Cheltenham Standard 30th October 2014 by Cotswold Style Ltd

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I’m ready to fight Isis By TODD HASLEWOOD

LOCAL café owner in Cheltenham is ready to down utensils and travel to Syria to take on the Islamic State terrorists. The 35-year-old plans to leave his successful café, his wife and his children behind to go and fight against Isis, but only when the Prime Minister approves. “I question David Cameron and why he isn’t letting Kurdish people go and fight against Isis. Kurdistan is being left to fight the world’s problem and we have to ask questions to the world.” The Middle East has been featured heavily in the news over the last few months, as the media have covered the organisation Isis and their activities in Syria, Iraq and Turkey. Despite this, David Cameron has explained that people from this country will not be allowed to go out and help wage war against the terrorist group. This had led to growing un-rest amongst the Kurdish population of this country; non-more so than a certain café owner in Warden Hill. TURN TO PAGE TWO >

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

Cheltenham WeatherWatch THURSDAY 30th Oct Min 13ºC Max 15ºC FRIDAY 31st Oct Min 13ºC Max 19ºC SATURDAY 1st Nov Min 11ºC Max 16ºC SUNDAY 2nd Nov Min 9ºC Max 14ºC MONDAY 3rd Nov Min 8ºC Max 12ºC TUESDAY 4th Nov Min 9ºC Max 11ºC WEDNESDAY 5th Nov Min 6ºC Max 10ºC

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Martin Horwood demands action on awful broadband CHELTENHAM MP has finally secured a face-to-face meeting with the body responsible for filling the gaps in Gloucestershire’s broadband coverage. The MP claims some households in Cheltenham are suffering download speeds as slow as half a Megabit per second - compared to a national average thirty times faster. The government’s target is for 95% of the country to have a decent basic broadband service and for 90% to have the option of upgrading to new superfast fibreoptic broadband. But the main commercial operator, BT, have admitted to the MP that they’re only going to deliver the superfast option to 88% of the town, leaving more than one in ten households stuck with painfully slow internet access. Martin told the Standard: “People across Cheltenham have told me they need fast broadband access for business, for their kids’ homework, for banking and shopping, for online phone calls and just for recreation. These days people expect that when they move into a new house but it seems to be newer estates that are being left out. “There seems to be a longstanding problem in Cheltenham that we have had

a single central telephone exchange in Oriel Road for many years. The further the copper wires had to reach, the worse the service. That was a bit irritating for people making phone calls in the sixties. But for people today trying to make proper use of the internet it’s a nightmare.” The coalition government have given millions to local bodies tasked with filling in the gaps where commercial operators won’t deliver. In Gloucestershire the money has gone to ‘Fastershire’, a project administered by Gloucestershire County Council but they initially prioritised rural areas that were assumed to be most at risk of being left behind. I have been trying to get a meeting with Fastershire for more than a month”, said Martin. “First they wouldn’t meet me at all. Now they only want to meet with the Conservative county council leader present. I don’t see this as a party political issue at all. I’m just trying to ask the questions on behalf of Cheltenham people who are being side-lined while everyone else gets a 21st century service.”

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Next stage of sewer improvements unveiled

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SEVERN Trent Water is holding a public exhibition at Cheltenham Town Football Club on Thursday 30th October before the latest phase of its £5 million work to improve the sewers and help to prevent sewer flooding throughout Cheltenham begins. Wayne Ellis, solution manager for Severn Trent Water, explained: “We’re investing heavily in Cheltenham to make sure our customers are better protected from the terrible impact of sewer flooding and we’ve made good progress with our work so far. In the latest phase, we’ll start working on Studland Drive and at the allotments off Blacksmiths Lane. We then plan to put new sewers in South View Way, Fawley Drive, Thames Road and Whaddon Road early in the New Year. “To make sure everyone knows about the work, the massive benefits it will bring and the impact it may have, we’ve organised an open exhibition at Cheltenham Town FC

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on Whaddon Road on Thursday 30th October, from 1pm to 7pm.” The company confirmed that representatives from Stagecoach will also be at the exhibition to answer questions about bus timetables and diversions. Wayne added: “You’ll be able to meet our team and hear about our proposals. Everyone is welcome, and as well as hearing from us, we’re really looking forward to hearing the local community’s views on our plans, as we rely on their local knowledge to help us minimise the impact of our vital work. This work will really benefit the local community for many generations to come and we look forward to sharing our plans at the exhibition.” The work, which will be carried out by Severn Trent Water’s contract partner, NMCNomenca, is due to start on Studland Drive in late November. You can find out more at www.northmid.co.uk/cheltenham

Local cafe owner en-route to Syria CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Sadar Qarachatani, owner of Le Paris Café, has been a resident of the UK for the past 13 years, and has stayed true to his Kurdistan heritage. The town of Kobane, which sits on the border of Turkey and Syria, was of particular interest to Mr Qarachatani and why it had been left on his own. “35% of the people fighting there for the Kurdistan people are women, and Isis have more power, more weapons and more influence in this area.” There is also a lack of rights and independence for the Kurdish population in the Middle East, despite 25 million people inhabiting Turkey alone. He continued to say, “there are thousands of Kurdistan people ready to go and fight against Isis. The people of UK are my family, the people of Kurdistan are my family, and I want to take with me whoever wants to go and fight and help the people of Kurdistan.”

Woman charged with murder of Gerald Nott FOLLOWING the death of 66-year-old Gerald Nott, who was found dead in Queensway, Coleford (Forest of Dean), on 26 October, a woman has now been charged with his murder. Amanda Howard, 46, from Broadwell, Coleford, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Tuesday 29th October.

30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

Local woman meningitis heroine

Local country parks may be given to trust FIVE council-owned country parks and wildlife sites in Gloucestershire could be given to the local wildlife trust. Handing over Crickley Hill Country Park, Barrow Wake, Cooper's Hill, Coaley Peak and Kilkenny would save the county council £50,000 each year in maintenance, a spokesman said. A consultation into plans to give them to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust could be approved at a cabinet meeting in the future. A final decision is due to be made in spring next year. A council spokesman said the move would mean “more opportunity to improve access and facilities”, and said that current activities on the sites would be able to con-

tinue, including the annual unofficial cheese-rolling event on Cooper's Hill. Deputy leader of the council, Ray Theodoulou, said: “Transferring these sites to a charity like Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, which is set-up to protect and promote open spaces for the people and wildlife of Gloucestershire, could be an effective way to ensure they continue to be enjoyed by future generations.” The trust's Roger Mortlock said: “These sites are a great asset for the people of Gloucestershire and we are pleased to be discussing with the county council how we might manage them in the future.” Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust already manages 60 nature reserves in the county.

First Great Western improve food on board FROM next week Great Western (FGW) is unveiling further improvements to the locally sourced food that it now serves onboard. Firstly the Pullman fine dining menu is being expanded to run on ten trains daily; and secondly it has added 32 new locally sourced products on-board. Travelling between London and Penzance or Plymouth, diners can now enjoy a selection of locally sources produce. Today’s addition of four more trains means FGW has increased the number of new Pullman services from four to ten in 18 months. First Great Western’s Jo Elliott said: “First Great Western is committed to supporting the communities we serve. What better way to do that than by helping local farmers and producers by serving up dishes cooked with their own

ingredients; prepared and presented with the skill and delicacy that this top of the range produce deserves.” FGW is also adding 32 more locallymade products to its Express Café range found on board every High Speed Train. The announcements come in response to increased demand for even more locally sourced food from both first class and standard class passengers. Last year FGW pledged to fill its on-board larders with as much Welsh and West Country produce as possible - and today almost 90 products come from near to its railway lines. This is up from 50 a year ago and the menu includes food from an awardingwinning third generation family butcher, fourth generation family baker and fifth generation family cheese maker.

A CHELTENHAM woman has taken on a prestigious voluntary role with a national meningitis charity after fighting back from her own experience of the disease. Alison Walker, 47, of Oakland Avenue, will work alongside Stroud-based national charity Meningitis Now, in her local community to help fund vital research, raise awareness and support others who have suffered from the disease. “I’m delighted to have this opportunity to give something back to Meningitis Now and make a difference with their work in our local community” Alison said. “With their support no one in Gloucestershire will have to face meningitis alone.’’ She went on to say, “I know only too well how cruel this disease can be and I don’t want other local families to go through what we have. It’s vital that everybody recognises the signs and symptoms and knows what action to take if they suspect meningitis.’’ Alison lost her 8-month-old daughter, Hannah, to pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia in July 2003. Alison further said, “Five days after Hannah contracted the disease we had to take the devastating decision to withdraw

her life support.’’ “Meningitis Now helped us to understand what it was that had taken our healthy, happy daughter away from us so quickly, and has supported us in many different ways over the years. It is because of this that I have been actively involved with the charity ever since.’’ Alison will be one of 34 charity community ambassadors from around the country. Committed supporters are invited to take up the role in recognition of the work they do supporting the charity. Sue Davie, Meningitis Now chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled that Alison will be the face of our charity in her local community, working alongside our regionally-based team members. With her support, enthusiasm and hard work we’ll be able to achieve so much more in our fight against meningitis.” Across the UK there are about 3,200 cases of bacterial meningitis and up to 6,000 cases of viral meningitis each year. For more information on the disease visit www.MeningitisNow.org

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

Maximise your Business! THE Cheltenham Standard are a proud media partner for the Maximise Women’s Business Club annual conference. The event promises to be jam-packed with exciting features, including a live broadcast by Radio Gloucestershire for the ‘Anna King in the Morning’ show. Our very own columnist Alex Chalk, a great advocate for business in Cheltenham, is guest speaker at Maximise. He said: “I want to put my experience to use to help make Cheltenham the greatest town in Britain. I also want to use my advocacy background to speak up on Cheltenham's behalf. Cheltenham, is a wonderful town with a lot to shout about.’ But he can’t do it alone, so register at www.maximiseconference.co.uk to show your support. A more avant garde session will be headed up by Alex Steele, international consultant, trainer, coach, author and jazz pianist who is renowned for his innovative work blending leading-edge management thinking with live improvised jazz performances at conferences, workshops and leadership development programmes, applying valuable lessons from performance jazz to organisational and personal development. Understanding how jazz musicians work together, he says, we help us more effectively communicate, create and sustain change. Angela de Souza recognises how crucial it is for business women to not only get ahead of competitors, but to be inspired, act with in-

tegrity and ultimately enjoy life in the process. The WBC offer a friendly ‘Wonderbra’ (lift and support) service for members, who thrive and enjoy real, measurable business growth under the guidance and mentoring of the club. As part of that business mentoring and guidance, the WBC have arranged their very own Dragon’s Den competition, presided over by local captains of industry who will be judging which business ideas have the potential to make millions in years to come. The final is live at Maximise, so reserve your ticket to find out whether our Health expert, Natalie Neale and our Cheltenham Wannabe, Jo Betteridge, have what it takes when they reveal their top secret online business, going head-to-head with Julie Hawkins and her ingenious KIH pregnancy bed. Only five exhibitors stands are available, so if you want to show off what your business has to offer alongside the likes The Cheltenham Standard, Business West, HBSC, Lexus and the Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce, plus a whole host of celebrated local companies, book your stand here: http://www.maximise conference.co.uk/exhibitors. To see the Maximise programme of events – culminating in the much talked-about Business Woman of the Year Awards – and to book your ticket for just £25, visit: www.maximiseconference.co.uk

CHALKTALK

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Cheltenham gets vocal...

O, as we all know, the EU has slapped a demand on the UK for an extra £1.7bn. This sum is so eye-watering that it is hard to make sense of it. I find it helpful to think of what it translates into locally. In round terms it means the residents of Cheltenham alone are being asked to stump up £3m on top of the £15m we already pay as a town to the EU each year. Even £3m is a huge sum of money. Just imagine what we could do with it. We could transform our dilapidated railway station, encouraging jobs and prosperity to our town. We could give our hardworking staff at Cheltenham General and in our local NHS a pay rise. We could even help out our local schools, like Balcarras which I visited last week, which have had sixth-form funding squeezed. The options are endless. And that’s why the reaction of Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats has left so many Cheltonians astonished. Cheltenham’s Lib Dem MP suggests airily that we should be relaxed about paying £8.6bn to the EU because it is “barely 1 per cent” of government spending. But that ignores what a colossal sum this actually represents. £8.6bn is the cost of at least ten new state-of-the-art hospitals. It would pay for thousands of extra service personnel for our stretched

armed forces. It could even fund the desperately needed ‘missing link’ road scheme at the Air Balloon roundabout 30 times over. To imply that it is small beer is a bit rich. Just as importantly, the Lib Dems also fail to point out how we are expected to pay for it. The bottom line is that the only option left to us is more borrowing. As a country we are still living beyond our means. Labour’s Great Recession means we are still borrowing around £100bn of the £732bn total we spend annually. In other words, paying up means corroding our national finances further. Because let’s face it – for all the excellent news about jobs and growth, the nation’s credit card is maxed out. We now pay more on servicing our national debt than we do on defence. So I believe we can’t afford to be so casual about this bill. David Cameron is right to be cross about it. It is an unacceptable way for the EU to work and it is also an unacceptable way to treat one of the biggest contributors. There needs to be an emergency meeting of finance ministers to discuss what has happened. The people of Britain expect our Prime Minister to leave no stone unturned in scrutinizing this bill and fighting for a fair deal for our country. I believe the people of Cheltenham do too.

Stay alert to bogus letters, says Severn Trent AS the clocks go back and the nights get darker, Severn Trent Water is reminding customers to be on the alert for bogus letters and callers. This warning comes as conmen are using new ways to get access into people’s homes, such as hand delivered fake letters. Chris Francis, from Severn Trent Water’s security team, commented: “It’s worrying that conmen are going to new lengths to get access into people’s homes. Recently we’ve seen fake letters being posted to vulnerable people, saying Severn Trent Water needed to get into their home to fix a leak. Firstly, if you have a leak in your home then you’ll more than likely know about it, but also leaks in the home are ordinarily the homeowner’s responsibility to fix, so we wouldn’t normally say we need to get in to fix it unless you’ve contacted us to help. “If you receive a letter like this it’s always best to ring us straight away on 0345 604 1655 to check the credibility of the letter. Likewise, if someone knocks on your door or calls your home phone claiming to be from Severn Trent, ‘the water company’ or ‘the water board’ tell

them to wait or ask them to call back and call us. No matter what time we’ll be there, this number is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our employees fully expect you to check their identity, with a card or a call and they will wait while you carry out the necessary checks.” The water company said that by setting up a password now – either online at stwater.co.uk/doorstep-password or over the phone on 03457 500 500 – customers can feel safer in the knowledge that if a Severn Trent Water employee does genuinely need access to their home or account details, he or she will know the chosen word. Chris added: “Remember ID cards can also be faked, so it’s best to check the caller’s identity by ringing a number you’ve found from another source – such as your water bill or our website (stwater.co.uk). Don’t automatically assume the phone number on the card is valid.” Severn Trent Water customers can register for a password by visiting stwater.co.uk/doorstep-password, calling 03457 500 500 or emailing customer.relations@severntrent.co.uk

30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

Winston’s Wish get generous donation of gifts LOCALLY based Winston's Wish, the leading childhood bereavement charity in the UK, has accepted a generous donation of IT and play resources to the value of £1200 from Swindon-based Openwork, the UK’s largest multi-tie mortgage and financial advice network. The invaluable bundle of therapeutic toys and games has been donated as part of the Openwork Foundation Community Challenge 2014 and includes Lego, books, paints, a sports day set, puppets, Playmobil sets and two new iPads. The Openwork Foundation is part of Zurich Community Trust and their Challenges, which started in 1990 and is one of the largest corporate charity programmes in the UK. Every year, Zurich and Openwork encourage organisations, local to its main offices, to challenge their staff to help make a difference. Sam Tesch, Manager of the Openwork Foundation, added, “The Openwork community of advisers and staff has a very big heart and our Community Challenges are part of what bonds us together in helping others. It’s so rewarding to know we’re

making a real difference.” The resources were funded by the £1200 which was raised through fundraising efforts over the past year which included one Openwork ‘chocaholic’ employee giving up their favourite treat for two weeks and raising a staggering £800 through sponsorships. Openwork also put members of their management team into docks – raising money for the right to throw buckets of water over their heads – and less riskily, also arranged book, DVD and cake sales. The challenge for Openwork was to raise enough money to buy much-needed resources to help the children and young people supported by the bereavement charity. Openwork were handed a wishlist of items by Winston’s Wish and amazingly, managed to purchase each and every item. Each year, Winston’s Wish supports over 30,000 bereaved children and young people through an array of dedicated services. These in-depth support programmes include support following death as a result of accident, illness, murder, manslaughter, suicide and also through military service.

Residents urged to use licensed vehicles CHELTENHAM Borough Council is urging people in the borough to only use vehicles that it licenses after it emerged that some local private hire companies are exploiting a loophole in licensing legislation. In law, a licensed private hire operator can only dispatch other private hire drivers and vehicles licensed by the same authority. However, this rule does not apply to licensed hackney carriages. This loophole allows local private hire firms to employ hackney carriages licensed by other councils. Whilst this practice is lawful, Cheltenham Borough Council is concerned that it may pose a risk to public safety in the town as it cannot give assurances about the suitability or fitness of drivers that it doesn’t license. Also, due to it not being the licensing authority, its enforcement officers have limited powers to investigate and act on complaints or concerns. Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety, says: “This is about public protection and making sure the people of Cheltenham have confidence

that the licensed vehicles they are travelling in are safe and the drivers are suitable to work in Cheltenham. “We are not suggesting that other councils do not adequately check the suitability of drivers and vehicles that they license, but standards do vary between different councils based on local needs such as local knowledge of the borough and the standard of mechanical testing of vehicles.” Louis Krog, licensing and business support team leader, continues: “The vehicles that we license must pass an enhanced mechanical test that many councils don’t insist on. Equally our licensed drivers are thoroughly checked and must pass a knowledge test that gives us the assurance that they know where they are going when picking up a passenger and understand their responsibilities in law as part of their licence conditions. “We would like to advise local residents to insist on being driven by a Cheltenham licensed vehicle and driver when booking a vehicle through a local private hire firm.”

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

Dogs Trust and Cats Protection advice for pets on fireworks night A NEW survey* from Dogs Trust and Cats Protection reveals that two thirds (65%) of pets are worried by fireworks and that 93% of their owners alter their routine during fireworks celebrations to try to minimise the trauma on their pets. The survey of 3,750 pet owners shows that two-thirds of dogs (66%) and more than half of cats (57%) display signs of fear and as a result, nearly a fifth (18%) of owners have consulted a veterinary surgeon or animal behaviourist to help their pet deal with their fireworks fear. Over 80% of owners believe fireworks should be restricted to official displays only. If you are among the millions of pet owners whose dogs or cats are spooked by sparklers or rattled by rockets, Dogs Trust and Cats Protection are on hand to help soothe those canine quivers and keep cats calm. The charities are offering advice to help petrified pets and their owners enjoy a fright free November. Many petowners are simply unaware of the effect that firework fear can have on their dogs and each year the charities are inundated with calls from pet owners who simply don’t know how to calm their pets. Lynn Barber, Head of Canine Behaviour and Training at Dogs Trust, explains how you can help relax your four legged friends: “As our survey suggests, November is potentially a worrying month for pet owners as so many pets are sensitive to sounds. Dogs particularly hear much higher frequencies than we do and the wiz and pop of fireworks can be alarming for them. “The survey found that, of pets that were worried by fireworks, 70% seek a safe place to hide to deal with their fireworks

worry. So, if your pet chooses to hide then that is where he or she feels safest and it’s important that they’re allowed to stay in their hide-out as long as needed. Often owners will try and drag their dogs out for enforced cuddles and affection; this should be avoided as it will only confuse your pet but it is important you are on hand to try and make your four-legged friend as comfortable as possible.” Nicky Trevorrow, Cats Protection’s Behaviour Manager said: “When faced with a stressful situation such as fireworks a cat’s natural behaviour is to run away, seek an elevated perch and/or hide and so it is important for owners to provide hiding places for their cat during fireworks season. If your pet does react badly to fireworks seek a referral from your vet to a qualified behaviourist such as a member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors regarding desensitisation programmes to help him or her cope more easily next time. As these programmes generally take several weeks or more to complete, they are not something that can be started in the final run-up to firework season and must be carefully planned.” “It is also important that in the long term your pet becomes less scared of loud noises. It is most effective to prevent noise phobia developing by ensuring that puppies and kittens are desensitised to usual noise. This can be done by playing socialisation CDs to puppies and kittens while they feel safe and secure to ensure that they become acclimatised to loud noise.” For further advice on keeping cats and dogs safe during fireworks displays, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk or www.cats.org.uk

Halloween at Waitrose ON FRIDAY 31st October, Partners at Waitrose Food & Home in Cheltenham will be holding a Halloween extravaganza to raise money for Maggie's Centre. There will be all sorts of fun activities and plenty of tasty treats throughout the day. The store has chosen Maggie's as its charity of the year and has held a number of events to raise money. Maggie's provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends, following the ideas about cancer care originally laid out by Maggie Keswick Jencks. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, Maggie's Centres are places with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need.

Cheltenham fan Middle-earth bound for The Hobbit Trilogy dream journey GEARING up for the December 12 release of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, one of the most passionate and dedicated Hobbit fans is about to set off on an adventure to New Zealand in a real life Middle-earth experience he would once have only dreamed possible. Richard Webb of Cheltenham, said he was ‘shocked and overwhelmed’ to win and has, being such a huge Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fan, ‘always wanted to go to New Zealand’. He will have the opportunity to meet Peter Jackson and watch a preview screening of the highly anticipated third and final film in the filmmaker’s epic The Hobbit Trilogy at his

private studios in Wellington. Watching the massive battles of the Trilogy’s epic conclusion unfold on screen will have added impact for Richard who will have just visited some of the actual filming locations where, Peter Jackson and his filmmaking team captured the character and sweeping beauty of Middle-earth in adapting the timeless masterpiece for the screen. Richard is among up to 75 global winners of The Hobbit Fan Fellowship Contest—a collaboration of Warner Bros Pictures and its filmmaking partners New Line and MGM, as well as Air New Zealand.

30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

Police urge good behaviour to ensure safe Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night GLOUCESTERSHIRE Constabulary are encouraging the community to have a really 'fun' time while keeping safe and family friendly during the impending Halloween and Guy Fawkes season. Gloucestershire Police Harm Reduction Advisor David McFarlane said: “Although we always strive to promote community harmony and combat anti - social behaviour, this is especially important over this period, when the clocks go back and it gets dark earlier. “Whilst we want people to have a really enjoyable time during Halloween and bonfire night, it is vital that people behave responsibly and sensibly in their neighbourhoods and avoid upsetting local residents. “Vulnerable people can be seriously upset by uninvited trick-or-treating and letting off fireworks in the wrong place. We will be mounting additional high visibility patrols to deter anti-social behaviour and will take action against anyone involved in

nuisance activities. “We would encourage people to bear in mind the following tips; Don't answer the door if you are at all concerned; adults should always accompany children when 'trick or treating'; stick to well-lit areas; don't stray from your own neighbourhood; only cross roads at pedestrian crossings and traffic lights and keep a good look-out; respect the 'No Trick or Treat' posters. The police website also gives invaluable safety and security information.” For those who want to avoid trick-ortreaters a police poster can be downloaded at www.gloucestershire.police.uk and placed in your window, letting people know not to ring the bell. You can also ask your local police officer for a hard copy of the poster. Officers have also been visiting local shops and many have put a restriction on the sale of flour and eggs to people under 16-years-old, in order to help prevent antisocial behaviour and criminal damage at this time of year. Operations are being

A frightful waste WITH just a few days to go and an estimated 5 million pumpkins being sold in the days leading up to Halloween, Gloucestershire’s Joint Waste Team is encouraging residents to recycle their Jack o’lanterns once the celebrations are over. With the average carved pumpkin weighing 5kg and with one in five properties now purchasing a pumpkin as part of the annual festivities, the Joint Waste Team believes that by residents recycling this year’s pumpkins, up to 180 tonnes of waste could be diverted from landfill; a weight equivalent to 23 double decker buses. Councillor Martin Quaile said: ‘Halloween is clearly a time for fun and many families will be thinking about carving a pumpkin together, however, with sales growing year on year, it is increasingly important that pumpkins are not forgotten when it comes to recycling and composting. Recent changes to the way food waste is disposed of has made recycling even easier. Residents in Cheltenham can now use plastic carrier bags or pedal bin liners to line their food waste caddies. We hope this development will help residents already using the service to continue doing so and encourage anyone who has considered having to buy special compostable bags as a barrier to participation will now give it a go.’

carried out across the county, which will see extra staffing on duty to coincide with firework displays, and high visibility patrols in key areas to discourage anti-social behaviour and promote a family friendly Halloween.

AgonyAunt Kimberley Wall “ACT your age” “Why can’t you be more like your Father?” “It’s OK to cry” “No one will love you if you carry on like that” “You made your bed – you lie on it” “You don’t have to be perfect” “A leopard doesn’t change its spots” “You are the light of our life” “Kids should be seen and not heard” “You’re intelligent” “You’re rubbish at that” “I love you” “Parents are always right” “If at first you don’t succeed; try, try again”..... Sometimes we get told things from our family that we take for granted; we can hear them so often that we may not even realise the words are spoken anymore. Some things are positive and can build up our confidence while others may have a negative effect on us even though the person saying it didn’t really mean it. Maybe there is something in each family called “Family Messages” that can be passed down from generation to generation without us even realising the effect the words have on each of us! Have you ever caught yourself thinking “Oh, that’s what Mum/Dad used to say!” yet remember hating hearing that sentence yourself as a child? Maybe it’s time to become more conscious of the messages we want to pass onto our children or family members – which ones are having a positive impact and which ones are merely a product of the past that doesn’t fit in modern life anymore? If you have some time to yourself, or

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with the rest of your family, why not sit down, draw a family tree, and then go through each family member’s favourite sayings. Do you find yourself saying them now?! Which ones do you think could change or have an alternative meaning that you hadn’t thought of before?! We are creatures of habit but sometimes it’s good to reflect on what messages we’re sending to our family without even realising it. If there is conflict within the family that isn’t being resolved so easily then you can also choose to book an appointment with a Relate Family counsellor (charges apply) on 01242 523215. Or why not send me your worries to relateglosservices@ hotmail.co.uk and I will answer as many letters as I can within my column (we will not share your personal information with the newspaper). Either way, you don’t have to “just get on with it” anymore.

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

BUSINESS Editor’sDESK

O it’s Halloween this weekend. A time to get to grips with the pumpkins and dare I say the scary costume and make-up! All great fun and innocent stuff to be enjoyed by the whole family. Or is it? Historical robbery is a great thing. Think of the yanks stealing the jet engine from us, or how about the good old USA plagiarising and in fact remoulding Halloween like some battered re-worn tyre into the dreaded ‘trick or treat?’ or God forbid ‘fright night’. As the small kids and even the ‘big kids’ get revved up for ‘All souls night’ they might take a nod back to the past when it was actually ok to roam the streets in the early evening knocking on doors and pleading for half an orange or a bob or two. Not these days. In a sad indictment of our modern society even here in our Cotswold cocoon that is Cheltenham, we dare not let kids out on their own to enjoy this annual ‘fun fest’ of fright. There’s a wonderful tradition of scooping out the pumpkin, making some slits for eyes and stuffing a candle into it. The health and safety Police will of course be telling us not to play with naked flames and that raw pumpkin absorbed into the body is poisonous or some such twaddle. And our American cousins at the moment are no better, taking the evening’s slightly morbid theme to even greater lows. A number of mad facts have emerged about how seriously they take it; Americans purchase nearly 600 million pounds of sweets every year for Halloween. This is the equivalent of 16 billion fun size Snickers bars. It gets worse. And apparently in another Halloween stateside shocker the fastest time to carve one ton of pumpkins is 3 hours 33 minutes 49 seconds. What a waste of good veg. So my point is that surely we don’t want this kind of nonsense getting in the way of our old, rather subdued traditions of knocking on doors and begging in a scary costume, or apple bobbing at parties etc. It’s that ‘old chestnut’ of over-commercialisation again knawing at the bone of tradition and balance. Surely Halloween is a time for kids to have some innocent fun without the over-selling of the concept to make a few quid. What’s wrong with some children in rain-soaked paper mache outfits that their parents (or indeed themselves) have knocked up, singing or reciting a rhyme for a tangerine? Better that than this ‘trick or treat’ nonsense where they threaten to burn your house down if you don’t give them a pound. Incidentally I’ll be out on Halloween night in case I have to part with a quid.

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

Jobs on the up TOTAL advertised vacancies reached a post-recession high this September, bolstered by retailers focusing on the festive period, according to the latest UK Job Market Report from Adzuna.co.uk The number of advertised vacancies in the UK rose 27.5% to 906,191 in September, up from 710,859 in September 2013 and marked the highest number of total advertised vacancies since the recession, and the fourth consecutive month of growth. Advertised salaries also reached a post-recession high, growing two per cent year-on-year in September. Average advertised salaries now stand at £34,695, compared to £34,005 a year ago.

Increase in apprenticeships for Cheltenham THE Government has revealed the companies joining the third phase of its successful apprenticeship trailblazers scheme. Opportunities in policing, boatbuilding, TV production and surveying are among 76 top quality new apprenticeships being designed by more than 700 employers as part of the Government’s drive to expand apprenticeship opportunities for young people and employers. In Cheltenham alone between 2013 and 2014, almost 600 young people (590) started an apprenticeship and in total, over 45,200 started an apprenticeship that year in the South West region. • More than 700 employers are to design 76 new apprenticeships in professions ranging from TV production to welding • Employers including PwC, BAE Systems and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue are designing the new apprenticeships as part of the Government’s trailblazer initiative

• More than 1000 employers are now involved in the trailblazers scheme. Business Secretary, Vince Cable commented, “Across the country apprenticeships are a driving force behind getting young people the skills

that employers want and the economy needs. Our reforms have empowered businesses large and small to design and deliver worldbeating apprenticeships that offer a real route to a successful career.”

2000trees Festival wins fourth national award THE 2000TREES Festival has won its fourth national award – and is in the running to scoop four more. Gloucestershire’s 2000trees was named ‘Supporter of Emerging Talent’ champion at the Association of Independent Festivals awards last weekend. Organiser James Scarlett, who books the line-up, said: “This is the perfect award for 2000trees as it recognises that we are the UK’s best festival to discover new and underground music.

“We’ve had the likes of George Ezra, Frank Turner, Twin Atlantic and Wolf Alice at 2000trees long before they achieved national and international recognition and we pride ourselves on this fact. Every award – and this one in particular – helps to make the event better for our fans as we can bring in the best live acts around.” 2000trees has twice been named ‘Grass Roots Festival’ winner at the UK Festival Awards and has again been nominated this year, ahead of

hundreds of events across the UK, as well as for Best Small Festival, Best Family Festival and Best Toilets. Two acts who performed at the festival in July – Wolf Alice and Blood Red Shoes – are up for the Breakthrough Act award. More than 1.5 million votes have been cast already but voting closes on Monday (October 27). James Scarlett urged people to vote, both to have a chance to win free tickets to all winning festivals and to support a festival that encourages the next generation of talent to grow. “It’s been a brilliant year for 2000trees – we’ve seen our biggest headliners ever, our biggest overall audiences and our best year yet in terms of weather, organisation and enjoyment,” he added. “To be nominated for any national award is fantastic and to win one would be the icing on the cake of an excellent year, so every public vote counts.” Votes for the 2014 UK Festival Awards can be cast by visiting www.festivalawards.com

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

30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

BUSINESS Lottery funding helps Gloucestershire Rural Community Council THE Big Lottery Fund is today awarding £89,615 of Lottery funding to six organisations across South West England to raise awareness within the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector of the opportunities available through the European Social Fund (ESF). The funded projects will provide advice and guidance on the European funding that will be matched by the Big Lottery Fund in their Local Enter-

prise Partnership (LEP) areas and will be available from 2015. Over the next few years the Big Lottery Fund plans to put up £260 million of National Lottery funding to match a similar figure from Europe, subject to sign off from the European Commission at the end of this year. Together, the matched funds will be used to tackle poverty and promote social inclusion.

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The money from Europe comes from a new seven year cycle of European funding – the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) Growth programme, of which ESF is one part. It will support a wide range of projects including improving employability for the most disadvantaged, helping those with multiple and complex needs, improving financial literacy, and helping communities to overcome challenges in their lives. Gloucestershire Rural Community Council in partnership with Gloucestershire Association for Voluntary and Community Action is awarded £9,991 to run targeted sessions on European funding to reach frontline and infra-

structure groups supporting those most in need. The project will also run a communications campaign promoting the opportunities and will create informative resources. Dawn Austwick, Chief Executive of the Big Lottery Fund said: “Historically voluntary organisations have often found it difficult to access European funding. Through this development funding, we will help ensure there is widespread awareness of the opportunities available through the ESF, and will bring the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector together to discuss local needs already identified by LEPs and how best to tackle these priorities.”

Lodders Solicitors celebrates successful first year ROD Bird, managing partner of Lodders Solicitors, welcomed clients and professional colleagues to a drink reception at Queens Hotel, Cheltenham, to celebrate the firm’s first anniversary in the town. Lodders opened an office in Imperial Square in the autumn of 2013 and Mr Bird said the move had proved popular with both

clients and staff alike. Staff numbers had risen from five to nine in the first year, with more signings in the pipeline. He added: “Our door is open for lawyers of quality looking to work in a friendly atmosphere within a firm with both a long established tradition and a reputation for supporting and growing its staff.”

Printwaste shred the competition CHELTENHAM based Printwaste Recycling and Shredding has won ‘Data Destruction & Shredding Company of the Year’ at the Document Manager awards for the fourth consecutive year. Winning this award is recognition that the company is continually updating processes and ensuring data destruction is done securely and effectively. Tom and Hannah Robins, on behalf of the Printwaste team collected the award at the prestigious ceremony that took place at Hotel Russell in London on 23rd October. Don Robins, Printwaste Director said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award; it is such an honour to have won it for the fourth year in a row! To be nomi-

nated again was an honour in itself so winning the award is fantastic! I am extremely proud of all of the team who have worked so hard to ensure that secure shredding takes place, destroying documentation effectively and worry free for our clients who rely on this service and trust us to keep documents safely until destroyed.” Printwaste Recycling and Shredding provide highly accredited confidential waste destruction services, tailored to the needs of their clients, subsequently helping to reduce the likelihood of fraud in the business world. Printwaste also provide assurance that data security will not be compromised by using them as an end-point for data destruction.

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CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE OFFERS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY – WIN A PRIVATE BOX ON BETFRED GOLD CUP DAY AT THE FESTIVAL IN 2015, WORTH OVER £20,000 CHELTENHAM Racecourse is offering the opportunity to win a Private Box including full hospitality for up to 30 people, on Betfred Gold Cup Day at The Festival in 2015 for any booking made over £5,000 between now and 1st February, 2015. For every conference/non-racing event booking over £5,000 at Cheltenham Racecourse between now and 1st February 2015 you will also automatically receive

two Club tickets to Ladies Day on 11th March 2015. Every booking is capped at a total of two Ladies Day tickets per booking. Every booking made in excess of £5,000 and its multiples will be entered accordingly in the prize draw (I.e. £10,000=2, £25,000 =5). Lee Moulson, Regional Head of Sales, Jockey Club Racecourses said, ‘This is such a fantastic offer that we just want to shout

about it. Who wouldn’t want to dine at the Home of Jump racing on our most prestigious day of the year, for free!?’ For more information and full terms and conditions, please visit their website www.cheltenham.co.uk or call and e-mail on 01242 539538, cheltenhamevents @thejockeyclub.co.uk. Just quote JMGT15 at point of booking to be entered into the prize draw.

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

HEALTH&LIFESTYLE AN ongoing discussion in the NHS is rife. The argument being that prevention of disease or condition needing treatment is better than waiting until treatment is necessary. Simon Stevens, Chief Executive, NHS suggests that people must start to take responsibility for their own health. Something I’m in total agreement with. Mr Stevens has asked the government to assist a corporate recognition of health within the workplace by way of a reward system. Why wait for a cure in cancer when we can take preventative steps within our lifestyle? We are aware of the links with smoking and lung cancer, and also binge drinking with stomach, oesophageal and breast cancers. Then there is obesity and the cost that this has on the NHS. Dr Sally Norton, a leading NHS weight loss surgeon and consultant doesn’t agree that in the real world it’s a realistic expectation for people to take total responsibility. Dr Norton continues that two thirds of us are overweight or obese and we are making sure that our kids are following in our footsteps. The bottom line is, that however much we want to eat more healthily and take more exercise, we are surrounded by temptation wherever we turn. Portions are getting bigger and

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

OVERWEIGHT AND OVER-WORKED bigger with manufacturers busy dreaming up increasingly calorie packed offerings. We seem busier than ever but in a sedentary way - often trapped in offices with limited opportunity for activity, and everything is geared towards convenience. So, yes, personal responsibility is important but we need help. We need manufacturers to do their bit by providing us with easy access to healthier food choices instead of tricks such as coercing us into buying double sized chocolate bars.

We also need to make health and wellbeing part of our daily lives, and that, for many of us, involves the workplace. Simon Stevens has suggested that companies should be encouraged to help us tackle our weight and health. Of course, there are good and bad ways to do this, but the bottom line is that many of us spend a vast proportion of our lives at work and if our work environment doesn’t encourage us to be healthy then we just don’t stand a chance. So, instead of being

affronted by this perceived ‘nanny-state’ initiative we should grasp it with both hands. Let’s make the most of this opportunity to improve our health, weight and wellbeing at our employer’s expense – and we may even find work more enjoyable as a result.

Mixed plastic recycling now permanent for the town FOLLOWING an overwhelming response to its recent trial, Cheltenham Borough Council now offers permanent facilities to recycle mixed plastics at their most popular recycling sites. This was agreed by cabinet members when they met in September. A pilot project over the summer meant that residents could go along to 12 of the borough’s most popular ‘bring bank’ sites to recycle a range of mixed plastics. This included items such as; yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, ice cream tubs, ready-meal trays, plastic fruit punnets as well as a whole range of plastic bottles. Officers soon realised how well the trial had been received as the banks were being emptied once and sometimes twice as often. Scott Williams, strategic client officer, said: “Before the trial was launched, residents could recycle plastic bottles but no other type of plastic at these banks. Almost as soon as we promoted the trial, the bring banks were being filled more quickly with a mixture of different plastics. There is an increasing demand for this service as people become more aware of the action they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.’’ Councillor Chris Coleman, cabinet member for clean and green environment, added: “I am delighted that we are in a position to permanently increase the recycling provisions available to residents. Prior to the trial, we were aware of the number of residents who said they wanted to recycle mixed plastics. We acted on that feedback and it’s because of the great response to the recent trial that we feel it’s only right to permanently enhance our services in this way.’’

Residents can recycle their mixed plastics at the following 12 sites: • Caernarvon Road, Morrison’s • Priors Road, Sainsbury's • Manor Road, Sainsbury's • Bath Terrace car park • Hatherley Lane, Asda • Church Piece car park • Edinburgh Place car park • St James Street car park • Sixways car park • Everest Road, Old Patesians • Swindon Road recycling centre • Whaddon Road, CTFC Mixed plastics include items such as; plastic bottles, yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, ice cream tubs, ready-meal trays and plastic fruit punnets. However, this does not include any blackcoloured plastic, plastic bags or cling film (or any other kind of film). Other materials which can be collected at the bring bank sites include cardboard, paper, glass, cans, textiles and shoes. Bulky plastic recycling, also known as mixed hard plastics can be recycled at the Swindon Road Recycling Centre. This means people wishing to recycle items such as plastic toys, plastic garden furniture and plastic buckets can do so at the container located on site at the recycling centre. For more information on how you can recycle in Cheltenham please visit our website www.cheltenham.gov.uk/recycling or contact out customer service team on the dedicated waste hotline 01242 264244.

30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

HEALTH&LIFESTYLE THE HORROR OF HALLOWEEN SO it’s that annoyingly noisy time of year again; Halloween quickly succeeded by Bonfire night. I am the bah-humbugging Scrooge of autumnal celebrations. As a person who makes more than her fair share of noise, it’s rather ironic that I can’t actually bear a huge amount of noise myself. And I can’t stand cheeky kids, I hate people knocking on my door unannounced, and I intensely dislike being out in the cold. So back-to-back Halloween and Bonfire Night are guaranteed to set my nerves a-jangling and my temper fraying. So, Halloween. Its origins are Celtic, marking the close of harvest and the beginnings of winter; this transition between seasons was thought have to have revealed a bridge to the world of the dead. The 15-year old Beetlejuice-loving Goth still trapped somewhere within me kinda likes that. What I do not like, however, is the irritation of kids banging on my door demanding sweets, most of whom haven’t even bothered to dress up. Thanks to the commercialisation of pretty much

ThePulse By JO BETTERIDGE

jo@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

Surging through the veins of Cheltenham Life

Musings of a Cheltenham Wannabe everything the kings of commerce can get their hands on, Halloween is no longer just a case of innocent dressing up for fun or the lighting of a candle in a carved out pumpkin. It’s somehow become perfectly acceptable for the little darlings to roam the streets and threaten to egg-and-flour my front door if I don’t bestow them with treats. I don’t bother to answer it. I simply cannot understand why parents would even let their kids do such a thing: ‘Right mum, I’m just popping round all the neighbours to see what loot I can get me hands on. Don’t worry, if they don’t cough up I’ll deface their property and give them a mouthful.’ Thankfully Gloucestershire Police have published safety guidelines for trick or treaters and their victims. http://www.gloucestershire.police.uk. Unfortunately they forgot to add ‘do not knock on the Cheltenham

Wannabe’s door’. On a more serious note though, it must be a terrifying time for the elderly, anxious, infirm and vulnerable. So no, Linda and Barbara, I won’t be irritating you by bringing my daughter round to hammer on your door demanding goodies. And I certainly wouldn’t let her go alone, even if she were older than seven. Incidentally we watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang yesterday. And it struck me that Halloween traditions have made it rather convenient for a more dangerous and sinister modern-day brand of children catcher to lure children with a bait of sweets. And I’ve just seen an article online bemoaning rich parents who resent giving poor kids their treats. Ok, maybe we’re just getting way too carried away now. Maybe it is all just a bit

of fun. I’m pleased to say my child wasn’t starved of that fun last Halloween though. We both dressed as witches, ate sweets, and mixed up magic potions out of anything we could find in the bathroom, chanting spells as we went. It was great fun, creative and totally innocent, and didn’t annoy anyone. Except me, that is, when my rather expensive bath oil was used in lieu of bat’s blood, but I soon got over that. This year we’ll be making Halloween cakes instead, chanting spells over gruesomely renamed ingredients and adding lashings of blood in the form of red food colouring. Right, that’s enough moaning for one week. I’ll be back next week to rant about why I can’t bear Bonfire night.

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

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GRADUATE employment rates have risen for a second successive year, but are still yet to reach pre-recession levels, new figures show. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, 92.1 percent of university leavers were in employment or further study six months after graduating in 2012-13, up from 90.8 percent in the previous year. That represents the largest year-onyear rise in graduate employment since 2008-09 when graduate employment reached a low of 89.9 percent – significantly below prerecession levels of around 93 and 94 percent. Graduate employment also rose in 2011-12 when it climbed from 90.3 per cent to 90.8 percent. A report into graduate job prospects, titled 2012/13 UK Performance Indicators Employment of Graduates, published back in July, measured the destinations of UK domiciled fulltime first degree leavers. Based on responses from about 240,000 recent graduates, it shows most higher education institutions had graduate

employment levels between 90 and 95 percent, with 25 institutions having rates above 95 percent. Barring small and specialist institutions, Robert Gordon University had the highest employment rate (97.7 percent) followed by the University of Buckingham (97.3 percent), the

University of Derby (96.7 precent) and the University of Surrey (96.9 percent). Universities with the lowest employment and further study rates are London Metropolitan University (81.4 percent), the University of Bolton (82.4 percent) and Staffordshire University (84 percent).

30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

CULTURE Theatre beckons for Cheltenham based barrister THE Cotswold Barristers swapped the drama of the courtroom for the comedy of theatre for one week in October. The Cheltenham based chambers sponsored the Everyman Theatre’s and well-known director Michael Hasted’s production of The Dock Brief – a play by the late John Mortimer QC. Mark Smith, head of chambers at Cotswold Barristers, also took on the role of legal and procedural technical advisor supplying the “brief” and white bands for actor Mark Hyde to wear around his neck in his role as inept barrister, Morganhall. The barristers hosted a private viewing of the play for friends and dignitaries including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Cheltenham Simon Weaver and Duncan Smith

Philip Radford of BPE and Steven Thomas of Maitland Walker. “The play was a sell out and it was a pleasure to be involved,” explained Mark Smith. “I didn’t realise exactly how much work and rehearsal is needed to put on a production like this, it was amazing to work with great actors and a director like Michael (Hasted).” The play is set in 1957 when the death penalty was still enforced in England and is based on the relationship between a man called Fowle, a cuckolded husband awaiting trial for murdering his wife, and his barrister. For more information on Cotswold Barristers please call 01242 639454 or email clerks@cotswoldbarristers.co.uk

BROWNIES AND GUIDES GO ‘BACK FROM THE FUTURE’ BROWNIES, Guides, Senior Section and leaders from across the county will be going ‘back from the future’ when they take to the stage at the end of this month for their biennial performing arts show. The County Show will see around 60 girls from age seven through to 25 take a journey from 4102AD back to a variety of different era’s with the aid of some clues. The robotic ‘humans’ that start the show will use a time machine to take them back to times that will see them learn about things such as modes of transport, the 1960s, television adverts, different forms of light and World War One. The show involves the Brownies, Guides, Senior Section and leaders performing robotic moves, dances and songs as well as acting. The show’s Co-Producer, Val Stead, said: “This is the 11th time we have put on a County Show and each year I am amazed at how much those taking part achieve. The girls have given up many hours at

weekends to rehearse and I’m really looking forward to seeing their final performance as I know they will feel so proud of the show they put on’’. She went on to say, “Of course, the show wouldn’t happen without the wonderful volunteers whose creative minds and dedication help the girls achieve so much. The best thing about this experience though is the friendships you see being formed, and the confidence those taking part gain. It is a great way for them to discover the potential they have and for them to realise they can achieve anything they want to, if they put their mind to it.” 4102AD can be seen at the Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham Thursday 30 October and Friday 31 October at 7pm with two performances on Saturday 1 November at 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets are available from Showtime 2014, 6 Milton Grove, Stroud, GL5 1NP (s.a.e. please). Enquiries: 01453 767201.

COMPETITION: Win a dinner for two plus wine at Spice Lodge To have the chance of winning dinner for two and a bottle of house wine at The Spice Lodge restaurant, Cheltenham simply answer this question...

IN WHICH YEAR DID THE SPICE LODGE FIRST WIN THE BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT IN THE SOUTH WEST? A) 2011 B) 2006 C) 2012 Answers by email to editor@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk Competition closes 6th November 2014 Winner randomly drawn 7th November 2014

TheatreReview By EVE SEYMOUR

WORDS OF WAR By HOWARD TIMMS LAST week I attended the opening night of a timely new play commemorating World War One. The scale of a catastrophe that wiped out a generation makes it a tricky topic to navigate in dramatic terms. It would be easy to lapse into sentimentality and mawkishness or bury the storyline in politics. But ‘Words of War’ avoids both pitfalls. Following the stories of four soldiers, the play gives us a genuine and intimate insight into what it’s like to fight - boredom mixed with blind terror - and what it’s like to be left behind: living in dread that your loved one will never return. Fundamentally, this is a story about the human cost of war and how the consequences of conflict and loss echo down the generations. Within scenes, we are introduced to Frank Barratt and his extended family, including his mates Edward Moyes and Albert Cross, riotously played by Neil Webber. Part of the story revolves around Frank’s love affair with Kath Fisher whom he marries during hostilities. Your heart goes out at the sight of him coming home to see his baby son for the first time and then watch him stoically return to the Front. It’s all the more touching as Frank is a gentle sort, the perfect foil for Cross, and Adam Wright plays the role with sensitivity and reserve. The play captures the class system and suffragette movement and offers a social commentary of the time without detracting from the main theme. One of the highlights of stage direction is the way in which the audience is intimately involved in the action, whether it’s at home as bad news is delivered, or on the battlefield. By making full use of the auditorium, the ‘going over the top’ scene at the end of the first half is compelling, gut wrenching and moving. Kath Fisher, Frank’s fiancée, played by Mary Peterson, is a steady presence throughout. We are with her every step of the way during a perfectly judged rollercoaster of emotion. For it’s the women, the mothers and fiancées, sisters and wives, who bear the brunt of lives ripped apart or lost. When we see an older Kath reading a letter from Frank, she is reminded of his last words to her: ‘Live, Cath. Live for both of us.’ And she does. But the final scene at the war memorial has haunting words for us all: ‘Remember me.’ It’s a fitting tribute with which to close this wellwritten and poignant play. The cast of ‘Words of War’ were members of Playhouse New Drama and Deep End Theatre Company. Eve Seymour is a freelance editorial consultant and the author of seven crime fiction novels. Beautiful Losers will be published by US publisher Midnight Ink early 2016. To see more details of her work visit www.evseymour.co.uk

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

QUIRKY NEWS

Something a bit different... Halloween light show AN Illinois man has created the ultimate Halloween light show at his home - based on pop classics such as Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. Nick Thomas, 60, created the stunning display at his Naperville home with Steve Jandick, the 25-year-old son of his nextdoor neighbour. Mr Jandick handles the music and light design, while Mr Thomas takes care of the dozens of tombstones, skeletons and corpses that pack his front

OSTRICH FINALLY GETS AIRBORNE A DUTCH taxidermy artist has turned the natural laws of nature upside-down - by making an ostrich fly. Bart Jansen attached four rotors to a stuffed ostrich to transform it into a working helicopter. “Ostriches don’t fly and the whole challenge was to make it fly just because it doesn’t,” he explained. His previous works include the catcopter, aka The Orvillecopter, named after the famous aviator Orville Wright.

However, he has had a harder time getting a 9ft, 46lb ostrich to take flight. He’s been working on the OstrichCopter for more than a year, but so far managed to get it to fly only a few feet off the ground. Mr Jansen stresses that all of the animals used in his projects had died on natural causes. His latest project uses a bird donated by an ostrich farm.

lawn, reports the Chicago Tribune. More than 100,000 people have watched a video of the Bohemian Rhapsody display on YouTube. The full show features about 30 songs, including Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and attracts thousands of visitors to his cul-de-sac every night. “There are one or two complainers, but mostly everyone’s been fine with it,” Mr Thomas told the Today Show.

Nun covers Madonna song – Like a Virgin A SINGING nun who won the Italian version of the The Voice has released a cover of Madonna’s Like a Virgin for her debut single. “I chose it myself. Without any desire to provoke or scandalise,” Sister Cristina Scuccia, 26, told the Catholic newspaper Avvenire. “It’s a song about the ability of love to make people new. To redeem them from their past. And that’s how I wanted to interpret it.” But the video has certainly made waves, notching up close to a million views in just two days on YouTube. In a nod to the original, Sister Cristina is shown singing the song in Venice, although

she wears a habit and crucifix, whereas Madonna was seen writhing in a gondola. Sister Cristina says she doesn’t think the pop star has heard her more sedate version: “But I’d love to see her face when she does, and when they tell her it’s a nun singing,” she said.

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

HIS year’s been good to the middle class fakers of this town. Last month they were treated to a diamond hunt where they could scavenge desperately all over Cheltenham looking for one. Some couples were so high on adrenaline from the whole ordeal they popped out their marriage proposals there and then, bless. And now this exact same crowd have another freebie fest coming up round the corner. Bloody Halloween. These people have had 31st October marked on the calendar for a good while. Any activity that doesn’t require getting out the Visa Debit is underlined, highlighted and double circled by this cash strapped lot. It’s not the kids that bother me. They want sweets and their parents tell them that trick-ortreating is the way to get it. How can I blame impressionable kids for simply carrying out the teachings of their hard up

parents? I wouldn’t even mind if it were just the kids knocking on the door asking, ‘Trick or treat’; it’s having to witness their overweight mums standing at the end of my pathway, clucking mindless garbage with each other while they wait for their offspring to rob me of my Lindor stash. Nick Clegg this, Morrison’s that, blaaah! It’s atrocious to have them on my street. Last year I think I heard a group of them discuss what a nice area it is and one even remarked to the others how she was eyeing up a move here. Come on sunshine I’ll do the jokes. These socially awkward women don’t even give one line of gratitude to the homeowner. No word or a thank you for handing over treats

to their darling little brats. They simply waddle off down the street ready to loot the next Cheltonian. My friends who have kids exude far more class. The ones who celebrate Halloween throw parties and invite their child’s school friends and parents over for party games, food and jelly shots. The kids have fun and the adults can banter amongst themselves. The main difference being, one group of adults can dig into their wallets and the others can’t. The ones who can’t may have financial constraints you tell me? Well fine; but don’t mince around the streets of Cheltenham so publicly pretending to be a yummy mummy and using the event as your own social club. The whole charade is false

and I want them to feel shame. It’s grating to watch their delusional display of importance. They need to be reminded they’re not one of us. This year whip your phones out and film them as you pelt them with eggs. Ruin that new winter coat they scrimped and saved for from M&S. You’ll provide their kids with a laugh and the rest of us real Cheltonians when it’s posted on Facebook. We’re allowed to pull a trick on them right? Halloween comes with just the one perk that just about makes it worth celebrating… cheap, skimpy outfits! Girls will spend hours upon hours frizzing hair, drawing on whiskers and ripping handfuls of fabric off their dress just so they can hit our town wearing as little as legally possible to give us all a holiday

we can cheer about. Even Mean Girls acknowledges this social tradition with Lindsay’s famous quote from the film, “Halloween is the one day a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything else about it.” And praise the good Lord for this one saving grace. Without it, Halloween would be boring and completely selfish. Where these women are giving something back to society, everyone else is basically out to take something from us.

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

30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

CoffeeBreak

WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER GETTING STUCK IN CHIMNEY A WOMAN has been rescued and then arrested after getting stuck in the chimney of a house of a man she reportedly met online. Firefighters in Ventura County, California, who responded to a report from a neighbour of a woman crying, had to chisel away much of the chimney and lubricate it with washing up soap to free Genoveva Nunez-Figueroa. The 30-year-old was arrested on suspicion of illegal entry and giving false information to police, according to the Ventura County Star. Police say she knows the owner of the home in Thousand Oaks, who was not there at the time, but they did not elaborate further. However, media reports say she had met the man online and had been on a number of dates with him. The man said he had gone on a “few” dates with Nunez-Figueroa but had recently

Your Weekly HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 20 – April 18): The planet of seduction will be singing her siren song in that part of your chart that pertains to dubious ventures. Plug your ears or you’ll run aground. TAURUS (April 19 – May 19): Everyone comes with emotional baggage nowadays. You need to decide if a certain someone’s is carry-on or if it should be checked at the gate.

ended the relationship. “I’m going to be a little more cautious of who I invite into my house now,” Lawrence, who did not want to reveal his last name, told the television station. Nunez-Figueroa had no clear injuries, but was taken to hospital for evaluation. Ventura County fire Captain Ron Oatman said firefighters destroyed the chimney and damaged the roof during Sunday’s incident. The woman’s family have offered to pay for the damage.

GEMINI (May 20 – June 20): An intense type sparks your interest but may prove to be more than you can handle. Pay attention to warning signs. CANCER (June 21 – July 21): Circumstances beyond your control present you with a broom with which to make a clean sweep. Use it to make a fresh start.

Zombie proof log cabin A WEST Yorkshire firm is selling what it claims to be the world’s first zombie proof log cabin. Leeds-based Tiger Log Cabins is offering a 10 year anti-zombie guarantee with its ZFC-1, Zombie Fortification Cabin. The structure consists of three connected buildings and its featured qualities add up to a personal log fortress. It comes with reinforced slit windows, walls and doors, a barbed-wire surround, an escape hatch, and a living room with Xbox, TV and sound system. It also features an arsenal storage unit to secure your anti-zombie weaponry and an upper

StandOKU!

deck with a full view all around so you can keep an eye out for the oncoming hordes. There’s also a toilet system, garage, kitchen area with microwave and a garden section to start a small produce farm. The customizable 44ft x 30ft cabin starts at £69,995 for the base model. Installation costs an additional £12,995. Available extras include security cameras, riot protection outfit, big bear water cannon, flame thrower and search lights. “Please note - we require medical evidence of the presence of a real zombie should you wish to claim under the 10 year anti zombie guarantee,” warn the makers.

LEO (July 22 – Aug 21): Sometimes things have to fall apart in order to reveal

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 five-letter word.

Difficulty rating: Moderate

3 9

7 3 2 6 3 7 5 3 4 9 7 6 4 5 9 4 6 7 1 1 5 3 2 6 4 9 2 4 7

TARGET

A E S N F R T L C

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: 25 words good; 35 very good; 45+ excellent.

21 22 Last week’s solutions (23rd October 2014): Across: 7 Okapi; 8 Annexed; 9 Natural; 10 Tweak; 12 Drawing-pin; 15 Malingered; 18 Noise; 19 Repress; 21 Presume; 22 Apace. Down: 1 Countryman; 2 Taste; 3 Tier; 4 Fallow; 5 Instance; 6 Excerpt; 11 Kingfisher; 13 Runner-up; 14 Claimed; 16 Earned; 17 Penal; 20 Pray.

the weak foundation underneath. That’s what’s happening now. VIRGO (Aug 22 – Sept 21): You’re really good at solving people’s emotional crises. It’s why they hand them off to you. You may want to rework this before things become even more one-sided. LIBRA (Sept 22 – Oct 22): A simple misunderstanding isn’t as simple as all that. If it were, you’d have no problem clearing it up. Maybe you’re using this to break free? SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21): Give a love interest a chance to be there for you and you may discover that this person has more depth than you gave him/her credit for. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 20): It’s human nature to recognize the value of what we have only when we’re on the

brink of losing it. It’s a rude awakening, but better late than never. CAPRICORN (Dec 21 – Jan 18): Don’t think twice about helping out loved ones who find themselves cash shy. It’s what rainy day funds are there for. You’ll refill coffers by next month. AQUARIUS (Jan 19 – Feb 17): You’re not being demanding by asking for more love and affection. What you’re being is human. PISCES (Feb 18 – March 19): It’s the perfect time to approach a backer or investor. Weave your spell and don’t spare the embellishments. You’ll see wallets fly open at the ask.

GREAT

CANDY

TRIAL

NEEDS

CRYPTIC Crossword ACROSS 1. A spot for a vertical descent (4) 8. Condition that causes one to prefer the low life? (10) 9. One who’s just played a leading part in the match (5-3) 10. Apostolically, they follow John (4) 12. Obliged to be unnatural (6) 14. Press publicity made by a diver (6) 15. Father and mother going round an American republic (6) 17. Prevents movement near the western borders (6) 18. Deserted port (4) 19. Half an hour after the office has been ruined, he attends to the locks (8) 21. Occasionally the present linked with the past (3,3,4) 22. One of these indicates indefinite futurity (4)

DOWN 2. Put a new coat on? (10) 3. It covers the tomb of an early evangelist, we hear (4) 4. About the end of the battle, the mob shouted triumphantly (6) 5. Black suit used in the digs (6) 6. Everything in garbled codes is styled thus (2-6) 7. State cut short the service (4) 11. Relish completely in a discriminating way (10) 13. To applaud a role that’s turned up will be just empty words (8) 16. Race madly round present-day covered precinct (6) 17. Her wit could make you move in agony (6) 18. Country boy round the north (4) 20. Kitty requiring some of the stuff underneath (4)

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

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

30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

OME years ago I was walking along the High Street in Cheltenham and saw a man staggering along, behaving very strangely. He was getting progressively more unstable on his feet and didn’t look at all well. My first thoughts were that he had some sort of mental health issue or disability. I was tempted to walk on the other side just as everyone else around me was because I wasn’t sure if I could help. I kept an eye on him for a few more minutes before realising that I had to at least try to help. I asked him if he was OK? He was smartly dressed but incoherent and I noticed he had a pocket full of Dime Bars. My brother-in-law has type 1 diabetes and I knew that he always has a supply of sugary drinks around for the times he has low blood sugar. That was enough for me to consider that the Dime Bars were there for that reason. The man was really not well enough to speak properly but when I asked him if he was diabetic he managed a relived and very clear ‘Yes’. He was not well enough to eat the Dime Bars. I left someone else caring for him and ran to a nearby newsagent, barged through the queue explaining I needed a drink for a diabetic in an

Soapbox By COUNCILLOR KLARA SUDBURY emergency situation. The important thing is to get something like Lucozade or Coke – not Diet Coke, the sugar is what is needed and there is no sugar in diet drinks. Unfortunately the drinks were not enough and we called an ambulance whilst making sure the man was as comfortable as possible. He needed treatment by the medics and was taken away in an ambulance. It always struck me that this could have been my brother-inlaw, in need of help and that people would

have just walked on by. Now my niece Gracie (pictured) has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She was only 11-months-old and very close to losing her life when she was diagnosed. Known as the ‘Four Ts’ the symptoms of diabetes to look out for are; “toilet, thirsty, tired, thinner”. She is now two and doing well but it is not easy to keep a toddler’s blood glucose within safe levels and is pretty much a full time job for her family and carers. Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulinproducing cells in the body have been destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin. Nobody knows for sure why these insulinproducing cells have been destroyed, but the most likely cause is the body having an abnormal reaction to the cells. This may be triggered by a virus or other infection. There is no cure, only treatment.

With all the huge amount of information in the media about type 2 diabetes which is much more common and caused mainly by lifestyle choices, the messages about type1, which is a completely different disease, seem to have got lost along the way. It is a fact that many young people with type 1 face a lot of stigma, totally unwarranted, that it was brought on by eating too much sugar or being overweight. I think this was one of the hardest things my sister has had to cope with. Not enough being worried about Gracie’s future because of the complications of the disease, or being exhausted from the extensive care Gracie needs whilst she is so small, people – even some health professionals apparently – have come out with some bonkers and ignorant comments. Gracie has got an insulin pump which makes administering the insulin she needs a bit easier. Her parents are desperate to get a Continuous Glucose Monitoring device to help control her blood sugar levels. They have not so far been able to get the local NHS to fund this even though it would help give Gracie the best chance of avoiding health complications later in life, thereby saving the NHS money later on. The NHS saved Gracie’s life and we will always be grateful for that, but there are some bizarre decisions made when it comes to funding treatment.

TheVIBE A snapshot of student life in Cheltenham

We’re not all the same… WHAT do you see when you envision a student? Most see a disgruntled youth, wearing an unwashed hoody, eating beans on toast. Nursing their cataclysmic hangover and taking procrastination to new heights to avoid doing work. But is this always necessarily true? There are certain stereotypes that coincide with students and the way they live and yes, some of them are true. The biggest is the drinking, and this is something I cannot argue with, my mouth seems to have had the after taste of Moo Moos ‘J bombs’, since freshers week in my first year. I think the big misconception is the clubbing. Many a student prefers sitting in their dressing gown, drinking a bottle of Bargain Boozes’ finest liquor in the comfort of their own home. The consensus being get pissed early, be asleep by two and be up, raring to go to lectures in the morning. Obviously, I can only talk about the university of Gloucestershire, and maybe there is just something in the water in

Cheltenham, but I’ve met many a student who don’t really fit the uni student stereotype. The next big thing is food, yes it’s true, in many student houses a week doesn’t go by without a Dominoes Pizza turning up on your doorstep, but this isn’t always the case. Low and behold some of us can and enjoy cooking, I had a housemate cook me a smashing fish pie last week, from scratch. Just because we chose to do a degree does not mean we gave up our desire to cook something that takes more then turning on the microwave. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean all students are the next culinary prodigy, I know one guy who lives off ‘mac and cheese’ and enchiladas day in day out. But there are a fair few, who get as excited about making their own hummus, as they do about a night out with friends. When we all of us get our student loans through, we do head straight to the pub, but the day after we also go and do a monumental shop in Sainsbury’s or maybe even Waitrose, and it’s all terribly exciting.

30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

PROPERTY&HOME

PROPERTY NEWS

Property prices set to rise in 2015

PROPERTY prices across the UK are set to finish 2014 up by 9% and rise another 5% in 2015, according to the latest outlook report. The report indicates good growth despite prices cooling and the looming general election next year in a report compiles with the retained economic advisors Volterra. But the outlook for the prime central London market is more subdued with Strutt & Parker predicting growth of 3% in 2014, and a further 2% in 2015. These forecasts are a stark contrast to 2010 and 2011 when prime central London prices surged by over 13% year on year. The firm believes that whilst improved economic foundations would certainly suggest that prices will continue to rise over the next few years, the biggest perceived uncertainty surrounding the property markets over the remainder of 2014 and 2015 will continue to be the looming election. ‘Agents are reporting a continued slowdown in some areas as buyers and sellers nervously await news on the upcoming general election and the potential for a mansion tax. This is beginning to feed through into transaction levels. As is often the case in uncertain

times, it may also be that transaction levels will decrease in the run up to May 2015, but values could hold up better than expected,’ said Stephanie McMahon, head of research at Strutt & Parker. ‘Above and beyond the general election there are a number of other potential headwinds slowing the property market, including talk of interest rate changes and the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) and the slowdown it is causing,’ she explained. She pointed out that it is important to remember that the property market is all about supply and demand. ‘On the supply side, the government is continuing to boost house building across the country, and recent output figures from the construction sector reflect this. House prices tend to rise when stock is low and with more houses being built, particularly in the lower end of the housing market, this could also have an effect on UK house prices over the next few months,’ said McMahon. She finally added, ‘In short, we expect that price growth during the remainder of 2014, and even more so in 2015, will be sensitive to prevailing political press and expectations.’’

To Let £895 pcm

To Let £1850 pcm

The Cleevelands, Cheltenham

Elkstone – Churchdown

A stunning garden apartment to let in Cheltenham on the sought after Cleeveview Drive. The property comprises own private entrance, spacious light hallway, two large double bedrooms, master with ensuite shower room, modern kitchen/diner with french doors leading out to well kept landscaped gardens. Spacious lounge and fire with ample room for dining table and chairs, utility area, ample storage throughout the property. Both bedrooms benefit from fitted wardrobes, gas central heating and two allocated parking spaces. This property without doubt boasts the wow factor and is a must see.

A superb detached family home to let in Churchdown. A lovely entrance hall, spacious light lounge, doors leading to rear garden, a further reception room and study, Spacious kitchen diner, integrated appliances, utility room. Double bedroom on this level with en suite wet room, downstairs WC. Upstairs comprises of a spacious master bedroom, walk in wardrobe and en suite with shower over bath, a further three spacious double bedrooms and another en suite bathroom with shower over bath. Family bathroom and stairs leading to a large loft conversion which could be used as a seventh bedroom or play room. Property also benefits from lawn area to front and sweeping gravel driveway, detached double garage, beautiful large rear garden.

01242 587744

E = cheltenhamnorthwood.uk.com A = 97 Hewlett Road, Cheltenham GL52 6BB

LANDLORDS

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Property of the week ÂŁ595,000

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Gretton Road, Gotherington

Henley Road, SpringBank

Northwood are pleased to present to the market this versatile family home situated in the desirable village of Gotherington near Cheltenham. Boasting five bedrooms, three spacious reception rooms, open plan kitchen/diner, a detached garage and extensive gardens enjoying panoramic countryside views, an internal viewing is a must. Planning permission granted for construction of a separate annex and no onward chain.

A fantastic three bedroom semi detached house for sale in Springbank area of Cheltenham. Easy access to A40 and M5 motorway links. The property comprises through lounge/diner,modern spacious kitchen,downstairs recently refurbished family bathroom with shower over bath, three double bedrooms one of which located on ground floor. Spacious rear garden and ample parking to front of property . Local amenities all within walking distance.

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01242 587744

E = cheltenhamnorthwood.uk.com

Whether you wish to Let or Sell your property - Contact the experts

A = 97 Hewlett Road, Cheltenham GL52 6BB

ProperPropertyPeople

Cheltenham

Gloucester

Tewkesbury

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

MOTORING

best wheels, best deals... MOTORING NEWS

New VW Passat to have diesel engines only

THE new Volkswagen Passat we are told will be launched in the UK without petrol engines for the first time in its eightgeneration history. Only diesel options, including a new 2.0-litre bi-turbocharged unit at the top of the range, will be sold on these shores. A petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show and is expected to join the range sometime in late 2015. A Volkswagen spokesman said the decision to exclude a petrol option was because of recent poor sales of its TSI engines in the Passat range, with its TDI diesels being preferred by almost all buyers in recent years. The Passat is expected to sell in large numbers to fleet operators and company car user-choosers who cover high mileage. These buyers are likely to want low CO2 output for tax reasons along with high fuel economy to extend their cruising range.

VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.2 E £3,699

WHITE FORD TRANSIT 115 £12,000 +VAT

There are four diesel engines in the new line-up, with a 1.6-litre 118bhp unit offering an entry point, two closely-related single-turbo 2.0-litre options upping the ante to 148bhp and 187bhp respectively, and the new bi-turbo topping the tree with 236bhp. The bi-turbo is linked exclusively to 4Motion four-wheel drive and a new wetclutch seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, which is much stronger than previous versions and can handle more stress. A price jump in excess of £5,000 from the 187bhp version means the biturbo is likely to account for less than 1% of both saloon and estate sales in Britain, but Volkswagen confirmed that it is necessary for them to have a flagship engine. The Passat will arrive in the UK in January 2015.

PEUGEOT 207 1.6 16V GT £6,499

Town Cars G L O U C E S T E R

MERCEDES BENZ CLK 270 £5,499

VAUXHALL CORSA 1.3 CDTi £5,699

FIAT SEDICI 1.9 MULTIJET £4,999

65-77 Cheltenham Road East Churchdown Gloucester GL3 1JN

www.town-cars.com

MERCEDES BENZ SLK 230K £3,999

TOYOTA RAV4 XT3 WTi £5,499

TEL: 01452 856234 FAX: 01452 854066

Th e key to S uc c es s ful M o to r in g

£4,495

£7,495

£5,995

£5,595

£3,995

£5,495

BMW 5 SERIES 520i SE

TOYOTA RAV4 2.2 D-4D XT-R 2007 57 reg, Manual, 4x4, Diesel, 98,000 miles, BLACK, Service History, 5 seats.

BMW X3 2.0d SE SUPERB LOOKING

FORD FOCUS 1.8 TDCi Zetec SUPERB CONDITION

SUBARU LEGACY 2.0 RE 5dr WELL MAINTAINED

AUDI A3 1.9 TDi 5dr

2004 54 reg, 4dr Auto, Automatic, Saloon, Petrol, 90,000 miles. BLUE, Full History.

2005 05 reg. 5dr. Manual, 4x4, Diesel, 122,000 miles. BLACK, Full service history.

2008 08 reg. 5dr. Manual, Hatchback, Diesel, 74,000 miles. RED, Service History.

£4,695

£5,495

£3,695

£4,695

£3,795

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA 1.6i Life 5dr VERY RELIABLE

FORD MONDEO 1.8 TDCi RENAULT CLIO 1.4 16V Titanium X Manual Hatchback DYNAMIQUE

NISSAN NOTE 1.4 SE 5dr SUPERB CONDITION

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA 1.6i CLUB SUPERB CONDITION

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA 1.6i Club

2007 07 reg. Manual, hatchback, petrol, 50,000 miles, BLUE, Service History.

2005 55 reg. 5dr. 99,000 miles, Manual, 2005 55 reg. 5dr. Manual, Estate, Petrol, Estate, Petrol, BLACK, Full Service History. 84,000 miles, BLUE.

£3,695

£4,295

£5,495

2008 57 reg. VAUXHALL ZAFIRA 1.6i Life 2008 58 reg. 5dr. Diesel, 133,000 miles, 2007 56 reg. 3dr. Manual, Hatchback, 5dr, Manual, Estate, Petrol, 85,000 miles, Full Service History, SILVER. Petrol, 53,000 miles, BLACK. BLUE.

2005, 05 reg. 5dr, Manual, Hatchback, 2005 55 reg. Manual, Estate, Petrol, Diesel, 97,000 miles. BLUE. 91,000 miles. SILVER, Full Service History.

£5,995

£4.995

£4,495

KIA SORRENTO 2.5 CRDi XS SUPERB CONDITION

BMW 3 SERIES 318i SE OUTSTANDING CONDITION

VAUXHALL CORSA 1.2i 16V SXi FORD FOCUS 1.6 STYLE OUTSTANDING CONDITION SUPERB CONDITION

NISSAN NOTE 1.4 ACENTA SUPERB CONDITION

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0 SE TDi GREAT VALUE

2005, 05 reg. 5dr. Manual, 4x4 Diesel, 86,000 miles BLACK.

2006, 56 reg. 4dr. Auto, Automatic, Saloon, Petrol, SILVER, Full Service History.

2008 57 reg. 5dr. Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 67,000 miles. SILVER.

2008 57 reg. 5dr. Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, SILVER, Service History.

2008 08 reg. 5dr. Manual, Hatchbck, 62,000 miles, SILVER, Service History.

2006 56 reg. 4dr. Manual, Saloon, Diesel, 86,000 miles, BLACK, Service History.

£5,995

£3,795

£3,695

VOLKSWAGEN FOX 1.2 1 OWNER, LOW INSURANCE

PEUGEOT 207. 1.4 16V SPORT LOW INSURANCE

SOLD £6.995

£4,495

HONDA CR-V 2.2i-CTDi SE GREAT CONDITION

VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.4i 16v BREEZE LOW INSURANCE

HONDA ACCORD 2.0 i-VTEC SE FORD C-MAX 1.6 STYLE LOW OUTSTANDING CONDITION MILEAGE

2007, 07 reg. 5dr. Manual 4x4, Diesel, 111,000 miles, SILVER.

2008 08 reg. 5dr. Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 61,000 miles, RED, Service History.

2007 07 reg. 4.dr. Manual, Saloon, Petrol, 94,000 miles, SILVER, Service History.

2008 08 reg. 5dr. Manual, Estate, Petrol, 2008 08 reg. 3dr. Manual, Hatchback, 36,000 miles, BLUE, Full Service History. Petrol, 86,000 miles, BLACK, Service History.

2007 57 reg. 3dr. Manual. Hatchback, Petrol, RED, 1 Owner.

SOLD £4,995

£7,995

£5,795

£4,995

£7,995

£4,495

VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.2 MATCH 70 LOW INSURANCE

AUDI A4 1.8T S LINE MULTITRONIC, SUPERB LOOKING

HONDA CIVIC 1.8 i-VTEC ES VERY RELIABLE

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 2.4 MIVEC SPORT SE AUTO

LANDROVER FREELANDER 2.0 TD4s STATION WAGON

2007 57 reg. 5dr. Manual. Hatchback, Petrol, 76,000 miles. SILVER, Service History.

2006 06 reg. 5dr. Estate, Petrol, 82,000 miles SILVER.

AUDI A4 1.8T S LINE MULTITRONIC SUPERB LOOKING

2009 59 reg. 5dr. Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 82,000 miles, SILVER, Full Service 2007 58 reg. Automatic, Convertible, History. Petrol, 86,000 miles, BLACK.

2007 58 reg. Automatic, Convertible, Petrol, 86,000 miles, BLACK.

2004 54 reg. 5dr. Manual, 4x4, Diesel, BLUE.

01452 301777 | www.motorlandgloucester.co.uk 312-318 Bristol Road | Gloucester | Gloucestershire | GL2 5DH

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

SPORT Shooting Stars put on best show of the season NETBALL

Hucclecote Stars Poole A

43 39

HUCCLECOTE Stars played host to top of the league Poole who so far had remained unbeaten in NSW RL1. Stars were focused and determined entering the game and started with impressive form. In defence Rebecca Deo at WD worked well with Thea Thompson GD and Captain Claire Richards GK. The trio collected loose balls and created turnovers which were effectively taken to goal. The shooters were on fire with both Michelle Dowle and Betsy Willey netting 100 percent of their shots. However Poole were equally applied and just managed to take the quarter 13-11. For the second quarter Katharine Chadwick took the GK position with Richards coming out to GD. The added height at the back enabled Chadwick to take four crucial turnovers. Cote were right back in the game and it was level pegging at half-time. Entering the third Cote came out with a flair and executed clinical, netball. Sticking to the plan of keep it simple the squad linked through court with confidence.

All Golds scholar selected for regional squad RUGBY LEAGUE

Helen Hynes at WA worked relentlessly making well timed drives to circle edge and re-offering until the feed into Dowle or Willey was on. This patience and composure was mirrored by Shona O'Dwyer who was unfazed by her opponent ex-Super League player Talissa Haynes. Poole remained in the game and by the end of this quarter it was still even at 31-31. The last 15 minutes was all about who wanted the game the most. Changes to Cote saw Hannah Leger come on to WD. Her control and composure when bringing the ball through court was crucial. Even though Poole really piled on the pressure Stars remained steady and delivered accurate feeds to their shooters. Player of the match, Willey demonstrated composed shooting at her finest converting 11 from 11 and it was Stars’ best performance of the season by some distance.

HANLEY Dawson, one of the University of Gloucestershire All Golds rugby league scholars, has been selected for the combined regional squad to play against the Australian State Schools touring team. The team will be selected and reduced to 18 to take to camp, after the last training session on the Sunday. Hanley will be requested to attend two training weekends at Mount St Mary's in Sheffield and enter camp on the November 25 with the game taking place the next day. Hanley grew up playing for Millom RLFC and has represented Cumbria from Under15s to Under-17s before he signed for the Cumbria Regional Academy Scholarship scheme. He joined the University of Gloucestershire on a rugby league scholarship to study Strength and Conditioning and play rugby league in unison. The Australian State Schools touring team will play a number of matches on their visit. The first game will be the match against the Combined Regional Squad and two other games against Leeds and Wigan. The tour

will finish with a two test series against the England Academy. Dawson said: “I am buzzing to get the call up. I have always wanted to play against the top Australian sides and now I've got the chance and I am over the moon. “It will be great to walk out in my home county in November if I make the 18 man squad. It finally feels like all my hard work over the past year has paid off.”

HEALTH&FITNESS CHELTENHAM-based personal trainer and aspiring fitness model Leah Collins shares her exercise and nutrition tips every week in the Cheltenham Standard

Exercise of the week number four: Suitcase deadlifts NUTRITION TIP OF THE WEEK: After you work out your body goes into recovery mode and you need protein to help repair muscles and for them to grow. Eggs are good as they are low in calories and high in protein. You can do all sorts with them from making an omelette or just hard boiling them. Carbohydrates are another good thing to have afterwards to help restore some energy. Bananas are full of fast releasing carbs which will help repair your muscles and provide you with energy you have lost. PHOTOS: ALAN FRANKLIN

Deadlifts are good for your strength and work the majority of muscles in your body, especially legs, back, core and arms. Place yourself in between two kettle bells with your feet about hip width apart. Bend down and hold on to the kettle bells in almost squat position keeping your chest up and not letting your back bend. Keeping your upper back engaged and core strong, lift the weights, thrusting your hips forward until you’re in standing position. Now return the weights to the starting position slowly and controlled. Repeat this eight-12 times. Complete four sets of these.

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30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

SPORT

Local Rugby

Hewitt-inspired North defeat spirited Ledbury side RUGBY UNION

Ledbury Cheltenham North

15 38

CHELTENHAM North enjoyed their second six-try haul in two weeks and this one was away from home against a side that was sitting one place above them in the table. Ledbury were a spirited team who never gave up, but eventually they simply could not handle the power and speed of the visitors' big runners: Paul Scott, Dan Hewitt and Danny Thomas. Their young backs looked dangerous at times, with ball in hand, but all their attacks came to nothing either due to inaccurate passes or thumping tackles. Despite five changes from last week, forced upon them by injuries and unavailability, North started strongly. They put together concerted pressure which eventually paid off when, following a Dan Hewitt break, the ball was taken on by Sam Allen who released Charlie McKeckney to score in the corner. The conversion was missed but North had their tails up: the scrum was going well, as was the lineout, but then the old problem of penalties reared it's head again. Three of them in quick succession allowed Ledbury firstly back in the

game, and then to take the lead. With North 9-5 down, Dan Hewitt stole the ball from the kick-off and thundered up the pitch, from the ensuing ruck the ball was fed along the line for George Terry to score in the corner. The score remained 10-9 for the remainder of the half despite much effort from both sides. The second half saw the game open up, and due partly to both teams ambition to run the ball, men were getting isolated and turn-overs occurred, leading to a very exciting game with play moving from end to end. North's penalty count still mounted and they went behind 12-10. Trying to run the ball from their 22, Ledbury lost possession and Sam Allen charged in under the posts to restore the lead at 17-12. Ledbury's last contribution to the scorecard was a fifth penalty but from that point on the North were in complete control. Danny Thomas capped another superb performance with a try, as did his namesake Dan Thomas junior. There was a moment of drama when Paul Scott was yellow carded for retaliation, following foul play, but the home team were not able to turn their one man advantage into points. The final score went to Hewitt who had put in a huge performance all afternoon.

Cheltenham stun second placed Quins in sparkling home display RUGBY UNION

Cheltenham Bristol Harlequins

AFTER a last kick defeat against Barton Hill in their previous outing, Cheltenham turned league form on its head with a 33-23 home win over second placed Bristol Harlequins. Cheltenham took a 3-0 lead after seven minutes with Zac Atallah kicking a penalty, but Quins soon drew level with veteran Ross Hickery doing the same. Quins prop James Russe-Jones was shown a yellow card by referee Peter Brunt, but the visitors took an 8-3 lead with Ian Lane scoring an unconverted try wide out. They continued to have the upper hand and in the 26th minute extended their lead to 15-3 with prop Paul Ford rumbling over from a driving maul and Hickery converting. Atallah slotted a penalty and with 33 minutes played Cheltenham reduced the arrears to two points when wing Mike Nienebar rounded off a well-worked move with a try which Atallah converted. Cheltenham continued to press and forced Quins to give away a penalty as their discipline again let them down with Atallah kicking the penalty for a 16-15 half-time lead. Cheltenham started the second half with a stiff wind in their faces, but within two minutes of the restart they broke from deep in their own half with full-back Josh Herbert skilfully regaining his own chip ahead to race over for a fine try with Atallah converting

Pats suffer narrow home defeat By Matt Evans OLD Patesians succumbed to their second successive league defeat, as Oxford Harlequins won a hard-fought, heavy-hitting contest at Everest Road. Playing with the slope and breeze in their favour, Harlequins made a lightning-fast start to the match and took the lead after only three minutes. Winger Jack Robinson raced onto an offload from fly-half Jack Avery and through a gap in the Pats defensive line to touch down under the posts. He was unable to add the extras, missing a simple kick at goal. This seemed to jolt the Pats into life. Harlequins knocked on in the Pats half, and the ball was quickly spread into the hands of Alastair Crombie. He raced past a couple of would-be tacklers on a 50-metre break but with the try line beckoning, Crombie's final pass to scrum-half Lucas Roy Smith was poor and the opportunity was wasted. Pats did get themselves on the scoresheet

two minutes later, two powerful scrums resulting in a penalty which full-back George Hughes kicked with ease. Pats were dominant at the scrum throughout but the referee failed to punish the Quins front row for several similar offences later on in the game, much to the ire of the Pats supporters. On one of the rare occasions the Quins scrum was not dominated, Australian scrum-half Ethan Carlisle made a break from the base of the scrum, feeding fullback Will Sharrott to finish off the move under the posts. Robinson added the conversion. A moment of brilliance from fly-half Jon Coles got The Pats back in the game. He received the ball 40 metres out after yet another powerful Pats scrum, and scythed through the Quins defence before feeding Lee Hathaway for the try, which Hughes converted with ease. Robinson added a penalty for Harlequins, but they weren't done there. Two minutes before half time, centre Mike Lee powered over from close range after a sustained spell

33 23

from the touchline. Quins’ discipline let them down again, this time it was Jim Lewis who was sent to the sin bin. Cheltenham’s play maker Attalah soon joined him in the bin for back chat and Quins reduced the arrears to 23-18 with Hickery adding to his team’s total with a penalty. With 10 minutes to play Quins set up a grandstand finish with wing Kane Burchill scoring a unconverted try. Cheltenham continued to defy their lowly league position after a good break from Joe Haskayne, who found Herbert and he sprinted over for his second try which was unconverted for a 28-23 lead. With two minutes to play Cheltenham gained turnover ball from a good effort from the smaller home pack, the ball was spun out to Nienebar who out paced to the Quins cover for a unconverted try to wrap up a excellent home win. Cheltenham: S Moore, S Haskayne, R Griffiths, H Compton, J Milne, J Hillier (c), J Haskayne, T Lait, R Hill, Z Atallah, M Nienebar, S Brookes, R Beeney, R Morris. Replacements used: R Edwards, A Lowther, P Hillier. Bristol Quins:P Ford, R Randell, J RusseJones, J Lewis, D Sweet, D Gamlin, I Lane, D Pearce, R Hickery (c), C Page, K Burchill, J Hopper, N Burnell, J White, S Manning, Replacements used: G Britt, J Hickery, J Young.

Old Patesians 23 Oxford Harlequins 25

of pressure to give Oxford Harlequins a 10point lead at the interval. The Pats came out all guns blazing in the second half, knowing they needed a quick start if they wanted to get back into the game. Despite having most of the ball and creating plenty of scoring opportunities, all the Pats had to show for their early pressure was a missed penalty from Hughes. This came back to hurt Old Patesians as a couple of missed tackles allowed Fijian winger Kenji Fisilaua to jink his way through the defensive line to score. A yellow card for Quins sub Lotu Ngungutaua for a high-tackle off the ball on Crombie was the boost Pats needed for a big effort in the final 25 minutes. Hughes immediately punished Quins for this discretion with three points, but failed with another penalty attempt five minutes later. Harlequins defended desperately being a man down, simply looking to kick the ball away without any real aim or purpose. One of these wayward kicks was retrieved

by Roy Smith, who passed to Crombie who sent the ball wide to winger Dan Burrows who sped off down the wing. He combined pace and power to finish superbly in the corner, with full-back Hughes adding the conversion from the touchline with a superb kick. Hughes added more points to his own personal collection with a third penalty after Quins collapsed a powerful driving maul from the dominant Pats pack. This left Old Pats just two points in arrears with a little under five minutes on the clock. Quins looked to have the ball safely secured in the Pats 22 but contrived to knock on when they simply needed to keep hold of the ball. The Pats threw the ball wide to Hathaway, who took advantage of a stretched Quins defence and open field to drive down the pitch towards the corner, but the covering defender managed to stop Hathaway just before the line and with that went any chance of a positive result for Pats, who had to settle for just a losing bonus point.

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

SPORT Larkhall Bishop’s Cleeve

3 2

PHOTOS: ALAN FRANKLIN

Mitres edged out at Larkhall as long wait continues Joe Tustain

BISHOP’S Cleeve’s long wait for a first league win of the season continues after they went down 3-2 at Larkhall Athletic. Mitres boss Steve Cleal was missing injured left-back Craig Hopkins but was able to call on Harlie Price back from suspension and Joe Tustain. Cleeve started the game well, but neither goalkeeper was really tested in the opening exchanges. Sam Mason and Callum Preece who was slotted into a holding midfield role worked an opening for Tustain, but the shot was pulled just wide. Larkhall lost their skipper to a groin injury after half an hour and the game never really got going again following this break in play. With both sides evenly matched in the first half, the second was expected to be much the same as Cleeve sought out the three points. The half was only a minute old when the ball struck Kenna Ngoma’s upper arm and a penalty was awarded. Tyler Sibbick converted from the spot to give Larkhall the lead. Cleeve levelled when Tustain picked up the ball on halfway played in Mason with a cross-field ball. The young midfielder composed himself and slotted past the goalkeeper to level it up. This was no more than Cleeve deserved and a key moment arrived just a few minutes later. Tustain held the ball up he rolled it to

Mason his pass found Price through on the edge of the area, his shot was to close to the goalkeeper however and Cleeve only had a corner when a second goal looked on the cards. Larkhall regained a lead they were not to lose on 60 minutes when Rob Hobbs tapped home from Sibbick’s cross. Cleeve rallied again with good chances for Mason, Ed Major and Tustain, but nothing came of these. The next goal in the game went to the hosts when the ball broke quickly from right to left and Sibbick struck home his second of the game on 65 minutes.

Cleeve continued to ask questions of the home side and on the 83rd minute set up an interesting last 10 minutes as Masons cross was turned home by substitute Christian Boateng. Cleeve had chances and several corners from which they looked like they could have scored but in the end it was to no avail. Cleal said: “The lads have worked hard today against a team that are flying high in the table but again crucial key moments and decisions have gone against us.” Bishop’s Cleeve were beaten 4-0 at Tiverton Town on Tuesday night.

PHOTOS: ALAN FRANKLIN

Unbeaten Service strengthen position at County League summit 2014 Cotswold Hunt Team Chase FAST, furious and perhaps not for the faint-hearted, team chasing is an incredible team sport that thrives on adrenaline. On Sunday 26th October a quality field of riders came together at the Foxcote Estate, Andoversford. RESULT 1st place: 2nd place: 3rd place: 4th place: 5th place: 6th place:

4 3 12 9 7 11

4:56:79 5:01:70 5:07:04 5:09:60 5:11:20 5:11:51

Fox Grant Thrusters Relentless The Monster Team - Q Fox Grant Dot Com - Q Dr. Cook Quit The Bit Wishful Thinkers Too

A “Q” beside two of the teams signifies they qualified for the National Championships sponsored by Global Recycling Solutions (the final is held in the spring 2015). Ryan Smith

CHELTENHAM Civil Service remain the only unbeaten team in the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League after a 3-0 success at Gala Wilton. The opening goal arrived in the 20th minute when Ryan Smith tapped in from close range after Gala failed to clear their lines. It remained 1-0 until the 77th minute when a misjudged back pass was picked up by Jack Sklenar, who added the second for the visitors. Stuart Midwinter rounded off the scoring in the 83rd minute and Service are now six points clear at the summit, with 34 points from a possible 36. Bishop’s Cleeve Reserves remain bottom after a 3-0 home defeat by Rockleaze Rangers. The goals came from Richard Bray, Luke Fricker and Liam Jenkins. Leaders Civil Service host Cleeve Reserves on Saturday (2pm).

Mann, Febery secure County Cup progress for Kings Reserves Kings Reserves 2 Siddington Sports 0 KINGS Reserves knocked a strong Cirencester League Divison One side Siddington Sports side out of the County Cup Minor (North) thanks to goals from Phil Mann and Mike Febery at Dowty Sports Ground. Siddington were hampered by the late withdrawal of two players which left them with the bare 11, but they certainly proved a match for an in-form Kings side. Kings took the lead in the second minute when the Siddington defence headed a Scott Walker throw clear to the edge of the box, but only managed to find Mann waiting to pounce on it. His low shot found the net with goalkeeper Terry Wallace unsighted. Despite this early set back Siddington maintained their composure and started to hit back but Kings were a match for them during this phase of the game. Siddington were unlucky not to pull level when a shot from Aiden Cressy hit the upright after 18 minutes. This was a wakeup call for Kings and they responded in a positive manner. With 26 minutes gone, a Scott Walker cross found the head of Jon Chandler, unfortunately the crossbar came between his flicked header and a second goal. In the 35th minute Kings again came close to extending their lead when the marauding Tom Hencher broke into the penalty area but his shot across the goalkeeper rebounded off the upright. With the pressure mounting Kings had got the bit between their teeth and a goal arrived on 38 minutes. It was good work on the left between Chandler and Walker which worked an opening and Walker was able to find Febery just inside the box. Febery feinted to go one way and created just enough space to thread through a perfect shot to extend the lead. Siddington had their chances, but found the Kings defence and Ivor Griffiths a major obstacle to scoring.

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30 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

SPORT

Local Football

AFTER slipping to a 3-0 defeat last weekend in the County Cup, Whaddon United will be hoping to return to winning ways in this weekend’s big match in Division One of the Cheltenham League, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Cheltenham Ford. United face leaders FC Lakeside who know that victory will move them two points clear at the top and maintain the 100 percent start to their league campaign. While less than a quarter of league games have been played in the division, the importance of victory in this game cannot be underestimated as the two early leaders look to set down a marker. At the foot of the table, the bottom two meet at Dowty Rotal. Kings AFC are currently one point adrift of opponents Falcons and will be keen to stay in touch with their rivals at this early stage. With their first team losing, Whaddon United Reserves made no such mistake, moving to the top of Division Two with a 3-2 with over WMK. The result saw them move a point above Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves who have played a game less. Staunton and Corse took Cheltenham Patriots undefeated record with a 6-3 victory to move into third place behind Service. FC Barometrics Reserves host Shurdington Rovers in the only league game in Division Two this weekend. Rovers go into the match off the back of their first league win last weekend, a 5-2 defeat of Tewkesbury Town. Rovers manager Kev Cole will be hoping his team can produce more of the same. Leckhampton Rovers moved level on points with Brockworth Albion Reserves following their 4-0 victory over Charlton Rover Reserves in Division Three. Leckhampton took a 2-0 lead into the

Cheltenham Football League, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Ford Cheltenham

PLAYER PROFILE OF THE WEEK This week’s featured player is Shurdington Rovers’ Jack Styman, who played in 20 of Rovers Reserve team’s 22 league matches last season as they dramatically won Division Four with virtually the last kick of their season. This season has seen him promoted to the first team and while

PHOTOS: ALAN FRANKLIN

Cheltenham League round-up

Mohamed AbdelFahah

Barometrics ease through in County Cup FC Barometrics 4 Newent Town 1

Dom James and Josh Tyler

half time break, opening the scoring in the 20th minute . Their opponents responded well and had a header cleared off the line however they extended their lead before half time following some poor defending. A turnover in midfield, early in the second half, saw the lead extended further and the victory was wrapped up following a swift counter attack. There are no matches in Division Three this weekend so Leckhampton will remain level on points with Brockworth until the next round of matches on November 8. Northway will be looking to maintain their 100 percent record in Division

the club have struggled to date, new manager Kev Cole led the team to their first victory of the season last weekend as he looks to get their campaign back on track. Name: Jack Styman Nickname: Shaggy Position: Centre-back Clubs played for: Shurdington Rovers Most memorable match: Whaddon United Reserves Toughest opponents: Newlands Best club player: Keith Knight Team supported: Liverpool Favourite player: Luis Suarez

Four when they host Smiths Athletic Reserves, a team who were promoted with then at the end of last season. Having won their opening three games they top the table from Bourton Rovers III who have also won their opening three games. Rovers are not in action this week so Northway have an opportunity to open up a gap at the top. At the foot of the table three teams are yet to claim a point. With Tewkesbury Town Reserves and Winchcombe Town Reserves facing top four opposition, Leckhampton Rovers looked best placed to get off the mark when the face the team directly above them, Southside Reserves. Division Five leaders Andoversford Reserves are not in action this weekend, meaning Cheltenham Athletics or Staunton and Corse Reserves could both take advantage if they win their games. Athletic host Pittville United Reserves and go into the game off the back of an impressive 14-1 win in the County Cup last weekend while Staunton and Corse make the journey to Sherborne Harriers. Four teams in Division Six sit on the maximum six points after their opening two games. Three of them, Fintan Reserves, Malvern Vale and Cheltenham United are in action this weekend. Fintan won impressively in the County Cup last weekend, beating Lydney Town 5-1, while United went down 2-0 at Hilldeane Athletic FC in the same competition.

FC BAROMETRICS returned to winning ways with a comfortable County Cup victory over Newent Town at Newlands Park. In a game dominated by Mike Rhodes’ side, Newent defended well until midway through the first half when Carl Griffiths was brought down in the box after a strong run. However, for the second week running Ben Maguire's spot kick was well saved. As the half drew to a close another penalty was awarded to Barometrics, this time for a foul on Sonnie Burrows after good play from Rob Reid. Burrows picked himself up before calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Barometrics a half-time advantage. The second period again saw the home side control possession, but could not extend their lead. Baros missed several chances and it looked like it could cost the hosts as Newent equalised with their only shot on target. A free-kick was lofted into the box and somehow the ball found its way into the net with 20 minutes remaining. But Baros quickly regained their lead from a corner that was flicked on by the outstanding Nick Hill for substitute Pete Bailey to scramble in at the back post. The game was over a couple of minutes later as Baros started to become more clinical in front of goal. A cross by Danny Gittings was well converted by Hill and there was still time for a third penalty to be awarded during injury time. Substitute Kurtis Burrows was brought down in the box and he picked himself up to convert the spot kick. Fifth placed Barometrics play Sharpness at home in Northern Senior League Division One on Saturday.

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 30 OCTOBER 2014

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Yates demands vast improvement ahead of York clash

Plymouth Argyle 3 Cheltenham Town 0

ARK Yates admitted Cheltenham Town were second best all over the pitch in their 3-0 defeat at Plymouth Argyle. Goals from Reuben Reid, Peter Hartley and Lewis Alessandra extended Argyle’s unbeaten run to five matches and left Cheltenham in 10th place ahead of Saturday’s home match against York City (3pm). “It was a frustrating day and Plymouth looked a good side, capable of heading it and kicking it as League Two requires, but also capable of playing,” Yates said. “We didn’t win any department and Reuben Reid caused us a few

problems in the first half with the long ball. “Bobby Reid in the middle got around us, picking up pieces from the mess Reuben caused and my back three didn’t work hard enough. “I still felt we could get back into it, but we weren’t as good as them and our game management was wrong.” At 2-0 down, Cheltenham created their two best chances of the game, with Lee Vaughan and Byron Harrison both close to pulling one back. “We could have scored and made a game of it, but we shot ourselves in the foot again for their third and

then it was game over,” Yates said. “We didn’t work their goalkeeper anywhere near enough, but Plymouth are probably the best side we’ve played this season and I really like their manager John Sheridan. “They were better than us in every department and we have to admit that. We are a work in progress and this is a setback, showing us there is still plenty of work to do.” Yates made two changes to the team that defeated Cambridge 2-1 last Tuesday, with Byron Harrison returning in place of the suspended John Marquis, while Omari Sterling-James came in for Joe Hanks,

who dropped to the bench. “I was slightly worried about Joe, who was carrying a knock, so I went with Omari thinking he would be more pro-active for us,” Yates said. “He wasn’t at fault for us being beaten, but as a team we weren’t as good as we wanted to be and we have to be in every game. “Our decision making with the ball was poor and we played into their hands pretty much. “We played three up front in the second half and used a back four and it was working, but we then conceded the third and it petered out.” Yates has now called for a much-

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improved display at home against York. “We have to try to keep picking up points and 99 per cent of the time this season our effort has been superb,” Yates said. “We have to make sure we are as fit, mobile and proactive as we can against York in front of our own fans, who have backed us so well this season.”

Cheltenham Town have been drawn at home to League One Swindon Town in the first round of the FA Cup. The tie will be played on Saturday, November 8 (3pm).

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