Taunton and South Somerset Living Aug - Sep 2022

and the world famous 

BLACK DYKE BRASS BAND 

13 times European Brass Band Champions

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

18 

FIRE UP THE BBQ 

04 

COMPETITIONS 

If you read last edition, you 

may remember me remarking 

that we work in a former 

chicken shed (cue jokes 

about scrambled brains and 

headless chickens...) and 

whilst our setting is nothing 

short of bucolic - a tin roof 

really isn’t the one in a 

heatwave. 

So I write this particular 

editor’s note whilst 

simultaneously trying to 

prevent the contents of my 

desk from flying away in the 

path of my fan and sipping 

an iced coffee instead of 

my usual tea. I hope you’ve 

got something equally thirstquenching 

to enjoy with 

this issue with - a G&T is 

preferable, but tends to be 

frowned upon in an office 

setting... 

In this edition we are 

encouraging you to fire up 

that grill with some tasty and 

super easy recipes to shake 

up the usual BBQ routine. 

JACK STEIN’S 

RECIPES 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie@minervapublications.co.uk 

Assistant Editor Kate Norris 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre Press Manager Rebecca Rose 

Contributors 

Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave, 

Louise Thomson, Pete Lawrence 

FOR ADVERTISING 

Account Manager Adrian Hill 

e adrian.hill@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984496 

Cover image courtesy of the 

Somerset County Show 

17 

HOME & GARDEN 

26 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, 

Hilperton BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

Printed on sustainably sourced paper. 

Please recycle this copy or pass it along 

when you are finished for someone else 

to enjoy. 

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. 

On the home front we 

have a real life bathroom 

transformation where a 

20+ year old suite has 

been transformed into a 

contemporary sanctuary - 

we hope it inspires you if 

you’re planning your own 

renovation. 

We are also shining our 

shoes and sewing name tags 

into uniforms in anticipation 

of the new school year - look 

out for our local education 

guide. 

We hope you enjoy this 

edition - we will next be 

with you in October - and 

full warning...there will be 

mention of Christmas! 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

COMPETITION 

To enter any (or all!) of our competitions, head to 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions. 

Find the competition and enter on that post, 

using the appropriate keyword. 

T&C’s apply and no cash alternatives available. Winners chosen at 

random - entries made after closing date will not be accepted. 

WIN 

A HOTEL 

STAY FOR 

TWO! 

Ready to relax, recharge and 

recuperate? Soon you could 

be enjoying some ‘you’ 

time, with the chance to 

win an incredible weekend 

away with spa treatments. 

We’ve teamed up with The 

QHotels Collection, to give one 

of our lucky readers an exclusive 

staycation for two people at a spa 

hotel within the collection. 

With 17 gorgeous spa hotels across the UK, 

you’ll be able to leave your worries behind 

at the likes of historic hideaway, Slaley 

Hall - nestled deep in the serene North- 

East landscape, or Crewe Hall, set in eight 

acres of stunning grounds in the peaceful 

Cheshire countryside, with its lavishly 

decorated historic pile dating back to the 

17th century. Also in the collection, Norton 

Park, set in a blissful parkland just outside 

historic Winchester and Oulton Hall, Spa & 

Golf Resort very accessible to Leeds city 

centre, while set within the rolling Yorkshire 

countryside. 

This incredible prize includes two night’s 

stay with breakfast, plus a two-course dinner 

and a spa treatment for two people. 

For a full list of The QHotels Collection spas, 

visit: www.qhotels.co.uk/our-spas/ 

Closes 15/09/2022 - 

Competition keyword: ‘RELAX’ 

WIN 

A CBD 

BEAUTY BOX 

WORTH 

£77.99 

The MotherSage CBD Beauty Box is an ‘Evolution in Skincare’ 

featuring a fantastic collection of the very best quality, legally 

registered, natural cannabinoid-based skincare products, in a 

beautiful gift box. Each contains their Anti-Cellulite and Slimming 

Gel, Body Butter, Bath Salts and Body Oil. 

They can be used individually or as part of a treatment regime 

ensuring the full range of benefits inspired by Mother Earth’s 

natural ingredients are used to ‘Soothe Your Soul’. Retailing 

at just £77.99 each, we have four fabulous MotherSage CBD 

Beauty Box’s to giveaway to four lucky readers. 

www.hir.global/collections/mothersage 

Closes 15/09/2022 - Competition keyword: ‘MOTHERSAGE’ 

Family run, online blinds 

retailer BlindsbyPost is 

offering you the chance 

to refresh your home and 

spruce up any room with the 

opportunity to win fabulous 

new blinds. The £200 voucher 

works across the website, 

giving you the opportunity to 

choose from the huge variety 

of blinds available. 

From motorised blinds 

which can modernise your windows and 

make them an integral part of a smart home, 

and blackout blinds for complete peace and 

relaxation to aid sleep, to versatile, functional and 

affordable roller blinds, and wooden venetian blinds which add 

a stylish touch to any room, the options really are endless. One 

lucky reader will win a £200 voucher to spend online. Find the 

full T&Cs on the Minerva website. 

www.blindsbypost.co.uk 

Closes 15/09/2022 - Competition keyword: ‘BLINDS’ 

WIN 

A £200 

ONLINE 

VOUCHER 

WITH 

BLINDSBYPOST 

WIN 

A STAY 

FOR 2 IN A 

BOUTIQUE 

LONDON 

HOTEL 

Win a night’s stay for 

two in Holmes Hotel. 

Located on London’s 

iconic Chiltern Street in 

the heart of Marylebone 

Village, Holmes Hotel is a 

chic boutique hotel that 

blends a unique sense 

of Baker Street heritage 

with contemporary style 

and luxury. 

On the doorstep of the crème de la crème of 

Marylebone’s shopping, cultural and dining 

destinations, it is the perfect base from which 

to explore the city. 

One lucky reader will win this fabulous stay. 

www.holmeshotel.com 

Closes 15/09/2022 - Competition keyword ‘HOLMES’ 

WIN 

A HENRY 

VACUUM 

CLEANER! 

Reliable classic brand Henry has brought out 

two new offerings in the home. Henry Pet has 

all the great features of the Henry you know 

and love, with the added bonus of extra pet 

friendly features. Ready to remove stubborn pet 

hairs and reduce lingering pet odours, Henry Pet 

will become (almost) as important a part of the 

family as the furry-friends he’s cleaning up after. 

Awarded the British Allergy Foundation Seal of 

Approval, Henry Allergy is scientifically proven 

to reduce exposure to dust and pet-related 

allergens around the home. 

We have one of each of these amazing vacuum cleaners to give 

away – specify the one you’d like to win with the Keyword ‘Henry 

Pet’ or ‘Henry Allergy’. 

www.myhenry.com 

Closes 15/09/2022 - Competition keyword: 

‘HENRY PET or HENRY ALLERGY’ 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

TAUNTON, SOMERSET 

TACCHI-MORRIS 

OPEN DAY 

FREE SHOWS 

& 

TASTER CLASSES 

SAT 17 SEP, 12PM-3:30PM 

Plan your visit today at 

wellscathedral.org.uk 

‘Perfect 

for 

families’ 

SAT 1 OCT, 2:30PM 

FRI 4 - SAT 5 NOV, 7:30PM 

01823 414141 | tacchi-morris.com 


Meia Non Wired 

Bralette, £10 

Meia Rib Lace Crop 

Top £10 and Meia 

High Waisted Boy 

Shorts, £8 

WONDER 

UNDERS 

As most of us have officially 

ditched the underwire 

post-lockdown, we check 

out M&S’s comfortable 

new range - all available at 

marksandspencer.com 

Meia Rib Lace Crop 

Top £10 and Meia High 

Waisted Boy Shorts, £8 

Halo Tamika 

Bikini, Top £39 

and Bottoms £35, 

dancingleopard. 

co.uk 

Meia Lace High Leg Knickers, £6 

Anti-frizz treatment 

waterproofs your hair to 

stop frizz, even in the 

worst humidity, £26, 

uk.colorwowhair.com 

Love & Roses Dobby 

Bardot Midi Dress, £48, 

next.co.uk/lipsy 

We love the perfectly 

supportive Nata 

Dress - no need 

for a bra even for 

large busts, £89, 

mannersldn.com 

Cotton ‘Tutle’ Shopper, 

£4.99, hauslife.co.uk 

NUDESTIX 

Nudescreen Daily 

Mineral Veil SPF30, 

available in three 

shades, £28, 

NUDESTIX.com 

Hill Low Sneakers, £154, 

date-sneakers.com 


The ultimate holiday 

top - no bra needed - Iza 

Crop Vest in Shibori, £49, 

mannersldn.com 

Ankle Strap Wedge Espadrilles, 

£29.50, marksandspencer.com 

Refresh skin, hydrate 

and minimise pores 

with one spritz, £20, 

fresh.com/uk 

100% Linen 

Shirt, £39.90, 

calzedonia.com/uk 

HOLIDAY SHOP 

If you are jetting off to sunnier climbs, here are some holiday 

essentials to keep you looking and feeling your best 

Keep hair in check and get a salon-worthy 

blow dry at home - with two brushes, you 

can have bouncy curls of smooth, sleek 

hair in minutes. T3 AireBrush Duo Blow Dry 

Brush, £170, t3micro.co.uk 

You don’t need to take lots of bags 

on holiday when you take these clever 

crossbody bags with interchangeable straps. 

Crossbody Bag, £45, orlijewellery.com 

Trendsetters 

OUR FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE TRENDS 

Betsy Tie front top 

in Tulip Green 

£45, 

dancingleopard. 

co.uk 

FatFace Fleet 

Bermuda Denim 

Shorts in Bleach 

Wash, £42, 

fatface.com 

Ribbed Padded Square 

Neck Swimsuit, £29.50 


Push-Up Bandeau Swimsuit Top 

Biarritz, £45, and High Waisted 

bottoms, £22, calzedonia.com/uk 

Pure Cotton Embroidered 

Mini Beach Dress, £39.50, 



MEET THE 

Tauntonians 

WE TALK TO BUSINESSES 

IN AND AROUND THE 

TAUNTON AREA WHO ARE 

PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT 

THEY DO... 

WCG SPORTING 

LIMITED 

SUE HARTMAN 

WHO ARE WEST COUNTRY 

GUNS? 

We are independent retailer owned by 

Shaun Stacey who has always lived in and 

around Wiveliscombe. 

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE 

WSG? 

A one stop shop for all your requirements for 

when you go clay, game or vermin shooting. 

Run by a team of 3 staff who are passionate 

about our sport and over 90 years’ 

experience and knowledge between us. 

We stock the best ranges of quality country 

clothing and boots in the area. 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN 

IN BUSINESS? 

The gunshop opened in November 1990. 

FOR ANYONE NEW LOOKING 

TO PURCHASE A SHOOTING 

GUN, CAN THEY VISIT FOR 

ADVICE? 

We pride ourselves on being able to provide 

help/advice for the new and experienced 

shooter. Getting the right set up is very 

important. 

HOW CAN I GET IN TOUCH? 

Call 01984 623829 or email 

shop@westcountryguns.co.uk follow us on 

Facebook J - WCG Sporting Ltd 

CANDLELIGHT INN 

HEAD CHEF - 

AARON ASHWORTH 

TELL US A BIT ABOUT 

YOURSELF 

I started my cooking career in a chain 

restaurant which I walked into one day 

as I needed a job and I hit the ground 

running. Within 6 months of being in the 

establishment I was head chef and I really 

enjoyed it, however I hated not working with 

fresh ingredients. I applied for a job in a 2 

rosette Hotel. I loved every second of being 

in that kitchen. Within a couple of months 

I was running the starter section by myself 

and really enjoying the career I had chosen. 

After about a year I decided I wanted to 

move to Bristol and see what city life had to 

offer. I had a friend who lived there that set 

me up in his front room and I had a job lined 

up, however when I arrived in Bristol I called 

and messaged and heard nothing back, 

so really worried about what I was going to 

do for money! I messaged a Michelin star 

restaurant and asked if they needed any 

staff and that I was willing to come in and 

work for free just to get into the kitchen. 

The next day I got an email back asking to 

come in, and on my first day I was offered 

a job. Now back in the South West I have 

worked in a couple of award winning places 

including a 2* Rosette restaurant as a Sous 

Chef. And now here I am - I have taken on 

my first Head Chef role at The Candlelight. 

What a journey! 

WHAT MADE YOU BECOME A 

CHEF? 

I fell into cooking, it was never really 

something I had thought about growing up, 

I always enjoyed cooking in the kitchen as 

a kid, but as a teenager I lost that. I didn’t 

do very well in school, left with no GCSEs, 

attended a building course in college but 

didn’t last very long and was kicked out. I 

really didn’t know where to go next and it 

was very hard for me to find a job I actually 

enjoyed. The second I was in a kitchen 

cooking, I felt the buzz of service and I knew 

it was my vocation. 

WHAT MAKES YOU 

PASSIONATE ABOUT FOOD? 

I really like the creativity you can have with 

cooking, tweaking recipes and trying to get 

the perfect end product. 

HOW IMPORTANT IS LOCAL 

INGREDIENTS? 

Local ingredients are the most important 

part of cooking for me. I like to buy produce 

from local farmers, like our potatoes, a lot of 

our vegetables, and all of our game through 

the shooting season. All of the suppliers I 

use are as local as can be. 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM 

YOUR MENU? 

You can expect fresh, local ingredients 

cooked in a modern British way. I really like 

to let the ingredients shine for themselves 

so I try not to do anything too crazy to them, 

just cook them really well and pair them with 

garnishes that compliment them. 

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE 

DISH YOURSELF? 

I really enjoy mussels, they are the one food 

that takes me back to my childhood. It was 

all I ever ordered when we went out to eat 

as a kid. 

Bishopswood, Chard 

Somerset, ENG TA20 3RS 

01460 234476 

www.candlelight-inn.co.uk 


IAPS GOES from strength 

to strength 

By Christopher King, IAPS CEO... 

The independent school sector continues 

to ride on its roller coaster. At the time 

of writing, in advance of a new school 

year, it does look as if there are plenty 

of negative factors lining up to puncture 

any post Covid optimism which might 

have occurred. Alarming increases in 

fuel and heating costs, high inflation not 

seen for more than 30 years, a squeeze 

on parental incomes and a gloomy 

mood in general, given the political and 

international landscape, do not combine 

to give much reason for thinking the next 

academic year will be any kind of bed of 

roses. All that having been said, there are 

some lessons learnt from the experience 

of the time of the pandemic which give 

good cause to stop one throwing in the 

proverbial towel. 

We learnt from the time of maximum 

impact of Covid-19 that parents of 

children at IAPS schools were remarkably 

loyal and supportive of the schools their 

children attended. We also found the 

total number of children on roll in our 

schools went up, not by many, but set 

against dire predictions of impending 

collapse of the sector this was a 

remarkable achievement. 

In short, the independent sector has 

demonstrated considerable resilience 

and positive energy can be drawn from 

the experiences of the last few years. The 

fundamental strengths of our schools 

remains unchanged. A holistic education, 

alert to the changing expectations of the 

wider society but tied to tradition when 

it makes sense to do so because of the 

stability this offers, lies at the heart of 

IAPS schools. Small class sizes, a sense 

that every child is known and valued, 

and a determination to offer excellence 

as standard. In combination, all these 

features offer a compelling model which 

continues to draw families into the 

independent school fold. 

There are changes which have been 

gathering pace in the prep school world. 

Much of this change involves new 

ownership and governance for schools. 

There are some investors in our sector 

with a motivation which is opaque and 

where their vales do not appear to align 

with the expectations we have for IAPS 

membership. However, the investment 

some of the so called ‘groups’ have 

brought to the schools is welcomed 

for the statement of confidence in the 

school’s future that this brings. The 

gathering into a larger foundation by 

some senior school governing bodies 

has been eyed with some suspicion 

in a few corners of the independent 

school sector. The drivers for such a 

move, where assimilation in this way 

has taken place, has been called into 

question. In reality, where senior school 

governing bodies have moved to draw 

prep schools into their fold, this has 

grown confidence amongst the majority 

of the current and prospective parental 

body, even if the leadership and staff 

might feel destabilised, at least for some 

time. Change brings such responses 

but time can heal this and it does seem 

that where new alignments are taking 

place confidence can return quickly as 

commitments on the school’s future 

start to be followed through on. The 

history of the prep school sector shows 

that there have regularly been well 

documented changes in ownership. 

The difference at this time would seem 

to be the aggregation of the schools 

into ‘groups’ but if they are well funded 

and can achieve economies of scale 

to suppress some costs which would 

otherwise have to be reflected in higher 

fees for parents then this can certainly be 

welcomed. The change of ownership and 

governance shows no sign of stopping 

and the parental body need not be 

concerned if they can see the values of 

the school aligning with their’s and that 

fundamentally children are happy and 

well cared for whist attending the school. 


Open Morning 

Saturday 24th September 

9am - 12noon 

Building Outstanding Relationships 

Pursuit of Excellence 

Fully co-educational 3-18 

Excellent academic results 

Love of Learning 

Scholarships and bursaries available 

Superb sporting, music & drama opportunities 

A school fizzing with inspiring teachers 

Extensive network of buses throughout the region 

Day and Boarding 

admissions@wellington-school.org.uk | 01823 668803 

www.wellington-school.org.uk

TIPS FOR CHOOSING 

EARLY YEARS TOYS 

Toys should be ‘openended’ 

in the sense that 

your child can play many 

different games with them 

(for example, wooden 

blocks can be used to make 

a castle, a tower, or a crib 

for the baby). Open-ended 

toys benefit your child’s 

imagination and help them 

develop problem-solving 

and logical thinking skills. 

Toys that encourage fine 

motor skills are excellent - 

whether that’s playing with 

shapes, balancing objects 

or rolling and catching balls. 

Role play toys help to 

develop both conversational 

abilities and a child’s 

understanding of the world 

around them. 

Mechanical toys like pop-up 

toys and ‘busy’ boxes with 

knobs, buttons, and levers 

encourage fine motor skills 

and problem solving, and 

teach cause-and-effect. 

For ages 3-6, this Janod Buffalo 

balancing game helps to hone those 

fine motor skills as bamboo birds are 

balanced on the wobbling back of 

the buffalo. £26.50, kidly.co.uk 

With 14 pieces, little ones 

are able to mix and 

match the dinosaur 

pieces to create 

their own unique 

beasts, or they can 

create dinos we know 

like T.Rex. 

My First 

Dinosaurs, £20, 

smarttoysandgames.co.uk 

EARLY YEARS 

learning 

Featuring 10 wooden 

instruments – a 

syringe, reflex hammer, 

disinfectant, stethoscope, 

otoscope, thermometer, 

tongue depressor plus a 

prescription notebook, 

pencil and bandage roll, 

Janod Doctor’s Suitcase 

has got everything kids 

need to play doctors. 

£26, kidly.co.uk 

This versatile play tent is the perfect creative space 

for little ones to add their own accessories to create 

a magical kingdom for the princes and princesses, 

or cave of wonders for active explorers. £99.95, 

thelittlegreensheep.co.uk 

Join us for our 

Sixth Form Open Evening on 

Tuesday 11th October 2022 

Register at 

www.bit.ly/SixthOpenEvening 

Sexey’s Sixth is rated in the top 1% nationally based on 

students’ results 2021 (ALPS) 

Based in Bruton, Somerset | Email admissions@sexeys.somerset.sch.uk | Visit www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk 


SusanAldworth,Respondences8:LoveLeerstoVictor,2018 

Prism @ Atkinson 

AnExhibionofInternaonalPrintmaking 

5September-6October2022 

Milfield,Street,SomersetBA160YD-MondaytoThursday-9.30a.m.to5p.m. 

www.atkinsongalery.co.uk-Tel:01458444322/444176

TIME FOR Tea 

Afternoon Tea Week (8th - 14th August) celebrates 

the great British tradition of Afternoon Tea and 

is the perfect excuse to catch up with loved ones 

over a cup of tea and some expertly created treats. 

The Origins are a Little Unclear 

It is believed that the King of England’s wife, Catherine of 

Braganza, was the very first person to introduce afternoon tea 

to the masses. On her arrival from Portugal in 1662, she brought 

with her a casket of tea and introduced it to the court along with 

examples of Portuguese cuisine. From then on, the food and 

drink became a fad. 

Despite this early introduction, it is Anna Maria Russell, the 

Duchess of Bedford, who gets the real credit for creating the first 

version of the afternoon tea we know and love. 

In the 18th and 19th century, English people were finding 

themselves going hungry during the long gap between lunch 

and dinner. This was around the time that Anna Maria Russell 

came to discover that a light meal of cakes and sandwiches 

(eaten with a pot of delicious, fresh tea of course!) was an 

excellent stand-in during that empty time slot in the middle of 

the afternoon. She soon began to invite her friends along to 

enjoy it and so the craze became a legend. 

High Tea and Afternoon Tea Are Not Created Equally 

High tea was originally known as the working-class man’s 

main meal of the day and included bread, meats and pies. Low 

tea, however, was the province of the higher classes and was 

considered a light snack before the main dinner. The ‘high’ and 

‘low’ in these terms actually refer to where the tea was taken, 

either at a low table (for example at a coffee table while lounging 

on one’s comfortable sofa) or a high dining table. 

Afternoon tea was generally served between 2pm and 5pm, 

the most popular time being 4pm, whereas high tea was eaten 

between 5pm and 7pm. 

And Cream Tea is Something Different All Together! 

Cream tea is actually believed to have its origins in 10thcentury 

monk culture. In Tavistock, Devon there are the ruins 

of Benedictine Abbey. Manuscripts recovered from the location 

described how monks served bread with clotted cream and 

strawberry preserves to workers who helped to rebuild the 

Abbey after a Viking Raid in 997AD. 

Fire & Ice 

Indulge your senses 

in our thermal spa 

Fire & Ice experience 

• 8 person hydropool 

• Herbal & Finnish sauna 

• Aroma steam room 

• Drench bucket 

• Ice fountain 

• Shower experience 

• Heated loungers 

• Zen relaxation area 

01803 400190 

www.tlh.co.uk 

View our 360° Tour 

Fire & Ice 

for You £35 

Fire & Ice 

for Two £45 

Bring a friend 

and save £25pp! 


Glastonbury 

Extravaganza is back 

with Paloma Faith! 

Tickets are selling fast for the annual 

Glastonbury Abbey Extravganza 

which this year is headlined by 

award-winning singer songwriter 

Paloma Faith... 

Paloma, who will take to the stage in the grounds of Glastonbury 

Abbey on Saturday 6 August, has released four critically 

acclaimed platinum-selling albums since 2009. 

The Extravaganza has been staged at the abbey for more than 

two decades and over the years has featured Status Quo, 

Madness, Jools Holland, Tom Odell, Brian Wilson from The 

Beach Boys, The Specials. Last year saw Van Morrison with 

Tanita Tikaram, The Staves and the Glastonbury Male Voice Choir 

perform to a sell-out crowd. 

This year the line up also includes American blues musician 

Seasick Steve and the famous Black Dyke Brass Band who last 

played the Extravaganza in 2017. 

Organised by Glastonbury Festival, there is also limited camping 

available at the foot of the Tor which can be booked at the same 

time as purchasing tickets – subject to availability – enabling 

Extravaganza-goers to make it a special summer weekend. 

Michael Eavis said: “I am so delighted that Paloma, Seasick Steve 

and the Black Dyke Brass Band will be joining us for this year’s 

Extravaganza – they bring such a wonderful blend of different 

music styles. It is set to be a truly remarkable August summer 

evening complete with our traditional firework display to round off 

the night.” 

Tickets are on sale from the Glastonbury Abbey Shop and online 

costing £40 for adults and £20 for children aged up to 16 – if any 

remain they will be £45 and £25 on the gate. 

www.glastonburyabbey.com 

The Park and Ride will be running from Clarks Village in Street 

from 3.30pm. 

Gates open at 4:30pm 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Please note there are no dogs allowed at the Extravaganza apart 

from Guide Dogs. 

Broomfield Pet & House Sitting Services 

“We are there for your pet when you are away” 

Your pet will receive lots of TLC, we will exercise and feed 

them as you have instructed. This ensures your pet does not 

get stressed whilst you are away as their routine will remain 

the same. Whether it’s a weekend away or a longer holiday 

or business trip your pet will be in safe, caring hands with the 

added benefit of the extra security for your home. 

The Pet Sitters at Broomfield have all been DBS (criminal 

records & barring) checked for your security and peace of mind. 

Broomfield Pet Sitters are fully insured and have attended a 

certified canine first aid course. 

To arrange a consultation visit or for more information please 

email or give us a call. 

Email: welcome@broomfieldpetsittingservices.co.uk 

Contact No: 07928 828146 


Sat 17th and Sun 18th Sept 

9am-5pm at Taunton Racecourse 

www.somersetcountyshow.co.uk 

ALPACA VILLAGE 

FALCONRY 

ALL THE FUN OF THE 

FAIR! 

VINTAGE VEHICLES 

COMMUNITY STAGE 

COOKING DEMOS WITH 

LESLEY WATERS AND 

OTHER LOCAL CHEFS 

EQUESTRIAN EVENTS 

Free Berry's bus 4 times per day 

from Mecca Bingo to the 

racecouse and back 

with free parking 

A great family day out with over 70 acres of outdoors events, stalls 

crafts, food, drink and many fun activities to enjoy! 

Beat the queue and buy your tickets on line early from 

www.somersetcountyshow.co.uk or you 

can buy at the gate on the day. 

Adult £12.50, Child £5, under 5's free, 

Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) £30, 

10% discount if you attend both days. 

Well Behaved dogs 

on leads welcome - 

fun dog show and 

dog activity zone. 

WEST COUNTRY GUNS 

01984 623 829 

www.wcgsporting.co.uk 

9 The Square, Wiveliscombe, Somerset TA4 2JT 

Independent advisers and retailers of new and used guns 

with a good range of shooting accessories and cartridges. 

The best selection of country clothing and footwear in the 

area. We are able to offer an extensive range for men, ladies 

and children, as well as a variety of country themed gifts. 


JACK STEIN: 

Born to Cook 

liberally with salt and sugar. Sprinkle with 

dill and lay the pieces on a large piece of 

clingfilm, ready to wrap. Douse liberally in 

gin. If using two pieces of trout, lay them 

For the tomato sauce 

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 

1 red chilli, finely chopped 

1 onion, finely chopped 

GIN-CURED 

TROUT 

Just about every culture has their own 

version of a dish like this, probably 

because it’s a light, bright, party pleaser. 

Serves 10 | Prep: 5 mins 

INGREDIENTS 

1 side of sea trout 

100ml gin 

50g sugar 

50g table salt, fine 

25g dill, finely chopped 

1 pinch white peppercorns, crushed 

Fresh horseradish root 

5 borage, or other edible flowers 

Pickled cucumber in house pickle 

750ml rice wine vinegar 

2 star anise 

5sprigs thyme 

1g chilli flakes 

375ml water 

10g salt 

100g sugar 

5g dashi granules (sachet) 

METHOD 

Start this recipe the day ahead - the trout 

needs to cure overnight. 

Portion the belly of trout off the side, then 

cover 

Huevos Rancheros make a great spicy breakfast 

on top of one another and wrap, airtight, 

in the clingfilm, careful not to let any of 

the juices escape. Refrigerate overnight. 

For the house pickle, add a two-to-one 

vinegar to water ratio into a large pot. 

Add a large pinch of salt and 100g of 

sugar. Add in the aromats, thyme, star 

anise, and chilli flakes. Pour in the dashi 

granules. The standard rule of pickling 

is to add vegetables in while cold. Bring 

it up to the boil and then remove the 

vegetable. You can reuse the same 

pickle juice over and over. Serve the trout 

topped with the pickle. 

Recipe courtesy of Food Network /Born to Cook 

HUEVOS 

RANCHEROS 

This classic Mexican breakfast dish 

is a must for all lovers of spice in the 

morning. 

Serves 4 | Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 

30 mins 

1tbsp sunflower oil 

1tsp salt 

1x 400g can of chopped tomatoes 

1tsp Marmite 

a pinch of five-spice powder 

To garnish 

1 avocado, peeled, stone removed and 

sliced 

a little chopped fresh coriander 

120ml sour cream 

pickled jalapeños, to taste 

METHOD 

First make the tomato sauce. Sauté 

the garlic, chilli and onion in the oil in a 

frying pan, adding the salt, until soft but 

not coloured. Then add the tomatoes, 

Marmite and five-spice and simmer until 

reduced and thick. 

Sauté the eggs in the oil and season. 

When they are nearly cooked, add the 

butter to the pan and spoon the melted 

butter over them. You might need to do 

this in batches, depending on the size of 

your pan. 

Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over a 

medium heat and warm the tortillas for 

10–20 seconds each. Keep warm as you 

heat each one before you serve. 

Dinner party favourite 

INGREDIENTS 

8 free-range eggs 

1tbsp sunflower oil, plus more if 

needed 

a knob of butter 

8 x 10cm corn or flour tortillas 

salt and pepper 

Spread the tomato sauce over the 

tortillas and top with an egg. Garnish with 

avocado, coriander, soured cream and 

jalapeños. 

Recipe and image from Jack Stein’s World on 

a Plate 


It’s time to char the grills and 

turn up the gas to celebrate BBQ 

season. Wilson, inhouse Chef 

at Robert Welch has crafted and 

collated three recipes to set your 

BBQ dining experience off with 

spark! 

BBQ Lamb 

BURGERS 

Created by Catherine Frawley, 

www.borrowed-light.com 

Serves 4 

Hands on time 10 mins + 30 mins chill time 

Cook time 10 mins 

INGREDIENTS 

500g Organic Lamb mince 

1 small handful fresh mint, finely chopped 

1 tbsp Dijon Mustard 

1 egg 

1 garlic clove crushed 

1 small shallot, finely chopped 

handful of breadcrumbs 

Sea salt & pepper to taste 

1 tbsp olive oil 

FOR THE 

Grill 

To serve and garnish 

4 seeded brioche buns, halved and toasted 

Mayonnaise 

Rocket, watercress and spinach leaves 

2 slices per burger of halloumi, grilled 

1-2 pickles, thinly sliced 

Tomato relish 

METHOD 

Prepare your BBQ for direct cooking and 

preheat your barbecue to high! 

The BBQ grill should be brushed and oiled 

before it gets too hot to do this. 

Once high heat is achieved, place the 

burgers on the grill and arrange them with 

room for licking flames to catch the sides. 

BBQ for approx. 3 minutes, or until the 

bottoms are well coloured (you’re looking 

for some carbonisation as that’s all flavour). 

Using a spatula, gently flip the lamb burgers 

over. Tip: Never press the burgers with the 

spatula—you’ll force out the succulent 

juices and dripping fat onto hot coals or 

flame will cause too much fire and a smoky 

burnt taste. 

Cook the lamb burgers until cooked 

to taste. Approx. 5 minutes in total for rare, 

7 minutes for medium-rare and 

8 to 10 minutes for medium. 

Tip: To ensure thorough cooking, use a 

digital thermometer, do not rely on divine 

sense. The core should be 52°C for rare, 

56°C for medium rare, 60°C for medium, 

and 70°C to be considered well done. 

SERVES 

4 

PREP 

10 

COOK 

10

CORN ON 

THE COB 

with Olive Oil, 

Parmesan & Lemon 

Created by Wilson, inhouse 

Chef at Robert Welch 

Serves 4 

Hands on time 10 mins 

Cook time 10 mins 

INGREDIENTS 

4 fresh corn on the cob 

2 tbsp good quality Olive oil 

1 lemon (juiced) 

25g Parmesan (finely grated) 


METHOD 

Using your pestle & mortar grind the 

Parmesan and olive oil to a paste and add 

lemon juice. 

Season to taste with salt & pepper. 

To cook your corn - wrap each corn cob in 

a double layer of aluminium foil. BBQ for 

approx. 30-35mins turning regularly until 

tender and slightly charred. If you like me 

love the blackened bits, simply unwrap 

them and throw directly on the barbecue 

for a few more mins. 

Drizzle your prepared dressing over 

cooked corn. Enjoy! 

SERVES 

4 

PREP 

10 

COOK 

10 


SALSA VERDE 

( great with steak) 

Created by Wilson, inhouse 

Chef at Robert Welch 

Makes approximately 200ml 

Hands on time 10 mins 

TIP: Usually made in a food processor, but I 

find a pestle & mortar keeps it fresher! 

INGREDIENTS 

One salt-packed whole anchovy * (or 

alternatively 2 anchovy fillets in oil) *spines 

removed (see below) 

2 tablespoons salted capers 

A clove of garlic 

Approximately 100g or 1 bunch flat-leaf 

parsley 

10 basil leaves 

70ml Extra-Virgin Olive oil 

1 lemon (juiced) 


Tip: If you can get Salted caper rather than 

capers in brine, go for it! 

When using salt preserved products, rinse 

them first to remove excess salt and the soak 

in fresh water for 15mins, draining them on 

kitchen towel. 

If needed: To remove anchovy spines from 

whole fish, start at the tail end and split the 

anchovy lengthwise, slowly pulling out the 

spine. You will be left with 2 fillets. 

METHOD 

Place the anchovy fillets, salted capers, and 

garlic in the pestle & mortar and grind until 

you have a smooth paste. 

Add the herbs and continue to grind and 

smash until resembles a paste, similar to 

pesto. 

Add Extra-Virgin Olive oil and mix. 

Season with lemon juice, salt & pepper to 

taste. 

Splash over steak, chicken, fish, vegetables, 

potatoes, literally anything. 

All recipes can be found on robertwelch.com 

PREP 

10 


The 

Hatch 

Inn 

Q U A L 

I T Y 

I N G R E D 

I E N T S 

You can’t beat 

a crispy fluffy 

Sunday roastie! 

Not forgetting some puffy Yorkshires, cracking 

crackling and the finest veg, on top of quality 

and richly-flavoured meat, of course. 

Book at www.thehatchinn.co.uk 

01823 480245 | info@thehatchinn.co.uk 

Hatch Beauchamp | Taunton | TA3 6SG 

f 

Westcountry 

Cheese Deli 

Large Organic 

Selection 

Exclusive Gin 

Collection 

Weekly Veg Box Scheme 

Local Beers & Ciders 

Fresh Eggs 

Daily Fresh Bread 

100+ Local Suppliers 

Ample Car Parking 

Refill Room 

Garden Centre 


ICE AND 

Some simple and delicious 

ice cream recipes from 

the appliance experts 

Cuisinart 

Easy 

RASPBERRY RIPPLE 

ICE CREAM 

Prep takes only 20 minutes, then just 

leave the Cuisinart Gelato and Ice Cream 

Professional to churn it to perfection. 

INGREDIENTS 

300g raspberries 

150g caster sugar 

1 tbsp lemon juice 

160ml full fat milk 

300ml double cream 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

METHOD 

In a saucepan, combine the raspberries, 

50g caster sugar and 2 tbsp water. Bring 

to the boil and simmer for a few minutes, 

until the fruit is soft. Pass through a sieve, 

discarding the pips. 

Pour the purée into a clean saucepan and 

simmer for about 10 minutes, to reduce 

down to a syrup. Stir in the lemon juice 

and cool, before chilling completely in 

the fridge. 

To make the ice cream, pour the milk and 

remaining caster sugar (approx 100g) 

into a bowl and whisk, until the sugar has 

dissolved. Add in the cream and vanilla 

extract and stir until combined. Chill for 

an hour. 

Insert the paddle into the bowl of the ice 

cream maker. 

Whisk the chilled mixture, before pouring 

into the bowl of your ice cream maker 

and churn, for approximately an hour. 

Just before the ice cream is ready, add 

the raspberry puree, so that it creates a 

ripple effect. 

The ice cream is ready when it begins to 

thicken and freeze. To produce a firmer 

ice cream, freeze for several hours in an 

airtight container. 

WHITE CHOCOLATE 

COOKIE ICE CREAM 

SANDWICHES 

Ready in just 22 minutes, this recipe will 

make 12 cookies - 6 ‘sandwiches’ 

INGREDIENTS 

225g plain flour, sifted 

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda, sifted 

¼ tsp salt 

150g unsalted butter, softened 

80g light muscovado sugar 

80g granulated sugar 

2 tsp. vanilla extract 

1 large egg 

100g white chocolate chips or chunks 

METHOD 

Heat the oven to 180˚C / 350F / Gas 

Mark 4. Then line two baking trays 

with greaseproof paper. In a medium 

bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, 

bicarbonate of soda and salt. 

Mix the softened butter and sugars 

using the Cordless Pro Hand Mixer - it’s 

wireless design means you can use it 

anywhere in the kitchen. Add the vanilla 

extract and 1 egg and continue to beat. 

Add the combined dry ingredients and 

gently beat on a lower speed, until fully 

incorporated. Fold in the white chocolate 

chips until combined. Cover the bowl 

with cling film and place in the fridge to 

chill, for approximately 1 hour. 

Using an ice cream scoop, make balls 

with the chilled cookie dough and place 

the, on the prepared baking trays. Gently 

place a thumb on top and squash down 

slightly. Leave enough room for the 

cookies to spread a little. 

Bake for 12 minutes, until they start to 

turn a light brown and then transfer to a 

wire rack to cool. Sandwich scoops of 

your favourite ice cream between two 

cookies and enjoy immediately. 

GELATO AT HOME 

There is no substitute for delicious 

homemade ice cream, made using your 

choice of fresh ingredients. The instant 

freeze bowl means there is no need to 

pre-freeze in advance so you can prepare 

batch after batch of your favourite frozen 

desserts, each ready in as little as 40 

minutes. 

The machine comes with 2 specialist 

mixing paddles to give the perfect texture 

to your frozen dessert. The ice cream 

paddle incorporates more air during 

mixing to give ice cream a lighter texture. 

The gelato paddle is perfect for gelato 

and sorbet, incorporating less 

air and leaving the gelato 

denser than ice cream 

with a silkier, softer 

texture. 

Cuisinart Gelato 

and Ice Cream 

Professional, 

£300 and 

Cordless Pro 

Hand Mixer, 

£90, both 

cuisinart.co.uk 


Taunton - TA1 1SJ 

RESERVATIONS 

Phone: 01823 257788 

Email: thebanktaunton@gmail.com 


STYLISH 

stays 

THE ATLANTIC HOTEL 

Jersey, UK 

These days, travelling abroad has largely 

returned back to normal. There is no 

requirement to test or isolate, however 

if like me, you still feel a slight hesitancy 

in jumping on a 5+ hour flight to the med 

this summer, then you might find that 

Jersey makes a wonderful alternative. 

Flights with Blue Island (servicing the 

Channel Islands since 2006) are available 

from many airports across the UK, and in 

our case, traveling from Bristol to Jersey 

meant a flight time of less than an hour. 

No sooner were we in the air was there the 

announcement from the pilot that we were 

landing shortly. Amazing. 

A mere six minute taxi journey took us 

to our destination; The Atlantic Hotel. 

Situated in the parish of St Brelade on 

the west coast of Jersey, the hotel is 

surrounded by breathtaking coastal views 

as far as the eye can see. Our ocean 

view room gifted us scopes of the golden 

sands of St Ouen’s Bay and the Atlantic 

ocean. With the sun beaming, who needs 

the med we thought! 

There is a timeless elegance to the feel 

of The Atlantic Hotel. Being situated right 

along the bay, every room you step into 

is bathed in light, and this continues right 

out into the Ocean Restaurant. I must 

admit, I was extremely eager to sample 

the menu. Since 2017 Chef Will Holland 

has been putting together menus at The 

Atlantic Hotel that celebrate the very best 

that the land and the sea have to offer, so 

we knew we were in for a treat. And he 

didn’t disappoint. Each course had us in 

a state of wonder. Every element on the 

plate was so well thought out, so well 

pared, and so beautifully presented. With 

one Michelin Star under his belt before the 

age of 30, it certainly won’t be long before 

Will Holland earns his next one under the 

The Atlantic Hotel. Watch this space. 

The breakfast menu continues the superb 

culinary offerings at The Atlantic Hotel, 

with a wide selection of cooked breakfast 

options, as well as a full continental spread 

available. If the weather is good you 

are able to take your dining experience 

outside beside the pool, which I would 

fully recommend as a gorgeous way to 

start your day. 

Ditch your passport (you don’t need one 

to fly to Jersey from the UK!), and book 

yourself in to The Altantic Hotel this 

Summer. You won’t regret it. 

Ocean View rooms available from 

£320 per night 

www.theatlantichotel.com 

CHEVAL COLLECTION 

London 

The Cheval Collection boasts a beautiful 

collection of serviced apartments, 

townhouses and penthouses in some of 

London’s most desirable neighbourhoods, 

as well as three beautiful properties in 

Edinburgh. On a recent trip to sample 

the best of London’s new exhibitions, 

we were delighted to stay at the Cheval 

Knightsbridge. 

Our location was unrivalled – the 

apartment being literally steps from The 

Victoria and Albert Museum and The 

Natural History Museums, and of course 

moments from the best of Knightsbridge’s 

luxury shopping. 

Cheval Knightsbridge opened in March 

2020 as a luxury all-apartment residence, 

following two years of full-scale multimillion 

pound refurbishments, and 

features 98 beautifully appointed one, 

two and three bedroom apartments, as 

well as three spectacular five-bedroom 

penthouses on the upper floors, aptly 

named Gloucester, Cromwell and 

Kensington. 

Our home for the weekend was a 

gorgeous Deluxe Three Bedroom 

Apartment, complete with a kitchen and a 

resplendent living area – it’s ideal if you are 

staying for a few nights and fancy winding 

down away from the city bustle. We were 

escorted to the door by a member of the 

team – pleasantly surprised to find out that 

our front door stepped onto the famous 

Brompton Road – we could stay for a 

month in this location and not manage to 

sample all the wonderful eateries on the 

doorstep. 

The Cheval Collection provides all the 

comforts of luxury city living with the 

convenience of a full concierge service 

just a phone call away. It really is a special 

treat for your next trip to the big smoke. 

Whether you are staying for a night or a 

month, it really does feel like an elevated 

home from home. 

Luxury Two Bedroom Apartments from 

£650 per night 

www.chevalcollection.com 


From Our House to Yours - British Made 

• Beds 

• Mattresses 

• Bed Frames 

• Electric Beds 

• Kids Beds 

• Divan Sets 

• Ottomans 

• Bedroom Furniture 

• Sofa Beds 

• Sleigh Beds 

• Liquid Art Pictures 

• Crib 5 Mattresses 

• Metal Beds 

• Mirrors 

• And More 

SUMMER 

SALE 

Now On 

Divan sets start from £129.99 

Includes: Headboard, base and mattress 

01278 411180 

151 Taunton Road, Bridgwater TA6 6BD 

www.thebedhouse.co.uk 

Family Run Business | FREE PARKING

A BATHROOM TO 

Inspire 

Thinking of remodelling your 

bathroom? It can feel a little 

daunting knowing where to begin. 

We catch up with two home 

owners and newbie renovators to 

find out about their project…. 

Sink unit: Nuie Bathrooms, Hudson Reed Fusion Vanity Unit 

Tiles: Tile Choice, Naples Beige Porcelain Floor & Wall Tiles 


FREE * 

FREE* 

orgia toilet Mirrored cabinet 

COVID-19 - SAFEGUARDING CUSTOMERS & COLLEAGUES 

basin with or high raised FREE * 

ry bathroom Georgia toilet 

COVID-19 - SAFEGUARDING CUSTOMERS & COLLEAGUES 

toilet with any 

order 

& basin with 

full bathroom every bathroom 

installation order 

Bathing a problem? We can help 

Bathing a problem? – we can help 

athing a problem? – we can help 

• Wet rooms 

• Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets 

• Wet rooms 

• Disabled Facilities Grants 

• Walk • Walk in showers in showers and and baths baths • Disabled Facilities • Discounts Grants 

et rooms 

• Disabled Facilities for over Grants 60s and 

• Waterproof wall panelling 

EX Service personnel 

alk in showers • Waterproof 

• Slip and resistant baths wall panelling • Discounts 

safety flooring • Discounts for over 

• Charity for 60s 

work over SSAFA 

and 60s and 

grants and Ex Service personnel 

aterproof • wall Slip • Grab resistant panelling rails, safety shower flooring seats & raised • Family toilets EX Run Service personnel 

lip resistant safety flooring 

• Charity work and grants 

rab rails, Call shower for Call our for friendly seats & advice, raised and toilets 

free survey free survey and quote and quote 

01823 02382 475115 543308 

info@ahminstallations.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk 

ll for friendly info@ahminstallations.co.uk advice * 

Terms and 

and 

conditions apply, visit www.ahminstallations.co.uk 

our website for more details. 

ee survey and * 

Terms quote and conditions apply, visit our website for more details. 

02382 543308 

fo@ahminstallations.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk 

Black down Garden Centre, Hockholler, West Buckland, Taunton TA21 9HY. 

Discover 134 x94.indd 4 03/11/2020 08:04 

rms and conditions apply, visit our website for more details. 

ver 134 x94.indd 4 03/11/2020 08:04 


WHAT WERE SOME OF THE 

OBSTACLES YOU FACED 

WITH THIS PROJECT? 

Our main objective with this project 

was to refresh and update the room. 

The bathroom was 20+ years old and in 

need of both a practical and an aesthetic 

overhaul. We were quite happy with the 

layout of the room, so in that sense we 

weren’t looking to reconfigure the space, 

it was more a case of refreshing and 

redesigning the existing layout. This was 

certainly of some comfort to us as we 

were very much newbies to renovations 

of any kind! 

Shower system: Nuie Bathrooms, 

Complete Shower Set, Square 

Heated Towel Rail: Nuie Bathrooms, 

Piazza Flat Panel Heated Towel Rail 

Tiles: Tile Choice, Naples Beige 

Porcelain Floor & Wall Tiles 

One literal object we were hoping 

to conquer was a column, originally 

positioned between the sink and the 

toilet. Fully tiled, it was difficult to know 

what exactly might be behind it, although 

the plumber suspected it was the waste 

pipe. He informed us that it should be 

possible to get rid of it, cut the pipe down 

to a more discreet level and hide it within 

a new sink/toilet unit. But it was a risk, as 

he couldn’t be certain what was lurking 

within the column. Luckily his guess was 

spot on as it was indeed the waste pipe. 

Another issue we faced once work began 

was that once the tiles came up, the floor 

was unfortunately almost completely 

rotten. So the timber needed replacing, 

which we had to just put down to being 

one of those things! 

DID YOU HAVE A CERTAIN 

DESIGN OR LOOK IN MIND? 

In some sense yes. I knew the type of 

look I was hoping to find in terms of the 

tiles. And luckily Tile Choice had such 

a wide range that we were able to find 

something that we loved very quickly. 

We wanted to fully tile the room as we 

intended for the space to be a practical 

family bathroom, and therefore we 

needed it to be easy to clean! So we 

were after a tile that was practical but 

stylish for both floors and walls. I was 

seeking a beige porcelain tile that had 

a sort of rustic natural stone look to it, 

while also bringing a warm tone to the 

room and so the Naples Beige range of 

wall and floor tiles ticked every box for 

us! They sent us a full sized tile sample 

which was great for us to get a feel as to 

whether it worked for the room, and there 

was even a feature on the website where 

you could upload a photo of your room, 

and then preview how the tile visualises, 

which was handy for us to do before we 

committed. 

Vanity unit: Nuie Bathrooms, 

Hudson Reed Fusion Vanity Unit 

I was keen for there to be a monochrome 

theme in terms of some of the bathroom 

features. We are lucky with the amount 

of light that comes into the bathroom. 

Despite the room being north-facing, 

the windows are so large they’re almost 

their own feature wall. So we knew we 

could afford to be a little bold and include 

a few splashes of black and grey in the 


SHOP ONLINE VISIT SOPHA.CO.UK 

CREATE 

SOMETHING 

GREAT AT SOPHA 

AS ORIGINAL AS YOU ARE, FOR EVERY ROOM IN YOUR HOME... 

BEDS 

SOFAS 

FURNITURE 

| hello@sopha.uk | 01278 55 77 55 | 2-4 Church Street, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3AE

Taps: Nuie Bathrooms, 

Windon Mono 

Basin Mixer 

grime within them, and as such whenever you drew a 

bath you would notice all sorts of dirt seep out. That 

and the fact that there was barely any enamel left 

meant that we pretty much had never taken a bath 

since moving into the property! 

We knew we wanted a bathtub that stretched the 

entire width of the room, but we also decided (while 

using the 3D design tool), that an ‘L-shaped’ bath 

suited the layout of the room best. Our bathroom is 

not the largest of rooms, and this shape of tub would 

room. I had fallen in love with a shower set 

in the Nuie Bathrooms brochure that was 

available in matt black, and so we decided 

to continue the matt black theme and pair 

it with matching matt black taps, vanity unit 

handles, shower screen finishes and flush 

button, as well as a anthracite coloured 

heated towel rail and vanity unit. We felt that, 

combined, they tied together very nicely, 

and when combined with the Naples Beige 

tiles, created the right amount of warmth and 

ambience. 

We knew that we wanted a vanity unit to 

stretch across the area where the existing 

sink and toilet lay. All being well, with 

the column removed, this unit could sit 

comfortably in the space, and therefore 

encapsulate the cistern of the toilet. So we 

just needed to find a design that suited us. 

Nuie Bathrooms had us covered. They had a 

range of bathroom furniture that really fitted 

with our vision. But something we found 

incredibly useful was their online interactive 

3D design tool. It was invaluable during the 

design process and was so easy to use! All 

that was required of us was to input our room 

dimensions, and then we were free to browse 

their entire catalogue of products and styles. 

It really brought the project to life for us and 

quite quickly we found a vanity unit that 

worked both in terms of size but also style. 

Before 

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WAS 

THE BIGGEST FOCUS AREA 

FOR YOU WHEN IT CAME TO 

REMODELLING? 

We of course wanted to completely refresh 

the room, but if I had to choose, then I 

would say the bath was the main focus. 

We are looking to start a family in the not 

so distant future, and with this room being 

the only bathroom in the house, a new fully 

functioning bathtub was extremely important 

to us. Our previous bath was a crescent 

shaped jacuzzi-style tub. The air jets had 

never worked since moving into the house, 

and they were always a pain to clean. We 

found that no matter how much you doused 

them in bleach, you never got rid of all the 

After 


utilise the space, while the shower screen 

would help create the illusion of a larger 

room. Plus, having the bathtub spanning 

the full width of the room meant optimum 

space for a relaxing soak at the end of a 

hectic day. 

WHAT STORAGE SOLUTIONS 

DOES THE NEW BATHROOM 

OFFER? 

We wanted to go for a clean look with 

the new design, maximizing the feeling of 

space as much as possible. Therefore it 

was important that the vanity unit offered 

a decent amount of storage. The Nuie 

Hudson Reed Fusion unit ticked a lot of 

boxes for us in this sense, as visually it 

offered a sleek, stylish and modern look, 

while also featuring two sets of cupboards 

for all our toiletries. Since it has been 

installed, we have actually found ourselves 

looking for bits and pieces to fill the space 

(even with the waste pipe hidden within it)! 

This ample amount of space has meant that 

we don’t need to clutter the windowsill and 

bathtub with toiletries, giving the room and 

all its gorgeous features a chance to shine. 

Mirror: Pebble Grey Ltd, 

Oslo LED Backlit Mirror 

THE OVERHEAD SHOWER 

SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE A BIT OF 

A FEATURE IN ITSELF! 

It’s beautiful isn’t it? We were really keen to 

purchase an overhead shower, but I also 

wanted one that had a rinser kit arm also, 

to allow for those days when you aren’t 

washing your hair. I have always dreamed 

of owning one of those showers! And with 

it being available in matt black, it really 

has established itself as a feature of the 

room, as well as tying in beautifully with the 

matching monochrome taps below it. 

DID YOU OPT FOR ANY TECH 

PRODUCTS? 

It may of been a bit of an unnecessary 

purchase in some people’s minds (including 

my husband’s at the time!) but I had always 

wanted a heated mirror. I loved the idea 

of actually being able to see yourself in a 

mirror once you were out of the shower. 

Pebble Grey Ltd offered a wide variety of 

styles, and I loved the simple black frame 

that surrounded this one, as well as the 

warm ambient LEDs. I am pleased to say 

that once it was installed, my husband 

became a complete convert, and now uses 

the light feature on it more than the main 

bathroom lights! It is has a motion sensor 

that makes the mirror contactless to switch 

on and off - a nice hygienic feature, as well 

as adding to the sleekness of the design. 

Our main goal with the refit was to create 

a bathroom that felt like an escape, and to 

ensure that clutter was kept to a minimum. 

And I think we have managed to achieve 

this through smart choices that are both 

practical, yet provide a sense of clean, chic 

style. We couldn’t be happier. 


NUIE BATHROOM 

DESIGN TOOL 

This was the dream tool when it came to mapping 

out our bathroom design. 

We were able to browse through all of Nuie’s 

products and styles, enter your room dimensions 

and plan our space in 3D to see our bathroom 

come to life. 

STOCKIST INFORMATION 

For bathroom furniture, ceramics, bath, 

shower, screen, heated towel rail and taps: 

Nuie Bathrooms 

www.nuiebathrooms.com 

For floor and wall tiles: Tile Choice 

www.tilechoice.co.uk 

For heated mirror: Pebble Grey 

www.pebblegrey.co.uk 

Bathroom fitted and installed by 

JD Kitchen and Bathroom Installations 

f @jdkitchenandbathrooms 


SECURE SELF STORAGE 

TAUNTON, SOMERSET 

Purpose built, alarm monitored 

facility with over 560 units 

ranging from 20-250 sq ft. 

Call our Taunton Branch 

01823 323575 

150 Priorswood Road, 

Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8DU 

taunton@beehiveselfstorage.co.uk 

Or visit our website: 

www.beehiveselfstorage.co.uk 

Simple, flexible & affordable storage 

No hidden charges or access fees 

24 hour digital CCTV and alarms 

Long or short term storage available 

Insurance options & packing materials 

Our other 

Locations: 

Lopen, Somerset (HQ) 

Lopen Business Park 

Mill Lane, Lopen 

South Petherton 

Somerset, TA13 5JS 

01460 243100 

North Dorset 

Gold Hill Business Park 

Child Okeford, 

Blandford Forum 

Dorset, DT11 8HF 

01258 861100 

Beehive Toys for sale in store at Beehive Self Storage, 

Taunton. Pop in and browse the range or shop online: 

www.beehivetoyfactory.co.uk

A Somerset Discovery 

GERANIUM ROZANE 


Hardy geraniums or Cranesbills are one 

of those plants that everyone knows; for 

instance, ‘Johnson’s Blue’ has graced gardens 

since it was introduced in the 1950’s... 

In fact, in the UK they are the most widely grown herbaceous 

perennial, due to the wide range of species and varieties available 

and their ease of cultivation. Many thrive in shadier parts of the 

garden, they are drought tolerant and their open blooms are a 

rich source of nectar for bees. There are many societies and 

social media pages devoted to them for good reason, many 

forms offer colour for months during the summer, some compact, 

others scrambling through the border. 

Hardy geraniums are useful plants for achieving a cottage 

garden effect, but neater cultivars also suit urban gardens or 

even minimalist planting schemes. With colours ranging from 

whites through pinks to deep mauve, they also fit in most colour 

palettes. It’s worth selecting a cultivar that has a long period of 

flowering- some older varieties only flower once. 

There are hundreds of hardy geraniums in cultivation, and the 

serious enthusiast would know each species’ foibles and growing 

conditions, but as a rule, they will thrive just about anywhere in 

the garden, in any aspect and soil. Once established, they are 

drought tolerant and can be sheared back if they get lanky for a 

flush of new leaves and flowers. Feed in the spring for a summer 

of colour. You won’t stop at one geranium when you discover 

how useful Hardy Geraniums can be. 

One of the most popular varieties is our very own West country 

discovery, the Geranium Rozanne. Announced as the RHS 

Plant of the Centinary, this unassuming little geranium was first 

discovered by Rozanne Waterer and her husband, Donald in the 

little village of Kilve in Somerset, in 1989. 

Flowering from June to September, these hardy plants are ideal 

for suppressing weeds at the front of a mixed or herbaceous 

border and will keep your bees and other pollinators happy for 

months. Geranium Rozanne are vigorous plants with a spreading 

habit and make a superb ground cover. They are incredibly 

versatile and are equally happy in pots, troughs or trailing over 

tubs. Perfect for planting in rose gardens and wildflower planting 

schemes, or in perennial borders in cottage gardens. 


Best Destination Garden Centre in Wales and the South West! 

 

QUALITY GUARANTEED 

We have one of the largest 

ranges of quality plants 

and gardening products in 

the South West. 

 

VISIT OUR AWARD-WINNING 

ELM TREE RESTAURANT 

or 

Our beautiful and 

dog friendly 

POND-SIDE CAFE 

for the perfect day out. 

 

 

 

 

Your Garden Centre Destination of Choice! 

Monkton Heathfield, 

Taunton, Somerset, TA2 

8QN 

01823 412381 

info@monkton-elm.co.uk 

www.monktonelm.com

GROW FOR 

Gold 

In this edition, our regular 

contributor Matt Biggs gives 

us advice on how growing 

your own can be both cost 

effective and rewarding... 

With prices rising and evidence of some 

empty shelves in the shops, now might be 

the time for a little bit of ‘Dig for Victory’ 

spirit! 

There are so many ways of adding to 

your food options, from a few radishes to 

add some peppery perk to your salads to 

courgettes, beetroot, peas, Japanese and 

Chinese salad leaves, tomatoes and, of 

course, the humble spud! 

Even if you have no space, balconies, 

hanging baskets and even windowsills 

can host something edible from chilli 

plants and herbs to hanging tomatoes - 

and there is nothing like picking your own 

home grown produce and taking it straight 

to the kitchen. Many local Colleges offer 

short courses to help you get started, 

there are books, videos, TV programmes 

and your local garden club - all there to 

get your growing energies into gear. 

As well as the physical activity involved 

in preparing the ground and hoeing and 

weeding there is a mental benefit too 

and this is becoming more and more 

recognised as we rush from work to shop 

to home - a little time spent in the open 

air with the birds in the background is 

very beneficial and if you join a gardening 

club there is a social side too, as there is 

in having an allotment and sharing both 

gardening knowledge and produce. 

Children too can join in - an easy to grow 

packet of seeds and a large pot or a 

patch of earth and off they go - and there 

is a lot of learning in a packet of seeds, 

from biology to botany, the maths of 

sowing and spacing, the responsibility of 

being in charge of something, watering 

and weeding and then the joy of sharing 

what is grown - it is win, win all the way, 

and if the odd slug or snail comes along, 

they too have a place! 

To find out more about Matt visit his 

website matthewbiggs.com 

01278 651300 

Main Road, Cannington, 

Bridgwater TA5 2LD 

www.bridgwatermowers.co.uk 

Monday to Friday 

8.00am - 5.30pm 

Saturday 8.00am - 2pm 


SPECIAL SUMMER OFFER 

£1 OFF PER SQUARE METRE ON ALL ORDERS PAID 

DISCOUNT BEFORE VAT. NOT TO BE USED IN 

FOR IN JULY AND AUGUST CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS 

BE PREPARED! 

INSTALL IN SUMMER TO MAKE YOUR WINTERS EASIER 

CONSCIOUSLY 

CURATED GIFTS & 

HOMEWARES 

USE CODE LIVE15 

FOR 15% OFF 

HAUSLIFE.CO.UK 

INSTANTLY CREATE LONG-LASTING YARDS, DRIVES, PATHWAYS, PARKING 

AREAS AND MORE • THE ULTIMATE DIVERSIFICATION TOOL • TEMPORARY OR 

PERMANENT, CAN BE REPOSITIONED AGAIN AND AGAIN • CERTIFIED TO 60 

TONNES+ • INERT & STABLE • 20 YEAR MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY 

DON’T BURY YOUR INVESTMENT IN CONCRETE, USE THE 

CARBON FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE 

FOR REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS, FIND US ON FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE 

SALES@MUDCONTROL.CO.UK / TEL: 01536 669630 


caffelattehome.com 

Sixties 

Print from £3, 

abstracthouse.com 

Jozef Chierowski 366 Easy 

Chair, £650, roseandgrey.co.uk 

L.Ercolani Chair, 

lercolani.com 

Sputnik Light, £349, 

houseof.com 

Set of Vases, £34.99, 

auburnfox.co.uk 

Pendant Lamp, £175, 

beaumonde.co.uk 

INTERIOR 

Little lifts to your home to 

wake up your spaces 

espresso 

Pampas & Bloom Wreath, 

£70, iamfy.co 

Double Hammock, 

btfy.com 

Bamboo Shelf, £94.95, 

cuckooland.com 

Perth Dressing Table, £619, 

sweetpeaandwillow.com 

Kaia Jute Circles Rug, 

£150, cultfurniture.com 

Boho 

Mudcloth Style Lumbar, 

£75, hauslife.co.uk 

dunelm.com 


leafenvy.co.uk 

‘Sage Advice’ Paint, 

dowsingandreynolds.com 

White Garden Poster, 

desenio.com 

Biophilia 

‘Home Grown’ Paint, 

coatpaints.com 

dobbies.com 

Lambert Accent Chair, 

£349, cultfurniture.com 

Plant & Pot 

Subscription, £35, 

leafenvy.co.uk 

Rattan Breakfast 

Trays, Natural £125, 

rebeccaudall.com 

Tilos Chaise Corner Set, 

£1750, coxandcox.co.uk 

Cicely Preserved Flowers, 

£39, shida.florist 

Al Fresco 

Natural Rattan 

Side Table, 

£145, iamfy.co 

Fringed Deck Chair, £250, 

coxandcox.co.uk 

lights4fun.co.uk 

Moroccan Leather 

Pouffe, £95, 

hauslife.co.uk 


FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR A 

HAPPY RETIREMENT 

The secret to a successful retirement is to 

slowly and surely build up your retirement 

pot. Exactly how you do that will depend 

on your situation – but there are lots of 

things you can do. Here we have advice 

from Money Helper (moneyhelper.org.uk) 

which is a government advice service. 

As with any financial planning matter, it is 

important that your unique circumstances 

are considered and you seek the advice 

of a certified professional. 

REVIEW PENSIONS 

REGULARLY 

It’s important to review your pensions 

regularly. If they’re not on track to give 

you the income you want in retirement, 

you need to look at how to boost them. 

If they’re broadly on track, you can make 

a clearer plan so that your pensions will 

be able to give you the income you want 

when you retire. 

REVIEW THE WAY 

YOUR PENSION POT IS 

INVESTED 

If you have a defined contribution 

personal or workplace pension, you 

get to choose how your pension pot is 

invested. Typically, this involves choosing 

from a range of funds offered by your 

pension provider. 

These funds will be weighted differently 

between various types of assets, which 

offer different levels of risk and potential 

return. Generally, you can afford to take 

more risk when you’re young, and less as 

you get older. 

The longer your money will be invested, 

the more scope you’ll have to deal with 

40 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

investment performance going up and 

down over time. So if you are some way 

from retirement and your pension savings 

are invested conservatively, you might 

want to consider moving at least some of 

your fund into potentially higher-growth 

assets, for example, company shares. 

But bear in mind that there’s no 

guarantee that higher growth will be 

achieved. 

Transferring a personal pension into a 

self-invested personal pension (SIPP) 

can give you a wider range of investment 

options to choose from. 

But this brings higher risks if you’re not 

an experienced investor. And you might 

face higher charges. 

Unless you understand how the different 

pension investments work, you might 

want to consider getting regulated 

financial advice before making any 

changes to your pension investment. 

REVIEW THE CHARGES 

DEDUCTED FROM YOUR 

SAVINGS 

All pension providers will charge for 

managing your pot and investing your 

money. In defined contribution personal 

and workplace schemes, these charges 

are often called an annual management 

charge or ongoing charge figure and are 

automatically deducted from your pot. 

An annual charge of 1.5% a year could 

have eaten away a quarter of your 

pension pot after 35 years. An annual 

charge of 0.5% would have reduced your 

pension pot by only 1/10th over the same 

period. You don’t need to worry about 

this if you’re in a defined benefit scheme. 

But if you have a defined contribution 

scheme, charges reduce the value of your 

pension pot. Workplace pensions often 

have lower charges but that isn’t always 

the case. 

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL 

YOU NEED IN YOUR 

TOTAL PENSION POT? 

It’s important to think about your pension 

income in building blocks - first with the 

state pension, then with your private or 

workplace pension savings, and then with 

any other additional income you might 

get, from investments or property. 

How much extra income you need to 

generate from your private pension 

savings will depend on the type of private 

pension you have. 

Defined benefit and final salary pensions 

pay you a regular monthly income - how 

much you get is based on your earnings 

while you were working. 

If you have one or more of these, you 

should receive annual updates telling you 

how much you can expect to get. 

Adding that to your state pension 

(which you can find out by getting a 

state pension forecast) will help you 

understand how much you’ve got to play 

with in retirement. 

If you have any confusion surrounding 

multiple pension pots, investments or 

other pension queries, it is worthwhile 

seeking the advice from an IFA.

Advertisement 

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU 

DIE WITHOUT A WILL? 

Laura Staples a Partner in our Crewkerne office explains about intestacy. 

Approximately 54% of UK adults have not made a Will. 

If you die without a will, your estate will be 

administered in accordance with the laws of intestacy. 

WHAT ARE THE INTESTACY LAWS? 

If the deceased has a spouse/civil partner but no 

children then the spouse/civil partner inherits 

everything. 

If the deceased has a spouse/civil partner and children, 

the spouse/civil partner is entitled to all personal 

possessions and a legacy of £270,000. They are also 

entitled to half of the remaining residuary estate. 

The other half is held for the deceased’s children. 

If there is no spouse or civil partner, the estate 

is distributed to children / grandchildren /greatgrandchildren. 

Otherwise the estate passes 

to parents equally. 

If there are no parents, the extended family ie siblings, 

blood relatives and half-blood relatives are considered. 

If there is no family, the estate passes to the Crown. 

HOW DO I KNOW WHO THE FAMILY ARE? 

I have acted on a lot of intestate estates. These are often 

complicated where there is no close family. 

In some cases, the individuals entitled to the estate may not even 

know the deceased. In cases such as these, there may be many 

potential beneficiaries. It is always recommended to instruct a 

professional agency to produce a family tree to ensure that no 

beneficiaries are missed. 

WHO ADMINISTERS THE ESTATE? 

Where a person died intestate, a personal representative must 

apply to the Probate Registry for Letters of Administration. This 

is the legal document that gives authority to administer the estate. 

Without this, there is no authority to start collecting in assets 

or settling debts. The personal representative is often one of 

the people entitled to benefit from the estate under the intestacy 

rules. It is possible to have more than one personal representative. 

Administering an intestate estate is often more complicated. 

Sometimes, it is not clear who has the authority to act. 

If you require professional advice, please contact Laura Staples 

in Crewkerne on 01460 279100. 

PRIVATE CLIENT 

CONTROLLING YOUR ASSETS 

Our highly qualified team can help you with: 

• Wills 

• Lasting Powers of Attorney 

• Probate & Intestacy 

• Tax Planning & Inheritance Tax 

Personal relationships built on trust 

and understanding… 

…that’s refreshing | 

www.hklaw.uk 

Poole House, 17 Market Street, 

Crewkerne, Somerset, TA18 7JU 

01460 279100 

crewkerne@hklaw.uk 

www.hklaw.uk


A day in the life of 

a funeral director 

Taunton Living met Marie Howe & Orlando Levy from Robson & 

Stephens Funeral Services to discover, just what it takes. 

How did you become a funeral 

director? 

Both of us experienced the loss of 

someone very close and wanted to be 

able to help and support others during 

one of the worse times in their life. 

Having been through this experience 

this has equipped us both with empathy 

and compassion, and a sense of 

understanding. 

What does a funeral director do? 

The most important thing is to be a good 

listener, so you can support the family 

emotionally and professionally as you 

will be taking care of their loved one’s 

last wishes. Being there for the family 

will ensure the service is personal and 

special so you can provide guidance and 

support with all aspects of the funeral 

arrangements. 

Are there many female / apprentice’s 

funeral directors? 

This has been a very male and middle 

age environment for many years. 

However over the last 10 year’s female 

funeral directors have increased, but 

apprentices are still not so common, this 

is not an industry that the youth tend 

to go towards, so when someone like 

Orlando comes along is a breath of fresh 

air into the industry with a fresh and more 

modern outlook. 

What is a typical day in the life of a 

funeral director? 

Always being prepared and organised as 

you never know what the day will bring. 

You need to be ready to support a family 

as soon as they need you, on the phone 

or in person. Every family you deal with 

need to feel like they are your only family 

and should be your main focus. 

But you still need to keep up with your 

day to day, funeral admin, and funeral 

arrangements. 

What does being a funeral director 

teach you about life and death? 

Life is short, live it, enjoy it and make the 

most of being with the people you love…. 

And create lasting memories as they are 

priceless! 

How do friends react when you tell 

them what you do? 

Find it hard to believe to start with, but 

completely understand why. They love to 

ask questions about it, as most people 

find it interesting. However, our friends 

support us with our career paths despite 

the nature of the industry. 

What sets you apart from other funeral 

directors? 

We all have the ability to be personable, 

knowing and understanding what it’s 

like to be that family in that situation. 

We make sure that every funeral that we 

arrange, is personal and special to the 

family. This could be setting balloons off, 

blowing bubbles, sharing their favourite 

sweets or drinks. We try to personalise 

every funeral in this way. We can also 

accommodate families through different 

members of staff within our team, we 

have a very experienced funeral director, 

female funeral director and an apprentice 

funeral director. We go the extra mile to 

accommodate for each and every family. 

Even with our direct cremations we offer 

personal touches though our virtual 

services enabling family to share that 

moment of their loved ones final farewell. 

Do you need a sense of humour to do 

what you do? 

The simple answer to this is YES! This 

can be an emotionally draining job, so a 

sense of humour and light heartedness 

goes alone way, its always good to laugh. 

01278 497300 

info@rsfuneralservices.co.uk 


Robson & Stephens 

Independent Family Funeral Service 

Robson & Stephens 

Independent Family Funeral Service 

A local family run funeral director for 

Bridgwater and surrounding areas 

Start the conversation 

Come in and talk to us about our pre-paid 

funeral plans 

Traditional Funerals from £2300 

Package includes the following 

Professional services, removal of the deceased, 

coffin, doctor/crematorium fee’s, flowers, service 

sheets, hearse and officiant 

24 hour personal care from 

Mark, Marie, Orlando & Paige 

01278 497300 

Email: info@rsfuneralservices.co.uk 

60 Clare St • Bridgwater • TA6 3EN

The West Country welcomes you to its 

newest, most exclusive development. 

Located on the edge of the beautiful market town of Bridgwater, 

17TH-18TH AUGUST 2019 

9AM-4PM 

Somerset and within easy reach of the picturesque Quantock Hills 

and the vivid landscapes of Exmoor. Enjoy a relaxing round of golf 

at some of the region’s challenging courses or a visit to Chilton 

Lakes for fishing, a stroll along the beaches of nearby Burnham-on- 

Sea or Minehead, all within easy reach of Chilton Park. Across of the 

road will take you to the brand new leisure centre, featuring a gym, 

exercise classes, 4 court sports hall, swimming pool and more! 

Chilton Park, Chilton Trinity, Somerset TA6 3JW | www.chiltonpark.co.uk | 01278 426005 or 07858 404593 


discover our world 

michaelspiers.co.uk 

M_Spiers-Cornwall Living-Ads-JAN2022.indd 4 25/01/2022 15:50

Taunton and South Somerset Living Aug - Sep 2022

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?