tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82950295792978405862024-03-08T04:15:49.567-08:00Editor's BlogGiles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-3431453059830011792013-10-20T03:52:00.002-07:002013-10-20T03:52:30.584-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Restaurant Review:
Clavelshay Barn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Food reviews do not
usually start with the dessert course but the Apple & Blackberry Crumble at
Clavelshay Barn near North Petherton struck a note as the blackberries were
only picked from the local hedgerows during the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">That sums up
Clavelshay really – the fresh nature of the local produce really does jump off
the plate at you. The end of evening sweetness also included the offer from the
waitress to walk us to the car under the shelter of her umbrella. This venue
radiates charm, hospitality and a real love for food……and the customers that
devour it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Autumn brings curling
up on the sofa with your favourite dishes for dark evenings (the food ones I
mean) and Clavelshay Barn is a home from home in this regard. Ham Hock &
Apple Rillette with Black Pudding & Paprika Tomato Chutney along with
Lobster & Crab Salad started things off – again, fresh and light throughout
and a true signature from the talented head chef, Guy Horley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The four of us tested
the mains thoroughly – Rib Eye Steak was perfect and with interesting accompaniment
– white bean & fennel casserole with lemon and sage oils – this worked
really well, a nice change from onions, chips and peas – and a better testament
to the beast, the restaurant being alongside a working farm. Pumpkin Risotto
and Trio of Pork came a close second to the evening winner, Pheasant Kiev – a
range of tastes and textures on crushed swede with smokey bacon cabbage and
Madeira jus. Tastes of the countryside – in the countryside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There is an ongoing
series of workshops at Clavelshay Barn including Cheese Making and Food
Photography as well as a forthcoming Christmas Wreath Making Workshop. Events
also run strong with wine tasting and music nights – the latter growing in
prominence. An impromptu beautiful acoustic guitar performance from one of the
waitresses, Camilla, easily beat my subsequent ramshackle thumping of Sue
Milverton’s keyboard – Sue’s love of art and photography underpins the creative
ambience here, alongside the stunning ongoing art draping the walls – currently
and aptly, a high impact cow themed range by </span><span lang="EN-US">Jackie
Spurrier <a href="https://twitter.com/i/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fcowsoncanvas%3Frefsrc%3Demail&sig=75fec978af3ef23904f3381cf4d1f71f33855bb0&uid=307263513&iid=7f093206-a7da-4976-af94-3e55506b7b82&nid=22+397&t=1">@cowsoncanvas</a></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Clavelshay Barn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">01278 662629<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">clavelshaybarn.co.uk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Giles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-9952181168725112892011-07-24T08:19:00.000-07:002011-07-24T08:19:18.427-07:00Jools Holland - Sherborne CastleIt's the slightly manic grin that walks on stage first, followed by the rest of Jools Holland and his R&B orchestra. He's a showman fronting some prodigious talent, hard work and excitement at being on stage. His piano playing is so dextrous that I feel like giving up ever playing again. The R&B engine gets into gear with several warming numbers before Louise Marshall, superb vocalist gives a poigant slow blues interlude dedicated to Amy Winehouse. Ironically, this was ruined for us due to some drunk ladies being ignorant. The pack a picnic and party advice does come at a cost. In Vivary Park Taunton two years ago it was the gents needing bouncer 'assistance' to make an early exit. Sandie Shaw gave an interesting 60s meets Jools interlude starting with Love Me Do. I liked her Puppet on a String, slow groove and winsome, although some did not. I heard she doesn't like singing it and her approach was constructive. She was fun, her attire looking like some curtain offcuts from a bin out the back of Fine Fabrics. The funky shorts seemed to be deliberately barking. Like Jools, part of Ruby Turner's anatomy arrives on stage before the rest of her, and as usual, she gave a thunderous vocal performance. It's all a great formula.Giles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-72496841658588011672011-07-13T01:49:00.000-07:002011-07-13T01:49:17.421-07:00Brewer's Arms South PethertonWith so many weddings in July and August, you would think that publicans would be switched on to anniversary lunches and open Monday lunchtimes during the summer. We needed to celebrate our first on Monday - Feast, Ilminster - closed (infuriating place to make contact with, will lose patience soon), George in Seavington - closed, Over Stratton - closed - so we chanced upon the Brewer's Arms. Bar had aroma of the gents loos so we turned left (like on a 747) into the restaurant, slight mexican decor. There's a 2 course deal some lunchtimes, the carrot and ginger soup was too salty which eclipsed any ginger/carrot experience. Steak and Ale pie was excellent, veg a bit drab. It was the wrong choice for a hot day (my fault), should have tried the rump steak or chicken/chorizo salads. Fishcakes on salad was chosen by the beloved who liked it. Worth going back to check the full evening menu, which if I was not so tight we would have done for this anniversary.Giles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-47725489804553025352011-07-11T07:47:00.000-07:002011-07-11T07:47:00.632-07:00Yeovilton Air DayThe tension began to build as we sat in the stands waiting, anticipating the roar and vibration of the ground. Thousands of people glaring into the clouds. Then as expected but better, the red white and blue thundered across the sky, sending powerful shockwaves throughout the air. The red arrows were just one of the many highlights of the yeovilton air show this year. Helicopters doing tricks never thought imaginable, a Russian jet which quite literally mad the ground shake. Britain’s most high tech aircraft technology and engineering, all in one place. It was hard for the air show to propel past the absence of the patriotic Harrier, but in my opinion, I think they did great. I did not think of the plane once during the show and was admiring all of England’s past aerial achievements’. Such as the Vulcan, which I will describe as the shadow of the sky, and I’m glad it was impressive, since it did cost around £8 million to restore. By Hugo LagnadoGiles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-60683243432295852702011-06-26T00:47:00.000-07:002011-06-26T00:47:18.532-07:00Cosy Club TauntonNot that cosy actually, few soft furnishings, slight warehouse feel makes it more clattery and noisy. But it's popular and a nice way of using an old building in Corporation St. in Taunton. There's a long bar with plenty of space in front so it doubles really as a bar/restaurant. The floor below street level includes a private hire room - very nice. Food; it was a quick lunch. Panini was slightly overdone, cod was quite poor - slightly leathery, there's much better elsewhere. The chicken and chorizo salad was excellent, although the saute spuds came with their skins on. Worth a revisit but you need to consider the occasion. It's too noisy for an effective business lunch as you wont hear the delicate price negotiations of your client (possibly a good thing?). It's not really a romantic food destination either. It's more along the lines of busy atmosphere, with food on the side. It's open all day every day which adds to the transient feel.Giles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-3293188844205534972011-06-03T00:56:00.000-07:002011-06-03T00:56:55.054-07:00Bath and West ShowThe gripes about whether the Bath and West Show (I know I suppose I need to put Royal in front of that) - ok the RBWS, has any 'farming' feel have been going on as long as I can remember. I think it's a side issue. Yes, there are fewer agricultural machinery suppliers but these have been replaced over the years by the huge array of food and artisans. Perhaps really this is better for agricultural marketing - the end-user or consumer is king, if farmers need to choose a new combine, then there are better ways of doing it. Artisan bread for example, well marketed, provides the demand for their wheat. In this way, the countryside is perhaps more inclusive.Giles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-25196325940592366052011-05-23T00:34:00.001-07:002011-05-23T00:34:08.683-07:00Exhibition at Churchgate Gallery, Porlock<div align="center" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Ways of Seeing</span></div><div align="center" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">An Exhibition by Three West Somerset Artists</span></div><div align="center" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Rob Heard- Bough Houses - These magnificant structures stand up to 2 metres tall- First public showing</span></div><div align="center" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Toni Davey - Paper Works - Drawings, paintings and paper cuts- Currently also exhibiting in a major show in London</span></div><div align="center" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Paul Askew - Paintings - All work is in black and white - Debut Exhibition</span></div><div align="center" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Runs from May 29th - 12th June</span></div><div align="center" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Open from 10.00am - 5.00pm daily</span></div><div align="center" style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Please check website for further details<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Churchgate Gallery<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />High Street<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Porlock<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Somerset<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />TA24 8PT<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />T:01643 862238</span><a href="http://www.churchgategallery.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">www.churchgategallery.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> </span></div>Giles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-8261849500731576782011-01-24T09:56:00.001-08:002011-01-24T09:56:13.422-08:00Forde Abbey Plant and Gardening Fair<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;">Bookings are being taken now for trade stalls at the enormously popular Forde Abbey Plant & Gardening Fair, which takes place on Sunday 6 March 2011, from 10am-4pm. Last year’s event was a huge success, attracting over 1,000 visitors and this year the fair is timed to coincide with the start of the Abbey’s renowned Crocus Week (5-13</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"><sup style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> </sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;">March). Trade stalls cost just £20 each. For further information, or to book a stall, please contact Richenda Oldham on 01460 220231 or email:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://uk.mc870.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=richenda@fordeabbey.co.uk" rel="nofollow" style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="blocked::mailto:richenda@fordeabbey.co.uk" ymailto="mailto:richenda@fordeabbey.co.uk">richenda@fordeabbey.co.uk</a></span>Giles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-62039308509957194772011-01-02T00:33:00.000-08:002011-01-02T00:33:21.873-08:00Review Zizzi TauntonOK, slight delay from last post but now with the new year and snow out of the way, let's get organised. Zizzi, great atmosphere, nice staff and service, very busy and this seems the norm. Family-friendly in the early evening when we went. Shared a nice platter of meats, olives, breads and cheeses to start, mains a bit mediocre. Chicken with roasted vegetables particularly disappointed, the meat having that spongy mass-produced texture with little flavour and the veg all soggy and overdone and drowning in oil. Pizza a little better. Will return to test out some pasta and a different meat dish. Wine served nicely, good glass, right temperature for red (a rare achievement in Somerset).Giles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-65964918257547103572010-12-11T00:50:00.000-08:002010-12-11T00:50:14.075-08:00Tonight in Glastonbury<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">Today's tip is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">The Clive Palmer Band plus support at the Glastonbury Assembly Rooms, High St. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">08:00 PM</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">The ex-Incredible String Band founder, The third Incredible, featured on their very first album... here with a large band of very accomplished, and very mellow musicians. Old favourites and newer songs, every one a gem, psychedelic folk roots....£10/£8 concessions....doors open 8pm....plus support from The Lost Drifters</span>Giles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-90183659825736565172010-11-25T22:10:00.000-08:002010-11-25T22:10:59.818-08:00Need to choose a date for an event?I am often asked by people thinking about running an event as to when there is a gap in the calendar. Unsurprisingly, the summer is a difficult time to squeeze an event in as so much competition is there. Well here's my tip - try November. Apart from the many carnivals earlier in the month, there is very little that is established in the annual event calendar. The last weekend or two have the start of Christmas gift shows and fairs but really Christmas does not become a disruptive influence to events until closer to the end of the month. As far as the feared weather goes, well the mildness in the first half of November was perfect. So, think about it. May be this time next year you will be eagerly promoting your own event and letting me know about it. For those who don't like shopping or carnivals, there is nothing much to do in November and you can be ideally placed to take advantage.Giles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295029579297840586.post-43101366926273604522010-11-21T06:52:00.000-08:002010-11-21T06:52:29.399-08:00Diversity at ButlinsLike it, or loath it, the traditional British holiday centre does entertainment well. And last night, Butlins in Minehead delivered what it knows best. Indeed, what I saw was one of the best live stage performances in my life. Diversity are superb, up there with ballet, backed by the most amazing music compilation. Bionic Boy was sublime, usually an hour into a show and I am thinking about making my excuses. This show was entrancing, venue superbGiles Adams - What's On Somersethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15149975655679989723noreply@blogger.com0