told, the most ordered
dish on the menu. The cheese is similar to a
halloumi and comes swimming in a pool of
thick dark honey. It’s undoubtedly sweet for
a savoury dish, but the hint of bitter lime and
the saltiness of the cheese just pulls it back
from the brink of being too sweet.
Our main course is crispy hogget,
kamouneh spiced heart skewer, celeriac
puree, green shatta and bitter leaves. The
hogget comes served as a perfect golden
nugget with the soft, succulent meat encased
in a wonderful crunchy coating. I can be
squeamish about ofal at times, but not here.
The heart is cooked just right so it has an
almost steak-like texture, but with a slightly
game-y lavour, and the puree is silky smooth.
The shatta (a sort of Middle Eastern relish
made with chillies and herbs) is bright and
fresh and zingy and a wonderful antidote to
the richness of the rest of the dish. Of course
we can’t resist ordering pudding too. Tonka
and orange blossom creme mousseline is
decadently creamy and more-ish. There’s
texture from a sprinkle of pistachio brittle,
while kumquats in syrup, and hibiscus
poached quince lighten the plate with sweet
juiciness. Dark chocolate and Persian lime

cremeaux is rich and just the right side of
bitter. It’s brought alive with a refreshing lime
sorbet, while the marshmallows lavoured
with the warm spiciness of cardamom are
little cubes of genius.
Every dish that we tried at the Queen
of Cups was clever and creative, but also
comforting and full of heart. It’s food that
makes you smile, and really, what more could
you want?
queenofcups.co.uk

Somerset Life

March 2024

of the
best
Michelin-rated
restaurants
Forget all thoughts of doing the washing up this
Mother’s Day and spoil your leading lady with
a table at one of these top picks. How better to
celebrate the women in your life this International
Women’s Day than by booking a table at one of
Somerset’s Michelin-rated restaurants...
COLL ATED BY:

Andrea Cowan

HOLM
Modern British

THE LAZY LOBSTER
Seafood

Holm, which opened in November
2021, is run by co-founder and chef
director Nicholas Balfe.
The dining destination sits on a
large quarter acre plot in the heart
of South Petherton village, with the
restaurant, terrace and landscaped
kitchen garden.
The recent opening of seven en-suite
bedrooms follows a major renovation
project to turn it into a destination
restaurant with rooms.
The Michelin Guide says: ‘There’s
something special about this former
bank, with its impressive architecture
and delightful village setting. Seasonal
ingredients feature on a range of
menus and appealing local drinks
accompany. Sit in the spacious dining
room with its distressed designer style
or bag a spot at the kitchen counter.’

The Lazy Lobster opened in Chew
Magna in December 2018, the result
of a holiday dream by husband and
wife, team Don and Donna.
The menu is fresh and creative with
small tapas dishes and weekly seafood
specials including grilled John Dory,
crab and leek crumble, Cornish plaice
and whole dressed Brixham crab. The
seafood is delivered daily by Conscious
Food Co, considered Bristol’s number
one sustainable seafood supplier.
‘A char ming loca l couple
transformed the old high street
hairdressers into this lovely little
seafood restaurant complete with a
wet ish counter. Choose from shellish
platters or small plates ranging from
the classic to the adventurous. The
great drinks list includes gin from
their son’s onsite distillery.’

March 2024

THE THREE HORSESHOES

PHOTO:EDSCHOFIELD

Traditional British
Located in Batcombe, the recently
opened pub has acclaimed chef Margot
Henderson OBE at the helm. Together
with head chef Nye Smith, the duo
have devised an unpretentious, ieldto-fork menu driven by seasonal
ingredients from their local suppliers.
‘Large ireplaces, stone loors and
whitewashed walls feature inside
this renovated 17C pub. The pared-

back décor is joined by similarly
straightforward and equally appealing
cooking that includes hearty dishes
like rabbit pie and mince on toast.
This approach allows the ingredients
to speak for themselves, with local
Somerset produce a feature. Five
bedrooms add to the inn’s appeal,
as do an attractive terrace and small
walled garden.’

FINE DINING

Root Wells,
Wells

PHOTO:ROOTWELLS

Vegetarian,
Modern Cuisine
This is the sister restaurant to the
popular Root Bristol, owned by Josh
Eggleton, Luke Hasell, head chef Rob
Howell and his wife Megan Oakley.
Although the majority of dishes are
vegetarian, there are a couple of meat
and ish options, sourced sustainably
and locally.
‘The views of Wells Cathedral alone
are enough to attract anyone here, but
add in an appealing ‘veg-led’ menu of
small plates, great prices and eagerto-please service, and you have a
restaurant we’d all like to have on
our doorstep. Ask for the fried cheese
pufs while you decide what else to
order; the kitchen lets the ingredients
really shine and the desserts are
particularly good.’

PHOTO:FAYDITPHOTOGRAPHY

LOCANDA ON
THE WEIR
Italian contemporary
You’ll struggle to ind a more glorious
setting for a restaurant, surrounded
by sea, moor and ancient woodlands.
‘Set overlooking the 15C harbour
at Porlock Weir, this relaxed, slightly
quirky restaurant with rooms has just
ive tables. You’ll be warmly greeted
by manager Cindy, as well as chef Pio,
who hails from Naples and brings
inluences from his upbringing to
the daily ive course tasting menu.
Modern Italian dishes champion
the produce of Exmoor, with some
ingredients either foraged or grown
in the garden. Pio’s cooking is creative
and full of lavour, but at times takes
an unfussy approach to allow the
natural ingredients to shine.’

All restaurant descriptions are included with kind permission
of the Michelin Guide: guide.michelin.com
32

March 2024

Somerset Life

March 2024

Somerset Life

CITY LIFE
Bath | Bristol | Wells
CONSUME WITH A VIEW

SIT ON THE SIDELINES

Our pick of the best restaurants
to look out from in Bristol

Experience the action with these
sporting events in Bath

PHOTO:DEMILANG

BUBBLES, TEA & CAKE
Celebrate the women in your life
with 12 top spots for a cuppa

ART AND ARCHITECTURE
Martock Gallery is delighted to be working with Demi Lang, an artist
and illustrator who has a particular passion for beautiful architecture.
Specialising in creating incredibly detailed architectural drawings,
Demi obsesses over every detail of her work which inely depicts both
local and international architecture. Demi’s work has been framed
by Martock Gallery and her original pieces and limited editions,

Somerset Life

including the wonderfully detailed City of Bath, hand-embellished
in gold leaf, can be viewed and purchased from the Gallery.
Demi’s irst book about drawing architecture is being released
this spring. martockgallery.co.uk
Martock Gallery
martockgallery

March 2024

BRISTOL

A
FEAST
for the
EYES
Eight great tables
with a view in Bristol
WORDS:

March 2024

Angharad Paull

360 CAFÉ AT CLIFTON
OBSERVATORY
During its lifetime, the site of Clifton
Observatory has seen various
incarnations – an Iron Age hill fort,
an 18th century windmill, and since
1828, one of only three working camera
obscuras in the UK. Nowadays, the 360
Café and rooftop terrace treat visitors
in search of indulgently-topped hot
chocolates, afternoon teas, cocktails
and cake to sensational panoramic
views of Brunel’s gorge-spanning
Clifton Suspension Bridge and the
Somerset hills. Sunsets from here don’t
get much dreamier. The observatory
also hides a ‘Giant’s Cave’ 27 metres
below, reached (for a small fee) via a
narrow tunnel which leads to a balcony
halfway down the clif face.
cliftonobservatory.com

Somerset Life

PHOTO:GRAINBARGE

GRAIN BARGE
This historic converted 1930s barge
started life carrying barley and wheat
from Bristol to Cardiff across the
Severn Estuary. These days it’s moored
in Hotwells, across the water from
Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Run by Bristol
Beer Factory, you’ll ind an extensive
range of lavoursome craft beers, local
ciders and wines on board, the perfect

accompaniment to sustainable seafood,
mains, small plates, and Sunday roasts
(using seasonal produce from their own
Five Acre Farm in Backwell). Grab a table
below deck to watch river life glide past
on the Floating Harbour, or sit atop the
al fresco drinking deck to soak up the
springtime sun as well as life on the water.
grainbarge.com

PHOTO:TIMWINTER

THE WHITE LION
BAR,
HOTEL DU VIN
Hugging the edge of the Avon Gorge,
Hotel du Vin’s White Lion Bar holds
prime position for gazing at Clifton
Suspension Bridge, dramatic gorge
clifsides and distant Mendip hills.
With its sun-trap whopper of a
terrace, it’s particularly perfect on
a warm spring day – even more so
should hot air balloons be loating
overhead from their Ashton Court
launch site. Tuck into gastropub
food while admiring one of the city’s
most iconic sights, or if you’re looking
for something a teensy bit swankier,
the hotel’s Goram & Vincent
eatery next door shares the same
stunning view.
hotelduvin.com

Somerset Life

March 2024

MUD DOCK
Mud Dock opened as a bike shop and a
café back in 1994 and has been a staple
of the Bristol dining scene for almost 30
years. Downstairs you’ll ind a range of
bicycles, cycling gear, and accessories
catering to both enthusiasts and casual
riders, while upstairs is a restaurant with
outside dining terrace and harbourside

views. The assortment of bikes suspended
from the ceiling continues the biking
theme, but the eatery is aimed at more
than just Lycra-wearing, two-wheel
aicionados. It’s a popular dockside
hangout for visitors after tapas, meze
and grill dishes on the water’s edge.
mud-dock.co.uk

BRISTOL

PHOTO:CHRISCOOPERSHOTAWAY

THE COTTAGE INN
Dating back to 1868 and sporting
some stupendous Harbourside
views, The Cottage holds one of the
best pub locations in Bristol. Once a
timber store and Harbour Master’s
Oice, it’s an iconic boozer (under the
Butcombe umbrella) for Bristolians
and a must-go venue in the summer,
when you’ll ind punters spilling out
onto the waterside, sipping cider and
polishing of ish and chips. Views
from the beer garden look out over
a hive of boating activity on the
Floating Harbour to Clifton Wood’s
rainbow-coloured houses, listed
bond warehouses and Underfall Yard.
butcombe.com

ZERODEGREES
The Zerodegrees building was used
as horse-drawn tram sheds during
the 1800s, before being transformed
into Bristol’s irst microbrewery and
restaurant in 2004. Split over two
loors, it oozes industrial-chic, with
the brewery element smack bang
in the centre, so you can watch the
beer-making magic happen. Along
with an award-winning selection of
beers, including a Pilsner, Pale Ale
and Black lager, they’re renowned for
their seasonal, fruity concoctions –
best sipped on one of three balconies,
which all catch the sun. So, if you
fancy a rooftop panorama with your
pizza (we’re talking 600-year old
almshouse turrets, a row of historic
listed buildings, chimneys and
Bristol high-rises), this is the place.
zerodegrees.co.uk

HARBOUR HOUSE
High-vaulted ceilings and original
iron work hark back to this
former transit shed’s 19th century
beginnings. Designed by none other
than Brunel (of Clifton Suspension
Bridge and SS Great Britain
fame), Harbour House occupies a
glorious waterfront position with
an outdoor deck overlooking the
Floating Harbour, multi-coloured
houses of Redclife and towering
spire of St Mary Redclife Church.
The menu, which features a mix
of pub classics, also has a strong
seafood slant and champions locally
sourced ingredients from some of
the South West’s inest suppliers.
Joyous on a sunny day.
hhbristol.com

BAMBALAN

PHOTO:ZERODEGREES

PHOTO:ANGHARADPAULL

Located at the foot of Beacon Tower,
laid-back drinking-dining-music
destination Bambalan has roof
terrace views over the bustling city
centre and noteworthy architecture
and concert hall, Bristol Beacon.
From the talented folks behind some
of Bristol’s award-winning ‘mustvisit’ independent restaurants and
cocktail bars, the vibe at Bambalan is
as bright and colourful as its decor. On
the menu you’ll ind Mediterranean
bites, mezzes, gyros, sourdough
pizzas and burgers, alongside an
Instaworthy backdrop, DJ beats and
happy hour cocktails. While away
an afternoon on the terrace come
rain or shine, whatever the season
– patio heaters and canopy will keep
you toasty in cooler climes.
bambalan.co.uk

March 2024

THE TRADITIONAL
For those who enjoy scones, light
and lufy sponge cakes and inger
sandwiches to accompany a
fragrant pot of tea.

of the best

AFTERNOON
TEAS
There’s nothing more quintessentially
English than sitting down to a
traditional afternoon tea. Whether
you take your tea traditionally with
milk and sugar or prefer your tea
with bubbles and a hint of tapioca,
here are our Top 12 recommendations
across the city of Bath.
WORDS:

Alison Stubbs, Bath BID

HANDS GEORGIAN TEAROOM

This unique and traditional tearoom ofers
a range of over 20 carefully selected teas,
expertly sourced for their most discerning
customers. A good range of cofees and
other beverages to suit. Enjoy the choice of
either a two-tiered High Tea or a cream tea,
featuring home baked scones, preserves,
clotted cream and a pot of tea.
handstearoom.co.uk

THE ORANGE ARTICHOKE
AT THE APEX CITY
OF BATH HOTEL
Indulge in a decadent spread of delicious
savouries and scrumptious sweet treats
at the Orange Artichoke at Apex City of
Bath Hotel. It’s the perfect excuse to treat
yourself, your friends or your family.
apexhotels.co.uk

THE GAINSBOROUGH BATH
SPA’S CANVAS ROOM
A beautiful place to relax and socialise,
the Canvas Room exudes an irrefutably
modern yet elegant atmosphere. Enjoy
the Gainsborough’s traditional afternoon
tea featuring delicate sweet treats and
delicious savoury sandwiches.
thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

SWEET LITTLE THINGS - A
DELIGHTFUL TEAHOUSE

Featuring a beautiful loral wall that is the
perfect backdrop for your next Instagram
post, Sweet Little Things is the perfect
location for an afternoon tea, especially
if you’re an aspiring photographer!
Enjoy a selection of delicious sandwiches,
homemade mini quiches, homemade scones,
strawberry preserve and Devonshire cream.
If you’re looking for a grown-up experience,
you can enjoy a Bottomless Afternoon Tea
featuring Prosecco, No-secco and Peroni.
For the little ones, they also ofer a kids’
afternoon tea.
sltbath.co.uk

THE IVY BRASSERIE AND
GARDEN ON MILSOM STREET

A sweet and savoury colection awaits at The Pump Room. Photo: Bath BID

March 2024

Surrounded by beautiful Art-Deco detail,
marble loors and striking burnt orange
banquettes, enjoy a relaxed afternoon tea at
The Ivy Brasserie. Featuring freshly baked
fruit scones, inger sandwiches, sweet
delights and a choice of teas and cofees.
ivycollection.com

Somerset Life

TEATIME TREATS

THE EXTRAORDINARY
Not all afternoon tea keeps to the traditional tea and cakes...

ROBUN’S - A NON-TRADITIONAL
AFTERNOON TEA

SALLY LUNN’S ON NORTH
PARADE PASSAGE

Afternoon tea is presented in the form of a
unique tea ceremony where you can choose
from a wide selection of Japanese tea. The
service brings together elements from their
menu alongside ine Japanese teas, perfect
for an elegant afternoon with friends.
robun.co.uk/eat

Try the Bath delicacy, the famous Sally Lunn
Bunn, a wonderful creation that has been
made in Bath for over 300 years. Served with
either savoury or sweet toppings including
Scottish smoked salmon, strawberry jam and
clotted cream or cinnamon butter.
sallylunns.co.uk

BUBBLE TEA
Popular in Asia, the Bubble Tea phenomena
has made its way to Bath. Enjoy a cup illed
with delicious teas of various lavours and
tapioca or popping balls!
Chatime on Westgate Street:
chatimeuk.com
Bubble CiTea in Southgate:
bubblecitea.com

A non-traditional twist on the classic Afternoon Tea at Robun’s. Photo: Bath BID

THE MUST-VISIT
Some of the most iconic locations in the city ofer the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon tea.

MR. DARCY AT THE
REGENCY TEAROOMS

THE PUMP ROOM
RESTAURANT

THE ROYAL CRESCENT
HOTEL AND SPA

Enjoy a famous ‘Tea with Mr Darcy’,
featuring a decadent and delicious serving
of exquisite cakes, divine inger sandwiches
and delightful warm scone served with
Devonshire clotted cream. The splendid
Regency Tearooms inside the Jane Austen
centre ofer an immersive and memorable
tea experience for fans of everything Austen.
janeausten.co.uk

With its Corinthian columns, glittering
chandelier and spa fountain, the Pump Room
Restaurant embodies what was once the heart
of the Georgian social scene.Enjoy their
sumptuous interpretation of the afternoon
tea, with a delicious sweet and savoury
selection alongside a taste of Bath’s famous
water from the Georgian fountain.
thepumproombath.co.uk

Treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon tea
in the beautiful surroundings of the Royal
Crescent Hotel and Spa’s gardens. Enjoy a
selection of delicious selection of sandwiches,
freshly baked scones with clotted cream and
strawberry preserve and exquisite pastries
and cakes. You can even make it more special
with a glass of Taittinger Champagne.
royalcrescent.co.uk

Somerset Life

March 2024

Somerset Life

Sporting Bath
Join Steve Roberts as he commentates
on the sporting action available from the
Bath sidelines; be that rugby, football
or even roller derby

March 2024

Somerset Life

BATH SPORTS

ow, I do like my sport and there
can’t be too many better places
than Bath to enjoy a bit of round
ball, oval ball, and other manifold
energetic pursuits. It is a place, after all, that
has ‘healthy’ written across its history.
I particularly love my footie, the so-called
‘beautiful game’, and I can report faithfully
that I have watched Bath City FC, home and
away. The club was formed in 1889, in lateVictorian times, and was initially known as
Bath AFC before changing its name to Bath
City in 1905. The club played at Innox Park
from 1909 before moving into its current
Twerton Park home in 1932. I’ve been there
and I was rapt. Known aptly as the ‘Romans’,
the club has embarrassed some notables in
the FA Cup (look away now fans of Crystal
Palace, Cardif and Millwall to name but
three) and it currently struts its stuf in the
sixth tier of English football. For those not
in the know, well, that’s actually quite high
up. When I visited the ground for a match,
I had an accident with a cup of tea and
trashed my precious matchday programme.
The club kindly replaced it for me; it’s that
kind of place.
I played a bit of the round-ball game,
never with any great success I might add,

however, I have to confess that the ovalball game, Rugby Union, was usually a step
too far because of my diminutive stature.
Memorably, I did gain a detention as a
young teen for steadfastly refusing to tackle
an opponent who was built like the average
garden outhouse. This reticence on my part is
certainly not an issue for those who represent
Bath RFC, or Bath Rugby as it’s known
these days, which plays its home games at the
picturesque Recreation Ground, a ball’s kick
from the city centre. The club is even older
than the footie team, having been established
in 1865 as Bath Football Club, and moved to
its current home in 1894. It’s been one of the
more successful club sides in England with
18 major domestic honours to its name and
is one of the few never to have been relegated
from the top division.
I’m just thinking that March might be a
good month to be in Bath. The footie club has
a trio of home league matches to salivate over
whilst the rugby club stages a mouthwatering
ixture against Sale Sharks on the 23rd. But
there’s also the Bath Half Marathon which
just happens to be on your scribe’s birthday,
March 17, St Patrick’s Day, when over 10,000
runners chase their ’PB’ (personal best),
others register another item on their bucket >

above:

Tom de Glanville of Bath
Rugby dives for the
Exeter Chiefs try-line.
Premiership Rugby Cup
match, between Bath
Rugby and Exeter Chiefs
on October 7, 2023 at
the Recreation Ground in
Bath, England.
Photo: Andy Watts / Onside Images

right:

Bath Roller Derby
train every Monday
and Thursday in Bath
or Keynsham, visit
bathrollerderby.co.uk
Photo: Getty

Somerset Life

March 2024

LA LABEL (RIGHT)

above:

Action from Bath City’s home
game versus Chelmsford
City on December 2 2023.
An exciting match eventually
saw Bath lose 2-3 in front of a
healthy crowd of 1,044.
Photo: Simon Howe

right:

Bath Rugby Ladies club has
been going for 20 years.
Photo: Nick Perry Photography

FIXTURES / EVENTS
IN MARCH
Bath Half Marathon
Sunday March 17 2024
Starts at 10am
bathhalf.co.uk
Bath Rugby
Saturday March 23 2024
Home ixture versus Sale Sharks
bathrugby.com
Bath City FC
Saturday March 9
Home ixture versus Farnborough
Tuesday March 12
Home ixture versus
Hemel Hempstead Town
Friday March 29
Home ixture versus Weymouth
bathcityfc.com
Bath Rugby Ladies 1st XV
Sunday March 3
Home ixture versus Reading Abbey
Sunday March 17
Away ixture versus Newbury
bathrugbyladies.com

March 2024

list, or raise money for a close-to-the-heart
charity with enthusiastic and generous
spectators cheering them along all the while.
Among the charities supported in 2024 will
be the Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research
UK and the Oicial NHS Charity of the Royal
United Hospitals Bath; a more worthy trio
it would be hard to conjure. It’s a race that’s
raised £30 million for good causes on the
back of a dash through a World Heritage site
on a fast, lat course that will suit anyone,
whatever their experience and ability.
In the interests of inclusivity, I’m also going
to mention some other sports! There’s cricket,
including Bath Cricket Club who play at the
North Parade Ground, and even beat Bath
RFC for antiquity, having been established in
1859, and croquet, with Bath Croquet Club
having been reformed in 1976 and playing
matches at the Recreation Ground, just
across from the Rugby club. ‘Team Bath’, the
umbrella name for Bath University’s various
clubs, has a plethora of sports represented
with the City of Bath Triathlon taking place at
the uni each year. Bath Roller Derby Girls
(BRDG) was formed in 2012 and competes

in the British Roller Derby Championships.
With beginner’s courses starting later this
year – ‘Wanna roll with us?’ – you can start
with a two week ‘learn to skate’ period in
which you’ll be shown the very basics of
roller skating, kit maintenance and safety.
The club expect you to spend a lot of time
on the loor (oh dear!) but their friendly
league members are there to hold your hand
and help you master the skills to ‘glide’!
bathrollerderby.co.uk.
The Romans established Bath, or Aquae
Sulis, as a healthy place, with a baths
complex that was one of the most impressive
in their western empire. Although
knowledge of these baths was then lost
until 1879, the city’s mineral waters have
continued to play their part in its restorative
story. Staying healthy all year round had a
lot to do with the establishment of Bath’s
Rugby Club. The Lansdowne Cricket Club
had been formed in 1825 and 40 years later,
in 1865, decided to establish a rugby club
for ‘something to do in the winter’. Its irst
base was in North Parade where you’ll ind
Bath Cricket Club today.

Somerset Life

WELLS LIFE
Andrea Cowan’s monthly look at life in England’s smallest city

PHOTO:TRICIAYOURKEVICH

Meet the

BBC YOUNG CHORISTER OF THE YEAR
ells Cathedral School’s Year 8
pupil, Belinda Giford-Guy, is a
specialist singer on the school’s
celebrated vocal programme.
She was recently announced as the 2023 BBC
Young Chorister of the Year (Junior category),
a prestigious competition organised by Songs
of Praise and BBC Radio 2. The judges
praised Belinda not only for her wonderful
singing, but also for her particular ability
to tell a story through her performance. We
caught up with her….

How old were you when you
discovered your talent for singing?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t sing.
There was always music being played and
songs being sung, and so I would join in!
When I was about ive, I joined a children’s
choir, in Dorchester Abbey in Oxfordshire,
and the choir director told my mum I had
a good voice. It all started from there!

above: Revd Kate Bottley presenting
the award to Belinda

March 2024

Do you come from a musical family?
Yes, I do. Both my parents studied
music at university and my mum
is a professional singer. She was
my irst singing teacher.
Who is your favourite singer?
I have two, and I’ve been lucky enough to
meet them both recently. Dame Felicity
Lott has been my singing idol for years.
I love her singing in French and also
her opera roles, such as in The Magic
Flute. I also really admire Katherine
Jenkins because she has an amazing
voice and is very kind and elegant.
How did it feel when you
were announced the Young
Chorister of the Year?
I had watched or listened to Young
Chorister since I was small and always
wanted to take part. As I moved up
through the competition, I hardly dared
think I might win, especially as I had
made friends with the other choristers
who were all brilliant singers. When they

announced my name, I was in complete
shock! I was so overcome I didn’t know
what to say! It was a dream come true
and the most magical feeling ever.
What performances and
competitions do you have
planned for 2024?
I always like to have something to
work for! The BBC have said there
will be more opportunities to sing
with Natalie, the senior winner. Apart
from that, I’m performing Rutter’s
Requiem in July in Surrey, with the
Gordon Singers. I’m also taking part in
several concerts in school as well as the
Taunton Young Singer competition and
the Mid-Somerset Festival in Bath.
Do you hope to pursue a
musical career? And if so, what
would be your dream job?
I would absolutely love to be an opera
singer. My dream job would be performing
the role of Pamina in Mozart’s The
Magic Flute at Covent Garden.

Somerset Life

WELLS LIFE
W E L L S WA N D E R I N G S

ENJOYING THE HIGH LIFE
recently joined a group of seven for
the Wells Cathedral High Parts Tour.
It is described as an opportunity to
discover the ‘hidden spaces, galleries
and chambers’ of the cathedral. And it didn’t
disappoint.
This isn’t for the faint-hearted: there are
approximately 250 steps to climb, albeit in
stages, and at one point we were 70ft above
the font in the South Transept. Until quite
recently visitors were also able to ascend the
tower, rewarded for their exertions by breathtaking views of the city. But an unfortunate
accident in 2014, which resulted in the
involvement of an RAF rescue helicopter,
brought about an abrupt halt to that part
of the tour.
There is usually something musical
happening in the cathedral, and we were
accompanied by a rehearsal for Handel’s
Messiah. It was a itting backdrop for the
awe-inspiring views we were to enjoy as we
walked through the labyrinth of passageways.
Our guides were Tom Burr and Alistair
Barr, full of fascinating insights into the
history and architecture of this iconic

below: Climb up 250 steps for the

Wells Cathedral High Parts Tour

building, bringing it to life with quirky
stories. It might seem overkill for such a
small group, but two guides are necessary:
to help everyone navigate the uneven loor,
low beams and steep spiral staircases as well
as literally shining a torch on things not to
be missed.
It begins with a walk around the exterior of
the cathedral, to orientate ourselves with the
layout of the building. It was built 1176–1450
to replace an earlier church which had been
on the same site since 705. Wells Cathedral
was the irst in England to be built entirely
in the ‘new’ Gothic design, a revolutionary
architectural style that Bishop Reginald de
Bohun brought from France.
We stopped to study the West Front, which
would have been brightly painted, but we
were to later ind that it had been designed so
that people could ‘hear’ it as well as see it. Part
of the tour takes you up to the nave roof where
we discovered the eight ‘trumpet holes’ in the
West Front wall. The holes are surrounded
by statues of angels so it must have seemed
that the music came from heaven. We also
visited the narrow singing gallery, lower
down within the West Front, which features
discreet holes in the stone wall designed
to maximise reverberation, to ensure that
the choir’s voices would carry across the

Cathedral Green on festival days. You can still
experience this each year on Palm Sunday, so
I’ll be joining the congregation on the Green
on March 24 for the spectacle.
There are so many highlights of the tour,
including the magniicent birds-eye view
of the nave and getting close-up to the
distinctive 14th century scissor arches, added
later as an engineering solution to cracks that
were appearing in the tower.
We visited the Tracing Room, which has
one of only two surviving tracing loors in
the country, where the stone masons drew
their templates. It was only in the 1960s that
the connection was made with the markings
on the loor.
The tour also took us to see the workings
behind the Astronomical Clock, originating
from around 1390 and considered to be the
second oldest clock mechanism in the world.
This enormous device was wound by hand
right up until 2010 when Paul Fisher, a ifth
generation ‘keeper of the clock’, retired,
and the decision was taken for the job to be
mechanised.
This is just a taster: there is so much
to enjoy on this tour, and I can’t
recommend it highly enough (excuse
the pun). Find out all the information
at wellscathedral.org.uk/visit/tours

PHOTO:JASONBRYANT

Somerset Life

March 2024

Tickets On Sale Now!

www.glastonburyabbey.com
This is a Glastonbury Abbey fundraising event

Registered Charity Number: 1129263 Company Number: 6873912

LIFE & LEISURE
Exploring the culture of Somerset
PICK OF THE BUNCH

NATIONAL TREASURE

Block out your diaries for these
top events across the county.

Stourhead, on the border of Somerset
and Wiltshire, celebrates its 300th year

PHOTO:JENNYURQUHART

LET’S DANCE
Dating from 1448, Morris Dancing is
ingrained in our Somerset culture

ARTIST TRAIL & INDEPENDENT SHOPPING
Room 212 is a treasure trove of original art, craft, jewellery and gifts
all by local artists. Based on Gloucester Road, Bristol’s longest street
of independent shops, artist and jewellery maker Sarah Thorp set
up Room 212 over a decade ago so that her fellow artists from the
North Bristol Art Trail could have a permanent place to show and
sell their work all year round. Well-known artists such as Jenny

Somerset Life

Urquhart (pictured), Emma Catherine and Rosie Webb sell prints
and original paintings, Hannah Turner showcases ceramics, whilst
batik artist Jo Whiteland makes lampshades from her wildlife
designs. Sarah takes pride in creating colourful, inspiring displays
in the large windows, relecting the seasons of the year or special
events such as the Bristol Balloon Fiesta. room212.co.uk

March 2024

Lexxi, Wild Moon’s
Squire, dancing solo
in the woods.
Photo: Amelia Carvell
Photography

March 2024

Somerset Life

WILD MOON MORRIS

ver
wild moon
the

A centuries-old tradition is being kept
vibrantly alive by the women of Somerset
WORDS:

Simone Stanbrook-Byrne

>
Somerset Life

March 2024

LA LABEL (RIGHT)
t was the irst time I’d ever received an
email wishing me ‘darkest hare blessings’.
It hinted at secret things by moonlight, old
traditions, whispers of our tenebrous pasts.
And it was exactly the right irst impression,
because to encounter the women of Wild
Moon Morris is to brush with all those
things. With darkly elaborate make-up,
swirling dark attire, black ishnets and
DMs, this (mostly) female Morris side is the
dancing embodiment of Somerset’s enigmatic prehistory,
its ancient, mist-enveloped myths.
Mandy Eldred-Tyler is one of the three founding
women: ‘The power of three!’ she laughs. ‘We see
ourselves as a sub-genre of traditional Border Morris,
which originates from the English counties along the
Welsh Border. Dark Border Morris such as ours is danced
to dark folk music. We are inluenced and inspired by
Morris sides such as Wolfshead and Vixen Morris, who
were amongst the irst Dark Border sides to appear in
the mid-1990s. Our dark outits add to the aesthetic and
the dance style is wilder, chaotic and very energetic with
the clashing of sticks.’
The side was founded by Mandy, Abbi and Lexxi,
who met one another while dancing with other sides.
Feeling drawn to the Dark Border Morris tradition they
decided to form their own side, founding it at Beltane
(May 1) last year.
‘With the founder members all being female, Wild
Moon Morris seemed an appropriate name because our
ethos is to give a dark, ierce performance and the Moon
has long been a symbol of feminine energy,’ says Mandy.
‘Many ancient cultures saw the Moon as a Goddess symbol,
associated with life, birth, growth and renewal. We are
renewed each time we dance!’
The side comprises 21 dancers ranging in age from 16
to 62, although now three of these are men. The leader
of the side, known as the Squire, is Lexxi. She and
Simon, the Foreperson, both teach the dances. Abbi is
the Bagperson, a term redolent of the era when money
collected at events was carried around in a capacious bag,
and this role combines that of secretary and ‘collector’.
Mandy is the Ragperson, in charge of the wonderful,
moonlight-splashed costumes. She explains some of
their rich symbolism: ‘Our tatter jackets are mainly

right: Kyleigh performing at Glastonbury Dragon’s Day
left: Wild Moon Morris pictured with their Barn Owl ‘familiar’
Avalon, personiied by Squire Lexxi’s daughter, Aeris

PHOTO:AMELIACARVELLPHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO:DORSETMORR’IARTY

Somerset Life

March 2024

WILD MOON MORRIS

black – which represents our dark vibe – and the moon
has a dark side too!’ she laughs. ‘The silver is for the moon
and the green leaves represent our love of nature and the
wheel of the year. Our tatters are long for dramatic efect
when twirling, and we wear plain black underneath. Our
black boots are comfy and practical for dancing and the
tights allow us to show our unique personalities with
our choices.
‘Our hat band was devised by our Squire and is an
integral part of our look. It’s a triple-aspect moon, which
has long represented not only the phases of the moon,
but also the three stages of a woman’s life: the Maiden –
youth and innocence, the Mother – the nurturing side of
a woman’s nature, and the Crone – the wise woman we
all grow into and respect. All three of these are in every
woman, everywhere – it’s deciding which one to let out to
play that causes the fun! We wear top hats and personalise
them. Pheasant feathers are very traditional and popular,
and alongside these I have hares and ivy on mine.’
Mandy tells me that the musicians also wear tatters to
create a uniied look and, rather than traditional Morris
‘Beasts’, Wild Moon Morris is accompanied by ‘Familiars’.
‘There is no real diference between our Familiars
and traditional Morris Beasts,’ explains Mandy, ‘but we
sometimes joke that we’re like the three witches from
Macbeth, so Familiars seemed an appropriate name

right: Andastre, Wild Moon’s Golden Hare ‘Familiar’
below: The Screaming – it’s a Border thing!

Featuring Abbi and Mandy Eldred-Tyler

the soul of myth and legend. Mandy combines her Rag role
with that of treasurer and is known as Rag Dragon: ‘as I
not only do the costumes but I hoard our treasure as well!’
Performances are captivating, primal shrieks and
visceral screams melding with the music. Sticks clash
wildly, and even these are symbolically signiicant, made
from hazel harvested from local woods on a new moon.
The sticks are seasoned for a year and then cut to size.
‘Each has a pyrography design created by Rosie, one
of our talented members,’ says Mandy. ‘The symbols
are personal to each of us. I have ivy, a pentacle and a
moon-gazing hare; others have oak leaves, henges, crows,
ammonites and even hedgehogs.’
And how do they decide on the repertoire of dances?
Mandy tells me that any member who has an idea for a
dance suggests it to the Foreperson. A few dancers then
‘workshop’ the dance, ine tune it and see how it its with
the Wild Moon ethos. ‘We base our dances on the folklore,
myths and legends of Somerset and surrounding counties,
so any dances written and performed will need to have
this at their heart,’ she says, explaining that some of

‘We sometimes joke that we’re like
the three witches from Macbeth’

PHOTO: AMELIACARVELLPHOTOGRAPHY

and a unique twist on the tradition. Our main familiar
is Andastre the Hare. Named after a Dark Goddess from
the time of the Iceni, she was seen as a goddess of victory,
ravens and battles, and is very similar to the Irish warrior
goddess the Morrigan. It’s said that Boudicca would
release a hare from her cloak before a battle. When I’m
not dancing, I personify Andastre. She wears a very
diferent set of harvest-coloured tatters, very colourful
and created in the folksy cottage-core style. After all, if a
witch were to shape-shift into a hare it would be a lovely
golden hare, not a silver and black one! Andastre lits
around the edge of the dancers when they are performing
and interacts with the crowd.’
Wild Moon’s other familiar is Avalon the Owl,
personiied by Lexxi’s daughter, whose beautiful name,
Aeris, meaning Earth full of lowers, sings straight from

March 2024

their dances, such as Labyrinth, Annwyn and Ebb and
Flow, have been created by Wild Moon, while others are
borrowed, with permission, as ‘Morris etiquette is very
important’, from other Border sides. ‘We have several new
dances in creation and our musicians are busy writing
music to go with them,’ Mandy continues. ‘Our Green Man
announces our dances and engages with the audience to
inform them about the dance and its provenance.’
People are drawn to watch Morris and the enthusiasm
of the dance is infectious. Mandy describes the appeal.
‘We do it because it keeps us it and builds stamina. It’s a
great stress relief, bashing sticks, and it’s “me-time” away
from the kids for the mothers amongst us. Remembering
all the moves keeps the brain active and the music is
fantastic. We really, really enjoy performing! Having
this side is invaluable to us. We’ve become a close-knit
community who are all supportive of each other and
many friendships have been made in the short space of
time we have been together.’
The enigma of Morris tradition is wreathed in mystery.
It’s uncertain what exactly early dances were like, but
they may have been copied from courtly dances that
evolved into peasant dances. Alternatively, it may have
stemmed from North African dancing, ‘Morris’ possibly
being derived from ‘Moorish’. There are now Morris sides
all over the world with the irst British records dating
back to 1448. Whatever its foundations, the heritage is
kept very much alive and kicking with sides such as Wild
Moon. All power to Andastre.

Wild Moon Morris practises on Tuesday evenings
in Street, near Glastonbury. They practise
October-April and then dance out in the summer
months. People are welcome to join during
practice season but please contact them irst:
bag.wildmoonmorris@gmail.com

Somerset Life

PHOTO:MIKEJEFFRIESPHOTOGRAPHY

VILLAGE LIFE

PHOTO:MALCOLMRIGBY

Malcolm Rigby takes a look at village life in Somerset

March 2024

Somerset Life

VILLAGE LIFE

T HIS MON T H W E V ISI T:

NETHER STOWEY
erhaps every Somerset village has
an organisation/building that best
represents the community spirit of
the area. In the case of Nether Stowey
it could be the public library. The building
itself was constructed by tanner and local
philanthropist, Thomas Poole, who created
it as the second free school in the country.
The school moved to a modern purpose-built
ediice in 1979. Since the millennium the
library has been threatened with closure on a
couple of occasions and in 2018 the Thomas
Poole Library Nether Stowey was registered as
a charitable organization to run a community
library partnership with a lease of the building
for 25 years at a peppercorn rent – over 90
volunteers immediately signed up. Now it’s a
thriving institution; a lifeline for older people,
an oicial warm space, there’s computers and
a range of literary genres, a knit and natter
group, toddlers’ story time and readings to
schoolchildren. But in these days, always
the threat of closure. The one professional
librarian, partly funded by Hinkley Power
Station, is Sian Staford who came to the
building as a child when it was a school, went
of on her travels and now feels privileged to
return as the librarian. She proudly showed
me the glass cabinet that displays the work of
local artists and craftsmen on a changing basis.
Follow the hill down alongside the brook
(which Coleridge called the ‘stinking gutter’
but nowadays is a clear and lively stream) and
you get to the centre and the Parish Oice.
A shop front, no less, another community
oddity in a small village. Here, the clerk, Caro
Slaymaker, beavers away whilst ofering advice
and information to residents or registering
complaints, usually the three ‘p’s – parking,
planning and poo. Kevin Ferriday, the chair
of the council, joins me on the walk and we
immediately encounter the iconic clock tower
built in 1897 and alongside it the old gaol

now used for information display purposes.
He said: ‘The irst thing you notice is the
conservation area in the centre of the village,
it’s got a character all of its own – its 17th
century sufering from 21st century traic
issues, a little bit.’
Continuing along the road on the right hand
side is the village ire station, run by local
volunteers, and the award-winning medical
centre. On the other side is St Mary’s Church
Centre that operates as a meeting place now
that the old village hall is no longer really
operating after lockdown. Further on is the
recreational ground where there are muchanticipated plans to construct a sports
pavilion/changing rooms/community centre
all in one. Heading up to Nether Stowey Castle
we pass ‘happy-to-chat’ benches and the local
GP in his landrover – the other vehicular oddity
is the farmer in the ields on her quad bike with
three dogs perched on the rear. Apart from
the Mount there is little stone evidence of the
11th century castle, which was destroyed in the
1400s, but it provides a wonderful viewpoint
for the surrounding area: The Quantocks to the
rear, the biggest construction site in Europe
(Hinkley Point) to the west and Glastonbury
Tor to the north. Just up in the hills is an area
known as Walford’s Gibbet. John Walford was
a charcoal burner who brutally murdered his
wife of three weeks, Jane. He was arrested and
sentenced to be hanged. Afterwards his body
was placed in a cage and hung for a year and
a day at the scene of the murder.
Apparently, there is a legend that a giant
lives in a cavern under the Mount uttering
moans and groans to passing travellers. When
I tell this story to Kevin he says he has never
learnt this before despite living by the Mount
for a decade…though he has heard howls.
Maybe it is an FCG, a friendly community
giant, guarding and protecting the
local library.

COLERIDGE
In Nether Stowey did Kubla Khan a
stately pleasure dome decree…
No he didn’t. But the poet S.T.
Coleridge did live here for a few
years and wrote some of his most
important work during that time
including Kubla Khan and The Rime
of the Ancient Mariner.
His cottage (that he described as
a hovel) on Lime Street has been
bought by the National Trust, which
has recreated the building and the
garden to the way that it would have
been in the early 1800s. (Open from
March 27 for the season ahead.)
Despite the fact that he lived
there more than 200 years ago his
presence continues to permeate the
area. Apart from the cottage, the
pub opposite is called The Ancient
Mariner, there is a Coleridge Road
and a 50-mile walking trail that links
Nether Stowey to Lynmouth known
as the Coleridge Way.
Coleridge may have been one of
the subjects of my English Literature
O’level but he retains a place in my
heart – everyone loves a romantic.

INFO PANEL GOES HERE
POPULATION: 1,482 (2021 census)
STAY OR BUY :

Did you know?

Just two and a half miles away is the
very ine Combe House Hotel. Set in
an idyllic location and surrounded by a
lovely garden, there are 17 individually
styled en-suite guest bedrooms. The
skilled and enthusiastic kitchen staff
produce everything from homemade
breads to delicious restaurant dinners.
enquiries@combehouse.co.uk

On the Saturday closest to Midsummer Day the women
of the village walk from the village cross to Thomas Poole’s
gravestone at St Mary’s Church and back to the church
centre in memory of the great benefactor and the Nether
Stowey Female Friendly Society he founded in 1806.

Stowey House on St Mary’s Street
is a delightful and substantial Grade
II-listed period residence – one of the
most historic homes in the village.
There’s charm and character on a
sizeable plot; an exciting opportunity
to refurbish and restore. £485,000
Greenslade Taylor Hunt, Bridgwater.

Somerset Life

March 2024

Somerset Life

WHAT’S ON
COMPILED BY:

Laurence McJannet

Somerset Life

PHOTO:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Guide to
THE BEST
events in
March

The Smell of Sunday (2023) by Clare Woods,
is part of The Guts and The Glory exhibition

EXHIBITIONS

The Guts and the Glory
If you’re heading to Bruton early this month, be sure to catch
Bo Lee and Workman’s latest exhibition, he Guts and he Glory.
The show brings together the work of six British painters and
sculptors - Samuel Bassett, Kim Booker, Tomo Campbell, Laura
Ford, Alexis Soul-Gray and Clare Woods. Referencing a range of
familiar art historical genres, these works ofer a deeply personal
perspective on traditional forms that range from Rococo battle
scenes (‘the guts’) to Neoclassical sculpture (‘the glory’). Located
in the former Methodist Church on the town’s historic High
Street, the gallery has transformed the building’s classically
proportioned nave into an open and accessible venue for art.
Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, or by appointment.
Until March 2, Bo Lee and Workman, Bruton. Free. boleeworkman.com
March 2024

WHAT'S ON

EVENINGS

Professor Brian
Cox: Horizons

THEATRE

The Lover /
The Collection
David Morrissey stars in a
compelling double bill of works
by one of the most inluential
British dramatists of the last
century, Harold Pinter. A new
production of The Lover/The
Collection, directed by Lindsay

TALKS

Unsung Women
in Somerset
Discover the unsung women of
Somerset from pre-Roman to
modern times with Helen Pugh,
the author of Unsung Women
in Somerset. In it she charts
the lives of many remarkable
women from over two millennia.
Discover the extraordinary
women who have lived in our
county, including the woman
who had two funerals and the
woman who voted before it was
legal, as well as queens, saints,
witches, workers and much more.
From 7.30pm.
March 7
Museum of Somerset,
Taunton
£10 or £8 online
swheritage.org.uk

THEATRE

The Woman in Black
PHOTO:MARKDOUET

Having set two Guinness World
Records with his previous
sell-out world tour, Professor
Brian Cox is back in regional
theatres with his newest show
Horizons: A 21st Century Space
Odyssey, and visits the Forum
in Bath for one night. Horizons
has taken more than 250,000
people across three continents
on a dazzling journey; a story
of how we came to be and what
we can become. Professor Cox
aims to answer such existential
questions as, what is the nature
of space and time? How did
life begin, how rare might it be
and what is the signiicance of
life in the cosmos? What does
it mean to live a small, inite
life in a vast, eternal universe?
Having travelled the world, he
brings Horizons back home to
the UK for a inal journey around
our magniicent and baling
universe. From 7.30pm.
March 22
The Forum, Bath
£40 plus booking fee
bathforum.co.uk

Posner, will open at the Ustinov
Studio at the Theatre Royal
Bath this month, running
until April 13. These two plays
showcase Pinter’s unique and
darkly comic perception of love,
marriage and relationships. The
Lover is a quirky, tense and
intriguing glimpse at the private
intricacies of modern marriage;
The Collection, is a comic play
of suspense and sexual jealousy
between two couples, sparked by
an anonymous phone call in the
dead of night. From 7.30pm with
some 2.30pm matinees.
From March 21
Theatre Royal, Bath
£45, concessions £34
theatreroyal.org.uk

The legendary production of
Susan Hill’s chilling ghost story
The Woman In Black returns to
the Theatre Royal Bath direct
from London’s West End, after
an incredible 33-year run at the
Fortune Theatre. Experience
the thrill of this criticallyacclaimed performance seen by
more than seven million people
worldwide and still delighting
and terrifying audiences of all
generations. Obsessed with a
curse that he believes has been
cast over him and his family by
the spectre of a woman shrouded
in black, Arthur Kipps engages
a sceptical young actor to help
him tell his terrifying story and
exorcise the fear that grips him.
From 7.30pm with some 2.30pm
matinees.
March 11-16
Theatre Royal, Bath
From £10.50 to £45
theatreroyal.org.uk
MUSIC

Beans on Toast
The popular troubadour known

as Beans on Toast comes to
Bristol this month, performing
at Thekla, one of the best
live music venues in the city.
Captivating hearts and minds
with his tales of love, politics and
the human experience, Beans is
unafraid to challenge the status
quo with his irreverent wit and
soul-stirring lyricism. This
tour will be the debut outing for
the new Beans on Toast Band,
a collection of musical misits
and talented troublemakers from
around the country bringing the
new album The Toothpaste and
The Tube to life alongside some
Beans classics and old favourites.
Doors 7pm.
March 2
Thekla, Bristol
£21.25
theklabristol.co.uk
COMEDY

Matt Forde: Inside No. 10
Fans of irreverent political
satire should head for Komedia
in Bath this month as Matt
Forde, comedian and host of hit
political podcast The Political
Party, gives us an exclusive
glimpse behind those famous
Downing Street doors, exploring
the dark comedy horror that is
British politics ahead of the next
election. Somewhere between
Jonathan Pie and Stewart Lee,
Forde’s brand of satire will
have you in stitches, whatever
your political allegiance. From
7.30pm.
March 6, Komedia, Bath
£17.50,
komedia.co.uk

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Charlie Cook’s
Favourite Book
Based on the original book by Julia Donaldson and
illustrated by Axel Scheler, Charlie Cook’s Favourite
Book comes to life at Taunton’s Brewhouse this month and
is sure to delight children of all ages. Charlie loves reading
– especially books about pirates. But his sister hates it,
so can Charlie convince her that reading is fun? Perhaps
if she read a book about a pirate, who is reading a book
about Goldilocks, who is reading a book about a knight,
she’d be able to share his love of books! Performances at
10.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm.
March 15-17, Taunton Brewhouse
£16.50, concessions £14.50,
tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk
62

March 2024

Somerset Life

PHOTO:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

COMEDY

Rosie Jones: Triple Threat
Join comedian Rosie Jones as she brings her irst UK tour, entitled Triple hreat, to Bristol’s
Tobacco Factory Theatre. Her show has already become hugely popular and was recently
nominated for Most Outstanding Show at the prestigious Melbourne Comedy Festival.
The 33-year-old from Bridlington in Yorkshire has become one of the country’s most
popular comedians in recent years, famed for her cheeky charm, honest opinions and
sheer sense of fun. She has fronted the travel series Trip Hazard and appeared on shows
including he Last Leg, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Mock he Week. From 8pm
March 17, Tobacco Factory, Bristol, £18.50
tobaccofactorytheatres.com
Somerset Life

March 2024

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63

WHAT'S ON

PHOTO:CEDARSHALL

THEATRE

Victorine: The
Artist’s Model
The stage is set at Bristol’s
charming Alma Theatre for
an inspiring and emotive onewoman show, Victorine, which
runs for two nights. It’s 1860s
Paris, a place of romance and art,
but for Victorine, it’s an escape
from her grey life in Dublin.
While surviving as an artist’s
model, she discovers her own
artistic passions within and
starts to see the world in a whole
new light. A world of art, colour
and ire, Victorine explores the
lives of female Impressionists
and artists’ models during a
turbulent decade in 19th-century
Europe. From 8pm
March 5, 6
Alma Theatre
£14, concessions £12 plus £2
suggested donation
almatavernandtheatre.
co.uk

MUSIC

Ensemble Bash

COMEDY

Josh Pugh: Existin’
La Vida Loca

PHOTO:PHILMCINTYRE

Winner of the English Comedian
of the Year award and viral
sensation, Josh Pugh comes to
Bath’s Komedia with a brandnew tour to ask us if we’re all
enjoying ourselves as much as
we should. You might have seen
Josh on Hypothetical (Dave),
Mock The Week (BBC), The Last
Leg (Channel 4) or even Match
of the Day X (BBC) but his new
show following a sell-out debut
UK and Ireland tour promises a
more existential – and possibly
even more hilarious – brand of
comedy.
March 20
Komedia, Bath
£17.50, concessions £15.50
komedia.co.uk

March 2024

Since its foundation in 1992, Ensemble Bash
has garnered a reputation as one of the world’s
most innovative and groundbreaking chamber
ensembles. Using the music of West Africa as both
core repertoire and a guiding spiritual inluence,
they mix contemporary classical, jazz and music
theatre into unforgettable performances. As the
culmination of a day of workshops in Wells with

all things percussion, they present a concert of
life-airming rhythm and excitement. Warning:
young percussionists may be coerced into
sharing the spotlight during this performance.
From 7pm to 9pm.
March 22, Cedars Hall, Wells
£18 plus booking fee; free for under-18s
cedarshallwells.co.uk

EXHIBITION

CLASSICAL MUSIC

DAYTIME

Lubaina Himid:
Lost Threads

Maria Gilicel &
George Todica

Lost Threads runs until April 21
and explores the four-decadelong career of Zanzibar-born
British artist Lubaina Himid.
Her fascinating work helped
to uncover marginalised and
silenced histories, figures
and cultural expressions.
In a practice that includes
paintings, prints, drawings and
installations, she has addressed
the histories and legacies of
colonialism and slavery and
engages with political questions
and artistic traditions from the
18th century to the present
day. Open Monday to Saturday,
10am to 5pm.
Throughout March
Holburne Museum, Bath
£11 adults, £5.50
concessions, free for U-18s,
holburne.org

Part of the Westlands’ Classical
C onc er t S er ie s , Ma r i a
Gilicel (violin) and George
Todica (piano) will perform
a mesmerising selection of
sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven
and Franck.
Gilicel has performed in
the Vienna Musikverein, the
Amsterdam Concertgebouw and
the Berlin Konzerthaus.
Fellow Romanian Todica has
performed in London’s Wigmore
Hall, as a Tillett Trust Debut
Artist, and in the Salzburg
Mozarteum.
New for this season, the CCS
concerts will be performed in
the round.
March 28,
Westlands, Yeovil
£15, concessions £10
westlandsyeovil.co.uk

Printmaking
Workshop
One of a number of workshops
at the Newt, near Bruton, this
printmaking class gives you the
opportunity to adorn your home
with beautiful prints you’ve
made yourself. Illustrator and
printmaker Liz Clayton of Slow
Sunday walks you amongst the
plant collections in the gardens
to aid your inspiration, then
leads you through how to choose
your materials and create your
designs. All materials are
provided and the price includes
tea or cofee, a cinnamon bun
and lunch in the Garden Café.
From 10am to 3pm.
March 20, 21, 27, 28
The Newt, Bruton
£150,
thenewtinsomerset.com

Somerset Life

PHOTOGRAHS:LENCOPLAND

SOCIAL DIARY

Chamber President Jo Reynolds
and guest speaker James Hildreth

The happy winners celebrate their awards

Young Business winner
Jack Abbiss and sponsor
Ben Malik Auxilium HR
with James Hildreth

Richard Howes, Kontrolit
presenting Rowan Turner of
Mark One Consultants with
Exceptional Employee Award

John Watson, MD of Garador presenting
Take No Wrap with the Environmental
& Green Business Award

Tom and the Clementynes
performed at the event

Headline sponsors Leonardo

Sam Backler from Next
Gen presenting Amy Smith
with the community award

Ben Grave, Mark One Consultants
presenting Customer Service
Award to The Cake Box Yeovil

A Night of Celebration,
Recognition, and Success
he Yeovil Chamber Business Awards was hosted
at the elegant Westlands Entertainment Venue
and unfolded as a spectacular evening, bringing
together the local business community for a
night of glamour, recognition, and celebration.
A true icon in the world of cricket, James Hildreth
was the event’s special guest who not only shared his
incredible journey and experiences in the sport but
also drew insightful parallels between the principles of
teamwork, resilience and strategic thinking in cricket
and the world of business. His engaging anecdotes and
motivational words left an indelible mark on the audience,
inspiring everyone present to approach challenges with
a winning mindset.
The highlight of the evening was the announcement
that The Winking Frog Café, sponsored by headline
sponsor Leonardo Helicopters, was crowned as the Yeovil

Somerset Life

Chamber Overall Business of the Year, recognising its
outstanding contribution to the business community
and how it has made a significant impact across
multiple criteria.
‘The Yeovil Chamber Business Awards continue to
be a beacon of excellence, showcasing the remarkable
achievements of our local businesses,’ said Jo Reynolds,
President of Yeovil Chamber. ‘The Yeovil Chamber
expresses gratitude to all of our sponsors – Auxilium
HR, Albert Goodman, Mark One, Cetsat, Kontrolit,
Somerset Life, NextGen, Holloway Insurance Services
Ltd, Quedam Centre, Somerset Comedy Festival, Yeovil
College and Garador – for their unwavering support in
recognising and celebrating the exceptional businesses
that contribute to the vibrancy of the Yeovil community.’
For more photos from the evening please visit:
yeovilchamber.org/gallery

March 2024

Somerset Life

A CHANGE OF ART
Join Emma Bovill as she opens doors to art and explores the creative scene in Somerset

WORLD-CLASS
SCULPTURE

Ambrosia, glazed ceramic, by Paloma Proudfoot, 2022 © Paloma Proudfoot. Photo: Thierry Bal

Spotlight on sculpture
Somerset is rich in sculpture. Michael
Dan Archer’s snaking Full Fathom Five in
Portishead, Serena de la Hey’s Willow Man,
synonymous with journeys in the South West
(and now in need of signiicant repair) and Pip
Youngman’s Somerset Space Walk sculpture
trail along the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal
are just a few examples of how the artform
positively impacts local public spaces.
Sculpture’s potential to create a
360-degree, immersive and often tactile
experience for the viewer, to employ a variety
of media and the sheer breadth of scale
possible from palm-sized pieces to imposing
artworks, make it a multidimensional genre
as much literally in physical space as in the
many ways we encounter and respond to it.
Diversity is the name of the game. Nick
Fraser (AKA A Load Of Old Scrap) makes
one-of sculptures from salvaged and recycled
metal, Denise Laughlan works in resin and
mixed media to produce artworks inspired
by minerals and Jack Davey explores the
possibilities ofered by textiles. All are
members of Somerset Art Works, which is
behind the annual Somerset Open Studios
and Somerset Art Weeks events.
Last summer saw the arrival of Scension,
huge willow structures at the Bishop’s Palace
and Gardens in Wells. Created by Martin
Staniforth as part of an exhibition of 11 works
by members of the South West Sculptors, it
reiterated that the county is no stranger to
stimulating sculpture installations.

Somerset Life

The renowned art space Hauser & Wirth
Somerset in Bruton played host to the
Kunsthalle-style GRUPPENAUSSTELLUNG
exhibition last year, a mass takeover of the
site within which sculpture played a key
component. Artworks ranged from Work
No. 3159 The Dancing Sock by Martin Creed
to Franz West’s large scale pink lacquered
steel Autostat in the grounds of the former
farmstead. Its current exhibition, Present
Tense, runs until April 28 and will once
again present opportunities to be enveloped
in sculpture. Paloma Proudfoot’s energyinfused hanging ceramic Ambrosia and
Clementine Keith-Roach’s New Mourning II,
formed from casts of the artist’s body,
ofer compelling ways to engage with the
artform just as Lydia Blakeley’s playful
oil on canvas deckchair On the Beach and
the structural panels of The Autumnal
City by Gray Wielebinski question where
its boundaries are. That is the essence and
magic of sculpture, to allow us be 3D humans
next to a 3D entity, to become aware of our
own nature, our bodies, our place within our
surroundings and the spaces in between.
Sculpture’s ability to prompt the urge to reach
out and touch and ofer an open invitation to
operate around (and sometimes even within)
an artwork is its unique gift.
somersetartworks.org.uk
@somerset_art_works;
hauserwirth.com
@hauserwirthsomerset

ACEarts in Somerton is celebrating
contemporary sculptural practice by
welcoming locally-based members
of the Royal Society of Sculptors for
Casting Shadows, which runs at the
vibrant arts centre from March 2 to
April 6. Gallery manager Nina GronwLewis, herself recently accepted to the
Society, was passionate about bringing
a high calibre sculpture exhibition here.
Somerset-resident Society artists
Fiona Campbell, Martin Cody, Alice
Cunningham, Chris Dunseath, Alice
Freeman, Anna Gillespie, Wen-Hsi
Harman, Kate Parsons, Nicola Turner
and Tom Waugh will display work,
making use of the high vaulted ceiling
and natural and theatre lighting at
ACEarts to explore how light can
accentuate and enhance sculpture and
cast shadows.
‘ACEarts is in the Old Town Hall in
Somerton which could have been made
for exhibiting sculptures,’ explains the
venue’s outreach co-ordinator and eco
artist Lydia Needle.
‘It’s an ancient building with a long
history, its age can complement
both traditional and contemporary
sculpture.’
The site has been showcasing
national and local artists since ACEarts
opened there in 2017.
acearts.co.uk;
acearts_somerton;
sculptors.org.uk;
@royal_sculptors

Witness, plaster and steel,
by Anna Gillespie. Photo: Anna Gillespie

March 2024

Jane Benson,
Mrs Henry
Hoare (d.1741)
by Jonathan
Richardson
the elder.
Photo: ©National Trust

March 2024

Somerset Life

STOURHEAD

30 0
years of

ST OUR H E A D
as a home
A new exhibition at the National Trust property
Stourhead shines a light on the women who shaped
this stately home over the past three centuries
WORDS:

Natasha Hopkins, visitor operations and experiences manager

he year 2024 marks 300 years of Stourhead
as a home. This milestone birthday is being
celebrated through a series of exhibitions and
special events, the irst of which is titled ‘300
years of Stourhead as a Home’ and has been launched to
coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8.
It will shine a light on the women who shaped this
iconic place, journeying back in time from Alda Hoare,
who gifted Stourhead to the National Trust in 1946, to
Jane Benson, who was the irst lady to live in the house
in the 18th century. The Stourhead story is told through
the eyes of the women who played a part in making it
into a special place. Some left diaries, allowing us to
know their thoughts and feelings, others left only a single
letter or photograph.
The earliest point of the story starts in 1724 when King
George I was on the throne. Henry Hoare – nicknamed
‘Henry the Good’ by his friends, because of his generous
founding and funding of charitable institutions – married
his cousin, Jane Benson, and with their children they
planned a Palladian villa overlooking a spectacular sweep
of countryside. The mansion took seven years to build
and was named Stourhead to relect the source of the
river that lowed through the land. Two centuries later,
Alda Hoare (nee Weston) moved into Stourhead with her
family. She was a proliic reader and over 450 books in
the beautiful library are thought to be hers; many are
annotated with her scribbles.
Alda corresponded frequently with novelist Thomas
Hardy. She was a friend of both his wives and was

Somerset Life

frequently invited to visit Hardy at his home Max Gate
in Dorchester. Alda exchanged numerous letters with the
writer, and they even sent each other gifts. Hardy would
send her a signed irst edition of his latest book, while
Alda’s gifts were a little more old-fashioned. In a letter to
Lady Alda Hoare on June 11 1918, Hardy writes: ‘My dear
friend: I must write & thank you for the quaint & attractive
birthday presents. I remember candlesnuing in my
boyhood, & these snufers recall those long-gone times.’
Alongside the exhibition, the house is beautifully set
dressed, with the Music Room, Library and Garden Hall
each showcasing a diferent era. Featured pieces include
special items from the collection alongside exquisite
replica dresses. Other pieces on display include a ine
oil painting by Angelica Kaufman, one of the most
celebrated artists of the 18th century as well as becoming
one of Europe’s most inluential painters. She painted
queens, countesses, socialites, and actors, focussing on
women from classical mythology and history.
House and collections oicer Jennifer Parker describes
the exhibition as ‘a wonderful opportunity to really shine
a light on the contribution of women to the house.’
Over the centuries, artists, makers, and creators have
found inspiration to shape Stourhead into the magical
place it is today. It is a sublime landscape garden, created
by the Hoare family who built a mansion designed by
Colen Campbell and began to create their paradise here.
When Stourhead irst opened in the 18th century, it was
described as ‘a living work of art’. The world-famous
landscape garden has at its centrepiece a magniicent >
March 2024

LA LABEL (RIGHT)

left:

Photograph inscribed
by Alda, Lady Hoare:
Harry C. A. Hoare Alda
Hoare, (Sweep) Henry
H. A. Hoare Barry
Phillpotts Julia Hoare
Percy Phillpotts.
Photo: National Trust

below left:

An oil painting of
Alda Weston, Lady
Hoare, by St George
Hare. Photo: Charlie Waite
below right:

The Temple of Apollo
relected in the lake at
Stourhead in May.
Photo: Clive Nichols

lake relecting classical temples, mystical grottoes, and
rare and exotic trees.
Later in the year, a second exhibition coincides with
the Great Big Green Week in June. ‘The World Today’ will
be looked at through the eyes of photographers with a
stunning outdoor exhibition called Earth Photo.
The Royal Geographical Society and Forestry
England established Earth Photo in 2018, to encourage
conversations about our world, its peoples, environments,
and the changing climate. Continuing the themes of
making and creating, this exhibition aims to convey
the world around us and make us think diferently, just
as the makers and creators have done through the past
three centuries.
Looking three hundred years to the future, a third
exhibition in the Stable Yard is being sponsored by the
British Council. It will explore the conservation and
climate adaptation work being conducted by the expert
teams at Stourhead and the National Trust, to ensure
that our future generations can enjoy the magniicent
landscape as much as we do today. Stourhead is looked
after by the National Trust and is open to visitors to

March 2024

enjoy its nature, beauty, and history. It has 2,650 acres of
beautiful country estate to explore, across the Somerset
and Wiltshire borders, taking in pasture, woodland, and
chalk downland. From White Sheet Hill to the much-loved
landmark, Alfred’s Tower, which reopens at Easter; along
with an Easter Trail, and an Outdoor Active programme,
which includes a series of walks and a monthly 10k run
through the Stourhead Estate.
To mark this milestone birthday, the team at Stourhead
have a vision to help Stourhead be forever for everyone
and to enable access for all.
Welcome manager, Julia Colquhorn says: ‘We are
thrilled to be opening an Accessibility Hub in the Spring.
The new building will be a beacon of information and
support. A stair climber can be pre-booked to enable
wheelchair access into the house to see the new exhibition,
whilst mobility scooters and mountain wheelchairs are
available to hire to explore the garden, along with sensory
bags, braille, and large print guides.’

Find out more about Stourhead and how to join
the celebrations at nationaltrust.org.uk

Somerset Life

March 2024

HIDDEN HISTORY

Somerset’s
Unsung
Women
A new book seeks to rescue
Somerset’s ‘erased’ women
from anonymity and tell
their forgotten stories
WORDS:

Helen Pugh

emarkable women who lived in
Somerset have often remained
obscure. When we look at a lot of
traditional history books, actions
by women from any background are often
expressed using the passive voice, e.g. ‘The
convent was founded’ rather than actually
naming the woman who founded the religious
house. Frequently, female protagonists are
partially or entirely erased from the narrative
when their stories make up the fabric of
history, just as their male counterparts made
history. Women’s stories simply deserve to
be told.
I was keen to investigate our county’s
‘erased’ women and rescue them from
anonymity with my latest book, Unsung
Women in Somerset. Although a firstgeneration ‘Somersetian’ as my parents and
grandparents are from elsewhere in Britain,
I feel a deep connection with the county. I
grew up in Chilcompton, went to the Royal
High School in Bath and then attended the
University of Bristol.
I wouldn’t have delved into this project 10
years ago because I used to view local history
as boring, but it deinitely isn’t! If you look in
the right places, there are many incredible
events, people, legends and beliefs to uncover,
sometimes even in the tiniest hamlet. I know
I’ve been guilty of assuming that anything
interesting must have taken place in a big city,

PHOTO:ALAMY

Somerset Life

March 2024

>
73

HIDDEN HISTORY

March 2024

PHOTOHELENPUGH

that noteworthy events happened elsewhere,
but I’ve certainly proven myself wrong with
these projects!
I was also surprised to ind women visiting
or coming to live in Somerset from all over the
world. The book mentions Jewish and Romani
women as well as citizens from Barbados,
Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Sierra
Leone, the USA and all corners of Britain.
Alongside other forms of discrimination,
including social standing, disability and
religion, non-White and/or foreign women
have generally been particularly overlooked.
Women’s rights are not a linear journey
in which things have steadily improved over
the years. It’s an undulating line that has
swept up and down; for instance, far more
Anglo-Saxon women held land than their
Norman counterparts. I’m in awe of how
during each era, women found ways to assert
whatever power they could obtain despite
the risks and various limitations placed on
them. Hopefully, readers will feel encouraged
by the women’s tenacity and the creative
methods they used to gain a bit of control
over their own lives and make a diference
in their communities.
One such tenacious woman was Beatrice
Page (1882–1976), the irst female tram driver
in England. She was one of several women
recruited to drive Weston-super-Mare’s
trams during the First World War to replace
the men who had gone away to ight. The
tram companies were unenthusiastic about
hiring women: Beatrice probably wasn’t
even issued a uniform until she had proven
her ability. Despite the discrimination, a
January 1916 photograph of Motorwoman
Page shows her driving a tram with a proud
and determined expression. Beatrice had to
give up this employment when the ighting
men returned from mainland Europe in 1918,
but she was invited back to drive the last tram
before the tram lines were pulled up in 1942
as recognition of her previous work.
Beatrice is just one of the countless
women who have pushed boundaries
so that future women could lead better
lives – entering male-dominated spheres,
demanding their rights, breaking gender
norms, taking on positions of power... The
list goes on. Of course, they were human
and therefore imperfect like the rest of us.
I’ve endeavoured to outline their laws and
potential laws whilst displaying my deep
admiration for these unsung women. I think
historical igures resonate more with us and
become more real when we acknowledge
their imperfections. Humanity’s imperfect
nature is one thing that hasn’t changed over
time, just like certain aspects of Somerset’s
geography have remained unaltered. It’s
exciting to think that we look at the same
hills these women gazed at so many years
ago, that we walk the same paths as them,
even if a lot has changed over time. I hope to
inspire others to discover or rediscover their

Aveline’s Hole, the oldest known cemetery in England

‘Historical igures resonate more
with us and become more real when
we acknowledge their imperfections’
local area after learning about the ‘hidden
history’ of women in Somerset. I hope people
will feel touched when they encounter places
in their day-to-day life that are connected to
the women or will even to go out speciically
to visit various locations.
My research has given me the opportunity
to discover places and experience great days
out with my family that I wouldn’t have
known about otherwise. For instance, we
had a fantastic time visiting Athelney to see
Alfred and Ealswitha’s secret hiding place
and then on to Burrow Mump to see their
lookout post during their battles against
the Vikings. I’ve deinitely infected the
kids with an interest in history. Any time
we drive through Burrington Combe, they
join me in looking out for Aveline’s Hole,
the oldest known cemetery in England. The
same goes for Arthur’s Bridge whenever we
drive between Shepton Mallet and Castle

Cary. With my family in mind, I’m currently
working on a junior edition of Unsung
Women in Somerset, aimed at those aged
nine and up. This is part of my long-term plan
to continue to bring the lives of women and
other marginalised people to the forefront.
You can purchase Unsung Women in
Somerset via books2read.com/unsung

‘Meet’ the woman who had two funerals,
the women who voted before it was
legal to do so and the
queens, saints and
witches from our
county. Helen will be
giving a talk at the
Museum of Somerset
on March 7
at 7.30pm. Book
your ticket (£10) via
swheritage.org.uk

Somerset Life

March 2024

KIDS, THESE DAYS
Join Angharad Paull as she explores the best places to entertain children in Somerset

Springtime Surprises
k, prepare yourselves – it’s that time of year again, when
writers get slap-happy with eggstra-ordinarily bad egg puns
to talk about all things Easter. I’ll try and restrain myself
as much as possible, although now that we’re starting to
emerge from our winter hibernation, I’m feeling positively giddy at the
prospect of warmer sunny days, blossoming trees and lighter evenings.

PHOTO:SOMERSETCOUNCIL

With Easter arriving early this year, Somerset’s events calendar is
starting to look fuller than the Easter Bunny’s basket, making it a
cracking (sorry) time to explore the county with kids. From egg hunts
to subterranean fairy trails, artistic crafts to outdoor bushcraft,
railway rides to steam engines, I, for one, will be springing into this
new season like a newborn lamb thanks to this egg-cellent lot…

Ham Hill offers panoramic views and ample opportunity for running free!

South Somerset Country Parks
One of the UK’s largest Iron Age Hill forts,
Ham Hill is also the source of Somerset’s
prized honey-coloured buildings, a fantastic
wildlife haven and walker’s paradise with
breathtaking panoramic views over Somerset
and beyond. Centuries of quarrying have
created Hobbit-ish dips, hills and ditches
which kids love to run up and down. There’s
also a druid-esque stone circle, which gives
of ancient vibes, but was actually erected to
commemorate the Millennium and quarry
workers, by one of the quarry companies.
Within the 173 hectares of this country
park, you’ll also ind a woodland play zone,

March 2024

a Roman Treasure Trail and family-friendly
activities taking place over Easter. Head
over to join in with egg-related games and
challenges (April 4), and win a prize.
Yeovil Country Park, on the outskirts
of the town, is great for families Discover
waterfalls, stepping stones, hidden grottos,
and fairytale-esque bridges hidden amid
semi-ancient woodland. Kids can run wild in
the Ninesprings-themed playground, make
the most of the lat paths on scooters and
roller skates, and take part in Ranger-led
Easter fun, including learning how to light
a ire with lint and steel, before cooking

some simple food over the lames (April 2),
and completing a spring trail to win a prize
(April 5, £3 per child).
Nearby, the disused 19th century Chard
Reservoir is now a local nature reserve and
a fantastic site for bird watching, walking,
wildlower meadows and exploring nature.
This Easter, hungry Egg-splorers are invited
to brush up on their bushcraft and learn lint
ire-lighting skills (April 5).
For all activities (except the Yeovil
Country Park spring trail), places are
limited and booking is required.
visitsouthsomerset.com

Somerset Life

FAMILY DAYS OUT

PHOTO:WESTONZOYLANDENGINETRUST

AMERICANMUSEUMANDGARDENSPHOTO:PETERHALL

WESTONZOYLAND
PUMPING STATION
MUSEUM

Above & below ground
The American Museum & Gardens
near Bath traces the journey from Native
Americans to irst settlers, cowboys, gold
miners, and pioneers, all the way up to
the 20th century. It’s brimming with an
impressive collection of artefacts, which
vividly narrate stories of Americana,
including a new 2024 exhibition that will
examine the famous American road trip.
Outside, overlooking the beautiful Limpley
Stoke Valley, the grounds sprawl over
125 acres, and feature a replica of George
Washington’s garden at Mount Vernon, a
contemporary New American Garden, an
arboretum, terraced lawn amphitheatre
and a fantastic children’s play area.Make
the most of the gorgeous gardens from
March 29-April 14 with an outdoor trail
(for a small fee on top of normal admission)
and whip up something wonderful at the
crafting station. And, of course, it wouldn’t

be Easter without something sweet – visit the
Garden Deli for classic American treats like
classic Franks and Knickerbocker Glories.
americanmuseum.org
For subterranean adventures, embark on
an enchanting journey into The Enchanted
Cave at Cheddar Gorge to discover a magical
illuminated trail hidden deep in Gough’s
Cave (March 29-April 14), where fairies
glisten, lowers grow and eggs glow! Help
the fairies – friends of the Easter bunny –
ind out where the sleeping troll has hidden
their precious eggs. On your travels, you’ll
meet guardian fairies who hold clues to help
you uncover why the eggs are important unravel this Easter enigma and you’ll receive
a treat! Tickets include access to Cox’s Cave,
the Museum of Pre-History, Jacob’s Ladder
and The Lookout Tower, plus the Clif-Top
Walk for a egg-cellent day out.
cheddargorge.co.uk

COATES ENGLISH WILLOW

PHOTO:NICOLACOATE

Somerset Life

EAST QUAY
Watchet’s East Quay Arts Centre will
be hosting a series of nature-themed
creative workshops and activities for
all ages between April 2-11. From
leaf printing to spring collagraphs,
plaster sculptures, folk bannermaking, nature paint brushes and
3D casting (for older teenagers), the
ofering includes both free, drop-in
options and paid, bookable sessions.
For additional inspiration, don’t miss
the People Came For Tea and Stayed
Forever exhibition, featuring new
and existing works by Sam Francis,
responding to Nettlecombe, a rural
estate within Exmoor National Park.
eastquaywatchet.co.uk/events

March 2024

PHOTO:EASTQUAY

The unique landscape of the Somerset levels provides the
perfect conditions for willow growing, and the Coates
family has been doing just that in Stoke St Gregory for
some 200 years. During the holidays, they put their
ingenious willow weaving skills to creating themed willow
characters. Pick up a trail map from the visitor centre
(£3 per person) and seek out sculptures dotted around
the wetlands, solving the puzzle for a prize at the end.
Extend your day out with a circular walk along the River
Tone to the viewpoint on top of Windmill Hill.
coatesenglishwillow.co.uk

The Easter Monday Steam Up (April 1)
at Westonzoyland’s Grade II*-listed
1830s pumping station showcases
over 30 running stationary steam
engines and pumps. Home to one
of the largest collections in the UK,
most of the engines here have either
been made or used locally. Peer at a
water wheel display, have a go on a
narrow gauge railway ride, then test
your egg-tastic knowledge in a quiz
for the chance to win an Easter prize.
Pack a picnic to enjoy beside the river
or rock up to the cafe for snacks and
homemade cake.
wzlet.org

March 2024

Somerset Life

March 2024

A picture paints

a thousand
words
As we celebrate International Women’s Day on
March 8, we discover what young women want to
show the world through creative, visual storytelling
WORDS:

March 2024

Kelly Rose Bradford

he Girls’ Schools Association’s 2023
photography competition, with
the theme ‘Now You Know’, was
an invitation for girls to show the
world what they wished others knew about
their life in just one photo.
Head judge Ed Kirwan is a photographer
and ilmmaker, and also the founder of
Empathy Week (empathy-week.com) a global
schools programme which uses photography
and ilmmaking to teach young people the
power of empathy.
Ed says he feels the theme of the competition
really gave the girls the opportunity to
open up and share their thoughts and
vulnerabilities through their submissions.
‘It gave the young women permission to
express whatever they wanted. For them to be
able to say: “I want to show you this” and that
it is potentially going to be something you
have no idea about,’ he says, continuing that
as they sifted through the hundreds of entries,
he and his fellow judges often couldn’t guess
the age group of the girls from their photos.
‘Even the youngest students were so good,’ he

Somerset Life

EDUCATION

SOFIA, 10

SHAGUN, EIGHT

Headington School

Northwood College for Girls GDST

Disabilities are not limitless

I will ly

Now you know... I have an older sister with a
disability. She gives me joy when she is riding
her horse. Emilia doesn’t speak and only walked
when she was seven years old and still needs
her wheelchair for long-distance walking. She
has taught me you can do anything in life.

Now you know... I will ly, to ly is my passion.
I will ly, to be a pilot is my dream.
I will ly around the world.
I will ly across the seven seas.
I will ly through many sunsets and sunrises.
I will ly through luffy clouds and the blue sky.
I will ly through the starry night in the
moon light.
No rain, no thunder, no storm can stop
me lying.

ANNA, 15

St Francis’ College
Between two worlds
Now you know... Who I am, but do I
know who am I?

says. ‘Not just the pictures themselves, but
also how they captioned them.’
Ed was particularly impressed that so
many girls not only chose to engage with the
project, but decided in many cases to produce
work that gave a very personal insight into
their lives. ‘That they were brave enough
to do it and put themselves out there was
incredible,’ he says. ‘In doing so, they risked
a little bit of their vulnerability by opening
up their world to other people.’
‘So many of the pictures were not just
straightforward images of their families or
their hobbies – things that people already
knew about them, but photos that went
beyond the surface to really show “now
you know that I’ve struggled”, or “now you
know why I love doing this”. And it is very
powerful when you are a young person to
share those things.’
The judges found each piece of work to be
entirely individual, bringing its own story
and emotion. ‘Some of them were comedic,
some of them were very sad,’ he says. ‘Many of
them were extremely moving, and a large part

Somerset Life

of that was down to the written contribution
that went with them.’
One image that Ed says particularly
stuck with him was 10-year-old Headington
School pupil Soia’s, titled: Now you know...
disabilities are not limitless.

‘The theme of
the competition
gave the girls the
opportunity to share
their thoughts and
vulnerabilities’
Her horse-riding shot of her older sister
Emilia, who has a disability, was, he explains,
very poignant. ‘The picture was great, and
how she described what her sister meant to
her in the caption was just so moving. It was
such a strong and powerful combination.’
And although technical skills, or having

access to high-end equipment, was not a
consideration in the judging the process, the
panel was impressed by the entrant who
mentioned in her captions how much she
enjoyed working with double exposure and
demonstrated it in her entry.
‘One of the entrants in the eight to 11 age
group talked about how she really enjoyed
photography and using diferent techniques.
Her entry showed me she really thought about
the composition as well as the style, and the
emotion of it, too,’ says Ed.
Indeed, when it came to judging the
entries, it was the story it told that the panel
– which was made up of photographer and
visual artist Rich McCor, content creator
Jade Beason, and ilm-maker Daisy Gaston
– rather than what it was shot with that
was important.
‘It really didn’t matter what camera you
had,’ Ed explains. ‘We were not looking for
how high the resolution was but: What’s the
story? Can you tell it with your picture?’
And by telling those stories, Ed hopes that
the girls feel empowered by the work they >
March 2024

EDUCATION

‘This
competition
was an
opportunity for
young women
to feel seen,
heard and
understood’

FAATIMAH, 14

Withington Girls’ School
Through the gate

MIA, NINE
Northwood College for Girls GDST
created, and more conident in sharing their
thoughts and letting others know what is
important to them at this life stage.
‘This competition was an opportunity
for young women to feel seen, heard and
understood. And that’s exactly what it
achieved,’ he says.
‘But it was just that – an opportunity. The
girls didn’t have to take it, and there was
no pressure to enter, but hundreds of girls
did take it. And that’s what we need to do
more of in education; create opportunities
for young people to express themselves in
diferent ways.
‘And even for those who didn’t submit an
entry, the competition was still a way to
include everyone because they would have
learned a little bit more about their fellow
pupils, and perhaps would have been left
feeling that they could put themselves out
there and try new things too.’
Ed also believes the competition was a
brilliant opportunity for teachers to see the
work and creative talents of girls from schools
other than their own, and celebrate them too.
‘And I really don’t think there’s anything
better than that, is there?’ he says.
‘Celebrating the work of others.’

The best of two in one
Now you know... I love my culture. I am Nigerian
and Indian which makes me Nigidian and
I love photography.

Now you know... My relationship
with my religion always gives
a warm and pleasant feeling,
refreshing my thoughts and letting
me lay content, so I appreciate
going to see Islamic historic
places, such as the one in the
photo, known as The Haram Sharif.
Going to these places gives me
a sense of euphoria, and I will
forever treasure that feeling.

AARYA, 13

GOOD TO KNOW
With ‘inclusivity’ the theme of International
Women’s Day 2024, we’ve chosen entries from
the GSA competition that really sum that up;
from challenging stereotypes, to breaking down
barriers, and championing other young women.
To see all the short- and long-listed entries
and winners visit the Girls’ Schools Association
website: gsa.uk.com

March 2024

Withington Girls’ School
They’re always here
Now you know... Sisters are
always here no matter what,
they have your back, every step
of the way. They have all the best
advice, and only want the best
for you. Love them now, even
when you have a ight, love them
before it’s too late.

FLORRIE, 11

Wakeield Girls’ High School
The night light
Now you know... We’re better together. I’ve
found that to make friends and to see everyone
come together despite their differences is a
sight worth seeing.

Somerset Life

March 2024

OUTDOOR LIFE
Making the most of our county’s greatest gift
RIDING HIGH

NATURE INSPIRES

LACE UP

Cheltenham is almost here, which
Somerset horse is a safe bet?

Somerset-based author Hannah Richell
tells us about her latest book

Don your walking boots and
explore the village of Mells

LET’S GO LAMBING
Somerset Sheep Trekking is based at a family run farm in Pitminster,
Taunton and situated in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape.
Three generations of the same family have farmed the 180 acres
since 1956 and they have been welcoming newborn lambs for nearly
70 years. Tamsyn and Gordon have now opened their doors to the
members of the public and invite you to join them for their popular
lambing experiences. Unlike commercial lamb encounters, these

Somerset Life

experiences are small and personalised, relaxed and lexible. Expect
to check on the pregnant ewes, seeing if any are giving birth, then
spend time in the nursery meeting the adorable newly born lambs,
learn all about them, their birth stories and how to care for them.
To book, visit somersetsheeptrekking.co.uk
somersetsheeptrekking or
Somerset Sheep Trekking

March 2024

Somerset Life

RSPB HAM WALL

MARCHing to the
sound of bird song
Join Stephen Couch, assistant warden at
RSPB Ham Wall as he tells us what to expect
at our wetland nature reserve this month

arch is my favourite time of year
and a walk across the RSPB’s
Somerset nature reserves at Ham
Wall is a great way to connect to
nature and get the sense that a change is
coming. The irst butterlies of the year wake
from their hibernations – look out for small
tortoiseshell, red admiral and brimstone.
The irst bumblebees can be spotted too,
searching for early lowering plants.
You’ll notice an increase in birdsong, with
birds such as dunnock, great tit, goldinch,
and robin singing from their perches and
the song thrushes belting out their familiar
rhythmic tunes, along with the more melodic
blackbird. The great spotted woodpeckers
will be drumming against trees to make
their presence known to establish territories
and as a top- tip when you arrive to our car
park you may hear the yale of the green
woodpecker – it is frequently seen and heard
from this busier spot.
The chorus of song will only increase as the
month progresses into April. Our native birds
are joined, as time progresses, by migrating
warblers – many from sub-Saharan regions
such as the willow warbler. Blackcaps and
chifchaf will also be present – many of these
are now overwintering in Britain and may
be regular visitors to your gardens. RSPB
Ham Wall is a great place to take in the dawn
chorus – thanks to the lines of hedgerows
and trees, as well as the sprawling reedbeds
and open water. But, perhaps the most iconic
sound of the RSPB Ham Wall reedbeds is
the call of the male bittern – a member of
the heron family. ‘Booming’, as it is known,
is already well underway by March. This
wonderful sound resonates across nature
reserves of the Avalon Marshes, of which
RSPB Ham Wall is a part, and can carry for up
to 5km! Its sound is like somebody blowing
over the top of a very large milk bottle. It is
particularly atmospheric on early mornings
with the mist hanging over the reedbeds of
this ancient looking landscape. Males will
keep booming to attract females all the way
into June, so you have plenty of opportunity
to visit and take in this unique sound.
Other heron species are also present at
this time of year. Grey herons can be seen
carrying sticks and other vegetation to build
their nesting platforms within the reedbeds.

above:

Grey herons opt
to nest in the reed
beds in Somerset’s
marshes.
Photo: Sandie Andrews

right:

The call of the male
bittern can be heard
‘booming’ across
Avalon Marshes.
Photo: John Crispin

far right:

Our native birds are
joined by the willow
warbler as the month
of March progresses.
Photo: Mike Pearce

Somerset Life

Grey herons are often associated with nesting
in colonies in large stands of trees, but the
lack of suitable groups of trees in this old
industrial landscape, reformed after peat
extraction, means they take readily to nesting
in the reedbeds. The Waltons section of
RSPB Ham Wall is a favoured area. Nesting
normally takes place from February onwards.
The very elegant looking great white egrets
can also be spotted daily across the nature
reserve. These birds are recent colonisers
to Britain and have been breeding in the
Avalon Marshes since 2012. Their breeding
success has been phenomenal, and they are
now commonplace in Somerset and have
spread their range far and wide. Another
elegant bird to look out for is the great crested
grebe. Pairs perform an amazing courtship
display involving head bobbing and shaking
and the wonderful ‘weed dance’ as pairs rise
in the water to meet each other carrying
weeds in their beaks as a gift. This reinforces
pair bonds as they ready themselves for the
upcoming breeding season.
Marsh harriers perform their own rituals,
with acrobatic interactions in the air known
as ‘sky dancing’. The male will also perform
food passes to females to show his prowess
as a hunter and a suitable mate. Several
pairs breed on Ham Wall these days with
the Avalon Hide a great place to watch them.
With all this activity going on, it’s easy to
overlook some of the species that have been
with us over winter and not yet left. Out on the
water you may still see the wintering ducks
such as wigeon and teal – as the weather
improves further, they will feel compelled
themselves to travel north to their breeding
grounds. Wintering thrushes (ieldfare and
redwing) are still present in small numbers
as the wintering birds and some of the new
spring arrivals overlap, allowing keen bird
watchers to create an extensive species list
on a visit. Other arrivals will include the
sand martins after a long journey northward.
House martins and swallows won’t be too
far behind them, but you may have to wait
a few more weeks for the irst swifts and
the calls of the incredible cuckoo – a bird
sadly disappearing from our countryside.
Happily, RSPB Ham Wall still acts as a
stronghold for these birds each year.
rspb.org.uk/hamwall

March 2024

When your
writing lows

As her latest novel hits the bookshops,
Somerset-based novelist Hannah Richell
tells us how she uses the county’s landscapes
for plot inspiration

March 2024

Somerset Life

INSPIRED BY SOMERSET

f all the English counties to fall in
love with, it’s Somerset I come back
to again and again. As a novelist,
sense of place is deeply important
to me. It’s not just where I live, work and
raise my children, but it’s also a source of
creative inspiration. Landscapes speak to
me and shape my stories.
I write in a small studio at the bottom of
my garden, in a house perched in a valley
on the Somerset borders. After I’ve seen
the kids of to school, I walk our dog – a
boisterous working cocker, Ted – using the
time spent stomping across muddy ields or
along riverside paths to pick-up the threads
of my novel from the day before, or to work
through any sticky plot points. Then it’s time
to sit down at my desk and write.
I try to do a solid three hours each morning,
fuelled by cofee and the ever-present lure
of the biscuit tin. Ted is good company. He
snores loudly from the basket near my feet,
or birdwatches through the window. There’s
an apple tree in the garden which I can see
from my desk. I like to mark the progress
of a novel by watching the seasons shift on
its boughs; blossom in spring, followed by
branches heavy with summer apples, before
the leaves turn and fall.
I love writing and know how lucky I am
that this is my job, but it can be a lonely
profession. When the solitude hits a little
too hard even for an introvert like me, I
take myself into Bath, to the beautiful
independent bookshops and cafés, or to the
markets of Frome, the vintage shops and
galleries of Bruton, or to meet writing friends
in Bristol.
The South West is a hub for creativity in
so many diferent forms. It’s hard not to feel
inspired when surrounded by such a wealth
of artistic talent.

The South West wasn’t always home. I
found my way here from Buckinghamshire
via a circuitous route to Australia. I lived in
Sydney for 13 years, until my husband died
suddenly in a suring accident and the UK
beckoned me and our two young children
home. Deep in grief, I felt the strong desire
to return to England and to feel the embrace
of a softer more familiar landscape. Instinct
told me Somerset would be a place of solace.
A place to cocoon ourselves. A place to grieve
and heal and rebuild. Since 2016, it’s been
all of those things, and more. In our earliest
days of grief, the kids and I walked Somerset’s
valleys and river paths, inding places of
beauty and calm in villages such as Freshford,
Tellisford and St Catherine’s Valley. Deep in
the countryside, I felt my sense of calm and
perspective returning.
It was on these head-clearing walks
that I found the idea for my fourth novel
emerging. Walking meandering river paths,
past wisteria-clad cottages and tumbledown
farmhouses, my novelist’s brain ignited. I
began to imagine a ictional family in their
own ramshackle house, Windfalls, where
an old cider orchard slides down to meet a

river below. In The River Home, the Sorrells
are a family facing the inevitable ebb and
low of life. For each of them, the river of
their home represents something diferent.
Likewise, a glamping holiday on the edge of
Exmoor provided the seed for my latest novel,
The Search Party, a thriller focused on a
group of families pushed to the edge on a
wild weekend away. Landscape seems to be
irmly rooted in each of my novels, the source
from which each story is born.
I like to think of life now as a little like these
rivers I walk beside. We are all at the mercy of
an unknowable low, weathering occasional
storm floods or drought, allowing new
tributaries to emerge and join. I recognise my
good fortune for the peace I have found here,
for the continued low of all the moments we
string together that become a life.
If where we live can shape, change and
inspire us, I don’t think there is a more
generous county than Somerset. I’ll always
be grateful for its warm embrace, one that has
ofered peace and healing. One that feels for
all the world like coming home.
hannahrichell.com
@hannahrichell

left: ‘Ted is good company. He snores loudly

Somerset Life

PHOTO:PHOTOGRAPHERNAMEXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

from the basket near my feet, or birdwatches
through the window.’ Photo: Lucy Williams
right: ‘The kids and I walked Somerset’s
valleys and river paths in villages such
as Freshford.’ Photo: Hannah Richell

March 2024

Somerset Life

CU T OU T AND K EEP

WALK

WA L K

Meander around Mells
The beautiful and historic village of Mells is the
starting point for this month’s health walk
WORDS:

rome is known as the original
Somerset Market Town, and with a
team of 15 dedicated volunteer walk
leaders, it’s no surprise that Frome is
among the most successful Somerset Health
Walks ofering every single level of walk
every week.
We at the Somerset Activity & Sports
Partnership (SASP) truly value the
importance of the role that our local
community plays in Somerset, fostering a
sense of belonging and unity – and Frome
and its surrounding villages, such as Mells
relects this.

Somerset Life

Sue Worringham & Joseph Madge

Along with our health walks programme,
Frome ofers a variety of provision for children
and young people, and SASP, along with a
vast range of partners and organisations, is
dedicated to improving this support. SASP
has prioritised initiatives in Frome including
Talk Activities, a pupil voice project where
the aim is to understand what children and
young people want, understand what’s going
on in their local areas, barriers they are facing
and then future steps to overcome these;
and Development Days, whereby multiple
schools can grow connections/ improve
relationships with community clubs and

above: Step out with others on a healthy walk
in the Somerset countryside.
Photo: Terry Aldous

other schools and also be ofered skills in
leadership. The countywide Happy Healthy
Holidays programme, a government funded
initiative through Somerset Council, and
managed by SASP, to provide children on
beneits related free school meals, enriching
free holidays activities that includes food
and nutritional information, runs multiple
successful programmes in Frome.

March 2024

WALK

NEED TO KNOW
There’s one stile on the
route. This can be avoided by
going back to the main road
after visiting the church.
Visit the Mells Village Café on your
route for refreshments and toilets

Mells is a village of much
historical interest and
guidebooks and lealets are
available in the village shop

1
2

Try to avoid blasting times for
your visit to the quarry (Usually
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays,
around midday)

THE WALK

Route devised by walk leader Liz Hutchinson

The walk starts from the village
car park at the recreation ground
in Longield, Mells. Head into the
recreation ground and walk around the
edge of the ields, keeping past the pavilion,
then turn right along the hedge, staying
in the ield to the far-left corner where a
gap will lead you past a stone stile on your
right to a small parking area. Turn down
a path to your right and follow this path
downhill. At the bottom turn right onto a
small lane to pass the Old Reading Room
on your right – this was originally an inn,
then a magistrate’s court!

Keep walking along the lane past
houses, then bear left onto a bigger
road. Take the bend left until you
reach the pavement and continue almost to
a left-hand junction ahead. Cross the road
and take the wooded path by a footpath
sign. Follow the path until it reaches a road
on Mells Common. Walk up the road with
the school on your right, straight across
the crossroads, and continue for about 300
metres where the road bends to the right.
Pass through the gateway marked ‘Whatley
Quarry’. Climb the steps to your left to the

March 2024

quarry viewpoint – make sure you give
yourself time here to take in the views!

Retrace your steps across the crossroads
and take a small unmarked path on
your right just after a ‘school’ sign,
this path leads you to two gates. Taking the
left-hand gate go downhill until you reach a
road and turn left and take the road downhill,
bearing slightly right. Cross the main road,
signed ‘Mells’. Shortly bear left onto a smaller
lane signposted ’Brook Cottage’. At the
bottom of the hill, go left over a footbridge
over the brook and turn right at the road
ahead. Follow the road for about 300 metres
to a junction. Facing you is a small shelter
designed by Edwin Lutyens as a memorial
to Mark, the son of Lady Horner from Mells
Manor, who died of scarlet fever as a boy. At
the junction, turn left, then left again, passing
Mells Village Shop and Café on your right.

is buried in the churchyard, and inside the
church is a memorial sculpture of a horse by
Lutyens and Alfred Munnings, usually known
as an equestrian painter. Walk to the left of
the church to join the alley of yews behind.
Turn left out of the churchyard into open ields
behind Mells Manor, home of the Horner
family since the sixteenth century. Climb the
stile and go through the gate immediately on
your left.

Follow the path across the small ield
with Mells Manor on your left, to
another gate, and turn right onto the
road, passing the Lutyens-designed bus stop.
This will bring you back to your start point.

This road will continue to the centre of
the village, passing the War Memorial,
(also designed by Lutyens), the Tithe
Barn and Walled Garden and turning
right just before The Talbot Inn towards
the church. Siegfried Sassoon, the war poet

Somerset Life

March 2024

Somerset Life

HORSE RACING

Going for the
Gold Cup
For followers of the Sport of Kings, the month of March
means just one thing and that is the Cheltenham Festival
when for four days the normally calm and serene
Cotswold spa town is awash with all things jumps racing
WORDS:

Richard Walsh

ne trainer who has enjoyed
considerable success at The Festival
is Somerset’s Paul Nicholls who is
based in the village of Ditcheat
which is located on the southern slopes of
the Mendip Hills between Shepton Mallet
and Castle Cary. Paul was born in Lydney on
the other side of the Bristol Channel, the son
of a policeman, on April 17 1962, and grew
up living in South Gloucestershire where he
attended Marlwood School. From an early
age Paul had an interest in horses and much
preferred to be out riding his ponies than
going to school or playing other sports. It
was no surprise that when he was 16 he left
school and went to work full time for point
-to-point trainer Dick Baimbridge, who taught
him so much and was a huge inluence on
him at this stage of his career.
After enjoying success on the point-topoint circuit Paul got his amateur’s licence
and started to ride in National Hunt races
for a variety of trainers. One of these was
Josh Giford, based at Findon in Sussex, who
ofered him a full time position and in 1982 he
became a conditional jockey. Paul spent three
years at Giford’s yard during which time he
had his irst experience of riding at Aintree
and his irst ride in the Grand National on
Roman Bistro, a 150-1 shot.

left: Paul Nicholls pictured with

Bravemansgame who will be looking to go one
better in the 2024 Gold Cup. Photo: Tracy Roberts

Somerset Life

In the autumn of 1985 he moved to join
trainer David Barons who was expanding his
yard in South Devon near Kingsbridge and
was looking to recruit another jockey. The
following year Paul stepped up to become
the number one rider at Barons’ yard which
is where he enjoyed his most success as a
jockey. The partnership proved to be very
successful. During his time at the stable he
rode a number of big race winners including
the Hennessy Gold Cup two years running –
on board Broadheath in 1986 and Playschool
in 1987. That same year Playschool also won
the Welsh Grand National and in 1988 the
Hennessy Irish Gold Cup. However after
notching up 119 winners over seven years
Paul sufered a broken leg when a horse
kicked him, which brought his riding career
to an early end in 1989. For the next two years
he worked as assistant trainer to Barons and
in 1991 gained his licence.
That same year he moved to his Manor
Farm yard in Ditcheat, where dairy farmer
Paul Barber, whose family had been making
cheddar cheese since 1833, was his landlord.
He started out with eight horses and got his
irst winner as a trainer when Olveston –
named after the village where he grew up
and owned partly by his parents – won at
Hereford. Since then he has never looked back
and gone onto saddle over 3,600 winners
and been crowned as champion trainer on
14 occasions. He has also become one of the
most successful trainers of his era at the
Cheltenham Festival, which this year starts >
March 2024

HORSE RACING

on Tuesday March 12. Paul says: ‘We have
had quite a few winners at The Festival – in
fact I think we need two more to reach 50 –
which has included four Gold Cups, so yes
it’s been very good. You could really call the
Cheltenham Festival the Olympics of our
sport. The Blue Riband steeplechase is the
Gold Cup and everybody who is involved in
horse racing wants to win the Gold Cup. It’s
so competitive with the best of the English
and Irish horses and it’s good prize money.
There are fantastic crowds and its just four
fantastic days of racing.’
Paul adds: ‘I had a few races as a jockey
at Cheltenham and rode Playschool for
David Barons in the Gold Cup in 88. He
was favourite but he had a problem and

Paul Barber (left) who was Paul Nicholls’
landlord, and owner of Denman, pictured after
winning the Gold Cup in 2008. Photo: Paul Nicholls

March 2024

‘You could really call the Cheltenham
Festival the Olympics of our sport’
pulled up which was pretty disappointing
But Cheltenham became special to me in
1999 when I’d never had a winner there,
but then had three in a week – on Tuesday,
Flagship Uberalles won, on the Wednesday,
Call Equiname won the Champion Chase
and then Thursday, See More Business won
the Gold Cup and suddenly that put a new
meaning on The Festival for me. It was always
Paul Barber’s ambition to win a Gold Cup
which he achieved with See More Business
and in the end he ended up winning two
because he had Denman who won in 2008.
‘So 1999 was the year when I started to
realise what the Cheltenham Festival was all
about. Paul Barber was a fantastic landlord,
a fantastic friend and a fantastic man. He
took victory and defeat in the same way and
had some fantastic horses like Denman, See
More Business and he was also involved
with Call Equiname. He had some great
horses over the years and loved Cheltenham
as much as anyone.’
So, how big does The Festival feature in
Paul’s season and when does he start his
planning? ‘The media go mad about it straight
away and any good horse that wins a race is
ofered prices for Cheltenham – it seems to be
the mindset now. There are a huge number of

races and a lot of them lead up to The Festival
and there are others around it, but there is
Cheltenham fever really from the autumn
when the good racing starts.’
Why does Paul think he has such a good
record at Cheltenham?
‘Lots of crumbs make a cake and we have
many winners all round the year but to win at
The Festival is about having the right horses
for the races – if you haven’t got the best
horses then you are in trouble. It’s like having
the best of the best, and one year in the yard I
had Denman, Kauto Star, Big Bucks, Neptune
Collanges and Celestial Halo – all incredible
horses, and horses at that level ultimately
win you races.
‘We have got four gallops, one on the side
of a hill, so we have got a variety which is all
part of getting the horses who are athletes
to their very best – itness is the key to it all.
Get them it, get to know them and run them
in the right races.’
And inally did Paul have any tips for
Somerset Life readers for this year’s Festival?
‘Two novice chasers, Stay Away Fay who
won at Cheltenham in 2023 and Hermes
Allen – two top class horses, along with
Bravemansgame who will be going for the
Gold Cup in which he was second last year.’

Somerset Life

March 2024

EXPLORE EXMOOR
Your monthly update from our very special National Park

Incredible women across Exmoor’s produce industry
WORDS:

March inspires us to look across Exmoor
and celebrate the women who are driving
the food and artisanal produce landscape
that is so much a part of our region. These
brilliant women, often collaborating with
their families and staf, play a vital role in
enhancing Exmoor’s reputation for quality
and authenticity in its produce and products.
Anila of British Alpaca Fashion is known
for her high-quality alpaca wool products,
ref lecting Exmoor’s commitment to
sustainable and natural resources.
Janet from Grown Up Marshmallows ofers
artisanal, gourmet marshmallows, each a
unique blend of lavours and a testament to
her skill in creating delightful treats.
At Higher Hall Farm, Samantha focuses
on grass-fed beef and lamb, contributing
to Exmoor’s proud tradition of quality local
meats and produce.
Horner Farm, managed by Holly, is a
bastion of agricultural diversity, home to

Emma Thomasson

sheep, goats, cattle, and chickens, each
nurtured to provide the best of Exmoor’s
farm-to-table experience.
We are proud to boast two remarkable gin
producers on Exmoor and both Nicola of
Exmoor Distillery and Julie of Wicked Wolf
Gin bring their expertise to the crafting of
gin and rum, showcasing the variety and
quality of spirits from Exmoor.

Horner Farm is managed by Holly

Rachel at Exmoor Tea infuses her passion
for tea into every blend, creating a unique
Exmoor experience with each cup.
Alison at Wellhayes Vineyard produces
exquisite sparkling wines, capturing the
essence of Exmoor’s unique terroir in
every bottle.
Maria at Lynmouth Soapery combines
craftsmanship with local ingredients,
creating soaps and skincare products that
are a daily luxury.
These women are creating experiences
that deine the essence of Exmoor’s food and
drink scene. Their commitment to quality
and innovation invites everyone to explore
and indulge in the unique tastes and crafts
of Somerset’s very own National Park. Join
us in recognising the women at the heart
of Exmoor’s food and craft revolution,
and immerse yourself in the unique
tastes and stories of our beautiful region.
visit-exmoor.co.uk

How A Remarkable Woman Shaped the
History of Exmoor’s Coastal Forest

PHOTOZARAWHITFIELD

WORDS:

Ada Lovelace has become famous for her
pioneering contributions to computing and
mathematics. Collaborating with Charles
Babbage in the 1830s and 1840s she
contributed ideas to the programming of
the Analytical Engine, often said to be the
irst computer. Ada was a polymath and her
interests ranged widely. Being the daughter
of Lord Byron gave her a strong family
connection to the Romantic movement.
In 1835 Ada married William, the eighth
Baron King, and the couple spent their
honeymoon at King’s Ashley Combe estate
on the north coast of Exmoor. In this part of
the Exmoor coastal forest, the north-facing
woods descend steeply to the sea, and there
are dramatic views across the Bristol Channel
to Wales. Over the following few years Ada
would return frequently to Ashley Combe,
and her attraction to the landscape was a
major motivation for the improvements
made by William to his estate. These changes
broadly followed the ‘picturesque’ fashion of
the day, which sought to frame nature as a
painting and enhance the experience of the
natural world.

March 2024

Adrian Howkins

Relatively little scholarly attention has
been paid to the improvements made by Ada
and William to the Ashley Combe Estate. In
addition to redesigning Ashley Combe House
(which would be demolished in 1974), the
couple made signiicant improvements to the
woodland on the estate. William oversaw the
building of tracks, ‘fairy tunnels’ and paths,
and planted numerous exotic trees, seeking
to create dramatic viewpoints out across
the water. Ada’s passion for the landscape
provided an important inspiration for the
improvements and her sense of picturesque
style and personal connections with leading

noble gardeners helped shape their design.
Most of the money for the work came from
commercial exploitation of the estate’s
woodland for coppicing and timber.
The reshaping of the woodlands of the
Ashley Combe estate drew on history and
inluenced the future. The Anglo-Saxon
Culbone Church, for example, featured
prominently as a destination for tracks
constructed through the woods. As Ada’s
personal correspondence reveals, some of
her most inspiring conversations with igures
such as Babbage occurred on these footpaths.
In the 20th century, ideas of the picturesque
would inluence the decision to include the
coastal woodlands in Exmoor National Park.
Ada Lovelace played an important role in
shaping the history of Exmoor’s coastal
forests, and her inluence arguably deserves
more recognition. Discover more about
exploring the area at exmoorwalks.org.
Adrian Howkins and Dr Leonard
Baker are environmental historians
from Bristol University, working with
Exmoor National Park Authority on
coastal woodland conservation.

Ada Lovelace’s restoration project on Exmoor

Somerset Life

SECRET WORLD
Pauline Kidner, founder of charity Secret World Wildlife Rescue in East Huntspill

L ET’S TA L K A BOU T: T H E STA RT OF T H E

Baby bird season!
he blackbird is usually the irst of our
garden birds that start to nest from
early March onwards. That’s why
they herald that season for us and
as soon as it arrives, we know within a few
months we will be in the middle of the ‘silly
season’ with hundreds of mouths to feed. It’s
the female that builds the nest and the male
that protects its territory. The male is the
one with completely black feathering with a
bright orange beak and yellow eye ring. The
female is brown with a spotted chest, as are
the juveniles, which often get confused with
the thrush. Having been sent out to collect a
blackbird, for which I took one of our small
cardboard carriers, I was somewhat surprised
to ind on arrival that, while it was a black
bird, it was actually a crow. It was a bit of a
tight it in the box with its tail protruding!

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The young blackbirds will hatch out after
12 to 14 days of incubation and will put on
nearly 60 per cent of their body weight in
the irst 10 days of life – a busy time for the
parent birds to ind food. The adults remain
monogamous during their lifetime surviving
on average two to three years, although only
50 per cent of the chicks will survive their
irst year. The oldest blackbird was known
to be aged nearly 21 years.
Our tame red deer, Polly, who is now in her
thirties, sits quite patiently as our rooks pull
out her winter coat which she is discarding;
a super material for their nests. It is this time
of year that it’s really important to pick up
pieces of string or netting that you may see, as
birds will use it for nesting, and it can cause
injuries. Tiny ledglings can get tangled in it
and are then trapped and unable to get out of

above: Young blackbirds waiting for
their next meal delivery. Photo: Getty

the nest. We have seen some terrible injuries
caused by string and other litter. I keep a
plastic bottle handy and always put bits of
string in it that I ind. When full, it can then
be put out as rubbish. This stops animals
picking it up as nesting material locally or
at land ill. Such a simple thing that really
does save lives.
Don’t forget that baby birds leave the nest
but are still unable to ly for the irst couple of
days as they exercise their wings and build up
muscles. They are obviously very vulnerable
at this stage. But please don’t intervene unless
it is really necessary – you can always ring
for advice 01278 783250.

March 2024

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GARDENING TIPS
Jane Earthy of Monkton Elm Garden Centre gives some seasonal advice

JOBS IN THE
MARCH GARDEN
Deadhead daffodils and other
spring lowering bulbs when
lowers fade, removing the lower
heads and seedpods behind
them. Leave foliage to die back
naturally, feeding occasionally,
to ensure next year’s display.
Lift and divide herbaceous perennials,
replanting the best pieces. Take
the opportunity to change things
around, clear perennial weeds and
improve the soil with compost.
Continue to plant summer lowering
bulbs such as lilies and gladioli. Start
them off in pots and pop the pot into
the border later for instant colour.

The lowering quince, Chaenomeles, is as tough as old boots

The garden in early spring is full of promise;
many plants are beginning to stir from their
winter slumber, whilst others like primroses
and Pulmonaria are already in lower, and
the fresh air is illed with scent from early
lowering trees and shrubs. Their blossom
provides essential food for early pollinators
such as bumble bees which can be seen out
and about on warm days. There are several
Prunus (lowering cherry) that are at their
peak during March. One of the very best is
the Fuji cherry, P. incisa ‘Kojo-no-Mai’. Its
wiry stems have a ‘zig zag’ appearance and
are covered in masses of pearly pink lowers.
This upright small tree is a good choice for a
small garden or patio, slowly reaching about
two metres, and can be container grown.
Good autumn leaf colour is a bonus.
Another small lowering cherry is P. mume
‘Beni Chidori’, also known as the Japanese
apricot. I absolutely love the carmine pink
lowers, as they have a heavenly almond
scent. Borne in profusion along bare stems
now, although often buds begin to open in
February. The name translates as ‘Flight of
the red plovers’ which is quite lovely. Suitable
for container growing and pruning annually
after lowering maintains its shape.
Flowering quince, Chaenomeles, is a good
plant for many reasons. Superb lowers adorn

Somerset Life

its tangled branches now, it is as tough as old
boots, and grows practically anywhere, even
in exposed areas. It can be trained as a wall
shrub, and its spiny stems deter unwanted
visitors. A relative of the culinary quince
(Cydonia) the small hard fruit can also be
used in recipes. Try C. x Superba ‘Rowallane’,
with large red lowers, a marvellous example
of which can be found trained up the wall
at the National Trust’s Knightshayes house
in Devon. C. speciosa ‘Moerloosei’ is called
the apple blossom quince as its bowl shaped,
white-tinged pink lowers do indeed closely
resemble apple blossom. Very pretty and easy
care. Prune Chaenomeles after lowering if
necessary.
Stachyurus praecox is an unusual shrub
not seen enough in gardens. A pity, as at this
time of year bronzed stems are covered in
long racemes of tiny primrose yellow bells,
opening from buds formed in the previous
autumn. Reaching around 2.5 to 3m in 10
years, Stachyurus is best planted in light,
moist well-drained soil, in neutral to acid soil.
My last selection is Forsythia. The vivid
yellow lowers of Forsythia x intermedia
‘Lynwood Gold’ positively glow in low sun and
it can be used as a wall shrub, freestanding
or as a hedge. Cut out a few older stems after
lowering to maintain its shape.

Check pot-grown plants and repot if
root bound, using fresh compost.
Divide clumps of snowdrops (pictured
below), replanting at the same depth
elsewhere to increase stocks.
First early potatoes can be
planted in the second half of
March, weather permitting.

March 2024

PHOTO:GETTY

Early spring blooms

Prepare ground for laying turf
which can be done now if the
ground isn’t frozen. Lawn seed
sowing is best left until April.

101

HOME LIFE
Interiors inspiration and property advice
FORMICA QUEEN

WHAT’S COOKING?

HOUSE PRICE NEWS

Meet the master of marquetry
who hails from Somerset

The kitchen trends
for spring 2024

How are the property prices in
the county performing?

PHOTO:POGGENPOHL

LUXURY GERMAN KITCHENS
Regarded as the inventor of the modern kitchen, Poggenpohl is an
iconic and internationally renowned luxury German brand. South
West Design has opened Somerset’s irst independent Poggenpohl
kitchen design studio based in Priston, near Bath. Its stunning
and capacious showroom features a range of beautiful state-ofthe-art kitchen room sets in contemporary and classic styles that

Somerset Life

include this glamorous +SEGMENTO handleless kitchen with
anti-ingerprint Soft Sage lacquer and Champagne aluminium
door fronts, a dramatic porcelain waterfall island by Florim and
appliances by Miele. Open by appointment-only, there is free car
parking directly outside, and dogs are welcome too.
poggenpohlsouthwest.com

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MODERN MARQUETRY

THOROUGHLY
MODERN
MARQUETRY
Ahead of taking her collection to the States,
British Furniture Designer LUCY TURNER
gives Rachel Mead a unique glimpse into her
workshop and natural working environment

‘D

PHOTO:ADAMTURNER@ACT_ECOLOGICAL

ress warmly’ texted Lucy,
‘we’ll be walking through the
woodland along an old railway
line – and don’t expect a
picture postcard spot, it’s a very “working”
environment!’ Never one to shy away from
donning my hiking boots and woolly hat, I
set of to meet the award-winning furniture
designer at her home in a small hamlet in
North Somerset and was immediately greeted
with a warm welcome. ‘I thought we’d go for a
walk down the riverbank irst, then I’ll show
you my workshop.’
Within seconds of entering her four acre
small-holding, we are surrounded by ive
very over-friendly sheep. They are hot on
our heels as we walk along the long strip of
land, ‘they’re after biscuits, though they like
a nibble on clothes and boots too.’ Lucy isn’t
wrong, ‘Boujee’ is happily tugging away on my
laces as we unhook the next gate which leads
us away from her home and on towards the
River Cam. The width of Lucy’s land is that
akin to a double stretch of train track and is
lanked with ancient woodland. ‘The owner
before us bought this land and turned it back
to grassland which I’m so thankful for, our
kids just love it along here.’ Lucy’s enthusiasm
for her surroundings is bountiful and as she
starts to tell me about the history of the
redundant ‘Camerton Branch’ railway line

we suddenly stall our conversation mid-low
as we spot a couple of deer ahead. ‘There’s
always something to see along here,’ whispers
Lucy. ‘We have a resident kingisher, owls,
and you can see where the badgers have been
digging at the ground. It’s an incredible spot.
My Dad and the kids like to try their hand
at ishing here too – not that they’ve caught
anything yet!’
As the deer leap through the water and
up across the ields, we stop at a clearing
which leads down to the river. Lucy points to a
small wooden ishing platform, which, as the
morning sun is just starting to ilter through
the tree canopy, makes the perfect place for
us to sit. Lucy reaches into her rucksack and
produces a cafetiere of fresh cofee, a glass
bottle of milk, two mugs and those biscuits
which the sheep were craving. ‘It’s really
important to me that we have the right work
and home life balance. I want to enjoy my
kids and I really want them to be kids. There
are so many people who put so much focus
on their dreams rather than what’s going on
right here and now. My husband Guy and
I want our children to be outside as much
as possible, we’re keen for them to learn
where food comes from, and subsequently
we manage to it our work around them to try
and create a healthy balance.’ Lucy explains
how she often gets up at 5am to gain a few

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105

MODERN MARQUETRY

extra hours in her workshop before prepping
that evening’s dinner and taking the children
to school. ‘I’ll then get some good practical
working under my belt whilst the children are
at school, and then sometimes I’ll come back
out to the workshop again in the evening, I’m
so lucky that I have a workshop right here on
my doorstep now, it wasn’t always this way…’

Lucy’s career in marquetry all began after
she was encouraged to go to university by her
Design Craft tutor, Ella Machnik from Bath
College. ‘I honestly didn’t know that you could
do a degree in “making things”. If it wasn’t
for Ella encouraging me to do 3D Design at
the University of Plymouth I wouldn’t be
where I am today.’ After graduating, Lucy

had taken a year out before taking a job as a
postwoman to save money. ‘It was then that
an opportunity arose for me to apply for the
Next Move Scheme, which gave me a small
amount of funding to develop my own design
work whilst having access to design tools
and equipment at Falmouth University. The
ethos behind the scheme was to encourage
designers to do exhibitions and put yourselves
out there, it was a huge learning curve – but
vital, as it was during this time that I started
to understand that my designs needed to be
commercially viable.’
Lucy goes on to say how her irst ‘sale’
happened by accident after buying a six-footlong teak sideboard in a charity shop for £5.
On getting it home she realised that it wouldn’t
it in her house. ‘So, I took it to the workshop
and set to customising it. That was the career
deining moment because I adorned it with a
laser-cut Formica design and after including
it in a local exhibition, it sold within a couple

above: Wild Oats headboard. Photo: James Lawley
left: The New Collection - Family shot.
Photo: James Lawley

right: Lucy with her 'Oman Hills’ sideboard.
Photo: Jonny Green at Zzzone studios

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March 2024

Somerset Life

‘To see my furniture
on display in
Oxford Street was
incredible. Little
country-bumpkin
me in London!’

of hours so I just knew I was on to something!’
That was 20 years ago, and since then Lucy’s
relationship with Formica has cemented her
place in the marquetry world.
‘What’s not to like about Formica? It’s
vibrant, durable, heat and scratch resistant,
and when adorned on furniture which is 60
or 70 years old, it creates a piece of furniture
which will last a lifetime. It’s the best quality
laminate company in the UK and I’m pleased
to say that we have a very successful symbiotic
relationship. In fact, I’m creating a new wall
panel for their London-based showroom at
the moment as they are celebrating the launch
of their new range of textures and patterns.
They’ve been around for 110 years and its

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longevity as a product is instrumental in
my work.’
Lucy’s unique and functional pieces of art
have been displayed at many exhibitions and
shows ensuring that her work has, over the
years, been desired by outlets such as Marks
& Spencer as well as commissioned by John
Lewis and Lane Crawford. ‘I couldn’t believe
it when I was asked to develop a limited
edition of tables for John Lewis – and to see
my furniture on display in their Oxford Street
window and store was just incredible. Little
country-bumpkin me in London! I drove all
the tables up in my transit van for delivery,
and when the exhaust pipe fell of in Sloane
Square, the irony wasn’t lost on me!’

Since this successful nationwide exposure,
Lucy’s unique Formica marquetry designs are
now desired in the international furniture
arena with 2024 seeing Lucy Turner Modern
Marquetry in both the Middle East and the
United States. ‘Mohammed Shamsian is a
very prestigious master craftsman in Oman
and is often commissioned to make bespoke
pieces for royalty. Shamsian connected with
me via Instagram and we collaborated on a
collection which we launched at Clerkenwell
Design Week in London last May, and High
Point Market in North Carolina in October.
Every piece will be designed by me and
handmade to order by Shamsian and his
team, it’s very exciting.’ Then next month,

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MODERN MARQUETRY

‘I’d love to encourage those
people who are actively
searching for new pieces of
furniture to consider buying
local and buying for life’

Lucy will be lying, along with a container of
her pieces, to the States, ‘I’m taking my new
collection to High Point Market 2024. It’s the
biggest furniture and interiors exhibition in
the world and I have put everything into it; my
heart, soul and every spare penny. I’m going to
be taking pieces that I am so proud of. They are
a relection of years of hard work, perseverance
and dedication to my craft – I really hope
there is room for a bit of Lucy Turner Modern
Marquetry in the US furniture world.’

above and left: Lucy rears orphaned
lambs from the Somerset Levels alongside
keeping chickens and growing an abundance
of vegetables. Photos: Adam Turner @ act_ecological

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March 2024

Somerset Life

As we drain our cofee cups and wander
back along the old tree-lined track bed,
thoughts of further away climes are left
behind us as we pass a vintage tractor which
although clearly having seen its last days in
the ields is now repurposed as a bar, another
nod to Lucy’s ethos of giving older things a
new lease of life. ‘We knew it would make
a great centre piece for BBQ’s and parties,
though mostly its kids parties these days!’
With her workshop overlooking her
smallholding, Lucy unlocks the door and
shows me a series of ongoing projects.
A bespoke sideboard adorned with a
Formica succulent sits next to a teak cabinet
emblazoned with a Formica design of wild
oats whereas on a smaller scale, a circular

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serving tray is adorned with fuchsias in two
alternative colourways. Each design has been
ordered on request; ‘My pieces are becoming
collectors items now. Now and again they pop
up on eBay and it’s reassuring to know that
they are more than holding their value. It’s
our job as designers to create pieces that have
longevity and not to add to this throwaway
society we live in. Prevention is always better
than cure. Although the economy is a bit dire
at the moment, I’d love to encourage those
people who are actively searching for new
pieces of furniture to consider buying local
and buying for life.’
As I look out of the window, I can see a
couple of Lucy’s free-ranging hens, ‘Whacko
and Mrs Chirpy’ and her cockerel ‘Dave’ are

busy pecking at the soil around the root of
the fruit trees which overhang her burgeoning
vegetable garden. ‘It’s satisfying to eat what
you have grown,’ says Lucy. ‘We enjoy being
as self-suicient as we possibly can and
being connected to nature is key. That’s the
beauty of life in Somerset, wherever you
are in the county you are surrounded by
nature; my designs are usually inspired by
nature because as you can see, I’m never far
away from it!’
In addition to designing marquetry
furniture Lucy also designs and makes
kitchen cabinet doors to create a
bespoke inish for your home.
lucyturnermodernmarquetry.com
lucy_turner_modern_marquetry

March 2024

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111

Kitchen

MAGIC
A new kitchen stays with you for a long
time, so be sure to make decisions you
can live with and love forever
COMPILED BY:

Kate Houghton

POOCH WASH
As a nation of dog-owners, it seems incredible that
this clever dog shower wasn’t designed earlier, but
luckily one mum to many hounds inally brought
a clever idea to fruition, saving countless loors
from muddy paw prints and grubby pooches
– especially those who run a little close to
the ground.
Dog shower, POA,
incredibledogshower.co.uk

IF WISHES CAME TRUE...
Wish you’d added an island when you had your kitchen itted? Here’s a clever
solution – add a freestanding one, and a mobile one to boot, so you can shift it to
the most convenient spot – whether you’re cooking or entertaining.
Zinc-top kitchen island, £1,300,
peppermillinteriors.com
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sm l
ne
ar

s
e

rming
r

e
e
tf lly
e s d fen e ce nt
r.co.

COME DINE WITH US
Now we all know the joy of the modern dining kitchen,
but how do we make it work in more restrictive
spaces? Benches that slide neatly under a table keep
a space neat, and it more diners for supper. Simple.
Gosforth long dining table and benches,
£1,035, funky-chunky-furniture.co.uk

TOP RATED
Wooden chopping boards are more hygienic
than plastic, being inherently antibacterial,
and when they’re this attractive, why not
advertise your hygiene rating, rather than
hiding them away? Having your boards on
display is also very much on trend right now,
too, which is handy.
Wooden chopping board with female
igure design, £40, craft-with-memolly-bee.myshopify.com
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March 2024

MIX IT UP
Going colour-conident in your kitchen has become something of a trend, with paint
options stepping well away from the creams and greys and into whatever makes you
happy. We love this bold, colour-blocked kitchen, in shades of emerald and pistachio,
in a traditional farmhouse style.
Ashton kitchen, from £10,000, crown-imperial.co.uk

Somerset Life

INTERIORS

GO FOR GOLD
We rather love this combination of green and gold, but the
real win here is the solid splashback meaning no tiles to
clean (or that pesky grout). Using a metallic splashback
provides pops of light even on a dull day, and makes the
space really rather special.
Ladbroke kitchen, POA, nakedkitchens.com

DO IT ALL
If you’re going to update your kitchen,
you absolutely need to update all the
necessary extras too – and what
better way than with new latware
that’s bang on trend? How pretty.
Bobble collection, from £8,
puretabletop.com

IN THE PINK
From the drama of darkness more
and more kitchens are stepping into
the light of pastels. Really, white is
so last year. It’s actually a scientiic
fact (honest) that pink lifts the spirits
and triggers feelings of kindness and
compassion, so if your cooking’s not
up to much, this may be the way to go.
Plus, it’s just plain pretty.
Houghton kitchen, from
£18,500, nakedkitchens.com

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Les Roses vintage print,
from £13.50, inkanddrop.com

Boxed ‘mum’ greeting card with earrings,
£15.95, crumbleandcore.com

Geranium & Camomile Delicate Moisturiser,
£18.95, shaloahskincare.co.uk

Bergamot and Honeysuckle Hand
Care Kit, £33, arran.com

Poppies High Summer cushion,
from £27.99, perkinsandmorley.com

Mismatche
ed lower stud earrings,
£65, screampretty.com

MUST
HAVES
Say it with lowers this Mother’s Day
with our pick of the loral crop
COMPILED BY:

Kelly Rose Bradford

Half leather journal,
£27.50, penheaven.co.uk

Daisy kimono,
£68, onehundredstars.co.uk

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March 2024

Russet auricula jug,
from £29.95, annabeljames.co.uk

Flower headband,
£59, queenmee.com

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SHOPPING

Midsummer slim make-up bag/pouch, £22, jenniefynn.com

Kew Gardens wild loral oven glove,
£22, puretabletop.com

Stately bouquet scented candle,
£52, libertylondon.com

Jonquil daffodil plate set,
from £45, reimaginedbyannastark.com

Flower writing paper gift box,
£17.50, makingmeadows.co.uk

Gardening apron,
£32.99, perkinsandmorley.com

Mini faux lavender plant,
£10, pagazzi.com

Gertrude’s Garden silk scarf, £120, roryhutton.co.uk

Somerset Life

Laura Ashley duvet set,
£65, next.co.uk/laura-ashley

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PROPERTY VIEWS
James McKillop, a director for Savills, discusses the sale of contemporary country
house Oakwood Farm, and gives us the lowdown on the local property market

PHOTO:SAVILLS

WHAT’S HAPPENING
IN THE MARKET?

Impressive eco-friendly
home with views of rolling
Somerset countryside

Somerset Life

At the other side of a secluded south-facing
terrace courtyard is the drawing room, with
a deep, stone ireplace and log burner, and
there is a further sitting room and a family
room providing an additional reception room
or ifth bedroom. A large guest cloakroom,
utility room and further WC complete
the downstairs.
Upstairs, the galleried landing provides a
spacious and light-illed area with fantastic
views over the garden, lake and countryside
beyond. The principal bedroom has a vaulted
ceiling, French doors out to a private balcony
and an en-suite bathroom, also with vaulted
ceiling and a free-standing bath. A second
bedroom similarly has a vaulted ceiling and
an en-suite shower room, while two further
bedrooms share the family shower room.
Oakwood Farm is set within almost 25
acres, including landscaped gardens and
a large lake, with an impressive approach
through tall stone pillars and gravelled
parking to the front and side of the house.
In addition to the main house is the former
farmhouse, which has planning use as an
agricultural barn, as well as a further large
modern agricultural barn, and a timberframed garage with open plan studio above.

PHOTO:GETTY

akwood Farm, an eco-friendly
contemporary home near Bruton,
has to be one of the best modern
country houses I have seen in my
almost 20 years of estate agency.
Spanning an impressive 5,700 sq ft,
this magniicent home is a masterpiece of
design and craftsmanship, with sensational
panoramic views towards King Alfred’s
Tower. Built by The Green Oak Company,
renowned for their exceptional attention
to detail, the construction of this home is
testament to their expertise. The property
has been thoughtfully designed with
sustainability in mind, including a ground
source heat pump and private water source
ensuring ultra-low running costs while
reducing the environmental impact. Further
enhancing the property’s green credentials,
there is planning permission for solar panels.
As you step inside, you’re greeted by a
grand entrance hall that sets the tone for
the elegance and style found throughout. The
interior boasts state-of-the-art ixtures and
ittings and at the heart, an exquisite 900 sq ft
deVOL kitchen with pantry. The adjoining
dining area is triple aspect with panoramic
views across rolling Somerset countryside.

This part of South Somerset is highly
desirable for its access to beautiful
countryside with renowned local
attractions and good transport links.
The nearby town of Bruton in
particular has seen a huge increase
in popularity over the last few years
thanks to an inlux of art galleries,
including the world-renowned Hauser
and Wirth Gallery, as well as unusual
shops and excellent quality restaurants
and places to stay. While these have
helped put Bruton on the map, don’t
underestimate the lesser-known lovely
surrounding villages and their
various pubs too.
The average house price (to August
2023) in Bruton itself was £407,493,
some £32,000 above the Somerset
county average of £375,087. And while
prices in Bruton saw a dip of -2.1 per
cent in the last year, which was to be
expected after unprecedented growth
since 2019, ive year house prices have
increased by a total of 31.5 per cent
here, underlining the enduring
appeal of the area.
Looking ahead, with much of the
impact of inlation and interest rate
rises now behind us, we are expecting
the prime property market, broadly the
top 5-10 per cent of a given market by
value, to return to growth from
the middle of this year. Prime house
prices in the south are expected to
fall by just -1.5 per cent this year,
with 3.5 per cent growth in 2025 and
total growth of 19.1 per cent by 2028,
outperforming the regional average.
We anticipate buyers seeing 2024 as
an opportunity to move after a period
of uncertainty.

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LIFE & SOUL
Living your best Somerset life
WEDDED BLISS

NUTRITION UPDATE

The mother and son duo who
have ‘shaken up’ hairdressing

Meet the celebrant who can
‘marry you’ anywhere!

Key health and supplement
advice for the spring season

PHOTO: SOPHIAVERES

TAUNTON TEAMWORK

HELP FOR HANDS FROM TAM
Tam Mason has lived in Somerset for over 20 years and takes
daily inspiration from her glorious surroundings when creating
new blends for her beautiful skincare brand, with particular
emphasis on hand care.
Each product, including the award-winning nourishing Original
Blend Hand Oil, is made in small batches. All of Tam’s products
are made using only the inest ingredients and all of the packaging
is reuseable, recyclable and plastic-free.

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The hand oil, fragranced beautifully with verbena, lavender
and black pepper essential oils, is designed to nourish and
soften hands, whilst strengthening and conditioning nails – enjoy
the combined shea butter oil, oat oil, kiwi seed oil and vitamin E
and watch the transformation this very special blend afords
hands in search of some necessary TLC – a new rose blend is
also available.
tammason.co.uk

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PHOTO:NICHARES

KEEPING IT
in the FAMILY
This month we chat to mother and son team Kim and Cameron Demody of
Nichares Hairdressing Salon in Taunton. They tell us about their award-winning
salon which also ofers Bottomless Blow-dries with complimentary cocktails
WORDS:

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Rachel Mead

March 2024

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FAMILY BUSINESS

CAMERON,
Talking to clients who don’t love their hair any more and
making them feel great again has to be the best part of
our job. Leading their consultation and inding them a
hairstyle which not only looks great but also works with
their lifestyle is key. Then, at Nichares, we like to go that
step further and in doing so we are always thinking about
how we can make the overall salon experience better. After
all it’s not just about great hair but we also need to make

PHOTO:BOOSTITMEDIA

KIM,
I always knew I was going to be a hairdresser. From
being a very little girl, I desperately wanted the ‘Girls
World’ dolls head and when my best friend’s Granny let
me backcomb and hairspray her hair, I knew for sure
that it was the profession for me! From the moment I
left school I went straight into hairdressing, learning
my skills at college before going through assessors and
teaching training before taking on my own clients. I am
such a people person so being paid to chat to people all
day is just perfect for me!
Cam and I took over Nichares (pronounced Nee-shares)
in 2015. The salon was established in Taunton in 1979
which makes it the county town’s oldest hairdressers’
and we’re proud to have maintained such a heritage
business in Somerset. Relocating premises three years
ago was quite challenging, especially because we moved
in-between lockdowns two and three and it was the week
before Christmas! But despite Cam not having more than
three hours’ sleep in two days, we did it and we haven’t
looked back. We’ve created a salon which doesn’t go by
the book; we strive to be diferent to other salons; after
all why be the same as everyone else?
The last few years have been amazing for us, we’ve
won the Prestige Award for Salon of the Year four years
in a row, which is quite the accomplishment when you
consider how the awards cover the whole of the West
Country and the cities of Bristol and Bath too. The irst
time we won the award, I was on holiday climbing a
volcano in Lanzarote. Cam phoned me to try and tell me
that we had won but my phone signal was terrible, and I
absolutely hate heights, but I inally understood what he
was saying, and it will always be one of those life moments
that I will remember forever!
We have a strong team at Nichares and as such we love
to reward everyone too. Last year we took the whole team
of 13 to Benidorm for four days; and for the Christmas just
gone, we all got together and hired a house in Shepton
Mallet for a long weekend. It’s important to be transparent
with the team and we like to be there for them. We always
tell them how it’s a two-way street, that the business is like
a cake, everyone works hard and then we all get a piece.
Everyone here is lovely; we are just like a big family, and
we support one another. After all, hairdressers tend to
be like therapists so we’re all naturally compassionate.
If clients aren’t having a good day, then you have to be
there for them, and as such people conide in us – you see
your clients go through a lot. My regulars often tell me
things that they don’t even tell their partners!

the time relaxing or fun for the client. We match their
needs; some people come to us to decompress whereas
others come for a good time.
Introducing ‘Bottomless Blow-dries’ has been a great
addition. We all love a cocktail so at Nichares we ofer
a 90-minute session in the salon where you and your
friends can have your hair styled for your night out whilst
enjoying as many cocktails as you like whilst you’re with
us. We’ve formulated the recipes, hand-make and shake
the cocktails from scratch, and then serve them in quality
glassware. We also proudly serve Somerton-based Pulpt
cider, and have roasted cofee from Martin Carwardine
& Co in Bristol. It’s important for us to work with local
businesses and to make the salon as sustainable as
possible too. We are constantly doing things to make us
better than we were yesterday; we may not be perfect,
but we are always better than we were before. When we
renovated the salon, we made it so eicient, the heating,
lighting and water use – everything was considered so
that we know we are doing the right thing for the future.
Plus, all of the products that we use are eco-friendly
too. I know I have a rebellious streak which makes me
question everything that we do, and that notion instils
in me a drive to make the salon the best we can be. Who
says we can’t do it? You can do everything if you try and
that’s why our team love to work here and our clients
stay with us. Mum and I make sure our team feel valued;
we are emotionally invested in our staf, and we always
strive to give our clients a service like no other. Who
says a small-town salon has to be a small-town salon?
We see it diferently and we are proud to level up the
whole experience.

COMPANY
STATS
ESTABLISHED:
1979
LOCATION:
Nichares, 5 North
Street, Taunton.
TA1 1LH
GET IN TOUCH:
01823 275599
nichares.co.uk
nichares
hairdressers
Nichares
Hairdressing

Between you and me . . .
Kim on Cameron: Cam will run a new idea past me saying ‘I’ll give you
time to think it over’ and then 10 minutes later he wants my answer!
Cameron on Kim: Mum is always saying she is dehydrated
despite drinking at least 10 cups of earl grey tea a day!
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PHOTO:SOFIAZHURAVETS/ISTOCK/GETTYIMAGES

WORDS:

1. For when your hair needs a little more TLC,
the K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In
Molecular Repair Hair Mask (15ml), £27,
justmylook.com, is a leave-in molecular repair
hair mask which reverses damage caused by
colour and bleach, chemical processing, heat,
and mechanical styling.
2. Made with natural ingredients, alott creates
products that are not only good for your hair
but are also better for our planet too. Their
Moisturising Shampoo Bar, £14, and
Nourishing Conditioner Bar, £16, alott.co,
helps protect and moisturise your locks. They
also commit one per cent of their sales to 1% for
the Planet too.

3. Award-winning and a cult-favourite,
Bond Builder Split End Remedy, £27,
phillipkingsley.co.uk, helps protect and
strengthen existing bonds and repair broken ones,
while instantly sealing split ends for stronger,
visibly healthier hair.
4. A styling hero, O&M Project Sukuroi, £38,
sbs-hair.com, delivers a silky-smooth inish
to hair in need of repair, whilst the Keratin
strengthens it. Your locks will thank you.
5. For healthy hair, it’s important to also look
after your scalp. The Clarifying Scalp Scrub,
£48, and the Nourish and Stimulate Scalp
Mask, £53, monpure.com, work hand in hand
to rejuvenate your scalp and prime it for healthier
hair growth.

5
4

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NUTRITION KNOW-HOW
Top nutritionist Pauline Cox MSc, author of Hungry Woman and owner of
Sow & Arrow, answers your health questions. Not to be taken as medical advice.

PHOTO:TERRANOVA

SUPPLEMENTARY
QUESTION

TerraNova Vit D,
from £14.22
sowandarrow.com

Banish my moody blues
health. A good Vitamin D supplement will
help support many aspects of your health,
including your mood. Omega-3 fatty acids
are also very important for our mood and
mental wellbeing and many individuals
are low in these important omega-3 fatty
acids. Omega-3 deiciency can contribute to
low mood as well as dry hair and skin and
increased overall aches and pains. Omega-3
fatty acids can be obtained from oily ish and
ish oils, or for a ish-free option, I highly
recommend Regenerative Omegas, which
is made from a unique British plant called
Ahilower. Ahilower oil not only supports
your brain health but also your gut and
skin health.

PHOTO:THEHEALTHFACTORY

Dear Pauline
I have been feeling a little low since Christmas.
Are there any supplements that can speciically
help with low mood? Thank you, Chrissy
Dear Chrissy,
Whilst our mood is afected by a number of
things, including what we eat and how well we
sleep, one very important nutrient that has a
big impact is Vitamin D. Vitamin D deiciency
is very common in the UK, particularly
during the winter months and early spring
since the majority of the Vitamin D we get is
from sunshine. Not only is Vitamin D very
important for making our happy hormone,
serotonin, it is also very important for a
healthy immune system and optimal bone

Dear Pauline
I would love to know your top
supplements for skin, hair and nails!
I am 54 years old and want to know
which beauty supplements are worth
the investment! Annie
Hi Annie
Great question! There are many
products out there, however the
supplements with the most research
include, collagen peptides, which
are easily added to smoothies or
drinks. Hyaluronic acid can also
support skin tone, texture and ine
lines and wrinkles. Another product
I rate is a topical spray called Glow
& Shine, which contains nano gold
and zinc that can penetrate to the
deeper dermal layers of the skin
to stimulate collagen production.
There are many companies
selling versions of these products,
however for those vetted for their
formulation and efectiveness, visit
sowandarrow.com or visit the
physical store at 15, Old Street,
Clevedon, open Tuesday – Saturday.
To learn more from Pauline,
follow her on Instagram
@paulinejcox or read her latest
book, Hungry Woman – Eating
for Good Health, Happiness +
Hormones.

PMS SOS
Hi Pauline,
I am a 35-year-old female experiencing
monthly PMS. I am looking for natural
support to help relieve my symptoms!
Many thanks, Jen
Hi Jen
PMS can be debilitating for many women.
There are many dietary and lifestyle changes
that can improve your PMS, much of which I
discuss in my book, Hungry Woman – Eating
for good health happiness + hormones.
The key areas to explore are good sleep,

Somerset Life

minimising stress, blood sugar balancing and
supporting your detox pathways (including
good bowel movements). Omega-3 fatty acids
and a good magnesium supplement both have
good research to support the symptoms of
PMS. Magnesium can help to alleviate cramps
and painful periods, as well as supporting
good sleep and sugar cravings. Omega-3 fatty
acids have also been shown to help reduce
painful periods as well as improve sleep.
See sowandarrow.com for a range of highquality, expert picked supplements.

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An honour & a privilege
A celebrant-led wedding can take place absolutely anywhere!
We chat to Bridgwater-born and bred Emma Britton
who is making life’s key milestones completely unique.
WORDS:

Emma Bovill

A SOMERSET CELEBRANT

hen you’re interviewing a radio
presenter used to being the
one asking the questions, it’s
tempting to give in to feelings
of inadequacy. But Emma Britton, who by
her own admission fell into a BBC career
and by the declaration of others made
an extraordinary success of it, has a way
of making you feel at ease. She exudes a
warmth and openness that make her perfect
as a celebrant, which has been her focus and
passion since leaving the airwaves in 2020.
Emma is the very deinition of a people
person, a quality she brings to her work
meeting couples and families at moments
of heightened emotion as they embark on
married life, mourn the loss of a loved one
or celebrate a new arrival. It’s a little-known
fact that being a celebrant encompasses the
full spectrum of the human journey and
that weddings are only one element of a rich
and rewarding job which doesn’t conform
to a predetermined blueprint and where
choice is key.
On the day we speak Emma has not only
stood in as a cover host for a show on BBC
Radio Somerset, reprising her role for over
a decade as a weekday presenter for both the
station and BBC Radio Bristol, she has also
guided a family with care and compassion
through a funeral. An active listener and
gifted storyteller, both situations tap into her
natural ability to read and respond to people,
however her abundant empathy makes her
new direction particularly fulilling.
‘So many people don’t know what celebrants
do until they need us,’ explains Emma. ‘We’re
ceremony creators and every ceremony starts
with a blank sheet of paper.’
When it comes to weddings, Emma helps
couples hold onto the spirit of the event
when logistics start taking focus, delivering
unforgettable and uplifting occasions. For
funerals, whether families are still reeling or
ready to celebrate a life well lived, she enables
them to say ‘the best goodbye’.
Choosing a celebrant to oiciate at a
ceremony is becoming more common as we
embrace the vast geography that lies between
religious and secular weddings and funerals.
‘A large section of society is undecided about
faith or open-minded about it,’ airms Emma,
whose intuitive and personal approach
means she is highly recommended by word
of mouth. ‘Anything goes at my ceremonies;
we’re only limited by our imaginations.’
Ask Emma about her most unusual or
exciting ceremonies and she becomes
slightly reticent, respectful of the trust and
relationship building that are core to acting
as a celebrant. She seems genuinely honoured
to be invited to be involved, no matter the
location or circumstances, though she does
become animated describing an upcoming

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wedding she will carry out by candlelight at
Wookey Hole Caves, admiring the couple’s
desire to do something ‘quirky and diferent’.
It’s hard to believe Emma has only been a
celebrant for just over three years, however
the interpersonal skills she honed as a radio
and now event host, and prior to that as the
owner of a itness and exercise business,
alongside her eagerness to be adaptable and
collaborative, make it a space she occupies
with quiet conidence.
She also pays tribute to her grandmother’s
inluence, who she says taught her to be
‘realistic about life’.

‘We’re ceremony
creators and every
ceremony starts
with a blank
sheet of paper’
Bridgwater-born and bred, the majority
of the ceremonies Emma conducts are local
although connections to Somerset have
taken her across the West Country and
to Shropshire, Kent and even overseas to
Rhodes. A keen dog walker and owner of
‘Billy the Beagle’ with her partner John, the
50-year-old is passionate about her home
town and, having become a household name
on local radio, an advocate for the county.
‘I’m very proud to be from Somerset,’ she
enthuses. ‘From Minehead to the Mendips,
it’s vast and varied.’
There are downsides to having a public
proile mixed with an occupation people
know curiously little about. Emma has had
people shout at her across the street ‘How are
you getting on being a celibate?’ and hasn’t
felt she should correct them. What could
have been a linguistically unfortunate and

above: Emma Britton with a happy couple on
their special day
left: Bridgwater-born and bred Emma
has conducted ceremonies across
the West Country, Shropshire, Kent
and even overseas to Rhodes

embarrassing misunderstanding is recalled
with such kind humour that she has both
of us cackling with laughter as she retells
the encounter. With the very best of feelings
and intentions, some of her funeral clients
joke they never want to meet Emma again.
While nobody truly enjoys such occasions,
Emma’s talent is to curate ceremonies that
leave a positive impact. She has been invited
into the lives of families more than once – for
both funerals and weddings – because of
the way she sensitively draws out the stories
and personalities of those at their centre,
one guest sheepishly revealing ‘It’s the best
funeral I’ve ever been to.’
Talking to Emma, I find myself
remembering the passing of my own parents,
in particular my dad’s funeral. However hard
everyone worked to give him a itting send
of, small details, lost irretrievably in the
cracks, niggle to this day and I ponder that if
someone like Emma Britton had been there to
knit it all together then my lingering regrets
simply wouldn’t exist. I can’t change it now,
but I’m glad other families are in such safe
hands.
‘Nobody teaches us how to deal with grief
or organise a funeral,’ says Emma. Nobody
teaches us how to create the dream wedding
either, the risk of getting swallowed in
‘wedmin’ ever looming. ‘People’s expectations
can be tricky to navigate,’ she admits, ‘but
the reward is huge.’
Funeral, wedding or naming ceremony,
Emma is there to ensure the narrative
is authentic and on track and it’s a job
she relishes.
emmabritton.co.uk

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WEDDING TRADITIONS

Changing

traditions
We reveal the history of some of our best
loved wedding traditions and how they
have been adapted for the 21st century

hiletrendscomeandgo,wedding
traditions will always stand
the test of time. Increasingly,
couples are overturning the rule
book in favour of a more personal wedding
day, cherry-picking the traditions they want
to include in their celebrations.
However, even the traditions that are
chosen aren’t always fully adhered to and
couples are putting their own spin on
proceedings in weird and wonderful ways.

THE WHITE WEDDING DRESS
The white wedding dress is synonymous
with weddings and has its roots irmly set
in British history, with Queen Victoria one
of the irst well-known brides to wear a white
gown for her wedding to Prince Albert in
1840. Then white was considered a colour
indicative of wealth.
However, while the bridal style dates as
far back as 1499 when Anne of Brittany wore
white to become Queen Consort of France,
the white wedding dress hasn’t always been
the norm. Before then, white was considered
the colour of mourning, and Irish and Celtic
brides even wore blue wedding dresses to
represent purity – a notion now symbolised
by the white wedding dress.
Today, brides no longer feel conined to
white and are turning to subtle pastel tones,
bright and bold colours and even black to
better relect their personalities. However,
the white wedding dress will forever
remain a traditional favourite, continuing
to dominate the bridal fashion world with
its timeless qualities.

SOMETHING OLD, NEW,
BORROWED, BLUE
An age-old Victorian rhyme, this tradition is
still upheld today – ofering various promises
to the couple who incorporates each aspect
into their wedding.
While the ‘something old’ harks back to the
bride’s family history, usually represented
by an heirloom or piece of family jewellery,
‘something new’ is thought to ofer good
fortune and can refer to her new wedding
dress or a particular accessory.
‘Something borrowed’ is an item to be
returned to the owner and acts as a reminder
that the bride’s nearest and dearest will be
there for her when help is needed.
‘Something blue’ allows brides to get
creative with a pop of colour, often with a
blue garter or pair of shoes.
The adage concludes with ‘a silver sixpence
in her shoe’, dating back to a time when the
father of the bride placed a sixpence in her
shoe before she descended the aisle as a
further gift of good fortune.

NOT SEEING EACH OTHER THE
NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING
A glimpse of the bride or groom before the
ceremony is considered bad luck, but this
tradition is no more than a superstition that
dates back to the days of arranged marriages.
In this instance, the families of the couple
would keep them concealed out of fear that
they would pull out of the arrangement if
they saw each other before the big moment.
The same reason applies to the tradition of
a bride wearing a veil.
>
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WEDDING TRADITIONS

BEING GIVEN AWAY
The idea of ‘being given away’ was associated
with marriage when it was once considered
more of a business arrangement and the
bride was handed over by her father to the
new ‘owner’ in exchange for money or dowry.
Brides are no longer anyone’s property,
and it is therefore their choice as to who gives
them away.
From fathers and mothers to siblings,
children and even pets, a bride can choose
the most suitable and honourable wedding
guest for the role.

maid of honour and best man then book-end
the top table.
However, with families come complexities
and this top table arrangement doesn’t work
for everyone.
Couples may choose to have siblings or
children on the top table as well, or they may
wish to forgo all family members and just
have the bridal party and groom’s party –
leaving parents and step-parents to sit among
the wedding guests.
Brides and grooms may even opt against a
top table in favour of a more inclusive seating
plan, or choose a sweetheart top table, which
seats only the happy couple.
This is an ideal option to avoid family feuds
or fall-outs as there are seemingly no other
‘VIPs’ than the bride and groom – and if they
wish, their children.

TOP TABLE

T :

Historically linked to upper class seating
arrangements during banquets and formal
gatherings, the traditional top table at a
wedding includes the happy couple and
their parents, the maid of honour or chief
bridesmaid and best man.
Traditionally the couple sits front and
centre of the table, with their parents on
either side – although the father of the bride
sits to the bride’s left and is seated next to
the mother of the groom, and the mother
of the bride sits to the groom’s right and is
seated next to the father of the groom. The

TIERED WEDDING CAKES
Ancient Rome is the birthplace of the tiered
wedding cake, which began when the Romans
would bake wheat cakes and break them over
the bride’s head to bestow fertility.
The custom developed to stacking wheat
cakes as high as they could, and the bride and
groom were required to kiss over the tower.
If they kissed without knocking the stack
over, it was believed that they would enjoy a
lifetime of good fortune.
Tiered wedding cakes have become a
wedding staple – with three tiers of cake
traditionally considered the perfect amount
and the couple saving the top tier to eat on
their irst anniversary.
However, more sweet choice has been
added to the cake mix in recent years
including cupcake, doughnut, macaron and
croquembouche towers.
Savoury varieties have also come to the
fore, and pork pie cakes and cheese wheels

PHOTO:SOLSTOCK/ISTOCK/GETTYIMAGESPLUS

While more couples are now defying
superstition by documenting their irst look
before the ceremony – a trend most recently
exacerbated by TikTok and other social media
platforms – many of those who wish to keep
their reveal a surprise are engaging in a ‘irst
touch’ instead.
This new tradition involves the couple
standing either side of a doorway, where
they are hidden by the surrounding walls,
but can still hold hands with their other half
– which makes for an extra special photo and
pre-wedding memory.

The confetti exit is still a must-have moment for
many couples

are a regular ixture for couples without a
sweet tooth.

THE BOUQUET
Aromatic bunches of herbs, garlic and grains
were originally used for the bridal bouquet,
primarily to ward of evil spirits and keep
the bride safe.
Flowers have since replaced these
arrangements as a more aesthetically
pleasing display, with species chosen due
to their special meanings.
The bouquet toss is still a much-anticipated
wedding tradition, which has evolved from
a garter toss into a crowd of male wedding
guests in the 14th century.
Female wedding guests now gather to catch
the bouquet, with the recipient declared the
next in line to be married.

CONFETTI EXIT

The bouquet toss is still a much anticipated tradition

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March 2024

In years gone by, guests would throw rice
over a couple once declared married.
As signs of prosperity and fertility, rice and
grains rained down on brides and grooms as
a symbolic act of showering the couple with
good fortune .
Emerging from the ceremony venue as
newlyweds, the confetti exit is still a musthave moment for many couples.
Today, there are more eco-friendly
alternatives for confetti, which include lower
petals, or alternatively creating a sparkler
tunnel or blowing bubbles that don’t require
any cleaning up after the event.

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JANE TOWNSON OBE
CEO of the Homecare Association, who has extensive experience
in the social care, health, housing and technology sectors

Somerset Life

PHOTO: DAISY-DAISY/GETTYIMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO

dmission to hospital can be
diicult, especially for frail older
people. Wards are noisy and it’s
hard to sleep. Being stuck in
bed in an unfamiliar environment for long
periods can lead to a loss of physical ability,
privacy, and conidence. There’s also a risk
of developing hospital-acquired infections.
Evidence suggests that hospitalisation
can lead to worse outcomes for this group,
including higher mortality, readmissions,
and loss of independence compared to the
general population.
Hospital at Home, where specialist medical
teams provide hospital-level medical care
in the comfort of a person’s own home, is
gaining traction in the UK as an innovative
model of care. So how does it work?
Specialist teams of doctors, nurses and
allied health professionals treat people
24/7 at home, instead of in hospital, and
typically refer to the home as a virtual
ward. Medications, therapies, intravenous
treatments and patient monitoring
continue round-the-clock under medical
supervision. This includes urgent access to
hospital-level diagnostics and interventions,
such as endoscopy, radiology, cardiology,
point of care blood tests, and ultrasound.
Technology solutions play an increasingly
important role in enabling efective and safe
Hospital at Home services. For example,
clinicians track each patient’s progress by
checking readings such as blood pressure,
heart rate, oxygen saturation, and
temperature, via remote monitoring devices.
Abnormal results trigger early interventions.
Video consultation links between home
patients and medical specialists augment
in-person visits. They can also share photos
of wounds for virtual evaluation. Home
patients may use automated pill dispensers,
tracking apps or video observed therapy to
improve adherence to treatment regimens
when not under direct supervision. Ideally,
software platforms tie together patient health
data from the Hospital at Home team with
primary care doctors and inpatient records
into one view, to enable continuity of care
and uphold safety and quality standards.
It is important to clarify what Hospital
at Home is not. Hospital at Home is
not outpatient care; enhanced primary
care; intermediate care; chronic disease
management; admission prevention; solely
virtual care or remote health monitoring;
community nursing or standard skilled home
healthcare. It is an acute clinical service
that takes staf, equipment, technologies,
medication, and skills usually provided in

Virtual wards
hospitals and delivers that hospital care
to selected people in their homes or in
care homes.
In October 2023, NHS England announced
that local NHS teams have now introduced
10,421 virtual ward beds for patients who
can get expert treatment for illnesses such
as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), heart failure, or frailty conditions
at home. More than 240,000 patients
have now received treatment on virtual
wards. Stays can last from 24 hours to a
fortnight, depending on illness severity and
recovery progress.
The results so far show similar or faster
recovery and several wellbeing beneits
compared with inpatient stays. To date,
evidence suggests there is no compromise in
the level of medical care. Patients report lower
stress levels plus improved diet and sleep
quality by avoiding hospital environments.
For those more vulnerable to infections, it
also reduces exposure to nasty superbugs.
With NHS capacities currently stretched
to their limits, Hospital at Home has more
appeal. Not only does it free precious hospital
beds, but provides care at a reported lower
cost than conventional admission.
Patients best suited to Hospital at Home
services typically meet the following criteria:
1. Their condition is stable enough to
be safely and efectively managed at
home, with no complex co-morbidities

or risk factors. This includes many acute
infections, COPD exacerbations, cellulitis,
Deep Vein Thrombosis etc. Unstable
cardiac or surgical cases are less suitable.
2. Require hospital-level treatment but
not intensive monitoring. Hospital at
Home doesn’t replace critical or high
dependency care, but can mirror general
wards. If a person may need complex
equipment or emergency intervention,
hospital admission may be more suitable.
3. Social support networks are available
at home. Caregivers or relatives should be
available to assist with certain activities,
like medications. Information about
virtual wards is available for family carers.
4. Living relatively near the hospital base.
Though lexibility is a beneit, hospital
at home teams still need to conduct
in-person visits one to two times per
day. Hospitals need adequate staing
and eicient roster planning for this
model to remain afordable. Proximity to
emergency facilities also provides backup.
In the right circumstances, Hospital
at Home can beneit both patients and
healthcare providers. Patient selection is
key. When applied correctly, Hospital at
Home represents an innovative new care
model, which can lead to better experiences
and outcomes for people compared with
conventional hospital stays.
homecareassociation.org.uk

March 2024

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PHOTO:NICHOLASLEACH

200 Years Of The RNLI
Let’s celebrate the heroes from the
Somerset lifeboat stations

PHOTO:AGAKUBISH

PHOTO: SILVERBACKFILMS

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March 2024

157

F IR ST DR I V E:

Volkswagen ID.7
Volkswagen has thrown all of its latest tech at
the ID.7, but has it paid of? We ind out
WORDS:

158

March 2024

Jack Evans Photos: Volkswagen/PA

Somerset Life

MOTORING

WHAT IS IT?
Volkswagen isn’t wasting any time in its move
towards an electric future through its wide
range of battery-powered ID-badged vehicles.
This car – the ID.7 – arrives as its all-singing,
all-dancing lagship. Incorporating all of
Volkswagen’s latest technology, while taking
into account some criticism applied to other
ID vehicles, the ID.7 has cars like the Tesla
Model 3 irmly in its sights, both in terms of
in-car features and electric range, too.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
The ID.7 uses an electric drive setup which is
recognisable across the Volkswagen Group
range of EVs, but in this application it has
been made even more eicient. You’re getting
282bhp from a single electric motor, while a
heady 545Nm of torque contributes to a zero
to 60mph time of 6.3 seconds. All in, the ID.7
will do 112mph.
A 77kWh battery allows for a range of up to
384 miles, too, but if you’re after more miles
between top-ups then it’s worth hanging on
for a bigger-battery version due later in 2024
which will return up to 430 miles. However,
this ‘regular’ ID.7’s maximum charging rate
of 175kW means that a 10 to 80 per cent
charge could be conducted in as little as
28 minutes. Volkswagen claims that when
charging at this maximum speed, 127 miles
of range could be added in 10 minutes too.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The ID.7 has some of those classic saloon car
traits that you’d be after regardless of the
powertrain. It’s quiet – both at low and high
speeds – and when you’re on the motorway
the ride quality is great, only turning sharp
when you’re moving around town where
potholes do tend to upset it slightly. The
steering has some decent weight to it, too,
and there’s more than enough performance
on ofer regardless of the situation. It’s the
reinement which really shines through,
however, and the whole car feels very well

executed from behind the wheel. Our car
came with Dynamic Chassis Control, which
allows you to soften or irm up the ride as
you see it.

it’s got loads of great features and is a far cry
from the infotainment we’ve seen on other
ID models. Volkswagen has included a ‘bar’
of quick-access icons but, again, it would just
be nice to have a few ‘proper’ buttons instead.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
It’s all about space and comfort inside the
ID.7. With that long wheelbase, it’s got acres
of room for both front and rear passengers,
with those in the back treated to a completely
lat loor – which means there’s no squeezing
in if you’re sitting three abreast back there.
The material quality is good, too, with
Volkswagen’s vegan-friendly treatment being
another word for a cabin trimmed entirely
in plastic.
But comfort is tip-top, with optional
ergoActive seats providing plenty of support
as well as clever electric activations that can
help reduce the aches and strains you might
get during a long journey.
The boot space is impressive, too, and at
532 litres has that classic saloon-car depth
to it. Plus, there’s a separate under-bootloor space for the charging cables, so they
don’t need to impede on the boot’s overall
spaciousness.

FINAL SAY
There are plenty of positives to draw from
the ID.7. It’s comfortable, superbly reined
and hasn’t been designed to be overly sporty
– key attributes you’d want from any longdistance saloon. It’s also got plenty of range,
with the larger-battery version making
things even better in this regard when it
arrives. Spaciousness is also great, with the
ID.7’s roomy rear seat area and large boot
ensuring it ticks the boxes practicality-wise
and trumps many key rivals, too. The level
of polish here exceeds what we’ve seen from
other ID models as well.
It’s just a shame that aspects of this car
aren’t intuitive, however. The screen is so
close to being perfect – it’s responsive and
great to look at. But loading every aspect of
the in-car controls into it feels like a step
too far and even a handful of quick-access
physical buttons could completely change
the experience.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
It feels like a case of one step forward, two
steps back with the ID.7. The touch-sensitive
sliders have now been illuminated, so they’re
far more intuitive to use than before. However,
key controls – such as those for ventilation
and even directing airlow – have now been
centralised in the main screen. At one point
we were driving with a car misting up and it
was a real nightmare to solve the issue since
the solution lay within diferent menus on
the screens.
But on the lip side, the screen and system
itself are some of the best that Volkswagen
has produced to date. Sharp and responsive,

Somerset Life

TECH & SPEC
Model as tested: Volkswagen ID.7
Price as tested: £55,570
Engine: Electric motor with battery
Power: 282bhp
Torque: 545Nm
Max speed: 112mph
0-60mph: 6.3 seconds
MPG: NA
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 384 miles
Maximum charge rate: 175kW

March 2024

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SOMERSET DIRECTORY

160

March 2024

01823 365013

Somerset Life

THE CRUCIVERBALIST
NOUN. A person who enjoys or is skilled at solving crosswords

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

DOWN

ACROSS

DOWN

6 Ben’s out of back numbers’
design for cotton fabric (7)
7 Tile, when part led,
could be game bird (5)
9 Just a place of fun (4)
10 Point again at the awful
system of page numbers (10)
11 Old bouncer surprisingly
good at French cooking (6,4)
13 Dry part of
Angora Ridge (4)
14 How to teach
Rita in ilm? (7)
16 Some of the coldest in
Yorkshire for your fate (7)
18 Field entrance
said to walk (4)
19 Walk up to lacemaker
in alarm! (4-2,4)
21 Cat to catch dormice in
service of the people (10)
24 Parvenu who’s run out to
cover the path with stone (4)
25 Dental bits of gear? (5)
26 Hypocrites not coy about
wearing the trousers (7)

1 Frightened one could try to
cascade the bad types (7-3)
2 Support for quiet
get-together (4)
3 Illegally import weird
mug on legs! (7)
4 Aeronaut has light treatment
in French school (3,7)
5 Speed I tend to cut in at (4)
6 A bone to pick over at
the local feast? (5)
8 Feeling of virtual
movement/ (7)
12 Theory won’t be revised
just to make it remarkable (10)
13 Expect a knot in the
captain’s tie (10)
15 Dare to set about the
most expensive? (7)
17 Boat in South Yorkshire
that’s lacking in detail (7)
20 The cleverest bit
found in a lock (5)
22 Ended in controversy (4)
23 Column inches that
can pre-empt the cat (4)

1 Rear entrance (4-4)
5 Rare lower (6)
10 Showy display (7)
11 Newspaper employee (7)
12 Doubter (5)
13 Not usual (9)
14 Most helpful
assistant (5-4,3)
18 Illegal hunting time (6,6)
21 Lounge seat (4,5)
23 Allium (5)
24 Drinkers’ pot (7)
25 Unthinking innocence (7)
26 Make from nothing (6)
27 Substance of
similar form (8)

1 Cut in two (6)
2 Group of similar animals (6)
3 Policy statement (9)
4 Brief sexual
encounters (3-5,6)
6 Regretting (5)
7 Thugs (8)
8 Wanting (8)
9 Police authorisation
documents (6-8)
15 New word (9)
16 Taking in various styles (8)
17 Rubbish (8)
19 One-dimensional (6)
20 Entangle (6)
22 Travel with no power (5)

CRYPTIC ANSWERS: Across: 6 Buckram, 7 Ridge, 9 Fair, 10 Pagination, 11
Cordon bleu, 13 Arid, 14 Educate, 16 Destiny, 18 Gait, 19 Wake-up call, 21
Democratic, 24 Pave, 25 Teeth, 26 Hipster.
Down: 1 Scaredy-cat, 2 Prop, 3 Smuggle, 4 Art nouveau, 5 Edit, 6 Beano, 8
Emotion, 12 Noteworthy, 13 Anticipate, 15 Dearest, 17 Sketchy, 20 Lever, 22
Over, 23 Copy.

Somerset Life

QUICK ANSWERS: Across : 1 Back-door, 5 Orchid, 10 Splurge, 11 Editors,
12 Cynic, 13 Irregular, 14 Right-hand man, 18 Closed season, 21 Easy chair,
23 Onion, 24 Tankard, 25 Naivete, 26 Create, 27 Isomorph.
Down: 1 Bisect, 2 Colony, 3 Directive, 4 One-night stands, 6 Ruing, 7
Hoodlums, 8 Desiring, 9 Search-warrants, 15 Neologism, 16 Eclectic, 17
Nonsense, 19 Linear, 20 Enmesh, 22 Coast.

For more free puzzles
from Professor Rebus
please go to
pitcherwits.co.uk

March 2024

161

The world according to

CADBURY
This month: The green-eyed monster

Dear Reader
Lately I have been feeling a little bit sidelined. And
I feel the need to lay bare my feelings on this page (I
usually sweep them under the carpet). As you know,
up till now I have always been the headline act in my
own show – revealing to you all the turning cogs of my
spaniel brain. It is important to remember therefore that
I am at the centre of these stories I share. Me. No one
else. Certainly not the Labrador. She is merely a minor
part, waiting in the wings. And yet recently you would
be forgiven for thinking otherwise. She has, of late, been
requiring more attention than is rightfully due.
It all begins in the morning
with food. Now, I look forward to
breakfast as much as the next dog
but these days the mornings are
tinged with stress. The Labrador
is of her food (yes, I know, a
sentence I never thought possible).
This means that while I wolf down
my turkey kibble with gusto, she
tentatively takes a few pieces and
then pushes the rest around her
bowl. It results in endless human
fuss and encouragement which
I personally do not have time
for, being as I am a Very Busy Spaniel. It also means
that should I kindly attempt to ‘help’ her out with the
leftovers, I am shouted at unreasonably. Indeed – such
is the mistrust regarding my kindness, CCTV (or the
iPad camera) has even been set up to make sure I am
not TOO helpful.
Lately the Labrador has also paid a number of visits
to the vet. Now I am not wishing her ill of course, but
the resulting attention she gets means I am distinctly
sidelined when it comes to the pecking order. She has
been given arthritis pain relief and the dispensary
method for this medication is to combine it with all
manner of food treats such as meat, cheese and yoghurt

(it’s no wonder she now turns her nose up at turkey
kibble). These treats, miracle of miracles, she manages to
wolf down gaily. Each time the medication is dispensed
I hover expectantly, occasionally attempting to look a
little arthritic myself (this is diicult, given my athletic
physique). Unfortunately, this leaves me in negative food
equity and the Labrador gloating slyly and unnecessarily.
Were this particular scene being ilmed, she would be
glancing at the fourth wall without fail.
Even our twice-daily walks are now afected by her
antics. The Labrador has an abiding fear of loud bangs.
Living in the countryside during the shooting season
– not to mention the horrors of
Bonire Night and its ireworks – is
unnerving for her. I like to think
I am tolerant of this phobia and
usually, as spring approaches, her
simple mind clears itself and turns
happily to the safety of the warmer
months. However, she has not
taken into account the loud bangs
of the bird-scarers – employed
by local farmers to protect their
newly-planted crops. As a result,
every time we set of for a walk,
the irst half of this normallyjoyous pastime is spent waiting impatiently while she
is persuaded to join us. Such displays of spoilt behaviour
have a negative efect on us all, and as a result I often
give up and trot of by myself.
So, as you can see, the green-eyed monster is irmly
in the house. I don’t make a fuss about loud noises. I
don’t creak about the house like a pensioner. I don’t get
fussed over every time I turn my nose up at perfectly
decent food. Frankly it is all getting a bit much. I might
have to resort to spending more time with the cats in
order to regain some form of authority. Desperate times
and all that.
Love, or what you will, Cadbury

‘I might have to
resort to spending
more time with
the cats in order to
regain some form of
authority. Desperate
times and all that’

WORDS:

162

March 2024

Kate Robinson

Somerset Life

March 2024

163