Cheltenham Standard 29th January 2015

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29 JANUARY 2015 ISSUE 28

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CHELTENHAM’S BIGGEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

A BRAND new state-of-the-art BMW dealership is looming for Cheltenham.

This showcase destination dealership will be situated on Grovefield Way, just behind the B&Q in the Reddings area.

Kevin Davidson from BMW UK said: “This will be a flagship site for the BMW Group, displaying a very large number of our new BMW, MINI vehicles and products, as

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Alexander Burn is an independent family business with three offices in the Cheltenham area.

Peter Harris, Alan Smith, Andrew Hulcoop and Kevin Davidson

well as our BMW Motorrad motorcycles.

He went to comment: “The local planning officials wanted us to create a landmark site between Gloucester and Cheltenham, and if you look at the designs, I’m sure you will agree that this has been achieved in full measure.’’

Mr Davidson also said: “Outside of the Greater London area, this will be one of the largest BMW and MINI Centres in the UK. We support The Cotswold Group in making this a destination site to enjoy.’’

The site which has been in the planning for the past six years

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 29 JANUARY 2015

Cheltenham WeatherWatch THURSDAY 29th Jan Min 1ºC Max 4ºC FRIDAY 30th Jan Min 0ºC Max 5ºC SATURDAY 31st Jan Min 0ºC Max 5ºC SUNDAY 1st Feb Min -1ºC Max 4ºC MONDAY 2nd Feb Min -1ºC Max 3ºC TUESDAY 3rd Feb Min -1ºC Max 3ºC WEDNESDAY 4th Feb Min 1ºC Max 5ºC

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Eddie “the Eagle” Film Britain’s most famous ski jumper Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards may perform jump stunts in movie about his life THE 1988 Winter Olympics star confirmed the biopic was in production.

Edwards, who lives in Gloucestershire, has lent his old ski jumping gear to producers and said he had offered to help because nobody jumps in the old “classic” style any more.

Eddie who was born in Cheltenham was working as a plasterer in the town when following his childhood dream to be a Hollywood stuntman he became Britain's first and only ski jumper.

It has been reported Welsh actor Taron Egerton will portray Eddie in the film. Hugh Jackman will play his mentor.

The 51-year-old ski jumper, whose real name is Michael Edwards, became world famous upon finishing a distant last at the Calgary Olympics of 1988.

A movie about his life has been talked about for several years.

Previously both Steve Coogan and Rupert Grint were reported to be lined up to play him.

“When the latest reports [about the film going ahead] first came out, I took it with a huge pinch of salt because this has been mentioned in the papers for the last 20 years and nothing's ever come of it,” said Edwards.

“But now it looks like something's actually happening.”

Big plans for BMW CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

He said he had met producers last month and has since met with set designers and costume designers to discuss the film.

“They've taken my Olympic uniform to be replicated for the movie,” he said.

“It'll be fun. I'm a little bit excited, but I'll only believe it when it actually happens and they begin filming.”

Edwards, who lives in the Stroud Valleys, said he had not yet seen a script but had been told Jackman would be playing his mentor.

He said the ski jumping parts of the movie would begin filming in February.

“I met with one of the producers, before Christmas and they expressed a problem with finding ski jumpers who could jump in the old “classic” style with skis because for the last 25 years everybody’s been jumping in the new “V” style.”

The unlikely star of the 1988 Winter Olympics has given his

with development costs reported to be at least £15M is due to open in February 2016. The new site will also be amongst the first dealerships to have a host of truly green credentials built into the very fabric of the construction.

Andrew Hulcoop, Cotswold Group Partner and Managing

Director said: “It’s taken a lot of time and planning but we finally have a spade in the ground. As you can see from the artist’s impressions the facility promises to be stunning. Four storeys high and designed especially to provide an environment where our customers can explore the BMW, MINI and Motorrad

decades-old ski jumping equipment to the film-makers.

“I said I'd be quite willing to do it, because I can still jump the classic style, and do some jumping in the movie.

“I've given them all my old ski jumping equipment that I used 30-years-ago which is now defunct, but it's still jumpable.

“You can still jump on the skis, and with the bindings - it's just they'll have difficulty finding somebody who'll be brave enough to jump with the old equipment.”

ranges with ease.’’

Mr Hulcoop went on to finally add: “Being close to the A40, we’ll be easy to find and convenient for our existing customers.’’

The Cotswold Group already employ over 300 staff within the group and this new venture is set to bolster that headcount next February.

29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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Hoaxer pretending to Major plan to reduce traffic be GCHQ boss calls PM given backing of the council PRIME Minister David Cameron has said a hoax call he received from someone claiming to be taking part in a high level conference call, did not "breach security".

The prime minister revealed he received the call on his Blackberry while out for a walk with his family.

Mr Cameron said he quickly hung up when he realised the caller was not genuine.

He told journalists "these things happened" and "no harm had been done" but that steps would be taken to "weed out" such calls in future.

Downing Street says it is to review security procedures after the hoax caller was put through to Mr Cameron.

Number 10 said the caller claimed to be Robert Hannigan, director of government monitoring agency GCHQ. Asked about the call Mr Cameron said these things "do happen from time to time".

He revealed that he was out on a walk in his constituency, carrying his daughter Florence on his back, when he took what he told was a "conference call" involving Mr Hannigan.

He said he was quickly suspicious when the caller said he hoped he had not woken the prime minister up.

"I thought that was strange as it was eleven o'clock in the morning," Mr Cameron said and he then asked who the caller was as he did not recognise the voice.

THE proposal means 'Boots Corner' will be pedestrianised with changes to traffic-flow and one-way systems.

It is part of the Cheltenham Transport Project which is being led by Gloucestershire County Council.

Cheltenham Borough councillors voted by 21 votes to 17 in favour of the work and a commitment to contribute up to £2m towards the cost.

The final go ahead is expected to be given by the county council cabinet on February 4th.

Councillor Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety on Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “This is the culmination of years of work by a lot of people to tackle a problem that has been acknowledged as significant in Cheltenham town centre for the last 50 years.

“Historically we have been paralysed in our attempts to resolve the problem. This is the catalyst to start improving the town centre environment and attractiveness to both businesses and visitors.”

The caller then said it was a hoax call and the conversation ended. Mr Cameron said there was "no harm done... no national security breached".

GCHQ is also conducting a review after Mr Hannigan's mobile phone number was disclosed during an earlier hoax call.

The contact number given out for the GCHQ boss is thought to have been for an unclassified phone rather than one of the secure lines used for sensitive communications.

The call to Mr Cameron which was made to an official mobile was understood to have been "quite brief".

More new homes at Bishop’s Cleeve PROPERTY-SEEKERS will soon be offered a host of fresh opportunities to purchase a Taylor Wimpey home in Bishop’s Cleeve, after the housebuilder was granted permission for a brand new residential development.

Tewkesbury Borough Council has approved Taylor Wimpey’s planning application to build 133 high-quality homes, which will form the second phase of Dean Acre, a sought-after new community on the northern edge of the village of Bishop’s Cleeve.

The new phase, called Abode, will comprise a combination of apartments and houses to suit a range of purchasers, from first-time buyers and downsizers through to growing families.

Taylor Wimpey aims to begin work on the development in February and with the first new homes also expected to be released for sale in February, would-be

homebuyers are urged to register their interest.

Charlie Joseph, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, says: “We are delighted to have received planning approval for this exciting development, which will provide a superb selection of new homes in the beautiful village of Bishop’s Cleeve.

“We are really looking forward to beginning work on these high-quality new homes, and will keep aspiring purchasers in Cheltenham up to date with the latest sales information as soon as it becomes available.

“In the meantime, property-seekers can register their details with us to ensure they are among the first in line to choose from the initial selection of properties when they are released for sale in February.”

As well as offering an exceptional range of new homes at the forthcoming development, Taylor Wimpey will have a choice of helpful homebuyer incentives available to make purchasing easier and more affordable.

The Help to Buy scheme, for example, means first-time buyers and those with a property to sell can access a 20% Government loan towards the cost of their new home – so they only require a 5% deposit and a 75% loan-to-value mortgage.

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 29 JANUARY 2015

Defence Secretary salutes ‘extraordinary’ GCHQ THE Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon MP, saluted the contribution of tech experts working at GCHQ on a visit to Cheltenham last week.

He paid a visit to the Government listening base in Benhall, before meeting local army cadets at their county headquarters on Arle Road, to hear about their work across Gloucestershire.

Mr Fallon did not hold back in expressing his support for the vital work undertaken at GCHQ, thanking the ‘‘extraordinary number of very talented young men and women who are keeping us safe, day and night, round the clock.”

While in town, Mr Fallon also met with Conservative hopeful for Cheltenham, Alex Chalk.

The pair discussed Mr Chalk’s campaign to win the seat from the Liberal Democrats. Commenting on the likely outcome in Cheltenham in this year’s General Election, Mr Fallon said: ‘‘The message here is if you want to be absolutely sure of having a Conservative government that will give you a vote on Europe and will continue the economic recovery you can only vote Conservative.’’

Mr Chalk was also clear about the need to support the security experts working to protect us here in Cheltenham.

He went on to say: ‘‘I’m delighted the Defence Secretary has come here to recognise the essential work of both our security services and armed forces, who play such an important role in protecting our country at a time of heightened threat. We should do everything we can to ensure GCHQ has the powers it needs to keep us safe.’’

SINCE 2011, local charity, Cobalt has supported the role of a Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Cancer Nurse.

Megan Willsher looks after the needs of young people, aged from 15 up to 25, who have been diagnosed with cancer and are living in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

This is a relatively new and innovative role, jointly funded by Cobalt and the Gloucestershire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. In fact Megan is the only nurse with this role in our area and is one of only five in the South West region, which has acted as a pilot area for the role.

Megan Wilsher Cobalt will often see these teenagers and young adults as part of their diagnostic and treatment programmes, the charity’s support of Megan’s role was a natural progression of it’s aim to provide the very best support for cancer patients.

Sam told us it was August 2013 when she had her first smear test, she was 24. The result was positive. She was in complete shock.

Sam said: “I was referred to the Colposcopy Clinic at Cirencester Hospital where within two weeks, the abnormal cells had been removed. I had a call from a gynaecologist 710 days later and she told me over the phone that the abnormal cells were cancerous and

pre-cancerous. It was all a bit of a blur, difficult to take in.

“It had been quite a few weeks after my surgery and I hadn’t been offered any help. I had lots of questions I wanted to ask and had tried to contact the clinic. But then I received a letter from Megan Willsher suggesting that we meet and that she would bring along a Social Worker to chat with me too.”

Megan said: “I have always worked with teenagers and young adults in my nursing career and really enjoy the challenges they bring. I especially admire them for their ‘tell it like it is’ attitude, how positive they always are and how well they cope when faced with such difficult situations.

It’s fantastic that Cobalt is able to support this role.’’

Sam continued, “They both travelled to meet with me. It was lovely to be speaking with someone outside of the care I had been receiving, but people who also had specialist knowledge. In practical terms, I was offered financial help to cover hospital travel and to compensate for my time off work which was so helpful too. I had a follow-up appointment four months after the surgery and received the all clear. It was a huge weight off my mind.’’ She finally added: “I was so grateful to Megan who had been such a great support through my journey and of course to Cobalt for funding the important job she does.’’

“If you are experiencing changes or symptoms that aren’t normal for you, get them checked out. Talk to your doctor.”

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29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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How to spend £8million

Dog fouling campaign launches

AN ALTERNATIVE option has been put forward in the consultation process being run by Cheltenham Borough Council about how they should be spending the £8m proceeds from the sale of North Place and Portland Street car parks.

Richard Lupson-Darnell, Independent candidate at the General Election in May has suggested that £2m be allocated to provision of housing solutions for the poorest in the town and in particular for those in our community who find themselves homeless.

Mr Lupson-Darnell says: “There remains a hole in provision for the most vulnerable of our fellow citizens who call Cheltenham home. Although provision exists, it is not

CHELTENHAM Borough Council has joined forces with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy in a bid to reduce dog fouling in key problem areas of the town.

The ‘We’re Watching You’ campaign, which initially launched in November is now being rolled out nationwide and Cheltenham Borough Council has signed up to be a part of it.

The campaign sets its sights on irresponsible dog owners, with recent research showing that dog walkers are more responsible, and pick up after their dogs, when they think that they are being watched.

Keep Britain Tidy recently conducted a social experiment, working with 20 land managers across the country, they saw an average reduction of 46% in the levels of dog fouling.

Feedback suggested that dog fouling tends to occur at night time and during the winter months, as some dog owners feel that they

always available when someone finds him - or herself in this predicament. By supporting some of the capital projects that are currently being considered by some very worthwhile organisations we could at least sleep soundly at night knowing that a safe, warm bed is available for anyone and everyone who wants it. This is an opportunity to transform people’s lives.”

AgonyAunt Kimberley Wall LISTENING. It’s one of those things that we all assume we can do but rarely question whether we can do it well.

Many relationships up and down the country will resonate with the conversation “did you hear what I just said?” to have a partner respond with a watered down version of what was said but when does it become a life-affecting skill?

Counsellors, teachers, nurses, social workers all understand that being truly switched on in the moment and listening to non-verbal cues as well as the words of a client can affect the accuracy of an intuitive hunch that could create a more accurate diagnosis or even lead to a disclosure of abuse. So why do we still sometimes underestimate the importance of listening or fail to develop our existing listening skills in everyday life?

The amount of times a couple begin relationship counselling and find that a partner shocks the other with some information about who they are, what they want or how they are feeling. The disillusioned partner might ask, “why didn’t you tell me before?” To be met with “I did” or “I kept trying” response.

Could it simply be that we are not always as good at listening as we like to believe because we instinctively jump to problem-solving mode because uncertainty is uncomfortable? For example, true active listening skills also include eye contact, encouraging body language (such as nodding), verbal encouragement and supportive facial expressions as well as hearing the words of your other; not interrupting or forming quick conclusions because you think you know what the other is about to say. In Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon’s Cheltenham office, we have a poem by Ralph Roughton

framed and situated on the first wall as you walk in the front door entitled “On Listening” to help remind us of what could help communication in our relationships and I thought I’d share a version with you today because it always reminds me to focus on my listening. And hopefully if one person in a conversation follows these guidelines, the other (if they also care about your needs) will remember to do so as well.

“When I ask you to listen to me and you start by giving advice, you have not done what I asked.

When I ask you to listen to me and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way, you are trampling on my feelings.

When I ask you to listen to me and you feel you have to do something to solve my problem, you have failed me, strange as it may seem.

Listen! All I ask is that you listen, not talk or do... just hear me.

When you do something for me that I can and need to do for myself, you contribute to my fear and inadequacy.

And I can do for myself. I'm not helpless. Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.

But when you accept as simple fact that I do feel what I feel, no matter how irrational, then I can quit trying to convince you and get about the business of understaning what's behind this irrational feeling. And when that's clear, the answers are obvious and I don't need advice.

Irrational feelings make sense when we understand what's behind them. So, please listen and just hear me. And if you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn, and I'll listen to you.” Ralph Roughton.

can’t be seen ‘under the cover of darkness’.

Cheltenham Borough Council has signed up to the edgy and uncompromising poster campaign to tackle dog fouling hotspots. The ‘We’re Watching You’ series are visible after dark and use innovative, cutting-edge materials. The social experiment was the first time such a material has been used on a poster.

Adam Reynolds, green space development manager, said: “Feedback from residents has told us that dog fouling is a key issue in King George V Playing Field, Springfield Park, Warden Hill and Sandford Park and they would like to see it addressed.

Councillor Chris Coleman, cabinet member for Clean and Green Environment, added: “We are thrilled to be working with Keep Britain Tidy, and being a part of such a cutting edge campaign. We hope that we will see the same results as the other local authorities who took part in the trial.”

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 29 JANUARY 2015

Martin Horwood MP leads fight for town’s green spaces CHELTENHAM MP Martin Horwood is leading the charge to protect some of the town’s most valued green spaces. The new ‘Local Green Space’ designation was introduced by the government in 2013 and allows communities to protect specific green areas from development.

They don’t have to be particularly beautiful or have rare species living in them, they just have to be special to local people.

Mr Horwood has penned letters of support for communities around Cheltenham who have already picked out places they want kept as enjoyable open spaces. And he knows what he’s talking about because he was the author of the original policy years ago when he was an opposition MP. “It’s always been easy to protect green spaces and landscapes that are important to great crested newts or landscape painters, or if they served a particular purpose like the Green Belt keeping big conurbations apart.” said Martin: “But many treasured green spaces in and around towns like Cheltenham didn’t fit any of those criteria. They were just important to people.

“There’s now plenty of evidence that having even small areas of natural open space near to you can be good for your mental and physical health. The trees and other plant life absorb CO2 and the tiny ‘particulate’ pollution which we know contributes to respiratory disease, heart disease and a host of other problems. These spaces provide habitats for

policy document which he co-authored. It was passed into party policy by the party’s conference and went on to feature in the LibDems’ 2010 General Election manifesto.

From there it made it into the coalition agreement and finally into government policy as part of the new National Planning Policy Framework.

“Not every LibDem policy we cooked up in opposition ended up being implemented” jokes Martin. “I wish we’d been able to pull this off with the abolition of tuition fees! In this case though, Tory ministers agreed with us, picked up the idea and fair play to them, they implemented it really well.”

Now Cheltenham Borough Council have encouraged more communities to come forward with suggestions. Martin is actively supporting campaigns to protect all the following: • The Leckhampton Fields • Green space next to Marsh Lane in St.Paul’s • Newcourt Green on the Cirencester Road • Green space between Morrison’s and Redthorne Way known as Cheriton Park • Open space at Chargrove in Hatherley (Greatfield Park and Holmer Park) wildlife. They allow us to grow local food through smallholdings and allotments. And people simply enjoy them.”

Mr Horwood created the idea of the new designation in a 2009 Liberal Democrat

More applications are expected. Mr Horwood finally added: “I’m delighted that a policy I was involved in creating is being so well used here in Cheltenham. We need to protect them for future generations.”

Gardeners Lane Primary School break in – police make arrest FOLLOWING a burglary that took place between 18 – 19 January 2015 at Gardeners Lane Primary School, Gardeners Lane, Cheltenham, a 15-year-old-male was arrested on 20 January in relation to the burglary.

He is currently on bail until 6 March 2015 to enable further enquiries to be carried out.

Police were originally called on the evening of Sunday 18 January to the school following the burglary.

The building was secured but police were called again when it was unfortunately burgled for a second time in the early hours of Monday 19 January.

Windows and a door were smashed during the incidents. It has now been established that two cameras and a mobile phone were taken.

It is believed it was the same offenders who returned. It is possible they crossed neighbouring gardens.

Anyone who believes they saw or heard something is asked to call police on 101 quoting Incidents 393 of 18 Jan and 21 of 19 Jan 2015 and crime number 01349/15.

29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

7

THE SIMMONDS FILE Christina Simmonds – Ukip Cheltenham Parliamentary candidate for 2015 THOUGH the protection of women in our society is much talked about by the Labour and Coalition parties, the rhetoric often outstrips the reality.

There are laws in place to provide protection against abuses of women, but too often enforcing them has lacked political will and leadership. Why else has it taken 30 years for the first prosecutions against female genital mutilation (FGM) to reach court?

Domestic violence remains a major concern. It is estimated that 3,341 women are raped or sexually assaulted in Gloucestershire (averaging 64 a week) in any 12 month period. It is hard to imagine the sheer anguish caused by constantly living in fear. Therefore I am delighted to learn of a highly successful programme which is changing the behaviour of perpetrators.

The impact of these workshops, measured through research led by Durham and London Metropolitan Universities, is impressive. For example statistics show that those being physically injured reduced

from 61% to 2% and over half the women affected reported feeling ‘very safe’ after the programme.

These programmes are not headline grabbing, like more women on Footsie boards of Directors, but they are of much more practical use to women than obsessing about quotas or page three pictures will ever be.

In addition to reducing the enormous costs of domestic violence to society the biggest benefits are to the women and children who can begin to rebuild damaged lives and relationships.

The protection of women in our society is something that UKIP feels passionately about and is reflected in our ‘Policies for People’. All women in our society from whatever economic, social or cultural background have the right to expect that the law will be applied rigorously and consistently. Less grandstanding and more UKIP common sense will improve the lives of disadvantaged women in Gloucestershire.

Christina Simmonds www.ukipcheltenham.org.uk chairman@ukipcheltenham.org.uk.

Chinese supermodel loves the Cotswolds New promotional film set to fuel further growth of tourism in the Cotswolds CHINESE supermodel Liu Wen conducted a whistle stop tour of the Cotswolds recently to make a short promotional film in the area, which will be released later this spring.

The visit was organised by Cotswolds Tourism, in tandem with VisitBritain.

Miss Wen hosts a very popular lifestyle and travel programme on the Chinese version of YouTube and is also followed avidly on social media, with almost nine million people accessing her posts on Weibo (a hybrid of Facebook and Twitter).

The promotional film will show her exploring the beauty of the Cotswold countryside and enjoying some of the traditional food and drink on offer.

Miss Wen began a hectic day with breakfast at the Kingham Plough cooked by celebrity chef and owner Emily Watkins.

Emily has appeared in the local, national and international press, including TV appearances on The Hairy Bikers and Tom Kerridge’s Proper Pub Food series. She com-

SIMPSONS named the best Independent Takeaway Fish & Chip Shop in England SIMPSONS took a strong second place in the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year award, losing closely only to Frankie’s Fish & Chips in Brae, Shetland, Scotland.

Simpsons Co-Founder James Ritchie said: “These awards are the Oscars of the fish and chip world and we’re absolutely over the moon to be recognised amongst such great company. The evening was such a fantastic night out and a great chance to ditch the hairnets and headscarves and put on our best clobber – although the signature red lipstick was still firmly in place for the girls!

“Each year we strive to better ourselves and bring our customers only the very best, so for us we cannot thank them enough for their continued support – without them we wouldn’t be here!”

The announcement was made at a glamorous award ceremony held at the Lancaster London Hotel and was hosted by Radio 2 Presenter, Nigel Barden. The entire Simpson family attended the prestigious ceremony along with members of the Simpsons team.

Crowned the best in the region, Simpsons’ fought off tough competition from nine

other finalists from across the UK to take second place in the Independent Takeaway of the Year category.

Selected from three finalists in the Field to Fryer category Simpsons took home this award for their passion for potatoes. Simpsons came out on top during judging of seasonal variety selection, storage facilities, preparation and frying process.

One of the toughest annual food competitions, The 2015 National Fish & Chip Awards involved a gruelling judging process, which took place over the last few months.

This climaxed with a ‘Dragons Den’ style presentation to a panel of top industry experts including representatives from Seafish, the Potato Council, The Caterer, MSC and the Craft Guild of Chefs and more.

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"I'm totally in awe of Liu Wen,” said Emily Watkins. “Not only is she so beautiful, but also such fun to spend the morning with. I really enjoyed meeting her and hope she enjoyed the rest of her time in the Cotswolds."

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 29 JANUARY 2015

BUSINESS I

’M not an animal lover. I know that’s probably heresy to most folks but I don’t really care. Not everybody in the UK or indeed Cheltenham, actually has a pet or loves animals. It doesn’t make you a bad person, it just means that pets are not really your thing.

So it was with some pleasure that we reported this week that the Borough Council are at last racking up their efforts to stop people who own dogs taking more responsibility for the filthy mess some of them leave behind.

It’s nothing short of disgusting to step into something unpleasant as you sidestep your way around town. In fact it’s bad enough having to witness them pooping right in front of you.

Talk about stomach churning!

Dog fouling is such a serious issue because it can cause Toxocara Canis an infection which can lead to blindness. The Borough Council have adopted byelaws which make it an offence to fail to remove any faeces which a dog deposits when it is in your charge. These byelaws apply to the following areas: Footpaths, grass verges, pedestrianised areas, gutters, pleasure grounds, open spaces and housing amenity areas.

I’m absolutely agog that people still buy these animals and then expect us (who don’t like or understand the pet thing) to put up with their public pooping.

I think the Borough Council do need to do more on this.

The awareness campaign we reported this week is one thing, but strong, punitive measures are needed to stop this wilful fouling of our pavements and parks. I dare say it’s the dog owners who think this ok. It isn’t and it’s disgusting.

I could move this argument on to pubs and dogs. Not everybody has a dog and not everybody is ok with smelly dogs being dragged into pubs by their selfish owners who don’t really care about the animal’s welfare as they just want a drink. The dogs always look very unhappy. And why? Because they’d be much happier running around the park chasing a stick etc.

Again it’s vile for the non-owners having to watch Rover lick his nether regions whilst they have a drink or even worse something to eat.

It seems to me that we are forced in some crazy sense to suffer other people’s animals. Just like the human equivalent we are forced to suffer someone else’s badly behaved kids.

Mind you we could always just avoid the ‘dog friendly’ pubs I suppose?

The legislation, which makes the provisions relating to dogs in food premises is contained in Regulations (EC) No 852/2004, Annex II, Chapter IX – Provisions applicable to foodstuffs (4) as below: ‘‘Adequate procedures are to be in place to control pests. Adequate procedures are also to be in place to prevent domestic animals from having access to places where food is prepared, handled or stored (or, where the competent authority so permits in special cases, to prevent such access from resulting in contamination).’’

I even know one back street real ale house where they allow a scraggy cat to walk over the counter and bar surfaces. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. God knows what’s actually happening in the kitchen area?

Pubs are for humans. Kennels are for dogs and catteries are for cats. Not the other way round.

Got a comment?

Please contact us at editor@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

London & Country Mortgages partners with Winston’s Wish WINSTON’S WISH, the leading childhood bereavement charity in the UK, is proud to announce its partnership with London & Country Mortgages the independent, fee-free mortgage and protection broker.

As part of its support for the charity, London & Country has pledged to donate £1 for each case where customers arrange one or more life, critical illness or income protection policies for them and their families in 2015. In addition, having chosen Winston’s Wish as their Charity of the Year for 2015, the mortgage and protection adviser and its staff will be fundraising throughout the year.

Michael Aldridge, Sales Director at London & Country commented,

PHOTOGRAPHY: THOUSAND WORD MEDIA

Editor’sDESK

“We’re delighted to be able to support such a worthy cause as Winston’s Wish. Advising clients on life insurance policies is a constant reminder

that families do unfortunately lose loved ones. The work of Winston’s Wish is vital in supporting children at the most difficult of times.”

Catherine Ind, Head of Fundraising and Regional Development (pictured) at Winston’s Wish, added, “We are very much looking forward to working with London & Country. The partnership underlines our relevance within the life insurance industry and the essential support we can offer children and families at such a difficult time in their lives. Our partnership with London & Country will help ensure that families have timely access to support and will also help us raise vital funds to support our work in helping families across the UK when they are most in need.”

Living the business…

Marketing Guru Kat Shayler, SHARPFOX KAT Shayler is in marketing terms, a true thoroughbred. Her in-depth knowledge of marketing processes is as vast as it is bright and quick.

Former Bartle Bogle & Hegarty Account Director Kat has extensive experience of working with large consumer brands such as Unilever, British Airways and Diageo, as well as a huge amount of experience in helping smaller boutique businesses to grow and flourish. SHARPFOX are a team of the brightest and best creative minds who constantly strive to deliver leading-edge marketing solutions that will make a difference and address the needs of the client.

Kat Shayler says: “I’m absolutely

passionate about marketing. I started the business a year ago and it’s been hectic to say the least.’’ She goes on to comment, ‘’there are also many smaller companies out there that do need some professional marketing steerage. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but we need to remember that when people offer ‘cheap’ services it doesn’t always mean the end result will be good.’’

Based in Cheltenham’s Eagle Tower, the SHARPFOX ethos is built on a solid bedrock of marketing experiences. Kat goes on to further say, “a logo is just not enough to get your marketing message across. Creating a sound forward-thinking marketing

strategy that will steer and shape your company into the future is key to building your own success. That’s where we come in.’’

At SHARPFOX the list of services they offer is a one stop shop. It’s an all-encompassing Pandora’s Box of marketing goodies that both addresses the real business needs of any client and provides a creative gene pool to draw from; Branding, Social Media, Design and Print, Marketing, together with Copywriting and proof reading, E-Marketing, Events Planning and Management.

W: www.sharpfox.co.uk E: hello@sharpfox.co.uk T: 0300 200 1404

29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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BUSINESS A year of great change for Robert Hitchins FOLLOWING the recession for most property development companies, 2015 will be the year of increased business, increased hope and increased opportunities. While this is no different for Gloucestershire based regional developer, Robert Hitchins Limited, 2015 will be different. It will also be the year of great change.

Founded in the fifties, Robert Hitchins Limited started life as a house builder in Gloucestershire, and during its peak was building around 500 properties a year.

About 15-years-ago a strategic decision was taken to concentrate on commercial property development and investment and strategic land. The company now operates regionally encompassing Gloucestershire, Avon, Wiltshire, Worcestershire and South Wales. The companies’ development program has started again and is expanding, watching an increase in businesses taking

longer-term leases and therefore in respect of Robert Hitchins property portfolio, vacancy levels are falling and the rental income is growing.

With a number of potential developments to start shortly, Robert Hitchins are still looking for further land and development opportunities, in all sectors, within the region.

For Robert Hitchins understanding a business and what their requirements are is critical.

Future objectives for Robert Hitchins are clear. They have a large property portfolio, with the goal being to secure, acquire and develop a significant amount of additional commercial property The next stage for Roberts Hitchins is an extremely bright one as they move onto their next chapter.

Confidence is growing, and there are good times ahead.

The Courtyard, Tewkesbury

01452 714 555 If you need to hire a helicopter, just want to experience flying in one, or want to learn to fly, Heliflight are here to help.

B Fraser’s Fudj has a sweet donation for WellChild YOUNG Gloucestershire entrepreneur Fraser Bawtree has donated 10 percent of his annual profits to WellChild to help our work with seriously ill children and their families in the UK. Fraser handed over the cheque for £550 this week to Melanie Parker from WellChild.

Melanie said: “We are delighted that Fraser has decided to donate some of the profits from his successful business to WellChild to help seriously ill children and their families. It’s great that Fraser’s Fudj is such a success story and that he is able to share that success by helping children in the UK who really need our support.”

Fraser started Frasers Fudj three years ago

when he was only 11-years-old to help fund a school trip to Paris, using recipes Fraser developed with his Grandpa (who has since passed away). Nearly three years down the line Frasers Fudj is now a limited company and has taken part in many events, from Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival for three years running to Jamie Oliver's 'The Big Feastival'.

Fraser now even has a full-time employee to help with the day-to-day work when he’s at school. Last year he successfully crowdfunded a project to transform a horse-box into a fully branded, portable Fudj shop, and this year hopes to be touring various events and shows.

Cheltenham Standard is published weekly by Cheltenham Standard 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, heltenham Standard 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

ased at Gloucestershire airport, Heliflight is one of the leading Helicopter providers in the UK. With an extensive fleet of helicopters including the popular Robinson R22, R44, Schweizer 300, and Bell B206 Jet Ranger. Heliflight UK have a helicopter to meet any requirement. Our services include executive charter, self-fly hire and training. If you want a taste of flying in a helicopter we have a range of flight experience packages. Our pleasure flights allow you to choose where you would like to fly to, perhaps see your house from the air, while our helitours take you over places of local interest. Perhaps you might want to try flying a helicopter. We can offer you a lesson, where you’ll take the controls and be guided by an instructor in our dual controlled training helicopters, you’ll soon be flying across the countryside. It’s a unique experience that some continue with to gain a Private Pilot’s Licence. Hundreds of pilots have been through our training facilities with some going on to gain commercial licences and flight instructor qualifications.

If you’re looking for a unique present our gift vouchers allow you to buy a flight and the recipient to choose when they want to fly at a later date. You can buy on-line, print the voucher yourself or we can send it for you.

Our Commercial Air Transport flights are conducted under H H Helicopters, AOC GB2346

www.heliflightuk.co.uk

10

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 29 JANUARY 2015

HEALTH&LIFESTYLE

FAKE FUR IS BACK FAUX fur is a no-brainer for winter, but now we're the wrong side of Christmas, natural tones and animal prints can feel a bit too, well, wintry.

Cobalt, mint or pastel pink fur, on the other hand, feels anything but.

Still toasty warm but with the added benefit of being mood-boostingly hued, these fake fuzzies are like a force field against Seasonal Affective Disorder.

They don't have to be fur, either.

There's a bright fluffy knit to suit every shape in the shops right now, inspired by the autumn catwalk collections.

Even better, many are in the sales, but you'll need to act quickly before the unwearable (only thanks to the current chilly weather) spring/summer collections start to drop.

From cuddly coats to strokable scarves, here's how to fluff up your look

without channelling the Honey Monster..

Let's be clear: a rainbow-bright faux fur coat is not going to be the most practical thing you'll purchase this year.

Yes, it's warm, but it's definitely not waterproof, and depending on how conservative your colleagues are, you might not feel comfortable wearing it to work.

But that's beside the point.

A colourful fur coat feels - and looks - amazing on, and if you go for a pastel hue, you'll have more matching potential with the rest of your garments - pink is practically a neutral, after all.

A fluffy jacket will come in handy for keeping warm at winter weddings, too, especially if it's a neater short fur texture.

Jumper joy THINK a regular woolly jumper is cosy as can be? Try a doubly fluffy knit and you'll be in comfort-dressing heaven.

That doesn't mean 'eyelash' knits are only reserved for slobbing 'round the house, though. Wear a boat neck jumper over a pale Peter Pan collar shirt or silk tunic and you'll still look neat and tidy.

If you're worried about a fuzzy sweater

adding bulk where you really don't want it, steer clear of cropped shapes, tight waistbands and furry panels. Instead, look for longline jumpers with side splits that allow a sleeker silhouette.

Similarly, tone down the grungy associations of an oversized cardigan by wearing over a cute minidress, with black opaque tights and pointed ankle boots.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Demand continues to increase‌ THE demand for our escorted cruises, with the ease of the transport from Cheltenham, continues to increase and are now more popular than ever.

We appreciate that your holiday starts the minute that you leave your front door. With Miles Morgan Travel you can relax and sit back safe in the knowledge that there is someone on hand to take care of all your needs and assist you with the check-in process at the port and also be on-board to offer assistance throughout your cruise. Our cruise escort will host an exclusive welcome party on

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We have six fantastic itineraries for you to choose from for 2015 and these include: The Azores and Madeira, European City Breaks, Uk’s Islands and Landmarks, Scandinavia and Archipelagos, Baltic Capitals and the Norwegian Fjords. So if you are seeking company and camaraderie then these cruises could be for you. Call us today on 01242 808549 or visit us at 18, Rotunda Terrace, Montpellier, Cheltenham GL50 1SW.

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Phone lines open until 10pm 18 Rotunda Terrace, www.milesmorgantravel.co.uk Montpellier GL50 1SW Prices are subject to availablility & based on 2 sharing an inside cabin. Local pick-ups, escort & welcome party based on minimum numbers & can be withdrawn at any time. Terms & conditions apply to 10/20/30 offer please see our website.

29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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PUBS&BARS...

Join us for

CORNER CUPBOARD INN

Freshly cooked food - from bar snacks to three course meals - served in the relaxed, warm environment of our beautiful 15th Century Inn E

OPEN Mon-Sat 10am-Midnight & Sun 11am-Midnight FOOD SERVED Mon-Fri 12-3pm & 6-9pm, Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-8pm

83 Gloucester Street, Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5LX Tel: (01242) 602303

FRTE LE OF

VALENTINE’S DAY SPEED DATING It’s FREE to come and starts at 7pm A drink every time you talk to a new person.

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07807 786 944 www.lilygins.co.uk

2a Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HR

To advertise call the sales team on 01242 257019

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01242 510 999 2 Rotunda Terrace, Cheltenham, GL51 1SW

Back by popular demand!

Open 10 til 2. No booking necessary but arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Inspired by various locations around the globe, Soho Bar brings together contemporary style, state of the art light and sound systems for any occasion.

On Thursday 29th January it welcomes back live music from BBC’s The Voice Finalist Vince Freeman and a special guest. General manager and National Benedictine Cocktail Competition finalist Tom Noori says “This year we’re bringing more events and great music with our new tapas style food. From The Pub/Bar perspective most of all, a bar offering a wide choice for Cheltenham with a cocktail menu the team and I have designed: both traditional and innovative, including cocktails of our own” Along with their weekly events and offerings, upstairs is a champagne bar in association with Lauren Perrier Champagne holding up to 60ppl for free hire.

Merci beaucoup.

To get in touch for bookings or more information have a look at their website

123/129 Bath Road | 01242 581411

www.sohobarmontpellier.com

www.moranseatinghouse.co.uk

Email: info@sohobarmontpellier.com

SUNDAY BRUNCH at Morans Come and join us on March 15th for some live music from ‘Swing from Paris’, whilst enjoying some savory French classics and Parisian pastries crafted by Mrs Moran and her team.

01242 518687 The home of good food, Real Ales, Live Music and Live Sports in the heart of Cheltenham Come in for a warm friendly Scottish welcome Follow us on facebook for regular offers and updates.

Ambrose Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3LH

montpellierwinebar.co.uk

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29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 29 JANUARY 2015

CULTURE Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Charlie and Lola

TIM Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical returns to the Everyman Theatre next month!

This sparkling family musical is a glorious retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours. Full of unforgettable songs, including Those Canaan Days; Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door To Me, this magical musical has had superb reviews, “Brilliant. It explodes like glittering fireworks,” said the Sunday Times.

And due to overwhelming demand, we have added an extra performance on Tuesday 3rd February at 7.30pm.

Enter a magical journey through the seasons, as Charlie and Lola discover that everything is different and not the same.

What happens when Lola and her best friend Lotta say they will honestly and promisedly look after Sizzles?

And follow Charlie and his best friend Marv on a Pirate Squidbones adventure!

Ideal for ages 3+.

Saturday 4th April - Monday 6th April 2014. Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham, GL50 3AA. Box Office: 01242 707338

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Tuesday 3rd – Sunday 8th February Evenings: Tue – Thu 7.30pm Fri & Sat 5pm & 8pm Matinees: Thu & Sat 2pm, Sun 1.30pm & 4.30pm Tickets: £16 - £32 available from the Box Office on 01242 572573 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.uk

Beauty and The Beast comes to Leckhampton The Leckhamption Players are performing this popular musical over five days.in the Leckhamtopn Village Hall, Church Road.

Tues 3rd Feb- Friday 6th Feb 7.30pm Saturday 7th Feb 2pm and 7pm Tickets adult ££7.00 Child £4.00 Box Office 01242 522567

Celebrating a major success!

Staff from Folly Gardens Veterinary Clinic, Bishops Cleeve have been celebrating a major success after achieving first place in the prestigious Front of House awards run

by Veterinary Practice magazine.

The highly contested National award recognised the effort that the clinic go to in ensuring that clients and their pets receive the best possible care throughout their visit to Folly Gardens. Every aspect was assessed from signage on driving into the car park through to the welcoming and professional layout and atmosphere in the reception area. The judges commented on the attention to detail that the clinic goes to that helps bring an ambience of friendliness within a clinical environment.

Folly Gardens Director and Vet Brad Cooper was delighted to acknowledge the award. “This has been a great honour for the clinic. We work very hard to make sure that the whole experience for our clients and their pets is as smooth and welcoming as possible. When we relocated from our previous position over the road the team here looked at every possible detail from a pet owners perspective. The fact the judges recognised that the atmosphere and personal approach from our staff complemented the practical layout pays tribute to the professional and caring way they welcome clients to the clinic.”

12 Columbine Road, Walton Cardiff, Tewkesbury GL20 7SP Tel: 01684 292244 2 Church Road, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham GL52 8LR Tel: 01242 679880 1 Folly Gardens, Barton Road, Tewkesbury GL20 5QP

your pet is our priority www.follygardens.com

RIGOLETTO AFTER last year’s successful season of Carmen and La Traviata, The Russian State Ballet and Opera House return to the Everyman with another worldclass opera, Verdi’s ever popular masterpiece, Rigoletto.

Featuring an impressive cast and accompanied by a large live orchestra of over 30 musicians, this tragic tale of misunderstanding, revenge and sacrifice is a feast for the eyes and ears!

The story revolves around the hunchbacked court jester, Rigoletto, his beautiful and much-loved daughter Gilda and his master, the Duke of Mantua and includes some of the best-loved operatic arias of all time, including the famous La donna e mobile.

Dedicated to innovation as well as quality, the Russian State Ballet and Opera House has been presenting ballets and operas to huge audiences for over 13 years. Producer Alexej Ignatow said: “Opera has been able to take advantage of the high-tech revolution in home entertainment, television and cinema and more and more people are discovering it.

However, nothing can replace the experience of attending a live performance, which is why we are

dedicated to presenting full and positive new productions in regional theatres. We want to give local audiences the chance to experience these classics at a fraction of the cost they would pay in big cities.”

He added: “We often get asked how you would encourage people who have never seen an opera before to come along for the first time? My instant reply is you don’t need to be an expert, as we ensure that the set and costumes and surtitles make the production easy to follow. The music is beautiful and sometimes even if you’re lost in the plot, just close your eyes and enjoy the music.”

RIGOLETTO Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ Friday 13th and Saturday 14th February, 7.45pm Tickets: £27 - £38 available from the Box Office on 01242 572573 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.uk

29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

15

CULTURE

THE LIVE LINE UPS THIS weekend Cheltenham proves that punk rock is still alive and kicking in the town. Two live music events take place for those who like to play their records at an obnoxiously loud volume and pogo around their bedrooms, whatever their age.

On Friday the Frog & Fiddle hosts a memorial gig for local musician Rob Barnett who passed away in December.

Dubbed #RockForRob Part 2, this is the second instalment of a series of events that aim to celebrate the life of a popular member of the local music scene whilst raising money in his memory.

Part 1, which featured Fights & Fires, The Me, Me, Me's!

Scene Of My Design and Oui Legionnaires, packed out the Frog & Fiddle earlier in the month and raised a very generous sum for the Rob Barnett Memorial Fund.

On Friday #RockForRob Part 2 is headlined by Wicked Snakes, Stafford's finest purveyors of rocking riffs and head-nodding grooves. They are supported by local bands Lanterns, Weathered Hands and Fight Rosa Fight! The music is likely to be fast, loud and played with plenty of spirit. Entry is by donation,

but if you are unable to make it to the show then you can still donate by visiting http://www.gofundme.com/ jl2tlo.

For those who can still remember 1977 and the heady days of mohawks, Bill Grundy and Sid & Nancy, taking

place on Saturday at the Hillview Music Venue in Hatherley is a punk rock extravaganza that might just persuade you to relive your youth. The Sex Pistols Experience, the country's finest tribute to Johnny Rotten and co, visit Cheltenham for the second time after a sell-out show back in March.

Both authentic in their look and in their sound, they have been described as 'pure theatre at its very finest' and 'a must see for all punk fans.'

The band have created their own alter-egos in Johnny Rotter and Kid Vicious to add that bit of edge and are proving popular all over the country. Supporting the band on Saturday is Ed Tudor-Pole, who is best known for his role in The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle and as a presenter on The Crystal Maze. Also appearing are original Cheltenham gothic punk rockers The Screaming Dead and Borrowed Time. For tickets and more information visit http://www.hillviewmusic venue.co.uk For more local music news visit Behind The Scene Gloucestershire www.facebook.com/ behindthesceneglos

Alan Ayckbourn’s new play comes to the Everyman next month ROUNDELAY is a unique adventure in live theatre. It is a series of five interconnected short plays with no fixed order, of which four will be randomly selected by you, the audience!

A pre-show lottery will determine the sequence each night, with 120 possible outcomes.

The plays overlap. Some scenes are connected through shared characters, some through shared narrative. Some are sequels to others, which turn out to be preludes to others.

We are only ever privy to the present. All the characters have their past and their pretences and each presents differently, depending on company and situation.

Can Sir Thomas trust his memories? Is there more to Blanche than meets the eye? Will Roz achieve her show business ambitions and just what sort of agency does Gale run? Will you witness the skeleton in the politician’s cupboard or discover Russ’ first love?

Ayckbourn’s eye for a character and his genial humour shine through, keeping things sharp and fast-paced.

This is ingenious, experimental theatre with no-one, including the actors, knowing the outcome until 25 minutes before the play begins...

ROUNDELAY Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ Tuesday 24th – Saturday 28th February Eves: Tue – Sat 7.45pm, Mats: Thu & Sat 2pm Tickets: £13 - £28 available from the Box Office on 01242 572573 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.uk

CRY WOLF By MICHAEL GREGORIO Book REVIEW

By EVE SEYMOUR I SENSED that this novel would be rather good the moment I read the acknowledgements in which Gregorio thanks inmates of a maximumsecurity prison who helped him understand how the Mafia works, most specifically the N’drangheta, a powerful and violent clan from Calabria.

Based on real life events, the story begins in the wake of the earthquake that hit Umbria in 2009, rendering it a disaster zone. As a result the European Union approved emergency aid for the area to rebuild. As the saying goes, ‘where there’s muck, there’s brass’ or in this case ‘where there’s brass, in Italy there’s Euros swiftly followed by organised crime.’

The novel amply demonstrates how the N’drangheta have their hooks into

all kinds of ‘useful’ people, including bankers, magistrates and the local mayor. Anyone who doesn’t comply is either punished or swiftly eliminated with a bullet between the eyes.

The scene set, the reader is introduced to Sebastiano Cangio, a biology student specialising in animal behaviour. Sebastiano has fled to London after witnessing a particularly brutal slaying of a mafia boss on a beach in broad daylight. Unhappy in his newfound career as an estate agent and living in a lousy flat near Kings’ Cross, he’s only too happy to land a job as a ranger protecting the wolf population in Umbria. But going back to Italy risks courting trouble.

Holed up on a farm, less than a mile away, is Corrado Formisano, hit man for Don Michele Cucciarilli, the N’drangheta clan boss.

Written from multiple viewpoints, this is a pacey, involving and

character-driven novel with a large cast of believable characters.

Ambitious mafia foot soldiers; corrupt politicians; dope smoking, angry young men nicknamed ‘Lone Wolves’ by a Generale hell-bent on rooting out crime and loose with his application of the law - all play their parts.

Occasionally, towards the end, there are so many interconnected story lines that the narrative becomes slightly episodic. But this is quickly forgotten when Sebastiano takes centre stage and faces his adversaries.

All in all, ‘Cry Wolf’ is a compelling read.

‘Cry Wolf’ by Michael Gregorio is published by Severn House.

Eve Seymour is a freelance writing coach 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

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 29 JANUARY 2015

QUIRKY NEWS

SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT...

A selection of the strangest stories from around the globe

UP, UP AND AWAY

WATERMELON WEIRDO A MAN has been questioned by police after travelling on the Beijing Metro with a watermelon on his head.

Passengers and subway staff in the Chinese capital called police after several people said they were unnerved by the sight.

The man has been nicknamed the 'Watermelon Brother' by internet users who are trying to work out the mystery man's identity.

One commuter told the Beijing Morning Post he was freaked out by the man and his hollowed-out

melon mask.

“It was so scary last night when I was on the metro,” he said.

“This guy was just hanging around on the train wearing a watermelon mask with a beer bottle - apparently he was totally drunk.”

A London-based travel company is offering to guarantee good weather on the day of your wedding – for £100,000.

Oliver's Travels sends up a team of cloud bursting planes to ensure the big day is not ruined by rain.

The luxury travel company says it can “100% guarantee fair weather and clear skies” for your wedding day using a “crack-team of cloud bursters.”

The planes fly above clouds and sprinkle them with silver iodide particles, turning vapour into water which then falls as rain.

The process begins up to a week before the wedding to ensure the skies are cloud-free for the big day.

Oliver Bell, cofounder of Oliver's Travels, said: “We pride ourselves on our quirky approach and are thrilled to be able to offer such an unusual, unique service to our customers to ensure their wedding is the talk of the town.”

The weather control system from Oliver's Travels is currently only available in France but could be expanded to the UK if successful.

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

I

’D LIKE to start off this week’s piece by thanking everybody, and I really do mean everybody who’s taken the time to write a letter of complaint about me and my column in the past few weeks.

Reading your complaints gives me considerable job satisfaction; particularly the ones that call for me to be sacked. I do hope that my Editor publishes them all for you to read so you can join me and scoff at the lot of these shower-shy feminists.

So apparently we’re expecting snow this week. News has been unusually quiet this week. Things have quieted down on the Ebola, ISIS, Prince Andrew, Ukraine sagas of late, so the papers have tried to sensationalise this snow story big time.

MailOnline is telling me to expect up to SIX INCHES of snow and 60 MPH gusts to blow me off my feet. The Daily Express has got me quite

concerned with the shocker of a headline: “Killer FREEZE on way: Health chiefs warn of risk to life as arctic gales to feel like -13°C” I can normally vouch for both of these fine national publications, but the matter of snow in this country is a precarious one. Whilst the US has undoubtedly been hit by the angry storm named ‘Juno’ I can’t help but fear the knock-on effect we’ll encounter will be dull, disappointing and not as described by the media.

HOWEVER – should we be actually hit by ‘proper’ snow in Cheltenham, I shall be a very happy boy.

For two or three days I’ll put aside my ruthless, darkened soul and pick up my sledge and head straight for

Leckhampton hill. I’ll pretend like none of life’s problems matter and smile with other Cheltonians as we gleefully slide up and down the hill; together. It’ll be such a jolly affair and everybody will be at peace with one another at last.

Obviously I meant not a single word of that. This is what I actually do on a snow day in Cheltenham: 1. Go through my phonebook until I find a friend with a 4x4 motor vehicle who is

free for the day. 2. Head straight for the top of Leckhampton Road, with foldable arm chairs in hand and take a good position on the pavement near the junction of the Old Bath Road. 3. Watch with popcorn as the chaos ensues.

Essentially – idiotic drivers will come racing down at death defying speeds on an icy road and smash into trees, road signs, whatever to bring their cars to a standstill. The entertainment

really begins when there have been a few of these and cars begin to collide into one another.

You get real television worthy moments now as proud BMW owners scream at the top of their lungs as they watch on in horror as some clapped out Volvo comes racing down the hill, braking in vain, to then swerve straight into the side of the flashy car.

Do-gooders will attempt to spoil the drama by calming down vehicle owners by offering cups of tea and a counselling service. But don’t be alarmed, their efforts are normally in vain. Evil always prevails against good and the Devil wants you to enjoy his show.

There are many that do not know about this sport but I can, hand on heart tell you, it is the one event of the calendar year that you do not want to miss in this town.

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

29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

17

Grand Theft Auto pensioners A VIDEO of pensioners playing Grand Theft Auto V for the first time is proving a viral hit online.

More than 2.4million people have watched the clip of volunteers from the

CoffeeBreak

older generation taking to the virtual streets and wreaking PlayStation havoc.

In GTA V, gamers always play the bad guys, have the ability to kill people with an array of weapons and even have sex with prostitutes.

The game has sparked outrage among parents who believe it teaches their children that violence is acceptable.

Opinion was divided among the older generation on whether or not the game was too violent.

But they certainly seemed to have a great time playing it: “I hit a woman for the first time in my life, and I'm having fun,” says one.

Your Weekly HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 20 – April 18): Keep your ear to the ground today. You could hear about a career opportunity that could benefit you enormously.

TAURUS (April 19 – May 19): Keep your ear to the ground today. You could hear about a career opportunity that could benefit you enormously.

TV stuffed up skirt by shoplifter

GEMINI (May 20 – June 20): You’re in a position to write your own ticket.

Think long and hard about what you want it to say.

A BRAZEN thief has been caught on camera making a flat screen television disappear by stuffing it up her skirt.

The woman shoplifter is seen walking up to a display of TVs at a store in the Costa Rican town of Guapiles.

She grabs a boxed television, lifts up her skirt and puts the TV set between her legs before walking out of the shop.

Police have uploaded the CCTV footage to YouTube in a bid to track down the

CANCER (June 21 – July 21): Venus has a way of changing minds and opening hearts when she's in Pisces. Now's the time to say what you've always wanted to say.

woman or her friend who appeared to be an accomplice.

The woman’s ‘magic trick’ quickly went viral with more than two million people watching the footage.

LEO (July 22 – Aug 21): Bird-dog late breaking developments. Distant rumblings in a far corner of the company will have a direct impact on you.

BALL BOY GETS IT IN THE GROIN A BALL boy was hit in the groin by a 121mph ball served by Spanish ace Feliciano Lopez at the Australian Open.

Footage from Australian Open TV shows the moment the boy was hit and then - in a delayed reaction - doubled up in pain.

Lopez immediately rushed up to the boy

StandOKU!

to ask if he was OK after his first serve hit him where it hurts.

The boy nodded and tried to remain as professional as possible by collecting the ball before succumbing to the agony.

It was eventually too much for the injured youngster who had to be escorted off the court.

1

2

3

4

5

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 letter word.

6

7

TARGET

Y R N D I S A E L

3 7 5 9 2 8 8 6 9 4 5 6

9 10 12

14

13

15 16

18

17

19 21

3

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; 35 very good; 40+ excellent.

8

11

23

LIBRA (Sept 22 – Oct 22): Avoid late night conversations with your boss, being alone with your girlfriend's boyfriend, or tutoring sessions with the 18-year old high school quarterback. Anything that can be misconstrued will be.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21): Listen to people's opinions and find ways to incorporate what they have to say today. They're invaluable plus you'll build support.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 20): This is the

perfect time to circulate your resume and to set up job interviews. The Mercury/Uranus sextile brings hot tips, inside scoops, and juicy offers.

CAPRICORN (Dec 21 – Jan 18): You are meant for better things, but do you recognize them when they appear? You will soon receive an amazing offer. It won't be what you expect.

It will be better.

AQUARIUS (Jan 19 – Feb 17): All the pieces of your life are coming together to form a new and inspiring picture.

PISCES (Feb 18 – March 19): Venus in Pisces brings out your gold digger side.

Don't feel bad about indulging it because if anyone has a heart of gold to go along with it, it's you.

LION

RULE

BEAR

LEAD

CRYPTIC Crossword

Difficulty rating: Moderate

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

VIRGO (Aug 22 – Sept 21): You were nervous about backing a long shot but you'll soon be glad you did when you see you've hit the mark.

20 22 24

25 26 27 Last week’s solutions (22nd January 2015): Across: 1 Mobs; 3 Admitted; 8 Noah; 9 Outdated; 11 Groundlessly; 13 Nature; 14 Trifle; 17 Departmental; 20 Creditor; 21 Also; 22 Resigned; 23 Tyro. Down: 1 Managing; 2 Bear out; 4 Double; 5 Indiscreet; 6 Total; 7 Dodo; 10 Increasing; 12 Well-to-do; 15 Fatally; 16 Strove; 18 Evens; 19 Acer.

ACROSS

DOWN

3. Others see his work as play (9) 8. Right to help in sudden attack (4) 9. Could be but a trite quality (9) 10. Stronghold of chess? (6) 11. Speedy ships? (5) 14. The first doctor is an idler (5) 15. Temporary home in which there would be purpose (4) 16. In which enclosures are measured? (5) 18. Interpret article in colour (4) 20. The terrorist's mistake (5) 21. Not a crazy wanderer (5) 24. Profits from a comeback? (6) 25. Does he cater for gamblers in volume production? (9) 26. Unfortunately false name lacks one (4) 27. Maybe use strong fish (9)

1. Reproduce technique (9) 2. Knows main female relation (9) 4. Scold angrily for relative speed (4) 5. Lesson to be drawn from a poem or allegory (5) 6. Memorial of a confused battle?

(6) 7. Location of object in the southeast (4) 9. Passage in the valleys (5) 11. Dismissed for being filled with enthusiasm? (5) 12. Completely rip while crying (9) 13. Severity – a quality of the back part? (9)

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CHARLTON KINGS

£1,000,000

A luxuriously renovated residence in a sought after area with versatile accommodation over two floors that offers up to six bedrooms. The sheer spaciousness of this fine property with high ceilings asks to be explored and on the ground floor comprises a generous hall, a remarkable kitchen/breakfast room that flows into a dining room with a log burner , a utility, cloakroom, a large living room with a shared log burner, three bedrooms, an impressive family room that could be used as a guest bedroom, and a family bathroom. Above there is a splendid galleried landing with a study area, the master bedroom with a dressing room, an en-suite bathroom and double doors to a balcony with hillside views, and a further bedroom or study. Double garage and an impressive rear garden with a summerhouse.

BREDON

£1,100,000

A substantial detached family house with a self-contained apartment, amounting in all to about 5576 square feet, within a plot of about three quarters of an acre.

Its principal accommodation comprises a large reception hall with a grand staircase, a spacious drawing room with an open fireplace and wood burner, a dining room, cloakroom, study, a kitchen/breakfast room, a garden room, with a wood burner, leading into the southerly facing rear garden, a utility and laundry, four bedrooms, two en-suite shower rooms and a bathroom. In addition the apartment, that could easily be incorporated within the main living accommodation, provides a kitchen, a living/dining room, a bedroom and a bathroom. This large residence is accessed via electronically operated gates and has two double garages, one housing a wood fired boiler and the other a leisure room.

CHURCHDOWN

£750,000

A beautifully presented five bedroom detached period house with a wealth of fine period features located along a desirable no through road within the popular village of Churchdown. Its splendid, well proportioned, accommodation is a delight to explore and comprises in brief an arched entrance porch, an entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, a bespoke modern fitted kitchen/breakfast room, a utility room, a downstairs cloakroom, a garden room, five bedrooms, a family bathroom and a shower room. A staircase leads from bedroom three to the working loft that is currently used by the owners as a games/hobbies area.

Further benefits include gas fired central heating, attractive landscaped gardens, off road parking and a garage/workshop.

THE PARK

ÂŁ985,000

A handsome and imposing six bedroom period semi-detached family house, of approximately 3778 square feet, offering very well presented, versatile, accommodation in a prestigious residential area of Cheltenham within walking distance of local parks and Montpellier. Its accommodation could offer a self-contained apartment with a few alterations. The lower ground level currently comprises an entrance hall, a large modern fitted kitchen/dining room, a utility room, cloakroom and a double bedroom, currently used as a dining room, with an en-suite bathroom. The upper ground floor has an entrance hall, impressive drawing room, sitting room, study, a utility room and a cloakroom. Above there are a further five bedrooms, the master with an en-suite bathroom, two en-suite shower rooms and a bathroom. This fine dwelling also benefits from gas central heating, garden, parking and a double garage.

CHELTENHAM

ÂŁ650,000

A fine property occupying a delightful position on a tree lined road close to good local amenities, schools, the railway station and the town centre. Its well-presented accommodation offers a wealth of character features and comprises in brief an entrance hall, living room, dining room, a fitted kitchen, downstairs study/bedroom four, a conservatory, a large four room cellar, three first floor bedrooms, the master with an en-suite shower room, and a family bathroom. There is also potential (subject to the necessary consents) to create an additional bedroom in the roof space, a staircase has already been installed. Further benefits of this imposing period property include a marvellous mature garden with a wonderful willow tree, an expanse of lawn and a vegetable patch, gas fired central heating, a driveway providing off road parking and a garage.

SOUTHAM

ÂŁ575,000

An impressive four bedroom detached family home occupying a plot of just over a third of an acre and benefiting from outstanding views over countryside to the Malvern Hills beyond. Offered in very good decorative order, with a wealth of character features, its well proportioned accommodation in brief comprises of an entrance porch, reception hall with sitting area, living room, dining/family room leading into a delightful garden room/conservatory, a modern fitted kitchen, downstairs cloakroom, four double bedrooms, a shower room and a family bathroom. There is also a useful workshop and cellar. Benefits of this fine property include gas fired central heating, double glazing, off road parking for several vehicles, a car-port, small garage and wonderfully landscaped gardens.

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A studio apartment set in this period villa. Ideally located close to Montpellier and the town centre.

A stunning Four bedroom house built in 2007, located at the foot of Cleeve Hill.

Grosvenor House Evesham Road GL52 2AB £1000 pcm A modern apartment with a period feel. High Ceilings and sash windows coupled with an en-suite.

Main Road Shurdington GL51 4XJ £500,000 A modern detached home offering plenty of space with four bedrooms and two en-suite’s.

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A Newly Redecorated Top Floor Apartment in Stunning Period Building Located near Fashionable Montpellier.

29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

25

TheVIBE A snapshot of student life in Cheltenham

Baby its cold outside… … And freezing in my room

BY FRANCESCA COBY HAVE you ever been cold? Like really really cold. Four layers, four pairs of socks and a ski jacket cold? If you ever fancy it, just go to a student house in January. It seems to be an alien concept to me, why is it that when I’m home, I’m snug as a bug in a rug, and then I cross my university house threshold and it feels like being trapped inside an ice cube.

Now I wish I was joking, I really do, but it seems that the majority of students just won’t spend money on basic things like heating, and washing up liquid,

(that one’s a constant struggle in my house).

Now you normally have three types of housemates, the messy one, the not-bothered one, and the dictator. Now as annoying as it is when someone refuses to do his or her washing up, I’d take that any day over the dictator.

The one who plunges you into darkness when you’re in the bathroom to try and save electricity, the one who’s set a timer on the hot water so there’s well none, ever. As for the heating, we’re talking a whisper of warmth, a warm gust of air, I genuinely get more heat from my

WELL the latest instalment in the Cheltenham Twaddle Plan, sorry Transport Plan has played out with Cheltenham Borough Council giving the recommendations of the County Council’s Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Committee the seal of approval.

As you may know this committee had recommended that all of the TROs associated with the Transport Plan be permanently approved except the part relating to Boots Corner. This will be trialled for 10 months to see how traffic displaced from Boots Corner affects the rest of the town.

The plan will now trundle on to the Cabinet of the County Council who on 4th February are most likely to give this dodgy dossier the final nod of support.

In all fairness as daft as I think the plans are supporters seem genuinely convinced that they will allow Cheltenham to become an economic superpower and without it the town will wither and die.

And the support has not been based on party politics with Conservative and Lib Dem politicians at the Borough Council championing these plans for years – until now when the Tories seem to have had an abrupt change of heart.

The promoters of the Transport Plan seem certain it will deliver a Zen like nirvana at Boots Corner which will encourage the sort of inward economic investment that will make Cheltenham the envy of the world.

It is worth noting at this point that what planned is not pedestrianisation at Boots Corner. Neither is the inner ring road about

hairdryer.

I know students who go to the library, for the heating. I mean come ON , that must tell you

something. I did not enter into higher education to get a degree in freezing to death! If you can’t sit at your desk in your room

because your fingers won’t type on your keyboard something needs to change.

It seems that frivolous spending comes hand-in-hand with being a student, copious amounts of money being spent on alcohol, clubbing, clothes and Xbox games. However when it comes to the necessities students are about as stingy as eating a takeaway that’s a week old. The amount of money spent on keeping warmer, blankets, fluffy jumpers, socks, slippers, gloves, hot water bottles, could probably heat your house for the entire of January and February. I implore all second years, in their first house after the comfort of 24/7 heating in halls, to just forsake buying a crate of beer for one day of the week, man up and put the heating on, there really is nothing cool about being cold.

Soapbox

By COUNCILLOR KLARA SUDBURY to be torn up; blocked up at a key location, reduced in capacity at another and partly made two way on a couple of short sections.

The current mayhem being generated by the so called Bath Road Safety Scheme Trial is a crucial part of the Transport Plan. Not only is this trial extremely dangerous for pedestrians, but it is causing major congestion on the High Street, London Road and other roads in the area.

As questionable as I find the Transport Plan and the claims made in support of it, by far the most unedifying aspect of the whole process, has been the way people living in the areas which will experience more congestion as a result of the plan, have been treated.

Instead of having their concerns taken seriously and properly addressed I have heard objectors called all sorts of names.

Objectors have been accused very unfairly of wanting nothing in the town to change or progress.

Despite years of requests to be involved in the process of developing the plan residents who will be affected by traffic displaced from Boots Corner and Bath Road have more recently been accused of refusing to co-operate with plans to mitigate displaced traffic.

Objectors to the transport plan are actually a wide range of concerned and knowledgeable local residents not a group of gas guzzling Jeremy Clarkson’s with a fetish for driving through Boots Corner.

These changes will affect many groups; it is not just town centre residents who will be adversely affected by these plans because of increased congestion and pollution. Bus journey times will increase as key routes just

outside of the town centre become more congested. Cycling will become more dangerous and walking much more unpleasant as the town is choked by the gridlock these plans will cause.

The Cheltenham Transport Plan has become over the years less about vision and more about tunnel vision. There is simply no mandate from the residents of Cheltenham to take these plans forward.

26

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 29 JANUARY 2015

MOTORING MOTORING REVIEW > Mini Cooper S 5-Door AT the risk of stating the obvious, the main focus here is the addition of two extra doors. Granted, the Countryman might also be a genuine five-door car, but Mini's taking on this apparent duplication, is that the Countryman is an SUV, albeit a small one, making it an unfair comparison.

So, what we have here is a slightly longer Mini hatch, all the better to accommodate rear seat occupants, boasting more cabin and boot space, plus the added flexibility to attract families and active types seeking a more practical Mini hatch.

You'll have to look closely to really spot the changes in the transition from three to five doors. The extra length is modest (72mm between the wheels) and it does little to harm the look of this third-gen car's already expanded dimensions.

Inside this five-door model is the now familiar new-look Mini fascia, complete with oversize central display, tweaked minor controls, the inclusion of a BMW-

MOTORING

STILL FUN, STILL FEISTY! style i-Drive controller and chunky steering wheel.

The result is a car that retains the trademark BMW era Mini look, but also boasts a more mature, grown-up feel.

No question, this expanded Mini will be a welcome sight for anyone with a small family looking to remain faithful to the brand. The car's rear doors aren't the largest and access could be more accommodating, but once inside there's reasonable legroom even for adults. The car's boot also receives a welcome boost, as along with the flexible boot floor and additional storage, folding the rear seats liberates a decent amount of space.

Despite the expanded dimensions of the five-door car, it remains loyal to the fun ethos of the three-door model. On the move, the extra length and weight barely registers, which means you can still throw the car around if so inclined. At launch, the choice between Cooper S petrol and

Cooper SD diesel means the difference between a feisty, rev-happy experience and a more relaxed but no less potent one.

Both 2.0-litre four-cylinder units can also

be had with BMW's six-speed dual clutch transmissions if you don't fancy the extra workout associated with the manual shifters.

The Mini is an unusual proposition in that it's often hard to make direct comparisons with so say rival cars. In basic trim the car benefits from a few options, although these can prove surprisingly good value. Likewise engine choice, as BMW's efforts to reduce consumption and emissions have resulted in some seriously tax-friendly numbers. Plus, spec your car well and you won't lose your shirt when it's time to sell it on especially if the whole SUV culture isn't your thing.

> AT A GLANCE MINI COOPER S 5-DOOR, ÂŁ19,255 Engine: 2.0-litre petrol unit producing 191bhp and 221lb/ft of torque Transmission: Six-speed automatic (cost option) driving the front wheels Performance: Top speed 144mph, 062mph in 6.9 seconds Fuel Economy: 49.6mpg combined Emissions: 136g/km of CO2

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CO2 emissions 184–99 g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. *Offers apply to selected stock new MINI models from Cotswold Cheltenham, cars must be registered by 31 March 2015. **MINI tlc XL starts when MINI tlc expires and covers the cost of the parts, lubricants and labour involved in MINI servicing for a urther 3 years or 30,000 miles, whichever milestone is reached first. The combined service pack of MINI tlc and MINI tlc XL provides servicing cover to a maximum of 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever milestone is reached first. MINI tlc XL covers scheduled services in line with the Manufacturer's time and mileage recommendations but does not cover additional maintenance or repair items such as tyres, brake pads and engine oil top-ups etc.

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29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

29

SPORT

Local Sport

Panthers power on at top of the table

Six of the best for Gloucester as top seeding secured in France

NETBALL

Hucclecote U-16 Jersey Jets U-16

RUGBY UNION

56 37

HUCCLECOTE Panthers continued to dominate in the South West Under-16 Regional League with another strong performance against third-placed Jersey Jets.

Jersey actually came out on the whistle contesting all through court and they dominated earlier on as both teams scored goal for goal.

The score at quarter time reflected this with Hucclecote just edging ahead slightly 12 goals to 10.

The second quarter saw Hucclecote lift their performance, and with Izzy Robinson working solidly at WD and turning three interceptions, Panthers began to pull away.

Shooting saw Jane Taylor on top form as she netted 12 out of 12, and with Emme Hale also playing well netting five from six Cote extended their lead to 29-19 at half-time.

Eve Saunders replaced Caitlin Santacroce at GK and after taking a few minutes to settle really found her reach, pulling in numerous interceptions and rebounds.

With captain Ella Powell-Davis working hard to restrict the talented Jersey GA, she too found her range turning and tipping ball which all added to Panthers advantage and swayed Jersey to name her as player of the match.

Brive Gloucester Rugby

The final quarter saw a few errors creep in however the performance of the attacking mid court players, Elisha New and Lucy Martin proved outstanding as they used great decision making and vision to place the balls into the shooting circle.

Hale played an intelligent role utilising her agility and speed to draw out the GK, although she had to be replaced due to an ankle soreness which gave opportunity for Lucy Martin to partner Taylor and Ellie Parker to take on the WA role.

With Taylor really stepping it up for Panthers continued to play superbly ending the game with a 56-37 victory.

Panthers still top the Under-16 South West Regional table and with their next fixture being a double header coach Gilly Salter will look to extend the squad as they potentially have two really tough fixtures in one day against Lawn from Swindon and Bath.

HUCCLECOTE: E Hale, J Taylor, L Martin, B Adkins, A New, E Parker, J Emms, I Robinson, H McCoubrie, E Powell-Davis, C Santacroce, E Saunders.

Betbright sponsor the Prestbury Cup HORSE RACING CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE

go head-to-head over the four days in March.

Introduced for the first time in 2014, the BetBright Cup includes every race at The Festival and is won when either nation has 14 winners or more from the 27 races (excluding the St Patrick’s Derby) between Tuesday, March 10 and Friday, March 13.

In a battle for national pride, the trainers and jockeys from the winning country will be presented with the BetBright Cup which is sealed with some hallowed Cheltenham turf.

In 2014, it was Great Britain narrowly on top with 15 wins to Ireland’s 12, while in 2013 Ireland had 14 winners, one more than

Britain.

BetBright make it 1.16 for Great Britain to claim the 2015 BetBright Cup, with Ireland at 4.33 to upset the home team and take the spoils. A draw is 26/1.

However, with strong entries from both sides of the Irish Sea, it is set to be another thrilling competition with both countries hoping to be named champion in March.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of 2014 Stan James Champion Hurdle winner, Jezki, said: “With Jezki holding an entry for us on the opening day at The Festival in the Champion Hurdle, we very much hope to lend a helping hand towards dismissing the sponsor’s current price of 4.33 for Ireland to win the BetBright Cup. “We look forward to another

Matt Kvesic

20 31

GLOUCESTER secured top seeding for the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup with a sixth successive victory in the competition, this time in Brive.

The Cherry and Whites maintained their unbeaten start to 2015 at the Stade Amedee-Domench in a match which saw four yellow cards shown.

Matt Kvesic provided the spark with a pair of tries, while Dan Robson touched down after an excellent move to see off their French hosts.

After falling behind to a penalty after seven minutes, a successful kick from James Hook levelled the scores in the 14th minute after an earlier attempt drifted wide.

Brive edged back in front when Gloucester went in at the side of a ruck after Robson took a high ball well and Riaan Swanepoel kicked an excellent second penalty.

But Gloucester replied instantly, with Billy Twelvestrees’ grubber forcing a five metre line out.

The catch and drive was well executed and the try duly followed for Matt Kvesic. Hook converted for a 10-6 lead.

Swanepoel dragged a penalty wide from the next phase of play

exciting challenge with Ireland hopefully coming out on top.”

Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins added: “We are obviously hoping for a very strong start at this year’s Festival with a good team of novices over hurdles and fences as well as Faugheen and Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle on the first day.

“I would like nothing more than to prove the sponsors wrong in their price of 4.33 for Ireland to win the BetBright Cup and take the Cheltenham turf back to Ireland.”

British champion trainer Paul Nicholls said: “I personally think that the BetBright Cup will be much closer than 1.16 and 4.33. I guess the first day of The Festival will be the deciding factor as Willie Mullins looks to have some very strong favourites.”

and Gloucester punished him with a quickly taken 22 drop out that led to a length of the field try.

Henry Purdy exploited the five metre channel superbly, and found Mark Atkinson inside in support. The centre broke a tackle, then rolled a lovely grubber through for Robson to control and score. Hook converted and it was a much more comfortable looking 17-6 lead for the Cherry and Whites.

After a series of sin binnings, Gloucester forced a five-metre scrum and a huge shove resulting in a penalty try. Hook converted and it was 24-6.

On 56 minutes as the Cherry and Whites were adjudged to have illegally hauled down a catch and drive and the penalty try was given. Swanepoel converted for 24-13.

Gloucester strung together enough phases for Kvesic to power over for his second of the evening and secure the try scoring bonus point. Hook, who had returned to the field after a yellow card, added the extras.

Brive had the final word, earning a consolation try for replacement hooker Thomas Acquier. Nicolas Bezy converted to round off the scoring.

Entries revealed as countdown to The Festival begins HORSE RACING

ENTRIES have been revealed for the three Grade One novices’ chase at The Festival: the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Champion Day, Tuesday, March 10), the RSA Chase (Ladies Day, Wednesday, March 11) and the JLT Novices’ Chase (St Patrick’s Thursday, March 12).

In addition, entries are also announced for the longest race at The Festival, the four-mile Listed Toby Balding National Hunt Chase (Champion Day, Tuesday, March 10) for amateur riders.

Un De Sceaux (Willie Mullins) is clear favourite in the ante-post market for the two-mile £150,000 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase, for which there are 45 entries.

The seven-year-old was unbeaten in bumpers and over hurdles. The front-

Un De Sceaux

runner fell on his chasing debut at Thurles in November when looking the certain winner.

He made no mistake next time out at Fairyhouse on December 12, when successful by 12 lengths. He is due to run on Sunday, January 25, in the Grade One Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Mullins accounts for nine entries in total, with last year’s Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victor Vautour also featuring prominently in the betting.

30

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 29 JANUARY 2015

SPORT NORTHERN SENIOR FOOTBALL

Charlton Rovers 0 Tuffley Rovers Reserves 1

By MATT EVANS TUFFLEY Rovers Reserves picked up a huge win away from home against table-topping Charlton Rovers in the Northern Senior League Division Two. A strong wind combined with a pitch suffering from the after effects of a week of adverse weather made it difficult for both sides to retain possession for any length of time, turning the game into a scrappy affair that was always going to be settled with one goal.

An uneventful first half only briefly perked when a long clearance from Charlton Rovers’ James Barnett bounced over the head of the onrushing Tuffley goalkeeper who watched on in desperation as the ball rolled towards the empty net, only for centre half Shaun Smith to race back and hook the ball away from the goalline.

Into the second half, it was Tuffley who took a surprise lead against the run of play, a bustling run from the centre of midfield ending with the ball being driven across the box where Adam Smith slid in at the far post to touch home.

After that goal, Tuffley were forced back by Charlton Rovers who piled forward with attack after attack. The referee had to be at his best throughout to keep a lid on a contest that

often looked like it could boil over into more than a game of football, but he dealt with the situation superbly.

Tuffley were happy to pick up a series of yellow cards for some cynical fouls that stopped Charlton Rovers in their tracks time after time.

Despite their constant attack, Charlton Rovers failed to really test the Tuffley goalkeeper, although Shaun Smith was forced into a second goal-line clearance of the game, in what was nearly a carbon copy of the clearance he made earlier in the game.

It was Tuffley who came closest to adding a second late on as the game became an end-to-end affair as Rovers desperately pressed for an equaliser.

Tuffley had four consecutive corners, captain Mark Wallington sending in a succession of excellent crosses that Charlton Rovers simply could not clear.

Goalkeeper Keene tipped one of those crosses out of play as it nearly looped over his head, while sub Ryan Williams had an air-shot as the ball dropped to him invitingly box.

Williams had another opportunity to put the game out of sight late on, as Antoine Thompson raced through on goal, before unselfishly squaring the ball for the youngster.

However, the substitute was leaning back and sent his shot flying high over the crossbar. It didn’t prove to be a costly miss as the referee blew the whistle after a long period of added time, with Tuffley celebrating a vital victory that put them 14 points behind Charlton Rovers, but with four games in hand on their opponents.

Watts’ double lifts Cleeve off the bottom COUNTY FOOTBALL

Swindon Supermarine 2 Bishop’s Cleeve 3 BISHOP’S Cleeve moved off the foot of the Southern League Division One South and West table by claiming their second win of the season.

Boss Steve Cleal was pleased to be able to give debuts to on-loan goalkeeper from Cheltenham Town, Matt Gould along with Aaron Drake, while Jack Oldham came into the side after returning for a second spell with the club.

Ashley Jones and Josh Ward both took places on the bench as Cleeve fielded a new look team in a bid to kick start their survival push.

A bright start to the game saw them burst into the lead on two minutes. A smart save by Gould led to a counter attack and Matt Magee calmly ran through to give Cleeve the lead.

This stirred the home side into action, but Cleeve were fired up for the task and the 3-5-2 put out by Cleal proved a match in every 50/50 challenge, but they could only fashion half chances.

On 25 minutes Drake’s promising debut was cut short by injury

Burrows brothers fire Barometrics to home victory NORTHERN SENIOR FOOTBALL

FC Barometrics Stonehouse Town

2 0

By MATT EVANS FC BAROMETRICS made it three Northern Senior League Division One wins in a row after edging out Moreton Town thanks to James Bayliffe’s second-half goal.

Boss Spike Rhodes rotated his squad, bringing Will Pugh, Bayliffe and himself into the starting XI, while the in-form Kurt Burrows returned from suspension.

Brett Blake from the reserves was promoted to the first team after scoring an impressive hat-trick for them last week against Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves, taking his

place on the bench.

In front of main sponsor Ben Williams from Forever Green Energy, Barometrics started well.

A cross from Sonnie Burrows fell nicely to striker Andy Varnam but his lobbed shot went narrowly over.

In the next attack, Bayliffe won a tackle in midfield and then sent the impressive Varnam through on goal, however the referee had already stopped the play for a late challenge on Bayliffe, much to the frustration of the home side.

As half-time approached a cross from the left dropped to Rhodes whose left foot volley was well blocked and cleared to safety.

In the second half the Baros continued to control the possession and Moreton never really threatened.

Baros continued to probe in an attempt to make the breakthrough, forcing several corners and it seemed only a matter of time before they made their dominance count.

Kevin Slack replaced Pugh on the hour mark and on 68 minutes youngster Blake replaced Sonnie Burrows.

Shortly after the changes the allimportant goal arrived after good work from Slack on the left.

He forced a cross and as the ball dropped in the box Bayliffe was first to react firing into the top corner from 10 yards.

Only a couple of goalmouth scrambles prevented the hosts from extending their lead but in the end they were happy with another three point haul.

and he was replaced by Mike Sholly.

The game then saw the first of two red cards, Alton Axton, who had early been cautioned, flew into a high challenge thinking he could win the ball.

He mistimed it and the referee applied the letter of the law and produced a second yellow card for the defender.

Gould who had already made several smart saves was then called into action again and made an excellent stop to keep the scores level.

With Cleeve struggling to get out of their half the defending of Summers, Sherry and Shaw was crucial to keeping the scores level.

PHOTO: ALAN FRANKLIN

Charlton Rovers are upset by Tuffley as title race is thrown wide open

Local Football

Cleeve’s Joe Tustain

Cleeve had started the game brightly but the red card tipped the game in the home side’s favour and at half-time owed it to some resolute defending and some smart saves to survive with lead intact.

Cleal reshuffled his pack to switch formation bringing on Callum Preece to replace Joe Tustain.

On 52 minutes the home side had equalised. A turn of pace on the left wing saw, the winger burst into the area, Preece pulled him

back and the referee pointed to the spot, Chris Taylor despatched the penalty into the corner.

This gave the home side momentum and they were certainly in the ascendancy now, the game took another twist when on 55 minutes half-time substitute Sam Morris was sent off following an altercation with Jack Watts.

The game sprang into life then, some great work by Sol Wheatley saw him beat two players out wide and he pulled the ball back to Watts, whose quick feet set up a shot that was deflected in.

Cleeve were good value for the 2-1 lead but as the 10 versus 10 game progressed they were pushed back more and on 71 minutes this proved costly.

They gave Supermarine’s left winger the freedom of the pitch and his pass to the centre forward came back off the post and was tapped in by Bradley Gray.

Substitute Ward went on for the injured Sholly and a draw looked a fair result with Wheatley going close after good work down the right.

Watts then seized on a poor clearance which went straight to him and his shot could only be tipped in by the helpless goalkeeper.

Summers then cleared off the line to secure a valuable three points for the Mitres.

Cleal said: “I’m delighted with the character and mental strength the lads showed today but the challenge is now to follow it up next week.”

Cleeve play Bridgwater Town at home on Saturday (3pm).

showed their quality with a convincing win.

Callum Morrissey opened the scoring from a Matty Hunt corner and Hunt made it two, direct from a free-kick.

YOUTH FOOTBALL Jordanov made it three with a left foot shot from outside the box. In Southside Lions 7 the second half Lakeside pressed Lakeside 2 and scored through Gibbs and were LAST season’s champions and awarded a penalty that was saved runners-up met at Winchcombe by Lions goalkeeper Alex Schofield.

A mazy run and cross from School and it was the Lions who George Cuzner was Lakeside’s White and Smith track helped in by Lakeside’s the Lions’ Morrissey and Cuzner White to make it four.

Aidan Jameson made it five when he was put in by Morrissey and Harry Duncan made it six from a Hunt corner.

Hunt’s cross come shot made it seven for Lions who are still unbeaten.

Lions in seventh heaven as unbeaten run goes on

29 JANUARY 2015 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

31

SPORT

Local Football

Cheltenham League round-up AFTER moving up to second in Division Six of the Cheltenham League, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Cheltenham Ford, in their last game Regency Town came down to earth with a bump last Saturday when they were beaten 4-3 by Prestbury Rovers Reserves.

Rovers opened the scoring through the evergreen Rich Basham while their other goals were scored

by Joe Smith, Brian Loveland and Dan Watts.

The result leaves Prestbury in fifth while Town drop one space following Fintan Reserves 7-1 win over Andoversford III. Leaders Malvern Vale, who boast a 100 percent record, are back in action on Saturday and will be expecting to maintain their record when they face seventh placed Charlton Rovers III. The big game in Division Five ended in a draw as FC Lakeside Reserves and Cheltenham Civil Service VI saw out a 2-2 draw.

A 5-2 win for Cheltenham Athletic saw them move above Lakeside into top spot and with four points separating the top four it promises to be a close race for the title.

Lakeside host Athletic this week in what promises to be an exciting tie. The winners are guaranteed to top the table come Saturday evening although Athletic will remain top if they avoid defeat.

At the bottom, Sherborne Harriers were hammered 11-1 last weekend

by FC Barometrics III. They face a another big game this week when they travel to Pittville United Reserves, the team directly above them. Another defeat will leave them four points behind their opponents.

PHOTO: LYDIA VINEY

CHELTENHAM LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Rich Basham (blue 10) opens the scoring for Prestbury Rovers Reserves

Cheltenham Civil Service III pulled off the result of the weekend when they beat Division Four leaders Northway 5-4, which included a goal from Service player manager Paul White.

Apperley remain in second following their 4-1 win at Kings AFC Reserves. They are three points behind Northway but have two games in hand. They will move into top spot if they beat Leckhampton Rovers Reserves by more than four goals this weekend.

At the bottom Winchcombe Town Reserves good run continued as they beat Star Reserves 2-1 to move ahead of their opponents.

Welland remain top of Division Three after a 4-0 win at Charlton Rovers Reserves. They have a four point lead and two games in hand on the second placed team with the title seemingly theirs to lose.

Another defeat for Kings as Apperley maintain title push CHELTENHAM LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Kings Reserves Apperley

1 4

KINGS Reserves’ challenge for the honours took another hit following last week’s defeat against league leaders Northway, as they lost to second place Apperley in Division Four of the Cheltenham League.

Despite the scoreline the match was close but on all-round perform-

ance Apperley meant they deserved the three points, as they try to keep pace with Northway.

Kings started extremely well and in the first 20 minutes were much the better team.

They forced the Apperley defence back and kept them under pressure during this period.

Their passing was quick and accurate and they continually forced Apperley into mistakes.

With nine minutes gone, Dutson

At the bottom Shurdington Rovers Reserves remain winless after their 7-0 defeat at Falcons Reserves.

Rovers chances of getting points on the board next week look slim as they face Welland. Even claiming a draw will be a shock result.

Division Two leaders Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves

slipped to another defeat as they lost 2-1 to Gloucester Elmleaze. The defeat open the way for Staunton and Corse who drew level on points with them but have four games in hand.

Corse play one of those games this weekend when they face Tewkesbury Town. They will go top

if they avoid defeat.

Bottom club Northleach Town are not in action this weekend. They are 11 points adrift at the foot of the table and that margin could increase to 14 if the team above them, Shurdington Rovers, beat Southside on Saturday.

Despite being reduced to ten men Churchdown Panthers claimed a 33 draw against Whaddon United in Division One. Eliott Sheerin bagged a hat-trick for Panthers while Michael Winter also scored three for United.

The result allowed Lakeside to open up a three point lead at the top of the table after they beat Gala Wilton Reserves 3-0 although United still have a game in hand.

United and Lakeside meet on Valentine’s Day in what could be the title decider.

United are in cup action on Saturday and with Lakeside facing midtable opposition in AC Olympia they could find themselves six points behind the leaders come Saturday evening.

At the bottom Newton FC claimed an important 3-2 win against Kings AFC. The defeat leaves Kings seven points adrift at the foot of the table.

Cheltenham Football League, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Ford Cheltenham

PLAYER PROFILE OF THE WEEK This week we focus on Jamie Stevens who captains Southside Reserves in Division Four.

Formed as a youth team in 1994, Southside expanded into open age football in 2005. After a challenging first season, in which they did claim the league’s sportsmanship award, the

pressured the defence on the right and got in a cross from the by-line which found Scott Jezard at the far post and his well directed header found the back of the net for his debut goal for Kings.

Kings kept up the pressure but were unable to capitalise on their good start where Neil Worrall and Gareth Bee kept control of midfield.

As the first half progressed, Apperley came into the game more and started to get forward putting pres-

club’s adult section has grown and now boasts a reserve team who, like the first XI, are very difficult to beat when on their game.

Name: Jamie Stevens Nickname: Jammer Position: Centre midfield Previous clubs: None Most memorable game: First game back after not playing for two years against Winch-

sure on the Kings defence.

With Griffiths away Andy Woolway partnered Jake Worgan in central defence, but they were able to repel the Apperley attacks.

Disaster struck for Kings when in the space of three minutes before the break they found themselves 2-1 behind.

With the second half in its early stages, a mix-up in the Kings defence left Apperley 3-1 and in control.

Worgan was injured and had to be

combe Reserves. Scored in the first minute, with a shot into the top corner and got man of the match Worst game: 2012/13 versus Dowty Dynamos where we were 3-1 up at half-time and then lost 6-3 Toughest opponents: Pittville United.

Best club player: Joe Kynaston-Smith Team Supported: Aston Villa Favourite player: Michael Owen

replaced by Simon John and Sol Griffiths by Jon Chandler, but when the influential Worrall pulled a muscle there was no one to replace him and he struggled for the rest of the half.

Despite this, Kings pressed on and didn’t give up the chase. Bee and Febery were a constant threat to them and Jezard was impressing on the left side, however it was Apperley who scored to make certain of the points.

32

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 29 JANUARY 2015

jon@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

Cheltenham Town 1

Luton Town 1 PHOTO: THOUSAND WORD MEDIA

SPORT

with JON PALMER, SPORTS EDITOR

Berry arrives, Harrison departs as Buckle’s rebuilding goes on C

HELTENHAM Town have signed former Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United right-back Durrell Berry on a deal until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old joined Torquay on non-contract terms in November, making 13 appearances for the Conference club, having left Plymouth in the summer.

But he departed Plainmoor last week after the club were unable to offer him a permanent deal owing to financial constraints.

Derby-born Berry was at Aston Villa as a youth player, having started out on the books of Notts County. His father Dennis was a professional boxer in the 1990s.

Berry becomes boss Paul Buckle’s first permanent signing as Cheltenham boss and he will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s trip to Dagenham and Redbridge.

Meanwhile, striker Byron Harrison has joined Chesterfield for an

undisclosed fee.

The former Stevenage and AFC Wimbledon front man has signed an 18-month deal with the League One club.

Harrison, 27, joined Cheltenham on a two-and-a-half year deal in January 2013. He scored 15 times last season, striking up an understanding with veteran Jamie Cureton and earning the club’s player of the year award.

The Londoner had netted seven times for the Robins this term, including a hat-trick against Swindon Town in the 5-0 FA Cup first round victory.

He made a total of 68 starts and 28 substitute appearances for the club, scoring 23 times.

He fell out of favour with new boss Paul Buckle and was made available for transfer or loan and he has been snapped up by Paul Cook’s Spireites, who currently lie ninth in League One following their promo-

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tion last season.

Harrison said: “I’d like to just a big thank you to the players and fans, especially after being made supporters’ player last season. I really enjoyed my time at Cheltenham and I am looking forward to my new challenge.

“I’ve been very impressed with Chesterfield after having a look around. I like their style of play – it goes well with the type of player I am and I can’t wait to get going.”

Buckle said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, I’d like to wish Byron all the best for the future.”

Cheltenham drew 1-1 at home with promotion-chasing Luton Town last Saturday.

Zack Kotwica put them ahead, touching in a cross from debutant Jake Gray via a flick from Jack Dunn in the 20th minute.

But Luton equalised less than a minute when goalkeeper Trevor Carson parried Andy Drury’s shot into the path of Shaun Whalley, who tapped in from close range.

Buckle, who takes his team to Dagenham and Redbridge this weekend, said: “Would we have taken a point before the game? Most

probably.

“It was a frantic start to the game, and with Luton going towards their fans it was always going to be difficult.

“We managed to get into the lead with a very good goal but it’s just disappointing we couldn’t hold on.

“But we stood strong and that’s the thing. If you play John Still’s teams, you have to be strong. I’m proud of my players today.”

CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-5-1): Carson; Jones, Taylor, Bron, Braham-Barrett; Gray, Stewart, Ferdinand, Stewart, Ricahrds, Kotwica; Dunn (Harrison 90). Subs not used: Vaughan, Gornell, Deaman, Hanks, Sterling-James, Reynolds.

LUTON TOWN (4-5-1): Tyler; Harriman, McNulty, Wilkinson, Griffiths; Whalley (Miller 69), Doyle, Drury (Lawless 63), Smith, Howells (Cullen 63); Stockley. Subs not used: Lacey, Lawless, Wall, Cullen, Justham, Miller, Robinson.

REFEREE: D Handley.

ATTENDANCE: 3,611 (1,282 from Luton).

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New sponsor named for Festival’s Prestbury Cup HORSE RACING

CHELTENHAM Racecourse has unveiled online betting group BetBright as the sponsors of the Prestbury Cup, the competition held to celebrate the rivalry between Great Britain and Ireland at The Festival.

Friendly rivalry between Great Britain and Ireland has always been one of the charms of The Festival each year as fans watch their equine heroes TURN TO PAGE 29 >

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