Cheltenham Standard 27th November 2014 by Cotswold Style Ltd

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www.cheltenhamstandard.co.uk 27 NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE 19 Your discerning local weekly newspaper

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THE BIG COUNTDOWN: 5 WEEKS ‘TIL CHRISTMAS!

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PHOTO: THOUSAND WORD MEDIA

AUL Buckle said he was happy to jet straight in from the USA to take the managerial post at Cheltenham Town after being unveiled as the new man in charge on Wednesday afternoon this week. The 43-year-old former Torquay United, Bristol Rovers and Luton Town boss has agreed a 12 month rolling contract with the Robins and arrived at the training ground to meet his new players shortly after landing at Heathrow airport. Buckle, who won promotion to the Football League with Torquay as well as guiding them to the League Two play-off final, said it was an easy decision to make when he was approached by Chairman Paul Baker to succeed Mark Yates in the hot seat. “I feel I know the club in terms of bringing teams here and you get a feeling about the place,” Buckle said. “It’s always been a real family club and I loved the chairman’s enthusiasm. I like the fact Mark was here for nearly five years. It speaks volumes about the club and it’s loyalty. “It’s a club I am really looking forward to working with.” Buckle’s first match in charge will be at home against Oxford United on Saturday (3pm). “I am excited to get started,” he said. “I said earlier, the reason I have come

back today and not on Thursday is to have that extra day with the players. “It’s a huge game for us, given our position in the league and it’s a big game for Oxford, who will come here confident they can jump above us. “It’s a big opportunity for the players to show me

Saturday 6th and 13th December 12 -4pm

what they are about and I am really looking forward to it.” Buckle said he was familiar with several of the players in the Robins’ squad commenting, “I know the players and it’s not been that long since they were playing against me.” Buckle said his first job was to

try and catapult Cheltenham up the League Two table, after a run of four straight defeats left them lying 18th. “The work I have done before at clubs has brought me some success, so it’s going to be a case of speaking with the staff and

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

Cheltenham WeatherWatch

Thousands watch Christmas arrive at The Brewery

THURSDAY 27th Nov Min 7ºC Max 10ºC FRIDAY 28th Nov Min 9ºC Max 11ºC SATURDAY 29th Nov Min 6ºC Max 11ºC SUNDAY 30th Nov Min 4ºC Max 7ºC MONDAY 1st Dec Min 3ºC Max 6ºC TUESDAY 2nd Dec Min 3ºC Max 6ºC WEDNESDAY 3rd Dec Min 4ºC Max 6ºC

EDITOR editor@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk LOCAL NEWS STORIES jo@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk HEALTH & LIFESTYLE natalieneale@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk SPORTS sports@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

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OVER 8,000 visitors packed into The Brewery on Saturday evening to watch Father Christmas switch on the festive lights marking the start of the yuletide period in Cheltenham. Over 18,000 visited during the course of the day to enjoy a jam-packed schedule of entertainment. Performances included the Lakeside Primary School Choir, African drumming from Ola Samba, dance performances from Cheltenham’s local Danceworks Studios and music from local bands The Chip Shop Boys and The Rock Foundry. Demelsa Coleman, marketing manager for The Brewery, said: “People often ask us

which big celebrity is switching on The Brewery’s lights. We always delight in replying ‘Father Christmas’. He’s the main man. Santa has more than enough crowdpulling power. He’s such a big attraction not only for the children but also their parents who delight in the joy they see in their children’s faces. It’s all so real.” Father Christmas and his real reindeer will be back at The Brewery on Saturday 6th and 13th December. From 12-4pm families can meet and have their photos taken with Santa as well as whisper their wishes in his reindeers’ ears! For more information visit www.thebrewerycheltenham.co.uk

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Town Hall fires up for the festive season

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CHELTENHAM Town Hall is preparing for a busy festive season this year, with over 45 events packed into the month of December, and a predicted footfall of over 10,000 event-goers. The 2014 winter programme includes an evening of uplifting live music and friendly banter with Jazz on a Christmas Evening with Peter Gill & Friends on Monday 8 December, the glamourous annual Christmas Ball for lovers of social dancing on Saturday 20 December, the return of the extremely popular comedy/musical variety show That’ll Be The Day Christmas Show

on Sunday 21 December, the family friendly 26th Annual Christmas Barn Dance on Saturday 27 December and seeing out 2014 in style is the Moulin Rouge New Year’s Eve Spectacular, featuring the ever-popular Chip Shop Boys, on Wednesday 31 December. The festive season forms part of Cheltenham Town Hall & Pittville Pump Room’s busy annual programme of over 400 public and private events. For more information on Cheltenham Town Hall’s 2014 festive events see Cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

“It’s always been a real family club” CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

finding out what’s been going on,” he also added. “I know the team have been playing five at the back, so we’ll discuss whether or not we do that on Saturday. “Meetings will be going on Today (Thursday) and Friday before we go into the game. “I have a man-management style and it’s a style where everyone will get a chance. I have high standards and I expect the players to train properly, live their lives right and give themselves and our football club every chance of winning at the weekend.” PHOTO: THOUSAND WORD MEDIA

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27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

Local lady on Afghanistan trip of a lifetime A CHELTENHAM local, Mrs Virginia Pawlyn is a remarkable woman. At the tender age of seventy something she boldly glided into the Miles Morgan Travel shop in Montpellier and over some mince pies and sherry last year calmly asked that they organise a trip to Afghanistan for her. Virginia’s intention was to follow the overland hippy trail and had also been charmed with the idea of travelling in a truck. Bear in mind this isn’t a twenty something on a gap year but a septuagenarian of some considerable spirit. Together with Miles Morgan’s Manager, Kylie Organ they researched and found Wild Frontiers, an excellent operator and one who would ensure she would be as safe as possible. So, head scarf in hand, she was Afghanistan bound. Arriving in Kabul, Mrs Pawlyn was met by Dario Ghirlanda, her guide for the intrepid trip who had already won Bronze at the prestigious Wanderlust World Guide Awards in 2013. She was then introduced to her fellow travellers and for the next 14 nights they were guarded by an AK-47

Victoria Pawlyn pictured second from right

toting bodyguard as they explored this land of contrasts. Mrs Pawlyn has subsequently returned with stories of stunning architecture like the Blue Mosque, simple yet delicious food, together with meeting warm and friendly people. Security is paramount in this devout Muslim country and Wild Frontiers ensured that her safety was paramount at all times. So much so that she is now planning a trip to Iran. Afghanistan may not be everyone’s idea of a perfect holiday but for this sprightly Septuagenarian it was a fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.

Martin Horwood MP takes workers redundancy fight to the top THE ON-GOING campaign are offering slightly more to get a fair deal for the than the statutory hundred local workers who minimum to Vibixa emwill lose their jobs due to the ployees but we know other closure of Vibixa in Chellocal employers in compatenham by owners Weetabix rable situations have been was today taken to Westminmuch more generous. This ster by MP Martin Horwood. is not the first time we have Pressing ministers last faced a company closure in week he demanded confirCheltenham, but this is the Martin Horwood MP mation that when a proffirst time I have had conitable company shuts down a stituents complaining with profitable subsidiary, laid-off workers such bitterness at the way they are being should get a redundancy package that treated.” properly suits those circumstances. He went to say, “I asked Vibixa and Mr Horwood told the Commons that Weetabix management to meet me to ministers would “share my concern that discuss these concerns over several weeks. Weetabix are closing their packet printers They and their PR company finally met Vibixa in Cheltenham, with inevitable with me after it became clear I would be consequences for more than 100 employ- raising my concerns in Parliament, but I ees.’’ am still not satisfied that they are giving He asked if ministers agreed that “when my constituents the fair deal they deserve. a profitable company closes a profitable This is not the attitude I expect from a subsidiary, best practice would be to offer household name like Weetabix, and I will the most generous terms possible to em- do whatever I can to get the best outcome ployees, some of whom have served Weet- for my constituents and their families.” abix for 35 years, and not something Vibixa confirmed in October that the barely better than the statutory factory would be closing early in the New minimum.” Year, and that all 105 employees would Mr Horwood further added: “Weetabix lose their jobs.

www.Glostakeastand.com launches on first of 16 Days of Action A NEW website designed specifically to help people suffering from domestic abuse and sexual violence has launched on the first of 16 days of action which aim to encourage people to spot signs of abuse and help everybody to understand what action they can take. www.glostakeastand.com includes information on all aspects of domestic abuse and sexual violence, including child sexual exploitation, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and honour based violence. It will also provide links to all the specialist support agencies locally and nationally. The website was designed with victims in mind and includes an exit button should someone visiting the site need to leave the pages quickly. The 16 Days of Action will also see events for the public and professionals throughout the county, backed up by a marketing campaign encouraging people to seek help if they have any doubts that they are in an unhealthy relationship. Those supporting the campaign will be asked to display a poster or wear a purple ribbon. People will also be able to show their

support and follow the campaign's activity on Twitter using #glostakeastand. Richard Berry, Assistant Chief Constable for Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: “This website really is a significant step forward and I would encourage people to visit it. “Domestic abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, psychological or financial and take place between adults, teenagers, children or family members. “Even if you think you know all there is to know you probably don't so I would urge everyone to support this campaign. “Tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence are safeguarding issues and safeguarding is a strategic objective for us and we'll be at a range of events to explain all the work we are doing with partners to tackle this issue.”

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

First Great Western starts campaign to reunite children with lost teddy bears

FIRST Great Western is using posters and a website with mug shots of the toys, which have been left on trains in the south of England. Dozens are being stored in lost property offices at stations while the bulk are in a vault underneath Bristol Temple Meads station. The firm said it hoped to return the toys in time for

Christmas. The toys have all been found travelling on the First Great Western network which covers the Thames Valley, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Dorset, Sussex, Devon and Cornwall. The train company's website enables people to submit a search for a teddy, even if they are unable to re-

member exactly where it was lost. Mike Holmes, station manager at Bristol Temple Meads said: "People need to give their name, the description of the teddy bear and its distinguishing features and we'll do a recce and see if we can find it."

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AgonyAunt Kimberley Wall NO ONE said being a parent is easy; it can be one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever undertake however parenting can be tough, challenging and at times a strain on your relationship. Research has shown that having a ‘strong adult-couple relationship’ is an essential component to forming strong parent-child relationship. Stephen Covey (author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families) even goes as far to claim that: “The greatest thing you can do for your children, is to love your partner.” This does not imply that the “parents” have to be together as a couple, but merely have a good or amicable relationship which displays kindness, respect and love towards one another. However a survey carried out by Relate and Candis identified that people with children under 10 years of age were most likely to have frequent rows and parents in the 18 – 34 age group with children under four were the most argumentative of all. Therefore it might be worth learning and practising this conflict formula invented by Psychologist, Haim Ginott for when emotions are high. This formula aims to encourage speaking in a non-defensive way to your partner which avoids attacking them and instead suggests a solution for a way forward. It is known as the ‘X, Y, Z’ technique and indicates that if you are the one which feels annoyed by something, you say it in the following format: "When you did X, I felt Y and I would rather you would do Z instead." This way you can keep to the specific complaint rather than allowing things

to escalate into a personal attack and it encourages you to own your feelings about it (i.e. rather than accuse with statements such as “you made me feel like...”). It may seem a simple technique but it can be much harder to master in reality without us becoming aware of our role in conflict! However, if implemented, it can reduce tension between parents and hopefully your partner will then respond with a similar statement if they also felt annoyed by the situation (we learn through one another). As usual if you would prefer me to talk about a specific problem then you can send me your worries to relate@glossservices@hotmail.co.uk and I will respond to as many letters as possible. Alternatively you can book an appointment to speak face to face with a counsellor (charges apply) at Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon on 01242 523215. Either way we would never share your personal information with the newspaper.

27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

Gloucestershire-wide gun surrender a success

Slug and Lettuce pub sponsors jump jockey of tomorrow SLUG and Lettuce and up-and-coming jockey, Brendan Powell, have sealed the deal on their season’s partnership. In a celebration hosted at Cheltenham’s Slug and Lettuce bar, Powell and Ian Payne, Chairman of Stonegate Pub Company, operators of the brand, shook hands after a day’s racing. Brendan sported his new Slug and Lettuce branded silks as he joined Ian Payne, Graham Jones and the manager of the Cheltenham venue, Amy Porter. The deal follows the rising success of nineteenyear-old Brendan as a jump jockey, since he won his first national race aged just sixteen. Going from strength to strength over the last

three years, Brendan has won well over 100 races, including four internationally. He has now been nominated for the coveted Conditional Jockey of the Year Award, making him evermore in demand amongst trainers across the nation. The Slug and Lettuce will be rallying support for Brendan over the next few months in the run up to The Festival. Brendan said: “I am thrilled to have been offered sponsorship from Slug and Lettuce and to become an ambassador for the brand. Racing is my passion and so it is particularly pleasing to secure sponsorship with a company who recognise my potential and wish to see me achieve my goals.”

A COUNTYWIDE “gun amnesty,” launched by Gloucestershire Police last week has been regarded as a success. So far we have received a total of up to 40 guns, of all shapes and sizes, during the week-long Operation Magpie - which started on Friday 14th November. A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said: “We’ve had about five guns a day being handed in to police stations across the county, since the start of the operation. That’s more than usual, on average we have around 300 a year that are handed

in or found,” (approx. 25 per month). The aim of this national operation is to get as many unwanted guns as possible off the streets of Gloucestershire so there is less chance of them falling in to the hands of criminals. The operation was to provide an amnesty for the possession of the firearm(s) at the point the person hands it/them over. However if it’s discovered that the firearm was used illegally before it was given in then police will pursue a prosecution.

Setting the scene for Christmas CREATIVE crafters set up early at Saint Philip and James Church Centre last Saturday. There were a raft of stalls selling a huge mixture of goodies just in time for Christmas; including cards & paper crafts, hand-made jewellery, wood turned pieces, various beauty products, together with knitted items, jams &

pickles, cakes and a hamper raffle, plus a visit from Father Christmas himself! A steady flow of visitors throughout the day soaked up the atmosphere along with soup & bacon ‘butties’ and raised over £1,000 towards church funds and local outreach activities.

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

CHALK TALK CONSERVATIVE PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE FOR CHELTENHAM GETS VOCAL...

HIS week is ‘Counter Terrorism Week’. The initiative by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has seen more than 3,000 police officers out and about advising on public safety. There has even been a surge of sniffer dogs at airports hunting money leaving the UK to fund terrorism. It’s not difficult to see why. We live in dangerous times. The threat level in the UK has been raised from ‘substantial’ to ‘severe’. There are increasing concerns over hundreds of aspiring British jihadis travelling to Iraq and Syria to learn terrorist tradecraft. And Scotland Yard Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, recently disclosed that “four or five” plots have been foiled this year. So that’s why I warmly welcome the Home Secretary’s recent anti-extremist proposals. They include measures to block suspected foreign fighters from returning to the UK. In addition, organisations such as colleges and universities will be legally required to help deter radicalisation. Terrorism prevention and investigations measures (TPIMs) will be beefed up to allow terror suspects to be relocated around the country. And police will be handed powers to force internet firms to hand over ISP details that could help identify suspected terrorists. These measures are sensible and proportionate. They preserve the freedom of our society whilst helping to keep us safe. And in striking that delicate balance they have won the support of the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation. That’s why I was astonished to hear a prominent human rights group describe the package of measures as “another chilling recipe for injustice and resentment by closing down open society.” Nonsense. Now, I’m no head-banger; I don’t automatically assume that everything that comes out of human rights organisations is inevitably misconceived. Not a bit of it. They often do an important job in exposing those politicians who are more concerned about chasing tomorrow’s headline than drafting legislation that works. But on this occasion, they have got it completely wrong. Britain faces a very real and present danger from an ideology that would not hesitate to bring mass bloodshed and mayhem to our streets. The Home Secretary’s package of measures is robust but fundamentally fair. Instead, I’m afraid Liberty’s language on this occasion is just the kind of lurid headline-grabbing slogan that they criticise politicians for. They should know better.

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27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

THE SIMMONDS FILE Christina Simmonds – Ukip Cheltenham Parliamentary candidate for 2015 I AM sure most people are aware that the government has given its blessing to the A417 relief project and is hoping to make the funds available, which is good news for everyone. However, although traffic may move more easily down Birdlip Hill, it will still have to negotiate Princess Elizabeth Way before it can reach Kingsditch or Gallagher Park. The Joint Core Strategy shows 23 hectares industrial and retail development on the Tewkesbury Road beyond Gallagher Park, which must mean an increase in heavy goods vehicles, many coming from the A417 and the M5 north bound, which will have no alternative but to drive through Hesters Way. Further, it seems likely there will be added traffic diverted by the closure of Boots Corner. People living in the 4,000 plus homes being proposed beyond Swindon Village will have to drive the same route if they want to go to Bristol or even just to Gloucester. Even ignoring the inconvenience and frustration this is likely to cause, there must be serious health concerns, regarding the resulting increase in air pollution for the residents in Princess

Elizabeth Way. High speed broadband and an upgraded railway station may help to attract industry, but the bottom line is that without good access for lorries, the whole package becomes much less attractive and Gloucester will continue to look a better bet. If we are to see Cheltenham prosper economically and attract more jobs, then the upgrading of Junction 10 on the M5 becomes critical. The Highways Authority does not regard the size of the commercial development as large enough to warrant the remodelling of Junction 10 and insists that motorways are designed to move traffic between cities. Meanwhile GfirstLEP (Local Enterprise Development Partnership} for Gloucestershire, is asking Whitehall for the release of 150 hectares of land around the junction, for industrial and commercial development. Whitehall says there is not sufficient access, so we have the chicken and egg situation, with Cheltenham the loser in both cases. It’s not fair, it’s not right, and it’s not common sense. Christina Simmonds www.ukipcheltenham.org.uk chairman@ukipcheltenham.org.uk

PHOTOS: RHIANNON CARYS

Cheltenham Silver Band tune up for Sue Ryder

A taste of the Raj comes to town FOUR enterprising young Bangladeshis, Mohiudin Litu, Rina Saha, Mez Rahman and Rasel Mahmoud have spent months researching the British Raj way of life to bring together a flavour of the Bombay Café Culture to town in the form of a new restaurant “The East India Café.” Situated at the top of the Promenade this really is something different. Mohiudin Litu said, “There are so many aspects of our restaurant that are unique in the U.K. and one of the pleasures of our staff is to explain the reason and origin of our dishes and “libations”, often

with our own twist included for additional interest.” The Café is open Tuesday – Sunday for lunch and dinner and serves contemporary Indian Cuisine, ‘fashionable Anglo Indian food’. The recipes are taken from history and modified. At The East India Café they use local suppliers who care about good quality, sustainable food. The interior design of The East India Café is influenced by British Raj style with living rooms full of colonial antiques in the lounge area. They also manage a social organisation

called “Let’s Do It.” By the end of 2015 the vision is to buy almost 1000 school children’s meal for the whole week in any slum left by the British Raj. Mohammed Rahman, owner of Spice Lodge commented, “I am very happy to help, support and encourage these young gentlemen and wish them every success.” On Tuesday of this week the Mayor, Simon Wheeler, and his wife Sandra, were invited to a five course Tasting Menu. Tel: 01242-300850 or visit the website at www.eastindiacafe.com or email info@eastindiacafe.com

MUSICIANS from one of Gloucestershire’s most popular silver bands are set to tune up for charity when they stage a Christmas concert in support of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. Cheltenham Silver Band voted to support the Cheltenham-based hospice after learning that several relatives of fellow band members had received incredible care from Sue Ryder. Although billed as a Christmas concert the band will also be playing a number of lively toe-tapping numbers at the event on Saturday December 13th at The Pavilion, Up Hatherley, Cheltenham at 7pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children and concessions and can be bought in advance from the Leckhampton Court Hospice. The award-winning band plays regularly at bandstands and community events around the Cheltenham area. They have a reputation for staging highly entertaining musical programmes and have recently won the entertainment trophy at the Wychavon Festival of Brass 2014.

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

Café culture? Editor’s Review IT WAS like having lunch in a seaside café. Not the food, the decor. What were they thinking? I know it’s supposed to reflect Maman Blanc’s kitchen at home, but when I go out for lunch or dinner I don’t want to go to someone’s kitchen. The previous decor at Brasserie Blanc was elegant, sophisticated and modern. Why move it towards ‘Southend on Sea’? That said, the food was in top form. I had some decent potted shrimp which wasn’t killed off by too much nutmeg. The redhead had lightly pickled beetroot that had been treated with a sensitive hand. In fact her starter was a mini tableau of colour and stunningly presented. Both the mains of short rib and scallops were, as I would have expected for Brasserie Blanc, right on the money. Both well-balanced, nicely seasoned and cooked with some care. Short ribs can be hard on the chew if not cooked long and slow and this carnivorous delight was meltingly easy on the mouth. The redhead said that her scallops were on ‘point’ and came with some al dente vegetables and garnish which was nicely seasoned. Dessert was a simple affair (if you can call a soufflé simple) of the chocolate

variety. Nicely cooked and risen without too much overpowering cocoa and not ‘eggy’. I don’t want an egg version of a mars bar. It needed to be subtle without the clawing, over-working of chocolate in the finished dish…and it was. The redhead summoned cheese and was hugely pleased that it didn’t arrive straight from the fridge. It’s one her main complaints (and mine) that the old fromage needs to be at room temperature if it’s to be enjoyed. It was a fine selection and very well presented with some touches of fruit and decent biscuits. The service was prompt and attentive without being obtrusive and with the times between courses just right. All in all in all a very good meal. My view is give them a whirl. You won’t be disappointed with the food, but the decor might leave you slightly underwhelmed. House wine at £22.00 a bottle is good value with some mains coming in at around £16.00-£19.00. Also look out for their new winter menu. Brasserie Blanc is always a delight, but please Monsieur Blanc get rid of the loose café decor, you’re better than that!

Black Friday at Montpellier Chapter Hotel BLACK Friday will hit Cheltenham this week with consumers being spoilt for choice with flash sales across the town. A trend born in the USA, Black Friday is traditionally the Friday following Thanksgiving and is widely regarded by the retail sector as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. To celebrate Black Friday, The Montpellier Chapter will be offering a 20% discount on all luxury REN Gift Sets for one day only. Throughout Friday 28th November, visitors can benefit from this exclusive offer by quoting ‘Black Friday.’ Hotel Manager Racheal Bird said: “Black Friday is a day for the shoppers and those looking to give their Christmas shopping a real kick start. For many, Friday November 28th marks the last payday before Christmas. “This year, we are getting into the spirit of things and embracing this tradition by offering our guests a little something extra. We are delighted to be offering 20% off our wonderful REN Gift sets on Friday. We hope this will help people’s well- earned cash go that little bit further,’’ she said. The Montpellier Chapter’s REN Gift Sets are luxuriously packaged and bursting with

beautiful REN products. REN is a spa brand that is highly coveted by women of all ages and tailored to suit varying skin types. REN Gift Sets are priced from £16 - £45 and can be purchased from the hotel’s spa. All REN Gift Sets will have 20% off on Black Friday. 28th November for one day only, so hurry! For more information on The Montpellier Chapter visit www.themontpellierchapter.com Terms & Conditions • The Montpellier Chapter’s Black Friday Offer is available exclusively on Friday 28 November only. Guests must quote ‘Black Friday’ upon purchase. • The Black Friday Spa offer is available on REN Gift Sets only. Individual products from the REN range are not included. • Gift sets as well as a full range of REN products are available from the Hotel Spa

Christmas in Montpellier, Sunday 30th November 2014, 11am to 5pm MONTPELLIER will be alive with festive spirit on Sunday 30th November 2014 for its third annual Christmas Event, attracting families and Christmas shoppers alike to this stunning area of Cheltenham, whilst raising money for the Cobalt Trust. Montpellier Street will be sparkling with tree lights, music and the smell of mulled wine and warm mince pies. Closed to cars, the street will be filled with a carnival type atmosphere, with seasonal stalls by local traders, music from Cheltenham Silver Band, Tewkesbury Brass Band, and Gloucester Brass Band, as well as carol singers and buskers. There will be Danters Fun Fair rides, and entertainment from the cast of the Bacon Theatre’s Ali Baba. Father Christmas will also be making a quick stop!

A perfect day for Christmas shopping and all the local cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels will be welcoming shoppers for festive fayre. The event is organised by the Montpellier Association who this year has chosen to support the Cobalt Trust in Thirlestaine Road, an entirely charitable trust, which helps with disease prevention, research, treatment and diagnosis. A magnificent raffle is planned with tickets available at all the local shops. Chairperson of the Montpellier Association Margaret Cavanagh said: “We are delighted to be supporting such an important charity which is currently celebrating its 50th year. It provides a huge support to the local community.” www.montpellier-cheltenham.com

German Christmas market returns to The Prom A WIDE range of festive crafts and gifts will come back to Cheltenham’s Promenade this year when the Christmas market returns on Thursday 4th December. The familiar wooden chalets will be situated on the Promenade until Saturday 20th December, offering seasonal food, jewellery, candles, knitwear, handmade children’s toys and many other gift ideas. The market, now in its eleventh year, promises to be even more impressive with over 40 stalls and the best selection of traders. It offers an excellent opportunity for Christmas shopping with a difference. Martin Quantock, Cheltenham business partnership manager, says: "Everyone starts getting into the seasonal spirit when the Cheltenham Christmas Market

comes to town. There will be new stalls and a greater variety of foods on offer to tempt customers, along with the usual bratwurst, Gluhwein and German beers. “The market brings in many visitors from far and wide and the local town centre businesses will benefit from the higher footfall. I hope everyone will enjoy the special festive atmosphere that the market brings to the town." The market will be trading seven days a week from Thursday 4th December to Saturday 20th December (10am-6pm Monday-Wednesday; 10am-8pm Thursday-Saturday; and 11am-5pm Sundays). The market is being organised by Cheltenham Borough Council, in partnership with Geraud Markets (UK) Ltd and Cheltenham Business Partnership.

Taurus Market Lydney CELEBRATE a creative Christmas in style this year at Taurus Crafts Christmas Markets on 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th December. Choose from an inspirational selection of arts, crafts, gifts, decorations, food & drink and locally grown high quality Christmas trees. Open 10am to 5.30pm and there’s free parking too.

27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

YOUR GUIDE TO THE VERY BEST YULETIDE MARKETS

Christmas away days! There’s nothing better than visiting one of the many Christmas markets that abound at this time of year, not only in Gloucestershire and the South West, but also London and our near neighbours in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire all have something to offer by way of yuletide cheer and gifts. It really is the only time of year that you can take advantage of these seasonal rarities in order to have a real whiff of Christmas and get the seasonal shopping off to a cracking start. First Great Western have some super seasonal deals to a host of the best markets around outside of Cheltenham. Here’s 10 of the best... Bath: 27 November – 14 December The areas of the stunning Bath Abbey and the renowned Roman Baths are transformed into the one of the largest festive events in the UK with over 170 wooden chalets lining the streets offering handmade gifts, decorations, toys, food and drink. www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk Bristol: 7 November – 22 December Situated in Broadmead in the heart of Bristol Shopping Quarter, this German Christmas

market will have 38 chalets decorated with festive greenery and colourful lights, a Christmas nativity, giant advent calendar and beer gardens combined to create a festive atmosphere in the heart of the city centre shopping area. www.bristolgermanchristmasmarket.co.uk Cardiff: 13 November – 23 December This year celebrates 20 years of the Cardiff Christmas Market which is set in the heart of the pedestrian area of the city centre. There will be offerings from a wide selection of local, predominantly Welsh small businesses. www.cardiffchristmasmarket.com/ Exeter: 20 November – 20 December Held in the ground of Exeter Cathedral on Cathedral Green, stalls will offer unique, handmade and unusual gifts, decorations and food items creating a real Christmas buzz in the heart of the city. www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/event/allevents/exeter-christmas-market.ashx

Situated in the Gloucester Quays and historic Victorian Docks. www.gloucesterquays.co.uk/ events/victorian-christmas-market-2014 Oxford: 11 December – 21 December (Thursdays – Sundays) Located right in the heart of Oxford on historic Broad Street, wooden stalls offer gifts, seasonal treats and delicious foods. Local choirs and bands will perform during the period. www.oxfordchristmasmarket.co.uk/ London: 21 December – 4 Jan Hyde Park’s is full of Christmas spirit right in the centre of London. As well as a fantastic Christmas market there’s fairground rides, ice skating and grottos. www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

FOOD&DRINK ARTS&CRAFTS GIFTS&TOYS

Plymouth: 14 December – 19 December Plymouth’s Armada Way will be transformed into a bustling Winter Wonderland offering a variety of Christmas treats and gifts ranging from homemade arts and crafts to festive food and drink. www.visitplymouth.co.uk/events Salisbury: 27 November – 20 December The Christmas Market is situated in a historic location in the centre of Salisbury with the 18th Century Guildhall and medieval houses forming a wonderful backdrop. The offerings will have a strong emphasis on local and British, or European produced goods. www.salisburychristmasmarket.co.uk

Gloucester: 20 November – 23 November A traditional Victorian Christmas Market which is bought to life with Dickensian characters, street entertainers and music whilst 150 stalls will be selling artisan crafts, fine food and drink and unique Christmas gifts.

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Truro: 9 December – 14 December Celebrating its 10th year, there will be over 65 traders at this Victorian Christmas Market most of which make their products themselves. The market is housed in a heated marquee at this six day market on Lemon Quay Piazza in the centre of the City. www.trurochristmasmarkets.com

For some great fares and deals www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

BUSINESS Editor’sDESK

ANTOMIME season is upon us again (oh yes it is). It’s that time of year when our local theatre The Everyman really puts on the seasonal glitz and glitter, producing a hum dinger of a production that has all the family baying for more. Personally I love the panto and The Everyman for me is one of the best outside London. It’s a yuletide extravaganza that envelops us all like some kind of Christmas vesper, wrapping us in mirth and magic. The origins of British Pantomime or "panto" as it is known dates back to the Middle ages and takes on board the traditions of the Italian "Commedia dell’ Arte, the Italian night scenes and British Music hall to produce an intrinsic art form that has constantly adapted itself to survive up to the present day. You can’t beat screaming kids, screaming parents who in a magical moment aren’t actually screaming at each other for once. Only a number of years ago I was sat behind an elderly gentleman (obviously a Grandad) who was one joke behind every one else and was laughing out loud in what were supped to be the dramatically bits. Hilarious. He was having a ball. Quite right too. The immensely gratifying and surprising element of the British panto is that our American cousins don’t actually get it. They get Miller, Steinbeck, Tennessee Williams and Kerouac, but can’t seem to get their minds around panto. America is a land rich in culture and great works of literary art and theatre, but yet they can’t process the basic ingredients of the good old panto. One American last year was completely confused and commented to me, ‘so the good looking chick is a guy, the ugly old fat woman is a bloke and both of these cross-dressers marry other cast characters?’’ ‘Yup’ I said trying to sound faintly American. For me the beginning of the panto season is the beginning of Christmas. It’s the season to be jolly and really get the Christmas spirit under way. Panto remains an intrinsic jewel in our theatrical crown, and it has to carry with it an important task and responsibly. A visit to a pantomime may be a child’s first experience of live theatre. If that experience is magical enough, it can leave a lasting impression. In a world where children are surrounded by their annoying phones, computer games, DVD's and the all-pervasive influences of television, a visit to a pantomime could be a catalyst. The audience of the future- not just pantomime, but live theatre could be fostered by the experience of sitting in a darkened auditorium, not a couch in front of a flickering screen. It’s a huge compliment to today’s society that the modern panto hasn’t been ‘got at’ by the enjoyment police or the omnipresent ‘do gooders’ that may or may not say it’s politically incorrect. Who cares? Quite honestly anything that confuses the Americans can’t be all bad. Mind you, we’re talking about a nation that has a large cartoon mouse as a national figure and once voted in a Hollywood actor (Ronald Reagan) as President. Long may the tradition of panto continue and ‘hands off’ Brussels or anybody else. It’s our tradition, our heritage and thank goodness for theatres like The Everyman who keep it going.

Got a comment? Please contact us at editor@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

Gloucestershire businesses in wine tasting master-class CLYDESDALE Bank hosted a special event giving 80 local business people a crash course in wine tasting as part of the Bank’s Business Week programme. The wine tasting master-class was held at the Manor by the Lake, a prestigious Victorian manor house in Cheltenham. Craig Walker, Marketing Director of Manor by the Lake, welcomed everyone to the manor and Phil Penwarden of Cheltenham Wine Company, tested the guests’ palates. Rob Spearman, Head of Clydesdale Bank’s Business and Private Banking centre in Gloucester, spoke to the local business owners and senior management about how the Bank wants to support their growth ambitions. Rob Spearman said: “Events like this unique master-class give us the chance to meet with our customers and local businesses to understand their growth aspirations. The event had an impressive turnout and we were glad to have the opportunity to

speak to a diverse mix of key members of the Gloucestershire business community.” Business Week ran from 10th 14th November and saw more than 250 customer-focused events staged at the Bank’s UK-wide network of

The feel good factor “CUSTOMERS and clients are better informed than ever before as to the way they do business, through social media and access to the internet, we have to be more socially responsible than ever before,” says Claire Thayers. The media at the moment continues to publish stories about the banks being unethical, or a leading supermarket declaring incorrect profits, horse meat in frozen foods, clothes factories crumbling and we’re all demanding better standards from the brands and companies we buy from. Lacey Thayers CIC was set up to help SME’s engage with their local communities, because doing good is good for business, it improves staff morale, great team building

Business and Private Banking Centres, including a number of high profile events in the Midlands area. As growth and confidence continue to emerge in the UK economy, Business Week aims to help businesses build for the future.

Target take gold

Claire Thayers

and creates great warm stories. Forward-thinking businesses, who embrace this can save on their bottom line and make a real difference to the people in their business, and locally. Claire Thayers finally adds, “With charities struggling, grants drying up, we all need to pull together to help our communities, and if we can turn this into positive for everyone then what’s not to like, doing good is good for business.’’

CHELTENHAM-BASED Target PR has grabbed gold at the 2014 Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) annual PRide awards. Target was one of just five PR agencies and national organisations shortlisted in the Corporate and Business Communications Campaign of the Year category. Their entry was ‘Growing a £1 billion marketplace with best practice’, focused on a national campaign which they created for magnetic filtration pioneers, ADEY. The campaign targeted installers, homeowners and the next generation of industry professionals to promote ADEY’s best practice approach to central heating system maintenance. The regional awards, which showcased the best work from PR agencies and inhouse teams, brought together the South West, South of England and Channel Islands regions, in a “super-region”. During a ceremony at The Marriott Hotel, Bristol, Target and ADEY came away with the gold award.

Cheltenham Standard is published weekly by Paul.Bates Publishing Ltd is registered at Suite 104, Eagle Tower, Montpellier Drive, Cheltenham, GL50 1TA. Reproduction of any material, in whole or in part, is strictly forbidden without the prior written consent of the publishers. All material is sent at the owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, Paul.Bates Publishing Ltd will not accept liability for loss or damage. Dates, information and prices quoted are believed to be correct at time of going to press but are subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. Neither the editor nor publisher accepts responsibility for any material submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. All rights reserved. ISSN no. 2055-2092. Terms and conditions at www.cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

BUSINESS Clinic move brings jobs and services to Cheltenham A CHELTENHAM clinic of healthcare specialists has expanded with help from NatWest. The Regency Clinic, which has cared for more than 9,000 patients since opening in 2000, has expanded into bigger premises near its original home on Hales Road. The move sees 10 new positions being filled at the practice, allowing it to introduce new services including chiropody, personal training and hypnotherapy. A private GP has also just joined the clinic. Chiropractor Rob Grace, who set up the clinic with wife Fru, a massage therapist, said: “My dream has always been to set up a premier health centre in the region. These days there is a market for people who are keen on looking after their own health, and by having everything under one roof the patient gets the best possible service. “All of our practitioners work closely as a team, inter-referring to each other where necessary for the patients’ benefit. We work together to offer complete continuity of care.” The practice has renovated a former

bed and breakfast, Wishmoor House, turning the 12-bedroom property into a state-of-the-art clinic by removing all the en-suite bathrooms, returning period rooms to their former glory, transforming the kitchen and dining room into a fitness studio and installing a diagnostic X-Ray machine. Rob and Fru are now planning an open evening early in the New Year. The couple worked with NatWest relationship director Steve Moore, who specialises in the healthcare sector, to secure borrowing of £560,000 under the Government’s Funding for Lending scheme towards the purchase and refurbishment of the new clinic. Rob said: “Steve has been a patient of the clinic for several years, coming in with his rugby injuries. He has always been very supportive. He makes everything to do with the figures understandable and is always at the end of the phone. He has been brilliant in helping me through the process of applying for this loan – he did a lot of the forecasting work with my accountants and he really helped us to achieve what we’ve done.”

Paddy Power and Knights celebrate 210th store Jon Fairey and Mark Anton-Smith

CHELTENHAM professional services firm Knights is celebrating its 210th transaction for Paddy Power, Ireland’s biggest bookmaker. Paddy Power has over 500 retail outlets across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain and is the third largest online bookmaker and sixth largest online gaming business in Britain and Ireland. Working with development director of Paddy Power Jon Fairey for more than six years, Mark Anton-Smith of Knights provides retained legal services including lease agreements and estate management for Paddy Power retail units throughout England and

Wales. Jon said: “In recent years, Paddy Power has helped create hundreds of jobs and has invested heavily in high streets and secondary retail parades at a time when the retail sector as a whole was struggling. “This has helped maintain the viability and vitality of town centres as well as offering choice to customers and growing the Paddy Power brand. We have been working with Knights for many years and Mark and his team in Cheltenham have supported us in over 200 acquisitions. Knights have a fantastic expertise and we see them as an integral part of our development team.”

Knights has advised on a number of new retail sites for Paddy Power involving a range of landlords and locations, including individuals to pension funds and high streets to secondary parades. The firm also worked on Paddy Power’s head office in Euston Square, London. The latest leasehold acquisition on which Knights were instructed was in Lozells in Birmingham, Paddy Powers 294th UK store which opened successfully on 5 August 2014. Mark Anton-Smith said: “We are delighted to have a longstanding relationship with Paddy Power – a company which has been behind a

Work begins on heritage railway as public shares scheme tops £500,000 THE Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) will now be extended to the Cotswolds village of Broadway. Shares in the rail line, which currently runs between Cheltenham and Laverton, went on sale last September, raising a total of £565,000. Finance director Chris Bristow said the extra money was "a bonus" and track laying would begin next year. When finished, the line will run to 14 miles long. Mr Bristow said some investors had donated more than £10,000 to the project, which would see trains return to Broadway for the first time since 1960. Work to repair five "deteriorated and abandoned" bridges along the proposed route has almost been completed, he said.

huge job creation programme behind its large number of new sites. “As well as helping to keep our high streets alive in terms of taking empty units, Paddy Power has created jobs and boosted local economies by using shopfitters, local companies, and local agents. Paddy Power is a longstanding success story and Knights is pleased to provide retained legal advice.”

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

HEALTH&LIFESTYLE I WAS interested to read in the tabloids this week about a controversial Nourishing for start Heatlh Scheme (Nosh) that has been launched in the north of the country where breastfeeding rates are the lowest in the UK. The scheme has been offering mothers shopping vouchers up to the value of £200 to breastfeed their children. Early reports suggest that the scheme is proving a success, however leading healthcare professionals say that the scheme is nothing more than bribery. I think I’d have to agree, and having fed both of my children, I’m not sure I’m convinced it’s something that I could have been bribed to do. In truth I found it a depressing and isolating experience with my first child, and the driving behind breastfeeding for six months was purely for the pregnancy weight loss. I am neither pro or against. It maybe be worth bearing in mind that some woman simply aren’t able to breastfeed their child as they can’t produce the milk, their breasts aren’t an adequate tool to feed or in the case of my very good friend, her son was a premature emergency C-section and in the time her son was in SCBU her milk dried up. It can be a distressing time for mums who are desperate to feed their child. Before a woman’s milk ‘comes in’ colostrum (also referred to as ‘high octane’

HealthMatters Your essential guide to staying healthy and enjoying the best life has to offer By NATALIE NEALE

WHERE’S THE ‘BOOB’? milk) is produced which is full of antibodies and immunoglobulins. This not only protects the new born from bacteria and viruses but works as a laxative for them to pass their first stools called meconium. The official health guidelines recommend breastfeeding exclusively for up to six months to help prevent against infections. There are obvious benefits in addition to promoting the health of your child such as it’s free, you can feed at any time (I have traumatic recollections of pulling off at service stations to make up and warm a bottle to feed a howling hungry baby), and you manage to bypass the process of sterilising and making up countless bottles

(I dread to think how many hours of my life I gave to this laborious task). There has also been research to suggest that breast feeding is linked to a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancers. For some breastfeeding is tiring and can be stressful whilst getting to grips with it, for others it’s a walk in the park. The Queens Hotel in Montpellier welcomes breastfeeding mothers with a free hot drink and you won’t be made to feel like a ‘freak’ there and they’ll even keep your food warm whilst you feed. Nor will you be made to feel uncomfortable in ‘Cook’ on the Bath Road who also have excellent baby changing facilities providing wipes and

nappy sacks etc, and rather much a surprise to me but the Brown Jug on the Bath Road. Landlord Rob Macleod who runs a mother and baby group every Thursday at 10am in the function room, says that breastfeeding mothers are most welcome! I believe it’s very much up to a mother how she decides to feed her child, and for how long, no matter what our personal feelings maybe on the matter. It’s a decision that should be respected whatever Mum decides. For local breastfeeding support visit: www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/ gloucestershire-breastfeeding-supportersnetwork www.breastfeedingsupporters.org.uk

COMPETITION WIN A REN RADIANCE GIFT SET AND A 60 MINUTE FACIAL AT THE MONTPELLIER CHAPTER To have the chance of winning one of two REN Radiance Gift Sets and a 60 minute facial at The Montpellier Chapter simply answer this question.

What street in Cheltenham can The Montpellier Chapter be found on? A. Basil Street B. Tivoli Street C. Bayshill Road Answers to editor@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk Competition closes 4th December 2014 60 minute facial must be taken in January 2015

27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

TheVIBE A snapshot of student life in Cheltenham

TONE RADIO BY FRANCESCA COBY THE University of Gloucestershire has a vast media school, offering courses from film production, to popular music. When you put a bunch of incredibly talented creative people together great things are bound to happen, and they do. Tone Radio is one of them. Tone radio, is an in house university station that has been running since 2007, and now hosts over 30 radio shows. You don’t have to be a radio student to be in tone, it is a society you can join no matter what your degree, which has led to a vast range of shows on the station. Tom Clarke, the tone manager who was voted in by fellow students,

oversees the station which runs 24/7 with shows ranging from ‘Saturday Night Slaughter’ to ‘It’s a Small World’ to ‘The Sport Tone’. It’s great that it’s a society as we are able to put on regular social events for our members, and obviously get the support of the student union.” They also put on an event every year entitled ‘Glos-Tone-Beret’ (if you don’t get the pun you’re a plonker.) The music based festival takes place in February every year and is broadcast on the station throughout. Tone radio isn’t just about having a bit of fun, it is also a great opportunity for budding media students, particularly those studying radio, to get some

Surface Situation IT WOULD be way too easy to pour scorn on Gloucestershire Highways every week in my column. Not being the sort of person to kick a man when he’s down, I have studiously resisted the urge to moan about them for a few weeks. But I can resist no more. You will have possibly noticed that work has started to replace the paving on part of Cheltenham High Street outside M&S. The yellow tarmac on the High Street isn’t finished yet. Highways were persuaded to postpone finishing it until the festive shopping season was over. The new finish has apparently been designed by someone fresh out of Clown School who believes that nothing says ‘welcome to Regency Cheltenham’ like badly laid, chunky yellow tarmac. Seriously yellow is the new black when it comes to tarmac, although I did lie about the Clown School bit. Perhaps I have a much lower pain threshold where it comes to bodge jobs than the rest of Cheltenham. Maybe I am too picky about my surroundings but I can’t understand why there is not some sort of civil uproar about the state of our partially revamped High Street. I may live in parallel universe to the ‘powers that be’ who all too often think

Broadcasting the student voice around the clock experience, working in a radio environment. Jack Mills, a third year radio production student who has a show entitled, ‘Millsy’s Boom Box’ which airs for two hours on a Friday evening, he thinks being involved in the society also helps him prepare for that daunting ‘real world job’. “Being on the station gives me the opportunity to practise my skills as a presenter, I have to prepare for my show each week, rather than just for an assignment every few months. Knowing people listen to my show helps me build up

my confidence but also assures me that being in radio is what I want to do.” Tone is the perfect dress rehearsal for real life radio, but the best thing is people do it off their own backs because they want to, not because

Soapbox By COUNCILLOR KLARA SUDBURY second best is better than nothing but does anyone anywhere really think that splodging chunky yellow tarmac onto Cheltenham High Street is a good idea? It would be bad enough if our new yellow brick road had been put down with any sense of expertise or skill, or carried out in the time highways said it would. What we have at the moment looks like preparations for an outdoor Am Dram production of the Wizard of Oz (no offence intended to the wonderful local theatrical societies out there). Amusingly I understand this type of resurfacing is experimental to see if it could be used to resurface the new ‘improved’ Boots Corner should the Borough Council’s partial pedestrianisation plans ever get approved. Sometimes there just aren’t the right words. Meanwhile it’s another week and another threat to fields in Leckhampton. Developers are working on plans to build approximately 175 houses on fields north of Church Road. Pegasus Group, the developers behind the plans, have invited local residents to attend two public consultation events to find out more about the proposals.

This site was never included for development in the ‘Leckhampton Masterplan’. This Masterplan was worked on for a number of years by a consortium of developers led by Bovis Homes and Miller Homes who have an interest in land off Shurdington Road. That consortium broke down a while ago and since then developers from the different sites in Leckhampton seem to be trying to maximise the number of houses they can build on their own land. The Church Road site is included in the Joint Core Strategy as part of a wider area of fields in Leckhampton for an urban extension of over 1,100 houses in the controversial Joint Core Strategy (JCS). However, I understand this part of the JCS allocation is not considered to be suitable for development for a number of reasons. Rather, the Church Road site is seen as more suitable to provide a green buffer for the rest of the development likely to take place as a result of the JCS. The public consultation events are being held at Shurdington Social Centre, Bishop Road, Shurdington on Thursday 4th December and Friday 5th December between 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

they have too. Many people finish university and don’t want to touch any career in the vicinity with a barge pole. But with societies such as Tone radio maybe some, media student or not can find their real calling.

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

QUIRKY NEWS

SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT...

A selection of the strangest stories from around the globe

GAY BULL SAVED BY CO-CREATOR OF THE SIMPSONS A GAY Irish bull facing slaughter has been saved following a worldwide appeal backed by the co-creator of the The Simpsons. Benjy, a Charlerois bull, was being fattened up for an abattoir after he failed to impregnate any heifers this year at a County Mayo farm in western Ireland. Vets had determined he was fertile, but was more attracted to the bull that replaced him. On learning of his fate, activists launched a social media campaign to raise £5,000 to send Benjy to the Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Norfolk, which is home to about 2,000 unwanted farm animals and horses. Sam Simon, co-creator of The Simpsons and philanthropist, has now put up the all the money needed to buy Benjy and transport him to the sanctuary. His transfer is expected to take place in time for Christmas. Mr Simon, who is battling colon

Parrot picks locks in bid for freedom

cancer, has been giving away much of the fortune from his television career and is a leading donor to animal welfare causes. He said he heard about Benjy's case through friends at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) pressure group. “All animals have a dire destiny in the meat trade, but to kill this bull because

he's gay would've been a double tragedy,” Mr Simon said. “It thrills me to help PETA and ARAN (Ireland's Animal Rights Action Network) make Benjy's fate a sanctuary rather than a sandwich.” ARAN campaigns director John Carmody said Mr Simon and other donors were buying the bull “a one-way ticket to freedom.”

AN escapologist parrot picked two locks on its cage and escaped into the wilds of Essex. Magic, a Senegal parrot, was being transported from his owners' home to their daughter's while they were on holiday. But as the car door opened, he soared out of the vehicle and onto a nearby roof, refusing all efforts to entice him back to his cage. Magic was briefly spotted the following day but has not been seen since and his owners, Roy and Grace Jarvis, from Leighon-Sea, fear he may have gone for good. Their son-in-law, Lester Russell, 50, said: “We used two locks because he's escaped before. “But he somehow managed to break them open in seconds. I opened the van door and he was away. “He was up like an eagle but I don't know how he did it because at home he would only manage to get half way across the living room before collapsing.” The couple had Magic for 22 years. His tricks included sitting on Mr Jarvis's glasses to sip his coffee, and emulating the smoke alarm when people use the shower.

VENTING SPLEEN… Local man about town, Tom Thurlow lets loose

don’t think anything in this world makes me want to projectile vomit quite as much as the ‘Baby & Toddler of the Year’ contest the Gloucestershire Echo insists on running every year. Once again we’ve had to endure the sickening pleas on our Facebook timelines from the chav-mums beg for likes so that their darling cherub can get to the finals for a chance to win the newspaper’s life changing prize of £1,000. The type of parent to nominate their baby into this cringey contest surely must be pretty desperate? Don’t these parents find it a complete embarrassment to promote their average looking babies on us all? Thousands of unsuspecting Gloucestershire readers (wanting to get their dose of local news) now have to trawl through picture after picture of unremarkable babies. Fantastic. Don’t get me wrong, I’m

absolutely ecstatic for these young parents and the babymaking talent they possess; I’m sure it was hard work. However can’t they enjoy bringing up their children without suffocating the rest of us? Babies all look the bloody same and if anything, after taking a quick look at this year’s roster, the word I would use to describe this lot would be: underwhelming. But I guess most parents are delusional about how beautiful their own child looks.

I was also under the impression society wanted us to move away from judging each other based on appearance? I’m told by the tree-hugging lefties on a near daily basis that brands like: Page 3, Nuts, Lad Bible, even my own site Shag At Uni all ‘feed’ and promote a culture that we focus far too much on how women (and men) look. I would argue that judging a group of babies every year and calling one of them the cutest is equally as demeaning for these activists? But I haven’t heard them cry foul about this particular contest yet? Perhaps they don’t get jealous over babies and it needs to be a busty

blonde for these 40-year old moaning myrtles to get on their high horse? I don’t actually mind contests that judge people on their looks; I elect to live in a pro-choice society. If people want to do it, so be it. So I certainly wouldn’t call for the baby contest to be scrapped (I’m not some dirty activist). I’m merely pointing out that none of my friends would enter their tots and rightly so. My friends don’t have a complex over their babies and don’t need reassurance from the public that they’ve bred a good-looking one. And thank God for that. On a completely different note I would like to point out that my previous column warning you all of the serious food quality issues at ‘China Cook’ has made a significant impact. It seems that since my public notice and the talk

surrounding it, the business has co-incidentally changed its name to ‘Hei Kitchen’. Thank you to Julie Martin for the tip-off. A shout out also goes to Bath Road hotspot, The Curious Café which I visited for the first time in my entire life (shock) on Saturday morning for a mighty cooked breakfast. I had a hangover from the Friday and a very special girl in my life called Sophie Organ (who also happens to work there) insisted I tried it out. OMG, she has to be the most beautiful waitress that works there! She has hair as blonde as the sun, eyes as blue as sapphire and lips red as blood. She ought to be a model. I genuinely thought she was the only thing worth loving in life. That was until my breakfast came out. Wowee how yum. Thanks Soph!!!

Get more of Tom’s insights by following him on Twitter @thurlow

The views, opinions and positions expressed by the authors and those providing comments on these articles are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of The Cheltenham Standard

27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

Bad Santa

CoffeeBreak

A MAN dressed as Santa is being hunted by police in Australia after he robbed a post office. He entered the store in Oak Park, a suburb of Melbourne, on Saturday and demanded money from a member of staff.The woman handed over cash which the man put into a red Santa sack. CCTV footage shows the man jump up on to the counter and scoop up cash himself. The offender then got away in a

Your Weekly HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 20 – April 18): Make sure all the money's in place before you commit. You don't want to be left hanging because somebody backed out of the deal last minute.

cream coloured Compass Jeep with allegedly false number plates. No weapon was seen during the incident and no one was injured.

Monty Python tune top of the funeral hit parade MONTY Python’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life has replaced Frank Sinatra’s My Way as the most popular song played at funerals. The irreverent track, from the controversial 1979 film The Life of Brian, was the most requested final song in a survey of 30,000 funeral parlours. Football anthems, TV theme tunes and pop songs also made the funeral top 20 but the more sombre The Lord is My Shepherd was second with Abide with Me in third place. According to research by Co-op Funeralcare, Queen was the most

TAURUS (April 19 – May 19): Don't be pressured into selling when you don't want to. You'd only give away something that will increase in value by next spring. Sit tight for now.

requested band with nine tracks in the final farewell charts and Elvis Presley the most requested solo artist. A third of funeral directors revealed they had received requests to “theme” funerals with fancy dress outfits from Abba and the Beach Boys to Elvis Presley and the Blues Brothers. Co-operative Funeralcare’s operations director David Collingwood said: “We think we may be seeing a generational shift in attitudes towards funerals, and the choice of music being requested. “Music plays such an important part in people’s lives that it now acts as the theme tune to their passing. “Modern funerals are very much about personal choice, which can be reflected in the choice of music, dress, coffin, flowers, hearses or memorials.’’ Most requests are granted but the Co-op revealed it had turned down some songs including Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell and Another One Bites the Dust by Queen.

StandOKU!

GEMINI (May 20 – June 20): It's time to pay up and be quick about it. Every day that you're late will cost and cost big. CANCER (June 21 – July 21): Be reassuring in your manner, creative with your solutions, and you'll coax a spooked party back to the table. LEO (July 22 – Aug 21): YYou hit upon a plan that will reverse your financial downward spiral. It requires painful choices, but you'll have a course of action with a time line

Word Ladder Convert the word at the top of the ladder into the word at the bottom of it, using only the four steps in between. Every word must be a valid four/five-letter word.

Difficulty rating: Moderate

4 7 3 1

9 8 6

8 2

5 4 2 7 2 4 9 6

H A P C R E O M T

8 9

7 3

2 7 6 1 3 8 1 5 1 4 3 5 2 6

TARGET

11 12 13 14

16 17

18 Make as many words of four letters or more as you can. Each word must contain the center letter and each letter must only be used once. Target: 20 words good; 30 very good; 40+ excellent.

19 20

Last week’s solutions (20th November 2014): Across: 1 Tide-tables; 7 Idles; 8 Pitfall; 10 Managing; 11 Gift; 13 Racket; 15 Moaner; 17 Lees; 18 Works out; 21 Several; 22 Outer; 23 Protesters. Down: 1 Talon; 2 Designed; 3 Taping; 4 Bats; 5 Elation; 6 Rigmaroles; 9 Literature; 12 Folklore; 14 Cleaver; 16 Moulds; 19 Oaths; 20 Grit.

and a guaranteed result. VIRGO (Aug 22 – Sept 21): Don't get too disappointed when you hear news of another setback or delay. The situation is in the process of being worked out. Be patient. LIBRA (Sept 22 – Oct 22): Just keep telling yourself that if someone wants something from you that badly – like your signature, your heart, or your trust – then they can wait until you're ready to give it. SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21): Don’t ignore that summons, ticket, or letter from the IRS. It’s bound to be an inconvenience, but it's a minor one as long as you cooperate. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 20): You're right to believe in the power of positive thinking, but said thinking may not deliver as quickly as hoped. Give it 2 weeks.

CAPRICORN (Dec 21 – Jan 18): The Universe chooses strange mouthpieces. Look for close encounters of the most unlikely kind. One of these will convey the insight and wisdom you seek. AQUARIUS (Jan 19 – Feb 17): Today you seal the deal. It's been a long and winding road but it's been worth every step of it. PISCES (Feb 18 – March 19): The less you know about a certain under-the-table agreement, the better. It's the rare occasion when ignorance is truly bliss.

HAND

CHASE

FOOT

PEACH

CRYPTIC Crossword ACROSS 6. One who docks the sailing-ship (7) 7. Short, broken fibre (5) 9. A big hole in the baby's shawl (5) 10. Swindles used by those in court (7) 12. List bases he sets up in a different order (11) 14. He attends to someone's health after dinner (11) 18. Having a shot at getting a bargain in Gateshead (7) 19. A quaintly pleasing kind of accent (5) 21. Gave the players a hand (5) 22. Provided a home for a small charge (7)

DOWN 1. Irons a suit (5) 2. When Pam's indisposed in the ship, convulsions result (6) 3. Piece of golfing equipment, one hears, held by the caddy (3) 4. They stop interruptions being heard (6) 5. Hide the real confusion (7) 8. One appearing in “Trilby” wasn't! (7) 11. Fragrant shrub getting James in trouble (7) 13. He reckons to show a kind of balance (7) 15. Provide goods in a flexible way (6) 16. A breach of the peace round the south leads to flight (6) 17. Pete's very much inclined to get upset (5) 20. Cretan mountain bird is heard (3)

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

TELEVISION Your one-stop guide to the best terrestrial tv over the weekend

27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

Have a moan’ on us... It’s your opportunity to sound-off Sir, A bright purple car with Polish number plates has been in Suffolk square since last December and has never been given a ticket, just recently it has been covered up. Do polish cars get diplomatic immunity in Cheltenham? It has been mentioned to traffic wardens but they do nothing. Mike Longley

Sir, Sorry to see Mark Yates leave however the time is right for a new manager with fresh ideas totally agree with Paul Baker and board but how about having a few of the most successful Cheltenham team ever amongst the first team coaching team names like Shane Duff and Jon Finnegan both Cheltenham through and through and ex-Captains and winners. Phil, Warden Hill

Sir, Why oh’ why do the council spray a circle around a pothole? If they had tarmac with them on their wagons surely they could just fill the holes, what a waste of time we know the potholes are there. Come on sort it out Council let’s have some common sense and stop wasting my road tax money. Derek, Up Hatherley

Sir, Who is responsible for painting the island on the Bath road Norwood Arms roundabout, I live in Leckhampton and think it looks hideous, could we please be informed in future when making these decisions. Jerermy, Leckhampton

Sir, I was very disappointed to read the Venting Spleen article in your early October edition that said getting a student drunk and sleeping with her was cheaper than hiring a prostitute and joked about asking for consent. The following week’s column then made reference to 'frisking up yummy mummies'. I am particularly sad that you see no irony in printing this in the same edition of your newspaper that reported on a serious sexual assault in Cheltenham. We know you are a new paper and perhaps looking for some controversy but is misogyny really the best way to achieve this? Because of your article I feel less safe about going out in Cheltenham. I hope other readers and advertisers join me in questioning your editorial decision making with this. Catherine Innes, Community Officer, University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union.

Sir, What can be said about Mark Yates sacking as Cheltenham Towns gaffer? For me it started from Martin Allen’s reign and Paul Baker gave that man money to chuck away for fun. Then ‘Yatesy’ did brilliant getting them out of the mess they were left in. By the time he got up and running the usual excuses came to light about lack of funds, but as always under a new manager with new and fresh ideas they started to play well. What happened with these funds no doubt lots have asked? These guys were replaced with poor, cheap replacements. Whoever takes over will be up against it, with the bigger team’s budgets getting fatter every season, as money talks at all levels of football these days. Saying that, heart and passion can and does overcome spending power. A team of rhinos who would run through a brick wall for each other, no egos in sight and therefore there's only one man for the job, let the legend in the chair step forward. Neil Grayson

LAST CALL

For Examination Registration

For 11+ & 13+

Registration closes 30.11.2014 Please register with

Admissions@rendcomb.gloucs.sch.uk

Please submit your moans and groans to editor@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

To advertise your businesss in the

Cheltenham Standard call 01242 257019 or email: gillkirkham@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

www.rendcombcollege.org.uk

Tel: 01285 832 306 Email. info@rendcomb.gloucs.sch.uk Near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 7HA

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

CULTURE Alison Carlier: Adjectives, Lines and Marks Exhibition launch event: Friday 28 November, 6 - 8.30pm Exhibition open: 28 November - 12 December 2014, Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm. All welcome, free entry Discussion, Alison Carlier in conversation with Jack Southern: Tuesday 9 December, 4.30 - 7pm HARDWICK Gallery presents an exhibition of three alternative and experimental versions of Alison Carlier’s Jerwood Drawing Prize 2014 winning soundwork, Adjectives, Lines and Marks. Alison Carlier relates to drawing in an expanded field, as a way of working, an approach that could be

BASED at Hardwick Campus in Cheltenham, Xposed Club is a wellkept secret (too well-kept, perhaps). It is the University of Gloucestershire's occasional contemporary music venue and on a monthly basis the best leftfield artists from the UK and beyond perform in an informal, friendly and intimate setting. Xposed Club has gained a reputation as a platform for experimentation and creativity, and this month's headline act The Deep Whole Trio fit that bracket exactly. Considered to be one of the leading improvising trios in the world today, their brand of improvisation brings together jazz, folk and classical influences. First formed in 1984, the trio are celebrating their 30 year history with a UK tour this month and the Cheltenham date on Friday 28th November promises to be a real treat. Expect saxophones, bagpipes, drums and woodwind, and your mind to be blown just a little bit. Doors are at 8pm and entry is £7 (or £3 for students). At the other end of the noise

considered a ‘drawing attitude’. Work from Adjectives, Lines and Marks is displayed simultaneously with other shortlisted works in the Jerwood Drawing Prize at The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, Cheltenham, until 4 January 2015. Alison Carlier’s exhibition at Hardwick Gallery was selected by a panel of students from the School of Art & Design and called for exhibition proposals that attracted submissions from national and international artists and practitioners for the 2014-

15 gallery programme. Copies of Alison’s book The Drawing Attitude is available to purchase for £6.00. Hardwick Gallery is an exciting new initiative within the refurbished Hardwick campus at the University of Gloucestershire. The gallery presents a dynamic programme of public exhibitions and discussions, and offers both a learning environment and a new regional centre to experience contemporary art. www.glos.ac.uk

THE LIVE LINE UPS spectrum, The 2 Pigs this week hosts three gigs that are guaranteed to leave a ringing in your ears for several days afterwards. On Friday 28th November Welsh post-hard core band Funeral For A Friend play a sell-out show at the tiny High Street venue. Formed in 2001, the band's popularity peaked in the mid-noughties with gold-selling albums and regular slots at Reading Festival. Although the size of venue may have diminished since then, their intensity has not. On the following night a selection of the best local hard core and metal bands take to the 2 Pigs stage. Broken Jaw, We Define A Martyr, Malicious Intent and Live Rounds will be thrashing away from 8pm - tickets are just £4 in advance. And finally, on Wednesday December 3rd at the 2 Pigs, Baby Godzilla headline an evening of off-kilter

sounds. Hailing from Nottingham, the band describe their own music as 'general extreme noise.' Baby Godzilla have gained a reputation for frantic live shows and often spend more time in the crowd than on the actual stage. The band are known to swing from the ceiling and even incite mosh-pits inside wheelie bins at festivals, so the staff at The 2 Pigs are advised to lock away all of their breakables until Baby Godzilla have left the building. If you are planning to go to any of these gigs this forthcoming week then my top tips are to buy yourself some earplugs and don't stand too close to the speakers. You'll thank me for it in the long run. For more local music news visit Behind The Scene Gloucestershire www.facebook.com/behindthescene glos

ALL TOGETHER NOW CHELTENHAM Choral Society practises every Wednesday evening at Bethesda Methodist Church, Great Norwood St. They perform a number of concerts each year, including familiar classical works and work by modern composers. The Society believes that singing together engenders a sense of well-being and community, and one of their goals is to promote musical awareness in young people by providing opportunities for them to sing in public. To this end, recent performances have included choirs from Charlton Kings Junior School, Leckhampton Primary School, Airthrie School and the Beauregard Youth

Choir, singing John Rutter’s ‘Mass of the Children’ in Tewkesbury Abbey, and in June 2012, Karl Jenkins’ ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace’ at the Town Hall, an emotional experience for all. On November 29th 2014, the Choral Society is presenting Haydn’s joyful ‘Creation’ at St Matthew’s Church, Cheltenham, and they are looking forward to a new venue, the Pittville Pump Room, for their carol concert on Tuesday 9th December. This Carol Concert, a tapestry of music for Christmas, will feature the children’s choir from Deerhurst and Apperley C of E Primary School, who

recently won a first prize at the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts; and the Major Pipework Recorder Ensemble, who play a wide range of music on recorders of different sizes. Join Cheltenham Choral Society for a festive concert in a spectacular venue. Tickets are only £10 and are available from Cheltenham Town Hall box office, 0844 576 2210, cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk.

Book REVIEW By EVE SEYMOUR

NUNSLINGER By STARK HOLBORN

WHEN a wagon train is attacked in which Sister Thomas Josephine is travelling, help arrives in the form of handsome Lt. Theodore F. Carthy. Her relief is short-lived, however, when Abraham C Muir, drifter and outlaw, takes her hostage at gunpoint as his insurance against arrest. So far, so exciting, but the twist is that Muir is not quite the bad man he seems, and Carthy is no guardian angel but an obsessive with dastardly designs on Sister Josephine. In dangerous country, where life is hard and trust, unlike bullets, in short supply, it’s not long before Sister Josephine finds herself falsely accused of murder, on the run, and with a bounty on her head. Based on a true story, ‘Nunslinger’ rings with authenticity. There are whorehouses, saloon-bar brawls, bandits, flights through desert, over mountain and across sea. You can virtually taste the dust, heat and makeshift meals of ‘grits’ livened up with pig fat. You can smell the blood, leather and horse liniment. This is an age when the rule of law is flexible – depends who is in charge – and the gallows the likely destination for felons. All of this provides a rich backdrop to a story that belongs to its main protagonist, Sister Josephine. A woman torn between her faith and survival, she makes a reluctant fugitive, yet, thrillingly and often amusingly, is not averse to using a gun when the need arises. Early on in the narrative, Muir asks: ‘Where does the Lord stand on breaking and entering?’ As it turns out, He turns a blind eye. Accustomed to wearing a nun’s habit, Sister Josephine is forced to improvise to escape capture that includes donning a figure-hugging gown that offends her sensibilities. It’s no surprise that Sister J fascinates Muir. Truth be told, the feeling is mutual even as she desires to save his sorry soul. Resourceful and quick-witted, Sister Josephine routinely averts disaster, with the help of a little Divine intervention. Cliffhangers abound for Holborn is the master/mistress (welcome to the world of the pseudonym) of credible surprises. You don’t have to be a fan of Westerns to enjoy the novel. A hoot of a book, full of cowboy capers and gunslinging swagger, pace is faster than an ‘Injun’s’ arrow in flight. The perfect holiday read, Christmas or otherwise. Eve Seymour is a freelance editorial consultant and the author of seven crime fiction novels. Beautiful Losers will be published by US publisher Midnight Ink early 2016. To see more details of her work visit www.evseymour.co.uk

27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

PROPERTY&HOME

PROPERTY ADVICE

SEEING THE LIGHT

LIGHTING should be at three levels in a room - the floor, walls and ceiling. Plan your scheme in advance - if you’re having electrical work done, make sure the sockets are fitted where you want your table and floor lamps to be. Wall lights and target lighting should also be planned at this stage. Lighting can be much more creative, and useful, than just an overhead light in each room. In the bedrooms, do you want wall lights over the beds for reading, or just bedside lamps? Don’t forget wall lights in the bathroom, perhaps for creating a relaxing atmosphere when you’re soaking in the tub, and on either side of the mirror for shaving and applying make-up. An illuminated mirror is another option. Target lighting, such as over-counter lights in kitchens, can be both practical and attractive.

Consider how the room will be used and at what time of day,” says Hector Finch, owner of lighting store Hector Finch, “This has an influence on whether the lighting should be overhead, localised for reading, or purely for atmosphere. Lighting should be considered in relation to the use of the room and the times that good light will be most needed.” If you want to focus attention on a feature, light it up. This is often best achieved with a low-level lighting scheme, where walls are ‘washed’ with light, or where an area is accented with spotlights. Statement pieces, such as chandeliers, can be a stunning feature, but give them room to ‘breathe’. “Think of lighting as a means of adding personality and atmosphere to a room and home,” says Finch. “Table lamps can be beautiful objects in their own right, not just used to provide light, and

shades can be chosen to echo other colours in the room.” In a room with a high ceiling, think carefully about the height and size of the ceiling light - a small one may look silly. Most plastic ceiling roses come with short

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A NEW W LEASE OF LIFE FOR OR CHEL CHELTENHAM LTENHAM ENHAM COUPLE OUPLE In just the space o of three three weeks, Mr & Mrs M Malcolm fr from om Churchdown given up their old life and started a new, Chur chdown had g s new, McCarthy Court vibrant one at McC Carthy & Stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jenner Co ourt development in Cheltenham. Margaret Margar et (74) and her husband Gordon Gordon (82) had been living in their Churchdown family home in Chu urchdown for over 31 yearss and due to ill health, were struggling they wer e strugglin ng to manage the larger garden. gar arden. den After much consideration, the couple decided it was time e to move on and enjoy their rretirement etireme ent in a mor e manageable property. property. more Margaret were Margar et explains: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We â&#x20AC;&#x153;We absolutely loved the bungalow but we wer e spending a fortune e on hired hired help to keep the e pr property operty maintained there came where couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t anymore. and ther e just cam me a point wher e we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it anymor e. I heard around hear d about McCarthy McCa arthy & Stone before before and had h looked ar ound several of their dev velopments velopments. developments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We we were â&#x20AC;&#x153;W e popped into JJenner Court one day as w were looking to stay

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THE AGE OF TALENT UP until recently, employers had the upper hand in the hiring process. Now, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all behind us. The emphasis has had a sea change. On the heels of the Great Recession, employers were suddenly getting more applications than they knew what to do with, as millions of highly skilled workers found themselves out of jobs. Many companies took advantage of this and began devaluing candidates with lower-than-average salary offers

for highly skilled jobs. Now that scenario has all changed folks. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a brand new world. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now the age of talent. The power has shifted back from the employer to the candidate. Candidates with specialised skills are now in very high demand and even harder to find than rocking horse droppings. In this new age of talent, employers must offer competitive pay and benefits in order to attract the skilled talent they need. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an employeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

world where the fittest will not only survive but will thrive. Employers must be strategic and proactive about where they look for talent, how they differentiate themselves from competitors, what they offer and how they allocate their resources. They need to rely on competitive workforce data to inform their strategies and new recruitment technologies to complement these strategies. After all, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a candidateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world now; employers are just adapting to it.

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

MOTORING

best wheels, best deals... MOTORING REVIEW

PULSING…

A NEW car for an already crowded market is the best way to describe Nissan's Pulsar, which does make the Japanese firm's task of shifting the five-door hatch a tough one. Nissan is fully aware that it needs to make an extra effort. Crucially, it's almost a decade since Nissan last offered a conventional hatchback. A pioneer of the now-ubiquitous compact crossover SUV, it walked away from that sector to follow an SUV dream. And while that proved a roaring success, it also now wants a slice of the more conventional pie. The recipe is simple: two engines, lots of kit and funky Qashqai-esque looks. You can excuse Nissan for wanting to trade on the success of its Qashqai crossover. The Pulsar sports a similarlooking nose which is no accident. That said, reinventing the wheel is hard, which is why the rest of the Pulsar is broadly similar to a host of other five-door family hatchbacks. Nissan's using the carrot of class-leading space to attract potential

MINI COOPER S 1.6 £5,999

FIAT PUNTO EVO 1.4 £4,999

buyers, and there's no denying that cabin room is generous. Also, the Japanese firm's reputation for offering clever infotainment and safety kit is well established and evident in the Pulsar. Crossovers are often purchased because they boast more space than a similar family hatch, yet the Pulsar easily trumps many of its conventional rivals for rear cabin space thanks to a stretched wheelbase. At the rear, the car's boot is also a good size, while storage around the cabin has been well thought out. All in all, the Pulsar is a versatile and family car for those not sold on the SUV concept. The Pulsar offers a good balance of refinement and a reasonably engaging driving experience. The 1.2-litre petrol motor is no slouch in the real world despite 'only' possessing 114bhp. If you want more low-down grunt, there's always the company car-friendly 1.5-litre diesel. Nissan is keen to promote the Pulsar as a value-for-money proposition. Standard

SNAPSHOT... equipment levels are generous, while the cost options include kit you'd normally only find on more expensive models. Think options like collision and blind spot warning systems, reversing camera, internet-enabled infotainment systems and powerful LED headlights. And as for the asking price, the Pulsar is keenly positioned below the likes of the Golf and Focus.

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Nissan Pulsar 1.2 DIG-T Tekna £20,345 Engine: 1.2-litre petrol unit producing 114bhp and 122lb/ft of torque Transmission: Six-speed manual driving the front wheels Performance: Top speed 118mph, 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds Economy: 56.5mpg combined Emissions: 117g/km of CO2

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA SRi 1.9 £6,499

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TEL: 01452 856234 FAX: 01452 854066

FAREWELL TO A LEGEND.

FINAL EDITIONS, WITHOUT LIMITS. With production of the critically acclaimed and much admired XK ending soon, we have three models available, all with superb specification.

XK DYNAMIC R From £69,975 The XK Dynamic R takes the 510PS XKR as a base and dials up the driving experience. Available as a Coupé or Convertible, the Dynamic R features a range of performance and dynamic enhancements as standard. • 20” Vortex alloy wheels > XK Dynamic R Coupé with a Dark Technical finish Ultimate Black with Warm Charcoal Leather interior • Aerodynamic pack • Speed pack > XK Dynamic R Convertible • Black Dynamic pack Ultimate Black with Ivory • Performance active exhaust Leather interior • Diamond stitch performance seats > XK Dynamic R Convertible • Reverse park camera Italian Racing red with • Stainless steel pedals Warm Charcoal interior • Choice of five exterior paint colours • Rear “Dynamic” badging

Please contact us today to find out more.

H.A.FOX CHELTENHAM RUTHERFORD WAY, CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL51 9TU 01242 851 742 HAFOX.CHELTENHAM.JAGUAR.CO.UK

HOW ALIVE ARE YOU?

DIESEL 07 57 FORD FOCUS STYLE; 5 Door 79,000 rm. Silver met, PAS, CD, Elec Windows FSH ............................................£3,999 08 58 SAAB 9-3 ESTATE; Blue Met, ½ Leather, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys, Tinted Windows ...........................................£3,995 04 54 MERCEDES E270 CDi AVANTGUARDE AUTO; Silver Met, ½ Leather, Aircon, Alloys ...........................................£3,995 04 04 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GT TDi; Blue met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys .........................................................................£4,195 07 57 VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN TDi S; Blue Met, 7 Seater, PAS, CD, Aircon, FSH ..........................................................£5,695 07 07 VOLVO V70 S AUTOMATIC ESTATE; 71,000 rm, Blue Met, PAS, CD, ABS, Aircon, Alloys .....................................£6,495 06 06 MERCEDES E220 CDi AVANTGARDE Auto ESTATE; Silver Met, PAS, CD, Aircon, ½ Leather ..............................£6,995 06 56 AUDI A6 2.7 TDi SE AUTO ESTATE; Silver Met, PAS, CD, Climate A/C, Leather, Heated Seats ............................£6,999 09 09 BMW 520 SE AUTOMATIC ESTATE; grey met, FSH, PAS, CD, leather, Climate A/C, Sat Nav. ..............................£9,495 10 59 AUDI A6 2.0 TDi 170 Le Mans; 4 Door, in Grey Met, Stunning Car with LED Running Lights, Leather, Sat Nav, Bluetooth ..........................................................................................................................................................................£9,495 04 04 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi GHIA X – PAS, CD, Leather drives superb ............................................................... £2195 04 54 Volkswagen 1.9 Tdi S LINE 93,000rm, black met, PAS, CD, ABS, Aircon, Alloys ........................................ £5999 06 56 RENAULT CLIO 1.5 Dci DYNAMIQUE black met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys ......................................................£3695 06 56 PEUGEOT 207 1.6 Hdi 110 SE 5 Door, 65,000rm grey met, PAS, CD, Skyroof, Aircon, ...............................£3999 07 57 BMW 1 Series 1.8 3 Door, grey met, PAS, CD, front and rear parking, Aircon, Alloys, bluetooth ...............£6499 07 07 Volkswagen Golf 1.9 Tdi MATCH 5 Door, grey met, PAS, Cd, Aircon, Alloys ...............................................£5999 08 58 Volkswagen Golf 1.9 Tdi BLUEMOTION 5 Door, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys ......................................................£5999 08 08 AUDI A6 2.0 Tdi S LINE AUTO silver met, PAS, CD, ½ Leather, Airocon .......................................................£6499 09 09 BMW 320 CD M SPORT COUPE grey met, PAS, CD, ABS, Alloys .................................................................£9295 EXECUTIVE 08 08 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Coupe 6.0; 21,800 rm, PAS, CD, Aircon, Leather - Stunner!! ...................................£27,495 4x4 04 04 MITSUBISHI PINNIN ELEGANCE; 86,000 rm, Silver Met, PAS, Leather, CD, Alloys, Aircon .................................£2,695 06 56 HONDA CRV DIESEL EXECUTIVE; 88,000 rm, Grey Met, PAS, CD, Sat Nav, Leather ...........................................£6,495 07 07 AUDI A4 QUATTRO 4x4 ESTATE; 90,000 rm, Blue met, PAS, CD, Leather, Climate A/C, FSH ..............................£7,995 07 57 LANDROVER DISCOVERY TD5 COMMERCIAL; Green met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys, No Vat. ...............................£7,995 08 58 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA 7 SEATER 2.0 DIESEL; 34,100 rm, PAS, CD, Aircon, Irmscher Alloys and sidesteps... ......£8,495 08 08 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 2.0 TDi; black met, PAS, CD, Elec windows, Climate A/C, Alloys ....................................£9,995 05 55 MERCEDES ML320 CDi SPORT AUTOMATIC; 94,000 rm, Silver Met, PAS, CD, V2 Leather, drives superb... .......£9,999 05 05 Nissan X Trail 2.2 Dci DIESEL 92,000rm , Aruba Blue, PAS, CD, Sunroof, A/C, Alloys ................................£4499

Official fuel consumption for the Jaguar XK range in mpg (l/100km): Urban from 14.9 (18.9) to 16.5 (17.1); Extra Urban from 33.0 (8.6) to 35.3 (8.0); Combined from 23.0 (12.3) to 25.2 (11.2). CO2 Emissions from 292 to 264 g/km. Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ.

08 58 NISSAN NAVARA 2.5 Dci AVENTURA Double Cab 72,000rm, Blue met, PAS, CD, Leather, Aircon, Sunroof, Sat Nav .........................................................................................................................................................£9999 NO VAT CONVERTIBLE 05 54 RENAULT MEGANE DYNAMIQUE; 72,142 rm, silver met, PAS, recently serviced, CD, Alloys, Aircon ...................£2,995 05 05 VOLVO C70 2.0T; Silver Met, FSH, Leather, Aircon, Alloys ..................................................................................£3,995 01 51 MAZDA MX-5 1.8 77,000rm, light blue met, LEATHER, Alloys, Aircon .......................................................£2795 CARS 03 03 DAIHATSU SIRION 1.3; 5 Door, 57,181 rm, Flame Red, FSH, PAS, CD, Elec Windows ........................................£1,595 05 05 KIA MAGENTIS 2.0 LE AUTOMATIC; 43,000 rm, Silver met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys .........................................£1,995 03 53 MAZDA 323F SPORT 2.0; 5 Door, Blue Met, PAS, CD, Air Con, Alloys ..............................................................£1,799 03 53 MERCEDES A140 Classic SE LWB; 60,845 rm, PAS, Central Locking, Elec Windows .......................................£2,495 06 56 RENAULT MEGANE Dynamique; 5 Door, Blue Met, PAS, CD, Aircon, C/L ...........................................................£2,495 02 52 FORD FOCUS 2.0 ST 170; 5 Door 80,300 rm. Grey met, PAS, CD, V2 Leather, A/C ............................................ £2,995 05 05 VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.2 Twist; 3 Door, 81,000 rm, Blue Met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Elec Windows .........................£2,995 08 08 PEUGEOT 308 SE; 3 Door, Blue Met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys .............................................................................£3,295 06 06 FORD FIESTA 1.25 ZETEC; 83,000 rm, Flame Red, PAS, CD, Alloys ..................................................................£3,495 06 56 FORD FOCUS 1.6 LX; 5 Door, 67,591 rm, Blue Met, FSH, PAS, CD, Aircon, Elec Windows, Alloys .......................£3,495 09 09 CHEVROLET LACETTI 1.8 AUTOMATIC ESTATE; 25,000 rm, Blue Met, PAS, CD, Aircon ......................................£3,495 05 55 TOYOTA COROLLA 1.6 Colour Collection; 5 Door, Blue Met, FSH – All Toyota, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys ................£3,499 02 52 FIAT PUNTO 1.2 5 door 84,000rm, PAS, Central locking, Elec windows .....................................................£1595 04 54 VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.4 ENJOY 5 Door 69,000rm, red, PAS, Central locking, Elec windows .........................£1699 04 54 FORD MONDEO 2.0 ZETEC AUTOMATIC 5 door, silver met, PAS, CD, ABS, Aircon .......................................£1999 05 05 TOYOTA COROLLA 1.4 T3 5 Door, 75,000rm, 02 52 MINI ONE 1.6 85,000rm, black met, PAS, CD, Sunroof, Alloys ..................................................................................................................................................................£3299 04 54 FORD FIESTA 1.4 FLAME 3 Door, 49,000rm, Grey met, PAS, CD, Alloys ....................................................£2595 02 52 MINI ONE 1.6 85,000rm, black met, PAS, CD, sunroof, Alloys ...................................................................£3499 05 05 FORD FOCUS 1.6 LX 51,000rm, grey met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys ............................................................ £2999 05 55 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.6 Fsi SE 3 Door, blue met, PAS, CD, ABS, Aircon, Alloys .........................................£3499 07 07 VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.4 Sxi 5 Door, 72,000rm, Silver met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys ......................................£3699 05 05 HONDA CIVIC 1.6 AUTOMATIC 54,000rm, silver met, PAS, CD, Aircon, LEATHER .......................................£3999 07 57 VAUXHALL CORSA 1.2 CLUB 3 Door, 14,000rm, Silver met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Elec windows ......................£3999 06 06 BMW 1 SERIES 118 SPORT 5 Door, black met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys .....................................................£4999 07 57 VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.2 S 5 door 40,000rm, black met, PAS, CD, Aircon, Alloys .......................................£4999

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27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

SPORT

Local Rugby

Away win overshadowed by injury to Hill RUGBY UNION

Stothert and Pitt Cheltenham

3 31

AN IMPROVING but depleted Cheltenham side took on Somerset-based Stothert and Pitt with just 15 men and despite losing star man Ryan Hill to a nasty ankle injury, they ran out comfortable winners. Cheltenham withstood an early barrage from the home side and after eight minutes wing Chris Whitfield received the ball wide out and broke through to score a opening unconverted try. The visiting team gained a man advantage in the 26th minute when referee Nick Keith yellow carded Stothert’s captain Ben Withey for a high tackle on Zac Atallah. Within two minutes Cheltenham extended their lead to 12-0 with Atallah grabbing a try and conversion. With 31 minutes played Cheltenham made it 19-0 with Hill finishing off a well executed try with Haskayne boys Syd and Joe to the fore and the boot of Atallah adding the extras. Stothert opened their account in the 35th minute

COME AND TRY

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with Dan Smith slotting a well-struck 26 metre drop goal. Cheltenham started the second half playing down the slope and they were soon to stretch their lead to 25-3 with Joe Haskayne crashing over for a fine try which Atallah converted. From the restart Stothert gained a man advantage with Cheltenham’s Hill shown a yellow card. In the 60th minute Cheltenham were reduced to 14 men with Hill suffering an injury that held play up for 23 minutes before restarting on a neighbouring pitch while paramedics dealt with the situation. Cheltenham regrouped and extended their lead to 31-3 with hard working centre Rich Beeney scoring a unconverted try. The game continued to be a low key event with a second paramedic crew arriving to deal with Hill’s broken and dislocated right ankle. It was no surprise when referee Nick Keith called an end to the game eight minutes early.

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Lydney prop Scriven switches codes to take on All Golds challenge RUGBY LEAGUE

THE University of Gloucestershire All Golds have signed local rugby union favourite Brett Scriven, who has switched codes to try his hand at rugby league in Kingstone Press League One. The powerful and explosive prop has had an outstanding rugby union career playing for Gloucester, Bridgend, Worcester, Stourbridge and most recently Lydney. He has also represented Gloucestershire, the

Brett Scriven

South West of England and Wales Under-19s. The move will not be Scriven’s first involvement in rugby league as some years ago he had a very successful trial with Hull, but at that time declined a professional contract. He has been identified as having the traits needed to be an outstanding league player and his strength and brute force will be welcomed by his team mates. Scriven shares a lot of similarities to 'Mad' Arthur Smith who featured in the 'Great Match of the Edwardian Period' in 1908 from which the University of Gloucestershire All Golds proudly take their name and history. They are both from the Forest of Dean and both play in the prop position. Scriven was naturally delighted to sign with the University of Gloucestershire All Golds and is relishing the challenge ahead of him in 2015. “It was a surprise to be contacted by the All Golds but something I jumped at the chance to do,” he said. “It will be a new experience for me but I can't wait to get started and hopefully help the team secure a play-off spot next season. I hope that my signing will inspire other Foresters to take up rugby league in the future.” All Golds' head coach, Lee Greenwood, is looking forward to the challenge of making this rugby league convert a success. “Having spoken to Brett, he is signing for the right reasons,” Greenwood said. “He could have easily finished his career in union where he has done well, but he wants to challenge himself. “Myself and Dan Garbutt will work hard with him over the winter to give him every chance of being a big success for us.”

North denied win by late try but unbeaten home record intact RUGBY UNION

Cheltenham North Pershore

29 29

NORTH’S first home game for a month was against second placed Pershore, who had lost only twice all season. The visitors were first to cross the white wash. A missed kick to touch was fielded by their winger who drove deep into the North's half where a good rucked ball sent them under the post for a converted try. Straight from the kick-off North hit back, Rich Hance taking a high kick and quick ball to John Wood who broke through the defence to put Paul Scott over in the corner for an unconverted try. The game was end-to-end with both sides playing open rugby and in the 20th minute from a secure scrum the Pershore nine broke the North line and sent their winger in at the corner. The conversion was missed. North did not seem to be fazed and in the 30th minute they scored when Scott picked up from the base of the scrum. He drove into the opposition, fed the ball to Dan Hewitt who made further ground and fed to Nathan Wakefield who juggled the ball and scored a fabulous try in the corner, again the conversion was missed.

Right on half-time North were awarded a penalty on the halfway line. Charlie McKegney sent the spiral kick deep into the opposition half, North won the lineout and Scott was driven over the line to make it 15-12. From the kick-off North kicked the ball directly into touch giving Pershore the opportunity to set up their third try, from a catch in the lineout, they drove through the North line. The conversion was missed. Ten minutes later, Pershore won the ball from a lineout and drove over the line and this time it was converted. From the ensuing kick-off, a high hanging ball was caught by Hewitt on the charge who fed Hance who drove further into the opposition half and passed the ball to fellow back row player Adam Dove who crashed over the line for a converted score. In the 60th minute the North scored their best try and one for the bonus point. After McKegney's deep kick into the corner, lineout was won and winger Chris Wright was held up just short of the line. But with the back row right behind him, they won good ball to feed Hewitt who crashed over for another converted try. North then seemed to relax and in the ninth minute of the referee's injury time Pershore scored in the corner. With a kick to win the game their full-back put it wide, preserving North’s unbeaten home record.

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

SPORT Lions give a fine account of themselves against Plymouth YOUTH FOOTBALL

Local Football

New-look Cleeve unable to stop rot despite Watts’ double FOOTBALL

Bridgwater Bishop’s Cleeve

TOURING side Plymouth Schools invited Cheltenham double winners Southside Lions to Longlevens School for a game. After beating Gloucester Schools 2-1 on Saturday Plymouth were in a confident mood, however Cheltenham side Southside held their own against the cream of Plymouth with goalkeeper Alex Schofield in fantastic form and pulling off some fine saves. The Lions' scorers were George Cuzner, Mick Rewczuk and a stunning left foot strike from Matty Hunt. The game was a lot closer than the result suggested and the travelling Plymouth fans gave the Lions a huge round of applause after the game. Southside Lions: Schofield, Duncan, Inward, Hitchins, Groom, Jordanov, Peck, Jameson, Rewczuk, Cuzner, Morrissey, Hunt, Edwards.

BOSS Steve Cleal’s new look Bishop's Cleeve side will go in search of their first win against Taunton Town on Saturday following another heavy defeat last weekend, this time at Bridgwater. The Mitres arrived full of optimism with debuts for five players and two more new faces on the bench. Nathan Summers, Ryan Shaw, Sol Wheatley, Rob Why and Jack Watts were all included for the first time. The optimism quickly turned to realism as with the first attack of the game the hosts got in behind and Dave O’Hare scored the first goal of the game after just 90 seconds. After 32 minutes Cleeve found themselves further behind when a cross from the left wing was not cleared at the back and despite the last ditch tackle by Danny Sherry, the home side had a two goal lead through Ollie Chamberlain’s finish. They got themselves back into the game when Wheatley found Watts on the edge of the area and he rolled the ball neatly out of his feet and hit a curling shot into the top corner. The goal in the 37th minute was the perfect tonic and Cleeve ended the half on a high. The half-time interval proved to be pivotal and Cleeve were out of the game within five minutes of the restart.

George Cuzner running at the Plymouth defence

5 2

ALAN FRANKLIN

Southside Lions Under-11s 3 Plymouth Schools 5

HEALTH&FITNESS

CHELTENHAM-based personal trainer and aspiring fitness model Leah Collins shares her exercise and nutrition tips every week in the Cheltenham Standard Exercise of the week: Number Eight: Abdominal knee tuck Using a fitness ball, this exercise works the whole body, but mainly targets the abdominals. Start off in a press up position, keeping your hands in line with your shoulders and your arms straight. Place one foot at a time onto the ball to take your starting position. Bring your knees towards your chest, the slower you do so the harder it becomes. Once your knees are tucked into your body, extend your legs back to the starting position. To stay balanced, you will need to keep your core tight throughout the movement. Try to maintain this exercise for a minute, keeping it slow and steady.

First Joe Bushin was allowed to head home a corner with little pressure in the 48th minute and then just two minutes later Dean Griffiths got a lucky bobble off goalkeeper Steve Benbow and smashed the ball home. Cleal made some changes following these goals and Sam Mason was replaced by debutant Steve Robey and Danny Sherry by the seventh debutant Curtis Bennett. Bridgwater scored a fifth goal to rub salt in the wound on the 79th minute, when O’Hare was played in following a breakaway and he tapped home. Harry Beaumont replaced Joe Tustain for the last 10 mins of the game, and six minutes later Watts had his second. The ball was played forward by substitute Robey and Watts controlled on his chest and volleyed home from 25 yards as the ball dropped.

*BISHOP’S Cleeve Reserves remain second from bottom in the County League after a 5-1 hammering from Thornbury Town. They should have been two up in the first few minutes but squandered their chances and in the seventh minute Rob Wilks gave Thornbury the lead. A disputed penalty netted by Craig Lancastle in the 21st minute put the visitors two up. Thornbury were on a high and made it 3-0 on 36 minutes with a goal from Scott McCleod. A minute before the break Town found themselves with a 4-0 lead after Josh Pirie scored. A 70th minute penalty converted by James Pickup made it 4-1 but five minutes later Lancastle netted his second of the afternoon for a final score of 5-1 to the visitors. Cleeve Reserves visit Hanham Athletic on Saturday (2pm).

Super Service continue to lead the way FOOTBALL

Cheltenham Civil Service King’s Stanley

2 0

By MATT EVANS CHELTENHAM Civil Service continued their dream start to life in the Marcliff Gloucestershire County league with a 2-0 win over fourthplaced King's Stanley. It was a hard fought, feisty, close encounter between two sides at the top end of the table, with it taking two late goals from Service to secure the win. There was very little in the way of clear chances in the first half, with the first coming after 20 minutes. It fell to Service's Stuart Midwinter, who was put through on goal by Jack Sklenar, only to shoot straight at King's Stanley goalkeeper Peter Davis. Stanley could have taken the lead just before half-time, as Daniel Chandler controlled a cross-field ball before slotting a pass down the line for Liam Gale to race onto, only for the winger to blaze his shot high over the bar. Service started the second half strongly, with Paul Holmes volleying over from a corner. Two minutes later Midwinter came close to breaking the deadlock, as he raced onto Sklenar's flicked header, out-muscling a defender only to see his shot rebound back off the post to safety. After that quick start, the flow of the game was disrupted by a succession of niggly fouls from players on both sides, with the referee forced to brandish his

yellow card on numerous occasions. The next big chance fell to Stanley, as Service's style of playing the ball out from defence nearly back-fired. Striker Jake Davies intercepted a pass and found himself clean through on goal, only to inexplicably put the ball wide of the goal. Service eventually managed to capitalise on the life that was given to them by Davies, but not until the 82nd minute. Stanley failed to properly clear a corner, the ball ricocheting around in the box until it eventually dropped to John Evans on the edge of the penalty area. His shot was going wide until Service centre-back Chris Pates stuck a boot out to deflect the ball past Davis into the net. Midwinter then made the closing minutes more comfortable for Service as he added a second. Cameron Smith won the ball in midfield with some tenacious tackling, before playing an inch-perfect through ball for Midwinter to run onto. The striker coolly rounded the onrushing Davis before slotting into an empty net. It could have been an even more convincing win for Service as the unlucky Midwinter struck the woodwork for the second time in the game. Tim Griffiths’ long punt forward caused havoc for the Stanley defenders who allowed the ball to bounce around, Midwinter managing to get the ball and send a looping header over Davis, only for the ball to strike the post.

27 NOVEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

SPORT

Cheltenham League round-up PHOTO: ALAN FRANKLIN Danny Alderman, Churchdown Panthers

Dowty Dynamos impressive form in Division Three came to an abrupt end as they were emphatically beaten 5-1 by Leckhampton Rovers. The win moved Leckhampton to the top of the table as the other teams around them all drew. Rovers face a test this weekend when they face Brockworth Albion Reserves. Albion topped the table in the first few weeks of the season but have seen their challenge fade recently. At the bottom Shurdington Rovers are still to claim their first point of the season. They face the team directly above them this weekend, Charlton Rovers Reserves. While Charlton Rovers superior goal difference means they are unlikely to be overtaken, PHOTO: ALAN FRANKLIN

CHURCHDOWN Panthers saw their chance to move level on points with leaders Whaddon United disappear as they were left to share the points with Newton following their 1-1 draw in Division One of the Cheltenham League, Sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Cheltenham Ford. Newton squandered a number of chances to take the lead in the first half, with Bradley Barnard guilty of missing two guilt edge opportunities, and they were made to pay shortly before half time. A long ball up field deflected off Newton’s full back and fell kindly to Elliott Sheering who slotted past Jack Townsend in the Newton goal. The second half once again saw Newton make a number of goal scoring chances and they finally took one as Daniel Shatford headed in Lee Orpin’s corner. John Garthwaite had a chance to take all three points for Newton as he latched on to Nathan Gill’s through ball in the 89th minute only to misjudge his effort. FC Lakeside did not make the same mistake and their 2-0 win at Kings saw them move top of the table although they have played one more game than Whaddon. Newton will be looking to continue their good run when they face Whaddon United this weekend. Lakeside will remain in top spot if xxxxxxx they beat Hanley Swan. Staunton and Corse’s 2-0 defeat of second placed Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves saw them move into top spot in Division 2 over taking Whaddon United Reserves and their opponents in the process. The top three are all in action this weekend. While Whaddon and Staunton face teams in the bottom half of the table Service face a tricky tie at fifth placed Andoversford. Service manager O’Shea knows the importance of taking all three points and staying in touch with the leaders.

Cheltenham Football League, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Ford Cheltenham

PLAYER PROFILE OF THE WEEK This week we profile Dom James who plays for Leckhampton Rovers in Division Three. Dom joined the club this season having previously played for St Andrew’s in the Churches League. Having started as a junior club, Leckhampton now have two adult teams in the Cheltenham League, providing a natural progression for their juniors as they move to open age football. Their first team moved to the top of Division Three last weekend and can remain on top if they beat Brockworth Albion Reserves on Saturday.

Robins suffer heavy Wycombe defeat

Name: Dom James Nickname: DJ Position: Number 10 Clubs played for: Leckhampton Rovers, St Andrew’s Most memorable match: 5-4 Cup win versus Dowtys earlier in season Worst match: Last weeks 3-2 loss at Fintan Toughest opposition: Newlands Athletic Best player at club: Joe Lawrence Team supported: West Bromwich Albion Favourite player in world: Eden Hazard

Shurdington know the importance of claiming three points and not slipping six points behind their nearest rivals. The top two in Division Four both took three points last week as table toppers Northway beat Southside Reserves and Cheltenham Civil Service IIIs beat Leckhampton Rovers. Bourton Rovers III who had won all three of their league games were brought down to earth with a bump as Star FC Reserves beat them 6-1. With a number of teams in County Cup action on Saturday, including the top two, Rovers have the opportunity to get back to winning ways when the face Leckhampton Rovers Reserves. Andoversford Reserves moved to the top of Division Five, following their 5-1 defeat of FC Barometrics III, as leaders Cheltenham Athletic were beaten 6-3 by Kingshill Sports. With a number of teams in County Cup action this weekend bottom club Pittville United Reserves face Barometrics in the only league game. United have drawn two and lost four and know that three points on Saturday will take them above the two teams above them. Malvern Vale and Fintan Reserves impressive start in Division Six continued as they made it five out of five last weekend. With Fintan in County Cup action this Saturday Vale will have the opportunity to move three points clear if they beat Cheltenham Saracens who have taken just three points from their opening five matches. Regency Town are also in County Cup action and will be glad to take a break from league games after their perfect start to the season has turned sour in the last two games. After losing their 100 percent record in their last outing they were comprehensively beaten 7-0 last weekend by Cheltenham United which included a Chris Clavin hat-trick.

CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE FOOTBALL

straight red card for a challenge on Peter Murphy in the 24th minute. Hayes saw a spot kick well saved by Trevor Carson after a shove on Murphy by Craig Braham-Barrett before Steven Craig put the visitors ahead as Cheltenham were cut open again. Joe Jacobson made it 3-1 with a superb strike from 30 yards and substitute Matt McClure added a fourth late on as Cheltenham collapsed for the second Saturday in succession. “We’ve literally not defended well from the second minute of the game, all the way through until the end, and been punished for it,” Yates said. “Lee Vaughan has cost us the chance to have a go but I expect better, even with 10 men. “I expect us to be more determined to shut goals out and have more energy to go and get something out of the game. “I’ve watched a team I care about – a team I’ve put together – perform not in the way I would have liked.” Cheltenham will be without right wing-back Vaughan for the next three games, but skipper Matt Taylor is close to making his return from a hamstring injury. Midfielder Asa Hall has been given the go-ahead by a specialist to step up his training as he works his way back from a torn calf muscle sustained on the opening day of the season at Bury.

PHOTO: THOUSAND WORD MEDIA

Local Football

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 27 NOVEMBER 2014

YATES SACKED

Chairman praises axed boss Yates’ influence during Robins reign

PHOTO: THOUSAND WORD MEDIA

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Fourth straight defeat spells end for Robins boss FOOTBALL

Cheltenham Town Wycombe W’rers FOOTBALL

HELTENHAM Town chairman Paul Baker said Mark Yates should be remembered as one of the finest managers in the club’s history. The long-serving boss was relieved of his duties on Tuesday, paying the price for a run of four straight League Two defeats, which saw the Robins slip to 18th in the table. Yates had been at the helm since December 2009, overseeing more than 205 matches and twice leading the club to the play-offs as well as two appearances in the third round of the FA Cup against Premier League opposition. But Baker said perhaps his best

achievement was preserving the club’s Football League status when he first returned to a club he had led as captain. “I can’t fault Mark at all, but he may look back and decide he could have done things better himself,” Baker said. “It’s the first time he has had this experience of losing his job as a manager, but I am sure he will learn from it and he can rightly put himself up there with the most successful managers at this club. “To achieve what he did with the budgets and the crowds we had was a huge achievement. “He inherited a very difficult situation and there was a lot of stress and sleepless nights at that time. “During his five years we’ve had

some huge successes, but he also had to dig us out of a mess when he first arrived. “That in itself, you could argue, was one of his best achievements. I have nothing but good words to say about Mark as a man and as someone who is passionate about this football club. “That is why we originally brought him here because he understood the club and cared about it.” Baker said the decision to part company with Yates was the hardest he had been forced to make in his 17 years as chairman. “It’s a very sad day because Mark has done a huge amount for this football club and I would hate to think that people are going to re-

member his time here as the last 10 or 12 matches because his overall contribution to the club has been hugely significant,” Baker said. “Mark was understandably very upset and I was too. Everybody who knows him will have a lot of sadness with the decision we’ve had to take, but we have to look after the business and look at results and performances. “Something is not quite right and the manager has to take responsibility. We wish him well for the future.” Cheltenham play Oxford United at home on Saturday (3pm), when Yates’ successor will take charge for the first time.

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A FOURTH straight League Two defeat cost Cheltenham Town manager Mark Yates his job as Wycombe Wanderers returned to the top of the table in emphatic style at Whaddon Road on Saturday. Still reeling from the previous week’s 5-1 setback at Stevenage, the Robins took a third-minute lead through a Steve Elliott header from Matt Richards’ corner. Wycombe were level less than a minute later as Paris Cowan-Hall fired in off the crossbar after a fine pass from Paul Hayes. Cheltenham’s Lee Vaughan was shown a TURN TO PAGE 39 >

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