MUGWORT doesn’t have the most appealing name in English, but its scientific name “artemisia” will be familiar to anyone interested in the history of herbs. Its medical uses included preventing weariness on a journey, according to a 16th-century medical text that is the inspiration behind a herbal border at the National Trust’s Lytes Cary Manor…
JAMES Cox, show secretary of the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, currently scheduled for 19th August, has sent out a reminder that the closing date to book trading stands is 1st April. He says: “At this time plans continue as normal for what is expected to be a fantastic and successful Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, with…
THE Gardens Group, which has three garden centres in Sherborne, Poundbury and Yeovil, is taking extra steps to help customers during the coronavirus crisis. The garden centres, and the Brimsmore farm-shop at Yeovil, are following the Covid19 guidelines to assist customers who have been advised to self-isolate or are following social distancing measures so that…
A NEW photographic competition, with £500 cash prizes, has been launched, inviting professional and amateur photographers to submit entries that capture their emotional connection with a place in their area. Run by specialist insurance provider, Ripe Photography, the inaugural Place of Pride competition is open to photographers of all abilities. The image can be of…
THE National Trust’s Mompesson House, in Salisbury Cathedral Close, has opened for the 2020 season with an exhibition called “Inspired: Mompesson House and the Creative Arts.” Emma James, visitor experience officer, says the seasonal exhibition will highlight pieces from the collection – both familiar and unexpected – and will show how Mompesson has inspired people…
THOMAS Hardy’s Cottage has had the front of the roof re-thatched. While the work was under way, visitors were able to watch this traditional craft in action on Hardy’s childhood home, which is in the care of the National Trust. The work was done by Scott Symonds, a Master Thatcher based in Chideock, who re-thatched…
TAILOR and fashion historian Curtis Fulcher comes to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis on Friday 20th March to give a talk and demonstration on the world of fashion. Fulcher, who has worked on costume for the stage and period garments for the television and film industry, will explore how major historic events contribute to…
THERE is an invitation to get in touch with your inner Long John Silver or Captain Jack Sparrow at an evening celebrating the heritage of rum, at Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum in Dorchester on 13th March from 7pm. Master mixologists Lloyd Brown and David Smith from Dark Bear Co will be mix up some…
A TRIO of musicians from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will visit Blandford Connect Community Centre on Tuesday 10th March to perform a dementia-friendly “cake concert’, starting at 2pm. Promoted by Artsreach, the trio of flute, harp and cello will perform popular classical hits and light music as the listeners enjoy tea and cakes. It is accepted…
GARDENING, climate change, the environment and well-being were all on the agenda at the annual conference of the Garden Centre Association, for an event organised by new chairman Mike Burks, of the Gardens Group (with garden centres at Sherborne, Yeovil and Poundbury). The speakers included Buddhist monk and meditation teacher, Gelong Thubten, Sir Tim Smit,…