Mendip Living Aug - Sep 2020

Contents 

A Note 

from the editor 

What a crazy few months. I’m not even 

sure how I can begin to summarise 

the last 16 weeks...they are certainly 

the strangest in my lifetime, and I’m 

sure in yours too. 

A Culinary recipes Journey to comfort throughand learn 

Northern 10Superb new cooking Ireland skills 

17 28 

Making your home 

Has COVID made 

functional for family life you consider retiring? 

Editor Kate Thomson 

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Contributors Peter Thomson, Sue Cooke, Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave, 

Kate O’Connell and Pippa O’Keefe. 

Key Account Manager Ade Hill 

e adrian.hill@minervapublications.co.uk 

twitter: @MendipLiving 

w www.MendipLiving.co.uk 

Welcoming nature 

into the garden 

visit our website www.mendipliving.co.uk 

23 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ 

County Gate, County Way 

Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 7FJ 

t 01225 984 550 

w www.minervapublications.co.uk 

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an 

advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and 

misprints. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from the 

publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publishers. 

First and foremost, I hope you, your 

friends and your family have stayed 

well during this fraught period. My 

sincerest, heartfelt condolences go 

out to anyone who has lost a loved 

one during this time. It has been so 

testing in ways we could just not have 

imagined in February. 

Never has our sense of civic duty felt 

stronger - we all have a part to play 

in keeping ourselves well, not just for 

our own sakes, but to help halt the 

spread of this horrible disease. So, 

face masks at the ready, and hand 

santizer within arm’s reach, let’s try 

and delve into the new normal! 

With all this considered, it is still very 

heartening to see the early, tentative 

steps back toward normality. Being a 

small, family business ourselves, we 

know just how much this period has 

affected businesses up and down the 

land - you may have even noticed that 

we didn’t produce our usual June/July 

issue. We are back, albeit at a smaller 

size than usual, with lots of content 

to help lift some of the gloom and to 

give our treasured local independents 

a platform to stand up and say hello 

- please, as much as possible, give 

them your support - after all, money 

spent in local independents is more 

likely to stay in the community. 

In this issue you’ll find the usual dose 

of delicious recipes, home and garden 

inspiration, advice from industry 

experts and an insight into what is 

going on locally. We fully recommend 

reading with a cuppa - or a large G&T 

in the sunshine. 

Hopefully the whole gang, will be back 

next edition and usual programming 

will resume - we will see you in 

October when we will be looking at 

all things schools, dare I say it pre- 

Christmas loveliness and hopefully 

some travel ideas and what’s ons! 

Katie 

www.mendipliving.co.uk | 3

open and ready 

to welcome you 

National Garden Scheme has reopening of gardens in England to visitors 

All funds raised will go to the charity’s Help Support Our Nurses campaign 

The National Garden Scheme is delighted 

to announce that its gardens in England are 

reopening. 

In order to comply with social distancing 

and other Government guidelines, all 

gardens will open in a system of prepurchased 

tickets for a timed slot at the 

visitor’s garden of choice. Tickets must be 

purchased via the National Garden Scheme 

website. 

Numbers of visitors per timed slot will vary 

from garden to garden, depending on size. 

These and all other relevant details can be 

found at a garden’s entry on the website. 

Gardens will not offer teas or other 

refreshments, at some gardens where there 

is sufficient space, people will be allowed to 

bring their own picnics. 

All buildings will be closed and access to 

toilets will only be provided in an emergency 

and so long as it does not involve access 

to a house. 

George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the 

National Garden Scheme comments, 

“We are delighted that we are able to 

open the gates of some of our gardens 

in England and welcome people. Right 

now our gardens are blossoming into their 

midsummer glories and so it is wonderful 

that our garden owners can share them with 

visitors. 

“For the current period the opening system 

we are having to operate is quite different 

from a normal open day when people just 

arrive and pay at the gate. At the moment 

entry is only by pre-purchased ticket 

and not all the gardens are able to open, 

so visitors need to check details on our 

website www.ngs.org.uk 

“While our gardens have all been closed 

we have run a very successful campaign, 

Help Support Our Nurses, drawing attention 

to the amazing work on the frontline of 

the Coronavirus crisis being done by the 

nursing charities we support. One hundred 

per cent of funds raised at gardens during 

the rest of 2020 will go to the Help Support 

Our Nurses campaign.” 

About the National Garden Scheme 

Founded in 1927 to raise funds for 

community nurses the National Garden 

Scheme has given away over £60million 

to nursing and health charities and is 

the largest single funder for many of its 

beneficiaries. The money is raised through 

the opening of exceptional gardens across 

England and Wales. In 2019 the gardens 

raised £4 million. In 2020, 3,700 gardens 

were scheduled to open, but the current 

lockdown means that their gates have 

been closed for the first time in the charity’s 

history. 

Queen’s Nurse Quote: 

“I love the National Garden Scheme which 

has been the most brilliant supporter of 

Queen’s Nurses like me. It was founded by 

the Queen’s Nursing Institute which makes 

me very proud. As we battle Coronavirus on 

the front line in the community, knowing we 

have their support is a real comfort.” 


ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Meet the 

FROMIES 

We speak to the new Deputy Mayor for 

Frome town, Andy Wrintmore... 

Congratulations on becoming Deputy 

Mayor for Frome. What does the role 

involve? 

Thanks you! The role of the Deputy 

Mayor is to support the Mayor, in this 

case it’s the glamorous and legendary 

Anita Collier. I’ll take up any Mayoral 

duties she cannot attend or believes I 

may be a better fit for, I also have my fair 

share of emails and questions from the 

public directed at me and trust me, they 

really get you thinking. On top of that 

I’m watching and learning, growing and 

getting ready to wear the chains next 

year all being well. 

How did you get the role? 

Anita Collier was the Deputy Mayor last 

year for the formidable Mark Dorrington 

during his tenure and was planning to put 

herself forward for Mayor and requested 

that I contemplate joining her as Deputy 

Mayor. We were both unanimously voted 

into the roles by our fellow councillors 

shortly after I’m pleased to say and I’m 

extremely grateful and humbled by the 

confidence they have shown in us. 

2020 has of course been a challenging 

few months. What are your visions for 

the rest of the year? 

That’s a massive question and I guess 

the easiest answer is....Health. I hope 

we weather this storm with our personal 

health, our economic health and I know 

for a fact the healthiest thing about this 

entire year has been Frome’s sense of 

community so I really hope that continues 

into the rest of the year while we find 

ourselves again. I guess that’s my vision, 

just for Frome to bounce back stronger 

and more resilient than ever. 

The current town roadworks are long 

overdue, wouldn’t you agree? 

Yes I totally agree. These works will bring 

some much needed upgrades to the town 

centre, it’s nothing majorly ambitious 

but once it’s done it’s going to make the 

centre of town so much better. I just wish 

I could click my fingers and have it done 

already so we can get another degree of 

normality back! Please bare with us folks 

I absolutely appreciate the timing hasn’t 

been ideal. 

What have you missed the most during 

Lockdown? 

My Girlfriend Ruby who lives in 

Trowbridge (we’ll make a Fromie out her 

yet!) who I didn’t see properly for about 3 

months. She’s in my Call Of Duty squad, 

we call her the medic because she’s 

always the last one alive bringing us back 

to life! So that’s how we hung out the 

most during lockdown. The other thing I 

really missed was my band SickOnes, all 

our gigs ‘n’ tours got cancelled and even 

the BBC wouldn’t play our new single 

“Agility” because of the band name haha! 

We’re back on the air now so it’s all good. 

Also, yes that’s a cheeky plug. 

How would you describe Frome to 

anyone looking to visit? 

On a good day it’s one of the greatest 

towns in the world, on a bad day it’s one 

of the greatest towns in the UK. 

What do you personally love most love 

about our town? 

Easy. Opportunity. Frome has provided 

me with so many opportunities and been 

home to so many influential figures in my 

life. I like to think I’m smart enough to 

walk through a door when one is opened 

for me and Frome so far has been an 

endless corridor. I’ve been blessed to find 

my band mates here, toured the world 

with my heroes and written music I’ll be 

forever proud of. I’ve had live radio shows 

on Frome FM enabling me to share my 

passion of music with the town while 

syndicating it all over the world, Frome 

went to the ballot box to elect myself 

and 16 others as independent town 

councillors and next year I could be the 

Mayor! Frome has made me who I am, 

provided me with richness, Fulfilment 

and I love and appreciate this town for 

it. It’s my home, it’s in my bones, it has 

nourished me in all ways imaginable. 

6 | www.mendipliving.co.uk

Antiques Bazaar 

A Great Centre for Antiques and Collectables 

OVER 95 TRADERS AT ONE LARGE VENUE - TRADING 7 DAYS A WEEK 

The Old Textile Mill, South Street, Crewkerne TA18 8AG • Tel: 01460 77121 

FREE PARKING • CAFE 

www.antiquesbazaar.co.uk 



Wells Festival 

of Literature 

October 16th to 24th 2020 

Something to look forward to this autumn... 

July should have seen the Festival launching with brochures, 

ticket sales and events. So what is happening? The good 

news is that organisers are determined that it will go ahead: 

the programme is complete, over 30 exceptional speakers are 

lined up to offer audiences a cornucopia of challenging and 

entertaining topics - history and psychotherapy, travel, science, 

politics, philosophy, arts and - not forgetting - food. In addition, 

there are currently a number of delivery options. These include 

the usual events in Cedars Hall, Wells; a fully virtual Festival 

or a combination of the two with authors either live-streaming 

from Wells or in their own homes. Festival organisers take 

serious responsibility for the safety of all involved and are 

monitoring events and taking advice from the experts and all our 

stakeholders. All decisions and booking details will be shared 

via print and online press, mail-chimp messages to supporters, 

Facebook and the Festival website, 

www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk 

The majority of the writers are totally committed to their events 

– in person or online – so wraps can come off more of the top 

secret line-up. Already announced are Poet Laureate Simon 

Armitage, Michael Eavis, celebrating 50 extraordinary years of 

the legendary Glastonbury Festival; Rachel Johnson, sharing 

indiscreet, witty and brutally honest secrets from her memoir, 

and Max Porter, to discuss Lanny, long listed for the 2019 Booker 

Prize, at the ever popular book group event. 

The Festival poster displays only a fragment of the rich, topical 

menu; spies and thrillers, rules of contagion, China, a bit of a 

stretch, unconscious bias, Oliver Cromwell, food, re-wilding, 

Jane Austen’s Bennett sisters…. In addition newsreader Tom 

Bradby’s espionage novel, Dr. Rachel Clarke’s take on the NHS, 

Charles Spencer’s 1120 sinking of the White Ship, A.C. Grayling’s 

history of philosophy, Charles Moore’s whodunit gig on the fall 

of Margaret Thatcher, an ecological event with the Somerset 

Wildlife Trust…. watch out for more to come. 

Of course, £2.93p of every £10.00 ticket funds literacy support, 

and creative events with writers and theatre groups in our local 

schools. Many continued during lockdown with more to come. 

Joining Friends of the Festival also offers 10% discount, priority 

booking and a possible free future Friends event. Keep an eye 

out for more and make a firm date in your diary. 

www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk 


Could your next 

home be out there 

right now? 

It is a truth universally acknowledged that in 

order to be in the market for your new dream 

home you need to be in a position to buy your 

new dream home; for many homeowners 

this has been a daunting prospect over the 

past three years, with so many uncertainties 

surrounding the housing market. 

However, and as predicted, the turning of the new decade has 

brought with it a clearer picture of the future for UK homebuyers. 

2020 has already seen unprecedented sales success as we are 

now seeing pre Brexit activity return to the housing market. This 

is brilliant news for sellers as it means that a new home is now 

within reach. However we are increasingly seeing sellers trying 

to wait for the ideal home to come on the market only to miss 

out on buying it as they are not in a position to make an offer. At 

Forest Marble we encounter this problem on a regular basis and 

we take pride in helping our sellers find the perfect new home. 

Our best advice to anyone is if you want to move you need to be 

in a position to buy, once you have found a suitable buyer it does 

not mean you have to buy a house yourself the same day! Keen 

buyers will wait for sellers to find the right property. 


How Much is Your Home Worth? 

Find out in 3 Simple Steps 

1 - Go to our website www.forestmarble.co.uk 

2 - Click on our Free Instant Online Valuation Banner 

3 - Fill in your property details 

Your valuation will be generated instantly 

Please contact us 24/7 if we can answer any questions or if you 

would like to arrange a visit. 

01373 482900 | 01747 440080 | sales@forestmarble.co.uk 

www.forestmarble.co.uk 

To find out more about how we can help take the stress out of 

moving please give Forest Marble a call or drop us an email to 

discuss how we can make your move happen in 2020. 

in Bath 

SPECIALISING IN CHINESE AND ASIAN WORKS OF ART 

A 19th 

Century coralground 

‘bamboo’ bowl. 

SOLD £3600 

Pair of Chinese 

Qing Dynasty 

horseshoe-back 

armchairs, Quanyi. 

SOLD £25,000 

Collection of 

Chinese Straits 

silver. 

SOLD 

£4000 A fine Qing Dynasty 

aloeswood carving of 

Guanyin. 

SOLD £8700 

Accepting 

consignments 

for future 

sales 

An antique old 

cut diamond 

bow brooch. 

SOLD £450 

2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2ED Tel: 01225 318587 

www.masanauction.com 

Collection of 

Japanese 

Andon-Zara 

dishes. 

SOLD £4600 


FEELGOOD 

cooking 

There have been two cooking outlooks over 

lockdown - those enjoying the extra time to perfect 

new recipes, and those plum out of inspiration. 

Whichever camp you find yourself in, we have some 

joyful recipes, courtesy of Clarence Court Eggs, 

which are guaranteed to make you smile 


PAPPARDELLE 

FLORAL 

PASTA 

by Alpha Foodie 

Add a touch of something special 

to your mid-week menu with Alpha 

Foodie's homemade Pappardelle 

floral pasta and basil pesto. The 

special floral, herby twist not only 

looks gorgeous but tastes it too! This 

pasta dough recipe is 100g '00' grade 

pasta flour and 1 egg per person, so 

is easy to adjust for more servings. 

Serves: 3 

INGREDIENTS 

For the pasta: 

300g (2.5 cups) ’00’ grade pasta flour 

3 Leghorn White eggs 

A selection of your favourite fresh 

herbs (we use thyme and sage) 

A selection of edible flowers 

For the basil pesto: 

1-2 garlic cloves 

2 tbsp pine nuts 

2 tbsp olive oil 

A bunch of Greek basil 

Pinch of salt and black pepper 

METHOD 

To begin making the homemade 

pappardelle, start by placing the flour 

on a board or in a bowl. 

Make a well in the middle and add the 

eggs. Beat the eggs with a fork and 

then start incorporating the flour until 

you obtain a thoroughly combined 

mixture. 

Knead the dough with your hands, 

shaping, pulling, stretching (alternatively 

you can use a mixer with a dough 

hook). Knead it until the dough is 

smooth and elastic. If it sticks to your 

hand when touched then add a little 

more flour and knead till smooth. You 

can also help yourself with a rolling pin, 

rolling and folding and rolling again. The 

process takes a while so be patient! 

It’s a necessary step so that the pasta 

becomes smooth and silky, not lumpy 

and dry. 

Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough 

till it is flat enough to feed into a pasta 

machine on level ‘0’. Continue feeding it 

through ‘0’, folding it in half then feeding 

it through repeatedly until a regular 

shape. Make sure to sprinkle lightly with 

flour to stop it from sticking. Then you 

can make it thinner with the machine. 

When you have a thin long sheet of 

pasta dough, stretch it on your work 

plane and arrange your fresh herbs and 

flowers on it. Then carefully lay another 

sheet on top. With the help of a rolling 

pin, carefully roll over so that the two 

sheets of dough get stuck together. 

OR 

If you use a rolling pin for the whole 

process, make sure to roll it out and 

stretch it into thin sheets. Make sure to 

have 2 (or an even number of) sheets 

with a relatively similar size. Or you can 

cut a long one into 2, as you will need to 

layer one on top of the other. 

Cut the pasta. I chose to cut it into long 

strips, like Tagliatelle or Pappardelle, but 

you can cut it in different shapes/sizes. 

To cut it into long strips, you just need 

to fold the pasta a couple of times and 

then just cut with a knife. 

To prepare the basil pesto, just mix/ 

blend together all the pesto ingredients. 

It’s as simple as that! 

To cook the pasta, put it in boiling water 

and cook for 3 minutes, combine with 

the basil pesto and serve immediately. 

RICOTTA, 

SPINACH AND 

PECORINO 

GNOCCHI 

by Nicola Millbank 

Gnocchi is surprisingly easy to make 

and comes together quickly, especially 

with this super easy sauce. Serves: 2 

INGREDIENTS 

For the gnocchi: 

300g baby spinach, wilted in a pan and 

finely chopped 

350g good quality fresh ricotta 

150g plain flour 

3 Clarence Court Old Cotswold Legbar 

eggs 

80g grated pecorino 

For the sauce: 

50g salted butter 

50g frozen peas, thawed 

A handful of fresh pea shoots 

Freshly cracked pepper 

METHOD 

Place the spinach, ricotta, flour, eggs 

and pecorino in a large bowl. Mix until 

combined and a sticky dough forms. On 

a well-floured surface, roll the gnocchi 

into a long sausage and using a knife 

cut into 2cm pieces. Press your knuckle 

into the centre of each piece to create 

a dimple. 

Drop the gnocchi into a pan of salted 

boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes 

or until they’ve risen to the surface. 

Meanwhile, in a frying pan, melt the 

butter until it starts to foam and add 

the peas. When the gnocchi is cooked, 

using a slotted spoon, drain them 

from the water and into the frying pan, 

swirling the pan as you do. The small 

amount of residual starchy water will 

emulsify with the butter to create a silky 

sauce. 

Spoon on the plate, top with fresh pea 

shoots and a sprinkle of black pepper. 


CHOUXNUTS 

A little bit choux pastry, a little bit 

doughnut - we think these Choux-nuts 

by Juliet Sears are definitely worthy of a 

Paul Hollywood handshake! Serves: 6 

INGREDIENTS 

Creme Diplomat: 

4 Clarence Court egg yolks 

60g flour 

25g flour 

2 tsp cornflour 

280ml milk 

Choux Pastry: 

225g Clarence Court eggs 

225g water 

110g butter 

130g plain flour 

2 tbsp caster sugar 

Pinch of salt 

Vanilla extract (optional) 

METHOD 

Pre-heat the oven to 190°C and prepare 

two baking trays with parchment paper. 

In a pan, heat the water, sugar, salt and 

butter until completely melted. Add 

the flour and beat well on the heat for 

4-5mins until dough comes away from 

edges of the pan. Transfer the dough into 

a bowl, leave to cool for 2-3mins. Slowly 

add the egg, bit-by-bit, beating well 

until the choux is the right consistency. 

It should be stiff, but easily drop off the 

spoon. 

Put the choux paste into a piping bag. 

Draw around a circular cutter onto the 

parchment, flip the paper over and pipe 

the choux circles. Place the trays in the 

over, spray some water onto the base of 

the oven and shut the door. Bake for 25- 

35mins, don’t open the oven door until at 

least 25mins or they’ll collapse. 

To make the creme diplomat, beat the 

egg yolks and sugar with the flours until 

pale and thickened. Heat the milk in a 

pan until just boiling, whisk the milk into 

the egg mix and pour back into the pan. 

Heat the mixture, stir continuously until 

thick and boiling. Take off the heat, pour 

onto a tray and cover with cling film – 

make sure the cling film is touching the 

creme patisserie to stop a skin forming. 

Once the creme patisserie has cooled, 

whisk 300ml of double cream with 

vanilla to soft peak stage. Gently mix 

the creme patisserie into the cream until 

smooth. Poke a hole in the base of your 

chouxnuts, then pipe in the cream until 

you can feel that they’re full. 

Leave the chouxnuts to one side and 

make the fondant. Add water to the 

fondant icing sugar, 1tsp at a time until 

it’s thick – you can add colour if you 

want to. Using a piping bag, pipe a ring 

of fondant onto the chouxnuts then 

decorate with edible flowers. 


Texas 

HAS 

come 

TO 

FROME 

Introducing the 

Cowboy Steak Chop 

Only £15.99/kg 

01373 472331 

5 Stony St, Frome BA11 1BU 

COMICS AND GAMES 

COMICS • GRAPHIC NOVELS • TOYS • D&D 

BOARDGAMES • WARHAMMER • YU-GI-OH 

MTG • POKEMON • FNAF • FUNKO POP! 

ACTION FIGURES • AND MORE 

5 BATH PLACE, TAUNTON, TA1 4ER 

krackerstaunton@live.co.uk 

Tel: 01823 335057 

www.krackers.com 

f 


ALL GO AT KIMBERS 

FARM SHOP 

Mendip Living catches up with Danj who tells 

us how the family farm shop went the extra 

miles during lockdown... 

We hear you were out delivering supplies during lockdown? 

Yes we closed the Kitchen on the Thursday before lockdown 

as it was clear that customers were worried. The farm shop 

continued trading until the Sunday. Overnight after lockdown 

the farm shop internet orders went crazy and we decided after 

some initial enquiries from customers to set up an ordering and 

delivery service using the now redundant kitchen as a packing 

and distribution centre. 

How was the customer response? 

Amazing really considering we were all experiencing life in a 

pandemic. Local customers took advantage of the service as 

well as a whole host of new customers keen to try out our new 

service. I’ve had people clapping me, pictures drawn for me and 

one family even sang me a song. That made our efforts all the 

more worthwhile. 

Tell us more about the cafe 

Simple. Honest. Delicious. These 3 words define what we try to 

do in the Kitchen. It’s an eclectic space, full of colour and interest 

furnishings. We serve breakfast, brunch and lunches. We have 

also had a few pop-up evening events held by various local 

chefs. We are hoping to do more of these events in the future. 

We had also been doing roast Sunday lunches on the 1st Sunday 

of each month until lockdown kicked in. Again, we are hoping 

to restart these as soon as it is practical to do so. We are in the 


process of extending the kitchen space to help make things 

easier for those working in the kitchen. We have also erected 

shade sails over our outside dining space to give shade through 

the summer and hopefully shelter as the year moves into autumn/ 

winter. We source all of our meat from the farm shop as well as a 

host of other ingredients. Anything else we use has to be as local 

as possible. We try to support the smaller businesses as much 

as we can. 

Can I still order online? 

Yes, the website ordering facility is still going. Some of our home 

delivery customers are still ordering over the phone and coming 

to the farm shop to collect. However the majority are now coming 

back to the farm shop as normal. 

We do hope to reopen on a Sunday again soon. We will keep 

everyone in the loop as to when this may happen. At the moment 

booking is not essential but we do advise it. 

01963 33177/07866 466867 | www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk 

A family destination 

for shopping and 

good food! 

CAFE NOW OPEN 

Tues-Sat for breakfast, 

lunch, cakes ... 


QUALITY KITCHEN MAKEOVERS 

EST. 1999 

by simply replacing the doors and worktop 

FAMILY RUN 

BUSINESS 

BEFORE 

® 

Why replace when 

you can reface? 

• Door swaps to full kitchens 

- tailored to your needs 

• Made to measure custom-built 

doors and units 

• Low cost with minimal hassle and 

disruption 

CALL US NEIL FOR FOR A A 

FREE ESTIMATE ON: 

01243 01225 554732 282172 

barnham@dreamdoors.co.uk 

bathregion@dreamdoors.co.uk 

www.dreamdoors.co.uk 

Visit our showroom: 

13 10 The Silver Square, Street, Barnham, 

West Bradford Sussex on Avon, PO22 BA15 0HB 1JY

LOVING 

home 

With holiday plans scuppered and moves delayed, we 

look at the ways you can transform your home into the 

perfect, functional family space you need 

Image from Lights4Fun.co.uk 


STYLE TIP 

Looking to replace your French doors? 

Crittall-style aluminium doors look wonderful 

in a whole host of properties - including 

period rooms where they complement the 

grandeur and scale of the space. 

Image from Ideal Glass 

CONSERVATORY CONVERSION 

Replacing a glass or polycarbonate conservatory roof with an insulated 

solid composite roof will match it up to the house and make it look like 

a natural extension with a sense of permanence. There’ll be no more 

problems with sun glare, leaks or a build-up of condensation, transforming 

your old conservatory into a more usable living space that is 

also more sound-proof. Composite roofs are also ideal for home office 

spaces, home studios, garden rooms, and orangeries. 

Image from Ultraframe 


Image from Herringbone Kitchens 

EXTENDING LIVING 

SPACE 

If a move is off the cards but your house is bursting at 

the seams, first consider where you can make the most 

of unused space - it’s generally the most cost-effective 

way to gain those extra square feet. 

Loft conversions will require professional drawing plans 

and, in some cases, planning permission too. If you live 

in a flat, a semi-detached, or terraced property, then a 

party wall agreement will also be needed. And if you 

live in a conservation area as well, there are additional 

hoops to jump through. Lastly, loft conversions need to 

adhere to building regulations. As a rule of thumb, you 

need a minimum height of 2.1 metres over 50% of the 

room after the new floor has been put in. 

Image from Ideal Glass 

There are many different types of loft conversion 

available including: skylight, rear dormer, double dormer, 

mansard, double mansard and hip-to-gable. So, giving 

an estimate of costs is tricky as it also depends on 

where you live in the UK. But once you’ve decided 

to invest and upgrade your loft space, you can take 

comfort in knowing you’ve created that 

beautiful extra room you and your family 

have been looking for. And, of course, 

you’ll have added several thousand 

pounds to the value of your home. 

STYLE TIP 

Indecision costs! Before starting your conversion of any space, make sure 

your plans are fully spec’d out. Make the most of all storage space - that’s 

often at a premium in smaller homes. The addition of a bathroom is great in a 

loft conversion, but don’t add one at the expense of making the bedroom too 

small. Keep decor light and breezy and invest in roof insulation to help control 

temperature in the space, as well as sufficient wall coverings. 

If a loft conversion won’t satisfy your 

needs, then you might want to consider 

a reconfiguration or extension in your 

living space. Rules, known as ‘permitted 

development’ rights, allow you to extend 

a house without needing to apply for 

planning permission if specific limitations 

and conditions are met - check your local 

authority website to find out the specific 

details. Usually, even an extension of 

a few square metres can make a huge 

difference to how you can use and 

configure living space - creating more 

convivial, conversational zones which 

appeal to modern ways of living. 


KITCHEN REDESIGN 

The kitchen is the undeniable powerhouse of the home, 

the hub around which most of family life swirls. If you 

only have the budget to change one space, this will 

probably be the one that will have the single biggest 

impact to your life. 

Many houses, typically period properties, don’t allow for 

larger kitchens without some reconfiguration of space - 

either in the form of opening up walls between reception 

rooms and the kitchen, or by adding an extension. The 

former is obviously the more cost-effective, requiring 

the advice of structural engineers if load-bearing walls 

are removed. 

If you do add an extension, either side return or larger, 

to make space for a larger kitchen, be aware of the 

light you are taking from any other spaces and try to 

compensate for that with your other glazing choices. 

Mereway Kitchens 

Brayer Design 

STYLE TIP 

When it comes to choosing 

a kitchen, it’s best to go for 

what you like over following 

‘trends’. These are substantial 

investments and first and 

foremost the space must be 

functional - there is no point 

in having an island if there is 

not sufficient space to move 

around it, nor for marble 

worktops if your counters have 

to stand up to the rigours of 

family life. 

That does not, however, mean 

you should eschew interesting 

developments - kitchen tech 

constantly evolves, from 

extraction hoods, ovens, 

worktop technology. Cabinet 

design has come a long way 

too - deep drawers replace 

hard-to-use cupboards and 

the larder is coming to the fore 

again with inbuilt electric points 

- with many of us looking to 

hide all our products and small 

appliances from sight. 

STYLE TIP 

Tom Howley 

Open shelving, either on 

the base or upper units can 

help increase the feeling of 

space in a smaller kitchen, 

and be a great way to show 

off some of your treasured 

cookery books or favourite 

tableware. Try to keep 

open shelving away from 

the cooker though - it will 

minimise fat splatter onto 

the items. 


Collection from bridgman.co.uk 

Large Antique 

Brass Lantern, £95, 

ellajames.co.uk 

GARDEN ROOMS 

Those blessed with larger gardens have probably 

made the most of a lockdown in the sunshine... 

but larger gardens can also house garden rooms. 

These purpose-built structures can be fully 

plumbed in and have electricity installed, making 

them a viable space if your new work from home 

regime looks likely to stay in place - anyone who 

has been working balanced on the edge of the 

dining table with the family running riot around 

them will know it is not conducive to a happy 

working environment, so utilising space outside 

of the house is an excellent solution which 

causes no major interior upheaval. Unless you 

live in a conservation area or your home is listed, 

you will generally not need planning permission 

for these structures. 

Even with a smaller garden, utilising the space 

and making it feel like one homogeneous zone 

will make your living space feel amplified. 

Consider using matching or tonally similar 

flooring from the kitchen out to the patio, and if 

budget allows, opt for large panes of glazing or 

bi-fold doors to really allow the spaces to flow 

between each other. 

When setting up your outside space, the key is 

layering soft furnishings and lighting to make the 

seating area feel inviting. Use similar tones and 

textures in the adjoining room to make the spaces 

flow between each other. Al fresco entertaining 

will never have been so stylish! 

STYLE TIP 

Light and dress your outside space with the same care and 

attention you would your dining table when hosting. Will 

there be enough light after sunset, from the side, the table 

and maybe overhead like these fabulous string lights form 

lights4fun.co.uk. Dress the table too with lovely linens and 

have provisions like small throws over the backs of chairs 

just in case the temperature drops. 

Turkish Cotton 

Throw, £26, 

hauslife.co.uk 

Antique Brass 

Tray, £75, 

ellajames.co.uk 

Hampstead Bench, £290, 

gardentrading.co.uk 

Savannah Grey Liftup 

Garden Daybed, 

£649, danetti.com 

Ennial Outdoor Rug, from 

£49, escapologyhome.com 

Mai Cotton 

Cushion Cover, 

£40, hauslife.co.uk 


NOTES FROM THE GARDEN 

DISCOVERING THE JOY OF nature 

Expert plantsman and radio 

presenter Matt Biggs recommends that 

we should use the past few months, 

having been in lockdown, and take 

note of the beauty of nature. 

For those of us lucky enough to have a 

garden or outdoor space, during this time we 

have probably spent more hours outside than 

at any other time. 

Whether enjoying a morning coffee to the 

sound of the local blackbird, building a den 

with the kids or growing some veggies we 

have certainly got to know our outdoor 

space - and appreciate not only the physical 

benefits but the mental benefits that it offers 

too. A walk around the local area for our daily 

exercise is also a really good insight into what 

gardens can offer and we notice the small 

changes that occur so much more when we 

are not in a car or rushing around. 

With the strict lockdown days hopefully 

behind us it may now be time to consider 

how we have used our outdoor spaces, what 

worked, what didn’t and what we would like 

to change going forward. Taking time to plan 

that now, while it is still fresh in our minds, is 

the best possible positive thing to do - a chat 

with your local nursery or garden centre is a 

great starter, they have so much expertise 

and are always so happy to share it. It is also 

a great time to plant vegetables as well as 

sowing some fast-growing herbs. 

Additionally, you may find that a local 

(registered) landscaper might be needed for 

some more fundamental changes so give 

them a call too to get the ball rolling. 

The quieter streets and lack of traffic noise 

have also allowed us to enjoy birdsong and 

although I can tell the song of a blackbird 

from that of a robin I have been delighted at 

all of the other 

bird song I am 

hearing - and 

it is a great 

way for a bit of 

home -schooling too. Get the children 

to identify what they hear and you can learn 

together - the RSPB website is a great help! 

There are various ways to continue to enjoy 

the wildlife in your gardens, nest boxes, 

feeding stations and bug hotels are a real 

boon and with a bit of creativity don’t have 

to cost a fortune either, so however you have 

enjoyed the outdoors this spring, let’s make 

sure that it continues to be a part of all of our 

lives going forward. 

To find out more about Matt’s love of 

gardening please visit www.matthewbiggs. 

com where you will discover some 

inspirational material. 

Get Winter Ready 

Long established 

local certified 

chimney sweep servicing 

wood, biomass, oil, solid fuel and 

coal burners. 

Annie Sloan Annie Chalk Sloan Chalk Paint Paint Stockist and beautiful home home accessories accessories 

• Insurance recognised certificates issued 

• Full public liability insurance 

• Private and commercial work carried out 

Annie Sloan Stocklist 

Chalk | Wall Paint | Fabrics 

01373 836986 | 07508 907892 

waldronlee@yahoo.co.uk 

www.thesweepingcompany.co.uk 

Based in Nunney, Frome, Somerset 

1 Bath Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DG 

01373 764 472 Annie | hello@matthewpaulinteriors.co.uk 

Sloan Stockist 

Chalk Paint | Wall Paint | Fabrics 

fi Matthew Paul Interiors 

1 Bath Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DG 

01373 764 472 | hello@matthewpaulinteriors.co.uk 

fi Matthew Paul Interiors 



Moving house during the 

pandemic – common sense 

and flexibility must prevail 

We speak to Joanne Ayrton, who has recently 

joined the Frome office of FSM Solicitors, 

regarding property advice when buying and 

selling in these unprecedented times... 

At the end of May, the UK Government 

updated advice on residential property 

transactions in England. The regulations 

now make it clear that people who wish 

to move home can do so. However, 

the process of finding and moving into 

a home is likely to be very different 

- everyone involved in the process 

must adapt to ensure social distancing 

measures are maintained, and vulnerable 

people are protected. 

Can I list my house on the market? 

Yes. Estate agents are now allowed to 

visit a home to offer market valuations 

and take photos. However, if any 

member of the household is self-isolating 

or showing symptoms, then no-one, 

including estate agents, should visit. 

Can I view a house I have seen online? 

It is recommended to only visit a 

property you are genuinely interested 

in purchasing, with the majority of 

your research done online. Agents are 

encouraged to offer video tours initially. 

When a physical viewing is needed, it 

must be by appointment only and just 

one person must go – it cannot be a 

family outing. 

I have had an offer accepted – can the 

move progress? 

Yes. Your legal team can undertake the 

usual searches, and surveyors are now 

free to visit homes, whilst maintain social 

distancing measures. Once you have 

exchanged contracts you have entered 

into a legal agreement to move. However, 

there is currently a greater risk that 

people in the chain may need to delay 

their move because someone is showing 

symptoms of coronavirus or self-isolating 

so understanding and flexibility is 

needed. 

Removal firms are able to operate, 

although they may need to adjust usual 

procedures to ensure moves happen 

safely. All parties should try to be as 

flexible as possible, prioritising the health 

and safety at all times. 

“It is recommended to only visit a 

property you are genuinely interested 

in purchasing, with the majority of 

your research done online.” 

In general, the Government advice is 

that house moves can progress but with 

caution and common sense from all 

involved. 

Here at FSM Solicitors we are very 

much open for business and available 

to help you with any residential property 

requirements. Please visit our website 

www.fsmsolicitors.co.uk or contact 

Joanne Ayrton from our Frome office 

directly. 

Joanne specialises in all areas of 

residential conveyancing, including 

the selling and buying of freehold and 

leasehold property and remortgaging. 

She has experience in newly built homes, 

Home Buy Schemes, Shared Ownership 

and transfers of equity where owners 

have separated. 

Joanne can be contacted on 

joanneayrton@fsmsolicitors.co.uk or 

01373 485485. 


from only 

£997.00 

Low Fee. No Fuss. 

01761 233 555 

fd@bwfd.me.uk 

www.bathwellsfuneralservices.co.uk 

Residential property at our 

central Frome office 

We can offer expert advice on all of your residential 

property legal needs, including: 

• Selling or buying your home 

• Shared ownership agreements 

• Re-mortgaging 

• Transfer of equity 

Contact your local 

residential property 

expert: Joanne Ayrton 

on 01373 485485 

CHIPPENHAM 

FROME 

MALMESBURY 

SWINDON 

TROWBRIDGE 

WARMINSTER 

01249 444300 

01373 485485 

01666 822671 

01793 522688 

01225 755621 

01985 217464 

www.fsmsolicitors.co.uk 

enquiries@fsmsolicitors.co.uk 


UP TO 

UP TO 

# 

# 

THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PETROL 

THE THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PETROL SAVE UP TO 

# 

UP £4,000 TO 

THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PETROL SAVE £4,000 

# 

THERE’S SO MUCH MORE ON OFFER WITH MITSUBISHI 

THERE’S SO SO MUCH MORE ON OFFER WITH MITSUBISHI 


THE 

THE 

MITSUBISHI 

MITSUBISHI 

ASX 

ASX 

THE THE MITSUBISHI ASX 

UP TO 

SAVE UP UP TO TO 

£2,500^^ £2,500^^ 

£2,500^^ 

SAVE £2,500^^ 

BATH MITSUBISHI 

BATH 

BATH Part 

BATH 

of the HSH 

MITSUBISHI 

Motor Group 

Part of the HSH Motor Group 

Part of Prior 

Part of 

the HSH Park 

the HSH 

Motor Road, 

Motor 

Group Bath 

GroupBA2 4NF 

Prior 01225 Prior Park Park Road, 473 Road, 013 Bath Bath BA2 BA2 4NF 4NF 

Prior 01225 www.bathmitsubishi.co.uk 

01225 

Park 473 Road, 

473 013 013 

Bath BA2 4NF 

01225 www.bathmitsubishi.co.uk 

473 013 

www.bathmitsubishi.co.uk 

Fuel economy and CO₂ results for the Mitsubishi Outlander Petrol / MPG (l/100km) (combined): 32.5 (8.7) to 32.5 (8.7) / CO₂ emissions: 

196 

Fuel economy Fuel 

- 

economy 

196 g/km. 

and CO₂ and 

Fuel 

results CO₂ 

economy 

results for the for 

and 

the 

CO₂ 

Mitsubishi Mitsubishi 

results for Outlander 

the Mitsubishi Petrol // ASX MPG 

/ (l/100km) 

MPG (l/100km) 

(combined): 

(combined): 32.5 32.5 (8.7) 

34.4 

(8.7) to 

(8.2) 

to 32.5 

to 

32.5 (8.7) 

37.7 

(8.7) / 

(7.5) 

CO₂ / CO₂ emissions: 

/ CO₂ 

emissions: 

emissions: 

196 Fuel - economy 196 g/km. - 196 and g/km. 

185 - 

Fuel CO₂ economy Fuel 

171 g/km. 

results economy for and the and CO₂ Mitsubishi CO₂ results results for Outlander for the the Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Petrol ASX / ASX MPG / MPG (l/100km) (l/100km) (combined): 32.5 34.4 34.4 (8.7) (8.2) (8.2) to to 32.5 to 37.7 37.7 (8.7) (7.5) (7.5) / CO₂ / CO₂ emissions: 

HSH 

196 - 196 

emissions: Motor Company 

g/km. 

185 

Fuel 

- 

economy 

171 Limited g/km. is a credit broker not a lender. #£4,000 saving shown is based on full On The Road price and is for an Outlander Petrol Exceed Auto. 

emissions: and CO₂ results for the Mitsubishi ASX / MPG (l/100km) (combined): 34.4 (8.2) to 37.7 (7.5) / CO₂ 

^^£2,5000 185 saving - 171 is g/km. based on full On The Road Price and is for an ASX Exceed Petrol CVT. Offer is only applicable in the UK at participating dealers (excludes Northern 

emissions: HSH Motor 

HSH Motor Company 185 Company - 171 Limited g/km. Limited is a credit broker not a lender. #£4,000 saving shown is based on full On The Road price and is for an Outlander Petrol Exceed Auto. 

Ireland dealers), subject is to a availability, credit broker whilst not stocks a lender. last #£4,000 and may saving be amended shown or is withdrawn based on at full any On time. The Road Offer price not available and is for in conjunction an Outlander with Petrol any Exceed other offer 

^^£2,5000 saving is based on full On The Road Price and is for an ASX Exceed Petrol CVT. Offer is only applicable in the UK at participating dealers (excludes Northern 

Auto. 

HSH ^^£2,5000 Motor 

(excludes saving Company 

6.9% is based Limited 

APR PCP on full is 

and 

a On credit 

Free The Home 

broker Road Delivery). Price not a and lender. 

Offer is for available 

#£4,000 ASX between Exceed saving Petrol 1st 

shown 

June CVT. is 

and 

based Offer 28th is on 

September only full applicable On The 

2020. 

Road in Figures the price UK and 

shown at participating is for 

are 

an 

for 

Outlander 

comparability dealers Petrol (excludes purposes. 

Exceed Northern Only 

Ireland dealers), subject to availability, whilst stocks last and may be amended or withdrawn at any time. Offer not available in conjunction with any other offer Auto. 

Ireland compare 

^^£2,5000 dealers), fuel 

saving subject consumption, 

is based to on availability, CO₂ and 

full On The whilst electric 

Road stocks range 

Price and last figures 

is and for an may with 

ASX other 

Exceed amended cars tested 

Petrol or CVT. withdrawn to the same 

Offer is at technical 

only any applicable time. procedures. Offer in the not These 

UK available figures 

at participating in conjunction may not reflect 

dealers with real 

(excludes any life other driving 

(excludes 6.9% APR PCP and Free Home Delivery). Offer available between 1st June and 28th September 2020. Figures shown are for comparability purposes. Only Northern offer 

Ireland (excludes 

results, 

dealers), 6.9% 

which 

APR subject PCP 

will 

and 

depend 

to availability, Free 

upon 

Home 

a number 

whilst Delivery). 

of factors 

stocks Offer last available 

including, 

and may between 

accessories amended 1st 

fitted 

June 

(post-registration), 

or withdrawn and 28th September 

variations 

at any time. 2020. Offer Figures 

in weather, 

not available shown 

driving 

are 

styles 

in conjunction for comparability 

and vehicle load. 

compare fuel consumption, CO₂ and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect with real any life purposes. driving other offer Only 

(excludes compare results, fuel 6.9% consumption, which APR PCP will depend and CO₂ Free upon and Home electric a number Delivery). range of factors Offer figures available including, with other between accessories cars 1st tested fitted June to (post-registration), and the 28th same September technical variations procedures. 2020. in Figures weather, These shown driving figures are styles for may comparability and not vehicle reflect load. real purposes. life driving Only 

compare results, which fuel consumption, will depend upon CO₂ a and number electric of range factors figures including, with accessories other cars tested fitted (post-registration), to the same technical variations procedures. in weather, These driving figures styles may not and reflect vehicle real load. life driving 

results, which will depend upon a number of factors including, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.

MITSUBISHI 

MITSUBISHI 

MITSUBISHI 

THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV 


SAVE 

UP TO 

UP TO £4,000^ 

SAVE £4,000^ 

UP TO 

SAVE £4,000^ 





MITSUBISHI 

MITSUBISHI 

MITSUBISHI 

SAVE UP TO 

THE MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS £3,500 

† 


BATH Part of the HSH MITSUBISHI 

Motor Group 

Part of the HSH Motor Group 

Part Prior of Park the HSH Road, Motor Bath Group BA2 4NF 

Prior Prior 

01225 Park Park 

473 Road, 

013 

Bath BA2 4NF 4NF 

01225 www.bathmitsubishi.co.uk 

473 473 013 



UP UP TO TO 

THE MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS SAVE £3,500 

† 

THE MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS SAVE £3,500 

† 


Fuel economy and *CO₂ results for the Outlander PHEV. Mpg (l/100km) (weighted combined): 139.7 (2.0). Electric energy consumption 

(weighted combined): 3.68 miles/kWh. *CO₂ emissions (weighted): 40 g/km. Equivalent all-electric range: 28 miles. Fuel economy and 

Fuel economy and *CO₂ results for the Outlander PHEV. Mpg (l/100km) (weighted combined): 139.7 (2.0). Electric energy consumption 

Fuel CO₂ economy results for and the *CO₂ Mitsubishi results Eclipse for the Cross Outlander / MPG PHEV. (l/100km) Mpg (combined): (l/100km) 32.5 (weighted (8.7) to combined): 37.7 (7.5) / CO₂ 139.7 emissions: (2.0). Electric 196 - 170 energy g/km. consumption 

(weighted combined): 3.68 miles/kWh. *CO₂ emissions (weighted): 40 g/km. Equivalent all-electric range: 28 miles. Fuel economy and 

(weighted 

CO₂ HSH results Motor combined): Company for the Limited Mitsubishi 

3.68 is miles/kWh. a credit Eclipse broker Cross 

*CO₂ not / a MPG lender. emissions 

(l/100km) ^£4,000 (weighted): saving (combined): shown 40 is 32.5 based g/km. 

(8.7) on full Equivalent 

to 37.7 On The (7.5) Road all-electric 

/ price CO₂ emissions: and for range: 196 Outlander 28 

- 170 

miles. PHEV g/km. 

Fuel (£3,900 economy saving and 

CO₂ on results Verve variant). for the †£3,5000 Mitsubishi saving Eclipse is based on Cross full On / The MPG Road (l/100km) Price and is (combined): for an Eclipse Cross 32.5 Exceed (8.7) Petrol to 37.7 Auto. (7.5) Offer is / only CO₂ applicable emissions: in the 196 UK at - participating 170 g/km. 

HSH dealers Motor (excludes Company Northern Limited Ireland is a credit dealers), broker subject not a to lender. availability, ^£4,000 whilst saving stocks shown last is and based may on be full amended On The Road or withdrawn price and is at for any an time. Outlander Offer not PHEV available (£3,900 in saving conjunction 

HSH on 

with Motor Verve 

any Company variant). 

other offer 

†£3,5000 Limited (excludes 

saving is a 6.9% credit is based 

APR broker PCP 

on full 

and not On 

Free 

The a lender. Home 

Road Price 

Delivery). ^£4,000 and is 

Offer saving for an 

available 

Eclipse shown Cross 

between is based Exceed 

1st on Petrol 

June full On Auto. 

and The 28th 

Offer Road September 

is only price applicable and 2020. is for in 

*These 

the an UK Outlander figures 

at participating 

were PHEV obtained (£3,900 saving 

on Verve dealers variant). (excludes†£3,5000 Northern Ireland saving dealers), is based subject on full to On availability, The Road whilst Price stocks and is last for and an may Eclipse be amended Cross Exceed or withdrawn 

using a combination of battery power and fuel. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid vehicle requiring Petrol at Auto. any time. 

mains Offer Offer 

electricity is only not 

for applicable available in conjunction 

charging. Figures in the UK shown at participating 

are 

dealers with 

for comparability (excludes any other offer Northern (excludes 

purposes. Ireland 6.9% 

Only dealers), APR PCP 

compare subject and Free 

fuel consumption, to Home availability, Delivery). 

CO₂ and whilst Offer 

electric stocks available 

range last between 

figures and may 1st 

with be June 

other amended and 28th 

cars tested or September withdrawn 2020. 

to the same at any *These 

technical time. figures 

procedures. Offer were not available obtained 

These figures in conjunction 

using a combination of battery power and fuel. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. Figures shown are 

with may any not other reflect offer real (excludes life driving 6.9% results, APR which PCP and will Free depend Home upon Delivery). a number Offer of factors available including, between accessories 1st June fitted and (post-registration), 28th September 2020. variations *These in weather, figures driving were obtained 

for comparability purposes. Only compare fuel consumption, CO₂ and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures 

using styles a combination and vehicle load. of battery power and fuel. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. Figures shown are 

may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving 

for comparability styles and vehicle purposes. load. Only compare fuel consumption, CO₂ and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures 

may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving 

styles and vehicle load. 

B 

Par 

Par 

Pri 

Pri 01 

01 ww 

ww 

Fue 

196 Fue 

em 196 

em HSH 

HSH ^^£ 

^^£ Irela 

Irela (exc 

(exc com 

com resu 

resu

Later life... 

Let the fun begin !.? 

Here Peter Thomson takes stock of time during lockdown and how 

many older people benefitted from their time away at home 

The past few months have been 

remarkable in mainly a bad way but 

thankfully with a few positives thrown in. 

Wishing to avoid adding to the negative 

bombardments we have been receiving 

daily, I am going to concentrate on some of 

these positives and how they might interact 

with ‘later life’. 

Enforced lockdowns have afforded many 

of us the ‘luxury’ of decoupling from the 

daily grind and given us a time to take 

stock. With no workday commuting nor 

competing activities to get in the way we 

have been able to undertake projects 

that have remained on the back burner 

or indulge ourselves with new hobbies or 

fitness regimes. 

It has in effect been a form of preretirement 

when people approaching 

their golden age get a chance to taste 

the future without having to make the 

big decision. Retirement used to be at 

a fixed age whereby a suitable present 

was bought and a venue booked so that 

everyone could give their soon to be 

former colleague a good send-off. If you 

are having to make this decision yourself 

do you soldier on whatever or call it a day 

28 | www.mendipliving.co.uk 

half dreading a retirement with nothing to 

do. You can only bake so many cakes and 

the garden is not a 7 day a week job. At 

this point anxieties can be awakened in as 

the old adage ‘use it or lose it’ cuts in and 

people become fearful for their future. 

But what has the lockdown taught us? 

Without getting on an ecological soapbox, 

we have all had time to appreciate the 

environment we live in. With much less 

travel and industry taking place the world 

gently began to heal itself. Seemingly bluer 

skies and more birdsong have been truly 

gladdening. Hopefully all this good will 

not be undone as we begin to return to 

the new normal. There has been a huge 

upswing in the amount of walking and 

cycling that has been taking place. People 

have discovered some beautiful locations 

within a short distance of their homes as 

well as getting exercise. 

It has also taught that the business of living 

is very important for people of all ages. 

If you do not nurture these processes 

and realise their importance you will 

miss out on many uplifting and enriching 

experiences. In a funny way it should not 

be called’ later life’, but just ‘life’!

At Calida Care, we know that one size does 

not fit all and support with personal care, 

dementia care, ill health, physical frailty and 

even just companionship. We also provide 

short term respite care. 

Our managed Live-In Care includes: 

Holistic and bespoke care planning 

A dedicated Care Manager who will 

personally manage your care 

One to one support from a dedicated 

Calida Carer 

24/7 support available for you and your 

loved ones 

We are here to help. Please contact us to 

discuss your Live-In Care requirements. 

t: 01256 700991 

e: enquiries@calidacare.co.uk 

Live-In Care is the preferred option for those 

wishing to remain in the comfort of their own 

home. 

Read more about us at 

www.calidacare.co.uk 

Why Why choose us? us? 

Here 

Here are are 3 3 

are reasons: 

3 reasons: 

1. You can have as 

Butterfly Home Home Help Help 

Butterfly Home Help 

1. You as 

Why 1. You choose can 

little or 

us? have 

as much 

Here as 

little are or 3 little reasons: 

care or much as much 

or support 

care 

in 

or support care your or own support home in 

1. You can in have your as own 

2. your We are own a friendly home 

home little or as much 

2. We and care are professional 

or a support friendly in 

2. We and are team your professional 

own a friendly home and 

3. 2. team 

We are an a friendly 

professional 

affordable 

team 

3. We and are professional an 

alternative to 

3. We affordable are team an 

3. residential We are an care 

affordable alternative affordable alternative to 

to But residential don’t alternative just take care 

our to word for it, this is what our clients say: 

residential care 

• “All my carers, irrespective of what they do for me enable me to 

But don’t stay just in just my take own take our home, word our for word for which it, this for I am is it, very what this grateful” is our what clients our say: clients say: 

But 

• 

don’t 

“The 

just 

staff 

take 

that 

our 

we 

word 

get here 

for it, 

are 

this 

first 

is what 

class, 

our 

really 

clients 

caring. 

say: 

They are 

• “All my carers, irrespective of what they do for me enable me to 

• “All friends, my carers, not just irrespective carers and they of what have they the do right for attitude” me enable me to 

• “All • stay 

stay “So my in helpful. in 

my 

my carers, own 

own Treats home, 

home, irrespective for like for 

which I matter. which 

I am of She I am 

very what gets very 

grateful” things they grateful” done do when for me I am 

enable 

• •“The still thinking 

me staff to that about 

stay we we get it get 

in 

and here my 

here we are own 

sometimes are first first 

home, class, class, have really for 

a really caring. good 

which 

caring. laugh They I are which 

am 

They 

very 

is are 

friends, always the not best just carers medicine” and and they they have have the right the right attitude” attitude” 

grateful” • • “So helpful. Treats me like like I matter. I She She gets gets things things done when done I when am I am 

• “The staff that we get here are first class, really caring. 

Call still still 

01373 thinking 

825951 

about it it and we we sometimes have have a good a good laugh which laugh is which is 

They always 

are friends, the best medicine” 

not just carers and they have the right 

Email info.somerset@butterflyhomehelp.com 

attitude” 

• “So helpful. Treats me like I matter. She gets things done 

when I am still thinking about it and we sometimes have a 

good laugh which is always the best medicine” 

Call Visit www.butterflyhomehelp.org 

01373 825951 

Call 01373 825951 



Visit www.butterflyhomehelp.org 

Visit www.butterflyhomehelp.org 

01373 825951 

www.butterflyhomehelp.org 

info.somerset@butterflyhomehelp.com 

Professional Care, Family Values 


We are independent funeral directors serving 

Frome and the surrounding areas. 

We provide a personal, compassionate and 

professional service. 

• Private Chapel of Rest 

• 24 Hour Personal Service 

• Arrangements made in your own home if required 

• Pre-paid Funeral Plans with Golden Leaves 

• Traditional and Green Funerals 

Care, dignity and respect under the personal 

supervision of 

Wayne Kelly. 

R20 Marshall Way, Commerce Park, 

Frome, Somerset BA11 2FE 

01373 476277 

office@waynekellyfuneraldirectors.co.uk 

www.waynekellyfuneraldirectors.co.uk 



THAT FEELING 

YOU GET 

WHEN A 

DIGITAL SALE 

POPS IN... 

93% of online experiences start 

with a search engine... 

so where is your business 

ranking compared to 

competitors? 

Whether you are looking to 

gain new customers, have a 

burgeoning online store or 

want to diversify how you get 

traffic, it is vital your online 

marketing strategy is aligned 

with your business goals. 

Done well, Search Engine 

Optimisation is the most 

powerful and cost effective 

way to boost your business in 

the areas that matter to you. We 

have an 89% client retention 

rate because our services 

deliver measurable returns on 

investment. Packages start from 

£129+VAT per month. Can you 

afford to miss out on online traffic? 

MINERVA: DIGITAL & SEO SPECIALISTS 

01225 984550 | minervadigi.co.uk | hello@minervadigi.co.uk 

GET IN 

TOUCH NOW 

FOR A FREE 

WEBSITE AUDIT 

& KEYWORD 

ANALYSIS 

WITH NO OBLIGATION

The Fireplace Fitters Shop 

Suppliers & Installers 

We are now open by 

appointment only. 

Please call us to book your 

showroom appointment 

The Fireplace Fitters Shop is a family-run business, with over 25 years of experience in the 

fireplace industry. We offer a wide range of products online and from our showroom located 

in Frome, Somerset. We specialise in the supply and installation of heating products for 

the home from some of the leading manufacturers in the industry. 

We offer a full fitting service carried out by our fully qualified HETAS & Gas Safe Registered 

installation teams, plus free home surveys and estimates. You’re sure to find something in 

store that’s perfect for your home. 

7 Christchurch St East, Frome BA11 1QB 01373 472827 

www.TheFireplaceFittersShop.co.uk 

f

Book your test in advance and 

beat the September rush! 

DID YOU KNOW? 

With COVID-19 restrictions 

beginning to ease, mandatory 

MOT tests are being reintroduced 

from 1st August to ensure all 

vehicles are roadworthy. 

If you aren’t sure when your MOT is 

due, call us now and we can find 

out and test 29 days before it is 

due to run out. 

CALL US TODAY! 

01373 452020 

01373 452020 | www.rickyfenby.co.uk | info@rickyfenby.co.uk 

Unit F1 Southgate, Commerce Park, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2RY

Mendip Living Aug - Sep 2020

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?