Miscellany

Tate Gallery’s Pompeii painting comes to Somerset

AS part of the Museum of Somerset’s Spotlight Loan programme, from 23rd March to 2nd June 2024, the Tate Gallery is lending The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum (1822) by John Martin. It is a vast and vividly colourful work which caused a public sensation when it was first shown. It also has an important…

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Cathedral’s Burne-Jones window removed for restoration

SALISURY Cathedral’s skilled team of glaziers and glass conservators have removed a 145-year-old Pre-Raphaelite stained glass window by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and designer and craftsman William Morris for a restoration programme expected to take about two years. The window features two huge figurative designs – Angeli Ministrantes (Angels Ministering) and Angeli Laudantes (Angels Praising) by…

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First new altar in 500 years

FOR the first time in 500 years, a new altar has been consecrated in Salisbury Cathedral nave – around 20 years since the decision was a taken to re-order the Cathedral. It is located at the spire crossing, and a second new altar, also by sculptor William Pye, has been consecrated in the Trinity chapel. Both were…

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New heat pump for Kingston Lacy

THE National Trust’s Kingston Lacy house near Wimborne will save 30,000 litres of oil a year following a switch to a ground source heat pump. The project is part of the Trust’s renewable energy work to reach net zero by 2030. It is one of the Trust’s biggest heat pump projects to date, and the…

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Volunteering for the National Trust

LEARN about opportunities to volunteer with the National Trust properties in West Dorset and at the charity’s famous Stourhead House and Gardens in Wiltshire at some upcoming recruitment days. In West Dorset, would-be volunteers can find out more at  a volunteer day on Saturday 24th February, from 10am – 4pm, in Stourton Memorial Hall. Roles…

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Another good ‘Tern’ for Chesil’s special little birds

THIS year’s record of more than 45 Little Terns that have successfully fledged on Chesil Beach is a powerful endorsement of the hard work o local volunteers, and the positive results of the Chesil Little Tern Recovery Project. This year’s crop of Little Tern chicks is a remarkable increase on 2021’s three fledglings, and shows…

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The occupation of Jersey

THE November event in the Guardians of Martock Church programme is a talk rather than a concert, looking at life on the Channel Island of Jersey during the Nazi occupation in the Second World War. The talk is at the Martock Fellowship Hall on Thursday 16th November at 2pm. The Nazi occupation of the Channel…

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Topping out marks end of 37-year restoration

SALISBURY Cathedral clergy and stonemasons celebrated the end of 37 years of restoration and repairs with a topping out ceremony, when Canon Kenneth Padley, the Cathedral Canon Treasurer, climbed to the top of the scaffolding on the East End to bless the cross that sits high above the Trinity Chapel. Canon Kenneth’s blessing marked a…

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Cathedral peregrines leave the roost

SALISBURY Cathedral’s peregrine season has drawn to a close, as the last of the three chicks leaves the rooftop roost and the livestream cameras have been shut down. The two female chicks, Lily and Rose, have headed off, while Rex, the only male hatched this year, has stayed closer to the roost, and has been…

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Sample delights at the Bath Vegan Festival

AS more and more people reduce their meat consumption and explore vegetarian and vegan food, the Bath Vegan Festival on Saturday 3rd June provides a great opportunity to learn about what is available, not only in food and drink, but skincare, homewares, crafts, clothing and a healthy lifestyle. The event, at Bath Pavilion, will feature…

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