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West Dorset Living Dec 2023 - Jan 2024

Our last edition of 2023 is here, with lots of festive and New Year content to enjoy over the Christmas period. We've got wonderful competitions, delicious recipes, winter garden advice and a kitchen transformation to inspire you.

Our last edition of 2023 is here, with lots of festive and New Year content to enjoy over the Christmas period. We've got wonderful competitions, delicious recipes, winter garden advice and a kitchen transformation to inspire you.

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C O N T E N T S<br />

A NOTE<br />

from the editor<br />

18 20<br />

INTERIOR FESTIVE RECIPES UPDATES<br />

Editor Katie Thomson<br />

e katie@minervapublications.co.uk<br />

Assistant Editor Kate Norris<br />

Publisher Sally Thomson<br />

Pre Press Manager Rebecca Rose<br />

Contributors<br />

Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave,<br />

Louise Thomson, Pete Lawrence<br />

JACK KITCHEN STEIN RENOVATION<br />

INTERVIEW & RECIPE<br />

22 18<br />

FOR ADVERTISING<br />

Account Manager Laura Rodney<br />

e laura@minervapublications.co.uk<br />

t 01225 984501<br />

Front Cover courtesy of <strong>Dorset</strong> Museum and<br />

Art Gallery<br />

04<br />

COMPETITIONS<br />

06 27<br />

PLANTS FOR POLLINATORS<br />

GIFT GUIDE<br />

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS<br />

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm,<br />

Hilperton BA14 6JB<br />

t 01225 984 550<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk<br />

Printed on sustainably sourced paper.<br />

Please recycle this copy or pass it along<br />

when you are finished for someone else<br />

to enjoy.<br />

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be<br />

held liable for any loss occasioned by<br />

failure of an advertisement to appear, or<br />

any damage or inconvenience caused by<br />

errors, omissions and misprints. No part of<br />

this publication may be reproduced without<br />

prior permission from the publishers.<br />

The opinions expressed within are not<br />

necessarily those of the publishers.<br />

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and<br />

I our had festive my spirits first are English soaring<br />

strawberry higher than this Santa’s week, sleigh! and my As<br />

word, we gear it was up for beyond the upcoming delicious<br />

- Christmas perfectly festivities, sweet, it was we’re a<br />

very excited good to share advert the for joy eating and<br />

seasonally. merriment with I’ve you. tried to echo<br />

this in all my recent fruit and<br />

vegetable<br />

In the spirit<br />

purchases,<br />

of giving,<br />

and<br />

we’ve<br />

it’s<br />

had<br />

wrapped<br />

a transformative<br />

up some<br />

effect<br />

fantastic<br />

on<br />

my<br />

articles<br />

cooking<br />

for you<br />

- everything<br />

to delve into<br />

just<br />

in the coming weeks. From<br />

tastes better - more vibrant,<br />

delicious Christmas recipes<br />

needing less seasoning and<br />

to gift guides - we’ve got<br />

just overall very tasty.<br />

even the most challenging<br />

person to buy for covered!<br />

I’m making the most of<br />

Let’s not forget our amazing<br />

cooking whilst I still have a<br />

competition guide, with<br />

kitchen - mine is due to be<br />

hundreds of pounds worth of<br />

ripped<br />

prizes to<br />

out<br />

be<br />

in<br />

won.<br />

two weeks and<br />

it will be camping stove and<br />

air<br />

If <strong>2024</strong><br />

frying<br />

sees<br />

for two<br />

you<br />

months<br />

undertaking<br />

from<br />

there! work on I’ve your already home, picked then our my<br />

kitchen, transformation but it got me thinking is sure<br />

about to inspire all the you other - hopefully areas that you<br />

need can take updating some tips, in my tricks home. and If<br />

you design are cues thinking from of this a similar lovely<br />

refresh, space. please check out our<br />

home pages this edition -<br />

they’re As we full bid of inspiring adieu to trends this<br />

and rollercoaster a few timeless of a year, classics. let’s not<br />

forget the lessons it taught us.<br />

We’ve If <strong>2023</strong> also was a got movie, some it’d lovely be a<br />

editorial blockbuster on with the best unexpected plants<br />

for plot pollinators twists and - a finale it’s never that<br />

been left us so eagerly important awaiting to support the<br />

wildlife sequel. in Here’s the garden. to hoping <strong>2024</strong><br />

brings fewer reboots and<br />

The more competition uplifting plot-lines! guide this<br />

issue is a bumper one - we<br />

have Wishing an you outdoor all a furniture festive<br />

set season from filled Bramblecrest with joy, laughter, worth<br />

nearly and the £3,000, warmth plus of loved a cordless ones.<br />

lawnmower May your days worth be £679 merry to and get<br />

that bright. garden in shape. This,<br />

plus a lot more makes it well<br />

worth Thank a you look for and reading an enter! our<br />

magazine - and to our loyal<br />

We advertisers. will be back Together again you in<br />

August<br />

make this<br />

- I’ll<br />

venture<br />

be fully rebooted<br />

possible,<br />

and<br />

and<br />

recharged<br />

I want to<br />

into<br />

give<br />

summer<br />

you all<br />

mode.<br />

a heartfelt<br />

See you<br />

thanks<br />

then!<br />

from the<br />

whole team. Cheers to a<br />

positively sparkling holiday<br />

season and a peaceful Katie and<br />

prosperous <strong>2024</strong>.<br />

Katie<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3


Time<br />

COMPETITION<br />

Find out more about entering our competitions online<br />

at www.minervamagazines/competitions.<br />

All the below close on 15th <strong>Jan</strong>uary <strong>2024</strong> with the exception of<br />

Copas which closes on 10th <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />

CHRISTMAS HAMPER<br />

WORTH £500<br />

We have the ‘<strong>Dec</strong>adent Christmas in a<br />

Box’ to give away to one lucky reader.<br />

Worth £500, this delicious hamper is<br />

filled with goodies, including a 6kg<br />

free range turkey, 4.5kg unsmoked<br />

ham, 1kg side of salmon, 1kg organic<br />

Cheddar, 1kg Cropwell Bishop Stilton,<br />

Christmas Pudding, Harrow & Hope<br />

Brut Reserve, Pigs in Blankets, a range<br />

of luxury sauces and oils and Copas<br />

Rosemary Gin.<br />

You can see the full Christmas range at<br />

www.copasturkeys.co.uk<br />

Keyword ‘Copas Turkeys’<br />

WIN A CANDY SMART WINE<br />

COOLER WORTH £300<br />

We are offering one lucky reader the<br />

chance to win a smart Candy Wine<br />

Cooler worth over £300. This appliance<br />

helps preserve the natural taste and<br />

smell of your wine, giving you the<br />

experience of a professional wine cellar.<br />

Smart home appliance brand Candy<br />

has partnered with Vivino - when you<br />

connect to the hOn app, you can<br />

enjoy the ‘SNAP MY WINE’ function<br />

- allowing you to keep a record of the<br />

wines in your cooler, helping you pair<br />

wine with different kinds of food.<br />

Keyword ‘Candy Wine Cooler’<br />

BATTERY-POWERED<br />

PRUNERS<br />

STIGA, a world-leading manufacturer<br />

and distributor of gardening machinery<br />

and equipment, announces its firstever<br />

battery-powered pruner, the SC<br />

100e. The SC 100e’s exceptional<br />

performance pruning capability adapts<br />

to the operator’s needs and to the<br />

task at hand. Its high-quality carbon<br />

steel blades are extremely sharp. With<br />

an option to select from three blade<br />

opening settings, this allows the cutting<br />

and trimming of branches up to 3.0 cm<br />

in diameter. We have three of these to<br />

give away! www.stiga.com/uk<br />

Keyword ‘Stiga Pruner’<br />

SOS SUPERSTARS SET<br />

Give the gift of radiant skin this<br />

Christmas with the SOS Serum<br />

Skincare Superstars Beauty Elixir<br />

gift set. Inside there’s a gel-cream<br />

cleanser, hydrating daily moisturiser<br />

with SPF 30, a Night Cream that is<br />

ready to help you regain healthy skin<br />

that positively glows and nourishing<br />

and mattifying lip balm with broad<br />

spectrum SPF 30. ​We have 4 sets to<br />

give away, comprising SOS Cleanse,<br />

SOS H20 Day Cream SPF 30, SOS<br />

Night Cream, SOS Lip Balm SPF 30,<br />

andEssential Drops Fragrance for the<br />

Home: Pomegranate & Lychee<br />

Keyword ‘SOS Superstars’<br />

A LUXURY LINGERIE SET<br />

Create a storm this winter... New<br />

bra and brief set, Bobette, is both<br />

luxurious and seductive.<br />

Featuring feminine lace and with a<br />

generous cleavage the elastic lace<br />

creates a three dimensional look in an<br />

exciting play of colours.<br />

Choose from the elegant Black or<br />

breath-taking Ruby Red versions.<br />

Available from www.ouhlala.co.uk<br />

Bra - £72, Shorty £33. Fits B-E cup<br />

We have two sets to give away.<br />

Keyword ‘Bobette’<br />

A SMART HEATING KIT<br />

FROM WISER!<br />

Wiser, the award-winning smart<br />

heating system, is giving two lucky<br />

readers the chance to win a home<br />

heating kit worth £299.99, which<br />

includes a Room Thermostat, Heat<br />

Hub and two Radiator Thermostats.<br />

Easy to install, the Wiser heating<br />

system can lower your energy bills by<br />

up to 30% per year. Wiser is available<br />

in classic white or stylish anthracite to<br />

suit your home. To find out how Wiser<br />

can help you save on your energy bills,<br />

head to wiser.draytoncontrols.co.uk<br />

Keyword ‘Wiser Energy’<br />

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Illuminate<br />

Winter Lights at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens<br />

Join us for the spectacular evening event Illuminate at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.<br />

Starting 24th November until 31st <strong>Dec</strong>ember, explore the enchanted route through the colourful lights.<br />

Daily from 4.30pm to 8.00pm, with last entries 6.45pm.<br />

Advance online booking. Limited capacity with timed entry.<br />

www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk<br />

The Old Chapel<br />

Letting your holiday home has never been easier<br />

We know that choosing an agency to let your property can be a big decision.<br />

At <strong>Dorset</strong> Hideaways our experienced local team is here to make sure the whole process<br />

of letting your holiday home is as simple as possible from day one.<br />

Why not get in touch today for a chat or request a free copy of our Property Letting Guide?<br />

Competitive commission rate | No joining or annual fee | A Marketing or Marketing and Managed service<br />

Professional photography | Peace-of-mind damage cover | No restrictions on the use of your property<br />

newowners@dorsethideaways.co.uk | 01929 448 708 | Office in Dorchester<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 5


Alya Phone Case Bag<br />

Leather Black, £69,<br />

lonestaroflondon.com<br />

Hotel-quality dressing gowns - with<br />

embroidery options available Hotel<br />

Velour Robe, £70, tielleloveluxury.co.uk<br />

Comes in<br />

a matching<br />

cotton gift<br />

bag<br />

Keratin-coated hot air styler with<br />

8 accessories for drying your<br />

hair and creating different styles<br />

with a single movement, £99.99,<br />

bellissimaitalia.co.uk<br />

Orange & Neroli 100ml Reed<br />

Diffuser, £21, hauslife.co.uk<br />

gifts for<br />

HER<br />

Cotton PJ Sets, from<br />

£44.99, hauslife.co.uk<br />

Get a lash lift at home with this<br />

amazing complete kit - for only<br />

£39.99; glowforitshop.com<br />

Hayman’s Sloe Gin, £29,<br />

haymansgin.com<br />

Ideal for<br />

cooks<br />

This offers interchangeable grinding<br />

discs, a 15° grinding angle for a filigree<br />

edge and a 20° grinding angle for more<br />

robust blades. £159, horl.com<br />

More than just<br />

an air fryer, it’s<br />

a master in<br />

slow cooking,<br />

roasting, and more,<br />

thanks to precise<br />

temperature<br />

control. I-Master<br />

Air Fryer Series<br />

5, £199, smallappliances-uk.<br />

haier-europe.com<br />

Men’s Active Puffy<br />

Jacket £200,<br />

hellyhansen.<br />

com<br />

gifts for<br />

HIM<br />

British Wool Honeycomb<br />

Chunky Jumper, £79.95,<br />

glencroftcountrywear.<br />

co.uk<br />

Neoprene Dumbell<br />

Hand Weights,<br />

Currently priced at<br />

£19.99, amazon.co.uk<br />

Handleless Coffee<br />

Cup, £11.99,<br />

hauslife.co.uk<br />

Not only is it ultra-lightweight, but it<br />

also includes a travel case and has an<br />

amazing battery life of up to 90 days on<br />

a single charge. SonicSmile Plus £45,<br />

silkn.co.uk<br />

Ultra cosy<br />

and water<br />

repellent<br />

6 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


NEW<br />

COTTON<br />

PYJAMA AND<br />

KIMONO<br />

RANGE<br />

ONLINE<br />

THE TIMES<br />

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE<br />

haus<br />

LIFESTYLE | GIFTS<br />

FREE UK P&P ON ALL ORDERS OVER £60<br />

hauslife.co.uk<br />

BAROQUE CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT<br />

ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAYERS<br />

SAT 02 DEC, 7.30PM | Lighthouse, Poole<br />

TICKETS: £26.75 | £22.75 | £17.75<br />

01202 280000 or www.lighthousepoole.co.uk<br />

Registered charity no. 1103159<br />

Join the <strong>West</strong> Somerset Railway for an unforgettable<br />

festive adventure, as our popular Winterlights trains<br />

return for <strong>2023</strong>.<br />

Step aboard our illuminated train at Bishops Lydeard<br />

station and travel through wintery fields and<br />

woodlands.<br />

Steam past enchanting displays as the Winterlights<br />

train lights up the Somerset skies on a return journey<br />

to Crowcombe Heathfield.<br />

Tickets available now.<br />

Dates in November & <strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2023</strong> call 01643 704996 or visit<br />

www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk for more information<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 7


DORCHESTER<br />

CURIOSITY<br />

CENTRE<br />

FURNITURE<br />

VINTAGE CLOTHING<br />

COLLECTABLES<br />

ANTIQUES<br />

RECORDS<br />

TEXTILES<br />

“The perfect place to find a unique gift<br />

or that one-off piece of furniture.”<br />

With over 70 traders across 12,000 sqft there’s<br />

something for everybody and at the heart of the<br />

centre is the Curiosity Café offering a delicious<br />

menu of tasty delights.<br />

Enjoy free Wi-Fi and ample parking as you browse<br />

through beautiful antiques, retro items, quality<br />

crafted shabby chic, glassware, ceramics and<br />

thousands of curios and collectables.<br />

We also buy items and offer a delivery service<br />

across <strong>Dorset</strong>.<br />

Open 7 days a week<br />

Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm<br />

Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am-4pm<br />

The Old Bus Depot<br />

Grove Trading Estate, Dorchester<br />

<strong>Dorset</strong> DT1 1ST<br />

V<br />

01305 251886<br />

M dorchcuriocentre@live.co.uk<br />

www.dorchestercuriositycentre.co.uk<br />

facebook@DorchesterCurioCentre<br />

lnstagram@dorchcuriocentre<br />

f<br />

i


Disney’s Wish Star<br />

Plush by Simba,<br />

Currently priced at<br />

£14.99 amazon.co.uk<br />

Pokémon Train<br />

and Play Deluxe<br />

Pikachu Toy, £34.99,<br />

smythstoys.com<br />

The perfect STEM gift. Once<br />

assembled, children learn about<br />

music notations and can compose<br />

their own tunes by placing the<br />

pegs in different slots. £37.99,<br />

smarttoysandgames.co.uk<br />

They’re easy to<br />

make - simply stick<br />

two puffy stickers<br />

together to make a<br />

charm! Wear them, share them<br />

or mix and match them! DIY Puffy<br />

Charms, £19.99 Argos<br />

Perfect for<br />

hard-to-buyfor<br />

teens<br />

Slimline Hollywood Mirror<br />

£84.99, vonhaus.com<br />

Perfect activity<br />

packs for all ages,<br />

toucanbox.com<br />

gifts for<br />

KIDS<br />

Squishmallow 16” Toy,<br />

smythstoys.com<br />

The Scottish<br />

Pantry £85,<br />

baxtersofscotland.<br />

com<br />

KitchenAid<br />

Cast Iron 26cm<br />

Casserole Dish<br />

with Lid, £200,<br />

hartsofstur.com<br />

Perfect smoked<br />

salmon from the<br />

experts. Whisky<br />

& Soy Glazed<br />

Salmon from<br />

£9.90, smokinbrothers.com<br />

This perfect gift for condiment lovers, spice<br />

freaks and foodies alike; Fermented Hot Sauce<br />

Discovery Box, £29.99, eatenalive.co.uk<br />

Salt and Pepper<br />

Mill, Set, £29.99,<br />

amazon.co.uk<br />

gifts for<br />

FOODIES<br />

Chocolate Slab Gift Box,<br />

£54.99, meltchocolates.com<br />

A delectable assortment of the most<br />

delicious Italian goodies - this is a great<br />

option for those avoiding alcohol at<br />

Christmas, but there are lots of great<br />

options on the website. The Grand<br />

Teetotaller, £93, lavialla.com


Airports<br />

Ports<br />

Tours<br />

Trips &<br />

Events<br />

Weddings<br />

extramileuk.co.uk Tel: 01305 767 788 enquiries@extramileuk.co.uk<br />

Self Assessment - Don’t leave it too late!<br />

The end of the year is fast approaching and so is<br />

your self-assessment tax deadline!<br />

Luckily, Elaine Chapman, Associate Tax Director at<br />

Poundbury Accountants CB Reid, is here to help!<br />

Elaine is a member of the Chartered Institute of<br />

Taxation and leads the personal tax team at the firm,<br />

covering Self Assessment, Capital Gains Tax and<br />

Inheritance Tax in addition to personal tax planning.<br />

Elaine looks forward to meeting with both existing<br />

and prospective clients and offers a free initial<br />

consultation to those wishing to explore CB Reid’s<br />

personal tax services.<br />

Do feel free to get in contact with Elaine on 01305<br />

215800 or echapman@cbreid.co.uk<br />

16 Wadebridge Square, Poundbury |cbreid.co.uk | 01305 215800<br />

10 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


The Value of<br />

Independent Early<br />

Years Education<br />

By Sarah Hollingsworth, Head of Gresham’s Pre-Prep School and<br />

IAPS’ recently-appointed Pre-Prep and Early Years Subject Adviser<br />

Albert Einstein famously said: “Logic will<br />

get you from A-B. Imagination will take<br />

you everywhere.” More recently, worldrenowned<br />

education expert and adviser<br />

Dr Ger Graus noted: “Children can only<br />

aspire to what they know exists.”<br />

These two much-quoted comments<br />

have a common theme and highlight the<br />

power of what children are exposed to<br />

during their early years and the impact<br />

this has on their future.<br />

Early years educators like myself have<br />

been entrusted with the important task<br />

of empowering those in our care with<br />

opportunities to develop essential life<br />

skills such as resilience, independence,<br />

kindness and imagination. But early<br />

years education has to start with what<br />

parents expose their children to at<br />

home, not least lots of love, exposure<br />

to reading, role modelling, but also<br />

choosing the best setting to entrust one<br />

of the most important people in their<br />

lives to.<br />

This is where it all begins. The period<br />

from birth to age eight is critical for<br />

cognitive, social, emotional and physical<br />

development. Optimal brain development<br />

requires a stimulating environment,<br />

nourishing food, top-quality care-givers<br />

and social interaction.<br />

Unsurprisingly, this is a hot topic for every<br />

government, not to mention the Princess<br />

of Wales, who has spoken recently about<br />

the importance of early years education.<br />

A massive part of that is having the best<br />

practitioners delivering this education<br />

and having the right opportunities and<br />

environments for them to learn in.<br />

I have been fortunate to work across<br />

the state-maintained and independent<br />

sectors and benefited from some of<br />

the very best training and guidance<br />

during my professional career, including<br />

incredible continuous professional<br />

development and leadership training. I<br />

am also the daughter of an early years<br />

teacher and, growing up, I witnessed<br />

how hard my mother worked and how<br />

much energy she gave to the children in<br />

her care.<br />

For the last seven years, I have been<br />

in a unique position as Headmistress<br />

of Gresham’s Nursery and Pre-Prep, a<br />

co-educational day and boarding school<br />

on the North Norfolk coast. The school<br />

has three parts: Nursery and Pre-Prep,<br />

The Prep School and The Senior School,<br />

each based on a different campus,<br />

allowing the children to have the security<br />

of friendships growing with them as<br />

they move through the school at crucial<br />

transition stages.<br />

Gresham’s believes that each child<br />

is different and has a gift. Our very<br />

youngest children, aged just two, are<br />

exposed to many opportunities, with<br />

access to all the school’s facilities as well<br />

as acres of woodland, swimming pool,<br />

astro turfs, tennis courts and sports hall.<br />

They experience opportunities which<br />

open their eyes to future jobs, interests<br />

and passions and also enjoy lessons in<br />

ballet and music, languages, computing,<br />

cooking, and outdoor learning half days.<br />

Research demonstrates high-quality<br />

opportunities help children to succeed.<br />

The independent sector is fortunate to<br />

have small class sizes and all the facilities<br />

and resources to offer this.<br />

There is no one more precious than<br />

our children. They are the future – and<br />

the future for a hopeful world. So, our<br />

task is simple. We work to create an<br />

environment where happy, relaxed, calm,<br />

courteous and curious children can<br />

flourish and be their best.<br />

12 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


COSY THIS<br />

Christmas<br />

You can bring the most wonderful time of the<br />

year to your bedroom this Christmas, thanks to<br />

all of the gorgeous bedding sets on offer. Add<br />

a miniature Christmas tree, you can get one of<br />

these from supermarkets, and you can create a<br />

super Christmassy feel in your room, without it<br />

costing the earth. Here, we take a look at some<br />

of our favourites:<br />

Dog lovers everywhere will covet this doggy bedding set.<br />

Available in either red or grey, this designer quality comes<br />

at an affordable price. Super cute and cosy, this will light up<br />

any room.<br />

Olivia Rocco Christmas Dogs Duvet Cover, Currently priced<br />

at £11.95 for single and £13.95 for double<br />

Stockist Details: www.amazon.co.uk<br />

Pokemon Duvet Set, from Asda from £19.<br />

Carved Fleece Polar Bear Bedding Set M & S from £29.50<br />

Prep School<br />

Excellent in all areas<br />

‘Pupils demonstrate high levels of self-confidence,<br />

self-esteem, self-awareness and perseverance. Pupils'<br />

communication skills are excellent and applied<br />

confidently across the curriculum and beyond.’<br />

ISI Inspection Report, March <strong>2023</strong><br />

Welcoming pupils from 2 years to 13 years<br />

To arrange a personal tour with the Head, please call us<br />

on 01305 262306 or scan the QR code to go to our website<br />

and book your visit. We look forward to meeting you!<br />

South Walks Road, Dorchester, DT1 1EB | sunninghillprep.co.uk<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 13


STYLISH<br />

Stays<br />

Katie Thomson heads for a restorative break at the<br />

Dylan Coastal Resort, Carmarthenshire<br />

You may have visited South Wales<br />

for the gems of the Gower Peninsula,<br />

or even the coastal routes of<br />

Pembrokeshire - but if you didn’t stop<br />

to explore the joys of Carmarthenshire,<br />

you are missing some of the country’s<br />

most scenic spots. On its <strong>West</strong>ern<br />

borders you will find the ancient<br />

Brecon Beacons, right to the golden<br />

sandy beaches along Carmarthen Bay<br />

- there’s so much to discover.<br />

Nestled in the quiet seaside town of<br />

Laugharne on the Carmarthen coast,<br />

the Dylan Coastal Resort is a state<br />

of the art, luxurious holiday retreat,<br />

complete with a beautiful spa and Milk<br />

Wood House, the on-site restaurant<br />

featuring the best of local produce.<br />

The Dylan Coastal Resort makes the<br />

most of the expansive vistas afforded<br />

by its prime location on the hills<br />

overlooking the Taf Estuary. The resort<br />

is a collection of 60 luxury lodges,<br />

all designed to maximise the setting<br />

and offer a supremely comfortable<br />

self-catering experience. Some, like<br />

our ‘Epic’ lodge, come with a hot<br />

tub - perfect for soaking up the everchanging<br />

sea view.<br />

Taking its name from poet and Welsh<br />

literary legend Dylan Thomas, guests<br />

can enjoy the same views as Dylan<br />

himself - his famous writing hut is set<br />

on the cliff edge below the resort. The<br />

setting is certainly inspiring and you<br />

can visit his hut, as well as enjoying<br />

some spectacular circular walks taking<br />

in coastal and woodland scenery just<br />

a stroll from the main entrance.<br />

With so much on offer on the site,<br />

you’d be forgiven for not wanting to<br />

14 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk<br />

venture far - there are a few lovely<br />

eateries in Laugharne, but we loved<br />

Milk Wood House. With three separate<br />

terraces to dine on, an open kitchen<br />

featuring a wood-fired pizza oven,<br />

and a refined yet rustic approach to<br />

cooking, the Milk Wood Kitchen and<br />

Bar is the perfect place to drink and<br />

dine, soaking in the views.<br />

Relaxation is paramount here and the<br />

spa delivers on every level. It has been<br />

thoughtfully designed to maximise the<br />

views - the swimming pool featuring<br />

two-storey windows out to the sea.<br />

The on-site spa also offers up a host<br />

of luxury treatments with premium<br />

skincare brand ishga, to help you relax<br />

into your stay, brightening, cleansing<br />

facials to deep tissue massages – all<br />

of which will be tailored to suit your<br />

individual needs.<br />

The resort is ideally placed for further<br />

exploration - on a gloriously sunny<br />

day, we took the scenic coastal route<br />

to Tenby. If you’ve not visited before,<br />

I’d implore you to - with it’s historic<br />

13th century fortress walls alongside<br />

rows of brightly coloured terraces,<br />

it’s picturesque and a joy to wander<br />

around. Couple that with it’s bevy of<br />

independent stores and charming<br />

pubs, it’s the perfect day trip from<br />

the resort.<br />

A trip to recharge the batteries was<br />

needed and the Dylan Coastal resort<br />

delivered on every level. If you’re<br />

looking for a destination which offers<br />

fantastic facilities, unparalleled<br />

comfort and the most picturesque of<br />

settings, consider this beauty spot for<br />

your next staycation.<br />

Stays at Dylan Coastal Resort start from £379.<br />

For more information or to book, please, visit<br />

www.luxurylodges.com/dylan-coastal-resort


<strong>Dorset</strong> Shellfish are a Weymouth fishing family who<br />

catch all of their own crab, lobster and line caught fish<br />

in the waters around Portland. They cook, prepare and<br />

sell their produce which is made into dressed crabs,<br />

dressed lobsters, pates, crab cakes and more.<br />

Find them at Sherborne, Shaftesbury and Poundbury<br />

Farmers Markets and also their premises on Portland,<br />

open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10-1.<br />

Check out their social media or website for opening hours.<br />

Find them at Canford Cliffs Village Hall<br />

every Thursday 8.30-1pm<br />

ONLINE SHOP IS NOW OPEN!<br />

07881632311 | lfi @dorsetshellfish<br />

www.dorset-shellfish.co.uk<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 15


FREE EVENT<br />

Holiday Let Insights with<br />

Dream Cottages and<br />

Lyme Bay Holidays<br />

Get ready for an exciting<br />

event filled with holiday<br />

letting gems!<br />

Dream Cottages and<br />

Lyme Bay Holidays are<br />

teaming up to share their<br />

expertise in the stunning<br />

location of The Tithe Barn,<br />

Symondsbury on<br />

Wednesday 31st <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />

from 6.30pm.<br />

Whether you're a<br />

seasoned holiday let<br />

owner or just starting<br />

out, this event is perfect<br />

for you.<br />

Discover insider tips,<br />

tricks, and strategies to<br />

maximise your holiday<br />

let income. Hear from<br />

guest speakers on tax,<br />

planning, architecture,<br />

managed services and<br />

more. Don't miss out on<br />

this incredible<br />

opportunity to learn<br />

from the best in the<br />

industry.<br />

Mark your calendars and<br />

get ready to unlock the<br />

secrets of successful<br />

holiday letting with<br />

holiday let insights.<br />

BOOK NOW<br />

https://qrco.de/beYSos


Holiday Let Insights<br />

WEDNESDAY 31ST JANUARY<br />

Symondsbury Tithe Barn<br />

6:30PM - 9:00PM<br />

Pre-booking is essential<br />

You're invited to our free<br />

holiday letting event<br />

Holiday Let Insights


Cooking for<br />

CHRISTMAS<br />

We have some delicious recipes from the<br />

appliance pros at Cuisinart to make festive<br />

hosting easier<br />

Shredded Brussels & Pancetta<br />

INGREDIENTS<br />

80g pancetta, cubed<br />

125g sprouts<br />

Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette<br />

1 clove garlic, slightly crushed<br />

1 lemon, juiced<br />

3 tbsp dijon mustard<br />

40ml apple cider vinegar<br />

120ml olive oil<br />

2 tsp honey<br />

Sea salt & pepper<br />

METHOD<br />

Add the pancetta to a medium /<br />

hot frying pan and cook until the fat<br />

renders and the pancetta is crispy.<br />

Place the pancetta on paper towel<br />

before setting to one side.<br />

Trim and peel the sprouts. In the<br />

Easy Prep Pro, set up the fine slicing<br />

disc in the large work bowl and<br />

process the sprouts on ‘HIGH’.<br />

Set up the small work bowl with the<br />

small chopping/mixing blade.<br />

Add all the vinaigrette ingredients<br />

to the small work bowl. Secure the<br />

lid and process on ‘HIGH’ until a<br />

thick emulsion forms. Season with<br />

sea salt and black pepper. Run the<br />

machine using the ‘PULSE’ button<br />

until thoroughly mixed. Pour the<br />

vinaigrette into a suitable jug for<br />

serving.<br />

Place the sprouts into a serving dish<br />

and drizzle over a generous serving<br />

of the vinaigrette. Combine well and<br />

scatter over the crispy pancetta.<br />

Tip: Any remaining vinaigrette can<br />

be stored in an airtight container in<br />

the fridge for up to 5 days.<br />

Spiced Victoria<br />

Sponge<br />

INGREDIENTS<br />

250g butter, room temperature<br />

250g caster sugar<br />

4 medium eggs<br />

1 tsp vanilla essence<br />

1 tsp ground cinnamon<br />

1 tsp grated nutmeg<br />

175g self raising flour<br />

75g ground almonds<br />

1tsp baking powder<br />

Clementine Cream (not shown)<br />

300 ml double cream<br />

1 tbsp sifted icing sugar, plus some<br />

for dusting the cake<br />

1 large Clementine, zested and 1<br />

tbsp juice<br />

To Serve<br />

Seasonal berries<br />

Chopped pistachios<br />

METHOD<br />

Preheat the oven to 180ºC / Fan<br />

160ºC / Gas Mark 42.<br />

Grease a fluted bundt cake tin,<br />

alternatively you can use two<br />

greased and lined 20 cm springform<br />

cake tins. This will produce a more<br />

traditional cake.<br />

Set up the large work bowl of the<br />

Expert Prep Pro with the large<br />

chopping/mixing blade. Place the<br />

butter and sugar in the bowl and<br />

process on high until creamy.<br />

Add the eggs through the feed tube<br />

one by one, processing between<br />

each addition. Add the vanilla<br />

essence, cinnamon and nutmeg.<br />

Process to combine.<br />

Add the flour, ground almonds and<br />

baking powder. Process lightly.<br />

Pour the cake mixture into the cake<br />

tin(s) and smooth the batter until<br />

level.<br />

Bake in the oven for 30 to 35<br />

minutes until the cake is golden<br />

brown on top and a skewer comes<br />

out clean.<br />

Allow to rest for a moment in the<br />

tin(s) before turning out onto a wire<br />

rack and leave to cool completely.<br />

<strong>Dec</strong>orate the cake with berries,<br />

chopped pistachios and lightly dust<br />

with icing sugar.<br />

Make the Clementine cream by<br />

softly whipping the cream with the<br />

icing sugar, Clementine zest and<br />

juice using the whisk attachment of<br />

the hand blender.<br />

Serve with the clementine cream.<br />

If using traditional springform tins<br />

the clementine cream can be used<br />

between the sponges.<br />

18 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Winter Pavlova<br />

METHOD<br />

Preheat the oven to 140ºC/120ºC<br />

fan/gas 1.Line a baking tray with<br />

greaseproof paper. Mark out<br />

a 23cm circle on the backing<br />

paper to help size your pavlova.<br />

Attach the whisk attachment to<br />

the Cuisinart Hand Blender and<br />

whisk the egg whites in a clean,<br />

dry bowl on a medium setting<br />

until frothy. Add the cream of<br />

tartar and the white wine vinegar.<br />

Continue to whisk on a higher<br />

setting until the egg whites start<br />

to form stiff peaks.<br />

Gradually beat in the sugar,<br />

whisking it back to stiff peaks<br />

after each addition. When it<br />

is glossy and smooth spoon<br />

the meringue mixture onto the<br />

baking paper, making a shallow<br />

dip in the centre with the back of<br />

the spoon.<br />

Bake in the oven for 70 minutes,<br />

until the meringue looks slightly<br />

gooey in the middle and crisp on<br />

the outside. Turn the oven off,<br />

leaving the door open slightly<br />

and allow the meringue to cool<br />

completely.<br />

Whip the cream to soft peaks<br />

using the whisk attachment of<br />

the Cuisinart Hand Blender on a<br />

high setting. Whisk in the icing<br />

sugar and vanilla essence being<br />

careful not to over whisk the<br />

cream.<br />

Spoon the cream onto the<br />

cooled meringue and decorate<br />

with the clementines.<br />

Sift over a dusting of icing sugar<br />

before serving.<br />

INGREDIENTS<br />

4 egg whites<br />

1 tsp cream of tartar<br />

1 tsp white wine vinegar<br />

225g caster sugar<br />

250ml whipping cream<br />

1 tbsp sifted icing sugar<br />

1 tsp vanilla essence<br />

4 - 6 peeled clementines<br />

Icing sugar for dusting<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 19


Renovate &<br />

ELEVATE<br />

We take a deeper look into a beautiful renovation to find out what<br />

makes a good kitchen great - with thoughts from the owner, Kate<br />

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE<br />

DESIGN PROCESS?<br />

Absolutely - we all know there are a lot of<br />

options out there for kitchens, but I knew I<br />

wanted an in-frame, painted design with a light<br />

wood grain. I came across Smile Kitchens and<br />

instantly loved the elevated styling they offer -<br />

the Hampton range caught my eye particularly.<br />

It had all the timeless styling that I was looking<br />

for, and a lovely combination of colours.<br />

I was initially a little concerned by the lack of<br />

a showroom, but I needn’t have been. After a<br />

discovery consultation where I listed my must<br />

haves, my designer Corinne got to work on<br />

rendering that with my space dimensions. In<br />

the meantime, I was sent large door and knob<br />

samples so I could have them to hand when<br />

my design was ready to view. To really give me<br />

a feel for how the kitchen would look, it was<br />

rendered onto a video, giving me a 360 view of<br />

the space. I make a few tweaks and Corinne<br />

came back each time, just perfecting the vision I<br />

had for this important space.<br />

This is a big room (approximately 4.5 x 5.5m)<br />

and it has openings or glazing on all sides - this<br />

meant that planning a more conventional kitchen<br />

with lots of base and wall units was a challenge.<br />

The interruption on each of the walls meant that<br />

the cupboard configurations had to be carefully<br />

considered - and Corinne got this spot on. We<br />

opted for lots of tall cabinets, including a built in<br />

larder and a pantry with bi-fold doors - perfect as<br />

a breakfast station. These cupboards hide all the<br />

“I think the triangular work space<br />

concept is a little outdated for how<br />

we use kitchens now. Of course it<br />

makes sense to keep everything<br />

accessible and easy to move around,<br />

but for me, it was also important<br />

that the space felt social and made<br />

the most of the setting.”<br />

big appliances, meaning the worktops can stay<br />

clutter-free, and help to keep you organised with<br />

lots of internal shelves.<br />

LET’S TALK FLOORING...<br />

Tiles are a great option for flooring, but because<br />

of the painted kitchen finish and the quartz<br />

worktops, I wanted to warm up the space with<br />

timber. Obviously, kitchen floors need to be<br />

robust - able to withstand spills, items being<br />

dropped and the general traffic of daily life. I<br />

was concerned a timber or engineered floor<br />

would dint, so instead opted for LVT from<br />

the experts at Karndean. I spent a lot of time<br />

comparing samples before settling on Canadian<br />

Nude Oak - it was light enough without reading<br />

too grey or white.<br />

The best bit about this floor was the ease of<br />

installation - my partner and I were able to cover<br />

a huge area over the course an evening. The<br />

rigid core planks click together easily and have<br />

a reassuring solidity.<br />

FUNCTIONALITY IS KING IN A<br />

KITCHEN - HOW DO YOU MAKE<br />

SURE THE SPACE WORKS?<br />

I thought long and hard about how I’d use the<br />

space. I think the triangular work space concept<br />

is a little outdated for how we use kitchens now.<br />

Of course it makes sense to keep everything<br />

accessible and easy to move around, but for me,<br />

it was also important that the space felt social<br />

and made the most of the setting. The kitchen<br />

sink enjoys the best views - looking even better<br />

with the lovely CRL quartz running over the sill.<br />

I wanted the island to be social - I didn’t include<br />

a sink on there because I didn’t want the<br />

washing up to be the focus. Instead the hob<br />

faces out into the room. Finally, the fridge is<br />

right by the island, so you can load shopping in<br />

easily, or food out ready to be prepped.<br />

Then for me it was about choosing the right<br />

appliances. These are the bits that make all the<br />

difference! I’ve lusted after a fridge with double<br />

doors for years, and this amazing Haier model<br />

is a technological gem. It automatically detects<br />

Hotpoint Built<br />

In Double Oven;<br />

Hampton Kitchen<br />

in Pearl<br />

20 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Clearwater Kettle Tap;<br />

CRL Stone Quartz<br />

worktops in Verona<br />

Photography by Lucy Hartley-Saunders<br />

Origin Bifold Doors;<br />

Hampton Kitchen in Onyx<br />

Heritage Bronze Sockets and Switches from<br />

Corston Architectural<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 21


when you’ve gone shopping, and<br />

adjusts the temperature of the fridge<br />

in anticipation. Its different humidity<br />

control zones means food stays<br />

fresher for far longer too. The freezer<br />

drawers are perfect for actually<br />

being able to see everything - there<br />

will be nothing lurking at the back,<br />

forgotten about.<br />

The oven is lovely and capacious<br />

- mounted into the tall units for<br />

convenience. And the integrated<br />

dishwasher is ideal, with moveable<br />

baskets and there’s also ActiveDry<br />

technology, which opens the door<br />

near the end of the cycle to allow air<br />

to circulate.<br />

The design of the kitchen<br />

necessitated a venting hob - this<br />

means we can keep that clean look<br />

above the island without a hood.<br />

This hob from Hotpoint is a thing of<br />

beauty - it has a vast cooking area<br />

which can also be synced, creating<br />

increased zones for larger pots and<br />

pans. My favourite feature is the<br />

‘keep warm’ setting - perfect when<br />

you’re not ready to serve. Above<br />

the island is an inset ceiling speaker<br />

from Lithe Audio, which you connect<br />

to your phone with Bluetooth - it<br />

really creates a great social space or<br />

just a lovely place to cook.<br />

Finally, I’m not sure what my life<br />

was before a boiling water tap -<br />

but I don’t want to go back there.<br />

This is a quadruple function kettle<br />

tap - in essence it does everything<br />

your normal tap does, but with the<br />

bonus of filtered cold and 98C water.<br />

It makes cooking a breeze, and<br />

that morning cuppa so much more<br />

efficient. It’s got built in safety features<br />

too to make sure kids can’t get hurt.<br />

THE WORKTOPS ARE<br />

LOVELY - WHAT ARE<br />

THEY MADE FROM?<br />

I knew from the outset that I wanted<br />

quartz worktops - these are slim<br />

20mm profile tops from CRL Stone.<br />

I went with the Verona finish, which<br />

had a subtle marble to help bring<br />

together the colours of the wall units<br />

and the island. It’s hard-wearing and<br />

looks so beautiful - it’s the ultimate<br />

luxury.<br />

THE GLAZING IS SUCH<br />

A SIGNIFICANT PART OF<br />

THE ROOM - WHAT DID<br />

YOU CHOOSE?<br />

Yes, so we have glazing on three<br />

walls - the windows above the<br />

sink are UPVC but the doors are<br />

all aluminium. We agonised over<br />

whether to have bifold doors or<br />

sliders - worried that bifold doors<br />

can lose energy efficiency over<br />

time. We opted in the end to go<br />

with industry leaders Origin Doors -<br />

they are manufactured to very high<br />

standards and come with a 20 year<br />

guarantee, which was so reassuring.<br />

They have an eight-point locking<br />

system too, so essential for security.<br />

We had a 3.7m gap, so opted for<br />

three large doors - meaning we have<br />

a single openable door which is<br />

more convenient for everyday life,<br />

and fewer frames - maximising the<br />

views and the feeling of the outside<br />

being in. Origin make the doors<br />

to order, so they can find the right<br />

configuration for your space.<br />

ANYTHING YOU’D DO<br />

DIFFERENTLY?<br />

Nope! I genuinely love it and love<br />

cooking in here. It has a great feel<br />

and just functions so well. I love<br />

all the tech - it makes life so much<br />

easier.<br />

STOCKIST DETAILS:<br />

Appliances: Haier HFW7819EWMP<br />

Smart Fridge Freezer; Hotpoint<br />

PVH92BUK Black 90cm Vented<br />

Hob; Hotpoint Class 2 DD2 540 IX<br />

Built-in Double Oven - Stainless<br />

Steel Hotpoint H8IHT59LSUK Fully<br />

Integrated Standard Dishwasher;<br />

Clearwater Kettle Tap, 01684 299555,<br />

clearwaterproducts.co.uk<br />

Kitchen: Hampton Range in Pearl<br />

and Onyx from Smile Kitchens,<br />

smilekitchens.com<br />

Flooring: Karndean Luxury Vinyl<br />

Tile in Canadian Nude Oak from<br />

palioexpress.com<br />

Worktops: CRL Stone in Verona,<br />

01706 863600, or visit crlstone.co.uk<br />

Sockets and switches: corston.com<br />

Ceiling Speaker: Lithe Audio,<br />

litheaudio.com<br />

22 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


View Online<br />

for Latest<br />

Offers<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 23


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24 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Winter in the garden<br />

NOTES FROM<br />

THE GARDEN<br />

As you look out of your window on<br />

a cold grey day you might not be<br />

inspired to head into the garden.<br />

However, there are all sorts of jobs to do and a good hour or two<br />

in the garden means that your cup of coffee at the end of it will<br />

taste even better – and you can reward yourself by snuggling up<br />

with your favourite gardening magazine or plant catalogue and<br />

plan for sunnier days!<br />

Apple and pear trees are due for a prune and this can be a<br />

prospect that is a bit of a challenge. Really good loppers,<br />

telescopic ones work really well, are essential and not tackling<br />

the whole tree in one go is an<br />

idea too. When pruning, do<br />

remember to step back regularly<br />

to just look at your progress, as<br />

you need to maintain its natural<br />

shape. It is very easy to go at it<br />

full tilt and then realise you have<br />

been less than consistent - this<br />

applies really to any pruning you<br />

do.<br />

The greenhouse is a good refuge<br />

from those cold winds and now is the time to clean it out, clean<br />

the pots, with a scrubbing brush and environmentally friendly<br />

disinfectant and get everything spic and span for Spring. I<br />

really love doing this as it reminds me that soon I will be sowing<br />

seeds and taking cuttings ready for a lovely new gardening year.<br />

You can even sow broad beans now and keep them in a cold<br />

greenhouse so its not all cleaning and tidying! Don’t forget to<br />

plan for the bees and bugs, making home-made bug hotels will<br />

keep the kids happy for hours – and do keep feeding the birds<br />

and ensuring that they have clean unfrozen drinking water.<br />

Bare beds can be turned over now too – a really good work out,<br />

or cover them with a layer of well- rotted compost if you favour<br />

the ‘no dig’ method. At the end of all this hard work you can<br />

sit with a notepad cuddling your hot coffee and start planning<br />

changes so that <strong>2024</strong> is a fabulous gardening year.<br />

For more advice, visit Matt Bigg’s website:<br />

www.matthewbiggs.com<br />

W L S<br />

Has the time come to make plans for your future?<br />

If you have received a diagnosis of dementia, you will probably<br />

be worried about your future. Perhaps you are concerned about<br />

managing your money and looking after your home as you become<br />

more forgetful or confused.<br />

You may have assumed that your family will automatically be able<br />

to take over managing your money and it may surprise you to know<br />

this is not the case. Your family will only be able to take over your<br />

bank account and look after your money if you have given them<br />

written permission, in a form that banks, utility companies and<br />

other organisations will accept.<br />

The way you give this written permission is by making a Lasting<br />

Power of Attorney.<br />

We can help you make a Lasting Power of Attorney that is tailored<br />

to you and your needs, and gives your chosen family or close<br />

friends all the permissions they need.<br />

If you have received a diagnosis of dementia, you need to make<br />

your Lasting Power of Attorney sooner rather than later.<br />

If you would like to talk about putting these arrangements in<br />

place, please call Christine on 07860 772274, or email christine@<br />

winterbornelegal.co.uk. Christine will visit you in your home.<br />

Christine is a fully accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly,<br />

Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a Dementia Friend.<br />

Visit us at: www.winterbornelegal.com


CARE CONSIDERATIONS:<br />

OPTIONS<br />

FOR CARE<br />

IN THE<br />

HOME<br />

Many people living with chronic<br />

pain, illness or limitations on mobility<br />

maintain a strong desire to stay in<br />

the home – but, to ensure safety,<br />

there are lots of considerations to<br />

bear in mind. There are various<br />

considerations to ensure their<br />

comfort, safety, and well-being. We<br />

explore essential factors for providing<br />

care at home...<br />

MOBILITY AID<br />

SUGGESTIONS<br />

Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs offer<br />

mobility for individuals with limited<br />

or no ability to walk. Choose<br />

between manual or powered<br />

wheelchairs based on the<br />

individual’s strength and preference.<br />

Mobility Scooters: For outdoor<br />

independence, consider mobility<br />

scooters, which can be used for<br />

shopping, outdoor activities, or<br />

visiting friends and family.<br />

Walking Aids: Walking sticks,<br />

crutches, or walking frames provide<br />

support for those with limited<br />

mobility. Ensure they are the right<br />

height and offer proper support.<br />

Stairlifts and Ramps: Install<br />

stairlifts or ramps to make the home<br />

more accessible for individuals who<br />

have difficulty climbing stairs.<br />

Adaptive Bathroom Equipment:<br />

Invest in grab bars, shower chairs,<br />

and raised toilet seats to enhance<br />

bathroom safety.<br />

LIVE-IN CARE OPTIONS<br />

Overnight Care: Overnight care<br />

provides peace of mind for both<br />

the individual and their caregivers.<br />

Trained professionals or family<br />

members can stay overnight to assist<br />

with any needs that may arise.<br />

Respite Care: Respite care offers<br />

caregivers a temporary break while<br />

ensuring the person’s well-being.<br />

It can be arranged for a few hours<br />

a day or several days a week,<br />

depending on the caregiver’s needs.<br />

Personal Care Assistants:<br />

Personal care assistants are trained<br />

professionals who offer personalised<br />

support with daily activities such<br />

as bathing, dressing, medication<br />

management, and meal preparation.<br />

Live-in Caregivers: Live-in<br />

caregivers provide continuous<br />

support, allowing individuals to<br />

maintain their independence while<br />

receiving assistance with daily<br />

tasks and companionship. These<br />

caregivers can also help with<br />

household chores.<br />

CONSIDERATIONS FOR<br />

QUALITY CARE<br />

Assessment and Planning:<br />

Begin by conducting a thorough<br />

assessment of the individual’s needs<br />

and preferences. Create a care<br />

plan that outlines specific tasks,<br />

schedules, and goals.<br />

Training and Certification: Ensure<br />

that caregivers are properly trained<br />

and certified to handle the specific<br />

needs of the individual, whether it<br />

involves medical care or assisting<br />

with mobility.<br />

Communication: Maintain open<br />

and regular communication with<br />

the care team, including healthcare<br />

professionals, to monitor the<br />

individual’s condition and adapt the<br />

care plan as needed.<br />

Safety Measures: Implement safety<br />

measures such as fall prevention<br />

strategies, proper medication<br />

management, and emergency<br />

response plans.<br />

Emotional Support: Recognise<br />

the emotional needs of both the<br />

individual and the caregiver. Seek<br />

support from support groups or<br />

counselling services if necessary.<br />

Caring for someone with chronic<br />

pain, illness, or physical disability<br />

at home requires careful planning<br />

and consideration. By selecting the<br />

right mobility aids and exploring<br />

care options, individuals can<br />

receive the support they need while<br />

maintaining their independence and<br />

quality of life.<br />

26 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


A New Year<br />

A New Place to Call Home<br />

Why not start the year in Pine Martin Grange, a luxury care home in the heart of <strong>Dorset</strong>,<br />

offering residential, nursing and dementia care. Enjoy hot drinks in our coffee lounge,<br />

freshly prepared three course meals and cosy film nights in our cinema.<br />

We even have special companion suites for couples who would like to stay together.<br />

For those who require temporary accommodation over the cold winter months, we also<br />

provide luxury respite breaks with quality care and support when needed.<br />

Please contact us on 01929 768204 or visit www.dormycare.co.uk<br />

PINE MARTIN GRANGE


Celebrating<br />

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flair, here at Friary Care!<br />

In aid of the National Day of Arts in<br />

Care Homes being a few days ago,<br />

we’ve put together a little art<br />

exhibit of our own.<br />

We’ve decided to put together a memory<br />

archway, with help from our visiting artist<br />

Sarah-<strong>Jan</strong>e. This is an archway adorned with<br />

flowers, butterflies, clouds, and rainbows<br />

but more crucially it’s a collage of all our<br />

treasured experiences. Both residents and<br />

staff have been asked to provide photos from<br />

their past, whether those photos be fun,<br />

famalial, important, or unique, the point has<br />

been to meld all of our memories together<br />

in order to appreciate our similarities and<br />

the care we share for one another. Once the<br />

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owner <br />

of Friary Care, Peter Fry, on Friary 01305 Care. 78 78 We 11 smiled, or visit www we la<br />

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archway was decorated we invited residents,<br />

staff, family, and friends to have a look at<br />

our memory gateway. It really gave us all the<br />

chance to appreciate how we’ve all come<br />

together.


A Warm Welcome to Glencairn House<br />

Glencairn House is a charming Victorian house in a beautiful setting, located in the<br />

historic town of Dorchester. Extensively renovated and refurbished and enjoying<br />

beautiful surroundings and views, overlooking the lawns and bandstand of<br />

the award-winning Borough Gardens. As a smaller care home with up to 23 residents,<br />

our team of experienced and compassionate carers provide highly personalised care in<br />

a professionally-run, well-equipped and family-oriented environment.<br />

" We are so, so grateful that we chose Glencairn. The staff are so kind and caring.<br />

They are not just the staff but friends, and my mother knows she's totally safe."<br />

Visitors are welcome! Please call us anytime to arrange a viewing on 01305 268399<br />

www.glencairncare.co.uk<br />

Wolfeton Manor<br />

Supported by the Affinity Group<br />

Handy Person Services<br />

Our Friendly and Professional Handyperson<br />

can help you with practical tasks around<br />

the home.<br />

• Draught proofing<br />

• Putting up shelves<br />

• Fencing repairs<br />

• Installing key safes<br />

& so much more!<br />

• Fitting door locks<br />

• Hanging pictures<br />

• Fitting handrails<br />

• <strong>Dec</strong>orating<br />

www.ageuk.org.uk/northsouthwestdorset<br />

o r call us on 01305 269 444<br />

Owing to popular demand within the local community,<br />

Wolfeton Manor is pleased to continue offering a short stay<br />

service, called respite care.<br />

This service is designed to provide anyone needing a short<br />

term break to experience the excellent facilities Wolfeton<br />

Manor has to offer. As well as offering the client a holiday, it<br />

can sometimes help provide the main carer with a much<br />

needed rest.<br />

The home has a friendly relaxed atmosphere and we also<br />

welcome residents that need a longer more permanent stay at<br />

Wolfeton Manor.<br />

“It’s a very pleasant place to be, staff are friendly.<br />

Food and accommodation is excellent” - Resident<br />

To find out how we can help you<br />

please call Wolfeton Manor on: 01305 262340.<br />

Email: admin@wolfetonmanor.com<br />

www.wolfetonmanor.com f<br />

30 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Selwood House Care Home<br />

Our brand-new luxury care home in Charlton Down is led by kindness, compassion<br />

and dignity. We offer the highest standards of Residential, Dementia and Respite<br />

care with our state-of-the-art facilities. Our highly trained care teams deliver the<br />

kind of care we would want all our loved ones to receive.<br />

If you would like to learn more about life at our home or to book a tour, please<br />

call our Customer Relations Manager Ben Marsden on 07399 062 712 or<br />

email ben.marsden@countrycourtcare.com.<br />

01305 510 403<br />

Chestnut Road, Charlton Down,<br />

Dorchester, <strong>Dorset</strong>, DT2 9FN<br />

www.countrycourtcare.com


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