malmesbury connections may 2012

MALMESBURY CONNECTIONS

Connecting local business with local people M

ay 2

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Welcome to the May issue, This month’s cover comes from a tourist who was exploring one of the many lovely footpaths we have

in the area. If you are a keen photographer, and have any photos relevant to the local area, please email them across, and they could feature on a future cover! We have articles from Great somerford Brownies, Westonbirt School and also details of the Fashion Fizz night at Malmesbury School. If you have any asparagus growing, there is a great recipe, and also the usual gardening, home and travel articles, along with some special articles in recognition of the Queen’s Jubilee. Kind Regards Renee Tuck

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There won’t be many republicans in evidence in London this summer. Even non-royalists will be caught up in the pageantry of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations; an event guaranteed, even more so than the Olympics, to lift the nation’s spirits at a time of general despondency. As part of the celebrations The Queen has granted city status to four UK towns: Perth in Scotland; St Asaph in Wales; Chelmsford in England and Armagh in Northern Ireland.

There was another time in history when the country’s collective spirits needed lifting – sixty years ago. Residential streets were closed to traffic so that local communities could hold street parties. Bunting and Union flags hung from lines strung from upstairs windows on either side of the streets. Makeshift tables sagged under the weight of sandwiches, jelly and custard and bottles of Tizer.

Games were organised, one of which consisted of the father of a family threading a needle and cotton which he then handed to his impatiently waiting offspring who would sprint down the road to the mother. The mother would sew a button onto a square of material which the offspring would then rush to the referee. Not all the families could participate in this game; some of the fathers had not returned home eight years previously.

In the evening we sat round our wireless sets to listen to our new Queen’s speech: “…Throughout all my life I shall strive to be worthy of your trust…”

In this speech the Queen also paid tribute to the support of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the speech is as valid and as relevant today as it was sixty years ago.

Times changed. Britain changed; in some cases beyond recognition. But there has been one constant: a tower of strength whose influence will not be fully appreciated until she is no longer with us.

In a much earlier speech, made in Cape Town on her twenty-first birthday, 21 April 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth declared “… my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service…” Well, we all know now that it was to be long. We also know that she meant every word she said.

How differently history would have read had her would-be assassin, Marcus Sarjeant, succeeded in acquiring a real gun and live ammunition. The mentally disturbed teenager fired six blank shots at the Queen as she rode in the Trooping the Colour ceremony on 13 June 1981. He was quickly overpowered by Police Sergeant John Woodcock and St John Ambulance man John Heaseman. He told them “I wanted to be famous. I wanted to be a somebody.” And he had written a diary entry: ‘I am going to stun and mystify the world. I will become the most famous teenager in the world.’

Fortunate not to have been shot on the spot he escaped with five years imprisonment. But most notable was Elizabeth II’s majestic reaction to the incident. As her horse, nineteen-year-old Burmese, panicked and reared she calmly brought him under control and continued with the scheduled ride to Horseguards Parade, comforting him with a few pats on the neck while turning to smile at

the cheering crowd.

This was, allegedly, the second attempt on the Monarch’s life. According to a retired senior police officer in Australia he was in charge of an investigation in 1981 after a train carrying the Queen and Prince Philip collided with a large log which had been placed on the track after police and a pilot train had passed along the route. The retired officer, Mr McHardy, who claims to have interviewed suspects including IRA sympathisers says the Australian government issued a suppression order to avoid embarrassment. There has so far been no comment from Buckingham Palace on the validity of these claims.

True or false I doubt that the Queen loses much sleep over these stories. She has, over the past eight decades, proved herself indomitable.

It was the Queen’s consort, HRH Prince Philip, who pointed out that sometimes a position is more important than the person who occupies that position. With typical clarity he had put the concept in a nutshell: if a nation chooses to have a figurehead then there must be a human to give that position substance, but the human is secondary to the position, not vice versa. For the past sixty years we have been fortunate in having a person worthy of that position; a person of supreme dignity and dedication the like of which this country may never see again. God Save the Queen. By Daniel Hicks

A Queen By Any Other Name


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More and more people have become concerned about using chemicals in the garden, with some gardeners having used chemicals rarely, if at all, for years. Perhaps you are concerned about wildlife and conservation, or using pesticides on plants that children or pets might play near, or that you intend to eat.

Greener gardening is not difficult, it is just different. Many infuriating pests can thrive in greenhouses and conservatories, but there are now many ‘natural’ controls available in the form of predators and parasites, which can be purchased from mail order suppliers (including www.pippagreenwood.com) and then released indoors. These insects or mites do a great job of keeping common pests at bay, including whitefly, red spider mite and mealy bugs. There are also excellent controls available for slugs and for vine weevils, both of which can be used successfully outside too. Other outdoor pests which can be controlled include leather jackets and chafer grubs and there is even a control to send ants off in the other direction – wonderful if you like to lie on the lawn or enjoy meals in your garden without being nipped!

I garden organically and use biological controls regularly. If your conservatory is also a place where you relax or enjoy a drink or a meal, it is especially important not to fill it with potentially harmful chemicals.

To use these controls you will need to make sure that your greenhouse or conservatory is not already packed full of chemical residues - otherwise they may kill the beneficial creatures you are introducing. For whitefly you need a tiny parasitic wasp called Encarsia and for red spider mite you need the predatory Phytoseiulus mite. Introduce these amongst infested plants and they will automatically search out the pests, soon getting their numbers under control without you having to lift a finger.

It may sound off-putting to release wasps or mites indoors but these little creatures are tiny and will not bite or sting: they are only interested in the pests.

Biological controls are tricky for garden centres to stock, as living creatures won’t survive if left sitting on a warm shelf. Mail order is therefore the best way to buy generally, with your predators or parasites arriving in the post, along with strict instructions for storage and using before the use-by date. But don’t let this put you off: biological controls are excellent and used by professional growers.

To ensure success you must follow the instructions precisely and make sure you introduce the control when there are only a few pests around. If the air is choked with whitefly it can be a bit too much of an uphill struggle for the tiny little wasps. But the great thing is that you can relax in the knowledge that you’re not jeopardising any wildlife and that, in many cases, the biological control becomes self-

perpetuating as the ‘critters’ you have bought breed and spread. Now that’s what I call useful.

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and sign up for her newsletter (and receive a free ebook on organic gardening) and shop from the new products area which offers a great selection of biological controls plus growing frames, cloches, raised bed kits and lots, lots more.

Keeping Pests at Bay the Natural Way

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Don't Get Down in the Dumps - Rubbish is a Resource! Congratulations! North Wiltshire residents are getting used to the new waste collections and recent figures show that 2.07 kilos of cardboard and plastic were collected per household per fortnight (blue lidded bin kerbside collection) This means the proportion of waste being recycled is increasing and the materials collected are a valuable resource which can be turned into other products... Many of us have questions about plastic recycling and the new fortnightly collections.

Why are the new collections necessary? • Fortnightly waste collections increase recycling rates (as proven in East and West Wiltshire and nine out of the top ten English councils for recycling) Residual waste is reduced so less waste is sent to landfill and less landfill tax is paid. Why is the blue lidded bin so big? • So that it is future-proofed. Other materials may get added to this collection in the future. Why doesn’t the blue lidded bin take all plastics? • Plastic bottles are the most valuable. This means we don’t need to check numbers in order to use the blue lidded bin. If collections get contaminated by too many other types of plastic, the whole lot will have to be sent to landfill. How can I recycle other plastic? • Types 1, 2 and 3 which are not bottles can be taken to Household Recycling Centres. Types 4, 5 and 6 are not recycled by the Council as they are less valuable and there is minimal reprocessing capability for these in the UK. • Plastic bags and ‘stretchy’ film including some fruit nets, can be recycled at supermarket collection points. What happens to stuff in the blue-lidded bin? • It’s bulked up and mechanically sorted. It’s then sold to reprocessors and turned into useful products, like fleece, carpets, dustbins, fencing, bottles etc. It’s all too complicated! • Hang on to your letters with collection dates and hints on what goes in each bin. Not many of us like change, but we usually get used to it! The Council website has lots of information and they will answer your questions, give advice and organise assisted collections for those who qualify.

Remember, the less waste we produce, the easier it is to deal with, so REDUCE and REUSE before RECYCLING. Useful websites: www.wiltshire.gov.uk www.recycleforwiltshire.com www.recyclenow.com www.uk.freecycle.org


By Ted Bruning

I have decided to designate May as National Cider Month. And since, as far as I know, there is no statutory board for designating such things as National Sausage Week (which actually exists) and National Athlete’s Foot Day (which thankfully doesn’t), my National Cider Month is as formal and official as any other example of this sort of public relations hokum. So there.

But why am I designating May as National Cider Month when there is already (perhaps unbeknownst to most of you) a perfectly good National Cider Month, run under the auspices of the Campaign for Real Ale in October? Because October is silly, that’s why.

But, why have a National Cider Month at all? Can’t cider look after itself, without my intervention? Well, the Bulmers, the Gaymers and the Magners of this world with their mass distribution and big advertising budgets don’t need my help and jolly well aren’t getting it. But if you think that’s all there is to cider then you’re in for a treat.

Unless you’re lucky enough to live in the western counties, you’ll be extremely lucky to find what a traditionalist would call a “real” cider on the handpumps at your local pub. Most large towns – although by no means all – have an outlet for Weston’s excellent draught cider from Much Marcle in Herefordshire. But good though Weston’s is, it’s hardly a representative selection of what the country’s estimated 4-500 independent cidermakers have to offer.

But what is “traditional” cider? Basically it’s just pure fresh-pressed apple juice slowly fermented over the winter – apple wine, in fact. Any apple juice will ferment, but most of the best ciders are fermented from blends of the two or three hundred varieties of cider apple – small, hard, inedible little things, for the most part, and sour with tannin which acts as a strong antibacterial agent and gives the finished cider an oaky depth. These traditional ciders range from the roughest farmhouse scrumpies, which often have an almost vinegary acidity, to drinks as subtle, sophisticated, and elegant as fine white wine. And then there’s perry, a superb drink that’s almost impossible to obtain thanks to the rarity of the pears from which it’s made...

Traditional cider is almost always still (not flat) rather than sparkling. Left to itself it will ferment to complete dryness, and to a strength of 6-8% alcohol by volume, and the carbon dioxide generated during fermentation will dissipate naturally. If you want it sparkling you have to deliberately reintroduce some CO2, either by pitching the cider with a little yeast and sugar to stir a mild refermentation or, 99.99 times out of a hundred, by fizzing it up artificially.

I do everything I can to introduce people to the delights of traditional cider, and that’s why I’m designating May as

National Cider Month. October was chosen for the honour because that’s when apples are generally harvested. But cider needs to be fermented slowly and carefully, to allow the harsh malic acid to turn into the smoother and more mellow lactic acid – the so-called malo-lactic fermentation. Last season’s crop should be ready to drink right about now.

There are cidermakers all over the country these days, not just in Devon, Somerset and Herefordshire but in Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, Essex, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cheshire, even Yorkshire and Scotland! So seek out your nearest, invest in a few bottles, and celebrate with me.

Cider drinking in May

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Regular bedwetting is a common problem which can have a big effect on the whole family

Bedwetting - or nocturnal enuresis, to give it its proper name - is when a child regularly involuntarily wets their bed while asleep.

Most children become dry at night by the age of three or four, even though they may still have the odd accident now and then. But children suffering from nocturnal enuresis regularly wet the bed until they are much older. In fact, one in 12 children in the UK still experience problems up to the age of 16.

This is a problem which can affect the whole family: not only is it is uncomfortable for the child to wake up wet, it is also embarrassing and means they are less likely to have sleep overs with friends. It is difficult for the parents who are having to constantly change the sheets; and it often means broken nights for the whole family. Even though parents know it is not their child's fault, they can be left feeling frustrated and exhausted by the situation.

What causes bedwetting Children who have gained bladder control during the day recognise the feeling of a full bladder and know to head for the potty or toilet. But it can take some children a lot longer to become dry at night. If your child is still regularly wetting the bed past the age of four, there could be a number of reasons for this:

Inability to wake fully enough to recognise the feeling of

a full bladder

An over-active bladder

Anxiety and stress

Lack of the hormone, vasopressin

Constipation

Small bladder

A urinary tract infection (UTI)

Inherited problem

What you can do Firstly, make sure your child still drinks plenty of fluids throughout the day, but try to limit this before they go to bed. Cut down on fizzy drinks, milk and juice as these can stimulate the kidneys to produce more urine. Look at what might be triggering the problem - is your child anxious about anything? Could they have a UTI or are possibly constipated? Give them lots of praise when they do go to the toilet and try to remain calm when they have an accident.

Getting help Ask your GP to refer you to an enuresis clinic to begin an assessment. You will probably be given a chart to record drinking and wetting patterns. The good news is that there are some effective treatments you can try once your child is over the age of seven.

Alarms: When the child begins to urinate the alarm will go

off. This helps the child to wake up fully enough to go the toilet or to learn to hold on and works for around 7 in 10 children.

Medicine: Vassopressin is a natural hormone which helps to prevent the production of urine. Your child may be prescribed a drug which is an artificial form of this hormone so they produce less urine at night. Or they may be prescribed a muscle relaxant, which helps to control an overactive bladder.

Bladder training: This will help children who may have both day and night problems and will include a regime of hourly toilet visits, which can then be stretched out to longer intervals.

For more information visit www.eric.org.uk (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence).

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by Jackie Brewster

“You know, when I was your age I received a letter from the Queen.” Ellen announced to her son in a transparent attempt to impress him.

Charlie looked up from the book he was reading; his beautiful eyes were alight.

“Wow! Why did the Queen send you a letter?”

Ellen squeezed into the armchair next to him.

“I drew a picture of the Queen and sent it to her. So she sent me a thank you letter.”

“This Queen?” he asked, “this actual Queen we have now?”

Charlie let this news sink in for a moment and then asked, “do you think if I drew a picture the Queen would send me a letter as well?”

Ellen smiled, “why not Charlie? It’s worth a try isn’t it?”

She enjoyed the quiet hour he spent at the dining table, drawing his picture in deep concentration. Once he had finished he proudly presented it to her.

“What do you think Mum? I think she’ll like it.”

“It’s lovely,” she agreed. “I think any reigning monarch would be delighted with a drawing of themselves fighting a dalek, armed with just a sceptre and a corgi.”

“It’s not a sceptre, it’s a sonic screwdriver,” he said, rifling through her purse for the stamps.

The next morning on their way to school Charlie posted his picture. After much deliberation he had addressed it to ‘Her Royal Highness the Queen, care of Buckingham Palace, or Balmoral, if she’s on holiday’.

Ellen popped round to see her parents on the way back. Her mum was folding a pile of laundry. “Mum do you remember that letter I had from the Queen?”

Her mum chuckled. “That old thing. It took your Dad forever to decide how the Queen would sign her name.”

Ellen’s jaw dropped.

“Dad? You mean it was really from Dad?”

Her mum looked surprised.

“Don’t you remember? We’d just exchanged contracts on Sandmere Drive and I suggested you draw a picture for the Queen to keep you quiet while we did the packing.”

A memory came back to Ellen of drawing a picture at the little breakfast bar in their first house, surrounded by piles of newspaper and tea chests. Her Mum patted her hand. “Did you never wonder how the Queen knew your change of address?”

Ellen let out a heavy sigh and slumped onto the pile of clean washing. “In that case, do you think Dad would mind writing another for me?”

The following week Charlie never once mentioned the letter from the Queen, but Ellen noticed that he was always first

into the hallway every time he heard the postman clicking open the garden gate.

Then one day, she heard the clatter of the letterbox followed by a little cry of delight. She sighed with relief, and mouthed the words “Thank you Dad”.

Charlie came skipping through to the kitchen.

“I’ve got post.” His face was beaming.

“What is it?” she said, knowing full well. He held up a brown manila envelope.

“I don’t know what this is, but it looks like Granddad’s writing.” Ellen’s heart sank. Clearly her son was much smarter than she had been at his age.

“But look at this!” he added.

Charlie held up another envelope. It was crisp and white with Charlie’s name clearly typed on the front. He placed it in Ellen’s hands with a look of awe on his face. She turned it over. Where it was sealed, embossed in gold, were the lion and the unicorn of the royal coat of arms.

Short Story: A letter from the Queen

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In 2007, the Government published the Children’s Plan, outlining their vision for a world class children’s workforce. The plan stated that:

“The single most important factor in delivering our aspirations for children is a world class workforce able to provide highly personalised support, so we will continue to drive up quality and capacity of those work-ing in the children’s workforce. We know from our consultation how important the quality of early years childcare and education is to improving children’s achievement”.

We all know that childhood is a special time and that child-hood experiences can have a profound impact throughout our lives, influencing attitudes, physical and mental wellbe-ing, life chances and life choices. We know how important it is, therefore, to give our children the very best start in life, from their earliest months and into adolescence and be-yond. As parents, we do all we can to secure the best start for our children. For more and more working parents, that includes seeking the best childcare to provide for their children’s safety, development and stimulation whilst they themselves are at work.

High quality, flexible early years and childcare services are essential to enable all our children to meet their potential; to help them develop the social skills and attitudes which will stand them in good stead in later life; to provide the safe and stimulating care parents want for their children; and to enable parents to take up employment and training opportu-nities. There is now ample research evidence about the benefits of quality early years services for all children.

This research shows that high quality pre-school services enhance children’s intellectual, social and behavioural development, helping them to make a better start at school, increasing their sociability, their ability to co-operate and their independence. The most recent and compelling evi-dence comes from England. The Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) study which started in 1997 investigated the effect of pre-school education on children’s development.

The EPPE project is the first major longitudinal study of a national sample of young children’s development between the ages of 3 and 7 years. To investigate the effects of pre-school education, the EPPE team collected a wide range of information on 3,000 children. These were their key find-ings:

•High quality pre-schooling is related to better intellectual

and social/behavioural development for children.

•Settings that have staff with higher qualifications have

higher quality scores and their children make more pro-gress.

•Quality indicators include warm interactive relationships

with children, having a trained teacher as manager and a good proportion of trained teachers on the staff.

•Where settings view educa-

tional and social development as complementary and equal in importance, children make better all round progress.

•Effective pedagogy includes

interaction traditionally associ-ated with the term “teaching”, the provision of instructive learning environments and ‘sustained shared thinking’ to extend children’s learning.

Quality makes a difference to children’s development. There was a significant relationship between the quality of a pre-school setting and improved child outcomes. There was also a positive relationship between the qualifications of staff and ratings of quality. Children made more progress in pre-school settings where staff had higher qualifications, particularly if the manager was highly qualified.

National and international research into early years educa-tion and childcare show that good outcomes for children are linked to settings that provide a strong educational focus with trained teachers working alongside and/or supporting less qualified staff. The EPPE research shows very clear correlation in its longitudinal study of 3000 children in Eng-land of the quality of children’s pre-school experience with highly qualified staff, particularly teachers, to children’s subsequent progressing education in primary school. The potential impact on children’s learning is considerable through the improved qualification of early years managers to degree level and the continued development of workforce qualification.

The Governments response to the findings Their response to their report is to have EYPs in all Child-care Settings offering early years provision by 2015.

At Tiggers we aim to provide a high quality workforce with significant continued support for training and improving services. All of our sites have an EYP or Qualified Teacher overseeing the children’s planning and curriculum. The Managers hold a minimum of level 5, training towards fur-ther higher level education. Leaders support their teams effectively, taking part in Quality Assurance Awards such as the Bristol Standards, which is an investors in children programme for improving outcomes. We also recently won the “best nursery in the UK” and were awarded Apprentice Champions for our work with training practitioners in Early Years.

Importance of a high quality workforce on children’s future outcomes


They keep in the warmth and keep out prying eyes, but window treatments are much more than a purely practical addition to a room, says Katherine Sorrell

Curtains – where to start The cheapest and most subtle option for hanging curtains is undoubtedly a plastic or metal track. Double tracks can be used to hang both nets and thicker curtains neatly, while triple tracks allow you to use flat panels, perhaps of different fabrics, which can be pulled back and forwards in different combinations depending on the effect you want or how much light you wish to allow in. The more decorative alternative is a curtain pole – perhaps in see-through acrylic, slender stainless steel or pale-painted wood – and with pretty finials on the ends. On narrow windows or dormers, portiere (or swing-arm) rods are an alternative to fixed poles, while for a modern effect you could use tension wire, fixed taut within the window opening.

Curtains – fabric and style Whether you prefer minimal panels or swathes of fabric, it is best to take into account the architecture and size of the room, and of the windows, before opting for a particular curtain style. Grander curtains tend to suit larger, period rooms, while simple curtains are often best suited to modern properties. The way in which a curtain hangs is determined by its heading, usually created by a tape which is sewn onto the back of the curtain and pulled to form gentle gathers, smart pleats or a variety of other shapes. For a less formal look, however, there are plenty of alternatives. Tab- and tie-tops are often found on ready-made curtains, though they can be fiddly to draw. Curtains can also be hung from a deep hem which is simply slid over a pole, from large eyelets punched in the top (this looks great hung from a tension wire), from clips (magnetic ones are easy to use) or even just from hooks.

Curtains can be made from practically any fabric, depending on your budget. The heavier the fabric, the better it will hold a fold, though very heavy fabrics will be too bulky for smaller windows. Very light fabrics will tend to look floppy unless supported by a lining. Lining is, in fact, always a good idea, as it will not only help the fabric hang neatly, but also protect it from fading, dirt and condensation. Thermal linings help retain heat, and can be as effective as double glazing, while blackout lining also blocks out light and some noise.

Blinds Once considered something of a poor cousin to curtains, blinds are increasingly fashionable, offering a clean-lined look that is sophisticated and laid-back yet still pleasingly tactile. What’s more, they tend to be far cheaper, as they require much less fabric – just the size of the window opening, plus hems. There are different options to suit different styles of room, many of them easy to make yourself or inexpensive to buy off-the-shelf. A roller blind in a neutral colour will blend into the background in a modern, minimal space, or could be used in conjunction with ‘dress’ curtains (fixed either side of the window) in a more formal room. Roman blinds pull up in lovely soft folds that give an attractive drape without going over the top, while fabric roll-up blinds which, literally, roll up from the bottom and tie in position, show off their reverse, thus offering an attractive combination of two fabrics. When choosing fabrics, mid-weight, not-too-textured

Wonderful Windows fabrics tend to be best for blinds, which need to roll or fold easily against themselves.

Shutters They may not be the obvious choice, and they are almost always more expensive than blinds or simple curtains, but shutters are good-looking in an unfussy kind of way and suit both old and new properties. They’re also great for privacy, for blocking out sound and light and adding an extra layer of security. Depending on the configuration of your window, shutters can be made as a single pair, bi-fold, tri-fold or whatever will fit, either full-length, half-height (café style), or tier-on-tier, rectangular, tapering or arched in shape, and either set within the reveal or folding back against the wall. The plainest, period-type shutters have a timber frame and a solid centre panel – they can be painted any colour and complement a Georgian or Victorian home extremely well. American shutters have louvres that tilt up and down, offering privacy but also letting in light. Alternatively, for a highly contemporary effect, it’s possible to have shutters made from sleek aluminium or funky acrylic, which comes in a range of gorgeous colours. By Katherine Sorrell

Boho Chic roller blind, from The Fabric Box www.thefabricbox.co.uk).


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Beach Uncool Chris Russell

After a recent tour of Cape Town with The Lightyears, I stepped off the plane into the freezing London air with my drummer at my side.

'I'm not sure I can get used to this weather again,' said Tony, zipping up his jacket.

'I don't mind it myself,' I replied. 'I quite like the weather in Britain.'

Tony dropped his bag on the tarmac and gawped at me.

'You like our weather?' he croaked at me.

I scratched my head. 'Um… yeah. Is that… okay?'

'No, it is not okay!' he retorted, looking almost hurt. 'It's un-British, mate.'

There I was, displaying heartfelt pride in my good old Blighty, and I was shot down for being unpatriotic. But I can't blame Tony, because you lot all feel the same way, don't you? For you - the people of the United Kingdom - complaining about the drizzle is an obligatory national pastime, whereas expressing any kind of affection for the British climate is tantamount to punching the Queen. But consider this. As a nation, Britons simply look better in the winter. Wrapped up in our high-collared coats and flowing scarves, we're striking, almost continental. But strip us bare and stick us in a pair of Speedos and we just look creepy.

In South Africa, the climate and the food and the lifestyle have gifted the locals fit, lean, lusty bodies - bodies that actually look good on the beach. I, on the other hand, can tell you with near-on scientific accuracy that I look at least a thousand times better in a long winter coat than I do in swimming trunks. This is because I am hopelessly Beach Uncool - and if you're reading this and you're British then, I'm sorry, unless you're one of those tedious people who use 'bench-press' as a verb and don't eat any carbohydrates (or you're a liar), you are too.

For those unfamiliar with the concept of Beach Uncool, allow me to furnish you with an anecdote. A very good (English) friend of mine recently married a strapping Capetonian rugby player, and during the early stages of their courtship I happened to accompany them on a family trip to the beach. After a few hours the washboard-stomached boyfriend announced that he was hungry, and suggested picking up some fresh baguettes from the nearby kiosk. His new girlfriend's mother, however, had other ideas. 'No need to spend all that money,' she replied gleefully, 'I've brought a picnic!'. He then watched with a combination of terror and confusion as his future mother-in-law produced a bright orange cool bag, reached inside and pulled out a flask of lemon squash and a tin-foil pouch filled with cold mackerel wraps.

Mackerel. Wraps.

I should add, of course, that there is no shame in being

Beach Uncool. It doesn't mean you have to stay away from the coast altogether, but if you want to look good while doing it, go in the winter. That's when the Brits look good on a beach. When we're windswept, rosy-cheeked, and preferably accompanied by a dog. An imposing mist cloaking the horizon, flecks of salty sea spray clinging to our skin, trussed up in thick scarves and chunky knitwear. That's the look for us. Not pink as a packet of cheap ham, knobbly-kneed and trying to figure out how all that sand got into our pants and eating mackerel wraps. That's not cool, and it never will be.

One other thing. Whilst we're on the subject of being un-British, I really think that, as a national dish, fish and chips is massively overrated.

Don't tell anyone though. I'll be deported.

Chris plays piano in South London band The Lightyears

drop in and see us @ Carnegie Lighting, 44 High Street,

Malmesbury Wiltshire SN16 9AT

01666 822880 email: [email protected]

www.malmesburyelectrician.com


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The Mini brand is expanding yet again – this time into the niche Coupe market. James Baggott finds out more

WHAT IT IS? Yet another Mini that’s been tweaked to keep the brand’s sales moving upwards. Sales for the maker are up 14 per cent year on year in a market down five per cent and the Coupe aims to add around 3,000 a year to that total. Classed as a ‘halo’ model, it’s not expected to be a volume seller, but a rival to the likes of the VW Scirocco and Audi TT. It has a lower roof, boot spoiler and only two seats.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? There are diesel and petrol options. As it’s the halo model, Mini won’t be offering One versions, only Cooper, Cooper S, SD, and John Cooper Works versions. We tried the SD and John Cooper Works. The latter is the range-topper offering 149mph top speed, 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds and 39.8mpg. The diesel is a bit clattery but great to drive. It returns 65.7mpg, hits 134mph and passes 60mph in 7.7s.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? High. Standard equipment includes DAB radio, air-con, parking sensors, alloy wheels and sport stripes. But as with all Minis, it’s the personalisation – both via factory order and dealer- fitted accessories – which are plentiful. The famous TLC servicing pack is available for £249 and some 98 per cent of buyers are expected to take it up. We’d like to know who the two per cent are that don’t…

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Enjoyable, but for taller drivers, extremely uncomfortable. The low roofline means you have to constantly crick your neck and the seats sent our legs to sleep within 10 minutes. It handles much like the hatch and in the dry is extremely chuckable, but in the wet it suffered with understeer. But none of that will stop fashion-hungry buyers snapping them up.

WHAT DO THE PRESS SAY? Auto Express said they thought ‘the powerful model has the makings of a machine that will take the brand to a group of drivers who feel that the standard hatch just isn’t tough enough’. While rivals Autocar said: ‘If you can live with the striking looks and driving appeal is a priority, it’s certainly worth considering.’

WHAT DO WE THINK OF IT? The looks certainly grew on us during our test, but no

amount of driving dynamics could take our attention away

from the pain in our legs, not something any driver wants to

experience. With only 3,000 expected to find homes, this

low-volume model will be a fashion statement for style-

conscious buyers. And with a Roadster due next year, it’s

clear the Mini brand’s expansion is set to continue apace.

By James Baggott, editor of Car Dealer Magazine

(CarDealerMag.co.uk)

Mini Coupe Road Test


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Fresh Faced - the ultimate at home facial

By Helen Taylor

A trip to the beauty salon is the ultimate treat for many

women after a stressful and hectic day. But, ‘me time’

should continue at home too as regular care of your skin

will have lifetime benefits.

A facial is a great pick-me-up and one of those all-important

treatments that not only results in glowing skin, but leaves

you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated too. And what’s more

you can achieve near professional results at home.

Part of the joy of treating yourself to a salon session is

soaking up the atmosphere - the gentle lighting and

soothing music equal total relaxation - so recreate that by

turning your bathroom into a candle lit haven, that’s

delicately fragranced and full of luxurious accessories.

Cleanse away the day by removing all traces of make-up.

You must use a liquid eye make-up remover, cleanser and

toner - make up remover wipes are convenient but not as

thorough nor as pleasant to use.

Use a muslin cloth that’s been submerged in hot water to

place over the face in order to open up the pores. Leave for

a few moments before repeating.

Double cleanse by using a wash off cleanser that will

extract any deeply ingrained dirt and grime. Smooth the

product over the face and neck, before removing using

circular, upward motions. Splash with water.

Now that the skin is at this stage it’s time to work on

congested areas. If you are prone to blackheads then a

good exfoliator is essential for clearing out blocked pores.

And what’s more, they are great for removing dead skin

cells and revealing brighter, fresher and younger looking

skin.

Apply the exfoliant to damp skin and work all over,

concentrating on the forehead, nose and chin. Always use

upwards, circular movements and don’t be tempted to scrub

- light strokes are all that’s needed.

After exfoliating, apply a face mask. Ensure that it’s the

right kind for you - if you have combination skin then use

assorted masks, applied in different areas for the very best

results. Many beauty therapists do this so that they can

address the requirements of each part of the face. Thermal

masks are fabulous. They gently heat up to draw out

impurities and prove to be the perfect pampering treat.

With your face mask on, it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy

doing nothing for a few minutes.

Use a wet face cloth to remove the mask and splash your

face with cool water before drying thoroughly.

At this point your skin should be feeling totally refreshed

and super soft, but there is still more to do.

Applying an eye cream is a must to protect against and fight

off wrinkles. Start at the outer most point of the eye and use

light tapping motions to press the product into the skin.

Because the eye area is so sensitive it really is vital that you

do not rub, drag or pull.

Moisturise using a product that suits your skin’s needs and

as you apply treat yourself to a mini massage that will

stimulate circulation and bring much needed oxygen and

nutrition to the surface. Work from the centre of your face,

moving upwards and outwards, using your fingers and

palms to lift and smooth the skin. Don’t forget to include

your neck in the massage too.

The results are sure to be amazing.

Courtesy of Clinique

14a High Street, Malmesbury, Above A4 Stationers

Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Hot Stone Massage, LAVA shell Massage, Hopi Ear Candling, Environ Anti-aging Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, Waxing, Eye Lash Tinting,

Electrolysis and Spray Tans, Collagen Stimulation Therapy now available

‘Gift Vouchers available’ For more information, please call Deborah on 01666 829056

Member of Embody Complementary Therapists Association & British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology


Counselling and Psychotherapy

Individuals and Couples

Beth Smeeton MSc 01666 824356

[email protected]

Registered with UKCP; BACP; UKRC; EATA;

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It’s time to crown the new May Queen and dance around the Maypole. Heavily

rooted in the pagan and the celtic, celebrations are taking place across the land.

This magical time of year is all about nature, fertility, tradition and folklore. Make

yourself a daisy crown, sprinkle on some fairy dust and dance barefoot in the

moonlight. Or failing that, find a patch of sunlight and let a book lead you on a

Lob, Linda Newbery The original inspiration for Newbery’s ‘Lob’ was a stranger she saw on her way to work; ‘the man who walks the roads’. Where was he going and where had he come from? This image, combined with those of the ‘green man’ in English Folklore who appears in carvings as a face amongst leaves and branches, lead to her to create her garden helper ‘Lob’. Lucy ‘s grandfather tells her about Lob and all the ‘Lob-work’ he does around the garden. You can only see him if you believe in him. It’s a beautiful and heart-warming children’s book which has great appeal for adults.

The Most Amazing Places of Folklore and Legend in Britain: Where to Discover Our Living Heritage and Traditions, Readers Digest. If you’ve ever thought that Britain is lacking in tradition and folklore in comparison with our European neighbours, think again! This is a travel guide that will take you deep into the heart of the countryside and the legends that abound. From the solstice celebrations at Stone Henge to the yeti-like Beast of Bolam in the wilds of Northumberland, this is a land that’s teeming with folklore. Use this modern guidebook to take a step back in time and into a land that you may not recognise.

Arthur, High King of Britain, Michael Morpurgo. This is the second children’s book we’ve selected but it’s a wonderful way for kids and grown-ups alike to hear some of the magical stories of King Arthur and his mystical round table. Michael Morpurgo’s tale begins with a boy, marooned on a sandbank with the sea

lapping perilously close to him. He wakes up in a strange bed and finds he has a visitor: King Arthur himself. The legendary figure then recounts tales of Camelot, sorcery, knights on mighty steeds and betrayal. Prepare to be transported back in time.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare Mischief abounds in one of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays which has three main, interwoven plotlines. The story centres around the marriage of Theseus, The Duke of Athens, and the Amazon queen, Hippolyta and is set in woodland as well as the magical realm of ‘Fairyland’. One of the most memorable characters is undoubtedly the fairy court jester ‘Puck’ who dispenses his magical juice which, when sprinkled on your eyelids, means you fall in love with the next thing you see. This is one dream from which you won’t want to wake.

The Heart of Robin Hood, David Farr. This is a brilliant reworking of the classic tale of the outlaw and his band of merry men. This time though, Robin and his men have grasped the idea of stealing from the rich, but have not yet signed-up to the principle of then giving it to the poor. It isn’t going down well with the poverty-stricken around Nottingham Forest. In David Farr’s adaptation, it’s Maid Marion who has to blaze the trail and convince Robin to follow his heart and not hold onto his swag, for the sake of the country.

Darling books for May

Piano tuner/

technician

Please call Mike

01454 232971 or 07747 317844


Wanted, six new Brownies 1st Great Somerford Brownies who meet on Wednesdays from 6.00 to 7.30pm have places available for girls to start now. Although the Brownie Pack which meets in Malmesbury is full with a long waiting list, we have had a large num-ber of girls move on to Guides and so find ourselves with places we would love to fill. Brownies offers girls a safe, girl only space, where they can learn a range of skills which the schools no longer have time to teach. We are a small friendly Pack and meeting where we do, surrounded by footpaths and woodland, have lots of opportunities for outdoor adventures in the Summer months. We would love to welcome your daughter to join us for all the fun, friendships, new skills and adventures that Brownies offers. Here are a few of the highlights from our last year. “A year in a weekend sleepover” with activities from Valentine’s cards to Summer sports, to Martinmas lantern making. A newspaper evening where the girls designed their own fash-ion outfits. Making Rangoli patterns for the Diwali festival. A visit to the Athelstan Players pantomime. Decorating the Hall where we meet for Christmas. Discussing what we would do if we ruled the world. Eating a meal of international foods to remember Guiding's world-wide connections. Some of our Brownies joined over 100 other Guides, Rainbows and Brownies for a District Thinking Day event. If your daughter is between 7 and 10 years old and would like to be a Brownie now, please contact Jan Smith (Brown Owl), on 01666 823453 or email [email protected] We will also have a few places in September when our older girls move to Guides so if your daughter is nearly 7 do get in touch to reserve a place.


Super Swim for Sport Relief On March 22nd Rose Hill Westonbirt pupils made a splash in the pool at Westonbirt Leisure as they swam in a spon-sored Sport Relief event. All pupils, from Reception to Year 6, along with many of the staff including the Head, Neil Shaw and the Deputy Head Guy Barrett took part. The aim was to swim 35 miles in total during the course of the day. A staggering 54 miles in the pool were completed (3,456 lengths) – the equivalent to swimming across the Channel and back and part way back again! The earliest swimmers were in the pool at 06:30am and the final length took place at 3:45pm. Pupils in the Reception class swam an incredible 1/8 mile each, while the strongest swimmers in Year 5 and Year 6 managed to clock up nearly 2 miles each – an incredible feat. The event culminated with PE and swimming teacher Mary Worsfold (who had organised the event) Head Neil Shaw and Deputy Head Guy Barrett donning Victorian swimming costumes and jumping into the deep end. Quite a sight! The sponsored swim will raise approximately £600 for Sport Relief, contributing to the charity’s aims of helping people who live incredibly tough lives, both at home in the UK and across the world's poorest countries. Rose Hill Westonbirt School boasts not only some very accom-plished swimmers (who swim from Nursery age upwards) but sport is strong across the board, with pupils participating in track and field athletics, tennis, golf and cross country-activities. Pupils can also receive specialist coaching in rugby, football, cricket, hockey, netball, fencing, rounders and tennis – with a new Tennis Academy having recently launched at the school. Rose Hill Westonbirt’s next Open Morning is Saturday, May 12th 09:30am – 12:30pm. For more details please contact our Regis-trar, Ann Slark, on 01666 881375

PYKE BOARDING KENNELS SHERSTON, MALMESBURY, WILTS SN16 0NJ

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Malmesbury Abbey Music Society welcomes back sensational Hungarian vioist, Eniko Mag-

yar, to Malmesbury Abbey!

Malmesbury Abbey Music Society (MAMS) is delighted to w elcome back the sensa-tional Hungarian Violist, Eniko Magyar, to Malmesbury Abbey on Saturday 19th May

2012 at 7:30 pm. Eniko made a big impres-sion w hen she performed in the Abbey with the Wessex Concert Orchestra in 2011. This time she returns, accompa-

nied by the wonderful Hungarian-American pianist, Julia Hamos, with a complete programme of Hungarian mu-sic. Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances and Koday ’s Adagio will be followed by In memoriam for viola solo by Gyorgy

Kosa . The programme will be completed by Erno Doh-nany i’s Sonata and Joachim’s Hebrew Melodies. This is a rare opportunity to discover more of the music of Hun-garian music played on the viola and it promises to be an absolute treat!

Tickets for the concerts are priced at £12, or £5 for stu-dents, and can be obtained from the Abbey Bookshop, or the MAMS Ticket Secretary, Dav id Barton, on 01666

824924, email [email protected]. Alterna-tiv ely, they can be bought online through the Malmesbury website www.malmesbury.com/mams.


Foot Health Care www.foot-health-care.co.uk

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A Proverbial Life… Many hands make light work

There are some jobs that you try to ignore, to delay or to offload onto someone else. However, eventually the day arrives when you know that you can’t possibly leave it any longer. That day arrived for me last month - the loft just had to be cleared.

It was jam packed full of ‘stuff’ - littered with the detritus of living in the same house for 25 years. As I lay in bed at night, I convinced myself the rafters were groaning under the combined weight of all this junk. I could feel the oppressive bulk of accumulated possessions pressing down on me, threatening to crash through the ceiling and pin me to the bed.

Now, clearing out the loft is - in this house - a controversial issue. No – one wants to do it, or sees the need for it to be done. Apparently, the loft contains priceless treasures that cannot be disturbed, ‘things’ that we may need at some future date or items vital to human life and happiness.

However I do know that once something goes up there it never, ever reappears. If it never reappears then we don’t need it – right?

This has caused several family debates. Adult sons, no longer living at home, protest that all their childhood possessions are stored there. An eighteen year old daughter – still at home - complains that her soft toys from childhood are there and that she wants them. Well, if she wants them what are they doing in the loft?

Eldest son suddenly remembered the Scalextric set confined to the loft for nearly twenty years. Someone then had the bright idea of getting it down to see if it was still working. So, despite my protests, three grown men (four if you include their father), rushed upstairs in a state of high excitement to see what they could find.

They didn’t bother with a step ladder but stood on shoulders to gain access, then hauled each other up – I think it’s a macho thing.

I stood at the bottom of the stairs, shouting threats of the dire consequences that would befall them if they came crashing through the ceiling.

Several hours later, the living room looked like an advertisement for a car boot sale. There were toys, games, a scooter, boxes of books, broken electrical equipment and other assorted junk scattered around. The Scalextric set had been rediscovered, tested and found to be wanting.

Looking at the mess, I consoled myself with the thought that at least most of the ‘stuff’ was now out of the loft – the rafters wouldn’t collapse tonight. That was until they began discussing all the other booty still up there; it seemed that this was just a tiny selection of what the loft contained.

However, they did eventually admit that most of it was junk

that could be disposed of. We agreed that if there was anything they held dear, then it was to be removed to their own homes. Hurrah.

Finally, it was decided that as there was so much sorting out to do it should be a group effort. A date’s been set for the big clearout. Hopefully, it will be a warm, dry day, as everything will have to go into a ‘holding’ area in the garden for sorting into categories: keep, donate, recycle or throw out.

It’s going to be a mammoth task – I’ve booked a skip. I’m secretly hoping that we may just find something I lost many years ago...I’ve always been convinced it was in a suitcase in the loft.

By A. O’Brien

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275g new potatoes 450g asparagus 5 large eggs

200g buffalo mozzarella 50g Parmesan, grated

2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley

•Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Serves 4-6 Preperation time 30 minutes

Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. Making sure the potatoes are clean first, boil them in salted water. Trim the asparagus, then cut the stems into 1cm slices leaving the spear as a piece about 8cm long. Add this all to the potato pan for the last 5 minutes of the cooking time. Drain everything and refresh in cold water. Thickly slice the potato. Whisk together the eggs really well. Dice the mozzarella and add to the eggs along with 40g of the Parmesan, the parsley, potatoes and slices of asparagus. Season generously with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Stir everything to coat with the egg. Lastly, gently stir through the spears. Heat a 22cm diameter oven-proof deep frying pan along with the olive oil over a medium heat. Non-stick would be great, otherwise one which is naturally seasoned. Pour in the egg mixture making sure some of the spears are sitting at the top. Leave to cook for around 10 minutes until the edges are starting to firm up. Sprinkle over the last 10g of Parmesan and slide the frying pan in to the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the frittata is golden and firm. Serve straight from the pan with a crisp green salad.

For those who’ve only ever considered asparagus as a luxurious accompaniment to a main course, it’s time to think again. This delicious recipe is simple to cook

and the mild flavours of the mozzarella and eggs mean that the

asparagus is still the star of the dish.

Asparagus Frittata

Optimum Mobility of Malmesbury

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Minety based Glebe Healthcare are your local supplier

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thing from household aids to daily living to hoists,

wheelchairs, scooters, stair-lifts, rise & recline and specialist

chairs and beds are available from our brand new purpose built

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08000 23 23 35

The Workshop, Home Farm Business Centre, Minety, Malmesbury SN16 9PL www.glebehealthcare.com


*Property renovation now undertaken*


Lawn & Garden Services

Spring is here and now is a great time to start getting the garden ready for summer. The grass is really growing and the weather perfect

to get your lawn looking lush, green and something to be proud of.

JW Turfcare offers a wide range of treatments to get your grass strong, green and healthy as well as free of those unwanted weeds. Maybe you have bare areas in your

lawn which require re-seeding or even areas where you would like the instant look of new turf, at JW Turfcare we can cater for all these needs.

Also offering a grass/hedge cutting and general maintenance service we can cater for all

your lawn and garden needs. So call us now and ar-range your free no obligations quote and make your garden something to be proud of this year.

Office no: 01666824112

Mobile no: 07850125416


Bangkok is dotted with nearly 400 fairytale temples, known as ‘wats’, the most magnificent rising on the banks of the Chao Phraya. Colourful, dazzling, they are among the top attractions in Thailand’s capital.

Here, monks meditate and study scriptures, medicine and astrology, tourists marvel at all the glitter and gold and the locals pray, read their horoscopes and chat with their friends. There are food stalls by the gate and on holy days, temple fairs where you can buy amulets and herbal remedies.

Some temples are humble places haunted only by monks in saffron robes, others bustle with visitors. A few have a claim to fame, the highest dome, the largest bell, cloisters filled with the scent of jasmine or a 5½ ton Buddha of solid gold, hidden under a layer of stucco until it was dropped during transport in the 1950s.

The Thais are devout Buddhists and most men, including the king, spend some time in the monkhood, whether a whole life or a few days. On the left bank of the Chao Phraya, the royal chapel is a stunning extravaganza of gold leaf, multicoloured mosaics and mythical creatures keeping watch in the courtyards, from fierce guardians with green faces to slender ‘garudas’, half-bird half-human. There are bell towers and spires, pavilions with upturned eaves, pagodas, colonnades and white elephant statues believed to be lucky. High above it all, in a dedicated chapel, the small Emerald Buddha sits under a nine-tiered umbrella, carved from a single piece of jade and highly revered as he protects the kingdom. There is barely a whisper in the air but the chanting of monks echoes along the walls. The royal temple is close to the Grand Palace and three times a year, in a special ceremony, the king changes the Buddha’s robes to match the new season.

Down river, Wat Po, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is the oldest and largest of the wats, a busy place where 300 monks mingle with visitors. The Buddha fills an entire hall, stretching for 140 feet, nearly 50 feet high, covered in gold leaf and mother of pearl incrusted in the soles of his feet in 108 auspicious designs.

Regardless of faith, the Buddha touches your soul, totally serene as he approaches nirvana. Meanwhile, in the courtyards bristling with gleaming shrines, families picnic under the trees or buy a caged bird to set it free, for a blessing, and tourists bargain for rubbings of temple carvings. As the seat of the country’s first university, Wat Po is also a reputed centre of learning and the best place in Bangkok to try traditional medicine or enjoy an authentic Thai massage.

But across the river, Wat Arun is the most iconic of all. This is the Temple of Dawn, perfectly poised to reflect the early morning light from its lofty Khmer-style tower. Rising some 220 feet above the water, it is covered in seashells and pieces of Chinese porcelain once used as ballast on incoming ships. Demons and monkeys guard the sanctuary while steep narrow steps lead up to the dizzying balcony overlooking the river, the palace and neighbouring temples. Once a year, the King sails down the Chao Phraya in full regalia to present new robes to the monks of Wat Arun after their traditional fast. The royal barge procession is said to be the most colourful festival in Bangkok.

By Solange Hando

Any level, beginners to advanced

Coaching for exams

Will come to your house if required

Fiona Melville BA Hons (Oxon) Spanish

Please call 01666 840215 / 07711816839 email [email protected]

SPANISH LESSONS

Need an electrician?

Domestic & Commercial Electrical Service Fully Insured, Free Estimates

Faults and repairs, electrical installations, lights

and sockets, rewires and fuse box changes.

Tony Parfrey

01666 837580 07815932197 www.dreamscape-electrical.co.uk

Specialist framer of memorabilia, cross-stitches,

football shirts, jigsaws, pictures, prints etc.

Also dry mounting and laminating

SUE’S GALLERY & FRAMING

29A High Street, Cricklade SN6 6AB

01793 759016

Unit 23 Blackworth Industrial Estate, Highworth,

Swindon SN6 7NA

01793 764929

www.suesgallery.co.uk

Fine Art Trade Guild Commended Framer

Frame Visualisation System See your picture framed before buying

Bangkok Riverside Temples


http://www.dreamscape-electrical.co.uk


OPEN SATURDAY MORNINGS

• General Dentistry

• Dental Implants • Invisalign (invisible braces)

• Tooth Whitening

• Crowns & Veneers

• White Fillings (metal free)

• Botox & Dermal Fillers

• 0% Finance available (subject to status. Typical 0%APR)

The Old Post Office

12 Castle Street

Cirencester

GL7 1QA

Short-listed for 2011 DENTISTRY AWARDS:

“Best Practice”, “Best Team”, “Best Young Dentist”

We are proud to offer a professional service for all your domestic heating and hot water needs.

Experienced Gas Safe & Oftec registered Engineers. Biomass installations as well as Solar Thermal

Manor Heating and Plumbing are a partner to the UK’s largest home emergency company, meaning you can be assured our engineers have the best training and know

how to deal with your boiler breakdown, service or replacement.

Backed by a no quibble ‘No Fix No Fee’ guarantee. All boiler services £55. Emergency call outs from £55!

Call 01666 848032 or 01666 848033 Email: [email protected] www.manorheating.com


Across

1 Sketch (7)

5 Naval map (5)

8 Expel (5)

9 Woman's holdall (7)

10 Promotional literature (13)

11 Informal (6)

12 Thick-set (6)

15 Used to cool food (13)

18 Conclusions (7)

19 Perfect (5)

20 Sea rising and falling (5)

21 Medicinal syrup (7)

Down

QUICK CROSSWORD

1 Musical drama (5)

2 Robbers (7)

3 Worldwide (13) 4 Pertaining to cultural group (6)

5 Deep thinking (13)

6 Saunter (5)

7 Firmly (7)

11 Right (7)

13 Nearest (7)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9

10

11 12 13

14

15 16 17

18 19

20 21


Crossword Answers—Across: 1 Outline, 5 Chart, 8 Evict, 9 Handbag, 10 Advertisement, 11 Casual, 12 Stocky, 15 Refrigerators,

18 Endings, 19 Ideal, 20 Tidal, 21 Linctus. Down: 1 Opera, 2 Thieves, 3 International, 4 Ethnic, 5 Concentration, 6 Amble, 7 Tightly,

11 Correct, 13 Closest, 14 Vessel, 16 Faded, 17 Sells.

WHAT’S ON ? Every Sunday (7.30pm) and Thursday (2.30pm) Crudwell Short Mat Bowls - bring flat shoes and w e have the woods - at Crudwell Village Hall

Every Monday 1.00 - 3.30pm Malmesbury Physically Handicapped Club. The club is run for the benefit of physi-cally handicapped, and elderly, residents of Malmesbury and surrounding villages. We provide a forum where people

can meet in a relaxed and friendly environment and enjoy a range of interesting speakers and recreational pursuits. Transport can be arranged in the immediate Malmesbury area. For further info please contact 01666 824351

Every Monday—Malmesbury Arts Society meet at St Mary’s Hall at 7.30pm to paint and draw. All ages welcome. (No meetings in August or bank holidays)

‘Every Monday & Thursday – Malmesbury Bridge Club

meets for friendly duplicate bridge at Athelstan House, Burton Hill Primary Care Centre complex, at 7 p.m. For details or if you need a partner, contact Richard or Sy d Gwyer 01453 860512

Every 2nd Tuesday-7.30pm Lea WI meet at Lea Village Hall

Every Wednesday—Members (aged 60 and ov er) meet at

noon in the Wesleyan Room of the Town Hall to see friends and enjoy a 2 course lunch. Details from Helen Churchill 01666 840080

Every Wednesday– Malmesbury Arts Society meet at Malmesbury Town Hall 2-4pm to paint and draw. All Wel-come. Please bring a table covering. Cost £1.

Saturday 12th May 6.00pm for 7.00pm Dauntsey Park Music Spring Concert Featuring Sophia Rahman (piano)and Andres Kaljuste(v iolin) Music by Avro Part At St James, Dauntsey SN15 4HT Tickets £15 Inc a drink or £60 inc

dinner In aid of Youth Action Wiltshire and Macmillan Can-cer Support Info: www.dauntseyparkhouse.co.uk/ev ents.html

SATURDAY MAY 12th OPEN MORNING AT WESTON-

BIRT SCHOOL AND ROSE HILL WESTONBIRT PRE-PARATORY SCHOOL 09:30am – 12:30pm (Headmistress’s Address at 10:45am and 11:30am). For further information please call Ann Slark on 01666 881375,

email [email protected]

Saturday 12th May 6.00pm Dauntsey Park Music Spring Concert Featuring Sophia Rahman (piano)and Andres Kaljuste(violin) Music by Avro Part Tickets £15 Inc a drink

or £60 inc dinner In aid of Youth Action Wiltshire and Mac-millan Cancer Support Info: www.dauntsey parkhouse.co.uk/ev ents.html

Friday 18th May Oaksey Concert contact 01666577982 for details

Saturday 19th May-MAMS concert see page 28 !

SATURDAY MAY 26th 5:30pm onwards THE BIG JUBILEE PICNIC at Westonbirt House & Gardens An evening of liv e

music and dancing, with The Big Brunch Band, Swindon Brass, Westonbirt Jazz Band, Swingby tes, a Classic Car Display and a Firework Finale! Bring your own picnic and enjoy the beautiful grounds. A beer and Pimms tent, Ice

Cream Bicycle and hot and cold refreshments will be avail-able, as will guided tours of Westonbirt’s Heritage Gardens. Tickets: Families £25 (for a family of 2 adults and 2 under 18s) Adults £10, 6-18 years £5, under 5s are free. Please call Laura Reid on 01666 881333 or email thebigjubileepic-

[email protected]

Saturday 2nd June -Luckington v illage celebrates the Jubilee The first event will be at 2 pm onwards and is the

annual village fete and BBQ which will have a Jubilee theme this year. There will be stalls, pony rides a dog show and tea tent together with special jubilee games and crafts for all the family. Please do come along and join the celebra-

tions. Venue: Luckington Play ing Field. Further information can be obtained from Candy Neale 840645 - all offers of help welcomed.

Sunday 10th June 10am to 5pm Bowood Charity Dog

Show & Summer Fair with the Tractor Ted Farmshow. www.bowooddogshow.org

Friday 15th and Saturday 16th June Sherston Festiv al www.sherstonfest.com

Sunday 17th June- Luckington Open Gardens We have half a dozen gardens already on our list and welcome others to join the day. Event will start at 2 pm. Parking in church

car park. Teas will be served at Luckington Court.

BT Fault line 0800 800 151 Gas 0800 111999

Malmesbury Town Council 01666 822 143 Malmesbury Youth Centre 01666 823747 Malmesbury Activ ity Zone 01666 822533 Library 01666 823611

DOCTORS SURGERIES Malmesbury PCC 01666 825825

Tolsey Surgery Sherston 01666 840270 Emergency 999 Police 0845 408700

Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01666 818 143 or 07919 288 977 Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept

responsibility for loss, damage colour variation or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert. All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permis-sion has been given for use in the publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accu-rate. Malmesbury Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this

publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form—electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise—without the prior consent of the publisher. Publisher: Malmesbury Connections Printer: Jam Print

Local Information and Useful Numbers

Wednesday 23rd May: Malmesbury School Fashion Fizz-see page 28

malmesbury connections may 2012

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