Families across Somerset will be able to enjoy the county’s own virtual panto from the comfort of their own homes.
Theatre makers in Somerset have come together to create the perfect solution for panto in a pandemic – each scene of ‘In Search of Cinderella’ has been filmed at a well-known theatre or arts centre to create an online performance.
Funds raised from ticket sales will benefit theatres and arts centres in Somerset during their current struggle to keep their doors open for the public.
As well as telling the traditional Cinderella story on the stages of Somerset’s well-known venues, In Search of Cinderella takes the audience to the cafes, bars and front-of-house areas of the theatresto see The Prince’s quest for the foot that fits the glass slipper.
The play is written and produced by Richard Crowe in association with Somerset Film, based at The Engine Room.
Richard Crowe said: “We’re creating something special with and for the people of Somerset. This is an opportunity to join across the county and celebrate what we’ve got and who we are. This story belongs to us – Somerset is Cinderella. We’re the county people drive through without stopping, and we’re the county that punches above its weight. We don’t always acknowledge the amazing things that happen here, such as Carnival and all our local traditions.
“As well as giving audiences a good time, we’re promoting our county’s theatres and arts centres at this difficult time. Everyone is welcome to watch the online performance for free – have a chuckle and a singalong on us! But if you can, the producers are asking for donations (whatever you feel it’s worth) that will go directly to help participating venues recover from the coronavirus crisis and help keep theatre live in Somerset.”
Children at Butleigh C of E Primary School have recorded their ‘It’s behind you’ moments which will be included in the performance.
The project is funded by Arts Council England, Somerset West & Taunton Council, the BARN initiative (via Take Art) and by the people of Somerset and further afield, through a fundraiser.
In Search of Cinderella premieres online at 6pm on Wednesday 20 January.
Spring is the traditionally said to be the best time to sell your house – but if that’s going to be you in 2021, then right now is the time to start thinking about it.
January is the time when people start to browse for new property – Christmas is over, work’s in full swing, and this year there’s the glumness of lockdown to ward off with some online house shopping too.
The property market is still open – there are a few extra hurdles, but it’s still entirely possible to move. If you’re a 2021 seller, then now might be an excellent time to get your house on the market to get ahead of the Spring competition. But it’s a big decision – and even when you know it’s the right time there’s often a feeling of overwhelm. What should you do first? Where to begin? What do you really need to do to the house? When do you do the legal stuff?
Fear not – we’ve rounded up a group of the most experienced local experts to help with their top insider tips on how to move house with as little stress as possible…
In an ideal world, where all your clients sold their homes your way, what would be your tip tips to ensure a quick and easy sale? The simple things you just wish every homeowner would do?
The experts were unanimous in their first tip: prepare, prepare, prepare.
James McKillop, Head of Residential at Savills was very firm “First and foremost, prepare. Instruct a solicitor, prepare a draft contract pack and apply for searches, especially as they can take many weeks at present”. Susie Palin from Meyers agreed
“Appoint a solicitor early in the process so they can begin their work as soon as possible, and have all documentation associated with the house in a file ready to go including any planning permissions, building regulations, safety certificates (Gas and Electric) and make your estate agent aware of any boundary issues that might rear their head during the ‘searches process’.
2. The second tip is the one we all know: Declutter!
“Do take the time to make sure that everything is spic and span and that the house looks great from the outside as this is where the first impressions will be formed.” Says Sarah Cull, Associate Director at Strutt & Parker. George Sparks, Local Sales Expert for Dorset at PurpleBricks agreed “you aren’t on the market every day so it’s worth putting in some effort to ensure it’s presented at its best.”
But don’t go mad says Richard Stubbart from Greenslade Taylor Hunt “To ensure any property is marketed to its full potential, we always ask clients to ensure the property is left in a presentable condition. This does not necessarily need to involve financial investment, but to make sure the decks are clear for first impressions.”
And on the flip side, what are your top three tips for anyone buying a house?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we got a unanimous consensus on this one; George put it most succinctly: “Be nice to the estate agent!
The agent may have other properties of interest and it’s human nature that the first person they are going to call is someone they enjoy talking to.”
Sarah also pointed out that “At Strutt & Parker we sell a good deal of property ‘off the market’ to strong buyers who are registered on our mailing list and who we build a rapport with. Don’t just reply to the online presence for houses.”
George also pointed out a little patience goes a long way “Buying and selling homes can be stressful for everyone but more so if someone is inflexible and unrealistic with their timescales. Everyone is in the same boat wanting the same thing – to move house. Remember that people’s lives are almost on hold when they’re moving so its a good time to be understanding.”
2. Simon Neville-Jones, Branch Manager at Lodestone Property Shaftesbury said you must be clear about what you’re searching for:
“the number of rooms, outside space, parking, work space… and of course a clear budget.” James suggested that doing your research is important – but do stay open “road noise, near neighbours etc can all be identified before you visit and it saves you a potentially wasted trip. If you have a “tick list”, be positive; 7/10 is pretty good!” Richard points out that this is more important than ever “Due to COVID there are restrictions and safety protocols in place for viewings. It is important to carry out as much online research of a property before undertaking a viewing in person. Google maps and virtual tours are the best way to undertake initial research. “
3. Susie said it’s as simple as being ready.
Have all monies ready; if a First Time Buyer, and you need a mortgage, have your ‘ decision in principal/agreement in principal’ ready before you look to buy your next home and if you are selling your current home in order to move, in this current CV-19 climate, be prepared to need to be ‘proceedable’ before you even start to look around. Ideally you’ll be ‘under offer’ already, know your buyer and what the chain is if any.
Did anything significantly change in the 2020 local housing market?
Sarah spoke for everyone when she said “We had a huge change to the property market in 2020. From lockdown in March when the market came to halt, to lockdown lifting and enjoying an exceptionally busy market bucking all expectations. Local people looked to upsize, whilst many buyers flocked to the country from more urban locations in search of more space and less neighbours.“ George agreed “People know now they can work from home. Instead of living in an urban area close to the office why not live in the beautiful countryside and have your office in the comfort of your own home? Who wouldn’t want that?” Simon had some fascinating data to back it up “The annual price rise recorded in the South West of England in September 2020 was double the level seen in the region the previous month according to the Office of National Statistics. Dorset and Somerset were two of the most searched counties in the south according to Rightmove, and the Land Registry data shows that detached homes saw the biggest annual price rises in the UK.
2. James had a different issue with the rush to move to the country: “The concern is the shortage of good houses to sell. It doesn’t matter if it is a £300,000 cottage, a £1,000,000 townhouse or a £2,000,000 country house – if it is a best in class property for its price, there are buyers registered for it “
What do you see 2021 bringing in terms of property market trends?
Once again there was a unanimous consensus. “In 2020 the UK property market saw a huge shift in people moving to rural spaces as a result of the pandemic.” Said Simon. “…the trend to move out of the cities to a more rural environment will continue apace, especially now with the 3rd lockdown. We now all know that remote working is possible and buyers are looking for a much better quality of life.” added Susie. “Although the stamp duty holiday is due to end at the end of March, I believe there will still be strong demand for property in the west country.” agreed Richard “This current lockdown will only fuel further lifestyle moves, whether for for work or family reasons.
The second unanimous point was… it’s en timely unpredictable! George points out that “This is a difficult one as there are a some many variables that are so new to have to deal with, for example the length of lockdowns, the vaccine and of course the Stamp Duty Holiday.” James is confident though “My view is that if enough sellers bring their properties to market before March, we will see a continuation of the busy market at all price points. The demand is there but price sensitivity is very clearly dictating what is selling and what isn’t. If a property doesn’t sell within a 4 to 6 week window from launch at the moment, the price is probably too high.”
Are there specifically desirable locations within the Blackmore Vale?
Sarah was pleased to share that Strutt & Parker “…have had a very successful time in Ashmore this year, with competing bids on two houses and a good sale agreed on another delightful property. We also sold a substantial home in Marnhull off-market with no internet advertising needed.” Richard agreed it was the desirable villages which were winning “Out of area buyers are looking for space and privacy, yet within easy reach of amenities. Those local villages with good amenities, such as Yetminster, Milborne Port & Thornford are achieving strong demand and excellent sales success” Susie pointed out that “…houses with gardens and a value of around £300k+ are selling well currently. In my area also it is the villages that are proving most popular; Milborne St Andrew, Milton Abbas and the Winterbournes in particular”
Simon said that “We’ve seen keen interest in villages including Nether Compton, Sandford Orcas, Marnhull, the Donheads, Buckhorn Weston. Bruton led the way, topping Rightmove’s search list – the popular town saw a 72% increase in buyer searches in 2020.”
Susie was keen to explain Meyers’ current rules on house viewings during the pandemic: “Personally I am being tested for CV-19 on a weekly basis so I can give reassurance to both my clients, and my family. We pre-qualify all viewers; they must be ‘proceedable’, and have signed a disclaimer to confirm they are well and have not been exposed to CV-19.
In addition to that, each viewing is booked in isolation to others. We only ever have one family in the house at any one time. No small children allowed (as they will want to touch things!) and we try to keep viewings to a maximum of 2 adults from the same household. Every person has their temperature taken before they enter the house, face masks are mandatory and everyone is briefed not to touch anything within the house. For the sellers part, they are asked to vacate the house as we do viewings, and to leave all internal doors open.
Richard had a final warning for 2021 viewers: “Sell before you buy. Due to Covid, agents and vendors are limiting viewing activity and only focusing on those prospects who are in a position to offer immediately.
Searching for a new home will always be exciting, and with the multitude of online property listings nowadays it can be tempting to search for your dream home when your current property is not yet on the market. It is important to not get carried away and fall in love with a house before you have a buyer, or you may lose out on the house of your dreams to someone with the funds already available.
I’m not selling – what about the rental market?
Rachael Cook, a partner at Taylor & Co Lettings in Shaftesbury had some advice specifically for those in the rental market:
“When it comes to rental property and ensuring you find the right tenant quickly and
easily, we usually suggest that landlords try and get ahead of the game and ensure their properties are ready to go before you start viewings. There’s nothing more off putting to potential tenants than a house which isn’t clean or full of a previous tenant’s belongings. If they are able to see it is fresh and clean when they view it then they’ll have a much more positive first impression. Similarly, if it is empty then it’s a lot easier for them to see where their own belongings can fit in! And price the property right. If might be tempting to try and ask for little more but even if you then drop the price potential viewers can be wary, perceiving something’s wrong because it hasn’t been snapped up by anyone else!
Finally be realistic about tenants. It’s a nerve-wracking to trust someone else with your property. However, the more restrictions you put on the type of tenants, the longer it will take to find people who suit. Things to be mindful of, are saying no children in a three bedroom house!
It’s gearing up to be a busy year in 2021 for the rental market. With everyone working from home there’s been a big surge of tenants moving after finding their current property no longer suits their needs. For similar reraosns the South West has suddenly become an even more desirable place to live. It’ll be interesting to see if this results in a shortage of property or whether the buy-to-let market will also surge. Research has shown that buy-to-lets sales are on the rise but we’re not sure if this will meet the demand.
In short, if you’re looking to invest in a buy-to-let then now is the time!
As we are entering the winter months and the frosts start to set in, it is important to remember that screen wash and other antifreeze solutions contain the very toxic chemical Ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is used to prevent freezing, most commonly used in cars but can also be found in paints and even in ornamental snow globes! This chemical is extremely toxic to all animals (including humans!) but cats are more susceptible due to their metabolic differences.
Leanne & Sherman
This metabolic difference in cats means that even when a very small amount is ingested it causes very rapid and fatal injury to the kidneys which can result in death.
Cats are most commonly exposed when it has leaked into a puddle, been spilled when topping up car fluid levels or drained into a container in a garage. Cats can also be poisoned by drinking rain water that collects in a vessel that previously contained antifreeze.
Unfortunately, ethylene glycol is very palatable to cats which is why it is so important to be vigilant and take extra care when using the chemical. It should only ever be used in closed systems (such as car engine coolant systems). Any coolant drained from cars needs to be disposed of carefully in tightly closed containers. Any spillages should be cleaned and mopped up thoroughly. Bottles containing ethylene glycol should be stored carefully and tightly closed.
If you are worried that your cat may have ingested ethylene glycol you should take your cat to the vet immediately! – the sooner medical treated is started the better chance of survival.
Signs of antifreeze poisoning:
Increased urination
Increased drinking
Vomiting
Depression
Lethargy (being abnormally sleepy)
Appearing drunk and uncoordinated
Seizures (fitting)
Abnormally fast heartbeat
Very fast, shallow breathing
How to avoid accidental poisonings:
Never add antifreeze to garden water-features or ponds.
Always keep antifreeze in clearly labelled, robust, sealed containers, away from pets and their environment.
Clean up any spills immediately, no matter how small, and make sure pets cannot access the area until it is clean and safe.
Always dispose of antifreeze safely and responsibly. Contact your local authority for advice.
Apologies we’re a day late – we know some people were so worried we weren’t going to print they even called to check. So kind, thanks David! The issue was probably 80% laid out when the magazine editing software rolled out a major update on Wednesay which caused the whole system to fail. *cries* I had to start the entire 87 page magazine again from scratch Thursday morning, on software I’d never used… It’s really not been a fun 48hrs!
Don’t forget: every link is clickable (including telephone numbers if you’re reading on your phone). Do pinch and zoom the pages, or simply double tap to zoom, and you can flip back and forth as you wish. And please, do share – you can share the whole magazine, or just a single page.Be good everyone, and please do stay warmly snugged up at home. If you’re bored, wander over here or to Twitter and come have a chat. Coffee’s at 11, and we like posh biscuits.
I thought an uplifting feel good read of sheer entertainment would be a good recommendation for a January in lockdown; for fans of Pride and Prejudice this book will delight. Mary is the middle of the five Bennet girls and the plainest of them all, so what hope does she have? Prim and pious, with no redeeming features, she is unloved and seemingly unlovable. An introvert in a family of extroverts; a constant disappointment to her mother who values beauty above all else; fearful of her father’s sharp tongue; little in common with her siblings – is it any wonder she turns to books for both company and guidance? Mary, it seems, is destined to remain single and live out her life at Longbourne, at least until her father dies and the house is bequeathed to the reviled Mr Collins. But she slowly discovers that perhaps there is hope for her, after all. Simultaneously a wonderfully warm homage to Jane Austen and a delightful new story in its own right, Janice Hadlow’s The Other Bennet Sister is, at its heart, a life-affirming tale of a young woman finding her place in the world.
Witty and uplifting, it will make you feel and cheer for Mary as you never have before.
I was puzzling over a selection that would take readers minds off the current pandemic situation and thought that one of the best stories in British team sport over the past decade might just be the thing. How, exactly, did an unfashionable team from Devon emerge from obscurity to conquer the summit of English rugby? What makes them tick? What are their secrets? Exe Men is a compelling tale of regional pride, fierce rural identity, larger-than-life local heroes, remarkable characters, epic resilience, big city snobbery, geographical separation, steepling ambition and personal sacrifice which will strike a chord with anyone who enjoys a classic underdog story. This is not just any old rugby book, it is the inside story of how a small-town club from the edge of nowhere became every neutral’s favourite team. ‘A beautifully-written, amusing and insightful book’ – Donald McRae ‘A quite brilliant combination of great story and great storyteller’ – Tom English, BBC Sport Wayne
CLOSED FOR BROWSING, OPEN FOR BUSINESS We are temporarily closed for browsing but remain here for all your book-ish needs. Please contact us by phone, email or order online – the books can be picked up from kerbside (nearest car park) or posting at cost. Stay well, stay well-read.
Two Dorset hotels have scooped top prizes in PetsPyjamas’ 2020 Dog-Friendly Travel Awards.
The Eastbury Hotel and Spa in Sherborne was the Best in Show winner while Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant in Evershot received the Best For Pets Perks award.
They were among 11 locations in the UK recognised in the awards staged by dog-friendly holiday company PetsPyjamas.
The awards were judged on:
Dog-loving atmosphere and staff at all times.
Three or more dog-friendly rooms available to book.
Four-legged access to some of the property’s communal areas and the ability to dine with their owners – a special pet menu is a bonus.
Dog facilities and provisions such as a bed, bowls and treats in the hotel room or cottage.
Nearby dog-friendly attractions such as doggy walks or a dog-friendly beach.
The Eastbury Hotel and Spa impressed PetsPyjamas judges, and received its Best in Show title, due to walks straight from the doorstep, a walled garden for doggy exploring, a dine with your dog option in a special part of the hotel’s 2AA Rosette Seasons Restaurant and doggie meals expertly prepared in the kitchen and delivered to the room.
Eastbury Hotel Sherborne
Peter and Lana de Savary, Owners of The Eastbury Hotel and Spa said: “The Eastbury Hotel and Spa, with access to lovely country walks and a large private garden, is ideal for dogs.
“We would not dream of staying in a hotel that would not welcome us with Monty; our Chihuahua.
“We enjoy the delight our guests have when they have their well-behaved dogs with them.
“After all, your dog is part of your family and we welcome families at The Eastbury!”
Grade II listed Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant received the Best for Pet Perks award thanks to its dog-friendly rooms, including a dog bed; ‘woof’ towels and a ‘dog in room’ door hanger so staff can ready themselves to welcome a four-legged friend.
There’s also a dog wash station to rinse pups after walks and a dogs menu.
Alex and Jack Mackenzie, General Managers, said: “Seeing both the owners and dogs enjoying the hotel and gardens is such a pleasure for us.
“Dogs have always played a very important part in the lives of our owners, The Tollman family.
“As General Managers we are also the proud owners of a very friendly Jackadach called Rodney, so it is brilliant to have dogs around us every day at work.”
Happy Dog at the Eastbury Hotel Sherborne
Denise Elphick, Co-founder of PetsPyjamas, said: “With these awards we wanted to say a really big thank you to all these wonderful properties, who have really excelled with their four-legged welcome, offering even more dog-friendly extras for our canine guests including doggie spa options, dining with your dog and their own special meals.
“We are delighted to report a huge demand for these dog-friendly properties from our customers who wish to reward their pets for their devotion.”
Founded in 2014, PetsPyjamas organises petaways at more than 10,000 hotels, cottages, country houses and B&Bs in the UK and abroad.
While most of us have spent some of lockdown clearing out wardrobes and clothing cupboards, Eloise Grant from Cranborne has established a brilliant way to make the best use of our unwanted garments.
With a degree in Human Geography and Environmental Science and an MSc in Strategic Sustainable Business, this visionary 23 year-old has set up a volunteer-led, social enterprise called Wardrobe Foundation.
Eloise’s team includes her parents. Her mum, Lisa, is a self-confessed organiser with a passion for fashion and her dad, Stuart, has many years of experience in the fashion industry. She also has many very creatively-talented volunteers.
Wardrobe Foundation, which operates out of two converted barn units in Cranborne, repurposes donated clothing to women in need of clothing support. It collates donations of items you would typically find in a woman’s wardrobe, such as jeans, hoodies, jumpers, skirts, trousers and coats. Wardrobe Foundation then creates a capsule wardrobe of foundation pieces presented in bespoke gift bags.
Gift Bag
Eloise explains: “Our objective is simple – to work closely with women’s charities and local communities to support women who need clothing. There are many women in the UK who are in desperate need of clothing and many women who have a wardrobe full of clothes they no longer need; clothes they do not wear, no longer fit or have fallen out of love with. We believe we can bridge the gap by supporting women as well as promoting sustainability.’’
Wardrobe Foundation launched in September 2020 and Eloise reports it has seen a huge increase from women needing its support: “We have provided clothing gift bags to more than 75 women so far – providing over 1,000 items of clothing and delivering across eight partner charities across Dorset and BCP.
“We’ve certainly experienced an uplift in urgent and short notice requests for clothing parcels throughout January, especially with the impact of this winter lockdown now kicking in. We’re also aware how busy food banks have become during the pandemic so we’re now partnering with food banks across the region to identify women needing clothing.”
Recycled clothes
The donations have been phenomenal, with Wardrobe Foundation receiving 1300kg of clothing so far. Eloise told the digital Blackmore Vale “We’re delighted with the amount and the quality of clothing donations we’ve received. We need these donations to keep coming so we can satisfy demand for clothing gift parcels – especially as the seasons change and we see again the significant effects of this pandemic on women.”
And if you haven’t got around to decluttering your clothes yet, Eloise advises: “This latest lockdown is an ideal time for people to detox their wardrobes and prepare their donations. When you consider the average garment is worn just 10 times and the UK is annually responsible for 300,000 tonnes of clothing going into landfill, recycling good quality clothes for the benefit of others is a win-win.”
“Every day we’re inspired by the wonderful women that we support and the brilliant charities who continue to work throughout this pandemic. While 2021 has already brought challenges, we’re excited to develop Wardrobe Foundation and continue to provide clothing support.”
What can I donate to wardrobe foundation
Visit the website www.wardrobefoundation.co.uk or follow their social media www.facebook.com/wardrobefoundation/ and Twitter feeds @WardrobeFounda1 to see how to donate. They regularly arrange doorstep collection dates. Of course, all is in keeping with government guidelines and social distancing.
Thousands of residents, schools and businesses are being given a helping hand with their internet bills during the national lockdown.
Wessex Internet, the Blandford-based internet provider, is doubling the data availability for its existing customers on limited data tariffs during January and February free of charge.
Hector Gibson Fleming – Wessex Internet
Hector Gibson Fleming, Managing Director, said: “This is a tough time of year for everybody.
“Due to the increasing number of people working from home, children who are home schooling, people who are shielding and businesses that are operating under difficult conditions it is anticipated that more data will be used during this period.
“We want to take the pressure off and give something back to our valued customers.”
Wessex Internet provided the same offer during last year’s national lockdown.
It is contacting existing customers who are on limited data tariffs individually to inform them of the good news.
Wessex Internet is an independent ISP (internet service provider) that uses its proprietary fibre network to deliver ultrafast broadband to Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset and beyond.
The company delivers ultrafast internet to thousands of customers whose copper to fibre upgrade was deemed uncommercial by the rest of the telecoms industry.
The network consists of more than 150 wireless masts and over 1,500km (932 miles) of fibre delivering ultrafast fibre and wireless coverage to more than 3,500 customers across Dorset, South Wiltshire, South Somerset and parts of Hampshire.
COVID19 and the lockdowns have left many people feeling adrift in their relationships and have sadly led to an increase of incidents of domestic violence. The good news is that we are still able to help you with any and all family matters during this time and have dedicated practitioners working within the team.
You may wish to undertake mediation in the first instance to see if matters can be agreed between you and your spouse or partner. Mediators are still working and this can be done remotely via Zoom. Thanks to the technology we now have, the same benefits of mediation such as separate rooms, individual or joint mediation, or family mediation can be accessed without putting yourself at risk. There
are some circumstances in which mediation is not suitable; however, attending mediation can help keep the relationship more amicable. A less contentious divorce or separation can be much easier in situations where there are children, for example. Mediation is a voluntary process and neither party can be forced to attend. However, mediation is usually a mandatory step before any Court proceedings can be issued. We can advise you fully in respect of mediation and its appropriateness.
If mediation is not suitable, or fails, we are now taking instruction mainly via telephone or remotely for example via Zoom. We can arrange a telephone call or virtual meeting whenever is convenient for you and give you the necessary advice.
All documents and bundles for filing with the Court are now often being filed electronically. This prevents multiple people handling documents. We may therefore be sending you more emails with documents to be electronically approved. We will take your email address at the outset to ensure we can send everything we need to you promptly and safely.
The main difference to how proceedings are now managed is the use of remote Court hearings. The Court is providing both telephone and video link hearings. Usually you would have to attend court in person alongside your solicitor and the other parties. However, during the pandemic, Courts are now using the BT MeetMe telephone conference service, Microsoft Teams, Skype and other video conferencing software. These new methods of conducting Hearings are easy to use and do not require additional software aside from a smart phone for video conferences or any phone number for BT MeetMe. At the outset of the Court Hearing you will be reminded that recording the Hearing is a criminal offence and that it is essential you are alone in a private location for the duration of the call. Once this formality has been covered, the process is the same as in pre-COVID times, and your solicitor can represent you.
There is currently a backlog in Court cases due to the increased demand and staff absence. However, Courts are still running and dealing with as much as they can manage but there are delays in getting Court Hearings and paperwork being dealt with by the Court. Whilst this may mean any proceedings take a little longer than usual, we are still able to offer the full range of assistance and services as we could at any other time.
If you need any assistance in relation to any family matter please be confident that our team can assist you fully – the processes may be slightly different in these difficult times – however we can still progress matters on your behalf. Contact Hollie Knapman on 01935 846255 or [email protected]
